AsIhadnothingparticulartodo，IwenttoaFrenchbooksellerinwhoseshopImadetheacquaintanceofawittyhunchback，andImustsaythatahunchbackwithoutwitisaragaavis；Ihavefounditsoinallcountries。Ofcourseitisnotwitwhichgivesthehump，for，thankGod，allwittymenarenothumpbacked，butwemaywellsaythatasageneralrulethehumpgiveswit，fortheverysmallnumberofhunchbackswhohavelittleornowitonlyconfirmstherule:TheoneIwasalludingtojustnowwascalledDubois—Chateleraux。Hewasaskilfulengraver，anddirectoroftheMintofParmafortheInfante，althoughthatprincecouldnotboastofsuchaninstitution。
Ispentanhourwiththewittyhunchback，whoshewedmeseveralofhisengravings，andIreturnedtothehotelwhereIfoundtheHungarianwaitingtoseeHenriette。Hedidnotknowthatshewouldthatmorningreceiveusintheattireofhersex。Thedoorwasthrownopen，andabeautiful，charmingwomanmetuswithacourtesyfullofgrace，whichnolongerremindedusofthestiffnessorofthetoogreatfreedomwhichbelongtothemilitarycostume。Hersuddenappearancecertainlyastonishedus，andwedidnotknowwhattosayorwhattodo。Sheinvitedustobeseated，lookedatthecaptaininafriendlymanner，andpressedmyhandwiththewarmestaffection，butwithoutgivingwayanymoretothatoutwardfamiliaritywhichayoungofficercanassume，butwhichdoesnotsuitawell—educatedlady。Hernobleandmodestbearingsooncompelledmetoputmyselfinunisonwithher，andIdidsowithoutdifficulty，forshewasnotactingapart，andthewayinwhichshehadresumedhernaturalcharactermadeiteasyformetofollowheronthatground。
Iwasgazingatherwithadmiration，and，urgedbyafeelingwhichI
didnottaketimetoanalyze，Itookherhandtokissitwithrespect，but，withoutgivingmeanopportunityofraisingittomylips，sheofferedmeherlovelymouth。Neverdidakisstastesodelicious。
\"AmInotthenalwaysthesame？\"saidshetome，withdeepfeeling。
\"No，heavenlycreature，anditissotruethatyouarenolongerthesameinmyeyesthatIcouldnotnowuseanyfamiliaritytowardsyou。
Youarenolongerthewitty，freeyoungofficerwhotoldMadameQueriniaboutthegameofPharaoh，endaboutthedepositsmadetoyourbankbythecaptaininsoniggardlyamannerthattheywerehardlyworthmentioning。\"
\"Itisverytruethat，wearingthecostumeofmysex，Ishouldneverdaretouttersuchwords。Yet，dearestfriend，itdoesnotpreventmybeingyourHenriette——thatHenriettewhohasinherlifebeenguiltyofthreeescapades，thelastofwhichwouldhaveutterlyruinedmeifithadnotbeenforyou，butwhichIcalladelightfulerror，sinceithasbeenthecauseofmyknowingyou。\"
ThosewordsmovedmesodeeplythatIwasonthepointofthrowingmyselfatherfeet，toentreathertoforgivemefornothavingshewnhermorerespect，butHenriette，whosawthestateinwhichIwas，andwhowantedtoputanendtothepatheticscene，begantoshakeourpoorcaptain，whosatasmotionlessasastatue，andasifhehadbeenpetrified。Hefeltashamedathavingtreatedsuchawomanasanadventuress，forheknewthatwhathenowsawwasnotanillusion。
Hekeptlookingatherwithgreatconfusion，andbowingmostrespectfully，asifhewantedtoatoneforhispastconducttowardsher。AsforHenriette，sheseemedtosaytohim，butwithouttheshadowofareproach；
\"Iamgladthatyouthinkmeworthmorethantensequins。\"
Wesatdowntodinner，andfromthatmomentshedidthehonoursofthetablewiththeperfecteaseofapersonwhoisaccustomedtofulfilthatdifficultduty。Shetreatedmelikeabelovedhusband，andthecaptainlikearespectedfriend。ThepoorHungarianbeggedmetotellherthatifhehadseenher，asshewasnow，inCivitaVecchia，whenshecameoutofthetartan，heshouldneverhavedreamedofdispatchinghisciceronetoherroom。
\"Oh！tellhimthatIdonotdoubtit。Butisitnotstrangethatapoorlittlefemaledressshouldcommandmorerespectthanthegarbofanofficer？\"
\"Praydonotabusetheofficer’scostume，foritistoitthatIamindebtedformyhappiness。\"
\"Yes，\"shesaid，withalovingsmile，\"asIoweminetothesbirriofCesena。\"
Weremainedforalongtimeatthetable，andourdelightfulconversationturneduponnoothertopicthanourmutualfelicity。
Ifithadnotbeenfortheuneasinessofthepoorcaptain，whichatlaststruckus，weshouldneverhaveputastopeithertothedinnerorto，ourcharmingprattle。
CHAPTERII
IEngageaBoxattheOpera，inSpiteofHenriette’sReluctance——
M。DuboisPaysUsaVisitandDineswithUs；MyDarlingPlaysHimaTrick——HenrietteArguesonHappiness——WeCallonDubois，andMyWifeDisplaysHerMarvellousTalent——M。DutillotTheCourtgivesaSplendidEntertainmentintheDucalGardens——AFatalMeeting——IHaveanInterviewwithM。D’Antoine，theFavouriteoftheInfanteofSpainThehappinessIwasenjoyingwastoocompletetolastlong。Iwasfatedtoloseit，butImustnotanticipateevents。MadamedeFrance，wifeoftheInfanteDonPhilip，havingarrivedinParma，theoperahousewasopened，andIengagedaprivatebox，tellingHenriettethatIintendedtotakehertothetheatreeverynight。
Shehadseveraltimesconfessedthatshehadagreatpassionformusic，andIhadnodoubtthatshewouldbepleasedwithmyproposal。
ShehadneveryetseenanItalianopera，andIfeltcertainthatshewishedtoascertainwhethertheItalianmusicdeserveditsuniversalfame。ButIwasindeedsurprisedwhensheexclaimed，\"What，dearest！Youwishtogoeveryeveningtotheopera？\"
\"Ithink，mylove，that，ifwedidnotgo，weshouldgivesomeexcuseforscandal—mongerstogossip。Yet，shouldyounotlikeit，youknowthatthereisnoneedforustogo。Donotthinkofme，forIpreferourpleasantchatinthisroomtotheheavenlyconcertoftheseraphs。\"
\"Iampassionatelyfondofmusic，darling，butIcannothelptremblingattheideaofgoingout。\"
\"Ifyoutremble，Imustshudder，butweoughttogototheoperaorleaveParma。LetusgotoLondonortoanyotherplace。Giveyourorders，Iamreadytodoanythingyoulike。\"
\"Well，takeaprivateboxaslittleexposedaspossible。\"
\"Howkindyouare！\"
TheboxIhadengagedwasinthesecondtier，butthetheatrebeingsmallitwasdifficultforaprettywomantoescapeobservation。
Itoldherso。
\"Idonotthinkthereisanydanger，\"sheanswered；\"forIhavenotseenthenameofanypersonofmyacquaintanceinthelistofforeignerswhichyougavemetoread。\"
ThusdidHenriettegototheopera。Ihadtakencarethatourboxshouldnotbelightedup。Itwasanopera—buffa，themusicofBurellanowasexcellent，andthesingerswereverygood。
Henriettemadenouseofheropera—glassexcepttolookonthestage，andnobodypaidanyattentiontous。Asshehadbeengreatlypleasedwiththefinaleofthesecondact，Ipromisedtogetitforher，andIaskedDuboistoprocureitforme。Thinkingthatshecouldplaytheharpsichord，Iofferedtogetone，butshetoldmethatshehadnevertouchedthatinstrument。
OnthenightofthefourthorfifthperformanceM。Duboiscametoourbox，andasIdidnotwishtointroducehimtomyfriend，IonlyaskedwhatIcoulddoforhim。HethenhandedmethemusicIhadbeggedhimtopurchaseforme，andIpaidhimwhatithadcost，offeringhimmybestthanks。Aswewerejustoppositetheducalbox，Iaskedhim，forthesakeofsayingsomething，whetherhehadengravedtheportraitsoftheirhighnesses。Heansweredthathehadalreadyengravedtwomedals，andIgavehimanorderforboth，ingold。Hepromisedtoletmehavethem，andleftthebox。Henriettehadnotevenlookedathim，andthatwasaccordingtoallestablishedrules，asIhadnotintroducedhim，butthenextmorninghewasannouncedaswewereatdinner。M。delaHaye，whowasdiningwithus，complimentedusuponhavingmadetheacquaintanceofDubois，andintroducedhimtohispupilthemomenthecameintotheroom。ItwasthenrightforHenriettetowelcomehim，whichshedidmostgracefully。
Aftershehadthankedhimforthe’partizione’，shebeggedhewouldgethersomeothermusic，andtheartistacceptedherrequestasafavourgrantedtohim。
\"Sir，\"saidDuboistome，\"Ihavetakenthelibertyofbringingthemedalsyouwishedtohave；heretheyare。\"
OnoneweretheportraitsoftheInfanteandhiswife，ontheotherwasengravedonlytheheadofDonPhilip。Theywerebothbeautifullyengraved，andweexpressedourjustadmiration。\"Theworkmanshipisbeyondallprice，\"saidHenriette，\"butthegoldcanbebarteredforothergold。\"\"Madam，\"answeredthemodestartist，\"themedalsweightsixteensequins。\"Shegavehimtheamountimmediately，andinvitedhimtocallagainatdinner—time。Coffeewasjustbroughtinatthatmoment，andsheaskedhimtotakeitwithus。Beforesweeteninghiscup，sheenquiredwhetherhelikedhiscoffeeverysweet。
\"Yourtaste，madam，\"answeredthehunchback，gallantly，\"issuretobemine。\"
\"ThenyouhaveguessedthatIalwaysdrinkcoffeewithoutsugar。I
amgladwehavethattasteincommon。\"
Andshegracefullyofferedhimthecupofcoffeewithoutsugar。ShethenhelpedDelaHayeandme，notforgettingtoputplentyofsugarinourcups，andshepouredoutoneforherselfexactlyliketheoneshehandedtoDubois。Itwasmuchadoformenottolaugh，formymischievousFrench—woman，wholikedhercoffeeintheParisianfashion，thatistosayverysweet，wassippingthebitterbeveragewithanairofdelightwhichcompelledthedirectoroftheMinttosmileundertheinfliction。Butthecunninghunchbackwasevenwithher；acceptingthepenaltyofhisfoolishcompliment，andpraisingthegoodqualityofthecoffee，heboldlydeclaredthatitwastheonlywaytotastethedeliciousaromaofthepreciousberry。
WhenDuboisandDelaHayehadleftus，webothlaughedatthetrick。
\"But，\"saidItoHenriette，\"youwillbethefirstvictimofyourmischief，forwheneverhedineswithus，youmustkeepupthejoke，inordernottobetrayyourself。\"
\"Oh！Icaneasilycontrivetodrinkmycoffeewellsweetened，andtomakehimdrainthebittercup。\"
Attheendofonemonth，HenriettecouldspeakItalianfluently，anditwasowingmoretotheconstantpracticeshehadeverydaywithmycousinJeanneton，whoactedashermaid，thantothelessonsofProfessordelaHaye。Thelessonsonlytaughthertherules，andpracticeisnecessarytoacquirealanguage。Ihaveexperienceditmyself。IlearnedmoreFrenchduringthetooshortperiodthatI
spentsohappilywithmycharmingHenriettethaninallthelessonsI
hadtakenfromDalacqua。
Wehadattendedtheoperatwentytimeswithoutmakinganyacquaintance，andourlifewasindeedsupremelyhappy。IneverwentoutwithoutHenriette，andalwaysinacarriage；weneverreceivedanyone，andnobodyknewus。Duboiswastheonlyperson，sincethedepartureofthegoodHungarian，whosometimesdinedwithus；IdonotreckonDelaHaye，whowasadailyguestatourtable。Duboisfeltgreatcuriosityaboutus，buthewascunninganddidnotshewhiscuriosity；wewerereservedwithoutaffectation，andhisinquisitivenesswasatfault。OnedayhementionedtousthatthecourtoftheInfanteofParmawasverybrilliantsincethearrivalofMadamedeFrance，andthatthereweremanyforeignersofbothsexesinthecity。Then，turningtowardsHenriette，hesaidtoher；
\"Mostoftheforeignladieswhomwehavehereareunknowntous。\"
\"Verylikely，manyofthemwouldnotshewthemselvesiftheywereknown。\"
\"Verylikely，madam，asyousay，butIcanassureyouthat，eveniftheirbeautyandtherichnessoftheirtoiletmadethemconspicuous，oursovereignswishforfreedom。Istillhope，madam，thatweshallhavethehappinessofseeingyouatthecourtoftheduke。\"
\"Idonotthinkso，for，inmyopinion，itissuperlativelyridiculousforaladytogotothecourtwithoutbeingpresented，particularlyifshehasarighttobeso。\"
Thelastwords，onwhichHenriettehadlaidalittlemorestressthanuponthefirstpartofheranswer，struckourlittlehunchbackdumb，andmyfriend，improvingheropportunity，changedthesubjectofconversation。
Whenhehadgoneweenjoyedthecheckshehadthusgiventotheinquisitivenessofourguest，butItoldHenriettethat，ingoodconscience，sheoughttoforgiveallthosewhomsherenderedcurious，because……shecutmywordsshortbycoveringmewithlovingkisses。
Thussupremelyhappy，andfindinginoneanotherconstantsatisfaction，wewouldlaughatthosemorosephilosopherswhodenythatcompletehappinesscanbefoundonearth。
\"Whatdotheymean，darling——thosecrazyfools——bysayingthathappinessisnotlasting，andhowdotheyunderstandthatword？Iftheymeaneverlasting，immortal，unintermitting，ofcoursetheyareright，butthelifeofmannotbeingsuch，happiness，asanaturalconsequence，cannotbesucheither。Otherwise，everyhappinessislastingfortheveryreasonthatitdoesexist，andtobelastingitrequiresonlytoexist。Butifbycompletefelicitytheyunderstandaseriesofvariedandnever—interruptedpleasures，theyarewrong，because，byallowingaftereachpleasurethecalmwhichoughttofollowtheenjoymentofit，wehavetimetorealizehappinessinitsreality。Inotherwordsthosenecessaryperiodsofreposeareasourceoftrueenjoyment，because，thankstothem，weenjoythedelightofrecollectionwhichincreasestwofoldtherealityofhappiness。Mancanbehappyonlywheninhisownmindherealizeshishappiness，andcalmisnecessarytogivefullplaytohismind；
thereforewithoutcalmmanwouldtrulyneverbecompletelyhappy，andpleasure，inordertobefelt，mustceasetobeactive。Thenwhatdotheymeanbythatwordlasting？
\"Everydaywereachamomentwhenwelongforsleep，and，althoughitbetheverylikenessofnon—existence，cananyonedenythatsleepisapleasure？No，atleastitseemstomethatitcannotbedeniedwithconsistency，for，themomentitcomestous，wegiveitthepreferenceoverallotherpleasures，andwearegratefultoitonlyafterithasleftus。
\"Thosewhosaythatnoonecanbehappythroughoutlifespeaklikewisefrivolously。Philosophyteachesthesecretofsecuringthathappiness，providedoneisfreefrombodilysufferings。Afelicitywhichwouldthuslastthroughoutlifecouldbecomparedtoanosegayformedofathousandflowerssobeautifully，soskillfullyblendedtogether，thatitwouldlookonesingleflower。Whyshoulditbeimpossibleforustospendherethewholeofourlifeaswehavespentthelastmonth，alwaysingoodhealth，alwayslovingoneanother，withouteverfeelinganyotherwantoranyweariness？Then，tocrownthathappiness，whichwouldcertainlybeimmense，allthatwouldbewantedwouldbetodietogether，inanadvancedage，speakingtothelastmomentofourpleasantrecollections。Surelythatfelicitywouldhavebeenlasting。Deathwouldnotinterruptit，fordeathwouldendit。Wecouldnot，eventhen，supposeourselvesunhappyunlesswedreadedunhappinessafterdeath，andsuchanideastrikesmeasabsurd，foritisacontradictionoftheideaofanalmightyandfatherlytenderness。\"
ItwasthusthatmybelovedHenriettewouldoftenmakemespenddelightfulhours，talkingphilosophicsentiment。HerlogicwasbetterthanthatofCiceroinhisTusculanDisputations，butsheadmittedthatsuchlastingfelicitycouldexistonlybetweentwobeingswholivedtogether，andlovedeachotherwithconstantaffection，healthyinmindandinbody，enlightened，sufficientlyrich，similarintastes，indisposition，andintemperament。Happyarethoseloverswho，whentheirsensesrequirerest，canfallbackupontheintellectualenjoymentsaffordedbythemind！Sweetsleepthencomes，andlastsuntilthebodyhasrecovereditsgeneralharmony。Onawaking，thesensesareagainactiveandalwaysreadytoresumetheiraction。
Theconditionsofexistenceareexactlythesameformanasfortheuniverse，Imightalmostsaythatbetweenthemthereisperfectidentity，forifwetaketheuniverseaway，mankindnolongerexists，andifwetakemankindaway，thereisnolongeranuniverse；whocouldrealizetheideaoftheexistenceofinorganicmatter？Now，withoutthatidea，’nihilest’，sincetheideaistheessenceofeverything，andsincemanalonehasideas。Besides，ifweabstractthespecies，wecannolongerimaginetheexistenceofmatter，andviceversa。
IderivedfromHenrietteasgreathappinessasthatcharmingwomanderivedfromme。Welovedoneanotherwithallthestrengthofourfaculties，andwewereeverythingtoeachother。ShewouldoftenrepeatthoseprettylinesofthegoodLa，Fontaine:
’Soyez—vousl’unal’autreunmondetoujoursbeau，Toujoursdivers，toujoursnouveau；
Tenez—vouslieudetout；comptezpourrienlereste。’
Andwedidnotfailtoputtheadviceintopractice，forneverdidaminuteofennuiorofweariness，neverdidtheslightesttrouble，disturbourbliss。
Thedayafterthecloseoftheopera，Dubois，whowasdiningwithus，saidthatonthefollowingdayhewasentertainingthetwofirstartists，’primocantatore’and’primacantatrice’，andaddedthat，ifwelikedtocome，wewouldhearsomeoftheirbestpieces，whichtheyweretosinginaloftyhallofhiscountry—houseparticularlyadaptedtothedisplayofthehumanvoice。Henriettethankedhimwarmly，butshesaidthat，herhealthbeingverydelicate，shecouldnotengageherselfbeforehand，andshespokeofotherthings。
Whenwewerealone，IaskedherwhyshehadrefusedthepleasureofferedbyDubois。
\"Ishouldaccepthisinvitation，\"sheanswered，\"andwithdelight，ifIwerenotafraidofmeetingathishousesomepersonwhomightknowme，andwoulddestroythehappinessIamnowenjoyingwithyou。\"
\"Ifyouhaveanyfreshmotivefordreadingsuchanoccurrence，youarequiteright，butifitisonlyavague，groundlessfear，mylove，whyshouldyoudepriveyourselfofarealandinnocentpleasure？IfyouknewhowpleasedIamwhenIseeyouenjoyyourself，andparticularlywhenIwitnessyourecstacyinlisteningtofinemusic！\"
\"Well，darling，Idonotwanttoshewmyselflessbravethanyou。Wewillgoimmediatelyafterdinner。Theartistswillnotsingbefore。
Besides，ashedoesnotexpectus，heisnotlikelytohaveinvitedanypersoncurioustospeaktome。Wewillgowithoutgivinghimnoticeofourcoming，withoutbeingexpected，andasifwewantedtopayhimafriendlyvisit。Hetoldusthathewouldbeathiscountry—house，andCaudagnaknowswhereitis。\"
Herreasonswereamixtureofprudenceandoflove，twofeelingswhichareseldomblendedtogether。Myanswerwastokissherwithasmuchadmirationastenderness，andthenextdayatfouro’clockintheafternoonwepaidourvisittoM。Dubois。Weweremuchsurprised，forwefoundhimalonewithaveryprettygirl，whomhepresentedtousashisniece。
\"Iamdelightedtoseeyou，\"hesaid，\"butasIdidnotexpecttoseeyouIalteredmyarrangements，andinsteadofthedinnerIhadintendedtogiveIhaveinvitedmyfriendstosupper。Ihopeyouwillnotrefusemethehonourofyourcompany。Thetwovirtuosiwillsoonbehere。\"
Wewerecompelledtoaccepthisinvitation。
\"Willtherebemanyguests？\"Ienquired。
\"Youwillfindyourselvesinthemidstofpeopleworthyofyou，\"heanswered，triumphantly。\"IamonlysorrythatIhavenotinvitedanyladies。\"
Thispoliteremark，whichwasintendedforHenriette，madeherdrophimacurtsy，whichsheaccompaniedwithasmile。Iwaspleasedtoreadcontentmentonhercountenance，but，alas！shewasconcealingthepainfulanxietywhichshefeltacutely。Hernoblemindrefusedtoshewanyuneasiness，andIcouldnotguessherinmostthoughtsbecauseIhadnoideathatshehadanythingtofear。
IshouldhavethoughtandacteddifferentlyifIhadknownallherhistory。InsteadofremaininginParmaIshouldhavegonewithhertoLondon，andIknownowthatshewouldhavebeendelightedtogothere。
Thetwoartistsarrivedsoonafterwards；theywerethe’primocantatore’Laschi，andthe’primadonna’Baglioni，thenaveryprettywoman。Theotherguestssoonfollowed；allofthemwereFrenchmenandSpaniardsofacertainage。Nointroductionstookplace，andI
readthetactofthewittyhunchbackintheomission，butasalltheguestsweremenusedtothemannersofthecourt，thatneglectofetiquettedidnotpreventthemfrompayingeveryhonourtomylovelyfriend，whoreceivedtheircomplimentswiththateaseandgoodbreedingwhichareknownonlyinFrance，andeventhereonlyinthehighestsociety，withtheexception，however，ofafewFrenchprovincesinwhichthenobility，wronglycalledgoodsociety，shewrathertooopenlythehaughtinesswhichischaracteristicofthatclass。
Theconcertbeganbyamagnificentsymphony，afterwhichLaschiandBaglionisangaduetwithgreattalentandmuchtaste。TheywerefollowedbyapupilofthecelebratedVandini，whoplayedaconcertoonthevioloncello，andwaswarmlyapplauded。
TheapplausehadnotyetceasedwhenHenriette，leavingherseat，wentuptotheyoungartist，andtoldhim，withmodestconfidence，asshetookthevioloncellofromhim，thatshecouldbringoutthebeautifultoneoftheinstrumentstillbetter。Iwasstruckwithamazement。Shetooktheyoungman’sseat，placedthevioloncellobetweenherknees，andbeggedtheleaderoftheorchestratobegintheconcertoagain。Thedeepestsilenceprevailed。Iwastremblingallover，andalmostfainting。FortunatelyeverylookwasfixeduponHenriette，andnobodythoughtofme。Norwasshelookingtowardsme，shewouldnothavethenventuredevenoneglance，forshewouldhavelostcourage，ifshehadraisedherbeautifuleyestomyface。
However，notseeingherdisposingherselftoplay，Iwasbeginningtoimaginethatshehadonlybeenindulginginajest，whenshesuddenlymadethestringsresound。MyheartwasbeatingwithsuchforcethatIthoughtIshoulddropdowndead。
Butletthereaderimaginemysituationwhen，theconcertobeingover，well—meritedapplauseburstfromeverypartoftheroom！Therapidchangefromextremefeartoexcessivepleasurebroughtonanexcitementwhichwaslikeaviolentfever。TheapplausedidnotseemtohaveanyeffectuponHenriette，who，withoutraisinghereyesfromthenoteswhichshesawforthefirsttime，playedsixpieceswiththegreatestperfection。Assherosefromherseat，shedidnotthanktheguestsfortheirapplause，but，addressingtheyoungartistwithaffability，shetoldhim，withasweetsmile，thatshehadneverplayedonafinerinstrument。Then，curtsyingtotheaudience，shesaid，\"Ientreatyourforgivenessforamovementofvanitywhichhasmademeencroachonyourpatienceforhalfanhour。\"
Thenobilityandgraceofthisremarkcompletelyupsetme，andIranouttoweeplikeachild，inthegardenwherenoonecouldseeme。
\"Whoisshe，thisHenriette？\"Isaidtomyself，myheartbeating，andmyeyesswimmingwithtearsofemotion，\"whatisthistreasureIhaveinmypossession？\"
MyhappinesswassoimmensethatIfeltmyselfunworthyofit。
Lostinthesethoughtswhichenhancedthepleasureofanytears，I
shouldhavestayedforalongtuneinthegardenifDuboishadnotcomeouttolookforme。Hefeltanxiousaboutme，owingtomysuddendisappearance，andIquietedhimbysayingthataslightgiddinesshadcompelledmetocomeouttobreathethefreshair。
Beforere—enteringtheroom，Ihadtimetodrymytears，butmyeyelidswerestillred。Henriette，however，wastheonlyonetotakenoticeofit，andshesaidtome，\"Iknow，mydarling，whyyouwentintothegarden\"
Sheknewmesowellthatshecouldeasilyguesstheimpressionmadeonmyheartbytheevening’soccurrence。
Duboishadinvitedthemostamiablenoblemenofthecourt，andhissupperwasdaintyandwellarranged。IwasseatedoppositeHenriettewhowas，asamatterofcourse，monopolizingthegeneralattention，butshewouldhavemetwiththesamesuccessifshehadbeensurroundedbyacircleofladieswhomshewouldcertainlyhavethrownintotheshadebyherbeauty，herwit，andthedistinctionofhermanners。Shewasthecharmofthatsupperbytheanimationsheimpartedtotheconversation。M。Duboissaidnothing，buthewasproudtohavesuchalovelyguestinhishouse。Shecontrivedtosayafewgraciouswordstoeveryone，andwasshrewdenoughnevertouttersomethingwittywithoutmakingmetakeashareinit。Onmyside，Iopenlyshewedmysubmissiveness，mydeference，andmyrespectforthatdivinity，butitwasallinvain。ShewantedeverybodytoknowthatIwasherlordandmaster。Shemighthavebeentakenformywife，butmybehaviourtoherrenderedsuchasuppositionimprobable。
TheconversationhavingfallenontherespectivemeritsoftheFrenchandSpanishnations，DuboiswasfoolishenoughtoaskHenriettetowhichshegavepreference。
Itwouldhavebeendifficulttoaskamoreindiscreetquestion，consideringthatthecompanywascomposedalmostentirelyofFrenchmenandSpaniardsinaboutequalproportion。YetmyHenrietteturnedthedifficultysocleverlythattheFrenchmenwouldhavelikedtobeSpaniards，and’viceversa’。Dubois，nothingdaunted，beggedhertosaywhatshethoughtoftheItalians。Thequestionmademetremble。AcertainM。delaCombe，whowasseatednearme，shookhisheadintokenofdisapprobation，butHenriettedidnottrytoeludethequestion。
\"WhatcanIsayabouttheItalians，\"sheanswered，\"Iknowonlyone？
IfIamtojudgethemallfromthatonemyjudgmentmustcertainlybemostfavourabletothem，butonesingleexampleisnotsufficienttoestablishtherule。\"
Itwasimpossibletogiveabetteranswer，butasmyreadersmaywellimagine，Ididnotappeartohaveheardit，andbeinganxioustopreventanymoreindiscreetquestionsfromDuboisIturnedtheconversationintoadifferentchannel。
Thesubjectofmusicwasdiscussed，andaSpaniardaskedHenriettewhethershecouldplayanyotherinstrumentbesidesthevioloncello。
\"No，\"sheanswered，\"Ineverfeltanyinclinationforanyother。I
learnedthevioloncelloattheconventtopleasemymother，whocanplayitprettywell，andwithoutanorderfrommyfather，sanctionedbythebishop，theabbesswouldneverhavegivenmepermissiontopractiseit。\"
\"Whatobjectioncouldtheabbessmake？\"
\"ThatdevoutspouseofourLordpretendedthatIcouldnotplaythatinstrumentwithoutassuminganindecentposition。\"
AtthistheSpanishguestsbittheirlips，buttheFrenchmenlaughedheartily，anddidnotsparetheirepigramsagainsttheover—
particularabbess。
Afterashortsilence，Henrietterose，andweallfollowedherexample。Itwasthesignalforbreakinguptheparty，andwesoontookourleave。
Ilongedtofindmyselfalonewiththeidolofmysoul。Iaskedherahundredquestionswithoutwaitingfortheanswers。
\"Ah！youwereright，myownHenriette，whenyourefusedtogotothatconcert，foryouknewthatyouwouldraisemanyenemiesagainstme。Iamcertainthatallthosemenhateme，butwhatdoIcare？
Youaremyuniverse！Crueldarling，youalmostkilledmewithyourvioloncello，because，havingnoideaofyourbeingamusician，I
thoughtyouhadgonemad，andwhenIheardyouIwascompelledtoleavetheroominordertoweepundisturbed。Mytearsrelievedmyfearfuloppression。Oh！Ientreatyoutotellmewhatothertalentsyoupossess。Tellmecandidly，foryoumightkillmeifyoubroughtthemoutunexpectedly，asyouhavedonethisevening。\"
\"Ihavenootheraccomplishments，mybestbeloved。Ihaveemptiedmybagallatonce。NowyouknowyourHenrietteentirely。Hadyounotchancedtotellmeaboutamonthagothatyouhadnotasteformusic，IwouldhavetoldyouthatIcouldplaythevioloncelloremarkablywell，butifIhadmentionedsuchathing，Iknowyouwellenoughtobecertainthatyouwouldhaveboughtaninstrumentimmediately，andIcouldnot，dearest，findpleasureinanythingthatwouldwearyyou。\"
Theverynextmorningshehadanexcellentvioloncello，and，farfromwearyingme，eachtimesheplayedshecausedmeanewandgreaterpleasure。Ibelievethatitwouldbeimpossibleeventoamandislikingmusicnottobecomepassionatelyfondofit，ifthatartwerepractisedtoperfectionbythewomanheadores。
The’voxhumana’ofthevioloncello；thekingofinstruments，wenttomyhearteverytimethatmybelovedHenrietteperformeduponit。SheknewIlovedtohearherplay，andeverydaysheaffordedmethatpleasure。HertalentdelightedmesomuchthatIproposedtohertogivesomeconcerts，butshewasprudentenoughtorefusemyproposal。
Butinspiteofallherprudencewehadnopowertohinderthedecreesoffate。
Thefatalhunchbackcamethedayafterhisfinesuppertothankusandtoreceiveourwell—meritedpraisesofhisconcert，hissupper，andthedistinctionofhisguests。
\"Iforesee，madam，\"hesaidtoHenriette，\"allthedifficultyIshallhaveindefendingmyselfagainsttheprayersofallmyfriends，whowillbegofmetointroducethemtoyou。\"
\"Youneednothavemuchtroubleonthatscore:youknowthatInever，receiveanyone。\"
Duboisdidnotagainventureuponspeakingofintroducinganyfriend。
OnthesamedayIreceivedaletterfromyoungCapitani，inwhichheinformedmethat，beingtheownerofSt。Peter’sknifeandsheath，hehadcalledonFranziawithtwolearnedmagicianswhohadpromisedtoraisethetreasureoutoftheearth，andthattohisgreatsurpriseFranziahadrefusedtoreceivehim:Heentreatedmetowritetotheworthyfellow，andtogotohimmyselfifIwantedtohavemyshareofthetreasure。IneednotsaythatIdidnotcomplywithhiswishes，butIcanvouchfortherealpleasureIfeltinfindingthatIhadsucceededinsavingthathonestandsimplefarmerfromtheimpostorswhowouldhaveruinedhim。
OnemonthwasgonesincethegreatsuppergivenbyDubois。Wehadpasseditinalltheenjoymentwhichcanbederivedbothfromthesensesandthemind，andneverhadonesingleinstantofwearinesscausedeitherofustobeguiltyofthatsadsymptomofmiserywhichiscalledayawn。Theonlypleasurewetookoutofdoorswasadriveoutsideofthecitywhentheweatherwasfine。Asweneverwalkedinthestreets，andneverfrequentedanypublicplace，noonehadsoughttomakeouracquaintance，oratleastnoonehadfoundanopportunityofdoingso，inspiteofallthecuriosityexcitedbyHenrietteamongstthepersonswhomwehadchancedtomeet，particularlyatthehouseofDubois。Henriettehadbecomemorecourageous，andImoreconfident，whenwefoundthatshehadnotbeenrecognizedbyanyoneeitheratthatsupperoratthetheatre。Sheonlydreadedpersonsbelongingtothehighnobility。
OnedayasweweredrivingoutsidetheGateofColorno，wemetthedukeandduchesswhowerereturningtoParma。Immediatelyaftertheircarriageanothervehicledrovealong，inwhichwasDuboiswithanoblemanunknowntous。Ourcarriagehadonlygoneafewyardsfromtheirswhenoneofourhorsesbrokedown。ThecompanionofDuboisimmediatelyorderedhiscoachmantostopinordertosendtoourassistance。Whilstthehorsewasraisedagain，hecamepolitelytoourcarriage，andpaidsomecivilcomplimenttoHenriette。
M。Dubois，alwaysashrewdcourtierandanxioustoshewoffattheexpenseofothers，lostnotimeinintroducinghimasM。Dutillot，theFrenchambassador。Mysweetheartgavetheconventionalbow。Thehorsebeingallrightagain，weproceededonourroadafterthankingthegentlemenfortheircourtesy。Suchanevery—dayoccurrencecouldnotbeexpectedtohaveanyseriousconsequences，butalas！themostimportanteventsareoftentheresultofverytriflingcircumstances！
Thenextday，Duboisbreakfastedwithus。HetoldusfranklythatM。Dutillothadbeendelightedatthefortunatechancewhichhadaffordedhimanopportunityofmakingouracquaintance，andthathehadentreatedhimtoaskourpermissiontocallonus。
\"Onmadamoronme？\"Iaskedatonce。
\"Onboth。\"
\"Verywell，butoneatatime。Madam，asyouknow，hasherownroomandIhavemine。\"
\"Yes，buttheyaresoneareachother！\"
\"Granted，yetImusttellyouthat，asfarasIamconcerned，I
shouldhavemuchpleasureinwaitinguponhisexcellencyifheshouldeverwishtocommunicatewithme，andyouwillobligemebylettinghimknowit。Asformadam，sheishere，speaktoher，mydearM。
Dubois，forIamonlyherveryhumbleservant。\"
Henrietteassumedanairofcheerfulpoliteness，andsaidtohim，\"Sir，IbegyouwilloffermythankstoM。Dutillot，andenquirefromhimwhetherheknowsme。\"
\"Iamcertain，madam，\"saidthehunchback，\"thathedoesnot。\"
\"Youseehedoesnotknowme，andyethewishestocallonme。YoumustagreewithmethatifIacceptedhisvisitsIshouldgivehimasingularopinionofmycharacter。Begoodenoughtotellhimthat，althoughknowntonooneandknowingnoone，Iamnotanadventuress，andthereforeImustdeclinethehonourofhisvisits。\"
Duboisfeltthathehadtakenafalsestep，andremainedsilent。Weneveraskedhimhowtheambassadorhadreceivedourrefusal。
Threeweeksafterthelastoccurrence，theducalcourtresidingthenatColorno，agreatentertainmentwasgiveninthegardenswhichweretobeilluminatedallnight。Everybodyhadpermissiontowalkaboutthegardens。Dubois，thefatalhunchbackappointedbydestiny，spokesomuchofthatfestival，thatwetookafancytoseeit。AlwaysthesamestoryofAdam’sapple。Duboisaccompaniedus。WewenttoColornothedaybeforetheentertainment，andputupataninn。
Intheeveningwewalkedthroughthegardens，inwhichwehappenedtomeettheducalfamilyandsuite。AccordingtotheetiquetteoftheFrenchcourt，MadamedeFrancewasthefirsttocurtsytoHenriette，withoutstopping。MyeyesfelluponagentlemanwalkingbythesideofDonLouis，whowaslookingatmyfriendveryattentively。Afewminutesafter，aswewereretracingoursteps，wecameacrossthesamegentlemanwho，afterbowingrespectfullytous，tookDuboisaside。Theyconversedtogetherforaquarterofanhour，followingusallthetime，andwewerepassingoutofthegardens，whenthegentleman，comingforward，andpolitelyapologizingtome，askedHenriettewhetherhehadthehonourtobeknowntoher。
\"Idonotrecollecthavingeverhadthehonourofseeingyoubefore。\"
\"Thatisenough，madam，andIentreatyoutoforgiveme。\"
DuboisinformedusthatthegentlemanwastheintimatefriendoftheInfanteDonLouis，andthat，believingheknewmadam，hehadbeggedtobeintroduced。DuboishadansweredthathernamewasD’Arci，andthat，ifhewasknowntothelady，herequirednointroduction。
M。d’AntoinesaidthatthenameofD’Arciwasunknowntohim，andthathewasafraidofmakingamistake。\"Inthatstateofdoubt，\"
addedDubois，\"andwishingtoclearit，heintroducedhimself，butnowhemustseethathewasmistaken。\"
Aftersupper，Henrietteappearedanxious。IaskedherwhethershehadonlypretendednottoknowM。d’Antoine。
\"No，dearest，Icanassureyou。IknowhisnamewhichbelongstoanillustriousfamilyofProvence，butIhaveneverseenhimbefore。\"
\"Perhapshemayknowyou？\"
\"Hemighthaveseenme，butIamcertainthatheneverspoketome，orIwouldhaverecollectedhim。\"
\"Thatmeetingcausesmegreatanxiety，anditseemstohavetroubledyou。\"
\"Iconfessithasdisturbedmymind。\"
\"LetusleaveParmaatonceandproceedtoGenoa。WewillgotoVeniceassoonasmyaffairstherearesettled。\"
\"Yes，mydearfriend，weshallthenfeelmorecomfortable。ButIdonotthinkweneedbeinanyhurry。\"
WereturnedtoParma，andtwodaysafterwardsmyservanthandedmealetter，sayingthatthefootmanwhohadbroughtitwaswaitingintheante—room。
\"Thisletter，\"IsaidtoHenriette，\"troublesme。\"
Shetookit，andaftershehadreadit——shegaveitbacktome，saying，\"IthinkM。d’Antoineisamanofhonour，andIhopethatwemayhavenothingtofear。\"
Theletterranas，follows:
\"Eitheratyourhoteloratmyresidence，oratanyotherplaceyoumaywishtoappoint，Ientreatyou，sir，togivemeanopportunityofconversingwithyouonasubjectwhichmustbeofthegreatestimportancetoyou。
\"Ihavethehonourtobe，etc。
\"D’ANTOINE。\"
ItwasaddressedM。Farusi。
\"IthinkImustseehim，\"Isaid，\"butwhere？\"
\"Neitherherenorathisresidence，butintheducalgardens。Youranswermustnameonlytheplaceandthehourofthemeeting。\"
IwrotetoM。d’AntoinethatIwouldseehimathalf—pastelevenintheducalgardens，onlyrequestinghimtoappointanotherhourincaseminewasnotconvenienttohim。
Idressedmyselfatonceinordertobeingoodtime，andmeanwhilewebothendeavoured，HenrietteandI，tokeepacheerfulcountenance，butwecouldnotsilenceoursadforebodings。IwasexacttomyappointmentandfoundM。d’Antoinewaitingforme。Assoonasweweretogether，hesaidtome，\"Ihavebeencompelled，sir，tobegfromyouthefavourofaninterview，becauseIcouldnotimagineanysurerwaytogetthislettertoMadamed’Arci’shands。Ientreatyoutodeliverittoher，andtoexcusemeifIgiveityousealed。ShouldIbemistaken，myletterwillnotevenrequireananswer，butshouldIberight，Madamed’Arcialonecanjudgewhethersheoughttocommunicateittoyou。
Thatismyreasonforgivingittoyousealed。Ifyouaretrulyherfriend，thecontentsofthatlettermustbeasinterestingtoyouastoher。MayIhope，sir，thatyouwillbegoodenoughtodeliverittoher？\"
\"Sir，onmyhonourIwilldoit。\"
Webowedrespectfullytoeachother，andpartedcompany。Ihurriedbacktothehotel。
CHAPTERIII
HenrietteReceivestheVisitofM。d’AntoineIAccompanyHerasFarasGenevaandThenILoseHer——ICrosstheSt。Bernard，andReturntoParma——ALetterfromHensiette——MyDespairDeLaHayeBecomesAttachedtoMe——UnpleasantAdventurewithanActressandItsConsequences——ITurnaThoroughBigot——Bavois——IMystifyaBraggingOfficer。
AssoonasIhadreachedourapartment，myheartburstingwithanxiety，IrepeatedtoHenrietteeverywordspokenbyM。d’Antoine，anddeliveredhisletterwhichcontainedfourpagesofwriting。Shereaditattentivelywithvisibleemotion，andthenshesaid，\"Dearestfriend，donotbeoffended，butthehonouroftwofamiliesdoesnotallowofmyimpartingtoyouthecontentsofthisletter。I
amcompelledtoreceiveM。d’Antoine，whorepresentshimselfasbeingoneofmyrelatives。\"
\"Ah！\"Iexclaimed，\"thisisthebeginningoftheend！Whatadreadfulthought！Iamneartheendofafelicitywhichwastoogreattolast！WretchthatIhavebeen！WhydidItarrysolonginParma？Whatfatalblindness！Ofallthecitiesinthewholeworld，exceptFrance，ParmawastheonlyoneIhadtofear，anditisherethatIhavebroughtyou，whenIcouldhavetakenyouanywhereelse，foryouhadnowillbutmine！Iamallthemoreguiltythatyouneverconcealedyourfearsfromme。WhydidIintroducethatfatalDuboishere？OughtInottohaveguessedthathiscuriositywouldsoonerorlaterproveinjurioustous？AndyetIcannotcondemnthatcuriosity，foritis，alas！anaturalfeeling。IcanonlyaccusealltheperfectionswhichHeavenhasbestoweduponyou！——perfectionswhichhavecausedmyhappiness，andwhichwillplungemeinanabyssofdespair，for，alas！Iforeseeafutureoffearfulmisery。\"
\"Ientreatyou，dearest，toforeseenothing，andtocalmyourself。
Letusavailourselvesofallourreasoninordertoproveourselvessuperiortocircumstances，whatevertheymaybe。Icannotanswerthisletter，butyoumustwritetoM。d’Antoinetocallheretomorrowandtosenduphisname。\"
\"Alas！youcompelmetoperformapainfultask。\"
\"Youaremybest，myonlyfriend；Idemandnothing，Iimposenotaskuponyou，butcanyourefuseme？\"
\"No，never，nomatterwhatyouask。Disposeofme，Iamyoursinlifeanddeath。\"
\"Iknewwhatyouwouldanswer。YoumustbewithmewhenM。
d’Antoinecalls，butafterafewminutesgiventoetiquette，willyoufindsomepretexttogotoyourroom，andleaveusalone？
M。d’Antoineknowsallmyhistory；heknowsinwhatIhavedonewrong，inwhatIhavebeenright；asamanofhonour，asmyrelative，hemustsheltermefromallaffront。Heshallnotdoanythingagainstmywill，andifheattemptstodeviatefromtheconditionsI
willdictatetohim，IwillrefusetogotoFrance，Iwillfollowyouanywhere，anddevotetoyoutheremainderofmylife。Yet，mydarling，recollectthatsomefatalcircumstancesmaycompelustoconsiderourseparationasthewisestcoursetoadopt，thatwemusthusbandallourcouragetoadoptit，ifnecessary，andtoendeavournottobetoounhappy。
Haveconfidenceinme，andbequitecertainthatIshalltakecaretoreserveformyselfthesmallportionofhappinesswhichIcanbeallowedtoenjoywithoutthemanwhoalonehaswonallmydevotedlove。Youwillhave，Itrust，andIexpectitfromyourgeneroussoul，thesamecareofyourfuture，andIfeelcertainthatyoumustsucceed。Inthemeantime，letusdriveawayallthesadforebodingswhichmightdarkenthehourswehaveyetbeforeus。\"
\"Ah！whydidwenotgoawayimmediatelyafterwehadmetthataccursedfavouriteoftheInfante！\"
\"Wemighthavemademattersmuchworse；forinthatcaseM。d’Antoinemighthavemadeuphismindtogivemyfamilyaproofofhiszealbyinstitutingasearchtodiscoverourplaceofresidence，andIshouldthenhavebeenexposedtoviolentproceedingswhichyouwouldnothaveendured。Itwouldhavebeenfataltobothofus。\"
Idideverythingsheaskedme。Fromthatmomentourlovebecamesad，andsadnessisadiseasewhichgivesthedeath—blowtoaffection。Wewouldoftenremainawholehouroppositeeachotherwithoutexchangingasingleword，andoursighswouldbeheardwhateverwedidtohushthem。
Thenextday，whenM。d’Antoinecalled，Ifollowedexactlytheinstructionsshehadgivenme，andforsixmortalhoursIremainedalone，pretendingtowrite。
Thedoorofmyroomwasopen，andalargelooking—glassallowedustoseeeachother。Theyspentthosesixhoursinwriting，occasionallystoppingtotalkofIdonotknowwhat，buttheirconversationwasevidentlyadecisiveone。ThereadercaneasilyrealizehowmuchI
sufferedduringthatlongtorture，forIcouldexpectnothingbutthetotalwreckofmyhappiness。
AssoonastheterribleM。d’Antoinehadtakenleaveofher，Henriettecametome，andobservingthathereyeswereredIheavedadeepsigh，butshetriedtosmile。
\"Shallwegoawayto—morrow，dearest？\"
\"Oh！yes，Iamready。Wheredoyouwishmetotakeyou？\"
\"Anywhereyoulike，butwemustbehereinafortnight。\"
\"Here！Oh，fatalillusion！\"
\"Alas！itisso。IhavepromisedtobeheretoreceivetheanswertoaletterIhavejustwritten。Wehavenoviolentproceedingstofear，butIcannotbeartoremaininParma。\"
\"Ah！Icursethehourwhichbroughtustothiscity。WouldyouliketogotoMilan？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Asweareunfortunatelycompelledtocomeback，wemayaswelltakewithusCaudagnaandhissister。\"
\"Asyouplease。\"
\"Letmearrangeeverything。Iwillorderacarriageforthem，andtheywilltakechargeofyourvioloncello。DoyounotthinkthatyououghttoletM。d’Antoineknowwherewearegoing？\"
\"No，itseemstome，onthecontrary，thatIneednotaccounttohimforanyofmyproceedings。Somuchtheworseforhimifheshould，evenforonemoment，doubtmyword。\"
Thenextmorning，weleftParma，takingonlywhatwewantedforanabsenceofafortnight。WearrivedinMilanwithoutaccident，butbothverysad，andwespentthefollowingfifteendaysinconstanttete—a—tete，withoutspeakingtoanyone，exceptthelandlordofthehotelandtoadressmaker。IpresentedmybelovedHenriettewithamagnificentpelissemadeoflynxfur——apresentwhichsheprizedhighly。
Outofdelicacy，shehadneverenquiredaboutmymeans，andIfeltgratefultoherforthatreserve。Iwasverycarefultoconcealfromherthefactthatmypursewasgettingverylight。WhenwecamebacktoParmaIhadonlythreeorfourhundredsequins。
ThedayafterourreturnM。d’Antoineinvitedhimselftodinewithus，andafterwehaddrunkcoffee，IlefthimalonewithHenriette。
Theirinterviewwasaslongasthefirst，andourseparationwasdecided。Sheinformedmeofit，immediatelyafterthedepartureofM。d’Antoine，andforalongtimeweremainedfoldedineachother’sarms，silent，andblendingourbittertears。
\"WhenshallIhavetopartfromyou，mybeloved，alas！toomuchbelovedone？\"
\"Becalm，dearest，onlywhenwereachGeneva，whitheryouaregoingtoaccompanyme。Willyoutrytofindmearespectablemaidbyto—morrow？ShewillaccompanymefromGenevatotheplacewhereIamboundtogo。\"
\"Oh！then，weshallspendafewdaysmoretogether！IknownoonebutDuboiswhomIcouldtrusttoprocureagoodfemme—de—chambre；
onlyIdonotwanthimtolearnfromherwhatyoumightnotwishhimtoknow。\"
\"Thatwillnotbethecase，forIwilltakeanothermaidassoonasI
aminFrance。\"
Threedaysafterwards，Dubois，whohadgladlyundertakenthecommission，presentedtoHenrietteawomanalreadysomewhatadvancedinyears，prettywelldressedandrespectable—looking，who，beingpoor，wasgladofanopportunityofgoingbacktoFrance，hernativecountry。Herhusband，anoldmilitaryofficer，haddiedafewmonthsbefore，leavinghertotallyunprovidedfor。Henrietteengagedher，andtoldhertokeepherselfreadytostartwheneverM。Duboisshouldgivehernotice。Thedaybeforetheonefixedforourdeparture，M。
d’Antoinedinedwithus，and，beforetakingleaveofus，hegaveHenrietteasealedletterforGeneva。
WeleftParmalateintheevening，andstoppedonlytwohoursinTurin，inordertoengageamanservantwhoseserviceswerequiredasfarasGeneva。ThenextdayweascendedMontCenisinsedan—chairs，andwedescendedtotheNovalaiseinmountain—sledges。OnthefifthdaywereachedGeneva，andweputupattheHoteldesBalances。Thenextmorning，HenriettegavemealetterforthebankerTronchin，who，whenhehadreadit，toldmethathewouldcallhimselfatthehotel，andbringmeonethousandlouisd’or。
Icamebackandwesatdowntodinner。Wehadnotfinishedourmealwhenthebankerwasannounced。Hehadbroughtthethousandlouisd’or，andtoldHenriettethathewouldgivehertwomenwhomhecouldrecommendineveryway。
SheansweredthatshewouldleaveGenevaassoonasshehadthecarriagewhichhewastoprovideforher，accordingtotheletterI
haddeliveredtohim。Hepromisedthateverythingwouldbereadyforthefollowingday，andheleftus。Itwasindeedaterriblemoment！
Griefalmostbenumbedusboth。Weremainedmotionless，speechless，wrappedupinthemostprofounddespair。
IbrokethatsadsilencetotellherthatthecarriagewhichM。
Tronchinwouldprovidecouldnotpossiblybeascomfortableandassafeasmine，andIentreatedhertotakeit，assuringherthatbyacceptingitshewouldgivemealastproofofheraffection。
\"Iwilltakeinexchange，mydearestlove，thecarriagesentbythebanker。\"
\"Iacceptthechange，darling，\"sheanswered，\"itwillbeagreatconsolationtopossesssomethingwhichhasbelongedtoyou。\"
Asshesaidthesewords，sheslippedinmypocketfiverollscontainingeachonehundredlouisd’or——aslightconsolationformyheart，whichwasalmostbrokenbyourcruelseparation！Duringthelasttwenty—fourhourswecouldboastofnoothereloquencebutthatwhichfindsexpressionintears，insobs，andinthosehackneyedbutenergeticexclamations，whichtwohappyloversaresuretoaddresstoreason，wheninitssternnessitcompelsthemtopartfromoneanotherintheveryheightoftheirfelicity。Henriettedidnotendeavourtoluremewithanyhopeforthefuture，inordertoallaymysorrow！Farfromthat，shesaidtome，\"Oncewearepartedbyfate，mybestandonlyfriend，neverenquireafterme，and，shouldchancethrowyouinmyway，donotappeartoknowme。\"
ShegavemealetterforM。d’Antoine，withoutaskingmewhetherI
intendedtogobacktoParma，but，evenifsuchhadnotbeenmyintention，Ishouldhavedeterminedatonceuponreturningtothatcity。ShelikewiseentreatedmenottoleaveGenevauntilIhadreceivedaletterwhichshepromisedto，writetomefromthefirststageonherjourney。Shestartedatday—break，havingwithheramaid，afootmanontheboxofthecarriage，andbeingprecededbyacourieronhorseback。IfollowedherwithmyeyesaslongasI
could，seehercarriage，andIwasstillstandingonthesamespotlongaftermyeyeshadlostsightofit。AllmythoughtswerewrappedupinthebelovedobjectIhadlostforever。Theworldwasablank！
Iwentbacktomyroom，orderedthewaiternottodisturbmeuntilthereturnofthehorseswhichhaddrawnHenriette’scarriage，andI
laydownonmybedinthehopethatsleepwouldforatimesilenceagriefwhichtearscouldnotdrown。
ThepostillionwhohaddrivenHenriettedidnotreturntillthenextday；hehadgoneasfarasChatillon。HebroughtmealetterinwhichIfoundonesingleword:Adieu！HetoldmethattheyhadreachedChatillonwithoutaccident，andthattheladyhadimmediatelycontinuedherjourneytowardsLyons。AsIcouldnotleaveGenevauntilthefollowingday，Ispentaloneinmyroomsomeofthemostmelancholyhoursofmylife。IsawononeofthepanesofglassofawindowthesewordswhichshehadtracedwiththepointofadiamondI
hadgivenher:\"YouwillforgetHenriette。\"Thatprophecywasnotlikelytoaffordmeanyconsolation。Buthadsheattacheditsfullmeaningtotheword\"forget？\"No；shecouldonlymeanthattimewouldatlasthealthedeepwoundsofmyheart，andsheoughtnottohavemadeitdeeperbyleavingbehindherthosewordswhichsoundedlikeareproach。No，Ihavenotforgottenher，forevennow，whenmyheadiscoveredwithwhitehair，therecollectionofherisstillasourceofhappinessformyheart！WhenIthinkthatinmyoldageI
derivehappinessonlyfrommyrecollectionsofthepast，Ifindthatmylonglifemusthavecountedmorebrightthandarkdays，andofferingmythankstoGod，theGiverofall，Icongratulatemyself，andconfessthatlifeisagreatblessing。
ThenextdayIsetoffagainforItalywithaservantrecommendedbyM。Tronchin，andalthoughtheseasonwasnotfavourableItooktheroadoverMontSt。Bernard，whichIcrossedinthreedays，withsevenmulescarryingme，myservant，myluggage，andthecarriagesentbythebankertothebelovedwomannowforeverlosttome。Oneoftheadvantagesofagreatsorrowisthatnothingelseseemspainful。Itisasortofdespairwhichisnotwithoutsomesweetness。DuringthatjourneyIneverfelteitherhungerorthirst，orthecoldwhichissointenseinthatpartoftheAlpsthatthewholeofnatureseemstoturntoice，orthefatigueinseparablefromsuchadifficultanddangerousjourney。
IarrivedinParmainprettygoodhealth，andtookupmyquartersatasmallinn，inthehopethatinsuchaplaceIshouldnotmeetanyacquaintanceofmine。ButIwasmuchdisappointed，forIfoundinthatinnM。delaHaye，whohadaroomnexttomine。Surprisedatseeingme，hepaidmealongcompliment，tryingtomakemespeak，butIeludedhiscuriositybytellinghimthatIwastired，andthatwewouldseeeachotheragain。
OnthefollowingdayIcalleduponM。d’Antoine，anddeliveredtheletterwhichHenriettehadwrittentohim。Heopeneditinmypresence，andfindinganothertomyaddressenclosedinhis，hehandedittomewithoutreadingit，althoughitwasnotsealed。
Thinking，however，thatitmighthavebeenHenriette’sintentionthatheshouldreaditbecauseitwasopen，heaskedmypermissiontodoso，whichIgrantedwithpleasureassoonasIhadmyselfperusedit。
Hehandeditbacktomeafterhehadreadit，tellingmeveryfeelinglythatIcouldineverythingrelyuponhimanduponhisinfluenceandcredit。
HereisHenriette’sletter’ItisI，dearestandbestfriend，whohavebeencompelledtoabandonyou，butdonotletyourgriefbeincreasedbyanythoughtofmysorrow。Letusbewiseenoughtosupposethatwehavehadahappydream，andnottocomplainofdestiny，forneverdidsobeautifuladreamlastsolong！Letusbeproudoftheconsciousnessthatforthreemonthswegaveoneanotherthemostperfectfelicity。Fewhumanbeingscanboastofsomuch！Letusswearnevertoforgetoneanother，andtooftenrememberthehappyhoursofourlove，inordertorenewtheminoursouls，which，althoughdivided，willenjoythemasacutelyasifourheartswerebeatingoneagainsttheother。Donotmakeanyenquiriesaboutme，andifchanceshouldletyouknowwhoIam，forgetitforever。IfeelcertainthatyouwillbegladtohearthatIhavearrangedmyaffairssowellthatIshall，fortheremainderofmylife，beashappyasIcanpossiblybewithoutyou，dearfriend，bymyside。Idonotknowwhoyouare，butIamcertainthatnooneintheworldknowsyoubetterthanIdo。IshallnothaveanotherloveraslongasIlive，butIdonotwishyoutoimitateme。OnthecontraryIhopethatyouwillloveagain，andI
trustthatagoodfairywillbringalongyourpathanotherHenriette。
Farewell……farewell。\"……
Imetthatadorablewomanfifteenyearslater；thereaderwillseewhereandhow，whenwecometothatperiodofmylife……
Iwentbacktomyroom，carelessofthefuture，brokendownbythedeepestofsorrows，Ilockedmyselfin，andwenttobed。IfeltsolowinspiritsthatIwasstunned。Lifewasnotaburden，butonlybecauseIdidnotgiveathoughttolife。InfactIwasinastateofcompleteapathy，moralandphysical。SixyearslaterIfoundmyselfinasimilarpredicament，butthattimelovewasnotthecauseofmysorrow；itwasthehorribleandtoofamousprisonofTheLeads，inVenice。
Iwasnotmuchbettereitherin1768，whenIwaslodgedintheprisonofBuenRetiro，inMadrid，butImustnotanticipateevents。
Attheendoftwenty—fourhours，myexhaustionwasverygreat，butI
didnotfindthesensationdisagreeable，and，inthestateofmindinwhichIwasthen，Iwaspleasedwiththeideathat，byincreasing，thatweaknesswouldatlastkillme。Iwasdelightedtoseethatnoonedisturbedmetooffermesomefood，andIcongratulatedmyselfuponhavingdismissedmyservant。Twenty—fourmorehourspassedby，andmyweaknessbecamecompleteinanition。
IwasinthatstatewhenDelaHayeknockedatmydoor。Iwouldnothaveansweredifhehadnotsaidthatsomeoneinsisteduponseeingme。Igotoutofbed，and，scarcelyabletostand，Iopenedmydoor，afterwhichIgotintobedagain。
\"Thereisastrangerhere，\"hesaid，\"who，beinginwantofacarriage，offerstobuyyours\"
\"Idonotwanttosellit。\"
\"ExcusemeifIhavedisturbedyou，butyoulookill。\"
\"Yes，Iwishtobeleftalone。\"
\"Whatisthematterwithyou？\"
Comingnearermybed，hetookmyhand，andfoundmypulseextremelylowandweak。
\"Whatdidyoueatyesterday？\"
\"Ihaveeatennothing，thankGodIfortwodays。\"
Guessingtherealstateofthings，DelaHayebecameanxious，andentreatedmetotakesomebroth。Hethrewsomuchkindness，somuchunction，intohisentreatiesthat，throughweaknessandweariness，I
allowedmyselftobepersuaded。Then，withoutevermentioningthenameofHenriette，hetreatedmetoasermonuponthelifetocome，uponthevanityofthethingsofthislifewhichwearefoolishenoughtoprefer，anduponthenecessityofrespectingourexistence，whichdoesnotbelongtous。
Iwaslisteningwithoutansweringoneword，but，afterall，Iwaslistening，andDelaHaye，perceivinghisadvantage，wouldnotleaveme，andordereddinner。Ihadneitherthewillnorthestrengthtoresist，andwhenthedinnerwasserved，Iatesomething。ThenDelaHavesawthathehadconquered，andfortheremainderofthedaydevotedhimselftoamusingmebyhischeerfulconversation。
Thenextdaythetableswereturned，foritwasIwhoinvitedhimtokeepmecompanyandtodinewithme。ItseemedtomethatIhadnotlostaparticleofmysadness，butlifeappearedtomeoncemorepreferabletodeath，and，thinkingthatIwasindebtedtohimforthepreservationofmylife，Imadeagreatfriendofhim。Myreaderswillseepresentlythatmyaffectionforhimwentveryfar，andtheywill，likeme，marvelatthecauseofthatfriendship，andatthemeansthroughwhichitwasbroughtabout。
Threeorfourdaysafterwards，Dubois，whohadbeeninformedofeverythingbyDelaHaye，calledonme，andpersuadedmetogoout。
Iwenttothetheatre，whereImadetheacquaintanceofseveralCorsicanofficers，whohadservedinFrance，intheRoyalItalianregiment。IalsometayoungmanfromSicily，namedPaterno，thewildestandmostheedlessfellowitwaspossibletosee。Hewasinlovewithanactresswhomadeafoolofhim。Heamusedmewiththeenumerationofallheradorablequalities，andofallthecrueltiesshewaspractisinguponhim，for，althoughshereceivedhimatallhours，sherepulsedhimharshlywheneverhetriedtostealtheslightestfavour。Inthemeantime，sheruinedhimbymakinghimpayconstantlyforexcellentdinnersandsuppers，whichwereeatenbyherfamily，butwhichdidnotadvancehimoneinchtowardsthefulfilmentofhiswishes。
Hesucceededatlastinexcitingmycuriosity。Iexaminedtheactressonthestage，andfindingthatshewasnotwithoutbeautyI
expressedawishtoknowher。Paternowasdelightedtointroducemetoher。
Ifoundthatshewasoftolerablyeasyvirtue，and，knowingthatshewasveryfarfromrollinginriches，Ihadnodoubtthatfifteenortwentysequinswouldbequitesufficienttomakehercompliant。I
communicatedmythoughtstoPaterno，buthelaughedandtoldmethat，ifIdaredtomakesuchapropositiontoher，shewouldcertainlyshutherdooragainstme。Henamedseveralofficerswhomshehadrefusedtoreceiveagain，becausetheyhadmadesimilaroffers。
\"Yet，\"addedtheyoungman，\"Iwishyouwouldmaketheattempt，andtellmetheresultcandidly。\"
Ifeltpiqued，andpromisedtodoit。
Ipaidheravisitinherdressing—roomatthetheatre，andasshehappenedduringourconversationtopraisethebeautyofmywatch，I
toldherthatshecouldeasilyobtainpossessionofit，andIsaidatwhatprice。Sheanswered，accordingtothecatechismofherprofession，thatanhonourablemanhadnorighttomakesuchanoffertoarespectablegirl。
\"Iofferonlyoneducat，\"saidI，\"tothosewhoarenotrespectable。\"
AndIlefther。
WhenItoldPaternowhathadoccurred，hefairlyjumpedforjoy，butIknewwhattothinkofitall，for’cosisonotutte’，andinspiteofallhisentreaties，Ideclinedtobepresentathissuppers，whichwerefarfromamusing，andgavethefamilyoftheactressanopportunityoflaughingatthepoorfoolwhowaspayingforthem。
Sevenoreightdaysafterwards，PaternotoldmethattheactresshadrelatedtheaffairtohimexactlyinthesamewordswhichIhadused，andshehadaddedthat，ifIhadceasedmyvisits，itwasonlybecauseIwasafraidofhertakingmeatmywordincaseIshouldrenewmyproposal。IcommissionedhimtotellherthatIwouldpayheranothervisit，nottorenewmyoffer，buttoshewmycontemptforanyproposalshemightmakemeherself。
Theheedlessfellowfulfilledhiscommissionsowellthattheactress，feelinginsulted，toldhimthatshedaredmetocallonher。
PerfectlydeterminedtoshewthatIdespisedher，Iwenttoherdressing—roomthesameevening，afterthesecondactofaplayinwhichshehadnottoappearagain。Shedismissedthosewhowerewithher，sayingthatshewantedtospeakwithme，and，aftershehadboltedthedoor，shesatdowngracefullyonmyknees，askingmewhetheritwastruethatIdespisedhersomuch。
Insuchapositionamanhasnotthecouragetoinsultawoman，and，insteadofanswering，Isettoworkatonce，withoutmeetingevenwiththatshowofresistancewhichsharpenstheappetite。Inspiteofthat，dupeasIalwayswasofafeelingtrulyabsurdwhenanintelligentmanhastodealwithsuchcreatures，Igavehertwentysequins，andIconfessthatitwaspayingdearlyforverysmartingregrets。WebothlaughedatthestupidityofPaterno，whodidnotseemtoknowhowsuchchallengesgenerallyend。
IsawtheunluckysonofSicilythenextmorning，andItoldhimthat，havingfoundtheactressverydull，Iwouldnotseeheragain。
Suchwastrulymyintention，butaveryimportantreason，whichnaturetookcaretoexplaintomethreedaysafterwards，compelledmetokeepmywordthroughamuchmoreseriousmotivethanasimpledislikeforthewoman。
However，althoughIwasdeeplygrievedtofindmyselfinsuchadisgracefulposition，IdidnotthinkIhadanyrighttocomplain。
Onthecontrary，Iconsideredthatmymisfortunetobeajustandwell—deservedpunishmentforhavingabandonedmyselftoaLais，afterIhadenjoyedthefelicityofpossessingawomanlikeHenriette。