or he gave me all possible freedom of speech on such
occasions. I told him he was unkind, that he would never give me an
opportunity to ask for anything, and that he forced me to blush by being
too much obliged, and the like; all which I knew was very agreeable to
him, for as he was bountiful beyond measure, so he was infinitely
obliged by my being so backward to ask any favours; and I was even with
him, for I never asked him for a farthing in my life.

Upon this rallying him, he told me I had either perfectly studied the
art of humour, or else what was the greatest difficulty to others was
natural to me, adding that nothing could be more obliging to a man of
honour than not to be soliciting and craving.

I told him nothing could be craving upon him, that he left no room for
it; that I hoped he did not give merely to avoid the trouble of being
importuned. I told him he might depend upon it that I should be reduced
very low indeed before I offered to disturb him that way.

He said a man of honour ought always to know what he ought to do; and as
he did nothing but what he knew was reasonable, he gave me leave to be
free with him if I wanted anything; that he had too much value for me to
deny me anything if I asked, but that it was infinitely agreeable to
him to hear me say that what he did was to my satisfaction.

We strained compliments thus a great while, and as he had me in his arms
most part of the time, so upon all my expressions of his bounty to me he
put a stop to me with his kisses, and would admit me to go on no
farther.

I should in this place mention that this prince was not a subject of
France, though at that time he resided at Paris and was much at court,
where, I suppose, he had or expected some considerable employment. But I
mention it on this account, that a few days after this he came to me and
told me he was come to bring me not the most welcome news that ever I
heard from him in his life. I looked at him a little surprised; but he
returned, "Do not be uneasy; it is as unpleasant to me as to you, but I
come to consult with you about it and see if it cannot be made a little
easy to us both."

I seemed still more concerned and surprised. At last he said it was that
he believed he should be obliged to go into Italy, which, though
otherwise it was very agreeable to him, yet his parting with me made it
a very dull thing but to think of.

I sat mute, as one thunderstruck, for a good while; and it presen