THE CASE OF CONSCIENCE

PARIS

I WAS immediately followed up by the master of the hotel, who came into my room to tell me I must provide lodgings elsewhere.... How so, friend? said I..... He answered I had had a young woman locked up with me two hours that evening in my bedchamber, and 'twas against the rules of his house.-Very well, said I, we'll all part friends, then,—for the girl is no worse, and I am no worse,—and you will be just as I found you. It was enough, he said, to overthrow the credit of his hotel.-Voyez vous, Monsieur, said he, pointing to the foot of the bed we had been sitting upon. I own it had something of the appearance of an evidence; but my pride not suffering me to enter into any detail of the case, I exhorted him to let his soul sleep in peace, as I resolved to let mine do that night, and that I would discharge what I owed him at breakfast.

I should not have minded, Monsieur, said he, if you

had had twenty girls.-Tis a score more, replied I, interrupting him, than I ever reckoned upon.-Provided, added he, it had been but in a morning..... And does the difference of the time of the day at

Paris make a difference in the sin? It made a

difference, he said, in the scandal. I like a good distinction, in my heart; and cannot say I was intolerably out of temper with the man-I own it necessary, resumed the master of the hotel, that a stranger at Paris should have the opportunities presented to him of buying lace, and silk stockings, and ruffles, et tout cela-and 'tis nothing if a woman comes with a band-box-O' my conscience, said I, she had one; but I never looked into it-Then, Monsieur, said he, has bought nothing?—Not one earthly thing, replied I-Because, said he, I could recommend one to you who would use you en conscience..... But I must see her this night, said I. -He made a low bow, and walked down.

Now shall I triumph over this maître d'hôtel, cried I; and what then? Then I shall let him see I know he is a dirty fellow. And what then? What then I was too near myself to say it was for the sake of others. I had no good answer left; there was more of spleen than principle in my project, and I was sick of it before the execution.