The wise man was right when he said it was the foe to happiness.
What would become of you now, if it had been only a trick I put upon you?
But I am incapable of deceit, and you know it well; and should you even in my turn reduce me to despair and a convent, I will risk it, and surrender to my conqueror.
Still, if I do capitulate, upon my word it is from mere frailty; for were I inclined, how many cavils could I not start! and, perhaps, you would deserve them!
I admire, for example, with how much address, or awkwardness rather, you soothingly propose I should let you renew with your Presidente.
It would be very convenient, would it not? to take all the merit of this rapture without losing the pleasure of enjoyment!
And then this proffered sacrifice, which would no longer be one to you, is offered to be renewed at my pleasure!
By this arrangement, the celestial devotee would always think herself the only choice of your heart, whilst I should wrap myself up in the pride of being the preferred rival; we should both be deceived; you would be satisfied: all the rest is of no consequence.
It is much to be lamented, that with such extraordinary talents for projects, you have so few for execution; and that by one inconsiderate step, you put an insurmountable obstacle to what you so much wished.
What! you had, then, an idea of renewing your connection, and yet you copied my letter!
You must, then, have thought me awkward indeed!
Believe me, Viscount, when a woman strikes at the heart of another, she seldom misses her blow, and the wound is incurable.
When I struck this one, or rather directed the blow, I did not forget she was my rival, that you had for a moment preferred her to me, placed me beneath her.
If I am deceived in my revenge, I consent to bear the blame; therefore, I agree you may attempt every means; even I invite you to it, and promise you I shall not be angry at your success.
I am so easy on this matter, I shall say no more of it: let us talk of something else.
As to the health of the little Volanges, you will be able to give me some positive news at my return.
I shall be glad to have some.
After that, you will be the best judge whether it will be most convenient to give the little girl up to her lover, or endeavour to be the founder of a new branch of the Valmonts, under the name of Gercourt.
This idea pleases me much: but in leaving the choice to yourself, I must yet require you will not come to a definitive resolution until we talk the matter over.
It is not putting you off for a long time, for I shall be in Paris immediately.
I can't positively say the day; but be assured, as soon as I arrive, you shall be the first informed of it.
Adieu, Viscount! notwithstanding my quarrels, my mischievousness, and my reproaches, I always love you much, and am preparing to prove it.
Adieu, till our next meeting.
Castle of ——, Nov. 29, 17—. _____
LETTER CXLVI.
The MARCHIONESS DE MERTEUIL to the CHEVALIER DANCENY. _____
At last I set out, my young friend; to-morrow evening I shall be in Paris.
The hurry always attending a removal will prevent me from seeing any one.
Yet if you should have any pressing confidential business to impart, I shall except you from the general rule: but I except you alone; therefore request my arrival may be a secret.
I shall not even inform Valmont of it.
Whoever would have told me, sometime ago, you would have my exclusive confidence, I would not have believed them: but yours drew on mine.
I should be inclined to think you had made use of some address, or, perhaps, seduction.
That would be wrong, indeed! however, it would not at present be very dangerous; you have other business in hand.
When the heroine is on the stage, we seldom take notice of the confidant.
And, indeed, you have not had time to impart your late success to me.
When your Cecilia was absent, the days were too short to listen to your plaintive strains.
You would have told them to the echo, if I had not been ready to hear them.
Since, when she was ill, you even honoured me with a recital of your troubles; you wanted some one to tell them to: but now your love is in Paris, that she is quite recovered, and you sometimes see her, your friends are quite neglected.
I do not blame you in the least, it is a fault of youth; for it is a received truth, that from Alcibiades down to you, young people are unacquainted with friendship but in adversity.
Happiness sometimes makes them indiscreet, but never presumptuous.
I will say, with Socrates, I like my friends to come to me when they are unhappy: but, as a philosopher, he did very well without them if they did not come.
I am not quite so wise as he, for I felt your silence with all the weakness of a woman.
However, do not think me too exacting; far from it.
The same sentiment that leads me to observe those privations, makes me bear them with fortitude, when they are proofs, or the cause of the happiness of my friends.
I shall, therefore, not depend on you for to-morrow evening, only as far as is consistent with love and want of occupation; and I positively forbid you to make me the least sacrifice. Adieu, Chevalier! it will be an absolute regale to see you again—will you come?
Castle of ——, Nov. 29, 17—. _____
LETTER CXLVII.
MADAME DE VOLANGES to MADAME DE ROSEMONDE. _____
You will most assuredly be as much afflicted, my dear friend, as I am, when I acquaint you with Madame de Tourvel's state; she has been indisposed since yesterday: she was taken so suddenly, and her disorder is of such an alarming nature, that I am really frightened about it.
A burning fever, an almost constant and violent delirium, a perpetual thirst, are the symptoms.