Volume IV Part 23 (1/2)

”Oh, no! She does not tell , but here is a letter for you”

I read through the long and well-composed letter, but as it bore h After several remarks of no consequence she said that she had repulsed me because she loved me so much and that she was afraid that if she satisfied ht lose ive me the position which Rosalie enjoyed I will travel in your coive n as a witness, in which you ive me a portion of fifty thousand francs; and if at the end of a year you do not wish to marry me, that sum to be at my absolute disposal”

She stipulated also that if she became a mother in the course of a year the child should be hers in the event of our separating On these conditions she would become my mistress, and would have for me all possible love and kindness

This proposal, cleverly conceived, but foolishly communicated toothers I saw directly that M de Gri to do with it, and I felt sure that he would laugh when I told him the story

Annette soon came back with the chocolate, and told me that her sister hoped I would answer her letter

”Yes, dear,” said I, ”I will answer her when I get up”

I took own, and went to Veronique's rooent attire that ht have attracted ood opinion

I sat on the bed, gave her back the letter, and said,--

”Why write, e can talk the matter over?”

”Because one is often ”

”In diplomacy and business that will pass, but not in love Love uards, but give yourself up toanything If you trust in love, you will make him your prisoner That ill honour us and our pleasures, and if you like I will consult M de Grimaldi on the subject As to your plan, if it does not injure your honour, it does small justice to your coree to it You could not possibly love the man to whom you make such a proposal, and as to M de Gri to do with it, I anant at the very idea”

This discourse did not put Veronique out of countenance She said she did not love ive herself to me unconditionally; to which I replied that I was not sufficiently taken with her charms to buy them at the price she fixed, and so I left her

I called Costa, and told hi the next day, and with this idea I went to bid good-bye to thePetri to see Rosalie, who had received hilad to hear it, and said that I commended to him the care of her happiness, but such commendations were throay

It is one of the most curious circumstances of my history, that in one year toht have married were taken from me by two oldto do so Happily these gentlemen made my mistresses' fortunes, but on the other hand they didme of a tie which I should have found very troublesome in course of tireat in outward show, rested on no solid basis, which, as the reader will see, was unhappily too true I should be happy if I thought thatto the readers of these Me the care hich Veronique and Annette packed up my trunks, for I would not let my two servants help in any way Veronique was neither sad nor gay She looked as if she had made up her mind, and as if there had never been any differences between us

I was very glad, for as I no longer cared for her I should have been annoyed to find that she still cared foronly co to bed Annette shook my hand in a way that told me to prepare for a visit froirls, who take their degrees in the art of love with so e Annette, alher fifty sequins without letting Veronique see me, as I did not intend to be so liberal towards her I took a roll of ducats and gave them to her as soon as she came

She lay down beside me, and after a moment devoted to love she said that Veronique was asleep, adding,--

”I heard all you said to my sister, and I am sure you love her”

”If I did, dear Annette, I should not have made my proposal in such plain terms”

”I should like to believe that, but ould you have done if she had accepted your offer? You would be in one bed by this, I suppose?”

”I was more than certain, dearest, that her pride would hinder her receiving me”

We had reached this point in our conversation ere surprised by the sudden appearance of Veronique with a lighted candle, and wearing only her chee her, and I joined in the laughter, keeping a fir Veronique looked ravishi+ng in her scanty attire, and as she laughed I could not be angry with her However, I said,--

”You have interrupted our enjoys; perhaps you will despise her for the future?”