THE MEMOIRS OF JACQUES CASANOVA DE SEINGALT

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

MEMOIRS OF JACQUES CASANOVA de SEINGALT 1725-1798 IN LONDON AND MOSCOW, Volume 5c--THE ENGLISH

THE ENGLISH

CHAPTER X

Eccentricity of the English--Castelbajac Count Schwerin--Sophie atSchool--My Reception at the Betting Club--The Charpillon

I passed a night which seemed like a never-ending nightmare, and I got upsad and savage, feeling as if I could kill a man on the smallestprovocation. It seemed as if the house, which I had hitherto thought sobeautiful, was like a millstone about my neck. I went out in mytravelling clothes, and walked into a coffee-house, where I saw a scoreof people reading the papers. 

I sat down, and, not understanding English, passed my time in gazing atthe goers and comers. I had been there some time when my attention wasattracted by the voice of a man speaking as follows in French:

"Tommy has committed suicide, and he was wise, for he was in such a statethat he could only expect unhappiness for the rest of his life. "

"You are quite mistaken, " said the other, with the greatest composure. "Iwas one of his creditors myself, and on making an inventory of hiseffects I feel satisfied that he has done a very foolish and a verychildish thing; he might have lived on comfortably, and not killedhimself for fully six months. "

At any other time this calculation would have made me laugh, and, as itwas, I felt as if the incident had done me good. 

I left the coffee-house without having said a word or spent a penny, andI went towards the Exchange to get some money. Bosanquet gave me what Iwanted directly, and as I walked out with him I noticed a curious-lookingindividual, whose name I asked. 

"He's worth a hundred thousand, " said the banker. 

"And who is that other man over there?"

"He's not worth a ten-pound note. "

"But I don't want to hear what they are worth; it's their names I want. "

"I really don't know. "

"How can you tell how much they are worth, not knowing their names?"

"Names don't go for anything here. What we want to know about a man ishow much he has got? Besides; what's in a name? Ask me for a thousandpounds and give me a proper receipt, and you can do it under the name ofSocrates or Attila, for all I care. You will pay me back my money asSocrates or Attila, and not as Seingalt; that is all. "

"But how about signing bills of exchange?"

"That's another thing; I must use the name which the drawer gives me. "

"I don't understand that. "

"Well, you see, you are not English, nor are you a business man. "

On leaving him I walked towards the park, but wishing to change atwenty-pound note before going in I went to a fat merchant, an epicurewhose acquaintance I had made at the tavern, and put down the note on hiscounter, begging him to cash it for me. 

"Come again in an hour, " said he, "I have no money by me just now. "

"Very good; I will call again when I come from the park. "

"Take back your note; you shall give it to me when I hand you the money. "

"Never mind; keep it. I don't doubt your honesty. "

"Don't be so foolish. If you left me the note I should certainly declineto hand over the money, if only for the sake of giving you a lesson. "

"I don't believe you are capable of such dishonesty. "

"Nor am I, but when it comes to such a simple thing as putting a banknote in your pocket, the most honest man in the world would never dreamof having such a thing in his possession without having paid the moneyfor it, and the least slip of memory might lead to a dispute in which youwould infallibly come off second best. "

"I feel the force of your arguments, especially in a town where so muchbusiness is carried on. "

When I got into the park I met Martinelli and thanked him for sending mea copy of the Decameron, while he congratulated me on my re-appearance insociety, and on the young lady of whom I had been the happy possessor andno doubt the slave. 

"My Lord Pembroke has seen her, " said he, "and thought her charming. "

"What? Where could he have seen her?"

"In a carriage with you driving fast along the Rochester road. It isthree or four days ago. "

"Then I may tell you that I was taking her to Calais; I shall never seeher face again. "

"Will you let the room again in the same way?"

"No, never again, though the god of love has been propitious to me. Ishall be glad to see you at my house whenever you like to come. "

"Shall I send you a note to warn you?"

"Not at all. "

We walked on talking about literature, manners, and so forth, in anaimless way. All at once, as we approached Buckingham House, I saw fiveor six persons, relieving nature amidst the bushes, with their hinderparts facing the passers-by. I thought this a disgusting piece ofindecency, and said as much to Martinelli, adding that the impudentrascals might at least turn their faces towards the path. 

"Not at all, " he exclaimed, "for then they might be recognized; whereasin exposing their posteriors they run no such risk; besides the sightmakes squeamish persons turn away. "

"You are right, but you will confess that the whole thing strikes astranger as very revolting. "

"Yes, there is nothing so ineradicable as national prejudice. You mayhave noticed that when an Englishman wants to ease his sluices in thestreet, he doesn't run up an alley or turn to the wall like we do. "

"Yes, I have noticed them turning towards the middle of the street, butif they thus escape the notice of the people in the shops and on thepavement they are seen by everybody who is driving in a carriage, andthat is as bad. "

"The people in the carriages need not look. "

"That is true. "

We walked on to the Green Park, and met Lord Pembroke on horseback. Hestopped and burst into exclamations on seeing me. As I guessed the causeof his surprise, I hastened to tell him that I was a free man once more, to my sorrow, and felt lonely amidst my splendour. 

"I feel rather curious about it, and perhaps I may come and keep youcompany to-day. "

We parted, and reckoning on seeing him at dinner I, went back to tell mycook that dinner was to be served in the large room. Martinelli had anengagement and could not come to dinner, but he led me out of the park bya door with which I was not acquainted, and sent me on my way. 

As we were going along we saw a crowd of people who seemed to be staringat something. Martinelli went up to the crowd, and then returned to me, saying, --

"That's a curious sight for you; you can enter it amidst your remarks onEnglish manners. "

"What is it?"

"A man at the point of death from a blow he has received in boxing withanother sturdy fellow. "

"Cannot anything be done?"

"There is a surgeon there who would bleed him, if he were allowed. "

"Who could prevent him?"

"That's the curious part of it. Two men have betted on his death orrecovery. One says, 'I'll bet twenty guineas he dies, ' and the othersays, 'Done. ' Number one will not allow the surgeon to bleed him, for ifthe man recovered his twenty guineas would be gone. "

"Poor man! what pitiless betters!"

"The English are very strange in their betting proclivities; they betabout everything. There is a Betting Club to which I will introduce you, if you like. "

"Do they speak French there?"

"Most certainly, for it is composed of men of wit and mark. "

"What do they do?"

"They talk and argue, and if one man brings forward a proposition whichanother denies, and one backs his opinion, the other has to bet too, onpain of a fine which goes to the common fund. "

"Introduce me to this delightful club, by all means; it will make myfortune, for I shall always take care to be on the right side. "

"You had better be careful; they are wary birds. "

"But to return to the dying man; what will be done to his antagonist?"

"His hand will be examined, and if it is found to be just the same asyours or mine it will be marked, and he will be let go. "

"I don't understand that, so kindly explain. How do they recognize adangerous hand?"

"If it is found to be marked already, it is a proof that he has killedhis man before and has been marked for it, with the warning, 'Take carenot to kill anyone else, for if you do you will be hanged. '"

"But supposing such a man is attacked?"

"He ought to shew his hand, and then his adversary would let him alone. "

"But if not?"

"Then he is defending himself; and if he kills his man he is acquitted, provided he can bring witnesses to swear that he was obliged to fight. "

"Since fighting with the fist may cause death, I wonder it is allowed. "

"It is only allowed for a wager. If the combatants do not put one or morepieces of money on the ground before the fight, and there is a death, theman is hanged. "

"What laws! What manners!"

In such ways I learnt much concerning the manner and customs of thisproud nation, at once so great and so little. 

The noble lord came to dinner, and I treated him in a manner to make himwish to come again. Although there were only the two of us, the meallasted a long time, as I was anxious for additional information on what Ihad heard in the morning, especially on the Betting Club. The worthyPembroke advised me not to have anything to do with it, unless I made upmy mind to keep perfect silence for four or five weeks. 

"But supposing they ask me a question?"

"Evade it. "

"Certainly, if I am not in a position to give my opinion; but if I havean opinion, the powers of Satan could not shut my mouth. "

"All the worse for you. "

"Are the members knaves?"

"Certainly not. They are noblemen, philosophers, and epicures; but theyare pitiless where a bet is concerned. "

"Is the club treasury rich?"

"Far from it; they are all ashamed to pay a fine, and prefer to bet. Whowill introduce you?"

"Martinelli. "

"Quite so; through Lord Spencer, who is a member. I would not becomeone. "

"Why not?"

"Because I don't like argument. "

"My taste runs the other way, so I shall try to get in. "

"By the way, M. De Seingalt, do you know that you are a veryextraordinary man?"

"For what reason, my lord?"

"You shut yourself up for a whole month with a woman who spent fourteenmonths in London without anybody making her acquaintance or evendiscovering her nationality. All the amateurs have taken a livelyinterest in the affair. "

"How did you find out that she spent fourteen months in London?"

"Because several persons saw her in the house of a worthy widow where shespent the first month. She would never have anything to say to anyadvances, but the bill in your window worked wonders. "

"Yes, and all the worse for me, for I feel as if I could never loveanother woman. "

"Oh, that's childish indeed! You will love another woman in a week-nay, perhaps to-morrow, if you will come and dine with me at my country house. A perfect French beauty has asked me to dine with her. I have told someof my friends who are fond of gaming. "

"Does the charming Frenchwoman like gaming?"

"No, but her husband does. "

"What's his name?"

"He calls himself Count de Castelbajac. "

"Ah! Castelbajac?"

"Yes. "

"He is a Gascon?"

"Yes. "

"Tall, thin, and dark, and marked with the smallpox?

"Exactly! I am delighted to find you know him. You will agree with methat his wife is very pretty?"

"I really can't say. I knew Castelbajac, as he calls himself, six yearsago, and I never heard he was married. I shall be delighted to join you, however. I must warn you not to say anything if he seems not to know me;he may possibly have good reasons for acting in that manner. Before longI will tell you a story which does not represent him in a veryadvantageous manner. I did not know he played. I shall take care to be onmy guard at the Betting Club, and I advise you, my lord, to be on yourguard in the society of Castelbajac. "

"I will not forget the warning. "

When Pembroke had left me I went to see Madame Cornelis, who had writtena week before to tell me my daughter was ill, and explained that she hadbeen turned from my doors on two occasions though she felt certain I wasin. To this I replied that I was in love, and so happy within my ownhouse that I had excluded all strangers, and with that she had to becontented, but the state in which I found little Sophie frightened me. She was lying in bed with high fever, she had grown much thinner, and hereyes seemed to say that she was dying of grief. Her mother was indespair, for she was passionately fond of the child, and I thought shewould have torn my eyes out when I told her that if Sophie died she wouldonly have herself to reproach. Sophie, who was very good-hearted, criedout, "No, no! papa dear;" and quieted her mother by her caresses. 

Nevertheless, I took the mother aside, and told her that the disease wassolely caused by Sophie's dread of her severity. 

"In spite of your affection, " said I, "you treat her with insufferabletyranny. Send her to a boarding-school for a couple of years, and let herassociate with girls of good family. Tell her this evening that she is togo to school, and see if she does not get better. "

"Yes, " said she, "but a good boarding-school costs a hundred guineas ayear, including masters. "

"If I approve of the school you select I will pay a year in advance. "

On my making this offer the woman, who seemed to be living soluxuriously, but was in reality poverty-stricken, embraced me with theutmost gratitude. 

"Come and tell the news to your daughter now, " said she, "I should liketo watch her face when she hears it. "

"Certainly. "

"My dear Sophie, " I said, "your mother agrees with me that if you had achange of air you would get better, and if you would like to spend a yearor two in a good school I will pay the first year in advance. "

"Of course, I will obey my dear mother, " said Sophie. 

"There is no question of obedience. Would you like to go to school? Tellme truly. "

"But would my mother like me to go?"

"Yes, my child, if it would please you. "

"Then, mamma, I should like to go very much. "

Her face flushed as she spoke, and I knew that my diagnosis had beencorrect. I left her saying I should hope to hear from her soon. 

At ten o'clock the next day Jarbe came to ask if I had forgotten myengagement. 

"No, " said I, "but it is only ten o'clock. "

"Yes, but we have twenty miles to go. "

"Twenty miles?"

"Certainly, the house is at St. Albans. "

"It's very strange Pembroke never told me; how did you find out theaddress?"

"He left it when he went away:"

"Just like an Englishman. "

I took a post-chaise, and in three hours I had reached my destination. The English roads are excellent, and the country offers a smilingprospect on every side. The vine is lacking, for though the English soilis fertile it will not bear grapes. 

Lord Pembroke's house was not a particularly large one, but twentymasters and their servants could easily be accommodated in it. 

The lady had not yet arrived, so my lord shewed me his gardens, hisfountains, and his magnificent hot-houses; also a cock chained by theleg, and of a truly ferocious aspect. 

"What have we here, my lord?"

"A cock. "

"I see it is, but why do you chain it?"

"Because it is savage. It is very amorous, and if it were loose it wouldgo after the hens, and kill all the cocks on the country-side. "

"But why do you condemn him to celibacy?"

"To make him fiercer. Here, this is the list of his conquests. "

He gave me a list of his cock's victories, in which he had killed theother bird; this had happened more than thirty times. He then shewed methe steel spurs, at the sight of which the cock began to ruffle and crow. I could not help laughing to see such a martial spirit in so small ananimal. He seemed possessed by the demon of strife, and lifted now onefoot and now the other, as if to beg that his arms might be put on. 

Pembroke then exhibited the helmet, also of steel. 

"But with such arms, " said I, "he is sure of conquest. "

"No; for when he is armed cap-a-pie he will not fight with a defencelesscock. "

"I can't believe it, my lord. "

"It's a well-known fact. Here, read this. "

He then gave me a piece of paper with this remarkable biped's pedigree. He could prove his thirty-two quarters more easily than a good manynoblemen, on the father's side, be it understood, for if he could haveproved pure blood on the mother's side as well, Lord Pembroke would havedecorated him with the Order of the Golden Fleece at least. 

"The bird cost me a hundred guineas, " said he, "but I would not sell himfor a thousand. "

"Has he any offspring?"

"He tries his best, but there are difficulties. "

I do not remember whether Lord Pembroke explained what these difficultieswere. Certainly the English offer more peculiarities to the attentiveobserver than any other nation. 

At last a carriage containing a lady and two gentlemen drove up to thedoor. One of the gentlemen was the rascally Castelbajac and the other wasintroduced as Count Schwerin, nephew of the famous marshal of that namewho fell on what is commonly called the field of glory. GeneralBekw---- an Englishman who was in the service of the King of Prussia, andwas one of Pembroke's guests, received Schwerin politely, saying that hehad seen his uncle die; at this the modest nephew drew the Order of theBlack Eagle from his breast, and shewed it to us all covered with blood. 

"My uncle wore it on the day of his death, and the King of Prussiaallowed me to keep it as a noble memorial of my kinsman. "

"Yes, " said an Englishman who was present, "but the coat-pocket is notthe place for a thing like that. "

Schwerin made as if he did not understand, and this enabled me to takehis measure. 

Lord Pembroke took possession of the lady, whom I did not think worthy ofbeing compared to Pauline. She was paler and shorter, and utterlydeficient in Pauline's noble air; besides, when she smiled it spoiled herface, and this is a defect in a woman, to whom laughter should always bebecoming. 

Lord Pembroke introduced us all to each other, and when he came to meCastelbajac said he was delighted to see me again, although he mighteasily have pretended not to know me under my name of Seingalt. 

We had a good English dinner, and afterwards the lady proposed a game offaro. My lord never played, so the general consented to amuse the companyby holding the bank, and placed a hundred guineas and several bank noteson the table. There might be a thousand guineas in all. He then gavetwenty counters to each punter, saying that every counter was worth tenshillings. As I only staked gold against gold I would not accept them. Bythe third deal Schwerin had lost his twenty counters and asked for twentymore; but the banker told him he must pay for them, and the self-styledfield-marshal's nephew lapsed into silence and played no more. 

At the following deal Castelbajac was in the same position as his friend, and being on my side he begged to be allowed to take ten pieces. 

"You will bring me ill-luck, " I said, coldly, warding off his hand; andhe went out to the garden, no doubt to swallow the affront he hadreceived. The lady said her husband had forgotten his pocketbook. An hourafterwards the game came to an end, and I took my leave, after invitingLord Pembroke and the rest of the company to dine with me the next day. 

I got home at eleven o'clock without meeting any highwaymen as I hadexpected, indeed I had put up six guineas in a small purse for theirspecial use and benefit. I woke up my cook to tell him that the next dayI should have twelve people to dinner, and that I hoped he would do mehonour. I found a letter from Madame Cornelis on my table telling me thatshe and her daughter would drive with me on the following Sunday, andthat we could go and see the boarding-school she had selected. 

Next day Lord Pembroke and the fair Frenchwoman were the first to arrive. They drove in a carriage with two rather uncomfortable seats, but thisdiscomfort is favourable to love. The Gascon and the Prussian were thelast to come. 

We sat down to table at two and left it at four, all of us well pleasedwith the cook, and still more so with the wine merchant; for though wehad emptied forty bottles of wine, not one of us was at all intoxicated. 

After coffee had been served the general invited us all to sup with him, and Madame Castelbajac begged me to hold a bank. I did not wait to bepressed but placed a thousand guineas on the table, and as I had nocounters of any kind I warned the company that I would only play goldagainst gold, and that I should stop playing whenever I thought fit. 

Before the game began the two counts paid their losses of the day beforeto the general in bank notes, which he begged me to change. I alsochanged two other notes presented to me by the same gentleman, and putthem all under my snuff-box. Play began. I had no croupier, so I wasobliged to deal slowly and keep an eye on the two counts, whose method ofplay was very questionable. At last both of them were dried up, andCastelbajac gave me a bill of exchange for two hundred guineas, beggingme to discount it for him. 

"I know nothing about business, " I replied. 

An Englishman took the bill, and after a careful examination said heneither knew the drawer, the accepter, nor the backer. 

"I am the backer, " said Castelbajac, "and that ought to be enough, Ithink. "

Everybody laughed, besides myself, and I gave it him back courteously, saying politely that he could get it discounted on 'Change the next day. He got up in a bad temper, and left the room, murmuring some insolentexpressions. Schwering followed him. 

After these two worthy gentlemen had left us, I went on dealing till thenight was far advanced, and then left off, though I was at a loss. However, the general had a run of luck, and I thought it best to stop. Before leaving he took me and Lord Pembroke aside, and begged me tocontrive that the two knaves should not come to his house the followingday. "For, " said he, "if that Gascon were to be half as insolent to me ashe was to you, I should shew him out by the window. "

Pembroke said he would tell the lady of the general's wishes. 

"Do you think, " said I, "that those four notes of theirs can beforgeries?"

"It's very possible. "

"What would you advise my doing to clear the matter up?"

"I would send them to the bank. "

"And if they should be forgeries?"

"I would have patience, or I would arrest the rascals. "

The next day I went to the bank myself, and the person to whom I gave thenotes gave me them back, saying, coldly, --

"These notes are bad, sir. "

"Be kind enough to examine them closely. "

"It's no good, they are evident forgeries. Return them to the person fromwhom you got them, and he will be only too glad to cash them. "

I was perfectly aware that I could put the two knaves under lock and key, but I did not want to do so. I went to Lord Pembroke to find out theiraddress, but he was still in bed, and one of his servants took me tothem. They were surprised to see me. I told them coolly enough that thefour notes were forged, and that I should feel much obliged if they wouldgive me forty guineas and take their notes back. 

"I haven't got any money, " said Castelbajac, "and what you say astonishesme very much. I can only return them to the persons who gave them to me, if the are really the same notes that we gave you yesterday. "

At this suggestion the blood rushed to my face, and with a witheringglance and an indignant apostrophe I left them. Lord Pembroke's servanttook me to a magistrate who, having heard my statement on oath, gave me apaper authorizing me to arrest two counts. I gave the document to analderman, who said he would see it was carried out, and I went home illpleased with the whole business. 

Martinelli was waiting for me; he had come to ask me to give him adinner. I told him my story, without adding that the knaves were to bearrested, and his advice delivered with philosophic calm was to make anauto-da-fe of the four notes. It was very good advice, but I did not takeit. 

The worthy Martinelli, thinking to oblige me, told me that he hadarranged with Lord Spencer the day on which I was to be introduced to theclub, but I answered that my fancy for going there was over. I ought tohave treated this learned and distinguished man with more politeness, butwho can sound human weakness to its depths? One often goes to a wise manfor advice which one has not the courage to follow. 

In the evening I went to the general's, and found the self-styledCountess Castelbajac seated on Lord Pembroke's knees. The supper was agood one, and passed off pleasantly; the two rascals were not there, andtheir absence was not remarked. When we left the table we went intoanother room, and played till day-break. I left the board with a loss oftwo or three hundred guineas. 

I did not wake till late the next morning, and when I did my man told methat a person wanted to speak to me. I had him shewn in, and as he onlyspoke English the negro had to be our interpreter. He was the chief ofthe police, and told me that if I would pay for the journey he wouldarrest Castelbajac at Dover, for which town he had started at noon. As tothe other he was sure of having him in the course of the night. I gavehim a guinea, and told him it would be enough to catch the one, and thatthe other could go where he liked. 

The next day was Sunday, the only day on which Madame Cornelis could goabroad without fear of the bailiff. She came to dine with me, and broughther daughter, whom the prospect of leaving her mother had quite cured. The school which Madame Cornelis had chosen was at Harwich, and we wentthere after dinner. 

The head-mistress was a Catholic, and though she must have been sixty, she looked keen, witty, and as if she knew the ways of the world. She hadreceived an introduction from Lady Harrington, and so welcomed the younglady in the most cordial manner. She had about fifteen young boarders ofthirteen or fourteen years of age. When she presented Sophie to them as anew companion, they crowded round her and covered her with caresses. Fiveor six were perfect angels of beauty, and two or three were hideouslyugly; and such extremes are more common in England than anywhere else. Mydaughter was the smallest of them all, but as far as beauty went she hadnothing to fear by comparison, and her talents placed her on a par withthe eldest, while she responded to their caresses with that ease whichlater in life is only acquired with great difficulty. 

We went over the house, and all the girls followed us, and those whocould speak French or Italian spoke to me, saying how much they wouldlove my daughter, while those who could not speak sufficiently well heldoff as if ashamed of their ignorance. We saw the bedrooms, thedining-room, the drawing-room, the harps and the pianos--in fact, everything, and I decided that Sophie could not be better placid. We wentinto the head-mistress's private room, and Madame Cornelis paid her ahundred guineas in advance, and obtained a receipt. We then agreed thatSophie should be received as a boarder as soon as she liked to come, thatshe was to bring her bed with her, and all the necessary linen. MadameCornelis made the final arrangements on the ensuing Sunday. 

Next day the alderman told me that Count Schwerin was a prisoner, andwanted to speak to me. I declined at first, but as the alderman'smessenger told me, through Jarbe, that the poor devil had not a farthingin his pocket, I was moved with compassion. As he was charged withuttering forged notes he had been taken to Newgate, and was in danger ofbeing hanged. 

I followed the magistrate's messenger, and cannot say how the woefulaspect, the tears and supplications for mercy of the poor wretch, movedmy heart. He swore that Castelbajac had given him the notes, but he addedthat he knew where they came from originally, and would tell me if Iwould release him. 

A little bitterness still remained in my breast, so I told him that if heknew who forged the notes he could certainly escape the gallows, but thatI should keep him prisoner till I got my money back. At this threat histears and supplications began over again and with renewed force, andtelling me that he was in utter poverty he emptied his pockets one afterthe other to shew me that he had no money, and at last offered me thebloodstained badge of his uncle. I was delighted to be able to relievehim without any appearance of weakness, and accepted the bauble as apledge, telling him that he should have it back on payment of fortypounds. 

I wrote out a formal release, and in his presence and in that of thealderman I burnt the four notes and set him free. 

Two days afterwards the so-called countess came to my house, saying thatnow Castelbajac and Schewirin were gone, she knew not where to lay herhead. She complained bitterly of Lord Pembroke, who deserted her aftermaking her give him the clearest proofs of her affection. By way ofconsolation I told her that it would be very foolish of him to haveabandoned her before instead of after. 

To get rid of her I was obliged to give her the money to pay her journeyto Calais. She told me she did not want to rejoin the Gascon, who was notreally her husband. We shall hear more of these persons in the course ofthree years. 

Two or three days later an Italian called on me, and gave me a letterfrom my friend Baletti, which recommended the bearer, Constantini, anative of Vicenza, to my good offices. He had come to London on a matterof importance in which I could help him. 

I assured M. Constantini that I was only too happy to do anything tojustify the confidence placed in my by one of my best friends, and hesaid that the long journey had almost exhausted his purse; but headded, --

"I know that my wife lives here, and that she is rich. I shall easilyfind out where she lives, and you know that as I am her husband all thatis hers is mine. "

"I was not aware of that. "

"Then you don't know the laws of this country?"

"Not at all. "

"I am sorry to hear it, but such is the case. I am going to her house, and I shall turn her out of doors with nothing else than the dress on herback, for the furniture, clothes, jewels, linen-in fact, all herpossessions, belong to me. May I ask you to be with me when I performthis exploit?"

I was astonished. I asked him if he had told Baletti what he intended todo. 

"You are the first person to whom I have disclosed my intentions. "

I could not treat him as a madman, for he did not look like one, and, concluding that there really might be the law he had alleged, I repliedthat I did not feel inclined to join him in his enterprise, of which Idisapproved very strongly, unless his wife had actually robbed him ofwhat she possessed. 

"She has only robbed me of my honour, sir, and she left me, taking hertalents with her. She must have made a great fortune here, and have I nota right to take it from her, were it only for vengeance sake?"

"That may be, but I ask you what you would think of me if I agreed tojoin you in an undertaking which seems a cruel one to me, however goodyour reasons may be. Besides I may know your wife, she may even be afriend of mine. "

"I will tell you her name. "

"No, I beg of you not to do so, although I do not know any MadameConstantini. "

"She has changed her name to Calori, and she sings at the 'Haymarket. '"

"I know who she is now. I am sorry you have told me. "

"I have no doubt you will keep my secret, and I am now going to find outwhere she lives; for that is the principal thing. "

He left me weeping, and I pitied him, but at the same time I was sorrythat he had made me the depositary of his secret. A few hours after Icalled on Madame Binetti, and she told me the histories of all theartistes in London. When she came to the Calori she told me that she hadhad several lovers out of whom she had made a great deal, but at presentshe had no lover, unless it were the violinist Giardini, with whom shewas in love in earnest. 

"Where does she come from?"

"From Vicenza. "

"Is she married?"

"I don't think so. "

I thought no more of this wretched business, but three or four days laterI had a letter from King's Bench Prison. It was from Constantini. Thepoor wretch said I was the only friend he had in London, and that hehoped I would come and see him, were it only to give him some advice. 

I thought it my duty to accede to his request, and I went to the prison, where I found the poor man in a wretched state, with an old Englishattorney, who spoke a little bad Italian, and was known to me. 

Constantini had been arrested the day before on account of several billsdrawn by his wife which had not been taken up. By these bills sheappeared in debt to the amount of a thousand guineas. The attorney hadgot the five bills, and he was trying to make some arrangements with thehusband. 

I saw at once that the whole thing was a scandalous swindle, for MadameBinetti had told me that the Calori was very rich. I begged the attorneyto leave me alone with the prisoner, as I wanted to have some privateconversation with him. 

"They have arrested me for my wife's debts, " said he, "and they tell me Imust pay them because I am her husband. "

"It's a trick your wife has played on you; she must have found out youwere in London. "

"She saw me through the window. "

"Why did you delay putting your project into execution?"

"I meant to carry it out this morning, but how was I to know that she haddebts?"

"Nor has she any debts; these bills are shams. They must have beenante-dated, for they were really executed yesterday. It's a bad business, and she may have to pay dearly for it. "

"But in the meanwhile I am in prison. "

"Never mind, trust to me, I will see you again tomorrow. "

This scurvy trick had made me angry, and I made up my mind to take up thepoor man's cause. I went to Bosanquet, who told me that the device was avery common one in London, but that people had found out the way todefeat it. Finally, he said that if the prisoner interested me he wouldput the case into the hands of a barrister who would extricate him fromhis difficulty, and make the wife and the lover, who had probably helpedher, repent of their day's work. I begged him to act as if my interestswere at stake, and promised to guarantee all expenses. 

"That's enough, " said he; "don't trouble yourself any more about it. "

Same days after Mr. Bosanquet came to tell me that Constantini had leftthe prison and England as well, according to what the barrister who hadcharge of the case told him. 

"Impossible!"

"Not at all. The lover of his wife, foreseeing the storm that was aboutto burst over their heads, got round the fellow, and made him leave thecountry by means of a sum more or less large. "

The affair was over, but it was soon in all the newspapers, garnishedwith all the wit imaginable, and Giardini was warmly praised for theaction he had taken. 

As for me I was glad enough to have the matter over, but I felt vexedwith Constantini for having fled without giving the lovers a lesson. Iwrote an account of the circumstances to Baletti, and I heard from MadameBinetti that the Calori had given her husband a hundred guineas to leavethe country. Some years later I saw the Calori at Prague. 

A Flemish officer, the man whom I had helped at Aix-la-Chapelle, hadcalled on me several times, and had even dined three or four times withme. I reproached myself for not having been polite enough to return hiscall, and when we met in the street, and he reproached me for not havingbeen to see him, I was obliged to blush. He had his wife and daughterwith him, and some feeling of shame and a good deal of curiosity made mecall on him. 

When he saw me he threw his arms about my neck, calling me his preserver. I was obliged to receive all the compliments which knaves make to honestmen when they hope to take them in. A few moments after, an old woman anda girl came in, and I was introduced as the Chevalier de Seingalt, ofwhom he had spoken so often. The girl, affecting surprise, said she hadknown a M. Casanova, who was very like me. I answered that Casanova wasmy name as well as Seingalt, but that I had not the happiness ofrecollecting her. 

"My name was Anspergher when I saw you, " she replied, "but now it isCharpillon; and considering that we only met once, and that I was onlythirteen at the time, I do not wonder at your not recollecting me. I havebeen in London with my mother and aunts for the last four years. "

"But where had I the pleasure of speaking to you?"

"At Paris. "

"In what part of Paris?"

"In the Bazaar. You were with a charming lady, and you gave me thesebuckles" (she shewed me them on her shoes), "and you also did me thehonour to kiss me. "

I recollected the circumstance, and the reader will remember that I waswith Madame Baret, the fair stocking-seller. 

"Now I remember you, " said I; "but I do not recognize your aunt. "

"This is the sister of the one you saw, but if you will take tea with usyou will see her. "

"Where do you live?"

"In Denmark Street, Soho. "

CHAPTER XI

The Charpillon--Dreadful Consequences of My Acquaintance With Her

The name Charpillon reminded me that I was the bearer of a letter forher, and drawing it from my pocket-book I gave it her, saying that thedocument ought to cement our acquaintance. 

"What!" she exclaimed, "a letter from the dear ambassador Morosini. Howdelighted I am to have it! And you have actually been all these months inLondon without giving it me?"

"I confess I am to blame, but, as you see, the note has no address on it. I am grateful for the chance which has enabled me to discharge mycommission to-day. "

"Come and dine with us to-morrow. "

"I cannot do so, as I am expecting Lord Pembroke to dinner. "

"Will you be alone?"

"I expect so. "

"I am glad to hear it; you will see my aunt and myself appearing on thescene. "

"Here is my address; and I shall be delighted if you will come and seeme. "

She took the address, and I was surprised to see her smile as she readit. 

"Then you are the Italian, " she said, "who put up that notice that amusedall the town?"

"I am. "

"They say the joke cost you dear. "

"Quite the reverse; it resulted in the greatest happiness. "

"But now that the beloved object has left you, I suppose you areunhappy?"

"I am; but there are sorrows so sweet that they are almost joys. "

"Nobody knows who she was, but I suppose you do?"

"Yes. "

"Do you make a mystery of it?"

"Surely, and I would rather die than reveal it. "

"Ask my aunt if I may take some rooms in your house; but I am afraid mymother would not let me. "

"Why do you want to lodge cheaply?"

"I don't want to lodge cheaply, but I should like to punish the audaciousauthor of that notice. "

"How would you punish me?"

"By making you fall in love with me, and then tormenting you. It wouldhave amused me immensely. "

"Then you think that you can inspire me with love, and at the same timeform the dreadful plan of tyrannising over the victim of your charms. Such a project is monstrous, and unhappily for us poor men, you do notlook a monster. Nevertheless, I am obliged to you for your frankness, andI shall be on my guard. "

"Then you must take care never to see me, or else all your efforts willbe in vain. "

As the Charpillon had laughed merrily through the whole of this dialogue, I took it all as a jest, but I could not help admiring her manner, whichseemed made for the subjugation of men. But though I knew it not, the dayI made that woman's acquaintance was a luckless one for me, as my readerswill see. 

It was towards the end of the month of September, 1763, when I met theCharpillon, and from that day I began to die. If the lines of ascent anddeclination are equal, now, on the first day of November, 1797, I haveabout four more years of life to reckon on, which will pass by swiftly, according to the axiom 'Motus in fine velocior'. 

The Charpillon, who was well known in London, and I believe is stillalive, was one of those beauties in whom it is difficult to find anypositive fault. Her hair was chestnut coloured, and astonishingly longand thick, her blue eyes were at once languorous and brilliant, her skin, faintly tinged with a rosy hue, was of a dazzling whiteness; she was tallfor her age, and seemed likely to become as tall as Pauline. Her breastwas perhaps a little small, but perfectly shaped, her hands were whiteand plump, her feet small, and her gait had something noble and gracious. Her features were of that exquisite sensibility which gives so much charmto the fair sex, but nature had given her a beautiful body and a deformedsoul. This siren had formed a design to wreck my happiness even beforeshe knew me, and as if to add to her triumph she told me as much. 

I left Malingan's house not like a man who, fond of the fair sex, is gladto have made the acquaintance of a beautiful woman, but in a state ofstupefaction that the image of Pauline, which was always before me, wasnot strong enough to overcome the influence of a creature like theCharpillon, whom in my heart I could not help despising. 

I calmed myself by saying that this strong impression was due to novelty, and by hoping that I should soon be disenchanted. 

"She will have no charm, " said I, "when I have once possessed her, andthat will not be long in coming. " Perhaps the reader will think that Iwas too presumptuous, but why should I suppose that there would be anydifficulty? She had asked me to dinner herself, she had surrenderedherself entirely to Morosini, who was not the man to sigh for long at anywoman's feet, and must have paid her, for he was not young enough norhandsome enough to inspire her with a fancy for him. Without counting myphysical attractions, I had plenty of money, and I was not afraid ofspending it; and so I thought I could count on an easy victory. 

Pembroke had become an intimate friend of mine since my proceedings withregard to Schwerin. He admired my conduct in not making any claim on thegeneral for half my loss. He had said we would make a pleasant day of ittogether, and when he saw that my table was laid for four he asked whothe other guests were to be. He was extremely surprised when he heardthat they were the Charpillon and her aunt, and that the girl had invitedherself when she heard he was to dine with me. 

"I once took a violent fancy for the little hussy, " said he. "It was oneevening when I was at Vauxhall, and I offered her twenty guineas if shewould come and take a little walk with me in a dark alley. She said shewould come if I gave her the money in advance, which I was fool enough todo. She went with me, but as soon as we were alone she ran away, and Icould not catch her again, though I looked for her all the evening. "

"You ought to have boxed her ears before everybody. "

"I should have got into trouble, and people would have laughed at mebesides. I preferred to despise her and the money too. Are you in lovewith her?"

"No; but I am curious, as you were. "

"Take care! she will do all in her power to entrap you. "

She came in and went up to my lord with the most perfect coolness, andbegan to chatter away to him without taking any notice of me. Shelaughed, joked, and reproached him for not having pursued her atVauxhall. Her stratagem, she said, was only meant to excite him the more. 

"Another time, " she added, "I shall not escape you. "

"Perhaps not, my dear, for another time I shall take care not to pay inadvance. "

"Oh, fie! you degrade yourself by talking about paying. "

"I suppose I honour you. "

"We never talk of such things. "

Lord Pembroke laughed at her impertinences, while she made a vigorousassault on him, for his coolness and indifference piqued her. 

She left us soon after dinner, making me promise to dine with her the dayafter next. 

I passed the next day with the amiable nobleman who initiated me into themysteries of the English bagnio, an entertainment which I shall notdescribe, for it is well known to all who care to spend six guineas. 

On the day appointed, my evil destiny made me go to the Charpillon's; thegirl introduced me to her mother, whom I at once recollected, althoughshe had aged and altered since I had seen her. 

In the year 1759 a Genevan named Bolome had persuaded me to sell herjewels to the extent of six thousand francs, and she had paid me in billsdrawn by her and her two sisters on this Bolome, but they were then knownas Anspergher. The Genevan became bankrupt before the bills were due, andthe three sisters disappeared. As may be imagined, I was surprised tofind them in England, and especially to be introduced to them by theCharpillon, who, knowing nothing of the affair of the jewels, had nottold them that Seingalt was the same as Casanova, whom they had cheatedof six thousand francs. 

"I am delighted to see you again, " were the first words I addressed toher. 

"I recollect you, sir; that rascal Bolome . . . . "

"We will discuss that subject another time. I see you are ill. "

"I have been at death's door, but I am better now. My daughter did nottell me your proper name. "

"Yes, she did. My name is Seingalt as well as Casanova. I was known bythe latter name at Paris when I made your daughter's acquaintance, thoughI did not know then that she was your daughter. "

Just then the grandmother, whose name was also Anspergher, came in withthe two aunts, and a quarter of an hour later three men arrived, one ofwhom was the Chevalier Goudar, whom I had met at Paris. I did not knowthe others who were introduced to me under the names of Rostaing andCaumon. They were three friends of the household, whose business it wasto bring in dupes. 

Such was the infamous company in which I found myself, and though I tookits measure directly, yet I did not make my escape, nor did I resolvenever to go to the house again. I was fascinated; I thought I would be onmy guard and be safe, and as I only wanted the daughter I looked on allelse as of little moment. 

At table I led the conversation, and thought that my prey would soon bewithin my grasp. The only thing which annoyed me was that the Charpillon, after apologizing for having made me sit down to such a poor dinner, invited herself and all the company to sup with me on any day I liked tomention. I could make no opposition, so I begged her to name the dayherself, and she did so, after a consultation with her worthy friends. 

After coffee had been served we played four rubbers of whist, at which Ilost, and at midnight I went away ill pleased with myself, but with nopurpose of amendment, for this sorceress had got me in her toils. 

All the same I had the strength of mind to refrain from seeing her fortwo days, and on the third, which was the day appointed for the cursedsupper, she and her aunt paid me a call at nine o'clock in the morning. 

"I have come to breakfast with you, and to discuss a certain question, "said she, in the most engaging manner. 

"Will you tell me your business now, or after breakfast?"

"After breakfast; for we must be alone. "

We had our breakfast, and then the aunt went into another room, and theCharpillon, after describing the monetary situation of the family, toldme that it would be much relieved if her aunt could obtain a hundredguineas. 

"What would she do with the money?"

"She would make the Balm of Life, of which she possesses the secret, andno doubt she would make her fortune, too. "

She then began to dilate on the marvellous properties of the balm, on itsprobable success in a town like London, and on the benefits which wouldaccrue to myself, for of course I should share in the profits. She addedthat her mother and aunt would give me a written promise to repay themoney in the course of six years. 

"I will give you a decided answer after supper. "

I then began to caress her, and to make assaults in the style of anamorous man, but it was all in vain, though I succeeded in stretching heron a large sofa. She made her escape, however, and ran to her aunt, whileI followed her, feeling obliged to laugh as she did. She gave me herhand, and said, --

"Farewell, till this evening. "

When they were gone, I reflected over what had passed and thought thisfirst scene of no bad augury. I saw that I should get nothing out of herwithout spending a hundred guineas, and I determined not to attempt tobargain, but I would let her understand that she must make up her mindnot to play prude. The game was in my hands, and all I had to do was totake care not to be duped. 

In the evening the company arrived, and the girl asked me to hold a banktill supper was ready; but I declined, with a burst of laughter thatseemed to puzzle her. 

"At least, let us have a game of whist, " said she. 

"It seems to me, " I answered, "that you don't feel very anxious to hearmy reply. "

"You have made up your mind, I suppose?"

"I have, follow me. "

She followed me into an adjoining room, and after she had seated herselfon a sofa, I told her that the hundred guineas were at her disposal. 

"Then please to give the money to my aunt, otherwise these gentlemenmight think I got it from you by some improper means. "

"I will do so. "

I tried to get possession of her, but in vain; and I ceased my endeavourswhen she said, --

"You will get nothing from me either by money or violence; but you canhope for all when I find you really nice and quiet. "

I re-entered the drawing-room, and feeling my blood boiling I began toplay to quiet myself. She was as gay as ever, but her gaiety tired me. Atsupper I had her on my right hand, but the hundred impertinences which, under other circumstances, would have amused me, only wearied me, afterthe two rebuffs I had received from her. 

After supper, just as they were going, she took me aside, and told methat if I wanted to hand over the hundred guineas she would tell her auntto go with me into the next room. 

"As documents have to be executed, " I replied, "it will take some time;we will talk of it again. 

"Won't you fix the time?"

I drew out my purse full of gold, and shewed it her, saying, --

"The time depends entirely on you. "

When my hateful guests were gone, I began to reflect, and came to theconclusion that this young adventuress had determined to plunder mewithout giving me anything in return. I determined to have nothing moreto do with her, but I could not get her beauty out of my mind. 

I felt I wanted some distraction, something that would give me new aimsand make me forget her. With this idea I went to see my daughter, takingwith me an immense bag of sweets. 

As soon as I was in the midst of the little flock, the delight becamegeneral, Sophie distributing the sweetmeats to her friends, who receivedthem gratefully. 

I spent a happy day, and for a week or two I paid several visits toHarwich. The mistress treated me with the utmost politeness and mydaughter with boundless affection, always calling me "dear papa. "

In less than three weeks I congratulated myself on having forgotten theCharpillon, and on having replaced her by innocent amours, though one ofmy daughter's schoolmates pleased me rather too much for my peace ofmind. 

Such was my condition when one morning the favourite aunt of theCharpillon paid me a call, and said that they were all mystified at nothaving seen me since the supper I had given them, especially herself, asher niece had given her to understand that I would furnish her with themeans of making the Balm of Life. 

"Certainly; I would have given you the hundred guineas if your niece hadtreated me as a friend, but she refused me favours a vestal might havegranted, and you must be aware that she is by no means a vestal. "

"Don't mind my laughing. My niece is an innocent, giddy girl; she lovesyou, but she is afraid you have only a passing whim for her. She is inbed now with a bad cold, and if you will come and see her I am sure youwill be satisfied. "

These artful remarks, which had no doubt been prepared in advance, oughtto have aroused all my scorn, but instead of that they awakened the mostviolent desires. I laughed in chorus with the old woman, and asked whatwould be the best time to call. 

"Come now, and give one knock. "

"Very good, then you may expect me shortly. "

I congratulated myself on being on the verge of success, for after theexplanation I had had with the aunt, and having, as I thought, a friendin her, I did not doubt that I should succeed. 

I put on my great coat, and in less than a quarter of an hour I knockedat their door. The aunt opened to me, and said, --

"Come back in a quarter of an hour; she has been ordered a bath, and isjust going to take it. "

"This is another imposture. You're as bad a liar as she is. "

"You are cruel and unjust, and if you will promise to be discreet, I willtake you up to the third floor where she is bathing. "

"Very good; take me. " She went upstairs, I following on tiptoe, andpushed me into a room, and shut the door upon me. The Charpillon was in ahuge bath, with her head towards the door, and the infernal coquette, pretending to think it was her aunt, did not move, and said, --

"Give me the towels, aunt. "

She was in the most seductive posture, and I had the pleasure of gazingon her exquisite proportions, hardly veiled by the water. 

When she caught sight of me, or rather pretended to do so, she gave ashriek, huddled her limbs together, and said, with affected anger, --

"Begone!"

"You needn't exert your voice, for I am not going to be duped. "

"Begone!"

"Not so, give me a little time to collect myself. "

"I tell you, go!"

"Calm yourself, and don't be afraid of my skewing you any violence; thatwould suit your game too well. "

"My aunt shall pay dearly for this. "

"She will find me her friend. I won't touch you, so shew me a little moreof your charms. "

"More of my charms?"

"Yes; put yourself as you were when I came in. "

"Certainly not. Leave the room. "

"I have told you I am not going, and that you need not fear for your. . . . Well, for your virginity, we will say. "

She then shewed me a picture more seductive than the first, andpretending kindliness, said, --

"Please, leave me; I will not fail to shew my gratitude. "

Seeing that she got nothing, that I refrained from touching her, and thatthe fire she had kindled was in a fair way to be put out, she turned herback to me to give me to understand that it was no pleasure to her tolook at me. However, my passions were running high, and I had to haverecourse to self-abuse to calm my senses, and was glad to find myselfrelieved, as this proved to me that the desire went no deeper than thesenses. 

The aunt came in just as I had finished, and I went out without a word, well pleased to find myself despising a character wherein profit and lossusurped the place of feeling. 

The aunt came to me as I was going out of the house, and after enquiringif I were satisfied begged me to come into the parlour. 

"Yes, " said I, "I am perfectly satisfied to know you and your niece. Hereis the reward. "

With these words I drew a bank-note for a hundred pounds from mypocket-book, and was foolish enough to give it her, telling her that shecould make her balm, and need not trouble to give me any document as Iknew if would be of no value. I had not the strength to go away withoutgiving her anything, and the procuress was sharp enough to know it. 

When I got home I reflected on what had happened, and pronounced myselfthe conqueror with great triumph. I felt well at ease, and felt sure thatI should never set foot in that house again. There were seven of themaltogether, including servants, and the need of subsisting made them doanything for a living; and when they found themselves obliged to make useof men, they summoned the three rascals I have named, who were equallydependent on them. 

Five or six days afterwards, I met the little hussy at Vauxhall incompany with Goudar. I avoided her at first, but she came up to mereproaching me for my rudeness. I replied coolly enough, but affectingnot to notice my manner, she asked me to come into an arbour with her andtake a cup of tea. 

"No, thank you, " I replied, "I prefer supper. "

"Then I will take some too, and you will give it me, won't you, just toshew that you bear no malice?"

I ordered supper for four and we sat down together as if we had beenintimate friends. 

Her charming conversation combined with her beauty gradually drew meunder her charm, and as the drink began to exercise its influence overme, I proposed a turn in one of the dark walks, expressing a hope that Ishould fare better than Lord Pembroke. She said gently, and with anappearance of sincerity that deceived me, that she wanted to be mine, butby day and on the condition that I would come and see her every day. 

"I will do so, but first give me one little proof of your love. "

"Most certainly not. "

I got up to pay the bill, and then I left without a word, refusing totake her home. I went home by myself and went to bed. 

The first thought when I awoke was that I was glad she had not taken meat my word; I felt very strongly that it was to my interest to break offall connection between that creature and myself. I felt the strength ofher influence over me, and that my only way was to keep away from her, orto renounce all pretension to the possession of her charms. 

The latter plan seemed to me impossible, so I determined to adhere to thefirst; but the wretched woman had resolved to defeat all my plans. Themanner in which she succeeded must have been the result of a council ofthe whole society. 

A few days after the Vauxhall supper Goudar called on me, and began bycongratulating me on my resolution not to visit the Ansperghers any more, "for, " said he, "the girl would have made you more and more in love withher, and in the end she would have seduced you to beggary. "

"You must think me a great fool. If I had found her kind I should havebeen grateful, but without squandering all my money; and if she had beencruel, instead of ridiculous, I might have given her what I have alreadygiven her every day, without reducing myself to beggary. "

"I congratulate you; it shews that you are well off. But have you made upyour mind not to see her again?"

"Certainly. "

"Then you are not in love with her?"

"I have been in love, but I am so no longer; and in a few days she willhave passed completely out of my memory. I had almost forgotten her whenI met her with you at Vauxhall. "

"You are not cured. The way to be cured of an amour does not lie inflight, when the two parties live in the same town. Meetings will happen, and all the trouble has to be taken over again. "

"Then do you know a better way?"

"Certainly; you should satiate yourself. It is quite possible that thecreature is not in love with you, but you are rich and she has nothing. You might have had her for so much, and you could have left her when youfound her to be unworthy of your constancy. You must know what kind of awoman she is. "

"I should have tried this method gladly, but I found her out. "

"You could have got the best of her, though, if you had gone to work inthe proper way. You should never have paid in advance. I knoweverything. "

"What do you mean?"

"I know she has cost you a hundred guineas, and that you have not won somuch as a kiss from her. Why, my dear sir, you might have had hercomfortably in your own bed for as much! She boasts that she took you in, though you pride yourself on your craft. "

"It was an act of charity towards her aunt. "

"Yes, to make her Balm of Life; but you know if it had not been for theniece the aunt would never have had the money. "

"Perhaps not, but how come you who are of their party to be talking to mein this fashion?"

"I swear to you I only speak out of friendship for you, and I will tellyou how I came to make the acquaintance of the girl, her mother, hergrandmother and her two aunts, and then you will no longer consider me asof their party. 

"Sixteen months ago I saw M. Morosini walking about Vauxhall by himself. He had just come to England to congratulate the king on his accession tothe throne, on behalf of the Republic of Venice. I saw how enchanted hewas with the London beauties, and I went up to him and told him that allthese beauties were at his service. This made him laugh, and on myrepeating that it was not a jest he pointed out one of the girls, andasked if she would be at his service. I did not know her, so I asked himto wait awhile, and I would bring him the information he required. Therewas no time to be lost, and I could see that the girl was not a vestalvirgin, so I went up to her and told her that the Venetian ambassador wasamorous of her, and that I would take her to him if she would receive hisvisits. The aunt said that a nobleman of such an exalted rank could onlybring honour to her niece. I took their address, and on my way back tothe ambassador I met a friend of mine who is learned in such commodities, and after I had shewed him the address he told me it was the Charpillon. "

"And it was she?"

"It was. My friend told me she was a young Swiss girl who was not yet inthe general market, but who would soon be there, as she was not rich, andhad a numerous train to support. 

"I rejoined the Venetian, and told him that his business was done, andasked him at what time I should introduce him the next day, warning himthat as she had a mother and aunts she would not be alone. 

"'I am glad to hear it, ' said he, 'and also that she is not a commonwoman. ' He gave me an appointment for the next day, and we parted. 

"I told the ladies at what hour I should have the pleasure of introducingthe great man to them, and after warning them that they must appear notto know him I went home. 

"The following day I called on M. De Morosini, and took him to DenmarkStreet incognito. We spent an hour in conversation, and then went awaywithout anything being settled. On the way back the ambassador told methat he should like to have the girl on conditions which he would give mein writing at his residence. 

"These conditions were that she should live in a furnished house free ofrent, without any companion, and without receiving any visitors. Hisexcellency would give her fifty guineas a month, and pay for supperwhenever he came and spent the night with her. He told me to get thehouse if his conditions were received. The mother was to sign theagreement. 

"The ambassador was in a hurry, and in three days the agreement wassigned; but I obtained a document from the mother promising to let mehave the girl for one night as soon as the Venetian had gone; it wasknown he was only stopping in London for a year. "

Goudar extracted the document in question from his pocket, and gave it tome. I read it and re-read it with as much surprise as pleasure, and hethen proceeded with his story. 

"When the ambassador had gone, the Charpillon, finding herself at libertyonce more, had Lord Baltimore, Lord Grosvenor, and M. De Saa, thePortuguese ambassador, in turn, but no titular lover. I insisted onhaving my night with her according to agreement, but both mother anddaughter laughed at me when I spoke of it. I cannot arrest her, becauseshe is a minor, but I will have the mother imprisoned on the firstopportunity, and you will see how the town will laugh. Now you know why Igo to their house; and I assure you you are wrong if you think I have anypart in their councils. Nevertheless, I know they are discussing how theymay catch you, and they will do so if you do not take care. "

"Tell the mother that I have another hundred guineas at her service ifshe will let me have her daughter for a single night. "

"Do you mean that?"

"Assuredly, but I am not going to pay in advance. "

"That's the only way not to be duped. I shall be glad to execute yourcommission. "

I kept the rogue to dinner, thinking he might be useful to me. He kneweverything and everybody, and told me a number of amusing anecdotes. Although a good-for-nothing fellow, he had his merits. He had writtenseveral works, which, though badly constructed, shewed he was a man ofsome wit. He was then writing his "Chinese Spy, " and every day he wrotefive or six news-letters from the various coffee-houses he frequented. Iwrote one or two letters for him, with which he was much pleased. Thereader will see how I met him again at Naples some years later. 

The next morning, what was my surprise to see the Charpillon, who saidwith an air that I should have taken for modesty in any other woman, --

"I don't want you to give me any breakfast, I want an explanation, and tointroduce Miss Lorenzi to you. "

I bowed to her and to her companion, and then said, --

"What explanation do you require?"

At this, Miss Lorenzi, whom I had never seen before, thought proper toleave us, and I told my man that I was not at home to anybody. I orderedbreakfast to be served to the companion of the nymph, that she might notfind the waiting tedious. 

"Sir, " said the Charpillon, "is it a fact that you charged the ChevalierGoudar to tell my mother that you would give a hundred guineas to spendthe night with me?"

"No, not to spend a night with you, but after I had passed it. Isn't theprice enough?"

"No jesting, sir, if you please. There is no question of bargaining; allI want to know is whether you think you have a right to insult me, andthat I am going to bear it?"

"If you think yourself insulted, I may, perhaps, confess I was wrong; butI confess I did not think I should have to listen to any reproaches fromyou. Gondar is one of your intimate friends, and this is not the firstproposal he has taken to you. I could not address you directly, as I knowyour arts only too well. "

"I shall not pay any attention to your abuse of my self; I will onlyremind you of what I said 'that neither money nor violence were of anyuse, ' and that your only way was to make me in love with you by gentlemeans. Shew me where I have broken my word! It is you that have foreswornyourself in coming into my bath-room, and in sending such a brutalmessage to my mother. No one but a rascal like Goudar would have dared totake such a message. "

"Goudar a rascal, is he? Well, he is your best friend. You know he is inlove with you, and that he only got you for the ambassador in the hope ofenjoying you himself. The document in his possession proves that you havebehaved badly towards him. You are in his debt, discharge it, and thencall him a rascal if you have the conscience to do so. You need nottrouble to weep, for I knew the source of those tears; it is defiled. "

"You know nothing of it. I love you, and it is hard to have you treat meso. "

"You love me? You have not taken the best way to prove it!"

"As good a way as yours. You have behaved to me as if I were the vilestof prostitutes, and yesterday you seemed to think I was a brute beast, the slave of my mother. You should have written to me in person, andwithout the intervention of so vile an agent; I should have replied inthe same way, and you need not have been afraid that you would bedeceived. "

"Supposing I had written, what would your answer have been?"

"I should have put all money matters out of question. I should havepromised to content you on the condition that you would come and court mefor a fortnight without demanding the slightest favour. We should havelived a pleasant life; we should have gone to the theatre and to theparks. I should have become madly in love with you. Then I should havegiven myself up to you for love, and nothing but love. I am ashamed tosay that hitherto I have only given myself out of mere complaisance. Unhappy woman that I am! but I think nature meant me to love, and Ithought when I saw you that my happy star had sent you to England that Imight know the bliss of true affection. Instead of this you have onlymade me unhappy. You are the first man that has seen me weep; you havetroubled my peace at home, for my mother shall never have the sum youpromised her were it for nothing but a kiss. "

"I am sorry to have injured you, though I did not intend to do so; but Ireally don't know what I can do. "

"Come and see us, and keep your money, which I despise. If you love me, come and conquer me like a reasonable and not a brutal lover; and I willhelp you, for now you cannot doubt that I love you. "

All this seemed so natural to me that I never dreamed it contained atrap. I was caught, and I promised to do what she wished, but only for afortnight. She confirmed her promise, and her countenance became oncemore serene and calm. The Charpillon was a born actress. 

She got up to go, and on my begging a kiss as a pledge of ourreconciliation she replied, with a smile, the charm of which she wellknew, that it would not do to begin by breaking the term of ouragreement, and she left me more in love than ever, and full of repentancefor my conduct. 

CHAPTER XII

Goudar's Chair

If she had written all this to me instead of coming and delivering itviva voce, it would probably have produced no effect; there would havebeen no tears, no ravishing features. She probably calculated all this, for women have a wonderful instinct in these matters. 

That very evening I began my visits, and judged from my welcome that mytriumph was nigh at hand. But love fills our minds with idle visions, anddraws a veil over the truth. 

The fortnight went by without my even kissing her hand, and every time Icame I brought some expensive gift, which seemed cheap to me when Iobtained such smiles of gratitude in exchange. Besides these presents, not a day passed without some excursion to the country or party at thetheatre; that fortnight must have cost me four hundred guineas at theleast. 

At last it came to an end, and I asked her in the presence of her motherwhere she would spend the night with me, there or at my house. The mothersaid that we would settle it after supper, and I made no objection, notliking to tell her that in my house the supper would be more succulent, and a better prelude for the kind of exercise I expected to enjoy. 

When we had supped the mother took me aside, and asked me to leave withthe company and then to come back. I obeyed, laughing to myself at thisfoolish mystery, and when I came back I found the mother and the daughterin the parlour, in which a bed had been laid on the floor. 

Though I did not much care for this arrangement, I was too amorous toraise any objection at a moment when I thought my triumph was at hand;but I was astonished when the mother asked me if I would like to pay thehundred guineas in advance. 

"Oh, fie!" exclaimed the girl; and her mother left the room, and welocked the door. 

My amorous feelings, so long pent up within my breast, would soon findrelief. I approached her with open arms; but she avoided my caress, andgently begged me to get into bed while she prepared to follow me. Iwatched her undress with delight, but when she had finished she put outthe candles. I complained of this act of hers, but she said she could notsleep with the light shining on her. I began to suspect that I might havesome difficulties thrown in my way to sharpen the pleasure, but Idetermined to be resigned and to overcome them all. 

When I felt her in the bed I tried to clasp her in my arms, but foundthat she had wrapped herself up in her long night-gown; her arms werecrossed, and her head buried in her chest. I entreated, scolded, cursed, but all in vain; she let me go on, and answered not a word. 

At first I thought it was a joke, but I soon found out my mistake; theveil fell from my eyes and I saw myself in my true colours, the degradeddupe of a vile prostitute. 

Love easily becomes fury. I began to handle her roughly, but she resistedand did not speak. I tore her night-gown to rags, but I could not tear itentirely off her. My rage grew terrible, my hands became talons, and Itreated her with the utmost cruelty; but all for nothing. At last, withmy hand on her throat, I felt tempted to strangle her; and then I knew itwas time for me to go. 

It was a dreadful night. I spoke to this monster of a woman in everymanner and tone-with gentleness, with argument, rage, remonstrance, prayers, tears, and abuse, but she resisted me for three hours withoutabandoning her painful position, in spite of the torments I made herendure. 

At three o'clock in the morning, feeling my mind and body in a state ofexhaustion, I got up and dressed myself by my sense of touch. I openedthe parlour door, and finding the street door locked I shook it till aservant came and let me out. I went home and got into bed, but excitednature refused me the sleep I needed so. I took a cup of chocolate, butit would not stay on my stomach, and soon after a shivering fit warned methat I was feverish. I continued to be ill till the next day, and thenthe fever left me in a state of complete exhaustion. 

As I was obliged to keep to my bed for a few days, I knew that I shouldsoon get my health again; but my chief consolation was that at last I wascured. My shame had made me hate myself. 

When I felt the fever coming on I told my man not to let anybody come tosee me, and to place all my letters in my desk; for I wanted to beperfectly well before I troubled myself with anything. 

On the fourth day I was better, and I told Jarbe to give me my letters. Ifound one from Pauline, dated from Madrid, in which she informed me thatClairmont had saved her life while they were fording a river, and she haddetermined to keep him till she got to Lisbon, and would then send himback by sea. I congratulated myself at the time on her resolve; but itwas a fatal one for Clairmont, and indirectly for me also. Four monthsafter, I heard that the ship in which he had sailed had been wrecked, andas I never heard from him again I could only conclude that my faithfulservant had perished amidst the waves. 

Amongst my London letters I found two from the infamous mother of theinfamous Charpillon, and one from the girl herself. The first of themother's letters, written before I was ill, told me that her daughter wasill in bed, covered with bruises from the blows I had given her, so thatshe would be obliged to institute legal proceedings against me. In thesecond letter she said she had heard I too was ill, and that she wassorry to hear it, her daughter having informed her that I had some reasonfor my anger; however, she would not fail to justify herself on the firstopportunity. The Charpillon said in her letter that she knew she had donewrong, and that she wondered I had not killed her when I took her by thethroat. She added that no doubt I had made up my mind to visit her nomore, but she hoped I would allow her one interview as she had animportant communication to make to me. There was also a note from Goudar, saying that he wanted to speak to me, and that he would come at noon. Igave orders that he should be admitted. 

This curious individual began by astonishing me; he told me the wholestory of what had taken place, the mother having been his informant. 

"The Charpillon, " he added, "has not got a fever, but is covered withbruises. What grieves the old woman most is that she has not got thehundred guineas. "

"She would have had them the next morning, " I said, "if her daughter hadbeen tractable. "

"Her mother had made her swear that she would not be tractable, and youneed not hope to possess her without the mother's consent. "

"Why won't she consent?"

"Because she thinks that you will abandon the girl as soon as you haveenjoyed her. "

"Possibly, but she would have received many valuable presents, and nowshe is abandoned and has nothing. "

"Have you made up your mind not to have anything more to do with her?"

"Quite. "

"That's your wisest plan, and I advise you to keep to it, nevertheless Iwant to shew you something which will surprise you. I will be back in amoment. "

He returned, followed by a porter, who carried up an arm-chair coveredwith a cloth. As soon as we were alone, Goudar took off the covering andasked me if I would buy it. 

"What should I do with it? It is not a very attractive piece offurniture. "

"Nevertheless, the price of it is a hundred guineas. "

"I would not give three. "

"This arm-chair has five springs, which come into play all at once assoon as anyone sits down in it. Two springs catch the two arms and holdthem tightly, two others separate the legs, and the fifth lifts up theseat. "

After this description Goudar sat down quite naturally in the chair andthe springs came into play and forced him into the position of a woman inlabour. 

"Get the fair Charpillon to sit in this chair, " said he, "and yourbusiness is done. "

I could not help laughing at the contrivance, which struck me as at onceingenious and diabolical, but I could not make up my mind to avail myselfof it. 

"I won't buy it, " said I, "but I shall be obliged if you will leave ithere till to-morrow. "

"I can't leave it here an hour unless you will buy it; the owner iswaiting close by to hear your answer. "

"Then take it away and come back to dinner. "

He shewed me how I was to release him from his ridiculous position, andthen after covering it up again he called the porter and went away. 

There could be no doubt as to the action of the machinery, and it was nofeeling of avarice which hindered me from buying the chair. As I havesaid, it seemed rather a diabolical idea, and besides it might easilyhave sent me to the gallows. Furthermore, I should never have had thestrength of mind to enjoy the Charpillon forcibly, especially by means ofthe wonderful chair, the mechanism of which would have frightened her outof her wits. 

At dinner I told Goudar that the Charpillon had demanded an interview, and that I had wished to keep the chair so as to shew her that I couldhave her if I liked. I shewed him the letter, and he advised me to accedeto her request, if only for curiosity's sake. 

I was in no hurry to see the creature while the marks on her face andneck were still fresh, so I spent seven or eight days without making upmy mind to receive her. Goudar came every day, and told me of theconfabulations of these women who had made up their minds not to livesave by trickery. 

He told me that the grandmother had taken the name of Anspergher withouthaving any right to it, as she was merely the mistress of a worthycitizen of Berne, by whom she had four daughters; the mother of theCharpillon was the youngest of the family, and, as she was pretty andloose in her morals, the Government had exiled her with her mother andsisters. They had then betaken themselves to Franche-Comte, where theylived for some time on the Balm of Life. Here it was that the Charpilloncame into the world, her mother attributing her to a Count deBoulainvilliers. The child grew up pretty, and the family removed toParis under the impression that it would be the best market for such acommodity, but in the course of four years the income from the Balmhaving dwindled greatly, the Charpillon being still too young to beprofitable, and debtors closing round them on every side, they resolvedto come to London. 

He then proceeded to tell me of the various tricks and cheats which keptthem all alive. I found his narrative interesting enough then, but thereader would find it dull, and I expect will be grateful for my passingit over. 

I felt that it was fortunate for me that I had Goudar, who introduced meto all the most famous courtezans in London, above all to the illustriousKitty Fisher, who was just beginning to be fashionable. He alsointroduced me to a girl of sixteen, a veritable prodigy of beauty, whoserved at the bar of a tavern at which we took a bottle of strong beer. She was an Irishwoman and a Catholic, and was named Sarah. I should haveliked to get possession of her, but Goudar had views of his own on thesubject, and carried her off in the course of the next year. He ended bymarrying her, and she was the Sara Goudar who shone at Naples, Florence, Venice, and elsewhere. We shall hear of her in four or five years, stillwith her husband. Goudar had conceived the plan of making her take theplace of Dubarry, mistress of Louis XV. , but a lettre de cachet compelledhim to try elsewhere. Ah! happy days of lettres de cachet, you have gonenever to return!

The Charpillon waited a fortnight for me to reply, and then resolved toreturn to the charge in person. This was no doubt the result of aconference of the most secret kind, for I heard nothing of it fromGondar. 

She came to see my by herself in a sedan-chair, and I decided on seeingher. I was taking my chocolate and I let her come in without rising oroffering her any breakfast. She asked me to give her some with greatmodesty, and put up her face for me to give her a kiss, but I turned myhead away. However, she was not in the least disconcerted. 

"I suppose the marks of the blows you gave me make my face so repulsive?"

"You lie; I never struck you. "

"No, but your tiger-like claws have left bruises all over me. Look here. No, you needn't be afraid that what you see may prove too seductive;besides, it will have no novelty for you. "

So saying the wretched creature let me see her body, on which some lividmarks were still visible. 

Coward that I was! Why did I not look another way? I will tell you: itwas because she was so beautiful, and because a woman's charms areunworthy of the name if they cannot silence reason. I affected only tolook at the bruises, but it was an empty farce. I blush for myself; herewas I conquered by a simple girl, ignorant of well nigh everything. Butshe knew well enough that I was inhaling the poison at every pore. All atonce she dropped her clothes and came and sat beside me, feeling surethat I should have relished a continuance of the spectacle. 

However, I made an effort and said, coldly, that it was all her ownfault. 

"I know it is, " said she, "for if I had been tractable as I ought to havebeen, you would have been loving instead of cruel. But repentance effacessin, and I am come to beg pardon. May I hope to obtain it?"

"Certainly; I am angry with you no longer, but I cannot forgive myself. Now go, and trouble me no more. "

"I will if you like, but there is something you have not heard, and I begyou will listen to me a moment. "

"As I have nothing to do you can say what you have got to say, I willlisten to you. "

In spite of the coldness of my words, I was really profoundly touched, and the worst of it was that I began to believe in the genuineness of hermotives. 

She might have relieved herself of what she had to say in a quarter of anhour, but by dint of tears, sighs, groans, digressions, and so forth, shetook two hours to tell me that her mother had made her swear to pass thenight as she had done. She ended by saying that she would like to be mineas she had been M. Morosini's, to live with me, and only to go out undermy escort, while I might allow her a monthly sum which she would handover to her mother, who would, in that case, leave her alone. 

She dined with me, and it was in the evening that she made thisproposition. I suppose because she thought me ripe for another cheat. Itold her that it might be arranged, but that I should prefer to settlewith her mother, and that she would see me at their house the followingday, and this seemed to surprise her. 

It is possible that the Charpillon would have granted me any favour onthat day, and then there would have been no question of deception orresistance for the future. Why did I not press her? Because sometimeslove stupefies instead of quickens, and because I had been in a way herjudge, and I thought it would be base of me to revenge myself on her bysatisfying my amorous desires, and possibly because I was a fool, as Ihave often been in the course of my existence. She must have left me in astate of irritation, and no doubt she registered a vow to revenge herselfon me for the half-contemptuous way in which I had treated her. 

Goudar was astonished when he heard of her visit, and of the way in whichI had spent the day. I begged him to get me a small furnished house, andin the evening I went to see the infamous woman in her own house. 

She was with her mother, and I laid my proposal before them. 

"Your daughter will have a house at Chelsea, " said I to the mother, "where I can go and see her whenever I like, and also fifty guineas amonth to do what she likes with. "

"I don't care what you give her a month, " she replied, "but before I lether leave my house she must give me the hundred guineas she was to havehad when she slept with you. "

"It is your fault that she didn't have them; however, to cut the mattershort, she shall give them to you. "

"And in the meanwhile, till you have found the house, I hope you willcome and see me. "

"Yes. "

The next day Goudar shewed me a pretty house at Chelsea, and I took it, paying ten guineas, a month's rent, in advance, for which I received areceipt. In the afternoon I concluded the bargain with the mother, theCharpillon being present. The mother asked me to give her the hundredguineas, and I did so, not fearing any treachery, as nearly the whole ofthe girl's clothing was already at Chelsea. 

In due course we went to our country house. The Charpillon liked thehouse immensely, and after a short talk we supped merrily together. Aftersupper we went to bed, and she granted me some slight preliminaryfavours, but when I would have attained my end I found an obstacle whichI had not expected. She gave me some physiological reasons for thecircumstances, but not being a man to stop for so little, I would havegone on, but she resisted, and yet with such gentleness that I left heralone and went to sleep. I awoke sooner than she did, and determined tosee whether she had imposed on me; so I raised her night-gown carefully, and took off her linen only to find that I had been duped once more. Thisroused her, and she tried to stop me, but it was too late. However, Igently chid her for the trick, and feeling disposed to forgive it setabout making up for lost time, but she got on the high horse, andpretended to be hurt at my taking her by surprise. I tried to calm her byrenewed tenderness, but the wretched creature only got more furious, andwould give me nothing. I left her alone, but I expressed my opinion ofher in pretty strong terms. The impudent slut honoured me with a smile ofdisdain, and then beginning to dress herself she proceeded to indulge inimpertinent repartees. This made me angry, and I gave her a box on theears which stretched her at full length on the floor. She shrieked, stamped her feet, and made a hideous uproar; the landlord came up, andshe began to speak to him in English, while the blood gushed from hernose. 

The man fortunately spoke Italian, and told me that she wanted to goaway, and advised me to let her do so, or she might make it awkward forme, and he himself would be obliged to witness against me. 

"Tell her to begone as fast as she likes, " said I, "and to keep out of mysight for ever. "

She finished dressing, staunched the blood, and went off in asedan-chair, while I remained petrified, feeling that I did not deserveto live, and finding her conduct utterly outrageous and incomprehensible. 

After an hour's consideration I decided on sending her back her trunk, and then I went home and to bed, telling my servants I was not at home toanyone. 

I spent twenty-four hours in pondering over my wrongs, and at last myreason told me that the fault was mine; I despised myself. I was on thebrink of suicide, but happily I escaped that fate. 

I was just going out when Goudar came up and made me go in with him, ashe said he wanted to speak to me. After telling me that the Charpillonhad come home with a swollen cheek which prevented her shewing herself, he advised me to abandon all claims on her or her mother, or the latterwould bring a false accusation against me which might cost me my life. Those who know England, and especially London will not need to beinformed as to the nature of this accusation, which is so easily broughtin England; it will suffice to say that through it Sodom was overwhelmed. 

"The mother has engaged me to mediate, " said Goudar, "and if you willleave her alone, she will do you no harm. "

I spent the day with him, foolishly complaining, and telling him that hecould assure the mother that I would take no proceedings against her, butthat I should like to know if she had the courage to receive thisassurance from my own lips. 

"I will carry your message, " said he, "but I pity you; for you are goinginto their nets again, and will end in utter ruin. "

I fancied they would be ashamed to see me; but I was very much mistaken, for Goudar came back laughing, and said the mother expressed a hope thatI should always be the friend of the family. I ought to have refused tohave anything more to do with them, but I had not the strength to playthe man. I called at Denmark Street the same evening, and spent an hourwithout uttering a syllable. The Charpillon sat opposite to me, with eyeslowered to a piece of embroidery, while from time to time she pretendedto wipe away a tear as she let me see the ravages I had worked on hercheek. 

I saw her every day and always in silence till the fatal mark haddisappeared, but during these mad visits the poison of desire was soinstilled into my veins that if she had known my state of mind she mighthave despoiled me of all I possessed for a single favour. 

When she was once more as beautiful as ever I felt as if I must die if Idid not hold her in my arms again, and I bought a magnificent pier-glassand a splendid breakfast service in Dresden china, and sent them to herwith an amorous epistle which must have made her think me either the mostextravagant or the most cowardly of men. She wrote in answer that shewould expect me to sup with her in her room, that she might give me thetenderest proofs of her gratitude. 

This letter sent me completely mad with joy, and in a paroxysm of delightI resolved to surrender to her keeping the two bills of exchange whichBolomee had given me, and which gave me power to send her mother andaunts to prison. 

Full of the happiness that awaited me, and enchanted with my own idioticheroism, I went to her in the evening. She received me in the parlourwith her mother, and I was delighted to see the pier-glass over themantel, and the china displayed on a little table. After a hundred wordsof love and tenderness she asked me to come up to her room, and hermother wished us good night. I was overwhelmed with joy. After a delicatelittle supper I took out the bills of exchange, and after telling hertheir history gave them up to her, to shew that I had no intention ofavenging myself on her mother and aunts. I made her promise that shewould never part with them, and she said she would never do so, and withmany expressions of gratitude and wonder at my generosity she locked themup with great care. 

Then I thought it was time to give her some marks of my passion, and Ifound her kind; but when I would have plucked the fruit, she clasped meto her arms, crossed her legs, and began to weep bitterly. 

I made an effort, and asked her if she would be the same when we were inbed. She sighed, and after a moment's pause, replied, "Yes. "

For a quarter of an hour I remained silent and motionless, as ifpetrified. At last I rose with apparent coolness, and took my cloak andsword. 

"What!" said she, "are you not going to spend the night with me?"

"No. "

"But we shall see each other to-morrow?"

"I hope so. Good night. "

I left that infernal abode, and went home to bed. 

CHAPTER XIII

The End of the Story Stranger Than the Beginning

At eight o'clock the next morning Jarbe told me that the Charpillonwanted to see me, and that she had sent away her chairmen. 

"Tell her that I can't see her. "

But I had hardly spoken when she came in, and Jarbe went out. I addressedher with the utmost calmness, and begged her to give me back the twobills of exchange I had placed in her hands the night before. 

"I haven't got them about me; but why do you want me to return them toyou?"

At this question I could contain myself no longer, and launched a stormof abuse at her. It was an explosion which relieved nature, and endedwith an involuntary shower of tears. My infamous seductress stood ascalmly as Innocence itself; and when I was so choked with sobs that Icould not utter a word, she said she had only been cruel because hermother had made her swear an oath never to give herself to anyone in herown house, and that she had only come now to convince me of her love, togive herself to me without reserve, and never to leave me any more if Iwished it. 

The reader who imagines that at these words rage gave place to love, andthat I hastened to obtain the prize, does not know the nature of thepassion so well as the vile woman whose plaything I was. From hot love tohot anger is a short journey, but the return is slow and difficult. Ifthere be only anger in a man's breast it may be subdued by tenderness, bysubmission, and affection; but when to anger is added a feeling ofindignation at having been shamefully deceived, it is impossible to passsuddenly to thoughts of love and voluptuous enjoyment. With me mere angerhas never been of long duration, but when I am indignant the only cure isforgetfulness. 

The Charpillon knew perfectly well that I would not take her at her word, and this kind of science was inborn in her. The instinct of women teachesthem greater secrets than all the philosophy and the research of men. 

In the evening this monster left me, feigning to be disappointed anddisconsolate, and saying, --

"I hope you will come and see me again when you are once more yourself. "

She had spent eight hours with me, during which time she had only spokento deny my suppositions, which were perfectly true, but which she couldnot afford to let pass. I had not taken anything all day, in order that Imight not be obliged to offer her anything or to eat with her. 

After she had left me I took some soup and then enjoyed a quiet sleep, for which I felt all the better. When I came to consider what had passedthe day before I concluded that the Charpillon was repentant, but Iseemed no longer to care anything about her. 

Here I may as well confess, in all humility, what a change love worked onme in London, though I had attained the age of thirty-eight. Here closedthe first act of my life; the second closed when I left Venice in 1783, and probably the third will close here, as I amuse myself by writingthese memoirs. Thus, the three-act comedy will finish, and if it behissed, as may possibly be the case, I shall not hear the sounds ofdisapproval. But as yet the reader has not seen the last and I think themost interesting scene of the first act. 

I went for a walk in the Green Park and met Goudar. I was glad to seehim, as the rogue was useful to me. 

"I have just been at the Charpillons, " he began; "they were all in highspirits. I tried in vain to turn the conversation on you, but not a wordwould they utter. "

"I despise them entirely, " I rejoined, "I don't want to have anythingmore to do with them. "

He told me I was quite right, and advised me to persevere in my plan. Imade him dine with me, and then we went to see the well-known procuress, Mrs. Wells, and saw the celebrated courtezan, Kitty Fisher, who waswaiting for the Duke of---- to take her to a ball. She was magnificentlydressed, and it is no exaggeration to say that she had on diamonds worthfive hundred thousand francs. Goudar told me that if I liked I might haveher then and there for ten guineas. I did not care to do so, however, for, though charming, she could only speak English, and I liked to haveall my senses, including that of hearing, gratified. When she had gone, Mrs. Wells told us that Kitty had eaten a bank-note for a thousandguineas, on a slice of bread and butter, that very day. The note was apresent from Sir Akins, brother of the fair Mrs. Pitt. I do not knowwhether the bank thanked Kitty for the present she had made it. 

I spent an hour with a girl named Kennedy, a fair Irishwoman, who couldspeak a sort of French, and behaved most extravagantly under theinfluence of champagne; but the image of the Charpillon was still beforeme, though I knew it not, and I could not enjoy anything. I went homefeeling sad and ill pleased with myself. Common sense told me to driveall thoughts of that wretched woman out of my head, but something Icalled honour bade me not leave her the triumph of having won the twobills of exchange from me for nothing, and made me determine to get themback by fair means or foul. 

M. Malingan, at whose house I had made the acquaintance of this creature, come and asked me to dinner. He had asked me to dine with him severaltimes before, and I had always refused, and now I would not accept untilI had heard what guests he had invited. The names were all strange to me, so I agreed to come. 

When I arrived I found two young ladies from Liege, in one of whom I gotinterested directly. She introduced me to her husband, and to anotheryoung man who seemed to be the cavalier of the other lady, her cousin. 

The company pleased me, and I was in hopes that I should spend a happyday, but my evil genius brought the Charpillon to mar the feast. She cameinto the room in high glee, and said to Malingan, --

"I should not have come to beg you to give me a dinner if I had knownthat you would have so many guests, and if I am at all in the way I willgo. "

Everybody welcomed her, myself excepted, for I was on the rack. To makematters worse, she was placed at my left hand. If she had come in beforewe sat down to dinner I should have made some excuse and gone away, butas we had begun the soup a sudden flight would have covered me withridicule. I adopted the plan of not looking at her, reserving all mypoliteness for the lady on my right. When the meal was over Malingan tookme apart, and swore to me that he had not invited the Charpillon, but Iwas not convinced, though I pretended to be for politeness' sake. 

The two ladies from Liege and their cavaliers were embarking for Ostendin a few days, and in speaking of their departure the one to whom I hadtaken a fancy said that she was sorry to be leaving England withouthaving seen Richmond. I begged her to give me the pleasure of shewing ither, and without waiting for an answer I asked her husband and all thecompany to be present, excepting the Charpillon, whom I pretended not tosee. 

The invitation was accepted. 

"Two carriages, " I said, "holding four each, shall be ready at eighto'clock, and we shall be exactly eight. "

"No, nine, for I am coming, " said the Charpillon, giving me an impudentstare, "and I hope you will not drive me away. "

"No, that would be impolite, I will ride in front on horseback. "

"Oh, not at all! Emilie shall sit on my lap. "

Emilie was Malingan's daughter, and as everybody seemed to think thearrangement an extremely pleasant one I had not the courage to resist. Afew moments after, I was obliged to leave the room for a few moments, andwhen I came back I met her on the landing. She told me I had insulted hergrievously, and that unless I made amends I should feel her vengeance. 

"You can begin your vengeance, " I said, "by returning my bills ofexchange. "

"You shall have them to-morrow, but you had better try and make me forgetthe insult you have put on me. "

I left the company in the evening, having arranged that we should allbreakfast together the next day. 

At eight o'clock the two carriages were ready, and Malingan, his wife, his daughter, and the two gentlemen got into the first vehicle, and I hadto get into the second with the ladies from Liege and the Charpillon, whoseemed to have become very intimate with them. This made me ill-tempered, and I sulked the whole way. We were an hour and a quarter on the journey, and when we arrived I ordered a good dinner, and then we proceeded toview the gardens; the day was a beautiful one, though it was autumn. 

Whilst we were Walking the Charpillon came up to me and said she wantedto return the bills in the same place in which I had given her them. Aswe were at some distance from the others I pelted her with abuse, tellingher of her perfidy and of her corruption at an age when she should haveretained some vestiges of innocence calling her by the name she deserved, as I reminded her how often she had already prostituted herself; in shortI threatened her with my vengeance if she pushed me to extremities. Butshe was as cold as ice, and opposed a calm front to the storm ofinvective I rained in her ears. However, as the other guests were at nogreat distance, she begged me to speak more softly, but they heard me andI was very glad of it. 

At last we sat down to dinner, and the wretched woman contrived to get aplace beside me, and behaved all the while as if I were her lover, or atany rate as if she loved me. She did not seem to care what people thoughtof my coldness, while I was in a rage, for the company must either havethought me a fool or else that she was making game of me. 

After dinner we returned to the garden, and the Charpillon, determined togain the victory, clung to my arm and after several turns led me towardsthe maze where she wished to try her power. She made me sit down on thegrass beside her and attacked me with passionate words and tendercaresses, and by displaying the most interesting of her charms shesucceeded in seducing me, but still I do not know whether I were impelledby love or vengeance, and I am inclined to think that my feelings were acompound of both passions. 

But at the moment she looked the picture of voluptuous abandon. Herardent eyes, her fiery cheeks, her wanton kisses, her swelling breast, and her quick sighs, all made me think that she stood as much in need ofdefeat as I of victory; certainly I should not have judged that she wasalready calculating on resistance. 

Thus I once more became tender and affectionate; I begged pardon for whatI had said and done. Her fiery kisses replied to mine, and I thought herglance and the soft pressure of her body were inviting me to gather thedelicious fruit; but just as my hand opened the door of the sanctuary, she gave a sudden movement, and the chance was lost. 

"What! you would deceive me again. "

"No, no but we have done enough now. I promise to spend the night in yourarms in your own house. "

For a moment I lost my senses. I only saw the deceitful wretch who hadprofited by my foolish credulity so many times, and I resolved to enjoyor take vengeance. I held her down with my left arm, and drawing a smallknife from my pocket I opened it with my teeth and pricked her neck, threatening to kill her if she resisted me. 

"Do as you like, " she said with perfect calm, "I only ask you to leave memy life, but after you have satisfied yourself I will not leave the spot;I will not enter your carriage unless you carry me by force, andeverybody shall know the reason. "

This threat had no effect, for I had already got back my senses, and Ipitied myself for being degraded by a creature for whom I had thegreatest contempt, in spite of the almost magical influence she had overme, and the furious desires she knew how to kindle in my breast. I rosewithout a word, and taking my hat and cane I hastened to leave a placewhere unbridled passion had brought me to the brink of ruin. 

My readers will scarcely believe me (but it is nevertheless the exacttruth) when I say that the impudent creature hastened to rejoin me, andtook my arm again as if nothing had happened. A girl of her age could nothave played the part so well unless she had been already tried in ahundred battles. When we rejoined the company I was asked if I were ill, while nobody noticed the slightest alteration in her. 

When we got back to London I excused myself under the plea of a badheadache, and returned home. 

The adventure had made a terrible impression on me, and I saw that if Idid not avoid all intercourse with this girl I should be brought to ruin. There was something about her I could not resist. I therefore resolved tosee her no more, but feeling ashamed of my weakness in giving her thebills of exchange I wrote her mother a note requesting her to make herdaughter return them, or else I should be compelled to take harshmeasures. 

In the afternoon I received the following reply:

"Sir, --I am exceedingly surprised at your addressing yourself to me aboutthe bills you handed to my daughter. She tells me she will give you themback in person when you shew more discretion, and have learnt to respecther. "

This impudent letter so enraged me that I forgot my vow of the morning. Iput two pistols in my pocket and proceeded to the wretched woman's abodeto compel her to return me my bills if she did not wish to be soundlycaned. 

I only took the pistols to overawe the two male rascals who supped withthem every evening. I was furious when I arrived, but I passed by thedoor when I saw a handsome young hairdresser, who did the Charpillon'shair every Saturday evening, going into the house. 

I did not want a stranger to be present at the scene I meant to make, soI waited at the corner of the street for the hairdresser to go. After Ihad waited half an hour Rostaing and Couman, the two supports of thehouse, came out and went away, much to my delight. I waited on; elevenstruck, and the handsome barber had not yet gone. A little beforemidnight a servant came out with a lamp, I suppose to look for somethingthat had fallen out of the window. I approached noiselessly, stepped inand opened the parlour-door, which was close to the street, and saw . . . The Charpillon and the barber stretched on the sofa and doing the beastwith two backs, as Shakespeare calls it. 

When the slut saw me she gave a shriek and unhorsed her gallant, whom Icaned soundly until he escaped in the confusion consequent on theservants, mother, and aunts all rushing into the room. While this wasgoing on the Charpillon, half-naked, remained crouched behind the sofa, trembling lest the blows should begin to descend on her. Then the threehags set upon me like furies; but their abuse only irritated me, and Ibroke the pier-'glass, the china, and the furniture, and as they stillhowled and shrieked I roared out that if they did not cease I would breaktheir heads. At this they began to calm. 

I threw myself upon the fatal sofa, and bade the mother to return me thebills of exchange; but just then the watchman came in. 

There is only one watchman to a district, which he perambulates all nightwith a lantern in one hand and a staff in the other. On these men thepeace of the great city depends. I put three or four crowns into his handand said "Go away, " and so saying shut the door upon him. Then I sat downonce more and asked again for the bills of exchange:

"I have not got them; my daughter keeps them. "

"Call her. "

The two maids said that whilst I was breaking the china she had escapedby the street door, and that they did not know what had become of her. Then the mother and aunts began to shriek, weep, and exclaim, --

"My poor daughter alone in the streets of London at midnight! My dearniece, alas! alas! she is lost. Cursed be the hour when you came toEngland to make us all unhappy!"

My rage had evaporated, and I trembled at the thought of this youngfrightened girl running about the streets at such an hour. 

"Go and look for her at the neighbours' houses, " I said to the servants, "no doubt you will find her. When you tell me she is safe, you shall havea guinea apiece. "

When the three Gorgons saw I was interested, their tears, complaints, andinvectives began again with renewed vigor, while I kept silence as muchas to say that they were in the right. I awaited the return of theservants with impatience, and at last at one o'clock they came back withlooks of despair. 

"We have looked for her everywhere, " said they, "but we can't find her. "

I gave them the two guineas as if they had succeeded, whilst I satmotionless reflecting on the terrible consequences of my anger. Howfoolish is man when he is in love!

I was idiot enough to express my repentance to the three old cheats. Ibegged them to seek for her everywhere when dawn appeared, and to let meknow of her return that I might fall at her feet to beg pardon, and neversee her face again. I also promised to pay for all the damage I had done, and to give them a full receipt for the bills of exchange. After theseacts, done to the everlasting shame of my good sense, after this apologymade to procuresses who laughed at me and my honour, I went home, promising two guineas to the servant who should bring me tidings that heryoung mistress had come home. On leaving the house I found the watchmanat the door; he had been waiting to see me home. It was two o'clock. Ithrew myself on my bed, and the six hours of sleep I obtained, thoughtroubled by fearful dreams, probably saved me from madness. 

At eight o'clock I heard a knock at the door, and on opening the windowfound it was one of the servants from the house of my foes. I cried outto let her in, and I breathed again on hearing that Miss Charpillon hadjust arrived in a sedan-chair in a pitiable condition, and that she hadbeen put to bed. 

"I made haste to come and tell you, " said the cunning maid, "not for thesake of your two guineas, but because I saw you were so unhappy. " Thisduped me directly. I gave her the two guineas, and made her sit down onmy bed, begging her to tell me all about her mistress's return. I did notdream that she had been schooled by my enemies; but during the whole ofthis period I was deprived of the right use of my reason. 

The slut began by saying that her young mistress loved me, and had onlydeceived me in accordance with her mother's orders. 

"I know that, " I said, "but where did she pass the night?"

"At a shop which she found open, and where she was known from havingbought various articles there. She is in bed with a fever, and I amafraid it may have serious consequences as she is in her monthly period. "

"That's impossible, for I caught her in the act with her hairdresser. "

"Oh, that proves nothing! the poor young man does not look into thingsvery closely. "

"But she is in love with him. "

"I don't think so, though she has spent several hours in his company. "

"And you say that she loves me!"

"Oh, that has nothing to do with it! It is only a whim of hers with thehairdresser. "

"Tell her that I am coming to pass the day beside her bed, and bring meher reply. "

"I will send the other girl if you like. "

"No, she only speaks English. "

She went away, and as she had not returned by three o'clock I decided oncalling to hear how she was. I knocked at the door, and one of the auntsappeared and begged me not to enter as the two friends of the house werethere in a fury against me, and her niece lay in a delirium, crying out"There's Seingalt, there's Seingalt! He's going to kill me. Help! help!""For God's sake, sir, go away!"

I went home desperate, without the slightest suspicion that it was all alie. I spent the whole day without eating anything; I could not swallow amouthful. All night I kept awake, and though I took several glasses ofstrong waters I could obtain no rest. 

At nine o'clock the next morning I knocked at the Charpillon's door, andthe old aunt came and held it half open as before. She forbade me toenter, saying that her niece was still delirious, continually calling onme in her transports, and that the doctor had declared that if thedisease continued its course she had not twenty-four hours to live. "Thefright you gave her has arrested her periods; she is in a terriblestate. "

"O, fatal hairdresser!" I exclaimed. 

"That was a mere youthful folly; you should have pretended not to haveseen anything. "

"You think that possible, you old witch, do you? Do not let her lack foranything; take that. "

With these words I gave her a bank note for ten guineas and went away, like the fool I was. On my way back I met Goudar, who was quitefrightened at my aspect. I begged him to go and see how the Charpillonreally was, and then to come and pass the rest of the day with me. Anhour after he came back and said he had found them all in tears and thatthe girl was in extremis. 

"Did you see her?"

"No, they said she could see no one. "

"Do you think it is all true?"

"I don't know what to think; but one of the maids, who tells me the truthas a rule, assured me that she had become mad through her courses beingstopped, while she has also a fever and violent convulsions. It is allcredible enough, for these are the usual results of a shock when a womanis in such a situation. The girl told me it was all your fault. "

I then told him the whole story. He could only pity me, but when he heardthat I had neither eaten nor slept for the last forty-eight hours he saidvery wisely that if I did not take care I should lose my reason or mylife. I knew it, but I could find no remedy. He spent the day with me anddid me good. As I could not eat I drank a good deal, and not being ableto sleep I spent the night in striding up and down my room like a manbeside himself. 

On the third day, having heard nothing positive about the Charpillon, Iwent out at seven o'clock in the morning to call on her. After I hadwaited a quarter of an hour in the street, the door was partly opened, and I saw the mother all in tears, but she would not let me come in. Shesaid her daughter was in the last agony. At the same instant a pale andthin old man came out, telling the mother that we must resign ourselvesto the will of God. I asked the infamous creature if it were the doctor. 

"The doctor is no good now, " said the old hypocrite, weeping anew, "he isa minister of the Gospel, and there is another of them upstairs. My poordaughter! In another hour she will be no more. "

I felt as if an icy hand had closed upon my heart. I burst into tears andleft the woman, saying, --

"It is true that my hand dealt the blow, but her death lies at yourdoor. "

As I walked away my knees seemed to bend under me, and I entered my housedetermined to commit suicide, --

With this fearful idea, I gave orders that I was not at home to anyone. As soon as I got to my room I put my watches, rings, snuff-boxes, purseand pocket-book in my casket, and shut it up in my escritoire. I thenwrote a letter to the Venetian ambassador, informing him that all myproperty was to go to M. De Bragadin after my death. I sealed the letterand put it with the casket, and took the key with me, and also silver tothe amount of a few guineas. I took my pistols and went out with the firmintention of drowning myself in the Thames, near the Tower of London. 

Pondering over my plan with the utmost coolness, I went and bought someballs of lead as large as my pockets would hold, and as heavy as I couldbear, to carry to the Tower, where I intended to go on foot. On my way Iwas strengthened in my purpose by the reflection, that if I continued tolive I should be tormented for the remainder of my days by the pale shadeof the Charpillon reproaching me as her murderer. I even congratulatedmyself on being able to carry out my purpose without any effort, and Ialso felt a secret pride in my courage. 

I walked slowly on account of the enormous weight I bore, which wouldassure me a speedy passage to the bottom of the river. 

By Westminster Bridge my good fortune made me meet Sir Edgar, a richyoung Englishman, who lived a careless and joyous life. I had made hisacquaintance at Lord Pembroke's, and he had dined with me several times. We suited one another, his conversation was agreeable, and we had passedmany pleasant hours together. I tried to avoid him, but he saw me, andcame up and took me by the arm in a friendly manner. 

"Where are you going? Come with me, unless you are going to deliver somecaptive. Come along, we shall have a pleasant party. "

"I can't come, my dear fellow, let me go. "

"What's the matter? I hardly recognized you, you looked so solemn. "

"Nothing is the matter. "

"Nothing? You should look at your face in the glass. Now I feel quitesure that you are going to commit a foolish action. "

"Not at all. "

"It's no good denying it. "

"I tell you there's nothing the matter with me. Good bye, I shall see youagain. "

"It's no good, I won't leave you. Come along, we will walk together. "

His eyes happening to fall on my breeches pocket, he noticed my pistol, and putting his hand on the other pocket he felt the other pistol, andsaid, --

"You are going to fight a duel; I should like to see it. I won'tinterfere with the affair, but neither will I leave you. "

I tried to put on a smile, and assured him that he was mistaken, and thatI was only going for a walk to pass the time. 

"Very good, " said Edgar, "then I hope my society is as pleasant to you asyours is to me; I won't leave you. After we have taken a walk we will goand dine at the 'Canon. ' I will get two girls to come and join us, and weshall have a gay little party of four. "

"My dear friend, you must excuse me; I am in a melancholy mood, and Iwant to be alone to get over it. "

"You can be alone to-morrow, if you like, but I am sure you will be allright in the next three hours, and if not, why I will share your madness. Where did you think of dining?"

"Nowhere; I have no appetite. I have been fasting for the last threedays, and I can only drink. "

"Ah! I begin to see daylight. Something has crossed you, and you aregoing to let it kill you as it killed one of my brothers. I must see whatcan be done. "

Edgar argued, insisted, and joked till at last I said to myself, "A daylonger will not matter, I can do the deed when he leaves me, and I shallonly have to bear with life a few hours longer. "

When Edgar heard that I had no particular object in crossing the bridgehe said that we had better turn back, and I let myself be persuaded; butin half an hour I begged him to take me somewhere where I could wait forhim, as I could not bear the weight of the lead any longer. I gave him myword of honour that I would meet him at the "Canon. "

As soon as I was alone I emptied my pockets, and put the leaden ballsinto a cupboard. Then I lay down and began to consider whether thegood-natured young man would prevent me committing suicide, as he hadalready made me postpone it. 

I reasoned, not as one that hopes, but rather as one that foresaw thatEdgar would hinder me from shortening my days. Thus I waited in thetavern for the young Englishman, doubtful whether he was doing me aservice or an injury. 

He came back before long, and was pleased to find me. 

"I reckoned on your keeping your word, " said he. 

"You did not think that I would break my word of honour. "

"That's all right; I see you are on the way to recovery. "

The sensible and cheerful talk of the young man did me good, and I beganto feel better, when the two young wantons, one of whom was aFrenchwoman, arrived in high spirits. They seemed intended for pleasure, and Nature had dowered them with great attractions. I appreciated theircharms, but I could not welcome them in the manner to which they wereaccustomed. They began to think me some poor valetudinarian; but though Iwas in torments, a feeling of vanity made me endeavour to behavesensibly. I gave them some cold kisses and begged Edgar to tell hisfellow-countrywoman that if I were not three parts dead I would prove howlovely and charming I thought her. They pitied me. A man who has spentthree days without eating or sleeping is almost incapable of anyvoluptuous excitement, but mere words would not have convinced thesepriestesses of Venus if Edgar had not given them my name. I had areputation, and I saw that when they heard who I was they were full ofrespect. They all hoped that Bacchus and Comus would plead the cause ofLove, and I let them talk, knowing that their hopes were vain. 

We had an English dinner; that is, a dinner without the essential courseof soup, so I only took a few oysters and a draught of delicious wine, but I felt better, and was pleased to see Edgar amusing himself with thetwo nymphs. 

The young madcap suddenly proposed that the girls should dance a hornpipein the costume of Mother Eve, and they consented on the condition that wewould adopt the dress of Father Adam, and that blind musicians weresummoned. I told them that I would take off my clothes to oblige them, but that I had no hopes of being able to imitate the seductive serpent. Iwas allowed to retain my dress, on the condition that if I felt the prickof the flesh I should immediately undress. I agreed to do so, and theblind musicians were sent for, and while they tuned their instrumentstoilettes were made, and the orgy began. 

It taught me same useful lessons. I learnt from it that amorous pleasuresare the effect and not the cause of gaiety. I sat gazing at three nakedbodies of perfect grace and beauty, the dance and the music wereravishing and seductive, but nothing made any impression on me. After thedance was over the male dancer treated the two females, one after theother, until he was forced to rest. The French girl came up to ascertainwhether I skewed any signs of life, but feeling my hopeless condition shepronounced me useless. 

When it was all over I begged Edgar to give the French girl four guineas, and to pay my share, as I had very little money about me. 

What should I have said if I had been told in the morning that instead ofdrowning myself I should take part in so pleasant an entertainment?

The debt I had contracted with the young Englishman made me resolve toput off my suicide to another day. After the nymphs had gone I tried toget rid of Edgar, but in vain; he told me I was getting better, that theoysters I had taken skewed my stomach was improving, and that if I camewith him to Ranelagh I should be able to make a good dinner the next day. I was weak and indifferent and let myself be persuaded, and got into acoach with Edgar in obedience to the Stoic maxim I had learnt in thehappy days of my youth: 'Sequere Deum'. 

We entered the fine rotunda with our hats off, and began to walk roundand round, our arms behind our backs--a common custom in England, atleast in those days. 

A minuet was being danced, and I was so attracted by a lady who dancedextremely well that I waited for her to turn round. What made me noticeher more particularly was that her dress and hat were exactly like thoseI had given to the Charpillon a few days before, but as I believed thepoor wretch to be dead or dying the likeness did not inspire me with anysuspicion. But the lady turned round, lifted her face, and I saw--theCharpillon herself!

Edgar told me afterwards that at that moment he thought to see me fall tothe ground in an epileptic fit; I trembled and shuddered so terribly. 

However, I felt so sure she was ill that I could not believe my own eyes, and the doubt brought me to my senses. 

"She can't be the Charpillon, " I said to myself, "she is some other girllike her, and my enfeebled senses have led me astray. " In the meanwhilethe lady, intent on her dancing, did not glance in my direction, but Icould afford to wait. At last she lifted her arms to make the curtsy atthe end of the minuet, I went up instinctively as if I were about todance with her; she looked me in the face, and fled. 

I constrained myself; but now that there could be no doubt my shudderingfit returned, and I made haste to sit down. A cold sweat bedewed my faceand my whole body. Edgar advised me to take a cup of tea but I begged himto leave me alone for a few moments. 

I was afraid that I was on the point of death; I trembled all over, andmy heart beat so rapidly that I could not have stood up had I wished. 

At last, instead of dying, I got new life. What a wonderful change Iexperienced! Little by little my peace of mind returned, and I couldenjoy the glitter of the multitudinous wax lights. By slow degrees Ipassed through all the shades of feeling between despair and an ecstasyof joy. My soul and mind were so astonished by the shock that I began tothink I should never see Edgar again. 

"This young man, " I said to myself, "is my good genius, my guardianangel, my familiar spirit, who has taken the form of Edgar to restore meto my senses again. "

I should certainly have persisted in this idea if my friend had notreappeared before very long. 

Chance might have thrown him in the way of one of those seductivecreatures who make one forget everything else; he might have leftRanelagh without having time to tell me he was going, and I should havegone back to London feeling perfectly certain that I had only seen hisearthly shape. Should I have been disabused if I had seen him a few daysafter? Possibly; but I am not sure of it. I have always had a hankeringafter superstition, of which I do not boast; but I confess the fact, andleave the reader to judge me. 

However, he came back in high spirits, but anxious about me. He wassurprised to find me full of animation, and to hear me talking in apleasant strain on the surrounding objects and persons. 

"Why, you are laughing!" said he, "your sadness has departed, then?"

"Yes, good genius, but I am hungry, and I want you to do me a favour, ifyou have no other pressing engagements. "

"I am free till the day after to-morrow, and till then you can do whatyou like with me. "

"I owe my life to you, but to make your gift complete I want you to spendthis night and the whole of the next day with me. "

"Done. "

"Then let us go home. "

"With all my heart; come along. "

I did not tell him anything as we were in the coach, and when we got homeI found nothing fresh, except a note from Goudar, which I put in mypocket, intending to reserve all business for the next day. 

It was an hour after midnight. A good supper was served to us, and wefell to; for my part I devoured my food like a wild beast. Edgarcongratulated me, and we went to bed, and I slept profoundly till noon. When I awoke I breakfasted with Edgar, and told him the whole story, which would have ended with my life if he had not met me on WestminsterBridge, and he had not been keen enough to mark my condition. I took himto my room, and shewed him my escritoire, my casket, and my will. I thenopened Goudar's letter, and read:

"I am quite sure that the girl you know of is very far from dying, as shehas gone to Ranelagh with Lord Grosvenor. "

Although Edgar was a profligate, he was a sensible man, and my story madehim furious. He threw his arms around my neck, and told me he shouldalways think the day on which he rescued me from death for so unworthy anobject the happiest in his life. He could scarcely credit the infamy ofthe Charpillon and her mother. He told me I could have the motherarrested, though I had not got the bills of exchange, as her mother'sletter acknowledging her daughter's possession of the bills wassufficient evidence. 

Without informing him of my intention, I resolved that moment to have herarrested. Before we parted we swore eternal friendship, but the readerwill see before long what a penance the kind Englishman had to do forbefriending me. 

The next day I went to the attorney I had employed against CountSchwerin. After hearing my story he said that I had an undoubted claim, and that I could arrest the mother and the two aunts. 

Without losing time I went before a magistrate, who took my sworninformation and granted me a warrant. The same official who had arrestedSchwerin took charge of the affair; but as he did not know the women bysight it was necessary that someone who did should go with him, forthough he was certain of surprising them there might be several otherwomen present, and he might not arrest the right ones. 

As Goudar would not have undertaken the delicate task of pointing themout, I resolved on accompanying him myself. 

I made an appointment with him at an hour when I knew they would be allin the parlour. He was to enter directly the door was opened, and I wouldcome in at the same instant and point out the women he had to arrest. InEngland all judicial proceedings are conducted with the utmostpunctuality, and everything went off as I had arranged. The bailiff andhis subaltern stepped into the parlour and I followed in their footsteps. I pointed out the mother and the two sisters and then made haste toescape, for the sight of the Charpillon, dressed in black, standing bythe hearth, made me shudder. I felt cured, certainly; but the wounds shehad given me were not yet healed, and I cannot say what might havehappened if the Circe had had the presence of mind to throw her armsabout my neck and beg for mercy. 

As soon as I had seen these women in the hands of justice I fled, tastingthe sweets of vengeance, which are very great, but yet a sign ofunhappiness. The rage in which I had arrested the three procuresses, andmy terror in seeing the woman who had well-nigh killed me, shewed that Iwas not really cured. To be so I must fly from them and forget themaltogether. 

The next morning Goudar came and congratulated me on the bold step I hadtaken, which proved, he said, that I was either cured or more in lovethan ever. "I have just come from Denmark Street, " he added, "and I onlysaw the grandmother, who was weeping bitterly, and an attorney, whom nodoubt she was consulting. "

"Then you have heard what has happened?"

"Yes, I came up a minute after you had gone and I stayed till the threeold sluts made up their minds to go with the constable. They resisted andsaid he ought to leave them till the next day, when they would be able tofind someone to bail them. The two bravos drew their swords to resist thelaw, but the other constable disarmed them one after the other, and thethree women were led off. The Charpillon wanted to accompany them, but itwas judged best that she should remain at liberty, in order to try andset them free. "

Goudar concluded by saying that he should go and see them in prison, andif I felt disposed to come to an arrangement he would mediate between us. I told him that the only arrangement I would accept was the payment ofthe six thousand francs, and that they might think themselves very luckythat I did not insist on having my interest, and thus repaying myself inpart for the sums they had cheated out of me. 

A fortnight elapsed without my hearing any more of the matter. TheCharpillon dined with them every day, and in fact, kept them. It musthave cost her a good deal, for they had two rooms, and their landlordwould not allow them to have their meals prepared outside the prison. Goudar told me that the Charpillon said she would never beg me to listento her mother, though she knew she had only to call on me to obtainanything she wanted. She thought me the most abominable of men. If I feelobliged to maintain that she was equally abominable, I must confess thaton this occasion she shewed more strength of mind than I; but whereas Ihad acted out of passion, her misdeeds were calculated, and tended solelyto her own interests. 

For the whole of this fortnight I had sought for Edgar in vain, but onemorning he came to see me, looking in high spirits. 

"Where have you been hiding all this time?" said I, "I have been lookingfor you everywhere. "

"Love has been keeping me a prisoner, " said he, "I have got some moneyfor you. "

"For me? From what quarter?"

"On behalf of the Ansperghers. Give me a receipt and the necessarydeclaration, for I am going to restore them myself to the poorCharpillon, who has been weeping for the last fortnight. "

"I daresay she has, I have seen her weep myself; but I like the way inwhich she has chosen the being who delivered me from her chains as aprotector. Does she know that I owe my life to you?"

"She only knew that I was with you at Ranelagh when you saw her dancinginstead of dying, but I have told her the whole story since. "

"No doubt she wants you to plead with me in her favour. "

"By no means. She has just been telling me that you are a monster ofingratitude, for she loved you and gave you several proofs of heraffection, but now she hates you. "

"Thank Heaven for that! The wretched woman! It's curious she should haveselected you as her lover by way of taking vengeance on me, but takecare! she will punish you. "

"It may be so, but at all events it's a pleasant kind of punishment. "

"I hope you may be happy, but look to yourself; she is a mistress in allsorts of deceit. "

Edgar counted me out two hundred and fifty guineas, for which I gave hima receipt and the declaration he required, and with these documents hewent off in high spirits. 

After this I might surely flatter myself that all was at an end betweenus, but I was mistaken. 

Just about this time the Crown Prince of Brunswick, now the reigningduke, married the King of England's sister. The Common Council presentedhim with the freedom of the City, and the Goldsmith's Company admittedhim into their society, and gave him a splendid box containing thedocuments which made him a London citizen. The prince was the firstgentleman in Europe, and yet he did not disdain to add this new honour toa family illustrious for fourteen hundred years. 

On this occasion Lady Harrington was the means of getting Madame Cornelistwo hundred guineas. She lent her room in Soho Square to a confectionerwho gave a ball and supper to a thousand persons at three guineas each. Ipaid my three guineas, and had the honour of standing up all the eveningwith six hundred others, for the table only seated four hundred, andthere were several ladies who were unable to procure seats. That eveningI saw Lady Grafton seated beside the Duke of Cumberland. She wore herhair without any powder, and all the other ladies were exclaiming aboutit, and saying how very unbecoming it was. They could not anathematizethe innovator too much, but in less than six months Lady Grafton's styleof doing the hair became common, crossed the Channel, and spread all overEurope, though it has been given another name. It is still in fashion, and is the only method that can boast the age of thirty years, though itwas so unmercifully ridiculed at first. 

The supper for which the giver of the feast had received three thousandguineas, or sixty-five thousand francs, contained a most variedassortment of delicacies, but as I had not been dancing, and did not feeltaken with any of the ladies present, I left at one in the morning. Itwas Sunday, a day on which all persons, save criminals, are exempt fromarrest; but, nevertheless, the following adventure befell me:

I was dressed magnificently, and was driving home in my carriage, with mynegro and another servant seated behind me; and just as we entered PallMall I heard a voice crying, "Good night, Seingalt. " I put my head out ofthe window to reply, and in an instant the carriage was surrounded by menarmed with pistols, and one of them said, --

"In the king's name!"

My servant asked what they wanted, and they answered, --

"To take him to Newgate, for Sunday makes no difference to criminals. "

"And what crime have I committed?"

"You will hear that in prison. "

"My master has a right to know his crime before he goes to prison, " saidthe negro. 

"Yes, but the magistrate's abed. "

The negro stuck to his position, however, and the people who had come updeclared with one consent that he was in the right. 

The head-constable gave in, and said he would take me to a house in thecity. 

"Then drive to that city, " said I, "and have done with it. "

We stopped before the house, and I was placed in a large room on theground floor, furnished solely with benches and long tables. My servantsent back the carriage, and came to keep me company. The six constablessaid they could not leave me, and told me I should send out for some meatand drink for them. I told my negro to give them what they wanted, and tobe as amicable with them as was possible. 

As I had not committed any crime, I was quite at ease; I knew that myarrest must be the effect of a slander, and as I was aware that Londonjustice was speedy and equitable, I thought I should soon be free. But Iblamed myself for having transgressed the excellent maxim, never toanswer anyone in the night time; for if I had not done so I should havebeen in my house, and not in prison. The mistake, however, had beencommitted, and there was nothing to be done but to wait patiently. Iamused myself by reflecting on my rapid passage from a numerous andexalted assemblage to the vile place I now occupied, though I was stilldressed like a prince. 

At last the day dawned, and the keeper of the tavern came to see who theprisoner was. I could not helping laughing at him when he saw me, for heimmediately began to abuse the constables for not awaking him when Icame; he had lost the guinea I should have paid for a private room. Atlast news was brought that the magistrate was sitting, and that I must bebrought up. 

A coach was summoned, and I got into it, for if I had dared to walk alongthe streets in my magnificent attire the mob would have pelted me. 

I went into the hall of justice, and all eyes were at once attractedtowards me; my silks and satins appeared to them the height ofimpertinence. 

At the end of the room I saw a gentleman sitting in an arm-chair, andconcluded him to be my judge. I was right, and the judge was blind. Hewore a broad band round his head, passing over his eyes. A man beside me, guessing I was a foreigner, said in French, --

"Be of good courage, Mr. Fielding is a just and equitable magistrate. "

I thanked the kindly unknown, and was delighted to see before me thisfamous and estimable writer, whose works are an honour to the Englishnation. 

When my turn came, the clerk of the court told Mr. Fielding my name, atleast, so I presume. 

"Signor Casanova, " said he, in excellent Italian, "be kind enough to stepforward. I wish to speak to you. "

I was delighted to hear the accents of my native tongue, and making myway through the press I came up to the bar of the court, and said, --

"Eccomi, Signore. "

He continued to speak Italian, and said, --

"Signor de Casanova, of Venice, you are condemned to perpetualconfinement in the prisons of His Majesty the King of Great Britain. "

"I should like to know, sir, for what crime I am condemned. Would you bekind enough to inform me as to its nature?"

"Your demand is a reasonable one, for with us no one is condemned withoutknowing the cause of his condemnation. You must know, then, that theaccusation (which is supported by two witnesses) charges you withintending to do grievous bodily harm to the person of a pretty girl; andas this pretty girl aforesaid goes in dread of you, the law decrees thatyou must be kept in prison for the rest of your days. "

"Sir, this accusation is a groundless calumny; to that I will take myoath! It is very possible indeed that the girl may fear my vengeance whenshe comes to consider her own conduct, but I can assure you that I havehad no such designs hitherto, and I don't think I ever shall. "

"She has two witnesses. "

"Then they are false ones. But may I ask your worship the name of myaccuser?"

"Miss Charpillon. "

"I thought as much; but I have never given her aught but proofs of myaffection. "

"Then you have no wish to do her any bodily harm?"

"Certainly not. "

"Then I congratulate you. You can dine at home; but you must find twosureties. I must have an assurance from the mouths of two householdersthat you will never commit such a crime. "

"Whom shall I find to do so?"

"Two well-known Englishmen, whose friendship you have gained, and whoknow that you are incapable of such an action. Send for them, and if theyarrive before I go to dinner I will set you at liberty. "

The constable took me back to prison, where I had passed the night, and Igave my servants the addresses of all the householders I recollected, bidding them explain my situation, and to be as quick as possible. Theyought to have come before noon, but London is such a large place! Theydid not arrive, and the magistrate went to dinner. I comforted myself bythe thought that he would sit in the afternoon, but I had to put up witha disagreeable experience. 

The chief constable, accompanied by an interpreter, came to say that Imust go to Newgate. This is a prison where the most wretched and abjectcriminals are kept. 

I signified to him that I was awaiting bail, and that he could take me toNewgate in the evening if it did not come, but he only turned a deaf earto my petition. The interpreter told me in a whisper that the fellow wascertainly paid by the other side to put me to trouble, but that if Iliked to bribe him I could stay where I was. 

"How much will he want?"

The interpreter took the constable aside, and then told me that I couldstay where I was for ten guineas. 

"Then say that I should like to see Newgate. "

A coach was summoned, and I was taken away. 

When I got to this abode of misery and despair, a hell, such as Dantemight have conceived, a crowd of wretches, some of whom were to be hangedin the course of the week, greeted me by deriding my elegant attire. Idid not answer them, and they began to get angry and to abuse me. Thegaoler quieted them by saying that I was a foreigner and did notunderstand English, and then took me to a cell, informing me how much itwould cost me, and of the prison rules, as if he felt certain that Ishould make a long stay. But in the course of half an hour, the constablewho had tried to get ten guineas out of me told me that bail had arrivedand that my carriage was at the door. 

I thanked God from the bottom of my heart, and soon found myself in thepresence of the blind magistrate. My bail consisted of Pegu, my tailor, and Maisonneuve, my wine merchant, who said they were happy to be able torender me this slight service. In another part of the court I noticed theinfamous Charpillon, Rostaing, Goudar, and an attorney. They made noimpression on me, and I contented myself with giving them a look ofprofound contempt. 

My two sureties were informed of the amount in which they were to bailme, and signed with a light heart, and then the magistrate said, politely, --

"Signor Casanova, please to sign your name for double the amount, and youwill then be a free man again. "

I went towards the clerk's table, and on asking the sum I was to answerfor was informed that it was forty guineas, each of my sureties signingfor twenty. I signed my name, telling Goudar that if the magistrate couldhave seen the Charpillon he would have valued her beauty at ten thousandguineas. I asked the names of the two witnesses, and was told that theywere Rostaing and Bottarelli. I looked contemptuously at Rostaing, whowas as pale as death, and averting my face from the Charpillon out ofpity, I said, --

"The witnesses are worthy of the charge. "

I saluted the judge with respect, although he could not see me, and askedthe clerk if I had anything to pay. He replied in the negative, and adispute ensued between him and the attorney of my fair enemy, who wasdisgusted on hearing that she could not leave the court without payingthe costs of my arrest. 

Just as I was going, five or six well-known Englishmen appeared to bailme out, and were mortified to hear that they had come too late. Theybegged me to forgive the laws of the land, which are only too oftenconverted into a means for the annoyance of foreigners. 

At last, after one of the most tedious days I have ever spent, I returnedhome and went to bed, laughing at the experience I had undergone.