mpany at home, that both body and mind must needs
grow weary, and one wants only rest." "Rest," replied he,
"is not the proper thing for a person of your age. Your
position is not, either at home or at Court, a fatiguing
one, and I am rather afraid that you do not like to be with
me." "You would do me a great injustice if you thought so,"
said she with ever-increasing embarrassment, "but I entreat
you to leave me here. If you would stay too, I should be
delighted--if you would stay here alone and be good enough
to do without the endless number of people who never leave
you." "Oh! Madam," cried M. de Cleves, "your looks and your
words show me that you have reasons for wishing to be alone
which I do not know, and which I beg you to tell me." He
pressed her a long time to do so without being able to
induce her, and after excusing herself in a manner which
increased the curiosity of her husband, she remained in deep
silence with downcast eyes. Then suddenly recovering her
speech, and looking at him, "Do not force me," said she, "to
a confession which I am not strong enough to make, though I
have several times intended to do so. Think only that
prudence forbids a woman of my age, who is her own
mistress,[274] to remain exposed to the trials[275] of a
Court." "What do you suggest, Madame?" cried M. de Cleves.
"I dare not put it in words for fear of offence." She made
no answer, and her silence confirming her husband in his
thought, he went on: "You tell me nothing, and that tells me
that I do not deceive myself." "Well then, Sir!" she
answered, throwing herself at his feet, "I will confess to
you what never wife has confessed to her husband; but the
innocence of my conduct and my intentions gives me strength
to do it. It is the truth that I have reasons for quitting
the Court, and that I would fain shun the perils in which
people of my age sometimes find themselves. I have never
shown any sign of weakness, and I am not afraid of allowing
any to appear if you will allow me to retire from the Court,
or if I still had Mme. de Chartres to aid in guarding me.
However risky may be the step I am taking, I take it
joyfully, as a way to keep myself worthy of being yours. I
ask your pardon a thousand times if my sentiments are
disagreeable to