The
First
Part
.
I
Shall
alwayes
be
joyful
to
obey
your
commands
,
Madam
,
but
have
a
double
obligation
at
present
,
to
perform
your
last
,
wherein
you
desire
,
that
I
should
give
you
an
exact
information
of
all
that
concerns
the
Hermit
of
T.
Because
I
am
confident
that
the
relation
of
it
will
afford
you
some
short
divertisement
.
I
should
only
wish
,
Madam
,
that
the
manner
of
writing
might
not
lessen
the
beauty
of
the
Subject
;
but
instead
of
politeness
and
flourish
,
which
are
Talents
not
to
be
found
in
this
Countrey
;
I
dare
assure
you
,
that
this
relation
shall
want
nothing
of
exactness
and
sincerity
;
and
hope
that
the
commands
you
have
laid
upon
me
,
not
to
omit
any
particularity
,
will
incline
you
to
pardon
the
length
of
this
Letter
.
And
I
doubt
not
,
but
your
satisfaction
will
be
so
great
to
see
a
man
of
quality
,
in
so
corrupt
an
age
as
ours
,
by
retirement
and
pennance
,
imitate
the
fervor
of
the
Primitive
Anchorites
;
that
that
alone
will
move
you
to
excuse
a
great
many
escapes
in
the
writing
.
You
must
know
then
,
Madam
,
that
the
Hermit
of
T.
who
,
for
the
space
of
a
year
,
went
by
no
other
name
,
came
to
this
Desert
in
the
cold
of
Winter
,
in
the
year
one
thousand
six
hundred
and
seventy
four
,
you
are
not
ignorant
that
this
Countrey
is
exceeding
cold
,
and
especially
the
Hilly-places
,
one
of
these
he
chose
for
his
retirement
,
on
the
top
of
which
there
is
a
spacious
grot
formed
by
nature
in
a
Rock
,
which
our
Hermit
so
ordered
,
that
though
a
man
could
not
commodiously
dwell
in
it
,
yet
He
might
live
there
secure
From
the
danger
of
wild
beasts
.
So
soon
as
the
people
of
the
neighbouring
Villages
understood
that
there
lived
a
man
in
that
Desert
,
they
were
much
surprized
:
but
their
surprise
turned
to
admiration
,
when
they
observed
all
the
actions
of
the
Hermit
,
seeing
him
lead
a
life
more
like
an
Angel
than
a
mortal
man
;
his
Apparel
was
very
mean
,
and
used
no
other
food
but
bread
and
water
,
buying
all
his
bread
,
though
it
was
offered
him
gratis
:
He
made
answer
still
to
those
that
would
have
bestowed
it
on
him
,
that
it
was
not
his
intention
to
rob
the
Alms
that
belonged
to
those
who
were
really
poor
.
He
never
came
out
of
his
grot
,
but
to
go
to
the
next
Church
,
and
behaved
himself
in
that
holy
place
with
wonderful
reverence
and
devotion
,
the
rest
of
the
days
he
spent
in
reading
,
prayer
,
or
at
work
,
in
a
little
Garden
,
which
he
had
made
over
his
grot
.
The
rumour
of
this
so
extraordinary
a
thing
,
was
quickly
spread
abroad
over
all
the
Province
;
so
that
many
persons
of
quality
came
to
see
the
Hermit
.
He
on
the
other
hand
with
much
civility
told
them
that
he
preferred
his
sollitude
,
to
all
the
honours
that
they
were
willing
to
render
him
,
and
that
if
he
had
had
a
purpose
to
have
continued
still
in
the
hurry
of
the
World
,
he
would
not
have
betaken
himself
to
such
a
retirement
:
yet
it
was
easie
to
be
perceived
,
notwithstanding
of
his
natural
sweetness
of
disposition
,
that
his
mind
lay
under
some
violent
discontent
.
Amongst
so
many
,
whom
curosity
invited
to
the
Hermits
grot
,
some
there
were
who
thought
fit
to
censure
that
way
of
living
;
which
how
pure
and
blameless
so
ever
,
yet
seemed
to
them
unreasonable
upon
no
other
account
,
but
because
it
was
not
in
fashion
:
they
discoursed
to
him
on
that
matter
;
and
he
received
the
advice
with
a
self
denied
humility
,
thinking
it
enough
to
answer
those
,
who
took
the
pains
to
counsel
him
,
that
he
besought
them
to
examine
all
his
actions
,
and
to
reprove
him
when
he
did
amiss
,
that
he
was
ready
to
take
in
good
part
what
ever
correction
might
be
given
him
;
but
that
for
his
manner
of
life
,
there
was
nothing
faulty
in
it
;
and
that
he
had
not
followed
that
course
without
consulting
those
who
had
greater
knowledge
than
himself
:
that
modest
answer
;
for
some
time
stopped
the
mouths
of
those
that
spoke
to
him
on
that
subject
:
but
seeing
the
humour
of
such
as
make
it
their
business
to
examine
the
actions
of
other
men
,
give
not
over
easily
,
they
thought
fit
to
urge
the
Hermit
to
declare
his
true
name
.
He
received
that
attack
with
the
same
tranquillity
as
the
former
;
thinking
it
sufficient
to
Answer
,
that
it
had
been
alwayes
his
opinion
,
that
it
was
lawful
for
all
men
,
to
endeavour
to
procure
their
own
happiness
;
and
seeing
the
greatest
good
,
that
is
to
be
attained
,
was
salvation
,
he
thought
he
might
be
suffered
to
work
it
out
,
without
the
trouble
of
unnecessary
avocations
.
He
told
them
again
,
that
they
should
make
it
their
business
to
reprove
him
,
when
he
was
guilty
of
any
thing
blame
worthy
;
but
that
his
name
and
quality
ought
to
be
a
thing
indifferent
to
all
men
.
Matters
were
in
this
State
,
when
Mounsieur
de
M.
whose
merit
and
quality
you
know
,
came
to
Terrasson
:
you
are
not
ignorant
,
Madam
,
that
he
hath
generously
forsaken
the
World
,
that
he
may
with
more
freedome
mind
his
own
salvation
;
but
was
obliged
for
the
better
ordering
of
his
domestick
affairs
to
to
come
into
this
place
.
He
was
no
sooner
come
hither
,
but
that
he
was
informed
of
the
wonderful
life
,
which
the
Hermit
lead
;
and
though
the
report
made
him
very
desirous
to
be
known
to
him
,
yet
he
would
not
go
to
visit
him
,
until
he
had
first
sent
to
ask
his
leave
;
our
Hermit
,
whom
the
Deserts
had
not
rendered
haggard
,
made
him
such
an
answer
as
might
be
expected
from
a
most
accomplished
person
;
which
obliged
Mounsieur
de
M.
to
wait
upon
him
that
very
day
;
who
,
after
an
hours
conversation
,
confessed
that
he
had
never
met
with
a
man
of
greater
devotion
and
wit
:
on
this
occasion
the
Hermit
did
that
which
he
had
never
done
before
since
his
retirement
,
he
repayed
the
visit
which
he
had
received
;
and
all
the
discourse
which
he
had
then
with
Mounsieur
de
M.
as
well
as
the
first
time
ran
upon
the
contempt
of
the
World
,
on
the
difficulty
of
working
out
our
salvation
therein
,
and
how
the
things
which
appear
to
us
most
innocent
,
may
become
criminal
,
by
the
way
that
men
apply
themselves
to
them
:
the
Hermit
spake
of
that
with
so
much
fervency
,
that
it
was
easie
to
be
perceived
that
he
was
convinced
of
the
truth
of
what
he
said
:
and
having
exhorted
his
friend
to
confirm
himself
in
the
contempt
which
he
testified
of
the
World
;
they
mutually
before
parting
promised
a
constant
and
sincere
friendship
:
it
was
no
hard
matter
to
unite
two
hearts
,
which
were
wholly
devoted
to
the
service
of
God
,
and
had
no
other
aim
but
the
thoughts
of
Salvation
;
and
seeing
Charity
is
one
of
those
works
which
are
most
acceptable
to
God
,
Mounsieur
de
M.
caused
a
bed
and
some
other
things
to
be
carried
to
the
Hermits
grot
to
render
his
abode
there
somewhat
more
commodious
during
the
rigour
of
the
Winter
,
which
was
so
sharp
in
that
Rock
,
that
a
man
,
who
continued
constantly
there
,
was
in
danger
of
contracting
some
mortal
distemper
:
the
Hermit
made
great
difficulty
to
accept
the
present
;
and
seemed
more
addicted
to
his
own
thoughts
than
to
all
the
reasons
that
were
alleadged
:
to
bring
him
to
a
consent
,
but
after
a
profound
musing
,
well
then
!
Good
God
,
said
he
,
it
is
just
that
I
should
preserve
my
miserable
life
,
seeing
how
wretched
so
ever
it
be
;
I
am
to
be
accountable
for
it
to
—
At
these
words
he
stopt
,
excusing
himself
to
those
before
whom
he
spake
them
:
and
stood
so
close
to
his
guard
for
the
future
,
that
when
he
was
obliged
to
admit
of
visits
,
it
was
easily
perceived
,
that
he
strictly
observed
himself
in
his
discourse
.
When
Mounsieur
de
M.
had
put
an
end
to
the
affairs
that
brought
him
into
this
Countrey
,
he
went
and
took
leave
of
his
friend
,
offering
him
in
his
absence
all
the
services
which
he
might
desire
of
him
,
in
a
place
where
he
had
absolute
power
:
though
he
accepted
none
of
his
offers
,
yet
he
testified
as
much
gratitude
for
them
,
as
if
he
had
intended
to
have
used
them
:
at
that
time
I
was
at
Terrasson
,
and
prayed
Mounsieur
de
M.
to
bring
me
to
a
sight
of
that
Hermit
:
he
made
some
difficulty
to
do
it
,
because
the
onely
favour
that
he
had
begg'd
from
him
at
parting
,
was
,
that
he
would
hinder
him
as
much
as
he
could
from
being
burdened
by
needless
visits
:
yet
he
was
willing
to
condescend
to
my
intreaty
,
and
caused
me
to
be
conducted
to
the
Hermits
grot
,
who
received
me
with
his
〈…〉
al
civility
;
and
seeing
I
put
no
indiscreet
question
to
him
,
and
stayed
but
half
an
hour
,
I
gave
him
less
trouble
than
most
part
of
those
that
went
to
see
him
,
and
I
was
told
that
he
appeared
less
disturbed
at
my
visit
than
he
used
to
be
;
for
my
own
part
,
Madam
,
I
was
so
affected
with
what
I
discovered
in
that
man
,
that
I
could
not
forbear
to
give
you
some
account
of
it
,
and
since
the
Letter
,
which
I
had
the
honour
at
that
time
to
write
to
you
,
there
hath
happened
the
strangest
adventure
that
ever
was
.
On
Easter
day
in
the
year
one
thousand
six
hundred
and
seventy
six
,
came
to
Terrasson
an
equipage
consisting
of
two
Litters
,
three
men
on
horse
back
,
and
some
footmen
in
Livery
;
in
one
of
the
Litters
was
a
Lady
,
who
seemed
to
be
about
five
and
thirty
years
of
age
,
and
notwithstanding
the
paleness
and
melancholly
of
her
looks
,
gave
sufficient
evidence
,
that
she
had
been
a
most
lovely
person
;
she
had
with
her
a
young
Maid
about
twelve
or
thirteen
years
old
of
surprising
beauty
,
in
the
other
Litter
were
some
serving
Maids
,
and
all
allighted
at
an
Inn
;
so
soon
as
they
arrived
,
she
,
who
seemed
to
be
the
Mistress
of
the
Company
,
sent
to
intreat
the
Curate
of
Terrasson
to
come
to
her
.
She
discoursed
with
him
an
hour
in
private
,
and
shed
many
tears
during
the
conversation
;
and
when
the
Curate
took
leave
of
her
,
she
prayed
him
to
come
to
her
again
next
morning
by
six
of
the
Clock
:
the
night
she
spent
in
disquieting
thoughts
,
and
so
soon
as
it
was
day
,
took
her
Litter
,
and
accompanied
only
with
that
fair
young
Lady
,
and
a
man
on
horseback
,
she
sent
to
give
the
Curate
notice
;
and
all
together
went
streight
to
the
grot
,
the
Hermit
was
still
about
his
morning
Prayers
,
when
they
knocked
at
the
door
of
his
Cell
;
he
opened
it
,
and
came
out
to
meet
those
who
were
come
to
see
him
;
but
his
surprise
was
great
when
at
the
first
step
he
made
out
of
his
Rock
he
saw
these
two
Ladies
fall
upon
his
neck
,
and
melting
in
tears
embrace
him
that
action
so
unexpected
,
made
him
retire
two
steps
backward
,
and
look
about
him
more
attentively
:
but
nothing
can
approach
his
amazement
,
when
he
discovered
that
these
two
were
the
persons
in
the
World
whom
he
most
tenderly
loved
;
that
sight
put
him
in
so
great
disorder
that
he
wanted
strength
to
stand
;
so
that
freeing
himself
from
the
embraces
of
those
two
afflicted
beauties
,
he
went
and
fell
on
his
knees
hard
by
the
door
of
his
Cell
;
where
lifting
his
eyes
and
hands
to
Heaven
:
O
God!
Cryed
he
,
strengthen
me
,
and
let
me
not
succumb
in
a
conflict
wherein
I
engage
onely
for
thy
glory
,
or
to
say
better
,
give
me
power
to
compleat
a
Pennance
which
bears
but
little
or
no
proportion
to
the
greatness
of
my
Crimes
:
having
said
so
he
held
his
peace
;
and
found
himself
in
so
great
an
agitation
of
mind
that
he
had
almost
fainted
away
;
that
accident
,
which
on
any
other
occasion
would
have
afflicted
those
two
Ladies
,
wrought
in
them
a
secret
joy
,
seeing
it
was
a
sign
that
he
,
of
whom
they
had
come
in
search
with
so
much
care
,
was
not
a
little
moved
in
seeing
of
them
.
They
were
solicitous
in
assisting
that
dear
patient
,
who
,
being
a
little
come
to
himself
again
,
beheld
the
Lady
that
was
by
him
with
a
countenance
shewing
some
marks
of
shame
and
confusion
.
Is
it
possible
,
Madam
,
said
he
to
her
;
that
you
have
still
so
much
kindness
for
me
,
after
the
crimes
I
have
committed
,
as
to
incline
you
to
expose
your self
to
the
fatigues
of
a
tedious
Journey
,
in
the
search
of
a
wretch
;
or
ought
not
I
to
fear
,
that
having
so
just
a
cause
of
anger
,
you
come
to
heap
upon
me
reproaches
,
which
how
bitter
so
ever
,
cannot
but
be
just
.
The
Lady
,
to
whom
he
addressed
these
words
,
by
her
actions
gave
evidence
,
that
neither
anger
nor
resentment
had
given
any
occasion
to
her
Journey
.
She
cast
her self
at
the
feet
of
the
Hermit
,
telling
him
that
she
was
criminal
,
and
that
her
imprudence
had
been
the
cause
of
all
their
misfortunes
,
that
she
saught
after
him
to
implore
his
pardon
,
and
that
she
would
never
leave
him
,
till
she
had
obtained
it
.
The
Man
,
who
waited
on
the
Lady
,
and
appeared
a
Person
of
discretion
,
knowing
that
their
Conversation
ought
not
to
be
publick
,
prayed
the
Company
present
,
to
withdraw
a
little
,
and
to
give
liberty
to
those
,
who
had
more
to
discourse
of
together
,
than
was
convenient
to
be
said
before
witnesses
.
The
conversation
of
the
Hermit
and
Lady
lasted
above
five
hours
,
and
she
had
never
been
willing
to
have
broken
it
up
so
soon
,
if
she
had
not
feared
,
that
the
young
Lady
,
who
came
with
her
,
and
who
was
her
Daughter
,
might
be
incommoded
by
fasting
so
long
.
When
they
took
their
leave
of
the
Hermit
,
he
promised
to
do
all
that
lay
in
his
power
to
give
them
the
satisfaction
which
they
desired
;
but
that
he
would
be
glad
to
have
the
rest
of
the
day
,
and
the
whole
night
to
resolve
in
:
and
they
knowing
his
humour
,
durst
not
urge
him
further
.
He
earnestly
intreated
them
to
go
and
take
their
repose
,
thinking
that
they
needed
it
.
And
therefore
they
returned
,
praying
Heaven
to
favour
their
Journy
with
a
happy
success
.
But
the
time
of
their
Crosses
was
not
as
yet
at
a
period
,
and
their
patience
was
still
to
be
exposed
to
more
severe
tryals
,
as
you
shall
see
in
the
sequel
of
my
Discourse
.
The
two
Ladies
spent
that
night
as
the
former
in
trouble
and
anxiety
;
and
so
soon
as
it
was
day
returned
again
to
the
Hermitage
;
they
found
the
door
shut
,
and
durst
not
knock
at
first
;
but
having
waited
there
a
prety
while
,
they
made
a
little
noise
,
that
they
might
engage
him
,
whom
they
thought
to
be
within
,
to
answer
;
that
likewise
having
no
effect
;
the
young
Lady
grew
impatient
;
and
going
to
the
door
,
as
she
stooped
to
look
in
,
she
saw
a
paper
lying
at
her
foot
,
wherein
were
these
words
written
with
Charcole
;
IF
the
constraint
,
that
I
put
upon
my self
in
forsaking
you
,
were
known
to
your self
,
I
am
perswaded
you
would
pity
me
;
I
have
never
had
the
power
to
tell
you
,
that
the
Pennance
I
have
enjoyned
my self
,
is
not
to
end
before
Christmas
;
but
seeing
I
cannot
dispose
of
my self
without
your
consent
,
I
am
going
to
intreat
a
Person
of
great
merit
,
to
take
the
pains
to
learn
your
sentiments
.
I
know
you
are
so
good
,
that
I
dare
hope
you
will
not
deny
me
the
time
,
that
I
praefix
;
when
that
is
over
,
I
swear
by
all
that
is
sacred
,
that
I
shall
come
to
you
,
and
spend
the
rest
of
my
dayes
in
your
Company
.
I
need
not
,
I
think
,
recommend
to
you
the
care
of
our
Children
,
seeing
one
,
who
has
never
failed
in
the
smallest
duty
of
Friendship
,
will
not
be
wanting
in
the
greatest
:
the
onely
thing
,
which
I
most
earnestly
recommend
to
you
,
is
that
you
would
have
a
care
of
your
health
,
which
is
a
thousand
times
dearer
to
me
,
than
my
life
.
I
shall
not
tell
you
,
Madam
,
how
great
affliction
these
two
lovely
Persons
felt
,
at
the
reading
of
that
Letter
;
you
may
guess
at
their
sorrow
by
the
pains
they
took
to
find
the
Hermit
;
which
wrought
so
upon
them
,
that
they
were
carried
back
to
their
Lodgings
rather
dead
than
alive
.
Whilst
they
were
abandoning
themselves
to
grief
,
he
that
was
the
cause
of
it
,
took
the
way
to
a
house
of
mine
,
about
three
leagues
from
Terrasson
.
I
was
not
a
little
surprized
,
when
one
of
my
Servants
came
and
told
me
,
that
the
Hermit
desired
to
speak
with
me
in
private
.
Having
ordered
him
to
be
let
into
a
Garden
where
I
was
,
I
came
and
received
him
,
testifying
to
him
my
gratitude
for
the
honour
he
was
pleased
to
do
me
;
but
he
suffered
me
not
to
conclude
what
I
intended
to
say
.
When
you
have
well
known
me
,
Madam
,
said
he
,
you
will
not
retain
for
me
the
esteem
wherewith
you
seem
to
honour
me
;
I
come
hither
to
implore
your
assistance
,
on
a
very
important
occassion
,
seeing
the
interest
of
what
is
dearest
to
me
in
this
world
is
therein
concerned
:
Know
then
,
Madam
,
that
that
Hermit
,
whom
you
have
taken
to
be
a
man
of
exemplary
piety
,
is
a
Malefactor
,
come
hither
to
seek
a
refuge
,
and
bewail
his
sins
in
a
Country
remote
from
the
place
where
he
hath
committed
them
;
I
was
born
in
Provence
,
of
a
considerable
Family
;
yea
,
and
I
might
say
,
that
I
might
have
enjoyed
all
happiness
,
had
not
jealousie
set
me
upon
actions
,
which
can
admit
of
no
excuse
.
I
have
a
Wife
,
who
by
an
extraordinary
goodness
,
so
far
from
entertaining
any
grudge
or
resentment
against
me
,
has
exposed
herself
to
the
fatigues
of
a
long
and
tedious
Journy
to
come
in
search
of
me
;
she
is
at
present
at
Terrasson
,
and
,
I
believe
,
in
extream
sorrow
;
for
having
yesterday
put
her
in
hopes
,
that
I
might
return
home
with
her
,
and
having
begg'd
of
her
to
give
me
some
time
to
bring
my self
to
a
final
determination
,
as
to
what
I
should
do
;
I
have
,
after
more
mature
consideration
,
thought
my self
obliged
to
fulfil
a
vow
which
I
have
made
,
and
which
does
not
expire
till
Christmass
.
This
morning
,
before
I
came
hither
,
I
left
a
Letter
,
to
acquaint
her
with
my
resolution
,
and
have
even
taken
the
boldness
,
Madam
,
to
tell
her
,
that
I
was
going
to
pray
a
Person
of
exceeding
great
merit
,
to
allow
her
protection
in
this
Country
,
and
to
inform
her
more
at
length
of
my
thoughts
,
which
are
,
that
if
my
entreaties
cannot
prevail
upon
her
,
you
would
be
so
good
to
let
me
know
it
,
at
the
place
where
I
shall
tarry
until
you
be
pleased
to
send
me
news
.
Tho
the
Discourse
which
I
have
told
you
was
pretty
long
,
yet
I
had
not
the
least
thought
of
interrupting
him
.
I
was
so
surprized
at
what
I
heard
,
that
I
had
no
other
thoughts
but
to
learn
a
clear
information
of
an
adventure
,
which
seemed
to
me
very
extraordinary
;
but
when
it
behoved
me
to
answer
,
I
told
the
Hermit
,
that
he
was
not
mistaken
,
when
he
thought
that
I
would
be
joyful
to
render
him
all
kind
of
services
;
and
I
did
what
I
could
to
incline
him
to
give
me
a
particular
account
of
what
he
had
onely
told
me
in
general
:
but
I
perceived
that
he
desired
not
to
engage
on
that
subject
.
All
that
I
could
learn
of
him
was
,
that
he
was
descended
of
that
illustrious
Family
of
Belges
,
so
famous
in
Provence
,
and
that
he
was
the
Count
of
Freslon
.
After
our
discourse
I
desired
him
to
walk
in
into
the
house
,
but
he
excused
himself
;
so
that
I
perceived
it
would
have
been
indiscretion
in
me
to
press
him
any
more
.
In
all
his
discourse
he
expressed
to
me
a
great
tenderness
for
his
Lady
;
and
therefore
so
soon
as
he
was
gone
,
I
made
ready
to
go
to
Terrasson
:
when
I
came
there
,
I
was
conducted
to
the
Lodgings
of
the
Countess
of
Freslon
,
and
sent
to
know
if
I
might
wait
upon
her
:
She
thought
at
first
,
that
curiosity
had
moved
me
to
make
that
little
journey
,
but
she
was
not
a
little
surprized
,
when
I
sent
her
word
by
one
of
her
Men
,
that
I
had
matters
of
importance
to
impart
to
her
.
She
presently
thought
,
by
reason
of
the
Letter
,
which
her
Husband
had
left
,
that
it
must
be
somewhat
concerning
him
.
She
sent
Madamoiselle
,
her
Daughter
,
to
meet
me
,
who
prayed
me
to
come
up
into
her
Chamber
.
I
found
her
in
bed
under
such
grief
and
affliction
,
as
might
have
moved
the
hardest
heart
to
pity
.
I
shall
not
trouble
you
,
Madam
,
with
a
relation
of
all
that
might
be
said
in
such
a
Case
.
I
exhorted
her
,
with
all
the
Rhetorick
I
had
,
to
take
patience
.
I
shall
not
excuse
,
Madam
,
said
she
,
melting
in
tears
,
the
weakness
which
you
observe
in
me
.
There
are
some
occasions
,
wherein
steadfastness
comes
near
to
barbarity
;
and
to
let
you
know
,
that
no
person
ever
had
so
great
cause
of
affliction
,
I
shall
not
stick
to
tell
you
all
that
hath
befallen
me
,
both
before
and
since
my
marriage
.
The
confidence
,
that
Mounsieur
de
Freslon
hath
reposed
on
you
,
warrants
mine
,
when
you
shall
be
pleased
to
signifie
to
me
,
that
you
are
at
leasure
to
hear
the
Relation
.
I
assured
the
Countess
,
that
I
was
so
much
concerned
therein
,
that
I
should
be
alwayes
extreamly
satisfied
to
be
informed
of
her
affairs
;
but
that
I
thought
it
,
before
all
other
things
necessary
,
that
she
should
leave
a
place
,
where
she
could
not
but
be
wery
much
incommoded
.
I
offered
her
the
use
of
my
house
.
She
thanked
me
for
the
favour
,
but
,
I
believe
,
would
not
have
accepted
it
,
if
I
had
not
told
her
,
to
make
her
consent
,
that
perhaps
her
Husband
might
let
me
hear
from
him
again
.
This
last
reason
prevailed
more
with
her
than
all
the
rest
.
I
resolved
not
to
leave
her
,
but
to
have
her
with
me
.
She
left
all
her
Equipage
in
the
place
where
she
was
;
and
having
come
into
my
Coach
,
with
the
young
Lady
her
Daughter
,
and
two
Maids
to
attend
them
,
they
came
with
me
to
my
house
.
By
the
discourse
which
we
had
together
,
I
found
,
that
that
Provencial
Countess
was
very
wity
:
and
I
was
not
willing
that
evening
,
to
engage
her
in
the
Relation
of
her
Adventures
;
for
seeing
I
am
not
so
curious
as
the
Heroins
of
Romances
,
I
had
rather
sup
and
go
to
rest
,
than
spend
the
night
in
hearing
a
Story
.
Next
morning
just
as
I
was
going
to
the
Ladies
Chamber
,
I
had
a
Letter
brought
me
from
the
Count
of
Freslon
,
wherein
he
sent
me
word
,
that
having
well
consulted
,
and
reflected
on
all
the
reasons
,
that
his
Lady
had
urged
to
him
,
to
oblige
him
to
return
home
,
with
those
that
I
had
alledged
on
the
same
subject
,
he
thought
himself
unable
to
deliberate
alone
on
a
matter
of
that
importance
,
and
that
he
was
going
to
advise
with
some
of
eminent
knowledge
and
Piety
,
that
he
might
from
them
take
his
measures
,
as
to
what
he
ought
to
do
,
and
that
he
would
let
me
hear
from
him
as
speedily
as
he
could
.
This
Letter
I
carried
to
the
Countess
;
who
was
over
joyed
to
find
that
her
Husband
was
not
so
very
steadfast
in
his
resolutions
as
she
had
apprehended
.
So
soon
as
we
had
dined
,
I
prayed
her
to
keep
her
promise
;
and
having
conducted
her
into
my
Closet
,
she
,
without
further
Ceremony
,
thus
began
her
discourse
.
THE
HISTORY
OF
THE
HERMIT
SInce
the
Relation
that
I
am
to
give
you
,
Madam
,
is
really
true
,
I
suppose
,
you
do
not
expect
to
find
it
so
divertising
,
and
stuffed
with
such
extraordinary
Adventures
,
as
if
it
were
a
devised
Tale
.
I
shall
not
trouble
you
with
a
great
many
unnecessary
things
,
neither
do
I
promise
to
be
so
succinct
,
as
I
ought
to
be
,
for
I
am
very
sensible
,
that
I
am
often
transported
with
pleasure
,
when
I
fall
into
the
discourse
of
a
Husband
,
who
is
so
dear
to
me
.
I
need
not
tell
you
his
birth
,
since
he
hath
discovered
to
you
his
Name
;
you
know
that
his
extraction
is
illustrious
,
seeing
he
springs
from
a
House
,
which
hath
given
many
Counts
to
Provence
.
He
is
not
the
eldest
of
the
Family
,
he
had
two
Brothers
and
several
Sisters
;
he
was
designed
to
be
a
Knight
of
Maltha
,
and
having
been
admited
at
the
same
time
with
one
of
his
Brothers
seven
or
eight
years
older
than
he
;
the
elder
of
these
two
Knights
carried
the
name
of
Freslon
,
and
the
younger
that
of
the
Family
,
being
of
a
very
sweet
and
mild
disposition
,
and
fit
for
study
,
his
Father
changed
the
resolution
,
that
he
had
taken
of
sending
him
to
be
a
Page
to
the
great
Master
,
and
designed
him
for
his
Studies
until
he
grew
strong
enough
to
be
able
to
perform
his
Caravans
.
He
was
sent
to
Arles
,
and
boarded
in
a
Citizens
house
,
there
he
applied
himself
to
all
that
he
was
set
about
with
such
success
as
surpassed
the
expectation
of
his
Masters
The
Man
with
whom
he
boarded
,
had
a
Daughter
much
about
the
age
of
the
Chevalier
de
Belges
.
She
was
pretty
enough
,
though
her
features
were
no
way
regular
,
but
a
fine
skin
,
white
teeth
,
and
lovely
hair
,
rendred
her
very
agreeable
:
it
may
be
said
,
that
her
wit
was
greater
than
has
ever
been
known
of
any
of
her
Age
.
It
had
been
good
for
her
,
that
she
had
had
less
of
that
,
and
more
of
reservedness
and
discretion
.
Never
was
Maid
more
adventurous
,
nor
of
quicker
apprehension
.
She
learned
Italian
and
Latine
by
observing
the
Lessons
that
were
given
to
the
Chevalier
,
with
whom
she
was
frequently
in
company
.
But
whilst
she
was
busied
in
learning
strange
languages
,
Master
Cupid
gave
himself
the
pains
to
teach
her
how
to
love
.
Felicia
(
for
so
she
was
called
)
found
the
Boarder
so
fully
to
her
mind
,
that
she
could
not
forbear
to
love
him
.
For
his
part
,
tho
he
had
no
great
inclination
for
her
at
first
,
yet
he
took
delight
in
her
company
,
and
(
if
I
may
say
so
)
fell
at
length
insensibly
in
love
with
her
.
You
know
,
Madam
,
that
the
passions
of
people
of
that
age
are
not
usually
violent
;
and
therefore
I
shall
not
trouble
you
with
a
particular
Relation
of
all
that
passed
between
them
,
for
the
space
of
three
or
four
years
;
I
must
only
tell
you
,
that
as
Felicia
grew
in
age
,
her
flame
increased
;
and
there
happened
at
that
time
an
adventure
,
which
served
much
to
augment
it
.
You
are
not
ignorant
,
that
all
Provence
over
,
people
are
much
addicted
to
Horoscopes
;
which
makes
a
great
many
give
out
,
that
they
are
skilful
in
a
Science
,
wherein
few
have
ever
understood
any
thing
.
There
arrived
at
Arles
a
man
of
much
reputation
for
the
Mathematicks
;
and
was
especially
reckoned
a
great
Astrologer
.
Seeing
he
was
not
to
stay
long
there
,
all
people
were
eager
to
see
him
.
Many
young
Students
of
Quality
went
to
wait
on
him
;
and
some
dayes
before
he
was
to
leave
the
place
,
he
repayed
the
visits
which
he
had
received
.
The
Chevalier
de
Belges
was
in
a
Garden
with
five
or
six
of
his
Comrades
,
the
day
that
the
Astrologer
came
to
visit
him
:
and
the
Master
of
the
house
,
who
was
in
discourse
with
another
man
of
age
and
learning
,
drew
near
to
the
young
Gentlemen
,
that
he
might
assist
them
in
receiving
he
visit
of
that
able
Mathematician
.
His
conversation
was
at
first
about
very
indifferent
matters
;
but
seeing
men
of
learning
turn
alwayes
their
discourse
to
high
,
and
sublime
things
,
after
several
others
they
fell
at
length
to
talk
of
Astrology
.
The
old-man
,
who
was
with
Felicia's
Father
,
and
who
tampered
a
little
with
the
Stars
,
obstinately
maintained
the
infalibility
of
that
Science
.
But
the
Stranger
,
who
was
far
more
skilful
than
he
,
said
,
that
there
needed
so
many
circumstances
to
ground
a
solid
judgment
on
matters
,
which
could
not
be
known
but
by
conjecture
,
that
he
was
perswaded
no
body
should
apply
himself
to
it
.
He
spake
afterwards
in
so
modest
and
reserved
terms
,
that
it
was
easie
to
be
perceived
,
that
he
had
no
great
desire
to
make
known
his
skill
,
though
the
Company
begg'd
it
of
him
,
and
put
to
him
several
questions
.
Sometime
after
the
Company
departed
,
came
a
Woman
to
inquire
for
the
Chevalier
.
Felicia
,
who
alwayes
carefully
observed
all
that
concerned
her
Lover
,
endeavoured
to
discover
what
the
Woman
had
to
say
to
him
:
but
her
curiosity
was
changed
into
perplexity
,
when
she
found
,
that
they
discoursed
in
private
:
she
had
a
mind
to
ask
an
account
of
the
matter
,
and
her
quick
and
mistrustful
imagination
made
her
spend
some
very
bad
hours
,
tho
in
reality
she
had
no
ground
for
it
:
For
that
Woman
,
who
lived
with
her
in
whose
house
the
Stranger
lodged
,
came
to
tell
the
Chevalier
in
his
name
,
that
if
he
was
very
curious
to
know
any
thing
of
his
Fortunes
,
he
offered
him
that
satisfaction
,
on
condition
it
might
be
done
with
secresie
,
so
that
he
might
not
be
importuned
with
a
great
many
,
whom
he
had
neither
time
,
nor
a
mind
to
satisfie
.
The
Chevalier
joyfully
accepted
the
offer
,
and
agreed
,
that
next
morning
he
should
come
down
into
a
Summer-house
of
a
Garden
of
the
same
house
;
which
had
a
door
,
that
opened
into
a
little
Lane
.
The
Chevalier
took
the
key
,
Felicia
perceived
it
,
and
that
so
increased
her
jealousies
,
that
she
spent
the
whole
night
at
the
Window
,
that
she
might
see
when
the
Chevalier
went
out
.
No
sooner
began
the
day
to
break
,
but
she
perceived
him
in
the
Court
undrest
.
Down
she
came
;
and
having
followed
him
at
a
distance
,
and
without
noise
,
she
hid
her self
near
the
Window
of
the
Summer-house
,
amongst
some
bushes
of
jesamin
,
and
so
placed
her self
that
she
might
see
without
being
seen
.
Her
joy
and
surprise
was
very
great
,
when
she
perceived
,
that
instead
of
what
she
suspected
,
all
these
intrigues
were
only
managed
for
obtaining
an
opportunity
to
speak
with
the
old
Astrologer
:
she
resolved
to
pursue
her
curiosity
to
a
point
,
and
having
drawn
a
little
nearer
,
because
she
could
not
hear
where
she
was
,
she
over
heard
these
words
.
If
the
Goods
of
Fortune
can
render
you
happy
,
you
may
have
ground
to
be
satisfied
,
seeing
you
are
certainly
to
enjoy
a
large
share
of
them
:
but
if
that
blind
Goddess
be
favourable
to
you
,
Cupid
in
revenge
will
work
you
much
mischiefe
,
or
to
say
better
,
you
will
occasion
to
your self
a
great
deal
,
by
giving
way
to
violent
extremities
.
There
is
indeed
such
a
confusion
in
that
matter
,
that
I
cannot
unriddle
it
;
all
that
I
can
know
of
certainty
,
is
that
you
shall
marry
one
whose
fortune
shall
wholly
depend
on
you
.
You
shall
meet
with
great
crosses
both
before
and
after
you
marriage
,
and
your
greatest
misfortune
shall
come
from
a
woman
with
whom
you
shall
be
in
love
;
and
she
likewise
most
passionately
with
you
,
besides
I
find
that
you
are
to
have
for
some
time
a
misunderstanding
with
her
who
shall
be
dearest
to
you
:
but
she
at
length
will
give
you
proofes
of
so
tender
affection
,
and
shall
undertake
so
much
on
your
account
,
that
you
shall
be
again
reconciled
in
a
time
when
it
shall
be
least
expected
by
both
,
the
greatest
puzle
I
meet
with
,
is
to
perceive
that
you
shall
fall
into
a
fearful
jealousie
,
and
to
find
that
at
the
same
time
,
she
who
shall
resign
her self
to
you
,
shall
never
admit
of
my
Rival
in
your
love
.
I
see
no
cross
in
all
your
life
that
shall
be
caused
to
you
by
men
;
yet
I
cannot
forbear
to
tell
you
,
that
I
have
never
met
with
any
thing
more
obscure
and
confused
than
what
I
observe
in
your
fortune
:
for
you
have
a
signature
that
might
make
one
judge
assuredly
,
that
you
are
to
be
of
a
religious
order
,
and
nevertheless
it
is
certain
you
shall
be
married
,
I
can
tell
you
no
more
;
and
I
doubt
not
,
but
you
will
think
all
that
I
have
told
you
extravagant
.
I
am
not
surprized
at
it
,
for
,
I
confess
,
I
understand
it
not
my self
,
and
I
find
so
great
contradictions
in
the
accidents
of
your
life
,
that
I
lose
my self
when
I
dive
into
them
.
Having
said
so
he
held
his
peace
,
and
left
the
two
persons
before
whom
he
had
spoken
very
little
satisfied
with
his
art
,
having
not
so
much
as
found
one
word
of
sense
in
all
his
discourse
.
He
for
whom
it
was
made
thanked
him
very
civily
for
the
pains
he
had
taken
,
and
excused
the
obscurity
of
his
words
by
the
uncertainty
of
future
events
,
it
being
the
will
of
God
that
we
should
not
be
able
to
penerate
into
his
secrets
,
nor
to
know
his
methods
with
us
in
this
World
.
I
doubt
not
,
Madam
,
but
you
will
think
,
that
I
have
spent
much
time
in
relating
to
you
a
very
trivial
matter
;
but
it
will
not
seem
so
to
you
,
when
you
have
understood
the
sequel
of
this
discourse
.
I
must
tell
you
then
that
Felicia
being
in
an
alley
,
which
butted
on
the
Arbour
of
Orange
trees
,
heard
all
that
was
told
her
lover
.
She
presently
applied
all
to
her self
,
believing
that
she
was
the
person
whose
fortune
he
was
to
make
by
marriage
.
Nor
did
she
doubt
but
that
the
execution
of
that
design
would
meet
with
a
great
many
crosses
;
but
that
seemed
no
difficulty
to
her
:
for
it
was
her
humour
not
to
love
a
good
fortune
,
if
it
did
not
cost
her
cares
,
trouble
,
and
intrigues
.
At
night
,
when
she
saw
the
Chevalier
again
,
she
hinted
to
him
that
she
knew
somewhat
of
that
which
had
been
told
him
in
the
Garden
.
I
know
not
,
said
she
to
him
,
if
I
ought
to
congratulate
with
you
for
the
blessings
which
fortune
promises
you
,
or
bewail
the
crosses
which
you
are
to
meet
with
in
those
very
affairs
wherein
,
in
my
opinion
,
the
heart
is
extreamly
sensible
:
but
however
it
be
do
me
but
in
the
least
justice
,
and
you
shall
have
no
cause
to
doubt
of
my
sentiments
in
every
thing
that
concerns
you
.
I
give
so
little
Faith
to
all
that
is
called
Horoscope
,
answered
the
Chevalier
,
and
besides
there
is
so
little
reason
in
that
which
has
been
told
me
to
day
,
that
I
have
not
in
the
least
minded
it
.
But
,
continued
he
with
an
air
that
spake
more
gallantry
than
passion
,
if
any
thing
can
make
me
give
faith
to
what
has
been
told
me
,
it
is
that
I
find
already
in
my
heart
that
violent
flame
which
is
to
set
me
on
the
performance
of
so
many
things
;
and
I
suppose
you
already
guess
at
all
the
pains
that
I
shall
thereby
suffer
hereafter
.
Some
that
came
into
the
Chamber
where
Felicia
was
,
interrupted
this
conversation
;
and
that
did
not
a
little
vex
her
:
for
she
impatiently
longed
to
make
the
Chevalier
explain
himself
,
as
to
the
share
which
she
hoped
to
have
in
his
fortune
.
Shortly
after
this
,
Madam
,
there
befell
the
Chevalier
a
very
considerable
misfortune
;
I
mean
the
death
of
my
Lady
his
Mother
.
She
was
a
Lady
of
great
worth
,
and
cherished
her
Children
with
all
imaginable
care
and
affection
.
The
young
Gentleman
was
sensibly
affected
with
his
loss
,
and
it
was
not
long
before
he
felt
the
greatness
of
it
by
a
sad
experience
.
For
his
Father
,
by
too
common
a
piece
of
injustice
cast
his
eyes
and
care
upon
his
eldest
Son
onely
;
and
even
believed
,
that
he
wronged
him
,
if
he
divided
his
kindness
amongst
his
other
Children
.
As
he
was
a
man
,
who
was
altogether
taken
up
with
his
pleasures
,
so
he
never
meddled
with
his
domestick
affairs
,
his
Lady
had
alwayes
discharged
that
care
.
His
Children
therefore
found
experimentally
the
loss
they
had
sustained
;
for
by
degrees
their
Father
omitted
to
send
them
what
was
necessary
,
at
first
he
neglected
only
the
expences
that
were
allowed
for
their
curiosities
and
pleasures
:
but
by
piece
and
piece
began
to
forget
to
send
supplies
to
their
necessities
.
The
Chevalier
Belges
,
who
who
was
of
a
liberal
and
generous
disposition
,
suffered
that
proceedure
with
very
great
impatience
;
and
fell
thereby
into
a
fit
of
melancholly
,
that
wholly
altered
his
humour
.
Felicia
was
one
of
the
first
,
that
took
notice
of
it
,
whether
it
was
by
the
frequent
Conversation
they
had
together
,
or
by
the
concern
,
that
she
took
to
her self
in
the
matter
.
On
this
occasion
she
fell
into
the
thoughts
,
which
are
but
too
common
to
the
most
part
of
those
who
would
vie
in
love
.
I
mean
,
to
desire
that
our
Friends
might
meet
with
some
Cross
,
provided
it
may
furnish
us
with
opportunities
to
render
them
considerable
services
.
Felicia
having
gone
to
the
Chevalier
,
tenderly
upbraided
him
for
concealing
the
cause
of
his
vexation
.
The
Chevalier
excused
himself
with
some
silly
reasons
,
and
at
length
told
Felicia
,
that
it
would
be
a
bad
acknowledgement
of
the
obliging
interest
,
which
she
had
in
him
,
to
burden
her
with
a
troublesome
confidence
.
I
should
have
hoped
,
said
Felicia
,
that
I
might
not
have
stood
in
need
of
so
much
sagacity
,
and
that
you
would
not
have
made
a
Mystery
of
a
thing
,
which
I
desire
not
to
conjecture
,
but
that
I
may
remedy
it
to
your
own
satisfaction
:
I
should
have
been
more
obliged
to
you
,
if
you
had
been
free
with
me
,
than
if
you
had
bestowed
upon
me
a
Crown
;
but
seeing
the
matter
is
otherwise
,
I
shall
not
trouble
you
with
greater
reproaches
,
only
I
desire
,
that
you
would
accept
of
what
I
offer
,
if
you
would
calm
this
bad
humour
into
which
the
little
confidence
you
have
shewed
me
on
this
occasion
,
hath
put
me
.
With
these
words
Felicia
presented
the
Chevalier
with
a
purse
lined
with
a
considerable
sum
of
money
,
he
was
very
loath
to
accept
of
it
,
and
it
cost
her
many
intreaties
before
she
could
perswade
him
to
accept
of
a
little
,
whereof
she
knew
his
need
was
indispensable
.
I
know
not
,
said
she
,
what
reason
you
have
to
be
so
ceremonious
with
me
:
But
if
it
be
true
,
as
your
words
,
and
above
all
my
heart
perswades
me
,
that
I
am
one
day
to
be
so
sensibly
obliged
to
you
,
deprive
me
not
of
the
pleasure
of
shewing
you
some
small
acknowledgement
in
advance
,
and
believe
,
that
all
that
I
have
hitherto
done
,
and
all
that
for
the
future
I
can
do
,
is
to
procure
my self
a
happiness
,
which
I
desire
more
than
my
life
:
you
doubt
not
,
I
suppose
,
added
she
,
of
the
tender
affection
,
that
I
bear
you
;
but
possibly
you
have
been
hitherto
ignorant
,
that
I
am
the
most
ambitious
Maid
in
the
World
;
for
to
be
short
,
your
Quality
alone
without
your
Merit
,
was
enough
to
dispose
me
to
favour
you
,
and
your
Merit
alone
without
your
Quality
could
inspire
into
me
a
tender
affection
;
judge
then
what
inclinations
I
ought
to
have
for
one
in
whom
I
find
all
that
my
heart
can
desire
.
The
Chevalier
made
answer
in
terms
expressing
more
of
wit
and
civility
than
passion
.
But
they
,
who
are
truly
in
love
,
have
not
alwayes
such
discerning
eyes
as
to
perceive
,
whether
they
be
beloved
or
not
;
and
tho
that
be
the
most
important
concern
of
life
,
yet
we
are
pleased
to
be
beguiled
by
those
whom
we
love
;
and
our
Reason
is
alwayes
the
Fop
of
our
Heart
,
tho
we
would
perswade
our selves
,
that
it
is
the
Mistress
.
When
the
Chevalier
was
alone
by
himself
,
he
reflected
seriously
on
all
the
proceedings
of
Felicia
.
The
hope
that
she
had
testified
to
him
of
being
one
day
his
Wife
,
lessened
in
his
mind
much
of
the
value
of
what
she
did
for
him
.
He
thought
not
himself
obliged
to
have
so
great
an
esteem
for
that
which
flowed
from
a
principle
of
interest
,
as
for
that
which
springs
from
a
source
of
Generosity
and
affection
.
From
that
time
he
indeavoured
dextrously
to
insinuate
to
the
Maid
,
that
the
inclination
,
that
he
had
for
her
,
would
never
lead
him
so
far
as
she
believed
.
He
had
not
so
much
time
as
he
expected
,
to
succeed
in
that
design
;
for
some
few
dayes
after
that
conversation
,
whereof
I
have
been
speaking
,
he
had
news
that
his
elder
brother
was
killed
in
the
Army
,
and
that
his
Father
was
so
sensibly
touched
with
the
loss
,
that
his
life
was
in
danger
.
This
advice
obliged
him
to
make
ready
to
go
see
him
.
Felicia
used
all
her
endeavours
to
divert
him
from
a
journy
,
which
put
her
in
extream
affliction
:
But
notwithstanding
of
all
her
discontents
,
she
felt
some
secret
joy
,
when
she
considered
that
the
predictions
made
to
the
Chevalier
began
to
be
fulfilled
.
You
are
not
ignorant
,
Madam
,
that
in
such
conjunctures
as
the
Chevalier
was
in
at
that
time
,
there
is
need
of
mony
for
a
great
many
things
.
Felicia
offered
him
some
with
the
same
earnestness
as
at
first
.
He
accepted
so
little
of
it
,
that
she
well
perceived
so
finall
a
sum
could
not
do
his
business
:
she
went
therefore
to
a
Banker
,
who
had
a
correspondance
at
Maltha
;
and
having
delivered
him
four
hundred
Pistols
,
prayed
him
to
go
to
the
Chevalier
de
Belges
,
and
tell
him
that
he
had
received
orders
from
the
Chevalier
de
Freslon
his
Brother
,
who
was
at
Maltha
,
to
pay
him
in
that
money
:
The
Banker
punctually
performed
what
he
was
desired
to
do
;
but
the
Chevalier
being
much
surprized
to
receive
such
assistance
from
his
Brother
,
not
only
because
he
had
received
no
Letters
from
him
,
but
also
because
he
believed
him
short
of
mony
as
well
as
himself
;
presently
told
the
Banker
that
he
was
mistaken
;
but
the
man
having
assured
him
of
the
contrary
,
told
him
to
remove
all
his
scruples
,
that
he
had
intelligence
from
Maltha
,
that
four
Knights
of
Provence
,
had
taken
a
great
prize
at
Sea
,
and
that
in
all
appearance
his
Brother
was
one
of
them
.
At
length
he
suffered
himself
to
be
perswaded
to
do
a
thing
wherein
a
great
many
would
have
made
no
difficulty
.
Felicia
,
before
his
departure
,
omitted
nothing
to
increase
a
passion
on
which
she
grounded
the
happiness
of
her
life
.
She
used
all
her
skill
to
draw
from
the
Chevalier
some
positive
promise
which
might
oblige
him
;
but
he
dextrously
avoided
all
occasions
of
long
conversation
with
her
.
His
honesty
and
civility
made
him
loath
to
deceive
a
Maid
that
loved
him
.
I
shall
not
trouble
you
with
a
relation
of
the
farewells
that
passed
between
Felicia
and
her
pretended
Lover
.
They
were
civil
and
discreet
on
the
Chevalier's
part
,
but
full
of
Transports
and
passion
on
the
Lady's
:
a
thousand
times
she
assured
him
that
her
love
should
last
as
long
as
her
life
,
and
that
nothing
would
be
too
hard
for
her
to
preserve
the
right
which
she
thought
she
had
to
his
heart
.
The
Chevalier
promised
never
to
forget
the
obligations
which
he
had
to
her
,
that
he
would
give
her
Testimonies
of
a
constant
and
perpetual
gratitude
,
and
that
he
would
ever
love
her
.
He
spake
to
her
even
more
passionatly
than
he
had
ever
done
before
;
for
he
was
of
a
tender
and
sweet
disposition
;
and
left
a
young
Lady
with
whom
he
had
conversed
for
the
space
of
four
years
,
for
whom
he
had
entertained
a
kindness
,
and
in
whom
he
had
inspired
a
passionate
love
.
The
Chevalier
de
Belges
upon
his
coming
home
,
found
his
Father
in
a
great
affliction
as
he
had
imagined
;
and
though
the
death
of
his
elder
Brother
might
have
given
him
hopes
that
his
Father
would
have
greater
respect
for
him
,
and
that
his
kindness
,
not
being
limited
to
one
single
object
,
would
spread
it self
on
all
the
Family
;
yet
all
these
reflexions
wrought
no
effect
on
the
Chevaliers
heart
,
he
lamented
the
loss
of
his
Brother
,
and
expressed
as
much
grief
as
his
Father
,
like
one
that
had
really
a
good
nature
,
and
tender
disposition
.
After
he
came
home
,
he
was
at
first
taken
up
in
receiving
all
the
consolatory
visits
that
were
rendered
to
his
Father
;
but
so
soon
as
he
had
disingaged
himself
from
matters
of
that
Nature
,
which
are
in
use
,
the
very
troublesome
to
those
who
are
in
sorrow
:
The
first
spare
time
he
had
,
he
imployed
in
visiting
his
eldest
Sister
,
who
was
married
about
twelve
or
fifteen
leagues
off
in
the
Principality
of
Orange
towards
Avignon
.
I
cannot
tell
if
I
gave
you
an
account
in
the
beginning
of
the
State
of
the
Family
of
the
Count
of
Freslon
.
I
think
,
I
told
you
but
barely
,
that
he
had
three
Sons
,
and
several
Daughters
,
the
eldest
of
which
was
married
to
the
Marquess
of
Rochevile
,
considerable
both
for
Quality
and
Fortune
.
He
died
some
years
ago
,
and
left
his
Lady
a
Widow
with
six
or
seven
Children
.
I
was
one
of
that
number
,
Madam
;
and
that
you
may
understand
the
rest
of
the
discourse
,
I
must
tell
you
,
that
the
Marquess
of
Rochevile
,
my
Father
,
who
,
as
I
have
already
hinted
to
you
,
had
his
Lands
near
to
Avignon
,
went
frequently
to
that
pleasant
City
,
where
he
saw
a
young
Lady
of
Quality
,
who
was
put
into
a
Monastry
by
her
Parents
,
that
she
might
be
a
Nun
.
He
fell
in
love
with
her
,
and
after
many
adventures
,
which
I
shall
not
trouble
you
with
,
he
married
her
in
spight
of
all
his
kindred
,
who
,
considering
only
the
advantages
of
fortune
,
disliked
a
marriage
wherein
there
was
no
inequality
but
that
to
be
found
.
The
Ladyes
parents
thinking
themselves
affronted
by
the
impediments
that
was
objected
to
the
marriage
,
believed
their
honour
concerned
not
to
consent
to
it
,
so
that
the
business
was
done
in
spight
of
all
.
An
affair
attended
with
so
many
crosses
,
could
not
be
compleatly
happy
;
and
if
I
may
so
say
,
my
Fathers
happiness
lasted
but
a
moment
;
for
within
a
year
after
the
marriage
,
the
Marchioness
died
in
childbed
of
me
.
She
recommended
me
to
her
Husband
by
all
that
was
dear
to
him
,
and
above
all
things
prayed
him
never
to
force
me
to
be
a
Nun
.
She
had
had
sad
experience
of
the
rigour
of
parents
upon
that
account
,
and
told
her
husband
that
she
would
die
in
dispair
,
it
she
thought
that
she
left
me
exposed
to
the
troubles
which
she
had
suffered
on
that
occasion
;
my
Father
promised
all
that
she
desired
of
him
,
and
it
may
be
said
his
promise
was
sincere
,
since
time
never
bloted
out
of
his
mind
the
assurances
that
he
gave
her
,
and
that
he
punctually
executed
all
that
she
desired
at
her
death
.
When
time
,
which
is
the
infallible
cure
of
greatest
sorrows
,
had
mitigated
my
Fathers
grief
,
his
Parents
obliged
him
to
marry
again
,
and
cast
their
eyes
on
Mademoiselle
of
Freslon
.
They
saw
in
her
all
that
was
to
be
desired
,
whether
it
was
for
birth
,
beauty
,
or
even
for
fortune
.
For
though
she
was
of
a
Family
wherein
were
many
children
,
yet
her
Grand-Father
by
the
Mother
,
settled
a
considerable
Portion
on
her
before
the
marriage
was
concluded
.
My
father
acquainted
Mademoiselle
of
Freslon
that
the
most
sensible
mark
of
love
that
he
could
require
of
her
,
was
to
have
a
great
kindness
for
me
,
and
that
amongst
all
the
qualities
that
rendered
her
desirable
,
that
which
made
him
most
earnestly
court
her
for
a
Wife
,
was
the
sweetness
of
her
disposition
;
because
he
thought
,
that
since
he
must
give
me
a
Mother-in-law
,
he
could
not
chuse
any
who
would
use
me
so
kindly
as
she
.
He
was
not
out
in
his
conjecture
;
for
so
soon
as
the
marriage
was
cellebrated
,
I
received
from
her
all
the
markes
of
kindness
,
that
I
could
have
desired
of
a
Mother
.
My
Father
,
after
he
had
lived
with
her
nine
or
ten
years
,
died
of
a
Feaver
.
He
left
to
his
Lady
,
whose
Prudence
and
Virtue
he
sufficiently
knew
,
the
disposal
of
all
his
estate
,
and
recommended
nothing
to
her
so
much
on
his
death-bed
,
as
that
she
would
continue
her
goodness
to
me
.
It
was
about
two
years
after
that
great
loss
,
that
the
Chevalier
de
Belges
came
into
that
Country
.
His
Sister
had
alwayes
entertained
greater
kindness
for
him
than
for
the
rest
of
her
Brothers
;
and
amongst
other
reasons
that
obliged
her
to
that
,
the
strongest
seemed
to
be
drawn
from
the
wonderfull
resemblance
that
was
between
them
.
It
was
so
great
,
that
except
the
difference
of
cloaths
and
age
,
it
was
hard
to
distinguish
them
;
my
Mother-in-law
being
near
forty
years
of
age
,
and
the
Chevalier
not
above
twenty
,
after
the
death
of
the
Countess
of
Freslon
their
Mother
,
one
of
the
Sisters
the
youngest
of
the
family
,
was
sent
to
live
with
her
Sister
.
She
was
a
Lady
of
an
ordinary
beauty
,
and
of
a
crafty
and
artificious
temper
,
her
Father
could
never
oblige
her
to
stay
in
a
Monastery
:
for
when
she
was
placed
into
any
,
she
played
so
many
tricks
to
all
the
Nuns
,
that
they
were
forced
to
beseech
her
Parents
to
remove
her
with
dilligence
.
When
her
Sister
received
her
into
her
house
,
she
told
her
plainly
,
that
she
would
have
her
to
live
quietly
,
and
let
others
alone
;
and
she
promised
to
do
what
she
was
enjoyned
.
I
am
afraid
,
Madam
,
I
have
been
tedious
,
by
a
long
digression
,
which
I
was
obliged
to
make
to
inform
you
of
the
particulars
of
a
Family
,
which
by
the
sequel
of
the
discourse
you
will
find
were
absolutely
necessary
to
be
known
.
I
shall
return
then
to
my
subject
,
and
tell
you
,
that
I
never
saw
my
Mother-in-law
enjoy
a
moment's
content
since
her
Widow-hood
,
but
at
that
time
when
she
saw
her
Brother
.
He
seemed
to
me
very
handsome
,
and
,
I
think
,
you
will
easily
believe
it
,
since
that
in
the
sad
condition
wherein
you
have
seen
him
,
he
retains
still
a
good
enough
mien
to
shew
that
he
must
have
been
a
most
compleat
person
.
At
his
first
visit
I
received
of
him
a
thousand
testimonies
of
civility
,
which
I
attributed
only
to
the
complaisance
that
he
had
for
my
Mother-in-law
;
and
in
that
thought
I
was
far
more
solicitous
to
pay
him
the
honours
of
the
house
,
than
to
all
others
that
were
wont
to
come
thither
.
My
Lady
Rocheville
perceived
it
,
and
told
me
one
day
in
raillery
,
that
she
desired
for
my
sake
,
that
she
might
be
frequently
visited
by
those
for
whom
I
might
believe
she
had
a
Singular
respect
,
because
she
hoped
it
might
make
me
lose
somewhat
of
that
wild
humour
,
which
she
so
often
reproached
me
with
.
Seeing
it
as
been
alwayes
my
thought
,
Madam
,
that
none
can
discourse
handsomely
when
they
speak
of
themselves
,
I
have
hitherto
shunned
to
tell
you
any
thing
of
my
person
.
But
for
two
reasons
I
find
my self
now
obliged
not
to
be
so
peremptory
in
the
resolution
that
I
had
taken
as
to
that
,
the
first
is
,
that
having
no
more
the
qualities
for
which
I
have
been
heretofore
praised
,
I
cannot
now
be
Proud
of
them
;
and
secondly
,
that
the
Beauty
,
which
some
pretend
I
then
had
,
may
excuse
the
violent
passion
that
my
Husband
had
for
me
.
I
must
tell
you
then
,
Madam
,
that
my
beauty
was
naturally
regular
,
I
had
a
good
voice
,
and
played
indifferently
well
on
the
Guitar
;
my
temper
inclined
more
to
meloncholy
than
mirth
:
and
all
that
were
not
throughly
acquainted
with
me
,
imputed
to
vanity
and
pride
,
what
was
only
the
effect
of
a
timerous
and
reserved
disposition
.
I
confess
,
notwithstanding
that
I
am
a
little
vain
;
I
cordially
love
all
that
,
I
think
,
I
ought
to
love
,
and
never
undervalue
my self
when
the
Interest
of
my
friends
is
concerned
.
I
was
naturally
so
mild
and
timerous
,
that
they
,
who
had
the
charge
of
me
,
never
found
occasion
to
give
me
long
rebukes
;
for
I
appear'd
to
them
so
much
affected
at
the
least
thing
they
told
me
,
that
there
was
no
need
of
great
discourses
to
make
me
amend
.
You
have
,
Madam
,
in
a
few
words
my
character
,
when
I
first
saw
the
Chevalier
.
He
stayed
with
us
fifteen
dayes
at
his
first
visit
,
and
during
all
that
time
he
let
no
occasion
slip
to
let
me
know
,
that
the
complaisance
,
which
he
had
for
his
Sister
,
was
not
the
only
ground
that
obliged
him
to
have
the
same
for
me
.
The
sad
condition
I
am
in
,
Madam
,
hinders
me
from
relating
to
you
a
thousand
particulers
,
which
with
pleasure
I
should
recount
to
you
at
another
time
;
I
shall
only
tell
you
,
that
I
thought
the
Chevalier
had
some
inclination
for
me
;
and
I
likewise
perceived
that
I
was
not
indifferent
at
his
departure
,
and
that
if
he
rendered
me
all
the
services
that
I
desired
,
he
would
not
find
me
insensible
.
He
omitted
nothing
that
might
please
me
when
he
took
leave
of
his
Sister
.
He
told
her
he
had
received
a
Letter
which
obliged
him
to
go
to
Avignon
,
and
that
he
would
use
his
endeavours
that
he
might
have
time
to
see
her
inpassing
upon
his
return
.
He
kepthis
word
and
come
back
four
days
after
,
he
seemed
more
addicted
to
me
then
than
at
the
first
time
,
and
though
he
had
resolved
to
spend
but
one
night
at
Rocheville
,
yet
he
stayed
two
dayes
compleat
:
His
Sisters
attributed
that
stay
to
his
good
nature
,
and
it
was
not
his
fault
if
I
did
not
impute
it
to
another
cause
.
He
assured
me
at
parting
,
that
if
his
Sister
judged
of
his
love
by
the
care
he
should
take
to
send
and
come
himself
to
learn
news
of
us
,
she
should
have
all
reason
to
be
satisfied
with
him
.
I
made
him
no
answer
to
these
words
,
for
I
was
not
willing
to
enter
into
a
discourse
which
I
understood
but
too
well
.
Alas
!
Madam
,
Love
is
a
great
Master
,
I
was
young
,
had
no
experience
;
yet
I
well
perceived
that
the
Chevalier's
words
were
sincere
;
and
at
the
same
time
felt
in
my self
some
sentiments
in
his
favour
,
which
I
had
never
had
for
man
.
I
saw
so
little
appearance
that
the
engagement
we
might
have
together
could
come
to
any
happy
success
,
that
I
thought
it
would
be
imprudence
to
let
such
sentiments
encrease
in
my
heart
as
could
not
but
create
me
trouble
.
I
urged
to
my self
on
that
head
all
that
a
most
experienced
person
might
have
alleadged
to
me
,
and
thought
by
the
resolutions
which
I
took
,
that
I
had
said
enough
to
my self
to
stifle
a
passion
which
was
not
as
yet
fully
grown
.
I
began
to
think
my self
past
all
danger
,
when
the
Chevalier
came
back
to
Rocheville
.
I
was
a
little
vexed
when
I
perceived
in
my self
the
alteration
that
the
fight
of
him
wrought
in
me
.
yet
I
put
so
much
force
on
my self
as
to
hinder
it
from
being
discovered
,
but
I
can
not
declare
to
you
the
surprize
.
I
was
in
,
when
I
found
that
the
Chevalier
spake
much
less
to
me
than
he
was
wont
,
and
carried
himself
towards
me
in
a
way
quite
different
from
what
he
had
formerly
done
.
The
sense
that
I
had
of
that
procedure
,
convinced
me
that
my
heart
was
not
so
free
as
I
had
believed
.
One
evening
as
I
was
fetching
a
walk
alone
,
Madamoiselle
of
Freslon
came
to
me
,
Sister
,
said
she
,
for
so
we
called
one
another
,
I
have
just
now
had
the
greatest
pleasure
imaginable
in
discoursing
of
you
two
hours
compleat
,
with
one
who
hath
asked
me
a
thousand
questions
concerning
you
,
for
no
other
end
but
that
he
might
have
the
pleasure
to
make
me
speak
many
things
to
your
advantage
:
I
prayed
her
to
explain
her
meaning
.
She
told
me
that
her
Brother
had
discoursed
to
her
all
the
morning
of
me
,
and
had
not
omitted
to
question
her
about
all
that
concerned
me
,
and
particularly
about
my
humour
.
I
was
a
little
surprized
at
that
discouse
,
but
was
not
ill
pleased
to
find
thereby
that
he
concerned
himself
more
in
me
than
I
believed
.
Seeing
I
put
no
great
confidence
in
the
person
that
spake
to
me
,
I
told
her
that
I
thought
there
was
not
much
seriousness
in
what
she
acquainted
me
with
,
and
imputed
only
to
curiosity
the
questions
that
had
been
put
to
her
on
my
account
.
We
were
still
upon
that
subject
,
when
our
conversation
was
interrupted
by
the
visit
of
some
Ladies
of
the
neighbour-hood
,
to
whom
we
were
obliged
to
pay
the
civilities
of
the
house
:
we
conducted
them
in
,
and
having
left
them
in
a
roome
,
I
pretended
some
business
in
my
Chamber
,
that
I
might
there
muse
with
ease
on
all
that
had
been
told
me
:
but
I
had
not
much
time
for
reflexion
;
for
I
was
hardly
got
into
my
Chamber
when
the
Chevalier
came
in
.
He
seemed
to
me
more
melancholick
than
he
used
to
be
;
and
as
he
entered
he
begg'd
me
pardon
for
interruping
some
business
,
which
might
undoubtedly
be
more
agreable
to
me
than
the
trouble
of
entertaining
him
,
but
protesting
he
could
no
longer
resist
a
desire
that
he
had
to
speak
to
me
in
private
.
Seeing
you
can
have
no
business
with
me
,
said
I
to
him
smiling
,
which
requires
a
long
audience
,
I
believe
you
may
tell
me
all
you
have
to
say
in
the
time
that
we
are
going
to
the
rest
of
the
company
,
saying
so
,
I
gave
him
my
hand
that
we
might
goe
out
of
my
Chamber
,
and
made
appear
by
my
countenance
that
I
would
not
take
it
well
,
if
he
should
be
obstinate
to
remain
there
.
He
went
instantly
forth
,
and
we
went
together
straight
to
the
place
where
we
left
all
the
company
;
but
found
them
not
there
;
for
these
Ladies
were
gone
to
walk
in
a
grove
of
Orange
trees
.
You
see
,
Madam
iselle
,
said
the
Chevalier
,
that
heaven
favour
my
desires
,
since
it
affords
me
an
occasion
of
speaking
to
you
in
private
;
you
will
suffer
me
,
I
hope
,
to
make
use
of
it
,
and
to
beg
of
you
two
favours
;
the
one
is
,
that
you
would
fully
believe
all
that
I
shall
say
to
you
,
and
the
other
,
that
you
would
answer
me
frankly
.
I
shall
find
no
difficulty
,
said
I
to
grant
the
half
of
what
you
desire
,
since
I
never
failed
in
sincerity
to
any
body
.
But
I
cannot
conceive
continued
I
,
looking
seriously
on
him
,
what
can
be
the
intent
of
your
discourse
;
but
this
I
know
,
that
you
will
much
oblige
me
to
reflect
on
the
person
to
whom
you
speak
.
He
assured
me
that
he
had
rather
die
,
than
in
the
least
deviate
from
the
respect
that
he
owed
me
,
and
that
the
sentiment
which
he
had
for
me
,
though
made
up
of
affection
yet
contained
nothing
that
might
give
distaste
;
and
for
a
proof
of
that
,
assured
me
,
that
he
durst
never
have
discovered
the
love
he
had
for
me
,
if
he
had
not
had
good
ground
to
hope
,
that
he
might
bring
matters
so
about
as
that
he
needed
not
doubt
of
his
happiness
,
if
I
would
but
consent
to
it
.
I
know
,
Madam
,
added
he
,
that
I
might
imploy
a
thousand
more
tender
and
passionate
expressions
to
open
my
heart
to
you
,
but
I
am
better
conconvinced
,
that
the
wittiest
discourses
are
not
alwayes
the
truest
,
and
that
the
surest
mark
of
love
,
that
can
be
given
to
a
Lady
,
is
to
desire
to
be
joyned
with
her
in
such
bonds
as
nothing
can
break
.
Tell
me
your
mind
,
I
adjure
you
,
and
let
me
know
if
you
have
any
repugnance
to
receive
the
offer
which
I
make
you
.
I
will
owe
your
heart
to
none
but
your self
;
and
am
sensible
that
I
have
done
nothing
as
yet
that
may
deserve
it
,
but
when
I
have
learned
from
your
fair
mouth
,
that
you
have
no
aversion
to
me
,
there
is
nothing
which
I
will
not
do
to
obtain
▪
somewhat
more
advantagious
.
The
Chevalier
said
no
more
,
and
haveing
kept
silence
for
some
time
,
that
he
might
give
me
leisure
to
answer
,
and
perceiving
by
my
countenance
,
that
I
was
very
much
puzled
.
Speak
,
Madam
,
said
he
,
speak
,
but
for
lov's
sake
,
do
it
with
that
sincerity
you
promised
.
I
ask
but
two
words
of
you
;
tell
me
if
you
find
in
your self
a
disposition
one
day
to
love
me
,
or
command
me
never
to
appear
more
in
your
presence
;
but
once
more
speak
:
for
I
know
no
condition
more
cruel
than
to
be
in
a
state
of
uncertainty
.
I
believe
you
are
not
surprised
,
said
I
to
the
Chevalier
at
the
confusion
into
which
your
discourse
has
put
me
:
The
small
experience
I
have
in
the
world
,
and
especially
in
such
matters
,
makes
me
that
I
know
not
what
to
answer
;
but
since
I
must
keep
my
word
to
you
,
in
speaking
sincerely
;
I
must
tell
you
that
my
thoughts
of
you
have
nothing
that
looks
like
hatred
,
and
that
no
vows
of
mine
shall
ever
make
you
complain
of
your
fortune
:
but
haveing
declared
this
truth
to
you
,
you
will
take
it
in
good
part
,
that
I
represent
to
you
my
fortune
not
to
be
such
as
may
promise
any
thing
to
my
inclination
.
You
know
that
I
depend
on
my
Lady
your
Sister
,
and
that
all
the
good
and
tranquillity
of
my
life
is
at
her
disposal
;
in
a
word
you
are
not
ignorant
of
the
condition
of
our
family
:
and
you
ought
to
be
less
ignorant
that
I
will
do
nothing
without
the
consent
of
my
friends
;
and
that
there
is
no
likelihood
they
will
approve
a
settlement
,
that
will
be
so
prejudicial
to
you
.
All
these
reasons
have
obliged
me
to
strive
against
the
inclinations
that
I
felt
for
you
,
and
to
pray
you
to
overcome
the
passion
which
you
profess
to
have
for
me
,
seeing
it
can
never
succeed
to
the
advantage
either
of
your self
or
me
.
You
may
possibly
,
added
I
,
accuse
me
of
too
much
credulity
in
answering
so
seriously
to
what
you
have
proposed
:
but
I
have
alwayes
thought
that
most
part
of
women
,
who
turn
such
kind
of
discourses
into
raillery
,
are
not
displeased
to
be
plyed
with
them
still
;
and
for
my
part
,
I
should
be
much
afraid
to
hear
the
like
often
.
I
am
so
overjoyed
at
the
first
words
you
have
said
to
me
,
answered
the
Chevalier
,
and
and
my
heart
is
so
filled
therewith
,
that
melancholy
can
find
no
place
there
,
and
that
I
may
let
you
see
my
fortune
is
not
so
bad
as
you
take
it
to
be
;
I
'le
tell
you
one
thing
,
that
none
of
this
Country
,
but
my self
knows
as
yet
,
That
is
,
that
my
brother
the
Knight
of
Maltha
,
who
is
advanced
in
the
order
either
by
time
or
the
services
that
he
hath
performed
,
hath
made
his
vows
two
or
three
months
before
he
heard
of
the
death
of
my
elder
Brother
.
He
hath
sent
me
word
,
that
he
is
no
more
in
a
condition
to
forsake
that
profession
,
and
that
though
it
were
free
to
him
to
do
so
,
yet
he
would
never
change
it
for
another
.
He
hath
intreated
me
to
chuse
the
fittest
time
to
acquaint
my
Father
with
that
news
:
and
I
have
resolved
to
tell
him
nothing
of
it
until
I
knew
what
fortune
I
might
expect
from
you
.
I
had
no
time
to
answer
his
last
words
,
because
we
were
told
that
they
stayed
for
us
to
come
to
Supper
,
during
which
;
I
observed
that
Madamoiselle
of
Freslon
endeavoured
to
read
in
the
countenance
of
her
Brother
and
me
what
kind
of
discourse
we
had
had
together
in
our
evenings
walk
:
when
all
the
company
had
withdrawn
.
I
went
to
my
Mother-in-law's
Chamber
,
and
being
told
by
her
Maids
▪
that
she
was
in
her
closet
,
I
approached
to
the
door
,
and
having
made
a
little
noise
that
she
might
know
that
I
was
there
,
she
bad
me
come
in
.
Having
shut
the
door
after
me
,
I
know
not
,
Madam
,
said
I
to
her
,
what
you
will
think
of
the
discourse
that
I
am
to
tell
you
,
but
I
know
very
well
I
should
be
altogether
unworthy
of
the
kindness
wherewith
you
have
honoured
me
,
and
of
the
care
you
have
taken
of
my
education
,
if
I
concealed
from
you
any
thing
that
may
concern
me
.
I
must
tell
you
then
Madam
,
that
your
Brother
hath
spoken
to
me
in
such
a
strain
as
gives
me
ground
to
believe
he
has
some
kindness
for
me
:
but
seeing
my
judgement
is
not
ripe
enough
to
discant
on
such
matters
:
I
hope
you
will
take
it
well
;
Madam
,
that
I
refer
my self
to
yours
.
Having
said
so
,
I
told
her
word
for
word
the
whole
conversation
that
her
Brother
and
I
had
had
together
;
and
besought
her
so
to
order
my
conduct
,
that
I
might
do
nothing
whereat
one
day
she
might
be
dissatisfied
,
she
interrupted
me
not
during
the
whole
time
of
my
discourse
;
but
when
I
had
made
an
end
,
embracing
me
with
Motherly
affection
;
I
praise
God
,
Daughter
,
said
she
,
that
all
the
care
I
have
taken
for
you
,
has
met
with
a
disposition
that
hath
surpassed
all
that
I
could
have
desired
.
You
have
reason
to
believe
that
the
interest
of
my
Brother
shall
never
banish
from
my
heart
your
concerns
;
and
seeing
of
all
the
advantages
that
are
desired
in
marriage
you
want
nothing
but
a
fortune
,
and
that
by
a
thousand
other
qualities
you
supply
the
defect
of
that
which
is
not
essential
to
the
happiness
of
life
,
I
think
my
Brother
too
happy
in
having
you
for
his
Wife
.
You
may
trust
to
me
as
to
a
Mother
,
who
most
dearly
loves
you
;
you
have
exceedingly
delighted
me
in
speaking
to
me
as
you
have
done
;
I
have
already
perceived
my
Brothers
inclinations
towards
you
,
and
some
there
have
been
who
have
endeavoured
to
do
you
bad
offices
with
me
.
We
had
much
discourse
on
this
subject
,
and
at
length
she
advised
me
to
trie
as
exactly
as
I
could
if
her
Brother
spake
to
me
with
so
much
sincerity
,
as
he
endeavo●red
to
perswade
me
.
For
to
be
short
,
continued
she
,
we
are
of
a
sex
that
ought
to
guard
against
the
dissimulation
of
men
,
and
we
cannot
be
too
cautions
to
secure
our selves
from
that
.
When
I
had
returned
into
my
Chamber
,
and
reflected
on
all
that
had
been
said
to
me
,
I
made
no
doubt
but
that
it
was
Mademoiselle
of
Freslon
who
had
sought
the
occasion
to
possesse
her
Sister
with
prejudice
against
me
.
I
had
for
a
long
time
observed
,
that
she
bore
me
a
spight
,
and
that
she
had
sought
all
wayes
to
do
me
an
injury
;
but
I
seemed
alwayes
ignorant
of
it
,
as
well
because
I
delighted
not
in
quarels
,
as
for
the
respect
I
had
for
my
Lady
her
Sister
;
and
I
endeavoured
by
all
kind
of
solicitude
and
little
offices
,
to
overcome
her
unjust
machinations
.
Now
seeing
the
Chevalier
was
to
depart
next
day
;
I
was
sensible
that
we
could
not
renew
our
conversation
,
and
the
rather
because
I
had
resolved
to
give
no
occasion
to
the
young
Lady
his
Sister
of
entertaining
any
new
suspitions
of
our
intelligence
.
I
made
it
my
business
all
the
day
to
pay
the
civilities
of
the
house
to
these
Ladies
who
came
to
visit
us
;
and
seeing
I
delighted
alwayes
in
musick
,
I
prayed
the
Chevalier
to
give
me
the
lines
that
were
made
at
Avignon
,
to
an
air
which
he
had
taught
me
.
As
he
was
looking
for
that
,
he
dropt
a
paper
out
of
his
pocket
;
his
Sister
took
it
up
,
without
being
perceived
by
him
,
and
made
me
a
sign
that
we
should
go
read
it
together
:
I
told
the
Chevalier
that
I
could
not
refrain
from
the
curiosity
I
had
of
seeing
somewhat
that
his
Sister
intended
to
shew
me
,
but
promised
to
impart
it
to
him
,
if
it
was
worth
his
pains
.
I
had
not
done
so
,
if
I
had
not
thought
that
that
Lady
,
who
was
naturally
destrustful
had
suspected
that
I
was
concerned
in
that
Letter
;
so
I
w●thdrew
with
her
into
a
window
that
we
might
read
it
;
and
in
it
we
found
these
words
.
WHere
it
as
easie
▪
for
me
to
break
th●
bonds
that
detain
you
where
you
are
,
as
it
was
to
tear
the
Bill
of
Exchange
which
I
send
you
back
,
you
should
have
no
pretext
that
might
hinder
you
from
seeing
me
again
.
I
am
not
satisfied
with
your
heart
,
I
find
nothing
of
it
in
all
your
Letters
;
they
are
civil
,
but
they
are
short
,
and
of
a
cold
and
perplexed
stile
:
and
that
which
gives
me
a
total
alarm
,
is
your
great
exactness
in
paying
of
a
debt
which
no
body
craves
you
for
.
Think
rather
of
acquitting
you
self
of
one
for
which
I
am
afraid
you
will
become
bankrupt
,
for
I
am
so
punctual
to
my
duty
in
all
that
I
have
promised
you
,
that
you
cannot
perform
yours
,
if
you
be
not
desperatly
in
love
with
me
.
You
know
me
,
and
on
that
account
I
will
not
take
bad
mony
for
good
coyn
:
I
require
heart
for
heart
.
You
are
engaged
to
it
;
and
nothing
can
excuse
you
from
keeping
your
word
.
I
send
you
some
Letters
from
Maltha
which
are
addressed
to
this
place
for
you
.
The
engagement
wherein
your
Brother
is
,
hath
made
me
reflect
much
on
your
horoscope
.
Alas
!
what
would
I
not
give
to
see
all
these
predictions
fulfilled
.
Farewel
,
I
perceive
I
am
like
to
say
more
than
I
would
,
and
perhaps
also
more
than
you
desire
.
When
I
began
to
write
this
Letter
,
I
resolved
to
quarrel
with
you
for
the
mony
you
have
sent
me
,
but
I
want
strength
to
do
it
,
I
am
still
the
same
,
or
to
say
better
I
am
a
thousand
times
worse
;
seeing
time
and
absence
,
which
serve
to
cure
other
evils
,
do
only
encrease
mine
:
Adieu
,
send
me
long
Letters
,
but
never
any
more
Bills
of
Exchange
.
I
shall
not
tell
you
my
thoughts
,
Madam
,
whil'st
this
Letter
was
a
reading
;
never
was
heart
in
so
violent
an
agitation
,
and
I
had
so
little
command
of
my self
,
that
his
Sister
might
easily
have
discovered
all
that
she
desired
to
know
,
had
she
but
observed
me
.
I
did
all
I
could
to
reassure
my self
;
and
told
the
Lady
,
that
if
I
had
thought
that
that
Letter
had
been
so
dear
to
her
Brother
,
I
should
have
had
a
special
care
not
to
have
vexed
him
by
reading
it
.
I
only
spake
these
few
words
,
and
took
some
simple
pretext
to
retire
a
little
in
private
,
that
I
might
recover
my self
from
the
trouble
that
so
unexpected
an
adventure
had
put
me
in
,
so
soon
as
I
found
my self
so
composed
as
to
appear
,
I
returned
to
the
company
.
I
found
them
all
busied
in
playing
upon
the
Chevalier
for
the
Letter
that
his
Sister
had
read
.
He
justified
himself
like
a
man
who
seemed
not
much
displeased
at
the
discourse
;
but
I
engaged
as
little
as
I
could
in
all
that
foolery
.
So
soon
as
the
Chevalier
could
come
to
speak
to
me
in
private
;
good
now
,
Madam
,
said
he
condemn
me
not
without
a
hearing
,
unless
you
intend
to
force
me
to
despair
.
It
will
be
hard
for
you
to
excuse
you
self
in
my
mind
,
said
I
,
and
I
never
pardon
a
Gentleman
who
is
cruel
,
or
even
indifferent
towards
a
Lady
,
and
I
so
compassionate
her
that
writes
to
you
,
that
though
I
know
her
not
,
yet
I
take
her
part
against
you
,
and
I
could
almost
do
any
thing
for
her
satisfaction
.
I
spake
these
words
in
such
a
manner
as
might
give
him
to
understand
that
I
was
not
well
satisfied
with
what
I
had
seen
.
Once
More
,
Madam
,
said
he
,
I
adjure
you
to
give
me
a
minutes
hearing
;
and
what
prejudice
soever
you
may
have
conceived
against
me
,
I
hope
,
you
will
be
so
just
as
to
acknowledge
me
innocent
.
Deny
me
not
then
the
favour
that
I
begg
,
unless
you
intend
to
force
me
to
make
use
of
the
authority
that
my
Sister
has
over
you
,
that
I
may
obtain
a
short
attention
.
I
was
so
curious
to
hear
the
particulars
of
an
adventure
,
which
put
me
already
into
so
great
perplexity
,
that
it
was
no
hard
matter
for
the
Chevalier
to
obtain
his
desires
;
especially
seeing
I
had
all
the
convenience
that
I
could
wish
for
,
to
speak
to
him
,
because
the
rest
of
the
company
were
fallen
to
play
.
He
began
his
discourse
with
fresh
assurances
of
the
affection
he
had
for
me
.
He
gave
me
an
exact
relation
of
all
that
happened
to
him
at
Arles
;
and
there
appeared
so
much
frankness
in
the
assurances
he
gave
me
,
that
he
had
never
entertained
more
for
Felicia
but
a
kindness
of
gratitude
,
that
I
could
not
but
be
satisfied
.
He
made
me
also
take
notice
that
she
complained
of
him
in
the
Letter
that
was
in
question
.
In
a
word
,
Madam
,
the
reasons
of
one
whom
we
love
,
easily
perswade
and
gain
credit
,
and
that
conversation
which
with
so
much
peevishness
I
had
begun
,
ended
with
reciprocal
assurances
of
an
inviolable
love
:
but
I
considered
not
,
Madam
,
said
the
Countess
to
me
;
that
the
remembrance
of
a
happy
time
,
so
possesses
my
mind
,
that
I
am
not
aware
that
this
relation
is
too
long
,
and
may
prove
tedious
to
you
.
I
told
her
that
I
should
be
ravished
to
spend
the
whole
day
in
hearing
adventures
wherein
I
sensibly
concerned
my self
.
Having
given
her
that
assurance
she
continued
in
this
manner
the
rest
of
the
evening
.
It
was
impossible
for
me
to
entertain
a
long
discourse
with
the
Chevalier
,
he
told
me
only
that
he
would
be
gone
next
day
without
taking
leave
.
He
assured
me
that
for
ever
he
would
prove
constant
in
his
love
,
and
make
all
the
haste
he
could
to
return
.
The
End
of
the
first
Part
.
THE
Penitent
Hermit
.
OR
The
Fruits
of
Jealousie
.
The
Second
Part
.
IT
is
needless
for
me
,
Madam
,
to
tell
you
the
trouble
that
the
absence
of
the
Chevalier
caused
in
me
;
because
by
telling
you
that
I
loved
him
sincerely
,
and
that
my
heart
is
naturally
very
soft
and
tender
;
I
think
,
I
have
given
you
to
understand
in
a
few
words
,
that
I
am
not
insensible
when
any
thing
comes
to
me
from
the
beloved
object
.
The
time
in
which
the
Chevalier
promised
to
return
was
not
as
yet
expired
,
when
he
came
to
Rocheville
:
and
that
exactness
of
doing
more
than
he
had
promised
filled
me
with
joy
;
but
I
was
exceedingly
surprized
to
observe
a
great
deal
of
melancholly
and
anxiety
in
his
countenance
;
which
encreased
the
impatience
that
I
had
of
speaking
to
him
in
private
.
He
being
no
less
impatient
than
I
,
made
us
quickly
find
an
occasion
of
entertainment
.
He
informed
me
,
that
his
Father
upon
his
return
told
him
that
he
designed
to
marry
him
to
a
Maid
of
an
extraordinay
fortune
;
that
he
had
done
what
he
could
to
divert
him
from
that
resolution
:
But
that
seeing
he
was
a
man
steadfast
in
his
purposes
,
he
feared
to
exasperate
him
,
and
that
he
only
told
him
with
all
imaginable
submission
and
mildness
,
that
besides
the
natural
aversion
that
he
had
to
marriage
,
he
had
no
likeing
to
the
Maid
that
was
proposed
to
him
,
who
was
fearfully
ugly
:
He
told
me
that
he
was
come
to
find
some
consolation
in
my
Company
,
and
to
consult
with
me
on
the
means
to
prevent
so
unexpected
a
disaster
.
Though
I
did
not
expect
that
a
matter
of
that
importance
could
be
concluded
so
very
suddenly
,
yet
I
found
my self
much
afflicted
at
the
news
,
and
that
which
increased
my
trouble
,
was
a
firm
resolution
that
I
had
taken
,
never
to
enter
into
a
family
,
without
the
consent
and
desire
of
those
that
were
chiefly
concerned
in
it
.
The
example
of
my
Mother
obliged
me
to
take
that
resolution
,
which
I
declared
to
the
Chevalier
;
and
though
he
would
have
willingly
desired
other
marks
of
my
kindness
,
yet
I
still
persisted
in
that
mind
,
and
he
continued
unchangeable
on
his
part
in
the
resolution
he
had
taken
not
to
listen
to
any
proposition
concerning
that
marriage
.
He
told
me
,
that
he
had
some
hopes
that
when
his
Father
should
understand
that
his
Eldest
Son
had
made
his
vows
and
was
professed
,
he
would
allow
him
some
more
liberty
:
But
that
he
was
unwilling
to
discover
any
such
thing
to
him
,
least
that
by
so
doing
he
might
have
created
himself
some
new
trouble
.
He
likewise
told
me
that
at
his
departure
he
had
not
told
his
Father
whither
he
was
going
,
and
that
it
was
thought
he
was
gone
to
pay
some
Visits
elsewhere
,
and
that
he
could
not
tarry
with
us
above
a
day
.
We
spent
that
whole
day
in
bewailing
our
cross
fortune
,
and
in
contriving
wayes
to
render
it
more
happy
.
The
Chevalier
discovered
himself
to
the
Marchioness
of
Rocheville
his
Sister
.
She
answered
him
like
a
good
and
discreet
Lady
,
and
thought
it
enough
to
tell
him
that
she
could
give
no
advice
in
a
matter
that
might
displease
the
Count
their
Father
;
but
that
she
could
neither
oppose
his
designe
,
which
appeared
to
her
the
more
reasonable
,
that
she
was
confident
he
could
never
f●n●
a
wife
with
whom
he
could
spend
his
life
with
so
much
content
and
pleasure
as
with
me
.
We
resolved
all
three
together
to
wait
till
Heaven
might
be
pleased
to
dispose
more
favourably
the
mind
of
the
Count
of
Freslon
,
and
that
in
the
mean
time
we
should
use
all
circumspection
to
hinder
him
from
discovering
our
love
.
The
Chevalier
departed
next
morningly
by
times
,
and
from
that
day
I
began
to
feel
by
sad
experience
the
pains
of
those
who
are
sincerely
but
unfortunately
in
Love
.
On
a
day
when
my
thoughts
were
taken
up
in
makeing
sad
reflexions
on
the
success
that
the
business
which
lay
nearest
my
heart
,
might
have
,
I
was
told
that
my
Mother-in-law
called
for
me
;
I
went
to
her
Closet
,
and
was
exceedingly
surprized
to
see
her
eyes
bathed
in
tears
.
It
is
not
,
said
she
,
shewing
me
a
Letter
,
to
purchase
your
thanks
for
a
displeasure
that
I
have
just
now
received
,
that
I
have
sent
for
you
;
but
only
that
I
may
divide
with
you
all
the
troubles
that
we
are
like
to
meet
with
.
When
she
had
said
so
,
she
read
a
loud
a
Lette●
that
the
Count
her
Father
had
written
to
her
,
wherein
he
reproached
her
,
for
countenancing
the
foolish
passion
that
his
Son
had
for
me
;
he
exaggerated
the
discontent
that
that
wrought
in
him
,
and
the
rage
which
it
put
him
in
against
my
Lady
his
Daughter
,
in
so
rough
terms
,
that
I
was
not
at
all
surprized
at
her
affliction
.
I
cannot
express
how
much
I
was
moved
for
having
been
the
cause
of
her
trouble
.
I
was
so
sensible
thereof
,
that
the
very
thought
of
it
suspended
in
my
heart
all
the
reflexions
that
I
might
have
made
upon
my
own
calamities
;
I
shall
not
trouble
you
with
a
relation
of
all
that
we
said
on
this
occasion
.
We
concluded
,
that
it
must
needs
have
been
Madamoiselle
of
Freslon
who
had
acquainted
her
Father
with
the
love
that
her
Brother
had
for
me
,
and
that
which
the
more
confirmed
us
in
that
belief
,
was
,
that
she
had
testified
to
my
Lady
her
Sister
,
that
she
was
very
desirous
her
Brother
might
marry
the
Lady
that
was
proposed
to
him
,
because
she
hoped
thereby
that
she
might
have
some
share
of
her
great
portion
,
which
might
procure
her
a
speedy
marriage
.
I
earnestly
entreated
my
Lady
,
her
Sister
,
that
she
would
speak
nothing
to
her
of
our
suspicion
,
and
at
the
same
time
besought
her
to
suffer
me
to
go
to
Avignon
there
to
abide
for
some
time
with
one
of
my
Aunts
:
I
was
the
rather
induced
to
beg
that
of
her
,
because
I
hoped
that
it
might
justifie
her
to
her
Father
,
as
to
the
accusations
he
charged
her
with
on
my
account
,
and
besides
I
had
a
secret
design
in
that
journey
,
which
was
to
put
my self
into
a
Monastery
,
and
there
to
continue
all
my
life
time
,
rather
than
to
expose
the
only
persons
whom
I
loved
in
the
World
to
crosses
and
misfortunes
for
my
sake
.
I
had
special
care
not
to
discover
my
designes
;
because
I
was
very
sure
that
she
to
whom
I
spake
,
would
never
have
consented
to
it
.
I
had
even
much
ado
to
perswade
her
to
let
me
take
that
journey
,
and
I
may
truly
say
that
never
was
greater
love
between
a
Mother
and
Daughter-in-law
,
than
was
between
us
.
At
length
I
departed
on
the
journey
I
have
been
telling
you
of
,
and
I
wanted
not
pretexts
for
making
it
,
because
all
my
Mothers
kindred
lived
in
that
City
,
or
in
the
neighbourhood
;
yet
never
was
journy
made
with
greater
affliction
:
so
soon
as
I
was
at
liberty
,
I
gave
my self
wholly
up
to
sorrow
;
which
was
the
greater
because
I
had
laid
violent
constraints
on
my self
to
conceal
it
before
my
departure
.
I
have
been
so
loath
,
Madam
,
to
tell
you
things
unnecessary
,
that
I
have
forbore
to
mention
many
particulars
which
might
have
been
necessary
to
the
sequel
of
my
discourse
,
I
must
tell
you
then
that
the
love
I
had
for
my
Mother-in-law
,
having
hindered
me
to
go
to
my
Mothers
relations
,
what
entreaties
so
ever
they
had
made
to
me
after
my
Fathers
death
,
exceedingly
vexed
them
;
and
especially
one
of
my
Unkles
,
who
had
alwayes
professed
a
great
kindness
for
me
.
I
made
the
pretext
of
my
journey
to
be
a
visit
to
his
Lady
,
whom
I
had
never
seen
since
her
marriage
;
and
I
had
no
great
difficulty
to
make
my
peace
with
my
Unkle
.
When
I
came
to
his
house
,
he
was
just
upon
going
to
Avignon
with
his
Lady
,
there
to
spend
the
Carnaval
.
If
my
inclination
had
been
followed
,
they
would
not
have
made
that
journey
;
for
a
country
retirement
was
far
more
proper
for
my
melancholick
humour
than
the
noise
of
the
City
,
where
all
was
mirth
and
jollity
,
and
especially
at
that
time
.
Whil'st
we
were
at
Avignon
I
meet
with
an
unexpected
accident
,
which
put
me
in
great
confusion
;
for
my
Kinswoman
,
who
was
young
,
and
minded
only
to
spend
her
time
with
pleasure
,
took
me
with
her
,
one
evening
that
she
was
invited
to
supper
,
to
a
great
house
where
a
consort
of
musick
was
provided
;
where
after
we
had
danced
some
time
,
the
Marquess
her
husband
was
let
in
.
I
was
very
glad
that
the
tumult
had
delivered
me
from
constraint
:
and
therefore
pretending
to
be
weary
,
and
unwilling
to
be
in
a
place
where
I
might
be
taken
out
to
dance
,
I
retired
into
a
corner
of
the
Hall
.
I
had
not
been
long
there
,
when
I
espied
one
in
the
habit
of
an
Egyptian
,
who
,
having
looked
every
where
about
,
came
and
fell
on
his
knees
before
me
.
I
was
not
at
all
surprized
at
that
carriage
;
for
,
you
know
,
Madam
,
that
Provence
,
is
the
place
of
the
World
where
Mummers
are
the
gallantest
:
but
I
wondered
to
perceive
that
the
person
,
who
had
been
so
solicitous
to
draw
near
to
me
,
looked
on
me
a
long
time
without
speaking
a
word
;
which
made
me
laugh
a
little
.
I
asked
my
mummer
if
there
was
no
body
in
all
the
Company
to
whom
he
could
talk
pleasingly
;
he
answered
me
in
Italian
with
a
counterfeit
voice
,
that
men
were
often
silent
because
they
had
too
many
things
to
say
,
and
that
he
durst
not
trouble
my
meditations
.
I
told
him
,
that
I
took
his
answer
as
a
good
excuse
for
his
silence
,
and
assured
him
that
he
had
pitched
upon
the
right
person
when
he
came
to
me
,
if
he
had
no
desire
to
speak
;
since
I
took
alwayes
pleasure
in
silence
.
I
am
surprized
,
answered
the
Mummer
;
that
such
a
Lady
as
you
can
be
melancholick
;
I
thought
sadness
ought
to
be
the
portion
of
wretches
,
such
as
I.
You
will
confess
that
no
man
can
be
more
,
when
I
have
told
you
the
perplexity
that
I
am
in
.
You
know
that
we
are
of
a
profession
that
allowes
us
nothing
but
what
we
steal
:
I
cast
my
eyes
on
one
of
the
fairest
young
sheep
that
ever
was
;
I
believed
my self
sure
to
catch
it
,
nevertheless
it
has
escaped
at
the
time
when
I
least
expected
;
and
that
which
is
most
grievous
to
me
,
is
that
I
serve
a
master
,
who
will
never
let
me
rest
,
untill
I
have
found
again
what
my
ill
luck
hath
made
me
lose
.
I
took
this
discourse
for
an
invention
to
play
the
part
of
an
Egyptian
,
and
to
excuse
himself
,
that
he
had
been
so
slow
in
speaking
to
me
;
I
resolved
to
continue
the
Act
,
and
told
the
Mummer
,
that
I
pitied
his
accident
,
but
that
I
hoped
he
might
find
somewhat
on
his
way
,
that
might
comfort
him
for
his
loss
.
Your
hopes
may
pass
for
prophesies
,
Madam
,
answered
he
,
for
since
I
have
been
with
you
,
I
find
my
misfortune
much
lessened
;
and
if
you
will
grant
me
the
least
assistance
,
I
hope
I
may
see
my
troubles
at
an
end
.
The
Egyptian
spake
these
last
words
in
a
way
that
much
perplexed
me
.
If
you
would
have
me
render
you
any
good
Office
,
said
I
to
him
,
you
must
deserve
it
by
a
piece
of
complaisance
,
which
I
desire
of
you
;
it
is
easie
enough
,
since
all
I
desire
is
that
you
would
tell
me
your
name
;
I
confess
to
you
I
am
very
desirous
to
know
it
,
and
the
name
of
that
Master
,
who
obliges
you
to
so
painful
a
search
.
I
shall
willingly
tell
you
my
Masters
name
,
said
the
Egyptian
,
drawing
a
little
nearer
me
;
the
small
acquaintance
you
have
with
him
makes
me
afraid
you
will
not
concern
your self
any
more
in
his
affaires
,
when
once
you
have
heard
it
.
You
must
know
then
that
Love
is
my
Master
,
and
were
I
somewhat
less
unhappy
than
I
am
,
your
heart
would
have
already
explained
to
you
the
whole
riddle
,
and
you
would
have
known
the
person
that
speaks
to
you
.
I
needed
no
farther
clearing
,
and
at
these
words
I
knew
it
was
the
Chevalier
de
Belges
,
who
spake
to
me
under
the
disguise
of
an
Egyptian
.
I
know
not
whether
my
joy
or
surprize
was
greatest
.
I
prayed
him
,
that
was
the
cause
of
it
,
to
tell
me
what
good
Genius
had
brought
him
so
quickly
to
the
place
where
I
was
.
He
told
me
,
that
having
gone
to
see
my
Lady
his
Sister
,
and
having
missed
me
there
,
he
had
inquired
where
I
was
;
and
that
having
stayed
a
day
at
Rochevile
,
he
had
departed
from
thence
without
communicating
to
any
where
he
designed
to
go
,
and
that
having
none
with
him
,
but
a
Valet
de
Chamber
in
whom
he
could
trust
,
he
had
taken
Post
to
come
to
me
.
That
being
the
same
evening
come
to
Avignon
,
he
had
learnt
at
the
Inn
where
he
alighted
,
that
there
was
a
great
Ball
that
evening
,
where
all
the
Ladies
in
the
Town
were
to
be
;
and
that
he
resolved
to
come
thither
in
disguise
that
he
might
endeavour
to
speak
with
me
;
and
to
take
from
me
his
measures
how
he
should
behave
himself
towards
me
in
publick
.
Having
testified
to
him
my
acknowledgement
for
the
trouble
he
had
put
himself
to
for
my
sake
,
I
told
him
,
that
I
thought
it
not
fit
he
should
stay
long
at
Avignon
;
that
I
was
affraid
,
if
he
did
,
it
might
cut
out
more
work
for
him
with
the
Count
his
Father
.
He
seemed
unwilling
to
follow
my
counsels
on
that
occasion
;
and
seeing
the
pleasure
of
seeing
one
whom
we
love
,
carries
commonally
greater
sway
than
the
fear
of
discontents
,
which
are
but
seen
at
a
distance
,
I
gave
consent
that
the
Chevalier
might
spend
the
rest
of
the
carnaval
at
Avignon
.
I
thought
that
the
divertisments
,
which
at
that
time
are
to
be
found
in
that
City
,
might
prove
a
rare
pretext
to
warrant
his
abode
there
;
our
conversation
lasted
very
long
,
and
I
was
as
loath
to
leave
that
assembly
as
I
was
to
come
into
it
.
The
Chevalier
thanked
me
for
all
my
pains
in
so
passionate
a
manner
,
that
I
thought
all
that
I
had
done
for
him
nothing
in
respect
of
what
he
deserved
.
So
soon
as
I
returned
to
my
Chamber
I
went
in
all
haste
to
bed
,
that
I
might
muse
with
my self
at
greater
ease
.
The
night
was
almost
spent
when
I
began
to
fall
a
sleep
,
and
that
was
the
cause
that
it
was
late
before
I
awoke
.
I
was
not
as
yet
out
of
bed
,
when
my
Unkle
entered
my
Chamber
,
and
rattled
me
for
my
laziness
.
You
have
reason
,
said
he
,
to
be
tender
of
your
beauty
,
for
it
produces
very
extraordinary
effects
:
you
will
believe
it
when
I
have
acquainted
you
with
the
visit
I
received
this
morning
.
With
these
words
,
having
desired
the
Maids
,
that
were
in
my
Chamber
,
to
withdraw
,
he
told
me
that
the
Marquess
of
Doursan
,
who
was
a
man
of
great
age
,
and
no
less
fortune
and
merit
,
had
been
with
him
that
morning
to
tell
him
that
he
had
so
great
an
inclination
for
me
,
that
he
was
resolved
to
essay
by
all
meanes
to
oblige
me
to
admit
his
suit
,
but
seeing
he
perceived
that
the
language
of
Love
did
not
agree
with
gray
hairs
,
he
found
himself
obliged
to
implore
his
assistance
to
obtain
my
consent
in
the
design
he
had
for
me
;
and
that
he
so
referred
all
his
concerns
to
him
,
that
he
declared
he
would
grant
me
all
the
advantages
that
our
family
could
desire
.
This
is
the
thing
,
Neece
,
said
he
,
that
I
have
to
impart
to
you
;
you
know
your
fortune
is
not
suted
to
your
birth
,
it
is
therefore
my
opinion
you
should
not
reject
the
propositions
I
have
made
to
you
.
That
discourse
put
me
into
a
terrible
vexation
,
because
I
well
foresaw
that
that
matter
would
hatch
new
impediments
to
the
engagement
I
had
with
the
Chevalier
:
I
answered
my
Unkle
with
all
possible
civility
;
but
so
chose
my
words
,
that
I
gave
him
no
positive
reply
.
Seeing
it
was
already
very
late
,
he
left
me
that
I
m●ght
have
time
to
make
my self
ready
;
but
my
mind
was
so
taken
up
with
what
I
had
heard
,
that
I
did
not
much
heed
my
dress
,
and
I
longed
much
to
see
the
Chevalier
,
that
I
might
speak
with
him
.
Whil'st
my
thoughts
were
so
employed
,
one
of
his
Servants
entered
my
Chamber
,
and
asked
me
in
his
Masters
name
,
if
I
thought
fit
that
he
should
pay
me
a
visit
after
dinner
,
and
if
I
would
have
the
goodness
to
present
him
to
those
with
whom
I
was
.
You
may
believe
I
made
no
great
difficulty
on
that
occasion
to
grant
his
desire
.
Immediatly
after
dinner
the
Chevalier
entered
the
room
where
we
were
;
and
so
soon
as
I
had
told
the
Company
who
he
was
,
they
received
him
with
much
civility
.
We
had
spent
already
some
time
in
general
discourses
,
when
a
Valet
de
Chamber
having
whispered
my
Unkle
in
the
ear
,
he
went
out
of
the
room
,
and
returned
again
immediatly
.
Ladies
,
said
he
,
looking
at
me
with
a
smile
,
I
am
employed
to
pray
you
to
take
the
pains
to
go
hear
a
consort
of
Musick
in
one
of
the
pleasantest
houses
about
Avignon
:
I
am
charged
to
perform
the
civilities
of
this
entertainment
,
and
that
it
may
be
the
more
agreeable
;
I
have
liberty
to
chuse
such
as
I
please
to
make
the
Company
.
I
knew
very
well
by
the
air
my
Unkle
spake
with
;
that
the
regale
came
from
him
whom
he
had
spoken
to
me
of
in
the
morning
.
Had
I
been
,
absolutely
my
own
Mistress
,
I
would
have
stayed
at
home
:
but
it
was
in
vain
for
me
to
think
of
that
.
The
Chevalier
de
Belges
,
being
all
the
while
present
,
he
was
intreated
to
make
one
of
the
company
,
and
it
was
no
hard
matter
to
perswade
him
,
because
of
the
pleasure
he
took
to
be
with
me
;
and
seeing
he
,
to
whose
house
we
were
going
,
was
his
near
Kinsman
,
my
Unkle
charged
him
to
acquaint
five
or
six
jolly
Women
,
and
some
Gentlemen
of
our
gang
.
Whil'st
my
Unkle
was
busied
in
giving
his
orders
,
the
Chevailier
drew
near
to
me
;
I
cannot
,
tell
,
said
he
,
if
I
be
mistaken
:
but
I
think
you
are
a
great
deal
more
melancholy
than
ordinary
,
tell
me
what
ground
you
have
for
it
.
I
cannot
satisfie
your
curiosity
said
I
to
him
,
unless
we
were
in
another
place
;
and
I
assure
you
that
the
greatest
regale
that
I
propose
to
my self
in
the
place
,
whither
we
are
going
,
is
,
that
I
may
there
find
some
opportunit●
of
sp●aking
to
you
with
freedome
.
I
had
hardly
spoken
these
words
,
when
they
that
were
to
go
with
us
to
this
ceremony
,
entered
the
Room
,
and
immediatly
after
we
all
took
Coach
to
go
to
the
place
where
we
were
expected
.
It
is
certainly
one
of
the
loveliest
places
in
the
world
,
whether
for
situation
,
or
the
pains
that
have
been
bestowed
upon
it
.
But
expect
not
,
Madam
,
that
I
will
give
you
an
exact
account
of
all
the
rarities
that
are
to
be
seen
there
,
nor
of
the
pleasures
and
divertisments
that
were
afforded
us
.
It
is
tedious
to
me
to
read
long
descriptions
,
and
I
find
so
few
that
pleasantly
make
them
,
that
I
shall
have
special
care
not
to
engage
in
such
an
undertaking
.
I
shall
only
tell
you
,
that
what
ever
abundance
,
neatness
,
gallantry
,
and
magnificence
could
devise
,
was
to
be
found
in
that
entertainment
;
and
that
my
old
Lover
took
an
opportunity
to
tell
me
his
mind
whil'st
the
Company
was
taken
up
with
hearing
an
admirable
consort
of
Musick
.
I
observed
that
notwithstending
all
his
gravity
he
could
not
forbear
two
or
three
time
to
change
colour
as
he
drew
near
me
.
I
know
not
Lady
,
said
he
to
me
,
leaning
on
the
back
of
my
chair
,
if
your
Unkle
hath
spoken
to
you
of
the
discourse
we
had
together
this
morning
,
but
I
know
very
well
that
your
merit
must
far
exceed
all
that
I
have
hitherto
seen
,
seeing
you
have
inspired
sentiments
into
me
which
I
never
knew
before
;
it
is
misbecoming
a
man
of
my
age
to
confess
his
folle
,
but
when
one
wants
strength
to
overcome
,
he
ought
to
betake
himself
to
the
goodness
of
his
Conquerour
.
I
am
not
so
blind
as
to
hope
that
you
entertain
a
reciprocal
passion
for
me
;
but
if
you
have
not
an
insuperable
aversion
to
my
person
,
I
shall
endeavour
by
fortune
to
repair
the
defects
of
nature
.
Pardon
me
,
I
pray
you
,
Sir
,
said
I
,
if
I
answer
not
seriously
to
a
discourse
which
I
look
upon
as
an
exercise
of
your
wit
to
divert
your self
by
trifling
from
the
great
affaires
wherein
you
are
imployed
.
This
I
said
,
with
so
much
co●●●sion
,
that
the
good
man
believed
it
was
only
bashfulness
that
made
me
so
unwilling
to
hear
him
;
so
that
having
spoken
two
or
three
words
more
on
the
same
subject
,
and
the
consort
being
ended
,
he
changed
his
place
.
We
were
desired
to
go
into
a
large
and
fair
hall
,
and
the
Chevalier
catched
an
opportunity
to
give
me
his
hand
.
What
I
see
here
,
said
he
,
when
he
was
near
me
,
begins
to
displease
me
,
and
I
am
much
mistaken
,
if
all
the
Philosophy
of
the
Master
of
this
house
can
defend
him
against
your
charmes
.
Before
he
had
said
this
we
were
got
so
near
the
rest
of
the
Company
that
I
could
make
him
no
answer
but
by
a
nod
.
After
supper
,
we
were
pleasantly
surprized
to
see
the
preparatives
of
a
Comedy
,
which
was
presently
acted
.
In
a
word
,
Madam
,
we
found
so
many
occasions
of
divertisement
in
that
place
,
that
it
was
day
before
we
returned
to
Avignon
.
Seeing
I
had
not
slept
for
two
nights
together
I
found
my self
so
weary
as
to
have
need
of
rest
and
to
lye
pretty
long
a
bed
.
I
was
next
morning
much
surprized
,
to
see
the
Marquess
of
Doursan
enter
my
Chamber
;
who
,
after
some
discourse
about
the
divertisements
of
the
precedeing
night
:
I
should
esteem
my
self
happy
,
Madam
,
said
he
,
if
such
things
might
oblige
you
to
approve
the
design
which
I
have
for
you
.
I
am
sensible
that
I
speak
not
to
you
with
all
the
Gallantry
that
might
be
expected
from
a
young
man
:
but
I
am
so
old
,
that
if
I
would
undertake
to
attack
your
heart
in
the
usual
formes
,
I
should
be
dead
before
I
made
half
the
journey
.
I
confess
,
Madam
,
I
found
that
way
of
courtship
so
pleasant
,
that
I
had
a
great
mind
to
laugh
;
yet
I
was
a
little
uncertain
how
to
answer
that
discourse
,
and
the
rather
that
my
new
Lover
would
needs
press
me
to
assure
him
that
I
disliked
not
his
person
.
I
make
no
doubt
,
said
he
,
but
that
your
Relations
will
consent
to
my
happiness
,
I
have
a
considerable
estate
,
and
in
this
age
,
that
is
all
that
is
minded
:
But
,
Madam
,
I
will
not
purchase
you
as
a
slave
,
nor
will
I
buy
your
heart
,
I
will
endeavour
to
merit
it
.
If
he
that
spake
to
me
had
been
of
another
age
,
I
should
have
been
less
puzled
to
answer
him
,
according
to
my
real
sentiments
,
but
his
age
and
merit
imprinted
some
respect
on
my
mind
.
Whil'st
I
was
considering
how
to
answer
him
,
the
Chevalier
de
Belges
eased
me
of
the
trouble
,
by
coming
into
my
Chamber
.
I
blushed
at
sight
of
him
,
as
if
I
had
committed
a
crime
in
hearing
love
from
any
but
him
.
The
Marquess
attentively
observed
me
,
and
shortly
after
went
out
.
So
soon
as
I
was
at
liberty
I
told
the
Chevalier
all
that
I
had
met
with
concerning
that
proposition
of
marriage
;
who
appeared
terribly
afflicted
thereat
.
You
may
easily
believe
,
Madam
,
said
he
,
that
it
is
not
jealousie
that
causes
my
griefe
:
but
I
only
fear
that
your
old
gallant's
estate
may
object
strong
impediments
to
my
hopes
;
and
to
confess
my
weakness
,
I
fear
,
I
shall
never
be
able
to
recompence
what
you
sacrifice
for
me
on
this
occasion
.
You
have
sacrificed
so
many
other
things
for
me
,
said
I
,
that
it
is
very
just
I
should
testifie
my
gratitude
to
you
,
and
that
I
have
never
loved
you
for
interest
.
We
spent
the
rest
of
that
conversation
in
contriving
wayes
to
divert
the
misfortune
thath
both
of
us
apprehended
.
So
soon
as
the
Marquess's
design
was
blazed
abroad
in
the
City
,
his
Relations
omitted
nothing
that
might
prevent
that
mischief
:
but
all
their
pains
were
fruitless
,
and
the
Marquess
persisted
steadfast
in
his
resolution
,
the
oftener
I
saw
him
,
the
greater
I
found
his
merit
and
civility
to
be
,
and
I
confess
,
had
I
not
been
unalterably
engaged
to
the
Chevalier
I
would
have
preferred
that
Illustrious
old
man
to
all
others
.
I
think
it
is
pertinent
Madam
,
in
this
place
to
give
you
an
accout
who
this
Marquess
of
Doursan
was
,
you
shall
know
then
that
his
birth
and
fortune
were
very
considerable
,
he
had
lived
long
a
Widower
;
and
having
had
a
Son
of
great
worth
,
had
placed
all
his
affection
on
him
;
but
he
having
been
killed
five
or
six
years
before
,
he
appeared
so
sensibly
affected
for
that
loss
that
he
seemed
to
have
renounced
the
World
.
His
course
of
life
since
that
time
perswaded
two
Neeces
of
his
,
whereof
the
one
was
Married
to
an
Italian
,
and
the
other
to
a
man
of
little
merit
,
to
reckon
their
Unkles
estate
their
own
.
It
may
be
easily
then
imagined
what
discontent
these
persons
had
to
see
themselves
in
danger
of
losing
so
considerable
a
fortune
.
One
day
,
when
we
were
together
in
my
Aunt's
Chamber
,
where
all
the
rest
of
the
Company
was
engaged
at
play
,
wherein
I
went
shares
with
the
Chevalier
de
Belges
;
I
could
not
forbear
now
and
then
to
ask
him
about
the
fortune
of
our
play
,
though
I
seemed
attentive
enough
to
the
discourse
of
the
Marquess
of
Doursan
.
The
Marquess
observing
it
,
tell
me
the
truth
,
Madam
,
said
he
,
having
earnestly
beheld
me
;
the
Chevalier
to
whom
you
speak
is
not
altogether
indifferent
to
you
.
I
confess
it
,
said
I
,
a
little
surprized
at
his
discourse
,
and
I
shall
never
be
indifferent
to
any
thing
that
concerns
the
Marchioness
of
Rocheville
;
you
know
he
is
her
Brother
.
I
am
not
ignorant
of
that
,
but
added
he
,
I
know
not
as
yet
what
resolution
I
should
take
:
I
love
you
as
much
as
I
esteem
you
,
and
that
puts
me
to
a
plunge
.
The
Marquess
having
said
so
left
me
;
and
I
was
so
troubled
at
what
he
said
,
that
if
he
had
stayed
longer
with
me
,
I
would
freely
have
confessed
to
him
the
state
of
my
heart
.
Seeing
it
was
late
when
they
left
play
,
I
could
not
satisfie
the
desires
I
had
of
speaking
to
the
Chevalier
;
I
only
prayed
him
,
as
he
went
out
,
to
return
as
soon
as
he
had
supped
.
We
were
gone
from
Table
a
long
time
before
I
heard
any
news
of
the
Chevalier
;
and
I
knew
not
what
to
think
of
his
negligance
;
but
seeing
it
was
not
his
custome
to
be
so
,
for
such
things
as
I
desired
of
him
,
I
was
afraid
that
some
accident
might
have
befallen
him
.
Whil'st
my
mind
was
distracted
with
these
thoughts
,
there
came
in
one
of
the
Marquess
of
Doursan's
Lackeyes
in
great
disorder
,
who
told
us
that
his
Master
had
almost
been
murthered
,
and
that
he
had
certainly
been
killed
had
he
not
been
rescued
by
the
Chevalier
de
Belges
.
You
may
believe
that
this
relation
put
us
in
great
astonishment
.
My
Unkle
went
immediately
to
inform
himself
of
the
particulars
of
that
accident
,
and
to
satisfie
the
intreaty
of
his
friend
,
who
desired
to
see
him
at
his
house
.
I
asked
the
Lacky
if
his
Master
was
wounded
,
and
if
the
Chevalier
was
with
him
,
and
in
what
condition
he
was
;
he
told
me
that
his
Master
had
received
a
very
considerable
wound
,
and
the
Chevalier
another
in
the
Arm
,
which
he
did
not
think
was
dangerous
;
but
that
seeing
he
was
not
present
,
when
the
matter
happened
,
he
knew
not
all
the
particulars
.
If
it
had
been
decent
for
me
to
have
waited
one
my
Unkle
to
the
place
,
it
would
have
eased
me
of
much
anxiety
.
About
an
hour
after
he
returned
,
and
told
us
that
the
Marquess
,
after
he
left
us
,
having
gone
to
visit
one
of
his
friends
,
who
lodged
hard
by
his
house
,
had
sent
back
all
his
attendants
and
kept
only
one
Lackey
with
him
;
that
the
Chevalier
passing
by
that
door
,
because
it
was
his
way
to
the
place
where
he
was
to
sup
,
had
heard
three
men
talking
together
.
I
fear
,
said
one
of
them
,
that
by
useing
too
much
circumspection
we
shall
lose
our
promised
reward
.
I
know
not
,
answered
his
Comrade
,
if
I
be
mistaken
,
but
I
think
this
the
best
occas●on
that
we
have
as
yet
found
,
to
cure
the
good
man
for
ever
of
his
itch
of
marrying
.
Take
right
measures
,
said
the
third
,
for
I
do
what
I
can
,
I
come
to
give
you
notice
where
he
is
,
and
I
am
going
to
him
,
for
fear
that
if
he
miss
me
,
he
may
take
some
others
to
wait
upon
him
home
;
which
would
spoil
our
whole
design
.
The
last
having
said
so
went
back
into
the
house
.
The
Chevalier
pondered
a
little
with
himself
,
if
he
should
set
upon
the
Rogues
;
but
being
uncertain
against
whom
their
design
was
,
he
chose
rather
to
stand
near
the
door
where
he
saw
the
boy
enter
;
and
ordered
the
Lackey
,
who
carried
his
light
to
retire
into
a
street
at
a
little
distance
,
and
to
be
ready
to
come
to
him
at
the
first
noise
he
should
hear
.
Hardly
had
he
given
these
orders
,
when
he
saw
the
Marquess
come
out
attended
only
by
one
Lackey
;
he
had
made
but
two
or
three
steps
into
the
street
;
when
these
two
men
that
hid
themselves
under
a
gate
,
advanced
with
drawn
swords
and
were
followed
by
two
others
;
they
were
just
about
to
have
killed
the
Marquess
when
the
Chevalier
cried
out
,
and
calling
his
Lackey
,
threw
himself
betwixt
that
Illustrious
old
man
and
him
that
set
upon
him
.
Yet
he
could
not
so
defend
himself
,
but
that
he
received
a
cut
in
the
Arm.
Another
of
the
Murtherers
came
presently
in
and
engaged
the
Marquess
,
having
given
him
a
wound
on
the
shoulder
;
but
the
Chevalier
made
him
repent
his
boldness
;
for
having
separated
him
a
little
from
the
rest
,
he
put
him
out
of
condition
of
ever
committing
such
crimes
again
.
His
Comrades
,
being
terrified
by
what
they
saw
,
made
it
their
business
to
escape
the
like
fate
.
The
Chevalier
wounded
another
of
them
as
he
was
making
up
to
the
Marquess
;
which
put
them
into
so
great
terrour
,
that
they
betook
themselves
to
their
heels
;
so
that
the
Chevalier
had
no
more
to
do
,
but
to
go
home
with
him
whom
he
had
so
valiantly
defended
.
My
Unkle
told
us
afterward
,
that
he
never
saw
a
man
so
grateful
as
his
friend
was
,
for
the
favour
which
he
had
received
.
I
carefully
inquired
of
the
condition
of
their
health
;
and
understood
that
their
wounds
were
but
slight
,
that
the
Marquess's
was
somewhat
greater
than
the
Chevaliers
hurt
;
and
that
he
would
by
no
means
suffer
his
Defender
to
remove
out
of
his
house
.
When
the
first
trouble
,
that
that
news
had
wrought
in
me
,
was
a
little
over
,
I
was
overjoyed
that
the
Chevalier
had
rendered
service
to
one
,
who
of
all
men
living
best
deserved
it
.
I
sent
next
morning
to
know
how
the
wounded
did
;
and
learnt
that
the
Surgeons
assured
them
that
their
wounds
were
not
dangerous
,
and
that
in
eight
or
ten
dayes
they
might
come
abroad
again
.
My
Unkle
desired
me
to
accompany
his
Lady
in
a
visit
which
she
payed
these
two
generous
friends
:
and
there
being
a
great
many
in
their
Chamber
,
they
could
only
speak
to
me
by
their
eyes
.
My
heart
being
in
intelligence
with
the
Chevalier's
,
I
undestood
very
well
the
language
of
his
looks
.
He
told
me
,
as
I
was
going
out
of
his
Chamber
,
that
he
hoped
his
hurt
would
not
long
deprive
him
of
the
honour
of
waiting
on
me
.
Next
day
after
,
I
understood
that
the
Count
of
Freslon
was
come
to
Avignon
upon
the
occasion
of
the
accident
that
had
befallen
his
Kinsman
and
Son
,
which
,
as
all
things
are
magnified
by
report
,
was
made
appear
to
him
to
be
far
greater
than
really
it
was
.
I
was
very
apprehensive
that
the
coming
of
the
Count
into
a
place
where
he
might
see
me
,
or
at
least
could
not
but
hear
much
talking
of
me
,
might
not
revive
in
his
heart
the
discontents
that
on
my
account
he
had
conceived
▪
against
his
Son
,
the
thought
of
that
obliged
me
to
write
to
the
Chevalier
de
Belges
,
and
pray
him
to
keep
his
Chamber
longer
than
he
intended
,
not
doubting
but
the
services
,
which
he
could
not
forbear
to
render
me
,
would
exasperate
the
mind
of
his
Father
.
I
lay
at
that
time
under
such
agitations
as
may
be
better
imagined
than
expressed
,
when
I
was
informed
that
the
Marquess
of
Doursan
had
sent
to
intreat
my
Aunt
to
come
and
spend
the
afternoon
at
his
house
.
His
Age
,
indisposition
,
and
quality
,
and
above
all
the
custome
of
the
Country
,
made
the
matter
very
feisable
;
and
I
cannot
tell
whether
the
fear
of
finding
the
Count
of
Freslon
,
or
the
pleasure
of
seeing
his
Son
,
wrought
the
greatest
effects
on
my
heart
,
but
seeing
pleasure
is
a
passion
more
agreeable
than
fear
,
I
gave
way
to
that
which
most
flattered
my
heart
,
and
endeavoured
to
take
courage
against
the
rest
.
When
we
entered
the
Marquess's
Chamber
,
we
found
five
or
six
of
the
most
considerable
persons
of
the
City
of
both
Sexes
.
The
first
compliments
,
and
some
indifferent
discourses
,
being
over
,
one
of
these
Ladies
,
who
rendered
the
civilities
of
the
house
,
proposed
to
go
to
play
.
This
divertisement
pleasing
all
the
Company
,
they
were
easily
engaged
.
They
had
the
discretion
to
remove
a
little
from
the
Marquess's
bed
,
least
the
noise
might
incommode
him
.
There
remained
none
near
him
but
a
Lady
of
quality
and
my self
;
and
she
being
called
upon
about
business
was
obliged
to
go
forth
.
So
soon
as
the
Marquess
found
me
with
him
alone
.
I
thank
Heaven
,
Madam
,
said
he
,
for
the
occasion
it
presents
me
of
speaking
to
you
in
private
;
I
have
long
desired
it
;
yet
this
pleasure
,
how
great
so
ever
,
cannot
be
perfect
unless
you
promise
to
answer
sincerely
to
the
questions
I
am
to
propose
to
you
;
if
that
be
all
,
said
I
smiling
,
that
is
wanting
to
render
this
conversation
agreeable
,
I
assure
you
you
shall
have
all
cause
of
content
;
and
though
my
humour
were
less
free
than
it
is
,
yet
it
would
be
impossible
for
me
to
dissemble
with
one
whom
I
so
much
esteem
as
I
do
you
.
Having
that
assurance
,
replyed
the
Marquess
,
I
shall
not
stick
to
ask
you
if
I
was
mistaken
,
when
I
thought
that
you
were
not
insensible
to
the
passion
that
the
Chevalier
de
Belges
has
for
you
;
for
,
I
fancy
,
that
in
your
eyes
I
have
read
the
secret
of
your
heart
;
but
,
Madam
,
continued
he
,
dare
I
be
so
bold
as
to
confess
my
weakness
,
what
I
have
told
you
has
troubled
me
,
but
not
changed
my
resolution
of
endeavouring
to
enjoy
you
.
I
love
you
even
to
adoration
,
and
yet
that
passion
is
not
so
great
as
the
esteem
that
I
have
for
you
.
I
cannot
think
of
yielding
to
another
,
unless
I
know
that
my
pretensions
displease
you
.
In
a
word
I
need
your
help
against
your self
,
that
I
may
obtain
a
Victory
for
which
of
my self
I
am
too
weak
:
assist
me
then
for
pity's
sake
to
us
both
;
if
it
be
so
that
you
cannot
love
me
,
tell
me
the
reasons
that
may
oblige
me
to
love
you
less
.
At
these
words
he
stopped
expecting
my
answer
;
and
though
I
found
my self
at
a
loss
,
yet
,
I
saw
,
there
was
a
necessity
of
declaring
my self
;
yea
and
I
had
some
hopes
of
moving
him
to
compassion
;
so
that
striving
against
my
natural
bashfulness
I
answered
him
in
these
terms
.
When
you
thought
that
I
was
not
insensible
to
the
passion
that
your
Kinsman
hath
for
me
,
I
confess
,
you
have
hit
on
the
true
sentiments
of
my
soul
;
but
I
must
tell
you
with
the
same
candor
,
that
if
all
my
relations
did
agree
to
order
me
to
Marry
you
I
would
obey
,
though
I
be
fully
sensible
,
that
that
obedience
would
cost
me
the
repose
of
my
whole
life
.
Think
not
,
added
I
,
that
any
aversion
to
you
would
have
rendered
my
submission
so
grievous
,
but
it
is
my
heart
that
can
love
none
but
the
Chevalier
de
Belges
;
it
hath
resigned
it self
to
him
without
my
consent
;
and
when
my
reason
examined
the
conduct
of
my
heart
it
hath
found
so
great
worth
in
the
Chevalier
,
that
it
hath
approved
the
choice
;
so
that
nothing
can
dissolve
an
engagement
which
inclination
and
reason
hath
warranted
.
Good
now
,
Madam
,
said
he
,
tell
me
if
you
well
foresee
all
the
consequences
of
an
affair
which
seem
so
dangerous
to
you
.
The
long
experience
that
my
years
have
furnished
me
with
,
assures
me
that
merit
alone
compleats
not
the
felicity
of
this
life
;
and
that
the
contempt
of
Riches
,
which
many
brag
of
,
is
a
kind
of
Philosophy
easie
in
the
theory
,
but
very
difficult
when
it
is
put
in
practice
by
pinching
necessity
.
Consider
then
what
you
are
about
to
do
:
I
am
rich
and
old
;
the
one
promises
you
a
considerable
settlement
,
and
the
other
a
short
captivity
.
Cannot
I
move
you
to
pity
your self
and
me
.
It
surprizes
me
,
said
I
to
the
Marquess
,
that
you
can
have
any
esteem
for
me
;
and
believe
me
capable
to
bend
my
thoughts
to
such
low
and
base
things
;
and
since
you
will
not
understand
what
I
have
already
told
you
concerning
the
real
sentiments
of
my
heart
;
I
must
again
tell
you
,
that
there
is
nothing
but
what
I
would
do
to
hinder
me
from
being
yours
;
but
if
I
be
constrained
to
it
by
reasons
of
honour
and
duty
,
which
I
cannot
resist
,
I
shall
not
be
guilty
of
the
least
word
or
desire
that
may
displease
you
,
or
contradict
the
virtue
whereof
I
make
profession
;
and
though
that
violence
should
cost
me
my
life
,
I
should
more
contentedly
lose
it
,
than
be
guilty
of
any
thing
wherewith
I
might
be
reproached
.
What
you
have
represented
to
me
as
to
my
interest
and
advantage
,
might
have
wrought
upon
me
,
were
I
not
to
involve
the
Chevalier
into
a
share
of
my
pains
;
and
the
friendship
I
have
for
him
is
so
disinterested
,
that
I
would
do
any
thing
to
please
him
,
though
at
the
expence
of
that
which
might
be
dearest
to
me
.
With
these
words
I
stopped
expecting
his
answer
.
I
thank
you
,
Madam
,
said
the
Marquess
,
for
your
sincerity
;
and
though
I
was
prepared
to
hear
a
part
of
what
you
have
told
me
,
yet
I
must
confess
it
hath
deeply
affected
me
.
Having
said
so
he
held
his
peace
and
fell
again
a
musing
;
shortly
after
renewing
his
discourse
;
but
what
cause
have
I
to
complain
,
said
he
;
have
you
not
assured
me
that
you
will
obey
your
friends
,
and
can
I
desire
more
of
you
?
I
was
surprized
at
these
last
words
,
and
imployed
all
the
eloquence
that
heaven
had
bestowed
on
me
,
to
perswade
the
Marquess
of
Doursan
,
that
a
Gentleman
could
never
be
happy
,
when
he
enjoyed
his
Mistress
by
forceing
her
inclination
.
I
was
still
engaged
in
this
discourse
,
when
the
Company
left
off
playing
,
and
drew
near
the
bed
where
we
were
;
but
because
it
was
late
,
it
was
thought
fit
to
withdraw
,
and
as
the
Company
went
away
they
made
a
short
stop
in
the
Chamber
of
the
Chevalier
de
Belges
:
where
I
had
not
the
occasion
to
speak
so
much
as
one
word
to
him
without
witnesses
.
Next
day
we
were
told
that
the
Marquess
had
relapsed
into
his
Fever
.
That
accident
was
by
all
attributed
to
the
noise
that
had
been
made
in
his
Chamber
;
but
I
knew
other
more
probable
and
apparent
reasons
for
it
.
One
evening
having
shut
my self
up
in
my
Chamber
,
that
I
might
mournfully
reflect
on
the
unhappy
state
of
my
fortune
,
my
Unkle
came
in
and
told
me
that
pressing
reasons
obliged
him
to
intreat
me
to
go
with
him
to
my
Lady
of
Rocheville's
house
,
and
that
it
highly
concerned
me
to
hasten
thither
with
all
imaginable
secrecy
.
I
was
surprized
at
such
an
extraordinary
proposal
,
and
earnestly
desired
him
to
tell
me
the
reason
of
so
sudden
a
journey
.
He
promised
to
satisfie
me
by
the
way
;
and
seeing
I
alwayes
pleased
my self
with
the
hopes
of
seeing
my
Lady
of
Rocheville
again
,
and
that
the
hurry
and
perplexities
that
I
met
with
at
Avignon
made
my
abode
there
uneasie
,
I
seemed
inclinable
to
undertake
that
journey
:
so
that
having
spent
two
or
three
hours
in
ordering
some
little
affairs
that
I
had
to
do
,
and
in
taking
leave
of
my
Relations
,
I
was
ready
and
took
Coach
.
The
night
was
calm
and
fair
,
and
we
made
as
great
progress
in
our
journey
,
as
if
it
had
been
day
.
I
was
very
desirous
to
have
acquainted
the
Chevalier
de
Belges
with
my
departure
;
but
seeing
it
was
difficult
to
find
at
such
an
hour
those
whom
I
used
to
trust
in
delivering
him
my
Letters
,
I
was
satisfied
to
forbear
until
I
came
to
the
place
whither
I
was
going
,
which
might
furnish
me
with
a
great
many
occasions
to
let
him
speedily
hear
from
me
.
I
endeavoured
on
the
rode
to
satisfie
the
curiosity
which
so
strange
an
adventure
excited
in
me
;
but
my
Unkle
turned
all
my
questions
into
raillery
;
and
I
came
to
Rocheville
without
discovering
any
thing
of
what
I
desired
to
know
upon
that
subject
.
The
Marchioness
of
Rocheville
received
me
with
the
sincerest
testimonies
of
affection
;
and
so
soon
as
I
was
at
liberty
I
gave
her
an
exact
account
of
all
that
had
befallen
me
,
since
I
left
her
;
who
with
her
accustomed
goodness
told
me
that
my
interest
in
every
thing
was
her
own
.
I
had
not
been
there
above
five
or
six
dayes
,
when
on
an
evening
,
as
I
was
fetching
a
walk
I
saw
a
Coach
come
to
the
gate
,
which
I
knew
belonged
to
the
Count
of
Freslon
.
That
sight
put
me
into
a
commotion
which
I
could
not
resist
when
ever
the
Chevalier
of
Belges
was
concerned
;
but
my
trouble
encreased
when
I
saw
the
Count
of
Freslon
,
after
that
he
had
saluted
my
Lady
his
Daughter
,
advance
towards
me
,
as
a
man
that
had
somewhat
to
say
to
me
;
yet
instead
of
a
cold
and
indifferent
address
which
I
expected
from
him
,
he
applyed
himself
to
me
with
a
kind
and
chearful
countenance
.
I
know
not
,
said
he
,
presenting
me
a
Letter
,
if
the
good
news
,
I
am
told
you
will
find
in
that
paper
,
may
oblige
you
to
have
some
goodness
for
him
that
has
undertaken
to
deliver
it
;
but
I
am
confident
if
you
be
such
,
as
I
have
been
told
you
are
,
I
have
ground
to
hope
for
some
share
in
your
friendship
.
I
never
found
my self
so
tossed
as
I
was
at
that
time
;
and
I
may
say
,
that
joy
,
hope
,
and
fear
made
such
a
confused
medley
in
my
mind
,
that
having
so
many
things
to
think
on
,
I
could
think
on
nothing
;
and
to
compleat
my
perturbation
,
whil'st
the
Count
of
Freslon
was
in
discourse
with
me
,
the
Chevalier
de
Belges
entered
the
Chamber
where
we
were
;
who
having
been
otherwayes
diverted
,
when
he
came
out
of
the
Coach
,
had
not
instantly
followed
his
Father
.
I
cannot
tell
what
answer
I
made
to
the
discourse
of
the
Count
;
but
in
all
appearance
my
words
spoke
most
the
disorder
of
my
mind
.
The
Count
of
Freslon
without
minding
that
much
,
prayed
me
to
read
the
Letter
which
he
had
delivered
to
me
,
wherein
I
found
these
,
or
words
much
to
this
purpose
.
IN
fine
,
Madam
;
I
have
overcome
,
and
if
the
greatness
of
the
Victory
be
to
be
reckoned
by
the
sharpness
of
the
conflict
,
this
that
I
have
gained
upon
my self
,
is
of
inestimable
value
;
but
that
I
may
not
prove
a
false
Bravo
,
I
confess
to
you
,
that
I
could
never
have
triumphed
without
the
assista●ce
you
gave
me
.
It
is
just
then
that
I
divide
with
you
the
price
of
the
Victory
.
I
reserve
to
my self
no
more
than
the
pleasure
of
procuring
your
happiness
,
and
the
hopes
that
you
will
cherish
my
memory
.
This
is
all
that
I
desire
;
and
you
shall
judge
,
Madam
,
if
my
ambition
be
great
,
when
you
shall
learn
what
I
have
done
to
procure
you
the
only
blessing
whereof
you
have
assured
me
you
were
sensible
.
I
am
still
too
much
captivated
to
your
charmes
,
to
hazard
an
interview
so
soon
.
When
time
and
reason
have
confirmed
my
heart
in
the
resolutions
that
I
have
taken
,
I
shall
come
and
rejoyce
with
you
,
that
I
have
purchased
the
happiness
of
your
life
by
the
full
repose
of
my
own
.
After
the
reading
of
that
Letter
,
I
continued
wholly
suspended
betwixt
compassion
and
the
desire
of
being
fully
cleared
of
what
I
could
hardly
guess
at
,
and
durst
not
declare
my
curiosity
;
but
my
Lady
of
Rocheville
,
who
was
almost
as
curious
as
my self
,
besought
her
Father
to
tell
us
what
we
earnestly
desired
to
know
:
which
he
did
in
this
manner
.
Three
or
four
dayes
after
I
came
to
Avignon
,
the
Marquess
of
Doursan
sent
to
intreat
me
to
come
to
his
Chamber
;
he
discovered
to
me
all
the
particulars
of
his
Love
for
Madamoiselle
of
Rocheville
;
and
having
described
to
me
her
merit
and
person
,
in
such
a
manner
as
was
necessary
to
excuse
the
violence
of
his
passion
,
he
told
me
he
was
resolved
to
give
her
the
most
extraordinary
mark
of
his
love
that
could
be
given
;
but
that
he
could
not
have
that
satisfaction
without
my
concurrence
.
Though
I
could
not
imagine
what
service
I
was
able
to
render
him
in
that
affair
,
yet
I
freely
promised
him
,
to
do
all
that
I
could
in
his
behalf
.
Having
given
him
this
promise
,
he
told
me
that
he
resolved
to
settle
the
half
of
his
estate
on
the
Chevalier
de
Belges
in
testimony
of
the
obligation
he
had
to
him
for
having
so
generously
exposed
his
life
for
the
preservation
of
his
,
and
that
he
would
give
him
the
other
half
,
upon
condition
that
he
married
Madamoiselle
of
Rocheville
.
Having
said
so
he
told
me
the
obligations
which
my
Son
stood
engaged
in
to
that
lovely
Lady
;
but
that
which
hath
affected
me
most
sensibly
is
the
candid
and
disinterested
way
of
procedure
that
she
hath
alwayes
used
towards
these
two
Lovers
.
You
may
believe
that
the
offers
of
the
Marquess
of
Doursan
were
every
way
too
advantagious
,
not
to
be
accepted
with
pleasure
;
and
the
rather
seeing
his
nearest
relations
having
basely
forfeited
all
title
to
his
goodness
,
nothing
could
hinder
me
from
embraceing
the
kindness
which
he
desired
to
shew
to
my
Family
.
We
had
nevertheless
about
the
end
of
our
conference
a
pretty
odd
debate
together
,
by
my
unwillingness
to
accept
the
whole
estate
wherewith
that
generous
Kinsman
had
a
mind
to
gratifie
our
Family
.
Having
at
length
prevailed
upon
my
unwillingness
,
and
all
things
being
ordered
as
we
judged
most
convenient
,
he
prayed
me
not
to
delay
the
satisfaction
of
two
persons
who
were
dearest
to
him
;
and
even
desired
that
the
matter
should
be
kept
so
secret
,
that
the
Chevalier
de
Belges
himself
should
be
ignorant
of
the
obligations
he
hath
to
him
,
untill
that
nick
of
time
wherein
he
might
understand
their
value
.
This
is
the
true
account
of
what
the
Count
of
Freslon
told
us
.
Had
I
not
observed
the
transports
of
joy
which
the
Chevalier
de
Belges
expressed
during
that
discourse
,
I
should
have
believed
that
nothing
could
have
equalled
mine
.
But
,
Madam
,
it
is
no
purpose
to
persist
longer
on
this
point
.
The
Count
of
Freslon
kept
the
word
that
he
gave
to
his
generous
Kinsman
of
cellebrating
our
marriage
with
all
the
expedition
he
could
.
My
Unkle
,
who
brought
me
to
Rocheville
,
was
there
still
,
and
had
learnt
from
the
Marquess
of
Doursan
himself
all
that
the
Count
had
told
us
;
but
being
obliged
to
secrecy
,
he
would
not
till
then
discover
it
.
In
fine
,
Madam
,
that
marriage
so
little
expected
,
and
so
earnestly
desired
,
was
at
last
concluded
.
The
Count
of
Freslon
on
that
occasion
omitted
nothing
,
that
might
clear
my
mind
of
the
discontents
that
I
might
have
conceived
against
him
.
My
Lady
Rocheville
seemed
fully
as
sensible
,
as
her
Brother
or
I
,
of
the
happiness
that
we
were
to
enjoy
;
there
was
none
but
Madamoiselle
of
Freslon
,
who
,
according
to
her
natural
inclination
,
grieved
at
the
felicity
of
others
.
For
my
part
,
I
did
not
affect
such
a
garb
of
unseasonable
modesty
,
as
to
appear
less
sensible
than
indeed
I
was
;
and
I
thought
it
impertinent
to
conceal
an
affection
which
was
in
a
few
dayes
to
be
warranted
by
an
engagement
,
wherein
though
love
be
wanting
yet
it
must
be
pretended
.
In
a
word
,
Madam
,
our
marriage
was
solemnized
;
and
though
I
needed
no
more
but
his
person
,
who
was
designed
for
my
Husband
,
to
render
that
ceremony
agreeable
,
and
that
his
thoughts
were
the
same
with
mine
,
yet
nothing
was
wanting
in
pomp
and
magnificence
to
encrease
the
pleasure
of
our
Nuptials
.
At
that
time
as
in
all
other
occasions
of
my
life
,
the
Marchioness
of
Rocheville
persisted
intreating
me
as
if
I
had
been
her
own
Daughter
.
What
shall
I
say
,
Madam
,
for
the
space
of
two
years
after
my
marriage
,
I
thought
that
they
,
who
say
there
is
no
perfect
happiness
in
this
life
,
were
strangely
mistaken
;
for
by
experience
I
felt
,
that
there
was
nothing
I
could
desire
but
the
continuation
of
the
blessings
which
then
I
enjoyed
.
I
had
a
Husband
who
loved
me
almost
to
Idolatry
;
I
had
no
less
passion
for
him
:
my
Father-in-law
by
all
imaginable
tenderness
repaired
the
troubles
he
had
caused
me
.
My
Brother-in-law
,
who
would
not
leave
Maltha
,
testified
by
Letter
that
he
was
abundantly
satisfied
with
our
marriage
;
and
to
compleat
my
happiness
,
I
so
ordered
matters
,
that
my
Lady
Rocheville
and
I
were
inseparable
.
But
at
length
,
Madam
,
Fortune
persued
me
with
her
usual
inconstancy
;
I
mean
,
that
having
favoured
me
with
great
blessings
;
she
frowned
upon
me
by
the
greatest
evils
that
I
could
apprehend
;
or
to
speak
more
Christianly
,
God
Almighty
was
pleased
to
let
me
see
,
that
none
should
set
their
heart
on
the
blessings
of
this
life
;
and
that
seeing
our
heart
is
created
for
him
,
he
severely
punishes
the
rape
,
when
addicting
it
too
much
to
the
Creature
,
we
forget
him
who
is
the
Creator
.
I
have
not
told
you
,
Madam
,
that
the
first
year
of
my
marriage
,
I
was
brought
to
bed
of
my
Eldest
Daughter
,
whom
you
see
hear
,
the
year
following
I
had
a
boy
,
and
was
very
ill
all
the
time
I
was
with
Child
,
but
received
of
my
Lady
Rocheville
during
my
sickness
such
services
and
cares
as
cannot
be
imagined
.
When
I
began
to
recover
,
there
happened
a
business
that
obliged
her
to
return
home
;
and
seeing
she
did
not
expect
to
stay
but
a
few
dayes
,
she
left
with
me
Madamoiselle
of
Freslon
,
and
my
Sister
,
who
was
a
lovely
young
Lady
,
about
thirteen
or
fourteen
years
old
,
and
whom
I
had
alwayes
tenderly
loved
.
The
day
we
expected
her
back
,
we
were
informed
that
she
was
fallen
dangerously
sick
.
I
was
smitten
to
the
heart
at
the
news
,
and
immediately
resolved
,
though
I
was
near
my
time
,
and
not
well
recovered
from
my
sickness
,
to
go
see
that
dear
Lady
,
that
I
might
in
some
measure
repay
the
services
which
I
had
received
from
her
;
but
my
Husband
would
by
no
means
consent
to
the
journey
,
and
gave
me
so
many
reasons
,
which
were
indeed
so
just
,
that
I
durst
not
oppose
them
.
He
departed
the
same
evening
to
go
see
his
Sister
,
but
his
journey
was
almost
useless
;
for
she
died
four
hours
after
his
arrival
,
she
had
only
time
to
pray
him
to
have
a
care
of
her
children
,
and
to
tell
me
from
her
,
that
she
desired
of
me
the
same
kindness
for
them
,
that
she
had
had
for
me
.
You
easily
believe
,
Madam
,
what
grief
it
is
to
lose
a
Sister
,
who
is
so
tenderly
beloved
;
yet
though
my
Husbands
affliction
was
inexpressible
;
after
the
first
transports
of
it
were
over
,
he
resolved
to
conceal
the
sad
news
from
me
,
for
fear
that
the
grief
,
which
he
knew
it
would
work
in
me
,
might
not
bring
me
to
a
relapse
.
He
stayed
as
short
time
as
he
could
in
a
place
where
he
saw
nothing
but
mournful
objects
;
and
seeing
he
had
many
things
to
order
,
he
thought
fit
to
charge
his
Sister
with
all
that
care
.
She
had
wit
and
experience
enough
in
houshold
affairs
to
discharge
that
office
well
.
My
two
Brothers
were
at
the
Colledge
,
and
three
of
my
young
Sisters
in
a
Monastery
;
in
so
much
that
my
eldest
Sister
,
staying
with
me
,
none
of
the
Children
were
in
the
house
when
my
Husband
returned
.
He
told
me
that
the
sickness
of
my
Lady
his
Sister
was
not
dangerous
;
but
that
the
Physitians
believed
it
would
prove
long
,
and
that
she
prayed
me
to
send
her
Sister
back
to
her
,
and
to
keep
her
Daughter
with
me
untill
she
her self
came
for
her
.
Though
I
perceived
very
well
that
my
husband
was
more
melancholick
than
he
used
to
be
,
yet
he
told
me
these
things
in
so
candid
a
way
,
that
I
doubted
not
in
the
least
of
the
truth
:
I
did
even
believe
that
my
Lady
his
Sister
was
willing
to
remove
Madamoiselle
of
Freslon
from
me
,
seeing
she
had
observed
but
little
friendship
between
us
before
her
departure
.
My
husband
acquainted
her
with
the
loss
we
had
sustained
,
and
the
reasons
why
he
would
have
her
go
that
journey
.
Two
months
after
the
death
of
the
Poor
Lady
Rocheville
,
I
had
so
well
recovered
my
health
,
as
made
it
believed
that
that
news
could
do
me
no
considerable
prejudice
;
it
was
discovered
to
me
;
and
I
was
so
sensibly
affected
therewith
,
that
I
had
ground
to
think
that
grief
alone
is
not
able
to
deprive
us
of
life
.
Though
at
that
time
my
Husband
had
business
which
obliged
him
to
make
a
pretty
long
journey
,
yet
he
would
not
leave
me
in
the
sad
condition
wherein
I
was
.
Madamoiselle
of
Freslon
returned
four
or
five
months
after
her
departure
,
and
brought
my
Brothers
with
her
,
who
had
been
taken
out
of
the
Colledge
for
some
formalities
of
justice
to
which
their
presence
was
necessary
.
Their
comeing
renewed
my
affliction
;
but
in
a
word
,
Madam
,
love
is
always
more
prevalent
than
friendship
;
I
must
needs
yield
to
the
intreaties
that
the
Count
made
to
me
,
that
I
would
resume
my
accustomed
humour
.
Amongst
those
that
came
from
Rocheville
,
my
Brothers
brought
with
them
a
Valet
de
Chamber
,
who
played
rarely
well
on
the
Lute
;
and
seeing
I
was
alwayes
a
great
Lover
of
Musick
,
and
that
that
instrument
of
all
others
sutes
best
with
melancholick
people
,
I
delighted
to
hear
him
play
.
The
affaires
which
I
told
you
obliged
my
Husband
to
make
that
journey
,
grew
so
urgent
that
he
could
not
delay
them
.
When
he
took
his
leave
of
me
,
he
many
times
adjured
me
to
spare
nothing
that
might
divert
me
from
melancholly
.
Besides
he
earnestly
recommended
the
care
of
me
to
his
Sister
,
who
of
late
had
begun
to
shew
me
a
great
deal
of
kindness
.
During
the
absence
of
my
Husband
,
(
seeing
the
little
diversion
that
is
to
be
found
in
the
Countrey
,
makes
people
willingly
apply
themselves
to
the
smallest
recreations
)
I
took
an
humour
to
learn
to
speak
Italian
.
I
had
already
a
smattering
knowledge
of
that
tongue
,
but
it
was
no
more
than
to
understand
it
;
and
you
have
,
possibly
,
found
by
experience
,
that
when
people
love
sincerely
,
they
do
nothing
but
what
has
some
reference
to
the
person
belvoed
,
so
I
fancied
to
my self
a
pleasure
in
writing
Italian
Letters
to
my
Husband
;
because
that
tongue
without
doubt
expresses
better
than
any
other
language
the
tender
sentiments
of
a
heart
.
My
eldest
Brother
was
sometime
my
Master
in
that
study
,
but
his
own
skill
being
but
small
,
he
told
me
that
his
Valet
de
Chamber
could
teach
me
far
better
than
himself
,
seeing
he
was
an
Italian
;
and
I
had
observed
by
his
accent
,
when
I
heard
him
speak
that
he
was
a
stranger
.
The
young
man
gave
me
a
lesson
every
day
after
dinner
,
and
I
found
by
his
discourse
,
that
he
was
more
witty
than
such
persons
use
commonly
to
be
.
On
a
day
when
I
asked
him
where
he
had
learnt
to
play
so
well
on
the
Lute
,
he
,
weeping
,
answered
me
,
that
he
was
not
born
for
the
employment
which
he
discharged
,
that
he
was
a
Gentleman
,
and
of
a
family
considerable
for
estate
:
that
he
was
bred
with
great
care
,
but
that
his
Father
having
fallen
into
an
unlucky
accident
,
they
were
banished
from
their
Countrey
,
so
that
he
was
forced
to
betake
himself
to
service
,
and
that
finding
his
humour
a
little
too
stiff
to
serve
an
imperious
Master
,
he
chose
rather
to
wait
on
my
Brothers
,
whose
age
and
mildness
gave
him
ground
to
expect
less
trouble
than
he
could
have
any
where
else
.
I
asked
him
his
name
,
and
the
place
where
he
was
born
.
He
prayed
me
to
excuse
him
from
giving
me
that
satisfaction
,
because
the
hopes
he
had
of
recovering
his
former
condition
,
made
him
unwilling
that
any
body
should
know
what
he
had
been
obliged
to
do
.
That
discourse
of
Valantin
,
for
so
he
was
named
,
moved
me
to
compassion
.
He
begg'd
of
me
not
to
discover
to
any
body
,
what
he
had
told
me
,
assuring
me
it
was
of
great
consequence
to
him
,
that
it
should
be
kept
secret
.
I
promised
him
what
he
desired
;
but
after
that
day
,
gave
orders
to
the
other
Servants
of
the
house
,
to
treat
him
with
some
respect
;
and
I
had
somewhat
more
also
for
him
my self
,
because
besides
what
he
had
discovered
to
me
,
I
daily
perceived
that
the
Lad
had
wit
,
and
dextrously
performed
every
thing
wherein
he
was
imployed
;
and
I
was
the
rather
perswaded
of
the
truth
of
what
he
told
me
,
because
he
was
free
from
all
vices
,
to
which
such
young
men
are
commonly
subject
.
For
that
reason
I
was
very
glad
to
have
him
stay
with
my
Brothers
.
Some
dayes
before
they
were
to
be
sent
back
again
to
the
Academy
,
Valantin
fell
sick
,
so
that
he
could
not
go
with
them
.
About
that
time
my
Husband
returned
from
his
journy
;
and
seeing
then
I
had
no
need
of
other
diversion
,
when
I
was
with
him
,
I
minded
no
more
playing
on
the
Lute
nor
learning
Italian
;
but
I
continued
to
have
a
care
of
Valantin
,
who
was
still
sick
.
At
that
time
there
happened
an
accident
which
hath
occasioned
me
much
trouble
.
A
Gentleman
of
quality
of
our
neighbourhood
at
my
desire
,
proposed
to
a
Kinsman
of
his
in
Languedock
,
a
marriage
with
Madamoiselle
Freslon
;
and
on
that
occasion
matters
were
carried
on
in
the
usual
way
that
is
observed
in
most
part
of
marriages
;
that
is
to
say
,
all
things
were
ordered
before
the
parties
had
seen
one
another
:
but
by
ill
luck
,
when
the
pretended
Gallant
came
to
make
his
first
visit
,
he
found
Madamoiselle
of
Freslon
so
disagreable
,
and
my
Sister
on
the
other
hand
so
lovely
,
that
he
took
a
strong
resolution
to
forsake
the
one
and
make
love
to
the
other
.
He
that
concerned
himself
in
the
affair
,
in
vain
represented
to
him
that
his
carriage
was
altogether
unworthy
and
injurious
,
and
that
assuredly
we
would
never
give
consent
to
the
designe
he
had
for
my
Sister
,
having
misbehaved
himself
towards
a
person
so
nearly
related
to
us
:
but
that
was
not
the
only
occasion
wherein
we
have
experience
that
Love
submits
not
to
the
Government
of
reason
.
I
shall
not
give
you
the
trouble
to
hear
all
the
particulars
of
that
adventure
:
I
must
only
tell
you
that
the
Cavalier
had
but
the
half
of
what
he
desired
,
that
is
,
that
the
marriage
with
her
whom
he
loved
not
was
broken
,
and
was
refused
the
other
for
whom
his
affection
was
great
.
Seeing
nothing
offends
our
Sex
so
much
as
a
slight
,
you
may
believe
Madamoiselle
de
Fresson
was
not
a
little
concerned
at
that
affront
.
Her
hatred
to
me
encreased
;
and
though
I
had
shewed
such
civility
to
her
,
as
was
no
less
than
injustice
in
respect
of
my
Sister
,
since
I
hindered
her
from
a
considerable
match
;
yet
she
could
not
away
with
any
of
these
reasons
,
and
thought
her self
obliged
to
be
revenged
on
me
because
my
Sister
was
beautiful
.
The
love
I
bear
my
Husband
makes
me
loath
to
come
to
this
part
of
my
discourse
,
wherein
I
must
of
necessity
give
you
ground
to
blame
his
conduct
;
but
,
In
fine
,
it
is
his
will
that
I
should
acquaint
you
with
that
part
of
his
life
,
as
I
have
done
with
all
the
rest
.
I
must
tell
you
then
,
Madam
,
that
sometime
after
the
marriage
,
I
have
spoken
of
,
was
broken
off
,
I
observed
the
Count
to
be
very
melancholick
.
Since
I
had
alwayes
found
his
temper
even
and
regular
,
I
apprehended
the
alteration
might
proceed
from
some
indisposition
;
I
carefully
inquired
into
the
cause
of
that
molancholick
for
which
I
found
no
ground
.
He
told
me
it
was
an
effect
of
his
constitution
,
whereat
I
should
not
be
troubled
.
As
I
could
perceive
no
more
apparent
cause
for
it
,
so
I
took
that
excuse
for
currant
coyn
.
I
imagined
,
that
perhaps
the
great
confluence
of
people
that
were
at
our
house
displeased
him
;
so
that
when
company
came
,
I
found
alwayes
some
pretext
to
retire
into
my
Chamber
,
and
imployed
my self
about
some
trifle
.
The
Count
several
times
asked
me
why
I
did
so
;
and
seeing
I
durst
not
tell
him
the
truth
of
my
suspicions
,
I
alledged
many
times
silly
reasons
to
colour
what
I
did
.
One
day
,
when
I
was
alone
in
my
Chamher
,
my
Sister
told
me
,
that
she
had
a
thing
to
acquaint
me
with
,
and
that
she
was
afraid
I
would
not
like
it
.
I
told
her
she
would
alwayes
please
me
,
if
she
discovered
to
me
any
thing
that
troubled
her
.
The
matter
that
I
am
to
tell
you
,
added
shed
,
concerns
one
who
is
nearly
related
to
you
,
and
I
should
not
have
spoken
,
had
I
not
been
apprehensive
that
it
may
do
you
some
mischief
.
I
bid
my
Sister
quickly
declare
what
she
had
to
say
.
She
told
me
that
Valantin
had
great
familiarity
with
my
Sisterin-law
;
that
she
had
several
times
found
her
two
hours
after
midnight
siting
on
his
bed
,
and
that
there
was
hardly
any
day
,
but
that
they
had
some
conference
together
;
but
that
they
were
as
secret
as
possible
they
could
,
and
that
she
durst
not
seem
to
take
notice
of
their
commerce
.
I
told
my
Sister
that
she
ought
not
to
judge
so
rashly
of
her
Aunt
,
and
that
she
should
have
a
special
care
never
to
speak
to
any
body
of
that
suspition
.
When
I
had
reflected
upon
what
my
Sister
told
me
,
I
found
the
matter
but
too
probable
;
and
that
made
me
resolve
to
send
Valantin
immediately
back
to
my
Brothers
;
but
being
afraid
to
exasperate
Madamoiselle
of
Freslon
against
me
,
I
was
willing
to
ask
her
opinion
concerning
the
departure
of
the
young
man
.
She
seemed
to
be
much
against
it
;
which
put
me
,
into
a
greater
plunge
.
She
told
me
,
that
she
was
to
go
to
Rocheville
,
and
that
he
must
not
be
sent
away
before
her
return
,
because
there
were
reasons
of
consequence
that
it
should
be
so
.
My
Husband
was
not
present
,
when
we
had
this
conference
;
he
had
quite
changed
his
humour
;
and
whereas
in
the
first
years
of
our
marriage
we
were
inseparable
:
at
that
time
he
shunned
my
Company
as
much
as
he
could
.
Never
did
any
lie
under
such
anxiety
,
as
I
suffered
;
the
more
I
examined
my self
,
the
less
could
I
perceive
from
whence
my
misfortune
proceeded
;
and
to
compleat
my
misery
,
I
began
to
think
that
some
new
amour
might
banish
me
from
the
heart
,
where
I
believed
my self
so
well
settled
.
That
thought
made
me
so
sorrowful
and
peevish
at
the
same
time
that
I
received
all
things
snappishly
.
Seeing
my
jealousie
had
no
precise
object
,
I
was
the
more
disquieted
;
and
resolved
to
gain
some
of
my
Husbands
Servants
.
One
night
when
we
were
in
bed
together
,
and
that
I
upbraided
him
a
little
with
his
carriage
towards
me
,
to
which
he
made
little
or
no
answer
,
he
asked
me
of
a
sudden
if
I
did
not
think
of
sending
Valantin
to
his
Masters
.
I
thought
the
asked
me
that
question
only
to
break
off
the
discourse
that
we
were
upon
;
and
that
having
put
me
quite
out
of
humour
,
I
told
him
that
I
was
much
troubled
at
the
perplexity
my
Relations
put
him
into
;
that
I
did
not
believe
that
the
expence
of
single
man
should
have
so
disturbed
him
;
but
that
I
should
take
order
for
that
.
The
Count
made
no
answer
to
these
words
;
but
turned
himself
to
the
other
side
in
a
huff
.
We
spent
the
rest
of
the
night
both
of
us
without
sleep
;
and
it
was
scarcely
day
when
he
took
his
Gown
to
rise
.
For
all
the
discontents
that
I
had
against
him
,
yet
I
repented
that
I
had
spoken
to
him
so
briskly
,
so
that
I
made
some
attempt
to
perswade
him
to
lye
still
;
but
he
told
me
that
he
had
a
meeting
about
a
business
of
consequence
,
and
that
he
thought
he
could
hardly
be
back
before
two
or
three
dayes
;
having
said
so
he
called
a
Valet
de
Chamber
to
dress
him
.
I
peeped
through
the
Curtains
that
I
might
observe
him
whil'st
he
stayed
in
my
Chamber
;
I
saw
him
walk
up
and
down
,
like
a
man
in
extream
disorder
,
and
afterward
drawing
near
my
bed
.
Farewel
,
Madam
,
said
he
,
may
Heaven
restore
to
us
that
repose
whereof
we
both
stand
in
need
.
With
these
words
he
left
my
Chamber
,
and
went
into
his
dressing
room
.
I
lay
still
in
so
great
perplexity
,
that
I
knew
not
what
course
to
take
;
I
had
several
times
a
mind
to
have
gone
and
thrown
my self
at
my
Husbands
feet
:
but
taking
my self
to
be
injured
,
and
that
my
conscience
upbraided
me
with
nothing
relating
to
him
,
unless
it
were
of
too
great
love
;
I
knew
not
what
to
do
;
I
called
my
Maids
that
I
might
rise
,
and
at
the
same
time
heard
a
noise
of
horses
in
the
Court
;
starting
up
,
to
see
what
the
matter
was
,
I
saw
the
Count
taking
horse
attended
only
by
own
Valet
de
Chamber
.
I
had
at
first
a
mind
to
have
called
to
him
,
but
seeing
that
he
took
but
one
Servant
with
him
,
I
thought
he
would
return
by
night
:
I
spent
the
whole
day
in
extraordinary
perturbation
.
Pretty
late
in
the
evening
my
Sister
came
and
told
me
,
that
Valantin
b●gg'd
of
me
that
he
might
speak
with
me
in
private
unperceived
of
any
.
I
thought
he
might
have
some
matter
of
importance
to
acquaint
me
with
in
relation
to
Madamoiselle
of
Freslon
,
and
therefore
I
sent
him
word
,
that
he
might
come
into
my
Chamber
when
she
had
retired
:
and
I
was
very
willing
to
have
informed
the
Count
of
what
Valantin
told
me
concerning
his
Sister
;
but
seeing
he
was
not
like
to
return
that
night
,
I
imagined
that
the
Lad
might
have
discovered
something
of
my
Husbands
pretended
gallantry
,
and
that
he
intended
to
impart
it
to
me
.
When
all
the
house
had
retired
,
Valantin
came
into
my
Chamber
:
I
was
sitting
in
a
Chair
by
the
fire
,
and
had
sent
out
my
Maids
,
telling
them
that
I
expected
the
Count
that
night
,
and
that
how
late
soever
it
might
be
,
I
would
not
go
to
bed
till
I
heard
some
news
of
him
.
So
soon
as
the
Lad
came
into
my
presence
,
he
cast
himself
down
at
my
knees
,
and
begg'd
me
Pardon
for
the
effects
of
an
extravagant
passion
:
you
will
be
surprized
,
Madam
,
said
he
,
when
you
know
that
at
your
feet
lyes
prostrate
a
Maid
,
whose
name
and
adventures
are
not
unknown
to
you
.
I
am
Felicia●
,
Madam
,
and
that
name
alone
may
make
you
guess
at
some
part
of
my
adventures
;
I
believed
the
Count
your
Husband
to
have
been
in
love
with
me
,
and
I
sincerely
loved
him
;
the
grief
that
I
conceived
when
he
slighted
me
,
had
almost
laid
me
in
my
grave
.
I
was
sick
a
whole
year
,
and
was
glad
that
I
thereby
lost
that
little
beauty
which
nature
had
bestowed
on
me
,
because
having
no
return
of
love
from
him
that
I
loved
,
I
cared
no
more
for
being
lovely
.
In
fine
,
Madam
,
I
had
still
a
little
beam
of
hope
grounded
on
a
horoscope
,
and
that
it
might
succeed
,
I
changed
my
name
and
habit
,
and
having
gone
to
Rocheville
,
where
I
understood
the
Count
was
,
I
found
not
him
,
but
Madamoiselle
of
Freslon
his
Sister
:
next
day
after
I
came
thither
,
I
heard
a
conference
which
she
had
with
a
woman
,
wherein
she
seemed
to
give
marks
of
a
mortal
hatred
against
you
,
and
that
she
sought
occasions
of
doing
you
prejudice
.
The
knowledge
of
that
made
me
discover
my self
to
her
;
and
she
assured
me
that
she
would
do
all
that
lay
in
her
power
to
revive
in
her
Brother
his
former
flame
;
though
that
seemed
no
easie
matter
so
long
as
he
entertained
the
same
sentiments
for
you
that
he
had
at
that
time
:
that
she
knew
his
humour
;
that
nothing
but
jealousie
could
work
any
great
effect
upon
his
mind
:
but
it
puzled
her
exceedingly
that
your
conduct
gave
him
no
cause
of
conceiving
any
.
What
shall
I
say
more
,
Madam
,
I
have
been
made
use
of
to
inspire
that
passion
into
the
Count
;
and
it
has
in
some
manner
succeeded
:
but
when
his
Sister
perceived
that
he
broke
not
forth
in
violence
enough
against
you
,
she
proposed
to
me
to
poyson
you
.
I
looked
upon
that
crime
with
horrour
,
and
the
indifference
that
the
Count
has
for
me
hath
cured
Valantin
of
the
evils
that
Felicia
suffered
;
I
have
endeavoured
to
behold
the
Count
with
the
same
eyes
that
heretofore
I
thought
so
powerful
on
his
heart
;
I
got
his
Sister
to
speak
twice
to
him
of
Felicia
at
my
first
coming
hither
:
he
answered
her
that
he
had
given
you
his
promise
never
to
listen
to
any
discourse
concerning
that
Maid
,
and
that
he
had
no
mind
to
break
his
word
:
his
indifference
for
me
hath
cured
me
of
a
passion
that
for
above
these
eight
years
hath
tyrannized
over
me
.
I
promised
Madamoiselle
of
Freslon
to
do
to
you
all
that
she
desired
,
for
fear
she
might
apply
her self
to
some
other
more
wicked
than
my self
.
Take
now
your
measures
a
tos
the
information
I
give
you
,
and
Pardon
me
for
all
the
troubles
that
I
have
caused
you
;
having
said
so
,
she
delivered
me
a
packet
of
the
Counts
Letters
;
with
a
Bracelet
of
his
hair
,
and
told
me
she
would
be
gone
next
morning
,
and
put
her self
into
a
Monastery
.
She
begg'd
of
me
mony
to
buy
a
womans
apparel
,
telling
me
,
that
after
the
crosses
she
had
met
with
,
she
would
never
again
return
to
her
own
Countrey
.
As
she
ended
her
discourse
she
bowed
down
and
kissed
my
hand
.
I
protest
,
Madam
,
I
was
so
troubled
and
moved
at
what
I
had
heard
,
that
I
could
not
forbear
to
shed
tears
.
Felicia
told
me
so
many
other
things
,
that
I
made
no
doubt
of
the
truth
of
her
words
.
I
took
out
of
my
pocket
all
the
mony
.
I
had
,
and
gave
it
to
that
poor
maid
,
telling
her
,
that
if
she
needed
more
I
would
go
fetch
it
out
of
my
closet
;
but
she
kissing
my
hand
accepted
what
I
gave
her
,
and
as
she
arose
to
be
gone
,
I
embraced
her
,
telling
her
all
that
I
thought
proper
to
comfort
her
in
the
sad
condition
wherein
she
was
.
She
presently
went
out
of
my
Chamber
.
But
,
good
God
,
Madam
,
how
can
I
express
my
surprize
,
when
I
saw
the
poor
Maid
having
made
a
great
cry
fall
to
the
ground
run
through
with
a
sword
;
and
having
gone
to
the
door
,
I
perceived
my
Husband
hastily
running
down
stairs
.
The
violence
of
my
grief
had
almost
put
me
in
the
same
condition
,
that
Felicia
was
in
,
and
I
fainted
away
.
The
noise
that
that
accident
made
awakened
my
Maids
,
who
were
asleep
in
another
Chamber
,
the
Chaplain
was
called
for
and
came
in
time
to
give
the
absolution
to
that
poor
Maid
,
who
lived
almost
two
dayes
after
.
I
saw
nothing
of
what
I
tell
you
;
for
I
lay
above
four
hours
in
a
swoon
.
When
I
was
come
to
my self
again
,
the
first
thing
I
did
was
to
ask
tydings
of
my
Husband
.
I
was
informed
that
the
Count
passing
through
a
hall
that
joyned
to
my
Chamber
met
Felicia
,
as
they
were
carrying
her
away
;
and
that
having
beheld
that
spectacle
with
horrour
,
he
returned
that
he
might
go
out
.
For
pity
sake
,
said
that
poor
Maid
to
him
with
a
stronger
voice
than
could
be
expected
from
her
,
deny
me
not
the
last
suit
that
I
am
to
make
to
you
,
it
is
no
more
but
that
you
would
with
patience
hear
me
speak
one
word
;
and
I
assure
you
,
that
I
shall
be
so
far
from
bewailing
my
own
condition
,
that
as
Valantin
I
pardon
you
,
but
,
as
Felicia
,
give
you
thanks
that
by
a
favourable
thrust
you
have
put
an
end
to
the
troubles
which
I
suffered
for
your
sake
;
my
present
state
admits
not
of
a
longer
discourse
,
and
I
ought
to
spend
my
last
minutes
in
taking
care
for
my
Soul
;
but
I
am
forced
to
tell
you
,
that
I
am
afraid
Heaven
will
punish
you
for
the
unjust
suspicions
you
have
conceived
against
the
most
Virtuous
Lady
that
ever
was
:
Farewell
,
added
she
with
a
dying
tone
;
I
die
with
content
if
the
loss
of
my
life
may
reestablish
the
repose
of
yours
.
Having
said
so
,
she
made
asign
that
they
should
carry
her
away
.
The
Count
,
who
began
to
hear
that
discourse
by
a
bare
inclination
of
natural
compassion
,
fell
into
bitter
regrets
in
the
progress
thereof
;
he
discovered
the
truth
of
her
words
either
by
the
features
of
her
face
,
which
he
more
narrowly
considered
,
or
by
seeing
her
breast
,
which
being
opened
that
they
might
stop
the
blood
,
suffered
none
to
doubt
of
the
sex
of
Felicia
.
He
was
struck
by
that
discovery
as
by
a
clap
of
thunder
,
he
wanted
words
to
express
his
grief
and
trouble
,
and
his
tears
performed
the
office
which
his
tongue
could
not
.
He
fell
on
his
knees
before
that
poor
dying
Maid
,
and
by
doleful
actions
evidenced
the
sorrow
that
pierced
his
heart
.
Felicia
by
her
carriage
made
appear
that
her
thoughts
were
taken
up
about
a
future
state
,
for
closeing
her
eyes
that
she
might
not
behold
an
object
,
that
had
alwayes
been
too
dear
to
her
,
deprive
me
not
,
said
she
,
by
an
untimely
p●●y
,
of
the
sole
happiness
I
can
pretend
to
;
I
thought
my self
bound
in
Christian
duty
to
pardon
you
for
my
Death
,
and
to
justifie
injured
innocence
.
Having
satisfied
that
obligation
,
leave
my
mind
in
so
much
liberty
,
that
I
may
perform
what
I
owe
to
my self
;
with
these
words
she
begg'd
to
be
conveyed
to
some
place
of
retirement
;
and
the
vehemency
of
her
discourse
having
made
her
wound
bleed
again
afresh
in
so
great
abundance
,
that
she
was
quite
spent
;
she
turned
again
to
the
Count
and
prayed
him
to
be
gone
.
He
obeyed
these
her
last
orders
,
and
came
into
my
Chamber
to
see
what
condition
I
was
in
.
He
perceived
that
I
continued
still
in
fainting
fits
;
and
having
beheld
me
for
some
time
with
a
countenance
full
of
grief
,
shame
,
and
compassion
,
he
went
into
his
Closet
,
took
out
some
mony
,
and
presently
got
on
horseback
,
attended
only
by
one
Servant
;
none
of
the
rest
daring
to
ask
him
his
design
.
So
soon
as
I
was
come
to
my self
again
,
I
asked
for
my
Husband
;
and
was
informed
of
all
that
I
have
told
you
.
Poor
Felicia
died
next
day
with
all
the
marks
of
contrition
that
might
give
ground
to
hope
well
of
her
Salvation
.
Since
that
dismal
day
,
Madam
,
I
have
worn
out
my
life
in
unconceivable
affliction
,
for
to
sum
up
my
sorrows
,
the
Man
,
whom
the
Count
had
taken
with
him
,
came
back
again
,
and
told
me
that
he
stayed
fifteen
dayes
for
his
Master
at
Thoulon
,
whither
he
had
ordered
him
to
go
;
but
that
having
heard
no
news
of
him
there
,
he
believed
he
had
taken
some
other
way
.
I
spared
no
pains
nor
cost
to
learn
intelligence
of
him
;
but
seeing
the
hour
was
not
yet
come
which
should
deliver
me
from
my
troubles
,
all
my
searching
was
in
vain
.
You
are
perhaps
a
little
curious
,
Madam
,
to
know
what
became
of
Madamoiselle
of
Freslon
,
who
was
the
cause
of
all
these
strange
Catastrophies
you
have
reason
to
think
that
she
was
certainly
touched
with
compassion
for
all
the
calamities
that
she
had
brought
upon
her
Family
!
but
alas
,
she
had
not
a
heart
that
was
sensible
of
pity
;
and
if
she
had
any
grief
,
it
was
only
because
I
had
not
met
with
the
fate
of
Felicia
.
I
understood
by
her
own
relation
,
that
she
had
made
use
of
the
favours
,
that
I
shewed
that
unhappy
Maid
,
whil'st
under
the
name
of
Valantin
,
I
took
her
for
a
person
of
quality
,
to
incite
her
Brother
to
jeallousie
;
I
was
likewise
informed
that
the
care
I
had
to
avoid
company
,
served
for
a
pretext
to
the
malice
of
that
wicked
Lady
.
What
more
shall
I
tell
you
,
Madam
,
all
things
seemed
to
conspire
for
my
ruine
,
since
it
is
certain
that
the
last
discourse
I
had
with
the
Count
quite
extinguished
the
little
reason
that
remained
to
him
.
In
fine
,
without
speaking
any
more
of
all
the
pains
that
I
have
suffered
since
that
sad
day
,
I
shall
only
tell
you
that
the
Bishop
of
G.
having
come
to
see
me
,
told
me
that
there
was
an
Hermit
at
Terrasson
,
who
led
the
life
of
an
Angel
,
a
relation
whereof
he
had
seen
in
the
hands
of
my
Lady
Dutchess
of
C.
I
found
my self
strangely
moved
at
that
discourse
without
being
able
to
conjecture
the
reason
of
it
:
In
a
word
,
Madam
having
done
so
many
things
in
vain
,
I
have
at
length
undertaken
one
that
,
hath
succeeded
,
I
dare
not
say
luckily
until
I
know
,
whether
or
not
the
person
,
for
whom
I
take
all
this
pains
,
will
be
pleased
to
pity
himself
and
me
.
This
is
,
Madam
,
a
true
narrative
of
the
History
which
my
Lady
Freslon
told
me
;
I
thought
you
would
take
in
good
part
that
I
imparted
it
to
you
,
and
though
her
relation
be
nothing
so
pleasant
;
as
if
it
had
been
a
Romantick
adventure
,
such
as
are
all
that
now
adayes
comes
abroad
under
the
title
of
Novels
,
yet
I
judged
it
so
rare
as
that
it
might
deserve
your
attention
,
when
it
is
considered
as
a
real
story
.
I
told
that
Lady
that
I
sensibly
concerned
my self
in
all
the
adventures
she
had
related
to
me
;
and
the
truth
is
I
looked
upon
it
as
a
miracle
,
to
find
in
this
our
age
a
Lady
whom
conjugal
love
had
made
undertake
so
many
things
.
But
at
length
God
was
pleased
to
reward
so
exemplary
virtue
,
for
the
fifth
day
that
the
Countess
was
at
my
house
,
as
we
were
taking
a
walk
in
the
evening
,
we
saw
at
a
pretty
distance
a
Gentleman
making
up
towards
us
.
I
did
not
know
him
at
first
,
but
the
Countess
giving
a
great
cry
,
told
me
that
she
was
much
mistaken
if
it
was
not
her
Husband
:
when
he
drew
a
little
nearer
I
found
she
was
in
the
right
.
Had
Heaven
bestowed
on
me
so
much
cloquence
as
our
Romance
makers
really
have
,
or
believe
they
have
,
I
might
have
a
fair
occasion
to
make
an
ample
description
of
the
effects
of
an
unexpected
joy
;
for
,
I
think
,
never
any
felt
more
than
that
lovely
Countess
;
she
seemed
so
transported
that
I
,
who
look
not
on
marriage
as
the
happiest
of
all
other
states
of
life
,
should
advise
all
people
to
enter
into
that
sacred
bond
,
if
they
could
often
enjoy
such
ravishing
pleasures
.
I
do
not
think
,
Madam
,
that
I
can
make
use
of
a
more
significant
expression
to
declare
the
happiness
which
these
two
persons
enjoyed
at
that
time
;
but
having
reflected
on
it
a
little
better
,
I
think
it
not
ill
done
to
dispense
with
pleasures
that
must
cost
so
great
pains
,
and
that
all
things
rightly
considered
there
is
no
condition
preferable
to
an
absolute
liberty
.
But
I
forget
my self
,
Madam
,
in
engageing
on
reasonings
that
may
be
tedious
to
you
,
after
so
long
a
relation
;
seeing
time
and
duty
do
rather
require
,
that
without
longer
discoursing
,
I
should
with
most
profound
respect
assure
you
,
that
I
am
.
Madam
,
Your
most
humble
and
obedient
Servant
.
R.
FINIS
.