Page:ThePrincessofCleves.djvu/101

Part III. deceived, and gave her impressions of distrust and jealousy which she had never felt till that time; she was surprised, that she had never yet reflected, how improbable it was, that a man of the duke de Nemours's turn, who had showed so much inconstancy towards women, should be capable of a lasting and sincere passion; she thought it next to impossible for her to be convinced of the truth of his love: But though I could be convinced of it, says she, shall I permit it? Shall I make a return? Shall I engage in gallantry, be false to monsieur de Cleves, and be false to myself? In a word, shall I go to expose myself to the cruel remorses and deadly griefs that rise from love? I am subdued and vanquished by a passion, which hurries me away in spite of myself; all my resolutions are vain; I had the same thoughts yesterday that I have to–day, and I act to–day contrary to what I resolved yesterday; I must convey myself out of the sight of the duke de Nemours; I must go into the country, however fantastical my journey may appear; and if monseur de Cleves is obstinately bent to hinder me, or to know my reasons for it, perhaps I shall do him and myself the injury to acquaint him with them. She continued in this resolution, and spent the whole evening at home, without going to the queen-dauphin to enquire what had happened with respect to the counterfeited letter.

When the prince of Cleves returned home, she told him she was resolved to go into the country; that she was not very well, and had occasion to take the air. Monsieur de Cleves, to whom she appeared so beautiful that he could not think her indisposition very considerable, at first made a jest of her design, and answered that she had forgot that the nuptials of the princesses and the tournament were very near, and that she had not too much time to prepare matters so as to appear there as magnificently as other ladies. What her husband said did not make her change her resolution; and she begged he would agree, that while he was at