Oh!  Renee, how is it possible to fathom the heart of man?  My father ought to introduce me to M. Bonald, since he is so learned; I would ask him.  I envy the privilege of God, who can read the undercurrents of the heart.

Does he still worship?  That is the whole question.

If ever, in gesture, glance, or tone, I were to detect the slightest falling off in the respect he used to show me in the days when he was my instructor in Spanish, I feel that I should have strength to put the whole thing from me.  “Why these fine words, these grand resolutions?” you will say.  Dear, I will tell you.

My fascinating father, who treats me with the devotion of an Italian cavaliere servente for his lady, had my portrait painted, as I told you, by Mme. de Mirbel.  I contrived to get a copy made, good enough to do for the Duke, and sent the original to Felipe.  I despatched it yesterday, and these lines with it: 

  “Don Felipe, your single-hearted devotion is met by a blind
  confidence.  Time will show whether this is not to treat a man as
  more than human.”

It was a big reward.  It looked like a promise and—­dreadful to say—­a challenge; but—­which will seem to you still more dreadful—­I quite intended that it should suggest both these things, without going so far as actually to commit me.  If in his reply there is “Dear Louise!” or even “Louise,” he is done for!

Tuesday.

No, he is not done for.  The constitutional minister is perfect as a lover.  Here is his letter:—­

“Every moment passed away from your sight has been filled by me with ideal pictures of you, my eyes closed to the outside world and fixed in meditation on your image, which used to obey the summons too slowly in that dim palace of dreams, glorified by your presence.  Henceforth my gaze will rest upon this wondrous ivory —­this talisman, might I not say?—­since your blue eyes sparkle with life as I look, and paint passes into flesh and blood.  If I have delayed writing, it is because I could not tear myself away from your presence, which wrung from me all that I was bound to keep most secret.

“Yes, closeted with you all last night and to-day, I have, for the first time in my life, given myself up to full, complete, and boundless happiness.  Could you but see yourself where I have placed you, between the Virgin and God, you might have some idea of the agony in which the night has passed.  But I would not offend you by speaking of it; for one glance from your eyes, robbed of the tender sweetness which is my life, would be full of torture for me, and I implore your clemency therefore in advance.  Queen of my life and of my soul, oh! that you could grant me but one-thousandth part of the love I bear you!

“This was the burden of my prayer; doubt worked havoc in my soul as I oscillated between belief and despair, between life and death, darkness