My housekeeper came in to dress me, and asked me what had been the doctor’s business.

“He must have said something amusing to make you laugh.”

“Yes, and I should like to tell you what it was; but before I do so I must ask you if you know what the venereal disease is?”

“Yes, I do; Lady Montagu’s footman died of it while I was with her”

“Very good, but you should pretend not to know what it is, and imitate other ladies who assume an ignorance which well becomes them.  Poor Le Duc has got this disease.”

“Poor fellow, I am sorry for him!  Were you laughing at that?”

“No; it was the air of mystery assumed by the old doctor which amused me.”

“I too have a confidence to make, and when you have heard it you must either forgive me or send me away directly.”

“Here is another bother.  What the devil can you have done?  Quick! tell me.”

“Sir, I have robbed you!”

“What robbed me?  When?  How?  Can you return me what you have taken?  I should not have thought you capable of such a thing.  I never forgive a robber or a liar.”

“You are too hasty, sir.  I am sure you will forgive me, as I robbed you only half an hour ago, and I am now going to return to you the theft.”

“You are a singular woman, my dear.  Come, I will vouchsafe full forgiveness, but restore immediately what you have taken.”

“This is what I stole.”

“What! that monster’s letter?  Did you read it?”

“Yes, of course, for otherwise I should not have committed a theft, should I?”

“You have robbed me my secret, then, and that is a thing you cannot give me back.  You have done very wrong.”

“I confess I have.  My theft is all the greater in that I cannot make restoration.  Nevertheless, I promise never to speak a word of it all my life, and that ought to gain me my pardon.  Give it me quickly.”

“You are a little witch.  I forgive you, and here is the pledge of my mercy.”  So saying I fastened my lips on hers.

“I don’t doubt the validity of your pardon; you have signed with a double and a triple seal.”

“Yes; but for the future do not read, or so much as touch, any of my papers, as I am the depositary of secrets of which I am not free to dispose.”

“Very good; but what shall I do when I find papers on the ground, as that letter was?”

“You must pick them up, but not read them.”

“I promise to do so.”

“Very well, my dear; but you must forget the horrors you have read.”

“Listen to me.  Allow me to remember what I have read; perhaps you may be the gainer.  Let us talk over this affair, which has made my hair stand on end.  This monster of immodesty has given you two mortal blows—­one in the body and one in the soul; but that is not the worst, as she thinks that Madame’s honour is in her keeping.  This, in my thinking, is the worst of all; for, in spite of the affront, your mutual love might continue, and the disease which the infamous creature has communicated to you would pass off; but if the malicious woman carries out her threats, the honour of your charming mistress is gone beyond return.  Do not try to make me forget the matter, then, but let us talk it over and see what can be done.”