Volume II Part 23 (2/2)
”I promise you to be faithful to him But shall he find a situation for my brother? However, until I am at the opera, until I have ive irl, my friend Baletti, and all my friends, without other interest than the pleasure of serving you, but with the hope that you will live quietly, and that we shall contribute to your happiness Are you satisfied?”
”Quite so; I have prouided entirely by your advice, and I entreat you to reht, I left Mdlle Vesian at the hotel, and accoged Silvia to speak to M Lani in favour of our 'protegee', Silvia said that it was a much better plan than to solicit a ranted Then we talked of a project which was then spoken of, nairls and of chorus singers at the opera There was even soued that the higher the price the irls would be esteemed Such a project, in the midst of the scandalous habits and manners of the time, had a sort of apparent wisdom; for it would have ennobled in a way a class of wo contemptible
There were, at that tily rather than plain, without any talent, who, in spite of it all, lived in great coirl irl, newly arrived there, is clever enough to remain virtuous only for one month, her fortune is certainlya reputation of wisdoet hold of her Those hted to hear their names mentioned in connection with the newly-arrived beauty; they even go so far as to allow her a few frolics, provided she takes pride in what they give her, and provided her infidelities are not too public Besides, it is the fashi+on never to go to sup with one'sher notice of the intended visit, and everyone must admit that it is a very wise custom
I ca that Mdlle
Vesian's rooet up,” she said, ”for I want to speak to you”
”Do not disturb yourself; we can talk all the same, and I think you lad of it”
”What have you got to tell oing to adopt I a to practice virtue in order to find a man who loves it only to destroy it”
”Quite true; but al is like that in this life Man always refers everything to himself, and everyone is a tyrant in his oay I a a philosopher”
”How can one beco”
”Must one think a long while?”
”Throughout life”
”Then it is never over?”
”Never; but one improves as much as possible, and obtains the su”
”And how can that happiness be felt?”
”By all the pleasure which the philosopher can procure when he is conscious of having obtained the rid of the rown-up children”
”What is pleasure? What is meant by prejudices?”
”Pleasure is the actual enjoyiven to all our natural and sensual appetites; and, when our worn-out senses want repose, either to have breathing tiination, which finds enjoy of the happiness afforded by rest The philosopher is a person who refuses no pleasures which do not produce greater sorrows, and who kno to create new ones”
”And you say that it is done by getting rid of prejudices? Then tell et rid of them”