"Nay，"saidValenglard，inaserioustone，whichstruckmeassupremelyridiculous，"shemustgo；herfatemustbefulfilled。"
　　ThefairMdlle。Romanseemedallamazed。Iletthemtalkon，andwesatdowntodinner。
　　[Thenexttwoparagraphsweremisplacedintheoriginal，likelybythetypesetter，andhavebeeninsertedherewhereitseemsthattheybelong。D。W。]
　　IhopedIshouldbeaskedtotakethediamondtoParismyself，andIfeltinclinedtogranttherequest。Iflatteredmyselfthattheycouldnotdowithoutme，andthatIshouldgetwhatIwanted，ifnotforloveatanyratethroughgratitude；indeed，whoknewwhatmightbecomeoftheplan？Themonarchwouldbesuretobecaughtdirectly。Ihadnodoubtsonthatsubject，forwhereisthemaninlovewhodoesnotthinkthathisbelovedobjectwillwintheheartsofallothers？ForthemomentIfeltquitejealousoftheking，but，frommythoroughknowledgeofmyowninconstancy，Ifeltsurethatmyjealousywouldceasewhenmylovehadbeenrewarded，andIwasawarethatLouisXV。didnotaltogetherholdtheopinionsofaTurkinsuchconcerns。Whatgaveanalmostdivinecharactertothehoroscopewasthepredictionofasontobeborn，whowouldmakethehappinessofFrance，andcouldonlycomefromtheroyalbloodandfromasingularvesselofelection。
　　Acuriousfancyincreasedmydelight，namely，thethoughtofbecomingafamousastrologerinanagewhenreasonandsciencehadsojustlydemolishedastrology。Ienjoyedthethoughtofseeingmyselfsoughtoutbycrownedheads，whicharealwaysthemoreaccessibletosuperstitiousnotions。IdeterminedIwouldbeparticulartowhomIgavemyadvice。WhohasnotmadehiscastlesinSpain？IfMdlle。RomangavebirthtoadaughterinsteadofasonIshouldbeamused，andallwouldnotbelost，forasonmightcomeafterwards。
　　Atfirstsilencereigned，andthentheconversationranonathousandtrifles，asisusualingoodsociety，butbydegrees，asIhadthought，theyreturnedtothehoroscope。
　　"Accordingtothehoroscope，"saidtheaunt，"thekingistofallinlovewithmynieceinhereighteenthyear；sheisnowcloseonit。Whatarewetodo？Wherearewetogetthehundredlouisnecessary？AndwhenshegetstoParisisshetogotothekingandsay，’HereIam，yourmajesty’？Andwhoisgoingtotakeherthere？Ican’t。"
　　"MyauntRomanmight，"saidtheyounglady，blushinguptohereyesattheroaroflaughterwhichnoneofuscouldrestrain。
　　"Well，"saidMadameMorin，"thereisMadameVarnier，oftheRuedeRichelieu；sheisanauntofyours。Shehasagoodestablishment，andknowseverybody。"
　　"See，"saidValenglard，"howthewaysofdestinyaremadeplain。
　　Youtalkofahundredlouis；twelvewillbesufficienttotakeyoutoMadameVarnier’s。Whenyougetthere，leavetheresttoyourfate，whichwillsurelyfavouryou。"
　　"IfyoudogotoParis，"saidI，"saynothingtoMadameRomanorMadameVarnieraboutthehoroscope。"
　　"Iwillsaynothingtoanyoneaboutit；but，afterall，itisonlyahappydream。IshallneverseeParis，stilllessLouisXV。"
　　Iarose，andgoingtomycash—boxItookoutarollofahundredandfiftylouis，whichIgavetoher，sayingitwasapacketofsweetmeats。Itfeltratherheavy，andonopeningitshefoundittocontainfiftypieces—of—eight，whichshetookformedals。
　　"Theyaregold，"saidValenglard。
　　"Andthegoldsmithwillgiveyouahundredandfiftylouisforthem，"addedM。Morin。
　　"Ibegyouwillkeepthem；youcangivemeabillpayableatPariswhenyoubecomerich。"
　　Iknewshewouldrefusetoacceptmypresent，althoughIshouldhavebeendelightedifshehadkeptthemoney。ButIadmiredherstrengthofmindinrestraininghertears，andthatwithoutdisturbingforamomentthesmileonherface。
　　Wewentouttotakeaturninthegarden。ValenglardandMadameMorinbeganonthetopicofthehoroscopeanew，andIleftthem，takingMdlle。Romanwithme。
　　"Iwishyouwouldtellme，"saidshe，whenwewereoutofhearingoftheothers，"ifthishoroscopeisnotallajoke。"
　　"No，"Ianswered，"itisquiteserious，butitalldependsonanif。IfyoudonotgotoParistheprophecywillneverbefulfilled。"
　　"Youmustthinkso，certainly，oryouwouldneverhaveofferedmethosefiftymedals。"
　　"Domethepleasureofacceptingthemnow；nobodywillknowanythingaboutit。"
　　"No，Icannot，thoughIammuchobligedtoyou。Butwhyshouldyouwanttogivemesuchalargesum？"
　　"Forthepleasureofcontributingtoyourhappiness，andinthehopethatyouwillallowmetoloveyou。"
　　"IfyoureallylovemetwhyshouldIopposeyourlove？Youneednotbuymyconsent；andtobehappyIdonotwanttopossesstheKingofFrance，ifyoudidbutknowtowhatmydesiresarelimited。"
　　"Tellme。"
　　"Iwouldfainfindakindhusband，richenoughforusnottolackthenecessariesoflife。"
　　"Buthowifyoudidnotlovehim？"
　　"Ifhewasagood，kindmanhowcouldIhelplovinghim？"
　　"Iseethatyoudonotknowwhatloveis。"
　　"Youareright。Idonotknowthelovethatmaddens，andIthankGodforit。"
　　"Well，Ithinkyouarewise；mayGodpreserveyoufromthatlove。"
　　"Yousay，thatassoonasthekingseesmehewillfallinlovewithme，andtotellyouthetruththatstrikesmeasvastlyimprobable；forthoughitisquitepossiblethathemaynotthinkmeplain，orhemightevenpronouncemepretty，yetIdonotthinkhewillbecomesomadlyinloveasyousay。"
　　"Youdon’t？Letussitdown。YouhaveonlygottofancythatthekingwilltakethesamelikingtoyouthatIhavedone；thatisall。"
　　"Butwhatdoyoufindinmethatyouwillnotfindinmostgirlsofmyage？Icertainlymayhavestruckyou；butthatonlyprovesthatIwasborntoexercisethisswayoveryou，andnotatallthatIamtorulethekinginlikemanner。WhyshouldIgoandlookfortheking，ifyoulovemeyourself？"
　　"BecauseIcannotgiveyouthepositionyoudeserve。"
　　"Ishouldhavethoughtyouhadplentyofmoney。"
　　"Thenthere’sanotherreason:youarenotinlovewithme。"
　　"IloveyouastenderlyasifIwereyourwife。Imightthenkissyou，thoughdutynowforbidsmydoingso。"
　　"Iammuchobligedtoyoufornotbeingangrywithmeforbeingsohappywithyou！"
　　"Onthecontrary，Iamdelightedtopleaseyou。"
　　"Thenyouwillallowmetocallonyouatanearlyhourto—morrow，andtotakecoffeeatyourbedside。"
　　"Donotdreamofsuchathing。IfIwouldIcouldnot。Isleepwithmyaunt，andIalwaysriseatthesametimeshedoes。Takeawayyourhand；youpromisednottodoitagain。InGod’sname，letmealone。"
　　Alas！Ihadtostop；therewasnoovercomingher。Butwhatpleasedmeextremelywasthatinspiteofmyamorouspersecutionshedidnotlosethatsmilingcalmwhichsobecameher。AsformyselfIlookedasifIdeservedthatpardonforwhichIpleadedonmyknees，andinhereyesIreadthatshewassorrythatshecouldnotgrantwhatIrequiredofher。
　　Icouldnolongerstaybesideher，mysensesweretooexcitedbyherbeauty。IleftherandwenttomyroomwhereIfoundthekindManonbusyingherselfonmycuffs，andshegavemethereliefI
　　wanted，andwhenwewerebothsatisfiedmadeherescape。I
　　reflectedthatIshouldneverobtainmorethanIhadobtainedhithertofromyoungMdlle。Roman——atleast，unlessIgavethelietomyhoroscopebymarryingher，andIdecidedthatIwouldnottakeanyfurtherstepsinthematter。Ireturnedtothegarden，andgoinguptotheauntIbeggedhertowalkwithme。InvainI
　　urgedtheworthywomantoacceptahundredlouisforherniece’sjourneyfromme。IsworetoherbyallIheldsacredthatnooneelseshouldeverknowofthecircumstance。Allmyeloquenceandallmyprayerswereinvain。Shetoldmethatifherniece’sdestinyonlydependedonthatjourneyallwouldbewell，forshehadthoughtoveraplanwhichwould，withherhusband’sconsent，enableMdlle。RomantogotoParis。Atthesametimeshegavemehersincerestthanks，andsaidthatherniecewasveryfortunatetohavepleasedmesowell。
　　"Shepleasedmesowell，"Ireplied，"thatIhaveresolvedtogoawayto—morrowtoavoidmakingproposalstoyouwhichwouldbringthegreatfortunethatawaitshertonought。IfitwerenotforthatIshouldhavebeenhappytohaveaskedherhandofyou。"
　　"Alas！herhappinesswould，perhaps，bebuiltonabetterfoundation。Explainyourself。"
　　"Idarenotwagewarwithfate。"
　　"Butyouarenotgoingto—morrow？"
　　"Excuseme，butIshallcalltotakeleaveattwoo’clock。"
　　Thenewsofmyapproachingdeparturesaddenedthesupper—table。
　　MadameMorin，who，forallIknow，maybealivenow，wasamostkind—heartedwoman。AttablesheannouncedherresolvethatasI
　　haddecidedongoing，andasIshouldonlyleavemyhousetotakeleaveofher，shewouldnotforcemetoputmyselfouttosuchanextent，andordainedthatourfarewellsshouldbesaidthatevening。
　　"Atleast，"Isaid，"Imayhavethehonourofescortingyoutoyourdoor？"
　　"Thatwillprotractourhappinessforsomeminutes。"Valenglardwentawayonfoot，andthefairMdlle。Romansatonmyknee。I
　　daredtobeboldwithher，andcontrarytoexpectationsheshewedherselfsokindthatIwashalfsorryIwasgoing；butthediewascast。
　　Acarriagelyingoverturnedontheroadoutsideaninnmademycoachmanstopashortwhile，andthisaccidentwhichmadethepoordrivercurseoverwhelmedmewithjoy，forinthesefewmomentsI
　　obtainedallthefavoursthatshecouldpossiblygiveunderthecircumstances。
　　Happinessenjoyedaloneisnevercomplete。MinewasnotuntilI
　　assuredmyself，bylookingatmysweetheart’sfeatures，thatthepartshehadtakenhadnotbeenanentirelypassiveone；andI
　　escortedtheladiestotheirroom。There，withoutanyconceit，I
　　wascertainthatIsawsadnessandloveuponthatfaircreature’sface。Icouldseethatshewasneithercoldnorinsensible，andthattheobstaclesshehadputinmywaywereonlysuggestedbyfearandvirtue。IgaveMadameMorinafarewellkiss，andshewaskindenoughtotellherniecetogivemeasimilarmarkoffriendship，whichshedidinawaythatshewedmehowcompletelyshehadsharedmyardour。
　　Ileftthem，feelingamorousandsorryIhadobligedmyselftogo。
　　OnenteringmyroomIfoundthethreenymphstogether，whichvexedmeasIonlywantedone。IwhisperedmywishestoRoseasshecurledmyhair，butshetoldmeitwasimpossibleforhertoslipawayastheyallsleptinoneroom。IthentoldthemthatIwasgoingawaythenextday，andthatiftheywouldpassthenightwithmeIwouldgivethemapresentofsixlouiseach。Theylaughedatmyproposalandsaiditcouldn’tpossiblybedone。I
　　sawbythistheyhadnotmadeconfidantesofoneanother，asgirlsmostlydo，andIalsosawthattheywerejealousofeachother。I
　　wishedthemagoodnight，andassoonasIwasinbedthegodofdreamstookmeunderhiscare，andmademepassthenightwiththeadorableMdlle。Roman。
　　Irangratherlateinthemorning，andthecousincameinandsaidthatRosewouldbringmychocolate，andthatM。CharlesIvanoffwantedtospeaktome。IguessedthatthiswastheRussian，butashehadnotbeenintroducedtomeIthoughtImightdeclinetoseehim。
　　"TellhimIdon’tknowhisname。"
　　Rosewentout，andcameinagainsayinghewasthegentlemanwhohadhadthehonourofsuppingwithmeatMadameMorin’s。
　　"Tellhimtocomein。"
　　"Sir，"saidhe，"Iwanttospeakwithyouinprivate。"
　　"Icannotordertheseyoungladiestoleavemyroom，sir。BekindenoughtowaitformeoutsidetillIhaveputonmydressing—gown，andthenIshallbereadytospeaktoyou。"
　　"IfIamtroublingyou，Iwillcallagainto—morrow。"
　　"Youwouldnotfindme，asIamleavingGrenobleto—day。"
　　"InthatcaseIwillwait。"
　　Igotupinhasteandwentouttohim。
　　"Sir，"saidhe，"Imustleavethisplace，andIhavenotapennytopaymylandlord。Ibegofyoutocometomyaid。Idarenothaverecoursetoanyoneelseinthetownforfearofexposingmyselftotheinsultofarefusal。"
　　"PerhapsIoughttofeelmyselfflatteredatthepreferenceyouhaveshewnme，butwithoutwishingtoinsultyouinanywayIamafraidIshallbeobligedtorefuseyourrequest。"
　　"IfyouknewwhoIamIamsureyouwouldnotrefusemesomesmallhelp。"
　　"Ifyouthinkso，tellmewhoyouare；youmaycountonmysilence。"
　　"IamCharles，secondsonofIvan，DukeofCourland，whoisinexileinSiberia。Imademyescape。"
　　"IfyougotoGenoayouwillfindyourselfbeyondthereachofpoverty；fornodoubtthebrotherofyourlady—motherwouldneverabandonyou。"
　　"HediedinSilesia。"
　　"When？"
　　"Twoyearsago，Ibelieve。"
　　"Youhavebeendeceived，forIsawhimatStuttgartscarcelysixmonthsago。HeistheBarondeTreiden。"
　　Itdidnotcostmemuchtogetwindoftheadventurer，butIfeltangrythathehadhadtheimpudencetotryanddupeme。IfithadnotbeenforthatIwouldwillinglyhavegivenhimsixlouis，foritwouldhavebeenbadformonmyparttodeclarewaragainstadventurers，asIwasonemyself，andIoughttohavepardonedhisliesasnearlyalladventurersaremoreorlessimpostors。
　　Igaveaglanceathisdiamondbuckles，whichwereconsideredrealatGrenoble，andIsawdirectlythattheywerecounterfeitsofakindmadeinVenice，whichimitatethefacetsofthediamondsinperfection，excepttopeoplewhoareexperiencedindiamonds。
　　"Youhavediamondbuckles，"saidI。"Whydon’tyousellthem？"
　　"It’sthelastpieceofjewelleryIpossessoutofallmymothergaveme，andIpromisedhernevertopartwiththem。"
　　"IwouldnotshewthosebucklesifIwereyou；yourpocketwouldbeabetterplaceforthem。ImaytellyoufranklythatIbelievethestonestobecounterfeit，andthatyourliedispleasesme。"
　　"Sir，Iamnotaliar。"
　　"Weshallsee。Provethatthestonesaregenuine，andIwillgiveyousixlouis。IshallbedelightedifIaminthewrong。
　　Farewell。"
　　SeeingM。deValerlglardcominguptomydoor，hebeggedmenottotellhimofwhathadpassedbetweenus；andIpromisedthatI
　　wouldtellnoone。
　　Valenglardcametowishmeaprosperousjourney；hehimselfwasobligedtogowithM。Monteinard。Hebeggedmetocorrespondconstantlywithhim，andIhadbeenintendingtopreferthesamerequest，asItooktoogreataninterestinthefairMdlle。Romannottowishtohearofherfate，andthecorrespondencetheworthyofficerdesiredwasthebestwaypossibleformetohearabouther。Aswillbeimagined，Ipromisedwhatheaskedwithoutmakinganydifficulty。Heshedtearsasheembracedme，andIpromisedtobehisfriend。
　　CHAPTERII
　　MyDeparturefromGrenoble——Avignon——TheFountainofVaucluse——TheFalseAstrodiandtheHumpback——GaetanCosta——IArriveatMarseillesWhilethethreegirlswerehelpingLeDuctopackmymailsmylandlordentered，gavemehisbill，andfindingeverythingcorrectIpaidhim，muchtohissatisfaction。Iowedhimacompliment，too，atwhichheseemedextremelygratified。
　　"Sir，"saidI，"Idonotwishtoleaveyourhousewithouthavingthepleasureofdiningwithyourcharminggirls，toshewthemhowIappreciatethecaretheyhavetakenofme。Letmehave，then，adelicaterepastforfour，andalsoorderposthorses，thatImaystartintheevening。"
　　"Sir，"brokeinLeDuc，"Ientreatyoutoorderasaddle—horsebesides；Iwasnotmadeforaseatbehindachaise。"
　　Thecousinlaughedopenlyathisvainboasting，andtoavengehimselftherascaltoldherthathewasbetterthanshe。
　　"Nevertheless，M。leDuc，youwillhavetowaitonherattable。"
　　"Yes，asshewaitsonyouinbed。"
　　Iranformystick，buttherogue，knowingwhatwasgoingtohappen，openedthewindowandjumpedintothecourtyard。Thegirlsgaveashriekofterror，butwhenwelookedoutwesawhimjumpingaboutandperformingathousandapishtricks。
　　Verygladtofindthathehadnotbrokenalimb，Icalledout，"Comeback，Iforgiveyou。"Thegirls，andthemanhimselfwhoescapedsoreadily，wereasdelightedasI。LeDuccameininhighspirits，observingthathedidnotknowhewassuchagoodjumper。
　　"Verygood，butdon’tbesoimpudentanothertime。Here，takethiswatch。"
　　Sosaying，Igavehimavaluablegoldwatch，whichhereceived，saying，——
　　"Iwouldjumpagainforanotherwatchlikethis。"
　　SuchwasmySpaniard，whomIhadtodismisstwoyearsafterwards。
　　Ihaveoftenmissedhim。
　　ThehourswentbywithsuchspeedwhenIwasseatedattablewiththethreegirls，whomIvainlyendeavouredtointoxicate，thatI
　　decidedthatIwouldnotleavetillthenextday。Iwastiredofmakingmysteriesandwantedtoenjoythemalltogether，andresolvedthattheorgyshouldtakeplacethatnight。ItoldthemthatiftheywouldpassthenightinmyroomIwouldnotgotillthenextday。Thispropositionwasreceivedwithastormofexclamationsandwithlaughter，asatanimpossibility，whileI
　　endeavouredtoexcitethemtograntmyrequest。Inthemidstofthisthedoor—keepercamein，advisingmenottotravelbynight，buttogotoAvignonbyaboatinwhichIcouldshipmycarriage。
　　"Youwillsavetimeandmoney，"saidhe。
　　"Iwilldoso，"Ianswered，"ifthesegirlsofyourswillkeepmecompanyallnight，asIamdeterminedIwillnotgotobed。"
　　"OLord！"saidhewithalaugh，"that’stheirbusiness。"
　　Thisdecidedthemandtheygavein。Thedoor—keepersenttoordertheboat，andpromisedtoletmehaveadaintysupperbymidnight。
　　Thehourspassedbyinjestsandmerriment，andwhenwesatdowntosupperImadethechampagnecorksflytosuchanextentthatthegirlsbegantogetrathergay。Imyselffeltalittleheated，andasIheldeachone’ssecretIhadthehardihoodtotellthemthattheirscrupleswereridiculous，aseachofthemhadshewnnoreservetomeinprivate。
　　Atthistheygazedatoneanotherinakindofblanksurprise，asifindignantatwhatIhadsaid。Foreseeingthatfemininepridemightpromptthemtotreatmyaccusationasanidlecalumny，I
　　resolvednottogivethemtime，anddrawingManonontomykneeI
　　embracedherwithsuchardourthatshegaveinandabandonedherselftomypassion。Herexampleovercametheothers，andforfivehoursweindulgedineverykindofvoluptuousenjoyment。Attheendofthattimewewereallinneedofrest，butIhadtogo。
　　Iwantedtogivethemsomejewels，buttheysaidtheywouldratherIorderedglovestotheamountofthirtylouis，themoneytobepaidinadvance，andtheglovesnottobecalledfor。
　　Iwenttosleeponboardtheboat，anddidnotawaketillwegottoAvignon。Iwasconductedtotheinnof"St。Omen"andsuppedinmyroominspiteofthemarvelloustaleswhichLeDuctoldmeofayoungbeautyatthepublictable。
　　NextmorningmySpaniardtoldmethatthebeautyandherhusbandsleptinaroomnexttomine。Atthesametimehebroughtmeabilloftheplay，andIsawCompanyfromParis，withMdlle。
　　Astrodi，whowastosinganddance。Igaveacryofwonder，andexclaimed，——
　　"ThefamousAstrodiatAvignon——howshewillbeastonishedtoseeme！"
　　Notwantingtoliveinhermitfashion，Iwentdownstairstodineatthepublictable，andIfoundascoreofpeoplesittingdowntosuchachoicerepastthatIcouldnotconceivehowitcouldbedoneforfortysousahead。Thefairstrangerdrewalleyes，andespeciallymine，towardsher。Shewasayoungandperfectbeauty，silent，hereyesfixedonanapkin，replyinginmonosyllablestothosewhoaddressedher，andglancingatthespeakerwithlargeblueeyes，thebeautyofwhichitwouldbedifficulttodescribe。
　　Herhusbandwasseatedattheotherendofthetable——amanofakindthatinspirescontemptatthefirstglance。Hewasyoung，markedwiththesmall—pox，agreedyeater，aloudtalker，laughingandspeakingatrandom，andaltogetherItookhimforaservantindisguise。Feelingsurethatsuchafellowdidnotknowhowtorefuse，Isenthimaglassofchampagne，whichhedrankofftomyhealthforthwith。"MayIhavethepleasureofsendingaglasstoyourwife？"Hereplied，witharoaroflaughter，toaskhermyself；andwithaslightbowshetoldmethatshenevertookanythingtodrink。Whenthedessertcameinsherose，andherhusbandfollowedhertotheirroom。
　　Astrangerwholikemyselfhadneverseenherbefore，askedmewhoshewas。IsaidIwasanewcomeranddidnotknow，andsomebodyelsesaidthatherhusbandcalledhimselftheChevalierStuard，thathecamefromLyons，andwasgoingtoMarseilles；hecame，itappeared，toAvignonaweekago，withoutservants，andinaverypoorcarriage。
　　IintendedstayingatAvignononlyaslongasmightbenecessarytoseetheFountainorFallofVaucluse，andsoIhadnotgotanylettersofintroduction，andhadnotthepretextofacquaintancethatImightstayandenjoyherfineeyes。ButanItalianwhohadreadandenjoyedthedivinePetrarchwouldnaturallywishtoseetheplacemadedivinebythepoet’sloveforLaura。Iwenttothetheatre，whereIsawthevice—legateSalviati，womenoffashion，neitherfairnorfoul，andawretchedcomicopera；butIneithersawAstrodinoranyotheractorfromtheComedieItalienneatParis。
　　"WhereisthefamousAstrodi？"saidI，toayoungmansittingbyme，"Ihavenotseenheryet。"
　　"Excuseme，shehasdancedandsangbeforeyoureyes。"
　　"ByJove，it’simpossible！Iknowherperfectly，andifshehassochangedasnottoberecognizedsheisnolongerherself。"
　　Iturnedtogo，andtwominutesaftertheyoungmanIhadaddressedcameupandbeggedmetocomeback，andhewouldtakemetoAstradi’sdressing—room，asshehadrecognizedme。Ifollowedhimwithoutsayingaword，andsawaplain—lookinggirl，whothrewherarmsroundmyneckandaddressedmebymyname，thoughIcouldhaveswornIhadneverseenherbefore，butshedidnotleavemetimetospeak。ClosebyIsawamanwhogavehimselfoutasthefatherofthefamousAstrodi，whowasknowntoallParis，whohadcausedthedeathoftheComted’Egmont，oneofthemostamiablenoblemenoftheCourtofLouisXV。Ithoughtthisuglyfemalemightbehersister，soIsatdownandcomplimentedheronhertalents。SheaskedifIwouldmindherchangingherdress；andinamomentshewasrunninghereandthere，laughingandshewingaliberalitywhichpossiblymighthavebeenabsentifwhatshehadtodisplayhadbeenworthseeing。
　　Ilaughedinternallyatherwiles，foraftermyexperiencesatGrenobleshewouldhavefounditahardtasktoarousemydesiresifshehadbeenasprettyasshewasugly。Herthinnessandhertawnyskincouldnotdivertmyattentionfromotherstilllesspleasingfeaturesabouther。Iadmiredherconfidenceinspiteofherdisadvantages。Shemusthavecreditedmewithadiabolicappetite，butthesewomenoftencontrivetoextractcharmsoutoftheirdepravitywhichtheirdelicacywouldbeimpotenttofurnish。
　　Shebeggedmetosupwithher，andasshepersistedIwasobligedtorefuseherinawayIshouldnothaveallowedmyselftousewithanyotherwoman。Shethenbeggedmetotakefourticketsfortheplaythenextday，whichwastobeforherbenefit。Isawitwasonlyamatteroftwelvefrancs，anddelightedtobequitofhersocheaplyItoldhertogivemesixteen。IthoughtshewouldhavegonemadwithjoywhenIgaveheradoublelouis。ShewasnottherealAstrodi。Iwentbacktomyinnandhadadelicioussupperinmyownroom。
　　WhileLeDucwasdoingmyhairbeforeIwenttobed，hetoldmethatthelandlordhadpaidavisittothefairstrangerandherhusbandbeforesupper，andhadsaidincleartermsthathemustbepaidnextmorning；andifhewerenot，noplacewouldbelaidforthemattable，andtheirlinenwouldbedetained。
　　"Whotoldyouthat？"
　　"Ihearditfromhere；theirroomisonlyseparatedfromthisbyawoodenpartition。Iftheywereinitnow，Iamsuretheycouldhearallwearesaying。"
　　"Wherearethey，then？"
　　"Attable，wheretheyareeatingforto—morrow，buttheladyiscrying。There’safinechanceforyou，sir。"
　　"Bequiet；Ishan’thaveanythingtodowithit。It’satrap，forawomanofanyworthwoulddieratherthanweepatapublictable。"
　　"Ah，ifyousawhowprettyshelooksintears！Iamonlyapoordevil，butIwouldwillinglygivehertwolouisifshewouldearnthem。"
　　"Goandofferherthemoney。"
　　Amomentafterthegentlemanandhiswifecamebacktotheirroom，andIheardtheloudvoiceoftheoneandthesobsoftheother，butashewasspeakingWalloonIdidnotunderstandwhathesaid。
　　"Gotobed，"saidItoLeDuc，"andnextmorningtellthelandlordtogetmeanotherroom，forawoodenpartitionistoothinabarriertokeepoffpeoplewhomdespairdrivetoextremities。"
　　Iwenttobedmyself，andthesobsandmutteringdidnotdieawaytillmidnight。
　　Iwasshavingnextmorning，whenLeDucannouncedtheChevalierStuard。
　　"SayIdon’tknowanybodyofthatname。"
　　Heexecutedmyorders，andreturnedsayingthatthechevalieronhearingmyrefusaltoseehimhadstampedwithrage，goneintohischamber，andcomeoutagainwithhisswordbesidehim。
　　"Iamgoingtosee，"addedLeDuc，"thatyourpistolsarewellprimedforthefuture。"
　　Ifeltinclinedtolaugh，butnonethelessIadmiredtheforesightofmySpaniard，foramanindespairiscapableofanything。
　　"Go，"saidI，"andaskthelandlordtogivemeanotherroom。"
　　Induecoursethelandlordcamehimselfandtoldmethathecouldnotobligemeuntilthenextday。
　　"Ifyoudon’tgetmeanotherroomIshallleaveyourhouseonthespot，becauseIdon’tlikehearingsobsandreproachesallnight。"
　　"Canyouhearthem，sir？"
　　"Youcanhearthemyourselfnow。Whatdoyouthinkofit？Thewomanwillkillherself，andyouwillbethecauseofherdeath。"
　　"I，sir？Ihaveonlyaskedthemtopaymemyjustdebts。"
　　"Hush！theregoesthehusband。Iamsureheistellinghiswifeinhislanguagethatyouareanunfeelingmonster。"
　　"Hemaytellherwhathelikessolongashepaysme。"
　　"Youhavecondemnedthemtodieofhunger。Howmuchdotheyoweyou？"
　　"Fiftyfrancs。"
　　"Aren’tyouashamedofmakingsucharowforawretchedsumlikethat？"
　　"Sir，Iamonlyashamedofanilldeed，andIdonotcommitsuchadeedinaskingformyown。"
　　"There’syourmoney。Goandtellthemthatyouhavebeenpaid，andthattheymayeatagain；butdon’tsaywhogaveyouthemoney。"
　　"That’swhatIcallagoodaction，"saidthefellow；andhewentandtoldthemthattheydidnotowehimanything，butthattheywouldneverknowwhopaidthemoney。
　　"Youmaydineandsup，"headded，"atthepublictable，butyoumustpaymedaybyday。"
　　Afterhehaddeliveredthisspeechinahighvoice，sothatI
　　couldhearaswellasifIhadbeenintheroom，hecamebacktome。
　　"Youstupidfool！"saidI，pushinghimaway，"theywillknoweverything。"SosayingIshutmydoor。
　　LeDucstoodinfrontofme，staringstupidlybeforehim。
　　"What’sthematterwithyou，idiot？"saidI。
　　"That’sfine。Isee。Iamgoingonthestage。Youwoulddowelltobecomeanactor。"
　　"Youareafool。"
　　"Notsobigafoolasyouthink。"
　　"Iamgoingforawalk；mindyoudon’tleavemyroomforamoment。"
　　Ihadscarcelyshutthedoorwhenthechevalieraccostedmeandoverwhelmedmewiththanks。
　　"Sir，Idon’tknowtowhatyouarereferring。"
　　Hethankedmeagainandleftme，andwalkingbythebanksoftheRhone，whichgeographerssayisthemostrapidriverinEurope，I
　　amusedmyselfbylookingattheancientbridge。Atdinner—timeI
　　wentbacktotheinn，andasthelandlordknewthatIpaidsixfrancsamealhetreatedmetoanexquisiterepast。Here，I
　　remember，IhadsomeexceedinglychoiceHermitage。ItwassodeliciousthatIdranknothingelse。IwishedtomakeapilgrimagetoVaucluseandbeggedthelandlordtoprocuremeagoodguide，andafterIhaddressedIwenttothetheatre。
　　IfoundtheAstrodiatthedoor，andgivinghermysixteentickets，Isatdownneartheboxofthevice—legateSalviati，whocameinalittlelater，surroundedbyanumeroustrainofladiesandgentlemenbedizenedwithordersandgoldlace。
　　Theso—calledfatherofthefalseAstrodicameandwhisperedthathisdaughterbeggedmetosaythatshewasthecelebratedAstrodiIhadknownatParis。Ireplied，alsoinawhisper，thatIwouldnotruntheriskofbeingpostedasaliarbybolsteringupanimposture。Theeasewithwhicharogueinvitesagentlemantoshareinaknaveryisastonishing；hemustthinkhisconfidenceconfersanhonour。
　　Attheendofthefirstactascoreoflackeysintheprince’sliverytookroundicestothefrontboxes。Ithoughtitmydutytorefuse。Ayounggentleman，asfairaslove，cameuptome，andwitheasypolitenessaskedmewhyIhadrefusedanice。
　　"Nothavingthehonourtoknowanyonehere，Ididnotcarethatanyoneshouldbeabletosaythathehadregaledonewhowasunknowntohim。"
　　"Butyou，sir，areamanwhoneedsnointroduction。"
　　"Youdometoomuchhonour。"
　　"Youarestayingatthe’St。Omer’！"
　　"Yes；IamonlystoppingheretoseeVaucluse，whereIthinkofgoingto—morrowifIcangetagoodguide。"
　　"Ifyouwoulddomethehonourofacceptingme，Ishouldbedelighted。MynameisDolci，Iamsonofthecaptainofthevice—
　　legate’sguard。"
　　"Ifeelthehonouryoudome，andIacceptyourobligingoffer。I
　　willputoffmystarttillyourarrival。"
　　"Iwillbewithyouatseven。"
　　IwasastonishedattheeasygraceofthisyoungAdonis，whomighthavebeenaprettygirlifthetoneofhisvoicehadnotannouncedhismanhood。IlaughedatthefalseAstrodi，whoseactingwasaspoorasherface，andwhokeptstaringatmeallthetime。Whileshesangsheregardedmewithasmileandgavemesignsofanunderstanding，whichmusthavemadetheaudiencenoticeme，anddoubtlesspitymybadtaste。Thevoiceandeyesofoneactresspleasedme；shewasyoungandtall，buthunchbackedtoanextraordinarydegree。Shewastallinspiteofherenormoushumps，andifithadnotbeenforthismalformationshewouldhavebeensixfeethigh。BesidesherpleasingeyesandverytolerablevoiceIfanciedthat，likeallhunchbacks，shewasintelligent。I
　　foundheratthedoorwiththeuglyAstrodiwhenIwasleavingthetheatre。Thelatterwaswaitingtothankme，andtheotherwassellingticketsforherbenefit。
　　AftertheAstrodihadthankedme，thehunchbackedgirlturnedtowardsme，andwithasmilethatstretchedfromeartoearanddisplayedatleasttwenty—fourexquisiteteeth，shesaidthatshehopedIwouldhonourherbybeingpresentatherbenefit。
　　"IfIdon’tleavebeforeitcomesoff，Iwill，"Ireplied。
　　AtthistheimpudentAstrodilaughed，andinthehearingofseveralladieswaitingfortheircarriagestoldmethatherfriendmightbesureofmypresence，asshewouldnotletmegobeforethebenefitnight。"Givehimsixteentickets，"sheadded。Iwasashamedtorefuse，andgavehertwolouis。TheninalowervoicetheAstrodisaid，"Aftertheshowwewillcomeandsupwithyou，butontheconditionthatyouasknobodyelse，aswewanttobealone。"
　　Inspiteofafeelingofanger，Ithoughtthatsuchasupper—partywouldbeamusing，andasnooneinthetownknewmeIresolvedtostayinthehopeofenjoyingaheartylaugh。
　　IwashavingmysupperwhenStuardandhiswifewenttotheirroom。ThisnightIheardnosobsnorreproaches，butearlynextmorningIwassurprisedtoseethechevalierwhosaid，asifwehadbeenoldfriends，thathehadheardthatIwasgoingtoVaucluse，andthatasIhadtakenacarriagewithfourplaceshewouldbemuchobligedifIwouldallowhimandhiswife，whowantedtoseethefountain，togowithme。Iconsented。
　　LeDucbeggedtobeallowedtoaccompanymeonhorseback，sayingthathehadbeenatrueprophet。Infactitseemedasifthecouplehadagreedtorepaymeformyexpenditurebygivingmenewhopes。Iwasnotdispleasedwiththeexpedition，anditwasalltomyadvantage，asIhadhadrecoursetonostratagemstoobtainit。
　　Dolcicame，lookingashandsomeasanangel；myneighbourswereready，andthecarriageloadedwiththebestprovisionsinfoodanddrinkthatwereobtainable；andwesetoff，DolciseatedbesidetheladyandIbesidethechevalier。
　　Ihadthoughtthatthelady’ssadnesswouldgiveplace，ifnottogaiety，atleasttoaquietcheerfulness，butIwasmistaken；for，toallmyremarks，graveorgay，shereplied，eitherinmonosyllablesorinaseverelylaconicstyle。PoorDolci，whowasfullofwit，wasstupefied。Hethoughthimselfthecauseofhermelancholy，andwasangrywithhimselfforhavinginnocentlycastashadowonthepartyofpleasure。IrelievedhimofhisfearsbytellinghimthatwhenheofferedmehispleasantsocietyIwasnotawarethatIwastobeofservicetothefairlady。Iaddedthatwhenatday—breakIreceivedthisinformation，Iwaspleasedthathewouldhavesuchgoodcompany。Theladydidnotsayaword。
　　Shekeptsilentandgloomyallthetime，andgazedtorightandleftlikeonewhodoesnotseewhatisbeforehis[her]eyes。
　　Dolcifeltateaseaftermyexplanation，anddidhisbesttoarousethelady，butwithoutsuccess。Hetalkedonavarietyoftopicstothehusband，alwaysgivingheranopportunityofjoiningin，butherlipsremainedmotionless。ShelookedlikethestatueofPandorabeforeithadbeenquickenedbythedivineflame。
　　Thebeautyofherfacewasperfect；hereyeswereofabrilliantblue，hercomplexionadelicatemixtureofwhiteandred，herarmswereasroundedasaGrace’s，herhandsplumpandwellshaped，herfigurewasthatofanymph’s，givingdelightfulhintsofamagnificentbreast；herhairwasachestnutbrown，herfootsmall:
　　shehadallthatconstitutesabeautifulwomansavethatgiftofintellect，whichmakesbeautymorebeautiful，andgivesacharmtouglinessitself。Myvagrantfancyshewedmehernakedform，allseemedravishing，andyetIthoughtthatthoughshemightinspireapassingfancyshecouldnotarouseadurableaffection。Shemightministertoaman’spleasures，shecouldnotmakehimhappy。
　　Iarrivedattheisleresolvedtotroublemyselfabouthernomore；shemight，Ithought，bemad，orindespairatfindingherselfinthepowerofamanwhomshecouldnotpossiblylove。I
　　couldnothelppityingher，andyetIcouldnotforgiveherforconsentingtobeofapartywhichsheknewshemustspoilbyhermorosebehaviour。
　　Asfortheself—styledChevalierStuard，Ididnottroublemyheadwhetherhewereherhusbandorherlover。Hewasyoung，commonplace—looking，hespokeaffectedly；hismannerswerenotgood，andhisconversationbetrayedbothignoranceandstupidity。
　　Hewasabeggar，devoidofmoneyandwits，andIcouldnotmakeoutwhyhetookwithhimabeautywho，unlessshewereover—kind，couldaddnothingtohismeansofliving。Perhapsheexpectedtoliveattheexpenseofsimpletons，andhadcometotheconclusion，inspiteofhisignorance，thattheworldisfullofsuch；
　　however，experiencemusthavetaughthimthatthisplancannotbereliedon。
　　WhenwegottoVaucluseIletDolcilead；hehadbeenthereahundredtimes，andhismeritwasenhancedinmyeyesbythefactthathewasaloveroftheloverofLaura。WeleftthecarriageatApt，andwendedourwaytothefountainwhichwashonouredthatdaywithanumerousthrongofpilgrims。Thestreampoursforthfromavastcavern，thehandiworkofnature，inimitablebyman。
　　Itissituatedatthefootofarockwithasheerdescentofmorethanahundredfeet。Thecavernishardlyhalfashigh，andthewaterpoursforthfromitinsuchabundancethatitdeservesthenameofriveratitssource。ItistheSorguewhichfallsintotheRhonenearAvignon。Thereisnootherstreamaspureandclear，fortherocksoverwhichitflowsharbournodepositsofanykind。Thosewhodislikeitonaccountofitsapparentblacknessshouldrememberthattheextremedarknessofthecaverngivesitthatgloomytinge。
　　ChiarefrescheadolceaqueOvelebellemembraPosecoleithesolaamepaydonna。
　　IwishedtoascendtothatpartoftherockwherePetrarch’shousestood。Igazedontheremainswithtearsinmyeyes，likeLeoAllatiusatHomer’sgrave。SixteenyearslaterIsleptatArqua，wherePetrarchdied，andhishousestillremains。Thelikenessbetweenthetwosituationswasastonishing，forfromPetrarch’sstudyatArquaarockcanbeseensimilartothatwhichmaybeviewedatVaucluse；thiswastheresidenceofMadonnaLaura。
　　"Letusgothere，"saidI，"itisnotfaroff。"
　　IwillnotendeavourtodelineatemyfeelingsasIcontemplatedtheruinsofthehousewheredwelttheladywhomtheamorousPetrarchimmortalisedinhisverse——versemadetomoveaheartofstone:
　　"Mortebellapareanelsuobelviso"
　　IthrewmyselfwitharmsoutstretcheduponthegroundasifI
　　wouldembracetheverystones。Ikissedthem，Iwateredthemwithmytears，Istrovetobreathetheholybreaththeyoncecontained。
　　IbeggedMadameStuard’spardonforhavingleftherarmtodohomagetothespiritofawomanwhohadquickenedtheprofoundestsoulthateverlived。
　　Isaysouladvisedly，forafterallthebodyandthesenseshadnothingtodowiththeconnection。
　　"Fourhundredyearshavepastandgone，"saidItothestatueofawomanwhogazedatmeinastonishment，"sinceLauradeSadewalkedhere；perhapsshewasnotashandsomeasyou，butshewaslively，kindly，polite，andgoodofheart。Maythisairwhichshebreathedandwhichyoubreathenowkindleinyouthesparkoffiredivine；thatfirethatcoursedthroughherveins，andmadeherheartbeatandherbosomswell。Thenyouwouldwintheworshipofallworthymen，andfromnonewouldyoureceivetheleastoffence。
　　Gladness，madam，isthelotofthehappy，andsadnesstheportionofsoulscondemnedtoeverlastingpains。Becheerful，then，andyouwilldosomethingtodeserveyourbeauty。"
　　TheworthyDolciwaskindledbymyenthusiasm。Hethrewhimselfuponme，andkissedmeagainandagain；thefoolStuardlaughed；
　　andhiswife，whopossiblythoughtmemad，didnotevincetheslightestemotion。Shetookmyarm，andwewalkedslowlytowardsthehouseofMesserFrancescod’Arezzo，whereIspentaquarterofanhourincuttingmyname。Afterthatwehadourdinner。
　　DolcilavishedmoreattentionontheextraordinarywomanthanI
　　did。Stuarddidnothingbuteatanddrink，anddespisedtheSorguewater，which，saidhe，wouldspoiltheHermitage；possiblyPetrarchmayhavebeenofthesameopinion。Wedrankdeeplywithoutimpairingourreason，buttheladywasverytemperate。
　　WhenwereachedAvignonwebadeherfarewell，decliningtheinvitationofherfoolishhusbandtocomeandrestinhisrooms。
　　ItookDolci’sarmandwewalkedbesidetheRhoneasthesunwentdown。Amongotherkeenandwittyobservationstheyoungmansaid，——
　　"Thatwomanisanoldhand，infatuatedwithasenseofherownmerit。Iwouldbetthatshehasonlyleftherowncountrybecausehercharms，frombeingtoofreelydisplayed，haveceasedtopleasethere。Shemustbesureofmakingherfortuneoutofanybodyshecomesacross。Isuspectthatthefellowwhopassesforherhusbandisarascal，andthatherpretendedmelancholyisputontodriveapersistentlovertodistraction。Shehasnotyetsucceededinfindingadupe，butasshewillnodoubttrytocatcharichman，itisnotimprobablethatsheishoveringoveryou。"。
　　WhenayoungmanofDolci’sagereasonslikethat，heisboundtobecomeagreatmaster。IkissedhimasIbadehimgood—night，thankedhimforhiskindness，andweagreedthatwewouldseemoreofoneanother。
　　AsIcamebacktomyinnIwasaccostedbyafine—lookingmanofmiddleage，whogreetedmebynameandaskedwithgreatpolitenessifIhadfoundVaucluseasfineasIhadexpected。IwasdelightedtorecognizetheMarquisofGrimaldi，aGenoese，acleverandgood—naturedman，withplentyofmoney，whoalwayslivedatVenicebecausehewasmoreatlibertytoenjoyhimselftherethaninhisnativecountry；whichshewsthatthereisnolackoffreedomatVenice。
　　AfterIhadansweredhisquestionIfollowedhimintohisroom，wherehavingexhaustedthesubjectofthefountainheaskedmewhatIthoughtofmyfaircompanion。
　　"Ididnotfindhersatisfactoryinallrespects，"Ianswered；andnoticingthereservewithwhichIspoke，hetriedtoremoveitbythefollowingconfession:
　　"TherearesomeveryprettywomeninGenoa，butnotonetocomparewithherwhomyoutooktoVaucluseto—day。Isatoppositetoherattableyesterdayevening，andIwasstruckwithherperfectbeauty。Iofferedhermyarmupthestair；ItoldherthatIwassorrytoseehersosad，andifIcoulddoanythingforhershehadonlytospeak。YouknowIwasawareshehadnomoney。Herhusband，realorpretended，thankedmeformyoffer，andafterI
　　hadwishedthemagoodnightIleftthem。
　　"Anhouragoyouleftherandherhusbandatthedooroftheirapartment，andsoonafterwardsItookthelibertyofcalling。Shewelcomedmewithaprettybow，andherhusbandwentoutdirectly，beggingmetokeephercompanytillhisreturn。Thefaironemadenodifficultyinsittingnexttomeonacouch，andthisstruckmeasagoodomen，butwhenItookherhandshegentlydrewitaway。
　　Ithentold，her，inasfewwordsasIcould，thatherbeautyhadmademeinlovewithher，andthatifshewantedahundredlouistheywereatherservice，ifshewoulddrophermelancholy，andbehaveinamannersuitabletothefeelingswithwhichshehadinspiredme。Sheonlyrepliedbyamotionofthehead，whichshewedgratitude，butalsoanabsoluterefusalofmyoffer。’Iamgoingto—morrow，’saidI。Noanswer。Itookherhandagain，andshedrewitbackwithanairofdisdainwhichwoundedme。I
　　beggedhertoexcuseme，andIlefttheroomwithoutmoreado。
　　"That’sanaccountofwhathappenedanhourago。Iamnotamorousofher，itwasonlyawhim；butknowing，asIdo，thatshehasnomoney，hermannerastonishedme。Ifanciedthatyoumighthaveplacedherinapositiontodespisemyoffer，andthiswouldexplainherconduct，inameasure；otherwiseIcan’tunderstanditatall。MayIaskyoutotellmewhetheryouaremorefortunatethanI？"
　　Iwasenchantedwiththefranknessofthisnoblegentleman，anddidnothesitatetotellhimall，andwelaughedtogetheratourbadfortune:IhadtopromisetocallonhimatGenoa，andtellhimwhateverhappenedbetweenusduringthetwodaysIpurposedtoremainatAvignon。Heaskedmetosupwithhimandadmirethefairrecalcitrant。
　　"Shehashadanexcellentdinner，"saidI，"andinallprobabilityshewillnothaveanysupper。"
　　"Ibetshewill，"saidthemarquis；andhewasright，whichmademeseeclearlythatthewomanwasplayingapart。AcertainComtedeBussi，whohadjustcome，wasplacednexttoherattable。Hewasagood—lookingyoungmanwithafatuoussenseofhisownsuperiority，andheaffordedusanamusingscene。
　　Hewasgood—natured，awit，andinclinedtobroadjokes，andhismannertowardswomenborderedontheimpudent。Hehadtoleaveatmidnightandbegantomakelovetohisfairneighbourforthwith，andteasedherinathousandways；butsheremainedasdumbasastatue，whilehedidallthetalkingandlaughing，notregardingitwithintheboundsofpossibilitythatshemightbelaughingathim。
　　IlookedatM。Grimaldi，whofounditasdifficulttokeephiscountenanceasIdid。Theyoungrouewashurtathersilence，andcontinuedpesteringher，givingherallthebestpiecesonhisplateaftertastingthemfirst。Theladyrefusedtotakethem，andhetriedtoputthemintohermouth，whilesherepulsedhiminarage。Hesawthatnooneseemedinclinedtotakeherpart，anddeterminedtocontinuetheassault，andtakingherhandhekisseditagainandagain。Shetriedtodrawitaway，andassheroseheputhisarmroundherwaistandmadehersitdownonhisknee；butatthispointthehusbandtookherarmandledheroutoftheroom。Theattackingpartylookedrathertakenabackforamomentashefollowedherwithhiseyes，butsatdownagainandbegantoeatandlaughafresh，whileeverybodyelsekeptaprofoundsilence。Hethenturnedtothefootmanbehindhischairandaskedhimifhisswordwasupstairs。Thefootmansaidno，andthenthefatuousyoungmanturnedtoanabbewhosatnearme，andenquiredwhohadtakenawayhismistress:
　　"Itwasherhusband，"saidtheabbe。
　　"Herhusband！Oh，that’sanotherthing；husbandsdon’tfight——amanofhonouralwaysapologisestothem。"
　　Withthathegotup，wentupstairs，andcamedownagaindirectly，saying，——
　　"Thehusband’safool。Heshutthedoorinmyface，andtoldmetosatisfymydesiressomewhereelse。Itisn’tworththetroubleofstopping，butIwishIhadmadeanendofit。"
　　Hethencalledforchampagne，offereditvainlytoeverybody，badethecompanyapolitefarewellandwentuponhisway。
　　AsM。GrimaldiescortedmetomyroomheaskedmewhatIhadthoughtofthescenewehadjustwitnessed。ItoldhimIwouldnothavestirredafinger，evenifhehadturnedupherclothes。
　　"NomorewouldI，"saidhe，"butifshehadacceptedmyhundredlouisitwouldhavebeendifferent。Iamcurioustoknowthefurtherhistoryofthissiren，andIrelyuponyoutotellmeallaboutitasyougothroughGenoa。"
　　Hewentawayatday—breaknextmorning。
　　WhenIgotupIreceivedanotefromthefalseAstrodi，askingmeifIexpectedherandhergreatchumtosupper。Ihadscarcelyrepliedintheaffirmative，whentheshamDukeofCourlandIhadleftatGrenobleappearedonthescene。Heconfessedinahumblevoicethathewasthesonofclock—makeratNarva，thathisbuckleswerevalueless，andthathehadcometobeganalmsofme。
　　IgavehimfourLouis，andheaskedmetokeephissecret。I
　　repliedthatifanyoneaskedmeabouthimthatIshouldsaywhatwasabsolutelytrue，thatIknewhimnothingabouthim。"Thankyou；IamnowgoingtoMarseilles。""Ihopeyouwillhaveaprosperousjourney。"Lateronmyreaderswillhear。howIfoundhimatGenoa。Itisagoodthingtoknowsomethingaboutpeopleofhiskind，ofwhomtherearefartoomanyintheworld。
　　IcalledupthelandlordandtoldhimIwantedadelicatesupperforthreeinmyownroom。
　　HetoldmethatIshouldhaveit，andthensaid，"IhavejusthadarowwiththeChevalierStuard。"
　　"Whatabout？"
　　"Becausehehasnothingtopaymewith，andIamgoingtoturnthemoutimmediately，althoughtheladyisinbedinconvulsionswhicharesuffocatingher。"
　　"Takeoutyourbillinhercharms。"
　　"Ah，Idon’tcareforthatsortofthing！Iamgettingoninlife，andIdon’twantanymorescenestobringdiscreditonmyhouse。"
　　"GoandtellherthatfromhenceforthsheandherhusbandwilldineandsupintheirownroomandthatIwillpayforthemaslongasIremainhere。"
　　"Youareverygenerous，sir，butyouknowthatmealsinaprivateroomarechargeddouble。"
　　"Iknowtheyare。"
　　"Verygood。"
　　Ishudderedattheideaofthewomanbeingturnedoutofdoorswithoutanyresourcesbutherbody，bywhichsherefusedtoprofit。OntheotherhandIcouldnotcondemntheinn—keeperwho，likehisfellows，wasnottroubledwithmuchgallantry。Ihadyieldedtoanimpulseofpitywithoutanyhopesofadvantageformyself。SuchweremythoughtswhenStuardcametothankme，beggingmetocomeandseehiswifeandtryandpersuadehertobehaveinadifferentmanner。
　　"Shewillgivemenoanswers，andyouknowthatthatsortofthingisrathertedious。"
　　"Come，sheknowswhatyouhavedoneforher；shewilltalktoyou，forherfeelings……"
　　"Whatbusinesshaveyoutotalkaboutfeelingsafterwhathappenedyesterdayevening？"
　　"Itwaswellforthatgentlemanthathewentawayatmidnight，otherwiseIshouldhavekilledhimthismorning。"
　　"Mydearsir，allowmetotellyouthatallthatispurebraggadocio。Yesterday，notto—day，wasthetimetokillhim，ortothrowyourplateathishead，atallevents。Wewillnowgoandseeyourwife。"
　　Ifoundherinbed，herfacetothewall，thecoverletrightuptoherchin，andherbodyconvulsedwithsobs。Itriedtobringhertoreason，butasusualgotnoreply。Stuardwantedtoleaveme，butItoldhimthatifhewentoutIwouldgotoo，asIcoulddonothingtoconsoleher，ashemightknowafterherrefusingtheMarquisofGrimaldi’shundredlouisforasmileandherhandtokiss。
　　"AhundredLouis！"criedthefellowwithasturdyoath；"whatfolly！WemighthavebeenathomeatLiegebynow。Aprincessallowsonetokissherhandfornothing，andshe……AhundredLouis！Oh，damnable！"
　　Hisexclamations，verynaturalunderthecircumstances，mademefeelinclinedtolaugh。Thepoordevilsworebyallhisgods，andIwasabouttoleavetheroom，whenallatoncethewretchedwomanwasseizedwithtrueorfalseconvulsions。Withonehandsheseizedawater—bottleandsentitflyingintothemiddleoftheroom，andwiththeothershetoretheclothesawayfromherbreast。Stuardtriedtoholdher，butherdisorderincreasedinviolence，andthecoverletwasdisarrangedtosuchadegreethatI
　　couldseethemostexquisitenakedcharmsimaginable。Atlastshegrewcalm，andhereyesclosedasifexhausted；sheremainedinthemostvoluptuouspositionthatdesireitselfcouldhaveinvented。Ibegantogetveryexcited。HowwasItolookonsuchbeautieswithoutdesiringtopossessthem？Atthispointherwretchedhusbandlefttheroom，sayinghewasgonetofetchsomewater。Isawthesnare，andmyself—respectpreventedmybeingcaughtinit。IhadanideathatthewholescenehadbeenarrangedwiththeintentthatIshoulddelivermyselfuptobrutalpleasure，whiletheproudandfoolishwomanwouldbefreetodisavowallparticipationinthefact。Iconstrainedmyself，andgentlyveiledwhatIwouldfainhaverevealedinallitsnakedbeauty。IcondemnedtodarknessthesecharmswhichthismonsterofawomanonlywishedmetoenjoythatImightbedebased。
　　Stuardwaslongenoughgone。Whenhecamebackwiththewater—
　　bottlefull，hewasnodoubtsurprisedtofindmeperfectlycalm，andinnodisorderofanykind，andafewminutesafterwardsI
　　wentouttocoolmyselfbythebanksoftheRhone。
　　Iwalkedalongrapidly，feelingenragedwithmyself，forIfeltthatthewomanhadbewitchedme。InvainItriedtobringmyselftoreason；themoreIwalkedthemoreexcitedIbecame，andI
　　determinedthatafterwhatIhadseentheonlycureformydisorderedfancywasenjoyment，brutalornot。IsawthatI
　　shouldhavetowinher，notbyanappealtosentimentbutbyhardcash，withoutcaringwhatsacrificesImade。Iregrettedmyconduct，whichthenstruckmeinthelightoffalsedelicacy，forifIhadsatisfiedmydesiresandshechosetoturnprude，Imighthavelaughedhertoscorn，andmypositionwouldhavebeenunassailable。AtlastIdeterminedontellingthehusbandthatI
　　wouldgivehimtwenty—fivelouisifhecouldobtainmeaninterviewinwhichIcouldsatisfymydesires。
　　FullofthisideaIwentbacktotheinn，andhadmydinnerinmyownroomwithouttroublingtoenquireafterher。LeDuctoldmethatshewasdininginherroomtoo，andthatthelandlordhadtoldthecompanythatshewouldnottakehermealsinpublicanymore。ThiswasinformationIpossessedalready。
　　AfterdinnerIcalledonthegood—naturedDolci，whointroducedmetohisfather，anexcellentman，butnotrichenoughtosatisfyhisson’sdesireoftravelling。Theyoungmanwaspossessedofconsiderabledexterity，andperformedanumberofverycleverconjuringtricks。Hehadanamiablenature，andseeingthatIwascurioustoknowabouthisloveaffairshetoldmenumerouslittlestorieswhichshewedmethathewasatthathappyagewhenone’sinexperienceisone’ssolemisfortune。
　　Therewasarichladyforwhomhedidnotcare，asshewantedhimtogiveherthatwhichhewouldbeashamedtogivesaveforlove，andtherewasagirlwhorequiredhimtotreatherwithrespect。
　　IthoughtIcouldgivehimapieceofgoodadvice，soItoldhimtogranthisfavourstotherichwoman，andtofailinrespectnowandagaintothegirl，whowouldbesuretoscoldandthenforgive。Hewasnoprofligate，andseemedratherinclinedtobecomeaProtestant。Heamusedhimselfinnocentlywithhisfriendsofhisownage，inagardennearAvignon，andasisterofthegardener’swifewaskindtohimwhentheywerealone。
　　IntheeveningIwentbacktotheinn，andIhadnotlongtowaitfortheAstrodiandtheLepi（sothehunchbackedgirlwasnamed）；
　　butwhenIsawthesetwocaricaturesofwomenIfeltstupefied。I
　　hadexpectedthem，ofcourse，buttherealityconfoundedme。TheAstroditriedtocounterbalanceheruglinessbyanoutrageousfreedomofmanners；whiletheLepi，whothoughahunchbackwasverytalentedandanexcellentactress，wassureofexcitingdesirebytherarebeautyofhereyesandteeth，whichlatterchallengedadmirationfromherenormousmouthbytheirregularityandwhiteness。TheAstrodirusheduptomeandgavemeanItalianembrace，towhich，willynilly，Iwasobligedtosubmit。ThequieterLepiofferedmehercheek，whichIpretendedtokiss。I
　　sawthattheAstrodiwasinafairwaytobecomeintolerable，soI
　　beggedhertomoderatehertransports，becauseasanoviceatthesepartiesIwantedtogetaccustomedtothembydegrees。Shepromisedthatshewouldbeverygood。
　　WhilewewerewaitingforsupperIaskedher，forthesakeofsomethingtosay，whethershehadfoundaloveratAvignon。
　　"Onlythevice—legate’sauditor，"shereplied；"andthoughhemakesmehispathicheisgood—naturedandgenerous。Ihaveaccustomedmyselftohistasteeasilyenough，thoughIshouldhavethoughtsuchathingimpossibleayearago，asIfanciedtheexerciseaharmfulone，butIwaswrong。"
　　"Sotheauditormakesaboyofyou？"
　　"Yes。Mysisterwouldhaveadoredhim，asthatsortofloveisherpassion。"
　　"Butyoursisterhassuchfinehaunches。"
　　"SohaveI！Lookhere，feelme。"
　　"Youareright；butwaitabit，itistoosoonforthatkindofthingyet。"
　　"Wewillbewantonaftersupper。"
　　"Ithinkyouarewantonnow，"saidtheLepi。
　　"Why？"
　　"Why？Oughtyoutoshewyourpersonlikethat？"
　　"Mydeargirl，youwillbeshewingyourselfsoon。Whenoneisingoodcompany，oneisinthegoldenage。"
　　"Iwonderatyourtellingeveryonewhatsortofaconnectionyouhavewiththeauditor，"saidI。
　　"Nonsense！Idon’ttelleveryone，buteveryonetellsmeandcongratulatesmetoo。Theyknowtheworthymannevercaredforwomen，anditwouldbeabsurdtodenywhateverybodyguesses。I
　　usedtobeastonishedatmysister，butthebestplaninthisworldistobeastonishedatnothing。Butdon’tyoulikethat？"
　　"No，Ionlylikethis。"
　　AsIspokeIlaidhandsontheLepi，onthespotwhereoneusuallyfindswhatIcalled"this；"buttheAstrodi，seeingthatIfoundnothing，burstintoaroaroflaughter，andtakingmyhandputitjustunderherfronthump，whereatlastIfoundwhatIwanted。
　　Thereaderwillguessmysurprise。Thepoorcreature，tooashamedtobeprudish，laughedtoo。Myspiritsalsobegintorise，asI
　　thoughtofthepleasureIshouldgetoutofthisnewdiscoveryaftersupper。
　　"Haveyouneverhadalover？"saidItotheLepi。
　　"No，"saidtheAstrodi，"sheisstillamaid。"
　　"No，Iamnot，"repliedtheLepi，insomeconfusion，"IhadaloveratBordeaux，andanotheratMontpellier。"
　　"Yes，Iknow，butyouarestillasyouwereborn。"
　　"Ican’tdenyit。"