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should occupy his seat at the table during his absence； and if he
acted thus from not feeling confidence that she would be able to
manage his house； let him try her this time； and he would find by
experience that she was equal to greater responsibilities。 Anselmo
replied that it was his pleasure to have it so； and that she had
only to submit and obey。 Camilla said she would do so； though
against her will。
Anselmo went； and the next day Lothario came to his house； where
he was received by Camilla with a friendly and modest welcome； but she
never suffered Lothario to see her alone； for she was always
attended by her men and women servants； especially by a handmaid of
hers； Leonela by name； to whom she was much attached （for they had
been brought up together from childhood in her father's house）； and
whom she had kept with her after her marriage with Anselmo。 The
first three days Lothario did not speak to her； though he might have
done so when they removed the cloth and the servants retired to dine
hastily； for such were Camilla's orders； nay more； Leonela had
directions to dine earlier than Camilla and never to leave her side。
She； however； having her thoughts fixed upon other things more to
her taste； and wanting that time and opportunity for her own
pleasures； did not always obey her mistress's commands； but on the
contrary left them alone； as if they had ordered her to do so； but the
modest bearing of Camilla； the calmness of her countenance； the
composure of her aspect were enough to bridle the tongue of
Lothario。 But the influence which the many virtues of Camilla
exerted in imposing silence on Lothario's tongue proved mischievous
for both of them； for if his tongue was silent his thoughts were busy；
and could dwell at leisure upon the perfections of Camilla's
goodness and beauty one by one； charms enough to warm with love a
marble statue； not to say a heart of flesh。 Lothario gazed upon her
when he might have been speaking to her； and thought how worthy of
being loved she was； and thus reflection began little by little to
assail his allegiance to Anselmo； and a thousand times he thought of
withdrawing from the city and going where Anselmo should never see him
nor he see Camilla。 But already the delight he found in gazing on
her interposed and held him fast。 He put a constraint upon himself；
and struggled to repel and repress the pleasure he found in
contemplating Camilla； when alone he blamed himself for his
weakness； called himself a bad friend； nay a bad Christian； then he
argued the matter and compared himself with Anselmo； always coming
to the conclusion that the folly and rashness of Anselmo had been
worse than his faithlessness； and that if he could excuse his
intentions as easily before God as with man； he had no reason to
fear any punishment for his offence。
In short the beauty and goodness of Camilla； joined with the
opportunity which the blind husband had placed in his hands； overthrew
the loyalty of Lothario； and giving heed to nothing save the object
towards which his inclinations led him； after Anselmo had been three
days absent； during which he had been carrying on a continual struggle
with his passion； he began to make love to Camilla with so much
vehemence and warmth of language that she was overwhelmed with
amazement； and could only rise from her place and retire to her room
without answering him a word。 But the hope which always springs up
with love was not weakened in Lothario by this repelling demeanour； on
the contrary his passion for Camilla increased； and she discovering in
him what she had never expected； knew not what to do； and
considering it neither safe nor right to give him the chance or
opportunity of speaking to her again； she resolved to send； as she did
that very night； one of her servants with a letter to Anselmo； in
which she addressed the following words to him。
CHAPTER XXXIV
IN WHICH IS CONTINUED THE NOVEL OF 〃THE ILL…ADVISED CURIOSITY〃
〃IT is commonly said that an army looks ill without its general
and a castle without its castellan； and I say that a young married
woman looks still worse without her husband unless there are very good
reasons for it。 I find myself so ill at ease without you； and so
incapable of enduring this separation； that unless you return
quickly I shall have to go for relief to my parents' house； even if
I leave yours without a protector； for the one you left me； if
indeed he deserved that title； has； I think； more regard to his own
pleasure than to what concerns you： as you are possessed of
discernment I need say no more to you； nor indeed is it fitting I
should say more。〃
Anselmo received this letter； and from it he gathered that
Lothario had already begun his task and that Camilla must have replied
to him as he would have wished； and delighted beyond measure at such
intelligence he sent word to her not to leave his house on any
account； as he would very shortly return。 Camilla was astonished at
Anselmo's reply； which placed her in greater perplexity than before；
for she neither dared to remain in her own house； nor yet to go to her
parents'； for in remaining her virtue was imperilled； and in going she
was opposing her husband's commands。 Finally she decided upon what was
the worse course for her； to remain； resolving not to fly from the
presence of Lothario； that she might not give food for gossip to her
servants； and she now began to regret having written as she had to her
husband； fearing he might imagine that Lothario had perceived in her
some lightness which had impelled him to lay aside the respect he owed
her； but confident of her rectitude she put her trust in God and in
her own virtuous intentions； with which she hoped to resist in silence
all the solicitations of Lothario； without saying anything to her
husband so as not to involve him in any quarrel or trouble； and she
even began to consider how to excuse Lothario to Anselmo when he
should ask her what it was that induced her to write that letter。 With
these resolutions； more honourable than judicious or effectual； she
remained the next day listening to Lothario； who pressed his suit so
strenuously that Camilla's firmness began to waver； and her virtue had
enough to do to come to the rescue of her eyes and keep them from
showing signs of a certain tender compassion which the tears and
appeals of Lothario had awakened in her bosom。 Lothario observed all
this； and it inflamed him all the more。 In short he felt that while
Anselmo's absence afforded time and opportunity he must press the
siege of the fortress； and so he assailed her self…esteem with praises
of her beauty； for there is nothing that more quickly reduces and
levels the castle towers of fair women's vanity than vanity itself
upon the tongue of flattery。 In fact with the utmost assiduity he
undermined the rock of her purity with such engines that had Camilla
been of brass she must have fallen。 He wept； he entreated； he
promised； he flattered； he importuned； he pretended with so much
feeling and apparent sincerity； that he overthrew the virtuous
resolves of Camilla and won the triumph he least expected and most
longed for。 Ca