After a good dinner washed down by some delicious Sillery we parted, and I spent the evening in writing.  Next morning I did some business, and at noon went to see the distressed devotee, whom I found at home with her charming niece.  We talked a few minutes about the weather, and she then told my sweetheart to leave us as she wanted to speak to me.  I was prepared for what was coming and I waited for her to break the silence which all women of her position observe.  “You will be surprised, sir, at what I am going to tell you, for I have determined to bring before you a complaint of an unheard-of character.  The case is really of the most delicate nature, and I am impelled to make a confidant of you by the impression you made on me when I first saw you.  I consider you to be a man of discretion, of honour, and above all a moral man; in short, I believe you have experienced religion, and if I am making a mistake it will be a pity, for though I have been insulted I don’t lack means of avenging myself, and as you are his friend you will be sorry for him.”

“Is Tiretta the guilty party, madam?”

“The same.”

“And what is his crime?”

“He is a villain; he has insulted me in the most monstrous manner.”

“I should not have thought him capable of doing so.”

“I daresay not, but then you are a moral man.”

“But what was the nature of his offence?  You may confide in my secrecy.”

“I really couldn’t tell you, it’s quite out of the question; but I trust you will be able to guess it.  Yesterday, during the execution of the wretched Damien, he strongly abused the position in which he found himself behind me.”

“I see; I understand what you mean; you need say no more.  You have cause for anger, and he is to blame for acting in such a manner.  But allow me to say that the case is not unexampled or even uncommon, and I think you might make some allowance for the strength of love, the close quarters, and above all for the youth and passion of the sinner.  Moreover, the offence is one which may be expiated in a number of ways, provided the parties come to an agreement.  Tiretta is young and a perfect gentleman, he is handsome and at bottom a good fellow; could not a marriage be arranged?”

I waited for a reply, but perceiving that the injured party kept silence (a circumstance which seemed to me a good omen) I went on.

“If marriage should not meet your views, we might try a lasting friendship, in which he could shew his repentance and prove himself deserving of pardon.  Remember, madam, that Tiretta is only a man, and therefore subject to all the weaknesses of our poor human nature; and even you have your share of the blame.”

“I, sir?”

“Involuntarily, madam, involuntarily; not you but your charms led him astray.  Nevertheless, without this incentive the circumstance would never have taken place, and I think you should consider your beauty as a mitigation of the offence.”