IhadknowninRome，atCardinalAcquaviva’s，theAbbedeLiancourt，great—grandsonofCharles，whosesister，GabrielleduPlessis，hadbeenthewifeofFrancoisV。，butthatdatedfromthebeginningofthelastcentury。IhadmadeacopyfromtherecordsofthecardinaloftheaccountofcertaincircumstanceswhichtheAbbedeLiancourtwantedtocommunicatetothecourtofSpain，andinwhichtherewereagreatmanyparticularsrespectingthehouseofDuPlessis。I
　　thoughtatthesametimethatthesingularimpostureofLaValeur（suchwasthenamebywhichmysoldiergenerallywent）wasabsurdandwithoutamotive，sinceitwastobeknownonlyafterhisdeath，andcouldnotthereforeproveofanyadvantagetohim。
　　Halfanhourafterwards，asIwasopeningafreshpackofcards，theAdjutantSanzoniocamein，andtoldtheimportantnewsinthemostseriousmanner。Hehadjustcomefromtheofficeoftheproveditore，whereCaptainCamporesehadrunintheutmosthurrytodepositinthehandsofhisexcellencythesealandthepapersofthedeceasedprince。Hisexcellencyhadimmediatelyissuedhisordersfortheburialoftheprinceinavaultwithallthehonoursduetohisexaltedrank。Anotherhalfhourpassed，andM。Minolto，adjutantoftheproveditore—generale，cametoinformmethathisexcellencywantedtoseeme。IpassedthecardstoMajorMaroli，andwenttohisexcellency’shouse。Ifoundhimatsupperwithseveralladies，threeorfournavalcommanders，MadameF————，andM。D————
　　R—————。
　　"So，yourservantwasaprince！"saidtheoldgeneraltome。
　　"Yourexcellency，Ineverwouldhavesuspectedit，andevennowthatheisdeadIdonotbelieveit。"
　　"Why？Heisdead，buthewasnotinsane。Youhaveseenhisarmorialbearings，hiscertificateofbaptism，aswellaswhathewrotewithhisownhand。Whenamanissoneardeath，hedoesnotfancypracticaljokes。"
　　"Ifyourexcellencyissatisfiedofthetruthofthestory，mydutyistoremainsilent。"
　　"Thestorycannotbeanythingbuttrue，andyourdoubtssurpriseme。"
　　"Idoubt，monsignor，becauseIhappentohavepositiveinformationrespectingthefamiliesofLaRochefoucaultandDuPlessis。Besides，Ihaveseentoomuchoftheman。Hewasnotamadman，buthecertainlywasanextravagantjester。Ihaveneverseenhimwrite，andhehastoldmehimselfascoreoftimesthathehadneverlearned。"
　　"Thepaperhehaswrittenprovesthecontrary。Hisarmshavetheducalbearings；butperhapsyouarenotawarethatM。delaRochefoucaultisadukeandpeeroftheFrenchrealm？"
　　"Ibegyoureminence’spardon；Iknowallaboutit；Iknowevenmore，forIknowthatFrancoisVI。marriedadaughterofthehouseofVivonne。"
　　"Youknownothing。"
　　WhenIheardthisremark，asfoolishasitwasrude，Iresolvedonremainingsilent，anditwaswithsomepleasurethatIobservedthejoyfeltbyallthemaleguestsatwhattheythoughtaninsultandablowtomyvanity。Anofficerremarkedthatthedeceasedwasafineman，awittyman，andhadshewnwonderfulclevernessinkeepinguphisassumedcharactersowellthatnooneeverhadthefaintestsuspicionofwhathereallywas。Aladysaidthat，ifshehadknownhim，shewouldhavebeencertaintofindhimout。Anotherflatterer，belongingtothatmean，contemptibleracealwaystobefoundnearthegreatandwealthyoftheearth，assuredusthatthelateprincehadalwaysshewnhimselfcheerful，amiable，obliging，devoidofhaughtinesstowardshiscomrades，andthatheusedtosingbeautifully。"Hewasonlytwenty—fiveyearsofage，"saidMadameSagredo，lookingmefullintheface，"andifhewasendowedwithallthosequalities，youmusthavediscoveredthem。"
　　"Icanonlygiveyou，madam，atruelikenessoftheman，suchasI
　　haveseenhim。Alwaysgay，ofteneventofolly，forhecouldthrowasomersaultbeautifully；singingsongsofaveryerotickind，fullofstoriesandofpopulartalesofmagic，miracles，andghosts，andathousandmarvellousfeatswhichcommon—senserefusedtobelieve，andwhich，forthatveryreason，provokedthemirthofhishearers。Hisfaultswerethathewasdrunken，dirty，quarrelsome，dissolute，andsomewhatofacheat。Iputupwithallhisdeficiences，becausehedressedmyhairtomytaste，andhisconstantchatteringofferedmetheopportunityofpractisingthecolloquialFrenchwhichcannotbeacquiredfrombooks。HehasalwaysassuredmethathewasborninPicardy，thesonofacommonpeasant，andthathehaddesertedfromtheFrencharmy。Hemayhavedeceivedmewhenhesaidthathecouldnotwrite。"
　　JustthenCamporeserushedintotheroom，andannouncedthatLaVeleurwasyetbreathing。Thegeneral，lookingatmesignificantly，saidthathewouldbedelightedifthemancouldbesaved。
　　"AndIlikewise，monsignor，buthisconfessorwillcertainlykillhimto—night。"
　　"Whyshouldthefatherconfessorkillhim？"
　　"Toescapethegalleystowhichyourexcellencywouldnotfailtosendhimforhavingviolatedthesecrecyoftheconfessional。"
　　Everybodyburstoutlaughing，butthefoolisholdgeneralknittedhisbrows。Theguestsretiredsoonafterwards，andMadameF—————，whomIhadprecededtothecarriage，M。D————R—————havingofferedherhisarm，invitedmetogetinwithher，sayingthatitwasraining。
　　Itwasthefirsttimethatshehadbestowedsuchanhonouruponme。
　　"Iamofyouropinionaboutthatprince，"shesaid，"butyouhaveincurredthedispleasureoftheproveditore。"
　　"Iamverysorry，madam，butitcouldnothavebeenavoided，forI
　　cannothelpspeakingthetruthopenly。"
　　"Youmighthavesparedhim，"remarkedM。D————R—————，"thecuttingjestoftheconfessorkillingthefalseprince。"
　　"Youareright，sir，butIthoughtitwouldmakehimlaughaswellasitmademadamandyourexcellency。Inconversationpeoplegenerallydonotobjecttoawittyjestcausingmerrimentandlaughter。"
　　"True；onlythosewhohavenotwitenoughtolaughdonotlikethejest。"
　　"Ibetahundredsequinsthatthemadmanwillrecover，andthat，havingthegeneralonhisside，hewillreapalltheadvantagesofhisimposture。Ilongtoseehimtreatedasaprince，andmakinglovetoMadameSagredo"
　　Hearingthelastwords，MadameF—————，whodidnotlikeMadameSagredo，laughedheartily，and，asweweregettingoutofthecarriage，M。D————R—————invitedmetoaccompanythemupstairs。Hewasinthehabitofspendinghalfanhouralonewithheratherownhousewhentheyhadtakensuppertogetherwiththegeneral，forherhusbandnevershewedhimself。Itwasthefirsttimethatthehappycoupleadmittedathirdpersontotheirtete—a—tete。Ifeltveryproudofthecomplimentthuspaidtome，andIthoughtitmighthaveimportantresultsforme。Mysatisfaction，whichIconcealedaswellasIcould，didnotpreventmefrombeingverygayandfromgivingacomicturntoeverysubjectbroughtforwardbytheladyorbyherlord。
　　Wekeptupourpleasanttrioforfourhours；andreturnedtothemansionofM。D————R—————onlyattwoo’clockinthemorning。ItwasduringthatnightthatMadameF————andM。D————R—————reallymademyacquaintance。MadameF————toldhimthatshehadneverlaughedsomuch，andthatshehadneverimaginedthataconversation，inappearancesosimple，couldaffordsomuchpleasureandmerriment。
　　Onmyside，Idiscoveredinhersomuchwitandcheerfulness，thatI
　　becamedeeplyenamoured，andwenttobedfullysatisfiedthat，inthefuture，IcouldnotkeepuptheshowofindifferencewhichIhadsofarassumedtowardsher。
　　WhenIwokeupthenextmorning，IheardfromthenewsoldierwhoservedmethatLaValeurwasbetter，andhadbeenpronouncedoutofdangerbythephysician。Atdinnertheconversationfelluponhim，butIdidnotopenmylips。Twodaysafterwards，thegeneralgaveorderstohavehimremovedtoacomfortableapartment，senthimaservant，clothedhim，andtheover—credulousproveditorehavingpaidhimavisit，allthenavalcommandersandofficersthoughtittheirdutytoimitatehim，andtofollowhisexample:thegeneralcuriositywasexcited，therewasarushtoseethenewprince。M。D————R—————
　　followedhisleaders，andMadameSagredo，havingsettheladiesinmotion，theyallcalleduponhim，withtheexceptionofMadameF————，whotoldmelaughinglythatshewouldnotpayhimavisitunlessI
　　wouldconsenttointroduceher。Ibeggedtobeexcused。Theknavewascalledyourhighness，andthewonderfulprincestyledMadameSagredohisprincess。M。D————R—————triedtopersuademetocallupontherogue，butItoldhimthatIhadsaidtoomuch，andthatI
　　wasneithercourageousnormeanenoughtoretractmywords。Thewholeimposturewouldsoonhavebeendiscoveredifanyonehadpossessedapeerage，butitjusthappenedthattherewasnotacopyinCorfu，andtheFrenchconsul，afatblockhead，likemanyotherconsuls，knewnothingoffamilytrees。ThemadcapLaValeurbegantowalkoutaweekafterhismetamorphosisintoaprince。Hedinedandhadsuppereverydaywiththegeneral，andeveryeveninghewaspresentatthereception，duringwhich，owingtohisintemperance，healwayswentfastasleep。Yet，thereweretworeasonswhichkeptupthebeliefofhisbeingaprince:thefirstwasthathedidnotseemafraidofthenewsexpectedfromVenice，wheretheproveditorehadwrittenimmediatelyafterthediscovery；thesecondwasthathesolicitedfromthebishopthepunishmentofthepriestwhohadbetrayedhissecretbyviolatingthesealofconfession。Thepoorpriesthadalreadybeensenttoprison，andtheproveditorehadnotthecouragetodefendhim。Thenewprincehadbeeninvitedtodinnerbyallthenavalofficers，butM。D————R—————hadnotmadeuphismindtoimitatethemsofar，becauseMadameF————hadclearlywarnedhimthatshewoulddineatherownhouseonthedayhewasinvited。
　　Ihadlikewiserespectfullyintimatedthat，onthesameoccasion，I
　　wouldtakethelibertyofdiningsomewhereelse。
　　ImettheprinceonedayasIwascomingoutoftheoldfortressleadingtotheesplanade。Hestopped，andreproachedmefornothavingcalleduponhim。Ilaughed，andadvisedhimtothinkofhissafetybeforethearrivalofthenewswhichwouldexposealltheimposture，inwhichcasetheproveditorewascertaintotreathimveryseverely。IofferedtohelphiminhisflightfromCorfu，andtogetaNeapolitancaptain，whoseshipwasreadytosail，toconcealhimonboard；butthefool，insteadofacceptingmyoffer，loadedmewithinsults。
　　HewascourtingMadameSagredo，whotreatedhimverywell，feelingproudthataFrenchprinceshouldhavegivenherthepreferenceoveralltheotherladies。OnedaythatshewasdiningingreatceremonyatM。D————R—————’shouse，sheaskedmewhyIhadadvisedtheprincetorunaway。
　　"Ihaveitfromhisownlips，"sheadded，"andhecannotmakeoutyourobstinacyinbelievinghimanimpostor。"
　　"Ihavegivenhimthatadvice，madam，becausemyheartisgood，andmyjudgmentsane。"
　　"Thenweareallofusasmanyfools，theproveditoreincluded？"
　　"Thatdeductionwouldnotberight，madam。Anopinioncontrarytothatofanotherdoesnotnecessarilymakeafoolofthepersonwhoentertainsit。Itmightpossiblyturnout，intenortwelvedays，thatIhavebeenentirelymistakenmyself，butIshouldnotconsidermyselfafoolinconsequence。Inthemeantime，aladyofyourintelligencemusthavediscoveredwhetherthatmanisapeasantoraprincebyhiseducationandmanners。Forinstance，doeshedancewell？"
　　"Hedoesnotknowonestep，butheisthefirsttolaughaboutit；hesaysheneverwouldlearndancing。"
　　"Doeshebehavewellattable？"
　　"Well，hedoesn’tstandonceremony。Hedoesnotwanthisplatetobechanged，hehelpshimselfwithhisspoonoutofthedishes；hedoesnotknowhowtocheckaneructationorayawn，andifhefeelstiredheleavesthetable。Itisevidentthathehasbeenverybadlybroughtup。"
　　"Andyetheisverypleasant，Isuppose。Ishecleanandneat？"
　　"No，butthenheisnotyetwellprovidedwithlinen。"
　　"Iamtoldthatheisverysober。"
　　"Youarejoking。Heleavesthetableintoxicatedtwiceaday，butheoughttobepitied，forhecannotdrinkwineandkeephisheadclear。
　　Thenheswearslikeatrooper，andwealllaugh，buthenevertakesoffence。"
　　"Ishewitty？"
　　"Hehasawonderfulmemory，forhetellsusnewstorieseveryday。"
　　"Doeshespeakofhisfamily？"
　　"Veryoftenofhismother，whomhelovedtenderly。ShewasaDuPlessis。"
　　"Ifhismotherisstillaliveshemustbeahundredandfiftyyearsold。"
　　"Whatnonsense！"
　　"Notatall；shewasmarriedinthedaysofMariedeMedicis。"
　　"Butthecertificateofbaptismnamestheprince’smother，andhisseal——"
　　"Doesheknowwhatarmorialbearingshehasonthatseal？"
　　"Doyoudoubtit？"
　　"Verystrongly，orratherIamcertainthatheknowsnothingaboutit。"
　　Weleftthetable，andtheprincewasannounced。Hecamein，andMadameSagredolostnotimeinsayingtohim，"Prince，hereisM。
　　Casanova；hepretendsthatyoudonotknowyourownarmorialbearings。"Hearingthesewords，hecameuptome，sneering，calledmeacoward，andgavemeasmackonthefacewhichalmoststunnedme。I
　　lefttheroomveryslowly，notforgettingmyhatandmycane，andwentdownstairs，whileM。D————R—————wasloudlyorderingtheservantstothrowthemadmanoutofthewindow。
　　Ileftthepalaceandwenttotheesplanadeinordertowaitforhim。
　　ThemomentIsawhim，Irantomeethim，andIbeathimsoviolentlywithmycanethatoneblowaloneoughttohavekilledhim。Hedrewback，andfoundhimselfbroughttoastandbetweentwowalls，where，toavoidbeingbeatentodeath，hisonlyresourcewastodrawhissword，butthecowardlyscoundreldidnoteventhinkofhisweapon，andIlefthim，ontheground，coveredwithblood。Thecrowdformedalineformetopass，andIwenttothecoffee—house，whereIdrankaglassoflemonade，withoutsugartoprecipitatethebittersalivawhichragehadbroughtupfrommystomach。Inafewminutes，Ifoundmyselfsurroundedbyalltheyoungofficersofthegarrison，whojoinedinthegeneralopinionthatIoughttohavekilledhim，andtheyatlastannoyedme，foritwasnotmyfaultifIhadnotdoneso，andIwouldcertainlyhavetakenhislifeifhehaddrawnhissword。
　　Ihadbeeninthecoffee—houseforhalfanhourwhenthegeneral’sadjutantcametotellmethathisexcellencyorderedmetoputmyselfunderarrestonboardthebastarda，agalleyonwhichtheprisonershadtheirlegsinironslikegalleyslaves。Thedosewasrathertoostrongtobeswallowed，andIdidnotfeeldisposedtosubmittoit。
　　"Verygood，adjutant，"Ireplied，"itshallbedone。"Hewentaway，andIleftthecoffee—houseamomentafterhim，butwhenIreachedtheendofthestreet，insteadofgoingtowardstheesplanade，I
　　proceededquicklytowardsthesea。Iwalkedalongthebeachforaquarterofanhour，andfindingaboatempty，butwithapairofoars，Igotinher，andunfasteningher，IrowedashardasIcouldtowardsalargecaicco，sailingagainstthewindwithsixoars。AssoonasIhadcomeuptoher，Iwentonboardandaskedthecarabouchiritosailbeforethewindandtotakemetoalargewherrywhichcouldbeseenatsomedistance，goingtowardsVidoRock。I
　　abandonedtherow—boat，and，afterpayingthemasterofthecaiccogenerously，Igotintothewherry，madeabargainwiththeskipperwhounfurledthreesails，andinlessthantwohourswewerefifteenmilesawayfromCorfu。Thewindhavingdiedaway，Imadethemenrowagainstthecurrent，buttowardsmidnighttheytoldmethattheycouldnotrowanylonger，theywerewornoutwithfatigue。Theyadvisedmetosleepuntilday—break，butIrefusedtodoso，andforatrifleIgotthemtoputmeonshore，withoutaskingwhereIwas，inordernottoraisetheirsuspicions。ItwasenoughformetoknowthatIwasatadistanceoftwentymilesfromCorfu，andinaplacewherenobodycouldimaginemetobe。Themoonwasshining，andIsawachurchwithahouseadjoining，alongbarnopenedonbothsides，aplainofaboutonehundredyardsconfinedbyhills，andnothingmore。
　　Ifoundsomestrawinthebarn，andlayingmyselfdown，Isleptuntilday—breakinspiteofthecold。Itwasthe1stofDecember，andalthoughtheclimateisverymildinCorfuIfeltbenumbedwhenI
　　awoke，asIhadnocloakovermythinuniform。
　　Thebellsbegintotoll，andIproceedtowardsthechurch。Thelong—
　　beardedpapa，surprisedatmysuddenapparition，enquireswhetherI
　　amRomeo（aGreek）；ItellhimthatIamFragico（Italian），butheturnshisbackuponmeandgoesintohishouse，thedoorofwhichheshutswithoutcondescendingtolistentome。
　　Ithenturnedtowardsthesea，andsawaboatleavingatartanlyingatanchorwithinonehundredyardsoftheisland；theboathadfouroarsandlandedherpassengers。Icomeuptothemandmeetagood—
　　lookingGreek，awomanandayoungboytenortwelveyearsold。
　　AddressingmyselftotheGreek，Iaskhimwhetherhehashadapleasantpassage，andwherehecomesfrom。HeanswersinItalianthathehassailedfromCephaloniawithhiswifeandhisson，andthatheisboundforVenice；hehadlandedtohearmassattheChurchofOurLadyofCasopo，inordertoascertainwhetherhisfather—in—
　　lawwasstillalive，andwhetherhewouldpaytheamounthehadpromisedhimforthedowryofhiswife。
　　"Buthowcanyoufinditout？"
　　"ThePapaDeldimopulowilltellme；hewillcommunicatefaithfullytheoracleoftheHolyVirgin。"Isaynothingandfollowhimintothechurch；hespeakstothepriest，andgiveshimsomemoney。Thepapasaysthemass，entersthesanctumsanctorum，comesoutagaininaquarterofanhour，ascendsthestepsofthealtar，turnstowardshisaudience，and，aftermeditatingforaminuteandstrokinghislongbeard，hedelivershisoracleinadozenwords。TheGreekofCephalonia，whocertainlycouldnotboastofbeingaswiseasUlysses，appearsverywellpleased，andgivesmoremoneytotheimpostor。Weleavethechurch，andIaskhimwhetherhefeelssatisfied）withtheoracle。
　　"Oh！quitesatisfied。Iknownowthatmyfather—in—lawisalive，andthathewillpaymethedowry，ifIconsenttoleavemychildwithhim。IamawarethatitishisfancyandIwillgivehimtheboy。"
　　"Doesthepapaknowyou？"
　　"No；heisnotevenacquaintedwithmyname。"
　　"Haveyouanyfinegoodsonboardyourtartan？"
　　"Yes；comeandbreakfastwithme；youcanseeallIhave。"
　　"Verywillingly。"
　　Delightedathearingthatoracleswerenotyetdefunct，andsatisfiedthattheywillendureaslongasthereareinthisworldsimple—
　　mindedmenanddeceitful，cunningpriests，Ifollowthegoodman，whotookmetohistartanandtreatedmetoanexcellentbreakfast。Hiscargoconsistedofcotton，linen，currants，oil，andexcellentwines。
　　Hehadalsoastockofnight—caps，stockings，cloaksintheEasternfashion，umbrellas，andseabiscuits，ofwhichIwasveryfond；inthosedaysIhadthirtyteeth，anditwouldhavebeendifficulttofindafinerset。Alas！Ihavebuttwoleftnow，theothertwenty—
　　eightaregonewithothertoolsquiteasprecious；but’dumvitasuperest，beneest。’Iboughtasmallstockofeverythinghehadexceptcotton，forwhichIhadnouse，andwithoutdiscussinghispriceIpaidhimthethirty—fiveorfortysequinshedemanded，andseeingmygenerosityhemademeapresentofsixbeautifulbotargoes。
　　IhappenedduringourconversationtopraisethewineofXante，whichhecalledgeneroydes，andhetoldmethatifIwouldaccompanyhimtoVenicehewouldgivemeabottleofthatwineeverydayincludingthequarantine。Alwayssuperstitious，Iwasonthepointofaccepting，andthatforthemostfoolishreason—namely，thattherewouldbenopremeditationinthatstrangeresolution，anditmightbetheimpulseoffate。Suchwasmynatureinthosedays；alas；itisverydifferentnow。Theysaythatitisbecausewisdomcomeswitholdage，butIcannotreconcilemyselftocherishtheeffectofamostunpleasantcause。
　　JustasIwasgoingtoaccepthisofferheproposestosellmeaveryfinegunfortensequins，sayingthatinCorfuanyonewouldbegladofitfortwelve。ThewordCorfuupsetsallmyideasonthespot！I
　　fancyIhearthevoiceofmygeniustellingmetogobacktothatcity。Ipurchasethegunforthetensequins，andmyhonestCephalonian，admiringmyfairdealing，givesme，overandaboveourbargain，abeautifulTurkishpouchwellfilledwithpowderandshot。
　　Carryingmygun，withagoodwarmcloakovermyuniformandwithalargebagcontainingallmypurchases，ItakeleaveoftheworthyGreek，andamlandedontheshore，determinedonobtainingalodgingfromthecheatingpapa，byfairmeansorfoul。ThegoodwineofmyfriendtheCephalonianhadexcitedmejustenoughtomakemecarrymydeterminationintoimmediateexecution。Ihadinmypocketsfourorfivehundredcoppergazzette，whichwereveryheavy，butwhichIhadprocuredfromtheGreek，foreseeingthatImightwantthemduringmystayontheisland。
　　IstoremybagawayinthebarnandIproceed，guninhand，towardsthehouseofthepriest；thechurchwasclosed。
　　ImustgivemyreaderssomeideaofthestateIwasinatthatmoment。Iwasquietlyhopeless。ThethreeorfourhundredsequinsI
　　hadwithmedidnotpreventmefromthinkingthatIwasnotinverygreatsecurityontheisland；Icouldnotremainlong，Iwouldsoonbefoundout，and，beingguiltyofdesertion，Ishouldbetreatedaccordingly。Ididnotknowwhattodo，andthatisalwaysanunpleasantpredicament。ItwouldbeabsurdformetoreturntoCorfuofmyownaccord；myflightwouldthenbeuseless，andIshouldbethoughtafool，formyreturnwouldbeaproofofcowardiceorstupidity；yetIdidnotfeelthecouragetodesertaltogether。ThechiefcauseofmydecisionwasnotthatIhadathousandsequinsinthehandsofthefarobanker，ormywell—stockedwardrobe，orthefearofnotgettingalivingsomewhereelse，buttheunpleasantrecollectionthatIshouldleavebehindmeawomanwhomIlovedtoadoration，andfromwhomIhadnotyetobtainedanyfavour，noteventhatofkissingherhand。InsuchdistressofmindIcouldnotdoanythingelsebutabandonmyselftochance，whatevertheresultmightbe，andthemostessentialthingforthepresentwastosecurealodgingandmydailyfood。
　　Iknockatthedoorofthepriest’sdwelling。Helooksoutofawindowandshutsitwithoutlisteningtome，Iknockagain，Iswear，Icalloutloudly，allinvain，Givingwaytomyrage，Itakeaimatapoorsheepgrazingwithseveralothersatashortdistance，andkillit。Theherdsmanbeginstoscream，thepapashowshimselfatthewindow，callingout，"Thieves！Murder！"andordersthealarm—
　　belltoberung。Threebellsareimmediatelysetinmotion，I
　　foreseeageneralgathering:whatisgoingtohappen？Idonotknow，buthappenwhatwill，Iloadmygunandawaitcomingevents。
　　Inlessthaneightortenminutes，Iseeacrowdofpeasantscomingdownthehills，armedwithguns，pitchforks，orcudgels:Iwithdrawinsideofthebarn，butwithouttheslightestfear，forIcannotsupposethat，seeingmealone，thesemenwillmurdermewithoutlisteningtome。
　　Thefirsttenortwelvepeasantscomeforward，guninhandandreadytofire:Istopthembythrowingdownmygazzette，whichtheylosenotimeinpickingupfromtheground，andIkeeponthrowingmoneydownasthemencomeforward，untilIhadnomoreleft。Theclownswerelookingateachotheringreatastonishment，notknowingwhattomakeoutofawell—dressedyoungman，lookingverypeaceful，andthrowinghismoneytothemwithsuchgenerosity。Icouldnotspeaktothemuntilthedeafeningnoiseofthebellsshouldcease。Iquietlysitdownonmylargebag，andkeepstill，butassoonasIcanbeheardI
　　begintoaddressthemen。Thepriest，however，assistedbyhisbeadleandbytheherdsman，interruptsme，andallthemoreeasilythatIwasspeakingItalian。Mythreeenemies，whotalkedallatonce，weretryingtoexcitethecrowdagainstme。
　　Oneofthepeasants，anelderlyandreasonable—lookingman，comesuptomeandasksmeinItalianwhyIhavekilledthesheep。
　　"Toeatit，mygoodfellow，butnotbeforeIhavepaidforit。"
　　"Buthisholiness，thepapa，mightchoosetochargeonesequinforit。"
　　"Hereisonesequin。"
　　Thepriesttakesthemoneyandgoesaway:warisover。Thepeasanttellsmethathehasservedinthecampaignof1716，andthathewasatthedefenceofCorfu。Icomplimenthim，andaskhimtofindmealodgingandamanabletopreparemymeals。Heanswersthathewillprocuremeawholehouse，thathewillbemycookhimself，butImustgoupthehill。Nomatter！Hecallstwostoutfellows，onetakesmybag，theothershouldersmysheep，andforward！Aswearewalkingalong，Itellhim，——
　　"Mygoodman，Iwouldliketohaveinmyservicetwenty—fourfellowsliketheseundermilitarydiscipline。Iwouldgiveeachmantwentygazzetteaday，andyouwouldhavefortyasmylieutenant。"
　　"Iwill，"saystheoldsoldier，"raiseforyouthisverydayabody—
　　guardofwhichyouwillbeproud。"
　　Wereachaveryconvenienthouse，containingonthegroundfloorthreeroomsandastable，whichIimmediatelyturnedintoaguard—
　　room。
　　MylieutenantwenttogetwhatIwanted，andparticularlyaneedlewomantomakemesomeshirts。InthecourseofthedayIhadfurniture，bedding，kitchenutensils，agooddinner，twenty—fourwell—equippedsoldiers，asuper—annuatedsempstressandseveralyounggirlstomakemyshirts。Aftersupper，Ifoundmypositionhighlypleasant，beingsurroundedwithsomethirtypersonswholookeduponmeastheirsovereign，althoughtheycouldnotmakeoutwhathadbroughtmetotheirisland。TheonlythingwhichstruckmeasdisagreeablewasthattheyounggirlscouldnotspeakItalian，andI
　　didnotknowGreekenoughtoenablemetomakelovetothem。
　　Thenextmorningmylieutenanthadtheguardrelieved，andIcouldnothelpburstingintoamerrylaugh。Theywerelikeaflockofsheep:allfinemen，well—madeandstrong；butwithoutuniformandwithoutdisciplinethefinestbandisbutaherd。However，theyquicklylearnedhowtopresentarmsandtoobeytheordersoftheirofficer。Icausedthreesentinelstobeplaced，onebeforetheguardroom，oneatmydoor，andthethirdwherehecouldhaveagoodviewofthesea。Thissentinelwastogivemewarningoftheapproachofanyarmedboatorvessel。ForthefirsttwoorthreedaysIconsideredallthisasmereamusement，but，thinkingthatI
　　mightreallywantthementorepelforcebyforce，Ihadsomeideaofmakingmyarmytakeanoathofallegiance。Ididnotdoso，however，althoughmylieutenantassuredmethatIhadonlytoexpressmywishes，formygenerosityhadcaptivatedtheloveofalltheislanders。
　　Mysempstress，whohadprocuredsomeyoungneedlewomentosewmyshirts，hadexpectedthatIwouldfallinlovewithoneandnotwithall，butmyamorouszealoversteppedherhopes，andalltheprettyoneshadtheirturn；theywereallwellsatisfiedwithme，andthesempstresswasrewardedforhergoodoffices。Iwasleadingadelightfullife，formytablewassuppliedwithexcellentdishes，juicymutton，andsnipesodeliciousthatIhavenevertastedtheirlikeexceptinSt。Petersburg。IdrankscopolowineorthebestmuscateloftheArchipelago。Mylieutenantwasmyonlytablecompanion。Inevertookawalkwithouthimandtwoofmybody—guard，inordertodefendmyselfagainsttheattacksofafewyoungmenwhohadaspiteagainstmebecausetheyfancied，notwithoutsomereason，thatmyneedlewomen，theirmistresses，hadleftthemonmyaccount。
　　IoftenthoughtwhileIwasramblingabouttheisland，thatwithoutmoneyIshouldhavebeenunhappy，andthatIwasindebtedtomygoldforallthehappinessIwasenjoying；butitwasrighttosupposeatthesametimethat，ifIhadnotfeltmypurseprettyheavy，IwouldnothavebeenlikelytoleaveCorfu。
　　Ihadthusbeenplayingthepettykingwithsuccessforaweekortendays，when，towardsteno’clockatnightIheardthesentinel’schallenge。Mylieutenantwentout，andreturnedannouncingthatanhonest—lookingman，whospokeItalian，wishedtoseemeonimportantbusiness。Ihadhimbroughtin，and，inthepresenceofmylieutenant，hetoldmeinItalian:
　　"NextSunday，thePapaDeldimopulowillfulminateagainstyouthe’cataramonachia’。Ifyoudonotpreventhim，aslowfeverwillsendyouintothenextworldinsixweeks。"
　　"Ihaveneverheardofsuchadrug。"
　　"Itisnotadrug。ItisacursepronouncedbyapriestwiththeHostinhishands，anditissuretobefulfilled。"
　　"Whatreasoncanthatpriesthavetomurderme？"
　　"Youdisturbthepeaceanddisciplineofhisparish。Youhaveseducedseveralyounggirls，andnowtheirloversrefusetomarrythem。"
　　Imadehimdrink，andthankinghimheartily，wishedhimgoodnight。
　　Hiswarningstruckmeasdeservingmyattention，for，ifIhadnofearofthe’cataramonachia’，inwhichIhadnottheslightestfaith，Ifearedcertainpoisonswhichmightbebyfarmoreefficient。I
　　passedaveryquietnight，butatday—breakIgotup，andwithoutsayinganythingtomylieutenant，IwentstraighttothechurchwhereIfoundthepriest，andaddressedhiminthefollowingwords，utteredinatonelikelytoenforceconviction:
　　"Onthefirstsymptomoffever，Iwillshootyoulikeadog。Throwovermeacursewhichwillkillmeinstantly，ormakeyourwill。
　　Farewell！"
　　Havingthuswarnedhim，Ireturnedtomyroyalpalace。EarlyonthefollowingMonday，thepapacalledonme。Ihadaslightheadache；heenquiredaftermyhealth，andwhenItoldhimthatmyheadfeltratherheavy，hemademelaughbytheairofanxietywithwhichheassuredmethatitcouldbecausedbynothingelsethantheheavyatmosphereoftheislandofCasopo。
　　Threedaysafterhisvisit，theadvancedsentinelgavethewar—cry。
　　Thelieutenantwentouttoreconnoitre，andafterashortabsencehegavemenoticethatthelongboatofanarmedvesselhadjustlandedanofficer。Dangerwasathand。
　　Igooutmyself，Icallmymentoarms，and，advancingafewsteps，I
　　seeanofficer，accompaniedbyaguide，whowaswalkingtowardsmydwelling。Ashewasalone，Ihadnothingtofear。Ireturntomyroom，givingorderstomylieutenanttoreceivehimwithallmilitaryhonoursandtointroducehim。Then，girdingmysword，Iwaitformyvisitor。
　　Inafewminutes，AdjutantMinolto，thesamewhohadbroughtmetheordertoputmyselfunderarrest，makeshisappearance。
　　"Youarealone，"Isaytohim，"andthereforeyoucomeasafriend。
　　Letusembrace。"
　　"Imustcomeasafriend，for，asanenemy，Ishouldnothaveenoughmen。ButwhatIseeseemsadream。"
　　"Takeaseat，anddinewithme。Iwilltreatyousplendidly。"
　　"Mostwillingly，andafterdinnerwewillleavetheislandtogether。"
　　"Youmaygoalone，ifyoulike；butIwillnotleavethisplaceuntilIhavethecertainty，notonlythatIshallnotbesenttothe’bastarda’，butalsothatIshallhaveeverysatisfactionfromtheknavewhomthegeneraloughttosendtothegalleys。"
　　"Bereasonable，andcomewithmeofyourownaccord。Myordersaretotakeyoubyforce，butasIhavenotenoughmentodoso，Ishallmakemyreport，andthegeneralwill，ofcourse，sendaforcesufficienttoarrestyou。"
　　"Never；Iwillnotbetakenalive。"
　　"Youmustbemad；believeme，youareinthewrong。YouhavedisobeyedtheorderIbroughtyoutogotothe’bastarda；inthatyouhaveactedwrongly，andinthatalone，forineveryotherrespectyouwereperfectlyright，thegeneralhimselfsaysso。"
　　"ThenIoughttohaveputmyselfunderarrest？"
　　"Certainly；obedienceisnecessaryinourprofession。"
　　"Wouldyouhaveobeyed，ifyouhadbeeninmyplace？"
　　"IcannotandwillnottellyouwhatIwouldhavedone，butIknowthatifIhaddisobeyedordersIshouldhavebeenguiltyofacrime:"
　　"ButifIsurrenderednowIshouldbetreatedlikeacriminal，andmuchmoreseverelythanifIhadobeyedthatunjustorder。"
　　"Ithinknot。Comewithme，andyouwillknoweverything。"
　　"What！Gowithoutknowingwhatfatemaybeinstoreforme？Donotexpectit。Letushavedinner。IfIamguiltyofsuchadreadfulcrimethatviolencemustbeusedagainstme，Iwillsurrenderonlytoirresistibleforce。Icannotbeworseoff，buttheremaybebloodspilled。"
　　"Youaremistaken，suchconductwouldonlymakeyoumoreguilty。ButIsaylikeyou，letushavedinner。Agoodmealwillverylikelyrenderyoumoredisposedtolistentoreason。"
　　Ourdinnerwasnearlyover，whenweheardsomenoiseoutside。Thelieutenantcamein，andinformedmethatthepeasantsweregatheringintheneighbourhoodofmyhousetodefendme，becausearumourhadspreadthroughtheislandthatthefeluccahadbeensentwithorderstoarrestmeandtakemetoCorfu。Itoldhimtoundeceivethegoodfellows，andtosendthemaway，buttogivethemfirstabarrelofwine。
　　Thepeasantswentawaysatisfied，but，toshewtheirdevotiontome，theyallfiredtheirguns。
　　"Itisallveryamusing，"saidtheadjutant，"butitwillturnoutveryseriousifyouletmegoawayalone，formydutycompelsmetogiveanexactaccountofallIhavewitnessed。"
　　"Iwillfollowyou，ifyouwillgivemeyourwordofhonourtolandmefreeinCorfu。"
　　"IhaveorderstodeliveryourpersontoM。Foscari，onboardthebastarda。"
　　"Well，youshallnotexecuteyourordersthistime。"
　　"Ifyoudonotobeythecommandsofthegeneral，hishonourwillcompelhimtouseviolenceagainstyou，andofcoursehecandoit。
　　Buttellme，whatwouldyoudoifthegeneralshouldleaveyouinthisislandforthesakeofthejoke？Thereisnofearofthat，however，and，afterthereportwhichImustgive，thegeneralwillcertainlymakeuphismindtostoptheaffairwithoutsheddingblood。"
　　"Withoutafightitwillbedifficulttoarrestme，forwithfivehundredpeasantsinsuchaplaceasthisIwouldnotbeafraidofthreethousandmen。"
　　"Onemanwillproveenough；youwillbetreatedasaleaderofrebels。Allthesepeasantsmaybedevotedtoyou，buttheycannotprotectyouagainstonemanwhowillshootyouforthesakeofearningafewpiecesofgold。Icantellyoumorethanthat:amongstallthosemenwhosurroundyouthereisnotonewhowouldnotmurderyoufortwentysequins。Believeme，gowithme。CometoenjoythetriumphwhichisawaitingyouinCorfu。Youwillbecourtedandapplauded。Youwillnarrateyourselfallyourmadfrolics，peoplewilllaugh，andatthesametimewilladmireyouforhavinglistenedtoreasonthemomentIcamehere。Everybodyfeelsesteemforyou，andM。D————R—————thinksagreatdealofyou。Hepraisesveryhighlythecommandyouhaveshewnoveryourpassioninrefrainingfromthrustingyourswordthroughthatinsolentfool，inordernottoforgettherespectyouowedtohishouse。Thegeneralhimselfmustesteemyou，forhecannotforgetwhatyoutoldhimofthatknave。"
　　"Whathasbecomeofhim？"
　　"FourdaysagoMajorSardina’sfrigatearrivedwithdispatches，inwhichthegeneralmusthavefoundalltheproofoftheimposture，forhehascausedthefalsedukeorprincetodisappearverysuddenly。
　　Nobodyknowswherehehasbeensentto，andnobodyventurestomentionthefellowbeforethegeneral，forhemadethemostegregiousblunderrespectinghim。"
　　"ButwasthemanreceivedinsocietyafterthethrashingIgavehim？"
　　"Godforbid！Doyounotrecollectthatheworeasword？Fromthatmomentnoonewouldreceivehim。Hisarmwasbrokenandhisjawshatteredtopieces。
　　Butinspiteofthestatehewasin，inspiteofwhathemusthavesuffered，hisexcellencyhadhimremovedaweekafteryouhadtreatedhimsoseverely。Butyourflightiswhateveryonehasbeenwonderingover。ItwasthoughtforthreedaysthatM。D————R—————hadconcealedyouinhishouse，andhewasopenlyblamedfordoingso。
　　Hehadtodeclareloudlyatthegeneral’stablethathewasinthemostcompleteignoranceofyourwhereabouts。Hisexcellencyevenexpressedhisanxietyaboutyourescape，anditwasonlyyesterdaythatyourplaceofrefugewasmadeknownbyaletteraddressedbythepriestofthisislandtotheProto—PapaBulgari，inwhichhecomplainedthatanItalianofficerhadinvadedtheislandofCasopoaweekbefore，andhadcommittedunheard—ofviolence。Heaccusedyouofseducingallthegirls，andofthreateningtoshoothimifhedaredtopronounce’cataramonachia’againstyou。Thisletter，whichwasreadpubliclyattheeveningreception，madethegenerallaugh，butheorderedmetoarrestyouallthesame。"
　　"MadameSagredoisthecauseofitall。"
　　"True，butsheiswellpunishedforit。Yououghttocalluponherwithmeto—morrow。"
　　"To—morrow？AreyouthencertainthatIshallnotbeplacedunderarrest？"
　　"Yes，forIknowthatthegeneralisamanofhonour。"
　　"Iamofthesameopinion。Well，letusgoonboardyourfelucca。
　　Wewillembarktogetheraftermidnight。"
　　"Whynotnow？"
　　"BecauseIwillnotruntheriskofspendingthenightonboardM。
　　Foscari’sbastarda。IwanttoreachCorfubydaylight，soastomakeyourvictorymorebrilliant。"
　　"Butwhatshallwedoforthenexteighthours？"
　　"WewillpayavisittosomebeautiesofaspeciesunknowninCorfu，andhaveagoodsupper。"
　　Iorderedmylieutenanttosendplentytoeatandtodrinktothemenonboardthefelucca，toprepareasplendidsupper，andtosparenothing，asIshouldleavetheislandatmidnight。Imadehimapresentofallmyprovisions，exceptsuchasIwantedtotakewithme；theseIsentonboard。Myjanissaries，towhomIgaveaweek’spay，insisteduponescortingme，fullyequipped，asfarastheboat，whichmadetheadjutantlaughalltheway。
　　WereachedCorfubyeighto’clockinthemorning，andwewentalongsidethe’bastarda。TheadjutantconsignedmetoM。Foscari，assuringmethathewouldimmediatelygivenoticeofmyarrivaltoM。D————R—————，sendmyluggagetohishouse，andreportthesuccessofhisexpeditiontothegeneral。
　　M。Foscari，thecommanderofthebastarda，treatedmeverybadly。Ifhehadbeenblessedwithanydelicacyoffeeling，hewouldnothavebeeninsuchahurrytohavemeputinirons。Hemighthavetalkedtome，andhavethusdelayedforaquarterofanhourthatoperationwhichgreatlyvexedme。But，withoututteringasingleword，hesentmetothe’capodiscalo’whomademesitdown，andtoldmetoputmyfootforwardtoreceivetheirons，which，however，donotdishonouranyoneinthatcountry，noteventhegalleyslaves，fortheyarebettertreatedthansoldiers。
　　Myrightlegwasalreadyinirons，andtheleftonewasinthehandsofthemanforthecompletionofthatunpleasantceremony，whentheadjutantofhisexcellencycametotelltheexecutionertosetmeatlibertyandtoreturnmemysword。IwantedtopresentmycomplimentstothenobleM。Foscari，buttheadjutant，ratherashamed，assuredmethathisexcellencydidnotexpectmetodoso。
　　ThefirstthingIdidwastopaymyrespectstothegeneral，withoutsayingonewordtohim，buthetoldmewithaseriouscountenancetobemoreprudentforthefuture，andtolearnthatasoldier’sfirstdutywastoobey，andabovealltobemodestanddiscreet。I
　　understoodperfectlythemeaningofthetwolastwords，andactedaccordingly。
　　WhenImademyappearanceatM。D————R—————’s，Icouldseepleasureoneverybody’sface。ThosemomentshavealwaysbeensodeartomethatIhaveneverforgottenthem，theyhaveaffordedmeconsolationinthetimeofadversity。Ifyouwouldrelishpleasureyoumustendurepain，anddelightsareinproportiontotheprivationswehavesuffered。M。D————R—————wassogladtoseemethathecameuptomeandwarmlyembracedme。Hepresentedmewithabeautifulringwhichhetookfromhisownfinger，andtoldmethatIhadactedquiterightlyinnotlettinganyone，andparticularlyhimself，knowwhereI
　　hadtakenrefuge。
　　"Youcan’tthink，"headded，frankly，"howinterestedMadameF————
　　wasinyourfate。Shewouldbereallydelightedifyoucalledonherimmediately。"
　　Howdelightfultoreceivesuchadvicefromhisownlips！Buttheword"immediately"annoyedme，because，havingpassedthenightonboardthefelucca，Iwasafraidthatthedisorderofmytoiletmightinjuremeinhereyes。YetIcouldneitherrefuseM。D————R—————，nortellhimthereasonofmyrefusal，andIbethoughtmyselfthatI
　　couldmakeameritofitintheeyesofMadameF————
　　Ithereforewentatoncetoherhouse；thegoddesswasnotyetvisible，butherattendanttoldmetocomein，assuringmethathermistress’sbellwouldsoonbeheard，andthatshewouldbeverysorryifIdidnotwaittoseeher。Ispenthalfanhourwiththatyoungandindiscreetperson，whowasaverycharminggirl，andlearnedfromhermanythingswhichcausedmegreatpleasure，andparticularlyallthathadbeensaidrespectingmyescape。Ifoundthatthroughouttheaffairmyconducthadmetwithgeneralapprobation。
　　AssoonasMadameF————hadseenhermaid，shedesiredmetobeshewnin。Thecurtainsweredrawnaside，andIthoughtIsawAurorasurroundedwiththerosesandthepearlsofmorning。Itoldherthat，ifithadnotbeenfortheorderIreceivedfromM。D————R————
　　Iwouldnothavepresumedtopresentmyselfbeforeherinmytravellingcostume；andinthemostfriendlytonesheansweredthatM。D————R—————，knowingalltheinterestshefeltinme，hadbeenquiterighttotellmetocome，andsheassuredmethatM。D————
　　R—————hadthegreatestesteemforme。
　　"Idonotknow，madam，howIhavedeservedsuchgreathappiness，forallIdaredaimatwastoleration。"
　　"Wealladmiredthecontrolyoukeptoveryourfeelingswhenyourefrainedfromkillingthatinsolentmadmanonthespot；hewouldhavebeenthrownoutofthewindowifhehadnotbeatahurriedretreat。"
　　"Ishouldcertainlyhavekilledhim，madam，ifyouhadnotbeenpresent。"
　　"Averyprettycompliment，butIcanhardlybelievethatyouthoughtofmeinsuchamoment。"
　　Ididnotanswer，butcastmyeyesdown，andgaveadeepsigh。Sheobservedmynewring，andinordertochangethesubjectofconversationshepraisedM。D————R—————veryhighly，assoonasI
　　hadtoldherhowhehadofferedittome。Shedesiredmetogiveheranaccountofmylifeontheisland，andIdidso，butallowedmyprettyneedlewomentoremainunderaveil，forIhadalreadylearntthatinthisworldthetruthmustoftenremainuntold。
　　Allmyadventuresamusedhermuch，andshegreatlyadmiredmyconduct。
　　"Wouldyouhavethecourage，"shesaid，"torepeatallyouhavejusttoldme，andexactlyinthesameterms，beforetheproveditore—
　　generale？"
　　"Mostcertainly，madam，providedheaskedmehimself。"
　　"Well，then，preparetoredeemyourpromise。Iwantourexcellentgeneraltoloveyouandtobecomeyourwarmestprotector，soastoshieldyouagainsteveryinjusticeandtopromoteyouradvancement。
　　Leaveitalltome。"
　　Herreceptionfairlyoverwhelmedmewithhappiness，andonleavingherhouseIwenttoMajorMarolitofindoutthestateofmyfinances。Iwasgladtohearthataftermyescapehehadnolongerconsideredmeapartnerinthefarobank。Itookfourhundredsequinsfromthecashier，reservingtherighttobecomeagainapartner，shouldcircumstancesproveatanytimefavourable。
　　IntheeveningImadeacarefultoilet，andcalledfortheAdjutantMinoltoinordertopaywithhimavisittoMadameSagredo，thegeneral’sfavourite。WiththeexceptionofMadameF————shewasthegreatestbeautyofCorfu。Myvisitsurprisedher，because，asshehadbeenthecauseofallthathadhappened，shewasveryfarfromexpectingit。SheimaginedthatIhadaspiteagainsther。I
　　undeceivedher，speakingtoherverycandidly，andshetreatedmemostkindly，invitingmetocomenowandthentospendtheeveningatherhouse。
　　ButIneitheracceptednorrefusedheramiableinvitation，knowingthatMadameF————dislikedher；andhowcouldIbeafrequentguestatherhousewithsuchaknowledge！Besides，MadameSagredowasveryfondofgambling，and，topleaseher，itwasnecessaryeithertoloseormakeherwin，buttoacceptsuchconditionsonemustbeinlovewiththeladyorwishtomakeherconquest，andIhadnottheslightestideaofeither。TheAdjutantMinoltoneverplayed，buthehadcaptivatedthelady’sgoodgracesbyhisservicesinthecharacterofMercury。
　　WhenIreturnedtothepalaceIfoundMadameF————alone，M。D————
　　R—————beingengagedwithhiscorrespondence。Sheaskedmetositnearher，andtotellherallmyadventuresinConstantinople。Ididso，andIhadnooccasiontorepentit。MymeetingwithYusuf’swifepleasedherextremely，butthebathingscenebymoonlightmadeherblushwithexcitement。IveiledasmuchasIcouldthetoobrilliantcoloursofmypicture，but，ifshedidnotfindmeclear，shewouldobligemetobemoreexplicit，andifImademyselfbetterunderstoodbygivingtomyrecitalatouchofvoluptuousnesswhichIborrowedfromherlooksmorethanfrommyrecollection，shewouldscoldmeandtellmethatImighthavedisguisedalittlemore。Ifeltthatthewayshewastalkingwouldgiveheralikingforme，andIwassatisfiedthatthemanwhocangivebirthtoamorousdesiresiseasilycalledupontogratifythemitwastherewardIwasardentlylongingfor，andIdaredtohopeitwouldbemine，althoughIcouldseeitonlyloominginthedistance。
　　Ithappenedthat，onthatday，M。D————R—————hadinvitedalargecompanytosupper。Ihad，asamatterofcourse，toengrossallconversation，andtogivethefullestparticularsofallthathadtakenplacefromthemomentIreceivedtheordertoplacemyselfunderarrestuptothetimeofmyreleasefromthe’bastarda’。
　　M。Foscariwasseatednexttome，andthelastpartofmynarrativewasnot，Isuppose，particularlyagreeabletohim。
　　TheaccountIgaveofmyadventurespleasedeverybody，anditwasdecidedthattheproveditore—generalemusthavethepleasureofhearingmytalefrommyownlips。ImentionedthathaywasveryplentifulinCasopo，andasthatarticlewasveryscarceinCorfu，M。D————R—————toldmethatIoughttoseizetheopportunityofmakingmyselfagreeabletothegeneralbyinforminghimofthatcircumstancewithoutdelay。Ifollowedhisadvicetheverynextday，andwasverywellreceived，forhisexcellencyimmediatelyorderedasquadofmentogototheislandandbringlargequantitiesofhaytoCorfu。
　　AfewdayslatertheAdjutantMinoltocametomeinthecoffee—house，andtoldmethatthegeneralwishedtoseeme:thistimeIpromptlyobeyedhiscommands。
　　CHAPTERXV
　　ProgressofMyAmour——MyJourneytoOtranto——IEntertheServiceofMadameF。——AFortunateExcoriationTheroomIenteredwasfullofpeople。Hisexcellency，seeingme，smiledanddrewuponmetheattentionofallhisguestsbysayingaloud，"Herecomestheyoungmanwhoisagoodjudgeofprinces。"
　　"Mylord，Ihavebecomeajudgeofnobilitybyfrequentingthesocietyofmenlikeyou。"
　　"TheladiesarecurioustoknowallyouhavedonefromthetimeofyourescapefromCorfuuptoyourreturn。"
　　"Thenyousentenceme，monsignor，tomakeapublicconfession？"
　　"Exactly；but，asitistobeaconfession，becarefulnottoomitthemostinsignificantcircumstance，andsupposethatIamnotintheroom。"
　　"Onthecontrary，Iwishtoreceiveabsolutiononlyfromyourexcellency。Butmyhistorywillbealongone。"
　　"Ifsuchisthecase，yourconfessorgivesyoupermissiontobeseated。"
　　Igavealltheparticularsofmyadventures，withtheexceptionofmydalliancewiththenymphsoftheisland。
　　"Yourstoryisaveryinstructiveone，"observedthegeneral。
　　"Yes，mylord，fortheadventuresshewthatayoungmanisneversonearhisutterruinthanwhen，excitedbysomegreatpassion，hefindshimselfabletoministertoit，thankstothegoldinhispurse。"
　　Iwaspreparingtotakemyleave，whenthemajordomocametoinformmethathisexcellencydesiredmetoremaintosupper。Ihadthereforethehonourofaseatathistable，butnotthepleasureofeating，forIwasobligedtoanswerthequestionsaddressedtomefromallquarters，andIcouldnotcontrivetoswallowasinglemouthful。IwasseatednexttotheProto—PapaBulgari，andI
　　entreatedhispardonforhavingridiculedDeldimopulo’soracle。"Itisnothingelsebutregularcheating，"hesaid，"butitisverydifficulttoputastoptoit；itisanoldcustom。"
　　Ashorttimeafterwards，MadameF————whisperedafewwordstothegeneral，whoturnedtomeandsaidthathewouldbegladtohearmerelatewhathadoccurredtomeinConstantinoplewiththewifeoftheTurkYusuf，andatanotherfriend’shouse，whereIhadseenbathingbymoonlight。Iwasrathersurprisedatsuchaninvitation，andtoldhimthatsuchfrolicswerenotworthlisteningto，andthegeneralnotpressingmenomorewassaidaboutit。ButIwasastonishedatMadameF————’sindiscretion；shehadnobusinesstomakemyconfidencespublic。Iwantedhertobejealousofherowndignity，whichIlovedevenmorethanherperson。
　　Twoorthreedayslater，shesaidtome，"WhydidyourefusetotellyouradventuresinConstantinoplebeforethegeneral？"
　　"BecauseIdonotwisheverybodytoknowthatyouallowmetotellyousuchthings。WhatImaydare，madam，tosaytoyouwhenwearealone，Iwouldcertainlynotsaytoyouinpublic。"
　　"Andwhynot？Itseemstome，onthecontrary，thatifyouaresilentinpublicoutofrespectforme，yououghttobeallthemoresilentwhenwearealone。"
　　"Iwantedtoamuseyou，andhaveexposedmyselftothedangerofdispleasingyou，butIcanassureyou，madam，thatIwillnotrunsuchariskagain。"
　　"Ihavenowishtopryintoyourintentions，butitstrikesmethatifyourwishwastopleaseme，yououghtnottohaveruntheriskofobtainingtheoppositeresult。Wetakesupperwiththegeneralthisevening，andM。D————R—————hasbeenaskedtobringyou。IfeelcertainthatthegeneralwillaskyouagainforyouradventuresinConstantinople，andthistimeyoucannotrefusehim。"
　　M。D————R—————cameinandwewenttothegeneral’s。Ithoughtasweweredrivingalongthat，althoughMadameF————seemedtohaveintendedtohumiliateme，Ioughttoacceptitallasafavouroffortune，because，bycompellingmetoexplainmyrefusaltothegeneral；MadameF————had，atthesametime，compelledmetoadeclarationofmyfeelings，whichwasnotwithoutimportance。
　　The’proveditore—generale’gavemeafriendlywelcome，andkindlyhandedmealetterwhichhadcomewiththeofficialdispatchesfromConstantinople。Ibowedmythanks，andputtheletterinmypocket:
　　buthetoldmethathewashimselfagreatloverofnews，andthatI
　　couldreadmyletter。Iopenedit；itwasfromYusuf，whoannouncedthedeathofCountdeBonneval。HearingthenameoftheworthyYusuf，thegeneralaskedmetotellhimmyadventurewithhiswife。
　　Icouldnotnowrefuse，andIbeganastorywhichamusedandinterestedthegeneralandhisfriendsforanhourorso，butwhichwasfrombeginningtoendtheworkofmyimagination。
　　ThusIcontinuedtorespecttheprivacyofYusuf，toavoidimplicatingthegoodfameofMadameF————，andtoshewmyselfinalightwhichwastolerablyadvantageoustome。Mystory，whichwasfullofsentiment，didmeagreatdealofhonour，andIfeltveryhappywhenIsawfromtheexpressionofMadameF————’sfacethatshewaspleasedwithme，althoughsomewhatsurprised。
　　Whenwefoundourselvesagaininherhouseshetoldme，inthepresenceofM。D————R—————，thatthestoryIhadrelatedtothegeneralwascertainlyverypretty，althoughpurelyimaginary，thatshewasnotangrywithme，becauseIhadamusedher，butthatshecouldnothelpremarkingmyobstinacyinrefusingcompliancewithherwishes。Then，turningtoM。D————R—————，shesaid，"M。CasanovapretendsthatifhehadgivenanaccountofhismeetingwithYusuf’swifewithoutchanginganythingeverybodywouldthinkthatIallowedhimtoentertainmewithindecentstories。Iwantyoutogiveyouropinionaboutit。Willyou，"sheadded，speakingtome，"besogoodastorelateimmediatelytheadventureinthesamewordswhichyouhaveusedwhenyoutoldmeofit？"
　　"Yes，madam，ifyouwishmetodoso。"
　　Stungtothequickbyanindiscretionwhich，asIdidnotyetknowwomenthoroughly，seemedtomewithoutexample，Icastallfearsofdispleasingtothewinds，relatedtheadventurewithallthewarmthofanimpassionedpoet，andwithoutdisguisingorattenuatingintheleastthedesireswhichthecharmsoftheGreekbeautyhadinspiredmewith。
　　"Doyouthink，"saidM。D————R—————toMadameF—————，"thatheoughttohaverelatedthatadventurebeforeallourfriendsashehasjustrelatedittous？"
　　"Ifitbewrongforhimtotellitinpublic，itisalsowrongtotellittomeinprivate。"
　　"Youaretheonlyjudgeofthat:yes，ifhehasdispleasedyou；no，ifhehasamusedyou。Asformyownopinion，hereitis:Hehasjustnowamusedmeverymuch，buthewouldhavegreatlydispleasedmeifhehadrelatedthesameadventureinpublic。"
　　"Then，"exclaimedMadameF————，"Imustrequestyounevertotellmeinprivateanythingthatyoucannotrepeatinpublic。"
　　"Ipromise，madam，toactalwaysaccordingtoyourwishes。"
　　"Itbeingunderstood，"addedM。D————R—————，smiling，"thatmadamreservesallrightsofrepealingthatorderwhenevershemaythinkfit。"
　　Iwasvexed，butIcontrivednottoshowit。Afewminutesmore，andwetookleaveofMadameF————
　　Iwasbeginningtounderstandthatcharmingwoman，andtodreadtheordealtowhichshewouldsubjectme。Butlovewasstrongerthanfear，and，fortifiedwithhope，Ihadthecouragetoendurethethorns，soastogathertheroseattheendofmysufferings。IwasparticularlypleasedtofindthatM。D————R—————wasnotjealousofme，evenwhensheseemedtodarehimtoit。Thiswasapointofthegreatestimportance。
　　Afewdaysafterwards，asIwasentertainingheronvarioussubjects，sheremarkedhowunfortunateithadbeenformetoenterthelazzarettoatAnconawithoutanymoney。
　　"Inspiteofmydistress，"Isaid，"IfellinlovewithayoungandbeautifulGreekslave，whoverynearlycontrivedtomakemebreakthroughallthesanitarylaws。"
　　"Howso？"
　　"Youarealone，madam，andIhavenotforgottenyourorders。"
　　"Isitaveryimproperstory？"
　　"No:yetIwouldnotrelateittoyouinpublic。"
　　"Well，"shesaid，laughing，"Irepealmyorder，asM。D————R—————
　　saidIwould。Tellmeallaboutit。"
　　Itoldmystory，and，seeingthatshewaspensive，IexaggeratedthemiseryIhadfeltatnotbeingabletocompletemyconquest。
　　"Whatdoyoumeanbyyourmisery？Ithinkthatthepoorgirlwasmoretobepitiedthanyou。Youhaveneverseenhersince？"
　　"Ibegyourpardon，madam；Imetheragain，butIdarenottellyouwhenorhow。"
　　"Nowyoumustgoon；itisallnonsenseforyoutostop。Tellmeall；Iexpectyouhavebeenguiltyofsomeblackdeed。"
　　"Veryfarfromit，madam，foritwasaverysweet，althoughincomplete，enjoyment。"
　　"Goon！Butdonotcallthingsexactlybytheirnames。Itisnotnecessarytogointodetails。"
　　Emboldenedbytherenewalofherorder，Itoldher，withoutlookingherintheface，ofmymeetingwiththeGreekslaveinthepresenceofBellino，andoftheactwhichwascutshortbytheappearanceofhermaster。WhenIhadfinishedmystory，MadameF————remainedsilent，andIturnedtheconversationintoadifferentchannel，forthoughIfeltmyselfonanexcellentfootingwithher，IknewlikewisethatIhadtoproceedwithgreatprudence。Shewastooyoungtohaveloweredherselfbefore，andshewouldcertainlylookuponaconnectionwithmeasaloweringofherdignity。
　　Fortunewhichhadalwayssmileduponmeinthemosthopelesscases，didnotintendtoill—treatmeonthisoccasion，andprocuredme，onthatverysameday，afavourofaverypeculiarnature。Mycharmingladylovehavingprickedherfingerratherseverely，screamedloudly，andstretchedherhandtowardsme，entreatingmetosuckthebloodflowingfromthewound。Youmayjudge，dearreader，whetherIwaslonginseizingthatbeautifulhand，andifyouare，orifyouhaveeverbeeninlove，youwilleasilyguessthemannerinwhichI
　　performedmydelightfulwork。Whatisakiss？Isitnotanardentdesiretoinhaleaportionofthebeingwelove？WasnotthebloodI
　　wassuckingfromthatcharmingwoundaportionofthewomanI
　　worshipped？WhenIhadcompletedmywork，shethankedmeaffectionately，andtoldmetospitoutthebloodIhadsucked。
　　"Itishere，"Isaid，placingmyhandonmyheart，"andGodaloneknowswhathappinessithasgivenme。"
　　"Youhavedrunkmybloodwithhappiness！Areyouthenacannibal？"
　　"Ibelievenot，madam；butitwouldhavebeensacrilegeinmyeyesifIhadsufferedonesingledropofyourbloodtobelost。"
　　Oneevening，therewasanunusuallylargeattendanceatM。D————
　　R—————’sassembly，andweweretalkingofthecarnivalwhichwasnearathand。Everybodywasregrettingthelackofactors，andtheimpossibilityofenjoyingthepleasuresofthetheatre。I
　　immediatelyofferedtoprocureagoodcompanyatmyexpense，iftheboxeswereatoncesubscribedfor，andthemonopolyofthefarobankgrantedtome。Notimewastobelost，forthecarnivalwasapproaching，andIhadtogotoOtrantotoengageatroop。Myproposalwasacceptedwithgreatjoy，andtheproveditore—generaleplacedafeluccaatmydisposal。Theboxeswerealltakeninthreedays，andaJewtookthepit，twonightsaweekexcepted，whichI
　　reservedformyownprofit。
　　Thecarnivalbeingverylongthatyear，Ihadeverychanceofsuccess。Itissaidgenerallythattheprofessionoftheatricalmanagerisdifficult，but，ifthatisthecase，Ihavenotfounditsobyexperience，andamboundtoaffirmthecontrary。