Itis，yousee，themagiccycleofZoroaster，inwhichSaturnandMarsareomitted。"
　　"AndhowwouldyouhaveproceededifyouhadgonetoworkinthehouroftheMoon？"
　　"IshouldhavebegunwithJupiter，passedtotheSun，thentoAraelorVenus，andIshouldhavefinishedatMercury。"
　　"Iseesir，thatyouaremostaptinthecalculationoftheplanetaryhours。"
　　"Withoutitonecandonothinginmagic，asonewouldhavenoproperdata；however，itisaneasymattertolearn。Anyonecouldpickitupinamonth’stime。Thepracticaluse，however，ismuchmoredifficultthanthetheory；this，indeed，isacomplicatedaffair。I
　　neverleavemyhousewithoutascertainingtheexactnumberofminutesintheday，andtakecarethatmywatchisexacttothetime，foraminutemoreorlesswouldmakeallthedifferenceintheworld"
　　"Wouldyouhavethegoodnesstoexplainthetheorytome。"
　　"YouwillfinditinArtephiusandmoreclearlyinSandivogius。"
　　"Ihavebothworks，buttheyareinLatin。"
　　"Iwillmakeyouatranslationofthem。"
　　"Youareverykind；Ishallbeextremelyobligedtoyou。"
　　"Ihaveseensuchthingshere，madam，thatIcouldnotrefuse，forreasonswhichImay，perhaps，tellyouto—morrow。"
　　"Whynotto—day？"
　　"BecauseIoughttoknowthenameofyourfamiliarspiritbeforeI
　　tellyou。"
　　"Youknow，then，thatIhaveafamiliar？Youshouldhaveone，ifitistruethatyoupossessthepowderofprojection。"
　　"Ihaveone。"
　　"Givemetheoathoftheorder。"
　　"Idarenot，andyouknowwhy。"
　　"PerhapsIshallbeabletoremoveyourfearsbytomorrow。"
　　ThisabsurdoathwasnoneotherthanthatoftheprincesoftheRosyCross，whoneverpronounceitwithoutbeingcertainthateachpartyisaRosicrucian，soMadamed’Urfewasquiterightinhercaution，andasformeIhadtopretendtobeafraidmyself。ThefactisI
　　wantedtogaintime，forIknewperfectlywellthenatureoftheoath。Itmaybegivenbetweenmenwithoutanyindecency，butawomanlikeMadamed’Urfewouldprobablynotrelishgivingittoamanwhomshesawforthefirsttime。
　　"WhenwefindthisoathalludedtointheHolyScriptures，"shesaid，"itisindicatedbythewords’hesworetohimbylayinghishandonhisthigh。’"
　　"Butthethighisnotreallywhatismeant；andconsequentlyweneverfindanynoticeofamantakingthisoathtoawoman，asawomanhasno’verbum’。"
　　TheCountdelaTourd’Auvergnecamebackatnineo’clockintheevening，andheskewednolittleastonishmentatseeingmestillwithhisaunt。Hetoldusthathiscousin’sfeverhadincreased，andthatsmall—poxhaddeclareditself；"andIamgoingtotakeleaveofyou，mydearaunt，atleastforamonth，asIintendtoshutmyselfupwiththesickman。"
　　Madamed’Urfepraisedhiszeal，andgavehimalittlebagonhispromisingtoreturnittoherafterthecureoftheprince。
　　"Hangitroundhisneckandtheeruptionwillcomeoutwell，andhewillbeperfectlycured。"
　　Hepromisedtodoso，andhavingwishedusgoodeveninghewentout。
　　"Idonotknow，madam，whatyourbagcontains，butifithaveaughttodowithmagic，Ihavenoconfidenceinitsefficacy，asyouhaveneglectedtoobservetheplanetaryhour。"
　　"Itisanelectrum，andmagicandtheobservanceofthehourhavenothingtodowithit。"
　　"Ibegyourpardon。"
　　Shethensaidthatshethoughtmydesireforprivacypraiseworthy，butshewassureIshouldnotbeillpleasedwithhersmallcircle，ifIwouldbutenterit。
　　"Iwillintroduceyoutoallmyfriends，"saidshe，"byaskingthemoneatatime，andyouwillthenbeabletoenjoythecompanyofthemall。"
　　Iacceptedherproposition。
　　InconsequenceofthisarrangementIdinedthenextdaywithM。Grinandhisniece，butneitherofthemtookmyfancy。Thedayafter，I
　　dinedwithanIrishmannamedMacartney，aphysicianoftheoldschool，whoboredmeterribly。Thenextdaytheguestwasamonkwhotalkedliterature，andspokeathousandfolliesagainstVoltaire，whomIthenmuchadmired，andagainstthe"EspritdesLois，"afavouriteworkofmine，whichthecowledidiotrefusedtoattributetoMontesquieu，maintainingithadbeenwrittenbyamonk。HemightaswellhavesaidthataCapuchincreatedtheheavensandtheearth。
　　OnthedayfollowingMadamed’UrfeaskedmetodinewiththeChevalierd’Arzigny，amanupwardsofeighty，vain，foppish，andconsequentlyridiculous，knownas"TheLastoftheBeaus。"However，ashehadmovedinthecourtofLouisXIV。，hewasinterestingenough，speakingwithallthecourtesyoftheschool，andhavingafundofanecdoterelatingtotheCourtofthatdespoticandluxuriousmonarch。
　　Hisfolliesamusedmegreatly。Heusedrouge，hisclotheswerecutinthestylewhichobtainedinthedaysofMadamedeSevigne，heprofessedhimselfstillthedevotedloverofhismistress，withwhomhesuppedeverynightinthecompanyofhisladyfriends，whowereallyoungandalldelightful，andpreferredhissocietytoallothers；however，inspiteoftheseseductions，heremainedfaithfultohismistress。
　　TheChevalierd’Arzignyhadanamiabilityofcharacterwhichgavewhateverhesaidanappearanceoftruth，althoughinhiscapacityofcourtiertruthwasprobablyquiteunknowntohim。Healwaysworeabouquetofthemoststrongly—smellingflowers，suchastuberoses，jonquils，andSpanishjasmine；hiswigwasplastereddownwithamber—
　　scentedpomade，histeethweremadeofivory，andhiseyebrowsdyedandperfumed，andhiswholepersonexhaledanodourtowhichMadamed’Urfedidnotobject，butwhichIcouldscarcelybear。IfithadnotbeenforthisdrawbackIshouldprobablyhavecultivatedhissociety。HewasaprofessedEpicurean，andcarriedoutthesystemwithanamazingtranquillity。Hesaidthathewouldundertaketoreceivetwenty—fourblowswiththestickeverymorningontheconditionthatheshouldnotdiewithinthetwenty—fourhours，andthattheolderhegrewthemoreblowshewouldgladlysubmitto。
　　Thiswasbeinginlovewithlifewithavengeance。
　　AnotherdayIdinedwithM。Charon，whowasacounsellor，andinchargeofasuitbetweenMadamed’UrfeandherdaughterMadameduChatelet，whomshedislikedheartily。Theoldcounsellorhadbeenthefavouredloverofthemarchionessfortyyearsbefore，andhethoughthimselfboundbytheremembranceoftheirlove—passagestosupportthecauseofhisoldsweetheart。InthosedaysFrenchmagistratesthoughttheyhadarighttotakethesideoftheirfriends，orofpersonsinwhomtheyhadaninterest，sometimesforfriendship’ssake，andsometimesforamonetaryconsideration；theythought，infact，thattheywerejustifiedinsellingjustice。
　　M。Charonboredmeliketheothers，aswasnatural，consideringwehadnotwotastesincommon。
　　ThescenewaschangedthenextdaywhenIwasamusedwiththecompanyofM。deViarme，ayoungcounsellor，anephewofMadamed’Urfe’s，andhisprettyandcharmingwife。Hewastheauthorofthe"RemonstrancestotheKing，"aworkwhichgothimagreatreputation，andhadbeenreadeagerlybythewholetown。Hetoldmethatthebusinessofacounsellorwastoopposeeverythingdonebythecrown，goodandbad。Hisreasonsforthistheorywerethosegivenbyallminorities，andIdonotthinkIneedtroublemyreaderswiththem。
　　ThemostenjoyabledinnerIhadwaswithMadamedeGergi，whocamewiththefamousadventurer，knownbythenameoftheCountdeSt。
　　Germain。Thisindividual，insteadofeating，talkedfromthebeginningofthemealtotheend，andIfollowedhisexampleinonerespectasIdidnoteat，butlistenedtohimwiththegreatestattention。Itmaysafelybesaidthatasaconversationalisthewasunequalled。
　　St。Germaingavehimselfoutforamarvelandalwaysaimedatexcitingamazement，whichheoftensucceededindoing。Hewasscholar，linguist，musician，andchemist，good—looking，andaperfectladies’man。Forawhilehegavethempaintsandcosmetics；heflatteredthem，notthathewouldmakethemyoungagain（whichhemodestlyconfessedwasbeyondhim）butthattheirbeautywouldbepreservedbymeansofawashwhich，hesaid，costhimalotofmoney，butwhichhegaveawayfreely。
　　HehadcontrivedtogainthefavourofMadamedePompadour，whohadspokenabouthimtotheking，forwhomhehadmadealaboratory，inwhichthemonarch——amartyrtoboredom——triedtofindalittlepleasureordistraction，atallevents，bymakingdyes。ThekinghadgivenhimasuiteofroomsatChambord，andahundredthousandfrancsfortheconstructionofalaboratory，andaccordingtoSt。GermainthedyesdiscoveredbythekingwouldhaveamateriallybeneficialinfluenceonthequalityofFrenchfabrics。
　　Thisextraordinaryman，intendedbynaturetobethekingofimpostorsandquacks，wouldsayinaneasy，assuredmannerthathewasthreehundredyearsold，thatheknewthesecretoftheUniversalMedicine，thathepossessedamasteryovernature，thathecouldmeltdiamonds，professinghimselfcapableofforming，outoftenortwelvesmalldiamonds，onelargeoneofthefinestwaterwithoutanylossofweight。Allthis，hesaid，wasameretrifletohim。
　　Notwithstandinghisboastings，hisbare—facedlies，andhismanifoldeccentricities，IcannotsayIthoughthimoffensive。Inspiteofmyknowledgeofwhathewasandinspiteofmyownfeelings，Ithoughthimanastonishingmanashewasalwaysastonishingme。Ishallhavesomethingmoretosayofthischaracterfurtheron。
　　WhenMadamed’Urfehadintroducedmetoallherfriends，ItoldherthatIwoulddinewithherwhenevershewished，butthatwiththeexceptionofherrelationsandSt。Germain，whosewildtalkamusedme，Ishouldpreferhertoinvitenocompany。St。Germainoftendinedwiththebestsocietyinthecapital，butheneverateanything，sayingthathewaskeptalivebymysteriousfoodknownonlytohimself。Onesoongotusedtohiseccentricities，butnottohiswonderfulflowofwordswhichmadehimthesoulofwhatevercompanyhewasin。
　　BythistimeIhadfathomedallthedepthsofMadamed’Urfe’scharacter。Shefirmlybelievedmetobeanadeptofthefirstorder，makinguseofanothernameforpurposesofmyown；andfiveorsixweekslatershewasconfirmedinthiswildideaonheraskingmeifI
　　haddicipheredthemanuscriptwhichpretendedtoexplaintheMagnumOpus。
　　"Yes，"saidI，"Ihavedecipheredit，andconsequentlyreadit，andI
　　nowbegtoreturnityouwithmywordofhonourthatIhavenotmadeacopy；infact，IfoundnothinginitthatIdidnotknowbefore。"
　　"Withoutthekeyyoumean，butofcourseyoucouldneverfindoutthat。"
　　"ShallItellyouthekey？"
　　"Praydoso。"
　　Igavehertheword，whichbelongedtonolanguagethatIknowof，andthemarchionesswasquitethunderstruck。
　　"Thisistooamazing，"saidshe；"Ithoughtmyselfthesolepossessorofthatmysteriousword——forIhadneverwrittenitdown，layingitupinmymemory——andIamsureIhavenevertoldanyoneofit。"
　　Imighthaveinformedherthatthecalculationwhichenabledmetodecipherthemanuscriptfurnishedmealsowiththekey，butthewhimtookmetotellherthataspirithadrevealedittome。Thisfoolishtalecompletedmymasteryoverthistrulylearnedandsensiblewomanoneverythingbutherhobby。ThisfalseconfidencegavemeanimmenseascendancyoverMadamed’Urfe，andIoftenabusedmypoweroverher。NowthatIamnolongerthevictimofthoseillusionswhichpursuedmethroughoutmylife，Iblushattheremembranceofmyconduct，andthepenanceIimposeonmyselfistotellthewholetruth，andtoextenuatenothingintheseMemoirs。
　　Thewildestnotioninthegoodmarchioness’sbrainwasafirmbeliefinthepossibilityofcommunicationbetweenmortalsandelementaryspirits。Shewouldhavegivenallhergoodstoattaintosuchcommunication，andshehadseveraltimesbeendeceivedbyimpostorswhomadeherbelievethatsheattainedheraim。
　　"Ididnotthink，"saidshe，sadly，"thatyourspiritwouldhavebeenabletoforceminetorevealmysecrets。"
　　"Therewasnoneedtoforceyourspirit，madam，asmineknowsallthingsofhisownpower。"
　　"Doesheknowtheinmostsecretsofmysoul？"
　　"Certainly，andifIaskhimheisforcedtodisclosealltome。"
　　"Canyouaskhimwhenyoulike？"
　　"Oh，yes！providedIhavepaperandink。Icanevenaskhimquestionsthroughyoubytellingyouhisname。"
　　"Andwillyoutellitme？"
　　"IcandowhatIsay；and，toconvinceyou，hisnameisParalis。Askhimasimplequestioninwriting，asyouwouldaskacommonmortal。
　　Askhim，forinstance，howIdecipheredyourmanuscript，andyoushallseeIwillcompelhimtoansweryou。"
　　Tremblingwithjoy，Madamed’Urfeputherquestion，expresseditinnumbers，thenfollowingmymethodinpyramidshape；andImadeherextracttheanswer，whichshewrotedowninletters。Atfirstsheonlyobtainedconsonants，butbyasecondprocesswhichsuppliedthevowelsshereceivedaclearandsufficientanswer。Hereveryfeatureexpressedastonishment，forshehaddrawnfromthepyramidthewordwhichwasthekeytohermanuscript。Ilefther，carryingwithmeherheart，hersoul，hermind，andallthecommonsensewhichshehadleft。
　　CHAPTERIV
　　AbsurdIdeasofMadameD’UrfeonMySupernaturalPowers——MarriageofMyBrother——IConceiveaPlanonHisWeddingDay——IGotoHollandonaFinancialMission——TheJewBoazGivesMeaLesson——M。d’Afri——
　　Esther——AnotherCasanova——IFindThereseImerAgainBythetimethatthePrinceduTurennehadrecoveredfromthesmall—
　　poxandtheCountdelaTourd’Auvergnehadlefthim，thelatter，knowinghisaunt’stastefortheoccultsciences，wasnotsurprisedtofindmebecomeherconfidentandmostintimatefriend。
　　Iwasgladsoseehimandalltherelationsofthemarchionessatdinner，asIwasdelightedwiththecourtesywithwhichtheytreatedme。IamreferringmoreespeciallytoherbrothersMM。dePont—CarreanddeViarmewhohadlatelybeenchosenheadofthetradecompanies，andhisson。IhavealreadyspokenofMadameduChatelet，themarchioness’sdaughter，butanunluckylawsuitseparatedthem，andshenolongerformedoneofthefamilycircle。
　　DelaTourd’AuvergnehavingbeenobligedtorejoinhisregimentwhichwasingarrisoninBrittany，themarchionessandIdinedtogetheralmosteverydayandpeoplelookeduponmeasherhusband，anddespitetheimprobabilityofthesuppositionthiswastheonlywayinwhichtheycouldaccountforthelonghourswespenttogether。
　　Madamed’UrfethoughtthatIwasrichandlookeduponmypositionatthelotteryasameredeviceforpreservingmyincognito。
　　Iwasthepossessorinherestimation，notonlyofthephilosopher’sstone，butalsoofthepowerofspeakingwiththewholehostofelementaryspirits；fromwhichpremisesshedrewtheverylogicaldeductionthatIcouldturntheworldupsidedownifIliked，andbetheblessingortheplagueofFrance；andshethoughtmyobjectinremainingincognitowastoguardmyselffromarrestandimprisonment；
　　whichaccordingtoherwouldbetheinevitableresultoftheminister’sdiscoveringmyrealcharacter。Thesewildnotionswerethefruitofthenocturnalrevelationsofhergenius，thatis，ofthedreamsofherdisorderedspirit，whichseemedtoherrealities。ShedidnotseemtothinkthatifIwasendowedasshesupposednoonewouldhavebeenabletoarrestme，inthefirstplace，becauseI
　　shouldhavehadforeknowledgeoftheattempt，andinthesecondplacebecausemypowerwouldhavebeentoostrongforallboltsandbars。
　　Allthiswasclearenough，butstrongpassionandprejudicecannotreason。
　　Oneday，inthecourseofconversation，shesaid，withtheutmostseriousness，thathergeniushadadvisedherthatnotevenIhadpowertogiveherspeechwiththespirits，sinceshewasawoman，andthegeniionlycommunicatedwithmen，whosenatureismoreperfect。
　　Nevertheless，byaprocesswhichwaswellknowntome，Imightmakehersoulpassintothebodyofamalechildbornofthemysticconnectionbetweenamortalandanimmortal，or，inotherwords，betweenanordinarymanandawomanofadivinenature。
　　IfIhadthoughtitpossibletoleadbackMadamed’UrfetotherightuseofhersensesIwouldhavemadetheattempt，butIfeltsurethatherdiseasewaswithoutremedy，andtheonlycoursebeforemeseemedtoabetherinherravingsandtoprofitbythem。
　　IfIhadspokenoutlikeanhonestmanandtoldherthathertheorieswerenonsensical，shewouldnothavebelievedme；shewouldhavethoughtmejealousofherknowledge，andIshouldhavelostherfavourwithoutanygaintoherortomyself。Ithusletthingstaketheircourse，andtospeakthetruthIwasflatteredtoseemyselftreatedasoneofthemostprofoundbrothersoftheRosyCross，asthemostpowerfulofmenbysodistinguishedalady，whowasinhighreputeforherlearning，whoentertainedandwasrelatedtothefirstfamiliesofFrance，andhadanincomeofeightythousandfrancs，asplendidestate，andseveralmagnificenthousesinParis。Iwasquitesurethatshewouldrefusemenothing，andthoughIhadnodefiniteplanofprofitingbyherwealthIexperiencedacertainpleasureatthethoughtthatIcoulddosoifIwould。
　　Inspiteofherimmensefortuneandherbeliefinherabilitytomakegold，Madamed’Urfewasmiserlyinherhabits，forsheneverspentmorethanthirtythousandfrancsinayear，andsheinvestedhersavingsintheexchange，andinthiswayhadnearlydoubledthem。A
　　brotherusedtobuyherinGovernmentsecuritiesattheirlowestrateandsellattheirrise，andinthismanner，beingabletowaitfortheirrise，andfall，shehadamassedaconsiderablesum。
　　Shehadtoldmemorethanoncethatshewouldgiveallshepossessedtobecomeaman，andthatsheknewIcoulddothisforherifI
　　would。Oneday，asshewasspeakingtomeonthissubjectinatoneofpersuasionalmostirresistible，ItoldherthatImustconfessI
　　hadthepowertodowhatshewanted，butthatIcouldnotmakeupmymindtoperformtheoperationuponherasIshouldhavetokillherfirst。Ithoughtthiswouldeffectuallycheckherwishtogoanyfurther，butwhatwasmysurprisetohearhersay，"Iknowthat，andwhatismoreIknowthedeathIshallhavetodie；
　　butforallthatIamready。"
　　"What，then，isthatdeath，madam？"
　　"ItisbythesamepoisonwhichkilledParacelsus。"
　　"DoyouthinkthatParacelsusobtainedthehypostasis？"
　　"No，butIknowthereasonofhisnotdoingso。"
　　"Whatisthereason？"
　　"Itisthathewasneithermanorwoman，andacompositenatureisincapableofthehypostasis，toobtainwhichonemustbeeithertheoneortheother。"
　　"Verytrue，butdoyouknowhowtomakethepoison，andthatthethingisimpossiblewithouttheaidofasalamander？"
　　"Thatmayormaynotbe！IbeseechyoutoenquireoftheoraclewhethertherebeanyoneinParisinpossessionofthispotion。"
　　Itwaseasytoseethatshethoughtherselfinpossessionofit，soI
　　hadnohesitationinextractinghernamefromtheoracularpyramid。
　　Ipretendedtobeastonishedattheanswer，butshesaidboastfully，"Youseethatallwewantisamalechildbornofanimmortal。This，Iamadvised，willbeprovidedbyyou；andIdonotthinkyouwillbefoundwantingoutofafoolishpityforthispooroldbodyofmine。"
　　AtthesewordsIroseandwenttothewindow，whereIstayedformorethanaquarterofanhourreflectingonherinfatuation。WhenI
　　returnedtothetablewhereshewasseatedshescannedmyfeaturesattentively，andsaid，withmuchemotion，"Canitbedone，mydearfriend？Iseethatyouhavebeenweeping。"
　　Ididnottrytoundeceiveher，and，takingmyswordandhat，Itookleaveofhersadly。Hercarriage，whichwasalwaysatmydisposal，wasatthedoor，andIdrovetotheBoulevards，whereIwalkedtilltheevening，wonderingallthewhileattheextraordinaryfantasiesofthemarchioness。
　　MybrotherhadbeenmadeamemberoftheAcademy，ontheexhibitionofabattlepiecewhichhadtakenallthecriticsbystorm。ThepicturewaspurchasedbytheAcademyforfivehundredlouis。
　　HehadfalleninlovewithCaroline，andwouldhavemarriedherbutforapieceofinfidelityonherpart，whichsoenragedhimthatinaweekafterhemarriedanItaliandancer。M。deSanci，theecclesiasticalcommissioner，gavetheweddingparty。Hewasfondofthegirl，andoutofgratitudetomybrotherformarryingherhegothimnumerousordersamonghisfriends，whichpavedthewaytothelargefortuneandhighreputewhichmybrotherafterwardsattained。
　　M。Corneman，thebanker，whowasatmybrother’swedding，spoketomeatconsiderablelengthonthegreatdearthofmoney，andaskedmetodiscussthematterwiththecomptroller—general。
　　HetoldmethatonemightdisposeofGovernmentsecuritiestoanassociationofbrokersatAmsterdam，andtakeinexchangethesecuritiesofanyothercountrywhosecreditwashigherthanthatofFrance，andthatthesesecuritiescouldeasilyberealized。Ibeggedhimtosaynomoreaboutit，andpromisedtoseewhatIcoulddo。
　　Theplanpleasedme，andIturneditoverallnight；andthenextdayIwenttothePalaisBourbontodiscussthequestionwithM。deBernis。Hethoughtthewholeideaanexcellentone，andadvisedmetogotoHollandwithaletterfromM。deChoiseulforM。d’Afri，theambassadorattheHague。HethoughtthatthefirstpersonIshouldconsultwithM。deBoulogne，withwhomhewarnedmetoappearasifI
　　wassureofmyground。
　　"Asyoudonotrequiremoneyinadvance，"saidhe，"youwillbeabletogetasmanylettersofrecommendationasyoulike。"
　　ThesamedayIwenttothecomptroller—general，whoapprovedofmyplan，andtoldmethatM。leDucdeChoiseulwouldbeattheInvalidesthenextday，andthatIshouldspeaktohimatonce，andtakealetterhewouldwriteforme。
　　"Formypart，"saidhe，"Iwillcreditourambassadorwithtwentymillions，andif，contrarytomyhopes，youdonotsucceed，thepapercanbesentbacktoFrance。"
　　Iansweredthattherewouldbenoquestionofthepaperbeingreturned，iftheywouldbecontentwithafairprice。
　　"Themarginwillbeasmallone；however，youwillhearaboutthatfromtheambassador，whowillhavefullinstructions。"
　　IfeltsoflatteredbythismissionthatIpassedthenightinthinkingitover。ThenextdayIwenttotheInvalides，andM。deChoiseul，sofamousfortakingdecisiveaction，hadnosoonerreadM。deBoulogne’sletterandspokenafewwordstomeonthesubject，thanhegotmetowritealetterforM。d’Afri，whichhesigned，sealed，returnedtome，andwishedmeaprosperousjourney。
　　IimmediatelygotapassportfromM。deBerkenrode，andthesamedaytookleaveofMadameBalettiandallmyfriendsexceptMadamed’Urfe，withwhomIwastospendthewholeofthenextday。Igavemyclerkatthelotteryofficefullauthoritytosignalltickets。
　　Aboutamonthbefore，agirlfromBrussels，asexcellentasshewaspretty，hadbeenmarriedundermyauspicestoanItaliannamedGaetan，bytradeabroker。Thisfellow，inhisfitofjealousy，usedtoill—treathershamefully；Ihadreconciledthemseveraltimesalready，andtheyregardedmeasakindofgo—between。TheycametoseemeonthedayonwhichIwasmakingmypreparationsforgoingtoHolland。MybrotherandTirettawerewithme，andasIwasstilllivinginfurnishedapartmentsItookthemalltoLaudel’s，wheretheygaveoneanexcellentdinner。Tiretta，drovehiscoach—and—
　　four；hewasruininghisex—methodist，whowasstilldesperatelyinlovewithhim。
　　InthecourseofdinnerTiretta，whowasalwaysinhighspiritsandlovedajest，begantoflirtwiththegirl，whomhesawforthefirsttime。She，whoneithermeantnorsuspectedanyill，wasquiteatherease，andweshouldhaveenjoyedthejoke，andeverythingwouldhavegoneonpleasantly，ifherhusbandhadpossessedsomemodicumofmannersandcommonsense，buthebegantogetintoaperfectfuryofjealousy。Heatenothing，changedcolourtentimesinaminute，andlookeddaggersathiswife，asmuchastosayhedidnotseethejoke。Tocrownall，Tirettabegantocrackjestsatthepoorwretch’sexpense，andI，foreseeingunpleasantness，endeavoured，thoughallinvain，tomoderatehishighspiritsandhissallies。AnoysterchancedtofallonMadameGaetan’sbeautifulbreast；andTiretta，whowassittingnearher，tookitupwithhislipsasquickaslightning。Gaetanwasmadwithrageandgavehiswifesuchafuriousboxontheearthathishandpassedonfromhercheektothatofherneighbour。TirettanowasenragedasGaetantookhimbyhismiddleandthrewhimdown，where，havingnoarms，hedefendedhimselfwithkicksandfisticuffs，tillthewaitercame，andweputhimoutoftheroom。
　　Thepoorwifeintears，and，likeTiretta，bleedingatthenose，besoughtmetotakeherawaysomewhere，asshefearedherhusbandwouldkillherifshereturnedtohim。So，leavingTirettawithmybrother，IgotintoacarriagewithherandItookher，accordingtoherrequest，toherkinsman，anoldattorneywholivedinthefourthstoryofahouseintheQuaideGevres。Hereceiveduspolitely，andafterhavingheardthetale，hesaid，"Iamapoorman，andIcandonothingforthisunfortunategirl；
　　whileifIhadahundredcrownsIcoulddoeverything。"
　　"Don’tletthatstandinyourway，"saidI，anddrawingthreehundredfrancsfrommypocketsIgavehimthemoney。
　　"Now，sir，"saidhe，"Iwillbetheruinofherhusband，whoshallneverknowwherehiswifeis。"
　　ShethankedmeandIleftherthere；thereadershallhearwhatbecameofherwhenIreturnfrommyjourney。
　　OnmyinformingMadamed’UrfethatIwasgoingtoHollandforthegoodofFrance，andthatIshouldbecomingbackatthebeginningofFebruary，shebeggedmetotakechargeofsomesharesofhersandtosellthemforher。Theyamountedinvaluetosixtythousandfrancs，butshecouldnotdisposeofthemontheParisExchangeowingtothetightnessinthemoneymarket。Inaddition，shecouldnotobtaintheinterestduetoher，whichhadmountedupconsiderably，asshehadnothadadividendforthreeyears。
　　Iagreedtosellthesharesforher，butitwasnecessaryformetobeconstituteddepositaryandownerofthepropertybyadeed，whichwasexecutedthesamedaybeforeanotary，towhoseofficewebothwent。
　　OnreturningtoherhouseIwishedtogiveheranIOUforthemoneys，butshewouldnothearofsuchathing，andIletherremainsatisfiedofmyhonesty。
　　IcalledonM。CornemanwhogavemeabillofexchangeforthreehundredflorinsonM。Boaz，aJewishbankerattheHague，andIthensetoutonmyjourney。IreachedAnversintwodays，andfindingayachtreadytostartIgotonboardandarrivedatRotterdamthenextday。IgottotheHagueonthedayfollowing，andafterdepositingmyeffectsatthe"Hoteld’Angleterre"IproceededtoM。d’Afri’s，andfoundhimreadingM。deChoiseul’sletter，whichinformedhimofmybusiness。HeaskedmetodineinhiscompanyandinthatoftheambassadoroftheKingofPoland，whoencouragedmetoproceedinmyundertakingthoughhehadnotmuchopinionofmychancesofsuccess。
　　LeavingtheambassadorIwenttoseeBoaz，whomIfoundattableinthemidstofanumerousanduglyfamily。HereadmyletterandtoldmehehadjustreceivedaletterfromM。CornemaninwhichIwashighlycommendedtohim。BywayofajokehesaidthatasitwasChristmasEvehesupposedIshouldbegoingtorocktheinfantJesusasleep，butIansweredthatIwascometokeeptheFeastoftheMaccabeeswithhim——areplywhichgainedmetheapplauseofthewholefamilyandaninvitationtostaywiththem。Iacceptedtheofferwithouthesitation，andItoldmyservanttofetchmybaggagefromthehotel。BeforeleavingthebankerIaskedhimtoshewmesomewayofmakingtwentythousandflorinsintheshorttimeIwasgoingtostayinHolland。
　　Takingmequiteseriouslyherepliedthatthethingmighteasilybedoneandthathewouldthinkitover。
　　Thenextmorningafterbreakfast，Boazsaid，"Ihavesolvedyourproblem，sir；comeinhereandIwilltellyouaboutit"
　　Hetookmeintohisprivateoffice，and，aftercountingoutthreethousandflorinsinnotesandgold，hetoldmethatifIlikedI
　　couldundoubtedlymakethetwentythousandflorinsIhadspokenof。
　　MuchsurprisedattheeasewithwhichmoneymaybegotinHolland，asIhadbeenmerelyjestingintheremarksIhadmade，Ithankedhimforhiskindness，andlistenedtohisexplanation。
　　"Lookatthisnote，"saidhe，"whichIreceivedthismorningfromtheMint。Itinformsmethatanissueoffourhundredthousandducatsisabouttobemadewhichwillbedisposedofatthecurrentrateofgold，whichisfortunatelynothighjustnow。Eachducatwillfetchfiveflorins，twostiversandthree—fifths。ThisistherateofexchangewithFrankfort。Buyinfourhundredthousandducats；takethemorsendthemtoFrankfort，withbillsofexchangeonAmsterdam，andyourbusinessisdone。Oneveryducatyouwillmakeastiverandone—ninth，whichcomestotwenty—twothousand，twohundredandtwenty—twoofourflorins。Getholdofthegoldto—day，andinaweekyouwillhaveyourclearprofit。That’smyidea。"
　　"But，"saidI，"willtheclerksoftheMinttrustmewithsuchasum？"
　　"Certainlynot，unlessyoupaythemincurrentmoneyoringoodpaper。"
　　"Mydearsir，Ihaveneithermoneynorcredittothatamount。"
　　"Thenyouwillcertainlynevermaketwentythousandflorinsinaweek。BythewayyoutalkedyesterdayItookyouforamillionaire。"
　　"Iamverysorryyouweresomistaken。"
　　"Ishallgetoneofmysonstotransactthebusinessto—day。"
　　Aftergivingmethisrathersharplesson，M。Boazwentintohisoffice，andIwenttodress。
　　M。d’Afrihadpaidhiscallonmeatthe"Hoteld’Angleterre，"andnotfindingmetherehehadwrittenmealetteraskingmetocomeandseehim。Ididso，andhekeptmetodinner，shewingmealetterhehadreceivedfromM。deBoulogne，inwhichhewasinstructednottoletmedisposeofthetwentymillionsatagreaterlossthaneightpercent。，aspeacewasimminent。WebothofuslaughedatthiscalmconfidenceoftheParisianminister，whilewewhowereinacountrywherepeoplesawdeeperintoaffairsknewthatthetruthwasquiteotherwise。
　　OnM。d’Afri’shearingthatIwasstayingwithaJew，headvisedmetokeepmyowncounselwhenwithJews，"because，"saidhe，"inbusiness，mosthonestandleastknavishmeanprettymuchthesamething。Ifyoulike，"headded，"IwillgiveyoualetterofintroductiontoM。Pels，ofAmsterdam。"Iacceptedhisofferwithgratitude，andinthehopeofbeingusefultomeinthematterofmyforeignsharesheintroducedmetotheSwedishambassador，whosentmetoM。d’O————。
　　WantingtobepresentatagreatfestivalofFreemasonsonSt。
　　John’sDay，IremainedattheHaguetillthedayafterthecelebration。TheComtedeTot，brotherofthebaron，wholostallhismoneyattheseraglio，andwhomIhadmetagainattheHague，introducedme。IwasnotsorrytobeincompanywithallthebestsocietyinHolland。
　　M。d’Afriintroducedmetothemotherofthestadtholder，whowasonlytwelve，andwhomIthoughttoograveforhisyears。Hismotherwasaworthy，patientkindofwoman，whofellasleepeveryminute，evenwhileshewasspeaking。Shediedshortlyafter，anditwasdiscoveredatthepostmortemexaminationthatshehadadiseaseofthebrainwhichcausedherextremepropensitytosleep。BesideherI
　　sawCountPhilipdeZinzendorf，whowaslookingfortwelvemillionsfortheempress——ataskwhichwasnotverydifficult，asheofferedfivepercent。interest。
　　AttheplayIfoundmyselfsittingnexttotheTurkishminister，andIthoughthewoulddiewithlaughterbeforemyeyes。Ithappenedthus:
　　TheywereplayingIphigenia，thatmasterpieceofRacine’s。ThestatueofDianastoodinthemidstofthestage，andattheendofoneactIphigeniaandhertrainofpriestesses，whilepassingbeforeit，allmadeaprofoundbowtothegoddess。Thecandlesnuffer，whoperhapsmayhavebeenabadwit，crossedthestagejustafterwards，andlikewisebowedtothegoddess。Thisputpitandboxesinagoodhumour，andpealsoflaughtersoundedfromallpartsofthehouse。
　　AllthishadtobeexplainedtotheTurk，andhefellintosuchafitoflaughterthatIthoughthewouldburst。Atlasthewascarriedtohisinnstilllaughingbutalmostsenseless。
　　TohavetakennonoticeoftheDutchman’sheavywitwouldhavebeen，Iconfess，amarkofstupidity，butnoonebutaTurkcouldhavelaughedlikethat。ItmaybesaidthatagreatGreekphilosopherdiedoflaughteratseeingatoothlessoldwomantryingtoeatfigs。
　　ButthereisagreatdifferencebetweenaTurkandaGreek，especiallyanancientGreek。
　　Thosewholaughagooddealaremorefortunatethanthosewhodonotlaughatall，aslaughterisgoodforthedigestion；butthereisajustmeanineverything。
　　WhenIhadgonetwoleaguesfromAmsterdaminmyposting—chaiseontwowheels，myservantsittingbesideme，Imetacarriageonfourwheels，drawnlikeminebytwohorses，andcontainingafine—lookingyoungmanandhisservant。Hiscoachmancalledouttominetomakewayforhim。Mycoachmanansweredthatifhedidhemightturnmeintotheditch，buttheotherinsistedonit。Ispoketothemaster，begginghimtotellhiscoachmantomakewayforme。
　　"Iamposting，sir，"saidI；"and，moreover，Iamaforeigner。"
　　"Sir，"answeredhe，"inHollandwetakenonoticeofpostingornotposting；andifyouareforeigner，asyousay，youmustconfessthatyouhavefewerrightsthanIwhoaminmyowncountry。"
　　Thebloodrushedtomyface。Iflungopenthedoorwithonehandandtookmyswordwiththeother；andleapingintothesnow，whichwasuptomyknees，Idrewmysword，andsummonedtheDutchmantogivewayordefendhimself。HewascoolerthanI，andreplied，smiling，thathewasnotgoingtofightforsofoolishacause，andthatImightgetintomycarriageagain，ashewouldmakewayforme。Iwassomewhatinterestedinhiscoolbutpleasantmanner。Igotbackintomychaise，andthenextnightreachedAmsterdam。
　　Iputupattheexcellentinn"L’Etoiled’Orient，"andinthemorningIwenton’ChangeandfoundM。Pels。Hetoldmehewouldthinkmybusinessover，andfindingM，d’O————directlyafterwardsheofferedtodomemysixtybillsandgivemetwelvepercent。M。Pelstoldmetowait，ashesaidhecouldgetmefifteenpercent。Heaskedmetodinner，and，onmyadmiringhisCapewine，hetoldmewithalaughthathehadmadeithimselfbymixingBordeauxandMalaga。
　　M。d’O————askedmetodinneronthedayfollowing；andoncallingI
　　foundhimwithhisdaughterEsther，ayoungladyoffourteen，welldevelopedforherage，andexquisiteinallrespectsexceptherteeth，whichweresomewhatirregular。M。d’Owasawidower，andhadthisonlychild；consequently，Estherwasheiresstoalargefortune。
　　Herexcellentfatherlovedherblindly，andshedeservedhislove。
　　Herskinwassnowwhite，delicatelytintedwithred；herhairwasblackasebony，andshehadthemostbeautifuleyesIhaveeverseen。
　　Shemadeanimpressiononme。Herfatherhadgivenheranexcellenteducation；shespokeFrenchperfectly，playedthepianoadmirably，andwaspassionatelyfondofreading。
　　AfterdinnerM。d’O————shewedmetheuninhabitedpartofthehouse，forsincethedeathofhiswife，whosememorywasdeartohim，helivedonthegroundflooronly。Heshewedmeasetofroomswherehekeptatreasureinthewayofoldpottery。Thewallsandwindowswerecoveredwithplatesofmarble，eachroomadifferentcolour，andthefloorswereofmosaic，withPersiancarpets。Thedining—hallwascasedinalabaster，andthetableandthecupboardswereofcedarwood。Thewholehouselookedlikeablockofsolidmarble，foritwascoveredwithmarblewithoutaswellaswithin，andmusthavecostimmensesums。EverySaturdayhalf—a—dozenservantgirls，perchedonladders，washeddownthesesplendidwalls。Thesegirlsworewidehoops，beingobligedtoputonbreeches，asotherwisetheywouldhaveinterestedthepassersbyinanunseemlymanner。Afterlookingatthehousewewentdownagain，andM。d’O————leftmealonewithEstherintheantechamber，whereheworkedwithhisclerks。AsitwasNewYear’sDaytherewasnotbusinessgoingon。
　　Afterplayingasonata，Mdlle。d’O————askedmeifIwouldgotoaconcert。Irepliedthat，beinginhercompany，nothingcouldmakemestir。"Butwouldyou，mademoiselle，liketogo？"
　　"Yes，Ishouldliketogoverywell，butIcannotgobymyself。"
　　"IfImightpresumetooffertoescortyou……butIdarenotthinkyouwouldaccept。"
　　"Ishouldbedelighted，andifyouweretoaskmyfatherIamsurehewouldnotrefusehispermission。"
　　"Areyousureofthat？"
　　"Quitesure，forotherwisehewouldbeguiltyofimpoliteness，andmyfatherwouldnotdosuchathing。ButIseeyoudon’tknowthemannersofthecountry。"
　　"IconfessIdonot:"
　　"Youngladiesenjoygreatlibertyhere——libertywhichtheyloseonlybymarrying。Goandask，andyouwillsee:"
　　IwenttoM。d’O————andmademyrequest，tremblinglestIshouldmeetwitharefusal。
　　"Haveyouacarriage？"
　　"Yes，sir。"
　　"ThenIneednotgiveorderstogetmineready。Esther！"
　　"Yes，father。"
　　"Goanddress，mydear；M。Casanovahasbeenkindenoughtooffertotakeyoutotheconcert。"
　　"Howgoodofhim！Thankyou，papa，forlettingmego。
　　Shethrewherarmsaroundhisneck，rantodress，andreappearedanhourafter，asfairasthejoywhichwasexpressedonhereveryfeature。Icouldhavewishedshehadusedalittlepowder，butEstherwasjealousofherebontresses，whichdisplayedthewhitenessofherskintoadmiration。Thechiefaimofwomeninmakingtheirtoiletteistopleasemen，buthowpooristhejudgmentofmostmeninsuchmatterscomparedtotheunerringinstinctofthegeneralityofwomen！
　　Abeautifullacekerchiefveiledherbosom，whosegloriesmademyheartbeatfaster。
　　Wewentdownthestair，Ihelpedherintothecarriage，andstopped，thinkingshewouldbeaccompaniedbyoneofherwomen；butseeingnobodyIgotinmyself。Thedoorwasshut，andwewereoff。Iwasoverwhelmedwithastonishment。AtreasurelikethisinmykeepingI
　　couldhardlythink。IaskedmyselfwhetherIwastorememberthatI
　　wasafree—lanceoflove，orwhetherhonourbademeforgetit。
　　Esther，inthehighestspirits，toldmethatweweregoingtohearanItaliansingerwhosevoicewasexquisite，andnoticingmyconfusionsheaskedwhatwasthematter。Ididnotknowwhattosay，andbegantostammeroutsomething，butatlastsucceededinsayingthatshewasatreasureofwhomIwasnotworthytobethekeeper。
　　"Iknowthatinothercountriesayounggirlwouldnotbetrustedalonewithagentleman，butheretheyteachusdiscretionandhowtolookafterourselves。"
　　"Happythemanwhoischargedwithyourwelfare，andhappierstillheonwhomyourchoicehasfallen！"
　　"Thatchoiceisnotformetomake；’tismyfather’sbusiness。"
　　"Butsupposingyourfather’schoiceisnotpleasingtoyou，orsupposingyouloveanother？"
　　"Wearenotallowedtoloveamanuntilweknowheistobeourhusband。"
　　"Thenyouarenotinlovewithanyone？"
　　"No，andIhaveneverfeltthedesiretolove。"
　　"ThenImaykissyourhand？"
　　"Whyshouldyoukissmyhand？"
　　Shedrewawayherhandandofferedmeherlovelylips。Itookakiss，whichshegavemodestlyenough，butwhichwenttomyheart。MydelightwasalittlealloyedwhenshesaidthatshewouldgivemeanotherkissbeforeherfatherwheneverIliked。
　　Wereachedtheconcert—room，whereEstherfoundmanyofheryoungfriends——alldaughtersofrichmerchants，somepretty，someplain，andallcurioustoknowwhoIwas。ThefairEsther，whoknewnomorethanmyname，couldnotsatisfythem。Allatonceseeingafairyounggirlalittlewayoffshepointedherouttomeandaskedmemyopinionofher。NaturallyenoughIrepliedthatIdidnotcareforfairgirls。
　　"Allthesame，Imustintroduceyoutoher，forshemaybearelationofyours。Hernameisthesame；thatisherfatheroverthere:"
　　"M。Casanova，"saidshe，speakingtoagentleman，"IbegtointroducetoyouM。Casanova，afriendofmyfather’s。"
　　"Really？Thesamename；Iwish，sir，youweremyfriend，asweare，perhaps，related。IbelongtotheNaplesbranch。"
　　"Thenwearerelated，thoughdistantly，asmyfathercamefromParma。
　　Haveyouyourpedigree？"
　　"Ioughttohavesuchathing，buttotellyouthetruth，Idon’tthinkmuchofsuchmatters。Besantsd’orandsuchheraldicmoneysarenotcurrencyinamercantilerepublic。"
　　"Pedigree—huntingiscertainlyasomewhatfoolishpursuit；butitmayneverthelessaffordusafewminutes’amusementwithoutourmakinganyparadeofourancestry。"
　　"Withallmyheart。"
　　"Ishallhavethehonourofcallingonyouto—morrow，andIwillbringmyfamily—treewithme。Willyoubevexedifyoufindtherootofyourfamilyalso？"
　　"Notatall；Ishallbedelighted。Iwillcallonyoumyselfto—
　　morrow。MayIaskifyouareabusinessman？"
　　"No，IamafinancialagentintheemployoftheFrenchministry。I
　　amstayingwithM。Pels。"
　　M。Casanovamadeasigntohisdaughterandintroducedmetoher。
　　ShewasEsther’sdearestfriend，andIsatdownbetweenthem，andtheconcertbegan。
　　Afterafinesymphony，aconcertofortheviolin，anotherforthehautbois，theItaliansingerwhosereputewassogreatandwhowasstyledMadameTrendmadeherappearance。WhatwasmysurprisewhenI
　　recognizedinherThereseImer，wifeofthedancerPompeati，whosenamethereadermayremember。Ihadmadeheracquaintanceeighteenyearsago，whentheoldsenatorMalipierohadstruckmebecausewewereplayingtogether。IhadseenheragainatVenicein1753，andthenourpastimehadbeenofamoreseriousnature。ShehadgonetoBayreuth，whereshehadbeenthemargrave’smistress。Ihadpromisedtogoandseeher，butC————C————andmyfairnunM————M————hadleftmeneitherthetimenorthewishtodoso。SoonafterIwasputundertheLeads，andthenIhadotherthingstothinkabout。Iwassufficientlyself—controllednottoshewmyastonishment，andlistenedtoanariawhichshewassinging，withherexquisitevoice，beginning"Eccotigiuntaalfin，donnainfelice，"wordswhichseemedmadeforthecase。
　　Theapplauseseemedasifitwouldnevercometoanend。Esthertoldmethatitwasnotknownwhoshewas，butthatshewassaidtobeawomanwithahistory，andtobeverybadlyoff。"Shegoesfromonetowntoanother，singingatallthepublicconcerts，andallshereceivesiswhatthosepresentchoosetogiveheronaplatewhichshetakesround。"
　　"Doesshefindthatpay？"
　　"Ishouldsuspectnot，aseveryonehaspaidalreadyatcomingin。
　　Shecannotgetmorethanthirtyorfortyflorins。Thedayafterto—
　　morrowshewillgototheHague，thentoRotterdam，thenbackhereagain。Shehadbeenperformingforsixmonths，andsheisalwayswellreceived。"
　　"Hasshealover？"
　　"Sheissaidtohaveloversineverytown，butinsteadofenrichinghertheymakeherpoorer。Shealwayswearsblack，notonlybecausesheisawidow，butalsoonaccountofagreatgriefsheisreportedtohavegonethrough。Shewillsoonbecominground。"Itookoutmypurse；andcountedouttwelveducats，whichIwrappedinpaper；myheartbeatingallthewhileinaridiculousmanner，forIhadreallynothingtobeexcitedabout。
　　WhenTheresewasgoingalongtheseatsinfrontofme，Iglancedatherforaninstant，andIsawthatshelookedsurprised。IturnedmyheadtospeaktoEsther，andwhenshewasdirectlyinfrontofmeI
　　putmylittlepacketontheplatewithoutlookingather，andshepassedon。Alittlegirl，fourorfiveyearsold，followedher，andwhenshegottotheendofthebenchshecamebacktokissmyhand。
　　Icouldnothelprecognizinginherafacsimileofmyself，butI
　　concealedmyemotion。Thechildstoodstill，andgazedatmefixedly，tomynosmallconfusion。"Wouldyoulikesomesweets，mydear？"saidI，givinghermybox，whichIshouldhavebeengladtoturnintogold。Thelittlegirltookitsmilingly，mademeacurtsy，andwenton。
　　"Doesitstrikeyou，M。Casanova，"saidEsther，withalaugh，"thatyouandthatlittlegirlareaslikeeachotherastwopeas？"
　　"Yes，indeed，"addedMdlle。Casanova，"thereisastrikinglikeness。"
　　"Theseresemblancesareoftentheworkofchance。"
　　"Justso，"saidEsther，withawickedsmile，"butyouadmitalikeness，don’tyou？"
　　"IconfessIwasstruckwithit，thoughofcourseIcannotjudgesowellasyou。"
　　AftertheconcertM。d’O————arrived，andgivingbackhisdaughtertohiscareIbetookmyselftomylodging。Iwasjustsittingdowntoadishofoysters，beforegoingtobed，whenTheresemadeherappearance，holdingherchildbythehand。AlthoughIhadnotexpectedhertovisitmethatevening，Iwasneverthelessnotmuchsurprisedtoseeher。I，ofcourse，rosetogreether，whenallatonceshefellfaintingonthesofa，thoughwhetherthefaintingfitwasrealorassumedIcannotsay。ThinkingthatshemightbereallyillIplayedmypartproperly，andbroughthertoherselfbysprinklingherwithcoldwaterandputtingmyvinaigrettetohernose。Assoonasshecametoherselfshebegantogazeatmewithoutsayingaword。Atlast，tiredofhersilence，Iaskedherifshewouldtakeanysupper；andonherreplyingintheaffirmative，Irangthebellandorderedagoodsupperforthree，whichkeptusatthetabletillseveno’clockinthemorning，talkingoverourvariousfortunesandmisfortunes。Shewasalreadyacquaintedwithmostofmyrecentadventures，butIknewnothingatallabouthers，andsheentertainedmewitharecitalofthemforfiveorsixhours。
　　Sophie，thelittlegirl，sleptinmybedtillday，andhermother，keepingthebestofhertaletothelast，toldmethatshewasmydaughter，andshewedmeherbaptismalcertificate。ThebirthofthechildfellinwiththeperiodatwhichIhadbeenintimatewithTherese，andherperfectlikenesstomyselfleftnoroomfordoubt。
　　Ithereforeraisednoobjections，buttoldthemotherthatIwaspersuadedofmypaternity，andthat，beinginapositiontogivethechildagoodeducation，Iwasreadytobeafathertoher。
　　"Sheistoopreciousatreasureinmysight；ifwewereseparatedI
　　shoulddie。"
　　"Youarewrong；forifItookchargeofthelittlegirlIshouldseethatshewaswellprovidedfor。"
　　"IhaveasonoftwelvetowhomIcannotgiveapropereducation；
　　takechargeofhiminsteadofSophie。"
　　"Whereishe？"
　　"Heisboarding，orratherinpawn，atRotterdam。"
　　"Whatdoyoumeanbyinpawn？"
　　"ImeanthathewillnotbereturnedtomeuntilIpaythepersonwhohasgothimallmydebts。"
　　"Howmuchdoyouowe？"
　　"Eightyflorins。Youhavealreadygivenmesixty—two，givemefourducatsmore；youcanthentakemyson，andIshallbethehappiestofmothers。IwillsendmysontoyouattheHaguenextweek，asI
　　thinkyouwillbethere。"
　　"Yes，mydearTherese；andinsteadoffourducats，herearetwenty。"
　　"WeshallseeeachotheragainattheHague。"
　　Shewasgratefultoexcess，butIonlyfeltpityforherandasortoffriendlyinterest，andkeptquitecool，despitetheardourofherembraces。Seeingthathertroublewasofnoavail，shesighed，shedsometears，and，takingherdaughter，shebidmeadieu，promisingoncemoretosendmeherson。
　　TheresewastwoyearsolderthanI。Shewasstillpretty，andevenhandsome，buthercharmsnolongerretainedtheirfirstbeauty，andmypassionforher，havingbeenamerelyphysicalone，itwasnowonderthatshehadnolongeranyattractionforme。HeradventuresduringthesixyearsinwhichIhadlostherwouldcertainlyinterestmyreaders，andformapleasingepisodeinmybook，andIwouldtellthetaleifitwereatrueone；butnotbeingaromancewriter，Iamanxiousthatthisworkshallcontainthetruthandnothingbutthetruth。Convictedbyheramorousandjealousmargarveofinfidelity，shehadbeensentaboutherbusiness。ShewasseparatedfromherhusbandPompeati，hadfollowedanewlovertoBrussels，andtherehadcaughtthefancyofPrinceCharlesdeLorraine，whohadobtainedherthedirectionofallthetheatresintheAustrianLowCountries。Shehadthenundertakenthisvastresponsibility，entailingheavyexpenditure，tillatlast，aftersellingallherdiamondsandlace，shehadfledtoHollandtoavoidarrest。HerhusbandkilledhimselfatViennainaparoxysmcausedbyinternalpain——hehadcutopenhisstomachwitharazor，anddiedtearingathisentrails。
　　Mybusinessleftmenotimeforsleep。M。Casanovacameandaskedmetodinner，tellingmetomeethimontheExchange——aplacewellworthseeing。Millionairesareasplentifulasblackberries，andanyonewhoisnotworthmorethanahundredthousandflorinsisconsideredapoorman。IfoundM。d’O————there，andwasaskedbyhimtodinnerthefollowingdayatasmallhousehehadontheAmstel。M。Casanovatreatedmewiththegreatestcourtesy。Afterreadingmypedigreehewentforhisown，andfounditexactlythesame；buthemerelylaughed，andseemedtocarelittleaboutit，differinginthatrespectfromDonAntonioofNaples，whosetsuchstorebymypedigree，andtreatedmewithsuchpolitenessonthataccount。
　　Nevertheless，hebadememakeuseofhiminanythingrelatingtobusinessifIdidanythinginthatway。Ithoughthisdaughterpretty，butneitherhercharmsnorherwitmadeanyimpressiononme。
　　MythoughtsweretakenupwithEsther，andItalkedsomuchaboutheratdinnerthatatlastmycousindeclaredthatshedidnotconsiderherpretty。Oh，youwomen！beautyistheonlyunpardonableoffenceinyoureyes。Mdlle。CasanovawasEsther’sfriend，andyetshecouldnotbeartohearherpraised。
　　OnmyseeingM。d’O————againafterdinner，hetoldmethatifI
　　caredtotakefifteenpercent。onmyshares，hewouldtakethemfrommeandsavebroker’sexpenses。Ithoughttheofferagoodone，andI
　　acceptedit，takingabillofexchangeonTourton&Baur。AttherateofexchangeatHamburgIfoundIshouldhaveseventy—twothousandfrancs，althoughatfivepercent。Ihadonlyexpectedsixty—ninethousand。ThistransactionwonmehighfavourwithMadamed’Urfe，who，perhaps，hadnotexpectedmetobesohonest。
　　IntheeveningIwentwithM。PelstoZaandam，inaboatplacedonasleighandimpelledbyasail。Itwasanextraordinary，butatthesametimeanamusingandagreeable，modeoftravelling。Thewindwasstrong，andwedidfifteenmilesanhour；weseemedtopassthroughtheairasswiftlyasanarrow。Asaferandmoreconvenientmethodoftravellingcannotbeimagined；itwouldbeanidealwayofjourneyingroundtheworldifthereweresuchathingasafrozenseaallround。Thewind，however，mustbebehind，asonecannotsailonasidewind，therebeingnorudder。Iwaspleasedandastonishedattheskillofourtwosailorsinloweringsailexactlyatthepropertime；forthesleighranagoodway，fromtheimpetusithadalreadyreceived，andwestoppedjustatthebankoftheriver，whereasifthesailhadbeenloweredamomentlaterthesleighmighthavebeenbrokentopieces。Wehadsomeexcellentperchfordinner，butthestrengthofthewindpreventedusfromwalkingabout。Iwentthereagain，butasZaandamiswellknownasthehauntofthemillionairemerchantswhoretireandenjoylifethereintheirownway，Iwillsaynomoreaboutit。Wereturnedinafinesleighdrawnbytwohorses，belongingtoM。Pels，andhekeptmetosupper。Thisworthyman，whosefaceborewitnesstohisentirehonesty，toldmethatasI
　　wasnowthefriendofM。d’O————andhimself，IshouldhavenothingwhatevertodowiththeJews，butshouldaddressmyselftothemalone。Iwaspleasedwiththisproposal，whichmadeagoodmanyofmydifficultiesdisappear，andthereaderwillseetheresultsofthiscourse。
　　Nextdaysnowfellinlargeflakes，andIwentearlytoM。d’O————’s，whereIfoundEstherinthehighestofspirits。Shegavemeawarmwelcome，andbegantorallymeonhavingspentthewholenightwithMadameTrenti。
　　Imightpossiblyhaveshewnsomeslightconfusion，butherfathersaidanhonestmanhadnothingtobeashamedofinadmiringtalent。
　　Then，turningtome，hesaid，"Tellme，M。Casanova，whothiswomanis？"
　　"SheisaVenetianwhosehusbanddiedrecently；IknewherwhenIwasalad，anditwassixyearssinceIhadseenherlast。"
　　"Youwereagreeablysurprised，then，toseeyourdaughter？"saidEsther。
　　"Whydoyouthinkthechildismydaughter？MadameTrentiwasmarriedthen。"
　　"Thelikenessisreallytoostrong。AndhowaboutyourfallingasleepyesterdaywhenyouweresuppingwithM。Pels？"
　　"ItwasnowonderthatIwentasleep，asIhadnotclosedaneyethenightbefore。"
　　"Iamenviousofanyonewhopossessesthesecretofgettingagoodsleep，forIhavealwaystowaitlonghoursbeforesleepcomestome，andwhenIawake，insteadofbeingrefreshed，Ifeelheavyandlanguidfromfatigue。"
　　"Trypassingthenightinlisteningtooneinwhomyoutakeaninterest，tellingthestoryofherlife，andIpromiseyouthatyouwillsleepwellthenightafter。"
　　"Thereisnosuchpersonforme。"
　　"No，becauseyouhaveasyetonlyseenfourteensummers；butafterwardstherewillbesomeone。"
　　"Maybe，butwhatIwantjustnowisbooks，andthehelpofsomeonewhowillguidemyreading。"
　　"Thatwouldbeaneasymatterforanyonewhoknewyourtastes。"
　　"Ilikehistoryandtravels，butforabooktopleasemeitmustbealltrue，asIlayitdownattheslightestsuspicionofitsveracity。"
　　"NowIthinkImayventuretooffermyservices，andifyouwillacceptthemIbelieveIshallbeabletogivesatisfaction。"
　　"Iacceptyouroffer，andshallkeepyoutoyourword。"
　　"Youneednotbeafraidofmybreakingit，andbeforeIleavefortheHagueIwillprovethatIamreliable。"
　　ShethenbegantorallymeonthepleasureIshouldhaveattheHague，whereIshouldseeMadameTrentiagain。Herfreedom，mirth，andextremebeautysetmybloodonfire，andM。d’O————laughedheartilyatthewarhischarmingdaughterwagedonme。Ateleveno’clockwegotintoawell—appointedsleighandwesetoutforhissmallhouse，whereshetoldmeIshouldfindMdlle。Casanovaandherbetrothed。
　　"Nevertheless，"saidI，"youwillcontinuetobemyonlyattraction。"
　　Shemadenoanswer，butitwaseasytoperceivethatmyavowalhadnotdispleasedher。
　　Whenwehadgonesomedistancewesawthelovers，whohadcomeout，inspiteofthesnow，tomeetus。Wegotdown，andaftertakingoffourfursweenteredthehouse。Igazedattheyounggentleman，wholookedatmeamomentinreturnandthenwhisperedinMdlle。
　　Casanova’sear。ShesmiledandwhisperedsomethingtoEsther。
　　Esthersteppeduptoherfatherandsaidafewwordstohiminalowvoice，andeverybodybegantolaughatonce。TheyalllookedatmeandIfeltcertainthatIwassomehowthepointofthejoke，butI
　　putonanindifferentair。
　　"Theremaybeamistake，"saidM。d’O————；"atanyrateweshouldascertainthetruthofthematter。"
　　"M。Casanova，hadyouanyadventuresonyourjourneyfromtheHaguetoAmsterdam？"
　　AtthisIlookedagainattheyounggentleman，andIguessedwhattheyweretalkingabout。
　　"Noadventuretospeakof，"Ianswered，"exceptameetingwithafinefellowwhodesiredtoseemycarriageturnupsidedownintotheditch，andwhoIthinkispresentnow。"
　　Atthesewordsthelaughterbrokeoutafresh，andthegentlemanandI
　　embracedeachother；butafterhehadgiventhetrueaccountoftheadventurehismistresspretendedtobeangry，andtoldhimthatheoughttohavefought。Estherobservedthathehadshewnmoretruecourageinlisteningtoreason，andM。d’O————saidhewasstronglyofhisdaughter’sopinion；however，Mdlle。Casanova，afterairingherhigh—flownideas，begantosulkwithherlover。
　　Torestorethegeneralmirth，Esthersaid，gaily，"Come，come，letusputonourskates，andtrytheAmstel，forIamafraidthatunlesswegoforthwiththeicewillhavemelted。"Iwasashamedtoaskhertoletmeoff，thoughIwouldgladlyhavedoneso！butwhatwillnotlovedo！M。d’O————leftustoourowndevices。Mdlle。Casanova’sintendedputonmyskates，andtheladiesputontheirshortpetticoatswithblackvelvetdrawerstoguardagainstcertainaccidents。Wereachedtheriver，andasIwasaperfectneophyteinthissportthefigureIcutmaybeimagined。However，Iresolutelydeterminedtoconquermyawkwardness，andtwentytimes，totheperilofmyspine，didIfalldownupontheice。Ishouldhavebeenwisertohaveleftoff，butIwasashamedtodoso，andIdidnotstoptill，tomyhugedelight，weweresummonedintodinner。ButIpaiddearformyobstinacy，forwhenItriedtorisefromthetableIfeltasifIhadlosttheuseofmylimbs。Estherpitiedme，andsaidshewouldcureme。Therewasagooddealoflaughteratmyexpense，andIletthemlaugh，asIfeltcertainthatthewholethinghadbeencontrivedtoturnmeintoderision，andwishingtomakeEstherlovemeIthoughtitbesttostimulateagoodtemper。IpassedtheafternoonwithM。d’O————，lettingtheyoungpeoplegobythemselvesontheAmstel，wheretheystoppedtilldusk。
　　NextmorningwhenIawokeIthoughtIwasalostman。Isufferedamartyrdomofpain。Thelastofmyvertebralbones，calledbydoctorstheossacrum，feltasifithadbeencrushedtoatoms，althoughI
　　hadusedalmostthewholeofapotofointmentwhichEstherhadgivenmeforthatpurpose。InspiteofmytormentsIdidnotforgetmypromise，andIhadmyselftakentoabookseller’swhereIboughtallthebooksIthoughtlikelytointeresther。Shewasverygrateful，andtoldmetocomeandembraceherbeforeIstartedifIwantedaprettypresent。
　　ItwasnotlikelythatIwasgoingtorefusesuchaninvitationasthat，soIwentearlyinthemorning，leavingmypost—chaiseatthedoorHergovernesstookmetoherbed，whereshewaslyingasfairandgayasVenusherself。