Volume III Part 30 (2/2)
Without staying for those prelis which are so shen one is at ease, we undressed ourselves, and began with all seriousness to play our part, which we did to perfection We looked like a medical student about to perform an operation, and she like a patient, with this difference that it was the patient who arranged the dressing When she was ready--that is, when she had placed the aroph as neatly as a skull-cap fits a parson--she put herself in the proper position for the preparation to hable part of it all was that ere both as serious as two doctors of divinity
When the introduction of the aroph was perfect the timid lady put out the candle, but a few ain I told her politely that I was delighted to begin again, and the voice in which I paid her this cohter
I didn't take so short a time over my second operation as my first, and my sweetheart, who had been a little put out, was now quite at her ease
Her modesty had now been replaced by confidence, and as she was looking at the aroph fitted in its place, she shewed ns of her co-operation in the work Then with an affectionate air, she asked ood deal to do before our as at an end
”You see,” said I, ”that I do not need rest, and I think we had better set to again”
No doubt she found , she put herself ready to begin again, and afterwards we took a good long sleep When I woke up, feeling as fresh as ever, I asked her to try another operation; and after carrying this through successfully, I deteruided by her and take care ofnights So, about four o'clock in theshe left me, and softly made her way to her room, and at daybreak I left the hotel under the protection of the scullion, who took me by a private door I did not know of
About noon, after taking an aromatic bath, I went to call on Mdlle X
C V, whoantly attired, and with a happy sratitude, and thanked ood cause, to be her debtor, I began to get impatient
”Is it possible,” I said, ”that you do not see how degrading your thanks are to me? They prove that you do not lovethan yours”
Our conversation then took a tender turn, and ere about to seal ourabout the aroph, when prudence bade us beware It would not have been safe, and we had plenty of time before us We contented ourselves with a tender eht should coh I was in love with this char deceived her, especially as what I did could have no effect, the place being taken It was ratulate myself on the sharp practice which had procured me such pleasures She told me that she was sorry she had denied me when I had asked her before, and said that she felt now that I had good reason to suspect the reality of her love I did my best to reassure her, and indeed all suspicions on hts, as I had succeeded beyond all expectation However, there is one point upon which I congratulate htly toils of mine, which did so little towards the object of her desires, I succeeded in inspiring her with such a feeling of resignation that she promised, of her own accord, not to despair any uided byour nocturnal conversations that she was happy and would continue to be so, even though the aroph had no effect Not that she had ceased to believe in it, for she continued the application of the harmless preparation till our last assaults, in which anted in those sweet coifts of pleasure
”Sweetheart,” said she, just before we parted finally, ”it seems to me that e have been about is much more likely to create than to destroy, and if the aperture had not been heriven the little prisoner a companion”
A doctor of the Sorbonne could not have reasoned better
Three or four days afterwards I found her thoughtful but quiet She toldrid of her burden before the proper time All the while, however, her mother persecuted her, and she would have to choose in a few days between e contract She would accept neither of these alternatives, and had decided on escaping fro so
I had determined to help her, but I desired to save ht have been troublesome if it had been absolutely known that I had carried her off or furnished her with the means to escape And as for any other alternative, neither of us had any idea of matrimony
I left her and went to the Tuileries, where a sacred concert was being given The piece was a motet composed by Moudonville, the words by the Abbe de Voisenon, whom I had furnished with the idea, ”The Israelites on Mount horeb”
As I was getting out ofalone from hers I ran up to her, and received a hearty welcohted,” said she, ”to find you here, it is quite a piece of luck
I a to hear this novel composition, and have two reserved seats
Will you do h I had my ticket in iving her my arm, alked up to two of the best places in the house
At Paris no talking is allowed during the performance of sacred music, especially when the piece is heard for the first time; so Madahout the perfor was the matter from the troubled and absent expression of my face, which was by no ood enough to give me your company for an hour I want to ask you-two or three questions which can only be solved by your cabala I hope you will oblige me, as I am, very anxious to know the answers, but we ement to sup in Paris”