TheDukeinthebeginningofhermourningdurstpayhernootherrespectsbutsuchasdecencyrequired；heknewMadamdeClevesenoughtobesensiblethatgreatimportunitiesandeagernesswouldbedisagreeabletoher；butwhathelearnedafterwardsplainlyconvincedhimthatheoughttoobservethesameconductagreatwhilelonger。
AservantoftheDuke’sinformedhimthatMonsieurdeCleves’sgentleman，whowashisintimatefriend，hadtoldhim，intheexcessofhisgriefforthelossofhismaster，thatMonsieurdeNemours’sjourneytoColomierswastheoccasionofhisdeath。
TheDukewasextremelysurprisedtohearthis；butafterhavingreflecteduponit，heguessedthetruthinpart，andrightlyjudgedwhatMadamdeCleves’ssentimentswouldbeatfirst，andwhatadistanceitwouldthrowhimfromher，ifshethoughtherhusband’sillnesswasoccasionedbyhisjealousy；hewasofopinionthatheoughtnotsomuchastoputherinmindofhisnameverysoon，andheabidedbythatconduct，howeversevereitappearedtohim。
HetookajourneytoParis，norcouldheforbearcallingatherhousetoenquirehowshedid。Hewastold，thatshesawnobody，andthatshehadevengivenstrictordersthattheyshouldnottroubleherwithanaccountofanythatmightcometoseeher；
thoseverystrictorders，perhaps，weregivenwithaviewtotheDuke，andtopreventherhearinghimspokenof；buthewastoomuchinlovetobeabletolivesoabsolutelydeprivedofthesightofMadamdeCleves；heresolvedtofindthemeans，letthedifficultybewhatitwould，togetoutofaconditionwhichwassoinsupportabletohim。
ThegriefofthatPrincessexceededtheboundsofreason；ahusbanddying，anddyingonheraccount，andwithsomuchtendernessforher，neverwentoutofhermind：shecontinuallyrevolvedinherthoughtswhatsheowedhim，andshecondemnedherselffornothavinghadapassionforhim，asifthathadbeenathingwhichdependedonherself；shefoundnoconsolationbutinthethoughtthatshelamentedhimashedeservedtobelamented，andthatshewoulddonothingduringtheremainderofherlife，butwhathewouldhavebeengladsheshouldhavedone，hadhelived。
Shehadoftenbeenthinkinghowhecametoknow，thattheDukedeNemourshadbeenatColomiers；shecouldnotsuspectthattheDukehimselfhadtoldit；thoughitwasindifferenttoherwhetherhehadorno，shethoughtherselfsoperfectlycuredofthepassionshehadhadforhim；andyetshewasgrievedatthehearttothinkthathewasthecauseofherhusband’sdeath；andsherememberedwithpainthefearMonsieurdeClevesexpressed，whendying，lestsheshouldmarrytheDuke；butallthesegriefswereswallowedupinthatforthelossofherhusband，andshethoughtshehadnootherbutthatone。
Afterseveralmonthstheviolenceofhergriefabated，andshefellintoalanguishingkindofmelancholy。MadamdeMartiguesmadeajourneytoParis，andconstantlyvisitedherduringthetimeshestayedthere：sheentertainedherwithanaccountoftheCourt，andwhatpassedthere；andthoughMadamdeClevesappearedunconcerned，yetstillshecontinuedtalkingonthatsubjectinhopestodiverther。
ShetalkedtoheroftheViscount，ofMonsieurdeGuise，andofallothersthatweredistinguishedeitherinpersonormerit。
\"AsfortheDukedeNemours，\"saysshe，\"Idon’tknowifStateaffairshavenottakenpossessionofhisheartintheroomofgallantry；heisabundantlylessgaythanheusedtobe，andseemswhollytodeclinethecompanyofwomen；heoftenmakesjourneystoParis，andIbelieveheistherenow。\"TheDukedeNemours’snamesurprisedMadamdeCleves，andmadeherblush；shechangedthediscourse，nordidMadamdeMartiguestakenoticeofherconcern。
ThenextdayMadamdeCleves，whoemployedherselfinthingssuitabletotheconditionshewasin，wenttoaman’shouseinherneighbourhood，thatwasfamousforworkingsilkafteraparticularmanner，andshedesignedtobespeaksomepiecesforherself；havingseenseveralkindsofhiswork，shespiedachamberdoor，whereshethoughtthereweremore，anddesireditmightbeopened：themasteranswered，hehadnotthekey，andthattheroomwastakenbyaman，whocametheresometimesinthedaytimetodrawtheplansandprospectsofthefinehousesandgardensthatweretobeseenfromhiswindows；\"heisoneofthehandsomestmenIeversaw，\"addedhe，\"anddoesnotlookmuchlikeonethatworksforhisliving；wheneverhecomeshere，I
observehealwayslookstowardsthegardensandhouses，butI
neverseehimwork。\"
MadamdeCleveslistenedtothisstoryveryattentively，andwhatMadamdeMartigueshadtoldherofMonsieurdeNemours’scomingnowandthentoParis，sheappliedinherfancytothathandsomeman，whocametoaplacesonearherhouse；andthisgaveheranideaofMonsieurdeNemoursendeavouringtoseeher；whichraisedadisorderinher，ofwhichshedidnotknowthecause：shewenttowardsthewindowstoseewheretheylookedinto，andshefoundtheyoverlookedallhergardens，anddirectlyfacedherapartment：andwhenshewasinherownroom，shecouldeasilyseethatverywindowwhereshewastoldthemancametotakehisprospects。ThethoughtthatitwastheDukedeNemours，entirelychangedthesituationofhermind；shenolongerfoundherselfinthatpensivetranquillitywhichshehadbeguntoenjoy，herspiritswereruffledagainaswithatempest：atlast，notbeingabletostayathome，shewentabroadtotaketheairinagardenwithoutthesuburbs，whereshehopedtobealone；shewalkedaboutagreatwhile，andfoundnolikelihoodofanyone’sbeingthere。
Havingcrossedalittlewildernesssheperceivedattheendofthewalk，inthemostremotepartofthegarden，akindofabower，openonallsides，andwenttowardsit；whenshewasnear，shesawamanlyingonthebenches，whoseemedsunkintoadeepcontemplation，andshediscovereditwastheDukedeNemours。
Uponthisshestoppedshort：butherattendantsmadesomenoise，whichrousedtheDukeoutofhismusing：hetooknonoticewhothepersonswerethatdisturbedhim，butgotupinordertoavoidthecompanythatwascomingtowardshim，andmakingalowbow，whichhinderedhimfromseeingthosehesaluted，heturnedintoanotherwalk。
Ifhehadknownwhomheavoided，withwhateagernesswouldhehavereturned？Buthewalkeddownthealley，andMadamdeClevessawhimgooutatabackdoor，wherehiscoachwaitedforhim。
WhataneffectdidthistransientviewproduceintheheartofMadamdeCleves？Whataflamerekindledoutoftheembersofherlove，andwithwhatviolencediditburn？ShewentandsatdowninthesameplacefromwhichMonsieurdeNemourswasnewlyrisen，andseemedperfectlyoverwhelmed；hisimageimmediatelypossessedherfancy，andsheconsideredhimasthemostamiablepersonintheworld，asonewhohadlonglovedherwithapassionfullofvenerationandsincerity，slightingallforher，payingrespecteventohergrief，tohisowntorture，labouringtoseeherwithoutathoughtofbeingseenbyher，quittingtheCourt（thoughtheCourt’sdelight）tocomeandlookonthewallswhereshewasshutup，andtopasshismelancholyhoursinplaceswherehecouldnothopetomeether；inaword，amanwhoseattachmenttoheralonemeritedreturnsoflove，andforwhomshehadsostronganinclination，thatsheshouldhavelovedhim，thoughshehadnotbeenbelovedbyhim；andbesides，onewhosequalitywassuitabletohers：alltheobstaclesthatcouldrisefromdutyandvirtuewerenowremoved，andallthetracethatremainedonhermindoftheirformerconditionwasthepassiontheDukedeNemourshadforher，andthatwhichshehadforhim。
Alltheseideaswerenewtoher；herafflictionforthedeathofherhusbandhadlefthernoroomforthoughtsofthiskind，butthesightofMonsieurdeNemoursrevivedthem，andtheycrowdedagainintohermind；butwhenshehadtakenherfillofthem，andrememberedthatthisveryman，whomsheconsideredasapropermatchforher，wasthesameshehadlovedinherhusband’slifetime，andwasthecauseofhisdeath，andthatonhisdeath-bedhehadexpressedafearofhermarryinghim，herseverevirtuewassoshockedattheimagination，thatshethoughtitwouldbeascriminalinhertomarryMonsieurdeNemoursnow，asitwastolovehimbefore：inshort，sheabandonedherselftothesereflectionssopernicioustoherhappiness，andfortifiedherselfinthembytheinconveniencywhichsheforesawwouldattendsuchamarriage。Aftertwohours’stayinthisplaceshereturnedhome，convincedthatitwasindispensablyherdutytoavoidthesightofthemansheloved。
Butthisconviction，whichwastheeffectofreasonandvirtue，didnotcarryherheartalongwithit；herheartwassoviolentlyfixedontheDukedeNemours，thatshebecameevenanobjectofcompassion，andwaswhollydeprivedofrest。Neverdidshepassanightinsouneasyamanner；inthemorning，thefirstthingshedidwastoseeiftherewasanybodyatthewindowwhichlookedtowardsherapartment；shesawthereMonsieurdeNemours，andwassosurpriseduponit，andwithdrewsohastily，asmadehimjudgesheknewhim；hehadoftenwishedtobeseenbyher，eversincehehadfoundoutthatmethodofseeingher，andwhenhehadnohopesofobtainingthatsatisfaction，hiswaywastogotomuseinthegardenwhereshefoundhim。
Tiredatlastwithsounfortunateanduncertainacondition，heresolvedtoattemptsomethingtodeterminehisfate：\"WhatshouldIwaitfor？\"saidhe。\"Ihavelongknownshelovesme；
sheisfree；shehasnodutynowtopleadagainstme；whyshouldIsubmitmyselftothehardshipofseeingher，withoutbeingseenbyherorspeakingtoher？Isitpossibleforlovesoabsolutelytohavedeprivedmeofreasonandcourage，andtohaverenderedmesodifferentfromwhatIhavebeeninallmyotheramours？ItwasfitIshouldpayaregardtoMadamdeCleves’sgrief；butI
doittoolong，andIgiveherleisuretoextinguishtheinclinationshehadforme。\"
Afterthesereflections，heconsideredwhatmeasuresheoughttotaketoseeher；hefoundhehadnolongeranyreasontoconcealhispassionfromtheViscountdeChartres；heresolvedtospeaktohimofit，andtocommunicatetohimhisdesignwithregardtohisniece。
TheViscountwasthenatParis，thetownbeingextremelyfull，andeverybodybusyinpreparingequipagesanddressestoattendtheKingofNavarre，whowastoconducttheQueenofSpain：
MonsieurdeNemours，wenttotheViscount，andmadeaningenuousconfessiontohimofallhehadconcealedhitherto，exceptMadamdeCleves’ssentiments，whichhewouldnotseemtoknow。
TheViscountreceivedwhathetoldhimwithagreatdealofpleasure，andassuredhim，thatthoughhewasnotacquaintedwithhissentimentsonthatsubject，hehadoftenthought，sinceMadamdeCleveshadbeenawidow，thatshewastheonlyladythatdeservedhim。MonsieurdeNemoursentreatedhimtogivehimanopportunityofspeakingtoher，andlearningwhatdispositionshewasin。
TheViscountproposedtocarryhimtoherhouse，buttheDukewasofopinionshewouldbeshockedatit，becauseasyetshesawnobody；sothattheyagreed，itwouldbebetterfortheViscounttoaskhertocometohim，undersomepretence，andfortheDuketocometothembyaprivatestaircase，thathemightnotbeobserved。Accordinglythiswasexecuted；MadamdeClevescame，theViscountwenttoreceiveher，andledherintoagreatclosetattheendofhisapartment；sometimeafterMonsieurdeNemourscamein，asbychance：MadamdeCleveswasingreatsurprisetoseehim；sheblushedandendeavouredtohideit；theViscountatfirstspokeofindifferentmatters，andthenwentout，asifhehadsomeorderstogive，tellingMadamdeCleveshemustdesirehertoentertaintheDukeinhisstead，andthathewouldreturnimmediately。
ItisimpossibletoexpressthesentimentsofMonsieurdeNemours，andMadamdeCleves，whentheysawthemselvesalone，andatlibertytospeaktooneanother，astheyhadneverbeenbefore：theycontinuedsilentawhile；atlength，saidMonsieurdeNemours，\"Canyou，Madam，pardontheViscountforgivingmeanopportunityofseeingyou，andspeakingtoyou，anopportunitywhichyouhavealwayssocruellydeniedme？\"\"Ioughtnottopardonhim，\"repliedshe，\"forhavingforgottheconditionIamin，andtowhatheexposesmyreputation。\"Havingspokethesewords，shewouldhavegoneaway；butMonsieurdeNemoursstoppingher，\"Fearnot，Madam，\"saidhe；\"youhavenothingtoapprehend；nobodyknowsIamhere；hearme，Madam，hearme，ifnotoutofgoodness，yetatleastforyourownsake，andtofreeyourselffromtheextravagancieswhichapassionIamnolongermasterofwillinfalliblyhurrymeinto。\"MadamdeClevesnowfirstyieldedtotheinclinationshehadfortheDukedeNemours，andbeholdinghimwitheyesfullofsoftnessandcharms，\"Butwhatcanyouhopefor，\"saysshe，\"fromthecomplaisanceyoudesireofme？Youwillperhapsrepentthatyouhaveobtainedit，andIshallcertainlyrepentthatIhavegrantedit。Youdeserveahappierfortunethanyouhavehithertohad，orthanyoucanhaveforthefuture，unlessyouseekitelsewhere。\"\"I，Madam，\"saidhe，\"seekhappinessanywhereelse？Oristhereanyhappinessforme，butinyourlove？ThoughIneverspokeofitbefore，Icannotbelieve，Madam，thatyouarenotacquaintedwithmypassion，orthatyoudonotknowittobethegreatestandmostsincerethateverwas；whattrialshasitsufferedinthingsyouareastrangerto？Whattrialshaveyouputittobyyourrigour？\"
\"SinceyouaredesirousIshouldopenmyselftoyou，\"answeredMadamdeCleves，\"I’llcomplywithyourdesire，andI’lldoitwithasinceritythatisrarelytobemetwithinpersonsofmysex：IshallnottellyouthatIhavenotobservedyourpassionforme；perhapsyouwouldnotbelievemeifIshouldtellyouso；
Iconfessthereforetoyou，notonlythatIhaveobservedit，butthatIhaveobserveditinsuchlightsasyouyourselfcouldwishitmightappeartomein。\"\"Andifyouhaveseenmypassion，Madam，\"saidhe，\"isitpossibleforyounottohavebeenmovedbyit？AndmayIventuretoask，ifithasmadenoimpressiononyourheart？\"\"Youshouldhavejudgedofthatfrommyconduct，\"repliedshe；\"butIshouldbegladtoknowwhatyouthoughtofit。\"\"Ioughttobeinahappiercondition，\"
repliedhe，\"toventuretoinformyou；myfortunewouldcontradictwhatIshouldsay；allIcantellyou，Madam，isthatIheartilywishedyouhadnotacknowledgedtoMonsieurdeCleveswhatyouconcealedfromme，andthatyouhadconcealedfromhimwhatyoumadeappeartome。\"\"Howcameyoutodiscover，\"
repliedsheblushing，\"thatIacknowledgedanythingtoMonsieurdeCleves？\"\"Ilearneditfromyourself，Madam，\"repliedhe；
\"butthatyoumaythebetterpardontheboldnessIshowedinlisteningtowhatyousaid，rememberifIhavemadeanilluseofwhatIheard，ifmyhopesroseuponit，orifIwasthemoreencouragedtospeaktoyou。\"
HerehebegantorelatehowhehadoverheardherconversationwithMonsieurdeCleves；butsheinterruptedhimbeforehehadfinished；\"Saynomoreofit，\"saidshe，\"Iseehowyoucametobesowellinformed；IsuspectedyouknewthebusinessbuttoowellattheQueen-Dauphin’s，wholearnedthisadventurefromthoseyouhadentrustedwithit。\"
UponthisMonsieurdeNemoursinformedherinwhatmannerthethingcametopass；\"Noexcuses，\"saysshe；\"Ihavelongforgivenyou，withoutbeinginformedhowitwasbroughtabout；
butsinceyouhavelearnedfrommyownselfwhatIdesignedtoconcealfromyouallmylife，IwillacknowledgetoyouthatyouhaveinspiredmewithsentimentsIwasunacquaintedwithbeforeI
sawyou，andofwhichIhadsoslenderanidea，thattheygavemeatfirstasurprisewhichstilladdedtothepainthatconstantlyattendsthem：Iamthelessashamedtomakeyouthisconfession，becauseIdoitatatimewhenImaydoitwithoutacrime，andbecauseyouhaveseenthatmyconducthasnotbeengovernedbymyaffections。\"
\"Canyoubelieve，Madam，\"saidMonsieurdeNemours，fallingonhisknees，\"butIshallexpireatyourfeetwithjoyandtransport？\"\"Ihavetoldyounothing，\"saidshesmiling，\"butwhatyouknewtoowellbefore。\"\"Ah！Madam，\"saidhe，\"whatadifferenceistherebetweenlearningitbychance，andknowingitfromyourself，andseeingwithalthatyouarepleasedIknowit。\"\"Itistrue，\"answeredshe，\"Iwouldhaveyouknowit，andIfindapleasureintellingityou；Idon’tevenknowifIdonottellityoumoreformyownsake，thanforyours；for，afterall，thisconfessionwillhavenoconsequences，andIshallfollowtheaustereruleswhichmydutyimposesuponme。\"\"How！Madam；youarenotofthisopinion，\"repliedMonsieurdeNemours；\"youarenolongerunderanyobligationofduty；youareatliberty；andifIdurst，Ishouldeventellyou，thatitisinyourpowertoactso，thatyourdutyshallonedayobligeyoutopreservethesentimentsyouhaveforme。\"\"Myduty，\"repliedshe，\"forbidsmetothinkofanyman，butofyouthelastintheworld，andforreasonswhichareunknowntoyou。\"\"Thosereasonsperhapsarenotunknowntome，\"answeredhe，\"buttheyarefarfrombeinggoodones。IbelievethatMonsieurdeClevesthoughtmehappierthanIwas，andimaginedthatyouapprovedofthoseextravagancieswhichmypassionledmeintowithoutyourapprobation。\"\"Letustalknomoreofthatadventure，\"saidshe；\"Icannotbearthethoughtofit，itgivingmeshame，andtheconsequencesofithavebeensuchthatitistoomelancholyasubjecttobespokenof；itisbuttootruethatyouwerethecauseofMonsieurdeCleves’sdeath；thesuspicionswhichyourinconsiderateconductgavehim，costhimhislifeasmuchasifyouhadtakenitawaywithyourownhands：
judgewhatIoughttohavedone，hadyoutwofoughtaduel，andhebeenkilled；Iknowverywell，itisnotthesamethingintheeyeoftheworld，butwithmethere’snodifference，sinceIknowthathisdeathwasowingtoyou，andthatitwasonmyaccount。\"
\"Ah！Madam，\"saidMonsieurdeNemours，\"whatphantomofdutydoyouopposetomyhappiness？What！Madam，shallavainandgroundlessfancyhinderyoufrommakingamanhappy，forwhomyouhaveaninclination？What，haveIhadsomegroundtohopeI
mightpassmylifewithyou？hasmyfateledmetolovethemostdeservingladyintheworld？haveIobservedinherallthatcanmakeamistressadorable？Hasshehadnodislikingtome？HaveIfoundinherconducteverythingwhichperhapsIcouldwishforinawife？Forinshort，Madam，youareperhapstheonlypersoninwhomthosetwocharactershaveeverconcurredtothedegreetheyareinyou；thosewhomarrymistresses，bywhomtheyareloved，tremblewhentheymarrythem，andcannotbutfearlesttheyshouldobservethesameconducttowardsotherswhichtheyobservedtowardsthem；butinyou，Madam，Icanfearnothing，I
seenothinginyoubutmatterofadmiration：haveIhadaprospectofsomuchfelicityfornootherendbuttoseeitobstructedbyyou？Ah！Madam，youforget，thatyouhavedistinguishedmeaboveothermen；orrather，youhavenotdistinguishedme；youhavedeceivedyourself，andIhaveflatteredmyself。\"
\"Youhavenotflatteredyourself，\"repliedshe；\"thereasonsofmydutywouldnotperhapsappearsostrongtomewithoutthatdistinctionofwhichyoudoubt，anditisthatwhichmakesmeapprehendunfortunateconsequencesfromyouralliance。\"\"I
havenothingtoanswer，Madam，\"repliedhe，\"whenyoutellmeyouapprehendunfortunateconsequences；butIown，thatafterallyouhavebeenpleasedtosaytome，Ididnotexpectfromyousocruelareason。\"\"Thereasonyouspeakof，\"repliedMadamdeCleves，\"issolittledisobligingastoyou，thatIdon’tknowhowtotellityou。\"\"Alas！Madam，\"saidhe，\"howcanyoufearIshouldflattermyselftoomuchafterwhatyouhavebeensayingtome？\"\"Ishallcontinuetospeaktoyou，\"saysshe，\"withthesamesinceritywithwhichIbegun，andI’lllayasidethatdelicacyandreservethatmodestyobligesonetoinafirstconversation，butIconjureyoutohearmewithoutinterruption。
\"IthinkIowetheaffectionyouhaveforme，thepoorrecompsensenottohidefromyouanyofmythoughts，andtoletyouseethemsuchastheyreallyare；thisinallprobabilitywillbetheonlytimeIshallallowmyselfthefreedomtodiscoverthemtoyou；andIcannotconfesswithoutablush，thatthecertaintyofnotbeinglovedbyyou，asIam，appearstomesodreadfulamisfortune，thatifIhadnotinvinciblereasonsgroundedonmyduty，Icouldnotresolvetosubjectmyselftoit；
Iknowthatyouarefree，thatIamsotoo，andthatcircumstancesaresuch，thatthepublicperhapswouldhavenoreasontoblameeitheryouorme，shouldweuniteourselvesforever；butdomencontinuetolove，whenunderengagementsforlife？OughtItoexpectamiracleinmyfavour？AndshallI
placemyselfinaconditionofseeingcertainlythatpassioncometoanend，inwhichIshouldplaceallmyfelicity？MonsieurdeCleveswasperhapstheonlymanintheworldcapableofcontinuingtoloveaftermarriage；itwasmyillfatethatIwasnotabletoenjoythathappiness，andperhapshispassionhadnotlastedbutthathefoundnone，inme；butIshouldnothavethe，samewayofpreservingyours；Ieventhinkyourconstancyisowingtotheobstaclesyouhavemetwith；youhavemetwithenoughtoanimateyoutoconquerthem；andmyunguardedactions，orwhatyoulearnedbychance，gaveyouhopesenoughnottobediscouraged。\"\"Ah！Madam，\"repliedMonsieurdeNemours，\"I
cannotkeepthesilenceyouenjoinedme；youdometoomuchinjustice，andmakeitappeartooclearlythatyouarefarfrombeingprepossessedinmyfavour。\"\"Iconfess，\"answeredshe，\"thatmypassionsmayleadme，buttheycannotblindme；nothingcanhindermefromknowingthatyouarebornwithadispositionforgallantry，andhaveallthequalitiespropertogivesuccess；
youhavealreadyhadagreatmanyamours，andyouwillhavemore；
Ishouldnolongerbesheyouplacedyourhappinessin；Ishouldseeyouaswarmforanotherasyouhadbeenforme；thiswouldgrievouslyvexme，andIamnotsureIshouldnothavethetormentofjealousy；Ihavesaidtoomuchtoconcealfromyouthatyouhavealreadymademeknowwhatjealousyis，andthatI
sufferedsuchcruelinquietudestheeveningtheQueengavemeMadamdeThemines’sletter，whichitwassaidwasaddressedtoyou，thattothismomentIretainanideaofit，whichmakesmebelieveitistheworstofallills。
\"Thereisscarceawomanbutoutofvanityorinclinationdesirestoengageyou；thereareveryfewwhomyoudonotplease，andmyownexperiencewouldmakemebelieve，thattherearenonewhomitisnotinyourpowertoplease；Ishouldthinkyoualwaysinloveandbeloved，norshouldIbeoftenmistaken；andyetinthiscaseIshouldhavenoremedybutpatience，nayIquestionifIshoulddaretocomplain：alovermaybereproached；butcanahusbandbeso，whenonehasnothingtourge，butthathelovesonenolonger？ButadmitIcouldaccustommyselftobearamisfortuneofthisnature，yethowcouldIbearthatofimaginingIconstantlysawMonsieurdeCleves，accusingyouofhisdeath，reproachingmewithhavinglovedyou，withhavingmarriedyou，andshowingmethedifferencebetwixthisaffectionandyours？
Itisimpossibletoover-rulesuchstrongreasonsasthese；I
mustcontinueintheconditionIamin，andintheresolutionI
havetakennevertoalterit。\"\"Doyoubelieveyouhavethepowertodoit，Madam？\"criedtheDukedeNemours。\"Doyouthinkyourresolutioncanholdoutagainstamanwhoadores，andwhohasthehappinesstopleaseyou？Itismoredifficultthanyouimagine，Madam，toresistapersonwhopleasesandlovesoneatthesametime；youhavedoneitbyanausterityofvirtue，whichisalmostwithoutexample；butthatvirtuenolongeropposesyourinclinations，andIhopeyouwillfollowtheminspiteofyourself。\"\"IknownothingcanbemoredifficultthanwhatIundertake，\"repliedMadamdeCleves；\"Idistrustmystrengthinthemidstofmyreasons；whatIthinkIowetothememoryofMonsieurdeCleveswouldbeaweakconsideration，ifnotsupportedbytheinterestofmyeaseandrepose；andthereasonsofmyreposehaveneedtobesupportedbythoseofmyduty；butthoughIdistrustmyself，IbelieveIshallneverovercomemyscruples，nordoIsomuchashopetoovercometheinclinationIhaveforyou；thatinclinationwillmakemeunhappy，andIwilldenymyselfthesightofyou，whateverviolenceitistome：Iconjureyou，byallthepowerIhaveoveryou，toseeknooccasionofseeingme；Iaminaconditionwhichmakesthatcriminalwhichmightbelawfulatanothertime；
decencyforbidsallcommercebetweenus。\"MonsieurdeNemoursthrewhimselfatherfeet，andgavealoosetoalltheviolentmotionswithwhichhewasagitated；heexpressedbothbyhiswordsandtearstheliveliestandmosttenderpassionthateverheartwastouchedwith；norwastheheartofMadamdeClevesinsensible；shelookeduponhimwitheyesswelledwithtears：
\"Whywasit，\"criesshe，\"thatIcanchargeyouwithMonsieurdeCleves’sdeath？WhydidnotmyfirstacquaintancewithyoubeginsinceIhavebeenatliberty，orwhydidnotIknowyoubeforeIwasengaged？Whydoesfateseparateusbysuchinvincibleobstacles？\"\"Therearenoobstacles，Madam，\"
repliedMonsieurdeNemours；\"itisyoualoneopposemyhappiness；youimposeonyourselfalawwhichvirtueandreasondonotrequireyoutoobey。\"\"’Tistrue，\"saysshe，\"I
sacrificeagreatdealtoadutywhichdoesnotsubsistbutinmyimagination；havepatience，andexpectwhattimemayproduce；
MonsieurdeClevesisbutjustexpired，andthatmournfulobjectistooneartoleavemeclearanddistinctviews；inthemeantimeenjoythesatisfactiontoknowyouhavegainedtheheartofapersonwhowouldneverhavelovedanyone，hadshenotseenyou：
believetheinclinationIhaveforyouwilllastforever，andthatitwillbeuniformandthesame，whateverbecomesofme：
Adieu，\"saidshe；\"thisisaconversationIoughttoblushfor；
however，giveanaccountofittotheViscount；Iagreetoit，anddesireyoutodoit。\"
Withthesewordsshewentaway，norcouldMonsieurdeNemoursdetainher。InthenextroomshemetwiththeViscount，whoseeingherundersomuchconcernwouldnotspeaktoher，butledhertohercoachwithoutsayingaword；hereturnedtoMonsieurdeNemours，whowassofullofjoy，grief，admiration，andofallthoseaffectionsthatattendapassionfullofhopeandfear，thathehadnottheuseofhisreason。ItwasalongtimeeretheViscountcouldgetfromhimanaccountoftheconversation；
atlasttheDukerelatedittohim，andMonsieurdeChartres，withoutbeinginlove，nolessadmiredthevirtue，witandmeritofMadamdeCleves，thandidMonsieurdeNemourshimself；theybegantoexaminewhatissuecouldreasonablybehopedforinthisaffair；andhoweverfearfultheDukedeNemourswasfromhislove，heagreedwiththeViscount，thatitwasimpossibleMadamdeClevesshouldcontinueintheresolutionshewasin；theywereofopinionneverthelessthatitwasnecessarytofollowherorders，forfear，uponthepublic’sperceivingtheinclinationhehadforher，sheshouldmakedeclarationsandenterintoengagementswithrespecttotheworld，thatshewouldafterwardsabideby，lestitshouldbethoughtshelovedhiminherhusband’slifetime。
MonsieurdeNemoursdeterminedtofollowtheKing；itwasajourneyhecouldnotwellexcusehimselffrom，andsoheresolvedtogowithoutendeavouringtoseeMadamdeClevesagainfromthewindowoutofwhichhehadsometimesseenher；hebeggedtheViscounttospeaktoher；andwhatdidhenotdesirehimtosayinhisbehalf？Whataninfinitenumberofreasonsdidhefurnishhimwith，topersuadehertoconquerherscruples？Inshort，greatpartofthenightwasspentbeforehethoughtofgoingaway。
AsforMadamdeCleves，shewasinnoconditiontorest；itwasathingsonewtohertohavebrokeloosefromtherestraintsshehadlaidonherself，tohaveenduredthefirstdeclarationsoflovethateverweremadetoher，andtohaveconfessedthatsheherselfwasinlovewithhimthatmadethem，allthiswassonewtoher，thatsheseemedquiteanotherperson；shewassurprisedatwhatshehaddone；sherepentedofit；shewasgladofit；allherthoughtswerefullofanxietyandpassion；sheexaminedagainthereasonsofherduty，whichobstructedherhappiness；shewasgrievedtofindthemsostrong，andwassorrythatshehadmadethemoutsocleartoMonsieurdeNemours：thoughshehadentertainedthoughtsofmarryinghim，assoonasshebeheldhiminthegardenofthesuburbs，yetherlateconversationwithhimmadeamuchgreaterimpressiononhermind；atsomemomentsshecouldnotcomprehendhowshecouldbeunhappybymarryinghim，andshewasreadytosayinherheart，thatherscruplesastowhatwaspast，andherfearsforthefuture，wereequallygroundless：atothertimes，reasonandherdutyprevailedinherthoughts，andviolentlyhurriedherintoaresolutionnottomarryagain，andnevertoseeMonsieurdeNemours；butthiswasaresolutionhardtobeestablishedinaheartsosoftenedashers，andsolatelyabandonedtothecharmsoflove。Atlast，togiveherselfalittleease，sheconcludedthatitwasnotyetnecessarytodoherselftheviolenceofcomingtoanyresolution，anddecencyallowedheraconsiderabletimetodeterminewhattodo：howeversheresolvedtocontinuefirminhavingnocommercewithMonsieurdeNemours。TheViscountcametoseeher，andpleadedhisfriend’scausewithallthewitandapplicationimaginable，butcouldnotmakeheralterherconduct，orrecallthesevereordersshehadgiventoMonsieurdeNemours；shetoldhimherdesignwasnottochangehercondition；thatsheknewhowdifficultitwastostandtothatdesign，butthatshehopedsheshouldbeabletodoit；shemadehimsosensiblehowfarshewasaffectedwiththeopinionthatMonsieurdeNemourswasthecauseofherhusband’sdeath，andhowmuchshewasconvincedthatitwouldbecontrarytoherdutytomarryhim，thattheViscountwasafraiditwouldbeverydifficulttotakeawaythoseimpressions；
hedidnot，however，telltheDukewhathethought，whenhegavehimanaccountofhisconversationwithher，butlefthimasmuchhopeasamanwhoislovedmayreasonablyhave。
Theysetoutthenextday，andwentaftertheKing；theViscountwrotetoMadamdeClevesatMonsieurdeNemours’srequest，andinasecondletter，whichsoonfollowedthefirst，theDukewrotealineortwoinhisownhand；butMadamdeClevesdeterminednottodepartfromtherulesshehadprescribedherself，andfearingtheaccidentsthatmighthappenfromletters，informedtheViscountthatshewouldreceivehislettersnomore，ifhecontinuedtospeakofMonsieurdeNemours，anddiditinsoperemptoryamanner，thattheDukedesiredhimnottomentionhim。
DuringtheabsenceoftheCourt，whichwasgonetoconducttheQueenofSpainasfarasPoitou，MadamdeClevescontinuedathome；andthemoredistantshewasfromMonsieurdeNemours，andfromeverythingthatcouldputherinmindofhim，themoresherecalledthememoryofthePrinceofCleves，whichshemadeitherglorytopreserve；thereasonsshehadnottomarrytheDukedeNemoursappearedstrongwithrespecttoherduty，butinvinciblewithrespecttoherquiet；theopinionshehad，thatmarriagewouldputanendtohislove，andthetormentsofjealousy，whichshethoughttheinfallibleconsequencesofmarriage，gavehertheprospectofacertainunhappinessifsheconsentedtohisdesires；ontheotherhand，shethoughtitimpossible，ifhewerepresent，torefusethemostamiablemanintheworld，themanwholovedher，andwhomsheloved，andtoopposehiminathingthatwasneitherinconsistentwithvirtuenordecency：shethoughtthatnothingbutabsenceanddistancecouldgiveherthepowertodoit；andshefoundshestoodinneedofthem，notonlytosupportherresolutionnottomarry，buteventokeepherfromseeingMonsieurdeNemours；sheresolvedthereforetotakealongjourney，inordertopassawaythetimewhichdecencyobligedhertospendinretirement；thefineestateshehadnearthePyreneesseemedthemostproperplaceshecouldmakechoiceof；shesetoutafewdaysbeforetheCourtreturned，andwroteatpartingtotheViscounttoconjurehimnottothinkofonceenquiringafterher，orofwritingtoher。
MonsieurdeNemourswasasmuchtroubledatthisjourneyasanotherwouldhavebeenforthedeathofhismistress；thethoughtofbeingdeprivedsolongatimeofthesightofMadamdeClevesgrievedhimtothesoul，especiallyasithappenedatatimewhenhehadlatelyenjoyedthepleasureofseeingher，andofseeinghermovedbyhispassion；howeverhecoulddonothingbutafflicthimself，andhisafflictionincreasedeveryday。
MadamdeCleves，whosespiritshadbeensomuchagitated，wasnosoonerarrivedathercountryseat，butshefelldesperatelyill；
thenewsofitwasbroughttoCourt；MonsieurdeNemourswasinconsolable；hisgriefproceededeventodespairandextravagance；theViscounthadmucha-dotohinderhimfromdiscoveringhispassioninpublic，andasmucha-dotokeephimfromgoinginpersontoknowhowshedid；therelationandfriendshipbetweenherandtheViscountservedasanexcuseforsendingfrequentmessengers；atlasttheyheardshewasoutoftheextremityofdangershehadbeenin，butcontinuedinalanguishingmaladythatleftbutlittlehopesoflife。
Thenatureofherdiseasegaveheraprospectofdeathbothnear，andatadistance，andshowedherthethingsofthislifeinaverydifferentviewfromthatinwhichtheyareseenbypeopleinhealth；thenecessityofdying，towhichshesawherselfsonear，taughthertoweanherselffromtheworld，andthelingeringnessofherdistemperbroughthertoahabitinit；yetwhenshewasalittlerecovered，shefoundthatMonsieurdeNemourswasnoteffacedfromherheart；buttodefendherselfagainsthim，shecalledtoheraidallthereasonswhichshethoughtshehadnevertomarryhim；afteralongconflictinherself，shesubduedtherelicsofthatpassionwhichhadbeenweakenedbythesentimentsherillnesshadgivenher；thethoughtsofdeathhadreproachedherwiththememoryofMonsieurdeCleves，andthisremembrancewassoagreeabletoherduty，thatitmadedeepimpressionsinherheart；thepassionsandengagementsoftheworldappearedtoherinthelight，inwhichtheyappeartopersonswhohavemoregreatandmoredistantviews。Theweaknessofherbody，whichwasbroughtverylow，aidedherinpreservingthesesentiments；
butassheknewwhatpoweropportunitieshaveoverthewisestresolutions，shewouldnothazardthebreachofthoseshehadtaken，byreturningintoanyplacewhereshemightseehimsheloved；sheretired，underpretenceofchangeofair，intoaconvent，butwithoutdeclaringasettledresolutionofquittingtheCourt。
Uponthefirstnewsofit，MonsieurdeNemoursfelttheweightofthisretreat，andsawtheimportanceofit；hepresentlythoughthehadnothingmoretohope，butomittednotanythingthatmightobligehertoreturn；heprevailedwiththeQueentowrite；hemadetheViscountnotonlywrite，butgotoher，butalltonopurpose；theViscountsawher，butshedidnottellhimshehadfixedherresolution；andyethejudged，shewouldneverreturntoCourt；atlastMonsieurdeNemourshimselfwenttoher，underpretenceofusingthewaters；shewasextremelygrievedandsurprisedtohearhewascome，andsenthimwordbyapersonofmeritabouther，thatshedesiredhimnottotakeitillifshedidnotexposeherselftothedangerofseeinghim，andofdestroyingbyhispresencethosesentimentsshewasobligedtopreserve；thatshedesiredheshouldknow，thathavingfounditbothagainstherdutyandpeaceofmindtoyieldtotheinclinationshehadtobehis，allthingselsewerebecomesoindifferenttoher，thatshehadrenouncedthemforever；thatshethoughtonlyofanotherlife，andhadnosentimentremainingastothis，butthedesireofseeinghiminthesamedispositionsshewasin。
MonsieurdeNemourswasliketohaveexpiredinthepresenceoftheladywhotoldhimthis；hebeggedherathousandtimestoreturntoMadamdeCleves，andtogetleaveforhimtoseeher；
butshetoldhimthePrincesshadnotonlyforbiddenhertocomebackwithanymessagefromhim，buteventoreporttheconversationthatshouldpassbetweenthem。AtlengthMonsieurdeNemourswasobligedtogoback，oppressedwiththeheaviestgriefamaniscapableof，whohaslostallhopesofeverseeingagainaperson，whomhelovednotonlywiththemostviolent，butmostnaturalandsincerepassionthateverwas；yetstillhewasnotutterlydiscouraged，butusedallimaginablemethodstomakeheralterherresolution；atlast，afterseveralyears，timeandabsenceabatedhisgrief，andextinguishedhispassion。
MadamdeCleveslivedinamannerthatleftnoprobabilityofhereverreturningtoCourt；shespentonepartoftheyearinthatreligioushouse，andtheotheratherown，butstillcontinuedtheausterityofretirement，andconstantlyemployedherselfinexercisesmoreholythantheseverestconventscanpretendto；
andherlife，thoughitwasshort，leftexamplesofinimitablevirtues。