"Iamnottheonlypersonwhohasdoubtsonthesubject。YoumustgrantthepossibilityoftheCrownlosinganenormoussumatthefirstdrawing？"
"Certainly，sir，butbetweenpossibilityandrealityisalltheregionoftheinfinite。Indeed，ImaysaythatitwouldbeagreatpieceofgoodfortuneiftheCrownweretoloselargelyonthefirstdrawing。"
"Apieceofbadfortune，youmean，surely？"
"Abadfortunetobedesired。Youknowthatalltheinsurancecompaniesarerich。IwillundertaketoprovebeforeallthemathematiciansinEuropethatthekingisboundtogainoneinfiveinthislottery。Thatisthesecret。Youwillconfessthatthereasonoughttoyieldtoamathematicalproof？"
"Yes，ofcourse；buthowisitthattheCastellettocannotguaranteetheCrownacertaingain？"
"NeithertheCastellettonoranybodyintheworldcanguaranteeabsolutelythatthekingshallalwayswin。Whatguaranteesusagainstanysuspicionofsharppracticeisthedrawingonceamonth，asthenthepublicissurethattheholderofthelotterymaylose。"
"Willyoubegoodenoughtoexpressyoursentimentsonthesubjectbeforethecouncil？"
"Iwilldosowithmuchpleasure。"
"Youwillanswerallobjections？"
"IthinkIcanpromiseasmuch。"
"Willyougivemeyourplan？"
"Notbeforeitisaccepted，andIamguaranteedareasonableprofit。"
"Butyourplanmaypossiblybethesameastheonebeforeus。"
"Ithinknot。IseeM。deCalsabigiforthefirsttime，andashehasnotshewnmehisscheme，andIhavenotcommunicatedminetohim，itisimprobable，nottosayimpossible，thatweshouldagreeinallrespects。Besides，inmyplanIclearlyshewhowmuchprofittheCrownoughttogetperannum。"
"Itmight，therefore，beformedbyacompanywhowouldpaytheCrownafixedsum？"
"Ithinknot。"
"Why？"
"Forthisreason。Theonlythingwhichwouldmakethelotterypay，wouldbeanirresistiblecurrentofpublicopinioninitsfavour。
Ishouldnotcaretohaveanythingtodowithitintheserviceofacompany，who，thinkingtoincreasetheirprofits，mightextendtheiroperations——acoursewhichwouldentailcertainloss。"
"Idon’tseehow。"
"InathousandwayswhichIwillexplaintoyouanothertime，andwhichIamsureyoucanguessforyourself。Inshort，ifIamtohaveanyvoiceinthematter，itmustbeaGovernmentlotteryornothing。"
"M。deCalsabigithinksso，too。"
"Iamdelightedtohearit，butnotatallsurprised；for，thinkingonthesamelines，weareboundtoarriveatthesameresults。"
"HaveyouanybodyreadyfortheCastelletto？"
"Ishallonlywantintelligentmachines，ofwhomthereareplentyinFrance。"
Iwentoutforamomentandfoundthemingroupsonmyreturn，discussingmyprojectwithgreatearnestness。
M。Calsabigiafteraskingmeafewquestionstookmyhand，whichheshookheartily，sayingheshouldliketohavesomefurtherconversationwithme；andreturningthefriendlypressure，ItoldhimthatIshouldesteemitasanhonourtobenumberedamongsthisfriends。ThereuponIleftmyaddresswithM。duVernaiandtookmyleave，satisfied，bymyinspectionofthefacesbeforeme，thattheyallhadahighopinionofmytalents。
Threedaysafter，M。deCalsabigicalledonme；andafterreceivinghiminmybeststyleIsaidthatifIhadnotcalledonhimitwasonlybecauseIdidnotwishtobetroublesome。Hetoldmethatmydecisivewayofspeakinghadmadeagreatimpression，andhewascertainthatifIcaredtomakeinterestwiththecomptrollerwecouldsetupthelotteryandmakealargeprofit。
"Ithinkso，too，"saidI，"butthefinancierswillmakeamuchlargerprofit，andyettheydonotseemanxiousaboutit。Theyhavenotcommunicatedwithme，butitistheirlook—out，asIshallnotmakeitmychiefaim。"
"Youwillundoubtedlyhearsomethingaboutittoday，forIknowforafactthatM。deBoulognehasspokenofyoutoM。deCourteuil。"
"Verygood，butIassureyouIdidnotaskhimtodoso。"
Aftersomefurtherconversationheaskedme，inthemostfriendlymannerpossible，tocomeanddinewithhim，andIacceptedhisinvitationwithagreatpleasure；andjustaswewerestartingI
receivedanotefromM。deBernis，inwhichhesaidthatifIcouldcometoVersaillesthenextdayhewouldpresentmetoMadamedePompadour，andthatIshouldhaveanopportunityofseeingM。deBoulogne。
Inhighgleeatthishappychance，lessfromvanitythanpolicyI
madeM。deCalsabigireadtheletter，andIwaspleasedtoseehimopeninghiseyesashereadit。
"YoucanforceDuVernaihimselftoacceptthelottery，"hesaid，"andyourfortuneismadeifyouarenottoorichalreadytocareaboutsuchmatters。"
"Nobodyiseverrichenoughtodespisegoodfortune，especiallywhenitisnotduetofavour。"
"Verytrue。Wehavebeendoingourutmostfortwoyearstogettheplanaccepted，andhavemetwithnothingbeyondfoolishobjectionswhichyouhavecrushedtopieces。Nevertheless，ourplansmustbeverysimilar。Believemeitwillbebestforustoworkinconcert，forbyyourselfyouwouldfindinsuperabledifficultiesintheworking，andyouwillfindno’intelligentmachines’inParis。Mybrotherwilldoallthework，andyouwillbeabletoreaptheadvantagesatyourease。"
"Areyou，then，nottheinventoroftheschemewhichhasbeenshewnme？"
"No，itistheworkofmybrother。"
"ShallIhavethepleasureorseeinghim？"
"Certainly。Hisbodyisfeeble，buthismindisinallitsvigour。
Weshallseehimdirectly。"
Thebrotherwasnotamanofaverypleasingappearance，ashewascoveredwithakindofleprosy；butthatdidnotpreventhimhavingagoodappetite，writing，andenjoyingallhisbodilyandintellectualfaculties；hetalkedwellandamusingly。Heneverwentintosociety，as，besideshispersonaldisfigurement，hewastormentedwithanirresistibleandfrequentdesireofscratchinghimself，nowinoneplace，andnowinanother；andasallscratchingisaccountedanabominablethinginParis，hepreferredtobeabletousehisfingernailstothepleasuresofsociety。Hewaspleasedtosaythat，believinginGodandHisworks，hewaspersuadedhisnailshadbeengivenhimtoprocuretheonlysolacehewascapableofinthekindoffurywithwhichhewastormented。
"Youareabeliever，then，infinalcauses？Ithinkyouareright，butstillIbelieveyouwouldhavescratchedyourselfifGodhadforgottentogiveyouanynails。"
Myremarksmadehimlaugh，andhethenbegantospeakofourcommonbusiness，andIsoonfoundhimtobeamanofintellect。Hewastheelderofthetwobrothers，andabachelor。Hewasexpertinallkindsofcalculations，anaccomplishedfinancier，withauniversalknowledgeofcommerce，agoodhistorian，awit，apoet，andamanofgallantry。HisbirthplacewasLeghorn，hehadbeeninaGovernmentofficeatNaples，andhadcometoPariswithM。del’Hopital。Hisbrotherwasalsoamanoflearningandtalent，butineveryrespecthisinferior。
Heshewedmethepileofpapers，onwhichhehadworkedoutalltheproblemsreferringtothelottery。
"Ifyouthinkyoucandowithoutme，"saidhe，"Imustcomplimentyouonyourabilities；butIthinkyouwillfindyourselfmistaken，forifyouhavenopracticalknowledgeofthematterandnobusinessmentohelpyou，yourtheorieswillnotcarryyoufar。Whatwillyoudoafteryouhaveobtainedthedecree？Whenyouspeakbeforethecouncil，ifyoutakemyadvice，youwillfixadateafterwhichyouarenottobeheldresponsible——thatistosay，afterwhichyouwillhavenothingmoretodowithit。Unlessyoudoso，youwillbecertaintoencountertriflingandprocrastinationwhichwilldeferyourplantotheGreekKalends。Ontheotherhand，IcanassureyouthatM。duVernaiwouldbeverygladtoseeusjoinhands:"
Verymuchinclinedtotakethesegentlemenintopartnership，forthegoodreasonthatIcouldnotdowithoutthem，buttakingcarethattheyshouldsuspectnothing，Iwentdownwiththeyoungerbrother，whointroducedmetohiswifebeforedinner。IfoundpresentanoldladywellknownatParisunderthenameofGeneralLaMothe，famousforherformerbeautyandhergout，anotherladysomewhatadvancedinyears，whowascalledBaronessBlanche，andwasstillthemistressofM。deVaux，anotherstyledthePresident’slady，andafourth，fairasthedawn，MadameRazzetti，fromPiedmont，thewifeofoneoftheviolinplayersattheopera，andsaidtobecourtedbyM。deFondpertuis，thesuperintendentoftheopera。
Wesatdowntodinner，butIwassilentandabsorbed，allmythoughtsbeingmonopolizedbythelottery。Intheevening，atSilvia’s，Iwaspronouncedabsentandpensive，andsoIwasinspiteofthesentimentwithwhichMademoiselleBalettiinspiredme——asentimentwhicheverydaygrewinstrength。
IsetoutforVersaillesnextmorningtwohoursbeforeday—break，andwaswelcomedbyM。deBernis，whosaidhewouldbetthatbutforhimIshouldneverhavediscoveredmytalentforfinance。
"M。deBoulognetellsmeyouastonishedM。duVernai，whoisgenerallyesteemedoneoftheacutestmeninFrance。Ifyouwilltakemyadvice，Casanova，youwillkeepupthatacquaintanceandpayhimassiduouscourt。Imaytellyouthatthelotteryiscertaintobeestablished，thatitwillbeyourdoing，andthatyououghttomakesomethingconsiderableoutofit。Assoonasthekinggoesouttohunt，beathandintheprivateapartments，andIwillseizeafavourablemomentforintroducingyoutothefamousmarquise。
AfterwardsgototheOfficeforForeignAffairs，andintroduceyourselfinmynametotheAbbedelaVille。Heisthechiefofficialthere，andwillgiveyouagoodreception。"
M。deBoulognetoldmethat，assoonasthecouncilofthemilitaryschoolhadgiventheirconsent，hewouldhavethedecreefortheestablishmentofthelotterypublished，andheurgedmetocommunicatetohimanyideaswhichImighthaveonthesubjectoffinance。
AtnoonMadamedePompadourpassedthroughtheprivateapartmentswiththePrincedeSoubise，andmypatronhastenedtopointmeouttotheillustriouslady。Shemademeagracefulcurtsy，andtoldmethatshehadbeenmuchinterestedinthesubjectofmyflight。
"Doyougo，"saidshe，"toseeyourambassador？"
"Ishewmyrespecttohim，madam，bykeepingaway。"
"IhopeyoumeantosettleinFrance。"
"Itwouldbemydearestwishtodoso，madam，butIstandinneedofpatronage，andIknowthatinFrancepatronageisonlygiventomenoftalent，whichisformeadiscouragingcircumstance。"
"Onthecontrary，Ithinkyouhavereasontobehopeful，asyouhavesomegoodfriends。ImyselfshallbedelightedifIcanbeofanyassistancetoyou。"
Asthefairmarquisemovedon，Icouldonlystammerforthmygratitude。
InextwenttotheAbbedelaVille，whoreceivedmewiththeutmostcourtesy，andtoldmethathewouldremembermeattheearliestopportunity。
Versailleswasabeautifulspot，butIhadonlycomplimentsandnotinvitationstoexpectthere，soafterleavingM。delaVilleIwenttoaninntogetsomedinner。AsIwassittingdown，anabbeofexcellentappearance，justlikedozensofotherFrenchabbes，accostedmepolitely，andaskedmeifIobjectedtoourdiningtogether。Ialwaysthoughtthecompanyofapleasantmanathingtobedesired，soIgrantedhisrequest；andassoonashesatdownhecomplimentedmeonthedistinguishedmannerinwhichIhadbeentreatedbyM。delaVille。"Iwastherewritingaletter，"saidhe，"andIcouldhearalltheobligingthingstheabbesaidtoyou。MayIask，sir，howyouobtainedaccesstohim？"
"Ifyoureallywishtoknow，Imaybeabletotellyou。"
"Itispurecuriosityonmypart。"
"Well，then，Iwillsaynothing，frompureprudence。"
"Ibegyourpardon。"
"Certainly，withpleasure。"
Havingthusshutthemouthofthecuriousimpertinent，heconfinedhisconversationtoordinaryandmoreagreeabletopics。Afterdinner，havingnofurtherbusinessatVersailles，Imadepreparationsforleaving，onwhichtheabbebeggedtobeofmycompany。Althoughamanwhofrequentsthesocietyofabbesisnotthoughtmuchmoreofthanonewhofrequentsthesocietyofgirls。ItoldhimthatasI
wasgoingtoParisinapublicconveyance——farfromitsbeingaquestionofpermission——Ishouldbeonlytoohappytohavethepleasureofhiscompany。OnreachingParisweparted，afterpromisingtocalloneachother，andIwenttoSilvia’sandtooksupperthere。Theagreeablemistressofthehousecomplimentedmeonmynobleacquaintances，andmademepromisetocultivatetheirsociety。
AssoonasIgotbacktomyownlodging，IfoundanotefromM。duVernai，whorequestedmetocometothemilitaryschoolateleveno’clockonthenextday，andlaterintheeveningCalsabigicametomefromhisbrother，withalargesheetofpapercontainingallthecalculationspertainingtothelottery。
Fortuneseemedtobeinmyfavour，forthistabularstatementcametomelikeablessingfromonhigh。Resolving，therefore，tofollowtheinstructionswhichIpretendedtoreceiveindifferently。Iwenttothemilitaryschool，andassoonasIarrivedtheconferencebegan。
M。d’Alemberthadbeenrequestedtobepresentasanexpertinarithmeticalcalculations。IfM。duVernaihadbeentheonlypersontobeconsulted，thisstepwouldnothavebeennecessary；butthecouncilcontainedsomeobstinateheadswhowereunwillingtogivein。
Theconferencelastedthreehours。
Aftermyspeech，whichonlylastedhalfanhour，M。deCourteuilsummedupmyarguments，andanhourwaspassedinstatingobjectionswhichIrefutedwiththegreatestease。Ifinallytoldthemthatnomanofhonourandlearningwouldvolunteertoconductthelotteryontheunderstandingthatitwastowineverytime，andthatifanyonehadtheimpudencetogivesuchanundertakingtheyshouldturnhimoutoftheroomforthwith，foritwasimpossiblethatsuchanagreementcouldbemaintainedexceptbysomeroguery。
Thishaditseffect，fornobodyreplied；andM。duVernairemarkedthatiftheworstcametotheworstthelotterycouldbesuppressed。
AtthisIknewmybusinesswasdone，andallpresent，aftersigningadocumentwhichM。duVernaigavethem，tooktheirleave，andImyselfleftdirectlyafterwardswithafriendlyleave—takingfromM。duVernal。
M。Calsabigicametoseemethenextday，bringingtheagreeablenewsthattheaffairwassettled，andthatallthatwaswantingwasthepublicationofthedecree。
"Iamdelightedtohearit，"Isaid，"andIwillgotoM。deBoulogne’severyday，andgetyouappointedchiefadministratorassoonasIknowwhatIhavegotformyself。"
Itookcarenottoleaveastoneunturnedinthisdirection，asI
knewthat，withthegreat，promisingandkeepingapromisearetwodifferentthings。Thedecreeappearedaweekafter。Calsabigiwasmadesuperintendent，withanallowanceofthreethousandfrancsforeverydrawing，ayearlypensionoffourthousandfrancsforusboth，andthechiefofthelottery。Hissharewasamuchlargeronethanmine，butIwasnotjealousasIknewhehadagreaterclaimthanI。
Isoldfiveofthesixofficesthathadbeenallottedtomefortwothousandfrancseach，andopenedthesixthwithgreatstyleintheRueSt。Denis，puttingmyvaletthereasaclerk。HewasabrightyoungItalian，whohadbeenvalettothePrincedelaCatolica，theambassadorfromNaples。
Thedayforthefirstdrawingwasfixed，andnoticewasgiventhatthewinningnumberswouldbepaidinaweekfromthetimeofdrawingatthechiefoffice。
Withtheideaofdrawingcustomtomyoffice，Igavenoticethatallwinningticketsbearingmysignaturewouldbepaidatmyofficeintwenty—fourhoursafterthedrawing。Thisdrewcrowdstomyofficeandconsiderablyincreasedmyprofits，asIhadsixpercent。onthereceipts。AnumberoftheclerksintheotherofficeswerefoolishenoughtocomplaintoCalsabigithatIhadspoilttheirgains，buthesentthemabouttheirbusinesstellingthemthattogetthebetterofmetheyhadonlytodoasIdid——iftheyhadthemoney。
Myfirsttakingamountedtofortythousandfrancs。Anhourafterthedrawingmyclerkbroughtmethenumbers，andshewedmethatwehadfromseventeentoeighteenthousandfrancstopay，forwhichIgavehimthenecessaryfunds。
WithoutmythinkingofitIthusmadethefortuneofmyclerk，foreverywinnergavehimsomething，andallthisIlethimkeepforhimself。
Thetotalreceiptsamountedtotwomillions，andtheadministrationmadeaprofitofsixhundredthousandfrancs，ofwhichParisalonehadcontributedahundredthousandfrancs。Thiswaswellenoughforafirstattempt。
OnthedayafterthedrawingIdinedwithCalsabigiatM。duVernai’s，andIhadthepleasureofhearinghimcomplainthathehadmadetoomuchmoney。Parishadeighteenortwentyternes，andalthoughtheyweresmalltheyincreasedthereputationofthelottery，anditwaseasytoseethatthereceiptsatthenextdrawingwouldbedoubled。Themockassaultsthatweremadeuponmeputmeinagoodhumour，andCalsabigisaidthatmyideahadinsuredmeanincomeofahundredthousandfrancsayear，thoughitwouldruintheotherreceivers。
"Ihaveplayedsimilarstrokesmyself，"saidM。duVernai，"andhavemostlysucceeded；andasfortheotherreceiverstheyareatperfectlibertytofollowM。Casanova’sexample，anditalltendstoincreasethereputeofaninstitutionwhichweowetohimandtoyou。
Attheseconddrawingaterneoffortythousandfrancsobligedmetoborrowmoney。Myreceiptsamountedtosixtythousand，butbeingobligedtodeliverovermychestontheeveningbeforethedrawing，I
hadtopayoutofmyownfunds，andwasnotrepaidforaweek。
InallthegreathousesIwentto，andatthetheatres，assoonasI
wasseen，everybodygavememoney，askingmetolayitoutasIlikedandtosendthemthetickets，as，sofar，thelotterywasstrangetomostpeople。Ithusgotintothewayofcarryingaboutmeticketsofallsorts，orratherofallprices，whichIgavetopeopletochoosefrom，goinghomeintheeveningwithmypocketsfullofgold。Thiswasanimmenseadvantagetome，askindofprivilegewhichIenjoyedtotheexclusionoftheotherreceiverswhowerenotinsociety，anddidnotdriveacarriagelikemyself——nosmallpointinone’sfavour，inalargetownwheremenarejudgedbythestatetheykeep。IfoundIwasthusabletogointoanysociety，andtogetcrediteverywhere。
IhadhardlybeenamonthinPariswhenmybrotherFrancis，withwhomIhadpartedin1752，arrivedfromDresdenwithMadameSylvestre。
HehadbeenatDresdenforfouryears，takenupwiththepursuitofhisart，havingcopiedallthebattlepiecesintheElector’sGalley。
Wewerebothofusgladtomeetoncemore，butonmyofferingtoseewhatmygreatfriendscoulddoforhimwiththeAcademicians，herepliedwithallanartist’spridethathewasmuchobligedtome，butwouldrathernothaveanyotherpatronsthanhistalents。"TheFrench，"saidhe，"haverejectedmeonce，andIamfarfrombearingthemill—willonthataccount，forIwouldrejectmyselfnowifI
werewhatIwasthen；butwiththeirloveofgeniusIreckononabetterreceptionthistime。"
Hisconfidencepleasedme，andIcomplimentedhimuponit，forIhavealwaysbeenoftheopinionthattruemeritbeginsbydoingjusticetoitself。
Francispaintedafinepicture，whichonbeingexhibitedattheLouvre，wasreceivedwithapplause。TheAcademyboughtthepicturefortwelvethousandfrancs，mybrotherbecamefamous，andintwenty—
sixyearshemadealmostamillionofmoney；butinspiteofthat，foolishexpenditure，hisluxuriousstyleofliving，andtwobadmarriages，weretheruinofhim。
EndMEMOIRSOFJACQUESCASANOVAdeSEINGALT1725—1798
THEETERNALQUEST，Volume3a——PARISANDHOLLAND
THERAREUNABRIDGEDLONDONEDITIONOF1894TRANSLATEDBYARTHUR
MACHENTOWHICHHASBEENADDEDTHECHAPTERSDISCOVERED
BYARTHURSYMONS。
PARISANDHOLLAND
CHAPTERI
CountTirettaofTrevisaAbbeCoste——Lambertini，thePope’sNieceHerNick——NameforTirettaTheAuntandNiece——OurTalkbytheFireside——
PunishmentofDamien——Tiretta’sMistakeAngerofMadame***——TheirReconciliation——MyHappinesswithMdlle。delaMeureSilvia’sDaughter——Mdlle，delaMeureMarriesMyDespairandJealousy——A
ChangefartheBetterInthebeginningofMarch，1757，IreceivedaletterfrommyfriendMadameManzoni，whichshesenttomebyayoungmanofgoodappearance，withafrankandhigh—bornair，whomIrecognizedasaVenetianbyhisaccent。HewasyoungCountTirettadeTrevisa，recommendedtomycarebyMadameManzoni，whosaidthathewouldtellmehisstory，whichImightbesurewouldbeatrueone。ThekindwomansenttomebyhimasmallboxinwhichshetoldmeIshouldfindallmymanuscripts，asshedidnotthinkshewouldeverseemeagain。
IgaveTirettatheheartiestofwelcomes，tellinghimthathecouldnothavefoundabetterwaytomyfavourthanthroughawomantowhomIwasunderthegreatestobligations。
"Andnow，thatyoumaybeatyoureasewithme，IshouldliketoknowinwhatmannerIcanbeofservicetoyou？"
"Ihaveneedofyourfriendship，perhapsofyourpurse，butatanyrateofyourprotection。"
"Youhavemyfriendshipandmyprotectionalready，andmypurseisatyourservice。"
Afterexpressinghisgratitudetome，Tirettasaid，"AyearagotheSupremeCouncilofmycountryentrustedmewithanemploymentdangeroustooneofmyyears。Iwasmade，withsomeotheryounggentlemenofmyownage，akeeperoftheMontdePiete。Thepleasuresofthecarnivalhavingputustoagooddealofexpense，wewereshortofmoney，andborrowedfromthetillhopingtobeabletomakeupthemoneybeforebalancing—day，buthopingallinvain。
"Thefathersofmytwocompanions，richerthanmine，paidthesumstheyhadtaken，andI，notbeingabletopay，tookthepartofescapingbyflightfromtheshameandthepunishmentIshouldhaveundergone。
"MadameManzoniadvisedmetothrowmyselfonyourmercy，andshegavemealittleboxwhichyoushallhaveto—day。IonlygottoParisyesterday，andhaveonlytwolouis，alittlelinen，andtheclothesonmyback。Iamtwenty—five，haveanironconstitution，andadeterminationtodoallinmypowertomakeanhonestliving；butI
candonothing。Ihavenotcultivatedanyonetalentinamannertomakeuseofitnow。Icanplayontheflute，butonlyasanamateur。
Ionlyknowmyownlanguage，andIhavenotasteforliterature。Sowhatcanyoumakeofme？ImustaddthatIhavenotasingleexpectation，leastofallfrommyfather，fortosavethehonourofthefamilyhewillbeobligedtosellmyportionoftheestate，towhichIshallhavetobidaneternalfarewell。"
Ifthecount’sstoryhadsurprisedme，thesimplicitywithwhichhetoldithadgivenmepleasure；andIwasresolvedtodohonourtoMadameManzoni’sintroduction，feelingthatitwasmydutytoserveafellow—countryman，whowasreallyguiltyofnothingworsethangrossthoughtlessness。
"Begin，"saidI，"bybringingyoursmallbelongingstotheroomnexttomine，andgetyourmealsthere。IwillpayforeverythingwhileI
amlookingoutforsomethingwhichmaydoforyou。
"Wewilltalkofbusinessto—morrow，forasIneverdinehereI
rarelyifevercomehometilllate，andIdonotexpecttohavethehonourofseeingyouagaintoday。Leavemeforthepresent，asI
havegotsomeworktodo；andifyougoouttowalk，bewareofbadcompany，andwhateveryoudokeepyourowncounsel。Youarefondofgaming，Isuppose？"
"Ihateit，asithasbeenthecauseofhalfmytroubles。"
"Andtheotherhalf，I’llwager，wascausedbywomen。"
"Youhaveguessedaright——oh，thosewomen！"
"Well，don’tbeangrywiththem，butmakethempayfortheilltheyhavedoneyou。"
"Iwill，withthegreatestpleasure，ifIcan。"
"Ifyouarenottooparticularinyourgoods，youwillfindParisrichinsuchcommodities。"
"Whatdoyoumeanbyparticular？Iwouldneverbeaprince’spathic。"
"No，no，Iwasnotthinkingofthat。Imeanby’particular’amanwhocannotbeaffectionateunlessbeisinlove。Themanwho……"
"Iseewhatyoumean，andIcanlaynoclaimtosuchacharacter。
AnyhagwithgoldeneyeswillalwaysfindmeasaffectionateasaCeladon。"
"Wellsaid！Ishallsoonbeabletoarrangemattersforyou。"
"Ihopeyouwill。"
"Areyougoingtotheambassador’s？"
"GoodGod！——no！WhatshouldIdowhenIgotthere？Tellhimmystory？Hemightmakethingsunpleasantforme。"
"Notwithoutyourgoingtoseehim，butIexpectheisnotconcerninghimselfwithyourcase。"
"That’sallIaskhim。"
"Everybody，mydearcount，isinmourninginParis，sogotomytailor’sandgetyourselfablacksuit。Tellhimyoucomefromme，andsayyouwantitbytomorrow。Goodbye。"
Iwentoutsoonafter，anddidnotcomebacktillmidnight。IfoundtheboxwhichMadameManzonihadsentmeinmyroom，andinitmymanuscriptsandmybelovedportraits，forIneverpawnedasnuff—boxwithouttakingtheportraitout。
NextdayTirettamadehisappearanceallinblack，andthankedmeforhistransformation。
"Theyarequick，yousee，atParis。ItwouldhavetakenaweekatTrevisa。"
"Trevisa，mydearfellow，isnotParis。"
AsIsaidthis，theAbbedelaCostewasannounced。Ididnotknowthename，butIgaveordersforhimtobeadmitted；andtherepresentlyappearedthesamelittlepriestwithwhomIhaddinedatVersaillesafterleavingtheAbbedelaVille。
Afterthecustomarygreetingshebeganbycomplimentingmeonthesuccessofmylottery，andthenremarkedthatIhaddistributedticketsformorethansixthousandfrancs。
"Yes，"Isaid，"andIhaveticketsleftforseveralthousandsmore。"
"Verygood，thenIwillinvestathousandcrownsinit。"
"Wheneveryouplease。Ifyoucallatmyofficeyoucanchoosethenumbers。"
"No，Idon’tthinkI’lltroubletodoso；givemeanynumbersjustastheycome。"
"Verygood；hereisthelistyoucanchoosefrom。"
Hechosenumberstotheamountofthreethousandfrancs，andthenaskedmeforapieceofpapertowriteanacknowledgment。
"Whyso？Ican’tdobusinessthatway，asIonlydisposeofmyticketsforcash。"
"Butyoumaybecertainthatyouwillhavethemoneyto—morrow。"
"IamquitesureIshould，butyououghttobecertainthatyouwillhavetheticketsto—morrow。Theyareregisteredatmyoffice，andI
candisposeoftheminnoothermanner。"
"Givemesomewhicharenotregistered。"
"Impossible；Icouldnotdoit。"
"Whynot？"
"BecauseiftheyprovedtobewinningnumbersIshouldhavetopayoutofmyownpocketanhonourIdonotdesire。"
"Well，Ithinkyoumightruntherisk。"
"Ithinknot，ifIwishtoremainanhonestman，atallevents。"
Theabbe，whosawhecouldgetnothingoutofme，turnedtoTiretta，andbegantospeaktohiminbadItalian，andatlastofferedtointroducehimtoMadamedeLambertini，thewidowofoneofthePope’snephews。Hername，herrelationshiptothePope，andtheabbe’sspontaneousoffer，mademecurioustoknowmore，soIsaidthatmyfriendwouldaccepthisoffer，andthatIwouldhavethehonourtobeoftheparty；whereuponwesetout。
WegotdownatthedoorofthesupposednieceoftheHolyFatherintheRueChristine，andweproceededtogoupstairs。Wesawawomanwho，despiteheryouthfulair，was，Iamsure，notadayunderforty。
Shewasratherthin，hadfineblackeyes，agoodcomplexion，livelybutgiddymanners，wasagreatlaugher，andstillcapableofexcitingapassingfancy。Isoonmademyselfathomewithher，andfoundout，whenshebegantotalk，thatshewasneitherawidownorthenieceofthePope。ShecamefromModena，andwasamereadventuress。Thisdiscoveryshewedmewhatsortofamantheabbewas。
Ithoughtfromhisexpressionthatthecounthadtakenafancytoher，andwhensheaskedustodinnerIrefusedonthepleaofanengagement；butTiretta，whotookmymeaning，accepted。SoonafterI
wentawaywiththeabbe，whomIdroppedattheQuaidelaFerraille，andIthenwenttobegadinneratCalsabigi’s。
AfterdinnerCalsabigitookmeononeside，andtoldmethatM。duVernaihadcommissionedhimtowarnmethatIcouldnotdisposeofticketsonaccount。
"DoesM。duVernaitakemeforafooloraknave？AsIamneither，IshallcomplaintoM。deBoulogne。"
"Youwillbewrong；hemerelywantedtowarnyouandnotoffendyou。"
"Youoffendmeverymuchyourself，sir，intalkingtomeinthatfashion；andyoumaymakeupyourmindthatnooneshalltalktomethusasecondtime。"
Calsabigididallinhispowertoquietmedown，andatlastpersuadedmetogowithhimtoM。duVernai’s。TheworthyoldgentlemanseeingtherageIwasinapologizedtomeforwhathehadsaid，andtoldmethatacertainAbbedelaCostehadinformedhimthatIdidso。AtthisIwashighlyindignant，andItoldhimwhathadhappenedthatmorning，whichletM。duVernaiknowwhatkindofamantheabbewas。Ineversawhimagain，eitherbecausehegotwindofmydiscovery，orbecauseahappychancekepthimoutofmyway；
butIheard，threeyearsafter，thathehadbeencondemnedtothehulksforsellingticketsofaTrevauxlotterywhichwasnon—
existent，andinthehulkshedied。
NextdayTirettacamein，andsaidhehadonlyjustreturned。
"Youhavebeensleepingout，haveyou，masterprofligate？"
"Yes，Iwassocharmedwiththeshe—popethatIkepthercompanyallthenight。"
"Youwerenotafraidofbeingintheway？"
"Onthecontrary，Ithinkshewasthoroughlysatisfiedwithmyconversation。"
"AsfarasIcansee，youhadtobringintoplayallyourpowersofeloquence。"
"Sheissowellpleasedwithmyfluencythatshehasbeggedmetoacceptaroominherhouse，andtoallowhertointroducemeasacousintoM。leNoir，who，Isuppose，isherlover。"
"Youwillbeatrio，then；andhowdoyouthinkyouwillgetontogether？"
"That’sherbusiness。ShesaysthisgentlemanwillgivemeagoodsituationintheInlandRevenue。"
"Haveyouacceptedheroffer？"
"Ididnotrefuseit，butItoldherthatIcoulddonothingwithoutyouradvice。SheentreatedmetogetyoutocometodinnerwithheronSunday。"
"Ishallbehappytogo。"
Iwentwithmyfriend，andassoonastheharebrainsawusshefellonTiretta’sneck，callinghimdearCount"Six—times"——anamewhichstucktohimallthetimehewasatParis。
"Whathasgainedmyfriendsofineatitle，madam？"
"Hiseroticachievements。HeislordofanhonourofwhichlittleisknowninFrance，andIamdesirousofbeingthelady。"
"Icommendyouforsonobleanambition。"
Aftertellingmeofhisfeatswithafreedomwhichchewedherexemptionfromvulgarprejudice，sheinformedmethatshewishedhercousintoliveinthesamehouse，andhadalreadyobtainedM。leNoir’spermission，whichwasgivenfreely。
"M。leNoir，"addedthefairLambertini，"willdropinafter。
dinner，andIamdyingtointroduceCount’Sixtimes’tohim。"
Afterdinnershekeptonspeakingofthemightydeedsofmycountryman，andbegantostirhimup，whilehe，nodoubt，pleasedtohaveawitnesstohisexploits，reducedhertosilence。IconfessthatIwitnessedthescenewithoutexcitement，butasIcouldnothelpseeingtheathleticpersonofthecount，Iconcludedthathemightfarewelleverywherewiththeladies。
Aboutthreeo’clocktwoelderlywomenarrived，towhomtheLambertinieagerlyintroducedCount"Six—times。"Ingreatastonishmenttheyenquiredtheoriginofhistitle，andtheheroineofthestoryhavingwhisperedittothem，myfriendbecameanobjectofinterest。
"Ican’tbelieveit，"saidoneoftheseladies，oglingthecount，whilehisfaceseemedtosay，"Wouldyouliketotry？"
Shortlyafter，acoachstoppedatthedoor，andafatwomanofmiddle—agedappearanceandaverypretty，girlwereusheredin；afterthemcameapalemaninablacksuitandalongwig。Aftergreetingtheminamannerwhichimpliedintimacy，thePope’snieceintroducedhercousinCount"Six—strokes"。Theelderlywomanseemedtobeastonishedatsuchaname，buttheLambertinigavenoexplanation。
Nevertheless，peopleseemedtothinkitrathercuriousthatamanwhodidnotknowawordofFrenchshouldbelivinginParis，andthatinspiteofhisignorancehecontinuedtojabberawayinaneasymanner，thoughnobodycouldunderstandwhathewastalkingabout。
Aftersomefoolishconversation，thePope’snieceproposedagameatLoo。Sheaskedmetoplaybutonmyrefusingdidnotmakeapointofit，butsheinsistedonhercousinbeingherpartner。
"Heknowsnothingaboutcards，"saidshe；"butthat’snomatter，hewilllearn，andIwillundertaketoinstructhim。"
Asthegirl，bywhosebeautyIwasstruck，didnotunderstandthegame，Iofferedheraseatbythefire，askinghertograntmethehonourofkeepinghercompany，whereupontheelderlywomanwhohadbroughtherbegantolaugh，andsaidIshouldhavesomedifficultyingettingherniecetotalkaboutanything，adding，inapolitemanner，thatshehopedIwouldbelenientwithherasshehadonlyjustleftaconvent。IassuredherthatIshouldhavenodifficultyinamusingmyselfwithonesoamiable，andthegamehavingbegunItookupmypositionneartheprettyniece。
Ihadbeennearherforseveralminutes，andsolelyoccupiedinmuteadmirationofherbeauty，whensheaskedmewhowasthathandsomegentlemanwhotalkedsooddly。
"Heisanobleman，andafellow—countrymanofmine，whomanaffairofhonourhasbanishedfromhiscountry。"
"Hespeaksacuriousdialect。"
"Yes，butthefactisthatFrenchisverylittlespokeninItaly；hewillsoonpickitupinParis，andthenhewillbelaughedatnolonger。Iamsorrytohavebroughthimhere，forinlessthantwenty—fourhourshewasspoiled。"
"Howspoiled？"
"Idaren’ttellyouas，perhaps，yourauntwouldnotlikeit。"
"Idon’tthinkIshouldtellher，but，perhaps，Ishouldnothaveasked。"
"Oh，yes！youshould；andasyouwishtoknowIwillmakenomysteryofit。MadameLambertinitookafancytohim；theypassedthenighttogether，andintokenofthesatisfactionhegavehershehasgivenhimtheridiculousnicknameof’CountSixtimes。’That’sall。Iamvexedaboutit，asmyfriendwasnoprofligate。"
Astonishment——andveryreasonableastonishment——willbeexpressedthatIdaredtotalkinthiswaytoagirlfreshfromaconvent；butIshouldhavebeenastonishedmyselfatthebareideaofanyrespectablegirlcomingtoLambertini’shouse。Ifixedmygazeonmyfaircompanion，andsawtheblushofshamemountingoverherprettyface；butIthoughtthatmighthavemorethanonemeaning。
Judgeofmysurprisewhen，twominutesafterwards，Iheardthisquestion:
"Butwhathas’Sixtimes’gottodowithsleepingwithMadameLambertini？"
"Mydearyounglady，theexplanationisperfectlysimple:myfriendinasinglenightdidwhatahusbandoftentakessixweekstodo。"
"Andyouthinkmesillyenoughtotellmyauntofwhatwehavebeentalking？Don’tbelieveit。"
"Butthere’sanotherthingIamsorryabout。"
"Youshalltellmewhatthatisdirectly。"
Thereasonwhichobligedthecharmingniecetoretireforafewminutesmaybeguessedwithoutourgoingintoexplanations。Whenshecamebackshewentbehindheraunt’schair，hereyesfixedonTiretta，andthencameuptome，andtakingherseatagain，said:
"Now，whatelseisitthatyouaresorryabout？"hereyessparklingassheaskedthequestion。
"MayItellyou，doyouthink？"
"Youhavesaidsomuchalready，thatIdon’tthinkyouneedhaveanyscruplesintellingmetherest。"
"Verygood:youmustknow，then，thatthisverydayandinmypresencehe——————her。"
"Ifthatdispleasedyou，youmustbejealous。"
"Possibly，butthefactisthatIwashumbledbyacircumstanceI
darenottellyou。"
"Ithinkyouarelaughingatmewithyour’darenottellyou。’"
"Godforbid，mademoiselle！Iwillconfess，then，thatIwashumbledbecauseMadameLambertinimademeseethatmyfriendwastallerthanmyselfbytwoinches。"
"Thensheimposedonyou，foryouaretallerthanyourfriend。"
"Iamnotspeakingofthatkindoftallness，butanother；youknowwhatImean，andtheremyfriendisreallymonstrous。"
"Monstrous！thenwhathaveyoutobesorryabout？Isn’titbetternottobemonstrous？"
"Certainly；butinthearticlewearediscussing，somewomen，unlikeyou，prefermonstrosity。"
"Ithinkthat’sabsurdofthem，orrathermad；orperhaps，Ihavenotsufficientlyclearideasonthesubjecttoimaginewhatsizeitwouldbetobecalledmonstrous；andIthinkitisoddthatsuchathingshouldhumbleyou。"
"Youwouldnothavethoughtitofme，toseeme？"
"Certainlynot，forwhenIcameintotheroomIthoughtyoulookedawell—proportionedman，butifyouarenotIamsorryforyou。"
"Iwon’tleaveyouindoubtonthesubject；lookforyourself，andtellmewhatyouthink。"
"Why，it’syouwhoarethemonster！Ideclareyoumakemefeelquiteafraid。"
Atthisshebegantoperspireviolently，andwentbehindheraunt’schair。Ididnotstir，asIwassureshewouldsooncomeback，puttingherdowninmyownmindasveryfarremovedfromsillinessorinnocenceeither。Isupposedshewishedtoaffectwhatshedidnotpossess。Iwas，moreover，delightedathavingtakentheopportunitysowell。Ihadpunishedherforhavingtriedtoimposeonme；andasIhadtakenagreatfancytoher，Iwaspleasedthatsheseemedtolikeherpunishment。Asforherpossessionofwit，therecouldbenodoubtonthatpoint，foritwasshewhohadsustainedthechiefpartinourdialogue，andmysayingsanddoingswereallpromptedbyherquestions，andtheperseveringwayinwhichshekepttothesubject。
Shehadnotbeenbehindheraunt’schairforfiveminuteswhenthelatterwaslooed。She，notknowingwhomtoattack，turnedonhernieceandsaid，"Getyougone，littlesilly，youarebringingmebadluck！Besides，itisbadmannerstoleavethegentlemanwhosokindlyofferedtokeepyoucompanyallbyhimself。"
Theamiableniecemadenotanswer，andcamebacktomesmiling。"Ifmyauntknew，"saidshe，"whatyouhaddonetome，shewouldnothaveaccusedmeofbadmanners。"
"Ican’ttellyouhowsorryIam。Iwantyoutohavesomeevidenceofmyrepentance，butallthatIcandoistogo。WillyoubeoffendedifIdo？"
"Ifyouleaveme，myauntwillcallmeadreadfulstupid，andwillsaythatIhavetiredyouout。"
"Wouldyoulikemetostay，then？"
"Youcan’tgo。"
"HadyounoideawhatIshewedyouwasliketilljustnow？"
"Myideasonthesubjectwereinaccurate。Myauntonlytookmeoutoftheconventamonthago，andIhadbeentheresinceIwasseven。"
"Howoldareyounow？"
"Seventeen。Theytriedtomakemetaketheveil，butnothavinganyrelishforthefooleriesofthecloisterIrefused。"
"Areyouvexedwithme？"
"Ioughttobeveryangrywithyou，butIknowitwasmyfault，soI
willonlyaskyoutobediscreet。"
"Don’tbeafraid，ifIwereindiscreetIshouldbethefirsttosuffer。"
"Youhavegivenmealessonwhichwillcomeinuseful。Stop！stop！
orIwillgoaway。"
"No，keepquiet；it’sdonenow。"
Ihadtakenherprettyhand，withwhichsheletmedoasIliked，andatlastwhenshedrewitbackshewasastonishedtofinditwantedwiping。
"Whatisthat？"
"Themostpleasantofsubstances，whichrenovatestheworld。"
"Iseeyouareanexcellentmaster。Yourpupilsmakerapidprogress，andyougiveyourlessonswithsuchalearnedair。"
"Nowdon’tbeangrywithmeforwhathashappened。Ishouldneverhavedaredtogosofarifyourbeautyhadnotinspiredme。"
"AmItotakethatspeechasadeclarationoflove？"
"Yes，itisbold，sweetheart，butitissincere。Ifitwerenot，I
shouldbeunworthybothofyouandofmyself。"
"CanIbelieveyou？"
"Yes，withallyourheart。ButtellmeifImayhopeforyourlove？"
"Idon’tknow。AllIknowatpresentisthatIoughttohateyou，forinthespaceofaquarterofanhouryouhavetaughtmewhatI
thoughtIshouldneverknowtillIwasmarried。"
"Areyousorry？"
"Ioughttobe，althoughIfeelthatIhavenothingmoretolearnonamatterwhichIneverdaredtothinkabout。Buthowisitthatyouhavegotsoquiet？"
"Becausewearetalkingreasonablyandaftertheraptureloverequiressomerepose。Butlookatthis！"
"What！again？Isthattherestofthelesson？"
"Itisthenaturalresultofit。"
"Howisitthatyoudon’tfrightenmenow？"
"Thesoldiergetsusedtofire。"
"Iseeourfireisgoingout。"
Withthesewordsshetookupasticktopokethefire，andasshewasstoopingdowninafavourablepositionmyrashhanddaredtoapproachtheporchofthetemple，andfoundthedoorclosedinsuchsortthatitwouldbenecessarytobreakitopenifonewishedtoenterthesanctuary。Shegotupinadignifiedway，andtoldmeinapoliteandfeelingmannerthatshewasawell—borngirlandworthyofrespect。PretendingtobeconfusedImadeathousandexcuses，andI
soonsawtheamiableexpressionreturntothefacewhichitbecamesowell。IsaidthatinspiteofmyrepentanceIwasgladtoknowthatshehadnevermadeanothermanhappy。
"Believeme，"shesaid，"thatifImakeanyonehappyitwillbemyhusband，towhomIhavegivenmyhandandheart。"
Itookherhand，whichsheabandonedtomyrapturouskisses。IhadreachedthispleasantstageintheproceedingswhenM。leNoirwasannounced，hehavingcometoenquirewhatthePope’sniecehadtosaytohim。
M。leNoir，amanofacertainageandofasimpleappearance，beggedthecompanytoremainseated。TheLambertiniintroducedmetohim，andheaskedifIweretheartist；butonbeinginformedthatIwashiselderbrother，hecongratulatedmeonmylotteryandtheesteeminwhichM。duVernaiheldme。ButwhatinterestedhimmostwasthecousinwhomthefairnieceofthePopeintroducedtohimunderhisrealnameofTiretta，thinking，doubtless，thathisnewtitlewouldnotcarrymuchweightwithM。leNoir。Takingupthediscourse，I
toldhimthatthecountwascommandedtomebyaladywhomIgreatlyesteemed，andthathehadbeenobligedtoleavehiscountryforthepresentonaccountofanaffairofhonour。TheLambertiniaddedthatshewishedtoaccommodatehim，buthadnotlikedtodosotillshehadconsultedM。leNoir。"Madam，"saidtheworthyman，"youhavesovereignpowerinyourhouse，andIshallbedelightedtoseethecountinyoursociety。"
AsM。leNoirspokeItalianverywell，Tirettaleftthetable，andwesatdownallfourofusbythefire，wheremyfreshconquesthadanopportunityofshewingherwit。M。leNoirwasamanofmuchintelligenceandgreatexperience。Hemadehertalkoftheconventwhereshehadbeen，andassoonasheknewhernamehebegantospeakofherfather，withwhomhehadbeenwellacquainted。HewasacouncilloroftheParliamentofRouen，andhadenjoyedagreatreputationduringhislifetime。
Mysweetheartwasabovetheordinaryheight，herhairwasafinegoldencolour，andherregularfeatures，despitethebrillianceofhereyes，expressedcandourandmodesty。Herdressallowedmetofollowallthelinesofherfigure，andtheeyesdweltpleasantlyonthebeautyofherform，andonthetwosphereswhichseemedtolamenttheirtoocloseconfinement。AlthoughM。leNoirsaidnothingofallthis，itwaseasytoseethatinhisownwayheadmiredherperfectionsnolessthanI。Heleftusateighto’clock，andhalfanhourafterwardsthefatauntwentawayfollowedbyhercharmingnieceandthepalemanwhohadcomewiththem。IlostnotimeintakingleavewithTiretta，whopromisedthePope’sniecetojoinheronthemorrow，whichhedid。
ThreeorfourdayslaterIreceivedatmyofficealetterfromMdlle。
delaMeure——theprettyniece。Itranasfollows:"Madame，myaunt，mylatemother’ssister，isadevotee，fondofgaming，rich，stingy，andunjust。Shedoesnotlikeme，andnothavingsucceededinpersuadingmetotaketheveil，shewantstomarrymetoawealthyDunkirkmerchant，whomIdonotknow，but（markthis）whomshedoesnotknowanymorethanIdo。Thematrimonialagenthaspraisedhimverymuch，andverynaturally，asamanmustpraisehisowngoods。
Thisgentlemanissatisfiedwithanincomeoftwelvehundredfrancsperannum，buthepromisestoleavemeinhiswillnolessthanahundredandfiftythousandfrancs。Youmustknowthatbymymother’swillmyauntisobligedtopaymeonmyweddingdaytwenty—fivethousandcrowns。
"Ifwhathastakenplacebetweenushasnotmademecontemptibleinyoursight，Iofferyoumyhandandheartwithsixty—fivethousandfrancs，andasmuchmoreonmyaunt’sdeath。
"Don’tsendmeanyanswer，asIdon’tknowhoworbywhomtoreceiveyourletter。YoucananswermeinyourownpersonnextSundayatMadameLambertini’s。Youwillthushavefourdayswhereontoconsiderthismostimportantquestion。IdonotexactlyknowwhetherIloveyou，butIamquitesurethatIpreferyoutoanyotherman。
Iknowthateachofushasstilltogaintheother’sesteem，butIamsureyouwouldmakemylifeahappyone，andthatIshouldbeafaithfulwife。IfyouthinkthatthehappinessIseekcanaddtoyourown，Imustwarnyouthatyouwillneedtheaidofalawyer，asmyauntismiserly，andwillstickattrifles。
"IfyoudecideintheaffirmativeyoumustfindaconventformetotakerefugeinbeforeIcommitmyselftoanything，asotherwiseI
shouldbeexposedtotheharshtreatmentIwishtoavoid。If，ontheotherhand，myproposaldoesnotmeetyourviews，Ihaveonefavourtoaskbygrantingwhichyouwillearnmyeverlastinggratitude。
Thisisthatyouwillendeavourtoseemenomore，andwilltakecarenottobepresentinanycompanyinwhichyouthinkIamtobefound。
Thusyouwillhelpmetoforgetyou，andthisistheleastyoucandoforme。YoumayguessthatIshallneverbehappytillIhavebecomeyourwifeorhaveforgottenyou。Farewell！IreckonuponseeingyouonSunday。"
Thisletteraffectedme。Ifeltthatitwasdictatedbyprudent，virtuous，andhonourablefeelings，andIfoundevenmoremeritintheintellectualendowmentsofthegirlthaninherbeauty。Iblushedathavinginamannerledherastray，andIshouldhavethoughtmyselfworthyofpunishmentifIhadbeencapableofrefusingthehandofferedtomewithsomuchnobilityoffeeling。AndasecondbutstillapowerfulconsiderationmademelookcomplacentlyuponafortunelargerthanIcouldreasonablyexpecttowin。Nevertheless，theideaofthemarriagestate，forwhichIfeltIhadnovocation，mademetremble。
IknewmyselftoowellnottobeawarethatasamarriedmanIshouldbeunhappy，and，consequently，withthebestintentionsIshouldfailinmakingthewoman’slifeahappyone。MyuncertaintyinthefourdayswhichshehadwiselyleftmeconvincedmethatIwasnotinlovewithher。Inspiteofthat，soweakwasIthatIcouldnotsummonupcouragetorejectheroffer——stilllesstotellhersofrankly，whichwouldhavemadeheresteemme。
DuringthesefourdaysIwasentirelyabsorbedinthisonesubject。
Ibitterlyrepentedofhavingoutragedhermodesty，forInowesteemedandrespectedher，butyetIcouldnotmakeupmymindtorepairthewrongIhaddoneher。Icouldnotbeartoincurherdislike，buttheideaoftyingmyselfdownwasdreadfultome；andsuchistheconditionofamanwhohastochoosebetweentwoalternatives，andcannotmakeuphismind。
Fearinglestmyevilgeniusshouldtakemetotheoperaorelsewhere，andinspiteofmyselfmakememissmyappointment，IresolvedtodinewiththeLambertiniwithouthavingcometoanydecision。ThepiousnieceofthePopewasatmasswhenIreachedherhouse。I
foundTirettaengagedinplayingontheflute，butassoonashesawmehedroppedtheinstrument，ranuptome，embracedme，andgavemebackthemoneyhissuithadcostme。
"Iseeyouareincash，oldfellow；Icongratulateyou。"
"It’sagrievouspieceoflucktome，forthemoneyisstolen，andI
amsorryIhavegotitthoughIwasanaccompliceinthetheft。"
"What！themoneyisstolen？"
"Yes，sharpingisdonehere，andIhavebeentaughttohelp。Ishareintheirill—gottengainsbecauseIhavenotthestrengthofmindtorefuse。Mylandladyandtwoorthreewomenofthesamesortpluckthepigeons。Thebusinessdoesnotsuitme，andIamthinkingofleavingit。SoonerorlaterIshallkillorbekilled，andeithereventwillbethedeathofme，soIamthinkingofleavingthiscutthroatplaceassoonaspossible。"
"Iadviseyou——nay，Ibidyoudosobyallmeans，andIshouldthinkyouhadbetterbegoneto—daythanto—morrow。"
"Idon’twanttodoanythingsuddenly，asM。leNoirisagentlemanandmyfriend，andhethinksmeacousintothiswretchedwoman。Asheknowsnothingoftheinfamoustradeshecarrieson，hewouldsuspectsomething，andperhapswouldleaveherafterlearningthereasonofmydeparture。Ishallfindsomeexcuseorotherinthecourseofthenextfiveorsixdays，andthenIwillmakehasteandreturntoyou。"
TheLambertinithankedmeforcomingtodinnerinafriendlymanner，andtoldmethatweshouldhavethecompanyofMdlle。delaMeureandheraunt。Iaskedherifshewasstillsatisfiedwithmyfriend"Sixtimes，"andshetoldmethatthoughthecountdidnotalwaysresideonhismanor，shewasforallthatdelightedwithhim；andsaidshe，"Iamtoogoodamonarchtoasktoomuchofmyvassals。"
Icongratulatedher，andwecontinuedtojesttillthearrivalofthetwootherguests。
AssoonasMdlle。delaMeuresawmeshecouldscarcelyconcealherpleasure。Shewasinhalfmourning，andlookedsoprettyinthiscostume，whichthrewupthewhitenessofherskin，thatIstillwonderwhythatinstantdidnotdeterminemyfate。
Tiretta，whohadbeenmakinghistoilette，rejoinedus，andasnothingpreventedmefromshewingthelikingIhadtakenfortheamiablegirlIpaidherallpossibleattention。ItoldtheauntthatIfoundherniecesoprettythatIwouldrenouncemybachelorhoodifIcouldfindsuchamate。
"Mynieceisavirtuousandsweet—tempered’girl，sir，butsheisutterlydevoideitherofintelligenceorpiety。"
"Nevermindtheintelligence，"saidtheniece，"butIwasneverfoundwantinginpietyattheconvent。"
"Idaresaythenunsareofthejesuiticalparty。"
"Whathasthatgottodowithit，aunt？"
"Verymuch，child；theJesuitsandtheiradherentsarewellknowntohavenovitalreligion。Butletustalkofsomethingelse。AllthatIwantyoutodoistoknowhowtopleaseyourfuturehusband。"
"Ismademoiselleabouttomarry，then？"
"Herintendedwillprobablyarriveatthebeginningofnextmonth。"
"Ishealawyer？"
"No，sir；heisawell—to—domerchant。"
"M。leNoirtoldmethatyourniecewasthedaughterofacouncillor，andIdidnotimaginethatyouwouldsanctionhermarryingbeneathher。"
"Therewillbenoquestionofsuchathinginthisinstance，sir；
and，afterall，whatismarryingbeneathone？Myniece’sintendedisanhonest，andthereforeanoble，man，andIamsureitwillbeherfaultifshedoesnotleadalifeofperfecthappinesswithhim"
"Quiteso，supposingsheloveshim。"
"Oh！loveandallthatkindofthingwillcomeingoodtime，youknow。"
Astheseremarkscouldonlygivepaintotheyounglady，wholistenedinsilence，IchangedtheconversationtotheenormouscrowdwhichwouldbepresentattheexecutionofDamien，andfindingthemextremelydesirousofwitnessingthishorriblesightIofferedthemalargewindowwithanexcellentview。Theladiesacceptedwithgreatpleasure，andIpromisedtoescortthemingoodtime。
Ihadnosuchthingasawindow，butIknewthatinParis，aseverywhere，moneywillprocureanything。AfterdinnerIwentoutonthepleaofbusiness，and，takingthefirstcoachIcameacross，inaquarterofanhourIsucceededinrentingafirstfloorwindowinexcellentpositionforthreelouis。Ipaidinadvance，takingcaretohaveareceipt。
Mybusinessover，Ihastenedtorejointhecompany，andfoundthemengagedinpiquet。Mdlle。delaMeure，whoknewnothingaboutit，wastiredoflookingon。Icameuptoher，andhavingsomethingtosaywewenttotheotherendoftheroom。
"Yourletter，dearest，hasmademethehappiestofmen。Youhavedisplayedinitsuchintelligenceandsuchadmirablecharacteristicsaswouldwinyoutheferventadorationofeverymanofgoodsense。"
"Ionlywantoneman’slove。Iwillbecontentwiththeesteemoftherest。"
"Myangel，Iwillmakeyoumywife，andIshallblesstillmylatestbreaththeluckyaudacitytowhichIowemybeingchosenbeforeothermenwhowouldnothaverefusedyourhand，evenwithoutthefiftythousandcrowns，whicharenothingincomparisonwithyourbeautyandyourwit。"
"Iamverygladyoulikemesomuch。"
"CouldIdootherwise？Andnowthatyouknowmyheart，donothinghastily，buttrustinme。"
"YouwillnotforgethowIamplaced。"
"Iwillbearitinmind。Letmehavetimetotakeahouse，tofurnishitandtoputmyselfinapositioninwhichIshallbeworthyofyourhand。YoumustrememberthatIamonlyinfurnishedapartments；thatyouarewellconnected，andthatIshouldnotliketoberegardedasafortune—hunter。"
"Youknowthatmyintendedhusbandwillsoonarrive？"
"Yes，Iwilltakecareofthat。"
"Whenhedoescome，youknow，matterswillbepushedonrapidly。"
"Nottoorapidlyformetobeabletosetyoufreeintwenty—fourhours，andwithoutlettingyourauntknowthattheblowcomesfromme。Youmayrestassured，dearest，thattheministerforforeignaffairs，onbeingassuredthatyouwishtomarryme，andmeonly，willgetyouaninviolableasyluminthebestconventinParis。Hewillalsoretaincounselonyourbehalf，andifyourmother’swillisproperlydrawnoutyourauntwillsoonbeobligedtohandoveryourdowry，andtogivesecurityfortherestoftheproperty。Donottroubleyourselfaboutthematter，butlettheDunkirkmerchantcomewhenhelikes。Atallhazards，youmayreckonuponme，andyoumaybesureyouwillnotbeinyouraunt’shouseonthedayfixedforthewedding。"