219 [=221]

Lett. lvi. Letters Historical and Gal[l]ant. 219

that would have made more of their fine speeches; for you know my humour: I love mirth and pleasure, good company, a number of good friends to make society agreeable; but no sighers for me. I should be glad that one should love me, but I would not be obliged to return the compliment, and I have nothing at the service of my friends but friendship. Whatever disturbs repose or gives uneasiness will never be to my taste, and vertue [virtue] apart, sighs tire me extremely. My two new lovers addressed me each in their way: the former let me know the value of the power I had over him, and how I ought to admire my self to see the cross and the mitre at my feet. He then threw himself upon his knees before me in the comicalest manner in the world, and tho' his habit should have inspired me with respect, I could not help laughing to see him in a situation that agreed so little with a man of his station and character. I have drawn, without his observing it, the cord of my bell, to make my valets come suddenly in, who under pretence of mending the fire, surprised him in this humble posture. In short there is not any piece of malice but I have plaid [played] him, without being able to make him desist; and I believe, he would not have given it over till now, had not an adventure, comical enough rid me of him and the Marquis. This was, the confidence I made of those two conquests to the Count de **, who had the indiscretion to rally them upon it, tho' I made him promise to keep it a secret. For in short, a man of his birth, and President of the states of a province deserves that some little consideration should be had for him. The Count de ** however was not of my opinion; he thought the adventure too pleasant, not to divert himself with it, and as soon as he left me he went to the Abbe de P** and rallied him in the most cruel manner in the world upon his attachment to me. He repeated to him all the terms I told you, he made use of to declare his passion to me; and at last with an air of triumph. "Learn,["] says he, ["]dear sir, not to follow our steps; love belongs to our young gentlemen; and the [?] and camail will never stand [?] a hat and feather. You see I know your affairs very well, and you ought to think you have been sacrificed to me. I am generous enough to let you know it, as your friend, to prevent your acting a part longer, that is so little agreed with you.["] After this expedition, the Count went to the Marquis de B** desired to speak with the Marchioness, who is one of his good friends. And after the first compliments: "I must acquaint you, madam,["] says he, ["]that Mr. Your Spouse is in love with Madam de **, and does all he can to inspire her with the same passion!" ["]Has he succeeded[?"] replyed [replied] she. ----- ["]So little,["] replyed [replied] he, ["]that if he were not blinded by his passion, he would know, without doubt, they were making a fool of him. He goes every day to that lady; and reckoning upon his own merit, is afraid of giving her husband jealousy. For this he takes the most comical mysterious airs in the world: for when he is most deeply engaged in talking of his passion, if he hears any one coming into the room, he changes the conversation immediately, and at once, whether it is to the purpose or not, they hear him cry out: 'Oh, as to that, 'tis a thing beyond imagination!['] He has said this so often that they call him nothing at that ladies, but the thing beyond imagination. He said it the other day, upon seeing the husband come in, and she replyed [replied] maliciously very loud: [']What is it, sir, you say is beyond imagination?['] He was terribly disconcerted. The husband who knew what he was upon, went out to laugh at liberty, and no sooner was he gone, but our Marquis said to his mistress: 'You are not politick enough madam; how can you tell but you may love me one time or other? Would you not be very uneasy, for hammering jealousy into your husband's head? I do what I can to give him no suspicion, and you do all you can to make him take it.' ----- [']The reason is,['] replyed [replied] she, [']because I can find no mystery where there is none. You say I may fall in love with you one time or other; I hope not, and I am not in the humour to foresee things so far off, nor to alarm my self before the time.' Another would have known he was played the fool with; but Mr. Your Spouse, a little too much prejudiced in his own favour, was far from taking it in that sense, and believing Madam de ** more imprudent than indifferent, has contented himself with giving her long lectures of circumspection." The Marchioness was surprised at this discourse, for her husband knew so well how to conceal his sentiments, that she did not suspect him of the least infidelity. In the mean time, acting like a wise woman, she came that moment to me. As I had no acquaintance with her, I was as much surprised at her visit, as she had been at the Count's discourse. Hers embar[r]ass'd me extremely, for after saying a thousand flattering things to me, she added that she could not but commend her husband[']s judgement, that one was very pardonable for surrend[e]ring to a person of my merit & [?] but that she had greater reason to be proud of the goodness of my heart: that she knew that instead of approving his follies, I did all I could to cure him of them, and that in short the Count of ** had told her every thing. ----- "The Count is a giddy rogue,["] says I, ["]he's at his tricks to strive to embroil me with Mr. Your Spouse. But I shant wish him any harm for it; since he has thereby engaged you to have a few kind wishes for me. However, you are not to thank me,["] continued I, ["]for not accepting the vows of the Marquis since that [was?] independant [independent] of any consideration for you. My own interest and duty ingaged me to this conduct, besides my beeing [being] no woman for gallantry. I endeavour to reclaim your husband from this straying, and if