Languages & literature > Adventures of Gil Blas of Santillane > Volume 3

G I L B L A S. 2*3
foften the rigour of my deftiny : in fine, (he gave
me hopes that afiuaged my forrows a little.
I pals over the infinite contradiflions Ihe un¬
derwent, before Ihe could prevail upon Donna He¬
lena to fee me. This, however, (he accomplilhed ;
and it was concerted between them, that I Ihould
be privately admitted into the houfe of Don Bias,
the firft time he Ihould go to an eftate, where he
Bfually fpent a day or two in hunting. This de-
fign was foon put in execution : the hulband fet
cut for the country : I was informed of the occa-
fion, and one night introduced into his wife’s
apartment.
I would have begun the converfation with re¬
proaches, but my mouth was ftopt. “It is in
vain to fecal what is part, (faid the lady) the bu-
finefs here is not a fond reconciliation ; and you
are miftaken if you believe me difpofed to flatter
your inclination. I declare to you, Don Gafton,
that my only motive for giving my confent to this
private interview, in conftquence of the preffing
i infiances which have been made, is to 'tell you,
I from my own mouth, that henceforth you muft
flady to forget me altogether. Perhaps I might
I have been better fatisfied with my fate, had it
| b-en joined to yours;butfince heaven hath ordained
it otherwife, I chearfully fubmit to its decrees.”
“ How, madam !. (anfwered I) is it not enough-
that I have lolt you, and fee the happy Don Bias in
cjuiet pofltflWn of the only perfon 1 am capable of
loving ! mull I alfo banilh you from my thought ?
I'ou would deprive me of my love, and rob me
df the only blefling that now remains. Ah, orueP
<voman ; do you think it pofiible for any man
«diom you have once charmed, to retrieve his
j heart ? Know yomfeli better, and ceafe exhorting