NEXTmorningIrosewiththedawn,andhavingdressedmyselfandstoodhalf-an-hour,myelbowleaningonthechestofdrawers,consideringwhatmeansIshouldadopttorestoremyspirits,faggedwithsleeplessness,totheirordinarytone—forIhadnointentionofgettingupascenewithM.Pelet,reproachinghimwithperfidy,sendinghimachallenge,orperformingothergambadoesofthesort—Ihitatlastontheexpedientofwalkingoutinthecoolofthemorningtoaneighbouringestablishmentofbaths,andtreatingmyselftoabracingplunge.Theremedyproducedthedesiredeffect.Icamebackatseveno’clocksteadiedandinvigorated,andwasabletogreetM.Pelet,whenheenteredtobreakfast,withanunchangedandtranquilcountenanceevenacordialofferingofthehandandtheflatteringappellationof“monfils,”pronouncedinthatcaressingtonewithwhichMonsieurhad,oflatedaysespecially,beenaccustomedtoaddressme,didnotelicitanyexternalsignofthefeelingwhich,thoughsubdued,stillglowedatmyheart.NotthatInursedvengeance—nobutthesenseofinsultandtreacherylivedinmelikeakindling,thoughasyetsmotheredcoal.GodknowsIamnotbynaturevindictiveIwouldnothurtamanbecauseIcannolongertrustorlikehimbutneithermyreasonnorfeelingsareofthevacillatingorder—theyarenotofthatsand-likesortwhereimpressions,ifsoonmade,areassooneffaced.Onceconvincedthatmyfriend’sdispositionisincompatiblewithmyown,onceassuredthatheisindeliblystainedwithcertaindefectsobnoxioustomyprinciples,andIdissolvetheconnection.IdidsowithEdward.AstoPelet,thediscoverywasyetnewshouldIactthuswithhim?ItwasthequestionIplacedbeforemymindasIstirredmycupofcoffeewithahalf-pistolet(weneverhadspoons),Peletmeantimebeingseatedopposite,hispallidfacelookingasknowingandmorehaggardthanusual,hisblueeyeturned,nowsternlyonhisboysandushers,andnowgraciouslyonme.
“Circumstancesmustguideme,”s