“I have shewn you how well I love you,” said she, tenderly; “and I am sure I should be very happy as your wife.  You may be sure that your wishes will be mine, and that, however far you lead me, Switzerland shall claim no thought of mine.”

I pressed the amorous Sara to my bosom in a transport of delight, which was shared by her; but as she saw me grow more ardent she begged me to be moderate.  Clasping me in her arms she adjured me not to ask her for that which she was determined not to grant till she was mine by lawful wedlock.

“You will drive me to despair!  Have you reflected that this resistance may cost me my life?  Can you love, and yet entertain this fatal prejudice?  And yet I am sure you love me, and pleasure too.”

“Yes, dearest one, I do love you, and amorous pleasure with you; but you must respect my delicacy.”

My eyes were wet with tears, and she was so affected that she fell fainting to the ground.  I lifted her up and gently laid her on the bed.  Her pallor alarmed me.  I brought smelling-salts, I rubbed her forehead with Savoy-water, and she soon opened her eyes, and seemed delighted to find me calm again.

The thought of taking advantage of her helplessness would have horrified me.  She sat up on the bed, and said,—­

“You have just given a true proof of the sincerity of your affection.”

“Did you think, sweetheart, that I was vile enough to abuse your weakness?  Could I enjoy a pleasure in which you had no share?”

“I did not think you would do such a thing, but I should not have resisted, though it is possible that I should not have loved you afterwards.”

“Sara, though you do not know, you charm my soul out of my body.”

After this I sat down sadly on the bed, and abandoned myself to the most melancholy reflections, from which Sara did not endeavour to rouse me.

Her mother came in and asked why she was on the bed, but not at all suspiciously.  Sara told her the truth.

M. M——­ F——­ came in soon after, and we dined together, but silently.  What I had heard from the girl’s lips had completely overwhelmed me.  I saw I had nothing to hope for, and that it was time for me to look to myself.  Six weeks before, God had delivered me from my bondage to an infamous woman, and now I was in danger of becoming the slave of an angel.  Such were my reflections whilst Sara was fainting, but it was necessary for me to consider the matter at my leisure.

There was a sale of valuable articles in the city, the means taken for disposing of them being a lottery.  Sara had read the announcement, and I asked her with her mother and sister to come with me and take part in it.  I had not much trouble in obtaining their consent, and we found ourselves in distinguished company, among the persons present being the Countess of Harrington, Lady Stanhope, and Emilie and her daughters.  Emilie had a strange case before the courts.  She had given information to the police that her husband had been robbed of six thousand pounds, though everyone said that she herself was the thief.