Stairs，takingnonoticeofFatherBalbi，whokeptcabling:out"Tothechurch！tothechurch！"
Thechurchdoorwasonlyabouttwentypacesfromthestairs，butthechurcheswerenolongersanctuariesinVenice；andnooneevertookrefugeinthem。Themonkknewthis，butfrighthaddeprivedhimofhisfaculties。Hetoldmeafterwardsthatthemotivewhichimpelledhimtogotothechurchwasthevoiceofreligionbiddinghimseekthehornsofthealtar。
"Whydidn’tyougobyyourself？"saidI。
"Ididnot，liketoabandonyou，"butheshouldratherhavesaid，"I
didnotliketolosethecomfortofyourcompany。"
ThesafetyIsoughtwasbeyondthebordersoftheRepublic，andthitherwardIbegantobendmysteps。Alreadythereinspirit，I
mustneedsbethereinbodyalso。Iwentstraighttowardsthechiefdoorofthepalace，andlookingatnoonethatmightbetemptedtolookatmeIgottothecanalandenteredthefirstgondolathatI
cameacross，shoutingtotheboatmanonthepoop，"IwanttogotoFusina；bequickand，callanothergondolier。"
Thiswassoondone，andwhilethegondolawasbeinggotoffIsatdownontheseatinthemiddle，andBalbiattheside。Theoddappearanceofthemonk，withoutahatandwithafinecloakonhisshoulders，withmyunseasonableattire，wasenoughtomakepeopletakeusforanastrologerandhisman。
Assoonaswehadpassedthecustom—house，thegondoliersbegantorowwithawillalongtheGiudeccaCanal，bywhichwemustpasstogotoFusinaortoMestre，whichlatterplacewasreallyourdestination。WhenwehadtraversedhalfthelengthofthecanalI
putmyheadout，andsaidtothewatermanonthepoop，"WhendoyouthinkweshallgettoMestre？"
"ButyoutoldmetogotoFusina。"
"Youmustbemad；IsaidMestre。"
TheotherboatmansaidthatIwasmistaken，andthefoolofamonk，inhiscapacityofzealousChristianandfriendoftruth，tookcaretotellmethatIwaswrong。Iwantedtogivehimaheartykickasapunishmentforhisstupidity，butreflectingthatcommonsensecomesnotbywishingforitIburstintoapealoflaughter，andagreedthatImighthavemadeamistake，butthatmyrealintentionwastogotoMestre。Tothattheyanswerednothing，butaminuteafterthemasterboatmansaidhewasreadytotakemetoEnglandifIliked。
"Bravelyspoken，"saidI，"andnowforMestre，ho！""Weshallbethereinthreequartersofanhour，asthewindandtideareinourfavour。"
WellpleasedIlookedatthecanalbehindus，andthoughtithadneverseemedsofair，especiallyastherewasnotasingleboatcomingourway。Itwasagloriousmorning，theairwasclearandglowingwiththefirstraysofthesun，andmytwoyoungwatermenrowedeasilyandwell；andasIthoughtoverthenightofsorrow，thedangersIhadescaped，theabodewhereIhadbeenfastboundthedaybefore，allthechanceswhichhadbeeninmyfavour，andthelibertyofwhichInowbegantotastethesweets，IwassomovedinmyheartandgratefultomyGodthat，wellnighchokedwithemotion，Iburstintotears。
Mynicecompanionwhohadhithertoonlyspokentobackupthegondoliers，thoughthimselfboundtooffermehisconsolations。HedidnotunderstandwhyIwasweeping，andthetonehetookmademepassfromsweetafflictiontoastrangemirthfulnesswhichmadehimgoastrayoncemore，ashethoughtIhadgotmad。Thepoormonk，asIhavesaid，wasafool，andwhateverwasbadabouthimwastheresultofhisfolly。Ihadbeenunderthesadnecessityofturninghimtoaccount，butthoughwithoutintendingtodosohehadalmostbeenmyruin。ItwasnousetryingtomakehimbelievethatIhadtoldthegondolierstogotoFusinawhilstIintendedtogotoMestre；hesaidIcouldnothavethoughtofthattillIgotontotheGrandCanal。
InduecoursewereachedMestre。Therewerenohorsestoridepost，butIfoundmenwithcoacheswhodidaswell，andIagreedwithoneofthemtotakemetoTrevisainanhourandaquarter。Thehorseswereputininthreeminutes，andwiththeideathatFatherBalbiwasbehindmeIturnedroundtosay"Getup，"butliewasnotthere。I
toldanostlertogoandlookforhim，withtheintentionofreprimandinghimsharply，evenifhehadgoneforanecessaryoccasion，forwehadnotimetowaste，noteventhus。Themancamebacksayinghecouldnotfind’him，tomygreatrageandindignation。
Iwastemptedtoabandonhim，butafeelingofhumanityrestrainedme。Imadeenquiriesallround；everybodyhadseenhim，butnotasoulknewwherehewas。IwalkedalongtheHighStreet，andsomeinstinctpromptingmetoputmyheadinatthewindowofacaf？
Isawthewretchedmanstandingatthebardrinkingchocolateandmakinglovetothegirl。Catchingsightofme，hepointedtothegirlandsaid——
"She’scharming，"andtheninvitedmetotakeacupofchocolate，sayingthatImustpay，ashehadn’tapenny。Ikeptbackmywrathandanswered，"Idon’twantany，anddoyoumakehaste！"andcaughtholdofhisarminsuchsortthatheturnedwhitewithpain。Ipaidthemoneyandwewentout。Itrembledwithanger。Wegotintoourcoach，butwehadscarcelygonetenpacesbeforeIrecognised:aninhabitant，ofMestrenamedBalbiTommasi，agoodsortofman；butreportedtobeoneofthefamiliarsoftheHolyOffice。Heknewme，too，andcomingupcalledout，"Iamdelightedtoseeyouhere。Isupposeyouhavejustescaped。
Howdidyoudoit？"
"Ihavenotescaped，buthavebeensetatliberty。"
"No，no，that’snotpossible，asIwasatM。Grimani’syesterdayevening，andIshouldhaveheardofit。"
Itwillbeeasierforthereadertoimaginemystateofmindthanformetodescribeit。IwasdiscoveredbyamanwhomIbelievedtobeahiredagentoftheGovernment，whoonlyhadtogiveaglancetooneofthesbirriwithwhomMestreswarmedtohavemearrested。Itoldhimtospeaksoftly，andgettingdownIaskedhimtocometooneside。Itookhimbehindahouse，andseeingthattherewasnobodyinsight，aditchinfront，beyondwhichtheopencountryextended，I
graspedmypikeandtookhimbytheneck。Atthis:hegaveastruggle，slippedoutofmyhands，leaptovertheditch，andwithoutturningroundsetofftorunat，fullspeed。Assoonashewassomewayoffheslackenedhiscourse，turnedroundandkissedhishandtome，intokenofwishingmeaprosperousjourney。Andassoon；ashewasoutofmysightIgavethankstoGodthat，thismanbyhisquicknesshad—preservedmefromthecommissionofacrime，forI
wouldhavekilledhim；andhe，asitturnedout，boremenoillwill。
Iwasinaterribleposition。Inopenwarwithallthepowersof—
theRepublic，everythinghadtogivewaytomysafety，whichmademeneglectnomeansofattainingmyends。
Withthegloomofamanwhohaspassedthroughagreatperil，Igaveaglanceofcontempttowardsthemonk，whonowsawtowhatdangerhehadexposedus，andthengotupagainintothecarriage。WereachedTrevisawithoutfurtheradventure，andItoldtheposting—mastertogetmeacarriageandtwohorsesreadybyteno’clock；thoughIhadnointentionofcontinuingmyjourneyalongthehighway，bothbecause。Ilackedmeans；andbecauseIfearedpursuit。Theinn—
keeperaskedme，ifIwouldtakeanybreakfast，ofwhichIstoodingreatneed，forIwasdyingwithhunger，butIdidnotdareto，accepthisoffer，asaquarterofanhour’sdelaymight，provefatal。
Iwasafraidofbeingretaken，andofbeingashamedofitfortherestofmylife；foramanofsenseoughttobeabletosnaphisfingersatfourhundredthousandmenintheopencountry，andifhecannotescapecapturehemustbeafool。
IwentoutbySt。Thomas’sGateasifIwasgoingforashortwalk，andafterwalkingforamileonthehighwayIstruckintothefields，resolvingnottoleavethemaslongasIshouldbewithinthebordersoftheRepublic。TheshortestwaywasbyBassano，butItookthelongerpath，thinkingImightpossiblybeexpectedonthemoredirectroad，whiletheywouldneverthinkofmyleavingtheVenetianterritorybywayofFeltre，whichisthelongestwayofgettingintothestatesubjecttotheBishopofTrent。
AfterwalkingforthreehoursIletmyselfdroptotheground，forI
couldnotmoveastepfurther。Imusteithertakesomefoodordiethere，soItoldthemonktoleavethecloakwithmeandgotoafarmIsaw，theretobuysomethingtoeat。Igavehimthemoney，andhesetoff，tellingmethathethoughtIhadmorecourage。Themiserablemandidnotknowwhatcouragewas，buthewasmorerobustthanmyself，andhehad，doubtless，takeninprovisionsbeforeleavingtheprison。Besideshehadhadsomechocolate；hewasthinandwiry，andamonk，andmentalanxietieswereunknowntohim。
Althoughthehousewasnotaninn，thegoodfarmer’swifesentmeasufficientmealwhichonlycostmethirtyVenetiansous。Aftersatisfyingmyappetite，feelingthatsleepwascreepingonme，Isetoutagainonthetramp，wellbracedup。Infourhours’timeI
stoppedatahamlet，andfoundthatIwastwenty—fourmilesfromTrevisa。Iwasdoneup，myankleswereswollen，andmyshoeswereinholes。Therewasonlyanotherhourofday—lightbeforeus。
StretchingmyselfoutbeneathagroveoftreesImadeFatherBalbisitbyme，anddiscoursedtohiminthemannerfollowing:
"WemustmakeforBorgodiValsugano，itisthefirsttownbeyondthebordersoftheRepublic。WeshallbeassafethereasifwewereinLondon，andwecantakeoureaseforawhile；buttogettherewemustgocarefullytowork，andthefirstthingwemustdoistoseparate。
YoumustgobyMantelloWoods，andIbythemountains；youbytheeasiestandshortestway，andIbythelongestandmostdifficult；
youwithmoneyandIwithoutapenny。Iwillmakeyouapresentofmycloak，whichyoumustexchangeforagreatcoatandahat，andeverybodywilltakeyouforacountryman，asyouareluckilyratherlikeoneintheface。Taketheseseventeenlivres，whichisallthatremainstomeofthetwosequinsCountAsquingaveme。YouwillreachBorgobythedayafterto—morrow，andIshallbetwenty—fourhourslater。Waitformeinthefirstinnontheleft—handsideofthestreet，andbesureIshallcomeindueseason。Irequireagoodnight’srestinagoodbed；andProvidencewillgetmeonesomewhere，butImustsleepwithoutfearofbeingdisturbed，andinyourcompanythatwouldbeoutofthequestion。Iamcertainthatwearebeingsoughtforonallsides，andthatourdescriptionshavebeensocorrectlygiventhatifwewentintoanyinntogetherweshouldbecertaintobearrested。YouseethestateIamin，andmyurgentnecessityforatenhours’rest。Farewell，then，doyougothatwayandIwilltakethis，andIwillfindsomewherenearherearestforthesoleofmyfoot。"
"Ihavebeenexpectingyoutosayasmuch，"saidFatherBalbi，"andforanswerIwillremindyouofthepromiseyougavemewhenIletmyselfbepersuadedtobreakintoyourcell。Youpromisedmethatweshouldalwayskeepcompany；andsodon’tflatteryourselfthatI
shallleaveyou，yourfateandminearelinkedtogether。Weshallbeabletogetagoodrefugeforourmoney，wewon’tgototheinns，andnoonewillarrestus。"
"Youaredetermined，areyou，nottofollowthegoodadviceIhavegivenyou？"
"Iam。"
"Weshallseeaboutthat。"
Irosetomyfeet，thoughwithsomedifficulty，andtakingthemeasureofhisheightImarkeditoutupontheground，thendrawingmypikefrommypocket，Iproceededwiththeutmostcoolnesstoexcavatetheearth，takingnonoticeofthequestionsthemonkaskedme。Afterworking:foraquarterofanhourIsetmyselftogazesadlyuponhim，andItoldhimthatIfeltobligedasaChristiantowarnhimtocommendhissoultoGod，"sinceIamabouttoburyyouhere，aliveordead；andifyouprovethestronger，youwillburyme。
Youcanescapeifyouwishto，asIshallnotpursueyou。"
Hemadenoreply，andIbetookmyselftomyworkagain，butIconfessthatIbegantobeafraidofbeing（rushedtoextremitiesbythisbrute，ofwhomIwasdeterminedtoridmyself。
Atlast，whetherconvincedbymyargumentsorafraidOfmypike，hecametowardsme。Notguessing。Whathewasabout，Ipresentedthepointofmypiketowardshim，butIhadnothingtofear。
"Iwilldowhatyouwant，"saidhe。
IstraightwaygavehimallthemoneyIhad，andpromisingtorejoinhimatBorgoIbadehimfarewell。AlthoughIhadnotapennyinmypocketandhadtworiverstocrossover，Icongratulatedmyselfonhavinggotridofamanofhischaracter，forbymyselfIfeltconfidentofbeingabletocrosstheboundsoftheRepublic。
CHAPTERXXXI
IFindaLodgingintheHouseoftheChiefoftheSbirri——IPassaGoodNightThereandRecoverMyStrength——IGotoMass——
ADisagreeableMeetingIAmObligedtoTakeSixSequinsbyForce——
OutofDanger——ArrivedatMunich——BalbiISetOutforParis——
MyArrival——AttemptontheLifeofLouisXV
AssoonasIsawFatherBalbifarenoughoffIgotup，andseeingatalittledistanceashepherdkeepinghisflockonthehill—side，I
mademyway—towardshimtoobtainsuchinformationasIneeded。
"Whatisthenameofthisvillage，myfriend？"saidI。
"ValdePiadene，signor，"heanswered，tomysurprise，forIfoundI
wasmuchfartheronmywaythatIthought。InextaskedhimtheownersoffiveorsixhouseswhichIsawscatteredaround，andthepersonshementionedchancedtobeallknowntome，butwerenotthekindofmenIshouldhavecaredtotroublewithmypresence。Onmyaskinghimthenameofapalacebeforeme，hesaiditbelongedtotheGrimanis，thechiefofwhomwasaStateInquisitor，andthenresidentatthepalace，soIhadtotakecarenottolethimseeme。Finally，anmyenquiringtheownerofaredhouseinthedistance，hetoldme，muchtomysurprise，thatitbelongedtothechiefofthesbirri。
BiddingfarewelltothekindlyshepherdIbegantogodownthehillmechanically，andIamstillpuzzledtoknowwhatinstinctdirectedmystepstowardsthathouse，whichcommonsenseandfearalsoshouldhavemademeshun。Isteeredmycourseforitinastraightline，andIcansaywithtruththatIdidsoquiteunwittingly。Ifitbetruethatwehaveallofusaninvisibleintelligence——abeneficentgeniuswhoguidesourstepsaright——aswasthecasewithSocrates，tothataloneIshouldattributetheirresistibleattractionwhichdrewmetowardsthehousewhereIhadmosttodread。Howeverthatmaybe，itwastheboldeststrokeIhaveplayedinmywholelife。
Ienteredwithaneasyandunconstrainedair，andaskedachildwhowasplayingattopinthecourt—yardwherehisfatherwas。Insteadofreplying，thechildwenttocallhismother，anddirectlyafterwardsappearedaprettywomaninthefamilyway，whopolitelyaskedmemybusinesswithherhusband，apologizingforhisabsence。
"Iamsorry，"Isaid，"tohearthatmygossipisnotin，thoughatthesametimeIamdelightedtomaketheacquaintanceofhischarmingwife。"
"Yourgossip？YouwillbeM。Vetturi，then？Myhusbandtoldmethatyouhadkindlypromisedtobethegod—fatherofournextchild。Iamdelightedtoknowyou，butmyhusbandwillbeveryvexedtohavebeenaway:
"Ihopehewillsoonreturn，asIwantedtoaskhimforanight’slodging。Idarenotgoanywhereinthestateyouseeme。"
"Youshallhavethebestbedinthehouse，andIwillgetyouagoodsupper。Myhusbandwhenhecomesbackwillthankyourexcellencefordoingussomuchhonour。Hewentawaywithallhispeopleanhourago，andIdon’texpecthimbackforthreeorfourdays。"
"Whyisheawayforsuchalongtime，mydearmadam？"
"Youhavenotheard，then，thattwoprisonershaveescapedfromTheLeads？OneisanobleandtheotheraprivateindividualnamedCasanova。MyhusbandhasreceivedaletterfromMesser—Grandeorderinghimtomakeasearchforthem；ifhefindthemhewilltakethembacktoVenice，andifnothewillreturnhere，buthewillbeonthelook—outforthreedaysatleast。"
"Iamsorryforthisaccident，mydearmadam，butIshouldnotliketoputyouout，andindeedIshouldbegladtoliedownimmediately。"
"Youshalldoso，andmymothershallattendtoyourwants。Butwhatisthematterwithyourknees？"
"Ifelldownwhilsthuntingonthemountains，andgavemyselfsomeseverewounds，andammuchweakenedbylossofblood。"
"Oh！mypoorgentleman，mypoorgentleman！Butmymotherwillcureyou。"
Shecalledhermother，andhavingtoldherofmynecessitiesshewentout。Thisprettysbirresshadnotthewitofherprofession，forthestoryIhadtoldhersoundedlikeafairy—tale。Onhorsebackwithwhitesilkstockings！Huntinginsarcenet，withoutcloakandwithoutaman！Herhusbandwouldmakefinegameofherwhenhecameback；
butGodblessherforherkindheartandbenevolentstupidity。HermothertendedmewithallthepolitenessIshouldhavemetwithinthebestfamilies。Theworthywomantreatedmelikeamother，andcalledme"son"assheattendedtomywounds。Thenamesoundedpleasantlyinmyears，anddidnolittletowardsmycurebythesentimentsitawokeinmybreast。IfIhadbeenlesstakenupwiththepositionIwasinIshouldhaverepaidhercarewithsomeevidentmarksofthegratitudeIfelt，buttheplaceIwasinandthepartI
wasplayingmadethesituationtooseriousaoneformetothinkofanythingelse。
Thiskindlywoman，afterlookingatmykneesandmythighs，toldmethatImustmakemymindtosufferalittlepain，butImightbesureofbeingcuredbythemorning。AllIhadtodowastobeartheapplicationofmedicatedlinentomywounds，andnottostirtillthenextday。Ipromisedtobearthepainpatiently，andtodoexactlyasshetoldme。
Iwasgivenanexcellentsupper，andIateanddrankwithgoodappetite。Ithengavemyselfuptotreatment，andfellasleepwhilstmynursewasattendingtome。Isupposesheundressedmeasshewouldachild，butIrememberednothingaboutitwhenIwokeup——I
was，infact，totallyunconscious。ThoughIhadmadeagoodsupperI
hadonlydonesotosatisfymycravingforfoodandtoregainmystrength，andsleepcametomewithanirresistibleforce，asmyphysicalexhaustiondidnotleavemethepowerofarguingmyselfoutofit。Itookmysupperatsixo’clockintheevening，andIheardsixstrikingasIawoke。Iseemedtohavebeenenchanted。Rousingmyselfupandgatheringmywitstogether，Ifirsttookoffthelinenbandages，andIwasastonishedtofindmywoundshealedandquitefreefrompain。Ididmyhair，dressedmyselfinlessthanfiveminutes，andfindingthedoorofmyroomopenIwentdownstairs，crossedthecourt，andleftthehousebehindme，withoutappearingtonoticetwoindividualswhowerestandingoutside，andmusthavebeensbirri。ImadehastetolengthenthedistancebetweenmeandtheplacewhereIhadfoundthekindliesthospitality，theutmostpoliteness，themosttendercare，andbestofall，newhealthandstrength，andasIwalkedIcouldnothelpfeelingterrifiedatthedangerIhadbeenin。Ishudderedinvoluntarily；andatthepresentmoment，aftersomanyyears，IstillshudderwhenIthinkoftheperiltowhichIhadsoheedlesslyexposedmyself。IwonderedhowI
managedtogoin，andstillmorehowIcameout；itseemedabsurdthatIshouldnotbefollowed。ForfivehoursItrampedon，keepingtothewoodsandmountains，notmeetingasoulbesidesafewcountryfolk，andturningneithertotherightnorleft。
Itwasnotyetnoon，when，asIwentalongmyway，Istoppedshortatthesoundofabell。Iwasonhighground，andlookinginthedirectionfromwhichthesoundcameIsaw，alittlechurchinthevalley，andmany，peoplegoingtowardsittohearmass。MyheartdesiredtoexpressthankfulnessfortheprotectionofProvidence，and，thoughallnaturewasatempleworthyofitsCreator，customdrewmetothechurch。Whenmenareintrouble，everypassingthoughtseemsaninspiration。ItwasAllSouls’Day。Iwentdownthehill，andcameintothechurch，andsaw，tomyastonishment，M。
MarcAntoineGrimani，thenephewoftheStateInquisitor，withMadameMarieVisani，hiswife。Imademybow；whichwasreturned，andafterIhadheardmassIleftthechurch。M。Grimanifollowedmebyhimself，andwhenhehadgotnearme，calledmebyname，saying，"Whatareyoudoinghere，Casanova，andwhathasbecomeofyourfriend？"
"IhavegivenhimwhatlittlemoneyIhadforhimtoescapebyanotherroad，whilstI，withoutapennyinmypocket，amendeavouringtoreachaplaceofsafetybythisway。Ifyourexcellencewouldkindlygivemesomehelp，itwouldspeedmyjourneyforme。"
"Ican’tgiveyouanything，butyouwillfindreclusesonyourwaywhowon’tletyoudieofhunger。ButtellmehowyoucontrivedtopiercetheroofofTheLeads。"
"Thestoryisaninterestingone，butitwouldtakeuptoomuchtime，andinthemeanwhilethereclusesmighteatupthefoodwhichistokeepmefromdyingofhunger。"
WiththissarcasmImadehimaprofoundbow，andwentuponmyway。
Inspiteofmygreatwant，hisrefusalpleasedme，asitmademethinkmyselfabettergentlemanthanthe"excellence"whohadreferredmetothecharityofrecluses。IheardatParisafterwardsthatwhenhiswifeheardofitshereproachedhimforhishard—
heartedbehaviour。Therecanbenodoubtthatkindlyandgenerousfeelingsaremoreoftentobefoundintheheartsofwomenthanofmen。
Icontinuedmyjourneytillsunset。WearyandfaintwithhungerI
stoppedatagood—lookinghouse，whichstoodbyitself。Iaskedtospeaktothemaster，andtheportertoldmethathewasnotinashehadgonetoaweddingontheothersideoftheriver，andwouldbeawayfortwodays，butthathehadbiddenhimtowelcomeallhisfriendswhilehewasaway。Providence！luck！chance！whicheveryoulike。
Iwentinandwastreatedtoagoodsupperandagoodbed。IfoundbytheaddressesofsomeletterswhichwerelyingaboutthatIwasbeingentertainedinthehouseofM。Rombenchi——aconsul，ofwhatnationIknownot。Iwrotealettertohimandsealedittoawaithisreturn。Aftermakinganexcellentsupperandhavinghadagoodsleep，Irose，anddressingmyselfcarefullysetoutagainwithoutbeingabletoleavetheporteranymarkofmygratitude，andshortlyafterwardscrossedtheriver，promisingtopaywhenIcameback。
AfterwalkingforfivehoursIdinedinamonasteryofCapuchins，whoareveryusefultopeopleinmyposition。Ithensetoutagain，feelingfreshandstrong，andwalkedalongatagoodpacetillthreeo’clock。IhaltedatahousewhichIfoundfromacountrymanbelongedtoafriendofmine。Iwalkedin，askedifthemasterwasathome，andwasshewnintoaroomwherehewaswritingbyhimself。
Isteppedforwardtogreethim，butassoonashesawmeheseemedhorrifiedandbidmebegoneforthwith，givingmeidleandinsultingreasonsforhisbehaviour。IexplainedtohimhowIwassituated，andaskedhimtoletmehavesixtysequinsonmynoteofhand，drawnonM。deBragadin。Herepliedthathecouldnotsomuchasgivemeaglassofwater，sincehedreadedthewrathoftheTribunalformyverypresenceinhishouse。Hewasastockbroker，aboutsixtyyearsold，andwasundergreatobligationstome。HisinhumanrefusalproducedquiteadifferenteffectonmethanthatofM。Grimani。
Whetherfromrage，indignation，ornature，Itookhimbythecollar，Ishewedhimmypike，andraisingmyvoicethreatenedtokillhim。
Tremblingallover，hetookakeyfromhispocketandshewingmeabureautoldmehekeptmoneythere，andIhadonlytoopenitandtakewhatIwanted；Itoldhimtoopenithimself。Hedidso，andonhisopeningadrawercontaininggold，Itoldhimtocountmeoutsixsequins。
"Youaskedmeforsixty。"
"Yes，thatwaswhenIwasaskingaloanofyouasafriend；butsinceIowethemoneytoforce，Irequiresixonly，andIwillgiveyounonoteofhand。YoushallberepaidatVenice，whereIshallwriteofthepasstowhichyouforcedme，youcowardlywretch！"
"Ibegyourpardon！takethesixtysequins，Ientreatyou。"
"No，nomore。Iamgoingonmyway，andIadviseyounottohinderme，lestinmydespairIcomebackandburnyourhouseaboutyourears。"
Iwentoutandwalkedfortwohours，untiltheapproachofnightandwearinessmademestopshortatthehouseofafarmer，whereIhadabadsupperandabedofstraw。Inthemorning，Iboughtanoldovercoat，andhiredanasstojourneyon，andnearFeltreIboughtapairofboots。InthisguiseIpassedthehutcalledtheScala。
Therewasaguardtherewho，muchtomydelight，asthereaderwillguess，didnotevenhonourmebyaskingmyname。Ithentookatwo—
horsecarriageandgottoBorgodeValsuganoingoodtime，andfoundFatherBalbiattheinnIhadtoldhimof。IfhehadnotgreetedmefirstIshouldnothaveknownhim。Agreatovercoat，alowhatoverathickcottoncap，disguisedhimtoadmiration。Hetoldmethatafarmerhadgivenhimthesearticlesinexchangeformycloak，thathehadarrivedwithoutdifficulty，andwasfaringwell。Hewaskindenoughtotellmethathedidnotexpecttoseeme，ashedidnotbelievemypromisetorejoinhimwasmadeingoodfaith。PossiblyI
shouldhavebeenwisenottoundeceivehimonthisaccount。
Ipassedthefollowingdayintheinn，where，withoutgettingoutofmybed，IwrotemorethantwentyletterstoVenice，inmanyofwhichIexplainedwhatIhadbeenobligedtodotogetthesixsequins。
Themonkwroteimpudentletterstohissuperior，FatherBarbarigo，andtohisbrothernobles，andlove—letterstotheservantgirlswhohadbeenhisruin。Itookthelaceoffmydress，andsoldmyhat，andthusgotridofagayappearanceunsuitabletomyposition，asitmademetoomuchanobjectofnotice。
ThenextdayIwenttoPerginaandlaythere，andwasvisitedbyayoungCountd’Alberg，whohaddiscovered，insomewayoranother，thatwehadescapedfromthestate—prisonsofVenice。FromPerginaI
wenttoTrentandfromtheretoBolzan，where，needingmoneyformydress，linen，andthecontinuationofmyjourney，IintroducedmyselftoanoldbankernamedMensch，whogavemeamantosendtoVenicewithalettertoM。deBragadin。InthemeantimetheoldbankerputmeinagoodinnwhereIspentthesixdaysthemessengerwasawayinbed。Hebroughtmethesumofahundredsequins，andmyfirstcarewastoclothemycompanion，andafterwardsmyself。EverydayIfoundthesocietyofthewretchedBalbimoreintolerable。"Withoutmeyouwouldneverhaveescaped"wascontinuallyinhismouth，andhekeptremindingmethatIhadpromisedhimhalfofwhatevermoneyIgot。
Hemadelovetoalltheservantgirls，andashehadneitherthefigurenorthemannerstopleasethem，hisattentionswerereturnedwithgoodheartyslaps，whichheborepatiently，butwasasoutrageousaseverinthecourseoftwenty—fourhours。Iwasamused，butatthesametimevexedtobecoupledtoamanofsolowanature。
Wetravelledpost，andinthreedayswegottoMunich，whereIwenttolodgeatthesignofthe"Stag。"ThereIfoundtwoyoungVenetiansoftheCantarinifamily，whohadbeentheresometimeincompanywithCountPompei，aVeronese；butnotknowingthem，andhavingnolongeranyneedofdependingonreclusesformydailybread，Ididnotcaretopaymyrespectstothem。ItwasotherwisewithCountessCoronini，whomIknewatSt。Justine’sConventatVenice，andwhostoodverywellwiththeBavarianCourt。
Thisillustriouslady，thenseventyyearsold，gavemeagoodreceptionandpromisedtospeak，onmybehalftotheElector，withaviewtohisgrantingmeanasyluminhiscountry。Thenextday，havingfulfilledherpromise，shetoldmethathishighnesshadnothingtosayagainstme，butasforBalbitherewasnosafetyforhiminBavaria，forasafugitivemonkhemightbeclaimedbythemonksatMunich，andhishighnesshadnowishtomeddlewiththemonks。Thecountessadvisedmethereforetogethimoutofthetownassoonaspossible，forhimtoflytosomeotherquarter，andthustoavoidthebadturnwhichhisbelovedbrethrenthemonkswerecertaintodohim。
Feelingindutyboundtolookaftertheinterestsofthewretchedfellow，IwenttotheElector’sconfessortoaskhimtogiveBalbilettersofintroductiontosometowninSwabia。Theconfessor，aJesuit，didnotgivethelietothefinereputationofhisbrethrenoftheorder；hisreceptionofmewasasdiscourteousasitwellcouldbe。HetoldmeinacarelesswaythatatMunichIwaswellknown。IaskedhimwithoutflinchingifIwastotakethisasapieceofgoodorbadnews；buthemadenoanswer，andleftmestanding。Anotherpriesttoldmethathehadgoneouttoverifythetruthofamiracleofwhichthewholetownwastalking。
"Whatmiracleisthat，reverendfather？"Isaid。
"Theempress，thewidowofCharlesVII，whosebodyisstillexposedtothepublicgaze，haswarmfeet，althoughsheisdead。"
"Perhapssomethingkeepsthemwarm。"
"Youcanassureyourselfpersonallyofthetruthofthiswonderfulcircumstance。"
Toneglectsuchanopportunitywouldhavebeentolosethechanceofmirthoredification，andIwasasdesirousoftheoneasoftheother。WishingtobeabletoboastthatIhadseenamiracle——andone，moreover，ofapeculiarinterestformyself，whohavealwayshadthemisfortunetosufferfromcoldfeet——Iwenttoseethemightydead。Itwasquitetruethatherfeetwerewarm，butthematterwascapableofasimpleexplanation，asthefeetofherdefunctmajestywereturnedtowardsaburninglampatalittledistanceoff。A
dancerofmyacquaintance，whomcuriosityhadbroughttherewiththerest，cameuptome，complimentedmeuponmyfortunateescape，andtoldmeeverybodywastalkingaboutit。Hisnewspleasedme，asitisalwaysagoodthingtointerestthepublic。ThissonofTerpsichoreaskedmetodinner，andIwasgladtoaccepthisinvitation。HisnamewasMicheldel’Agata，andhiswifewastheprettyGandela，whomIhadknownsixteenyearsagoattheoldMalipiero’s。TheGandelawasenchantedtoseeme，andtohearfrommyownlipsthestoryofmywondrousescape。Sheinterestedherselfonbehalfofthemonk，andofferedmetogivehimaletterofintroductionforAugsburgCanonBassi，ofBologna，whowasDeanofSt。Maurice’sChapter，andafriendofhers。Itookadvantageoftheoffer，andsheforthwithwrotemetheletter，tellingmethatIneednottroublemyselfanymoreaboutthemonk，asshewassurethatthedeanwouldtakecareofhim，andevenmakeitallrightatVenice。
Delightedatgettingridofhiminsohonourableamanner，Irantotheinn，toldhimwhatIhaddone，gavehimtheletter，andpromisednottoabandonhiminthecaseofthedean’snotgivinghimawarmwelcome。Igothimagoodcarriage，andstartedhimoffthenextdayatdaybreak。Fourdaysafter，Balbiwrotethatthedeanhadreceivedhimwithgreatkindness，thathehadgivenhimaroominthedeanery，thathehaddressedhimasanabbe，thathehadintroducedhimtothePrince—BishopofArmstadt，andthathehadreceivedassurancesofhissafetyfromthecivilmagistrates。Furthermore，thedeanhadpromisedtokeephimtillheobtainedhissecularizationfromRome，andwithitfreedomtoreturntoVenice，forassoonasheceasedtobeamonktheTribunalwouldhavenolienuponhim。FatherBalbifinishedbyaskingmetosendhimafewsequinsforpocket—money，ashewastoomuchofagentlemantoaskthedeanwho，quoththeungratefulfellow，"isnotgentlemanenoughtooffertogivemeanything。"Igavehimnoanswer。
AsIwasnowaloneinpeaceandquietness，Ithoughtseriouslyofregainingmyhealth，formysufferingshadgivenmenervousspasmswhichmightbecomedangerous。Iputmyselfondiet，andinthreeweeksIwasperfectlywell。InthemeanwhileMadameRivierecamefromDresdenwithhersonandtwodaughters。ShewasgoingtoParistomarrytheelder。Thesonhadbeendiligent，andwouldhavepassedforayoungmanofculture。Theelderdaughter，whowasgoingtomarryanactor，wasextremelybeautiful，anaccomplished，dancer，andplayedontheclavichordlikeaprofessional，andwasaltogethermostcharmingandgraceful。Thispleasantfamilywasdelightedtoseemeagain，andIthoughtmyselffortunatewhenMadameRiviere，anticipatingmywishes，intimatedtomethatmycompanyasfarasPariswouldgivethemgreatpleasure。Ihadnothingtosayrespectingtheexpensesofthejourney。Ihadtoaccepttheirofferinitsentirety。MydesignwastosettleinParis，andItookthisstrokeoffortuneasanomenofsuccessintheonlytownwheretheblindgoddessfreelydispensesherfavourstothosewholeavethemselvestobeguidedbyher，andknowhowtotakeadvantageofhergifts。And，asthereaderwillseebyandby，Iwasnotmistaken；
butallthegiftsoffortunewereofnoavail，sinceIabusedthemallbymyfolly。FifteenmonthsundertheLeadsshouldhavemademeawareofmyweakpoints，butinpointoffactIneededalittlelongerstaytolearnhowtocuremyselfofmyfailings。
MadameRivierewishedtotakemewithher，butshecouldnotputoffherdeparture，andIrequiredaweek’sdelaytogetmoneyandlettersfromVenice。ShepromisedtowaitaweekinStrassburg，andweagreedthatifpossibleIwouldjoinherthere。SheleftMunichonthe18thofDecember。
TwodaysafterwardsIgotfromVenicethebillofexchangeforwhichIwaswaiting。Imadehastetopaymydebts，andimmediatelyafterwardsIstartedforAugsburg，notsomuchforthesakeofseeingFatherBalbi，asbecauseIwantedtomaketheacquaintanceofthekindlydeanwhohadridmeofhim。IreachedAugsburginsevenhoursafterleavingMunich，andIwentimmediatelytothehouseofthegoodecclesiastic。Hewasnotin，butIfoundBalbiinanabbe’sdress，withhishaircoveredwithwhitepowder，whichsetoffinanewbutnotapleasingmannerthebeautiesofhiscomplexionofaboutthesamecolourasahorsechestnut。Balbiwasunderforty，buthewasdecidedlyugly，havingoneofthosefacesinwhichbaseness，cowardice，impudence，andmaliceareplainlyexpressed，joiningtothisadvantageatoneofvoiceandmannersadmirablycalculatedtorepulseanyoneinclinedtodohimaservice。Ifoundhimcomfortablyhoused，welllookedafter，andwellclad；hehadbooksandalltherequisitesforwriting。Icomplimentedhimuponhissituation，callinghimafortunatefellow，andapplyingthesameepithettomyselfforhavinggainedhimalltheadvantagesheenjoyed，andthehopeofonedaybecomingasecularpriest。Buttheungratefulhound，insteadofthankingme，reproachedmeforhavingcraftilyridmyselfofhim，andaddedthat，asIwasgoingtoParis，Imightaswelltakehimwithme，asthedullnessofAugsburgwasalmostkillinghim。
"WhatdoyouwantatParis？"
"Whatdoyouwantyourself？"
"Toputmytalentstoaccount。"
"SodoI。"
"Well，then，youdon’trequireme，andcanflyonyourownwings。
ThepeoplewhoaretakingmetoPariswouldprobablynotcareformeifIhadyouforacompanion。"
"Youpromisednottoabandonme。"
"Canamanwholeavesanotherwellprovidedforandanassuredfuturebesaidtoabandonhim？"
"Wellprovided！Ihavenotgotapenny。"
"Whatdoyouwantwithmoney？Youhaveagoodtable，agoodlodging，clothes，linen，attendance，andsoforth。Andifyouwantpocket—
money，whydon’tyouaskyourbrethrenthemonks？"
"Askmonksformoney？Theytakeit，buttheydon’tgiveit。"
"Askyourfriends，then。"
"Ihavenofriends。"
"Youaretobepitied，butthereasonprobablyisthatyouhaveneverbeenafriendtoanyone。Yououghttosaymasses，thatisagoodwayofgettingmoney。"
"Iamunknown。"
"Youmustwait，then，tillyouareknown，andthenyoucanmakeupforlosttime。"
"Yoursuggestionsareidle；youwillsurelygivemeafewsequins。"
"Ican’tspareany。"
"Waitforthedean。Hewillbebackto—morrow。Youcantalktohimandpersuadehimtolendmesomemoney。YoucantellhimthatIwillpayitback。"
"Icannotwait，forIamsettingoutonmyjourneydirectly，andwereheherethismomentIshouldnothavethefacetotellhimtolendyoumoneyafterallhisgeneroustreatmentofyou，andwhenheoranyonecanseethatyouhaveallyouneed。"
AfterthissharpdialogueIlefthim，andtravellingpostIsetout，displeasedwithmyselfforhavinggivensuchadvantagestoamanwhollyunworthyofthem。IntheMarchfollowingIhadaletterfromthegoodDeanBassi，inwhichhetoldmehowBalbihadrunaway，takingwithhimoneofhisservantgirls，asumofmoney，agoldwatch，andadozensilverspoonsandforks。Hedidnotknowwherehewasgone。
TowardstheendofthesameyearIlearntatParisthatthewretchedmanhadtakenrefugeatCoire，thecapitaloftheGrisons，whereheaskedtobemadeamemberoftheCalvinisticChurch，andtoberecognizedaslawfulhusbandofthewomanwithhim；butinashorttimethecommunitydiscoveredthatthenewconvertwasnogood，andexpelledhimfromthebosomoftheChurchofCalvin。Ourne’er—do—
wellhavingnomoremoney，hiswifelefthim，andhe，notknowingwhattodonext，tookthedesperatestepofgoingtoBressa，atownwithintheVenetianterritory，wherehesoughtthegovernor，tellinghimhisname，thestoryofhisflight，andhisrepentance，beggingthegovernortotakehimunderhisprotectionandtoobtainhispardon。
Thefirsteffectofthepodesta’sprotectionwasthatthepenitentwasimprisoned，andhethenwrotetotheTribunaltoknowwhattodowithhim。TheTribunaltoldhimtosendFatherBalbiinchainstoVenice，andonhisarrivalMesser—GrandegavehimovertotheTribunal，whichputhimoncemoreundertheLeads。HedidnotfindCountAsquinthere，astheTribunal，outofconsiderationforhisgreatage，hadmovedhimtoTheFoursacoupleofmonthsafterourescape。
Fiveorsixyearslater，IheardthattheTribunal，afterkeepingtheunluckymonkfortwoyearsundertheLeads，hadsenthimtohisconvent。There，hissuperiorfearinglesthisflockshouldtakecontagionfromthisscabbysheep，senthimtotheiroriginalmonasterynearFeltre，alonelybuildingonaheight。However，Balbididnotstoptheresixmonths。Havinggotthekeyofthefields，hewenttoRome，andthrewhimselfatthefeetofPopeRezzonico，whoabsolvedhimofhissins，andreleasedhimfromhismonasticvows。
Balbi，nowasecularpriest，returnedtoVenice，wherehelivedadissoluteandwretchedlife。In1783hediedthedeathofDiogenes，minusthewitofthecynic。
AtStrassburgIrejoinedMadameRiviereandherdelightfulfamily，fromwhomIreceivedasincereandheartywelcome。Wewerestayingatthe"Hoteldel’Esprit，"andwepassedafewdaystheremostpleasurably，afterwardssettingoutinanexcellenttravellingcarriageforParistheOnly，ParistheUniversal。DuringthejourneyIthoughtmyselfboundtotheexpenseofmakingitapleasantone，asIhadnottoputmyhandinmypocketforotherexpenses。ThecharmsofMdlle。Riviereenchantedme，butIshouldhaveesteemedmyselfwantingingratitudeandrespecttothisworthyfamilyifIhaddartedatherasingleamorousglance，orifIhadlethersuspectmyfeelingsforherbyasingleword。InfactIthoughtmyselfobligedtoplaytheheavyfather，thoughmyagedidnotfitmeforthepart，andIlavishedonthisagreeablefamilyallthecarewhichcanbegiveninreturnforpleasantsociety，aseatinacomfortabletravellingcarriage，anexcellenttable，andagoodbed。
WereachedParisonthe5thofJanuary，1757，andIwenttothehouseofmyfriendBaletti，whoreceivedmewithopenarms，andassuredmethatthoughIhadnotwrittenhehadbeenexpectingme，sincehejudgedthatIwouldstrivetoputthegreatestpossibledistancebetweenmyselfandVenice，andhecouldthinkofnootherretreatformethanParis。Thewholehousekeptholidaywhenmyarrivalbecameknown，andIhavenevermetwithmoresincereregardthaninthatdelightfulfamily。Igreetedwithenthusiasmthefatherandmother，whomIfoundexactlythesameaswhenIhadseenthemlastin1752，butIwasstruckwithastonishmentatthedaughterwhomIhadleftachild，forshewasnowatallandwell—shapedgirl。Mdlle。Balettiwasfifteenyearsold，andhermotherhadbroughtherupwithcare，hadgivenherthebestmasters，virtue，grace，talents，agoodmanner，tact，aknowledgeofsociety—inshort，allthataclevermothercangivetoadeardaughter。
AfterfindingapleasantlodgingneartheBaletti’s，Itookacoachandwenttothe"HoteldeBourbon"withtheintentionofcallingonM。deBernis，whowasthenchiefsecretaryforforeignaffairs。I
hadgoodreasonsforrelyingonhisassistance。Hewasout；hehadgonetoVersailles。AtParisonemustgosharplytowork，and，asitisvulgarlybutforciblysaid，"strikewhiletheiron’shot。"AsI
wasimpatienttoseewhatkindofareceptionIshouldgetfromtheliberal—mindedloverofmyfairM————M————，IwenttothePont—
Royal，tookahackneycoach，andwenttoVersailles。Againbadluck！
Ourcoachescrossedeachotherontheway，andmyhumbleequipagehadnotcaughthisexcellency’seye。M。deBernishadreturnedtoPariswithCountdeCastillana，theambassadorfromNaples，andI
determinedtoreturnalso；butwhenIgottothegateIsawamobofpeoplerunninghereandthereinthegreatestconfusion，andfromallsidesIheardthecry，"Thekingisassassinated！Thekingisassassinated！"
Myfrightenedcoachmanonlythoughtofgettingonhisway，butthecoachwasstopped。Iwasmadetogetoutandtakentotheguard—
room，wheretherewereseveralpeoplealready，andinlessthanthreeminutesthereweretwentyofus，allunderarrest，allastonishedatthesituation，andallasmuchguiltyasIwas。Wesatglumandsilent，lookingateachotherwithoutdaringtospeak。Iknewnotwhattothink，andnotbelievinginenchantmentIbegantothinkI
mustbedreaming。Everyfaceexpressedsurprise，aseveryone，thoughinnocent，wasmoreorlessafraid。
Wewerenotleftinthisdisagreeablepositionforlong，asinfiveminutesanofficercamein，andaftersomepoliteapologiestolduswewerefree。
"Thekingiswounded，"hesaid，"andhehasbeentakentohisroom。
Theassassin，whomnobodyknows，isunderarrest。M。delaMartiniereisbeinglookedforeverywhere。"
AssoonasIhadgotbacktomycoach，andwasthinkingmyselfluckyforbeingthere，agentlemanly—lookingyoungmancameuptomeandbesoughtmetogivehimaseatinmycoach，andhewouldgladlypayhalfthefare；butinspiteofthelawsofpolitenessIrefusedhisrequest。Imaypossiblyhavebeenwrong。OnanyotheroccasionI
shouldhavebeenmosthappytogivehimaplace，buttherearetimeswhenprudencedoesnotallowonetobepolite。Iwasaboutthreehoursontheway，andinthisshorttimeIwasovertakeneveryminutebyatleasttwohundredcouriersridingatabreakneckpace。Everyminutebroughtanewcourier，andeverycouriershoutedhisnewstothewinds。ThefirsttoldmewhatIalreadyknew；thenIheardthatthekinghadbeenbled，thatthewoundwasnotmortal，andfinally，thatthewoundwastrifling，andthathismajestycouldgototheTrianonifheliked。
Fortifiedwiththisgoodnews，IwenttoSilvia’sandfoundthefamilyattable。ItoldthemIhadjustcomefromVersailles。
"Thekinghasbeenassassinated。"
"Notatall；heisabletogototheTrianon，ortheParc—aux—cerfs，ifhelikes。M。delaMartinierehasbledhim，andfoundhimtobeinnodanger。Theassassinhasbeenarrested，andthewretchedmanwillbeburnt，drawnwithred—hotpincers，andquartered。"
ThisnewswassoonspreadabroadbySilvia’sservants，andacrowdoftheneighbourscametohearwhatIhadtosay，andIhadtorepeatthesamethingtentimesover。AtthisperiodtheParisiansfanciedthattheylovedtheking。Theycertainlyactedthepartofloyalsubjectstoadmiration。Atthepresentdaytheyaremoreenlightened，andwouldonlylovethesovereignwhosesoledesireisthehappinessofhispeople，andsuchaking——thefirstcitizensofagreatnation——notParisanditssuburbs，butallFrance，willbeeagertoloveandobey。AsforkingslikeLouisXV。，theyhavebecometotallyimpracticable；butifthereareanysuch，howevermuchtheymaybesupportedbyinterestedparties，intheeyesofpublicopiniontheywillbedishonouredanddisgracedbeforetheirbodiesareinagraveandtheirnamesarewritteninthebookofhistory。
CHAPTERXXXII
TheMinisterofForeignAffairsM。deBoulogne，theComptroller——
M。leDucdeChoiseul——M。ParisduVernai——EstablishmentoftheLottery——MyBrother’sArrivalatParis；HisReceptionbytheAcademyOncemore，then，IwasinParis，whichIoughttoregardasmyfatherland，sinceIcouldreturnnomoretothatlandwhichgavemebirth:anunworthycountry，yet，inspiteofall，everdeartome，possiblyonaccountofearlyimpressionsandearlyprejudices，orpossiblybecausethebeautiesofVenicearereallyunmatchedintheworld。ButmightyParisisaplaceofgoodluckorill，asonetakesit，anditwasmyparttocatchthefavouringgale。
Pariswasnotwhollynewtome，asmyreadersknowIhadspenttwoyearsthere，butImustconfessthat，havingthennootheraimthantopassthetimepleasantly，Ihadmerelydevotedmyselftopleasureandenjoyment。Fortune，towhomIhadpaidnocourt，hadnotopenedtomehergoldendoors；butInowfeltthatImusttreathermorereverently，andattachmyselftothethrongofherfavouredsonswhomsheloadswithhergifts。Iunderstoodnowthattheneareronedrawstothesunthemoreonefeelsthewarmthofitsrays。IsawthattoattainmyendIshouldhavetoemployallmymentalandphysicaltalents，thatImustmakefriendsofthegreat，andtakecuefromallwhomIfoundittobemyinteresttoplease。Tofollowtheplanssuggestedbythesethoughts，IsawthatImustavoidwhatiscalledbadcompany，thatImustgiveupmyoldhabitsandpretensions，whichwouldbesuretomakemeenemies，whowouldhavenoscrupleinrepresentingmeasatrifler，andnotfittobetrustedwithaffairsofanyimportance。
IthinkIthoughtwisely，andthereader，Ihope，willbeofthesameopinion。"Iwillbereserved，"saidI，"inwhatIsayandwhatIdo，andthusIshallgetareputationfordiscretionwhichwillbringitsreward。"
Iwasinnoanxietyonthescoreofpresentneeds，asIcouldreckononamonthlyallowanceofahundredcrowns，whichmyadoptedfather，thegoodandgenerousM。deBragadin，sentme，andIfoundthissumsufficientinthemeanwhile，forwithalittleself—restraintonecanlivecheaplyatParis，andcutagoodfigureatthesametime。Iwasobligedtowearagoodsuitofclothes，andtohaveadecentlodging；
forinalllargetownsthemostimportantthingisoutwardshow，bywhichatthebeginningoneisalwaysjudged。Myanxietywasonlyforthepressingneedsofthemoment，fortospeakthetruthIhadneitherclothesnorlinen——inaword，nothing。
IfmyrelationswiththeFrenchambassadorarerecalled，itwillbefoundnaturalthatmyfirstideawastoaddressmyselftohim，asI
knewhimsufficientlywelltoreckononhisservingme。
Beingperfectlycertainthattheporterwouldtellmethatmylordwasengaged，Itookcaretohavealetter，andinthemorningIwenttothePalaisBourbon。Theportertookmyletter，andIgavehimmyaddressandreturnedhome。
WhereverIwentIhadtotellthestoryofmyescapefromTheLeads。
Thisbecameaservicealmostastiringastheflightitselfhadbeen，asittookmetwohourstotellmytale，withouttheslightestbitoffancy—work；butIhadtobepolitetothecuriousenquirers，andtopretendthatIbelievedthemmovedbythemostaffectionateinterestinmywelfare。Ingeneral，thebestwaytopleaseistotakethebenevolenceofallwithwhomonehasrelationforgranted。
IsuppedatSilvia’s，andastheeveningwasquieterthanthenightbefore，Ihadtimetocongratulatemyselfonallthefriendshiptheyshewedme。Thegirlwas，asIhadsaid，fifteenyearsold，andIwasineverywaycharmedwithher。Icomplimentedthemotheronthegoodresultsofhereducation，andIdidnoteventhinkofguardingmyselffromfallingavictimtohercharms。Ihadtakensolatelysuchwell—foundedandphilosophicalresolutions，andIwasnotyetsufficientlyatmyeasetovaluethepainofbeingtempted。Ileftatanearlyhour，impatienttoseewhatkindofananswertheministerhadsentme。Ihadnotlongtowait，andIreceivedashortletterappointingameetingfortwoo’clockintheafternoon。ItmaybeguessedthatIwaspunctual，andmyreceptionbyhisexcellencewasmostflattering。M。deBernisexpressedhispleasureatseeingmeaftermyfortunateescape，andatbeingabletobeofservicetome。HetoldmethatM————M————hadinformedhimofmyescape，andhehadflatteredhimselfthatthefirstpersonIshouldgoandseeinPariswouldbehimself。HeshewedmethelettersfromM————M————
relatingtomyarrestandescape，butallthedetailsinthelatterwerepurelyimaginaryandhadnofoundationinfact。M————M————wasnottoblame，asshecouldonlywritewhatshehadheard，anditwasnoteasyforanyonebesidesmyselftoknowtherealcircumstancesofmyescape。Thecharmingnunsaidthat，nolongerbuoyedupbythehopeofseeingeitherofthemenwhoalonehadmadeherinlovewithlife，herexistencehadbecomeaburdentoher，andshewasunfortunateinnotbeingabletotakeanycomfortinreligion。"C———
C————oftencomestoseeme，"shesaid，"butIgrievetosaysheisnothappywithherhusband。"
ItoldM。deBernisthattheaccountofmyflightfromTheLeads，astoldbyourfriend，waswhollyinaccurate，andIwouldthereforetakethelibertyofwritingoutthewholestorywiththeminutestdetails。
Hechallengedmetokeepmyword，assuringmethathewouldsendacopytoM————M————，andatthesametime，withtheutmostcourtesy，heputapacketofahundredLouisinmyhand，tellingmethathewouldthinkwhathecoulddoforme，andwouldadvisemeassoonashehadanycommunicationtomake。
Thusfurnishedwithamplefunds，myfirstcarewasformydress；andthisdoneIwenttowork，andinaweeksentmygenerousprotectortheresult，givinghimpermissiontohaveasmanycopiesprintedasheliked，andtomakeanyusehepleasedofittointerestinmybehalfsuchpersonsasmightbeofservicetome。
Threeweeksafter，theministersummonedmetosaythathehadspokenofmetoM。Erizzo，theVenetianambassador，whohadnothingtosayagainstme，butforfearofembroilinghimselfwiththeStateInquisitorsdeclinedtoreceiveme。Notwantinganythingfromhim——
hisrefusaldidmenoharm。M。deBernisthentoldmethathehadgivenacopyofmyhistorytoMadamelaMarquisedePompadour，andhepromisedtotakethefirstopportunityofpresentingmetothisall—
powerfullady。"Youcanpresentyourself，mydearCasanova，"addedhisexcellence，"totheDucdeChoiseul，andM。deBoulogne，thecomptroller。Youwillbewellreceived，andwithalittlewityououghttobeabletomakegooduseoftheletter。Hehimselfwillgiveyouthecue，andyouwillseethathewholistensobtains。Trytoinventsomeusefulplanfortheroyalexchequer；don’tletitbecomplicatedorchimerical，andifyoudon’twriteitoutattoogreatlengthIwillgiveyoumyopiniononit。"
Ilefttheministerinapleasedandgratefulmood，butextremelypuzzledtofindawayofincreasingtheroyalrevenue。Iknewnothingoffinance，andafterrackingmybrainsallthatIcouldthinkofwasnewmethodsoftaxation；butallmyplanswereeitherabsurdorcertaintobeunpopular，andIrejectedthemallonconsideration。
AssoonasIfoundoutthatM。deChoiseulwasinParisIcalledonhim。Hereceivedmeinhisdressing—room，wherehewaswritingwhilehisvaletdidhishair。Hestretchedhispolitenesssofarastointerrupthimselfseveraltimestoaskmequestions，butassoonasI
begantoreplyhisgracebegantowriteagain，andIsuspectdidnothearwhatIwassaying；andthoughnowandagainheseemedtobelookingatme，itwasplainthathiseyesandhisthoughtswereoccupiedondifferentobjects。Inspiteofthiswayofreceivingvisitors——orme，atallevents，M。deChoiseulwasamanofwit。
WhenhehadfinishedwritinghesaidinItalianthatM。deBernishadtoldhimofsomecircumstancesofmyescape，andheadded，"Tellmehowyousucceeded。"
"Mylord，itwouldbetoolongastory；itwouldtakemeatleasttwohours，andyourgraceseemsbusy。"
"Tellmebrieflyaboutit。"
"HowevermuchIspeaktothepoint，Ishalltaketwohours。"
"Youcankeepthedetailsforanothertime。"
"Thestoryisdevoidofinterestwithoutthedetails"
"Well，well，youcantellmethewholestoryinbrief，withoutlosingmuchoftheinterest:"
"Verygood；afterthatIcansaynomore。Imusttellyourlordship，then，that，theStateInquisitorsshutmeupundertheLeads；thatafterfifteenmonthsandfivedaysofimprisonmentIsucceededinpiercingtheroof；thataftermanydifficultiesIreachedthechancerybyawindow，andbrokeopenthedoor；afterwardsIgottoSt。Mark’sPlace，whence，takingagondolawhichboremetothemainland，IarrivedatParis，andhavehadthehonourtopaymydutytoyourlordship。"
"But……whatareTheLeads？"
"Mylord，Ishouldtakeaquarterofanhour，atleast，toexplain。"
"Howdidyoupiercetheroof？"
"Icouldnottellyourlordshipinlessthanhalfanhour:"
"Whywereyoushutup？"
"Itwouldbealongtale，mylord。"
"Ithinkyouareright。Theinterestofthestorylieschieflyinthedetails。"
"Itookthelibertyofsayingasmuchtoyourgrace。"
"Well，ImustgotoVersailles，butIshallbedelightedifyouwillcomeandseemesometimes。Inthemeanwhile，M。Casanova，thinkwhatIcandoforyou。"
IhadbeenalmostoffendedatthewayinwhichM。deChoiseulhadreceivedme，andIwasinclinedtoresentit；buttheendofourconversation，andaboveallthekindlytoneofhislastwords，quietedme，andIlefthim，ifnotsatisfied，atleastwithoutbitternessinmyheart。
>FromhimIwenttoM。deBoulogne’s，andfoundhimamanofquiteadifferentstamptotheduke——inmanners，dress，andappearance。Hereceivedmewithgreatpoliteness，andbeganbycomplimentingmeonthehighplaceIenjoyedintheopinionofM。deBernis，andonmyskillinmattersoffinance。
Ifeltthatnocomplimenthadbeensoilldeserved，andIcouldhardlyhelpburstingintolaughter。Mygoodangel，however，mademekeepmycountenance。
M。deBoulognehadanoldmanwithhim，everyfeatureboretheimprintofgenius，andwhoinspiredmewithrespect。
"Givemeyourviews；"saidthecomptroller，"eitheronpaperor’vivavoce’。Youwillfindmewillingtolearnandreadytograspyourideas。HereisM。ParisduVernai，whowantstwentymillionsforhismilitaryschool；andhewishestogetthissumwithoutachargeonthestateoremptyingthetreasury。"
"ItisGodalone，sir，whohasthecreativepower。"
"Iamnotagod，"saidM。duVernai，"butforallthatIhavenowandthencreatedbutthetimeshavechanged。"
"Everything，"Isaid，"ismoredifficultthanitusedtobe；butinspiteofdifficultiesIhaveaplanwhichwouldgivethekingtheinterestofahundredmillions。"
"WhatexpensewouldtherebetotheCrown？"
"Merelythecostofreceiving。"
"Thenation，then，wouldfurnishthesuminquestion？"
"Undoubtedly，butvoluntarily。"
"Iknowwhatyouarethinkingof。"
"Youastonishme，sir，asIhavetoldnobodyofmyplan。"
"Ifyouhavenootherengagement，domethehonourofdiningwithmeto—morrow，andIwilltellyouwhatyourprojectis。Itisagoodone，butsurrounded，Ibelieve，withinsuperabledifficulties。
Nevertheless，wewilltalkitoverandseewhatcanbedone。Willyoucome？"
"Iwilldomyselfthathonour。"
"Verygood，IwillexpectyouatPlaisance。"
Afterhehadgone，M。deBoulognepraisedhistalentsandhonesty。
HewasthebrotherofM。deMontmartel，whomsecrethistorymakesthefatherofMadamedePompadour，forhewastheloverofMadamePoissonatthesametimeasM。leNormand。
Ileftthecomptroller’sandwenttowalkintheTuileries，thinkingoverthestrangestrokeofluckwhichhadhappenedtome。Ihadbeentoldthattwentymillionswerewanted，andIhadboastedofbeingabletogetahundred，withouttheslightestideaofhowitwastobedone；andonthatawell—knownmanexperiencedinthepublicbusinesshadaskedmetodinnertoconvincemethatheknewwhatmyschemewas。Therewassomethingoddandcomicaboutthewholeaffair；butthatcorrespondedverywellwithmymodesofthoughtandaction。"Ifhethinksheisgoingtopumpme，"saidI，"hewillfindhimselfmistaken。Whenhetellsmewhattheplanis，itwillrestwithmetosayhehasguesseditorheiswrongastheinspirationofthemomentsuggests。IfthequestionlieswithinmycomprehensionImay，perhaps，beabletosuggestsomethingnew；andifIunderstandnothingIwillwrapmyselfupinamysterioussilence，whichsometimesproducesagoodeffect。Atallevents，IwillnotrepulseFortunewhensheappearstobefavourabletome。"
M。deBernishadonlytoldM。deBoulognethatIwasafinanciertogetmeahearing，asotherwisehemighthavedeclinedtoseeme。I
wassorrynottobemaster，atleast，ofthejargonofthebusiness，asinthatwaymenhavegotoutofasimilardifficulty，andbyknowingthetechnicalterms，andnothingmore，havemadetheirmark。
Nomatter，Iwasboundtotheengagement。Imustputagoodfaceonabadgame，andifnecessarypaywiththecurrencyofassurance。ThenextmorningItookacarriage，andinapensivemoodItoldthecoachmantotakemetoM。duVernai’s，atPlaisance——aplacealittlebeyondVincennes。
Iwassetdownatthedoorofthefamousmanwho，fortyyearsago，hadrescuedFranceonthebrinkoftheprecipicedownwhichLawhadalmostprecipitatedher。Iwentinandsawagreatfireburningonthehearth，whichwassurroundedbysevenoreightpersons，towhomI
wasintroducedasafriendoftheministerforforeignaffairsandofthecomptroller；afterwardsheintroducedthesegentlementome，givingtoeachhispropertitle，andInotedthatfourofthemweretreasuryofficials。Aftermakingmybowtoeach，IgavemyselfovertotheworshipofHarpocrates，andwithouttoogreatanairoflisteningwasallearsandeyes。
TheconversationatfirstwasofnospecialinterestastheyweretalkingoftheSeinebeingfrozenover，theicebeingafootthick。
ThencametherecentdeathofM。deFontenelle，thenthecaseofDamien，whowouldconfessnothing，andofthefivemillionshistrialwouldcosttheCrown。ThencomingtowartheypraisedM。deSoubise，whohadbeenchosenbythekingtocommandthearmy。Hencethetransitionwaseasytotheexpensesofthewar，andhowtheyweretobedefrayed。
Ilistenedandwasweary，foralltheysaidwassofulloftechnicalitiesthatIcouldnotfollowthemeaning；andifsilencecaneverbeimposing，mydeterminedsilenceofanhourandahalf’sdurationoughttohavemademeseemaveryimportantpersonageintheeyesofthesegentlemen。Atlast，justasIwasbeginningtoyawn，dinnerwasannounced，andIwasanotherhourandahalfwithoutopeningmymouth，excepttodohonourtoanexcellentrepast。
Directlythedesserthadbeenserved，M。duVernaiaskedmetofollowhimintoaneighbouringapartment，andtoleavetheotherguestsatthetable。Ifollowedhim，andwecrossedahallwherewefoundamanofgoodaspect，aboutfiftyyearsold，whofollowedusintoaclosetandwasintroducedtomebyM。duVernaiunderthenameofCalsabigi。Directlyafter，twosuperintendentsofthetreasurycamein，andM。duVernaismilinglygavemeafoliobook，saying，"That，Ithink，M。Casanova，isyourplan。"
Itookthebookandread，Lotteryconsistingofninetytickets，tobedrawneverymonth，onlyoneineighteentobeawinningnumber。I
gavehimbackthebookandsaid，withtheutmostcalmness，"Iconfess，sir，thatisexactlymyidea。"
"Youhavebeenanticipated，then；theprojectisbyM。deCalsabigihere。"
"Iamdelighted，notatbeinganticipated，buttofindthatwethinkalike；butmayIaskyouwhyyouhavenotcarriedouttheplan？"
"Severalveryplausiblereasonshavebeengivenagainstit，whichhavehadnodecisiveanswers。"
"Icanonlyconceiveonereasonagainstit，"saidI，coolly；"perhapsthekingwouldnotallowhissubjectstogamble。"
"Nevermindthat，thekingwilllethissubjectsgambleasmuchastheylike:thequestionis，willtheygamble？"
"Iwonderhowanyonecanhaveanydoubtonthatscore，asthewinnersarecertainofbeingpaid。"
"Letusgrant，then，thattheywillgamble:howisthemoneytobefound？"
"Howisthemoneytobefound？Thesimplestthingintheworld。Allyouwantisadecreeincouncilauthorizingyoutodrawonthetreasury。AllIwantisforthenationtobelievethatthekingcanaffordtopayahundredmillions。"
"Ahundredmillions！"
"Yes，ahundredmillions，sir。Wemustdazzlepeople。"
"ButifFranceistobelievethattheCrowncanaffordtopayahundredmillions，itmustbelievethattheCrowncanaffordtoloseahundredmillions，andwhoisgoingtobelievethat？Doyou？"
"TobesureIdo，fortheCrown，beforeitcouldloseahundredmillions，wouldhavereceivedatleastahundredandfiftymillions，andsothereneedbenoanxietyonthatscore。"