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He soon perceived that I disliked the subject; but not guessing

the real cause, he attributed my feelings to modesty, and changed

the subject from my improvement, 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.