CHAPTERXXI
　　AnAncientCastle——Clementine——TheFairPenitent——Lodi——AMutualPassionThemanorialcastleofthelittletownofSt。Angeloisavastandancientbuilding，datingbackatleasteightcenturies，butdevoidofregularity，andnotindicatingthedateofitserectionbythestyleofitsarchitecture。Thegroundfloorconsistsofinnumerablesmallrooms，afewlargeandloftyapartments，andanimmensehall。Thewalls，whicharefullofchinksandcrannies，areofthatimmensethicknesswhichprovesthatourancestorsbuiltfortheirremotedescendants，andnotinourmodernfashion；
　　forwearebeginningtobuildintheEnglishstyle，thatis，barelyforonegeneration。Thestonestairshadbeentroddenbysomanyfeetthatonehadtobeverycarefulingoingupordown。
　　Thefloorwasallofbricks，andasithadbeenrenewedatvariousepochswithbricksofdiverscoloursitformedakindofmosaic，notverypleasanttolookupon。Thewindowswereofapiecewiththerest；theyhadnoglassinthem，andthesasheshavinginmanyinstancesgivenwaytheywerealwaysopen；shutterswereutterlyunknownthere。Happilythewantofglasswasnotmuchfeltinthegenialclimateofthecountry。Theceilingswereconspicuousbytheirabsence，buttherewereheavybeams，thehauntsofbats，owls，andotherbirds，andlightornamentwassuppliedbythenumerousspiders’webs。
　　InthisgreatGothicpalace——forpalaceitwasratherthancastle，forithadnotowersorotherattributesoffeudalism，excepttheenormouscoat—of—armswhichcrownedthegateway——inthispalace，I
　　say，thememorialoftheancientgloriesoftheCountsA————B————，whichtheylovedbetterthanthefinestmodernhouse，therewerethreesetsofroomsbetterkeptthantherest。Heredweltthemasters，ofwhomtherewerethree；theCountA————B————，myfriend，CountAmbrose，whoalwayslivedthere，andathird，anofficerintheSpanishWalloonGuards。Ioccupiedtheapartmentofthelastnamed。ButImustdescribethewelcomeIreceived。
　　CountAmbrosereceivedmeatthegateofthecastleasifIhadbeensomehighandpuissantprince。Thedoorstoodwideopenonbothsides，butIdidnottaketoomuchpridetomyselfonthisaccount，astheyweresooldthatitwasimpossibletoshutthem。
　　Thenoblecountwhoheldhiscapinhishand，andwasdecentlybutnegligentlydressed，thoughhewasonlyfortyyearsold，toldmewithhigh—bornmodestythathisbrotherhaddonewrongtobringmeheretoseetheirmiserableplace，whereIshouldfindnoneofthoseluxuriestowhichIhadbeenaccustomed，buthepromisedmeagoodold—fashionedMilanesewelcomeinstead。ThisisaphraseofwhichtheMilaneseareveryfond，butastheyputitintopracticeitbecomesthemwell。Theyaregenerallymostworthyandhospitablepeople，andcontrastfavourablywiththePiedmonteseandGenoese。
　　TheworthyAmbroseintroducedmetohiscountessandhistwosisters—in—law，oneofwhomwasanexquisitebeauty，ratherdeficientinmanner，butthiswasnodoubtduetothefactthattheysawnopolishedcompanywhatever。Theotherwasathoroughlyordinarywoman，neitherprettynorugly，ofatypewhichisplentifulalltheworldover。ThecountesslookedlikeaMadonna；
　　herfeatureshadsomethingangelicaboutthemintheirdignityandopenness。ShecamefromLodi，andhadonlybeenmarriedtwoyears。Thethreesisterswereveryyoung，verynoble，andverypoor。WhilewewereatdinnerCountAmbrosetoldmethathehadmarriedapoorwomanbecausehethoughtmoreofgoodnessthanriches。
　　"Shemakesmehappy，"headded；"andthoughshebroughtmenodower，Iseemtobearicherman，forshehastaughtmetolookoneverythingwedon’tpossessasasuperfluity。"
　　"There，indeed，"saidI，"youhavethetruephilosophyofanhonestman。"
　　Thecountess，delightedatherhusband’spraiseandmyapproval，smiledlovinglyathim，andtookaprettybabyfromthenurse’sarmsandoffereditheralabasterbreast。Thisistheprivilegeofanursingmother；naturetellsherthatbydoingsoshedoesnothingagainstmodesty。Herbosom，feedingthehelpless，arousesnootherfeelingsthanthoseofrespect。Iconfess，however，thatthesightmighthaveproducedatenderersentimentinme；itwasexquisitelybeautiful，andIamsurethatifRaphaelhadbeheldithisMadonnawouldhavebeenstillmorelovely。
　　Thedinnerwasexcellent，withtheexceptionofthemadedishes，whichweredetestable。Soup，beef，freshsaltedpork，sausages，mortadella，milkdishes，vegetables，game，mascarponcheese，preservedfruits——allweredelicious；butthecounthavingtoldhisbrotherthatIwasagreatgourmand，theworthyAmbrosehadfeltithisdutytogivemesomeragouts，whichwereasbadascanwellbeimagined。Ihadtotastethem，outofpoliteness；butI
　　madeupmymindthatIwoulddosonomore。AfterdinnerItookmyhostapart，andspewedhimthatwithtenplaincourseshistablewouldbedelicateandexcellent，andthathehadnoneedofintroducinganyragouts。FromthattimeIhadachoicedinnereveryday。
　　Thereweresixofusattable，andwealltalkedandlaughedwiththeexceptionofthefairClementine。Thiswastheyoungcountesswhohadalreadymadeanimpressiononme。Sheonlyspokewhenshewasobligedtodoso，andherwordswerealwaysaccompaniedwithablush；butasIhadnootherwayofgettingasightofherbeautifuleyes，Iaskedheragoodmanyquestions。However，sheblushedsoterriblythatIthoughtImustbedistressingher，andIleftherinpeace，hopingtobecomebetteracquaintedwithher。
　　AtlastIwastakentomyapartmentandleftthere。Thewindowswereglazedandcurtainedasinthediningroom，butClairmontcameandtoldmethathecouldnotunpackmytrunksastherewerenolockstoanythingandshouldnotcaretotaketheresponsibility。
　　Ithoughthewasright，andIwenttoaskmyfriendaboutit。
　　"There’snotalockorakey，"saidhe，"inthewholecastle，exceptinthecellar，buteverythingissafeforallthat。TherearenorobbersatSt。Angelo，andifthereweretheywouldnotdaretocomehere。"
　　"Idaresay，mydearcount，butyouknow’itismybusinesstosupposerobberseverywhere。Myownvaletmighttaketheopportunityofrobbingme，andyouseeIshouldhavetokeepsilenceifIwererobbed。"
　　"Quiteso，Ifeeltheforceofyourargument。Tomorrowmorningalocksmithshallputlocksandkeystoyourdoors，andyouwillbetheonlypersoninthecastlewhoisproofagainstthieves。"
　　ImighthaverepliedinthewordsofJuvenal，’Cantabitvacuuscoramlatroneviator’，butIshouldhavemortifiedhim。ItoldClairmonttoleavemytrunksalonetillnextday，andIwentoutwithCountA————B————andhissisters—in—lawtotakeawalkinthetown。
　　CountAmbroseandhisbetter—halfstayedinthecastle；thegoodmotherwouldneverleavehernursling。Clementinewaseighteen，hermarriedsisterbeingfouryearsolder。Shetookmyarm，andmyfriendofferedhistoEleanore。
　　"Wewillgoandseethebeautifulpenitent，"saidthecount。
　　Iaskedhimwhothebeautifulpenitentwas，andheanswered，withouttroublinghimselfabouthissisters—in—law，"ShewasonceaLaisofMilan，andenjoyedsuchareputationforbeautythatnotonlyalltheflowerofMilanbutpeoplefromtheneighbouringtownswereatherfeet。Herhall—doorwasopenedandshutahundredtimesinaday，andeventhenshewasnotabletosatisfythedesiresaroused。Atlastanendcametowhattheoldandthedevoutcalledascandal。CountFirmian，amanoflearningandwit，wenttoVienna，andonhisdeparturereceivedorderstohavehershutupinaconvent。OuraugustMarieTheresecannotpardonmercenarybeauty，andthecounthadnochoicebuttohavethefairsinnerimprisoned。Shewastoldthatshehaddoneamiss，anddealtwickedly；shewasobligedtomakeageneralconfession，andwascondemnedtoalife—longpenanceinthisconvent。ShewasabsolvedbyCardinalPozzobonelli，ArchbishopofMilan，andhethenconfirmedher，changingthenameofTherese，whichshehadreceivedatthebaptismalfont，toMaryMagdalen，thusshewingherhowsheshouldsavehersoulbyfollowingtheexampleofhernewpatroness，whosewantonnesshadhithertobeenherpattern。
　　"Ourfamilyarethepatronsofthisconvent，whichisdevotedtopenitents。Itissituatedinaninaccessiblespot，andtheinmatesareinthechargeofakindmother—superior，whodoesherbesttosoftenthemanifoldausteritiesoftheirexistences。Theyonlyworkandpray，andseenoonebesidestheirconfessor，whosaysmasseveryday。Wearetheonlypersonswhomthesuperioresswouldadmit，aslongassomeofourfamilyarepresentshealwaysletthembringwhomtheylike。"
　　Thisstorytouchedmeandbroughttearstomyeyes。PoorMaryMagdalen！Cruelempress！IthinkIhavenotedinanotherpassagethesourceofherausterevirtue。
　　Whenwewereannouncedthemother—superiorcametomeetus，andtookusintoalargehall，whereIsoonmadeoutthefamouspenitentamongstfiveorsixothergirls，whowerepenitentslikeherself，butIpresumefortriflingoffences，astheywereallugly。Assoonasthepoorwomensawustheyceasedworking，andstooduprespectfully。Inspiteoftheseveresimplicityofherdress，Theresemadeagreatimpressiononme。Whatbeauty！Whatmajestybroughtlow！Withmyprofaneeyes，insteadoflookingtotheenormityoftheoffencesforwhichshewassufferingsocruelly，Isawbeforemeapictureofinnocence——ahumbledVenus。
　　Herfineeyeswerefixedontheground，butwhatwasmysurprise，when，suddenlylookingatme，sheexclaimed，——
　　"OmyGod！whatdoIsee？HolyMary，cometomyaid！Begone，dreadfulsinner，thoughthoudeservesttobeheremorethanI。
　　Scoundrel！"
　　Ididnotfeelinclinedtolaugh。Herunfortunateposition，andthesingularapostropheshehadaddressedtome，piercedmetotheheart。Themother—superiorhastenedtosay，——
　　"Donotbeoffended，sir，thepoorgirlhasbecomemad，andunlessshereallyhasrecognizedyou……"
　　"Thatisimpossible，madam，Ihaveneverseenherbefore。"
　　"Ofcoursenot，butyoumustforgiveher，asshehaslosttheuseofherreason"
　　"MaybetheLordhasmadeherthusinmercy。"
　　Asamatteroffact，Isawmoresensethanmadnessinthisoutburst，foritmusthavebeenverygrievousforthepoorgirltohavetoencountermyidlecuriosity，intheplaceofherpenitence。Iwasdeeplymoved，andinspiteofmyselfabigtearrolleddownmyface。Thecount，whohadknownher，laughed，butI
　　beggedhimtorestrainhimself。
　　Amomentafter，thepoorwretchbeganagain。Sheravedagainstmemadly，andbeggedthemother—superiortosendmeaway，asIhadcometheretodamnher。
　　Thegoodladychidherwithallatruemother’sgentleness，andtoldhertoleavetheroom，addingthatallwhocamethereonlydesiredthatsheshouldbesavedeternally。Shewassternenough，however，toadd，thatnoonehadbeenagreatersinnerthanshe，andthepoorMagdalenwentoutweepingbitterly。
　　IfithadbeenmyfortunetoenterMilanattheheadofavictoriousarmy，thefirstthingIshouldhavedonewouldbehesettingfreeofthispoorcaptive，andiftheabbesshadresistedshewouldhavefelttheweightofmywhip。
　　WhenMagdalenwasgone，themother—superiortoldusthatthepoorgirlhadmanygoodqualities，andifGodwilledthatsheshouldkeepsomeparticleofsenseshedidnotdoubtherbecomingasaintlikeherpatroness。
　　"Shehasbeggedme，"sheadded，"totakedownthepicturesofSt。
　　LouisdeGonzagaandSt。Antonyfromthechapelwallbecauseshesaystheydistractherfearfully。Ihavethoughtitmydutytoyieldtoherrequest，inspiteofourconfessor，whosaysit’sallnonsense。"
　　Theconfessorwasarudechurl。Ididnotexactlytelltheabbessthat，butIsaidenoughforacleverwomanasshewastograspmymeaning。
　　Weleftthesorrowfulplaceinsadnessandsilence，cursingthesovereignwhohadmadesuchilluseofherpower。
　　If，asourholyreligionmaintains，thereisafuturelifebeforeusall，MarieTheresecertainlydeservesdamnation，ifonlytheoppressionsshehasusedtowardsthosepoorwomenwhoselifeiswretchedenoughatthebest。PoorMaryMagdalenhadgonemadandsufferedthetormentsofthedamnedbecausenaturehadgivenhertwoofherbestgifts——beauty，andanexcellentheart。Youwillsayshehadabusedthem，butforafaultwhichisonlyacrimebeforeGod，shouldafellow—creatureandagreatersinnerhavecondemnedhertosuchafearfuldoom？Idefyanyreasonablemantoanswerintheaffirmative。
　　OnourwaybacktothecastleClementine，whowasonmyarm，laughedtoherselfonceortwice。Ifeltcurioustoknowwhatshewaslaughingat，andsaid，——
　　"MayIaskyou，faircountess，whyyoulaughthustoyourself？"
　　"Forgiveme；Iwasnotamusedatthepoorgirl’srecognizingyou，forthatmusthavebeenamistake，butIcannothelplaughingwhenIthinkofyourfaceatherwordy’YouaremoredeservingofimprisonmentthanI。’"
　　"Perhapsyouthinkshewasright。"
　　"I？Notatall。Buthowisitthatsheattackedyouandnotmybrother—in—law？"
　　"ProbablybecauseshethoughtIlookedagreatersinnerthanhe。"
　　"That，Isuppose，musthavebeenthereason。Oneshouldneverheedthetalkofmadpeople。"
　　"Youaresarcastic，butItakeitallingoodpart。PerhapsIamasgreatasinnerasIlook；butbeautyshouldbemercifultome，foritisbybeautythatIamledastray。"
　　"Iwondertheempressdoesnotshutupmenaswellaswomen。"
　　"Perhapsshehopestoseethemallatherfeetwhentherearenomoregirlslefttoamusethem。"
　　"Thatisajest。Youshouldrathersaythatshecannotforgiveherownsexthelackofavirtuewhichsheexercisessoeminently，andwhichissoeasilyobserved。"
　　"Ihavenothingtoallegeagainsttheempress’svirtue，butwithyourleaveIbegtoentertainverystrongdoubtsastothepossibilityofthegeneralexerciseofthatvirtuewhichwecallcontinence。"
　　"Nodoubteveryonethinksbyhisownstandard。Amanmaybepraisedfortemperanceinwhomtemperanceisnomerit。Whatiseasytoyoumaybehardtome，and’viceversa’。Bothofusmayberight。"
　　ThisinterestingconversationmademecompareClementinetothefairmarchionessatMilan，buttherewasthisdifferencebetweenthem:Mdlle。Q————spokewithanairofgravityandimportance，whereasClementineexpoundedhersystemwithgreatsimplicityandanutterindifferenceofmanner。Ithoughtherobservationssoacuteandherutterancesoperfectandartistic，thatIfeltashamedofhavingmisjudgedheratdinner。Hersilence，andtheblushwhichmountedtoherfacewhenanyoneaskedheraquestion，hadmademesuspectbothconfusionandpovertyinherideas，fortimidityisoftenanotherwordforstupidity；buttheconversationIhavejustreportedmademefeelthatIhadmadeagreatmistake。
　　Themarchioness，beingolderandhavingseenmoreoftheworld，wasmoreskilledinargument；butClementinehadtwiceeludedmyquestionswiththeutmostskill，andIfeltobligedtoawardherthepalm。
　　Whenwegotbacktothecastlewefoundaladywithhersonanddaughter，andanotherrelationofthecount’s，ayoungabbe，whomIfoundmostobjectionable。
　　Hewasapitilesstalker，andonthepretenceofhavingseenmeatMilanhetooktheopportunityofflatteringmeinadisgustingmanner。Besides，hemadesheep’seyesatClementine，andIdidnotliketheideaofhavingafellowlikethatforarival。I
　　saidverydrylythatIdidnotrememberhimatall；buthewasnotamanofdelicatefeeling，andthisdidnotdisconcerthimintheleast。HesatdownbesideClementine，andtakingherhandtoldherthatshemustaddmetothelongcatalogueofhervictims。
　　Shecoulddonothingelsebutlaughatsillytalkofthiskind；I
　　knewit，butthatlaughofhersdispleasedme。Iwouldhavehadhersay——Idonotknowwhat，butsomethingbitingandsarcastic。
　　Notatall；theimpertinentfellowwhisperedsomethinginherear，andsheansweredinthesameway。ThiswasmorethanIcouldbear。Somequestionorotherwasbeingdiscussed，andtheabbeaskedformyopinion。IdonotrememberwhatIanswered，butI
　　knowthatIgavehimabitterreplyinthehopeofputtinghiminabadtemperandreducinghimtosilence。Buthewasabattlecharger，andusedtotrumpet，fife，andgun；nothingputhimout。
　　HeappealedtoClementine，andIhadthemortificationofhearingheropiniongiven，thoughwithablush，inhisfavour。Thefopwassatisfied，andkissedtheyoungcountess’shandwithanairoffatuoushappiness。Thiswastoomuch；andIcursedtheabbeandClementine，too。Irosefrommyseatandwenttothewindow。
　　Thewindowisagreatblessingtoanimpatientman，whomtherulesofpolitenessinsomedegreeconstrain。Hecanturnhisbackonbores，withouttheirbeingabletochargehimwitchdirectrudeness；butpeopleknowwhathemeans，andthatsootheshisfeelings。
　　Ihavenotedthistriflingcircumstanceonlytopointouthowbadtemperblindsitsvictims。ThepoorabbevexedmebecausehemadehimselfagreeabletoClementine，withwhomIwasalreadyinlovewithoutknowingit。Isawinhimarival，butfarfromendeavouringtooffendme，hehaddonehisbesttopleaseme；andIshouldhavetakenaccountofhisgoodwill。ButundersuchcircumstancesIalwaysgavewaytoillhumour，andnowIamtoooldtobegincuringmyself。Idon’tthinkIneeddoso，forifI
　　amilltemperedthecompanypolitelypassmeover。Mymisfortuneobligesmetosubmit。
　　Clementinehadconqueredmeinthespaceofafewhours。True，I
　　wasaninflammablesubject，buthithertonobeautyhadcommittedsuchravagesuponmeinsoshortatime。Ididnotdoubtofsuccess，andIconfessthattherewasacertainamountofvanityinthisassurance；butatthesametimeIwasmodest，forIknewthatattheslightestsliptheenterprisewouldmiscarry。ThusI
　　regardedtheabbeasawasptobecrushedasspeedilyaspossible。
　　Iwasalsoavictimtothatmosthorribleofpassions，jealousy；
　　itseemedtomethatifClementinewasnotinlovewiththisman—
　　monkey，shewasextremelyindulgenttohim；andwiththisideaI
　　conceivedahorribleplanofrevengingmywrongsonher。Loveisthegodofnature，butthisgodis，afterall，onlyaspoiltchild。Weknowallhisfolliesandfrailties，butwestilladorehim。
　　Myfriendthecount，whowassurprised，Isuppose，toseemecontemplatingtheprospectforsuchalongtime，cameuptomeandaskedmeifIwantedanything。
　　"Iamthinkingsomematterover，"saidI，"andImustgoandwriteoneortwolettersinmyroomtillitistimeforsupper。"
　　"Youwon’tleaveussurely？"saidhe。
　　"Clementine，helpmetokeepM。deSeingalt；youmustmakehimpostponehisletter—writing。"
　　"Butmydearbrother，"saidthecharminggirl，"ifM。deSeingalthasbusinesstodo，itwouldberudeofmetotryandpreventhisdoingit。"
　　Thoughwhatshesaidwasperfectlyreasonable，itstungmetothequick；whenoneisinanillhumour，everythingisfuelforthefire。ButtheabbesaidpleasantlythatIhadmuchbettercomeandmakeabankatfaro，andaseverythingechoedthissuggestionIhadtogivein。
　　Thecardswerebroughtin，andvariouscolouredcountershandedround，andIsatdownputtingthirtyducatsbeforeme。Thiswasaverylargesumforacompanywhoonlyplayedforamusement’ssake；
　　fifteencounterswerevaluedonlyatasequin。CountessAmbrosesatatmyrighthand，andtheabbeatmyleft。Asiftheyhadlaidaplottovexandannoyme，Clementinehadmaderoomforhim。
　　Itookamereaccidentforastudiedimpertinence，andtoldthepoormanthatIneverdealtunlessIhadaladyoneachsideofme，andneverbyanychancewithapriestbesideme。
　　"Doyouthinkitwouldbringyouillluck？"
　　"Idon’tlikebirdsofillomen。"
　　Atthishegotup，andClementinetookhisplace。
　　Attheendofthreehours，supperwasannounced。Everybodyhadwonfrommeexcepttheabbe；thepoordevilhadlostcounterstotheextentoftwentysequins。
　　Asarelationtheabbestayedtosupper，buttheladyandherchildrenwereaskedinvaintodoso。
　　Theabbelookedwretched，whichmademeinagoodtemper，andinclinedmetobepleasant。IproceededtoflirtwithClementine，andbymakingherreplytothenumerousquestionsIasked，Igaveheranopportunityofdisplayingherwit，andIcouldseethatshewasgrateful。Iwasoncemoremyself，andItookpityoftheabbe，andspoketohimpolitely，askinghimhisopiniononsometopic。
　　"Iwasnotlistening，"saidhe，"butIhopeyouwillgivememyrevengeaftersupper。"
　　"AftersupperIshallbegoingtobed，butyoushallhaveyourrevenge，andasmuchasyoulikeofit，tomorrow，providedthatourcharminghostesseslikeplaying。Ihopetheluckwillbeinyourfavour。"
　　Aftersupperthepoorabbewentsadlyaway，andthecounttookmetomyroom，tellingmethatIcouldsleepsecurelyinspiteofthelackofkeysforhissisters—in—lawwhowerelodgedclosebywerenobetteroff。
　　Iwasastonishedanddelightedatthetrustheputinme，andatthereallymagnificenthospitality（itmustberememberedallthingsarerelative）withwhichIhadbeentreatedinthecastle。
　　ItoldClairmonttobequickaboutputtingmyhairincurl—papers，forIwastiredandinneedofrest，buthewasonlyhalf—waythroughtheoperationwhenIwasagreeablysurprisedbytheapparitionofClementine。
　　"Sir，"saidshe，"aswehaven’tgotamaidtolookafteryourlinen，Ihavecometobegyoutoletmeundertakethatoffice。"
　　"You！mydearcountess？"
　　"Yes，I，sir，andIhopeyouwillmakenoobjection。Itwillbeapleasuretome，andIhopetoyouaswell。Letmehavetheshirtyouaregoingtowearto—morrow，andsaynomoreaboutit。"
　　"Verygood，itshallbeasyouplease。"
　　IhelpedClairmonttocarrymylinentrunkintoherroom，andadded，——
　　"EverydayIwantashirt，acollar，afront，apairofdrawers，apairofstocking，andtwohandkerchiefs；butIdon’tmindwhichyoutake，andleavethechoicetoyouasthemistress，asIwishyouwereindeedandtruth。IshallsleepahappiersleepthanJovehimself。Farewell，dearHebe！"
　　HersisterEleanorewasalreadyinbed，andbeggedpardonforherposition。ItoldClairmonttogotothecountdirectly，andinformhimthatIhadchangedmymindaboutthelocks。ShouldI
　　beafraidformypoorpropertieswhentheselivingtreasureswereconfinedtomesofrankly？Ishouldhavebeenafraidofoffendingthem。
　　Ihadanexcellentbed，andIsleptwonderfully。ClairmontwasdoingmyhairwhenmyyouthfulHebepresentedherselfwithabasketinherhands。ShewishedmegooddayandsaidshehopedI
　　wouldbecontentedwithherhandiwork。Igazedatherdelightedly，notraceoffalseshameappearedonherfeatures。
　　Theblushonhercheekswasawitnessofthepleasuresheexperiencedinbeinguseful——apleasurewhichisunknowntothosewhosecurseistheirpride，thecharacteristicoffoolsandupstarts。IkissedherhandandtoldherthatIhadneverseenlinensonicelydone。
　　JustthenthecountcameinandthankedClementineforattendingonme。Iapprovedofthat，butheaccompaniedhisthankswithakisswhichwaswellreceived，andthisIdidnotapproveofatall。Butyouwillsaytheywerebrother—in—lawandsister—in—law？
　　Justso，butIwasjealousallthesame。Natureisallwise，anditwasnaturethatmademejealous。Whenonelovesandhasnotasyetgainedpossession，jealousyisinevitable；theheartmustfearlestthatwhichitlongsforsobecarriedawaybyanother。
　　Thecounttookanotefromhispocketandbeggedmetoreadit。
　　Itcamefromhiscousintheabbe，whobeggedthecounttoapologizetomeforhimifhewasunabletopaythetwentysequinshehadlosttomeinthepropertime，butthathewoulddischargehisdebtinthecourseoftheweek。
　　"Verygood！Tellhimthathecanpaywhenhelikes，butwarnhimnottoplaythisevening。Iwillnottakehisbets。"
　　"Butyouwouldhavenoobjectiontohispuntingwithreadymoney。"
　　"CertainlyIshould，unlesshepaysmefirst，otherwisehewouldbepuntingwithmymoney。Ofcourseit’sameretrifle，andI
　　hopehewon’ttroublehimselfintheleastorputhimselftoanyinconveniencetopayit。"
　　"Iamafraidhewillbemortified。"
　　"Somuchthebetter，"saidClementine；"whatdidheplayfor，whenheknewthathecouldnotpayhisdebtsifheincurredany？Itwillbealessontohim。"
　　Thisoutburstwasbalmtomyheart。Suchisman——amereselfishegotist，whenpassionmoveshim。
　　Thecountmadenoreply，butleftusalone。
　　"MydearClementine，tellmefranklywhethertheratheruncivilwayinwhichIhavetreatedtheabbehaspainedyou。Iamgoingtogiveyoutwentysequins，doyousendthemtohim，andto—nighthecanpaymehonourably，andmakeagoodfigure。Ipromiseyounooneshallknowaboutit。"
　　"Thankyou，butthehonouroftheabbeisnotdearenoughtomeformetoacceptyouroffer。Thelessonwilldohimgood。
　　Alittleshamewillteachhimthathemustmendhisways。"
　　"Youwillseehewon’tcomethisevening。"
　　"Thatmaybe，butdoyouthinkIshallcare？"
　　"Well——yes，Ididthinkso。"
　　"Becausewejokedtogether，Isuppose。Heisahare—brainedfellow，towhomIdonotgivetwothoughtsintheyear。"
　　"Ipityhim，asheartilyasIcongratulateanyoneofwhomyoudothink。"
　　"Maybethereisnosuchperson"
　　"What！Youhavenotyetmetamanworthyofyourregard？"
　　"Manyworthyofregard，butnoneoflove。"
　　"Thenyouhaveneverbeeninlove？"
　　"Never。"
　　"Yourheartisempty？"
　　"Youmakemelaugh。Isithappiness，isitunhappiness？Whocansay。Ifitbehappiness，Iamglad，andifitbeunhappiness，I
　　donotcare，forIdonotfeelittobeso。"
　　"Nevertheless，itisamisfortune，andyouwillknowittohavebeensoonthedayinwhichyoulove。"
　　"AndifIbecomeunhappythroughlove，shallInotpronouncemyemptinessofhearttohavebeenhappiness。"
　　"Iconfessyouwouldberight，butIamsurelovewouldmakeyouhappy。"
　　"Idonotknow。Tobehappyonemustliveinperfectagreement；
　　thatisnoeasymatter，andIbelieveittobeharderstillwhenthebondislifelong。"
　　"Iagree，butGodsentusintotheworldthatwemightruntherisk"
　　"Toamanitmaybeanecessityandadelight，butagirlisboundbystricterlaws。"
　　"Innaturethenecessityisthesamethoughtheresultsaredifferent，andthe，lawsyouspeakofarelaiddownbysociety。"
　　Thecountcameinatthispointandwasastonishedtoseeusbothtogether。
　　"Iwishyouwouldfallinlovewithoneanother，"saidhe。
　　"Youwishtoseeusunhappy，doyou？"saidshe。
　　"Whatdoyoumeanbythat？"Icried。
　　"Ishouldbeunhappywithaninconstantlover，andyouwouldbeunhappytoo，foryouwouldfeelbitterremorseforhavingdestroyedmypeaceofmind。"
　　Afterthisshediscreetlyfled。
　　Iremainedstillasifshehadpetrifiedme，butthecountwhoneverweariedhimselfwithtoomuchthinking，exclaimed，"Clementineisrathertooromantic；shewillgetoverit，however；
　　sheisyoungyet。"
　　Wewenttobidgooddaytothecountess，whomwefoundsucklingherbaby。
　　"Doyouknow，mydearsister，"saidthecount，"thatthechevalierhereisinlovewithClementine，andsheseemsinclinedtopayhimbackinhisowncoin？"
　　Thecountesssmiledandsaid，——
　　"Ihopeasuitablematchlikethatmaymakeusrelations。"
　　Thereissomethingmagicalabouttheword"marriage。"
　　Whatthecountesssaidpleasedmeextremely，andIrepliedwithabowofthemostgraciouscharacter。
　　Wewenttopayacallontheladywhohadcometothecastlethedaybefore。Therewasacanonregularthere，whoafteragreatmanypolitespeechesinpraiseofmycountry，whichheknewonlyfrombooks，askedmeofwhatorderwasthecrossIcarriedonmybreast。
　　Ireplied，withakindofboastfulmodesty，thatitwasapeculiarmarkofthefavouroftheHolyFather，thePope，whohadfreelymademeaknightoftheOrderofSt。JohnLateran，andaprothonotary—apostolic。
　　Thismonkhadstayedathomefarfromtheworld，orelsehewouldnothaveaskedmesuchaquestion。However，farfromthinkinghewasoffendingme，hethoughthewashonouringmebygivingmeanopportunityoftalkingofmyownmerit。
　　AtLondon，thegreatestpossiblerudenessistoaskanyonewhathisreligionis，anditissomethingthesameinGermany；anAnabaptistisbynomeansreadytoconfesshiscreed。Andinfactthebestplanisnevertoaskanyquestionswhatever，notevenifamanhaschangeforalouis。
　　Clementinewasdelightfulatdinner。Sherepliedwittilyandgracefullytoallthequestionswhichwereaddressedtoher。
　　True，whatshesaidwaslostonthemajorityofherauditors——forwitcannotstandbeforestupidity——butIenjoyedhertalkimmensely。AsshekeptfillingupmyglassIreproachedher，andthisgaverisetothefollowinglittledialoguewhichcompletedmyconquest。
　　"Youhavenorighttocomplain，"saidshe，"Hebe’sdutyistokeepthecupofthechiefofthegodsalwaysfull。"
　　"Verygood；butyouknowJupitersentheraway。"
　　"Yes，butIknowwhy。Iwilltakecarenottostumbleinthesameway；andnoGanymedeshalltakemyplaceforalikecause。"
　　"Youareverywise。Jupiterwaswrong，andhenceforthIwillbeHercules。Willthatpleaseyou，fairHebe？"
　　"No；becausehedidnotmarryhertillafterherdeath。"
　　"True，again。IwillbeIolasthen，for……"
　　"Bequiet。Iolaswasold。"
　　"True；butsowasIyesterday。Youhavemademeyoungagain。"
　　"Iamveryglad，dearIolas；butrememberwhatIdidwhenheleftme。"
　　"Andwhatdidyoudo？Idonotremember。"
　　"Ididnotbelieveawordhesaid。"
　　"Youcanbelieve。"
　　"ItookawaythegiftIhadmade。"
　　Atthesewordsthischarminggirl’sfacewassufferedwithblushes。IfIhadtouchedherwithmyhand，sureitwouldhavebeenonfire；buttheraysthatdartedfromhereyesfrozemyheart。
　　Philosophers，benotangryifItalkoffreezingrays。Itisnomiracle，butaverynaturalphenomenon，whichishappeningeveryday。Agreatlove，whichelevatesaman’swholenature，isastrongflamebornoutofagreatcold，suchasIthenfeltforamoment；itwouldhavekilledmeifithadlastedlonger。
　　ThesuperiormannerinwhichClementinehadappliedthestoryofHebeconvincedmenotonlythatshehadaprofoundknowledgeofmythology，butalsothatshehadakeenandfar—reachingintellect。Shehadgivenmemorethanaglimpseofherlearning；
　　shehadletmeguessthatIinterestedher，andthatshethoughtofme。
　　Theseideas，enteringaheartwhichisalreadywarm，speedilysetallthesensesinflames。Inamomentalldoubtwaslaidtorest；
　　Clementinelovedme，andIwassurethatweshouldbehappy。
　　Clementineslippedawayfromthetabletocalmherself，andthusI
　　hadtimetoescapefrommyastonishment。
　　"Praywherewasthatyoungladyeducated？"Isaidtothecountess。
　　"Inthecountry。Shewasalwayspresentwhenmybrotherhadhislessons，butthetutor，Sardini，nevertookanynoticeofher，anditwasonlyshewhogainedanything；mybrotheronlyyawned。
　　Clementineusedtomakemymotherlaugh，andpuzzletheoldtutorsadlysometimes。"
　　"Sardiniwroteandpublishedsomepoemswhicharenotbad；butnobodyreadsthem，becausetheyaresofullofmythology。"
　　"Quiteso。Clementinepossessesamanuscriptwithwhichhepresentedher，containinganumberofmythologicaltalesverified。
　　Tryandmakehershewyouherbooksandtheversessheusedtowrite；shewon’tshewthemtoanyofus。"
　　Iwasinagreatstateofadmiration。WhenshereturnedI
　　complimentedheruponheracquirements，andsaidthatasIwasagreatloverofliteraturemyselfIshouldbedelightedifshewouldshewmeherverses。
　　"Ishouldbeashamed。Ihadtogiveovermystudiestwoyearsago，whenmysistermarriedandwecametolivehere，whereweonlyseehonestfolkswhotalkaboutthestable，theharvest，andtheweather。YouarethefirstpersonIhaveseenwhohastalkedtomeaboutliterature。IfouroldSardinihadcomewithusI
　　shouldhavegoneonlearning，butmysisterdidnotcaretohavehimhere。"
　　"ButmydearClementine，"saidthecountess，"whatdoyouthinkmyhusbandcouldhavedonewithanoldmanofeightywhosesoleaccomplishmentsareweighingthewind，writingverses，andtalkingmythology？"
　　"Hewouldhavebeenusefulenough，"saidthehusband，"ifhecouldhavemanagedtheestate，butthehonestoldmanwillnotbelieveintheexistenceofrascals。Heissolearnedthatheisquitestupid。"
　　"Goodheavens！"criedClementine。"Sardinistupid？Itiscertainlyeasytodeceivehim，butthatisbecauseheissonoble。
　　Iloveamanwhoiseasilydeceived，buttheycallmesilly。"
　　"Notatall，mydearsister，"saidthecountess。"Onthecontrary，thereiswisdominallyousay，butitiswisdomoutofplaceinawoman；themistressofahouseholddoesnotwanttoknowanythingaboutliterature，poetry，orphilosophy，andwhenitcomestomarryingyouIamverymuchafraidthatyourtasteforthiskindofthingwillstandinyourway。"
　　"Iknowit，andIamexpectingtodieamaid；notthatitismuchcomplimenttothemen。"
　　Toknowallthatsuchadialoguemeantforme，thereadermustimaginehimselfmostpassionatelyinlove。Ithoughtmyselfunfortunate。Icouldhavegivenherahundredthousandcrowns，andIwouldhavemarriedherthatmoment。ShetoldmethatSardiniwasatMilan，veryoldandill。
　　"Haveyoubeentoseehim？"Iasked。
　　"IhaveneverbeentoMilan。"
　　"Isitpossible？Itisnotfarfromhere。"
　　"Distanceisrelative，youknow。"
　　Thiswasbeautifullyexpressed。Ittoldmewithoutanyfalseshamethatshecouldnotaffordtogo，andIwaspleasedbyherfrankness。ButinthestateofmindIwasinIshouldhavebeenpleasedwithanythingshechosetodo。Therearemomentsinaman’slifewhenthewomanhelovescanmakeanythingofhim。
　　Ispoketoherinamannerthataffectedhersothatshetookmeintoaclosetnexttoherroomtoshewmeherbooks。Therewereonlythirtyinall，buttheywerechosen，althoughsomewhatelementary。AwomanlikeClementineneededsomethingmore。
　　"Doyouknow，mydearHebe，thatyouwantmorebooks？"
　　"Ihaveoftensuspectedit，dearIolas，withoutbeingabletosayexactlywhatIwant。"
　　AfterspendinganhouringlancingoverSardini’sworks，Ibeggedhertospewmeherown。
　　"No，"saidshe，"theyaretoobad。"
　　"Iexpectso；butthegoodwilloutweighthebad。"
　　"Idon’tthinkso。"
　　"Oh，yes！youneedn’tbeafraid。Iwillforgivethebadgrammar，badstyle，absurdimages，faultymethod，andeventheversesthatwon’tscan。"
　　"That’stoomuch，Iolas；Hebedoesn’tneedsovastapardonasallthat。Here，sir，thesearemyscribblings；siftthefaultsandthedefaults。Readwhatyouwill。"
　　Iwasdelightedthatmyschemeofwoundinghervanityhadsucceeded，andIbeganbyreadingaloudananacreontic，addingtoitsbeautiesbythemodulationofmyvoice，andkeenlyenjoyingherpleasureatfindingherworksofair。WhenIimprovedalinebysometriflingchangeshenoticedit，forshefollowedmewithhereyes；butfarfrombeinghumiliated，shewaspleasedwithmycorrections。Thepicturewasstillhers，shethought，thoughwithmyskilledbrushIbroughtoutthelightsanddarkenedtheshadows，andshewascharmedtoseethatmypleasurewasasgreatorgreaterthanhers。Thereadingcontinuedfortwohours。Itwasaspiritualandpure，butamostintenselyvoluptuous，enjoyment。Happy，andthricehappy，ifwehadgonenofarther；
　　butloveisatraitorwholaughsatuswhenwethinktoplaywithhimwithoutfallingintohisnets。Shallamantouchhotcoalsandescapetheburning？
　　Thecountessinterruptedus，andbeggedustojointhecompany。
　　Clementinehastenedtoputeverythingback，andthankedmeforthehappinessIhadgivenher。Thepleasureshefeltsheweditselfinherblushes，andwhenshecameintothedrawing—roomshewasaskedifshehadbeenfighting，whichmadeherblushstillmore。
　　Thefaro—tablewasready，butbeforesittingdownItoldClairmonttogetmefourgoodhorsesforthefollowingday。IwantedtogotoLodiandbackbydinnertime。
　　Everybodyplayedasbefore，theabbeexcepted，andhe，tomyhugedelight，didnotputinanappearanceatall，buthisplacewassuppliedbyacanon，whopuntedaducatatatimeandhadapileofducatsbeforehim。Thismademeincreasemybank，andwhenthegamewasover，Iwasgladtoseethateverybodyhadwonexceptthecanon，buthislosseshadnotspoilthistemper。
　　NextdayIstartedforLodiatday—breakwithouttellinganybodywhereIwasgoing，andboughtallthebooksIjudgednecessaryforClementine，whoonlyknewItalian。Iboughtnumeroustranslation，whichIwassurprisedtofindatLodi，whichhithertohadbeenonlyfamousinmymindforitscheese，usuallycalledParmesan。
　　ThischeeseismadeatLodiandnotatParma，andIdidnotfailtomakeanentrytothateffectunderthearticle"Parmesan"inmy"DictionaryofCheeses，"aworkwhichIwasobligedtoabandonasbeyondmypowers，asRousseauwasobligedtoabandonhis"DictionaryofBotany。"ThisgreatbuteccentricindividualwasthenknownunderthepseudonymofRenaud，theBotanist。’Quisquehistrioniamexercet’。ButRousseau，greatmanthoughhewas，wastotallydeficientinhumour。
　　IconceivedtheideaofgivingabanquetatLodithedayafternext，andaprojectofthiskindnotcallingformuchdeliberationIwentforthwithtothebesthoteltomakethenecessaryarrangements。Iorderedachoicedinnerfortwelve，paidtheearnestmoney，andmadethehostpromisethateverythingshouldbeofthebest。
　　WhenIgotbacktoSt。Angelo，IhadasackfullofbookscarriedintoClementine’sroom。Shewaspetrified。Thereweremorethanonehundredvolumes，poets，historians，geographers，philosophers，scientists——nothingwasforgotten。Ihadalsoselectedsomegoodnovels，translatedfromtheSpanish，English，andFrench，forwehavenogoodnovelsinItalian。
　　ThisadmissiondoesnotprovebyanymeansthatItalianliteratureissurpassedbythatofanyothercountry。Italyhaslittletoenvyinotherliteratures，andhasnumerousmasterpieces，whichareunequalledthewholeworldover。WherewillyoufindaworthycompaniontotheOrlandoFurioso？Thereisnone，andthisgreatworkisincapableoftransalation。ThefinestandtruestpanegyricofAriostowaswrittenbyVoltairewhenhewassixty。
　　Ifhehadnotmadethisapologyfortherashjudgementofhisyouthfuldays，hewouldnothaveenjoyed，inItalyatallevents，thatimmortalitywhichissojustlyhisdue。Thirty—sixyearsagoItoldhimasmuch，andhetookmeatmyword。Hewasafraid，andheactedwisely。
　　IfIhaveanyreaders，Iasktheirpardonforthesedigressions。
　　TheymustrememberthattheseMemoirswerewritteninmyoldage，andtheoldarealwaysgarrulous。Thetimewillcometothemalso，andthentheywillunderstandthatiftheagedrepeatthemselves，itisbecausetheyliveinaworldofmemories，withoutapresentandwithoutafuture。
　　Iwillnowreturntomynarrative，whichIhavekeptsteadilyinview。
　　Clementinegazedfrommetothebooks，andfromthebookstome。
　　Shewonderedandadmired，andcouldscarcelybelievethistreasurebelongedtoher。Atlastshecollectedherself，andsaidinatonefullofgratitude，——
　　"YouhavecometoSt。Angelotomakemehappy。"
　　Suchasayingmakesamanintoagod。Heissurethatshewhospeaksthuswilldoallinherpowertomakeareturnforthehappinesswhichshehasbeengiven。
　　Thereissomethingsupremelylovelyintheexpressionofgratefulnessonthefaceofthebeingoneloves。IfyouhavenotexperiencedthefeelingsIdescribe，dearreader，Ipityyou，andamforcedtoconcludethatyoumusthavebeeneitherawkwardormiserly，andthereforeunworthyoflove。
　　Clementineatescarcelyanythingatdinner，andafterwardsretiredtoherroomwhereIsoonjoinedher。Weamusedourselvesbyputtingthebooksinorder，andshesentforacarpentertomakeabookcasewithalockandkey。
　　"Itwillbemypleasuretoreadthesebooks，"saidshe，"whenyouhaveleftus。"
　　Intheeveningshewasluckywiththecards，andindelightfulspirits。IaskedthemalltodinewithmeatLodi，butasthedinnerwasfortwelvetheCountessAmbrosesaidshewouldbeabletofindthetwoguestswhowerewantedatLodi，andthecanonsaidhewouldtaketheladyfriendwithhertwochildren。
　　Thenextdaywasoneofhappyquiet，andIspentitwithoutleavingthecastle，beingengagedininstructingmyHebeonthenatureofthesphere，andinpreparingherforthebeautiesofWolf。Ipresentedherwithmycaseofmathematicalinstruments，whichseemedtoherinvaluable。
　　Iburnedwithpassionforthischarminggirl；butwouldIhavedonesoinhertasteforliteratureandsciencehadnotbeenbackedupbyherpersonalcharms？Isuspectnot。Ilikeadishpleasingtothepalate，butifitisnotpleasingtotheeyeaswell，Idonottasteitbutputdownasbad。Thesurfaceisalwaysthefirsttointerest，closeexaminationcomesafterwards。
　　Themanwhoconfineshimselftosuperficialcharms，issuperficialhimself，butwiththemalllovebegins，exceptthatwhichrisesintherealmoffancy，andthisnearlyalwaysfallsbeforethereality。
　　WhenIwenttobed，stillthinkingofClementine，Ibegantoreflectseriously，andIwasastonishedtofindthatduringallthehourswehadspenttogethershehadnotcausedtheslightestsensualfeelingtoariseinme。Nevertheless，Icouldnotassignthereasontofear，nortoshynesswhichisunknowntome，nortofalseshame，nortowhatiscalledafeelingofduty。Itwascertainlynotvirtue，forIdonotcarryvirtuesofarasthat。
　　Thenwhatwasit？Ididnottiremyselfbypursuingthequestion。
　　IfeltquitesurethatthePlatonicstagemustsooncometoanend，andIwassorry，butmysorrowwasvirtueinextremis。Thefinethingswereadtogetherinterestedussostronglythatwedidnotthinkoflove，norofthepleasurewetookineachother’scompany；butasthesayinggoes，thedevillostnothingbyus。
　　Whenintellectentersonthefield，thehearthastoyield；virtuetriumphs，butthebattlemustnotlastforlong。Ourconquestsmadeustoosure，butthisfeelingofsecuritywasaColossuswhosefeetwereofclay；weknewthatwelovedbutwerenotsurethatwewerebeloved。ButwhenthisbecamemanifesttheColossusmustfalltotheground。
　　ThisdangeroustrustmademegotoherroomtotellhersomethingaboutourjourneytoLodi，thecarriageswerealreadywaiting。
　　Shewasstillasleep，butmysteponthefloormadeherawakewithastart。Ididnoteventhinkitnecessarytoapologize。ShetoldmethatTasso’sAmintahadinterestedhertosuchanextentthatshehadreadittillshefellasleep。
　　"ThePastorFidowillpleaseyoustillmore。"
　　"Isitmorebeautiful？"
　　"Notexactly。"
　　"Thenwhydoyousayitwillpleasememore？"
　　"Becauseitcharmstheheart。Itappealstooursoftestfeelings，andseducesus——andweloveseduction。"
　　"Itisaseducer，then？"
　　"No，notaseducer；butseductive，likeyou。"
　　"That’sagooddistinction。Iwillreaditthisevening。NowI
　　amgoingtodress。"
　　SheputonherclothesinseemingoblivionthatIwasaman，butwithoutshewinganysightsthatcouldbecalledindecent。
　　NeverthelessitstruckmethatifshehadthoughtIwasinlovewithher，shewouldhavebeenmorereserved，forassheputonherchemise，lacedhercorset，fastenedhergartersaboveherknee，anddrewonherboots，IsawglimpsesofbeautywhichaffectedmesostronglythatIwasobligedtogooutbeforeshewasreadytoquenchtheflamesshehadkindledinmysenses。
　　ItookthecountessandClementineinmycarriage，andsatonthebracketseatholdingthebabyonmyknee。Mytwofaircompanionslaughedmerrily，forIheldthechildasiftothemannerborn。
　　Whenwehadtraversedhalfthedistancethebabydemandednourishment，andthecharmingmotherhastenedtouncoverasphereoverwhichmyeyesrovedwithdelight，notatalltoherdispleasure。Thechildleftitsmother’sbosomsatisfied，andatthesightoftheliquorwhichflowedsoabundantlyIexclaimed，——
　　"Itmustnotbelost，madam；allowmetosipnectarwhichwillelevatemetotherankofthegods。Donotbeafraidofmyteeth。"Ihadsometeethinthosedays。
　　Thesmilingcountessmadenoopposition，andIproceededtocarryoutmydesign，whiletheladieslaughedthatmagiclaughwhichnotpaintercanportray。ThedivineHomeristheonlypoetwhohassucceededindelineatingitinthoselinesinwhichhedescribesAndromachewiththeyoungAstyanaxinherarms，whenHectorisleavinghertoreturntothebattle。
　　IaskedClementineifshehadthecouragetograntmeasimilarfavour。
　　"Certainly，"saidshe，"ifIhadanymilk。"
　　"Youhavethesourceofthemilk；Iwillseetotherest。"
　　Atthisthegirl’sfacesuffusedwithsuchaviolentblushthatI
　　wassorryIhadspoken；however，Ichangedtheconversation，anditsoonpassedaway。OurspiritsweresohighthatwhenthetimecameforustogetdownattheinnatLodi，wecouldscarcelybelieveitpossible，soswiftlyhadthetimegoneby。
　　Thecountesssentamessagetoaladyfriendofhers，begginghertodinewithus，andtobringhersister；whileIdispatchedClairmonttoastationer’s，whereheboughtmeabeautifulmoroccocasewithlockandkey，containingpaper，pens，sealing—wax，ink—
　　well，paperknife，seal，andinfact，everythingnecessaryforwriting。ItwasapresentImeanttogiveClementinebeforedinner。Itwasdelightfultowatchhersurpriseandpleasure，andtoreadgratitudesolegiblywritteninherbeautifuleyes。Thereisnotawomanintheworldwhocannotbeovercomebybeingmadegrateful。Itisthebestandsurestwaytogeton，butitmustbeskilfullyused。Thecountess’sfriendcameandbroughthersister，agirlwhowasdazzlinglybeautiful。Iwasgreatlystruckwithher，butjustthenVenusherselfcouldnothavedethronedClementinefromherplaceinmyaffections。Afterthefriendshadkissedeachother，andexpressedtheirjoyatmeeting，Iwasintroduced，andinsocomplimentaryamannerthatIfeltobligedtoturnitoffwithajest。
　　Thedinnerwassumptuousanddelicious。Atdesserttwoself—
　　invitedguestscamein，thelady’shusbandandthesister’slover，buttheywerewelcome，foritwasacaseofthemorethemerrier。
　　Afterthemeal，inaccordancewiththerequestofthecompany，I
　　madeabankatfaro，andafterthreehours’playIwasdelightedtofindmyselfalosertotheextentoffortysequins。ItwastheselittlelossesattherighttimewhichgavemethereputationofbeingthefinestgamesterinEurope。
　　Thelady’sloverwasnamedVigi，andIaskedhimifhewasdescendedfromtheauthorofthethirteenthbookofthe"AEneid。"
　　Hesaidhewas，andthatinhonourofhisancestorhehadtranslatedthepoemintoItalianverse。Iexpressedmyselfcuriousastohisversion，andhepromisedtobringitmeintwodays’time。Icomplimentedhimonbelongingtosuchanobleandancientfamily；MaffeoVigiflourishedatthebeginningofthefifteenthcentury。
　　Westartedintheevening，andlessthantwohourswegothome。
　　ThemoonwhichshonebrightlyuponuspreventedmemakinganyattemptsonClementine，whohadputupherfeetinorderthatshemightbeabletoholdherlittlenephewwithmoreease。TheprettymothercouldnothelpthankingmewarmlyforthepleasureI
　　hadgiventhem；Iwasauniversalfavouritewiththemall。
　　Wedidnotfeelinclinedtoeatanysupper，andthereforeretiredtoourapartments；andIaccompaniedClementine，whotoldmethatshewasashamedatnotknowinganythingaboutthe"AEneid。"
　　"Vigiwillbringhistranslationofthethirteenthbook，andI
　　shallnotknowawordaboutit。"
　　IcomfortedherbytellingherthatwewouldreadthefinetranslationbyAnnibaleCarothatverynight。Itwasamongstherbooks，asalsotheversionbyAnguilara，Ovid’sMetamorphoses，andMarchetti’sLucreece。
　　"ButIwantedtoreadthePastorFido。"
　　"Weareinahurry；wemustreadthatanothertime。"
　　"Iwillfollowyouradviceinallthings，mydearIolas。"
　　"Thatwillmakemehappy，dearestHebe。"
　　WespentthenightinreadingthatmagnificenttranslationinItalianblankverse，butthereadingwasofteninterruptedbymypupil’slaughterwhenwecametosomeratherticklishpassage。
　　Shewashighlyamusedbytheaccountofthechancewhichgave’AEneasanopportunityofprovinghisloveforDidoinaveryinconvenientplace，andstillmore，whenDido，complainingofthesonofPriam’streachery，says，——
　　"Imightstillpardonyouif，beforeabandoningme，youhadleftmealittleAEneastoplayaboutthesehalls。"
　　Clementinehadcausetobeamused，forthereproachhassomethinglaughableinit；buthowisitthatonedoesnotfeelinclinedtosmileinreadingtheLatin—’SiquismihiparvulusaulaluderetAEneas？’。ThereasonmustbesoughtforinthegraveanddignifiednatureoftheLatintongue。
　　Wedidnotfinishourreadingtillday—break。
　　"Whatanight！"exclaimedClementine，withasigh。
　　"Ithasbeenoneofgreatpleasuretome，hasitnottoyou？"
　　"Ihaveenjoyeditbecauseyouhave。"
　　"Andifyouhadbeenreadingbyyourself？"
　　"Itwouldhavestillbeenapleasure，butamuchsmallerone。I
　　loveyourintellecttodistraction，Clementine，buttellme，doyouthinkitpossibletolovetheintellectwithoutlovingthatwhichcontainsit？"
　　"No，forwithoutthebodythespiritwouldvanishaway。"
　　"IconcludefromthatthatIamdeeplyinlovewithyou，andthatIcannotpasssixorsevenhoursinyourcompanywithoutlongingtokissyou。"
　　"Certainly，butweresistthesedesiresbecausewehavedutiestoperform，whichwouldriseupagainstusifweleftthemundone。"
　　"Trueagain，butifyourdispositionatallresemblesminethisconstraintmustbeverypainfultoyou。"
　　"PerhapsIfeelitasmuchasyoudo，butitismybeliefthatitisonlyhardtowithstandtemptationatfirst。Bydegreesonegetsaccustomedtolovingwithoutrunninganyriskandwithouteffort。Oursenses，atfirstsosharpset，endbybecomingblunted，andwhenthisisthecasewemayspendhoursanddaysinsafety，untroubledbydesire。"
　　"IhavemydoubtsasfarasIamconcerned，butweshallsee。
　　Goodnight，fairHebe。"
　　"Goodnight，mygoodIolas，mayyousleepwell！"
　　"Mysleepwillbehauntedbyvisionsofyou。"
　　CHAPTERXXII
　　OurExcursion——PartingFromClementine——ILeaveMilanWithCroce’sMistressMyArrivalAtGenoaTheancients，whosefancywassofertileinallegory，usedtofigureInnocenceasplayingwithaserpentorwithasharparrow。
　　Theseoldsageshadmadeadeepstudyofthehumanheart；andwhateverdiscoveriesmodernsciencemayhavemade，theoldsymbolsmaystillbeprofitablystudiedbythosewhowishtogainadeepinsightintotheworkingofman’smind。
　　Iwenttobed，andafterhavingdismissedClairmontIbegantoreflectonmyrelationswithClementine，whoseemedtohavebeenmadetoshineinaspherefromwhich，inspiteofherhighbirth，herintelligence，andherrarebeauty，herwantoffortunekeptherapart。Ismiledtomyselfatherdoctrines，whichwereasmuchastosaythatthebestwayofcuringappetitewastoplaceaseriesofappetisingdishesbeforeahungryman，forbiddinghimtotouchthem。NeverthelessIcouldbutapprovethewordswhichshehadutteredwithsuchanairofinnocence——thatifoneresistsdesires，thereisnodangerofonebeinghumiliatedbygivingwaytothem。
　　Thishumiliationwouldarisefromafeelingofduty，andshehonouredmebysupposingthatIhadashighprinciplesasherself。
　　Butatthesametimethemotiveofself—esteemwasalsopresent，andIdeterminednottodoanythingwhichwoulddeprivemeofherconfidence。
　　Asmaybeimagined，Ididnotawaketillverylatethenextmorning，andwhenIrangmybellClementinecamein，lookingverypleased，andholdingacopyofthePastorFidoinherhand。Shewishedmegoodday，andsaidshehadreadthefirstact，andthatshethoughtitverybeautiful，andtoldmetogetupthatwemightreadthesecondtogetherbeforedinner。
　　"MayIriseinyourpresence？"
　　"Whynot？Amanhasneedofverylittlecaretoobservethelawsofdecency。"
　　"Thenpleasegivemethatshirt。"
　　Sheproceededtounfoldit，andthenputitovermyhead，smilingallthetime。
　　"Iwilldothesameforyouatthefirstopportunity，"saidI。
　　Sheblushedandanswered，"It’snotnearlysofarfromyoutomeasitisfrommetoyou。"
　　"DivineHebe，thatisbeyondmyunderstanding。YouspeakliketheCumaeansibyls，orasifyouwererenderingoraclesatyourtempleinCorinth。"
　　"HadHebeatempleatCorinth？Sardinineversaidso。"
　　"ButApollodorussaysso。Itwasanasylumaswellasatemple。
　　Butcomebacktothepoint，andpraydonoteludeit。Whatyousaidisopposedtoallthelawsofgeometry。Thedistancefromyoutomeoughttobepreciselythesameasfrommetoyou。"
　　"Perhaps，then，Ihavesaidastupidthing。"
　　"Notatall，Hebe，youhaveanideawhichmayberightorwrong，butIwanttobringitout。Come，tellme。"
　　"Well，then，thetwodistancesdifferfromeachotherwithrespecttotheascentanddescent，orfall，ifyoulike。Arenotallbodiesinclinedtoobeythelawsofgravitationunlesstheyareheldbackbyasuperiorforce？"
　　"Certainly。"
　　"Andisitnotthecasethatnobodiesmoveinanupwarddirectionunlesstheyareimpelled？"
　　"Quitetrue。"
　　"ThenyoumustconfessthatsinceIamshorterthanyouIshouldhavetoascendtoattainyou，andascensionisalwaysaneffort；
　　whileifyouwishtoattainme，youhaveonlytoletyourselfgo，whichisnoeffortwhatever。Thusitisnoriskatallforyoutoletmeputonyourshirt，butitwouldbeagreatriskformeifI
　　allowedyoutodothesameserviceforme。Imightbeoverwhelmedbyyourtoorapiddescentonme。Areyoupersuaded？"
　　"Persuadedisnottheword，fairHebe。Iamravishedinanecstacyofadmiration。Neverwasparadoxsofinelymaintained。I
　　mightcavilandcontestit，butIprefertokeepsilencetoadmireandadore。"
　　"Thankyou，dearIolas，butIwantnofavour。Tellmehowyoucoulddisprovemyargument？"
　　"Ishouldattackitonthepointofheight。YouknowyouwouldnotletmechangeyourchemiseevenifIwereadwarf。"
　　"Ah，dearIolas！wecannotdeceiveeachother。WouldthatHeavenhaddestinedmetobemarriedtoamanlikeyou！"
　　"Alas！whyamInotworthyofaspiringtosuchaposition？"
　　Idonotknowwheretheconversationwouldhavelandedus，butjustthenthecountesscametotellusthatdinnerwaswaiting，addingthatshewasgladtoseewelovedoneanother。
　　"Madly，"saidClementine，"butwearediscreet。"
　　"Ifyouarediscreet，youcannotlovemadly。"
　　"True，countess，"saidI，"forthemadnessofloveandwisdomcannotdwelltogether。Ishouldrathersaywearereasonable，forthemindmaybegravewhiletheheart’sgay。"
　　Wedinedmerrilytogether，thenweplayedatcards，andintheeveningwefinishedreadingthePastorFido。WhenwewerediscussingthebeautiesofthisdelightfulworkClementineaskedmeifthethirteenthbookofthe"AEneid"wasfine。
　　"Mydearcountess，itisquiteworthless；andIonlypraisedittoflatterthedescendantoftheauthor。However，thesamewritermadeapoemonthetricksofcountryfolk，whichisbynomeansdevoidofmerit。Butyouaresleepy，andIampreventingyoufromundressing。"
　　"Notatall。"
　　Shetookoffherclothesinamomentwiththegreatestcoolness，anddidnotindulgemylicentiousgazeintheleast。Shegotintobed，andIsatbesideher；whereuponshesatupagain，andhersisterturnedherbackuponus。ThePastorFidowasonhernight—
　　table，andopeningthebookIproceededtoreadthepassagewhereMirtillodescribesthesweetnessofthekissAmaryllishadgivenhim，attuningmyvoicetothesentimentofthelines。ClementineseemedasmuchaffectedasIwas，andIfastenedmylipsonhers。
　　Whathappiness！Shedrewinthebalmofmylipswithdelight，andappearedtobefreefromalarm，soIwasabouttoclaspherinmyarmswhenshepushedmeawaywiththeutmostgentleness，beggingmetospareher。
　　Thiswasmodestyatbay。Ibeggedherpardon，andtakingherhandbreathedoutuponitalltheecstasyofmylips。
　　"Youaretrembling，"saidshe，inavoicethatdidbutincreasetheamoroustumultofmyheart。
　　"Yes，dearestcountess，andIassureyouItrembleforfearofyou。Goodnight，Iamgoing；andmyprayermustbethatImayloveyouless。"
　　"Whyso？Tolovelessistobegintohate。DoasIdo，andpraythatyourlovemaygrowandlikewisethestrengthtoresistit。"
　　Iwenttobedillpleasedwithmyself。IdidnotknowwhetherI
　　hadgonetoofarornotfarenough；butwhatdiditmatter？Onethingwascertain，IwassorryforwhatIhaddone，andthatwasalwaysathoughtwhichpainedme。
　　InClementineIsawawomanworthyofthedeepestloveandthegreatestrespect，andIknewnothowIcouldceasetoloveher，noryethowIcouldcontinuelovingherwithouttherewardwhicheveryfaithfulloverhopestowin。
　　"Ifshelovesme，"Isaidtomyself，"shecannotrefuseme，butitismyparttobegandpray，andeventopushhertoanextremity，thatshemayfindanexcuseforherdefeat。Alover’sdutyistoobligethewomanhelovestosurrenderatdiscretion，andlovealwaysabsolveshimforsodoing。"
　　Accordingtothisargument，whichIcolouredtosuitmypassions，Clementinecouldnotrefusemeunlessshedidnotloveme，andI
　　determinedtoputhertotheproof。IwasstrengthenedinthisresolvebythewishtofreemyselffromthestateofexcitementI
　　wasin，andIwassurethatifshecontinuedobdurateIshouldsoongetcured。ButatthesametimeIshudderedatthethought；
　　theidea，ofmynolongerlovingClementineseemedtomeanimpossibilityandacruelty。
　　AfteratroublednightIroseearlyandwenttowishhergoodmorning。Shewasstillasleep，buthersisterEleanorewasdressing。
　　"Mysister，"saidshe，"readtillthreeo’clockthismorning。Nowthatshehassomanybooks，sheisgettingquitemadoverthem。
　　Letusplayatrickonher；getintothebedbesideher；itwillbeamusingtoseehersurprisewhenshewakesup。"
　　"Butdoyouthinkshewilltakeitasajoke？"