She had sense enough to
conclude, that her thirty-seven years, hare's eyes, daubed nose,
shrill voice, and black skin, stood no chance against two elegant
young girls, in all the height and bloom of beauty; she resolved,
therefore, neither to betray nor assist them, choosing rather to
lose me entirely than entertain me for them.
As Merceret had not heard from her mistress for some time, she
thought of returning to Fribourg, and the persuasions of Giraud
determined her; nay more, she intimated it was proper some one
should conduct her to her father's, and proposed me. As I happened
to be agreeable to little Merceret, she approved the idea, and the
same day they mentioned it to me as a fixed point. Finding nothing
displeasing in the manner they had disposed of me, I consented,
thinking it could not be above a week's journey at most; but Giraud,
who had arranged the whole affair, thought otherwise. It was necessary
to avow the state of my finances, and the conclusion was, that
Merceret should defray my expenses; but to retrench on one hand what
was expended on the older, I advised that her little baggage should be
sent on before, and that we should proceed by easy journeys on foot.
I am sorry to have so many girls in love with me, but as there is
nothing to be very vain of in the success of these amours, I think I
may tell the truth without scruple. Merceret, younger and less
artful than Giraud, never made me so many advances, but she imitated
my manners, my actions repeated my words, and showed me all those
little attentions I ought to have had for her.
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