MEMOIRS OF JACQUES CASANOVA de SEINGALT 1725-1798

SPANISH PASSIONS, Volume 6a--SPAINTHE 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. 

SPAIN

CHAPTER I

I Am Ordered to Leave Vienna--The Empress Moderates but Does Not Annulthe Order--Zavoiski at Munich--My Stay at Augsburg--Gasconnade atLouisburg--The Cologne Newspaper--My Arrival at Aix-la-Chapelle

The greatest mistake a man that punishes a knave can commit is to leavethe said rogue alive, for he is certain to take vengeance. If I had hadmy sword in the den of thieves, I should no doubt have defended myself, but it would have gone ill with me, three against one, and I shouldprobably have been cut to pieces, while the murderers would have escapedunpunished. 

At eight o'clock Campioni came to see me in my bed, and was astonished atmy adventure. Without troubling himself to compassionate me, we bothbegan to think how we could get back my purse; but we came to theconclusion that it would be impossible, as I had nothing more than mymere assertion to prove the case. In spite of that, however, I wrote outthe whole story, beginning with the girl who recited the Latin verses. Iintended to bring the document before the police; however, I had not timeto do so. 

I was just sitting down to dinner, when an agent of the police came andgave me an order to go and speak to Count Schrotembach, the Statthalter. I told him to instruct my coachman, who was waiting at the door, and thatI would follow him shortly. 

When I called on the Statthalter, I found him to be a thick-setindividual; he was standing up, and surrounded by men who seemed ready toexecute his orders. When he saw me, he shewed me a watch, and requestedme to note the hour. 

"I see it. "

"If you are at Vienna at that time to-morrow I shall have you expelledfrom the city. "

"Why do you give me such an unjust order?"

"In the first place, I am not here to give you accounts or reasons for myactions. However, I may tell you that you are expelled for playing atgames of chance, which are forbidden by the laws under pain of thegalleys. Do you recognize that purse and these cards?"

I did not know the cards, but I knew the purse which had been stolen fromme. I was in a terrible rage, and I only replied by presenting themagistrate with the truthful narrative of what had happened to me. Heread it, and then said with a laugh that I was well known to be a man ofparts, that my character was known, that I had been expelled from Warsaw, and that as for the document before him he judged it to be a pack oflies, since in his opinion it was altogether void of probability. 

"In fine, " he added, "you will obey my order to leave the town, and youmust tell me where you are going. "

"I will tell you that when I have made up my mind to go. "

"What? You dare to tell me that you will not obey?"

"You yourself have said that if I do not go I shall be removed by force. "

"Very good. I have heard you have a strong will, but here it will be ofno use to you. I advise you to go quietly, and so avoid harsh measures. "

"I request you to return me that document. "

"I will not do so. Begone!"

This was one of the most terrible moments of my life. I shudder stillwhen I think of it. It was only a cowardly love of life that hindered mefrom running my sword through the body of the Statthalter, who hadtreated me as if he were a hangman and not a judge. 

As I went away I took it into my head to complain to Prince Kaunitz, though I had not the honour of knowing him. I called at his house, and aman I met told me to stay in the ante-chamber, as the prince would passthrough to go to dinner. 

It was five o'clock. The prince appeared, followed by his guests, amongstwhom was M. Polo Renieri, the Venetian ambassador. The prince asked mewhat he could do for me, and I told my story in a loud voice before themall. 

"I have received my order to go, but I shall not obey. I implore yourhighness to give me your protection, and to help me to bring my plea tothe foot of the throne. "

"Write out your petition, " he replied, "and I will see that the empressgets it. But I advise you to ask her majesty for a respite, for if yousay that you won't obey, she will be predisposed against you. "

"But if the royal grace does not place me in security, I shall be drivenaway by violence. "

"Then take refuge with the ambassador of your native country. "

"Alas, my lord, my country has forsaken me. An act of legal thoughunconstitutional violence has deprived me of my rights as a citizen. Myname is Casanova, and my country is Venice. "

The prince looked astonished and turned to the Venetian ambassador, whosmiled, and whispered to him for ten minutes. 

"It's a pity, " said the prince, kindly, "that you cannot claim theprotection of any ambassador. "

At these words a nobleman of colossal stature stepped forward and said Icould claim his protection, as my whole family, myself included, hadserved the prince his master. He spoke the truth, for he was theambassador of Saxony. 

"That is Count Vitzthum, " said the prince. "Write to the empress, and Iwill forward your petition immediately. If there is any delay in theanswer, go to the count; you will be safe with him, until you like toleave Vienna. "

In the meanwhile the prince ordered writing materials to be brought me, and he and his guests passed into the dining-hall. 

I give here a copy of the petition, which I composed in less than tenminutes. I made a fair copy for the Venetian ambassador to send home tothe Senate:

"MADAM, --I am sure that if, as your royal and imperial highness werewalking in your garden, an insect appealed plaintively to you not tocrush it, you would turn aside, and so avoid doing the poor creature anyhurt. 

"I, madam, am an insect, and I beg of you that you will order M. Statthalter Schrotembach to delay crushing me with your majesty's slipperfor a week. Possibly, after that time has elapsed, your majesty will notonly prevent his crushing me, but will deprive him of that slipper, whichwas only meant to be the terror of rogues, and not of an humble Venetian, who is an honest man, though he escaped from The Leads. 

"In profound submission to your majesty's will, "I remain, "CASANOVA. 

"Given at Vienna, January 21st, 1769. "

When I had finished the petition, I made a fair draft of it, and sent itin to the prince, who sent it back to me telling me that he would placeit in the empress's hands immediately, but that he would be much obligedby my making a copy for his own use. 

I did so, and gave both copies to the valet de chambre, and went my way. I trembled like a paralytic, and was afraid that my anger might get meinto difficulty. By way of calming myself, I wrote out in the style of amanifesto the narrative I had given to the vile Schrotembach, and whichthat unworthy magistrate had refused to return to me. 

At seven o'clock Count Vitzthum came into my room. He greeted me in afriendly manner and begged me to tell him the story of the girl I hadgone to see, on the promise of the Latin quatrain referring to heraccommodating disposition. I gave him the address and copied out theverses, and he said that was enough to convince an enlightened judge thatI had been slandered; but he, nevertheless, was very doubtful whetherjustice would be done me. 

"What! shall I be obliged to leave Vienna to-morrow?"

"No, no, the empress cannot possibly refuse you the week's delay. "

"Why not?"

"Oh! no one could refuse such an appeal as that. Even the prince couldnot help smiling as he was reading it in his cold way. After reading ithe passed it on to me, and then to the Venetian ambassador, who asked himif he meant to give it to the empress as it stood. 'This petition, 'replied the prince, 'might be sent to God, if one knew the way;' andforthwith he ordered one of his secretaries to fold it up and see that itwas delivered. We talked of you for the rest of dinner, and I had thepleasure of hearing the Venetian ambassador say that no one coulddiscover any reason for your imprisonment under the Leads. Your duel wasalso discussed, but on that point we only knew what has appeared in thenewspapers. Oblige me by giving me a copy of your petition; that phraseof Schrotembach and the slipper pleased me vastly. "

I copied out the document, and gave it him with a copy of my manifesto. Before he left me the count renewed the invitation to take refuge withhim, if I did not hear from the empress before the expiration of thetwenty-four hours. 

At ten o'clock I had a visit from the Comte de la Perouse, the Marquis delas Casas, and Signor Uccelli, the secretary of the Venetian embassy. Thelatter came to ask for a copy of my petition for his chief. I promised heshould have it, and I also sent a copy of my manifesto. The only thingwhich rather interfered with the dignity of this latter piece, and gaveit a somewhat comic air, were the four Latin verses, which might makepeople imagine that, after enjoying the girl as Hebe, I had gone insearch of her as Ganymede. This was not the case, but the empressunderstood Latin and was familiar with mythology, and if she had lookedon it in the light I have mentioned I should have been undone. I made sixcopies of the two documents before I went to bed; I was quite tired out, but the exertion had somewhat soothed me. At noon the next day, youngHasse (son of the chapel-master and of the famous Trustina), secretary oflegation to Count Vitzthum, came to tell me from the ambassador thatnobody would attack me in my own house, nor in my carriage if I wentabroad, but that it would be imprudent to go out on foot. He added thathis chief would have the pleasure of calling on me at seven o'clock. Ibegged M. Hasse to let me have all this in writing, and after he hadwritten it out he left me. 

Thus the order to leave Vienna had been suspended; it must have been doneby the sovereign. 

"I have no time to lose, " said I to myself, "I shall have justice doneme, my assassins will be condemned, my purse will be returned with thetwo hundred ducats in it, and not in the condition in which it was shewnto me by the infamous Schrotembach, who will be punished by dismissal, atleast. "

Such were my castles in Spain; who has not built such? 'Quod nimis miserivolunt hoc facile credunt', says Seneca. The wish is father to thethought. 

Before sending my manifesto to the empress, Prince Kaunitz, and to allthe ambassadors, I thought it would be well to call on the Countess ofSalmor, who spoke to the sovereign early and late. I had had a letter ofintroduction for her. 

She greeted me by saying that I had better give up wearing my arm in asling, as it looked as ii I were a charlatan; my arm must be well enoughafter nine months. 

I was extremely astonished by this greeting, and replied that if it werenot necessary I should not wear a sling, and that I was no charlatan. 

"However, " I added, "I have come to see you on a different matter. "

"Yes, I know, but I will have nothing to do with it. You are all as badas Tomatis. "

I gave a turn round and left the room without taking any further noticeof her. I returned home feeling overwhelmed by the situation. I had beenrobbed and insulted by a band of thorough-paced rascals; I could donothing, justice was denied me, and now I had been made a mock of by aworthless countess. If I had received such an insult from a man I wouldhave soon made him feel the weight of one arm at all events. I could notbear my arm without a sling for an hour; pain and swelling set inimmediately. I was not perfectly cured till twenty months after the duel. 

Count Vitzthum came to see me at seven o'clock. He said the empress hadtold Prince Kaunitz that Schrotembach considered my narrative as pureromance. His theory was that I had held a bank at faro with sharpers'cards, and had dealt with both hands the arm in the sling being a merepretence. I had then been taken in the act by one of the gamesters, andmy unjust gains had been very properly taken from me. My detector hadthen handed over my purse, containing forty ducats, to the police, andthe money had of course been confiscated. The empress had to choosebetween believing Schrotembach and dismissing him; and she was notinclined to do the latter, as it would be a difficult matter to find hima successor in his difficult and odious task of keeping Vienna clear ofhuman vermin. 

"This is what Prince Kaunitz asked me to tell you. But you need not beafraid of any violence, and you can go when you like. "

"Then I am to be robbed of two hundred ducats with impunity. The empressmight at least reimburse me if she does nothing more. Please to ask theprince whether I can ask the sovereign to give me that satisfaction; theleast I can demand. "

"I will tell him what you say. "

"If not, I shall leave; for what can I do in a town where I can onlydrive, and where the Government keeps assassins in its pay?"

"You are right. We are all sure that Pocchini has calumniated you. Thegirl who recites Latin verses is well known, but none know her address. Imust advise you not to publish your tale as long as you are in Vienna, asit places Schrotembach in a very bad light, and you see the empress hasto support him in the exercise of his authority. "

"I see the force of your argument, and I shall have to devour my anger. Iwill leave Vienna as soon as the washerwoman sends home my linen, but Iwill have the story printed in all its black injustice. "

"The empress is prejudiced against you, I don't know by whom. "

"I know, though; it is that infernal old hag, Countess Salmor. "

The next day I received a letter from Count Vitzthum, in which he saidthat Prince Kaunitz advised me to forget the two hundred ducats, that thegirl and her so-called mother had left Vienna to all appearance, assomeone had gone to the address and had failed to find her. 

I saw that I could do nothing, and resolved to depart in peace, andafterwards to publish the whole story and to hang Pocchini with my ownhands when next I met him. I did neither the one nor the other. 

About that time a young lady of the Salis de Coire family arrived atVienna without any companion. The imperial hangman Schrotembach, orderedher to leave Vienna in two days. She replied that she would leave exactlywhen she felt inclined. The magistrate consigned her to imprisonment in aconvent, and she was there still when I left. The emperor went to seeher, and the empress, his mother, asked him what he thought of her. Hisanswer was, "I thought her much more amusing than Schrotembach. "

Undoubtedly, every man worthy of the name longs to be free, but who isreally free in this world? No one. The philosopher, perchance, may beaccounted so, but it is at the cost of too precious sacrifices at thephantom shrine of Liberty. 

I left the use of my suite of rooms, for which I had paid a month inadvance, to Campioni, promising to wait for him at Augsburg, where theLaw alone is supreme. I departed alone carrying with me the bitter regretthat I had not been able to kill the monster, whose despotism had crushedme. I stopped at Linz on purpose to write to Schrotembach even a morebitter letter than that which I had written to the Duke of Wurtemburg in1760. I posted it myself, and had it registered so as to be sure of itsreaching the scoundrel to whom it had been addressed. It was absolutelynecessary for me to write this letter, for rage that has no vent mustkill at last. From Linz I had a three days' journey to Munich, where Icalled on Count Gaetan Zavoicki, who died at Dresden seven years ago. Ihad known him at Venice when he was in want, and I had happily beenuseful to him. On my relating the story of the robbery that had beencommitted on me, he no doubt imagined I was in want, and gave metwenty-five louis. To tell the truth it was much less than what I hadgiven him at Venice, and if he had looked upon his action as paying backa debt we should not have been quits; but as I had never wished him tothink that I had lent, not given him money, I received the presentgratefully. He also gave me a letter for Count Maximilian Lamberg, marshal at the court of the Prince-Bishop of Augsburg, whose acquaintanceI had the honour of having. 

There was no theatre then in Augsburg, but there were masked balls inwhich all classes mingled freely. There were also small parties wherefaro was played for small stakes. I was tired of the pleasure, themisfortune, and the griefs I had had in three capitals, and I resolved tospend four months in the free city of Augsburg, where strangers have thesame privileges as the canons. My purse was slender, but with theeconomical life I led I had nothing to fear on that score. I was not farfrom Venice, where a hundred ducats were always at my service if I wantedthem. I played a little and waged war against the sharpers who havebecome more numerous of late than the dupes, as there are also moredoctors than patients. I also thought of getting a mistress, for what islife without love? I had tried in vain to retrace Gertrude; the engraverwas dead, and no one knew what had become of his daughter. 

Two or three days before the end of the carnival I went to a hirer ofcarriages, as I had to go to a ball at some distance from the town. Whilethe horses were being put in, I entered the room to warm my hands, forthe weather was very cold. A girl came up and asked me if I would drink aglass of wine. 

"No, " said I; and on the question being repeated, repeated themonosyllable somewhat rudely. The girl stood still and began to laugh, and I was about to turn angrily away when she said, --

"I see you do not remember me?"

I looked at her attentively, and at last I discovered beneath herunusually ugly features the lineaments of Anna Midel, the maid in theengraver's house. 

"You remind me of Anna Midel, " said I. 

"Alas, I was Anna Midel once. I am no longer an object fit for love, butthat is your fault. "

"Mine?"

"Yes; the four hundred florins you gave me made Count Fugger's coachmanmarry me, and he not only abandoned me but gave me a disgusting disease, which was like to have been my death. I recovered my health, but I nevershall recover my good looks. "

"I am very sorry to hear all this; but tell me what has become ofGertrude?"

"Then you don't know that you are going to a ball at her house to-night?"

"Her house?"

"Yes. After her father's death she married a well-to-do and respectableman, and I expect you will be pleased with the entertainment. "

"Is she pretty still?"

"She is just as she used to be, except that she is six years older andhas had children. "

"Is she gallant?"

"I don't think so. "

Anna had spoken the truth. Gertrude was pleased to see me, and introducedme to her husband as one of her father's old lodgers, and I hadaltogether a pleasant welcome; but, on sounding her, I found sheentertained those virtuous sentiments which might have been expectedunder the circumstances. 

Campioni arrived at Augsburg at the beginning of Lent. He was in companywith Binetti, who was going to Paris. He had completely despoiled hiswife, and had left her for ever. Campioni told me that no one at Viennadoubted my story in the slightest degree. Pocchini and the Sclav haddisappeared a few days after my departure, and the Statthalter hadincurred a great deal of odium by his treatment of me. Campioni spent amonth with me, and then went on to London. 

I called on Count Lamberg and his countess, who, without being beautiful, was an epitome of feminine charm and amiability. Her name before marriagewas Countess Dachsberg. Three months after my arrival, this lady, who wasenciente, but did not think her time was due, went with Count Fugger, dean of the chapter, to a party of pleasure at an inn three quarters of aleague from Augsburg. I was present; and in the course of the meal shewas taken with such violent pains that she feared she would be deliveredon the spot. She did not like to tell the noble canon, and thinking thatI was more likely to be acquainted with such emergencies she came up tome and told me all. I ordered the coachman to put in his horsesinstantly, and when the coach was ready I took up the countess andcarried her to it. The canon followed us in blank astonishment, and askedme what was the matter. I told him to bid the coachman drive fast and notto spare his horses. He did so, but he asked again what was the matter. 

"The countess will be delivered of a child if we do not make haste. "

I thought I should be bound to laugh, in spite of my sympathies for thepoor lady's pains, when I saw the dean turn green and white and purple, and look as if he were going into a fit, as he realized that the countessmight be delivered before his eyes in his own carriage. The poor manlooked as grievously tormented as St. Laurence on his gridiron. Thebishop was at Plombieres; they would write and tell him! It would be inall the papers! "Quick! coachman, quick!"

We got to the castle before it was too late. I carried the lady into herrook, and they ran for a surgeon and a midwife. It was no good, however, for in five minutes the count came out and said the countess had justbeen happily delivered. The dean looked as if a weight had been taken offhis mind; however, he took the precaution of having himself blooded. 

I spent an extremely pleasant four months at Augsburg, supping twice orthrice a week at Count Lamberg's. At these suppers I made theacquaintance of a very remarkable man--Count Thura and Valsamina, then apage in the prince-bishop's household, now Dean of Ratisbon. He wasalways at the count's, as was also Dr. Algardi, of Bologna, the prince'sphysician and a delightful man. 

I often saw at the same house a certain Baron Sellenthin, a Prussianofficer, who was always recruiting for his master at Augsburg. He was apleasant man, somewhat in the Gascon style, soft-spoken, and an expertgamester. Five or six years ago I had a letter from him dated Dresden, inwhich he said that though he was old, and had married a rich wife, herepented of having married at all. I should say the same if I had everchanced to marry. 

During my stay at Augsburg several Poles, who had left their country onaccount of the troubles, came to see me. Amongst others was Rzewuski, theroyal Prothonotary, whom I had known at St. Petersburg as the lover ofpoor Madame Langlade. 

"What a diet! What plots! What counterplots! What misfortunes!" said thishonest Pole, to me. "Happy are they who have nothing to do with it!"

He was going to Spa, and he assured me that if I followed him I shouldfind Prince Adam's sister, Tomatis, and Madame Catai, who had become themanager's wife. I determined to go to Spa, and to take measures so that Imight go there with three or four hundred ducats in my purse. To thisintent I wrote to Prince Charles of Courland, who was at Venice, to sendme a hundred ducats, and in my letter I gave him an infallible receiptfor the philosopher's stone. The letter containing this vast secret wasnot in cypher, so I advised him to burn it after he had read it, assuringhim that I possessed a copy. He did not do so, and it was taken to Pariswith his order papers when he was sent to the Bastile. 

If it had not been for the Revolution my letter would never have seen thelight. When the Bastille was destroyed, my letter was found and printedwith other curious compositions, which were afterwards translated intoGerman and English. The ignorant fools that abound in the land where myfate wills that I should write down the chief events of my long andtroublous life--these fools, I say, who are naturally my sworn foes (forthe ass lies not down with the horse), make this letter an article ofaccusation against me, and think they can stop my mouth by telling methat the letter has been translated into German, and remains to myeternal shame. The ignorant Bohemians are astonished when I tell themthat I regard the letter as redounding to my glory, and that if theirears were not quite so long their blame would be turned into praise. 

I do not know whether my letter has been correctly translated, but sinceit has become public property I shall set it down here in homage totruth, the only god I adore. I have before me an exact copy of theoriginal written in Augsburg in the year 1767, and we are now in the year1798. 

It runs as follows:

"MY LORD, --I hope your highness will either burn this letter afterreading it, or else preserve it with the greatest care. It will bebetter, however, to make a copy in cypher, and to burn the original. Myattachment to you is not my only motive in writing; I confess my interestis equally concerned. Allow me to say that I do not wish your highness toesteem me alone for any qualities you may have observed in me; I wish youto become my debtor by the inestimable secret I am going to confide toyou. This secret relates to the making of gold, the only thing of whichyour highness stands in need. If you had been miserly by nature you wouldbe rich now; but you are generous, and will be poor all your days if youdo not make use of my secret. 

"Your highness told me at Riga that you would like me to give you thesecret by which I transmuted iron into copper; I never did so, but now Ishall teach you how to make a much more marvellous transmutation. Ishould point out to you, however, that you are not at present in asuitable place for the operation, although all the materials are easilyprocurable. The operation necessitates my presence for the constructionof a furnace, and for the great care necessary, far the least mistakewill spoil all. The transmutation of Mars is an easy and merelymechanical process, but that of gold is philosophical in the highestdegree. The gold produced will be equal to that used in the Venetiansequins. You must reflect, my lord, that I am giving you informationwhich will permit you to dispense with me, and you must also reflect thatI am confiding to you my life and my liberty. 

"The step I am taking should insure your life-long protection, and shouldraise you above that prejudice which is entertained against the generalmass of alchemists. My vanity would be wounded if you refuse todistinguish me from the common herd of operators. All I ask you is thatyou will wait till we meet before undertaking the process. You cannot doit by yourself, and if you employ any other person but myself, you willbetray the secret. I must tell you that, using the same materials, and bythe addition of mercury and nitre, I made the tree of projection for theMarchioness d'Urfe and the Princess of Anhalt. Zerbst calculated theprofit as fifty per cent. My fortune would have been made long ago, if Ihad found a prince with the control of a mint whom I could trust. Yourcharacter enables me to confide in you. However, we will come to thepoint. 

"You must take four ounces of good silver, dissolve in aqua fortis, precipitate secundum artem with copper, then wash in lukewarm water toseparate the acids; dry, mix with half an ounce of sal ammoniac, andplace in a suitable vessel. Afterwards you must take a pound of alum, apound of Hungary crystals, four ounces of verdigris, four ounces ofcinnabar, and two ounces of sulphur. Pulverise and mix, and place in aretort of such size that the above matters will only half fill it. Thisretort must be placed over a furnace with four draughts, for the heatmust be raised to the fourth degree. At first your fire must be slow soas to extract the gross phlegm of the matter, and when the spirit beginsto appear, place the receiver under the retort, and Luna with theammoniac salts will appear in it. All the joinings must be luted with thePhilosophical Luting, and as the spirit comes, so regulate your furnace, but do not let it pass the third degree of heat. 

"So soon as the sublimation begins then boldly open your forth vent, buttake heed that that which is sublimed pass not into the receiver where isyour Luna, and so you must shut, the mouth of the retort closely, andkeep it so for twenty-four hours, and then take off your fastenings, andallow the distillation to go on. Then you must increase your fire so thatthe spirits may pass, over, until the matter in the retort is quitedesiccated. After this operation has been performed three times, then youshall see, the gold appear in the retort. Then draw it forth and melt it, adding your corpus perfectum. Melt with it two ounces of gold, then layit in water, and you shall find four ounces of pure gold. 

"Such my lord, is the gold mine for your mint of Mitau, by which, withthe assistance of a manager and four men, you can assure yourself arevenue of a thousand ducats a week, and double, and quadruple that sum, if your highness chooses to increase the men and the furnaces. I ask yourhighness to make me your manager. But remember it must be a State secret, so burn this letter, and if your highness would give me any reward inadvance, I only ask you to give me your affection and esteem. I shall behappy if I have reason to believe that my master will also be my friend. My life, which this letter places in your power, is ever at your service, and I know not what I shall do if I ever have cause to repent havingdisclosed my secret. I have the honour to be, etc. "

In whatever language this letter may have been translated, if its senserun not as above, it is not my letter, and I am ready to give the lie toall the Mirabeaus in the world. I have been called an exile, butwrongfully, for a man who has to leave a country by virtue of a 'lettrede cachet' is no exile. He is forced to obey a despotic monarch who looksupon his kingdom as his house, and turns out of doors anyone who meetswith his displeasure. 

As soon as my purse swelled to a respectable size, I left Augsburg, Thedate of my departure was June 14th, 1767. I was at Ulm when a courier ofthe Duke of Wurtemburg's passed through the town with the news that hishighness would arrive from Venice in the course of five or six days. Thiscourier had a letter for me. It had been entrusted to him by PrinceCharles of Courland, who had told the courier that he would find me atthe "Hotel du Raisin, " in Augsburg. As it happened, I had left the daybefore, but knowing the way by which I had gone he caught me up at Ulm. He gave me the letter and asked me if I were the same Casanova who hadbeen placed under arrest and had escaped, on account of some gamblingdispute with three officers. As I was never an adept in concealing thetruth, I replied in the affirmative. A Wurtemburg officer who wasstanding beside us observed to me in a friendly manner that he was atStuttgart at the time, and that most people concurred in blaming thethree officers for their conduct in the matter. 

Without making any reply I read the letter, which referred to our privateaffairs, but as I was reading it I resolved to tell a little lie--one ofthose lies which do nobody any harm. 

"Well, sir, " I said to the officer, "his highness, your sovereign, haslistened to reason at last, and this letter informs me of a reparationwhich is in every way satisfactory. The duke has created me his privatesecretary, with a salary of twelve hundred a year. But I have waited forit a long time. God knows what has become of the three officers!"

"They are all at Louisburg, and---- -is now a colonel. "

"Well, they will be surprised to hear my news, and they will hear itto-morrow, for I am leaving this place in an hour. If they are atLouisburg, I shall have a triumph; but I am sorry not to be able toaccompany you, however we shall see each other the day after tomorrow. "

I had an excellent night, and awoke with the beautiful idea of going toLouisburg, not to fight the three officers but to frighten them, triumphover them, and to enjoy a pleasant vengeance for the injury they had doneme. I should at the same time see a good many old friends; there wasMadame Toscani, the duke's mistress; Baletti, and Vestri, who had marrieda former mistress of the duke's. I had sounded the depths of the humanheart, and knew I had nothing to fear. The duke was on the point ofreturning, and nobody would dream of impugning the truth of my story. When he actually did arrive he would not find me, for as soon as thecourier announced his approach I should go away, telling everybody that Ihad orders to precede his highness, and everybody would be duped. 

I never had so pleasant an idea before. I was quite proud of it, and Ishould have despised myself if I had failed to carry it into effect. Itwould be my vengeance on the duke, who could not have forgotten theterrible letter I had written him; for princes do not forget smallinjuries as they forget great services. 

I slept badly the following night, my anxiety was so great, and I reachedLouisburg and gave my name at the town gates, without the addition of mypretended office, for my jest must be matured by degrees. I went to stayat the posting-inn, and just as I was asking for the address of MadameToscani, she and her husband appeared on the scene. They both flung theirarms around my neck, and overwhelmed me with compliments on my woundedarm and the victory I had achieved. 

"What victory?"

"Your appearance here has filled the hearts of all your friends withjoy. "

"Well, I certainly am in the duke's service, but how did you find itout?"

"It's the common talk. The courier who gave you the letter has spread itall abroad, and the officer who was present and arrived here yesterdaymorning confirmed it. But you cannot imagine the consternation of yourthree foes. However, we are afraid that you will have some trouble withthem, as they have kept your letter of defiance given from Furstenberg. "

"Why didn't they meet me, then?"

"Two of them could not go, and the third arrived too late. "

"Very good. If the duke has no objection I shall be happy to meet themone after another, not three all at once. Of course, the duel must bewith pistols; a sword duel is out of the question with my arm in asling. "

"We will speak of that again. My daughter wants to make peace before theduke comes, and you had better consent to arrangements, for there arethree of them, and it isn't likely that you could kill the whole threeone after the other. "

"Your daughter must have grown into a beauty. "

"You must stop with us this evening; you will see her, for she is nolonger the duke's mistress. She is going to get married. "

"If your daughter can bring about an arrangement I would gladly fall inwith it, provided it is an honourable one for me. "

"How is it that you are wearing the sling after all these months?"

"I am quite cured, and yet my arm swells as soon as I let it swing loose. You shall see it after dinner, for you must dine with me if you want meto sup with you. "

Next came Vestri, whom I did not know, accompanied by my beloved Baletti. With them was an officer who was in love with Madame Toscani's seconddaughter, and another of their circle, with whom I was also unacquainted. They all came to congratulate me on my honourable position in the duke'sservice. Baletti was quite overcome with delight. The reader willrecollect that he was my chief assistant in my escape from Stuttgart, andthat I was once going to marry his sister. Baletti was a fine fellow, andthe duke was very fond of him. He had a little country house, with aspare room, which he begged me to accept, as he said he was only tooproud that the duke should know him as my best friend. When his highnesscame, of course I would have an apartment in the palace. I accepted; andas it was still early, we all went to see the young Toscani. I had lovedher in Paris before her beauty had reached its zenith, and she wasnaturally proud to shew me how beautiful she had become. She shewed meher house and her jewels, told me the story of her amours with the duke, of her breaking with him on account of his perpetual infidelities, and ofher marriage with a man she despised, but who was forced on her by herposition. 

At dinner-time we all went to the inn, where we met the offendingcolonel; he was the first to take off his hat, we returned the salute, and he passed on his way. 

The dinner was a pleasant one, and when it was over I proceeded to takeup my quarters with Baletti. In the evening we went to Madame Toscani's, where I saw two girls of ravishing beauty, Madame Toscani's daughter andVestri's wife, of whom the duke had had two children. Madame Vestri was ahandsome woman, but her wit and the charm of her manner enchanted mestill more. She had only one fault--she lisped. 

There was a certain reserve about the manner of Mdlle. Toscani, so Ichiefly addressed myself to Madame Vestri, whose husband was not jealous, for he neither cared for her nor she for him. On the day of my arrivalthe manager had distributed the parts of a little play which was to begiven in honour of the duke's arrival. It had been written by a localauthor, in hopes of its obtaining the favour of the Court for him. 

After supper the little piece was discussed. Madame Vestri played theprincipal part, which she was prevailed upon to recite. 

"Your elocution is admirable, and your expression full of spirit, " Iobserved; "but what a pity it is that you do not pronounce the dentals. "

The whole table scouted my opinion. 

"It's a beauty, not a defect, " said they. "It makes her acting soft anddelicate; other actresses envy her the privilege of what you call adefect. "

I made no answer, but looked at Madame Vestri. 

"Do you think I am taken in by all that?" said she. 

"I think you are much too sensible to believe such nonsense. "

"I prefer a man to say honestly, 'what a pity, ' than to hear all thatfoolish flattery. But I am sorry to say that there is no remedy for thedefect. "

"No remedy?"

"No. "

"Pardon me, I have an infallible remedy for your complaint. You shallgive me a good hearty blow if I do not make you read the part perfectlyby to-morrow, but if I succeed in making you read it as your husband, forexample's sake, might read it you shall permit me to give you a tenderembrace. "

"Very good; but what must I do?"

"You must let me weave a spell over your part, that is all. Give it tome. To-morrow morning at nine o'clock I will bring it to you to get myblow or my kiss, if your husband has no objection. "

"None whatever; but we do not believe in spells. "

"You are right, in a general way; but mine will not fail. "

"Very good. "

Madame Vestri left me the part, and the conversation turned on othersubjects. I was condoled with on my swollen hand, and I told the story ofmy duel. Everybody seemed to delight in entertaining me and feasting me, and I went back to Baletti's in love with all the ladies, but especiallywith Madame Vestri and Mdlle. Toscani. 

Baletti had a beautiful little girl of three years old. 

"How did you get that angel?" I asked. 

"There's her mother; and, as a proof of my hospitality, she shall sleepwith you to-night. "

"I accept your generous offer; but let it be to-morrow night. "

"And why not to-night?"

"Because I shall be engaged all night in weaving my spell. "

"What do you mean? I thought that was a joke. "

"No, I am quite serious. "

"Are you a little crazy?"

"You shall see. Do you go to bed, and leave me a light and writingmaterials. "

I spent six hours in copying out the part, only altering certain phrases. For all words in which the letter r appeared I substituted another. Itwas a tiresome task, but I longed to embrace Madame Vestri before herhusband. I set about my task in the following manner:

The text ran:

"Les procedes de cet homme m'outragent et me deseparent, je dois penser ame debarrasser. "

For this I substituted:

"Cet homme a des facons qui m'offensent et me desolent, il faut que jem'en defasse;" and so on throughout the piece. 

When I had finished I slept for three hours, and then rose and dressed. Baletti saw my spell, and said I had earned the curses of the youngauthor, as Madame Vestri would no doubt make him write all parts for herwithout using the letter 'r'; and, indeed, that was just what she did. 

I called on the actress and found her getting up. I gave her the part, and as soon as she saw what I had done she burst out into exclamations ofdelight; and calling her husband shewed him my contrivance, and said shewould never play a part with an 'r' in it again. I promised to copy themall out, and added that I had spent the whole night in amending thepresent part. "The whole night! Come and take your reward, for you arecleverer than any sorcerer. We must have the author to dinner, and Ishall make him promise to write all my parts without the 'r', or the dukewill not employ him. Indeed, I don't wonder the duke has made you hissecretary. I never thought it would be possible to do what you have done;but I suppose it was very difficult?"

"Not at all. If I were a pretty woman with the like defect I should takecare to avoid all words with an 'r; in them. "

"Oh, that would be too much trouble. "

"Let us bet again, for a box or a kiss, that you can spend a whole daywithout using an 'r'. Let us begin now. "

"All in good time, " said she, "but we won't have any stake, as I thinkyou are too greedy. "

The author came to dinner, and was duly attacked by Madame Vestri. Shebegan by saying that it was an author's duty to be polite to actresses, and if any of them spoke with a lisp the least he could do was to writetheir parts without the fatal letter. 

The young author laughed, and said it could not be done without spoilingthe style. Thereupon Madame Vestri gave him my version of her part, telling him to read it, and to say on his conscience whether the stylehad suffered. He had to confess that my alterations were positiveimprovements, due to the great richness of the French language. And hewas right, for there is no language in the world that can compare incopiousness of expression with the French. 

This trifling subject kept us merry, but Madame Vestri expressed a devoutwish that all authors would do for her what I had done. At Paris, where Iheard her playing well and lisping terribly, she did not find the authorsso obliging, but she pleased the people. She asked me if I wouldundertake to recompose Zaire, leaving out the r's. 

"Ah!" said I, "considering that it would have to be in verse, and inVoltairean verse, I would rather not undertake the task. "

With a view to pleasing the actress the young author asked me how I wouldtell her that she was charming without using an 'r'. 

"I should say that she enchanted me, made me in an ecstasy, that she isunique. "

She wrote me a letter, which I still keep, in which the 'r' does notappear. If I could have stayed at Stuttgart, this device of mine mighthave won me her favours; but after a week of feasting and triumph thecourier came one morning at ten o'clock and announced that his highness, the duke, would arrive at four. 

As soon as I heard the news I told Baletti with the utmost coolness thatI thought it would be only polite to meet my lord, and swell his train onhis entry into Louisburg; and as I wished to meet him at a distance oftwo stages I should have to go at once. He thought my idea an excellentone, and went to order post-horses immediately; but when he saw mepacking up all my belongings into my trunk, he guessed the truth andapplauded the jest. I embraced him and confessed my hardihood. He wassorry to lose me, but he laughed when he thought of the feelings of theduke and of the three officers when they found out the trick. He promisedto write to me at Mannheim, where I had decided on spending a week to seemy beloved Algardi, who was in the service of the Elector. I had alsoletters for M. De Sickirigen and Baron Becker, one of the Elector'sministers. 

When the horses were put in I embraced Baletti, his little girl, and hispretty housekeeper, and ordered the postillion to drive to Mannheim. 

When we reached Mannheim I heard that the Court was at Schwetzingen, andI bade the postillion drive on. I found everyone I had expected to see. Algardi had got married, M. De Sickingen was soliciting the position ofambassador to Paris, and Baron Becker introduced me to the Elector. Fiveor six days after my arrival died Prince Frederic des Deux Ponts, and Iwill here relate an anecdote I heard the day before he died. 

Dr. Algardi had attended on the prince during his last illness. I wassupping with Veraci, the poet-laureate, on the eve of the prince's death, and in the course of supper Algardi came in. 

"How is the prince?" said I. 

"The poor prince--he cannot possibly live more than twenty-four hours. "

"Does he know it?"

"No, he still hopes. He grieved me to the heart by bidding me tell himthe whole truth; he even bade me give my word of honour that I wasspeaking the truth. Then he asked me if he were positively in danger ofdeath. "

"And you told him the truth?"

"Certainly not. I told him his sickness was undoubtedly a mortal one, butthat with the help of nature and art wonders might be worked. "

"Then you deceived him, and told a lie?"

"I did not deceive him; his recovery comes under the category of thepossible. I did not want to leave him in despair, for despair would mostcertainly kill him. "

"Yes, yes; but you will confess that you told him a lie and broke yourword of honour. "

"I told no lie, for I know that he may possibly be cured. "

"Then you lied just now?"

"Not at all, for lie will die to-morrow. "

"It seems to me that your reasoning is a little Jesuitical. "

"No, it is not. My duty was to prolong my patient's life and to spare hima sentence which would most certainly have shortened it, possibly byseveral hours; besides, it is not an absolute impossibility that heshould recover, therefore I did not lie when I told him that he mightrecover, nor did I lie just now when I gave it as my opinion (the resultof my experience) that he would die to-morrow. I would certainly wager amillion to one that he will die to-morrow, but I would not wager mylife. "

"You are right, and yet for all that you deceived the poor man; for hisintention in asking you the question was not to be told a commonplacewhich he knew as well as you, but to learn your true opinion as to hislife or death. But again I agree with you that as his physician you werequite right not to shorten his few remaining hours by telling him theterrible truth. "

After a fortnight I left Schwetzingen, leaving some of my belongingsunder the care of Veraci the poet, telling him I would call for them someday; but I never came, and after a lapse of thirty-one years Veraci keepsthem still. He was one of the strangest poets I have ever met. Heaffected eccentricity to make himself notorious, and opposed the greatMetastasio in everything, writing unwieldy verses which he said gave morescope for the person who set them to music. He had got this extravagantnotion from Jumelli. 

I traveled to Mayence and thence I sailed to Cologne, where I lookedforward to the pleasure of meeting with the burgomaster's wife whodisliked General Kettler, and had treated me so well seven years ago. Butthat was not the only reason which impelled me to visit that odious town. When I was at Dresden I had read in a number of the Cologne Gazette that"Master Casanova has returned to Warsaw only to be sent about hisbusiness again. The king has heard some stories of this famousadventurer, which compel him to forbid him his Court. "

I could not stomach language of this kind, and I resolved to pay Jacquet, the editor, a visit, and now my time had come. 

I made a hasty dinner and then called on the burgomaster, whom I foundsitting at table with his fair Mimi. They welcomed me warmly, and for twohours I told them the story of my adventures during the last seven years. Mimi had to go out, and I was asked to dine with them the next day. 

I thought she looked prettier than ever, and my imagination promised mesome delicious moments with her. I spent an anxious and impatient night, and called on my Amphitryon at an early hour to have an opportunity ofspeaking to his dear companion. I found her alone, and began with anardent caress which she gently repelled, but her face froze my passion inits course. 

"Time is an excellent doctor, " said she, "and it has cured me of apassion which left behind it the sting of remorse. "

"What! The confessional . . . . "

"Should only serve as a place wherein to confess our sins of the past, and to implore grace to sin no more. "

"May the Lord save me from repentance, the only source of which is aprejudice! I shall leave Cologne to-morrow. "

"I do not tell you to go. "

"If there is no hope, it is no place for me. May I hope?"

"Never. "

She was delightful at table, but I was gloomy and distracted. At seveno'clock next day I set out, and as soon as I had passed the Aix laChapelle Gate, I told the postillion to stop and wait for me. I thenwalked to Jacquet's, armed with a pistol and a cane, though I only meantto beat him. 

The servant shewed me into the room where he was working by himself. Itwas on the ground floor, and the door was open for coolness' sake. 

He heard me coming in and asked what he could do for me. 

"You scoundrelly journalist. " I replied, "I am the adventurer Casanovawhom you slandered in your miserable sheet four months ago. "

So saying I directed my pistol at his head, with my left hand, and liftedmy cane with my right. But the wretched scribbler fell on his kneesbefore me with clasped hands and offered to shew me the signed letter hehad received from Warsaw, which contained the statements he had insertedin his paper. 

"Where is this letter?"

"You shall have it in a moment. "

I made way for him to search, but I locked and bolted the door to preventhis escaping. The man trembled like a leaf and began to look for theletter amongst his Warsaw correspondence, which was in a disgracefulstate of confusion. I shewed him the date of the article in the paper, but the letter could not be found; and at the end of an hour he fell downagain on his knees, and told me to do what I would to him. I gave him akick and told him to get up and follow me. He made no reply, and followedme bareheaded till he saw me get into my chaise and drive off, and I haveno doubt he gave thanks to God for his light escape. In the evening, Ireached Aix-la-Chapelle, where I found Princess Lubomirska, GeneralRoniker, several other distinguished Poles, Tomatis and his wife, andmany Englishmen of my acquaintance. 

CHAPTER II

My Stay at Spa--The Blow--The Sword--Della Croce--Charlotte; Her Lying-inand Death--A Lettre de Cachet Obliges Me to Leave Paris in the Course ofTwenty-four Hours

All my friends seemed delighted to see me, and I was well pleased to findmyself in such good company. People were on the point of leaving Aix forSpa. Nearly everyone went, and those who stayed only did so becauselodgings were not to be had at Spa. Everybody assured me that this wasthe case, and many had returned after seeking in vain for a mere garret. I paid no attention to all this, and told the princess that if she wouldcome with me I would find some lodging, were it only in my carriage. Weaccordingly set out the next day, and got to Spa in good time, ourcompany consisting of the princess, the prothonotary, Roniker, and theTomatis. Everyone except myself had taken rooms in advance, I alone knewnot where to turn. I got out and prepared for the search, but beforegoing along the streets I went into a shop and bought a hat, having lostmine on the way. I explained my situation to the shopwoman, who seemed totake an interest in me, and began speaking to her husband in Flemish orWalloon, and finally informed me that if it were only for a few days sheand her husband would sleep in the shop and give up their room to me. Butshe said that she had absolutely no room whatever for my man. 

"I haven't got one. "

"All the better. Send away your carriage. "

"Where shall I send it?"

"I will see that it is housed safely. "

"How much am I to pay?"

"Nothing; and if you are not too particular, we should like you to shareour meals. "

"I accept your offer thankfully. "

I went up a narrow staircase, and found myself in a pretty little roomwith a closet, a good bed, suitable furniture, and everything perfectlyneat and clean. I thought myself very lucky, and asked the good peoplewhy they would not sleep in the closet rather than the shop, and theyreplied with one breath that they would be in my way, while their niecewould not interfere with me. 

This news about the niece was a surprise to me. The closet had no door, and was not much bigger than the bed which it contained; it was, in fact, a mere alcove, without any window. 

I must note that my hostess and her husband, both of them from Liege, were perfect models of ugliness. 

"It's not within the limits of possibility, " I said to myself, "for theniece to be uglier than they, but if they allow her to sleep thus in thesame room with the first comer, she must be proof against alltemptation. "

However, I gave no sign, and did not ask to see the niece for fear ofoffense, and I went out without opening my trunk. I told them as I wentout that I should not be back till after supper, and gave them some moneyto buy wax candles and night lights. 

I went to see the princess with whom I was to sup. All the companycongratulated me on my good fortune in finding a lodging. I went to theconcert, to the bank at faro, and to the other gaming saloons, and thereI saw the so-called Marquis d'Aragon, who was playing at piquet with anold count of the Holy Roman Empire. I was told about the duel he had hadthree weeks before with a Frenchman who had picked a quarrel with him;the Frenchman had been wounded in the chest, and was still ill. Nevertheless, he was only waiting for his cure to be completed to havehis revenge, which he had demanded as he was taken off the field. Such isthe way of the French when a duel is fought for a trifling matter. Theystop at the first blood, and fight the duel over and over again. InItaly, on the other hand, duels are fought to the death. Our blood burnsto fire when our adversary's sword opens a vein. Thus stabbing is commonin Italy and rare in France; while duels are common in France, and rarein Italy. 

Of all the company at Spa, I was most pleased to see the MarquisCaraccioli, whom I had left in London. His Court had given him leave ofabsence, and he was spending it at Spa. He was brimful of wit and themilk of human kindness, compassionate for the weaknesses of others, anddevoted to youth, no matter of what sex, but he knew well the virtue ofmoderation, and used all things without abusing them. He never played, but he loved a good gamester and despised all dupes. The worthy marquiswas the means of making the fortune of the so-called Marquis d'Aragon bybecoming surety for his nobility and bona fides to a wealthy Englishwidow of fifty, who had taken a fancy to him, and brought him her fortuneof sixty thousand pounds sterling. No doubt the widow was taken with thegigantic form and the beautiful title of d'Aragon, for Dragon (as hisname really was) was devoid of wit and manners, and his legs, which Isuppose he kept well covered, bore disgusting marks of the libertine lifehe had led. I saw the marquis some time afterwards at Marseilles, and afew years later he purchased two estates at Modena. His wife died in duecourse, and according to the English law he inherited the whole of herproperty. 

I returned to my lodging in good time, and went to bed without seeing theniece, who was fast asleep. I was waited on by the ugly aunt, who beggedme not to take a servant while I remained in her house, for by heraccount all servants were thieves. 

When I awoke in the morning the niece had got up and gone down. I dressedto go to the Wells, and warned my host and hostess that I should have thepleasure of dining with them. The room I occupied was the only place inwhich they could take their meals, and I was astonished when they cameand asked my permission to do so. The niece had gone out, so I had to putmy curiosity aside. When I was out my acquaintances pointed out to me thechief beauties who then haunted the Wells. The number of adventurers whoflock to Spa during the season is something incredible, and they all hopeto make their fortunes; and, as may be supposed, most of them go away asnaked as they came, if not more so. Money circulates with great freedom, but principally amongst the gamesters, shop-keepers, money-lenders, andcourtezans. The money which proceeds from the gaming-table has threeissues: the first and smallest share goes to the Prince-Bishop of Liege;the second and larger portion, to the numerous amateur cheats whofrequent the place; and by far the largest of all to the coffers oftwelve sharpers, who keep the tables and are authorized by the sovereign. 

Thus goes the money. It comes from the pockets of the dupes--poor mothswho burn their wings at Spa!

The Wells are a mere pretext for gaming, intriguing, and fortune-hunting. There are a few honest people who go for amusement, and a few for restand relaxation after the toils of business. 

Living is cheap enough at Spa. The table d'hote is excellent, and onlycosts a small French crown, and one can get good lodging for the likesum. 

I came home at noon having won a score of louis. I went into the shop, intending to go to my room, but I was stopped short by seeing a handsomebrunette, of nineteen or twenty, with great black eyes, voluptuous lips, and shining teeth, measuring out ribbon on the counter. This, then, wasthe niece, whom I had imagined as so ugly. I concealed my surprise andsat down in the shop to gaze at her and endeavour to make heracquaintance. But she hardly seemed to see me, and only acknowledged mypresence by a slight inclination of the head. Her aunt came down to saythat dinner was ready, and I went upstairs and found the table laid forfour. The servant brought in the soup, and then asked me very plainly togive her some money if I wanted any wine, as her master and mistress onlydrank beer. I was delighted with her freedom, and gave her money to buytwo bottles of Burgundy. 

The master came up and shewed me a gold repeater with a chain also ofgold by a well-known modern maker. He wanted to know how much it wasworth. 

"Forty louis at the least. "

"A gentleman wants me to give him twenty louis for it, on the conditionthat I return it to-morrow if he brings me twenty-two. "

"Then I advise you to accept his offer. "

"I haven't got the money. "

"I will lend it you with pleasure. "

I gave him the twenty Louis, and placed the watch in my jewel-casket. Attable the niece sat opposite to me, but I took care not to look at her, and she, like a modest girl, did not say a score of words all through themeal. The meal was an excellent one, consisting of soup, boiled beef, anentree, and a roast. The mistress of the house told me that the roast wasin my honour, "for, " she said, "we are not rich people, and we only allowourselves this Luxury on a Sunday. " I admired her delicacy, and theevident sincerity with which she spoke. I begged my entertainers to helpme with my wine, and they accepted the offer, saying they only wishedthey were rich enough to be able to drink half a bottle a day. 

"I thought trade was good with you. "

"The stuff is not ours, and we have debts; besides, the expenses are verygreat. We have sold very little up to now. "

"Do you only sell hats?"

"No, we have silk handkerchiefs, Paris stockings, and lace ruffs, butthey say everything is too dear. "

"I will buy some things for you, and will send all my friends here. Leaveit to me; I will see what I can do for you. "

"Mercy, fetch down one or two packets of those handkerchiefs and somestockings, large size, for the gentleman has a big leg. "

Mercy, as the niece was called, obeyed. I pronounced the handkerchiefssuperb and the stockings excellent. I bought a dozen, and I promised themthat they should sell out their whole stock. They overwhelmed me withthanks, and promised to put themselves entirely in my hands. 

After coffee, which, like the roast, was in my honour, the aunt told herniece to take care to awake me in the morning when she got up. She saidshe would not fail, but I begged her not to take too much trouble overme, as I was a very heavy sleeper. 

In the afternoon I went to an armourer's to buy a brace of pistols, andasked the man if he knew the tradesman with whom I was staying. 

"We are cousins-german, " he replied. 

"Is he rich?"

"Yes, in debts. "

"Why?"

"Because he is unfortunate, like most honest people. "

"How about his wife?"

"Her careful economy keeps him above water. "

"Do you know the niece?"

"Yes; she's a good girl, but very pious. Her silly scruples keepcustomers away from the shop. "

"What do you think she should do to attract customers?"

"She should be more polite, and not play the prude when anyone wants togive her a kiss. "

"She is like that, is she?"

"Try her yourself and you will see. Last week she gave an officer a boxon the ear. My cousin scolded her, and she wanted to go back to Liege;however, the wife soothed her again. She is pretty enough, don't youthink so?"

"Certainly I do, but if she is as cross-grained as you say, the bestthing will be to leave her alone. "

After what I had heard I made up my mind to change my room, for Mercy hadpleased me in such a way that I was sure I should be obliged to pay her acall before long, and I detested Pamelas as heartily as Charpillons. 

In the afternoon I took Rzewuski and Roniker to the shop, and they boughtfifty ducats' worth of goods to oblige me. The next day the princess andMadame Tomatis bought all the handkerchiefs. 

I came home at ten o'clock, and found Mercy in bed as I had done thenight before. Next morning the watch was redeemed, and the hatterreturned me twenty-two louis. I made him a present of the two louis, andsaid I should always be glad to lend him money in that way--the profitsto be his. He left me full of gratitude. 

I was asked to dine with Madame Tomatis, so I told my hosts that I wouldhave the pleasure of supping with them, the costs to be borne by me. Thesupper was good and the Burgundy excellent, but Mercy refused to tasteit. She happened to leave the room for a moment at the close of the meal, and I observed to the aunt that her niece was charming, but it was a pityshe was so sad. 

"She will have to change her ways, or I will keep her no longer. "

"Is she the same with all men?"

"With all. "

"Then she has never been in love. "

"She says she has not, but I don't believe her. "

"I wonder she can sleep so comfortably with a man at a few feet distant. "

"She is not afraid. "

Mercy came in, bade us good night, and said she would go to bed. I madeas if I would give her a kiss, but she turned her back on me, and placeda chair in front of her closet so that I might not see her taking off herchemise. My host and hostess then went to bed, and so did I, puzzling myhead over the girl's behaviour which struck me as most extraordinary andunaccountable. However, I slept peacefully, and when I awoke the bird hadleft the nest. I felt inclined to have a little quiet argument with thegirl, and to see what I could make of her; but I saw no chance of mygetting an opportunity. The hatter availed himself of my offer of purseto lend money on pledges, whereby he made a good profit. There was norisk for me in the matter, and he and his wife declared that they blessedthe day on which I had come to live with them. 

On the fifth or sixth day I awoke before Mercy, and only putting on mydressing-gown I came towards her bed. She had a quick ear and woke up, and no sooner did she see me coming towards her than she asked me what Iwanted. I sat down on her bed and said gently that I only wanted to wishher a good day and to have a little talk. It was hot weather, and she wasonly covered by a single sheet; and stretching out one arm I drew hertowards me, and begged her to let me give her a kiss. Her resistance mademe angry; and passing an audacious hand under the sheet I discovered thatshe was made like other women; but just as my hand was on the spot, Ireceived a fisticuff on the nose that made me see a thousand stars, andquite extinguished the fire of my concupiscence. The blood streamed frommy nose and stained the bed of the furious Mercy. I kept my presence ofmind and left her on the spot, as the blow she had given me was but asample of what I might expect if I attempted reprisals. I washed my facein cold water, and as I was doing so Mercy dressed herself and left theroom. 

At last my blood ceased to flow, and I saw to my great annoyance that mynose was swollen in such a manner that my face was simply hideous. Icovered it up with a handkerchief and sent for the hairdresser to do myhair, and when this was done my landlady brought me up some fine trout, of which I approved; but as I was giving her the money she saw my faceand uttered a cry of horror. I told her the whole story, freelyacknowledging that I was in the wrong, and begging her to say nothing toher niece. Then heeding not her excuses I went out with my handkerchiefbefore my face, and visited a house which the Duchess of Richmond hadleft the day before. 

Half of the suite she had abandoned had been taken in advance by anItalian marquis; I took the other half, hired a servant, and had myeffects transported there from my old lodgings. The tears andsupplications of my landlady had no effect whatever upon me, I felt Icould not bear the sight of Mercy any longer. 

In the house into which I had moved I found an Englishman who said hewould bring down the bruise in one hour, and make the discoloration ofthe flesh disappear in twenty-four. I let him do what he liked and hekept his word. He rubbed the place with spirits of wine and some drugwhich is unknown to me; but being ashamed to appear in public in thestate I was in, I kept indoors for the rest of the day. At noon thedistressed aunt brought me my trout, and said that Mercy was cut to theheart to have used me so, and that if I would come back I could do what Iliked with her. 

"You must feel, " I replied, "that if I complied with your request theadventure would become public to the damage of my honour and yourbusiness, and your niece would not be able to pass for a devotee anylonger. "

I made some reflections on the blow she had given the officer, much tothe aunt's surprise, for she could not think how I had heard of it; and Ishewed her that, after having exposed me to her niece's brutality, herrequest was extremely out of place. I concluded by saying that I couldbelieve her to be an accomplice in the fact without any great stretch ofimagination. This made her burst into tears, and I had to apologize andto promise to continue forwarding her business by way of consolation, andso she left me in a calmer mood. Half an hour afterwards her husband camewith twenty-five Louis I had lent him on a gold snuff-box set withdiamonds, and proposed that I should lend two hundred Louis on a ringworth four hundred. 

"It will be yours, " he said, "if the owner does not bring me two hundredand twenty Louis in a week's time. "

I had the money and proceeded to examine the stone which seemed to be agood diamond, and would probably weigh six carats as the owner declared. The setting was in gold. 

"I consent to give the sum required if the owner is ready to give me areceipt. "

"I will do so myself in the presence of witnesses. "

"Very good. You shall have the money in the course of an hour; I am goingto have the stone taken out first. That will make no difference to theowner, as I shall have it reset at my own expense. If he redeems it, thetwenty Louis shall be yours. "

"I must ask him whether he has any objection to the stone being takenout. "

"Very good, but you can tell him that if he will not allow it to be donehe will get nothing for it. "

He returned before long with a jeweller who said he would guarantee thestone to be at least two grains over the six carats. 

"Have you weighed it?"

"No, but I am quite sure it weighs over six carats. "

"Then you can lend the money on it?"

"I cannot command such a sum. "

"Can you tell me why the owner objects to the stone being taken out andput in at my expense?"

"No, I can't; but he does object. "

"Then he may take his ring somewhere else. "

They went away, leaving me well pleased at my refusal, for it was plainthat the stone was either false or had a false bottom. 

I spent the rest of the day in writing letters and making a good supper, In the morning I was awoke by someone knocking at my door, and on mygetting up to open it, what was my astonishment to find Mercy!

I let her in, and went back to bed, and asked her what she wanted with meso early in the morning. She sat down on the bed, and began to overwhelmme with apologies. I replied by asking her why, if it was her principleto fly at her lovers like a tiger, she had slept almost in the same roomas myself. 

"In sleeping in the closet, " said she, "I obeyed my aunt's orders, and instriking you (for which I am very sorry) I was but defending my honour;and I cannot admit that every man who sees me is at liberty to lose hisreason. I think you will allow that your duty is to respect, and mine todefend, my honour. "

"If that is your line of argument, I acknowledge that you are right; butyou had nothing to complain of, for I bore your blow in silence, and bymy leaving the house you might know that it was my intention to respectyou for the future. Did you come to hear me say this? If so, you aresatisfied. But you will not be offended if I laugh at your excuses, forafter what you have said I cannot help thinking them very laughable. "

"What have I said?"

"That you only did your duty in flattening my nose. If so, do you thinkit is necessary to apologize for the performance of duty?"

"I ought to have defended myself more gently. But forget everything andforgive me; I will defend myself no more in any way. I am yours and Ilove you, and I am ready to prove my love. "

She could not have spoken more plainly, and as she spoke the last wordsshe fell on me with her face close to mine, which she bedewed with hertears. I was ashamed of such an easy conquest, and I gently withdrew fromher embrace, telling her to return after the bruise on my face haddisappeared. She left me deeply mortified. 

The Italian, who had taken half the suite of rooms, had arrived in thecourse of the night. I asked his name, and was given a card bearing thename of The Marquis Don Antonio della Croce. 

Was it the Croce I knew?

It was very possible. 

I asked what kind of an establishment he had, and was informed that themarchioness had a lady's maid, and the marquis a secretary and twoservants. I longed to see the nobleman in question. 

I had not long to wait, for as soon as he heard that I was his neighbour, he came to see me, and we spent two hours in telling each other ouradventures since we had parted in Milan. He had heard that I had made thefortune of the girl he had abandoned, and in the six years that hadelapsed he had been travelling all over Europe, engaged in a constantstrife with fortune. At Paris and Brussels he had made a good deal ofmoney, and in the latter town he had fallen in love with a young lady ofrank, whom her father had shut up in a convent. He had taken her away, and she it was whom he called the Marchioness della Croce, now six monthswith child. 

He made her pass for his wife, because, as he said, he meant to marry hereventually. 

"I have fifty thousand francs in gold, " said he, "and as much again injewellery and various possessions. It is my intention to give suppershere and hold a bank, but if I play without correcting the freaks offortune I am sure to lose. " He intended going to Warsaw, thinking I wouldgive him introductions to all my friends there; but he made a mistake, and I did not even introduce him to my Polish friends at Spa. I told himhe could easily make their acquaintance by himself, and that I wouldneither make nor mar with him. 

I accepted his invitation to dinner for the same day. His secretary, ashe called him, was merely his confederate. He was a clever Veronese namedConti, and his wife was an essential accomplice in Croce's designs. 

At noon my friend the hatter came again with the ring, followed by theowner, who looked like a bravo. They were accompanied by the jeweller andanother individual. The owner asked me once more to lend him two hundredlouis on the ring. 

My proper course would have been to beg to be excused, then I should havehad no more trouble in the matter; but it was not to be. I wanted to makehim see that the objection he made to having the stone taken out was aninsuperable obstacle to my lending him the money. 

"When the stone is removed, " said I, "we shall see what it really is. Listen to my proposal: if it weighs twenty-six grains, I will give you, not two but three hundred louis, but in its present condition I shallgive nothing at all. "

"You have no business to doubt my word; you insult me by doing so. "

"Not at all, I have no intentions of the kind. I simply propose a wagerto you. If the stone be found to weigh twenty-six grains, I shall losetwo hundred Louis, if it weighs much less you will lose the ring. "

"That's a scandalous proposal; it's as much as to tell me that I am aliar. "

I did not like the tone with which these words were spoken, and I went upto the chest of drawers where I kept my pistols, and bade him go andleave me in peace. 

Just then General Roniker came in, and the owner of the ring told him ofthe dispute between us. The general looked at the ring, and said tohim, --

"If anyone were to give me the ring I should not have the stone takenout, because one should not look a gift horse in the mouth; but if itcame to a question of buying or lending I would not give a crown for it, were the owner an emperor, before the stone was taken out; and I am verymuch surprised at your refusing to let this be done. "

Without a word the knave made for the door, and the ring remained in thehands of my late host. 

"Why didn't you give him his ring?" said I. 

"Because I have advanced him fifty Louis on it; but if he does not redeemit to-morrow I will have the stone taken out before a judge, andafterwards I shall sell it by auction. "

"I don't like the man's manners, and I hope you will never bring anyoneto my rooms again. "

The affair came to the following conclusion: The impostor did not redeemthe ring, and the Liege tradesman had the setting removed. The diamondwas found to be placed on a bed of rock crystal, which formed two-thirdsof the whole bulk. However, the diamond was worth fifty Louis, and anEnglishman bought it. A week afterwards the knave met me as I was walkingby myself, and begged me to follow him to place where we should be freefrom observation, as his sword had somewhat to say to mine. Curiouslyenough I happened to be wearing my sword at the time. 

"I will not follow you, " I replied; "the matter can be settled here?"

"We are observed. "

"All the better. Make haste and draw your sword first. "

"The advantage is with you. "

"I know it, and so it ought to be. If you do not draw I will proclaim youto be the coward I am sure you are. "

At this he drew his sword rapidly and came on, but I was ready to receivehim. He began to fence to try my mettle, but I lunged right at his chest, and gave him three inches of cold steel. I should have killed him on thespot if he had not lowered his sword, saying he would take his revenge atanother time. With this he went off, holding his hand to the wound. 

A score of people were close by, but no one troubled himself about thewounded man, as he was known to have been the aggressor. The duel had nofurther consequences for me. When I left Spa the man was still in thesurgeon's hands. He was something worse than an adventurer, and all theFrench at Spa disowned him. 

But to return to Croce and his dinner. 

The marchioness, his wife so-called, was a young lady of sixteen orseventeen, fair-complexioned and tall, with all the manners of theBelgian nobility. The history of her escape is well known to her brothersand sisters, and as her family are still in existence my readers will beobliged to me for concealing her name. 

Her husband had told her about me, and she received me in the mostgracious manner possible. She shewed no signs of sadness or of repentancefor the steps she had taken. She was with child for some months, andseemed to be near her term, owing to the slimness of her figure. Nevertheless she had the aspect of perfect health. Her countenanceexpressed candour and frankness of disposition in a remarkable degree. Her eyes were large and blue, her complexion a roseate hue, her smallsweet mouth, her perfect teeth made her a beauty worthy of the brush ofAlbano. 

I thought myself skilled in physiognomy, and concluded that she was notonly perfectly happy, but also the cause of happiness. But here let mesay how vain a thing it is for anyone to pronounce a man or woman to behappy or unhappy from a merely cursory inspection. 

The young marchioness had beautiful ear-rings, and two rings, which gaveme a pretext for admiring the beauty of her hands. 

Conti's wife did not cut any figure at all, and I was all eyes for themarchioness, whose name was Charlotte. I was profoundly impressed by herthat I was quite abstracted during dinner. 

I sought in vain to discover by what merits Croce had been able to seducetwo such superior women. He was not a fine-looking man, he was not welleducated, his manners were doubtful, and his way of speaking by no meansseductive; in fine, I saw nothing captivating about him, and yet I couldbe a witness to his having made two girls leave their homes to followhim. I lost myself in conjecture; but I had no premonition of what was tohappen in the course of a few weeks. 

When dinner was over I took Croce apart, and talked seriously to him. Iimpressed on him the necessity of circumspect conduct, as in my opinionhe would be for ever infamous if the beautiful woman whom he had seducedwas to become wretched by his fault. 

"For the future I mean to trust to my skill in play, and thus I am sureof a comfortable living. "

"Does she know, that your revenue is fed solely by the purses of dupes?"

"She knows that I am a gamester; and as she adores me, her will is asmine. I am thinking of marrying her at Warsaw before she is confined. Ifyou are in any want of money, look upon my purse as your own. "

I thanked him, and once more pressed on him the duty of exercisingextreme prudence. 

As a matter of fact, I had no need of money. I had played withmoderation, and my profits amounted to nearly four hundred louis. Whenthe luck turned against me I was wise enough to turn my back on theboard. Although the bruise that Mercy had given me was still apparent, Iescorted the marchioness to the tables, and there she drew all eyes uponher. She was fond of piquet, and we played together for small stakes forsome time. In the end she lost twenty crowns to me, and I was forced totake the money for fear of offending her. 

When we went back we met Croce and Conti, who had both won--Conti a scoreof louis at Faro, and Croce more than a hundred guineas at 'passe dix', which he had been playing at a club of Englishmen. I was more lively atsupper than dinner, and excited Charlotte to laughter by my wit. 

Henceforth the Poles and the Tomatis only saw me at intervals. I was inlove with the fair marchioness, and everybody said it was very natural. When a week had elapsed, Croce, finding that the pigeons would not cometo be plucked, despite the suppers he gave, went to the public room, andlost continually. He was as used to loss as to gain, and his spirits wereunaltered; he was still gay, still ate well and drank better, andcaressed his victim, who had no suspicions of what was going on. 

I loved her, but did not dare to reveal my passion, fearing lest itshould be unrequited; and I was afraid to tell her of Croce's losses lestshe should put down my action to some ulterior motive; in fine, I wasafraid to lose the trust she had already begun to place in me. 

At the end of three weeks Conti, who had played with prudence andsuccess, left Croce and set out for Verona with his wife and servant. Afew days later Charlotte dismissed her maid, sending her back to Liege, her native town. 

Towards the middle of September all the Polish party left the Spa forParis, where I promised to rejoin them. I only stayed for Charlotte'ssake; I foresaw a catastrophe, and I would not abandon her. Every dayCroce lost heavily, and at last he was obliged to sell his jewellery. Then came Charlotte's turn; she had to give up her watches, ear-rings, her rings, and all the jewels she had. He lost everything, but thiswonderful girl was as affectionate as ever. To make a finish he despoiledher of her lace and her best gowns, and then selling his own wardrobe hewent to his last fight with fortune, provided with two hundred Louis. Heplayed like a madman, without common-sense or prudence, and lost all. 

His pockets were empty, and seeing me he beckoned to me, and I followedhim out of the Spa. 

"My friend, " he began, "I have two alternatives, I can kill myself thisinstant or I can fly without returning to the house. I shall embrace thelatter and go to Warsaw on foot, and I leave my wife in your hands, for Iknow you adore her. It must be your task to give her the dreadful news ofthe pass to which I have come. Have a care of her, she is too good by farfor a poor wretch like me. Take her to Paris and I will write to youthere at your brother's address. I know you have money, but I would dierather than accept a single louis from you. I have still two or threepieces left, and I assure you that I am richer at the present moment thanI was two months ago. Farewell; once more I commend Charlotte to yourcare; I would that she had never known me. "

With these words he shed tears, and embracing me went his way. I wasstupefied at what lay before me. 

I had to inform a pregnant woman that the man she dearly loved haddeserted her. The only thought that supported me in that moment was thatit would be done for love of her, and I felt thankful that I hadsufficient means to secure her from privation. 

I went to the house and told her that we might dine at once, as themarquis would be engaged till the evening. She sighed, wished him luck, and we proceeded to dine. I disguised my emotions so well that sheconceived no suspicion. After the meal was over, I asked her to walk withme in the garden of the Capuchin Monastery, which was close at hand. Toprepare her for the fatal news I asked her if she would approve of herlover exposing himself to assassination for the sake of bidding adieu toher rather than making his escape. 

"I should blame him for doing so, " she replied. "He ought to escape byall means, if only to save his life for my sake. Has my husband done so?Speak openly to me. My spirit is strong enough to resist even so fatal ablow, for I know I have a friend in you. Speak. "

"Well, I will tell you all. But first of all remember this; you must lookupon me as a tender father who will never let you want, so long as liferemains to him. "

"In that case I cannot be called unfortunate, for I have a true friend. Say on. "

I told all that Croce had told me, not omitting his last words: "Icommend Charlotte to your care; I would that she had never known me. "

For a few minutes she remained motionless, as one turned into stone. Byher attitude, by her laboured and unequal breath, I could divine somewhatof the battle between love, and anger, and sorrow, and pity, that wasraging in the noble breast. I was cut to the heart. At last she wipedaway the big tears that began to trickle down her cheeks, and turning tome sighed and said, --

"Dear friend, since I can count on you, I am far indeed from uttermisery. "

"I swear to you, Charlotte, that I will never leave you till I place youagain in your husband's hands, provided I do not die before. "

"That is enough. I swear eternal gratitude, and to be as submissive toyou as a good daughter ought to be. "

The religion and philosophy with which her heart and mind were fortified, though she made no parade of either, began to calm her spirit, and sheproceeded to make some reflections on Croce's unhappy lot, but all inpity not in anger, excusing his inveterate passion for play. She hadoften heard from Croce's lips the story of the Marseilles girl whom hehad left penniless in an inn at Milan, commending her to my care. Shethought it something wonderful that I should again be intervening as thetutelary genius; but her situation was much the worse, for she was withchild. 

"There's another difference, " I added, "for I made the fortune of thefirst by finding her an honest husband, whereas I should never have thecourage to adopt the same method with the second. "

"While Croce lives I am no man's wife but his, nevertheless I am glad tofind myself free. "

When we were back in the house, I advised her to send away the servantand to pay his journey to Besanion, where she had taken him. Thus allunpleasantness would be avoided. I made her sell all that remained of herpoor lover's wardrobe, as also his carriage, for mine was a better one. She shewed me all she had left, which only amounted to some sets of linenand three or four dresses. 

We remained at Spa without going out of doors. She could see that my lovewas a tenderer passion than the love of a father, and she told me so, andthat she was obliged to me for the respect with which I treated her. Wesat together for hours, she folded in my arms, whilst I gently kissed herbeautiful eyes, and asked no more. I was happy in her gratitude and in mypowers of self-restraint. When temptation was too strong I left thebeautiful girl till I was myself again, and such conquests made me proud. In the affection between us there was somewhat of the purity of a man'sfirst love. 

I wanted a small travelling cap, and the servant of the house went to myformer lodging to order one. Mercy brought several for me to choose from. She blushed when she saw me, but I said nothing to her. When she had goneI told Charlotte the whole story, and she laughed with all her heart whenI reminded her of the bruise on my face when we first met, and informedher that Mercy had given it me. She praised my firmness in rejecting herrepentance, and agreed with me in thinking that the whole plan had beenconcerted between her and her aunt. 

We left Spa without any servant, and when we reached Liege we took theway of the Ardennes, as she was afraid of being recognized if we passedthrough Brussels. At Luxemburg we engaged a servant, who attended on ustill we reached Paris. All the way Charlotte was tender and affectionate, but her condition prescribed limits to her love, and I could only lookforward to the time after her delivery. We got down at Paris at the"Hotel Montmorenci, " in the street of the same name. 

Paris struck me quite as a new place. Madame d'Urfe was dead, my friendshad changed their houses and their fortunes; the poor had become rich andthe rich poor, new streets and buildings were rising on all sides; Ihardly knew my way about the town. Everything was dearer; poverty wasrampant, and luxury at it highest pitch. Perhaps Paris is the only citywhere so great a change could take place in the course of five or sixyears. 

The first call I made was on Madame du Rumain, who was delighted to seeme. I repaid her the money she had so kindly lent me in the time of mydistress. She was well in health, but harassed by so many anxieties andprivate troubles that she said Providence must have sent me to her torelieve her of all her griefs by my cabala. I told her that I would waiton her at any hour or hours; and this, indeed, was the least I could dofor the woman who had been so kind to me. 

My brother had gone to live in the Faubourg St. Antoine. Both he and hiswife (who remained constant to him, despite his physical disability) wereoverjoyed to see me, and entreated me to come and stop with them. I toldthem I should be glad to do so, as soon as the lady who had travelledwith me had got over her confinement. I did not think proper to tell themher story, and they had the delicacy to refrain from questioning me onthe subject. The same day I called on Princess Lubomirska and Tomatis, begging them not to take it amiss if my visits were few and far between, as the lady they had seen at Spa was approaching her confinement, anddemanded all my care. 

After the discharge of these duties I remained constantly by Charlotte'sside. On October 8th I thought it would be well to take her to MadameLamarre, a midwife, who lived in the Faubourg St. Denis, and Charlottewas of the same opinion. We went together, she saw the room, the bed, andheard how she would be tended and looked after, for all of which I wouldpay. At nightfall we drove to the place, with a trunk containing all hereffects. 

As we were leaving the Rue Montmorenci our carriage was obliged to stopto allow the funeral of some rich man to go by. Charlotte covered herface with her handkerchief, and whispered in my ear, "Dearest, I know itis a foolish superstition, but to a woman in my condition such a meetingis of evil omen. "

"What, Charlotte! I thought you were too wise to have such silly fears. Awoman in child-bed is not a sick woman, and no woman ever died of givingbirth to a child except some other disease intervened. "

"Yes, my dear philosopher, it is like a duel; there are two men inperfect health, when all of a sudden there comes a sword-thrust, and oneof them is dead. "

"That's a witty idea. But bid all gloomy thoughts go by, and after yourchild is born, and we have placed it in good hands, you shall come withme to Madrid, and there I hope to see you happy and contented. "

All the way I did my best to cheer her, for I knew only too well thefatal effects of melancholy on a pregnant woman, especially in such adelicate girl as Charlotte. 

When I saw her completely settled I returned to the hotel, and the nextday I took up my quarters with my brother. However, as long as myCharlotte lived, I only slept at his house, for from nine in the morningtill after midnight I was with my dear. 

On October 13th Charlotte was attacked with a fever which never left her. On the 17th she was happily delivered of a boy, which was immediatelytaken to the church and baptized at the express wishes of the mother. Charlotte wrote down what its name was to be--Jacques (after me), Charles(after her), son of Antonio della Croce and of Charlotte de (she gave herreal name). When it was brought from the church she told Madame Lamarreto carry it to the Foundling Hospital, with the certificate of baptism inits linen. I vainly endeavoured to persuade her to leave the care of thechild to me. She said that if it lived the father could easily reclaimit. On the same day, October 18th, the midwife gave me the followingcertificate, which I still possess:

It was worded as follows:

"We, J. B. Dorival, Councillor to the King, Commissary of the Chatelet, formerly Superintendent of Police in the City of Paris, do certify thatthere has been taken to the Hospital for Children a male infant, appearing to be one day old, brought from the Faubourg St. Denis by themidwife Lamarre, and bearing a certificate of baptism to the effect thatits name is Jacques Charles, son of Antonio della Croce and of Charlottede----. Wherefore, we have delivered the above certificate at our officein the City of Paris, this 18th day of October, in the year of our Lord, 1767, at seven o'clock in the afternoon. 

"DORIVAL. "

If any of my readers have any curiosity to know the real name of themother, I have given them the means of satisfying it. 

After this I did not leave the bed of the invalid for a single instant. In spite of all the doctor's care the fever increased, and at fiveo'clock in the morning of October 26th, she succumbed to it. An hourbefore she sighed her last, she bade me the last farewell in the presenceof the venerable ecclesiastic who had confessed her at midnight. Thetears which gather fast as I write these words are probably the lasthonours I shall pay to this poor victim of a man who is still alive, andwhose destiny seemed to be to make women unhappy. 

I sat weeping by the bed of her I loved so dearly, and in vain MadameLamarre tried to induce me to come and sit with her. I loved the poorcorpse better than all the world outside. 

At noon my brother and his wife came to see me; they had not seen me fora week, and were getting anxious. They saw the body lovely in death; theyunderstood my tears, and mingled theirs with mine. At last I asked themto leave me, and I remained all night by Charlotte's bed, resolved not toleave it till her body had been consigned to the grave. 

The day before this morning of unhappy memory my brother had given meseveral letters, but I had not opened any of them. On my return from thefuneral I proceeded to do so, and the first one was from M. Dandolo, announcing the death of M. De Bragadin; but I could not weep. Fortwenty-two years M. De Bragadin had been as a father to me, livingpoorly, and even going into debt that I might have enough. He could notleave me anything, as his property was entailed, while his furniture andhis library would become the prey of his creditors. His two friends, whowere my friends also, were poor, and could give me nothing but theirlove. The dreadful news was accompanied by a bill of exchange for athousand crowns, which he had sent me twenty-four hours before his death, foreseeing that it would be the last gift he would ever make me. 

I was overwhelmed, and thought that Fortune had done her worst to me. 

I spent three days in my brother's house without going out. On the fourthI began to pay an assiduous court to Princess Lubomirska, who had writtenthe king, her brother, a letter that must have mortified him, as sheproved beyond a doubt that the tales he had listened to against me weremere calumny. But your kings do not allow so small a thing to vex ormortify them. Besides, Stanislas Augustus had just received a dreadfulinsult from Russia. Repnin's violence in kidnapping the three senatorswho had spoken their minds at the Diet was a blow which must have piercedthe hapless king to the heart. 

The princess had left Warsaw more from hatred than love; though such wasnot the general opinion. As I had decided to visit the Court of Madridbefore going to Portugal, the princess gave me a letter of introductionto the powerful Count of Aranda; and the Marquis Caraccioli, who wasstill at Paris, gave me three letters, one for Prince de la Catolica, theNeapolitan ambassador at Madrid, one for the Duke of Lossada, the king'sfavourite and lord high steward, and a third for the Marquis MoraPignatelli. 

On November 4th I went to a concert with a ticket that the princess hadgiven me. When the concert was half-way through I heard my namepronounced, accompanied by scornful laughter. I turned round and saw thegentleman who was speaking contemptuously of me. It was a tall young mansitting between two men advanced in years. I stared him in the face, buthe turned his head away and continued his impertinencies, saying, amongstother things, that I had robbed him of a million francs at least by myswindling his late aunt, the Marchioness d'Urfe. 

"You are an impudent liar, " I said to him, "and if we were out of thisroom I would give you a kick to teach you to speak respectfully. "

With these words I made my way out of the hall, and on turning my headround I saw that the two elderly men were keeping the young blockheadback. I got into my carriage and waited some time, and as he did not comeI drove to the theatre and chanced to find myself in the same box asMadame Valville. She informed me that she had left the boards, and waskept by the Marquis the Brunel. 

"I congratulate you, and wish you good luck. "

"I hope you will come to supper at my house. "

"I should be only too happy, but unfortunately I have an engagement; butI will come and see you if you will give me your address. "

So saying, I slipped into her hand a rouleau, it being the fifty louis Iowed her. 

"What is this?"

"The money you lent me so kindly at Konigsberg. "

"This is neither the time nor the place to return it. I will only take itat my own house, so please do not insist. "

I put the money back into my pocket, she gave me her address, and I lefther. I felt too sad to visit her alone. 

Two days later, as I was at table with my brother, my sister-in-law, andsome young Russians whom he was teaching to paint, I was told that aChevalier of St. Louis wanted to speak to me in the antechamber. I wentout, and he handed me a paper without making any preface. I opened thedocument, and found it was signed "Louis. " The great king ordered me toleave Paris in twenty-four hours and his realm of France within threeweeks, and the reason assigned was: "It is our good pleasure. "

CHAPTER III

My Departure From Paris--My Journey to Madrid--The Count of Aranda--ThePrince de la Catolica--The Duke of Lossada--Mengs--A Ball--MadamePichona--Donna Ignazia

"Well, chevalier, " I said, "I have read the little note, and I will tryand oblige his majesty as soon as possible. However, if I have not timeto get away in twenty-four hours, his majesty must work his dread will onme. "

"My dear sir, the twenty-four hours are a mere formality. Subscribe theorder and give me a receipt for the lettre de cachet, and you can go atyour convenience. All I ask of you is that you give me your word ofhonour not to go to the theatres or public places of amusement on foot. "

"I give you my word with pleasure. "

I took the chevalier to my room and gave him the necessaryacknowledgment, and with the observation that he would be glad to see mybrother, whom he knew already, I led him into the dining-room, andexplained with a cheerful face the purport of his visit. 

My brother laughed and said, --

"But, M. Buhot, this news is like March in Lent, it was quiteunnecessary; my brother was going in the course of a week. "

"All the better. If the minister had been aware of that he would not havetroubled himself about it. "

"Is the reason known?"

"I have heard something about a proposal to kick a gentleman, who thoughyoung, is too exalted a person to be spoken to in such a manner. "

"Why, chevalier, " said I, "the phrase is a mere formality like thetwenty-four hours for if the impudent young rascal had come out he wouldhave met me, and his sword should have been sufficient to ward off anykicks. "

I then told the whole story, and Buhot agreed that I was in the rightthroughout; adding that the police were also in the right to prevent anyencounter between us. He advised me to go next morning and tell the taleto M. De Sartine, who knew me, and would be glad to have the account frommy own lips. I said nothing, as I knew the famous superintendent ofpolice to be a dreadful sermoniser. 

The lettre de cachet was dated November 6th, and I did not leave Paristill the 20th. 

I informed all my friends of the great honour his majesty had done me, and I would not hear of Madame du Rumain appealing to the king on mybehalf, though she said she felt certain she could get the order revoked. The Duc de Choiseul gave me a posting passport dated November 19th, whichI still preserve. 

I left Paris without any servant, still grieving, though quietly, overCharlotte's fate. I had a hundred Louis in cash, and a bill of exchangeon Bordeaux for eight thousand francs. I enjoyed perfect health, andalmost felt as if I had been rejuvenated. I had need of the utmostprudence and discretion for the future. The deaths of M. De Bragadin andMadame d'Urfe had left me alone in the world, and I was slowly butsteadily approaching what is called a certain age, when women begin tolook on a man with coldness. 

I only called on Madame Valville on the eve of my departure: and foundher in a richly-furnished house, and her casket well filled withdiamonds. When I proposed to return her the fifty louis, she asked me ifI had got a thousand; and on learning that I had only five hundred sherefused the money absolutely and offered me her purse, which I in my turnrefused. I have not seen the excellent creature since then, but before Ileft I gave her some excellent advice as to the necessity of saving hergains for the time of her old age, when her charms would be no more. Ihope she has profited by my counsel. I bade farewell to my brother and mysister-in-law at six o'clock in the evening, and got into my chaise inthe moonlight, intending to travel all night so as to dine next day atOrleans, where I wanted to see an old friend. In half an hour I was atBourg-la-Reine, and there I began to fall asleep. At seven in the morningI reached Orleans. 

Fair and beloved France, that went so well in those days, despite lettresde cachet, despite corvees, despite the people's misery and the king's"good pleasure, " dear France, where art thou now? Thy sovereign is thepeople now, the most brutal and tyrannical sovereign in the world. Youhave no longer to bear the "good pleasure" of the sovereign, but you haveto endure the whims of the mob and the fancies of the Republic--the ruinof all good Government. A republic presupposes self-denial and a virtuouspeople; it cannot endure long in our selfish and luxurious days. 

I went to see Bodin, a dancer, who had married Madame Joffroy, one of mythousand mistresses whom I had loved twenty-two years ago, and had seenlater at Turin, Paris, and Vienna. These meetings with old friends andsweethearts were always a weak or rather a strong point with me. For amoment I seemed to be young again, and I fed once more on the delights oflong ago. Repentance was no part of my composition. 

Bodin and his wife (who was rather ugly than old-looking, and had becomepious to suit her husband's tastes, thus giving to God the devil'sleavings), Bodin, I say, lived on a small estate he had purchased, andattributed all the agricultural misfortunes he met with in the course ofthe year to the wrath of an avenging Deity. 

I had a fasting dinner with them, for it was Friday, and they strictlyobserved all the rules of the Church. I told them of my adventures of thepast years, and when I had finished they proceeded to make reflections onthe faults and failings of men who have not God for a guide. They told mewhat I knew already: that I had an immortal soul, that there was a Godthat judgeth righteously, and that it was high time for me to takeexample by them, and to renounce all the pomps and vanities of the world. 

"And turn Capuchin, I suppose?"

"You might do much worse. "

"Very good; but I shall wait till my beard grows the necessary length ina single night. "

In spite of their silliness, I was not sorry to have spent six hours withthese good creatures who seemed sincerely repentant and happy in theirway, and after an affectionate embrace I took leave of them and travelledall night. I stopped at Chanteloup to see the monument of the taste andmagnificence of the Duc de Choiseul, and spent twenty-four hours there. Agentlemanly and polished individual, who did not know me, and for whom Ihad no introduction, lodged me in a fine suite of rooms, gave me supper, and would only sit down to table with me after I had used all my powersof persuasion. The next day he treated me in the same way, gave me anexcellent dinner, shewed me everything, and behaved as if I were someprince, though he did not even ask my name. His attentions even extendedto seeing that none of his servants were at hand when I got into mycarriage and drove off. This was to prevent my giving money to any ofthem. 

The castle on which the Duc de Choiseul had spent such immense sums hadin reality cost him nothing. It was all owing, but he did not troublehimself about that in the slightest degree, as he was a sworn foe to theprinciple of meum and tuum. He never paid his creditors, and neverdisturbed his debtors. He was a generous man; a lover of art and artists, to whom he liked to be of service, and what they did for him he lookedupon as a grateful offering. He was intellectual, but a hater of alldetail and minute research, being of a naturally indolent andprocrastinating disposition. His favourite saying was, "There's time enough for that. "

When I got to Poitiers, I wanted to push on to Vivonne; it was seveno'clock in the evening, and two girls endeavoured to dissuade me fromthis course. 

"It's very cold, " said they, "and the road is none of the best. You areno courier, sup here, we will give you a good bed, and you shall startagain in the morning. "

"I have made up my mind to go on, but if you will keep me company atsupper I will stay. "

"That would cost you too dearly. "

"Never too dear. Quick I make up your minds. "

"Well, we will sup with you. "

"Then lay the table for three; I must go on in an hour. "

"In an hour! You mean three, sir; papa will take two hours to get you agood supper. "

"Then I will not go on, but you must keep me company all night. "

"We will do so, if papa does not object. We will have your chaise putinto the coach-house. "

These two minxes gave me an excellent supper, and were a match for me indrinking as well as eating. The wine was delicious, and we stayed attable till midnight, laughing and joking together, though withoutoverstepping the bounds of propriety. 

About midnight, the father came in jovially, and asked me how I hadenjoyed my supper. 

"Very much, " I answered, "but I have enjoyed still more the company ofyour charming daughters. "

"I am delighted to hear it. Whenever you come this way they shall keepyou company, but now it is past midnight, and time for them to go tobed. "

I nodded my head, for Charlotte's death was still too fresh in my memoryto admit of my indulging in any voluptuous pleasures. I wished the girlsa pleasant sleep, and I do not think I should even have kissed them ifthe father had not urged me to do this honour to their charms. However, my vanity made me put some fire into the embrace, and I have no doubtthey thought me a prey to vain desires. 

When I was alone I reflected that if I did not forget Charlotte I was alost man. I slept till nine o'clock, and I told the servant that came tolight my fire to get coffee for three, and to have my horses put in. 

The two pretty girls came to breakfast with me, and I thanked them forhaving made me stay the night. I asked for the bill, and the eldest saidit was in round figures a Louis apiece. I shewed no sign of anger at thisoutrageous fleecing, but gave them three Louis with the best graceimaginable and went on my way. When I reached Angouleme, where I expectedto find Noel, the King of Prussia's cook, I only found his father, whosetalents in the matter of pates was something prodigious. His eloquencewas as fervent as his ovens. He said he would send his pates all overEurope to any address I liked to give him. 

"What! To Venice, London, Warsaw, St. Petersburg?"

"To Constantinople, if you like. You need only give me your address, andyou need not pay me till you get the pates. "

I sent his pates to my friends in Venice, Warsaw, and Turin, andeverybody thanked me for the delicious dish. 

Noel had made quite a fortune. He assured me he had sent largeconsignments to America, and with the exception of some losses byshipwreck all the pates had arrived in excellent condition. They werechiefly made of turkeys, partridges, and hare, seasoned with truffles, but he also made pates de foie gras of larks and of thrushes, accordingto the season. 

In two days I arrived at Bordeaux, a beautiful town coming only second toParis, with respect to Lyons be it said. I spent a week there, eating anddrinking of the best, for the living there is the choicest in the world. 

I transferred my bill of exchange for eight thousand francs to a Madridhouse, and crossed the Landes, passing by Mont de Marsan, Bayonne, andSt. Jean de Luz, where I sold my post-chaise. From St. Jean de Luz I wentto Pampeluna by way of the Pyrenees, which I crossed on mule-back, mybaggage being carried by another mule. The mountains struck me as higherthan the Alps. In this I may possibly be wrong, but I am certain that thePyrenees are the most picturesque, fertile, and agreeable of the two. 

At Pampeluna a man named Andrea Capello took charge of me and my luggage, and we set out for Madrid. For the first twenty leagues the travellingwas easy enough, and the roads as good as any in France. These roads didhonour to the memory of M. De Gages, who had administered Navarre afterthe Italian war, and had, as I was assured, made the road at his ownexpense. Twenty years earlier I had been arrested by this famous general;but he had established a claim on posterity greater than any of hisvictories. These laurels were dyed in blood, but the maker of a good roadis a solid benefactor of all posterity. 

In time this road came to an end, and thenceforth it would be incorrectto say that the roads were bad, for, to tell the truth, there were noroads at all. There were steep ascents and violent descents, but notraces of carriage wheels, and so it is throughout the whole of OldCastile. There are no good inns, only miserable dens scarce good enoughfor the muleteers, who make their beds beside their animals. Signor orrather Senor Andrea tried to choose the least wretched inns for me, andafter having provided for the mules he would go round the entire villageto get something for me to eat. The landlord would not stir; he shewed mea room where I could sleep if I liked, containing a fire-place, in whichI could light a fire if I thought fit, but as to procuring firewood orprovisions, he left that all to me. Wretched Spain!

The sum asked for a night's accommodation was less than a farmer wouldask in France or Germany for leave to sleep in his barn; but there wasalways an extra charge of a 'pizetta por el ruido'. The pizetta is worthfour reals; about twenty-one French sous. 

The landlord smoked his paper cigarette nonchalantly enough, blowingclouds of smoke into the air with immense dignity. To him poverty was asgood as riches; his wants were small, and his means sufficed for them. Inno country in Europe do the lower orders live so contentedly on a verylittle as in Spain. Two ounces of white bread, a handful of roastchestnuts or acorns (called bellotas in Spanish) suffice to keep aSpaniard for a day. It is his glory to say when a stranger is departingfrom his abode, --

"I have not given myself any trouble in waiting on him. "

This proceeds in part from idleness and in part from Castilian pride. ACastilian should not lower himself, they say, by attending on a Gavacho, by which name the Spaniards know the French, and, indeed, all foreigners. It is not so offensive as the Turkish appellation of dog, or the damnedforeigner of the English. Of course, persons who have travelled or havehad a liberal education do not speak in this way, and a respectableforeigner will find reasonable Spaniards as he will find reasonable Turksand Englishmen. 

On the second night of my journey I slept at Agreda, a small and uglytown, or rather village. There Sister Marie d'Agreda became so crazy asto write a life of the Virgin, which she affirmed to have been dictatedto her by the Mother of the Lord. The State Inquisitors had given me thiswork to read when I was under the Leads, and it had nearly driven me mad. 

We did ten Spanish leagues a day, and long and weary leagues they seemedto me. One morning I thought I saw a dozen Capuchins walking slowly infront of us, but when we caught them up I found they were women of allages. 

"Are they mad?" I said to Senior Andrea. 

"Not at all. They wear the Capuchin habit out of devotion, and you wouldnot find a chemise on one of them. "

There was nothing surprising in their not having chemises, for thechemise is a scarce article in Spain, but the idea of pleasing God bywearing a Capuchin's habit struck me as extremely odd. I will here relatean amusing adventure which befell me on my way. 

At the gate of a town not far from Madrid I was asked for my passport. Ihanded it over, and got down to amuse myself. I found the chief of thecustoms' house engaged in an argument with a foreign priest who was onhis way to Madrid, and had no passport for the capital. He skewed one hehad had for Bilbao, but the official was not satisfied. The priest was aSicilian, and I asked him why he had exposed himself to being placed inthis disagreeable predicament. He said he thought it was unnecessary tohave a passport in Spain when one had once journeyed in the country. 

"I want to go to Madrid, " said he to me, "and hope to obtain a chaplaincyin the house of a grandee. I have a letter for him. "

"Shew it; they will let you pass then. "

"You are right. "

The poor priest drew out the letter and skewed it to the official, whoopened it, looked at the signature, and absolutely shrieked when he sawthe name Squillace. 

"What, senor abbe! you are going to Madrid with a letter from Squillace, and you dare to skew it?"

The clerks, constables, and hangers-on, hearing that the hated Squillace, who would have been stoned to death if it had not been for the king'sprotection, was the poor abbe's only patron, began to beat him violently, much to the poor Sicilian's astonishment. 

I interposed, however, and after some trouble I succeeded in rescuing thepriest, who was then allowed to pass, as I believe, as a set-off againstthe blows he had received. 

Squillace was sent to Venice as Spanish ambassador, and in Venice he diedat an advanced age. He was a man designed to be an object of intensehatred to the people; he was simply ruthless in his taxation. 

The door of my room had a lock on the outside but none on the inside. Forthe first and second night I let it pass, but on the third I told SenorAndrea that I must have it altered. 

"Senor Don Jacob, you must bear with it in Spain, for the HolyInquisition must always be at liberty to inspect the rooms offoreigners. "

"But what in the devil's name does your cursed Inquisition want . . . ?"

"For the love of God, Senor Jacob, speak not thus! if you were overheardwe should both be undone. "

"Well, what can the Holy Inquisition want to know?"

"Everything. It wants to know whether you eat meat on fast days, whetherpersons of opposite sexes sleep together, if so, whether they aremarried, and if not married it will cause both parties to be imprisoned;in fine, Senor Don Jaimo, the Holy inquisition is continually watchingover our souls in this country. "

When we met a priest bearing the viaticum to some sick man, Senor Andreawould tell me imperatively to get out of my carriage, and then there wasno choice but to kneel in the mud or dust as the case might be. The chiefsubject of dispute at that time was the fashion of wearing breeches. Those who wore 'braguettes' were imprisoned, and all tailors makingbreeches with 'braguettes' were severely punished. Nevertheless, peoplepersisted in wearing them, and the priests and monks preached in vainagainst the indecency of such a habit. A revolution seemed imminent, butthe matter was happily settled without effusion of blood. An edict waspublished and affixed to the doors of all the churches, in which it wasdeclared that breeches with braguettes were only to be worn by the publichangmen. Then the fashion passed away; for no one cared to pass for thepublic executioner. 

By little and little I got an insight into the manners of the Spanishnation as I passed through Guadalaxara and Alcala, and at length arrivedat Madrid. 

Guadalaxara, or Guadalajara, is pronounced by the Spaniards with a strongaspirate, the x and j having the same force. The vowel d, the queen ofletters, reigns supreme in Spain; it is a relic of the old Moorishlanguage. Everyone knows that the Arabic abounds in d's, and perhaps thephilologists are right in calling it the most ancient of languages, sincethe a is the most natural and easy to pronounce of all the letters. Itseems to me very mistaken to call such words as Achald, Ayanda, Almanda, Acard, Agracaramba, Alcantara, etc. , barbarous, for the sonorous ringwith which they are pronounced renders the Castilian the richest of allmodern languages. Spanish is undoubtedly one of the finest, mostenergetic, and most majestic languages in the world. When it ispronounced 'ore rotundo' it is susceptible of the most poetic harmony. Itwould be superior to the Italian, if it were not for the three gutturalletters, in spite of what the Spaniards say to the contrary. It is nogood remonstrating with them. 

'Quisquis amat ranam, ranam purat esse Dianam'. 

As I was entering the Gate of Alcala, my luggage was searched, and theclerks paid the greatest attention to my books, and they were verydisappointed only to find the "Iliad" in Greek, and a Latin Horace. Theywere taken away, but three days after, they were returned to me at mylodging in the Rue de la Croix where I had gone in spite of Senor Andrea, who had wanted to take me elsewhere. A worthy man whom I had met inBordeaux had given me the address. One of the ceremonies I had to undergoat the Gate of Alcala displeased me in the highest degree. A clerk askedme for a pinch of snuff, so I took out my snuff-box and gave it him, butinstead of taking a pinch he snatched it out of my hands and said, --

"Senor, this snuff will not pass in Spain" (it was French rappee); andafter turning it out on the ground he gave me back the box. 

The authorities are most rigorous on the matter of this innocent powder, and in consequence an immense contraband trade is carried on. The spiesemployed by the Spanish snuff-makers are always on the look-out afterforeign snuff, and if they detect anyone carrying it they make him paydearly for the luxury. The ambassadors of foreign powers are the onlypersons exempted from the prohibitions. The king who stuffs into hisenormous nose one enormous pinch as he rises in the morning wills thatall his subjects buy their snuff of the Spanish manufacturers. WhenSpanish snuff is pure it is very good, but at the time I was in Spain thegenuine article could hardly be bought for its weight in gold. By reasonof the natural inclination towards forbidden fruit, the Spaniards areextremely fond of foreign snuff, and care little for their own; thussnuff is smuggled to an enormous extent. 

My lodging was comfortable enough, but I felt the want of a fire as thecold was more trying than that of Paris, in spite of the southernlatitude. The cause of this cold is that Madrid is the highest town inEurope. From whatever part of the coast one starts, one has to mount toreach the capital. The town is also surrounded by mountains and hills, sothat the slightest touch of wind from the north makes the cold intense. The air of Madrid is not healthy for strangers, especially for those of afull habit of body; the Spaniards it suits well enough, for they are dryand thin, and wear a cloak even in the dog days. 

The men of Spain dwell mentally in a limited horizon, bounded byprejudice on every side; but the women, though ignorant, are usuallyintelligent; while both sexes are the prey of desires, as lively as theirnative air, as burning as the sun that shines on them. Every Spaniardhates a foreigner, simply because he is a foreigner, but the women avengeus by loving us, though with great precautions, for your Spaniard isintensely jealous. They watch most jealously over the honour of theirwives and daughters. As a rule the men are ugly, though there arenumerous exceptions; while the women are pretty, and beauties are notuncommon. The southern blood in their veins inclines them to love, andthey are always ready to enter into an intrigue and to deceive the spiesby whom they are surrounded. The lover who runs the greatest dangers isalways the favourite. In the public walks, the churches, the theatres, the Spanish women are always speaking the language of the eyes. If theperson to whom it is addressed knows how to seize the instant, he may besure of success, but if not, the opportunity will never be offered himagain. 

I required some kind of heat in my room, and could not bear a charcoalbrazier, so I incited an ingenious tin-smith to make me a stove with apipe going out of the window. However, he was so proud of his successthat he made me pay dearly. 

Before the stove was ready I was told where I might go and warm myself anhour before noon, and stay till dinner-time. It is called La Pueyta delSol, "The Gate of the Sun. " It is not a gate, but it takes its name fromthe manner in which the source of all heat lavishes his treasures there, and warms all who come and bask in his rays. I found a numerous companypromenading there, walking and talking, but it was not much to my taste. 

I wanted a servant who could speak French, and I had the greatestdifficulty in getting one, and had to pay dearly, for in Madrid the kindof man I wanted was called a page. I could not compel him to mount behindmy carriage, nor to carry a package, nor to light me by night with atorch or lantern. 

My page was a man of thirty, and terribly ugly; but this was arecommendation, as his ugliness secured him from the jealous suspicionsof husbands. A woman of rank will not drive out without one of thesepages seated in the forepart of her carriage. They are said to be moredifficult to seduce than the strictest of duennas. 

I was obliged to take one of these rascally tribe into my service, and Iwish he had broken his leg on his way to my house. 

I delivered all my introductions, beginning with the letter from PrincessLubomirska to the Count of Aranda. The count had covered himself withglory by driving the Jesuits out of Spain. He was more powerful than theking himself, and never went out without a number of the royal guardsmenabout him, whom he made to sit down at his table. Of course all theSpaniards hated him, but he did not seem to care much for that. Aprofound politician, and absolutely resolute and firm, he privatelyindulged in every luxury that he forbade to others, and did not carewhether people talked of it or not. 

He was a rather ugly man, with a disagreeable squint. His reception of mewas far from cordial. 

"What do you want in Spain?" he began. 

"To add fresh treasures to my store of experience, by observing themanners and the customs of the country, and if possible to serve theGovernment with such feeble, talents as I may possess. "

"Well, you have no need of my protection. If you do not infringe thelaws, no one will disturb you. As to your obtaining employment, you hadbetter go to the representative of your country; he will introduce you atCourt, and make you known. "

"My lord, the Venetian ambassador will do nothing for me; I am indisgrace with the Government. He will not even receive me at theembassy. "

"Then I would advise you to give up all hopes of employment, for the kingwould begin by asking your ambassador about you, and his answer would befatal. You will do well to be satisfied with amusing yourself. "

After this I called on the Neapolitan ambassador, who talked in much thesame way. Even the Marquis of Moras, one of the most pleasant men inSpain, did not hold out any hopes. The Duke of Lossada, the high stewardand favourite of his Catholic majesty, was sorry to be disabled fromdoing me any service, in spite of his good will, and advised me, in someway or other, to get the Venetian ambassador to give me a good word, inspite of my disgrace. I determined to follow his advice, and wrote to M. Dandolo, begging him to get the ambassador to favour me at the SpanishCourt in spite of my quarrel with the Venetian Government. I worded myletter in such a way that it might be read by the Inquisitors themselves, and calculated on its producing a good impression. 

After I had written this letter I went to the lodging of the Venetianambassador, and presented myself to the secretary, Gaspar Soderini, aworthy and intelligent man. Nevertheless, he dared to tell me that he wasastonished at my hardihood in presenting myself at the embassy. 

"I have presented myself, sir, that my enemies may never reproach me fornot having done so; I am not aware that I have ever done anything whichmakes me too infamous to call on my ambassador. I should have creditedmyself with much greater hardihood if I had left without fulfilling thisduty; but I shall be sorry if the ambassador views my proceedings in thesame light as yourself, and puts down to temerity what was meant for amark of respect. I shall be none the less astonished if his excellencyrefuses to receive me on account of a private quarrel between myself andthe State Inquisitors, of which he knows no more than I do, and I knownothing. You will excuse my saying that he is not the ambassador of theState Inquisitors, but of the Republic of which I am a subject; for Idefy him and I defy the Inquisitors to tell me what crime I havecommitted that I am to be deprived of my rights as a Venetian citizen. Ithink that, while it is my duty to reverence my prince in the person ofmy ambassador, it is his duty to afford me his protection. "

This speech had made Soderini blush, and he replied, --

"Why don't you write a letter to the ambassador, with the arguments youhave just used to me?"

"I could not write to him before I know whether he will receive me ornot. But now, as I have reason to suppose that his opinions are much thesame as your own, I will certainly write to him. "

"I do not know whether his excellency thinks as I do or not, and, inspite of what I said to you, it is just possible that you do not know myown opinions on the question; but write to him, and he may possibly giveyou an audience. "

"I shall follow your advice, for which I am much obliged. "

When I got home I wrote to his excellency all I had said to thesecretary, and the next day I had a visit from Count Manucci. The countproved to be a fine-looking young man of an agreeable presence. He saidthat he lived in the embassy, that his excellency had read my letter, andthough he grieved not to receive me publicly he should be delighted tosee me in private, for he both knew and esteemed me. 

Young Manucci told me that he was a Venetian, and that he knew me byname, as he often heard his father and mother lamenting my fortune. Before long it dawned upon me that this Count Manucci was the son of thatJean Baptiste Manucci who had served as the spy of the State Inquisitorsand had so adroitly managed to get possession of my books of magic, whichwere in all probability the chief corpus delicti. 

I did not say anything to him, but I was certain that my guess wascorrect. His mother was the daughter of a valet de chambre, and hisfather was a poor mechanic. I asked the young man if he were called countat the embassy, and he said he bore the title in virtue of a warrant fromthe elector-palatine. My question skewed him that I knew his origin, andhe began to speak openly to me; and knowing that I was acquainted withthe peculiar tastes of M. De Mocenigo, the ambassador, he informed melaughingly that he was his pathic. 

"I will do my best for you, " he added; and I was glad to hear him say so, for an Alexis should be able to obtain almost anything from his Corydon. We embraced, and he told me as we parted that he would expect me at theembassy in the afternoon, to take coffee in his room; the ambassador, hesaid, would certainly come in as soon as he heard of my presence. 

I went to the embassy, and had a very kind reception from the ambassador, who said he was deeply grieved not to be able to receive me publicly. Headmitted that he might present me at Court without compromising himself, but he was afraid of making enemies. 

"I hope soon to receive a letter from a friend of mine, which willauthorise your excellency producing me. "

"I shall be delighted, in that case, to present you to all the Spanishministers. "

This Mocenigo was the same that acquired such a reputation at Paris byhis leanings to pederasty, a vice or taste which the French hold inhorror. Later on, Mocenigo was condemned by the Council of Ten to tenyears' imprisonment for having started on an embassy to Vienna withoutformal permission. Maria Theresa had intimated to the Venetian Governmentthat she would not receive such a character, as his habits would be thescandal of her capital. The Venetian Government had some trouble withMocenigo, and as he attempted to set out for Vienna they exiled him andchose another ambassador, whose morals were as bad, save that the newambassador indulged himself with Hebe and not Ganymede, which threw aveil of decency over his proceedings. 

In spite of his reputation for pederasty, Mocenigo was much liked atMadrid. On one occasion I was at a ball, and a Spaniard noticing me withManucci, came up to me, and told me with an air of mystery that thatyoung man was the ambassador's wife. He did not know that the ambassadorwas Manucci's wife; in fact, he did not understand the arrangement atall. "Where ignorance is bliss!" etc. However, in spite of the revoltingnature of this vice, it has been a favourite one with several great men. It was well-known to the Ancients, and those who indulged in it werecalled Hermaphrodites, which symbolises not a man of two sexes but a manwith the passions of the two sexes. 

I had called two or three times on the painter Mengs, who had beenpainter in ordinary to his Catholic majesty for six years, and had anexcellent salary. He gave me some good dinners. His wife and family wereat Rome, while he basked in the royal favours at Madrid, enjoying theunusual privilege of being able to speak to the king whenever he would. At Mengs's house I trade the acquaintance of the architect Sabatini, anextremely able man whom the king had summoned from Naples to cleanseMadrid, which was formerly the dirtiest and most stinking town in Europe, or, for the matter of that, in the world. Sabatini had become a rich manby constructing drains, sewers, and closets for a city of fourteenthousand houses. He had married by proxy the daughter of Vanvitelli, whowas also an architect at Naples, but he had never seen her. She came toMadrid about the same time as myself. She was a beauty of eighteen, andno sooner did she see her husband than she declared she would never behis wife. Sabatini was neither a young man nor a handsome one, but he waskind-hearted and distinguished; and when he told his young wife that shewould have to choose between him and a nunnery, she determined to makethe best of what she thought a bad bargain. However, she had no reason torepent of her choice; her husband was rich, affectionate, and easygoing, and gave her everything she wanted. I sighed and burned for her insilence, not daring to declare my love, for while the wound of the deathof Charlotte was still bleeding I also began to find that women werebeginning to give me the cold shoulder. 

By way of amusing myself I began to go to the theatre, and the maskedballs to which the Count of Aranda had established. They were held in aroom built for the purpose, and named 'Los Scannos del Peral'. A Spanishplay is full of absurdities, but I rather relished the representations. The 'Autos Sacramentales' were still represented; they were afterwardsprohibited. I could not help remarking the strange way in which the boxesare constructed by order of the wretched police. Instead of being boardedin front they are perfectly open, being kept up by small pillars. Adevotee once said to me at the theatre that this was a very wiseregulation, and he was surprised that it was not carried into force inItaly. 

"Why so?"

"Because lovers, who feel sure that no one in the pit can see them, maycommit improprieties. "

I only answered with a shrug of the shoulders. 

In a large box opposite to the stage sat 'los padres' of the HolyInquisition to watch over the morals of actors and audience. I was gazingon them when of a sudden the sentinel at the door of the pit called out"Dios!" and at this cry all the actors and all the audience, men andwomen, fell down on their knees, and remained kneeling till the sound ofa bell in the street ceased to be heard. This bell betokened that apriest was passing by carrying the viaticum to some sick man. I felt verymuch inclined to laugh, but I had seen enough of Spanish manners torefrain. All the religion of the Spaniard is in outward show andceremony. A profligate woman before yielding to the desires of her lovercovers the picture of Christ, or the Virgin, with a veil. If the loverlaughed at this absurdity he would run a risk of being denounced as anAtheist, and most probably by the wretched woman who had sold him hercharms. 

In Madrid, and possibly all over Spain, a gentleman who takes a lady to aprivate room in an inn must expect to have a servant in the room thewhole of the time, that he may be able to swear that the couple took noindecent liberties with each other. In spite of all, profligacy isrampant at Madrid, and also the most dreadful hypocrisy, which is moreoffensive to true piety than open sin. Men and women seemed to have cometo an agreement to set the whole system of surveillance utterly atnought. However, commerce with women is not without its dangers; whetherit be endemic or a result of dirty habits, one has often good reason torepent the favours one has obtained. 

The masked ball quite captivated me. The first time I went to see what itwas like and it only cost me a doubloon (about eleven francs), but everafter it cost me four doubloons, for the following reason:

An elderly gentleman, who sat next me at supper, guessed I was aforeigner by my difficulty in making myself understood by the waiter, andasked me where, I had left my lady friend. 

"I have not got one; I came by myself to enjoy this delightful andexcellently-managed entertainment. "

"Yes, but you ought to come with a companion; then you could dance. Atpresent you cannot do so, as every lady has her partner, who will notallow her to dance with anyone else. "

"Then I must be content not to dance, for, being a stranger, I do notknow any lady whom I can ask to come with me. "

"As a stranger you would have much less difficulty in securing a partnerthan a citizen of Madrid. Under the new fashion, introduced by the Countof Aranda, the masked ball has become the rage of all the women in thecapital. You see there are about two hundred of them on the floorto-night; well, I think there are at least four thousand girls in Madridwho are sighing for someone to take them to the ball, for, as you mayknow, no woman is allowed to come by herself. You would only have to goto any respectable people, give your name and address, and ask to havethe pleasure of taking their daughter to the ball. You would have to sendher a domino, mask, and gloves; and you would take her and bring her backin your carriage. "

"And if the father and mother refused?"

"Then you would make your bow and go, leaving them to repent of theirfolly, for the girl would sigh, and weep, and moan, bewail parentaltyranny, call Heaven to witness the innocency of going to a ball, andfinally go into convulsions. "

This oration, which was uttered in the most persuasive style, made mequite gay, for I scented an intrigue from afar. I thanked the masked (whospoke Italian very well) and promised to follow his advice and to let himknow the results. 

"I shall be delighted to hear of your success, and you will find me inthe box, where I shall be glad if you will follow me now, to beintroduced to the lady who is my constant companion. "

I was astonished at so much politeness, and told him my name and followedhim. He took me into a box where there were two ladies and an elderlyman. They were talking about the ball, so I put in a remark or two on thesame topic, which seemed to meet with approval. One of the two ladies, who retained some traces of her former beauty, asked me, in excellentFrench, what circles I moved in. 

"I have only been a short time in Madrid, and not having been presentedat Court I really know no one. "

"Really! I quite pity you. Come and see me, you will be welcome. My nameis Pichona, and anybody will tell you where I live. "

"I shall be delighted to pay my respects to you, madam. "

What I liked best about the spectacle was a wonderful and fantastic dancewhich was struck up at midnight. It was the famous fandango, of which Ihad often heard, but of which I had absolutely no idea. I had seen itdanced on the stage in France and Italy, but the actors were careful notto use those voluptuous gestures which make it the most seductive in theworld. It cannot be described. Each couple only dances three steps, butthe gestures and the attitudes are the most lascivious imaginable. Everything is represented, from the sigh of desire to the final ecstasy;it is a very history of love. I could not conceive a woman refusing herpartner anything after this dance, for it seemed made to stir up thesenses. I was so excited at this Bacchanalian spectacle that I burst outinto cries of delight. The masker who had taken me to his box told methat I should see the fandango danced by the Gitanas with good partners. 

"But, " I remarked, "does not the Inquisition object to this dance?"

Madame Pichona told me that it was absolutely forbidden, and would not bedanced unless the Count of Aranda had given permission. 

I heard afterwards that, on the count forbidding the fandango, theball-room was deserted with bitter complaints, and on the prohibitionbeing withdrawn everyone was loud in his praise. 

The next day I told my infamous page to get me a Spaniard who would teachme the fandango. He brought me an actor, who also gave me Spanishlessons, for he pronounced the language admirably. In the course of threedays the young actor taught me all the steps so well that, by theconfession of the Spaniards themselves, I danced it to perfection. 

For the next ball I determined to carry the masker's advice into effect, but I did not want to take a courtesan or a married woman with me, and Icould not reasonably expect that any young lady of family would accompanyme. 

It was St. Anthony's Day, and passing the Church of the Soledad I wentin, with the double motive of hearing mass and of procuring a partner forthe next day's ball. 

I noticed a fine-looking girl coming out of the confessional, withcontrite face and lowered eyes, and I noted where she went. She kneltdown in the middle of the church, and I was so attracted by herappearance that I registered a mental vow to the effect that she shouldbe my first partner. She did not look like a person of condition, nor, sofar as I could see, was she rich, and nothing about her indicated thecourtesan, though women of that class go to confession in Madrid likeeverybody else. When mass was ended, the priest distributed theEucharist, and I saw her rise and approach humbly to the holy table, andthere receive the communion. She then returned to the church to finishher devotions, and I was patient enough to wait till they were over. 

At last she left, in company with another girl, and I followed her at adistance. At the end of a street her companion left her to go into herhouse, and she, retracing her steps, turned into another street andentered a small house, one story high. I noted the house and the street(Calle des Desinjano) and then walked up and down for half an hour, thatI might not be suspected of following her. At last I took courage andwalked in, and, on my ringing a bell, I heard a voice, "Who is there?"

"Honest folk, " I answered, according to the custom of the country; andthe door was opened. I found myself in the presence of a man, a woman, the young devotee I had followed, and another girl, somewhat ugly. 

My Spanish was bad, but still it was good enough to express my meaning, and, hat in hand, I informed the father that, being a stranger, andhaving no partner to take to the ball, I had come to ask him to give mehis daughter for my partner, supposing he had a daughter. I assured himthat I was a man of honour, and that the girl should be returned to himafter the ball in the same condition as when she started. 

"Senor, " said he, "there is my daughter, but I don't know you, and Idon't know whether she wants to go. "

"I should like to go, if my parents will allow me. "

"Then you know this gentleman?"

"I have never seen him, and I suppose he has never seen me. "

"You speak the truth, senora. "

The father asked me my name and address, and promised I should have adecisive answer by dinner-time, if I dined at home. I begged him toexcuse the liberty I had taken, and to let me know his answer withoutfail, so that I might have time to get another partner if it wereunfavourable to me. 

Just as I was beginning to dine my man appeared. I asked him to sit down, and he informed me that his daughter would accept my offer, but that hermother would accompany her and sleep in the carriage. I said that shemight do so if she liked, but I should be sorry for her on account of thecold. "She shall have a good cloak, " said he; and he proceeded to informme that he was a cordwainer. 

"Then I hope you will take my measure for a pair of shoes. "

"I daren't do that; I'm an hidalgo, and if I were to take anyone'smeasure I should have to touch his foot, and that would be a degradation. I am a cobbler, and that is not inconsistent with my nobility. "

"Then, will you mend me these boots?"

"I will make them like new; but I see they want a lot of work; it willcost you a pezzo duro, about five francs. "

I told him that I thought his terms very reasonable, and he went out witha profound bow, refusing absolutely to dine with me. 

Here was a cobbler who despised bootmakers because they had to touch thefoot, and they, no doubt, despised him because he touched old leather. Unhappy pride how many forms it assumes, and who is without his ownpeculiar form of it?

The next day I sent to the gentleman-cobbler's a tradesman with dominos, masks, and gloves; but I took care not to go myself nor to send my page, for whom I had an aversion which almost amounted to a presentiment. Ihired a carriage to seat four, and at nightfall I drove to the house ofmy pious partner, who was quite ready for me. The happy flush on her facewas a sufficient index to me of the feelings of her heart. We got intothe carriage with the mother, who was wrapped up in a vast cloak, and atthe door of the dancing-room we descended, leaving the mother in thecarriage. As soon as we were alone my fair partner told me that her namewas Donna Ignazia. 

CHAPTER IV

My Amours With Donna Ignazia--My Imprisonment At Buen Retiro--MyTriumph--I Am Commended to the Venetian Ambassador by One of the StateInquisitors

We entered the ball-room and walked round several times. Donna Ignaziawas in such a state of ecstasy that I felt her trembling, and auguredwell for my amorous projects. Though liberty, nay, license, seemed toreign supreme, there was a guard of soldiers ready to arrest the firstperson who created any disturbance. We danced several minuets and squaredances, and at ten o'clock we went into the supper-room, our conversationbeing very limited all the while, she not speaking for fear ofencouraging me too much, and I on account of my poor knowledge of theSpanish language. I left her alone for a moment after supper, and went tothe box, where I expected to find Madame Pichona, but it was occupied bymaskers, who were unknown to me, so I rejoined my partner, and we went ondancing the minuets and quadrilles till the fandango was announced. Itook my place with my partner, who danced it admirably, and seemedastonished to find herself so well supported by a foreigner. This dancehad excited both of us, so, after taking her to the buffet and giving herthe best wines and liqueurs procurable, I asked her if she were contentwith me. I added that I was so deeply in love with her that unless shefound some means of making me happy I should undoubtedly die of love. Iassured her that I was ready to face all hazards. 

"By making you happy, " she replied, "I shall make myself happy, too. Iwill write to you to-morrow, and you will find the letter sewn into thehood of my domino. "

"You will find me ready to do anything, fair Ignazia, if you will give mehope. "

At last the ball was over, and we went out and got into the carriage. Themother woke up, and the coachman drove off, and I, taking the girl'shands, would have kissed them. However, she seemed to suspect that I hadother intentions, and held my hands clasped so tightly that I believe Ishould have found it a hard task to pull them away. In this positionDonna Ignazia proceeded to tell her mother all about the ball, and thedelight it had given her. She did not let go my hands till we got to thecorner of their street, when the mother called out to the coachman tostop, not wishing to give her neighbours occasion for slander by stoppingin front of their own house. 

The next day I sent for the domino, and in it I found a letter from DonnaIgnazia, in which she told me that a Don Francisco de Ramos would call onme, that he was her lover, and that he would inform me how to render herand myself happy. 

Don Francisco wasted no time, for the next morning at eight o'clock mypage sent in his name. He told me that Donna Ignazia, with whom he spokeevery night, she being at her window and he in the street, had informedhim that she and I had been at the ball together. She had also told himthat she felt sure I had conceived a fatherly affection for her, and shehad consequently prevailed upon him to call on me, being certain that Iwould treat him as my own son. She had encouraged him to ask me to lendhim a hundred doubloons which would enable them to get married before theend of the carnival. 

"I am employed at the Mint, " he added, "but my present salary is a verysmall one. I hope I shall get an increase before long, and then I shallbe in a position to make Ignazia happy. All my relations live at Toledo, and I have no friends at Madrid, so when we set up our only friends willbe the father and mother of my wife and yourself, for I am sure you loveher like a daughter. "

"You have probed my heart to its core, " I replied, "but just now I amawaiting remittances, and have very little money about me. You may counton my discretion, and I shall be delighted to see you whenever you careto call on me. "

The gallant made me a bow, and took his departure in no good humour. DonFrancisco was a young man of twenty-two, ugly and ill-made. I resolved tonip the intrigue in the bud, for my inclination for Donna Ignazia was ofthe lightest description; and I went to call on Madame Pichona, who hadgiven me such a polite invitation to come and see her. I had madeenquiries about her, and had found out that she was an actress and hadbeen made rich by the Duke of Medina-Celi. The duke had paid her a visitin very cold weather, and finding her without a fire, as she was too poorto buy coals, had sent her the next day a silver stove, which he hadfilled with a hundred thousand pezzos duros in gold, amounting to threehundred thousand francs in French money. Since then Madame Pichona livedat her ease and received good company. 

She gave me a warm reception when I called on her, but her looks weresad. I began by saying that as I had not found her in her box on the lastball night I had ventured to come to enquire after her health. 

"I did not go, " said she, "for on that day died my only friend the Dukeof Medina-Celi. He was ill for three days. "

"I sympathise with you. Was the duke an old man?"

"Hardly sixty. You have seen him; he did not look his age. "

"Where have I seen him?"

"Did he not bring you to my box?"

"You don't say so! He did not tell me his name and I never saw himbefore. "

I was grieved to hear of his death; it was in all probability amisfortune for me as well as Madame Pichona. All the duke's estate passedto a son of miserly disposition, who in his turn had a son who wasbeginning to evince the utmost extravagance. 

I was told that the family of Medina-Celi enjoys thirty titles ofnobility. 

One day a young man called on me to offer me, as a foreigner, hisservices in a country which he knew thoroughly. 

"I am Count Marazzini de Plaisance, " he began, "I am not rich and I havecome to Madrid to try and make my fortune. I hope to enter the bodyguardof his Catholic majesty. I have been indulging in the amusements of thetown ever since I came. I saw you at the ball with an unknown beauty. Idon't ask you to tell me her name, but if you are fond of novelty I canintroduce you to all the handsomest girls in Madrid. "

If my experience had taught me such wholesome lessons as I might haveexpected, I should have shown the impudent rascal the door. Alas! I beganto be weary of my experience and the fruits of it; I began to feel thehorrors of a great void; I had need of some slight passion to wile awaythe dreary hours. I therefore made this Mercury welcome, and told him Ishould be obliged by his presenting me to some beauties, neither too easynor too difficult to access. 

"Come with me to the ball, " he rejoined, "and I will shew you some womenworthy of your attention. "

The ball was to take place the same evening, and I agreed; he asked me togive him some dinner, and I agreed to that also. After dinner he told mehe had no money, and I was foolish enough to give him a doubloon. Thefellow, who was ugly, blind of one eye, and full of impudence, shewed mea score of pretty women, whose histories he told me, and seeing me to beinterested in one of them he promised to bring her to a procuress. Hekept his word, but he cost me dear; for the girl only served for anevening's amusement. 

Towards the end of the carnival the noble Don Diego, the father of DonnaIgnazia, brought me my boots, and the thanks of his wife and himself forthe pleasure I had given her at the ball. 

"She is as good as she is beautiful, " said I, "she deserves to prosper, and if I have not called on her it is only that I am anxious to donothing which could injure her reputation. "

"Her reputation, Senor Caballero, is above all reproach, and I shall bedelighted to see you whenever you honour me with a call. "

"The carnival draws near to its end, " I replied, "and if Donna Ignaziawould like to go to another ball I shall be happy to take her again. "

"You must come and ask her yourself. "

"I will not fail to do so. "

I was anxious to see how the pious girl, who had tried to make me pay ahundred doubloons for the chance of having her after her marriage, wouldgreet me, so I called the same day. I found her with her mother, rosaryin hand, while her noble father was botching old boots. I laughedinwardly at being obliged to give the title of don to a cobbler who wouldnot make boots because he was an hidalgo. Hidalgo, meaning noble, isderived from 'higo de albo', son of somebody, and the people, whom thenobles call 'higos de nade', sons of nobody, often revenge themselves bycalling the nobles hideputas, that is to say, sons of harlots. 

Donna Ignazia rose politely from the floor, where she was sittingcross-legged, after the Moorish fashion. I have seen exalted ladies inthis position at Madrid, and it is very common in the antechambers of theCourt and the palace of the Princess of the Asturias. The Spanish womensit in church in the same way, and the rapidity with which they canchange this posture to a kneeling or a standing one is something amazing. 

Donna Ignazia thanked me for honouring her with a visit, adding that shewould never have gone to the ball if it had not been for me, and that shenever hoped to go to it again, as I had doubtless found someone else moreworthy of my attentions. 

"I have not found anyone worthy to be preferred before you, " I replied, "and if you would like to go to the ball again I should be most happy totake you. "

The father and mother were delighted with the pleasure I was about togive to their beloved daughter. As the ball was to take place the sameevening, I gave the mother a doubloon to get a mask and domino. She wenton her errand, and, as Don Diego also went out on some business, I foundmyself alone with the girl. I took the opportunity of telling her that ifshe willed I would be hers, as I adored her, but that I could not sighfor long. 

"What can you ask, and what can I offer, since I must keep myself purefor my husband?"

"You should abandon yourself to me without reserve, and you may be surethat I should respect your innocence. "

I then proceeded to deliver a gentle attack, which she repulsed, with aserious face. I stopped directly, telling her that she would find mepolite and respectful, but not in the least affectionate, for the rest ofthe evening. 

Her face had blushed a vivid scarlet, and she replied that her sense ofduty obliged her to repulse me in spite of herself. 

I liked this metaphysical line of argument. I saw that I had only todestroy the idea of duty in her and all the rest would follow. What I hadto do was to enter into an argument, and to bear away the prize directlyI saw her at a loss for an answer. 

"If your duty, " I began, "forces you to repulse me in spite of yourself, your duty is a burden on you. If it is a burden on you, it is your enemy, and if it is your enemy why do you suffer it thus lightly to gain thevictory? If you were your own friend, you would at once expel thisinsolent enemy from your coasts. "

"That may not be. "

"Yes, it may. Only shut your eyes. "

"Like that?"

"Yes. "

I immediately laid hands on a tender place; she repulsed me, but moregently and not so seriously as before. 

"You may, of course, seduce me, " she said, "but if you really love me youwill spare me the shame. "

"Dearest Ignazia, there is no shame in a girl giving herself up to theman she loves. Love justifies all things. If you do not love me I asknothing of you. "

"But how shall I convince you that I am actuated by love and not bycomplaisance?"

"Leave me to do what I like, and my self-esteem will help me to believeyou. "

"But as I cannot be certain that you will believe me, my duty plainlypoints to a refusal. "

"Very good, but you will make me sad and cold. "

"Then I shall be sad, too. "

At these encouraging words I embraced her, and obtained some solidfavours with one hardy hand. She made no opposition, and I was wellpleased with what I had got; and for a first attempt I could not wellexpect more. 

At this juncture the mother came in with the dominos and gloves. Irefused to accept the change, and went away to return in my carriage, asbefore. 

Thus the first step had been taken, and Donna Ignazia felt it would beridiculous not to join in with my conversation at the ball which alltended to procuring the pleasure of spending our nights together. Shefound me affectionate all the evening, and at supper I did my best to gether everything she liked. I made her see that the part she had at lasttaken was worthy of praise, and not blame. I filled her pockets withsweets, and put into my own pockets two bottles of ratafia, which Ihanded over to the mother, who was asleep in the carriage. Donna Ignaziagratefully refused the quadruple I wished to give her, saying that if itwere in my power to make such presents, I might give the money to herlover whenever he called on me. 

"Certainly, " I answered, "but what shall I say to prevent his takingoffence?"

"Tell him that it is on account of what he asked you. He is poor, and Iam sure he is in despair at not seeing me in the window to-night. I shalltell him I only went to the ball with you to please my father. "

Donna Ignazia, a mixture of voluptuousness and piety, like most Spanishwomen, danced the fandango with so much fire that no words could haveexpressed so well the Joys that were in store for me. What a dance it is!Her bosom was heaving and her blood all aflame, and yet I was told thatfor the greater part of the company the dance was wholly innocent, anddevoid of any intention. I pretended to believe it, but I certainly didnot. Ignazia begged me to come to mass at the Church of the Soledad thenext day at eight o'clock. I had not yet told her that it was there I hadseen her first. She also asked me to come and see her in the evening, andsaid she would send me a letter if we were not left alone together. 

I slept till noon, and was awoke by Marazzini, who came to ask me to givehim some dinner. He told me he had seen me with my fair companion thenight before, and that he had vainly endeavoured to find out who she was. I bore with this singularly misplaced curiosity, but when it came to hissaying that he would have followed us if he had had any money, I spoke tohim in a manner that made him turn pale. He begged pardon, and promisedto bridle his curiosity for the future. He proposed a party of pleasurewith the famous courtezan Spiletta, whose favours were dear, but Ideclined, for my mind was taken up with the fair Ignazia, whom Iconsidered a worthy successor to Charlotte. 

I went to the church, and she saw me when she came in, followed by thesame companion as before. 

She knelt down at two or three paces from me, but did not once look in mydirection. Her friend, on the other hand, inspected me closely; sheseemed about the same age as Ignazia, but she was ugly. I also noticedDon Francisco, and as I was going out of the church my rival followed me, and congratulated me somewhat bitterly on my good fortune in having takenhis mistress a second time to the ball. He confessed that he had been onour track the whole evening, and that he should have gone away wellenough pleased if it had not been for the way in which we dance thefandango. I felt this was an occasion for a little gentle management, andI answered good-humouredly that the love he thought he noticed was whollyimaginary, and that he was wrong to entertain any suspicions as to sovirtuous a girl as Donna Ignazia. At the same time I placed an ounce inhis hand, begging him to take it on account. He did so with an astonishedstare, and, calling me his father and guardian angel, swore an eternalgratitude. 

In the evening I called on Don Diego, where I was regaled with theexcellent ratafia I had given the mother, and the whole family began tospeak of the obligations Spain owed to the Count of Aranda. 

"No exercise is more healthful than dancing, " said Antonia, the mother, "and before his time balls were strictly forbidden. In spite of that heis hated for having expelled 'los padres de la compagnia de Jesus', andfor his sumptuary regulations. But the poor bless his name, for all themoney produced by the balls goes to them. "

"And thus, " said the father, "to go to the ball is to do a pious work. "

"I have two cousins, " said Ignazia, "who are perfect angels of goodness. I told them that you had taken me to the ball; but they are so poor thatthey have no hope of going. If you like you can make them quite happy bytaking them on the last day of the carnival. The ball closes at midnight, so as not to profane Ash Wednesday. "

"I shall be happy to oblige you, all the more as your lady mother willnot be obliged to wait for us in the carriage. "

"You are very kind; but I shall have to introduce you to my aunt; she isso particular. When she knows you, I am sure she will consent, for youhave all the air of discretion. Go and see her to-day; she lives in thenext street, and over her door you will see a notice that lace is washedwithin. Tell her that my mother gave you the address. To-morrow morning, after mass, I will see to everything else, and you must come here at noonto agree as to our meeting on the last day of the carnival. "

I did all this, and the next day I heard that it was settled. 

"I will have the dominos ready at my house, " I said, "and you must comein at the back door. We will dine in my room, mask, and go to the ball. The eldest of your cousins must be disguised as a man. "

"I won't tell her anything about that, for fear she might think it a sin, but once in your house you will have no difficulty in managing her. "

The younger of the two cousins was ugly, but looked like a woman, whereas the elder looked like an ugly dressed man in woman's clothes. She madean amusing contrast with Donna Ignazia, who looked most seductive whenshe laid aside her air of piety. 

I took care that everything requisite for our disguises should be at handin a neighbouring closet, unbeknown to my rascally page. I gave him apiece of money in the morning, and told him to spend the last day of thecarnival according to his own taste, as I should not require his servicestill noon the day after. 

I ordered a good dinner, and a waiter to serve it, at the tavern, and gotrid of Marazzini by giving him a doubloon. I took great pains over theentertainment I was to give the two cousins and the fair Ignazia, whom Ihoped that day to make my mistress. It was all quite a novelty for me; Ihad to do with three devotees, two hideous and the third ravishinglybeautiful, who had already had a foretaste of the joys in store for her. 

They came at noon, and for an hour I discoursed to them in a moral andunctuous manner. I had taken care to provide myself with some excellentwine, which did not fail to take effect on the three girls, who were notaccustomed to a dinner that lasted two hours. They were not exactlyinebriated, but their spirits were worked up to a pitch they had neverattained before. 

I told the elder cousin, who might be twenty-five years old, that I wasgoing to disguise her as a man; consternation appeared on her features, but I had expected as much, and Donna Ignazia told her she was only toolucky, and her sister observed that she did not think it could be a sin. 

"If it were a sin, " said I, "do you suppose that I should have suggestedit to your virtuous sister. "

Donna Ignazia, who knew the Legendarium by heart, corroborated myassertion by saying that the blessed St. Marina had passed her whole lifein man's clothes; and this settled the matter. 

I then burst into a very high-flown eulogium of her intellectualcapacity, so as to enlist her vanity in the good cause. 

"Come with me, " said I, "and do you ladies wait here; I want to enjoyyour surprise when you see her in man's clothes. "

The ugly cousin made a supreme effort and followed me, and when she hadduly inspected her disguise I told her to take off her boots and to puton white stockings and shoes, of which I had provided several pairs. Isat down before her, and told her that if she suspected me of anydishonourable intentions she would commit a mortal sin, as I was oldenough to be her father. She replied that she was a good Christian, butnot a fool. I fastened her garters for her, saying that I should neverhave supposed she had so well-shapen and so white a leg, which complimentmade her smile in a satisfied manner. 

Although I had a fine view of her thighs, I observed no traces of a blushon her face. I then gave her a pair, of my breeches, which fitted heradmirably, though I was five inches taller than she, but this differencewas compensated by the posterior proportions, with which, like mostwomen, she was bountifully endowed. I turned away to let her put them onin freedom, and, having given her a linen shirt, she told me she hadfinished before she had buttoned it at the neck. There may possibly havebeen a little coquetry in this, as I buttoned the shirt for her, and wasthus gratified with a sight of her splendid breast. I need not saywhether she was pleased or not at my refraining from complimenting herupon her fine proportions. When her toilette was finished I surveyed herfrom head to foot, and pronounced her to be a perfect man, with theexception of one blemish. 

"I am sorry for that. "

"Will you allow me to arrange your shirt so as to obviate it?"

"I shall be much obliged, as I have never dressed in man's clothesbefore. "

I then sat down in front of her, and, after unbuttoning the fly, arrangedthe shirt in a proper manner. In doing so I allowed myself some smallliberties, but I toyed with such a serious air that she seemed to take itall as a matter of course. 

When I had put on her domino and mask I led her forth, and her sister andDonna Ignazia congratulated her on her disguise, saying that anybodywould take her for a man. 

"Now it's your turn, " I said to the younger one. 

"Go with him, " said the elder, "Don Jaime is as honest a man as you willfind in Spain. "

There was really not much to be done to the younger sister, her disguisebeing simply a mask and domino, but as I wanted to keep Ignazia a longtime I made her put on white stockings, change her kerchief, and a dozenother trifles. When she was ready I brought her forth, and Donna Ignazianoticing that she had changed her stockings and kerchief, asked herwhether I were as expert at dressing a lady as at turning a lady into agentleman. 

"I don't know, " she replied, "I did everything for myself. "

Next came the turn of Don Diego's daughter, and as soon as I had her inthe closet I did my pleasure on her, she submitting with an air thatseemed to say, "I only give in because I can't resist. " Wishing to saveher honour I withdrew in time, but in the second combat I held her forhalf an hour to my arms. However, she was naturally of a passionatedisposition, and nature had endowed her with a temperament able to resistthe most vigorous attacks. When decency made us leave the closet, sheremarked to her cousins, "I thought I should never have done; I had to alter the whole fit of thedomino. "

I admired her presence of mind. 

At nightfall we went to the ball, at which the fandango might be dancedad libitum by a special privilege, but the crowd was so great thatdancing was out of the question. At ten we had supper, and then walked upand down, till all at once the two orchestras became silent. We heard thechurch clocks striking midnight the carnival was over, and Lent hadbegun. 

This rapid transition from wantonness to devotion, from paganism toChristianity, has something startling and unnatural about it. Atfifty-nine minutes past eleven the senses are all aglow; midnight sounds, and in a minute they are supposed to be brought low, and the heart to befull of humble repentance; it is an absurdity, an impossibility. 

I took the three girls to my house to take off their dominos, and we thenescorted the two cousins home. When we had left them for a few minutesDonna Ignazia told me that she would like a little coffee. I understoodher, and took her to my house, feeling sure of two hours of mutualpleasure. 

I took her to my room, and was just going out to order the coffee when Imet Don Francisco, who asked me plainly to let him come up, as he hadseen Donna Ignazia go in with me. I had sufficient strength of mind toconceal my rage and disappointment, and told him to come in, adding thathis mistress would be delighted at this unexpected visit. I wentupstairs, and he followed me, and I shewed him into the room, congratulating the lady on the pleasant surprise. 

I expected that she would play her part as well as I had played mine, butI was wrong. In her rage she told him that she would never have asked meto give her a cup of coffee if she had foreseen this piece ofimportunity, adding that if he had been a gentleman he would have knownbetter than to intrude himself at such an hour. 

In spite of my own anger I felt that I must take the poor devil's part;he looked like a dog with a tin kettle tied to his tail. I tried to calmDonna Ignazia, telling her that Don Francisco had seen us by a mereaccident, and that it was I who had asked him to come upstairs, in thehope of pleasing her. 

Donna Ignazia feigned to be persuaded and asked her lover to sit down, but she did not speak another word to him, confining her remarks to me, saying how much she had enjoyed the ball, and how kind I had been to takeher cousins. 

After he had taken a cup of coffee, Don Francisco bade us a good night. Itold him I hoped he would come and see me before Lent was over, but DonnaIgnazia only vouchsafed him a slight nod. When he had gone she said, sadly enough, that she was sorry he had deprived us both of our pleasure, and that she was sure Don Francisco was still hanging about the place, and that she dared not expose herself to his vengeance. "So take me home, but if you love me come and see me again. The trick the stupid fellow hasplayed me shall cost him dear. Are you sure I don't love him?"

"Quite certain, for you love me too well to love anybody else. "

Donna Ignazia gave me a hasty proof of her affection, and I escorted herhome, assuring her that she would be the sole object of my thoughts aslong as I stayed at Madrid. 

The next day I dined with Mengs, and the day after that I was accosted inthe street by an ill-looking fellow, who bade me follow him to acloister, as he had something of importance to communicate to me. 

As soon as he saw that we were unobserved, he told me that the AlcaldeMessa was going to pay me a visit that same night with a band of police, "of whom, " he added, "I am one. He knows you have concealed weapons inyour room. He knows, or thinks he knows, certain other things whichauthorize him to seize your person and to take you to the prison wherepersons destined for the galleys are kept. I give you all this warningbecause I believe you to be a man of honour. Despise not my advice, butlook to yourself, and get into some place of security. "

I credited what he told me, as the circumstance of my having arms wasperfectly true, so I gave the man a doubloon, and, instead of calling onDonna Ignazia, as I intended, I went back to my lodging, and afterputting the weapons under my cloak I went to Mengs's, leaving word at thecafe to send me my page as soon as he came back. In Mengs's house I wassafe, as it belonged to the king. 

The painter was an honest fellow, but proud and suspicious in excess. Hedid not refuse me an asylum for the night, but he told me that I mustlook out for some other refuge, as the alcalde must have some otheraccusation against me, and that knowing nothing of the merits or demeritsof the case he could not take any part in it. He gave me a room and wesupped together, discussing the matter all the time, I persisting thatthe possession of arms was my only offence, and he replying that if itwere so I should have awaited the alcalde fearlessly, as it stood toreason that a man had a right to keep defensive weapons in his own room. To this I answered that I had only come to him to avoid passing the nightin prison, as I was certain that the man had told me the truth. 

"To-morrow I shall look out for another lodging. "

I confessed, however, that it would have been wiser of me to leave mypistols and musket in my room. 

"Yes, and you might have remained there yourself. I did not think youwere so easily frightened. "

As we were arguing it over my landlord came and said that the alcaldewith thirty constables had been to my apartment and had broken open thedoor. He had searched everything, but unsuccessfully, and had gone awayafter sealing the room and its contents. He had arrested and imprisonedmy page on the charge of having warned me, "for otherwise, " he said, "theVenetian gentleman would never have gone to the house of Chevalier Mengs, where he is out of my power. "

At this Mengs agreed that I had been right in believing my informant'stale, and he added that the first thing in the morning I should go andprotest my innocence before the Count of Aranda, but he especially urgedon me the duty of defending the poor page. My landlord went his way, andwe continued the discussion, Mengs insisting on the page's innocence, till at last I lost all patience, and said, --

"My page must be a thorough-paced scoundrel; the magistrate's arrestinghim for warning me is an absolute proof that he knew of my approachingarrest. What is a servant who does not warn his master under suchcircumstances but a rascal? Indeed I am absolutely certain that he wasthe informer, for he was the only person who knew where the arms wereconcealed. "

Mengs could find no answer to this, and left to go to bed. I did the sameand had an excellent night. 

Early the next morning the great Mengs sent me linen and all therequisites of the toilette. His maid brought me a cup of chocolate, andhis cook came to ask if I had permission to eat flesh-meat. In such waysa prince welcomes a guest, and bids him stay, but such behaviour in aprivate person is equivalent to a hint to go. I expressed my gratitude, and only accepted a cup of chocolate and one handkerchief. 

My carriage was at the door, and I was just taking leave of Mengs when anofficer appeared on the scene, and asked the painter if the Chevalier deCasanova was in his house. 

"I am the Chevalier de Casanova, " said I. 

"Then I hope you will follow me of your own free will to the prison ofBuen Retiro. I cannot use force here, for this house is the king's, but Iwarn you that in less than an hour the Chevalier Mengs will have ordersto turn you out, and then you will be dragged to prison, which would beunpleasant for you. I therefore advise you to follow me quietly, and togive up such weapons as you may possess. "

"The Chevalier Mengs will give you the weapons in question. I havecarried them with me for eleven years; they are meant to protect me onthe highways. I am ready to follow you, but first allow me to write fournotes; I shall not be half an hour. "

"I can neither allow you to wait nor to write, but you will be at libertyto do so after you have reached the prison. "

"Very good; then I am ready to follow you, for I have no choice. I shallremember Spanish justice!"

I embraced Mengs, had the weapons put into my carriage, and got in withthe officer, who seemed a perfect gentleman. 

He took me to the Castle of Buen Retiro, formerly a royal palace, and nowa prison. When my conductor had consigned me to the officer of the watchI was handed over to a corporal, who led me into a vast hall on theground floor of the building. The stench was dreadful, and the prisonerswere about thirty, ten of them being soldiers. There were ten or twelvelarge beds, some benches, no tables, and no chairs. 

I asked a guard to get me some pens, ink, and paper, and gave him a durofor the purpose. He took the coin smilingly, and went away, but he didnot return. When I asked his brethren what had become of him they laughedin my face. But what surprised me the most was the sight of my page andMarazzini, who told me in Italian that he had been there for three days, and that he had not written to me as he had a presentiment that we shouldsoon meet. He added that in a fortnight's time we should be sent offunder a heavy escort to work in some fortress, though we might send ourpleas to the Government, and might possibly be let out after three orfour years' imprisonment. 

"I hope, " he said, "not to be condemned before I am heard. The alcaldewill come and interrogate you tomorrow, and your answers will be takendown; that's all. You may then be sent to hard labour in Africa. "

"Has your case been heard yet?"

"They were at me about it for three hours yesterday. "

"What kind of questions did they ask you?"

"They wished to know what banker furnished me with money for my expenses. I told them I had not got a banker, and that I lived by borrowing from myfriends, in the expectation of becoming one of the king's body-guard. They then asked me how it was that the Parmese ambassador knew nothingabout me, and I replied that I had never been presented to him. 

"'Without the favour of your ambassador, ' they objected, 'you could neverjoin the royal guard, and you must be aware of that, but the king'smajesty shall give you employment where you will stand in need of nocommendation;' and so the alcalde left me. If the Venetian ambassadordoes not interpose in your behalf you will be treated in the same way. "

I concealed my rage, and sat down on a bed, which I left after threehours, as I found myself covered with the disgusting vermin which seemendemic in Spain. The very sight of them made me sick. I stood upright, motionless, and silent, devouring the bile which consumed me. 

There was no good in talking; I must write; but where was I to findwriting materials? However, I resolved to wait in silence; my time mustcome, sooner or later. 

At noon Marazzini told me that he knew a soldier for whosetrustworthiness he would answer, and who would get me my dinner if I gavehim the money. 

"I have no appetite, " I replied, "and I am not going to give a farthingto anyone till the stolen crown is restored to me. "

He made an uproar over this piece of cheating, but the soldiers onlylaughed at him. My page then asked him to intercede with me, as he washungry, and had no money wherewith to buy food. 

"I will not give him a farthing; he is no longer in my service, and wouldto God I had never seen him!"

My companions in misery proceeded to dine on bad garlic soup and wretchedbread, washed down by plain water, two priests and an individual who wasstyled corregidor excepted, and they seemed to fare very well. 

At four o'clock one of Mengs's servants brought me a dinner which wouldhave sufficed for four. He wanted to leave me the dinner and come for theplates in the evening; but not caring to share the meal with the vile mobaround me I made him wait till I had done and come again at the same timethe next day, as I did not require any supper. The servant obeyed. Marazzini said rudely that I might at least have kept the bottle of wine;but I gave him no answer. 

At five o'clock Manucci appeared, accompanied by a Spanish officer. Afterthe usual compliments had passed between us I asked the officer if Imight write to my friends, who would not allow me to stay much longer inprison if they were advised of my arrest. 

"We are no tyrants, " he replied; "you can write what letters you like. "

"Then, " said I, "as this is a free country, is it allowable for a soldierwho has received certain moneys to buy certain articles to pocket themoney and appropriate it to his own use?"

"What is his name?"

The guard had been relieved, and no one seemed to know who or where hewas. 

"I promise you, sir, " said the officer, "that the soldier shall bepunished and your money restored to you; and in the meanwhile you shallhave pens, ink, paper, a table, and a candle, immediately. "

"And I, " added Manucci, "promise you that one of the ambassador'sservants shall wait on you at eight o'clock to deliver any letters youmay write. "

I took three crowns from my pocket, and told my fellow-prisoners that thefirst to name the soldier who had deceived me should have the money;Marazzini was the first to do so. The officer made a note of the man'sname with a smile; he was beginning to know me; I had spent three crownsto get back one, and could not be very avaricious. 

Manucci whispered to me that the ambassador would do his best in aconfidential way to get my release, and that he had no doubt of hissuccess. 

When my visitors were gone I sat down to write, but I had need of all mypatience. The rascally prisoners crowded round me to read what I waswriting, and when they could not understand it they were impudent enoughto ask me to explain it to them. Under the pretext of snuffing thecandle, they put it out. However, I bore with it all. One of the soldierssaid he would keep them quiet for a crown, but I gave him no answer. Inspite of the hell around me, I finished my letters and sealed them up. They were no studied or rhetorical epistles, but merely the expression ofthe fury with which I was consumed. 

I told Mocenigo that it was his duty to defend a subject of his prince, who had been arrested and imprisoned by a foreign power on an idlepretext. I shewed him that he must give me his protection unless I wasguilty, and that I had committed no offence against the law of the land. I reminded him that I was a Venetian, in spite of my persecution at thehands of the State Inquisitors, and that being a Venetian I had a rightto count on his protection. 

To Don Emmanuel de Roda, a learned scholar, and the minister of justice, I wrote that I did not ask any favour but only simple justice. 

"Serve God and your master, " said I. "Let his Catholic majesty save mefrom the hands of the infamous alcalde who has arrested me, an honest anda law-abiding man, who came to Spain trusting in his own innocence andthe protection of the laws. The person who writes to you, my lord, has apurse full of doubloons in his pocket; he has already been robbed, andfears assassination in the filthy den in which he has been imprisoned. "

I wrote to the Duke of Lossada, requesting him to inform the king thathis servants had subjected to vile treatment a man whose only fault wasthat he had a little money. I begged him to use his influence with hisCatholic majesty to put a stop to these infamous proceedings. 

But the most vigorous letter of all was the one I addressed to the Countof Aranda. I told him plainly that if this infamous action went on Ishould be forced to believe that it was by his orders, since I had statedin vain that I came to Madrid with an introduction to him from aprincess. 

"I have committed no crime, " I said; "what compensation am I to have whenI am released from this filthy and abominable place? Set me at liberty atonce, or tell your hangmen to finish their work, for I warn you that noone shall take me to the galleys alive. "

According to my custom I took copies of all the letters, and I sent themoff by the servant whom the all-powerful Manucci despatched to theprison. I passed such a night as Dante might have imagined in his Visionof Hell. All the beds were full, and even if there had been a spare placeI would not have occupied it. I asked in vain for a mattress, but even ifthey had brought me one, it would have been of no use, for the wholefloor was inundated. There were only two or three chamber utensils forall the prisoners, and everyone discharged his occasions on the floor. 

I spent the night on a narrow bench without a back, resting my head on myhands. 

At seven o'clock the next morning Manucci came to see me; I looked uponhim as my Providence. I begged him to take me down to the guard-room, andgive me some refreshment, for I felt quite exhausted. My request wasgranted, and as I told my sufferings I had my hair done by a barber. 

Manucci told me that my letters would be delivered in the course of theday, and observed, smilingly, that my epistle to the ambassador wasrather severe. I shewed him copies of the three others I had written, andthe inexperienced young man told me that gentleness was the best way toobtain favours. He did not know that there are circumstances in which aman's pen must be dipped in gall. He told me confidentially that theambassador dined with Aranda that day, and would speak in my favour as aprivate individual, adding that he was afraid my letter would prejudicethe proud Spaniard against me. 

"All I ask of you, " said I, "is not to tell the ambassador that you haveseen the letter I wrote to the Count of Aranda. "

He promised he would keep the secret. 

An hour after his departure I saw Donna Ignazia and her father coming in, accompanied by the officer who had treated me with such consideration. Their visit cut me to the quick; nevertheless, I felt grateful, for itshewed me the 'goodness of Don Diego's heart and the love of the fairdevotee. 

I gave them to understand, in my bad Spanish, that I was grateful for thehonour they had done me in visiting me in this dreadful situation. DonnaIgnazia did not speak, she only wept in silence; but Don Diego gave meclearly to understand that he would never have come to see me unless hehad felt certain that my accusation was a mistake or an infamous calumny. He told me he was sure I should be set free, and that proper satisfactionwould be given me. 

"I hope so, " I replied, "for I am perfectly innocent of any offence. " Iwas greatly touched when the worthy man slipped into my hands a rouleau, telling me it contained twelve quadruples, which I could repay at myconvenience. 

It was more than a thousand francs, and my hair stood on end. I pressedhis hand warmly, and whispered to him that I had fifty in my pocket, which I was afraid to shew him, for fear the rascals around might rob me. He put back his rouleau, and bade me farewell in tears, and I promised tocome and see him as soon as I should be set at liberty. 

He had not sent in his name, and as he was very well dressed he was takenfor a man of importance. Such characters are not altogether exceptionalin heroic Spain; it is a land of extremes. 

At noon Mengs's servant came with a dinner that was choicer than before, but not so plentiful. This was just what I liked. He waited for me tofinish, and went away with the plates, carrying my heartiest thanks tohis master. 

At one o'clock an individual came up to me and bade me follow him. Hetook me to a small room, where I saw my carbine and pistols. In front ofme was the Alcalde Messa, seated at a table covered with documents, and apoliceman stood on each side of him. The alcalde told me to sit down, andto answer truly such questions as might be put to me, warning me that myreplies would be taken down. 

"I do not understand Spanish well, and I shall only give written answersto any questions that may be asked of me, in Italian, French, or Latin. "

This reply, which I uttered in a firm and determined voice, seemed toastonish him. He spoke to me for an hour, and I understood him very well, but he only got one reply:

"I don't understand what you say. Get a judge who understands one of thelanguages I have named, and I will write down my answers. "

The alcalde was enraged, but I did not let his ill-humour or his threatsdisturb me. 

Finally he gave me a pen, and told me to write my name, profession, andbusiness in Spain in Italian. I could not refuse him this pleasure, so Iwrote as follows:

"My name is Jacques Casanova; I am a subject of the Republic of Venice, by profession a man of letters, and in rank a Knight of the Golden Spur. I have sufficient means, and I travel for my pleasure. I am known to theVenetian ambassador, the Count of Aranda, the Prince de la Catolica, theMarquis of Moras, and the Duke of Lossada. I have offended in no manneragainst the laws of his Catholic majesty, but in spite of my innocence Ihave been cast into a den of thieves and assassins by magistrates whodeserve a ten times greater punishment. Since I have not infringed thelaws, his Catholic majesty must know that he has only one right over me, and that is to order me to leave his realms, which order I am ready toobey. My arms, which I see before me, have travelled with me for the lasteleven years; I carry them to defend myself against highwaymen. They wereseen when my effects were examined at the Gate of Alcala, and were notconfiscated; which makes it plain that they have served merely as apretext for the infamous treatment to which I have been subjected. "

After I had written out this document I gave it to the alcalde, whocalled for an interpreter. When he had had it read to him he rose angrilyand said to me, --

"Valga me Dios! You shall suffer for your insolence. "

With this threat he went away, ordering that I should be taken back toprison. 

At eight o'clock Manucci called and told me that the Count of Aranda hadbeen making enquiries about me of the Venetian ambassador, who had spokenvery highly in my favour, and expressed his regret that he could not takemy part officially on account of my being in disgrace with the StateInquisitors. 

"He has certainly been shamefully used, " said the count, "but anintelligent man should not lose his head. I should have known nothingabout it, but for a furious letter he has written me; and Don Emmanuel deRoda and the Duke of Lossada have received epistles in the same style. Casanova is in the right, but that is not the way to address people. "

"If he really said I was in the right, that is sufficient. "

"He said it, sure enough. "

"Then he must do me justice, and as to my style everyone has a style oftheir own. I am furious, and I wrote furiously. Look at this place; Ihave no bed, the floor is covered with filth, and I am obliged to sleepon a narrow bench. Don't you think it is natural that I should desire toeat the hearts of the scoundrels who have placed me here? If I do notleave this hell by tomorrow, I shall kill myself, or go mad. "

Manucci understood the horrors of my situation. He promised to come againearly the next day, and advised me to see what money would do towardsprocuring a bed, but I would not listen to him, for I was suffering frominjustice, and was therefore obstinate. Besides, the thought of thevermin frightened me, and I was afraid for my purse and the jewels I hadabout me. 

I spent a second night worse than the first, going to sleep from sheerexhaustion, only to awake and find myself slipping off the bench. 

Manucci came before eight o'clock, and my aspect shocked him. He had comein his carriage, bringing with him some excellent chocolate, which insome way restored my spirits. As I was finishing it, an officer of highrank, accompanied by two other officers, came in and called out, --

"M. De Casanova!"

I stepped forward and presented myself. 

"Chevalier, " he began, "the Count of Aranda is at the gate of the prison;he is much grieved at the treatment you have received. He only heardabout it through the letter you wrote him yesterday, and if you hadwritten sooner your pains would have been shorter. "

"Such was my intention, colonel, but a soldier . . . . "

I proceeded to tell him the story of the swindling soldier, and onhearing his name the colonel called the captain of the guard, reprimandedhim severely, and ordered him to give me back the crown himself. I tookthe money laughingly, and the colonel then ordered the captain to fetchthe offending soldier, and to give him a flogging before me. 

This officer, the emissary of the all-powerful Aranda, was Count Royas, commanding the garrison of Buen Retiro. I told him all the circumstancesof my arrest, and of my imprisonment in that filthy place. I told himthat if I did not get back that day my arms, my liberty, and my honour, Ishould either go mad or kill myself. 

"Here, " I said, "I can neither rest nor sleep, and a man needs sleepevery night. If you had come a little earlier you would have seen thedisgusting filth with which the floor was covered. "

The worthy man was taken aback with the energy with which I spoke. I sawhis feelings, and hastened to say, --

"You must remember, colonel, that I am suffering from injustice, and amin a furious rage. I am a man of honour, like yourself, and you canimagine the effect of such treatment on me. "

Manucci told him, in Spanish, that in my normal state I was a good fellowenough. The colonel expressed his pity for me, and assured me that myarms should be restored to me, and my liberty too, in the course of theday. 

"Afterwards, " said he, "you must go and thank his excellency the Count ofAranda, who came here expressly for your sake. He bade me tell you thatyour release would be delayed till the afternoon, that you may have fullsatisfaction for the affront you have received, if it is an affront, forthe penalties of the law only dishonour the guilty. In this instance theAlcalde Messa has been deceived by the rascal who was in your service. "

"There he is, " said I. "Be good enough to have him removed, or else, inmy indignation, I might kill him. "

"He shall be taken away this moment, " he replied. 

The colonel went out, and two minutes later two soldiers came in and tookthe rogue away between them. I never saw him again, and never troubledmyself to enquire what had become of him. 

The colonel begged me to accompany him to the guard-room, to see thethieving soldier flogged. Manucci was at my side, and at some littledistance stood the Count of Aranda, surrounded by officers, andaccompanied by a royal guard. 

The business kept us there for a couple of hours. Before leaving me thecolonel begged me to meet Mengs at dinner at his house. 

When I returned to my filthy prison I found a clean arm-chair, which Iwas informed had been brought in for me. I sat down in it immediately, and Manucci left me, after embracing me again and again. He was mysincere friend, and I can never forgive myself the stupidity which mademe offend him grievously. He never forgave me, at which I am notsurprised, but I believe my readers will agree with me in thinking thathe carried his vengeance too far. 

After the scene which had taken place, the vile crowd of prisoners stoodgazing at me in stupid silence, and Marazzini came up to me and begged meto use my offices for him. 

Dinner was brought me as usual, and at three o'clock the Alcalde Messaappeared and begged me to follow him, as he had received orders to takeme back to my lodging, where he hoped I should find everything in perfectorder. At the same time he shewed me my arms, which one of his men wasgoing to bring to my house. The officer of the guard returned me mysword, the alcalde, who was in his black cloak, put himself on my lefthand, and thus I was escorted home with a guard of thirty constables. Theseals were removed from my apartment, and after a brief inspection Ipronounced that everything was in perfect order. 

"If you had not a rascal and a traitor (who shall end his days in thegalleys) in your service, Senor Caballero, you would never have writtendown the servants of his Catholic majesty as scoundrels. "

"Senor Alcalde, my indignation made me write the same sentence to four ofhis majesty's ministers. Then I believed what I wrote, but I do so nolonger. Let us forget and forgive; but you must confess that if I had notknown how to write a letter you would have sent me to the galleys. "

"Alas! it is very likely. "

I need not say that I hastened to remove all traces of the vile prisonwhere I had suffered so much. When I was ready to go out my firstgrateful visit was paid to the noble cobbler. The worthy man was proud ofthe fulfilment of his prophecy, and glad to see me again. Donna Ignaziawas wild with delight--perhaps she had not been so sure of myrelease--and when Don Diego heard of the satisfaction that had been givenme he said that a grandee of Spain could not have asked for more. Ibegged the worthy people to come and dine with me, telling them that Iwould name the day another time, and they accepted gladly. 

I felt that my love for Donna Ignazia had increased immensely since ourlast meeting. 

Afterwards I called on Mengs, who with his knowledge of Spanish lawexpected nothing less than to see me. When he heard of my triumphantrelease he overwhelmed me with congratulations. He was in his Courtdress--an unusual thing with him, and on my asking him the reason he toldme that he had been to Don Emmanuel de Roda's to speak on my behalf, buthad not succeeded in obtaining an audience. He gave me a Venetian letterwhich had just arrived for me. I opened it, and found it was from M. Dandolo, and contained an enclosure for M. De Mocenigo. M. Dandolo saidthat on reading the enclosed letter the ambassador would have no morescruples about introducing me, as it contained a recommendation from oneof the Inquisitors on behalf of the three. 

When I told Mengs of this he said it was now in my power to make myfortune in Spain, and that now was the time when all the ministers wouldbe only too anxious to do something for me to make me forget the wrongs Ihad received. 

"I advise you, " he said, "to take the letter to the ambassadorimmediately. Take my carriage; after what you have undergone for the lastfew days you cannot be in a walking humour. "

I had need of rest, and told Mengs that I would not sup with him thatnight, but would dine with him the next day. The ambassador was out, so Ileft the letter with Manucci, and then drove home and slept profoundlyfor twelve hours. 

Manucci came to see me the next day in high spirits, and told me that M. Girolamo Zulian had written to the ambassador on behalf of M. Du Mula, informing him that he need not hesitate to countenance me, as anyarticles the Tribunal might have against me were in no degree prejudicialto my honour. 

"The ambassador, " he continued, "proposes to introduce you at Court nextweek, and he wants you to dine with him to-day; there will be a numerouscompany at dinner. "

"I am engaged to Mengs. "

"No matter, he shall be asked as well; you must come. Consider the effectof your presence at the ambassador's the day after your triumph. "

"You are right. Go and ask Mengs, and tell the ambassador that I havemuch pleasure in accepting his invitation. "

CHAPTER V

Campomanes--Olavides--Sierra Morena--Aranjuez--Mengs--The MarquisGrimaldi--Toledo--Madame Pelliccia--My Return to Madrid

Different circumstances in my life seem to have combined to render mesomewhat superstitious; it is a humiliating confession, and yet I makeit. But who could help it? A man who abandons himself to his whims andfancies is like a child playing with a billiard cue. It may make a strokethat would be an honour to the most practised and scientific player; andsuch are the strange coincidences of life which, as I have said, havecaused me to become superstitious. 

Fortune, which under the humbler name of luck seems but a word, is a verydivinity when it guides the most important actions of a man's life. Always it has seemed to me that this divinity is not blind, as themythologists affirm; she had brought me low only to exalt me, and I foundmyself in high places, only, as it seems, to be cast into the depths. Fortune has done her best to make me regard her as a reasoning, almightypower; she has made me feel that the strength of my will is as nothingbefore this mysterious power, which takes my will and moulds it, andmakes it a mere instrument for the accomplishment of its decrees. 

I could not possibly have done anything in Spain without the help of therepresentative of my country, and he would not have dared to do anythingfor me without the letter I had just given him. This letter, in its turn, would probably have had but slight effect if it had not come to hand sosoon after my imprisonment, which had become the talk of the town, through the handsome satisfaction the Count of Aranda had given me. 

The letter made the ambassador sorry that he had not interposed on mybehalf, but he hoped people would believe that the count would not haveacted as he did if it had not been for his interposition. His favourite, Count Manucci, had come to ask me to dinner; as it happened I was engagedto Mengs, which obtained an invitation for the painter, and flattered hisvanity excessively. He fancied that the invitation proceeded fromgratitude, and it certainly smoothed away the mortification he had feltat seeing me arrested in his house. He immediately wrote to the effectthat he would call upon me with his carriage. 

I called on the Count of Aranda, who kept me waiting for a quarter of anhour, and then came in with some papers in his hand. He smiled when hesaw me, and said, --

"Your business is done. Stay, here are four letters; take them and readthem over again. "

"Why should I read them again? This is the document I gave the alcalde. "

"I know that. Read, and confess that you should not have written soviolently, in spite of the wrongs that vexed you. "

"I crave your pardon, my lord, but a man who meditates suicide does notpick terms. I believed that your excellency was at the bottom of it all. "

"Then you don't know me. Go and thank Don Emmanuel de Roda, who wants toknow you, and I shall be glad if you will call once on the alcalde, notto make him an apology, for you owe him none, but as an act of politenessto salve over the hard things you said of him. If you write the historyof Princess Lubomirska, I hope you will tell her that I did my best foryou. "

I then called on Colonel Royas, who told me that I had made a greatmistake in saying that I was satisfied. 

"What could I claim?"

"Everything. Dismissal of the alcalde and compensation to the tune offifty thousand duros. Spain is a country where a man may speak out savein the matters which the Holy Inquisition looks after. "

This colonel, now a general, is one of the pleasantest Spaniards I haveever met. 

I had not long returned to my lodging when Mengs called for me in hiscarriage. The ambassador gave me a most gracious reception, andoverwhelmed Mengs with compliments for having endeavoured to shelter me. At dinner I told the story of my sufferings at Buen Retiro, and theconversation I had just had with the Count of Aranda, who had returned memy letters. The company expressed a desire to see them, and everyone gavean opinion on the matter. 

The guests were Abbe Bigliardi, the French consul, Don Rodrigues deCampomanes, and the famous Don Pablo d'Olavides. Everyone spoke his mind, and the ambassador condemned the letters as too ferocious. On the otherhand, Campomanes approved them, saying that they were not abusive, andwere wonderfully adapted to my purpose, namely, to force the reader to dome prompt justice, were the reader to be the king himself. Olavides andBigliardi echoed this sentiment. Mengs sided with the ambassador, andbegged me to come and live with him, so as not to be liable to any moreinconveniences from spying servants. I did not accept this invitationtill I had been pressed for some time, and I noted the remark of theambassador, who said I owed Mengs this reparation for the indirectaffront he had received. 

I was delighted to make the acquaintance of Campomanes and Olavides, menof intellect and of a stamp very rare in Spain. They were not exactly menof learning, but they were above religious prejudices, and were not onlyfearless in throwing public scorn upon them but even laboured openly fortheir destruction. It was Campomanes who had furnished Aranda with allthe damaging matter against the Jesuits. By a curious coincidence, Campomanes, the Count of Aranda, and the General of the Jesuits, were allsquint-eyed. I asked Campomanes why he hated the Jesuits so bitterly, andhe replied that he looked upon them in the same light as the otherreligious orders, whom he considered a parasitical and noxious race, andwould gladly banish them all, not only from the peninsula but from theface of the earth. 

He was the author of all the pamphlets that had been written on thesubject of mortmain; and as he was an intimate friend of theambassador's, M. Mocenigo had furnished him with an account of theproceedings of the Venetian Republic against the monks. He might havedispensed with this source of information if he had read the writings ofFather Paul Sarpi on the same subject. Quick-sighted, firm, with thecourage of his opinions, Campomanes was the fiscal of the Supreme Councilof Castille, of which Aranda was president. Everyone knew him to be athoroughly honest man, who acted solely for the good of the State. Thusstatesmen and officials had warm feelings of respect for him, while themonks and bigots hated the sound of his name, and the Inquisition hadsworn to be his ruin. It was said openly that he would either become abishop or perish in the cells of the holy brotherhood. The prophecy wasonly partly fulfilled. Four years after my visit to Spain he wasincarcerated in the dungeons of the Inquisition, but he obtained hisrelease after three years' confinement by doing public penance. Theleprosy which eats out the heart of Spain is not yet cured. Olavides wasstill more harshly treated, and even Aranda would have fallen a victim ifhe had not had the good sense to ask the king to send him to France ashis ambassador. The king was very glad to do so, as otherwise he wouldhave been forced to deliver him up to the infuriated monks. Charles III. (who died a madman) was a remarkable character. He was as obstinate as amule, as weak as a woman, as gross as a Dutchman, and a thorough-pacedbigot. It was no wonder that he became the tool of his confessor. 

At the time of which I am speaking the cabinet of Madrid was occupied ina curious scheme. A thousand Catholic families had been enticed fromSwitzerland to form a colony in the beautiful but deserted region calledthe Sierra Morena, well known all over Europe by its mention in DonQuixote. Nature seemed there to have lavished all her gifts; the climatewas perfect, the soil fertile, and streams of all kinds watered the land, but in spite of all it was almost depopulated. 

Desiring to change this state of things, his Catholic majesty had decidedto make a present of all the agricultural products for a certain numberof years to industrious colonists. He had consequently invited the SwissCatholics, and had paid their expenses for the journey. The Swissarrived, and the Spanish government did its best to provide them withlodging and spiritual and temporal superintendence. Olavides was the soulof this scheme. He conferred with the ministers to provide the newpopulation with magistrates, priests, a governor, craftsmen of all kindsto build churches and houses, and especially a bull-ring, a necessity forthe Spaniards, but a perfectly useless provision as far as the simpleSwiss were concerned. 

In the documents which Don Pablo Olavides had composed on the subject hedemonstrated the inexpediency of establishing any religious orders in thenew colony, but if he could have proved his opinion to be correct withfoot and rule he would none the less have drawn on his head theimplacable hatred of the monks, and of the bishop in whose diocese thenew colony was situated. The secular clergy supported Olavides, but themonks cried out against his impiety, and as the Inquisition was eminentlymonkish in its sympathies persecution had already begun, and this was oneof the subjects of conversation at the dinner at which I was present. 

I listened to the arguments, sensible and otherwise, which were advanced, and I finally gave my opinion, as modestly as I could, that in a fewyears the colony would banish like smoke; and this for several reasons. 

"The Swiss, " I said, "are a very peculiar people; if you transplant themto a foreign shore, they languish and die; they become a prey tohome-sickness. When this once begins in a Switzer, the only thing is totake him home to the mountain, the lake, or the valley, where he wasborn, or else he will infallibly die. "

"It would be wise, I think, " I continued, "to endeavour to combine aSpanish colony with the Swiss colony, so as to effect a mingling ofraces. At first, at all events, their rules, both spiritual and temporal, should be Swiss, and, above all, you would have to insure them completeimmunity from the Inquisition. The Swiss who has been bred in the countryhas peculiar customs and manners of love-making, of which the SpanishChurch might not exactly approve; but the least attempt to restrain theirliberty in this respect would immediately bring about a generalhome-sickness. "

At first Olavides thought I was joking, but he soon found out that myremarks had some sense in them. He begged me to write out my opinions onthe subject, and to give him the benefit of my knowledge. I promised todo so, and Mengs fixed a day for him to come and dine with me at hishouse. 

The next day I moved my household goods to Mengs's house, and began myphilosophical and physiological treatise on the colony. 

I called on Don Emmanuel de Roda, who was a man of letters, a 'rara aves'in Spain. He liked Latin poetry, had read some Italian, but verynaturally gave the palm to the Spanish poets. He welcomed me warmly, begged me to come and see him again, and told me how sorry he had been atmy unjust imprisonment. 

The Duke of Lossada congratulated me on the way in which the Venetianambassador spoke of me everywhere, and encouraged me in my idea ofgetting some place under Government, promising to give me his support inthe matter. 

The Prince della Catolica, invited me to dinner with the Venetianambassador; and in the course of three weeks I had made a great number ofvaluable acquaintances. I thought seriously of seeking employment inSpain, as not having heard from Lisbon I dared not go there on the chanceof finding something to do. I had not received any letters from Paulineof late, and had no idea as to what had become of her. 

I passed a good many of my evenings with a Spanish lady, named Sabatini, who gave 'tertullas' or assemblies, frequented chiefly by fifth-rateliterary men. I also visited the Duke of Medina-Sidonia, a well-read andintelligent man, to whom I had been presented by Don Domingo Varnier, oneof the gentlemen of the king's chamber, whom I had met at Mengs's house. I paid a good many visits to Donna Ignazia, but as I was never left alonewith her these visits became tiresome. When I suggested a party ofpleasure with her and her cousins, she replied that she would like it asmuch as I, but as it was Lent and near Holy Week, in which God died forour salvation, it was more fit to think of penance than pleasure. AfterEaster, she said, we might consider the matter. Ignazia was a perfectexample of the young Spanish devotee. 

A fortnight after, the King and Court left Madrid for Aranjuez. M. DeMocenigo asked me to come and stay with him, as he would be able topresent me at Court. As may be imagined, I should have been only too gladto accept, but on the eve of my departure, as I was driving with Mengs, Iwas suddenly seized with a fever, and was convulsed so violently that myhead was dashed against the carriage window, which it shivered tofragments. Mengs ordered the coachman to drive home, and I was put tobed. In four hours I was seized with a sweating fit, which lasted for tenor twelve hours. The bed and two mattresses were soaked through with myperspiration, which dripped on to the floor beneath. The fever abated inforty-eight hours, but left me in such a state of weakness that I waskept to my bed for a whole week, and could not go to Aranjuez till HolySaturday. The ambassador welcomed me warmly, but on the night I arrived asmall lump which I had felt in the course of the day grew as large as anegg, and I was unable to go to mass on Easter Day. 

In five days the excrescence became as large as an average melon, much tothe amazement of Manucci and the ambassador, and even of the king'ssurgeon, a Frenchman who declared he had never seen the like before. Iwas not alarmed personally, for, as I suffered no pain and the lump wasquite soft, I guessed it was only a collection of lymph, the remainder ofthe evil humours which I had sweated away in the fever. I told thesurgeon the history of the fever and begged him to lance the abscess, which he did, and for four days the opening discharged an almostincredible amount of matter. On the fifth day the wound was almosthealed, but the exhaustion had left me so weak that I could not leave mybed. 

Such was my situation when I received a letter from Mengs. It is beforeme at the present moment, and I give below a true copy:

"Yesterday the rector of the parish in which I reside affixed to thechurch-door a list of those of his parishioners who are Atheists and haveneglected their Easter duties. Amongst them your name figures in full, and the aforesaid rector has reproached me bitterly for harbouring aheretic. I did not know what answer to make, for I feel sure that youcould have stopped in Madrid a day longer to discharge the duties of aChristian, even if it were only out of regard for me. The duty I owe tothe king, my master, the care I am bound to take of my reputation, and myfears of being molested, all make me request you to look upon my house asyours no longer. When you return to Madrid you may go where you will, andmy servants shall transport your effects to your new abode. 

"I am, etc. , "ANTONIO RAPHAEL MENGS. "

I was so annoyed by this rude, brutal, and ungrateful letter, that if Ihad not been seven leagues from Madrid, and in a state of the utmostweakness, Mengs should have suffered for his insolence. I told themessenger who had brought it to begone, but he replied that he had ordersto await my reply. I crushed the letter in my hand and flung it at hisface, saying, --

"Go and tell your unworthy master what I did with his letter, and tellhim that is the only answer that such a letter deserves. "

The innocent messenger went his way in great amazement. 

My anger gave me strength, and having dressed myself and summoned asedan-chair I went to church, and was confessed by a Grey Friar, and atsix o'clock the next morning I received the Sacrament. 

My confessor was kind enough to give me a certificate to the effect thatI had been obliged to keep my bed since my arrival 'al sitio', and thatin spite of my extreme weakness I had gone to church, and had confessedand communicated like a good Christian. He also told me the name of thepriest who had affixed the paper containing my name to the door of thechurch. 

When I returned to the ambassador's house I wrote to this priest, tellinghim that the certificate enclosed would inform him as to my reasons fornot communicating. I expressed a hope that, being satisfied of myorthodoxy, he would not delay in removing my name from his church-doors, and I concluded by begging him to hand the enclosed letter to theChevalier Mengs. 

To the painter I wrote that I felt that I had deserved the shamefulinsult he had given me by my great mistake in acceding to his request tohonour him by staying in his house. However, as a good Christian who hadjust received the Holy Communion, I told him that his brutal behaviourwas forgiven; but I bade him to take to heart the line, well known to allhonest people, and doubtless unknown to him:

'Turpius ejicitur quam non admittitur hospes. '

After sending the letter I told the ambassador what had happened, towhich he replied, --

"I am not at all surprised at what you tell me. Mengs is only liked forhis talents in painting; in everything else he is well known to be littlebetter than a fool. "

As a matter of fact he had only asked me to stay with him to gratify hisown vanity. He knew that all the town was talking of my imprisonment andof the satisfaction the Count of Aranda had accorded me, and he wantedpeople to think that his influence had obtained the favour that had beenshewn me. Indeed, he had said in a moment of exaltation that I shouldhave compelled the Alcade Messa to escort me not to my own house but tohis, as it was in his house that I had been arrested. 

Mengs was an exceedingly ambitious and a very jealous man; he hated allhis brother painters. His colour and design were excellent, but hisinvention was very weak, and invention is as necessary to a great painteras a great poet. 

I happened to say to him one day, "Just as every poet should be apainter, so every painter should be a poet;" and he got quite angry, thinking that I was alluding to his weakness of imagination, which hefelt but would not acknowledge. 

He was an ignorant man, and liked to pass for a scholar; he sacrificed toBacchus and Comus, and would fain be thought sober; he was lustful, bad-tempered, envious, and miserly, but yet would be considered avirtuous man. He loved hard work, and this forced him to abstain, as arule, from dinner, as he drank so inordinately at that meal that he coulddo nothing after it. When he dined out he had to drink nothing but water, so as not to compromise his reputation for temperance. He spoke fourlanguages, and all badly, and could not even write his native tongue withcorrectness; and yet he claimed perfection for his grammar andorthography, as for all his other qualities. While I was staying with himI became acquainted with some of his weak points, and endeavoured tocorrect them, at which he took great offence. The fellow writhed under asense of obligation to me. Once I prevented his sending a petition to theCourt, which the king would have seen, and which would have made Mengsridiculous. In signing his name he had written 'el mas inclito', wishingto say your most humble. I pointed out to him that 'el mas inclito' meantthe most illustrious, and that the Spanish for the expression he wantedwas 'el mas humilde'. The proud fool was quite enraged, telling me thathe knew Spanish better than I, but when the dictionary was searched hehad to swallow the bitter pill of confessing himself in the wrong. 

Another time I suppressed a heavy and stupid criticism of his on someonewho had maintained that there were no monuments still existing of theantediluvian period. Mengs thought he would confound the author by citingthe remains of the Tower of Babel--a double piece of folly, for in thefirst place there are no such remains, and in the second, the Tower ofBabel was a post-diluvian building. 

He was also largely given to the discussion of metaphysical questions, onwhich his knowledge was simply nil, and a favourite pursuit of his wasdefining beauty in the abstract, and when he was on this topic thenonsense he talked was something dreadful. 

Mengs was a very passionate man, and would sometimes beat his childrenmost cruelly. More than once I have rescued his poor sons from hisfurious hands. He boasted that his father, a bad Bohemian artist, hadbrought him up with the stick. Thus, he said, he had become a greatpainter, and he wished his own children to enjoy the same advantages. 

He was deeply offended when he received a letter, of which the addressomitted his title of chevalier, and his name, Rafael. One day I venturedto say that these things were but trifles after all, and that I had takenno offence at his omitting the chevalier on the letters he had written tome, though I was a knight of the same order as himself. He very wiselymade no answer; but his objection to the omission of his baptismal namewas a very ridiculous one. He said he was called Antonio after AntonioCorreggio, and Rafael after Rafael da Urbino, and that those who omittedthese names, or either of them, implicitly denied his possession of thequalities of both these great painters. 

Once I dared to tell him that he had made a mistake in the hand of one ofhis figures, as the ring finger was shorter than the index. He repliedsharply that it was quite right, and shewed me his hand by way of proof. I laughed, and shewed him my hand in return, saying that I was certainthat my hand was made like that of all the descendants of Adam. 

"Then whom do you think that I am descended from?"

"I don't know, but you are certainly not of the same species as myself. "

"You mean you are not of my species; all well-made hands of men, andwomen too, are like mine and not like yours. "

"I'll wager a hundred doubloons that you are in the wrong. "

He got up, threw down brushes and palette, and rang up his servants, saying, --

"We shall see which is right. "

The servants came, and on examination he found that I was right. For oncein his life, he laughed and passed it off as a joke, saying, --

"I am delighted that I can boast of being unique in one particular, atall events. "

Here I must note another very sensible remark of his. 

He had painted a Magdalen, which was really wonderfully beautiful. Forten days he had said every morning, "The picture will be finishedto-night. " At last I told him that he had made a mistake in saying itwould be finished, as he was still working on it. 

"No, I have not, " he replied, "ninety-nine connoisseurs out of a hundredwould have pronounced it finished long ago, but I want the praise of thehundredth man. There's not a picture in the world that can be calledfinished save in a relative sense; this Magdalen will not be finishedtill I stop working at it, and then it will be only finished relatively, for if I were to give another day's work to it it would be more finishedstill. Not one of Petrarch's sonnets is a really finished production; no, nor any other man's sonnets. Nothing that the mind of man can conceive isperfect, save it be a mathematical theorem. "

I expressed my warm approval of the excellent way in which he had spoken. He was not so sensible another time when he expressed a wish to have beenRaphael. 

"He was such a great painter. "

"Certainly, " said I, "but what can you mean by wishing you had beenRaphael? This is not sense; if you had been Raphael, you would no longerbe existing. But perhaps you only meant to express a wish that you weretasting the joys of Paradise; in that case I will say no more. "

"No, no; I mean I would have liked to have been Raphael without troublingmyself about existing now, either in soul or body. "

"Really such a desire is an absurdity; think it over, and you will see itfor yourself. "

He flew into a rage, and abused me so heartily that I could not helplaughing. 

Another time he made a comparison between a tragic author and a painter, of course to the advantage of the latter. 

I analysed the matter calmly, shewing him that the painter's labour is toa great extent purely mechanical, and can be done whilst engaged incasual talk; whilst a well-written tragedy is the work of genius pure andsimple. Therefore, the poet must be immeasurably superior to the painter. 

"Find me if you can, " said I, "a poet who can order his supper betweenthe lines of his tragedy, or discuss the weather whilst he is composingepic verses. "

When Mengs was beaten in an argument, instead of acknowledging hisdefeat, he invariably became brutal and insulting. He died at the age offifty, and is regarded by posterity as a Stoic philosopher, a scholar, and a compendium of all the virtues; and this opinion must be ascribed toa fine biography of him in royal quarto, choicely printed, and dedicatedto the King of Spain. This panegyric is a mere tissue of lies. Mengs wasa great painter, and nothing else; and if he had only produced thesplendid picture which hangs over the high altar of the chapel royal atDresden, he would deserve eternal fame, though indeed he is indebted tothe great Raphael for the idea of the painting. 

We shall hear more of Mengs when I describe my meeting with him at Rome, two or three years later. 

I was still weak and confined to my room when Manucci came to me, andproposed that I should go with him to Toledo. 

"The ambassador, " he said, "is going to give a grand official dinner tothe ambassadors of the other powers, and as I have not been presented atCourt I am excluded from being present. However, if I travel, my absencewill not give rise to any remarks. We shall be back in five or six days. "

I was delighted to have the chance of seeing Toledo, and of making thejourney in a comfortable carriage, so I accepted. We started the nextmorning, and reached Toledo in the evening of the same day. For Spain wewere lodged comfortably enough, and the next day we went out under thecharge of a cicerone, who took us to the Alcazar, the Louvre of Toledo, formerly the palace of the Moorish kings. Afterwards we inspected thecathedral, which is well worthy of a visit, on account of the riches itcontains. I saw the great tabernacle used on Corpus Christi. It is madeof silver, and is so heavy that it requires thirty strong men to lift it. The Archbishop of Toledo has three hundred thousand duros a year, and hisclergy have four hundred thousand, amounting to two million francs inFrench money. One of the canons, as he was shewing me the urns containingthe relics, told me that one of them contained the thirty pieces ofsilver for which Judas betrayed our Lord. I begged him to let me seethem, to which he replied severely that the king himself would not havedared to express such indecent curiosity. 

I hastened to apologise, begging him not to take offence at a stranger'sheedless questions; and this seemed to calm his anger. 

The Spanish priests are a band of knaves, but one has to treat them withmore respect than one would pay to honest men elsewhere. The followingday we were shewn the museum of natural history. It was rather a dullexhibition; but, at all events, one could laugh at it without excitingthe wrath of the monks and the terrors of the Inquisition. We were shewn, amongst other wonders, a stuffed dragon, and the man who exhibited itsaid, --

"This proves, gentlemen, that the dragon is not a fabulous animal;" but Ithought there was more of art than nature about the beast. He then shewedus a basilisk, but instead of slaying us with a glance it only made uslaugh. The greatest wonder of all, however, was nothing else than aFreemason's apron, which, as the curator very sagely declared, proved theexistence of such an order, whatever some might say. 

The journey restored me to health, and when I returned to Aranjuez, Iproceeded to pay my court to all the ministers. The ambassador presentedme to Marquis Grimaldi, with whom I had some conversations on the subjectof the Swiss colony, which was going on badly. I reiterated my opinionthat the colony should be composed of Spaniards. 

"Yes, " said he, "but Spain is thinly peopled everywhere, and your planwould amount to impoverishing one district to make another rich. "

"Not at all, for if you took ten persons who are dying of poverty in theAsturias, and placed them in the Sierra Morena, they would not die tillthey had begotten fifty children. This fifty would beget two hundred andso on. "

My scheme was laid before a commission, and the marquis promised that Ishould be made governor of the colony if the plan was accepted. 

An Italian Opera Comique was then amusing the Court, with the exceptionof the king, who had no taste for music. His majesty bore a considerableresemblance to a sheep in the face, and it seemed as if the likeness wentdeeper, for sheep have not the slightest idea of sound. His favouritepursuit was sport, and the reason will be given later on. 

An Italian musician at the Court desired to compose some music for a newopera, and as there was no time to send to Italy I offered to compose thelibretto. My offer was accepted, and by the next day the first act wasready. The music was composed in four days, and the Venetian ambassadorinvited all the ministers to the rehearsal in the grand hall of hispalace. The music was pronounced exquisite; the two other acts werewritten, and in a fortnight the opera was put upon the stage. Themusician was rewarded handsomely, but I was considered too grand to workfor money and my reward was paid me in the Court money of compliments. However, I was glad to see that the ambassador was proud of me and thatthe minister's esteem for me seemed increased. 

In writing the libretto I had become acquainted with the actresses. Thechief of them was a Roman named Pelliccia, neither pretty nor ugly, witha slight squint, and but moderate talents. Her younger sister was prettyif not handsome; but no one cared for the younger, while the elder was auniversal favourite. Her expression was pleasant, her smile delightful, and her manners most captivating. Her husband was an indifferent painter, plain-looking, and more like her servant than her husband. He was indeedher very humble servant, and she treated him with great kindness. Thefeelings she inspired me with were not love, but a sincere respect andfriendship. I used to visit her every day, and wrote verses for her tosing to the Roman airs she delivered so gracefully. 

On one of the days of rehearsals I was pointing out to her the variousgreat personages who were present. The manager of the company, Marescalchi by name, had entered into an arrangement with the Governor ofValentia to bring the company there in September to play comic opera in asmall theatre which had been built on purpose. Italian opera had hithertonever been presented at Valentia, and Marecalchi hoped to make a gooddeal of money there. Madame Pelliccia knew nobody in Valentia, and wanteda letter of introduction to someone there. She asked me if I thought shecould venture to ask the Venetian ambassador to do her the favour, but Iadvised her to try the Duke of Arcos. 

"Where is he?"

"That gentleman who is looking in your direction now. "

"How can I dare to ask him?"

"He is a true nobleman, and I am sure he will be only too happy to obligeyou. Go and ask him now; you will not be denied. "

"I haven't the courage to do so. Come with me and introduce me. "

"That would spoil everything; he must not even think that I am youradviser in the matter. I am just going to leave you; you must make yourrequest directly afterwards. "

I walked towards the orchestra, and looking round I saw that the duke wasapproaching the actress. 

"The thing's as good as done, " I said to myself. 

After the rehearsal was over Madame Pelliccia came and told me that theDuke would give her the letter on the day on which the opera wasproduced. He kept his word, and she received a sealed letter for amerchant and banker, Don Diego Valencia. 

It was then May, and she was not to go to Valentia till September, so weshall hear what the letter contained later on. 

I often saw the king's gentleman of the chamber, Don Domingo Varnier, another 'gentleman in the service of the Princess of the Asturias, andone of the princess's bed-chamber women. This most popular princesssucceeded in suppressing a good deal of the old etiquette, and the toneof her Court had lost the air of solemnity common in Spanish society. Itwas a strange thing to see the King of Spain always dining at eleveno'clock, like the Parisian cordwainers in the seventeenth century. Hismeal always consisted of the same dishes, he always went out hunting atthe same hour, coming back in the evening thoroughly fatigued. 

The king was ugly, but everything is relative, he was handsome comparedwith his brother, who was terrifically ugly. 

This brother never went anywhere without a picture of the Virgin, whichMengs had painted for him. It was two feet high by three and a halfbroad. The figure was depicted as seated on the grass with legs crossedafter the Eastern fashion, and uncovered up to the knees. It was, inreality, a voluptuous painting; and the prince mistook for devotion thatwhich was really a sinful passion, for it was impossible to look upon thefigure without desiring to have the original within one's arms. However, the prince did not see this, and was delighted to find himself in lovewith the mother of the Saviour. In this he was a true Spaniard; they onlylove pictures of this kind, and interpret the passions they excite in themost favourable sense. 

At Madrid I had, seen a picture of the Madonna with the child at herbreast. It was the altarpiece of a chapel in the Calle St. Jeronimo. Theplace was filled all day by the devout, who came to adore the Mother ofGod, whose figure was only interesting by reason of her magnificentbreast. The alms given at this chapel were so numerous, that in thehundred and fifty years, since the picture had been placed there, theclergy had been able to purchase numerous lamps and candlesticks ofsilver, and vessels of silver gilt, and even of gold. The doorway wasalways blocked by carriages, and a sentinel was placed there to keeporder amongst the coachmen; no nobleman would pass by without going in topray to the Virgin, and to contemplate those 'beata ubera, quaelactaverunt aeterni patris filium'. But there came a change. 

When I returned to Madrid I wanted to pay a visit to the Abbe Pico, andtold my coachman to take another way so as to avoid the crush in front ofthe chapel. 

"It is not so frequented now, senor, " said he, "I can easily get by it. "

He went on his way, and I found the entrance to the chapel deserted. As Iwas getting out of the carriage I asked my coachman what was the reasonof the change, and he replied, --

"Oh, senor! men are getting more wicked every day. "

This reason did not satisfy me, and when I had taken my chocolate withthe abbe, an intelligent and venerable old man, I asked him why thechapel in question had lost its reputation. 

He burst out laughing, and replied, --

"Excuse me, I really cannot tell you. Go and see for yourself; yourcuriosity will soon be satisfied. "

As soon as I left him I went to the chapel, and the state of the picturetold me all. The breast of the Virgin had disappeared under a kerchiefwhich some profane brush had dared to paint over it. The beautifulpicture was spoilt; the magic and fascination had disappeared. Even theteat had been painted out; the Child held on to nothing, and the head ofthe Virgin no longer appeared natural. 

This disaster had taken place at the end of the Carnival of 1768. The oldchaplain died, and the Vandal who succeeded him pronounced the paintingto be a scandalous one, and robbed it of all its charm. 

He may have been in the right as a fool, but as a Christian and aSpaniard he was certainly in the wrong, and he was probably soonconvinced of the mistake he had made by the diminution in the offeringsof the faithful. 

My interest in the study of human nature made me call on this priest, whom I expected to find a stupid old man. 

I went one morning, but instead of being old, the priest was an active, clever-looking man of thirty, who immediately offered me chocolate withthe best grace imaginable. I refused, as was my duty as a stranger, andindeed the Spaniards offer visitors chocolate so frequently at all hours, that if one accepted it all one would be choked. 

I lost no time in exordiums, but came to the point at once, by sayingthat as a lover of paintings I had been grieved at finding themagnificent Madonna spoilt. 

"Very likely, " he replied, "but it was exactly the physical beauty of thepicture that rendered it in my eyes unfit to represent one whose aspectshould purify and purge the senses, instead of exciting them. Let all thepictures in the world be destroyed, if they be found to have caused thecommission of one mortal sin. "

"Who allowed you to commit this mutilation? The Venetian StateInquisitors, even M. Barberigo, though he is a devout man, would have putyou under the Leads for such a deed. The love of Paradise should not beallowed to interfere with the fine arts, and I am sure that St. Lukehimself (who was a painter, as you know) would condemn you if he couldcome to life again. "

"Sir, I needed no one's leave or license. I have to say mass at thataltar every day, and I am not ashamed to tell you that I was unable toconsecrate. You are a man and a Christian, you can excuse my weakness. That voluptuous picture drew away my thoughts from holy things. "

"Who obliged you to look at it?"

"I did not look at it; the devil, the enemy of God, made me see it inspite of myself. "

"Then you should have mutilated yourself like Origen. Your generativeorgans, believe me, are not so valuable as the picture you have ruined. "

"Sir, you insult me. "

"Not at all, I have no intention of doing so. "

That young priest shewed me the door with such brusqueness that I feltsure he would inform against me to the Inquisition. I knew he would haveno difficulty in finding out my name, so I resolved to be beforehand withhim. 

Both my fear and my resolve were inspired by an incident which I shallmention as an episode. 

A few days before, I had met a Frenchman named Segur, who had just comeout of the prisons of the Inquisition. He had been shut up for threeyears for committing the following crime:

In the hall of his house there was a fountain, composed of a marble basinand the statue of a naked child, who discharged the water in the same wayas the well-known statue of Brussels, that is to say, by his virilemember. The child might be a Cupid or an Infant Jesus, as you pleased, but the sculptor had adorned the head with a kind of aureole; and so thefanatics declared that it was a mocking of God. 

Poor Segur was accused of impiety, and the Inquisition dealt with himaccordingly. 

I felt that my fault might be adjudged as great as Segur's, and notcaring to run the risk of a like punishment I called on the bishop, whoheld the office of Grand Inquisitor, and told him word for word theconversation I had had with the iconoclast chaplain. I ended by cravingpardon, if I had offended the chaplain, as I was a good Christian, andorthodox on all points. 

I had never expected to find the Grand Inquisitor of Madrid a kindly andintelligent, though ill-favoured, prelate; but so it was, and he didnothing but laugh from the beginning to the end of my story, for he wouldnot let me call it a confession. 

"The chaplain, " he said, "is himself blameworthy and unfit for hisposition, in that he has adjudged others to be as weak as himself; infact, he has committed a wrong against religion. Nevertheless, my dearson, it was not wise of you to go and irritate him. " As I had told him myname he shewed me, smilingly, an accusation against me, drawn up bysomeone who had witnessed the fact. The good bishop gently chid me forhaving called the friar-confessor of the Duke of Medina an ignoramus. Hehad refused to admit that a priest might say mass a second time on a highfestival, after breaking his fast, on the command of his sovereignprince, who, by the hypothesis, had not heard mass before. 

"You were quite right in your contention, " said the Inquisitor, "but yetevery truth is not good to utter, and it was wrong to call the man anignoramus in his presence. For the future you would do well to avoid allidle discussion on religious matters, both on dogma and discipline. And Imust also tell you, in order that you may not leave Spain with any harshideas on the Inquisition, that the priest who affixed your name to thechurch-door amongst the excommunicated has been severely reprimanded. Heought to have given you a fatherly admonition, and, above all, enquiredas to your health, as we know that you were seriously ill at the time. "

Thereupon I knelt down and kissed his hand, and went my way, well pleasedwith my call. 

To go back to Aranjuez. As soon as I heard that the ambassador could notput me up at Madrid, I wrote to the worthy cobbler, Don Diego, that Iwanted a well-furnished room, a closet, a good bed, and an honestservant. I informed him how much I was willing to spend a month, and saidI would leave Aranjuez as soon as I heard that everything was ready. 

I was a good deal occupied with the question of colonising the SierraMorena; I wrote principally on the subject of the civil government, amost important item in a scheme for a new colony. My articles pleased theMarquis Grimaldi and flattered Mocenigo; for the latter hoped that Ishould become governor of the colony, and that his embassy would therebyshine with a borrowed light. 

My labours did not prevent my amusing myself, and I frequented thesociety of those about the Court who could tell me most of the king androyal family. Don Varnier, a man of much frankness and intelligence, wasmy principal source of information. 

I asked him one day whether the king was fond of Gregorio Squillace onlybecause he had been once his wife's lover. 

"That's an idle calumny, " he replied. "If the epithet of 'chaste' can beapplied to any monarch, Charles III. Certainly deserves it better thanany other. He has never touched any woman in his life except his wife, not only out of respect or the sanctity of marriage, but also as a goodChristian. He has avoided this sin that his soul may remain pure, and soas not to have the shame of confessing it to his chaplain. He enjoys aniron constitution, sickness is unknown to him, and he is a thoroughSpaniard in temperament. Ever since his marriage he has paid his duty tohis wife every day, except when the state of her health compelled her tocall for a truce. In such seasons this chaste husband brought down hisfleshly desires by the fatigue of hunting and by abstinence. You canimagine his distress at being left a widower, for he would rather diethan take a mistress. His only resource was in hunting, and in soplanning out his day that he should have no time left wherein to think ofwomen. It was a difficult matter, for he cares neither for reading norwriting, music wearies him, and conversation of a lively turn inspireshim with disgust. 

"He has adopted the following plan, in which he will preserve till hisdying day: He dresses at seven, then goes into his closet and has hishair dressed. At eight o'clock he says his prayers, then hears mass, andwhen this is over he takes chocolate and an enormous pinch of snuff, overwhich his big nose ruminates for some minutes; this is his only pinch inthe whole day. At nine o'clock he sees his ministers, and works with themtill eleven. Then comes dinner, which he always takes alone, then a shortvisit to the Princess of the Austurias, and at twelve sharp he gets intohis carriage and drives to the hunting-grounds. At seven o'clock he takesa morsel wherever he happens to be, and at eight o'clock he comes home, so tired that he often goes to sleep before he can get his clothes off. Thus he keeps down the desires of the flesh. "

"Poor voluntary martyr!"

"He thought of marrying a second time, but when Adelaide of France sawhis portrait she was quite frightened and refused him. He was verymortified, and renounced all thoughts of marriage; and woe to thecourtier who should advise him to get a mistress!"

In further speaking of his character Don Domingo told me that theministers had good cause for making him inaccessible, as whenever anyonedid succeed in getting at him and asked a favour, he made a point ofgranting it, as it was at such times that he felt himself really a king. 

"Then he is not a hard man, as some say?"

"Not at all. Kings seldom have the reputation they deserve. The mostaccessible monarchs are the least generous; they are overwhelmed withimportunate requests, and their first instinct is always to refuse. "

"But as Charles III. Is so inaccessible he can have no opportunity ofeither granting or refusing. "

"People catch him when he is hunting; he is usually in a good humourthen. His chief defect is his obstinacy; when he has once made up hismind there is no changing it. 

"He has the greatest liking for his brother, and can scarce refuse himanything, though he must be master in all things. It is thought he willgive him leave to marry for the sake of his salvation; the king has thegreatest horror of illegitimate children, and his brother has threealready. "

There were an immense number of persons at Aranjuez, who persecuted theministers in the hope of getting employment. 

"They will go back as they come, " said Don Domingo, "and that isempty-handed. "

"Then they ask impossibilities?"

"They don't ask anything. 'What do you want?' says a minister. 

"'What your excellency will let me have. '

"'What can you do?'

"'I am ready to do whatever your excellency pleases to think best for me'

"'Please leave me. I have no time to waste. '"

That is always the way. Charles III. Died a madman; the Queen of Portugalis mad; the King of England has been mad, and, as some say, is not reallycured. There is nothing astonishing in it; a king who tries to do hisduty is almost forced into madness by his enormous task. 

I took leave of M. Mocenigo three days before he left Aranjuez, and Iembraced Manucci affectionately. He had been most kind to me throughoutmy stay. 

My cobbler had written to tell me that for the sum I had mentioned hecould provide me with a Biscayan maid who could cook. He sent me theaddress of my new lodging in the Calle Alcala. I arrived there in theafternoon, having started from Aranjuez in the morning. 

I found that the Biscayan maid could speak French; my room was a verypleasant one, with another chamber annexed where I could lodge a friend. After I had had my effects carried up I saw my man, whose face pleasedme. 

I was anxious to test the skill of my cook, so I ordered her to get agood supper for me, and I gave her some money. 

"I have some money, " she replied, "and I will let you have the billto-morrow. "

After taking away whatever I had left with Mengs I went to Don Diego'shouse, and to my astonishment found it empty. I went back and askedPhilippe, my man, where Don Diego was staying. 

"It's some distance, sir; I will take you there tomorrow. "

"Where is my landlord?"

"In the floor above; but they are very quiet people. "

"I should like to see him. "

"He is gone out and won't be home till ten. "

At nine o'clock I was told that my supper was ready. I was very hungry, and the neatness with which the table was laid was a pleasant surprise inSpain. I was sorry that I had had no opportunity of expressing mysatisfaction to Don Diego, but I sat down to supper. Then indeed Ithought the cobbler a hero; the Biscayan maid might have entered intorivalry with the best cook in France. There were five dishes, includingmy favourite delicacy 'las criadillas', and everything was exquisite. Mylodging was dear enough, but the cook made the whole arrangement awonderful bargain. 

Towards the end of supper Philippe told me that the landlord had come in, and that with my leave he would wish me a good evening. 

"Shew him in by all means. "

I saw Don Diego and his charming daughter enter; he had rented the houseon purpose to be my landlord. 

CHAPTER VI

My Amours With Donna Ignazia--Return of M. De Mocenino to Madrid

All you barons, counts, and marquises who laugh at an untitled man whocalls himself a gentleman, pause and reflect, spare your disdain till youhave degraded him; allow him a gentle title so long as he does gentledeeds. Respect the man that defines nobility in a new way, which youcannot understand. With him nobility is not a series of descents fromfather to son; he laughs at pedigrees, in which no account is taken ofthe impure blood introduced by wifely infidelities; he defines a noblemanas one who does noble deeds, who neither lies nor cheats, who prefers hishonour to his life. 

This latter part of the definition should make you tremble for yourlives, if you meditate his dishonour. From imposture comes contempt, fromcontempt hatred, from hatred homicide, which takes out the blot ofdishonour. 

The cobbler Don Diego might have feared, perhaps, that I should laugh athim, when he told me he was noble; but feeling himself to be really so hehad done his best to prove it to me. The fineness of his behaviour when Iwas in prison had given me some idea of the nobility of his soul, but hewas not content with this. On the receipt of my letter, he had taken anew house only to give up the best part of it to me. No doubt hecalculated on not losing in the long run, as after I had left he wouldprobably have no difficulty in letting the apartment, but his chiefmotive was to oblige me. 

He was not disappointed; henceforth I treated him entirely as an equal. Donna Ignazia was delighted at what her father had done for me. We talkedan hour, settling our business relations over a bottle of excellent wine. I succeeded in my contention that the Biscayan cook should be kept at myexpense. All the same, I wanted the girl to think that she was in DonDiego's service, so I begged him to pay her every day, as I should takeall my meals at home, at all events, till the return of the ambassador. Ialso told him that it was a penance to me to eat alone, and begged him tokeep me company at dinner and supper every day. He tried to excusehimself, and at last gave in on the condition that his daughter shouldtake his place when he had too much work to do. As may be imagined I hadanticipated this condition, and made no difficulty about it. 

The next morning, feeling curious to see the way in which my landlord waslodged, I paid him a visit. I went into the little room sacred to DonnaIgnazia. A bed, a chest, and a chair made up the whole furniture; butbeside the bed was a desk before a picture, four feet high, representingSt. Ignatius de Loyola as a fine young man, more calculated to irritatethe sense than to arouse devotion. 

My cobbler said to me, "I have a much better lodging than I had before; and the rent of yourroom pays me for the house four times over. "

"How about the furniture and the linen?"

"It will all be paid in the course of four years. I hope this house willbe the dower of my daughter. It is an excellent speculation, and I haveto thank you for it. "

"I am glad to hear it; but what is this, you seem to be making newboots?"

"Quite so; but if you look you will see that I am working on a last whichhas been given me. In this way I have not to put them on, nor need Itrouble myself whether they fit well or ill. "

"How much do you get?"

"Thirty reals. "

"That's a larger price than usual. "

"Yes, but there's a great difference between my work and my leather, andthe usual work and leather of the bootmakers. "

"Then I will have a last made, and you shall make me a pair of shoes, ifyou will; but I warn you they must be of the finest skin, and the solesof morocco. "

"They will cost more, and not last so long. "

"I can't help that; I can't bear any but the lightest boots. "

Before I left him he said his daughter should dine with me that day as hewas very busy. 

I called on the Count of Aranda, who received me coldly, but with greatpoliteness. I told him how I had been treated by my parish priest and byMengs. 

"I heard about it; this was worse than your imprisonment, and I don'tknow what I could have done for you if you had not communicated, andobliged the priest to take out your name. Just now they are trying toannoy me with posters on the walls, but I take no notice. "

"What do they want your excellency to do?"

"To allow long cloaks and low-crowned hats; you must know all about it. "

"I only arrived at Madrid yesterday evening. "

"Very good. Don't come here on Sunday, as my house is to be blown up. "

"I should like to see that, my lord, so I will be in your hall at noon. "

"I expect you will be in good company. "

I duly went, and never had I seen it so full. The count was addressingthe company, under the last poster threatening him with death, two veryenergetic lines were inscribed by the person who put up the poster, knowing that he was at the same time running his head into the noose:

 Si me cogen, me horqueran, Pero no me cogeran. 

 "If they catch me, they will hang me, So I shall not let them catch me. "

At dinner Donna Ignazia told me how glad she was to have me in the house, but she did not respond to all my amorous speeches after Philippe hadleft the room. She blushed and sighed, and then being obliged to saysomething, begged me to forget everything that had passed between us. Ismiled, and said that I was sure she knew she was asking animpossibility. I added that even if I could forget the past I would notdo so. 

I knew that she was neither false nor hypocritical, and felt sure thather behaviour proceeded from devotion; but I knew this could not lastlong. I should have to conquer her by slow degrees. I had had to do sowith other devotees who had loved me less than she, nevertheless, theyhad capitulated. I was therefore sure of Donna Ignazia. 

After dinner she remained a quarter of an hour with me, but I refrainedfrom any amorous attempts. 

After my siesta I dressed, and went out without seeing her. In theevening when she came in for her father, who had supped with me, Itreated her with the greatest politeness without shewing any ill-humour. The following day I behaved in the same manner. At dinner she told me shehad broken with her lover at the beginning of Lent, and begged me not tosee him if he called on me. 

On Whit Sunday I called on the Count of Aranda, and Don Diego, who wasexquisitely dressed, dined with me. I saw nothing of his daughter. Iasked after her, and Don Diego replied, with a smile, that she had shutherself up in her room to celebrate the Feast of Pentecost. He pronouncedthese words in a manner and with a smile that he would not have dared touse if he had been speaking to a fellow-Spaniard. He added that shewould, no doubt, come down and sup with me, as he was going to sup withhis brother. 

"My dear Don Diego, don't let there be any false compliments between us. Before you go out, tell your daughter not to put herself out for me, andthat I do not pretend to put my society in comparison with that of God. Tell her to keep her room to-night, and she can sup with me another time. I hope you will take my message to her. "

"As you will have it so, you shall be obeyed. "

After my siesta, the worthy man said that Donna Ignazia thanked me andwould profit by my kindness, as she did not want to see anyone on thatholy day. 

"I am very glad she has taken me at my word, and to-morrow I will thankher for it. "

I had some difficulty in shaping my lips to this reply; for this excessof devotion displeased me, and even made me tremble for her love. I couldnot help laughing, however, when Don Diego said that a wise fatherforgives an ecstasy of love. I had not expected such a philosophic remarkfrom the mouth of a Spaniard. 

The weather was unpleasant, so I resolved to stay indoors. I toldPhilippe that I should not want the carriage, and that he could go out. Itold my Biscayan cook that I should not sup till ten. When I was alone Iwrote for some time, and in the evening the mother lit my candles, instead of the daughter, so in the end I went to bed without any supper. At nine o'clock next morning, just as I was awaking, Donna Ignaziaappeared, to my great astonishment, telling me how sorry she was to hearthat I had not taken any supper. 

"Alone, sad, and unhappy, " I replied, "I felt that abstinence was thebest thing for me. "

"You look downcast. "

"You alone can make me look cheerful. "

Here my barber came in, and she left me. I then went to mass at theChurch of the Good Success, where I saw all the handsome courtezans inMadrid. I dined with Don Diego, and when his daughter came in withdessert he told her that it was her fault I had gone supperless to bed. 

"It shall not happen again, " said she. 

"Would you like to come with me to our Lady of Atocha?" said I. 

"I should like it very much, " she replied, with a side-glance at herfather. 

"My girl, " said Don Diego, "true devotion and merriment go together, andthe reason is that the truly devout person has trust in God and in thehonesty of all men. Thus you can trust in Don Jaime as an honest man, though he has not the good fortune to be born in Spain. "

I could not help laughing at this last sentence, but Don Diego was notoffended. Donna Ignazia kissed her father's hands, and asked if she mightbring her cousin too. 

"What do you want to take the cousin for?" said Don Diego; "I will answerfor Don Jaime. "

"You are very kind, Don Diego, but if Ignazia likes her cousin to come Ishall be delighted, provided it be the elder cousin, whom I like betterthan the younger. "

After this arrangement the father went his way, and I sent Philippe tothe stables to put in four mules. 

When we were alone Ignazia asked me repentantly to forgive her. 

"Entirely, if you will forgive me for loving you. "

"Alas, dearest! I think I shall go mad if I keep up the battle anylonger. "

"There needs no battle, dearest Ignazia, either love me as I love you, ortell me to leave the house, and see you no more. I will obey you, butthat will not make you happy. "

"I know that. No, you shall not go from your own house. But allow me totell you that you are mistaken in your estimate of my cousins'characters. I know what influenced you, but you do not know all. Theyounger is a good girl, and though she is ugly, she too has succumbed tolove. But the elder, who is ten times uglier, is mad with rage at neverhaving had a lover. She thought she had made you in love with her, andyet she speaks evil of you. She reproaches me for having yielded soeasily and boasts that she would never have gratified your passion. "

"Say no more, we must punish her; and the younger shall come. "

"I am much obliged to you. "

"Does she know that we love each other?"

"I have never told her, but she has guessed it, and pities me. She wantsme to join her in a devotion to Our Lady de la Soledad, the effect ofwhich would be a complete cure for us both. "

"Then she is in love, too?"

"Yes; and she is unhappy in her love, for it is not returned. That mustbe a great grief. "

"I pity her, and yet, with such a face, I do not know any man who wouldtake compassion on her. The poor girl would do well to leave love alone. But as to you. . . . "

"Say nothing about me: my danger is greater than hers. I am forced todefend myself or to give in, and God knows there are some men whom it isimpossible to ward off! God is my witness that in Holy Week I went to apoor girl with the smallpox, and touched her in the hope of catching it, and so losing my beauty; but God would not have it so, and my confessorblamed me, bidding me to do a penance I had never expected. "

"Tell me what it is?"

"He told me that a handsome face is the index of a handsome soul, and isa gift of God, for which a woman should render thanks continually; thatin attempting to destroy this beauty I had sinned, for I had endeavouredto destroy God's handiwork. After a good deal of rebuke in this style, heordered me to put a little rouge on my cheeks whenever I felt myselflooking pale. I had to submit, and I have bought a pot of rouge, buthitherto I have not felt obliged to use it. Indeed, my father mightnotice it, and I should not like to tell him that it is done by way ofpenance. "

"Is your confessor a young man?"

"He is an old man of seventy. "

"Do you tell him all your sins without reserve?"

"Certainly, for the smallest circumstance may be really a great sin. "

"Does he ask you questions?"

"No, for he sees that I am telling him the whole truth. It is a greattrial, but I have to submit to it. "

"Have you had this confessor for long?"

"For two years. Before him I had a confessor who was quite unbearable. Heasked me questions which made me quite indignant. "

"What questions were these?"

"You must please excuse me telling you. "

"Why do you go to confession so often?"

"Why? Would to God I had not good cause! but after all I only go once aweek. "

"That's too often. "

"Not so, for when I am in mortal sin I cannot sleep at night. I am afraidof dying in my sleep. "

"I pity you, dearest; I have a consolation which is denied you. I have aninfinite trust in the infinite mercy of God. "

The cousin arrived and we set out. We found a good many carriages infront of the church-door, and the church itself was full of devotees, both male and female. Amongst others I saw the Duchess of Villadorias, notorious for her andromania. When the 'furor uterinus' seized her, nothing could keep her back. She would rush at the man who had excitedher, and he had no choice but to satisfy her passion. This had happenedseveral times in public assemblies, and had given rise to someextraordinary scenes. I had seen her at a ball; she was still both youngand pretty. As I entered the church I saw her kneeling on the stones ofthe church floor. She lifted her eyes, and gazed at me, as if doubtfulwhether she knew me or not, as she had only seen me in domino. After mydevotees had prayed for half an hour, they rose to go, and the duchessrose also; and as soon as we were out of the church she asked me if Iknew her. I replied in the affirmative, and she asked why I had not beento see her, and if I visited the Duchess of Benevento. I told her that Idid not visit her grace, and that I should have the honour of paying hera call before long. 

On our way I explained to my two companions the nature of the duchess'smalady. Donna Ignazia asked me anxiously if I really meant to go and seeher. She seemed reassured when I replied in the negative. 

A common and to my mind a ridiculous question is which of the two sexesenjoys the generative act the more. Homer gives us Jupiter and Junodisputing on this point. Tiresias, who was once a woman, has given acorrect though amusing decision on the point. A laconic answer has itthat a woman enjoys the act the most because with her it is sharper, repeated more frequently, and finally because the battle is fought in herfield. She is at the same time an active and passive agent, while actionis indispensable to the pleasure of the man. But the most conclusivereason is that if the woman's pleasure were not the greater nature wouldbe unjust, and she never is or can be unjust. Nothing in this universe iswithout its use, and no pleasure or pain is without its compensation orbalance. If woman had not more pleasure than man she would not have moreorgans than he. The greater nervous power planted in the female organ isdemonstrated by the andromania to which some women are subject, and whichmakes them either Messalines or martyrs. Men have nothing at all similarto this. 

Nature has given to women this special enjoyment to compensate for thepains they have to undergo. What man would expose himself, for thepleasure he enjoys, to the pains of pregnancy and the dangers ofchildbed? But women will do so again and again; so it must be concludedthat they believe the pleasure to outbalance the pain; and so it isclearly the woman who has the better share in the enjoyment. In spite ofthis, if I had the choice of being born again as a woman, I should sayno; for in spite of my voluptuousness, a man has pleasures which a womancannot enjoy. Though, indeed, rather than not be born again, I would be awoman, and even a brute, provided always that I had my memory, forwithout it I should no longer be myself. 

We had some ices, and my two companions returned home with me, wellpleased with the enjoyment I had given them without offending God. DonnaIgnazia, who was delighted with my continence during the day, andapparently afraid of its not lasting, begged me to invite her cousin tosupper. I agreed, and even did so with pleasure. 

The cousin was ugly, and also a fool, but she had a great heart and wassympathetic. I knew that Donna Ignazia had told her all, and as she wasno restraint on me I did not mind her being at supper, while Ignazialooked upon her as a safeguard. 

The table had been laid for three, when I heard a step coming up thestairs. It was the father, and I asked him to sup with us. Don Diego wasa pleasant man, as I have said, but what amused me most of all about himwas his moral maxims. He knew or suspected that I was fond of hisdaughter, though in an honourable way; he thought my honour or hisdaughter's piety would be a sufficient safeguard. If he had suspectedwhat had really happened, I do not think he would ever have allowed us tobe together. 

He sat beside his niece and facing his daughter, and did most of thetalking, for your Spaniard, though grave, is eloquent, and fond ofhearing the fine harmonies of his native tongue. 

It was very hot, so I asked him to take off his waistcoat, and to tellhis daughter to do just as she would if only he and his wife had beenpresent. 

Donna Ignazia had not to be entreated long before she took off herkerchief, but the poor cousin did not like having to shew us her bonesand swarthy skin. 

Donna Ignazia told her father how much she had enjoyed herself, and howthey had seen the Duchess of Villadorias, who had asked me to come andsee her. 

The good man began to philosophise and to jest on her malady, and he toldme some stories, germane to the question, which the girls pretended notto understand. 

The good wine of La Mancha kept us at table till a late hour, and thetime seemed to pass very quickly. Don Diego told his niece that she couldsleep with his daughter, in the room we were in, as the bed was bigenough for two. I hastened to add that if the ladies would do so I shouldbe delighted; but Donna Ignazia blushed and said it would not do, as theroom was only separated from mine by a glass door. At this I smiled atDon Diego, who proceeded to harangue his daughter in a manner whichamused me extremely. He told her that I was at least twenty years olderthan herself, and that in suspecting me she had committed a greater sinthan if she allowed me to take some slight liberty. 

"I am sure, " he added, "that when you go to confession next Sunday youwill forget to accuse yourself of having wrongfully suspected Don Jaimeof a dishonourable action. "

Donna Ignazia looked at me affectionately, asked my pardon, and said shewould do whatever her father liked. The cousin said nothing, and thefather kissed his daughter, bade me a good night, and went away wellpleased with the harangue he had delivered. 

I suspected that Donna Ignazia expected me to make some attempt on herhonour, and feeling sure that she would resist for the sake ofappearance, I determined to leave her in peace. Next morning I got up andwent into their room in the hope of playing some trick on them. However, the birds were flown, and I had no doubt that they had gone to hear mass. 

Donna Ignazia came home by herself at ten o'clock. She found me alone, dressed, and writing. She told me she had been in the church for threehours. 

"You have been to confession, I suppose?"

"No; I went last Sunday, and I shall wait till next Sunday. "

"I am very glad that your confession will not be lengthened by any sins Ihave helped you to commit. "

"You are wrong. "

"Wrong? I understand; but you must know that I am not going to be damnedfor mere desires. I do not wish to torment you or to become a martyrmyself. What you granted me has made me fall deeply in love with you, andit makes me shudder when I imagine that our love has become a subject ofrepentance with you. I have had a bad night; and it is time for me tothink of my health. I must forget you, but to bring about that effect Iwill see you no longer. I will keep on the house, but I will not live init. If your religion is an intelligent one, you will approve of my idea. Tell your confessor of it next Sunday, and you will see that he willapprove it. "

"You are right, but I cannot agree to it. You can go away if you like, and I shall say nothing, but I shall be the most unhappy girl in allMadrid. "

As she spoke these words, two big tears rolled down her cheeks, and herface dropped; I was profoundly moved. 

"I love you, dearest Ignazia, and I hope not to be damned for my love. Icannot see you without loving you and to this love some positive proof isessential; otherwise, I am unhappy. If I go you say you will be unhappy, and if I stay it is I that will be unhappy, my health will be ruined. Buttell me which I shall do stay or go? Say. "

"Stay. "

"Then you must be as loving and tender as you were before. "

"Alas! I promised to commit that sin no more. I tell you to stay, becauseI am sure that in eight or ten days we shall have become so accustomed toone another that I shall be able to love you like a father, and you willbe able to take me in your arms without any amorous sentiments. "

"Are you sure of this?"

"Yes, dearest, quite sure. "

"You make a mistake. "

"Let me be mistaken, and believe me I shall be glad to be mistaken. "

"Unhappy devotee!"

"Why unhappy?"

"Nothing, nothing. I may be too long, I shall endanger . . . Let us sayno more about it. I will stay. "

I went out more pained with her state than my own, and I felt that thebest thing I could do would be to forget her, "for, " said I to myself, "even if I do enjoy her once, Sunday will come again; she will confess, repent, and I shall have to begin all over again. She confessed her love, and flatters herself that she will be able to subdue it--a foolish hope, which could only exist in a mind under the dominion of prejudice. "

I came home at noon, and Don Diego dined with me; his daughter did notappear till the dessert. I begged her to sit down, politely, but coldly. Her father asked her jestingly if I had paid her a visit in the night. 

"I never suspected Don Jaime of such a thing, " she replied, "and I onlyobjected out of shyness. "

I interrupted her by praising her modesty, and telling her that she wouldhave done quite right to beware of me, if my sense of duty had not beenstronger than any voluptuous desires inspired by her charms. 

Don Diego pronounced this declaration of love as good as anything to befound in the "Morte d'Arthur. "

His daughter said I was laughing at her, but Don Diego said he wascertain that I was in earnest, and that I had known her before taking herto the ball. 

"You are utterly mistaken, " said Donna Ignazia, with some degree of fire. 

"Your father is wiser than you, senora, " I replied. 

"What! How and when did you see me?"

"At the church where I heard mass, and you communicated, when you wentout with your cousin. I followed you at some distance; you can guess therest. "

She was speechless, and her father enjoyed the consciousness of hissuperior intellect. 

"I am going to see the bull fight, " said he; "it's a fine day, and allMadrid will be there, so one must go early to get a good place. I adviseyou to go, as you have never seen a bull fight; ask Don Jaime to take youwith him, Ignazia. "

"Would you like to have my companionship?" said she, tenderly. 

"Certainly I would, but you must bring your cousin, as I am in love withher. "

Don Diego burst out laughing, but Ignazia said, slyly, "It is not so impossible after all. "

We went to see the splendid but barbarous spectacle in which Spaniardstake so much delight. The two girls placed themselves in front of theonly vacant box, and I sat behind on the second bench, which was a footand a half higher than the first. There were already two ladies there, and much to my amusement one of them was the famous Duchess ofVilladorias. She was in front of me, and sat in such a position that herhead was almost between my legs. She recognized me, and said we werefortunate in meeting one another; and then noticing Donna Ignazia, whowas close to her, she congratulated me in French on her charms, and askedme whether she was my mistress or my wife. I replied that she was abeauty before whom I sighed in vain. She replied, with a smile, that shewas rather a sceptical person; and turning to Donna Ignazia began apleasant and amorous discourse, thinking the girl to be as learned in thelaws of love as herself. She whispered something in her ear which madeIgnazia blush, and the duchess, becoming enthusiastic, told me I hadchosen the handsomest girl in Madrid, and that she would be delighted tosee us both at her country house. 

I promised to come, as I was obliged to do, but I begged to be excusednaming the day. Nevertheless, she made me promise to call on her at fouro'clock the next day, telling me, much to my terror, that she would bealone. She was pretty enough, but too notorious a character; and such avisit would have given rise to talk. 

Happily the fight began, and silence became general, for the Spaniardsare passionately devoted of bull fighting. 

So much has been written on the subject that my readers will pardon mygiving a detailed account of the fight. I may say that the sport is, inmy opinion, a most barbarous one, and likely to operate unfavourably onthe national morals; the arena is sometimes drenched in the blood ofbulls, horses, and even of the unfortunate picadores and matadores, whosesole defence is the red rag with which they irritate the bull. 

When it was over I escorted the girls--who had enjoyed themselvesimmensely--back to the house, and made the ugly cousin stay to supper, asI foresaw that they would again sleep together. 

We supped together, but it was a melancholy affair, for Don Diego wasaway, and I did not feel in the humour to amuse my company. 

Donna Ignazia became pensive when, in reply to a question of hers, I saidthat it would be absolutely rude of me not to go to the duchess's. 

"You will come with me some day, " I added, "to dine at her countryhouse. "

"You need not look for that. "

"Why not?"

"Because she is a madwoman. She talked to me in a way that would haveoffended me if I did not know that she fancied she was honouring me bylaying aside her rank. "

We rose from table, and after I had dismissed my man we sat on thebalcony to wait for Don Diego and to enjoy the delicious evening breezes. 

As we sat near to each other in the twilight, so favourable to lovers'vows, I looked into Donna Ignazia's eyes, and saw there that my hour hadcome. I clasped her to me with one arm, I clung with my lips to hers, andby the way she trembled I guessed the flame which consumed her. 

"Will you go and see the duchess?"

"No, if you will promise me not to go to confession next Sunday. "

"But what will he say if I do not go?"

"Nothing at all, if he understands his business. But let us talk it overa little. "

We were so tightly clasped together that the cousin, like a good girl, left us, and went to the other end of the balcony, taking care to lookaway from us. 

Without changing my position, in spite of the temptation to do so, Iasked her if she felt in the humour to repent of the sin she was ready tocommit. 

"I was not thinking of repentance just then, but as you remind me of it, I must tell you that I shall certainly go to confession. "

"And after you have been to confession will you love me as you love menow?"

"I hope God will give me strength to offend Him no more. "

"I assure you that if you continue loving me God will not give you grace, yet I feel sure that on Sunday evening you will refuse me that which youare now ready to grant. "

"Indeed I will, sweetheart; but why should we talk of that now?"

"Because if I abandon myself to pleasure now I shall be more in love withyou than ever, and consequently more unhappy than ever, when the day ofyour repentance comes. So promise me that you will not go to confessionwhilst I remain at Madrid, or give the fatal order now, and bid me leaveyou. I cannot abandon myself to love to-day knowing that it will berefused me on Sunday. "

As I remonstrated thus, I clasped her affectionately in my arms, caressing her most ardently; but before coming to the decisive action Iasked her again whether she would promise not to go to confession nextSunday. 

"You are cruel, " said she, "I cannot make you that promise for myconscience sake. "

At this reply, which I had quite expected, I remained motionless, feelingsure that she must be in a state of desperate irritation at the work halfbegun and not concluded. I, too, suffered, for I was at the door of thesanctuary, and a slight movement would have sent me into the inmostshrine; but I knew that her torments must be greater than mine, and thatshe could not resist long. 

Donna Ignazia was indeed in a terrible state; I had not repulsed her, butI was perfectly inactive. Modesty prevented her asking me openly tocontinue, but she redoubled her caresses, and placed herself in an easierposition, reproaching me with my cruelty. I do not know whether I couldhave held out much longer, but just then the cousin turned round and toldus that Don Diego was coming in. 

We hastened to arrange our toilette, and to sit in a decent position. Thecousin came up to us, and Don Diego, after making a few remarks, left uson the balcony, wishing us a good night. I might have begun over again, but I clung to my system of repression, and after wishing the girls goodnight with a melancholy air, I went to bed. 

I hoped Donna Ignazia would repent and come and keep me company, but Iwas disappointed. They left their room early in the morning, and at noonDon Diego came to dine with me, saying his daughter had such a badheadache that she had not even gone to mass. 

"We must get her to eat something. "

"No, I think abstinence will do her good, and in the evening I daresayshe will be able to sup with you. "

I went to keep her company by her bedside after I had taken my siesta. Idid my best for three hours to convince her of her folly; but she kepther eyes closed, and said nothing, only sighing when I said somethingvery touching. 

I left her to walk in St. Jerome's Park, and told her that if she did notsup with me I should understand that she did not wish to see me again. This threat had its effect. She came to table at supper-time, but shelooked pale and exhausted. She ate little, and said nothing, for she knewnot what to say. I saw that she was suffering, and I pitied her from myheart. 

Before going to bed she asked me if I had been to see the duchess. Sheseemed somewhat cheered when I answered in the negative. I told her thatshe might satisfy herself of the truth of my reply by asking Philippe, who had taken my note begging her grace to excuse me for that day. 

"But will you go another day?"

"No, dearest, because I see it would grieve you. "

She gave a sigh of content, and I embraced her gently, and she left me assad as I was. 

I could see that what I asked of her was a great deal; but I had goodgrounds for hope, as I knew her ardent disposition. It was not God and Ithat were disputing for her, but her confessor and I. If she had not beena Catholic I should have won her the first day. 

She had told me that she would get into trouble with her confessor if shedid not go to him as usual; she had too much of fine Spanish honour inher to tell him what was not true, or to endeavour to combine her lovewith her religion. 

The Friday and the Saturday passed without any events of consequence. Herfather, who could not blind himself to our love any longer, trusted, Isuppose, to his daughter's virtue, and made her dine and sup with meevery day. On Saturday evening Donna Ignazia left me sadder than ever, and turned her head away when I would have kissed her as usual. I sawwhat was the matter; she was going to communicate the next day. I admiredher consistency, in spite of myself, and pitied her heartily; for I couldguess the storm that must be raging in her breast. I began to repenthaving demanded all, and wished I had been contented with a little. 

I wished to be satisfied with my own eyes, and got up early on Sundaymorning and followed her. I knew that she would call for her cousin, so Iwent on to the church. I placed myself by the sacristy-door, where Icould see without being seen. 

I waited a quarter of an hour, then they came in, and after kneeling downfor a few moments, separated, each going to her own confessor. 

I only noticed Donna Ignazia; I saw her going to the confessional, andthe confessor turning towards her. 

I waited patiently. I thought the confession would never come to an end. "What is he saying?" I repeated to myself as I saw the confessor speakingto her now and again. 

I could bear it no longer, and I was on the point of going away when Isaw her rise from her knees. 

Donna Ignazia, looking like a saint, came to kneel in the church, but outof my sight. I thought she would come forward to receive the HolyCommunion at the end of the Mass that was being said, but instead of thatshe went towards the door, rejoined her cousin and they left the church. I was astonished. My heart was seized with a pang of remorse. 

"It's all over, " I said to myself. "The poor girl has made a sincere andfull confession, she has avowed her love, and the priest's cruel duty hasmade him refuse her absolution. 

"All is lost. What will come of it?"

"My peace of mind and hers require me to leave her. 

"Wretch that I am, to have lost all for all! I should have made allowancefor the peculiar Spanish character. 

"I might have enjoyed her by surprise now and again; the difficulty wouldhave added piquancy to the intrigue. I have behaved as if I were oncemore twenty, and I have lost all. 

"At dinner she will be all sad and tearful. I must find some way out ofthis terrible situation. "

Thus soliloquising, I came home ill pleased with the line of conduct Ihad adopted. 

My hairdresser was waiting for me, but I sent him away, and told my cooknot to serve my dinner till I ordered it; then, feeling the need of rest, I flung myself on my bed and slept profoundly till one o'clock. 

I got up and ordered dinner to be brought in, and sent a message to thefather and daughter that I was expecting them. 

My surprise may be imagined when Donna Ignazia appeared in a costume ofblack velvet, adorned with ribbons and lace. In my opinion there is nomore seductive costume in Europe when the wearer is pretty. 

I also noticed that every feature of her face breathed peace and calm; Ihad never seen her looking so well, and I could not help congratulatingher. She replied with a smile, and I gave her a kiss, which she took asmeekly as a lamb. 

Philippe arrived, and we sat down to table. I saw that my fair sweethearthad crossed the Rubicon; the day was won. 

"I am going to be happy, " said she, "but let us say nothing, and it willcome of itself. "

However, I did not conceal my bliss, and made love to her whenever theservant was out of the room. She was not only submissive, but evenardent. 

Before we left the table she asked me if I still loved her. 

"More than ever, darling; I adore you. "

"Then take me to the bull fight. "

"Quick! Fetch the hairdresser. "

When my hair was done I made an elaborate toilette, and burning withimpatience we set out on foot, as I was afraid we should not secure agood place if we waited till the carriage was ready. We found a fine boxwith only two persons in it, and Ignazia, after glancing round, said shewas glad that the detestable duchess was not anywhere near us. 

After some fine sport my mistress begged me to take her to the Prado, where all the best people in Madrid are to be seen. 

Donna Ignazia leant on my arm, seemed proud to be thought mine, andfilled me with delight. 

All at once we met the Venetian ambassador and his favourite, Manucci. They had just arrived from Aranjuez. We greeted each other with dueSpanish politeness, and the ambassador paid me a high compliment on thebeauty of my companion. Donna Ignazia pretended not to understand, butshe pressed my arm with Spanish delicacy. 

After walking a short distance with us M. De Mocenigo said he hoped Iwould dine with him on the following day, and after I had noddedacquiescence in the French style we parted. 

Towards the evening we took some ices and returned home, and the gentlepressure of my arm on the way prepared me for the bliss I was to enjoy. 

We found Don Diego on the balcony waiting for us. He congratulated hisdaughter on her pleasant appearance and the pleasure she must have takenin my society. 

Charmed with papa's good humour, I asked him to sup with us, and heaccepted, and amused us with his witty conversation and a multitude oflittle tales that pleased me exceedingly. He made the following speech onleaving us, which I give word for word, but I cannot give the reader anyidea of the inimitable Spanish gravity with which it was delivered. 

"Amigo Senior Don Jaime, I leave you here to enjoy the cool air with mydaughter. I am delighted at your loving her, and you may be assured thatI shall place no obstacle in the way of your becoming my son-in-law assoon as you can shew your titles of nobility. "

When he was gone, I said to his daughter, --

"I should be only too happy, if it could be managed; but you must knowthat in my country they only are called nobles who have an hereditaryright to rule the state. If I had been born in Spain I should be noble, but as it is I adore you, and I hope you will make me happy. "

"Yes, dearest, but we must be happy together; I cannot suffer anyinfidelity. "

"I give you my word of honour that I will be wholly faithful to you. "

"Come then, 'corazon mio', let us go in. "

"No, let us put out the lights, and stay here a quarter of an hour. Tellme, my angel, whence comes this unexpected happiness?"

"You owe it to a piece of tyranny which drove me to desperation. God isgood, and I am sure He would not have me become my own executioner. WhenI told my confessor that I could not help loving you, but that I couldrestrain myself from all excess of love, he replied that thisself-confidence was misplaced, as I had already fallen. He wanted me topromise never to be alone with you again, and on my refusing to do so hewould not give me absolution. 

"I have never had such a piece of shame cast on me, but I laid it all inthe hands of God, and said, 'Thy will be done. '

"Whilst I heard mass my mind was made up, and as long as you love me Ishall be yours, and yours only. When you leave Spain and abandon me todespair, I shall find another confessor. My conscience holds meguiltless; this is my comfort. My cousin, whom I have told all, isastonished, but then she is not very clever. "

After this declaration, which put me quite at my ease, and would haverelieved me of any scruples if I had had them, I took her to my bed. Inthe morning, she left me tired out, but more in love with her than ever.