Volume III Part 45 (2/2)
”Let us look for it; I should like to see it”
We soon found it on my table, in thelikeness
”I would give it you if such a present orthy of you”
”Ah! you could not give n to accept it, Esther, though it has been possessed by another?”
”It will be all the dearer to ht be called delightful if happiness consists of calm and mutual joys without the tumultuous raptures of passion She went away at ten, after I had promised to spend the whole of the next day with her
After an unbroken sleep of nine hours' duration I got up refreshed and feeling once more in perfect health, and I went to see Esther ioverness went and roused her in spite of my request that her repose should be respected
She received me with a sweet smile as she sat up in bed, and shewd ht-table, saying that she had been reading it till two o'clock in theA pretty caht-blue ribbon and ornaht shawl of Indian muslin, which she had hastily thrown on, veiled rather than concealed her snowy breast, which would have shamed the works of Praxiteles She allowed me to take a hundred kisses on her rosy lips--ardent kisses which the sight of such charms made yet more ardent; but her hands forbade ed to touch
I sat down by her and told her that her charet all the Manons that ever were
”Is your Marion fair to see all over?” said she
”I really can't say, for, not being her husband, I never had an opportunity of investigating the matter”
”Your discretion is worthy of all praise,” she said, with a s”
”I was told by her nurse that she was perfect in all respects, and that no mote or blemish relieved the pure whiteness of her skin”
”You must have a different notion of reat secret you desired to know Nevertheless, I should find you perfect in all your parts”
Hereupon I was guilty of a stupidity which turned to my confusion I said,
”If I beca you there”
”I suppose you think,” said she, blushi+ng, and evidently a little vexed, ”that if you touched it your desires ht be lessened?”
This question probed me to the core and covered ed her pardon in so truly repentant a voice that syle her tears with mine The incident only increased our intimacy, for, as I kissed her tears away, the same desires consumed us, and if the voice of prudence had not intervened, doubtless all would have been over As it e had but a foretaste and an earnest of that bliss which it was in our power to procure
Three hours seeo into her sitting-room while she dressed, and we then went down and dined with the wretched secretary, who adored her, whom she did not love, and who h I stood in her graces
We passed the rest of the day together in that confidential talk which is usual when the foundations of the most intimate friendshi+p have been laid between two persons of opposite sex, who believe thehtly, but with -room as in the bedroom In the very air of the bedroo so balmy and voluptuous that the lover, asked to choose between this garden of delights and Paradise, would not for one moment hesitate in his choice
We parted with hearts full of happiness, saying to each other, ”Till to-morrow”
I was truly in love with Esther, for my sentiment for her was cos than mere sensual love, which is ever stormy and violent I felt sure I could persuade her to ht I was sorry I had not let her think herself as clever as myself in the cabala, and I feared it would be ier, which would cast out love Nevertheless, Esther was the only woan to think unworthy of all I had proposed doing for her
M d'O---- came back and I went to dine with hihter had effected a co a day with ue that the Co diaht, and which, according to him, would make his fortune M d'O---- would have been amused if I had told him all I knew about this charlatan