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； he presumed to touch her fair hand： the lady； in affected anger； rose； and commanded him to quit the house。 The terrified youth fell at her feet； imploring pardon for his boldness； and then hastily quitted the room ere the feigned madame Rossin could pronounce the forgiveness he demanded。 'The fool；〃 was （doubtless） the princess's exclamation； 〃had he been brought up at court he would have conducted himself very differently。〃
This silliness of proceeding was； however； far from being displeasing to the princess： on the contrary； it seemed to increase her determination to prosecute the adventure。 Accordingly； on the following day she hastened to resume her former walking dress； and in it to take the road which led to the rue St。 Martin； and again to present herself as a customer at the linen…draper's shop。 This time she purchased cloth for chemises。 Indescribable and unspeakable was the joy of young Moireau； when； after having served the mistress of his thoughts； he heard her request of his master to allow the goods she had selected to be sent to her residence； and equally was he surprised that she omitted to name him as the person she wished should convey them。 Nevertheless； as may be imagined； Moireau obtained possession of the parcel； and was soon on his way to the rue Tiquetonne； where he found the lady more languishing and attractive than before； and soon they were deep in the most earnest and interesting conversation。 Moireau； who now saw that his boldness was not displeasing to the lady； became more and more presuming： true； his overtures were refused； but so gently； that it only fanned his flame； nor was it till after reiterated prayers that be succeeded in obtaining her promise to meet him on the following Sunday。 The princess； like a skilful manoeuvrer； reckoned upon the additional violence his ardor would receive from this delay。 The affection with which she had inspired him would only gain strength by thus deferring the day for their next meeting； whilst he would have time to meditate upon the virtue as well as the charms of her he had won。
The long looked for Sunday at length arrived； and Moireau was first at the place of rendezvous。 His simple dress augmented his natural good looks； whilst the countess had spared no pains to render her appearance calculated to captivate and seduce。 All reserve was thrown aside； and to satisfy the eager curiosity of her lover； she stated herself to be the widow of a country lawyer； who had come to Paris to carry on a lawsuit。 It would be useless to follow the princess during the further course of this meeting。 Suffice it to say； that Moirreau and madame d'Egmont separated mutually happy and satisfied with each other。
The youth； who was now ages gone in love； had only reached his twenty…second year； and madame Rossin was his first attachment。 So ardent and impetuous did his passion hourly grow； that it became a species of insanity。 On the other hand； the high…born dame； who had thus captivated him； felt all the attractions of his simple and untutored love； further set off by the fine manly figure of the young shopman。 Indeed； so much novelty and interest did she experience in her new amour； that； far from finding herself； as she had expected； disposed to relinquish the affair （as she had anticipated） at the end of two or three interviews； which she had imagined would have satisfied her capricious fancy； she put off； to an indefinite period； her original project of ending the affair by feigning a return to the country。
This resolution； however； she did not feel courage to carry into effect； and two or three months rolled rapidly away without any diminution of their reciprocal flame； when one fine Sunday evening Moireau； whose time hung heavily on his hands； took it into his head to visit the opera。 This species of amusement constitutes the of the delights of a French cit。 Moireau seated himself in the pit； just opposite the box of the gentlemen in waiting。 The performance was 〃Castor and Pollux。〃 At the commencement of the second act a sudden noise and bustle drew Moireau from the contemplative admiration into which the splendor of the piece had thrown him。 The disturbance arose from a general move； which was taking place in the box belonging to the gentlemen in waiting。 Madame d'Egmont had just arrived； attended by four or five grand lords of the court covered with gold； and decorated with the order of the Holy Ghost； and two ladies richly dressed； from whom she was distinguished as much by the superior magnificence of her attire as by her striking beauty。
Moireau could not believe his eyes； he felt assured he beheld madame Rossin； yet he fancied he must be under the influence of some fantastic dream； but every look； every gesture of the princess； a thousand trifles； which would have escaped the notice of a common observer； but which were engraved in indelible characters on the heart of her admirer； all concurred to assure him that he recognised in this lovely and dazzling female； so splendidly attired and so regally attended； the cherished mistress of his affections； she whom that very morning he had held in his embrace。 He addressed a thousand questions to those about him； from whom he learnt his own good fortune and the exalted rank of her he had won。 Scarcely could he restrain the burst of joy； when informed that the fair object； glittering with jewels and radiant in beauty； was the daughter of Richelieu； and the wife of one of the princes of the noble houses of Egmont。
A thousand tumultuous and flattering ideas rushed in crowds to the brain of young Moireau； and he saw in anticipation a long and brilliant vista opening before him。 Poor inexperienced youth！ He mistook the wisest and safest path； which would have been to have appeared ignorant of the high rank of his mistress； and to have induced her； from motives of affection； to preside over his fortunes； and to rise by her means without allowing her to suspect he guessed her ability to bestow riches and preferment。 He； on the contrary； hastened to her with the account of his having discovered her real rank and station。 Madame d'Egmont； whose self…possession enabled her to conceal the terror and uneasiness his recital inspired her with； listened calmly and silently till he had ceased speaking； and then asked him； with a playful smile； if he was quite sure of being in his right senses？ 〃For how otherwise could you；〃 said she； 〃confuse a poor obscure widow like myself with the rich and powerful princess you speak of？ My friend； you are under the influence of a dream； believe me； I am neither more nor less than poor widow Rossin； and can boast of no claim to the illustrious name of Egmont or Richelieu。〃
But the more she spoke the less she persuaded； and young Moireau was not to be reasoned out of his conviction。 of her identity with the high…born princess of Egmont； and he alternately employed threats and promises to induce her to confess the fact； but the lady was firm and immovable。 Resolved at all risk to preserve her incognito； she found herself compelled to bring the affair to a conclusion； by feigning extreme anger at the pertinacity with which Moireau importuned her