Hedidnotevendrawhisswordonthewaiterwhohadcaughtholdofhim，thoughthemanonlyhadaknifeinhisbelt。
　　"Atallevents，"headded，"Iwillgooutwithyou。"
　　Itoldhimthathehaddonewellthistime，butthatforthefuturehemustnotinterfereinmyaffairs。
　　"Sir，"hereplied，"youraffairsofthiskindareminetoo，I
　　shalltakecarenottogobeyondmyduty。"
　　Withthisspeech，whichIthoughtverysensible，thoughIdidnottellhimso，hetookoneofmypistolsandsawtothepriming，smilingatmesignificantly。
　　AllgoodFrenchservantsareofthesamestampasClairmont；theyaredevotedandintelligent，buttheyallthinkthemselvesclevererthantheirmasters，whichindeedisoftenthecase，andwhentheyaresureofittheybecomethemastersoftheirmasters，tyrannizeoverthem，andgivethemmarksofcontemptwhichthefoolishgentlemenendeavourtoconceal。Butwhenthemasterknowshowtomakehimselfrespected，theClairmontsareexcellent。
　　Thelandlordofmyinnsentareportoftheaffairtothepolice，andtheFrenchofficerwasbanishedfromthetownthesameday。
　　AtdinnerColonelBasiliaskedtohearthestory，andsaidthatnoonebutaFrenchofficerwouldthinkofattackingamaninhisownroominsuchafoolishmanner。Idifferedfromhim。
　　"TheFrencharebrave，"Ireplied，"butgenerallytheyareperfectlypoliteandhavewonderfultact。Wretchednessandlove，joinedtoafalsespiritofcourage，makesafoolofamanalltheworldover。"
　　Atsuppertheballet—girlthankedmeforriddingherofthepoordevil，who（asshesaid）wasalwaysthreateningtokillher，andweariedherbesides。Thoughshewasnotbeautiful，therewassomethingcaptivatingaboutthisgirl。Shewasgraceful，well—
　　mannered，andintelligent，hermouthwaswell—shaped，andhereyeslargeandexpressive。IthinkIshouldhavefoundheragoodbargain，butasIwantedtogetawayfromPavia，andpiquedmyselfonhavingbeengood—naturedwithoutulteriormotive，Ibadeherfarewellaftersupper，withmanythanksforherkindnessincoming。Mypolitenessseemedrathertoconfuseher，butshewentawayreiteratinghergratitude。
　　NextdayIdinedatthecelebratedChartreuse，andintheeveningIreachedMilan，andgotoutatCountA————B————’s，whohadnotexpectedmetillthefollowingday。
　　Thecountess，ofwhommyfancyhadmadeaperfectwoman，disappointedmedreadfully。Itisalwayssowhenpassiongivesreinstotheimagination。TheCountesswascertainlypretty，thoughtoosmall，andImightstillhavelovedher，inspiteofmydisappointment，butatourmeetingshegreetedmewithagravitythatwasnottomytaste，andwhichgavemeadisliketoher。
　　Aftertheusualcompliments，Igaveherthetwopiecesofsarcenetshehadcommissionedmetoget。Shethankedme，tellingmethatherconfessorwouldreimbursemeformyexpenditure。Thecountthentookmetomyroom，andleftmetheretillsupper。Itwasnicelyfurnished，butIfeltillatease，andresolvedtoleaveinadayortwoifthecountessremainedimmovable。Twenty—fourhourswasasmuchasIcaredtogiveher。
　　Wemadeapartyoffouratsupper；thecounttalkingallthetimetodrawmeout，andtohidehiswife’ssulkiness。Iansweredinthesamegaystrain，speakingtohiswife，however，inthehopeofrousingher。Itwasalllostlabour。Thelittlewomanonlyrepliedbyfaintsmileswhichvanishedalmostastheycame，andbymonosyllabicanswersofthebriefestdescription，withouttakinghereyesoffthedisheswhichshethoughttasteless；anditwastothepriest，whowasthefourthpersonpresent，thatsheaddressedhercomplaints，almostspeakingaffablytohim。
　　AlthoughIlikedthecountverywell，Icouldnothelppronouncinghiswifedecidedlyungracious。IwaslookingathertoseeifI
　　couldfindanyjustificationforherillhumouronherfeatures，butassoonasshesawmesheturnedawayinaverymarkedmanner，andbegantospeakaboutnothingtothepriest。Thisconductoffendedme，andIlaughedheartilyathercontempt，orherdesignsonme，forasshehadnotfascinatedmeatallIwassafefromhertyranny。
　　Aftersupperthesarcenetwasbroughtin；itwastobeusedforadresswithhoops，madeaftertheextravagantfashionthenprevailing。
　　Thecountwasgrievedtoseeherfallsoshortofthepraiseshehadlavishedonher，andcametomyroomwithme，beggingmetoforgiveherSpanishways，andsayingthatshewouldbeverypleasantwhensheknewmebetter。
　　Thecountwaspoor，hishousewassmall，hisfurnitureshabby，andhisfootman’sliverythreadbare；insteadofplatehehadchina，andoneofthecountess’smaidswaschiefcook。Hehadnocarriagesnorhorses，notevenasaddlehorseofanykind。
　　Clairmontgavemeallthisinformation，andaddedthathehadtosleepinalittlekitchen，andwastosharehisbedwiththemanwhohadwaitedattable。
　　Ihadonlyoneroom，andhavingthreeheavytrunksfoundmyselfveryuncomfortable，andIdecidedonseekingsomeotherlodgingmoreagreeabletomytastes。
　　ThecountcameearlyinthemorningtoaskwhatIusuallytookforbreakfast。
　　"Mydearcount，"Ireplied，"IhaveenoughfineTurinchocolatetogoallround。Doesthecountesslikeit？"
　　"Verymuch，butshewon’ttakeitunlessitismadebyherwoman。"
　　"Herearesixpounds:makeheracceptit，andtellherthatifI
　　hearanythingaboutpaymentIshalltakeitback。"
　　"Iamsureshewillacceptit，andthankyoutoo。ShallIhaveyourcarriagehoused？"
　　"Ishallbeextremelyobligedtoyou，andIshallbegladifyouwouldgetmeahiredcarriage，andaguideforwhomyoucananswer。"
　　"Itshallbedone。"
　　Thecountwasgoingoutwhenthepriest，whohadsuppedwithusthenightbefore，cameintomakehisbow。Hewasamanofforty—
　　oneofthetribeofdomesticchaplainswhoaresocommoninItaly——who，inreturnforkeepingtheaccountsofthehouse，livewithitsmasterandmistress。Inthemorningthispriestsaidmassinaneighbouringchurch，fortherestofthedayheeitheroccupiedhimselfwiththecaresofthehouse，orwasthelady’sobedientservant。
　　AssoonasWewerealonehebeggedmetosaythathehadpaidmethethreehundredMilanesecrownsforthesarcenet，ifthecountessaskedmeaboutit。
　　"Dear，dear，abbe！"saidI，laughing，"thissortofthingisnotexactlyproperinamanofyoursacredprofession。Howcanyouadvisemetotellalie？No，sir；ifthecountessasksmeanysuchimpertinentquestion，Ishalltellherthetruth。"
　　"Iamsureshewillaskyou，andifyouanswerlikethatIshallsufferforit。"
　　"Well，sir，ifyouareinthewrongyoudeservetosuffer。"
　　"Butasithappens，Ishouldbeblamedfornothing。"
　　"Well，goandtellherit’sapresent；andifshewon’thavethat，tellherIaminnohurrytobepaid。"
　　"Isee，sir，thatyoudon’tknowtheladyorthewayinwhichthishouseismanaged。Iwillspeaktoherhusband。"
　　Inaquarterofanhourthecounttoldmethatheowedmealotofmoney，whichhehopedtopaybackinthecourseofLent，andthatImustaddthesarcenettotheaccount。Iembracedhimandsaidthathewouldhavetokeeptheaccounthimself，asInevernoteddownanyofthemoneysthatIwasonlytoohappytolendtomyfriends。
　　"IfyourwifeasksmewhetherIhavereceivedthemoney，besureI
　　willanswerintheaffirmative。"
　　Hewentoutsheddinggratefultears，whileIfeltindebtedtohimforhavinggivenmetheopportunityofdoinghimaservice；forI
　　wasveryfondofhim。
　　Inthemorning，thecountessbeinginvisible，Iwatchedmymanspreadingoutmysuitsoverthechairs，amongstthembeingsomehandsomewomen’scloaks，andarichreddressdeeplytrimmedwithfur，whichhadbeenoriginallyintendedforthelucklessCorticelli。IshouldnodoubthavegivenittoAgatha，ifIhadcontinuedtolivewithher，andIshouldhavemadeamistake，assuchadresswasonlyfitforaladyofrank。
　　Atoneo’clockIreceivedanothervisitfromthecount，whotoldmethatthecountesswasgoingtointroducemetotheirbestfriend。ThiswastheMarquisTriuizi，amanofabout，myownage，tall，wellmade，squintingslightly，andwithallthemannerofanobleman。Hetoldmethatbesidescomingtohavethehonourofmyacquaintance，healsocametoenjoythefire，"for，"saidhe，"there’sonlyonefireplaceinthehouseandthat’sinyourroom。"
　　Asallthechairswerecovered，themarquisdrewthecountessontohiskneeandmadehersittherelikeababy；butsheblushed，andescapedfromhisgrasp。Themarquislaughedheartilyatherconfusion，andshesaid，——
　　"Isitpossiblethatamanofyouryearshasnotyetlearnttorespectawoman？"
　　"Really，countess，"saidhe，"Ithoughtitwouldbeverydisrespectfultocontinuesittingwhileyouwerestanding。"
　　WhileClairmontwastakingtheclothesoffthechairs，themarquisnoticedthemantlesandthebeautifuldress，andaskedmeifI
　　wereexpectingalady。
　　"No，"saidI，"butIhopetofindsomeoneatMilanwhowillbeworthyofsuchpresents。"Iadded，"IknowthePrinceTriulzi，atVenice；Isupposeheisofyourfamily？"
　　"Hesaysheis，anditmaybeso；butIamcertainlynotamemberofhisfamily。"
　　ThisletmeknowthatIshoulddowelltosaynomoreabouttheprince。
　　"Youmuststaytodinner，marquis，"saidCountA————B————；"andasyouonlylikedishespreparedbyyourowncookyouhadbettersendforthem。"
　　Themarquisagreed，andwemadegoodcheer。Thetablewascoveredwithfairlinenandhandsomeplate，thewinewasgoodandplentiful，andtheservantsquickandwelldressed。Icouldnowunderstandthemarquis’spositioninthehouse。Itwashiswitandmirthwhichkepttheconversationgoing，andthecountesscameinforashareofhispleasantries，whileshescoldedhimforhisfamiliarity。
　　Icouldsee，however，thatthemarquisdidnotwanttohumiliateher；onthecontrary，hewasfondofher，andonlywishedtobringdownherexaggeratedpride。Whenhesawheronthepointofburstingintotearsofrageandshame，hequietedherdownbysayingthatnooneinMilanrespectedhercharmsandherhighbirthmorethanhe。
　　Afterdinnerthetailorwhowastomeasurethecountessforadominofortheballwasannounced。Onthemarquis’spraisingthecoloursandthebeautyofthematerials，shetoldhimthatIhadbroughtherthesarcenetfromTurin，andthisremindedhertoaskmewhetherIhadbeenpaid。
　　"Yourhusbandsettledwithme，"saidI，"butyouhavegivenmealessonIcanneverforget。"
　　"Whatlesson？"saidthemarquis。
　　"Ihadhopedthatthecountesswouldhavedeignedtoreceivethispoorpresentatmyhands。"
　　"Andshewouldn’ttakeit？It’sabsurd，onmylife。"
　　"Thereisnothingtolaughat，"saidthecountess，"butyoulaughateverything。"
　　Whilethemanwasmeasuringher，shecomplainedoffeelingcold，asshewasinherstays，andherbeautifulbreastwasexposed。
　　Thereupon，themarquisputhishandsonit，asifhewerequiteaccustomedtousesuchfamiliarities。ButtheSpaniard，nodoubtashamedbecauseofmypresence，gotintoarage，andabusedhiminthemostawfulmanner，whilehelaughedpleasantly，asifhecouldcalmthestormwhenhepleased。Thiswasenoughtoinformmeofthepositioninwhichtheystoodtooneanother，andofthepartI
　　oughttotake。
　　Weremainedtogethertilltheevening，whenthecountessandthemarquiswenttotheopera，andthecountcamewithmetomyroom，tillmycarriagewasreadytotakeustheretoo。Theoperahadbegunwhenwegotin，andthefirstpersonInoticedonthestagewasmydearTheresePalesi，whomIhadleftatFlorence。Itwasapleasantsurprisetome，andIforesawthatweshouldrenewoursweetinterviewswhileIremainedatMilanIwasdiscreetenoughtosaynothingtothecountabouthiswife’scharms，orthewaytheirhousewasmanaged。Isawthattheplacewastaken，andtheoddhumoursoftheladypreventedmyfallinginlovewithher。
　　Afterthesecondactwewenttotheassemblyrooms，wherefiveorsixbanksatfarowerebeingheld；Istakedandlostahundredducatsasiftopayformywelcome，andthenrosefromthetable。
　　Atsupperthecountessseemedtounbendalittle，shecondoledwithmeonmyloss，andIsaidthatIwasgladofitasitmadeherspeakso。
　　JustasIrangmybellthenextmorning，Clairmonttoldmethatawomanwantedtospeaktome。
　　"Issheyoung？"
　　"Bothyoungandpretty，sir。"
　　"Thatwilldonicely，shewherin。"
　　Isawasimplydressedgirl，whoremindedmeofLeah。Shewastallandbeautiful，buthadnotashighpretensionsastheJewess；
　　assheonlywantedtoknowwhethershecoulddomywashingforme。
　　Iwasquitetakenwithher。Clairmonthadjustbroughtmemychocolate，andIaskedhertositdownonthebed；butsheansweredmodestlythatshedidnotwanttotroubleme，andwouldcomeagainwhenIwasup。
　　"Doyouliveatanydistance？"
　　"Iliveonthegroundfloorofthishouse。"
　　"Allbyyourself？"
　　"Nosir，Ihavemyfatherandmother。"
　　"Andwhatisyourname？"
　　"Zenobia。"
　　"Yournameisasprettyasyouare。Willyougivemeyourhandtokiss？"
　　"Ican’t，"shereplied，withasmile，"myhandisanother’s。"
　　"Youareengaged，areyou？"
　　"Yes，toatailor，andwearegoingtobemarriedbeforetheendofthecarnival:"
　　"Isherichorhandsome？"
　　"Neithertheonenortheother。"
　　"Thenwhyareyougoingtomarryhim？"
　　"BecauseIwanttohaveahouseofmyown:"
　　"Ilikeyou，andwillstandyourfriend。Goandfetchyourtailor。Iwillgivehimsomeworktodo。"
　　AssoonasshewentoutIgotupandtoldClairmonttoputmylinenonatable。Ihadscarcelyfinisheddressingwhenshecamebackwithhertailor。Itwasastrikingcontrast，forhewasalittleshrivelled—upman，whoseappearancemadeonelaugh。
　　"Well，mastertailor，"saidI，"soyouaregoingtomarrythischarminggirl？"
　　"Yes，sir，thebannshavebeenpublishedalready。"
　　"Youarealuckyfellowindeedtohavesomuchhappinessinstore。
　　Whenareyougoingtomarryher？"
　　"Intenortwelvedays。"
　　"Whynotto—morrow？"
　　"Yourworshipisinagreathurry。"
　　"IthinkIshouldbe，indeed，"saidI，laughing，"ifIwereinyourplace。Iwantyoutomakemeadominofortheballto—
　　morrow。"
　　"Certainly，sir；butyourexcellencymustfindmethestuff，fornobodyinMilanwouldgivemecreditforit，andIcouldn’taffordtolayoutsomuchmoneyinadvance。"
　　"Whenyouaremarriedyouwillhavemoneyandcredittoo。Inthemeanwhileherearetensequinsforyou。"
　　Hewentawayinhighgleeatsuchawindfall。
　　IgaveZenobiasomelacetodoup，andaskedherifshewasafraidofhavingajealoushusband。
　　"Heisneitherjealousnoramorous，"shereplied。"HeisonlymarryingmebecauseIearnmorethanhedoes。"
　　"WithyourcharmsIshouldhavethoughtyoumighthavemadeabettermatch。"
　　"Ihavewaitedlongenough；Ihavegottiredofmaidenhood。
　　Besides，heissharpifheisnothandsome，andperhapsakeenheadisbetterthanahandsomeface。"
　　"Youaresharpenoughyourself，anyhow。Butwhydoesheputoffthewedding？"
　　"Becausehehasn’tgotanymoney，andwantstohaveafineweddingforhisrelationstocometo。Ishouldlikeitmyself。"
　　"Ithinkyouareright；butIcan’tseewhyyoushouldnotletanhonestmankissyourhand。"
　　"ThatwasonlyapieceofslynesstoletyouknowIwastobemarried。Ihavenosillyprejudicesmyself。"
　　"Ah，that’sbetter！TellyourfuturehusbandthatifhelikesmetobethepatronoftheweddingIwillpayforeverything。"
　　"Really？"
　　"Yes，really。Iwillgivehimtwenty—fivesequinsontheconditionthathespendsitallonthewedding。"
　　"Twenty—fivesequins！Thatwillmakepeopletalk；butwhatcarewe？Iwillgiveyouananswerto—morrow。"
　　"Andakissnow？"
　　"Withallmyheart。"
　　Zenobiawentawayingreatdelight，andIwentouttocallonmybankeranddearTherese。
　　Whenthedoorwasopenedtheprettymaidrecognizedme，andtakingmebythehandledmetohermistress，whowasjustgoingtogetup。Heremotionatseeingmewassogreatthatshecouldnotutteraword，butonlyclapsmetoherbreast。
　　Ournaturaltransportsover，Theresetoldmethatshehadgottiredofherhusband，andthatforthelastsixmonthstheyhadnotbeenlivingtogether。Shehadmadehimanallowancetogetridofhim，andhelivedonitatRome。
　　"AndwhereisCesarino？"
　　"Inthistown。Youcanseehimwheneveryoulike。"
　　"Areyouhappy？"
　　"Quite。PeoplesaythatIhavealover，butitisnottrue；andyoucanseemeatanytimewithperfectliberty。"
　　Wespenttwopleasanthoursintellingeachotherofourexperiencessinceourlastmeeting，andthen，findingherasfreshandfairasintheseasonofourearlyloves，Iaskedherifshehadvowedtobefaithfultoherhusband。
　　"AtFlorence，"shereplied，"Iwasstillinlovewithhim；butnow，ifIamstillpleasinginyoureyes，wecanrenewourconnection，andlivetogethertillwedie。"
　　"Iwillsoonshewyou，dearling，thatIloveyouaswellasever。"
　　Sheansweredonlybygivingherselfuptomyembrace。
　　AfteractionandcontemplationIleftherasamorousasshehadbeeneighteenyearsbefore，butmypassionfoundtoomanynewobjectstoremainconstantlong。
　　CountessA————B————begantobemorepolite。"Iknowwhereyouhavebeen，"saidshe，withapleasedair；"butifyoulovethatperson，youwillnotgoandseeheragain，orelseherloverwillleaveher。"
　　"ThenIwouldtakehisplace，madam。"
　　"Youarerightinamusingyourselfwithwomenwhoknowhowtoearnyourpresents。Iamawarethatyounevergiveanythingtillyouhavereceivedevidentproofsoftheiraffection。"
　　"Thathasalwaysbeenmyprinciple。"
　　"It’sanexcellentwaytoavoidbeingduped。Theloverofthepersonyouhavebeenwithkeptaladyinsocietyforsometimeingreatsplendour，butalltherestofusdespisedher。"
　　"Whyso，ifyouplease？"
　　"Becausesheloweredherselfsoterribly。Greppiisabsolutelyamanofnofamilywhatever。"
　　WithoutexpressingmysurpriseatthenameofGreppi，Irepliedthatamanneednotbewellborntobeanexcellentlover。
　　"Theonlythingneedful，"saidI，"isafinephysiqueandplentyofmoney，andthoseladieswhodespisedtheirfriendwereeitherridiculouslyproudorabominablyenvious。IhavenottheslightestdoubtthatiftheycouldfindanymoreGieppistheywouldbewillingenoughtolowerthemselves。"
　　Shewoulddoubtlesshavemadeasharpreply，forwhatIhadsaidhadangeredher；buttheMarquisTriulziarriving，shewentoutwithhim，whileherhusbandandmyselfwenttoaplacewheretherewasabankatfaro，thebankeronlyhavingahundredsequinsbeforehim。
　　Itookacardandstakedsmallsumsliketherestofthecompany。
　　AfterlosingtwentyducatsIlefttheplace。
　　AsweweregoingtotheoperathepoorcounttoldmeIhadmadehimlosetenducatsonhiswordofhonour，andthathedidnotknowhowhecouldpayitbythenextday。Ipitiedhim，andgavehimthemoneywithoutaword；formiseryhasalwaysappealedstronglytome。AfterwardsIlosttwohundredducatsatthesamebanktowhichIhadlostmoneytheeveningbefore。Thecountwasinthegreatestdistress。HedidnotknowthatGreppi，whomhisproudwifeconsideredsoworthless，hadahundredthousandfrancsofmymoney，andthatIpossessedjewellerytoanevengreateramount。
　　Thecountess，whohadseenmelose，askedmeifIwouldsellmybeautifuldress。
　　"Theysayit’sworthathousandsequins，"saidshe。
　　"Yes，thatisso；butIwouldselleverythingIpossessbeforepartingwithanyofthearticleswhichIintendforthefairsex。"
　　"MarquisTriulziwantsitbadlytopresenttosomeone。"
　　"Iamverysorry，butIcannotsellittohim。"
　　Shewentawaywithoutaword，butIcouldseethatshewasexceedinglyvexedatmyrefusal。
　　AsIwasleavingtheopera—houseIsawTheresegettingintohersedan—chair。Iwentuptoher，andtoldherthatIwassureshewasgoingtosupwithherlover。Shewhisperedinmyearthatshewasgoingtosupbyherself，andthatImightcomeifIdared。I
　　gaveheranagreeablesurprisebyacceptingtheinvitation。
　　"Iwillexpectyou，then，"shesaid。
　　Iaskedthecounttoridehomeinmycarriage，andtakingachairIreachedTherese’shousejustasshewasgoingin。
　　Whatahappyeveningwehad！Welaughedheartilywhenwetoldeachotherourthoughts。
　　"IknowyouwereinlovewithCountessA————B————，"saidshe，"andIfeltsureyouwouldnotdaretocometosupperwithme。"
　　"AndIthoughtIshouldconfoundyoubyacceptingyourinvitation，asIknewGreppiwasyourlover。"
　　"Heismyfriend，"shereplied。"Ifhelovesmeinanyotherwaythanthatoffriendship，Ipityhim，forasyethehasnotdiscoveredthesecretofseduction。"
　　"Doyouthinkheeverwill？"
　　"No，Idon’t。Iamrich。"
　　"Yes，butheisricherthanyou。"
　　"Iknowthat，butIthinkheloveshismoneybetterthanhelovesme。"
　　"Iunderstand。Youwillmakehimhappyifhelovesyouwellenoughtoruinhimself。"
　　"Thatisit，butitwillnevercometopass。Buthereweare，togetheragainafteradivorceofnearlytwentyyears。Idon’tthinkyouwillfindanychangeinme。"
　　"Thatisaprivilegewhichnaturegrantstothefairsexonly。
　　Youwillfindmechanged，butyouwillbeabletoworkmiracles。"
　　Thiswasapieceofpoliteness，forshewashardlycapableofworkinganymiracle。However，afteranexcellentsupper，wespenttwohoursinamorousraptures，andthenMorpheusclaimedusforhisown。WhenweawokeIdidnotleaveherbeforegivingheragooddayequaltothegoodnightwhichhadsentustosleep。
　　WhenIgotbackIfoundthefairZenobia，whosaidthetailorwasreadytomarryhernextSundayifmyofferwasnotajoke。
　　"Toconvinceyouofthecontrary，"saidI，"herearethetwenty—
　　fivesequins。"
　　Fullofgratitudesheletherselffallintomyarms，andIcoveredhermouthandherbeautifulbosomwithmyfierykisses。Theresehadexhaustedme，soIdidnotgoanyfurther，butthegirlnodoubtattributedmyself—restrainttothefactthatthedoorwasopen。Idressedcarefully，andmademyselflooklessweary，andtofreshenmyselfupIhadalongdriveinanopencarriage。
　　WhenIreturned，IfoundtheMarquisofTriulziteasingthecountessasusual。Onthatdayhefurnishedthedinner，anditwasconsequently，averygoodone。
　　Theconversationturnedonthedressinmypossession，andthecountesstoldthemarquis，likeanidiot，thatitwasdestinedfortheladywhowouldmakemedesirousandgratifymydesire。
　　WithexquisitepolitenessthemarquistoldmethatIdeservedtoenjoyfavoursatacheaperrate。
　　"Isupposeyouwillbegivingittothepersonwithwhomyouspentthenight，"saidthecountess。
　　"That’sanimpossibility，"Ianswered，"forIspentthenightinplay。"
　　JustthenClairmontcamein，andtoldmeanofficerwantedtospeaktome。Iwenttothedoor，andsawahandsomeyoungfellow，whogreetedmewithanembrace。IrecognizedhimasBarbaro，thesonofaVenetiannoble，andbrotherofthefairandfamousMadameGrittiScombro，ofwhomIspoketenyearsago，whosehusbandhaddiedinthecitadelofCattaro，wheretheStateInquisitorshadimprisonedhim。MyyoungfriendhadalsofallenintodisgracewiththedespoticInquisitors。Wehadbeengoodfriendsduringtheyearbeforemyimprisonment，butIhadheardnothingofhimsince。
　　Barbarotoldmethechiefincidentsinalifethathadbeenadventurousenough，andinformedmethathewasnowintheserviceoftheDukeofModena，theGovernorofMilan。
　　"IsawyoulosingmoneyatCanano’sbank，"saidhe，"andrememberingouroldfriendshipIwanttocommunicatetoyouasurewayofwinningmoney。Allthatisnecessaryisformetointroduceyoutoaclubofyoungmenwhoareveryfondofplay，andcannotpossiblywin。"
　　"Wheredoesthisclubmeet？"
　　"Inanextremelyrespectablehouse。IfyouagreeIwillkeepthebankmyself，andIamsureofwinning。Iwantyoutolendmecapital，andIonlyaskafourthoftheprofits。"
　　"Isupposeyoucanholdthecardswell。"
　　"Youareright。"
　　Thiswasasmuchastotellmethathewasanadroitsharper，or，inotherwords，askilfulcorrectoroffortune’smistakes。HeconcludedbysayingthatIshouldfindsomethingworthlookingatinthehousehehadmentioned。
　　"Mydearsir，"Ireplied，"Iwillgiveyoumydecisionafterseeingtheclubtowhichyouwanttointroduceme。"
　　"Willyoubeatthetheatrecoffee—houseatthreeo’clockto—
　　morrow？"
　　"Yes，butIhopetoseeyouattheballintheevening。"
　　Zenobia’sbetrothedbroughtmemydomino，andthecountesshadhersalready。Astheballdidnotbegintilltheoperawasover，IwenttohearTherese’ssinging。IntheintervalbetweentheactsIlostanothertwohundredsequins，andthenwenthometodressfortheball。ThecountesssaidthatifIwouldbekindenoughtotakehertotheballinmycarriageandfetchherhomeinit，shewouldnotsendfortheMarquisTriulzi’s。IrepliedthatIwasatherservice。
　　UndertheimpressionthatthefairSpaniardhadonlygivenmethepreferencetoenablemetotakelibertieswithher，ItoldherI
　　shouldbeverygladtogiveherthedress，andthattheonlyconditionwasthatIshouldspentanightwithher。
　　"Youinsultmecruelly，"saidshe，"youmustknowmycharacterbetterthanthat。"
　　"Iknoweverything，mydearcountess；but，afterall，theinsult’snothing；youcaneasilyforgivemeifyoupluckupalittlespirit；trampleonafoolishprejudice；getthedress，andmakemehappyforawholenightlong。"
　　"Thatitallverywellwhenoneisinlove，butyoumustconfessthatyourcoarsewayofspeakingismorelikelytomakemehateyouthanloveyou。"
　　"Iusethatstyle，becauseIwanttocometothepoint；Ihavenotimetowaste。Andyou，countess，mustconfessinyourturn，thatyouwouldbedelightedtohavemesighingatyourfeet。"
　　"Itwouldbeallthesametome，Idon’tthinkIcouldloveyou。"
　　"Thenweareagreedononepointatallevents，forIloveyounomorethanyouloveme。"
　　"Andyetyouwouldspendathousandsequinsforthepleasureofpassinganightwithme。"
　　"Notatall，Idon’twanttosleepwithyouforthesakeofthepleasure，buttomortifyyourinfernalpride，whichbecomesyousoill。"
　　GodknowswhatthefierceSpaniardwouldhaveanswered，butatthatmomentthecarriagestoppedatthedoorofthetheatre。Weparted，andafterIhadgottiredofthreadingmywayamidstthecrowdIpaidavisittothegaming—room，hopingtoregainthemoneyIhadlost。Ihadmorethanfivehundredsequinsaboutmeandagoodcreditatthebank，butIcertainlydidmybesttoloseeverythingIhad。IsatdownatCanano’sbank，andnoticingthatthepoorcount，whofollowedmewhereverIwent，wastheonlypersonwhoknewme，IthoughtIshouldhavealuckyevening。I
　　onlypuntedononecard，andspentfourhourswithoutlosingorgaining。Towardstheend，wishingtoforcefortune’sfavour，I
　　lostrapidly，andleftallmymoneyinthehandsofthebanker。I
　　wentbacktotheball—room，wherethecountessrejoinedme，andwereturnedhome。
　　Whenwewereinthecarriage，shesaid，——
　　"Youlostanimmensesum，andIamverygladofit。Themarquiswillgiveyouathousandsequins，andthemoneywillbringyouluck。"
　　"Andyou，too，forIsupposeyouwillhavethedress？"
　　"Maybe。"
　　"No，madam，youshallneverhaveitinthisway，andyouknowtheother。Idespiseathousandsequins。"
　　"AndIdespiseyouandyourpresents。"
　　"Youmaydespisemeasmuchasyouplease，andyoumaybesureI
　　despiseyou。"
　　Withthesepoliteexpressionswereachedthehouse。WhenIgottomyroomIfoundthecounttherewithalongface，asifhewantedtopitymebutdarednotdoit。However，mygoodtempergavehimthecouragetosay:——
　　"Triulziwillgiveyouathousandsequins；thatwillfityouupagain。"
　　"Forthedressyoumean？"
　　"Yes。"
　　"Iwantedtogiveittoyourwife，butshesaidshewoulddespiseit，comingfrommyhands。"
　　"Youastonishme；sheismadafterit。Youmusthavewoundedherhaughtytemperinsomewayoranother。Butsellit，andgetthethousandsequins。"
　　"Iwillletyouknowto—morrow。"
　　Isleptfourorfivehours，andthenroseandwentoutinmygreatcoattocallonGreppi，forIhadnomoremoney。Itookathousandsequins，begginghimnottotellmyaffairstoanyone。
　　Herepliedthatmyaffairswerehisown，andthatIcouldcountonhissecrecy。HecomplimentedmeontheesteeminwhichMadamePalesiheldme，andsaidhehopedtomeetmeatsupperatherhouseonenight。
　　"Suchameetingwouldgivemethegreatestpleasure，"Ireplied。
　　OnleavinghimIcalledonTherese，butasthereweresomepeoplewithherIdidnotstaylong。Iwasgladtoseethatsheknewnothingaboutmylossesormyaffairs。ShesaidthatGreppiwantedtosupwithmeatherhouse，andthatshewouldletmeknowwhenthedaywasfixed。WhenIgothomeIfoundthecountinfrontofmyfire。
　　"Mywifeisinafuriousragewithyou，"saidhe，"andwon’ttellmewhy。"
　　"Thereasonis，mydearcount，thatIwon’tletheracceptthedressfromanyhandbutmine。Shetoldmethatsheshoulddespiseitasagiftfromme，butshehasnothingtobefuriousaboutthatIknow。"
　　"It’ssomemadnotionofhers，andIdon’tknowwhattomakeofit。ButprayattendtowhatIamabouttosaytoyou。Youdespiseathousandsequins——good。Icongratulateyou。Butifyouareinapositiontodespiseasumwhichwouldmakemehappy，offerupafoolishvanityontheshrineoffriendship，takethethousandsequins，andlendthemtome，andletmywifehavethedress，forofcoursehewillgiveither。"
　　Thisproposalmademeroarwithlaughter，andcertainlyitwasofanaturetoexcitethehilarityofasuffererfromconfirmedmelancholia，whichIwasfarfrombeing。However，IstoppedlaughingwhenIsawhowthepoorcountblushedfromshame。I
　　kissedhimaffectionatelytocalmhim，butatlastIwascruelenoughtosay，"Iwillwillinglyassistyouinthisarrangement。Iwillsellthedresstothemarquisassoonasyouplease，butIwon’tlendyouthemoney。I’llgiveittoyouinthepersonofyourwifeataprivateinterview；butwhenshereceivesmeshemustnotonlybepoliteandcomplaisant，butasgentleasalamb。Goandseeifitcanbearranged，mydearcount；’tisabsolutelymylastword。"
　　"Iwillsee，"saidthepoorhusband；andwiththathewentout。
　　Barbarokepthisappointmentwithexactitude。Imadehimgetintomycarriage，andwealightedatahouseattheendofMilan。Wewenttothefirstfloor，andthereIwasintroducedtoafine—
　　lookingoldman，anamiableladyofpleasingappearance，andthentotwocharmingcousins。HeintroducedmeasaVenetiangentlemanindisgracewiththeStateInquisitors，likehimself，adding，thatasIwasarichbachelortheirgoodorillfavourmadenodifferencetome。
　　HesaidIwasrich，andIlookedlikeit。Myluxuryofattirewasdazzling:Myrings，mysnuff—boxes，mychains，mydiamonds，myjewelledcrosshangingonmybreast—allgavemetheairofanimportantpersonage。ThecrossbelongedtotheOrderoftheSpurthePopehadgivenme，butasIhadcarefullytakenthespurawayitwasnotknowntowhatorderIbelonged。Thosewhomightbecuriousdidnotdaretoaskme，foronecannomoreenquireofaknightwhatorderhebelongsto，thanonecansaytoaladyhowoldareyou？Iworeittill1785，whenthePrincePalatineofRussiatoldmeinprivatethatIwoulddowelltogetridofthething。
　　"Itonlyservestodazzlefools，"saidhe，"andhereyouhavenonesuchtodealwith。"
　　Ifollowedhisadvice，forhewasamanofprofoundintelligence。
　　Nevertheless，heremovedthecorner—stoneofthekingdomofPoland。Heruineditbythesamemeansbywhichhehadmadeitgreater。
　　TheoldmantowhomBarbaropresentedmewasamarquis。HetoldmethatheknewVenice，andasIwasnotapatricianIcouldliveaspleasantlyanywhereelse。Hetoldmetoconsiderhishouseandallhepossessedasmine。
　　Thetwoyoungmarchionesseshadenchantedme；theywerealmostidealbeauties。Ilongedtoenquireaboutthemofsomegoodauthority，forIdidnotputmuchfaithinBarbaro。
　　Inhalfanhourthevisitorscommencedtocomeonfootandincarriages。Amongthearrivalswereseveralprettyandwell—
　　dressedgirls，andnumeroussmartyoungmenallvyingwitheachotherintheireagernesstopaycourttothetwocousins。Thereweretwentyofusinall。Wesatroundalargetable，andbegantoplayagamecalledbankruptcy。Afteramusingmyselfforacoupleofhoursinlosingsequins，IwentoutwithBarbarototheopera。
　　"Thetwoyoungladiesaretwoincarnateangels，"Isaidtomycountryman。"Ishallpaymydutytothem，andshallfindoutinafewdayswhethertheyareforme。Asforthegamingspeculation，Iwilllendyoutwohundredsequins；butIdon’twanttolosethemoney，soyoumustgivemegoodsecurity。"
　　"TothatIagreewillingly，butIamcertainofgivingityoubackwithgoodinterest。"
　　"Youshallhaveahalfshareandnottwenty—fivepercent。，andI
　　muststronglyinsistthatnobodyshallknowofmyhavinganythingtodowithyourbank。IfIhearanyrumours，Ishallbetheavilyonmyownaccount。"
　　"YoumaybesureIshallkeepthesecret；itistomyowninteresttohaveitbelievedthatIammyowncapitalist。"
　　"Verygood。Cometomeearlyto—morrowmorning，andbringmegoodsecurity，andyoushallhavethemoney。"
　　Heembracedmeinthejoyofhisheart。
　　Thepictureofthetwofairladieswasstillinmybrain，andI
　　wasthinkingofenquiringofGreppiwhenIchancedtoseeTriulziinthepitoftheopera—house。Hesawmeatthesamemoment，andcameuptome，sayinggailythathewassureIhadhadabaddinner，andthatIhadmuchbetterdinewithhimeveryday。
　　"Youmakemeblush，marquis，fornothavingcalledonyouyet。"
　　"No，no；therecanbenothingofthatkindbetweenmenoftheworld，whoknowtheworld’sworth。"
　　"Weareagreedthere，atallevents。"
　　"Bytheway，Ihearyouhavedecidedonsellingmethathandsomedressofyours。Iamreallyverymuchobligedtoyou，andwillgiveyouthefifteenthousandlivreswheneveryoulike。"
　　"Youcancomeandtakeitto—morrowmorning。"
　　HethenproceededtotellmeaboutthevariousladiesInoticedinthetheatre。Seizingtheopportunity，Isaid，——
　　"WhenIwasinchurchtheotherdayIsawtwoexquisitebeauties。
　　Amanatmysidetoldmetheywerecousins，theMarchionessesQ———
　　—andI————，Ithinkhesaid。Doyouknowthem？Iamquitecurioustohearaboutthem。"
　　"Iknowthem。Asyousay，theyarecharming。It’snotverydifficulttoobtainaccesstothem；andIsupposetheyaregoodgirls，asIhavenotheardtheirnamesinconnectionwithanyscandal。However，IknowthatMdlle。Fhasalover，butitisagreatsecret；heistheonlysonofoneofthenoblestofourfamilies。Unfortunately，theyarenotrich；butiftheyareclever，asIamsuretheyare，theymaymakegoodmatches。IfyoulikeIcangetsomeonetointroduceyouthere。"
　　"Ihaven’tmadeupmymindyet。Imaybeabletoforgetthemeasilyonlyhavingseenthemonce。Nevertheless，Iaminfinitelyobligedtoyouforyourkindoffer"
　　AftertheballetIwentintotheassembly—roomandIheard"thereheis"severaltimesrepeatedasIcamein。Thebankermademeabow，andofferedmeaplacenexttohim。Isatdownandhehandedmeapackofcards。Ipunted，andwithsuchinveteratebadluckthatinlessthananhourIlostsevenhundredsequins。IshouldprobablyhavelostallthemoneyIhadinmypocketifCananohadnotbeenobligedtogoaway。Hegavethecardstoamanwhoselooksdispleasedme，andIroseandwenthomeandgotintobeddirectly，soasnottobeobligedtoconcealmyilltemper。
　　InthemorningBarbarocametoclaimthetwohundredsequins。Hegavemetherighttosequestratehispaybywayofsurety。IdonotthinkIshouldhavehadthehearttoexercisemyrightsifthingshadgonewrong，butIlikedtohavesomecontroloverhim。
　　WhenIwentoutIcalledonGreppi，andtooktwothousandsequinsingold。
　　CHAPTERXIX
　　HumiliationofTheCountess——Zenobia’sWedding——FaroConquestofTheFairIrene——PlanforaMasqueradeOnmyreturnIfoundthecountwithoneofthemarquis’sservants，whogavemeanote，beggingmetosendthedress，whichIdiddirectly。
　　"Themarquiswilldinewithus，"saidthecount，"and，nodoubt，hewillbringthemoneywithhimforthistreasure。"
　　"Youthinkitatreasure，then？"
　　"Yes，fitforaqueentowear。"
　　"Iwishthetreasurehadthevirtueofgivingyouacrown；onehead—dressisasgoodasanother。"
　　Thepoordevilunderstoodtheallusion，andasIlikedhimI
　　reproachedmyselfforhavinghumiliatedhimunintentionally，butI
　　couldnotresistthetemptationtojest。IhastenedtosmoothhisbrowbysayingthatassoonasIgotthemoneyforthedressI
　　wouldtakeittothecountess。
　　"Ihavespokentoheraboutit，"saidhe，"andyourproposalmadeherlaugh；butIamsureshewillmakeuphermindwhenshefindsherselfinpossessionofthedress。"
　　ItwasaFriday。Themarquissentinanexcellentfishdinner，andcamehimselfsoonafterwiththedressinabasket。Thepresentwasmadewithallceremony，andtheproudcountesswasprofuseinherexpressionsofthanks，whichthegiverreceivedcoollyenough，asifaccustomedtothatkindofthing。However，heendedbythenomeansflatteringremarkthatifshehadanysenseshewouldsellit，aseverybodyknewshewastoopoortowearit。Thissuggestionbynomeansmetwithherapproval。Sheabusedhimtoherheart’scontent，andtoldhimhemustbeagreatfooltogiveheradresswhichheconsideredunsuitabletoher。
　　TheyweredisputingwarmlywhentheMarchionessMenafogliowasannounced。Assoonasshecameinhereyeswereattractedbythedress，whichwasstretchedoverachair，andfindingitsuperbsheexclaimed，"Iwouldgladlybuythatdress。"
　　"Ididnotbuyittosellagain，"saidthecountess，sharply。
　　"Excuseme，"repliedthemarchioness，"Ithoughtitwasforsale，andIamsorryitisnot。"
　　Themarquis，whowasnoloverofdissimulation，begantolaugh，andthecountess，fearinghewouldcoverherwithridicule，hastenedtochangetheconversation。Butwhenthemarchionesswasgonethecountessgavereinstoherpassion，andscoldedthemarquisbitterlyforhavinglaughed。However，heonlyrepliedbyremarkswhich，thoughexquisitelypolite，hadastinginthem；andatlasttheladysaidshewastired，andwasgoingtoliedown。
　　Whenshehadlefttheroomthemarquisgavemethefifteenthousandfrancs，tellingmethattheywouldbringmegoodluckatCanano’s。
　　"YouareagreatfavouriteofCanano’s，"headded，"andhewantsyoutocomeanddinewithhim。Hecan’taskyoutosupper，asheisobligedtospendhisnightsintheassembly—rooms。"
　　"TellhimIwillcomeanydayhelikesexceptthedayafterto—
　　morrow，whenIhavetogotoaweddingatthe’AppleGarden。’"
　　"Icongratulateyou，"saidthecountandthemarquistogether，"itwillnodoubtbeverypleasant。"
　　"Iexpecttoenjoymyselfheartilythere。"
　　"Couldnotwecome，too？"
　　"Doyoureallywantto？"
　　"Certainly。"
　　"ThenIwillgetyouaninvitationfromthefairbrideherselfontheconditionthatthecountesscomesaswell。Imustwarnyouthatthecompanywillconsistofhonestpeopleofthelowerclasses，andIcannothavethemhumiliatedinanyway。"
　　"Iwillpersuadethecountess，"saidTriulzi。
　　"Tomakeyourtaskaneasierone，ImayaswelltellyouthattheweddingisthatofthefairZenobia。"
　　"Bravo！Iamsurethecountesswillcometothat。"
　　Thecountwentout，andshortlyreappearedwithZenobia。Themarquiscongratulatedher，andencouragedhertoaskthecountesstothewedding。Sheseemeddoubtful，sothemarquistookherbythehandandletherintotheproudSpaniard’sroom。Inhalfanhourtheyreturnedinformingusthatmyladyhaddeignedtoaccepttheinvitation。
　　Whenthemarquishadgone，thecounttoldmethatImightgoandkeephiswifecompany，ifIhadnothingbettertodo，andthathewouldseetosomebusiness。
　　"Ihavethethousandsequinsinmypocket，"Iremarked，"andifI
　　findherreasonable，Iwillleavethemwithher。"
　　"Iwillgoandspeaktoherfirst。"
　　"Doso。"
　　Whilethecountwasoutoftheroom，IexchangedthethousandsequinsforthefifteenthousandfrancsinbanknoteswhichGreppihadgivenme。
　　Iwasjustshuttingupmycash—boxwhenZenobiacameinwithmylacecuffs。SheaskedmeifIwouldliketobuyapieceoflace。
　　Irepliedintheaffirmative，andshewentoutandbroughtitme。
　　Ilikedthelace，andboughtitforeighteensequins，andsaid，——
　　"Thislaceisyours，dearestZenobia，ifyouwillcontentmethismoment。"
　　"Iloveyouwell，butIshouldbegladifyouwouldwaittillaftermymarriage。"
　　"No，dearest，nowornever。Icannotwait。Ishalldieifyoudonotgrantmyprayer。Look！doyounotseewhatastateIamin？"
　　"Iseeitplainlyenough，butitcan’tbedone。"
　　"Whynot？Areyouafraidofyourhusbandnoticingthelossofyourmaidenhead？"
　　"NotI，andifhedidIshouldn’tcare。Ipromiseyouifhedaredtoreproachme，heshouldnothavemeatall。"
　　"Wellsaid，formyleavingsaretoogoodforhim。Comequick！"
　　"Butyouwillshutthedoor，atleast？"
　　"No，thenoisewouldbeheard，andmightgiverisetosuspicion。
　　Nobodywillcomein。"
　　WiththesewordsIdrewhertowardsme，andfindingherasgentleasalambandaslovingasadove，theamoroussacrificewasofferedwithabundantlibationsonbothsides。Afterthefirstecstacywasover，Iproceededtoexamineherbeauties，andwithmyusualamorousfrenzytoldherthatsheshouldsendhertailorouttograzeandlivewithme。Fortunatelyshedidnotbelieveintheconstancyofmypassion。AfterasecondassaultIrested，greatlyastonishedthatthecounthadnotinterruptedourpleasures。I
　　thoughthemusthavegoneout，andItoldZenobiamyopinion，whereonsheoverwhelmedmewithcaresses。Feelingatmyease，I
　　setherfreefromhertroublesomeclothes，andgavemyselfuptotoyingwithherinamannercalculatedtoarousetheexhaustedsenses；andthenforthethirdtimewewereclaspedtoeachother’sarms，whileImadeZenobiaputherselfintothemanyattitudeswhichIknewfromexperienceasmostpropitioustothevoluptuoustriumph。
　　Wewereoccupiedawholehourinthesepleasures，butZenobia，intheflowerofherageandanovice，pouredforthmanymorelibationsthanI。
　　JustasIlostlifeforthethirdtime，andZenobiaforthefourteenth，Iheardthecount’svoice。Itoldmysweetheart，whohadhearditaswell，andafterwehaddressedhastilyIgavehertheeighteensequins，andshelefttheroom。
　　Amomentafterthecountcameinlaughing，andsaid，——
　　"Ihavebeenwatchingyouallthetimebythischink"（whichheshewedme），"andIhavefounditveryamusing。"
　　"Iamdelightedtohearit，butkeepittoyouself。"
　　"Ofcourse，ofcourse。"
　　"Mywife，"saidhe，"willbeverypleasedtoseeyou；andI，"headded，"shallbeverypleasedaswell。"
　　"Youareaphilosophicalhusband，"saidI，"butIamafraidaftertheexercisesyouwitnessedthecountesswillfindmeratherslow。"
　　"Notatall，therecollectionwillmakeitallthepleasanterforyou。"
　　"Mentallyperhaps，butinotherrespects……"
　　"Oh！youwillmanagetogetoutofit。"
　　"Mycarriageisatyourservice，asIshallnotbegoingoutfortherestoftheday。"
　　Isoftlyenteredthecountess’sroomandfindingherinbedenquiredaffectionatelyafterherhealth。
　　"Iamverywell，"saidshe，smilingagreeably，"myhusbandhasdonemegood。"
　　Ihadseatedmyselfquietlyonthebed，andshehadshewnnovexation；certainlyagoodomen。
　　"Aren’tyougoingoutanymoreto—day？"saidshe，"youhavegotyourdressing—gownon。"
　　"Ifellasleeplyingonmybed，andwhenIawokeIdecidedonkeepingyoucompanyifyouwillbeasgoodandgentleasyouarepretty。"
　　"Ifyoubehavewelltome，youwillalwaysfindmeso。
　　"Andwillyouloveme？"
　　"Thatdependsonyou。SoyouaregoingtosacrificeCananotomethisevening。"
　　"Yes，andwiththegreatestpleasure。Hehaswonalotfrommealready，andIforeseethathewillwinthefifteenthousandfrancsIhaveinmypocketto—morrow。ThisisthemoneytheMarquisTriulzigavemeforthedress。"
　　"Itwouldbeapitytolosesuchalargesum。"
　　"Youareright，andIneednotlosethemifyouwillbecomplaisant，fortheyaremeantforyou。Allowmetoshutthedoor。"
　　"Whatfor？"
　　"BecauseIamperishingwithcoldanddesire，andintendwarmingmyselfinyourbed。"
　　"Iwillneverallowthat。"
　　"Idon’twanttoforceyou。Good—bye，countess，Iwillgoandwarmmyselfbymyownfire，andto—morrowIwillwagewaronCanano’sbank。"
　　"Youarecertainlyasaddog。Stayhere，Ilikeyourconversation。"
　　WithoutmoreadoIlockedthedoor，tookoffmyclothes，andseeingthatherbackwasturnedtome，jumpedintobedbesideher。
　　Shehadmadeuphermind，andletmedoasIliked，butmycombatswithZenobiahadexhaustedme。Withclosedeyessheletmeplaceherinallthepostureswhichlubricitycouldsuggest，whileherhandswerenotidle；butallwasinvain，mytorporwascomplete，andnothingwouldgivelifetotheinstrumentwhichwasnecessarytotheoperation。
　　DoubtlesstheSpaniardfeltthatmynullitywasaninsulttohercharms；doubtlessImusthavetorturedherbyraisingdesireswhichIcouldnotappease；forseveraltimesIfeltmyfingersdrenchedwithaflowthatshewedshewasnotpassiveinthematter；butshepretendedallthewhiletobeasleep。Iwasvexedatherbeingabletofeigninsensibilitytosuchanextent，andI
　　attachedmyselftoherhead；butherlips，whichsheabandonedtome，andwhichIabuseddisgracefully，producednomoreeffectthantherestofherbody。IfeltangrythatIcouldnoteffectthemiracleofresurrection，andIdecidedonleavingastagewhereI
　　hadsowretchedapart，butIwasnotgeneroustoher，andputthefinishingstroketoherhumiliationbysaying，——
　　"’Tisnotmyfault，madam，thatyourcharmshavesolittlepoweroverme。Here，takethesefifteenthousandfrancsbywayofconsolation。"
　　WiththisapostropheIlefther。
　　Myreaders，moreespeciallymyladyreaders，ifIeverhaveany，willnodoubtpronouncemeadetestablefellowafterthis。I
　　understandtheirfeelings，butbegthemtosuspendtheirjudgment。
　　TheywillseeafterwardsthatmyinstinctservedmewonderfullyinthecourseIhadtaken。
　　Earlythenextdaythecountcameintomyroomwithaverypleasedexpression。
　　"Mywifeisverywell，"saidhe，"andtoldmetowishyougoodday。"
　　Ididnotexpectthis，andInodoubtlookedsomewhatastonished。
　　"Iamglad，"hesaid，"thatyougaveherfrancsinsteadofthesequinsyougotfromTriulzi，andIhope，asTriulzisaid，youwillhaveluckwithitatthebank。"
　　"Iamnotgoingtotheopera，"saidI，"buttothemaskedball，andIdon’twantanyonetorecognizeme。"
　　Ibeggedhimtogoandbuymeanewdomino，andnottocomenearmeintheevening，sothatnonebutheshouldknowwhoIwas。AssoonashehadgoneoutIbegantowriteletters。Ihadheavyarrearstomakeupinthatdirection。
　　Thecountbroughtmemydominoatnoon，andafterhidingitwewenttodinewiththecountess。Heraffability，politeness，andgentlenessastoundedme。ShelookedsosweetlyprettythatI
　　repentedhavingoutragedhersoscandalously。Herinsensibilityoftheeveningbeforeseemedinconceivable，andIbegantosuspectthatthesignsIhadnoticedtothecontrarywereonlyduetotheanimalfacultieswhicharespeciallyactiveinsleep。
　　"Wasshereallyasleep，"saidItomyself，"whenIwasoutraginghersoshamefully？"
　　Ihopedithadbeenso。Whenherhusbandleftusalone，Isaid，humblyandtenderly，thatIknewIwasamonster，andthatshemustdetestme。
　　"Youamonster？"saidshe。"OnthecontraryIowemuchtoyou，andthereisnothingIcanthinkofforwhichIhavecausetoreproachyou。"
　　Itookherhand，tenderly，andwouldhavecarriedittomylips，butshedrewitawaygentlyandgavemeakiss。Myrepentancebroughtadeepblushtomyface。
　　WhenIgotbacktomyroomIsealedmylettersandwenttotheball。Iwasabsolutelyunrecognizable。Nobodyhadeverseenmywatchesormysnuff—boxesbefore，andIhadevenchangedmypursesforfearofanybodyrecognizingmebythem。
　　Thusarmedagainsttheglancesofthecurious，IsatdownatCanano’stableandcommencedtoplayinquiteadifferentfashion。
　　IhadahundredSpanishpiecesinmypocketworthsevenhundredVenetiansequins。IhadgotthisSpanishmoneyfromGreppi，andI
　　tookcarenottousewhatTriulzihadgivenmeforfearheshouldknowme。
　　Iemptiedmypurseonthetable，andinlessthananhouritwasallgone。IrosefromthetableandeverybodythoughtIwasgoingtobeataretreat，butItookoutanotherpurseandputahundredsequinsononecard，goingsecond，withparoli，seven，andtheva。
　　ThestrokewassuccessfulandCananogavemebackmyhundredSpanishpieces，onwhichIsatdownagainbythebanker，andrecommencedregularplay。Cananowaslookingatmehard。Mysnuff—boxwastheonewhichtheElectorofColognehadgivenme，withtheprince’sportraitonthelid。Itookapinchofsnuffandhegavemetounderstandthathewouldlikeonetoo，andtheboxwassubjectedtoageneralexamination。AladywhomIdidnotknowsaidtheportraitrepresentedtheElectorofCologneinhisrobesasGrandMasteroftheTeutonicOrder。TheboxwasreturnedtomeandIsawthatithadmademerespected，sosmallathingimposesonpeople。Ithenputfiftysequinsononecard，goingparoliandpaixdeparoli，andatdaybreakIhadbrokenthebank。
　　CananosaidpolitelythatifIlikedtobesparedthetroubleofcarryingallthatgoldhewouldhaveitweighedandgivemeacheque。Apairofscaleswasbrought，anditwasfoundthatIhadthirty—fourpoundsweightingold，amountingtotwothousandeighthundredandfifty—sixsequins。Cananowrotemeacheque，andI
　　slowlyreturnedtotheball—room。
　　BarbarohadrecognizedmewiththekeennessofaVenetian。Heaccostedmeandcongratulatedmeonmyluck，butIgavehimnoanswer，andseeingthatIwishedtoremainincognitoheleftme。
　　AladyinaGreekdressrichlyadornedwithdiamondscameuptome，andsaidinafalsettovoicethatshewouldliketodancewithme。
　　Imadeasignofassent，andasshetookoffhergloveIsawafinely—shapedhandaswhiteasalabaster，oneofthefingersbearinganexquisitediamondring。Itwasevidentlynoordinaryperson，andthoughIpuzzledmyheadIcouldnotguesswhoshecouldbe。
　　Shedancedadmirably，inthestyleofawomanoffashion，andI
　　tooexertedmyselftotheutmost。BythetimethedancewasoverIwascoveredwithperspiration。
　　"Youlookhot，"saidmypartner，inherfalsettovoice，"comeandrestinmybox。"
　　Myheartleapedwithjoy，andIfollowedherwithgreatdelight；