is an addition to my evil.  Still I could not think of discovering to her the true cause.  When night came, supper was brought, and she pressed me to eat; but considering I could only feed myself with my left hand, I begged to be excused upon the plea of having no stomach.  Your stomach will come to you, said she, if you would but discover what you so obstinately hide from me.  Your inappetency, without doubt, is only owing to the aversion you have to a discovery.  Alas! madam, said I, I find I must discover at last.  I had no sooner spoken these words than she filled me a cup of wine:  Drink that, said she, it will give you assurance.  So I reached out my left hand, and took the cup.  As soon as I took it, I redoubled my tears and sighs.  Why do you sigh and cry so bitterly? said the lady; and why do you take the cup with your left hand instead of your right?  Ah, madam, said I, excuse me, I beseech you, I have got a swelling in my right hand.  Let me see that swelling, said she; I will open it.  I desired to be excused upon that head, alleging the tumour was not ripe enough for opening; and drank the cupful, which was very large.  In fine, the steams of the wine, joined to my weakness and weariness, set me asleep, and I slept very sound till next morning.  In the mean time, the lady, curious to know what ailment I had in my right hand, lifted up my coat that covered it, and saw, to her great astonishment, that it was cut off, and that I had brought it along with me wrapt in a cloth.  She presently apprehended my reason for declining a discovery, notwithstanding all the pressing instances she made, and passed the whole night in the greatest uneasiness upon my disgrace, which she concluded had been occasioned by the love I bore to her.

When I awaked, I observed by her countenance that she was extremely grieved.  That she might not, however, increase my uneasiness, she said not one word.  She called for jelly broth of fowl, which she had ordered to be got ready, and made me eat and drink to recruit my strength.  After that, I offered to take leave of her, but she declared I should not go out of her doors; though you tell me nothing of the matter, said she, I am persuaded I am the cause of the misfortune that has befallen you:  the grief that I feel upon that score will quickly make an end of me; but, before I die, I must do one thing that is designed for your advantage.  She had no sooner said these words, than she called for a public notary and witnesses, and ordered a writing to be drawn up, conveying to me her whole estate.  After this was done, and the men despatched, she opened a large trunk, where lay all the purses I had given her from the commencement of our amours.  There are they all entire, said she; I have not touched one of them:  here, take the key, the trunk is yours.  After I had returned her thanks for her generosity and bounty, What I do for you, said she, is nothing at all; I shall not be satisfied unless I die, to show how much