“His father’s messenger on the road;
     The question about Joachim;
     The-state of my house;
     The people of my suite;
     Subject of my arrival;
     Joseph;
     Conversation between him and me;
     His desire to please me and his repentance;
     The explanation of his letter;
     Mr. Livingston.

“Ah!  I was forgetting that.  Yesterday Livingston during supper told de Rere in a low voice to drink to the health of one I knew well, and to beg me to do him the honour.  After supper, as I was leaning on his shoulder near the fire, he said to me, ’Is it not true that there are visits very agreeable for those who pay them and those who receive them?  But, however satisfied they seem with your arrival, I challenge their delight to equal the grief of one whom you have left alone to-day, and who will never be content till he sees you again.’  I asked him of whom he wished to speak to me.  He then answered me by pressing my arm:  ’Of one of those who have not followed you; and among those it is easy for you to guess of whom I want to speak.’

“I have worked till two o’clock at the bracelet; I have enclosed a little key which is attached by two strings:  it is not as well worked as I should like, but I have not had time to make it better; I will make you a finer one on the first occasion.  Take care that it is not seen on you; for I have worked at it before everyone, and it would be recognised to a certainty.

“I always return, in spite of myself, to the frightful attempt that you advise.  You compel me to concealments, and above all to treacheries that make me shudder; I would rather die, believe me, than do such things; for it makes my heart bleed.  He does not want to follow me unless I promise him to have the selfsame bed and board with him as before, and not to abandon him so often.  If I consent to it, he says he will do all I wish, and will follow me everywhere; but he has begged me to put off my departure for two days.  I have pretended to agree to all he wishes; but I have told him not to speak of our reconciliation to anyone, for fear it should make some lords uneasy.  At last I shall take him everywhere I wish....  Alas!  I have never deceived anyone; but what would I not do to please you?  Command, and whatever happens, I shall obey.  But see yourself if one could not contrive some secret means in the shape of a remedy.  He must purge himself at Craigmiller and take baths there; he will be some days without going out.  So far as I can see, he is very uneasy; but he has great trust in what I tell him:  however, his confidence does not go so far as to allow him to open his mind to me.  If you like, I will tell him every thing:  I can have no pleasure in deceiving someone who is trusting.  However, it will be just as you wish:  do not esteem me the less for that.  It is you advised it; never would vengeance have taken me so far.  Sometimes he attacks me