s presence: but now that her future
fate, and the happy ending of all her love-projects, seemed to depend on
her leaving a favourable impression on the mind of Bertram from this
night's interview, she exerted all her wit to please him; and the simple
graces of her lively conversation and the endearing sweetness of her
manners so charmed Bertram, that he vowed she should be his wife. Helena
begged the ring from off his finger as a token of his regard, and he
gave it to her; and in return for this ring, which it was of such
importance to her to possess, she gave him another ring, which was one
the king had made her a present of. Before it was light in the morning,
she sent Bertram away; and he immediately set out on his journey towards
his mother's house.

Helena prevailed on the widow and Diana to accompany her to Paris, their
further assistance being necessary to the full accomplishment of the
plan she had formed. When they arrived there, they found the king was
gone upon a visit to the Countess of Rousillon, and Helena followed the
king with all the speed she could make.

The king was still in perfect health, and his gratitude to her who had
been the means of his recovery was so lively in his mind, that the
moment he saw the Countess of Rousillon, he began to talk of Helena,
calling her a precious jewel that was lost by the folly of her son; but
seeing the subject distressed the countess, who sincerely lamented the
death of Helena, he said, "My good lady, I have forgiven and forgotten
all." But the good-natured old Lafeu, who was present, and could not
bear that the memory of his favourite Helena should be so lightly passed
over, said, "This I must say, the young lord did great offence to his
majesty, his mother, and his lady; but to himself he did the greatest
wrong of all, for he has lost a wife whose beauty astonished all eyes,
whose words took all ears captive, whose deep perfection made all hearts
wish to serve her." The king said, "Praising what is lost makes the
remembrance dear. Well--call him hither;" meaning Bertram, who now
presented himself before the king: and, on his expressing deep sorrow
for the injuries he had done to Helena, the king, for his dead father's
and his admirable mother's sake, pardoned him and restored him once more
to his favour. But the gracious countenance of the king was soon changed
towards him, for he perceived that Bertram wore the very ring upon his
finger which he had given to He