A woman should always have reason to look up to and feel proud
of the man to whom she consigns her heart; this species of vanity
is mixed with the noblest love, and the woman who can overlook
it, acts from passion of the lowest, basest kind. How easy is it
to reason! Alas! Why have I not always acted as well as I speak.
I was thus again a second time enthralled by Noel, and much more
so, too, than I will now tell you. My faithful Henriette, whose
devoted attachment for me kept her ever watchful of my safety and
reputation, was thunderstruck at perceiving what I vainly strove
to conceal from her; and, as she has since told me, was long in
deciding whether to speak to me of the affair, when an unexpected
incident arose, which determined her, at every risk of my
displeasure, to use her endeavors to put an end to so disgraceful
a connexion, which must infallibly have ended in my disgrace.
One night, or rather midnight, all was at rest in the castle, and
I was sleeping peacefully in the arms of Noel, when all at once
I was awakened by the sudden opening of an outer door, which
announced to me the approach of the king, who had merely one
more door to open ere he would be in my apartment. Noel, terrified,
leaped quickly out of bed, and ran to seek refuge in a small
chamber adjoining where Henriette slept. Happily she was yet
awake; and, by the light of a night-lamp or
recognized
Noel, who, with clasped hands, conjured her to take pity upon him.
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