Page:The genius - Carl Grosse tr Joseph Trapp 1796.djvu/339

 was the object of their abuse, and perceived in it the certain basis of all the contumacy of my wife, and of all the symptoms she had hitherto betrayed of her inward disaffection.

As I had never deserved such sentiments, I could not but ascribe them to the intrigueing artifices of Don Bernardos. Had I not been possessed of such an incredible deal of pride, had. I still loved the marchioness: as well as I did before that unhappy night, it would have driven me to distraction. But now I considered rather coolly my circumstances, and my resources.

In order to make a definitive settlement of my plan, I strove to wheedle her into farther confessions. Under various pretences I wanted to speak to her, but she always was busy, and begged to be excused. From this I inferred, that she was writing. Don Bernardos came in the evening. I observed Adela's favorite woman, whom I had long before suspected, receive and ask him into her own room. There the either acquainted him with what had happened, or delivered some letter or note from her mistress. In a little