Rometheholy，whichthusstrivestomakeallmenpederasts，deniesthefact，andwillnotbelieveintheeffectsoftheglamourofherowndevising。
Imadethesereflectionsaloud，andanecclesiastic，wishingtoblindmetothetruth，spokeasfollows:——
"Youarequiteright。Whyshouldthiscastratobeallowedtoshewhisbreast，ofwhichthefairestRomanladymightbeproud，andyetwisheveryonetoconsiderhimasamanandnotawoman？Ifthestageisforbiddentothefairsexlesttheyexcitedesires，whydotheyseekoutmen—monstersmadeintheformofwomen，whoexcitemuchmorecriminaldesires？Theykeeponpreachingthatpederastyiscomparativelyunknownandentrapsonlyafew，butmanyclevermenendeavourtobeentrapped，andendbythinkingitsopleasantthattheypreferthesemonsterstothemostbeautifulwomen。"
"ThePopewouldbesureofheavenifheputastoptothisscandalouspractice。"
"Idon’tagreewithyou。Onecouldnothaveaprettyactresstosupperwithoutcausingascandal，butsuchaninvitationtoacastratomakesnobodytalk。Itisofcourseknownperfectlywellthataftersupperbothheadsrestononepillow，butwhateverybodyknowsisignoredbyall。Onemaysleepwithamanoutofmerefriendship，itisnotsowithawoman。"
"True，monsignor，appearancesaresaved，andasinconcealedishalfpardoned，astheysayinParis。"
"AtRomewesayitispardonedaltogether。’Peccatonascostononoffende’。"
Hisjesuiticalargumentsinterestedme，forIknewthathewasanavowedpartisanoftheforbiddenfruit。
InoneoftheboxesIsawtheMarchionessPassarini（whomIhadknownatDresden）withDonAntonioBorghese，andIwenttopaymyaddressestothem。Theprince，whomIhadknownatParistenyearsbefore，recognizedme，andaskedmetodinewithhimonthefollowingday。Iwent，butmylordwasnotathome。Apagetoldmethatmyplacewaslaidattable，andthatIcoulddinejustasiftheprincewasthere，onwhichIturnedmybackonhimandwentaway。OnAshWednesdayhesenthismantoaskmetosupwithhimandthemarchioness，whowashismistress，andIsentwordthatI
wouldnotfailtocome；buthewaitedformeinvain。Prideisthedaughteroffolly，andalwayskeepsitsmother’snature。
AftertheoperaIwenttoMomolo’s，whereIfoundMariuccia，herfather，hermother，andherfuturehusband。Theywereanxiouslyexpectingme。Itisnotdifficulttomakepeoplehappywhenoneselectsforone’sbountypersonswhoreallydeservehappiness。I
wasamidstpoorbuthonestpeople，andIcantrulysaythatIhadadelightfulsupper。Itmaybethatsomeofmyenjoymentproceededfromafeelingofvanity，forIknewthatIwastheauthorofthehappinessdepictedonthefacesofthebrideandbridegroomandofthefatherandmotherofMariuccia；butwhenvanitycausesgooddeedsitisavirtue。Nevertheless，Ioweittomyselftotellmyreadersthatmypleasurewastoopuretohaveinitanyadmixtureofvice。
AftersupperImadeasmallbankatfaro，makingeverybodyplaywithcounters，asnobodyhadapenny，andIwassofortunateastomakeeveryonewinafewducats。
AfterthegamewedancedinspiteoftheprohibitionofthePope，whomnoRomancanbelievetobeinfallible，forheforbidsdancingandpermitsgamesofchance。HissuccessorGanganellifollowedtheoppositecourse，andwasnobetterobeyed。ToavoidsuspicionIdidnotgivethepairanypresent，butIgaveupmylandautothemthattheymightenjoythecarnivalontheCorso，andItoldCostatogetthemaboxattheCapranicaTheatre。MomoloaskedmetosupperonShroveTuesday。
IwishedtoleaveRomeontheseconddayofLent，andIcalledontheHolyFatheratatimewhenallRomewasontheCorso。HisHolinesswelcomedmemostgraciously，andsaidhewassurprisedthatIhadnotgonetoseethesightsontheCorsolikeeverybodyelse。IrepliedthatasaloverofpleasureIhadchosenthegreatestpleasureofallforaChristian——namely，tokneelatthefeetofthevicarofChristonearth。Hebowedwithakindofmajestichumility，whichshewedmehowthecomplimenthadpleasedhim。Hekeptmeformorethananhour，talkingaboutVenice，Padua，andParis，whichlattercitytheworthymanwouldnothavebeensorrytohavevisited。Iagaincommendedmyselftohisapostolicintercessiontoenablemetoreturntomynativecountry，andhereplied，——
"HaverecoursetoGod，dearson；Hisgracewillbemoreefficaciousthanmyprayers；"andthenheblessedmeandwishedmeaprosperousjourney。
IsawthattheHeadoftheChurchhadnogreatopinionofhisownpower。
OnShroveTuesdayIdressedmyselfrichlyinthecostumeofPolichinello，androdealongtheCorsoshoweringsweetmeatsonalltheprettywomenIsaw。FinallyIemptiedthebasketonthedaughtersoftheworthy’scopatore’，whomCostawastakingaboutinmylandauwithallthedignityofapasha。
Atnight—timeItookoffmycostumeandwenttoMomolo’s，whereI
expectedtoseedearMariucciaforthelasttime。SupperpassedoffinalmostasimilarmannertothesupperoflastSunday；buttherewasaninterestingnoveltyforme——namely，thesightofmybelovedmistressinhercharacterofbride。Herhusbandseemedtobemuchmorereservedwithrespecttomethanatourfirstmeeting。Iwaspuzzledbyhisbehaviour，andsatdownbyMariucciaandproceededtoquestionher。Shetoldmeallthecircumstanceswhichhadpassedonthefirstnight，andshespokehighlyofherhusband’sgoodqualities。Hewaskind，amorous，good—tempered，anddelicate。Nodoubthemusthavenoticedthatthecaskethadbeenopened，buthehadsaidnothingaboutit。Ashehadspokenaboutme，shehadnotbeenabletoresistthepleasureoftellinghimthatIwashersolebenefactor，atwhich，sofarfrombeingoffended，heseemedtotrustinhermorethanever。
"Buthashenotquestionedyouindirectlyastotheconnectionbetweenus？"
"Notatall。Itoldhimthatyouwenttomyconfessorafterhavingspokentomeonceonlyinthechurch，whereItoldyouwhatagoodchanceIhadofbeingmarriedtohim。"
"Doyouthinkhebelievedyou？"
"Iamnotsure；however，evenifitwereotherwise，itisenoughthathepretendsto，forIamdeterminedtowinhisesteem。"
"Youareright，andIthinkallthebetterofhimforhissuspicions，foritisbettertomarryamanwithsomesenseinhisheadthantomarryafool。"
IwassopleasedwithwhatshetoldmethatwhenItookleaveofthecompanyIembracedthehairdresser，anddrawingahandsomegoldwatchfrommyfobIbeggedhimtoacceptitasasouvenirofme。Hereceiveditwiththeutmostgratitude。FrommypocketI
tookaring，worthatleastsixhundredfrancs，andputitonhiswife’sfinger，wishingthemafairposterityandallmannerofhappiness，andIthenwenthometobed，tellingLeDucandCostathatwemustbegintopackupnextday。
IwasjustgettingupwhentheybroughtmeanotefromLordLismore，beggingmetocomeandspeaktohimatnoonattheVillaBorghese。
Ihadsomesuspicionofwhathemightwant，andkepttheappointment。Ifeltinamoodtogivehimsomegoodadvice。
Indeed，consideringthefriendshipbetweenhismotherandmyself，itwasmydutytodoso。
Hecameuptomeandgavemealetterhehadreceivedtheeveningbeforefromhismother。ShetoldhimthatParisdeMonmartelhadjustinformedherthathewasinpossessionofabillfortwohundredthousandfrancsdrawnbyherson，andthathewouldhonouritifshewouldfurnishhimwiththefunds。Shehadrepliedthatshewouldlethimknowintwoorthreedaysifshecoulddoso；
butshewarnedhersonthatshehadonlyaskedforthisdelaytogivehimtimetoescape，asthebillwouldcertainlybeprotestedandreturned，itbeingabsolutelyoutofthequestionforhertogetthemoney。
"Youhadbettermakeyourselfscarceassoonasyoucan，"saidI，returninghimtheletter。
"Buythisring，andsofurnishmewiththemeansformyescape。
YouwouldnotknowthatitwasnotmypropertyifIhadnottoldyousoinconfidence。"
Imadeanappointmentwithhim，andhadthestonetakenoutandvaluedbyoneofthebestjewellersinRome。
"Iknowthisstone，"saidhe，"itisworthtwothousandRomancrowns。"
Atfouro’clockItooktheearlfivehundredcrownsingoldandfifteenhundredcrownsinpaper，whichhewouldhavetotaketoabanker，whowouldgivehimabillofexchangeinAmsterdam。
"Iwillbeoffatnightfall，"saidhe，"andtravelbymyselftoAmsterdam，onlytakingsucheffectsasareabsolutelynecessary，andmybelovedblueribbon。"
"Apleasantjourneytoyou，"saidI，andlefthim。IntendaysI
hadthestonemountedatBologna。
IgotaletterofintroductionfromCardinalAlbaniforOnorati，thenuncioatFlorence，andanotherletterfromM。MengstoSirMann，whomhebeggedtoreceivemeinhishouse。IwasgoingtoFlorenceforthesakeoftheCorticelliandmydearTherese，andI
reckonedontheauditor’sfeigningtoignoremyreturn，inspiteofhisunjustorder，especiallyifIwereresidingattheEnglishminister’s。
OntheseconddayofLentthedisappearanceofLordLismorewasthetalkofthetown。TheEnglishtailorwasruined，theJewwhoownedtheringwasindespair，andallthesillyfellow’sservantswereturnedoutofthehouseinalmostastateofnakedness，asthetailorhadunceremoniouslytakenpossessionofeverythinginthewayofclothesthathecouldlayhishandson。
PoorPoinsinetcametoseemeinapitiablecondition；hehadonlyhisshirtandovercoat。Hehadbeendespoiledofeverything，andthreatenedwithimprisonment。"Ihaven’tafarthing，"saidthepoorchildofthemuses，"Ihaveonlytheshirtonmyback。I
knownobodyhere，andIthinkIshallgoandthrowmyselfintotheTiber。"
Hewasdestined，nottobedrownedintheTiberbutintheGuadalquivir。IcalmedhimbyofferingtotakehimtoFlorencewithme，butIwarnedhimthatImustleavehimthere，assomeonewasexpectingmeatFlorence。Heimmediatelytookuphisabodewithme，andwroteversesincessantlytillitwastimetogo。
MybrotherJeanmademeapresentofanonyxofgreatbeauty。Itwasacameo，representingVenusbathing，andagenuineantique，asthenameoftheartist，Sostrates，wascutonthestone。TwoyearslaterIsoldittoDr。Masti，atLondon，forthreehundredpounds，anditispossiblystillintheBritishMuseum。
IwentmywaywithPoinsinetwhoamusedme，inspiteofhissadness，withhisdrollfancies。IntwodaysIgotdownatDr。
Vannini’s，whotriedtoconcealhissurpriseatseeingme。Ilostnotime，butwaitedonSir————Mannimmediately，andfoundhimsittingattable。Hegavemeaveryfriendlyreception，butheseemedalarmedwhen，inreplytohisquestion，Itoldhimthatmydisputewiththeauditorhadnotbeenarranged。HetoldmeplainlythathethoughtIhadmadeamistakeinreturningtoFlorence，andthathewouldbecompromisedbymystayingwithhim。
IpointedoutthatIwasonlypassingthroughFlorence。
"That’sallverywell，"saidhe，"butyouknowyououghttocallontheauditor。"
Ipromisedtodoso，andreturnedtomylodging。Ihadscarcelyshutthedoor，whenanagentofpolicecameandtoldmethattheauditorhadsomethingtosaytome，andwouldbegladtoseemeatanearlyhournextmorning。
Iwasenragedatthisorder，anddeterminedtostartforthwithratherthanobey。FullofthisideaIcalledonThereseandfoundshewasatPisa。IthenwenttoseetheCorticelli，whothrewherarmsroundmyneck，andmadeuseoftheBolognesegrimacesappropriatetotheoccasion。Tospeakthetruth，althoughthegirlwaspretty，herchiefmeritinmyeyeswasthatshemademelaugh。
Igavesomemoneytohermothertogetusagoodsupper，andI
tookthegirloutonpretenceofgoingforawalk。Iwentwithhertomylodging，andleftherwithPoinsinet，andgoingtoanotherroomIsummonedCostaandVannini。ItoldCostainVannini’spresencetogoonwithLeDucandmyluggagethefollowingday，andtocallformeatthe"Pilgrim"atBologna。I
gaveVanninimyinstructions，andhelefttheroom；andthenI
orderedCostatoleaveFlorencewithSignoraLauraandherson，andtotellthemthatIandthedaughterwereoninfront。LeDucreceivedsimilarorders，andcallingPoinsinetIgavehimtenLouis，andbeggedhimtolookoutforsomeotherlodgingthatveryevening。Theworthybutunfortunateyoungmanweptgratefultears，andtoldmethathewouldsetoutforParmaonfootnextday，andthatthereM。Tillotwoulddosome，thingforhim。
Iwentbacktothenextroom，andtoldtheCorticellitocomewithme。Shedidsoundertheimpressionthatweweregoingbacktohermother’s，butwithouttakingthetroubletoundeceiveherI
hadacarriageandpairgotready，andtoldthepostilliontodrivetoUccellatoio，thefirstpostontheBolognaroad。
"Whereintheworldarewegoing？"saidshe。
"Bologna。"
"Howaboutmamma？"
"Shewillcomeonto—morrow。"
"Doessheknowaboutit？"
"No，butshewillto—morrowwhenCostacomestotellher，andtofetchherandyourbrother"
Shelikedthejoke，andgotintothecarriagelaughing，andwedroveaway。
CHAPTERXI
MyArrivalatBologna——IAmExpelledfromModena——IVisitParmaandTurin——ThePrettyJewess——TheDressmakerTheCorticellihadagoodwarmmantle，butthefoolwhocarriedheroffhadnocloak，evenofthemostmeagrekind，tokeepoffthepiercingcold，whichwasincreasedbyakeenwindblowingrightinourfaces。
InspiteofallIwouldnothalt，forIwasafraidImightbepursuedandobligedtoreturn，whichwouldhavegreatlyvexedme。
WhenIsawthatthepostillionwasslackeninghisspeed，I
increasedtheamountofthepresentIwasgoingtomakehim，andoncemorewerushedalongataheadlongpace。Ifeltperishingwiththecold；whilethepostillionsseeingmesolightlyclad，andsoprodigalofmymoneytospeedthemontheirway，imaginedthatIwasaprincecarryingofftheheiressofsomenoblefamily。
Weheardthemtalkingtothiseffectwhiletheychangedhorses，andtheCorticelliwassomuchamusedthatshedidnothingbutlaughfortherestoftheway。Infivehourswecoveredfortymiles；westartedfromFlorenceateighto’clock，andatoneinthemorningwestoppedatapostinthePope’sterritory，whereI
hadnothingtofear。Thestagegoesunderthenameof"TheAssUnburdened。"
Theoddnameoftheinnmademymistresslaughafresh。Everybodywasasleep，butthenoiseImadeandthedistributionofafewpaulsprocuredmetheprivilegeofafire。Iwasdyingofhunger，andtheycoollytoldmetherewasnothingtoeat。Ilaughedinthelandlord’sface，andtoldhimtobringmehisbutter，hiseggs，hismacaroni，aham，andsomeParmesancheese，forIknewthatsomuchwillbefoundintheinnsalloverItaly。Therepastwassoonready，andIshewedtheidiothostthathehadmaterialsforanexcellentmeal。Weatelikefour，andafterwardstheymadeupanimpromptubedandwewenttosleep，tellingthemtocallmeassoonasacarriageandfourdrewup。
Fullofhamandmacaroni，slightlywarmedwiththeChiantiandMontepulciano，andtiredwithourjourney，westoodmoreinneedofslumberthanoflove，andsowegaveourselvesuptosleeptillmorning。Thenwegaveafewmomentstopleasure，butitwassoslightanaffairasnottobeworthtalkingabout。
Atoneo’clockwebegantofeelhungryagainandgotup，andthehostprovideduswithanexcellentdinner，afterreceivinginstructionsfromme。Iwasastonishednottoseethecarriagedrawup，butIwaitedpatientlyallday。Nightcameonandstillnocoach，andIbegantofeelanxious；buttheCorticellipersistedinlaughingateverything。NextmorningIsentoffanexpressmessengerwithinstructionsforCosta。Intheeventofanyviolencehavingtakenplace，IwasresolvedtoreturntoFlorence，ofwhichcityIcouldatanytimemakemyselffreebytheexpenditureoftwohundredcrowns。
Themessengerstartedatnoon，andreturnedattwoo’clockwiththenewsthatmyservantswouldshortlybewithme。Mycoachwasonitsway，andbehinditasmallercarriagewithtwohorses，inwhichsatanoldwomanandayoungman。
"That’sthemother，"saidCorticelli；"nowweshallhavesomefun。
Let’sgetsomethingforthemtoeat，andbereadytohearthehistoryofthismarvellousadventurewhichshewillremembertoherdyingday。"
Costatoldmethattheauditorhadrevengedmycontemptofhisordersbyforbiddingthepostauthoritiestofurnishanyhorsesformycarriage。Hencethedelay。ButhereweheardtheallocutionoftheSignoraLaura。
"Igotanexcellentsupperready，"shebegan，"accordingtoyourorders；itcostmemorethantenpauls，asIshallshewyou，andI
hopeyouwillmakeituptomeasI’mbutapoorwoman。AllwasreadyandIjoyfullyexpectedyou，butinvain；Iwasindespair。
AtlastwhenmidnightcameIsentmysontoyourlodgingtoenquireafteryou，butyoumayimaginemy’griefwhenIheardthatnobodyknewwhathadbecomeofyou。Ipassedasleeplessnight，weepingallthetime，andinthemorningIwentandcomplainedtothepolicethatyouhadtakenoffmydaughter，andaskedthemtosendafteryouandmakeyougiveherbacktome。Butonlythink，theylaughedatme！’Whydidyoulethergooutwithoutyou？
laughinginmyface。’Yourdaughter’singoodhands，’saysanother，’youknowperfectlywellwheresheis。’InfactIwasgrosslyslandered。"
"Slandered？"saidtheCorticelli。
"Yes，slandered，foritwasasmuchastosaythatIhadconsentedtoyourbeingcarriedoff，andifIhaddonethatthefoolsmighthaveknownIwouldnothavecometothemaboutit。IwentawayinaragetoDr。Vannini’s，whereIfoundyourman，whotoldmethatyouhadgonetoBologna，andthatIcouldfollowyouifIliked。
Iconsentedtothisplan，andIhopeyouwiltpaymytravellingexpenses。ButIcan’thelptellingyouthatthisisratherbeyondajoke。"
IconsoledherbytellingherIwouldpayallshehadspent，andwesetoffforBolognathenextday，andreachedthattownatanearlyhour。Isentmyservantstotheinnwithmycarriage，andI
wenttolodgewiththeCorticelli。
Ispentaweekwiththegirl，gettingmymealsfromtheinn，andenjoyingadiversityofpleasureswhichIshallrememberallmydays；myyoungwantonhadalargecircleoffemalefriends，allprettyandallkind。Ilivedwiththemlikeasultan，andstillI
delighttorecallthishappytime，andIsaywithasigh，’Tempipassati’！
TherearemanytownsinItalywhereonecanenjoyallthepleasuresobtainableatBologna；butnowheresocheaply，soeasily，orwithsomuchfreedom。Thelivingisexcellent，andtherearearcadeswhereonecanwalkintheshadeinlearnedandwittycompany。Itisagreatpitythateitherfromtheair，thewater，orthewine——formenofsciencehavenotmadeuptheirmindsonthesubjectpersonswholiveatBolognaaresubjecttoaslightitch。TheBolognese，however，farfromfindingthisunpleasant，seemtothinkitanadvantage；itgivesthemthepleasureofscratchingthemselves。Inspringtimetheladiesdistinguishthemselvesbythegracewithwhichtheyusetheirfingers。
Towardsmid—LentIlefttheCorticelli，wishingherapleasantjourney，forshewasgoingtofulfilayear’sengagementatPragueasseconddancer。IpromisedtofetchherandhermothertoParis，andmyreaderswillseehowIkeptmyword。
IgottoModenatheeveningafterIleftBologna，andIstoppedthere，withoneofthosesuddenwhimstowhichIhavealwaysbeensubject。NextmorningIwentouttoseethepictures，andasI
wasreturningtomylodgingfordinnerablackguardly—lookingfellowcameupandorderedme，onthepartoftheGovernment，tocontinuemyjourneyonthedayfollowingatlatest。
"Verygood，"saidI，andthefellowwentaway。
"Whoisthatman？"Isaidtothelandlord。
"ASPY。"
"Aspy；andtheGovernmentdarestosendsuchafellowtome？"
"The’borgello’musthavesenthim。"
"Thenthe’borgello’istheGovernorofModena——theinfamouswretch！"
"Hush！hush！allthebestfamiliesspeaktohiminthestreet。"
"Thenthebestpeopleareverylowhere，Isuppose？"
"Notmorethananywhereelse。Heisthemanageroftheoperahouse，andthegreatestnoblemendinewithhimandthussecurehisfavour。"
"It’sincredible！ButwhyshouldthehighandmightyborgellosendmeawayfromModena？"
"Idon’tknow，butdoyoutakemyadviceandgoandspeaktohim；
youwillfindhimafinefellow。"
Insteadofgoingtoseethisb……IcalledontheAbbeTestaGrossa，whomIhadknownatVenicein1753。Althoughhewasamanoflowextractionhehadakeenwit。Atthistimehewasoldandrestingonhislaurels；hehadfoughthiswayintofavourbythesheerforceofmerit，andhismaster，theDukeofModena，hadlongchosenhimashisrepresentativewithotherpowers。
AbbeTestaGrossarecognizedmeandgavemethemostgraciousreception，butwhenheheardofwhathadbefallenmeheseemedmuchannoyed。
"WhatcanIdo？"saidI。
"Youhadbettergo，asthemanmayputamuchmoregrievousinsultonyou。"
"Iwilldoso，butcouldyouobligemebytellingmethereasonforsuchahigh—handedaction？"
"Comeagainthisevening；Ishallprobablybeabletosatisfyyou。"
Icalledontheabbeagainintheevening，forIfeltanxioustolearninwhatwayIhadoffendedthelordborgello，towhomI
thoughtIwasquiteunknown。Theabbesatisfiedme。
"Theborgello，"saidhe，"sawyournameonthebillwhichhereceivesdailycontainingalistofthenamesofthosewhoenterorleavethecity。HerememberedthatyouweredaringenoughtoescapefromTheLeads，andashedoesnotatallapproveofthatsortofthingheresolvednottolettheModenesebecontaminatedbysoegregiousanexampleofthedefianceofjustice，howeverunjustitmaybe；andinshorthehasgivenyoutheordertoleavethetown。"
"Iammuchobliged，butIreallywonderhowitisthatwhileyouweretellingmethisyoudidnotblushtobeasubjectoftheDukeofModena’s。Whatanunworthyaction！Howcontraryissuchasystemofgovernmenttoallthebestinterestsofthestate！"
"Youarequiteright，mydearsir，butIamafraidthatasyetmen’seyesarenotopentowhatbestservestheirinterests。"
"Thatisdoubtlessduetothefactthatsomanymenareunworthy。"
"Iwillnotcontradictyou。"
"Farewell，abbe。"
"Farewell，M。Casanova。"
Nextmorning，justasIwasgoingtogetintomycarriage，ayoungmanbetweentwenty—fiveandthirty，tallandstrongandbroadshouldered，hiseyesblackandglittering，hiseyebrowsstronglyarched，andhisgeneralairbeingthatofacut—throat，accostedmeandbeggedmetostepasideandhearwhathehadtosay。
"IfyouliketostopatParmaforthreedays，andifyouwillpromisetogivemefiftysequinswhenIbringyouthenewsthattheborgelloisdead，Ipromisetoshoothimwithinthenexttwenty—fourhours。"
"Thanks。Suchananimalasthatshouldbeallowedtodieanaturaldeath。Here’sacrowntodrinkmyhealth。"
AtthepresenttimeIfeelverythankfulthatIactedasIdid，butIconfessthatifIhadfeltsurethatitwasnotatrapI
shouldhavepromisedthemoney。Thefearofcommittingmyselfsparedmethiscrime。
ThenextdayIgottoParma，andIputupattheposting—houseunderthenameoftheChevalierdeSeingalt，whichIstillbear。
Whenanhonestmanadoptsanamewhichbelongstonoone，noonehasarighttocontesthisuseofit；itbecomesaman’sdutytokeepthename。Ihadnowborneitfortwoyears，butIoftensubjoinedtoitmyfamilyname。
WhenIgottoParmaIdismissedCosta，butinaweekafterIhadthemisfortunetotakehimonagain。Hisfather，whowasapoorviolinplayer，asIhadoncebeen，withalargefamilytoprovidefor，excitedmypity。
ImadeenquiriesaboutM。Antonio，buthehadlefttheplace；andM。DuboisChalelereux，DirectoroftheMint，hadgonetoVenicewiththepermissionoftheDukeofParma，tosetupthebeam，whichwasneverbroughtintouse。Republicsarefamousfortheirsuperstitiousattachmenttooldcustoms；theyareafraidthatchangesforthebettermaydestroythestabilityofthestate，andthegovernmentofaristocraticVenicestillpreservesitsoriginalGreekcharacter。
MySpaniardwasdelightedwhenIdismissedCostaandproportionatelysorrywhenItookhimback。
"He’snoprofligate，"saidLeDuc；"heissober，andhasnolikingforbadcompany。ButIthinkhe’sarobber，andadangerousrobber，too。Iknowit，becauseheseemssoscrupulouslycarefulnottocheatyouinsmallthings。RememberwhatIsay，sir；hewilldoyou。Heiswaitingtogainyourconfidence，andthenhewillstrikehome。Now，Iamquiteadifferentsortoffellow，arogueinasmallway；butyouknowme。"
Hisinsightwas，keenerthanmine，forfiveorsixmonthslatertheItalianrobbedmeoffiftythousandcrowns。Twenty—threeyearsafterwards，in1784，IfoundhiminVenice，valettoCountHardegg，andIfeltinclinedtohavehimhanged。IshewedhimbyproofpositivethatIcoulddosoifIliked；buthehadresourcetotearsandsupplications，andtotheintercessionofaworthymannamedBertrand，wholivedwiththeambassadoroftheKingofSardinia。Iesteemedthisindividual，andheappealedtomesuccessfullytopardonCosta。Iaskedthewretchwhathehaddonewiththegoldandjewelshehadstolenfromme，andhetoldmethathehadlostthewholeofitinfurnishingfundsforabankatBiribi，thathehadbeendespoiledbyhisownassociates，andhadbeenpoorandmiserableeversince。
InthesameyearinwhichherobbedmehemarriedMomolo’sdaughter，andaftermakingheramotherheabandonedher。
Topursueourstory。
AtTurinIlodgedinaprivatehousewiththeAbbeGama，whohadbeenexpectingme。Inspiteofthegoodabbe’ssermononeconomy，Itookthewholeofthefirstfloor，andafinesuiteitwas。
Wediscusseddiplomatictopics，andheassuredmethatIshouldbeaccreditedinMay，andthathewouldgivemeinstructionsastothepartIwastoplay。Iwaspleasedwithhiscommission，andI
toldtheabbethatIshouldbereadytogotoAugsburgwhenevertheambassadorsofthebelligerentpowersmetthere。
AftermakingthenecessaryarrangementswithmylandladywithregardtomymealsIwenttoacoffeehousetoreadthepapers，andthefirstpersonIsawwastheMarquisDesarmoises，whomIhadknowninSavoy。Thefirstthinghesaidwasthatallgamesofchancewereforbidden，andthattheladiesIhadmetwouldnodoubtbedelightedtoseeme。Asforhimself，hesaidthathelivedbyplayingbackgammon，thoughhewasnotatallluckyatit，astalentwentformorethanluckatthatgame。Icanunderstandhow，iffortuneisneutral，thebestplayerwillwin，butIdonotseehowthecontrarycantakeplace。
Wewentforawalkinthepromenadeleadingtothecitadel，whereIsawnumerousextremelyprettywomen。InTurinthefairsexismostdelightful，butthepoliceregulationsaretroublesometoadegree。Owingtothetownbeingasmalloneandthinlypeopled，thepolicespiesfindouteverything。Thusonecannotenjoyanylittlefreedomswithoutgreatprecautionsandtheaidofcunningprocuresses，whohavetobewellpaid，astheywouldbecruellypunishediftheywerefoundout。Noprostitutesandnokeptwomenareallowed，muchtothedelightofthemarriedwomen，andwithresultswhichtheignorantpolicemighthaveanticipated。Aswellbeimagined，pederastyhasafinefieldinthistown，wherethepassionsarekeptunderlockandkey。
AmongstthebeautiesIlookedat，oneonlyattractedme。IaskedDesarmoiseshername，asheknewallofthem。
"That’sthefamousLeah，"saidhe；"sheisaJewess，andimpregnable。ShehasresistedtheattacksofthebeststrategistsinTurin。Herfather’safamoushorse—dealer；youcangoandseehereasilyenough，butthere’snothingtobedonethere。"
ThegreaterthedifficultythemoreIfeltspurredontoattemptit。
"Takemethere，"saidI，toDesarmoises。
"Assoonasyouplease。"
Iaskedhimtodinewithme，andwewereonourwaywhenwemetM。
ZeroliandtwoorthreeotherpersonswhomIhadmetatAix。I
gaveandreceivedplentyofcompliments，butnotwishingtopaythemanyvisitsIexcusedmyselfonthepretextofbusiness。
WhenwehadfinisheddinnerDesarmoisestookmetothehorse—
dealer’s。Iaskedifhehadagoodsaddlehorse。Hecalledaladandgavehisorders，andwhilsthewasspeakingthecharmingdaughterappearedonthescene。Shewasdazzlinglybeautiful，andcouldnotbemorethantwenty—two。Herfigurewasaslissomasanymph’s，herhairaravenblack，hercomplexionameetingofthelilyandtherose，hereyesfulloffire，herlasheslong，andhereye—browssowellarchedthattheyseemedreadytomakewaronanywhowoulddaretheconquestofhercharms。Allaboutherbetokenedaneducatedmindandknowledgeoftheworld。
IwassoabsorbedinthecontemplationofhercharmsthatIdidnotnoticethehorsewhenitwasbroughttome。However，I
proceededtoscrutiniseit，pretendingtobeanexpert，andafterfeelingthekneesandlegs，turningbacktheears，andlookingattheteeth，Itesteditsbehaviouratawalk，atrot，andagallop，andthentoldtheJewthatIwouldcomeandtryitmyselfintop—
bootsthenextday。Thehorsewasafinedappledbay，andwaspricedatfortyPiedmontesepistoles——aboutahundredsequins。
"Heisgentlenessitself，"saidLeah，"andheamblesasfastasanyotherhorsetrots。"
"Youhaveriddenit，then？"
"Often，sir，andifIwererichIwouldneversellhim。"
"Iwon’tbuythehorsetillIhaveseenyourideit。"
Sheblushedatthis。
"Youmustobligethegentleman，"saidherfather。Sheconsentedtodoso，andIpromisedtocomeagainatnineo’clockthenextday。
Iwasexacttotime，asmaybeimagined，andIfoundLeahinridingcostume。Whatproportions！WhataVenusCallipyge！Iwascaptivated。
Twohorseswereready，andsheleaptonherswiththeeaseandgraceofapractisedrider，andIgotuponmyhorse。Werodetogetherforsomedistance。Thehorsewentwellenough，butwhatofthat；allmyeyeswereforher。
Aswewereturning，Isaid，——
"FairLeah，Iwillbuythehorse，butasapresentforyou；andifyouwillnottakeitIshallleaveTurintoday。TheonlyconditionIattachtothegiftis，thatyouwillridewithmewheneverIaskyou。"
Isawsheseemedfavourablyinclinedtomyproposal，soItoldherthatIshouldstaysixweeksatTurin，thatIhadfalleninlovewithheronthepromenade，andthatthepurchaseofthehorsehadbeenamerepretextfordiscoveringtohermyfeelings。SherepliedmodestlythatshewasvastlyflatteredbythelikingIhadtakentoher，andthatIneednothavemadehersuchapresenttoassuremyselfofherfriendship。
"Theconditionyouimposeonmeisanextremelypleasantone，andIamsurethatmyfatherwilllikemetoacceptit。"
Tothissheadded，——
"AllIaskisforyoutomakemethepresentbeforehim，repeatingthatyouwillonlybuyitontheconditionthatIwillacceptit。"
IfoundthewaysmootherthanIhadexpected，andIdidwhatsheaskedme。Herfather，whosenamewasMoses，thoughtitagoodbargain，congratulatedhisdaughter，tookthefortypistolesandgavemeareceipt，andbeggedmetodothemthehonourofbreakfastingwiththemthenextday。ThiswasjustwhatIwanted。
ThefollowingmorningMosesreceivedmewithgreatrespect。Leah，whowasinherordinaryclothes，toldmethatifIlikedtorideshewouldputonherridinghabit。
"Anotherday，"saidI；"to—dayIshouldliketoconversewithyouinyourownhouse。"
Butthefather，whowasasgreedyasmostJewsare，saidthatifI
likeddrivinghecouldsellmeaprettyphaetonwithtwoexcellenthorses。
"Youmustshewthemtothegentleman，"saidLeah，possiblyinconcertwithherfather。
Mosessaidnothing，butwentouttogetthehorsesharnessed。
"Iwilllookatthem，"IsaidtoLeah，"butIwon’tbuy，asI
shouldnotknowwhattodowiththem。"
"Youcantakeyourlady—loveoutforadrive。"
"Thatwouldbeyou；butperhapsyouwouldbeafraid！"
"Notatall，ifyoudroveinthecountryorthesuburbs。"
"Verygood，Leah，thenIwilllookatthem。"
Thefathercamein，andwewentdownstairs。Ilikedthecarriageandthehorses，andItoldLeahso。
"Well，"saidMoses，"youcanhavethemnowforfourhundredsequins，butafterEasterthepricewillbefivehundredsequinsatleast。"
Leahgotintothecarriage，andIsatbesideher，andwewentforanhour’sdriveintothecountry。ItoldMosesIwouldgivehimananswerbythenextday，andhewentabouthisbusiness，whileLeahandIwentupstairsagain。
"It’squiteworthfourhundredsequins，"saidI，"andto—morrowI
willbuyitwithpleasure；butonthesameconditionasthatonwhichIboughtthehorse，andsomethingmore——namely，thatyouwillgrantmeallthefavoursthatatenderlovercandesire。"
"Youspeakplainly，andIwillansweryouinthesameway。I’manhonestgirl，sir，andnotforsale。"
"Allwomen，dearLeah，whethertheyarehonestornot，areforsale。Whenamanhasplentyoftimehebuysthewomanhisheartdesiresbyunremittingattentions；butwhenhe’sinahurryhebuysherwithpresents，andevenwithmoney。"
"Thenhe’saclumsyfellow；hewoulddobettertoletsentimentandattentionpleadhiscauseandgainthevictory。"
"IwishIcouldgivemyselfthathappiness，fairLeah，butI’minagreathurry。"
AsIfinishedthissentenceherfathercamein，andIleftthehousetellinghimthatifIcouldnotcomethenextdayIwouldcomethedayafter，andthatwecouldtalkaboutthephaetonthen。
ItwasplainthatLeahthoughtIwaslavishofmymoney，andwouldmakeacapitaldupe。Shewouldrelishthephaeton，asshehadrelishedthehorse，butIknewthatIwasnotquitesuchafoolasthat。Ithadnotcostmemuchtroubletoresolvetochancethelossofahundredsequins，butbeyondthatIwantedsomevalueformymoney。
ItemporarilysuspendedmyvisitstoseehowLeahandherfatherwouldsettleitamongstthemselves。IreckonedontheJew’sgreedinesstoworkwellforme。Hewasveryfondofmoney，andmusthavebeenangrythathisdaughterhadnotmademebuythephaetonbysomemeansoranother，forsolongasthephaetonwasboughttherestwouldbeperfectlyindifferenttohim。Ifeltalmostcertainthattheywouldcomeandseeme。
ThefollowingSaturdayIsawthefairJewessonthepromenade。Wewerenearenoughformetoaccostherwithoutseemingtobeanxioustodoso，andherlookseemedtosay，"Come。"
"Weseenomoreofyounow，"saidshe，"butcomeandbreakfastwithmeto—morrow，orIwillsendyoubackthehorse。"
Ipromisedtobewithheringoodtime，and，asthereaderwillimagine，Ikeptmyword。
Thebreakfastpartywasalmostconfinedtoourselves，forthoughherauntwaspresentshewasonlytherefordecency’ssake。Afterbreakfastweresolvedtohavearide，andshechangedherclothesbeforeme，butalsobeforeheraunt。Shefirstputonherleatherbreeches，thenletherskirtsfall，tookoffhercorset，anddonnedajacket。WithseemingindifferenceIsucceededincatchingaglimpseofamagnificentbreast；buttheslypussknewhowmuchmyindifferencewasworth。
"Willyouarrangemyfrill？"saidshe。
Thiswasawarmoccupationforme，andIamafraidmyhandwasindiscreet。Nevertheless，IthoughtIdetectedafixeddesignunderallthisseemingcomplaisance，andIwasonmyguard。
Herfathercameupjustasweweregettingonhorseback。
"Ifyouwillbuythephaetonandhorses，"saidhe，"Iwillabatetwentysequins。"
"Allthatdependsonyourdaughter，"saidI。
Wesetoffatawalk，andLeahtoldmethatshehadbeenimprudentenoughtoconfesstoherfatherthatshecouldmakemebuythecarriage，andthatifIdidnotwishtoembroilherwithhimI
wouldbekindenoughtopurchaseit。
"Strikethebargain，"saidshe，"andyoucangiveitmewhenyouaresureofmylove。"
"MydearLeah，Iamyourhumbleservant，butyouknowonwhatcondition。"
"Ipromisetodriveoutwithyouwheneveryouplease，withoutgettingoutofthecarriage，butIknowyouwouldnotcareforthat。No，youraffectionwasonlyatemporarycaprice。"
"ToconvinceyouofthecontraryIwillbuythephaetonandputitinacoach—house。Iwillseethatthehorsesaretaken—careof，thoughIshallnotusethem。ButifyoudonotmakemehappyinthecourseofaweekIshallre—sellthewhole。"
"Cometousto—morrow。"
"Iwilldoso，butItrusthavesomepledgeofyouraffectionthismorning。"
"Thismorning？It’simpossible。"
"Excuseme；Iwillgoupstairswithyou，andyoucanshewmemorethanonekindnesswhileyouareundressing。"
Wecameback，andIwasastonishedtohearhertellingherfatherthatthephaetonwasmine，andallhehadtodowastoputinthehorses。TheJewgrinned，andweallwentupstairs，andLeahcoollysaid，——
"Countoutthemoney。"
"Ihavenotanymoneyaboutme，butIwillwriteyouacheque，ifyoulike。"
"Hereispaper。"
IwroteachequeonZappataforthreehundredsequins，payableatsight。TheJewwentofftogetthemoney，andLeahremainedalonewithme。
"Youhavetrustedme，"shesaid，"andhavethusshewnyourselfworthyofmylove。"
"Thenundress，quick！"
"No，myauntisaboutthehouse；andasIcannotshutthedoorwithoutexcitingsuspicion，shemightcomein；butIpromisethatyoushallbecontentwithmetomorrow。Nevertheless，Iamgoingtoundress，butyoumustgointhiscloset；youmaycomebackwhenIhavegotmywoman’sclothesonagain。"
Iagreedtothisarrangement，andsheshutmein。Iexaminedthedoor，anddiscoveredasmallchinkbetweentheboards。Igotonastool，andsawLeahsittingonasofaoppositetomeengagedinundressingherself。Shetookoffhershiftandwipedherbreastsandherfeetwithatowel，andjustasshehadtakenoffherbreeches，andwasasnakedasmyhand，oneofherringshappenedtoslipoffherfinger，androlledunderthesofa。Shegotup，lookedtorightandleft，andthenstoopedtosearchunderthesofa，andtodothisshehadtokneelwithherheaddown。Whenshegotbacktocouch，thetowelcameagainintorequisition，andshewipedherselfalloverinsuchamannerthatallhercharmswererevealedtomyeagereyes。IfeltsurethatsheknewIwasawitnessofalltheseoperations，andsheprobablyguessedwhatafirethesightwouldkindleinmyinflammablebreast。
Atlasthertoilettewasfinished，andsheletmeout。Iclaspedherinmyarms，withthewords，"Ihaveseeneverything。"Shepretendednottobelieveme，soIchewedherthechink，andwasgoingtoobtainmyjustdues，whentheaccursedMosescamein。Hemusthavebeenblindorhewouldhaveseenthestatehisdaughterhadputmein；however，hethankedme，andgavemeareceiptforthemoney，saying，"Everythinginmypoorhouseisatyourservice。"
Ibadethemadieu，andIwentawayinanilltemper。Igotintomyphaeton，anddrovehomeandtoldthecoachmantofindmeastableforthehorsesandacoach—houseforthecarriage。
IdidnotexpecttoseeLeahagain，andIfeltenragedwithher。
Shehadpleasedmeonlytoomuchbyhervoluptuousattitudes，butshehadsetupanirritationwhollyhostiletoLove。ShehadmadeLovearobber，andthehungryboyhadconsented，butafterwards，whenhecravedmoresubstantialfare，sherefusedhim，andardourwassucceededbycontempt。Leahdidnotwanttoconfessherselftobewhatshereallywas，andmylovewouldnotdeclareitselfknavish。
Imadetheacquaintanceofanamiablechevalier，asoldier，amanofletters，andagreatloverofhorses，whointroducedmetoseveralpleasantfamilies。However，Ididnotcultivatethem，astheyonlyofferedmethepleasuresofsentiment，whileIlongedforlustierfareforwhichIwaswillingtopayheavily。TheChevalierdeBrezewasnotthemanforme；hewastoorespectableforaprofligatelikemyself。Heboughtthephaetonandhorses，andIonlylostthirtysequinsbythetransaction。
AcertainM。Baretti，whohadknownmeatAix，andhadbeentheMarquisdePriescroupier，tookmetoseetheMazzoli，formerlyadancer，andthenmistresstotheChevalierRaiberti，ahardheadedbuthonestman，whowasthensecretaryforforeignaffairs。
AlthoughtheMazzoliwasbynomeanspretty，shewasextremelycomplaisant，andhadseveralgirlsatherhouseformetosee；
butIdidnotthinkanyofthemworthyofoccupyingLeah’splace。
IfanciedInolongerlovedLeah，butIwaswrong。
TheChevalierCocona，whohadthemisfortunetobesufferingfromavenerealdisease，gavemeuphismistress，aprettylittle’soubrette’；butinspiteoftheevidenceofmyowneyes，andinspiteoftheassurancesshegaveme，Icouldnotmakeupmymindtohaveher，andmyfearmademeleaveheruntouched。CountTrana，abrotherofthechevalier’swhomIhadknownatAix，introducedmetoMadamedeSc————，aladyofhighrankandverygood—looking，butshetriedtoinvolvemeinacriminaltransaction，andIceasedtocallonher。Shortlyafter，CountTrana’sunclediedandhebecamerichandgotmarried，buthelivedanunhappylife。
Iwasgettingbored，andDesarmoises，whohadallhismealswithme，didnotknowwhattodo。AtlastheadvisedmetomaketheacquaintanceofacertainMadameR————，aFrenchwoman，andwellknowninTurinasamillineranddressmaker。Shehadsixoreightgirlsworkingforherinaroomadjoininghershop。DesarmoisesthoughtthatifIgotinthereImightpossiblybeabletofindonetomytaste。AsmypursewaswellfurnishedIthoughtI
shouldnothavemuchdifficulty，soIcalledonMadameR————。I
wasagreeablysurprisedtofindLeahthere，bargainingforaquantityofarticles，allofwhichshepronouncedtobetoodear。
ShetoldmekindlybutreproachfullythatshehadthoughtImustbeill。
"Ihavebeenverybusy，"Isaid；andfeltallmyoldardourrevive。SheaskedmetocometoaJewishwedding，wheretherewouldbeagoodmanypeopleandseveralprettygirls。Iknewthatceremoniesofthiskindareveryamusing，andIpromisedtobepresent。Sheproceededwithherbargaining，butthepricewasstilltoohighandshelefttheshop。MadameR————wasgoingtoputbackallthetriflesintheirplaces，butIsaid，——
"Iwilltakethelotmyself。"
Shesmiled，andIdrewoutmypurseandpaidthemoney。
"Wheredoyoulive，sir？"saidshe；"andwhenshallIsendyouyourpurchases？"
"Youmaybringthemto—morrowyourself，anddomethehonourofbreakfastingwithme。"
"Icanneverleavetheshop，sir。"Inspiteofherthirty—fiveyears，MadameR————wasstillwhatwouldbecalledatastymorsel，andshehadtakenmyfancy。
"Iwantsomedarklace，"saidI。
"Thenkindlyfollowme，sir。"
IwasdelightedwhenIenteredtheroomtoseealotofyoungwork—girls，allcharming，hardatwork，andscarcelydaringtolookatme。MadameR————openedseveralcupboards，andshowedmesomemagnificentlace。Iwasdistractedbythesightofsomanydeliciousnymphs，andItoldherthatIwantedthelacefortwo’baoutes’intheVenetianstyle。SheknewwhatImeant。Thelacecostmeupwardsofahundredsequins。MadameR————toldtwoofhergirlstobringmethelacethenextday，togetherwiththegoodswhichLeahhadthoughttoodear。Theymeeklyreplied，——
"Yes，mother。"
Theyroseandkissedthemother’shand，whichIthoughtaridiculousceremony；however，itgavemeanopportunityofexaminingthem，andIthoughtthemdelicious。Wewentbacktotheshop，andsittingdownbythecounterIenlargedonthebeautyofthegirls，adding，thoughnotwithstricttruth，thatIvastlypreferredtheirmistress。Shethankedmeforthecomplimentandtoldmeplainlythatshehadalover，andsoonafternamedhim。
HewastheComtedeSt。Giles，aninfirmandelderlyman，andbynomeansamodellover。IthoughtMadameR————wasjesting，butnextdayIascertainedthatshewasspeakingthetruth。Well，everyonetohistaste，andIsuspectthatshewasmoreinlovewiththecount’spursethanhisperson。Ihadmethimatthe"Exchange"coffeehouse。
Thenextdaythetwoprettymillinersbroughtmemygoods。I
offeredthemchocolate，buttheyfirmlyandpersistentlydeclined。
ThefancytookmetosendthemtoLeahwithallthethingsshehadchosen，andIbadethemreturnandtellmewhatsortofareceptiontheyhadhad。Theysaidtheywoulddoso，andwaitedformetowriteheranote。
Icouldnotgivethemtheslightestmarkofaffection。Idarednotshutthedoor，andthemistressandtheuglyyoungwomanofthehousekeptgoingandcomingallthetime；butwhentheycamebackIwaitedforthemonthestairs，andgivingthemasequineachtoldeachofthemthatshemightcommandmyheartifshewould。Leahhadacceptedmyhandsomepresentandsenttosaythatshewaswaitingforme。
AsIwaswalkingaimlesslyaboutintheafternoonIhappenedtopassthemilliner’sshop，andMadameR————sawmeandmademecomeinandsitdownbesideher。
"Iamreallymuchobligedtoyou，"saidshe，"foryourkindnesstomygirls。Theycamehomeenchanted。TellmefranklywhetheryouarereallyinlovewiththeprettyJewess。"
"Iamreallyinlovewithher，butasshewillnotmakemehappyI
havesignedmyowndismissal。"
"Youwerequiteright。AllLeahthinksofisdupingthosewhoarecaptivatedbyhercharms。"
"Donotyourcharmingapprenticesfollowyourmaxims？"
"No；buttheyareonlycomplaisantwhenIgivethemleave。"
"ThenIcommendmyselftoyourintercession，fortheywouldnoteventakeacupofchocolatefromme。"
"Theywereperfectlyrightnottoacceptyourchocolate:butIseeyoudonotknowthewaysofTurin。Doyoufindyourselfcomfortableinyourpresentlodging？"
"Quiteso。"
"Areyouperfectlyfreetodowhatyoulike？"
"Ithinkso。"
"Canyougivesuppertoanyoneyoulikeinyourownrooms？Iamcertainyoucan’t。"
"Ihavenothadtheopportunityoftryingtheexperimentsofar，butIbelieve……"
"Don’tflatteryourselfbybelievinganything；thathouseisfullofthespiesofthepolice。"
"ThenyouthinkthatIcouldnotgiveyouandtwoorthreeofyourgirlsalittlesupper？"
"Ishouldtakeverygoodcarenottogotoit，that’sallIknow。
Bynextmorningitwouldbeknowntoallthetown，andespeciallytothepolice。"
"Well，supposingIlookoutforanotherlodging？"
"It’sthesameeverywhere。Turinisaperfectnestofspies；butIdoknowahousewhereyoucouldliveatease，andwheremygirlsmightperhapsbeabletobringyouyourpurchases。Butweshouldhavetobeverycareful。"
"WhereisthehouseIwillbeguidedbyyouineverything。"
"Don’ttrustaPiedmontese；that’sthefirstcommandmenthere。"
Shethengavemetheaddressofasmallfurnishedhouse，whichwasonlyinhabitedbyanolddoor—keeperandhiswife。
"Theywillletityoubythemonth，"saidshe，"andifyoupayamonthinadvanceyouneednoteventellthemyourname。"
Ifoundthehousetobeaveryprettyone，standinginalonelystreetatabouttwohundredpacesfromthecitadel。Onegate，largeenoughtoadmitacarriage，ledintothecountry。IfoundeverythingtobeasMadameR————haddescribedit。Ipaidamonthinadvancewithoutanybargaining，andinadayIhadsettledinmynewlodging。MadameR————admiredmycelerity。
IwenttotheJewishweddingandenjoyedmyself，forthereissomethingatoncesolemnandridiculousabouttheceremony；butI
resistedallLeah’sendeavourstogetmeoncemoreintohermeshes……Ihiredaclosecarriagefromherfather，whichwiththehorsesIplacedinthecoach—houseandstablesofmynewhouse。
ThusIwasabsolutelyfreetogowheneverIwouldbynightorbyday，forIwasatonceinthetownandinthecountry。IwasobligedtotelltheinquisitiveGamawhereIwasliving，andIhidnothingfromDesarmoises，whoseneedsmadehimaltogetherdependentonme。NeverthelessIgaveordersthatmydoorwasshuttothemastoeveryoneelse，unlessIhadgivenspecialinstructionsthattheyweretobeadmitted。Ihadnoreasontodoubtthefidelityofmytwoservants。
InthisblissfulabodeIenjoyedallMdlle。R————’sgirls，oneaftertheother。TheoneIwantedalwaysbroughtacompanion，whomIusuallysentbackaftergivingherasliceofthecake。
Thelastofthem，whosenamewasVictorine，asfairasdayandassoftasadove，hadthemisfortunetobetied，thoughsheknewnothingaboutit。Mdlle。R————，whowasequallyignorantonthesubject，hadrepresentedhertomeasavirgin，andsoIthoughtherfortwolonghoursinwhichIstrovewithmightandmaintobreakthecharm，orratheropentheshell。Allmyeffortswereinvain。Iwasexhaustedatlast，andIwantedtoseeinwhattheobstacleconsisted。Iputherintheproperposition，andarmedwithacandleIbeganmyscrutiny。Ifoundafleshymembranepiercedbysosmallaholethatlargepin’sheadcouldscarcelyhavegonethrough。Victorineencouragedmetoforceapassagewithmylittlefinger，butinvainItriedtopiercethiswall，whichnaturehadmadeimpassablebyallordinarymeans。IwastemptedtoseewhatIcoulddowithabistoury，andthegirlwantedmetotry，butIwasafraidofthehaemorrhagewhichmighthavebeendangerous，andIwiselyrefrained。
PoorVictorine，condemnedtodieamaid，unlesssomecleversurgeonperformedthesameoperationthatwasundergonebyMdlle。
CheruffinishortlyafterM。Leprimarriedher，weptwhenIsaid，——
"Mydearchild，yourlittleHymendefiesthemostvigorouslovertoenterhistemple。"
ButIconsoledherbysayingthatagoodsurgeoncouldeasilymakeaperfectwomanofher。
InthemorningItoldMadameR————ofthecase。
Shelaughedandsaid，——
"ItmayproveahappyaccidentforVictorine；itmaymakeherfortune。"
AfewyearsaftertheCountofPaduahadheroperatedon，andmadeherfortune。WhenIcamebackfromSpainIfoundthatshewaswithchild，sothatIcouldnotexacttheduerewardforallthetroubleIhadtakenwithher。
EarlyinthemorningonMaundayThursdaytheytoldmethatMosesandLeahwantedtoseeme。Ihadnotexpectedtoseethem，butI
welcomedthemwarmly。ThroughoutHolyWeektheJewsdarednotshewthemselvesinthestreetsofTurin，andIadvisedthemtostaywithmetilltheSaturday。Mosesbegantotryandgetmetopurchasearingfromhim，andIjudgedfromthatthatIshouldnothavetopressthemverymuch。
"IcanonlybuythisringfromLeah’shands，"saidI。
Hegrinned，thinkingdoubtlessthatIintendedtomakeherapresentofit，butIwasresolvedtodisappointhim。Igavethemamagnificentdinnerandsupper，andintheeveningtheywereshewnadouble—beddedroomnotfarfrommine。Imighthaveputthemindifferentrooms，andLeahinaroomadjoiningmine，whichwouldhavefacilitatedanynocturnalexcursions；butafterallI
haddoneforherIwasresolvedtoowenothingtoasurprise；sheshouldcomeofherself。
ThenextdayMoses（whonoticedthatIhadnotyetboughtthering）wasobligedtogooutonbusiness，andaskedfortheloanofmycarriageforthewholeday，tellingmethathewouldcomeforhisdaughterintheevening。Ihadthehorsesharnessed，andwhenhewasgoneIboughttheringforsixhundredsequins，butonmyownterms。Iwasinmyownhouse，andLeahcouldnotdeceiveme。
AssoonasthefatherwassafelyoutofthewayIpossessedmyselfofthedaughter。Sheprovedadocileandamoroussubjectthewholeday。Ihadreducedhertoastateofnature，andthoughherbodywasasperfectascanwellbeimaginedIuseditandabuseditineverywayimaginable。Intheeveningherfatherfoundherlookingrathertired，butheseemedaspleasedasIwas。Leahwasnotquitesowellsatisfied，fortillthemomentoftheirdepartureshewasexpectingmetogiveherthering，butI
contentedmyselfwithsayingthatIshouldliketoreservemyselfthepleasureoftakingittoher。
OnEasterMondayamanbroughtmeanotesummoningmetoappearatthepoliceoffice。
CHAPTERXII
MyVictoryOvertheDeputyChiefofPolice——MyDeparture——
Chamberi——Desarmoises’sDaughter——M。Morin——M***M***
——AtAix——TheYoungBoarder——Lyons——ParisThiscitation，whichdidnotpromisetoleadtoanythingagreeable，surprisedanddispleasedmeexceedingly。However，I
couldnotavoidit，soIdrovetotheofficeofthedeputy—
superintendentofpolice。Ifoundhimsittingatalongtable，surroundedbyaboutascoreofpeopleinastandingposture。Hewasamanofsixty，hideouslyugly，hisenormousnosehalfdestroyedbyanulcerhiddenbyalargeblacksilkplaster，hismouthofhugedimensions，hislipsthick，withsmallgreeneyesandeyebrowswhichhadpartlyturnedwhite。Assoonasthisdisgustingfellowsawme，hebegan，——
"YouaretheChevalierdeSeingalt？"
"Thatismyname，andIhavecomeheretoaskhowIcanobligeyou？"
"Ihavesummonedyouheretoorderyoutoleavetheplaceinthreedaysatlatest。"
"Andasyouhavenorighttogivesuchanorder，IhavecomeheretotellyouthatIshallgowhenIplease，andnotbefore。"
"Iwillexpelyoubyforce。"
"Youmaydothatwheneveryouplease。Icannotresistforce，butItrustyouwillgivethematterasecondthought；forinawell—
orderedcitytheydonotexpelamanwhohascommittednocrimes，andhasabalanceofahundredthousandfrancsatthebank。"
"Verygood，butinthreedaysyouhaveplentyoftimetopackupandarrangematterswithyourbanker。Iadviseyoutoobey，asthecommandcomesfromtheking。"
"IfIweretoleavethetownIshouldbecomeaccessorytoyourinjustice！Iwillnotobey，butsinceyoumentiontheking’sname，Iwillgotohismajestyatonce，andhewilldenyyourwordsorrevoketheunjustorderyouhavegivenmewithsuchpublicity。"
"Pray，doesnotthekingpossessthepowertomakeyougo？"
"Yes，byforce，butnotbyjustice。Hehasalsothepowertokillme，buthewouldhavetoprovidetheexecutioner，ashecouldnotmakemecommitsuicide。"
"Youarguewell，butneverthelessyouwillobey。"
"Iarguewell，butIdidnotlearntheartfromyou，andIwillnotobey。"
WiththesewordsIturnedmybackonhim，andleftwithoutanotherword。
Iwasinafuriousrage。Ifeltinclinedtoofferovertresistancetoallthemyrmidonsoftheinfamoussuperintendent。
NeverthelessIsooncalmedmyself，andsummoningprudencetomyaidIrememberedtheChevalierRaiberti，whomIhadseenathismistress’shouse，andIdecidedonaskinghisadvice。Hewasthechiefpermanentofficialinthedepartmentofforeignaffairs。I
toldthecoachmantodrivetohishouse，andIrecountedtohimthewholetale，saying，finally，thatIshouldliketospeaktotheking，asIwasresolvedthatIwouldnotgounlessIwasforcedtodoso。TheworthymanadvisedmetogototheChevalierOsorio，theprincipalsecretaryforforeignaffairs，whocouldalwaysgetanaudienceoftheking。Iwaspleasedwithhisadvice，andIwentimmediatelytotheminister，whowasaSicilianandamanofparts。Hegavemeaverygoodreception，andafterI
hadinformedhimofthecircumstancesofthecaseIbeggedhimtocommunicatethemattertohismajesty，addingthatasthesuperintendent’sorderappearedhorriblyunjusttomeIwasresolvednottoobeyitunlesscompelledtodosobymainforce。
HepromisedtoobligemeinthewayIwished，andtoldmetocallagainthenextday。
AfterleavinghimItookashortwalktocoolmyself，andthenwenttotheAbbeGama，hopingtobethefirsttoimpartmyridiculousadventuretohim。Iwasdisappointed；healreadyknewthatIhadbeenorderedtogo，andhowIhadansweredthesuperintendent。WhenhesawthatIpersistedinmydeterminationtoresist，hedidnotcondemnmyfirmness，thoughhemusthavethoughtitveryextraordinary，forthegoodabbecouldnotunderstandanybody’sdisobeyingtheorderoftheauthorities。HeassuredmethatifIhadtogohewouldsendmethenecessaryinstructionstoanyaddressIlikedtoname。