"Icannotinviteyoutomyhouse，"saidshe，"forcertainsufficientreasons；butifyouwillstayheresometimeweshallbeabletoseeeachother。ButIentreatyounottoshewmeanymarkedattentioninpublic，fortherearethosewhowillspyuponouractions，anditisnotpleasanttobetalkedabout。
　　Iwasquitesatisfiedwiththis，andtoldherthatIwoulddoallinmypowertopleaseher，andthatthemostpryingeyesshouldhavenothingtofixon。IfeltthatthepleasureIlookedforwardtowouldberenderedallthesweeterbyatinctureofmystery。
　　Ihadproclaimedmyselfasanoviceinthemimicart，andhadentreatedmylamefriendtobekindenoughtoinstructme。I
　　thereforewenttoherinthemorning，butshecouldonlyflatterherselfthatherswasareflectedlight，asIhadopportunitiesforpayingmycourttomycharmerinherhouse，andhowevergreathervanitymayhavebeen，shemusthavehadsomesuspicionsofthetruth。
　　Thiswomanwasawidow，agedbetweenthirtyandfortyyears，ofajaundicedcomplexion，andapiercingandmaliciousaspect。Inhereffortstohidetheinequalityofherlegs，shewalkedwithastiffandawkwardair；and，wishingtobethoughtawit，sheincreasedhernaturaldullnessbyaceaselessflowofsmalltalk。Ipersistedinbehavingtowardsherwithagreatairofrespect，andonedayshesaidthat，havingseenmeinthedisguiseofawaiter，shewouldnothavethoughtIwasamanofatimidnature。
　　"Inwhatrespectdoyouthinkmetimid？"saidI；towhichshegavemenoanswer，butIknewperfectlywellwhatshemeant。Iwastiredofmypart，andIhaddeterminedtoplayitnomorewhenwehadactedL’Ecossaise。
　　AllthebestpeopleatSoleurewerepresentatourfirstperformance。
　　Thelameladywasdelightedwiththehorrorinspiredbyheracting；
　　butshemightcreditagreatdealofittoherappearance。M。deChavignidrewforththetearsoftheaudience，hisactingwassaidtobebetterthanthegreatVoltaire’s。Asforme，IrememberhownearIwastofaintingwhen，inthethirdsceneofthefifthact，Lindanesaidtome，"What！You！Youdaretoloveme？"
　　Shepronouncedthesewordswithsuchfieryscornthatallthespectatorsapplaudedvehemently。Iwasalmostputoutofcountenance，forIthoughtIdetectedinhervoiceaninsulttomyhonour。However，Icollectedmyselfintheminute’srespitewhichtheloudapplausegaveme，andIreplied，———
　　"Yes；Iadoreyou！HowshouldInot？"
　　SopatheticallyandtenderlydidIpronouncethesewordsthatthehallrangagainwiththeapplause，andtheencoresfromfourhundredthroatsmademerepeatthewordswhich，indeed，camefrommyheart。
　　Inspiteofthepleasurewehadgiventotheaudience，wejudgedourselvesnotperfectinourparts，andM。deChavigniadvisedustoputoffoursecondperformanceforacoupleofdays。
　　"Wewillhavearehearsalto—morrowatmycountryhouse，"saidhe，"andIbegthefavourofallyourcompaniestodinnerthere。"
　　However，weallmadeeachothercomplimentsonouracting。MylamefriendtoldmeIhadplayedwell，butnotsowellasinthepartofwaiter，whichreallysuitedmeadmirably。Thissarcasmgotthelaughonherside，butIreturneditbytellingherthatmyperformancewasaworkofart，whileherplayingofLadyAltonwaspurenature。
　　M。deChavignitoldMadamethatthespectatorswerewrongtoapplaudwhensheexpressedherwonderatmylovingher，sinceshehadspokenthewordsdisdainfully；anditwasimpossiblethatLindanecouldhavedespisedMurray。Theambassadorcalledformethenextdayinhiscarriage，andwhenwereachedhiscountry—housewefoundalltheactorsassembledthere。HisexcellencyaddressedhimselfinthefirstplacetoM。————，tellinghimhethoughthisbusinesswasasgoodasdone，andthattheywouldtalkaboutitafterdinner。Wesatdowntotable，andafterwardsrehearsedthepiecewithoutanyneedoftheprompter’sassistance。
　　TowardseveningtheambassadortoldthecompanythathewouldexpectthemtosupperthateveningatSoleure，andeveryoneleftwiththeexceptionoftheambassador，myself，andM。————andMadame————。JustasweweregoingIhadanagreeablesurprise。
　　"Willyoucomewithme，"saidtheAmbassadortoM。————，"wecantalkthematteroveratourease？M。Casanovawillhavethehonourofkeepingyourwifecompanyinyourcarriage。"
　　Igavethefairladymyhandrespectfully，andshetookitwithanairofindifference，butasIwashelpingherinshepressedmyhandwithallhermight。Thereadercanimaginehowthatpressuremademybloodcirculatelikefireinmyveins。
　　Thuswewereseatedsidebyside，ourkneespressedtenderlyagainsteachother。Halfanhourseemedlikeaminute，butitmustnotbethoughtthatwewastedthetime。Ourlipsweregluedtogether，andwerenotsetaparttillwecamewithintenpacesoftheambassador’shouse，whichIcouldhavewishedattenleaguesdistance。Shewasthefirsttogetdown，andIwasalarmedtoseetheviolentblushwhichoverspreadherwholeface。Suchrednesslookedunnatural；itmightbetrayus；ourspringofhappinesswouldsoonbedry。ThewatchfuleyeoftheenviousAltonwouldbefixeduponus，andnotinvain；hertriumphwouldoutweighherhumiliation。Iwasatmywits’
　　end。
　　Loveandluck，whichhavesofavouredmethroughoutthecourseofmylife，cametomyaid。Ihadaboutmeasmallboxcontaininghellebore。Iopeneditasifbyinstinct，andinvitedhertotakeasmallpinch。Shedidso，andIfollowedherexample；butthedosewastoostrong，andasweweregoingupthestairswebegantosneeze，andforthenextquarterofanhourwecontinuedsneezing。
　　Peoplewereobligedtoattributeherhighcolourtothesneezing，oratleastnoonecouldgivevoicetoanyothersuppositions。Whenthesneezingfitwasover，thiswoman，whowasascleverasshewaspretty，saidherheadachewasgone，butshewouldtakecareanothertimenottotakesostrongadose。Ilookedoutofthecornerofmyeyeatthemaliciouswidow，whosaidnothingbutseemeddeepinthought。
　　ThispieceofgoodluckdecidedmeonstayingatSoleuretillmylovewascrownedwithsuccess，andIdeterminedtotakeacountryhouse。
　　Ishallnothavemuchopinionofmyreadersiftheyfindthemselvesinmyposition——rich，young，independent，fulloffire，andhavingonlypleasuretoseekfor——anddonotfollowmyexample。AperfectbeautywasbeforemewithwhomIwasmadlyinlove，andwho，Iwassure，sharedthatlove。Ihadplentyofmoney，andIwasmyownmaster。Ithoughtthisamuchbetterplanthanturningmonk，andI
　　wasabovecaring"whatpeoplewouldsay。"Assoonastheambassadorhadreturned，whichhealwaysdidatanearlyhouronaccountofhisadvancedage，Ileftthecompanyandwenttoseehiminhisprivateroom。IntruthIfeltImustgivehimthatconfidencewhichhehadsowelldeserved。
　　Assoonashesawmehesaid，——
　　"Well，well，didyouprofitbytheinterviewIgotyou？"
　　Iembracedhim，andsaid，——
　　"Imayhopeforeverything。"
　　WhenIwastellinghimaboutthehelleborehewaslavishinhiscomplimentsonmypresenceofmind，for，ashesaid，suchanunusualcolourwouldhavemadepeoplethinktherehadbeensomekindofacombat——asuppositionwhichwouldnothavetendedtowardsmysuccess。
　　AfterIhadtoldhimall，Iimpartedmyplan。
　　"Ishalldonothinginahurry，"saidI，"asIhavetotakecarethatthelady’shonourdoesnotsuffer，andItrusttotimetoseetheaccomplishmentofmywishes。Ishallwantaprettycountryhouse，agoodcarriage，twolackeys，agoodcook，andahousekeeper。AllthatIleavetoyourexcellency，asIlookuponyouasmyrefugeandguardianangel。"
　　"To—morrow，withoutfail，IwillseewhatIcando，andIhavegoodhopesofdoingyouaconsiderableserviceandofrenderingyouwellcontentwiththeattractionsofSoleure。"
　　Nextdayourrehearsalwentoffadmirably，andthedayaftertheambassadorspoketomeasfollows:
　　"SofarasIcansee，whatyouareaimingatinthisintrigueisthesatisfyingofyourdesireswithoutdoinganyharmtothelady’sreputation。IthinkIknowthenatureofyourloveforherwellenoughtosaythatifshetoldyouthatyourleavingSoleurewasnecessarytoherpeaceofmindyouwouldleaveheratonce。YouseethatIhavesoundedyouwellenoughtobeacompetentadviserinthisdelicateandimportantaffair，towhichthemostfamouseventsintheannalsofdiplomacyarenottobecompared。"
　　"Yourexcellencydoesnotdosufficientjusticetoacareerwhichhasgainedyousuchdistinction。"
　　"That’sbecauseIamanoldman，mydearfellow，andhaveshakenofftherustanddustofprejudices，andamabletoseethingsastheyreallyare，andappreciatethemattheirtruevalue。Butletusreturntoyourlove—affair。Ifyouwishtokeepitinthedark，youmustavoidwiththegreatestcareanyactionwhichmayawakensuspicioninthemindsofpeoplewhodonotbelievethatanythingisindifferent。ThemostmaliciousandcensoriouswillnotbeabletogetanythingbutthemerestchanceoutoftheinterviewIprocuredyoutoday，andtheaccidentofthesneezingbout，defythemostill—
　　naturedtodrawanydeductions；foraneagerloverdoesnotbeginhissuitbysendingthebelovedoneintoconvulsions。Nobodycanguessthatyourhelleborewasusedtoconcealtheblushthatyourcaressesoccasioned，sinceitdoesnotoftenhappenthatanamorouscombatleavessuchtraces；andhowcanyoubeexpectedtohaveforeseenthelady’sblushes，andtohaveprovidedyourselfwithaspecificagainstthem？Inshort，theeventsofto—daywillnotdiscloseyoursecret。
　　M。————who，althoughhewishestopassforamandevoidofjealousy，isalittlejealous；M。————himselfcannothaveseenanythingoutofthecommoninmyaskinghimtoreturnwithme，asIhadbusinessofimportancewithhim，andhehascertainlynoreasonsforsupposingthatIshouldbelikelytohelpyoutointriguewithhiswife。
　　Furthermore，thelawsofpolitenesswouldhaveforbiddenme，underanycircumstances，offeringtheladytheplaceIofferedhim，andasheprideshimselfonhispolitenesshecanraisenopossibleobjectiontothearrangementwhichwasmade。TobesureIamoldandyouareyoung——adistinctionnotunimportantinahusband’seyes。
　　"Afterthisexordium，"addedthegood—naturedambassador，withalaugh，"anexordiumwhichIhavedeliveredintheofficialstyleofasecretaryofstate，letusseewhereweare。Twothingsarenecessaryforyoutoobtainyourwished—forbliss。Thefirstthing，whichconcernsyoumoreparticularly，istomakeM。————yourfriend，andtoconcealfromhimthatyouhaveconceivedapassionforhiswife，andhereIwillaidyoutothebestofmyability。Thesecondpointconcernsthelady’shonour；allyourrelationswithhermustappearopenandabove—board。Consideryourselfundermyprotection；
　　youmustnoteventakeacountryhousebeforewehavefoundoutsomeplanforthrowingdustintotheeyesoftheobservant。However，youneednotbeanxious；Ihavehituponaplan。
　　"Youmustpretendtobetakenill，butyourillnessmustbeofsuchakindthatyourdoctorwillbeobligedtotakeyourwordforthesymptoms。Luckily，Iknowadoctorwhosesoleideaistoordercountryairforallcomplaints。Thisphysician，whoisaboutascleverashisbrethren，andkillsorcuresaswellasanyofthem，willcomeandfeelmypulseoneofthesedays。Youmusttakehisadvice，andforacoupleoflouishewillwriteyouaprescriptionwithcountryairasthechiefitem。Hewilltheninformeverybodythatyourcaseisserious，butthathewillanswerforyourcure。"
　　"Whatishisname？"
　　"DoctorHerrenschwand。"
　　"Whatishedoinghere？IknewhimatParis；hewasMadameduRumain’sdoctor。"
　　"Thatishisbrother。Nowfindoutsomepolitecomplaint，whichwilldoyoucreditwiththepublic。Itwillbeeasyenoughtofindahouse，andIwillgetyouanexcellentcooktomakeyourgruelandbeef—tea。"
　　Thechoiceofacomplaintcostmesomethought；Ihadtogiveitagooddealofattention。ThesameeveningImanagedtocommunicatemyplantoMadamewhoapprovedofit。Ibeggedhertothinkofsomewayofwritingtome，andshesaidshewould。
　　"Myhusband，"saidshe，"hasaveryhighopinionofyou。Hehastakennooffenceatourcominginthesamecarriage。Buttellme，wasitanaccidentordesignthatmadeM。deChavignitakemyhusbandandleaveustogether？"
　　"Itwastheresultofdesign，dearest。"Sheraisedherbeautifuleyesandbitherlips。"Areyousorryitwasso？"
　　"Alas！no。"
　　Inthreeorfourdays，onthedayonwhichweweregoingtoactL’Ecossaise，thedoctorcametodinewiththeambassadorandstayedtilltheeveningtoseetheplay。Atdesserthecomplimentedmeonmygoodhealth，onwhichItooktheopportunity，andtoldhimthatappearancesweredeceitful，andthatIshouldbegladtoconsulthimthenextday。Nodoubthewasdelightedtobedeceivedinhisestimateofmyhealth，andhesaidheshouldbegladifhecouldbeofanyservice。Hecalledonmeatthehouragreedupon，andItoldhimsuchsymptomsasmyfancydictated；amongstotherthings，thatI
　　wassubjecttocertainnocturnalirritationswhichmademeextremelyweak，especiallyinthereins。
　　"Quiteso，quiteso；it’satroublesomething，butwewillseewhatcanbedone。Myfirstremedy，whichyoumaypossiblynotcaremuchfor，isforyoutopasssixweeksinthecountry，whereyouwillnotseethoseobjectswhichimpressyourbrain，actingontheseventhpairofnerves，andcausingthatlumbardischargewhichnodoubtleavesyouinaverydepressedstate。"
　　"Yes，itcertainlydoes。"
　　"Quiteso，quiteso。Mynextremedyiscoldbathing。"
　　"Arethebathsfarfromhere？"
　　"Theyarewhereveryoulike。Iwillwriteyouaprescription，andthedruggistwillmakeitup。"
　　Ithankedhim，andafterhehadpouchedthedouble—louisIslippedpolitelyintohishand，hewentawayassuringmethatIshouldsoonexperienceanimprovementinmyhealth。BytheeveningthewholetownknewthatIwasillandhadtogointothecountry。M。deChavignisaidpleasantlyatdinnertothedoctor，thatheshouldhaveforbiddenmeallfemininevisitors；andmylamefriend，refiningontheidea，addedthatIshouldaboveallbedebarredaccesstocertainportraits，ofwhichIhadabox—full。Ilaughedapprovingly，andbeggedM。deChavigni，inthepresenceofthecompany，tohelpmetofindaprettyhouseandagoodcook，asIdidnotintendtotakemymealsalone。
　　Iwastiredofplayingawearisomepart，andhadleftoffgoingtoseemylamefriend，butshesoonreproachedmeformyinconstancy，tellingmethatIhadmadeatoolofher。"Iknowall，"saidthismaliciouswoman，"andIwillbeavenged。"
　　"Youcannotbeavengedfornothing，"saidI，"forIhaveneverdoneyouaninjury。However，ifyouintendtohavemeassassinated，I
　　shallapplyforpoliceprotection。"
　　"Wedon’tassassinatehere，"saidshe，savagely。"WearenotItalians。"
　　Iwasdelightedtoberelievedfromtheburdenofhersociety，andhenceforthMadamewasthesoleobjectofmythoughts。M。deChavigni，whoseemedtodelightinservingme，madeherhusbandbelievethatIwastheonlypersonwhocouldgettheDucdeChoiseultopardonacousinofhiswhowasintheguards，andhadhadthemisfortunetokillhismaninaduel。"This，"saidthekindlyoldgentleman，"isthebestwaypossibleofgainingthefriendshipofyourrival。Doyouthinkyoucanmanageit？"
　　"Iamnotpositiveofsuccess。"
　　"PerhapsIhavegonealittletoofar；butItoldhimthatbymeansofyouracquaintancewiththeDuchessedeGrammontyoucoulddoanythingwiththeminister。"
　　"Imustmakeyouatrueprophet；IwilldoallIcan。"
　　TheconsequencewasthatM。————informedmeofthefactsintheambassador’spresence，andbroughtmeallthepapersrelativetothecase。
　　IspentthenightinwritingtotheDuchessedeGrammont。Imademyletteraspatheticaspossible，withaviewtotouchingherheart，andthenherfather’s；andIthenwrotetotheworthyMadamed’Urfetellingherthatthewell—beingofthesublimeorderoftheRosyCrosswasconcernedinthepardonofaSwissofficer，whohadbeenobligedtoleavethekingdomonaccountofaduelinwhichtheorderwashighlyconcerned。
　　Inthemorning，afterrestingforanhour，Iwenttotheambassador，andshewedhimtheletterIhadwrittentotheduchess。Hethoughtitexcellentlyexpressed，andadvisedmetoskewittoM。————I
　　foundhimwithhisnight—capon；hewasextremelygratefulfortheinterestItookinamatterwhichwassoneartohisheart。Hetoldmethathiswifehadnotyetrisen，andaskedmetowaitandtakebreakfastwithher。Ishouldhavemuchlikedtoaccepttheinvitation，butIbeggedhimtomakemyexcusestohisladyformyabsence，onthepretencethatIhadtofinishmyletters，andhandthemtothecourierwhowasjustleaving。Ihopedinthiswaytoscatteranyjealousythatmightbehoveringinhisbrain，bytheslightimportanceIattachedtoameetingwithhiswife。
　　IwenttodinewithM。deChavigni，whothoughtmyconducthadbeenverypolitic，andsaidthathewascertainthathenceforthM。————
　　wouldbemybestfriend。HethenskewedmealetterfromVoltairethankinghimforplayingMontroseinhisEcossaise；andanotherfromtheMarquisdeChauvelin，whowasthenatDeliceswiththephilosopherofFerney。HepromisedtocomeandseehimafterhehadbeentoTurin，wherehehadbeenappointedambassador。
　　CHAPTERXV
　　MyCountryHouse——MadameDubois——MaliciousTrickPlayedonMebyMyLameEnemy——MyVexationTherewasareceptionandasupperattheCourt，astheystyledthehotelofM。deChavigni，orratheroftheambassadoroftheKingofFranceinSwitzerland。AsIcameinIsawmycharmersittingapartreadingaletter。Iaccostedher，apologizingfornothavingstayedtobreakfast，butshesaidIhaddonequiteright，addingthatifI
　　hadnotchosenacountryhouseshehopedIwouldtakeoneherhusbandwouldprobablymentiontomethatevening。Shecouldnotsayanymore，asshewascalledawaytoagameatquadrille。FormypartI
　　didnotplay，butwanderedfromonetabletoanother。
　　Atsuppereverybodytalkedtomeaboutmyhealth，andmyapproachingstayinthecountry。ThisgaveM。————anopportunitytomentionadelightfulhouseneartheAar；"but，"headded，"itisnottobeletforlessthansixmonths。"
　　"IfIlikeit，"Ireplied，"andamfreetoleaveitwhenIplease，I
　　willwillinglypaythesixmonths’rentinadvance。"
　　"Thereisafinehallinit。"
　　"Allthebetter；IwillgiveaballasevidenceofmygratitudetothepeopleofSoleureforthekindwelcomeIhavereceivedfromthem。"
　　"Wouldyouliketocomeandseeitto—morrow？"
　　"Withpleasure。"
　　"Verygood，thenIwillcallforyouateighto’clock，ifthathourwillsuityou。"
　　"Ishallexpectyou。"
　　WhenIgotbacktomylodgingIorderedatravellingcarriageandfour，andthenextmorning，beforeeighto’clock，IcalledforM。
　　whowasready，andseemedflatteredatmyanticipatinghim。
　　"Imademywifepromisetocomewithus；butsheisasluggard，whoprefersherbedtothefreshair。"
　　Inlessthananhourwereachedourjourney’send，andIfoundthehouseabeautifuloneandlargeenoughtolodgethewholecourtofaprinceoftheHolyRomanEmpire。Besidesthehall，whichIthoughtmagnificent，Inotedwithgreatpleasureaclosetarrangedasaboudoir，andcoveredwiththemostexquisitepictures。Afinegarden，fountains，baths，severalwell—furnishedrooms，agoodkitchen——inaword，everythingpleasedme，andIbeggedM。————toarrangeformetotakeupmyabodethereintwodays’time。
　　WhenwegotbacktoSoleure，MadametoldmehowpleasedshewasthatIlikedthehouse；andseizingtheopportunity，IsaidthatIhopedtheywouldoftendomethehonourofdiningwithme。Theypromisedtheywoulddoso。Idrewfrommypocketapacketcontainingahundredlouis，whichIgaveM。————topaytherent。Ithenembracedhim，andafterimprintingarespectfulkissonthehandofhisfairmateIwenttoM。deChavigni，whoapprovedofmyhavingtakenthehouseasitpleasedmylady，andaskedmeifitwastruethatIwasgoingtogiveaball。
　　"Yes，ifIseeanyprospectofitsbeingabrilliantone，andifI
　　haveyourapprobation。"
　　"Youneedhavenodoubtsonthatpoint，mydearfellow，andwhateveryoucan’tfindintheshopscometomefor。Come，Iseeyouaregoingtospendalittlemoney。Itisagoodplan，andovercomesmanydifficulties。Inthemeanwhileyoushallhavetwofootmen，anexcellentcook，ahousekeeper，andwhateverotherservantsyourequire。Theheadofmyhouseholdwillpaythem，andyoucansettlewithhimafterwards，heisatrustworthyman。Iwillcomenowandthenandtakeaspoonfulofsoupwithyou，andyoushallrewardmeforwhatservicesImayhavedoneyoubytellingmehowthingsaregettingon。Ihaveagreatesteemforyourcharmingfriend，herdiscretionisbeyondheryears，andthepledgesofloveyouwillobtainofherwilldoubtlessincreaseyourpassionandyouresteem。
　　IssheawarethatIknowall？"
　　"Sheknowsthatwearefirmfriends，andsheisgladofit，assheissurethatyouwillbediscreet。"
　　"Shemaycountonmydiscretion。Sheisreallyadeliciouswoman；I
　　shouldhavebeentemptedtoseducehermyselfthirtyyearsago。"
　　Adruggist，whomthedoctorhadrecommendedtome，setoutthesamedaytogetreadythebathswhichweretocuremeofmyimaginarycomplaint，andintwodaysIwentmyself，afterhavinggivenLeDucorderstobringmybaggageon。
　　Iwasextremelysurprised，onenteringtheapartmentIwastooccupy，toseeaprettyyoungwomanwhocameuptomeinamodestwaytokissmyhand。Istoppedherdoingso，andmyastonishedairmadeherblush。
　　"Doyoubelongtothehousehold？"Isaid。
　　"Theambassador’sstewardhasengagedmeasyourhousekeeper。"
　　"Pardonmysurprise。Takemetomyroom。"
　　Sheobeyed，andsittingdownonthecouchIbeggedhertositbesideme。
　　"Thatisanhonour，"saidshe，inthemostpoliteandmodestway，"Icannotallowmyself。Iamonlyyourservant。"
　　"Verygood，butwhenIamaloneIhopeyouwillconsenttotakeyourmealswithme，asIdon’tlikeeatingbymyself。"
　　"Iwilldoso，sir。"
　　"Whereisyourroom？"
　　"Thisistheonethestewardassignedtome，butyouhaveonlytospeakifyouwishmetosleepinanother。"
　　"Notatall；itwilldoverywell。"
　　Herroomwasjustbehindtherecessinwhichmybedstood。Iwentinwithherandwasastonishedtoseeagreatdisplayofdresses，andinanadjoiningclosetallthearrayofthetoilette，lineninabundance，andagoodstockofshoesandembroideredslippers。DumbwithsurpriseIlookedather，andwasthoroughlysatisfiedwithwhatIsaw。NeverthelessIdeterminedtosubjecthertoacloseexamination，asIthoughthermannerstoointerestingandherlinentooextensiveforhertobeamereservant。AllatonceIwasstruckwiththeideathatitmightbeatrickoftheambassador’s，forafinewoman，welleducated，andagedtwenty—fouroratthemosttwenty—fiveyears，seemedtomemorefittedtobemymistressthanmyhousekeeper。Ithereforeaskedherifsheknewtheambassador，andwhatwagesshewastoreceive。SherepliedthatsheonlyknewM。deChavignibysight，andthatthestewardhadpromisedhertwolouisamonthandhermealsinherownroom。
　　"Wheredoyoucomefrom？What’syourname？"
　　"IcomefromLyons；Iamawidow，andmynameisDubois。"
　　"Iamdelightedtohaveyouinmyservice。Ishallseeyouagain。"
　　Shethenleftme，andIcouldnothelpthinkingheraveryinterestingwoman，asherspeechwasasdignifiedasherappearance。
　　Iwentdowntothekitchenandfoundthecook，anhonest—lookingfellow，whotoldmehisnamewasRosier。IhadknownhisbrotherintheserviceoftheFrenchambassadoratVenice。Hetoldmethatsupperwouldbereadyatnineo’clock。
　　"Inevereatbymyself，"saidI。
　　"SoIhear，sir；andIwillservesupperaccordingly。"
　　"Whatareyourwages？"
　　"Fourlouisamonth。"
　　Ithenwenttoseetherestofmypeople。Ifoundtwosharp—lookingfootmen，andthefirstofthemtoldmehewouldseeIhadwhatwineI
　　wanted。ThenIinspectedmybath，whichseemedconvenient。Anapothecarywaspreparingcertainmattersformyimaginarycure。
　　Finally，Itookawalkroundmygarden，andbeforegoinginIwentintothegate—keeper’s，whereIfoundanumerousfamily，andsomegirlswhowerenottobedespised。IwasdelightedtoheareverybodyspeakFrench，andItalkedwiththemsometime。
　　WhenIgotbacktomyroom，IfoundLeDucoccupiedinunpackingmymails；andtellinghimtogivemylinentoMadameDubois，Iwentintoaprettycabinetadjoining，wheretherewasadeskandallmaterialsnecessaryforwriting。Thisclosethadonlyonewindowfacingnorth，butitcommandedaviewcapableofinspiringthefinestthoughts。I
　　wasamusingmyselfwiththecontemplationofthissublimeprospect，whenIheardaknockatmydoor。Itwasmyprettyhousekeeper，whoworeamodestandpleasantexpression，anddidnotintheleastresembleapersonwhobearsacomplaint。
　　"WhatcanIdoforyou，madam？"
　　"Ihopeyouwillbegoodenoughtoorderyourmantobepolitetome？"
　　"Certainly；howhashefailedinpoliteness？"
　　"Hemightpossiblytellyouinnorespect。Hewantedtokissme，andasIrefusedhethoughthimselfjustifiedinbeingratherinsolent。"
　　"How？"
　　"Bylaughingatme。Youwillpardonme，sir，butIdonotlikepeoplewhomakegame。"
　　"Youareright；theyaresuretobeeithersillyormalicious。Makeyourselfeasy；LeDucshallunderstandthatyouaretobetreatedwithrespect。Youwillpleasesupwithme。"
　　LeDuccameinsoonafter，andItoldhimtobehaverespectfullytowardsMadameDubois。
　　"She’saslycat，"saidtherascal；"shewouldn’tletmekissher。"
　　"Iamafraidyouareabadfellow。"
　　"Issheyourservantoryourmistress？"
　　"Shemightbemywife。"
　　"Oh！well，that’sdifferent。Thatwilldo；MadameDuboisshallhaveallrespect，andIwilltrymylucksomewhereelse。"
　　Ihadadelicioussupper。Iwascontentedwithmycook，mybutler，myhousekeeper，andevenwithmySpaniard，whowaitedcapitallyattable。
　　AftersupperIsentoutLeDucandtheotherservant，andassoonasIwasalonewithmytoolovelyhousekeeper，whohadbehavedattablelikeawomanoftheworld，Ibeggedhertotellmeherhistory。
　　"Myhistory，sir，isshortenough，andnotveryinteresting。Iwas——
　　bornatLyons，andmyrelationstookmetoLausanne，asIhavebeentold，forIwastooyoungatthetimetorememberanythingaboutit。
　　Myfather，whowasintheserviceofMadamed’Ermance，leftmeanorphanwhenIwasfourteen。Madamed’Ermancewasfondofme，andknowingthatmymother’smeansweresmallshetookmetolivewithher。IhadattainedmyseventeenthyearwhenIenteredtheserviceofLadyMontaguaslady’smaid，andsometimeafterIwasmarriedtoDubois，anoldservantofthehouse。WewenttoEngland，andthreeyearsaftermymarriageIlostmyhusband。TheclimateofEnglandaffectedmylungs，andIwasobligedtobegmyladytoallowmetoleaveherservice。TheworthyladysawhowweakIwas，andpaidtheexpensesofmyjourneyandloadedmewithrichpresents。IreturnedtomymotheratLausanne，wheremyhealthsoonreturned，andIwentintotheserviceofanEnglishladywhowasveryfondofme，andwouldhavetakenmewithhertoItalyifshehadnotconceivedsomesuspicionsabouttheyoungDukeofRosebury，withwhomshewasinlove，andwhomshethoughtinlovewithme。Shesuspectedme，butwrongfully，ofbeingherrivalinsecret。Shesentmeaway，aftergivingmerichpresents，andsayinghowsorryshewasshecouldnotkeepme。Iwentbacktomymother，andfortwoyearsIhavelivedwiththetoilofmyhands。FourdaysagoM。Lebel，theambassador’ssteward，askedmeifIwouldentertheserviceofanItaliangentlemanashousekeeper。Iagreed，inthehopeofseeingItaly，andthishopeisthecauseofmystupidity。Inshort:hereIam。"
　　"Whatstupidityareyoureferringto？"
　　"ThestupidityofhavingenteredyourservicebeforeIknewyou。"
　　"Ilikeyourfreedom。Youwouldnothavecome，then，ifyouhadnotknownme？"
　　"Certainlynot，fornoladywillevertakemeafterhavingbeenwithyou。"
　　"Whynot？mayIask。"
　　"Well，sir；doyouthinkyouarethekindofmantohaveahouse—
　　keeperlikemyselfwithoutthepublicbelievingmysituationtobeofquiteadifferentnature？"
　　"No，youaretoopretty，andIdon’tlooklikeafossil，certainly；
　　butafterall，whatmatterdoesitmake？"
　　"Itisallverywellforyoutomakelightofit，andifIwereinyourplaceIwoulddothesame；buthowamI，whoamawomanandnotinanindependentposition，tosetmyselfabovetherulesandregulationsofsociety？"
　　"Youmean，MadameDubois，thatyouwouldverymuchliketogobacktoLausanne？"
　　"Notexactly，asthatwouldnotbejusttoyou。"
　　"Howso？"
　　"Peoplewouldbesuretosaythateitheryourwordsoryourdeedsweretoofree，andyoumightpossiblypassaratheruncharitablejudgmentonme。"
　　"WhatjudgmentcouldIpassonyou？"
　　"YoumightthinkIwantedtoimposeonyou。"
　　"Thatmightbe，asIshouldbeverymuchhurtbysosuddenanduncalled—foradeparture。AllthesameIamsorryforyou，aswithyourideasyoucanneithergonorstaywithanysatisfaction。
　　Nevertheless，youmustdooneortheother。"
　　"Ihavemadeupmymind。Ishallstay，andIamalmostcertainI
　　shallnotregretit。"
　　"Iamgladtohearthat，butthereisonepointtowhichIwishtocallyourattention。"
　　"Whatisthat？"
　　"Iwilltellyou。Letushavenomelancholyandnoscruples。"
　　"Youshallnotseememelancholy，Ipromiseyou；butkindlyexplainwhatyoumeanbytheword’scruples。’"
　　"Certainly。Initsordinaryacceptation，theword’scruple’
　　signifiesamaliciousandsuperstitiouswhim，whichpronouncesanactionwhichmaybeinnocenttobeguilty。"
　　"Whenacourseofactionseemsdoubtfultome，Ineverlookupontheworstsideofit。Besides，itismydutytolookaftermyselfandnototherpeople。"
　　"Iseeyouhavereadagooddeal。"
　　"Readingismygreatestluxury。WithoutbooksIshouldfindlifeunbearable。"
　　"Haveyouanybooks？"
　　"Agoodmany。DoyouunderstandEnglish？"
　　"Notaword。"
　　"Iamsorryforthat，astheEnglishbookswouldamuseyou。"
　　"Idonotcareforromances。"
　　"NordoI。Butyoudon’tthinkthatthereareonlyromancesinEnglish，doyou？Ilikethat。Whydoyoutakemeforsuchaloveroftheromantic，pray？"
　　"Ilikethat，too。Thatprettyoutburstisquitetomytaste，andI
　　amdelightedtobethefirsttomakeyoulaugh。"
　　"PardonmeifIlaugh，but……"
　　"Butmenobuts，mydear；laughawayjustasyoulike，youwillfindthatthebestwaytogetoverme。Ireallythink，though，thatyouputyourservicesattoocheaparate。"
　　"Thatmakesmelaughagain，asitisforyoutoincreasemywagesifyoulike。"
　　"Ishalltakecarethatitisdone。"
　　Irosefromtable，nottaken，butsurprised，withthisyoungwoman，whoseemedtobegettingonmyblindside。Shereasonedwell，andinthisfirstinterviewshehadmadeadeepimpressiononme。Shewasyoung，pretty，elegant，intellectual，andofdistinguishedmanners；I
　　couldnotguesswhatwouldbetheendofourconnection。IlongedtospeaktoM。Lebel，tothankhimforgettingmesuchamarvel，andstillmore，toaskhimsomequestionsabouther。
　　Afterthesupperhadbeentakenaway，shecametoaskifIwouldhavemyhairputincurlpapers。
　　"It’sLeDuc’sbusiness，"Ianswered，"butifyoulike，itshallbeyoursforthefuture。"
　　Sheacquittedherselflikeanexpert。
　　"Isee，"saidI，"thatyouaregoingtoservemeasyouservedLadyMontagu。"
　　"Notaltogether；butasyoudonotlikemelancholy，allowmetoaskafavour。"
　　"Doso，mydear。"
　　"Pleasedonotaskmetogiveyouyourbath。"
　　"Uponmyhonour，Ididnotthinkofdoingso。Itwouldbescandalous。That’sLeDuc’sbusiness。"
　　"Pardonme，andallowmetoaskanotherfavour。"
　　"Tellmeeverythingyouwant。"
　　"Allowmetohaveoneofthedoor—keeper’sdaughterstosleepwithme。"
　　"Ifithadcomeintomyhead，Iwouldhaveproposedittoyou。Issheinyourroomnow？"
　　"No。"
　　"Goandcallher，then。"
　　"Letusleavethattillto—morrow，asifIwentatthistimeofnightitmightmakepeopletalk。"
　　"Iseeyouhaveastoreofdiscretion，andyoumaybesureIwillnotdepriveyouofanyofit。"
　　Shehelpedmetoundress，andmusthavefoundmeverymodest，butI
　　mustsayitwasnotfromvirtue。Myheartwasengagedelsewhere，andMadameDuboishadimpressedme；Iwaspossiblydupedbyher，butI
　　didnottroublemyselftothinkwhetherIwasornot。IrangforLeDucinthemorning，andoncominginhesaidhehadnotexpectedthehonour。
　　"You’rearascal，"Isaid，"gettwocupsofchocolatereadydirectlyafterIhavehadmybath。"
　　AfterIhadtakenmyfirstcoldbath，whichIgreatlyenjoyed，Iwenttobedagain。MadameDuboiscameinsmiling，dressedinastyleofcarelesselegance。
　　"Youlookingoodspirits。"
　　"Iam，becauseIamhappywithyou。Ihavehadagoodnight，andthereisnowinmyroomagirlaslovelyasanangel，whoistosleepwithme。"
　　"Callherin。"
　　Shecalledher，andamonsterofuglinessentered，whomademeturnmyheadaway。
　　"Youhaven’tgivenyourselfarivalcertainly，mydear，butifshesuitsyouitisallright。Youshallhaveyourbreakfastwithme，andIhopeyouwilltakechocolatewithmeeverymorning。"
　　"Ishallbedelighted，asIamveryfondofit。"
　　Ihadapleasantafternoon。M。deChavignispentseveralhourswithme。Hewaspleasedwitheverything，andaboveallwithmyfairhousekeeper，ofwhomLebelhadsaidnothingtohim。
　　"ShewillbeanexcellentcureforyourloveforMadame，"saidhe。
　　"Thereyouarewrong，"Ianswered，"shemightmakemefallinlovewithherwithoutanydiminutionofmyaffectionformycharmer。"
　　Nextday，justasIwassittingdowntotablewithmyhousekeeper，I
　　sawacarriagecomingintothecourtyard，andmydetestablelamewidowgettingoutofit。Iwasterriblyputout，buttherulesofpolitenesscompelledmetogoandreceiveher。
　　"Iwasfarfromanticipatingthatyouwoulddomesogreatanhonour，madam。"
　　"Idaresay；Ihavecometodinewithyou，andtoaskyoutodomeafavour。"
　　"Comein，then，dinnerisjustbeingserved。IbegtointroduceMadameDuboistoyou。"
　　Iturnedtowardsmycharminghousekeeper，andtoldherthattheladywoulddinewithus。
　　MadameDubois，inthecharacterofmistressofthehouse，didthehonoursadmirably，andmylamefriend，inspiteofherpride，wasverypolitetoher。Ididnotspeakadozenwordsduringthemeal，andpaidnosortofattentiontothedetestablecreature；butIwasanxioustoknowwhatshecouldwantmetodoforher。AssoonasMadameDuboishadlefttheroomshetoldmestraightoutthatshehadcometoaskmetoletherhaveacoupleofroomsinmyhouseforthreeweeksoramonthatthemost。
　　Iwasastonishedatsuchapieceofimpudence，andtoldhersheaskedmorethanIwasatlibertytogive。
　　"Youcan’trefuseme，aseverybodyknowsIhavecomeonpurposetoaskyou。"
　　"TheneverybodymustknowthatIhaverefusedyou。Iwanttobealone——absolutelyalone，withoutanykindofrestrictiononmyliberty。Theleastsuspicionofcompanywouldboreme。"
　　"Ishallnotboreyouinanyway，andyouwillbeatperfectlibertytoignoremypresence。Ishallnotbeoffendedifyoudon’tenquireafterme，andIshallnotaskafteryou——evenifyouareill。I
　　shallhavemymealsservedtomebymyownservant，andIshalltakecarenottowalkinthegardenunlessIamperfectlycertainyouarenotthere。Youmustallowthatifyouhaveanyclaimstopolitenessyoucannotrefuseme。"
　　"Ifyouwereacquaintedwiththemostordinaryrulesofpoliteness，madam，youwouldnotpersistinarequesttowhichIhaveformallydeclinedtoaccede。"
　　Shedidnotanswer，butmywordshadevidentlyproducednoeffect。
　　Iwaschokingwithrage。Istrodeupanddowntheroom，andfeltinclinedtosendherawaybyforceasamadwoman。However，I
　　reflectedthatshehadrelationsinagoodpositionwhomImightoffendifItreatedherroughly，andthatImightmakeanenemycapableofexactingaterriblerevenge；and，finally，thatMadamemightdisapproveofmyusingviolencetothishideousharpy……
　　"Well，madam，"saidI，"youshallhavetheapartmentyouhavesolicitedwithsomuchimportunity，andanhourafteryoucomeinI
　　shallbeonmywaybacktoSoleure。"
　　"Iaccepttheapartment，andIshalloccupyitthedayafterto—
　　morrow。AsforyourthreatofreturningtoSoleure，itisanidleone，asyouwouldtherebymakeyourselfthelaughing—stockofthewholetown。"
　　Withthisfinalimpertinencesheroseandwentaway，withouttakinganyfurthernoticeofme。Ilethergowithoutmovingfrommyseat。
　　Iwasstupefied。Irepentedofhavinggivenin；suchimpudencewasunparalleled。Icalledmyselfafool，andvowedIdeservedtobepubliclyhooted。Ioughttohavetakenthewholethingasajest；tohavecontrivedtogetheroutofthehouseonsomepretext，andthentohavesentheraboutherbusinessasamadwoman，callingallmyservantsaswitnesses。
　　MydearDuboiscamein，andItoldmytale。Shewasthunderstruck。
　　"Icanhardlycreditherrequesting，oryourgranting，suchathing，"
　　saidshe，"unlessyouhavesomemotivesofyourown。"
　　Isawtheforceofherargument，andnotwishingtomakeaconfidanteofherIheldmytongue，andwentouttoworkoffmybile。
　　Icameintired，aftertakingastiffwalk。ItooksupperwithMadameDubois，andwesatattabletillmidnight。Herconversationpleasedmemoreandmore；hermindwaswell—furnished，herspeechelegant，andshetoldherstoriesandcrackedherjokeswithcharminggrace。Shewasdevoidofprejudices，butbynomeansdevoidofprinciple。Herdiscretionwasrathertheresultofsystemthanofvirtue；butifshehadnotavirtuousspirit，hersystemwouldnothaveshieldedherfromthestormsofpassionortheseductionsofvice。
　　MyencounterwiththeimpudentwidowhadsoaffectedmethatIcouldnotresistgoingatanearlyhouronthefollowingdaytocommunicateittoM。deChavigni。IwarnedMadameDuboisthatifIwerenotbackbydinner—timeshewasnottowaitforme。
　　M。deChavignihadbeentoldbymyenemythatshewasgoingtopaymeavisit，butheroaredwithlaughteronhearingthestepsshehadtakentogainherends。
　　"Yourexcellencymayfinditveryfunny，"saidI，"butIdon’t。"
　　"SoIsee；buttakemyadvice，andbethefirsttolaughattheadventure。Behaveasifyouwereunawareofherpresence，andthatwillbeasufficientpunishmentforher。Peoplewillsoonsaysheissmittenwithyou，andthatyoudisdainherlove。GoandtellthestorytoM。————，andstaywithoutceremonytodinner。IhavespokentoLebelaboutyourprettyhousekeeper:theworthymanhadnomaliciousintentinsendinghertoyou。HehappenedtobegoingtoLausanne，andjustbefore，Ihadtoldhimtofindyouagoodhousekeeper；thinkingitoveronhisway，herememberedhisfriendMadameDubois，andthematterwasthusarrangedwithoutmaliceorpretense。Sheisaregularfind，aperfectjewelforyou，andifyougettakenwithherIdon’tthinkshewillallowyoutolanguishforlong。"
　　"Idon’tknow，sheseemstobeawomanofprinciple。"
　　"Ishouldn’thavethoughtyouwouldbetakeninbythatsortofthing。Iwillaskyoubothtogivemeadinnerto—morrow，andshallbegladtohearherchatter。"
　　M————welcomedmemostkindly，andcongratulatedmeonmyconquest，whichwouldmakemycountryhouseaparadise。Ijoinedinthejest，ofcourse，withthemoreeasethathischarmingwife，thoughIcouldseethatshesuspectedthetruth，addedhercongratulationstothoseofherhusband；butIsoonchangedthecourseoftheirfriendlymirthbytellingthemthecircumstancesofthecase。Theywereindignantenoughthen，andthehusbandsaidthatifshehadreallyquarteredherselfonmeinthatfashion，allIhadtodowastogetaninjunctionfromthecourtsforbiddinghertoputherfootwithinmydoors。
　　"Idon’twanttodothat，"saidI，"asbesidespubliclydisgracingherIshouldbeskewingmyownweakness，andproclaimingthatIwasnotthemasterinmyownhouse，andthatIcouldnotpreventherestablishingherselfwithme。"
　　"Ithinkso，too，"saidthewife，"andIamgladyougavewaytoher。
　　Thatshewshowpoliteyouare，andIshallgoandcallonhertocongratulateheronthewelcomeshegot，asshetoldmethatherplanshadsucceeded。"
　　Herethematterended，andIacceptedtheirinvitationtodinewiththem。Ibehavedasafriend，butwiththatsubtlepolitenesswhichtakesawayallgroundforsuspicion；accordingly，thehusbandfeltnoalarm。MycharmerfoundtheopportunitytotellmethatIhaddonewiselyinyieldingtotheill—timeddemandofthatharpy，andthatassoonasM。deChauvelin，whomtheywereexpecting，hadgoneawayagain，Icouldaskherhusbandtospendafewdayswithme，andthatshewoulddoubtlesscometoo。
　　"Yourdoor—keeper’swife，"sheadded，"wasmynurse。Ihavebeenkindtoher，andwhennecessaryIcanwritetoyoubyherwithoutrunninganyrisk。"
　　AftercallingontwoItalianJesuitswhowerepassingthroughSoleure，andinvitingthemtodinewithmeonthefollowingday，I
　　returnedhomewherethegoodDuboisamusedmetillmidnightbyphilosophicaldiscussions。SheadmiredLocke；andmaintainedthatthefacultyofthoughtwasnotaproofoftheexistenceofspiritinus，asitwasinthepowerofGodtoendowmatterwiththecapacityforthought；Iwasunabletocontrovertthisposition。Shemademelaughbysayingthattherewasagreatdifferencebetweenthinkingandreasoning，andIhadthecouragetosay，——
　　"Ithinkyouwouldreasonwellifyouletyourselfbepersuadedtosleepwithme，andyouthinkyoureasonwellinrefusingtobesopersuaded。"
　　"Trustme，sir，"saidshe；"thereisasmuchdifferencebetweenthereasoningpowersofmenandwomenasthereisbetweentheirphysicalcharacteristics。"
　　Nextmorningatnineo’clockweweretakingourchocolate，whenmyenemyarrived。Iheardhercarriage，butIdidnottaketheslightestnotice。Thevillainouswomansentawaythecarriageandinstalledherselfinherroomwithhermaid。
　　IhadsentLeDuctoSoleureformyletters，soIwasobligedtobegmyhousekeepertodomyhair；andshediditadmirably，asItoldherweshouldhavetheambassadorandthetwoJesuitstodinner。I
　　thankedher，andkissedherforthefirsttimeonthecheek，asshewouldnotallowmetotouchherbeautifullips。Ifeltthatwewerefastfallinginlovewithoneanother，butwecontinuedtokeepourselvesundercontrol，ataskwhichwasmucheasierforherthanforme，asshewashelpedbythatspiritofcoquetrynaturaltothefairsex，whichoftenhasgreaterpoweroverthemthanloveitself。
　　M。deChavignicameattwo；IhadconsultedhimbeforeaskingtheJesuits，andhadsentmycarriageforthem。Whilewewerewaitingforthesegentlemenwetookaturninthegarden，andM。deChavignibeggedmyfairhousekeepertojoinusassoonasshehaddischargedcertainpettydutiesinwhichshewasthenengaged。
　　M。deChavigniwasoneofthosemenwhoweresentbyFrancetosuchpowersasshewishedtocajoleandtowinovertoherinterests。
　　M。del’Hopital，whoknewhowtogaintheheartofElizabethPetrovna，wasanother；theDucdeNivernois，whodidwhathelikedwiththeCourtofSt。James’sin1762，isathirdinstance。
　　MadameDuboiscameouttousinduecourse，andentertainedusveryagreeably；andM。deChavignitoldmethatheconsideredshehadallthequalitieswhichwouldmakeamanhappy。AtdinnersheenchantedhimandcaptivatedthetwoJesuitsbyherdelicateandsubtlewit。
　　Intheeveningthisdelightfuloldnoblemantoldmehehadspentamostpleasantday，andafteraskingmetodineathishousewhileM。
　　deChauvelinwasthere，heleftmewithaneffusiveembrace。
　　M。deChauvelin，whomIhadthehonourtoknowatVersailles，atM。
　　deChoiseul’s，wasanextremelypleasantman。HearrivedatSoleureinthecourseoftwodays，andM。deChavignihavingadvisedmeofhispresenceIhastenedtopaymycourttohim。Herememberedme，andintroducedmetohiswife，whomIhadnotthehonourofknowing。
　　Aschanceplacedmenexttomycharmerattable，myspiritsrose，andmynumerousjestsandstoriesputeverybodyinagoodtemper。OnM。
　　deChauvelinremarkingthatheknewsomepleasanthistoriesofwhichIwasthehero，M。deChavignitoldhimthathedidnotknowthebestofall，andrecountedtohimmyadventureatZurich。M。deChauvelinthentoldMadamethattoserveherhewouldwillinglytransformhimselfintoafootman，onwhichM。————joinedinandsaidthatI
　　hadafinertasteforbeauty，asshe，forwhosesakeIhadmademyselfintoawaiter，wasatthatmomentaguestofmineinmycountryhouse。
　　"Ah，indeed！"saidM。deChauvelin，"thenwemustcomeandseeyourquarters，M。Casanova。"
　　Iwasgoingtoreply，whenM。deChavignianticipatedmebysaying，"Yes，indeed！andIhopehewilllendmehisbeautifulhalltogiveyouaballnextSunday。"
　　Inthismannerthegood—naturedcourtierpreventedmefrompromisingtogiveaballmyself，andrelievedmeofmyfoolishboast，whichI
　　shouldhavebeenwrongincarryingout，asitwouldhavebeenanencroachmentonhisprivilegeasambassadorofentertainingthesedistinguishedstrangersduringthefiveorsixdaystheymightstayatSoleure。Besides，ifIhadkepttomyword，itwouldhaveinvolvedmeinaconsiderableexpense，whichwouldnothavehelpedmeinmysuit。
　　TheconversationturningonVoltaire，theEcossaisewasmentioned，andtheactingofmyneighbourwashighlycommendedinwordsthatmadeherblushandshineinherbeautylikeastar，whereatherpraiseswererenewed。
　　Afterdinnertheambassadorinvitedustohisballonthedayafterthemorrow，andIwenthomemoredeeplyinlovethaneverwithmydearcharmer，whomHeavenhaddesignedtoinflictonmethegreatestgriefIhavehadinmylife，asthereadershallsee。
　　Ifoundthatmyhousekeeperhadgonetobed，andIwasgladofit，forthepresenceofmyfaironehadexcitedmypassionstosuchanextentthatmyreasonmighthavefailedtokeepmewithintheboundsofrespect。Nextmorningshefoundmesad，andralliedmeinsuchawaythatIsoonrecoveredmyspirits。Whileweweretakingourchocolatethelamecreature’smaidbroughtmeanote，andIsentheraway，tellingherthatIwouldsendtheanswerbymyownservant。
　　Thiscuriousletterranasfollows:
　　"TheambassadorhasaskedmetohisballonSunday。IansweredthatIwasnotwell，butifIfoundmyselfbetterintheeveningIwouldcome。IthinkthatasIamstayinginyourhouseIoughttobeintroducedbyyouorstayawayaltogether。Soifyoudonotwishtoobligemebytakingme，ImustbegofyoutotelltheambassadorthatIamill。PardonmeifIhavetakenthelibertyofinfringingouragreementinthispeculiarinstance，butitisaquestionofkeepingupsomesortofappearanceinpublic。"
　　"Notso，"Icried，madwithrage；andtakingmypenIwrotethus:
　　"Ithinkyourideaisabeautifulone，madam。Youwillhavetobeill，asImeantokeeptotheconditionsyoumadeyourself，andtoenjoyfulllibertyinallthings，andIshallthereforedenymyselfthehonouroftakingyoutotheballwhichtheambassadoristogiveinmyhall。"
　　Ireadherinsolentletterandmyreplytomyhousekeeper，whothoughttheanswerjustwhatshedeserved。Ithensentittoher。
　　Ipassedthenexttwodaysquietlyandagreeablywithoutgoingoutorseeinganyvisitors，butthesocietyofMadameDuboiswasall—
　　sufficientforme。EarlyonSundaymorningtheambassador’speoplecametomakethenecessarypreparationsfortheballandsupper。
　　LebelcametopaymehisrespectswhileIwasattable。Imadehimsitdown，whileIthankedhimforprocuringmeahousekeeperwhowasallperfection。
　　Lebelwasafineman，middle—aged，witty，andanexcellentsteward，thoughperfectlyhonest。
　　"Whichofyoutwo，"saidhetome，"isthemosttakenin？"
　　"Weareequallypleasedwitheachother，"answeredmycharminghousekeeper。
　　TomygreatdelightthefirstpairtoappearwereM。————andMadame。
　　ShewasextremelypolitetoMadameDubois，anddidnotshewtheslightestastonishmentwhenIintroducedherasmyhousekeeper。ShetoldmethatImusttakehertoseeherlamefriend，andtomygreatdisgustIhadtogo。Wewerereceivedwithashowofgreatfriendship，andshewentoutwithusintothegarden，takingM。————’sarm，whilehiswifeleantamorouslyonmine。
　　Whenwehadmadeafewturnsofthegarden，Madamebeggedmetotakehertohernurse。Asherhusbandwascloseby，Isaid，——
　　"Whoisyournurse？"
　　"Yourdoor—keeper’swife，"saidherhusband，"wewillwaitforyouinthislady’sapartment。"
　　"Tellme，sweetheart，"saidsheontheway，"doesnotyourprettyhousekeepersleepwithyou？"
　　"Iswearshedoesnot；Icanonlyloveyou。"
　　"Iwouldliketobelieveyou，butIfindithardtodoso；however，ifyouarespeakingthetruthitiswrongofyoutokeepherinthehouse，asnobodywillbelieveinyourinnocence。"
　　"Itisenoughformethatyoubelieveinit。Iadmireher，andatanyothertimeIexpectwecouldnotsleepunderthesameroofwithoutsleepinginthesamebed；butnowthatyourulemyheartIamnotcapableofapassionforher。"
　　"Iamdelightedtohearit；butIthinksheisverypretty。"
　　Wewentintoseehernurse，whocalledher"mychild，"andkissedheragainandagain，andthenleftusalonetopreparesomelemonadeforus。Assoonaswefoundourselvesaloneourmouthsweregluedtogether，andmyhandstouchedathousandbeauties，coveredonlybyadressoflightsarcenet；butIcouldnotenjoyhercharmswithoutthiscruelrobe，whichwasalltheworsebecauseitdidnotconcealthelovelinessbeneathit。Iamsurethatthegoodnursewouldhavekeptuswaitingalongtimeifshehadknownhowwelongedtobeleftaloneforafewmomentslonger；but，alas！theceleritywithwhichshemadethosetwoglassesoflemonadewasunexampled。
　　"Itwasmadebeforehand，wasit？"saidI，whenIsawhercomingin。
　　"Notatall，sir；butIamaquickhand。"
　　"Youare，indeed。"
　　Thesewordsmademycharmergooffintoapealoflaughter，whichsheaccompaniedwithasignificantglanceinmydirection。Asweweregoingawayshesaidthatasthingsseemedtobeagainstuswemustwaittillherhusbandcametospendafewdayswithme。
　　Myterribleenemygaveussomesweets，whichshepraisedveryhighly，andaboveallsomequincemarmalade，whichsheinsistedonourtesting。Webeggedtobeexcused，andMadamepressedmyfootwithhers。WhenwehadgotawayshetoldmeIhadbeenverywisenottotouchanything，asthewidowwassuspectedofhavingpoisonedherhusband。
　　Theball，thesupper，therefreshments，andtheguestswereallofthemostexquisiteandagreeablekind。IonlydancedoneminuetwithMadamedeChauvelin，nearlyallmyeveningbeingtakenupwithtalkingtoherhusband。Imadehimapresentofmytranslationofhispoemonthesevendeadlysins，whichhereceivedwithmuchpleasure。
　　"Iintend，"saidI，"topayyouavisitatTurin。"
　　"Areyougoingtobringyourhousekeeperwithyou？"
　　"No。"
　　"Youarewrong，forsheisadelightfulperson。"
　　EverybodyspokeofmydearDuboisinthesameway。Shehadaperfectknowledgeoftherulesofgoodbreeding，andsheknewhowtomakeherselfrespectedwithoutbeingguiltyoftheslightestpresumption。
　　Invainshewasurgedtodance，andsheafterwardstoldmethatifshehadyieldedshewouldhavebecomeanobjectofhatredtoalltheladies。Sheknewthatshecoulddanceexquisitely。
　　M。deChauvelinwentawayintwodays，andtowardstheendoftheweekIheardfromMadamed’Urfe，whotoldmethatshehadspenttwodaysatVersaillesinfurtheranceofmydesires。ShesentmeacopyofthelettersofpardonsignedbythekinginfavouroftherelationofM。————，assuringmethattheoriginalhadbeensenttothecolonelofhisregiment，wherehewouldbereinstatedintherankwhichheheldbeforetheduel。
　　Ihadmyhorsesputintomycarriage，andhastenedtocarrythisgoodnewstoM。deChavigni。Iwaswildwithjoy，andIdidnotconcealitfromtheambassador，whocongratulatedme，sinceM。————havingobtainedbyme，withouttheexpenditureofapenny，afavourwhichwouldhavecosthimdearifhehadsucceededinpurchasingit，wouldhenceforthbeonlytoohappytotreatmewiththeutmostconfidence。
　　Tomakethematterstillmoreimportant，IbeggedmynoblefriendtoannouncethepardontoM。————inperson，andheimmediatelywroteanotetothatgentlemanrequestinghispresence。
　　Assoonashemadehisappearance，theambassadorhandedhimthecopyofthepardon，tellinghimthatheoweditalltome。Theworthymanwasinanecstasy，andaskedwhatheowedme。
　　"Nothing，sir，unlessyouwillgivemeyourfriendship，whichIvaluemorethanallthegoldintheworld；andifyouwouldgivemeaproofofyourfriendship，comeandspendafewdayswithme；Iampositivelydyingofloneliness。ThematterIhavedoneforyouisameretrifle；youseehowquicklyithasbeenarranged。"
　　"Ameretrifle！Ihavedevotedayear’slabourtoit；Ihavemovedheavenandearthwithoutsucceeding，andinafortnightyouhaveaccomplishedit。Sir，youmaydisposeofmylife。"
　　"Embraceme，andcomeandseeme。IamthehappiestofmenwhenIamenabledtoservepersonsofyourmerit。"
　　"Iwillgoandtellthegoodnewstomywife，whowillloveyouaswellasIdo。"
　　"Yes，doso，"saidtheambassador，"andbringhertodinnerhereto—
　　morrow。"
　　Whenwewerealonetogether，theMarquisdeChavigni，anoldcourtierandawit，begantomakesomeveryphilosophicalreflectionsonthe，stateofacourtwherenothingcanbesaidtobeeasyordifficultperse，astheoneatamoment’snoticemaybecometheother；acourtwherejusticeoftenpleadsinvain，whileinterestorevenimportunitygetareadyhearing。HehadknownMadamed’Urfe，hadevenpaidhiscourttoherattheperiodwhenshewassecretlybelovedbytheregent。HeitwaswhohadgivenherthenameofEgeria，becauseshesaidshehadageniuswhodirectedherandpassedthenightswithherwhenshesleptbyherself。TheambassadorthenspokeofM。————，whohadundoubtedlybecomeaverygreatfriendofmine。