"Shewon’tbeabletohelplaughing；besides，youaredressed。"
Theopportunitywastootempting，andtakingoffmydressing—gown，Igentlycreptintothebed，andEleanorecoveredmeuptomyneck。Shelaughed，butmyheartwasbeatingrapidly。Icouldnotgivetheaffairtheappearanceofajoke，andIhopedClementinewouldbesometimebeforesheawokethatImighthavetimetocomposemyself。
Ihadbeeninthispositionforaboutfiveminutes，whenClementine，halfasleepandhalfawake，turnedover，andstretchingoutherarm，gavemeahastykiss，thinkingIwashersister。Shethenfellasleepagaininthesameposition。I
shouldhavestayedstilllongenough，forherwarmbreathplayedonmyface，andgavemeaforetasteofambrosia；butEleanorecouldrestrainherselfnolonger，and，burstingintoapealoflaughter，forcedClementinetoopenhereyes。Nevertheless，shedidnotdiscoverthatsheheldmeinherarmstillshesawhersisterstandinglaughingbesidethebed。
"Thisisafinetrick，"saidshe，"youaretwocharmersindeed！"
Thisquietreceptiongavemebackmyself—composure，andIwasabletoplaymypartproperly。
"Yousee，"saidI，"IhavehadakissfrommysweetHebe。"
"IthoughtIwasgivingittomysister。’TisthekissthatAmaryllisgavetoMistillo。"
"Itcomestothesamething。Thekisshasproduceditseffects，andIolasisyoungagain。"
"DearEleanore，youhavegonetoofar，forweloveeachother，andIwasdreamingofhim。"
"No，no，"saidhersister，"Iolasisdressed。Look！"
Sosaying，thelittlewantonwithaswiftmovementuncoveredme，butatthesametimesheuncoveredhersister，andClementinewithalittlescreamveiledthecharmswhichmyeyeshaddevouredforamoment。Ihadseenall，butasoneseeslightning。Ihadseenthecorniceandthefriezeofthealtaroflove。
Eleanorethenwentout，andIremainedgazingatthetreasureI
desiredbutdidnotdaretoseize。AtlastIbrokethesilence。
"DearestHebe，"saidI，"youarecertainlyfairerthanthecupbearerofthegods。IhavejustseenwhatmusthavebeenseenwhenHebewasfalling，andifIhadbeenJupiterIshouldhavechangedmymind。"
"SardinitoldmethatJupiterdroveHebeaway，andnowIoughttodriveJupiterawayoutofrevenge。"
"Yes；but，myangel，IamIolas，andnotJupiter。Iadoreyou，andIseektoquenchthedesireswhichtortureme。"
"ThisisatrickbetweenyouandEleanore。"
"Mydearest，itwasallpurechance。IthoughtIshouldfindyoudressed，andIwentintowishyougoodday。Youwereasleepandyoursisterwasdressing。Igazedatyou，andEleanoresuggestedthatIshouldliedownbesideyoutoenjoyyourastonishmentwhenyouawoke。Ioughttobegratefultoherforapleasurewhichhasturnedoutsopleasantly。ButthebeautiesshediscoveredtomesurpassalltheideasIhadformedonthesubject。MycharmingHebewillnotrefusetopardonme。"
"No，sinceallistheeffectofchance。Butitiscuriousthatwhenonelovespassionatelyonealwaysfeelsinquisitiveconcerningthepersonofthebelovedobject。"
"Itisaverynaturalfeeling，dearest。Loveitselfisakindofcuriosity，ifitbelawfultoputcuriosityintherankofthepassions；butyouhavenotthatfeelingaboutme？"
"No，forfearyoumightdisappointme，forIloveyou，andIwanteverythingtospeakinyourfavour。"
"Iknowyoumightbedisappointed，andconsequentlyImustdoeverythinginmypowertopreserveyourgoodopinion。"
"Thenyouaresatisfiedwithme？"
"Surely。Iamagoodarchitect，andIthinkyouaregrandlybuilt。"
"Stay，Iolas，donottouchme；itisenoughthatyouhaveseenme。"
"Alas！itisbytouchingthatonerectifiesthemistakesoftheeyes；onejudgesthusofsmoothnessandsolidity。Letmekissthesetwofairsourcesoflife。IpreferthemtothehundredbreastsofCybele，andIamnotjealousofAthys。"
"Youarewrongthere；SardinitoldmethatitwasDianaofEphesuswhohadthehundredbreasts。"
HowcouldIhelplaughingtohearmythologyissuingfromClementine’smouthatsuchamoment！Couldanyloverforeseesuchanincident？
Ipressedwithmyhandheralabasterbreast，andyetthedesireofknowledgesubduedloveintheheartofClementine。ButfarfrommistakingherconditionIthoughtitagoodomen。Itoldherthatshewasperfectlyright，andthatIwaswrong，andafeelingofliteraryvanitypreventedheropposingmypressingwithmylipsarosybud，whichstoodoutinreliefagainstthealabastersphere。
"Youapplyyourlipsinvain，mydearIolas，thelandisbarren。
Butwhatareyouswallowing？"
"Thequintessenceofakiss。"
"Ithinkyoumusthaveswallowedsomethingofme，sinceyouhavegivenmeapleasurablesensationIhaveneverbeforeexperienced。"
"DearHebe，youmakemehappy。"
"Iamgladtohearit，butIthinkthekissonthelipsismuchbetter。"
"Certainly，becausethepleasureisreciprocal，andconsequentlygreater。"
"Youteachbypreceptandexampletoo。Cruelteacher！Enough，thispleasureistoosweet。Lovemustbelookingatusandlaughing。"
"Whyshouldwenotlethimenjoyavictorywhichwouldmakeusbothhappier？"
"Becausesuchhappinessisnotbuiltonasurefoundation。No，no！putyourarmsdown。Ifwecankilleachotherwithkisses，letuskisson；butletususenootherarms。"
Afterourlipshadclungtoeachothercruellybutsweetly，shepaused，andgazingatmewitheyesfullofpassionshebeggedmetoleaveheralone。
ThesituationinwhichIfoundmyselfisimpossibletodescribe。
Ideploredtheprejudicewhichhadconstrainedme，andIweptwithrage。Icooledmyselfbymakingatoilettewhichwasextremelynecessary，andreturnedtoherroom。
Shewaswriting。
"Iamdelightedtoseeyouback，"saidshe，"Iamfullofthepoeticfrenzyandproposetotellthestoryofthevictorywehavegainedinverse。"
"Asadvictory，abhorredbylove，hatefultonature。"
"Thatwilldonicely。Willeachwriteapoem；Itocelebratethevictoryandyoutodeploreit。Butyoulooksad。"
"Iaminpain；butasthemasculineanatomyisunknowntoyou，I
cannotexplainmatters。"
Clementinedidnotreply，butIcouldseethatshewasaffected。
Isufferedadullpaininthatpartwhichprejudicehadmademeholdaprisonerwhileloveandnaturebademegiveitperfectfreedom。Sleepwastheonlythingwhichwouldrestorethebalanceofmyconstitution。
Wewentdowntodinner，butIcouldnoteat。IcouldnotattendtothereadingofthetranslationwhichM。Vigihadbroughtwithhim，andIevenforgottocomplimenthimuponit。Ibeggedthecounttoholdthebankforme，andaskedthecompanytoallowmetoliedown；nobodycouldtellwhatwasthematterwithme，thoughClementinemighthavehersuspicions。
Atsupper—timeClementine，accompaniedbyaservant，broughtmeadelicatecoldcollation，andtoldmethatthebankhadwon。Itwasthefirsttimeithaddoneso，forIhadalwaystakencaretoplayalosinggame。Imadeagoodsupper，butremainedstillmelancholyandsilent。WhenIhadfinishedClementinebademegoodnight，sayingthatshewasgoingtowriteherpoem。
I，too，wasinthevein:Ifinishedmypoem，andmadeafaircopyofitbeforeIwenttobed。InthemorningClementinecametoseeme，andgavemeherpiece，whichIreadwithpleasure；thoughI
suspectthatthedelightmypraisesgavewasequaltomine。
Thencametheturnofmycomposition，andbeforelongInoticedthatthepictureofmysufferingswasmakingaprofoundimpressiononher。Bigtearsrolleddownhercheeks，andfromhereyesshotforthtenderglances。WhenIhadfinished，Ihadthehappinessofhearinghersaythatifshehadknownthatpartofphysiologybetter，shewouldnothavebehavedso。
Wetookacupofchocolatetogether，andIthenbeggedhertoliedownbesidemeinbedwithoutundressing，andtotreatmeasIhadtreatedherthedaybefore，thatshemighthavesomeexperienceofthemartyrdomIhadsunginmyverses。Shesmiledandagreed，ontheconditionthat1shoulddonothingtoher。
Itwasacruelcondition，butitwasthebeginningofvictory，andIhadtosubmit。Ihadnoreasontorepentofmysubmission，forIenjoyedthedespotismsheexercisedonme，andthepainshemustbeinthatIdidnothingtoher，whilstIwouldnotletherseethecharmswhichsheheldinherhands。InvainIexcitedhertosatisfyherself，torefuseherdesiresnothing，butshepersistedinmaintainingthatshedidnotwishtogoanyfurther。
"Yourenjoymentcannotbesogreatasmine，"saidI。Buthersubtlewitneverleftherwithoutareply。
"Then，"saidshe，"youhavenorighttoaskmetopityyou。"
Thetest，however，wastoosharpforher。Sheleftmeinastateofgreatexcitement，givingmeakisswhichtookalldoubtsaway，andsayingthatinlovewemustbeallornothing。
Wespentthedayinreading，eating，andwalking，andinconversegraveandgay。Icouldnotsee，however，thatmysuithadprogressed，asfarastheeventsofthemorningseemedtoindicate。ShewantedtoreversethemedalofAristippus，whosaid，inspeakingofLois，"Ipossessher，butshedoesnotpossessme。"Shewantedtobemymistress，withoutmybeinghermaster。Iventuredtobewailmyfatealittle，butthatdidnotseemtoadvancemycause。
Threeorfourdaysafter，IaskedClementineinthepresenceofhersistertoletmelieinbedbesideher。Thisisthetestproposedtoanun，awidow，agirlafraidofconsequences，anditnearlyalwayssucceeds。ItookapacketoffineEnglishlettersandexplainedtheirusetoher。Shetookthemexaminedthemattentively，andafteraburstoflaughterdeclaredthemtobescandalous，disgusting，horribleinwhichanathemahersisterjoined。InvainItriedtopleadtheirutilityindefence，butClementinemaintainedthattherewasnotrustingthem，andpushedherfingerintoonesostronglythatitburstwithaloudcrack。
Ihadtogiveway，andputmyspecialtiesinmypocket，andherfinaldeclarationwasthatsuchthingsmadehershudder。
Iwishedthemgoodnight，andretiredinsomeconfusion。I
ponderedoverClementine’sstrangeresistance，whichcouldonlymeanthatIhadnotinspiredherwithsufficientlove。Iresolvedonovercomingherbyanalmostinfalliblemethod。Iwouldprocureherpleasuresthatwerenewtoherwithoutsparingexpense。I
couldthinkofnothingbetterthantotakethewholefamilytoMilan，andtogivethemasumptuousbanquetatmypastry—cook’s。
"Iwilltakethemthere，"Isaidtomyself，"withoutsayingawordaboutourdestinationtillweareonourway，forifIweretonameMilanthecountmightfeelboundtotellhisSpanishcountess，thatshemighthaveanopportunityofmakingtheacquaintanceofhersisters—in—law，andthiswouldvexmetothelastdegree。"Thepartywouldbeagreattreattothesisters，whohadneverbeeninMilan，andIresolvedtomaketheexpeditionassplendidasIpossiblycould。
WhenIawokethenextmorningIwrotetoZenobiatobuythreedressesofthefinestLyonssilkforthreeyoungladiesofrank。
Isentthenecessarymeasurements，andinstructionsastothetrimming。TheCountessAmbrose’sdresswastobewhitesatinwitharichborderofValencienneslace。IalsowrotetoM。Greppi，askinghimtopayforZenobia’spurchases。Itoldhertotakethethreedressestomyprivatelodgings，andlaythemuponthebed，andgivethelandlordanoteIenclosed。Thisnoteorderedhimtoprovideabanquetforeightpersons，withoutsparingexpense。Onthedayandhourappointed，Zengbiawastobeatthepastrycook’sreadytowaitonthethreeladies。IsenttheletterbyClairmont，whoreturnedbeforedinner，bearinganotefromZenobiaassuringmethatallmywishesshouldbecarriedout。AfterdessertIbroachedmyplantothecountess，tellingherthatI
wantedtogiveapartyliketheoneatLodi，butontwoconditions:thefirst，thatnoonewastoknowourdestinationtillwewereinthecarriages，andthesecond，thatafterdinnerweshouldreturntoSt。Angelo。
Outofpolitenessthecountesslookedatherhusbandbeforeacceptingtheinvitation，buthecriedout，withoutceremony，thathewasreadytogoifItookthewholefamily。
"Verygood，"saidI，"wewillstartateighto’clockto—morrow，andnobodyneedbeatanytrouble，thecarriagesareordered。"
Ifeltobligedtoincludethecanon，becausehewasagreatcourtierofthecountess，andalsobecausehelostmoneytomeeveryday，andthusitwashe，infact，whowasgoingtopayfortheexpedition。Thateveninghelostthreehundredsequins，andwasobligedtoaskmetogivehimthreeday’sgracetopaythemoney。IrepliedbyassuringhimthatallIhadwasathisservice。
WhenthecompanybrokeupIofferedmyhandtoHebe，andescortedherandhersistertotheirroom。WehadbeguntoreadFontenelle’s"PluralityofWorlds，"andIhadthoughtweshouldfinishitthatnight；butClementinesaidthatasshehadtogetupearly，shewouldwanttogettosleepearlyalso。
"Youareright，dearestHebe，doyougotobed，andIwillreadtoyou。"
Shemadenoobjection，soItooktheAriosto，andbegantoreadthehistoryoftheSpanishprincesswhofellinlovewithBradamante。IthoughtthatbythetimeIhadfinishedClementinewouldbeardent，butIwasmistaken；bothsheandhersisterseemedpensive。
"Whatisthematterwithyou，dearest？HasRicciardettodispleasedyou？"
"Notatall，hehaspleasedme，andintheprincess’splaceI
shouldhavedonethesame；butweshallnotsleepallnight，anditisyourfault。"
"WhathaveIdone，pray？"
"Nothing，butyoucanmakeushappy，andgiveusagreatproofofyourfriendship。"
"Speak，then。Whatisityouwantofme？Iwoulddoanythingtopleaseyou。Mylifeisyours。Youshallsleepsoundly。"
"Well，then，telluswherewearegoingto—morrow。"
"HaveInotalreadysaidthatIwouldtellyoujustaswearegoing？"
"Yes，butthatwon’tdo。Wewanttoknownow，andifyouwon’ttellusweshan’tsleep，allnight，andweshalllookfrightfulto—morrow。"
"Ishouldbesosorry，butIdon’tthinkthatyoucouldlookfrightful。"
"Youdon’tthinkwecankeepasecret。Itisnothingveryimportant，isit？"
"No，itisnotveryimportant，butallthesameitisasecret。"
"Itwouldbedreadfulifyourefusedme。"
"DearestHebe！howcanIrefuseyouanything？IconfessfreelythatIhavebeenwronginkeepingyouwaitingsolong。Hereismysecret:youaretodinewithmeto—morrow。"
"Withyou？Where？"
"Milan。"
Intheirimmoderatejoytheygotoutofbed，andwithoutcaringfortheirstateofundress，threwtheirarmsroundmyneck，coveredmewithkisses，claspedmetotheirbreasts，andfinallysatdownonmyknees。
"WehaveneverseenMilan，"theycried，"andithasbeenthedreamofourlivestoseethatsplendidtown。HowoftenIhavebeenputtotheblushwhenIhavebeenforcedtoconfessthatIhaveneverbeentoMilan。"
"Itmakesmeveryhappy，"saidHebe，"butmyhappinessistroubledbytheideathatweshallseenothingofthetown，forweshallhavetoreturnafterdinner。Itiscruel！ArewetogofifteenmilestoMilanonlytodineandcomebackagain？Atleastwemustseeoursister—in—law。"
"Ihaveforeseenallyourobjections，andthatwasthereasonI
madeamysteryofit，butithasbeenarranged。Youdon’tlikeit？Speakandtellmeyourpleasure。"
"Ofcoursewelikeit，dearIolas。Thepartywillbecharming，andperhaps，ifweknewall，theveryconditionsareallforthebest。"
"Itmaybeso，butImaynottellyouanymorenow。"
"Andwewillnotpressyou。"
Inanecstasyofjoyshebegantoembracemeagain，andEleanoresaidthatshewouldgotosleepsoastobemoreonthealertforthemorrow。Thiswasthebestthingshecouldhavedone。Iknewthefortunatehourwasathand，andexcitingClementinebymyfierykisses，anddrawingnearerandnearer，atlastIwasinfullpossessionofthetempleIhadsolongdesiredtoattain。Hebe’spleasureanddelightkepthersilent；shesharedmyecstasies，andmingledherhappytearswithmine。
Ispenttwohoursinthismanner，andthenwenttobed，impatienttorenewthecombatonthefollowingdaymoreatmyeaseandwithgreatercomfort。
Ateighto’clockwewereallassembledroundthebreakfast—table，butinspiteofmyhighspiritsIcouldnotmaketherestofthecompanysharethem。Allweresilentandpensive；curiositysheweditselfoneveryface。Clementineandhersisterpretendedtopartakethegeneralfeeling，andweresilentliketherestwhileI
lookedonandenjoyedtheirexpectancy。
Clairmont，whohadfulfilledmyinstructionstotheletter，cameinandtoldusthatthecarriageswereatthedoor。Iaskedmygueststofollowme，andtheydidsoinsilence。IputthecountessandClementineinmycarriage，thelatterholdingthebabyonherlap，hersisterandthethreegentlemenbeingseatedintheothercarriage。Icalledout，withalaugh，"DrivetoMilan。"
"Milan！Milan！"theyexclaimedwithonevoice。"Capital！
capital！"
Clairmontgallopedinfrontofusandwentoff。Clementinepretendedtobeastonished，buthersisterlookedasifshehadknownsomethingofourdestinationbefore。Allcare，however，haddisappeared，andthehighestspiritsprevailed。Westoppedatavillagehalf—waybetweenSt。AngeloandMilantoblowthehorses，andeverybodygotdown。
"Whatwillmywifesay？"askedthecount。
"Nothing，forshewillnotknowanythingaboutit，andifshedoesIamtheonlyguiltyparty。YouaretodinewithmeinasuiteofroomswhichIhaveoccupiedincognitosinceIhavebeenatMilan；
foryouwillunderstandthatIcouldnothavemywantsattendedtoatyourhouse，wheretheplaceisalreadytaken。"
"AndhowaboutZenobia？"
"Zenobiawasaluckychance，andisaverynicegirl，butshewouldnotsufficeformydailyfare。"
"Youarealuckyfellow！"
"Itrytomakemyselfcomfortable。"
"Mydearhusband，"saidtheCountessAmbrose，"youproposedavisittoMilantwoyearsago，andthechevalierproposeditafewhoursago，andnowweareonourway。"
"Yes，sweetheart，butmyideawasthatweshouldspendamonththere。"
"Ifyouwanttodothat，"saidI，"Iwillseetoeverything。"
"Thankyou，mydearsir；youarereallyawonderfulman。"
"Youdometoomuchhonour，count，thereisnothingwonderfulaboutme，exceptthatIexecuteeasilyaneasytask。"
"Yes；butyouwillconfessthatathingmaybedifficultfromthewayinwhichweregardit，orfromthepositioninwhichwefindourselves。"
"Youarequiteright。"
Whenwewereagainonourwaythecountesssaid，——
"Youmustconfess，sir，thatyouareaveryfortunateman。"
"Idonotdenyit，mydearcountess，butmyhappinessisduetothecompanyIfindmyselfin；ifyouweretoexpelmefromyours，Ishouldbemiserable"
"Youarenotthekindofmantobeexpelledfromanysociety。"
"Thatisaverykindlycompliment。"
"Say，rather，averytrueone。"
"Iamhappytohearyousayso，butitwouldbebothfoolishandpresumptuousformetosaysomyself。"
Thuswemademerryonourway，aboveallattheexpenseofthecanon，whohadbeenbeggingthecountesstointercedewithmetogivehimleavetoabsenthimselfhalfanhour。
"Iwanttocallonalady，"saidhe；"IshouldloseherfavourforeverifshecametoknowthatIhadbeeninMilanwithoutpayingheravisit。"
"Youmustsubmittotheconditions，"repliedtheamiablecountess，"sodon’tcountonmyintercession。"
WegottoMilanexactlyatnoon，andsteppedoutatthepastry—
cook’sdoor。Thelandladybeggedthecountesstoconfideherchildtohercare，andshewedherabosomwhichprovedherfruitfulness。Thisofferwasmadeatthefootofthestairs，andthecountessaccepteditwithcharminggraceanddignity。Itwasadelightfulepisode，whichchancehadwilledshouldadorntheentertainmentIhadinvented。Everybodyseemedhappy，butIwasthehappiestofall。Happinessispurelyacreatureoftheimagination。Ifyouwishtobehappyfancythatyouareso，thoughIconfessthatcircumstancesfavourabletothisstateareoftenbeyondourcontrol。Ontheotherhand，unfavourablecircumstancesaremostlytheresultofourownmistakes。
Thecountesstookmyarm，andweledthewayintomyroomwhichI
foundexquisitelyneatandclean。AsIhadexpected，Zenobiawasthere，butIwassurprisedtoseeCroce’smistress，lookingverypretty；however，Ipretendednottoknowher。Shewaswelldressed，andherface，freefromthesadnessithadbornebefore，wassoseductiveinitsbeauty，thatIfeltvexedatherappearanceatthatparticularmoment。
"Herearetwoprettygirls，"saidthecountess。"Whoareyou，pray？"
"Wearethechevalier’shumbleservants，"saidZenobia，"andwearehereonlytowaitonyou。"
Zenobiahadtakenitonherselftobringherlodger，whobegantospeakItalian，andlookedatmeindoubt，fearingthatIwasdispleasedatherpresence。IhadtoreassureherbysayingIwasverygladshehadcomewithZenobia。Thesewordswereasbalmtoherheart；shesmiledagain，andbecamemorebeautifulthanever。
Ifeltcertainthatshewouldnotremainunhappylong；itwasimpossibletobeholdherwithoutone’sinterestbeingexcitedinherfavour。AbillsignedbytheGracescanneverbeprotested；
anyonewitheyesandahearthonoursitatsight。
Myhumbleservantstooktheladies’cloaksandfollowedthemintothebedroom，wherethethreedresseswerelaidoutonatable。I
onlyknewthewhitesatinandlace，forthatwastheonlyoneI
haddesigned。Thecountess，whowalkedbeforehersisters，wasthefirsttonoticeit，andexclaimed，——
"Whatalovelydress！Towhomdoesitbelong，M。deSeingalt？
Yououghttoknow。"
"Certainly。Itbelongstoyourhusbandwhocandowhathelikeswithit，andIhope，ifhegivesityou，youwilltakeit。Takeit，count；itisyours；andifyourefuseIwillpositivelykillmyself。"
"Weloveyoutoowelltodriveyoutoanactofdespair。Theideaisworthyofyournobilityofheart。Itakeyourbeautifulpresentwithonehand，andwiththeotherIdeliverittohertowhomitreallybelongs。"
"What，dearhusband！isthisbeautifuldressreallymine？WhomamItothank？Ithankyouboth，andImustputitonfordinner。"
Thetwootherswerenotmadeofsuchrichmaterials，buttheyweremoreshowy，andIwasdelightedtoseeClementine’slonginggazefixedupontheoneIhadintendedforher。Eleanoreinherturnadmiredthedressthathadbeenmadeforher。Thefirstwasinshotsatin，andornamentedwithlovelywreathsofflowers；thesecondwassky—bluesatin，withathousandflowersscatteredalloverit。ZenobiatookuponherselftosaythatthefirstwasforClementine。
"Howdoyouknow？"
"Itisthelonger，andyouaretallerthanyoursister。"
"Thatistrue。Itisreallymine，then？"saidshe，turningtome。
"IfImayhopethatyouwilldeigntoacceptit。"
"Surely，dearIolas，andIwillputitondirectly。"
Eleanoremaintainedthatherdresswastheprettier，andsaidshewasdyingtoputiton。
"Verygood，verygood！"Iexclaimed，inhighglee，"wewillleaveyoutodress，andhereareyourmaids。"
Iwentoutwiththetwobrothersandthecanon，andIremarkedthattheylookedquiteconfused。Nodoubttheywereponderingtheprodigalityofgamesters；lightcome，lightgo。Ididnotinterrupttheirthoughts，forIlovedtoastonishpeople。I
confessitwasafeelingofvanitywhichraisedmeabovemyfellow—men—atleast，inmyowneyes，butthatwasenoughforme。
IshouldhavedespisedanyonewhotoldmethatIwaslaughedat，butIdaresayitwasonlythetruth。
Iwasinthehighestspirits，andtheysoonprovedinfectious。I
embracedCountAmbroseaffectionately，begginghispardonforhavingpresumedtomakethefamilyafewsmallpresents，andI
thankedhisbrotherforhavingintroducedmetothem。"Youhaveallgivenmesuchawarmwelcome，"Iadded，"thatIfeltobligedtogiveyousomesmallproofofmygratitude。"
Thefaircountessessoonappeared，bedeckedwithsmilesandtheirgayattire。
"Youmusthavecontrivedtotakeourmeasures，"saidthey；"butwecannotimaginehowyoudidit。"
"Thefunniestthingis，"saidtheeldest，"thatyouhavehadmydressmadesothatitcanbeletoutwhennecessarywithoutdestroyingtheshape。Butwhatabeautifulpieceoftrimming！Itisworthfourtimesasmuchasthedressitself。"
Clementinecouldnotkeepawayfromthelooking—glass。Shefanciedthatinthecoloursofherdress，roseandgreen，IhadindicatedthecharacteristicsoftheyouthfulHebe。Eleanorestillmaintainedthatherdresswastheprettiestofall。
Iwasdelightedwiththepleasureofmyfairguests，andwesatdowntotablewithexcellentappetites。Thedinnerwasextremelychoice；butthefinestdishofallwasadishofoysters，whichthelandlordhaddressedalamaitred’hotel。Weenjoyedthemimmensely。Wefinishedoffthreehundredofthem，fortheladiesrelishedthemextremely，andthecanonseemedtohaveaninsatiableappetite；andwewasheddownthedisheswithnumerousbottlesofchampagne。Westayedattableforthreehours，drinking，singing，andjesting，whilemyhumbleservants，whosebeautyalmostrivalledthatofmyguests，waiteduponus。
Towardstheendofthemealthepastry—cook’swifecameinwiththecountess’sbabyonherbreast。Thiswasadramaticstroke。
Themotherburstintoacryofjoy，andthewomanseemedquiteproudofhavingsuckledthescionofsoillustriousahousefornearlyfourhours。Itiswellknownthatwomen，evenmorethanmen，arewhollyundertheswayoftheimagination。Whocansaythatthiswoman，simpleandhonestlikethemajorityofthelowerclasses，didnotthinkthatherownoffspringwouldbeennobledbybeingsuckledatthebreastwhichhadnourishedayoungcount？
Suchanideais，nodoubt，foolish，butthatistheveryreasonwhyitisdeartotheheartsofthepeople。
Wespentanotherhourintakingcoffeeandpunch，andthentheladieswenttochangetheirclothesagain。Zenobiatookcarethattheirnewonesshouldbecarefullypackedincardboardboxesandplacedundertheseatofmycarriage。
Croce’sabandonedmistressfoundanopportunityoftellingmethatshewasveryhappywithZenobia。Sheaskedmewhenweweretogo。
"YouwillbeatMarseilles，"saidI，pressingherhand，"afortnightafterEasteratlatest。"
Zenobiahadtoldmethatthegirlhadanexcellentheart，behavedverydiscreetly，andthatsheshouldbeverysorrytoseehergo。
IgaveZenobiatwelvesequinsforthetroubleshehadtaken。
Iwassatisfiedwitheverythingandpaidtheworthypastry—cook’sbill。Inoticedwehademptiednolessthantwentybottlesofchampagne，thoughitistruethatwedrankverylittleofanyotherwine，astheladiespreferredit。
Ilovedandwasbeloved，myhealthwasgood，Ihadplentyofmoney，whichIspentfreely；infine，Iwashappy。Ilovedtosaysoindefianceofthosesourmoralistswhopretendthatthereisnotruehappinessonthisearth。Itistheexpressiononthisearthwhichmakesmelaugh；asifitwerepossibletogoanywhereelseinsearchofhappiness。’Morsultimalinearerumest’。Yes，deathistheendofall，forafterdeathmanhasnosenses；butI
donotsaythatthesoulsharesthefateofthebody。Nooneshoulddogmatiseonuncertainties，andafterdeatheverythingisdoubtful。
Itwasseveno’clockwhenwebeganourjourneyhome，whichwereachedatmidnight。Thejourneywassopleasantthatitseemedtousbutshort。Thechampagne，thepunch，andthepleasure，hadwarmedmytwofaircompanions，andbyfavourofthedarknessIwasabletoamusemyselfwiththem，thoughIlovedClementinetoowelltocarrymattersveryfarwithhersister。
Whenwealightedwewishedeachothergoodnight，andeverybodyretiredtohisorherroom，myselfexcepted，forIspentseveralhappyhourswithClementine，whichIcanneverforget。
"Doyouthink，"saidshe，"thatIshallbehappywhenyouhaveleftmeallalone？"
"DearestHebe，bothofuswillbeunhappyforthefirstfewdays，butthenphilosophywillstepinandsoftenthebitternessofpartingwithoutlesseningourlove。"
"Softenthebitterness！Idonotthinkanyphilosophycanworksuchamiracle。Iknowthatyou，dearsophist，willsoonconsoleyourselfwithothergirls。Don’tthinkmejealous；IshouldabhormyselfifIthoughtIwascapableofsovileapassion，butIshoulddespisemyselfifIwascapableofseekingconsolationinyourway。"
"Ishallbeindespairifyouentertainsuchideasofme。"
"Theyarenatural，however。"
"Possibly。Whatyoucallothergirls’canneverexpelyourimagefrommybreast。Thechiefofthemisthewifeofatailor，andtheotherisarespectableyoungwoman，whomIamgoingtotakebacktoMarseilles，whenceshehasbeendecoyedbyherwretchedseducer。
>Fromhenceforthtodeath，youandyoualonewillreigninmybreast；andif，ledastraybymysenses，Ieverpressanotherinthesearms，Ishallsoonbepunishedforanactofinfidelityinwhichmymindwillhavenoshare。"
"Iatalleventswillneverneedtorepentinthatfashion。ButI
cannotunderstandhow，withyourloveforme，andholdingmeinyourarms，youcanevencontemplatethepossibilityofbecomingunfaithfultome。"
"Idon’tcontemplateit，dearest，Imerelytakeitasanhypothesis。"
"Idon’tseemuchdifference。"
WhatreplycouldImake？TherewasreasoninwhatClementinesaid，thoughshewasdeceived，buthermistakeswereduetoherlove。Mylovewassoardentastobeblindtopossible——nay，certain，infidelities。Theonlycircumstancewhichmadememorecorrectinmyestimateofthefuturethanshe，wasthatthiswasbynomeansmyfirstloveaffair。Butifmyreadershavebeeninthesameposition，asIsupposemastofthemhave，theywillunderstandhowdifficultitistoanswersuchargumentscomingfromawomanonewishestorenderhappy。Thekeenestwithastoremainsilentandtotakerefugeinkisses。
"Wouldyouliketotakemeawaywithyou？"saidshe，"Iamreadytofollowyou，anditwouldmakemehappy。Ifyouloveme，yououghttobeenchantedforyourownsake。Letusmakeeachotherhappy，dearest。"
"Icouldnotdishonouryourfamily。"
"Doyounotthinkmeworthyofbecomingyourwife？"
"Youareworthyofacrown，anditisIwhoamallunworthyofpossessingsuchawife。YoumustknowthatIhavenothingintheworldexceptmyfortune，andthatmayleavemeto—morrow。BymyselfIdonotdreadthereversesoffortune，butIshouldbewretchedif，afterlinkingyourfatewithmine，youwereforcedtoundergoanyprivation。"
"Ithink——Iknownotwhy——thatyoucanneverbeunfortunate，andthatyoucannotbehappywithoutme。Yourloveisnotsoardentasmine；youhavenotsogreatafaith。"
"Myangel，ifmyfateisweakerthanyours，thatistheresultofcruelexperiencewhichmakesmetrembleforthefuture。
Affrightedlovelosesitsstrengthbutgainsreason。"
"Cruelreason！Mustwe，then，preparetopart？"
"Wemustindeed，dearest；itisahardnecessity，butmyheartwillstillbethine。Ishallgoawayyourferventadorer，andiffortunefavoursmeinEnglandyouwillseemeagainnextyear。I
willbuyanestatewhereveryoulike，anditshallbeyoursonyourweddingday，ourchildrenandliteraturewillbeourdelights。"
"Whatahappyprospect！——agoldenvisionindeed！IwouldthatI
mightfallasleepdreamingthus，andwakenottillthatblessedday，orwakeonlytodieifitisnottobe。ButwhatshallIdoifyouhaveleftmewithchild？"
"DivineHebe，youneednotfear。Ihavemanagedthat。"
"Managed？Ididnotthinkofthat，butIseewhatyoumean，andI
amverymuchobligedtoyou。Alasperhapsafterallitwouldhavebeenbetterifyouhadnottakenanyprecautions，forsurelyyouarenotbornformymisfortune，andyoucouldneverhaveabandonedthemotherandthechild。"
"Youareright，sweetheart，andifbeforetwomonthshaveelapsedyoufindanysignsofpregnancyinspiteofmyprecautions，youhaveonlytowritetome，andwhatevermyfortunesmaybe，Iwillgiveyoumyhandandlegitimiseouroffspring。Youwouldcertainlybemarryingbeneathyourstation，butyouwouldnotbethelesshappyforthat，wouldyou？"
"No，no！tobearyourname，andtowinyourhandwouldbethecrowningofallmyhopes。Ishouldneverrepentofgivingmyselfwhollytoyou。"
"Youmakemehappy。"
"Allofusloveyou，allsaythatyouarehappy，andthatyoudeserveyourhappiness。Whatpraiseisthis！YoucannottellhowmyheartbeatswhenIhearyoulaudedwhenyouareaway。WhentheysayIloveyou，IanswerthatIadoreyou，andyouknowthatIdonotlie。"
Itwaswithsuchdialoguesthatwepassedawaytheintervalbetweenouramoroustransportsonthelastfiveorsixnightsofmystay。Hersisterslept，orpretendedtosleep。WhenIleftClementineIwenttobedanddidnotrisetilllate，andthenI
spentthewholedaywithhereitherinprivateorwiththefamily。
Itwasahappytime。HowcouldI，asfreeastheair，aperfectmasterofmymovements，ofmyownfreewillputmyhappinessawayfromme？Icannotunderstanditnow。
Myluckhadmademewinalltheworthycanon’smoney，whichinturnIpassedontothefamilyatthecastle。Clementinealonewouldnotprofitbymyinattentiveplay，butthelasttwodaysI
insistedontakingherintopartnership，andasthecanon’sbadluckstillcontinuedsheprofitedtotheextentofahundredlouis。Theworthymonklostathousandsequins，ofwhichsevenhundredremainedinthefamily。ThiswaspayingwellforthehospitalityIhadreceived，andasitwasattheexpenseofthemonk，thoughaworthyone，themeritwasallthegreater。
Thelastnight，whichIspententirelywiththecountess，wasverysad；wemusthavediedofgriefifwehadnottakenrefugeinthetransportsoflove。Neverwasnightbetterspent。Tearsofgriefandtearsoflovefollowedoneanotherinrapidsuccession，andninetimesdidIofferupsacrificeonthealtarofthegod，whogavemefreshstrengthtoreplacethatwhichwasexhausted。Thesanctuarywasfullofbloodandtears，butthedesiresofthepriestandvictimstillcriedformore。Wehadatlasttomakeaneffortandpart。Eleanorehadseizedtheopportunityofoursleepingforafewmoments，andhadsoftlyrisenandleftusalone。Wefeltgratefultoher，andagreedthatshemusteitherbeveryinsensitiveorhavesufferedtormentsinlisteningtoourvoluptuouscombats。IleftClementinetoherablutions，ofwhichshestoodingreatneed，whileIwenttomyroomtomakemytoilette。
Whenweappearedatthebreakfast，tablewelookedasifwehadbeenontherack，andClementine’seyesbetrayedherfeelings，butourgriefwasrespected。Icouldnotbegayinmyusualmanner，butnooneaskedmethereason。Ipromisedtowritetothem，andcomeandseethemagainthefollowingyear。Ididwritetothem，butIleftoffdoingsoatLondon，becausethemisfortunesI
experiencedtheremademeloseallhopeofseeingthemagain。
Ineverdidseeanyofthemagain，butIhaveneverforgottenClementine。
Sixyearslater，whenIcamebackfromSpain，IheardtomygreatdelightthatshewaslivinghappilywithCountN————，whomshehadmarriedthreeyearsaftermydeparture。Shehadtwosons，theyounger，whomustnowbetwenty—seven，isintheAustrianarmy。
HowdelightedIshouldbetoseehim！WhenIheardofClementine’shappiness，itwas，asIhavesaid，onmyreturnfromSpain，andmyfortuneswereatalowebb。IwenttoseewhatI
coulddoatLeghorn，andasIwentthroughLombardyIpassedfourmilesfromtheestatewheresheandherhusbandresided，butIhadnotthecouragetogoandseeher；perhapsIwasright。ButI
mustreturntothethreadofmystory。
IfeltgratefultoEleanoreforherkindnesstous，andIhadresolvedtoleavehersomememorialofme。Itookherapartforamoment，anddrawingafinecameo，representingthegodofSilence，offmyfinger，Iplaceditonhers，andthenrejoinedthecompany，withoutgivingheranopportunitytothankme。
Thecarriagewasreadytotakemeaway，andeveryonewaswaitingtoseemeoff，butmyeyesfilledwithtears。IsoughtforClementineinvain；shehadvanished。Ipretendedtohaveforgottensomethinginmyroom，andgoingtomyHebe’schamberI
foundherinaterriblestate，chokingwithsobs。Ipressedhertomybreast，andmingledmytearswithhers；andthenlayinghergentlyinherbed，andsnatchingalastkissfromhertremblinglips，Itoremyselfawayfromaplacefullofsuchsweetandagonizingmemories。
Ithankedandembracedeveryone，thegoodcanonamongstothers，andwhisperingtoEleanoretoseetohersisterIjumpedintothecarriagebesidethecount。Weremainedperfectlysilent，andsleptnearlythewholeoftheway。WefoundtheMarquisTriulziandthecountesstogether，andtheformerimmediatelysentforadinnerforfour。IwasnotmuchastonishedtofindthatthecountesshadfoundoutaboutourbeingatMilan，andatfirstsheseemedinclinedtoletusfeeltheweightofheranger；butthecount，alwaysfertileinexpedients，toldherthatitwasdelicacyonmypartnottotellher，asIwasafraidshewouldbeputoutwithsuchanincursionofvisitors。
AtdinnerIsaidthatIshouldsoonbeleavingforGenoa，andformysorrowthemarquisgavemealetterofintroductiontothenotoriousSignoraIsola—Bella，whilethecountessgavemealettertoherkinsmantheBishopofTortona。
MyarrivalatMilanwaswell—timed；TheresewasonthepointofgoingtoPalermo，andIjustsucceededinseeingherbeforesheleft。ItalkedtoherofthewishofCesarinotogotosea，andI
didallinmypowertomakeheryieldtohisinclinations。
"IamleavinghimatMilan，"saidshe。"Iknowhowhegotthisideaintohishead，butIwillnevergivemyconsent。IhopeI
shallfindhimwiserbythetimeIcomeback。"
Shewasmistaken。Mysonneveralteredhismind，andinfifteenyearsmyreaderswillhearmoreofhim。
IsettledmyaccountswithGreppiandtooktwobillsofexchangeonMarseilles，andoneoftenthousandfrancsonGenoa，whereI
didnotthinkIwouldhavetospendmuchmoney。Inspiteofmyluckatplay，IwaspoorerbyathousandsequinswhenIleftMilanthanwhenIcamethere；butmyextravagantexpendituremustbetakenintoaccount。
IspentallmyafternoonswiththefairMarchionesssometimesaloneandsometimeswithhercousin，butwithmymindfullofgriefforClementineshenolongercharmedmeasshehaddonethreeweeksago。
IhadnoneedtomakeanymysteryabouttheyoungladyIwasgoingtotakewithme，soIsentClairmontforhersmalltrunk，andateighto’clockonthemorningofmydepartureshewaitedonmeatthecount’s。Ikissedthehandofthewomanwhohadattemptedmylife，andthankedherforherhospitality，towhichIattributedthegoodreceptionIhadhadatMilan。Ithenthankedthecount，whosaidoncemorethatheshouldneverceasetobegratefultome，andthusIleftMilanonthe20thofMarch，1763。Ineverre—
visitedthatsplendidcapital。
Theyounglady，whomoutofrespectforherandherfamilyI
calledCrosin，wascharming。Therewasanairofnobilityandhigh—bredreserveaboutherwhichborewitnesstoherexcellentupbringing。AsIsatnexttoher，Icongratulatedmyselfonmyimmunityfromloveofher，butthereaderwillguessthatIwasmistaken。ItoldClairmontthatshewastobecalledmyniece，andtobetreatedwiththeutmostrespect。
Ihadhadnoopportunityofconversingwithher，sothefirstthingIdidwastotestherintelligence，andthoughIhadnottheslightestintentionofpayingmycourttoher，IfeltthatitwouldbewelltoinspireherwithfriendshipandconfidenceasfarasIwasconcerned。
Thescarwhichmylateamourshadleftwasstillbleeding，andI
wasgladtothinkthatIshouldbeabletorestoretheyoungMarseillaisetothepaternalhearthwithoutanypainfulpartingsorvainregrets。Ienjoyedinadvancemymeritoriousaction，andIwasquitevaintoseemyself—restraintcometosuchapitchthatIwasabletoliveincloseintimacywithaprettygirlwithoutanyotherdesirethanthatofrescuingherfromtheshameintowhichshemighthavefallenifshehadtraveledalone。Shefeltmykindnesstoher，andsaid，——
"IamsureM。delaCroixwouldnothaveabandonedmeifhehadnotmetyouatMilan。"
"Youareverycharitable，butIamunabletoshareinyourgoodopinion。TomymindCrocehasbehavedinarascallymanner，tosaytheleastofit，forinspiteofyourmanycharmshehadnorighttocountonmeinthematter。Iwillnotsaythatheopenlyscornedyou，sincehemighthaveactedfromdespair；butIamsurehemusthaveceasedtoloveyou，orhecouldneverhaveabandonedyouthus。"
"Iamsureofthecontrary。Hesawthathehadnomeansofprovidingforme，andhehadtochoosebetweenleavingmeandkillinghimself。"
"Notatall。HeoughttohavesoldallhehadandsentyoubacktoMarseilles。YourjourneytoGenoawouldnothavecostmuch，andthenceyoucouldhavegonetoMarseillesbysea。Crocecountedonmyhavingbeeninterestedinyourprettyface，andhewasright；butyoumustseethatheexposedyoutoagreatrisk。
YoumustnotbeoffendedifItellyoutheplaintruth。Ifyourfacehadnotinspiredmewithalivelyinterestinyou，Ishouldhaveonlyfeltordinarycompassiononreadingyourappeal，andthiswouldnothavebeenenoughtoforcemetogreatsacrificesoftimeandtrouble。ButIhavenobusinesstobeblamingCroce。
Youarehurt；Iseeyouarestillinlovewithhim。"
"Iconfessit，andIpityhim。Asformyself，Ionlypitymycrueldestiny。Ishallneverseehimagain，butIshallneverloveanyoneelse，formymindismadeup。Ishallgointoaconventandexpiatemysins。Myfatherwillpardonme，forheisamanofanexcellentheart。Ihavebeenthevictimoflove；mywillwasnotmyown。Theseductiveinfluenceofpassionravishedmyreasonfromme，andtheonlythingthatIblamemyselfforisfornothavingfortifiedmymindagainstit。OtherwiseIcannotseethatIhavesinneddeeply，butIconfessIhavedonewrong。"
"YouwouldhavegonewithCrocefromMilanifhehadaskedyou，evenonfoot。"
"Ofcourse；itwouldhavebeenmyduty；buthewouldnotexposemetothemiserythathesawbeforeus。"
"Nay，youweremiserableenoughalready。IamsurethatifyoumeethimatMarseillesyouwillgowithhimagain。"
"Never。Ibegintogetbackmyreason。Iamfreeoncemore，andthedaywillcomewhenIshallthankGodforhavingforgottenhim。"
Hersinceritypleasedme，andasIknewtoowellthepowerofloveIpitiedherfrommyheart。Fortwohoursshetoldmethehistoryofherunfortunateamour，andasshetolditwellIbegantotakealikingforher。
WereachedTortonaintheevening，andwiththeintentionofsleepingthereItoldClairmonttogetusasuppertomytaste。
WhilewewereeatingitIwasastonishedatmyfalseniece’swit，andshemadeagoodmatchformeatthemeal，forshehadanexcellentappetite，anddrankaswellasanygirlofherage。Aswewereleavingthetable，shemadeajestwhichwassomuchtothepointthatIburstoutlaughing，andherconquestwascomplete。Iembracedherinthejoyofmyheart，andfindingmykissardentlyreturned，Iaskedherwithoutany，circumlocutionifshewaswillingthatweshouldcontentourselveswithonebed。
Atthisinvitationherfacefell，andshereplied，withanairofsubmissionwhichkillsdesire，——
"Alas！youcandowhatyoulike。Iflibertyisapreciousthing，itismostpreciousofallinlove。"
"Thereisnoneedforthisdisobedience。Youhaveinspiredmewithatenderpassion，butifyoudon’tsharemyfeelingsmyloveforyoushallbestifledatitsbirth。Therearetwobedshere，asyousee；youcanchoosewhichoneyouwillsleepin。"
"ThenIwillsleepinthatone，butIshallbeverysorryifyouarenotsokindtomeinthefutureasyouhavebeeninthepast。"
"Don’tbeafraid。Youshallnotfindmeunworthyofyouresteem。
Goodnight；weshallbegoodfriends。"
EarlythenextmorningIsentthecountess’slettertothebishop，andanhourafterwards，asIwasatbreakfast，anoldpriestcametoaskmeandtheladywithmetodinewithmylord。Thecountess’sletterdidnotsayanythingaboutalady，buttheprelate，whowasatrueSpaniardandverypolite，feltthatasI
couldnotleavemyrealorfalseniecealoneintheinnIshouldnothaveacceptedtheinvitationifshehadnotbeenaskedaswell。Probablymylordhadheardoftheladythroughhisfootmen，whoinItalyareasortofspies，whoentertaintheirmasterswiththescandalousgossipoftheplace。Abishopwantssomethingmorethanhisbreviarytoamusehimnowthattheapostolicvirtueshavegrownold—fashionedandoutofdate；inshort，Iacceptedtheinvitation，chargingthepriesttopresentmyrespectstohislordship。
Myniecewasdelightful，andtreatedmeasifIhadnorighttofeelanyresentmentforherhavingpreferredherownbedtomine。
Iwaspleasedwithherbehaviour，fornowthatmyheadwascoolI
feltthatshewouldhavedegradedherselfifshehadactedotherwise。Myvanitywasnotevenwounded，whichissooftenthecaseundersimilarcircumstances。Self—loveandprejudicepreventawomanyieldingtillshehasbeenassidiouslycourted，whereasI
hadaskedhertosharemybedinanoff—handmanner，asifitwereamerematterofform。However，IshouldnothavedoneitunlessithadbeenforthefumesofthechampagneandtheSomard，withwhichwehadwasheddownthedelicioussupperminehosthadsupplieduswith。Shehadbeenflatteredbythebishop’sinvitation，butshedidnotknowwhetherIhadacceptedforheraswellasmyself；andwhenItoldherthatweweregoingouttodinnertogether，shewaswildwithjoy。Shemadeacarefultoilette，lookingverywellforatraveller，andatnoonmylord’scarriagecametofetchus。
Theprelatewasatallman，twoinchestallerthanmyself；andinspiteoftheweightofhiseightyyears，helookedwellandseemedquiteactive，thoughgraveasbecameaSpanishgrandee。HereceiveduswithapolitenesswhichwasalmostFrench，andwhenmyniecewouldhavekissedhishand，accordingtocustom，heaffectionatelydrewitback，andgaveheramagnificentcrossofamethystsandbrilliantstokiss。Shekisseditwithdevotion，saying，——
"ThisiswhatIlove。"
Shelookedatmeasshesaidit，andthejest（whichreferredtoherloverLaCroixorCroce）surprisedme。
Wesatdowntodinner，andIfoundthebishoptobeapleasantandalearnedman。Wewerenineinall；fourpriests，andtwoyounggentlemenofthetown，whobehavedtomyniecewithgreatpoliteness，whichshereceivedwithallthemannerofgoodsociety。Inoticedthatthebishop，thoughheoftenspoketoher，neveroncelookedatherface。Mylordknewwhatdangerlurkedinthosebrighteyes，andlikeaprudentgreybeardhetookcarenottofallintothesnare。Aftercoffeehadbeenserved，wetookleave，andinfourhoursweleftTortona，intendingtolieatNovi。
Inthecourseoftheafternoonmyfairnieceamusedmewiththewitandwisdomofherconversation。WhileweweresuppingIledtheconversationuptothebishop，andthentoreligion，thatI
mightseewhatherprincipleswere。FindinghertobeagoodChristian，Iaskedherhowshecouldallowherselftomakeajestwhenshekissedtheprelate’scross。
"Itwasamerechance，"shesaid。"Theequivocationwasinnocentbecauseitwasnotpremeditated，forifIhadthoughtitoverI
shouldneverhavesaidsuchathing。"
Ipretendedtobelieveher；shemightpossiblybesincere。Shewasextremelyclever，andmyloveforherwasbecomingmoreandmoreardent，butmyvanitykeptmypassionincheck。WhenshewenttobedIdidnotkissher，butasherbedhadnoscreenasatTortona，shewaiteduntilshethoughtIwasasleeptoundressherself。WegottoGenoabynoonthenextday。
Pogomashadgotmesomeroomsandhadforwardedmetheaddress。
Ivisitedit，andfoundtheapartmenttoconsistoffourwell—
furnishedrooms，thoroughlycomfortable，astheEnglish，whounderstandhowtotaketheirease，callit。Iorderedagooddinner，andsenttotellPogomasofmyarrival。
EndSouthofFranceByJacquesCasanovaTHEMEMOIRSOFJACQUESCASANOVADESEINGALT
THERAREUNABRIDGEDLONDONEDITIONOF1894TRANSLATEDBYARTHUR
MACHENTOWHICHHASBEENADDEDTHECHAPTERSDISCOVEREDBYARTHUR
SYMONS。
MEMOIRSOFJACQUESCASANOVAdeSEINGALT1725—1798
INLONDONANDMOSCOW，Volume5a——SOUTHOFFRANCE
SOUTHOFFRANCE
CHAPTERI
IFindRosalieHappy——TheSignoraIsola—Bella——TheCook——Biribi——Irene——PossanoinPrison——MyNieceProvestobeanOldFriendofRosalie’sAtGenoa，wherehewasknowntoall，PogomascalledhimselfPossano。
Heintroducedmetohiswifeanddaughter，buttheyweresouglyanddisgustingineveryrespectthatIleftthemonsometriflingpretext，andwenttodinewithmynewniece。AfterwardsIwenttoseetheMarquisGrimaldi，forIlongedtoknowwhathadbecomeofRosalie。ThemarquiswasawayinVenice，andwasnotexpectedbacktilltheendofApril；butoneofhisservantstookmetoRosalie，whohadbecomeMadameParettisixmonthsaftermydeparture。
MyheartbeatfastasIenteredtheabodeofthiswoman，ofwhomI
hadsuchpleasantrecollections。IfirstwenttoM。Parettiinhisshop，andhereceivedmewithajoyfulsmile，whichshewedmehowhappyhewas。Hetookmetohiswifedirectly，whocriedoutwithdelight，andrantoembraceme。
M。Parettiwasbusy，andbeggedmetoexcusehim，sayinghiswifewouldentertainme。
Rosalieshewedmeaprettylittlegirlofsixmonthsold，tellingmethatshewashappy，thatshelovedherhusband，andwaslovedbyhim，thathewasindustriousandactiveinbusiness，andunderthepatronageoftheMarquisGrimaldihadprosperedexceedingly。
Thepeacefulhappinessofmarriagehadimprovedherwonderfully；shehadbecomeaperfectbeautyineverysenseoftheword。
"Mydearfriend，"shesaid，"youareverygoodtocallonmedirectlyyouarrive，andIhopeyouwilldinewithusto—morrow。Ioweallmyhappinesstoyou，andthatisevenasweeterthoughtthantherecollectionofthepassionatehourswehavespenttogether。Letuskiss，butnomore；mydutyasanhonestwifeforbidsmefromgoinganyfurther，sodonotdisturbthehappinessyouhavegiven。"
Ipressedherhandtenderly，toskewthatIassentedtotheconditionsshelaiddown。
"Oh！bytheway，"shesuddenlyexclaimed，"Ihaveapleasantsurpriseforyou。"
Shewentout，andamomentafterwardreturnedwithVeronique，whohadbecomehermaid。Iwasgladtoseeherandembracedheraffectionately，askingafterAnnette。Shesaidhersisterwaswell，andwasworkingwithhermother。
"Iwanthertocomeandwaitonmyniecewhilewearehere，"saidI。
AtthisRosalieburstoutlaughing。
"What！anotherniece？Youhaveagreatmanyrelations！Butassheisyourniece，Ihopeyouwillbringherwithyouto—morrow。"
"Certainly，andallthemorewillinglyassheisfromMarseilles。"
"FromMarseilles？Why，wemightknoweachother。Notthatthatwouldmatter，forallyourniecesarediscreetyoungpersons。Whatishername？"
"Crosin。"
"Idon’tknowit。"
"Idaresayyoudon’t。SheisthedaughterofacousinofminewholivedatMarseilles。"
"Tellthattosomeoneelse；but，afterall，whatdoesitmatter？Youchoosewell，amuseyourself，andmakethemhappy。Itmaybewisdomafterall，andatanyrateIcongratulateyou。Ishallbedelightedtoseeyourniece，butifsheknowsmeyoumustseethatsheknowsherpartaswell。"
OnleavingMadameParettiIcalledontheSignoraIsola—Bella，andgavehertheMarquisTriulzi’sletter。Soonaftershecameintotheroomandwelcomedme，sayingthatshehadbeenexpectingme，asTriulzihadwrittentoheronthesubject。SheintroducedmetotheMarquisAugustinoGrimaldideltaPietra，her’cicisbeoin—chief’
duringthelongabsenceofherhusband，wholivedatLisbon。
Thesignora’sapartmentswereveryelegant。Shewasprettywithsmallthoughregularfeatures，hermannerwaspleasant，hervoicesweet，andherfigurewellshaped，thoughtoothin。Shewasnearlythirty。Isaynothingofhercomplexion，forherfacewasplasteredwithwhiteandred，andsocoarsely，thatthesepatchesofpaintwerethefirstthingsthatcaughtmyattention。Iwasdisgustedatthis，inspiteofherfineexpressiveeyes。Afteranhourspentinquestionandreply，inwhichbothpartieswerefeelingtheirway，I
acceptedherinvitationtocometosupperonthefollowingday。WhenIgotbackIcomplimentedmynieceonthewayinwhichshehadarrangedherroom，whichwasonlyseparatedfromminebyasmallclosetwhichIintendedforhermaid，who，Itoldher，wascomingthenextday。Shewashighlypleasedwiththisattention，anditpavedthewayformysuccess。Ialsotoldherthatthenextdayshewastodinewithmeatasubstantialmerchant’sasmyniece，andthispieceofnewsmadeherquitehappy。
ThisgirlwhomCrocehadinfatuatedanddeprivedofhersenseswasexquisitelybeautiful，butmorecharmingthanallherphysicalbeautieswerethenoblenessofherpresenceandthesweetnessofherdisposition。Iwasalreadymadlyinlovewithher，andIrepentednothavingtakenpossessionofheronthefirstdayofourjourney。
IfIhadtakenheratherwordIshouldhavebeenasteadfastlover，andIdonotthinkitwouldhavetakenmelongtomakeherforgetherformeradmirer。
Ihadmadebutasmalldinner，soIsatdowntosupperfamishingwithhunger；andasmyniecehadanexcellentappetitewepreparedourselvesforenjoyment，butinsteadofthedishesbeingdelicate，aswehadexpected，theyweredetestable。ItoldClairmonttosendforthelandlady，andshesaidthatshecouldnothelpit，aseverythinghadbeendonebymyowncook。
"Mycook？"Irepeated。
"Yes，sir，theoneyoursecretary，M。Possano，engagedforyou。I
couldhavegotamuchbetteroneandamuchcheaperonemyself。"
"Getoneto—morrow。"
"Certainly；butyoumustridyourselfandmeofthepresentcook，forhehastakenuphispositionherewithhiswifeandchildren。TellPossanotosendforhim。"
"Iwilldoso，andinthemeanwhiledoyougetmeafreshcook。I
willtryhimthedayafterto—morrow。"
Iescortedmynieceintoherroom，andbeggedhertogotobedwithouttroublingaboutme，andsosayingItookupthepaperandbegantoreadit。WhenIhadfinished，Iwentuptobed，andsaid，"Youmightsparemethepainofhavingtosleepbymyself。"
Sheloweredhereyesbutsaidnothing，soIgaveherakissandlefther。
InthemorningmyfairniececameintomyroomjustasClairmontwaswashingmyfeet，andbeggedmetoletherhavesomecoffeeaschocolatemadeherhot。Itoldmymantogoandfetchsomecoffee，andassoonashewasgoneshewentdownonherkneesandwouldhavewipedmyfeet。
"Icannotallowthat，mydearyounglady。"
"Whynot？itisamarkoffriendship。"
"Thatmaybe，butsuchmarkscannotbegiventoanyonebutyourloverwithoutyourdegradingyourself。"
Shegotupandsatdownonachairquietly，butsayingnothing。
Clairmontcamebackagain，andIproceededwithmytoilette。