"IwishtoaskonemorequestionconcerningawomanthenameofwhomIwouldrathernotgive。"
"SaythewomanwhomIhaveinmythoughts。"
Shethenaskedthisquestion:"Whatdiseaseisthatwomansufferingfrom？"Shemadethecalculation，andtheanswerwhichImadeherbringforthwasthis:"Shewantstodeceiveherhusband。"Thistimetheduchessfairlyscreamedwithastonishment。
Itwasgettingverylate，andIwaspreparingtotakeleave，whenM。
deMelfort，whowasspeakingtoherhighness，toldmethatwemightgotogether。Whenwewereout，hetoldmethatthecabalisticanswerconcerningthepomatumwastrulywonderful。Thiswasthehistoryofit:
"Theduchess，prettyasyouseehernow，hadherfacesofearfullycoveredwithpimplesthattheduke，thoroughlydisgusted，hadnotthecouragetocomenearhertoenjoyhisrightsasahusband，andthepoorprincesswaspiningwithuselesslongingtobecomeamother。
TheAbbedeBrossescuredherwiththatpomatum，andherbeautifulfacehavingentirelyrecovereditoriginalbloomshemadeherappearanceattheTheatreFrancais，inthequeen’sbox。TheDukedeChartres，notknowingthathiswifehadgonetothetheatre，whereshewentbutveryseldom，wasintheking’sbox。Hedidnotrecognizetheduchess，butthinkingherveryhandsomeheenquiredwhoshewas，andwhenhewastoldhewouldnotbelieveit；helefttheroyalbox，wenttohiswife，complimentedher，andannouncedhisvisitfortheverysamenight。Theresultofthatvisitwas，ninemonthsafterwards，thebirthoftheDukeofMontpensier，whoisnowfiveyearsoldandenjoysexcellenthealth。Duringthewholeofherpregnancytheduchesskeptherfacesmoothandblooming，butimmediatelyafterherdeliverythepimplesreappeared，andthepomatumremainedwithoutanyeffect。"
Asheconcludedhisexplanation，thecountofferedmeatortoise—
shellboxwithaverygoodlikenessofherroyalhighness，andsaid，"Theduchessbegsyouracceptanceofthisportrait，and，incaseyouwouldliketohaveitsetshewishesyoutomakeuseofthisforthatpurpose。"
ItwasapurseofonehundredLouis。Iacceptedboth，andentreatedthecounttooffertheexpressionsofmyprofoundgratitudetoherhighness。Ineverhadtheportraitmounted，forIwastheninwantofmoneyforsomeotherpurpose。
Afterthat，theduchessdidmethehonourofsendingformeseveraltimes；buthercureremainedaltogetheroutofthequestion；shecouldnotmakeuphermindtofollowaregulardiet。Shewouldsometimeskeepmeatworkforfiveorsixhours，nowinonecorner，nowinanother，goinginandoutherselfallthetime，andhavingeitherdinnerorsupperbroughttomebytheoldvalet，whoneverutteredaword。
Herquestionstotheoraclealludedonlytosecretaffairswhichshewascurioustoknow，andsheoftenfoundtruthswithwhichIwasnotmyselfacquainted，throughtheanswers。Shewishedmetoteachherthecabalisticscience，butsheneverpressedherwishuponme。She，however，commissionedM。deMelforttotellmethat，ifIwouldteachher，shewouldgetmeanappointmentwithanincomeoftwenty—fivethousandfrancs。Alas！itwasimpossible！Iwasmadlyinlovewithher，butIwouldnotfortheworldhaveallowedhertoguessmyfeelings。Mypridewasthecorrectiveofmylove。Iwasafraidofherhaughtinesshumiliatingme，andperhapsIwaswrong。AllIknowisthatIevennowrepentofhavinglistenedtoafoolishpride。ItistruethatIenjoyedcertainprivilegeswhichshemighthaverefusedmeifshehadknownmylove。
OnedayshewishedmyoracletotellherwhetheritwaspossibletocureacancerwhichMadamedelaPopelinierehadinthebreast；I
tookitinmyheadtoanswerthattheladyalludedtohadnocancer，andwasenjoyingexcellenthealth。
"Howisthat？"saidtheduchess；"everyoneinParisbelieveshertobesufferingfromacancer，andshehasconsultationuponconsultation。YetIhavefaithintheoracle。"
Soonafterwards，seeingtheDukedeRichelieuatthecourt，shetoldhimshewascertainthatMadamedelaPopelinierewasnotill。Themarshal，whoknewthesecret，toldherthatshewasmistaken；butsheproposedawagerofahundredthousandfrancs。Itrembledwhentheduchessrelatedtheconversationtome。
"Hasheacceptedyourwages？"Ienquired，anxiously。
"No；heseemedsurprised；youareawarethatheoughttoknowthetruth。"
Threeorfourdaysafterthatconversation，theduchesstoldmetriumphantlythatM。deRichelieuhadconfessedtoherthatthecancerwasonlyarusetoexcitethepityofherhusband，withwhomMadamedelaPopelinierewantedtoliveagainongoodterms；sheaddedthatthemarshalhadexpressedhiswillingnesstopayonethousandLouistoknowhowshehaddiscoveredthetruth。
"Ifyouwishtoearnthatsum，"saidtheduchesstome，"Iwilltellhimallaboutit。"
ButIwasafraidofasnare；Iknewthetemperofthemarshal，andthestoryoftheholeinthewallthroughwhichheintroducedhimselfintothatlady’sapartment，wasthetalkofallParis。M。delaPopelinierehimselfhadmadetheadventuremorepublicbyrefusingtolivewithhiswife，towhomhepaidanincomeoftwelvethousandfrancs。
TheDuchessdeChartreshadwrittensomecharmingpoetryonthatamusingaffair；butoutofherowncoterienooneknewitexcepttheking，whowasfondoftheprincess，althoughshewasinthehabitofscoffingathim。Oneday，forinstance，sheaskedhimwhetheritwastruethatthekingofPrussiawasexpectedinParis。LouisXV。
havingansweredthatitwasanidlerumour，"Iamverysorry，"shesaid，"forIamlongingtoseeaking。"
MybrotherhadcompletedseveralpicturesandhavingdecidedonpresentingonetoM。deMarigny，werepairedonemorningtotheapartmentofthatnobleman，wholivedintheLouvre，wherealltheartistswereinthehabitofpayingtheircourttohim。Wewereshewnintoahalladjoininghisprivateapartment，andhavingarrivedearlywewaitedforM。deMarigny。Mybrother’spicturewasexposedthere；itwasabattlepieceinthestyleofBourguignon。
Thefirstpersonwhopassedthroughtheroomstoppedbeforethepicture，examineditattentively，andmovedon，evidentlythinkingthatitwasapoorpainting；amomentafterwardstwomorepersonscamein，lookedatthepicture，smiled，andsaid，"That’stheworkofabeginner。"
Iglancedatmybrother，whowasseatednearme；hewasinafever。
Inlessthanaquarterofanhourtheroomwasfullofpeople，andtheunfortunatepicturewasthebuttofeverybody’slaughter。Mypoorbrotherfeltalmostdying，andthankedhisstarsthatnooneknewhimpersonally。
ThestateofhismindwassuchthatIheartilypitiedhim；Irosewiththeintentionofgoingtosomeotherroom，andtoconsolehimI
toldhimthatM。deMarignywouldsooncome，andthathisapprobationofthepicturewouldavengehimfortheinsultsofthecrowd。
Fortunately，thiswasnotmybrother’sopinion；welefttheroomhurriedly，tookacoach，wenthome，andsentourservanttofetchbackthepainting。Assoonasithadbeenbroughtbackmybrothermadeabattleofitinrealearnest，forhecutitupwithaswordintotwentypieces。HemadeuphismindtosettlehisaffairsinParisimmediately，andtogosomewhereelsetostudyanartwhichhelovedtoidolatry；weresolvedongoingtoDresdentogether。
TwoorthreedaysbeforeleavingthedelightfulcityofParisIdinedaloneatthehouseofthegate—keeperoftheTuileries；hisnamewasConde。Afterdinnerhiswife，aratherprettywoman，presentedmethebill，onwhicheveryitemwasreckonedatdoubleitsvalue。I
pointeditouttoher，butsheansweredverycurtlythatshecouldnotabateonesou。Ipaid，andasthebillwasreceiptedwiththewords’femmeConde’，Itookthepenandtotheword’Conde’Iadded’labre’，andIwentawayleavingthebillonthetable。
IwastakingawalkintheTuileries，notthinkinganymoreofmyfemaleextortioner，whenasmallman，withhishatcockedononesideofhisheadandalargenosegayinhisbutton—hole，andsportingalongsword，swaggereduptomeandinformedme，withoutanyfurtherexplanation，thathehadafancytocutmythroat。
"But，mysmallspecimenofhumanity，"Isaid，"youwouldrequiretojumponachairtoreachmythroat。Iwillcutyourears。"
"Sacrebleu，monsieur！"
"Novulgarpassion，mydearsir；followme；youshallsoonbesatisfied。"
IwalkedrapidlytowardsthePortede1’Etoile，where，seeingthattheplacewasdeserted，Iabruptlyaskedthefellowwhathewanted，andwhyhehadattackedme。
"IamtheChevalierdeTalvis，"heanswered。"Youhaveinsultedanhonestwomanwhoisundermyprotection；unsheath！"
Withthesewordshedrewhislongsword；Iunsheathedmine；afteraminuteortwoIlungedrapidly，andwoundedhiminthebreast。Hejumpedbackward，exclaimingthatIhadwoundedhimtreacherously。
"Youlie，yourascallymannikin！acknowledgeit，orIthrustmyswordthroughyourmiserablebody。"
"Youwillnotdoit，forIamwounded；butIinsistuponhavingmyrevenge，andwewillleavethedecisionofthistocompetentjudges。"
"Miserablewrangler，wretchedfighter，ifyouarenotsatisfied，I
willcutoffyourears""
Ilefthimthere，satisfiedthatIhadactedaccordingtothelawsoftheduello，forhehaddrawnhisswordbeforeme，andifhehadnotbeenskilfulenoughtocoverhimselfingoodtime，itwasnot，ofcourse，mybusinesstoteachhim。TowardsthemiddleofAugustI
leftPariswithmybrother。Ihadmadeastayoftwoyearsinthatcity，thebestintheworld。Ihadenjoyedmyselfgreatly，andhadmetwithnounpleasantnessexceptthatIhadbeennowandthenshortofmoney。WewentthroughMetz。，Mayence，andFrankfort，andarrivedinDresdenattheendofthesamemonth。Mymotherofferedusthemostaffectionatewelcome，andwasdelightedtoseeusagain。Mybrotherremainedfouryearsinthatpleasantcity，constantlyengagedinthestudyofhisart，andcopyingallthefinepaintingsofbattlesbythegreatmastersinthecelebratedElectoralGallery。
HewentbacktoParisonlywhenhefeltcertainthathecouldsetcriticismatdefiance；Ishallsayhereafterhowitwasthatwebothreachedthatcityaboutthesametime。Butbeforethatperiod，dear，reader，youwillseewhatgoodandadversefortunedidfororagainstme。
MylifeinDresdenuntiltheendofthecarnivalin1753doesnotofferanyextraordinaryadventure。Topleasetheactors，andespeciallymymother，Iwroteakindofmelodrama，inwhichIbroughtouttwoharlequins。Itwasaparodyofthe’FreresEnnemis’，byRacine。Thekingwashighlyamusedatthecomicfancieswhichfilledmyplay，andhemademeabeautifulpresent。Thekingwasgrandandgenerous，andthesequalitiesfoundareadyechointhebreastofthefamousCountdeBruhl。IleftDresdensoonafterthat，biddingadieutomymother，tomybrotherFrancois，andtomysister，thenthewifeofPierreAuguste，chiefplayeroftheharpsichordattheCourt，whodiedtwoyearsago，leavinghiswidowandfamilyincomfortablecircumstances。
MystayinDresdenwasmarkedbyanamoroussouvenirofwhichIgotrid，asinprevioussimilarcircumstances，byadietofsixweeks。I
haveoftenremarkedthatthegreatestpartofmylifewasspentintryingtomakemyselfill，andwhenIhadsucceeded，intryingtorecovermyhealth。Ihavemetwithequalsuccessinboththings；andnowthatIenjoyexcellenthealthinthatline，Iamverysorrytobephysicallyunabletomakemyselfillagain；butage，thatcruelandunavoidabledisease，compelsmetobeingoodhealthinspiteofmyself。TheillnessIalludeto，whichtheItalianscall’malfrancais’，althoughwemightclaimthehonourofitsfirstimportation，doesnotshortenlife，butitleavesindeliblemarksontheface。Thosescars，lesshonourableperhapsthanthosewhicharewonintheserviceofMars，beingobtainedthroughpleasure，oughtnottoleaveanyregretbehind。
InDresdenIhadfrequentopportunitiesofseeingtheking，whowasveryfondoftheCountdeBruhl，hisminister，becausethatfavouritepossessedthedoublesecretofshewinghimselfmoreextravaganteventhanhismaster，andofindulgingallhiswhims。
Neverwasamonarchagreaterenemytoeconomy；helaughedheartilywhenhewasplunderedandhespentagreatdealinordertohaveoccasiontolaughoften。Ashehadnotsufficientwittoamusehimselfwiththefolliesofotherkingsandwiththeabsurditiesofhumankind，hekeptfourbuffoons，whoarecalledfoolsinGermany，althoughthesedegradedbeingsaregenerallymorewittythantheirmasters。Theprovinceofthosejestersistomaketheirownerlaughbyallsortsofjokeswhichareusuallynothingbutdisgustingtricks，orlow，impertinentjests。
Yettheseprofessionalbuffoonssometimescaptivatethemindoftheirmastertosuchanextentthattheyobtainfromhimveryimportantfavoursinbehalfofthepersonstheyprotect，andtheconsequenceisthattheyareoftencourtedbythehighestfamilies。Whereisthemanwhowillnotdebasehimselfifhebeinwant？DoesnotAgamemnonsay，inHomer，thatinsuchacasemanmustnecessarilybeguiltyofmeanness？AndAgamemnonandHomerlivedlongbeforeourtime！Itevidentlyprovesthatmenareatalltimesmovedbythesamemotive—
namely，self—interest。
ItiswrongtosaythattheCountdeBruhlwastheruinofSaxony，forhewasonlythefaithfulministerofhisroyalmaster’sinclinations。Hischildrenarepoor，andjustifytheirfather’sconduct。
ThecourtatDresdenwasatthattimethemostbrilliantinEurope；
thefineartsflourished，buttherewasnogallantry，forKingAugustushadnoinclinationforthefairsex，andtheSaxonswerenotofanaturetobethusinclinedunlesstheexamplewassetbytheirsovereign。
AtmyarrivalinPrague，whereIdidnotintendtostop，IdeliveredaletterIhadforLocatelli，manageroftheopera，andwenttopayavisittoMadameMorelli，anoldacquaintance，forwhomIhadgreataffection，andfortwoorthreedaysshesuppliedallthewantsofmyheart。
AsIwasonthepointofleavingPrague，ImetinthestreetmyfriendFabris，whohadbecomeacolonel，andheinsisteduponmydiningwithhim。After’embracinghim，Irepresentedtohim，butinvain，thatIhadmadeallmyarrangementstogoawayimmediately。
"Youwillgothisevening，"hesaid，"withafriendofmine，andyouwillcatchthecoach。"
Ihadtogiveway，andIwasdelightedtohavedoneso，fortheremainderofthedaypassedinthemostagreeablemanner。Fabriswaslongingforwar，andhiswishesweregratifiedtwoyearsafterwards；
hecoveredhimselfwithglory。
ImustsayonewordaboutLocatelli，whowasanoriginalcharacterwellworthytobeknown。Hetookhismealseverydayatatablelaidoutforthirtypersons，andtheguestswerehisactors，actresses，dancersofbothsexes，andafewfriends。Hedidthehonoursofhiswell—suppliedboardnobly，andhisrealpassionwasgoodliving。I
shallhaveoccasiontomentionhimagainatthetimeofmyjourneytoSt。Petersburg，whereImethim，andwherehediedonlylatelyattheageofninety。
EndMEMOIRSOFJACQUESCASANOVAdeSEINGALT1725—1798
TOPARISANDPRISON，Volume2b——VENICE
THERAREUNABRIDGEDLONDONEDITIONOF1894TRANSLATEDBYARTHUR
MACHENTOWHICHHASBEENADDEDTHECHAPTERSDISCOVERED
BYARTHURSYMONS。
VENICE
CHAPTERX
MyStayinVienna——JosephII——MyDepartureforVeniceArrived，forthefirsttime，inthecapitalofAustria，attheageofeight—and—twenty，wellprovidedwithclothes，butrathershortofmoney——acircumstancewhichmadeitnecessaryformetocurtailmyexpensesuntilthearrivaloftheproceedsofaletterofexchangewhichIhaddrawnuponM。deBragadin。TheonlyletterofrecommendationIhadwasfromthepoetMigliavacca，ofDresden，addressedtotheillustriousAbbeMetastasio，whomIwishedardentlytoknow。Ideliveredtheletterthedayaftermyarrival，andinonehourofconversationIfoundhimmorelearnedthanIshouldhavesupposedfromhisworks。Besides，MetastasiowassomodestthatatfirstIdidnotthinkthatmodestynatural，butitwasnotlongbeforeIdiscoveredthatitwasgenuine，forwhenherecitedsomethingofhisowncomposition，hewasthefirsttocalltheattentionofhishearerstotheimportantpartsortothefinepassageswithasmuchsimplicityashewouldremarktheweakones。
IspoketohimofhistutorGravina，andaswewereonthatsubjectherecitedtomefiveorsixstanzaswhichhehadwrittenonhisdeath，andwhichhadnotbeenprinted。Movedbytheremembranceofhisfriend，andbythesadbeautyofhisownpoetry，hiseyeswerefilledwithtears，andwhenhehaddonerecitingthestanzashesaid，inatoneoftouchingsimplicity，’Ditemiilvero，sipuoairmeglio’？
Iansweredthathealonehadtherighttobelieveitimpossible。
Ithenaskedhimwhetherhehadtoworkagreatdealtocomposehisbeautifulpoetry；heshewedmefourorfivepageswhichhehadcoveredwitherasuresandwordscrossedandscratchedoutonlybecausehehadwishedtobringfourteenlinestoperfection，andheassuredmethathehadneverbeenabletocomposemorethanthatnumberinoneday。HeconfirmedmyknowledgeofatruthwhichIhadfoundoutbefore，namely，thattheverylineswhichmostreadersbelievetohaveflowedeasilyfromthepoet’spenaregenerallythosewhichhehashadthegreatestdifficultyincomposing。
"Whichofyouroperas，"Ienquired，"doyoulikebest？"
"’AttilioRegolo；maquestononvuolgiadirechesiailmegliore’。"
"AllyourworkshavebeentranslatedinParisintoFrenchprose，butthepublisherwasruined，foritisnotpossibletoreadthem，anditprovestheelevationandthepowerofyourpoetry。"
"Severalyearsago，anotherfoolishpublisherruinedhimselfbyatranslationintoFrenchproseofthesplendidpoetryofAriosto。
Ilaughatthosewhomaintainthatpoetrycanbetranslatedintoprose。"
"Iamofyouropinion。"
"Andyouareright。"
Hetoldmethathehadneverwrittenanariettawithoutcomposingthemusicofithimself，butthatasageneralrulehenevershewedhismusictoanyone。
"TheFrench，"headded，"entertaintheverystrangebeliefthatitispossibletoadaptpoetrytomusicalreadycomposed。"
Andhemadeonthatsubjectthisveryphilosophicalremark:
"Youmightjustaswellsaytoasculptor，’Hereisapieceofmarble，makeaVenus，andletherexpressionbeshewnbeforethefeaturesarechiselled。’"
IwenttotheImperialLibrary，andwasmuchsurprisedtomeetDelaHayeinthecompanyoftwoPoles，andayoungVenetianwhomhisfatherhadentrustedtohimtocompletehiseducation。IbelievedhimtobeinPoland，andasthemeetingrecalledinterestingrecollectionsIwaspleasedtoseehim。Iembracedhimrepeatedlywithrealpleasure。
HetoldmethathewasinViennaonbusiness，andthathewouldgotoVeniceduringthesummer。Wepaidoneanotherseveralvisits，andhearingthatIwasrathershortofmoneyhelentmefiftyducats，whichIreturnedashorttimeafter。HetoldmethatBavoiswasalreadylieutenant—colonelintheVenetianarmy，andthenewsaffordedmegreatpleasure。Hehadbeenfortunateenoughtobeappointedadjutant—generalbyM。Morosini，who，afterhisreturnfromhisembassyinFrance，hadmadehimCommissaryoftheBorders。Iwasdelightedtohearofthehappinessandsuccessoftwomenwhocertainlycouldnothelpacknowledgingmeastheoriginalcauseoftheirgoodfortune。InViennaIacquiredthecertaintyofDelaHayebeingaJesuit，buthewouldnotletanyonealludetothesubject。
Notknowingwheretogo，andlongingforsomerecreation，IwenttotherehearsaloftheoperawhichwastobeperformedafterEaster，andmetBodin，thefirstdancer，whohadmarriedthehandsomeJeoffroi，whomIhadseeninTurin。IlikewisemetinthesameplaceCampioni，thehusbandofthebeautifulAncilla。Hetoldmethathehadbeencompelledtoapplyforadivorcebecauseshedishonouredhimtoopublicly。Campioniwasatthesametimeagreatdancerandagreatgambler。Itookupmylodgingswithhim。
InViennaeverythingisbeautiful；moneywasthenveryplentiful，andluxuryverygreat；buttheseverityoftheempressmadetheworshipofVenusdifficult，particularlyforstrangers。Alegionofvilespies，whoweredecoratedwiththefinetitleofCommissariesofChastity，werethemercilesstormentorsofallthegirls。Theempressdidnotpractisethesublimevirtueoftoleranceforwhatiscalledillegitimatelove，andinherexcessivedevotionshethoughtthatherpersecutionsofthemostnaturalinclinationsinmanandwomanwereveryagreeabletoGod。Holdinginherimperialhandstheregisterofcardinalsins，shefanciedthatshecouldbeindulgentforsixofthem，andkeepallherseverityfortheseventh，lewdness，whichinherestimationcouldnotbeforgiven。
"Onecanignorepride，"shewouldsay，"fordignitywearsthesamegarb。Avariceisfearful，itistrue；butonemightbemistakenaboutit，becauseitisoftenverylikeeconomy。Asforanger，itisamurderousdiseaseinitsexcess，butmurderispunishablewithdeath。Gluttonyissometimesnothingbutepicurism，andreligiondoesnotforbidthatsin；foringoodcompanyitisheldavaluablequality；besides，itblendsitselfwithappetite，andsomuchtheworseforthosewhodieofindigestion。Envyisalowpassionwhichnooneeveravows；topunishitinanyotherwaythanbyitsowncorrodingvenom，IwouldhavetotortureeverybodyatCourt；andwearinessisthepunishmentofsloth。Butlustisadifferentthingaltogether；mychastesoulcouldnotforgivesuchasin，andI
declareopenwaragainstit。Mysubjectsareatlibertytothinkwomenhandsomeasmuchastheyplease；womenmaydoallintheirpowertoappearbeautiful；peoplemayentertaineachotherastheylike，becauseIcannotforbidconversation；buttheyshallnotgratifydesiresonwhichthepreservationofthehumanracedepends，unlessitisintheholystateoflegalmarriage。Therefore，allthemiserablecreatureswholivebythebarteroftheircaressesandofthecharmsgiventothembynatureshallbesenttoTemeswar。IamawarethatinRomepeopleareveryindulgentonthatpoint，andthat，inordertopreventanothergreatercrime（whichisnotprevented），everycardinalhasoneormoremistresses，butinRometheclimaterequirescertainconcessionswhicharenotnecessaryhere，wherethebottleandthepipereplaceallpleasures。（Shemighthaveadded，andthetable，fortheAustriansareknowntobeterribleeaters。）
"Iwillhavenoindulgenceeitherfordomesticdisorders，forthemomentIhearthatawifeisunfaithfultoherhusband，Iwillhaveherlockedup，inspiteofall，inspiteofthegenerallyreceivedopinionthatthehusbandistherealjudgeandmasterofhiswife；
thatprivilegecannotbegrantedinmykingdomwherehusbandsarebyfartooindifferentonthatsubject。FanatichusbandsmaycomplainasmuchastheypleasethatIdishonourthembypunishingtheirwives；theyaredishonouredalreadybythefactofthewoman’sinfidelity。"
"But，madam，dishonourrisesinrealityonlyfromthefactofinfidelitybeingmadepublic；besides，youmightbedeceived，althoughyouareempress。"
"Iknowthat，butthatisnobusinessofyours，andIdonotgrantyoutherightofcontradictingme。"
SuchisthewayinwhichMariaTeresawouldhaveargued，andnotwithstandingtheprincipleofvirtuefromwhichherargumenthadoriginated，ithadultimatelygivenbirthtoalltheinfamousdeedswhichherexecutioners，theCommissariesofChastity，committedwithimpunityunderhername。Ateveryhouroftheday，inallthestreetsofVienna，theycarriedoffandtooktoprisonthepoorgirlswhohappenedtolivealone，andveryoftenwentoutonlytoearnanhonestliving。Ishouldliketoknowhowitwaspossibletoknowthatagirlwasgoingtosomemantogetfromhimconsolationsforhermiserableposition，orthatshewasinsearchofsomeonedisposedtoofferherthoseconsolations？Indeed，itwasdifficult。Aspywouldfollowthematadistance。Thepolicedepartmentkeptacrowdofthosespies，andasthescoundrelsworenoparticularuniform，itwasimpossibletoknowthem；asanaturalconsequence，therewasageneraldistrustofallstrangers。Ifagirlenteredahouse，thespywhohadfollowedher，waitedforher，stoppedherasshecameout，andsubjectedhertoaninterrogatory。Ifthepoorcreaturelookeduneasy，ifshehesitatedinansweringinsuchawayastosatisfythespy，thefellowwouldtakehertoprison；inallcasesbeginningbyplunderingherofwhatevermoneyorjewelleryshecarriedaboutherperson，andtherestitutionofwhichcouldneverbeobtained。Viennawas，inthatrespectatruedenofprivilegedthieves。IthappenedtomeonedayinLeopoldstadtthatinthemidstofsometumultagirlslippedinmyhandagoldwatchtosecureitfromtheclutchesofapolice—spywhowaspressinguponhertotakeherup。Ididnotknowthepoorgirl，whomIwasfortunateenoughtoseeagainonemonthafterwards。Shewaspretty，andshehadbeencompelledtomorethanonesacrificeinordertoobtainherliberty。
Iwasgladtobeabletohandherwatchbacktoher，andalthoughshewaswellworthyofaman’sattentionIdidnotaskherforanythingtorewardmyfaithfulness。Theonlywayinwhichgirlscouldwalkunmolestedinthestreetswastogoaboutwiththeirheadbentdownwithbeadsinhand，forinthatcasethedisgustingbroodofspiesdarednotarrestthem，becausetheymightbeontheirwaytochurch，andMariaTeresawouldcertainlyhavesenttothegallowsthespyguiltyofsuchamistake。
ThoselowvillainsrenderedastayinViennaveryunpleasanttoforeigners，anditwasamatterofthegreatestdifficultytogratifytheslightestnaturalwantwithoutrunningtheriskofbeingannoyed。
OnedayasIwasstandingclosetothewallinanarrowstreet，Iwasmuchastonishedathearingmyselfrudelyaddressedbyascoundrelwitharoundwig，whotoldmethat，ifIdidnotgosomewhereelsetofinishwhatIhadbegun，hewouldhavemearrested！
"Andwhy，ifyouplease？"
"Because，onyourleft，thereisawomanwhocanseeyou。"
Iliftedupmyhead，andIsawonthefourthstory，awomanwho，withthetelescopeshehadappliedtohereye，couldhavetoldwhetherI
wasaJeworaChristian。Iobeyed，laughingheartily，andrelatedtheadventureeverywhere；butnoonewasastonished，becausethesamethinghappenedoverandoveragaineveryday。
Inordertostudythemannersandhabitsofthepeople，Itookmymealsinallsortsofplaces。Oneday，havinggonewithCampionitodineat"TheCrawfish，"Ifound，tomygreatsurprise，sittingatthetabled’hote，thatPepeilCadetto，whoseacquaintanceIhadmadeatthetimeofmyarrestintheSpanisharmy，andwhomIhadmetafterwardsinVeniceandinLyons，underthenameofDonJosephMarcati。Campioni，whohadbeenhispartnerinLyons，embracedhim，talkedwithhiminprivate，andinformedmethatthemanhadresumedhisrealname，andthathewasnowcalledCountAfflisio。HetoldmethatafterdinnertherewouldbeafarobankinwhichIwouldhaveaninterest，andhethereforerequestedmenottoplay。Iacceptedtheoffer。Afflisiowon:acaptainofthenameofBeccaxiathrewthecardsathisface——atrifletowhichtheself—styledcountwasaccustomed，andwhichdidnotelicitanyremarkfromhim。Whenthegamewasover，werepairedtothecoffee—room，whereanofficerofgentlemanlyappearance，staringatme，begantosmile，butnotinanoffensivemanner。
"Sir，"Iaskedhim，politely，"mayIaskwhyyouarelaughing？"
"Itmakesmelaughtoseethatyoudonotrecognizeme。"
"IhavesomeideathatIhaveseenyousomewhere，butIcouldnotsaywhereorwhenIhadthathonour。"
"Nineyearsago，bytheordersofthePrincedeLobkowitz，IescortedyoutotheGateofRimini。"
"YouareBaronVais:"
"Precisely。"
Weembracedoneanother；heofferedmehisfriendlyservices，promisingtoprocuremeallthepleasurehecouldinVienna。I
acceptedgratefully，andthesameeveninghepresentedmetoacountess，atwhosehouseImadetheacquaintanceoftheAbbeTestagrossa，whowascalledGrosse—Tetebyeverybody。HewasministeroftheDukeofModem，andgreatatCourtbecausehehadnegotiatedthemarriageofthearch—dukewithBeatriced’Este。I
alsobecameacquaintedtherewiththeCountofRoquendorfandCountSarotin，andwithseveralnobleyoungladieswhoarecalledinGermanyfrauleins，andwithabaronesswhohadledaprettywildlife，butwhocouldyetcaptivateaman。Wehadsupper，andIwascreatedbaron。ItwasinvainthatIobservedthatIhadnotitlewhatever:"Youmustbesomething，"Iwastold，"andyoucannotbelessthanbaron。Youmustconfessyourselftobeatleastthat，ifyouwishtobereceivedanywhereinVienna。"
"Well，Iwillbeabaron，sinceitisofnoimportance。"
Thebaronesswasnotlongbeforeshegavemetounderstandthatshefeltkindlydisposedtowardsme，andthatshewouldreceivemyattentionswithpleasure；Ipaidheravisittheverynextday。"Ifyouarefondofcards，"shesaid，"comeintheevening。"AtherhouseImadetheacquaintanceofseveralgamblers，andofthreeorfourfrauleinswho，withoutanydreadoftheCommissariesofChastity，weredevotedtotheworshipofVenus，andweresokindlydisposedthattheywerenotafraidofloweringtheirnobilitybyacceptingsomerewardfortheirkindness——acircumstancewhichprovedtomethattheCommissarieswereinthehabitoftroublingonlythegirlswhodidnotfrequentgoodhouses。
Thebaronessinvitedmetointroduce，allmyfriends，soIbroughttoherhouseVais，Campioni，andAfflisio。Thelastoneplayed，heldthebank，won；andTramontini，withwhomIhadbecomeacquainted，presentedhimtohiswife，whowascalledMadameTasi。ItwasthroughherthatAfflisiomadetheusefulacquaintanceofthePrinceofSaxe—Hildburghausen。Thisintroductionwastheoriginofthegreatfortunemadebythatcontrabrandcount，becauseTramontini，whohadbecomehispartnerinallimportantgamblingtransactions，contrivedtoobtainforhimfromtheprincetherankofcaptainintheserviceoftheirimperialandroyalmajesties，andinlessthanthreeweeksAfflisioworetheuniformandtheinsigniaofhisgrade。
WhenIleftViennahepossessedone:hundredthousandflorins。Theirmajestieswerefondofgamblingbutnotofpunting。Theemperorhadacreatureofhisowntoholdthebank。Hewasakind，magnificent，butnotextravagant，prince。Isawhiminhisgrandimperialcostume，andIwassurprisedtoseehimdressedintheSpanishfashion。IalmostfanciedIhadbeforemyeyesCharlesV。ofSpain，whohadestablishedthatetiquettewhichwasstillinexistence，althoughafterhimnoemperorhadbeenaSpaniard，andalthoughFrancisI。hadnothingincommonwiththatnation。
InPoland，someyearsafterwards，IsawthesamecapriceatthecoronationofStanislasAugustusPoniatowski，andtheoldpalatinenoblemenalmostbroketheirheartsatthesightofthatcostume；buttheyhadtoshewasgoodacountenanceastheycould，forunderRussiandespotismtheonlyprivilegetheyenjoyedwasthatofresignation。
TheEmperorFrancisI。was，handsome，andwouldhavelookedsounderthehoodofamonkaswellasunderanimperialcrown。Hehadeverypossibleconsiderationforhiswife，andallowedhertogetthestateintodebt，becausehepossessedtheartofbecominghimselfthecreditorofthestate。Hefavouredcommercebecauseitfilledhiscoffers。Hewasratheraddictedtogallantry，andtheempress，whoalwayscalledhimmasterfeignednottonoticeit，becauseshedidnotwanttheworldtoknowthathercharmscouldnolongercaptivateherroyalspouse，andthemoresothatthebeautyofhernumerousfamilywasgenerallyadmired。Allthearchduchessesexcepttheeldestseemedtomeveryhandsome；butamongstthesonsIhadtheopportunityofseeingonlytheeldest，andIthoughttheexpressionofhisfacebadandunpleasant，inspiteofthecontraryopinionofAbbeGrosse—Tete，whopridedhimselfuponbeingagoodphysiognomist。
"Whatdoyousee，"heaskedmeoneday，"onthecountenanceofthatprince？"
"Self—conceitandsuicide。"
Itwasaprophecy，forJosephII。positivelykilledhimself，althoughnotwilfully，anditwashisself—conceitwhichpreventedhimfromknowingit。Hewasnotwantinginlearning，buttheknowledgewhichhebelievedhimselftopossessdestroyedthelearningwhichhehadinreality。Hedelightedinspeakingtothosewhodidnotknowhowtoanswerhim，whetherbecausetheywereamazedathisarguments，orbecausetheypretendedtobeso；buthecalledpedants，andavoidedallpersons，whobytruereasoningpulleddowntheweakscaffoldingofhisarguments。SevenyearsagoIhappenedtomeethimatLuxemburg，andhespoketomewithjustcontemptofamanwhohadexchangedimmensesumsofmoney，andagreatdealofdebasingmeannessagainstsomemiserableparchments，andheadded，——
"Idespisemenwhopurchasenobility。"
"Yourmajestyisright，butwhatarewetothinkofthosewhosellit？"
Afterthatquestionheturnedhisbackuponme，andhenceforthhethoughtmeunworthyofbeingspokento。
Thegreatpassionofthatkingwastoseethosewholistenedtohimlaugh，whetherwithsincerityorwithaffectation，whenherelatedsomething；hecouldnarratewellandamplifyinaveryamusingmanneralltheparticularsofananecdote；buthecalledanyonewhodidnotlaughathisjestsafool，andthatwasalwaysthepersonwhounderstoodhimbest。HegavethepreferencetotheopinionofBrambilla，whoencouragedhissuicide，overthatofthephysicianswhoweredirectinghimaccordingtoreason。Nevertheless，nooneeverdeniedhisclaimtogreatcourage；buthehadnoideawhateveroftheartofgovernment，forhehadnottheslightestknowledgeofthehumanheart，andhecouldneitherdissemblenorkeepasecret；hehadsolittlecontroloverhisowncountenancethathecouldnotevenconcealthepleasurehefeltinpunishing，andwhenhesawanyonewhosefeaturesdidnotpleasehim，hecouldnothelpmakingawryfacewhichdisfiguredhimgreatly。
JosephII。sankunderatrulycrueldisease，whichlefthimuntilthelastmomentthefacultyofarguinguponeverything，atthesametimethatheknewhisdeathtobecertain。Thisprincemusthavefeltthemiseryofrepentingeverythinghehaddoneandofseeingtheimpossibilityofundoingit，partlybecauseitwasirreparable，partlybecauseifhehadundonethroughreasonwhathehaddonethroughsenselessness，hewouldhavethoughthimselfdishonoured，forhemusthaveclungtothelasttothebeliefoftheinfallibilityattachedtohishighbirth，inspiteofthestateoflanguorofhissoulwhichoughttohaveprovedtohimtheweaknessandthefallibilityofhisnature。Hehadthegreatestesteemforhisbrother，whohasnowsucceededhim，buthehadnotthecouragetofollowtheadvicewhichthatbrothergavehim。Animpulseworthyofagreatsoulmadehimbestowalargerewarduponthephysician，amanofintelligence，whopronouncedhissentenceofdeath，butacompletelyoppositeweaknesshadpromptedhim，afewmonthsbefore，toloadwithbenefitsthedoctorsandthequackwhomadehimbelievethattheyhadcuredhim。Hemustlikewisehavefeltthemiseryofknowingthathewouldnotberegrettedafterhisdeath——agrievousthought，especiallyforasovereign。Hisniece，whomheloveddearly，diedbeforehim，and，ifhehadhadtheaffectionofthosewhosurroundedhim，theywouldhavesparedhimthatfearfulinformation，foritwasevidentthathisendwasnearathand，andnoonecoulddreadhisangerforhavingkeptthateventfromhim。
AlthoughverymuchpleasedwithViennaandwiththepleasuresI
enjoyedwiththebeautifulfrauleins，whoseacquaintanceIhadmadeatthehouseofthebaroness，Iwasthinkingofleavingthatagreeablecity，whenBaronVais，meetingmeatCountDurazzo’swedding，invitedmetojoinapicnicatSchoenbrunn。Iwent，andI
failedtoobservethelawsoftemperance；theconsequencewasthatI
returnedtoViennawithsuchasevereindigestionthatintwenty—fourhoursIwasatthepointofdeath。
Imadeuseofthelastparticleofintelligenceleftinmebythediseasetosavemyownlife。Campioni，RoquendorfandSarotinwerebymybedside。M。Sarotin，whofeltgreatfriendshipforme，hadbroughtaphysician，althoughIhadalmostpositivelydeclaredthatI
wouldnotseeone。ThatdiscipleofSangrado，thinkingthathecouldallowfullswaytothedespotismofscience，hadsentforasurgeon，andtheyweregoingtobleedmeagainstmywill。Iwashalf—dead；I
donotknowbywhatstrangeinspirationIopenedmyeyes，andIsawaman，standinglancetinhandandpreparingtoopenthevein。
"No，no！"Isaid。
AndIlanguidlywithdrewmyarm；butthetormentorwishing，asthephysicianexpressedit，torestoremetolifeinspiteofmyself，gotholdofmyarmagain。Isuddenlyfeltmystrengthreturning。Iputmyhandforward，seizedoneofmypistols，fired，andtheballcutoffoneofthelocksofhishair。Thatwasenough；everybodyranaway，withtheexceptionofmyservant，whodidnotabandonme，andgavemeasmuchwaterasIwantedtodrink。OnthefourthdayIhadrecoveredmyusualgoodhealth。
ThatadventureamusedalltheidlersofViennaforseveraldays，andAbbeGrosse—TeteassuredmethatifIhadkilledthepoorsurgeon，itwouldnothavegoneanyfurther，becauseallthewitnessespresentinmyroomatthetimewouldhavedeclaredthathewantedtouseviolencetobleedme，whichmadeitacaseoflegitimateself—
defence。IwaslikewisetoldbyseveralpersonsthatallthephysiciansinViennawereofopinionthatifIhadbeenbledIshouldhavebeenadeadman；butifdrinkingwaterhadnotsavedme，thosegentlemenwouldcertainlynothaveexpressedthesameopinion。I
felt，however，thatIhadtobecareful，andnottofallillinthecapitalofAustria，foritwaslikelythatIshouldnothavefoundaphysicianwithoutdifficulty。Attheopera，agreatmanypersonswishedafterthattomakemyacquaintance，andIwaslookeduponasamanwhohadfought，pistolinhand，againstdeath。Aminiature—
painternamedMorol，whowassubjecttoindigestionsandwhowasatlastkilledbyone，hadtaughtmehissystemwhichwasthat，tocurethoseattacks，allthatwasnecessarywastodrinkplentyofwaterandtobepatient。Hediedbecausehewasbledoncewhenhecouldnotopposeanyresistance。
Myindigestionremindedmeofawittysayingofamanwhowasnotmuchinthehabitofutteringmanyofthem；ImeanM。deMaisonrouge，whowastakenhomeonedayalmostdyingfromasevereattackofindigestion:hiscarriagehavingbeenstoppedoppositetheQuinze—
Vingtsbysomeobstruction，apoormancameupandbeggedalms，saying，"Sir，Iamstarving。"
"Eh！whatareyoucomplainingof？"answeredMaisonrouge，sighingdeeply；"IwishIwasinyourplace，yourogue！"
AtthattimeImadetheacquaintanceofaMilanesedancer，whohadwit，excellentmanners，aliteraryeducation，andwhatismore——greatbeauty。Shereceivedverygoodsociety，anddidthehonoursofherdrawing—roommarvellouslywell。IbecameacquaintedatherhousewithCountChristopherErdodi，anamiable，wealthyandgenerousman；
andwithacertainPrinceKinskiwhohadallthegraceofaharlequin。Thatgirlinspiredmewithlove，butitwasinvain，forshewasherselfenamouredofadancerfromFlorence，calledArgiolini。Icourtedher，butsheonlylaughedatme，foranactress，ifinlovewithsomeone，isafortresswhichcannotbetaken，unlessyoubuildabridgeofgold，andIwasnotrich。YetI
didnotdespair，andkeptonburningmyincenseatherfeet。Shelikedmysocietybecausesheusedtoshewmethelettersshewrote，andIwasverycarefultoadmireherstyle。Shehadherownportraitinminiature，whichwasanexcellentlikeness。Thedaybeforemydeparture，vexedathavinglostmytimeandmyamorouscompliments，I
madeupmymindtostealthatportrait——aslightcompensationfornothavingwontheoriginal。AsIwastakingleaveofher，Isawtheportraitwithinmyreach，seizedit，andleftViennaforPresburg，whereBaronVaishadinvitedmetoaccompanyhimandseverallovelyfrauleinsonapartyofpleasure。
Whenwegotoutofthecarriages，thefirstpersonItumbleduponwastheChevalierdeTalvis，theprotectorofMadameConde—Labre，whomI
hadtreatedsowellinParis。Themomenthesawme，hecameupandtoldmethatIowedhimhisrevenge。
"Ipromisetogiveittoyou，butIneverleaveonepleasureforanother，"Ianswered；"weshallseeoneanotheragain。"
"Thatisenough。Willyoudomethehonourtointroducemetotheseladies？"
"Verywillingly，butnotinthestreet。"
Wewentinsideofthehotelandhefollowedus。Thinkingthattheman，whoafterallwasasbraveasaFrenchchevalier，mightamuseus，Ipresentedhimtomyfriends。Hehadbeenstayingatthesamehotelforacoupleofdays，andhewasinmourning。Heaskedusifweintendedtogototheprince—bishop’sball；itwasthefirstnewswehadofit。Vaisansweredaffirmatively。
"Onecanattendit，"saidTalvis，"withoutbeingpresented，andthatiswhyweintendtogo，forIamnotknowntoanybodyhere。"
Heleftus，andthelandlord，havingcomeintoreceiveourorders，gaveussomeparticularsrespectingtheball。Ourlovelyfrauleinsexpressingawishtoattendit，wemadeupourmindstogratifythem。
Wewerenotknowntoanyone，andwereramblingthroughtheapartments，whenwearrivedbeforealargetableatwhichtheprince—
bishopwasholdingafarobank。Thepileofgoldthatthenobleprelatehadbeforehimcouldnothavebeenlessthanthirteenorfourteenthousandflorins。TheChevalierdeTalviswasstandingbetweentwoladiestowhomhewaswhisperingsweetwords，whiletheprelatewasshufflingthecards。
Theprince，lookingatthechevalier，tookitintohisheadtoaskhim，inamostengagingmannertoriskacard。
"Willingly，mylord，"saidTalvis；"thewholeofthebankuponthiscard。"
"Verywell，"answeredtheprelate，toshewthathewasnotafraid。
Hedealt，Talviswon，andmyluckyFrenchman，withthegreatestcoolness，filledhispocketswiththeprince’sgold。Thebishop，astonished，andseeingbutratherlatehowfoolishhehadbeen，saidtothechevalier，"Sir，ifyouhadlost，howwouldyouhavemanagedtopayme？"
"Mylord，thatismybusiness。"
"Youaremoreluckythanwise。"
"Mostlikely，mylord；butthatismybusiness。"
Seeingthatthechevalierwasonthepointofleaving，Ifollowedhim，andatthebottomofthestairs，aftercongratulatinghim，I
askedhimtolendmeahundredsovereigns。Hegavethemtomeatonce，assuringmethathewasdelightedtohaveitinhispowertoobligeme。
"Iwillgiveyoumybill。"
"Nothingofthesort。"
Iputthegoldintomypocket，caringverylittleforthecrowdofmaskedpersonswhomcuriosityhadbroughtaroundtheluckywinner，andwhohadwitnessedthetransaction。Talviswentaway，andI
returnedtotheball—room。
RoquendorfandSarotin，whowereamongsttheguests，havingheardthatthechevalierhadhandedmesomegold，askedmewhohewas。I
gavethemananswerhalftrueandhalffalse，andItoldthemthatthegoldIhadjustreceivedwasthepaymentofasumIhadlenthiminParis。Ofcoursetheycouldnothelpbelievingme，oratleastpretendingtodoso。
Whenwereturnedtotheinn，thelandlordinformedusthatthechevalierhadleftthecityonhorseback，asfastashecouldgallop，andthatasmalltraveling—bagwasallhisluggage。Wesatdowntosupper，andinordertomakeourmealmorecheerful，ItoldVaisandourcharmingfrauleinsthemannerinwhichIhadknownTalvis，andhowIhadcontrivedtohavemyshareofwhathehadwon。
OnourarrivalinVienna，theadventurewasalreadyknown；peopleadmiredtheFrenchmanandlaughedatthebishop。Iwasnotsparedbypublicrumour，butItooknonoticeofit，forIdidnotthinkitnecessarytodefendmyself。NooneknewtheChevalierdeTalvis，andtheFrenchambassadorwasnotevenacquaintedwithhisname。Idonotknowwhetherhewaseverheardofagain。
IleftViennainapost—chaise，afterIhadsaidfarewelltomyfriends，ladiesandgentlemen，andonthefourthdayIsleptinTrieste。ThenextdayIsailedforVenice，whichIreachedintheafternoon，twodaysbeforeAscensionDay。AfteranabsenceofthreeyearsIhadthehappinessofembracingmybelovedprotector，M。deBragadin，andhistwoinseparablefriends，whoweredelightedtoseemeingoodhealthandwellequipped。
CHAPTERXI
IReturnthePortraitIHadStoleninViennaIProceedtoPadua；AnAdventureonMyWayBack，andItsConsequences——IMeetThereseImerAgain——MyAcquaintanceWithMademoiselleC。C。
Ifoundmyselfagaininmynativecountrywiththatfeelingofdelightwhichisexperiencedbyalltrue—heartedmen，whentheyseeagaintheplaceinwhichtheyhavereceivedthefirstlastingimpressions。Ihadacquiredsomeexperience；Iknewthelawsofhonourandpoliteness；inoneword，Ifeltmyselfsuperiortomostofmyequals，andIlongedtoresumemyoldhabitsandpursuits；butI
intendedtoadoptamoreregularandmorereservedlineofconduct。
Isawwithgreatpleasure，asIenteredmystudy，theperfect’statuquo’whichhadbeenpreservedthere。Mypapers，coveredwithathicklayerofdust，testifiedwellenoughthatnostrangehandhadevermeddledwiththem。
Twodaysaftermyarrival，asIwasgettingreadytoaccompanytheBucentoro，onwhichtheDogewasgoing，asusual，towedtheAdriatic，thewidowofsomanyhusbands，andyetasyoungasonthefirstdayofhercreation，agondolierbroughtmealetter。ItwasfromM。GiovanniGrimani，ayoungnobleman，who，wellawarethathehadnorighttocommandme，beggedmeinthemostpolitemannertocallathishousetoreceivealetterwhichhadbeenentrustedtohimfordeliveryinmyownhands。Iwenttohimimmediately，andaftertheusualcomplimentshehandedmealetterwithaflyingseal，whichhehadreceivedthedaybefore。
Herearethecontents:
"Sir，havingmadeauselesssearchformyportraitafteryouleft，andnotbeinginthehabitofreceivingthievesinmyapartment，I
feelsatisfiedthatitmustbeinyourpossession。Irequestyoutodeliverittothepersonwhowillhandyouthisletter。
"FOGLIAZZI。"
Happeningtohavetheportraitwithme，Itookitoutofmypocket，andgaveitatoncetoM。Grimani，whoreceiveditwithamixtureofsatisfactionandsurpriseforhehadevidentlythoughtthatthecommissionentrustedtohimwouldbemoredifficulttofulfil，andheremarked，"LovehasmostlikelymadeathiefofyoubutIcongratulateyou，foryourpassioncannotbeaveryardentone。"
"Howcanyoujudgeofthat？"
"Fromthereadinesswithwhichyougiveupthisportrait。"
"Iwouldnothavegivenitupsoeasilytoanybodyelse。"
"Ithankyou；andasacompensationIbegyoutoacceptmyfriendship。"
"Iplaceitinmyestimationinfinitelyabovetheportrait，andevenabovetheoriginal。MayIaskyoutoforwardmyanswer？"
"Ipromiseyoutosendit。Hereissomepaper，writeyourletter；
youneednotsealit。"
Iwrotethefollowingwords:
"Ingettingridoftheportrait，Casanovaexperiencesasatisfactionbyfarsuperiortothatwhichhefeltwhen，owingtoastupidfancy，hewasfoolishenoughtoputitinhispocket。"
BadweatherhavingcompelledtheauthoritiestopostponethewonderfulweddinguntilthefollowingSunday，IaccompaniedM。deBragadin，whowasgoingtoPadua。Theamiableoldmanranawayfrom，thenoisypleasureswhichnolongersuitedhisage，andhewasgoingtospendinpeacethefewdayswhichthepublicrejoicingswouldhaverenderedunpleasantforhiminVenice。OnthefollowingSaturday，afterdinner，Ibadehimfarewell，andgotintothepost—chaisetoreturntoVenice。IfIhadleftPaduatwominutessoonerorlater，thewholecourseofmylifewouldhavebeenaltered，andmydestiny，ifdestinyistrulyshapedbyfatalcombinations，wouldhavebeenverydifferent。Butthereadercanjudgeforhimself。
Having，therefore，leftPaduaattheveryinstantmarkedbyfatality，ImetatOriagoacabriolet，drawnatfullspeedbytwopost—horses，containingaveryprettywomanandamanwearingaGermanuniform。
Withinafewyardsfrommethevehiclewassuddenlyupsetonthesideoftheriver，andthewoman，fallingovertheofficer，wasingreatdangerofrollingintotheBrenta。Ijumpedoutofmychaisewithoutevenstoppingmypostillion，andrushingtotheassistanceoftheladyIremediedwithachastehandthedisordercausedtohertoiletbyherfall。
Hercompanion，whohadpickedhimselfupwithoutanyinjury，hastenedtowardsus，andtherewasthelovelycreaturesittingonthegroundthoroughlyamazed，andlessconfusedfromherfallthanfromtheindiscretionofherpetticoats，whichhadexposedinalltheirnakednesscertainpartswhichanhonestwomannevershewstoastranger。Inthewarmthofherthanks，whichlasteduntilherpostillionandminehadrightedthecabriolet，sheoftencalledmehersaviour，herguardianangel。
Thevehiclebeingallright，theladycontinuedherjourneytowardsPadua，andIresumedminetowardsVenice，whichIreachedjustintimetodressfortheopera。
ThenextdayImaskedmyselfearlytoaccompanytheBucentoro，which，favouredbyfineweather，wastobetakentotheLidoforthegreatandridiculousceremony。Thewholeaffairisundertheresponsibilityoftheadmiralofthearsenal，whoanswersfortheweatherremainingfine，underpenaltyofhishead，fortheslightestcontrarywindmightcapsizetheshipanddrowntheDoge，withallthemostserenenoblemen，theambassadors，andthePope’snuncio，whoisthesponsorofthatburlesqueweddingwhichtheVenetiansrespecteventosuperstition。TocrownthemisfortuneofsuchanaccidentitwouldmakethewholeofEuropelaugh，andpeoplewouldnotfailtosaythattheDogeofVenicehadgoneatlasttoconsumatehismarriage。
Ihadremovedmymask，andwasdrinkingsomecoffeeunderthe’procuraties’ofSt。Mark’sSquare，whenafine—lookingfemalemaskstruckmegallantlyontheshoulderwithherfan。AsIdidnotknowwhoshewasIdidnottakemuchnoticeofit，andafterIhadfinishedmycoffeeIputonmymaskandwalkedtowardstheSpiaggiadelSepulcro，whereM。deBragadin’sgondolawaswaitingforme。AsIwasgettingnearthePontedelPagliaIsawthesamemaskedwomanattentivelylookingatsomewonderfulmonstershewnforafewpence。
Iwentuptoher；andaskedherwhyshehadstruckmewithherfan。
"Topunishyoufornotknowingmeagainafterhavingsavedmylife。"
IguessedthatshewasthepersonIhadrescuedthedaybeforeonthebanksoftheBrenta，andafterpayinghersomecomplimentsIenquiredwhethersheintendedtofollowtheBucentoro。
"Ishouldlikeit，"shesaid，"ifIhadasafegondola。"
Iofferedhermine，whichwasoneofthelargest，and，afterconsultingamaskedpersonwhoaccompaniedher，sheaccepted。BeforesteppinginIinvitedthemtotakeofftheirmasks，buttheytoldmethattheywishedtoremainunknown。Ithenbeggedthemtotellmeiftheybelongedtothesuiteofsomeambassador，becauseinthatcaseI
shouldbecompelled，muchtomyregret，towithdrawmyinvitation；
buttheyassuredmethattheywerebothVenetians。Thegondolabelongingtoapatrician，ImighthavecommittedmyselfwiththeStateInquisitors—athingwhichIwishedparticularlytoavoid。
WewerefollowingtheBucentoro，andseatedneartheladyIallowedmyselfafewslightliberties，butshefoiledmyintentionsbychangingherseat。AftertheceremonywereturnedtoVenice，andtheofficerwhoaccompaniedtheladytoldmethatIwouldobligethembydiningintheircompanyat"TheSavage。"Iaccepted，forIfeltsomewhatcuriousaboutthewoman。WhatIhadseenofheratthetimeofherfallwarrantedmycuriosity。Theofficerleftmealonewithher，andwentbeforeustoorderdinner。
AssoonasIwasalonewithher，emboldenedbythemask，ItoldherthatIwasinlovewithher，thatIhadaboxattheopera，whichI
placedentirelyatherdisposal，andthat，ifshewouldonlygivemethehopethatIwasnotwastingmytimeandmyattentions，Iwouldremainherhumbleservantduringthecarnival。
"Ifyoumeantobecruel，"Iadded，"praysaysocandidly。"
"Imustaskyoutotellmewhatsortofawomanyoutakemefor？"
"Foraverycharmingone，whetheraprincessoramaidoflowdegree。
Therefore，Ihopethatyouwillgiveme，thisveryday，somemarksofyourkindness，orImustpartwithyouimmediatelyafterdinner。"
"Youwilldoasyouplease；butItrustthatafterdinneryouwillhavechangedyouropinionandyourlanguage，foryourwayofspeakingisnotpleasant。Itseemstomethat，beforeventuringuponsuchanexplanation，itisnecessarytoknowoneanother。Doyounotthinkso？"
"Yes，Ido；butIamafraidofbeingdeceived。"
"Howverystrange！Andthatfearmakesyoubeginbywhatoughttobetheend？"
"Ionlybegto—dayforoneencouragingword。GiveittomeandI
willatoncebemodest，obedientanddiscreet。"
"Praycalmyourself。"
Wefoundtheofficerwaitingforusbeforethedoorof"TheSavage，"
andwentupstairs。Themomentwewereintheroom，shetookoffhermask，andIthoughthermorebeautifulthanthedaybefore。Iwantedonlytoascertain，forthesakeofformandetiquette，whethertheofficerwasherhusband，herlover，arelativeoraprotector，because，usedasIwastogallantadventures，IwishedtoknowthenatureoftheoneinwhichIwasembarking。
Wesatdowntodinner，andthemannersofthegentlemanandoftheladymadeitnecessaryformetobecareful。ItwastohimthatI
offeredmybox，anditwasaccepted；butasIhadnone，Iwentoutafterdinnerunderpretenceofsomeengagement，inordertogetoneattheopera—buffa，wherePetriciandLasquiwerethentheshiningstars。AftertheoperaIgavethemagoodsupperataninn，andI
tookthemtotheirhouseinmygondola。Thankstothedarknessofthenight，Iobtainedfromtheprettywomanallthefavourswhichcanbegrantedbythesideofathirdpersonwhohastobetreatedwithcaution。Aswepartedcompany，theofficersaid，"Youshallhearfrommeto—morrow。"
"Where，andhow？"
"Nevermindthat。"
Thenextmorningtheservantannouncedanofficer；itwasmyman。
Afterwehadexchangedtheusualcompliments，afterIhadthankedhimforthehonourhehaddonemethedaybefore，Iaskedhimtotellmehisname。Heansweredmeinthefollowingmanner，speakingwithgreatfluency，butwithoutlookingatme:
"MynameisP————C————。Myfatherisrich，andenjoysgreatconsiderationattheexchange；butwearenotonfriendlytermsatpresent。IresideinSt。Mark’sSquare。TheladyyousawwithmewasaMdlle。O————；sheisthewifeofthebrokerC————，andhersistermarriedthepatricianP————M————。ButMadameC————isatvariancewithherhusbandonmyaccount，assheisthecauseofmyquarrelwithmyfather。
"IwearthisuniforminvirtueofacaptaincyintheAustrianservice，butIhaveneverservedinreality。IhavethecontractforthesupplyofoxentotheCityofVenice，andIgetthecattlefromStyriaandHungary。Thiscontractgivesmeanetprofitoftenthousandflorinsayear；butanunforeseenembarrassment，whichI
mustremedy；afraudulentbankruptcy，andsomeextraordinaryexpenditure，placemeforthepresentinmonetarydifficulties。FouryearsagoIheardagreatdealaboutyou，andwishedverymuchtomakeyouracquaintance；IfirmlybelievethatitwasthroughtheinterferenceofHeaventhatwebecameacquaintedthedaybeforeyesterday。Ihavenohesitationinclaimingfromyouanimportantservicewhichwilluniteusbythetiesofthewarmestfriendship。
Cometomyassistancewithoutrunninganyriskyourself；backthesethreebillsofexchange。Youneednotbeafraidofhavingtopaythem，forIwillleaveinyourhandsthesethreeotherbillswhichfallduebeforethefirst。Besides，Iwillgiveyouamortgageupontheproceedsofmycontractduringthewholeyear，sothat，shouldI
failtotakeupthesebills，youcouldseizemycattleinTrieste，whichistheonlyroadthroughwhichtheycancome。"
Astonishedathisspeechandathisproposal，whichseemedtomealureandmademefearaworldoftroublewhichIalwaysabhorred，struckbythestrangeideaofthatmanwho，thinkingthatIwouldeasilyfallintothesnare，gavemethepreferenceoversomanyotherpersonswhomhecertainlyknewbetterthanme，IdidnothesitatetotellhimthatIwouldneveraccepthisoffer。Hethenhadrecoursetoallhiseloquencetopersuademe，butIembarrassedhimgreatlybytellinghimhowsurprisedIwasathisgivingmethepreferenceoverallhisotheracquaintances，whenIhadhadthehonourtoknowhimonlyfortwodays。
"Sir"hesaid，withbarefacedimpudence，"havingrecognisedinyouamanofgreatintelligence，Ifeltcertainthatyouwouldatonceseetheadvantagesofmyoffer，andthatyouwouldnotraiseanyobjection。"
"Youmustseeyourmistakebythistime，andmostlikelyyouwilltakemeforafoolnowyouseethatIshouldbelievemyselfadupeifIaccepted。"
Heleftmewithanapologyforhavingtroubledme，andsayingthathehopedtoseemeintheeveningatSt。Mark’sSquare，wherehewouldbewithMadameC————，hegavemehisaddress，tellingmethathehadretainedpossessionofhisapartmentunknowntohisfather。Thiswasasmuchastosaythatheexpectedmetoreturnhisvisit，butifI
hadbeenprudentIshouldnothavedoneso。
Disgustedatthemannerinwhichthatmanhadattemptedtogetholdofme，Inolongerfeltanyinclinationtotrymyfortunewithhismistress，foritseemedevidentthattheywereconspiringtogethertomakeadupeofme，andasIhadnowishtoaffordthemthatgratificationIavoidedthemintheevening。Itwouldhavebeenwisetokeeptothatlineofconduct；butthenextday，obeyingmyevilgenius，andthinkingthatapolitecallcouldnothaveanyconsequences，Icalleduponhim。
Aservanthavingtakenmetohisroom，hegavemethemostfriendlywelcome，andreproachedmeinafriendlymannerfornothavingshewnmyselftheeveningbefore。Afterthat，hespokeagainofhisaffairs，andmademelookataheapofpapersanddocuments；Ifounditverywearisome。
"Ifyoumakeupyourmindtosignthethreebillsofexchange，"hesaid，"Iwilltakeyouasapartnerinmycontract。"
Bythisextraordinarymarkoffriendship，hewasofferingme——atleasthesaidso——anincomeoffivethousandflorinsayear；butmyonlyanswerwastobegthatthemattershouldneverbementionedagain。Iwasgoingtotakeleaveofhim，whenhesaidthathewishedtointroducemetohismotherandsister。
Helefttheroom，andcamebackwiththem。Themotherwasarespectable，simple—lookingwoman，butthedaughterwasaperfectbeauty；sheliterallydazzledme。Afterafewminutes，theover—
trustfulmotherbeggedleavetoretire，andherdaughterremained。
InlessthanhalfanhourIwascaptivated；herperfectiondelightedme；herlivelywit，herartlessreasoning，hercandour，heringenuousness，hernaturalandnoblefeelings，hercheerfulandinnocentquickness，thatharmonywhicharisesfrombeauty，wit，andinnocence，andwhichhadalwaysthemostpowerfulinfluenceoverme——
everythinginfactconspiredtomakemetheslaveofthemostperfectwomanthatthewildestdreamscouldimagine。
Mdlle。C————C————neverwentoutwithouthermotherwho，althoughverypious，wasfullofkindindulgence。Shereadnobooksbutherfather’s——aseriousmanwhohadnonovelsinhislibrary，andshewaslongingtoreadsometalesofromance。ShehadlikewiseagreatwishtoknowVenice，andasnoonevisitedthefamilyshehadneverbeentoldthatshewastrulyaprodigyofbeauty。HerbrotherwaswritingwhileIconversedwithher，orratheransweredallthequestionswhichsheaddressedtome，andwhichIcouldonlysatisfybydevelopingtheideasthatshealreadyhad，andthatshewasherselfamazedtofindinherownmind，forhersoulhaduntilthenbeenunconsciousofitsownpowers。YetIdidnottellherthatshewaslovelyandthatsheinterestedmeinthehighestdegree，becauseI
hadsooftensaidthesametootherwomen，andwithouttruth，thatI
wasafraidofraisinghersuspicions。
Ileftthehousewithasensationofdreamysadness；feelingdeeplymovedbytherarequalitiesIhaddiscoveredinthatcharminggirl，I
promisedmyselfnottoseeheragain，forIhardlythoughtmyselfthemantosacrificemylibertyentirelyandtoaskherinmarriage，althoughIcertainlybelievedherendowedwithallthequalitiesnecessarytoministertomyhappiness。
IhadnotseenMadameManzonisincemyreturntoVenice，andIwenttopayheravisit。Ifoundtheworthywomanthesameasshehadalwaysbeentowardsme，andshegavemethemostaffectionatewelcome。ShetoldmethatThereseImer，thatprettygirlwhohadcausedM。deMalipierotostrikemethirteenyearsbefore，hadjustreturnedfromBayreuth，wherethemargravehadmadeherfortune。Asshelivedinthehouseopposite，MadameManzoni，whowantedtoenjoyhersurprise，sentherwordtocomeover。Shecamealmostimmediately，holdingbythehandalittleboyofeightyears——alovelychild——andtheonlyoneshehadgiventoherhusband，whowasadancerinBayreuth。Oursurpriseatseeingoneanotheragainwasequaltothepleasureweexperiencedinrecollectingwhathadoccurredinouryoungdays；itistruethatwehadbuttriflestorecollect。Icongratulatedheruponhergoodfortune，andjudgingofmypositionfromexternalappearances，shethoughtitrighttocongratulateme，butherfortunewouldhavebeenestablishedonafirmerbasisthanmineifshehadfollowedaprudentlineofconduct。
Sheunfortunatelyindulgedinnumerouscapriceswithwhichmyreaderswillbecomeacquainted。Shewasanexcellentmusician，butherfortunewasnotaltogetherowingtohertalent；hercharmshaddonemoreforherthananythingelse。Shetoldmeheradventures，verylikelywithsomerestrictions，andwepartedafteraconversationoftwohours。Sheinvitedmetobreakfastforthefollowingday。Shetoldmethatthemargravehadhernarrowlywatched，butbeinganoldacquaintanceIwasnotlikelytogiverisetoanysuspicion；thatistheaphorismofallwomenaddictedtogallantry。SheaddedthatI
could，ifIliked，seeherthatsameeveninginherbox，andthatM。