Thesyndichavingpronouncedmyname，shesaid，——
\"Ah！then，you，sir，arethepersonwhodiscussedsomeverysingularquestionswithmycousin，thepastor’sniece。Iamdelightedtomakeyouracquaintance。\"
\"Iamequallypleasedtomakeyours，butIhopethepastor’sniecesaidnothingagainstme。\"
\"Notatall；shehasaveryhighopinionofyou。\"
\"Iamgoingtodinewithherto—morrow，andIshalltakecaretothankher。\"
\"To—morrow！Ishouldliketobethere，forIenjoyphilosophicaldiscussionsthoughIneverdaretoputawordin。\"
ThesyndicpraisedherdiscretionandwisdominsuchamannerthatIwasconvincedhewasinlovewithher，andthathehadeitherseducedherorwastryingtodoso。HernamewasHelen。IaskedtheyoungladiesifHelenwastheirsister。Theeldestreplied，withaslysmile，thatshewasasister，butasyetshehadnobrother；andwiththisexplanationsheranuptoHelenandkissedher。ThenthesyndicandIviedwitheachotherinpayinghercompliments，tellingherthatwehopedtobeherbrothers。Sheblushed，butgavenoanswertoourgallantries。Ithendrewforthmycasket，andseeingthatallthegirlswereenchantedwiththerings，Itoldthemtochoosewhichonestheylikedbest。ThecharmingHelenimitatedtheirexample，andrepaidmewithamodestkiss。Soonaftersheleftus，andwewereoncemorefree，asinoldtimes。
ThesyndichadgoodcausetoshewforhisloveofHelen。Shewasnotmerelypleasing，shewasmadetoinspireaviolentpassion。
However，thethreefriendshadnohopeofmakingherjoinintheirpleasures，fortheysaidthatshehadinvinciblefeelingsofmodestywheremenwereconcerned。
Wesuppedmerrily，andaftersupperwebeganoursportsagain，thesyndicremainingasusualamerelooker—on，andwellpleasedwithhispart。Itreatedeachofthethreenymphstotwocourses，deceivingthemwheneverIwasforcedbynaturetodoso。Atmidnightwebrokeup，andtheworthysyndicescortedmetothedoorofmylodging。
ThedayfollowingIwenttothepastor’sandfoundanumerouspartyassembled，amongstothersM。d’HarcourtandM。deXimenes，whotoldmethatM。deVoltaireknewthatIwasatGenevaandhopedtoseeme。Irepliedbyaprofoundbow。Mdlle。Hedvig，thepastor’sniece，complimentedme，butIwasstillbetterpleasedtoseehercousinHelen。Thetheologianoftwenty—twowasfairandpleasanttotheeyes，butshehadnotthat’jenesaisquoi’，thatshadeofbitter—sweet，whichaddszesttohopeaswellaspleasure。However，theevidentfriendshipbetweenHedvigandHelengavemegoodhopesofsuccesswiththelatter。
Wehadanexcellentdinner，andwhileitlastedtheconversationwasrestrictedtoordinarytopics；butatdessertthepastorbeggedM。deXimenestoaskhisniecesomequestions。Knowinghisworldwidereputation，Iexpectedhimtoputhersomeproblemingeometry，butheonlyaskedwhetheraliecouldbejustifiedontheprincipleofamentalreservation。
Hedvigrepliedthattherearecasesinwhichalieisnecessary，butthattheprincipleofamentalreservationisalwaysacheat。
\"ThenhowcouldChristhavesaidthatthetimeinwhichtheworldwastocometoanendwasunknowntoHim？\"
\"Hewasspeakingthetruth；itwasnotknowntoHim。\"
\"ThenhewasnotGod？\"
\"Thatisafalsededuction，forsinceGodmaydoallthings，Hemaycertainlybeignorantofaneventinfuturity。\"
Ithoughtthewayinwhichshebroughtintheword\"futurity\"
almostsublime。Hedvigwasloudlyapplauded，andherunclewentallroundthetabletokissher。Ihadaverynaturalobjectiononthetipofmytongue，whichshemighthavefounddifficulttoanswer，butIwantedtogetintohergoodgracesandIkeptmyowncounsel。
M。d’Harcourtwasurgedtoaskhersomequestions，butherepliedinthewordsofHorace，’Nullamihireligioest’。ThenHedvigturnedtomeandaskedmetoputhersomehardquestion，\"somethingdifficult，whichyoudon’tknowyourself。\"
\"Ishallbedelighted。Doyougrantthatagodpossessesinasupremedegreethequalitiesofman？\"
\"Yes，exceptingman’sweaknesses。\"
\"Doyouclassthegenerativepowerasaweakness？\"
\"No。\"
\"Willyoutellme，then，ofwhatnaturewouldhavebeentheoffspringofaunionbetweenagodandamortalwoman？\"
Hedviglookedasredasfire。
Thepastorandtheotherguestslookedateachother，whileI
gazedfixedlyattheyoungtheologian，whowasreflecting。M。
d’HarcourtsaidthatweshouldhavetosendforVoltairetosettleaquestionsodifficult，butasHedvighadcollectedherthoughtsandseemedreadytospeakeverybodywassilent。
\"Itwouldbeabsurd，\"saidshe，\"tosupposethatadeitycouldperformsuchanactionwithoutitshavinganyresults。Attheendofninemonthsawomanwouldbedeliveredamalechild，whichwouldbethreepartsmanandonepartgod。\"
Atthesewordsalltheguestsapplauded，M。deXimenesexpressedhisadmirationofthewaythequestionhadbeensolved，adding，——
\"Naturally，ifthesonofthewomanmarried，hischildrenwouldbeseven—eighthsmenandone—eighthgods。\"
\"Yes，\"saidI，\"unlesshemarriedagoddess，whichwouldhavemadetheproportiondifferent。\"
\"Tellmeexactly，\"saidHedvig，\"whatproportionofdivinitytherewouldbeinachildofthesixteenthgeneration。\"
\"GivemeapencilandIwillsoontellyou，\"saidM。deXimenes。
\"Thereisnoneedtocalculateit，\"saidI；\"thechildwouldhavesomesmallshareofthewitwhichyouenjoy。\"
Everybodyapplaudedthisgallantspeech，whichdidnotbyanymeansoffendtheladytowhomitwasaddressed。
Thisprettyblondewaschieflydesirableforthecharmsofherintellect。Werosefromthetableandmadeacircleroundher，butshetolduswithmuchgracenottopayheranymorecompliments。
ItookHelenaside，andtoldhertogethercousintochoosearingfrommycasket，whichIgaveher，andsheseemedgladtoexecutethecommission。AquarterofanhourafterwardsHedvigcametoshewmeherhandadornedwiththeringshehadchosen。I
kisseditrapturously，andshemusthaveguessedfromthewarmthofmykisseswithwhatfeelingsshehadinspiredme。
IntheeveningHelentoldthesyndicandthethreegirlsallaboutthemorning’sdiscussionwithoutleavingoutthesmallestdetail。
Shetoldthestorywitheaseandgrace，andIhadnooccasiontoprompther。Webeggedhertostaytosupper，butshewhisperedsomethingtothethreefriends，andtheyagreedthatitwasimpossible；butshesaidthatshemightspendacoupleofdayswiththemintheircountryhouseonthelake，iftheywouldaskhermother。
Atthesyndic’srequestthegirlscalledonthemotherthenextday，andthedayafterthattheywentoffwithHelen。Thesameeveningwewentandsuppedwiththem，butwecouldnotsleepthere。Thesyndicwastotakemetoahouseatashortdistanceoff，whereweshouldbeverycomfortable。Thisbeingthecasetherewasnohurry，andtheeldestgirlsaidthatthesyndicandI
couldleavewheneverweliked，butthattheyweregoingtobed。
SosayingshetookHelentoherroom，whilethetwootherssleptinanotherroom。SoonafterthesyndicwentintotheroomwhereHelenwas，andIvisitedthetwoothers。
Ihadscarcelybeenwithmytwosweetheartsforanhourwhenthesyndicinterruptedmyeroticexploitsbybeggingmetogo。
\"WhathaveyoudonewithHelen？\"Iasked。
\"Nothing；she’sasimpleton，andanintractableone。Shehidunderthesheetsandwouldnotlookatmyperformancewithherfriend。\"
\"Yououghttogotoherdirect。\"
\"Ihavedoneso，butsherepulsedmeagainandagain。Ihavegivenitup，andshallnottryitagain，unlessyouwilltameherforme。\"
\"Howisittobedone？\"
\"Cometodinnerto—morrow。IshallbeawayatGeneva。Ishallbebackbysupper—time。Iwishwecouldgivehertoomuchtodrink！\"
\"Thatwouldbeapity。LetmeseewhatIcando。\"
Iaccordinglywenttodinewiththembymyselfthenextday，andtheyentertainedmeinalltheforceoftheword。Afterdinnerwewentforawalk，andthethreefriendsunderstandingmyaimsleftmealonewiththeintractablegirl，whoresistedmycaressesinamannerwhichalmostmademegiveupthehopeoftamingher。
\"Thesyndic，\"saidI，\"isinlovewithyou，andlastnight……
\"Lastnight，\"shesaid，\"heamusedhimselfwithhisoldfriend。I
amforeveryone’sfollowingtheirowntastes，butIexpecttobeallowedtofollowmine。\"
\"IfIcouldgainyourheartIshouldbehappy。\"
\"Whydon’tyouinvitethepastorandmycousintodinewithyou？
Icouldcometoo，forthepastormakesmuchofeveryonewholoveshisniece。\"
\"Iamgladtohearthat。Hasshealover？\"
\"No。\"
\"Icanscarcelybelieveit。Sheisyoung，pretty，agreeable，andveryclever。\"
\"Youdon’tunderstandGenevanways。Itisbecausesheissocleverthatnoyoungmanfallsinlovewithher。Thosewhomightbeattractedbyherpersonalcharmsholdthemselvesaloofonaccountofherintellectualcapacities，astheywouldhavetositinsilencebeforeher。\"
\"AretheyoungGenevanssoignorant，then？\"
\"Asaruletheyare。Someofthemhavereceivedexcellenteducations，butinageneralwaytheyarefullofprejudice。
Nobodywishestobeconsideredafoolorablockhead，butcleverwomenarenotappreciated；andifagirliswittyorwelleducatedsheendeavorstohideherlights，atleastifshedesirestobemarried。\"
\"Ah！nowIseewhyyoudidnotopenyourlipsduringourdiscussion。\"
\"No，IknowIhavenothingtohide。Thiswasnotthemotivewhichmademekeepsilence，butthepleasureoflistening。Iadmiredmycousin，whowasnotafraidtodisplayherlearningonasubjectwhichanyothergirlwouldhaveaffectedtoknownothingabout。\"
\"Yes，affected，thoughshemightveryprobablyknowasmuchashergrandmother。\"
\"That’samatterofmorals，orratherofprejudices。\"
\"Yourreasoningisadmirable，andIamalreadylongingforthepartyyousocleverlysuggested:\"
\"Youwillhavethepleasureofbeingwithmycousin。\"
\"Idoherjustice。Hedvigiscertainlyaveryinterestingandagreeablegirl，butbelievemeitisyourpresencethatwillconstitutemychiefenjoyment。\"
\"AndhowifIdonotbelieveyou？\"
\"Youwouldwrongmeandgivemepain，forIloveyoudearly。\"
\"Inspiteofthatyouhavedeceivedme。Iamsurethatyouhavegivenmarksofyouraffectiontothosethreeyoungladies。FormypartIpitythem。\"
\"Why？\"
\"Becauseneitherofthemcanflatterherselfthatyouloveher，andheralone。\"
\"Anddoyouthinkthatyourdelicacyoffeelingmakesyouhappierthantheyare？\"
\"Yes，Ithinksothoughofcourse，Ihavenoexperienceinthematter。Tellmetruly，doyouthinkIamright？\"
\"Yes，Ido。\"
\"Iamdelightedtohearit；butyoumustconfessthattoassociatemewiththeminyourattentionswouldnotbegivingmethegreatestpossibleproofofyourlove。\"
\"Yes，Idoconfessit，andIbegyourpardon。ButtellmehowI
shouldsettoworktoaskthepastortodinner。\"
\"Therewillbenodifficulty。Justcallonhimandaskhimtocome，andifyouwishmetobeofthepartybeghimtoaskmymotherandmyself。\"
\"Whyyourmother？\"
\"Becausehehasbeeninlovewithherthesetwentyyears，andlovesherstill。\"
\"AndwhereshallIgivethisdinner？\"
\"IsnotM。Tronchinyourbanker？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Hehasanicepleasurehouseonthelake；askhimtolendityoufortheday；hewillbedelightedtodoso。Butdon’ttellthesyndicorhisthreefriendsanythingaboutit；theycanhearofitafterwards。\"
\"Butdoyouthinkyourlearnedcousinwillbegladtobeinmycompany？\"
\"Morethanglad，youmaybesure。\"
\"Verygood，everythingwillbearrangedbytomorrow。Thedayafter，youwillbereturningtoGeneva，andthepartywilltakeplacetwoorthreedayslater。\"
Thesyndiccamebackinduecourse，andwehadaverypleasantevening。Aftersuppertheladieswenttobedasbefore，andI
wentwiththeeldestgirlwhilethesyndicvisitedthetwoyoungerones。IknewthatitwouldbeofnousetotrytodoanythingwithHelen，soIcontentedmyselfwithafewkisses，afterwhichI
wishedthemgoodnightandpassedontothenextroom。Ifoundtheminadeepsleep，andthesyndicseemedvisiblybored。HedidnotlookmorecheerfulwhenItoldhimthatIhadhadnosuccesswithHelen。
\"Isee，\"saidhe，\"thatIshallwastemytimewiththelittlefool。IthinkIshallgiveherup。\"
\"Ithinkthat’sthebestthingyoucoulddo，\"Ireplied，\"foramanwholanguishesafterawomanwhoiseitherdevoidoffeelingorfullofcaprice，makeshimselfherdupe。Blissshouldbeneithertooeasynortoohardtobewon。\"
ThenextdaywereturnedtoGeneva，andM。Tronchinseemeddelightedtoobligeme。Thepastoracceptedmyinvitation，andsaidIwassuretobecharmedwithHelen’smother。Itwaseasytoseethattheworthymancherishedatendernessforher，andifsherespondedatallitwouldbeallthebetterformypurposes。
IwasthinkingofsuppingwiththecharmingHelenandherthreefriendsatthehouseonthelake，butanexpresssummonedmetoLausanne。MadameLebel，myoldhousekeeper，invitedmetosupwithherandherhusband。ShewrotethatshehadmadeherhusbandpromisetotakehertoLausanneassoonasshegotmyletter，andsheaddedshewassurethatIwouldresigneverythingtogiveherthepleasureofseeingme。Shenotifiedthehouratwhichshewouldbeathermother’shouse。
MadameLebelwasoneofthetenortwelvewomenforwhominmyhappyyouthIcherishedthegreatestaffection。Shehadallthequalitiestomakeamanagoodwife，ifithadbeenmyfatetoexperiencesuchfelicity。ButperhapsIdidwellnottotiemyselfdownwithirrevocablebonds，thoughnowmyindependenceisanothernameforslavery。ButifIhadmarriedawomanoftact，whowouldhaveruledmeunawarestomyself，Ishouldhavetakencareofmyfortuneandhavehadchildren，insteadofbeinglonelyandpennilessinmyoldage。
ButImustindulgenolongerindigressionsonthepastwhichcannotberecalled，andsincemyrecollectionsmakemehappyI
shouldbefoolishtocherishidleregrets。
IcalculatedthatifIstarteddirectlyIshouldgettoLausanneanhourbeforeMadameLebel，andIdidnothesitatetogiveherthisproofofmyregard。Imustherewarnmyreaders，that，thoughIlovedthiswomanwell，Iwasthenoccupiedwithanotherpassion，andnovoluptuousthoughtmingledwithmydesireofseeingher。Myesteemforherwasenoughtoholdmypassionsincheck，butIesteemedLebeltoo，andnothingwouldhaveinducedmetodisturbthehappinessofthismarriedpair。
Iwroteinhastetothesyndic，tellinghimthatanimportantandsuddencallobligedmetostartforLausanne，butthatIshouldhavethepleasureofsuppingwithhimandhisthreefriendsatGenevaonthefollowingday。
IknockedatMadameDubois’sdooratfiveo’clock，almostdyingwithhunger。Hersurprisewasextreme，forshedidnotknowthatherdaughterwasgoingtomeetmeatherhouse。WithoutmoreadoIgavehertwolouistogetusagoodsupper。
Atseveno’clock，MadameLebel，herhusband，andachildofeighteenmonths，whomIeasilyrecognizedasmyown，arrived。Ourmeetingwasahappyoneindeed；wespenttenhoursattable，andmirthandjoyprevailed。Atday—breakshestartedforSoleure，whereLebelhadbusiness。M。deChavignihaddesiredtoberememberedmostaffectionatelytome。Lebelassuredmethattheambassadorwasextremelykindtohiswife，andhethankedmeheartilyforhavinggivensuchawomanuptohim。Icouldeasilyseethathewasahappyhusband，andthathiswifewasashappyashe。
Mydearhousekeepertalkedtomeaboutmyson。Shesaidthatnobodysuspectedthetruth，butthatneithershenorLebel（whohadfaithfullykepthispromise，andhadnotconsummatedthemarriageforthetwomonthsagreedupon）hadanydoubts。
\"Thesecret，\"saidLebeltome，\"willneverbeknown，andyoursonwillbemysoleheir，orwillsharemypropertywithmychildrenifIeverhaveany，whichIdoubt。\"
\"Mydear，\"saidhiswife，\"thereissomebodywhohasverystrongsuspicionsonthesubject，andthesesuspicionswillgainstrengthasthechildgrowsolder；butwehavenothingtofearonthatscore，assheiswellpaidtokeepthesecret。\"
\"Andwhoisthisperson？\"saidI。
\"Madame————。Shehasnotforgottenthepast，andoftenspeaksofyou。\"
\"Willyoukindlyremembermetoher？\"
\"Ishallbedelightedtodoso，andIamsurethemessagewillgivehergreatpleasure。\"
Lebelshewedmemyring，andIshewedhimhis，andgavehimasuperbwatchformyson。
\"Youmustgiveithim，\"Isaid，\"whenyouthinkheisoldenough。\"
Weshallhearoftheyounggentlemanintwenty—oneyearsatFontainebleau。
IpassedthreehoursintellingthemofalltheadventuresIhadduringthetwenty—sevenmonthssincewehadseenoneanother。Astotheirhistory，itwassoontold；ithadallthecalmwhichbelongstohappiness。
MadameLebelwasasprettyasever，andIcouldseenochangeinher，butIwasnolongerthesameman。Shethoughtmelesslivelythanofold，andshewasright。TheRenaudhadblastedme，andthepretendedLascarishadgivenmeagreatdealoftroubleandanxiety。
Weembracedeachothertenderly，andtheweddedpairreturnedtoSoleureandItoGeneva；butfeelingthatIwantedrestIwrotetothesyndicthatIwasnotwellandcouldnotcometillthenextday，andafterIhaddonesoIwenttobed。
Thenextday，theeveofmydinnerparty，Iorderedarepastinwhichnoexpensewastobespared。Ididnotforgettotellthelandlordtogetmethebestwines，thechoicestliqueurs，ices，andallthematerialsforabowlofpunch。Itoldhimthatweshouldbesixinnumber，forIforesawthatM。Tronchinwoulddinewithus。Iwasright；Ifoundhimathisprettyhousereadytoreceiveus，andIhadnotmuchtroubleininducinghimtostay。
IntheeveningIthoughtitaswelltotellthesyndicandhisthreefriendsaboutitinHelen’spresence，whileshe，feigningignorance，saidthathermotherhadtoldhertheyweregoingsomewhereorothertodinner。
\"Iamdelightedtohearit，\"saidI；\"itmustbeatM。Tronchin’s。\"
Mydinnerwouldhavesatisfiedthemostexactinggourmet，butHedvigwasitsrealcharm。Shetreateddifficulttheologicalquestionswithsomuchgrace，andrationalisedsoskilfully，thatthoughonemightnotbeconvinceditwasimpossibletohelpbeingattracted。Ihaveneverseenanytheologianwhocouldtreatthemostdifficultpointswithsomuchfacility，eloquence，andrealdignity，andatdinnershecompletedherconquestofmyself。M。
Tronchin，whohadneverheardherspeakbefore，thankedmeahundredtimesforhavingprocuredhimthispleasure，andbeingobligedtoleaveusbythecallofbusinessheaskedustomeetagainintwodays’time。
IwasmuchinterestedduringthedessertbytheevidenttendernessofthepastorforHelen’smother。Hisamorouseloquencegrewinstrengthasheirrigatedhisthroatwithchampagne，Greekwine，andeasternliqueurs。Theladyseemedpleased，andwasamatchforhimasfarasdrinkingwasconcerned，whilethetwogirlsandmyselfonlydrankwithsobriety。However，themixtureofwines，andaboveallthepunch，haddonetheirwork，andmycharmerswereslightlyelevated。Theirspiritsweredelightful，butratherpronounced。
ItookthisfavourableopportunitytoaskthetwoagedloversifI
mighttaketheyoungladiesforawalkinthegardenbythelake，andtheytoldusenthusiasticallytogoandenjoyourselves。Wewentoutarminarm，andinafewminuteswewereoutofsightofeveryone。
\"Doyouknow，\"saidItoHedvig，\"thatyouhavemadeaconquestofM。Tronchin？\"
\"HaveI？Theworthybankeraskedmesomeverysillyquestions。\"
\"Youmustnotexpecteveryonetobeabletocontendwithyou。\"
\"Ican’thelptellingyouthatyourquestionpleasedmebestofall。Abigotedtheologianattheendofthetableseemedscandalizedatthequestionandstillmoreattheanswer。\"
\"Andwhy？\"
\"HesaysIoughttohavetoldyouthatadeitycouldnotimpregnateawoman。HesaidthathewouldexplainthereasontomeifIwereaman，butbeingawomanandamaidhecouldnotwithproprietyexpoundsuchmysteries。Iwishyouwouldtellmewhatthefoolmeant。\"
\"Ishouldbeveryglad，butyoumustallowmetospeakplainly，andIshallhavetotakeforgrantedthatyouareacquaintedwiththephysicalconformationofaman。\"
\"Yes，speakasplainlyasyoulike，forthereisnobodytohearwhatwesay；butImustconfessthatIamonlyacquaintedwiththepeculiaritiesofthemalebytheoryandreading。Ihavenopracticalknowledge。Ihaveseenstatues，butIhaveneverseenorexaminedarealliveman。Haveyou，Helen？\"
\"Ihaveneverwishedtodoso。\"
\"Whynot？Itisgoodtoknoweverything。\"
\"Well，Hedvig，yourtheologianmeanttosaythatagodwasnotcapableofthis。\"
\"Whatisthat？\"
\"Givemeyourhand。\"
\"Icanfeelit，andhavethoughtitwouldbesomethinglikethat；
withoutthisprovisionofnaturemanwouldnotbeabletofecundatehismate。Andhowcouldthefoolishtheologianmaintainthatthiswasanimperfection？\"
\"Becauseitistheresultofdesire，Hedvig，anditwouldnothavetakenplaceinmeifIhadnotbeencharmedwithyou，andifIhadnotconceivedthemostseducingideasofthebeautiesthatI
cannotseefromtheviewofthebeautiesIcansee。Tellmefranklywhetherfeelingthatdidnotgiveyouanagreeablesensation。\"
\"Itdid，andjustintheplacewhereyourhandisnow。Don’tyoufeelapleasantticklingthere，Helen，afterwhatthegentlemanhasbeensayingtous？\"
\"Yes，Ifeelit，butIoftendo，withoutanythingtoexciteme。\"
\"Andthen，\"saidI，\"naturemakesyouappeaseit……thus？\"
\"Notatall。\"
\"Oh，yes！\"saidHedvig。\"Evenwhenweareasleepourhandsseekthatspotasifbyinstinct，andifitwerenotforthatsolaceI
thinkweshouldgetterriblyill。\"
Asthisphilosophicaldiscourse，conductedbytheyoungtheologianinquiteaprofessionalmanner，proceeded，wereachedabeautifulbasinofwater，withaflightofmarblestepsforbathers。
Althoughtheairwascoolourheadswerehot，andIconceivedtheideaoftellingthemthatitwoulddothemgoodtobathetheirfeet，andthatiftheywouldallowmeIwouldtakeofftheirshoesandstockings。
\"Ishouldliketosomuch，\"saidHedvig。
\"AndItoo，\"saidHelen。
\"Thensitdown，ladies，onthefirststep。\"
TheyproceededtositdownandIbegantotakeofftheirshoes，praisingthebeautyoftheirlegs，andpretendingforthepresentnottowanttogofartherthantheknee。Whentheygotintothewatertheywereobligedtopickuptheirclothes，andIencouragedthemtodoso。
\"Well，well，\"saidHedvig，\"menhavethighstoo。\"
Helen，whowouldhavebeenashamedtobebeatenbyhercousin，wasnotbackwardinshewingherlegs。
\"Thatwilldo，charmingmaids，\"saidI，\"youmightcatchcoldifyoustayedlongerinthewater。\"
Theywalkedupbackwards，stillholdinguptheirclothesforfearofwettingthem，anditwasthenmydutytowipethemdrywithallthehandkerchiefsIhad。Thispleasanttaskleftmeatfreedomtotouchandsee，andthereaderwillimaginethatIdidmybestinthatdirection。ThefairtheologiantoldmeIwantedtoknowtoomuch，butHelenletmedowhatIlikedwithsuchatenderandaffectionateexpressionthatitwasasmuchasIcoulddotokeepwithinbounds。Atlast，whenIhaddrawnontheirshoesandstockings，ItoldthemthatIwasdelightedtohaveseenthehiddencharmsofthetwoprettiestgirlsinGeneva。
\"Whateffecthaditonyou？\"askedHedvig。
\"Idaren’ttellyoutolook，butfeel，bothofyou。\"
\"Doyoubathe，too。\"
\"It’soutofthequestion，aman’sundressingtakessomuchtrouble。\"
\"Butwehavestilltwohoursbeforeus，inwhichweneednotfearanyinterruption。\"
ThisreplygavemeaforetasteoftheblissIhadtogain，butI
didnotwishtoexposemyselftoanillnessbygoingintothewaterinmypresentstate。Inoticedasummer—houseatalittledistance，andfeelingsurethatM。Tronchinhadleftthedooropen，Itookthetwogirlsonmyarmandledthemtherewithoutgivingthemanyhintofmyintentions。Thesummer—housewasscentedwithvasesofpot—pourriandadornedwithengravings；but，bestofall，therewasalargecouchwhichseemedmadeforreposeandpleasure。Isatdownonitbetweenmytwosweethearts，andasIcaressedthemItoldthemIwasgoingtoshewthemsomethingtheyhadneverseenbefore，andwithoutmoreadoIdisplayedtotheirgazetheprincipalagentinthepreservationofthehumanrace。Theygotuptoadmireit，andtakingahandofeachoneI
procuredthemsomeenjoyment，butinthemiddleoftheirlaboursanabundantflowofliquidthrewthemintothegreatestastonishment。
\"That，\"saidI，\"istheWordwhichmakesmen。\"
\"It’sbeautiful！\"criedHelen，laughingattheterm\"word。\"
\"Ihaveawordtoo，\"saidHedvig，\"andIwillshewittoyouifyouwillwaitaminute。\"
\"Come，Hedvig，andIwillsaveyouthetroubleofmakingityourself，andwilldoitbetter。\"
\"Idaresay，butIhaveneverdoneitwithaman。\"
\"NomorehaveI，\"saidHelen。
PlacingtheminfrontofmeIgavethemanotherecstacy。Wethensatdown，andwhileIfeltalltheircharmsIletthemtouchmeasmuchastheylikedtillIwateredtheirhandsasecondtime。
Wemadeourselvesdecentoncemore，andspenthalfanhourinkissesandcaresses，andIthentoldthemthattheyhadmademehappyonlyinpart，butthatIhopedtheywouldmakemyblisscompletebypresentingmewiththeirmaidenheads。Ishewedthemthelittlesafety—bagsinventedbytheEnglishintheinterestsofthefairsex。TheyadmiredthemgreatlywhenIexplainedtheiruse，andthefairtheologianremarkedtohercousinthatshewouldthinkitover。Wewerenowclosefriends，andsoonpromisedtobesomethingmore；andwewalkedbackandfoundthepastorandHelen’smotherstrollingbythesideofthelake。
WhenIgotbacktoGenevaIwenttospendtheeveningwiththethreefriends，butItookgoodcarenottotellthesyndicanythingaboutmyvictorywithHelen。Itwouldonlyhaveservedtorenewhishopes，andhewouldhavehadthistroublefornothing。EvenIwouldhavedonenogoodwithouttheyoungtheologian；butasHelenadmiredhershedidnotliketoappearherinferiorbyrefusingtoimitateherfreedom。
IdidnotseeHelenthatevening，butIsawherthenextdayathermother’shouse，forIwasinmerepolitenessboundtothanktheoldladyforthehonourshehaddoneme。Shegavemeamostfriendlyreception，andintroducedmetotwoveryprettygirlswhowereboardingwithher。TheymighthaveinterestedmeifIhadbeenstoppinglonginGeneva，butasifwasHelenclaimedallmyattraction。
\"To—morrow，\"saidthecharminggirl，\"IshallbeabletogetawordwithyouatMadameTronchin’sdinner，andIexpectHedvigwillhavehitonsomewayforyoutosatisfyyourdesires。\"
Thebankergaveusanexcellentdinner。Heproudlytoldmethatnoinn—keepercouldgivesuchagooddinnerasarichgentlemanwhohasagoodcook，agoodcellar，goodsilverplate，andchinaofthebestquality。Weweretwentyofusattable，andthefeastwasgivenchieflyinhonourofthelearnedtheologianandmyself，asarichforeignerwhospentmoneyfreely。M。deXimenes，whohadjustarrivedfromFerneywasthere，andtoldmethatM。deVoltairewasexpectingme，butIhadfoolishlydeterminednottogo。
Hedvigshoneinsolvingthequestionsputtoherbythecompany。
M。deXimenesbeggedhertojustifyasbestshecouldourfirstmother，whohaddeceivedherhusbandbygivinghimthefatalappletoeat。
\"Eve，\"shesaid，\"didnotdeceiveherhusband，sheonlycajoledhimintoeatingitinthehopeofgivinghimonemoreperfection。
BesidesEvehadnotbeenforbiddentoeatthefruitbyGod，butonlybyAdam，andinallprobabilityherwoman’ssensepreventedherregardingtheprohibitionasserious。\"
Atthisreply，whichIfoundfullofsenseandwit，twoscholarsfromGenevaandevenHedvig’sunclebegantomurmurandshaketheirheads。MadameTronchinsaidgravelythatEvehadreceivedtheprohibitionfromGodhimself，butthegirlonlyansweredbyahumble\"Ibegyourpardon，madam。\"Atthissheturnedtothepastorwithafrightenedmanner，andsaid，——
\"Whatdoyousaytothis？\"
\"Madam，mynieceisnotinfallible。\"
\"Excuseme，dearuncle，IamasinfallibleasHolyWritwhenI
speakaccordingtoit。\"
\"BringaBible，andletmesee。\"
\"Hedvig，mydearHedvig，youarerightafterall。Hereitis。
Theprohibitionwasgivenbeforewomanwasmade。\"
Everybodyapplauded，butHedvigremainedquitecalm；itwasonlythetwoscholarsandMadameTronchinwhostillseemeddisturbed。
Anotherladythenaskedherifitwasallowabletobelievethehistoryoftheappletobesymbolical。Shereplied，——
\"Idonotthinkso，becauseitcouldonlybeasymbolofsexualunion，anditisclearthatsuchdidnottakeplacebetweenAdamandEveintheGardenofEden。\"
\"Thelearneddifferonthispoint。\"
\"Alltheworseforthem，madam，theScriptureisplainenough。Inthefirstverseofthefourthchapteritiswritten，thatAdamknewhiswifeaftertheyhadbeendrivenfromtheGarden，andthatinconsequencesheconceivedCain。\"
\"Yes，buttheversedoesnotsaythatAdamdidnotknowherbeforeandconsequentlyhemighthavedoneso。\"
\"Icannotadmittheinference，asinthatcaseshewouldhaveconceived；foritwouldbeabsurdtosupposethattwocreatureswhohadjustleftGod’shands，andwereconsequentlyasnearlyperfectasispossible，couldperformtheactofgenerationwithoutitshavinganyresult。\"
Thisreplygainedeveryone’sapplause，andcomplimentstoHedvigmadetheroundofthetable。
Mr。TronchinaskedherifthedoctrineoftheimmortalityofthesoulcouldbegatheredfromtheOldTestamentalone。
\"TheOldTestament，\"shereplied，\"doesnotteachthisdoctrine；
but，nevertheless，humanreasonteachesit，asthesoulisasubstance，andthedestructionofanysubstanceisanunthinkableproposition。\"
\"ThenIwillaskyou，\"saidthebanker，\"iftheexistenceofthesoulisestablishedintheBible。\"
\"Wherethereissmokethereisalwaysfire。\"
\"Tellme，then，ifmattercanthink。\"
\"Icannotanswerthatquestion，foritisbeyondmyknowledge。I
canonlysaythatasIbelieveGodtobeallpowerful，IcannotdenyHimthepowertomakemattercapableofthought。\"
\"Butwhatisyourownopinion？\"
\"IbelievethatIhaveasoulendowedwiththinkingcapacities，butIdonotknowwhetherIshallrememberthatIhadthehonourofdiningwithyouto—dayafterIdie。\"
\"Thenyouthinkthatthesoulandthememorymaybeseparable；butinthatcaseyouwouldnotbeatheologian。\"
\"Onemaybeatheologianandaphilosopher，forphilosophynevercontradictsanytruth，andbesides，tosay’Idonotknow’isnotthesameas’Iamsure’\"
Threepartsoftheguestsburstintocriesofadmiration，andthefairphilosopherenjoyedseeingmelaughforpleasureattheapplause。Thepastorweptforjoy，andwhisperedsomethingtoHelen’smother。Allatonceheturnedtome，saying，——
\"Askmyniecesomequestion。\"
\"Yes，\"saidHedvig，\"butitmustbesomethingquitenew。\"
\"Thatisahardtask，\"Ireplied，\"forhowamItoknowthatwhatIaskisnewtoyou？However，tellmeifonemuststopatthefirstprincipleofathingonewantstounderstand。\"
\"Certainly，andthereasonisthatinGodthereisnofirstprinciple，andHeisthereforeincomprehensible。\"
\"Godbepraised！thatishowIwouldhaveyouanswer。CanGodhaveanyself—consciousness？\"
\"Theremylearningisbaffled。Iknownotwhattoreply。Youshouldnotaskmesohardathingasthat。\"
\"Butyouwishedforsomethingnew。Ithoughtthenewestthingwouldbetoseeyouataloss。\"
\"That’sprettilysaid。Bekindenoughtoreplyforme，gentlemen，andteachmewhattosay。\"
Everybodytriedtoanswer，butnothingwassaidworthyofrecord。
Hedvigatlastsaid，——
\"MyopinionisthatsinceGodknowsall，HeknowsofHisownexistence，butyoumustnotaskmehowHeknowsit。\"
\"That’swellsaid，\"Ianswered；andnobodycouldthrowanyfurtherlightonthematter。
AllthecompanylookedonmeasapoliteAtheist，sosuperficialisthejudgmentofsociety，butitdidnotmattertomewhethertheythoughtmeanAtheistornot。
M。deXimenesaskedHedvigifmatterhadbeencreated。
\"Icannotrecognizetheword’created，’\"shereplied。\"Askmewhethermatterwasformed，andIshallreplyintheaffirmative。
Theword’created’cannothaveexistence，fortheexistenceofanythingmustbepriortothewordwhichexplainsit。\"
\"Thenwhatmeaningdoyouassigntotheword’created’？\"
\"Madeoutofnothing。Youseetheabsurdity，fornothingmusthavefirstexisted。Iamgladtoseeyoulaugh。Doyouthinkthatnothingnesscouldbecreated？\"
\"Youareright。\"
\"Notatall，notatall，\"saidoneoftheguests，superciliously。
\"Kindlytellmewhowasyourteacher？\"saidM。deXimenes。
\"Myunclethere。\"
\"Notatall，mydearniece。Icertainlynevertaughtyouwhatyouhavebeentellingusto—day。Butmyniece，gentlemen，readsandreflectsoverwhatshehasread，perhapswithrathertoomuchfreedom，butIloveherallthesame，becauseshealwaysendsbyacknowledgingthatsheknowsnothing。\"
AladywhohadnotopenedherlipshithertoaskedHedvigforadefinitionofspirit。
\"Yourquestionisapurelyphilosophicalone，andImustanswerthatIdonotknowenoughofspiritormattertobeabletogiveasatisfactorydefinition。\"
\"ButsinceyouacknowledgetheexistenceofDeityandmustthereforehaveanabstractideaofspirit，youmusthavesomenotionsonthesubject，andshouldbeabletotellmehowitactsonmatter。\"
\"Nosolidfoundationcanbebuiltonabstractideas。Hobbescallssuchideasmerefantasms。Onemayhavethem，butifonebeginstoreasononthem，oneislandedincontradiction。IknowthatGodseesme，butIshouldlabourinvainifIendeavouredtoproveitbyreasoning，forreasontellsusnoonecanseeanythingwithoutorgansofsight；andGodbeingapurespirit，andthereforewithoutorgans，itisscientificallyimpossiblethatHecanseeusanymorethanwecanseeHim。ButMosesandseveralothershaveseenHim，andIbelieveitso，withoutattemptingtoreasononit。\"
\"Youarequiteright，\"saidI，\"foryouwouldbeconfrontedbyblankimpossibility。ButifyoutaketoreadingHobbesyouareindangerofbecominganAtheist。\"
\"Iamnotafraidofthat。IcannotconceivethepossibilityofAtheism。\"
Afterdinnereverybodycrowdedroundthistrulyastonishinggirl，sothatIhadnoopportunityofwhisperingmylove。However，I
wentapartwithHelen，whotoldmethatthepastorandhisnieceweregoingtosupwithhermotherthefollowingday。
\"Hedvig，\"sheadded，\"willstaythenightandsleepwithmeasshealwaysdoeswhenshecomestosupperwithheruncle。ItremainstobeseenifyouarewillingtohideinaplaceIwillshewyouateleveno’clocktomorrow，inordertosleepwithus。Callonmymotheratthathourto—morrow，andIwillfindanopportunityofshewingyouwhereitis。Youwillbesafethoughnotcomfortable，andifyougrowwearyyoucanconsoleyourselfbythinkingthatyouareinourminds。\"
\"ShallIhavetostaytherelong？\"
\"Fourhoursatthemost。Atseveno’clockthestreetdoorisshut，andonlyopenedtoanyonewhorings。\"
\"IfIhappentocoughwhileIaminhidingmightIbeheard？\"
\"Yes，thatmighthappen。\"
\"There’sagreathazard。Alltherestisofnoconsequence；butnomatter，Iwillriskallforthesakeofsogreathappiness。\"
InthemorningIpaidthemotheravisit，andasHelenwasescortingmeoutsheshewedmeadoorbetweenthetwostairs。
\"Atseveno’clock，\"saidshe，\"thedoorwillbeopen，andwhenyouareinputonthebolt。Takecarethatnooneseesyouasyouareenteringthehouse。\"
AtaquartertosevenIwasalreadyaprisoner。Ifoundaseatinmycell，otherwiseIshouldneitherhavebeenabletoliedownortostandup。Itwasaregularhole，andIknewbymysenseofsmellthathamsandcheeseswereusuallykeptthere；butitcontainednoneatpresent，forIfellallroundtoseehowthelandlay。AsIwascautiouslysteppingroundIfeltmyfootencountersomeresistance，andputtingdownmyhandIrecognizedthefeeloflinen。Itwasanapkincontainingtwoplates，aniceroastfowl，bread，andasecondnapkin。SearchingagainIcameacrossabottleandaglass。Iwasgratefultomycharmersforhavingthoughtofmystomach，butasIhadpurposelymadealateandheavymealIdeterminedtodefertheconsumptionofmycoldcollationtillalaterhour。
Atnineo’clockIbegan，andasIhadneitheraknifenoracorkscrewIwasobligedtobreaktheneckofthebottlewithabrickwhichIwasfortunatelyabletodetachfromthemoulderingfloor。ThewinewasdeliciousoldNeuchatel，andthefowlwasstuffedwithtruffles，andIfeltconvincedthatmytwonymphsmusthavesomerudimentaryideasonthesubjectofstimulants。I
shouldhavepassedthetimepleasantlyenoughifithadnotbeenfortheoccasionalvisitsofarat，whonearlymademesickwithhisdisgustingodour。IrememberedthatIhadbeenannoyedinthesamewayatCologneundersomewhatsimilarcircumstances。
Atlastteno’clockstruck，andIheardthepastor’svoiceashecamedownstairstalking；hewarnedthegirlsnottoplayanytrickstogether，andtogotosleepquietly。ThatbroughtbacktomymemoryM。RoseleavingMadameOrio’shouseatVenicetwenty—twoyearsbefore；andreflectingonmycharacterIfoundmyselfmuchchanged，thoughnotmorereasonable；butifIwasnotsosensibletothecharmsofthesex，thetwobeautieswhowereawaitingmeweremuchsuperiortoMadameOrio’snieces。
InmylongandprofligatecareerinwhichIhaveturnedtheheadsofsomehundredsofladies，Ihavebecomefamiliarwithallthemethodsofseduction；butmyguidingprinciplehasbeennevertodirectmyattackagainstnovicesorthosewhoseprejudiceswerelikelytoproveanobstacleexceptinthepresenceofanotherwoman。Isoonfoundoutthattimiditymakesagirlaversetobeingseduced，whileincompanywithanothergirlsheiseasilyconquered；theweaknessoftheonebringsonthefalloftheother。Fathersandmothersareofthecontraryopinion，buttheyareinthewrong。Theywillnottrusttheirdaughtertotakeawalkorgotoaballwithayoungman，butifshehasanothergirlwithherthereisnodifficultymade。Irepeat，theyareinthewrong；iftheyoungmanhastherequisiteskilltheirdaughterisalostwoman。Afeelingoffalseshamehindersthemfrommakinganabsoluteanddeterminedresistance，andthefirststeponcetakentherestcomesinevitablyandquickly。Thegirlgrantssomesmallfavour，andimmediatelymakesherfriendgrantamuchgreateronetohideherownblushes；andiftheseduceriscleverathistradetheyounginnocentwillsoonhavegonetoofartobeabletodrawback。Besidesthemoreinnocenceagirlhas，thelesssheknowsofthemethodsofseduction。Beforeshehashadtimetothink，pleasureattractsher，curiositydrawsheralittlefarther，andopportunitydoestherest。
Forexample，ImightpossiblyhavebeenabletoseduceHedvigwithoutHelen，butIamcertainIshouldneverhavesucceededwithHelenifshehadnotseenhercousintakelibertieswithmewhichshenodoubtthoughtcontrarytothefeelingsofmodestywhicharespectableyoungwomanoughttohave。
ThoughIdonotrepentofmyamorousexploits，Iamfarfromwishingthatmyexampleshouldservefortheperversionofthefairsex，whohavesomanyclaimsonmyhomage。IdesirethatwhatIsaymaybeawarningtofathersandmothers，andsecuremeaplaceintheiresteematanyrate。
SoonafterthepastorhadgoneIheardthreelightknocksonmyprisondoor。Iopenedit，andmyhandwasfoldedinapalmassoftassatin。Allmybeingwasmoved。ItwasHelen’shand，andthathappymomenthadalreadyrepaidmeformylongwaiting。
\"Followmeontiptoe，\"shewhispered，assoonasshehadshutthedoor；butinmyimpatienceIclaspedherinmyarms，andmadeherfeeltheeffectwhichhermerepresencehadproducedonme，whileatthesametimeIassuredmyselfofherdocility。\"There，\"shesaid，\"nowcomeupstairssoftlyafterme。\"
IfollowedherasbestIcouldinthedarkness，andshetookmealongagalleryintoadarkroom，andthenintoalightedonewhichcontainedHedvigalmostinastateofnudity。Shecametomewithopenarmsassoonasshesawme，and，embracingmeardently，expressedhergratitudeformylonganddrearyimprisonment。
\"DivineHedvig，\"Ianswered，\"ifIhadnotlovedyoumadlyIwouldnothavestayedaquarterofanhourinthatdismalcell，butIamreadytospendfourhoursthereeverydaytillIleaveGenevaforyoursake。Butwemustnotloseanytime；letusgotobed。\"
\"Doyoutwogotobed，\"saidHelen；\"Iwillsleeponthesofa。\"
\"No，no，\"criedHedvig，\"don’tthinkofit；ourfatemustbeexactlyequal。\"
\"Yes，darlingHelen，\"saidI，embracingher；\"Iloveyoubothwithequalardour，andtheseceremoniesareonlywastingthetimeinwhichIoughttobeassuringyouofmypassion。Imitatemyproceedings。Iamgoingtoundress，andthenIshalllieinthemiddleofthebed。Comeandliebesideme，andI’llshewyouhowIloveyou。IfallissafeIwillremainwithyoutillyousendmeaway，butwhateveryoudodonotputoutthelight。\"
Inthetwinklingofaneye，discussingthetheoryofshamethewhilewiththetheologicalHedvig，IpresentedmyselftotheirgazeinthecostumeofAdam。Hedvigblushedandpartedwiththelastshredofhermodesty，citingtheopinionofSt。ClementAlexandrinusthattheseatofshameisintheshirt。Ipraisedthecharmingperfectionofhershape，inthehopeofencouragingHelen，whowasslowlyundressingherself；butanaccusationofmockmodestyfromhercousinhadmoreeffectthanallmypraises。
AtlastthisVenusstoodbeforemeinastateofnature，coveringhermostsecretpartswithherhand，andhidingonebreastwiththeother，andappearingwoefullyashamedofwhatshecouldnotconceal。Hermodestconfusion，thisstrifebetweendepartingmodestyandrisingpassion，enchantedme。
HedvigwastallerthanHelen；herskinwaswhiter，andherbreastsdoublethesizeofHelen’s；butinHelentherewasmoreanimation，hershapewasmoregentlymoulded，andherbreastmighthavebeenthemodelfortheVenusdeMedicis。
Shegotbolderbydegrees，andwespentsomemomentsinadmiringeachother，andthenwewenttobed。Naturespokeoutloudly，andallwewantedwastosatisfyitsdemands。WithmuchcoolnessI
madeawomanofHedvig，andwhenallwasovershekissedmeandsaidthatthepainwasnothingincomparisonwiththepleasure。
TheturnofHelen（whowassixyearsyoungerthanHedvig）nowcame，butthefinestfleecethatIhaveeverseenwasnotwonwithoutdifficulty。Shewasjealousofhercousin’ssuccess，andhelditopenwithhertwohands；andthoughshehadtosubmittogreatpainbeforebeinginitiatedintotheamorousmysteries，hersighsweresighsofhappiness，assherespondedtomyardentefforts。Hergreatcharmsandthevivacityofhermovementsshortenedthesacrifice，andwhenIleftthesanctuarymytwosweetheartssawthatIneededrepose。
Thealterwaspurifiedofthebloodofthevictims，andweallwashed，delightedtoserveoneanother。
Lifereturnedtomeundertheircuriousfingers，andthesightfilledthemwithjoy。ItoldthemthatIwishedtoenjoythemeverynighttillIleftGeneva，buttheytoldmesadlythatthiswasimpossible。
\"Infiveorsixdaystime，perhaps，theopportunitymayrecuragain，butthatwillbeall。\"
\"Askustosupatyourinnto—morrow，\"saidHedvig；\"andmaybe，chancewillfavourthecommissionofasweetfelony。\"
Ifollowedthisadvice。
Ioverwhelmedthemwithhappinessforseveralhours，passingfiveorsixtimesfromonetotheotherbeforeIwasexhausted。Intheintervals，seeingthemtobedocileanddesirous，ImadethemexecuteAretin’smostcomplicatedpostures，whichamusedthembeyondwords。Wekissedwhatevertookourfancy，andjustasHedvigappliedherlipstothemouthofthepistol，itwentoffandthedischargeinundatedherfaceandherbosom。Shewasdelighted，andwatchedtheprocesstotheendwithallthecuriosityofadoctor。Thenightseemedshort，thoughwehadnotlostamoment’stime，andatdaybreakwehadtopart。IlefttheminbedandIwasfortunateenoughtogetawaywithoutbeingobserved。
Islepttillnoon，andthenhavingmademytoiletteIwenttocallonthepastor，towhomIpraisedHedvigtotheskies。ThiswasthebestwaytogethimtocometosupperatBalancesthenextday。
\"Weshallbeinthetown，\"saidI，\"andcanremaintogetheraslongasweplease，butdonotforgettobringtheamiablewidowandhercharmingdaughter。\"
Hepromisedhewouldbringthemboth。
IntheeveningIwenttoseethesyndicandhisthreefriends，whonaturallyfoundmeratherinsensibletotheircharms。IexcusedmyselfbysayingthatIhadabadheadache。ItoldthemthatI
hadaskedtheyoungtheologiantosupper，andinvitedthegirlsandthesyndictocometoo；but，asIhadforeseen，thelatterwouldnothearoftheirgoingasitwouldgiverisetogossip。
Itookcarethatthemostexquisitewinesshouldformanimportantfeatureofmysupper。Thepastorandthewidowwerebothsturdydrinkers，andIdidmybesttopleasethem。WhenIsawthattheywereprettymellowandweregoingovertheiroldrecollections，I
madeasigntothegirls，andtheyimmediatelywentoutasiftogotoaretiring—room。UnderpretextofshewingthemthewayI
wentouttoo，andtookthemintoaroomtellingthemtowaitforme。
Iwentbacktothesupper—room，andfindingtheoldfriendstakenupwitheachotherandscarcelyconsciousofmypresence，Igavethemsomepunch，andtoldthemthatIwouldkeeptheyoungladiescompany；theywerelookingatsomepictures，Iexplained。Ilostnotime，andshewedthemsomeextremelyinterestingsights。Thesestolensweetshaveawonderfulcharm。Whenweweretosomeextentsatisfied，wewentback，andIpliedthepunch—ladlemoreandmorefreely。Helenpraisedthepicturestohermother，andaskedhertocomeandlookatthem。
\"Idon’tcareto，\"shereplied。
\"Well，\"saidHelen，\"letusgoandseethemagain。\"
Ithoughtthisstratagemadmissible，andgoingoutwithmytwosweetheartsIworkedwonders。Hedvigphilosophisedoverpleasure，andtoldmeshewouldneverhaveknownitifIhadnotchancedtomeetheruncle。Helendidnotspeak；shewasmorevoluptuousthanhercousin，andswelledoutlikeadove，andcametolifeonlytoexpireamomentafterwards。Iwonderedatherastonishingfecundity；whileIwasengagedinoneoperationshepassedfromdeathtolifefourteentimes。Itistruethatitwasthesixthtimewithme，soImademyprogressratherslowertoenjoythepleasureshetookinit。
BeforewepartedIagreedtocallonHelen’smothereverydaytoascertainthenightIcouldspendwiththembeforeIleftGeneva。
Webrokeupourpartyattwoo’clockinthemorning。
Threeorfourdaysafter，HelentoldmebrieflythatHedvigwastosleepwithherthatnight，andthatshewouldleavethedooropenatthesametimeasbefore。
\"Iwillbethere。\"
\"AndIwillbetheretoshutyouup，butyoucannothavealightastheservantmightseeit。\"
Iwasexacttothetime，andwhenteno’clockstrucktheycametofetchmeinhighglee。
\"Iforgottotellyou，\"saidHelen，\"thatyouwouldfindafowlthere。\"
Ifelthungry，andmadeshortworkofit，andthenwegaveourselvesuptohappiness。
Ihadtosetoutonmytravelsintwodays。IhadreceivedacoupleoflettersfromM。Raiberti。InthefirsthetoldmethathehadfollowedmyinstructionsastotheCorticelli，andinthesecondthatshewouldprobablyhepaidfordancingatthecarnivalasfirst’figurante’。IhadnothingtokeepmeatGeneva，andMadamed’Urfe，accordingtoouragreement，wouldbewaitingformeatLyons。Iwasthereforeobligedtogothere。ThusthenightthatIwastopasswithmytwocharmerswouldbemylast。
Mylessonshadtakeneffect，andIfoundtheyhadbecomepastmistressesintheartofpleasure。Butnowandagainjoygaveplacetosadness。
\"Weshallbewretched，sweetheart，\"saidHedvig，\"andifyoulikewewillcomewithyou。\"
\"Ipromisetocomeandseeyoubeforetwoyearshaveexpired，\"
saidI；andinfacttheyhadnotsolongtowait。
Wefellasleepatmidnight，andwakingatfourrenewedoursweetbattlestillsixo’clock。HalfanhourafterIleftthem，wornoutwithmyexertions，andIremainedinbedallday。IntheeveningIwenttoseethesyndicandhisyoungfriends。IfoundHelenthere，andshewascunningenoughtofeignnottobemorevexedatmydeparturethantheothers，andtofurtherthedeceptionsheallowedthesyndictokissher。Ifollowedsuit，andbeggedhertobidfarewellformetoherlearnedcousinandtoexcusemytakingleaveofherinperson。
ThenextdayIsetoutintheearlymorning，andonthefollowingdayIreachedLyons。Madamed’Urfewasnotthere，shehadgonetoanestateofhersatBresse。Ifoundaletterinwhichshesaidthatshewouldbedelightedtoseeme，andIwaitedonherwithoutlosinganytime。
Shegreetedmewithherordinarycordiality，andItoldherthatI
wasgoingtoTurintomeetFredericGualdo，theheadoftheFraternityoftheRosyCross，andIrevealedtoherbytheoraclethathewouldcomewithmetoMarseilles，andthattherehewouldcompleteherhappiness。AfterhavingreceivedthisoracleshewouldnotgotoParisbeforeshesawus。TheoraclealsobadeherwaitformeatLyonswithyoungd’Aranda；whobeggedmetotakehimwithmetoTurin。ItmaybeimaginedthatIsucceededinputtinghimoff。
Madamed’UrfehadtowaitafortnighttogetmefiftythousandfrancswhichImightrequireonmyjourney。InthecourseofthisfortnightImadetheacquaintanceofMadamePernon，andspentagooddealofmoneywithherhusband，arichmercer，inrefurnishingmywardrobe。MadamePernonwashandsomeandintelligent。ShehadaMilaneselover，namedBono，whodidbusinessforaSwissbankernamedSacco。ItwasthroughMadamePeronthatBonogotMadamed’UrfethefiftythousandfrancsI
required。ShealsogavemethethreedresseswhichshehadpromisedtotheCountessofLascaris，butwhichthatladyhadneverseen。
Oneofthesedresseswasfurred，andwasexquisitelybeautiful。I
leftLyonsequippedlikeaprince，andjourneyedtowardsTurin，whereIwastomeetthefamousGualdo，whowasnoneotherthanAscanioPogomas，whomIhadsummonedfromBerne。IthoughtitwouldbeeasytomakethefellowplaythepartIhaddestinedforhim，butIwascruellydeceivedasthereaderwillsee。
IcouldnotresiststoppingatChamberitoseemyfairnun，whomI
foundlookingbeautifulandcontented。Shewasgrieving，however，aftertheyoungboarder，whohadbeentakenfromtheconventandmarried。
IgottoTurinatthebeginningofDecember，andatRivoliIfoundtheCorticelli，whohadbeenwarnedbytheChevalierdeRaibertiofmyarrival。Shegavemealetterfromthisworthygentleman，givingtheaddressofthehousehehadtakenformeasIdidnotwanttoputupataninn。Iimmediatelywenttotakepossessionofmynewlodging。
CHAPTERXVII
MyOldFriends——Pacienza——Agatha——CountBoryomeo——TheBall——LordPercyTheCorticelliwasasgentleasalamb，andleftmeaswegotintoTurin。IpromisedIwouldcomeandseeher，andimmediatelywenttothehousetheChevalierhadtaken，whichIfoundconvenientineveryway。
TheworthyChevalierwasnotlongincallingonme。HegavemeanaccountofthemoneyshehadspentontheCorticelli，andhandedovertheresttome。
\"Iamflushofmoney，\"Isaid，\"andIintendtoinvitemyfriendstosupperfrequently。Canyoulayyourhandsonagoodcook？\"
\"Iknowapearlamongstcooks，\"saidhe，\"andyoucanhavehimdirectly。\"
\"You，chevalier，arethepearlofmen。Getmethiswonder，tellhimIamhardtoplease，andagreeonthesumIamtopayhimpermonth。\"
Thecook，whowasanexcellentone，camethesameevening。
\"Itwouldbeagoodidea，\"saidRaiberti，\"tocallontheCountd’Aglie。HeknowsthattheCorticelliisyourmistress，andhehasgivenaformalordertoMadamePacienza，theladywithwhomshelives，thatwhenyoucomeandseeheryouarenottobeleftalonetogether。\"
Thisorderamusedme，andasIdidnotcareabouttheCorticelliitdidnottroublemeintheleast，thoughRaiberti，whothoughtI
wasinlovewithher，seemedtopityme。
\"Sinceshehasbeenhere，\"hesaid，\"herconducthasbeenirreproachable。\"
\"Iamgladtohearthat。\"
\"Youmightlethertakesomelessonsfromthedancing—masterDupre，\"saidhe。\"Hewillnodoubtgivehersomethingtodoatthecarnival。\"
Ipromisedtofollowhisadvice，andIthenpaidavisittothesuperintendentofpolice。
Hereceivedmewell，complimentedmeonmyreturntoTurin，andthenaddedwithasmile:——
\"IwarnyouthatIhavebeeninformedthatyoukeepamistress，andthatIhavegivenstrictorderstotherespectablewomanwithwhomshelivesnottoleaveheralonewithyou。\"
\"Iamgladtohearit，\"Ireplied，\"andthemoreasIfearhermotherisnotapersonofveryrigidmorals。IadvisedtheChevalierRaibertiofmyintentionswithregardtoher，andIamgladtoseethathehascarriedthemoutsowell。Ihopethegirlwillshewherselfworthyofyourprotection。\"
\"Doyouthinkofstayingherethroughoutthecarnival？\"
\"Yes，ifyourexcellencyapproves。\"
\"Itdependsentirelyonyourgoodconduct。\"
\"Afewpeccadilloesexcepted，myconductisalwaysabovereproach。\"
\"Therearesomepeccadilloeswedonottoleratehere。HaveyouseentheChevalierOsorio？\"
\"Ithinkofcallingonhimto—dayorto—morrow。\"
\"Ihopeyouwillremembermetohim。\"
Heranghisbell，bowed，andtheaudiencewasover。
TheChevalierOsorioreceivedmeathisoffice，andgavemeamostgraciousreception。AfterIhadgivenhimanaccountofmyvisittothesuperintendent，heaskedme，withasmile，ifIfeltinclinedtosubmitwithdocilitytonotseeingmymistressinfreedom。