ade the experiments of his
misapplied talents. The females, particularly, however squeamish they
were, were never sufficiently so to prevent themselves from being
plundered by him. For several months the police were on the look out for
this seducing young man, who, changing his dress and abode incessantly,
escaped from their clutch at the moment when they thought they had him
securely, when I received orders to commence the chase after him, to
attempt his capture.

Winter was one of those Lovelaces who never deceive a woman without
robbing her. I thought that amongst his victims I could find at least
one, who, from a spirit of revenge, would be disposed to put me on the
scent of this monster. By dint of searching, I thought I had met with a
willing auxiliary, but as these Ariadnes, however ill used or forsaken
they may be, yet shrink from the immolation of their betrayer, I
determined to accost the damsel I met with cautiously. It was necessary,
before I ventured my bark, to take soundings, and I took care not to
manifest any hostility towards Winter, and not to alarm that residue of
tenderness, which, despite of ill usage, always remains in a sensitive
heart. I made my appearance in the character of almoner of the regiment
of which he was thought to command, and as such introduced to the
ci-devant mistress of the pretended colonel. The costume, the language,
the manner I assumed were in perfect unison with the character I was
about to play, and I obtained to my wish the confidence of the fair
forsaken one, who gave me unwittingly all the information I required.
She pointed out to me her favoured rival, who, already ill-treated by
Winter, had still the weakness to see him, and could not forbear making
fresh sacrifices for him.

I became acquainted with this charming lady, and to obtain favour in her
eyes, announced myself as a friend of her lover's family. The relatives
of the young giddy pate had empowered me to pay his debts; and if she
could contrive an interview with him for me, she might rely on being
satisfied with the result of the first. Madame ------ was not sorry to
have an opportunity of repairing the dilapidations made on her property,
and one morning sent me a note, stating that she was going to dine
with her lover the next day at the Boulevard du Temple, at La Galiote.
At four o'clock I went, disguised as a messenger, and stationed myself
at the door of the restaurant's; and after two hours' watch, I saw