M. Waldman inflicted torture when he praised, with kind¬

ness and warmth, the astonishing progress I had made in the sciences. He soon perceived that I disliked the sub¬ ject ; but not guessing the real cause, he attributed my feelings to modesty, and changed the subject from my im¬ provement, to the science itself, with a desire, as I evidently saw, of drawing me out. What could I do ? He meant to please, and he tormented me. I felt as if he had placed carefully, one by one, in my view those instruments which were to be afterwards used in putting me to a slow and cruel death. I writhed under his words, yet dared not exhibit the pain I felt. Clerval, whose eyes and feelings were always quick in discerning the sensations of others, declined the subject, alleging, in excuse, his total ignorance ; and the conversation took a more general turn. I thanked my friend from my heart, but I did not speak. I saw plainly that he was surprised, but he never attempted to draw my secret from me ; and although I loved him with a mixture of affection and reverence that knew no bounds, yet I could never persuade myself to confide to him that event which was so often present to my recollection, but which I feared the detail to another would only impress more deeply.