"Youhavebeenlosing，then？"
　　"Yes，butmybrotherhaswonsomething，"saidtheamiableQ————。
　　"Ihopeluckwilldeclareitselfonyoursidealso。"
　　"No，wearenotlucky。"
　　Whentheirauntlefttheroom，theyaskedmeifthelieutenanthadtoldmethataladyfriendoftheirswascomingtotheballwiththem。
　　"Iknowall，"Ianswered，"andIhopeyouwillenjoyyourselves，butyouwillnotdosomorethanI。Iwanttospeaktothegallantlieutenantto—morrowmorning。"
　　"Tellusaboutourdisguises。"
　　"Youwillbedisguisedinsuchamannerthatnobodywillrecognizeyou。"
　　"Buthowshallwebedressed？"
　　"Veryhandsomely。"
　　"Butwhatcostumehaveyougivenus？"
　　"Thatismysecret，ladies。HowevermuchIshouldliketopleaseyou，Ishallsaynothingtillthetimeforyoutodresscomesround。Don’taskmeanythingmore，asIhavepromisedmyselftheenjoymentofyoursurprise。Iamveryfondofdramaticsituations。Youshallknowallaftersupper。"
　　"Arewetohavesupper，then？"
　　"Certainly，ifyouwouldlikeit。IamagreateatermyselfandI
　　hopeyouwillnotletmeeatalone。"
　　"Thenwewillhavesomesuppertopleaseyou。Wewilltakecarenottoeatmuchdinner，soastobeabletoviewithyouintheevening。TheonlythingIamsorryabout，"addedMdlle。Q————，"isthatyoushouldbeputtosuchexpense。"
　　"Itisapleasure；andwhenIleaveMilanIshallconsolemyselfwiththethoughtthatIhavesuppedwiththetwohandsomestladiesinthetown。"
　　"Howisfortunetreatingyou？"
　　"Cananowinstwohundredsequinsfrommeeveryday。"
　　"Butyouwontwothousandfromhiminonenight。"
　　"YouwillbreakhisbankonSunday。Wewillbringyouluck。"
　　"Wouldyouliketolookon？"
　　"Weshouldbedelighted，butmybrothersaysyoudon’twanttogowithus。"
　　"Quiteso，thereasonisthatIshouldberecognized。ButI
　　believethegentlemanwhowillaccompanyyouisofthesamefigureasmyself。"
　　"Exactlythesame，"saidthecousin；"exceptthatheisfair。"
　　"Allthebetter，"saidI，"thefairalwaysconquerthedarkwithease。"
　　"Notalways，"saidtheother。"Buttellus，atanyrate，whetherwearetowearmen’sdresses。"
　　"Fie！fie！IshouldbeangrywithmyselfifIhadentertainedsuchathought。"
　　"That’scurious；whyso？"
　　"I’lltellyou。IfthedisguiseiscompleteIamdisgusted，fortheshapeofawomanismuchmoremarkedthanthatofaman，andconsequentlyawomaninman’sdress，wholookslikeaman，cannothaveagoodfigure。"
　　"Butwhenawomanskewshershapewell？"
　　"ThenIamangrywithherforskewingtoomuch，forIliketoseethefaceandthegeneraloutlinesoftheformandtoguesstherest。"
　　"Buttheimaginationisoftendeceptive！"
　　"Yes，butitiswiththefacethatIalwaysfallinlove，andthatneverdeceivesmeasfarasitisconcerned。ThenifIhavethegoodfortunetoseeanythingmoreIamalwaysinalenientmoodanddisposedtopassoversmallfaults。Youarelaughing？"
　　"Iamsmilingatyourimpassionedarguments。"
　　"Wouldyouliketobedressedlikeaman？"
　　"Iwasexpectingsomethingofthekind，butafteryouhavesaidwecanmakenomoreobjections。"
　　"Icanimaginewhatyouwouldsay；Ishouldcertainlynottakeyouformen，butIwillsaynomore。"
　　Theylookedateachother，andblushedandsmiledastheysawmygazefixedontwopre—eminenceswhichonewouldneverexpecttoseeinanyman。Webegantotalkofotherthings，andfortwohoursIenjoyedtheirlivelyandculturedconversation。
　　WhenIleftthemIwentofftomyapartments，thentotheopera，whereIlosttwohundredsequins，andfinallysuppedwiththecountess，whohadbecomequiteamiable。However，shesoonfellbackintoheroldwayswhenshefoundthatmypolitenesswasmerelyexternal，andthatIhadnointentionswhateveroftroublingherinherbedroomagain。
　　OntheSaturdaymorningtheyoungofficercametoseeme，andI
　　toldhimthattherewasonlyonethingthatIwantedhimtodo，butthatitmustbedoneexactlyaccordingtomyinstructions。Hepromisedtofollowthemtotheletter，andIproceeded，——
　　"Youmustgetacarriageandfour，andassoonasthefiveofyouareinittellthecoachmantodriveasfastashishorsescangallopoutofMilan，andtobringyoubackagainbyanotherroadtothehouse。Thereyoumustgetdown，sendthecarriageaway，afterenjoiningsilenceonthecoachman，andcomein。Aftertheballyouwillundressinthesamehouse，andthengohomeinsedan—chairs。Thusweshallbeabletobaffletheinquisitive，whowillbeprettynumerous，Iwarnyou。"
　　"Myfriendthemarquiswillseetoallthat，"saidhe，"andI
　　promiseyouhewilldoitwell，forheislongingtomakeyouracquaintance。"
　　"Ishallexpectyou，then，atseveno’clockto—morrow。
　　Warnyourfriendthatitisimportantthecoachmanshouldnotbeknown，anddonotletanybodybringaservant。"
　　Allthesearrangementsbeingmade，IdeterminedtodisguisemyselfasPierrot。There’snodisguisemoreperfect；for，besidesconcealingthefeaturesandtheshapeofthebody，itdoesnotevenletthecolouroftheskinremainrecognizable。Myreadersmayrememberwhathappenedtomeinthisdisguisetenyearsbefore。ImadethetailorgetmeanewPierrotcostume，whichI
　　placedwiththeothers，andwithtwonewpurses，ineachofwhichIplacedfivehundredsequins，Irepairedtothepastrycook’sbeforeseveno’clock。Ifoundthetablespread，andthesupperready。IshutupZenobiaintheroomwheretheladiesweretomaketheirtoilette，andatfiveminutespastseventhejoyouscompanyarrived。
　　Themarquiswasdelightedtomakemyacquaintance，andIwelcomedhimashedeserved。Hewasaperfectgentlemanineveryrespect，handsome，rich，andyoung，verymuchinlovewiththeprettycousinwhomhetreatedwithgreatrespect。Thelieutenant’smistresswasadelightfullittleladyandmadlyfondofherlover。
　　AstheywereallawarethatIdidnotwantthemtoknowtheircostumestillaftersupper，nothingwassaidaboutit，andwesatdowntotable。Thesupperwasexcellent；Ihadordereditinaccordancewithmyowntastes；thatistosay，everythingwasofthebest，andtherewasplentyofeverything。Whenwehadeatenanddrunkwell，Isaid，——
　　"AsIamnotgoingtoappearwithyou，Imayaswelltellyouthepartsyouaretoplay。Youaretobefivebeggars，twomenandthreewomen，allragsandtatters。"
　　Thelongfacestheypulledatthisannouncementwereapleasantsighttosee。
　　"Youwilleachcarryaplateinyourhandstosolicitalms，andyoumustwalktogetherabouttheball—roomasabandofmendicants。Butnowfollowmeandtakepossessionofyourraggedrobes。"
　　AlthoughIhadmuchadotorefrainfromlaughingatthevexationanddisappointmentwhichappearedonalltheirfaces，Isucceededinpreservingmyseriousair。Theydidnotseeminanykindofhurrytogettheirclothes，andIwasobligedtotellthemthattheywerekeepingmewaiting。TheyrosefromthetableandI
　　threwthedooropen，andallwerestruckwithZenobia’sbeautyasshestoodupbythetableonwhichtherichthoughtatteredrobesweredisplayed，bowingtothecompanywithmuchgrace。
　　"Here，ladies，"saidItothecousins，"areyourdresses，andhereisyours，mademoiselle——alittlesmaller。Hereareyourshifts，yourhandkerchiefsandyourstockings，andIthinkyouwillfindeverythingyourequireonthistable。Herearemasks，thefacesofwhichshewsopoorlybesideyourown，andherearethreeplatestocravealms。Ifanybodylooksashighasyourgarters，theywillseehowwretchedyouare，andtheholesinthestockingswillletpeopleknowthatyouhavenotthewherewithaltobuysilktomendthem。Thispackthreadmustserveyouforbuckles，andwemusttakecarethatthereareholesinyourshoesandalsoinyourgloves，andaseverythingmustmatch，assoonasyouhaveputonyourchemisesyoumusttearthelaceroundtheneck。"
　　WhileIwasgoingthroughthisexplanationIsawsurpriseanddelighteffacethedisappointmentandvexationwhichhadbeenthereamomentbefore。TheysawwhatarichdisguiseIhadprovidedforthem，andtheycouldnotfinditintheirheartstosay，"Whatapity！"
　　"Here，gentlemen，areyourbeggar—clothes。Iforgottolacerateyourbeaverhats，butthatissoondone。Well，whatdoyouthinkofthecostume？"
　　"Now，ladies，wemustleaveyou；shutthedoorfast，foritisacaseofchangingyourshifts。Now，gentlemen，leavetheroom。"
　　Themarquiswasenthusiastic。
　　"Whatasensationweshallcreate！"saidhe，"nothingcouldbebetter。"
　　Inhalfanhourwewereready。Thestockingsinholes，theworn—
　　outshoes，thelaceinrags，thestragglinghair，thesadmasks，thenotchedplates——allmadeapictureofsumptuousmiseryhardtobedescribed。
　　Theladiestookmoretimeonaccountoftheirhair，whichfloatedontheirshouldersinfinedisorder。Mdlle。Q————’shairwasespeciallyfine，itextendedalmosttoherknees。
　　Whentheywerereadythedoorwasopened，andwesaweverythingwhichcouldexcitedesirewithoutwoundingdecency。IadmiredZenobia’sadroitness。Therentsindressesandchemisesdisclosedpartsoftheirshoulders，theirbreasts，andtheirarms，andtheirwhitelegsshonethroughtheholesinthestockings。
　　Ishewedthemhowtowalk，andtoswaytheirheadstoandfro，toexcitecompassion，andyetbegraceful，andhowtousetheirhandkerchiefstoshewpeoplethetearsinthemandthefinenessofthelace。Theyweredelighted，andlongedtobeattheball，butIwantedtobetherefirsttohavethepleasureofseeingthemcomein。Iputonmymask，toldZenobiatogotobed，aswewouldnotbebacktilldaybreak，andsetoutonmyway。
　　Ienteredtheball—room，andastherewereascoreofPierrotsnobodynoticedme。Fiveminutesaftertherewasarushtoseesomemaskerswhowerecomingin，andIstoodsoastohaveagoodview。Themarquiscameinfirstbetweenthetwocousins。Theirslow，pitifulstepmatchedthepartwonderfully。Mdlle。Q————
　　withherflame—coloureddress，hersplendidhair，andherfineshape，drewalleyestowardsher。Theastonishedandinquisitivecrowdkeptsilenceforaquarterofanhouraftertheyhadcomein，andthenIheardoneveryside，"Whatadisguise！""It’swonderful！""Whoarethey？""Whocantheybe？""Idon’tknow。"
　　"I’llfindout。"
　　Ienjoyedtheresultsofmyinventiveness。
　　Themusicstruckup，andthreefinedominoswentuptothethreebeggar—girlstoaskthemtodanceaminuet，buttheyexcusedthemselvesbypointingtotheirdilapidatedshoes。Iwasdelighted；itshewedthattheyhadenteredintothespiritofthepart。
　　Ifollowedthemaboutforaquarterofanhour，andthecuriosityaboutthemonlyincreased，andthenIpaidavisittoCanano’stable，whereplaywasrunninghigh。AmasquerdressedintheVenetianstylewaspuntingonasinglecard，goingfiftysequinsparoliandpaixdeparoli，inmyfashion。Helostthreehundredsequins，andashewasamanofaboutthesamesizeasmyselfpeoplesaiditwasCasanova，butCananowouldnotagree。InorderthatImightbeabletostayatthetable，Itookupthecardsandpuntedthreeorfourducatslikeabeginner。ThenextdealtheVenetianmasquerhadarunofluck，andgoingparoli，paixdeparoliandtheva，wonbackallthemoneyhehadlost。
　　Thenextdealwasalsoinhisfavour，andhecollectedhiswinningsandleftthetable。
　　Isatdowninthechairhehadoccupied，andaladysaid，——
　　"That’stheChevalierdeSeingalt。"
　　"No，"saidanother。"Isawhimalittlewhileagointheball—
　　roomdisguisedasabeggar，withfourothermasquerswhomnobodyknows。"
　　"Howdoyoumean，dressedasabeggar？"saidCanano。
　　"Why，inrags，andthefourothers，too；butinspiteofthatthedressesaresplendidandtheeffectisverygood。Theyareaskingforalms。"
　　"Theyoughttobeturnedout，"saidanother。
　　Iwasdelightedtohaveattainedmyobject，fortherecognitionofmewasamereguess。Ibeganputtingsequinsononecard，andI
　　lostfiveorsixtimesrunning。Cananostudiedme，butIsawhecouldnotmakemeout。Iheardwhispersrunningroundthetable。
　　"Itisn’tSeingalt；hedoesn’tplaylikethat；besides，heisattheball。"
　　Theluckturned；threedealswereinmyfavour，andbroughtmebackmorethanIhadlost。Icontinuedplayingwithaheapofgoldbeforeme，andonmyputtingafistfullofsequinsonacarditcameout，andIwentparoliandpairdeparoli。Iwonagain，andseeingthatthebankwasatalowebbIstoppedplaying。
　　Cananopaidme，andtoldhiscashiertogetathousandsequins，andashewasshufflingthecardsIheardacryof，"Herecomethebeggars。"
　　Thebeggarscameinandstoodbythetable，andCanano，catchingthemarquis’seye，askedhimforapinchofsnuff。MydelightmaybeimaginedwhenIsawhimmodestlypresentingacommonhornsnuffboxtothebanker。Ihadnotthoughtofthisdetail，whichmadeeverybodylaughimmensely。Mdlle。Q————stretchedoutherplatetoaskanalmsofCanano，whosaid，——
　　"Idon’tpityyouwiththatfinehairofyours，andifyouliketoputitonacardIwillallowyouathousandsequinsforit。"
　　Shegavenoanswertothispolitespeech，andheldoutherplatetome，andIputahandfulofsequinsonit，treatingtheotherbeggarsinthesameway。
　　"Pierrotseemstolikebeggars，"saidCanano，withasmile。
　　Thethreemendicantsbowedgratefullytomeandlefttheroom。
　　TheMarquisTriulziwhosatnearCanano，said，——
　　"Thebeggarinthestraw—coloureddressiscertainlyCasanova。"
　　"Irecognizedhimdirectly，"repliedthebanker，"butwhoaretheothers？"
　　"Weshallfindoutinduetime。"
　　"Adearercostumecouldnotbeimagined；allthedressesarequitenew。"
　　Thethousandsequinscamein，andIcarriedthemalloffintwodeals。
　　"Wouldyouliketogoonplaying？"saidCanano。
　　Ishookmyhead，andindicatingwithasignofmyhandthatI
　　wouldtakeacheque，heweighedmywinningsandgavemeachequefortwenty—ninepoundsofgold，amountingtotwothousand，fivehundredsequins。Iputawaythecheque，andaftershakinghimbythehand，IgotupandrolledawayintruePierrotfashion，andaftermakingthetouroftheball—roomIwenttoaboxonthethirdtierofwhichIhadgiventhekeytotheyoungofficer，andthereIfoundmybeggars。
　　Wetookoffourmasksandcongratulatedeachotheronoursuccess，andtoldouradventures。Wehadnothingtofearfrominquisitiveeyes，fortheboxesoneachsideofuswereempty。Ihadtakenthemmyself，andthekeyswereinmypocket。
　　ThefairbeggarstalkedofreturningmethealmsIhadgiventhem，butIrepliedinsuchawaythattheysaidnomoreaboutit。
　　"Iamtakenforyou，sir，"saidthemarquis，"anditmaycausesomeannoyancetoourfairfriendshere。"
　　"Ihaveforeseenthat，"Ireplied，"andIshallunmaskbeforetheendoftheball。Thiswillfalsifyallsuppositions，andnobodywillsucceedinidentifyingyou。"
　　"Ourpocketsarefullofsweetmeats，"saidMdlle。Q————。
　　"Everybodywantedtofillourplates。"
　　"Yes，"saidthecousin，"everybodyadmiredus；theladiescamedownfromtheirboxestohaveacloserviewofus，andeveryonesaidthatnoricherdisguisecouldbeimagined。"
　　"Youhaveenjoyedyourselves，then？"
　　"Yes，indeed。"
　　"AndItoo。Ifeelquiteboastfulathavinginventedacostumewhichhasdrawnalleyesuponyou，andyethasconcealedyouridentity。"
　　"Youhavemadeusallhappy，"saidthelieutenant’slittlemistress。"IneverthoughtIshouldhavesuchapleasantevening。"
　　"Finiscoronatopus，"Ireplied，"andIhopetheendwillbeevenbetterthanthebeginning。"
　　SosayingIgavemysweetheart’shandagentlepressure，andwhethersheunderstoodmeornotIfeltherhandtrembleinmine。
　　"Wewillgodownnow，"saidshe。
　　"SowillI，forIwanttodance，andIamsureIshallmakeyoulaughasPierrot。"
　　"Doyouknowhowmuchmoneyyougaveeachofus？"
　　"Icannotsayprecisely，butIbelieveIgaveeachanequalshare。"
　　"Thatisso。Ithinkitiswonderfulhowyoucoulddoit。"
　　"Ihavedoneitathousandtimes。WhenIloseaparolioftensequinsIputthreefingersintomypurse，andamcertaintobringupthirtysequins。IwouldbetIgaveyoueachfromthirty—eighttofortysequins。"
　　"Fortyexactly。It’swonderful。Weshallrememberthismasquedball。"
　　"Idon’tthinkanybodywillimitateus，"saidthemarquis。
　　"No，"saidthecousin，"andwewouldnotdaretowearthesamedressesagain。"
　　Weputonourmasks，andIwasthefirsttogoout。Afternumerouslittlejocularitieswiththeharlequins，especiallythefemaleones，IrecognizedThereseinadomino，andwalkinguptoherasawkwardlyasIcouldIaskedhertodancewithme。
　　"YouarethePierrotwhobrokethebank？"shesaid。
　　Iansweredthequestionintheaffirmativebyanod。
　　Idancedlikeamadman，alwaysonthepointoffallingtothegroundandneveractuallydoingso。
　　Whenthedancewasover，Iofferedhermyarmandtookherbacktoherbox，whereGreppiwassittingbyhimself。Sheletmecomein，andtheirsurprisewasgreatwhenItookoffmymask。TheyhadthoughtIwasoneofthebeggars。IgaveM。GreppiCanano’scheque，andassoonashehadhandedmeanacknowledgmentIwentdowntotheball—roomagainwithmymaskoff，muchtotheastonishmentoftheinquisitive，whohadmadesurethatthemarquiswasI。
　　TowardstheendoftheballIwentawayinasedan—chair，whichI
　　stoppednearthedoorofanhotel，andalittlefurtheronItookanotherwhichbroughtmetothedoorofthepastry—cook’s。I
　　foundZenobiainbed。ShesaidshewassureIwouldcomebackbymyself。IundressedasquicklyasIcould，andgotintobedwiththisVenusofawoman。Shewasabsoluteperfection。IamsurethatifPraxiteleshadhadherforamodel，hewouldnothaverequiredseveralGreekbeautiesfromwhichtocomposehisVenus。
　　Whatapitythatsuchanexquisitefigureshouldbethepropertyofasorrytailor。
　　Istrippedhernaked，andafterduecontemplationImadeherfeelhowmuchIlovedher。Shewaspleasedwithmyadmiration，andgavemebackasmuchasshegot。Ihadherentirelytomyselfforthefirsttime。Whenweheardthetrotoffourhorsesweroseandputonourclothesinatwinkling。
　　Whenthecharmingbeggarscamein，ItoldthemthatIshouldbeabletohelpintheirtoiletteastheyhadnottochangetheirchemises，andtheydidnotmakemanyobjections。
　　MygazewasfixedallthewhileonMdlle。Q————。Iadmiredhercharms，andIwasdelightedtoseethatshewasnotmiserlyintheirdisplay。AfterZenobiahaddoneherhairshelefthertome，andwenttoattendontheothers。Sheallowedmetoputonherdress，anddidnotforbidmyeyeswanderingtowardsalargerentinherchemise，whichletmeseealmostthewholeofoneofherbeautifulbreasts。
　　"Whatareyougoingtodowiththischemise？"
　　"Youwilllaughatoursilliness。Wehavedeterminedtokeepeverythingasamemorialofthesplendideveningwehavehad。Mybrotherwillbringitalltothehouse。Areyoucomingtoseeusthisevening？"
　　"IfIwerewiseIshouldavoidyou。"
　　"AndifIwerewiseIshouldn’taskyoutocome。"
　　"Thatisfairlyanswered！OfcourseIwillcome；butbeforewepartmayIaskonekiss？"
　　"Saytwo。"
　　Herbrotherandthemarquislefttheroom，andtwosedan—chairsI
　　hadsummonedtookoffthecousins。
　　Assoonasthemarquiswasalonewithmeheaskedmeverypolitelytolethimshareintheexpenses。
　　"Iguessedyouweregoingtohumiliateme。"
　　"Suchwasnotmyintention，andIdonotinsist；butthenyouknowIshallbehumiliated。"
　　"Notatall；Ireckononyourgoodsense。Itreallycostsmenothing。Besides，Igiveyoumywordtoletyoupayforallthepartiesofpleasureweenjoytogetherduringthecarnival。Wewillsupherewhenyoulike；youshallinvitethecompany，andI
　　willleaveyoutopaythebill。"
　　"Thatarrangementwillsuitmeadmirably。Wemustbefriends。I
　　leaveyouwiththischarmingattendant。IdidnotthinkthatsuchabeautycouldexistinMilanunknowntoallbutyou。"
　　"Sheisatownswoman，whoknowshowtokeepasecret。Doyounot？"
　　"IwouldratherdiethantellanyonethatthisgentlemanistheMarquisofF————。"
　　"That’sright；alwayskeepyourword，andtakethistrifleasasouvenirofme。"
　　Itwasaprettyring，whichZenobiareceivedwithmuchgrace；itmightbeworthaboutfiftysequins。
　　Whenthemarquiswasgone，Zenobiaundressedmeanddidmyhairforthenight，andasIgotintobedIgavehertwenty—foursequins，andtoldhershemightgoandcomfortherhusband。
　　"Hewon’tbeuneasy，"saidshe，"heisaphilosopher。"
　　"Heneedbewithsuchaprettywife。Kissmeagain，Zenobia，andthenwemustpart。"
　　Shethrewherselfuponme，coveringmewithkisses，andcallingmeherhappinessandherprovidence。Herfierykissesproducedtheirnaturaleffect，andafterIhadgivenherafreshproofofthepowerofhercharms，sheleftmeandIwenttosleep。
　　Itwastwoo’clockwhenIawokeravenouslyhungry。Ihadanexcellentdinner，andthenIdressedtocallonthecharmingMdlle。Q————，whomIdidnotexpecttofindtoohardonme，afterwhatshehadsaid。Everybodywasplayingcardswiththeexceptionofherself。Shewasstandingbyawindowreadingsoattentivelythatshedidnothearmecomeintotheroom，butwhenshesawmenearher，sheblushed，shutupthebook，andputitinherpocket。
　　"Iwillnotbetrayyou，"saidI，"ortellanyonethatIsurprisedyoureadingaprayer—book。"
　　"No，don’t；formyreputationwouldbegoneifIwerethoughttobeadevotee。"
　　"Hastherebeenanytalkofthemasquedballorofthemysteriousmasquers？"
　　"Peopletalkofnothingelse，andcondolewithusfornothavingbeentotheball，butnoonecanguesswhothebeggarswere。Itseemsthatanunknowncarriageandfourthatspedlikethewindtookthemasfarasthefirststage，andwheretheywentnextGodaloneknows！Itissaidthatmyhairwasfalse，andIhavelongedtoletitdownandthusgivethemthelie。Itisalsosaidthatyoumustknowwhothebeggarswere，asyouloadedthemwithducats。"
　　"Onemustletpeoplesayandbelievewhattheylikeandnotbetrayourselves。"
　　"Youareright；andafterallwehadadelightfulevening。Ifyouacquityourselfofallcommissionsinthesameway，youmustbeawonderfulman。"
　　"Butitisonlyyouwhocouldgivemesuchacommission。"
　　"Ito—day，andanotherto—morrow。"
　　"IseeyouthinkIaminconstant，butbelievemeifIfindfavourinyoureyesyourfacewilleverdwellinmymemory。"
　　"Iamcertainyouhavetoldathousandgirlsthesamestory，andaftertheyhaveadmittedyoutotheirfavouryouhavedespisedthem。"
　　"Praydonotusetheword’despise，’orIshallsupposeyouthinkmeamonster。Beautyseducesme。Iaspiretoitspossession，anditisonlywhenitisgivenmefromothermotivesthanlovethatI
　　despiseit。HowshouldIdespiseonewholovedme？Ishouldfirstbecompelledtodespisemyself。YouarebeautifulandI
　　worshipyou，butyouaremistakenifyouthinkthatIshouldbecontentforyoutosurrenderyourselftomeoutofmerekindness。"
　　"Ah！Iseeitismyheartyouwant。"
　　"Exactly。"
　　"Tomakemewretchedattheendofafortnight。"
　　"Toloveyoutilldeath，andtoobeyyourslightestwishes。"
　　"Myslightestwishes？"
　　"Yes，fortometheywouldbeinviolablelaws。"
　　"WouldyousettleinMilan？"
　　"Certainly，ifyoumadethataconditionofmyhappiness。"
　　"Whatamusesmeinallthisisthatyouaredeceivingmewithoutknowingit，ifindeedyoureallyloveme。"
　　"Deceivingyouwithoutknowingit！Thatissomethingnew。IfI
　　amnotawareofit，Iaminnocentofdeceit。"
　　"Iamwillingtoadmityourinnocency，butyouaredeceivingmenonetheless，forafteryouhadceasedtolovemenopowerofyourscouldbringlovebackagain。"
　　"That，ofcourse，mighthappen，butIdon’tchoosetoentertainsuchunpleasantthoughts；Iprefertothinkofmyselfaslovingyoutoalleternity。ItiscertainatalleventsthatnootherwomaninMilanhasattractedme。"
　　"Nottheprettygirlwhowaitedonus，andwhosearmsyouhavepossiblyleftanhouror，twoago？"
　　"Whatareyousaying？Sheisthewifeofthetailorwhomadeyourclothes。Sheleftdirectlyafteryou，andherhusbandwouldnothaveallowedhertocomeatallifhewasnotawarethatshewouldbewantedtowaitontheladieswhosedresseshehadmade。"
　　"Sheiswonderfullypretty。Isitpossiblethatyouarenotinlovewithher？"
　　"Howcouldoneloveawomanwhoisatthedisposalofalow，uglyfellow？Theonlypleasureshegavemewasbytalkingofyouthismorning。"
　　"Ofme？"
　　"Yes。YouwillexcusemeifIconfesstohavingaskedherwhichoftheladiesshewaitedonlookedhandsomestwithoutherchemise。"
　　"Thatwasalibertine’squestion。Well，whatdidshesay？"
　　"Thattheladywiththebeautifulhairwasperfectineveryrespect。"
　　"Idon’tbelieveawordofit。Ihavelearnthowtochangemychemisewithdecency，andsoasnottoshewanythingImightnotshewaman。Sheonlywishedtoflatteryourimpertinentcuriosity。IfIhadamaidlikethat，sheshouldsoongoaboutherbusiness。"
　　"Youareangrywithme。"
　　"No。"
　　"It’snogoodsayingno，yoursoulflashedforthinyourdenunciation。Iamsorrytohavespoken。"
　　"Oh！it’sofnoconsequence。Iknowmenaskchambermaidsquestionsofthatkind，andtheyallgiveanswerslikeyoursweetheart，whoperhapswantedtomakeyoucuriousaboutherself。"
　　"Buthowcouldshehopetodothatbyextollingyourcharmsabovethoseoftheotherladies？And，howcouldsheknowthatI
　　preferredyou？"
　　"Ifshedidnotknowit，Ihavemadeamistake；butforallthat，sheliedtoyou。"
　　"Shemayhaveinventedthetale，butIdonotthinkshelied。Youaresmilingagain！Iamdelighted。"
　　"Iliketoletyoubelievewhatpleasesyou。"
　　"Thenyouwillallowmetobelievethatyoudonothateme。"
　　"Hateyou？Whatanuglyword！IfIhatedyou，shouldIseeyouatall？Butlet’stalkofsomethingelse。Iwantyoutodomeafavour。Herearetwosequins；Iwantyoutoputthemonan’ambe’
　　inthelottery。Youcanbringmetheticketwhenyoucallagain，orstillbetter，youcansenditme，butdon’ttellanybody。"
　　"Youshallhavetheticketwithoutfail，butwhyshouldInotbringit？"
　　"Because，perhaps，youaretiredofcomingtoseeme。"
　　"DoIlooklikethat？IfsoIamveryunfortunate。Butwhatnumberswillyouhave？"
　　"Threeandforty；yougavethemmeyourself。"
　　"HowdidIgivethemyou？"
　　"Youputyourhandthreetimesontheboard，andtookupfortysequinseachtime。Iamsuperstitious，andyouwilllaughatme，Idaresay，butitseemstomethatyoumusthavecometoMilantomakemehappy。"
　　"Nowyoumakemehappyindeed。Yousayyouaresuperstitious，butifthesenumbersdon’twinyoumustn’tdrawtheconclusionthatI
　　don’tloveyou；thatwouldbeadreadfulfallacy。"
　　"Iamnotsuperstitiousasallthat，norsovilealogician。"
　　"DoyoubelieveIloveyou？"
　　"Yes。"
　　"MayItellyousoahundredtimes？"
　　"Yes。"
　　"Andproveitineveryway？"
　　"ImustenquireintoyourmethodsbeforeIconsenttothat，foritispossiblethatwhatyouwouldcallaveryefficaciousmethodmightstrikemeasquiteuseless。"
　　"Iseeyouaregoingtomakemesighafteryouforalongtime。"
　　"AslongasIcan。"
　　"Andwhenyouhavenostrengthleft？"
　　"Iwillsurrender。Doesthatsatisfyyou？"
　　"Certainly，butIshallexertallmystrengthtoabateyours。"
　　"Doso；Ishalllikeit。"
　　"Andwillyouhelpmetosucceed？"
　　"Perhaps。"
　　"Ah，dearmarchioness；youneedonlyspeaktomakeamanhappy。
　　Youhavemademereallyso，andIamleavingyoufullofardour。"
　　OnleavingthischarmingconversationalistIwenttothetheatreandthentothefaro—table，whereIsawthemasquerwhohadwonthreehundredsequinstheeveningbefore。Thisnighthewasveryunlucky。Hehadlosttwothousandsequins，andinthecourseofthenexthourhislosseshaddoubled。Cananothrewdownhiscardsandrose，saying，"Thatwilldo。"Themasquerleftthetable。HewasaGenoesenamedSpinola。
　　"Thebankisprosperous，"IremarkedtoCanano。
　　"Yes，"hereplied，"butitisnotalwaysso。Pierrotwasveryluckytheothernight。"
　　"Youdidnotrecognizemeintheleast？"
　　"No，Iwassofirmlypersuadedthatthebeggarwasyou。Youknowwhoheis？"
　　"Ihaven’tanidea。Ineversawhimbeforethatday。"InthislastparticularIdidnotlie。
　　"ItissaidthattheyareVenetians，andthattheywenttoBergamo。"
　　"Itmaybeso，butIknownothingaboutthem。Ilefttheballbeforetheydid。"
　　IntheeveningIsuppedwiththecountess，herhusband，andTriulzi。TheywereofthesameopinionasCanano。TriulzisaidthatIhadletthecatoutofthebagbygivingthebeggarshandfulsofsequins。
　　"Thatisamistake，"Ianswered。"WhentheluckisinmyfavourI
　　neverrefuseanyonewhoasksmeformoney，forIhaveasuperstitionthatIshouldloseifIdid。Ihadwonthirtypoundsweightofgold，andIcouldaffordtoletfoolstalk。"
　　ThenextdayIgotthelotteryticketandtookittothemarchioness。IfeltmadlyinlovewithherbecauseIknewshewasinlovewithme。Neitherofthemwereplaying，andIspenttwohoursintheircompany，talkingofloveallthewhileandenjoyingtheirconversationimmensely，fortheywereexceedinglyintelligent。Ileftthemwiththeconvictionthatifthecousin，andnotMdlle。Q————，hadbeenthrowninmyway，Ishouldhavefalleninlovewithherinjustthesamemanner。
　　AlthoughthecarnivalisfourdayslongeratMilanthanatanyothertown，itwasnowdrawingtoaclose。Therewerethreemoreballs。Iplayedeveryday，andeverydayIlosttwoorthreehundredsequins。Myprudencecausedevenmoresurprisethanmybadfortune。Iwenteverydaytothefaircousinsandmadelove，butIwasstillatthesamepoint；Ihoped，butcouldgetnothingtangible。Thefairmarchionesssometimesgavemeakiss，butthiswasnotenoughforme。ItistruethatsofarIhadnotdaredtoaskhertomeetmealone。AsitwasIfeltmylovemightdieforwantoffood，andthreedaysbeforetheballIaskedherifshe，hertwofriends，themarquis，andthelieutenant，wouldcomeandsupwithme。
　　"Mybrother，"shesaid，"willcallonyouto—morrowtoseewhatcanbearranged。"
　　Thiswasagoodomen。Thenextdaythelieutenantcame。Ihadjustreceivedthedrawingsatthelottery，andwhatwasmysurpriseanddelighttoseethetwonumbersthreeandforty。I
　　saidnothingtotheyoungmarquis，ashissisterhadforbiddenme，butIforesawthatthiseventwouldbefavourabletomysuit。
　　"TheMarquisofF————，"saidtheworthyambassador，"asksyoutosupperinyourownroomswithallthebandofbeggars。Hewishestogiveusasurprise，andwouldbeobligedifyouwouldlendhimtheroomtohaveasetofdisguisesmade，andtoensuresecrecyhewantsyoutolethavethesamewaiting—maid。"
　　"Withpleasure；tellthemarquisthatallshallbeaccordingtohispleasure。"
　　"Getthegirltocomethereatthreeo’clockto—day，andletthepastry—cookknowthatthemarquishasfullpowerstodowhathelikesintheplace。"
　　"Everythingshallbedoneasyousuggest。"
　　IguessedatoncethatthemarquiswantedtohaveatasteofZenobia；butthisseemedtomesonaturalthat，farfrombeingangry，Ifeltdisposedtodoallinmypowertofavourhisplans。
　　Liveandletlivehasalwaysbeenmymaxim，anditwillbesotomydyingday，thoughnowIdobutlivealifeofmemories。
　　AssoonasIwasdressedIwentout，andhavingtoldthepastrycooktoconsiderthegentlemanwhowascomingasmyself，I
　　calledonthetailor，whowasdelightedatmygettinghiswifework。Heknewbyexperiencethatshewasnonetheworsefortheselittleabsences。
　　"Idon’twantyou，"saidItothetailor，"asitisonlywomen’sdressesthathavetobedone。Mygoodgossipherewillbesufficient。"
　　"Atthreeo’clockshemaygo，andIshallnotexpecttoseeheragainforthreedays。"
　　AfterIhaddinedIcalledasusualonthefairmarchioness，andfoundherinatransportofdelight。Herlotterytickethadgotherfivehundredsequins。
　　"Andthatmakesyouhappy，doesit？"saidI。
　　"Itdoes，notbecauseofthegaininmoney，thoughIambynomeansrich，butforthebeautyoftheideaandforthethoughtthatIoweitalltoyou。Thesetwothingsspeakvolumesinyourfavour。"
　　"Whatdotheysay？"
　　"Thatyoudeservetobeloved。"
　　"Andalsothatyouloveme？"
　　"No，butmyhearttellsmeasmuch。"
　　"Youmakemehappy，butdoesnotyourheartalsotellyouthatyoushouldproveyourlove？"
　　"Dearest，canyoudoubtit？"
　　Withthesewordsshegavemeherhandtokissforthefirsttime。
　　"Myfirstidea，"sheadded，"wastoputthewholefortysequinsonthe’ambe’。"
　　"Youhadn’tsufficientcourage？"
　　"Itwasn’tthat，Ifeltashamedtodoit。Iwasafraidthatyoumighthaveathoughtyouwouldnottellmeof——namely，thatifI
　　gaveyouthefortysequinstoriskonthelottery，youwouldthinkIdespisedyourpresent。Thiswouldhavebeenwrong，andifyouhadencouragedmeIshouldhaveriskedallthemoney。"
　　"Iamsosorrynottohavethoughtofit。Youwouldhavehadtenthousandsequins，andIshouldbeahappyman。"
　　"Wewillsaynomoreaboutit。"
　　"Yourbrothertellsmethatwearegoingtothemasquedballunderthedirectionofthemarquis，andIleaveyoutoimaginehowgladIfeelatthethoughtofspendingawholenightwithyou。Butonethoughttroublesme。"
　　"Whatisthat？"
　　"Iamafraiditwillnotgooffsowellasbefore。"
　　"Don’tbeafraid，themarquisisamanofmuchingenuity，andlovesmycousin’shonourasherself。Heissuretogetusdisguisesinwhichweshallnotberecognized。"
　　"Ihopeso。Hewantstopayforeverything，includingthesupper。"
　　"Hecannotdobetterthanimitateyourexampleinthatrespect。"
　　OntheeveningoftheballIwentatanearlyhourtothepastry—
　　cook’s，whereIfoundthemarquiswellpleasedwiththeprogressthathadbeenmade。Thedressingroomwasshut。IaskedhiminasuggestivemannerifhewassatisfiedwithZenobia。
　　"Yes，withherwork，"heanswered；"Ididnotaskhertodoanythingelseforme。"
　　"Oh！ofcourseIbelieveit，butIamafraidyoursweetheartwillberathersceptical。"
　　"SheknowsthatIcannotloveanyonebesidesherself。"
　　"Well，well，wewillsaynomoreaboutit。"
　　Whentheguestscamethemarquissaidthatasthecostumeswouldamuseuswehadbetterputthemonbeforesupper。
　　Wefollowedhimintothenextroom，andhepointedouttwothickbundles。
　　"Here，ladies，areyourdisguises，"saidhe；"andhereisyourmaidwhowillhelpyouwhilewedressinanotherroom。"
　　Hetookthelargerofthetwobundles，andwhenwewereshutupinourroomheundidthestring，andgaveusourdresses，saying，——
　　"Letusbeasquickaswecan。"
　　Weburstoutlaughingtoseeasetofwomen’sclothes。Nothingwaswanting，chemises，embroideredshoeswithhighheels，superbgarters，and，torelieveusofthetroubleofhavingourhairdone，exquisitecapswithrichlacecomingovertheforehead。I
　　wassurprisedtofindthatmyshoesfittedmeperfectly，butI
　　heardafterwardsthatheemployedthesamebootmakerasIdid。
　　Corsets，petticoats，gowns，kerchief，fans，work—bags，rouge—
　　boxes，masks，gloves—allwerethere。Weonlyhelpedeachotherwithourhair，butwhenitwasdonewelookedintenselystupid，withtheexceptionoftheyoungofficer，whoreallymighthavebeentakenforaprettywoman；hehadconcealedhisdeficiencyinfemininecharacteristicsbyfalsebreastsandabustleWetookoffourbreechesoneaftertheother。
　　"Yourfinegarters，"saidI，tothemarquis，"makemewanttowearsometoo。"
　　"Exactly，"saidthemarquis；"buttheworstofitisnobodywilltakethetroubletofindoutwhetherwehavegartersornot，fortwoyoungladiesfivefeetteninheightwillnotinspireveryardentdesires。"
　　Ihadguessedthatthegirlswouldbedressedlikemen，andIwasnotmistaken。Theywerereadybeforeus，andwhenweopenedthedoorwesawthemstandingwiththeirbackstothefireplace。
　　Theylookedthreeyoungpagesminustheirimpudence，forthoughtheyendeavouredtoseemquiteattheireasetheywereratherconfused。
　　Weadvancedwiththemodestyofthefairsex，andimitatingtheairofshyreservewhichthepartdemanded。Thegirlsofcoursethoughtthemselvesobligedtomimictheairsofmen，andtheydidnotaccostuslikeyoungmenaccustomedtobehaverespectfullytoladies。Theyweredressedasrunningfootmen，withtightbreeches，well—fittingwaistcoats，openthroats，garterswithasilverfringe，lacedwaistbands，andprettycapstrimmedwithsilverlace，andacoatofarmsemblazonedingold。TheirlaceshirtswereornamentedwithanimmensefrillofAlenconpoint。Inthisdress，whichdisplayedtheirbeautifulshapesunderaveilwhichwasalmosttransparent，theywouldhavestirredthesenseofaparalytic，andwehadnosymptomsofthatdisease。However，welovedthemtoowelltofrightenthem。
　　Afterthesillyremarksusualonsuchoccasionshadbeenpassed，webegantotalknaturallywhilewewerewaitingforsupper。Theladiessaidthatasthiswasthefirsttimetheyhaddressedasmentheywereafraidofbeingrecognized。
　　"Supposingsomebodyknewus，"criedthecousin，"weshouldbeundone！"
　　Theywereright；butourpartwastoreassurethem，thoughIatanyratewouldhavepreferredtostaywherewewere。
　　Wesatdowntosupper，eachnexttohissweetheart，andtomysurprisethelieutenant’smistresswasthefirsttobeginthefun。
　　Thinkingthatshecouldnotpretendtobeamanwithoutbeingimpudent，shebegantotoywiththelady—lieutenant，whodefendedhimselflikeaprudishmiss。Thetwocousins，nottobeoutdone，begantocaressusinamannerthatwasratherfree。Zenobia，whowaswaitingonusattablecouldnothelplaughingwhenMdlle。Q——
　　——reproachedherforhavingmademydresstootightintheneck。
　　Shestretchedoutherhandasiftotoywithme，whereuponIgaveheraslightboxontheear，andimitatingthemannerofarepentantcavaliershekissedmyhandandbeggedmypardon。
　　Themarquissaidhefeltcold，andhismistressaskedhimifhehadhisbreecheson，andputherhandunderhisdresstosee，butshespeedilydrewitbackwithablush。Weallburstoutlaughing，andshejoinedin，andproceededwithherpartofhardylover。
　　Thesupperwasadmirable；everythingwaschoiceandabundant。
　　Warmwithloveandwine，werosefromthetableatwhichwehadbeenfortwohours，butaswegotupsadnessdisfiguredthefacesofthetwoprettycousins。Theydidnotdaretogototheballinacostumethatwouldputthematthemercyofallthelibertinesthere。ThemarquisandIfeltthattheywereright。
　　"Wemustmakeupourminds，"saidthelieutenant，"shallwegototheballorgohome？"
　　"Neither，"saidthemarquis，"wewilldancehere。"
　　"Wherearetheviolins"askedhismistress，"youcouldnotgetthemto—nightfortheirweightingold。"
　　"Well，"saidI，"wewilldowithoutthem。Wewillhavesomepunch，laugh，andbemerry，andweshallenjoyourselvesbetterthanattheball，andwhenwearetiredwecangotosleep。Wehavethreebedshere。"
　　"Twowouldbeenough，"saidthecousin。
　　"True，butwecan’thavetoomuchofagoodthing。"
　　Zenobiahadgonetosupwiththepastrycook’swife，butshewasreadytocomeupagainwhensheshouldbesummoned。
　　Aftertwohoursspentinamoroustrifling，thelieutenant’smistress，feelingalittledizzy，wentintoanadjoiningroomandlaydownonthebed。Herloverwassoonbesideher。
　　Mdlle。Q————，whowasinthesamecase，toldmethatshewouldliketorest，soItookherintoaroomwhereshecouldsleepthenight，andadvisedhertodoso。
　　"Idon’tthinkIneedfearitsgoinganyfarther，"Isaid，"wewillleavethemarquiswithyourcousinthen，andIwillwatchoveryouwhileyousleep。"
　　"No，no，youshallsleeptoo。"Sosaying，shewentintothedressing—room，andaskedmetogethercloak。Ibroughtittoher，andwhenshecameinshesaid，——
　　"Ibreatheagain。Thosedreadfultrousersweretootight；theyhurtme。"Shethrewherselfonthebed，withnothingonbesideshercloak。
　　"Wheredidthebreecheshurtyou？"saidI。
　　"Ican’ttellyou，butIshouldthinkyoumustfindthemdreadfullyuncomfortable。"
　　"But，dearest，ouranatomyisdifferent，andbreechesdonottroubleusatallwheretheyhurtyou。"
　　AsIspokeIheldhertomybreastandletmyselffallgentlybesideheronthebed。Weremainedthusaquarterofanhourwithoutspeaking，ourlipsgluedtogetherinonelongkiss。I
　　leftheramomentbyherself，andwhenIreturnedshewasbetweenthesheets。Shesaidshehadundressedtobeabletosleepbetter，and，shuttinghereyes，turnedaway。Iknewthatthehappyhourhadcome，andtakingoffmywoman’sclothesinatwinkling，Igentlyglidedintothebedbesideher，forthelaststrugglesofmodestymustbetenderlyrespected。Iclaspedherinmyarmsandagentlepressuresoonarousedherpassions，andturningtowardsmeshesurrenderedtomeallhercharms。
　　AfterthefirstsacrificeIproposedawash，forthoughIcouldnotexactlyflattermyselfthatIhadbeenthefirsttobreakopenthelock，thevictimhadleftsometracesonthebed，whichlookedasifitwereso。Theofferwasreceivedwithdelight，andwhentheoperationwasoversheallowedmetogazeonallhercharms，whichIcoveredwithkisses。Growingbolder，shemademegrantherthesameprivilege。
　　"Whatadifferencethereis，"saidshe，"betweennatureandart！"
　　"Butofcourseyouthinkthatartisthebetter？"
　　"No，certainlynot。"
　　"Buttheremaybeimperfectionsinnature，whereasartisperfect。"
　　"IdonotknowwhethertherebeanyimperfectioninwhatIbehold，butIdoknowthatIhaveneverseenanythingsobeautiful。"
　　Infactshehadtheinstrumentoflovebeforehereyesinallitsmajesty，andIsoonmadeherfeelitspower。Shedidnotremainstillamoment，andIhaveknownfewwomensoardentandflexibleintheirmovements。
　　"Ifwewerewise，"saidshe，"insteadofgoingtotheballagainwewouldcomehereandenjoyourselves。"
　　IkissedthemouthwhichtoldmesoplainlythatIwastobehappy，andIconvincedherbymytransportsthatnomancouldloveherasardentlyasIdid。Ihadnoneedtokeepherawake，sheshewednoinclinationforsleep。Wewereeitherinactionorcontemplation，orengagedinamorousdiscourse，thewholetime。I
　　cheatedhernowandthen，buttoherownadvantage，forayoungwomanisalwaysmorevigorousthanaman，andwedidnotstoptillthedaybegantobreak。Therewasnoneedforconcealment，foreachhadenjoyedhissweetheartinpeaceandhappiness，anditwasonlymodestywhichsilencedourcongratulations。Bythissilencewedidnotproclaimourhappiness，butneitherdidwedenyit。
　　WhenwewerereadyIthankedthemarquis，andaskedhimtosupperforthenextballnightwithoutanypretenceofourgoingtothemasquerade，iftheladieshadnoobjection。Thelieutenantansweredforthemintheaffirmative，andhismistressthrewherarmsroundhisneck，reproachinghimforhavingsleptallnight。
　　Themarquisconfessedtothesamefault，andIrepeatedthewordslikeanarticleoffaith，whiletheladieskissedus，andthankedusforourkindnesstothem。Wepartedinthesamewayasbefore，exceptthatthistimethemarquisremainedwithZenobia。
　　IwenttobedassoonasIgothome，andslepttillthreeo’clock。
　　WhenIgotupIfoundthehousewasempty，soIwenttodineatthepastry—cook’s，whereIfoundZenobiaandherhusband，whohadcometoenjoytheleavingsofoursupper。HetoldmethatIhadmadehisfortune，asthemarquishadgivenhiswifetwenty—foursequinsandthewoman’sdresshehadworn。Igavehermineaswell。ItoldmygossipthatIshouldlikesomedinner，andthetailorwentawayinagratefulmood。
　　AssoonasIwasalonewithZenobiaIaskedherifsheweresatisfiedwiththemarquis。
　　"Hepaidmewell，"sheanswered，aslightblushmountingonhercheeks。
　　"Thatisenough，"saidI，"noonecanseeyouwithoutlovingyou，orloveyouwithoutdesiringtopossessyourcharms。"
　　"Themarquisdidnotgosofarasthat。"
　　"Itmaybeso，butIamsurprisedtohearit。"
　　WhenIhaddined，Ihastenedtocallonthefairmarchioness，whomIlovedmorethaneverafterthedeliciousnightshehadgivenme。
　　Iwantedtoseewhateffectshewouldhaveonme，aftermakingmesohappy。Shelookedprettierthanever。Shereceivedmeinawaybecominginamistresswhoisgladtohaveacquiredsomerightsoverherlover。
　　"Iwassure，"saidshe，"thatyouwouldcomeandseeme；"andthoughhercousinwasthereshekissedmesooftenandsoardentlythattherewasnoroomfordoubtastothemannerinwhichwehadspentournighttogether。Ipassedfivehourswithher，whichwentbyalltooquickly，forwetalkedoflove，andloveisaninexhaustiblesubject。Thisfivehours’visitonthedayafterourbridalshewedmethatIwasmadlyinlovewithmynewconquest，whileitmusthaveconvincedherthatIwasworthyofheraffection。
　　CountessA————B————hadsentmeanoteaskingmetosupwithher，herhusband，andtheMarquisTriulzi，andotherfriends。ThisengagementpreventedmypayingavisittoCanano，whohadwonathousandsequinsofmesincemygreatvictoryasPierrot。Iknewthatheboastedthathewassureofme，butinmyownmindIhaddeterminedtogainthemastery。Atsupperthecountesswagedwaronme。Isleptoutatnight。Iwasrarelyvisible。Shetriedhardtostealmysecretfromme，andtogetsomeinformationastomyamorousadventures。ItwasknownthatIsometimessuppedatTherese’swithGreppi，whowaslaughedatbecausehehadbeensillyenoughtosaythathehadnothingtodreadfrommypower。
　　Thebettertoconcealmygame，Isaidhewasquiteright。
　　ThenextdayBarbaro，whowasashonestasmostprofessionalsharpersare，broughtmethetwohundredsequinsIhadlenthim，withaprofitoftwohundredmore。Hetoldmethathehadhadaslightdifferencewiththelieutenant，andwasnotgoingtoplayanymore。Ithankedhimforhavingpresentedmetothefairmarchioness，tellinghimthatIwasquiteinlovewithherandinhopesofovercomingherscruples。Hesmiled，andpraisedmydiscretion，lettingmeunderstandthatIdidnottakehimin；butitwasenoughformenottoconfesstoanything。
　　Aboutthreeo’clockIcalledonmysweetheart，andspentfivehourswithherasbefore。AsBarbarowasnotplaying，theservantshadbeenorderedtosaythatnoonewasathome。AsI
　　wasthedeclaredloverofthemarchioness，hercousintreatedmeasanintimatefriend。ShebeggedmetostayatMilanaslongaspossible，notonlytomakehercousinhappy，butforhersakeaswell，sincewithoutmeshecouldnotenjoythemarquis’ssocietyinprivate，andwhileherfatherwasalivehewouldneverdaretocomeopenlytothehouse。Shethoughtshewouldcertainlybecomehiswifeassoonasheroldfatherwasdead，butshehopedvainly，forsoonafterthemarquisfellintoevilwaysandwasruined。
　　Nexteveningweallassembledatsupper，andinsteadofgoingtotheballgaveourselvesuptopleasure。Wespentadeliciousnight，butitwassaddenedbythereflectionthatthecarnivalwasdrawingtoaclose，andwithitourmutualpleasureswouldbeover。
　　OntheeveofShroveTuesdayastherewasnoballIsatdowntoplay，andnotbeingableoncetohitonthreewinningcards，I
　　lostallthegoldIhadaboutme。Ishouldhaveleftthetableasusualifawomandisguisedasamanhadnotgivenmeacard，andurgedmebysignstoplayit。Iriskedahundredsequinsonit，givingmywordforthepayment。Ilost，andinmyendeavourstogetbackmymoneyIlostathousandsequins，whichIpaidthenextday。
　　Iwasjustgoingouttoconsolemyselfwiththecompanyofmydearmarchioness，whenIsawtheevil—omenedmasquerapproaching，accompaniedbyaman，alsoindisguise，whoshookmebythehandandbeggedmetocomeatteno’clocktothe"ThreeKings"atsuchanumber，ifthehonourofanoldfriendwasdeartome。
　　"Whatfriendisthat？"
　　"Myself。"
　　"Whatisyourname？"
　　"Icannottellyou。"
　　"Thenyouneednottellmetocome，forifyouwereatruefriendofmineyouwouldtellmeyourname。"
　　Iwentoutandhefollowedme，beggingmetocomewithhimtotheendofthearcades。Whenwegottherehetookoffhismask，andI
　　recognizedCroce，whommyreadersmayremember。
　　IknewhewasbanishedfromMilan，andunderstoodwhyhedidnotcaretogivehisnameinpublic，butIwasexceedinglygladIhadrefusedtogotohisinn。
　　"Iamsurprisedtoseeyouhere，"saidI。
　　"Idaresayyourare。Ihavecomehereinthiscarnivalseason，whenonecanwearamask，tocompelmyrelationstogivemewhattheyoweme；buttheyputmeofffromonedaytoanother，astheyaresureIshallbeobligedtogowhenLentbegins。"
　　"Andwillyoudoso？"
　　"Ishallbeobligedto，butasyouwillnotcomeandseeme，givemetwentysequins，whichwillenablemetoleaveMilan。Mycousinowesmetenthousandlivres，andwillnotpaymeatentheven。I
　　willkillhimbeforeIgo。"
　　"Ihaven’tafarthing，andthatmaskofyourshasmademeloseathousandsequins，whichIdonotknowhowtopay。
　　"Iknow。Iamanunluckyman，andbringbadlucktoallmyfriends。ItwasIwhotoldhertogiveyouacard，inthehopethatitwouldchangetherunagainstyou。"
　　"IssheaMilanesegirl？"
　　"No，shecomesfromMarseilles，andisthedaughterofarichagent。Ifellinlovewithher，seducedher，andcarriedherofftoherunhappiness。Ihadplentyofmoneythen，but，wretchthatIam，IlostitallatGenoa，whereIhadtosellallmypossessionstoenablemetocomehere。IhavebeenaweekinMilan。Praygivemethewherewithaltoescape。"
　　Iwastouchedwithcompassion，andIborrowedtwentysequinsfromCanano，andgavethemtothepoorwretch，tellinghimtowritetome。
　　Thisalms—givingdidmegood；itmademeforgetmylosses，andI
　　spentadelightfuleveningwiththemarchioness。
　　Thenextdaywesuppedtogetheratmyrooms，andspenttherestofthenightinamorouspleasures。ItwastheSaturday，thelastdayofthecarnivalatMilan，andIspentthewholeoftheSundayinbed，forthemarchionesshadexhaustedme，andIknewthatalongsleepwouldrestoremystrength。
　　EarlyonMondaymorningClairmontbroughtmealetterwhichhadbeenleftbyaservant。Ithadnosignature，andranasfollows:
　　"Havecompassion，sir，onthemostwretchedcreaturebreathing。
　　M。delaCroixhasgoneawayindespair。Hehasleftmehereintheinn，wherehehaspaidfornothing。GoodGod！whatwillbecomeofme？Iconjureyoutocomeandseeme，beitonlytogivemeyouradvice。"
　　Ididnothesitateforamoment，anditwasnotfromanyimpulsesofloveorprofligacythatIwent，butfrompurecompassion。I
　　putonmygreatcoat，andinthesameroominwhichIhadseenIreneIsawayoungandprettygirl，aboutwhosefacetherewassomethingpeculiarlynobleandattractive。Isawinherinnocenceandmodestyoppressedandpersecuted。AssoonasIcameinshehumblyapologizedforhavingdaredtotroubleme，andsheaskedmetotellawomanwhowasintheroomtoleaveit，asshedidnotspeakItalian。
　　"Shehasbeentiringmeformorethananhour。Icannotunderstandwhatshesays，butIcanmakeoutthatshewantstodomeaservice。However，Idonotfeelinclinedtoacceptherassistance。"
　　"Whotoldyoutocomeandseethisyounglady？"saidI，tothewoman。
　　"Oneoftheservantsoftheinntoldmethatayoungladyfromforeignpartshadbeenleftalonehere，andthatshewasmuchtobepitied。MyfeelingsofhumanitymademecomeandseeifI
　　couldbeusefultoher；butIseesheisingoodhands，andIamverygladofitforhersake，poordear！"
　　Isawthatthewomanwasaprocuress，andIonlyrepliedwithasmileofcontempt。
　　ThepoorgirlthentoldmebrieflywhatIhadalreadyheard，andaddedthatCroce，whocalledhimselfDeSt。Croix，hadgonetothegaming—tableassoonashehadgotmytwentysequins，andthathehadthentakenherbacktotheinn，wherehehadspentthenextdayinastateofdespair，ashedidnotdaretoshewhimselfabroadinthedaytime。Intheeveningheputonhismaskandwentout，notreturningtillthenextmorning。
　　"Soonafterheputonhisgreatcoatandgotreadytogoout，tellingmethatifhedidnotreturnhewouldcommunicatewithmebyyou，atthesametimegivingmeyouraddress，ofwhichIhavemadeuseasyouknow。Hehasnotcomeback，andifyouhavenotseenhimIamsurehehasgoneoffonfootwithoutapennyinhispocket。Thelandlordwantstobepaid，andbysellingallIhaveIcouldsatisfyhisclaims；but，goodGod！whatistobecomeofme，then？"
　　"Dareyoureturntoyourfather？"
　　"Yes，sir，Idarereturntohim。HewillforgivemewhenonmykneesandwithtearsinmyeyesItellhimthatIamreadytoburymyselfinanunnery。"
　　"Verygood！thenIwilltakeyoutoMarseillesmyself，andinthemeanwhileIwillfindyoualodgingwithsomehonestpeople。Tillthen，shutyourselfupinyourroom，donotadmitanyonetoseeyou，andbesureIwillhaveacareforyou。"
　　Isummonedthelandlordandpaidthebill，whichwasaverysmallone，andItoldhimtotakecareoftheladytillmyreturn。Thepoorgirlwasdumbwithsurpriseandgratitude。Isaidgood—byekindlyandleftherwithouteventakingherhand。Itwasnotaltogetheracaseofthedevilturningmonk；Ialwayshadarespectfordistress。
　　IhadalreadythoughtofZenobiainconnectionwiththepoorgirl’slodging，andIwenttoseeheronthespot。Inherhusband’spresenceItoldherwhatIwanted，andaskedifshecouldfindacornerformynewfriend。
　　"Sheshallhavemyplace，"criedtheworthytailor，"ifshewon’tmindsleepingwithmywife。Iwillhireasmallroomhardbye，andwillsleepthereaslongastheyoungladystays。"
　　"That’sagoodidea，gossip，butyourwifewilllosebytheexchange。"
　　"Notmuch，"saidZenobia；andthetailorburstoutlaughing。
　　"Asforhermeals，"headded，"shemustarrangethatherself。"
　　"That’saverysimplematter，"saidI，"ZenobiawillgetthemandIwillpayforthem。"
　　Iwrotethegirlashortnote，tellingherofthearrangementsI
　　hadmade，andchargedZenobiatotakehertheletter。ThenextdayIfoundherinthepoorlodgingwiththeseworthyfolks，lookingpleasedandravishinglypretty。IfeltthatIcouldbehavewellforthepresent，butIsighedatthethoughtofthejourney。Ishouldhavetoputastrongrestraintonmyself。
　　IhadnothingmoretodoatMilan，butthecounthadmademepromisetospendafortnightatSt。Angelo。Thiswasanestatebelongingtohim，fifteenmilesfromMilan，andthecountspokemostenthusiasticallyofit。IfIhadgoneawaywithoutseeingSt。Angelo，hewouldhavebeenexceedinglymortified。Amarriedbrotherofhislivedthere，andthecountoftensaidthathisbrotherwaslongingtoknowme。Whenwereturnedhewouldnodoubtletmedepartinpeace。
　　Ihadmadeupmymindtoshewmygratitudetotheworthymanforhishospitality，soonthefourthdayofLentItookleaveofTherese，Greppi，andtheaffectionatemarchioness，fortwoweeks，andwesetoutonourway。
　　Tomygreatdelightthecountessdidnotcaretocome。ShemuchpreferredstayinginMilanwithTriulzi，whodidnotletherlackforanything。
　　WegottoSt。Angeloatthreeo’clock，andfoundthatwewereexpectedtodinner。