| "adame of Tende could not withstand this discourse; her tears redoubled to such a degree that the Count of Tende was surprised by it and almost enlightened; he left her bedroom full of confusion and agitation; it seemed to him that his wife's state wasn't caused by a physical illness. This redoubling of tears, when he had spoken to her of the Prince of Navarre's death, had struck him, and, suddenly, the adventure of having found him on his knees before her bed presented itself to his mind. He remembered her behavior towards him, when he had wished to return to her, and at last he believed he saw the truth; nevertheless there remained in his mind this doubt that vanity leaves always for things which are too painful to believe.
His despair was extreme, and all his thoughts were violent; but as he was prudent, he restrained his first impulses and resolved to leave at day break without seeing his wife, allowing time to give him more certitude and to make some resolutions.
Overcome though Madame of Tende was in her anguish, she couldn't fail to realize how little power she had over herself and to notice the manner in which her husband had left her bedroom; she suspected part of the truth and, having only horror for her own life, she resolved to leave it in a manner that didn't deprive the other of hope.
After having examined that which she was going to do, with some mortal agitations, pierced by her unhappiness and repentance for her life, she determined at last to write these words to her husband:
"This letter is going to cost me my life; but I merit death and I desire it. I am pregnant. The one who is the cause of my misfortune is no longer in the world, neither is the only man who knew of our affair; the public never suspected it. I had resolved to end my life by my hands, but I offer it to God and to you for the expiation of my crime. I haven't wanted to dishonor myself in the eyes of the world, because my reputation reflects on you; conserved there for the love of you. I am going to show the state I am in; hide the shame of it and make me perish when you wish and as you wish."
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