MEMOIRS OF JACQUES CASANOVA de SEINGALT 1725-1798

ADVENTURES IN THE SOUTH, Volume 4e--MILAN

THE RARE UNABRIDGED LONDON EDITION OF 1894 TRANSLATED BY ARTHUR MACHEN TOWHICH HAS BEEN ADDED THE CHAPTERS DISCOVERED BY ARTHUR SYMONS. 

MILAN

CHAPTER XVIII

I Give up Agatha to Lord Percy--I Set out for Milan--The Actress atPavia--Countess A * * * B * * *--Disappointment--MarquisTriulzi--Zenobia--The Two Marchionesses Q * * *--The Venetian Barbaro

Far from punishing the Corticelli by making her live with Redegonde, theCount d'Aglie seemed to have encouraged her; and I was not sorry for it, since as long as she did not trouble me any more I did not care how manylovers she had. She had become a great friend of Redegonde's, and didexactly as she pleased, for their duenna was much more easy going thanthe Pacienza. 

Nobody knew of the trick which Lord Percy had played me, and I took careto say nothing about it. However, he did not give up his designs onAgatha, his passion for her was too violent. He hit upon an ingeniousmethod for carrying out his plans. I have already said that Percy wasvery rich, and spent his money wildly, not caring at what expenditure hegratified his passion. I was the last person to reproach him for hisextravagance, and in a country where money is always scarce his guineasopened every door to him. 

Four or five days after the ball night, Agatha came to tell me that themanager of the Alexandria Theatre had asked her if she would take thepart of second dancer throughout the carnival time. 

"He offered me sixty sequins, " she added, "and I told him I would let himknow by to-morrow. Do you advise me to accept his offer?"

"If you love me, dearest Agatha, you will prove it by refusing allengagements for a year. You know I will let you want for nothing. 

"I will get you the best masters, and in that time you can perfect yourdancing, and will be able to ask for a first-class appointment, with asalary of five hundred sequins a year. "

"Mamma thinks that I should accept the offer, as the dancing on the stagewill improve my style, and I can study under a good master all the same. I think myself that dancing in public would do me good. "

"There is reason in what you say, but you do not need the sixty sequins. You will dishonour me by accepting such a poor offer, and you will doyourself harm too, as you will not be able to ask for a good salary aftertaking such a small one. "

"But sixty sequins is not so bad for a carnival engagement. "

"But you don't want sixty sequins; you can have them without dancing atall. If you love me, I repeat, you will tell the manager that you aregoing to rest for a year. "

"I will do what you please, but it seems to me the best plan would be toask an exorbitant sum. "

"You are right; that is a good idea. Tell him you must be first dancer, and that your salary must be five hundred sequins. "

"I will do so, and am only too happy to be able to prove that I loveyou. "

Agatha had plenty of inborn common sense, which only needed development. With that and the beauty which Heaven had given her her future wasassured. 

She was eventually happy, and she deserved her happiness. 

The next day she told me that the manager did not appear at allastonished at her demands. 

"He reflected a few minutes, " said she, "and told me he must think itover, and would see me again. It would be amusing if he took me at myword, would it not?"

"Yes, but we should then have to enquire whether he is a madman or abeggar on the verge of bankruptcy. "

"And if he turns out to be a man of means?"

"In that case you would be obliged to accept. "

"That is easily said and easily done, but have I sufficient talent? Whereshall I find an actor to dance with me?"

"I will engage to find you one. As to talent, you have enough and tospare; but you will see that it will come to nothing. "

All the time I felt a presentiment that she would be engaged, and I wasright. The manager came to her the next day, and offered her theagreement for her signature. She was quite alarmed, and sent for me. Icalled at her house, and finding the manager there asked him whatsecurity he could give for the fulfilment of his part of the engagement. 

He answered by naming M. Martin, a banker of my acquaintance, who wouldbe his surety. I could make no objection to this, and the agreement wasmade out in duplicate in good form. 

On leaving Agatha I went to M. Raiberti and told him the story. He sharedmy astonishment that M. Martin should become surety for the manager whomhe knew, and whose financial position was by no means good; but the nextday the problem was solved, for in spite of the secrecy that had beenobserved we found out that it was Lord Percy who was behind the manager. I might still bar the Englishman's way by continuing to keep Agatha, inspite of his five hundred sequins, but I was obliged to return to Franceafter Easter to wait on Madame d'Urfe, and afterwards, peace having beenconcluded, I thought it would be a good opportunity for seeing England. Itherefore determined to abandon Agatha, taking care to bind her new loverto provide for her, and I proceeded to make a friend of the nobleman. 

I was curious to see how he would win Agatha's good graces, for she didnot love him, and physically he was not attractive. 

In less than a week we had become intimate. We supped together everynight either at his house or mine, and Agatha and her mother were alwaysof the party. I concluded that his attentions would soon touch Agatha'sheart, and that finding herself so beloved she would end by loving. Thiswas enough to make me determine not to put any obstacles in their way, and I resolved to leave Turin earlier than I had intended. In consequenceI spoke as follows to Lord Percy, while we were breakfasting together:

"My lord, you know that I love Agatha, and that she loves me, nevertheless I am your friend, and since you adore her I will do my bestto hasten your bliss. I will leave you in possession of this treasure, but you must promise that when you abandon her you will give her twothousand guineas. "

"My dear sir, " said he, "I will give them her now if you like. "

"No, my lord, I do not wish her to know anything about our agreementwhile you are living happily together. "

"Then I will give you a bond binding myself to pay her the two thousandguineas when we separate. "

"I don't want that, the word of an Englishman is enough; but since wecannot command the fates, and may die without having time to put ouraffairs in order, I wish you to take such steps as may seem convenient toyou, whereby that sum would go to her after your death. "

"I give you my word on it. "

"That is enough; but I have one other condition to make. "

"Say on. "

"It is that you promise to say nothing to Agatha before my departure. "

"I swear I will not. "

"Very good; and on my part I promise to prepare her for the change:"

The same day the Englishman, whose love grew hotter and hotter, madeAgatha and her mother rich presents, which under any other circumstancesI should not have allowed them to accept. 

I lost no time in preparing Agatha and her mother for the impendingchange. They seemed affected, but I knew they would soon get reconciledto the situation. Far from giving me any cause for complaint, Agatha wasmore affectionate than ever. She listened attentively to my advice as toher conduct towards her new lover and the world in general, and promisedto follow it. It was to this advice that she owed her happiness, forPercy made her fortune. However, she did not leave the theatre for someyears, when we shall hear more of her. 

I was not the man to take presents from my equals, and Percy no doubtbeing aware of that succeeded in making me a handsome present in a verysingular way. I told him that I thought of paying a visit to England andrequested him to give me a letter of introduction to the duchess, hismother, whereon he drew out a portrait of her set with magnificentdiamonds, and gave it to me, saying, --

"This is the best letter I can give you. I will write and tell her thatyou will call and give her the portrait, unless, indeed, she likes toleave it in your hands. "

"I hope my lady will think me worthy of such an honour. "

There are certain ideas, it seems to me, which enter no head but anEnglishman's. 

I was invited by Count A---- B---- to Milan, and the countess wrote me acharming letter, begging me to get her two pieces of sarcenet, of whichshe enclosed the patterns. 

After taking leave of all my friends and acquaintances I got a letter ofcredit on the banker, Greppi, and started for the capital of Lombardy. 

My separation from Agatha cost me many tears, but not so many as thoseshed by her. Her mother wept also, for she loved me, and was grateful forall my kindness to her daughter. She said again and again that she couldnever have borne any rival but her own daughter, while the latter sobbedout that she wished she had not to part from me. 

I did not like Passano, so I sent him to his family at Genoa, giving himthe wherewithal to live till I came for him. As to my man, I dismissedhim for good reasons and took another, as I was obliged to have somebody;but since I lost my Spaniard I have never felt confidence in any of myservants. 

I travelled with a Chevalier de Rossignan, whose acquaintance I had made, and we went by Casal to see the opera-bouffe there. 

Rossignan was a fine man, a good soldier, fond of wine and women, and, though he was not learned, he knew the whole of Dante's Divine Comedy byheart. This was his hobby-horse, and he was always quoting it, making thepassage square with his momentary feelings. This made him insufferable insociety, but he was an amusing companion for anyone who knew the sublimepoet, and could appreciate his numerous and rare beauties. Neverthelesshe made me privately give in my assent to the proverb, Beware of the manof one book. Otherwise he was intelligent, statesmanlike, andgood-natured. He made himself known at Berlin by his services asambassador to the King of Sardinia. 

There was nothing interesting in the opera at Casal, so I went to Pavia, where, though utterly unknown, I was immediately welcomed by theMarchioness Corti, who received all strangers of any importance. In 1786I made the acquaintance of her son, an admirable man, who honoured mewith his friendship, and died quite young in Flanders with the rank ofmajor-general. I wept bitterly for his loss, but tears, after all, arebut an idle tribute to those who cause them to flow. His good qualitieshad endeared him to all his acquaintances, and if he had lived longer hewould undoubtedly have risen to high command in the army. 

I only stopped two days at Pavia, but it was decreed that I should getmyself talked of, even in that short time. 

At the second ballet at the opera an actress dressed in a tippet held outher cap to the bones as if to beg an alms, while she was dancing a pas dedeux. I was in the Marchioness of Corti's box, and when the girl held outher cap to me I was moved by feelings of ostentation and benevolence todraw forth my purse and drop it in. It contained about twenty ducats. Thegirl took it, thanked me with a smile, and the pit applauded loudly. Iasked the Marquis Belcredi, who was near me, if she had a lover. 

"She has a penniless French officer, I believe, " he replied; "there heis, in the pit. "

I went back to my inn, and was supping with M. Basili, a Modenesecolonel, when the ballet girl, her mother, and her younger sister came tothank me for my providential gift. "We are so poor, " said the girl. 

I had almost done supper, and I asked them all to sup with me after theperformance the next day. This offer was quite a disinterested one, andit was accepted. 

I was delighted to have made a woman happy at so little expense andwithout any ulterior objects, and I was giving orders to the landlord forthe supper, when Clairmont, my man, told me that a French officer wantedto speak to me. I had him in, and asked what I could do for him. 

"There are three courses before you, Mr. Venetian, " said he, "and you cantake which you like. Either countermand this supper, invite me to come toit, or come and measure swords with me now. "

Clairmont, who was attending to the fire, did not give me time to reply, but seized a burning brand and rushed on the officer, who thought it bestto escape. Luckily for him the door of my room was open. He made such anoise in running downstairs that the waiter came out and caught hold ofhim, thinking he had stolen something; but Clairmont, who was pursuinghim with his firebrand, had him released. 

This adventure became town talk directly. My servant, proud of hisexploit and sure of my approval, came to tell me that I need not beafraid of going out, as the officer was only a braggart. He did not evendraw his sword on the waiter who had caught hold of him, though the manonly had a knife in his belt. 

"At all events, " he added, "I will go out with you. "

I told him that he had done well this time, but that for the future hemust not interfere in my affairs. 

"Sir, " he replied, "your affairs of this kind are mine too, I shall takecare not to go beyond my duty. "

With this speech, which I thought very sensible, though I did not tellhim so, he took one of my pistols and saw to the priming, smiling at mesignificantly. 

All good French servants are of the same stamp as Clairmont; they aredevoted and intelligent, but they all think themselves cleverer thantheir masters, which indeed is often the case, and when they are sure ofit they become the masters of their masters, tyrannize over them, andgive them marks of contempt which the foolish gentlemen endeavour toconceal. But when the master knows how to make himself respected, theClairmonts are excellent. 

The landlord of my inn sent a report of the affair to the police, and theFrench officer was banished from the town the same day. At dinner ColonelBasili asked to hear the story, and said that no one but a French officerwould think of attacking a man in his own room in such a foolish manner. I differed from him. 

"The French are brave, " I replied, "but generally they are perfectlypolite and have wonderful tact. Wretchedness and love, joined to a falsespirit of courage, makes a fool of a man all the world over. "

At supper the ballet-girl thanked me for ridding her of the poor devil, who (as she said) was always threatening to kill her, and wearied herbesides. Though she was not beautiful, there was something captivatingabout this girl. She was graceful, well-mannered, and intelligent, hermouth was well-shaped, and her eyes large and expressive. I think Ishould have found her a good bargain, but as I wanted to get away fromPavia, and piqued myself on having been good-natured without ulteriormotive, I bade her farewell after supper, with many thanks for herkindness in coming. My politeness seemed rather to confuse her, but shewent away reiterating her gratitude. 

Next day I dined at the celebrated Chartreuse, and in the evening Ireached Milan, and got out at Count A---- B----'s, who had not expected metill the following day. 

The countess, of whom my fancy had made a perfect woman, disappointed medreadfully. It is always so when passion gives reins to the imagination. The Countess was certainly pretty, though too small, and I might stillhave loved her, in spite of my disappointment, but at our meeting shegreeted me with a gravity that was not to my taste, and which gave me adislike to her. 

After the usual compliments, I gave her the two pieces of sarcenet shehad commissioned me to get. She thanked me, telling me that her confessorwould reimburse me for my expenditure. The count then took me to my room, and left me there till supper. It was nicely furnished, but I felt ill atease, and resolved to leave in a day or two if the countess remainedimmovable. Twenty-four hours was as much as I cared to give her. 

We made a party of four at supper; the count talking all the time to drawme out, and to hide his wife's sulkiness. I answered in the same gaystrain, speaking to his wife, however, in the hope of rousing her. It wasall lost labour. The little woman only replied by faint smiles whichvanished almost as they came, and by monosyllabic answers of the briefestdescription, without taking her eyes off the dishes which she thoughttasteless; and it was to the priest, who was the fourth person present, that she addressed her complaints, almost speaking affably to him. 

Although I liked the count very well, I could not help pronouncing hiswife decidedly ungracious. I was looking at her to see if I could findany justification for her ill humour on her features, but as soon as shesaw me she turned away in a very marked manner, and began to speak aboutnothing to the priest. This conduct offended me, and I laughed heartilyat her contempt, or her designs on me, for as she had not fascinated meat all I was safe from her tyranny. 

After supper the sarcenet was brought in; it was to be used for a dresswith hoops, made after the extravagant fashion then prevailing. 

The count was grieved to see her fall so short of the praises he hadlavished on her, and came to my room with me, begging me to forgive herSpanish ways, and saying that she would be very pleasant when she knew mebetter. 

The count was poor, his house was small, his furniture shabby, and hisfootman's livery threadbare; instead of plate he had china, and one ofthe countess's maids was chief cook. He had no carriages nor horses, noteven a saddle horse of any kind. Clairmont gave me all this information, and added that he had to sleep in a little kitchen, and was to share hisbed with the man who had waited at table. 

I had only one room, and having three heavy trunks found myself veryuncomfortable, and I decided on seeking some other lodging more agreeableto my tastes. 

The count came early in the morning to ask what I usually took forbreakfast. 

"My dear count, " I replied, "I have enough fine Turin chocolate to go allround. Does the countess like it?"

"Very much, but she won't take it unless it is made by her woman. "

"Here are six pounds: make her accept it, and tell her that if I hearanything about payment I shall take it back. "

"I am sure she will accept it, and thank you too. Shall I have yourcarriage housed?"

"I shall be extremely obliged to you, and I shall be glad if you wouldget me a hired carriage, and a guide for whom you can answer. "

"It shall be done. "

The count was going out when the priest, who had supped with us the nightbefore, came in to make his bow. He was a man of forty-one of the tribeof domestic chaplains who are so common in Italy--who, in return forkeeping the accounts of the house, live with its master and mistress. Inthe morning this priest said mass in a neighbouring church, for the restof the day he either occupied himself with the cares of the house, or wasthe lady's obedient servant. 

As soon as We were alone he begged me to say that he had paid me thethree hundred Milanese crowns for the sarcenet, if the countess asked meabout it. 

"Dear, dear, abbe!" said I, laughing, "this sort of thing is not exactlyproper in a man of your sacred profession. How can you advise me to tella lie? No, sir; if the countess asks me any such impertinent question, Ishall tell her the truth. "

"I am sure she will ask you, and if you answer like that I shall sufferfor it. "

"Well, sir, if you are in the wrong you deserve to suffer. "

"But as it happens, I should be blamed for nothing. "

"Well, go and tell her it's a present; and if she won't have that, tellher I am in no hurry to be paid. "

"I see, sir, that you don't know the lady or the way in which this houseis managed. I will speak to her husband. "

In a quarter of an hour the count told me that he owed me a lot of money, which he hoped to pay back in the course of Lent, and that I must add thesarcenet to the account. I embraced him and said that he would have tokeep the account himself, as I never noted down any of the moneys that Iwas only too happy to lend to my friends. 

"If your wife asks me whether I have received the money, be sure I willanswer in the affirmative. "

He went out shedding grateful tears, while I felt indebted to him forhaving given me the opportunity of doing him a service; for I was veryfond of him. 

In the morning, the countess being invisible, I watched my man spreadingout my suits over the chairs, amongst them being some handsome women'scloaks, and a rich red dress deeply trimmed with fur, which had beenoriginally intended for the luckless Corticelli. I should no doubt havegiven it to Agatha, if I had continued to live with her, and I shouldhave made a mistake, as such a dress was only fit for a lady of rank. 

At one o'clock I received another visit from the count, who told me thatthe countess was going to introduce me to their best friend. This was theMarquis Triuizi, a man of about, my own age, tall, well made, squintingslightly, and with all the manner of a nobleman. He told me that besidescoming to have the honour of my acquaintance, he also came to enjoy thefire, "for, " said he, "there's only one fireplace in the house and that'sin your room. "

As all the chairs were covered, the marquis drew the countess on to hisknee and made her sit there like a baby; but she blushed, and escapedfrom his grasp. The marquis laughed heartily at her confusion, and shesaid, --

"Is it possible that a man of your years has not yet learnt to respect awoman?"

"Really, countess, " said he, "I thought it would be very disrespectful tocontinue sitting while you were standing. "

While Clairmont was taking the clothes off the chairs, the marquisnoticed the mantles and the beautiful dress, and asked me if I wereexpecting a lady. 

"No, " said I, "but I hope to find someone at Milan who will be worthy ofsuch presents. " I added, "I know the Prince Triulzi, at Venice; I supposehe is of your family?"

"He says he is, and it may be so; but I am certainly not a member of hisfamily. "

This let me know that I should do well to say no more about the prince. 

"You must stay to dinner, marquis, " said Count A---- B----; "and as youonly like dishes prepared by your own cook you had better send for them. "

The marquis agreed, and we made good cheer. The table was covered withfair linen and handsome plate, the wine was good and plentiful, and theservants quick and well dressed. I could now understand the marquis'sposition in the house. It was his wit and mirth which kept theconversation going, and the countess came in for a share of hispleasantries, while she scolded him for his familiarity. 

I could see, however, that the marquis did not want to humiliate her; onthe contrary, he was fond of her, and only wished to bring down herexaggerated pride. When he saw her on the point of bursting into tears ofrage and shame, he quieted her down by saying that no one in Milanrespected her charms and her high birth more than he. 

After dinner the tailor who was to measure the countess for a domino forthe ball was announced. On the marquis's praising the colours and thebeauty of the materials, she told him that I had brought her the sarcenetfrom Turin, and this reminded her to ask me whether I had been paid. 

"Your husband settled with me, " said I, "but you have given me a lesson Ican never forget. "

"What lesson?" said the marquis. 

"I had hoped that the countess would have deigned to receive this poorpresent at my hands. "

"And she wouldn't take it? It's absurd, on my life. "

"There is nothing to laugh at, " said the countess, "but you laugh ateverything. "

While the man was measuring her, she complained of feeling cold, as shewas in her stays, and her beautiful breast was exposed. Thereupon, themarquis put his hands on it, as if he were quite accustomed to use suchfamiliarities. But the Spaniard, no doubt ashamed because of my presence, got into a rage, and abused him in the most awful manner, while helaughed pleasantly, as if he could calm the storm when he pleased. Thiswas enough to inform me of the position in which they stood to oneanother, and of the part I ought to take. 

We remained together till the evening, when the countess and the marquiswent to the opera, and the count came with me to my room, till mycarriage was ready to take us there too. The opera had begun when we gotin, and the first person I noticed on the stage was my dear TheresePalesi, whom I had left at Florence. It was a pleasant surprise to me, and I foresaw that we should renew our sweet interviews while I remainedat Milan I was discreet enough to say nothing to the count about hiswife's charms, or the way their house was managed. I saw that the placewas taken, and the odd humours of the lady prevented my falling in lovewith her. After the second act we went to the assembly rooms, where fiveor six banks at faro were being held; I staked and lost a hundred ducatsas if to pay for my welcome, and then rose from the table. 

At supper the countess seemed to unbend a little, she condoled with me onmy loss, and I said that I was glad of it as it made her speak so. 

Just as I rang my bell the next morning, Clairmont told me that a womanwanted to speak to me. 

"Is she young?"

"Both young and pretty, sir. "

"That will do nicely, shew her in. "

I saw a simply dressed girl, who reminded me of Leah. She was tall andbeautiful, but had not as high pretensions as the Jewess; as she onlywanted to know whether she could do my washing for me. I was quite takenwith her. Clairmont had just brought me my chocolate, and I asked her tosit down on the bed; but she answered modestly that she did not want totrouble me, and would come again when I was up. 

"Do you live at any distance?"

"I live on the ground floor of this house. "

"All by yourself?"

"No sir, I have my father and mother. "

"And what is your name?"

"Zenobia. "

"Your name is as pretty as you are. Will you give me your hand to kiss?"

"I can't, " she replied, with a smile, "my hand is another's. "

"You are engaged, are you?"

"Yes, to a tailor, and we are going to be married before the end of thecarnival:"

"Is he rich or handsome?"

"Neither the one nor the other. "

"Then why are you going to marry him?"

"Because I want to have a house of my own:"

"I like you, and will stand your friend. Go and fetch your tailor. I willgive him some work to do. "

As soon as she went out I got up and told Clairmont to put my linen on atable. I had scarcely finished dressing when she came back with hertailor. It was a striking contrast, for he was a little shrivelled-upman, whose appearance made one laugh. 

"Well, master tailor, " said I, "so you are going to marry this charminggirl?"

"Yes, sir, the banns have been published already. "

"You are a lucky fellow indeed to have so much happiness in store. Whenare you going to marry her?"

"In ten or twelve days. "

"Why not to-morrow?"

"Your worship is in a great hurry. "

"I think I should be, indeed, " said I, laughing, "if I were in yourplace. I want you to make me a domino for the ball to-morrow. "

"Certainly, sir; but your excellency must find me the stuff, for nobodyin Milan would give me credit for it, and I couldn't afford to lay out somuch money in advance. "

"When you are married you will have money and credit too. In themeanwhile here are ten sequins for you. "

He went away in high glee at such a windfall. 

I gave Zenobia some lace to do up, and asked her if she was afraid ofhaving a jealous husband. 

"He is neither jealous nor amorous, " she replied. "He is only marrying mebecause I earn more than he does. "

"With your charms I should have thought you might have made a bettermatch. "

"I have waited long enough; I have got tired of maidenhood. Besides, heis sharp if he is not handsome, and perhaps a keen head is better than ahandsome face. "

"You are sharp enough yourself, anyhow. But why does he put off thewedding?"

"Because he hasn't got any money, and wants to have a fine wedding forhis relations to come to. I should like it myself. "

"I think you are right; but I can't see why you should not let an honestman kiss your hand. "

"That was only a piece of slyness to let you know I was to be married. Ihave no silly prejudices myself. "

"Ah, that's better! Tell your future husband that if he likes me to bethe patron of the wedding I will pay for everything. "

"Really?"

"Yes, really. I will give him twenty-five sequins on the condition thathe spends it all on the wedding. "

"Twenty-five sequins! That will make people talk; but what care we? Iwill give you an answer to-morrow. "

"And a kiss now?"

"With all my heart. "

Zenobia went away in great delight, and I went out to call on my bankerand dear Therese. 

When the door was opened the pretty maid recognized me, and taking me bythe hand led me to her mistress, who was just going to get up. Heremotion at seeing me was so great that she could not utter a word, butonly claps me to her breast. 

Our natural transports over, Therese told me that she had got tired ofher husband, and that for the last six months they had not been livingtogether. She had made him an allowance to get rid of him, and he livedon it at Rome. 

"And where is Cesarino?"

"In this town. You can see him whenever you like. "

"Are you happy?"

"Quite. People say that I have a lover, but it is not true; and you cansee me at any time with perfect liberty. "

We spent two pleasant hours in telling each other of our experiencessince our last meeting, and then, finding her as fresh and fair as in theseason of our early loves, I asked her if she had vowed to be faithful toher husband. 

"At Florence, " she replied, "I was still in love with him; but now, if Iam still pleasing in your eyes, we can renew our connection, and livetogether till we die. "

"I will soon shew you, darling, that I love you as well as ever. "

She answered only by giving herself up to my embrace. 

After action and contemplation I left her as amorous as she had beeneighteen years before, but my passion found too many new objects toremain constant long. 

Countess A---- B---- began to be more polite. "I know where you have been, "said she, with a pleased air; "but if you love that person, you will notgo and see her again, or else her lover will leave her. "

"Then I would take his place, madam. "

"You are right in amusing yourself with women who know how to earn yourpresents. I am aware that you never give anything till you have receivedevident proofs of their affection. "

"That has always been my principle. "

"It's an excellent way to avoid being duped. The lover of the person youhave been with kept a lady in society for some time in great splendour, but all the rest of us despised her. "

"Why so, if you please?"

"Because she lowered herself so terribly. Greppi is absolutely a man ofno family whatever. "

Without expressing my surprise at the name of Greppi, I replied that aman need not be well born to be an excellent lover. 

"The only thing needful, " said I, "is a fine physique and plenty ofmoney, and those ladies who despised their friend were eitherridiculously proud or abominably envious. I have not the slightest doubtthat if they could find any more Gieppis they would be willing enough tolower themselves. "

She would doubtless have made a sharp reply, for what I had said hadangered her; but the Marquis Triulzi arriving, she went out with him, while her husband and myself went to a place where there was a bank atfaro, the banker only having a hundred sequins before him. 

I took a card and staked small sums like the rest of the company. Afterlosing twenty ducats I left the place. 

As we were going to the opera the poor count told me I had made him loseten ducats on his word of honour, and that he did not know how he couldpay it by the next day. I pitied him, and gave him the money without aword; for misery has always appealed strongly to me. Afterwards I losttwo hundred ducats at the same bank to which I had lost money the eveningbefore. The count was in the greatest distress. He did not know thatGreppi, whom his proud wife considered so worthless, had a hundredthousand francs of my money, and that I possessed jewellery to an evengreater amount. 

The countess, who had seen me lose, asked me if I would sell my beautifuldress. 

"They say it's worth a thousand sequins, " said she. 

"Yes, that is so; but I would sell everything I possess before partingwith any of the articles which I intend for the fair sex. "

"Marquis Triulzi wants it badly to present to someone. "

"I am very sorry, but I cannot sell it to him. "

She went away without a word, but I could see that she was exceedinglyvexed at my refusal. 

As I was leaving the opera-house I saw Therese getting into hersedan-chair. I went up to her, and told her that I was sure she was goingto sup with her lover. She whispered in my ear that she was going to supby herself, and that I might come if I dared. I gave her an agreeablesurprise by accepting the invitation. 

"I will expect you, then, " she said. 

I asked the count to ride home in my carriage, and taking a chair Ireached Therese's house just as she was going in. 

What a happy evening we had! We laughed heartily when we told each otherour thoughts. 

"I know you were in love with Countess A---- B----, " said she, "and I feltsure you would not dare to come to supper with me. "

"And I thought I should confound you by accepting your invitation, as Iknew Greppi was your lover. "

"He is my friend, " she replied. "If he loves me in any other way thanthat of friendship, I pity him, for as yet he has not discovered thesecret of seduction. "

"Do you think he ever will?"

"No, I don't. I am rich. "

"Yes, but he is richer than you. "

"I know that, but I think he loves his money better than he loves me. "

"I understand. You will make him happy if he loves you well enough toruin himself. "

"That is it, but it will never come to pass. But here we are, togetheragain after a divorce of nearly twenty years. I don't think you will findany change in me. "

"That is a privilege which nature grants to the fair sex only. You willfind me changed, but you will be able to work miracles. "

This was a piece of politeness, for she was hardly capable of working anymiracle. However, after an excellent supper, we spent two hours inamorous raptures, and then Morpheus claimed us for his own. When we awokeI did not leave her before giving her a good day equal to the good nightwhich had sent us to sleep. 

When I got back I found the fair Zenobia, who said the tailor was readyto marry her next Sunday if my offer was not a joke. 

"To convince you of the contrary, " said I, "here are the twenty-fivesequins. "

Full of gratitude she let herself fall into my arms, and I covered hermouth and her beautiful bosom with my fiery kisses. Therese had exhaustedme, so I did not go any further, but the girl no doubt attributed myself-restraint to the fact that the door was open. I dressed carefully, and made myself look less weary, and to freshen myself up I had a longdrive in an open carriage. 

When I returned, I found the Marquis of Triulzi teasing the countess asusual. On that day he furnished the dinner, and it was consequently, avery good one. 

The conversation turned on the dress in my possession, and the countesstold the marquis, like an idiot, that it was destined for the lady whowould make me desirous and gratify my desire. 

With exquisite politeness the marquis told me that I deserved to enjoyfavours at a cheaper rate. 

"I suppose you will be giving it to the person with whom you spent thenight, " said the countess. 

"That's an impossibility, " I answered, "for I spent the night in play. "

Just then Clairmont came in, and told me an officer wanted to speak tome. I went to the door, and saw a handsome young fellow, who greeted mewith an embrace. I recognized him as Barbaro, the son of a Venetiannoble, and brother of the fair and famous Madame Gritti Scombro, of whomI spoke ten years ago, whose husband had died in the citadel of Cattaro, where the State Inquisitors had imprisoned him. My young friend had alsofallen into disgrace with the despotic Inquisitors. We had been goodfriends during the year before my imprisonment, but I had heard nothingof him since. 

Barbaro told me the chief incidents in a life that had been adventurousenough, and informed me that he was now in the service of the Duke ofModena, the Governor of Milan. 

"I saw you losing money at Canano's bank, " said he, "and remembering ourold friendship I want to communicate to you a sure way of winning money. All that is necessary is for me to introduce you to a club of young menwho are very fond of play, and cannot possibly win. "

"Where does this club meet?"

"In an extremely respectable house. If you agree I will keep the bankmyself, and I am sure of winning. I want you to lend me capital, and Ionly ask a fourth of the profits. "

"I suppose you can hold the cards well. "

"You are right. "

This was as much as to tell me that he was an adroit sharper, or, inother words, a skilful corrector of fortune's mistakes. He concluded bysaying that I should find something worth looking at in the house he hadmentioned. 

"My dear sir, " I replied, "I will give you my decision after seeing theclub to which you want to introduce me. "

"Will you be at the theatre coffee-house at three o'clock to-morrow?"

"Yes, but I hope to see you at the ball in the evening. "

Zenobia's betrothed brought me my domino, and the countess had hersalready. As the ball did not begin till the opera was over, I went tohear Therese's singing. In the interval between the acts I lost anothertwo hundred sequins, and then went home to dress for the ball. Thecountess said that if I would be kind enough to take her to the ball inmy carriage and fetch her home in it, she would not send for the MarquisTriulzi's. I replied that I was at her service. 

Under the impression that the fair Spaniard had only given me thepreference to enable me to take liberties with her, I told her I shouldbe very glad to give her the dress, and that the only condition was thatI should spent a night with her. 

"You insult me cruelly, " said she, "you must know my character betterthan that. "

"I know everything, my dear countess; but, after all, the insult'snothing; you can easily forgive me if you pluck up a little spirit;trample on a foolish prejudice; get the dress, and make me happy for awhole night long. "

"That it all very well when one is in love, but you must confess thatyour coarse way of speaking is more likely to make me hate you than loveyou. "

"I use that style, because I want to come to the point; I have no time towaste. And you, countess, must confess in your turn, that you would bedelighted to have me sighing at your feet. "

"It would be all the same to me, I don't think I could love you. "

"Then we are agreed on one point at all events, for I love you no morethan you love me. "

"And yet you would spend a thousand sequins for the pleasure of passing anight with me. "

"Not at all, I don't want to sleep with you for the sake of the pleasure, but to mortify your infernal pride, which becomes you so ill. "

God knows what the fierce Spaniard would have answered, but at thatmoment the carriage stopped at the door of the theatre. We parted, andafter I had got tired of threading my way amidst the crowd I paid a visitto the gaming-room, hoping to regain the money I had lost. I had morethan five hundred sequins about me and a good credit at the bank, but Icertainly did my best to lose everything I had. I sat down at Canano'sbank, and noticing that the poor count, who followed me wherever I went, was the only person who knew me, I thought I should have a lucky evening. I only punted on one card, and spent four hours without losing orgaining. Towards the end, wishing to force fortune's favour, I lostrapidly, and left all my money in the hands of the banker. I went back tothe ball-room, where the countess rejoined me, and we returned home. 

When we were in the carriage, she said, --

"You lost an immense sum, and I am very glad of it. The marquis will giveyou a thousand sequins, and the money will bring you luck. "

"And you, too, for I suppose you will have the dress?"

"Maybe. "

"No, madam, you shall never have it in this way, and you know the other. I despise a thousand sequins. "

"And I despise you and your presents. "

"You may despise me as much as you please, and you may be sure I despiseyou. "

With these polite expressions we reached the house. When I got to my roomI found the count there with a long face, as if he wanted to pity me butdared not do it. However, my good temper gave him the courage to say:--

"Triulzi will give you a thousand sequins; that will fit you up again. "

"For the dress you mean?"

"Yes. "

"I wanted to give it to your wife, but she said she would despise it, coming from my hands. "

"You astonish me; she is mad after it. You must have wounded her haughtytemper in some way or another. But sell it, and get the thousandsequins. "

"I will let you know to-morrow. "

I slept four or five hours, and then rose and went out in my great coatto call on Greppi, for I had no more money. I took a thousand sequins, begging him not to tell my affairs to anyone. He replied that my affairswere his own, and that I could count on his secrecy. He complimented meon the esteem in which Madame Palesi held me, and said he hoped to meetme at supper at her house one night. 

"Such a meeting would give me the greatest pleasure, " I replied. 

On leaving him I called on Therese, but as there were some people withher I did not stay long. I was glad to see that she knew nothing about mylosses or my affairs. She said that Greppi wanted to sup with me at herhouse, and that she would let me know when the day was fixed. When I gothome I found the count in front of my fire. 

"My wife is in a furious rage with you, " said he, "and won't tell mewhy. "

"The reason is, my dear count, that I won't let her accept the dress fromany hand but mine. She told me that she should despise it as a gift fromme, but she has nothing to be furious about that I know. "

"It's some mad notion of hers, and I don't know what to make of it. Butpray attend to what I am about to say to you. You despise a thousandsequins--good. I congratulate you. But if you are in a position todespise a sum which would make me happy, offer up a foolish vanity on theshrine of friendship, take the thousand sequins, and lend them to me, andlet my wife have the dress, for of course he will give it her. "

This proposal made me roar with laughter, and certainly it was of anature to excite the hilarity of a sufferer from confirmed melancholia, which I was far from being. However, I stopped laughing when I saw howthe poor count blushed from shame. I kissed him affectionately to calmhim, but at last I was cruel enough to say, "I will willingly assist you in this arrangement. I will sell the dressto the marquis as soon as you please, but I won't lend you the money. I'll give it to you in the person of your wife at a private interview;but when she receives me she must not only be polite and complaisant, butas gentle as a lamb. Go and see if it can be arranged, my dear count;'tis absolutely my last word. "

"I will see, " said the poor husband; and with that he went out. 

Barbaro kept his appointment with exactitude. I made him get into mycarriage, and we alighted at a house at the end of Milan. We went to thefirst floor, and there I was introduced to a fine-looking old man, anamiable lady of pleasing appearance, and then to two charming cousins. Heintroduced me as a Venetian gentleman in disgrace with the StateInquisitors, like himself, adding, that as I was a rich bachelor theirgood or ill favour made no difference to me. 

He said I was rich, and I looked like it. My luxury of attire wasdazzling: My rings, my snuff-boxes, my chains, my diamonds, my jewelledcross hanging on my breast-all gave me the air of an important personage. The cross belonged to the Order of the Spur the Pope had given me, but asI had carefully taken the spur away it was not known to what order Ibelonged. Those who might be curious did not dare to ask me, for one canno more enquire of a knight what order he belongs to, than one can say toa lady how old are you? I wore it till 1785, when the Prince Palatine ofRussia told me in private that I would do well to get rid of the thing. 

"It only serves to dazzle fools, " said he, "and here you have none suchto deal with. "

I followed his advice, for he was a man of profound intelligence. Nevertheless, he removed the corner-stone of the kingdom of Poland. Heruined it by the same means by which he had made it greater. 

The old man to whom Barbaro presented me was a marquis. He told me thathe knew Venice, and as I was not a patrician I could live as pleasantlyanywhere else. He told me to consider his house and all he possessed asmine. 

The two young marchionesses had enchanted me; they were almost idealbeauties. I longed to enquire about them of some good authority, for Idid not put much faith in Barbaro. 

In half an hour the visitors commenced to come on foot and in carriages. Among the arrivals were several pretty and well-dressed girls, andnumerous smart young men all vying with each other in their eagerness topay court to the two cousins. There were twenty of us in all. We satround a large table, and began to play a game called bankruptcy. Afteramusing myself for a couple of hours in losing sequins, I went out withBarbaro to the opera. 

"The two young ladies are two incarnate angels, " I said to my countryman. "I shall pay my duty to them, and shall find out in a few days whetherthey are for me. As for the gaming speculation, I will lend you twohundred sequins; but I don't want to lose the money, so you must give megood security. "

"To that I agree willingly, but I am certain of giving it you back withgood interest. "

"You shall have a half share and not twenty-five per cent. , and I muststrongly insist that nobody shall know of my having anything to do withyour bank. If I hear any rumours, I shall bet heavily on my own account. "

"You may be sure I shall keep the secret; it is to my own interest tohave it believed that I am my own capitalist. "

"Very good. Come to me early to-morrow morning, and bring me goodsecurity, and you shall have the money. "

He embraced me in the joy of his heart. 

The picture of the two fair ladies was still in my brain, and I wasthinking of enquiring of Greppi when I chanced to see Triulzi in the pitof the opera-house. He saw me at the same moment, and came up to me, saying gaily that he was sure I had had a bad dinner, and that I had muchbetter dine with him every day. 

"You make me blush, marquis, for not having called on you yet. "

"No, no; there can be nothing of that kind between men of the world, whoknow the world's worth. "

"We are agreed there, at all events. "

"By the way, I hear you have decided on selling me that handsome dress ofyours. I am really very much obliged to you, and will give you thefifteen thousand livres whenever you like. "

"You can come and take it to-morrow morning. "

He then proceeded to tell me about the various ladies I noticed in thetheatre. Seizing the opportunity, I said, --

"When I was in church the other day I saw two exquisite beauties. A manat my side told me they were cousins, the Marchionesses Q---- and I----, Ithink he said. Do you know them? I am quite curious to hear about them. "

"I know them. As you say, they are charming. It's not very difficult toobtain access to them; and I suppose they are good girls, as I have notheard their names in connection with any scandal. However, I know thatMdlle. F has a lover, but it is a great secret; he is the only son of oneof the noblest of our families. Unfortunately, they are not rich; but ifthey are clever, as I am sure they are, they may make good matches. Ifyou like I can get someone to introduce you there. "

"I haven't made up my mind yet. I may be able to forget them easily onlyhaving seen them once. Nevertheless, I am infinitely obliged to you foryour kind offer. "

After the ballet I went into the assembly-room and I heard "there he is"several times repeated as I came in. The banker made me a bow, andoffered me a place next to him. I sat down and he handed me a pack ofcards. I punted, and with such inveterate bad luck that in less than anhour I lost seven hundred sequins. I should probably have lost all themoney I had in my pocket if Canano had not been obliged to go away. Hegave the cards to a man whose looks displeased me, and I rose and wenthome and got into bed directly, so as not to be obliged to conceal my illtemper. 

In the morning Barbaro came to claim the two hundred sequins. He gave methe right to sequestrate his pay by way of surety. I do not think Ishould have had the heart to exercise my rights if things had gone wrong, but I liked to have some control over him. When I went out I called onGreppi, and took two thousand sequins in gold. 

CHAPTER XIX

Humiliation of The Countess--Zenobia's Wedding--Faro Conquest of The FairIrene--Plan for a Masquerade

On my return I found the count with one of the marquis's servants, whogave me a note, begging me to send the dress, which I did directly. 

"The marquis will dine with us, " said the count, "and, no doubt, he willbring the money with him for this treasure. "

"You think it a treasure, then?"

"Yes, fit for a queen to wear. "

"I wish the treasure had the virtue of giving you a crown; one head-dressis as good as another. "

The poor devil understood the allusion, and as I liked him I reproachedmyself for having humiliated him unintentionally, but I could not resistthe temptation to jest. I hastened to smooth his brow by saying that assoon as I got the money for the dress I would take it to the countess. 

"I have spoken to her about it, " said he, "and your proposal made herlaugh; but I am sure she will make up her mind when she finds herself inpossession of the dress. "

It was a Friday. The marquis sent in an excellent fish dinner, and camehimself soon after with the dress in a basket. The present was made withall ceremony, and the proud countess was profuse in her expressions ofthanks, which the giver received coolly enough, as if accustomed to thatkind of thing. However, he ended by the no means flattering remark thatif she had any sense she would sell it, as everybody knew she was toopoor to wear it. This suggestion by no means met with her approval. Sheabused him to her heart's content, and told him he must be a great foolto give her a dress which he considered unsuitable to her. 

They were disputing warmly when the Marchioness Menafoglio was announced. As soon as she came in her eyes were attracted by the dress, which wasstretched over a chair, and finding it superb she exclaimed, "I would gladly buy that dress. "

"I did not buy it to sell again, " said the countess, sharply. 

"Excuse me, " replied the marchioness, "I thought it was for sale, and Iam sorry it is not. "

The marquis, who was no lover of dissimulation, began to laugh, and thecountess, fearing he would cover her with ridicule, hastened to changethe conversation. But when the marchioness was gone the countess gavereins to her passion, and scolded the marquis bitterly for havinglaughed. However, he only replied by remarks which, though exquisitelypolite, had a sting in them; and at last the lady said she was tired, andwas going to lie down. 

When she had left the room the marquis gave me the fifteen thousandfrancs, telling me that they would bring me good luck at Canano's. 

"You are a great favourite of Canano's, " he added, "and he wants you tocome and dine with him. He can't ask you to supper, as he is obliged tospend his nights in the assembly-rooms. "

"Tell him I will come any day he likes except the day after to-morrow, when I have to go to a wedding at the 'Apple Garden. '"

"I congratulate you, " said the count and the marquis together, "it willno doubt be very pleasant. "

"I expect to enjoy myself heartily there. "

"Could not we come, too?"

"Do you really want to?"

"Certainly. "

"Then I will get you an invitation from the fair bride herself on thecondition that the countess comes as well. I must warn you that thecompany will consist of honest people of the lower classes, and I cannothave them humiliated in any way. "

"I will persuade the countess, " said Triulzi. 

"To make your task an easier one, I may as well tell you that the weddingis that of the fair Zenobia. "

"Bravo! I am sure the countess will come to that. "

The count went out, and shortly reappeared with Zenobia. The marquiscongratulated her, and encouraged her to ask the countess to the wedding. She seemed doubtful, so the marquis took her by the hand and let her intothe proud Spaniard's room. In half an hour they returned informing usthat my lady had deigned to accept the invitation. 

When the marquis had gone, the count told me that I might go and keep hiswife company, if I had nothing better to do, and that he would see tosome business. 

"I have the thousand sequins in my pocket, " I remarked, "and if I findher reasonable, I will leave them with her. "

"I will go and speak to her first. "

"Do so. "

While the count was out of the room, I exchanged the thousand sequins forthe fifteen thousand francs in bank notes which Greppi had given me. 

I was just shutting up my cash-box when Zenobia came in with my lacecuffs. She asked me if I would like to buy a piece of lace. I replied inthe affirmative, and she went out and brought it me. 

I liked the lace, and bought it for eighteen sequins, and said, --

"This lace is yours, dearest Zenobia, if you will content me thismoment. "

"I love you well, but I should be glad if you would wait till after mymarriage. "

"No, dearest, now or never. I cannot wait. I shall die if you do notgrant my prayer. Look! do you not see what a state I am in?"

"I see it plainly enough, but it can't be done. "

"Why not? Are you afraid of your husband noticing the loss of yourmaidenhead?"

"Not I, and if he did I shouldn't care. I promise you if he dared toreproach me, he should not have me at all. "

"Well said, for my leavings are too good for him. Come quick!"

"But you will shut the door, at least?"

"No, the noise would be heard, and might give rise to suspicion. Nobodywill come in. "

With these words I drew her towards me, and finding her as gentle as alamb and as loving as a dove, the amorous sacrifice was offered withabundant libations on both sides. After the first ecstacy was over, Iproceeded to examine her beauties, and with my usual amorous frenzy toldher that she should send her tailor out to graze and live with me. Fortunately she did not believe in the constancy of my passion. After asecond assault I rested, greatly astonished that the count had notinterrupted our pleasures. I thought he must have gone out, and I toldZenobia my opinion, whereon she overwhelmed me with caresses. Feeling atmy ease, I set her free from her troublesome clothes, and gave myself upto toying with her in a manner calculated to arouse the exhausted senses;and then for the third time we were clasped to each other's arms, while Imade Zenobia put herself into the many attitudes which I knew fromexperience as most propitious to the voluptuous triumph. 

We were occupied a whole hour in these pleasures, but Zenobia, in theflower of her age and a novice, poured forth many more libations than I. 

Just as I lost life for the third time, and Zenobia for the fourteenth, Iheard the count's voice. I told my sweetheart, who had heard it as well, and after we had dressed hastily I gave her the eighteen sequins, and sheleft the room. 

A moment after the count came in laughing, and said, --

"I have been watching you all the time by this chink" (which he shewedme), "and I have found it very amusing. "

"I am delighted to hear it, but keep it to yourself. "

"Of course, of course. "

"My wife, " said he, "will be very pleased to see you; and I, " he added, "shall be very pleased as well. "

"You are a philosophical husband, " said I, "but I am afraid after theexercises you witnessed the countess will find me rather slow. "

"Not at all, the recollection will make it all the pleasanter for you. "

"Mentally perhaps, but in other respects . . . "

"Oh! you will manage to get out of it. "

"My carriage is at your service, as I shall not be going out for the restof the day. "

I softly entered the countess's room and finding her in bed enquiredaffectionately after her health. 

"I am very well, " said she, smiling agreeably, "my husband has done megood. "

I had seated myself quietly on the bed, and she had shewn no vexation;certainly a good omen. 

"Aren't you going out any more to-day?" said she, "you have got yourdressing-gown on. "

"I fell asleep lying on my bed, and when I awoke I decided on keeping youcompany if you will be as good and gentle as you are pretty. "

"If you behave well to me, you will always find me so. 

"And will you love me?"

"That depends on you. So you are going to sacrifice Canano to me thisevening. "

"Yes, and with the greatest pleasure. He has won a lot from me already, and I foresee that he will win the fifteen thousand francs I have in mypocket to-morrow. This is the money the Marquis Triulzi gave me for thedress. "

"It would be a pity to lose such a large sum. "

"You are right, and I need not lose them if you will be complaisant, forthey are meant for you. Allow me to shut the door. "

"What for?"

"Because I am perishing with cold and desire, and intend warming myselfin your bed. "

"I will never allow that. "

"I don't want to force you. Good-bye, countess, I will go and warm myselfby my own fire, and to-morrow I will wage war on Canano's bank. "

"You are certainly a sad dog. Stay here, I like your conversation. "

Without more ado I locked the door, took off my clothes, and seeing thather back was turned to me, jumped into bed beside her. She had made upher mind, and let me do as I liked, but my combats with Zenobia hadexhausted me. With closed eyes she let me place her in all the postureswhich lubricity could suggest, while her hands were not idle; but all wasin vain, my torpor was complete, and nothing would give life to theinstrument which was necessary to the operation. 

Doubtless the Spaniard felt that my nullity was an insult to her charms;doubtless I must have tortured her by raising desires which I could notappease; for several times I felt my fingers drenched with a flow thatshewed she was not passive in the matter; but she pretended all the whileto be asleep. I was vexed at her being able to feign insensibility tosuch an extent, and I attached myself to her head; but her lips, whichshe abandoned to me, and which I abused disgracefully, produced no moreeffect than the rest of her body. I felt angry that I could not effectthe miracle of resurrection, and I decided on leaving a stage where I hadso wretched a part, but I was not generous to her, and put the finishingstroke to her humiliation by saying, --

"'Tis not my fault, madam, that your charms have so little power over me. Here, take these fifteen thousand francs by way of consolation. "

With this apostrophe I left her. 

My readers, more especially my lady readers, if I ever have any, will nodoubt pronounce me a detestable fellow after this. I understand theirfeelings, but beg them to suspend their judgment. They will seeafterwards that my instinct served me wonderfully in the course I hadtaken. 

Early the next day the count came into my room with a very pleasedexpression. 

"My wife is very well, " said he, "and told me to wish you good day. "

I did not expect this, and I no doubt looked somewhat astonished. 

"I am glad, " he said, "that you gave her francs instead of the sequinsyou got from Triulzi, and I hope, as Triulzi said, you will have luckwith it at the bank. "

"I am not going to the opera, " said I, "but to the masked ball, and Idon't want anyone to recognize me. "

I begged him to go and buy me a new domino, and not to come near me inthe evening, so that none but he should know who I was. As soon as he hadgone out I began to write letters. I had heavy arrears to make up in thatdirection. 

The count brought me my domino at noon, and after hiding it we went todine with the countess. Her affability, politeness, and gentlenessastounded me. She looked so sweetly pretty that I repented havingoutraged her so scandalously. Her insensibility of the evening beforeseemed inconceivable, and I began to suspect that the signs I had noticedto the contrary were only due to the animal faculties which are speciallyactive in sleep. 

"Was she really asleep, " said I to myself, "when I was outraging her soshamefully?"

I hoped it had been so. When her husband left us alone, I said, humblyand tenderly, that I knew I was a monster, and that she must detest me. 

"You a monster?" said she. "On the contrary I owe much to you, and thereis nothing I can think of for which I have cause to reproach you. "

I took her hand, tenderly, and would have carried it to my lips, but shedrew it away gently and gave me a kiss. My repentance brought a deepblush to my face. 

When I got back to my room I sealed my letters and went to the ball. Iwas absolutely unrecognizable. Nobody had ever seen my watches or mysnuff-boxes before, and I had even changed my purses for fear of anybodyrecognizing me by them. 

Thus armed against the glances of the curious, I sat down at Canano'stable and commenced to play in quite a different fashion. I had a hundredSpanish pieces in my pocket worth seven hundred Venetian sequins. I hadgot this Spanish money from Greppi, and I took care not to use whatTriulzi had given me for fear he should know me. 

I emptied my purse on the table, and in less than an hour it was allgone. I rose from the table and everybody thought I was going to beat aretreat, but I took out another purse and put a hundred sequins on onecard, going second, with paroli, seven, and the va. The stroke wassuccessful and Canano gave me back my hundred Spanish pieces, on which Isat down again by the banker, and recommenced regular play. Canano waslooking at me hard. My snuff-box was the one which the Elector of Colognehad given me, with the prince's portrait on the lid. I took a pinch ofsnuff and he gave me to understand that he would like one too, and thebox was subjected to a general examination. A lady whom I did not knowsaid the portrait represented the Elector of Cologne in his robes asGrand Master of the Teutonic Order. The box was returned to me and I sawthat it had made me respected, so small a thing imposes on people. I thenput fifty sequins on one card, going paroli and paix de paroli, and atdaybreak I had broken the bank. Canano said politely that if I liked tobe spared the trouble of carrying all that gold he would have it weighedand give me a cheque. A pair of scales was brought, and it was found thatI had thirty-four pounds weight in gold, amounting to two thousand eighthundred and fifty-six sequins. Canano wrote me a cheque, and I slowlyreturned to the ball-room. 

Barbaro had recognized me with the keenness of a Venetian. He accosted meand congratulated me on my luck, but I gave him no answer, and seeingthat I wished to remain incognito he left me. 

A lady in a Greek dress richly adorned with diamonds came up to me, andsaid in a falsetto voice that she would like to dance with me. 

I made a sign of assent, and as she took off her glove I saw afinely-shaped hand as white as alabaster, one of the fingers bearing anexquisite diamond ring. It was evidently no ordinary person, and though Ipuzzled my head I could not guess who she could be. 

She danced admirably, in the style of a woman of fashion, and I tooexerted myself to the utmost. By the time the dance was over I wascovered with perspiration. 

"You look hot, " said my partner, in her falsetto voice, "come and rest inmy box. "

My heart leaped with joy, and I followed her with great delight; but as Isaw Greppi in the box to which she took me, I had no doubt that it mustbe Therese, which did not please me quite so well. In short, the ladytook off her mask; it was Therese, and I complimented her on herdisguise. 

"But how did you recognize me, dearest?"

"By your snuff-box. I knew it, otherwise I should never have found youout. "

"Then you think that nobody has recognized me?"

"Nobody, unless in the same way as I did. "

"None of the people here have seen my snuff-box. "

I took the opportunity of handing over to Greppi Canano's cheque, and hegave me a receipt for it. Therese asked us to supper for the ensuingevening, and said, --

"There will be four of us in all. "

Greppi seemed curious to know who the fourth person could be, but I rightguessed it would be my dear son Cesarino. 

As I went down once more to the ball-room two pretty female dominosattacked me right and left, telling me that Messer-Grande was waiting forme outside. They then asked me for some snuff, and I gave them a boxornamented with an indecent picture. I had the impudence to touch thespring and shew it them, and after inspecting it they exclaimed, --

"Fie, fie! your punishment is never to know who we are. "

I was sorry to have displeased the two fair masquers, who seemed worthknowing, so I followed them, and meeting Barbaro, who knew everybody, Ipointed them out to him, and heard to my delight that they were the twoMarchionesses Q---- and F----. I promised Barbaro to go and see them. Hesaid that everybody in the ball-room knew me, and that our bank was doingvery well, though, of course, that was a trifle to me. 

Towards the end of the ball, when it was already full daylight, amasquer, dressed as a Venetian gondolier, was accosted by a lady masquer, also in Venetian costume. She challenged the gondolier to prove himself aVenetian by dancing the 'forlana' with her. The gondolier accepted, andthe music struck up, but the boatman, who was apparently a Milanese, washooted, while the lady danced exquisitely. I was very fond of the dance, and I asked the unknown Venetian lady to dance it again with me. Sheagreed, and a ring was formed round us, and we were so applauded that wehad to dance it over again. This would have sufficed if a very prettyshepherdess without a mask had not begged me to dance it with her. Icould not refuse her, and she danced exquisitely; going round and roundthe circle three times, and seeming to hover in the air. I was quite outof breath. When it was finished, she came up to me and whispered my namein my ear. I was astonished, and feeling the charm of the situationdemanded her name. 

"You shall know, " said she, in Venetian, "if you will come to the 'ThreeKings. '"

"Are you alone?"

"No, my father and mother, who are old friends of yours, are with me"

"I will call on Monday. "

What a number of adventures to have in one night! I went home wearily, and went to bed, but I was only allowed to sleep for two hours. I wasroused and begged to dress myself. The countess, the marquis, and thecount, all ready for Zenobia's wedding, teased me till I was ready, telling me it was not polite to keep a bride waiting. Then they allcongratulated me on my breaking the bank and the run of luck against me. I told the marquis that it was his money that had brought me luck, but hereplied by saying that he knew what had become of his money. 

This indiscretion either on the count's part or the countess's surprisedme greatly; it seemed to me contrary to all the principles in intrigue. 

"Canano knew you, " said the marquis, "by the way you opened yoursnuff-box, and he hopes to see us to dinner before long. He says he hopesyou will win a hundred pounds weight of gold; he has a fancy for you. "

"Canano, " said I, "has keen eyes, and plays faro admirably. I have notthe slightest wish to win his money from him. "

We then started for the "Apple Garden, " where we found a score of honestfolks and the bride and bridegroom, who overwhelmed us with compliments. We soon put the company at their ease. At first our presence overawedthem, but a little familiarity soon restored the general hilarity. We satdown to dinner, and among the guests were some very pretty girls, but myhead was too full of Zenobia to care about them. The dinner lasted threehours. It was an abundant repast, and the foreign wines were so exquisitethat it was easy to see that the sum I had furnished had been exceeded. Good fellowship prevailed, and after the first bumper had passed roundeverybody proposed somebody else's health, and as each tried to saysomething different to his neighbour the most fearful nonsense prevailed. Then everybody thought himself bound to sing, and they were not at allfirst-rate vocalists by any means. We laughed heartily and also causedlaughter, for our speeches and songs were as bad as those of our humblefriends. 

When we rose from the table kissing became general, and the countesscould not resist laughing when she found herself obliged to hold out hercheeks for the salute of the tailor, who thought her laughter a specialmark of favour. 

Strains of sweet music were heard, and the ball was duly opened by thenewly-married couple. Zenobia danced, if not exactly well, at leastgracefully; but the tailor, who had never put his legs to any other usebesides crossing them, cut such a ridiculous figure that the countess hadmuch ado to restrain her laughter. But in spite of that I led out Zenobiafor the next minuet, and the proud countess was obliged to dance with thewretched tailor. 

When the minuets stopped the square dances began, and refreshments wereliberally handed round. Confetti, a kind of sweetmeat, even better thanthat made at Verdun, were very plentiful. 

When we were just going I congratulated the husband and offered to bringZenobia home in my carriage, which he was pleased to style a veryhonourable offer. I gave my hand to Zenobia, and helped her into thecarriage, and having told the coachman to go slowly I put her on my knee, extinguisher fashion, and kept her there all the time. Zenobia was thefirst to get down, and noticing that my breeches of grey velvet werespoiled, I told her that I would be with her in a few minutes. In twominutes I put on a pair of black satin breeches, and I rejoined the ladybefore her husband came in. She asked what I had been doing, and on mytelling her that our exploits in the carriage had left very evident markson my trousers, she gave me a kiss, and thanked me for my forethought. 

Before long the husband and his sister arrived. He thanked me, calling mehis gossip, and then noticing the change in my dress he asked me how Ihad contrived to make the alteration so quickly. 

"I went to my room, leaving your wife at your house, for which I beg yourpardon. "

"Didn't you see that the gentleman had spilt a cup of coffee over hishandsome breeches?" said Zenobia. 

"My dear wife, " said the crafty tailor, "I don't see everything, nor isit necessary that I should do so, but you should have accompanied thegentleman to his room. "

Then turning to me with a laugh, he asked me how I had enjoyed thewedding. 

"Immensely, and my friends have done the same; but you must let me payyou, dear gossip, for what you spent over and above the twenty-foursequins. You can tell me how much it is. "

"Very little, a mere trifle; Zenobia shall bring you the bill. "

I went home feeling vexed with myself for not having foreseen that therogue would notice my change of dress, and guess the reason. However, Iconsoled myself with the thought that the tailor was no fool, and that itwas plain that he was content to play the part we had assigned to him. Soafter wishing good night to the count, the countess and the marquis, whoall thanked me for the happy day they had spent, I went to bed. 

As soon as I was awake, I thought of the shepherdess who had danced the'forlana' so well at the ball, and I resolved to pay her a visit. I wasnot more interested in her beauty than to find out who her father andmother, "old friends of mine, " could be. I dressed and walked to the"Three Kings, " and on walking into the room which the shepherdess hadindicated to me, what was my astonishment to find myself face to facewith the Countess Rinaldi, whom Zavoisky had introduced me to at the'locanda' of Castelletto sixteen years ago. The reader will remember howM. De Bragadin paid her husband the money he won from me at play. 

Madame Rinaldi had aged somewhat, but I knew her directly. However, as Ihad never had more than a passing fancy for her, we did not go back todays which did neither of us any honour. 

"I am delighted to see you again, " said I; "are you still living withyour husband?"

"You will see him in half an hour, and he will be glad to present hisrespects to you. "

"I should not at all care for it myself, madam; there are old quarrelsbetween us which I do not want to renew, so, madam, farewell. "

"No, no, don't go yet, sit down. "

"Pardon me. "

"Irene, don't let the gentleman go. "

At these words Irene ran and barred the way--not like a fierce mastiff, but like an angel, entreating me to stay with that mingled look ofinnocence, fear, and hope, of which girls know the effect so well. I feltI could not go. 

"Let me through, fair Irene, " said I, "we may see each other somewhereelse. "

"Pray do not go before you have seen my father:"

The words were spoken so tenderly that our lips met. Irene wasvictorious. How can one resist a pretty girl who implores with a kiss? Itook a chair, and Irene, proud of her victory, sat on my knee and coveredme with kisses. 

I took it into my head to task the countess where and when Irene wasborn. 

"At Mantua, " said she, "three months after I left Venice. "

"And when did you leave Venice?"

"Six months after I met you. "

"That is a curious coincidence, and if we had been tenderly acquaintedyou might say that Irene was my daughter, and I should believe you, andthink that my affection for her was purely paternal. "

"Your memory is not very good, sir, I wonder at that. "

"I may tell you, that I never forget certain things, But I guess yourmeaning. You want me to subdue my liking for Irene. I am willing to doso, but she will be the loser. "

This conversation had silenced Irene, but she soon took courage, and saidshe was like me. 

"No, no, " I answered, "if you were like me you would not be so pretty. "

"I don't think so; I think you are very handsome. "

"You flatter me. "

"Stay to dinner with us. "

"No, if I stayed I might fall in love with you, and that would be a pity, as your mother says I am your father. "

"I was joking, " said the countess, "you may love Irene with a goodconscience. "

"We will see what can be done. "

When Irene had left the room, I said to the mother, --

"I like your daughter, but I won't be long sighing for her, and youmustn't take me for a dupe. "

"Speak to my husband about it. We are very poor, and we want to go toCremona. "

"I suppose Irene has a lover?"

"No. "

"But she has had one, of course?"

"Never anything serious. "

"I can't believe it. "

"It's true, nevertheless. Irene is intact. "

Just then Irene came in with her father, who had aged to such an extentthat I should never have known him in the street. He came up to me andembraced me, begging me to forget the past. "It is only you, " he added, "who can furnish me with funds to go to Cremona. 

"I have several debts here, and am in some danger of imprisonment. Nobodyof any consequence comes to see me. My dear daughter is the only thing ofvalue which I still possess. I have just been trying to sell thispinchbeck watch, and though I asked only six sequins, which is half whatit is worth, they would not give me more than two. When a man getsunfortunate, everything is against him. "

I took the watch, and gave the father six sequins for it, and then handedit to Irene. She said with a smile that she could not thank me, as I onlygave her back her own, but she thanked me for the present I had made herfather. 

"Here, " said she seriously to the old man, "you can sell it again now. "

This made me laugh. I gave the count ten sequins in addition, embracedIrene, and said I must be gone, but that I would see them again in threeor four days. 

Irene escorted me to the bottom of the stairs, and as she allowed me toassure myself that she still possessed the rose of virginity, I gave heranother ten sequins, and told her that the first time she went alone tothe ball with me I would give her a hundred sequins. She said she wouldconsult her father. 

Feeling sure that the poor devil would hand over Irene to me, and havingno apartment in which I could enjoy her in freedom, I stopped to read abill in a pastrycook's window. It announced a room to let. I went in, andthe pastrycook told me that the house belonged to him, and his prettywife, who was suckling a baby, begged me to come upstairs and see theroom. The street was a lonely one, and had a pleasing air of mysteryabout it. I climbed to the third floor, but the rooms there were wretchedgarrets of no use to me. 

"The first floor, " said the woman, "consists of a suite of four nicerooms, but we only let them together. "

"Let us go and see them. Good! they will do. What is the rent?"

"You must settle that with my husband. "

"And can't I settle anything with you, my dear?"

So saying I gave her a kiss which she took very kindly, but she smelt ofnursing, which I detested, so I did not go any farther despite herradiant beauty. 

I made my bargain with the landlord, and paid a month's rent in advancefor which he gave me a receipt. It was agreed that I should come and goas I pleased, and that he should provide me with food. I gave him a nameso common as to tell him nothing whatever about me, but he seemed to carevery little about that. 

As I had agreed with Barbaro to visit the fair marchionesses, I dressedcarefully, and after a slight repast with the countess, who was pleasantbut did not quite please me, I met my fellow-countryman and we called onthe two cousins. 

"I have come, " said I, "to beg your pardons for having revealed to youthe secret of the snuff-box. "

They blushed, and scolded Barbaro, thinking that he had betrayed them. Onexamining them I found them far superior to Irene, my present flame, buttheir manner, the respect they seemed to require, frightened me. I wasnot at all disposed to dance attendance on them. Irene, on the contrary, was an easy prey. I had only to do her parents a service, and she was inmy power; while the two cousins had their full share of aristocraticpride, which debases the nobility to the level of the vilest of thepeople, and only imposes upon fools, who after all are in the majorityeverywhere. Further I was no longer at that brilliant age which fearsnothing, and I was afraid that my appearance would hardly overcome them. It is true that Barbaro had made me hope that presents would be of someuse, but after what the Marquis Triulzi had said, I feared that Barbarohad only spoken on supposition. 

When the company was sufficiently numerous, the card-tables were broughtin. I sat down by Mdlle. Q----, and disposed myself to play for smallstakes. I was introduced by the aunt, the mistress of the house, to ayoung gentleman in Austrian uniform who sat beside me. 

My dear countryman played like a true sharper, much to my displeasure. Myfair neighbour, at the end of the game, which lasted four hours, foundherself the gainer of a few sequins, but the officer, who had played onhis word of honour, after losing all the money in his pockets, owed tenlouis. The bank was the winner of fifty sequins, including the officer'sdebt. As the young man lived at some distance he honoured me by coming inmy carriage. 

On the way, Barbaro told us he would introduce us to a girl who had justcome from Venice. The officer caught fire at this, and begged that weshould go and see her directly, and we accordingly went. The girl waswell enough looking, but neither I nor the officer cared much about her. While they were making some coffee for us, and Barbaro was entertainingthe young lady, I took a pack of cards, and had not much difficulty ininducing the officer to risk twenty sequins against the twenty I put onthe table. While we were playing I spoke to him of the passion with whichthe young marchioness inspired me. 

"She's my sister, " said he. 

I knew as much, but pretended to be astonished, and I went on playing. Taking the opportunity I told him that I knew of no one who could let themarchioness know of my affection better than he. I made him laugh, and ashe thought I was jesting he only gave vague answers; but seeing thatwhile I talked of my passion I forgot my card, he soon won the twentysequins from me, and immediately paid them to Barbaro. In the excess ofhis joy he embraced me as if I had given him the money; and when weparted he promised to give me some good news of his sister at our nextmeeting. 

I had to go to supper with Therese, Greppi, and my son, but having somespare time before me I went to the opera-house. The third act was goingon, and I accordingly visited the cardroom, and there lost two hundredsequins at a single deal. I left the room almost as if I was flying froman enemy. Canano shook me by the hand, and told me he expected me and themarquis to dinner every day, and I promised we would come at the earliestopportunity. 

I went to Therese's, and found Greppi there before me. Therese and DonCesarino, whom I covered with kisses, came in a quarter of an hourafterwards. The banker stared at him in speechless wonder. He could notmake out whether he was my son or my brother. Seeing his amazement, Therese told him Cesarino was her brother. This stupefied the worthy manstill more. At last he asked me if I had known Therese's mother prettywell, and on my answering in the affirmative he seemed more at ease. 

The meal was excellent, but all my attention went to my son. He had allthe advantages of a good disposition and an excellent education. He hadgrown a great deal since I had seen him at Florence, and his mentalpowers had developed proportionately. His presence made the party grave, but sweet. The innocence of youth throws around it an ineffable charm; itdemands respect and restraint. An hour after midnight we left Therese, and I went to bed, well pleased with my day's work, for the loss of twohundred sequins did not trouble me much. 

When I got up I received a note from Irene, begging me to call on her. Her father had given her permission to go to the next ball with me, andshe had a domino, but she wanted to speak to me. I wrote and told her Iwould see her in the course of the day. I had written to tell the MarquisTriulzi that I was going to dine with Canano, and he replied that hewould be there. 

We found this skilled gamester in a fine house, richly furnished, andshewing traces on every side of the wealth and taste of its owner. Cananointroduced me to two handsome women, one of whom was his mistress, and tofive or six marquises; for at Milan no noble who is not a marquis isthought anything of, just as in the same way they are all counts atVicenza. The dinner was magnificent and the conversation highlyintellectual. In a mirthful moment Canano said he had known me forseventeen years, his acquaintance dating from the time I had juggled aprofessional gamester, calling himself Count Celi, out of a prettyballet-girl whom I had taken to Mantua. I confessed the deed and amusedthe company by the story of what had happened at Mantua with Oreilan, andhow I had found Count Celi at Cesena metamorphosed into Count Alfani. Somebody mentioned the ball which was to be held the next day, and when Isaid I was not going they laughed. 

"I bet I know you, " said Canano, "if you come to the bank. "

"I am not going to play any more, " said I. 

"All the better for me, " answered Canano; "for though your punting isunlucky, you don't leave off till you have won my money. But that's onlymy joke; try again, and I protest I would see you win half my fortunegladly. "

Count Canano had a ring on his finger with a stone not unlike one ofmine; it had cost him two thousand sequins, while mine was worth threethousand. He proposed that we should stake them against each other afterhaving them unmounted and valued. 

"When?" said I. 

"Before going to the opera. "

"Very good; but on two turns of the cards, and a deal to each. "

"No, I never punt. "

"Then we must equalise the game. "

"How do you mean?"

"By leaving doubles and the last two cards out of account. "

"Then you would have the advantage. "

"If you can prove that I will pay you a hundred sequins. Indeed, I wouldbet anything you like that the game would still be to the advantage ofthe banker. "

"Can you prove it?"

"Yes; and I will name the Marquis Triulzi as judge. "

I was asked to prove my point without any question of a bet. 

"The advantages of the banker, " said I, "are two. The first and thesmaller is that all he has got to attend to is not to deal wrongly, whichis a very small matter to an habitual player; and all the time the punterhas to rack his brains on the chances of one card or another coming out. The other advantage is one of time. The banker draws his card at least asecond before the punter, and this again gives him a purchase. "

No one replied; but after some thought the Marquis Triulzi said that tomake the chances perfectly equal the players would have to be equal, which was almost out of the question. 

"All that is too sublime for me, " said Canano; "I don't understand it. "But, after all, there was not much to understand. 

After dinner I went to the "Three Kings" to find out what Irene had tosay to me, and to enjoy her presence. When she saw me she ran up to me, threw her arms round my neck, and kissed me, but with too much eagernessfor me to lay much value on the salute. However, I have always known thatif one wants to enjoy pleasure one must not philosophise about it, or oneruns a risk of losing half the enjoyment. If Irene had struck me indancing the 'forlana', why should not I have pleased her in spite of mysuperiority in age? It was not impossible, and that should be enough forme, as I did not intend to make her my wife. 

The father and mother received me as their preserver, and they may havebeen sincere. The count begged me to come out of the room for a momentwith him, and when we were on the other side of the door, said, --

"Forgive an old and unfortunate man, forgive a father, if I ask youwhether it is true that you promised Irene a hundred sequins if I wouldlet her go to the ball with you. "

"It is quite true, but of course you know what the consequences will be. "

At these words the poor old rascal took hold of me in a way which wouldhave frightened me if I had not possessed twice his strength, but it wasonly to embrace me. 

We went back to the room, he in tears and I laughing. He ran and told hiswife, who had not been able to believe in such luck any more than herhusband, and Irene added a comic element to the scene by saying, --

"You must not think me a liar, or that my parents suspected that I wasimposing on them; they only thought you said fifty instead of a hundred, as if I were not worth such a sum. "

"You are worth a thousand, my dear Irene; your courage in barring the waypleased me extremely. But you must come to the ball in a domino. "

"Oh! you will be pleased with my dress. "

"Are those the shoes and buckles you are going to wear? Have you no otherstockings? Where are your gloves?"

"Good heavens! I have nothing. "

"Quick! Send for the tradesmen. We will choose what we want, and I willpay. "

Rinaldi went out to summon a jeweller, a shoemaker, a stocking-maker, anda perfumer. I spent thirty sequins in what I considered necessary, butthen I noticed that there was no English point on her mask, and burst outagain. The father brought in a milliner, who adorned the mask with an ellof lace for which I paid twelve sequins. Irene was in great delight, buther father and mother would have preferred to have the money in theirpockets, and at bottom they were right. 

When Irene put on her fine clothes I thought her delicious, and I sawwhat an essential thing dress is to a woman. 

"Be ready, " said I, "before the time for the opera to-morrow, for beforegoing to the ball we will sup together in a room which belongs to me, where we shall be quite at our ease. You know what to expect, " I added, embracing her. She answered me with an ardent kiss. 

As I took leave of her father, he asked me where I was going afterleaving Milan. 

"To Marseilles, then to Paris, and then to London, at which place Iintend stopping a year. "

"Your flight from The Leads was wonderfully lucky. "

"Yes, but I risked my life. "

"You have certainly deserved all your good fortune. "

"Do you think so? I have only used my fortune--in subservience to mypleasures. "

"I wonder you do not have a regular mistress:"

"The reason is, that I like to be my own master. A mistress at mycoat-tails would be more troublesome than a wife; she would be anobstacle to the numerous pleasant adventures I encounter at every town. For example, if I had a mistress I should not be able to take thecharming Irene to the ball to-morrow. "

"You speak like a wise man. "

"Yes, though my wisdom is by no means of the austere kind. "

In the evening I went to the opera, and should no doubt have gone to thecard-table if I had not seen Cesarino in the pit. I spent two delightfulhours with him. He opened his heart to me, and begged me to plead for himwith his sister to get her consent to his going to sea, for which he hada great longing. He said that he might make a large fortune by ajudicious course of trading. After a temperate supper with my dear boy, Iwent to bed. The next morning the fine young officer, the Marchioness ofQ----'s brother, came and asked me to give him a breakfast. He said hehad communicated my proposal to his sister, and that she had replied thatI must be making a fool of him, as it was not likely that a man who livedas I did would be thinking of marrying. 

"I did not tell you that I aspired to the honour of marrying her. "

"No, and I did not say anything about marriage; but that's what the girlsare always aiming at. "

"I must go and disabuse her of the notion. "

"That's a good idea; principals are always the best in these affairs. Come at two o'clock, I shall be dining there, and as I have got to speakto her cousin you will be at liberty to say what you like. "

This arrangement suited me exactly. I noticed that my futurebrother-in-law admired a little gold case on my night-table, so I beggedhim to accept it as a souvenir of our friendship. He embraced me, and putit in his pocket, saying he would keep it till his dying day. 

"You mean till the day when it advances your suit with a lady, " said I. 

I was sure of having a good supper with Irene, so I resolved to take nodinner. As the count had gone to St. Angelo, fifteen miles from Milan, the day before, I felt obliged to wait on the countess in her room, tobeg her to excuse my presence at dinner. She was very polite, and told meby no means to trouble myself. I suspected that she was trying to imposeon me, but I wanted her to think she was doing so successfully. In mycharacter of dupe I told her that in Lent I would make amends for thedissipation which prevented me paying my court to her. "Happily, " Iadded, "Lent is not far off. "

"I hope it will be so, " said the deceitful woman with an enchantingsmile, of which only a woman with poison in her heart is capable. Withthese words she took a pinch of snuff, and offered me her box. 

"But what is this, my dear countess, it isn't snuff?"

"No, " she replied, "it makes the nose bleed, and is an excellent thingfor the head-ache. "

I was sorry that I had taken it, but said with a laugh, that I had notgot a head-ache, and did not like my nose to bleed. 

"It won't bleed much, " said she, with a smile, "and it is reallybeneficial. "

As she spoke, we both began to sneeze, and I should have felt very angryif I had not seen her smile. 

Knowing something about these sneezing powders, I did not think we shouldbleed, but I was mistaken. Directly after, I felt a drop of blood, andshe took a silver basin from her night-table. 

"Come here, " said she, "I am beginning to bleed too. "

There we were, bleeding into the same basin, facing each other in themost ridiculous position. After about thirty drops had fallen from eachof us, the bleeding ceased. She was laughing all the time, and I thoughtthe best thing I could do was to imitate her example. We washed ourselvesin fair water in another basin. 

"This admixture of our blood, " said she, still smiling, "will create asweet sympathy between us, which will only end with the death of one orthe other. "

I could make no sense of this, but the reader will soon see that thewretched woman did not mean our friendship to last very long. I asked herto give me some of the powder, but she refused; and on my enquiring thename of it, she replied that she did not know, as a lady friend had givenit to her. 

I was a good deal puzzled by the effects of this powder, never havingheard of the like before, and as soon as I left the countess I went to anapothecary to enquire about it, but Mr. Drench was no wiser than I. Hecertainly said that euphorbia sometimes produced bleeding of the nose, but it was not a case of sometimes but always. This small adventure mademe think seriously. The lady was Spanish, and she must hate me; and thesetwo facts gave an importance to our blood-letting which it would nototherwise possess. 

I went to see the two charming cousins, and I found the young officerwith Mdlle. F---- in the room by the garden. The lady was writing, and onthe pretext of not disturbing her I went after Mdlle. Q----, who was inthe garden. I greeted her politely, and said I had come to apologize fora stupid blunder which must have given her a very poor opinion of me. 

"I guess what you mean, but please to understand that my brother gave meyour message in perfect innocence. Let him believe what he likes. Do youthink I really believed you capable of taking such a step, when we barelyknew each other?"

"I am glad to hear you say so. "

"I thought the best thing would be to give a matrimonial turn to yourgallantry. Otherwise my brother, who is quite a young man, might haveinterpreted it in an unfavourable sense. "

"That was cleverly done, and of course I have nothing more to say. Nevertheless, I am 'grateful to your brother for having given you tounderstand that your charms have produced a vivid impression on me. Iwould do anything to convince you of my affection. "

"That is all very well, but it would have been wiser to conceal yourfeelings from my brother, and, allow me to add, from myself as well. Youmight have loved me without telling me, and then, though I should haveperceived the state of your affections, I could have pretended not to doso. Then I should have been at my ease, but as circumstances now stand Ishall have to be careful. Do you see?"

"Really, marchioness, you astonish me. I was never so clearly convincedthat I have done a foolish thing. And what is still more surprising, isthat I was aware of all you have told me. But you have made me lose myhead. I hope you will not punish me too severely?"

"Pray inform me how it lies in my power to punish you. "

"By not loving me. "

"Ah! loving and not loving; that is out of one's power. Of a sudden weknow that we are in love, and our fate is sealed. "

I interpreted these last words to my own advantage, and turned theconversation. I asked her if she was going to the ball. 

"No. "

"Perhaps you are going incognito?"

"We should like to, but it is an impossibility; there is always someonewho knows us. "

"If you would take me into your service, I would wager anything that youwould not be recognized. "

"You would not care to trouble yourself about us. "

"I like you to be a little sceptical, but put me to the proof. If youcould manage to slip out unobserved, I would engage to disguise you insuch a manner that no one would know you. "

"We could leave the house with my brother and a young lady with whom heis in love. I am sure he would keep our counsel. "

"I shall be delighted, but it must be for the ball on Sunday. I will talkit over with your brother. Kindly warn him not to let Barbaro knowanything about it. You will be able to put on your disguise in a place Iknow of. However, we can settle about that again. I shall carry thematter through, you may be sure, with great secrecy. Permit me to kissyour hand. "

She gave it me, and after imprinting a gentle kiss I held it to my heart, and had the happiness of feeling a soft pressure. I had no particulardisguise in my head, but feeling sure of hitting on something I put offthe consideration of it till the next day; the present belonged to Irene. I put on my domino, and went to the "Three Kings, " where I found Irenewaiting for me at the door. She had run down as soon as she had seen mycarriage, and I was flattered by this mark of her eagerness. We went tomy rooms, and I ordered the confectioner to get me a choice supper bymidnight. We had six hours before us, but the reader will excuse mydescribing the manner in which they were spent. The opening was made withthe usual fracture, which Irene bore with a smile, for she was naturallyvoluptuous. We got up at midnight, pleasantly surprised to find ourselvesfamishing with hunger, and a delicious supper waiting for us. 

Irene told me that her father had taught her to deal in such a mannerthat she could not lose. I was curious to see how it was done, and on mygiving her a pack of cards she proceeded to distract my attention bytalking to me, and in a few minutes the thing was done. I gave her thehundred sequins I had promised her, and told her to go on with her play. 

"If you only play on a single card, " said she, "you are sure to lose. "

"Never mind; go ahead. "

She did so, and I was forced to confess that if I had not been warned Ishould never have detected the trick. I saw what a treasure she must beto the old rascal Rinaldi. With her air of innocence and gaiety, shewould have imposed on the most experienced sharpers. She said in amortified manner that she never had any opportunity of turning hertalents to account, as their associates were always a beggarly lot. Sheadded tenderly that if I would take her with me she would leave herparents there and win treasures for me. 

"When I am not playing against sharpers, " she said, "I can also punt verywell. "

"Then you can come to Canano's bank and risk the hundred sequins I havegiven you. Put twenty sequins on a card, and if you win go paroli, seven, and the va, and leave the game when they turn up. If you can't make thethree cards come out second, you will lose, but I will reimburse you. "

At this she embraced me, and asked if I would take half the profits. 

"No, " said I, "you shall have it all. "

I thought she would have gone mad with joy. 

We went off in sedan-chairs, and the ball not having commenced we went tothe assembly-rooms. Canano had not yet done anything, and he opened apack of cards and pretended not to recognize me, but he smiled to see thepretty masker, my companion, sit down and play instead of me. Irene madehim a profound bow as he made room for her by his side, and putting thehundred sequins before her she began by winning a hundred andtwenty-five, as instead of going seven and the va, she only went the paixde paroli. I was pleased to see her thus careful, and I let her go on. Inthe following deal she lost on three cards in succession, and then wonanother paix de paroli. She then bowed to the banker, pocketed herwinnings, and left the table, but just as we were going out I heardsomebody sobbing, and on my turning to her she said, "I am sure it is my father weeping for joy. "

She had three hundred and sixty sequins which she took to him afteramusing herself for a few hours. I only danced one minuet with her, formy amorous exploits and the heavy supper I had taken had tired me, and Ilonged for rest. I let Irene dance with whom she liked, and going into acorner fell asleep. I woke up with a start and saw Irene standing beforeme. I had been asleep for three hours. I took her back to the "ThreeKings, " and left her in the charge of her father and mother. The poor manwas quite alarmed to see so much gold on the table, and told me to wishhim a pleasant journey, as he was starting in a few hours. I could makeno opposition and I did not wish to do so, but Irene was furious. 

"I won't go, " she cried; "I want to stay with my lover. You are the ruinof my life. Whenever anybody takes a liking to me, you snatch me away. Ibelong to this gentleman, and I won't leave him. "

However, she saw that I did not back her up, and began to weep, thenkissed me again and again, and just as she was going to sit down, wornout with fatigue and despair, I went off, wishing them a pleasantjourney, and telling Irene we should meet again. The reader will learn indue time when and how I saw them again. After all the fatigue I had gonethrough I was glad to go to bed. 

It was eight o'clock when the young lieutenant awoke me. 

"My sister has told me about the masquerade, " said he, "but I have agreat secret to confide in you. "

"Say on, and count on my keeping your secret. "

"One of the finest noblemen of the town, my friend and my cousin's lover, who has to be very careful of his actions on account of his exaltedposition, would like to be of the party if you have no objection. Mysister and my cousin would like him to come very much. "

"Of course he shall. I have been making my calculations for a party offive, and now it will be a party of six, that is all. "

"You really are a splendid fellow. "

"On Sunday evening you must be at a certain place, of which I will tellyou. First of all we will have supper, then put on our disguises, andthen go to the ball. To-morrow at five o'clock we shall meet at yoursister's. All I want to know is what is the height of your mistress andof the young nobleman. "

"My sweetheart is two inches shorter than my sister, and a littlethinner; my friend is just about the same make as you are, and if youwere dressed alike you would be mistaken for each other. "

"That will do. Let me think it over, and leave me alone now; there's aCapuchin waiting for me, and I am curious to learn his business. "

A Capuchin had called on me and I had told Clairmont to give him an alms, but he had said he wanted to speak to me in private. I was puzzled, forwhat could a Capuchin have to say to me?

He came in, and I was at once impressed by his grave and reverendappearance. I made him a profound bow and offered him a seat, but heremained standing, and said, "Sir, listen attentively to what I am about to tell you, and beware ofdespising my advice, for it might cost you your life. You would repentwhen it was too late. After hearing me, follow my advice immediately; butask no questions, for I can answer none. You may guess, perhaps, thatwhat silences me is a reason incumbent on all Christians--the sacred sealof the confessional. You may be sure that my word is above suspicion; Ihave no interests of my own to serve. I am acting in obedience to aninspiration; I think it must be your guardian angel speaking with myvoice. God will not abandon you to the malice of your enemies. Tell me ifI have touched your heart, and if you feel disposed to follow thecounsels I am going to give you. "

"I have listened to you, father, with attention and respect. Speak freelyand advise me; what you have said has not only moved me, but has almostfrightened me. I promise to do as you tell me if it is nothing againsthonour or the light of reason. "

"Very good. A feeling of charity will prevent your doing anything tocompromise me, whatever may be the end of the affair. You will not speakof me to anyone, or say either that you know me or do not know me?"

"I swear to you I will not on my faith as a Christian. But speak, Ientreat you. Your long preface has made me burn with impatience. "

"This day, before noon, go by yourself to---- Square, No. ---, on thesecond floor, and ring at the bell on your left. Tell the person whoopens the door that you want to speak to Madame. You will be taken to herroom without any difficulty; I am sure your name will not be asked, butif they do ask you, give an imaginary name. When you are face to facewith the woman, beg her to hear you, and ask her for her secret, and toinspire confidence put a sequin or two in her hand. She is poor, and I amsure that your generosity will make her your friend. She will shut herdoor, and tell you to say on. 

"You must then look grave, and tell her that you are not going to leaveher house before she gives you the little bottle that a servant broughther yesterday with a note. If she resists, remain firm, but make nonoise; do not let her leave the room or call anybody. Finally, tell herthat you will give her double the money she may lose by giving you thebottle and all that depends on it. Remember these words: and all thatdepends on it. She will do whatever you want. It will not cost you much, but even if it did, your life is worth more than all the gold of Peru. Ican say no more, but before I go, promise me that you will follow myadvice. "

"Yes, reverend father, I will follow the inspiration of the angel who ledyou here. "

"May God give you His blessing. "

When the good priest went out I did not feel at all disposed to laugh. Reason, certainly, bade me despise the warning, but my inherentsuperstition was too strong for reason. Besides, I liked the Capuchin. Helooked like a good man, and I felt bound by the promise I had given him. He had persuaded me, and my reason told me that a man should never goagainst his persuasion; in fine, I had made up my mind. I took the pieceof paper on which I had written the words I had to use, I put a pair ofpistols in my pocket, and I told Clairmont to wait for me in the square. This latter, I thought, was a precaution that could do no harm. 

Everything happened as the good Capuchin had said. The awful old creaturetook courage at the sight of the two sequins, and bolted her door. Shebegan by laughing and saying that she knew I was amorous, and that it wasmy fault if I were not happy, but that she would do my business for me. Isaw by these words that I had to do with a pretended sorceress. Thefamous Mother Bontemps had spoken in the same way to me at Paris. Butwhen I told her that I was not going to leave the room till I had got themysterious bottle, and all that depended on it, her face became fearful;she trembled, and would have escaped from the room; but I stood beforeher with an open knife, and would not suffer her to pass. But on mytelling her that I would give her double the sum she was to be paid forher witchcraft, and that thus she would be the gainer and not a loser incomplying with my demands, she became calm once more. 

"I shall lose six sequins, " said she, "but you will gladly pay doublewhen I shew you what I have got; I know who you are. "

"Who am I?"

"Giacomo Casanova, the Venetian. "

It was then I drew the ten sequins from my purse. The old woman wassoftened at the sight of the money, and said, "I would not have killed you outright, certainly, but I would have madeyou amorous and wretched. "

"Explain what you mean. "

"Follow me. "

I went after her into a closet, and was greatly amazed at sing numerousarticles about which my common sense could tell me nothing. There werephials of all shapes and sizes, stones of different colours, metals, minerals, big nails and small nails, pincers, crucibles, misshapenimages, and the like. 

"Here is the bottle, " said the old woman. 

"What does it contain?"

"Your blood and the countess's, as you will see in this letter. "

I understood everything then, and now I wonder I did not burst outlaughing. But as a matter of fact my hair stood on end, as I reflected onthe awful wickedness of which the Spaniard was capable. A cold sweatburst out all over my body. 

"What would you have done with this blood?"

"I should have plastered you with it. "

"What do you mean by 'plastered'? I don't understand you. "

"I will shew you. "

As I trembled with fear the old woman opened a casket, a cubit long, containing a waxen statue of a man lying on his back. My name was writtenon it, and though it was badly moulded, my features were recognizable. The image bore my cross of the Order of the Golden Spur, and thegenerative organs were made of an enormous size. At this I burst into afit of hysterical laughter, and had to sit down in an arm-chair till itwas over. 

As soon as I had got back my breath the sorceress said, "You laugh, do you? Woe to you if I had bathed you in the bath of bloodmingled according to my art, and more woe still if, after I had bathedyou, I had thrown your image on a burning coal:"

"Is this all?"

"Yes. "

"All the apparatus is to become mine for twelve sequins; here they are. And now, quick! light me a fire that I may melt this monster, and as forthe blood I think I will throw it out of the window. "

This was no sooner said than done. 

The old woman had been afraid that I should take the bottle and the imagehome with me, and use them to her ruin; and she was delighted to see memelt the image. She told me that I was an angel of goodness, and beggedme not to tell anyone of what had passed between us. I swore I would keepmy own counsel, even with the countess. 

I was astonished when she calmly offered to make the countess madly inlove with me for another twelve sequins, but I politely refused andadvised her to abandon her fearful trade if she did not want to be burntalive. 

I found Clairmont at his post, and I sent him home. In spite of all I hadgone through, I was not sorry to have acquired the information, and tohave followed the advice of the good Capuchin who really believed me tobe in deadly peril. He had doubtless heard of it in the confessional fromthe woman who had carried the blood to the witch. Auricular confessionoften works miracles of this kind. 

I was determined never to let the countess suspect that I had discoveredher criminal project, and I resolved to behave towards her so as toappease her anger, and to make her forget the cruel insult to which I hadsubjected her. It was lucky for me that she believed in sorcery;otherwise she would have had me assassinated. 

As soon as I got in, I chose the better of the two cloaks I had, andpresented her with it. She accepted the gift with exquisite grace, andasked me why I gave it her. 

"I dreamt, " said I, "that you were so angry with me that you were goingto have me assassinated. "

She blushed, and answered that she had not gone mad. I left her absorbedin a sombre reverie. Nevertheless, whether she forgot and forgave, orwhether she could hit upon no other way of taking vengeance, she wasperfectly agreeable to me during the rest of my stay in Milan. 

The count came back from his estate, and said that we must really go andsee the place at the beginning of Lent. I promised I would come, but thecountess said she could not be of the party. I pretended to be mortified, but in reality her determination was an extremely pleasant one to me. 

CHAPTER XX

The Masquerade--My Amour with the Fair Marchioness--The Deserted Girl; IBecome Her Deliverer--My Departure for St. Angelo

As I had engaged myself to provide an absolutely impenetrable disguise, Iwanted to invent a costume remarkable at once for its originality and itsrichness. I tortured my brains so to speak, and my readers shall see ifthey think my invention was a good one. 

I wanted someone on whom I could rely, and above all, a tailor. It may beimagined that my worthy gossip was the tailor I immediately thought of. Zenobia would be as serviceable as her husband; she could do some of thework, and wait on the young ladies whom I was going to dress up. 

I talked to my gossip, and told him to take me to the best second-handclothes dealer in Milan. 

When we got to the shop I said to the man--

"I want to look at your very finest costumes, both for ladies andgentlemen. "

"Would you like something that has never been worn?"

"Certainly, if you have got such a thing. "

"I have a very rich assortment of new clothes. "

"Get me, then, in the first place, a handsome velvet suit, all in onepiece, which nobody in Milan will be able to recognize. "

Instead of one he shewed me a dozen such suits, all in excellentcondition. I chose a blue velvet lined with white satin. The tailorconducted the bargaining, and it was laid on one side; this was for thepretty cousin's lover. Another suit, in smooth sulphur-coloured velvetthroughout, I put aside for the young officer. I also took two handsomepairs of trousers in smooth velvet, and two superb silk vests. 

I then chose two dresses, one flame-coloured and the other purple, and athird dress in shot silk. This was for the officer's mistress. Then camelace shirts, two for men, and three for women, then lace handkerchiefs, and finally scraps of velvet, satin, shot silk, etc. , all of differentcolours. 

I paid two hundred gold ducats for the lot, but on the condition that ifanybody came to know that I had bought them by any indiscretion of his heshould give me the money and take back the materials in whatevercondition they might be in. The agreement was written out and signed, andI returned with the tailor, who carried the whole bundle to my rooms overthe pastrycook's. 

When it was all spread out on the table I told the tailor that I wouldblow out his brains if he told anybody about it, and then taking astiletto I proceeded to cut and slash the coats, vests, and trousers allover, to the astonishment of the tailor, who thought I must be mad totreat such beautiful clothes in this manner. 

After this operation, which makes me laugh to this day when I rememberit, I took the scraps I had bought and said to the tailor, --

"Now, 'gossip, it is your turn; I want you to sew in these pieces intothe holes I have made, and I hope your tailoring genius will aid you toproduce some pretty contrasts. You see that you have got your work cutout for you and no time to lose. I will see that your meals are properlyserved in an adjoining chamber, but you must not leave the house till thework is finished. I will go for your wife, who will help you, and you cansleep together. "

"For God's sake, sir! you don't want the ladies' dresses treated like thecoats and trousers?"

"Just the same. "

"What a pity! it will make my wife cry. "

"I will console her. "

On my way to Zenobia's I bought five pairs of white silk stockings, men'sand women's gloves, two fine castor hats, two burlesque men's masks, andthree graceful-looking female masks. I also bought two pretty chinaplates, and I carried them all to Zenobia's in a sedan-chair. 

I found that charming woman engaged in her toilet. Her beautiful tresseshung about her neck, and her full breast was concealed by no kerchief. Such charms called for my homage, and to begin with I devoured her withkisses. I spent half an hour with her, and my readers will guess that itwas well employed. I then helped her to finish her toilette, and we wentoff in the sedan-chair. 

We found the tailor engaged in picking out the scraps and cutting them tofit the holes I had made. Zenobia looked on in a kind of stupor, and whenshe saw me begin to slash the dresses she turned pale and made aninvoluntary motion to stay my hand, for not knowing my intentions shethought I must be beside myself. Her husband had got hardened, andreassured her, and when she heard my explanation she became calm, thoughthe idea struck her as a very odd one. 

When it is a question of an affair of the heart, of the passions, or ofpleasure, a woman's fancy moves much faster than a man's. When Zenobiaknew that these dresses were meant for three beautiful women, whom Iwished to make a centre of attraction to the whole assembly, she improvedon my cuts and slashes, and arranged the rents in such a manner that theywould inspire passion without wounding modesty. The dresses were slashedespecially at the breast, the shoulders, and the sleeves; so that thelace shift could be seen, and in its turn the shift was cut open here andthere, and the sleeves were so arranged that half the arms could be seen. I saw sure that she understood what I wanted, and that she would keep herhusband right; and I left them, encouraging them to work their best andquickest. But I looked in three or four times in the day, and was moresatisfied every time with my idea and their execution. 

The work was not finished till the Saturday afternoon. I gave the tailorsix sequins and dismissed him, but I kept Zenobia to attend on theladies. I took care to place powder, pomade, combs, pins, and everythingthat a lady needs, on the table, not forgetting ribbons and pack-thread. 

The next day I found play going on in a very spirited manner, but the twocousins were not at the tables, so I went after them. They told me theyhad given up playing as Barbaro always won. 

"You have been losing, then?"

"Yes, but my brother has won something, " said the amiable Q----. 

"I hope luck will declare itself on your side also. "

"No, we are not lucky. "

When their aunt left the room, they asked me if the lieutenant had toldme that a lady friend of theirs was coming to the ball with them. 

"I know all, " I answered, "and I hope you will enjoy yourselves, but youwill not do so more than I. I want to speak to the gallant lieutenantto-morrow morning. "

"Tell us about our disguises. "

"You will be disguised in such a manner that nobody will recognize you. "

"But how shall we be dressed?"

"Very handsomely. "

"But what costume have you given us?"

"That is my secret, ladies. However much I should like to please you, Ishall say nothing till the time for you to dress comes round. Don't askme anything more, as I have promised myself the enjoyment of yoursurprise. I am very fond of dramatic situations. You shall know all aftersupper. "

"Are we to have supper, then?"

"Certainly, if you would like it. I am a great eater myself and I hopeyou will not let me eat alone. "

"Then we will have some supper to please you. We will take care not toeat much dinner, so as to be able to vie with you in the evening. Theonly thing I am sorry about, " added Mdlle. Q----, "is that you should beput to such expense. "

"It is a pleasure; and when I leave Milan I shall console myself with thethought that I have supped with the two handsomest ladies in the town. "

"How is fortune treating you?"

"Canano wins two hundred sequins from me every day. "

"But you won two thousand from him in one night. "

"You will break his bank on Sunday. We will bring you luck. "

"Would you like to look on?"

"We should be delighted, but my brother says you don't want to go withus. "

"Quite so, the reason is that I should be recognized. But I believe thegentleman who will accompany you is of the same figure as myself. "

"Exactly the same, " said the cousin; "except that he is fair. "

"All the better, " said I, "the fair always conquer the dark with ease. "

"Not always, " said the other. "But tell us, at any rate, whether we areto wear men's dresses. "

"Fie! fie! I should be angry with myself if I had entertained such athought. "

"That's curious; why so?"

"I'll tell you. If the disguise is complete I am disgusted, for the shapeof a woman is much more marked than that of a man, and consequently awoman in man's dress, who looks like a man, cannot have a good figure. "

"But when a woman skews her shape well?"

"Then I am angry with her for skewing too much, for I like to see theface and the general outlines of the form and to guess the rest. "

"But the imagination is often deceptive!"

"Yes, but it is with the face that I always fall in love, and that neverdeceives me as far as it is concerned. Then if I have the good fortune tosee anything more I am always in a lenient mood and disposed to pass oversmall faults. You are laughing?"

"I am smiling at your impassioned arguments. "

"Would you like to be dressed like a man?"

"I was expecting something of the kind, but after you have said we canmake no more objections. "

"I can imagine what you would say; I should certainly not take you formen, but I will say no more. "

They looked at each other, and blushed and smiled as they saw my gazefixed on two pre-eminences which one would never expect to see in anyman. We began to talk of other things, and for two hours I enjoyed theirlively and cultured conversation. 

When I left them I went off to my apartments, then to the opera, where Ilost two hundred sequins, and finally supped with the countess, who hadbecome quite amiable. However, she soon fell back into her old ways whenshe found that my politeness was merely external, and that I had nointentions whatever of troubling her in her bedroom again. 

On the Saturday morning the young officer came to see me, and I told himthat there was only one thing that I wanted him to do, but that it mustbe done exactly according to my instructions. He promised to follow themto the letter, and I proceeded, --

"You must get a carriage and four, and as soon as the five of you are init tell the coachman to drive as fast as his horses can gallop out ofMilan, and to bring you back again by another road to the house. Thereyou must get down, send the carriage away, after enjoining silence on thecoachman, and come in. After the ball you will undress in the same house, and then go home in sedan-chairs. Thus we shall be able to baffle theinquisitive, who will be pretty numerous, I warn you. "

"My friend the marquis will see to all that, " said he, "and I promise youhe will do it well, for he is longing to make your acquaintance. "

"I shall expect you, then, at seven o'clock to-morrow. 

"Warn your friend that it is important the coachman should not be known, and do not let anybody bring a servant. "

All these arrangements being made, I determined to disguise myself asPierrot. There's no disguise more perfect; for, besides concealing thefeatures and the shape of the body, it does not even let the colour ofthe skin remain recognizable. My readers may remember what happened to mein this disguise ten years before. I made the tailor get me a new Pierrotcostume, which I placed with the others, and with two new purses, in eachof which I placed five hundred sequins, I repaired to the pastrycook'sbefore seven o'clock. I found the table spread, and the supper ready. Ishut up Zenobia in the room where the ladies were to make their toilette, and at five minutes past seven the joyous company arrived. 

The marquis was delighted to make my acquaintance, and I welcomed him ashe deserved. He was a perfect gentleman in every respect, handsome, rich, and young, very much in love with the pretty cousin whom he treated withgreat respect. The lieutenant's mistress was a delightful little lady andmadly fond of her lover. 

As they were all aware that I did not want them to know their costumestill after supper, nothing was said about it, and we sat down to table. The supper was excellent; I had ordered it in accordance with my owntastes; that is to say, everything was of the best, and there was plentyof everything. When we had eaten and drunk well, I said, --

"As I am not going to appear with you, I may as well tell you the partsyou are to play. You are to be five beggars, two men and three women, allrags and tatters. "

The long faces they pulled at this announcement were a pleasant sight tosee. 

"You will each carry a plate in your hands to solicit alms, and you mustwalk together about the ball-room as a band of mendicants. But now followme and take possession of your ragged robes. "

Although I had much ado to refrain from laughing at the vexation anddisappointment which appeared on all their faces, I succeeded inpreserving my serious air. They did not seem in any kind of hurry to gettheir clothes, and I was obliged to tell them that they were keeping mewaiting. They rose from the table and I threw the door open, and all werestruck with Zenobia's beauty as she stood up by the table on which therich though tattered robes were displayed, bowing to the company withmuch grace. 

"Here, ladies, " said I to the cousins, "are your dresses, and here isyours, mademoiselle--a little smaller. Here are your shifts, yourhandkerchiefs and your stockings, and I think you will find everythingyou require on this table. Here are masks, the faces of which shew sopoorly beside your own, and here are three plates to crave alms. Ifanybody looks as high as your garters, they will see how wretched youare, and the holes in the stockings will let people know that you havenot the wherewithal to buy silk to mend them. This packthread must serveyou for buckles, and we must take care that there are holes in your shoesand also in your gloves, and as everything must match, as soon as youhave put on your chemises you must tear the lace round the neck. "

While I was going through this explanation I saw surprise and delightefface the disappointment and vexation which had been there a momentbefore. They saw what a rich disguise I had provided for them, and theycould not find it in their hearts to say, "What a pity!"

"Here, gentlemen, are your beggar-clothes. I forgot to lacerate yourbeaver hats, but that is soon done. Well, what do you think of thecostume?"

"Now, ladies, we must leave you; shut the door fast, for it is a case ofchanging your shifts. Now, gentlemen, leave the room. "

The marquis was enthusiastic. 

"What a sensation we shall create!" said he, "nothing could be better. "

In half an hour we were ready. The stockings in holes, the worn-outshoes, the lace in rags, the straggling hair, the sad masks, the notchedplates--all made a picture of sumptuous misery hard to be described. 

The ladies took more time on account of their hair, which floated ontheir shoulders in fine disorder. Mdlle. Q----'s hair was especiallyfine, it extended almost to her knees. 

When they were ready the door was opened, and we saw everything whichcould excite desire without wounding decency. I admired Zenobia'sadroitness. The rents in dresses and chemises disclosed parts of theirshoulders, their breasts, and their arms, and their white legs shonethrough the holes in the stockings. 

I shewed them how to walk, and to sway their heads to and fro, to excitecompassion, and yet be graceful, and how to use their handkerchiefs toshew people the tears in them and the fineness of the lace. They weredelighted, and longed to be at the ball, but I wanted to be there firstto have the pleasure of seeing them come in. I put on my mask, toldZenobia to go to bed, as we would not be back till daybreak, and set outon my way. 

I entered the ball-room, and as there were a score of Pierrots nobodynoticed me. Five minutes after there was a rush to see some maskers whowere coming in, and I stood so as to have a good view. The marquis camein first between the two cousins. Their slow, pitiful step matched thepart wonderfully. Mdlle. Q---- with her flame-coloured dress, her splendidhair, and her fine shape, drew all eyes towards her. The astonished andinquisitive crowd kept silence for a quarter of an hour after they hadcome in, and then I heard on every side, "What a disguise!" "It'swonderful!" "Who are they?" "Who can they be?" "I don't know. " "I'll findout. "

I enjoyed the results of my inventiveness. 

The music struck up, and three fine dominos went up to the threebeggar-girls to ask them to dance a minuet, but they excused themselvesby pointing to their dilapidated shoes. I was delighted; it shewed thatthey had entered into the spirit of the part. 

I followed them about for a quarter of an hour, and the curiosity aboutthem only increased, and then I paid a visit to Canano's table, whereplay was running high. A masquer dressed in the Venetian style waspunting on a single card, going fifty sequins paroli and paix de paroli, in my fashion. He lost three hundred sequins, and as he was a man ofabout the same size as myself people said it was Casanova, but Cananowould not agree. In order that I might be able to stay at the table, Itook up the cards and punted three or four ducats like a beginner. Thenext deal the Venetian masquer had a run of luck, and going paroli, paixde paroli and the va, won back all the money he had lost. 

The next deal was also in his favour, and he collected his winnings andleft the table. 

I sat down in the chair he had occupied, and a lady said, --

"That's the Chevalier de Seingalt. "

"No, " said another. "I saw him a little while ago in the ball-roomdisguised as a beggar, with four other masquers whom nobody knows. "

"How do you mean, dressed as a beggar?" said Canano. 

"Why, in rags, and the four others, too; but in spite of that the dressesare splendid and the effect is very good. They are asking for alms. "

"They ought to be turned out, " said another. 

I was delighted to have attained my object, for the recognition of me wasa mere guess. I began putting sequins on one card, and I lost five or sixtimes running. Canano studied me, but I saw he could not make me out. Iheard whispers running round the table. 

"It isn't Seingalt; he doesn't play like that; besides, he is at theball. "

The luck turned; three deals were in my favour, and brought me back morethan I had lost. I continued playing with a heap of gold before me, andon my putting a fistfull of sequins on a card it came out, and I wentparoli and pair de paroli. I won again, and seeing that the bank was at alow ebb I stopped playing. Canano paid me, and told his cashier to get athousand sequins, and as he was shuffling the cards I heard a cry of, "Here come the beggars. "

The beggars came in and stood by the table, and Canano, catching themarquis's eye, asked him for a pinch of snuff. My delight may be imaginedwhen I saw him modestly presenting a common horn snuffbox to the banker. I had not thought of this detail, which made everybody laugh immensely. Mdlle. Q---- stretched out her plate to ask an alms of Canano, who said, --

"I don't pity you with that fine hair of yours, and if you like to put iton a card I will allow you a thousand sequins for it. "

She gave no answer to this polite speech, and held out her plate to me, and I put a handful of sequins on it, treating the other beggars in thesame way. 

"Pierrot seems to like beggars, " said Canano, with a smile. 

The three mendicants bowed gratefully to me and left the room. 

The Marquis Triulzi who sat near Canano, said, --

"The beggar in the straw-coloured dress is certainly Casanova. "

"I recognized him directly, " replied the banker, "but who are theothers?"

"We shall find out in due time. "

"A dearer costume could not be imagined; all the dresses are quite new. "

The thousand sequins came in, and I carried them all off in two deals. 

"Would you like to go on playing?" said Canano. 

I shook my head, and indicating with a sign of my hand that I would takea cheque, he weighed my winnings and gave me a cheque for twenty-ninepounds of gold, amounting to two thousand, five hundred sequins. I putaway the cheque, and after shaking him by the hand, I got up and rolledaway in true Pierrot fashion, and after making the tour of the ball-roomI went to a box on the third tier of which I had given the key to theyoung officer, and there I found my beggars. 

We took off our masks and congratulated each other on our success, andtold our adventures. We had nothing to fear from inquisitive eyes, forthe boxes on each side of us were empty. I had taken them myself, and thekeys were in my pocket. 

The fair beggars talked of returning me the alms I had given them, but Ireplied in such a way that they said no more about it. 

"I am taken for you, sir, " said the marquis, "and it may cause someannoyance to our fair friends here. "

"I have foreseen that, " I replied, "and I shall unmask before the end ofthe ball. This will falsify all suppositions, and nobody will succeed inidentifying you. "

"Our pockets are full of sweetmeats, " said Mdlle. Q----. "Everybodywanted to fill our plates. "

"Yes, " said the cousin, "everybody admired us; the ladies came down fromtheir boxes to have a closer view of us, and everyone said that no richerdisguise could be imagined. "

"You have enjoyed yourselves, then?"

"Yes, indeed. "

"And I too. I feel quite boastful at having invented a costume which hasdrawn all eyes upon you, and yet has concealed your identity. "

"You have made us all happy, " said the lieutenant's little mistress. "Inever thought I should have such a pleasant evening. "

"Finis coronat opus, " I replied, "and I hope the end will be even betterthan the beginning. "

So saying I gave my sweetheart's hand a gentle pressure, and whether sheunderstood me or not I felt her hand tremble in mine. 

"We will go down now, " said she. 

"So will I, for I want to dance, and I am sure I shall make you laugh asPierrot. "

"Do you know how much money you gave each of us?"

"I cannot say precisely, but I believe I gave each an equal share. "

"That is so. I think it is wonderful how you could do it. "

"I have done it a thousand times. When I lose a paroli of ten sequins Iput three fingers into my purse, and am certain to bring up thirtysequins. I would bet I gave you each from thirty-eight to forty sequins. "

"Forty exactly. It's wonderful. We shall remember this masqued ball. "

"I don't think anybody will imitate us, " said the marquis. 

"No, " said the cousin, "and we would not dare to wear the same dressesagain. "

We put on our masks, and I was the first to go out. After numerous littlejocularities with the harlequins, especially the female ones, Irecognized Therese in a domino, and walking up to her as awkwardly as Icould I asked her to dance with me. 

"You are the Pierrot who broke the bank?" she said. 

I answered the question in the affirmative by a nod. 

I danced like a madman, always on the point of falling to the ground andnever actually doing so. 

When the dance was over, I offered her my arm and took her back to herbox, where Greppi was sitting by himself. She let me come in, and theirsurprise was great when I took off my mask. They had thought I was one ofthe beggars. I gave M. Greppi Canano's cheque, and as soon as he hadhanded me an acknowledgment I went down to the ball-room again with mymask off, much to the astonishment of the inquisitive, who had made surethat the marquis was I. 

Towards the end of the ball I went away in a sedan-chair, which I stoppednear the door of an hotel, and a little further on I took another whichbrought me to the door of the pastry-cook's. I found Zenobia in bed. Shesaid she was sure I would come back by myself. I undressed as quickly asI could, and got into bed with this Venus of a woman. She was absoluteperfection. I am sure that if Praxiteles had had her for a model, hewould not have required several Greek beauties from which to compose hisVenus. What a pity that such an exquisite figure should be the propertyof a sorry tailor. 

I stripped her naked, and after due contemplation I made her feel howmuch I loved her. She was pleased with my admiration, and gave me back asmuch as she got. I had her entirely to myself for the first time. When weheard the trot of four horses we rose and put on our clothes in atwinkling. 

When the charming beggars came in, I told them that I should be able tohelp in their toilette as they had not to change their chemises, and theydid not make many objections. 

My gaze was fixed all the while on Mdlle. Q----. I admired her charms, and I was delighted to see that she was not miserly in their display. After Zenobia had done her hair she left her to me, and went to attend onthe others. She allowed me to put on her dress, and did not forbid myeyes wandering towards a large rent in her chemise, which let me seealmost the whole of one of her beautiful breasts. 

"What are you going to do with this chemise?"

"You will laugh at our silliness. We have determined to keep everythingas a memorial of the splendid evening we have had. My brother will bringit all to the house. Are you coming to see us this evening?"

"If I were wise I should avoid you. "

"And if I were wise I shouldn't ask you to come. "

"That is fairly answered! Of course I will come; but before we part may Iask one kiss?"

"Say two. "

Her brother and the marquis left the room, and two sedan-chairs I hadsummoned took off the cousins. 

As soon as the marquis was alone with me he asked me very politely to lethim share in the expenses. 

"I guessed you were going to humiliate me. "

"Such was not my intention, and I do not insist; but then you know Ishall be humiliated. "

"Not at all; I reckon on your good sense. It really costs me nothing. Besides, I give you my word to let you pay for all the parties ofpleasure we enjoy together during the carnival. We will sup here when youlike; you shall invite the company, and I will leave you to pay thebill. "

"That arrangement will suit me admirably. We must be friends. I leave youwith this charming attendant. I did not think that such a beauty couldexist in Milan unknown to all but you. "

"She is a townswoman, who knows how to keep a secret. Do you not?"

"I would rather die than tell anyone that this gentleman is the Marquisof F----. "

"That's right; always keep your word, and take this trifle as a souvenirof me. "

It was a pretty ring, which Zenobia received with much grace; it might beworth about fifty sequins. 

When the marquis was gone, Zenobia undressed me and did my hair for thenight, and as I got into bed I gave her twenty-four sequins, and told hershe might go and comfort her husband. 

"He won't be uneasy, " said she, "he is a philosopher. "

"He need be with such a pretty wife. Kiss me again, Zenobia, and then wemust part. "

She threw herself upon me, covering me with kisses, and calling me herhappiness and her providence. Her fiery kisses produced their naturaleffect, and after I had given her a fresh proof of the power of hercharms, she left me and I went to sleep. 

It was two o'clock when I awoke ravenously hungry. I had an excellentdinner, and then I dressed to call on the charming Mdlle. Q----, whom Idid not expect to find too hard on me, after what she had said. Everybodywas playing cards with the exception of herself. She was standing by awindow reading so attentively that she did not hear me come into theroom, but when she saw me near her, she blushed, shut up the book, andput it in her pocket. 

"I will not betray you, " said I, "or tell anyone that I surprised youreading a prayer-book. "

"No, don't; for my reputation would be gone if I were thought to be adevotee. "

"Has there been any talk of the masqued ball or of the mysteriousmasquers?"

"People talk of nothing else, and condole with us for not having been tothe ball, but no one can guess who the beggars were. It seems that anunknown carriage and four that sped like the wind took them as far as thefirst stage, and where they went next God alone knows! It is said that myhair was false, and I have longed to let it down and thus give them thelie. It is also said that you must know who the beggars were, as youloaded them with ducats. "

"One must let people say and believe what they like and not betrayourselves. "

"You are right; and after all we had a delightful evening. If you acquityourself of all commissions in the same way, you must be a wonderfulman. "

"But it is only you who could give me such a commission. "

"I to-day, and another to-morrow. "

"I see you think I am inconstant, but believe me if I find favour in youreyes your face will ever dwell in my memory. "

"I am certain you have told a thousand girls the same story, and afterthey have admitted you to their favour you have despised them. "

"Pray do not use the word 'despise, ' or I shall suppose you think me amonster. Beauty seduces me. I aspire to its possession, and it is onlywhen it is given me from other motives than love that I despise it. Howshould I despise one who loved me? I should first be compelled to despisemyself. You are beautiful and I worship you, but you are mistaken if youthink that I should be content for you to surrender yourself to me out ofmere kindness. "

"Ah! I see it is my heart you want. "

"Exactly. "

"To make me wretched at the end of a fortnight. "

"To love you till death, and to obey your slightest wishes. "

"My slightest wishes?"

"Yes, for to me they would be inviolable laws. "

"Would you settle in Milan?"

"Certainly, if you made that a condition of my happiness. "

"What amuses me in all this is that you are deceiving me without knowingit, if indeed you really love me. "

"Deceiving you without knowing it! That is something new. If I am notaware of it, I am innocent of deceit. "

"I am willing to admit your innocency, but you are deceiving me none theless, for after you had ceased to love me no power of yours could bringlove back again. "

"That, of course, might happen, but I don't choose to entertain suchunpleasant thoughts; I prefer to think of myself as loving you to alleternity. It is certain at all events that no other woman in Milan hasattracted me. "

"Not the pretty girl who waited on us, and whose arms you have possiblyleft an hour or, two ago?"

"What are you saying? She is the wife of the tailor who made yourclothes. She left directly after you, and her husband would not haveallowed her to come at all if he was not aware that she would be wantedto wait on the ladies whose dresses he had made. "

"She is wonderfully pretty. Is it possible that you are not in love withher?"

"How could one love a woman who is at the disposal of a low, ugly fellow?The only pleasure she gave me was by talking of you this morning. "

"Of me?"

"Yes. You will excuse me if I confess to having asked her which of theladies she waited on looked handsomest without her chemise. "

"That was a libertine's question. Well, what did she say?"

"That the lady with the beautiful hair was perfect in every respect. "

"I don't believe a word of it. I have learnt how to change my chemisewith decency, and so as not to shew anything I might not shew a man. Sheonly wished to flatter your impertinent curiosity. If I had a maid likethat, she should soon go about her business. "

"You are angry with me. "

"No. "

"It's no good saying no, your soul flashed forth in your denunciation. Iam sorry to have spoken. "

"Oh! it's of no consequence. I know men ask chambermaids questions ofthat kind, and they all give answers like your sweetheart, who perhapswanted to make you curious about herself. "

"But how could she hope to do that by extolling your charms above thoseof the other ladies? And, how could she know that I preferred you?"

"If she did not know it, I have made a mistake; but for all that, shelied to you. "

"She may have invented the tale, but I do not think she lied. You aresmiling again! I am delighted. "

"I like to let you believe what pleases you. "

"Then you will allow me to believe that you do not hate me. "

"Hate you? What an ugly word! If I hated you, should I see you at all?But let's talk of something else. I want you to do me a favour. Here aretwo sequins; I want you to put them on an 'ambe' in the lottery. You canbring me the ticket when you call again, or still better, you can send itme, but don't tell anybody. "

"You shall have the ticket without fail, but why should I not bring it?"

"Because, perhaps, you are tired of coming to see me. "

"Do I look like that? If so I am very unfortunate. But what numbers willyou have?"

"Three and forty; you gave them me yourself. "

"How did I give them you?"

"You put your hand three times on the board, and took up forty sequinseach time. I am superstitious, and you will laugh at me, I daresay, butit seems to me that you must have come to Milan to make me happy. "

"Now you make me happy indeed. You say you are superstitious, but ifthese numbers don't win you mustn't draw the conclusion that I don't loveyou; that would be a dreadful fallacy. "

"I am not superstitious as all that, nor so vile a logician. "

"Do you believe I love you?"

"Yes. "

"May I tell you so a hundred times?"

"Yes. "

"And prove it in every way?"

"I must enquire into your methods before I consent to that, for it ispossible that what you would call a very efficacious method might strikeme as quite useless. "

"I see you are going to make me sigh after you for a long time. "

"As long as I can. "

"And when you have no strength left?"

"I will surrender. Does that satisfy you?"

"Certainly, but I shall exert all my strength to abate yours. "

"Do so; I shall like it. "

"And will you help me to succeed?"

"Perhaps. "

"Ah, dear marchioness; you need only speak to make a man happy. You havemade me really so, and I am leaving you full of ardour. "

On leaving this charming conversationalist I went to the theatre and thento the faro-table, where I saw the masquer who had won three hundredsequins the evening before. This night he was very unlucky. He had losttwo thousand sequins, and in the course of the next hour his losses haddoubled. Canano threw down his cards and rose, saying, "That will do. "The masquer left the table. He was a Genoese named Spinola. 

"The bank is prosperous, " I remarked to Canano. 

"Yes, " he replied, "but it is not always so. Pierrot was very lucky theother night. "

"You did not recognize me in the least?"

"No, I was so firmly persuaded that the beggar was you. You know who heis?"

"I haven't an idea. I never saw him before that day. " In this lastparticular I did not lie. 

"It is said that they are Venetians, and that they went to Bergamo. "

"It may be so, but I know nothing about them. I left the ball before theydid. "

In the evening I supped with the countess, her husband, and Triulzi. Theywere of the same opinion as Canano. Triulzi said that I had let the catout of the bag by giving the beggars handfuls of sequins. 

"That is a mistake, " I answered. "When the luck is in my favour I neverrefuse anyone who asks me for money, for I have a superstition that Ishould lose if I did. I had won thirty pounds weight of gold, and I couldafford to let fools talk. "

The next day I got the lottery ticket and took it to the marchioness. Ifelt madly in love with her because I knew she was in love with me. Neither of them were playing, and I spent two hours in their company, talking of love all the while and enjoying their conversation immensely, for they were exceedingly intelligent. I left them with the convictionthat if the cousin, and not Mdlle. Q----, had been thrown in my way, Ishould have fallen in love with her in just the same manner. 

Although the carnival is four days longer at Milan than at any othertown, it was now drawing to a close. There were three more balls. Iplayed every day, and every day I lost two or three hundred sequins. Myprudence caused even more surprise than my bad fortune. I went every dayto the fair cousins and made love, but I was still at the same point; Ihoped, but could get nothing tangible. The fair marchioness sometimesgave me a kiss, but this was not enough for me. It is true that so far Ihad not dared to ask her to meet me alone. As it was I felt my love mightdie for want of food, and three days before the ball I asked her if she, her two friends, the marquis, and the lieutenant, would come and sup withme. 

"My brother, " she said, "will call on you to-morrow to see what can bearranged. "

This was a good omen. The next day the lieutenant came. I had justreceived the drawings at the lottery, and what was my surprise anddelight to see the two numbers three and forty. I said nothing to theyoung marquis, as his sister had forbidden me, but I foresaw that thisevent would be favourable to my suit. 

"The Marquis of F----, " said the worthy ambassador, "asks you to supperin your own rooms with all the band of beggars. He wishes to give us asurprise, and would be obliged if you would lend him the room to have aset of disguises made, and to ensure secrecy he wants you to let have thesame waiting-maid. "

"With pleasure; tell the marquis that all shall be according to hispleasure. "

"Get the girl to come there at three o'clock to-day, and let thepastry-cook know that the marquis has full powers to do what he likes inthe place. "

"Everything shall be done as you suggest. "

I guessed at once that the marquis wanted to have a taste of Zenobia; butthis seemed to me so natural that, far from being angry, I felt disposedto do all in my power to favour his plans. Live and let live has alwaysbeen my maxim, and it will be so to my dying day, though now I do butlive a life of memories. 

As soon as I was dressed I went out, and having told the pastrycook toconsider the gentleman who was coming as myself, I called on the tailor, who was delighted at my getting his wife work. He knew by experience thatshe was none the worse for these little absences. 

"I don't want you, " said I to the tailor, "as it is only women's dressesthat have to be done. My good gossip here will be sufficient. "

"At three o'clock she may go, and I shall not expect to see her again forthree days. "

After I had dined I called as usual on the fair marchioness, and foundher in a transport of delight. Her lottery ticket had got her fivehundred sequins. 

"And that makes you happy, does it?" said I. 

"It does, not because of the gain in money, though I am by no means rich, but for the beauty of the idea and for the thought that I owe it all toyou. These two things speak volumes in your favour. "

"What do they say?"

"That you deserve to be loved. "

"And also that you love me?"

"No, but my heart tells me as much. "

"You make me happy, but does not your heart also tell you that you shouldprove your love?"

"Dearest, can you doubt it?"

With these words she gave me her hand to kiss for the first time. 

"My first idea, " she added, "was to put the whole forty sequins on the'ambe'. "

"You hadn't sufficient courage?"

"It wasn't that, I felt ashamed to do it. I was afraid that you mighthave a thought you would not tell me of--namely, that if I gave you theforty sequins to risk on the lottery, you would think I despised yourpresent. This would have been wrong, and if you had encouraged me Ishould have risked all the money. "

"I am so sorry not to have thought of it. You would have had ten thousandsequins, and I should be a happy man. "

"We will say no more about it. "

"Your brother tells me that we are going to the masqued ball under thedirection of the marquis, and I leave you to imagine how glad I feel atthe thought of spending a whole night with you. But one thought troublesme. "

"What is that?"

"I am afraid it will not go off so well as before. "

"Don't be afraid, the marquis is a man of much ingenuity, and loves mycousin's honour as herself. He is sure to get us disguises in which weshall not be recognized. "

"I hope so. He wants to pay for everything, including the supper. "

"He cannot do better than imitate your example in that respect. "

On the evening of the ball I went at an early hour to the pastry-cook's, where I found the marquis well pleased with the progress that had beenmade. The dressing room was shut. I asked him in a suggestive manner ifhe was satisfied with Zenobia. 

"Yes, with her work, " he answered; "I did not ask her to do anything elsefor me. "

"Oh! of course I believe it, but I am afraid your sweetheart will berather sceptical. "

"She knows that I cannot love anyone besides herself. "

"Well, well, we will say no more about it. "

When the guests came the marquis said that as the costumes would amuse uswe had better put them on before supper. 

We followed him into the next room, and he pointed out two thick bundles. 

"Here, ladies, are your disguises, " said he; "and here is your maid whowill help you while we dress in another room. "

He took the larger of the two bundles, and when we were shut up in ourroom he undid the string, and gave us our dresses, saying, --

"Let us be as quick as we can. "

We burst out laughing to see a set of women's clothes. Nothing waswanting, chemises, embroidered shoes with high heels, superb garters, and, to relieve us of the trouble of having our hair done, exquisite capswith rich lace coming over the forehead. I was surprised to find that myshoes fitted me perfectly, but I heard afterwards that he employed thesame bootmaker as I did. Corsets, petticoats, gowns, kerchief, fans, work-bags, rouge-boxes, masks, gloves-all were there. We only helped eachother with our hair, but when it was done we looked intensely stupid, with the exception of the young officer, who really might have been takenfor a pretty woman; he had concealed his deficiency in femininecharacteristics by false breasts and a bustle. 

We took off our breeches one after the other. 

"Your fine garters, " said I, to the marquis, "make me want to wear sometoo. "

"Exactly, " said the marquis; "but the worst of it is nobody will take thetrouble to find out whether we have garters or not, for two young ladiesfive feet ten in height will not inspire very ardent desires. "

I had guessed that the girls would be dressed like men, and I was notmistaken. They were ready before us, and when we opened the door we sawthem standing with their backs to the fireplace. 

They looked three young pages minus their impudence, for though theyendeavoured to seem quite at their ease they were rather confused. 

We advanced with the modesty of the fair sex, and imitating the air ofshy reserve which the part demanded. The girls of course thoughtthemselves obliged to mimic the airs of men, and they did not accost uslike young men accustomed to behave respectfully to ladies. They weredressed as running footmen, with tight breeches, well-fitting waistcoats, open throats, garters with a silver fringe, laced waistbands, and prettycaps trimmed with silver lace, and a coat of arms emblazoned in gold. Their lace shirts were ornamented with an immense frill of Alencon point. In this dress, which displayed their beautiful shapes under a veil whichwas almost transparent, they would have stirred the sense of a paralytic, and we had no symptoms of that disease. However, we loved them too wellto frighten them. 

After the silly remarks usual on such occasions had been passed, we beganto talk naturally while we were waiting for supper. The ladies said thatas this was the first time they had dressed as men they were afraid ofbeing recognized. 

"Supposing somebody knew us, " cried the cousin, "we should be undone!"

They were right; but our part was to reassure them, though I at any ratewould have preferred to stay where we were. We sat down to supper, eachnext to his sweetheart, and to my surprise the lieutenant's mistress wasthe first to begin the fun. Thinking that she could not pretend to be aman without being impudent, she began to toy with the lady-lieutenant, who defended himself like a prudish miss. The two cousins, not to beoutdone, began to caress us in a manner that was rather free. Zenobia, who was waiting on us at table could not help laughing when Mdlle. Q---reproached her for having made my dress too tight in the neck. Shestretched out her hand as if to toy with me, whereupon I gave her aslight box on the ear, and imitating the manner of a repentant cavaliershe kissed my hand and begged my pardon. 

The marquis said he felt cold, and his mistress asked him if he had hisbreeches on, and put her hand under his dress to see, but she speedilydrew it back with a blush. We all burst out laughing, and she joined in, and proceeded with her part of hardy lover. 

The supper was admirable; everything was choice and abundant. Warm withlove and wine, we rose from the table at which we had been for two hours, but as we got up sadness disfigured the faces of the two pretty cousins. They did not dare to go to the ball in a costume that would put them atthe mercy of all the libertines there. The marquis and I felt that theywere right. 

"We must make up our minds, " said the lieutenant, "shall we go to theball or go home?"

"Neither, " said the marquis, "we will dance here. "

"Where are the violins" asked his mistress, "you could not get themto-night for their weight in gold. "

"Well, " said I, "we will do without them. We will have some punch, laugh, and be merry, and we shall enjoy ourselves better than at the ball, andwhen we are tired we can go to sleep. We have three beds here. "

"Two would be enough, " said the cousin. 

"True, but we can't have too much of a good thing. "

Zenobia had gone to sup with the pastrycook's wife, but she was ready tocome up again when she should be summoned. 

After two hours spent in amorous trifling, the lieutenant's mistress, feeling a little dizzy, went into an adjoining room and lay down on thebed. Her lover was soon beside her. 

Mdlle. Q----, who was in the same case, told me that she would like torest, so I took her into a room where she could sleep the night, andadvised her to do so. 

"I don't think I need fear its going any farther, " I said, "we will leavethe marquis with your cousin then, and I will watch over you while yousleep. "

"No, no, you shall sleep too. " So saying, she went into thedressing-room, and asked me to get her cloak. I brought it to her, andwhen she came in she said, --

"I breathe again. Those dreadful trousers were too tight; they hurt me. "She threw herself on the bed, with nothing on besides her cloak. 

"Where did the breeches hurt you?" said I. 

"I can't tell you, but I should think you must find them dreadfullyuncomfortable. "

"But, dearest, our anatomy is different, and breeches do not trouble usat all where they hurt you. "

As I spoke I held her to my breast and let myself fall gently beside heron the bed. We remained thus a quarter of an hour without speaking, ourlips glued together in one long kiss. I left her a moment by herself, andwhen I returned she was between the sheets. She said she had undressed tobe able to sleep better, and, shutting her eyes, turned away. I knew thatthe happy hour had come, and taking off my woman's clothes in atwinkling, I gently glided into the bed beside her, for the laststruggles of modesty must be tenderly respected. I clasped her in my armsand a gentle pressure soon aroused her passions, and turning towards meshe surrendered to me all her charms. 

After the first sacrifice I proposed a wash, for though I could notexactly flatter myself that I had been the first to break open the lock, the victim had left some traces on the bed, which looked as if it wereso. The offer was received with delight, and when the operation was overshe allowed me to gaze on all her charms, which I covered with kisses. Growing bolder, she made me grant her the same privilege. 

"What a difference there is, " said she, "between nature and art!"

"But of course you think that art is the better?"

"No, certainly not. "

"But there may be imperfections in nature, whereas art is perfect. "

"I do not know whether there be any imperfection in what I behold, but Ido know that I have never seen anything so beautiful. "

In fact she had the instrument of love before her eyes in all itsmajesty, and I soon made her feel its power. She did not remain still amoment, and I have known few women so ardent and flexible in theirmovements. 

"If we were wise, " said she, "instead of going to the ball again we wouldcome here and enjoy ourselves. "

I kissed the mouth which told me so plainly that I was to be happy, and Iconvinced her by my transports that no man could love her as ardently asI did. I had no need to keep her awake, she shewed no inclination forsleep. We were either in action or contemplation, or engaged in amorousdiscourse, the whole time. I cheated her now and then, but to her ownadvantage, for a young woman is always more vigorous than a man, and wedid not stop till the day began to break. There was no need forconcealment, for each had enjoyed his sweetheart in peace and happiness, and it was only modesty which silenced our congratulations. By thissilence we did not proclaim our happiness, but neither did we deny it. 

When we were ready I thanked the marquis, and asked him to supper for thenext ball night without any pretence of our going to the masquerade, ifthe ladies had no objection. The lieutenant answered for them in theaffirmative, and his mistress threw her arms round his neck, reproachinghim for having slept all night. The marquis confessed to the same fault, and I repeated the words like an article of faith, while the ladieskissed us, and thanked us for our kindness to them. We parted in the sameway as before, except that this time the marquis remained with Zenobia. 

I went to bed as soon as I got home, and slept till three o'clock. When Igot up I found the house was empty, so I went to dine at thepastry-cook's, where I found Zenobia and her husband, who had come toenjoy the leavings of our supper. He told me that I had made his fortune, as the marquis had given his wife twenty-four sequins and the woman'sdress he had worn. I gave her mine as well. I told my gossip that Ishould like some dinner, and the tailor went away in a grateful mood. 

As soon as I was alone with Zenobia I asked her if she were satisfiedwith the marquis. 

"He paid me well, " she answered, a slight blush mounting on her cheeks. 

"That is enough, " said I, "no one can see you without loving you, or loveyou without desiring to possess your charms. "

"The marquis did not go so far as that. "

"It may be so, but I am surprised to hear it. "

When I had dined, I hastened to call on the fair marchioness, whom Iloved more than ever after the delicious night she had given me. I wantedto see what effect she would have on me, after making me so happy. Shelooked prettier than ever. She received me in a way becoming in amistress who is glad to have acquired some rights over her lover. 

"I was sure, " said she, "that you would come and see me;" and though hercousin was there she kissed me so often and so ardently that there was noroom for doubt as to the manner in which we had spent our night together. I passed five hours with her, which went by all too quickly, for wetalked of love, and love is an inexhaustible subject. This five hours'visit on the day after our bridal shewed me that I was madly in love withmy new conquest, while it must have convinced her that I was worthy ofher affection. 

Countess A---- B---- had sent me a note asking me to sup with her, herhusband, and the Marquis Triulzi, and other friends. This engagementprevented my paying a visit to Canano, who had won a thousand sequins ofme since my great victory as Pierrot. I knew that he boasted that he wassure of me, but in my own mind I had determined to gain the mastery. Atsupper the countess waged war on me. I slept out at night. I was rarelyvisible. She tried hard to steal my secret from me, and to get someinformation as to my amorous adventures. It was known that I sometimessupped at Therese's with Greppi, who was laughed at because he had beensilly enough to say that he had nothing to dread from my power. Thebetter to conceal my game, I said he was quite right. 

The next day Barbaro, who was as honest as most professional sharpersare, brought me the two hundred sequins I had lent him, with a profit oftwo hundred more. He told me that he had had a slight difference with thelieutenant, and was not going to play any more. I thanked him for havingpresented me to the fair marchioness, telling him that I was quite inlove with her and in hopes of overcoming her scruples. He smiled, andpraised my discretion, letting me understand that I did not take him in;but it was enough for me not to confess to anything. 

About three o'clock I called on my sweetheart, and spent five hours withher as before. As Barbaro was not playing, the servants had been orderedto say that no one was at home. As I was the declared lover of themarchioness, her cousin treated me as an intimate friend. She begged meto stay at Milan as long as possible, not only to make her cousin happy, but for her sake as well, since without me she could not enjoy themarquis's society in private, and while her father was alive he wouldnever dare to come openly to the house. She thought she would certainlybecome his wife as soon as her old father was dead, but she hoped vainly, for soon after the marquis fell into evil ways and was ruined. 

Next evening we all assembled at supper, and instead of going to the ballgave ourselves up to pleasure. We spent a delicious night, but it wassaddened by the reflection that the carnival was drawing to a close, andwith it our mutual pleasures would be over. 

On the eve of Shrove Tuesday as there was no ball I sat down to play, andnot being able once to hit on three winning cards, I lost all the gold Ihad about me. I should have left the table as usual if a woman disguisedas a man had not given me a card, and urged me by signs to play it. Irisked a hundred sequins on it, giving my word for the payment. I lost, and in my endeavours to get back my money I lost a thousand sequins, which I paid the next day. 

I was just going out to console myself with the company of my dearmarchioness, when I saw the evil-omened masquer approaching, accompaniedby a man, also in disguise, who shook me by the hand and begged me tocome at ten o'clock to the "Three Kings" at such a number, if the honourof an old friend was dear to me. 

"What friend is that?"

"Myself. "

"What is your name?"

"I cannot tell you. "

"Then you need not tell me to come, for if you were a true friend of mineyou would tell me your name. "

I went out and he followed me, begging me to come with him to the end ofthe arcades. When we got there he took off his mask, and I recognizedCroce, whom my readers may remember. 

I knew he was banished from Milan, and understood why he did not care togive his name in public, but I was exceedingly glad I had refused to goto his inn. 

"I am surprised to see you here, " said I. 

"I dare say your are. I have come here in this carnival season, when onecan wear a mask, to compel my relations to give me what they owe me; butthey put me off from one day to another, as they are sure I shall beobliged to go when Lent begins. "

"And will you do so?"

"I shall be obliged to, but as you will not come and see me, give metwenty sequins, which will enable me to leave Milan. My cousin owes meten thousand livres, and will not pay me a tenth even. I will kill himbefore I go. "

"I haven't a farthing, and that mask of yours has made me lose a thousandsequins, which I do not know how to pay. 

"I know. I am an unlucky man, and bring bad luck to all my friends. Itwas I who told her to give you a card, in the hope that it would changethe run against you. "

"Is she a Milanese girl?"

"No, she comes from Marseilles, and is the daughter of a rich agent. Ifell in love with her, seduced her, and carried her off to herunhappiness. I had plenty of money then, but, wretch that I am, I lost itall at Genoa, where I had to sell all my possessions to enable me to comehere. I have been a week in Milan. Pray give me the wherewithal toescape. "

I was touched with compassion, and I borrowed twenty sequins from Canano, and gave them to the poor wretch, telling him to write to me. 

This alms-giving did me good; it made me forget my losses, and I spent adelightful evening with the marchioness. 

The next day we supped together at my rooms, and spent the rest of thenight in amorous pleasures. It was the Saturday, the last day of thecarnival at Milan, and I spent the whole of the Sunday in bed, for themarchioness had exhausted me, and I knew that a long sleep would restoremy strength. 

Early on Monday morning Clairmont brought me a letter which had been leftby a servant. It had no signature, and ran as follows:

"Have compassion, sir, on the most wretched creature breathing. M. De laCroix has gone away in despair. He has left me here in the inn, where hehas paid for nothing. Good God! what will become of me? I conjure you tocome and see me, be it only to give me your advice. "

I did not hesitate for a moment, and it was not from any impulses of loveor profligacy that I went, but from pure compassion. I put on my greatcoat, and in the same room in which I had seen Irene I saw a young andpretty girl, about whose face there was something peculiarly noble andattractive. I saw in her innocence and modesty oppressed and persecuted. As soon as I came in she humbly apologized for having dared to troubleme, and she asked me to tell a woman who was in the room to leave it, asshe did not speak Italian. 

"She has been tiring me for more than an hour. I cannot understand whatshe says, but I can make out that she wants to do me a service. However, I do not feel inclined to accept her assistance. "

"Who told you to come and see this young lady?" said I, to the woman. 

"One of the servants of the inn told me that a young lady from foreignparts had been left alone here, and that she was much to be pitied. Myfeelings of humanity made me come and see if I could be useful to her;but I see she is in good hands, and I am very glad of it for her sake, poor dear!"

I saw that the woman was a procuress, and I only replied with a smile ofcontempt. 

The poor girl then told me briefly what I had already heard, and addedthat Croce, who called himself De St. Croix, had gone to the gaming-tableas soon as he had got my twenty sequins, and that he had then taken herback to the inn, where he had spent the next day in a state of despair, as he did not dare to shew himself abroad in the daytime. In the eveninghe put on his mask and went out, not returning till the next morning. 

"Soon after he put on his great coat and got ready to go out, telling methat if he did not return he would communicate with me by you, at thesame time giving me your address, of which I have made use as you know. He has not come back, and if you have not seen him I am sure he has goneoff on foot without a penny in his pocket. The landlord wants to be paid, and by selling all I have I could satisfy his claims; but, good God! whatis to become of me, then?"

"Dare you return to your father?"

"Yes, sir, I dare return to him. He will forgive me when on my knees andwith tears in my eyes I tell him that I am ready to bury myself in anunnery. "

"Very good! then I will take you to Marseilles myself, and in themeanwhile I will find you a lodging with some honest people. Till then, shut yourself up in your room, do not admit anyone to see you, and besure I will have a care for you. "

I summoned the landlord and paid the bill, which was a very small one, and I told him to take care of the lady till my return. The poor girl wasdumb with surprise and gratitude. I said good-bye kindly and left herwithout even taking her hand. It was not altogether a case of the devilturning monk; I always had a respect for distress. 

I had already thought of Zenobia in connection with the poor girl'slodging, and I went to see her on the spot. In her husband's presence Itold her what I wanted, and asked if she could find a corner for my newfriend. 

"She shall have my place, " cried the worthy tailor, "if she won't mindsleeping with my wife. I will hire a small room hard bye, and will sleepthere as long as the young lady stays. "

"That's a good idea, gossip, but your wife will lose by the exchange. "

"Not much, " said Zenobia; and the tailor burst out laughing. 

"As for her meals, " he added, "she must arrange that herself. "

"That's a very simple matter, " said I, "Zenobia will get them and I willpay for them. "

I wrote the girl a short note, telling her of the arrangements I hadmade, and charged Zenobia to take her the letter. The next day I foundher in the poor lodging with these worthy folks, looking pleased andravishingly pretty. I felt that I could behave well for the present, butI sighed at the thought of the journey. I should have to put a strongrestraint on myself. 

I had nothing more to do at Milan, but the count had made me promise tospend a fortnight at St. Angelo. This was an estate belonging to him, fifteen miles from Milan, and the count spoke most enthusiastically ofit. If I had gone away without seeing St. Angelo, he would have beenexceedingly mortified. A married brother of his lived there, and thecount often said that his brother was longing to know me. When wereturned he would no doubt let me depart in peace. 

I had made up my mind to shew my gratitude to the worthy man for hishospitality, so on the fourth day of Lent I took leave of Therese, Greppi, and the affectionate marchioness, for two weeks, and we set outon our way. 

To my great delight the countess did not care to come. She much preferredstaying in Milan with Triulzi, who did not let her lack for anything. 

We got to St. Angelo at three o'clock, and found that we were expected todinner. 

CHAPTER XXI

An Ancient Castle--Clementine--The Fair Penitent--Lodi--A Mutual Passion

The manorial castle of the little town of St. Angelo is a vast andancient building, dating back at least eight centuries, but devoid ofregularity, and not indicating the date of its erection by the style ofits architecture. The ground floor consists of innumerable small rooms, afew large and lofty apartments, and an immense hall. The walls, which arefull of chinks and crannies, are of that immense thickness which provesthat our ancestors built for their remote descendants, and not in ourmodern fashion; for we are beginning to build in the English style, thatis, barely for one generation. The stone stairs had been trodden by somany feet that one had to be very careful in going up or down. The floorwas all of bricks, and as it had been renewed at various epochs withbricks of divers colours it formed a kind of mosaic, not very pleasant tolook upon. The windows were of a piece with the rest; they had no glassin them, and the sashes having in many instances given way they werealways open; shutters were utterly unknown there. Happily the want ofglass was not much felt in the genial climate of the country. Theceilings were conspicuous by their absence, but there were heavy beams, the haunts of bats, owls, and other birds, and light ornament wassupplied by the numerous spiders' webs. 

In this great Gothic palace--for palace it was rather than castle, for ithad no towers or other attributes of feudalism, except the enormouscoat-of-arms which crowned the gateway--in this palace, I say, thememorial of the ancient glories of the Counts A---- B----, which theyloved better than the finest modern house, there were three sets of roomsbetter kept than the rest. Here dwelt the masters, of whom there werethree; the Count A---- B----, my friend, Count Ambrose, who always livedthere, and a third, an officer in the Spanish Walloon Guards. I occupiedthe apartment of the last named. But I must describe the welcome Ireceived. 

Count Ambrose received me at the gate of the castle as if I had been somehigh and puissant prince. The door stood wide open on both sides, but Idid not take too much pride to myself on this account, as they were soold that it was impossible to shut them. 

The noble count who held his cap in his hand, and was decently butnegligently dressed, though he was only forty years old, told me withhigh-born modesty that his brother had done wrong to bring me here to seetheir miserable place, where I should find none of those luxuries towhich I had been accustomed, but he promised me a good old-fashionedMilanese welcome instead. This is a phrase of which the Milanese are veryfond, but as they put it into practice it becomes them well. They aregenerally most worthy and hospitable people, and contrast favourably withthe Piedmontese and Genoese. 

The worthy Ambrose introduced me to his countess and his twosisters-in-law, one of whom was an exquisite beauty, rather deficient inmanner, but this was no doubt due to the fact that they saw no polishedcompany whatever. The other was a thoroughly ordinary woman, neitherpretty nor ugly, of a type which is plentiful all the world over. Thecountess looked like a Madonna; her features had something angelic aboutthem in their dignity and openness. She came from Lodi, and had only beenmarried two years. The three sisters were very young, very noble, andvery poor. While we were at dinner Count Ambrose told me that he hadmarried a poor woman because he thought more of goodness than riches. 

"She makes me happy, " he added; "and though she brought me no dower, Iseem to be a richer man, for she has taught me to look on everything wedon't possess as a superfluity. "

"There, indeed, " said I, "you have the true philosophy of an honest man. "

The countess, delighted at her husband's praise and my approval, smiledlovingly at him, and took a pretty baby from the nurse's arms and offeredit her alabaster breast. This is the privilege of a nursing mother;nature tells her that by doing so she does nothing against modesty. Herbosom, feeding the helpless, arouses no other feelings than those ofrespect. I confess, however, that the sight might have produced atenderer sentiment in me; it was exquisitely beautiful, and I am surethat if Raphael had beheld it his Madonna would have been still morelovely. 

The dinner was excellent, with the exception of the made dishes, whichwere detestable. Soup, beef, fresh salted pork, sausages, mortadella, milk dishes, vegetables, game, mascarpon cheese, preserved fruits--allwere delicious; but the count having told his brother that I was a greatgourmand, the worthy Ambrose had felt it his duty to give me someragouts, which were as bad as can well be imagined. I had to taste them, out of politeness; but I made up my mind that I would do so no more. After dinner I took my host apart, and spewed him that with ten plaincourses his table would be delicate and excellent, and that he had noneed of introducing any ragouts. From that time I had a choice dinnerevery day. 

There were six of us at table, and we all talked and laughed with theexception of the fair Clementine. This was the young countess who hadalready made an impression on me. She only spoke when she was obliged todo so, and her words were always accompanied with a blush; but as I hadno other way of getting a sight of her beautiful eyes, I asked her a goodmany questions. However, she blushed so terribly that I thought I must bedistressing her, and I left her in peace, hoping to become betteracquainted with her. 

At last I was taken to my apartment and left there. The windows wereglazed and curtained as in the diningroom, but Clairmont came and told methat he could not unpack my trunks as there were no locks to anything andshould not care to take the responsibility. I thought he was right, and Iwent to ask my friend about it. 

"There's not a lock or a key, " said he, "in the whole castle, except inthe cellar, but everything is safe for all that. There are no robbers atSt. Angelo, and if there were they would not dare to come here. "

"I daresay, my dear count, but you know' it is my business to supposerobbers everywhere. My own valet might take the opportunity of robbingme, and you see I should have to keep silence if I were robbed. "

"Quite so, I feel the force of your argument. Tomorrow morning alocksmith shall put locks and keys to your doors, and you will be theonly person in the castle who is proof against thieves. "

I might have replied in the words of Juvenal, 'Cantabit vacuus coramlatrone viator', but I should have mortified him. I told Clairmont toleave my trunks alone till next day, and I went out with CountA---- B---- and his sisters-in-law to take a walk in the town. 

Count Ambrose and his better-half stayed in the castle; the good motherwould never leave her nursling. Clementine was eighteen, her marriedsister being four years older. She took my arm, and my friend offered histo Eleanore. 

"We will go and see the beautiful penitent, " said the count. 

I asked him who the beautiful penitent was, and he answered, withouttroubling himself about his sisters-in-law, "She was once a Lais of Milan, and enjoyed such a reputation for beautythat not only all the flower of Milan but people from the neighbouringtowns were at her feet. Her hall-door was opened and shut a hundred timesin a day, and even then she was not able to satisfy the desires aroused. At last an end came to what the old and the devout called a scandal. Count Firmian, a man of learning and wit, went to Vienna, and on hisdeparture received orders to have her shut up in a convent. Our augustMarie Therese cannot pardon mercenary beauty, and the count had no choicebut to have the fair sinner imprisoned. She was told that she had doneamiss, and dealt wickedly; she was obliged to make a general confession, and was condemned to a life-long penance in this convent. She wasabsolved by Cardinal Pozzobonelli, Archbishop of Milan, and he thenconfirmed her, changing the name of Therese, which she had received atthe baptismal font, to Mary Magdalen, thus shewing her how she shouldsave her soul by following the example of her new patroness, whosewantonness had hitherto been her pattern. 

"Our family are the patrons of this convent, which is devoted topenitents. It is situated in an inaccessible spot, and the inmates are inthe charge of a kind mother-superior, who does her best to soften themanifold austerities of their existences. They only work and pray, andsee no one besides their confessor, who says mass every day. We are theonly persons whom the superioress would admit, as long as some of ourfamily are present she always let them bring whom they like. "

This story touched me and brought tears to my eyes. Poor Mary Magdalen!Cruel empress! I think I have noted in another passage the source of heraustere virtue. 

When we were announced the mother-superior came to meet us, and took usinto a large hall, where I soon made out the famous penitent amongst fiveor six other girls, who were penitents like herself, but I presume fortrifling offences, as they were all ugly. As soon as the poor women sawus they ceased working, and stood up respectfully. In spite of the severesimplicity of her dress, Therese made a great impression on me. Whatbeauty! What majesty brought low! With my profane eyes, instead oflooking to the enormity of the offences for which she was suffering socruelly, I saw before me a picture of innocence--a humbled Venus. Herfine eyes were fixed on the ground, but what was my surprise, when, suddenly looking at me, she exclaimed, --

"O my God! what do I see? Holy Mary, come to my aid! Begone, dreadfulsinner, though thou deservest to be here more than I. Scoundrel!"

I did not feel inclined to laugh. Her unfortunate position, and thesingular apostrophe she had addressed to me, pierced me to the heart. Themother-superior hastened to say, --

"Do not be offended, sir, the poor girl has become mad, and unless shereally has recognized you . . . . "

"That is impossible, madam, I have never seen her before. "

"Of course not, but you must forgive her, as she has lost the use of herreason. "

"Maybe the Lord has made her thus in mercy. "

As a matter of fact, I saw more sense than madness in this outburst, forit must have been very grievous for the poor girl to have to encounter myidle curiosity, in the place of her penitence. I was deeply moved, and inspite of myself a big tear rolled down my face. The count, who had knownher, laughed, but I begged him to restrain himself. 

A moment after, the poor wretch began again. She raved against me madly, and begged the mother-superior to send me away, as I had come there todamn her. 

The good lady chid her with all a true mother's gentleness, and told herto leave the room, adding that all who came there only desired that sheshould be saved eternally. She was stern enough, however, to add, that noone had been a greater sinner than she, and the poor Magdalen went outweeping bitterly. 

If it had been my fortune to enter Milan at the head of a victoriousarmy, the first thing I should have done would be he setting free of thispoor captive, and if the abbess had resisted she would have felt theweight of my whip. 

When Magdalen was gone, the mother-superior told us that the poor girlhad many good qualities, and if God willed that she should keep someparticle of sense she did not doubt her becoming a saint like herpatroness. 

"She has begged me, " she added, "to take down the pictures of St. Louisde Gonzaga and St. Antony from the chapel wall because she says theydistract her fearfully. I have thought it my duty to yield to herrequest, in spite of our confessor, who says it's all nonsense. "

The confessor was a rude churl. I did not exactly tell the abbess that, but I said enough for a clever woman as she was to grasp my meaning. 

We left the sorrowful place in sadness and silence, cursing the sovereignwho had made such ill use of her power. 

If, as our holy religion maintains, there is a future life before us all, Marie Therese certainly deserves damnation, if only the oppressions shehas used towards those poor women whose life is wretched enough at thebest. Poor Mary Magdalen had gone mad and suffered the torments of thedamned because nature had given her two of her best gifts--beauty, and anexcellent heart. You will say she had abused them, but for a fault whichis only a crime before God, should a fellow-creature and a greater sinnerhave condemned her to such a fearful doom? I defy any reasonable man toanswer in the affirmative. 

On our way back to the castle Clementine, who was on my arm, laughed toherself once or twice. I felt curious to know what she was laughing at, and said, --

"May I ask you, fair countess, why you laugh thus to yourself?"

"Forgive me; I was not amused at the poor girl's recognizing you, forthat must have been a mistake, but I cannot help laughing when I think ofyour face at her wordy 'You are more deserving of imprisonment than I. '"

"Perhaps you think she was right. "

"I? Not at all. But how is it that she attacked you and not mybrother-in-law?"

"Probably because she thought I looked a greater sinner than he. "

"That, I suppose, must have been the reason. One should never heed thetalk of mad people. "

"You are sarcastic, but I take it all in good part. Perhaps I am as greata sinner as I look; but beauty should be merciful to me, for it is bybeauty that I am led astray. "

"I wonder the empress does not shut up men as well as women. "

"Perhaps she hopes to see them all at her feet when there are no moregirls left to amuse them. "

"That is a jest. You should rather say that she cannot forgive her ownsex the lack of a virtue which she exercises so eminently, and which isso easily observed. "

"I have nothing to allege against the empress's virtue, but with yourleave I beg to entertain very strong doubts as to the possibility of thegeneral exercise of that virtue which we call continence. "

"No doubt everyone thinks by his own standard. A man may be praised fortemperance in whom temperance is no merit. What is easy to you may behard to me, and 'vice versa'. Both of us may be right. "

This interesting conversation made me compare Clementine to the fairmarchioness at Milan, but there was this difference between them: Mdlle. Q---- spoke with an air of gravity and importance, whereas Clementineexpounded her system with great simplicity and an utter indifference ofmanner. I thought her observations so acute and her utterance so perfectand artistic, that I felt ashamed of having misjudged her at dinner. Hersilence, and the blush which mounted to her face when anyone asked her aquestion, had made me suspect both confusion and poverty in her ideas, for timidity is often another word for stupidity; but the conversation Ihave just reported made me feel that I had made a great mistake. Themarchioness, being older and having seen more of the world, was moreskilled in argument; but Clementine had twice eluded my questions withthe utmost skill, and I felt obliged to award her the palm. 

When we got back to the castle we found a lady with her son and daughter, and another relation of the count's, a young abbe, whom I found mostobjectionable. 

He was a pitiless talker, and on the pretence of having seen me at Milanhe took the opportunity of flattering me in a disgusting manner. Besides, he made sheep's eyes at Clementine, and I did not like the idea of havinga fellow like that for a rival. I said very dryly that I did not rememberhim at all; but he was not a man of delicate feeling, and this did notdisconcert him in the least. He sat down beside Clementine, and takingher hand told her that she must add me to the long catalogue of hervictims. She could do nothing else but laugh at silly talk of this kind;I knew it, but that laugh of hers displeased me. I would have had hersay--I do not know what, but something biting and sarcastic. Not at all;the impertinent fellow whispered something in her ear, and she answeredin the same way. This was more than I could bear. Some question or otherwas being discussed, and the abbe asked for my opinion. I do not rememberwhat I answered, but I know that I gave him a bitter reply in the hope ofputting him in a bad temper and reducing him to silence. But he was abattle charger, and used to trumpet, fife, and gun; nothing put him out. He appealed to Clementine, and I had the mortification of hearing heropinion given, though with a blush, in his favour. The fop was satisfied, and kissed the young countess's hand with an air of fatuous happiness. This was too much; and I cursed the abbe and Clementine, too. I rose frommy seat and went to the window. 

The window is a great blessing to an impatient man, whom the rules ofpoliteness in some degree constrain. He can turn his back on bores, without their being able to charge him witch direct rudeness; but peopleknow what he means, and that soothes his feelings. 

I have noted this trifling circumstance only to point out how bad temperblinds its victims. The poor abbe vexed me because he made himselfagreeable to Clementine, with whom I was already in love without knowingit. I saw in him a rival, but far from endeavouring to offend me, he haddone his best to please me; and I should have taken account of his goodwill. But under such circumstances I always gave way to ill humour, andnow I am too old to begin curing myself. I don't think I need do so, forif I am ill tempered the company politely pass me over. My misfortuneobliges me to submit. 

Clementine had conquered me in the space of a few hours. True, I was aninflammable subject, but hitherto no beauty had committed such ravagesupon me in so short a time. I did not doubt of success, and I confessthat there was a certain amount of vanity in this assurance; but at thesame time I was modest, for I knew that at the slightest slip theenterprise would miscarry. Thus I regarded the abbe as a wasp to becrushed as speedily as possible. I was also a victim to that mosthorrible of passions, jealousy; it seemed to me that if Clementine wasnot in love with this man-monkey, she was extremely indulgent to him; andwith this idea I conceived a horrible plan of revenging my wrongs on her. Love is the god of nature, but this god is, after all, only a spoiltchild. We know all his follies and frailties, but we still adore him. 

My friend the count, who was surprised, I suppose, to see mecontemplating the prospect for such a long time, came up to me and askedme if I wanted anything. 

"I am thinking some matter over, " said I, "and I must go and write one ortwo letters in my room till it is time for supper. "

"You won't leave us surely?" said he. 

"Clementine, help me to keep M. De Seingalt; you must make him postponehis letter-writing. "

"But my dear brother, " said the charming girl, "if M. De Seingalt hasbusiness to do, it would be rude of me to try and prevent his doing it. "

Though what she said was perfectly reasonable, it stung me to the quick;when one is in an ill humour, everything is fuel for the fire. But theabbe said pleasantly that I had much better come and make a bank at faro, and as everything echoed this suggestion I had to give in. 

The cards were brought in, and various coloured counters handed round, and I sat down putting thirty ducats before me. This was a very large sumfor a company who only played for amusement's sake; fifteen counters werevalued only at a sequin. Countess Ambrose sat at my right hand, and theabbe at my left. As if they had laid a plot to vex and annoy me, Clementine had made room for him. I took a mere accident for a studiedimpertinence, and told the poor man that I never dealt unless I had alady on each side of me, and never by any chance with a priest beside me. 

"Do you think it would bring you ill luck?"

"I don't like birds of ill omen. "

At this he got up, and Clementine took his place. 

At the end of three hours, supper was announced. Everybody had won fromme except the abbe; the poor devil had lost counters to the extent oftwenty sequins. 

As a relation the abbe stayed to supper, but the lady and her childrenwere asked in vain to do so. 

The abbe looked wretched, which made me in a good temper, and inclined meto be pleasant. I proceeded to flirt with Clementine, and by making herreply to the numerous questions I asked, I gave her an opportunity ofdisplaying her wit, and I could see that she was grateful. I was oncemore myself, and I took pity of the abbe, and spoke to him politely, asking him his opinion on some topic. 

"I was not listening, " said he, "but I hope you will give me my revengeafter supper. "

"After supper I shall be going to bed, but you shall have your revenge, and as much as you like of it, tomorrow, provided that our charminghostesses like playing. I hope the luck will be in your favour. "

After supper the poor abbe went sadly away, and the count took me to myroom, telling me that I could sleep securely in spite of the lack of keysfor his sisters-in-law who were lodged close by were no better off. 

I was astonished and delighted at the trust he put in me, and at thereally magnificent hospitality (it must be remembered all things arerelative) with which I had been treated in the castle. 

I told Clairmont to be quick about putting my hair in curl-papers, for Iwas tired and in need of rest, but he was only half-way through theoperation when I was agreeably surprised by the apparition of Clementine. 

"Sir, " said she, "as we haven't got a maid to look after your linen, Ihave come to beg you to let me undertake that office. "

"You! my dear countess?"

"Yes, I, sir, and I hope you will make no objection. It will be apleasure to me, and I hope to you as well. Let me have the shirt you aregoing to wear to-morrow, and say no more about it. "

"Very good, it shall be as you please. "

I helped Clairmont to carry my linen trunk into her room, and added, --

"Every day I want a shirt, a collar, a front, a pair of drawers, a pairof stocking, and two handkerchiefs; but I don't mind which you take, andleave the choice to you as the mistress, as I wish you were in deed andtruth. I shall sleep a happier sleep than Jove himself. Farewell, dearHebe!"

Her sister Eleanore was already in bed, and begged pardon for herposition. I told Clairmont to go to the count directly, and inform himthat I had changed my mind about the locks. Should I be afraid for mypoor properties when these living treasures were confined to me sofrankly? I should have been afraid of offending them. 

I had an excellent bed, and I slept wonderfully. Clairmont was doing myhair when my youthful Hebe presented herself with a basket in her hands. She wished me good day and said she hoped I would be contented with herhandiwork. I gazed at her delightedly, no trace of false shame appearedon her features. The blush on her cheeks was a witness of the pleasureshe experienced in being useful--a pleasure which is unknown to thosewhose curse is their pride, the characteristic of fools and upstarts. Ikissed her hand and told her that I had never seen linen so nicely done. 

Just then the count came in and thanked Clementine for attending on me. Iapproved of that, but he accompanied his thanks with a kiss which waswell received, and this I did not approve of at all. But you will saythey were brother-in-law and sister-in-law? Just so, but I was jealousall the same. Nature is all-wise, and it was nature that made me jealous. When one loves and has not as yet gained possession, jealousy isinevitable; the heart must fear lest that which it longs for so becarried away by another. 

The count took a note from his pocket and begged me to read it. It camefrom his cousin the abbe, who begged the count to apologize to me for himif he was unable to pay the twenty sequins he had lost to me in theproper time, but that he would discharge his debt in the course of theweek. 

"Very good! Tell him that he can pay when he likes, but warn him not toplay this evening. I will not take his bets. "

"But you would have no objection to his punting with ready money. "

"Certainly I should, unless he pays me first, otherwise he would bepunting with my money. Of course it's a mere trifle, and I hope he won'ttrouble himself in the least or put himself to any inconvenience to payit. "

"I am afraid he will be mortified. "

"So much the better, " said Clementine; "what did he play for, when heknew that he could not pay his debts if he incurred any? It will be alesson to him. "

This outburst was balm to my heart. Such is man--a mere selfish egotist, when passion moves him. 

The count made no reply, but left us alone. 

"My dear Clementine, tell me frankly whether the rather uncivil way inwhich I have treated the abbe has pained you. I am going to give youtwenty sequins, do you send them to him, and to-night he can pay mehonourably, and make a good figure. I promise you no one shall know aboutit. "

"Thank you, but the honour of the abbe is not dear enough to me for me toaccept your offer. The lesson will do him good. A little shame will teachhim that he must mend his ways. "

"You will see he won't come this evening. "

"That may be, but do you think I shall care?"

"Well--yes, I did think so. "

"Because we joked together, I suppose. He is a hare-brained fellow, towhom I do not give two thoughts in the year. "

"I pity him, as heartily as I congratulate anyone of whom you do think. "

"Maybe there is no such person"

"What! You have not yet met a man worthy of your regard?"

"Many worthy of regard, but none of love. "

"Then you have never been in love?"

"Never. "

"Your heart is empty?"

"You make me laugh. Is it happiness, is it unhappiness? Who can say. Ifit be happiness, I am glad, and if it be unhappiness, I do not care, forI do not feel it to be so. "

"Nevertheless, it is a misfortune, and you will know it to have been soon the day in which you love. "

"And if I become unhappy through love, shall I not pronounce my emptinessof heart to have been happiness. "

"I confess you would be right, but I am sure love would make you happy. "

"I do not know. To be happy one must live in perfect agreement; that isno easy matter, and I believe it to be harder still when the bond islifelong. "

"I agree, but God sent us into the world that we might run the risk"

"To a man it may be a necessity and a delight, but a girl is bound bystricter laws. "

"In nature the necessity is the same though the results are different, and the laws you speak of are laid down by society. "

The count came in at this point and was astonished to see us bothtogether. 

"I wish you would fall in love with one another, " said he. 

"You wish to see us unhappy, do you?" said she. 

"What do you mean by that?" I cried. 

"I should be unhappy with an inconstant lover, and you would be unhappytoo, for you would feel bitter remorse for having destroyed my peace ofmind. "

After this she discreetly fled. 

I remained still as if she had petrified me, but the count who neverwearied himself with too much thinking, exclaimed, "Clementine is rather too romantic; she will get over it, however; she isyoung yet. "

We went to bid good day to the countess, whom we found suckling her baby. 

"Do you know, my dear sister, " said the count, "that the chevalier hereis in love with Clementine, and she seems inclined to pay him back in hisown coin?"

The countess smiled and said, --

"I hope a suitable match like that may make us relations. "

There is something magical about the word "marriage. "

What the countess said pleased me extremely, and I replied with a bow ofthe most gracious character. 

We went to pay a call on the lady who had come to the castle the daybefore. There was a canon regular there, who after a great many politespeeches in praise of my country, which he knew only from books, asked meof what order was the cross I carried on my breast. 

I replied, with a kind of boastful modesty, that it was a peculiar markof the favour of the Holy Father, the Pope, who had freely made me aknight of the Order of St. John Lateran, and a prothonotary-apostolic. 

This monk had stayed at home far from the world, or else he would nothave asked me such a question. However, far from thinking he wasoffending me, he thought he was honouring me by giving me an opportunityof talking of my own merit. 

At London, the greatest possible rudeness is to ask anyone what hisreligion is, and it is something the same in Germany; an Anabaptist is byno means ready to confess his creed. And in fact the best plan is neverto ask any questions whatever, not even if a man has change for a louis. 

Clementine was delightful at dinner. She replied wittily and gracefullyto all the questions which were addressed to her. True, what she said waslost on the majority of her auditors--for wit cannot stand beforestupidity--but I enjoyed her talk immensely. As she kept filling up myglass I reproached her, and this gave rise to the following littledialogue which completed my conquest. 

"You have no right to complain, " said she, "Hebe's duty is to keep thecup of the chief of the gods always full. "

"Very good; but you know Jupiter sent her away. "

"Yes, but I know why. I will take care not to stumble in the same way;and no Ganymede shall take my place for a like cause. "

"You are very wise. Jupiter was wrong, and henceforth I will be Hercules. Will that please you, fair Hebe?"

"No; because he did not marry her till after her death. "

"True, again. I will be Iolas then, for . . . "

"Be quiet. Iolas was old. "

"True; but so was I yesterday. You have made me young again. "

"I am very glad, dear Iolas; but remember what I did when he left me. "

"And what did you do? I do not remember. "

"I did not believe a word he said. "

"You can believe. "

"I took away the gift I had made. "

At these words this charming girl's face was suffered with blushes. If Ihad touched her with my hand, sure it would have been on fire; but therays that darted from her eyes froze my heart. 

Philosophers, be not angry if I talk of freezing rays. It is no miracle, but a very natural phenomenon, which is happening every day. A greatlove, which elevates a man's whole nature, is a strong flame born out ofa great cold, such as I then felt for a moment; it would have killed meif it had lasted longer. 

The superior manner in which Clementine had applied the story of Hebeconvinced me not only that she had a profound knowledge of mythology, butalso that she had a keen and far-reaching intellect. She had given memore than a glimpse of her learning; she had let me guess that Iinterested her, and that she thought of me. 

These ideas, entering a heart which is already warm, speedily set all thesenses in flames. In a moment all doubt was laid to rest; Clementineloved me, and I was sure that we should be happy. 

Clementine slipped away from the table to calm herself, and thus I hadtime to escape from my astonishment. 

"Pray where was that young lady educated?" I said to the countess. 

"In the country. She was always present when my brother had his lessons, but the tutor, Sardini, never took any notice of her, and it was only shewho gained anything; my brother only yawned. Clementine used to make mymother laugh, and puzzle the old tutor sadly sometimes. "

"Sardini wrote and published some poems which are not bad; but nobodyreads them, because they are so full of mythology. "

"Quite so. Clementine possesses a manuscript with which he presented her, containing a number of mythological tales verified. Try and make her shewyou her books and the verses she used to write; she won't shew them toany of us. "

I was in a great state of admiration. When she returned I complimentedher upon her acquirements, and said that as I was a great lover ofliterature myself I should be delighted if she would shew me her verses. 

"I should be ashamed. I had to give over my studies two years ago, whenmy sister married and we came to live here, where we only see honestfolks who talk about the stable, the harvest, and the weather. You arethe first person I have seen who has talked to me about literature. Ifour old Sardini had come with us I should have gone on learning, but mysister did not care to have him here. "

"But my dear Clementine, " said the countess, "what do you think myhusband could have done with an old man of eighty whose soleaccomplishments are weighing the wind, writing verses, and talkingmythology?"

"He would have been useful enough, " said the husband, "if he could havemanaged the estate, but the honest old man will not believe in theexistence of rascals. He is so learned that he is quite stupid. "

"Good heavens!" cried Clementine. "Sardini stupid? It is certainly easyto deceive him, but that is because he is so noble. I love a man who iseasily deceived, but they call me silly. "

"Not at all, my dear sister, " said the countess. "On the contrary, thereis wisdom in all you say, but it is wisdom out of place in a woman; themistress of a household does not want to know anything about literature, poetry, or philosophy, and when it comes to marrying you I am very muchafraid that your taste for this kind of thing will stand in your way. "

"I know it, and I am expecting to die a maid; not that it is muchcompliment to the men. "

To know all that such a dialogue meant for me, the reader must imaginehimself most passionately in love. I thought myself unfortunate. I couldhave given her a hundred thousand crowns, and I would have married herthat moment. She told me that Sardini was at Milan, very old and ill. 

"Have you been to see him?" I asked. 

"I have never been to Milan. "

"Is it possible? It is not far from here. "

"Distance is relative, you know. "

This was beautifully expressed. It told me without any false shame thatshe could not afford to go, and I was pleased by her frankness. But inthe state of mind I was in I should have been pleased with anything shechose to do. There are moments in a man's life when the woman he lovescan make anything of him. 

I spoke to her in a manner that affected her so that she took me into acloset next to her room to shew me her books. There were only thirty inall, but they were chosen, although somewhat elementary. A woman likeClementine needed something more. 

"Do you know, my dear Hebe, that you want more books?"

"I have often suspected it, dear Iolas, without being able to say exactlywhat I want. "

After spending an hour in glancing over Sardini's works, I begged her tospew me her own. 

"No, " said she, "they are too bad. "

"I expect so; but the good will outweigh the bad. "

"I don't think so. "

"Oh, yes! you needn't be afraid. I will forgive the bad grammar, badstyle, absurd images, faulty method, and even the verses that won'tscan. "

"That's too much, Iolas; Hebe doesn't need so vast a pardon as all that. Here, sir, these are my scribblings; sift the faults and the defaults. Read what you will. "

I was delighted that my scheme of wounding her vanity had succeeded, andI began by reading aloud an anacreontic, adding to its beauties by themodulation of my voice, and keenly enjoying her pleasure at finding herwork so fair. When I improved a line by some trifling change she noticedit, for she followed me with her eyes; but far from being humiliated, shewas pleased with my corrections. The picture was still hers, she thought, though with my skilled brush I brought out the lights and darkened theshadows, and she was charmed to see that my pleasure was as great orgreater than hers. The reading continued for two hours. It was aspiritual and pure, but a most intensely voluptuous, enjoyment. Happy, and thrice happy, if we had gone no farther; but love is a traitor wholaughs at us when we think to play with him without falling into hisnets. Shall a man touch hot coals and escape the burning?

The countess interrupted us, and begged us to join the company. Clementine hastened to put everything back, and thanked me for thehappiness I had given her. The pleasure she felt shewed itself in herblushes, and when she came into the drawing-room she was asked if she hadbeen fighting, which made her blush still more. 

The faro-table was ready, but before sitting down I told Clairmont to getme four good horses for the following day. I wanted to go to Lodi andback by dinnertime. 

Everybody played as before, the abbe excepted, and he, to my hugedelight, did not put in an appearance at all, but his place was suppliedby a canon, who punted a ducat at a time and had a pile of ducats beforehim. This made me increase my bank, and when the game was over, I wasglad to see that everybody had won except the canon, but his losses hadnot spoilt his temper. 

Next day I started for Lodi at day-break without telling anybody where Iwas going, and bought all the books I judged necessary for Clementine, who only knew Italian. I bought numerous translation, which I wassurprised to find at Lodi, which hitherto had been only famous in my mindfor its cheese, usually called Parmesan. This cheese is made at Lodi andnot at Parma, and I did not fail to make an entry to that effect underthe article "Parmesan" in my "Dictionary of Cheeses, " a work which I wasobliged to abandon as beyond my powers, as Rousseau was obliged toabandon his "Dictionary of Botany. " This great but eccentric individualwas then known under the pseudonym of Renaud, the Botanist. 'Quisquehistrioniam exercet'. But Rousseau, great man though he was, was totallydeficient in humour. 

I conceived the idea of giving a banquet at Lodi the day after next, anda project of this kind not calling for much deliberation I went forthwithto the best hotel to make the necessary arrangements. I ordered a choicedinner for twelve, paid the earnest money, and made the host promise thateverything should be of the best. 

When I got back to St. Angelo, I had a sackfull of books carried intoClementine's room. She was petrified. There were more than onehundred volumes, poets, historians, geographers, philosophers, scientists--nothing was forgotten. I had also selected some good novels, translated from the Spanish, English, and French, for we have no goodnovels in Italian. 

This admission does not prove by any means that Italian literature issurpassed by that of any other country. Italy has little to envy in otherliteratures, and has numerous masterpieces, which are unequalled thewhole world over. Where will you find a worthy companion to the OrlandoFurioso? There is none, and this great work is incapable of transalation. The finest and truest panegyric of Ariosto was written by Voltaire whenhe was sixty. If he had not made this apology for the rash judgement ofhis youthful days, he would not have enjoyed, in Italy at all events, that immortality which is so justly his due. Thirty-six years ago I toldhim as much, and he took me at my word. He was afraid, and he actedwisely. 

If I have any readers, I ask their pardon for these digressions. Theymust remember that these Memoirs were written in my old age, and the oldare always garrulous. The time will come to them also, and then they willunderstand that if the aged repeat themselves, it is because they live ina world of memories, without a present and without a future. 

I will now return to my narrative, which I have kept steadily in view. 

Clementine gazed from me to the books, and from the books to me. Shewondered and admired, and could scarcely believe this treasure belongedto her. At last she collected herself, and said in a tone full ofgratitude, --

"You have come to St. Angelo to make me happy. "

Such a saying makes a man into a god. He is sure that she who speaks thuswill do all in her power to make a return for the happiness which she hasbeen given. 

There is something supremely lovely in the expression of gratefulness onthe face of the being one loves. If you have not experienced the feelingsI describe, dear reader, I pity you, and am forced to conclude that youmust have been either awkward or miserly, and therefore unworthy of love. 

Clementine ate scarcely anything at dinner, and afterwards retired to herroom where I soon joined her. We amused ourselves by putting the books inorder, and she sent for a carpenter to make a bookcase with a lock andkey. 

"It will be my pleasure to read these books, " said she, "when you haveleft us. "

In the evening she was lucky with the cards, and in delightful spirits. Iasked them all to dine with me at Lodi, but as the dinner was for twelvethe Countess Ambrose said she would be able to find the two guests whowere wanted at Lodi, and the canon said he would take the lady friendwith her two children. 

The next day was one of happy quiet, and I spent it without leaving thecastle, being engaged in instructing my Hebe on the nature of the sphere, and in preparing her for the beauties of Wolf. I presented her with mycase of mathematical instruments, which seemed to her invaluable. 

I burned with passion for this charming girl; but would I have done so inher taste for literature and science had not been backed up by herpersonal charms? I suspect not. I like a dish pleasing to the palate, butif it is not pleasing to the eye as well, I do not taste it but put downas bad. The surface is always the first to interest, close examinationcomes afterwards. The man who confines himself to superficial charms, issuperficial himself, but with them all love begins, except that whichrises in the realm of fancy, and this nearly always falls before thereality. 

When I went to bed, still thinking of Clementine, I began to reflectseriously, and I was astonished to find that during all the hours we hadspent together she had not caused the slightest sensual feeling to arisein me. Nevertheless, I could not assign the reason to fear, nor toshyness which is unknown to me, nor to false shame, nor to what is calleda feeling of duty. It was certainly not virtue, for I do not carry virtueso far as that. Then what was it? I did not tire myself by pursuing thequestion. I felt quite sure that the Platonic stage must soon come to anend, and I was sorry, but my sorrow was virtue in extremis. The finethings we read together interested us so strongly that we did not thinkof love, nor of the pleasure we took in each other's company; but as thesaying goes, the devil lost nothing by us. When intellect enters on thefield, the heart has to yield; virtue triumphs, but the battle must notlast for long. Our conquests made us too sure, but this feeling ofsecurity was a Colossus whose feet were of clay; we knew that we lovedbut were not sure that we were beloved. But when this became manifest theColossus must fall to the ground. 

This dangerous trust made me go to her room to tell her something aboutour journey to Lodi, the carriages were already waiting. She was stillasleep, but my step on the floor made her awake with a start. I did noteven think it necessary to apologize. She told me that Tasso's Aminta hadinterested her to such an extent that she had read it till she fellasleep. 

"The Pastor Fido will please you still more. "

"Is it more beautiful?"

"Not exactly. "

"Then why do you say it will please me more?"

"Because it charms the heart. It appeals to our softest feelings, andseduces us--and we love seduction. "

"It is a seducer, then?"

"No, not a seducer; but seductive, like you. "

"That's a good distinction. I will read it this evening. Now I am goingto dress. "

She put on her clothes in seeming oblivion that I was a man, but withoutshewing any sights that could be called indecent. Nevertheless it struckme that if she had thought I was in love with her, she would have beenmore reserved, for as she put on her chemise, laced her corset, fastenedher garters above her knee, and drew on her boots, I saw glimpses ofbeauty which affected me so strongly that I was obliged to go out beforeshe was ready to quench the flames she had kindled in my senses. 

I took the countess and Clementine in my carriage, and sat on the bracketseat holding the baby on my knee. My two fair companions laughed merrily, for I held the child as if to the manner born. When we had traversed halfthe distance the baby demanded nourishment, and the charming motherhastened to uncover a sphere over which my eyes roved with delight, notat all to her displeasure. The child left its mother's bosom satisfied, and at the sight of the liquor which flowed so abundantly I exclaimed, --

"It must not be lost, madam; allow me to sip nectar which will elevate meto the rank of the gods. Do not be afraid of my teeth. " I had some teethin those days. 

The smiling countess made no opposition, and I proceeded to carry out mydesign, while the ladies laughed that magic laugh which not painter canportray. The divine Homer is the only poet who has succeeded indelineating it in those lines in which he describes Andromache with theyoung Astyanax in her arms, when Hector is leaving her to return to thebattle. 

I asked Clementine if she had the courage to grant me a similar favour. 

"Certainly, " said she, "if I had any milk. "

"You have the source of the milk; I will see to the rest. "

At this the girl's face suffused with such a violent blush that I wassorry I had spoken; however, I changed the conversation, and it soonpassed away. Our spirits were so high that when the time came for us toget down at the inn at Lodi, we could scarcely believe it possible, soswiftly had the time gone by. 

The countess sent a message to a lady friend of hers, begging her to dinewith us, and to bring her sister; while I dispatched Clairmont to astationer's, where he bought me a beautiful morocco case with lock andkey, containing paper, pens, sealing-wax, ink-well, paper knife, seal, and in fact, everything necessary for writing. It was a present I meantto give Clementine before dinner. It was delightful to watch her surpriseand pleasure, and to read gratitude so legibly written in her beautifuleyes. There is not a woman in the world who cannot be overcome by beingmade grateful. It is the best and surest way to get on, but it must beskilfully used. The countess's friend came and brought her sister, a girlwho was dazzlingly beautiful. I was greatly struck with her, but justthen Venus herself could not have dethroned Clementine from her place inmy affections. After the friends had kissed each other, and expressedtheir joy at meeting, I was introduced, and in so complimentary a mannerthat I felt obliged to turn it off with a jest. 

The dinner was sumptuous and delicious. At dessert two self-invitedguests came in, the lady's husband and the sister's lover, but they werewelcome, for it was a case of the more the merrier. After the meal, inaccordance with the request of the company, I made a bank at faro, andafter three hours' play I was delighted to find myself a loser to theextent of forty sequins. It was these little losses at the right timewhich gave me the reputation of being the finest gamester in Europe. 

The lady's lover was named Vigi, and I asked him if he was descended fromthe author of the thirteenth book of the "AEneid. " He said he was, andthat in honour of his ancestor he had translated the poem into Italianverse. I expressed myself curious as to his version, and he promised tobring it me in two days' time. I complimented him on belonging to such anoble and ancient family; Maffeo Vigi flourished at the beginning of thefifteenth century. 

We started in the evening, and less than two hours we got home. The moonwhich shone brightly upon us prevented me making any attempts onClementine, who had put up her feet in order that she might be able tohold her little nephew with more ease. The pretty mother could not helpthanking me warmly for the pleasure I had given them; I was a universalfavourite with them all. 

We did not feel inclined to eat any supper, and therefore retired to ourapartments; and I accompanied Clementine, who told me that she wasashamed at not knowing anything about the "AEneid. "

"Vigi will bring his translation of the thirteenth book, and I shall notknow a word about it. "

I comforted her by telling her that we would read the fine translation byAnnibale Caro that very night. It was amongst her books, as also theversion by Anguilara, Ovid's Metamorphoses, and Marchetti's Lucreece. 

"But I wanted to read the Pastor Fido. "

"We are in a hurry; we must read that another time. "

"I will follow your advice in all things, my dear Iolas. "

"That will make me happy, dearest Hebe. "

We spent the night in reading that magnificent translation in Italianblank verse, but the reading was often interrupted by my pupil's laughterwhen we came to some rather ticklish passage. She was highly amused bythe account of the chance which gave 'AEneas an opportunity of provinghis love for Dido in a very inconvenient place, and still more, whenDido, complaining of the son of Priam's treachery, says, --

"I might still pardon you if, before abandoning me, you had left me alittle AEneas to play about these halls. "

Clementine had cause to be amused, for the reproach has somethinglaughable in it; but how is it that one does not feel inclined to smilein reading the Latin--'Si quis mihi parvulus aula luderet AEneas?'. Thereason must be sought for in the grave and dignified nature of the Latintongue. 

We did not finish our reading till day-break. 

"What a night!" exclaimed Clementine, with a sigh. 

"It has been one of great pleasure to me, has it not to you?"

"I have enjoyed it because you have. "

"And if you had been reading by yourself?"

"It would have still been a pleasure, but a much smaller one. I love yourintellect to distraction, Clementine, but tell me, do you think itpossible to love the intellect without loving that which contains it?"

"No, for without the body the spirit would vanish away. "

"I conclude from that that I am deeply in love with you, and that Icannot pass six or seven hours in your company without longing to kissyou. "

"Certainly, but we resist these desires because we have duties toperform, which would rise up against us if we left them undone. "

"True again, but if your disposition at all resembles mine thisconstraint must be very painful to you. "

"Perhaps I feel it as much as you do, but it is my belief that it is onlyhard to withstand temptation at first. By degrees one gets accustomed toloving without running any risk and without effort. Our senses, at firstso sharp set, end by becoming blunted, and when this is the case we mayspend hours and days in safety, untroubled by desire. "

"I have my doubts as far as I am concerned, but we shall see. Good night, fair Hebe. "

"Good night, my good Iolas, may you sleep well!"

"My sleep will be haunted by visions of you. "

CHAPTER XXII

Our Excursion--Parting From Clementine--I Leave Milan With Croce'sMistress My Arrival At Genoa

The ancients, whose fancy was so fertile in allegory, used to figureInnocence as playing with a serpent or with a sharp arrow. These oldsages had made a deep study of the human heart; and whatever discoveriesmodern science may have made, the old symbols may still be profitablystudied by those who wish to gain a deep insight into the working ofman's mind. 

I went to bed, and after having dismissed Clairmont I began to reflect onmy relations with Clementine, who seemed to have been made to shine in asphere from which, in spite of her high birth, her intelligence, and herrare beauty, her want of fortune kept her apart. I smiled to myself ather doctrines, which were as much as to say that the best way of curingappetite was to place a series of appetising dishes before a hungry man, forbidding him to touch them. Nevertheless I could but approve the wordswhich she had uttered with such an air of innocence--that if one resistsdesires, there is no danger of one being humiliated by giving way tothem. 

This humiliation would arise from a feeling of duty, and she honoured meby supposing that I had as high principles as herself. But at the sametime the motive of self-esteem was also present, and I determined not todo anything which would deprive me of her confidence. 

As may be imagined, I did not awake till very late the next morning, andwhen I rang my bell Clementine came in, looking very pleased, and holdinga copy of the Pastor Fido in her hand. She wished me good day, and saidshe had read the first act, and that she thought it very beautiful, andtold me to get up that we might read the second together before dinner. 

"May I rise in your presence?"

"Why not? A man has need of very little care to observe the laws ofdecency. "

"Then please give me that shirt. "

She proceeded to unfold it, and then put it over my head, smiling all thetime. 

"I will do the same for you at the first opportunity, " said I. 

She blushed and answered, "It's not nearly so far from you to me as it isfrom me to you. "

"Divine Hebe, that is beyond my understanding. You speak like the Cumaeansibyls, or as if you were rendering oracles at your temple in Corinth. "

"Had Hebe a temple at Corinth? Sardini never said so. "

"But Apollodorus says so. It was an asylum as well as a temple. But comeback to the point, and pray do not elude it. What you said is opposed toall the laws of geometry. The distance from you to me ought to beprecisely the same as from me to you. "

"Perhaps, then, I have said a stupid thing. "

"Not at all, Hebe, you have an idea which may be right or wrong, but Iwant to bring it out. Come, tell me. "

"Well, then, the two distances differ from each other with respect to theascent and descent, or fall, if you like. Are not all bodies inclined toobey the laws of gravitation unless they are held back by a superiorforce?"

"Certainly. "

"And is it not the case that no bodies move in an upward direction unlessthey are impelled?"

"Quite true. "

"Then you must confess that since I am shorter than you I should have toascend to attain you, and ascension is always an effort; while if youwish to attain me, you have only to let yourself go, which is no effortwhatever. Thus it is no risk at all for you to let me put on your shirt, but it would be a great risk for me if I allowed you to do the sameservice for me. I might be overwhelmed by your too rapid descent on me. Are you persuaded?"

"Persuaded is not the word, fair Hebe. I am ravished in an ecstacy ofadmiration. Never was paradox so finely maintained. I might cavil andcontest it, but I prefer to keep silence to admire and adore. "

"Thank you, dear Iolas, but I want no favour. Tell me how you coulddisprove my argument?"

"I should attack it on the point of height. You know you would not let mechange your chemise even if I were a dwarf. "

"Ah, dear Iolas! we cannot deceive each other. Would that Heaven haddestined me to be married to a man like you!"

"Alas! why am I not worthy of aspiring to such a position?"

I do not know where the conversation would have landed us, but just thenthe countess came to tell us that dinner was waiting, adding that she wasglad to see we loved one another. 

"Madly, " said Clementine, "but we are discreet. "

"If you are discreet, you cannot love madly. "

"True, countess, " said I, "for the madness of love and wisdom cannotdwell together. I should rather say we are reasonable, for the mind maybe grave while the heart's gay. "

We dined merrily together, then we played at cards, and in the evening wefinished reading the Pastor Fido. When we were discussing the beauties ofthis delightful work Clementine asked me if the thirteenth book of the"AEneid" was fine. 

"My dear countess, it is quite worthless; and I only praised it toflatter the descendant of the author. However, the same writer made apoem on the tricks of countryfolk, which is by no means devoid of merit. But you are sleepy, and I am preventing you from undressing. "

"Not at all. "

She took off her clothes in a moment with the greatest coolness, and didnot indulge my licentious gaze in the least. She got into bed, and I satbeside her; whereupon she sat up again, and her sister turned her backupon us. The Pastor Fido was on her night-table, and opening the book Iproceeded to read the passage where Mirtillo describes the sweetness ofthe kiss Amaryllis had given him, attuning my voice to the sentiment ofthe lines. Clementine seemed as much affected as I was, and I fastened mylips on hers. What happiness! She drew in the balm of my lips withdelight, and appeared to be free from alarm, so I was about to clasp herin my arms when she pushed me away with the utmost gentleness, begging meto spare her. 

This was modesty at bay. I begged her pardon, and taking her handbreathed out upon it all the ecstasy of my lips. 

"You are trembling, " said she, in a voice that did but increase theamorous tumult of my heart. 

"Yes, dearest countess, and I assure you I tremble for fear of you. Goodnight, I am going; and my prayer must be that I may love you less. "

"Why so? To love less is to begin to hate. Do as I do, and pray that yourlove may grow and likewise the strength to resist it. "

I went to bed ill pleased with myself. I did not know whether I had gonetoo far or not far enough; but what did it matter? One thing was certain, I was sorry for what I had done, and that was always a thought whichpained me. 

In Clementine I saw a woman worthy of the deepest love and the greatestrespect, and I knew not how I could cease to love her, nor yet how Icould continue loving her without the reward which every faithful loverhopes to win. 

"If she loves me, " I said to myself, "she cannot refuse me, but it is mypart to beg and pray, and even to push her to an extremity, that she mayfind an excuse for her defeat. A lover's duty is to oblige the woman heloves to surrender at discretion, and love always absolves him for sodoing. "

According to this argument, which I coloured to suit my passions, Clementine could not refuse me unless she did not love me, and Idetermined to put her to the proof. I was strengthened in this resolve bythe wish to free myself from the state of excitement I was in, and I wassure that if she continued obdurate I should soon get cured. But at thesame time I shuddered at the thought; the idea, of my no longer lovingClementine seemed to me an impossibility and a cruelty. 

After a troubled night I rose early and went to wish her good morning. She was still asleep, but her sister Eleanore was dressing. 

"My sister, " said she, "read till three o'clock this morning. Now thatshe has so many books, she is getting quite mad over them. Let us play atrick on her; get into the bed beside her; it will be amusing to see hersurprise when she wakes up. "

"But do you think she will take it as a joke?"

"She won't be able to help laughing; besides, you are dressed. "

The opportunity was too tempting, and taking off my dressing-gown, Igently crept into the bed, and Eleanore covered me up to my neck. Shelaughed, but my heart was beating rapidly. I could not give the affairthe appearance of a joke, and I hoped Clementine would be some timebefore she awoke that I might have time to compose myself. 

I had been in this position for about five minutes, when Clementine, halfasleep and half awake, turned over, and stretching out her arm, gave me ahasty kiss, thinking I was her sister. She then fell asleep again in thesame position. I should have stayed still long enough, for her warmbreath played on my face, and gave me a foretaste of ambrosia; butEleanore could restrain herself no longer, and, bursting into a peal oflaughter, forced Clementine to open her eyes. Nevertheless, she did notdiscover that she held me in her arms till she saw her sister standinglaughing beside the bed. 

"This is a fine trick, " said she, "you are two charmers indeed!"

This quiet reception gave me back my self-composure, and I was able toplay my part properly. 

"You see, " said I, "I have had a kiss from my sweet Hebe. "

"I thought I was giving it to my sister. 'Tis the kiss that Amaryllisgave to Mistillo. "

"It comes to the same thing. The kiss has produced its effects, and Iolasis young again. "

"Dear Eleanore, you have gone too far, for we love each other, and I wasdreaming of him. "

"No, no, " said her sister, "Iolas is dressed. Look!"

So saying, the little wanton with a swift movement uncovered me, but atthe same time she uncovered her sister, and Clementine with a littlescream veiled the charms which my eyes had devoured for a moment. I hadseen all, but as one sees lightning. I had seen the cornice and thefrieze of the altar of love. 

Eleanore then went out, and I remained gazing at the treasure I desiredbut did not dare to seize. At last I broke the silence. 

"Dearest Hebe, " said I, "you are certainly fairer than the cupbearer ofthe gods. I have just seen what must have been seen when Hebe wasfalling, and if I had been Jupiter I should have changed my mind. "

"Sardini told me that Jupiter drove Hebe away, and now I ought to driveJupiter away out of revenge. "

"Yes; but, my angel, I am Iolas, and not Jupiter. I adore you, and I seekto quench the desires which torture me. "

"This is a trick between you and Eleanore. "

"My dearest, it was all pure chance. I thought I should find you dressed, and I went in to wish you good day. You were asleep and your sister wasdressing. I gazed at you, and Eleanore suggested that I should lie downbeside you to enjoy your astonishment when you awoke. I ought to begrateful to her for a pleasure which has turned out so pleasantly. Butthe beauties she discovered to me surpass all the ideas I had formed onthe subject. My charming Hebe will not refuse to pardon me. "

"No, since all is the effect of chance. But it is curious that when oneloves passionately one always feels inquisitive concerning the person ofthe beloved object. "

"It is a very natural feeling, dearest. Love itself is a kind ofcuriosity, if it be lawful to put curiosity in the rank of the passions;but you have not that feeling about me?"

"No, for fear you might disappoint me, for I love you, and I wanteverything to speak in your favour. "

"I know you might be disappointed, and consequently I must do everythingin my power to preserve your good opinion. "

"Then you are satisfied with me?"

"Surely. I am a good architect, and I think you are grandly built. "

"Stay, Iolas, do not touch me; it is enough that you have seen me. "

"Alas! it is by touching that one rectifies the mistakes of the eyes; onejudges thus of smoothness and solidity. Let me kiss these two fairsources of life. I prefer them to the hundred breasts of Cybele, and I amnot jealous of Athys. "

"You are wrong there; Sardini told me that it was Diana of Ephesus whohad the hundred breasts. "

How could I help laughing to hear mythology issuing from Clementine'smouth at such a moment! Could any lover foresee such an incident?

I pressed with my hand her alabaster breast, and yet the desire ofknowledge subdued love in the heart of Clementine. But far from mistakingher condition I thought it a good omen. I told her that she was perfectlyright, and that I was wrong, and a feeling of literary vanity preventedher opposing my pressing with my lips a rosy bud, which stood out inrelief against the alabaster sphere. 

"You apply your lips in vain, my dear Iolas, the land is barren. But whatare you swallowing?"

"The quintessence of a kiss. "

"I think you must have swallowed something of me, since you have given mea pleasurable sensation I have never before experienced. "

"Dear Hebe, you make me happy. "

"I am glad to hear it, but I think the kiss on the lips is much better. "

"Certainly, because the pleasure is reciprocal, and consequentlygreater. "

"You teach by precept and example too. Cruel teacher! Enough, thispleasure is too sweet. Love must be looking at us and laughing. "

"Why should we not let him enjoy a victory which would make us bothhappier?"

"Because such happiness is not built on a sure foundation. No, no! putyour arms down. If we can kill each other with kisses, let us kiss on;but let us use no other arms. "

After our lips had clung to each other cruelly but sweetly, she paused, and gazing at me with eyes full of passion she begged me to leave heralone. 

The situation in which I found myself is impossible to describe. Ideplored the prejudice which had constrained me, and I wept with rage. Icooled myself by making a toilette which was extremely necessary, andreturned to her room. 

She was writing. 

"I am delighted to see you back, " said she, "I am full of the poeticfrenzy and propose to tell the story of the victory we have gained inverse. "

"A sad victory, abhorred by love, hateful to nature. "

"That will do nicely. Will each write a poem; I to celebrate the victoryand you to deplore it. But you look sad. "

"I am in pain; but as the masculine anatomy is unknown to you, I cannotexplain matters. "

Clementine did not reply, but I could see that she was affected. Isuffered a dull pain in that part which prejudice had made me hold aprisoner while love and nature bade me give it perfect freedom. Sleep wasthe only thing which would restore the balance of my constitution. 

We went down to dinner, but I could not eat. I could not attend to thereading of the translation which M. Vigi had brought with him, and I evenforgot to compliment him upon it. I begged the count to hold the bank forme, and asked the company to allow me to lie down; nobody could tell whatwas the matter with me, though Clementine might have her suspicions. 

At supper-time Clementine, accompanied by a servant, brought me adelicate cold collation, and told me that the bank had won. It was thefirst time it had done so, for I had always taken care to play a losinggame. I made a good supper, but remained still melancholy and silent. When I had finished Clementine bade me good night, saying that she wasgoing to write her poem. 

I, too, was in the vein: I finished my poem, and made a fair copy of itbefore I went to bed. In the morning Clementine came to see me, and gaveme her piece, which I read with pleasure; though I suspect that thedelight my praises gave was equal to mine. 

Then came the turn of my composition, and before long I noticed that thepicture of my sufferings was making a profound impression on her. Bigtears rolled down her cheeks, and from her eyes shot forth tenderglances. When I had finished, I had the happiness of hearing her say thatif she had known that part of physiology better, she would not havebehaved so. 

We took a cup of chocolate together, and I then begged her to lie downbeside me in bed without undressing, and to treat me as I had treated herthe day before, that she might have some experience of the martyrdom Ihad sung in my verses. She smiled and agreed, on the condition that Ishould do nothing to her. 

It was a cruel condition, but it was the beginning of victory, and I hadto submit. I had no reason to repent of my submission, for I enjoyed thedespotism she exercised on me, and the pain she must be in that I didnothing to her, whilst I would not let her see the charms which she heldin her hands. In vain I excited her to satisfy herself, to refuse herdesires nothing, but she persisted in maintaining that she did not wishto go any further. 

"Your enjoyment cannot be so great as mine, " said I. But her subtle witnever left her without a reply. 

"Then, " said she, "you have no right to ask me to pity you. "

The test, however, was too sharp for her. She left me in a state of greatexcitement, giving me a kiss which took all doubts away, and saying thatin love we must be all or nothing. 

We spent the day in reading, eating, and walking, and in converse graveand gay. I could not see, however, that my suit had progressed, as far asthe events of the morning seemed to indicate. She wanted to reverse themedal of Aristippus, who said, in speaking of Lois, "I possess her, butshe does not possess me. " She wanted to be my mistress, without my beingher master. I ventured to bewail my fate a little, but that did not seemto advance my cause. 

Three or four days after, I asked Clementine in the presence of hersister to let me lie in bed beside her. This is the test proposed to anun, a widow, a girl afraid of consequences, and it nearly alwayssucceeds. I took a packet of fine English letters and explained their useto her. She took them examined them attentively, and after a burst oflaughter declared them to be scandalous, disgusting, horrible in whichanathema her sister joined. In vain I tried to plead their utility indefence, but Clementine maintained that there was no trusting them, andpushed her finger into one so strongly that it burst with a loud crack. Ihad to give way, and put my specialties in my pocket, and her finaldeclaration was that such things made her shudder. 

I wished them good night, and retired in some confusion. I pondered overClementine's strange resistance, which could only mean that I had notinspired her with sufficient love. I resolved on overcoming her by analmost infallible method. I would procure her pleasures that were new toher without sparing expense. I could think of nothing better than to takethe whole family to Milan, and to give them a sumptuous banquet at mypastry-cook's. "I will take them there, " I said to myself, "withoutsaying a word about our destination till we are on our way, for if I wereto name Milan the count might feel bound to tell his Spanish countess, that she might have an opportunity of making the acquaintance of hersisters-in-law, and this would vex me to the last degree. " The partywould be a great treat to the sisters, who had never been in Milan, and Iresolved to make the expedition as splendid as I possibly could. 

When I awoke the next morning I wrote to Zenobia to buy three dresses ofthe finest Lyons silk for three young ladies of rank. I sent thenecessary measurements, and instructions as to the trimming. The CountessAmbrose's dress was to be white satin with a rich border of Valencienneslace. I also wrote to M. Greppi, asking him to pay for Zenobia'spurchases. I told her to take the three dresses to my private lodgings, and lay them upon the bed, and give the landlord a note I enclosed. Thisnote ordered him to provide a banquet for eight persons, without sparingexpense. On the day and hour appointed, Zengbia was to be at thepastrycook's ready to wait on the three ladies. I sent the letter byClairmont, who returned before dinner, bearing a note from Zenobiaassuring me that all my wishes should be carried out. After dessert Ibroached my plan to the countess, telling her that I wanted to give aparty like the one at Lodi, but on two conditions: the first, that no onewas to know our destination till we were in the carriages, and thesecond, that after dinner we should return to St. Angelo. 

Out of politeness the countess looked at her husband before accepting theinvitation, but he cried out, without ceremony, that he was ready to goif I took the whole family. 

"Very good, " said I, "we will start at eight o'clock to-morrow, andnobody need be at any trouble, the carriages are ordered. "

I felt obliged to include the canon, because he was a great courtier ofthe countess, and also because he lost money to me every day, and thus itwas he, in fact, who was going to pay for the expedition. That evening helost three hundred sequins, and was obliged to ask me to give him threeday's grace to pay the money. I replied by assuring him that all I hadwas at his service. 

When the company broke up I offered my hand to Hebe, and escorted her andher sister to their room. We had begun to read Fontenelle's "Plurality ofWorlds, " and I had thought we should finish it that night; but Clementinesaid that as she had to get up early, she would want to get to sleepearly also. 

"You are right, dearest Hebe, do you go to bed, and I will read to you. "

She made no objection, so I took the Ariosto, and began to read thehistory of the Spanish princess who fell in love with Bradamante. Ithought that by the time I had finished Clementine would be ardent, but Iwas mistaken; both she and her sister seemed pensive. 

"What is the matter with you, dearest? Has Ricciardetto displeased you?"

"Not at all, he has pleased me, and in the princess's place I should havedone the same; but we shall not sleep all night, and it is your fault. "

"What have I done, pray?"

"Nothing, but you can make us happy, and give us a great proof of yourfriendship. "

"Speak, then. What is it you want of me? I would do anything to pleaseyou. My life is yours. You shall sleep soundly. "

"Well, then, tell us where we are going to-morrow. "

"Have I not already said that I would tell you just as we are going?"

"Yes, but that won't do. We want to know now, and if you won't tell us weshan't sleep, all night, and we shall look frightful to-morrow. "

"I should be so sorry, but I don't think that you could look frightful. "

"You don't think we can keep a secret. It is nothing very important, isit?"

"No, it is not very important, but all the same it is a secret. "

"It would be dreadful if you refused me. "

"Dearest Hebe! how can I refuse you anything? I confess freely that Ihave been wrong in keeping you waiting so long. Here is my secret: youare to dine with me to-morrow. "

"With you? Where?"

"Milan. "

In their immoderate joy they got out of bed, and without caring for theirstate of undress, threw their arms round my neck, covered me with kisses, clasped me to their breasts, and finally sat down on my knees. 

"We have never seen Milan, " they cried, "and it has been the dream of ourlives to see that splendid town. How often I have been put to the blushwhen I have been forced to confess that I have never been to Milan. "

"It makes me very happy, " said Hebe, "but my happiness is troubled by theidea that we shall see nothing of the town, for we shall have to returnafter dinner. It is cruel! Are we to go fifteen miles to Milan only todine and come back again? At least we must see our sister-in-law. "

"I have foreseen all your objections, and that was the reason I made amystery of it, but it has been arranged. You don't like it? Speak andtell me your pleasure. "

"Of course we like it, dear Iolas. The party will be charming, andperhaps, if we knew all, the very conditions are all for the best. "

"It may be so, but I may not tell you any more now. "

"And we will not press you. "

In an ecstasy of joy she began to embrace me again, and Eleanore saidthat she would go to sleep so as to be more on the alert for the morrow. This was the best thing she could have done. I knew the fortunate hourwas at hand, and exciting Clementine by my fiery kisses, and drawingnearer and nearer, at last I was in full possession of the temple I hadso long desired to attain. Hebe's pleasure and delight kept her silent;she shared my ecstasies, and mingled her happy tears with mine. 

I spent two hours in this manner, and then went to bed, impatient torenew the combat on the following day more at my ease and with greatercomfort. 

At eight o'clock we were all assembled round the breakfast-table, but inspite of my high spirits I could not make the rest of the company sharethem. All were silent and pensive; curiosity shewed itself on every face. Clementine and her sister pretended to partake the general feeling, andwere silent like the rest while I looked on and enjoyed their expectancy. 

Clairmont, who had fulfilled my instructions to the letter, came in andtold us that the carriages were at the door. I asked my guests to followme, and they did so in silence. I put the countess and Clementine in mycarriage, the latter holding the baby on her lap, her sister and thethree gentlemen being seated in the other carriage. I called out, with alaugh, "Drive to Milan. "

"Milan! Milan!" they exclaimed with one voice. "Capital! capital!"

Clairmont galloped in front of us and went off. Clementine pretended tobe astonished, but her sister looked as if she had known something of ourdestination before. All care, however, had disappeared, and the highestspirits prevailed. We stopped at a village half-way between St. Angeloand Milan to blow the horses, and everybody got down. 

"What will my wife say?" asked the count. 

"Nothing, for she will not know anything about it, and if she does I amthe only guilty party. You are to dine with me in a suite of rooms whichI have occupied incognito since I have been at Milan; for you willunderstand that I could not have my wants attended to at your house, where the place is already taken. "

"And how about Zenobia?"

"Zenobia was a lucky chance, and is a very nice girl, but she would notsuffice for my daily fare. "

"You are a lucky fellow!"

"I try to make myself comfortable. "

"My dear husband, " said the Countess Ambrose, "you proposed a visit toMilan two years ago, and the chevalier proposed it a few hours ago, andnow we are on our way. "

"Yes, sweetheart, but my idea was that we should spend a month there. "

"If you want to do that, " said I, "I will see to everything. "

"Thank you, my dear sir; you are really a wonderful man. "

"You do me too much honour, count, there is nothing wonderful about me, except that I execute easily an easy task. "

"Yes; but you will confess that a thing may be difficult from the way inwhich we regard it, or from the position in which we find ourselves. "

"You are quite right. "

When we were again on our way the countess said, --

"You must confess, sir, that you are a very fortunate man. "

"I do not deny it, my dear countess, but my happiness is due to thecompany I find myself in; if you were to expel me from yours, I should bemiserable. "

"You are not the kind of man to be expelled from any society. "

"That is a very kindly compliment. "

"Say, rather, a very true one. "

"I am happy to hear you say so, but it would be both foolish andpresumptuous for me to say so myself. "

Thus we made merry on our way, above all at the expense of the canon, whohad been begging the countess to intercede with me to give him leave toabsent himself half an hour. 

"I want to call on a lady, " said he; "I should lose her favour forever ifshe came to know that I had been in Milan without paying her a visit. "

"You must submit to the conditions, " replied the amiable countess, "sodon't count on my intercession. "

We got to Milan exactly at noon, and stepped out at the pastry-cook'sdoor. The landlady begged the countess to confide her child to her care, and shewed her a bosom which proved her fruitfulness. This offer was madeat the foot of the stairs, and the countess accepted it with charminggrace and dignity. It was a delightful episode, which chance had willedshould adorn the entertainment I had invented. Everybody seemed happy, but I was the happiest of all. Happiness is purely a creature of theimagination. If you wish to be happy fancy that you are so, though Iconfess that circumstances favourable to this state are often beyond ourcontrol. On the other hand, unfavourable circumstances are mostly theresult of our own mistakes. 

The countess took my arm, and we led the way into my room which I foundexquisitely neat and clean. As I had expected, Zenobia was there, but Iwas surprised to see Croce's mistress, looking very pretty; however, Ipretended not to know her. She was well dressed, and her face, free fromthe sadness it had borne before, was so seductive in its beauty, that Ifelt vexed at her appearance at that particular moment. 

"Here are two pretty girls, " said the countess. "Who are you, pray?"

"We are the chevalier's humble servants, " said Zenobia, "and we are hereonly to wait on you. "

Zenobia had taken it on herself to bring her lodger, who began to speakItalian, and looked at me in doubt, fearing that I was displeased at herpresence. I had to reassure her by saying I was very glad she had comewith Zenobia. These words were as balm to her heart; she smiled again, and became more beautiful than ever. I felt certain that she would notremain unhappy long; it was impossible to behold her without one'sinterest being excited in her favour. A bill signed by the Graces cannever be protested; anyone with eyes and a heart honours it at sight. 

My humble servants took the ladies' cloaks and followed them into thebedroom, where the three dresses were laid out on a table. I only knewthe white satin and lace, for that was the only one I had designed. Thecountess, who walked before her sisters, was the first to notice it, andexclaimed, --

"What a lovely dress! To whom does it belong, M. De Seingalt? You oughtto know. "

"Certainly. It belongs to your husband who can do what he likes with it, and I hope, if he gives it you, you will take it. Take it, count; it isyours; and if you refuse I will positively kill myself. "

"We love you too well to drive you to an act of despair. The idea isworthy of your nobility of heart. I take your beautiful present with onehand, and with the other I deliver it to her to whom it really belongs. "

"What, dear husband! is this beautiful dress really mine? Whom am I tothank? I thank you both, and I must put it on for dinner. "

The two others were not made of such rich materials, but they were moreshowy, and I was delighted to see Clementine's longing gaze fixed uponthe one I had intended for her. Eleanore in her turn admired the dressthat had been made for her. The first was in shot satin, and ornamentedwith lovely wreaths of flowers; the second was sky-blue satin, with athousand flowers scattered all over it. Zenobia took upon herself to saythat the first was for Clementine. 

"How do you know?"

"It is the longer, and you are taller than your sister. "

"That is true. It is really mine, then?" said she, turning to me. 

"If I may hope that you will deign to accept it. "

"Surely, dear Iolas, and I will put it on directly. "

Eleanore maintained that her dress was the prettier, and said she wasdying to put it on. 

"Very good, very good!" I exclaimed, in high glee, "we will leave you todress, and here are your maids. "

I went out with the two brothers and the canon, and I remarked that theylooked quite confused. No doubt they were pondering the prodigality ofgamesters; light come, light go. I did not interrupt their thoughts, forI loved to astonish people. I confess it was a feeling of vanity whichraised me above my fellow-men-at least, in my own eyes, but that wasenough for me. I should have despised anyone who told me that I waslaughed at, but I daresay it was only the truth. 

I was in the highest spirits, and they soon proved infectious. I embracedCount Ambrose affectionately, begging his pardon for having presumed tomake the family a few small presents, and I thanked his brother forhaving introduced me to them. "You have all given me such a warmwelcome, " I added, "that I felt obliged to give you some small proof ofmy gratitude. "

The fair countesses soon appeared, bedecked with smiles and their gayattire. 

"You must have contrived to take our measures, " said they; "but we cannotimagine how you did it. "

"The funniest thing is, " said the eldest, "that you have had my dressmade so that it can be let out when necessary without destroying theshape. But what a beautiful piece of trimming! It is worth four times asmuch as the dress itself. "

Clementine could not keep away from the looking-glass. She fancied thatin the colours of her dress, rose and green, I had indicated thecharacteristics of the youthful Hebe. Eleanore still maintained that herdress was the prettiest of all. 

I was delighted with the pleasure of my fair guests, and we sat down totable with excellent appetites. The dinner was extremely choice; but thefinest dish of all was a dish of oysters, which the landlord had dresseda la maitre d'hotel. We enjoyed them immensely. We finished off threehundred of them, for the ladies relished them extremely, and the canonseemed to have an insatiable appetite; and we washed down the dishes withnumerous bottles of champagne. We stayed at table for three hours, drinking, singing, and jesting, while my humble servants, whose beautyalmost rivalled that of my guests, waited upon us. 

Towards the end of the meal the pastry-cook's wife came in with thecountess's baby on her breast. This was a dramatic stroke. The motherburst into a cry of joy, and the woman seemed quite proud of havingsuckled the scion of so illustrious a house for nearly four hours. It iswell known that women, even more than men, are wholly under the sway ofthe imagination. Who can say that this woman, simple and honest like themajority of the lower classes, did not think that her own offspring wouldbe ennobled by being suckled at the breast which had nourished a youngcount? Such an idea is, no doubt, foolish, but that is the very reasonwhy it is dear to the hearts of the people. 

We spent another hour in taking coffee and punch, and then the ladieswent to change their clothes again. Zenobia took care that their new onesshould be carefully packed in cardboard boxes and placed under the seatof my carriage. 

Croce's abandoned mistress found an opportunity of telling me that shewas very happy with Zenobia. She asked me when we were to go. 

"You will be at Marseilles, " said I, pressing her hand, "a fortnightafter Easter at latest. "

Zenobia had told me that the girl had an excellent heart, behaved verydiscreetly, and that she should be very sorry to see her go. I gaveZenobia twelve sequins for the trouble she had taken. 

I was satisfied with everything and paid the worthy pastry-cook's bill. Inoticed we had emptied no less than twenty bottles of champagne, thoughit is true that we drank very little of any other wine, as the ladiespreferred it. 

I loved and was beloved, my health was good, I had plenty of money, whichI spent freely; in fine, I was happy. I loved to say so in defiance ofthose sour moralists who pretend that there is no true happiness on thisearth. It is the expression on this earth which makes me laugh; as if itwere possible to go anywhere else in search of happiness. 'Mors ultimalinea rerum est'. Yes, death is the end of all, for after death man hasno senses; but I do not say that the soul shares the fate of the body. Noone should dogmatise on uncertainties, and after death everything isdoubtful. 

It was seven o'clock when we began our journey home, which we reached atmidnight. The journey was so pleasant that it seemed to us but short. Thechampagne, the punch, and the pleasure, had warmed my two faircompanions, and by favour of the darkness I was able to amuse myself withthem, though I loved Clementine too well to carry matters very far withher sister. 

When we alighted we wished each other good night, and everybody retiredto his or her room, myself excepted, for I spent several happy hours withClementine, which I can never forget. 

"Do you think, " said she, "that I shall be happy when you have left meall alone?"

"Dearest Hebe, both of us will be unhappy for the first few days, butthen philosophy will step in and soften the bitterness of parting withoutlessening our love. "

"Soften the bitterness! I do not think any philosophy can work such amiracle. I know that you, dear sophist, will soon console yourself withother girls. Don't think me jealous; I should abhor myself if I thought Iwas capable of so vile a passion, but I should despise myself if I wascapable of seeking consolation in your way. "

"I shall be in despair if you entertain such ideas of me. "

"They are natural, however. "

"Possibly. What you call 'other girls' can never expel your image from mybreast. The chief of them is the wife of a tailor, and the other is arespectable young woman, whom I am going to take back to Marseilles, whence she has been decoyed by her wretched seducer. 

"From henceforth to death, you and you alone will reign in my breast; andif, led astray by my senses, I ever press another in these arms, I shallsoon be punished for an act of infidelity in which my mind will have noshare. "

"I at all events will never need to repent in that fashion. But I cannotunderstand how, with your love for me, and holding me in your arms, youcan even contemplate the possibility of becoming unfaithful to me. "

"I don't contemplate it, dearest, I merely take it as an hypothesis. "

"I don't see much difference. "

What reply could I make? There was reason in what Clementine said, thoughshe was deceived, but her mistakes were due to her love. My love was soardent as to be blind to possible--nay, certain, infidelities. The onlycircumstance which made me more correct in my estimate of the future thanshe, was that this was by no means my first love affair. But if myreaders have been in the same position, as I suppose mast of them have, they will understand how difficult it is to answer such arguments comingfrom a woman one wishes to render happy. The keenest wit has to remainsilent and to take refuge in kisses. 

"Would you like to take me away with you?" said she, "I am ready tofollow you, and it would make me happy. If you love me, you ought to beenchanted for your own sake. Let us make each other happy, dearest. "

"I could not dishonour your family. "

"Do you not think me worthy of becoming your wife?"

"You are worthy of a crown, and it is I who am all unworthy of possessingsuch a wife. You must know that I have nothing in the world except myfortune, and that may leave me to-morrow. By myself I do not dread thereverses of fortune, but I should be wretched if, after linking your fatewith mine, you were forced to undergo any privation. "

"I think--I know not why--that you can never be unfortunate, and that youcannot be happy without me. Your love is not so ardent as mine; you havenot so great a faith. "

"My angel, if my fate is weaker than yours, that is the result of cruelexperience which makes me tremble for the future. Affrighted love losesits strength but gains reason. "

"Cruel reason! Must we, then, prepare to part?"

"We must indeed, dearest; it is a hard necessity, but my heart will stillbe thine. I shall go away your fervent adorer, and if fortune favours mein England you will see me again next year. I will buy an estate whereveryou like, and it shall be yours on your wedding day, our children andliterature will be our delights. "

"What a happy prospect!--a golden vision indeed! I would that I mightfall asleep dreaming thus, and wake not till that blessed day, or wakeonly to die if it is not to be. But what shall I do if you have left mewith child?"

"Divine Hebe, you need not fear. I have managed that. "

"Managed? I did not think of that, but I see what you mean, and I am verymuch obliged to you. Alas perhaps after all it would have been better ifyou had not taken any precautions, for surely you are not born for mymisfortune, and you could never have abandoned the mother and the child. "

"You are right, sweetheart, and if before two months have elapsed youfind any signs of pregnancy in spite of my precautions, you have only towrite to me, and whatever my fortunes may be, I will give you my hand andlegitimise our offspring. You would certainly be marrying beneath yourstation, but you would not be the less happy for that, would you?"

"No, no! to bear your name, and to win your hand would be the crowning ofall my hopes. I should never repent of giving myself wholly to you. "

"You make me happy. "

"All of us love you, all say that you are happy, and that you deserveyour happiness. What praise is this! You cannot tell how my heart beatswhen I hear you lauded when you are away. When they say I love you, Ianswer that I adore you, and you know that I do not lie. "

It was with such dialogues that we passed away the interval between ouramorous transports on the last five or six nights of my stay. Her sisterslept, or pretended to sleep. When I left Clementine I went to bed anddid not rise till late, and then I spent the whole day with her either inprivate or with the family. It was a happy time. How could I, as free asthe air, a perfect master of my movements, of my own free will put myhappiness away from me? I cannot understand it now. 

My luck had made me win all the worthy canon's money, which in turn Ipassed on to the family at the castle. Clementine alone would not profitby my inattentive play, but the last two days I insisted on taking herinto partnership, and as the canon's bad luck still continued sheprofited to the extent of a hundred louis. The worthy monk lost athousand sequins, of which seven hundred remained in the family. This waspaying well for the hospitality I had received, and as it was at theexpense of the monk, though a worthy one, the merit was all the greater. 

The last night, which I spent entirely with the countess, was very sad;we must have died of grief if we had not taken refuge in the transportsof love. Never was night better spent. Tears of grief and tears of lovefollowed one another in rapid succession, and nine times did I offer upsacrifice on the altar of the god, who gave me fresh strength to replacethat which was exhausted. The sanctuary was full of blood and tears, butthe desires of the priest and victim still cried for more. We had at lastto make an effort and part. Eleanore had seized the opportunity of oursleeping for a few moments, and had softly risen and left us alone. Wefelt grateful to her, and agreed that she must either be very insensitiveor have suffered torments in listening to our voluptuous combats. I leftClementine to her ablutions, of which she stood in great need, while Iwent to my room to make my toilette. 

When we appeared at the breakfast, table we looked as if we had been onthe rack, and Clementine's eyes betrayed her feelings, but our grief wasrespected. I could not be gay in my usual manner, but no one asked me thereason. I promised to write to them, and come and see them again thefollowing year. I did write to them, but I left off doing so at London, because the misfortunes I experienced there made me lose all hope ofseeing them again. I never did see any of them again, but I have neverforgotten Clementine. 

Six years later, when I came back from Spain, I heard to my great delightthat she was living happily with Count N----, whom she had married threeyears after my departure. She had two sons, the younger, who must now betwenty-seven, is in the Austrian army. How delighted I should be to seehim! When I heard of Clementine's happiness, it was, as I have said, onmy return from Spain, and my fortunes were at a low ebb. I went to seewhat I could do at Leghorn, and as I went through Lombardy I passed fourmiles from the estate where she and her husband resided, but I had notthe courage to go and see her; perhaps I was right. But I must return tothe thread of my story. 

I felt grateful to Eleanore for her kindness to us, and I had resolved toleave her some memorial of me. I took her apart for a moment, and drawinga fine cameo, representing the god of Silence, off my finger, I placed iton hers, and then rejoined the company, without giving her an opportunityto thank me. 

The carriage was ready to take me away, and everyone was waiting to seeme off, but my eyes filled with tears. I sought for Clementine in vain;she had vanished. I pretended to have forgotten something in my room, andgoing to my Hebe's chamber I found her in a terrible state, choking withsobs. I pressed her to my breast, and mingled my tears with hers; andthen laying her gently in her bed, and snatching a last kiss from hertrembling lips, I tore myself away from a place full of such sweet andagonizing memories. 

I thanked and embraced everyone, the good canon amongst others, andwhispering to Eleanore to see to her sister I jumped into the carriagebeside the count. We remained perfectly silent, and slept nearly thewhole of the way. We found the Marquis Triulzi and the countess together, and the former immediately sent for a dinner for four. I was not muchastonished to find that the countess had found out about our being atMilan, and at first she seemed inclined to let us feel the weight of heranger; but the count, always fertile in expedients, told her that it wasdelicacy on my part not to tell her, as I was afraid she would be put outwith such an incursion of visitors. 

At dinner I said that I should soon be leaving for Genoa, and for mysorrow the marquis gave me a letter of introduction to the notoriousSignora Isola-Bella, while the countess gave me a letter to her kinsmanthe Bishop of Tortona. 

My arrival at Milan was well-timed; Therese was on the point of going toPalermo, and I just succeeded in seeing her before she left. I talked toher of the wish of Cesarino to go to sea, and I did all in my power tomake her yield to his inclinations. 

"I am leaving him at Milan, " said she. "I know how he got this idea intohis head, but I will never give my consent. I hope I shall find him wiserby the time I come back. "

She was mistaken. My son never altered his mind, and in fifteen years myreaders will hear more of him. 

I settled my accounts with Greppi and took two bills of exchange onMarseilles, and one of ten thousand francs on Genoa, where I did notthink I would have to spend much money. In spite of my luck at play, Iwas poorer by a thousand sequins when I left Milan than when I camethere; but my extravagant expenditure must be taken into account. 

I spent all my afternoons with the fair Marchioness sometimes alone andsometimes with her cousin, but with my mind full of grief for Clementineshe no longer charmed me as she had done three weeks ago. 

I had no need to make any mystery about the young lady I was going totake with me, so I sent Clairmont for her small trunk, and at eighto'clock on the morning of my departure she waited on me at the count's. Ikissed the hand of the woman who had attempted my life, and thanked herfor her hospitality, to which I attributed the good reception I had hadat Milan. I then thanked the count, who said once more that he shouldnever cease to be grateful to me, and thus I left Milan on the 20th ofMarch, 1763. I never re-visited that splendid capital. 

The young lady, whom out of respect for her and her family I calledCrosin, was charming. There was an air of nobility and high-bred reserveabout her which bore witness to her excellent upbringing. As I sat nextto her, I congratulated myself on my immunity from love of her, but thereader will guess that I was mistaken. I told Clairmont that she was tobe called my niece, and to be treated with the utmost respect. 

I had had no opportunity of conversing with her, so the first thing I didwas to test her intelligence, and though I had not the slightestintention of paying my court to her, I felt that it would be well toinspire her with friendship and confidence as far as I was concerned. 

The scar which my late amours had left was still bleeding, and I was gladto think that I should be able to restore the young Marseillaise to thepaternal hearth without any painful partings or vain regrets. I enjoyedin advance my meritorious action, and I was quite vain to see myself-restraint come to such a pitch that I was able to live in closeintimacy with a pretty girl without any other desire than that ofrescuing her from the shame into which she might have fallen if she hadtraveled alone. She felt my kindness to her, and said, --

"I am sure M. De la Croix would not have abandoned me if he had not metyou at Milan. "

"You are very charitable, but I am unable to share in your good opinion. To my mind Croce has behaved in a rascally manner, to say the least ofit, for in spite of your many charms he had no right to count on me inthe matter. I will not say that he openly scorned you, since he mighthave acted from despair; but I am sure he must have ceased to love you, or he could never have abandoned you thus. "

"I am sure of the contrary. He saw that he had no means of providing forme, and he had to choose between leaving me and killing himself. "

"Not at all. He ought to have sold all he had and sent you back toMarseilles. Your journey to Genoa would not have cost much, and thenceyou could have gone to Marseilles by sea. Croce counted on my having beeninterested in your pretty face, and he was right; but you must see thathe exposed you to a great risk. You must not be offended if I tell youthe plain truth. If your face had not inspired me with a lively interestin you, I should have only felt ordinary compassion on reading yourappeal, and this would not have been enough to force me to greatsacrifices of time and trouble. But I have no business to be blamingCroce. You are hurt; I see you are still in love with him. "

"I confess it, and I pity him. As for myself, I only pity my crueldestiny. I shall never see him again, but I shall never love anyone else, for my mind is made up. I shall go into a convent and expiate my sins. Myfather will pardon me, for he is a man of an excellent heart. I have beenthe victim of love; my will was not my own. The seductive influence ofpassion ravished my reason from me, and the only thing that I blamemyself for is for not having fortified my mind against it. Otherwise Icannot see that I have sinned deeply, but I confess I have done wrong. "

"You would have gone with Croce from Milan if he had asked you, even onfoot. "

"Of course; it would have been my duty; but he would not expose me to themisery that he saw before us. "

"Nay, you were miserable enough already. I am sure that if you meet himat Marseilles you will go with him again. "

"Never. I begin to get back my reason. I am free once more, and the daywill come when I shall thank God for having forgotten him. "

Her sincerity pleased me, and as I knew too well the power of love Ipitied her from my heart. For two hours she told me the history of herunfortunate amour, and as she told it well I began to take a liking forher. 

We reached Tortona in the evening, and with the intention of sleepingthere I told Clairmont to get us a supper to my taste. While we wereeating it I was astonished at my false niece's wit, and she made a goodmatch for me at the meal, for she had an excellent appetite, and drank aswell as any girl of her age. As we were leaving the table, she made ajest which was so much to the point that I burst out laughing, and herconquest was complete. I embraced her in the joy of my heart, and findingmy kiss ardently returned, I asked her without any, circumlocution if shewas willing that we should content ourselves with one bed. 

At this invitation her face fell, and she replied, with an air ofsubmission which kills desire, --

"Alas! you can do what you like. If liberty is a precious thing, it ismost precious of all in love. "

"There is no need for this disobedience. You have inspired me with atender passion, but if you don't share my feelings my love for you shallbe stifled at its birth. There are two beds here, as you see; you canchoose which one you will sleep in. "

"Then I will sleep in that one, but I shall be very sorry if you are notso kind to me in the future as you have been in the past. "

"Don't be afraid. You shall not find me un worthy of your esteem. Goodnight; we shall be good friends. "

Early the next morning I sent the countess's letter to the bishop, and anhour afterwards, as I was at breakfast, an old priest came to ask me andthe lady with me to dine with my lord. The countess's letter did not sayanything about a lady, but the prelate, who was a true Spaniard and verypolite, felt that as I could not leave my real or false niece alone inthe inn I should not have accepted the invitation if she had not beenasked as well. Probably my lord had heard of the lady through hisfootmen, who in Italy are a sort of spies, who entertain their masterswith the scandalous gossip of the place. A bishop wants something morethan his breviary to amuse him now that the apostolic virtues have grownold-fashioned and out of date; in short, I accepted the invitation, charging the priest to present my respects to his lordship. 

My niece was delightful, and treated me as if I had no right to feel anyresentment for her having preferred her own bed to mine. I was pleasedwith her behaviour, for now that my head was cool I felt that she wouldhave degraded herself if she had acted otherwise. My vanity was not evenwounded, which is so often the case under similar circumstances. Self-love and prejudice prevent a woman yielding till she has beenassidiously courted, whereas I had asked her to share my bed in anoff-hand manner, as if it were a mere matter of form. However, I shouldnot have done it unless it had been for the fumes of the champagne andthe Somard, with which we had washed down the delicious supper mine hosthad supplied us with. She had been flattered by the bishop's invitation, but she did not know whether I had accepted for her as well as myself;and when I told her that we were going out to dinner together, she waswild with joy. She made a careful toilette, looking very well for atraveller, and at noon my lord's carriage came to fetch us. 

The prelate was a tall man, two inches taller than myself; and in spiteof the weight of his eighty years, he looked well and seemed quiteactive, though grave as became a Spanish grandee. He received us with apoliteness which was almost French, and when my niece would have kissedhis hand, according to custom, he affectionately drew it back, and gaveher a magnificent cross of amethysts and brilliants to kiss. She kissedit with devotion, saying, --

"This is what I love. "

She looked at me as she said it, and the jest (which referred to herlover La Croix or Croce) surprised me. 

We sat down to dinner, and I found the bishop to be a pleasant and alearned man. We were nine in all; four priests, and two young gentlemenof the town, who behaved to my niece with great politeness, which shereceived with all the manner of good society. I noticed that the bishop, though he often spoke to her, never once looked at her face. My lord knewwhat danger lurked in those bright eyes, and like a prudent greybeard hetook care not to fall into the snare. After coffee had been served, wetook leave, and in four hours we left Tortona, intending to lie at Novi. 

In the course of the afternoon my fair niece amused me with the wit andwisdom of her conversation. While we were supping I led the conversationup to the bishop, and then to religion, that I might see what herprinciples were. Finding her to be a good Christian, I asked her how shecould allow herself to make a jest when she kissed the prelate's cross. 

"It was a mere chance, " she said. "The equivocation was innocent becauseit was not premeditated, for if I had thought it over I should never havesaid such a thing. "

I pretended to believe her; she might possibly be sincere. She wasextremely clever, and my love for her was becoming more and more ardent, but my vanity kept my passion in check. When she went to bed I did notkiss her, but as her bed had no screen as at Tortona, she waited untilshe thought I was asleep to undress herself. We got to Genoa by noon thenext day. 

Pogomas had got me some rooms and had forwarded me the address. I visitedit, and found the apartment to consist of four well-furnished rooms, thoroughly comfortable, as the English, who understand how to take theirease, call it. I ordered a good dinner, and sent to tell Pogomas of myarrival.