to speak to them, and she makes no objection.  He talks to me and I speak on his behalf and in his presence.  He is immensely surprised to hear that Sophy is her own mistress, that his happiness depends on her alone.  He begins to be puzzled by her conduct.  He is less self-confident, he takes alarm, he sees that he has not made so much progress as he expected, and then it is that his love appeals to her in the tenderest and most moving language.

Emile is not the sort of man to guess what is the matter; if no one told him he would never discover it as long as he lived, and Sophy is too proud to tell him.  What she considers obstacles, others would call advantages.  She has not forgotten her parents’ teaching.  She is poor; Emile is rich; so much she knows.  He must win her esteem; his deserts must be great indeed to remove this inequality.  But how should he perceive these obstacles?  Is Emile aware that he is rich?  Has he ever condescended to inquire?  Thank heaven, he has no need of riches, he can do good without their aid.  The good he does comes from his heart, not his purse.  He gives the wretched his time, his care, his affection, himself; and when he reckons up what he has done, he hardly dares to mention the money spent on the poor.

As he does not know what to make of his disgrace, he thinks it is his own fault; for who would venture to accuse the adored one of caprice.  The shame of humiliation adds to the pangs of disappointed love.  He no longer approaches Sophy with that pleasant confidence of his own worth; he is shy and timid in her presence.  He no longer hopes to win her affections, but to gain her pity.  Sometimes he loses patience and is almost angry with her.  Sophy seems to guess his angry feelings and she looks at him.  Her glance is enough to disarm and terrify him; he is more submissive than he used to be.

Disturbed by this stubborn resistance, this invincible silence, he pours out his heart to his friend.  He shares with him the pangs of a heart devoured by sorrow; he implores his help and counsel.  “How mysterious it is, how hard to understand!  She takes an interest in me, that I am sure; far from avoiding me she is pleased to see me; when I come she shows signs of pleasure, when I go she shows regret; she receives my attentions kindly, my services seem to give her pleasure, she condescends to give me her advice and even her commands.  Yet she rejects my requests and my prayers.  When I venture to speak of marriage, she bids me be silent; if I say a word, she leaves me at once.  Why on earth should she wish me to be hers but refuse to be mine?  She respects and loves you, and she will not dare to refuse to listen to you.  Speak to her, make her answer.  Come to your friend’s help, and put the coping stone to all you have done for him; do not let him fall a victim to your care!  If you fail to secure his happiness, your own teaching will have been the cause of his misery.”