Volume V Part 71 (1/2)

”The young ive ave the reverend father the sa of Corsica's son, and left hiiven me so much needless trouble I was minded to have done with hih his mistress that I would not be his reference, but I could not find an opportunity that day

The next day I took my two nymphs for a ride, and asked Pembroke to dinner In vain aited for Petina's ot a letter from her, with a Ger certain that her e, she had eloped with her lover, who had got together enough o to Naples, and when they reached that town he would ed me to console her one off with an adventurer but with a man of rank, her equal My lips curled into a smile of pity and contempt, which made the three sisters curious I shewed them the letter I had just received, and asked theht,” said Victoire, ”this terrible neould keep her awake”

I took her advice and we supped together, sadly enough

I thought the poor wretch was ruined for life, and I reproachedthe cause of her misfortune; for if I had not released the marquis from prison this could never have happened The Marquis Caraccioli had been right in saying that I had done a good deed, but a foolish one I consoled myself in the arms of my dear Gabrielle

I had a painful scene with the hter and her seducer, and even blamed me She wept and stormed alternately

It is never of any use to try and convince people in distress that they are wrong, for one may only do harm, while if they are left to therateful to the person who let therief without any contradiction

After this event I spent a happy fortnight in the society of Gabrielle, whom Hippolyta and Victoire looked on as my wife She made my happiness and I made hers in all sorts of ways, but especially by my fidelity; for I treated her sisters as if they had beenno recollection of the favours I had obtained frohtest liberty, for I knew that friendshi+p betoht theed and well fed, I took them to the theatre and to the country, and the consequence was they all adored o on for ever

Nevertheless, I was every day nearer and nearer to moral and physical bankruptcy I had no more money, and I had sold all my diamonds and precious stones I still possessed my snuff-boxes, my watches, and numerous trifles, which I loved and had not the heart to sell; and, indeed, I should not have got the fifth part of what I gave for them

For a whole month I had not paid my cook, or my wine merchant, but I liked to feel that they trusted ht of was Gabrielle's love, and of this I assured myself by a thousand delicacies and attentions

This was my condition when one day Victoire came to me with sadness on her face, and said that her mother had made up heranything frolish Court

”When does she intend to leave?”

”In three or four days”

”And is she going without tellingher bill?”

”On the contrary, she wishes to have a private talk with you”

I paid her a visit, and she began by reproachingto see her more often She said that as I had refused her hand she would not run the risk of incurring censure or slander of any kind

”I thank you from my heart,” she added, ”for all the kindness you have shewnto take the three I have left away, lest I lose them as I have lost the two eldest If you like, youas you like in my pretty country house near the capital”

Of course I had to thank her and reply that ements did not allow me to accept her kind offer

Three days after, Victoire toldon board shi+p at three o'clock Hippolyta and Gabrielle iven thes arieved bitterly, as was my habit when I had to separate from anyone that I loved