Thesyndichadtoldmethatthethreeyoungladiesbelongedtorespectablefamilies，butwerenotrich。IpuzzledmyheadtothinkofsomeusefulpresentImightmakethemwithoutoffendingthem，andatlastIhitonaplanofthemostridiculousnature，asthereaderwillsee。Iwenttoajewellerandtoldhimtomakemethreegoldenballs，eachoftwoouncesinweight。
　　AtnoonIwenttoM。deVoltaire’s。Hewasnottobeseen，butMadameDenisconsoledmeforhisabsence。Shehadwit，learningwithoutpretension，taste，andagreathatredfortheKingofPrussia，whomshecalledavillain。Sheaskedaboutmybeautifulhousekeeper，andcongratulatedmeonhavingmarriedhertoarespectableman。AlthoughIfeelnowthatshewasquiteright，Iwasfarfromthinkingsothen；theimpressionwastoofreshonmymind。
　　MadameDenisbeggedmetotellherhowIhadescapedfromTheLeads，butasthestorywasratheralongoneIpromisedtosatisfyheranothertime。
　　M。deVoltairedidnotdinewithus；heappeared，however，atfiveo’clock，holdingaletterinhishand。
　　"Doyouknow，"saidhe，"theMarquisAlbergatiCapacelli，senatorofBologna，andCountParadisi？"
　　"IdonotknowParadisi，butIknowAlbergatibysightandbyreputation；heisnotasenator，butoneoftheForty，whoatBolognaareFifty。"
　　"Dearme！Thatseemsratherariddle！"
　　"Doyouknowhim？"
　　"No，buthehassentmeGoldoni’s’Theatre，’thetranslationofmyTancred，andsomeBolognasausages，andhesayshewillcomeandseeme。"
　　"Hewillnotcome；heisnotsuchafool。"
　　"Howafool？Wouldtherebeanythingfoolishincomingtoseeme？"
　　"Certainlynot，asfarasyouareconcerned；butverymuchsofarhisownsake。"
　　"Wouldyoumindtellingmewhy？"
　　"Heknowswhathewouldlose；forheenjoystheideayouseemtohaveofhim，andifhecameyouwouldseehisnothingness，andgood—byetotheillusion。Heisaworthymanwithsixthousandsequinsayear，andacrazeforthetheatre。Heisagoodactorenough，andhaswrittenseveralcomediesinprose，buttheyarefitneitherforthestudynorthestage。"
　　"Youcertainlygivehimacoatwhichdoesnotmakehimlookanybigger。"
　　"Iassureyouitisnotquitesmallenough。"
　　"ButtellmehowhecanbelongtotheFortyandtheFifty？"
　　"JustasatBalenoonisateleven。"
　　"Iunderstand；justasyourCouncilofTeniscomposedofseventeenmembers。"
　　"Exactly；butthecursedFortyofBolognaaremenofanotherkind。"
　　"Whycursed？"
　　"Becausetheyarenotsubjecttothefisc，andarethusenabledtocommitwhatevercrimestheylikewithperfectimpunity；alltheyhavegottodoistoliveoutsidethestatebordersontheirrevenues。"
　　"Thatisablessing，andnotacurse；butletmereturntooursubject。IsupposetheMarquisAlbergatiisamanofletters？"
　　"Hewriteswellenough，butheisfondofthesoundofhisownvoice，hisstyleisprolix，andIdon’tthinkhehasmuchbrains。"
　　"Heisanactor，Ithinkyousaid？"
　　"Yes，andaverygoodone，aboveall，whenheplaysthelover’spartinoneofhisownplays。"
　　"Isheahandsomeman？"
　　"Yes，onthestage，butnotelsewhere；hisfacelacksexpression。"
　　"Buthisplaysgivesatisfaction？"
　　"Nottopersonswhounderstandplaywriting；theywouldbehissediftheywereintelligible。"
　　"AndwhatdoyouthinkofGoldoni？"
　　"Ihavethehighestopinionofhim。GoldoniistheItalianMoliere。"
　　"WhydoeshecallhimselfpoettotheDukeofParma？"
　　"Nodoubttoprovethatawitaswellasafoolhashisweakpoints；
　　inallprobabilitythedukeknowsnothingaboutit。Healsocallshimselfabarrister，thoughheissuchonlyinhisownimagination。
　　Goldoniisagoodplaywriter，andnothingmore。EverybodyinVeniceknowsmeforhisfriend，andIcanthereforespeakofhimwithauthority。Hedoesnotshineinsociety，andinspiteofthefinesatireofhisworksheisamanofanextremelygentledisposition。"
　　"SoIhavebeentold。Heispoor，andwantstoleaveVenice。Themanagersofthetheatreswheretheyplayhispieceswillnotlikethat。"
　　"Peopletalkedaboutgettinghimapension，buttheprojecthasbeenrelegatedtotheGreekKalends，astheysaidthatifhehadapensionhewouldwritenomore。"
　　"CumaerefusedtogiveapensiontoHomer，forfearthatalltheblindmenwouldaskforapension。"
　　Wespentapleasantday，andhethankedmeheartilyforthecopyoftheMacaronicon，whichhepromisedtoread。HeintroducedmetoaJesuithehadinhishousehold，whowascalledAdam，andheadded，aftertellingmehisname，"notthefirstAdam。"IwastoldafterwardsthatVoltaireusedtoplaybackgammonwithhim，andwhenhelosthewouldthrowthediceandtheboxathishead。IfJesuitsweretreatedlikethatalltheworldover，perhapsweshouldhavenonebutinoffensiveJesuitsatlast，butthathappytimeisstillfaroff。
　　IhadscarcelygottomyinnintheeveningwhenIreceivedmythreegoldenballs，andassoonasthesyndiccamewesetofftorenewourvoluptuousorgy。Onthewayhetalkedaboutmodesty，andsaid，——
　　"Thatfeelingwhichpreventsourshewingthosepartswhichwehavebeentaughttocoverfromourchildhood，mayoftenproceedfromvirtue，butisweakerthantheforceofeducation，asitcannotresistanattackwhentheattackingpartyknowswhatheisabout。
　　Ithinktheeasiestwaytovanquishmodestyistoignoreitspresence，toturnitintoridicule，tocarryitbystorm。Victoryiscertain。Thehardihoodoftheassailersubduestheassailed，whousuallyonlywishestobeconquered，andnearlyalwaysthanksyouforyourvictory。
　　"ClementofAlexandria，alearnedmanandaphilosopher，hasremarkedthatthemodestywhichappearssodeeplyrootedinwomen’sheartsreallygoesnofartherthantheclothestheywear，andthatwhenthesearepluckedoffnotraceofitremains。"
　　Wefoundthethreegirlslightlycladandsittingonalargesopha，andwesatdownoppositetothem。Pleasanttalkandathousandamorouskissesoccupiedthehalfhourjustbeforesupper，andourcombatdidnotbegintillwehadeatenadeliciousrepast，washeddownwithplentyofchampagne。
　　Weweresureofnotbeinginterruptedbythemaidandweputourselvesatourease，whilstourcaressesbecamemorelivelyandardent。Thesyndic，likeacarefulman，drewapacketoffineFrenchlettersfromhispocket，anddeliveredalongeulogiumonthisadmirablepreservativefromanaccidentwhichmightgiverisetoaterribleandfruitlessrepentance。Theladiesknewthem，andseemedtohavenoobjectiontotheprecaution；theylaughedheartilytoseetheshapethesearticlestookwhentheywereblownout。Butaftertheyhadamusedthemselvesthusforsometime，Isaid，"Mydeargirls，Icaremoreforyourhonourthanyourbeauty；butdonotthinkIamgoingtoshutmyselfinapieceofdeadskintoprovethatIamalive。Here，"Iadded，drawingoutthethreegoldenballs，"isasurerandlessdisagreeablewayofsecuringyoufromanyunpleasantconsequences。Afterfifteenyears’experienceIcanassureyouthatwiththesegoldenballsyoucangiveandtakewithoutrunningtheleastrisk。Forthefutureyouwillhavenoneedofthosehumiliatingsheaths。TrustinmeandacceptthislittlepresentfromaVenetianwhoadoresyou。"
　　"Weareverygrateful，"saidtheelderofthetwosisters，"buthowaretheseprettyballsused？"
　　"Theballhastobeattherearofthetempleoflove，whilsttheamorouscoupleareperformingthesacrifice。Theantipathycommunicatedtothemetalbyitsbeingsoakedforacertaintimeinanalkalinesolutionpreventsimpregnation。"
　　"But，"saidthecousin，"onemusttakegreatcarethattheballisnotshakenoutbythemotionbeforetheendofthesacrifice。"
　　"Youneedn’tbeafraidofthatifyouplaceyourselfinaproperposition。"
　　"Letusseehowit’sdone，"saidthesyndic，holdingacandleformetoputtheballinplace。
　　Thecharmingcousinhadgonetoofartoturnback；shehadtosubmittotheoperation。IplacedtheballinsuchapositionthatitcouldnotfalloutbeforeIwasin；however，itfellouttowardstheend，justaswewereseparating。ThevictimperceivedthatIhadtakenherin。However，shesaidnothing，pickeduptheball，andchallengedthetwosisterstosubmittothepleasantexperiment，towhichtheylentthemselveswiththegreatestinterest；whilethesyndic，whohadnofaithinthevirtuesofthemetal，contentedhimselfwithlookingon。Afterhalfanhour’srestIbeganagain，withoutballs，assuringthemthatIwouldbecareful，andIkeptmyword，withoutdeprivingthemofthepleasureintheslightestdegree。
　　Whenitwastimetopart，thesegirls，whohadformerlybeenscantilyprovidedfor，threwtheirarmsroundmyneck，overwhelmedmewithcaresses，anddeclaredhowmuchtheyowedme。ThesyndictoldthemthatIwasgoingintwodays，andsuggestedthattheyshouldmakemestayadaylongerinGeneva，andImadethissacrificejoyfully。Theworthysyndichadanengagementonthefollowingday，andIsorelyneededaholidaymyself。Hetookmebacktomyinn，thankingmealmostasheartilyashischarmingnymphs。
　　Afterhavingenjoyedacalmandrefreshingsleeptenhours，IfeltmyselfabletoenjoythedelightfulsocietyofM。deVoltaire。I
　　wenttohishouse，butIwasdisappointedinmyhopes，asitpleasedthegreatmantobeinafault—findingandsarcasticmoodthewholeday。HeknewIhadtoleaveonthemorrow。
　　HebeganbythankingmeattableformypresentofMerlinCoccaeus。
　　"Youcertainlygaveitmewithgoodintentions，"saidhe，"butIoweyounothanksforpraisingitsohighly，asyoumademelosefourhoursinreadingnonsense。"
　　Ifeltmyhairstandonend，butImasteredmyemotions，andtoldhimquietlyenoughthatoneday，perhaps，hewouldfindhimselfobligedtopraisethepoemmorehighlythanIhaddone。Iquotedseveralinstancesoftheinsufficiencyofafirstperusal。
　　"That’strue，"saidhe；"butasforyourMerlin，Iwillreadhimnomore。IhaveputhimbesideChapelain’s’Pucelle’。"
　　"Whichpleasesallthecritics，inspiteofitsbadversification，foritisagoodpoem，andChapelainwasarealpoetthoughhewrotebadverses。Icannotoverlookhisgenius。"
　　Myfreedommusthaveshockedhim，andImighthaveguesseditwhenhetoldmehehadputthe’Macaronicon’besidethe’Pucelle’。Iknewthattherewasapoemofthesametitleincirculation，whichpassedforVoltaire’s；butIalsoknewthathedisavowedit，andIthoughtthatwouldmakehimconcealthevexationmyexplanationmusthavecausedhim。Itwasnotso，however；hecontradictedmesharply，andIclosedwithhim。
　　"Chapelain，"saidI，"hasthemeritofhavingrenderedhissubject—matterpleasant，withoutpanderingtothetastesofhisreadersbysayingthingsshockingtomodestyandpiety。SothinksmymasterCrebillon:"
　　"Crebillon！Youciteaweightyauthority。ButhowismyfriendCrebillonyourmaster，mayIask？"
　　"HetaughtmetospeakFrenchinlessthantwoyears，andasamarkofmygratitudeItranslatedhisRadamisteintoItalianAlexandrines。
　　IamthefirstItalianwhohasdaredtousethismetreinourlanguage。"
　　"Thefirst？Ibegyourpardon，asthathonourbelongstomyfriendPierreJacquesMartelli。"
　　"Iamsorrytobeobligedtotellyouthatyouaremakingamistake。"
　　"Why，Ihavehisworks，printedatBologna，inmyroom！"
　　"Idon’tdenythat，IamonlytalkingaboutthemetreusedbyMartelli。Whatyouarethinkingofmustbeversesoffourteensyllables；withoutalternativemasculineandfemininerhymes。
　　However，IconfessthathethinkshehasimitatedtheFrenchAlexandrines，andhisprefacemademeexplodewithlaughter。Didyoureadit？"
　　"Readit？Ialwaysreadprefaces，andMartelliprovestherethathisverseshavethesameeffectinItalianasourAlexandrineverseshaveinFrench。"
　　"Exactly，that’swhat’ssoamusing。Theworthymanisquitemistaken，andIonlyaskyoutolistentowhatIhavetosayonthesubject。Yourmasculineversehasonlytwelvepoeticsyllables，andthefemininethirteen。AllMartelli’slineshavefourteensyllables，exceptthosethatfinishwithalongvowel，whichattheendofalinealwayscountsastwosyllables。YouwillobservethatthefirsthemistitchinMartellialwaysconsistsofsevensyllables，whileinFrenchitonlyhassix。YourfriendPierreJacqueswaseitherstonedeaforveryhardofhearing。"
　　"Thenyouhavefollowedourtheoryofversificationrigorously。"
　　"Justso，inspiteofthedifficulty，asnearlyallourwordsendwithashortsyllable。"
　　"Whatreceptionhasbeenaccordedtoyourinnovation？"
　　"Ithasnotbeenfoundpleasing，becausenobodyknowshowtorecitemyverses；butIhopetotriumphwhenIdeliverthemmyselfbeforeourliteraryclubs。"
　　"DoyourememberanyofyourversionoftheRadamiste？"
　　"Irememberitall。"
　　"Youhaveawonderfulmemory；Ishouldbegladtohearit。"
　　IbegantorecitethesamescenethatIhadrecitedtoCrebillontenyearsbefore，andIthoughtM。deVoltairelistenedwithpleasure。
　　"Itdoesn’tstrikeoneasatallharsh，"saidhe。
　　Thiswasthehighestpraisehewouldgiveme。InhisturnthegreatmanrecitedapassagefromTancredwhichhadnotasyetbeenpublished，andwhichwasafterwardsconsidered，andrightly，asamasterpiece。
　　Weshouldhavegotonverywellifwehadkepttothat，butonmyquotingalineofHoracetopraiseoneofhispieces，hesaidthatHoracewasagreatmasterwhohadgivenpreceptswhichwouldneverbeoutofdate。ThereuponIansweredthathehimselfhadviolatedoneofthem，butthathehadviolateditgrandly。
　　"Whichisthat？"
　　"Youdonotwrite，’Contentuspaucislectoribus’。"
　　"IfHoracehadhadtocombatthehydra—headedmonsterofsuperstition，hewouldhavewrittenasIhavewritten——foralltheworld。"
　　"Itseemstomethatyoumightspareyourselfthetroubleofcombatingwhatyouwillneverdestroy。"
　　"ThatwhichIcannotfinishotherswill，andIshallalwayshavethegloryofbeingthefirstinthefield。"
　　"Verygood；butsupposingyousucceedindestroyingsuperstition，whatareyougoingtoputinitsplace？"
　　"Ilikethat。IfIdelivertheraceofmanfromawildbeastwhichisdevouringit，amItobeaskedwhatIintendtoputinitsplace？"
　　"Itdoesnotdevourit；onthecontrary，itisnecessarytoitsexistence。"
　　"Necessarytoitsexistence！Thatisahorribleblasphemy，thefalsityofwhichwillbeseeninthefuture。Ilovethehumanrace；
　　Iwouldfainseemenlikemyself，freeandhappy，andsuperstitionandfreedomcannotgotogether。Wheredoyoufindanenslavedandyetahappypeople？"
　　"Youwish，then，toseethepeoplesovereign？"
　　"Godforbid！Theremustbeasovereigntogovernthemasses。"
　　"Inthatcaseyoumusthavesuperstition，forwithoutitthemasseswillneverobeyameremandeckedwiththenameofmonarch。"
　　"Iwillhavenomonarch；thewordexpressesdespotism，whichIhateasIdoslavery。"
　　"Whatdoyoumean，then？Ifyouwishtoputthegovernmentinthehandsofoneman，suchaman，Imaintain，willbeamonarch。"
　　"Iwouldhaveasovereignrulerofafreepeople，ofwhichheisthechiefbyanagreementwhichbindsthemboth，whichwouldpreventhimfrombecomingatyrant。"
　　"Addisonwilltellyouthatsuchasovereignisasheerimpossibility。IagreewithHobbes，oftwoevilschoosetheleast。
　　Anationwithoutsuperstitionwouldbeanationofphilosophers，andphilosopherswouldneverobey。Thepeoplewillonlybehappywhentheyarecrushedanddown—trodden，andboundinchains。"
　　"Thisishorrible；andyouareofthepeopleyourself。IfyouhavereadmyworksyoumusthaveseenhowIshewthatsuperstitionistheenemyofkings。"
　　"Readyourworks？Ihavereadandre—readthem，especiallyinplaceswhereIhavedifferedfromyou。Yourrulingpassionistheloveofhumanity。’Estubipeccas’。Thisblindsyou。Lovehumanity，butloveitasitis。Itisnotfittoreceivetheblessingsyouwouldlavishonit，andwhichwouldonlymakeitmorewretchedandperverse。Leavementheirdevouringmonster，itisdeartothem。
　　IhaveneverlaughedsoheartilyasatDonQuixoteassailedbythegalley—slaveswhomhisgenerosityhadsetfree。"
　　"Iamsorrythatyouhavesuchabadopinionofyourfellow—
　　creatures。Andbytheway，tellmewhetherthereisfreedominVenice。"
　　"Asmuchascanbeexpectedunderanaristocracy。OurlibertyisnotsogreatasthatwhichtheEnglishenjoy，butwearecontent。"
　　"EvenunderTheLeads？"
　　"Myimprisonmentwascertainlydespotic；butasIhadknowinglyabusedmylibertyIamsatisfiedthattheGovernmentwaswithinitsrightsinshuttingmeupwithouttheusualformalities。"
　　"Allthesame，youmadeyourescape。"
　　"Iusedmyrightsastheyhadusedtheirs。"
　　"Verygood！ButasfarasIcansee，nooneinVeniceisreallyfree。"
　　"Thatmaybe；butyoumustagreethattheessenceoffreedomconsistsinthinkingyouhaveit。"
　　"Ishallnotagreetothatsoeasily。YouandIseelibertyfromverydifferentpointsofview。Thearistocrats，themembersoftheGovernmenteven，arenotfreeatVenice；forexample，theycannottravelwithoutpermission。"
　　"True，butthatisarestrictionoftheirownmakingtopreservetheirpower。WouldyousaythataBerneseisnotfree，becauseheissubjecttothesumptuarylaws，whichhehimselfhadmade。"
　　"Well，well，Iwishthepeoplemadethelawseverywhere。"
　　Afterthislivelyanswer，heabruptlyaskedmewhatpartIcamefrom。
　　"FromRoche，"saidI。"IshouldhavebeenverysorrytoleaveSwitzerlandwithoutseeingthefamousHaller。InmytravelsIrenderhomagetomylearnedcontemporaries，andyoucomethelastandbest。"
　　"YoumusthavelikedHaller。"
　　"Ispentthreeofthehappiestdaysofmylifewithhim。"
　　"Icongratulateyou。Heisagreatmanandworthyofallhonour。"
　　"Ithinkasyoudo，andIamgladtohearyoudoinghimjustice；Iamsorryhewasnotsojusttowardsyou。"
　　"Well，youseewemaybebothofusmistaken。"
　　Atthisreply，thequicknessofwhichconstituteditschiefmerit，everybodypresentbegantolaughandapplaud。
　　Nomorewassaidofliterature，andIbecameasilentactortillM。deVoltaireretired，whenIapproachedMadameDenis，andaskedherifshehadanycommandsformeatRome。Iwenthomewellpleasedathavingcompelledthegiantofintellecttolistentoreason，asI
　　thenthoughtfoolishlyenough；buttherewasaranklingfeelingleftinmyheartagainsthimwhichmademe，tenyearslater，criticiseallhehadwritten。
　　Iamsorrynowforhavingdoneso，thoughonreadingmycensuresoveragainIfindthatinmanyplacesIwasright。Ishouldhavedonebetter，however，tohavekeptsilence，tohaverespectedhisgenius，andtohavesuspectedmyownopinions。Ishouldhaveconsideredthatifithadnotbeenforthosequipsandcrankswhichmademehatehimonthethirdday，Ishouldhavethoughthimwhollysublime。Thisthoughtaloneshouldhavesilencedme，butanangrymanalwaysthinkshimselfright。PosterityonreadingmyattackwillrankmeamongtheZoyluses，andthehumbleapologyInowmaketothegreatman’sshadesmaynotberead。
　　IfwemeetinthehallsofPluto，themorepeccantpartsofourmortalnaturepurgedaway，allwillbemadeup；hewillreceivemyheartfeltapologies，andhewillbemyfriend，Ihissincereadmirer。
　　IspentpartofthenightandthewholeofthefollowingdayinwritingdownmyconversationswithVoltaire，andtheyamountednearlytoavolume，ofwhichIhaveonlygivenamereabridgment。TowardstheeveningmyEpicureansyndiccalledonme，andwewenttosupwiththethreenymphs，andforfivehoursweindulgedineveryspeciesofwantonness，inwhichIhadasomewhatfertileimagination。OnleavingIpromisedtocallonthemagainonmyreturnfromRome，andIkeptmyword。Isetoutthenextday，afterdiningwiththesyndic，whoaccompaniedmeasfarasAnneci，whereIspentthenight。
　　NextdayIdinedatAix，withtheintentionoflyingatChamberi，butmydestinyorderedotherwise。
　　Aixisavillainousholewherethemineralwatersattractpeopleoffashiontowardstheendofthesummer——acircumstanceofwhichIwasthenignorant。Idinedhastily，wishingtosetoutimmediatelyforChamberi，wheninthemiddleofmyrepastacrowdoffashionablepeopleburstintotheroom。Ilookedatthemwithoutstirring，replyingwithaninclinationoftheheadtothebowswhichsomeofthemmademe。Isoondiscoveredfromtheirconversationthattheyhadallcometotakethewaters。AgentlemanofafinepresencecameuptomeandaskedifIweregoingtoTurin；IansweredthatmywaywastoMarseilles。
　　Theirdinnerwasserved，andeverybodysatdown。AmongthemI
　　noticedseveralpleasant—lookingladies，withgentlemenwhowereeithertheirhusbandsortheirlovers。IconcludedthatImightfindsomeamusementwiththem，astheyallspokeFrenchwiththateasytoneofgoodsocietywhichissoattractive，andIfeltthatIshouldbeinclinedtostaywithoutmuchpressing，forthatdayatallevents。
　　Ifinishedmydinnerbeforethecompanyhadcometotheendoftheirfirstcourse，andasmycoachcouldnotgoforanotherhourIwentuptoaprettywoman，andcomplimentedheronthegoodthewatersofAixseemedtohavedoneher，forherappetitemadeallwholookedatherfeelhungry。
　　"Ichallengeyoutoprovethatyouarespeakingthetruth，"saidshe，withasmile。Isatdownnexttoher，andshegavemeanicepieceoftheroastwhichIateasifIhadbeenfasting。
　　WhileIwastalkingwiththelady，andeatingthemorselsshegaveme，IheardavoicesayingthatIwasintheabbe’splace，andanothervoicereplyingthattheabbehadbeengoneforhalfanhour。
　　"Whyhashegone？"askedathird，"hesaidhewasgoingtostayhereforanotherweek。"Atthistherewassomewhispering，butthedepartureofanabbehadnothinginterestinginitforme，andI
　　continuedeatingandtalking。ItoldLeDuc，whowasstandingbehindmychair，togetmesomechampagne。Iofferedtheladysome，sheaccepted，andeveryonebegantocallforchampagne。Seeingmyneighbour’sspiritsrising，Iproceededtomakelovetoher，andaskedherifshewerealwaysasreadytodefythosewhopaidtheircourttoher。
　　"Somanyofthem，"sheanswered，"arenotworthythetrouble。"
　　Shewasprettyandquick—witted，andItookafancytoher，andwishedforsomepretextonwhichIcouldputoffmydeparture，andchancecametomyaid。
　　"Theplacenexttoyouwasconvenientlyempty，"saidaladytomyneighbourwhowasdrinkingwithme。
　　"Veryconveniently，formyneighbourweariedme。"
　　"Hadhenoappetite？"saidI。
　　"Gamestersonlyhaveanappetiteformoney。"
　　"Usually，butyourpowerisextraordinary；forIhavenevermadetwodinnersononedaybeforenow。"
　　"Onlyoutofpride；asIamsureyouwilleatnosupper。"
　　"Letusmakeabetonit。"
　　"Wewill；wewillbetthesupper。"
　　"Allright。"
　　Alltheguestsbegantoclap，andmyfairneighbourblushedwithpleasure。IorderedLeDuctotellmycoachmanthatIshouldnotbegoingtillthenextday。
　　"Itismybusiness，"saidthelady，"toorderthesupper。"
　　"Yes，youareright；forhewhopays，orders。Mypartwillbetoopposeyoutotheknife，andifIeatasmuchasyouIshallbethewinner。"
　　"Verygood。"
　　Attheendofdinner，theindividualwhohadaddressedmebeforecalledforcards，andmadeasmallbankoffaro。Heputdowntwenty—
　　fivePiedmontesepistoles，andsomesilvermoneytoamusetheladies——altogetheritamountednearlytofortylouis。Iremainedaspectatorduringthefirstdeal，andconvincedmyselfthatthebankerplayedverywell。
　　Whilsthewasgettingreadyfortheseconddeal，theladyaskedmewhyIdidnotplay。Iwhisperedtoherthatshehadmademelosemyappetiteformoney。Sherepaidthiscomplimentwithacharmingsmile。
　　Afterthisdeclaration，feelingmyselfentitledtoplay，Iputdownfortylouis，andlostthemintwodeals。Igotup，andonthebankersayingverypolitelythathewassorryformyloss，Irepliedthatitwasamerenothing，butthatIalwaysmadeitarulenevertoriskasumofmoneylargerthanthebank。SomebodythenaskedmeifIknewacertainAbbeGilbert。
　　"Iknewamanofthatname，"saidI，"atParis；hecamefromLyons，andowesmeapairofears，whichImeantocutoffhisheadwhenI
　　meethim。"
　　Myquestionermadenoreplytothis，andeverybodyremainedsilent，asifnothinghadbeensaid。FromthisIconcludedthattheabbeaforesaidmustbethesamewhoseplaceIhadoccupiedatdinner。Hehaddoubtlessseenmeonmyarrivalandhadtakenhimselfoff。ThisabbewasarascalwhohadvisitedmeatLittlePoland，towhomIhadentrustedaringwhichhadcostmefivethousandflorinsinHolland；
　　nextdaythescoundrelhaddisappeared。
　　Wheneverybodyhadleftthetable，IaskedLeDucifIwerewelllodged。
　　"No，"saidhe；"wouldyouliketoseeyourroom？"
　　Hetookmetoalargeroom，ahundredpacesfromtheinn，whosesolefurnitureconsistedofitsfourwalls，alltheotherroomsbeingoccupied。Icomplainedvainlytotheinn—keeper，whosaid，"It’sallIcanofferyou，butIwillhaveagoodbed，atable，andchairstakenthere。"
　　Ihadtocontentmyselfwithit，astherewasnochoice。
　　"Youwillsleepinmyroom，"saidItoLeDuc，"takecaretoprovideyourselfwithabed，andbringmybaggagein。"
　　"WhatdoyouthinkofGilbert，sir？"saidmySpaniard；"Ionlyrecognizedhimjustashewasgoing，andIhadalivelydesiretotakehimbythebackofhisneck。"
　　"Youwouldhavedonewelltohavesatisfiedthatdesire。"
　　"Iwill，whenIseehimagain。"
　　AsIwasleavingmybigroom，Iwasaccostedpolitelybyamanwhosaidhewasgladtobemyneighbour，andofferedtotakemetothefountainifIweregoingthere。Iacceptedhisoffer。Hewasatallfairman，aboutfiftyyearsold；hemustoncehavebeenhandsome，buthisexcessivepolitenessshouldhavemademesuspecthim；however，I
　　wantedsomebodytotalkto，andtogivemethevariouspiecesofinformationIrequired。OnthewayheinformedmeoftheconditionofthepeopleIhadseen，andIlearntthatnoneofthemhadcometoAixforthesakeofthewaters。
　　"Iamtheonlyone，"saidhe，"whotakesthemoutofnecessity。Iamconsumptive；Igetthinnereveryday，andifthewatersdon’tdomeanygoodIshallnotlastmuchlonger。"
　　Soalltheothershaveonlycomehereforamusement’ssake？"
　　"Andtogame，sir，fortheyareallprofessionalgamesters。"
　　"AretheyFrench？"
　　"TheyareallfromPiedmontorSavoy；IamtheonlyFrenchmanhere。"
　　"WhatpartofFrancedoyoucomefrom？"
　　"FromLorraine；myfather，whoiseightyyearsold，istheMarquisDesarmoises。Heonlykeepsonlivingtospiteme，forasImarriedagainsthiswisheshehasdisinheritedme。However，asIamhisonlyson，Ishallinherithispropertyafterhisdeath，inspiteofhim。
　　MyhouseisatLyons，butInevergothere，asIhavethemisfortunetobeinlovewithmyeldestdaughter，andmywifewatchesussocloselyastomakemycourtshiphopeless。"
　　"Thatisveryfine；otherwise，Isuppose，yourdaughterwouldtakepityonheramorouspapa？"
　　"Idaresay，forsheisveryfondofme，andhasanexcellentheart。"
　　CHAPTERXX
　　MyAdventuresatAix——MySecondM。M。——MadameZeroliThisman，who，thoughhedidnotknowme，puttheutmostconfidenceinme，sofarfromthinkinghewashorrifyingmebytheconfessionofsuchwickedness，probablyconsideredhewasdoingmeagreathonour。
　　WhileIlistenedtohimIreflectedthatthoughdepravedhemighthavehisgoodpoints，andthathisweaknessmighthaveapitiableifnotapardonableside。However，wishingtoknowmoreofhim，I
　　said，——
　　"Inspiteofyourfather’ssternness，youliveverywell。"
　　"Onthecontrary，Iliveveryill。IenjoyapensionfromtheGovernment，whichIsurrendertomywife，andasformeImakealivelihoodonmytravels。Iplayblackgammonandmostothergamesperfectly。IwinmoreoftenthanIlose，andIliveonmywinnings。"
　　"Butiswhatyouhavetoldmeaboutyourdaughterknowntothevisitorshere？"
　　"Everybodyknowsit；whyshouldIhideit？Iamamanofhonourandinjurenoone；and，besides，myswordissharp。"
　　"Quiteso；butwouldyoutellmewhetheryouallowyourdaughtertohavealover？"
　　"Ishouldhavenoobjection，butmywifeisreligious。"
　　"Isyourdaughterpretty？"
　　"Very；ifyouaregoingtoLyons，youcangoandseeher；Iwillgiveyoualetterofintroductionforher。""Thankyou，butIamgoingtoItaly。Canyoutellmethenameofthegentlemanwhokeptthebank？"
　　"ThatisthefamousParcalier，MarquisdePriesincethedeathofhisfather，whomyoumayhaveknownasambassadoratVenice。ThegentlemanwhoaskedyouifyouknewtheAbbeGilbertistheChevalierZeroli，husbandoftheladyyouaretosupwith。Therestarecounts，marquises，andbaronsoftheusualkind，somefromPiedmontandsomefromSavoy。Twoorthreearemerchants’sons，andtheladiesarealltheirfriendsorrelations。Theyareallprofessionalgamblersandsharp—witted。Whenastrangercomesheretheyknowhowtogetoverhim，andifheplaysitisallupwithhim，fortheygotogetherlikepickpocketsatafair。Theythinktheyhavegotyou，sotakecareofyourself。"
　　Intheeveningwereturnedtotheinn，andfoundallthecompanyplaying，andmycompanionproceededtoplaywithaCountdeScarnafisch。
　　TheChevalierZeroliofferedtoplayfarowithmeforfortysequins，andIhadjustlostthatsumwhensupperwasserved。Mylosshadnotaffectedmyspirits，andtheladyfindingmeatoncehungryandgaypaidthebetwithagoodgrace。AtsupperIsurprisedherincertainside—glances，whichwarnedmethatshewasgoingtotrytodupeme；I
　　feltmyselfsafeasfaraslovewasconcerned，butIhadreasontodreadfortune，alwaysthefriendofthosewhokeepabankatfaro，especiallyasIhadalreadylost。Ishouldhavedonewelltogo，butIhadnotthestrength；allIcoulddowastopromisemyselfthatI
　　wouldbeextremelyprudent。Havinglargesumsinpapermoneyandplentyofgold，itwasnotdifficultformetobecareful。
　　JustaftersuppertheMarquisdePriemadeabankofaboutthreehundredsequins。HisstakingthispaltrysumshewedmethatIhadmuchtoloseandlittletowin，asitwasevidentthathewouldhavemadeabankofathousandsequinsifhehadhadthem。IputdownfiftyPortuguesecrowns，andsaidthatassoonasIhadlostthemI
　　shouldgotobed。InthemiddleofthethirddealIbrokethebank。
　　"Iamgoodforanothertwohundredlouis，"saidthemarquis。
　　"Ishouldbegladtocontinueplaying，"Ireplied，"ifIhadnottogoatday—break"；andIthereuponlefttheroom。
　　JustasIwasgoingtobed，Desarmoisescameandaskedmetolendhimtwelvelouis。Ihadexpectedsomesuchrequest，andIcountedthemouttohim。Heembracedmegratefully，andtoldmethatMadameZerolihadsworntomakemestayonatleastforanotherday。I
　　smiledandcalledLeDuc，andaskedhimifmycoachmanknewthatI
　　wasstartingearly；herepliedthathewouldbeatthedoorbyfiveo’clock。
　　"Verygood，"saidDesarmoises，"butIwillwagerthatyouwillnotgoforallthat。"
　　HewentoutandIwenttobed，laughingathisprophecy。
　　Atfiveo’clocknextmorningthecoachmancametotellmethatoneofthehorseswasillandcouldnottravel。IsawthatDesarmoiseshadhadaninklingofsomeplot，butIonlylaughed。Isentthemanroughlyabouthisbusiness，andtoldLeDuctogetmepost—horsesattheinn。Theinn—keepercameandtoldmethattherewerenohorses，andthatitwouldtakeallthemorningtofindsome，astheMarquisdePrie，whowasleavingatoneo’clockinthemorning，hademptiedhisstables。IansweredthatinthatcaseIwoulddineatAix，butthatIcountedonhisgettingmehorsesbytwoo’clockintheafternoon。
　　Ilefttheroomandwenttothestable，whereIfoundthecoachmanweepingoveroneofhishorsesstretchedoutonthestraw。Ithoughtitwasreallyanaccident，andconsoledthepoordevil，payinghimasifhehaddonehiswork，andtellinghimIshouldnotwanthimanymore。Ithenwenttowardsthefountain，butthereaderwillbeastonishedbyameetingofthemostromanticcharacter，butwhichisyetthestricttruth。
　　AtafewpacesfromthefountainIsawtwonunscomingfromit。Theywereveiled，butIconcludedfromtheirappearancethatonewasyoungandtheotherold。Therewasnothingastonishinginsuchasight，buttheirhabitattractedmyattention，foritwasthesameasthatwornbymydearM————M————，whomIhadseenforthelasttimeonJuly24th，1755，fiveyearsbefore。Thelookofthemwasenough，nottomakemebelievethattheyoungnunwasM————M————，buttoexcitemycuriosity。Theywerewalkingtowardsthecountry，soIturnedtocutthemoffthatImightseethemfacetofaceandbeseenofthem。
　　WhatwasmyemotionwhenIsawtheyoungnun，who，walkinginfront，andliftingherveil，disclosedtheveritablefaceofM————M————。
　　Icouldnotdoubtthatitwasshe，andIbegantowalkbesideher；
　　butsheloweredherveil，andturnedtoavoidme。
　　Thereasonsshemighthaveforsuchacoursepassedinamomentthroughmymind，andIfollowedheratadistance，andwhenshehadgoneaboutfivehundredpacesIsawherenteralonelyhouseofpoorappearancethatwasenoughforme。IreturnedtothefountaintoseewhatIcouldlearnaboutthenun。
　　OnmywaythereIlostmyselfinamazeofconjectures。
　　"ThetoocharmingandhaplessM————M————，"saidItomyself，"musthaveleftherconvent，desperate——nay，mad；forwhydoesshestillwearthehabitofherorder？Perhaps，though，shehasgotadispensationtocomehereforthewaters；thatmustbethereasonwhyshehasanunwithher，andwhyshehasnotleftoffherhabit。Atalleventsthejourneymusthavebeenundertakenunderfalsepretences。Hassheabandonedherselftosomefatalpassion，ofwhichtheresulthasbeenpregnancy？Sheisdoubtlessperplexed，andmusthavebeenpleasedtoseeme。Iwillnotdeceiveherexpectations；I
　　willdoallinmypowertoconvinceherthatIamworthyofher。"
　　LostinthoughtIdidnotnoticeIhadarrivedatthefountain，roundwhichstoodthewholehostofgamesters。Theyallcrowdedroundme，andsaidhowcharmedtheyweretoseemestillthere。IaskedtheChevalierZeroliafterhiswife，andhetoldmeshewasstillabed，andthatitwouldbeagoodthingifIwouldgoandmakehergetup。
　　Iwasjustgoingwhenthedoctoroftheplaceaccostedme，saying，thatthewatersoftheAixwouldincreasemygoodhealth。Fulloftheoneidea，IaskedhimdirectlyifhewerethedoctorinattendanceonaprettynunIhadseen。
　　"Shetakesthewaters，"hereplied，"butshedoesnotspeaktoanyone。"
　　"Wheredoesshecomefrom？"
　　"Nobodyknows；shelivesinapeasant’shouse。"
　　Ileftthedoctor，andinsteadofgoingtowardstheinn，wherethehussyZeroliwasdoubtlesswaitingforme，Imademywaytowardsthepeasant’shouse，whichalreadyseemedtomethetempleofthemostblissfuldeities，determinedtoobtaintheinformationIrequiredasprudentlyasmightbe。Butasiflovehadfavouredmyvows，whenI
　　waswithinahundredpacesofthecottageIsawthepeasantwomancomingouttomeetme。
　　"Sir，"saidshe，accostingme，"theyoungnunbegsyoutoreturnthiseveningatnineo’clock；thelay—sisterwillbeasleepthen，andshewillbeabletospeakfreelytoyou。"
　　Therecouldbenomoredoubt。Myheartleaptwithjoy。Igavethecountry—womanalouis，andpromisedtobeatthehouseatnineexactly。
　　WiththecertaintyofseeingmydearM————M————againIreturnedtotheinn，andonascertainingwhichwasMadameZeroli’sroomIenteredwithoutceremony，andtoldherthatherhusbandhadsentmetomakehergetup。
　　"Ithoughtyouweregone？"
　　"Iamgoingattwo。"
　　Ifoundherstillmoreenticinginbedthanattable。Ihelpedhertoputonherstays，andthesightofhercharmsinflamedmyardour，butIexperiencedmoreresistancethanIhadanticipated。Isatdownatthefootofthebed，andtoldherhowferventlyIlovedher，andhowunhappyIwasatnotbeingabletogivehermarksofmylovebeforeIleft。
　　"But，"saidshe，laughing，"youhaveonlygottostay。"
　　"Givemesomehope，andIwillstaytillto—morrow。"
　　"Youareintoomuchofahurry，takethingsmorequietly。"
　　Icontentedmyselfwiththefewfavoursshegrantedme，pretendingasusualonlytoyieldtoviolence，whenIwasobligedtorestrainmyselfontheappearanceofherhusband，whotooktheprecautionofmakinganoisebeforehecarnein。Assoonasshesawhim，shesaid，withouttheslightestperturbation，"Ihavepersuadedthegentlemantostaytellthedayafterto—morrow。"
　　"Iamallthemorepleasedtohearit，mydear，"saidthechevalier，"asIowehimhisrevenge。"
　　Withthesewordshetookupapackofcards，whichcameasreadilytohishandsasiftheyhadbeenplacedthereonpurpose，andseatinghimselfbesidehiswife，whomhemadeintothetable，hebegantodeal。
　　Icouldnotdrawback，andasmythoughtsweredistractedIkeptonlosingtilltheycametotellmedinnerwasready。
　　"Ihavenotimetodress，"saidthelady，"soIwillhavemydinnerinbed，ifyougentlemenwillkeepmecompany。"
　　HowcouldIrefuse？Thehusbandwentouttoorderthedinner，andfeelingmyselfauthorizedbythelossoftwentyLouis，ItoldthehussythatifshewouldnotgivemeaplainpromisetomakemehappythatafternoonIshouldgoawaywhenIhadhadmydinner。
　　"Breakfastwithmeto—morrowmorning。Weshallbealone。"
　　Afterreceivingfromhercertainearnestsofherpromise，Ipromisedtostayon。
　　Wedinedbyherbedside，andItoldLeDucthatIshouldnotbegoingtilltheafternoonofthenextday，whichmadethehusbandandwiferadiant。Whenwehaddone，theladysaidshewouldliketogetup；
　　andIwentout，promisingtoreturnandplaypiquetwithher。I
　　proceededtorelinemypurse，andImetDesarmoises，whosaid，"Ihavefoundoutthesecret；theygavehercoachmantwoLouistosubstituteasickhorseforhisown。"
　　"It’samatterofgiveandtake，"saidI；"Iaminlovewiththechevalier’swife，andIamputtingoffmydeparturetillIhavegotallIwantoutofher。"
　　"Iamafraidyouwillhavetopayprettydearlyforyourpleasure。
　　However，IwilldowhatIcanforyourinterests。"
　　Ithankedhimsmilingly，andreturnedtothelady，whomIleftateighto’clockunderpretextofaviolentheadache，afterhavinglosttenlouistoher。Iremindedherofherpromisefornextmorningatnineo’clock，andIleftherinthemidstofthecompany。
　　ItwasafinemoonlightnightasIwalkedtowardsthepeasant’shouse，whereIwastoseemydearM————M————oncemore。Iwasimpatienttoseewhatthevisit，onwhichtherestofmylifemightdepend，wouldbringforth。
　　Ihadtakentheprecautiontoprovidemyselfwithapairofpistols，andmyswordhungatmyside，forIwasnotwhollydevoidofsuspicioninthisplace，wherethereweresomanyadventurers；butattwentypacesfromthecottageIsawthewomancomingtowardsme。Shetoldmethatthenuncouldnotcomedown，soImustbecontenttoenterthroughthewindow，bymeansofaladderwhichshehadplacedthereforthepurpose。Idrewnear，andnotseeinganylightI
　　shouldnothaveeasilydecidedongoingup，ifIhadnotheardthevoiceIthoughtIknewsowell，saying，"Fearnothing；come。"
　　Besides，thewindowwasnotveryhighup，andtherecouldnotbemuchdangerofatrap。Iascended，andthoughtforcertainthatIheldmydearM————M————inmyarms，asIcoveredherfacewithmyardentkisses。
　　"Why，"saidI，inVenetian，"haveyounotalight？Ihopeyouaregoingtoinformmeofaneventwhichseemswonderfultome；quick，dearest，satisfymyimpatience。"
　　ThereaderwillguessmysurprisewhenhelearnsthatonhearinghervoiceclosetomeIfoundthatshewasnotM————M————。ShetoldmethatshedidnotunderstandVenetian，andthatIdidnotrequirealighttotellherwhatM。deCouderthaddecidedondoingtosaveherfromherperil。
　　"Yousurpriseme；IdonotknowM。deCoudert。What！AreyounotaVenetian？AreyounotthenunIsawthismorning？"
　　"Haplessone！Ihavemadeamistake。Iamthenunyousawthismorning，butIamFrench。InthenameofGodkeepmycounselandbegone，forIhavenothingtosaytoyou！Whisper，forifthelay—
　　sisterwokeupIshouldbeundone。"
　　"Donotbeafraidofmydiscretion。Whatdeceivedmewasyourexactlikenesstoanunofyourorderwhowillbealwaysdeartome:andifyouhadnotallowedmetoseeyourfeaturesIshouldnothavefollowedyou。ForgivethetendernessIshewedtowardsyou，thoughyoumustthinkmeveryaudacious。"
　　"Youastonishedmeverymuch，butyoudidnotoffendme。IwishI
　　werethenuninwhomyouareinterested。Iamonthebrinkofafearfulprecipice。"
　　"Iftenlouisareanygoodtoyou，itwillbeanhonourformetogiveyouthem。"
　　"Thankyou，Ihavenoneedofmoney。Allowmetogiveyoubackthelouisyousentmethismorning。"
　　"Thelouiswasforthecountry—woman。Youincreasemysurprise；praytellmewhatisthemisfortuneunderwhichyoulabour，forwhichmoneycandonothing。"
　　"PerhapsGodhassentyoutomyaid。Maybeyouwillgivemegoodadvice。ListentowhatIamabouttotellyou。"
　　"Iamatyourservice，andIwilllistenwiththegreatestattention。
　　Letussitdown。"
　　"Iamafraidthereisneitherseatnorbed。"
　　"Sayon，then；wewillremainstanding。"
　　"IcomefromGrenoble。IwasmadetotaketheveilatChamberi。Twoyearsaftermyprofession，M。deCoudertfoundmeanstoseeme。I
　　receivedhimintheconventgarden，thewallsofwhichhescaled，andatlastIwassounfortunateastobecomepregnant。Theideaofgivingbirthtoachildattheconventwastoodreadful——IshouldhavelanguishedtillIdiedinaterribledungeon——andM。deCoudertthoughtofaplanfortakingmeoutoftheconvent。AdoctorwhomhegainedoverwithalargesumofmoneydeclaredthatIshoulddieunlessIcameheretotakethewaters，whichhedeclaredweretheonlycureformyillness。AprincesswhomM。deCoudertknewwaspartlyadmittedtothesecret，andsheobtainedtheleaveofabsenceforthreemonthsfromtheBishopofChamberi，andtheabbessconsentedtomygoing。
　　"Ithushopedtobedeliveredbeforetheexpirationofthethreemonths；butIhaveassuredlymadeamistake，forthetimedrawstoanendandIfeelnosignsofaspeedydelivery。Iamobligedtoreturntotheconvent，andyetIcannotdoso。Thelay—sisterwhoiswithmeisaperfectshrew。Shehasordersnottoletmespeaktoanybody，andnevertoletmyfacebeseen。Sheitwaswhomademeturnwhenshesawyoufollowingus。IliftedmyveilforyoutoseethatIwassheofwhomIthoughtyouwereinsearch，andhappilythelay—sisterdidnotnoticeme。Shewantsmetoreturnwithhertotheconventinthreedays，asshethinksIhaveanincurabledropsy。Shedoesnotallowmetospeaktothedoctor，whomImight，perhaps，havegainedoverbytellinghimthetruth。Iamonlytwenty—one，andyetIlongfordeath。"
　　"Donotweepso，dearsister，andtellmehowyouexpecttobedeliveredherewithoutthelay—sisterbeingawareofit？"
　　"TheworthywomanwithwhomIamstayingisanangelofgoodness。I
　　haveconfidedinher，andshepromisedmethatwhenIfeltthepangscomingonshewouldgivethatmaliciouswomanasporific，andthusweshouldbefreedfromallfearsofher。Byvirtueofthedrugshenowsleepssoundlyintheroomunderthisgarret。"
　　"WhywasInotletinbythedoor？"
　　"Topreventthewoman’sbrotherseeingyou；heisarudeboor。"
　　"WhatmadeyouthinkthatIhadanythingtodowithM。deCoudert？"
　　"Tenortwelvedaysago，Iwrotetohimandtoldhimofmydreadfulposition。IpaintedmysituationwithsuchlivelycoloursthatI
　　thoughthemustdoallinhispowertohelpme。Asthewretchedclingtoeverystraw，Ithought，whenIsawyoufollowingme，thatyouwerethedelivererhehadsent。"
　　"Areyousurehegotyourletter？"
　　"ThewomanposteditatAnneci。"
　　"Youshouldwritetotheprincess。"
　　"Idarenot。"
　　"Iwillseehermyself，andIwillseeM。deCoudert。Infine，I
　　willmoveheavenandearth，Iwillevengotothebishop，toobtainanextensionofyourleave；foritisoutofthequestionforyoutoreturntotheconventinyourpresentsituation。Youmustdecide，forIcandonothingwithoutyourconsent。Willyoutrustinme？
　　Ifso，Iwillbringyouaman’sclothesto—morrowandtakeyoutoItalywithme，andwhileIliveIswearIwillcareforyou。"
　　Forreply，Ionlyheardlong—drawnsobs，whichdistressedmebeyondwords，forIfeltacutelythesituationofthispoorcreaturewhomHeavenhadmadetobeamother，andwhomthecrueltyofherparentshadcondemnedtobeauselessnun。
　　Notknowingwhatelsetosay，Itookherhandandpromisedtoreturnthenextdayandhearherdecision，foritwasabsolutelynecessarythatsheshoulddecideonsomeplan。Iwentawaybytheladder，andgaveasecondlouistotheworthywoman，tellingherthatIshouldbewithheronthemorrowatthesamehour，butthatIshouldliketobeabletoenterbythedoor。Ibeggedhertogivethelay—sisterastrongerdoseofopium，sothatthereshouldbenofearofherawakingwhileItalkedwiththeyoungnun。
　　IwenttobedgladatheartthatIhadbeenwronginthinkingthatthenunwasM————M————。Neverthelessthegreatlikenessbetweenthemmademewishtoseehernearerathand，andIwassurethatshewouldnotrefusemetheprivilegeoflookingatherthenextday。I
　　smiledatthethoughtoftheardentkissesIhadgivenher，butI
　　feltthatIcouldnotleavehertoherfate。IwasgladtofindthatIdidnotneedanysensualmotivetourgemetoagooddeed，forassoonasIfoundthatitwasnotM————M————whohadreceivedthosetenderkissesIfeltashamedofhavinggiventhem。IhadnotevengivenherafriendlykisswhenIlefther。
　　InthemorningDesarmoisescameandtoldmethatallthecompany，notseeingmeatsupper，hadbeenpuzzlingitselftofindoutwhathadbecomeofme。MadameZerolihadspokenenthusiasticallyaboutme，andhadtakenthejestsofthetwootherladiesingoodpart，boastingthatshecouldkeepmeatAixaslongassheremainedthereherself。ThefactwasthatIwasnotamorousbutcuriouswhereshewasconcerned，andIshouldhavebeensorrytohavelefttheplacewithoutobtainingcompletepossessionofher，foronceatallevents。
　　Ikeptmyappointment，andenteredherroomatnineo’clockexactly。
　　Ifoundherdressed，andonmyreproachinghershesaidthatitshouldbeofnoconsequencetomewhethersheweredressedorundressed。Iwasangry，andItookmychocolatewithoutsomuchasspeakingtoher。WhenIhadfinishedsheofferedmemyrevengeatpiquet，butIthankedherandbeggedtobeexcused，tellingherthatinthehumourinwhichshehadputmeIshouldprovethebetterplayer，andthatIdidnotcaretowinladies’money。SosayingI
　　rosetoleavetheroom。
　　"Atleastbekindenoughtotakemetothefountain。"
　　"Ithinknot。Ifyoutakemeforafreshman，youmakeamistake，andIdon’tcaretogivetheimpressionthatIampleasedwhenIamdispleased。Youcangetwhomsoeveryoupleasetotakeyoutothefountain，butasformeImustbegtobeexcused。Farewell，madam。"
　　WiththesewordsIwentout，payingnoattentiontohereffortstorecallme。
　　Ifoundtheinn—keeper，andtoldhimthatImustleaveatthreeo’clockwithoutafail。Thelady，whowasatherwindow，couldhearme。Iwentstraighttothefountainwherethechevalieraskedmewhathadbecomeofhiswife，andIansweredthatIhadleftherinherroominperfecthealth。Inhalfanhourwesawhercomingwithastranger，whowaswelcomedbyacertainM。deSt。Maurice。MadameZerolilefthim，andtackedherselfontome，asiftherehadbeennothingthematter。Icouldnotrepulseherwithoutthemosttroublesomeconsequences，butIwasverycold。Aftercomplainingofmyconductshesaidthatshehadonlybeentryingme，thatifI
　　reallylovedherIshouldputoffmydeparture，andthatIshouldbreakfastwithherateighto’clockthenextday。IansweredcoollythatIwouldthinkitover。Iwasseriousalldinner—time，andsaidonceortwicethatImustgoatthreeo’clock，butasIwantedtofindsomepretextforstayingonaccountofthenun，Iletmyselfbepersuadedintomakingabankatfaro。
　　IstakedallthegoldIhad，andIsaweveryfacelightupasIputdownaboutfourhundredlouisingold，andaboutsixhundredfrancsinsilver。"Gentlemen，"saidI，"Ishallriseateighto’clockprecisely。"Thestrangersaid，withasmile，thatpossiblythebankmightnotlivesolong，butIpretendednottounderstandhim。Itwasjustthreeo’clock。IbeggedDesarmoisestobemycroupier，andIbegantodealwithduedeliberationtoeighteenortwentypunters，allprofessionalgamblers。Itookanewpackateverydeal。
　　Byfiveo’clockIhadlostmoney。Weheardcarriagewheels，andtheysaiditwasthreeEnglishmenfromGeneva，whowerechanginghorsestogoontoChamberi。Amomentaftertheycamein，andIbowed。ItwasMr。Foxandhistwofriends，whohadplayedquinzewithme。Mycroupiergavethemcards，whichtheyreceivedgladly，andwenttenlouis，playingontwoandthreecards，goingparoli，sevenandthe’va’，aswellasthe’quinze’，sothatmybankwasindangerofbreaking。However，Ikeptupmyface，andevenencouragedthemtoplay，for，Godbeingneutral，thechanceswereinmyfavour。Soithappened，andatthethirddealIhadclearedtheEnglishmenout，andtheircarriagewasready。
　　WhileIwasshufflingafreshpackofcards，theyoungestofthemdrewoutofhispocket—bookapaperwhichhespewedtohistwocompanions。Itwasabillofexchange。"Willyoustakethevalueofthisbillonacard，withoutknowingitsvalue？"saidhe。
　　"Yes，"Ireplied，"ifyouwilltellmeuponwhomitisdrawn，andprovidedthatitdoesnotexceedthevalueofthebank。"
　　Afterarapidglanceatthepileofgoldbeforeme，hesaid，"Thebillisnotforsolargeasumasyourbank，anditispayableatsightbyZappata，ofTurin。"
　　Iagreed，hecut，andputhismoneyonanace，thetwofriendsgoinghalfshares。Idrewanddrewanddrew，butnoaceappeared。Ihadonlyadozencardsleft。
　　"Sir，"saidI，calmlytothepunter，"youcandrawbackifyoulike。"
　　"No，goon。"
　　Fourcardsmore，andstillnoace；Ihadonlyeightcardsleft。
　　"Mylord，"saidI，"it’stwotoonethatIdonotholdtheace，I
　　repeatyoucandrawback。"
　　"No，no，youaretoogenerous，goon。"
　　Icontinueddealing，andwon；Iputthebillofexchangeinmypocketwithoutlookingatit。TheEnglishmenshookmebythehandandwentofflaughing。Iwasenjoyingtheeffectthisboldstrokehadmadeonthecompany，whenyoungFoxcameinandwitharoaroflaughterbeggedmetolendhimfiftyLouis。Icountedthemoutwiththegreatestpleasure，andhepaidmethembackinLondonthreeyearslater。
　　Everyonewascurioustoknowthevalueofthebillofexchange，butI
　　wasnotpoliteenoughtosatisfytheircuriosity。ItwasforeightthousandPiedmontesefrancs，asIsawassoonasIwasalone。
　　TheEnglishmenhadbroughtmegoodluck，forwhentheyhadgonefortunedeclaredforthebank。Iroseateighto’clock，someladieshavingwonafewlouis，alltheothersweredriedup。Ihadwonmorethanathousandlouis，andIgavetwenty—fivetoDesarmoises，whojumpedforjoy。Ilockedupmymoney，putmypistolsinmypocket，andsetouttowardsthemeeting—place。
　　Theworthypeasantwomanbroughtmeinbythedoor，tellingmethateverybodywasasleep，andthatshehadnotfounditnecessarytorenewthelay—sister’sdose，asshewasstillasleep。
　　Iwasterrified。Iwentupstairs，andbythelightofasinglecandleIsawthewretched，veiledfigureofthenun，extendeduponasackwhichthepeasantwomanhadplacedalongthewallinsteadofasofa。Thecandlewhichlightedthisdrearyplacewasfixedinabottle。
　　"Whathaveyoudecidedondoing？"saidI。
　　"Ihavedecidedonnothing，foranunforeseenincidenthasconfoundedus。Thelay—sisterhasbeenasleepforeighteenhours。"
　　"Shewilldieofconvulsionsorofanapoplecticfitto—nightifyoudonotcalladoctor，whomaypossiblyrestorehertolifewithadoseofcastoroil。"
　　"Wehavethoughtofthat，butwedidnotdaretotakethatstepforfearofconsequences；forwhetherherestoresherornot，hewillsaythatwehavepoisonedher。"
　　"Ipityyou，uponmysoul！Indeed，Ibelievethatitistoolate，andthatadoctorcoulddonothing。Onemustobeythelawsofprudenceandletherdie。Themischiefisdone，andIseenoremedy。"
　　"Atanyrate，weoughttothinkofhersoulandsendforapriest。"
　　"Apriestwoulddohernogood，assheisinaperfectlethargy；hersoulissafeenough。Besides，anignorantpriestwouldfindouttoomuch，andwouldtellthewholestoryeitherthroughmaliceorstupidity。Itwillbetimetocallapriestwhenshehasceasedtobreathe。Youmusttellhimthatshediedverysuddenly；youmustweepagreatdeal，andgivehimafee，andhewillthinkonlyofcalmingyourgrief，andnothingaboutthesuddendeath。"
　　"Thenwemustletherdie？"
　　"Wemustleavehertonature。"
　　"IfshediesIwillsendamessengertotheabbess，whowilldispatchanotherlay—sister。"
　　"Yes，andthatwillgiveyouanothertendays。Duringthattimeyoumaybedelivered，andyouwillconfessthateverycloudhasasilverlining。Donotgrieveso，butletusendeavourtosubmittothewillofGod。Sendforthecountry—woman，forImustgivehersomehintsastoherconductinthisdelicatematter，onwhichthehonourandlifeofallthreemaydepend。Forinstance，ifitwerediscoveredthatIhadcomehere，Imightbetakenforthepoisoner。"
　　Thewomancame，andIshewedherhownecessaryitwasforhertobeprudentanddiscreet。Sheunderstoodmeperfectly，perceivedherowndangerousposition，andpromisedthatshewouldnotsendforthepriesttillshewascertainofthesister’sdeath。Ithenmadeheraccepttenlouisincaseofneed。
　　Seeingherselfmaderichbymyliberality，shekissedmyhands，kneltdown，andburstingintotearspromisedtofollowmyadvicecarefully。
　　Whenshehadleftus，thenunbegantoweepbitterly，accusingherselfofthemurderofthelay—sister，andthinkingthatshesawhellopeningbeneathherfeet。Isoughtinvaintocalmher；hergriefincreased，andatlastshefellinadeadfaintonthesack。I
　　wasextremelydistressed，andnotknowingwhattodoIcalledtothewomantobringsomevinegar，asIhadnoessencesaboutme。AllatonceIrememberedthefamoushellebore，whichhadservedmesowellwithMadameand，takingthelittlebox，Iheldittohernostrils。
　　Ittookeffectjustasthewomanbroughtthevinegar。"Rubhertemples，"saidI。Shetookoffhercap，andtheblacknessofherhairwastheonlythingthatconvincedmeitwasnotmyfairVenetian。Thehelleborehavingbroughthertohersenses，sheopenedherlargeblackeyes，andfromthatmomentIfellmadlyinlovewithher。Thepeasantwoman，seeingthatshewasherselfagainandoutofdanger，wentaway，andtakingherbetweenmyarmsIcoveredherwithfierykisses，inspiteofhercontinuoussneezes。