Lafontaine.  In six hours I had accomplished the eighteen leagues between Pont-Boivoisin and Lyons, only stopping to change horses.  I tore off my clothes and threw myself on the bed, where thirty hours before I had enjoyed all the delights of love.  I hoped that the bliss I had lost would return to me in my dreams.  However, I slept profoundly, and did not wake till eight o’clock.  I had been asleep about nineteen hours.

I rang for Clairmont, and told him to bring up my breakfast, which I devoured eagerly.  When my stomach was restored in this manner I fell asleep again, and did not get up till the next morning, feeling quite well, and as if I could support life a little longer.

Three days after Marcoline’s departure I bought a comfortable two-wheeled carriage with patent springs, and sent my trunks to Paris by the diligence.  I kept a portmanteau containing the merest necessaries, for I meant to travel in a dressing-gown and night-cap, and keep to myself all the way to Paris.  I intended this as a sort of homage to Marcoline, but I reckoned without my host.

I was putting my jewellery together in a casket when Clairmont announced a tradesman and his daughter, a pretty girl whom I had remarked at dinner, for since the departure of my fair Venetian I had dined at the table-d’hote by way of distraction.

I shut up my jewels and asked them to come in, and the father addressed me politely, saying,—­

“Sir, I have come to ask you to do me a favour which will cost you but little, while it will be of immense service to my daughter and myself.”

“What can I do for you?  I am leaving Lyons at day-break to-morrow.”

“I know it, for you said so at dinner; but we shall be ready at any hour.  Be kind enough to give my daughter a seat in your carriage.  I will, of course, pay for a third horse, and will ride post.”

“You cannot have seen the carriage.”

“Excuse me, I have done so.  It is, I know, only meant for one, but she could easily squeeze into it.  I know I am troubling you, but if you were aware of the convenience it would be to me I am sure you would not refuse.  All the places in the diligence are taken up to next week, and if I don’t get to Paris in six days I might as well stay away altogether.  If I were a rich man I would post, but that would cost four hundred francs, and I cannot afford to spend so much.  The only course open to me is to leave by the diligence tomorrow, and to have myself and my daughter bound to the roof.  You see, sir, the idea makes her weep, and I don’t like it much better myself.”

I looked attentively at the girl, and found her too pretty for me to keep within bounds if I travelled alone with her.  I was sad, and the torment I had endured in parting from Marcoline had made me resolve to avoid all occasions which might have similar results.  I thought this resolve necessary for my peace of mind.

“This girl,” I said to myself, “may be so charming that I should fall in love with her if I yield to the father’s request, and I do not wish for any such result.”