\"Theonlywaytoblindajealoushusband，\"saidhe，\"istomakehimyourfriend，forfriendshipwillrarelyadmitjealousy。\"
Thenextdayatdinner，attheambassador’s，Madamegavemeathousandproofsofgratefulfriendship，whichmyheartinterpretedaspledgesoflove。Thehusbandandwifepromisedtopaymeathreedays’visitinthefollowingweekatmycountryhouse。
Theykepttheirwordwithoutgivingmeanyfurtherwarning，butIwasnottakenbysurpriseasIhadmadeallpreparationsfortheirreception。
Myheartleaptwithjoyonseeingmycharmergettingdownfromthecarriage，butmyjoywasnotunalloyed，asthehusbandtoldmethattheymustabsolutelyreturnonthefourthday，andthewifeinsistedonthehorriblewidowbeingpresentatallourconversation。
ItookmygueststothesuiteofroomsIhadpreparedforthem，andwhichIjudgedmostsuitableformydesigns。Itwasonthegroundfloor，oppositetomyroom。Thebedroomhadarecesswithtwobeds，separatedbyapartitionthroughwhichonepassedbyadoor。Ihadthekeytoallthedoors，andthemaidwouldsleepinaclosetbeyondtheante—chamber。
Inobediencetomydivinity’scommandswewentandcalledonthewidow，whogaveusacordialwelcome；butunderthepretextofleavingusinfreedomrefusedtobeofourcompanyduringthethreedays。However，shegaveinwhenItoldherthatouragreementwasonlyinforcewhenIwasalone。
MydearDubois，withherknowledgeoftherulesofsociety，didnotneedahinttohavehersupperinherroom，andwehadanexquisitemealasIhadgivenordersthatthefareshouldbeofthebest。
AftersupperItookmygueststotheirapartment，andfeltobligedtodothesamebythewidow。Shewantedmetoassistathertoilet，butIexcusedmyselfwithabow。Shesaid，maliciously，thatafterallthepainsIhadtakenIdeservedtobesuccessful。Igavehernoanswer。
Nextmorning，aswewerewalkinginthegarden，IwarnedmycharmerthatIhadallthekeysofthehouse，andthatIcouldintroducemyselfintoherroomatanymoment。
\"Iamwaiting，\"saidshe，\"formyhusband’sembraces，whichhehasprefacedwithcaresses，asisusualwithhim。Wemustthereforewaittillthenightafternext，whichwilltakeawayallrisk，asIhaveneverknownhimtoembracemefortwonightsinsuccession。\"
AboutnoonwehadavisitfromM。deChavigni，whocametoaskfordinner，andmadeagreatto—dowhenheheardthatmyhousekeeperdinedinherroom。Theladiessaidhewasquiteright，soweallwentandmadehersitdownattablewithus。Shemusthavebeenflattered，andtheincidentevidentlyincreasedhergoodhumour，assheamusedusbyherwitandherpiquantstoriesaboutLadyMontagu。
WhenwehadrisenfromtableMadamesaidtome，——
\"Youreallymustbeinlovewiththatyoungwoman；sheisravishing。\"
\"IfIcouldpasstwohoursinyourcompanyto—night，IwouldprovetoyouthatIamyoursalone。\"
\"Itisstilloutofthequestion，asmyhusbandhasascertainedthatthemoonchangesto—day。\"
\"Hehastoaskleaveofthemoon，hashe，beforedischargingsosweetaduty？\"
\"Exactly。Accordingtohissystemofastrology，itistheonlywaytokeephishealthandtohavethesonthatHeavenwillstogranthim，andindeedwithoutaidfromaboveitishardlylikelythathiswisheswillbeaccomplished。\"
\"IhopetobetheinstrumentofHeaven，\"saidI，laughing。
\"Ionlyhopeyoumay。\"
ThusIwasobligedtowait。Nextmorning，aswewerewalkinginthegarden，shesaidtome，——
\"Thesacrificetothemoonhasbeenperformed，andtomakesureI
willcausehimtorenewhiscaressestonightassoonaswegotobed；
andafterthatheiscertaintosleepsoundly。Youcancomeatanhouraftermidnight；lovewillawaityou。\"
Certainofmybliss，Igavemyselfuptothejoythatsuchacertaintykindlesinafieryheart。Itwastheonlynightremaining，asM。————haddecidedthatonthenextdaytheywouldreturntoSoleure。
AftersupperItooktheladiestotheirapartments，andonreturningtoldmyhousekeeperthatIhadagooddealofwritingtodo，andthatsheshouldgotobed。
Justbeforeoneo’clockIleftmyroom，andthenightbeingadarkoneIhadtofeelmywayhalfroundmyhouse，andtomysurprisefoundthedooropen；butIdidnotpayanyattentiontothiscircumstance。Iopenedthedoorofthesecondante—chamber，andthemomentIshutitagainahandseizedmine，whilstanotherclosedmylips。Ionlyheardawhispered\"hush！\"whichbademesilent。Asofawasathand；wemadeitouraltarofsacrifice，andinamomentIwaswithinthetempleoflove。ItwassummertimeandIhadonlytwohoursbeforeme，soIdidnotloseamoment，andthinkingIheldbetweenmyarmsthewomanIhadsolongsighedforIrenewedagainandagainthepledgesofmyardentlove。InthefulnessofmyblissIthoughthernotawaitingmeinherbedanadmirableidea，asthenoiseofourkissesandthelivelinessofourmotionsmighthaveawakenedthetroublesomehusband。Hertenderecstasiesequalledmine，andincreasedmyblissbymakingmebelieve（oh，fatalerror！）
thatofallmyconqueststhiswastheoneofwhichIhadmostreasontoboast。
Tomygreatgrieftheclockwarnedmethatitwastimeformetobegone。Icoveredherwiththetenderestkisses，andreturningtomyroom，inthegreatestgladness，Iresignedmyselftosleep。
Iwasrousedatnineo’clockbyM。————，whoseemedinahappyframeofmind，andshewedmealetterhehadjustreceived，inwhichhisrelativethankedmeforrestoringhimtohisregiment。Inthisletter，whichwasdictatedbygratitude，hespokeofmeasifIhadbeenadivinity。
\"Iamdelighted，\"Isaid，\"tohavebeenofservicetoyou。\"
\"AndI，\"saidhe，\"amequallypleasedtoassureyouofmygratitude。
Comeandbreakfastwithus，mywifeisstillathertoilette。Comealong。\"
Irosehastily，andjustasIwasleavingtheroomIsawthedreadfulwidow，whoseemedfullofglee，andsaid，——
\"Ithankyou，sir；Ithankyouwithallmyheart。Ibegtoleaveyouatlibertyagain；IamgoingbacktoSoleure。\"
\"Waitforaquarterofanhour，wearegoingtobreakfastwithMadame。\"
\"Ican’tstopamoment，Ihavejustwishedhergoodday，andnowI
mustbegone。Farewell，andrememberme。\"
\"Farewell，madam。\"
ShehadhardlygonebeforeM。————askedmeifthewomanwasbesideherself。
\"Onemightthinkso，certainly，\"Ireplied，\"forshehasreceivednothingbutpolitenessatmyhands，andIthinkshemighthavewaitedtogobackwithyouintheevening。\"
Wewenttobreakfastandtodiscussthisabruptleave—taking，andafterwardswetookaturninthegardenwherewefoundMadameDubois。
M。————tookpossessionofher；andasIthoughthiswifelookingratherdowncastIaskedherifshehadnotsleptwell。
\"Ididnotgotosleeptillfouro’clockthismorning，\"shereplied，\"aftervainlysittingupinbedwaitingforyoutillthattime。Whatunforeseenaccidentpreventedyourcoming？\"
Icouldnotanswerherquestion。Iwaspetrified。Ilookedatherfixedlywithoutreplying；Icouldnotshakeoffmyastonishment。AtlastadreadfulsuspicioncameintomyheadthatIhadheldwithinmyarmsfortwohoursthehorriblemonsterwhomIhadfoolishlyreceivedinmyhouse。Iwasseizedwithaterribletremor，whichobligedmetogoandtakeshelterbehindthearbourandhidemyemotion。IfeltasthoughIshouldswoonaway。IshouldcertainlyhavefallenifI
hadnotrestedmyheadagainstatree。
Myfirstideahadbeenafearfulthought，whichIhastenedtorepel，thatMadame，havingenjoyedme，wishedtodenyallknowledgeofthefact——adevicewhichisinthepowerofanywomanwhogivesupherpersoninthedarktoadopt，asitisimpossibletoconvictheroflying。However，IknewthedivinecreatureIhadthoughtIpossessedtoowelltobelievehercapableofsuchbasedeceit。Ifeltthatshewouldhavebeenlackingindelicacy，ifshehadsaidshehadwaitedformeinvainbywayofajest；asinsuchacaseasthistheleastdoubtisadegradation。Iwasforced，then，totheconclusionthatshehadbeensupplantedbytheinfernalwidow。Howhadshemanagedit？Howhadsheascertainedourarrangements？Icouldnotimagine，andIbewilderedmyselfwithpainfulsurmises。Reasononlycomestotheaidofthemindwhentheconfusionproducedbypainfulthoughtshasalmostvanished。Iconcluded，then，thatIhadspenttwohourswiththisabominablemonster；andwhatincreasedmyanguish，andmademeloatheanddespisemyselfstillmore，wasthatI
couldnothelpconfessingthatIhadbeenperfectlyhappy。Itwasanunpardonablemistake，asthetwowomendifferedasmuchaswhitedoesfromblack，andthoughthedarknessforbademyseeing，andthesilencemyhearing，mysenseoftouchshouldhaveenlightenedme——
afterthefirstset—to，atallevents，butmyimaginationwasinastateofecstasy。Icursedlove，mynature，andabovealltheinconceivableweaknesswhichhadallowedmetoreceiveintomyhousetheserpentthathaddeprivedmeofanangel，andmademehatemyselfatthethoughtofhavingdefiledmyselfwithher。Iresolvedtodie，afterhavingtorntopieceswithmyownhandsthemonsterwhohadmademesounhappy。
WhileIwasstrengtheningmyselfinthisresolutionM。————cameuptomeandaskedmekindlyifIwereill；hewasalarmedtoseemepaleandcoveredwithdropsofsweat。\"Mywife，\"saidtheworthyman，\"isuneasyaboutyou，andsentmetolookafteryou。\"ItoldhimI
hadtoleaveheronaccountofasuddendizziness，butthatIbegantofeelbetter。\"Letusrejoinher。\"MadameDuboisbroughtmeaflaskofstrongwaters，sayingpleasantlythatshewassureitwasonlythesuddendepartureofthewidowthathadputmeout。
Wecontinuedourwalk，andwhenwewerefarenoughfromthehusband，whowaswithmyhousekeeper，IsaidIhadbeenovercomebywhatshehadsaid，butthatithaddoubtlessbeenspokenjestingly。
\"Iwasnotjestingatall，\"saidshe，withasigh，\"tellmewhatpreventedyourcoming。\"
AgainIwasstruckdumb。Icouldnotmakeupmymindtotellherthestory，andIdidnotknowwhattosaytojustifymyself。Iwassilentandconfusedwhenmyhousekeeper’slittleservantcameupandgavemealetterwhichthewretchedwidowhadsentherbyanexpress。
Shehadopenedit，andfoundanenclosureaddressedtomeinside。I
putitinmypocket，sayingIwouldreaditatmyleisure。OnMadamesayinginjokethatitwasalove—letter，Icouldnotlaugh，andmadenoanswer。Theservantcametotellusthatdinnerwasserved，butI
couldtouchnothing。Myabstinencewasputdowntomybeingunwell。
Ilongedtoreadtheletter，butIwishedtobealonetodoso，andthatwasadifficultmattertocontrive。
Wishingtoavoidthegameofpiquetwhichformedourusualafternoon’samusement，Itookacupofcoffee，andsaidthatI
thoughtthefreshairwoulddomegood。Madamesecondedme，andguessingwhatIwantedsheaskedmetowalkupanddownwithherinashelteredalleyinthegarden。Iofferedhermyarm，herhusbandofferedhistomyhousekeeper，andwewentout。
Assoonasmymistresssawthatwewerefreefromobservation，shespokeasfollows，——
\"Iamsurethatyouspentthenightwiththatmaliciouswoman，andI
amafraidofbeingcompromisedinconsequence。Tellmeeverything；
confideinmewithoutreserve；’tismyfirstintrigue，andifitistoserveasalessonyoushouldconcealnothingfromme。Iamsureyoulovedmeonce，tellmethatyouhavenotbecomemyenemy。\"
\"Goodheavens！whatareyousaying？Iyourenemy！\"
\"Thentellmeall，andbeforeyoureadthatwretchedcreature’sletter。Iadjureyouinthenameoflovetohidenothingfromme。\"
\"Well，divinecreature，Iwilldoasyoubidme。Icametoyourapartmentatoneo’clock，andassoonasIwasinthesecondante—
chamber，Iwastakenbythearm，andahandwasplaceduponmylipstoimposesilence；IthoughtIheldyouinmyarms，andIlaidyougentlyonthesofa。YoumustrememberthatIfeltabsolutelycertainitwasyou；indeed，Icanscarcelydoubtitevennow。Ithenpassedwithyou，withoutawordbeingspoken，twoofthemostdelicioushoursIhaveeverexperienced。Cursedhours！ofwhichtheremembrancewilltormentmefortheremainderofmydays。Ileftyouataquarterpastthree。Therestisknowntoyou。\"
\"Whocanhavetoldthemonsterthatyouweregoingtovisitmeatthathour？\"
\"Ican’tmakeout，andthatperplexesme。\"
\"YoumustconfessthatIamthemosttobepitiedofusthree，andperhaps，alas！theonlyonewhomayhaveajusttitletothename’wretched。’\"
\"Ifyouloveme，inthenameofHeavendonotsaythat；Ihaveresolvedtostabher，andtokillmyselfafterhavinginflictedonherthatpunishmentshesowelldeserves。\"
\"Haveyouconsideredthatthepublicityofsuchanactionwouldrendermethemostunfortunateofwomen？Letusbemoremoderate，sweetheart；youarenottoblameforwhathashappened，andifpossibleIloveyouallthemore。Givemethelettershehaswrittentoyou。Iwillgoawayfromyoutoreadit，andyoucanreaditafterwards，asifwewereseenreadingittogetherweshouldhavetoexplainmatters。\"
\"Hereitis。\"
Ithenrejoinedherhusband，whommyhousekeeperwassendingintofitsoflaughter。TheconversationIhadjusthadhadcalmedmealittle，andthetrustfulwayinwhichshehadaskedfortheletterhaddonemegood。Iwasinafevertoknowthecontents，andyetI
dreadedtoreadit，asitcouldonlyincreasemyrageandIwasafraidoftheresults。
Madamerejoinedus，andafterwehadseparatedagainshegavemetheletter，tellingmetokeepittillIwasalone。Sheaskedmetogivehermywordofhonourtodonothingwithoutconsultingher，andtocommunicateallmydesignstoherbymeansofhernurse。
\"Weneednotfeartheharpysayinganythingaboutit，\"sheremarked，\"asshewouldfirsthavetoproclaimherownprostitution，andasforus，concealmentisthebestplan。AndIwouldhaveyounotethatthehorriblecreaturegivesyouapieceofadviceyouwoulddowelltofollow。\"
Whatcompletelytoremyheartasunderduringthisinterviewwastoseegreattears——tearsofloveandgrief——fallingfromherbeautifuleyes；thoughtomoderatemyanguishsheforcedasmile。Iknewtoowelltheimportancesheattachedtoherfairfamenottoguessthatshewastormentedwiththeideathattheterriblewidowknewoftheunderstandingbetweenus，andthethoughtaddedfreshpoignancytomysorrow。
Thisamiablepairleftmeatsevenintheevening，andIthankedthehusbandinsuchamannerthathecouldnotdoubtmysincerity，and，intruth，IsaidnomorethanIfelt。Thereisnoreasonwhytheloveonefeelsforawomanshouldhinderonefrombeingthetruefriendofherhusband——ifshehaveahusband。Thecontraryviewisahatefulprejudice，repugnantbothtonatureandtophilosophy。AfterIhadembracedhimIwasabouttokissthehandofhischarmingwife，buthebeggedmetoembracehertoo，whichIdidrespectfullybutfeelingly。
Iwasimpatienttoreadtheterribleletter，andassoonastheyweregoneIshutmyselfupinmyroomtopreventanyinterruptions。Theepistlewasasfollows:
\"Ileaveyourhouse，sir，wellenoughpleased，notthatIhavespentacoupleofhourswithyou，foryouarenobetterthananyotherman，butthatIhaverevengedmyselfonthemanyopenmarksofcontemptyouhavegivenme；foryourprivatescornIcarelittle，andI
willinglyforgiveyou。Ihaveavengedmyselfbyunmaskingyourdesignsandthehypocrisyofyourprettyprude，whowillnolongerbeabletotreatmewiththatirritatingairofsuperioritywhichshe，affectingavirtuewhichshedoesnotpossess，hasdisplayedtowardsme。Ihaveavengedmyselfinthefactthatshemusthavebeenwaitingforyouallthenight，andIwouldhavegivenworldstohaveheardtheamusingconversationyoumusthavehadwhenshefoundoutthatIhadtakenforvengeance’ssake，andnotforlove，theenjoymentwhichwasmeantforher。Ihaveavengedmyselfbecauseyoucannolongerpretendtothinkheramarvelofbeauty，ashavingmistakenmeforher，thedifferencebetweenusmustneedsbeslight；
butIhavedoneyouaservice，too，asthethoughtofwhathashappenedshouldcureyouofyourpassion。Youwillnolongeradoreherbeforeallotherwomenwhoarejustasgoodasshe。ThusIhavedisabusedyou，andyououghttofeelgratefultome；butIdispenseyoufromallgratitude，anddonotcareifyouchoosetohateme，providedyourhatredleavesmeinpeace；butifIfindyourconductobjectionableinthefuture，IwarnyouthatIwilltellall，sinceI
donotcareformyownfameasIamawidowandmistressofmyownactions。Ineednoman’sfavour，andcarenotwhatmenmaysayofme。Yourmistress，ontheotherhand，isinquiteadifferentposition。
\"AndhereIwillgiveyouapieceofadvice，whichshouldconvinceyouofmygenerosity。ForthelasttenyearsIhavebeentroubledwithalittleailmentwhichhasresistedallattemptsattreatment。
Youexertedyourselftosuchanextenttoprovehowwellyoulovedmethatyoumusthavecaughtthecomplaint。Iadviseyou，then，toputyourselfundertreatmentatoncetoweakentheforceofthevirus；
butabovealldonotcommunicateittoyourmistress，whomightchancetohanditontoherhusbandandpossiblytoothers，whichwouldmakeawretchedwomanofher，tomygriefandsorrow，sinceshehasneverdonemeanyharm。Ifeltcertainthatyoutwowoulddeceivetheworthyhusband，andIwishedtohaveproof；thusImadeyoutakemein，andthepositionoftheapartmentyougavethemwasenoughtoremovealldoubts；stillIwantedtohaveproofpositive。
Ihadnoneedofanyhelptoarriveatmyends，andIfounditapleasantjoketokeepyouinthedark。Afterpassingtwonightsonthesofaallfornothing，Iresolvedonpassingthethirdnightthere，andmyperseverancewascrownedwithsuccess。Noonesawme，andmymaidevenisignorantofmynocturnalwanderings，thoughinanycasesheisaccustomedtoobservesilence。Youare，then，atperfectlibertytoburythestoryinoblivion，andIadviseyoutodoso。
\"Ifyouwantadoctor，tellhimtokeephiscounsel，forpeopleatSoleureknowofmylittleindisposition，andtheymightsayyoucaughtitfromme，andthiswoulddousbothharm。\"
HerimpudencestruckmesogiganticinitsdimensionsthatIalmostlaughed。IwasperfectlyawarethatafterthewayIhadtreatedhershemusthateme，butIshouldnothavethoughtshewouldhavecarriedherperversehatredsofar。Shehadcommunicatedtomeaninfectiousdisease，thoughIdidnotsofarfeelanysymptoms；
however，theywouldnodoubtappear，andIsadlythoughtIshouldhavetogoawaytobecured，toavoidthegossipofmaliciouswits。
Igavemyselfuptoreflection，andaftertwohours’thoughtIwiselyresolvedtoholdmytongue，buttoberevengedwhentheopportunitypresenteditself。
Ihadeatennothingatdinner，andneededagoodsuppertomakemesleep。Isatdowntotablewithmyhousekeeper，but，likeamanashamedofhimself，Idarednotlookherintheface。
CHAPTERXVI
ContinuationofthePrecedingChapter——ILeaveSoleureWhentheservantshadgoneawayandleftusalone，itwouldhavelookedstrangeifwehadremainedasdumbastwoposts；butinmystateofmindIdidnotfeelmyselfcapableofbreakingthesilence。
MydearDubois，whobegantolovemebecauseImadeherhappy，feltmymelancholyreactonherself，andtriedtomakemetalk。
\"Yoursadness，\"saidshe，\"isnotlikeyou；itfrightensme。Youmayconsoleyourselfbytellingmeofyourtroubles，butdonotimaginethatmycuriosityspringsfromanyunworthymotive，Ionlywanttobeofservicetoyou。Youmayrelyonmybeingperfectlydiscreet；andtoencourageyoutospeakfreely，andtogiveyouthattrustinmewhichIthinkIdeserve，IwilltellyouwhatIknowandwhatIhavelearntaboutyourself。Myknowledgehasnotbeenobtainedbyanyunworthystratagems，orbyacuriosityinaffairswhichdonotconcernme。\"
\"Iampleasedwithwhatyousay，mydearhousekeeper。Iseeyouaremyfriend，andIamgratefultoyou。Tellmeallyouknowaboutthematterwhichisnowtroublingme，andconcealnothing。\"
\"Verygood。YouaretheloverandthebelovedofMadame————。Thewidowwhomyouhavetreatedbadlyhasplayedyousometrickwhichhasinvolvedyouwithyourmistress，andthenthewretchedwomanhas477
leftyourhousewiththemostunpardonablerudenessthistorturesyou。Youfearsomedisastrousconsequencesfromwhichyoucannotescape，yourheartandmindareatwar，andthereisastruggleinyourbreastbetweenpassionandsentiment。PerhapsIamwrong，butyesterdayyouseemedtomehappyandto—daymiserable。Ipityyou，becauseyouhaveinspiredmewiththetenderestfeelingsoffriendship。Ididmybestto—daytoconversewiththehusbandthatyoumightbefreetotalktothewife，whoseemstomewellworthyofyourlove。\"
\"Allthatyouhavesaidistrue。Yourfriendshipisdeartome，andIhaveahighopinionofyourintellectualpowers。Thewidowisamonsterwhohasmademewretchedinreturnformycontempt，andI
cannotrevengemyselfonher。Honourwillnotallowmetotellyouanymore，andindeeditwouldbeimpossibleforyouoranyoneelsetoalleviatethegriefthatoverwhelmsme。Itmaypossiblybemydeath，butinthemeantime，mydearDubois，Ientreatyoutocontinueyourfriendshiptowardsme，andtotreatmewithentirecandour。Ishallalwaysattendtowhatyousay，andthusyouwillbeofthegreatestservicetome。Ishallnotbeungrateful。\"
IspentawearynightasIhadexpected，foranger，themotherofvengeance，alwaysmademesleepless，whilesuddenhappinesshadsometimesthesameeffect。
IrangforLeDucearlyinthemorning，but，insteadofhim，MadameDubois’suglylittleattendantcame，andtoldmethatmymanwasill，andthatthehousekeeperwouldbringmemychocolate。Shecameindirectlyafter，andIhadnosoonerswallowedthechocolatethanI
wasseizedwithaviolentattackofsickness，theeffectofanger，whichatitsheightmaykillthemanwhocannotsatisfyit。Myconcentratedragecalledforvengeanceonthedreadfulwidow，thechocolatecameonthetopoftheanger，andifithadnotbeenrejectedIshouldhavebeenkilled；asitwasIwasquiteexhausted。
LookingatmyhousekeeperIsawshewasintears，andaskedherwhyshewept。
\"Goodheavens！DoyouthinkIhaveaheartofstone？\"
\"Calmyourself；Iseeyoupityme。Leaveme，andIhopeIshallbeabletogetsomesleep。\"
Iwenttosleepsoonafter，andIdidnotwaketillIhadsleptforsevenhours。Ifeltrestoredtolife。Irangthebell，myhousekeepercamein，andtoldmethesurgeonoftheplacehadcalled。
Shelookedverymelancholy，butonseeingmymorecheerfulaspectI
sawgladnessreappearingonherprettyface。
\"Wewilldinetogether，dearest，\"saidI，\"buttellthesurgeontocomein。Iwanttoknowwhathehastosaytome。\"
Theworthymanentered，andafterlookingcarefullyroundtheroomtoseethatwewerealone，hecameuptome，andwhisperedinmyearthatLeDuchadamaladyofashamefulcharacter。
Iburstoutlaughing，asIhadbeenexpectingsometerriblenews。
\"Mydeardoctor，\"saidI，\"doallyoucantocurehim，andIwillpayyouhandsomely，butnexttimedon’tlooksodolefulwhenyouhaveanythingtotellme。Howoldareyou？\"
\"Nearlyeighty。\"
\"MayGodhelpyou！\"
IwasallthemorereadytosympathizewithmypoorSpaniard，asI
expectedtofindmyselfinalikecase。
Whatafellow—feelingthereisbetweentheunfortunate！Thepoormanwillseekinvainfortruecompassionattherichman’sdoors；whathereceivesisasacrificetoostentationandnottruebenevolence；
andthemaninsorrowshouldnotlookforpityfromonetowhomsorrowisunknown，iftherebesuchapersonontheearth。
Myhousekeepercameintodressme，andaskedmewhathadbeenthedoctor’sbusiness。
\"Hemusthavesaidsomethingamusingtomakeyoulaugh。\"
\"Yes，andIshouldliketotellyouwhatitwas；butbeforeIdosoI
mustaskyouifyouknowwhatthevenerealdiseaseis？\"
\"Yes，Ido；LadyMontagu’sfootmandiedofitwhileIwaswithher\"
\"Verygood，butyoushouldpretendnottoknowwhatitis，andimitateotherladieswhoassumeanignorancewhichwellbecomesthem。
PoorLeDuchasgotthisdisease。\"
\"Poorfellow，Iamsorryforhim！Wereyoulaughingatthat？\"
\"No；itwastheairofmysteryassumedbytheolddoctorwhichamusedme。\"
\"Itoohaveaconfidencetomake，andwhenyouhaveheardityoumusteitherforgivemeorsendmeawaydirectly。\"
\"Hereisanotherbother。Whatthedevilcanyouhavedone？Quick！
tellme。\"
\"Sir，Ihaverobbedyou！\"
\"Whatrobbedme？When？How？Canyoureturnmewhatyouhavetaken？Ishouldnothavethoughtyoucapableofsuchathing。I
neverforgivearobberoraliar。\"
\"Youaretoohasty，sir。Iamsureyouwillforgiveme，asIrobbedyouonlyhalfanhourago，andIamnowgoingtoreturntoyouthetheft。\"
\"Youareasingularwoman，mydear。Come，Iwillvouchsafefullforgiveness，butrestoreimmediatelywhatyouhavetaken。\"
\"ThisiswhatIstole。\"
\"What！thatmonster’sletter？Didyoureadit？\"
\"Yes，ofcourse，forotherwiseIshouldnothavecommittedatheft，shouldI？\"
\"Youhaverobbedmemysecret，then，andthatisathingyoucannotgivemeback。Youhavedoneverywrong。\"
\"IconfessIhave。MytheftisallthegreaterinthatIcannotmakerestoration。Nevertheless，Ipromisenevertospeakawordofitallmylife，andthatoughttogainmemypardon。Giveitmequickly。\"
\"Youarealittlewitch。Iforgiveyou，andhereisthepledgeofmymercy。\"SosayingIfastenedmylipsonhers。
\"Idon’tdoubtthevalidityofyourpardon；youhavesignedwithadoubleandatripleseal。\"
\"Yes；butforthefuturedonotread，orsomuchastouch，anyofmypapers，asIamthedepositaryofsecretsofwhichIamnotfreetodispose。\"
\"Verygood；butwhatshallIdowhenIfindpapersontheground，asthatletterwas？\"
\"Youmustpickthemup，butnotreadthem。\"
\"Ipromisetodoso。\"
\"Verywell，mydear；butyoumustforgetthehorrorsyouhaveread。\"
\"Listentome。AllowmetorememberwhatIhaveread；perhapsyoumaybethegainer。Letustalkoverthisaffair，whichhasmademyhairstandonend。Thismonsterofimmodestyhasgivenyoutwomortalblows——oneinthebodyandoneinthesoul；butthatisnottheworst，asshethinksthatMadame’shonourisinherkeeping。
This，inmythinking，istheworstofall；for，inspiteoftheaffront，yourmutuallovemightcontinue，andthediseasewhichtheinfamouscreaturehascommunicatedtoyouwouldpassoff；butifthemaliciouswomancarriesoutherthreats，thehonourofyourcharmingmistressisgonebeyondreturn。Donottrytomakemeforgetthematter，then，butletustalkitoverandseewhatcanbedone。\"
IthoughtIwasdreamingwhenIheardayoungwomaninherpositionreasoningwithmoreacutenessthanMinervadisplaysinhercolloquieswithTelemachus。Shehadcapturednotonlymyesteembutmyrespect。
\"Yes，mydear，\"Ianswered，\"letusthinkoversomeplanfordeliveringawomanwhodeservestherespectofallgoodmenfromthisimminentdanger；andtheverythoughtthatwehavesomechanceofsuccessmakesmeindebtedtoyou。Letusthinkofitandtalkofitfromnoontonight。ThinkkindlyofMadame————，pardonherfirstslip，protectherhonour，andhavepityonmydistress。Fromhenceforthcallmenomoreyourmasterbutyourfriend。Iwillbeyourfriendtilldeath；Iswearittoyou。Whatyousayisfullofwisdom；myheartisyours。Embraceme。\"
\"No，no，thatisnotnecessary；weareyoungpeople，andwemightperhapsallowourselvestogoastray。Ionlywishforyourfriendship；butIdonotwantyoutogiveittomefornothing。I
wishtodeserveitbygivingyousolidproofsofmyfriendshipforyou。InthemeanwhileIwilltellthemtoservedinner，andIhopethatafteryouhaveeatensomethingyouwillbequitewell。\"
Iwasastonishedathersagacity。Itmightallbecalculatedartifice，andheraimmightbetoseduceme，butIdidnottroublemyselfaboutthat。Ifoundmyselfalmostinlovewithher，andliketobethedupeofherprinciples，whichwouldhavemadethemselvesfelt，evenifshehadopenlysharedmylove。IdecidedthatIwouldaddnofueltomyflames，andfeltcertainthattheywouldgooutoftheirownaccord。Byleavingmylovethusdesolateitwoulddieofexhaustion。Iarguedlikeafool。Iforgotthatitisnotpossibletostopatfriendshipwithaprettywomanwhomoneseesconstantly，andespeciallywhenonesuspectsherofbeinginloveherself。Atitsheightfriendshipbecomeslove，andthepalliativeoneisforcedtoapplytosootheitforamomentonlyincreasesitsintensity。
SuchwastheexperienceofAnacreonwithSmerdis，andCleobuluswithBadyllus。APlatonistwhopretendsthatoneisabletolivewithayoungwomanofwhomoneisfond，withoutbecomingmorethanherfriend，isavisionarywhoknowsnotwhathesays。Myhousekeeperwastooyoung，toopretty，andabovealltoopleasant，shehadtookeenawit，formenottobecaptivatedbyallthesequalitiesconjoined；Iwasboundtobecomeherlover。
Wedinedquietlytogetherwithoutsayinganythingabouttheaffairwehadatheart，fornothingismoreimprudentormoredangerousthantospeakinthepresenceofservants，whooutofmaliciousnessorignoranceputtheworstconstructiononwhattheyhear；addordiminish，andthinkthemselvesprivilegedtodivulgetheirmaster’ssecrets，especiallyastheyknowthemwithouthavingbeenentrustedwiththem。
Assoonaswewerealone，mydearDuboisaskedmeifIhadsufficientproofofLeDuc’sfidelity。
\"Well，mydear，heisarascalandaprofligate，fullofimpudence，sharp—witted，ignorant，afearfulliar，andnobodybutmyselfhasanypoweroverhim。However，hehasonegoodquality，andthatisblindobediencetomyorders。Hedefiesthestick，andhewoulddefythegallowsifitwerefarenoughoff。WhenIhavetofordariveronmytravels，hestripsoffhisclotheswithoutmytellinghim，andjumpsintoseeifIcanacrossinsafety。\"
\"Thatwilldo；heisjustwhatwewantunderthecircumstances。I
willbeginbyassuringyou，mydearfriend，asyouwillhavemestyleyouthus，thatMadame’shonourisperfectlysafe。Followmyadvice，andifthedetestablewidowdoesnottakecareshewillbetheonlypersonputtoshame。ButwewantLeDuc；withouthimwecandonothing。Aboveallwemustfindouthowhecontractedhisdisease，asseveralcircumstancesmightthrowobstaclesinthewayofmydesign。Gotohimatonceandfindoutallparticulars，andifhehastoldanyoftheservantswhatisthematterwithhim。Whenyouhaveheardwhathehastosay，warnhimtokeepthematterquiet。\"
Imadenoobjection，andwithoutendeavouringtopenetrateherdesignIwenttoLeDuc。Ifoundhimlyingonhisbedbyhimself。Isatdownbesidehimwithasmileonmyface，andpromisedtohavehimcuredifhewouldtellmeallthecircumstancesofthecase。
\"Withallmyheart，sir，thematterhappenedlikethis。ThedayyousentmetoSoleuretogetyourletters，Igotdownataroadsidedairytogetaglassofmilk。Itwasservedtomebyayoungwenchwhocaughtmyfancy，andIgaveherahug；sheraisednoobjection，andinaquarterofanhourshemademewhatyousee。\"
\"Haveyoutoldanyoneaboutit？\"
\"Itookgoodcarenottodoso，asIshouldonlyhavegotlaughedat。
Thedoctoristheonlyonewhoknowswhatisthematter，andhetellsmetheswellingwillbegonedownbeforetomorrow，andIhopeIshallbeablebythattimetowaituponyou。\"
\"Verygood，butremembertokeepyourowncounsel。\"
IproceededtoinformmyMinervaofourconversation，andshesaid，——
\"Tellmewhetherthewidowcouldtakeheroaththatshehadspentthetwohoursonthesofawithyou。\"
\"No，forshedidn’tseeme，andIdidnotsayaword。\"
\"Verygood；thensitdownatyourdeskandwrite，andtellhersheisaliar，asyoudidnotleaveyourroomatall，andthatyouaremakingthenecessaryenquiriesinyourhouseholdtofindoutwhoisthewretchedpersonshehasunwittinglycontaminated。Writeatonceandsendoffyourletterdirectly。Inanhourandahalf’stimeyoucanwriteanotherletter；orratheryoucancopywhatIamjustgoingtoputdown。\"
\"Mydear，Iseeyourplan；itisaningeniousone，butIhavegivenmywordofhonourtoMadametotakenostepsinthematterwithoutfirstconsultingher。\"
\"Thenyourwordofhonourmustgivewaytothenecessityofsavingherhonour。Yourloveretardsyoursteps，buteverythingdependsonourpromptitude，andontheintervalbetweenthefirstandsecondletter。Followmyadvice，Ibegofyou，andyouwillknowtherestfromtheletterIamgoingtowriteforyoutocopy。QuickIwriteletternumberone。\"
Ididnotallowmyselftoreflect。Iwaspersuadedthatnobetterplancouldbefoundthanthatofmycharminggoverness，andI
proceededtowritethefollowinglove—lettertotheimpudentmonster:
\"Theimpudenceofyourletterisinperfectaccordwiththethreenightsyouspentindiscoveringafactwhichhasnoexistencesaveinyourownperverseimagination。Know，cursedwoman，thatIneverleftmyroom，andthatIhavenottodeploretheshameofhavingpassedtwohourswithabeingsuchasyou。Godknowswithwhomyoudidpassthem，butImeantofindoutifthewholestoryisnotthecreationofyourdevilishbrain，andwhenIdosoIwillinformyou。
\"YoumaythankHeaventhatIdidnotopenyourlettertillafterM。
andMadamehadgone。Ireceiveditintheirpresence，butdespisingthehandthatwroteitIputitinmypocket，littlecaringwhatinfamousstuffitcontained。IfIhadbeencuriousenoughtoreaditandmyguestshadseenit，IwouldhaveyouknowthatIwouldhavegoneinpursuitofyou，andatthismomentyouwouldhavebeenacorpse。Iamquitewell，andhavenosymptomsofanycomplaint，butIshallnotlowermyselftoconvinceyouofmyhealth，asyoureyeswouldcarrycontagionaswellasyourwretchedcarcase。\"
IshewedthelettertomydearDubois，whothoughtitratherstronglyexpressed，butapprovedofitonthewhole；Ithensentittothehorriblebeingwhohadcausedmesuchunhappiness。AnhourandahalfafterwardsIsentherthefollowingletter，whichIcopiedwithoutadditionorsubtraction:
\"AquarterofanhourafterIhadsentoffmyletter，thevillagedoctorcametotellmethatmymanhadneedofhistreatmentforadiseaseofashamefulnaturewhichhehadcontractedquiterecently。
Itoldhimtotakecareofhispatient；andwhenhehadgoneIwenttoseetheinvalid，whoconfessed，aftersomepressure，thathehadreceivedthisprettypresentfromyou。Iaskedhimhowhehadcontrivedtoobtainaccesstoyou，andhesaidthathesawyougoingbyyourselfinthedarkintotheapartmentofM。————。KnowingthatIhadgonetobed，andhavingnofurtherservicestorenderme，curiositymadehimgoandseewhatyouweredoingtherebystealth，asifyouhadwantedtoseethelady，whowouldbeinbedbythattime，youwouldnothavegonebythedoorleadingtothegarden。Heatfirstthoughtthatyouwenttherewithill—intent，andhewaitedanhourtoseeifyoustoleanything，inwhichcasehewouldhavearrestedyou；butasyoudidnotcomeout，andheheardnonoise，heresolvedtogoinafteryou，andfoundyouhadleftthedooropen。
Hehasassuredmethathehadnointentionsinthewayofcarnalenjoyment，andIcanwellbelievehim。Hetellsmehewasonthepointofcryingforhelp，whenyoutookholdofhimandputyourhandoverhismouth；buthechangedhisplansonfindinghimselfdrawngentlytoacouchandcoveredwithkisses。Youplainlytookhimforsomebodyelse，’and，’saidhe，’Ididheraservicewhichshehasdoneilltorecompenseinthisfashion。’Heleftyouwithoutsayingawordassoonasthedaybegantodawn，hismotivebeingfearofrecognition。Itiseasytoseethatyoutookmyservantformyself，forinthenight，youknow，allcatsaregrey，andIcongratulateyouonobtaininganenjoymentyoucertainlywouldnothavehadfromme，asIshouldmostsurelyhaverecognizedyoudirectlyfromyourbreathandyouragedcharms，andIcantellyouitwouldhavegonehardwithyou。Luckilyforyouandforme，thingshappenedotherwise。Imaytellyouthatthepoorfellowisfurious，andintendsmakingyouavisit，fromwhichcourseIbelieveIhavenorighttodissuadehim。
Iadviseyoutohearhimpolitely，andtobeinagenerousmoodwhenhecomes，asheisadeterminedfellowlikeallSpaniards，andifyoudonottreathimproperlyhewillpublishthematter，andyouwillhavetotaketheconsequences。Hewilltellyouhimselfwhathistermsare，andIdaresayyouwillbewiseenoughtograntthem。\"
AnhourafterIhadsentoffthisepistleIreceivedareplytomyfirstletter。Shetoldmethatmydevicewasaningeniousone，butthatitwasnogood，assheknewwhatshewastalkingabout。ShedefiedmetoshewherthatIwashealthyinthecourseofafewdays。
Whilewewereatsupper，mydearDuboistriedherutmosttocheermeup，butalltonopurpose；Iwastoomuchundertheinfluenceofstrongemotiontoyieldtoherhighspirits。Wediscussedthethirdstep，whichwouldputanapextotheschemeandcovertheimpudentwomanwithshame。AsIhadwrittenthetwolettersaccordingtomyhousekeeper’sinstructions，Ideterminedtofollowheradvicetotheend。ShetoldmewhattosaytoLeDucinthemorning；andshewascurioustoknowwhatsortofstuffhewasmadeof，shebeggedmetoletherlistenbehindthecurtainsofmybed。
NextmorningLeDuecamein，andIaskedifhecouldrideonhorsebacktoSoleure。
\"Yes，sir，\"hereplied，\"butthedoctortellsmeImustbegintobatheto—morrow。\"
\"Verygood。Assoonasyourhorseisready，setoutandgotoMadameF————，butdonotletherknowyoucomefromme，orsuspectthatyouareamereemissaryofmine。Saythatyouwanttospeaktoher。Ifsherefusestoreceiveyou，waitoutsideinthestreet；butIfancyshewillreceiveyou，andwithoutawitnesseither。Thensaytoher，’Youhavegivenmemycomplaintwithouthavingbeenasked，andI
requireyoutogivemesufficientmoneytogetmyselfcured。’Addthatshemadeyouworkfortwohoursinthedark，andthatifithadnotbeenforthefatalpresentshehadgiventoyou，youwouldhavesaidnothingaboutit；butthatfindingyourselfinsuchastate（youneedn’tbeashamedtoshewher）sheoughtnottobeastonishedatyourtakingsuchacourse。Ifsheresists，threatenherwiththelaw。That’sallyouhavetodo，butdon’tletmynameappear。
Returndirectlywithoutlossoftime，thatImayknowhowyouhavegoton。\"
\"That’sallveryfine，sir，butifthisjollywenchhasmepitchedoutofwindow，Ishan’tcomehomequitesospeedily。\"
\"Quiteso，butyouneedn’tbeafraid；Iwillanswerforyoursafety。\"
\"It’saqueerbusinessyouaresendingmeon。\"
\"YouaretheonlymanIwouldtrusttodoitproperly。\"
\"Iwilldoitallright，butIwanttoaskyouoneortwoessentialquestions。Hastheladyreallygotthewhatd’youcallit？\"
\"Shehas。\"
\"Iamsorryforher。ButhowamItosticktoitthatshehaspepperedme，whenIhaveneverspokentoher？\"
\"Doyouusuallycatchthatcomplaintbyspeaking，booby？\"
\"No，butonespeaksinordertocatchit，orwhileoneiscatchingit。\"
\"Youspenttwohoursinthedarkwithherwithoutawordbeingspoken，andshewillseethatshegavethisfinepresenttoyouwhileshethoughtshewasgivingittoanother。\"
\"Ah！Ibegintoseemyway，sir。Butifwewereinthedark，howwasItoknowitwassheIhadtodowith？
\"Thus:yousawhergoinginbythegardendoor，andyoumarkedherunobserved。Butyoumaybesureshewon’taskyouanyofthesequestions。\"
\"Iknowwhattodonow。Iwillstartatonce，andIamascuriousasyoutoknowwhatheranswerwillbe。Buthere’sanotherquestioncomesintomyhead。ShemaytrytostrikeabargainoverthesumI
amtoaskformycure；ifso，shallIbecontentwiththreehundredfrancs？\"
\"That’stoomuchforher，takehalf。\"
\"Butitisn’tmuchfortwohoursofsuchpleasureforherandsixweeksofsuchpainforme。\"
\"Iwillmakeuptheresttoyou。\"
\"That’sgoodhearing。Sheisgoingtopayfordamageshehasdone。
IfancyIseeitall，butIshallsaynothing。Iwouldbetitisyoutowhomshehasmadethisfinepresent，andthatyouwanttopayherout。\"
\"Perhapsso；butkeepyourowncounselandsetout。\"
\"DoyouknowIthinktherascalisunique，\"saidmydearDubois，emergingfromherhiding—place，\"Ihadhardworktokeepfromlaughingwhenhesaidthatifhewerepitchedoutofthewindowhewouldnotcomebacksosoon。Iamsurehewillacquithimselfbetterthaneverdiddiplomatist。WhenhegetstoSoleurethemonsterwillhavealreadydispatchedherreplytoyoursecondletter。Iamcurioustoseehowitwillturnout。\"
\"Toyou，mydear，thehonourofthiscomedybelongs。Youhaveconductedthisintriguelikeapastmasterinthecraft。Itcouldneverbetakenfortheworkofanovice。\"
\"Nevertheless，itismyfirstandIhopeitwillbemylastintrigue\"
\"Ihopeshewon’tdefymeto’giveevidenceofmyhealth。\"
\"Youarequitewellsofar，Ithink？\"
\"Yes；and，bytheway，itispossibleshemayonlyhaveleucorrhoea。
Iamlongingtoseetheendofthepiece，andtosetmymindatrest。\"
\"WillyougiveMadameanaccountofourscheme？\"
\"Yes；butIshallnotbeabletogiveyouthecredityoudeserve。\"
\"Ionlywanttohavecreditinyoureyes。\"
\"YoucannotdoubtthatIhonouryouimmensely，andIshallcertainlynotdepriveyouoftherewardthatisyourdue。\"
\"TheonlyrewardIaskforisforyoutobeperfectlyopenwithme。\"
\"Youareverywonderful。Whydoyouinterestyourselfsomuchinmyaffairs？Idon’tliketothinkyouarereallyinquisitive。\"
\"YouwouldbewrongtothinkthatIhaveadefectwhichwouldlowermeinmyowneyes。Besure，sir，thatIshallonlybecuriouswhenyouaresad。\"
\"Butwhatcanhavemadeyoufeelsogenerouslytowardsme？\"
\"Onlyyourhonourableconducttowardsme。\"
\"Youtouchmeprofoundly，andIpromisetoconfideinyouforthefuture。\"
\"Youwillmakemehappy。\"
LeDuchadscarcelygoneanhourwhenamessengeronfootcametobringmeasecondletterfromthewidow。Healsogavemeasmallpacket，tellingmethathehadorderstowaitforareply。Isenthimdowntowait，andIgavethelettertoMadameDubois，thatshemightseewhatitcontained。WhileshewasreadingitIleantuponthewindow，myheartbeatingviolently。
\"Everythingisgettingonfamously，\"criedmyhousekeeper。\"Hereistheletter；readit。\"
\"WhetherIambeingtoldthetruth，orwhetherIamthevictimofamytharisingfromyourfertileimagination（forwhichyouaretoowellknownalloverEurope），Iwillregardthewholestoryasbeingtrue，asIamnotinapositiontodisproveit。Iamdeeplygrievedtohaveinjuredaninnocentmanwhohasneverdonemeanyill，andI
willwillinglypaythepenaltybygivinghimasumwhichwillbemorethansufficienttocurehimoftheplaguewithwhichIinfectedhim。
Ibegthatyouwillgivehimthetwenty—fivelouisIamsendingyou；
theywillservetorestorehimtohealth，andtomakehimforgetthebitternessofthepleasureIamsosorrytohaveprocuredforhim。
Andnowareyousufficientlygeneroustoemployyourauthorityasmastertoenjoinonyourmanthemostabsolutesecrecy？Ihopeso，foryouhavereasontodreadmyvengeanceotherwise。Considerthat，ifthisaffairisallowedtotranspire，itwillbeeasyformetogiveitaturnwhichmaybefarfrompleasanttoyou，andwhichwillforcetheworthymanyouaredeceivingtoopenhiseyes；forIhavenotchangedmyopinion，asIhavetoomanyproofsofyourunderstandingwithhiswife。AsIdonotdesirethatweshouldmeetagain，IshallgotoLucerneonthepretextoffamilyconcerns。Letmeknowthatyouhavegotthisletter。\"
\"Iamsorry，\"Isaid，\"tohavesentLeDuc，astheharpyisviolent，andIamafraidofsomethinghappeningtohim。\"
\"Don’tbeafraid，\"shereplied，\"nothingwillhappen，anditisbetterthattheyshouldseeeachother；itmakesitmorecertain。
Sendherthemoneydirectly；shewillhavetogiveittohimherself，andyourvengeancewillbecomplete。Shewillnotbeabletoentertaintheslightestsuspicion，especiallyifLeDucshewsherherwork，andintwoorthreehoursyouwillhavethepleasureofhearingeverythingfromhislips。Youhavereasontoblessyourstars，asthehonourofthewomanyouloveissafe。Theonlythingthatcantroubleyouistheremembranceofthewidow’sfoulembraces，andthecertaintythattheprostitutehascommunicatedhercomplainttoyou。
Nevertheless，Ihopeitmayproveaslightattackandbeeasilycured。Aninveterateleucorrhoeaisnotexactlyavenerealdisease，andIhaveheardpeopleinLondonsaythatitwasrarelycontagious。
WeoughttobeverythankfulthatsheisgoingtoLucerne。Laughandbethankful；thereiscertainlyacomictouchinourdrama。\"
\"Unfortunately，itistragi—comic。Iknowthehumanheart，andIamsurethatImusthaveforfeitedMadame’saffections。\"
\"Itistruethat————；butthisisnotthetimetobethinkingofsuchmatters。Quick！writetoherbrieflyandreturnherthetwenty—fiveLouis。\"
Myreplywasasfollows:
\"Yourunworthysuspicions，yourabominabledesignofrevenge，andtheimpudentletteryouwroteme，aretheonlycausesofyournodoubtbitterrepentance。Ihopethatitwillrestorepeacetoyourconscience。Ourmessengershavecrossed，throughnofaultofmine。
Isendyouthetwenty—fiveLouis；youcangivethemtothemanyourself。Icouldnotpreventmyservantfrompayingyouavisit，butthistimeyouwillnotkeephimtwohours，andyouwillnotfinditdifficulttoappeasehisanger。Iwishyouagoodjourney，andI
shallcertainlyfleealloccasionsofmeetingyou，forIalwaysavoidthehorrible；andyoumustknow，odiouswoman，thatitisn’teverybodywhoendeavourstoruinthereputationoftheirfriends。
IfyouseetheapostolicnuncioatLucerne，askhimaboutme，andhewilltellyouwhatsortofareputationIhaveinEurope。IcanassureyouthatLeDuchasonlyspokentomeofhismisadventure，andthatifyoutreathimwellhewillbediscreet，ashecertainlyhasnothingtoboastof。Farewell。\"
MydearMinervaapprovedofthisletter，andIsentitwiththemoneybythemessenger。
\"Thepieceisnotyetdone，\"saidmyhousekeeper，\"wehavethreescenesmore:\"
\"Whatarethey？\"
\"ThereturnofyourSpaniard，theappearanceofthedisease，andtheastonishmentofMadamewhenshehearsitall。\"
IcountedthemomentsforLeDuctoreturn，butinvain；hedidnotappear。Iwasinastateofgreatanxiety，althoughmydearDuboiskepttellingmethattheonlyreasonhewasawaysolongwasthatthewidowwasout。Somepeoplearesohappilyconstitutedthattheyneveradmitthepossibilityofmisfortune。Iwaslikethatmyselftilltheageofthirty，whenIwasputundertheLeads。NowIamgettingintomydotageandlookonthedarksideofeverything。Iaminvitedtoawedding，andseenoughtbutgloom；andwitnessingthecoronationofLeopold，atPrague，Isaytomyself，’Nolocoronari’。
Cursedoldage，thouartonlyworthyofdwellinginhell，asothersbeforemehavethoughtalso，’tristisquesenectus’。
Abouthalf—pastninemyhousekeeperlookedout，andsawLeDucbythemoonlightcomingalongatagoodpace。Thatnewsrevivedme。Ihadnolightintheroom，andmyhousekeeperrantohideintherecess，forshewouldnothavemissedawordoftheSpaniard’scommunication。
\"Iamdyingofhunger，\"saidhe，ashecamein。\"Ihadtowaitforthatwomantillhalf—pastsix。Whenshecameinshefoundmeonthestairsandtoldmetogoaboutmybusiness，asshehadnothingtosaytome。
\"’Thatmaybe，fairlady，’Ireplied；’butIhaveafewwordstosaytoyou，andIhavebeenwaitinghereforacursedtimewiththatintent。’
\"’Waitaminute，’shereplied；andthenputtingintoherpocketapacketandaletterwhichIthoughtwasaddressedinyourwriting，shetoldmetofollowher。AssoonasIgottoherroom，Isawtherewasnooneelsepresent，andItoldherthatshehadinfectedme，andthatIwantedthewherewithaltopaythedoctor。AsshesaidnothingIproceededtoconvinceherofmyinfectedstate，butsheturnedawayherhead，andsaid，——
\"’Haveyoubeenwaitingformelong？
\"’Sinceeleven，withouthavinghadabiteorasup。’
\"Thereuponshewentout，andafteraskingtheservant，whomIsupposeshehadsenthere，whattimehehadcomeback，shereturnedtome，shutthedoor，andgavemethepacket，tellingmethatitcontainedtwenty—fiveLouisformycure，andthatifIvaluedmylifeIwouldkeepsilenceinthematter。Ipromisedtobediscreet，andwiththatIlefthere，andhereIam。
\"Doesthepacketbelongtome？\"
\"Certainly。Havesomesupperandgotobed。\"
MydearDuboiscameoutofherrecessandembracedme，andwespentahappyevening。NextmorningInoticedthefirstsymptomsofthediseasethehatefulwidowhadcommunicatedtome，butinthreeorfourdaysIfounditwasofaveryharmlesscharacter，andaweeklaterIwasquiteridofit。MypoorSpaniard，ontheotherhand，wasinapitiablecase。
IpassedthewholeofthenextmorninginwritingtoMadame。ItoldhercircumstantiallyallIhaddone，inspiteofmypromisetoconsulther，andIsenthercopiesofalltheletterstoconvinceherthatourenemyhadgonetoLucernewiththeideathathervengeancehadbeenonlyanimaginaryone。ThusIshewedherthatherhonourwasperfectlysafe。IendedbytellingherthatIhadnoticedthefirstsymptomsofthedisease，butthatIwascertainofgettingridofitinaveryfewdays。Isentmyletterthroughhernurse，andintwodays’timeIhadafewlinesfromherinformingmethatIshouldseeherinthecourseoftheweekincompanywithherhusbandandM。deChavigni。
UnhappyI！Iwasobligedtorenounceallthoughtsoflove，butmyDubois，whowaswithmenearlyalldayonaccountofLeDuc’sillness，begantostandmeingoodstead。ThemoreIdeterminedtobeonlyafriendtoher，themoreIwastakenwithher；anditwasinvainthatItoldmyselfthatfromseeingherwithoutanylove—makingmysentimentforherwoulddieanaturaldeath。Ihadmadeherapresentofaring，tellingherthatwhenevershewantedtogetridofitIwouldgiveherahundredlouisforit；butthiscouldonlyhappenintimeofneed——animpossiblecontingencywhileshecontinuedwithme，andIhadnoideaofsendingheraway。Shewasnaturalandsincere，endowedwithareadywitandgoodreasoningpowers。Shehadneverbeeninlove，andshehadonlymarriedtopleaseLadyMontagu。
Sheonlywrotetohermother，andtopleaseherIreadtheletters。
Theywerefulloffilialpiety，andwereadmirablywritten。
Onedaythefancytookmetoasktoreadthelettershermotherwroteinreply。\"Sheneverreplies，\"saidshe，\"Foranexcellentreason，namely，thatshecannotwrite。IthoughtshewasdeadwhenIcamebackfromEngland，anditwasahappysurprisetofindherinperfecthealthwhenIgottoLausanne。\"
\"WhocamewithyoufromEngland？\"
\"Nobody。\"
\"Ican’tcreditthat。Young，beautiful，welldressed，obligedtoassociatecasuallywithallkindsofpeople，youngmenandprofligates（fortherearesucheverywhere），howdidyoumanagetodefendyourself？\"
\"Defendmyself？Ineverneededtodoso。Thebestplanforayoungwomanisnevertostareatanyman，topretendnottohearcertainquestionsandcertainlynottoanswerthem，tosleepbyherselfinaroomwherethereisalockandkey，orwiththelandladywhenpossible。Whenagirlhastravellingadventures，onemaysafelysaythatshehascourtedthem，foritiseasytobediscreetinallcountriesifonewishes。\"
Shespokejustly。Sheassuredmethatshehadneverhadanadventureandhadnevertripped，asshewasfortunateenoughnottobeofanamorousdisposition。Hernaivestories，herfreedomfromprudery，andhersalliesfullofwitandgoodsense，amusedmefrommorningtillnight，andwesometimesthouedeachother；thiswasgoingratherfar，andshouldhaveshewnusthatwewereonthebrinkoftheprecipice。ShetalkedwithmuchadmirationofthecharmsofMadame，andshewedtheliveliestinterestinmystoriesofamorousadventure。
WhenIgotonriskyground，IwouldmakeasifIwouldfainspareherallunseemlydetails，butshebeggedmesogracefullytohidenothing，thatIfoundmyselfobligedtosatisfyher；butwhenmydescriptionsbecamesofaithfulasalmosttosetusonfire，shewouldburstintoalaugh，putherhandovermymouth，andflylikeahuntedgazelletoherroom，andthenlockherselfin。OnedayI
askedherwhyshedidso，andsheanswered，\"TohinderyoufromcomingtoaskmeforwhatIcouldnotrefuseyouatsuchmoments。\"
ThedaybeforethatonwhichM。andMadameandM。deChavignicametodinewithme，sheaskedmeifIhadhadanyamorousadventuresinHolland。ItoldheraboutEsther，andwhenIcametothemoleandmyinspectionofit，mycharmingcuriosityrantostopmymouth，hersidesshakingwithlaughter。Iheldhergentlytome，andcouldnothelpseekingwhethershehadamoleinthesameplace，towhichsheopposedbutafeebleresistance。Iwaspreventedbymyunfortunateconditionfromimmolatingthevictimonthealtaroflove，soweconfinedourselvestoamake—believecombatwhichonlylastedaminute；however，oureyestookinit，andourexcitedfeelingswerebynomeansappeased。Whenwehaddoneshesaid，laughing，butyetdiscreetly，——
\"Mydearfriend，weareinlovewithoneanother；andifwedonottakecareweshallnotlongbecontentwiththistrifling。\"
Sighingasshespoke，shewishedmegoodnightandwenttobedwithheruglylittlemaid。Thiswasthefirsttimewehadallowedourselvestobeovercomebytheviolenceofourpassion，butthefirststepwastaken。AsIretiredtorestIfeltthatIwasinlove，andforesawthatIshouldsoonbeundertheruleofmycharminghousekeeper。
M。andMadame——andM。Chavignigaveusanagreeablesurprise，thenextday，bycomingtodinewithus，andwepassedthetimetilldinnerbywalkinginthegarden。MydearDuboisdidthehonoursofthetable，andIwasgladtoseethatmytwomaleguestsweredelightedwithher，fortheydidnotleaveherforamomentduringtheafternoon，andIwasthusenabledtotellmycharmerallIhadwrittentoher。NeverthelessItookcarenottosayawordaboutthesharemyhousekeeperhadhadinthematter，formymistresswouldhavebeenmortifiedatthethoughtthatherweaknesswasknowntoher。
\"Iwasdelightedtoreadyourletters，\"saidshe，\"andtohearthatthatvillainouswomancannolongerflatterherselfuponhavingspenttwohourswithyou。Buttellme，howcanyouhaveactuallyspentthemwithherwithoutnoticing，inspiteofthedark，thedifferencebetweenherandme？Sheismuchshorter，muchthinner，andtenyearsolder。Besides，herbreathisdisagreeable，andIthinkyouknowthatIhavenotthatdefect。Certainly，youcouldnotseeherhair，butyoucouldtouch，andyetyounoticednothing！Icanscarcelybelieveit！\"
\"Unhappily，itisonlytootrue。Iwasinebriatedwithlove，andthinkingonlyofyou，Isawnothingbutyou。\"
\"Iunderstandhowstrongtheimaginationwouldbeatfirst，butthiselementshouldhavebeenmuchdiminishedafterthefirstorsecondassault；and，aboveall，becauseshediffersfrommeinamatterwhichIcannotconcealandshecannotsupply。\"
\"Youareright——aburstofVenus！WhenIthinkthatIonlytouchedtwodanglingflabbybreasts，IfeelasifIdidnotdeservetolive！\"
\"Andyoufeltthem，andtheydidnotdisgustyou！\"
\"CouldIbedisgusted，couldIevenreflect，whenIfeltcertainthatIheldyouinmyarms，youforwhomIwouldgivemylife。No，aroughskin，astinkingbreath，andafortificationcarriedwithfartoomuchease；nothingcouldmoderatemyamorousfury。\"
\"WhatdoIhear？Accursedanduncleanwoman，nestofimpurities！
Andcouldyouforgivemeallthesedefects？\"
\"Irepeat，theideathatIpossessedyoudeprivedmeofmythinkingfaculties；allseemedtomedivine。\"
\"Youshouldhavetreatedmelikeacommonprostitute，youshouldevenhavebeatenmeonfindingmesuchasyoudescribe。\"
\"Ah！nowyouareunjust\"
\"Thatmaybe；Iamsoenragedagainstthatmonsterthatmyangerdeprivesmeofreason。Butnowthatshethinksthatshehadtodowithaservant，andafterthedegradingvisitshehashadsheoughttodieofrageandshame。Whatastonishesmeisherbelievingit，forheisshorterthanyoubyfourinches。Andhowcansheimaginethataservantwoulddoitaswellasyou？It’snotlikely。Iamsuresheisinlovewithhimnow。Twenty—fivelouis！Hewouldhavebeencontentwithten。Whatagoodthingthatthepoorfellow’sillnesshappenedsoconveniently。ButIsupposeyouhadtotellhimall？\"
\"Notatall。Igavehimtounderstandthatshehadmadeanappointmentwithmeinthatroom，andthatIhadreallyspenttwohourswithher，notspeakingforfearofbeingheard。Then，thinkingovertheordersIgavehim，hecametotheconclusionthatonfindingmyselfdiseasedafterwardsIwasdisgusted，andbeingabletodisavowmypresenceIhaddonesoforthesakeofrevenge。\"
\"That’sadmirable，andtheimpudenceoftheSpaniardpassesallbelief。Butherimpudenceisthemostastonishingthingofall。Butsupposingherillnesshadbeenameretricktofrightenyou，whatarisktherascalwouldhaverun！\"
\"Iwasafraidofthat，asIhadnosymptomsofdiseasewhatever。\"
\"Butnowyoureallyhaveit，andallthroughmyfault。Iamindespair。\"