My Dubois had a separate room with a good bed and excellent furniture. She gave me a very good supper, and we spent a delicious night. In the morning we felt more in love than ever, and were not at all disposed to comply with Lebel's wishes. Nevertheless, we had a serious conversation. The reader will remember that my mistress had promised to pardon my infidelities, provided that I confessed them. I had none to confess, but in the course of conversation I told her about Raton. "We ought to think ourselves very fortunate," said she, "for if it had not been for chance, we should have been in a fine state now." "Yes, and I should be in despair." "I don't doubt it, and you would be all the more wretched as I should never complain to you." "I only see one way of providing against such a misfortune. When I have been unfaithful to you I will punish myself by depriving myself of the pleasure of giving you proofs of my affection till I am certain that I can do so without danger." "Ah! you would punish me for your faults, would you? If you love me as I love you, believe me you would find a better remedy than that." "What is that?" "You would never be unfaithful to me." "You are right. I am sorry I was not the first to think of this plan, which I promise to follow for the future." "Don't make any promises," said she, with a sigh, "it might prove too difficult to keep them." It is only love which can inspire such conversations, but unfortunately it gains nothing by them. Next morning, just as I was going out to take my letters, the Baron de Bercei, uncle of my friend Bavois, entered. "I know," said he, "that my nephew owes his fortune to you; he is just going to be made general, and I and all the family will be enchanted to make your acquaintance. I have come to offer my services, and to beg that you will dine with me to-day, and on any other day you please when you have nothing better to do, and I hope you will always consider yourself of the family. "At the same time I beg of you not to tell anybody that my nephew has become a Catholic, as according to the prejudices of the country it would be a dishonour which would reflect on the whole family." I accepted his invitation, and promised to say nothing about the circumstance he had mentioned.