"Certainly，"saidI，"forIamnotinlovewithher。"
Osoriolookedatmeslyly，andobserved，"SomehowIdon’tthinkyourindifferencewillbeverypleasingtothevirtuousduenna。"
Iunderstoodwhathemeant，butpersonallyIwasdelightednottobeabletoseetheCorticellisaveinthepresenceofafemaledragon。Itwouldmakepeopletalk，andIlovedalittlescandal，andfeltcurioustoseewhatwouldhappen。
WhenIreturnedtomyhouseIfoundtheGenoesePassano，abadpoetandworsepainter，towhomIhadintendedtogivethepartofaRosicrucian，becausetherewassomethinginhisappearancewhichinspired，ifnotrespect，atleastaweandacertainfeelingoffear。Inpointoffact，thiswasonlyanaturalpresentimentthatthemanmustbeeitheracleverrogueoramoroseandsullenscholar。
Imadehimsupwithmeandgavehimaroomonthethirdfloor，tellinghimnottoleaveitwithoutmypermission。AtsupperI
foundhiminsipidinconversation，drunken，ignorant，andilldisposed，andIalreadyrepentedofhavingtakenhimundermyprotection；butthethingwasdone。
Thenextday，feelingcurioustoseehowtheCorticelliwaslodged，Icalledonher，takingwithmeapieceofLyonssilk。
Ifoundherandhermotherinthelandlady’sroom，andasIcameinthelattersaidthatshewasdelightedtoseemeandthatshehopedIwouldoftendinewiththem。Ithankedherbrieflyandspoketothegirlcoollyenough。
"Shewmeyourroom，"saidI。Shetookmethereinhermother’scompany。"Hereissomethingtomakeyouawinterdress，"saidI，skewingherthesilk。
"Isthisfromthemarchioness？"
"No，itisfromme"
"Butwherearethethreedressesshesaidshewouldgiveme？"
"Youknowverywellonwhatconditionsyouweretohavethem，soletussaynomoreaboutit。"
Sheunfoldedthesilkwhichshelikedverymuch，butshesaidshemusthavesometrimmings。ThePacienzaofferedherservices，andsaidshewouldsendforadressmakerwholivedcloseby。I
acquiescedwithanod，andassoonasshehadlefttheroomtheSignoraLaurasaidshewasverysorryonlytobeabletoreceivemeinthepresenceofthelandlady。
"Ishouldhavethought，"saidI，"thatavirtuouspersonlikeyouwouldhavebeendelighted。"
"IthankGodforiteverymorningandnight。"
"Youinfernaloldhypocrite！"saidI，lookingcontemptuouslyather。
"Uponmyword，anybodywhodidn’tknowyouwouldbetakenin。"
InafewminutesVictorineandanothergirlcameinwiththeirband—boxes。
"AreyoustillatMadameR————’s"saidI。
"Yessir，"saidshe，withablush。
WhentheCorticellihadchosenwhatshewantedItoldVictorinetopresentmycomplimentstohermistress，andtellherthatIwouldcallandpayforthearticles。
Thelandladyhadalsosentforadressmaker，andwhiletheCorticelliwasbeingmeasured，sheshewedmeherfigureandsaidshewantedacorset。Ijestedonthepregnancywithwhichshethreatenedme，andofwhichtherewasnownotrace，pityingCountN————forbeingdeprivedofthejoysoffatherhood。Ithengaveherwhatmoneysherequiredandtookmyleave。Sheescortedmetothedoor，andaskedmeifsheshouldhavethepleasureofseeingmeagainbeforelong。
"It’sapleasure，isit？"Ireplied；"well，Idon’tknowwhenyouwillhaveitagain；itdependsonmyleisureandmyfancy。"
ItiscertainthatifIhadanyamorousfeelingsorevencuriosityaboutthegirl，Ishouldnothaveleftherinthathouseforamoment；butIrepeatmyloveforherhadentirelyvanished。Therewasonething，however，whichannoyedmeintolerably，namely，thatinspiteofmycoolnesstowardsher，thelittlehussypretendedtothinkthatIhadforgottenandforgiveneverything。
OnleavingtheCorticelli，Iproceededtocallonmybankers，amongstothersonM。Martin，whosewifewasjustlyfamousforherwitandbeauty。
Ichancedtomeetthehorse—dealingJew，whohadmademoneyoutofmebymeansofhisdaughterLeah。Shewasstillpretty，butmarried；andherfigurewastooroundedformytaste。Sheandherhusbandwelcomedmewithgreatwarmth，butIcaredforhernolonger，anddidnotwishtoseeheragain。
IcalledonMadameR————，whohadbeenawaitingmeimpatientlyeversinceVictorinehadbroughtnewsofme。IsatdownbythecounterandhadthepleasureofhearingfromherlipstheamoroushistoriesofTurinforthepastfewmonths。
"VictorineandCatonaretheonlytwooftheoldsetthatstillremain，butIhavereplacedthemwithothers。"
"HasVictorinefoundanyonetooperateonheryet？"
"No，sheisjustasyoulefther，butagentlemanwhoisinlovewithherisgoingtotakehertoMilan。"
ThisgentlemanwastheComtedePerouse，whoseacquaintanceImadethreeyearsafterwardsatMilan。Ishallspeakofhiminduetime。MadameR————toldmethat，inconsequenceofhergettingintotroubleseveraltimeswiththepolice，shehadbeenobligedtopromisetheCountd’Aglieonlytosendthegirlstoladies，and，consequently，ifIfoundanyofthemtomytasteIshouldbeobligedtomakefriendswiththeirrelationsandtakethemtothefestas。Sheshewedmethegirlsinthework—room，butIdidnotthinkanyofthemworthtakingtroubleabout。
ShetalkedaboutthePacienza，andwhenItoldherthatIkepttheCorticelli，andofthehardconditionstowhichIwasobligedtosubmit，sheexclaimedwithastonishment，andamusedmebyherjestsonthesubject。
"Youareingoodhands，mydearsir，"saidshe；"thewomanisnotonlyaspyofd’Aglie’s，butaprofessionalprocuress。IwondertheChevalierRaibertiplacedthegirlwithher。"
ShewasnotsosurprisedwhenItoldherthatthechevalierhadgoodreasonsforhisaction，andthatImyselfhadgoodreasonsofmyownforwishingtheCorticellitoremainthere。
Ourconversationwasinterruptedbyacustomerwhowantedsilkstockings。Hearinghimspeakofdancing，IaskedhimifhecouldtellmetheaddressofDupre，theballet—master。
"Noonebetter，sir，forIamDupre，atyourservice。"
"Iamdelightedatthishappychance。TheChevalierRaibertigavemetounderstandthatyoumightbeabletogivedancinglessonstoaballet—girlofmyacquaintance。"
"M。deRaibertimentionedyournametomethismorning。YoumustbetheChevalierdeSeingalt？"
"Exactly。"
"Icangivetheyoungladylessonseverymorningatnineo’clockatmyownhome。"
"No，doyoucometoherhouse，butatwhateverhouryoulike。I
willpayyou，andIhopeyouwillmakeheroneofyourbestpupils。Imustwarnyou，however，thatsheisnotanovice。"
"Iwillcallonherto—day，andto—morrowIwilltellyouwhatI
canmakeofher；butIthinkIhadbettertellyoumyterms:I
chargethreePiedmonteselivresalesson。"
"Ithinkthatisveryreasonable；Iwillcallonyouto—morrow。"
"Youdomehonour。Hereismyaddress。Ifyouliketocomeintheafternoonyouwillseetherehearsalofaballet。"
"Isitnotrehearsedatthetheatre？"
"Yes，butatthetheatrenoon—lookersareallowedbytheordersofthesuperintendentofpolice。"
"Thissuperintendentofyoursputshisfingerintoagoodmanypies。"
"Intoomany。"
"Butatyourownhouseanybodymaycome？"
"Undoubtedly，butIcouldnothavethedancersthereifmywifewerenotpresent。Thesuperintendentknowsher，andhasgreatconfidenceinher。"
"Youwillseemeattherehearsal。"
Thewretchedsuperintendenthaderectedafearfulsystemofsurveillanceagainsttheloversofpleasure，butitmustbeconfessedthathewasoftencheated。Voluptuousnesswasallthemorerampantwhenthusrestrained；andsoiteverwillbewhilemenhavepassionsandwomendesires。Toloveandenjoy，todesireandtosatisfyone’sdesires，suchisthecircleinwhichwemove，andwhencewecanneverbeturned。WhenrestrictionsareplaceduponthepassionsasinTurkey，theystillattaintheirends，butbymethodsdestructivetomorality。
AttheworthyMazzali’sIfoundtwogentlementowhomsheintroducedme。Onewasoldandugly，decoratedwiththeOrderoftheWhiteEagle——hisnamewasCountBorromeo；theother，youngandbrisk，wasCountA————B————ofMilan。AftertheyhadgoneIwasinformedthattheywerepayingassiduouscourttotheChevalierRaiberti，fromwhomtheyhopedtoobtaincertainprivilegesfortheirlordshipswhichwereundertheSardinianrule。
TheMilanesecounthadnotapenny，andtheLordoftheBorromeanIsleswasnotmuchbetteroff。Hehadruinedhimselfwithwomen，andnotbeingabletoliveatMilanhehadtakenrefugeinthefairestofhisisles，andenjoyedthereperpetualspringandverylittleelse。IpaidhimavisitonmyreturnfromSpain，butI
shallrelateourmeetingwhenIcometomyadventures，mypleasures，mymisfortunes，andaboveallmyfolliesthere，forofsuchthreadswastheweftofmylifecomposed，andfollywastheprominentelement。
Theconversationturnedonmyhouse，andthelivelyMazzoliaskedmehowIlikedmycook。IrepliedthatIhadnotyettriedhim，butIproposedtoputhimtotestthenextday，ifsheandthegentlemenwoulddomethehonourofsuppingwithme。
Theinvitationwasaccepted，andshepromisedtobringherdearchevalierwithher，andtowarnhimoftheevent，ashishealthonlyallowedhimtoeatonceaday。
IcalledonDupreintheafternoon。Isawthedancers，maleandfemale，thelatteraccompaniedbytheirmothers，whostoodononesidemuffledupinthickcloaks。AsIpassedthemunderreviewinmylordlymanner，Inoticedthatoneofthemstilllookedfreshandpretty，whichauguredwellforherdaughter，thoughthefruitdoesnotalwayscorrespondtothetree。
Dupreintroducedmetohiswife，whowasyoungandpretty，butwhohadbeenobligedtoleavethetheatreowingtotheweaknessofherchest。ShetoldmethatiftheCorticelliwouldworkhardherhusbandwouldmakeagreatdancerofher，asherfigurewaseminentlysuitedfordancing。WhileIwastalkingwithMadameDupre，theCorticelli，lateLascaris，camerunninguptomewiththeairofafavourite，andtoldmeshewantedsomeribbonsandlacestomakeabonnet。Theothersgirlsbegantowhispertoeachother，andguessingwhattheymustbesayingIturnedtoDuprewithouttakinganynoticeofMadameMadcap，andgavehimtwelvepistoles，sayingthatIwouldpayforthelessonsthreemonthsinadvance，andthatIhopedhewouldbringhisnewpupilonwell。
Suchaheavypaymentinadvancecausedgeneralsurprise，whichI
enjoyed，thoughpretendingnottobeawareofit。NowIknowthatIactedfoolishly，butIhavepromisedtospeakthetruthintheseMemoirs，whichwillnotseethelighttillalllighthasleftmyeyes，andIwillkeepmypromise。
Ihavealwaysbeengreedyofdistinction；Ihavealwayslovedtodrawtheeyesofmentowardsmen，butImustalsoaddthatifI
havehumiliatedanyoneithasalwaysbeenaproudmanorafool，forithasbeenmyruletopleaseeveryoneifIcan。
Isatononeside，thebettertoobservetheswarmofgirls，andI
soonfixedmyeyesononewhoseappearancestruckme。Shehadafinefigure，delicatefeatures，anobleair，andapatientlookwhichinterestedmeinthehighestdegree。Shewasdancingwithamanwhodidnotscrupletoabuseherinthecoarsestmannerwhenshemadeanymistakes，butsheboreitwithoutreplying，thoughanexpressionofcontemptmingledwiththesweetnessofherface。
InstinctdrewmetothemotherIhaveremarkedon，andIaskedhertowhomthedancerthatinterestedmebelonged。
"Iamhermother，"shereplied。
"You，madam！Ishouldnothavethoughtitpossible。"
"Iwasveryyoungwhenshewasborn。"
"Ishouldthinkso。Wheredoyoucomefrom？"
"IamfromLucca，andwhatismore—apoorwidow。"
"Howcanyoubepoor，whenyouarestillyoungandhandsome，andhaveanangelforadaughter？"
Sherepliedonlybyanexpressiveglance。Iunderstoodherreserve，andIstayedbyherwithoutspeaking。Soonafter，Agatha，asherdaughterwasnamed，cameuptohertoaskforahandkerchieftowipeherface。
"Allowmetoofferyoumine，"saidI。Itwasawhitehandkerchief，andscentedwithattarofroses；thislattercircumstancegaveheranexcuseforacceptingit，butaftersmellingitshewantedtoreturnittome。
"Youhavenotusedit，"saidI！；"doso。"
Sheobeyed，andthenreturnedittomewithabowbywayofthanks。
"Youmustnotgiveitmeback，fairAgatha，tillyouhavehaditwashed。"
Shesmiled，andgaveittohermother，glancingatmeinagratefulmanner，whichIconsideredofgoodomen。
"MayIhavethepleasureofcallingonyou？"saidI。"Icannotreceiveyou，sir，exceptinthepresenceofmylandlady。"
"ThiscursedrestrictionisgeneralinTurin，then？"
"Yes，thesuperintendentuseseverybodyinthesameway。"
"ThenIshallhavethepleasureofseeingyouagainhere？"
IntheeveningIhadoneofthebestsuppersIeverhadinmylife，ifIexceptthoseIenjoyedduringmystayatTurin。MycookwasworthyofaplaceinthekitchenofLucullus；butwithoutdetractingfromhisskillImustdojusticetotheproductsofthecountry。Everythingisdelicious；game，fish，birds，meat，vegetables，fruit，milk，andtruffles——allareworthyofthetableofthegreatestgourmets，andthewinesofthecountryyieldtonone。WhatapitythatstrangersdonotenjoylibertyatTurin！
Itistruethatbettersociety，andmorepoliteness，suchasarefoundinseveralFrenchandItaliantowns，aretobewishedfor。
ThebeautyofthewomenofTurinisnodoubtduetotheexcellenceoftheairanddiet。
IhadnotmuchtroubleinextractingapromisefromMadameMazzoliandthetwocountstosupwithmeeverynight，buttheChevalierdeRaibertiwouldonlypromisetocomewheneverhecould。
AttheCarignanTheatre，whereopera—bouffewasbeingplayed，I
sawRedegonde，withwhomIhadfailedatFlorence。Shesawmeinthepitandgavemeasmile，soIwrotetoher，offeringmyservicesifthemotherhadchangedherwayofthinking。Sheansweredthathermotherwasalwaysthesame，butthatifIwouldasktheCorticellishecouldcomeandsupwithme，thoughthemotherwoulddoubtlesshavetobeoftheparty。Igavehernoanswer，asthetermsshenamedwerebynomeanstomytaste。
IhadaletterfromMadameduRumain，enclosingonefromM。deChoiseultoM。deChauvelin，theFrenchambassadoratTurin。ItwillberememberedthatIhadknownthisworthynoblemanatSoleure，andhadbeentreatedwithgreatpolitenessbyhim，butI
wishedtohaveamoreperfecttitletohisacquaintance；henceI
askedMadameduRumaintogivemealetter。
M。deChauvelinreceivedmewiththegreatestcordiality；andreproachingmeforhavingthoughtaletterofintroductionnecessary，introducedmetohischarmingwife，whowasnolesskindthanherhusband。Threeorfourdayslaterheaskedmetodinewithhim，andImetathistableM。Imberti，theVenetianambassador，whosaidhewasverysorrynottobeabletopresentmeatCourt。OnhearingthereasonM。deChauvelinofferedtopresentmehimself，butIthoughtitbesttodeclinewiththanks。
Nodoubtitwouldhavebeenagreathonour，buttheresultwouldbethatIshouldbemorespiedonthaneveninthistownofspies，wherethemostindifferentactionsdonotpassunnoticed。Mypleasureswouldhavebeeninterferedwith。
CountBorromeocontinuedtohonourmebycomingeverynighttosupwithme，preservinghisdignitythewhile，forasheaccompaniedMadameMazzoliitwasnottobesupposedthathecamebecausehewasinneedofameal。CountA————B————camemorefrankly，andI
waspleasedwithhim。HetoldmeonedaythatthewayIputupwithhisvisitsmadehimextremelygratefultoProvidence，forhiswifecouldnotsendhimanymoney，andhecouldnotaffordtopayforhisdinnerattheinn，sothatifitwerenotformykindnesshewouldoftenbeobligedtogohungrytobed。Heshewedmehiswife’sletters；hehadevidentlyahighopinionofher。"Ihope，"
hewouldsay，"thatyouwillcomeandstaywithusatMilan，andthatshewillpleaseyou。"
HehadbeenintheserviceofSpain，andbywhathesaidIjudgedhiswifetobeapleasingbrunetteoftwenty—fiveortwenty—six。
ThecounthadtoldherhowIhadlenthimmoneyseveraltimes，andofmygoodnesstohim，andshereplied，begginghimtoexpresshergratitudetome，andtomakemepromisetostaywiththematMilan。Shewrotewittily，andherlettersinterestedmetosuchanextentthatIgaveaformalpromisetojourneytoMilan，ifitwereonlyforthesakeofseeingher。
IconfessthatindoingsoIwasovercomebymyfeelingsofcuriosity。Iknewtheywerepoor，andIshouldnothavegivenapromisewhichwouldeitherbringthemintodifficultiesorexposemetopayingtoodearlyformylodging。However，bywayofexcuse，Icanonlysaythatcuriosityisnearakintolove。I
fanciedthecountesssensiblelikeanEnglishwoman，passionatelikeaSpaniard，caressinglikeaFrenchwoman，andasIhadagoodenoughopinionofmyownmerit，Ididnotdoubtforamomentthatshewouldrespondtomyaffection。Withthesepleasantdelusionsinmyhead，IcountedonexcitingthejealousyofalltheladiesandgentlemenofMilan。Ihadplentyofmoney，andIlongedforanopportunityofspendingit。
Nevertheless，IwenteverydaytorehearsalatDupre’s，andIsoongotmadlyinlovewithAgatha。MadameDuprewonoverbyseveralpresentsImadeher，receivedmyconfidenceswithkindness，andbyaskingAgathaandhermothertodinnerprocuredmethepleasureofamoreprivatemeetingwithmycharmer。Iprofitedbytheopportunitytomakeknownmyfeelings，andIobtainedsomeslightfavours，butsoslightweretheythatmyflameonlygrewthefiercer。
AgathakeptontellingmethateverybodyknewthattheCorticelliwasmymistress，andthatforallthegoldintheworldshewouldnothaveitsaidthatshewasmylastshift，asIcouldnotseetheCorticelliinprivate。IsworetoherthatIdidnotlovetheCorticelli，andthatIonlykepthertopreventM。Raibertibeingcompromised；butallthiswasofnoavail，shehadformedherplans，andnothingwouldcontentherbutaformalrupturewhichwouldgiveallTurintounderstandthatIlovedherandheralone。
Ontheseconditionsshepromisedmeherheart，andeverythingwhichfollowsinsuchcases。
Ilovedhertoowellnottoendeavourtosatisfyher，sincemysatisfactiondependedonhers。WiththisideaIgotDupretogiveaballatmyexpenseinsomehouseoutsidethetown，andtoinviteallthedancers，maleandfemale，whowereengagedforthecarnivalatTurin。Everygentlemanhadtherighttobringaladytohavesupperandlookon，asonlytheprofessionaldancerswereallowedtodance。
ItoldDuprethatIwouldlookaftertherefreshmentdepartment，andthathemighttelleverybodythatnoexpensewastobespared。
Ialsoprovidedcarriagesandsedan—chairsfortheladies，butnobodywastoknowthatIwasfurnishingthemoney。Dupresawthattherewasprofitinstoreforhim，andwentaboutitatonce。
Hefoundasuitablehouse，askedtheladydancers，anddistributedaboutfiftytickets。
Agathaandhermotherweretheonlypersonswhoknewthattheprojectwasmine，andthatIwasresponsibletoagreatextentfortheexpenses；butthesefactsweregenerallyknownthedayaftertheball。
Agathahadnodressthatwasgoodenough，soIchargedMadameDupretoprovideoneatmyexpense，andIwaswellserved。Itiswellknownthatwhenthissortofpeoplediptheirfingersintoother’spursestheyarenotsparing，butthatwasjustwhatI
wanted。Agathapromisedtodanceallthequadrilleswithme，andtoreturntoTurinwithMadameDupre。
OnthedayfixedfortheballIstayedtodinnerattheDupre’stobepresentatAgatha’stoilette。Herdresswasarichandnewly—
madeLyonssilk，andthetrimmingwasexquisiteAlenconpointlace，ofwhichthegirldidnotknowthevalue。MadameR————，whohadarrangedthedress，andMadameDupre，hadreceivedinstructionstosaynothingaboutittoher。
WhenAgathawasreadytostart，Itoldherthattheear—ringsshewaswearingwerenotgoodenoughforherdress。
"That’strue，"saidMadameDupre，"andit’sagreatpity。"
"Unfortunately，"saidthemother，"mypoorgirlhasn’tgotanotherpair。"
"Ihavesomeprettyimitationpendants，whichIcouldlendyou，"
saidI；"theyarereallyverybrilliant。"
Ihadtakencaretoputtheear—ringswhichMadamed’UrfehadintendedfortheCountessLascarisinmypocket。Idrewthemout，andtheyweregreatlyadmired。
"Onewouldsweartheywererealdiamonds，"saidMadameDupre。
IputtheminAgatha’sears。Sheadmiredthemverymuch，andsaidthatalltheothergirlswouldbejealous，astheywouldcertainlytakethemforrealstones。
Iwenthomeandmadeanelaboratetoilette，andonarrivingattheballIfoundAgathadancingwithLordPercy，ayoungfool，whowasthesonoftheDukeofNorthumberland，andanextravagantspendthrift。
InoticedseveralhandsomeladiesfromTurin，who，beingmerelyonlookers，mightbethinkingthattheballwasgivenfortheiramusement，liketheflyonthechariotwheel。Alltheambassadorswerepresent，andamongstothersM。deChauvelin，whotoldmethattomakeeverythingcompletemyprettyhousekeeperatSoleurewaswanting。
TheMarquisandMarchionessdePrieweretherealso。Themarquisdidnotcaretodance，sowasplayingalittlegameofquinzewitharudegamester，whowouldnotletthemarquis’smistresslookoverhiscards。Shesawme，butpretendednottorecognizeme；
thetrickIhadplayedheratAixbeingprobablyenoughtolastherforsometime。
Theminuetscametoanend，andDupreannouncedthequadrilles，andIwasgladtoseetheChevalierVille—FolletdancingwiththeCorticelli。MypartnerwasAgatha，whohadgreatdifficultyingettingridofLordPercy，thoughshetoldhimthatshewasfullyengaged。
Minuetsandquadrillesfollowedeachotherinsuccession，andrefreshmentsbegantomaketheirappearance。Iwasdelightedtoseethattherefreshmentcounterwasfurnishedwiththeutmostliberality。ThePiedmontese，whoaregreatatcalculations，estimatedthatDupremustlosebyit，thefiringofchampagnecorkswascontinuous。
FeelingtiredIaskedAgathatositdown，andIwastellingherhowIlovedherwhenMadamedeChauvelinandanotherladyinterruptedus。Irosetogivethemplace，andAgathaimitatedmyexample；butMadamedeChauvelinmadehersitdownbesideher，andpraisedherdress，andaboveallthelacetrimming。Theotherladysaidhowprettyherear—ringswere，andwhatapityitwasthatthoseimitationstoneswouldlosetheirbrillianceintime。
MadamedeChauvelin，whoknewsomethingaboutpreciousstones，saidthattheywouldneverlosetheirbrilliance，astheywerediamondsofthefirstwater。
"Itisnotso？"sheadded，toAgatha，whointhecandourofherheartconfessedthattheywereimitation，andthatIhadlentthemtoher。
AtthisMadamedeChauvelinburstoutlaughing，andsaid，——
"M。deSeingalthasdeceivedyou，mydearchild。Agentlemanofhiscastedoesnotlendimitationjewellerytosuchaprettygirlasyouare。Yourear—ringsaresetwithmagnificentdiamonds。"
Sheblushed，formysilenceconfirmedthelady’sassertion，andshefeltthatthefactofmyhavinglenthersuchstoneswasapalpableproofofthegreatesteeminwhichIheldher。
MadamedeChauvelinaskedmetodanceaminuetwithAgatha，andmypartnerexecutedthedancewithwonderfulgrace。WhenitwasoverMadamedeChauvelinthankedme，andtoldmethatsheshouldalwaysrememberourdancingtogetheratSoleure，andthatshehopedI
woulddanceagainwithheratherownhouse。AprofoundbowshewedherhowflatteredIfeltbythecompliment。
Theballdidnotcometoanendtillfouro’clockinthemorning，andIdidnotleaveittillIsawAgathagoingawayinthecompanywithMadameDupre。
Iwasstillinbedthenextmorning，whenmymantoldmeaprettywomanwantedtospeaktome。IhadherinandwasdelightedtofinditwasAgatha’smother。Imadehersitdownbesideme，andgaveheracupofchocolate。Assoonaswewerealoneshedrewmyear—ringsfromherpocket，andsaid，withasmile，thatshehadjustbeenshewingthemtoajeweller，whohadofferedherathousandsequinsforthem。
"Theman’smad，"saidI，"yououghttohavelethimhavethem；
theyarenotworthfoursequins。"
Sosaying，Idrewhertomyarmsandgaveherakiss。Feelingthatshehadsharedinthekiss，andthatsheseemedtolikeit，I
wentfarther，andatlastwespentacoupleofhoursinshewingwhatahighopinionwehadofeachother。
Afterwardswebothlookedratherastonished，anditwasthebeautifulmotherwhofirstbrokethesilence。
"AmItotellmygirl，"saidshe，withasmile，"ofthewayinwhichyouprovedtomethatyouloveher？"
"Ileavethattoyourdiscretion，mydear，"saidI。"IhavecertainlyprovedthatIloveyou，butitdoesnotfollowthatIdonotadoreyourdaughter。Infact，Iburnforher；andyet，ifwearenotcarefultoavoidbeingalonetogether，whathasjusthappenedbetweenuswilloftenhappenagain。"
"Itishardtoresistyou，anditispossiblethatImayhaveoccasiontospeaktoyouagaininprivate。"
"Youmaybesureyouwillalwaysbewelcome，andallIaskofyouisnottoputanyobstaclesinthewayofmysuitwithAgatha。"
"Ihavealsoafavourtoask。"
"Ifitiswithinmypower，youmaybesureIwillgrantit。"
"Verygood！Thentellmeiftheseear—ringsarereal，andwhatwasyourintentioninputtingtheminmydaughter’sears？"
"Thediamondsareperfectlygenuine，andmyintentionwasthatAgathashouldkeepthemasaproofofmyaffection。"
Sheheavedasigh，andthentoldmethatImightaskthemtosupper，withDupreandhiswife，wheneverIpleased。Ithankedher，gavehertensequins，andsentherawayhappy。
OnreflectionIdecidedthatIhadneverseenamoresensiblewomanthanAgatha’smother。Itwouldhavebeenimpossibletoannouncethesuccessofmysuitinamoredelicateormoreperspicuousmanner。
MyreaderswillhodoubtguessthatIseizedtheopportunityandbroughtthisinterestingaffairtoaconclusion。ThesameeveningIaskedDupreandhiswife，Agathaandhermother，tosupwithmethenextday，inadditiontomyusualcompany。ButasIwasleavingDupre’sIhadanadventure。
Myman，whowasagreatrascal，butwhobehavedwellonthisoccasion，ranuptomepantingforbreath，andsaidtriumphantly，"Sir，IhavebeenlookingforyoutowarnyouthatIhavejustseentheChevalierdeVille—FolletslipintoMadamePacienza’shouse，andIsuspectheismakinganamorouscallontheCorticelli。"
Iimmediatelywalkedtotheabodeoftheworthyspyinhighspirits，andhopingthatmyservant’sguesshadbeencorrect。I
walkedinandfoundthelandladyandthemothersittingtogether。
Withoutnoticingthem，IwasmakingmywaytowardstheCorticelli’sroomwhenthetwooldladiesarrestedmycourse，tellingmethatthesignorawasnotwellandwantedrest。I
pushedthemaside，andenteredtheroomsoswiftlyandsuddenlythatIfoundthegentlemaninastateofnaturewhilethegirlremainedstretchedonthebedasifpetrifiedbymysuddenapparition。
"Sir，"saidI，"Ihopeyouwillpardonmeforcominginwithoutknocking。"
"Waitamoment，waitamoment。"
FarfromwaitingIwentawayinhighglee，andtoldthestorytotheChevalierRaiberti，whoenjoyeditaswellasIdid。IaskedhimtowarnthePacienzawomanthatfromthatdayIwouldpaynothingforCorticelli，whohadceasedtobelongtome。Heapproved，andsaid，——
"IsupposeyouwillnotbegoingtocomplaintotheCountd’Aglie？"
"Itisonlyfoolswhocomplain，aboveallincircumstanceslikethese。"
Thisscandalousstorywouldhavebeenconsignedtoforgetfulness，ifithadnotbeenfortheChevalierdeVille—Follet’sindiscretion。Hefeltangryatbeinginterruptedinthemiddleofthebusiness，andrememberinghehadseenmymanjustbeforefixedonhimastheinformer。Meetinghiminthestreetthechevalierreproachedhimforspying，whereontheimpudentrascalrepliedthathewasonlyanswerabletohismaster，andthatitwashisdutytoservemeinallthings。Onthisthechevaliercanedhim，andthemanwenttocomplaintothesuperintendent，whosummonedVille—Follettoappearbeforehimandexplainhisconduct。Havingnothingtofear，hetoldthewholestory。
TheChevalierdeRaiberti，too，wasveryillreceivedwhenhewenttotellMadamePacienzathatneitherhenorIweregoingtopayheranythingmoreinfuture；buthewouldlistentonodefence。
Thechevaliercametosupwithme，andheinformedmethatonleavingthehousehehadmetapolicesergeant，whomheconcludedhadcometocitethelandladytoappearbeforetheCountd’Aglie。
Thenextday，justasIwasgoingtoM。deChauvelin’sball，I
receivedtomygreatsurpriseanotefromthesuperintendentbeggingmetocallonhimashehadsomethingtocommunicatetome。Iimmediatelyorderedmychairmentotakemetohisresidence。
M。deAgliereceivedmeinprivatewithgreatpoliteness，andaftergivingmeachairhebeganalongandpatheticdiscourse，thegistofwhichwasthatitwasmydutytoforgivethislittleslipofmymistress’s。
"That’sexactlywhatIamgoingtodo，"saidI；"andfortherestofmydaysIneverwishtoseetheCorticelliagain，ortomakeormarinheraffairs，andforallthisIamgreatlyobligedtotheChevalierdeVille—Follet。"
"Iseeyouareangry。Come，come！youmustnotabandonthegirlforthat。IwillhavethewomanPacienzapunishedinsuchawayastosatisfyyou，andIwillplacethegirlinarespectablefamilywhereyoucangoandseeherinperfectliberty。"
"Iamgreatlyobligedtoyouforyourkindness，indeedIamgrateful；butIdespisethePacienzatooheartilytowishforherpunishment，andastotheCorticelliandhermother，theyaretwofemaleswindlers，whohavegivenmetoomuchtroublealready。
Iamwellquitofthem"
"Youmustconfess，however，thatyouhadnorighttomakeaforcibleentryintoaroominahousewhichdoesnotbelongtoyou。"
"Ihadnottheright，Iconfess，butifIhadnottakenitIcouldneverhavehadacertainproofoftheperfidyofmymistress；andIshouldhavebeenobligedtocontinuesupportingher，thoughsheentertainedotherlovers。"
"TheCorticellipretendsthatyouareherdebtor，andnotviceversa。Shesaysthatthediamondsyouhavegivenanothergirlbelongofrighttoher，andthatMadamed’Urfe，whomIhavethehonourtoknow，presentedherwiththem。"
"Sheisaliar！AndasyouknowMadamed’Urfe，kindlywritetoher（sheisatLyons）；andifthemarchionessrepliesthatIowethewretchedgirlanything，besurethatIwilldischargethedebt。Ihaveahundredthousandfrancsingoodbanksofthistown，andthemoneywillbeasufficientsuretyfortheear—ringsIhavedisposedof。"
"Iamsorrythatthingshavehappenedso。"
"AndIamveryglad，asIhaveriddenmyselfofaburdenthatwashardtobear。"
Thereuponwebowedpolitelytooneanother，andIlefttheoffice。
AttheFrenchambassador’sballIheardsomuchtalkofmyadventurethatatlastIrefusedtoreplytoanymorequestionsonthesubject。ThegeneralopinionwasthatthewholeaffairwasatrifleofwhichIcouldnothonourablytakeanynotice；butI
thoughtmyselfthebestjudgeofmyownhonour，andwasdeterminedtotakenonoticeoftheopinionsofothers。TheChevalierdeVille—FolletcameuptomeandsaidthatifIabandonedtheCorticelliforsuchatrifle，heshouldfeelobligedtogivemesatisfaction。Ishookhishand，saying，——
"Mydearchevalier，itwillbeenoughifyoudonotdemandsatisfactionofme。"
Heunderstoodhowthelandlay，andsaidnomoreaboutit；butnotsohissister，theMarchionessdePrie，whomadeavigorousattackonmeafterwehaddancedtogether。Shewashandsome，andmighthavebeenvictoriousifshehadliked，butluckilyshedidnotthinkofexertingherpower，andsogainednothing。
Threedaysafter，MadamedeSt。Giles，agreatpowerinTurin，andakindofprotectingdeitytoallactresses，summonedmetoherpresencebyaliveriedfootman。Guessingwhatshewanted，I
calledonherunceremoniouslyinamorningcoat。Shereceivedmepolitely，andbegantotalkoftheCorticelliaffairwithgreataffability；butIdidnotlikeher，andreplieddrylythatIhadhadnohesitationinabandoningthegirltotheprotectionofthegallantgentlemanwithwhomIhadsurprisedherin’flagrantedelicto’。ShetoldmeIshouldbesorryforit，andthatshewouldpublishalittlestorywhichshehadalreadyreadandwhichdidnotdomemuchcredit。IrepliedthatIneverchangedmymind，andthatthreatswereofnoavailwithme。WiththatpartingshotIlefther。
Ididnotattachmuchimportancetothetowngossip，butaweekafterIreceivedamanuscriptcontaininganaccount——accurateinmostrespects——ofmyrelationswiththeCorticelliandMadamed’Urfe，butsoillwrittenandbadlyexpressedthatnobodycouldreaditwithoutweariness。Itdidnotmaketheslightestimpressiononme，andIstayedafortnightlongerinTurinwithoutitscausingmetheslightestannoyance。IsawtheCorticelliagaininParissixmonthsafter，andwillspeakofourmeetinginduetime。
ThedayafterM。deChauvelin’sballIaskedAgatha，hermother，theDupres，andmyusualcompanytosupper。Itwasthemother’sbusinesstosoarrangemattersthattheear—ringsshouldbecomeAgatha’slawfulproperty，soIlefteverythingtoher。Iknewshewouldmanagetointroducethesubject，andwhilewewereatsuppershesaidthatthecommonreportofTurinwasthatIhadgivenherdaughterapairofdiamondear—ringsworthfivehundredLouis，whichtheCorticelliclaimedashersbyright。
"Idonotknow，"sheadded，"iftheyarerealdiamonds，oriftheybelongtotheCorticelli，butIdoknowthatmygirlhasreceivednosuchpresentfromthegentleman。"
"Well，well，"saidI，"wewillhavenomoresurmisesinthematter；"andgoinguptoAgathaIputtheearringsonher，saying，——
"DearestAgatha，Imakeyouapresentofthembeforethiscompany，andmygivingthemtoyounowisaproofthathithertotheyhavebelongedtome。"
Everybodyapplauded，andIreadinthegirl’seyesthatIshouldhavenocausetoregretmygenerosity。
WethenfelltospeakingoftheaffairofVille—FolletandtheCorticelli，andoftheeffortsthathadbeenmadetocompelmetoretainher。TheChevalierRaibertisaidthatinmyplacehewouldhaveofferedMadamedeSt。Gilesorthesuperintendenttocontinuepayingforherboard，butmerelyasanactofcharity，andthatI
couldhavedepositedmoneywitheitherofthem。
"Ishouldbeverygladtodoso，"saidI；andthenextdaytheworthychevaliermadethenecessaryarrangementswithMadamedeSt。Giles，andIfurnishedthenecessarymoneys。
Inspiteofthischaritableaction，thewretchedmanuscriptcameout，but，asIhavesaid，withoutdoingmeanyharm。ThesuperintendentmadetheCorticelliliveinthesamehousewithRedegonde，andMadamePacienzawasleftinpeace。
Aftersupper，withtheexceptionoftheChevalierRaiberti，weallmasked，andwenttotheballattheopera—house。IsoonseizedtheopportunityofescapingwithAgatha，andshegrantedmeallthatlovecandesire。Allconstraintwasbanished；shewasmytitularmistress，andwewereproudofbelongingtheonetotheother，forwelovedeachother。ThesuppersIhadgivenatmyhousehadsetmeperfectlyatliberty，andthesuperintendentcoulddonothingtothwartourlove，thoughhewasinformedofit，sowellarethespiesofTurinorganized。
DivineProvidencemadeuseofmeasitsinstrumentinmakingAgatha’sfortune。ItmaybesaidthatProvidencemighthavechosenamoremoralmethod，butarewetopresumetolimitthepathsofProvidencetothenarrowcircleofourprejudicesandconventions？Ithasitsownways，whichoftenappeardarktousbecauseofourignorance。Atallevents，ifIamabletocontinuetheseMemoirsforsixorsevenyearsmore，thereaderwillseethatAgathashewedherselfgrateful。Buttoreturntooursubject。
Thehappinessweenjoyedbydayandnightwassogreat，AgathawassoaffectionateandIsoamorous，thatweshouldcertainlyhaveremainedunitedforsometimeifithadnotbeenfortheeventI
amabouttorelate。ItmademeleaveTurinmuchsoonerthanIhadintended，forIhadnotpurposedtovisitthewonderfulSpanishcountessatMilantillLent。ThehusbandoftheSpanishladyhadfinishedhisbusinessandleftTurin，thankingmewithtearsinhiseyes；andifithadnotbeenformehewouldnothavebeenabletoquitthetown，forIpaiddiverssmalldebtshehadincurred，andgavehimthewherewithalforhisjourney。Oftenisvicethusfoundalliedtovirtueormaskinginvirtue’sguise；butwhatmatter？Iallowedmyselftobetakenin，anddidnotwishtobedisabused。Idonotseektoconcealmyfaults。Ihavealwaysledaprofligatelife，andhavenotalwaysbeenverydelicateinthechoiceofmeanstogratifymypassions，butevenamidstmyvicesIwasalwaysapassionateloverofvirtue。Benevolence，especially，hasalwayshadagreatcharmforme，andIhaveneverfailedtoexerciseitunlesswhenrestrainedbythedesireofvengeance——avicewhichhasalwayshadacontrollinginfluenceonmyactions。
LordPercy，asIhaveremarked，wasdeeplyinlovewithmyAgatha。
Hefollowedherabouteverywhere，waspresentatalltherehearsals，waitedforheratthewings，andcalledonhereveryday，althoughherlandlady，aduennaofthePacienzaschool，wouldneverletherseehimalone。Theprincipalmethodsofseduction——
richpresents——hadnotbeenspared，butAgathapersistentlyrefusedthemall，andforbadeherduennatotakeanythingfromtheyoungnobleman。Agathahadnolikingforhim，andkeptmewellinformedofallhisactions，andweusedtolaughathimtogether。
IknewthatIpossessedherheart，andconsequentlyLordPercy’sattemptsneithermademeangryorjealous——nay，theyflatteredmyself—esteem，forhisslightedlovemademyownhappinessstandoutingreaterrelief。EverybodyknewthatAgatharemainedfaithfultome，andatlastLordPercywassoconvincedofthehopelessnessoftheattemptthatheresolvedonmakingafriendofme，andwinningmeovertohisinterests。
WiththetrueEnglishman’sboldnessandcoolnesshecametomeonemorning，andaskedmetogivehimbreakfast。IwelcomedhimintheFrenchmanner，thatis，withcombinedcordialityandpoliteness，andhewassooncompletelyathisease。
Withinsulardirectnesshewentstraighttothepointatthefirstinterview，declaredhisloveforAgatha，andproposedanexchange，whichamused，butdidnotoffendme，asIknewthatsuchbargainswerecommoninEngland。
"Iknow，"saidhe，"thatyouareinlovewithRedegonde，andhavelongtriedvainlytoobtainher；nowIamwillingtoexchangeherforAgatha，andallIwanttoknowiswhatsumofmoneyyouwantoverandabove？"
"Youareverygood，mydearlord，buttodeterminetheexcessofvaluewouldrequireagoodmathematician。Redegondeisallverywell，andinspiresmewithcuriosity，butwhatisshecomparedtoAgatha？"
"Iknow，Iknow，andIthereforeofferyouanysumyouliketomention。"
Percywasveryrich，andverypassionate。IamsurethatifIhadnamedtwenty—fivethousandguineasasoverplus，orratherasexchange——forIdidnotcareforRedegonde——hewouldhavesaiddone。However，Ididnot，andIamgladofit。Evennow，whenahundredthousandfrancswouldbeafortunetome，Ineverrepentofmydelicacy。
Afterwehadbreakfastedmerrilytogether，ItoldhimthatIlikedhimwell，butthatinthefirstplaceitwouldbewelltoascertainwhetherthetwocommoditieswouldconsenttochangemasters。
"IamsureofRedegonde’sconsent，"saidLordPercy。
"ButIamnotatallsureofAgatha’s，"saidI。
"Whynot？"
"Ihaveverystronggroundsforsupposingthatshewouldnotconsenttothearrangement。Whatreasonshaveyouforthecontraryopinion？"
"Shewillshewhersense。"
"Butshelovesme。"
"Well，Redegondelovesme。"
"Idaresay；butdoessheloveme？"
"IamsureIdon’tknow，butshewillloveyou。"
"Haveyouconsultedheruponthepoint？"
"No，butitisallthesame。WhatIwanttoknownowiswhetheryouapproveofmyplan，andhowmuchyouwantfortheexchange，foryourAgathaisworthmuchmorethanmyRedegonde。"
"Iamdelightedtohearyoudomymistressjustice。Asforthemoneyquestion，wewillspeakofthatlater。InthefirstplaceI
willtakeAgatha’sopinion，andwillletyouknowtheresultto—
morrowmorning。"
Theplanamusedme，andthoughIwaspassionatelyattachedtoAgathaIknewmyinconstantnaturewellenoughtobeawarethatanotherwoman，maybenotsofairasshe，wouldsoonmakemeforgether。IthereforeresolvedtopushthematterthroughifI
coulddosoinamannerthatwouldbeadvantageousforher。
WhatsurprisedmewasthattheyoungnoblemanhadgainedpossessionofRedegonde，whosemotherappearedsointractable，butIknewwhataninfluencecapricehasonwoman，andthisexplainedtheenigma。
Agathacametosupperasusual，andlaughedheartilywhenItoldherofLordPercy’sproposal。
"Tellme，"saidI，"ifyouwouldagreetothechange？"
"Iwilldojustasyoulike，"saidshe；"andifthemoneyheoffersbeacceptabletoyou，Iadviseyoutoclosewithhim。"
Icouldseebythetoneofhervoicethatshewasjesting，butherreplydidnotpleaseme。Ishouldhavelikedtohavemyvanityflatteredbyaperemptoryrefusal，andconsequentlyIfeltangry。
Myfacegrewgrave，andAgathabecamemelancholy。
"Wewillsee，"saidI，"howitallends。"
NextdayIwenttobreakfastwiththeEnglishman，andtoldhimAgathawaswilling，butthatImustfirsthearwhatRedegondehadtosay。
"Quiteright，"heobserved。
"Ishouldrequiretoknowhowwearetolivetogether。"
"ThefourofushadbettergomaskedtothefirstballattheCarignanTheatre。Wewillsupatahousewhichbelongstome，andtherethebargaincanbestruck。"
Thepartytookplaceaccordingtoagreement，andatthegivensignalwealllefttheball—room。Mylord’scarriagewasinwaiting，andwealldroveawayandgotdownatahouseIseemedtoknow。Weenteredthehall，andthefirstthingIsawwastheCorticelli。Thisrousedmycholer，andtakingPercyasideItoldhimthatsuchatrickwasunworthyofagentleman。Helaughed，andsaidhethoughtIshouldlikehertobethrownin，andthattwoprettywomenweresurelyworthasmuchasAgatha。Thisamusinganswermademelessangry；but，callinghimamadman，I
tookAgathabythearmandwentoutwithoutstayingforanyexplanations。Iwouldnotmakeuseofhiscarriage，andinsteadofreturningtotheballwewenthomeinsedan—chairs，andspentadeliciousnightineachother’sarms。
EndMEMOIRSOFJACQUESCASANOVAdeSEINGALT1725—1798
ADVENTURESINTHESOUTH，Volume4e——MILAN
THERAREUNABRIDGEDLONDONEDITIONOF1894TRANSLATEDBYARTHUR
MACHENTOWHICHHASBEENADDEDTHECHAPTERSDISCOVERED
BYARTHURSYMONS。
MILAN
CHAPTERXVIII
IGiveupAgathatoLordPercy——ISetoutforMilan——TheActressatPavia——CountessA***B***——Disappointment——MarquisTriulzi——Zenobia——TheTwoMarchionessesQ***——TheVenetianBarbaroFarfrompunishingtheCorticellibymakingherlivewithRedegonde，theCountd’Aglieseemedtohaveencouragedher；andI
wasnotsorryforit，sinceaslongasshedidnottroublemeanymoreIdidnotcarehowmanyloversshehad。ShehadbecomeagreatfriendofRedegonde’s，anddidexactlyasshepleased，fortheirduennawasmuchmoreeasygoingthanthePacienza。
NobodyknewofthetrickwhichLordPercyhadplayedme，andI
tookcaretosaynothingaboutit。However，hedidnotgiveuphisdesignsonAgatha，hispassionforherwastooviolent。Hehituponaningeniousmethodforcarryingouthisplans。IhavealreadysaidthatPercywasveryrich，andspenthismoneywildly，notcaringatwhatexpenditurehegratifiedhispassion。Iwasthelastpersontoreproachhimforhisextravagance，andinacountrywheremoneyisalwaysscarcehisguineasopenedeverydoortohim。
Fourorfivedaysaftertheballnight，AgathacametotellmethatthemanageroftheAlexandriaTheatrehadaskedherifshewouldtakethepartofseconddancerthroughoutthecarnivaltime。
"Heofferedmesixtysequins，"sheadded，"andItoldhimIwouldlethimknowbyto—morrow。Doyouadvisemetoaccepthisoffer？"
"Ifyouloveme，dearestAgatha，youwillproveitbyrefusingallengagementsforayear。YouknowIwillletyouwantfornothing。
Iwillgetyouthebestmasters，andinthattimeyoucanperfectyourdancing，andwillbeabletoaskforafirst—classappointment，withasalaryoffivehundredsequinsayear。"
"MammathinksthatIshouldaccepttheoffer，asthedancingonthestagewillimprovemystyle，andIcanstudyunderagoodmasterallthesame。Ithinkmyselfthatdancinginpublicwoulddomegood。"
"Thereisreasoninwhatyousay，butyoudonotneedthesixtysequins。Youwilldishonourmebyacceptingsuchapooroffer，andyouwilldoyourselfharmtoo，asyouwillnotbeabletoaskforagoodsalaryaftertakingsuchasmallone。"
"Butsixtysequinsisnotsobadforacarnivalengagement。"
"Butyoudon’twantsixtysequins；youcanhavethemwithoutdancingatall。Ifyouloveme，Irepeat，youwilltellthemanagerthatyouaregoingtorestforayear。"
"Iwilldowhatyouplease，butitseemstomethebestplanwouldbetoaskanexorbitantsum。"
"Youareright；thatisagoodidea。Tellhimyoumustbefirstdancer，andthatyoursalarymustbefivehundredsequins。"
"Iwilldoso，andamonlytoohappytobeabletoprovethatI
loveyou。"
Agathahadplentyofinborncommonsense，whichonlyneededdevelopment。WiththatandthebeautywhichHeavenhadgivenherherfuturewasassured。
Shewaseventuallyhappy，andshedeservedherhappiness。
Thenextdayshetoldmethatthemanagerdidnotappearatallastonishedatherdemands。
"Hereflectedafewminutes，"saidshe，"andtoldmehemustthinkitover，andwouldseemeagain。Itwouldbeamusingifhetookmeatmyword，woulditnot？"
"Yes，butweshouldthenhavetoenquirewhetherheisamadmanorabeggaronthevergeofbankruptcy。"
"Andifheturnsouttobeamanofmeans？"
"Inthatcaseyouwouldbeobligedtoaccept。"
"Thatiseasilysaidandeasilydone，buthaveIsufficienttalent？WhereshallIfindanactortodancewithme？"
"Iwillengagetofindyouone。Astotalent，youhaveenoughandtospare；butyouwillseethatitwillcometonothing。"
AllthetimeIfeltapresentimentthatshewouldbeengaged，andIwasright。Themanagercametoherthenextday，andofferedhertheagreementforhersignature。Shewasquitealarmed，andsentforme。Icalledatherhouse，andfindingthemanagerthereaskedhimwhatsecurityhecouldgiveforthefulfilmentofhispartoftheengagement。
HeansweredbynamingM。Martin，abankerofmyacquaintance，whowouldbehissurety。Icouldmakenoobjectiontothis，andtheagreementwasmadeoutinduplicateingoodform。
OnleavingAgathaIwenttoM。Raibertiandtoldhimthestory。
HesharedmyastonishmentthatM。Martinshouldbecomesuretyforthemanagerwhomheknew，andwhosefinancialpositionwasbynomeansgood；butthenextdaytheproblemwassolved，forinspiteofthesecrecythathadbeenobservedwefoundoutthatitwasLordPercywhowasbehindthemanager。ImightstillbartheEnglishman’swaybycontinuingtokeepAgatha，inspiteofhisfivehundredsequins，butIwasobligedtoreturntoFranceafterEastertowaitonMadamed’Urfe，andafterwards，peacehavingbeenconcluded，IthoughtitwouldbeagoodopportunityforseeingEngland。IthereforedeterminedtoabandonAgatha，takingcaretobindhernewlovertoprovideforher，andIproceededtomakeafriendofthenobleman。
IwascurioustoseehowhewouldwinAgatha’sgoodgraces，forshedidnotlovehim，andphysicallyhewasnotattractive。
Inlessthanaweekwehadbecomeintimate。Wesuppedtogethereverynighteitherathishouseormine，andAgathaandhermotherwerealwaysoftheparty。IconcludedthathisattentionswouldsoontouchAgatha’sheart，andthatfindingherselfsobelovedshewouldendbyloving。Thiswasenoughtomakemedeterminenottoputanyobstaclesintheirway，andIresolvedtoleaveTurinearlierthanIhadintended。InconsequenceIspokeasfollowstoLordPercy，whilewewerebreakfastingtogether:
"Mylord，youknowthatIloveAgatha，andthatshelovesme，neverthelessIamyourfriend，andsinceyouadoreherIwilldomybesttohastenyourbliss。Iwillleaveyouinpossessionofthistreasure，butyoumustpromisethatwhenyouabandonheryouwillgivehertwothousandguineas。"
"Mydearsir，"saidhe，"Iwillgivethemhernowifyoulike。"
"No，mylord，Idonotwishhertoknowanythingaboutouragreementwhileyouarelivinghappilytogether。"
"ThenIwillgiveyouabondbindingmyselftopayherthetwothousandguineaswhenweseparate。"
"Idon’twantthat，thewordofanEnglishmanisenough；butsincewecannotcommandthefates，andmaydiewithouthavingtimetoputouraffairsinorder，Iwishyoutotakesuchstepsasmayseemconvenienttoyou，wherebythatsumwouldgotoherafteryourdeath。"
"Igiveyoumywordonit。"
"Thatisenough；butIhaveoneotherconditiontomake。"
"Sayon。"
"ItisthatyoupromisetosaynothingtoAgathabeforemydeparture。"
"IswearIwillnot。"
"Verygood；andonmypartIpromisetoprepareherforthechange:"
ThesamedaytheEnglishman，whoselovegrewhotterandhotter，madeAgathaandhermotherrichpresents，whichunderanyothercircumstancesIshouldnothaveallowedthemtoaccept。
IlostnotimeinpreparingAgathaandhermotherfortheimpendingchange。Theyseemedaffected，butIknewtheywouldsoongetreconciledtothesituation。Farfromgivingmeanycauseforcomplaint，Agathawasmoreaffectionatethanever。Shelistenedattentivelytomyadviceastoherconducttowardshernewloverandtheworldingeneral，andpromisedtofollowit。Itwastothisadvicethatsheowedherhappiness，forPercymadeherfortune。However，shedidnotleavethetheatreforsomeyears，whenweshallhearmoreofher。
Iwasnotthemantotakepresentsfrommyequals，andPercynodoubtbeingawareofthatsucceededinmakingmeahandsomepresentinaverysingularway。ItoldhimthatIthoughtofpayingavisittoEnglandandrequestedhimtogivemealetterofintroductiontotheduchess，hismother，whereonhedrewoutaportraitofhersetwithmagnificentdiamonds，andgaveittome，saying，——
"ThisisthebestletterIcangiveyou。Iwillwriteandtellherthatyouwillcallandgivehertheportrait，unless，indeed，shelikestoleaveitinyourhands。"
"Ihopemyladywillthinkmeworthyofsuchanhonour。"
Therearecertainideas，itseemstome，whichenternoheadbutanEnglishman’s。
IwasinvitedbyCountA————B————toMilan，andthecountesswrotemeacharmingletter，beggingmetogethertwopiecesofsarcenet，ofwhichsheenclosedthepatterns。
AftertakingleaveofallmyfriendsandacquaintancesIgotaletterofcreditonthebanker，Greppi，andstartedforthecapitalofLombardy。
MyseparationfromAgathacostmemanytears，butnotsomanyasthoseshedbyher。Hermotherweptalso，forshelovedme，andwasgratefulforallmykindnesstoherdaughter。Shesaidagainandagainthatshecouldneverhaveborneanyrivalbutherowndaughter，whilethelattersobbedoutthatshewishedshehadnottopartfromme。
IdidnotlikePassano，soIsenthimtohisfamilyatGenoa，givinghimthewherewithaltolivetillIcameforhim。Astomyman，Idismissedhimforgoodreasonsandtookanother，asIwasobligedtohavesomebody；butsinceIlostmySpaniardIhaveneverfeltconfidenceinanyofmyservants。
ItravelledwithaChevalierdeRossignan，whoseacquaintanceI
hadmade，andwewentbyCasaltoseetheopera—bouffethere。
Rossignanwasafineman，agoodsoldier，fondofwineandwomen，and，thoughhewasnotlearned，heknewthewholeofDante’sDivineComedybyheart。Thiswashishobby—horse，andhewasalwaysquotingit，makingthepassagesquarewithhismomentaryfeelings。Thismadehiminsufferableinsociety，buthewasanamusingcompanionforanyonewhoknewthesublimepoet，andcouldappreciatehisnumerousandrarebeauties。Neverthelesshemademeprivatelygiveinmyassenttotheproverb，Bewareofthemanofonebook。Otherwisehewasintelligent，statesmanlike，andgood—natured。HemadehimselfknownatBerlinbyhisservicesasambassadortotheKingofSardinia。
TherewasnothinginterestingintheoperaatCasal，soIwenttoPavia，where，thoughutterlyunknown，IwasimmediatelywelcomedbytheMarchionessCorti，whoreceivedallstrangersofanyimportance。In1786Imadetheacquaintanceofherson，anadmirableman，whohonouredmewithhisfriendship，anddiedquiteyounginFlanderswiththerankofmajor—general。Iweptbitterlyforhisloss，buttears，afterall，arebutanidletributetothosewhocausethemtoflow。Hisgoodqualitieshadendearedhimtoallhisacquaintances，andifhehadlivedlongerhewouldundoubtedlyhaverisentohighcommandinthearmy。
IonlystoppedtwodaysatPavia，butitwasdecreedthatIshouldgetmyselftalkedof，eveninthatshorttime。
Atthesecondballetattheoperaanactressdressedinatippetheldouthercaptothebonesasiftobeganalms，whileshewasdancingapasdedeux。IwasintheMarchionessofCorti’sbox，andwhenthegirlheldouthercaptomeIwasmovedbyfeelingsofostentationandbenevolencetodrawforthmypurseanddropitin。Itcontainedabouttwentyducats。Thegirltookit，thankedmewithasmile，andthepitapplaudedloudly。IaskedtheMarquisBelcredi，whowasnearme，ifshehadalover。
"ShehasapennilessFrenchofficer，Ibelieve，"hereplied；
"thereheis，inthepit。"
Iwentbacktomyinn，andwassuppingwithM。Basili，aModenesecolonel，whentheballetgirl，hermother，andheryoungersistercametothankmeformyprovidentialgift。"Wearesopoor，"saidthegirl。
Ihadalmostdonesupper，andIaskedthemalltosupwithmeaftertheperformancethenextday。Thisofferwasquiteadisinterestedone，anditwasaccepted。
Iwasdelightedtohavemadeawomanhappyatsolittleexpenseandwithoutanyulteriorobjects，andIwasgivingorderstothelandlordforthesupper，whenClairmont，myman，toldmethataFrenchofficerwantedtospeaktome。Ihadhimin，andaskedwhatIcoulddoforhim。
"Therearethreecoursesbeforeyou，Mr。Venetian，"saidhe，"andyoucantakewhichyoulike。Eithercountermandthissupper，invitemetocometoit，orcomeandmeasureswordswithmenow。"
Clairmont，whowasattendingtothefire，didnotgivemetimetoreply，butseizedaburningbrandandrushedontheofficer，whothoughtitbesttoescape。Luckilyforhimthedoorofmyroomwasopen。Hemadesuchanoiseinrunningdownstairsthatthewaitercameoutandcaughtholdofhim，thinkinghehadstolensomething；butClairmont，whowaspursuinghimwithhisfirebrand，hadhimreleased。
Thisadventurebecametowntalkdirectly。Myservant，proudofhisexploitandsureofmyapproval，cametotellmethatIneednotbeafraidofgoingout，astheofficerwasonlyabraggart。