"I never knew a lady behave herself in so genteel and agreeable a

manner to her lover, but yet I was always shocked at the affectation

she showed in appearing so concerned for the loss of her husband.

Sancerre was so much in love, and so well pleased with the treatment he

received from her, that he scarce durst press her to conclude the

marriage, for fear she should think he desired it rather out of

interest than love; however he spoke to her of it, and she seemed fully

bent on marrying him; she began also to abandon her reserved manner of

life, and to appear again in public; she visited my sister-in-law at

hours when some of the Court were usually there; Sancerre came there

but seldom, but those who came every night, and frequently saw her

there, thought her extremely beautiful.

"She had not long quitted her solitude, when Sancerre imagined that her

passion for him was cooled; he spoke of it several times to me: but I

laid no great stress on the matter; but at last, when he told me, that

instead of forwarding the marriage, she seemed to put it off, I began

to think he was not to blame for being uneasy: I remonstrated to him,

that if Madam de Tournon's passion was abated after having continued

two years, he ought not to be surprised at it, and that even supposing

it was not abated, possibly it might not be strong enough to induce her

to marry him; that he ought not to complain of it; that such a marriage

in the judgment of the public would draw censures upon her, not only

because he was not a suitable match for her, but also on account of the

prejudice it would do her reputation; that therefore all he could

desire was, that she might not deceive him, nor lead him into false

expectations; I told him further, that if she had not resolution enough

to marry him, or if she confessed she liked some other person better,

he ought not to resent or be angry at it, but still continue his esteem

and regard for her.

"I give you," said I, "the advice which I would take myself; for

sincerity has such charms to me, that I believe if my mistress, or even

my wife ingenuously confessed, she had a greater affection for another

than for me, I might be troubled, but not exasperated; I would lay

aside the character of a lover or a husband, to bestow my advice and my

pity." This discourse made Madam de Cleves blush, and she found in it a

certain similitude of her own condition, which very much surprised her,

and gave her a concern, from which she could not recover in a great

while. "Sancerre spoke to Madam de Tournon," continued Monsieur de Cleves,

"and told her all I had advised him; but she encouraged him with so

many fresh assurances, and seemed so displeased at his suspicions, that

she entirely removed them; nevertheless she deferred the marriage until

after a pretty long journey he was to make; but she behaved herself so

well until his departure, and appeared so concerned at it, that I

believed as well as he, that she sincerely loved him. He set out about

three months ago; during his absence I have seldom seen Madam de

Tournon; you have entirely taken me up, and I only knew that he was

speedily expected.




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