MEMOIRS OF JACQUES CASANOVA de SEINGALT 1725-1798

THE ETERNAL QUEST, Volume 2a--PARIS AND HOLLAND

THE RARE UNABRIDGED LONDON EDITION OF 1894 TRANSLATED BY ARTHUR MACHEN TOWHICH HAS BEEN ADDED THE CHAPTERS DISCOVERED BY ARTHUR SYMONS. 

PARIS AND HOLLAND

CHAPTER I

Count Tiretta of Trevisa Abbe Coste--Lambertini, the Pope's Niece HerNick--Name for Tiretta The Aunt and Niece--Our Talk by theFireside--Punishment of Damien--Tiretta's Mistake Anger ofMadame***--Their Reconciliation--My Happiness with Mdlle. De la MeureSilvia's Daughter--Mdlle, de la Meure Marries My Despair and Jealousy--AChange far the Better

In the beginning of March, 1757, I received a letter from my friendMadame Manzoni, which she sent to me by a young man of good appearance, with a frank and high-born air, whom I recognized as a Venetian by hisaccent. He was young Count Tiretta de Trevisa, recommended to my care byMadame Manzoni, who said that he would tell me his story, which I mightbe sure would be a true one. The kind woman sent to me by him a small boxin which she told me I should find all my manuscripts, as she did notthink she would ever see me again. 

I gave Tiretta the heartiest of welcomes, telling him that he could nothave found a better way to my favour than through a woman to whom I wasunder the greatest obligations. 

"And now, that you may be at your ease with me, I should like to know inwhat manner I can be of service to you?"

"I have need of your friendship, perhaps of your purse, but at any rateof your protection. "

"You have my friendship and my protection already, and my purse is atyour service. "

After expressing his gratitude to me, Tiretta said, "A year ago the Supreme Council of my country entrusted me with anemployment dangerous to one of my years. I was made, with some otheryoung gentlemen of my own age, a keeper of the Mont de Piete. Thepleasures of the carnival having put us to a good deal of expense, wewere short of money, and borrowed from the till hoping to be able to makeup the money before balancing-day, but hoping all in vain. 

"The fathers of my two companions, richer than mine, paid the sums theyhad taken, and I, not being able to pay, took the part of escaping byflight from the shame and the punishment I should have undergone. 

"Madame Manzoni advised me to throw myself on your mercy, and she gave mea little box which you shall have to-day. I only got to Paris yesterday, and have only two louis, a little linen, and the clothes on my back. I amtwenty-five, have an iron constitution, and a determination to do all inmy power to make an honest living; but I can do nothing. I have notcultivated any one talent in a manner to make use of it now. I can playon the flute, but only as an amateur. I only know my own language, and Ihave no taste for literature. So what can you make of me? I must addthat I have not a single expectation, least of all from my father, for tosave the honour of the family he will be obliged to sell my portion ofthe estate, to which I shall have to bid an eternal farewell. "

If the count's story had surprised me, the simplicity with which he toldit had given me pleasure; and I was resolved to do honour to MadameManzoni's introduction, feeling that it was my duty to serve afellow-countryman, who was really guilty of nothing worse than grossthoughtlessness. 

"Begin, " said I, "by bringing your small belongings to the room next tomine, and get your meals there. I will pay for everything while I amlooking out for something which may do for you. 

"We will talk of business to-morrow, for as I never dine here I rarely ifever come home till late, and I do not expect to have the honour ofseeing you again today. Leave me for the present, as I have got some workto do; and if you go out to walk, beware of bad company, and whatever youdo keep your own counsel. You are fond of gaming, I suppose?"

"I hate it, as it has been the cause of half my troubles. "

"And the other half, I'll wager, was caused by women. "

"You have guessed aright--oh, those women!"

"Well, don't be angry with them, but make them pay for the ill they havedone you. "

"I will, with the greatest pleasure, if I can. "

"If you are not too particular in your goods, you will find Paris rich insuch commodities. "

"What do you mean by particular? I would never be a prince's pathic. "

"No, no, I was not thinking of that. I mean by 'particular' a man whocannot be affectionate unless he is in love. The man who . . . . "

"I see what you mean, and I can lay no claim to such a character. Any hagwith golden eyes will always find me as affectionate as a Celadon. "

"Well said! I shall soon be able to arrange matters for you. "

"I hope you will. "

"Are you going to the ambassador's?"

"Good God!--no! What should I do when I got there? Tell him my story?He might make things unpleasant for me. "

"Not without your going to see him, but I expect he is not concerninghimself with your case. "

"That's all I ask him. "

"Everybody, my dear count, is in mourning in Paris, so go to my tailor'sand get yourself a black suit. Tell him you come from me, and say youwant it by tomorrow. Good bye. "

I went out soon after, and did not come back till midnight. I found thebox which Madame Manzoni had sent me in my room, and in it my manuscriptsand my beloved portraits, for I never pawned a snuff-box without takingthe portrait out. 

Next day Tiretta made his appearance all in black, and thanked me for histransformation. 

"They are quick, you see, at Paris. It would have taken a week atTrevisa. "

"Trevisa, my dear fellow, is not Paris. "

As I said this, the Abbe de la Coste was announced. I did not know thename, but I gave orders for him to be admitted; and there presentlyappeared the same little priest with whom I had dined at Versailles afterleaving the Abbe de la Ville. 

After the customary greetings he began by complimenting me on the successof my lottery, and then remarked that I had distributed tickets for morethan six thousand francs. 

"Yes, " I said, "and I have tickets left for several thousands more. "

"Very good, then I will invest a thousand crowns in it. "

"Whenever you please. If you call at my office you can choose thenumbers. "

"No, I don't think I'll trouble to do so; give me any numbers just asthey come. "

"Very good; here is the list you can choose from. "

He chose numbers to the amount of three thousand francs, and then askedme for a piece of paper to write an acknowledgment. 

"Why so? I can't do business that way, as I only dispose of my ticketsfor cash. "

"But you may be certain that you will have the money to-morrow. "

"I am quite sure I should, but you ought to be certain that you will havethe tickets to-morrow. They are registered at my office, and I candispose of them in no other manner. "

"Give me some which are not registered. "

"Impossible; I could not do it. "

"Why not?"

"Because if they proved to be winning numbers I should have to pay out ofmy own pocket an honour I do not desire. "

"Well, I think you might run the risk. "

"I think not, if I wish to remain an honest man, at all events. "

The abbe, who saw he could get nothing out of me, turned to Tiretta, andbegan to speak to him in bad Italian, and at last offered to introducehim to Madame de Lambertini, the widow of one of the Pope's nephews. Hername, her relationship to the Pope, and the abbe's spontaneous offer, made me curious to know more, so I said that my friend would accept hisoffer, and that I would have the honour to be of the party; whereupon weset out. 

We got down at the door of the supposed niece of the Holy Father in theRue Christine, and we proceeded to go upstairs. We saw a woman who, despite her youthful air, was, I am sure, not a day under forty. She wasrather thin, had fine black eyes, a good complexion, lively but giddymanners, was a great laugher, and still capable of exciting a passingfancy. I soon made myself at home with her, and found out, when she beganto talk, that she was neither a widow nor the niece of the Pope. She camefrom Modena, and was a mere adventuress. This discovery shewed me whatsort of a man the abbe was. 

I thought from his expression that the count had taken a fancy to her, and when she asked us to dinner I refused on the plea of an engagement;but Tiretta, who took my meaning, accepted. Soon after I went away withthe abbe, whom I dropped at the Quai de la Ferraille, and I then went tobeg a dinner at Calsabigi's. 

After dinner Calsabigi took me on one side, and told me that M. Du Vernaihad commissioned him to warn me that I could not dispose of tickets onaccount. 

"Does M. Du Vernai take me for a fool or a knave? As I am neither, Ishall complain to M. De Boulogne. "

"You will be wrong; he merely wanted to warn you and not offend you. "

"You offend me very much yourself, sir, in talking to me in that fashion;and you may make up your mind that no one shall talk to me thus a secondtime. "

Calsabigi did all in his power to quiet me down, and at last persuaded meto go with him to M. Du Vernai's. The worthy old gentleman seeing therage I was in apologized to me for what he had said, and told me that acertain Abbe de la Coste had informed him that I did so. At this I washighly indignant, and I told him what had happened that morning, whichlet M. Du Vernai know what kind of a man the abbe was. I never saw himagain, either because he got wind of my discovery, or because a happychance kept him out of my way; but I heard, three years after, that hehad been condemned to the hulks for selling tickets of a Trevaux lotterywhich was non-existent, and in the hulks he died. 

Next day Tiretta came in, and said he had only just returned. 

"You have been sleeping out, have you, master profligate?"

"Yes, I was so charmed with the she-pope that I kept her company all thenight. "

"You were not afraid of being in the way?"

"On the contrary, I think she was thoroughly satisfied with myconversation. "

"As far as I can see, you had to bring into play all your powers ofeloquence. "

"She is so well pleased with my fluency that she has begged me to accepta room in her house, and to allow her to introduce me as a cousin to M. Le Noir, who, I suppose, is her lover. "

"You will be a trio, then; and how do you think you will get ontogether?"

"That's her business. She says this gentleman will give me a goodsituation in the Inland Revenue. "

"Have you accepted her offer?"

"I did not refuse it, but I told her that I could do nothing without youradvice. She entreated me to get you to come to dinner with her onSunday. "

"I shall be happy to go. "

I went with my friend, and as soon as the harebrain saw us she fell onTiretta's neck, calling him dear Count "Six-times"--a name which stuck tohim all the time he was at Paris. 

"What has gained my friend so fine a title, madam?"

"His erotic achievements. He is lord of an honour of which little isknown in France, and I am desirous of being the lady. "

"I commend you for so noble an ambition. "

After telling me of his feats with a freedom which chewed her exemptionfrom vulgar prejudice, she informed me that she wished her cousin to livein the same house, and had already obtained M. Le Noir's permission, which was given freely. 

"M. Le Noir, " added the fair Lambertini, "will drop in after dinner, andI am dying to introduce Count 'Sixtimes' to him. "

After dinner she kept on speaking of the mighty deeds of my countryman, and began to stir him up, while he, no doubt, pleased to have a witnessto his exploits, reduced her to silence. I confess that I witnessed thescene without excitement, but as I could not help seeing the athleticperson of the count, I concluded that he might fare well everywhere withthe ladies. 

About three o'clock two elderly women arrived, to whom the Lambertinieagerly introduced Count "Six-times. " In great astonishment they enquiredthe origin of his title, and the heroine of the story having whispered itto them, my friend became an object of interest. 

"I can't believe it, " said one of these ladies, ogling the count, whilehis face seemed to say, "Would you like to try?"

Shortly after, a coach stopped at the door, and a fat woman ofmiddle-aged appearance and a very pretty girl were ushered in; after themcame a pale man in a black suit and a long wig. After greeting them in amanner which implied intimacy, the Pope's niece introduced her cousinCount "Six-strokes". The elderly woman seemed to be astonished at such aname, but the Lambertini gave no explanation. Nevertheless, people seemedto think it rather curious that a man who did not know a word of Frenchshould be living in Paris, and that in spite of his ignorance hecontinued to jabber away in an easy manner, though nobody couldunderstand what he was talking about. 

After some foolish conversation, the Pope's niece proposed a game at Loo. She asked me to play but on my refusing did not make a point of it, butshe insisted on her cousin being her partner. 

"He knows nothing about cards, " said she; "but that's no matter, he willlearn, and I will undertake to instruct him. "

As the girl, by whose beauty I was struck, did not understand the game, Ioffered her a seat by the fire, asking her to grant me the honour ofkeeping her company, whereupon the elderly woman who had brought herbegan to laugh, and said I should have some difficulty in getting herniece to talk about anything, adding, in a polite manner, that she hopedI would be lenient with her as she had only just left a convent. Iassured her that I should have no difficulty in amusing myself with oneso amiable, and the game having begun I took up my position near thepretty niece. 

I had been near her for several minutes, and solely occupied in muteadmiration of her beauty, when she asked me who was that handsomegentleman who talked so oddly. 

"He is a nobleman, and a fellow-countryman of mine, whom an affair ofhonour has banished from his country. "

"He speaks a curious dialect. "

"Yes, but the fact is that French is very little spoken in Italy; he willsoon pick it up in Paris, and then he will be laughed at no longer. I amsorry to have brought him here, for in less than twenty-four hours he wasspoiled. "

"How spoiled?"

"I daren't tell you as, perhaps, your aunt would not like it. "

"I don't think I should tell her, but, perhaps, I should not have asked. "

"Oh, yes! you should; and as you wish to know I will make no mystery ofit. Madame Lambertini took a fancy to him; they passed the nighttogether, and in token of the satisfaction he gave her she has given himthe ridiculous nickname of 'Count Sixtimes. ' That's all. I am vexed aboutit, as my friend was no profligate. "

Astonishment--and very reasonable astonishment--will be expressed that Idared to talk in this way to a girl fresh from a convent; but I shouldhave been astonished myself at the bare idea of any respectable girlcoming to Lambertini's house. I fixed my gaze on my fair companion, andsaw the blush of shame mounting over her pretty face; but I thought thatmight have more than one meaning. 

Judge of my surprise when, two minutes afterwards, I heard this question:

"But what has 'Sixtimes' got to do with sleeping with Madame Lambertini?"

"My dear young lady, the explanation is perfectly simple: my friend in asingle night did what a husband often takes six weeks to do. "

"And you think me silly enough to tell my aunt of what we have beentalking? Don't believe it. "

"But there's another thing I am sorry about. "

"You shall tell me what that is directly. "

The reason which obliged the charming niece to retire for a few minutesmay be guessed without our going into explanations. When she came backshe went behind her aunt's chair, her eyes fixed on Tiretta, and thencame up to me, and taking her seat again, said:

"Now, what else is it that you are sorry about?" her eyes sparkling asshe asked the question. 

"May I tell you, do you think?"

"You have said so much already, that I don't think you need have anyscruples in telling me the rest. "

"Very good: you must know, then, that this very day and in my presencehe---- -her. "

"If that displeased you, you must be jealous. "

"Possibly, but the fact is that I was humbled by a circumstance I darenot tell you. "

"I think you are laughing at me with your 'dare not tell you. '"

"God forbid, mademoiselle! I will confess, then, that I was humbledbecause Madame Lambertini made me see that my friend was taller thanmyself by two inches. "

"Then she imposed on you, for you are taller than your friend. "

"I am not speaking of that kind of tallness, but another; you know what Imean, and there my friend is really monstrous. "

"Monstrous! then what have you to be sorry about? Isn't it better not tobe monstrous?"

"Certainly; but in the article we are discussing, some women, unlike you, prefer monstrosity. "

"I think that's absurd of them, or rather mad; or perhaps, I have notsufficiently clear ideas on the subject to imagine what size it would beto be called monstrous; and I think it is odd that such a thing shouldhumble you. "

"You would not have thought it of me, to see me?"

"Certainly not, for when I came into the room I thought you looked awell-proportioned man, but if you are not I am sorry for you. "

"I won't leave you in doubt on the subject; look for yourself, and tellme what you think. "

"Why, it's you who are the monster! I declare you make me feel quiteafraid. "

At this she began to perspire violently, and went behind her aunt'schair. I did not stir, as I was sure she would soon come back, puttingher down in my own mind as very far removed from silliness or innocenceeither. I supposed she wished to affect what she did not possess. I was, moreover, delighted at having taken the opportunity so well. I hadpunished her for having tried to impose on me; and as I had taken a greatfancy to her, I was pleased that she seemed to like her punishment. Asfor her possession of wit, there could be no doubt on that point, for itwas she who had sustained the chief part in our dialogue, and my sayingsand doings were all prompted by her questions, and the persevering way inwhich she kept to the subject. 

She had not been behind her aunt's chair for five minutes when the latterwas looed. She, not knowing whom to attack, turned on her niece and said, "Get you gone, little silly, you are bringing me bad luck! Besides, it isbad manners to leave the gentleman who so kindly offered to keep youcompany all by himself. "

The amiable niece made not answer, and came back to me smiling. "If myaunt knew, " said she, "what you had done to me, she would not haveaccused me of bad manners. "

"I can't tell you how sorry I am. I want you to have some evidence of myrepentance, but all that I can do is to go. Will you be offended if Ido?"

"If you leave me, my aunt will call me a dreadful stupid, and will saythat I have tired you out. "

"Would you like me to stay, then?"

"You can't go. "

"Had you no idea what I shewed you was like till just now?"

"My ideas on the subject were inaccurate. My aunt only took me out of theconvent a month ago, and I had been there since I was seven. "

"How old are you now?"

"Seventeen. They tried to make me take the veil, but not having anyrelish for the fooleries of the cloister I refused. "

"Are you vexed with me?"

"I ought to be very angry with you, but I know it was my fault, so I willonly ask you to be discreet. "

"Don't be afraid, if I were indiscreet I should be the first to suffer. "

"You have given me a lesson which will come in useful. Stop! stop! or Iwill go away. "

"No, keep quiet; it's done now. "

I had taken her pretty hand, with which she let me do as I liked, and atlast when she drew it back she was astonished to find it wanted wiping. 

"What is that?"

"The most pleasant of substances, which renovates the world. "

"I see you are an excellent master. Your pupils make rapid progress, andyou give your lessons with such a learned air. "

"Now don't be angry with me for what has happened. I should never havedared to go so far if your beauty had not inspired me. "

"Am I to take that speech as a declaration of love?"

"Yes, it is bold, sweetheart, but it is sincere. If it were not, I shouldbe unworthy both of you and of myself. "

"Can I believe you?"

"Yes, with all your heart. But tell me if I may hope for your love?"

"I don't know. All I know at present is that I ought to hate you, for inthe space of a quarter of an hour you have taught me what I thought Ishould never know till I was married. "

"Are you sorry?"

"I ought to be, although I feel that I have nothing more to learn on amatter which I never dared to think about. But how is it that you havegot so quiet?"

"Because we are talking reasonably and after the rapture love requiressome repose. But look at this!"

"What! again? Is that the rest of the lesson?"

"It is the natural result of it. "

"How is it that you don't frighten me now?"

"The soldier gets used to fire. "

"I see our fire is going out. "

With these words she took up a stick to poke the fire, and as she wasstooping down in a favourable position my rash hand dared to approach theporch of the temple, and found the door closed in such sort that it wouldbe necessary to break it open if one wished to enter the sanctuary. Shegot up in a dignified way, and told me in a polite and feeling mannerthat she was a well-born girl and worthy of respect. Pretending to beconfused I made a thousand excuses, and I soon saw the amiable expressionreturn to the face which it became so well. I said that in spite of myrepentance I was glad to know that she had never made another man happy. 

"Believe me, " she said, "that if I make anyone happy it will be myhusband, to whom I have given my hand and heart. "

I took her hand, which she abandoned to my rapturous kisses. I hadreached this pleasant stage in the proceedings when M. Le Noir wasannounced, he having come to enquire what the Pope's niece had to say tohim. 

M. Le Noir, a man of a certain age and of a simple appearance, begged thecompany to remain seated. The Lambertini introduced me to him, and heasked if I were the artist; but on being informed that I was his elderbrother, he congratulated me on my lottery and the esteem in which M. DuVernai held me. But what interested him most was the cousin whom the fairniece of the Pope introduced to him under his real name of Tiretta, thinking, doubtless, that his new title would not carry much weight withM. Le Noir. Taking up the discourse, I told him that the count wascommanded to me by a lady whom I greatly esteemed, and that he had beenobliged to leave his country for the present on account of an affair ofhonour. The Lambertini added that she wished to accommodate him, but hadnot liked to do so till she had consulted M. Le Noir. "Madam, " said theworthy man, "you have sovereign power in your house, and I shall bedelighted to see the count in your society. "

As M. Le Noir spoke Italian very well, Tiretta left the table, and we satdown all four of us by the fire, where my fresh conquest had anopportunity of shewing her wit. M. Le Noir was a man of much intelligenceand great experience. He made her talk of the convent where she had been, and as soon as he knew her name he began to speak of her father, withwhom he had been well acquainted. He was a councillor of the Parliamentof Rouen, and had enjoyed a great reputation during his lifetime. 

My sweetheart was above the ordinary height, her hair was a fine goldencolour, and her regular features, despite the brilliance of her eyes, expressed candour and modesty. Her dress allowed me to follow all thelines of her figure, and the eyes dwelt pleasantly on the beauty of herform, and on the two spheres which seemed to lament their too closeconfinement. Although M. Le Noir said nothing of all this, it was easy tosee that in his own way he admired her perfections no less than I. Heleft us at eight o'clock, and half an hour afterwards the fat aunt wentaway followed by her charming niece and the pale man who had come withthem. I lost no time in taking leave with Tiretta, who promised thePope's niece to join her on the morrow, which he did. 

Three or four days later I received at my office a letter from Mdlle. Dela Meure--the pretty niece. It ran as follows: "Madame, my aunt, my latemother's sister, is a devotee, fond of gaming, rich, stingy, and unjust. She does not like me, and not having succeeded in persuading me to takethe veil, she wants to marry me to a wealthy Dunkirk merchant, whom I donot know, but (mark this) whom she does not know any more than I do. Thematrimonial agent has praised him very much, and very naturally, as a manmust praise his own goods. This gentleman is satisfied with an income oftwelve hundred francs per annum, but he promises to leave me in his willno less than a hundred and fifty thousand francs. You must know that bymy mother's will my aunt is obliged to pay me on my wedding daytwenty-five thousand crowns. 

"If what has taken place between us has not made me contemptible in yoursight, I offer you my hand and heart with sixty-five thousand francs, andas much more on my aunt's death. 

"Don't send me any answer, as I don't know how or by whom to receive yourletter. You can answer me in your own person next Sunday at MadameLambertini's. You will thus have four days whereon to consider this mostimportant question. I do not exactly know whether I love you, but I amquite sure that I prefer you to any other man. I know that each of us hasstill to gain the other's esteem, but I am sure you would make my life ahappy one, and that I should be a faithful wife. If you think that thehappiness I seek can add to your own, I must warn you that you will needthe aid of a lawyer, as my aunt is miserly, and will stick at trifles. 

"If you decide in the affirmative you must find a convent for me to takerefuge in before I commit myself to anything, as otherwise I should beexposed to the harsh treatment I wish to avoid. If, on the other hand, myproposal does not meet your views, I have one favour to ask by grantingwhich you will earn my everlasting gratitude. This is that you willendeavour to see me no more, and will take care not to be present in anycompany in which you think I am to be found. Thus you will help me toforget you, and this is the least you can do for me. You may guess that Ishall never be happy till I have become your wife or have forgotten you. Farewell! I reckon upon seeing you on Sunday. "

This letter affected me. I felt that it was dictated by prudent, virtuous, and honourable feelings, and I found even more merit in theintellectual endowments of the girl than in her beauty. I blushed athaving in a manner led her astray, and I should have thought myselfworthy of punishment if I had been capable of refusing the hand offeredto me with so much nobility of feeling. And a second but still a powerfulconsideration made me look complacently upon a fortune larger than Icould reasonably expect to win. Nevertheless, the idea of the marriagestate, for which I felt I had no vocation, made me tremble. 

I knew myself too well not to be aware that as a married man I should beunhappy, and, consequently, with the best intentions I should fail inmaking the woman's life a happy one. My uncertainty in the four dayswhich she had wisely left me convinced me that I was not in love withher. In spite of that, so weak was I that I could not summon up courageto reject her offer--still less to tell her so frankly, which would havemade her esteem me. 

During these four days I was entirely absorbed in this one subject. Ibitterly repented of having outraged her modesty, for I now esteemed andrespected her, but yet I could not make up my mind to repair the wrong Ihad done her. I could not bear to incur her dislike, but the idea oftying myself down was dreadful to me; and such is the condition of a manwho has to choose between two alternatives, and cannot make up his mind. 

Fearing lest my evil genius should take me to the opera or elsewhere, andin spite of myself make me miss my appointment, I resolved to dine withthe Lambertini without having come to any decision. The pious niece ofthe Pope was at mass when I reached her house. I found Tiretta engaged inplaying on the flute, but as soon as he saw me he dropped the instrument, ran up to me, embraced me, and gave me back the money his suit had costme. 

"I see you are in cash, old fellow; I congratulate you. "

"It's a grievous piece of luck to me, for the money is stolen, and I amsorry I have got it though I was an accomplice in the theft. "

"What! the money is stolen?"

"Yes, sharping is done here, and I have been taught to help. I share intheir ill-gotten gains because I have not the strength of mind to refuse. My landlady and two or three women of the same sort pluck the pigeons. The business does not suit me, and I am thinking of leaving it. Sooner orlater I shall kill or be killed, and either event will be the death ofme, so I am thinking of leaving this cutthroat place as soon aspossible. "

"I advise you--nay, I bid you do so by all means, and I should think youhad better be gone to-day than to-morrow. "

"I don't want to do anything suddenly, as M. Le Noir is a gentleman andmy friend, and he thinks me a cousin to this wretched woman. As he knowsnothing of the infamous trade she carries on, he would suspect something, and perhaps would leave her after learning the reason of my departure. Ishall find some excuse or other in the course of the next five or sixdays, and then I will make haste and return to you. "

The Lambertini thanked me for coming to dinner in a friendly manner, andtold me that we should have the company of Mdlle. De la Meure and heraunt. I asked her if she was still satisfied with my friend "Sixtimes, "and she told me that though the count did not always reside on his manor, she was for all that delighted with him; and said she, "I am too good a monarch to ask too much of my vassals. "

I congratulated her, and we continued to jest till the arrival of the twoother guests. 

As soon as Mdlle. De la Meure saw me she could scarcely conceal herpleasure. She was in half mourning, and looked so pretty in this costume, which threw up the whiteness of her skin, that I still wonder why thatinstant did not determine my fate. 

Tiretta, who had been making his toilette, rejoined us, and as nothingprevented me from shewing the liking I had taken for the amiable girl Ipaid her all possible attention. I told the aunt that I found her nieceso pretty that I would renounce my bachelorhood if I could find such amate. 

"My niece is a virtuous and sweet-tempered 'girl, sir, but she is utterlydevoid either of intelligence or piety. "

"Never mind the intelligence, " said the niece, "but I was never foundwanting in piety at the convent. "

"I dare say the nuns are of the jesuitical party. "

"What has that got to do with it, aunt?"

"Very much, child; the Jesuits and their adherents are well known to haveno vital religion. But let us talk of something else. All that I want youto do is to know how to please your future husband. "

"Is mademoiselle about to marry, then?"

"Her intended will probably arrive at the beginning of next month. "

"Is he a lawyer?"

"No, sir; he is a well-to-do merchant. "

"M. Le Noir told me that your niece was the daughter of a councillor, andI did not imagine that you would sanction her marrying beneath her. "

"There will be no question of such a thing in this instance, sir; and, after all, what is marrying beneath one? My niece's intended is anhonest, and therefore a noble, man, and I am sure it will be her fault ifshe does not lead a life of perfect happiness with him. "

"Quite so, supposing she loves him. "

"Oh! love and all that kind of thing will come in good time, you know. "

As these remarks could only give pain to the young lady, who listened insilence, I changed the conversation to the enormous crowd which would bepresent at the execution of Damien, and finding them extremely desirousof witnessing this horrible sight I offered them a large window with anexcellent view. The ladies accepted with great pleasure, and I promisedto escort them in good time. 

I had no such thing as a window, but I knew that in Paris, as everywhere, money will procure anything. After dinner I went out on the plea ofbusiness, and, taking the first coach I came across, in a quarter of anhour I succeeded in renting a first floor window in excellent positionfor three louis. I paid in advance, taking care to have a receipt. 

My business over, I hastened to rejoin the company, and found themengaged in piquet. Mdlle. De la Meure, who knew nothing about it, wastired of looking on. I came up to her, and having something to say wewent to the other end of the room. 

"Your letter, dearest, has made me the happiest of men. You havedisplayed in it such intelligence and such admirable characteristics aswould win you the fervent adoration of every man of good sense. "

"I only want one man's love. I will be content with the esteem of therest. "

"My angel, I will make you my wife, and I shall bless till my latestbreath the lucky audacity to which I owe my being chosen before other menwho would not have refused your hand, even without the fifty thousandcrowns, which are nothing in comparison with your beauty and your wit. "

"I am very glad you like me so much. "

"Could I do otherwise? And now that you know my heart, do nothinghastily, but trust in me. "

"You will not forget how I am placed. "

"I will bear it in mind. Let me have time to take a house, to furnish itand to put myself in a position in which I shall be worthy of your hand. You must remember that I am only in furnished apartments; that you arewell connected, and that I should not like to be regarded as afortune-hunter. "

"You know that my intended husband will soon arrive?"

"Yes, I will take care of that. "

"When he does come, you know, matters will be pushed on rapidly. "

"Not too rapidly for me to be able to set you free in twenty-four hours, and without letting your aunt know that the blow comes from me. You mayrest assured, dearest, that the minister for foreign affairs, on beingassured that you wish to marry me, and me only, will get you aninviolable asylum in the best convent in Paris. He will also retaincounsel on your behalf, and if your mother's will is properly drawn outyour aunt will soon be obliged to hand over your dowry, and to givesecurity for the rest of the property. Do not trouble yourself about thematter, but let the Dunkirk merchant come when he likes. At all hazards, you may reckon upon me, and you may be sure you will not be in youraunt's house on the day fixed for the wedding. "

"I confide in you entirely, but for goodness' sake say no more on acircumstance which wounds my sense of modesty. You said that I offeredyou marriage because you took liberties with me?"

"Was I wrong?"

"Yes, partly, at all events; and you ought to know that if I had not goodreasons I should have done a very foolish thing in offering to marry you, but I may as well tell you that, liberties or no liberties, I shouldalways have liked you better than anyone. "

I was beside myself with joy, and seizing her hand I covered it withtender and respectful kisses; and I feel certain that if a notary andpriest had been then and there available, I should have married herwithout the smallest hesitation. 

Full of each other, like all lovers, we paid no attention to the horribleracket that was going on at the other end of the room. At last I thoughtit my duty to see what was happening, and leaving my intended I rejoinedthe company to quiet Tiretta. 

I saw on the table a casket, its lid open, and full of all sorts ofjewels; close by were two men who were disputing with Tiretta, who held abook in one hand. I saw at once that they were talking about a lottery, but why were they disputing? Tiretta told me they were a pair of knaveswho had won thirty or forty louis of him by means of the book, which hehanded to me. 

"Sir, " said one of the gamesters, "this book treats of a lottery in whichall the calculations are made in the fairest manner possible. It containstwelve hundred leaves, two hundred being winning leaves, while the restare blanks. Anyone who wants to play has only to pay a crown, and then toput a pin's point at random between two leaves of the closed book. Thebook is then opened at the place where the pin is, and if the leaf isblank the player loses; but if, on the other hand, the leaf bears anumber, he is given the corresponding ticket, and an article of the valueindicated on the ticket is then handed to him. Please to observe, sir, that the lowest prize is twelve francs, and there are some numbers worthas much as six hundred francs, and even one to the value of twelvehundred. We have been playing for an hour, and have lost several costlyarticles, and madam, " pointing to my sweetheart's aunt, "has won a ringworth six louis, but as she preferred cash, she continued playing andlost the money she had gained. "

"Yes, " said the aunt, "and these gentlemen have won everybody's moneywith their accursed game; which proves it is all a mere cheat. "

"It proves they are rogues, " said Tiretta. 

"But gentlemen, " answered one of them, "in that case the receivers of theGovernment lottery are rogues too"; whereon Tiretta gave him a box on theear. I threw myself between the two combatants, and told them not tospeak a word. 

"All lotteries, " said I, "are advantageous to the holders, but the kingis at the head of the Government lottery, and I am the principalreceiver, in which character I shall proceed to confiscate this casket, and give you the choice of the following alternatives: You can, if youlike, return to the persons present the money you have unlawfully wonfrom them, whereupon I will let you go with your box. If you refuse to doso, I shall send for a policeman, who will take you to prison, andto-morrow you will be tried by M. Berier, to whom I shall take this bookin the morning. We shall soon see whether we are rogues as well as they. "

Seeing that they had to do with a man of determination, and thatresistance would only result in their losing all, they resolved with asgood a grace as they could muster to return all their winnings, and forall I know double the sum, for they were forced to return forty louis, though they swore they had only won twenty. The company was too selectfor me to venture to decide between them. In point of fact I was ratherinclined to believe the rascals, but I was angry with them, and I wantedthem to pay a good price for having made a comparison, quite right in themain, but odious to me in the extreme. The same reason, doubtless, prevented me from giving them back their book, which I had no earthlyright to keep, and which they asked me in vain to return to them. Myfirmness and my threats, and perhaps also the fear of the police, madethem think themselves lucky to get off with their jewel-box. As soon asthey were gone the ladies, like the kindly creatures they were, began topity them. "You might have given them back their book, " they said to me. 

"And you, ladies, might have let them keep their money. "

"But they cheated us of it. "

"Did they? Well, their cheating was done with the book, and I have donethem a kindness by taking it from them. "

They felt the force of my remarks, and the conversation took anotherturn. 

Early next morning the two gamesters paid me a visit bringing with themas a bribe a beautiful casket containing twenty-four lovely pieces ofDresden china. I found this argument irresistible, and I felt obliged toreturn them the book, threatening them at the same time with imprisonmentif they dared to carry on their business in Paris for the future. Theypromised me to abstain from doing so--no doubt with a mental reservation, but I cared nothing about that. 

I resolved to offer this beautiful gift to Mdlle. De la Meure, and I tookit to her the same day. I had a hearty welcome, and the aunt loaded mewith thanks. 

On March the 28th, the day of Damien's martyrdom, I went to fetch theladies in good time; and as the carriage would scarcely hold us all, noobjection was made to my taking my sweetheart on my knee, and in thisorder we reached the Place de Greve. The three ladies packing themselvestogether as tightly as possible took up their positions at the window, leaning forward on their elbows, so as to prevent us seeing from behind. The window had two steps to it, and they stood on the second; and inorder to see we had to stand on the same step, for if we had stood on thefirst we should not have been able to see over their heads. I have myreasons for giving these minutiae, as otherwise the reader would havesome difficulty in guessing at the details which I am obliged to passover in silence. 

We had the courage to watch the dreadful sight for four hours. Thecircumstances of Damien's execution are too well known to render itnecessary for me to speak of them; indeed, the account would be too longa one, and in my opinion such horrors are an offence to our commonhumanity. 

Damien was a fanatic, who, with the idea of doing a good work andobtaining a heavenly reward, had tried to assassinate Louis XV. ; andthough the attempt was a failure, and he only gave the king a slightwound, he was torn to pieces as if his crime had been consummated. 

While this victim of the Jesuits was being executed, I was several timesobliged to turn away my face and to stop my ears as I heard his piercingshrieks, half of his body having been torn from him, but the Lambertiniand the fat aunt did not budge an inch. Was it because their hearts werehardened? They told me, and I pretended to believe them, that theirhorror at the wretch's wickedness prevented Them feeling that compassionwhich his unheard-of torments should have excited. The fact was thatTiretta kept the pious aunt curiously engaged during the whole time ofthe execution, and this, perhaps, was what prevented the virtuous ladyfrom moving or even turning her head round. 

Finding himself behind her, he had taken the precaution to lift up herdress to avoid treading on it. That, no doubt, was according to the rule;but soon after, on giving an involuntary glance in their direction, Ifound that Tiretta had carried his precautions rather far, and, notwishing to interrupt my friend or to make the lady feel awkward, I turnedmy head and stood in such a way that my sweetheart could see nothing ofwhat was going on; this put the good lady at her ease. For two hoursafter I heard a continuous rustling, and relishing the joke I kept quietthe whole time. I admired Tiretta's hearty appetite still more than hiscourage, but what pleased me most was the touching resignation with whichthe pious aunt bore it all. 

At the end of this long session I saw Madame turn round, and doing thesame I fixed my gaze on Tiretta, and found him looking as fresh and coolas if nothing had happened, but the aunt seemed to me to have a ratherpensive appearance. She had been under the fatal necessity of keepingquiet and letting Tiretta do what he liked for fear of the Lambertini'sjests, and lest her niece might be scandalized by the revelation ofmysteries of which she was supposed to know nothing. 

We set out, and having dropped the Pope's niece at her door, I begged herto lend me Tiretta for a few hours, and I then took Madame to her housein the Rue St. Andre-des-Arts. She asked me to come and see her thefollowing day as she had something to tell me, and I remarked that shetook no notice of my friend as she left us. We went to the "Hotel deRussie, " where they gave you an excellent dinner for six francs a head, and I thought my mad friend stood in need of recruiting his strength. 

"What were you doing behind Madame--?" said I. 

"I am sure you saw nothing, or anybody else either. "

"No, because when I saw the beginning of your manoeuvres, and guessedwhat was coming, I stood in such a way that neither the Lambertini or thepretty niece could see you. I can guess what your goal was, and I mustsay I admire your hearty appetite. But your wretched victim appears to berather angry. "

"Oh! my dear fellow, that's all the affectation of an old maid. She maypretend to be put out, but as she kept quiet the whole time I am certainshe would be glad to begin all over again. "

"I think so, too, in her heart of hearts; but her pride might suggestthat you had been lacking in respect, and the suggestion would be by nomeans groundless. "

"Respect, you say; but must one not always be lacking in respect to womenwhen one wants to come to the point?"

"Quite so, but there's a distinction between what lovers may do when theyare together, and what is proper in the presence of a mixed company. "

"Yes, but I snatched four distinct favours from her, without the leastopposition; had I not therefore good reasons for taking her consent forgranted?"

"You reason well, but you see she is out of humour with you. She wants tospeak to me to-morrow, and I have no doubt that you will be the subjectof our conversation. "

"Possibly, but still I should think she would not speak to you of thecomic piece of business; it would be very silly of her. "

"Why so? You don't know these pious women. They are brought up byJesuits, who often give them some good lessons on the subject, and theyare delighted to confess to a third party; and these confessions with aseasoning of tears gives them in their own eyes quite a halo ofsaintliness. "

"Well, let her tell you if she likes. We shall see what comes of it. "

"Possibly she may demand satisfaction; in which case I shall be glad todo my best for her. "

"You make me laugh! I can't imagine what sort of satisfaction she couldclaim, unless she wants to punish me by the 'Lex talionis', which wouldbe hardly practicable without a repetition of the original offence. Ifshe had not liked the game, all she had to do was to give me a push whichwould have sent me backwards. "

"Yes, but that would have let us know what you had been trying to do. "

"Well, if it comes to that, the slightest movement would have renderedthe whole process null and void; but as it was she stood in the properposition as quiet as a lamb; nothing could be easier. "

"It's an amusing business altogether. But did you notice that theLambertini was angry with you, too? She, perhaps, saw what you weredoing, and felt hurt. "

"Oh! she has got another cause of complaint against me. We have fallenout, and I am leaving her this evening. "

"Really?"

"Yes, I will tell you all about it. Yesterday evening, a young fellow inthe Inland Revenue who had been seduced to sup with us by a hussy ofGenoa, after losing forty louis, threw, the cards in the face of mylandlady and called her a thief. On the impulse of the moment I took acandle and put it out on his face. I might have destroyed one of hiseyes, but I fortunately hit him on the cheek. He immediately ran for hissword, mine was ready, and if the Genoese had not thrown herself betweenus murder might have been committed. When the poor wretch saw his cheekin the glass, he became so furious that nothing short of the return ofall his money would appease him. They gave it him back, in spite of myadvice, for in doing so they admitted, tacitly at all events, that it hadbeen won by cheating. This caused a sharp dispute between the Lambertiniand myself after he had gone. She said we should have kept the fortylouis, and nothing would have happened except for my interference, thatit was her and not me whom the young man had insulted. The Genoese addedthat if we had kept cool we should have had the plucking of him, but thatGod alone knew what he would do now with the mark of the burn on hisface. Tired of the talk of these infamous women, I was about to leavethem, but my landlady began to ride the high horse, and went so far as tocall me a beggar. 

"If M. Le Noir had not come in just then, she would have had a bad timeof it, as my stick was already in my hand. As soon as they saw him theytold me to hold my tongue, but my blood was up; and turning towards theworthy man I told him that his mistress had called me a beggar, that shewas a common prostitute, that I was not her cousin, nor in any wayrelated to her, and that I should leave her that very day. As soon as Ihad come to the end of this short and swift discourse, I went out andshut myself up in my room. In the course of the next two hours I shall goand fetch my linen, and I hope to breakfast with you to-morrow. "

Tiretta did well. His heart was in the right place, and he was wise notto allow the foolish impulses of youth to plunge him in the sink ofcorruption. As long as a man has not committed a dishonourable action, aslong as his heart is sound, though his head may go astray, the path ofduty is still open to him. I should say the same of women if prejudicewere not so strong in their case, and if they were not much more underthe influence of the heart than the head. 

After a good dinner washed down by some delicious Sillery we parted, andI spent the evening in writing. Next morning I did some business, and atnoon went to see the distressed devotee, whom I found at home with hercharming niece. We talked a few minutes about the weather, and she thentold my sweetheart to leave us as she wanted to speak to me. I wasprepared for what was coming and I waited for her to break the silencewhich all women of her position observe. "You will be surprised, sir, atwhat I am going to tell you, for I have determined to bring before you acomplaint of an unheard-of character. The case is really of the mostdelicate nature, and I am impelled to make a confidant of you by theimpression you made on me when I first saw you. I consider you to be aman of discretion, of honour, and above all a moral man; in short, Ibelieve you have experienced religion, and if I am making a mistake itwill be a pity, for though I have been insulted I don't lack means ofavenging myself, and as you are his friend you will be sorry for him. "

"Is Tiretta the guilty party, madam?"

"The same. "

"And what is his crime?"

"He is a villain; he has insulted me in the most monstrous manner. "

"I should not have thought him capable of doing so. "

"I daresay not, but then you are a moral man. "

"But what was the nature of his offence? You may confide in my secrecy. "

"I really couldn't tell you, it's quite out of the question; but I trustyou will be able to guess it. Yesterday, during the execution of thewretched Damien, he strongly abused the position in which he foundhimself behind me. "

"I see; I understand what you mean; you need say no more. You have causefor anger, and he is to blame for acting in such a manner. But allow meto say that the case is not unexampled or even uncommon, and I think youmight make some allowance for the strength of love, the close quarters, and above all for the youth and passion of the sinner. Moreover, theoffence is one which may be expiated in a number of ways, provided theparties come to an agreement. Tiretta is young and a perfect gentleman, he is handsome and at bottom a good fellow; could not a marriage bearranged?"

I waited for a reply, but perceiving that the injured party kept silence(a circumstance which seemed to me a good omen) I went on. 

"If marriage should not meet your views, we might try a lastingfriendship, in which he could shew his repentance and prove himselfdeserving of pardon. Remember, madam, that Tiretta is only a man, andtherefore subject to all the weaknesses of our poor human nature; andeven you have your share of the blame. "

"I, sir?"

"Involuntarily, madam, involuntarily; not you but your charms led himastray. Nevertheless, without this incentive the circumstance would neverhave taken place, and I think you should consider your beauty as amitigation of the offence. "

"You plead your cause well, sir, but I will do you justice and confessthat all your remarks have been characterized by much Christian feeling. However, you are reasoning on false premises; you are ignorant of hisreal crime, yet how should you guess it?"

With this she burst into tears, leading me completely off the scent, andnot knowing what to think. 

"He can't have stolen her purse, " said I to myself, "as I don't think himcapable of such an action; and if I did I'd blow his brains out. "

The afflicted lady soon dried her tears, and went on as follows:

"You are thinking of a deed which one might possibly succeed inreconciling with reason, and in making amends for; but the crime of whichthat brute has been guilty I dare scarcely imagine, as it is almostenough to drive me mad. "

"Good heavens! you can't mean it? This is dreadful; do I hear youaright?"

"Yes. You are moved, I see, but such are the circumstances of the case. Pardon my tears, which flow from anger and the shame with which I amcovered. "

"Yes, and from outraged religion, too. "

"Certainly, certainly. That is the chief source of my grief, and I shouldhave mentioned it if I had not feared you were not so strongly attachedto religion as myself. "

"Nobody, God be praised! could be more strongly attached to religion thanI, and nothing can ever unloose the ties which bind me to it:"

"You will be grieved, then, to hear that I am destined to suffer eternalpunishment, for I must and will be avenged. "

"Not so, madam, perish the thought, as I could not become your accomplicein such a design, and if you will not abandon it at least say nothing tome on the subject. I will promise you to tell him nothing, although as helives with me the sacred laws of hospitality oblige me to give him duewarning. "

"I thought he lived with the Lambertini"

"He left her yesterday. The connection between them was a criminal one, and I have drawn him back from the brink of the precipice. "

"You don't mean to say so!"

"Yes, upon my word of honour:"

"You astonish one. This is very edifying. I don't wish the young man'sdeath, but you must confess he owes me some reparation. "

"He does indeed. A charming Frenchwoman is not to be handled in theItalian manner without signal amends, but I can think of nothing at allcommensurate with the offence. There is only one plan, which I willendeavour to carry out if you will agree to it. "

"What is that?"

"I will put the guilty party in your power without his knowing what is tohappen, and I will leave you alone, so that you can wreak all your wrathupon him, provided you will allow me to be, unknown to him, in the nextroom, as I shall regard myself as responsible for his safety. "

"I consent. You will stay in this room, and he must be left in the otherwhere I shall receive you, but take care he has no suspicion of yourpresence. "

"He shan't dream of it. He will not even know where I am taking him, forhe must not think that I have been informed of his misdoings. As soon aswe be there, and the conversation becomes general, I shall leave theroom, pretending to be going away. "

"When will you bring him? I long to cover him with confusion. I willmake him tremble. I am curious to hear how he will justify himself forsuch an offence. "

"I can't say, but I think and hope that your presence will make himeloquent, as I should like to see your differences adjusted. "

At one o'clock the Abbe des Forges arrived, and she made me sit down todinner with them. This abbe was a pupil of the famous Bishop of Auxerre, who was still living. I talked so well on the subject of grace, and madeso many quotations from St. Augustine, that the abbe and the devotee tookme for a zealous Jansenista character with which my dress and appearancedid not at all correspond. My sweetheart did not give me a single glancewhile the meal was going on, and thinking she had some motives Iabstained from speaking to her. 

After dinner, which, by the way, was a very good one, I promised theoffended lady to bring her the culprit bound hand and foot next day, after the play was over. To put her at her ease I said I should walk, asI was certain that he would not recognize the house in the dark. 

As soon as I saw Tiretta, I began with a seriocomic air to reproach himfor the dreadful crime he had committed on the body of a lady in everyway virtuous and respectable, but the mad fellow began to laugh, and itwould have been waste of time for me to try to stop him. 

"What!" said he, "she has had the courage to tell you all?"

"You don't deny the fact, then?"

"If she says it is so, I don't think I can give her the lie, but I amready to swear that I don't know how the land lay. In the position I wasin it was impossible for me to say where I took up my dwelling. However, I will quiet her indignation, as I shall come to the point quickly, andnot let her wait. "

"You will ruin the business if you don't take care; be as long as youcan; she will like that best, and it will be to your interest. Don'thurry yourself, and never mind me, as I am sure to get on all right whileyou are changing anger into a softer passion. Remember not to know that Iam in the house, and if you only stay with her a short time (which Idon't think will be the case) take a coach and be off. You know the leasta pious woman like her can do will be to provide me with fire andcompany. Don't forget that she is well-born like yourself. These women ofquality are, no doubt, as immoral as any other women, since they areconstructed of the same material, but they like to have their prideflattered by certain attentions. She is rich, a devote, and, what ismore, inclined to pleasure; strive to gain her friendship 'faciem adfaciem', as the King of Prussia says. You may, perhaps, make yourfortune. "

"If she asks you why you have left the Pope's niece, take care not totell her the reason. She will be pleased with your discretion. In short, do your best to expiate the enormity of your offence. "

"I have only to speak the truth. I went in in the dark. "

"That's an odd reason, but it may seem convincing to a Frenchwoman. "

I need not tell the reader that I gave Tiretta a full account of myconversation with the lady. If any complain of this breach of honour, Imust tell them that I had made a mental reservation not to keep mypromise, and those who are acquainted with the morality of the childrenof Ignatius will understand that I was completely at my ease. 

Next day we went to the opera, and afterwards, our plans made out, wewalked to the house of the insulted and virtuous lady. She received uswith great dignity, but yet there was an agreeable undercurrent in hervoice and manner which I thought very promising. 

"I never take supper, " she said, "but if you had forewarned me of yourvisit I should have got something for you:"

After telling her all the news I had heard in the theatre, I pretended tobe obliged to go, and begged her to let me leave the count with her for afew minutes. 

"If I am more than a quarter of an hour, " said I to the count, "don'twait. Take a coach home and we shall see each other to-morrow. "

Instead of going downstairs I went into the next room, and two minutesafter who should enter but my sweetheart, who looked charmed and yetpuzzled at my appearance. 

"I think I must be dreaming, " said she, "but my aunt has charged me notto leave you alone, and to tell her woman not to come upstairs unless sherings the bell. Your friend is with her, and she told me to speak low ashe is not to know that you are here. What does it all mean?"

"You are curious, are you?"

"I confess I am in this instance, for all this mystery seems designed toexcite curiosity. "

"Dearest, you shall know all; but how cold it is. "

"My aunt has told me to make a good fire, she has become liberal orrather lavish all of a sudden; look at the wax candles. "

"That's a new thing, is it?"

"Oh, quite new. "

As soon as we were seated in front of the fire I began to tell her thestory, to which she listened with all the attention a young girl can giveto such a matter; but as I had thought it well to pass over some of thedetails, she could not properly understand what crime it was that Tirettahad committed. I was not sorry to be obliged to tell her the story inplain language, and to give more expression I employed the language ofgesture, which made her blush and laugh at the same time. I then told herthat, having taken up the question of the reparation that was due to heraunt, I had so arranged matters that I was certain of being alone withher all the time my friend was engaged. Thereupon I began to cover herpretty face with kisses, and as I allowed myself no other liberties shereceived my caresses as a proof of the greatness of my love and thepurity of my feelings. 

"Dearest, " she said, "what you say puzzles me; there are two things whichI can't understand. How could Tiretta succeed in committing this crimewith my aunt, which I think would only be possible with the consent ofthe party attacked, but quite impossible without it; and this makes mebelieve that if the thing was done it was done with her hearty goodwill. "

"Very true, for if she did not like it she had only to change herposition. "

"Not so much as that; she need only have kept the door shut. "

"There, sweetheart, you are wrong, for a properly-made man only asks youto keep still and he will overcome all obstacles. Moreover, I don'texpect that your aunt's door is so well shut as yours. "

"I believe that I could defy all the Tirettas in the world. 

"There's another thing I don't understand, and that is how my blessedaunt came to tell you all about it; for if she had any sense she mighthave known that it would only make you laugh. And what satisfaction doesshe expect to get from a brute like that, who possibly thinks the affaira matter of no consequence. I should think he would do the same to anywoman who occupied the same position as my aunt. "

"You are right, for he told me he went in like a blind man, not knowingwhere he was going. "

"Your friend is a queer fellow, and if other men are like him I am sure Ishould have no feeling but contempt for them. "

"She has told me nothing about the satisfaction she is thinking of, andwhich she possibly feels quite sure of attaining; but I think I can guesswhat it will be namely, a formal declaration of love; and I suppose hewill expiate his crime by becoming her lover, and doubtless this will betheir wedding night. "

"The affair is getting amusing. I can't believe it. My dear aunt is tooanxious about her salvation; and how do you imagine the young man canever fall in love with her, or play the part with such a face as hersbefore his eyes. Have you ever seen a countenance as disgusting as myaunt's? Her skin is covered with pimples, her eyes distil humours, andher teeth and breath are enough to discourage any man. She's hideous. "

"All that is nothing to a young spark of twenty-five; one is always readyfor an assault at that age; not like me who only feel myself a man inpresence of charms like yours, of which I long to be the lawfulpossessor. "

"You will find me the most affectionate of wives, and I feel quite surethat I shall have your heart in such good keeping that I shall never beafraid of losing it. "

We had talked thus pleasantly for an hour, and Tiretta was still with theaunt. I thought things pointed towards a reconciliation, and judged thematter was getting serious. I told my sweetheart my opinion, and askedher to give me something to eat. 

"I can only give you, " said she, "some bread and cheese, a slice of ham, and some wine which my aunt pronounces excellent. "

"Bring them quick, then; I am fainting with hunger. "

She soon laid the table for two, and put on it all the food she had. Thecheese was Roquefort, and the ham had been covered with jelly. About tenpersons with reasonable appetites should have been able to sup on whatthere was; but (how I know not) the whole disappeared, and also twobottles of Chambertin, which I seem to taste now. My sweetheart's eyesgleamed with pleasure: truly Chambertin and Roquefort are excellentthinks to restore an old love and to ripen a young one. 

"Don't you want to know what your aunt has been doing the last two hourswith M. Sixtimes?"

"They are playing, perhaps; but there is a small hole in the wall, and Iwill look and see. I can only see the two candles, and the wicks are aninch long. "

"Didn't I say so? Give me a coverlet and I will sleep on the sofa here, and do you go to bed. But let me look at it first:"

She made me come into her little room, where I saw a pretty bed, a prayerdesk, and a large crucifix. 

"Your bed is too small for you, dear heart. "

"Oh, not at all! I am very comfortable"; and so saying she laid down atfull length. 

"What a beautiful wife I shall have! Nay, don't move, let me look at youso. " My hand began to press the bosom of her dress, where were imprisonedtwo spheres which seemed to lament their captivity. I went farther, Ibegan to untie strings . . . For where does desire stop short?

"Sweetheart, I cannot resist, but you will not love me afterwards. "

"I will always love you:"

Soon her beautiful breasts were exposed to my burning kisses. The flameof my love lit another in her heart, and forgetting her former self sheopened her arms to me, making me promise not to despise her, and whatwould one not promise! The modesty inherent in the sex, the fear ofresults, perhaps a kind of instinct which reveals to them the naturalfaithlessness of men make women ask for such promises, but what mistress, if really amorous, would even think of asking her lover to respect her inthe moment of delirious ecstacy, when all one's being is centred on thefulfilment of desire?

After we had passed an hour in these amorous toyings, which set mysweetheart on fire, her charms having never before been exposed to theburning lips or the free caresses of a man, I said to her, "I grieve to leave you without having rendered to your beauty thegreatest homage which it deserves so well. "

A sigh was her only answer. 

It was cold, the fire was out, and I had to spend the night on the sofa. 

"Give me a coverlet, dearest, that I may go away from you, for I shoulddie here between love and cold if you made me abstain. "

"Lie where I have been, sweetheart. I will get up and rekindle the fire. "

She got up in all her naked charms, and as she put a stick to the firethe flame leapt up; I rose, I found her standing so as to display all herbeauties, and I could refrain no longer. I pressed her to my heart, shereturned my caresses, and till day-break we gave ourselves up to anecstacy of pleasure. 

We had spent four or five delicious hours on the sofa. She then left me, and after making a good fire she went to her room, and I remained on thesofa and slept till noon. I was awakened by Madame, who wore a gracefulundress. 

"Still asleep, M. Casanova?"

"Ah! good morning, madam, good morning. And what has become of myfriend?"

"He has become mine, I have forgiven him. "

"What has he done to be worthy of so generous a pardon?"

"He proved to me that he made a mistake. "

"I am delighted to hear it; where is he?"

"He has gone home, where you will find him; but don't say anything aboutyour spending the night here, or he will think it was spent with myniece. I am very much obliged to you for what you have done, and I haveonly to ask you to be discreet. "

"You can count on me entirely, for I am grateful to you for havingforgiven my friend. "

"Who would not do so? The dear young man is something more than mortal. If you knew how he loved me! I am grateful to him, and I have taken himto board for a year; he will be well lodged, well fed, and so on. "

"What a delightful plan! You have arranged the terms, I suppose. "

"All that will be settled in a friendly way, and we shall not need tohave recourse to arbitration. We shall set out to-day for Villette, whereI have a nice little house; for you know that it is necessary, at first, to act in such a way as to give no opportunity to slanderers. My loverwill have all he wants, and whenever you, sir, honour us with yourpresence you will find a pretty room and a good bed at your disposal. AllI am sorry for is that you will find it tedious; my poor niece is sodull. "

"Madam, your niece is delightful; she gave me yesterday evening anexcellent supper and kept me company till three o'clock this morning. "

"Really? I can't make it out how she gave you anything, as there wasnothing in the house. "

"At any rate, madam, she gave me an excellent supper, of which there areno remains, and after keeping me company she went to bed, and I have hada good night on this comfortable sofa. "

"I am glad that you, like myself, were pleased with everything, but I didnot think my niece so clever. "

"She is very clever, madam--in my eyes, at all events:"

"Oh, sir! you are a judge of wit, let us go and see her. She has lockedher door. Come open the door, why have you shut yourself up, you littleprude? what are you afraid of. My Casanova is incapable of hurting you. "

The niece opened her door and apologized for the disorder of her dress, but what costume could have suited her better? Her costume was dazzling. "

"There she is, " said the aunt, "and she is not so bad looking after all, but it is a pity she is so stupid. You were very right to give thisgentleman a supper. I am much obliged to you for doing so. I have beenplaying all night, and when one is playing one only thinks of the game. Ihave determined on taking young Tiretta to board with us. He is anexcellent and clever young man, and I am sure he will learn to speakFrench before long. Get dressed, my dear, as we must begin to pack. Weshall set out this afternoon for Villette, and shall spend there thewhole of the spring. There is no need, you know, to say anything aboutthis to my sister:"

"I, aunt? Certainly not. Did I ever tell her anything on the otheroccasions?"

"Other occasions! You see what a silly girl it is. Do you mean by 'otheroccasions, ' that I have been circumstanced like this before?"

"No, aunt. I only meant to say that I had never told her anything of whatyou did. "

"That's right, my dear, but you must learn to express yourself properly. We dine at two, and I hope to have the pleasure of M. Casanova's companyat dinner; we will start immediately after the meal. Tiretta promised tobring his small portmanteau with him, and it will go with our luggage. "

After promising to dine with them, I bade the ladies good-bye; and I wenthome as fast as I could walk, for I was as curious as a woman to knowwhat arrangements had been made. 

"Well, " said I to Tiretta, "I find you have got a place. Tell me allabout it. "

"My dear fellow, I have sold myself for a year. My pay is to betwenty-five louis a month, a good table, good lodging, etc. , etc. "

"I congratulate you. "

"Do you think it is worth the trouble?"

"There's no rose without a thorn. She told me you were something morethan mortal. "

"I worked hard all night to prove it to her; but I am quite sure yourtime was better employed than mine. "

"I slept like a king. Dress yourself, as I am coming to dinner, and Iwant to see you set out for Villette. I shall come and see you there nowand then, as your sweetheart has told me that a room shall be set apartfor my convenience. "

We arrived at two o'clock. Madame dressed in a girlish style presented asingular appearance, but Mdlle. De la Meure's beauty shone like a star. Love and pleasure had given her a new life, a new being. We had a capitaldinner, as the good lady had made the repast dainty like herself; but inthe dishes there was nothing absurd, while her whole appearance was comicin the highest degree. At four they all set out, and I spent my eveningat the Italian comedy. 

I was in love with Mdlle. De la Meure, but Silvia's daughter, whosecompany at supper was all I had of her, weakened a love which now leftnothing more to desire. 

We complain of women who, though loving us and sure of our love, refuseus their favours; but we are wrong in doing so, for if they love theyhave good reason to fear lest they lose us in the moment of satisfyingour desires. Naturally they should do all in their power to retain ourhearts, and the best way to do so is to cherish our desire of possessingthem; but desire is only kept alive by being denied: enjoyment kills it, since one cannot desire what one has got. I am, therefore, of opinionthat women are quite right to refuse us. But if it be granted that thepassions of the two sexes are of equal strength, how comes it that a mannever refuses to gratify a woman who loves him and entreats him to bekind?

We cannot receive the argument founded on the fear of results, as that isa particular and not a general consideration. Our conclusion, then, willbe that the reason lies in the fact that a man thinks more of thepleasure he imparts than that which he receives, and is therefore eagerto impart his bliss to another. We know, also, that, as a general rule, women, when once enjoyed, double their love and affection. On the otherhand, women think more of the pleasure they receive than of that whichthey impart, and therefore put off enjoyment as long as possible, sincethey fear that in giving themselves up they lose their chief good--theirown pleasure. This feeling is peculiar to the sex, and is the only causeof coquetry, pardonable in a woman, detestable in a man. 

Silvia's daughter loved me, and she knew I loved her, although I hadnever said so, but women's wit is keen. At the same time she endeavourednot to let me know her feelings, as she was afraid of encouraging me toask favours of her, and she did not feel sure of her strength to refusethem; and she knew my inconstant nature. Her relations intended her forClement, who had been teaching her the clavichord for the last threeyears. She knew of the arrangement and had no objection, for though shedid not love him she liked him very well. Most girls are wedded withoutlove, and they are not sorry for it afterwards. They know that bymarriage they become of some consequence in the world, and they marry tohave a house of their own and a good position in society. They seem toknow that a husband and a lover need not be synonymous terms. At Parismen are actuated by the same views, and most marriages are matters ofconvenience. The French are jealous of their mistresses, but never oftheir wives. 

There could be no doubt that M. Clement was very much in love, and Mdlle. Baletti was delighted that I noticed it, as she thought this would bringme to a declaration, and she was quite right. The departure of Mdlle. Dela Meure had a good deal to do with my determination to declare myself;and I was very sorry to have done so afterwards, for after I had told herI loved her Clement was dismissed, and my position was worse than before. The man who declares his love for a woman in words wants to be sent toschool again. 

Three days after the departure of Tiretta, I took him what smallbelongings he had, and Madame seemed very glad to see me. The Abbe desForges arrived just as we were sitting down to dinner, and though he hadbeen very friendly to me at Paris he did not so much as look at me allthrough the meal, and treated Tiretta in the same way. I, for my part, took no notice of him, but Tiretta, not so patient as I, at last lost histemper and got up, begging Madame to tell him when she was going to havethat fellow to dine with her. We rose from table without saying a word, and the silent abbe went with madam into another room. 

Tiretta took me to see his room, which was handsomely furnished, and, aswas right, adjoined his sweetheart's. Whilst he was putting his things inorder, Mdlle. De la Meure made me come and see my apartment. It was avery nice room on the ground floor, and facing hers. I took care to pointout to her how easily I could pay her a visit after everyone was in bed, but she said we should not be comfortable in her room, and that she wouldconsequently save me the trouble of getting out of bed. It will beguessed that I had no objections to make to this arrangement. 

She then told me of her aunt's folly about Tiretta. 

"She believes, " said she, "that we do not know he sleeps with her. "

"Believes, or pretends to believe. "

"Possibly. She rang for me at eleven o'clock this morning and told me togo and ask him what kind of night he had passed. I did so, but seeing hisbed had not been slept in I asked him if he had not been to sleep. 

"'No, ' said he, 'I have been writing all night, but please don't sayanything about it to your aunt: I promised with all my heart to be assilent as the grave. "

"Does he make sheep's eyes at you?"

"No, but if he did it would be all the same. Though he is not over sharphe knows, I think, what I think of him. "

"Why have you such a poor opinion of him?"

"Why? My aunt pays him. I think selling one's self is a dreadful idea. "

"But you pay me. "

"Yes, but in the same coin as you give me. "

The old aunt was always calling her niece stupid, but on the contrary Ithought her very clever, and as virtuous as clever. I should never haveseduced her if she had not been brought up in a convent. 

I went back to Tiretta, and had some pleasant conversation with him. Iasked him how he liked his place. 

"I don't like it much, but as it costs me nothing I am not absolutelywretched. "

"But her face!"

"I don't look at it, and there's one thing I like about her--she is soclean. "

"Does she take good care of you?"

"O yes, she is full of feeling for me. This morning she refused thegreeting I offered her. 'I am sure, ' said she, 'that my refusal will painyou, but your health is so dear to me that I feel bound to look afterit. "

As soon as the gloomy Abbe des Forges was gone and Madame was alone, werejoined her. She treated me as her gossip, and played the timid childfor Tiretta's benefit, and he played up to her admirably, much to myadmiration. 

"I shall see no more of that foolish priest, " said she; "for aftertelling me that I was lost both in this world and the next he threatenedto abandon me, and I took him at his word. "

An actress named Quinault, who had left the stage and lived close by, came to call, and soon after Madame Favart and the Abbe de Voisenonarrived, followed by Madame Amelin with a handsome lad named Calabre, whom she called her nephew. He was as like her as two peas, but she didnot seem to think that a sufficient reason for confessing she was hismother. M. Patron, a Piedmontese, who also came with her, made a bank atfaro and in a couple of hours won everybody's money with the exception ofmine, as I knew better than to play. My time was better occupied in thecompany of my sweet mistress. I saw through the Piedmontese, and had puthim down as a knave; but Tiretta was not so sharp, and consequently lostall the money he had in his pockets and a hundred louis besides. Thebanker having reaped a good harvest put down the cards, and Tiretta toldhim in good Italian that he was a cheat, to which the Piedmontese repliedwith the greatest coolness that he lied. Thinking that the quarrel mighthave an unpleasant ending, I told him that Tiretta was only jesting, andI made my friend say so, too. He then left the company and went to hisroom. 

Eight years afterwards I saw this Patron at St. Petersburg, and in theyear 1767 he was assassinated in Poland. 

The same evening I preached Tiretta a severe yet friendly sermon. Ipointed out to him that when he played he was at the mercy of the banker, who might be a rogue but a man of courage too, and so in calling him acheat he was risking his life. 

"Am I to let myself be robbed, then?"

"Yes, you have a free choice in the matter; nobody will make you play. "

"I certainly will not pay him that hundred louis. "

"I advise you to do so, and to do so before you are asked. "

"You have a knack of persuading one to do what you will, even though onebe disposed to take no notice of your advice. "

"That's because I speak from heart and head at once, and have someexperience in these affairs as well. "

Three quarters of an hour afterwards I went to bed and my mistress cameto me before long. We spent a sweeter night than before, for it is oftena matter of some difficulty to pluck the first flower; and the pricewhich most men put on this little trifle is founded more on egotism thanany feeling of pleasure. 

Next day, after dining with the family and admiring the roses on mysweetheart's cheeks, I returned to Paris. Three or four days laterTiretta came to tell me that the Dunkirk merchant had arrived, that hewas coming to dine at Madame's, and that she requested me to make one ofthe party. I was prepared for the news, but the blood rushed into myface. Tiretta saw it, and to a certain extent divined my feelings. "Youare in love with the niece, " said he. 

"Why do you think so?"

"By the mystery you make about her; but love betrays itself even by itssilence. "

"You are a knowing fellow, Tiretta. I will come to dinner, but don't saya word to anybody. "

My heart was rent in twain. Possibly if the merchant had put off hisarrival for a month I should have welcomed it; but to have only justlifted the nectar to my lips, and to see the precious vessel escape frommy hands! To this day I can recall my feelings, and the very recollectionis not devoid of bitterness. 

I was in a fearful state of perplexity, as I always was whenever it wasnecessary for me to resolve, and I felt that I could not do so. If thereader has been placed in the same position he will understand myfeelings. I could not make up my mind to consent to her marrying, norcould I resolve to wed her myself and gain certain happiness. 

I went to Villette and was a little surprised to find Mdlle. De la Meuremore elaborately dressed than usual. 

"Your intended, " I said, "would have pronounced you charming without allthat. "

"My aunt doesn't think so"

"You have not seen him yet?"

"No, but I should like to, although I trust with your help never tobecome his wife. "

Soon after, she arrived with Corneman, the banker, who had been the agentin this business transaction. The merchant was a fine man, about forty, with a frank and open face. His dress was good though not elaborate. Heintroduced himself simply but in a polite manner to Madame, and he didnot look at his future wife till the aunt presented her to him. Hismanner immediately became more pleasing; and without making use offlowers of speech he said in a very feeling way that he trusted theimpression he had made on her was equal to that which she had made onhim. Her only answer was a low curtsy, but she studied him carefully. 

Dinner was served, and in the course of the meal we talked of almosteverything--except marriage. The happy pair only caught each other's eyesby chance, and did not speak to one another. After dinner Mdlle. De laMeure went to her room, and the aunt went into her closet with the bankerand the merchant, and they were in close conversation for two hours. Atthe end of that time the gentlemen were obliged to return to Paris, andMadame, after summoning her niece, told the merchant she would expect himto dinner on the day following, and that she was sure that her niecewould be glad to see him again. 

"Won't you, my dear?"

"Yes, aunt, I shall be very glad to see the gentleman again. "

If she had not answered thus, the merchant would have gone away withouthearing his future bride speak. 

"Well, " said the aunt, "what do you think of your husband?"

"Allow me to put off my answer till to-morrow; but be good enough, whenwe are at table, to draw me into the conversation, for it is verypossible that my face has not repelled him, but so far he knows nothingof my mental powers; possibly my want of wit may destroy any slightimpression my face may have made. "

"Yes, I am afraid you will begin to talk nonsense, and make him lose thegood opinion he seems to have formed of you. "

"It is not right to deceive anybody. If he is disabused of his fictitiousideas by the appearance of the truth, so much the better for him; and somuch the worse for both of us, if we decide on marrying without theslightest knowledge of each other's habits and ways of thought. "

"What do you think of him?"

"I think he is rather nice-looking, and his manners are kind and polite;but let us wait till to-morrow. "

"Perhaps he will have nothing more to say to me; I am so stupid. "

"I know very well that you think yourself very clever, and that's whereyour fault lies; it's your self-conceit which makes you stupid, althoughM. Casanova takes you for a wit. "

"Perhaps he may know what he is talking about. "

"My poor dear, he is only laughing at you. "

"I have good reasons for thinking otherwise, aunt. "

"There you go; you will never get any sense. "

"Pardon me, madam, if I cannot be of your opinion. Mademoiselle is quiteright in saying that I do not laugh at her. I dare to say that to-morrowshe will shine in the conversation. "

"You think so? I am glad to hear it. Now let us have a game at piquet, and I will play against you and my niece, for she must learn the game. "

Tiretta asked leave of his darling to go to the play, and we played ontill supper-time. On his return, Tiretta made us almost die of laughingwith his attempts to tell us in his broken French the plot of the play hehad seen. 

I had been in my bedroom for a quarter of an hour, expecting to see mysweetheart in some pretty kind of undress, when all of a sudden I saw hercome in with all her clothes on. I was surprised at this circumstance, and it seemed to me of evil omen. 

"You are astonished to see me thus, " said she, "but I want to speak toyou for a moment, and then I will take off my clothes. Tell me plainlywhether I am to consent to this marriage or no?"

"How do you like him?"

"Fairly well. "

"Consent, then!"

"Very good; farewell! From this moment our love ends, and our friendshipbegins. Get you to bed, and I will go and do the same. Farewell!"

"No, stay, and let our friendship begin to-morrow. "

"Not so, were my refusal to cost the lives of both of us. You know whatit must cost me to speak thus, but it is my irrevocable determination. IfI am to become another's wife, I must take care to be worthy of him;perhaps I may be happy. Do not hold me, let me go. You know how well Ilove you. "

"At least, let us have one final embrace. "

"Alas! no. "

"You are weeping. "

"No, I am not. In God's name let me go. "

"Dear heart, you go but to weep in your chamber; stay here. I will marryyou. "

"Nay, no more of that. "

With these words she made an effort, escaped from my hands, and fled fromthe room. I was covered with shame and regret, and could not sleep. Ihated myself, for I knew not whether I had sinned most grievously inseducing her or in abandoning her to another. 

I stayed to dinner next day in spite of my heartbreak and my sadness. Mdlle. De la Meure talked so brilliantly and sensibly to her intendedthat one could easily see he was enchanted with her. As for me, feelingthat I had nothing pleasant to say, I pretended to have the toothache asan excuse for not talking. Sick at heart, absent-minded, and feeling theeffects of a sleepless night, I was well-nigh mad with love, jealousy, and despair. Mdlle. De la Meure did not speak to me once, did not so muchas look at me. She was quite right, but I did not think so then. Ithought the dinner would never come to an end, and I do not think I wasever present at so painful a meal. 

As we rose from the table, Madame went into her closet with her niece andnephew that was to be, and the niece came out in the course of an hourand bade us congratulate her, as she was to be married in a week, andafter the wedding she would accompany her husband to Dunkirk. "To-morrow, " she added, "we are all to dine with M. Corneman, where thedeed of settlement will be signed. "

I cannot imagine how it was I did not fall dead on the spot. My anguishcannot be expressed. 

Before long it was proposed that we should go to the play, but excusingmyself on the plea of business I returned to Paris. As I got to my door Iseemed to be in a fever, and I lay down on my bed, but instead of therest I needed I experienced only remorse and fruitless repentance-thetorments of the damned. I began to think it was my duty to stop themarriage or die. I was sure that Mdlle. De la Meure loved me, and Ifancied she would not say no if I told her that her refusal to marry mewould cost me my life. Full of that idea I rose and wrote her a letter, strong with all the strength of tumultuous passion. This was some relief, and getting into bed I slept till morning. As soon as I was awake Isummoned a messenger and promised him twelve francs if he would delivermy letter, and report its receipt in an hour and a half. My letter wasunder cover of a note addressed to Tiretta, in which I told him that Ishould not leave the house till I had got an answer. I had my answer fourhours after; it ran as follows: "Dearest, it is too late; you havedecided on my destiny, and I cannot go back from my word. Come to dinnerat M. Corneman's, and be sure that in a few weeks we shall becongratulating ourselves on having won a great victory. Our love, crownedall too soon, will soon live only in our memories. I beg of you to writeto me no more. "

Such was my fate. Her refusal, with the still more cruel charge not towrite to her again, made me furious. In it I only saw inconstancy. Ithought she had fallen in love with the merchant. My state of mind may bejudged from the fact that I determined to kill my rival. The most savageplans, the most cruel designs, ran a race through my bewildered brain. Iwas jealous, in love, a different being from my ordinary self; anger, vanity, and shame had destroyed my powers of reasoning. The charming girlwhom I was forced to admire, whom I should have esteemed all the more forthe course she had taken, whom I had regarded as an angel, became in myeyes a hateful monster, a meet object for punishment. At last Idetermined on a sure method of revenge, which I knew to be bothdishonourable and cowardly, but in my blind passion I did not hesitatefor a moment. I resolved to go to the merchant at M. Corneman's, where hewas staying, to tell him all that had passed between the lady and myself, and if that did not make him renounce the idea of marrying her I wouldtell him that one of us must die, and if he refused my challenge Idetermined to assassinate him. 

With this terrible plan in my brain, which makes me shudder now when Ithink of it, I ate with the appetite of a wild beast, lay down and slepttill day. I was in the same mind when I awoke, and dressed myself hastilyyet carefully, put two good pistols in my pocket and went to M. Corneman's. My rival was still asleep; I waited for him, and for aquarter of an hour my thoughts only grew more bitter and my determinationmore fixed. All at once he came into the room, in his dressing-gown, andreceived me with open arms, telling me in the kindest of voices that hehad been expecting me to call, as he could guess what feelings I, afriend of his future wife's, could have for him, and saying that hisfriendship for me should always be as warm as hers. His honest open face, his straightforward words, overwhelmed me, and I was silent for a fewminutes--in fact I did not know what to say. Luckily he gave me enoughtime to recollect myself, as he talked on for a quarter of an hourwithout noticing that I did not open my lips. 

M. Corneman then came in; coffee was served, and my speech returned tome; but I am happy to say I refrained from playing the dishonourable partI had intended; the crisis was passed. 

It may be remarked that the fiercest spirits are like a cord stretchedtoo tight, which either breaks or relaxes. I have known several personsof that temperament--the Chevalier L----, amongst others, who in a fit ofpassion used to feel his soul escaping by every pore. If at the momentwhen his anger burst forth he was able to break something and make agreat noise, he calmed down in a moment; reason resumed her sway, and theraging lion became as mild as a lamb. 

After I had taken a cup of coffee, I felt myself calmed but yet dizzy inthe head, so I bade them good morning and went out. I was astonished butdelighted that I had not carried my detestable scheme into effect. I washumbled by being forced to confess to myself that chance and chance alonehad saved me from becoming a villain. As I was reflecting on what hadhappened I met my brother, and he completed my cure. I took him to dineat Silvia's and stayed there till midnight. I saw that Mdlle. Balettiwould make me forget the fair inconstant, whom I wisely determined not tosee again before the wedding. To make sure I set out the next day forVersailles, to look after my interests with the Government. 

CHAPTER II

The Abby de la Ville--The Abby Galiani--The Neapolitan Dialect--I Set Outfor Dunkirk on a Secret Mission I Succeed--I Return to Paris byAmiens--My Adventure by the Way--M. De la Bretonniere--My Report GivesSatisfaction--I Am Paid Five Hundred Louis--Reflections. 

A new career was opening before me. Fortune was still my friend, and Ihad all the necessary qualities to second the efforts of the blindgoddess on my behalf save one--perseverance. My immoderate life ofpleasure annulled the effect of all my other qualities. 

M. De Bernis received me in his usual manner, that is more like a friendthan a minister. He asked me if I had any inclination for a secretmission. 

"Have I the necessary talents?"

"I think so. "

"I have an inclination for all honest means of earning a livelihood, andas for my talents I will take your excellency's opinion for granted. "

This last observation made him smile, as I had intended. 

After a few words spoken at random on the memories of bygone years whichtime had not entirely defaced, the minister told me to go to the Abbe dela Ville and use his name. 

This abbe, the chief permanent official of the foreign office, was a manof cold temperament, a profound diplomatist, and the soul of thedepartment, and high in favour with his excellency the minister. He hadserved the state well as an agent at The Hague, and his grateful kingrewarded him by giving him a bishopric on the day of his death. It was alittle late, but kings have not always sufficient leisure to rememberthings. His heir was a wealthy man named Gamier, who had formerly beenchief cook at M. D'Argenson's, and had become rich by profiting by thefriendship the Abbe de la Ville had always had for him. These twofriends, who were nearly of the same age, had deposited their wills inthe hands of the same attorney, and each had made the other his residuarylegatee. 

After the abbe had delivered a brief discourse on the nature of secretmissions and the discretion necessary to those charged with them, he toldme that he would let me know when anything suitable for me presenteditself. 

I made the acquaintance of the Abbe Galiani, the secretary of theNeapolitan Embassy. He was a brother to the Marquis de Galiani, of whom Ishall speak when we come to my Italian travels. The Abbe Galiani was aman of wit. He had a knack of making the most serious subjects appearcomic; and being a good talker, speaking French with the ineradicableNeapolitan accent, he was a favourite in every circle he cared to enter. The Abbe de la Ville told him that Voltaire had complained that hisHenriade had been translated into Neapolitan verse in such sort that itexcited laughter. 

"Voltaire is wrong, " said Galiani, "for the Neapolitan dialect is of sucha nature that it is impossible to write verses in it that are notlaughable. And why should he be vexed; he who makes people laugh is sureof being beloved. The Neapolitan dialect is truly a singular one; we haveit in translations of the Bible and of the Iliad, and both are comic. "

"I can imagine that the Bible would be, but I should not have thoughtthat would have been the case with the Iliad. "

"It is, nevertheless. "

I did not return to Paris till the day before the departure of Mdlle. Dela Meure, now Madame P----. I felt in duty bound to go and see her, togive her my congratulations, and to wish her a pleasant journey. I foundher in good spirits and quite at her ease, and, far from being vexed atthis, I was pleased, a certain sign that I was cured. We talked withoutthe slightest constraint, and I thought her husband a perfect gentleman. He invited us to visit him at Dunkirk, and I promised to go withoutintending to do so, but the fates willed otherwise. 

Tiretta was now left alone with his darling, who grew more infatuatedwith her Strephon every day, so well did he prove his love for her. 

With a mind at ease, I now set myself to sentimentalize with Mdlle. Baletti, who gave me every day some new mark of the progress I wasmaking. 

The friendship and respect I bore her family made the idea of seductionout of the question, but as I grew more and more in love with her, andhad no thoughts of marriage, I should have been puzzled to say at whatend I was aiming, so I let myself glide along the stream without thinkingwhere I was going. 

In the beginning of May the Abbe de Bernis told me to come and call onhim at Versailles, but first to see the Abbe de la Ville. The firstquestion the abbe asked me was whether I thought myself capable of payinga visit to eight or ten men-of-war in the roads at Dunkirk, of making theacquaintance of the officers, and of completing a minute andcircumstantial report on the victualling, the number of seamen, the guns, ammunition, discipline, etc. , etc. 

"I will make the attempt, " I said, "and will hand you in my report on myreturn, and it will be for you to say if I have succeeded or not. "

"As this is a secret mission, I cannot give you a letter of commendation;I can only give you some money and wish you a pleasant journey. "

"I do not wish to be paid in advance--on my return you can give me whatyou think fit. I shall want three or four days before setting out, as Imust procure some letters of introduction. "

"Very good. Try to come back before the end of the month. I have nofurther instructions to give you. "

On the same day I had some conversation at the Palais Bourbon with mypatron, who could not admire sufficiently my delicacy in refusing paymentin advance; and taking advantage of my having done so he made me accept apacket of a hundred Louis. This was the last occasion on which I made useof his purse; I did not borrow from him at Rome fourteen yearsafterwards. 

"As you are on a secret mission, my dear Casanova, I cannot give you apassport. I am sorry for it, but if I did so your object would besuspected. However, you will easily be able to get one from the firstgentleman of the chamber, on some pretext or other. Silvia will be moreuseful to you in that way than anybody else. You quite understand howdiscreet your behaviour must be. Above all, do not get into any trouble;for I suppose you know that, if anything happened to you, it would be ofno use to talk of your mission. We should be obliged to know nothingabout you, for ambassadors are the only avowed spies. Remember that youmust be even more careful and reserved than they, and yet, if you wish tosucceed, all this must be concealed, and you must have an air of freedomfrom constraint that you may inspire confidence. If, on your return, youlike to shew me your report before handing it in, I will tell you whatmay require to be left out or added. "

Full of this affair, the importance of which I exaggerated in proportionto my inexperience, I told Silvia that I wanted to accompany some Englishfriends as far as Calais, and that she would oblige me by getting me apassport from the Duc de Gesvres. Always ready to oblige me, she sat downdirectly and wrote the duke a letter, telling me to deliver it myselfsince my personal description was necessary. These passports carry legalweight in the Isle de France only, but they procure one respect in allthe northern parts of the kingdom. 

Fortified with Silvia's letter, and accompanied by her husband, I went tothe duke who was at his estate at St. Toro, and he had scarcely read theletter through before he gave me the passport. Satisfied on this point Iwent to Villette, and asked Madame if she had anything I could take toher niece. "You can take her the box of china statuettes, " said she, "ifM. Corneman has not sent them already. " I called on the banker who gaveme the box, and in return for a hundred Louis a letter of credit on aDunkirk house. I begged him to name me in the letter in a special manner, as I was going for the sake of pleasure. He seemed glad to oblige me, andI started the same evening, and three days later I was at the "Hotel dela Conciergerie, " in Dunkirk. 

An hour after my arrival I gave the charming Madame P---- an agreeablesurprise by handing her the box, and giving her her aunt's messages. Justas she was praising her husband, and telling me how happy she was, hecame in, saying he was delighted to see me and asked me to stay in hishouse, without enquiring whether my stay in Dunkirk would be a long orshort one. I of course thanked him, and after promising to dine now andagain at his house I begged him to take me to the banker on whom I had aletter. 

The banker read my letter, and gave me the hundred louis, and asked me towait for him at my inn where he would come for me with the governor, a M. De Barail. This gentleman who, like most Frenchmen, was very polite, after making some ordinary enquiries, asked me to sup with him and hiswife who was still at the play. The lady gave me as kind a reception as Ihad received from her husband. After we had partaken of an excellentsupper several persons arrived, and play commenced in which I did notjoin, as I wished to study the society of the place, and above allcertain officers of both services who were present. By means of speakingwith an air of authority about naval matters, and by saying that I hadserved in the navy of the Venetian Republic, in three days I not onlyknew but was intimate with all the captains of the Dunkirk fleet. Italked at random about naval architecture, on the Venetian system ofmanoeuvres, and I noticed that the jolly sailors were better pleased atmy blunders than at my sensible remarks. 

Four days after I had been at Dunkirk, one of the captains asked me todinner on his ship, and after that all the others did the same; and onevery occasion I stayed in the ship for the rest of the day. I wascurious about everything--and Jack is so trustful! I went into the hold, I asked questions innumerable, and I found plenty of young officersdelighted to shew their own importance, who gossipped without needing anyencouragement from me. I took care, however, to learn everything whichwould be of service to me, and in the evenings I put down on paper allthe mental notes I had made during the day. Four or five hours was all Iallowed myself for sleep, and in fifteen days I had learnt enough. 

Pleasure, gaming, and idleness--my usual companions--had no part in thisexpedition, and I devoted all my energies to the object of my mission. Idined once with the banker, once with Madame P----, in the town, and oncein a pretty country house which her husband had, at about a league'sdistance from Dunkirk. She took me there herself, and on finding myselfalone with the woman I had loved so well I delighted her by the delicacyof my behaviour, which was marked only by respect and friendship. As Istill thought her charming, and as our connection had only ended sixweeks ago, I was astonished to see myself so quiet, knowing mydisposition too well to attribute my restraint to virtue. What, then, wasthe reason? An Italian proverb, speaking for nature, gives the truesolution of the riddle. 

'La Mona non vuol pensieri', and my head was full of thought. 

My task was done, and bidding good-bye to all my friends, I set out in mypost-chaise for Paris, going by another way for the sake of the change. About midnight, on my asking for horses at some stage, the name of whichI forget, they told me that the next stage was the fortified town ofAire, which we should not be allowed to pass through at midnight. 

"Get me the horses, " said I, "I will make them open the gates. "

I was obeyed, and in due time we reached the gates. 

The postillion cracked his whip and the sentry called out, "Who goesthere?"

"Express messenger. "

After making me wait for an hour the gate was opened, and I was told thatI must go and speak to the governor. I did so, fretting and fuming on myway as if I were some great person, and I was taken to a room where a manin an elegant nightcap was lying beside a very pretty woman. 

"Whose messenger are you?"

"Nobody's, but as I am in a hurry. "

"That will do. We will talk the matter over tomorrow. In the meanwhileyou will accept the hospitality of the guard-room. "

"But, sir . . . "

"But me no buts, if you please; leave the room. "

I was taken to the guard-room where I spent the night seated on theground. The daylight appeared. I shouted, swore, made all the racket Icould, said I wanted to go on, but nobody took any notice of me. 

Ten o'clock struck. More impatient than I can say, I raised my voice andspoke to the officer, telling him that the governor might assassinate meif he liked, but had no right to deny me pen and paper, or to deprive meof the power of sending a messenger to Paris. 

"Your name, sir?"

"Here is my passport. "

He told me that he would take it to the governor, but I snatched it awayfrom him. 

"Would you like to see the governor?"

"Yes, I should. "

We started for the governor's apartments. The officer was the first toenter, and in two minutes came out again and brought me in. I gave up mypassport in proud silence. The governor read it through, examining me allthe while to see if I was the person described; he then gave it me back, telling me that I was free to go where I liked. 

"Not so fast, sir, I am not in such a hurry now. I shall send a messengerto Paris and wait his return; for by stopping me on my journey you haveviolated all the rights of the subject. "

"You violated them yourself in calling yourself a messenger. "

"Not at all; I told you that I was not one. "

"Yes, but you told your postillion that you were, and that comes to thesame thing. "

"The postillion is a liar, I told him nothing of the kind. "

"Why didn't you shew your passport?"

"Why didn't you give me time to do so? In the course of the next fewdays we shall see who is right. "

"Just as you please. "

I went out with the officer who took me to the posting-place, and aminute afterwards my carriage drew up. The posting-place was also an inn, and I told the landlord to have a special messenger ready to carry out myorders, to give me a good room and a good bed, and to serve me some richsoup immediately; and I warned him that I was accustomed to good fare. Ihad my portmanteau and all my belongings taken into my room, and havingwashed and put on my dressing-gown I sat down to write, to whom I did notknow, for I was quite wrong in my contention. However, I had begun byplaying the great man, and I thought myself bound in honour to sustainthe part, without thinking whether I stood to have to back out of it orno. All the same I was vexed at having to wait in Aire till the return ofthe messenger, whom I was about to send to the-moon! In the meanwhile, not having closed an eye all night, I determined to take a rest. I wassitting in my shirt-sleeves and eating the soup which had been served tome, when the governor came in unaccompanied. I was both surprised anddelighted to see him. 

"I am sorry for what has happened, sir, and above all that you think youhave good reason for complaint, inasmuch as I only did my duty, for howwas I to imagine that your postillion had called you a messenger on hisown responsibility. "

"That's all very well, sir, but your sense of duty need not have made youdrive me from your room. "

"I was in need of sleep. "

"I am in the same position at the present moment, but a feeling ofpoliteness prevents me from imitating your example. "

"May I ask if you have ever been in the service?"

"I have served by land and sea, and have left off when most people areonly beginning. "

"In that case you will be aware that the gates of a fortified town areonly opened by night to the king's messengers or to military superiors. "

"Yes, I know; but since they were opened the thing was done, and youmight as well have been polite. "

"Will you not put on your clothes, and walk a short distance with me!"

His invitation pleased me as well as his pride had displeased me. I hadbeen thinking of a duel as a possible solution of the difficulty, but thepresent course took all trouble out of my hands. I answered quietly andpolitely that the honour of walking with him would be enough to make meput off all other calls, and I asked him to be seated while I made hasteto dress myself. 

I drew on my breeches, throwing the splendid pistols in my pockets on tothe bed, called up the barber, and in ten minutes was ready. I put on mysword, and we went out. 

We walked silently enough along two or three streets, passed through agate, up a court, till we got to a door where my guide stopped short. Heasked me to come in, and I found myself in a fine room full of people. Idid not think of going back, but behaved as if I had been in my ownhouse. 

"Sir-my wife, " said the governor; and turning to her without pausing, "here is M. De Casanova, who has come to dinner with us. "

"I am delighted to hear it, sir, as otherwise I should have had no chanceof forgiving you for waking me up the other night. "

"I paid dearly for my fault, madam, but after the purgatory I had enduredI am sure you will allow me to be happy in this paradise. "

She answered with a charming smile, and after asking me to sit beside hershe continued whatever conversation was possible in the midst of a gameat cards. 

I found myself completely outwitted, but the thing was done so pleasantlythat all I could do was to put a good face on it--a feat which I foundsufficiently easy from the relief I felt at no longer being bound to senda messenger to I did not know whom. 

The governor well satisfied with his victory, got all at once into highspirits, and began to talk about military matters, the Court, and ongeneral topics, often addressing me with that friendly ease which goodFrench society knows so well how to reconcile with the rules ofpoliteness; no one could have guessed that there had ever been theslightest difference between us. He had made himself the hero of thepiece by the dexterous manner in which he had led up to the situation, but I had a fair claim to the second place, for I had made an experiencedofficer high in command give me the most flattering kind of satisfaction, which bore witness to the esteem with which I had inspired him. 

The dinner was served. The success of my part depended on the manner inwhich it was played, and my wit has seldom been keener than during thismeal. The whole conversation was in a pleasant vein, and I took greatcare to give the governor's wife opportunities for shining in it. She wasa charming and pretty woman, still quite youthful, for she was at leastthirty years younger than the governor. Nothing was said about my sixhours' stay in the guard-room, but at dessert the governor escapedspeaking plainly by a joke that was not worth the trouble of making. 

"You're a nice man, " said he, "to think I was going to fight you. Ah! ha!I have caught you, haven't I?"

"Who told you that I was meditating a duel?"

"Confess that such was the case?"

"I protest; there is a great difference between believing and supposing;the one is positive, the other merely hypothetical. I must confess, however, that your invitation to take a walk roused my curiosity as towhat was to come next, and I admire your wit. But you must believe methat I do not regard myself as caught in a trap--far from that, I am sowell pleased that I feel grateful to you. "

In the afternoon we all took a walk, and I gave my arm to the charmingmistress of the house. In the evening I took my leave, and set out earlythe next day having made a fair copy of my report. 

At five o'clock in the morning I was fast asleep in my carriage, when Iwas suddenly awakened. We were at the gate of Amiens. The fellow at thedoor was an exciseman--a race everywhere detested and with good cause, for besides the insolence of their manners nothing makes a man feel morelike a slave than the inquisitorial search they are accustomed to makethrough one's clothes and most secret possessions. He asked me if I hadanything contraband; and being in a bad temper at being deprived of mysleep to answer such a question I replied with an oath that I had nothingof the sort, and that he would have done better to let me sleep. 

"As you talk in that style, " said the creature, "we will see what we cansee. "

He ordered the postillion to pass on with the carriage. He had my luggagehauled down, and not being able to hinder him I fumed in silence. 

I saw my mistake, but there was nothing to be done; and having nocontraband goods I had nothing to fear, but my bad temper cost me twoweary hours of delay. The joys of vengeance were depicted on the featuresof the exciseman. At the time of which I am writing these gaugers werethe dregs of the people, but would become tractable on being treated witha little politeness. The sum of twenty-four sous given with good gracewould make them as supple as a pair of gloves; they would bow to thetravellers, wish them a pleasant journey, and give no trouble. I knew allthis, but there are times when a man acts mechanically as I had done, unfortunately. 

The scoundrels emptied my boxes and unfolded everything even to myshirts, between which they said I might have concealed English lace. 

After searching everything they gave me back my keys, but they had notyet done with us; they began to search my carriage. The rascal who was atthe head of them began to shout "victory, " he had discovered theremainder of a pound of snuff which I had bought at St. Omer on my way toDunkirk. 

With a voice of triumph the chief exciseman gave orders that my carriageshould be seized, and warned me that I would have to pay a fine of twelvehundred francs. 

For the nonce my patience was exhausted, and I leave the names I calledthem to the imagination of the reader; but they were proof against words. I told them to take me to the superintendent's. 

"You can go if you like, " said they, "we are not your servants. "

Surrounded by a curious crowd, whom the noise had drawn together, I beganto walk hurriedly towards the town, and entering the first open shop Icame to, I begged the shopkeeper to take me to the superintendent's. As Iwas telling the circumstances of the case, a man of good appearance, whohappened to be in the shop, said that he would be glad to show me the wayhimself, though he did not think I should find the superintendent in, ashe would doubtless be warned of my coming. 

"Without your paying either the fine or caution money, " said he, "youwill find it a hard matter to get yourself out of the difficulty. "

I entreated him to shew me the way to the superintendent's, and not totrouble about anything else. He advised me to give the rabble a louis tobuy drink, and thus to rid myself of them, on which I gave him the louis, begging him to see to it himself, and the bargain was soon struck. He wasa worthy attorney, and knew his men. 

We got to the superintendent's; but, as my guide had warned me, mygentleman was not to be seen. The porter told us that he had gone outalone, that he would not be back before night, and that he did not knowwhere he had gone. 

"There's a whole day lost, then, " said the attorney. 

"Let us go and hunt him up; he must have well-known resorts and friends, and we will find them out. I will give you a louis for the day's work;will that be enough?"

"Ample. "

We spent in vain four hours in looking for the superintendent in ten ortwelve houses. I spoke to the masters of all of them, exaggeratingconsiderably the injury that had been done to me. I was listened to, condoled with, and comforted with the remark that he would certainly beobliged to return to his house at night, and then he could not helphearing what I had to say. That would not suit me, so I continued thechase. 

At one o'clock the attorney took me to an old lady, who was thought agreat deal of in the town. She was dining all by herself. After givinggreat attention to my story, she said that she did not think she could bedoing wrong in telling a stranger the whereabouts of an individual who, in virtue of his office, ought never to be inaccessible. 

"And so, sir, I may reveal to you what after all is no secret. Mydaughter told me yesterday evening that she was going to dine at MadameN----'s, and that the superintendent was to be there. Do you go after himnow, and you will find him at table in the best society in Amiens, but, "said she, with a smile, "I advise you not to give your name at the door. The numerous servants will shew you the way without asking for your name. You can then speak to him whether he likes it or not, and though youdon't know him he will hear all you say. I am sorry that I cannot bepresent at so fine a situation. "

I gratefully took leave of the worthy lady, and I set off in all haste tothe house I had been told of, the attorney, who was almost tired out, accompanying me. Without the least difficulty he and I slipped in betweenthe crowds of servants till we got to a hall where there were more thantwenty people sitting down to a rich and delicate repast. 

"Ladies and gentlemen, you will excuse my troubling your quiet on thisfestive occasion with a tale of terror. "

At these words, uttered in the voice of Jupiter Tonans, everybody rose. The surprise of the high-born company of knights and ladies at myapparition can easily be imagined. 

"Since seven o'clock this morning I have been searching from door to doorand from street to street for his honour the superintendent, whom I haveat last been fortunate enough to find here, for I know perfectly wellthat he is present, and that if he have ears he hears me now. I am cometo request him to order his scoundrelly myrmidons who have seized mycarriage to give it up, so that I may continue my journey. If the lawsbid me pay twelve hundred francs for seven ounces of snuff for my ownprivate use, I renounce those laws and declare that I will not pay afarthing. I shall stay here and send a messenger to my ambassador, whowill complain that the 'jus gentium' has been violated in theIle-de-France in my person, and I will have reparation. Louis XV. Isgreat enough to refuse to become an accomplice in this strange onslaught. And if that satisfaction which is my lawful right is not granted me, Iwill make the thing an affair of state, and my Republic will not revengeitself by assaulting Frenchmen for a few pinches of snuff, but will expelthem all root and branch. If you want to know whom I am, read this. "

Foaming with rage, I threw my passport on the table. 

A man picked it up and read it, and I knew him to be the superintendent. While my papers were being handed round I saw expressed on every facesurprise and indignation, but the superintendent replied haughtily thathe was at Amiens to administer justice, and that I could not leave thetown unless I paid the fine or gave surety. 

"If you are here to do justice, you will look upon my passport as apositive command to speed me on my way, and I bid you yourself be mysurety if you are a gentleman. "

"Does high birth go bail for breaches of the law in your country?"

"In my country men of high birth do not condescend to take dishonourableemployments. "

"No service under the king can be dishonourable. "

"The hangman would say the same thing. "

"Take care what you say. "

"Take care what you do. Know, sir, that I am a free man who has beengrievously outraged, and know, too, that I fear no one. Throw me out ofthe window, if you dare. "

"Sir, " said a lady to me in the voice of the mistress of the house, "inmy house there is no throwing out of windows. "

"Madam, an angry man makes use of terms which his better reason disowns. I am wronged by a most cruel act of injustice, and I humbly crave yourpardon for having offended you. Please to reflect that for the first timein my life I have been oppressed and insulted, and that in a kingdomwhere I thought myself safe from all but highway robbers. For them I havemy pistols, and for the worthy superintendents I have a passport, but Ifind the latter useless. For the sake of seven ounces of snuff which Ibought at St. Omer three weeks ago, this gentleman robs me and interruptsmy journey, though the king's majesty is my surety that no one shallinterfere with me; he calls on me to pay fifty louis, he delivers me tothe rage of his impudent menials and to the derision of the mob, fromwhom I had to rid myself by my money and the aid of this worthy manbeside me. I am treated like a scoundrel, and the man who should havebeen my defender and deliverer slinks away and hides himself, and adds tothe insults I have received. His myrmidons have turned my clothes upsidedown, and pitchforked my linen at the foot of the town gates, to revengethemselves on me for not giving them twenty, four sous. To-morrow themanner in which I have been treated will be known to the diplomaticbodies at Versailles and Paris, and in a few days it will be in all thenewspapers. I will pay not a farthing because I owe not a farthing. Now, sir, am I to send a courier to the Duc de Gesvres?"

"What you have got to do is to pay, and if you do not care to pay, youmay do whatever you like. "

"Then, ladies and gentlemen, good-bye. As for you, sir, we shall meetagain. "

As I was rushing out of the room like a madman, I heard somebody callingout to me in good Italian to wait a minute. I turned round, and saw thevoice had proceeded from a man past middle age, who addressed thesuperintendent thus:--

"Let this gentleman proceed on his journey; I will go bail for him. Doyou understand me, superintendent? I will be his surety. You don't knowthese Italians. I went through the whole of the last war in Italy, and Iunderstand the national character. Besides, I think the gentleman is inthe right. "

"Very good, " said the official, turning to me. "All you have to do is topay a matter of thirty or forty francs at the customs' office as theaffair is already booked. "

"I thought I told you that I would not pay a single farthing, and I tellit you again. But who are you, sir, " said I, turning to the worthy oldman, "who are good enough to become surety for me without knowing me?"

"I am a commissary of musters, sir, and my name is de la Bretonniere. Ilive in Paris at the 'Hotel de Saxe, ' Rue Colombien, where I shall beglad to see you after to-morrow. We will go together to M. Britard, who, after hearing your case, will discharge my bail. "

After I had expressed my gratitude, and told him that I would wait uponhim without fail, I made my excuses to the mistress of the house and theguests, and left them. 

I took my worthy attorney to dinner at the best inn in the place, and Igave him two louis for his trouble. Without his help and that of thecommissary I should have been in great difficulty; it would have been acase of the earthen pot and the iron pot over again; for withjacks-in-office reason is of no use, and though I had plenty of money Iwould never have let the wretches rob me of fifty louis. 

My carriage was drawn up at the door of the tavern; and just as I wasgetting in, one of the excisemen who had searched my luggage came andtold me that I should find everything just as I left it:--

"I wonder at that since it has been left in the hands of men of yourstamp; shall I find the snuff?"

"The snuff has been confiscated, my lord. "

"I am sorry for you, then; for if it had been there I would have givenyou a louis. "

"I will go and look for it directly. "

"I have no time to wait for it. Drive on, postillion. "

I got to Paris the next day, and four days after I waited on M. De laBretonniere, who gave me a hearty welcome, and took me to M. Britard, thefermier-general, who discharged his bail. This M. Britard was a pleasantyoung man. He blushed when he heard all I had gone through. 

I took my report to M. De Bernis, at the "Hotel Bourbon, " and hisexcellence spent two hours over it, making me take out all unnecessarymatter. I spent the time in making a fair copy, and the next day I tookit to M. De la Ville, who read it through in silence, and told me that hewould let me know the result. A month after I received five hundredlouis, and I had the pleasure of hearing that M. De Cremille, the firstlord of the admiralty, had pronounced my report to be not only perfectlyaccurate but very suggestive. Certain reasonable apprehensions preventedme from making myself known to him--an honour which M. De Bernis wishedto procure for me. 

When I told him my adventures on the way back, he laughed, but said thatthe highest merit of a secret agent was to keep out of difficulties; forthough he might have the tact to extricate himself from them, yet he gottalked of, which it should be his chief care to avoid. 

This mission cost the admiralty twelve thousand francs, and the ministermight easily have procured all the information I gave him withoutspending a penny. Any intelligent young naval officer would have done itjust as well, and would have acquitted himself with zeal and discretion, to gain the good opinion of the ministers. But all the French ministersare the same. They lavished money which came out of other people'spockets to enrich their creatures, and they were absolute; thedowntrodden people counted for nothing, and of this course theindebtedness of the state and the confusion of the finances were theinevitable results. It is quite true that the Revolution was a necessity, but it should have been marked with patriotism and right feeling, notwith blood. However, the nobility and clergy were not men of sufficientgenerosity to make the necessary sacrifices to the king, the state, andto themselves. 

Silvia was much amused at my adventures at Aire and Amiens, and hercharming daughter shewed much pity for the bad night I had passed in theguard-room. I told her that the hardship would have been much less if Ihad had a wife beside me. She replied that a wife, if a good one, wouldhave been only too happy to alleviate my troubles by sharing in them, buther mother observed that a woman of parts, after seeing to the safety ofmy baggage and my coach, would have busied herself in taking thenecessary steps for setting me at liberty, and I supported this opinionas best indicating the real duty of a good wife. 

CHAPTER III

The Count de la Tour D'Auvergne and Madame D'Urfe--Camille--My Passionfor the Count's Mistress--The Ridiculous Incident Which Cured Me--TheCount de St. Germain

In spite of my love for Mdlle. Baletti, I did not omit to pay my court tothe most noted ladies of the pavement; but I was chiefly interested inkept women, and those who consider themselves as belonging to the publiconly in playing before them night by night, queens or chamber-maids. 

In spite of this affection, they enjoy what they call their independence, either by devoting themselves to Cupid or to Plutus, and more frequentlyto both together. As it is not very difficult to make the acquaintance ofthese priestesses of pleasure and dissipation, I soon got to know severalof them. 

The halls of the theatres are capital places for amateurs to exercisetheir talents in intriguing, and I had profited tolerably well by thelessons I had learnt in this fine school. 

I began by becoming the friend of their lovers, and I often succeeded bypretending to be a man of whom nobody need be afraid. 

Camille, an actress and dancer at the Italian play, with whom I hadfallen in love at Fontainebleu seven years ago, was one of those of whomI was most fond, liking the society at her pretty little house, where shelived with the Count d'Eigreville, who was a friend of mine, and fond ofmy company. He was a brother of the Marquis de Gamache and of theCountess du Rumain, and was a fine young fellow of an excellentdisposition. He was never so well pleased as when he saw his mistresssurrounded by people--a taste which is rarely found, but which is veryconvenient, and the sign of a temperament not afflicted by jealousy. Camille had no other lovers--an astonishing thing in an actress of thekind, but being full of tact and wit she drove none of her admirers todespair. She was neither over sparing nor over generous in thedistribution of her favours, and knew how to make the whole town raveabout her without fearing the results of indiscretion or sorrows of beingabandoned. 

The gentleman of whom, after her lover, she took most notice, was theCount de la Tour d'Auvergne, a nobleman of an old family, who idolizedher, and, not being rich enough to possess her entirely, had to becontent with what she gave him. Camille had given him a young girl, forwhose keep she paid, who lived with Tour d'Auvergne in furnishedapartments in the Rue de Taranne, and whom he said he loved as one lovesa portrait, because she came from Camille. The count often took her withhim to Camille's to supper. She was fifteen, simple in her manners, andquite devoid of ambition. She told her lover that she would never forgivehim an act of infidelity except with Camille, to whom she felt bound toyield all since to her she owed all. 

I became so much in love with her that I often went to Camille's solelyto see her and to enjoy those artless speeches with which she delightedthe company. I strove as best I could to conceal my flame, but often Ifound myself looking quite sad at the thought of the impossibility of mylove being crowned with success. If I had let my passion be suspected Ishould have been laughed at, and should have made myself a mark for thepitiless sarcasms of Camille. However, I got my cure in the followingridiculous manner:--

Camille lived at the Barriere Blanche, and on leaving her house, onerainy evening, I sought in vain for a coach to take me home. 

"My dear Casanova, " said Tour d'Auvergne, "I can drop you at your owndoor without giving myself the slightest inconvenience, though mycarriage is only seated for two; however, my sweetheart can sit on ourknees. "

I accepted his offer with pleasure, and we seated ourselves in thecarriage, the count on my left hand and Babet on both our knees. 

Burning with amorous passion I thought I would take the opportunity, and, to lose no time, as the coachman was driving fast, I took her hand andpressed it softly. The pressure was returned. Joy! I carried the hand tomy lips, and covered it with affectionate though noiseless kisses. Longing to convince her of the ardour of my passion, and thinking thather hand would not refuse to do me a sweet service, I . . . But just atcritical moment, "I am really very much obliged to you, my dear fellow, " said the Count dela Tour d'Auvergne, "for a piece of politeness thoroughly Italian, ofwhich, however, I do not feel worthy; at least, I hope it's meant aspoliteness and not as a sign of contempt. "

At these dreadful words I stretched out my hand and felt the sleeve ofhis coat. Presence of mind was no good in a situation like this, when hiswords were followed by a peal of loud laughter which would haveconfounded the hardiest spirit. As for me, I could neither join in hislaughter nor deny his accusation; the situation was a fearful one, orwould have been if the friendly shades of night had not covered myconfusion. Babet did her best to find out from the count why he laughedso much, but he could not tell her for laughing, for which I gave thankswith all my heart. At last the carriage stopped at my house, and as soonas my servant had opened the door of my carriage I got down as fast as Icould, and wished them good night--a compliment which Tour d'Auvergnereturned with fresh peals of laughter. I entered my house in a state ofstupefaction, and half an hour elapsed before I, too, began to laugh atthe adventure. What vexed me most was the expectation of having maliciousjests passed upon me, for I had not the least right to reckon on thecount's discretion. However, I had enough sense to determine to join inthe laughter if I could, and if not, to take it well, for this is, andalways will be, the best way to get the laughers on one's own side atParis. 

For three days I saw nothing of the delightful count, and on the fourth Iresolved to ask him to take breakfast with me, as Camille had sent to myhouse to enquire how I was. My adventure would not prevent me visitingher house, but I was anxious to know how it had been taken. 

As soon as Tour d'Auvergne saw me he began to roar with laughter, and Ijoined in, and we greeted each other in the friendliest manner possible. "My dear count, " said I, "let us forget this foolish story. You have nobusiness to attack me, as I do not know how to defend myself. "

"Why should you defend yourself, my dear fellow. We like you all thebetter for it, and this humorous adventure makes us merry every evening. "

"Everybody knows it, then?"

"Of course, why not? It makes Camille choke with laughter. Come thisevening; I will bring Babet, and she will amuse you as she maintains thatyou were not mistaken. "

"She is right. "

"Eh? what? You do me too much honour, and I don't believe you; but haveit as you like. "

"I can't do better, but I must confess when all's said that you were notthe person to whom my fevered imagination offered such ardent homage. "

At supper I jested, pretended to be astonished at the count'sindiscretion, and boasted of being cured of my passion. Babet called me avillain, and maintained that I was far from cured; but she was wrong, asthe incident had disgusted me with her, and had attached me to the count, who, indeed, was a man of the most amiable character. Nevertheless, ourfriendship might have been a fatal one, as the reader will see presently. 

One evening, when I was at the Italian theatre, Tour d'Auvergne came upto me and asked me to lend him a hundred louis, promising to repay menext Saturday. 

"I haven't got the money, " I said, "but my purse and all it contains isat your service. "

"I want a hundred louis, my dear fellow, and immediately, as I lost themat play yesterday evening at the Princess of Anhalt's. "

"But I haven't got them. "

"The receiver of the lottery ought always to be able to put his hand on ahundred louis. "

"Yes, but I can't touch my cash-box; I have to give it up this day week. "

"So you can; as I will repay you on Saturday. Take a hundred louis fromthe box, and put in my word of honour instead; don't you think that isworth a hundred Louis?"

"I have nothing to say to that, wait for me a minute. "

I ran to my office, took out the money and gave it to him. Saturday camebut no count, and as I had no money I pawned my diamond ring and replacedthe hundred louis I owed the till. Three or four days afterwards, as Iwas at the Comedie Francaise, the Count de la Tour d'Auvergne came up tome and began to apologize. I replied by shewing my hand, and telling himthat I had pawned my ring to save my honour. He said, with a melancholyair, that a man had failed to keep his word with him, but he would besure to give me the hundred louis on the Saturday following, adding, "Igive you my word of honour. "

"Your word of honour is in my box, so let's say nothing about that. Youcan repay me when you like. "

The count grew as pale as death. 

"My word of honour, my dear Casanova, is more precious to me than mylife; and I will give you the hundred louis at nine o'clock to-morrowmorning at a hundred paces from the cafe at the end of theChamps-Elysees. I will give you them in person, and nobody will see us. Ihope you will not fail to be there, and that you will bring your sword. Ishall have mine. "

"Faith, count! that's making me pay rather dear for my jest. Youcertainly do me a great honour, but I would rather beg your pardon, ifthat would prevent this troublesome affair from going any further. "

"No, I am more to blame than you, and the blame can only be removed bythe sword's point. Will you meet me?

"I do not see how I can refuse you, although I am very much averse to theaffair. "

I left him and went to Silvia's, and took my supper sadly, for I reallyliked this amiable nobleman, and in my opinion the game we were going toplay was not worth the candle. I would not have fought if I could haveconvinced myself that I was in the wrong, but after turning the matterwell-over, and looking at it from every point of view, I could not helpseeing that the fault lay in the count's excessive touchiness, and Iresolved to give him satisfaction. At all hazards I would not fail tokeep the appointment. 

I reached the cafe a moment after him. We took breakfast together and hepayed. We then went out and walked towards the Etoile. When we got to asheltered place he drew a bundle of a hundred louis from his pocket, gaveit to me with the greatest courtesy, and said that one stroke of thesword would be sufficient. I could not reply. 

He went off four paces and drew his sword. I did the same without sayinga word, and stepping forward almost as soon as our blades crossed Ithrust and hit him. I drew back my sword and summoned him to keep hisword, feeling sure that I had wounded him in his chest. 

He gently kissed his sword, and putting his hand into his breast he drewit out covered with blood, and said pleasantly to me, "I am satisfied. "

I said to him all that I could, and all that it was my duty to say in theway of compliment, while he was stanching the blood with hishandkerchief, and on looking at the point of my sword I was delighted tofind that the wound was of the slightest. I told him so offering to seehim home. He thanked me and begged me to keep my own counsel, and toreckon him henceforth amongst my truest friends. After I had embracedhim, mingling my tears with my embraces, I returned home, sad at heartbut having learnt a most useful lesson. No one ever knew of our meeting, and a week afterwards we supped together at Camille's. 

A few days after, I received from M. De la Ville the five hundred louisfor my Dunkirk mission. On my going to see Camille she told me that Tourd'Auvergne was kept in bed by an attack of sciatica, and that if I likedwe could pay him a visit the next day. I agreed, and we went. Afterbreakfast was over I told him in a serious voice that if he would give mea free hand I could cure him, as he was not suffering from sciatica butfrom a moist and windy humour which I could disperse my means of theTalisman of Solomon and five mystic words. He began to laugh, but told meto do what I liked. 

"Very good, then I will go out and buy a brush. "

"I will send a servant. "

"No, I must get it myself, as I want some drugs as well. " I bought somenitre, mercury, flower of sulphur, and a small brush, and on my returnsaid, "I must have a little of your----, this liquid is indispensable, and it must be quite fresh. "

Camille and he began to laugh, but I succeeded in keeping the seriousface suitable to my office. I handed him a mug and modestly lowered thecurtains, and he then did what I wanted. 

I made a mixture of the various ingredients, and I told Camille that shemust rub his thigh whilst I spoke the charm, but I warned her that if shelaughed while she was about it it would spoil all. This threat onlyincreased their good humour, and they laughed without cessation; for assoon as they thought they had got over it, they would look at oneanother, and after repressing themselves as long as they could wouldburst out afresh, till I began to think that I had bound them to animpossible condition. At last, after holding their sides for half anhour, they set themselves to be serious in real earnest, taking myimperturbable gravity for their example. De la Tour d'Auvergne was thefirst to regain a serious face, and he then offered Camille his thigh, and she, fancying herself on the boards, began to rub the sick man, whilst I mumbled in an undertone words which they would not haveunderstood however clearly I had spoken, seeing that I did not understandthem myself. 

I was nearly spoiling the efficacy of the operation when I saw thegrimaces they made in trying to keep serious. Nothing could be moreamusing than the expression on Camille's face. At last I told her thatshe had rubbed enough, and dipping the brush into the mixture I drew onhis thigh the five-pointed star called Solomon's seal. I then wrapped upthe thigh in three napkins, and I told him that if he would keep quietfor twenty-four hours without taking off--his napkins, I would guaranteea cure. 

The most amusing part of it all was, that by the time I had done thecount and Camille laughed no more, their faces wore a bewildered look, and as for me . . . I could have sworn I had performed the most wonderfulwork in the world. If one tells a lie a sufficient number of times, oneends by believing it. 

A few minutes after this operation, which I had performed as if byinstinct and on the spur of the moment, Camille and I went away in acoach, and I told her so many wonderful tales that when she got out ather door she looked quite mazed. 

Four or five days after, when I had almost forgotten the farce, I heard acarriage stopping at my door, and looking out of my window saw M. De laTour d'Auvergne skipping nimbly out of the carriage. 

"You were sure of success, then, " said he, "as you did not come to see methe day after your astounding operation. "

"Of course I was sure, but if I had not been too busy you would have seenme, for all that. "

"May I take a bath?"

"No, don't bathe till you feel quite well. "

"Very good. Everybody is in a state of astonishment at your feat, as Icould not help telling the miracle to all my acquaintances. There arecertainly some sceptics who laugh at me, but I let them talk. "

"You should have kept your own counsel; you know what Paris is like. Everybody will be considering me as a master-quack. "

"Not at all, not at all. I have come to ask a favour of you. "

"What's that?"

"I have an aunt who enjoys a great reputation for her skill in the occultsciences, especially in alchemy. She is a woman of wit, very, rich, andsole mistress of her fortune; in short, knowing her will do you no harm. She longs to see you, for she pretends to know you, and says that you arenot what you seem. She has entreated me to take you to dine with her, andI hope you will accept the invitation. Her name is the Marchionessd'Urfe. "

I did not know this lady, but the name of d'Urfe caught my attentiondirectly, as I knew all about the famous Anne d'Urfe who flourishedtowards the end of the seventeenth century. The lady was the widow of hisgreat-grandson, and on marrying into the family became a believer in themystical doctrines of a science in which I was much interested, though Igave it little credit. I therefore replied that I should be glad to go, but on the condition that the party should not exceed the count, hisaunt, and myself. 

"She has twelve people every day to dinner, and you will find yourself inthe company of the best society in Paris. "

"My dear fellow, that's exactly what I don't want; for I hate to bethought a magician, which must have been the effect of the tales you havetold. "

"Oh, no! not at all; your character is well known, and you will findyourself in the society of people who have the greatest regard for you. "

"Are you sure of that?"

"The Duchess de l'Oragnais told me, that, four or five years ago, youwere often to be seen at the Palais Royal, and that you used to spendwhole days with the Duchess d'Orleans; Madame de Bouffers, Madame deBlots, and Madame de Melfort have also talked to me about you. You arewrong not to keep up your old acquaintances. I know at least a hundredpeople of the first rank who are suffering from the same malady as thatof which you cured me, and would give the half of their goods to becured. "

De la Tour d'Auvergne had reason on his side, but as I knew his wonderfulcure had been due to a singular coincidence, I had no desire to exposemyself to public ridicule. I therefore told him that I did not wish tobecome a public character, and that he must tell Madame d'Urfe that Iwould have the honour of calling on her in strict privacy only, and thatshe might tell me the day and hour on which I should kneel before her. 

The same evening I had a letter from the count making an appointment atthe Tuileries for the morrow; he was to meet me there, and take me to hisaunt's to dinner. No one else was to be present. 

The next day we met each other as had been arranged, and went to seeMadame d'Urfe, who lived on the Quai des Theatins, on the same side asthe "Hotel Bouillon. "

Madame d'Urfe, a woman advanced in years, but still handsome, received mewith all the courtly grace of the Court of the Regency. We spent an hourand a half in indifferent conversation, occupied in studying each other'scharacter. Each was trying to get at the bottom of the other. 

I had not much trouble in playing the part of the unenlightened, forsuch, in point of fact, was my state of mind, and Madame d'Urfeunconsciously betrayed the desire of shewing her learning; this put me atmy ease, for I felt sure I could make her pleased with me if I succeededin making her pleased with herself. 

At two o'clock the same dinner that was prepared every day for twelve wasserved for us three. Nothing worthy of note (so far as conversation went)was done at dinner, as we talked commonplace after the manner of peopleof fashion. 

After the dessert Tour d'Auvergne left us to go and see the Prince deTurenne, who was in a high fever, and after he was gone Madame d'Urfebegan to discuss alchemy and magic, and all the other branches of herbeloved science, or rather infatuation. When we got on to the magnumopus, and I asked her if she knew the nature of the first matter, it wasonly her politeness which prevented her from laughing; but controllingherself, she replied graciously that she already possessed thephilosopher's stone, and that she was acquainted with all the operationsof the work. She then shewed me a collection of books which had belongedto the great d'Urfe, and Renee of Savoy, his wife; but she had added toit manuscripts which had cost her more than a hundred thousand francs. Paracelsus was her favourite author, and according to her he was neitherman, woman, nor hermaphrodite, and had the misfortune to poison himselfwith an overdose of his panacea, or universal medicine. She shewed me ashort manuscript in French, where the great work was clearly explained. She told me that she did not keep it under lock and key, because it waswritten in a cypher, the secret of which was known only to herself. 

"You do not believe, then, in steganography. "

"No, sir, and if you would like it, I will give you this which has beencopied from the original. "

"I accept it, madam, with all the more gratitude in that I know itsworth. "

From the library we went into the laboratory, at which I was trulyastonished. She shewed me matter that had been in the furnace for fifteenyears, and was to be there for four or five years more. It was a powderof projection which was to transform instantaneously all metals into thefinest gold. She shewed me a pipe by which the coal descended to thefurnace, keeping it always at the same heat. The lumps of coal wereimpelled by their own weight at proper intervals and in equal quantities, so that she was often three months without looking at the furnace, thetemperature remaining the same the whole time. The cinders were removedby another pipe, most ingeniously contrived, which also answered thepurpose of a ventilator. 

The calcination of mercury was mere child's play to this wonderful woman. She shewed me the calcined matter, and said that whenever I liked shewould instruct me as to the process. I next saw the Tree of Diana of thefamous Taliamed, whose pupil she was. His real name was Maillot, andaccording to Madame d'Urfe he had not, as was supposed, died atMarseilles, but was still alive; "and, " added she, with a slight smile, "I often get letters from him. If the Regent of France, " said she, "hadlistened to me he would be alive now. He was my first friend; he gave methe name of Egeria, and he married me to M. D'Urfe. "

She possessed a commentary on Raymond Lully, which cleared up alldifficult points in the comments of Arnold de Villanova on the works ofRoger Bacon and Heber, who, according to her, were still alive. Thisprecious manuscript was in an ivory casket, the key of which she keptreligiously; indeed her laboratory was a closed room to all but myself. Isaw a small cask full of 'platina del Pinto', which she told me she couldtransmute into gold when she pleased. It had been given her by M. Voodhimself in 1743. She shewed me the same metal in four phials. In thefirst three the platinum remained intact in sulphuric, nitric, andmuriatic acid, but in the fourth, which contained 'aqua regia', the metalhad not been able to resist the action of the acid. She melted it withthe burning-glass, and said it could be melted in no other way, whichproved, in her opinion, its superiority to gold. She shewed me someprecipitated by sal ammoniac, which would not precipitate gold. 

Her athanor had been alight for fifteen years. The top was full of blackcoal, which made me conclude that she had been in the laboratory two orthree days before. Stopping before the Tree of Diana, I asked her, in arespectful voice, if she agreed with those who said it was only fit toamuse children. She replied, in a dignified manner, that she had made itto divert herself with the crystallization of the silver, spirit ofnitre, and mercury, and that she looked upon it as a piece of metallicvegetation, representing in little what nature performed on a largerscale; but she added, very seriously, that she could make a Tree of Dianawhich should be a very Tree of the Sun, which would produce golden fruit, which might be gathered, and which would continue to be produced till nomore remained of a certain ingredient. I said modestly that I could notbelieve the thing possible without the powder of projection, but her onlyanswer was a pleased smile. 

She then pointed out a china basin containing nitre, mercury, andsulphur, and a fixed salt on a plate. 

"You know the ingredients, I suppose?" said she. 

"Yes; this fixed salt is a salt of urine. "

"You are right. "

"I admire your sagacity, madam. You have made an analysis of the mixturewith which I traced the pentacle on your nephew's thigh, but in what waycan you discover the words which give the pentacle its efficacy?"

"In the manuscript of an adept, which I will shew you, and where you willfind the very words you used. "

I bowed my head in reply, and we left this curious laboratory. 

We had scarcely arrived in her room before Madame d'Urfe drew from ahandsome casket a little book, bound in black, which she put on the tablewhile she searched for a match. While she was looking about, I opened thebook behind her back, and found it to be full of pentacles, and by goodluck found the pentacle I had traced on the count's thigh. It wassurrounded by the names of the spirits of the planets, with the exceptionof those of Saturn and Mars. I shut up the book quickly. The spiritsnamed were the same as those in the works of Agrippa, with which I wasacquainted. With an unmoved countenance I drew near her, and she soonfound the match, and her appearance surprised me a good deal; but I willspeak of that another time. 

The marchioness sat down on her sofa, and making me to do the like sheasked me if I was acquainted with the talismans of the Count de Treves?

"I have never heard of them, madam, but I know those of Poliphilus:"

"It is said they are the same. "

"I don't believe it. "

"We shall see. If you will write the words you uttered, as you drew thepentacle on my nephew's thigh, and if I find the same talisman with thesame words around it, the identity will be proved. "

"It will, I confess. I will write the words immediately. "

I wrote out the names of the spirits. Madame d'Urfe found the pentacleand read out the names, while I pretending astonishment, gave her thepaper, and much to her delight she found the names to be the same. 

"You see, " said she, "that Poliphilus and the Count de Treves possessedthe same art. "

"I shall be convinced that it is so, if your book contains the manner ofpronouncing the ineffable names. Do you know the theory of the planetaryhours?"

"I think so, but they are not needed in this operation. "

"They are indispensable, madam, for without them one cannot work with anycertainty. I drew Solomon's pentacle on the thigh of Count de la Tourd'Auvergne in the hour of Venus, and if I had not begun with Arael, thespirit of Venus, the operation would have had no effect. "

"I did not know that. And after Arael?"

"Next comes Mercury, then the Moon, then Jupiter, and then the Sun. Itis, you see, the magic cycle of Zoroaster, in which Saturn and Mars areomitted. "

"And how would you have proceeded if you had gone to work in the hour ofthe Moon?"

"I should have begun with Jupiter, passed to the Sun, then to Arael orVenus, and I should have finished at Mercury. "

"I see sir, that you are most apt in the calculation of the planetaryhours. "

"Without it one can do nothing in magic, as one would have no properdata; however, it is an easy matter to learn. Anyone could pick it up ina month's time. The practical use, however, is much more difficult thanthe theory; this, indeed, is a complicated affair. I never leave my housewithout ascertaining the exact number of minutes in the day, and takecare that my watch is exact to the time, for a minute more or less wouldmake all the difference in the world. "

"Would you have the goodness to explain the theory to me. "

"You will find it in Artephius and more clearly in Sandivogius. "

"I have both works, but they are in Latin. "

"I will make you a translation of them. "

"You are very kind; I shall be extremely obliged to you. "

"I have seen such things here, madam, that I could not refuse, forreasons which I may, perhaps, tell you to-morrow. "

"Why not to-day?"

"Because I ought to know the name of your familiar spirit before I tellyou. "

"You know, then, that I have a familiar? You should have one, if it istrue that you possess the powder of projection. "

"I have one. "

"Give me the oath of the order. "

"I dare not, and you know why. "

"Perhaps I shall be able to remove your fears by tomorrow. "

This absurd oath was none other than that of the princes of the RosyCross, who never pronounce it without being certain that each party is aRosicrucian, so Madame d'Urfe was quite right in her caution, and as forme I had to pretend to be afraid myself. The fact is I wanted to gaintime, for I knew perfectly well the nature of the oath. It may be givenbetween men without any indecency, but a woman like Madame d'Urfe wouldprobably not relish giving it to a man whom she saw for the first time. 

"When we find this oath alluded to in the Holy Scriptures, " she said, "itis indicated by the words 'he swore to him by laying his hand on histhigh. '"

"But the thigh is not really what is meant; and consequently we neverfind any notice of a man taking this oath to a woman, as a woman has no'verbum'. "

The Count de la Tour d'Auvergne came back at nine o'clock in the evening, and he skewed no little astonishment at seeing me still with his aunt. Hetold us that his cousin's fever had increased, and that small-pox haddeclared itself; "and I am going to take leave of you, my dear aunt, atleast for a month, as I intend to shut myself up with the sick man. "

Madame d'Urfe praised his zeal, and gave him a little bag on hispromising to return it to her after the cure of the prince. 

"Hang it round his neck and the eruption will come out well, and he willbe perfectly cured. "

He promised to do so, and having wished us good evening he went out. 

"I do not know, madam, what your bag contains, but if it have aught to dowith magic, I have no confidence in its efficacy, as you have neglectedto observe the planetary hour. "

"It is an electrum, and magic and the observance of the hour have nothingto do with it. "

"I beg your pardon. "

She then said that she thought my desire for privacy praiseworthy, butshe was sure I should not be ill pleased with her small circle, if Iwould but enter it. 

"I will introduce you to all my friends, " said she, "by asking them oneat a time, and you will then be able to enjoy the company of them all. "

I accepted her proposition. 

In consequence of this arrangement I dined the next day with M. Grin andhis niece, but neither of them took my fancy. The day after, I dined withan Irishman named Macartney, a physician of the old school, who bored meterribly. The next day the guest was a monk who talked literature, andspoke a thousand follies against Voltaire, whom I then much admired, andagainst the "Esprit des Lois, " a favourite work of mine, which the cowledidiot refused to attribute to Montesquieu, maintaining it had beenwritten by a monk. He might as well have said that a Capuchin created theheavens and the earth. 

On the day following Madame d'Urfe asked me to dine with the Chevalierd'Arzigny, a man upwards of eighty, vain, foppish, and consequentlyridiculous, known as "The Last of the Beaus. " However, as he had moved inthe court of Louis XIV. , he was interesting enough, speaking with all thecourtesy of the school, and having a fund of anecdote relating to theCourt of that despotic and luxurious monarch. 

His follies amused me greatly. He used rouge, his clothes were cut in thestyle which obtained in the days of Madame de Sevigne, he professedhimself still the devoted lover of his mistress, with whom he suppedevery night in the company of his lady friends, who were all young andall delightful, and preferred his society to all others; however, inspite of these seductions, he remained faithful to his mistress. 

The Chevalier d'Arzigny had an amiability of character which gavewhatever he said an appearance of truth, although in his capacity ofcourtier truth was probably quite unknown to him. He always wore abouquet of the most strongly-smelling flowers, such as tuberoses, jonquils, and Spanish jasmine; his wig was plastered down withamber-scented pomade, his teeth were made of ivory, and his eyebrows dyedand perfumed, and his whole person exhaled an odour to which Madamed'Urfe did not object, but which I could scarcely bear. If it had notbeen for this drawback I should probably have cultivated his society. Hewas a professed Epicurean, and carried out the system with an amazingtranquillity. He said that he would undertake to receive twenty-fourblows with the stick every morning on the condition that he should notdie within the twenty-four hours, and that the older he grew the moreblows he would gladly submit to. This was being in love with life with avengeance. 

Another day I dined with M. Charon, who was a counsellor, and in chargeof a suit between Madame d'Urfe and her daughter Madame du Chatelet, whomshe disliked heartily. The old counsellor had been the favoured lover ofthe marchioness forty years before, and he thought himself bound by theremembrance of their love-passages to support the cause of his oldsweetheart. In those days French magistrates thought they had a right totake the side of their friends, or of persons in whom they had aninterest, sometimes for friendship's sake, and sometimes for a monetaryconsideration; they thought, in fact, that they were justified in sellingjustice. 

M. Charon bored me like the others, as was natural, considering we had notwo tastes in common. 

The scene was changed the next day when I was amused with the company ofM. De Viarme, a young counsellor, a nephew of Madame d'Urfe's, and hispretty and charming wife. He was the author of the "Remonstrances to theKing, " a work which got him a great reputation, and had been read eagerlyby the whole town. He told me that the business of a counsellor was tooppose everything done by the crown, good and bad. His reasons for thistheory were those given by all minorities, and I do not think I needtrouble my readers with them. 

The most enjoyable dinner I had was with Madame de Gergi, who came withthe famous adventurer, known by the name of the Count de St. Germain. This individual, instead of eating, talked from the beginning of the mealto the end, and I followed his example in one respect as I did not eat, but listened to him with the greatest attention. It may safely be saidthat as a conversationalist he was unequalled. 

St. Germain gave himself out for a marvel and always aimed at excitingamazement, which he often succeeded in doing. He was scholar, linguist, musician, and chemist, good-looking, and a perfect ladies' man. Forawhile he gave them paints and cosmetics; he flattered them, not that hewould make them young again (which he modestly confessed was beyond him)but that their beauty would be preserved by means of a wash which, hesaid, cost him a lot of money, but which he gave away freely. 

He had contrived to gain the favour of Madame de Pompadour, who hadspoken about him to the king, for whom he had made a laboratory, in whichthe monarch--a martyr to boredom--tried to find a little pleasure ordistraction, at all events, by making dyes. The king had given him asuite of rooms at Chambord, and a hundred thousand francs for theconstruction of a laboratory, and according to St. Germain the dyesdiscovered by the king would have a materially beneficial influence onthe quality of French fabrics. 

This extraordinary man, intended by nature to be the king of impostorsand quacks, would say in an easy, assured manner that he was threehundred years old, that he knew the secret of the Universal Medicine, that he possessed a mastery over nature, that he could melt diamonds, professing himself capable of forming, out of ten or twelve smalldiamonds, one large one of the finest water without any loss of weight. All this, he said, was a mere trifle to him. Notwithstanding hisboastings, his bare-faced lies, and his manifold eccentricities, I cannotsay I thought him offensive. In spite of my knowledge of what he was andin spite of my own feelings, I thought him an astonishing man as he wasalways astonishing me. I shall have something more to say of thischaracter further on. 

When Madame d'Urfe had introduced me to all her friends, I told her thatI would dine with her whenever she wished, but that with the exception ofher relations and St. Germain, whose wild talk amused me, I should preferher to invite no company. St. Germain often dined with the best societyin the capital, but he never ate anything, saying that he was kept aliveby mysterious food known only to himself. One soon got used to hiseccentricities, but not to his wonderful flow of words which made him thesoul of whatever company he was in. 

By this time I had fathomed all the depths of Madame d'Urfe's character. She firmly believed me to be an adept of the first order, making use ofanother name for purposes of my own; and five or six weeks later she wasconfirmed in this wild idea on her asking me if I had diciphered themanuscript which pretended to explain the Magnum Opus. 

"Yes, " said I, "I have deciphered it, and consequently read it, and I nowbeg to return it you with my word of honour that I have not made a copy;in fact, I found nothing in it that I did not know before. "

"Without the key you mean, but of course you could never find out that. "

"Shall I tell you the key?"

"Pray do so. "

I gave her the word, which belonged to no language that I know of, andthe marchioness was quite thunderstruck. 

"This is too amazing, " said she; "I thought myself the sole possessor ofthat mysterious word--for I had never written it down, laying it up in mymemory--and I am sure I have never told anyone of it. "

I might have informed her that the calculation which enabled me todecipher the manuscript furnished me also with the key, but the whim tookme to tell her that a spirit had revealed it to me. This foolish talecompleted my mastery over this truly learned and sensible woman oneverything but her hobby. This false confidence gave me an immenseascendancy over Madame d'Urfe, and I often abused my power over her. Nowthat I am no longer the victim of those illusions which pursued methroughout my life, I blush at the remembrance of my conduct, and thepenance I impose on myself is to tell the whole truth, and to extenuatenothing in these Memoirs. 

The wildest notion in the good marchioness's brain was a firm belief inthe possibility of communication between mortals and elementary spirits. She would have given all her goods to attain to such communication, andshe had several times been deceived by impostors who made her believethat she attained her aim. 

"I did not think, " said she, sadly, "that your spirit would have beenable to force mine to reveal my secrets. "

"There was no need to force your spirit, madam, as mine knows all thingsof his own power. "

"Does he know the inmost secrets of my soul?"

"Certainly, and if I ask him he is forced to disclose all to me. "

"Can you ask him when you like?"

"Oh, yes! provided I have paper and ink. I can even ask him questionsthrough you by telling you his name. "

"And will you tell it me?"

"I can do what I say; and, to convince you, his name is Paralis. Ask hima simple question in writing, as you would ask a common mortal. Ask him, for instance, how I deciphered your manuscript, and you shall see I willcompel him to answer you. "

Trembling with joy, Madame d'Urfe put her question, expressed it innumbers, then following my method in pyramid shape; and I made herextract the answer, which she wrote down in letters. At first she onlyobtained consonants, but by a second process which supplied the vowelsshe received a clear and sufficient answer. Her every feature expressedastonishment, for she had drawn from the pyramid the word which was thekey to her manuscript. I left her, carrying with me her heart, her soul, her mind, and all the common sense which she had left. 

CHAPTER IV

Absurd Ideas of Madame D'Urfe on My Supernatural Powers--Marriage of MyBrother--I Conceive a Plan on His Wedding Day--I Go to Holland on aFinancial Mission--The Jew Boaz Gives Me a Lesson--M. D'Afri--Esther--Another Casanova--I Find Therese Imer Again

By the time that the Prince du Turenne had recovered from the small-poxand the Count de la Tour d'Auvergne had left him, the latter, knowing hisaunt's taste for the occult sciences, was not surprised to find me becomeher confident and most intimate friend. 

I was glad so see him and all the relations of the marchioness at dinner, as I was delighted with the courtesy with which they treated me. I amreferring more especially to her brothers MM. De Pont-Carre and de Viarmewho had lately been chosen head of the trade companies, and his son. Ihave already spoken of Madame du Chatelet, the marchioness's daughter, but an unlucky lawsuit separated them, and she no longer formed one ofthe family circle. 

De la Tour d'Auvergne having been obliged to rejoin his regiment whichwas in garrison in Brittany, the marchioness and I dined together almostevery day and people looked upon me as her husband, and despite theimprobability of the supposition this was the only way in which theycould account for the long hours we spent together. Madame d'Urfe thoughtthat I was rich and looked upon my position at the lottery as a meredevice for preserving my incognito. 

I was the possessor in her estimation, not only of the philosopher'sstone, but also of the power of speaking with the whole host ofelementary spirits; from which premises she drew the very logicaldeduction that I could turn the world upside down if I liked, and be theblessing or the plague of France; and she thought my object in remainingincognito was to guard myself from arrest and imprisonment; whichaccording to her would be the inevitable result of the minister'sdiscovering my real character. These wild notions were the fruit of thenocturnal revelations of her genius, that is, of the dreams of herdisordered spirit, which seemed to her realities. She did not seem tothink that if I was endowed as she supposed no one would have been ableto arrest me, in the first place, because I should have had foreknowledgeof the attempt, and in the second place because my power would have beentoo strong for all bolts and bars. All this was clear enough, but strongpassion and prejudice cannot reason. 

One day, in the course of conversation, she said, with the utmostseriousness, that her genius had advised her that not even I had power togive her speech with the spirits, since she was a woman, and the geniionly communicated with men, whose nature is more perfect. Nevertheless, by a process which was well known to me, I might make her soul pass intothe body of a male child born of the mystic connection between a mortaland an immortal, or, in other words, between an ordinary man and a womanof a divine nature. 

If I had thought it possible to lead back Madame d'Urfe to the right useof her senses I would have made the attempt, but I felt sure that herdisease was without remedy, and the only course before me seemed to abether in her ravings and to profit by them. 

If I had spoken out like an honest man and told her that her theorieswere nonsensical, she would not have believed me; she would have thoughtme jealous of her knowledge, and I should have lost her favour withoutany gain to her or to myself. I thus let things take their course, and tospeak the truth I was flattered to see myself treated as one of the mostprofound brothers of the Rosy Cross, as the most powerful of men by sodistinguished a lady, who was in high repute for her learning, whoentertained and was related to the first families of France, and had anincome of eighty thousand francs, a splendid estate, and severalmagnificent houses in Paris. I was quite sure that she would refuse menothing, and though I had no definite plan of profiting by her wealth Iexperienced a certain pleasure at the thought that I could do so if Iwould. 

In spite of her immense fortune and her belief in her ability to makegold, Madame d'Urfe was miserly in her habits, for she never spent morethan thirty thousand francs in a year, and she invested her savings inthe exchange, and in this way had nearly doubled them. A brother used tobuy her in Government securities at their lowest rate and sell at theirrise, and in this manner, being able to wait for their rise, and fall, she had amassed a considerable sum. 

She had told me more than once that she would give all she possessed tobecome a man, and that she knew I could do this for her if I would. Oneday, as she was speaking to me on this subject in a tone of persuasionalmost irresistible, I told her that I must confess I had the power to dowhat she wanted, but that I could not make up my mind to perform theoperation upon her as I should have to kill her first. I thought thiswould effectually check her wish to go any further, but what was mysurprise to hear her say, "I know that, and what is more I know the death I shall have to die; butfor all that I am ready. "

"What, then, is that death, madam?"

"It is by the same poison which killed Paracelsus. "

"Do you think that Paracelsus obtained the hypostasis?"

"No, but I know the reason of his not doing so. "

"What is the reason?"

"It is that he was neither man or woman, and a composite nature isincapable of the hypostasis, to obtain which one must be either the oneor the other. "

"Very true, but do you know how to make the poison, and that the thing isimpossible without the aid of a salamander?"

"That may or may not be! I beseech you to enquire of the oracle whetherthere be anyone in Paris in possession of this potion. "

It was easy to see that she thought herself in possession of it, so I hadno hesitation in extracting her name from the oracular pyramid. Ipretended to be astonished at the answer, but she said boastfully, "You see that all we want is a male child born of an immortal. This, I amadvised, will be provided by you; and I do not think you will be foundwanting out of a foolish pity for this poor old body of mine. "

At these words I rose and went to the window, where I stayed for morethan a quarter of an hour reflecting on her infatuation. When I returnedto the table where she was seated she scanned my features attentively, and said, with much emotion, "Can it be done, my dear friend? I see thatyou have been weeping. "

I did not try to undeceive her, and, taking my sword and hat, I tookleave of her sadly. Her carriage, which was always at my disposal, was atthe door, and I drove to the Boulevards, where I walked till the evening, wondering all the while at the extraordinary fantasies of themarchioness. 

My brother had been made a member of the Academy, on the exhibition of abattle piece which had taken all the critics by storm. The picture waspurchased by the Academy for five hundred louis. 

He had fallen in love with Caroline, and would have married her but for apiece of infidelity on her part, which so enraged him that in a weekafter he married an Italian dancer. M. De Sanci, the ecclesiasticalcommissioner, gave the wedding party. He was fond of the girl, and out ofgratitude to my brother for marrying her he got him numerous orders amonghis friends, which paved the way to the large fortune and high reputewhich my brother afterwards attained. 

M. Corneman, the banker, who was at my brother's wedding, spoke to me atconsiderable length on the great dearth of money, and asked me to discussthe matter with the comptroller-general. 

He told me that one might dispose of Government securities to anassociation of brokers at Amsterdam, and take in exchange the securitiesof any other country whose credit was higher than that of France, andthat these securities could easily be realized. I begged him to say nomore about it, and promised to see what I could do. 

The plan pleased me, and I turned it over all night; and the next day Iwent to the Palais Bourbon to discuss the question with M. De Bernis. Hethought the whole idea an excellent one, and advised me to go to Hollandwith a letter from M. De Choiseul for M. D'Afri, the ambassador at theHague. He thought that the first person I should consult with M. DeBoulogne, with whom he warned me to appear as if I was sure of my ground. 

"As you do not require money in advance, " said he, "you will be able toget as many letters of recommendation as you like. "

The same day I went to the comptroller-general, who approved of my plan, and told me that M. Le Duc de Choiseul would be at the Invalides the nextday, and that I should speak to him at once, and take a letter he wouldwrite for me. 

"For my part, " said he, "I will credit our ambassador with twentymillions, and if, contrary to my hopes, you do not succeed, the paper canbe sent back to France. "

I answered that there would be no question of the paper being returned, if they would be content with a fair price. 

"The margin will be a small one; however, you will hear about that fromthe ambassador, who will have full instructions. "

I felt so flattered by this mission that I passed the night in thinkingit over. The next day I went to the Invalides, and M. De Choiseul, sofamous for taking decisive action, had no sooner read M. De Boulogne'sletter and spoken a few words to me on the subject, than he got me towrite a letter for M. D'Afri, which he signed, sealed, returned to me, and wished me a prosperous journey. 

I immediately got a passport from M. De Berkenrode, and the same day tookleave of Madame Baletti and all my friends except Madame d'Urfe, withwhom I was to spend the whole of the next day. I gave my clerk at thelottery office full authority to sign all tickets. 

About a month before, a girl from Brussels, as excellent as she waspretty, had been married under my auspices to an Italian named Gaetan, bytrade a broker. This fellow, in his fit of jealousy, used to ill-treather shamefully; I had reconciled them several times already, and theyregarded me as a kind of go-between. They came to see me on the day onwhich I was making my preparations for going to Holland. My brother andTiretta were with me, and as I was still living in furnished apartments Itook them all to Laudel's, where they gave one an excellent dinner. Tiretta, drove his coach-and-four; he was ruining his ex-methodist, whowas still desperately in love with him. 

In the course of dinner Tiretta, who was always in high spirits and loveda jest, began to flirt with the girl, whom he saw for the first time. She, who neither meant nor suspected any ill, was quite at her ease, andwe should have enjoyed the joke, and everything would have gone onpleasantly, if her husband had possessed some modicum of manners andcommon sense, but he began to get into a perfect fury of jealousy. He atenothing, changed colour ten times in a minute, and looked daggers at hiswife, as much as to say he did not see the joke. To crown all, Tirettabegan to crack jests at the poor wretch's expense, and I, foreseeingunpleasantness, endeavoured, though all in vain, to moderate his highspirits and his sallies. An oyster chanced to fall on Madame Gaetan'sbeautiful breast; and Tiretta, who was sitting near her, took it up withhis lips as quick as lightning. Gaetan was mad with rage and gave hiswife such a furious box on the ear that his hand passed on from her cheekto that of her neighbour. Tiretta now as enraged as Gaetan took him byhis middle and threw him down, where, having no arms, he defended himselfwith kicks and fisticuffs, till the waiter came, and we put him out ofthe room. 

The poor wife in tears, and, like Tiretta, bleeding at the nose, besoughtme to take her away somewhere, as she feared her husband would kill herif she returned to him. So, leaving Tiretta with my brother, I got into acarriage with her and I took her, according to her request, to herkinsman, an old attorney who lived in the fourth story of a house in theQuai de Gevres. He received us politely, and after having heard the tale, he said, "I am a poor man, and I can do nothing for this unfortunate girl; whileif I had a hundred crowns I could do everything. "

"Don't let that stand in your way, " said I, and drawing three hundredfrancs from my pockets I gave him the money. 

"Now, sir, " said he, "I will be the ruin of her husband, who shall neverknow where his wife is. "

She thanked me and I left her there; the reader shall hear what became ofher when I return from my journey. 

On my informing Madame d'Urfe that I was going to Holland for the good ofFrance, and that I should be coming back at the beginning of February, she begged me to take charge of some shares of hers and to sell them forher. They amounted in value to sixty thousand francs, but she could notdispose of them on the Paris Exchange owing to the tightness in the moneymarket. In addition, she could not obtain the interest due to her, whichhad mounted up considerably, as she had not had a dividend for threeyears. 

I agreed to sell the shares for her, but it was necessary for me to beconstituted depositary and owner of the property by a deed, which wasexecuted the same day before a notary, to whose office we both went. 

On returning to her house I wished to give her an I O U for the moneys, but she would not hear of such a thing, and I let her remain satisfied ofmy honesty. 

I called on M. Corneman who gave me a bill of exchange for three hundredflorins on M. Boaz, a Jewish banker at the Hague, and I then set out onmy journey. I reached Anvers in two days, and finding a yacht ready tostart I got on board and arrived at Rotterdam the next day. I got to theHague on the day following, and after depositing my effects at the "Hoteld'Angleterre" I proceeded to M. D'Afri's, and found him reading M. DeChoiseul's letter, which informed him of my business. He asked me to dinein his company and in that of the ambassador of the King of Poland, whoencouraged me to proceed in my undertaking though he had not much opinionof my chances of success. 

Leaving the ambassador I went to see Boaz, whom I found at table in themidst of a numerous and ugly family. He read my letter and told me he hadjust received a letter from M. Corneman in which I was highly commendedto him. By way of a joke he said that as it was Christmas Eve he supposedI should be going to rock the infant Jesus asleep, but I answered that Iwas come to keep the Feast of the Maccabees with him--a reply whichgained me the applause of the whole family and an invitation to stay withthem. I accepted the offer without hesitation, and I told my servant tofetch my baggage from the hotel. Before leaving the banker I asked him toshew me some way of making twenty thousand florins in the short time Iwas going to stay in Holland. 

Taking me quite seriously he replied that the thing might easily be doneand that he would think it over. 

The next morning after breakfast, Boaz said, "I have solved your problem, sir; come in here and I will tell you aboutit. "

He took me into his private office, and, after counting out threethousand florins in notes and gold, he told me that if I liked I couldundoubtedly make the twenty thousand florins I had spoken of. 

Much surprised at the ease with which money may be got in Holland, as Ihad been merely jesting in the remarks I had made, I thanked him for hiskindness, and listened to his explanation. 

"Look at this note, " said he, "which I received this morning from theMint. It informs me that an issue of four hundred thousand ducats isabout to be made which will be disposed of at the current rate of gold, which is fortunately not high just now. Each ducat will fetch fiveflorins, two stivers and three-fifths. This is the rate of exchange withFrankfort. Buy in four hundred thousand ducats; take them or send them toFrankfort, with bills of exchange on Amsterdam, and your business isdone. On every ducat you will make a stiver and one-ninth, which comes totwenty-two thousand, two hundred and twenty-two of our florins. Get holdof the gold to-day, and in a week you will have your clear profit. That'smy idea. "

"But, " said I, "will the clerks of the Mint trust me with such a sum?"

"Certainly not, unless you pay them in current money or in good paper. "

"My dear sir, I have neither money nor credit to that amount. "

"Then you will certainly never make twenty thousand florins in a week. Bythe way you talked yesterday I took you for a millionaire. "

"I am very sorry you were so mistaken. "

"I shall get one of my sons to transact the business to-day. "

After giving me this rather sharp lesson, M. Boaz went into his office, and I went to dress. 

M. D'Afri had paid his call on me at the "Hotel d'Angleterre, " and notfinding me there he had written me a letter asking me to come and seehim. I did so, and he kept me to dinner, shewing me a letter he hadreceived from M. De Boulogne, in which he was instructed not to let medispose of the twenty millions at a greater loss than eight per cent. , aspeace was imminent. We both of us laughed at this calm confidence of theParisian minister, while we who were in a country where people saw deeperinto affairs knew that the truth was quite otherwise. 

On M. D'Afri's hearing that I was staying with a Jew, he advised me tokeep my own counsel when with Jews, "because, " said he, "in business, most honest and least knavish mean pretty much the same thing. If youlike, " he added, "I will give you a letter of introduction to M. Pels, ofAmsterdam. " I accepted his offer with gratitude, and in the hope of beinguseful to me in the matter of my foreign shares he introduced me to theSwedish ambassador, who sent me to M. D'O----. 

Wanting to be present at a great festival of Freemasons on St. John'sDay, I remained at the Hague till the day after the celebration. TheComte de Tot, brother of the baron, who lost all his money at theseraglio, and whom I had met again at the Hague, introduced me. I was notsorry to be in company with all the best society in Holland. 

M. D'Afri introduced me to the mother of the stadtholder, who was onlytwelve, and whom I thought too grave for his years. His mother was aworthy, patient kind of woman, who fell asleep every minute, even whileshe was speaking. She died shortly after, and it was discovered at thepostmortem examination that she had a disease of the brain which causedher extreme propensity to sleep. Beside her I saw Count Philip deZinzendorf, who was looking for twelve millions for the empress--a taskwhich was not very difficult, as he offered five per cent. Interest. 

At the play I found myself sitting next to the Turkish minister, and Ithought he would die with laughter before my eyes. It happened thus:

They were playing Iphigenia, that masterpiece of Racine's. The statue ofDiana stood in the midst of the stage, and at the end of one actIphigenia and her train of priestesses, while passing before it, all madea profound bow to the goddess. The candlesnuffer, who perhaps may havebeen a bad wit, crossed the stage just after wards, and likewise bowed tothe goddess. This put pit and boxes in a good humour, and peals oflaughter sounded from all parts of the house. All this had to beexplained to the Turk, and he fell into such a fit of laughter that Ithought he would burst. At last he was carried to his inn still laughingbut almost senseless. 

To have taken no notice of the Dutchman's heavy wit would have been, Iconfess, a mark of stupidity, but no one but a Turk could have laughedlike that. It may be said that a great Greek philosopher died of laughterat seeing a toothless old woman trying to eat figs. But there is a greatdifference between a Turk and a Greek, especially an ancient Greek. 

Those who laugh a good deal are more fortunate than those who do notlaugh at all, as laughter is good for the digestion; but there is a justmean in everything. 

When I had gone two leagues from Amsterdam in my posting-chaise on twowheels, my servant sitting beside me, I met a carriage on four wheels, drawn like mine by two horses, and containing a fine-looking young manand his servant. His coachman called out to mine to make way for him. Mycoachman answered that if he did he might turn me into the ditch, but theother insisted on it. I spoke to the master, begging him to tell hiscoachman to make way for me. 

"I am posting, sir, " said I; "and, moreover, I am a foreigner. "

"Sir, " answered he, "in Holland we take no notice of posting or notposting; and if you are foreigner, as you say, you must confess that youhave fewer rights than I who am in my own country. "

The blood rushed to my face. I flung open the door with one hand and tookmy sword with the other; and leaping into the snow, which was up to myknees, I drew my sword, and summoned the Dutchman to give way or defendhimself. He was cooler than I, and replied, smiling, that he was notgoing to fight for so foolish a cause, and that I might get into mycarriage again, as he would make way for me. I was somewhat interested inhis cool but pleasant manner. I got back into my chaise, and the nextnight reached Amsterdam. 

I put up at the excellent inn "L'Etoile d'Orient, " and in the morning Iwent on 'Change and found M. Pels. He told me he would think my businessover, and finding M, d'O---- directly afterwards he offered to do me mysixty bills and give me twelve per cent. M. Pels told me to wait, as hesaid he could get me fifteen per cent. He asked me to dinner, and, on myadmiring his Cape wine, he told me with a laugh that he had made ithimself by mixing Bordeaux and Malaga. 

M. D'O---- asked me to dinner on the day following; and on calling I foundhim with his daughter Esther, a young lady of fourteen, well developedfor her age, and exquisite in all respects except her teeth, which weresomewhat irregular. M. D'O was a widower, and had this only child;consequently, Esther was heiress to a large fortune. Her excellent fatherloved her blindly, and she deserved his love. Her skin was snow white, delicately tinted with red; her hair was black as ebony, and she had themost beautiful eyes I have ever seen. She made an impression on me. Herfather had given her an excellent education; she spoke French perfectly, played the piano admirably, and was passionately fond of reading. 

After dinner M. D'O---- shewed me the uninhabited part of the house, forsince the death of his wife, whose memory was dear to him, he lived onthe ground floor only. He shewed me a set of rooms where he kept atreasure in the way of old pottery. The walls and windows were coveredwith plates of marble, each room a different colour, and the floors wereof mosaic, with Persian carpets. The dining-hall was cased in alabaster, and the table and the cupboards were of cedar wood. The whole houselooked like a block of solid marble, for it was covered with marblewithout as well as within, and must have cost immense sums. EverySaturday half-a-dozen servant girls, perched on ladders, washed downthese splendid walls. These girls wore wide hoops, being obliged to puton breeches, as otherwise they would have interested the passers by in anunseemly manner. After looking at the house we went down again, and M. D'O---- left me alone with Esther in the antechamber, where he worked withhis clerks. As it was New Year's Day there was not business going on. 

After playing a sonata, Mdlle. D'O---- asked me if I would go to aconcert. I replied that, being in her company, nothing could make mestir. "But would you, mademoiselle, like to go?"

"Yes, I should like to go very well, but I cannot go by myself. "

"If I might presume to offer to escort you . . . But I dare not think youwould accept. "

"I should be delighted, and if you were to ask my father I am sure hewould not refuse his permission. "

"Are you sure of that?"

"Quite sure, for otherwise he would be guilty of impoliteness, and myfather would not do such a thing. But I see you don't know the manners ofthe country. "

"I confess I do not:"

"Young ladies enjoy great liberty here--liberty which they lose only bymarrying. Go and ask, and you will see:"

I went to M. D'O---- and made my request, trembling lest I should meetwith a refusal. 

"Have you a carriage?"

"Yes, sir. "

"Then I need not give orders to get mine ready. Esther!"

"Yes, father. "

"Go and dress, my dear; M. Casanova has been kind enough to offer to takeyou to the concert. "

"How good of him! Thank you, papa, for letting me go. "

She threw her arms around his neck, ran to dress, and reappeared an hourafter, as fair as the joy which was expressed on her every feature. Icould have wished she had used a little powder, but Esther was jealous ofher ebon tresses, which displayed the whiteness of her skin toadmiration. The chief aim of women in making their toilette is to pleasemen, but how poor is the judgment of most men in such matters compared tothe unerring instinct of the generality of women!

A beautiful lace kerchief veiled her bosom, whose glories made my heartbeat faster. 

We went down the stair, I helped her into the carriage, and stopped, thinking she would be accompanied by one of her women; but seeing nobodyI got in myself. The door was shut, and we were off. I was overwhelmedwith astonishment. A treasure like this in my keeping I could hardlythink. I asked myself whether I was to remember that I was a free-lanceof love, or whether honour bade me forget it. Esther, in the highestspirits, told me that we were going to hear an Italian singer whose voicewas exquisite, and noticing my confusion she asked what was the matter. Idid not know what to say, and began to stammer out something, but at lastsucceeded in saying that she was a treasure of whom I was not worthy tobe the keeper. 

"I know that in other countries a young girl would not be trusted alonewith a gentleman, but here they teach us discretion and how to look afterourselves. "

"Happy the man who is charged with your welfare, and happier still he onwhom your choice has fallen!"

"That choice is not for me to make; 'tis my father's business. "

"But supposing your father's choice is not pleasing to you, or supposingyou love another?"

"We are not allowed to love a man until we know he is to be our husband. "

"Then you are not in love with anyone?"

"No, and I have never felt the desire to love. "

"Then I may kiss your hand?"

"Why should you kiss my hand?"

She drew away her hand and offered me her lovely lips. I took a kiss, which she gave modestly enough, but which went to my heart. My delightwas a little alloyed when she said that she would give me another kissbefore her father whenever I liked. 

We reached the concert-room, where Esther found many of her youngfriends--all daughters of rich merchants, some pretty, some plain, andall curious to know who I was. The fair Esther, who knew no more than myname, could not satisfy them. All at once seeing a fair young girl alittle way off she pointed her out to me and asked me my opinion of her. Naturally enough I replied that I did not care for fair girls. 

"All the same, I must introduce you to her, for she may be a relation ofyours. Her name is the same; that is her father over there:"

"M. Casanova, " said she, speaking to a gentleman, "I beg to introduce toyou M. Casanova, a friend of my father's. "

"Really? The same name; I wish, sir, you were my friend, as we are, perhaps, related. I belong to the Naples branch. "

"Then we are related, though distantly, as my father came from Parma. Have you your pedigree?"

"I ought to have such a thing, but to tell you the truth, I don't thinkmuch of such matters. Besants d'or and such heraldic moneys are notcurrency in a mercantile republic. "

"Pedigree-hunting is certainly a somewhat foolish pursuit; but it maynevertheless afford us a few minutes' amusement without our making anyparade of our ancestry. "

"With all my heart. "

"I shall have the honour of calling on you to-morrow, and I will bring myfamily-tree with me. Will you be vexed if you find the root of yourfamily also?"

"Not at all; I shall be delighted. I will call on you myself to-morrow. May I ask if you are a business man?"

"No, I am a financial agent in the employ of the French ministry. I amstaying with M. Pels. "

M. Casanova made a sign to his daughter and introduced me to her. She wasEsther's dearest friend, and I sat down between them, and the concertbegan. 

After a fine symphony, a concerto for the violin, another for thehautbois, the Italian singer whose repute was so great and who was styledMadame Trend made her appearance. What was my surprise when I recognizedin her Therese Imer, wife of the dancer Pompeati, whose name the readermay remember. I had made her acquaintance eighteen years ago, when theold senator Malipiero had struck me because we were playing together. Ihad seen her again at Venice in 1753, and then our pastime had been of amore serious nature. She had gone to Bayreuth, where she had been themargrave's mistress. I had promised to go and see her, but C---- C---- andmy fair nun M---- M---- had left me neither the time nor the wish to do so. Soon after I was put under the Leads, and then I had other things tothink about. I was sufficiently self-controlled not to shew myastonishment, and listened to an aria which she was singing, with herexquisite voice, beginning "Eccoti giunta al fin, donna infelice, " wordswhich seemed made for the case. 

The applause seemed as if it would never come to an end. Esther told methat it was not known who she was, but that she was said to be a womanwith a history, and to be very badly off. "She goes from one town toanother, singing at all the public concerts, and all she receives is whatthose present choose to give her on a plate which she takes round. "

"Does she find that pay?"

"I should suspect not, as everyone has paid already at coming in. Shecannot get more than thirty or forty florins. The day after to-morrow shewill go to the Hague, then to Rotterdam, then back here again. She hadbeen performing for six months, and she is always well received. "

"Has she a lover?"

"She is said to have lovers in every town, but instead of enriching herthey make her poorer. She always wears black, not only because she is awidow, but also on account of a great grief she is reported to have gonethrough. She will soon be coming round. " I took out my purse; and countedout twelve ducats, which I wrapped in paper; my heart beating all thewhile in a ridiculous manner, for I had really nothing to be excitedabout. 

When Therese was going along the seats in front of me, I glanced at herfor an instant, and I saw that she looked surprised. I turned my head tospeak to Esther, and when she was directly in front of me I put my littlepacket on the plate without looking at her, and she passed on. A littlegirl, four or five years old, followed her, and when she got to the endof the bench she came back to kiss my hand. I could not help recognizingin her a facsimile of myself, but I concealed my emotion. The child stoodstill, and gazed at me fixedly, to my no small confusion. "Would you likesome sweets, my dear?" said I, giving her my box, which I should havebeen glad to turn into gold. The little girl took it smilingly, made me acurtsy, and went on. 

"Does it strike you, M. Casanova, " said Esther, with a laugh, "that youand that little girl are as like each other as two peas?"

"Yes, indeed, " added Mdlle. Casanova, "there is a striking likeness. "

"These resemblances are often the work of chance. "

"Just so, " said Esther, with a wicked smile, "but you admit a likeness, don't you?"

"I confess I was struck with it, though of course I cannot judge so wellas you. "

After the concert M. D'O---- arrived, and giving back his daughter to hiscare I betook myself to my lodging. I was just sitting down to a dish ofoysters, before going to bed, when Therese made her appearance, holdingher child by the hand. Although I had not expected her to visit me thatevening, I was nevertheless not much surprised to see her. I, of course, rose to greet her, when all at once she fell fainting on the sofa, thoughwhether the fainting fit was real or assumed I cannot say. Thinking thatshe might be really ill I played my part properly, and brought her toherself by sprinkling her with cold water and putting my vinaigrette toher nose. As soon as she came to herself she began to gaze at me withoutsaying a word. At last, tired of her silence, I asked her if she wouldtake any supper; and on her replying in the affirmative, I rang the belland ordered a good supper for three, which kept us at the table tillseven o'clock in the morning, talking over our various fortunes andmisfortunes. She was already acquainted with most of my recentadventures, but I knew nothing at all about hers, and she entertained mewith a recital of them for five or six hours. 

Sophie, the little girl, slept in my bed till day, and her mother, keeping the best of her tale to the last, told me that she was mydaughter, and shewed me her baptismal certificate. The birth of the childfell in with the period at which I had been intimate with Therese, andher perfect likeness to myself left no room for doubt. I therefore raisedno objections, but told the mother that I was persuaded of my paternity, and that, being in a position to give the child a good education, I wasready to be a father to her. 

"She is too precious a treasure in my sight; if we were separated Ishould die. "

"You are wrong; for if I took charge of the little girl I should see thatshe was well provided for. "

"I have a son of twelve to whom I cannot give a proper education; takecharge of him instead of Sophie. "

"Where is he?"

"He is boarding, or rather in pawn, at Rotterdam. "

"What do you mean by in pawn?"

"I mean that he will not be returned to me until I pay the person who hasgot him all my debts. "

"How much do you owe?"

"Eighty florins. You have already given me sixty-two, give me four ducatsmore; you can then take my son, and I shall be the happiest of mothers. Iwill send my son to you at the Hague next week, as I think you will bethere. "

"Yes, my dear Therese; and instead of four ducats, here are twenty. "

"We shall see each other again at the Hague. "

She was grateful to excess, but I only felt pity for her and a sort offriendly interest, and kept quite cool, despite the ardour of herembraces. Seeing that her trouble was of no avail, she sighed, shed sometears, and, taking her daughter, she bid me adieu, promising once more tosend me her son. 

Therese was two years older than I. She was still pretty, and evenhandsome, but her charms no longer retained their first beauty, and mypassion for her, having been a merely physical one, it was no wonder thatshe had no longer any attraction for me. Her adventures during the sixyears in which I had lost her would certainly interest my readers, andform a pleasing episode in my book, and I would tell the tale if it werea true one; but not being a romance writer, I am anxious that this workshall contain the truth and nothing but the truth. Convicted by heramorous and jealous margarve of infidelity, she had been sent about herbusiness. She was separated from her husband Pompeati, had followed a newlover to Brussels, and there had caught the fancy of Prince Charles deLorraine, who had obtained her the direction of all the theatres in theAustrian Low Countries. She had then undertaken this vast responsibility, entailing heavy expenditure, till at last, after selling all her diamondsand lace, she had fled to Holland to avoid arrest. Her husband killedhimself at Vienna in a paroxysm caused by internal pain--he had cut openhis stomach with a razor, and died tearing at his entrails. 

My business left me no time for sleep. M. Casanova came and asked me todinner, telling me to meet him on the Exchange--a place well worthseeing. Millionaires are as plentiful as blackberries, and anyone who isnot worth more than a hundred thousand florins is considered a poor man. I found M. D'O---- there, and was asked by him to dinner the following dayat a small house he had on the Amstel. M. Casanova treated me with thegreatest courtesy. After reading my pedigree he went for his own, andfound it exactly the same; but he merely laughed, and seemed to carelittle about it, differing in that respect from Don Antonio of Naples, who set such store by my pedigree, and treated me with such politeness onthat account. Nevertheless, he bade me make use of him in anythingrelating to business if I did anything in that way. I thought hisdaughter pretty, but neither her charms nor her wit made any impressionon me. My thoughts were taken up with Esther, and I talked so much abouther at dinner that at last my cousin declared that she did not considerher pretty. Oh, you women! beauty is the only unpardonable offence inyour eyes. Mdlle. Casanova was Esther's friend, and yet she could notbear to hear her praised. 

On my seeing M. D'O---- again after dinner, he told me that if I cared totake fifteen per cent. On my shares, he would take them from me and savebroker's expenses. I thought the offer a good one, and I accepted it, taking a bill of exchange on Tourton & Baur. At the rate of exchange atHamburg I found I should have seventy-two thousand francs, although atfive per cent. I had only expected sixty-nine thousand. This transactionwon me high favour with Madame d'Urfe, who, perhaps, had not expected meto be so honest. 

In the evening I went with M. Pels to Zaandam, in a boat placed on asleigh and impelled by a sail. It was an extraordinary, but at the sametime an amusing and agreeable, mode of travelling. The wind was strong, and we did fifteen miles an hour; we seemed to pass through the air asswiftly as an arrow. A safer and more convenient method of travellingcannot be imagined; it would be an ideal way of journeying round theworld if there were such a thing as a frozen sea all round. The wind, however, must be behind, as one cannot sail on a side wind, there beingno rudder. I was pleased and astonished at the skill of our two sailorsin lowering sail exactly at the proper time; for the sleigh ran a goodway, from the impetus it had already received, and we stopped just at thebank of the river, whereas if the sail had been lowered a moment laterthe sleigh might have been broken to pieces. We had some excellent perchfor dinner, but the strength of the wind prevented us from walking about. I went there again, but as Zaandam is well known as the haunt of themillionaire merchants who retire and enjoy life there in their own way, Iwill say no more about it. We returned in a fine sleigh drawn by twohorses, belonging to M. Pels, and he kept me to supper. This worthy man, whose face bore witness to his entire honesty, told me that as I was nowthe friend of M. D'O---- and himself, I should have nothing whatever to dowith the Jews, but should address myself to them alone. I was pleasedwith this proposal, which made a good many of my difficulties disappear, and the reader will see the results of this course. 

Next day snow fell in large flakes, and I went early to M. D'O----'s, where I found Esther in the highest of spirits. She gave me a warmwelcome, and began to rally me on having spent the whole night withMadame Trenti. 

I might possibly have shewn some slight confusion, but her father said anhonest man had nothing to be ashamed of in admiring talent. Then, turningto me, he said, "Tell me, M. Casanova, who this woman is?"

"She is a Venetian whose husband died recently; I knew her when I was alad, and it was six years since I had seen her last. "

"You were agreeably surprised, then, to see your daughter?" said Esther. 

"Why do you think the child is my daughter? Madame Trenti was marriedthen. "

"The likeness is really too strong. And how about your falling asleepyesterday when you were supping with M. Pels?"

"It was no wonder that I went asleep, as I had not closed an eye thenight before. "

"I am envious of anyone who possesses the secret of getting a good sleep, for I have always to wait long hours before sleep comes to me, and when Iawake, instead of being refreshed, I feel heavy and languid fromfatigue. "

"Try passing the night in listening to one in whom you take an interest, telling the story of her life, and I promise you that you will sleep wellthe night after. "

"There is no such person for me. "

"No, because you have as yet only seen fourteen summers; but afterwardsthere will be someone. "

"Maybe, but what I want just now is books, and the help of someone whowill guide my reading. "

"That would be an easy matter for anyone who knew your tastes. "

"I like history and travels, but for a book to please me it must be alltrue, as I lay it down at the slightest suspicion of its veracity. "

"Now I think I may venture to offer my services, and if you will acceptthem I believe I shall be able to give satisfaction. "

"I accept your offer, and shall keep you to your word. "

"You need not be afraid of my breaking it, and before I leave for theHague I will prove that I am reliable. "

She then began to rally me on the pleasure I should have at the Hague, where I should see Madame Trenti again. Her freedom, mirth, and extremebeauty set my blood on fire, and M. D'O---- laughed heartily at the warhis charming daughter waged on me. At eleven o'clock we got into awell-appointed sleigh and we set out for his small house, where she toldme I should find Mdlle. Casanova and her betrothed. 

"Nevertheless, " said I, "you will continue to be my only attraction. "

She made no answer, but it was easy to perceive that my avowal had notdispleased her. 

When we had gone some distance we saw the lovers, who had come out, inspite of the snow, to meet us. We got down, and after taking off our furswe entered the house. I gazed at the young gentleman, who looked at me amoment in return and then whispered in Mdlle. Casanova's ear. She smiledand whispered something to Esther. Esther stepped up to her father andsaid a few words to him in a low voice, and everybody began to laugh atonce. They all looked at me and I felt certain that I was somehow thepoint of the joke, but I put on an indifferent air. 

"There may be a mistake, " said M. D'O----; "at any rate we shouldascertain the truth of the matter. "

"M. Casanova, had you any adventures on your journey from the Hague toAmsterdam?"

At this I looked again at the young gentleman, and I guessed what theywere talking about. 

"No adventure to speak of, " I answered, "except a meeting with a finefellow who desired to see my carriage turn upside down into the ditch, and who I think is present now. "

At these words the laughter broke out afresh, and the gentleman and Iembraced each other; but after he had given the true account of theadventure his mistress pretended to be angry, and told him that he oughtto have fought. Esther observed that he had shewn more true courage inlistening to reason, and M. D'O---- said he was strongly of his daughter'sopinion; however, Mdlle. Casanova, after airing her high-flown ideas, began to sulk with her lover. 

To restore the general mirth, Esther said, gaily, "Come, come, let us puton our skates, and try the Amstel, for I am afraid that unless we goforthwith the ice will have melted. " I was ashamed to ask her to let meoff, though I would gladly have done so! but what will not love do! M. D'O---- left us to our own devices. Mdlle. Casanova's intended put on myskates, and the ladies put on their short petticoats with black velvetdrawers to guard against certain accidents. We reached the river, and asI was a perfect neophyte in this sport the figure I cut may be imagined. However, I resolutely determined to conquer my awkwardness, and twentytimes, to the peril of my spine, did I fall down upon the ice. I shouldhave been wiser to have left off, but I was ashamed to do so, and I didnot stop till, to my huge delight, we were summoned in to dinner. But Ipaid dear for my obstinacy, for when I tried to rise from the table Ifelt as if I had lost the use of my limbs. Esther pitied me, and said shewould cure me. There was a good deal of laughter at my expense, and I letthem laugh, as I felt certain that the whole thing had been contrived toturn me into derision, and wishing to make Esther love me I thought itbest to stimulate a good temper. I passed the afternoon with M. D'O----, letting the young people go by themselves on the Amstel, where theystopped till dusk. 

Next morning when I awoke I thought I was a lost man. I suffered amartyrdom of pain. The last of my vertebral bones, called by doctors theos sacrum, felt as if it had been crushed to atoms, although I had usedalmost the whole of a pot of ointment which Esther had given me for thatpurpose. In spite of my torments I did not forget my promise, and I hadmyself taken to a bookseller's where I bought all the books I thoughtlikely to interest her. She was very grateful, and told me to come andembrace her before I started if I wanted a pretty present. 

It was not likely that I was going to refuse such an invitation as that, so I went early in the morning, leaving my post-chaise at the door Hergoverness took me to her bed, where she was lying as fair and gay asVenus herself. 

"I am quite sure, " said she, "that you would not have come at all unlessI had asked you to come and embrace me. "

At this my lips were fastened on her mouth, her eyes, and on every spotof her lovely face. But seeing my eyes straying towards her bosom, andguessing that I should make myself master of it, she stopped laughing andput herself on the defensive. 

"Go away, " said she, slyly, "go away and enjoy yourself at the Hague withthe fair Trenti, who possesses so pretty a token of your love. "

"My dear Esther, I am going to the Hague to talk business with theambassador, and for no other reason, and in six days at latest you willsee me back again, as much your lover as before, and desiring nothingbetter than to please you. "

"I rely upon your word of honour, but mind you do not deceive me. "

With these words she put up her mouth and gave me so tender andpassionate a kiss that I went away feeling certain of my bliss beingcrowned on my return. That evening, at supper-time, I reached Boaz'shouse.