"I never knew a lady behave herself in so genteel and agreeable a
manner to her lover, but yet I was always shocked at the affectation
she showed in appearing so concerned for the loss of her husband.
Sancerre was so much in love, and so well pleased with the treatment he
received from her, that he scarce durst press her to conclude the
marriage, for fear she should think he desired it rather out of
interest than love; however he spoke to her of it, and she seemed fully
bent on marrying him; she began also to abandon her reserved manner of
life, and to appear again in public; she visited my sister-in-law at
hours when some of the Court were usually there; Sancerre came there
but seldom, but those who came every night, and frequently saw her
there, thought her extremely beautiful.
"She had not long quitted her solitude, when Sancerre imagined that her
passion for him was cooled; he spoke of it several times to me: but I
laid no great stress on the matter; but at last, when he told me, that
instead of forwarding the marriage, she seemed to put it off, I began
to think he was not to blame for being uneasy: I remonstrated to him,
that if Madam de Tournon's passion was abated after having continued
two years, he ought not to be surprised at it, and that even supposing
it was not abated, possibly it might not be strong enough to induce her
to marry him; that he ought not to complain of it; that such a marriage
in the judgment of the public would draw censures upon her, not only
because he was not a suitable match for her, but also on account of the
prejudice it would do her reputation; that therefore all he could
desire was, that she might not deceive him, nor lead him into false
expectations; I told him further, that if she had not resolution enough
to marry him, or if she confessed she liked some other person better,
he ought not to resent or be angry at it, but still continue his esteem
and regard for her.
"I give you," said I, "the advice which I would take myself; for
sincerity has such charms to me, that I believe if my mistress, or even
my wife ingenuously confessed, she had a greater affection for another
than for me, I might be troubled, but not exasperated; I would lay
aside the character of a lover or a husband, to bestow my advice and my
pity." This discourse made Madam de Cleves blush, and she found in it a
certain similitude of her own condition, which very much surprised her,
and gave her a concern, from which she could not recover in a great
while. "Sancerre spoke to Madam de Tournon," continued Monsieur de Cleves,
"and told her all I had advised him; but she encouraged him with so
many fresh assurances, and seemed so displeased at his suspicions, that
she entirely removed them; nevertheless she deferred the marriage until
after a pretty long journey he was to make; but she behaved herself so
well until his departure, and appeared so concerned at it, that I
believed as well as he, that she sincerely loved him. He set out about
three months ago; during his absence I have seldom seen Madam de
Tournon; you have entirely taken me up, and I only knew that he was
speedily expected.