“I dare not wage war with fate.”

“But you are not going to-morrow?”

“Excuse me, but I shall call to take leave at two o’clock.”

The news of my approaching departure saddened the supper-table.  Madame Morin, who, for all I know, may be alive now, was a most kind-hearted woman.  At table she announced her resolve that as I had decided on going, and as I should only leave my house to take leave of her, she would not force me to put myself out to such an extent, and ordained that our farewells should be said that evening.

“At least,” I said, “I may have the honour of escorting you to your door?”

“That will protract our happiness for some minutes.”  Valenglard went away on foot, and the fair Mdlle.  Roman sat on my knee.  I dared to be bold with her, and contrary to expectation she shewed herself so kind that I was half sorry I was going; but the die was cast.

A carriage lying overturned on the road outside an inn made my coachman stop a short while, and this accident which made the poor driver curse overwhelmed me with joy, for in these few moments I obtained all the favours that she could possibly give under the circumstances.

Happiness enjoyed alone is never complete.  Mine was not until I assured myself, by looking at my sweetheart’s features, that the part she had taken had not been an entirely passive one; and I escorted the ladies to their room.  There, without any conceit, I was certain that I saw sadness and love upon that fair creature’s face.  I could see that she was neither cold nor insensible, and that the obstacles she had put in my way were only suggested by fear and virtue.  I gave Madame Morin a farewell kiss, and she was kind enough to tell her niece to give me a similar mark of friendship, which she did in a way that shewed me how completely she had shared my ardour.

I left them, feeling amorous and sorry I had obliged myself to go.  On entering my room I found the three nymphs together, which vexed me as I only wanted one.  I whispered my wishes to Rose as she curled my hair, but she told me it was impossible for her to slip away as they all slept in one room.  I then told them that I was going away the next day, and that if they would pass the night with me I would give them a present of six louis each.  They laughed at my proposal and said it couldn’t possibly be done.  I saw by this they had not made confidantes of one another, as girls mostly do, and I also saw that they were jealous of each other.  I wished them a good night, and as soon as I was in bed the god of dreams took me under his care, and made me pass the night with the adorable Mdlle.  Roman.

I rang rather late in the morning, and the cousin came in and said that Rose would bring my chocolate, and that M. Charles Ivanoff wanted to speak to me.  I guessed that this was the Russian, but as he had not been introduced to me I thought I might decline to see him.