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146 blushed and endeavoured to hide it. The viscount at first spoke of indifferent matters, and then went out, as if he had some orders to give, telling madam de Cleves he must desire her to entertain the duke in his stead, and that he would return immediately.

It is impossible to express the sentiments of monsieur de Nemours, and madam de Cleves, when they saw themselves alone, and at liberty to speak to one another, as they had never been before: they continued silent a while; at length, said monsieur de Nemours, Can you, madam, pardon the viscount for giving me an opportunity of seeing you, and speaking to you, an opportunity which you have always so cruelly denied me? I ought not to pardon him, replied she, for having forgot the condition I am in, and to what he exposes my reputation. Having spoke these words, she would have gone away; but monsieur de Nemours stopping her, Fear not, madam, said he; you have nothing to apprehend; nobody knows I am here; hear me, madam, hear me, if not out of goodness, yet, at least for your own sake, and to free yourself from the extravagancies which a passion I am no longer master of will infallibly hurry me into. Madam de Cleves now first yielded to the inclination she had for the duke de Nemours, and beholding him with eyes full of softness and charms, But what can you hope for, says she, from the complaisance you desire of me? You will, perhaps, repent that you have obtained it, and I shall certainly repent that I have granted it. You deserve a happier fortune than you have hitherto had, or than you can have for the future, unless you seek it elsewhere.—I, madam, said he, seek happiness anywhere else! Or is there any happiness for me, but in your love? Though I never spoke of it before, I cannot believe, madam, that you are not acquainted with my passion, or that you do not know it to be the greatest and most sincere that ever was: What trials has it suffered in things you are a stranger to! What trials have you put it to by your rigour!