I left Merceret at the inn, and ventured to his
house. How wrong was I to fear him! On seeing me, his soul gave way to
the parental tenderness with which it was filled. What tears were
mingled with our embraces! He thought I was returned to him: I related
my history, and informed him of my resolution. He opposed it feebly,
mentioning the dangers to which I exposed myself, and telling me the
shortest follies were best, but did not attempt to keep me by force,
in which particular I think he acted right; but it is certain he did
not do everything in his power to retain me, even by fair means.
Whether after the step I had taken, he thought I ought not to
return, or was puzzled at my age to know what to do with me- I have
since found that he conceived a very unjust opinion of my traveling
companion. My step-mother, a good woman, a little coaxingly put on
an appearance of wishing me to stay and sup; I did not, however,
comply, but told them I proposed remaining longer with them on my
return; leaving as a deposit my little packet, that had come by water,
and would have been an incumbrance, had I taken it with me. I
continued my journey the next morning, well satisfied that I had
seen my father, and had taken courage to do my duty.
We arrived without any accident at Fribourg. Towards the
conclusion of the journey, the politeness of Mademoiselle Merceret
rather diminished, and, after our arrival, she treated me even with
coldness. Her father, who was not in the best circumstances, did not
show me much attention, and I was obliged to lodge at an ale-house.
Pages:
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204