"Why was it," cries she, "that I can charge you with Monsieur de

Cleves's death? Why did not my first acquaintance with you begin since

I have been at liberty, or why did not I know you before I was engaged?

Why does fate separate us by such invincible obstacles?" "There are no

obstacles, Madam," replied Monsieur de Nemours; "it is you alone oppose

my happiness; you impose on yourself a law which virtue and reason do

not require you to obey." "'Tis true," says she, "I sacrifice a great

deal to a duty which does not subsist but in my imagination; have

patience, and expect what time may produce; Monsieur de Cleves is but

just expired, and that mournful object is too near to leave me clear

and distinct views; in the meantime enjoy the satisfaction to know you

have gained the heart of a person who would never have loved anyone,

had she not seen you: believe the inclination I have for you will last

forever, and that it will be uniform and the same, whatever becomes of

me: Adieu," said she; "this is a conversation I ought to blush for;

however, give an account of it to the Viscount; I agree to it, and

desire you to do it."

With these words she went away, nor could Monsieur de Nemours detain

her. In the next room she met with the Viscount, who seeing her under

so much concern would not speak to her, but led her to her coach

without saying a word; he returned to Monsieur de Nemours, who was so

full of joy, grief, admiration, and of all those affections that attend

a passion full of hope and fear, that he had not the use of his reason.

It was a long time ere the Viscount could get from him an account of

the conversation; at last the Duke related it to him, and Monsieur de

Chartres, without being in love, no less admired the virtue, wit and

merit of Madam de Cleves, than did Monsieur de Nemours himself; they

began to examine what issue could reasonably be hoped for in this

affair; and however fearful the Duke de Nemours was from his love, he

agreed with the Viscount, that it was impossible Madam de Cleves should

continue in the resolution she was in; they were of opinion

nevertheless that it was necessary to follow her orders, for fear, upon

the public's perceiving the inclination he had for her, she should make

declarations and enter into engagements with respect to the world, that

she would afterwards abide by, lest it should be thought she loved him

in her husband's lifetime.




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