This piece of good luck decided me on staying at Soleure till my love was crowned with success, and I determined to take a country house.  I shall not have much opinion of my readers if they find themselves in my position—­rich, young, independent, full of fire, and having only pleasure to seek for—­and do not follow my example.  A perfect beauty was before me with whom I was madly in love, and who, I was sure, shared that love.  I had plenty of money, and I was my own master.  I thought this a much better plan than turning monk, and I was above caring “what people would say.”  As soon as the ambassador had returned, which he always did at an early hour on account of his advanced age, I left the company and went to see him in his private room.  In truth I felt I must give him that confidence which he had so well deserved.

As soon as he saw me he said,—­

“Well, well, did you profit by the interview I got you?”

I embraced him, and said,—­

“I may hope for everything.”

When I was telling him about the hellebore he was lavish in his compliments on my presence of mind, for, as he said, such an unusual colour would have made people think there had been some kind of a combat—­a supposition which would not have tended towards my success.  After I had told him all, I imparted my plan.

“I shall do nothing in a hurry,” said I, “as I have to take care that the lady’s honour does not suffer, and I trust to time to see the accomplishment of my wishes.  I shall want a pretty country house, a good carriage, two lackeys, a good cook, and a housekeeper.  All that I leave to your excellency, as I look upon you as my refuge and guardian angel.”

“To-morrow, without fail, I will see what I can do, and I have good hopes of doing you a considerable service and of rendering you well content with the attractions of Soleure.”

Next day our rehearsal went off admirably, and the day after the ambassador spoke to me as follows: 

“So far as I can see, what you are aiming at in this intrigue is the satisfying of your desires without doing any harm to the lady’s reputation.  I think I know the nature of your love for her well enough to say that if she told you that your leaving Soleure was necessary to her peace of mind you would leave her at once.  You see that I have sounded you well enough to be a competent adviser in this delicate and important affair, to which the most famous events in the annals of diplomacy are not to be compared.”

“Your excellency does not do sufficient justice to a career which has gained you such distinction.”