Volume III Part 64 (1/2)

”I ahted,” I said, ”to have been of service to you”

”And I,” said he, ”aratitude

Come and breakfast with us, ”

I rose hastily, and just as I was leaving the roolee, and said,--

”I thank you, sir; I thank you with allback to Soleure”

”Wait for a quarter of an hour, we are going to breakfast with Madaood day, and now I one Farewell, and reone before M---- asked ht think so, certainly,” I replied, ”for she has received nothing but politeness at o back with you in the evening”

We went to breakfast and to discuss this abrupt leave-taking, and afterwards we took a turn in the garden where we found Madaht his wife looking rather downcast I asked her if she had not slept well

”I did not go to sleep till four o'clock thisfor you till that ti?”

I could not answer her question I was petrified I looked at her fixedly without replying; I could not shake off my astonishment At last a dreadful suspicion came into my head that I had held within my arms for two hours the horrible monster whom I had foolishly received in ed o and take shelter behind the arbour and hide h I should swoon away I should certainly have fallen if I had not rested ainst a tree

My first idea had been a fearful thought, which I hastened to repel, that Madae of the fact--a device which is in the power of any woives up her person in the dark to adopt, as it is i However, I knew the divine creature I had thought I possessed too well to believe her capable of such base deceit I felt that she would have been lacking in delicacy, if she had said she had waited for me in vain by way of a jest; as in such a case as this the least doubt is a degradation I was forced, then, to the conclusion that she had been supplanted by the infernalhad she eine, and I bewildered myself with painful surmises Reason only comes to the aid of the hts has almost vanished

I concluded, then, that I had spent two hours with this abouish, and made me loathe and despisethat I had been perfectly happy It was an unpardonable mistake, as the toh the darkness forbade , htened ination was in a state of ecstasy I cursed love, my nature, and above all the inconceivable weakness which had allowed me to receive into el, anddefiledtorn to pieces with my own hands the thening myself in this resolution M---- came up to me and asked me kindly if I were ill; he was alarmed to see me pale and covered with drops of sweat ”My wife,” said the worthy man, ”is uneasy about you, and sent me to look after you” I told him I had to leave her on account of a sudden dizziness, but that I began to feel better

”Let us rejoin her” Mada pleasantly that she was sure it was only the sudden departure of thethat had put me out

We continued our walk, and ere far enough from the husband, ith my housekeeper, I said I had been overcome by what she had said, but that it had doubtless been spoken jestingly

”I was not jesting at all,” said she, with a sigh, ”tell ain I was struck dumb I could not make up my mind to tell her the story, and I did not knohat to say to justify myself I was silent and confused when ave me a letter which the wretchedhad sent her by an express She had opened it, and found an enclosure addressed toI would read it atin joke that it was a love-letter, I could not laugh, and made no answer

The servant came to tell us that dinner was served, but I could touch nothing My abstinence was put down to ed to read the letter, but I wished to be alone to do so, and that was a difficult ame of piquet which formed our usual afternoon's aht the fresh air would dowhat I wanted she asked arden I offered her my arm, her husband offered his to my housekeeper, and ent out

As soon as my mistress saw that ere free from observation, she spoke as follows,--

”I aht with thatco; confide in ue, and if it is to serve as a lesson you should conceal nothing from me I am sure you loved me once, tell me that you have not beco? I your enemy!”

”Then tell me all, and before you read that wretched creature's letter

I adjure you in the na from me”

”Well, divine creature, I will do as you bid me I came to your apartment at one o'clock, and as soon as I was in the second ante-chamber, I was taken by the arm, and a hand was placed upon ht I held you in ently on the sofa You must remember that I felt absolutely certain it was you; indeed, I can scarcely doubt it even now I then passed with you, without a word being spoken, two of the most delicious hours I have ever experienced Cursed hours! of which the remembrance will torment me for the remainder of my days I left you at a quarter past three The rest is known to you”