Volume III Part 13 (1/2)

Camille, an actress and dancer at the Italian play, hoo, was one of those of who the society at her pretty little house, where she lived with the Count d'Eigreville, as a friend of mine, and fond of my company He was a brother of the Marquis de Ga fellow of an excellent disposition He was never so well pleased as when he saw his mistress surrounded by people--a taste which is rarely found, but which is very convenient, and the sign of a temperament not afflicted by jealousy

Ca in an actress of the kind, but being full of tact and wit she drove none of her adenerous in the distribution of her favours, and kne tothe results of indiscretion or sorrows of being abandoned

The gentleman of whom, after her lover, she took ne, a noble rich enough to possess her entirely, had to be content hat she gave hiirl, for whose keep she paid, who lived with Tour d'Auvergne in furnished apartments in the Rue de Taranne, and whom he said he loved as one loves a portrait, because she came from Camille The count often took her with him to Camille's to supper She was fifteen, simple in her manners, and quite devoid of aive him an act of infidelity except with Camille, to whom she felt bound to yield all since to her she owed all

I became so much in love with her that I often went to Camille's solely to see her and to enjoy those artless speeches hich she delighted the company I strove as best I could to concealquite sad at the thought of the i croith success If I had let hed at, and should have made myself a otridiculous manner:--

Ca her house, one rainy evening, I sought in vain for a coach to take ne, ”I can drop you at your own door without giving e is only seated for two; however, my sweetheart can sit on our knees”

I accepted his offer with pleasure, and we seated ourselves in the carriage, the count onwith aht I would take the opportunity, and, to lose no ti fast, I took her hand and pressed it softly The pressure was returned Joy! I carried the hand to h noiseless kisses Longing to convince her of the ardour ofthat her hand would not refuse to do me a sweet service, I

but just at critical ed to you, ne, ”for a piece of politeness thoroughly Italian, of which, however, I do not feel worthy; at least, I hope it's n of contempt”

At these dreadful words I stretched out my hand and felt the sleeve of his coat Presence of ood in a situation like this, when his words were followed by a peal of loud laughter which would have confounded the hardiest spirit As for hter nor deny his accusation; the situation was a fearful one, or would have been if the friendly shades of night had not covered my confusion Babet did her best to find out frohed so ave thanks with all e stopped at my house, and as soon as ot down as fast as I could, and wished thene returned with fresh peals of laughter I entered my house in a state of stupefaction, and half an hour elapsed before I, too, began to laugh at the adventure What vexedht to reckon on the count's discretion However, I had enough sense to deterhter if I could, and if not, to take it well, for this is, and alill be, the best way to get the laughers on one's own side at Paris

For three days I saw nothing of the delightful count, and on the fourth I resolved to ask him to take breakfast with me, as Camille had sent to my house to enquire hoas My adventure would not preventher house, but I was anxious to kno it had been taken

As soon as Tour d'Auvergne saw reeted each other in the friendliest et this foolish story You have no business to attack me, as I do not kno to defend myself”

”Why should you defend yourself, my dear fellow We like you all the better for it, and this hu”

”Everybody knows it, then?”

”Of course, why not? It ; I will bring Babet, and she will amuse you as she ht”

”Eh? what? You do me too much honour, and I don't believe you; but have it as you like”

”I can't do better, but I must confess when all's said that you were not the person to whoe”

At supper I jested, pretended to be astonished at the count's indiscretion, and boasted of being cured of my passion Babet called me a villain, and , as the incident had disgusted me with her, and had attached me to the count, who, indeed, was a man of the most aht have been a fatal one, as the reader will see presently

One evening, when I was at the Italian theatre, Tour d'Auvergne came up toto repay ot the money,” I said, ”but my purse and all it contains is at your service”

”I want a hundred louis, my dear fellow, and i at the Princess of Anhalt's”