At her departure, I would have thrown myself into the water after her, and absolutely rent the air with my cries.

The week following she sent me sweetmeats, gloves, etc.

This certainly would have appeared extremely gallant, had I not been informed of her marriage at the same instant, and that the journey I had thought proper to give myself the honor of, was only to buy her wedding suit.
My indignation may easily be conceived; I shall not attempt to describe it.

In this heroic fury, I swore never more to see the perfidious girl, supposing it the greatest punishment that could be inflicted on her.
This, however, did not occasion her death, for twenty years after, while on a visit to my father, being on the lake, I asked who those ladies were in a boat not far from ours.

"What!" said my father smiling, "does not your heart inform you?
It is your former flame, it is Madame Christin, or, if you please, Miss Vulson." I started at the almost forgotten name, and instantly ordered the waterman to turn off, not judging it worth while to be perjured, however favorable the opportunity for revenge, in renewing a dispute of twenty years past, with a woman of forty.
Thus, before my future destination was determined, did I fool away the most precious moments of my youth.