my letter by Beaton, who will set out the
day which has been assigned to Balfour. It only remains for me to beg you
to inform me of your journey.

"Glasgow, this Saturday morning."
THIRD LETTER

"I stayed you know where longer than I should have done, if it had not
been to get from him something that the bearer of these presents will
tell you it was a good opportunity for covering up our designs: I have
promised him to bring the person you know to-morrow. Look after the
rest, if you think fit. Alas! I have failed in our agreement, for you
have forbidden me to write to you, or to despatch a messenger to you.
However, I do not intend to offend you: if you knew with what fears I am
agitated, you would not have yourself so many doubts and suspicions. But
I take them in good part, persuaded as I am that they have no other cause
than love--love that I esteem more than anything on earth.

"My feelings and my favours are to me sure warrants for that love, and
answer to me for your heart; my trust is entire on this head: but explain
yourself, I entreat you, and open your soul to me; otherwise, I shall
fear lest, by the fatality of my star, and by the too fortunate influence
of the stars on women less tender and less faithful than I, I may be
supplanted in your heart as Medea was in Jason's; not that I wish to
compare you to a lover as unfortunate as Jason, and to parallel myself
with a monster like Medea, although you have enough influence over me to
force me to resemble her each time our love exacts it, and that it
concerns me to keep your heart, which belongs to me, and which belongs to
me only. For I name as belonging to me what I have purchased with the
tender and constant love with which I have burned for you, a love more
alive to-day than ever, and which will end only with my life; a love, in
short, which makes me despise both the dangers and the remorse which will
be perhaps its sad sequel. As the price of this sacrifice, I ask you but
one favour, it is to remember a spot not far from here: I do not exact
that you should keep your promise to-morrow; but I want to see you to
disperse your suspicions. I ask of God only one thing: it is that He
should make you read my heart, which is less mine than yours, and that He
should guard you from every ill, at least during my life: this life is
dear to me only in so far as it pleases you, and as I please you myself.
I am going to bed: adieu; give me your news to-morrow morn