against the power of love.  If she still resist, it is not by her own strength; she derives no help except from the idea of the intrepidity she at first displayed to him who attacks, or from the timidity she inspired in him in the beginning of her resistance.  Thus it is, that however reasonable she may be, she nearly always starts out with a fine defense, she only needs pride to resolve upon that; but unfortunately, you divine the means of overcoming her, you persevere in your attacks, she is not indefatigable, and you have so little delicacy that, provided you obtain her heart, it is of no consequence to you whether you have obtained it through your importunities or with her consent.

Besides that, Marquis, the excess of precautions a woman takes against you, is strong evidence of how much you are feared.  If you were an object of indifference, would a woman take the trouble to avoid you?  I declare to you that she would not honor you by being afraid of you.  But I know how unreasonable lovers are.  Always ingenious in tormenting themselves, the habit of never having but one object in view is so powerful, that they prefer being pestered with one that is disagreeable than with none at all.

However, I feel sorry for you.  Smitten as you are, your situation can not fail to be a sad one.  The poor Marquis, how badly he is treated!

XXX

When Resistance Is Only a Pretense

I was delighted to learn before my departure for the country, that your mind was more at rest.  I feel free to say, that if the Countess had persevered in treating you with the same severity, I should have suspected, not that she was insensible to your love, but that you had a fortunate rival.  The resistance manifested by her would have been beyond her strength in a single combat.  For you should be well advised, Marquis, that a woman is never more intractable than when she assumes a haughtiness toward all other men, for the sake of her favorite lover.

I see in everything you have told me, proofs that you are loved, and that you are the only one.  I will be able to give you constant news on that score, for I am going to investigate the Countess for myself.  This will surprise you, no doubt.  Your astonishment will cease, however, when you call to mind that Madame de la Sabliere’s house, where I am going to spend a week, adjoins the grounds of your amiable widow.  You told me that she was at home, and, add to the neighborhood, the unmeasured longing I have to make her acquaintance, you will not be surprised at the promise I have just made you.

I have not the time to finish this letter, nor the opportunity to send it.  I must depart immediately, and my traveling companion is teasing me in a strange fashion, pretending that I am writing a love letter.  I am letting her think what she pleases, and carry the letter with me to the country.  Adieu.  What!  Madame de Grignan’s illness will not permit you to visit us in our solitude?