At last we came to an explanation; she confessed to me with tears the only fault of the kind of her whole life, immediately after she became nubile; the fruit of her ignorance and the address of her seducer.

The moment I comprehended what she meant, I gave a shout of joy.

"A Hymen!" exclaimed I; "sought for at Paris, and at twenty years of age! Ah my Theresa! I am happy in possessing thee, virtuous and healthy as thou art, and in not finding that for which I never sought." At first amusement was my only object; I perceived I had gone further and had given myself a companion.

A little intimate connection with this excellent girl, and a few reflections upon my situation, made me discover that, while thinking of nothing more than my pleasures, I had done a great deal towards my happiness.

In the place of extinguished ambition, a life of sentiment, which had entire possession of my heart, was necessary to me.