rather than he should bear a moment's pain. However, we separated for that time, and said we would consider and talk further of it another day.
"But accident soon delivered us out of all our perplexities; for such sort of love as Vieuville's is seldom so fixed but every new object is capable of changing it; and I verily believe he had lately persisted more because his pride was piqued at being refused than from any continuance of his inclination towards me. I shall not dwell long on this circumstance; but only tell you, there came a young lady one day to dine with Dorimene, who was really one of the greatest beauties I ever saw. Vieuville was in a moment struck with her charms, and she presently made a conquest of his heart. She lived very near us, and soon became as enamoured of her new lover as he could possibly be of her. She had a great fortune, which was at her own disposal, and they only deferred the celebration of their nuptials till he had an answer to a letter he wrote his father. He soon carried his wife home; and I am certain he could not have more joy in the possession of one of the finest women ever seen than I had in being rid of his troublesome importunities.
"Now all my hopes began to revive again, and there seemed to be no bar to my happiness. I pleased myself with the thoughts of the raptures Dumont would be inspired with when he found his dear Stainville approved his love. It was not long before my brother showed me a letter from the Chevalier which I found was written in answer to one from him just after Vieuville's marriage and departure, which he had acquainted him with only as a piece of news. He expressed himself with great thankfulness for his pressing invitation to return, and concluded with sajdng he should be with him the beginning of the next week.
"When I gave! my brother back his letter, words
