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I took the key
of my chamber of him, and went upstairs; and when I had got within
ten steps of the top of the landing before my door, I met her
coming easily down.

It was the fair fille de chambre I had walked along the Quai de
Conti with; Madame de R- had sent her upon some commission to a
marchande des modes within a step or two of the Hotel de Modene;
and as I had fail'd in waiting upon her, had bid her enquire if I
had left Paris; and if so, whether I had not left a letter
addressed to her.

As the fair fille de chambre was so near my door, she returned
back, and went into the room with me for a moment or two whilst I
wrote a card.

It was a fine still evening in the latter end of the month of May,-
-the crimson window curtains (which were of the same colour as
those of the bed) were drawn close: --the sun was setting, and
reflected through them so warm a tint into the fair fille de
chambre's face,--I thought she blush'd;--the idea of it made me
blush myself: --we were quite alone; and that superinduced a second
blush before the first could get off.

There is a sort of a pleasing half guilty blush, where the blood is
more in fault than the man: --'tis sent impetuous from the heart,
and virtue flies after it,--not to call it back, but to make the
sensation of it more delicious to the nerves: --'tis associated. -

But I'll not describe it;--I felt something at first within me
which was not in strict unison with the lesson of virtue I had
given her the night before.--I sought five minutes for a card;--I
knew I had not one.--I took up a pen.--I laid it down again;--my
hand trembled: --the devil was in me.

I know as well as any one he is an adversary, whom, if we resist,
he will fly from us;--but I seldom resist him at all; from a
terror, though I may conquer, I may still get a hurt in the
combat;--so I give up the triumph for security; and, instead of
thinking to make him fly, I generally fly myself.

The fair fille de chambre came close up to the bureau where I was
looking for a card--took up first the pen I cast down, then offer'd
to hold me the ink; she offer'd it so sweetly, I was going to
accept it;--but I durst not;--I have nothing, my dear, said I, to
write upon.--Write it, said she, simply, upon anything. -

I was just going to cry out, Then I will write it, fair girl! upon
thy lips. -

If I do, said I, I shall perish;--so I took her by the hand, and
led her to the door, and begg'd she would not forget the lesson I
had given her.--She said, indeed she would not;--and, as she
uttered it with some earnestness, she turn'd about, and gave me
both her hands, closed together, into mine;--it was impossible not
to compress them in that situation;--I wish'd to let them go; and
all the time I held them, I kept arguing within myself against it,-
-and still I held them on.--In two minutes I found I had all the

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