CHAPTERVII
MyBlundersintheFrenchLanguage，MySuccess，MyNumerousAcquaintances——LouisXV。——MyBrotherArrivesinParis。
AlltheItalianactorsinParisinsisteduponentertainingme，inordertoshewmetheirmagnificence，andtheyalldiditinasumptuousstyle。CarlinBertinazziwhoplayedHarlequin，andwasagreatfavouriteoftheParisians，remindedmethathehadalreadyseenmethirteenyearsbeforeinPadua，atthetimeofhisreturnfromSt。Petersburgwithmymother。HeofferedmeanexcellentdinneratthehouseofMadamedelaCaillerie，wherehelodged。Thatladywasinlovewithhim。IcomplimentedheruponfourcharmingchildrenwhomIsawinthehouse。Herhusband，whowaspresent，saidtome；
"TheyareM。Carlin’schildren。"
"Thatmaybe，sir，butyoutakecareofthem，andastheygobyyourname，ofcoursetheywillacknowledgeyouastheirfather。"
"Yes，Ishouldbesolegally；butM。CarlinistoohonestamannottoassumethecareofhischildrenwheneverImaywishtogetridofthem。Heiswellawarethattheybelongtohim，andmywifewouldbethefirsttocomplainifheeverdeniedit。"
Themanwasnotwhatiscalledagood，easyfellow，farfromit；buthetookthematterinaphilosophicalway，andspokeofitwithcalm，andevenwithasortofdignity。HewasattachedtoCarlinbyawarmfriendship，andsuchthingswerethenverycommoninParisamongstpeopleofacertainclass。Twonoblemen，BoufflersandLuxembourg，hadmadeafriendlyexchangeofeachother’swives，andeachhadchildrenbytheother’swife。TheyoungBoufflerswerecalledLuxembourg，andtheyoungLuxembourgwerecalledBoufflers。ThedescendantsofthosetierceletsareevennowknowninFranceunderthosenames。Well，thosewhowereinthesecretofthatdomesticcomedylaughed，asamatterofcourse，anditdidnotpreventtheearthfrommovingaccordingtothelawsofgravitation。
ThemostwealthyoftheItaliancomediansinPariswasPantaloon，thefatherofCoralineandCamille，andawell—knownusurer。Healsoinvitedmetodinewithhisfamily，andIwasdelightedwithhistwodaughters。Theeldest，Coraline，waskeptbythePrinceofMonaco，sonoftheDukeofValentinois，whowasstillalive；andCamillewasenamouredoftheCountofMelfort，thefavouriteoftheDuchessofChartres，whohadjustbecomeDuchessofOrleansbythedeathofherfather—in—law。
CoralinewasnotsosprightlyasCamille，butshewasprettier。I
begantomakelovetoherasayoungmanofnoconsequence，andathourswhichIthoughtwouldnotattractattention:butallhoursbelongbyrighttotheestablishedlover，andIthereforefoundmyselfsometimeswithherwhenthePrinceofMonacocalledtoseeher。AtfirstIwouldbowtotheprinceandwithdraw，butafterwardsIwasaskedtoremain，forasageneralthingprincesfindatete—a—
tetewiththeirmistressesratherwearisome。Thereforeweusedtosuptogether，andtheybothlistened，whileitwasmyprovincetoeat，andtorelatestories。
Ibethoughtmyselfofpayingmycourttotheprince，andhereceivedmyadvancesverywell。Onemorning，asIcalledonCoraline，hesaidtome，"Ah！Iamverygladtoseeyou，forIhavepromisedtheDuchessofRufetopresentyoutoher，andwecangotoherimmediately。"
Againaduchess！Mystarisdecidedlyintheascendant。Well，letusgo！Wegotintoa’diable’，asortofvehiclethenveryfashionable，andateleveno’clockinthemorningwewereintroducedtotheduchess。
Dearreader，ifIweretopaintitwithafaithfulpen，myportraitofthatlustfulvixenwouldfrightenyou。Imaginesixtywintersheapeduponafaceplasteredwithrouge，ablotchedandpimpledcomplexion，emaciatedandgauntfeatures，alltheuglinessoflibertinismstampeduponthecountenanceofthatcreaturerelininguponthesofa。Assoonassheseesme，sheexclaimswithrapidjoy，"Ah！thisisagood—lookingman！Prince，itisveryamiableonyourparttobringhimtome。Comeandsitnearme，myfinefellow！"
Iobeyedrespectfully，butanoxioussmellofmusk，whichseemedtomealmostcorpse—like，nearlyupsetme。Theinfamousduchesshadraisedherselfonthesofaandexposedallthenakednessofthemostdisgustingbosom，whichwouldhavecausedthemostcourageousmantodrawback。Theprince，pretendingtohavesomeengagement，leftus，sayingthathewouldsendhiscarriageformeinashorttime。
Assoonaswewerealone，theplasteredskeletonthrustitsarmsforward，and，withoutgivingmetimetoknowwhatIwasabout，thecreaturegavemeahorriblekiss，andthenoneofherhandsbegantostraywiththemostbare—facedindecency。
"Letmesee，myfinecock，"shesaid，"ifyouhaveafine……"
Iwasshuddering，andresistedtheattempt。
"Well，well！Whatababyyouare！"saidthedisgustingMessaline；
"areyousuchanovice？"
"No，madam；but……"
"Butwhat？"
"Ihave……"
"Oh，thevillain！"sheexclaimed，loosingherhold；"whatwasIgoingtoexposemyselfto！"
Iavailedmyselfoftheopportunity，snatchedmyhat，andtooktomyheels，afraidlestthedoor—keepershouldstopme。
ItookacoachanddrovetoCoraline’s，whereIrelatedtheadventure。Shelaughedheartily，andagreedwithmethattheprincehadplayedmeanastytrick。ShepraisedthepresenceofmindwithwhichIhadinventedanimpediment，butshedidnotgivemeanopportunityofprovingtoherthatIhaddeceivedtheduchess。
YetIwasnotwithouthope，andsuspectedthatshedidnotthinkmesufficientlyenamouredofher。
Threeorfourdaysafterwards，however，aswehadsuppertogetherandalone，Itoldhersomanythings，andIaskedhersoclearlytomakemehappyorelsetodismissme，thatshegavemeanappointmentforthenextday。
"To—morrow，"shesaid，"theprincegoestoVersailles，andhewillnotreturnuntilthedayafter；wewillgotogethertothewarrentohuntferrets，andhavenodoubtweshallcomebacktoParispleasedwithoneanother。"
"Thatisright。"
Thenextdayatteno’clockwetookacoach，butaswewerenearingthegateofthecityavis—a—vis，withservantsinaforeignliverycametiptous，andthepersonwhowasinitcalledout，"Stop！
Stop！"
ThepersonwastheChevalierdeWurtemburg，who，withoutdeigningtocastevenoneglanceonme，begantosaysweetwordstoCoraline，andthrustinghisheadentirelyoutofhiscarriagehewhisperedtoher。
Sheansweredhimlikewiseinawhisper；thentakingmyhand，shesaidtome，laughingly，"Ihavesomeimportantbusinesswiththisprince；gotothewarrenalone，mydearfriend，enjoythehunt，andcometometo—morrow。"
Andsayingthosewordsshegotout，tookherseatinthevis—a—vis，andIfoundmyselfverymuchinthepositionofLot’swife，butnotmotionless。
Dearreader，ifyouhaveeverbeeninsuchapredicamentyouwilleasilyrealizetheragewithwhichIwaspossessed:ifyouhaveneverbeenservedinthatway，somuchthebetterforyou，butitisuselessformetotrytogiveyouanideaofmyanger；youwouldnotunderstandme。
Iwasdisgustedwiththecoach，andIjumpedoutofit，tellingthedrivertogotothedevil。Itookthefirsthackwhichhappenedtopass，anddrovestraighttoPatu’shouse，towhomIrelatedmyadventure，almostfoamingwithrage。Butveryfarfrompityingmeorsharingmyanger，Patu，muchwiser，laughedandsaid，"Iwishwithallmyheartthatthesamethingmighthappentome；foryouarecertainofpossessingourbeautifulCoralinetheveryfirsttimeyouarewithher。"
"Iwouldnothaveher，fornowIdespiseherheartily。""Yourcontemptoughttohavecomesooner。But，nowthatistoolatetodiscussthematter，Iofferyou，asacompensation，adinnerattheHotelduRoule。"
"Mostdecidedlyyes；itisanexcellentidea。Letusgo。"
TheHotelduRoulewasfamousinParis，andIhadnotbeenthereyet。
Thewomanwhokeptithadfurnishedtheplacewithgreatelegance，andshealwayshadtwelveorfourteenwell—chosennymphs，withalltheconveniencesthatcouldbedesired。Goodcooking，goodbeds，cleanliness，solitaryandbeautifulgroves。Hercookwasanartist，andherwine—cellarexcellent。HernamewasMadameParis；probablyanassumedname，butitwasgoodenoughforthepurpose。Protectedbythepolice，shewasfarenoughfromParistobecertainthatthosewhovisitedherliberallyappointedestablishmentwereabovethemiddleclass。Everythingwasstrictlyregulatedinherhouseandeverypleasurewastaxedatareasonabletariff。Thepricesweresixfrancsforabreakfastwithanymph，twelvefordinner，andtwicethatsumtospendawholenight。Ifoundthehouseevenbetterthanitsreputation，andbyfarsuperiortothewarren。
Wetookacoach，andPatusaidtothedriver，"ToChaillot。"
"Iunderstand，yourhonour。"
Afteradriveofhalfanhour，westoppedbeforeagateonwhichcouldberead，"HotelduRoule。"
Thegatewasclosed。Aporter，sportinglongmustachioes，cameoutthroughaside—doorandgravelyexaminedus。Hewasmostlikelypleasedwithourappearance，forthegatewasopenedandwewentin。
Awoman，blindofoneeye，aboutfortyyearsold，butwitharemnantofbeauty，cameup，saluteduspolitely，andenquiredwhetherwewishedtohavedinner。Ouranswerbeingaffirmative，shetookustoafineroominwhichwefoundfourteenyoungwomen，allveryhandsome，anddressedalikeinmuslin。Asweenteredtheroom，theyroseandmadeusagracefulreverence；theywereallaboutthesameage，somewithlighthair，somewithdark；everytastecouldbesatisfied。Wepassedtheminreview，addressingafewwordstoeach，andmadeourchoice。Thetwowechosescreamedforjoy，kisseduswithavoluptuousnesswhichanovicemighthavemistakenforlove，andtookustothegardenuntildinnerwouldbeready。Thatgardenwasverylargeandartisticallyarrangedtoministertothepleasuresoflove。MadameParissaidtous，"Go，gentlemen，enjoythefreshairwithperfectsecurityineveryway；myhouseisthetempleofpeaceandofgoodhealth。"
ThegirlIhadchosenwassomethinglikeCoraline，andthatmademefindherdelightful。Butinthemidstofouramorousoccupationswewerecalledtodinner。Wewerewellserved，andthedinnerhadgivenusnewstrength，whenoursingle—eyedhostesscame，watchinhand，toannouncethattimewasup。Pleasureatthe"HotelduRoule"wasmeasuredbythehour。
IwhisperedtoPatu，and，afterafewphilosophicalconsiderations，addressinghimselftomadamelagouvernante，hesaidtoher，"Wewillhaveadoubledose，andofcoursepaydouble。"
"Youarequitewelcome，gentlemen。"
Wewentupstairs，andafterwehadmadeourchoiceasecondtime，werenewedourpromenadeinthegarden。Butoncemoreweweredisagreeablysurprisedbythestrictpunctualityoftheladyofthehouse。"Indeed！thisistoomuchofagoodthing，madam。"
"Letusgoupforthethirdtime，makeathirdchoice，andpassthewholenighthere。"
"AdelightfulideawhichIacceptwithallmyheart。"
"DoesMadameParisapproveourplan？"
"Icouldnothavedevisedabetterone，gentlemen；itisamasterpiece。"
Whenwewereintheroom，andafterwehadmadeanewchoice，thegirlslaughedatthefirstoneswhohadnotcontrivedtocaptivateus，andbywayofrevengethesegirlstoldtheircompanionsthatwewerelankyfellows。
ThistimeIwasindeedastonishedatmyownchoice。IhadtakenatrueAspasia，andIthankedmystarsthatIhadpassedherbythefirsttwotimes，asIhadnowthecertaintyofpossessingherforfourteenhours。Thatbeauty’snamewasSaintHilaire；andunderthatnameshebecamefamousinEngland，whereshefollowedarichlordtheyearafter。Atfirst，vexedbecauseIhadnotremarkedherbefore，shewasproudanddisdainful；butIsoonprovedtoherthatitwasfortunatethatmyfirstorsecondchoicehadnotfallenonher，asshewouldnowremainlongerwithme。Shethenbegantolaugh，andshewedherselfveryagreeable。
Thatgirlhadwit，educationandtalent—everything，infact，thatisneedfultosucceedintheprofessionshehadadopted。DuringthesupperPatutoldmeinItalianthathewasonthepointoftakingherattheverymomentIchoseher，andthenextmorningheinformedmethathehadsleptquietlyallnight。TheSaintHilairewashighlypleasedwithme，andsheboastedofitbeforehercompanions。ShewasthecauseofmypayingseveralvisitstotheHotelduRoule，andallforher；shewasveryproudofmyconstancy。
ThosevisitsverynaturallycooledmyardourforCoraline。AsingerfromVenice，calledGuadani，handsome，athoroughmusician，andverywitty，contrivedtocaptivateheraffectionsthreeweeksaftermyquarrelwithher。Thehandsomefellow，whowasamanonlyinappearance，inflamedherwithcuriosityifnotwithlove，andcausedarupturewiththeprince，whocaughtherintheveryact。ButCoralinemanagedtocoaxhimback，and，ashorttimeafter，areconciliationtookplacebetweenthem，andsuchagoodone，thatababewastheconsequenceofit；agirl，whomtheprincenamedAdelaide，andtowhomhegaveadowry。Afterthedeathofhisfather，theDukeofValentinois，theprinceleftheraltogetherandmarriedMlle。deBrignole，fromGenoa。CoralinebecamethemistressofCountdelaMarche，nowPrincedeConti。Coralineisnowdead，aswellasasonwhomshehadbythecount，andwhomhisfathernamedCountdeMonreal。
MadamelaDauphinewasdeliveredofaprincess，whoreceivedthetitleofMadamedeFrance。
InthemonthofAugusttheRoyalAcademyhadanexhibitionattheLouvre，andastherewasnotasinglebattlepieceIconceivedtheideaofsummoningmybrothertoParis。HewastheninVenice，andhehadgreattalentinthatparticularstyle。Passorelli，theonlypainterofbattlesknowninFrance，wasdead，andIthoughtthatFrancoismightsucceedandmakeafortune。IthereforewrotetoM。
Grimaniandtomybrother；Ipersuadedthemboth，butFrancoisdidnotcometoParistillthebeginningofthefollowingyear。
LouisXV。，whowaspassionatelyfondofhunting，wasinthehabitofspendingsixweekseveryyearattheChateauofFontainebleau。HealwaysreturnedtoVersaillestowardsthemiddleofNovember。Thattripcosthim，orrathercostFrance，fivemillionsoffrancs。Healwaystookwithhimallthatcouldcontributetotheamusementoftheforeignambassadorsandofhisnumerouscourt。HewasfollowedbytheFrenchandtheItaliancomedians，andbytheactorsandactressesoftheopera。
DuringthosesixweeksFontainebleauwasmorebrilliantthanVersailles；nevertheless，theartistsattachedtothetheatresweresonumerousthattheOpera，theFrenchandItalianComedies，remainedopeninParis。
Baletti’sfather，whohadrecoveredhishealth，wastogotoFontainebleauwithSilviaandallhisfamily。Theyinvitedmetoaccompanythem，andtoacceptalodginginahousehiredbythem。
Itwasasplendidopportunity；theyweremyfriends，andIaccepted，forIcouldnothavemetwithabetteroccasiontoseethecourtandalltheforeignministers。IpresentedmyselftoM。deMorosini，nowProcuratoratSt。Mark’s，andthenambassadorfromtheRepublictotheFrenchcourt。
Thefirstnightoftheoperahegavemepermissiontoaccompanyhim；
themusicwasbyLulli。IhadaseatinthepitpreciselyundertheprivateboxofMadamedePompadour，whomIdidnotknow。DuringthefirstscenethecelebratedLeMaurgaveascreamsoshrillandsounexpectedthatIthoughtshehadgonemad。Iburstintoagenuinelaugh，notsupposingthatanyonecouldpossiblyfindfaultwithit。
ButaknightoftheOrderoftheHolyGhost，whowasneartheMarquisedePompadour，drylyaskedmewhatcountryIcamefrom。I
answered，inthesametone，"FromVenice。"
"Ihavebeenthere，andhavelaughedheartilyattherecitativeinyouroperas。"
"Ibelieveyou，sir，andIfeelcertainthatnooneeverthoughtofobjectingtoyourlaughing。"
Myanswer，ratherasharpone，madeMadamedePompadourlaugh，andsheaskedmewhetherItrulycamefromdownthere。
"Whatdoyoumeanbydownthere？"
"ImeanVenice。"
"Venice，madam，isnotdownthere，butupthere。"
Thatanswerwasfoundmoresingularthanthefirst，andeverybodyintheboxheldaconsultationinordertoascertainwhetherVenicewasdownorup。MostlikelytheythoughtIwasright，forIwasleftalone。Nevertheless，Ilistenedtotheoperawithoutlaughing；butasIhadaverybadcoldIblewmynoseoften。Thesamegentlemanaddressinghimselfagaintome，remarkedthatverylikelythewindowsofmyroomdidnotclosewell。Thatgentleman，whowasunknowntomewastheMarechaldeRichelieu。Itoldhimhewasmistaken，formywindowswerewell’calfoutrees’。Everyoneintheboxburstintoaloudlaugh，andIfeltmortified，forIknewmymistake；Ioughttohavesaid’calfeutrees’。Butthese’eus’and’ous’causediremiserytoallforeigners。
HalfanhourafterwardsM。deRichelieuaskedmewhichofthetwoactressespleasedmemostbyherbeauty。
"Thatone，sir。"
"Butshehasuglylegs。"
"Theyarenotseen，sir；besides，wheneverIexaminethebeautyofawoman，’lapremierechosequej’ecarte，cesontlesjambes’。"
Thatwordsaidquitebychance，andthedoublemeaningofwhichIdidnotunderstand，madeatonceanimportantpersonageofme，andeverybodyintheboxofMadamedePompadourwascurioustoknowme。
ThemarshallearnedwhoIwasfromM。deMorosini，whotoldmethatthedukewouldbehappytoreceiveme。My’jeudemots’becamecelebrated，andthemarshalhonouredmewithaverygraciouswelcome。
Amongtheforeignministers，theonetowhomIattachedmyselfmostwasLordKeith，MarshalofScotlandandambassadoroftheKingofPrussia。Ishallhaveoccasiontospeakofhim。
ThedayaftermyarrivalinFontainebleauIwentalonetothecourt，andIsawLouisXV。，thehandsomeking，gotothechapelwiththeroyalfamilyandalltheladiesofthecourt，whosurprisedmebytheiruglinessasmuchastheladiesofthecourtofTurinhadastonishedmebytheirbeauty。YetinthemidstofsomanyuglyonesIfoundoutaregularbeauty。Ienquiredwhoshewas。
"Sheis，"answeredoneofmyneighbours，"MadamedeBrionne，moreremarkablebyhervirtueeventhanbyherbeauty。Notonlyistherenoscandalousstorytoldabouther，butshehasnevergivenanyopportunitytoscandal—mongersofinventinganyadventureofwhichshewastheheroine。"
"Perhapsheradventuresarenotknown。"
"Ah，monsieur！atthecourteverythingisknown。"
Iwentaboutalone，saunteringthroughtheapartments，whensuddenlyImetadozenuglyladieswhoseemedtoberunningratherthanwalking；theywerestandingsobadlyupontheirlegsthattheyappearedasiftheywouldfallforwardontheirfaces。Somegentlemanhappenedtobenearme，curiosityimpelledmetoenquirewheretheywerecomingfrom，andwheretheyweregoinginsuchhaste。
"Theyarecomingfromtheapartmentofthequeenwhoisgoingtodine，andthereasonwhytheywalksobadlyisthattheirshoeshaveheelssixincheshigh，whichcompelthemtowalkontheirtoesandwithbentkneesinordertoavoidfallingontheirfaces。"
"Butwhydotheynotwearlowerheels？"
"Itisthefashion。"
"Whatastupidfashion！"
Itookagalleryatrandom，andsawthekingpassingalong，leaningwithonearmontheshoulderofM。d’Argenson。"Oh，baseservility！"
Ithoughttomyself。"Howcanamanmakeuphismindthustobeartheyoke，andhowcanamanbelievehimselfsomuchaboveallothersastotakesuchunwarrantableliberties！"
LouisXV。hadthemostmagnificentheaditwaspossibletosee，andhecarrieditwithasmuchgraceasmajesty。Neverdideventhemostskilfulpaintersucceedinrenderingjusticetotheexpressionofthatbeautifulhead，whenthekingturneditononesidetolookwithkindnessatanyone。Hisbeautyandgracecompelledloveatonce。AsIsawhim，IthoughtIhadfoundtheidealmajestywhichIhadbeensosurprisednottofindinthekingofSardinia，andIcouldnotentertainadoubtofMadamedePompadourhavingbeeninlovewiththekingwhenshesuedforhisroyalattention。Iwasgreatlymistaken，perhaps，butsuchathoughtwasnaturalinlookingatthecountenanceofLouisXV。
IreachedasplendidroominwhichIsawseveralcourtierswalkingabout，andatablelargeenoughfortwelvepersons，butlaidoutonlyforone。
"Forwhomisthistable？"
"Forthequeen。Hermajestyisnowcomingin。"
ItwasthequeenofFrance，withoutrouge，andverysimplydressed；
herheadwascoveredwithalargecap；shelookedoldanddevout。
Whenshewasnearthetable，shegraciouslythankedtwonunswhowereplacingaplatewithfreshbutteronit。Shesatdown，andimmediatelythecourtiersformedasemicirclewithinfiveyardsofthetable；Iremainednearthem，imitatingtheirrespectfulsilence。
Hermajestybegantoeatwithoutlookingatanyone，keepinghereyesonherplate。Oneofthedishesbeingtohertaste，shedesiredtobehelpedtoitasecondtime，andshethencasthereyesroundthecircleofcourtiers，probablyinordertoseeifamongthemtherewasanyonetowhomsheowedanaccountofherdaintiness。Shefoundthatperson，Isuppose，forshesaid，"MonsieurdeLowendal！"
Atthatname，afine—lookingmancameforwardwithrespectfulinclination，andsaid，"Yourmajesty？"
"Ibelievethisisafricasseeofchickens。"
"Iamofthesameopinion，madam。"
Afterthisanswer，giveninthemostserioustone，thequeencontinuedeating，andthemarshalretreatedbackwardtohisoriginalplace。Thequeenfinishedherdinnerwithoututteringasingleword，andretiredtoherapartmentsthesamewayasshehadcome。I
thoughtthatifsuchwasthewaythequeenofFrancetookallhermeals，Iwouldnotsueforthehonourofbeingherguest。
IwasdelightedtohaveseenthefamouscaptainwhohadconqueredBergen—op—Zoom，butIregrettedthatsuchamanshouldbecompelledtogiveanansweraboutafricasseeofchickensintheserioustoneofajudgepronouncingasentenceofdeath。
ImadegooduseofthisanecdoteattheexcellentdinnerSilviagavetotheeliteofpoliteandagreeablesociety。
Afewdaysafterwards，asIwasformingalinewithacrowdofcourtierstoenjoytheevernewpleasureofseeingthekinggotomass，apleasuretowhichmustbeaddedtheadvantageoflookingatthenakedandentirelyexposedarmsandbosomsofMesdamesdeFrance，hisdaughters，IsuddenlyperceivedtheCavamacchia，whomIhadleftinCesenaunderthenameofMadameQuerini。IfIwasastonishedtoseeher，shewasasmuchsoinmeetingmeinsuchaplace。TheMarquisofSaintSimon，premier’gentilhomme’ofthePrincedeConde，escortedher。
"MadameQueriniinFontainebleau？"
"Youhere？ItremindsmeofQueenElizabethsaying，"’Pauperubiquefacet。’"
"Anexcellentcomparison，madam。"
"Iamonlyjoking，mydearfriend；Iamheretoseetheking，whodoesnotknowme；butto—morrowtheambassadorwillpresentmetohismajesty。"
Sheplacedherselfinthelinewithinayardortwofromme，besidethedoorbywhichthekingwastocome。HismajestyenteredthegallerywithM。deRichelieu，andlookedattheso—calledMadameQuerini。Butsheverylikelydidnottakehisfancy，for，continuingtowalkon，headdressedtothemarshaltheseremarkablewords，whichJuliettemusthaveoverheard，"Wehavehandsomerwomenhere。"
IntheafternoonIcalledupontheVenetianambassador。Ifoundhiminnumerouscompany，withMadameQuerinisittingonhisright。Sheaddressedmeinthemostflatteringandfriendlymanner；itwasextraordinaryconductonthepartofagiddywomanwhohadnocausetolikeme，forshewasawarethatIknewherthoroughly，andthatI
hadmasteredhervanity；butasIunderstoodhermanoeuvringImadeupmymindnottodisobligeher，andeventorenderherallthegoodofficesIcould；itwasanoblerevenge。
AsshewasspeakingofM。Querini，theambassadorcongratulatedheruponhermarriagewithhim，sayingthathewasgladM。Querinihadrenderedjusticetohermerit，andadding，"Iwasnotawareofyourmarriage。"
"Yetittookplacemorethantwoyearssince，"saidJuliette。
"Iknowitforafact，"Isaid，inmyturn；"for，twoyearsago，theladywasintroducedasMadameQueriniandwiththetitleofexcellencybyGeneralSpadatoallthenobilityinCesena，whereI
wasatthattime。"
"Ihavenodoubtofit，"answeredtheambassador，fixinghiseyesuponme，"forQuerinihashimselfwrittentomeonthesubject。"
Afewminutesafterwards，asIwaspreparingtotakemyleave，theambassador，underpretenseofsomelettersthecontentsofwhichhewishedtocommunicatetome，invitedmetocomeintohisprivateroom，andheaskedmewhatpeoplegenerallythoughtofthemarriageinVenice。
"Nobodyknowsit，anditisevenrumouredthattheheirofthehouseofQueriniisonthepointofmarryingadaughteroftheGrimanifamily；butIshallcertainlysendthenewstoVenice。"
"Whatnews？"
"ThatJulietteistrulyMadameQuerini，sinceyourexcellencywillpresentherassuchtoLouisXV。"
"Whotoldyouso？"
"Shedid。"
"Perhapsshehasalteredhermind。"
IrepeatedtotheambassadorthewordswhichthekinghadsaidtoM。deRichelieuafterlookingatJuliette。
"ThenIcanguess，"remarkedtheambassador，"whyJuliettedoesnotwishtobepresentedtotheking。"
IwasinformedsometimeafterwardsthatM。deSaintQuentin，theking’sconfidentialminister，hadcalledaftermassonthehandsomeVenetian，andhadtoldherthatthekingofFrancehadmostcertainlyverybadtaste，becausehehadnotthoughtherbeautysuperiortothatofseveralladiesofhiscourt。JulietteleftFontainebleauthenextmorning。
InthefirstpartofmyMemoirsIhavespokenofJuliette’sbeauty；
shehadawonderfulcharminhercountenance，butshehadalreadyusedheradvantagestoolong，andherbeautywasbeginningtofadewhenshearrivedinFontainebleau。
ImetheragaininParisattheambassador’s，andshetoldmewithalaughthatshehadonlybeeninjestwhenshecalledherselfMadameQuerini，andthatIshouldobligeherifforthefutureIwouldcallherbyherrealnameofCountessPreati。SheinvitedmetovisitherattheHoteldeLuxembourg，whereshewasstaying。Ioftencalledonher，forherintriguesamusedme，butIwaswiseenoughnottomeddlewiththem。
SheremainedinParisfourmonths，andcontrivedtoinfatuateM。
Ranchi，secretaryoftheVenetianEmbassy，anamiableandlearnedman。Hewassodeeplyinlovethathehadmadeuphismindtomarryher；butthroughacapricewhichshe，perhaps，regrettedafterwards，sheill—treatedhim，andthefooldiedofgrief。CountdeCanes。
ambassadorofMariaTheresa，hadsomeinclinationforher，aswellastheCountofZinzendorf。Thepersonwhoarrangedthesetransientandshort—livedintrigueswasacertainGuasco，anabbenotover—favouredwiththegiftsofPlutus。Hewasparticularlyugly，andhadtopurchasesmallfavourswithgreatservices。
ButthemanwhomshereallywishedtomarrywasCountSaintSimon。
Hewouldhavemarriedherifshehadnotgivenhimfalseaddressestomakeenquiriesrespectingherbirth。ThePreatifamilyofVeronadeniedallknowledgeofher，asamatterofcourse，andM。deSaintSimon，who，inspiteofallhislove，hadnotentirelylosthissenses，hadthecouragetoabandonher。Altogether，Parisdidnotprovean’eldorado’formyhandsomecountrywoman，forshewasobligedtopledgeherdiamonds，andtoleavethembehindher。AfterherreturntoVeniceshemarriedthesonoftheUccelli，whosixteenyearsbeforehadtakenheroutofherpoverty。Shediedtenyearsago。
IwasstilltakingmyFrenchlessonswithmygoodoldCrebillon；yetmystyle，whichwasfullofItalianisms，oftenexpressedtheveryreverseofwhatImeanttosay。Butgenerallymy’quidproquos’
onlyresultedincuriousjokeswhichmademyfortune；andthebestofitisthatmygibberishdidmenoharmonthescoreofwit:onthecontrary，itprocuredmefineacquaintances。
SeveralladiesofthebestsocietybeggedmetoteachthemItalian，sayingthatitwouldaffordthemtheopportunityofteachingmeFrench；insuchanexchangeIalwayswonmorethantheydid。
MadamePreodot，whowasoneofmypupils，receivedmeonemorning；
shewasstillinbed，andtoldmethatshedidnotfeeldisposedtohavealesson，becauseshehadtakenmedicinethenightprevious。
FoolishlytranslatinganItalianidiom，Iaskedher，withanairofdeepinterest，whethershehadwell’decharge’？
"Sir，whataquestion！Youareunbearable。"
Irepeatedmyquestion；shebrokeoutangrilyagain。
"Neverutterthatdreadfulword。"
"Youarewrongingettingangry；itistheproperword。"
"Averydirtyword，sir，butenoughaboutit。Willyouhavesomebreakfast？"
"No，Ithankyou。Ihavetakena’caf？andtwo’Savoyards’。"
"Dearme！Whataferociousbreakfast！Pray，explainyourself。"
"IsaythatIhavedrunkacaf？andeatentwoSavoyardssoakedinit，andthatiswhatIdoeverymorning。"
"Youarestupid，mygoodfriend。Acaf？istheestablishmentinwhichcoffeeissold，andyououghttosaythatyouhavedrunk’usetassedecaf？"
"Goodindeed！Doyoudrinkthecup？InItalywesaya’caffs’，andwearenotfoolishenoughtosupposethatitmeansthecoffee—house。"
"Hewillhavethebestofit！Andthetwo’Savoyards’，howdidyouswallowthem？"
"Soakedinmycoffee，fortheywerenotlargerthantheseonyourtable。"
"Andyoucallthese’Savoyards’？Saybiscuits。"
"InItaly，wecallthem’Savoyards’becausetheywerefirstinventedinSavoy；anditisnotmyfaultifyouimaginedthatIhadswallowedtwooftheporterstobefoundatthecornerofthestreets——bigfellowswhomyoucallinParisSavoyards，althoughveryoftentheyhaveneverbeeninSavoy。"
Herhusbandcameinatthatmoment，andshelostnotimeinrelatingthewholeofourconversation。Helaughedheartily，buthesaidI
wasright。Herniecearrivedafewminutesafter；shewasayounggirlaboutfourteenyearsofage，reserved，modest，andveryintelligent。IhadgivenherfiveorsixlessonsinItalian，andasshewasveryfondofthatlanguageandstudieddiligentlyshewasbeginningtospeak。
WishingtopaymehercomplimentsinItalian，shesaidtome，"’Signore，sonoincantatadiviVaderinbonasalute’。"
"Ithankyou，mademoiselle；buttotranslate’Iamenchanted’，youmustsay’hopacer’，andfortoseeyou，youmustsay’divedervi’。"
"Ithought，sir，thatthe’vi’wastobeplacedbefore。"
"No，mademoiselle，wealwaysputitbehind。"
MonsieurandMadamePreodotweredyingwithlaughter；theyoungladywasconfused，andIindespairathavingutteredsuchagrossabsurdity；butitcouldnotbehelped。Itookabooksulkily，inthehopeofputtingastoptotheirmirth，butitwasofnouse:itlastedaweek。ThatuncouthblundersoongotknownthroughoutParis，andgavemeasortofreputationwhichIlostlittlebylittle，butonlywhenIunderstoodthedoublemeaningsofwordsbetter。
Crebillonwasmuchamusedwithmyblunder，andhetoldmethatI
oughttohavesaidafterinsteadofbehind。Ah！whyhavenotalllanguagesthesamegenius！ButiftheFrenchlaughedatmymistakesinspeakingtheirlanguage，Itookmyrevengeamplybyturningsomeoftheiridiomsintoridicule。
"Sir，"Ioncesaidtoagentleman，"howisyourwife？"
"Youdohergreathonour，sir。"
"Praytellme，sir，whatherhonourhastodowithherhealth？"
ImeetintheBoisdeBoulogneayoungmanridingahorsewhichhecannotmaster，andatlastheisthrown。Istopthehorse，runtotheassistanceoftheyoungmanandhelphimup。
"Didyouhurtyourself，sir？"
"Oh，manythanks，sir，aucontraire。"
"Whyaucontraire！Thedeuce！Ithasdoneyougood？Thenbeginagain，sir。"
Andathousandsimilarexpressionsentirelythereverseofgoodsense。Butitisthegeniusofthelanguage。
IwasonedaypayingmyfirstvisittothewifeofPresidentdeN————，whenhernephew，abrilliantbutterfly，camein，andsheintroducedmetohim，mentioningmynameandmycountry。
"Indeed，sir，youareItalian？"saidtheyoungman。"Uponmyword，youpresentyourselfsogracefullythatIwouldhavebettedyouwereFrench。"
"Sir，whenIsawyou，Iwasnearmakingthesamemistake；IwouldhavebettedyouwereItalian。"
Anothertime，IwasdiningatLadyLambert’sinnumerousandbrilliantcompany。SomeoneremarkedonmyfingeracornelianringonwhichwasengravedverybeautifullytheheadofLouisXV。Myringwentroundthetable，andeverybodythoughtthatthelikenesswasstriking。
Ayoungmarquise，whohadthereputationofbeingagreatwit，saidtomeinthemostserioustone，"Itistrulyanantique？"
"Thestone，madam，undoubtedly。"
Everyonelaughedexceptthethoughtlessyoungbeauty，whodidnottakeanynoticeofit。Towardstheendofthedinner，someonespokeoftherhinoceros，whichwasthenshewnfortwenty—foursousattheSt。Germain’sFair。
"Letusgoandseeit！"wasthecry。
Wegotintothecarriages，andreachedthefair。Wetookseveralturnsbeforewecouldfindtheplace。Iwastheonlygentleman；I
wastakingcareoftwoladiesinthemidstofthecrowd，andthewittymarquisewaswalkinginfrontofus。Attheendofthealleywherewehadbeentoldthatwewouldfindtheanimal，therewasamanplacedtoreceivethemoneyofthevisitors。Itistruethattheman，dressedintheAfricanfashion，wasverydarkandenormouslystout，yethehadahumanandverymasculineform，andthebeautifulmarquisehadnobusinesstomakeamistake。Nevertheless，thethoughtlessyoungcreaturewentupstraighttohimandsaid，"Areyoutherhinoceros，sir？"
"Goin，madam，goin。"
Weweredyingwithlaughing；andthemarquise，whenshehadseentheanimal，thoughtherselfboundtoapologizetothemaster；assuringhimthatshehadneverseenarhinocerosinherlife，andthereforehecouldnotfeeloffendedifshehadmadeamistake。
OneeveningIwasinthefoyeroftheItalianComedy，wherebetweentheactsthehighestnoblemenwereinthehabitofcoming，inordertoconverseandjokewiththeactresseswhousedtosittherewaitingfortheirturntoappearonthestage，andIwasseatednearCamille，Coraline’ssister，whomIamusedbymakinglovetoher。Ayoungcouncillor，whoobjectedtomyoccupyingCamille’sattention，beingaveryconceitedfellow，attackedmeuponsomeremarkImaderespectinganItalianplay，andtookthelibertyofshewinghisbadtemperbycriticizingmynativecountry。Iwasansweringhiminanindirectway，lookingallthetimeatCamille，whowaslaughing。Everybodyhadcongregatedaroundusandwasattentivetothediscussion，which，beingcarriedonasanassaultofwit，hadnothingtomakeitunpleasant。
Butitseemedtotakeaseriousturnwhentheyoungfop，turningtheconversationonthepoliceofthecity，saidthatforsometimeithadbeendangeroustowalkaloneatnightthroughthestreetsofParis。
"Duringthelastmonth，"headded，"thePlacedeGrevehasseenthehangingofsevenmen，amongwhomtherewerefiveItalians。Anextraordinarycircumstance。"
"Nothingextraordinaryinthat，"Ianswered；"honestmengenerallycontrivetobehungfarawayfromtheirnativecountry；andasaproofofit，sixtyFrenchmenhavebeenhunginthecourseoflastyearbetweenNaples，Rome，andVenice。Fivetimestwelvearesixty；
soyouseethatitisonlyafairexchange。"
Thelaughterwasallonmyside，andthefinecouncillorwentawayrathercrestfallen。Oneofthegentlemenpresentatthediscussion，findingmyanswertohistaste，cameuptoCamille，andaskedherinawhisperwhoIwas。Wegotacquaintedatonce。
ItwasM。deMarigni，whomIwasdelightedtoknowforthesakeofmybrotherwhosearrivalinParisIwasexpectingeveryday。M。deMarigniwassuperintendentoftheroyalbuildings，andtheAcademyofPaintingwasunderhisjurisdiction。Imentionedmybrothertohim，andhegraciouslypromisedtoprotecthim。Anotheryoungnobleman，whoconversedwithme，invitedmetovisithim。ItwastheDukedeMatalona。
ItoldhimthatIhadseenhim，thenonlyachild，eightyearsbeforeinNaples，andthatIwasundergreatobligationstohisuncle，DonLelio。Theyoungdukewasdelighted，andwebecameintimatefriends。
MybrotherarrivedinParisinthespringof1751，andhelodgedwithmeatMadameQuinson’s。Hebeganatoncetoworkwithsuccessforprivateindividuals；buthismainideabeingtocomposeapicturetobesubmittedtothejudgmentoftheAcademy，IintroducedhimtoM。
deMarigni，whoreceivedhimwithgreatdistinction，andencouragedhimbyassuringhimofhisprotection。Heimmediatelysettoworkwithgreatdiligence。
M。deMorosinihadbeenrecalled，andM。deMocenigohadsucceededhimasambassadoroftheRepublic。M。deBragadinhadrecommendedmetohim，andhetenderedafriendlywelcomebothtomeandtomybrother，inwhosefavourhefeltinterestedasaVenetian，andasayoungartistseekingtobuildupapositionbyhistalent。
M。deMocenigowasofaverypleasantnature；helikedgamblingalthoughhewasalwaysunluckyatcards；helovedwomen，andhewasnotmorefortunatewiththembecausehedidnotknowhowtomanagethem。TwoyearsafterhisarrivalinParishefellinlovewithMadamedeColande，and，findingitimpossibletowinheraffections，hekilledhimself。
MadamelaDauphinewasdeliveredofaprince，theDukeofBurgundy，andtherejoicingsindulgedinatthebirthofthatchildseemtomeincrediblenow，whenIseewhatthesamenationisdoingagainsttheking。Thepeoplewanttobefree；itisanobleambition，formankindarenotmadetobetheslavesofoneman；butwithanationpopulous，great，witty，andgiddy，whatwillbetheendofthatrevolution？Timealonecantellus。
TheDukedeMatalonaprocuredmetheacquaintanceofthetwoprinces，DonMarcAntoineandDonJeanBaptisteBorghese，fromRome，whowereenjoyingthemselvesinParis，yetlivingwithoutdisplay。IhadoccasiontoremarkthatwhenthoseRomanprinceswerepresentedatthecourtofFrancetheywereonlystyled"marquis:"ItwasthesamewiththeRussianprinces，towhomthetitleofprincewasrefusedwhentheywantedtobepresented；theywerecalled"knees，"buttheydidnotmindit，becausethatwordmeantprince。ThecourtofFrancehasalwaysbeenfoolishlyparticularonthequestionoftitles，andisevennowsparingofthetitleofmonsieur，althoughitiscommonenougheverywhereeverymanwhowasnottitledwascalledSieur。I
haveremarkedthatthekingneveraddressedhisbishopsotherwisethanasabbes，althoughtheyweregenerallyveryproudoftheirtitles。Thekinglikewiseaffectedtoknowanoblemanonlywhenhisnamewasinscribedamongstthosewhoservedhim。
YetthehaughtinessofLouisXV。hadbeeninnoculatedintohimbyeducation；itwasnotinhisnature。Whenanambassadorpresentedsomeonetohim，thepersonthuspresentedwithdrewwiththecertaintyofhavingbeenseenbytheking，butthatwasall。Nevertheless，LouisXV。wasverypolite，particularlywithladies，evenwithhismistresses，wheninpublic。Whoeverfailedinrespecttowardsthemintheslightestmannerwassureofdisgrace，andnokingeverpossessedtoagreaterextentthegrandroyalvirtuewhichiscalleddissimulation。Hekeptasecretfaithfully，andhewasdelightedwhenheknewthatnoonebuthimselfpossessedit。
TheChevalierd’Eonisaproofofthis，forthekingaloneknewandhadalwaysknownthatthechevalierwasawoman，andallthelongdiscussionswhichthefalsechevalierhadwiththeofficeforforeignaffairswasacomedywhichthekingallowedtogoon，onlybecauseitamusedhim。
LouisXV。wasgreatinallthings，andhewouldhavehadnofaultsifflatteryhadnotforcedthemuponhim。Buthowcouldhepossiblyhavesupposedhimselffaultyinanythingwheneveryonearoundhimrepeatedconstantlythathewasthebestofkings？Aking，intheopinionofwhichhewasimbuedrespectinghisownperson，wasabeingofanaturebyfartoosuperiortoordinarymenforhimnottohavetherighttoconsiderhimselfakintoagod。Saddestinyofkings！
Vileflatterersareconstantlydoingeverythingnecessarytoreducethembelowtheconditionofman。
ThePrincessofArdorewasdeliveredaboutthattimeofayoungprince。Herhusband，theNeapolitanambassador，entreatedLouisXV。
tobegod—fathertothechild；thekingconsentedandpresentedhisgod—sonwitharegiment；butthemother，whodidnotlikethemilitarycareerforherson，refusedit。TheMarshaldeRichelieutoldmethathehadneverknownthekinglaughsoheartilyaswhenheheardofthatsingularrefusal。
AttheDuchessdeFulvie’sImadetheacquaintanceofMdlle。
Gaussin，whowascalledLolotte。ShewasthemistressofLordAlbemarle，theEnglishambassador，awittyandverygenerousnobleman。Oneeveninghecomplainedofhismistresspraisingthebeautyofthestarswhichwereshiningbrightlyoverherhead，sayingthatsheoughttoknowhecouldnotgivethemtoher。IfLordAlbemarlehadbeenambassadortothecourtofFranceatthetimeoftherupturebetweenFranceandEngland，hewouldhavearrangedalldifficultiesamicably，andtheunfortunatewarbywhichFrancelostCanadawouldnothavetakenplace。Thereisnodoubtthattheharmonybetweentwonationsdependsveryoftenupontheirrespectiveambassadors，whenthereisanydangerofarupture。
Astothenoblelord’smistress，therewasbutoneopinionrespectingher。Shewasfitineverywaytobecomehiswife，andthehighestfamiliesofFrancedidnotthinkthatsheneededthetitleofLadyAlbemarletobereceivedwithdistinction；noladyconsidereditdebasingtositnearher，althoughshewaswellknownasthemistressoftheEnglishlord。Shehadpassedfromhermother’sarmstothoseofLordAlbemarleattheageofthirteen，andherconductwasalwaysofthehighestrespectability。Sheborechildrenwhomtheambassadoracknowledgedlegally，andshediedCountessd’Erouville。IshallhavetomentionheragaininmyMemoirs。
IhadlikewiseoccasiontobecomeacquaintedattheVenetianEmbassywithaladyfromVenice，thewidowofanEnglishbaronetnamedWynne。
ShewasthencomingfromLondonwithherchildren，whereshehadbeencompelledtogoinordertoinsurethemtheinheritanceoftheirlatefather，whichtheywouldhavelostiftheyhadnotdeclaredthemselvesmembersoftheChurchofEngland。ShewasonherwaybacktoVenice，muchpleasedwithherjourney。Shewasaccompaniedbyhereldestdaughter——ayounggirloftwelveyears，who，notwithstandingheryouth，carriedonherbeautifulfaceallthesignsofperfection。
SheisnowlivinginVenice，thewidowofCountdeRosenberg，whodiedinVeniceambassadoroftheEmpress—QueenMariaTheresa。Sheissurroundedbythebrillianthaloofherexcellentconductandofallhersocialvirtues。Noonecanaccuseherofanyfault，exceptthatofbeingpoor，butshefeelsitonlybecauseitdoesnotallowhertobeascharitableasshemightwish。
ThereaderwillseeinthenextchapterhowImanagedtoembroilmyselfwiththeFrenchpolice。
CHAPTERVIII
MyBroilWithParisianJustice——Mdlle。VesianTheyoungestdaughterofmylandlady，Mdlle。Quinson，ayounggirlbetweenfifteenandsixteenyearsofage，wasinthehabitofoftencomingtomyroomwithoutbeingcalled。ItwasnotlongbeforeI
discoveredthatshewasinlovewithme，andIshouldhavethoughtmyselfridiculousifIhadbeencrueltoayoungbrunettewhowaspiquant，lively，amiable，andhadamostdelightfulvoice。
Duringthefirstfourorfivemonthsnothingbutchildishtriflestookplacebetweenus；butonenight，cominghomeverylateandfindingherfastasleeponmybed，Ididnotseethenecessityofwakingherup，andundressingmyselfIlaydownbesideher……Sheleftmeatdaybreak。
Mimihadnotbeengonethreehourswhenamillinercamewithacharmingyounggirl，toinviteherselfandherfriendtobreakfast；I
thoughttheyounggirlwellworthabreakfast，butIwastiredandwantedrest，andIbeggedthembothtowithdraw。Soonaftertheyhadleftme，MadameQuinsoncamewithherdaughtertomakemybed。Iputmydressing—gownon，andbegantowrite。
"Ah！thenastyhussies！"exclaimsthemother。
"Whatisthematter，madam？"
"Theriddleisclearenough，sir；thesesheetsarespoiled。"
"Iamverysorry，mydearmadam，butchangethem，andtheevilwillberemediedatonce。"
Shewentoutoftheroom，threateningandgrumbling，"Letthemcomeagain，andseeifIdon’ttakecareofthem！"
Mimiremainedalonewithme，andIaddressedhersomereproachesforherimprudence。Butshelaughed，andansweredthatLovehadsentthosewomenonpurposetoprotectInnocence！Afterthat，Mimiwasnolongerunderanyrestraint，shewouldcomeandsharemybedwhenevershehadafancytodoso，unlessIsentherbacktoherownroom，andinthemorningshealwaysleftmeingoodtime。Butattheendoffourmonthsmybeautyinformedmethatoursecretwouldsoonbediscovered。
"Iamverysorry，"Isaidtoher，"butIcannothelpit。"
"Weoughttothinkofsomething。"
"Well，doso。"
"WhatcanIthinkof？Well，comewhatwill；thebestthingIcandoisnottothinkofit。"
Towardsthesixthmonthshehadbecomesolarge，thathermother，nolongerdoubtingthetruth，gotintoaviolentpassion，andbydintofblowscompelledhertonamethefather。MimisaidIwastheguiltyswain，andperhapsitwasnotanuntruth。
WiththatgreatdiscoveryMadameQuinsonburstintomyroominhighdudgeon。Shethrewherselfonachair，andwhenshehadrecoveredherbreathsheloadedmewithinsultingwords，andendedbytellingmethatImustmarryherdaughter。Atthisintimation，understandingherobjectandwishingtocutthemattershort，ItoldherthatIwasalreadymarriedinItaly。
"Thenwhydidyoucomehereandgetmydaughterwithchild？"
"IcanassureyouthatIdidnotmeantodoso。Besides，howdoyouknowthatIamthefatherofthechild？"
"Mimisaysso，andsheiscertainofit。"
"Icongratulateher；butIwarnyou，madam，thatIamreadytoswearthatIhavenotanycertaintyaboutit。"
"Whatthen？"
"Thennothing。Ifsheispregnant，shewillbeconfined。"
Shewentdownstairs，utteringcursesandthreats:thenextdayIwassummonedbeforethecommissaryofthedistrict。Iobeyedthesummons，andfoundMadameQuinsonfullyequippedforthebattle。Thecommissary，afterthepreliminaryquestionsusualinalllegalcases，askedmewhetherIadmittedmyselfguiltytowardsthegirlQuinsonoftheinjuryofwhichthemother，therepresentpersonally，complained。
"MonsieurleCommissaire，IbegofyoutowritewordbywordtheanswerwhichIamgoingtogiveyou。"
"Verywell。"
"IhavecausednoinjurywhatevertoMimi，theplaintiff’sdaughter，andIreferyoutothegirlherself，whohasalwayshadasmuchfriendshipformeasIhavehadforher。"
"Butshedeclaresthatsheispregnantfromyourdoings。"
"Thatmaybe，butitisnotcertain。"
"Shesaysitiscertain，andsheswearsthatshehasneverknownanyotherman。"
"Ifitisso，sheisunfortunate；forinsuchaquestionamancannottrustanywomanbuthisownwife。"
"Whatdidyougiveherinordertoseduceher？"
"Nothing；forveryfarfromhavingseducedher，shehasseducedme，andweagreedperfectlyinonemoment；aprettywomandoesnotfinditveryhardtoseduceme。"
"Wassheavirgin？"
"Ineverfeltanycuriosityaboutiteitherbeforeorafter；
therefore，sir，Idonotknow。"
"Hermotherclaimsreparation，andthelawisagainstyou。"
"Icangivenoreparationtothemother；andasforthelawIwillobeyitwhenithasbeenexplainedtome，andwhenIamconvincedthatIhavebeenguiltyagainstit。"
"Youarealreadyconvinced。Doyouimaginethatamanwhogetsanhonestgirlwithchildinahouseofwhichheisaninmatedoesnottransgressthelawsofsociety？"
"Iadmitthattobethecasewhenthemotherisdeceived；butwhenthatsamemothersendsherdaughtertotheroomofayoungman，arewenotrightinsupposingthatsheisdisposedtoacceptpeacefullyalltheaccidentswhichmayresultfromsuchconduct？"
"Shesentherdaughtertoyourroomonlytowaitonyou。"
"AndshehaswaitedonmeasIhavewaitedonherifshesendshertomyroomthisevening，andifitisagreeabletoMimi，IwillcertainlyserveheraswellasIcan；butIwillhavenothingtodowithheragainstherwilloroutofmyroom，therentofwhichIhavealwayspaidpunctually。"
"Youmaysaywhatyoulike，butyoumustpaythefine。"
"IwillsaywhatIbelievetobejust，andIwillpaynothing；fortherecanbenofinewherethereisnolawtransgressed。IfIamsentencedtopayIshallappealeventothelastjurisdictionanduntilIobtainjustice，forbelieveme，sir，IknowthatIamnotsuchanawkwardandcowardlyfellowastorefusemycaressestoaprettywomanwhopleasesme，andcomestoprovoketheminmyownroom，especiallywhenIfeelmyselfcertainofthemother’sagreement。"
IsignedtheinterrogatoryafterIhadreaditcarefully，andwentaway。Thenextdaythelieutenantofpolicesentforme，andafterhehadheardme，aswellasthemotherandthedaughter，heacquittedmeandcondemnedMadameQuinsonincosts。ButIcouldnotafterallresistthetearsofMimi，andherentreatiesformetodefraytheexpensesofherconfinement。Shewasdeliveredofaboy，whowassenttotheHotelDieutobebroughtupatthenation’sexpense。
SoonafterwardsMimiranawayfromhermother’shouse，andsheappearedonthestageatSt。Laurent’sFair。Beingunknown，shehadnodifficultyinfindingaloverwhotookherforamaiden。Ifoundherveryprettyonthestage。
"Ididnotknow，"Isaidtoher，"thatyouwereamusician。"
"Iamamusicianaboutasmuchasallmycompanions，notoneofwhomknowsanoteofmusic。Thegirlsattheoperaarenotmuchmoreclever，andinspiteofthat，withagoodvoiceandsometaste，onecansingdelightfully。"
IadvisedhertoinvitePatutosupper，andhewascharmedwithher。
Sometimeafterwards，however，shecametoabadend，anddisappeared。
TheItaliancomediansobtainedatthattimepermissiontoperformparodiesofoperasandoftragedies。ImadetheacquaintanceatthattheatreofthecelebratedChantilly，whohadbeenthemistressoftheMarechaldeSaxe，andwascalledFavartbecausethepoetofthatnamehadmarriedher。Shesangintheparodyof’ThetisetPelee’，byM。
deFontelle，thepartofTonton，amidstdeafeningapplause。Hergraceandtalentwontheloveofamanofthegreatestmerit，theAbbedeVoisenon，withwhomIwasasintimateaswithCrebillon。AlltheplaysperformedattheItalianComedy，underthenameofMadameFavart，werewrittenbytheabbe，whobecamememberoftheAcademieaftermydeparturefromParis。IcultivatedanacquaintancethevalueofwhichIcouldappreciate，andhehonouredmewithhisfriendship。ItwasatmysuggestionsthattheAbbedeVoisenonconceivedtheideaofcomposingoratoriosinpoetry；theyweresungforthefirsttimeattheTuileries，whenthetheatreswereclosedinconsequenceofsomereligiousfestival。Thatamiableabbe，whohadwrittenseveralcomediesinsecret，hadverypoorhealthandaverysmallbody；hewasallwitandgracefulness，famousforhisshrewdreparteeswhich，althoughverycutting，neveroffendedanyone。Itwasimpossibleforhimtohaveanyenemies，forhiscriticismonlygrazedtheskinandneverwoundeddeeply。Oneday，ashewasreturningfromVersailles，Iaskedhimthenewsofthecourt。
"Thekingisyawning，"heanswered，"becausehemustcometotheparliamentto—morrowtoholdabedofjustice。"
"Whyisitcalledabedofjustice？"
"Idonotknow，unlessitisbecausejusticeisasleepduringtheproceedings。"
IafterwardsmetinPraguethelivingportraitofthateminentwriterinCountFrancoisHardig，nowplenipotentiaryoftheemperoratthecourtofSaxony。
TheAbbedeVoisenonintroducedmetoFontenelle，whowasthenninety—threeyearsofage。Afinewit，anamiableandlearnedman，celebratedforhisquickrepartees，Fontenellecouldnotpayacomplimentwithoutthrowingkindnessandwitintoit。ItoldhimthatIhadcomefromItalyonpurposetoseehim。
"Confess，sir，"hesaidtome，"thatyouhavekeptmewaitingaverylongtime。"
Thisreparteewasobligingandcriticalatthesametime，andpointedoutinadelicateandwittymannertheuntruthofmycompliment。Hemademeapresentofhisworks，andaskedmeifIlikedtheFrenchplays；ItoldhimthatIhadseen’ThetisetPelee’attheopera。
Thatplaywashisowncomposition，andwhenIhadpraisedit，hetoldmethatitwasa’tetepelee’。
"IwasattheTheatreFrancaislastnight，"Isaid，"andsawAthalie。"
"ItisthemasterpieceofRacine；Voltaire，hasbeenwronginaccusingmeofhavingcriticizedthattragedy，andinattributingtomeanepigram，theauthorofwhichhasneverbeenknown，andwhichendswithtwoverypoorlines:
Pouravoirfaitpisqu’Esther，Commentdiableas—topufaire"
IhavebeentoldthatM。deFontenellehadbeenthetenderfriendofMadameduTencin，thatM。d’Alembertwastheoffspringoftheirintimacy，andthatLeRondhadonlybeenhisfoster—father。Iknewd’AlembertatMadamedeGraffigny’s。Thatgreatphilosopherhadthetalentofneverappearingtobealearnedmanwhenhewasinthecompanyofamiablepersonswhohadnopretensiontolearningorthesciences，andhealwaysseemedtoendowwithintelligencethosewhoconversedwithhim。
WhenIwenttoParisforthesecondtime，aftermyescapefromTheLeadsofVenice，Iwasdelightedattheideaofseeingagaintheamiable，venerableFontenelle，buthediedafortnightaftermyarrival，atthebeginningoftheyear1757。
WhenIpaidmythirdvisittoPariswiththeintentionofendingmydaysinthatcapital，IreckoneduponthefriendshipofM。d’Alembert，buthedied，likeFontenelle，afortnightaftermyarrival，towardstheendof1783。NowIfeelthatIhaveseenParisandFranceforthelasttime。Thepopulareffervescencehasdisgustedme，andIamtoooldtohopetoseetheendofit。
CountdeLooz，PolishambassadorattheFrenchcourt，invitedmein1751totranslateintoItalianaFrenchoperasusceptibleofgreattransformations，andofhavingagrandballetannexedtothesubjectoftheoperaitself。Ichose’Zoroastre’，byM。deCahusac。Ihadtoadaptwordstothemusicofthechoruses，alwaysadifficulttask。
Themusicremainedverybeautiful，ofcourse，butmyItalianpoetrywasverypoor。Inspiteofthatthegeneroussovereignsentmeasplendidgoldsnuff—box，andIthuscontrivedatthesametimetopleasemymotherveryhighly。
ItwasaboutthattimethatMdlle。VesianarrivedinPariswithherbrother。Shewasquiteyoung，welleducated，beautiful，mostamiable，andanovice；herbrotheraccompaniedher。Herfather，formerlyanofficerintheFrencharmy，haddiedatParma，hisnativecity。Leftanorphanwithoutanymeansofsupport，shefollowedtheadvicegivenbyherfriends；shesoldthefurnitureleftbyherfather，withtheintentionofgoingtoVersaillestoobtainfromthejusticeandfromthegenerosityofthekingasmallpensiontoenablehertolive。Asshegotoutofthediligence，shetookacoach，anddesiredtobetakentosomehotelclosebytheItalianTheatre；bythegreatestchanceshewasbroughttotheHoteldeBourgogne，whereIwasthenstayingmyself。
InthemorningIwastoldthatthereweretwoyoungItalians，brotherandsister，whodidnotappearverywealthy，inthenextroomtomine。Italians，young，poorandnewlyarrived，mycuriositywasexcited。Iwenttothedooroftheirroom，Iknocked，andayoungmancametoopenitinhisshirt。
"Ibegyoutoexcuseme，sir，"hesaidtome，"ifIreceiveyouinsuchastate。"
"Ihavetoaskyourpardonmyself。Ionlycometoofferyoumyservices，asacountrymanandasaneighbour。"
Amattressonthefloortoldmewheretheyoungmanhadslept；abedstandinginarecessandhidbycurtainsmademeguesswherethesisterwas。IbeggedofhertoexcusemeifIhadpresentedmyselfwithoutenquiringwhethershewasup。
Sheansweredwithoutseeingme，thatthejourneyhavinggreatlytriedhershehadsleptalittlelaterthanusual，butthatshewouldgetupimmediatelyifIwouldexcuseherforashorttime。
"Iamgoingtomyroom，mademoiselle，andIwillcomebackwhenyousendforme；myroomisnextdoortoyourown。"
Aquarterofanhourafter，insteadofbeingsentfor，Isawayoungandbeautifulpersonentermyroom；shemadeamodestbow，sayingthatshehadcomeherselftoreturnmyvisit，andthatherbrotherwouldfollowherimmediately。