\"Becalm，myangel，mydiseaseisofaverytriflingnature。Iamonlytakingnitre，andinaweekIshallbequitewellagain。Ihopethatthen……\"
\"Ah！mydearfriend。\"
\"What？\"
\"Don’tletusthinkofthatanymore，Ibeseechyou。\"
\"Youaredisgusted，andnotunnaturally；butyourlovecannotbeverystrong，Ah！howunhappyIam。\"
\"Iammoreunhappythanyou。Iloveyou，andyouwouldbethanklessindeedifyouceasedtoloveme。Letusloveeachother，butletusnotendeavourtogiveoneanotherproofsofourlove。Itmightbefatal。Thataccursedwidow！Sheisgoneaway，andinafortnightweshallbegoingalsotoBale，whereweremaintilltheendofNovember。\"
Thedieiscast，andIseethatImustsubmittoyourdecision，orrathertomydestiny，fornonebutfataleventshavebefallenmesinceIcametoSwitzerland。MyonlyconsolingthoughtisthatI
havemadeyourhonoursafe。\"
\"Youhavewonmyhusband’sfriendshipandesteem；weshallalwaysbegoodfriends。\"
\"IfyouaregoingIfeelthatImustgobeforeyou。Thatwilltendtoconvincethewretchedauthorofmywoethatthereisnothingblame—worthyinmyfriendshipforyou。\"
\"Youreasonlikeanangel，andyouconvincememoreandmoreofyourlove。Whereareyougoing？\"
\"ToItaly；butIshalltakeBerneandGenevaonmyway。\"
\"YouwillnotbecomingtoBale，then？Iamgladtohearit，inspiteofthepleasureitwouldgivemetoseeyou。Nodoubtyourarrivalwouldgiveahandleforthegossips，andImightsufferbyit。Butifpossible，inthefewdaysyouaretoremain，shewyourselftobeingoodspirits，forsadnessdoesnotbecomeyou。\"
WerejoinedtheambassadorandM。————whohadnothadtimetothinkaboutus，asmydearDuboishadkeptthemamusedbyherlivelyconversation。IreproachedherforthewayinwhichshehusbandedherwitasfarasIwasconcerned，andM。deChavigni，seizingtheopportunity，toldusitwasbecausewewereinlove，andloversareknowntobecharyoftheirwords。Myhousekeeperwasnotlonginfindingarepartee，andsheagainbegantoentertainthetwogentlemen，sothatIwasenabledtocontinuemywalkwithMadame，whosaid，——
\"Yourhousekeeper，mydearfriend，isamasterpiece。Tellmethetruth，andIpromisetogiveyouamarkofmygratitudethatwillpleaseyoubeforeIgo。\"
\"Speak；whatdoyouwishtoknow？\"
\"Youloveherandshelovesyouinreturn。\"
\"Ithinkyouareright，butsofar……\"
\"Idon’twanttoknowanymore，forifmattersarenotyetarrangedtheysoonwillbe，andsoitcomestothesamething。IfyouhadtoldmeyoudidnotloveherIshouldnothavebelievedyou，forI
can’tconceivethatamanofyouragecanlivewithawomanlikethatwithoutlovingher。Sheisveryprettyandexceedinglyintelligent，shehasgoodspirits，talents，anexcellentmanner，andshespeaksexceedinglywell:thatisenoughtocharmyou，andIexpectyouwillfinditdifficulttoseparatefromher。Lebeldidherabadturninsendinghertoyou，assheusedtohaveanexcellentreputation，andnowshewillnolongerbeabletogetaplacewithladiesinthehighestsociety。\"
\"IshalltakehertoBerne。\"
\"Thatisagoodidea。\"
JustastheyweregoingIsaidthatIshouldsoonbecomingtoSoleuretothankthemforthedistinguishedreceptiontheyhadgivenme，asIproposedleavinginafewdays。TheideaofneverseeingMadameagainwassopainfultomethatassoonasIgotinIwenttobed，andmyhousekeeper，respectingmymelancholy，retiredafterwishingmegood—night。
IntwoorthreedaysIreceivedanotefrommycharmer，biddingmecalluponthemthedayfollowingataboutteno’clock，andtellingmeIwastoaskfordinner。Icarriedoutherorderstotheletter。
M。gavemeamostfriendlyreception，butsayingthathewasobligedtogointothecountryandcouldnotbehometilloneo’clock，hebeggedmenottobeoffendedifhedeliveredmeovertohiswifeforthemorning。Suchisthefateofamiserablehusband！Hiswifewasengagedwithayounggirlattambour—work；Iacceptedhercompanyontheconditionthatshewouldnotallowmetodisturbherwork。
Thegirlwentawayatnoon，andsoonafterwewenttoenjoythefreshairoutsidethehouse。Wesatinasummer—housefromwhich，ourselvesunseen，wecouldseeallthecarriagesthatapproachedthehouse。
\"Why，dearest，didyounotprocuremetheblisswhenIwasingoodhealth。\"
\"Becauseatthattimemyhusbandsuspectedthatyouturnedyourselfintoawaiterformysake，andthatyoucouldnotbeindifferenttowardsme。Yourdiscretionhasdestroyedhissuspicions；andalsoyourhousekeeper，whomhebelievestobeyourwife，andwhohastakenhisfancytosuchanextent，thatIbelievehewouldwillinglyconsenttoanexchange，forafewdaysatanyrate。Wouldyouagree？\"
\"Ah！iftheexchangecouldbeeffected。\"
Havingonlyanhourbeforeme，andforeseeingthatitwouldbethelastIshouldpassbesideher，Ithrewmyselfatherfeet。Shewasfullofaffection，andputnoobstaclesinthewayofmydesires，savethosewhichmyownfeelingsdictated，forIlovedhertoowelltoconsenttoinjureherhealth。IdidallIcouldtoreplacetheutmostbliss，butthepleasuresheenjoyeddoubtlessconsistedinagreatmeasureinshewingmehersuperioritytothehorriblewidow。
Whenwesawthehusband’scarriagecoming，weroseandtookcarethattheworthymanshouldnotfindusinthearbour。Hemadeathousandexcusesfornothavingreturnedsooner。
Wehadanexcellentdinner，andattablehetalkedalmostentirelyofmyhousekeeper，andheseemedmovedwhenIsaidImeanttotakehertoLausannetohermother。Itookleaveofthematfiveo’clockwithabrokenheart，andfromthereIwenttoM。deChavigniandtoldhimallmyadventures。Hehadarighttobetold，ashehaddoneallinhispowertoinsurethesuccessofaprojectwhichhadonlyfailedbyanunexampledfatality。
InadmirationofmydearDubois’swit——forIdidnotconcealthepartsheplayedhesaidthatoldashewasheshouldthinkhimselfquitehappyifhehadsuchawomanwithhim，andhewasmuchpleasedwhenI
toldhimthatIwasinlovewithher。\"Don’tgiveyourselfthetrouble，mydearCasanova，ofrunningfromhousetohousetotakeleave，\"saidtheamiablenobleman。\"Itcanbedonejustaswellattheassembly，andyouneednotevenstaytosupper，ifyoudon’twantto。\"
Ifollowedhisadvice，andthussawagainMadameasIthought，forthelasttime，butIwaswrong；Isawhertenyearsafterwards；andatthepropertimethereaderwillseewhere，when，how，andunderwhatcircumstances。
Beforegoingaway，Ifollowedtheambassadortohisroomtothankhimashedeserved，forhiskindness，andtoaskhimtogivemealetterofintroductionforBerne，whereIthoughtofstayingafortnight。
IalsobeggedhimtosendLebeltomethatwemightsettleouraccounts。HetoldmethatLebelshouldbringmealetterforM。deMuralt，theMayorofThun。
WhenIgothome，feelingsadonthis，theeveofmyleavingatownwhereIhadbuttriflingvictoriesandheavylosses，Ithankedmyhousekeeperforwaitingforme，andtogiveheragoodnightItoldherthatinthreedaysweshouldsetoutforBerne，andthatmymailsmustbepacked。
Nextday，afterasomewhatsilentbreakfast，shesaid，——
\"Youwilltakemewithyou，won’tyou？\"
\"Certainly，ifyoulikemewellenoughtowanttogo。\"
\"Iwouldgowithyoutotheendoftheworld，allthemoreasyouarenowsickandsad，andwhenIsawyoufirstyouwereblitheandwell。
IfImustleaveyou，Ihopeatleasttoseeyouhappyfirst。\"
ThedoctorcameinjustthentotellmethatmypoorSpaniardwassoillthathecouldnotleavehisbed。
\"IwillhavehimcuredatBerne，\"saidI；\"tellhimthatwearegoingtodinetherethedayafterto—morrow。\"
\"Imusttellyou，sir，thatthoughit’sonlyasevenleagues’
journey，hecannotpossiblyundertakeitashehaslosttheuseofallhislimbs。\"
\"Iamsorrytohearthat，doctor。\"
\"Idaresay，butit’strue。\"
\"Imustverifythematterwithmyowneyes；\"andsosayingIwenttoseeLeDuc。
Ifoundthepoorrascal，asthedoctorhadsaid，incapableofmotion。
Hehadonlytheuseofhistongueandhiseyes。
\"Youareinaprettystate，\"saidItohim。
\"Iamveryill，sir，thoughotherwiseIfeelquitewell。\"
\"Iexpectso，butasitisyoucan’tmove，andIwanttodineatBernethedayafterto—morrow。\"
\"Havemecarriedthere，Ishallgetcured。\"
\"Youareright，Iwillhaveyoucarriedinalitter。\"
\"Ishalllooklikeasaintoutforawalk。\"
Itoldoneoftheservantstolookafterhim，andtoseetoallthatwasnecessaryforourdeparture。Ihadhimtakentothe\"Falcon\"bytwohorseswhodrewhislitter。
LebelcameatnoonandgavemetheletterhismasterhadwrittenforM。deMurat。HebroughthisreceiptsandIpaideverythingwithoutobjection，asIfoundhimanentirelyhonestman，andIhadhimtodinnerwithMadameDuboisandmyself。Ididnotfeeldisposedtotalk，andIwasgladtoseethattheygotonwithoutme；theytalkedawayadmirablyandamusedme，forLebelwasbynomeanswantinginwit。HesaidhewasverygladIhadgivenhimanopportunityofknowingthehousekeeper，ashecouldnotsayhehadknownherbefore，havingonlyseenhertwoorthreetimesinpassingthroughLausanne。
Onrisingfromthetableheaskedmypermissiontowritetoher，andshe，puttinginhervoice，calledonhimnottoforgettodoso。
Lebelwasagood—naturedman，ofanhonestappearance，andapproachinghisfiftiethyear。Justashewasgoing，withoutaskingmyleave，heembracedherintheFrenchfashion，andsheseemednottohavetheslightestobjection。
Shetoldmeassoonashewasgonethatthisworthymanmightbeusefultoher，andthatshewasdelightedtoenterintoacorrespondencewithhim。
Thenextdaywasspentinputtingeverythinginorderforourshortjourney，andLeDucwentoffinhislitter，intendingtorestforthenightatfourleaguesfromSoleure。Onthedayfollowing，afterI
hadrememberedthedoor—keeper，thecook，andtheman—servantIwasleavingbehind，IsetoutinmycarriagewiththecharmingDubois，andateleveno’clockIarrivedattheinnatBerne，whereLeDuchadprecededmebytwohours。Inthefirstplace，knowingthehabitsofSwissinnkeepers，Imadeanagreementwiththelandlord；andIthentoldtheservantIhadkept，whocamefromBerne，totakecareofLeDuc，toputhimundergoodmedicalsuperintendence，andtobidthedoctorsparenothingtocurehimcompletely。
Idinedwithmyhousekeeperinherroom，forshehadaseparatelodging，andaftersendingmylettertoM。deMuraltIwentoutforawalk。
CHAPTERXVII
Berne——LaMataMadamedelaSaone——Sara——MyDeparture——ArrivalatBaleIreachedanelevationfromwhichIcouldlookoveravaststretchofcountrywateredbyalittleriver，andnoticingapathleadingtoakindofstair，thefancytookmetofollowit。Iwentdownaboutahundredsteps，andfoundfortysmallclosetswhichIconcludedwerebathingmachines。WhileIwaslookingattheplaceanhonest—lookingfellowcameuptome，andaskedmeifIwouldlikeabath。IsaidI
would，andheopenedoneoftheclosets，andbeforelongIsurroundedbyacrowdofyounggirls。
\"Sir，\"saidtheman，\"theyallaspiretothehonourofattendingyouwhileyoubathe；youhaveonlytochoosewhichitshallbe。Half—a—
crownwillpayforthebath，thegirl，andyourcoffee。\"
AsifIweretheGrandTurk，Iexaminedtheswarmofrusticbeauties，andthrewmyhandkerchiefattheoneIlikedthebest。Wewentintoacloset，andshuttingthedoorwiththemostseriousair，withoutevenlookingatme，sheundressedme，andputacottoncaponmyhead，andassoonasshesawmeinthewatersheundressedherselfascoollyaspossible，andwithoutawordcameintothebath。Thensherubbedmeallover，exceptinacertainquarter，whichIhadcoveredwithmyhands。WhenIthoughtIhadbeenmanipulatedsufficiently，I
askedforcoffee。Shegotoutofthebath，openedthedoor，andafteraskingforwhatIwantedgotinagainwithouttheslightestconsciousness。
Whenthecoffeecameshegotoutagaintotakeit，shutthedoor，andreturnedtothebath，andheldthetraywhileIwasdrinking，andwhenIhadfinishedsheremainedbesideme。
AlthoughIhadtakennogreatnoticeofher，Icouldseethatshepossessedallthequalificationsamancoulddesireinawoman:finefeatures，livelyeyes，aprettymouth，andanexcellentrowofteeth，ahealthycomplexion，awell—roundedbosomacurvedback，andallelseinthesamesort。Icertainlythoughtherhandsmighthavebeensofter，buttheirhardnesswasprobablyduetohardwork。
Furthermore，shewasonlyeighteen，andyetIremainedcoldtoallhercharms。Howwasthat？ThatwasthequestionIaskedmyself；
andIthinkthereasonprobablywasthatshewastoonatural，toodevoidofthoseassumedgracesandcoquettishairswhichwomenemploywithsomuchartfortheseductionofmen。Weonlycareforartificeandfalseshow。Perhaps，too，oursenses，tobeirritated，requirewoman’scharmstobeveiledbymodesty。Butif，accustomedaswearetoclotheourselves，thefaceisthesmallestfactorinourperfecthappiness，howisitthatthefaceplaystheprincipalpartinrenderingamanamorous？Whydowetakethefaceasanindexofawoman’sbeauty，andwhydoweforgiveherwhenthecoveredpartsarenotinharmonywithherfeatures？Woulditnotbemuchmorereasonableandsensibletoveiltheface，andtohavetherestofthebodynaked？Thuswhenwefallinlovewithawoman，weshouldonlywant，asthecrownofourbliss，toseeafaceanswerabletothoseothercharmswhichhadtakenourfancy。Therecanbenodoubtthatthatwouldbethebetterplan，asinthatcaseweshouldonlybeseducedbyaperfectbeauty，andweshouldgrantaneasypardonifattheliftingofthemaskwefounduglinessinsteadofloveliness。
Underthosecircumstancesanuglywoman，happyinexercisingtheseductivepowerofherothercharms，wouldneverconsenttounveilherself；whiletheprettyoneswouldnothavetobeasked。Theplainwomenwouldnotmakeussighforlong；theywouldbeeasilysubduedontheconditionofremainingveiled，andiftheydidconsenttounmask，itwouldbeonlyaftertheyhadpracticallyconvincedonethatenjoymentispossiblewithoutfacialbeauty。Anditisevidentandundeniablethatinconstancyonlyproceedsfromthevarietyoffeatures。Ifamandidnotseetheface，hewouldalwaysbeconstantandalwaysinlovewiththefirstwomanwhohadtakenhisfancy。I
knowthatintheopinionofthefoolishallthiswillseemfolly，butIshallnotbeontheearthtoanswertheirobjections。
WhenIhadleftthebath，shewipedmewithtowels，putonmyshirt，andtheninthesamestate——thatis，quitenaked，shedidmyhair。
WhileIwasdressingshedressedherselftoo，andhavingsoonfinishedshecametobucklemyshoes。Ithengaveherhalf—a—crownforthebathandsixfrancsforherself；shekeptthehalf—crown，butgavemebackthesixfrancswithsilentcontempt。Iwasmortified；I
sawthatIhadoffendedher，andthatsheconsideredherbehaviourentitledhertorespect。Iwentawayinabadenoughhumour。
AftersupperIcouldnothelptellingmydearDuboisoftheadventureIhadhadintheafternoon，andshemadeherowncommentsonthedetails。\"Shecan’thavebeenpretty，\"saidshe，\"forifshehadbeen，youwouldcertainlyhavegivenway。Ishouldliketoseeher。\"
\"IfyoulikeIwilltakeyouthere。\"
\"Ishouldbedelighted。\"
\"Butyouwillhavetodresslikeaman:\"
Sherose，wentoutwithoutaword，andinaquarterofanhourreturnedinasuitofLeDuc’s，butminusthetrousers，asshehadcertainprotuberanceswhichwouldhavestoodouttoomuchItoldhertotakeapairofmybreeches，andwesettledtogotothebathnextmorning。
Shecametowakeatsixo’clock。Shewasdressedlikeaman，andworeablueovercoatwhichdisguisedhershapeadmirably。IroseandwenttoLaMata，astheplaceiscalled。
Animatedbythepleasuretheexpeditiongaveher，mydearDuboislookedradiant。Thosewhosawhermusthaveseenthroughherdisguise，shewassoevidentlyawoman；soshewrappedherselfupinherovercoataswellasshecould。
Assoonaswearrivedwesawthemasterofthebaths，whoaskedmeifIwantedaclosetforfour，andIrepliedintheaffirmative。Weweresoonsurroundedbythegirls，andIshewedmyhousekeepertheonewhohadnotseducedme；shemadechoiceofher，andIhavingfixeduponabig，determined—lookingwench，weshutourselvesupinthebath。
AssoonasIwasundressedIwentintothewaterwithmybigattendant。Myhousekeeperwasnotsoquick；thenoveltyofthethingastonishedher，andherexpressiontoldmethatsherepentedofhavingcome；butputtingagoodfaceonit，shebegantolaughatseeingmerubbedbythefemininegrenadier。Shehadsometroublebeforeshecouldtakeoffherchemise，butasitisonlythefirststepthatcosts，sheletitfalloff，andthoughsheheldhertwohandsbeforehershedazzledme，inspiteofmyself，bythebeautyofherform。Herattendantpreparedtotreatherasshehadtreatedme，butshebeggedtobeleftalone；andonmyfollowingherexampleshefeltobligedtoletmelookafterher。
ThetwoSwissgirls，whohadnodoubtoftenbeenpresentatasimilarsituation，begantogiveusaspectaclewhichwaswellknowntome，butwhichwasquitestrangetomydearDubois。
ThesetwoBacchantesbegantoimitatethecaressesIlavishedonmyhousekeeper，whowasquiteastonishedattheamorousfurywithwhichmyattendantplayedthepartofamanwiththeothergirl。IconfessIwasalittlesurprisedmyself，inspiteofthetransportswhichmyfairVenetiannunhadshewnmesixyearsbeforeinconjunctionwithC————C————。
Icouldnothaveimaginedthatanythingofthekindcouldhavedistractedmyattention，holding，asIdid，thewomanIloved，whosecharmsweresufficienttocaptivateallthesenses；butthestrangestrifeofthetwoyoungMenadstookupherattentionaswellasmine。
\"Yourattendant，\"saidshe，\"mustbeaboy，notagirl。\"
\"But，\"saidI，\"yousawherbreasts。\"
\"Yes，butshemaybeaboyallthesame。\"
ThebigSwissgirlwhohadheardwhatwehadsaidturnedroundandshewedmewhatIshouldnothavecredited。Therecouldbenomistake，however。Itwasafemininemembrane，butmuchlongerthanmylittlefinger，andstiffenoughtopenetrate。IexplainedtomydearDuboiswhatitwas，buttoconvinceherIhadtomakehertouchit。Theimpudentcreaturepushedhershamelessnesssofarastooffertotryitonher，andsheinsistedsopassionatelythatIwasobligedtopushheraway。Shethenturnedtohercompanionandsatiatedonherbodyherfuryoflust。Inspiteofitsdisgustingnature，thesightirritatedustosuchadegreethatmyhousekeeperyieldedtonatureandgrantedmeallIcoulddesire。
Thisentertainmentlastedfortwohours，andwereturnedtothetownwellpleasedwithoneanother。OnleavingthebathIgaveaLouistoeachofthetwoBacchantes，andwewentawaydeterminedtogotherenomore。Itwillbeunderstoodthatafterwhathadhappenedtherecouldbenofurtherobstacletothefreeprogressofourlove；andaccordinglymydearDuboisbecamemymistress，andwemadeeachotherhappyduringallthetimewespentatBerne。Iwasquitecuredofmymisadventurewiththehorriblewidow，andIfoundthatiflove’spleasuresarefleetingsoareitspains。Iwillgofartherandmaintainthatthepleasuresareofmuchlongerduration，astheyleavememorieswhichcanbeenjoyedinoldage，whereas，ifamandoeshappentorememberthepains，itissoslightlyastohavenoinfluenceuponhishappiness。
Atteno’clocktheMayorofThunwasannounced。HewasdressedintheFrenchfashion，inblack，andhadamanneratoncegracefulandpolitethatpleasedme。Hewasmiddle—aged，andenjoyedaconsiderablepositionintheGovernment。HeinsistedonmyreadingtheletterthatM。deChavignihadwrittentohimonmyaccount。ItwassoflatteringthatItoldhimthatifithadnotbeensealedI
shouldnothavehadthefacetodeliverit。Heaskedmeforthenextdaytoasuppercomposedofmenonly，andforthedayafterthat，toasupperatwhichwomenaswellasmenwouldbepresent。IwentwithhimtothelibrarywherewesawM。Felix，anunfrockedmonk，moreofascribblerthanascholar，andayoungmannamedSchmidt，whogavegoodpromise，andwasalreadyknowntoadvantageintheliteraryworld。Ialsohadthemisfortuneofmeetinghereaverylearnedmanofaverywearisomekind；heknewthenamesoftenthousandshellsbyheart，andIwasobligedtolistentohimfortwohours，althoughI
wastotallyignorantofhisscience。AmongstotherthingshetoldmethattheAarcontainedgold。Irepliedthatallgreatriverscontainedgold，butheshruggedhisshouldersanddidnotseemconvinced。
IdinedwithM。deMuraltincompanywithfourorfiveofthemostdistinguishedwomeninBerne。Ilikedthemverywell，andaboveallMadamedeSaconaistruckmeasparticularlyamiableandwell—
educated。IshouldhavepaidmyaddressestoherifIhadbeenstayinglongintheso—calledcapitalofSwitzerland。
TheladiesofBernearewellthoughnotextravagantlydressed，asluxuryisforbiddenbythelaws。TheirmannersaregoodandtheyspeakFrenchwithperfectease。Theyenjoythegreatestlibertywithoutabusingit，forinspiteofgallantrydecencyreignseverywhere。Thehusbandsarenotjealous，buttheyrequiretheirwivestobehomebysupper—time。
Ispentthreeweeksinthetown，mytimebeingdividedbetweenmydearDuboisandanoldladyofeighty—fivewhointerestedmegreatlybyherknowledgeofchemistry。ShehadbeenintimatelyconnectedwiththecelebratedBoerhaave，andsheshewedmeaplateofgoldhehadtransmutedinherpresencefromcopper。IbelievedasmuchasI
likedofthis，butsheassuredmethatBoerhaavepossessedthephilosopher’sstone，butthathehadnotdiscoveredthesecretofprolonginglifemanyyearsbeyondthecentury。Boerhaave，however，wasnotabletoapplythisknowledgetohimself，ashediedofapolypusontheheartbeforehehadattainedtheageofperfectmaturity，whichHypocratesfixesatbetweensixtyandseventyyears。
Thefourmillionshelefttohisdaughter，iftheydonotprovethathecouldmakegold，certainlyprovethathecouldsaveit。Theworthyoldwomantoldmehehadgivenheramanuscriptinwhichthewholeprocesswasexplained，butthatshefounditveryobscure。
\"Youshouldpublishit，\"saidI。
\"Godforbid！\"
\"Burnit，then。\"
\"Ican’tmakeupmymindtodoso。\"
M。deMuralttookmetoseethemilitaryevolutionsgonethroughbythecitizensofBerne，whoareallsoldiers，andIaskedhimthemeaningofthebeartobeseenabovethegateofthetown。TheGermanforbearis’bar’，’bern’，andtheanimalhasgivenitsnametothetownandcantonwhichranksecondintheRepublic，althoughitisinthefirstplaceforitswealthandculture。ItisapeninsulaformedbytheAar，whichrisesneartheRhine。Themayorspoketomeofthepowerofthecanton，itslordshipsandbailiwicks，andexplainedhisownpowers；hethendescribedthepublicpolicy，andtoldmeofthedifferentsystemsofgovernmentwhichcomposetheHelveticUnion。
\"Iunderstandperfectlywell，\"Isaid，\"thateachofthethirteencantonshasitsowngovernment。\"
\"Idaresayyoudo，\"hereplied，\"butwhatyoudon’tunderstandanymorethanIdois，thatthereisacantonwhichhasfourseparategovernments。\"
Ihadanexcellentsupperwithfourteenorfifteensenators。Therewerenojokes，nofrivolousconversation，andnoliterature；butlaw，thecommonweal，commerce，politicaleconomy，speculation，loveofcountry，andthedutyofpreferringlibertytolife，inabundance。
IfeltasifIwereinanewelement，butIenjoyedtheprivilegeofbeingamanamidstmenwhowereallinhonourtoourcommonhumanity。
Butasthesupperwenton，theserigidrepublicansbegantoexpand，thediscoursebecamelessmeasured，therewereevensomeburstsoflaughter，owingtothewine。Iexcitedtheirpity，andthoughtheypraisedsobrietytheythoughtmineexcessive。However，theyrespectedmyliberty，anddidnotobligemetodrink，astheRussians，Swedes，Poles，andmostnorthernpeoplesdo。
Wepartedatmidnight——averylatehourinSwitzerland，andastheywishedmeagoodnight，eachofthemmademeasincereofferofhisfriendship。Oneofthecompanyatanearlyperiodofthesupper，beforehehadbeguntogetmellow，hadcondemnedtheVenetianRepublicforbanishingtheGrisons，butonhisintellectbeingenlightenedbyBacchushemadehisapologies。
\"Everygovernment，\"saidhe，\"oughttoknowitsowninterestsbetterthanstrangers，andeverybodyshouldbeallowedtodowhathewillswithhisown。\"
WhenIgothomeIfoundmyhousekeeperlyinginmybed。Igaveherahundredcaressesinwitnessofmyjoy，andIassuredherpracticallyofmyloveandgratitude。Iconsideredherasmywife，wecherishedeachother，anddidnotallowthethoughtofseparatingtoenterourminds。Whentwoloversloveeachotherinallfreedom，theideaofpartingseemsimpossible。
NextmorningIgotaletterfromtheworthyMadamed’Urfe，whobeggedmetocallonMadamedelaSaone，wifeofafriendofhers——alieutenant—general。ThisladyhadcometoBerneinthehopeofgettingcuredofadiseasewhichhaddisfiguredherinanincrediblemanner。MadamedelaSaonewasimmediatelyintroducedtoallthebestsocietyintheplace。Shegaveasuppereveryday，onlyaskingmen；shehadanexcellentcook。Shehadgivennoticethatshewouldpaynocalls，andshewasquiteright。Ihastenedtomakemybowtoher；but，goodHeavens！whataterribleandmelancholysightdidI
behold！
Isawawomandressedwiththeutmostelegance，recliningvoluptuouslyuponacouch。Assoonasshesawmeshearose，gavemeamostgraciousreception，andgoingbacktohercouchinvitedmetositbesideher。Shedoubtlessnoticedmysurprise，butbeingprobablyaccustomedtotheimpressionwhichthefirstsightofhercreated，shetalkedoninthemostfriendlymanner，andbysodoingdiminishedmyaversion。
Herappearancewasasfollows:MadamedeSaonewasbeautifullydressed，andhadthewhitesthandsandtheroundestarmsthatcanbeimagined。Herdress，whichwascutverylow，allowedmetoseeanexquisitebreastofdazzlingwhiteness，heightenedbytworosybuds；
herfigurewasgood，andherfeetthesmallestIhaveeverseen。Allaboutherinspiredlove，butwhenone’seyesturnedtoherfaceeveryotherfeelinggavewaytothoseofhorrorandpity。Shewasfearful。
Insteadofaface，onesawablackenedanddisgustingscab。Nofeaturewasdistinguishable，andheruglinesswasmademoreconspicuousanddreadfulbytwofineeyesfulloffire，andbyaliplessmouthwhichshekeptparted，asiftodisclosetworowsofteethofdazzlingwhiteness。Shecouldnotlaugh，forthepaincausedbythecontractionofthemuscleswoulddoubtlesshavedrawntearstohereyes；neverthelesssheappearedcontented，herconversationwasdelightful，fullofwitandhumour，andpermeatedwiththetoneofgoodsociety。Shemightbethirtyatthemost，andshehadleftthreebeautifulyoungchildrenbehindinParis。Herhusbandwasafine，well—mademan，wholovedhertenderly，andhadneversleptapartfromher。Itisprobablethatfewsoldiershaveshewnsuchcourageasthis，butitistobesupposedthathedidnotcarryhisbraverysofarastokissher，astheverythoughtmadeoneshudder。Adisordercontractedafterherfirstchild—bedhadleftthepoorwomaninthissadstate，andshehadborneitfortenyears。
AllthebestdoctorsinFrancehadtriedinvaintocureher，andshehadcometoBernetoputherselfintothehandsoftwowell—knownphysicianswhohadpromisedtodoso。Everyquackmakespromisesofthissort；theirpatientsarecuredornotcuredasithappens，andprovidedthattheypayheavilythedoctorisreadyenoughtolaythefault，notonhisignorance，butatthedoorofhispoordeludedpatient。
ThedoctorcamewhileIwaswithher，andjustasherintelligentconversationwasmakingmeforgetherface。Shehadalreadybegantotakehisremedies，whichwerepartlycomposedofmercury。
\"Itseemstome，\"saidshe，\"thattheitchinghasincreasedsinceI
havetakenyourmedicines。\"
\"Itwilllast，\"saidthesonofAEsculapius，\"tilltheendofthecure，andthatwilltakeaboutthreemonths。\"
\"AslongasIscratchmyself，\"saidshe，\"Ishallbeinthesamestate，andthecurewillneverbecompleted。\"
Thedoctorrepliedinanevasivemanner。Irosetotakemyleave，andholdingmyhandsheaskedmetosupperonceforall。Iwentthesameevening；thepoorwomantookeverythinganddranksomewine，asthedoctorhadnotputheronanydiet。Isawthatshewouldneverbecured。
Hergoodtemperandhercharmingconversationalpowerskeptallthecompanyamused。Iconceivedthatitwouldbepossibletogetusedtoherface，andtolivewithherwithoutbeingdisgusted。IntheeveningItalkedabouthertomyhousekeeper，whosaidthatthebeautyofherbodyandhermentalendowmentsmightbesufficienttoattractpeopletoher。Iagreed，thoughIfeltthatIcouldneverbecomeoneofherlovers。
Threeorfourdaysafter，Iwenttoabookseller’storeadthenewspaper，andwaspolitelyaccostedbyafineyoungmanoftwenty，whosaidthatMadamedelaSaonewassorrynottohaveseenmeagainatsupper。
\"Youknowthelady？\"
\"Ihadthehonourtosupatherhousewithyou。\"
\"True；Irememberyou。\"
\"Igetherthebooksshelikes，asIamabookseller，andnotonlydoIsupwithhereveryevening，butwebreakfasttogethereverymorningbeforeshegetsup。\"
\"Icongratulateyou。Ibetyouareinlovewithher。\"
\"Youarepleasedtojest，butsheispleasanterthanyouthink。\"
\"Idonotjestatall，butIwouldwagershewouldnothavethecouragetopushthingstoanextremity。\"
\"Perhapsyouwouldlose。\"
\"Really？Ishouldbeverygladto。\"
\"Letusmakeabet。\"
\"HowwillyouconvincemeIhavelost？\"
\"Letusbetalouis，andyoumustpromisetobediscreet。\"
\"Verygood。\"
\"Comeandsupatherhousethisevening，andIwilltellyousomething。\"
\"Youshallseemethere。\"
WhenIgothomeItoldmyhousekeeperwhatIhadheard。
\"Iamcurioustoknow，\"saidshe，\"howhewillconvinceyou。\"I
promisedtotellher，whichpleasedherverymuch。
Iwasexacttomyappointment。MadamedelaSaonereproachedmepleasantlyformyabsence，andgavemeadelicioussupper。Theyoungbooksellerwasthere，butashissweetheartdidnotspeakawordtohimhesaidnothingandpassedunnoticed。
Aftersupperwewentouttogether，andhetoldmeonthewaythatifIlikedhewouldsatisfymethenextmorningateighto’clock。\"Callhere，andthelady’smaidwilltellyouhermistressisnotvisible，butyouhaveonlytosaythatyouwillwait，andthatyouwillgointotheante—chamber。Thisroomhasaglassdoorcommandingaviewofmadame’sbed，andIwilltakecaretodrawbackthecurtainsoverthedoorsothatyouwillbeabletoseeatyoureaseallthatpassesbetweenus。WhentheaffairisoverIshallgooutbyanotherdoor，shewillcallhermaid，andyouwillbeshewnin。Atnoon，ifyouwillallowme，Iwillbringyousomebookstothe’Falcon，’andifyoufindthatyouhavelostyoushallpaymemylouis。\"Ipromisedtocarryouthisdirections，andweparted。
Iwascurioustoseewhatwouldhappen，thoughIbynomeansregardeditasanimpossibility；andonmypresentingmyselfateighto’clock，themaidletmeinassoonasIsaidthatIcouldwait。Ifoundacorneroftheglassdoorbeforewhichtherewasnocurtain，andonapplyingmyeyetotheplaceIsawmyyoungadventurerholdinghisconquestinhisarmsonthebed。Anenormousnightcapentirelyconcealedherface——anexcellentprecautionwhichfavouredthebookseller’senterprise。
WhentherascalsawthatIhadtakenupmyposition，hedidnotkeepmewaiting，for，gettingup，hepresentedtomydazzledgaze，notonlythesecrettreasuresofhissweetheart，buthisownalso。Hewasasmallman，butwheretheladywasmostconcernedhewasaHercules，andtherogueseemedtomakeaparadeofhisproportionsasiftoexcitemyjealousy。HeturnedhisvictimroundsothatI
shouldseeherunderallaspects，andtreatedhermanfully，whilesheappearedtorespondtohisardourwithallhermight。PhidiascouldnothavemodelledhisVenusonafinerbody；herformwasroundedandvoluptuous，andaswhiteasParianmarble。Iwasaffectedinalivelymannerbythespectacle，andre—enteredmylodgingsoinflamedthatifmydearDuboishadnotbeenathandtoquenchmyfireI
shouldhavebeenobligedtohaveextinguisheditinthebathsofLaMata。
WhenIhadtoldhermytaleshewantedtoknowtheheroofit，andatnoonshehadthatpleasure。TheyoungbooksellerbroughtmesomebooksIhadordered，andwhilepayinghimforthemIgavehimourbetandaLouisoverandaboveasamarkofmysatisfactionathisprowess。HetookitwithasmilewhichseemedtoshewthathethoughtIoughttothinkmyselfluckytohavelost。Myhousekeeperlookedathimforsometime，andaskedifheknewher；hesaidhedidnot。
\"Isawyouwhenyouwereachild，\"saidshe。\"YouarethesonofM。
Mignard，ministeroftheGospel。YoumusthavebeentenwhenIsawyou。\"
\"Possibly，madam。\"
\"Youdidnotcaretofollowyourfather’sprofession，then？\"
\"Nomadam，IfeelmuchmoreinclinedtotheworshipofthecreaturethantothatoftheCreator，andIdidnotthinkmyfather’sprofessionwouldsuitme。\"
\"Youareright，foraministeroftheGospeloughttobediscreet，anddiscretionisarestraint。\"
Thisstrokemadehimblush，butwedidnotgivehimtimetolosecourage。Iaskedhimtodinewithme，andwithoutmentioningthenameofMadamedelaSaonehetoldhisamorousadventuresandnumerousanecdotesabouttheprettywomenofBerne。
Afterhehadgone，myhousekeepersaidthatoncewasquiteenoughtoseeayoungmanofhiscomplexion。Iagreedwithher，andhadnomoretodowithhim；butIheardthatMadamedeSaonetookhimtoParisandmadehisfortune。Manyfortunesaremadeinthismanner，andtherearesomewhichoriginatedstillmorenobly。IonlyreturnedtoMadamedelaSaonetotakemyleave，asIshallshortlyrelate。
Iwashappywithmycharmer，whotoldmeagainandagainthatwithmeshelivedinbliss。Nofearsordoubtsastothefuturetroubledhermind；shewascertain，asIwas，thatweshouldneverleaveeachother；andshetoldmeshewouldpardonalltheinfidelitiesImightbeguiltyof，providedImadefullconfession。Hers，indeed，wasadispositionwithwhichtoliveinpeaceandcontent，butIwasnotborntoenjoysuchhappiness。
AfterwehadbeenafortnightatBerne，myhousekeeperreceivedaletterfromSoleure。ItcamefromLebel。AsIsawshereaditwithgreatattention，Iaskedherwhatitwasabout。
\"Takeitandreadit，\"saidshe；andshesatdowninfrontofmetoreadmysoulbytheplayofmyfeatures。
Lebelaskedher，inconciseterms，ifshewouldbecomehiswife。
\"Ihaveonlyputofftheproposition，\"saidhe，\"tosetmyaffairsinorder，andtoseeifIcouldaffordtomarryyou，eveniftheconsentoftheambassadorweredeniedus。IfindIamrichenoughtolivewellinBerneorelsewherewithoutthenecessityofmyworking；
howeverIshallnothavetofacethealternative，foratthefirsthintofthematterM。deChavignigavehisconsentwiththebestgraceimaginable。\"
Hewentonbegginghernottokeephimlongwaitingforareply，andtotellhiminthefirstplaceifsheconsented；inthesecond，whethershewouldliketoliveatBerneandbemistressinherownhouse，orwhethershewouldprefertoreturntoSoleureandlivewiththeambassador，whichlatterplanmightbringthemsomeprofit。Heendedbydeclaringthatwhatevershehadwouldbeforhersoleuse，andthathewouldgiveheradowerofahundredthousandfrancs。Hedidnotsayawordaboutme。
\"Dearest，\"saidI，\"youareatperfectlibertytochooseyourowncourse，butIcannotcontemplateyourleavingmewithoutconsideringmyselfasthemostunhappyofmen。\"
\"AndifIloseyouIshouldbethemostunhappyofwomen；forifyoulovemeIcarenotwhetherwearemarriedorno。\"
\"Verygood；butwhatanswerareyougoingtomake。\"
\"Youshallseemyletterto—morrow。IshalltellhimpolitelybutplainlythatIloveyou，thatIamyours，thatIamhappy，andthatitisthusimpossibleformetoaccepthisflatteringpropositions。
IshallalsosaythatIappreciatehisgenerosity，andthatifIwerewiseIshouldaccepthim，butthatbeingtheslaveofmyloveforyouIcanonlyfollowmyinclination。\"
\"Ithinkyougiveanexcellentturntoyourletter。Inrefusingsuchanofferyoucouldnothavebetterreasonsthanthoseyougive，anditwouldbeabsurdtotryandpersuadehimthatwearenotlovers，asthethingisself—evident。Nevertheless，mydarling，thelettersaddensme。\"
\"Why，dearest？\"
\"BecauseIhavenotahundredthousandfrancstoofferyou。\"
\"Idespisethem；andifyouweretooffermesuchasum，Ishouldonlyacceptittolayitatyourfeet。Youarecertainlynotdestinedtobecomemiserable，butifthatshouldcometopass，besurethatIshouldbeonlytoohappytoshareyourmisery。\"
Wefellintooneanother’sarms，andlovemadeustasteallitspleasures。Nevertheless，inthemidstofbliss，sometingeofsadnessgaineduponoursouls。Languishingloveseemstoredoubleitsstrength，butitisonlyinappearance；sadnessexhaustslovemorethanenjoyment。Loveisamadcapwhomustbefedonlaughterandmirth，otherwisehediesofinanition。
NextdaymysweetheartwrotetoLebelinthesenseshehaddecidedon，andIfeltobligedtowriteM。deChavignialetterinwhichlove，sentiment，andphilosophyweremingled。IdidnotconcealfromhimthatIlovedthewomanwhomLebelcovetedtodistraction，butI
saidthatasamanofhonourIwouldratherdiethandeprivemysweetheartofsuchsolidadvantages。
Myletterdelightedthehousekeeper，forshewasanxioustoknowwhattheambassadorthoughtoftheaffair，whichneededmuchreflection。
IgotonthesamedaythelettersofintroductionIhadaskedMadamed’Urfetogiveme，andIdetermined，tothejoyofmydearDubois，tosetoutforLausanne。Butwemustharkbackalittle。
Whenoneissincerelyinlove，onethinksthebelovedobjectfullofdeserts，andthemind，thedupeofthefeelings，thinksalltheworldjealousofitsbliss。
A。M。deF————，memberoftheCounciloftheTwoHundred，whomIhadmetatMadamedelaSaone’s，hadbecomemyfriend。HecametoseemeandIintroducedhimtomydearDubois，whomhetreatedwiththesamedistinctionhewouldhaveusedtowardsmywife。Hehadpresentedustohiswife，andhadcomeseveraltimestoseeuswithherandherdaughterSara。Sarawasonlythirteen，butshewasextremelyprecocious，darkcomplexioned，andfullofwit；shewascontinuallyutteringnaivetes，ofwhichsheunderstoodthewholeforce，althoughlookingatherfaceonewouldhavethoughtherperfectlyinnocent。
Sheexcelledintheartofmakingherfatherandmotherbelieveinherinnocence，andthussheenjoyedplentyofliberty。
Sarahaddeclaredthatshewasinlovewithmyhousekeeper，andasherparentslaughedathershelavishedhercaressesonmydearDubois。Sheoftencametobreakfastwithus，andwhenshefoundusinbedshewouldembracemysweetheart，whomshecalledherwife，passingherhandoverthecoverlettotickleher，tellingherthatshewasherwife，andthatshewantedtohaveachild。Mysweetheartlaughedandlethergoon。
OnedayItoldherjokinglythatshewouldmakemejealous，thatI
thoughtshereallywasaman，andthatIwasgoingtomakesure。TheslylittlepusstoldmethatIwasmakingamistake，butherhandseemedrathertoguideminethantoopposeit。Thatmademecurious，andmymindwassoonsetatrestastohersex。Perceivingthatshehadtakenmeinandgotexactlywhatshewanted，Idrewbackmyhand，andimpartedmysuspicionstomyhousekeeper，whosaidIwasright。
However，asthelittlegirlhadnopartinmyaffections，Ididnotpushthethinganyfarther。
Twoorthreedaysafter，thisgirlcameinasIwasgettingup，andsaidinherusualsimpleway，\"NowthatyouknowIamnotreallyamanyoucannotbejealousorhaveobjectiontomytakingyourplacebesidemylittlewife，ifshewillletme。\"
Myhousekeeper，wholookedinclinedtolaugh，said，\"Comealong。\"
Inthetwinklingofaneyeshewasundressedandinthearmsofherlittlewife，whomsheproceededtotreatasanamoroushusband。Mysweetheartlaughed，andSara，havingcontrivedinthecombattoridherselfofherchemiseandthecoverlet，displayedherselftomewithoutanyveil，whileatthesametimesheshewedmeallthebeautiesofmysweetheart。Thissightinflamedme。Ishutthedoor，andmadethelittlehussywitnessofmyardourwithmysweetheart。
Saralookedonattentively，playingthepartofastonishmenttoperfection，andwhenIhadfinishedshesaid，withtheutmostsimplicity，\"Doitagain:\"
\"Ican’t，mydear；don’tyouseeIamadeadman？\"
\"That’sveryfunny，\"shecried；andwiththemostperfectinnocenceshecameover，andtriedtoeffectmyresurrection。
Whenshehadsucceededinplacingmeinthewished—forcondition，shesaid，\"Nowgoin；\"andIshoulddoubtlesshaveobeyed，butmyhousekeepersaid，\"No，dearest，sinceyouhaveeffecteditsresurrection，youmustmakeitdieagain。\"
\"Ishouldliketo，\"saidshe，\"butIamafraidIhavenotgotenoughroom；\"andsosayingsheplacedherselfinapositiontoshewmethatshewasspeakingthetruth，andthatifshedidnotmakemedieitwasnotherfault。
ImitatinghersimplicityIapproachedher，asifIwishedtoobligeher，butnottogotoofar；butnotfindinganyresistanceI
accomplishedtheactinallitsforms，withouthergivingtheslightestevidenceofpain，withoutanyoftheaccidentsofafirsttrial，but，onthecontrary，withallthemarksoftheutmostenjoyment。
AlthoughIwassureofthecontrary，Ikeptmyself—possessionenoughtotellmyhousekeeperthatSarahadgivenmewhatcanonlybegivenonce，andshepretendedtobelieveme。
Whentheoperationwasfinished，wehadanotheramusingscene。Sarabeggedusnottosayawordaboutittoherpapaormamma，astheywouldbesuretoscoldherastheyhadscoldedherwhenshegotherearspiercedwithoutaskingtheirleave。
Saraknewthatwesawthroughherfeignedsimplicity，butshepretendednottodosoasitwastoherownadvantage。Whocouldhaveinstructedherintheartsofdeceit？Nobody；onlyhernaturalwit，lessrareinchildhoodthaninyouth，butalwaysrareandastonishing。Hermothersaidhersimplicitiesshewedthatshewouldonedaybeveryintelligent，andherfathermaintainedthattheyweresignsofherstupidity。ButifSarahadbeenstupid，ourburstsoflaughterwouldhavedisconcertedher；andshewouldhavediedforshame，insteadofappearingallthebetterpleasedwhenherfatherdeploredherstupidity。Shewouldaffectastonishment，andbywayofcuringonesortofstupidityshecorroborateditbydisplayinganother。Sheaskedusquestionstowhichwecouldnotreply，andlaughedatherinstead，althoughitwasevidentthatbeforeputtingsuchquestionsshemusthavereasonedoverthem。Shemighthaverejoinedthatthestupiditywasonourside，butbysodoingshewouldhavebetrayedherself。
Lebeldidnotreplytohissweetheart，butM。deChavigniwrotemealetteroffourpages。Hespokelikeaphilosopherandanexperiencedmanoftheworld。
HeshewedmethatifIwereanoldmanlikehim，andabletoinsureahappyandindependentexistencetomysweetheartaftermydeath，I
shoulddowelltokeepherfromallmen，especiallyastherewassoperfectasympathybetweenus；butthatasIwasayoungman，anddidnotintendtobindmyselftoherbythetiesofmarriage，Ishouldnotonlyconsenttoaunionwhichseemedforherhappiness，butthatasamanofhonouritwasmydutytousemyinfluencewithherinfavourofthematch。\"Withyourexperience，\"saidthekindoldgentleman，\"yououghttoknowthatatimewouldcomewhenyouwouldregretbothhavinglostthisopportunity，foryourloveissuretobecomefriendship，andthenanotherlovewillreplacethatwhichyounowthinkasfirmasthegodTerminus。
\"Lebel，\"headded，\"hastoldmehisplans，andfarfromdisapproving，Ihaveencouragedhim，foryourcharmingfriendwonmyentireesteeminthefiveorsixtimesIhadthepleasureofseeingherwithyou。
Ishallbedelighted，therefore，tohaveherinmyhouse，whereIcanenjoyherconversationwithouttransgressingthelawsofpropriety。
Nevertheless，youwillunderstandthatatmyageIhaveformednodesires，forIcouldnotsatisfythemeveniftheirobjectwerepropitious。\"HeendedbytellingmethatLebelhadnotfalleninloveinayoungman’sstyle，thathehadreflectedonwhathewasdoing，andthathewouldconsequentlynothurryher，asshewouldseeintheletterhewasgoingtosendher。Amarriageoughtalwaystobeundertakenincoldblood。
Igavethelettertomyhousekeeper，whoreaditattentively，andgaveitbacktomequitecoolly。
\"Whatdoyouthinkofhisadvice，dearest？\"
\"IthinkIhadbetterfollowit:hesaysthereisnohurry，anddelayisallwewant。Letusloveeachotherandthinkonlyofthat。Thisletteriswrittenwithgreatwisdom，butIcannotimagineourbecomingindifferenttoeachother，thoughIknowsuchathingispossible。\"
\"Neverindifferent；youmakeamistakethere。\"
\"Well，friends，then；andthatisnotmuchbetterafterbeinglovers。\"
\"Butfriendship，dearest，isneverindifferent。Love，itistrue，maybeinitscomposition。Weknowit，asithasbeenthusfromthebeginningoftheworld。\"
\"Thentheambassadorwasright。Repentancemightcomeandtormentuswhenlovehadbeenreplacedbycalmerfriendship。\"
\"Ifyouthinkso，letusmarryeachotherto—morrow，andpunishtherebythevicesofourhumannature。\"
\"Yes，wewillmarry，butthereisnohurry；fearinglesthymenshouldquickenthedepartureoflove，letusenjoyourhappinesswhilewecan。\"
\"Youspeakadmirably，myangel，anddeservethegreatestgoodfortune。\"
\"Iwishfornogreaterthanwhatyouprocureme。\"
Wewenttobed，continuingourdiscussions，andwhenwewereineachother’sarmswemadeanarrangementwhichsuitedusverywell。
\"Lausanne，\"saidshe，\"isalittletownwhereyouwouldmeetwiththewarmesthospitality，andduringyourfortnight’sstayyouwillhavenothingtodobuttomakevisitsandtogotosuppers。Iamknowntoallthenobility，andtheDukeofRosebury，whoweariedmewithhislove—making，isstillthere。Myappearancewithyouwillmakeeverybodytalk，anditwillbeasannoyingforyouasforme。Mymotherlivesthere，too。Shewouldsaynothing，butinherheartshewouldbeill—pleasedtoseemeasthehousekeeperofamanlikeyou，forcommonsensewouldinformeveryonethatIwasyourmistress。\"
Ithoughtshewasright，andthatitwouldbewelltorespecttherulesofsociety。WedecidedthatsheshouldgotoLausannebyherselfandstaywithhermother，thatintwoorthreedaysIshouldfollowher，andshouldlivebymyself，aslongasIliked，havingfulllibertytoseeherathermother’s。
\"WhenyouleaveLausanne，\"saidshe，\"IwillrejoinyouatGeneva，andthenwewilltraveltogetherwhereyoupleaseandaslongasourlovelasts。\"
Intwodaysshestartedearlyinthemorning，sureofmyconstancy，andcongratulatingherselfonherdiscretion。Iwassadatherleavingme，butmycallstotakeleaveservedtorousemefrommygrief。IwishedtomakeM。Haller’sacquaintancebeforeIleftSwitzerland，andthemayor，M。deMuralt，gavemealetterofintroductiontohimveryhandsomelyexpressed。M。deHallerwasthebailiffofRoche。
WhenIcalledtotakeleaveofMadamedelaSaoneIfoundherinbed，andIwasobligedtoremainbyherbedsideforaquarterofanhour。
Shespokeofherdisease，andgavetheconversationsuchaturnthatshewasablewithperfectproprietytoletmeseethattheravagesofthediseasehadnotimpairedthebeautyofherbody。ThesightconvincedmethatMignardhadneedoflesscouragethanIthought，andIwaswithinaninchofdoingherthesameservice。Itwaseasyenoughtolookonlyatherbody，anditwouldhavebeendifficulttobeholdanythingmorebeautiful。
Iknowwellthatprudesandhypocrites，iftheyeverreadtheseMemoirs，willbescandalizedatthepoorlady，butinshewingherpersonsoreadilysheavengedherselfonthemaladywhichhaddisfiguredher。Perhaps，too，hergoodnessofheartandpolitenesstoldherwhatatrialitwastolookatherface，andshewishedtoindemnifythemanwhodisguisedhisfeelingsofrepugnancebyshewinghimwhatgiftsnaturehadgivenher。Iamsure，ladies，thatthemostprudish——nay，themostvirtuous，amongstyou，ifyouwereunfortunateenoughtobesomonstrouslydeformedintheface，wouldintroducesomefashionwhichwouldconcealyourugliness，anddisplaythosebeautieswhichcustomhidesfromview。AnddoubtlessMadamedelaSaonewouldhavebeenmorecharyofherpersonifshehadbeenabletoenchantwithherfacelikeyou。
ThedayIleftIdinedwithM————I————，andwasseverelytakentotaskbyprettySaraforhavingsentherlittlewifeawaybeforeme。
ThereaderwillseehowImetheragainatLondonthreeyearslater。
LeDucwasstillinthedoctor’shands，andveryweak；butImadehimgowithme，asIhadagooddealofproperty，andIcouldnottrustittoanybodyelse。
IleftBernefeelingnaturallyverysad。Ihadbeenhappythere，andtothisdaythethoughtofitisapleasantone。
IhadtoconsultDr。HerrenschwandaboutMadamed’Urfe，soIstoppedatMorat，wherehelived，andwhichisonlyfourleaguesfromBerne。
ThedoctormademedinewithhimthatImighttrythefishofthelake，whichIfounddelicious。Ihadintendedtogoondirectlyafterdinner，butIwasdelayedbyacuriosityofwhichIshallinformthereader。
AfterIhadgiventhedoctorafeeoftwoLouisforhisadvice，inwriting，onacaseoftapeworm，hemademewalkwithhimbytheAvanchesroad，andwewentasfarasthefamousmortuaryofMorat。
\"Thismortuary，\"saidthedoctor，\"wasconstructedwithpartofthebonesoftheBurgundians，whoperishedhereatthewell—knownbattlelostbyCharlestheBold。\"
TheLatininscriptionmademelaugh。
\"Thisinscription，\"saidI，\"containsaninsultingjest；itisalmostburlesque，forthegravityofaninscriptionshouldnotallowoflaughter。\"
Thedoctor，likeapatrioticSwiss，wouldnotallowit，butIthinkitwasfalseshameonhispart。Theinscriptionranasfollows，andtheimpartialreadercanjudgeofitsnature:
\"Deo。opt。Max。CaroliinclytietfortisimiBurgundiedudsexercitusMuratumobsidens，abHelvetiiscesus，hocsuimonumentumreliquitannoMCDLXXVI。\"
TillthenIhadhadagreatideaofMorat。Itsfameofsevencenturies，threesiegessustainedandrepulsed，allhadgivenmeasublimenotionofit；Iexpectedtoseesomethingandsawnothing。
\"ThenMorathasbeenrazedtotheground？\"saidItothedoctor。
\"Notatall，itisasitalwayshasbeen，ornearlyso。\"
Iconcludedthatamanwhowantstobewellinformedshouldreadfirstandthencorrecthisknowledgebytravel。Toknowillisworsethannottoknowatall，andMontaignesaysthatweoughttoknowthingswell。
ButitwasthefollowingcomicadventurewhichmademespendthenightatMorat:
IfoundattheinnayoungmaidwhospokeasortofrusticItalian。
Shestruckmebyhergreatlikenesstomyfairstocking—selleratParis。ShewascalledRaton，anamewhichmymemoryhashappilypreserved。Iofferedhersixfrancsforherfavours，butsherefusedthemoneywithasortofpride，tellingmethatIhadmadeamistakeandthatshewasanhonestgirl。
\"Itmaybeso，\"saidI，andIorderedmyhorsestobeputin。WhenthehonestRatonsawmeonthepointofleaving，shesaid，withanairthatwasatoncegayandtimid，thatshewantedtwolouis，andifIlikedtogiveherthemandpassthenightwithherIshouldbewellcontent。
\"Iwillstay，butremembertobekind。\"
\"Iwill。\"
Wheneverybodyhadgonetobed，shecameintomyroomwithalittlefrightenedmanner，calculatedtoredoublemyardour，butbygreatgoodluck，feelingIhadanecessity，ItookthelightandrantotheplacewhereIcouldsatisfyit。WhilethereIamusedmyselfbyreadinginnumerablefolliesonefindswritteninsuchplaces，andsuddenlymyeyeslightedonthesewords:——
\"ThistenthdayofAugust，1760，thewretchedRatongavemethewhat—
d’—you—call—it:reader，beware。\"
Iwasalmosttemptedtobelieveinmiracles，forIcouldnotthinkthereweretwoRatonsinthesamehouse。Ireturnedgailytomyroomandfoundmysweetheartinbedwithoutherchemise。Iwenttotheplacebesidethebedwhereshehadthrownitdown，andassoonasshesawmetouchingitshebeggedmeinafrightnottodoso，asitwasnotclean。Shewasright，foritborenumerousmarksofthediseasewhichinfectedher。Itmaybeimaginedthatmypassioncooled，andthatIsentherawayinamoment；butIfeltatthesametimethegreatestgratitudetowhatiscalledchance，forIshouldhaveneverthoughtofexaminingagirlwhosefacewasallliliesandroses，andwhocouldnotbemorethaneighteen。
NextdayIwenttoRochetoseethecelebratedHaller。
CHAPTERXVIII
M。Haller——MyStayatLausanne——LordRosebury——TheYoungSaconai——
DissertationonBeauty——TheYoungTheologianM。Hallerwasamansixfeethighandbroadinaproportion；hewasawell—mademan，andaphysicalaswellasamentalcolossus。Hereceivedmecourteously，andwhenhehadreadM。deMuralt’sletter，hedisplayedthegreatestpoliteness，whichshewsthatagoodletterofintroductionisneveroutofplace。Thislearnedmandisplayedtomeallthetreasuresofhisknowledge，replyingwithexactitudetoallmyquestions，andaboveallwithararemodestywhichastonishedmegreatly，forwhilstheexplainedthemostdifficultquestions，hehadtheairofascholarwhowouldfainknow；butontheotherhand，whenheaskedmeascientificquestion，itwaswithsodelicateanartthatIcouldnothelpgivingtherightanswer。
M。deHallerwasagreatphysiologist，agreatdoctor，andagreatanatomist。HecalledMorgagnihismaster，thoughhehadhimselfmadenumerousdiscoveriesrelatingtotheframeofman。WhileIstayedwithhimheshewedmeanumberoflettersfromMorgagniandPontedera，aprofessorofbotany，ascienceofwhichHallerhadanextensiveknowledge。HearingmespeakoftheselearnedmenwhoseworksIhadreadatanearlyage，hecomplainedthatPontedera’sletterswerealmostillegibleandwritteninextremelyobscureLatin。
HeshewedmealetterfromaBerlinAcademician，whosenameIhaveforgotten，whosaidthatsincethekinghadreadhisletterhehadnomorethoughtsofsuppressingtheLatinlanguage。HallerhadwrittentoFredericktheGreatthatamonarchwhosucceededintheunhappyenterpriseofproscribingthelanguageofCiceroandVirgilfromtherepublicofletterswouldraiseadeathlessmonumenttohisownignorance。Ifmenoflettersrequireauniversallanguagetocommunicatewithoneanother，Latiniscertainlythebest，forGreekandArabicdonotadaptthemselvesinthesamewaytothegeniusofmoderncivilization。
HallerwasagoodpoetofthePindarickind；hewasalsoanexcellentstatesman，andhadrenderedgreatservicestohiscountry。Hismoralswereirreproachable，andIrememberhistellingmethattheonlywaytogivepreceptswastodosobyexample。Asagoodcitizenhewasanadmirablepaterfamilias，forwhatgreaterproofcouldhegiveofhisloveofcountrythanbypresentingitwithworthysubjectsinhischildren，andsuchsubjectsresultfromagoodeducation。Hiswifewasstillyoung，andboreonherfeaturesthemarksofgoodnatureanddiscretion。Hehadacharmingdaughterofabouteighteen；herappearancewasmodest，andattablesheonlyopenedhermouthtospeakinalowtonetoayoungmanwhosatbesideher。Afterdinner，findingmyselfalonewithM。Haller，Iaskedhimwhothisyoungmanwas。Hetoldmehewashisdaughter’stutor。
\"Atutorlikethatandsoprettyapupilmighteasilybecomelovers。\"
\"Yes，pleaseGod。\"
ThisSocraticreplymademeseehowmisplacedmyremarkhadbeen，andIfeltsomeconfusion。FindingabooktomyhandIopenedittorestoremycomposure。
Itwasanoctavovolumeofhisworks，andIreadinit:
\"Utrummemoriapostmortemdubito。\"
\"Youdonotthink，then，\"saidI，\"thatthememoryisanessentialpartofthesoul？\"
\"Howisthatquestiontobeanswered？\"M。deHallerreplied，cautiously，ashehadhisreasonsforbeingconsideredorthodox。
DuringdinnerIaskedifM。deVoltairecameoftentoseehim。Bywayofreplyherepeatedtheselinesofthepoet:——
\"VetaboquiCererissacrumvulgaritarcanumsubusdemsittrabibus。\"
Ispentthreedayswiththiscelebratedman，butIthoughtmyselfobligedtorefrainfromaskinghisopiniononanyreligiousquestions，althoughIhadagreatdesiretodoso，asitwouldhavepleasedmetohavehadhisopiniononthatdelicatesubject；butI
believethatinmattersofthatkindM。Hallerjudgedonlybyhisheart。Itoldhim，however，thatIshouldconsideravisittoVoltaireasagreatevent，andhesaidIwasright。Headded，withouttheslightestbitterness，\"M。deVoltaireisamanwhooughttobeknown，although，inspiteofthelawsofnature，manypersonshavefoundhimgreateratadistancethancloseathand。\"
M。deHallerkeptagoodandabundantthoughplaintable；heonlydrankwater。Atdessertonlyheallowedhimselfasmallglassofliqueurdrownedinanenormousglassofwater。HetalkedagreatdealofBoerhaave，whosefavouritepupilhehadbeen。HesaidthatafterHypocrates，Boerhaavewasthegreatestdoctorandthegreatestchemistthathadeverexisted。
\"Howisit，\"saidI，\"thathedidnotattainmatureage？\"
\"Becausethereisnocurefordeath。Boerhaavewasbornadoctor，asHomerwasbornapoet；otherwisehewouldhavesuccumbedattheageoffourteentoamalignantulcerwhichhadresistedallthebesttreatmentoftheday。Hecuredithimselfbyrubbingitconstantlywithsaltdissolvedinhisownurine。\"
\"Ihavebeentoldthathepossessedthephilosopher’sstone。\"