Do not be afraid of my being sad, for I am of a naturally cheerful disposition." "I suppose that in Cesena you were afraid of being caught by the officer whom you had left in Rome ?" "Not at all; that officer was my father-in-law, and I am quite certain that he never tried to ascertain where I had gone.

He was only too glad to get rid of me.

I felt unhappy because I could not bear to be a charge on a man whom I could not love, and with whom I could not even exchange one thought.

Recollect also that I could not find consolation in the idea that I was ministering to his happiness, for I had only inspired him with a passing fancy which he had himself valued at ten sequins.

I could not help feeling that his fancy, once gratified, was not likely at his time of life to become a more lasting sentiment, and I could therefore only be a burden to him, for he was not wealthy.