CHAPTERII
　　TheAbbydelaVille——TheAbbyGaliani——TheNeapolitanDialect——ISetOutforDunkirkonaSecretMissionISucceed——IReturntoParisbyAmiens——MyAdventurebytheWay——M。delaBretonniere——MyReportGivesSatisfaction——IAmPaidFiveHundredLouis——Reflections。
　　Anewcareerwasopeningbeforeme。Fortunewasstillmyfriend，andIhadallthenecessaryqualitiestosecondtheeffortsoftheblindgoddessonmybehalfsaveone——perseverance。Myimmoderatelifeofpleasureannulledtheeffectofallmyotherqualities。
　　M。deBernisreceivedmeinhisusualmanner，thatismorelikeafriendthanaminister。HeaskedmeifIhadanyinclinationforasecretmission。
　　"HaveIthenecessarytalents？"
　　"Ithinkso。"
　　"Ihaveaninclinationforallhonestmeansofearningalivelihood，andasformytalentsIwilltakeyourexcellency’sopinionforgranted。"
　　Thislastobservationmadehimsmile，asIhadintended。
　　Afterafewwordsspokenatrandomonthememoriesofbygoneyearswhichtimehadnotentirelydefaced，theministertoldmetogototheAbbedelaVilleandusehisname。
　　Thisabbe，thechiefpermanentofficialoftheforeignoffice，wasamanofcoldtemperament，aprofounddiplomatist，andthesoulofthedepartment，andhighinfavourwithhisexcellencytheminister。HehadservedthestatewellasanagentatTheHague，andhisgratefulkingrewardedhimbygivinghimabishopriconthedayofhisdeath。
　　Itwasalittlelate，butkingshavenotalwayssufficientleisuretorememberthings。HisheirwasawealthymannamedGamier，whohadformerlybeenchiefcookatM。d’Argenson’s，andhadbecomerichbyprofitingbythefriendshiptheAbbedelaVillehadalwayshadforhim。Thesetwofriends，whowerenearlyofthesameage，haddepositedtheirwillsinthehandsofthesameattorney，andeachhadmadetheotherhisresiduarylegatee。
　　Aftertheabbehaddeliveredabriefdiscourseonthenatureofsecretmissionsandthediscretionnecessarytothosechargedwiththem，hetoldmethathewouldletmeknowwhenanythingsuitableformepresenteditself。
　　ImadetheacquaintanceoftheAbbeGaliani，thesecretaryoftheNeapolitanEmbassy。HewasabrothertotheMarquisdeGaliani，ofwhomIshallspeakwhenwecometomyItaliantravels。TheAbbeGalianiwasamanofwit。Hehadaknackofmakingthemostserioussubjectsappearcomic；andbeingagoodtalker，speakingFrenchwiththeineradicableNeapolitanaccent，hewasafavouriteineverycirclehecaredtoenter。TheAbbedelaVilletoldhimthatVoltairehadcomplainedthathisHenriadehadbeentranslatedintoNeapolitanverseinsuchsortthatitexcitedlaughter。
　　"Voltaireiswrong，"saidGaliani，"fortheNeapolitandialectisofsuchanaturethatitisimpossibletowriteversesinitthatarenotlaughable。Andwhyshouldhebevexed；hewhomakespeoplelaughissureofbeingbeloved。TheNeapolitandialectistrulyasingularone；wehaveitintranslationsoftheBibleandoftheIliad，andbotharecomic。"
　　"IcanimaginethattheBiblewouldbe，butIshouldnothavethoughtthatwouldhavebeenthecasewiththeIliad。"
　　"Itis，nevertheless。"
　　IdidnotreturntoParistillthedaybeforethedepartureofMdlle。
　　delaMeure，nowMadameP————。Ifeltindutyboundtogoandseeher，togivehermycongratulations，andtowishherapleasantjourney。Ifoundheringoodspiritsandquiteatherease，and，farfrombeingvexedatthis，Iwaspleased，acertainsignthatIwascured。Wetalkedwithouttheslightestconstraint，andIthoughtherhusbandaperfectgentleman。HeinvitedustovisithimatDunkirk，andIpromisedtogowithoutintendingtodoso，butthefateswilledotherwise。
　　Tirettawasnowleftalonewithhisdarling，whogrewmoreinfatuatedwithherStrephoneveryday，sowelldidheprovehisloveforher。
　　Withamindatease，InowsetmyselftosentimentalizewithMdlle。
　　Baletti，whogavemeeverydaysomenewmarkoftheprogressIwasmaking。
　　ThefriendshipandrespectIboreherfamilymadetheideaofseductionoutofthequestion，butasIgrewmoreandmoreinlovewithher，andhadnothoughtsofmarriage，IshouldhavebeenpuzzledtosayatwhatendIwasaiming，soIletmyselfglidealongthestreamwithoutthinkingwhereIwasgoing。
　　InthebeginningofMaytheAbbedeBernistoldmetocomeandcallonhimatVersailles，butfirsttoseetheAbbedelaVille。ThefirstquestiontheabbeaskedmewaswhetherIthoughtmyselfcapableofpayingavisittoeightortenmen—of—warintheroadsatDunkirk，ofmakingtheacquaintanceoftheofficers，andofcompletingaminuteandcircumstantialreportonthevictualling，thenumberofseamen，theguns，ammunition，discipline，etc。，etc。
　　"Iwillmaketheattempt，"Isaid，"andwillhandyouinmyreportonmyreturn，anditwillbeforyoutosayifIhavesucceededornot。"
　　"Asthisisasecretmission，Icannotgiveyoualetterofcommendation；Icanonlygiveyousomemoneyandwishyouapleasantjourney。"
　　"Idonotwishtobepaidinadvance——onmyreturnyoucangivemewhatyouthinkfit。Ishallwantthreeorfourdaysbeforesettingout，asImustprocuresomelettersofintroduction。"
　　"Verygood。Trytocomebackbeforetheendofthemonth。Ihavenofurtherinstructionstogiveyou。"
　　OnthesamedayIhadsomeconversationatthePalaisBourbonwithmypatron，whocouldnotadmiresufficientlymydelicacyinrefusingpaymentinadvance；andtakingadvantageofmyhavingdonesohemademeacceptapacketofahundredLouis。ThiswasthelastoccasiononwhichImadeuseofhispurse；IdidnotborrowfromhimatRomefourteenyearsafterwards。
　　"Asyouareonasecretmission，mydearCasanova，Icannotgiveyouapassport。Iamsorryforit，butifIdidsoyourobjectwouldbesuspected。However，youwilleasilybeabletogetonefromthefirstgentlemanofthechamber，onsomepretextorother。Silviawillbemoreusefultoyouinthatwaythananybodyelse。Youquiteunderstandhowdiscreetyourbehaviourmustbe。Aboveall，donotgetintoanytrouble；forIsupposeyouknowthat，ifanythinghappenedtoyou，itwouldbeofnousetotalkofyourmission。Weshouldbeobligedtoknownothingaboutyou，forambassadorsaretheonlyavowedspies。Rememberthatyoumustbeevenmorecarefulandreservedthanthey，andyet，ifyouwishtosucceed，allthismustbeconcealed，andyoumusthaveanairoffreedomfromconstraintthatyoumayinspireconfidence。If，onyourreturn，youliketoshewmeyourreportbeforehandingitin，Iwilltellyouwhatmayrequiretobeleftoutoradded。"
　　Fullofthisaffair，theimportanceofwhichIexaggeratedinproportiontomyinexperience，ItoldSilviathatIwantedtoaccompanysomeEnglishfriendsasfarasCalais，andthatshewouldobligemebygettingmeapassportfromtheDucdeGesvres。Alwaysreadytoobligeme，shesatdowndirectlyandwrotethedukealetter，tellingmetodeliveritmyselfsincemypersonaldescriptionwasnecessary。ThesepassportscarrylegalweightintheIsledeFranceonly，buttheyprocureonerespectinallthenorthernpartsofthekingdom。
　　FortifiedwithSilvia’sletter，andaccompaniedbyherhusband，I
　　wenttothedukewhowasathisestateatSt。Toro，andhehadscarcelyreadtheletterthroughbeforehegavemethepassport。
　　SatisfiedonthispointIwenttoVillette，andaskedMadameifshehadanythingIcouldtaketoherniece。"Youcantakehertheboxofchinastatuettes，"saidshe，"ifM。Cornemanhasnotsentthemalready。"Icalledonthebankerwhogavemethebox，andinreturnforahundredLouisaletterofcreditonaDunkirkhouse。Ibeggedhimtonamemeintheletterinaspecialmanner，asIwasgoingforthesakeofpleasure。Heseemedgladtoobligeme，andIstartedthesameevening，andthreedayslaterIwasatthe"HoteldelaConciergerie，"inDunkirk。
　　AnhouraftermyarrivalIgavethecharmingMadameP————anagreeablesurprisebyhandingherthebox，andgivingherheraunt’smessages。Justasshewaspraisingherhusband，andtellingmehowhappyshewas，hecamein，sayinghewasdelightedtoseemeandaskedmetostayinhishouse，withoutenquiringwhethermystayinDunkirkwouldbealongorshortone。Iofcoursethankedhim，andafterpromisingtodinenowandagainathishouseIbeggedhimtotakemetothebankeronwhomIhadaletter。
　　Thebankerreadmyletter，andgavemethehundredlouis，andaskedmetowaitforhimatmyinnwherehewouldcomeformewiththegovernor，aM。deBarail。Thisgentlemanwho，likemostFrenchmen，wasverypolite，aftermakingsomeordinaryenquiries，askedmetosupwithhimandhiswifewhowasstillattheplay。TheladygavemeaskindareceptionasIhadreceivedfromherhusband。Afterwehadpartakenofanexcellentsupperseveralpersonsarrived，andplaycommencedinwhichIdidnotjoin，asIwishedtostudythesocietyoftheplace，andaboveallcertainofficersofbothserviceswhowerepresent。Bymeansofspeakingwithanairofauthorityaboutnavalmatters，andbysayingthatIhadservedinthenavyoftheVenetianRepublic，inthreedaysInotonlyknewbutwasintimatewithallthecaptainsoftheDunkirkfleet。Italkedatrandomaboutnavalarchitecture，ontheVenetiansystemofmanoeuvres，andI
　　noticedthatthejollysailorswerebetterpleasedatmyblundersthanatmysensibleremarks。
　　FourdaysafterIhadbeenatDunkirk，oneofthecaptainsaskedmetodinneronhisship，andafterthatalltheothersdidthesame；
　　andoneveryoccasionIstayedintheshipfortherestoftheday。
　　Iwascuriousabouteverything——andJackissotrustful！Iwentintothehold，Iaskedquestionsinnumerable，andIfoundplentyofyoungofficersdelightedtoshewtheirownimportance，whogossippedwithoutneedinganyencouragementfromme。Itookcare，however，tolearneverythingwhichwouldbeofservicetome，andintheeveningsIputdownonpaperallthementalnotesIhadmadeduringtheday。
　　FourorfivehourswasallIallowedmyselfforsleep，andinfifteendaysIhadlearntenough。
　　Pleasure，gaming，andidleness——myusualcompanions——hadnopartinthisexpedition，andIdevotedallmyenergiestotheobjectofmymission。Idinedoncewiththebanker，oncewithMadameP————，inthetown，andonceinaprettycountryhousewhichherhusbandhad，ataboutaleague’sdistancefromDunkirk。Shetookmethereherself，andonfindingmyselfalonewiththewomanIhadlovedsowellIdelightedherbythedelicacyofmybehaviour，whichwasmarkedonlybyrespectandfriendship。AsIstillthoughthercharming，andasourconnectionhadonlyendedsixweeksago，Iwasastonishedtoseemyselfsoquiet，knowingmydispositiontoowelltoattributemyrestrainttovirtue。What，then，wasthereason？AnItalianproverb，speakingfornature，givesthetruesolutionoftheriddle。
　　’LaMonanonvuolpensieri’，andmyheadwasfullofthought。
　　Mytaskwasdone，andbiddinggood—byetoallmyfriends，Isetoutinmypost—chaiseforParis，goingbyanotherwayforthesakeofthechange。Aboutmidnight，onmyaskingforhorsesatsomestage，thenameofwhichIforget，theytoldmethatthenextstagewasthefortifiedtownofAire，whichweshouldnotbeallowedtopassthroughatmidnight。
　　"Getmethehorses，"saidI，"Iwillmakethemopenthegates。"
　　Iwasobeyed，andinduetimewereachedthegates。
　　Thepostillioncrackedhiswhipandthesentrycalledout，"Whogoesthere？"
　　"Expressmessenger。"
　　Aftermakingmewaitforanhourthegatewasopened，andIwastoldthatImustgoandspeaktothegovernor。Ididso，frettingandfumingonmywayasifIweresomegreatperson，andIwastakentoaroomwhereamaninanelegantnightcapwaslyingbesideaveryprettywoman。
　　"Whosemessengerareyou？"
　　"Nobody’s，butasIaminahurry。"
　　"Thatwilldo。Wewilltalkthematterovertomorrow。Inthemeanwhileyouwillacceptthehospitalityoftheguard—room。"
　　"But，sir……"
　　"Butmenobuts，ifyouplease；leavetheroom。"
　　Iwastakentotheguard—roomwhereIspentthenightseatedontheground。Thedaylightappeared。Ishouted，swore，madealltheracketIcould，saidIwantedtogoon，butnobodytookanynoticeofme。
　　Teno’clockstruck。MoreimpatientthanIcansay，Iraisedmyvoiceandspoketotheofficer，tellinghimthatthegovernormightassassinatemeifheliked，buthadnorighttodenymepenandpaper，ortodeprivemeofthepowerofsendingamessengertoParis。
　　"Yourname，sir？"
　　"Hereismypassport。"
　　Hetoldmethathewouldtakeittothegovernor，butIsnatcheditawayfromhim。
　　"Wouldyouliketoseethegovernor？"
　　"Yes，Ishould。"
　　Westartedforthegovernor’sapartments。Theofficerwasthefirsttoenter，andintwominutescameoutagainandbroughtmein。I
　　gaveupmypassportinproudsilence。Thegovernorreaditthrough，examiningmeallthewhiletoseeifIwasthepersondescribed；hethengaveitmeback，tellingmethatIwasfreetogowhereIliked。
　　"Notsofast，sir，Iamnotinsuchahurrynow。IshallsendamessengertoParisandwaithisreturn；forbystoppingmeonmyjourneyyouhaveviolatedalltherightsofthesubject。"
　　"Youviolatedthemyourselfincallingyourselfamessenger。"
　　"Notatall；ItoldyouthatIwasnotone。"
　　"Yes，butyoutoldyourpostillionthatyouwere，andthatcomestothesamething。"
　　"Thepostillionisaliar，Itoldhimnothingofthekind。"
　　"Whydidn’tyoushewyourpassport？"
　　"Whydidn’tyougivemetimetodoso？Inthecourseofthenextfewdaysweshallseewhoisright。"
　　"Justasyouplease。"
　　Iwentoutwiththeofficerwhotookmetotheposting—place，andaminuteafterwardsmycarriagedrewup。Theposting—placewasalsoaninn，andItoldthelandlordtohaveaspecialmessengerreadytocarryoutmyorders，togivemeagoodroomandagoodbed，andtoservemesomerichsoupimmediately；andIwarnedhimthatIwasaccustomedtogoodfare。Ihadmyportmanteauandallmybelongingstakenintomyroom，andhavingwashedandputonmydressing—gownI
　　satdowntowrite，towhomIdidnotknow，forIwasquitewronginmycontention。However，Ihadbegunbyplayingthegreatman，andI
　　thoughtmyselfboundinhonourtosustainthepart，withoutthinkingwhetherIstoodtohavetobackoutofitorno。AllthesameIwasvexedathavingtowaitinAiretillthereturnofthemessenger，whomIwasabouttosendtothe—moon！Inthemeanwhile，nothavingclosedaneyeallnight，Ideterminedtotakearest。Iwassittinginmyshirt—sleevesandeatingthesoupwhichhadbeenservedtome，whenthegovernorcameinunaccompanied。Iwasbothsurprisedanddelightedtoseehim。
　　"Iamsorryforwhathashappened，sir，andaboveallthatyouthinkyouhavegoodreasonforcomplaint，inasmuchasIonlydidmyduty，forhowwasItoimaginethatyourpostillionhadcalledyouamessengeronhisownresponsibility。"
　　"That’sallverywell，sir，butyoursenseofdutyneednothavemadeyoudrivemefromyourroom。"
　　"Iwasinneedofsleep。"
　　"Iaminthesamepositionatthepresentmoment，butafeelingofpolitenesspreventsmefromimitatingyourexample。"
　　"MayIaskifyouhaveeverbeenintheservice？"
　　"Ihaveservedbylandandsea，andhaveleftoffwhenmostpeopleareonlybeginning。"
　　"Inthatcaseyouwillbeawarethatthegatesofafortifiedtownareonlyopenedbynighttotheking’smessengersortomilitarysuperiors。"
　　"Yes，Iknow；butsincetheywereopenedthethingwasdone，andyoumightaswellhavebeenpolite。"
　　"Willyounotputonyourclothes，andwalkashortdistancewithme！"
　　Hisinvitationpleasedmeaswellashispridehaddispleasedme。I
　　hadbeenthinkingofaduelasapossiblesolutionofthedifficulty，butthepresentcoursetookalltroubleoutofmyhands。Iansweredquietlyandpolitelythatthehonourofwalkingwithhimwouldbeenoughtomakemeputoffallothercalls，andIaskedhimtobeseatedwhileImadehastetodressmyself。
　　Idrewonmybreeches，throwingthesplendidpistolsinmypocketsontothebed，calledupthebarber，andintenminuteswasready。I
　　putonmysword，andwewentout。
　　Wewalkedsilentlyenoughalongtwoorthreestreets，passedthroughagate，upacourt，tillwegottoadoorwheremyguidestoppedshort。Heaskedmetocomein，andIfoundmyselfinafineroomfullofpeople。Ididnotthinkofgoingback，butbehavedasifI
　　hadbeeninmyownhouse。
　　"Sir—mywife，"saidthegovernor；andturningtoherwithoutpausing，"hereisM。deCasanova，whohascometodinnerwithus。"
　　"Iamdelightedtohearit，sir，asotherwiseIshouldhavehadnochanceofforgivingyouforwakingmeuptheothernight。"
　　"Ipaiddearlyformyfault，madam，butafterthepurgatoryIhadenduredIamsureyouwillallowmetobehappyinthisparadise。"
　　Sheansweredwithacharmingsmile，andafteraskingmetositbesidehershecontinuedwhateverconversationwaspossibleinthemidstofagameatcards。
　　Ifoundmyselfcompletelyoutwitted，butthethingwasdonesopleasantlythatallIcoulddowastoputagoodfaceonit——afeatwhichIfoundsufficientlyeasyfromthereliefIfeltatnolongerbeingboundtosendamessengertoIdidnotknowwhom。
　　Thegovernorwellsatisfiedwithhisvictory，gotallatonceintohighspirits，andbegantotalkaboutmilitarymatters，theCourt，andongeneraltopics，oftenaddressingmewiththatfriendlyeasewhichgoodFrenchsocietyknowssowellhowtoreconcilewiththerulesofpoliteness；noonecouldhaveguessedthattherehadeverbeentheslightestdifferencebetweenus。Hehadmadehimselftheheroofthepiecebythedexterousmannerinwhichhehadleduptothesituation，butIhadafairclaimtothesecondplace，forI
　　hadmadeanexperiencedofficerhighincommandgivemethemostflatteringkindofsatisfaction，whichborewitnesstotheesteemwithwhichIhadinspiredhim。
　　Thedinnerwasserved。Thesuccessofmypartdependedonthemannerinwhichitwasplayed，andmywithasseldombeenkeenerthanduringthismeal。Thewholeconversationwasinapleasantvein，andItookgreatcaretogivethegovernor’swifeopportunitiesforshininginit。Shewasacharmingandprettywoman，stillquiteyouthful，forshewasatleastthirtyyearsyoungerthanthegovernor。Nothingwassaidaboutmysixhours’stayintheguard—room，butatdessertthegovernorescapedspeakingplainlybyajokethatwasnotworththetroubleofmaking。
　　"You’reaniceman，"saidhe，"tothinkIwasgoingtofightyou。
　　Ah！ha！Ihavecaughtyou，haven’tI？"
　　"WhotoldyouthatIwasmeditatingaduel？"
　　"Confessthatsuchwasthecase？"
　　"Iprotest；thereisagreatdifferencebetweenbelievingandsupposing；theoneispositive，theothermerelyhypothetical。I
　　mustconfess，however，thatyourinvitationtotakeawalkrousedmycuriosityastowhatwastocomenext，andIadmireyourwit。ButyoumustbelievemethatIdonotregardmyselfascaughtinatrap——
　　farfromthat，IamsowellpleasedthatIfeelgratefultoyou。"
　　Intheafternoonwealltookawalk，andIgavemyarmtothecharmingmistressofthehouse。IntheeveningItookmyleave，andsetoutearlythenextdayhavingmadeafaircopyofmyreport。
　　Atfiveo’clockinthemorningIwasfastasleepinmycarriage，whenIwassuddenlyawakened。WewereatthegateofAmiens。Thefellowatthedoorwasanexciseman——araceeverywheredetestedandwithgoodcause，forbesidestheinsolenceoftheirmannersnothingmakesamanfeelmorelikeaslavethantheinquisitorialsearchtheyareaccustomedtomakethroughone’sclothesandmostsecretpossessions。
　　HeaskedmeifIhadanythingcontraband；andbeinginabadtemperatbeingdeprivedofmysleeptoanswersuchaquestionIrepliedwithanoaththatIhadnothingofthesort，andthathewouldhavedonebettertoletmesleep。
　　"Asyoutalkinthatstyle，"saidthecreature，，"wewillseewhatwecansee。"
　　Heorderedthepostilliontopassonwiththecarriage。Hehadmyluggagehauleddown，andnotbeingabletohinderhimIfumedinsilence。
　　Isawmymistake，buttherewasnothingtobedone；andhavingnocontrabandgoodsIhadnothingtofear，butmybadtempercostmetwowearyhoursofdelay。Thejoysofvengeanceweredepictedonthefeaturesoftheexciseman。AtthetimeofwhichIamwritingthesegaugerswerethedregsofthepeople，butwouldbecometractableonbeingtreatedwithalittlepoliteness。Thesumoftwenty—foursousgivenwithgoodgracewouldmakethemassuppleasapairofgloves；
　　theywouldbowtothetravellers，wishthemapleasantjourney，andgivenotrouble。Iknewallthis，buttherearetimeswhenamanactsmechanicallyasIhaddone，unfortunately。
　　Thescoundrelsemptiedmyboxesandunfoldedeverythingeventomyshirts，betweenwhichtheysaidImighthaveconcealedEnglishlace。
　　Aftersearchingeverythingtheygavemebackmykeys，buttheyhadnotyetdonewithus；theybegantosearchmycarriage。Therascalwhowasattheheadofthembegantoshout"victory，"hehaddiscoveredtheremainderofapoundofsnuffwhichIhadboughtatSt。OmeronmywaytoDunkirk。
　　Withavoiceoftriumphthechiefexcisemangaveordersthatmycarriageshouldbeseized，andwarnedmethatIwouldhavetopayafineoftwelvehundredfrancs。
　　Forthenoncemypatiencewasexhausted，andIleavethenamesI
　　calledthemtotheimaginationofthereader；buttheywereproofagainstwords。Itoldthemtotakemetothesuperintendent’s。
　　"Youcangoifyoulike，"saidthey，"wearenotyourservants。"
　　Surroundedbyacuriouscrowd，whomthenoisehaddrawntogether，I
　　begantowalkhurriedlytowardsthetown，andenteringthefirstopenshopIcameto，Ibeggedtheshopkeepertotakemetothesuperintendent’s。AsIwastellingthecircumstancesofthecase，amanofgoodappearance，whohappenedtobeintheshop，saidthathewouldbegladtoshowmethewayhimself，thoughhedidnotthinkI
　　shouldfindthesuperintendentin，ashewoulddoubtlessbewarnedofmycoming。
　　"Withoutyourpayingeitherthefineorcautionmoney，"saidhe，"youwillfinditahardmattertogetyourselfoutofthedifficulty。"
　　Ientreatedhimtoshewmethewaytothesuperintendent’s，andnottotroubleaboutanythingelse。Headvisedmetogivetherabblealouistobuydrink，andthustoridmyselfofthem，onwhichIgavehimthelouis，begginghimtoseetoithimself，andthebargainwassoonstruck。Hewasaworthyattorney，andknewhismen。
　　Wegottothesuperintendent’s；but，asmyguidehadwarnedme，mygentlemanwasnottobeseen。Theportertoldusthathehadgoneoutalone，thathewouldnotbebackbeforenight，andthathedidnotknowwherehehadgone。
　　"There’sawholedaylost，then，"saidtheattorney。
　　"Letusgoandhunthimup；hemusthavewell—knownresortsandfriends，andwewillfindthemout。Iwillgiveyoualouisfortheday’swork；willthatbeenough？"
　　"Ample。"
　　Wespentinvainfourhoursinlookingforthesuperintendentintenortwelvehouses。Ispoketothemastersofallofthem，exaggeratingconsiderablytheinjurythathadbeendonetome。Iwaslistenedto，condoledwith，andcomfortedwiththeremarkthathewouldcertainlybeobligedtoreturntohishouseatnight，andthenhecouldnothelphearingwhatIhadtosay。Thatwouldnotsuitme，soIcontinuedthechase。
　　Atoneo’clocktheattorneytookmetoanoldlady，whowasthoughtagreatdealofinthetown。Shewasdiningallbyherself。Aftergivinggreatattentiontomystory，shesaidthatshedidnotthinkshecouldbedoingwrongintellingastrangerthewhereaboutsofanindividualwho，invirtueofhisoffice，oughtnevertobeinaccessible。
　　"Andso，sir，Imayrevealtoyouwhatafterallisnosecret。MydaughtertoldmeyesterdayeveningthatshewasgoingtodineatMadameN————’s，andthatthesuperintendentwastobethere。Doyougoafterhimnow，andyouwillfindhimattableinthebestsocietyinAmiens，but，"saidshe，withasmile，"Iadviseyounottogiveyournameatthedoor。Thenumerousservantswillshewyouthewaywithoutaskingforyourname。Youcanthenspeaktohimwhetherhelikesitornot，andthoughyoudon’tknowhimhewillhearallyousay。IamsorrythatIcannotbepresentatsofineasituation。"
　　Igratefullytookleaveoftheworthylady，andIsetoffinallhastetothehouseIhadbeentoldof，theattorney，whowasalmosttiredout，accompanyingme。WithouttheleastdifficultyheandI
　　slippedinbetweenthecrowdsofservantstillwegottoahallwherethereweremorethantwentypeoplesittingdowntoarichanddelicaterepast。
　　"Ladiesandgentlemen，youwillexcusemytroublingyourquietonthisfestiveoccasionwithataleofterror。"
　　Atthesewords，utteredinthevoiceofJupiterTonans，everybodyrose。Thesurpriseofthehigh—borncompanyofknightsandladiesatmyapparitioncaneasilybeimagined。
　　"Sinceseveno’clockthismorningIhavebeensearchingfromdoortodoorandfromstreettostreetforhishonourthesuperintendent，whomIhaveatlastbeenfortunateenoughtofindhere，forIknowperfectlywellthatheispresent，andthatifhehaveearshehearsmenow。Iamcometorequesthimtoorderhisscoundrellymyrmidonswhohaveseizedmycarriagetogiveitup，sothatImaycontinuemyjourney。Ifthelawsbidmepaytwelvehundredfrancsforsevenouncesofsnuffformyownprivateuse，IrenouncethoselawsanddeclarethatIwillnotpayafarthing。Ishallstayhereandsendamessengertomyambassador，whowillcomplainthatthe’jusgentium’
　　hasbeenviolatedintheIle—de—Franceinmyperson，andIwillhavereparation。LouisXV。isgreatenoughtorefusetobecomeanaccompliceinthisstrangeonslaught。Andifthatsatisfactionwhichismylawfulrightisnotgrantedme，Iwillmakethethinganaffairofstate，andmyRepublicwillnotrevengeitselfbyassaultingFrenchmenforafewpinchesofsnuff，butwillexpelthemallrootandbranch。IfyouwanttoknowwhomIam，readthis。"
　　Foamingwithrage，Ithrewmypassportonthetable。
　　Amanpickeditupandreadit，andIknewhimtobethesuperintendent。WhilemypaperswerebeinghandedroundIsawexpressedoneveryfacesurpriseandindignation，butthesuperintendentrepliedhaughtilythathewasatAmienstoadministerjustice，andthatIcouldnotleavethetownunlessIpaidthefineorgavesurety。
　　"Ifyouareheretodojustice，youwilllookuponmypassportasapositivecommandtospeedmeonmyway，andIbidyouyourselfbemysuretyifyouareagentleman。"
　　"Doeshighbirthgobailforbreachesofthelawinyourcountry？"
　　"Inmycountrymenofhighbirthdonotcondescendtotakedishonourableemployments。"
　　"Noserviceunderthekingcanbedishonourable。"
　　"Thehangmanwouldsaythesamething。"
　　"Takecarewhatyousay。"
　　"Takecarewhatyoudo。Know，sir，thatIamafreemanwhohasbeengrievouslyoutraged，andknow，too，thatIfearnoone。Throwmeoutofthewindow，ifyoudare。"
　　"Sir，"saidaladytomeinthevoiceofthemistressofthehouse，"inmyhousethereisnothrowingoutofwindows。"
　　"Madam，anangrymanmakesuseoftermswhichhisbetterreasondisowns。Iamwrongedbyamostcruelactofinjustice，andIhumblycraveyourpardonforhavingoffendedyou。PleasetoreflectthatforthefirsttimeinmylifeIhavebeenoppressedandinsulted，andthatinakingdomwhereIthoughtmyselfsafefromallbuthighwayrobbers。ForthemIhavemypistols，andfortheworthysuperintendentsIhaveapassport，butIfindthelatteruseless。
　　ForthesakeofsevenouncesofsnuffwhichIboughtatSt。Omerthreeweeksago，thisgentlemanrobsmeandinterruptsmyjourney，thoughtheking’smajestyismysuretythatnooneshallinterferewithme；hecallsonmetopayfiftylouis，hedeliversmetotherageofhisimpudentmenialsandtothederisionofthemob，fromwhomIhadtoridmyselfbymymoneyandtheaidofthisworthymanbesideme。Iamtreatedlikeascoundrel，andthemanwhoshouldhavebeenmydefenderanddelivererslinksawayandhideshimself，andaddstotheinsultsIhavereceived。Hismyrmidonshaveturnedmyclothesupsidedown，andpitchforkedmylinenatthefootofthetowngates，torevengethemselvesonmefornotgivingthemtwenty，foursous。To—morrowthemannerinwhichIhavebeentreatedwillbeknowntothediplomaticbodiesatVersaillesandParis，andinafewdaysitwillbeinallthenewspapers。IwillpaynotafarthingbecauseIowenotafarthing。Now，sir，amItosendacouriertotheDucdeGesvres？"
　　"Whatyouhavegottodoistopay，andifyoudonotcaretopay，youmaydowhateveryoulike。"
　　"Then，ladiesandgentlemen，good—bye。Asforyou，sir，weshallmeetagain。"
　　AsIwasrushingoutoftheroomlikeamadman，IheardsomebodycallingouttomeingoodItaliantowaitaminute。Iturnedround，andsawthevoicehadproceededfromamanpastmiddleage，whoaddressedthesuperintendentthus:——
　　"Letthisgentlemanproceedonhisjourney；Iwillgobailforhim。
　　Doyouunderstandme，superintendent？Iwillbehissurety。Youdon’tknowtheseItalians。IwentthroughthewholeofthelastwarinItaly，andIunderstandthenationalcharacter。Besides，Ithinkthegentlemanisintheright。"
　　"Verygood，"saidtheofficial，turningtome。"Allyouhavetodoistopayamatterofthirtyorfortyfrancsatthecustoms’officeastheaffairisalreadybooked。"
　　"IthoughtItoldyouthatIwouldnotpayasinglefarthing，andI
　　tellityouagain。Butwhoareyou，sir，"saidI，turningtotheworthyoldman，"whoaregoodenoughtobecomesuretyformewithoutknowingme？"
　　"Iamacommissaryofmusters，sir，andmynameisdelaBretonniere。
　　IliveinParisatthe’HoteldeSaxe，’RueColombien，whereIshallbegladtoseeyouafterto—morrow。WewillgotogethertoM。
　　Britard，who，afterhearingyourcase，willdischargemybail。"
　　AfterIhadexpressedmygratitude，andtoldhimthatIwouldwaituponhimwithoutfail，Imademyexcusestothemistressofthehouseandtheguests，andleftthem。
　　Itookmyworthyattorneytodinneratthebestinnintheplace，andIgavehimtwolouisforhistrouble。WithouthishelpandthatofthecommissaryIshouldhavebeeningreatdifficulty；itwouldhavebeenacaseoftheearthenpotandtheironpotoveragain；forwithjacks—in—officereasonisofnouse，andthoughIhadplentyofmoneyIwouldneverhaveletthewretchesrobmeoffiftylouis。
　　Mycarriagewasdrawnupatthedoorofthetavern；andjustasIwasgettingin，oneoftheexcisemenwhohadsearchedmyluggagecameandtoldmethatIshouldfindeverythingjustasIleftit:——
　　"Iwonderatthatsinceithasbeenleftinthehandsofmenofyourstamp；shallIfindthesnuff？"
　　"Thesnuffhasbeenconfiscated，mylord。"
　　"Iamsorryforyou，then；forifithadbeenthereIwouldhavegivenyoualouis。"
　　"Iwillgoandlookforitdirectly。"
　　"Ihavenotimetowaitforit。Driveon，postillion。"
　　IgottoParisthenextday，andfourdaysafterIwaitedonM。delaBretonniere，whogavemeaheartywelcome，andtookmetoM。
　　Britard，thefermier—general，whodischargedhisbail。ThisM。
　　Britardwasapleasantyoungman。HeblushedwhenheheardallIhadgonethrough。
　　ItookmyreporttoM。deBernis，atthe"HotelBourbon，"andhisexcellencespenttwohoursoverit，makingmetakeoutallunnecessarymatter。Ispentthetimeinmakingafaircopy，andthenextdayItookittoM。delaVille，whoreaditthroughinsilence，andtoldmethathewouldletmeknowtheresult。AmonthafterI
　　receivedfivehundredlouis，andIhadthepleasureofhearingthatM。deCremille，thefirstlordoftheadmiralty，hadpronouncedmyreporttobenotonlyperfectlyaccuratebutverysuggestive。
　　Certainreasonableapprehensionspreventedmefrommakingmyselfknowntohim——anhonourwhichM。deBerniswishedtoprocureforme。
　　WhenItoldhimmyadventuresonthewayback，helaughed，butsaidthatthehighestmeritofasecretagentwastokeepoutofdifficulties；forthoughhemighthavethetacttoextricatehimselffromthem，yethegottalkedof，whichitshouldbehischiefcaretoavoid。
　　Thismissioncosttheadmiraltytwelvethousandfrancs，andtheministermighteasilyhaveprocuredalltheinformationIgavehimwithoutspendingapenny。Anyintelligentyoungnavalofficerwouldhavedoneitjustaswell，andwouldhaveacquittedhimselfwithzealanddiscretion，togainthegoodopinionoftheministers。ButalltheFrenchministersarethesame。Theylavishedmoneywhichcameoutofotherpeople’spocketstoenrichtheircreatures，andtheywereabsolute；thedowntroddenpeoplecountedfornothing，andofthiscoursetheindebtednessofthestateandtheconfusionofthefinancesweretheinevitableresults。ItisquitetruethattheRevolutionwasanecessity，butitshouldhavebeenmarkedwithpatriotismandrightfeeling，notwithblood。However，thenobilityandclergywerenotmenofsufficientgenerositytomakethenecessarysacrificestotheking，thestate，andtothemselves。
　　SilviawasmuchamusedatmyadventuresatAireandAmiens，andhercharmingdaughtershewedmuchpityforthebadnightIhadpassedintheguard—room。ItoldherthatthehardshipwouldhavebeenmuchlessifIhadhadawifebesideme。Sherepliedthatawife，ifagoodone，wouldhavebeenonlytoohappytoalleviatemytroublesbysharinginthem，buthermotherobservedthatawomanofparts，afterseeingtothesafetyofmybaggageandmycoach，wouldhavebusiedherselfintakingthenecessarystepsforsettingmeatliberty，andIsupportedthisopinionasbestindicatingtherealdutyofagoodwife。
　　CHAPTERIII
　　TheCountdelaTourD’AuvergneandMadameD’Urfe——Camille——MyPassionfortheCount’sMistress——TheRidiculousIncidentWhichCuredMe——TheCountdeSt。GermainInspiteofmyloveforMdlle。Baletti，Ididnotomittopaymycourttothemostnotedladiesofthepavement；butIwaschieflyinterestedinkeptwomen，andthosewhoconsiderthemselvesasbelongingtothepubliconlyinplayingbeforethemnightbynight，queensorchamber—maids。
　　Inspiteofthisaffection，theyenjoywhattheycalltheirindependence，eitherbydevotingthemselvestoCupidortoPlutus，andmorefrequentlytobothtogether。Asitisnotverydifficulttomaketheacquaintanceofthesepriestessesofpleasureanddissipation，Isoongottoknowseveralofthem。
　　Thehallsofthetheatresarecapitalplacesforamateurstoexercisetheirtalentsinintriguing，andIhadprofitedtolerablywellbythelessonsIhadlearntinthisfineschool。
　　Ibeganbybecomingthefriendoftheirlovers，andIoftensucceededbypretendingtobeamanofwhomnobodyneedbeafraid。
　　Camille，anactressanddancerattheItalianplay，withwhomIhadfalleninloveatFontainebleusevenyearsago，wasoneofthoseofwhomIwasmostfond，likingthesocietyatherprettylittlehouse，whereshelivedwiththeCountd’Eigreville，whowasafriendofmine，andfondofmycompany。HewasabrotheroftheMarquisdeGamacheandoftheCountessduRumain，andwasafineyoungfellowofanexcellentdisposition。Hewasneversowellpleasedaswhenhesawhismistresssurroundedbypeople——atastewhichisrarelyfound，butwhichisveryconvenient，andthesignofatemperamentnotafflictedbyjealousy。Camillehadnootherlovers——anastonishingthinginanactressofthekind，butbeingfulloftactandwitshedrovenoneofheradmirerstodespair。Shewasneitheroversparingnorovergenerousinthedistributionofherfavours，andknewhowtomakethewholetownraveaboutherwithoutfearingtheresultsofindiscretionorsorrowsofbeingabandoned。
　　Thegentlemanofwhom，afterherlover，shetookmostnotice，wastheCountdelaTourd’Auvergne，anoblemanofanoldfamily，whoidolizedher，and，notbeingrichenoughtopossessherentirely，hadtobecontentwithwhatshegavehim。Camillehadgivenhimayounggirl，forwhosekeepshepaid，wholivedwithTourd’AuvergneinfurnishedapartmentsintheRuedeTaranne，andwhomhesaidhelovedasonelovesaportrait，becauseshecamefromCamille。ThecountoftentookherwithhimtoCamille’stosupper。Shewasfifteen，simpleinhermanners，andquitedevoidofambition。ShetoldherloverthatshewouldneverforgivehimanactofinfidelityexceptwithCamille，towhomshefeltboundtoyieldallsincetohersheowedall。
　　IbecamesomuchinlovewithherthatIoftenwenttoCamille’ssolelytoseeherandtoenjoythoseartlessspeecheswithwhichshedelightedthecompany。IstroveasbestIcouldtoconcealmyflame，butoftenIfoundmyselflookingquitesadatthethoughtoftheimpossibilityofmylovebeingcrownedwithsuccess。IfIhadletmypassionbesuspectedIshouldhavebeenlaughedat，andshouldhavemademyselfamarkforthepitilesssarcasmsofCamille。However，I
　　gotmycureinthefollowingridiculousmanner:——
　　CamillelivedattheBarriereBlanche，andonleavingherhouse，onerainyevening，Isoughtinvainforacoachtotakemehome。
　　"MydearCasanova，"saidTourd’Auvergne，"Icandropyouatyourowndoorwithoutgivingmyselftheslightestinconvenience，thoughmycarriageisonlyseatedfortwo；however，mysweetheartcansitonourknees。"
　　Iacceptedhisofferwithpleasure，andweseatedourselvesinthecarriage，thecountonmylefthandandBabetonbothourknees。
　　BurningwithamorouspassionIthoughtIwouldtaketheopportunity，and，tolosenotime，asthecoachmanwasdrivingfast，Itookherhandandpresseditsoftly。Thepressurewasreturned。Joy！I
　　carriedthehandtomylips，andcovereditwithaffectionatethoughnoiselesskisses。Longingtoconvinceheroftheardourofmypassion，andthinkingthatherhandwouldnotrefusetodomeasweetservice，I……butjustatcriticalmoment，"Iamreallyverymuchobligedtoyou，mydearfellow，"saidtheCountdelaTourd’Auvergne，"forapieceofpolitenessthoroughlyItalian，ofwhich，however，Idonotfeelworthy；atleast，Ihopeit’smeantaspolitenessandnotasasignofcontempt。"
　　AtthesedreadfulwordsIstretchedoutmyhandandfeltthesleeveofhiscoat。Presenceofmindwasnogoodinasituationlikethis，whenhiswordswerefollowedbyapealofloudlaughterwhichwouldhaveconfoundedthehardiestspirit。Asforme，Icouldneitherjoininhislaughternordenyhisaccusation；thesituationwasafearfulone，orwouldhavebeenifthefriendlyshadesofnighthadnotcoveredmyconfusion。Babetdidherbesttofindoutfromthecountwhyhelaughedsomuch，buthecouldnottellherforlaughing，forwhichIgavethankswithallmyheart。Atlastthecarriagestoppedatmyhouse，andassoonasmyservanthadopenedthedoorofmycarriageIgotdownasfastasIcould，andwishedthemgoodnight——acomplimentwhichTourd’Auvergnereturnedwithfreshpealsoflaughter。Ienteredmyhouseinastateofstupefaction，andhalfanhourelapsedbeforeI，too，begantolaughattheadventure。Whatvexedmemostwastheexpectationofhavingmaliciousjestspasseduponme，forIhadnottheleastrighttoreckononthecount’sdiscretion。However，IhadenoughsensetodeterminetojoininthelaughterifIcould，andifnot，totakeitwell，forthisis，andalwayswillbe，thebestwaytogetthelaughersonone’sownsideatParis。
　　ForthreedaysIsawnothingofthedelightfulcount，andonthefourthIresolvedtoaskhimtotakebreakfastwithme，asCamillehadsenttomyhousetoenquirehowIwas。Myadventurewouldnotpreventmevisitingherhouse，butIwasanxioustoknowhowithadbeentaken。
　　AssoonasTourd’Auvergnesawmehebegantoroarwithlaughter，andIjoinedin，andwegreetedeachotherinthefriendliestmannerpossible。"Mydearcount，"saidI，"letusforgetthisfoolishstory。Youhavenobusinesstoattackme，asIdonotknowhowtodefendmyself。"
　　"Whyshouldyoudefendyourself，mydearfellow。Welikeyouallthebetterforit，andthishumorousadventuremakesusmerryeveryevening。"
　　"Everybodyknowsit，then？"
　　"Ofcourse，whynot？ItmakesCamillechokewithlaughter。Comethisevening；IwillbringBabet，andshewillamuseyouasshemaintainsthatyouwerenotmistaken。"
　　"Sheisright。"
　　"Eh？what？Youdometoomuchhonour，andIdon’tbelieveyou；buthaveitasyoulike。"
　　"Ican’tdobetter，butImustconfesswhenall’ssaidthatyouwerenotthepersontowhommyfeveredimaginationofferedsuchardenthomage。"
　　AtsupperIjested，pretendedtobeastonishedatthecount’sindiscretion，andboastedofbeingcuredofmypassion。Babetcalledmeavillain，andmaintainedthatIwasfarfromcured；butshewaswrong，astheincidenthaddisgustedmewithher，andhadattachedmetothecount，who，indeed，wasamanofthemostamiablecharacter。
　　Nevertheless，ourfriendshipmighthavebeenafatalone，asthereaderwillseepresently。
　　Oneevening，whenIwasattheItaliantheatre，Tourd’Auvergnecameuptomeandaskedmetolendhimahundredlouis，promisingtorepaymenextSaturday。
　　"Ihaven’tgotthemoney，"Isaid，"butmypurseandallitcontainsisatyourservice。"
　　"Iwantahundredlouis，mydearfellow，andimmediately，asIlostthematplayyesterdayeveningatthePrincessofAnhalt’s。"
　　"ButIhaven’tgotthem。"
　　"Thereceiverofthelotteryoughtalwaystobeabletoputhishandonahundredlouis。"
　　"Yes，butIcan’ttouchmycash—box；Ihavetogiveitupthisdayweek。"
　　"Soyoucan；asIwillrepayyouonSaturday。Takeahundredlouisfromthebox，andputinmywordofhonourinstead；don’tyouthinkthatisworthahundredLouis？"
　　"Ihavenothingtosaytothat，waitformeaminute。"
　　Irantomyoffice，tookoutthemoneyandgaveittohim。Saturdaycamebutnocount，andasIhadnomoneyIpawnedmydiamondringandreplacedthehundredlouisIowedthetill。Threeorfourdaysafterwards，asIwasattheComedieFrancaise，theCountdelaTourd’Auvergnecameuptomeandbegantoapologize。Irepliedbyshewingmyhand，andtellinghimthatIhadpawnedmyringtosavemyhonour。Hesaid，withamelancholyair，thatamanhadfailedtokeephiswordwithhim，buthewouldbesuretogivemethehundredlouisontheSaturdayfollowing，adding，"Igiveyoumywordofhonour。"
　　"Yourwordofhonourisinmybox，solet’ssaynothingaboutthat。
　　Youcanrepaymewhenyoulike。"
　　Thecountgrewaspaleasdeath。
　　"Mywordofhonour，mydearCasanova，ismoreprecioustomethanmylife；andIwillgiveyouthehundredlouisatnineo’clockto—morrowmorningatahundredpacesfromthecaf？attheendoftheChamps—
　　Elysees。Iwillgiveyoutheminperson，andnobodywillseeus。I
　　hopeyouwillnotfailtobethere，andthatyouwillbringyoursword。Ishallhavemine。"
　　"Faith，count！that’smakingmepayratherdearformyjest。Youcertainlydomeagreathonour，butIwouldratherbegyourpardon，ifthatwouldpreventthistroublesomeaffairfromgoinganyfurther。"
　　"No，Iammoretoblamethanyou，andtheblamecanonlyberemovedbythesword’spoint。Willyoumeetme？
　　"IdonotseehowIcanrefuseyou，althoughIamverymuchaversetotheaffair。"
　　IlefthimandwenttoSilvia’s，andtookmysuppersadly，forI
　　reallylikedthisamiablenobleman，andinmyopinionthegameweweregoingtoplaywasnotworththecandle。IwouldnothavefoughtifIcouldhaveconvincedmyselfthatIwasinthewrong，butafterturningthematterwell—over，andlookingatitfromeverypointofview，Icouldnothelpseeingthatthefaultlayinthecount’sexcessivetouchiness，andIresolvedtogivehimsatisfaction。AtallhazardsIwouldnotfailtokeeptheappointment。
　　Ireachedthecaf？amomentafterhim。Wetookbreakfasttogetherandhepayed。WethenwentoutandwalkedtowardstheEtoile。Whenwegottoashelteredplacehedrewabundleofahundredlouisfromhispocket，gaveittomewiththegreatestcourtesy，andsaidthatonestrokeoftheswordwouldbesufficient。Icouldnotreply。
　　Hewentofffourpacesanddrewhissword。Ididthesamewithoutsayingaword，andsteppingforwardalmostassoonasourbladescrossedIthrustandhithim。Idrewbackmyswordandsummonedhimtokeephisword，feelingsurethatIhadwoundedhiminhischest。
　　Hegentlykissedhissword，andputtinghishandintohisbreasthedrewitoutcoveredwithblood，andsaidpleasantlytome，"Iamsatisfied。"
　　IsaidtohimallthatIcould，andallthatitwasmydutytosayinthewayofcompliment，whilehewasstanchingthebloodwithhishandkerchief，andonlookingatthepointofmyswordIwasdelightedtofindthatthewoundwasoftheslightest。Itoldhimsoofferingtoseehimhome。Hethankedmeandbeggedmetokeepmyowncounsel，andtoreckonhimhenceforthamongstmytruestfriends。AfterIhadembracedhim，minglingmytearswithmyembraces，Ireturnedhome，sadatheartbuthavinglearntamostusefullesson。Nooneeverknewofourmeeting，andaweekafterwardswesuppedtogetheratCamille’s。
　　Afewdaysafter，IreceivedfromM。delaVillethefivehundredlouisformyDunkirkmission。OnmygoingtoseeCamilleshetoldmethatTourd’Auvergnewaskeptinbedbyanattackofsciatica，andthatifIlikedwecouldpayhimavisitthenextday。Iagreed，andwewent。AfterbreakfastwasoverItoldhiminaseriousvoicethatifhewouldgivemeafreehandIcouldcurehim，ashewasnotsufferingfromsciaticabutfromamoistandwindyhumourwhichI
　　coulddispersemymeansoftheTalismanofSolomonandfivemysticwords。Hebegantolaugh，buttoldmetodowhatIliked。
　　"Verygood，thenIwillgooutandbuyabrush。"
　　"Iwillsendaservant。"
　　"No，Imustgetitmyself，asIwantsomedrugsaswell。"Iboughtsomenitre，mercury，flowerofsulphur，andasmallbrush，andonmyreturnsaid，"Imusthavealittleofyour—————，thisliquidisindispensable，anditmustbequitefresh。"
　　Camilleandhebegantolaugh，butIsucceededinkeepingtheseriousfacesuitabletomyoffice。Ihandedhimamugandmodestlyloweredthecurtains，andhethendidwhatIwanted。
　　Imadeamixtureofthevariousingredients，andItoldCamillethatshemustrubhisthighwhilstIspokethecharm，butIwarnedherthatifshelaughedwhileshewasaboutititwouldspoilall。Thisthreatonlyincreasedtheirgoodhumour，andtheylaughedwithoutcessation；forassoonastheythoughttheyhadgotoverit，theywouldlookatoneanother，andafterrepressingthemselvesaslongastheycouldwouldburstoutafresh，tillIbegantothinkthatIhadboundthemtoanimpossiblecondition。Atlast，afterholdingtheirsidesforhalfanhour，theysetthemselvestobeseriousinrealearnest，takingmyimperturbablegravityfortheirexample。DelaTourd’Auvergnewasthefirsttoregainaseriousface，andhethenofferedCamillehisthigh，andshe，fancyingherselfontheboards，begantorubthesickman，whilstImumbledinanundertonewordswhichtheywouldnothaveunderstoodhoweverclearlyIhadspoken，seeingthatIdidnotunderstandthemmyself。
　　IwasnearlyspoilingtheefficacyoftheoperationwhenIsawthegrimacestheymadeintryingtokeepserious。NothingcouldbemoreamusingthantheexpressiononCamille’sface。AtlastItoldherthatshehadrubbedenough，anddippingthebrushintothemixtureI
　　drewonhisthighthefive—pointedstarcalledSolomon’sseal。I
　　thenwrappedupthethighinthreenapkins，andItoldhimthatifhewouldkeepquietfortwenty—fourhourswithouttakingoff——hisnapkins，Iwouldguaranteeacure。
　　Themostamusingpartofitallwas，thatbythetimeIhaddonethecountandCamillelaughednomore，theirfacesworeabewilderedlook，andasforme……IcouldhaveswornIhadperformedthemostwonderfulworkintheworld。Ifonetellsalieasufficientnumberoftimes，oneendsbybelievingit。
　　Afewminutesafterthisoperation，whichIhadperformedasifbyinstinctandonthespurofthemoment，CamilleandIwentawayinacoach，andItoldhersomanywonderfultalesthatwhenshegotoutatherdoorshelookedquitemazed。
　　Fourorfivedaysafter，whenIhadalmostforgottenthefarce，I
　　heardacarriagestoppingatmydoor，andlookingoutofmywindowsawM。delaTourd’Auvergneskippingnimblyoutofthecarriage。
　　"Youweresureofsuccess，then，"saidhe，"asyoudidnotcometoseemethedayafteryourastoundingoperation。"
　　"OfcourseIwassure，butifIhadnotbeentoobusyyouwouldhaveseenme，forallthat。"
　　"MayItakeabath？"
　　"No，don’tbathetillyoufeelquitewell。"
　　"Verygood。Everybodyisinastateofastonishmentatyourfeat，asIcouldnothelptellingthemiracletoallmyacquaintances。Therearecertainlysomescepticswholaughatme，butIletthemtalk。"
　　"Youshouldhavekeptyourowncounsel；youknowwhatParisislike。
　　Everybodywillbeconsideringmeasamaster—quack。"
　　"Notatall，notatall。Ihavecometoaskafavourofyou。"
　　"What’sthat？"
　　"Ihaveanauntwhoenjoysagreatreputationforherskillintheoccultsciences，especiallyinalchemy。Sheisawomanofwit，very，rich，andsolemistressofherfortune；inshort，knowingherwilldoyounoharm。Shelongstoseeyou，forshepretendstoknowyou，andsaysthatyouarenotwhatyouseem。Shehasentreatedmetotakeyoutodinewithher，andIhopeyouwillaccepttheinvitation。HernameistheMarchionessd’Urfe"
　　Ididnotknowthislady，butthenameofd’Urfecaughtmyattentiondirectly，asIknewallaboutthefamousAnned’Urfewhoflourishedtowardstheendoftheseventeenthcentury。Theladywasthewidowofhisgreat—grandson，andonmarryingintothefamilybecameabelieverinthemysticaldoctrinesofascienceinwhichIwasmuchinterested，thoughIgaveitlittlecredit。IthereforerepliedthatIshouldbegladtogo，butontheconditionthatthepartyshouldnotexceedthecount，hisaunt，andmyself。
　　"Shehastwelvepeopleeverydaytodinner，andyouwillfindyourselfinthecompanyofthebestsocietyinParis。"
　　"Mydearfellow，that’sexactlywhatIdon’twant；forIhatetobethoughtamagician，whichmusthavebeentheeffectofthetalesyouhavetold。"
　　"Oh，no！notatall；yourcharacteriswellknown，andyouwillfindyourselfinthesocietyofpeoplewhohavethegreatestregardforyou。"
　　"Areyousureofthat？"
　　"TheDuchessdel’Oragnaistoldme，that，fourorfiveyearsago，youwereoftentobeseenatthePalaisRoyal，andthatyouusedtospendwholedayswiththeDuchessd’Orleans；MadamedeBouffers，MadamedeBlots，andMadamedeMelforthavealsotalkedtomeaboutyou。Youarewrongnottokeepupyouroldacquaintances。Iknowatleastahundredpeopleofthefirstrankwhoaresufferingfromthesamemaladyasthatofwhichyoucuredme，andwouldgivethehalfoftheirgoodstobecured。"
　　DelaTourd’Auvergnehadreasononhisside，butasIknewhiswonderfulcurehadbeenduetoasingularcoincidence，Ihadnodesiretoexposemyselftopublicridicule。IthereforetoldhimthatIdidnotwishtobecomeapubliccharacter，andthathemusttellMadamed’UrfethatIwouldhavethehonourofcallingonherinstrictprivacyonly，andthatshemighttellmethedayandhouronwhichIshouldkneelbeforeher。
　　ThesameeveningIhadaletterfromthecountmakinganappointmentattheTuileriesforthemorrow；hewastomeetmethere，andtakemetohisaunt’stodinner。Nooneelsewastobepresent。
　　Thenextdaywemeteachotherashadbeenarranged，andwenttoseeMadamed’Urfe，wholivedontheQuaidesTheatins，onthesamesideasthe"HotelBouillon。"
　　Madamed’Urfe，awomanadvancedinyears，butstillhandsome，receivedmewithallthecourtlygraceoftheCourtoftheRegency。
　　Wespentanhourandahalfinindifferentconversation，occupiedinstudyingeachother’scharacter。Eachwastryingtogetatthebottomoftheother。
　　Ihadnotmuchtroubleinplayingthepartoftheunenlightened，forsuch，inpointoffact，wasmystateofmind，andMadamed’Urfeunconsciouslybetrayedthedesireofshewingherlearning；thisputmeatmyease，forIfeltsureIcouldmakeherpleasedwithmeifI
　　succeededinmakingherpleasedwithherself。
　　Attwoo’clockthesamedinnerthatwaspreparedeverydayfortwelvewasservedforusthree。Nothingworthyofnote（sofarasconversationwent）wasdoneatdinner，aswetalkedcommonplaceafterthemannerofpeopleoffashion。
　　AfterthedessertTourd’AuvergneleftustogoandseethePrincedeTurenne，whowasinahighfever，andafterhewasgoneMadamed’Urfebegantodiscussalchemyandmagic，andalltheotherbranchesofherbelovedscience，orratherinfatuation。Whenwegotontothemagnumopus，andIaskedherifsheknewthenatureofthefirstmatter，itwasonlyherpolitenesswhichpreventedherfromlaughing；butcontrollingherself，sherepliedgraciouslythatshealreadypossessedthephilosopher’sstone，andthatshewasacquaintedwithalltheoperationsofthework。Shethenshewedmeacollectionofbookswhichhadbelongedtothegreatd’Urfe，andReneeofSavoy，hiswife；butshehadaddedtoitmanuscriptswhichhadcosthermorethanahundredthousandfrancs。Paracelsuswasherfavouriteauthor，andaccordingtoherhewasneitherman，woman，norhermaphrodite，andhadthemisfortunetopoisonhimselfwithanoverdoseofhispanacea，oruniversalmedicine。SheshewedmeashortmanuscriptinFrench，wherethegreatworkwasclearlyexplained。Shetoldmethatshedidnotkeepitunderlockandkey，becauseitwaswritteninacypher，thesecretofwhichwasknownonlytoherself。
　　"Youdonotbelieve，then，insteganography。"
　　"No，sir，andifyouwouldlikeit，Iwillgiveyouthiswhichhasbeencopiedfromtheoriginal。"
　　"Iacceptit，madam，withallthemoregratitudeinthatIknowitsworth。"
　　>Fromthelibrarywewentintothelaboratory，atwhichIwastrulyastonished。Sheshewedmematterthathadbeeninthefurnaceforfifteenyears，andwastobethereforfourorfiveyearsmore。Itwasapowderofprojectionwhichwastotransforminstantaneouslyallmetalsintothefinestgold。Sheshewedmeapipebywhichthecoaldescendedtothefurnace，keepingitalwaysatthesameheat。Thelumpsofcoalwereimpelledbytheirownweightatproperintervalsandinequalquantities，sothatshewasoftenthreemonthswithoutlookingatthefurnace，thetemperatureremainingthesamethewholetime。Thecinderswereremovedbyanotherpipe，mostingeniouslycontrived，whichalsoansweredthepurposeofaventilator。
　　Thecalcinationofmercurywasmerechild’splaytothiswonderfulwoman。Sheshewedmethecalcinedmatter，andsaidthatwheneverI
　　likedshewouldinstructmeastotheprocess。InextsawtheTreeofDianaofthefamousTaliamed，whosepupilshewas。HisrealnamewasMaillot，andaccordingtoMadamed’Urfehehadnot，aswassupposed，diedatMarseilles，butwasstillalive；"and，"addedshe，withaslightsmile，"Ioftengetlettersfromhim。IftheRegentofFrance，"saidshe，"hadlistenedtomehewouldbealivenow。Hewasmyfirstfriend；hegavemethenameofEgeria，andhemarriedmetoM。d’Urfe"
　　ShepossessedacommentaryonRaymondLully，whichclearedupalldifficultpointsinthecommentsofArnolddeVillanovaontheworksofRogerBaconandHeber，who，accordingtoher，werestillalive。
　　Thispreciousmanuscriptwasinanivorycasket，thekeyofwhichshekeptreligiously；indeedherlaboratorywasaclosedroomtoallbutmyself。Isawasmallcaskfullof’platinadelPinto’，whichshetoldmeshecouldtransmuteintogoldwhenshepleased。IthadbeengivenherbyM。Voodhimselfin1743。Sheshewedmethesamemetalinfourphials。Inthefirstthreetheplatinumremainedintactinsulphuric，nitric，andmuriaticacid，butinthefourth，whichcontained’aquaregia’，themetalhadnotbeenabletoresisttheactionoftheacid。Shemelteditwiththeburning—glass，andsaiditcouldbemeltedinnootherway，whichproved，inheropinion，itssuperioritytogold。Sheshewedmesomeprecipitatedbysalammoniac，whichwouldnotprecipitategold。
　　Herathanorhadbeenalightforfifteenyears。Thetopwasfullofblackcoal，whichmademeconcludethatshehadbeeninthelaboratorytwoorthreedaysbefore。StoppingbeforetheTreeofDiana，Iaskedher，inarespectfulvoice，ifsheagreedwiththosewhosaiditwasonlyfittoamusechildren。Shereplied，inadignifiedmanner，thatshehadmadeittodivertherselfwiththecrystallizationofthesilver，spiritofnitre，andmercury，andthatshelookeduponitasapieceofmetallicvegetation，representinginlittlewhatnatureperformedonalargerscale；butsheadded，veryseriously，thatshecouldmakeaTreeofDianawhichshouldbeaveryTreeoftheSun，whichwouldproducegoldenfruit，whichmightbegathered，andwhichwouldcontinuetobeproducedtillnomoreremainedofacertainingredient。IsaidmodestlythatIcouldnotbelievethethingpossiblewithoutthepowderofprojection，butheronlyanswerwasapleasedsmile。
　　Shethenpointedoutachinabasincontainingnitre，mercury，andsulphur，andafixedsaltonaplate。
　　"Youknowtheingredients，Isuppose？"saidshe。
　　"Yes；thisfixedsaltisasaltofurine。"
　　"Youareright。"
　　"Iadmireyoursagacity，madam。YouhavemadeananalysisofthemixturewithwhichItracedthepentacleonyournephew’sthigh，butinwhatwaycanyoudiscoverthewordswhichgivethepentacleitsefficacy？"
　　"Inthemanuscriptofanadept，whichIwillshewyou，andwhereyouwillfindtheverywordsyouused。"
　　Ibowedmyheadinreply，andweleftthiscuriouslaboratory。
　　WehadscarcelyarrivedinherroombeforeMadamed’Urfedrewfromahandsomecasketalittlebook，boundinblack，whichsheputonthetablewhileshesearchedforamatch。Whileshewaslookingabout，I
　　openedthebookbehindherback，andfoundittobefullofpentacles，andbygoodluckfoundthepentacleIhadtracedonthecount’sthigh。Itwassurroundedbythenamesofthespiritsoftheplanets，withtheexceptionofthoseofSaturnandMars。Ishutupthebookquickly。ThespiritsnamedwerethesameasthoseintheworksofAgrippa，withwhichIwasacquainted。WithanunmovedcountenanceIdrewnearher，andshesoonfoundthematch，andherappearancesurprisedmeagooddeal；butIwillspeakofthatanothertime。
　　Themarchionesssatdownonhersofa，andmakingmetodothelikesheaskedmeifIwasacquaintedwiththetalismansoftheCountdeTreves？
　　"Ihaveneverheardofthem，madam，butIknowthoseofPoliphilus:"
　　"Itissaidtheyarethesame。"
　　"Idon’tbelieveit。"
　　"Weshallsee。Ifyouwillwritethewordsyouuttered，asyoudrewthepentacleonmynephew’sthigh，andifIfindthesametalismanwiththesamewordsaroundit，theidentitywillbeproved。"
　　"Itwill，Iconfess。Iwillwritethewordsimmediately。"
　　Iwroteoutthenamesofthespirits。Madamed’Urfefoundthepentacleandreadoutthenames，whileIpretendingastonishment，gaveherthepaper，andmuchtoherdelightshefoundthenamestobethesame。
　　"Yousee，"saidshe，"thatPoliphilusandtheCountdeTrevespossessedthesameart。"
　　"Ishallbeconvincedthatitisso，ifyourbookcontainsthemannerofpronouncingtheineffablenames。Doyouknowthetheoryoftheplanetaryhours？"
　　"Ithinkso，buttheyarenotneededinthisoperation。"
　　"Theyareindispensable，madam，forwithoutthemonecannotworkwithanycertainty。IdrewSolomon’spentacleonthethighofCountdelaTourd’AuvergneinthehourofVenus，andifIhadnotbegunwithArael，thespiritofVenus，theoperationwouldhavehadnoeffect。"
　　"Ididnotknowthat。AndafterArael？"
　　"NextcomesMercury，thentheMoon，thenJupiter，andthentheSun。