"Weshallbepleasedtoheartheendofthestorywithoutanyonebeinginformedofourinnocentcuriosity。"
Withthesewords，alongbenedictiondeliveredwithmuchunctioninformedmethatmyaudiencewasatanend。
AsIwasleavingHisHoliness’spalace，Iwasaccostedbyanoldabbe，whoaskedmerespectfullyifIwerenottheM。CasanovawhohadescapedfromTheLeads。
"Yes，"saidI，"Iamtheman。"
"Heavenbepraised，worthysir，thatIseeyouagaininsuchgoodestate！"
"ButwhomhaveIthehonourofaddressing？"
"Don’tyourecollectme？IamMomolo，formerlygondolieratVenice。"
"Haveyouenteredholyorders，then？"
"Notatall，buthereeveryonewearsthecassock。Iamthefirstscopatore（sweeper）ofHisHolinessthePope。"
"Icongratulateyouonyourappointment，butyoumustn’tmindmelaughing。"
"Laughasmuchasyoulike。MywifeanddaughterslaughwhenI
putonthecassockandbands，andIlaughmyself，butherethedressgainsonerespect。Comeandseeus。"
"Wheredoyoulive？"
"BehindtheTrinityofMonti；here’smyaddress。"
"Iwillcometo—night。"
Iwenthomedelightedwiththismeeting，anddeterminedtoenjoytheeveningwithmyVenetianboatman。Igotmybrothertocomewithme，andItoldhimhowthePopehadreceivedme。
TheAbbeWinckelmanncameintheafternoonandinformedmethatI
wasfortunateenoughtobehighinfavourwithhiscardinal，andthatthebookIhadsenthimwasveryvaluable；itwasararework，andinmuchbetterconditionthantheVaticancopy。
"Iamcommissionedtopayyouforit。"
"Ihavetoldhiseminencethatitwasapresent。"
"Heneveracceptsbooksaspresents，andhewantsyoursforhisownlibrary；andasheislibrarianoftheVaticanLibraryheisafraidlestpeoplemightsayunpleasantthings。"
"That’sverywell，butIamnotabookseller；andasthisbookonlycostmethetroubleofacceptingit，Iamdeterminedonlytosellitatthesameprice。Prayaskthecardinaltohonourmebyacceptingit。"
"Heissuretosenditbacktoyou。"
"Hecanifhelikes，butIwillsendbackhisfuneraloration，asIamnotgoingtobeunderanobligationtoanyonewhorefusestotakeapresentfromme。"
NextmorningtheeccentriccardinalreturnedmemyPandects，andI
immediatelyreturnedhisfuneraloration，withaletterinwhichI
pronounceditamasterpieceofcomposition，thoughIlaidbarelyglancedoveritinreality。MybrothertoldmeIwaswrong，butI
didnottroublewhathesaid，notcaringtoguidemyselfbyhisrulings。
IntheeveningmybrotherandIwenttothe’scopatoresantissimo’，whowasexpectingme，andhadannouncedmetohisfamilyasaprodigyofaman。Iintroducedmybrother，andproceededtoaclosescrutinyofthefamily。Isawanelderlywoman，fourgirls，ofwhomtheeldestwastwenty—four，twosmallboys，andabovealluniversalugliness。Itwasnotinvitingforamanofvoluptuoustastes，butIwasthere，andthebestthingwastoputagoodfaceonit；soIstayedandenjoyedmyself。Besidesthegeneralugliness，thehouseholdpresentedthepictureofmisery，forthe’scopatoresantissimo’andhisnumerousfamilywereobligedtoliveontwohundredRomancrownsayear，andastherearenoperquisitesattachedtotheofficeofapostolicsweeper，hewascompelledtofurnishallneedsoutofthisslendersum。InspiteofthatMomolowasamostgenerousman。Assoonashesawmeseatedhetoldmeheshouldhavelikedtogivemeagoodsupper，buttherewasonlyporkchopsandapolenta。
"Theyareverynice，"saidI；"butwillyouallowmetosendforhalfadozenflasksofOrvietofrommylodging？"
"Youaremasterhere。"
IwroteanotetoCosta，tellinghimtobringthesixflasksdirectly，withacookedham。Hecameinhalfanhour，andthefourgirlscriedwhentheysawhim，"Whatafinefellow！"IsawCostawasdelightedwiththisreception，andsaidtoMomolo，"IfyoulikehimaswellasyourgirlsIwilllethimstay。"
Costawascharmedwithsuchhonourbeingshewnhim，andafterthankingmewentintothekitchentohelpthemotherwiththepolenta。
Thelargetablewascoveredwithacleancloth，andsoonaftertheybroughtintwohugedishesofpolentaandanenormouspanfullofchops。Wewerejustgoingtobeginwhenaknockingonthestreetdoorwasheard。
"’TisSignoraMariaandhermother，"saidoneoftheboys。
AtthisannouncementIsawthefourgirlspullingawryface。
"Whoaskedthem？"saidone。"Whatdotheywant？"saidanother。
"Whattroublesomepeopletheyare！"saidathird。"Theymighthavestayedathome，"saidthefourth。Butthegood，kindlyfathersaid，"Mychildren，theyarehungry，andtheyshallsharewhatProvidencehasgivenus。"
Iwasdeeplytouchedwiththeworthyman’skindness。IsawthattrueChristiancharityismoreoftentobefoundinthebreastsofthepoorthantherich，whoaresowellprovidedforthattheycannotfeelforthewantsofothers。
WhileIwasmakingthesewholesomereflectionsthetwohungryonescamein。Onewasayoungwomanofamodestandpleasantaspect，andtheotherhermother，whoseemedveryhumbleandasifashamedoftheirpoverty。Thedaughtersalutedthecompanywiththatnaturalgracewhichisagiftofnature，apologizinginsomeconfusionforherpresence，andsayingthatshewouldnothavetakenthelibertytocomeifshehadknowntherewascompany。TheworthyMomolowastheonlyonewhoansweredher，andhesaid，kindly，thatshehaddonequiterighttocome，andputherachairbetweenmybrotherandmyself。Ilookedatherandthoughtheraperfectbeauty。
Thentheeatingbeganandtherewasnomoretalking。Thepolentawasexcellent，thechopsdelicious，andthehamperfect，andinlessthananhourtheboardwasasbareasiftherehadbeennothingonit；buttheOrvietokeptthecompanyingoodspirts。
Theybegantotalkofthelotterywhichwastobedrawnthedayafternext，andallthegirlsmentionedthenumbersonwhichtheyhadriskedafewbajocchi。
"IfIcouldbesureofonenumber，"saidI，"Iwouldstakesomethingonit。"
MariucciatoldmethatifIwantedanumbershecouldgivemeone。
Ilaughedatthisoffer，butinthegravestwayshenamedmethenumber27。
"Isthelotterystillopen？"IaskedtheAbbeMomolo。
"Tillmidnight，"hereplied，"andifyoulikeIwillgoandgetthenumberforyou。"
"Herearefiftycrowns，"saidI，"puttwenty—fivecrownson27—
thisforthesefiveyoungladies；andtheothertwenty—fiveon27
comingoutthefifthnumber，andthisIwillkeepformyself。"
Hewentoutdirectlyandreturnedwiththetwotickets。
Myprettyneighbourthankedmeandsaidshewassureofwinning，butthatshedidnotthinkIshouldsucceedasitwasnotprobablethat27wouldcomeoutfifth。
"Iamsureofit，"Ianswered，"foryouarethefifthyoungladyI
sawinthishouse。"Thismadeeverybodylaugh。Momolo’swifetoldmeIwouldhavedonemuchbetterifIhadgiventhemoneytothepoor，butherhusbandtoldhertobequiet，asshedidnotknowmyintent。Mybrotherlaughed，andtoldmeIhaddoneafoolishthing。"Ido，sometimes，"saidI，"butweshallseehowitturnsout，andwhenoneplaysoneisobligedeithertowinorlose。"
Imanagedtosqueezemyfairneighbour’shand，andshereturnedthepressurewithallherstrength。FromthattimeIknewthatmyfatewithMariucciawassealed。Ileftthematmidnight，beggingtheworthyMomolotoaskmeagainintwodays’time，thatwemightrejoicetogetheroverourgains。OnourwayhomemybrothersaidIhadeitherbecomeasrichasCroesusorhadgonemad。Itoldhimthatbothsuppositionswereincorrect，butthatMariucciawasashandsomeasanangel，andheagreed。
NextdayMengsreturnedtoRome，andIsuppedwithhimandhisfamily。Hehadanexceedinglyuglysister，whoforallthat，wasagoodandtalentedwoman。Shehadfallendeeplyinlovewithmybrother，anditwaseasytoseethattheflamewasnotyetextinguished，butwhenevershespoketohim，whichshedidwhenevershecouldgetanopportunity，helookedanotherway。
Shewasanexquisitepainterofminiatures，andacapitalhandatcatchingalikeness。TothebestofmybeliefsheisstilllivingatRomewithMaroniherhusband。Sheoftenusedtospeakofmybrothertome，andonedayshesaidthathemustbethemostthanklessofmenorhewouldnotdespiseherso。Iwasnotcuriousenoughtoenquirewhatclaimshehadtohisgratitude。
Mengs’swifewasagoodandprettywoman，attentivetoherhouseholddutiesandverysubmissivetoherhusband，thoughshecouldnothavelovedhim，forhewasanythingbutamiable。Hewasobstinateandfierceinhismanner，andwhenhedinedathomehemadeapointofnotleavingthetablebeforehewasdrunk；outofhisownhousehewastemperatetotheextentofnotdrinkinganythingbutwater。Hiswifecarriedherobediencesofarastoserveashismodelforallthenudefigureshepainted。Ispoketoheronedayaboutthisunpleasantobligation，andshesaidthatherconfessorhadchargedhertofulfilit，"for，"saidhe，"ifyourhusbandhasanotherwomanforamodelhewillbesuretoenjoyherbeforepaintingher，andthatsinwouldbelaidtoyourcharge。"
Aftersupper，Winckelmann，whowasasfargoneasalltheothermaleguests，playedwithMengs’schildren。Therewasnothingofthepedantaboutthisphilosopher；helovedchildrenandyoungpeople，andhischeerfuldispositionmadehimdelightinallkindsofenjoyment。
Nextday，asIwasgoingtopaymycourttothePope，IsawMomolointhefirstante—chamber，andItookcaretoremindhimofthepolentafortheevening。
AssoonasthePopesawme，hesaid，——
"TheVenetianambassadorhasinformedusthatifyouwishtoreturntoyournativeland，youmustgoandpresentyourselfbeforethesecretaryoftheTribunal。"
"MostHolyFather，Iamquitereadytotakethisstep，ifYourHolinesswillgrantmealetterofcommendationwrittenwithyourownhand。WithoutthispowerfulprotectionIshouldneverdreamofexposingmyselftotheriskofbeingagainshutupinaplacefromwhichIescapedbyamiracleandthehelpoftheAlmighty。"
"Youaregailydressed；youdonotlookasifyouweregoingtochurch。"
"True，mostHolyFather，butneitheramIgoingtoaball。"
"Wehaveheardallaboutthepresentsbeingsentback。Confessthatyoudidsotogratifyyourpride。"
"Yes，butalsotolowerapridegreaterthanmine。"
ThpPopesmiledatthisreply，andIkneltdownandbeggedhimtopermitmetopresentthevolumeofPandectstotheVaticanLibrary。Bywayofreplyhegavemehisblessing，whichsignifies，inpapallanguage，"Rise；yourrequestisgranted。"
"Wewillsendyou，"saidhe，"amarkofoursingularaffectionforyouwithoutyourhavingtopayanyfees。"
Asecondblessingbidmebegone。Ihaveoftenfeltwhatagoodthingitwouldbeifthiskindofdismissalcouldbeemployedingeneralsocietytosendawayimportunatepetitioners，towhomonedoesnotdaresay，"Begone。"
IwasextremelycurioustoknowwhatthePopehadmeantby"amarkofoursingularaffection。"Iwasafraidthatitwouldbeablessedrosary，withwhichIshouldnothaveknownwhattodo。
WhenIgothomeIsentthebookbyCostatotheVatican，andthenIwenttodinewithMengs。Whilewewereeatingthesoupthewinningnumbersfromthelotterywerebroughtin。Mybrotherglancedatthemandlookedatmewithastonishment。Iwasnotthinkingofthesubjectatthatmoment，andhisgazesurprisedme。
"Twenty—seven，"hecried，"cameoutfifth。"
"Allthebetter，"saidI，"weshallhavesomeamusementoutofit。"
ItoldthestorytoMengs，whosaid，——
"It’saluckyfollyforyouthistime；butitalwaysisafolly。"
Hewasquiteright，andItoldhimthatIagreedwithhim；butI
addedthattomakeaworthyuseofthefifteenhundredromancrownswhichfortunehadgivenme，IshouldgoandspendfifteendaysatNaples。
"Iwillcometoo，"saidtheAbbeAlfani。"Iwillpassforyoursecretary。"
"Withallmyheart，"Ianswered，"Ishallkeepyoutoyourword。"
IaskedWinckelmanntocomeandeatpolentawiththescopatoresantissimo，andtoldmybrothertoshewhimtheway；andIthencalledontheMarquisBelloni，mybanker，tolookintomyaccounts，andtogetaletterofcreditonthefirmatNaples，whowerehisagents。Istillhadtwohundredthousandfrancs:Ihadjewelleryworththirtythousandfrancs，andfiftythousandflorinsatAmsterdam。
IgottoMomolo’sintheduskoftheevening，andIfoundWinckelmannandmybrotheralreadythere；butinsteadofmirthreigningroundtheboardIsawsadfacesonallsides。
"What’sthematterwiththegirls？"IaskedMomolo。
"Theyarevexedthatyoudidnotstakefortheminthesamewayasyoudidforyourself。"
"Peopleareneversatisfied。IfIhadstakedforthemasIdidformyself，andthenumberhadcomeoutfirstinsteadoffifth，，theywouldhavegotnothing，andtheywouldhavebeenvexedthen。
Twodaysagotheyhadnothing，andnowthattheyhavetwenty—sevenpoundsapiecetheyoughttobecontented。"
"That’sjustwhatItelltheir，butallwomenarethesame。"
"Andmentoo，dearcountryman，unlesstheyarephilosophers。Golddoesnotspellhappiness，andmirthcanonlybefoundinheartsdevoidofcare。Letussaynomoreaboutit，butbehappy。"
Costaplacedabasketcontainingtenpacketsofsweets，uponthetable。
"Iwilldistributethem，"saidI，"wheneverybodyishere。"
Onthis，Momolo’sseconddaughtertoldmethatMariucciaandhermotherwerenotcoming，butthattheywouldsendthemthesweets。
"Whyaretheynotcoming？"
"Theyhadaquarrelyesterday，"saidthefather，"andMariuccia，whowasintheright，wentawaysayingthatshewouldnevercomehereagain。"
"Youungratefulgirls！"saidI，tomyhost’sdaughters，"don’tyouknowthatitistoherthatyouoweyourwinnings，forshegavemethenumbertwenty—seven，whichIshouldneverhavethoughtof。
Quick！thinkofsomewaytomakehercome，orIwillgoawayandtakeallthesweetswithme。"
"Youarequiteright，"saidMomolo。
Themortifiedgirlslookedatoneanotherandbeggedtheirfathertofetchher。
"Ira，"saidhe，"thatwon’tdo；youmadehersaythatshewouldnevercomehereagain，andyoumustmakeupthequarrel。"
Theyheldashortconsultation，andthen，askingCostatogowiththem，theywenttofetchher。
Inhalfanhourtheyreturnedintriumph，andCostawasquiteproudoftheparthehadtakeninthereconciliation。Ithendistributedthesweets，takingcaretogivethetwobestpacketstothefairMary。
Anoblepolentawasplacedupontheboard，flankedbytwolargedishesofporkchops。ButMomolo，whoknewmytastes，andwhomI
hadmaderichinthepersonofhisdaughters，addedtothefeastsomedelicatedishesandsomeexcellentwine。Mariucciawassimplydressed，buthereleganceandbeautyandthemodestyofherdemeanourcompletelyseducedme。
Wecouldonlyexpressourmutualflamesbysqueezingeachother’shands；andshedidthissofeelinglythatIcouldnotdoubtherlove。AsweweregoingoutItookcaretogodownstairsbesideherandaskedifIcouldnotmeetherbyherself，towhichsherepliedbymakinganappointmentwithmefarthenextdayateighto’clockattheTrinityofMonti。
Mariucciawastall:andshapely，aperfectpicture，asfairasawhiterose，andcalculatedtoinspirevoluptuousdesires。Shehadbeautifullightbrownhair，darkblueeyes，andexquisitelyarchedeyelids。Hermouth，thevermilionofherlips，andherivoryteethwereallperfect。Herwell—shapedforeheadgaveheranairapproachingthemajestic。Kindnessandgaietysparkledinhereyes；whileherplumpwhitehands，herroundedfinger—tips，herpinknails，herbreast，whichthecorsetseemedscarcelyabletorestrain，herdaintyfeet，andherprominenthips，madeherworthyofthechiselofPraxiteles。Shewasjustonhereighteenthyear，andsofarhadescapedtheconnoisseurs。ByaluckychanceIcameacrossherinapoorandwretchedstreet，andIwasfortunateenoughtoinsureherhappiness。
ItmayeasilybebelievedthatIdidnotfailtokeeptheappointment，andwhenshewassureIhadseenhershewentoutofthechurch。Ifollowedherataconsiderabledistance:sheenteredaruinedbuilding，andIafterher。Sheclimbedaflightofstepswhichseemedtobebuiltinair，andwhenshehadreachedthetopsheturned。
"Noonewillcomeandlookformehere，"saidshe，"sowecantalkfreelytogether。"
Isatbesideheronastone，andIthendeclaredmypassionateloveforher。
"Tellme，"Iadded，"whatIcandotomakeyouhappy；forIwishtopossessyou，butfirsttoshewmydeserts。"
"Makemehappy，andIwillyieldtoyourdesires，forIloveyou。"
"TellmewhatIcando。"
"Youcandrawmeoutofthepovertyandmiserywhichoverwhelmme。
Ilivewithmymother，whoisagoodwoman，butdevouttothepointofsuperstition；shewilldamnmysoulinhereffortstosaveit。Shefindsfaultwithmykeepingmyselfclean，becauseIhavetotouchmyselfwhenIwash，andthatmightgiverisetoevildesires。
Ifyouhadgivenmethemoneyyoumademewininthelotteryasasimplealmsshewouldhavemademerefuseit，becauseyoumighthavehadintentions。Sheallowsmetogobymyselftomassbecauseourconfessortoldhershemightdoso；butIdarenotstayawayaminutebeyondthetime，exceptonfeastdays，whenI
amallowedtoprayinthechurchfortwoorthreehours。Wecanonlymeethere，butifyouwishtosoftenmylotinlifeyoucandosoasfollows:
"Afineyoungman，whoisahairdresser，andbearsanexcellentcharacter，sawmeatMomolo’safortnightago，andmetmeatthechurchdoornextdayandgavemealetter。Hedeclaredhimselfmylover，andsaidthatifIcouldbringhimadowryoffourhundredcrowns，hecouldopenashop，furnishit，andmarryme。
"’Iampoor，’Ianswered，’andIhaveonlyahundredcrownsincharitytickets，whichmyconfessorkeepsforme。’NowIhavetwohundredcrowns，forifImarry，mymotherwillwillinglygivemehershareofthemoneyyoumadeusgain。Youcanthereforemakemehappybygettingmeticketstotheamountoftwohundredcrownsmore。Taketheticketstomyconfessor，whoisaverygoodmanandfondofme；hewillnotsayanythingtomymotheraboutit。"
"Ineedn’tgoaboutseekingforcharitytickets，myangel。Iwilltaketwohundredpiastrestoyourconfessorto—morrow，andyoumustmanagetherestyourself。Tellmehisname，andto—morrowI
willtellyouwhatIhavedone，butnothere，asthewindandthecoldwouldbethedeathofme。Youcanleavemetofindoutaroomwhereweshallbeatourease，andwithoutanydangerofpeople。suspectingthatwehavespentanhourtogether。Iwillmeetyouatthechurchto—morrowatthesamehourandwhenyouseemefollowme。"
Mariucciatoldmeherconfessor’sname，andallowedmeallthe。
caressespossibleinouruncomfortableposition。Thekissesshegavemeinreturnformineleftnodoubtinmymind，astoherloveforme。Asnineo’clockstruckIlefther，perishingwithcold，butburningwithdesire；myonlythoughtbeingwheretofindaroominwhichImightpossessmyselfofthetreasurethenextday。
Onleavingtheruinedpalace，insteadofreturningtothePiazzadiSpagnaIturnedtotheleftandpassedalonganarrowanddirtystreetonlyinhabitedbypeopleofthelowestsort。AsIslowlywalkedalong，awomancameoutofherhouseandaskedmepolitelyifIwerelookingforanybody。
"Iamlookingforaroomtolet。"
"Therearenonehere，sir，but，youwillfindahundredinthesquare。"
"Iknowit，butIwanttheroomtobehere，notforthesakeoftheexpense，butthatImaybesureofbeingabletospendanhourorsoofamorningwithapersoninwhomIaminterested。Iamreadytopayanything。"
"Iunderstandwhatyoumean，andyoushouldhavearoominmyhouseifIhadonetospare，butaneighbourofminehasoneonthegroundfloor，andifyouwillwaitamomentIwillgoandspeaktoher。"
"Youwillobligemeverymuch。"
"Kindlystepinhere。"
Ienteredapoorroom，whereallseemedwretchedness，andIsawtwochildrendoingtheirlessons。Soonafter，thegoodwomancamebackandaskedmetofollowher。Itookseveralpiecesofmoneyfrommypocket，andputthemdownontheonlytablewhichthispoorplacecontained。Imusthaveseemedverygenerous，forthepoormothercameandkissedmyhandwiththeutmostgratitude。Sopleasantisittodogood，thatnowwhenIhavenothinglefttheremembranceofthehappinessIhavegiventoothersatsmallcostisalmosttheonlypleasureIenjoy。
Iwenttoaneighbouringhousewhereawomanreceivedmeinanemptyroom，whichshetoldmeshewouldletcheaplyifIwouldpaythreemonthsinadvance，andbringinmyownfurniture。
"Whatdoyouaskforthethreemonths’rent？"
"ThreeRomancrowns。"
"IfyouwillseetothefurnishingoftheroomthisverydayI
willgiveyoutwelvecrowns。"
"Twelvecrowns！Whatfurnituredoyouwant？"
"Agoodcleanbed，asmalltablecoveredwithacleancloth，fourgoodchairs，andalargebrazierwithplentyoffireinit，forI
amnearlyperishingofcoldhere。Ishallonlycomeoccasionallyinthemorning，andIshallleavebynoonatthelatest。"
"Comeatthreeo’clock，then，to—day，andyouwillfindeverythingtoyoursatisfaction。"
>FromthereIwenttotheconfessor。HewasaFrenchmonk，aboutsixty，afineandbenevolent—lookingman，whowonone’srespectandconfidence。
"Reverendfather，"Ibegan，"IsawatthehouseofAbbeMomolo，’scoptoresantissimo’，ayounggirlnamedMary，whoseconfessoryouare。Ifellinlovewithher，andofferedhermoneytotryandseduceher。SherepliedthatinsteadoftryingtoleadherintosinIwoulddobettertogethersomecharityticketsthatshemightbeabletomarryayoungmanwholovedher，andwouldmakeherhappy。Iwastouchedbywhatshesaid，butmypassionstillremained。Ispoketoheragain，andsaidthatIwouldgivehertwohundredcrownsfornothing，andthathermothershouldkeepthem。
"’Thatwouldbemyruin，’saidshe；’mymotherwouldthinkthemoneywasthepriceofsin，andwouldnotacceptit。Ifyouarereallygoingtobesogenerous，takethemoneytomyconfessor，andaskhimtodowhathecanformymarriage。’"
"Here，then，reverendfather，isthesumofmoneyforthegoodgirl；bekindenoughtotakechargeofit，andIwilltroublehernomore。IamgoingtoNaplesthedayafterto—morrow，andIhopewhenIcomebackshewillbemarried。"
Thegoodconfessortookthehundredsequinsandgavemeareceipt，tellingmethatininterestingmyselfonbehalfofMariucciaIwasmakinghappyamostpureandinnocentdove，whomhehadconfessedsinceshewasfiveyearsold，andthathehadoftentoldherthatshemightcommunicatewithoutmakingherconfessionbecauseheknewshewasincapableofmortalsin。
"Hermother，"headded，"isasaintedwoman，andassoonasIhaveenquiredintothecharacterofthefuturehusbandIwillsoonbringthemarriageabout。Nooneshalleverknowfromwhomthisgenerousgiftcomes。"
AfterputtingthismatterinorderIdinedwiththeChevalierMengs，andIwillinglyconsentedtogowiththewholefamilytotheAlibertiTheatrethatevening。Ididnotforget，however，togoandinspecttheroomIhadtaken。Ifoundallmyordersexecuted，andIgavetwelvecrownstothelandladyandtookthekey，tellinghertolightthefireatseveneverymorning。
SoimpatientdidIfeelforthenextdaytocomethatIthoughttheoperadetestable，andthenightformewasasleeplessone。
NextmorningIwenttothechurchbeforethetime，andwhenMariucciacame，feelingsurethatshehadseenme，Iwentout。
Shefollowedmeatadistance，andwhenIgottothedoorofthelodgingIturnedforhertobesurethatitwasI，andthenwentinandfoundtheroomwellwarmed。SoonafterMariucciacamein，lookingtimid，confused，andasifsheweredoubtfulofthepathshewastreading。Iclaspedhertomyarms，andreassuredherbymytenderembraces；andhercouragerosewhenIshewedhertheconfessor’sreceipt，andtoldherthattheworthymanhadpromisedtocareforhermarriage。Shekissedmyhandinatransportofdelight，assuringmethatshewouldneverforgetmykindness。
Then，asIurgedhertomakemeahappyman，shesaid，——
"Wehavethreehoursbeforeus，asItoldmymotherIwasgoingtogivethankstoGodforhavingmademeawinnerinthelottery。"
Thisreassuredme，andItookmytime，undressingherbydegrees，andunveilinghercharmsonebyone，tomydelight，withouttheslightestattemptatresistanceonherpart。Allthetimeshekepthereyesfixedonmine，asiftosoothehermodesty；butwhenIbeheldandfeltallhercharmsIwasinanecstasy。Whatabody；whatbeauties！Nowherewastheretheslightestimperfection。ShewaslikeVenusrisingfromthefoamofthesea。
Icarriedhergentlytothebed，andwhileshestrovetohideheralabasterbreastsandthesofthairwhichmarkedtheentrancetothesanctuary，Iundressedinhaste，andconsummatedthesweetestofsacrifices，withouttherebeingtheslightestdoubtinmymindofthepurityofthevictim。Inthefirstsacrificenodoubttheyoungpriestessfeltsomepain，butsheassuredmeoutofdelicacythatshehadnotbeenhurt，andatthesecondassaultsheshewedthatshesharedmyflames。Iwasgoingtoimmolatethevictimforthethirdtimewhentheclockstruckten。Shebegantoberestless，andhurriedlyputonourclothes。IhadtogotoNaples，butIassuredherthatthedesireofembracingheroncemorebeforehermarriagewouldhastenmyreturntoRome。I
promisedtotakeanotherhundredcrownstoherconfessor，advisinghertospendthemoneyshehadwoninthelotteryonhertrousseau。
"IshallbeatMonolo’sto—night，dearest，andyoumustcome，too；
butwemustappearindifferenttoeachother，thoughourheartsbefullofjoy，lestthosemaliciousgirlssuspectourmutualunderstanding。"
"Itisallthemorenecessarytobecautious，"shereplied，"asI
havenoticedthattheysuspectthatweloveeachother。"
BeforewepartedshethankedmeforwhatIhaddoneforher，andbeggedmetobelievethat，herpovertynotwithstanding，shehadgivenherselfforlovealone。
Iwasthelasttoleavethehouse，andItoldmylandladythatI
shouldbeawayfortenortwelvedays。IthenwenttotheconfessortogivehimthehundredcrownsIhadpromisedmymistress。WhenthegoodoldFrenchmanheardthatIhadmadethisfreshsacrificethatMariucciamightbeabletospendherlotterywinningsonherclothes，hetoldmethathewouldcallonthemotherthatverydayandurgehertoconsenttoherdaughter’smarriage，andalsolearnwheretheyoungmanlived。OnmyreturnfromNaplesIheardthathehadfaithfullycarriedouthispromise。
IwassittingattablewithMengswhenachamberlainoftheHolyFathercalled。WhenhecameinheaskedM。MengsifIlivedthere，andonthatgentlemanpointingmeout，hegaveme，fromhisholymaster，theCrossoftheOrderoftheGoldenSpurwiththediploma，andapatentunderthepontificalseal，which，inmyqualityasdoctoroflaws，mademeaprothonotary—apostolic’extraurbem’。
IfeltthatIhadbeenhighlyhonoured，andtoldthebearerthatI
wouldgoandthankmynewsovereignandaskhisblessingthenextday。TheChevalierMengsembracedmeasabrother，butIhadtheadvantageoverhiminnotbeingobligedtopayanything，whereasthegreatartisthadtodisbursetwenty—fiveRomancrownstohavehisdiplomamadeout。ThereisasayingatRome，’Sineefusionesanguinisnonfitremissio’，whichmaybeinterpreted，Nothingwithoutmoney；andasamatteroffact，onecandoanythingwithmoneyintheHolyCity。
FeelinghighlyflatteredatthefavourtheHolyFatherhadshewnme，Iputonthecrosswhichdependedfromabroadredribbon—redbeingthecolourwornbytheKnightsofSt。JohnoftheLateran，thecompanionsofthepalace，’comitespalatini’，orcount—
palatins。AboutthesametimepoorCahusac，authoroftheoperaofZoroaster，wentmadforjoyonthereceiptofthesameorder。
Iwasnotsobadasthat，butIconfess，tomyshame，thatIwassoproudofmydecorationthatIaskedWinckelmannwhetherI
shouldbeallowedtohavethecrosssetwithdiamondsandrubies。
HesaidIcouldifIliked，andifIwantedsuchacrosshecouldgetmeonecheap。Iwasdelighted，andboughtittomakeashowatNaples，butIhadnotthefacetowearitinRome。WhenIwenttothankthePopeIworethecrossinmybutton—holeoutofmodesty。FiveyearsafterwardswhenIwasatWarsaw，Czartoryski，aRussianprince—palatine，mademeleaveitoffbysaying，——
"Whatareyoudoingwiththatwretchedbauble？It’sadruginthemarket，andnoonebutanimpostorwouldwearitnow。"
ThePopesknewthisquitewell，buttheycontinuedtogivethecrosstoambassadorswhiletheyalsogaveittotheir’valetsdechambre’。OnehastowinkatagoodmanythingsinRome。
IntheeveningMomologavemeasupperbywayofcelebratingmynewdignity。Irecoupedhimfortheexpensebyholdingabankatfaro，atwhichIwasdexterousenoughtolosefortycrownstothefamily，withouthavingtheslightestpartialitytoMariucciawhowonliketherest。Shefoundtheopportunitytotellmethatherconfessorhadcalledonher，thatshehadtoldhimwhereherfuturehusbandlived，andthattheworthymonkhadobtainedhermother’sconsenttothehundredcrownsbeingspentonhertrousseau。
InoticedthatMomolo’sseconddaughterhadtakenafancytoCosta，andItoldMomolothatIwasgoingtoNaples，butthatI
wouldleavemymaninRome，andthatifIfoundamarriagehadbeenarrangedonmyreturnIwouldgladlypaytheexpensesofthewedding。
Costalikedthegirl，buthedidnotmarryherthenforfearofmyclaimingthefirst—fruits。Hewasafoolofapeculiarkind，thoughfoolsofallsortsarecommonenough。Hemarriedherayearlaterafterrobbingme，butIshallspeakofthatagain。
Nextday，afterIhadbreakfastedanddulyembracedmybrother，I
setoutinanicecarriagewiththeAbbeAlfani，LeDucprecedingmeonhorseback，andIreachedNaplesatatimewheneverybodywasinastateofexcitementbecauseaneruptionofVesuviusseemedimminent。Atthelaststagetheinn—keepermademereadthewillofhisfatherwhohaddiedduringtheeruptionof1754。Hesaidthatintheyear1761GodwouldoverwhelmthesinfultownofNaples，andtheworthyhostconsequentlyadvisedmetoreturntoRome。Alfanitookthethingseriously，andsaidthatweshoulddowelltobewarnedbysoevidentanindicationofthewillofGod。
Theeventwaspredicted，thereforeithadtohappen。Thusagoodmanypeoplereason，butasIwasnotofthenumberIproceededonmyway。
CHAPTERIX
MyShortButHappyStayatNaples——TheDukedeMataloneMyDaughter——DonnaLucrezia——MyDepartureIshallnot，dearreader，attempttheimpossible，howevermuchI
shouldliketodescribethejoy，thehappiness，Imaysaytheecstasy，whichIexperiencedinreturningtoNaples，ofwhichI
hadsuchpleasantmemories，andwhere，eighteenyearsago，IhadmademyfirstfortuneinreturningfromMataro。AsIhadcomethereforthesecondtimetokeepapromiseIhadmadetotheDukedeMatalonetocomeandseehimatNaples，Ioughttohavevisitedthisnoblemanatonce；butforeseeingthatfromthetimeIdidsoIshouldhavelittlelibertyleftme，Ibeganbyenquiringafterallmyoldfriends。
IwalkedoutearlyinthemorningandcalledonBelloni’sagent。
Hecashedmyletterofcreditandgavemeasmanybank—notesasI
liked，promisingthatnobodyshouldknowthatwedidbusinesstogether。FromthebankersIwenttoseeAntonioCasanova，buttheytoldmehelivednearSalerno，onanestatehehadboughtwhichgavehimthetitleofmarquis。Iwasvexed，butIhadnorighttoexpecttofindNaplesinthestatuquoIleftit。Polowasdead，andhissonlivedatSt。Luciawithhiswifeandchildren；hewasaboywhenIsawhimlast，andthoughIshouldhavemuchlikedtoseehimagainIhadnotimetodoso。
ItmaybeimaginedthatIdidnotforgettheadvocate，Castelli，husbandofmydearLucrezia，whomIhadlovedsowellatRomeandTivoli。Ilongedtoseeherfaceoncemore，andIthoughtofthejoywithwhichweshouldrecalloldtimesthatIcouldneverforget。ButCastellihadbeendeadforsomeyears，andhiswidowlivedatadistanceoftwentymilesfromNaples。IresolvednottoreturntoRomewithoutembracingher。AstoLelioCaraffa，hewasstillaliveandresidingattheMatalonePalace。
Ireturned，feelingtiredwithmyresearches，dressedwithcare，anddrovetotheMatalonePalace，wheretheytoldmethatthedukewasattable。Ididnotcareforthatbuthadmynamesentin，andthedukecameoutanddidmethehonourofembracingmeandthouingme，andthenpresentedmetohiswife，adaughteroftheDukedeBovino，andtothenumerouscompanyattable。ItoldhimIhadonlycometoNaplesinfulfillmentofthepromiseIhadmadehimatParis。
"Then，"saidhe，"youmuststaywithme；"and，withoutwaitingformyanswer，orderedmyluggagetobebroughtfromtheinn，andmycarriagetobeplacedinhiscoach—house。Iacceptedhisinvitation。
Oneoftheguests，afine—lookingman，onhearingmynameannounced，saidgaily，——
"Ifyoubearmyname，youmustbeoneofmyfather’sbastards。"
"No，"saidI，directly，"oneofyourmother’s。"
Thisreparteemadeeverybodylaugh，andthegentlemanwhohadaddressedmecameandembracedme，notintheleastoffended。Thejokewasexplainedtome。HisnamewasCasalnovo，notCasanova，andhewasdukeandlordofthefiefofthatname。
"Didyouknow，"saidtheDukedeMatalone，"thatIhadason？"
"Iwastoldso，butdidnotbelieveit，butnowImustdopenanceformyincredulity，forIseebeforemeanangelcapableofworkingthismiracle。"
Theduchessblushed，butdidnotrewardmycomplimentwithsomuchasaglance；butallthecompanyapplaudedwhatIhadsaid，asitwasnotoriousthatthedukehadbeenimpotentbeforehismarriage。
Thedukesentforhisson，Iadmiredhim，andtoldthefatherthatthelikenesswasperfect。Amerrymonk，whosatattherighthandoftheduchess，said，moretruthfully，thattherewasnolikenessatall。Hehadscarcelyutteredthewordswhentheduchesscoollygavehimaboxontheear，whichthemonkreceivedwiththebestgraceimaginable。
Italkedawaytothebestofmyability，andinhalfanhour’stimeIhadwoneverybody’sgoodgraces，withtheexceptionoftheduchess，whoremainedinflexible。Itriedtomakehertalkfortwodayswithoutsuccess；soasIdidnotcaremuchaboutherI
lefthertoherpride。
AsthedukewastakingmetomyroomhenoticedmySpaniard，andaskedwheremysecretarywas，andwhenhesawthatitwastheAbbeAlfani，whohadtakenthetitlesoastoescapethenoticeoftheNeapolitans，hesaid，——
"Theabbeisverywise，forhehasdeceivedsomanypeoplewithhisfalseantiquesthathemighthavegotintotrouble。"
Hetookmetohisstableswherehehadsomesuperbhorses，Arabs，English，andAndalusians；andthentohisgallery，averyfineone；tohislargeandchoicelibrary；andatlasttohisstudy，wherehehadafinecollectionofprohibitedbooks。
Iwasreadingtitlesandturningoverleaves，whenthedukesaid，——
"PromisetokeepthemostabsolutesecrecyonwhatIamgoingtoshewyou。"
Ipromised，withoutmakinganydifficulty，butIexpectedasurpriseofsomesort。HethenshewedmeasatirewhichIcouldnotunderstand，butwhichwasmeanttoturnthewholeCourtintoridicule。Neverwasthereasecretsoeasilykept。
"YoumustcometotheSt。CharlesTheatre，"saidhe，"andIwillpresentyoutothehandsomestladiesinNaples，andafterwardsyoucangowhenyoulike，asmyboxisalwaysopentomyfriends。I
willalsointroduceyoutomymistress，andshe，Iamsure，willalwaysbegladtoseeyou。"
"What！youhaveamistress，haveyou？"
"Yes，butonlyforform’ssake，asIamveryfondofmywife。Allthesame，Iamsupposedtobedeeplyinlovewithher，andevenjealous，asIneverintroduceanyonetoher，anddonotallowhertoreceiveanyvisitors。"
"Butdoesnotyouryoungandhandsomeduchessobjecttoyourkeepingamistress？"
"Mywifecouldnotpossiblybejealous，assheknowsthatIamimpotent——except，ofcourse，withher。"
"Isee，butitsemsstrange；canonebesaidtohaveamistresswhomonedoesnotlove？"
"IdidnotsayIlovedhernot；onthecontrary，Iamveryfondofher；shehasakeenandpleasantwit，butsheinterestsmyheadratherthanmyheart。"
"Isee；butIsupposesheisugly？"
"Ugly？Youshallseeherto—night，andyoucantellmewhatyouthinkofherafterwards。Sheisahandsomeandwell—educatedgirlofseventeen。"
"CanshespeakFrench？"
"AswellasaFrenchwoman。"
"Iamlongingtoseeher。"
WhenwegottothetheatreIwasintroducedtoseveralladies，butnoneofthempleasedme。Theking，amereboy，satinhisboxinthemiddleofthetheatre，surroundedbyhiscourtiers，richlybuttastefullydressed。Thepitwasfullandtheboxesalso。Thelatterwereornamentedwithmirrors，andonthatoccasionwereallilluminatedforsomereasonorother。Itwasamagnificentscene，butallthisglitterandlightputthestageintothebackground。
Afterwehadgazedforsometimeatthescene，whichisalmostpeculiartoNaples，theduketookmetohisprivateboxandintroducedmetohisfriends，whoconsistedofallthewitsinthetown。
Ihaveoftenlaughedonhearingphilosophersdeclarethattheintelligenceofanationisnotsomuchtheresultoftheclimateasofeducation。SuchsagesshouldbesenttoNaplesandthentoSt。Petersburg，andbetoldtoreflect，orsimplytolookbeforethem。IfthegreatBoerhaavehadlivedatNapleshewouldhavelearntmoreaboutthenatureofsulphurbyobservingitseffectsonvegetables，andstillmoreonanimals。InNaples，andNaplesalone，water，andnothingbutwater，willcurediseaseswhicharefatalelsewhere，despitethedoctors’efforts。
Theduke，whohadleftmetothewitsforashorttime，returnedandtookmetotheboxofhismistress，whowasaccompaniedbyanoldladyofrespectableappearance。Ashewentinhesaid，"’Leonildamia，tipresentoilcavalierDonGiacomoCasanova，Veneziano，amicomio’。"
Shereceivedmekindlyandmodestly，andstoppedlisteningtothemusictotalktome。
Whenawomanispretty，onerecognizeshercharmsinstantaneously；
ifonehastoexamineherclosely，herbeautyisdoubtful。
Leonildawasstrikinglybeautiful。Ismiledandlookedattheduke，whohadtoldmethathelovedherlikeadaughter，andthatheonlykeptherforform’ssake。Heunderstoodtheglance，andsaid，——
"Youmaybelieveme。"
"It’scredible，"Ireplied。
Leonildanodoubtunderstoodwhatwemeant，andsaid，withashysmile，——
"Whateverispossibleiscredible。"
"Quiteso，"saidI，"butonemaybelieve，ornotbelieve，accordingtothevariousdegreesofpossibility。"
"Ithinkit’seasiertobelievethantodisbelieve。YoucametoNaplesyesterday；that’strueandyetincredible。"
"Whyincredible？"
"WouldanymansupposethatastrangerwouldcometoNaplesatatimewhentheinhabitantsarewishingthemselvesaway？"
"Indeed，Ihavefeltafraidtillthismoment，butnowIfeelquiteatmyease，since，youbeinghere，St。JanuariuswillsurelyprotectNaples。"
"Why？"
"BecauseIamsurehelovesyou；butyouarelaughingatme。"
"Itissuchafunnyidea。IamafraidthatifIhadaloverlikeSt。JanuariusIshouldnotgranthimmanyfavours。"
"Isheveryugly，then？"
"Ifhisportraitisagoodlikeness，youcanseeforyourselfbyexamininghisstatue。"
Gaietyleadstofreedom，andfreedomtofriendship。Mentalgracesaresuperiortobodilycharms。
Leonilda’sfranknessinspiredmyconfidence，andIledtheconversationtolove，onwhichshetalkedlikeapastmistress。
"Love，"saidshe，"unlessitleadstothepossessionofthebelovedobject，isameretorment；ifboundsareplacedtopassion，lovemustdie。"
"Youareright；andtheenjoymentofabeautifulobjectisnotatruepleasureunlessitbeprecededbylove。"
"Nodoubtifloveprecedesitaccompanies，butIdonotthinkitnecessarilyfollows，enjoyment。"
"True，itoftenmakeslovetocease。"
"Sheisaselfishdaughter，then，tokillherfather；andifafterenjoymentlovestillcontinueintheheartofone，itisworsethanmurder，forthepartyinwhichlovestillsurvivesmustneedsbewretched。"
"Youareright；andfromyourstrictlylogicalargumentsI
conjecturethatyouwouldhavethesenseskeptinsubjection:thatistoohard！"
"IwouldhavenothingtodowiththatPlatonicaffectiondevoidoflove，butIleaveyoutoguesswhatmymaximwouldbe。"
"Toloveandenjoy；toenjoyandlove。Turnandturnabout。"
"Youhavehitthemark。"
WiththisLeonildaburstoutlaughing，andthedukekissedherhand。Hergoverness，notunderstandingFrench，wasattendingtotheopera，butIwasinflames。
Leonildawasonlyseventeen，andwasasprettyagirlastheheartcoulddesire。
ThedukerepeatedalivelyepigramofLafontaine’son"Enjoyment，"
whichisonlyfoundinthefirsteditionofhisworks。Itbeginsasfollows:——
"LajouissanceetlesdesirsSontcequel’hommeadeplusrare；
MaiscenesonspasvraisplaisirsDeslemomentqu’onlessepare。"
IhavetranslatedthisepigramintoItalianandLatin；inthelatterlanguageIwasalmostabletorenderLafontainelineforline；butIhadtousetwentylinesofItaliantotranslatethefirsttenlinesoftheFrench。Ofcoursethisarguesnothingastothesuperiorityoftheonelanguageovertheother。
InthebestsocietyatNaplesoneaddressesanewcomerinthesecondpersonsingularasapeculiarmarkofdistinction。Thisputsbothpartiesattheireasewithoutdiminishingtheirmutualrespectforoneanother。
Leonildahadalreadyturnedmyfirstfeelingofadmirationintosomethingmuchwarmer，andtheopera，whichlastedforfivehours，seemedoverinamoment。
Afterthetwoladieshadgonethedukesaid，"Nowwemustpart，unlessyouarefondofgamesofchance。"
"Idon’tobjecttothemwhenIamtoplaywithgoodhands。"
"Thenfollowme；tenortwelveofmyfriendswillplayfaro，andthensitdowntoacoldcollation，butIwarnyouitisasecret，asgamingisforbidden。Iwillanswerforyoukeepingyourowncounsel，however。"
"Youmaydoso。"
HetookmetotheDukedeMonteLeone’s。Wewentuptothethirdfloor，passedthroughadozenrooms，andatlastreachedthegamester’schamber。Apolite—lookingbanker，withabankofaboutfourhundredsequins，hadthecardsinhishands。Thedukeintroducedmeashisfriend，andmademesitbesidehim。Iwasgoingtodrawoutmypurse，butIwastoldthatdebtswerenotpaidfortwenty—fourhoursaftertheyweredue。Thebankergavemeapackofcards，withalittlebasketcontainingathousandcounters。ItoldthecompanythatIshouldconsidereachcounterasaNaplesducat。Inlessthantwohoursmybasketwasempty。I
stoppedplayingandproceededtoenjoymysupper。ItwasarrangedintheNeapolitanstyle，andconsistedofanenormousdishofmacaroniandtenortwelvedifferentkindsofshellfishwhichareplentifulontheNeapolitancoasts。WhenweleftItookcarenottogivetheduke。timetocondolewithmeonmyloss，butbegantotalktohimabouthisdeliciousLeonilda。
EarlynextdayhesentapagetomyroomtotellmethatifI
wantedtocomewithhimandkisstheking’shandImustputonmygaladress。Iputonasuitofrose—colouredvelvet，withgoldspangles，andIhadthegreathonourofkissingasmallhand，coveredwithchilblains，belongingtoaboyofnine。ThePrincedeSt。Nicanderbroughtuptheyoungkingtothebestofhisability，buthewasnaturallyakindly，just，andgenerousmonarch；ifhehadhadmoredignityhewouldhavebeenanidealking；buthewastoounceremonious，andthat，Ithink，isadefectinonedestinedtoruleothers。
Ihadthehonourofsittingnexttheduchessatdinner，andshedeignedtosaythatshehadneverseenafinerdress。"That’smyway，"Isaid，"ofdistractingattentionfrommyfaceandfigure。"
Shesmiled，andherpolitenesstomeduringmystaywerealmostlimitedtothesefewwords。
Whenweleftthetabletheduketookmetotheapartmentoccupiedbyhisuncle，DonLelio，whorecognizedmedirectly。Ikissedthevenerableoldman’shand，andbeggedhimtopardonmeforthefreaksofmyyouth。"It’seighteenyearsago，"saidhe，"sinceI
choseM。Casanovaasthecompanionofyourstudies"IdelightedhimbygivinghimabriefaccountofmyadventuresinRomewithCardinalAcquaviva。Aswewentout，hebeggedmetocomeandseehimoften。
Towardstheeveningthedukesaid，——
"IfyougototheOperaBuffayouwillpleaseLeonilda。"
Hegavemethenumberofherbox，andadded，——
"Iwillcomeforyoutowardstheclose，andwewillsuptogetherasbefore。"
Ihadnoneedtoordermyhorsestobeputin，astherewasalwaysacarriagereadyformeinthecourtyard。
WhenIgottothetheatretheoperahadbegun。IpresentedmyselftoLeonilda，whoreceivedmewiththepleasantwords，"CaroDonGiacomo，Iamsopleasedtoseeyouagain。"
Nodoubtshedidnotliketothoume，buttheexpressionofhereyesandthetoneofhervoiceweremuchbetterthanthetowhichisoftenusedlavishlyatNaples。
Theseductivefeaturesofthischarminggirlwerenotaltogetherunknowntome，butIcouldnotrecollectofwhatwomansheremindedme。Leonildawascertainlyabeauty，andsomethingsuperiortoabeauty，ifpossible。Shehadsplendidlightchestnuthair，andherblackandbrillianteyes，shadedbythicklashes，seemedtohearandspeakatthesametime。Butwhatravishedmestillmorewasherexpression，andtheexquisiteappropriatenessofthegestureswithwhichsheaccompaniedwhatshewassaying。Itseemedasifhertonguecouldnotgivespeechtothethoughtswhichcrowdedherbrain。Shewasnaturallyquick—
witted，andherintellecthadbeendevelopedbyanexcellenteducation。
TheconversationturneduponLafontaine’sepigram，ofwhichIhadonlyrecitedthefirsttenverses，astherestistoolicentious；
andshesaid，——
"ButIsupposeitisonlyapoet’sfancy，atwhichonecouldbutsmile。"
"Possibly，butIdidnotcaretowoundyourears。"
"Youareverygood，"saidshe，usingthepleasanttu，"butallthesame，Iamnotsothin—skinned，asIhaveaclosetwhichthedukehashadpaintedoverwithcouplesinvariousamorousattitudes。
Wegotheresometimes，andIassureyouthatIdonotexperiencetheslightestsensation。"
"Thatmaybethroughadefectoftemperament，forwheneverIseewell—paintedvoluptuouspicturesIfeelmyselfonfire。Iwonderthatwhileyouandthedukelookatthem，youdonottrytoputsomeofthemintopractice。"
"Wehaveonlyfriendshipforoneanother。"
"Lethimbelieveitwhowill。"
"Iamsureheisaman，butIamunabletosaywhetherheisabletogiveawomananyrealproofsofhislove。"
"Yethehasason。"
"Yes，hehasachildwhocallshimfather；buthehimselfconfessesthatheisonlyabletoshewhismanlypowerswithhiswife。"
"That’sallnonsense，foryouaremadetogivebirthtoamorousdesires，andamanwhocouldlivewithyouwithoutbeingabletopossessyououghttoceasetolive。"
"Doyoureallythinkso？"
"DearLeonilda，ifIwereintheduke’splaceIwouldshewyouwhatamanwhoreallylovescando。"
"CaroDonGiacomo，Iamdelightedtohearyouloveme，butyouwillsoonforgetme，asyouareleavingNaples。"
"Cursedbethegaming—table，forwithoutitwemightspendsomedelightfulhourtogether。"
"Theduketoldmethatyoulostathousandducatsyesterdayeveninglikeaperfectgentleman。Youmustbeveryunlucky。"
"Notalways，butwhenIplayonadayinwhichIhavefalleninloveIamsuretolose。"
"Youwillwinbackyourmoneythisevening。"
"Thisisthedeclarationday；Ishallloseagain。"
"Thendon’tplay。"
"PeoplewouldsayIwasafraid，orthatallmymoneywasgone。"
"Ihopeatalleventsthatyouwillwinsometimes，andthatyouwilltellmeofyourgoodluck。Comeandseemeto—morrowwiththeduke。"
Thedukecameinatthatmoment，andaskedmeifIhadlikedtheopera。Leonildaansweredforme，"Wehavebeentalkingaboutloveallthetime，sowedon’tknowwhathasbeengoingonthestage。"
"Youhavedonewell。"
"ItrustyouwillbringM。Casanovatoseemetomorrowmorning，asIhopehewillbringmenewsthathehaswon。"
"It’smyturntodealthisevening，dearest，butwhetherhewinsorlosesyoushallseehimto—morrow。Youmustgiveussomebreakfast。"
"Ishallbedelighted。"
Wekissedherhand，andwenttothesameplaceasthenightbefore。Thecompanywaswaitingfortheduke。Thereweretwelvemembersoftheclub，andtheyallheldthebankinturn。Theysaidthatthismadethechancesmoreequal；butIlaughedatthisopinion，asthereisnothingmoredifficulttoestablishthanequalitybetweenplayers。
TheDukedeMatalonesatdown，drewouthispurseandhispocket—
book，andputtwothousandducatsinthebank，beggingpardonoftheothersfordoublingtheusualsuminfavourofthestranger。
Thebankneverexceededathousandducats。
"Then，"saidI，"Iwillhazardtwothousandducatsalsoandnotmore，fortheysayatVenicethataprudentplayerneverrisksmorethanhecanwin。Eachofmycounterswillbeequivalenttotwoducats。"Sosaying，Itooktennotesofahundredducatseachfrommypocket，andgavethemtothelastevening’sbankerwhohadwonthemfromme。
Playbegan；andthoughIwasprudent，andonlyriskedmymoneyonasinglecard，inlessthanthreehoursmycounterswereallgone。
Istoppedplaying，thoughIhadstilltwenty—fivethousandducats；
butIhadsaidthatIwouldnotriskmorethantwothousand，andI
wasashamedtogobackfrommyword。
ThoughIhavealwaysfeltlosingmymoney，noonehaseverseenmeputout，mynaturalgaietywasheightenedbyartonsuchoccasions，andseemedtobemorebrilliantthanever。Ihavealwaysfounditagreatadvantagetobeabletolosepleasantly。
Imadeanexcellentsupper，andmyhighspiritsfurnishedmewithsuchafundofamusingconversationthatallthetablewasinaroar。IevensucceededindissipatingthemelancholyoftheDukedeMatalone，whowasindespairathavingwonsuchasumfromhisfriendandguest。Hewasafraidhehadhalfruinedme，andalsothatpeoplemightsayhehadonlywelcomedmeforthesakeofmymoney。
Aswereturnedtothepalacetheconversationwasaffectionateonhissideandjovialonmine，butIcouldseehewasinsometrouble，andguessedwhatwasthematter。HewantedtosaythatI
couldpaythemoneyIowedhimwheneverIliked，butwasafraidofwoundingmyfeelings；butassoonashegotinhewrotemeafriendlynotetotheeffectthatifIwantedmoneyhisbankerwouldletmehaveasmuchasIrequired。IreplieddirectlythatIfeltthegenerosityofhisoffer，andifIwasinneedoffundsIwouldavailmyselfofit。
EarlynextmorningIwenttohisroom，andafteranaffectionateembraceItoldhimnottoforgetthatweweregoingtobreakfastwithhisfairmistress。WebothputongreatcoatsandwenttoLeonilda’sprettyhouse。
Wefoundhersittingupinbed，negligentlybutdecentlydressed，withadimitycorsettiedwithredribbons。Shelookedbeautiful，andhergracefulpostureaddedtohercharms。ShewasreadingCrebillon’sSopha。Thedukesatdownatthebottomofthebed，andIstoodstaringatherinspeechlessadmiration，endeavouringtorecalltomymemorywhereIhadseensuchanotherfaceashers。
ItseemedtomethatIhadlovedawomanlikeher。ThiswasthefirsttimeIhadseenherwithoutthedeceitfulglitterofcandles。Shelaughedatmyabsent—mindedness，andtoldmetositdownonachairbyherbedside。
TheduketoldherthatIwasquitepleasedathavinglosttwothousandducatstohisbank，asthelossmademesureshelovedme。
"CaromioDonGiacomo，Iamsorrytohearthat！Youwouldhavedonebetternottoplay，forIshouldhavelovedyouallthesame，andyouwouldhavebeentwothousandducatsbetteroff。"
"AndItwothousandducatsworseoff，"saidtheduke，laughing。
"Nevermind，dearLeonilda，Ishallwinthiseveningifyougrantmesomefavourto—day。Ifyoudonotdoso，Ishallloseheart，andyouwillmournatmygravebeforelong。"
"Think，Leonilda，whatyoucandoformyfriend。"
"Idon’tseethatIcandoanything。"
Theduketoldhertodress，thatwemightgoandbreakfastinthepaintedcloset。Shebeganatonce，andpreservedajustmeaninwhatsheletusseeandwhatsheconcealed，andthussetmeinflames，thoughIwasalreadycaptivatedbyherface，herwit，andhercharmingmanners。Icastanindiscreetglancetowardsherbeautifulbreast，andthusaddedfueltothefire。IconfessthatIonlyobtainedthissatisfactionbyaspeciesoflarceny，butI
couldnothavesucceededifshehadnotbeenwelldisposedtowardsme。Ipretendedtohaveseennothing。
Whiledressingshemaintainedwithmuchingenuitythatawisegirlwillbemuchmorecharyofherfavourstowardsamanshelovesthantowardsamanshedoesnotlove，becauseshewouldbeafraidtolosethefirst，whereasshedoesnotcareaboutthesecond。
"Itwillnotbesowithme，charmingLeonilda，"saidI。
"Youmakeamistake，Iamsure。"
Thepictureswithwhichtheclosetwherewebreakfastedwasadornedwereadmirablemorefromthecolouringandthedesignthanfromtheamorouscombatstheyrepresented。
"Theydon’tmakeanyimpressiononme，"saidtheduke，andheshewedusthatitwasso。