WhenwewereatMontefiasconeshesaid，——
"Youseemyloverisonlywithoutmoneybychance；hehasabillofexchangeforalargeamount。"
"Ibelieveittobeaforgery。"
"Youarereallytoocruel。"
"Notatall；IonlywishIweremistaken，butIamsureofthecontrary。
TwentyyearsagoIshouldhavetakenitforagoodone，butnowit’sanotherthing，andifthebillisagoodone，whydidhenotnegotiateitatSienna，Florence，orLeghorn？"
"Itmaybethatbehadnotthetime；hewasinsuchahurrytobegone。
Ah！ifyouknewall！"
"Ionlywanttoknowwhatyouliketotellme，butIwarnyouagainthatwhatIsayisnovaguesuspicionbuthardfact。"
"Thenyoupersistintheideathathedoesnotloveme。"
"Nay，helovesyou，butinsuchafashionastodeservehatredinreturn。"
"Howdoyoumean？"
"Wouldyounothateamanwholovedyouonlytotrafficinyourcharms？"
"Ishouldbesorryforyoutothinkthatofhim。"
"Ifyoulike，IwillconvinceyouofwhatIsaythisevening。"
"Youwillobligeme；butImusthavesomepositiveproof。Itwouldbeasorepaintome，butalsoatrueservice。"
"Andwhenyouareconvinced，willyouceasetolovehim？"
"Certainly；ifyouprovehimtobedishonest，mylovewillvanishaway。"
"Youaremistaken；youwillstilllovehim，evenwhenyouhavehadproofpositiveofhiswickedness。Hehasevidentlyfascinatedyouinadeadlymanner，oryouwouldseehischaracterinitstruelightbeforethis。"
"Allthismaybetrue；butdoyougivemeyourproofs，andleavetomethecareofshewingthatIdespisehim。"
"Iwillprovemyassertionsthisevening；buttellmehowlongyouhaveknownhim？"
"Aboutamonth；butwehaveonlybeentogetherforfivedays。"
"Andbeforethattimeyouneveraccordedhimanyfavours？"
"Notasinglekiss。Hewasalwaysundermywindows，andIhadreasontobelievethathelovedmefondly。"
"Oh，yes！helovesyou，whowouldnot？buthisloveisnotthatofamanofhonour，butthatofanimpudentprofligate。"
"Buthowcanyoususpectamanofwhomyouknownothing？"
"WouldthatIdidnotknowhim！Ifeelsurethatnotbeingabletovisityou，hemadeyouvisithim，andthenpersuadedyoutoflywithhim。"
"Yes，hedid。Hewrotemealetter，whichIwillshewyou。HepromisestomarrymeatRome。"
"Andwhoistoanswerforhisconstancy？"
"Hisloveismysurety。"
"Doyoufearpursuit？"
"No。"
"Didhetakeyoufromafather，alover，orabrother？"
"Fromalover，whowillnotbebackatLeghornforaweekortendays。"
"Wherehashegone？"
"ToLondononbusiness；Iwasunderthechargeofawomanwhomhetrusted。"
"That’senough；Ipityyou，mypoorBetty。TellmeifyouloveyourEnglishman，andifheisworthyofyourlove。"
"Alas！IlovedhimdearlytillIsawthisFrenchman，whomademeunfaithfultoamanIadored。Hewillbeindespairatnotfindingmewhenhereturns。"
"Isherich？"
"Notvery；heisabusinessman，andiscomfortablyoff。"
"Isheyoung？"
"No。Heisamanofyourage，andathoroughlykindandhonestperson。
Hewaswaitingforhiscomsumptivewifetodietomarryme。"
"Poorman！Haveyoupresentedhimwithachild？"
"No。IamsureGoddidnotmeanmeforhim，forthecounthasconqueredmecompletely。"
"Everyonewhomloveleadsastraysaysthesamething。"
"Nowyouhaveheardeverything，andIamgladItoldyou，forIamsureyouaremyfriend。"
"Iwillbeabetterfriendtoyou，dearBetty，inthefuturethaninthepast。Youwillneedmyservices，andIpromisenottoabandonyou。I
loveyou，asIhavesaid；butsolongasyoucontinuetolovetheFrenchmanIshallonlyaskyoutoconsidermeasyourfriend。"
"Iacceptyourpromise，andinreturnIpromisenottohideanythingfromyou。"
"Tellmewhyyouhavenoluggage。"
"Iescapedonhorseback，butmytrunk，whichisfulloflinenandothereffects，willbeatRometwodaysafterus。Isentitoffthedaybeforemyescape，andthemanwhoreceiveditwassentbythecount。"
"Thengood—byetoyourtrunk！"
"Why，youforeseenothingbutmisfortune！"
"Well，dearBetty，Ionlywishmypropheciesmaynotbeaccomplished。
AlthoughyouescapedonhorsebackIthinkyoushouldhavebroughtacloakandacarpetbagwithsomelinen。"
"Allthatisinthesmalltrunk；Ishallhaveittakenintomyroomtonight。"
WereachedViterboatseveno’clock，andfoundthecountverycheerful。
InaccordancewiththeplotIhadlaidagainstthecount，IbeganbyshewingmyselfdemonstrativelyfondofBetty，envyingthefortunatelover，praisinghisheroicbehaviourinleavinghertome，andsoforth。
Thesillyfellowproceededtobackmeupinmyextravagantadmiration。
Heboastedthatjealousywasutterlyforeigntohischaracter，andmaintainedthatthetrueloverwouldaccustomhimselftoseehismistressinspiredesiresinothermen。
Heproceededtomakealongdissertationonthistheme，andIlethimgoon，forIwaswaitingtillaftersuppertocometotheconclusivepoint。
DuringthemealImadehimdrink，andapplaudedhisfreedomfromvulgarprejudices。Atdessertheenlargedonthedutyofreciprocitybetweenlovers。
"Thus，"heremarked，"BettyoughttoprocuremetheenjoymentofFanny，ifshehasreasontothinkIhavetakenafancytoher；andpercontra，asIadoreBetty，ifIfoundthatshelovedyouIshouldprocureherthepleasureofsleepingwithyou。"
Bettylistenedtoallthisnonsenseinsilentastonishment。
"Iconfess，mydearcount，"Ireplied，"that，theoreticallyspeaking，yoursystemstrikesmeassublime，andcalculatedtobringaboutthereturnoftheGoldenAge；butIamafraiditwouldproveabsurdinpractice。Nodoubtyouareamanofcourage，butIamsureyouwouldneverletyourmistressbeenjoyedbyanotherman。Herearetwenty—fivesequins。Iwillwagerthatamountthatyouwillnotallowmetosleepwithyourwife。"
"Ha！ha！Youaremistakeninme，Iassureyou。I’llbetfiftysequinsthatIwillremainintheroomacalmspectatorofyourexploits。MydearBetty，wemustpunishthissceptic；gotobedwithhim。"
"Youarejoking。"
"Notatall；tobedwithyou，Ishallloveyouallthemore。"
"Youmustbecrazy，Ishalldonothingofthekind。"
Thecounttookherinhisarms，andcaressingherinthetenderestmannerbeggedhertodohimthisfavour，notsomuchforthetwenty—fiveLouis，astoconvincemethathewasabovevulgarprejudices。Hiscaressesbecameratherfree，butBettyrepulsedhimgentlythoughfirmly，sayingthatshewouldneverconsent，andthathehadalreadywonthebet，whichwasthecase；infinethepoorgirlbesoughthimtokillherratherthanobligehertodoadeedwhichshethoughtinfamous。
Herwords，andthepatheticvoicewithwhichtheywereuttered，shouldhaveshamedhim，buttheyonlyputhimintoafuriousrage。Herepulsedher，callingherthevilestnames，andfinallytellingherthatshewasahypocrite，andhefeltcertainshehadalreadygrantedmeallaworthlessgirlcouldgrant。
Bettygrewpaleasdeath，andfuriousinmyturn，Iranformysword。I
shouldprobablyhaverunhimthrough，iftheinfamousscoundrelhadnotfledintothenextroom，wherehelockedhimselfin。
IwasindespairatseeingBetty’sdistress，ofwhichIhadbeentheinnocentcause，andIdidmybesttosootheher。
Shewasinanalarmingstate。Herbreathcamewithdifficulty，hereyesseemedreadytostartoutofherhead，herlipswerebloodlessandtrembling，andherteethshuttighttogether。Everyoneintheinnwasasleep。Icouldnotcallforhelp，andallIcoulddowastodashwaterinherface，andspeaksoothingwords。
Atlastshefellasleep，andIremainedbesideherformorethantwohours，attentivetoherleastmovements，andhopingthatshewouldawakestrengthenedandrefreshed。
Atday—breakIheardl’Etoilegoingoff，andIwasgladofit。Thepeopleoftheinnknockedatourdoor，andthenBettyawoke。
"Areyoureadytogo，mydearBetty？"
"Iammuchbetter，butIshouldsolikeacupoftea。"
TheItalianscannotmaketea，soItookwhatshegaveme，andwenttoprepareitmyself。
WhenIcamebackIfoundherinhalingthefreshmorningairatthewindow。Sheseemedcalm，andIhopedIhadcuredher。Shedrankafewcupsoftea（ofwhichbeveragetheEnglishareveryfond），andsoonregainedhergoodlooks。
Sheheardsomepeopleintheroomwherewehadsupped，andaskedmeifI
hadtakenupthepursewhichIhadplacedonthetable。Ihadforgottenitcompletely。
Ifoundmypurseandapieceofpaperbearingthewords，"billofexchangeforthreethousandcrowns。"Theimpostorhadtakenitoutofhispocketinmakinghisbet，andhadforgottenit。ItwasdatedatBordeaux，drawnonawinemerchantatParistol’Etoile’sorder。Itwaspayableatsight，andwasforsixmonths。Thewholethingwasutterlyirregular。
ItookittoBetty，whotoldmesheknewnothingaboutbills，andbeggedmetosaynothingmoreaboutthatinfamousfellow。Shethensaid，inavoiceofwhichIcangivenoidea，——
"Forpity’ssakedonotabandonapoorgirl，moreworthyofcompassionthanblame！"
Ipromisedheragaintohaveallafather’scareforher，andsoonafterweproceededonourjourney。
Thepoorgirlfellasleep，andIfollowedherexample。Wewereawokebythevetturinowhoinformedus，greatlytoourastonishment，thatwewereatMonterosi。Wehadsleptforsixhours，andhaddoneeighteenmiles。
WehadtostayatMonterositillfouro’clock，andweweregladofit，forweneededtimeforreflection。
InthefirstplaceIaskedaboutthewretcheddeceiver，andwastoldthathehadmadeaslightmeal，paidforit，andsaidhewasgoingtospendthenightatLaStorta。
Wemadeagooddinner，andBettypluckingupaspiritsaidwemustconsiderthecaseofherinfamousbetrayer，butforthelasttime。
"Beafathertome，"saidshe；"donotadvisebutcommand；youmayreckononmyobedience。Ihavenoneedtogiveyouanyfurtherparticulars，foryouhaveguessedallexceptthehorrorwithwhichthethoughtofmybetrayernowinspiresme。Ifithadnotbeenforyou，hewouldhaveplungedmeintoanabyssofshameandmisery。"
"CanyoureckonontheEnglishmanforgivingyou？"
"Ithinkso。"
"ThenwemustgobacktoLeghorn。Areyoustrongenoughtofollowthiscounsel？Iwarnyouthatifyouapproveofit，itmustbeputintoexecutionatonce。Young，pretty，andvirtuousasyouare，youneednotimaginethatIshallallowyoutogobyyourself，orinthecompanyofstrangers。IfyouthinkIloveyou，andfindmeworthyofyouresteem，thatissufficientregardforme。Iwilllivewithyoulikeafather，ifyouarenotinapositiontogivememarksofamoreardentaffection。
BesureIwillkeepfaithwithyou，forIwanttoredeemyouropinionofmen，andtoshewyouthattherearemenashonourableasyourseducerwasvile。"
Bettyremainedforaquarterofanhourinprofoundsilence，herheadrestingonherelbows，andhereyesfixedonmine。Shedidnotseemeitherangryorastonished，butasfarasIcouldjudgewaslostinthought。Iwasgladtoseeherreflective，forthusshewouldbeabletogivemeadecidedanswer:Atlastshesaid:
"Youneednotthink，mydearfriend，thatmysilenceproceedsfromirresolution。IfmymindwerenotmadeupalreadyIshoulddespisemyself。Iamwiseenoughatanyratetoappreciatethewisdomofyourgenerouscounsels。IthankProvidencethatIhavefallenintothehandsofsuchamanwhowilltreatmeasifIwerehisdaughter。"
"ThenwewillgobacktoLeghorn，andstartimmediately。"
"MyonlydoubtishowtomanagemyreconcilliationwithSirB————M————。
Ihavenodoubthewillpardonmeeventually；butthoughheistenderandgood—heartedheisdelicatewhereapointofhonourisconcerned，andSubjecttosuddenfitsofviolence。ThisiswhatIwanttoavoid；forhemightpossiblykillme，andthenIshouldbethecauseofhisruin。"
"Youmustconsideritontheway，andtellmeanyplansyoumaythinkof。"
"Heisanintelligentman，anditwouldbehopelesstoendeavourtodupehimbyalie。Imustmakeafullconfessioninwritingwithouthidingasinglecircumstance；forifhethoughthewasbeingdupedhisfurywouldbeterrible。Ifyouwillwritetohimyoumustnotsaythatyouthinkmeworthyofforgiveness；youmusttellhimthefactsandleavehimtojudgeforhimself。HewillbeconvincedofmyrepentancewhenhereadstheletterIshallbedewwithmytears，buthemustnotknowofmywhereaboutstillhehaspromisedtoforgiveme。Heisaslavetohiswordofhonour，andweshalllivetogetherallourdayswithoutmyeverhearingofthisslip。IamonlysorrythatIhavebehavedsofoolishly。"
"YoumustnotbeoffendedifIaskyouwhetheryouhaveevergivenhimlikecauseforcomplaintbefore。"
"Never。"
"Whatishishistory？"
"Helivedveryunhappilywithhisfirstwife；andhewasdivorcedfromhissecondwifeforsufficientreasons。TwoyearsagohecametoourschoolwithNancy’sfather，andmademyacquaintance。Myfatherdied，hiscreditorsseizedeverything，andIhadtoleavetheschool，muchtoNancy’sdistressandthatoftheotherpupils。AtthisperiodSirB————
M————tookchargeofme，andgavemeasumwhichplacedmebeyondthereachof，wantfortherestofmydays。Iwasgrateful，andbeggedhimtotakemewithhimwhenhetoldmehewasleavingEngland。Hewasastonished；and，likeamanofhonour，saidhelovedmetoowelltoflatterhimselfthatwecouldtraveltogetherwithouthisentertainingmoreardentfeelingsformethanthoseofafather。Hethoughtitoutofthequestionformetolovehim，saveasadaughter。
"Thisdeclaration，asyoumayimagine，pavedthewayforafullagreement。"
"’Howeveryouloveme，’Isaid，’Ishallbewellpleased，andifIcandoanythingforyouIshallbeallthehappier。’
"Hethengavemeofhisownfreewillawrittenpromisetomarrymeonthedeathofhiswife。Westartedonourtravels，andtillmylateunhappyconnectionInevergavehimtheslightestcauseforcomplaint。"
"Dryyoureyes，dearBetty，heissuretoforgiveyou。IhavefriendsatLeghorn，andnooneshallfindoutthatwehavemadeacquaintance。I
willputyouingoodhands，andIshallnotleavethetowntillIhearyouarebackwithSirB————M—————。IfheproveinexorableIpromisenevertoabandonyou，andtotakeyoubacktoEnglandifyoulike。"
"Buthowcanyousparethetime？"
"Iwilltellyouthetruth，mydearBetty。IhavenothingparticulartodoatRome，oranywhereelse。LondonandRomearealiketome。"
"HowcanIshewmygratitudetoyou？"
Isummonedthevetturino，andtoldhimwemustreturntoViterbo。Heobjected，butIconvincedhimwithacoupleofpiastres，andbyagreeingtousetheposthorsesandtosparehisownanimals。
WegottoViterbobyseveno’clock，andaskedanxiouslyifnoonehadfoundapocket—bookwhichIpretendedIhadlost。Iwastoldnosuchthinghadbeenfound，soIorderedsupperwithcalmness，althoughbewailingmyloss。ItoldBettythatIactedinthissorttoobviateanydifficultieswhichthevetturinomightmakeabouttakingusbacktoSienna，ashemightfeelithisdutytoplaceherinthehandsofhersupposedhusband。Ihadupthesmalltrunk，andafterwehadforcedthelockBettytookouthercloakandthefeweffectsshehadinit，andwetheninspectedtheadventurer’sproperties，mostlikelyallhepossessedintheworld。Afewtatteredshirts，twoorthreepairsofmendedsilkstockings，apairofbreeches，ahare’sfoot，apotofgrease，andascoreoflittlebooks—playsorcomicoperas，andlastlyapacketofletters；suchwerethecontentsofthetrunk。
Weproceededtoreadtheletters，andthefirstthingwenotedwastheaddress:"ToM。L’Etoile，Actor，atMarseilles，Bordeaux，Bayonne，Montpellier，etc。"
IpitiedBetty。Shesawherselfthedupeofavileactor，andherindignationandshameweregreat。
"Wewillreaditallto—morrow，"saidI；"to—daywehavesomethingelsetodo。"
Thepoorgirlseemedtobreatheagain。
Wegotoveroursupperhastily，andthenBettybeggedmetoleaveheraloneforafewmomentsforhertochangeherlinenandgotobed。
"Ifyoulike，"saidI，"Iwillhaveabedmadeupformeinthenextroom。"
"No，dearfriend，oughtInottoloveyoursociety？Whatwouldhavebecomeofmewithoutyou？"
Iwentoutforafewminutes，andwhenIreturnedandcametoherbedsidetowishhergoodnight，shegavemesuchawarmembracethatIknewmyhourwascome。
Reader，youmusttaketherestforgranted。Iwashappy，andIhadreasontobelievethatBettywashappyalso。
Inthemorning，wehadjustfallenasleep，whenthevettuyinoknockedatthedoor。
Idressedmyselfhastilytoseehim。
"Listen，"Isaid，"itisabsolutelynecessaryformetorecovermypocket—book，andIhopetofinditatAcquapendente。"
"Verygood，sir，verygood，"saidtherogue，atrueItalian，"paymeasifIhadtakenyoutoRome，andasequinadayforthefuture，andifyoulike，IwilltakeyoutoEnglandonthoseterms。"
Thevetturinowasevidentlywhatiscalledwideawake。Igavehimhismoney，andwemadeanewagreement。Atseveno’clockwestoppedatMontefiasconetowritetoSirB————M————，sheinEnglish，andIinFrench。
BettyhadnowanairofsatisfactionandassurancewhichIfoundcharming。Shesaidshewasfullofhope，andseemedhighlyamusedatthethoughtofthefigurewhichtheactorwouldcutwhenhearrivedatRomebyhimself。Shehopedthatweshouldcomeacrossthemaninchargeofhertrunk，andthatweshouldhavenodifficultyingettingitback。
"Hemightpursueus。"
"Hedarenotdoso。"
"Iexpectnot，butifhedoesIwillgivehimawarmwelcome。IfhedoesnottakehimselfoffIwillblowouthisbrains。"
BeforeIbeganmylettertoSirB————M————。Bettyagainwarnedmetoconcealnothingfromhim。
"Noteventherewardyougaveme？"
"Oh，yes！Thatisalittlesecretbetweenourselves。"
Inlessthanthreehourstheletterswerecomposedandwritten。Bettywassatisfiedwithmyletter；andherown，whichshetranslatedformybenefit，wasaperfectmasterpieceofsensibility，whichseemedtomecertainofsuccess。
IthoughtofpostingfromSienna，toensureherbeinginaplaceofsafetybeforethearrivalofherlover。
Theonlythingthattroubledmewasthebillofexchangeleftbehindbyl’Etoile，forwhetheritweretrueorfalse，Ifeltboundtodealwithitinsomeway，butIcouldnotseehowitwastobedone。
Wesetoutagainafterdinnerinspiteoftheheat，andarrivedatAcquapendenteintheeveningandspentthenightinthedelightsofmutuallove。
AsIwasgettingupinthemorningIsawacarriageinfrontoftheinn，juststartingforRome。IimaginedthatamidstthebaggageBetty’strunkmightbediscovered，andItoldhertogetup，andseeifitwerethere。
Wewentdown，andBettyrecognizedthetrunkshehadconfidedtoherseducer。
Webeggedthevetturinotorestoreittous，buthewasinflexible；andashewasintherightwehadtosubmit。TheonlythinghecoulddowastohaveanembargolaidonthetrunkatRome，thesaidembargotolastforamonth。Anotarywascalled，andourclaimproperlydrawnup。Thevetturino，whoseemedanhonestandintelligentfellow，assuredushehadreceivednothingelsebelongingtotheComtedel’Etoile，sowewereassuredthattheactorwasamerebeggaronthelookoutforpickings，andthattheragsinthesmalltrunkwereallhispossessions。
AfterthisbusinesshadbeendispatchedBettybrightenedupamazingly。
"Heaven，"sheexclaimed，"isarrangingeverything。Mymistakewillserveasawarningtomeforthefuture，forthelessonhasbeenasevereone，andmighthavebeenmuchworseifIhadnothadthegoodfortuneofmeetingyou。"
"Icongratulateyou，"Ireplied，"onhavingcuredyourselfsoquicklyofapassionthathaddeprivedyouofyourreason。"
"Ah！awoman’sreasonisafragilething。IshudderwhenIthinkofthemonster；butIverilybelievethatIshouldnothaveregainedmysensesifhehadnotcalledmeahypocrite，andsaidthathewascertainIhadalreadygrantedyoumyfavours。Theseinfamouswordsopenedmyeyes，andmademeseemyshame。IbelieveIwouldhavehelpedyoutopiercehimtotheheartifthecowardhadnotrunaway。ButIamgladhedidrunaway，notforhissakebutforours，forweshouldhavebeeninanunpleasantpositionifhehadbeenkilled。"
"Youareright；heescapedmyswordbecauseheisdestinedfortherope。"
"Lethimlooktothathimself，butIamsurehewillneverdaretoshewhisfacebeforeyouormeagain。"
WereachedRadicofaniatteno’clock，andproceededtowritepostscriptstoourletterstoSirB————M————Weweresittingatthesametable，BettyoppositetothedoorandIclosetoit，sothatanyonecomingincouldnothaveseenmewithoutturninground。
Bettywasdressedwithalldecencyandneatness，butIhadtakenoffmycoatonaccountofthesuffocatingheat。Nevertheless，thoughIwasinshirtsleeves，IshouldnothavebeenashamedofmyattirebeforethemostrespectablewomaninItaly。
AllatonceIheardarapidstepcomingalongthepassage，andthedoorwasdashedopen。Afurious—lookingmancamein，and，seeingBetty，criedout，——
"Ah！thereyouare。"
Ididnotgivehimtimetoturnroundandseeme，butleaptuponhimandseizedhimbytheshoulders。IfIhadnotdonesohewouldhaveshotmedeadonthespot。
AsIleaptuponhimIhadinvoluntarilyclosedthedoor，andashecried，"Letmego，traitor！"Bettyfellonherkneesbeforehim，exclaiming，"No，no！heismypreserver。"
SirB————M————wastoomadwithragetopayanyattentiontoher，andkepton，———
"Letmego，traitors"
Asmaybeimagined，Ididnotpaymuchattentiontothisrequestsolongastheloadedpistolwasinhishand。
InourstrugglesheatlastfelltothegroundandIontopofhim。
Thelandlordandhispeoplehadheardtheuproar，andweretryingtogetin；butaswehadfallenagainstthedoortheycouldnotdoso。
Bettyhadthepresenceofmindtosnatchthepistolfromhishand，andI
thenlethimgo，calmlyobserving，"Sir，youarelabouringunderadelusion。"
AgainBettythrewherselfonherknees，begginghimtocalmhimself，asI
washerpreservernotherbetrayer。
"Whatdoyoumeanby’preserver’？"saidB————M————
Bettygavehimtheletter，saying，——
"Readthat。"
TheEnglishmanreadtheletterthroughwithoutrisingfromtheground，andasIwascertainofitseffectIopenedthedoorandtoldthelandlordtosendhispeopleaway，andtogetdinnerforthree，aseverythinghadbeensettled。
EndRomebyJacquesCasanovaMEMOIRSOFJACQUESCASANOVAdeSEINGALT1725—1798
SPANISHPASSIONS，Volume6c——ROME
THEMEMOIRSOFJACQUESCASANOVADESEINGALT
THERAREUNABRIDGEDLONDONEDITIONOF1894TRANSLATEDBYARTHURMACHENTO
WHICHHASBEENADDEDTHECHAPTERSDISCOVEREDBYARTHURSYMONS。
RETURNTOROME
CHAPTERXIII
Rome——TheActor’sPunishment——LordBaltimore——Naples——SaraGoudar——
DepartureofBetty——Agatha——Medina——Albergoni——MissChudleigh——ThePrinceofFrancavilla——TheSwimmersAsIfellovertheEnglishmanIhadstruckmyhandagainstanail，andthefourthfingerofmylefthandwasbleedingasifaveinhadbeenopened。Bettyhelpedmetotieahandkerchiefaroundthewound，whileSirB————M————readtheletterwithgreatattention。IwasmuchpleasedwithBetty’saction，itshewedshewasconfident，andsureofherlover’sforgiveness。
Itookupmycoatandcarpet—bag，andwentintothenextroomtochangemylinen，anddressfordinner。AnydistressattheterminationofmyintriguewithBettywasamplycompensatedforbymyjoyatthehappyendingofatroublesomeaffairwhichmighthaveprovedfatalforme。
Idressedmyself，andthenwaitedforhalfanhour，asIheardBettyandSirB————M————speakinginEnglishcalmlyenough，andIdidnotcaretointerruptthem。AtlasttheEnglishmanknockedatmydoor，andcameinlookinghumbleandmortified。HesaidhewassureIhadnotonlysavedBetty，buthadeffectuallycuredherofherfolly。
"Youmustforgivemyconduct，sir，"saidhe，"forIcouldnotguessthatthemanIfoundwithherwashersaviourandnotherbetrayer。IthankHeavenwhichinspiredyouwiththeideaofcatchingholdofmefrombehind，asIshouldcertainlyhavekilledyouthemomentIseteyesonyou，andatthismomentIshouldbethemostwretchedofmen。Youmustforgiveme，sir，andbecomemyfriend。"
Iembracedhimcordially，tellinghimthatifIhadbeeninhisplaceI
shouldhaveactedinapreciselysimilarmanner。
Wereturnedtotheroom，andfoundBettyleaningagainstthebed，andweepingbitterly。
Thebloodcontinuingtoflawfrommywound，Isentforasurgeonwhosaidthataveinhadbeenopened，andthataproperligaturewasnecessary。
Bettystillwept，soItoldSirB————M————thatinmyopinionshedeservedhisforgiveness。
"Forgiveness？"saidhe，"youmaybesureIhavealreadyforgivenher，andshewelldeservesit。PoorBettyrepenteddirectlyyoushewedherthepathshewastreading，andthetearssheissheddingnowaretearsofsorrowathermistake。Iamsuresherecognizesherfolly，andwillneverbeguiltyofsuchaslipagain。
Emotionisinfectious。Bettywept，SirB————M————wept，andIwepttokeepthemcompany。Atlastnaturecalledattruce，andbydegreesoursobsandtearsceasedandwebecamecalmer。
SirB————M————，whowasevidentlyamanofthemostgenerouscharacter，begantolaughandjest，andhiscaresseshadgreateffectincalmingBetty。Wemadeagooddinner，andthechoiceMuscatputusallinthebestofspirits。
SirB————M————saidwehadbetterrestforadayortwo；hehadjourneyedfifteenstagesinhothaste，andfeltinneedofrepose。
HetoldusthatonarrivingatLeghorn，andfindingnoBettythere，hehaddiscoveredthathertrunkhadbeenbookedtoRome，andthattheofficertowhomitbelongedhadhiredahorse，leavingawatchasapledgeforit。SirB————M————recognizedBetty’swatch，andfeelingcertainthatshewaseitheronhorsebackwithherseducerorinthewagonwithhertrunk，heimmediatelyresolvedtopursue。
"Iprovidedmyself，"headded，"withtwogoodpistols，notwiththeideaofusingoneagainsther，formyfirstthoughtaboutherwaspity，andmysecondforgiveness；butIdeterminedtoblowoutthescoundrel’sbrains，andImeantodoityet。WewillstartforRometo—morrow。"
SirB————M————’sconcludingwordsfilledBettywithjoy，andIbelieveshewouldhavepiercedherperfidiouslovertotheheartifhehadbeenbroughtbeforeheratthatmoment。
"WeshallfindhimatRoland’s，"saidI。
SirB————M————tookBettyinhisarms，andgazedatmewithanairofcontent，asifhewouldhaveshewnmethegreatnessofanEnglishheart——
agreatnesswhichmorethanatonesforitsweakness。
"Iunderstandyourpurpose，"Isaid，"butyoushallnotexecuteyourplanswithoutme。Letmehavethechargeofseeingthatjusticeisdoneyou。Ifyouwillnotagree，IshallstartforRomedirectly，Ishallgettherebeforeyou，andshallgivethewretchedactorwarningofyourapproach。IfyouhadkilledhimbeforeIshouldhavesaidnothing，butatRomeitisdifferent，andyouwouldhavereasontorepentofhavingindulgedyourrighteousindignation。Youdon’tknowRomeandpriestlyjustice。Come，givemeyourhandandyourwordtodonothingwithoutmyconsent，orelseIshallleaveyoudirectly。"
SirB————M————wasamanofmyownheightbutsomewhatthinner，andfiveorsixyearsolder；thereaderwillunderstandhischaracterwithoutmydescribingit。
Myspeechmusthaveratherastonishedhim，butheknewthatmydispositionwasbenevolent，andhecouldnothelpgivingmehishandandhispledge。
"Yes，dearest，"saidBetty，"leavevengeancetothefriendwhomHeavenhassentus。"
"Iconsenttodoso，providedeverythingisdoneinconcertbetweenus。"
Afterthisweparted，andSirB————M————，beinginneedofrest，IwenttotellthevetturinothatweshouldstartforRomeagainonthefollowingday。
"ForRome！Thenyouhavefoundyourpocketbook？Itseemstome，mygoodsir，thatyouwouldhavebeenwisernottosearchforit。"
Theworthyman，seeingmyhanddoneupinlint，imaginedIhadfoughtaduel，andindeedeverybodyelsecametothesameconclusion。
SirB————M————hadgonetobed，andIspenttherestofthedayinthecompanyofBetty，whowasoverflowingwiththegratitude。Shesaidwemustforgetwhathadpassedbetweenus，andbethebestoffriendsfortherestofourdays，withoutathoughtofanyfurtheramorousrelations。
Ihadnotmuchdifficultyinassentingtothiscondition。
Sheburnedwiththedesireforvengeanceonthescoundrellyactorwhohaddeceivedher；butIpointedoutthatherdutywastomoderateSirB————
M————’spassions，asifheattemptedanyviolenceinRomeitmightproveaveryseriousmatterforhim，besidesitsbeingtothedisadvantageofhisreputationtohavetheaffairtalkedof。
"Ipromiseyou，"Iadded，"tohavetherogueimprisonedassoonaswereachRome，andthatoughttobesufficientvengeanceforyou。Insteadoftheadvantagesheproposedforhimself，hewillreceiveonlyshameandallthemiseryofaprison。"
SirB————M————sleptsevenoreighthours，androsetofindthatagooddealofhisragehadevaporated。Heconsentedtoabidebymyarrangements，ifhecouldhavethepleasureofpayingthefellowavisit，ashewantedtoknowhim。
AfterthissensibledecisionandagoodsupperIwenttomylonelycouchwithoutanyregret，forIwashappyintheconsciousnessofhavingdoneagoodaction。
Westartedatday—breakthenextmorning，andwhenwereachedAcquapendenteweresolvedtoposttoRome。Bythepostthejourneytooktwelvehours，otherwiseweshouldhavebeenthreedaysontheroad。
AssoonaswereachedRomeIwenttothecustomhouseandputinthedocumentrelatingtoBetty’strunk。ThenextdayitwasdulybroughttoourinnandhandedovertoBetty。
AsSirB————M————hadplacedthecaseinmyhandsIwenttothebargello，animportantpersonatRome，andanexpeditiousofficerwhenheseesacaseclearlyandfeelssurethattheplaintiffsdonotmindspendingtheirmoney。Thebargelloisrich，andliveswell；hehasanalmostfreeaccesstothecardinal—vicar，thegovernor，andeventheHolyFatherhimself。
Hegavemeaprivateinterviewdirectly，andItoldhimthewholestory，finallysayingthatallweaskedforwasthattherogueshouldbeimprisonedandafterwardsexpelledfromRome。
"Yousee，"Iadded，"thatourdemandisaverymoderateone，andwecouldgetallwewantbytheordinarychannelsofthelaw；butweareinahurry，andIwantyoutotakechargeofthewholeaffair。Ifyoucaretodosoweshallbepreparedtodefraylegalexpensestotheextentoffiftycrowns。"
Thebargelloaskedmetogivehimthebillofexchangeandalltheeffectsoftheadventurer，includingtheletters。
Ihadthebillinmypocketandgaveithimonthespot，takingareceiptinexchange。Itoldhimtosendtotheinnfortherest。
"AssoonasIhavemadehimconfessthefactsyouallegeagainsthim，"
saidthebargello，"weshallbeabletodosomething。IhavealreadyheardthatheisatRoland’s，andhasbeentryingtogettheEnglishwoman’strunk。Ifyoulikedtospendahundredcrownsinsteadoffiftywecouldsendhimtothegalleysforacoupleofyears。"
"Wewillseeaboutthat，"saidI，"forthepresentwewillhavehimintoprison。"
Hewasdelightedtohearthatthehorsewasnotl’Etoile’sproperty，andsaidthatifIlikedtocallatnineo’clockhewouldhavefurthernewsforme。
IsaidIwouldcome。IreallyhadagooddealtodoatRome。IwantedtoseeCardinalBernisinthefirstplace，butIpostponedeverythingtotheaffairofthemoment。
Iwentbacktotheinnandwastoldbyavaletdeplace，whomSirB————
M————hadhired，thattheEnglishmanhadgonetobed。
Wewereinneedofacarriage，soIsummonedthelandlordandwasastonishedtofindmyselfconfrontedbyRolandinperson。
"How’sthis？"Isaid。"IthoughtyouwerestillatthePlaced’Espagne。"
"IhavegivenmyoldhousetomydaughterwhohasmarriedaprosperousFrenchman，whileIhavetakenthispalacewheretherearesomemagnificentrooms。"
"Hasyourdaughtermanyforeignersstayingatherhousenow？"
"OnlyoneFrenchman，theComtedel’Etoile，whoiswaitingforhisequipagetocomeon。Hehasanexcellenthorse，andIamthinkingofbuyingitfromhim。"
"Iadviseyoutowaittillto—morrow，andtosaynothingabouttheadviceIhavegivenyou。"
"WhyshouldIwait？"
"Ican’tsayanymorejustnow。"
ThisRolandwasthefatheroftheTheresewhomIhadlovednineyearsbefore，andwhommybrotherJeanhadmarriedin1762，ayearaftermydeparture。RolandtoldmethatmybrotherwasinRomewithPrinceBeloselski，theRussianambassadortotheCourtofSaxony。
"IunderstoodthatmybrothercouldnotcometoRome。"
"Hecamewithasafe—conductwhichtheDowagerElectressofSaxonyobtainedforhimfromtheHolyFather。Hewantshiscasetobere—tried，andtherehemakesamistake，forifitwereheardahundredtimesthesentencewouldcontinuethesame。Noonewillseehim，everyoneavoidshim，evenMengswillhavenothingtosaytohim。"
"Mengsishere，ishe？IthoughhehadbeenatMadrid。"
"Hehasgotleaveofabsenceforayear，buthisfamilyremainsinSpain。"
Afterhearingallthisnewswhichwasfarfrompleasanttome，asIdidnotwishtoseeMengsormybrother，Iwenttobed，leavingordersthatIwastoberousedintimefordinner。
Inanhour’stimeIwasawakenedbythetidingsthatsomeonewaswaitingtogivemeanote。Itwasoneofthebargello’smen，whohadcometotakeoverl’Etoile’seffects。
AtdinnerItoldSirB————M————whatIhaddone，andweagreedthatheshouldaccompanymetothebargello’sintheevening。
Intheafternoonwevisitedsomeoftheprincipalpalaces，andaftertakingBettybacktotheinnwewenttothebargello，whotoldusourmanwasalreadyinprison，andthatitwouldcostverylittletosendhimtothegalleys。
"BeforemakingupmymindIshouldliketospeaktohim，"saidSirB————
M————。"
"Youcandosoto—morrow。Heconfessedeverythingwithoutanytrouble，andmadeajestofit，sayinghewasnotafraidofanyconsequences，astheyoungladyhadgonewithhimofherownfreewill。Ishewedhimthebillofexchange，butheevincednoemotionwhatever。Hetoldmethathewasanactorbyprofession，butalsoamanofrank。Astothehorse，hesaidhewasatperfectlibertytosellit，asthewatchhehadleftinpledgewasworthmorethanthebeast。"
IhadforgottentoinformthebargellothatthewatchaforesaidbelongedtoBetty。
Wegavetheworthyofficialfiftycrowns，andsuppedwithBetty，whohad，asIhaveremarked，recoveredhertrunk，andhadbeenbusyingherselfinputtingherthingstorights。
Shewasgladtohearthattherascalwasinprison，butshedidnotseemtowishtopayhimavisit。
Wewenttoseehimintheafternoonofthenextday。
Thebargellohadassignedusanadvocate，whomadeoutadocumentdemandingpaymentbytheprisoneroftheexpensesofthejourney，andofhisarrest，togetherwithacertainsumascompensationtothepersonwhomhehaddeceived，unlesshecouldprovehisrighttothetitleofcountinthecourseofsixweeks。
Wefoundl’Etoilewiththisdocumentinhishand；someonewastranslatingitforhimintoFrench。
Assoonastherascalsawme，hesaid，withalaugh，thatIowedhimtwenty—fiveLouisashehadleftBettytosleepwithme。
TheEnglishmantoldhimhelied；itwashethathadsleptwithher。
"AreyouBetty’slover？"askedl’Etoile。
"Yes，andifIhadcaughtyouwithherIshouldhaveblownoutyourbrains，foryouhavedeceivedherdoubly；you’reonlyabeggarlyactor。"
"Ihavethreethousandcrowns。"
"Iwillpaysixthousandifthebillprovestobeagoodone。Inthemeanwhileyouwillstayhere，andifitbefalse，asIexpectitis，youwillgotothegalleys。"
"Verygood。"
"Ishallspeaktomycounsel。"
Wewentoutandcalledontheadvocate，forSirB————M————hadalivelydesiretosendtheimpudentrascaltothegalleys。However，itcouldnotbedone，forl’Etoilesaidhewasquitereadytogiveupthebill，butthatheexpectedSirB————M————topayacrownadayforhiskeepwhileheremainedinprison。
SirB————M————thoughthewouldliketoseesomethingofRome，ashewasthere，andwasobligedtobuyalmosteverythingashehadlefthisbelongingsbehindhim，whileBettywaswellprovidedforashertrunkwasofimmensecapacity。Iwentwiththemeverywhere；itwasnotexactlythelifeIliked，buttherewouldbetimeformetopleasemyselfaftertheyhadgone。IlovedBettywithoutdesiringher，andIhadtakenalikingtotheEnglishmanwhohadanexcellentheart。AtfirsthewantedtostayafortnightatRome，andthentoreturntoLeghorn；buthisfriendLordBaltimore，whohadcometoRomeinthemeanwhile，persuadedhimtopayashortvisittoNaples。
Thisnobleman，whohadwithhimaveryprettyFrenchwomanandtwoservants，saidhewouldseetothejourney，andthatImustjointheparty。IhadmadehisacquaintanceatLondon。
IwasgladtohavetheopportunityofseeingNaplesagain。Welodgedatthe"Crocielles"atChiaggia，orChiaja，astheNeapolitanscallit。
ThefirstnewsIheardwasthedeathoftheDukeofMataloneandthemarriageofhiswidowwithPrinceCaramanica。
Thiscircumstanceputanendtosomeofmyhopes，andIonlythoughtofamusingmyselfwithmyfriends，asifIhadneverbeenatNaplesbefore。
LordBaltimorehadbeenthereseveraltimes，buthismistress，Betty，andSirB————M————，werestrangers，andwantedtoseeeverything。I
accordinglyactedascicerone，forwhichpartIandmylord，too，weremuchbetterqualifiedthanthetediousandignorantfellowswhohadanofficialrighttothattitle。
ThedayafterourarrivalIwasunpleasantlysurprisedtoseethenotoriousChevalierGoudar，whomIhadknownatLondon。HecalledonLordBaltimore。
ThisfamousrouthadahouseatPausilippo，andhiswifewasnoneotherthantheprettyIrishgirlSara，formerlyadrawerinaLondontavern。
Thereaderhasbeenalreadyintroducedtoher。GoudarknewIhadmether，sohetoldmewhoshewas，invitingusalltodinewithhimthenextday。
Saraskewednosurprisenorconfusionatthesightofme，butIwaspetrified。Shewasdressedwiththeutmostelegance，receivedcompanyadmirably，spokeItalianwithperfectcorrectness，talkedsensibly，andwasexquisitelybeautiful；Iwasstupefied；themetamorphosiswassogreat。
Inaquarterofanhourfiveorsixladiesofthehighestrankarrived，withtenortwelvedukes，princes，andmarquises，tosaynothingofahostofdistinguishedstrangers。
Thetablewaslaidforthirty，butbeforedinnerMadameGoudarseatedherselfatthepiano，andsangafewairswiththevoiceofasiren，andwithaconfidencethatdidnotastonishtheotherguestsastheyknewher，butwhichastonishedmeextremely，forhersingingwasreallyadmirable。
Goudarhadworkedthismiracle。Hehadbeeneducatinghertobehiswifeforsixorsevenyears。
AftermarryingherhehadtakenhertoParis，Vienna，Venice，Florence，Rome，etc。，everywhereseekingfortune，butinvain。FinallyhehadcometoNaples，wherehehadbroughthiswifeintothefashionofobliginghertorenounceinpublictheerrorsoftheAnglicanheresy。ShehadbeenreceivedintotheCatholicChurchundertheauspicesoftheQueenofNaples。TheamusingpartinallthiswasthatSara，beinganIrishwoman，hadbeenbornaCatholic，andhadneverceasedtobeone。
Allthenobility，eventotheCourt，wenttoseeSara，whileshewentnowhere，fornooneinvitedher。Thiskindofthingisacharacteristicofnobilityalltheworldover。
Goudartoldmealltheseparticulars，andconfessedthatheonlymadehislivingbygaming。Faroandbiribiweretheonlypillarsofhishouse；
buttheymusthavebeenstrongones，forhelivedingreatstyle。
Heaskedmetojoinwithhim，andIdidnotcaretorefuse；mypursewasfastapproachingtotaldepletion，andifitwerenotforthisresourceI
couldnotcontinuelivinginthestyletowhichIhadbeenaccustomed。
HavingtakenthisresolutionIdeclinedreturningtoRomewithBettyandSirB————M—————，whowantedtorepaymeallIhadspentonheraccount。
Iwasnotinapositiontobeostentatious，soIacceptedhisgenerousoffer。
TwomonthslaterIheardthatl’EtoilehadbeenliberatedbytheinfluenceofCardinalBernis，andhadleftRome。NextyearIheardatFlorencethatSirB————M—————hadreturnedtoEngland，wherenodoubthemarriedBettyassoonashebecameawidower。
AsforthefamousLordBaltimoreheleftNaplesafewdaysaftermyfriends，andtravelledaboutItalyinhisusualway。ThreeyearslaterhepaidforhisBritishbravadowithhislife。HecommittedthewildimprudenceoftraversingtheMaremmainAugust，andwaskilledbythepoisonousexhalations。
Istoppedat"Crocielles，"asalltherichforeignerscametolivethere。
Iwasthusenabledtomaketheiracquaintance，andputtheminthewayoflosingtheirmoneyatGoudar’s。Ididnotlikemytask，butcircumstancesweretoostrongforme。
FiveorsixdaysafterBettyhadleftIchancedtomeettheAbbyGama，whohadagedagooddeal，butwasstillasgayandactiveasever。Afterwehadtoldeachotherouradventuresheinformedmethat，asallthedifferencesbetweentheHolySeeandtheCourtofNapleshadbeenadjusted，hewasgoingbacktoRome。
Beforehewent，however，hesaidheshouldliketopresentmetoaladywhomhewassureIshouldbeverygladtoseeagain。
ThefirstpersonsIthoughtofwereDonnaLeonilda，orDonnaLucrezia，hermother；butwhatwasmysurprisetoseeAgatha，thedancerwithwhomIhadbeeninloveatTurinafterabandoningtheCorticelli。
Ourdelightwasmutual，andweproceededtotelleachothertheincidentsofourlivessincewehadparted。
Mytaleonlylastedaquarterofanhour，butAgatha’shistorywasalongone。
ShehadonlydancedayearatNaples。Anadvocatehadfalleninlovewithher，andsheshewedmefourprettychildrenshehadgivenhim。Thehusbandcameinatsupper—time，andasshehadoftentalkedtohimaboutmeherushedtoembracemeassoonasheheardmyname。Hewasanintelligentman，likemostofthepaglettiofNaples。Wesuppedtogetherlikeoldfriends，andtheAbbeGamagoingsoonaftersupperIstayedwiththemtillmidnight，promisingtojointhematdinnerthenextday。
AlthoughAgathawasintheveryflowerofherbeauty，theoldfireswerenotrekindledinme。Iwastenyearsolder。Mycoolnesspleasedme，forIshouldnothavelikedtotroublethepeaceofahappyhome。
AfterleavingAgathaIproceededtoGoudar’s，inwhosebankItookastronginterest。Ifoundadozengamestersroundthetable，butwhatwasmysurprisetorecognizeintheholderofthebankCountMedini。
ThreeorfourdaysbeforethisMedinihadbeenexpelledfromthehouseofM。deChoiseul，theFrenchambassador；hehadbeencaughtcheatingatcards。Ihadalsomyreasontobeincensedagainsthim；and，asthereadermayremember，wehadfoughtaduel。
OnglancingatthebankIsawthatitwasatthelastgasp。Itoughttohaveheldsixhundredounces，andtherewerescarcelyahundred。Iwasinterestedtotheextentofathird。
OnexaminingthefaceofthepunterwhohadmadetheseravagesIguessedthegame。ItwasthefirsttimeIhadseentherascalatGoudar’s。
AttheendofthedealGoudartoldmethatthispunterwasarichFrenchmanwhohadbeenintroducedbyMedini。HetoldmeIshouldnotmindhiswinningthatevening，ashewouldbesuretoloseitallandagooddealmoreanothertime。
"Idon’tcarewhothepunteris，"saidI，"itisnotoftheslightestconsequencetome，asItellyouplainlythataslongasMediniisthebankerIwillhavenothingtodowithit。"
"IhavetoldMediniaboutitandwantedtotakeathirdawayfromthebank，butheseemedoffendedandsaidhewouldmakeupanylosstoyou，butthathecouldnothavethebanktouched。"
"Verygood，butifhedoesnotbringmemymoneybyto—morrowmorningtherewillbetrouble。Indeed，theresponsibilitylieswithyou，forI
havetoldyouthataslongasMedinidealsIwillhavenothingtodowithit。"
"Ofcourseyouhaveaclaimonmefortwohundredounces，butIhopeyouwillbereasonable；itwouldberatherhardformetolosetwo—thirds。"
KnowingGoudartobeagreaterrascalthanMedini，Ididnotbelieveawordhesaid；andIwaitedimpatientlyfortheendofthegame。
Atoneo’clockitwasallover。Theluckypunterwentoffwithhispocketsfullofgold，andMedini，affectinghighspirits，whichwereverymuchoutofplace，sworehisvictoryshouldcosthimdear。
"Willyoukindlygivememytwohundredounces，"saidI，"for，ofcourse，GondartoldyouthatIwasoutofit？"
"Iconfessmyselfindebtedtoyouforthatamount，asyouabsolutelyinsist，butpraytellmewhyyourefusetobeinterestedinthebankwhenIamdealing。"
"BecauseIhavenoconfidenceinyourluck。"
"Youmustseethatyourwordsarecapableofaveryunpleasantinterpretation。"
"Ican’tpreventyourinterpretingmywordsasyouplease，butIhavearighttomyownopinion。Iwantmytwohundredounces，andIamquitewillingtoleaveyouanymoneysyouproposetomakeoutoftheconquerorofto—night。YoumustmakeyourarrangementswithM。Goudar，andbynoonto—morrow，you，M。Goudar，willbringmethatsum。"
"Ican’tremityouthemoneytillthecountgivesitme，forIhaven’tgotanymoney。"
"Iamsureyouwillhavesomemoneybytwelveo’clockto—morrowmorning。
Goodnight。"
Iwouldnotlistentoanyoftheirswindlingarguments，andwenthomewithouttheslightestdoubtthattheyweretryingtocheatme。I
resolvedtowashmyhandsofthewholegangassoonasIhadgotmymoneybackbyfairmeansorfoul。
AtninethenextmorningIreceivedanotefromMedini，beggingmetocallonhimandsettlethematter。IrepliedthathemustmakehisarrangementswithGoudar，andIbeggedtobeexcusedcallingonhim。
Inthecourseofanhourhepaidmeavisit，andexertedallhiseloquencetopersuademetotakeabillfortwohundredounces，payableinaweek。Igavehimasharprefusal，sayingthatmybusinesswaswithGoudarandGondaronly，andthatunlessIreceivedthemoneybynoonI
shouldproceedtoextremities。Mediniraisedhisvoice，andtoldmethatmylanguagewasoffensive；andforthwithItookupapistolandplaceditagainsthischeek，orderinghimtoleavetheroom。Heturnedpale，andwentawaywithoutaword。
AtnoonIwenttoGondar’swithoutmysword，butwithtwogoodpistolsinmypocket。Mediniwasthere，andbeganbyreproachingmewithattemptingtoassassinatehiminmyownhouse。
Itooknonoticeofthis，buttoldGondartogivememytwohundredounces。
GoudaraskedMedinitogivehimthemoney。
Therewouldundoubtedlyhavebeenaquarrel，ifIhadnotbeenprudentenoughtoleavetheroom，threateningGondarwithruinifhedidnotsendonthemoneydirectly。
JustasIwasleavingthehouse，thefairSaraputherheadoutofthewindow，andbeggedmetocomeupbythebackstairsandspeaktoher。
Ibeggedtobeexcused，soshesaidshewouldcomedown，andinamomentshestoodbesideme。
"Youareintherightaboutyourmoney，"shesaid，"butjustatpresentmyhusbandhasnotgotany；youreallymustwaittwoorthreedays，I
willguaranteethepayment。"
"Iamreallysorry，"Ireplied，"nottobeabletoobligesuchacharmingwoman，buttheonlythingthatwillpacifymeismymoney，andtillI
havehadit，youwillseemenomoreinyourhouse，againstwhichI
declarewar。"
Thereuponshedrewfromherfingeradiamondring，worthatleastfourhundredounces，andbeggedmetoacceptitasapledge。
Itookit，andleftheraftermakingmybow。Shewasdoubtlessastonishedatmybehaviour，forinherstateofdeshabilleshecouldnothavecountedonmydisplayingsuchfirmness。
Iwasverywellsatisfiedwithmyvictory，andwenttodinewiththeadvocate，Agatha’shusband。Itoldhimthestory，begginghimtofindsomeonewhowouldgivemetwohundredouncesonthering。
"Iwilldoitmyself，"saidhe；andhegavemeanacknowledgmentandtwohundredouncesonthespot。HethenwroteinmynamealettertoGoudar，informinghimthathewasthedepositaryofthering。
Thisdone，Irecoveredmygoodtemper。
BeforedinnerAgathatookmeintoherboudoirandshewedmeallthesplendidjewelsIhadgivenherwhenIwasrichandinlove。
"NowIamarichwoman，"saidshe，"andmygoodfortuneisallyourmaking；sotakebackwhatyougaveme。Don’tbeoffended；Iamsogratefultoyou，andmygoodhusbandandIagreedonthisplanthismorning。"
TotakeawayanyscruplesImighthave，sheshewedmethediamondsherhusbandhadgivenher；theyhadbelongedtohisfirstwifeandwereworthaconsiderablesum。
Mygratitudewastoogreatforwords，Icouldonlypressherhand，andletmyeyesspeakthefeelingsofmyheart。Justthenherhusbandcamein。
Ithadevidentlybeenconcertedbetweenthem，fortheworthymanembracedme，andbeggedmetoaccedetohiswife’srequest。
Wethenjoinedthecompanywhichconsistedofadozenorsooftheirfriends，buttheonlypersonwhoattractedmyattentionwasaveryyoungman，whomIsetdownatonceasinlovewithAgatha。HisnamewasDonPascalLatilla；andIcouldwellbelievethathewouldbesuccessfulinlove，forhewasintelligent，handsome，andwell—mannered。Webecamefriendsinthecourseofthemeal。
AmongsttheladiesIwasgreatlypleasedwithoneyounggirl。Shewasonlyfourteen，butshelookedeighteen。Agathatoldmeshewasstudyingsinging，intendingtogoonthestageasshewassopoor。
"Sopretty，andyetpoor？"
"Yes，forshewillhaveallornothing；andloversofthatkindarerareinNaples。"
"Butshemusthavesomelover？"
"Ifshehas，noonehasheardofhim。Youhadbettermakeheracquaintanceandgoandseeher。Youwillsoonbefriends。"
"What’shername？"
"Callimena。Theladywhoisspeakingtoherisheraunt，andIexpecttheyaretalkingaboutyou。"
Wesatdowntotheenjoymentofadelicateandabundantmeal。Agatha，I
couldsee，washappy，anddelightedtoshewmehowhappyshewas。TheoldAbbeGamacongratulatedhimselfonhavingpresentedme。DonPascalLatillacouldnotbejealousoftheattentionspaidmebyhisidol，forI
wasastranger，andtheyweremydue；whileherhusbandpridedhimselfonhisfreedomfromthosevulgarprejudicestowhichsomanyNeapolitansaresubject。
InthemidstofallthisgaietyIcouldnothelpstealingmanyafurtiveglancetowardsCallimena。Iaddressedheragainandagain，andsheansweredmepolitelybutsobrieflyastogivemenoopportunityofdisplayingmypowersinthewayofpersiflage。
Iaskedifhernamewasherfamilynameorapseudonym。
"Itismybaptismalname。"
"ItisGreek；but，ofcourse，youknowwhatitmeans？"
"No。"
"Madbeauty，orfairmoon。"
"IamgladtosaythatIhavenothingincommonwithmyname。"
"Haveyouanybrothersorsisters？"
"Ihaveonlyonemarriedsister，withwhomyoumaypossiblybeacquainted。"
"Whatishername，andwhoisherhusband？"
"HerhusbandisaPiedmontese，butshedoesnotlivewithhim。"
"IsshetheMadameSlopiswhotravelswithAston？"
"Exactly。"
"Icangiveyougoodnewsofher。"
AfterdinnerIaskedAgathahowshecametoknowCallimena。
"Myhusbandishergodfather。"
"Whatisherexactage？"
"Fourteen。"
"She’sasimpleprodigy！Whatloveliness！"
"Hersisterisstillhandsomer。"
"Ihaveneverseenher。"
AservantcameinandsaidM。Goudarwouldliketohavealittleprivateconversationwiththeadvocate。
Theadvocatecamebackinaquarterofanhour，andinformedmethatGoudarhadgivenhimthetwohundredounces，andthathehadreturnedhimthering。
"Thenthat’sallsettled，andIamverygladofit。Ihavecertainlymadeaneternalenemyofhim，butthatdoesn’ttroublememuch。"
Webeganplaying，andAgathamademeplaywithCallimena，thefreshnessandsimplicityofwhosecharacterdelightedme。
ItoldherallIknewabouthersister，andpromisedIwouldwritetoTurintoenquirewhethershewerestillthere。ItoldherthatIlovedher，andthatifshewouldallowme，Iwouldcomeandseeher。Herreplywasextremelysatisfactory。
ThenextmorningIwenttowishhergoodday。Shewastakingamusiclessonfromhermaster。Hertalentswerereallyofamoderateorder，butlovemademepronounceherperformancetobeexquisite。
Whenthemasterhadgone，Iremainedalonewithher。Thepoorgirloverwhelmedmewithapologiesforherdress，herwretchedfurniture，andforherinabilitytogivemeaproperbreakfast。
"Allthatmakeyoumoredesirableinmyeyes，andIamonlysorrythatI
cannotofferyouafortune。"
AsIpraisedherbeauty，sheallowedmetokissherardently，butshestoppedmyfurtherprogressbygivingmeakissasiftosatisfyme。
Imadeanefforttorestrainmyardour，andtoldhertotellmetrulywhethershehadalover。
"Notone。"
"Andhaveyouneverhadone？"
"Never。"
"Notevenafancyforanyone？"
"No，never。"
"What，withyourbeautyandsensibility，istherenomaninNapleswhohassucceededininspiringyouwithdesire？"
"Noonehasevertriedtodoso。Noonehasspokentomeasyouhave，andthatistheplaintruth。"
"Ibelieveyou，andIseethatImustmakehastetoleaveNaples，ifI
wouldnotbethemostunhappyofmen。"
"Whatdoyoumean？"
"Ishouldloveyouwithoutthehopeofpossessingyou，andthusIshouldbemostunhappy。"
"Lovemethen，andstay。Tryandmakemeloveyou。Onlyyoumustmoderateyourecstacies，forIcannotloveamanwhocannotexerciseself—restraint。"
"Asjustnow，forinstance？"
"Yes。IfyoucalmyourselfIshallthinkyoudosoformysake，andthuslovewilltreadcloseontheheelsofgratitude。"
ThiswasasmuchastotellmethatthoughshedidnotlovemeyetIhadonlytowaitpatiently，andIresolvedtofollowheradvice。Ihadreachedanagewhichknowsnothingoftheimpatientdesiresofyouth。
Igaveheratenderembrace，andasIwasgettinguptogoIaskedherifshewereinneedofmoney。
Thisquestionmaleherblush，andshesaidIhadbetteraskheraunt，whowasinthenextroom。
Iwentin，andwassomewhatastonishedtofindtheauntseatedbetweentwoworthyCapuchins，whoweretalkingsmalltalktoherwhilesheworkedatherneedle。Atalittledistancethreeyounggirlssatsewing。
Theauntwouldhaverisentowelcomeme，butIpreventedher，askedherhowshedid，andsmilinglycongratulatedheronhercompany。Shesmiledback，buttheCapuchinssatasfirmastwostocks，withouthonouringmewithasmuchasaglance。