226 [=228]

[226]

[Letters Historical and Galant. Vol. 4]

would be more prudent to keep what has escaped the misfortune of Play ---- What, cryed the German, Purchase repen
"tance too dear, you are in jest sure; I could never pay enough for such good Fortune, and if my RIng, Watch, Snuffbox, &
"two hundred Lewis's I have left will do it, I shall think my self the happiest man alive, tho I should return home on foot,
"so my dear, I shall owe my Life to you, if I owe to your adresse the only happiness I am ambitious of at present ---" at these
words he embraced him, and conjured him by their tender friendship to assist him on so important an occasion --"With all my heart,
"says the Sharper, tho' perhaps I shall do you disservice, but I have not the heart to refuse you. Go to sleep quietly, and be sure
"I'll do your business; but above all things don't forget my Complaisance." In the morning Early the too credulous stranger
charged him with his word, and made him rise at break of day to go about the affair. "Here says he, putting into his hands all
"his hands all his Jewels which were worth above a thousand Pistoles, Sell or pawn these for what you can get on them,
"and Sacrifice all to make me happy" ---- The Cunning Confident carried them all to his Associates, to add them to the heap
and increase the funds. They held a Council on the measures they were to take to compleat the undoing this young stranger, after
which, our Man went to look for him ---- I have done your business, says he, here are four hundred Lewis's I borrowed at
"the Hotel upon your Jewels; you may redeem them for the same money when you receive it from home, nay this moment, if
"you would do as I advise you, renounce your Undertaking; but if you will go through with it, I can put you in the way;
"I am come from securing Your Dutchesse's best friend to your Interest; tis the widow of a Man of Condition; her Circum-
"stances are very low: I have promised her two hundred Lewis's for the Service you expect from her; and this I am
"which she wants very much, with a little tenderness she has for me, has determined her at once; She Even told me, that
"the Opportunity was favourable, because the Dutchess lost yesterday four hundred Lewis's to the Marchioness of Nogent
"which she is to pay this Evening, and does not know where to get; So you may have her at that price, and this made
"me unwilling to borrow a greater Sum, that you may with more ease redeem your Jewels." The German was in rap
tures at this good News, he thought to devour his Agent with Caresses, and the hour of Rendezvous being come, he
ran away to that helpful Friend, gave her two hundred Lewis's Entrance, and four hundred more which she was to
beg the Dutchess to Accept ---- "My regard for the Chevalier de Dupeville, says that cunning Housewife to him, makes
"me do you a piece of service today which is not very agreeable to a Woman of my Condition or Character; but I can
"refuse that friend nothing; so, sir, you shall see the Dutchess here in a moment; but there is one Condition to be observed
"without which the Bargain is void; You must be with her in the Dark, for her modesty will not lett her appear be-
"fore you in the Light, and 'tis enough that my persuasions, and the want she is in of money, have determined to do for you
"what she never did before to any person breathing; do you therefore give her as little time as you can for Reflections
"for if you amuse your self in pressing her to let you see her, she may very probably retract all she promised me ----
The German consented to all that Madam Gobetween desired, and was shewn by her to a Chamber impenetrable by the Light
where a Moment after, the object of his tender Impatience joined him. She seem'd, trembling and speechless, her Love took care
to hearten her, and after a private Conversation of some hours with her, left her the most Contented and most amorous of all
Men; they agreed before they parted upon continuing the Intrigue, And as soon as the German got to his Lodgings, he Ex-
aggerated his happiness to the Chevalier Dupeville in the strongest terms in the world. But the other, finding that the
Unravelling of the piece was near, did not think proper to wait for it; and after plucking this poor Stranger, resolved to
abandon him to his bad fortune. So that as he was a cunning Normand, he pretended he was tired with the Irregular
life he led. "You have cost me, says he, two thousand Pistoles! that does not give much trouble, but you would make me
"a Debauchee, if I lived much longer with you; therefore, my dear, we must part; besides, the state of my affairs obliges
"me to go home and save, and a longer stay at Paris would utterly ruin me; you must not take it ill then, that I bid
"you adieu ---" The other opposed it, but in vain; his friend quitted him, and he went to the Opera to Charm the trouble
he was in for that Separation. The Dutchess of ** was there; and as soon as our German saw her, he ran to her box,
to make her a few bows, squeeze her hands, and make all the Grimaces usual among those that have a good understanding be
tween them. That Lady, had some indulgence for him at first, in favour of his Country, imagining him not to be acquainted
yet with the Uses and Customs of this, but when she saw he carried things too far, she cast a frown at him that might have
made him tremble. He still thinking that it was only to preserve decorum, came to her Ear, and whispered her very ten
derly: "Don't fear, my dear, no body observes it, and you may well trust in my discretion --- "You insolent fellow
"cryed the Dutchess, retire this moment or I'll order you to be thrown out of the box, to learn you how you know
"your distance." And calling to the boxkeeper at the same time, she ordered him to turn out that man; and lock
the Door. The Lady that sat with the Dutchess perceived her Chagrin, and asked her the Reason; Some Lords
came too from the Balconies, to know what was the matter, and whether the Dutchess wanted their Services.