Her compassionate gentleness was invincible; she made me reproaches, which penetrated my heart; she expressed an inquietude at my unjust fears, of which I took advantage.
I required proofs of her being in earnest.

She perceived there was no other means of relieving me from my apprehensions.

I became pressing: the step was delicate.

It is astonishing, and perhaps without example, that a woman having suffered herself to be brought to hesitate should have got herself off so well.

She refused me nothing the most tender friendship could grant; yet she granted me nothing that rendered her unfaithful, and I had the mortification to see that the disorder into which the most trifling favors had thrown all my senses had not the least effect upon hers.
I have somewhere said, that nothing should be granted to the senses, when we wished to refuse them anything.