at first a surprise which still
added to the pain that constantly attends them: I am the less ashamed
to make you this confession, because I do it at a time when I may do it
without a crime, and because you have seen that my conduct has not been
governed by my affections."

"Can you believe, Madam," said Monsieur de Nemours, falling on his
knees, "but I shall expire at your feet with joy and transport?" "I
have told you nothing," said she smiling, "but what you knew too well
before." "Ah! Madam," said he, "what a difference is there between
learning it by chance, and knowing it from yourself, and seeing withal
that you are pleased I know it." "It is true," answered she, "I would
have you know it, and I find a pleasure in telling it you; I don't even
know if I do not tell it you more for my own sake, than for yours; for,
after all, this confession will have no consequences, and I shall
follow the austere rules which my duty imposes upon me." "How! Madam;
you are not of this opinion," replied Monsieur de Nemours; "you are no
longer under any obligation of duty; you are at liberty; and if I
durst, I should even tell you, that it is in your power to act so, that
your duty shall one day oblige you to preserve the sentiments you have
for me." "My duty," replied she, "forbids me to think of any man, but
of you the last in the world, and for reasons which are unknown to
you." "Those reasons perhaps are not unknown to me," answered he, "but
they are far from being good ones. I believe that Monsieur de Cleves
thought me happier than I was, and imagined that you approved of those
extravagancies which my passion led me into without your approbation."
"Let us talk no more of that adventure," said she; "I cannot bear the
thought of it, it giving me shame, and the consequences of it have been
such that it is too melancholy a subject to be spoken of; it is but too
true that you were the cause of Monsieur de Cleves's death; the
suspicions which your inconsiderate conduct gave him, cost him his life
as much as if you had taken it away with your own hands: judge what I
ought to have done, had you two fought a duel, and he been killed; I
know very well, it is not the same thing in the eye of the world, but
with me there's no difference, since I know that his death was owing to
you, and that it was on my account." "Ah! Madam," said Monsieur de
Nemours, "what phantom of duty do you oppose to my happiness? What!
Madam, shall a vain an