t I wished her to say to M. G---- M----, and to the lady who was
with him? At this question, I stepped back again into the room, and by
one of those unaccountable transitions that are only known to the
victims of violent passion, I passed in an instant from the state of
subdued tranquillity which I have just described, into an ungovernable
fury 'Away!' said I to her, 'tell the traitor G---- M----and his
abandoned mistress the state of despair into which your accursed
mission has cast me; but warn them that it shall not be long a source
of amusement to them, and that my own hands shall be warmed with the
heart's blood of both!' I sank back upon a chair; my hat fell on one
side, and my cane upon the other: torrents of bitter tears rolled down
my cheeks. The paroxysm of rage changed into a profound and silent
grief: I did nothing but weep and sigh. 'Approach, my child,
approach,' said I to the young girl; 'approach, since it is you they
have sent to bring me comfort; tell me whether you have any balm to
administer for the pangs of despair and rage--any argument to offer
against the crime of self-destruction, which I have resolved upon,
after ridding the world of two perfidious monsters. Yes, approach,'
continued I, perceiving that she advanced with timid and doubtful
steps; 'come and dry my sorrows; come and restore peace to my mind;
come and tell me that at least you love me: you are handsome--I may
perhaps love you in return.' The poor child, who was only sixteen or
seventeen years of age, and who appeared more modest than girls of her
class generally are, was thunderstruck at this unusual scene. She
however gently approached to caress me, when with uplifted hands I
rudely repulsed her. 'What do you wish with me?' exclaimed I to her.
'Ah! you are a woman, and of a sex I abhor, and can no longer tolerate;
the very gentleness of your look threatens me with some new treason.
Go, leave me here alone!' She made me a curtsy without uttering a
word, and turned to go out. I called to her to stop: 'Tell me at
least,' said I, 'wherefore-- how--with what design they sent you here?
how did you discover my name, or the place where you could find me?'

"She told me that she had long known M. G---- M----; that he had sent
for her that evening about five o'clock; and that, having followed the
servant who had been dispatched to her, she was shown into a large
house, where she found him playing at picquet with a beautiful young