Volume IV Part 66 (1/2)

Hedvig looked as red as fire

The pastor and the other guests looked at each other, while I gazed fixedly at the young theologian, as reflecting M d'Harcourt said that we should have to send for Voltaire to settle a question so difficult, but as Hedvig had collected her thoughts and seemed ready to speak everybody was silent

”It would be absurd,” said she, ”to suppose that a deity could perfor any results At the end of nine months a woman would be delivered a male child, which would be three parts uests applauded, M de Ximenes expressed his ad,--

”Naturally, if the son of the wohths hth Gods”

”Yes,” said I, ”unless he married a Goddess, which would have made the proportion different”

”Tell , ”what proportion of divinity there would be in a child of the sixteenth generation”

”Give me a pencil and I will soon tell you,” said M de Ximenes

”There is no need to calculate it,” said I; ”the child would have some small share of the hich you enjoy”

Everybody applauded this gallant speech, which did not by any means offend the lady to whom it was addressed

This pretty blonde was chiefly desirable for the charms of her intellect We rose from the table and race not to pay her any et her cousin to choose a ring frolad to execute the co ca she had chosen I kissed it rapturously, and she uessed fros she had inspired irls all about theout the srace, and I had no occasion to proed her to stay to supper, but she whispered soreed that it was iht spend a couple of days with them in their country house on the lake, if they would ask her irls called on the mother the next day, and the day after that they went off with Helen The sa ent and supped with them, but we could not sleep there The syndic was to take me to a house at a short distance off, where we should be very co the case there was no hurry, and the eldest girl said that the syndic and I could leave whenever we liked, but that they were going to bed So saying she took Helen to her room, while the two others slept in another room Soon after the syndic went into the room where Helen was, and I visited the two others

I had scarcely been with my teethearts for an hour when the syndic interrupted o

”What have you done with Helen?” I asked

”Nothing; she's a simpleton, and an intractable one She hid under the sheets and would not look at o to her direct”

”I have done so, but she repulsed iven it up, and shall not try it again, unless you will tame her for me”

”How is it to be done?”

”Come to dinner to-morrow I shall be away at Geneva I shall be back by supper-tiive her too much to drink!”

”That would be a pity Let ly went to dine with them by myself the next day, and they entertained me in all the force of the word After dinner ent for a walk, and the three friends understanding irl, who resisted ive up the hope of ta her

”The syndic,” said I, ”is in love with you, and last night

”Last night,” she said, ”he amused hi their own tastes, but I expect to be allowed to follow ain your heart I should be happy”