Volume III Part 68 (2/2)
”Speak; what do you wish to know?”
”You love her and she loves you in return”
”I think you are right, but so far”
”I don't want to know any ed they soon will be, and so it co If you had told me you did not love her I should not have believed you, for I can't conceive that aher She is very pretty and exceedingly intelligent, she has good spirits, talents, an excellent h to charm you, and I expect you will find it difficult to separate fro her to you, as she used to have an excellent reputation, and now she will no longer be able to get a place with ladies in the highest society”
”I shall take her to Berne”
”That is a good idea”
Just as they were going I said that I should soon be couished reception they had givenin a few days The idea of never seeing Madaot in I went to bed, andht
In two or three days I received a note fro at about ten o'clock, and telling me I was to ask for dinner I carried out her orders to the letter M gave ed to go into the country and could not be hoed me not to be offended if he deliveredSuch is the fate of a irl at tambour-work; I accepted her company on the condition that she would not allow irl went away at noon, and soon after ent to enjoy the fresh air outside the house We sat in a summer-house froes that approached the house
”Why, dearest, did you not procure ood health”
”Because at that time my husband suspected that you turned yourself into a waiter for my sake, and that you could not be indifferent towards me
Your discretion has destroyed his suspicions; and also your housekeeper, whom he believes to be your wife, and who has taken his fancy to such an extent, that I believe he would willingly consent to an exchange, for a few days at any rate Would you agree?”
”Ah! if the exchange could be effected”
Having only an hour beforethat it would be the last I should pass beside her, I threw myself at her feet She was full of affection, and put no obstacles in the way of s dictated, for I loved her too well to consent to injure her health I did all I could to replace the utmost bliss, but the pleasure she enjoyed doubtless consisted in a greatme her superiority to the horrible
Whenthe husband's carriage co, we rose and took care that the worthy man should not find us in the arbour Hereturned sooner
We had an excellent dinner, and at table he talked almost entirely of my housekeeper, and he seemed moved when I said I meant to take her to Lausanne to her mother I took leave of them at five o'clock with a broken heart, and froni and told hiht to be told, as he had done all in his power to insure the success of a project which had only failed by an unexampled fatality
In admiration of my dear Dubois's wit--for I did not conceal the part she played he said that old as he was he should think himself quite happy if he had such a woman with him, and he was much pleased when I told hiive yourself the trouble,from house to house to take leave,” said the amiable nobleman ”It can be done just as well at the assembly, and you need not even stay to supper, if you don't want to”
I followed his advice, and thus saw again Mada; I saw her ten years afterwards; and at the proper time the reader will see where, when, how, and under what circu away, I followed the ambassador to his room to thank hiive ht of staying a fortnight I also begged hiht settle our accounts He toldme a letter for M de Muralt, the Mayor of Thun
When I got ho a tohere I had but trifling victories and heavy losses, I thanked ht I told her that in three days we should set out for Berne, and that my mails must be packed
Next day, after a somewhat silent breakfast, she said,--
”You will take me with you, won't you?”
”Certainly, if you like o”