to equal the grief of one whom you have left alone to-day, and who will
never be content till he sees you again.' I asked him of whom he wished
to speak to me. He then answered me by pressing my arm: 'Of one of those
who have not followed you; and among those it is easy for you to guess of
whom I want to speak.'

"I have worked till two o'clock at the bracelet; I have enclosed a little
key which is attached by two strings: it is not as well worked as I
should like, but I have not had time to make it better; I will make you a
finer one on the first occasion. Take care that it is not seen on you;
for I have worked at it before everyone, and it would be recognised to a
certainty.

"I always return, in spite of myself, to the frightful attempt that you
advise. You compel me to concealments, and above all to treacheries that
make me shudder; I would rather die, believe me, than do such things; for
it makes my heart bleed. He does not want to follow me unless I promise
him to have the selfsame bed and board with him as before, and not to
abandon him so often. If I consent to it, he says he will do all I wish,
and will follow me everywhere; but he has begged me to put off my
departure for two days. I have pretended to agree to all he wishes; but
I have told him not to speak of our reconciliation to anyone, for fear it
should make some lords uneasy. At last I shall take him everywhere I
wish.... Alas! I have never deceived anyone; but what would I not do to
please you? Command, and whatever happens, I shall obey. But see
yourself if one could not contrive some secret means in the shape of a
remedy. He must purge himself at Craigmiller and take baths there; he
will be some days without going out. So far as I can see, he is very
uneasy; but he has great trust in what I tell him: however, his
confidence does not go so far as to allow him to open his mind to me. If