Page:ThePrincessofCleves.djvu/199

Rh he desired count Caprera to accompany him, believing his presence, who in the right of me was to be their future lord, might be of service on this occasion. He would not refuse my father, and thinking the journey might be too great a fatigue to me, being then great with child, they departed, and I was left at full liberty to do as I pleased. They had no sooner left the house, than I took pen and paper, and wrote to Lorenzo in these terms: "THE long-wished moment is at last arrived; my father and husband, those diligent observers of my every action, are both removed; and before they can return, I shall have many opportunities to perfect the work I have begun. This night, about twelve, the family will be all in bed, all but myself and faithful maid, who will attend to admit you. Remember the conditions on which I grant this liberty, and give me no cause, as you say, hereafter to repent my condescension. Yours,

"P. S. A gentle rap against the window-shutter shall be the sign; take care that there are no passengers in the street when you make it. 'Till then, farewell." I dispatched my woman with this, with a haste and impatience which was not usual with me; and might, therefore, have served as an omen of its fatality, had I been capable of reflecting on it. She discharged her trust with her ordinary fidelity, and was returning to me with an answer, when my father and the count, having met with some company in the street, which had delayed their taking horse, were just passing by the house of Lorenzo, that ill-starred moment as she came out of it. The former of them knowing well who it was that dwelt there, and fired with a jealousy of the