Volume IV Part 102 (2/2)

”Not at all”

She took off her clothes in a e ot into bed, and I sat beside her; whereupon she sat up again, and her sister turned her back upon us The Pastor Fido was on her night-table, and opening the book I proceeded to read the passage where Mirtillo describes the sweetness of the kiss A my voice to the sentiment of the lines Clementine seemed as much affected as I was, and I fastened my lips on hers What happiness! She drew in the balht, and appeared to be free from alarm, so I was about to clasp her in entleness, begging ed her pardon, and taking her hand breathed out upon it all the ecstasy of ,” said she, in a voice that did but increase the amorous tumult of my heart

”Yes, dearest countess, and I assure you I tre; and my prayer must be that I in to hate Do as I do, and pray that your love th to resist it”

I went to bed ill pleased with one too far or not far enough; but what did itwas certain, I was sorry for what I had done, and that was always a thought which pained me

In Clereatest respect, and I knew not how I could cease to love her, nor yet how I could continue loving her without the rehich every faithful lover hopes to win

”If she loves me,” I said toand pray, and even to push her to an extremity, that she e the woman he loves to surrender at discretion, and love always absolves hiument, which I coloured to suit my passions, Clementine could not refuse me unless she did not love thened in this resolve by the wish to free myself from the state of excitement I was in, and I was sure that if she continued obdurate I should soon get cured But at the saer loving Clementine seemed to ht I rose early and went to wish her good

She was still asleep, but her sister Eleanore was dressing

”My sister,” said she, ”read till three o'clock thisquite et into the bed beside her; it will be a to see her surprise when she wakes up”

”But do you think she will take it as a joke?”

”She won't be able to help laughing; besides, you are dressed”

The opportunity was too teently crept into the bed, and Eleanore coveredrapidly I could not give the affair the appearance of a joke, and I hoped Cleht have time to compose myself

I had been in this position for about five minutes, when Clementine, half asleep and half awake, turned over, and stretching out her ar I was her sister She then fell asleep again in the sah, for her warave me a foretaste of aer, and, bursting into a peal of laughter, forced Clementine to open her eyes Nevertheless, she did not discover that she heldbeside the bed

”This is a fine trick,” said she, ”you are two charave me back my self-composure, and I was able to play my part properly

”You see,” said I, ”I have had a kiss fro it to ave to Mistillo”

”It co The kiss has produced its effects, and Iolas is young again”

”Dear Eleanore, you have gone too far, for we love each other, and I was drea of him”

”No, no,” said her sister, ”Iolas is dressed Look!”

So saying, the little wanton with a swift movement uncovered me, but at the same time she uncovered her sister, and Clementine with a little scream veiled the charms which my eyes had devoured for aI had seen the cornice and the frieze of the altar of love

Eleanore then went out, and I re at the treasure I desired but did not dare to seize At last I broke the silence

”Dearest Hebe,” said I, ”you are certainly fairer than the cupbearer of the Gods I have just seen what , and if I had been Jupiter I should have changed my mind”