ThenextdaytheChevalierOsorioreceivedmewiththeutmostpoliteness，whichIthoughtagoodomen。TheChevalierRaibertihadspokentohiminmybehalf，andhehadlaidthematterbeforethekingandalsobeforetheCountd’Aglie，andtheresultwasthatIcouldstayaslongasIliked。TheCountd’Agliewasnoneotherthanthehorriblesuperintendent。IwastoldthatImustwaitonhim，andhewouldgivemeleavetoremainatTurintillmyaffairsweresettled。
\"Myonlybusinesshere，\"saidI，\"istospendmymoneytillIhaveinstructionsfromtheCourtofPortugaltoattendtheCongressofAugsburgonbehalfofhismostfaithfulmajesty。\"
\"ThenyouthinkthatthisCongresswilltakeplace？\"
\"Nobodydoubtsit。\"
\"Somebodybelievesitwillallendinsmoke。However，Iamdelightedtohavebeenofservicetoyou，andIshallbecurioustohearwhatsortofreceptionyougetfromthesuperintendent。\"
Ifeltillatease。Iwenttothepoliceofficeimmediately，gladtoshewmyselfvictorious，andanxioustoseehowthesuperintendentwouldlookwhenIcamein。However，Icouldnotflattermyselfthathelookedashamedofhimself；thesepeoplehaveabrazenforehead，anddonotknowwhatitistoblush。
Assoonashesawme，hebegan，——
\"TheChevalierOsoriotellsmethatyouhavebusinessinTurinwhichwillkeepyouforsomedays。Youmaythereforestay，butyoumusttellmeasnearlyaspossiblehowlongatimeyourequire。\"
\"Icannotpossiblytellyouthat。\"
\"Why？ifyoudon’tmindtellingme。\"
\"IamawaitinginstructionsfromtheCourtofPortugaltoattendtheCongresstobeheldatAugsburg，andbeforeIcouldtellyouhowlongIshallhavetostayIshouldbecompelledtoaskhismostfaithfulmajesty。Ifthistimeisnotsufficientformetodomybusiness，Iwillintimatethefacttoyou。\"
\"Ishallbemuchobligedbyyourdoingso。\"
ThistimeImadehimabow，whichwasreturned，andonleavingtheofficeIreturnedtotheChevalierOsorio，whosaid，withasmile，thatIhadcaughtthesuperintendent，asIhadtakenanindefiniteperiod，whichleftmequiteatmyease。
ThediplomaticGama，whofirmlybelievedthattheCongresswouldmeet，wasdelightedwhenItoldhimthattheChevalierOsoriowasincredulousonthesubject。Hewascharmedtothinkhiswitkeenerthantheminister’s；itexaltedhiminhisowneyes。I
toldhimthatwhateverthechevaliermightsayIwouldgotoAugsburg，andthatIwouldsetoutinthreeorfourweeks。
MadameR。congratulatedmeoverandoveragain，forshewasenchantedthatIhadhumiliatedthesuperintendent；butallthesamewethoughtwehadbettergiveupourlittlesuppers。AsI
hadhadatasteofallhergirls，thiswasnotsuchagreatsacrificeformetomake。
IcontinuedthustillthemiddleofMay，whenIleftTurin，afterreceivinglettersfromtheAbbeGamatoLordStormont，whowastorepresentEnglandattheapproachingCongress。ItwaswiththisnoblemanthatIwastoworkinconcertattheCongress。
BeforegoingtoGermanyIwantedtoseeMadamed’Urfe，andIwrotetoher，askinghertosendmealetterofintroductiontoM。deRochebaron，whomightbeusefultome。IalsoaskedM。RaibertitogivemealetterforChamberi，whereIwantedtovisitthedivineM————M————（ofwhomIstillthoughtwithaffection）atherconventgrating。IwrotetomyfriendValenglard，askinghimtoremindMadameMorinthatshehadpromisedtoshewmealikenesstosomebodyatChamberi。
ButhereImustnotedownaneventworthyofbeingrecorded，whichwasextremelyprejudicialtome。
FiveorsixdaysbeforemydepartureDesarmoisescametomelookingverydowncast，andtoldmethathehadbeenorderedtoleaveTurinintwenty—fourhours。
\"Doyouknowwhy？\"Iaskedhim。
\"LastnightwhenIwasatthecoffee—house，CountScarnafisdaredtosaythatFrancesubsidisedtheBernenewspapers。Itoldhimhelied，atwhichheroseandlefttheplaceinarage，givingmeaglancethemeaningofwhichisnotdoubtful。Ifollowedhimtobringhimtoreasonortogivehimsatisfaction；buthewoulddonothingandIsuspecthewenttothepolicetocomplain。IshallhavetoleaveTurinearlyto—morrowmorning。\"
\"You’reaFrenchman，andasyoucanclaimtheprotectionofyourambassadoryouwillbewrongtoleavesosuddenly。\"
\"Inthefirstplacetheambassadorisaway，andinthesecondmycruelfatherdisavowsme。No，Iwouldrathergo，andwaitforyouatLyons。AllIwantisforyoutolendmeahundredcrowns，forwhichIwillgiveyouanaccount。\"
\"Itwillbeaneasyaccounttokeep，\"saidI，\"butalongtimebeforeitissettled。\"
\"Possibly；butifitisinmypowerIwillshewmygratitudeforthekindnessesyouhavedoneme。\"
Igavehimahundredcrownsandwishedhimapleasantjourney，tellinghimthatIshouldstopsometimeatLyons。
IgotaletterofcreditonanAugsburghouse，andthreedaysafterIleftTurinIwasatChamberi。Therewasonlyoneinnthereinthosedays，soIwasnotmuchpuzzledtochoosewhereI
wouldgo，butforallthatIfoundmyselfverycomfortable。
AsIenteredmyroom，Iwasstruckbyseeinganextremelyprettygirlcomingoutofanadjacentroom。
\"Whoisthatyounglady？\"saidItothechambermaidwhowasescortingme。
\"That’sthewifeofayounggentlemanwhohastokeephisbedtogetcuredofasword—thrustwhichhereceivedfourdaysagoonhiswayfromFrance。\"
Icouldnotlookatherwithoutfeelingthestingofconcupiscence。AsIwasleavingmyroomIsawthedoorhalfopen，andIstoppedshortandofferedmyservicesasaneighbour。Shethankedmepolitely，andaskedmein。Isawahandsomeyoungmansittingupinbed，soIwentuptoenquirehowhefelt。
\"Thedoctorwillnotlethimtalk，\"saidtheyounglady，\"onaccountofasword—thrustinthechesthereceivedathalfaleaguefromhere。Wehopehewillbeallrightinafewdays，andthenwecancontinueourjourney。\"
\"Whereareyougoing，madam？\"
\"ToGeneva。\"
JustasIwasleaving，amaidcametoaskmeifIwouldtakesupperinmyownroomorwiththelady。Ilaughedatherstupidity，andsaidIwouldsupinmyownapartment，addingthatI
hadnotthehonourofthelady’sacquaintance。
AtthistheyoungladysaiditwouldgivehergreatpleasureifI
wouldsupwithher，andthehusbandrepeatedthisassuranceinawhisper。Iacceptedtheinvitationgratefully，andIthoughtthattheywerereallypleased。Theladyescortedmeoutasfarasthestairs，andItookthelibertyofkissingherhand，whichinFranceisadeclarationoftenderthoughrespectfulaffection。
Atthepost—officeIfoundaletterfromValenglard，tellingmethatMadameMorinwouldwaitonmeatChamberiifIwouldsendheracarriage，andanotherfromDesarmoisesdatedfromLyons。HetoldmethatashewasonhiswayfromChamberihehadencounteredhisdaughterincompanywitharascalwhohadcarriedheroff。Hehadburiedhisswordinhisbody，andwouldhavekilledthemifhehadbeenabletostoptheircarriage。HesuspectedthattheyhadbeenstayinginChamberi，andhebeggedmetotryandpersuadehisdaughtertoreturntoLyons；andheaddedthatifshewouldnotdosoIoughttoobligehimbysendingherbackbyforce。Heassuredmethattheywerenotmarried，andhebeggedmetoanswerhisletterbyexpress，forwhichpurposehesentmehisaddress。
Iguessedatoncethatthisdaughterofhiswasmyfairneighbour，butIdidnotfeelatallinclinedtocometotheaidofthefatherinthewayhewished。
AssoonasIgotbacktotheinnIsentoffLeDucinatravellingcarriagetoMadameMorin，whomIinformedbyletterthatasIwasonlyatChamberiforhersakeIwouldawaitherconvenience。Thisdone，IabandonedmyselftothedelightIfeltattheromanticadventurewhichfortunehadputinmyway。
IrepeatedMdlle。Desarmoisesandherravisher，andIdidnotcaretoenquirewhetherIwasimpelledinwhatIdidbyvirtueorvice；
butIcouldnothelpperceivingthatmymotiveswereofamixednature；forifIwereamorous，Iwasalsoverygladtobeofassistancetotwoyounglovers，andallthemorefrommyknowledgeofthefather’scriminalpassion。
OnenteringtheirroomIfoundtheinvalidinthesurgeon’shands。
Hepronouncedthewoundnottobedangerous，inspiteofitsdepth；suppurationhadtakenplacewithoutsettingupinflammation——inshort，theyoungmanonlywantedtimeandrest。
WhenthedoctorhadgoneIcongratulatedthepatientonhiscondition，advisinghimtobecarefulwhatheate，andtokeepsilent。IthengaveMdlle。Desarmoisesherfather’sletter，andIsaidfarewellforthepresent，tellingthemthatIwouldgotomyownroomtillsupper—time。Ifeltsurethatshewouldcomeandspeaktomeafterreadingherfather’sletter。
Inaquarterofanhoursheknockedtimidlyatmydoor，andwhenI
letherinshegavemebacktheletterandaskedmewhatIthoughtofdoing。
\"Nothing。Ishallbeonlytoohappy，however，ifIcanbeofanyservicetoyou。\"
\"Ah！Ibreatheagain！\"
\"Couldyouimaginemepursuinganyotherlineofconduct？Iammuchinterestedinyou，andwilldoallinmypowertohelpyou。
Areyoumarried？\"
\"Notyet，butwearegoingtobemarriedwhenwegettoGeneva。\"
\"Sitdownandtellmeallaboutyourself。Iknowthatyourfatherisunhappilyinlovewithyou，andthatyouavoidhisattentions。\"
\"Hehastoldyouthatmuch？Iamgladofit。AyearagohecametoLyons，andassoonasIknewhewasinthetownItookrefugewithafriendofmymother’s，forIwasawarethatIcouldnotstayinthesamehousewithmyfatherforanhourwithoutexposingmyselftothemosthorribleoutrage。TheyoungmaninbedisthesonofarichGenevamerchant。Myfatherintroducedhimtometwoyearsago，andwesoonfellinlovewitheachother。MyfatherwentawaytoMarseilles，andmyloveraskedmymothertogivemeinmarriagetohim；butshedidnotfeelauthorizedtodosowithoutmyfather’sconsent。Shewroteandaskedhim，butherepliedthathewouldannouncehisdecisionwhenhereturnedtoLyons。MyloverwenttoGeneva，andashisfatherapprovedofthematchhereturnedwithallthenecessarydocumentsandastrongletterofcommendationfromM。Tolosan。WhenmyfathercametoLyonsIescaped，asItoldyou，andmylovergotM。Tolosantoaskmyhandforhimofmyfather。Hisreplywas，’Icangivenoanswertillshereturnstomyhouse！’
M。Tolosanbroughtthisreplytome，andItoldhimthatIwasreadytoobeyifmymotherwouldguaranteemysafety。Shereplied，however，thatsheknewherhusbandtoowelltodaretohaveusbothunderthesameroof。AgaindidM。Tolosanendeavourtoobtainmyfather’sconsent，buttonopurpose。AfewdaysafterheleftLyons，tellingusthathewasfirstgoingtoAixandthentoTurin，andasitwasevidentthathewouldnevergivehisconsentmyloverproposedthatIshouldgooffwithhim，promisingtomarrymeassoonaswereachedGeneva。ByillluckwetravelledthroughSavoy，andthusmetmyfather。Assoonashesawushestoppedthecarriageandcalledtometogetout。I
begantoshriek，andmylovertakingmeinhisarmstoprotectmemyfatherstabbedhiminthechest。Nodoubthewouldhavekilledhim，butseeingthatmyshriekswerebringingpeopletoourrescue，andprobablybelievingthatmyloverwasasgoodasdead，hegotonhorsebackagainandrodeoffatfullspeed。Icanchewyoutheswordstillcoveredwithblood。\"
\"Iamobligedtoanswerthisletterofhis，andIamthinkinghowIcanobtainhisconsent。\"
\"That’sofnoconsequence；wecanmarryandbehappywithoutit。\"
\"True，butyououghtnottodespiseyourdower。\"
\"Goodheavens！whatdower？Hehasnomoney！
\"Butonthedeathofhisfather，theMarquisDesarmoises……
\"That’sallalie。MyfatherhasonlyasmallyearlypensionforhavingservedthirtyyearsasaGovernmentmessenger。Hisfatherhasbeendeadthesethirtyyears，andmymotherandmysisteronlylivebytheworktheydo。\"
Iwasthunderstruckattheimpudenceofthefellow，who，afterimposingonmesolong，hadhimselfputmeinapositiontodiscoverhisdeceit。Isaidnothing。Justthenweweretoldthatsupperwasready，andwesatattableforthreehourstalkingthematterover。Thepoorwoundedmanhadonlytolistentometoknowmyfeelingsonthesubject。Hisyoungmistress，aswittyasshewaspretty，jestedonthefoolishpassionofherfather，whohadlovedhermadlyeversinceshewaseleven。
\"Andyouwerealwaysabletoresisthisattempts？\"saidI。
\"Yes，wheneverhepushedthingstoofar。\"
\"Andhowlongdidthisstateofthingscontinue？\"
\"Fortwoyears。WhenIwasthirteenhethoughtIwasripe，andtriedtogatherthefruit；butIbegantoshriek，andescapedfromhisbedstarknaked，andIwenttotakerefugewithmymother，whofromthatdayforthwouldnotletmesleepwithhimagain。\"
\"Youusedtosleepwithhim？Howcouldyourmotherallowit？\"
\"Sheneverthoughtthattherewasanythingcriminalinhisaffectionforme，andIknewnothingaboutit。Ithoughtthatwhathedidtome，andwhathemademedotohim，weremeretrifles。\"
\"Butyouhavesavedthelittletreasure？\"
\"Ihavekeptitformylover。\"
Thepoorlover，whowassufferingmorefromtheeffectsofhungerthanfromhiswounds，laughedatthisspeechofhers，andsherantohimandcoveredhisfacewithkisses。Allthisexcitedmeintensely。Herstoryhadbeentoldwithtoomuchsimplicitynottomoveme，especiallywhenIhadherbeforemyeyes，forshepossessedalltheattractionswhichawomancanhave，andIalmostforgaveherfatherforforgettingshewashisdaughterandfallinginlovewithher。
WhensheescortedmebacktomyroomImadeherfeelmyemotion，andshebegantolaugh；butasmyservantswereclosebyIwasobligedtolethergo。
EarlynextmorningIwrotetoherfatherthathisdaughterhadresolvednottoleaveherlover，whowasonlyslightlywounded，thattheywereinperfectsafetyandundertheprotectionofthelawatChamberi，andfinallythathavingheardtheirstory，andjudgingthemtobewellmatched，Icouldonlyapproveofthecoursetheyhadtaken。WhenIhadfinishedIwentintotheirroomandgavethemthelettertoread，andseeingthefairrunawayatalosshowtoexpressher’gratitude，Ibeggedtheinvalidtoletmekissher。
\"Beginwithme，\"saidhe，openinghisarms。
Myhypocriticallovemaskeditselfundertheguiseofpaternalaffection。Iembracedthelover，andthenmoreamorouslyI
performedthesameofficeforthemistress，andskewedthemmypursefullofgold，tellingthemitwasattheirservice。Whilethiswasgoingonthesurgeoncamein，andIretiredtomyroom。
Ateleveno’clockMadameMorinandherdaughterarrived，precededbyLeDuconhorseback，whoannouncedtheirapproachbynumeroussmacksofhiswhip。Iwelcomedherwithopenarms，thankingherforobligingme。
ThefirstpieceofnewsshegavemewasthatMdlle。RomanhadbecomemistresstoLouisXV。，thatshelivedinabeautifulhouseatPassi，andthatshewasfivemonthsgonewithchild。ThusshewasinafairwaytobecomequeenofFrance，asmydivineoraclehadpredicted。
\"AtGrenoble，\"sheadded，\"youarethesoletopicofconversation；
andIadviseyounottogothereunlessyouwishtosettleinthecountry，fortheywouldneverletyougo。Youwouldhaveallthenobilityatyourfeet，andaboveall，theladiesanxioustoknowthelotoftheirdaughters。Everybodybelievesinjudicialastrologynow，andValenglardtriumphs。HehasbetahundredLouistofiftythatmyniecewillbedeliveredofayoungprince，andheiscertainofwinning；thoughtobesure，ifheloses，everybodywilllaughathim。\"
\"Don’tbeafraidofhislosing。\"
\"Isitquitecertain？\"
\"Hasnotthehoroscopeprovedtruthfulintheprincipalparticular？Iftheothercircumstancesdonotfollow，Imusthavemadeagreatmistakeinmycalculations。\"
\"Iamdelightedtohearyousayso。\"
\"IamgoingtoParisandIhopeyouwillgivemealetterofintroductiontoMadameVarnier，sothatImayhavethepleasureofseeingyourniece。\"
\"Youshallhavetheletterto—morrowwithoutfail。\"
IintroducedMdlle。Desarmoisestoherunderthefamilynameofherlover，andinvitedhertodinewithMadameMorinandmyself。
Afterdinnerwewenttotheconvent，andM————M————camedownverysurprisedatthisunexpectedvisitfromheraunt；butwhenshesawmeshehadneedofallherpresenceofmind。Whenherauntintroducedmetoherbyname，sheobservedwithtruefemininetactthatduringherstayatAixshehadseenmefiveorsixtimesatthefountain，butthatIcouldnotrememberherfeaturesasshehadalwayswornherveil。Iadmiredherwitasmuchasherexquisitefeatures。Ithoughtshehadgrownprettierthanever，andnodoubtmylookstoldherasmuch。WespentanhourintalkingaboutGrenobleandheroldfriends，whomshegladlyrecalledtohermemory，andthenshewenttofetchayounggirlwhowasboardingattheconvent，whomshelikedandwantedtopresenttoheraunt。
IseizedtheopportunityoftellingMadameMorinthatIwasastonishedatthelikeness，thatherveryvoicewaslikethatofmyVenetianM————M—————，andIbeggedhertoobtainmetheprivilegeofbreakfastingwithherniecethenextday，andofpresentingherwithadozenpoundsofcapitalchocolate。IhadbroughtitwithmefromGenoa。
\"Youmustmakeherthepresentyourself，\"saidMadameMorin，\"forthoughshe’sanunshe’sawoman，andwewomenmuchpreferapresentfromaman’sthanfromawoman’shand。\"
M————M————returnedwiththesuperioroftheconvent，twoothernuns，andtheyoungboarder，whocamefromLyons，andwasexquisitelybeautiful。Iwasobligedtotalktoallthenuns，andMadameMorintoldherniecethatIwantedhertotrysomeexcellentchocolateIhadbroughtfromGenoa，butthatIhopedherlay—sisterwouldmakeit。
\"Sir，\"saidM————M————，\"kindlysendmethechocolate，andto—
morrowwewillbreakfasttogetherwiththesedearsisters。\"
AssoonasIgotbacktomyinnIsentthechocolatewitharespectfulnote，andItooksupperinMadameMorin’sroomwithherdaughterandMdlle。Desarmoises，ofwhomIwasfeelingmoreandmoreamorous，butItalkedofM————M————allthetime，andI
couldseethattheauntsuspectedthattheprettynunwasnotaltogetherastrangertome。
IbreakfastedattheconventandIrememberthatthechocolate，thebiscuits，andthesweetmeatswereservedwithanicetywhichsavouredsomewhatoftheworld。WhenwehadfinishedbreakfastI
toldM————M————thatshewouldnotfinditsoeasytogivemeadinner，withtwelvepersonssittingdowntotable，butIaddedthathalfthecompanycouldbeintheconventandhalfintheparlour，separatedfromtheconventbyalightgrating。
\"It’sasightIshouldliketosee，\"saidI，\"ifyouwillallowmetopayallexpenses。\"
\"Certainly，\"repliedM————M—————，andthisdinnerwasfixedforthenextday。
M————M————tookchargeofthewholething，andpromisedtoasksixnuns。MadameMorin，whoknewmytastes，toldhertosparenothing，andIwarnedherthatIwouldsendinthenecessarywines。
IescortedMadameMorin，herdaughter，andMdlle。Desarmoisesbacktothehotel，andIthencalledonM。Magnan，towhomIhadbeenrecommendedbytheChevalierRaiberti。Iaskedhimtogetmesomeofthebestwine，andhetookmedowntohiscellar，andtoldmetotakewhatIliked。Hiswinesprovedtobeadmirable。
ThisM。Magnanwasacleverman，ofapleasantappearance，andverycomfortablyoff。Heoccupiedanextremelylargeandconvenienthouseoutsidethetown，andtherehisagreeablewifedispensedhospitality。Shehadtenchildren，amongstwhomtherewerefourprettydaughters；theeldest，whowasnineteen，wasespeciallygood—looking。
Wewenttotheconventateleveno’clock，andafteranhour’sconversationweweretoldthatdinnerwasready。Thetablewasbeautifullylaid，coveredwithafairwhitecloth，andadornedwithvasesfilledwithartificialflowerssostronglyscentedthattheairoftheparlourwasquitebalmy。ThefatalgrillwasheavierthanIhadhoped。IfoundmyselfseatedtotheleftofM————M————，andtotallyunabletoseeher。ThefairDesarmoiseswasatmyright，andsheentertainedusallthetimewithheramusingstories。
WeintheparlourwerewaitedonbyLeDucandCosta，andthenunswereservedbytheirlay—sisters。Theabundantprovision，theexcellentwines，thepleasantthoughsometimesequivocalconversation，keptusallmerrilyemployedforthreehours。Mirthhadthemasteryoverreason，or，tospeakmoreplainly，wewerealldrunk；andifithadnotbeenforthefatalgrill，Icouldhavehadthewholeelevenladieswithoutmuchtrouble。TheyoungDesarmoiseswassogay，indeed，thatifIhadnotrestrainedhershewouldprobablyhavescandalisedallthenuns，whowouldhavelikednothingbetter。Iwaslongingtohavehertomyself，thatI
mightquenchtheflameshehadkindledinmybreast，andIhadnodoubtofmysuccessonthefirstattempt。Aftercoffeehadbeenserved，wewentintoanotherparlourandstayedtheretillnightcameon。MadameMorintookleaveofherniece，andthehand—
shakings，thanks，andpromisesofremembrancebetweenmeandthenuns，lastedforagoodquarterofanhour。AfterIhadsaidaloudtoM————M————thatIhopedtohavethepleasureofseeingherbeforeIleft，wewentbacktotheinninhighgoodhumourwithourcuriouspartywhichIstillrememberwithpleasure。
MadameMoringavemealetterforhercousinMadameVarnier，andI
promisedtowritetoherfromParis，andtellherallaboutthefairMdlle。Roman。Ipresentedthedaughterwithabeautifulpairofear—rings，andIgaveMadameMorintwelvepoundsofgoodchocolatewhichM。Magnangotme，andwhichtheladythoughthadcomefromGenoa。Shewentoffateighto’clockprecededbyLeDuc，whohadorderstogreetthedoorkeeper’sfamilyonmybehalf。
AtMagnan’sIhadadinnerworthyofLucullus，andIpromisedtostaywithhimwheneverIpassedChamberi，whichpromiseIhavefaithfullyperformed。
Onleavingthegourmand’sIwenttotheconvent，andM————M————
camedownalonetothegrating。Shethankedmeforcomingtoseeher，andaddedthatIhadcometodisturbherpeaceofmind。
\"Iamquiteready，dearest，toclimbthehardenwall，andIshalldoitmoredexterouslythanyourwretchedhumpback。\"
\"Alas！thatmaynotbe，for，trustme，youarealreadyspiedupon。EverybodyhereissurethatwekneweachotheratAix。
Letusforgetall，andthusspareourselvesthetormentsofvaindesires。\"
\"Givemeyourhand。\"
\"No。Allisover。Iloveyoustill，probablyIshallalwaysloveyou；butIlongforyoutogo，andbydoingso，youwillgivemeaproofofyourlove。\"
\"Thisisdreadful；youastonishme。Youappeartomeinperfecthealth，youareprettierthanever，youaremadefortheworshipofthesweetestofthegods，andIcan’tunderstandhow，withatemperamentlikeyours，youcanliveincontinualabstinence。\"
\"Alas！lackingtherealityweconsoleourselvesbypretending。I
willnotconcealfromyouthatIlovemyyoungboarder。Itisaninnocentpassion，andkeepsmymindcalm。Hercaressesquenchtheflamewhichwouldotherwisekillme。\"
\"Andthatisnotagainstyourconscience？\"
\"Idonotfeelanydistressonthesubject。\"
\"Butyouknowitisasin。\"
\"Yes，soIconfessit。\"
\"Andwhatdoestheconfessorsay？\"
\"Nothing。Heabsolvesme，andIamquitecontent:\"
\"Anddoestheprettyboarderconfess，too？\"
\"Certainly，butshedoesnottellthefatherofamatterwhichshethinksisnosin。\"
\"Iwondertheconfessorhasnottaughther，forthatkindofinstructionisagreatpleasure。\"
\"Ourconfessorisawiseoldman。\"
\"AmItoleaveyou，then，withoutasinglekiss？\"
\"Notone。\"
\"MayIcomeagainto—morrow？Imustgothedayafter。\"
\"Youmaycome，butIcannotseeyoubymyselfasthenunsmighttalk。Iwillbringmylittleonewithmetosaveappearances。
Comeafterdinner，butintotheotherparlour。\"
IfIhadnotknownM————M————atAix，herreligiousideaswouldhaveastonishedme；butsuchwashercharacter。ShelovedGod，anddidnotbelievethatthekindFatherwhomadeuswithpassionswouldbetooseverebecausewehadnotthestrengthtosubduethem。Ireturnedtotheinn，feelingvexedthattheprettynunwouldhavenomoretodowithme，butsureofconsolationfromthefairDesarmoises。
Ifoundhersittingonherlover’sbed；hispoordietandthefeverhadlefthiminastateofgreatweakness。Shetoldmethatshewouldsupinmyroomtoleavehiminquiet，andtheworthyyoungmanshookmyhandintokenofhisgratitude。
AsIhadagooddinneratMagnan’sIateverylittlesupper，butmycompanionwhohadonlyhadalightmealateanddranktoanamazingextent。Igazedatherinakindofwonder，andsheenjoyedmyastonishment。WhenmyservantshadlefttheroomI
challengedhertodrinkabowlofpunchwithme，andthisputherintoamoodwhichaskedfornothingbutlaughter，andwhichlaughedtofinditselfdeprivedofreasoningpower。Nevertheless，Icannotaccusemyselfoftakinganadvantageofhercondition，forinhervoluptuousexcitementsheenteredeagerlyintothepleasuretowhichIexcitedhertilltwoo’clockinthemorning。
Bythetimeweseparatedwewerebothofusexhausted。
Islepttilleleven，andwhenIwenttowishhergooddayIfoundhersmilingandasfreshasarose。Iaskedherhowshehadpassedtherestofthenight。
\"Verypleasantly，’saidshe，\"likethebeginningofthenight。\"
\"Whattimewouldyouliketohavedinner？\"
\"Iwon’tdine；Iprefertokeepmyappetiteforsupper。\"
Hereherloverjoinedin，sayinginaweakvoice，——
\"Itisimpossibletokeepupwithher。\"
\"Ineatingordrinking？\"Iasked。
\"Ineating，drinking，andinotherthings，\"hereplied，withasmile。Shelaughed，andkissedhimaffectionately。
ThisshortdialogueconvincedmethatMdlle。Desarmoisesmustadoreherlover；forbesideshisbeingahandsomeyoungman，hisdispositionwasexactlysuitabletohers。Idinedbymyself，andLeDuccameinasIwashavingdessert。Hetoldmethatthedoor—
keeper’sdaughtersandtheirprettycousinhadmadehimwaitforthemtowritetome，andhegavemethreelettersandthreedozenofgloveswhichtheyhadpresentedme。Thelettersurgedmetocomeandspendamonthwiththem，andgavemetounderstandthatI
shouldbewellpleasedwithmytreatment。Ihadnotthecouragetoreturntoatown，wherewithmyreputationIshouldhavebeenobligedtodrawhoroscopesforalltheyoungladiesortomakeenemiesbyrefusing。
AfterIhadreadthelettersfromGrenobleIwenttotheconventandannouncedmypresence，andthenenteredtheparlourwhichM————M————hadindicated。Shesooncamedownwiththeprettyboarder，whofeeblysustainedmypartinheramorousecstacies。
Shehadnotyetcompletedhertwelfthyear，butshewasextremelytallandwelldevelopedforherage。Gentleness，liveliness，candour，andwitwereunitedinherfeatures，andgaveherexpressionanexquisitecharm。Sheworeawell—madecorsetwhichdisclosedawhitethroat，towhichthefancyeasilyaddedthetwosphereswhichwouldsoonappearthere。Herentrancingface，herravenlocks，andherivorythroatindicatedwhatmightbeconcealed，andmyvagrantimaginationmadeherintoabuddingVenus。Ibeganbytellingherthatshewasverypretty，andwouldmakeherfuturehusbandahappyman。Iknewshewouldblushatthat。Itmaybecruel，butitisthusthatthelanguageofseductionalwaysbegins。Agirlofheragewhodoesnotblushatthementionofmarriageiseitheranidiotoralreadyanexpertinprofligacy。Inspiteofthis，however，theblushwhichmountstoayounggirl’scheekattheapproachofsuchideasisapuzzlingproblem。Whencedoesitarise？Itmaybefrompuresimplicity，itmaybefromshame，andoftenfromamixtureofbothfeelings。
Thencomesthefightbetweenviceandvirtue，anditisusuallyvirtuewhichhastogivein。Thedesires——theservantsofvice——
usuallyattaintheirends。AsIknewtheyoungboarderfromM————
M————’sdescription，Icouldnotbeignorantofthesourceofthoseblusheswhichaddedafreshattractiontoheryouthfulcharms。
Pretendingnottonoticeanything，ItalkedtoM————M————forafewmoments，andthenreturnedtotheassault。Shehadregainedhercalm。
\"Whatageareyou，prettyone？\"saidI。
\"Iamthirteen。\"
\"Youarewrong，\"saidM————M————，\"youhavenotyetcompletedyourtwelfthyear。\"
\"Thetimewillcome，\"saidI，\"whenyouwilldiminishthetaleofyouryearsinsteadofincreasingit。\"
\"Ishallnevertellalie，sir；Iamsureofthat。\"
\"Soyouwanttobeanun，doyou？\"
\"Ihavenotyetreceivedmyvocation；butevenifIliveintheworldIneednotbealiar。\"
\"Youarewrong；youwillbegintolieassoonasyouhavealover。\"
\"Willmylovertelllies，too？\"
\"Certainlyhewill。\"
\"Ifthematterwerereallyso，then，Ishouldhaveabadopinionoflove；butIdonotbelieveit，forIlovemysweethearthere，andIneverconcealthetruthfromher。\"
\"Yes，butlovingamanisadifferentthingtolovingawoman。\"
\"No，itisn’t；it’sjustthesame。\"
\"Notso，foryoudonotgotobedwithawomanandyoudowithyourhusband。\"
\"That’snomatter，mylovewouldbethesame。\"
\"What？YouwouldnotrathersleepwithmewithM————M————？\"
\"No，indeedIshouldnot，becauseyouareamanandwouldseeme。\"
\"Youdon’twantamantoseeyou，then？\"
\"No。\"
\"Doyouthinkyouaresougly，then？\"
AtthissheturnedtoM————M————andsaid，withevidentvexation，\"Iamnotreallyugly，amI？\"
\"No，darling，\"saidM————M————，burstingwithlaughter，\"itisquitetheotherway；youareverypretty。\"Withthesewordsshetookheronherkneeandembracedhertenderly。
\"Yourcorsetistootight；youcan’tpossiblyhavesuchasmallwaistasthat。\"
\"Youmakeamistake，youcanputyourhandthereandseeforyourself。\"
\"Ican’tbelieveit。\"
M————M————thenheldherclosetothegrillandtoldmetoseeformyself。Atthesamemomentsheturnedupherdress。
\"Youwereright，\"saidI，\"andIoweyouanapology；\"butinmyheartIcursedthegratingandthechemise。
\"Myopinionis，\"saidItoM————M————，\"thatwehaveherealittleboy。\"
Ididnotwaitforareply，butsatisfiedmyselfbymysenseoftouchastohersex，andIcouldseethatthelittleoneandhergovernesswerebothpleasedthatmymindwasatrestonthesubject。
Idrewmyhandaway，andthelittlegirllookedatM————M————，andreassuredbyhersmilingairaskedifshemightgoawayforamoment。Imusthavereducedhertoastateinwhichamoment’ssolitudewasnecessary，andImyselfwasinaveryexcitedcondition。
AssoonasshewasgoneIsaidtoM————M————，\"Doyouknowthatwhatyouhaveshewnmehasmademeunhappy？\"
\"Hasit？Why？\"
\"Becauseyourboarderischarming，andIamlongingtoenjoyher。\"
\"Iamsorryforthat，foryoucan’tpossiblygoanyfurther；andbesides，Iknowyou，andevenifyoucouldsatisfyyourpassionwithoutdangertoher，Iwouldnotgiveheruptoyou，youwouldspoilher。\"
\"How？\"
\"Doyouthinkthatafterenjoyingyoushewouldcaretoenjoyme？
Ishouldlosetooheavilybythecomparison。\"
\"Givemeyourhand。\"
\"No。\"
\"Stay，onemoment。\"
\"Idon’twanttoseeanything。\"
\"Notalittlebit？\"
\"Nothingatall。\"
\"Areyouangrywithme，then？\"
\"Notatall。IfyouhavebeenpleasedIamglad，andifyouhavefilledherwithdesiresshewilllovemeallthebetter。\"
\"Howpleasantitwouldbe，sweetheart，ifwecouldallthreeofusbetogetheraloneandatliberty！\"
\"Yes；butitisimpossible。\"
\"Areyousurethatnoinquisitiveeyeislookinguponus？\"
\"Quitesure。\"
\"Theheightofthatfatalgrillhasdeprivedmeofthesightofmanycharms。\"
\"Whydidn’tyougototheotherparlouritismuchlowerthere。\"
\"Letusgothere，then。\"
\"Notto—day；Ishouldnotbeabletogiveanyreasonforthechange。\"
\"Iwillcomeagainto—morrow，andstartforLyonsintheevening。\"
Thelittleboardercameback，andIstoodupfacingher。Ihadanumberofbeautifulsealsandtrinketshangingfrommywatch—
chain，andIhadnothadthetimetoputmyselfinastateofperfectdecencyagain。
Shenoticedit，andbywayofpretextsheaskedifshemightlookatthem。
\"Aslongasyoulike；youmaylookatthemandtouchthemaswell。\"
M————M————foresawwhatwouldhappenandlefttheroom，sayingthatshewouldsoonbeback。Ihadintendedtodeprivetheyoungboarderofallinterestinmysealsbyshewingheracuriosityofanotherkind。Shedidnotconcealherpleasureinsatisfyingherinquisitivenessonanobjectwhichwasquitenewtoher，andwhichshewasabletoexamineminutelyforthefirsttimeinherlife。
Butsoonaneffusionchangedhercuriosityintosurprise，andI
didnotinterruptherinherdelightedgaze。
IsawM————M————comingbackslowly，andIloweredmyshirtagain，andsatdown。Mywatchandchainswerestillontheledgeofthegrating，andM————M————askedheryoungfriendifthetrinketshadpleasedher。
\"Yes，\"shereplied，butinadreamyandmelancholyvoice。Shehadlearntsomuchinthecourseoflessthantwohoursthatshehadplentytothinkover。IspenttherestofthedayintellingM————
M————theadventuresIhadencounteredsinceIhadlefther；butasIhadnottimetofinishmytaleIpromisedtoreturnthenextdayatthesametime。
Thelittlegirl，whohadbeenlisteningtomeallthetime，thoughIappearedtobeonlyaddressingherfriend，saidthatshelongedtoknowtheendofmyadventurewiththeDukeofMatelone’smistress。
IsuppedwiththefairDesarmoises，andaftergivinghersundryproofsofmyaffectiontillmidnight，andtellingherthatIonlystoppedonforhersake，Iwenttobed。
ThenextdayafterdinnerIreturnedtotheconvent，andhavingsentupmynametoM————M————Ienteredtheroomwherethegratingwasmoreconvenient。
BeforelongM————M————arrivedalone，butsheanticipatedmythoughtsbytellingmethatherprettyfriendwouldsoonjoinher。
\"Youhavefiredherimagination。Shehastoldmeallaboutit，playingathousandwantontricks，andcallingmeherdearhusband。
Youhaveseducedthegirl，andIamverygladyouaregoingorelseyouwoulddrivehermad。Youwillseehowshehasdressedherself。\"
\"Areyousureofherdiscretion？\"
\"Perfectly，butIhopeyouwon’tdoanythinginmypresence。WhenIseethetimecomingIwillleavetheroom。\"
\"Youareanangel，dearest，butyoumightbesomethingbetterthanthatifyouwould——\"
\"Iwantnothingformyself；itisoutofthequestion。\"
\"Youcould——\"
\"No，Iwillhavenothingtodowithapastimewhichwouldrekindlefiresthatarehardlyyetquenched。Ihavespoken；Isuffer，butletussaynomoreaboutit。\"
Atthismomenttheyoungadeptcameinsmiling，withhereyesfulloffire。Shewasdressedinashortpelisse，openinfront，andanembroideredmuslinskirtwhichdidnotgobeyondherknees。
Shelookedlikeasylph。
Wehadscarcelysatdownwhensheremindedmeoftheplacewheremytalehadstopped。Icontinuedmyrecital，andwhenIwastellingthemhowDonnaLucreziashewedmeLeonildanaked，M————
M————wentout，andtheslylittlepussaskedmehowIassuredmyselfthatmydaughterwasamaid。
Itookboldofherthroughthefatalgrating，againstwhichsheplacedherprettybody，andshewedherhowassuredmyselfofthefact，andthegirllikeditsomuchthatshepressedmyhandtothespot。ShethengavemeherhandthatImightshareherpleasure，andwhilstthisenjoyableoccupationwasinprogressM————M————appeared。Mysweetheartsaidhastily，——
\"Nevermind，Itoldherallaboutit。Sheisagoodcreatureandwillnotbevexed。\"AccordinglyM————M————pretendednottoseeanything，andtheprecociouslittlegirlwipedherhandinakindofvoluptuousecstacy，whichshewedhowwellshewaspleased。
Iproceededwithmyhistory，butwhenIcametotheepisodeofthepoorgirlwhowas’tied’，describingallthetroubleIhadvainlytakenwithher，thelittleboardergotsocuriousthatsheplacedherselfinthemostseducingattitudesothatImightbeabletoshewherwhatIdid。SeeingthisM————M————madeherescape。
\"Kneeldownontheledge，andleavetheresttome，\"saidthelittlewanton。
Thereaderwillguesswhatshemeant，andIhavenodoubtthatshewouldhavesucceededinherpurposeifthefirewhichconsumedmehadnotdistilleditselfawayjustatthehappymoment。
Thecharmingnovicefeltherselfsprinkled，butafterascertainingthatnothingmorecouldbedoneshewithdrewinsomevexation。Myfingers，however，consoledherforthedisappointment，andIhadthepleasureofseeingherlookhappyoncemore。
Ileftthesecharmingcreaturesintheevening，promisingtovisitthemagaininayear，butasIwalkedhomeIcouldnothelpreflectinghowoftentheseasylums，supposedtobedevotedtochastityandprayer，containinthemselvesthehiddengermsofcorruption。Howmanyatimorousandtrustfulmotherispersuadedthatthechildofheraffectionwillescapethedangersoftheworldbytakingrefugeinthecloister。Butbehindtheseboltsandbarsdesiresgrowtoafrenziedextreme；theycraveinvaintobesatisfied。
WhenIreturnedtotheinnItookleaveofthewoundedman，whomI
washappytoseeoutofdanger。InvainIurgedhimtomakeuseofmypurse；hetoldme，withanaffectionateembrace，thathehadsufficientmoney，andifnot，hehadonlytowritetohisfather。
IpromisedtostopatLyons，andtoobligeDesarmoisestodesistfromanystepshemightbetakingagainstthem，tellingthemIhadapoweroverhimwhichwouldcompelhimtoobey。Ikeptmyword。
Afterwehadkissedandsaidgood—bye，Itookhisfuturebrideintomyroomthatwemightsuptogetherandenjoyourselvestillmidnight；butshecouldnothavebeenverypleasedwithmyfarewellsalute，forIwasonlyabletoprovemyloveforheronce，asM————M————’syoungfriendhadnearlyexhaustedme。
Istartedatday—break，andthenextdayIreachedthe\"HotelduParc，\"atLyons。IsentforDesarmoises，andtoldhimplainlythathisdaughter’scharmshadseducedme，thatIthoughtherloverworthyofher，andthatIexpectedhimoutoffriendshipformetoconsenttothemarriage。Iwentfurther，andtoldhimthatifhedidnotconsenttoeverythingthatveryinstantIcouldnolongerbehisfriend，andatthishegavein。Heexecutedtherequisitedocumentinthepresenceoftwowitnesses，andIsentittoChamberibyanexpressmessenger。
Thisfalsemarquismademedinewithhiminhispoorhouse。Therewasnothingabouthisyoungerdaughtertoremindmeoftheelder，andhiswifeinspiredmewithpity。BeforeIleftImanagedtowrapupsixLouisinapieceofpaper，andgaveittoherwithouttheknowledgeofherhusband。Agratefullookshewedmehowwelcomethepresentwas。
IwasobligedtogotoParis，soIgaveDesarmoisessufficientmoneyforhimtogotoStrasburg，andawaitmethereincompanywithmySpaniard。
IthoughtmyselfwiseinonlytakingCosta，buttheinspirationcamefrommyevilgenius。
ItooktheBourbonnaisway，andonthethirddayIarrivedatParis，andlodgedattheHotelduSt。Esprit，inthestreetofthesamename。
BeforegoingtobedIsentCostawithanotetoMadamed’Urfe，promisingtocomeanddinewithherthenextday。Costawasagood—lookingyoungfellow，andashespokeFrenchbadlyandwasratherafoolIfeltsurethatMadamed’Urfewouldtakehimforsomeextraordinarybeing。Shewrotetosaythatshewasimpatientlyexpectingme。
\"Howdidtheladyreceiveyou，Costa？\"
\"Shelookedintoamirror，sir，andsaidsomewordsIcouldmakenothingof；thenshewentroundtheroomthreetimesburningincense；thenshecameuptomewithamajesticairandlookedmeintheface；andatlastshesmiledverypleasantly，andtoldmetowaitforareplyintheante—chamber。\"
EndMEMOIRSOFJACQUESCASANOVAdeSEINGALT1725—1798
ADVENTURESINTHESOUTH，Volume4d——BACKAGAINTOPARIS
THERAREUNABRIDGEDLONDONEDITIONOF1894TRANSLATEDBYARTHUR
MACHENTOWHICHHASBEENADDEDTHECHAPTERSDISCOVERED
BYARTHURSYMONS。
BACKAGAINTOPARIS
CHAPTERXIII
MyStayatParisandMyDepartureforStrasburg，WhereIFindtheRenaud——MyMisfortunesatMunichandMySadVisittoAugsburgAtteno’clockinthemorning，cheeredbythepleasantfeelingofbeingoncemoreinthatPariswhichissoimperfect，butwhichistheonlytruetownintheworld，IcalledonmydearMadamed’Urfe，whoreceivedmewithopenarms。ShetoldmethattheyoungCountd’Arandawasquitewell，andifIlikedshewouldaskhimtodinnerthenextday。ItoldherIshouldbedelightedtoseehim，andthenIinformedherthattheoperationbywhichshewastobecomeamancouldnotbeperformedtillQuerilinto，oneofthethreechiefsoftheFraternityoftheRosyCross，wasliberatedfromthedungeonsoftheInquisition，atLisbon。
\"Thisisthereason，\"Iadded，\"thatIamgoingtoAugsburginthecourseofnextmonth，whereIshallconferwiththeEarlofStormontastotheliberationoftheadept，underthepretextofamissionfromthePortugueseGovernment。ForthesepurposesIshallrequireagoodletterofcredit，andsomewatchesandsnuff—boxestomakepresentswith，asweshallhavetowinovercertainoftheprofane。\"
\"Iwillgladlyseetoallthat，butyouneednothurryyourselfastheCongresswillnotmeettillSeptember。\"
\"Believeme，itwillnevermeetatall，buttheambassadorsofthebelligerentpowerswillbethereallthesame。If，contrarytomyexpectation，theCongressisheld，IshallbeobligedtogotoLisbon。Inanycase，Ipromisetoseeyouagainintheensuingwinter。ThefortnightthatIhavetospendherewillenablemetodefeataplotofSt。Germain’s。\"
\"St。Germain——hewouldneverdaretoreturntoParis。\"
\"Iamcertainthatheishereindisguise。ThestatemessengerwhoorderedhimtoleaveLondonhasconvincedhimtheEnglishministerwasnotdupedbythedemandforhispersontobegivenup，madebytheComted’AfriinthenameofthekingtotheStates—General。\"
Allthiswasmereguess—work，anditwillbeseenthatIguessedrightly。
Madamed’UrfethencongratulatedmeonthecharminggirlwhomI
hadsentfromGrenobletoParis。Valenglardhadtoldherthewholestory。
\"Thekingadoresher，\"saidshe，\"andbeforelongshewillmakehimafather。IhavebeentoseeheratPassiwiththeDuchessede1’Oraguais。\"
\"ShewillgivebirthtoasonwhowillmakeFrancehappy，andinthirtyyearstimeyouwillseewondrousthings，ofwhich，unfortunately，Icantellyounothinguntilyourtransformation。
Didyoumentionmynametoher？\"
\"No，Ididnot；butIamsureyouwillbeabletoseeher，ifonlyatMadameVarnier’s。\"
Shewasnotmistaken；butshortlyafterwardsaneventhappenedwhichmadethemadnessofthisexcellentwomanmuchworse。
Towardsfouro’clock，asweweretalkingovermytravelsandourdesigns，shetookafancytowalkintheBoisduBoulogne。Shebeggedmetoaccompanyher，andIaccededtoherrequest。Wewalkedintothedeepestrecessesofthewoodandsatdownunderatree。\"Itiseighteenyearsago，\"saidshe，\"sinceIfellasleeponthesamespotthatwenowoccupy。DuringmysleepthedivineHorosmadiscamedownfromthesunandstayedwithmetillIawoke。
AsIopenedmyeyesIsawhimleavemeandascendtoheaven。Heleftmewithchild，andIboreagirlwhichhetookawayfrommeyearsago，nodoubttopunishmefor，havingsofarforgottenmyselfastoloveamortalafterhim。MylovelyIriasiswaslikehim。\"
\"YouarequitesurethatM。d’Urfewasnotthechild’sfather？\"
\"M。d’UrfedidnotknowmeafterhesawmelyingbesidethedivineAnael。\"
\"That’sthegeniusofVenus。Didhesquint？\"
\"Toexcess。Youareaware，then，thathesquints？\"
\"Yes，andIknowthatattheamorouscrisisheceasestosquint。\"
\"Ididnotnoticethat。Hetoo，leftmeonaccountofmysinningwithanArab。\"
\"TheArabwassenttoyoubyanenemyofAnael’s，thegeniusofMercury。\"
\"Itmusthavebeenso；itwasagreatmisfortune。\"
\"Onthecontrary，itrenderedyoumorefitfortransformation。\"
WewerewalkingtowardsthecarriagewhenallatoncewesawSt。
Germain，butassoonashenoticedusheturnedbackandwelostsightofhim。
\"Didyouseehim？\"saidI。\"Heisworkingagainstus，butourgeniemakeshimtremble。\"
\"Iamquitethunderstruck。IwillgoandimpartthispieceofnewstotheDucdeChoiseulto—morrowmorning。IamcurioustohearwhathewillsaywhenItellhim。\"
AsweweregoingbacktoParisIleftMadamed’Urfe，andwalkedtothePorteSt。Denistoseemybrother。Heandhiswifereceivedmewithcriesofjoy。Ithoughtthewifeveryprettybutverywretched，forProvidencehadnotallowedmybrothertoprovehismanhood，andshewasunhappilyinlovewithhim。Isayunhappily，becauseherlovekeptherfaithfultohim，andifshehadnotbeeninloveshemighteasilyhavefoundacureforhermisfortuneasherhusbandallowedherperfectliberty。Shegrievedbitterly，forshedidnotknowthatmybrotherwasimpotent，andfanciedthatthereasonofhisabstentionwasthathedidnotreturnherlove；andthemistakewasanexcusableone，forhewaslikeaHercules，andindeedhewasone，exceptwhereitwasmosttobedesired。Hergriefthrewherintoaconsumptionofwhichshediedfiveorsixyearslater。Shedidnotmeanherdeathtobeapunishmenttoherhusband，butweshallseethatitwasso。
ThenextdayIcalledonMadameVarniertogiveherMadameMorin’sletter。Iwascordiallywelcomed，andMadameVarnierwaskindenoughtosaythatshehadratherseemethananybodyelseintheworld；herniecehadtoldhersuchstrangethingsaboutmethatshehadgotquitecurious。This，asiswellknown，isaprevailingcomplaintwithwomen。
\"Youshallseemyniece，\"shesaid，\"andshewilltellyouallaboutherself。\"
Shewroteheranote，andputMadameMorin’sletterunderthesameenvelope。
\"Ifyouwanttoknowwhatmyniece’sansweris，\"saidMadameVarnier，\"youmustdinewithme。\"
Iacceptedtheinvitation，andsheimmediatelytoldherservantthatshewasnotathometoanyone。
ThesmallmessengerwhohadtakenthenotetoPassireturnedatfouro’clockwiththefollowingepistle:
\"ThemomentinwhichIseetheChevalierdeSeingaltoncemorewillbeoneofthehappiestofmylife。Askhimtobeatyourhouseatteno’clockthedayaftertomorrow，andifhecan’tcomethenpleaseletmeknow。\"
Afterreadingthenoteandpromisingtokeeptheappointment，I
leftMadameVarnierandcalledonMadamedeRumain，whotoldmeI
mustspendawholedaywithherasshehadseveralquestionstoputtomyoracle。
NextdayMadamed’UrfetoldmethereplyshehadfromtheDucdeChoiseul，whenshetoldhimthatshehadseentheComtedeSt。
GermainintheBoisduBoulogne。
\"Ishouldnotbesurprised，\"saidtheminister，\"consideringthathespentthenightinmycloset。\"
Thedukewasamanofwitandamanoftheworld。Heonlykeptsecretswhentheywerereallyimportantones；verydifferentfromthosemake—believediplomatists，whothinktheygivethemselvesimportancebymakingamysteryoftriflesofnoconsequence。ItistruethattheDucdeChoiseulveryseldomthoughtanythingofgreatimportance；and，inpointoffact，iftherewerelessintrigueandmoretruthaboutdiplomacy（asthereoughttobe），concealmentwouldberatherridiculousthannecessary。
ThedukehadpretendedtodisgraceSt。GermaininFrancethathemightusehimasaspyinLondon；butLordHalifaxwasbynomeanstakeninbythisstratagem。However，allgovernmentshavethepolitenesstoaffordoneanothertheseservices，sothatnoneofthemcanreproachtheothers。
ThesmallConted’Arandaaftercaressingmeaffectionatelybeggedmetocomeandbreakfastwithhimathisboarding—house，tellingmethatMdlle。Viarwouldbegladtoseeme。
ThenextdayItookcarenottofailinmyappointmentwiththefairlady。IwasatMadameVarnier’saquarterofanhourbeforethearrivalofthedazzlingbrunette，andIwaitedforherwithabeatingattheheartwhichshewedmethatthesmallfavoursshehadgivenmehadnotquenchedtheflameoflove。Whenshemadeherappearancethestoutnessofherfigurecarriedrespectwithit，sothatIdidnotfeelasifIcouldcomeforwardandgreethertenderly；butshewasfarfromthinkingthatmorerespectwasduetoherthanwhenshewasatGrenoble，poorbutalsopure。Shekissedmeaffectionatelyandtoldmeasmuch。
\"TheythinkIamhappy，\"saidshe，\"andenvymylot；butcanonebehappyafterthelossofone’sself—respect？ForthelastsixmonthsIhaveonlysmiled，notlaughed；whileatGrenobleI
laughedheartilyfromtruegladness。Ihavediamonds，lace，abeautifulhouse，asuperbcarriage，alovelygarden，waiting—
maids，andamaidofhonourwhoperhapsdespisesme；andalthoughthehighestCourtladiestreatmelikeaprincess，Idonotpassasingledaywithoutexperiencingsomemortification。\"
\"Mortification？\"
\"Yes；peoplecomeandbringpleasbeforeme，andIamobligedtosendthemawayasIdarenotaskthekinganything。\"
\"Whynot？\"
\"BecauseIcannotlookonhimasmyloveronly；heisalwaysmysovereign，too。Ah！happinessistobesoughtforinsimplehomes，notinpompouspalaces。\"
\"Happinessisgainedbycomplyingwiththedutiesofwhateverconditionoflifeoneisin，andyoumustconstrainyourselftorisetothatexaltedstationinwhichdestinyhasplacedyou。\"
\"Icannotdoit；IlovethekingandIamalwaysafraidofvexinghim。Iamalwaysthinkingthathedoestoomuchforme，andthusIdarenotaskforanythingforothers。\"
\"ButIamsurethekingwouldbeonlytoogladtoshewhisloveforyoubybenefitingthepersonsinwhomyoutakeaninterest。\"
\"Iknowhewould，andthatthoughtmakesmehappy，butIcannotovercomemyfeelingofrepugnancetoaskingfavours。Ihaveahundredlouisamonthforpin—money，andIdistributeitinalmsandpresents，butwithdueeconomy，sothatIamnotpennilessattheendofthemonth。IhaveafoolishnotionthatthechiefreasonthekinglovesmeisthatIdonotimportunehim。\"
\"Anddoyoulovehim？\"
\"HowcanIhelpit？Heisgood—hearted，kindly，handsome，andpolitetoexcess；inshort，hepossessesallthequalitiestocaptivateawoman’sheart。
\"HeisalwaysaskingmeifIampleasedwithmyfurniture，myclothes，myservants，andmygarden，andifIdesireanythingaltered。Ithankhimwithakiss，andtellhimthatIampleasedwitheverything。\"
\"Doesheeverspeakofthescionyouaregoingtopresenttohim？\"
\"HeoftensaysthatIoughttobecarefulofmyselfinmysituation。Iamhopingthathewillrecognizemysonasaprinceoftheblood；heoughtinjusticetodoso，asthequeenisdead。\"
\"Tobesurehewill。\"
\"IshouldbeveryhappyifIhadason。IwishIfeltsurethatI
wouldhaveone。ButIsaynothingaboutthistoanyone。IfI
daredspeaktothekingaboutthehoroscope，Iamcertainhewouldwanttoknowyou；butIamafraidofeviltongues。\"
\"SoamI。Continueinyourdiscreetcourseandnothingwillcometodisturbyourhappiness，whichmaybecomegreater，andwhichI
ampleasedtohaveprocuredforyou。\"
Wedidnotpartwithouttears。Shewasthefirsttogo，afterkissingmeandcallingmeherbestfriend。IstayedashorttimewithMadameVarniertocomposemyfeelings，andItoldherthatI
shouldhavemarriedherinsteadofdrawingherhoroscope。
\"Shewouldnodoubthavebeenhappier。Youdidnotforesee，perhaps，hertimidityandherlackofambition。\"
\"IcanassureyouthatIdidnotreckonuponhercourageorambition。Ilaidasidemyownhappinesstothinkonlyofhers。
Butwhatisdonecannotberecalled，andIshallbeconsoledifI
seeherperfectlyhappyatlast。Ihope，indeed，shewillbeso，aboveallifsheisdeliveredofason。\"
IdinedwithMadamed’Urfe，andwedecidedtosendbackArandatohisboarding—schoolthatwemightbemorefreetopursueourcabalisticoperations；andafterwardsIwenttotheopera，wheremybrotherhadmadeanappointmentwithme。HetookmetosupatMadameVanloo’s，andshereceivedmeinthefriendliestmannerpossible。
\"YouwillhavethepleasureofmeetingMadameBlondelandherhusband，\"saidshe。
ThereaderwillrecollectthatMadameBlondelwasManonBaletti，whomIwastohavemarried。
\"DoessheknowIamcoming？\"Ienquired。