IwillvisitDonnaCeciliaonlynowandthen。"Feelingmostunhappy，Itookhishandtopressitagainstmylips，buthefoldedmeinhisarmsasafathermighthavedone，andturnedhimselfroundsoasnottoletmeseethathewasweeping。
　　Idinedatthecardinal’spalaceandsatneartheAbbeGama；thetablewaslaidfortwelvepersons，whoallworethecostumeofpriests，forinRomeeveryoneisapriestorwishestobethoughtapriestandasthereisnolawtoforbidanyonetodresslikeanecclesiasticthatdressisadoptedbyallthosewhowishtoberespected（noblemenexcepted）eveniftheyarenotintheecclesiasticalprofession。
　　Ifeltverymiserable，anddidnotutterawordduringthedinner；mysilencewasconstruedintoaproofofmysagacity。Aswerosefromthetable，theAbbeGamainvitedmetospendthedaywithhim，butI
　　declinedunderpretenceofletterstobewritten，andItrulydidsoforsevenhours。IwrotetoDonLelio，toDonAntonio，tomyyoungfriendPaul，andtotheworthyBishopofMartorano，whoansweredthatheheartilywishedhimselfinmyplace。
　　DeeplyenamouredofLucreziaandhappyinmylove，togiveherupappearedtomeashamefulaction。Inordertoinsurethehappinessofmyfuturelife，Iwasbeginningtobetheexecutionerofmypresentfelicity，andthetormentorofmyheart。IrevoltedagainstsuchanecessitywhichIjudgedfictitious，andwhichIcouldnotadmitunlessIstoodguiltyofvilenessbeforethetribunalofmyownreason。IthoughtthatFatherGeorgi，ifhewishedtoforbidmyvisitingthatfamily，oughtnottohavesaidthatitwasworthyofrespect；mysorrowwouldnothavebeensointense。Thedayandthewholeofthenightwerespentinpainfulthoughts。
　　InthemorningtheAbbeGamabroughtmeagreatbookfilledwithministeriallettersfromwhichIwastocompileformyamusement。
　　Afterashorttimedevotedtothatoccupation，IwentouttotakemyfirstFrenchlesson，afterwhichIwalkedtowardstheStrada—
　　Condotta。Iintendedtotakealongwalk，whenIheardmyselfcalledbymyname。IsawtheAbbeGamainfrontofacoffee—house。
　　IwhisperedtohimthatMinervahadforbiddenmethecoffee—roomsofRome。"Minerva，"heanswered，"desiresyoutoformsomeideaofsuchplaces。Sitdownbyme。"
　　Iheardayoungabbetellingaloud，butwithoutbitterness，astory，whichattackedinamostdirectmannerthejusticeofHisHoliness。
　　Everybodywaslaughingandechoingthestory。Another，beingaskedwhyhehadlefttheservicesofCardinalB。，answeredthatitwasbecausehiseminencedidnotthinkhimselfcalledupontopayhimapartforcertainprivateservices，andeverybodylaughedoutright。
　　AnothercametotheAbbeGama，andtoldhimthat，ifhefeltanyinclinationtospendtheafternoonattheVillaMedicis，hewouldfindhimtherewithtwoyoungRomangirlswhoweresatisfiedwitha’quartino’，agoldcoinworthone—fourthofasequin。Anotherabbereadanincendiarysonnetagainstthegovernment，andseveraltookacopyofit。Anotherreadasatireofhisowncomposition，inwhichhetoretopiecesthehonourofafamily。Inthemiddleofallthatconfusion，Isawapriestwithaveryattractivecountenancecomein。
　　Thesizeofhishipsmademetakehimforawomandressedinmen’sclothes，andIsaidsotoGama，whotoldmethathewasthecelebratedcastrato，BepinodeltaMamana。Theabbecalledhimtous，andtoldhimwithalaughthatIhadtakenhimforagirl。Theimpudentfellowlookedmefullintheface，andsaidthat，ifI
　　liked，hewouldshewmewhetherIhadbeenrightorwrong。
　　Atthedinner—tableeveryonespoketome，andIfanciedIhadgivenproperanswerstoall，but，whentherepastwasover，theAbbeGamainvitedmetotakecoffeeinhisownapartment。Themomentwewerealone，hetoldmethatalltheguestsIhadmetwereworthyandhonestmen，andheaskedmewhetherIbelievedthatIhadsucceededinpleasingthecompany。
　　"IflattermyselfIhave，"Ianswered。
　　"Youarewrong，"saidtheabbe，"youareflatteringyourself。Youhavesoconspicuouslyavoidedthequestionsputtoyouthateverybodyintheroomnoticedyourextremereserve。Inthefuturenoonewillaskyouanyquestions。"
　　"Ishouldbesorryifitshouldturnoutso，butwasItoexposemyownconcerns？"
　　"No，butthereisamediuminallthings。"
　　"Yes，themediumofHorace，butitisoftenamatterofgreatdifficultytohititexactly。"
　　"Amanoughttoknowhowtoobtainaffectionandesteematthesametime。"
　　"Thatistheverywishnearesttomyheart。"
　　"To—dayyouhavetriedfortheesteemmuchmorethanfortheaffectionofyourfellow—creatures。Itmaybeanobleaspiration，butyoumustprepareyourselftofightjealousyandherdaughter，calumny；ifthosetwomonstersdonotsucceedindestroyingyou，thevictorymustbeyours。Now，forinstance，youthoroughlyrefutedSalicettito—day。Well，heisaphysician，andwhatismoreaCorsican；hemustfeelbadlytowardsyou。"
　　"CouldIgrantthatthelongingsofwomenduringtheirpregnancyhavenoinfluencewhateverontheskinofthefoetus，whenIknowthereversetobethecase？Areyounotofmyopinion？"
　　"Iamforneitherparty；Ihaveseenmanychildrenwithsomesuchmarks，butIhavenomeansofknowingwithcertaintywhetherthosemarkshavetheirorigininsomelongingexperiencedbythemotherwhileshewaspregnant。"
　　"ButIcanswearitisso。"
　　"Allthebetterforyouifyourconvictionisbaseduponsuchevidence，andalltheworseforSalicettiifhedeniesthepossibilityofthethingwithoutcertainauthority。Butlethimremaininerror；itisbetterthusthantoprovehiminthewrongandtomakeabitterenemyofhim。"
　　IntheeveningIcalleduponLucrezia。Thefamilyknewmysuccess，andwarmlycongratulatedme。LucreziatoldmethatIlookedsad，andIansweredthatIwasassistingatthefuneralofmyliberty，forI
　　wasnolongermyownmaster。Herhusband，alwaysfondofajoke，toldherthatIwasinlovewithher，andhismother—in—lawadvisedhimnottoshowsomuchintrepidity。Ionlyremainedanhourwiththosecharmingpersons，andthentookleaveofthem，buttheveryairaroundmewasheatedbytheflamewithinmybreast。WhenIreachedmyroomIbegantowrite，andspentthenightincomposinganodewhichIsentthenextdaytotheadvocate。Iwascertainthathewouldshewittohiswife，wholovedpoetry，andwhodidnotyetknowthatIwasapoet。Iabstainedfromseeingheragainforthreeorfourdays。IwaslearningFrench，andmakingextractsfromministerialletters。
　　Hiseminencewasinthehabitofreceivingeveryevening，andhisroomswerethrongedwiththehighestnobilityofRome；Ihadneverattendedthesereceptions。TheAbbeGamatoldmethatIoughttodosoaswellashedid，withoutanypretension。Ifollowedhisadviceandwent；nobodyspoketome，butasIwasunknowneveryonelookedatmeandenquiredwhoIwas。TheAbbeGamaaskedmewhichwastheladywhoappearedtomethemostamiable，andIshewedonetohim；butI
　　regrettedhavingdoneso，forthecourtierwenttoher，andofcourseinformedherofwhatIhadsaid。SoonafterwardsIsawherlookatmethroughhereye—glassandsmilekindlyuponme。ShewastheMarchionessG————，whose’cicisbeo’wasCardinalS————C————。
　　OntheverydayIhadfixedtospendtheeveningwithDonnaLucreziatheworthyadvocatecalleduponme。HetoldmethatifIthoughtI
　　wasgoingtoproveIwasnotinlovewithhiswifebystayingawayI
　　wasverymuchmistaken，andheinvitedmetoaccompanyallthefamilytoTestaccio，wheretheyintendedtohaveluncheononthefollowingThursday。Headdedthathiswifeknewmyodebyheart，andthatshehadreadittotheintendedhusbandofAngelique，whohadagreatwishtomakemyacquaintance。Thatgentlemanwaslikewiseapoet，andwouldbeoneofthepartytoTestaccio。IpromisedtheadvocateIwouldcometohishouseontheThursdaywithacarriagefortwo。
　　AtthattimeeveryThursdayinthemonthofOctoberwasafestivaldayinRome。IwenttoseeDonnaCeciliaintheevening，andwetalkedabouttheexcursionthewholetime。IfeltcertainthatDonnaLucrezialookedforwardtoitwithasmuchpleasureasIdidmyself。
　　Wehadnofixedplan，wecouldnothaveany，butwetrustedtothegodoflove，andtacitlyplacedourconfidenceinhisprotection。
　　ItookcarethatFatherGeorgishouldnothearofthatexcursionbeforeImentionedittohimmyself，andIhastenedtohiminordertoobtainhispermissiontogo。Iconfessthat，toobtainhisleave，Iprofessedthemostcompleteindifferenceaboutit，andtheconsequencewasthatthegoodmaninsisteduponmygoing，sayingthatitwasafamilyparty，andthatitwasquiterightformetovisittheenvironsofRomeandtoenjoymyselfinarespectableway。
　　IwenttoDonnaCecilia’sinacarriagewhichIhiredfromacertainRoland，anativeofAvignon，andifIinsisthereuponhisnameitisbecausemyreaderswillmeethimagainineighteenyears，hisacquaintancewithmehavinghadveryimportantresults。ThecharmingwidowintroducedmetoDonFrancisco，herintendedson—in—law，whomsherepresentedasagreatfriendofliterarymen，andverydeeplylearnedhimself。Iaccepteditasgospel，andbehavedaccordingly；
　　yetIthoughthelookedratherheavyandnotsufficientlyelatedforayoungmanonthepointofmarryingsuchaprettygirlasAngelique。
　　Buthehadplentyofgood—natureandplentyofmoney，andthesearebetterthanlearningandgallantry。
　　Aswewerereadytogetintothecarriages，theadvocatetoldmethathewouldridewithmeinmycarriage，andthatthethreeladieswouldgowithDonFranciscointheother。IansweredatoncethatheoughttokeepDonFranciscocompany，andthatIclaimedtheprivilegeoftakingcareofDonnaCecilia，addingthatIshouldfeeldishonouredifthingswerearrangeddifferently。ThereuponIofferedmyarmtothehandsomewidow，whothoughtthearrangementaccordingtotherulesofetiquetteandgoodbreeding，andanapprovinglookofmyLucreziagavemethemostagreeablesensation。Yettheproposaloftheadvocatestruckmesomewhatunpleasantly，becauseitwasincontradictionwithhisformerbehaviour，andespeciallywithwhathehadsaidtomeinmyroomafewdaysbefore。"Hashebecomejealous？"Isaidtomyself；thatwouldhavemademealmostangry，butthehopeofbringinghimroundduringourstayatTestaccioclearedawaythedarkcloudonmymind，andIwasveryamiabletoDonnaCecilia。Whatwithlunchingandwalkingwecontrivedtopasstheafternoonverypleasantly；Iwasverygay，andmyloveforLucreziawasnotoncementioned；Iwasallattentiontohermother。
　　IoccasionallyaddressedmyselftoLucrezia，butnotoncetotheadvocate，feelingthisthebestwaytoshewhimthathehadinsultedme。
　　Aswepreparedtoreturn，theadvocatecarriedoffDonnaCeciliaandwentwithhertothecarriageinwhichwerealreadyseatedAngeliqueandDonFrancisco。Scarcelyabletocontrolmydelight，IofferedmyarmtoDonnaLucrezia，payinghersomeabsurdcompliment，whiletheadvocatelaughedoutright，andseemedtoenjoythetrickheimaginedhehadplayedme。
　　Howmanythingswemighthavesaidtoeachotherbeforegivingourselvesuptothematerialenjoymentofourlove，hadnottheinstantsbeensoprecious！But，awarethatwehadonlyhalfanhourbeforeus，weweresparingoftheminutes。WewereabsorbedinvoluptuouspleasurewhensuddenlyLucreziaexclaims，———
　　"Oh！dear，howunhappyweare！"
　　Shepushesmeback，composesherself，thecarriagestops，andtheservantopensthedoor。"Whatisthematter？"Ienquire。"Weareathome。"WheneverIrecollectthecircumstance，itseemstomefabulous，foritisnotpossibletoannihilatetime，andthehorseswereregularoldscrews。Butwewereluckyallthrough。Thenightwasdark，andmybelovedangelhappenedtobeontherightsidetogetoutofthecarriagefirst，sothat，althoughtheadvocatewasatthedoorofthebroughamassoonasthefootman，everythingwentright，owingtotheslowmannerinwhichLucreziaalighted。I
　　remainedatDonnaCecilia’suntilmidnight。
　　WhenIgothomeagain，Iwenttobed；buthowcouldIsleep？IfeltburninginmetheflamewhichIhadnotbeenabletorestoretoitsoriginalsourceinthetooshortdistancefromTestacciotoRome。Itwasconsumingme。Oh！unhappyarethosewhobelievethatthepleasuresofCytheraareworthhaving，unlesstheyareenjoyedinthemostperfectaccordbytwoheartsoverflowingwithlove！
　　IonlyroseintimeformyFrenchlesson。Myteacherhadaprettydaughter，namedBarbara，whowasalwayspresentduringmylessons，andwhosometimestaughtmeherselfwithevenmoreexactitudethanherfather。Agood—lookingyoungman，wholikewisetooklessons，wascourtingher，andIsoonperceivedthatshelovedhim。Thisyoungmancalledoftenuponme，andIlikedhim，especiallyonaccountofhisreserve，for，althoughImadehimconfesshisloveforBarbara，healwayschangedthesubject，ifImentioneditinourconversation。
　　Ihadmadeupmymindtorespecthisreserve，andhadnotalludedtohisaffectionforseveraldays。ButallatonceIremarkedthathehadceasedhisvisitsbothtomeandtohisteacher，andatthesametimeIobservedthattheyounggirlwasnolongerpresentatmylessons；Ifeltsomecuriositytoknowwhathadhappened，althoughitwasnot，afterall，anyconcernofmine。
　　Afewdaysafter，asIwasreturningfromchurch，Imettheyoungman，andreproachedhimforkeepingawayfromusall。Hetoldmethatgreatsorrowhadbefallenhim，whichhadfairlyturnedhisbrain，andthathewasapreytothemostintensedespair。Hiseyeswerewetwithtears。AsIwasleavinghim，heheldmeback，andI
　　toldhimthatIwouldnolongerbehisfriendunlessheopenedhishearttome。Hetookmetooneofthecloisters，andhespokethus:
　　"IhavelovedBarbaraforthelastsixmonths，andforthreemonthsshehasgivenmeindisputableproofsofheraffection。Fivedaysago，wewerebetrayedbytheservant，andthefathercaughtusinaratherdelicateposition。Helefttheroomwithoutsayingoneword，andIfollowedhim，thinkingofthrowingmyselfathisfeet；but，asIappearedbeforehim，hetookholdofmebythearm，pushedmeroughlytothedoor，andforbademeevertopresentmyselfagainathishouse。Icannotclaimherhandinmarriage，becauseoneofmybrothersismarried，andmyfatherisnotrich；Ihavenoprofession，andmymistresshasnothing。Alas，nowthatIhaveconfessedalltoyou，tellme，Ientreatyou，howsheis。IamcertainthatsheisasmiserableasIammyself。Icannotmanagetogetaletterdeliveredtoher，forshedoesnotleavethehouse，eventoattendchurch。
　　Unhappywretch！WhatshallIdo？"
　　Icouldbutpityhim，for，asamanofhonour，itwasimpossibleformetointerfereinsuchabusiness。ItoldhimthatIhadnotseenBarbaraforfivedays，and，notknowingwhattosay，Igavehimtheadvicewhichistenderedbyallfoolsundersimilarcircumstances；I
　　advisedhimtoforgethismistress。
　　WehadthenreachedthequayofRipetta，and，observingthathewascastingdarklookstowardstheTiber，Ifearedhisdespairmightleadhimtocommitsomefoolishattemptagainsthisownlife，and，inordertocalmhisexcitedfeelings，Ipromisedtomakesomeenquiriesfromthefatherabouthismistress，andtoinformhimofallIheard。
　　Hefeltquietedbymypromise，andentreatedmenottoforgethim。
　　InspiteofthefirewhichhadbeenragingthroughmyveinseversincetheexcursiontoTestaccio，IhadnotseenmyLucreziaforfourdays。IdreadedFatherGeorgi’ssuavemanner，andIwasstillmoreafraidoffindinghehadmadeuphismindtogivemenomoreadvice。
　　But，unabletoresistmydesires，IcalleduponLucreziaaftermyFrenchlesson，andfoundheralone，sadanddispirited。
　　"Ah！"sheexclaimed，assoonasIwasbyherside，"Ithinkyoumightfindtimetocomeandseeme！"
　　"Mybelovedone，itisnotthatIcannotfindtime，butIamsojealousofmylovethatIwouldratherdiethanletitbeknownpublicly。IhavebeenthinkingofinvitingyoualltodinewithmeatFrascati。Iwillsendyouaphaeton，andItrustthatsomeluckyaccidentwillsmileuponourlove。"
　　"Oh！yes，do，dearest！Iamsureyourinvitationwillbeaccepted:"
　　Inaquarterofanhourtherestofthefamilycamein，andI
　　profferedmyinvitationforthefollowingSunday，whichhappenedtobetheFestivalofSt。Ursula，patronessofLucrezia’syoungestsister。IbeggedDonnaCeciliatobringheraswellasherson。Myproposalbeingreadilyaccepted，IgavenoticethatthephaetonwouldbeatDonnaCecilia’sdooratseveno’clock，andthatIwouldcomemyselfwithacarriagefortwopersons。
　　ThenextdayIwenttoM。Dalacqua，and，aftermylesson，IsawBarbarawho，passingfromoneroomtoanother，droppedapaperandearnestlylookedatme。Ifeltboundtopickitup，becauseaservant，whowasathand，mighthaveseenitandtakenit。Itwasaletter，enclosinganotheraddressedtoherlover。Thenoteformeranthus:"Ifyouthinkittobeasintodelivertheenclosedtoyourfriend，burnit。Havepityonanunfortunategirl，andbediscreet。"
　　Theenclosedletterwhichwasunsealed，ranasfollows:"Ifyoulovemeasdeeplyas’Iloveyou，youcannothopetobehappywithoutme；
　　wecannotcorrespondinanyotherwaythantheoneIamboldenoughtoadopt。Iamreadytodoanythingtouniteourlivesuntildeath。
　　Consideranddecide。"
　　Thecruelsituationofthepoorgirlmovedmealmosttotears；yetI
　　determinedtoreturnherletterthenextday，andIencloseditinanoteinwhichIbeggedhertoexcusemeifIcouldnotrenderhertheservicesherequiredatmyhands。Iputitinmypocketreadyfordelivery。ThenextdayIwentformylessonasusual，but，notseeingBarbara，Ihadnoopportunityofreturningherletter，andpostponeditsdeliverytothefollowingday。Unfortunately，justafterIhadreturnedtomyroom，theunhappylovermadehisappearance。Hiseyeswereredfromweeping，hisvoicehoarse；hedrewsuchavividpictureofhismisery，that，dreadingsomemadactioncounselledbydespair，IcouldnotwithholdfromhimtheconsolationwhichIknewitwasinmypowertogive。Thiswasmyfirsterrorinthisfatalbusiness；Iwasthevictimofmyownkindness。
　　Thepoorfellowreadtheletteroverandover；hekisseditwithtransportsofjoy；hewept，huggedme，andthankedmeforsavinghislife，andfinallyentreatedmetotakechargeofhisanswer，ashisbelovedmistressmustbelongingforconsolationasmuchashehadbeenhimself，assuringmethathislettercouldnotinanywayimplicateme，andthatIwasatlibertytoreadit。
　　Andtruly，althoughverylong，hislettercontainednothingbuttheassuranceofeverlastinglove，andhopeswhichcouldnotberealized。
　　YetIwaswrongtoacceptthecharacterofMercurytothetwoyounglovers。Torefuse，IhadonlytorecollectthatFatherGeorgiwouldcertainlyhavedisapprovedofmyeasycompliance。
　　ThenextdayIfoundM。Dalacquaillinbed；hisdaughtergavememylessoninhisroom，andIthoughtthatperhapsshehadobtainedherpardon。Icontrivedtogiveherherlover’sletter，whichshedextrouslyconveyedtoherpocket，butherblusheswouldhaveeasilybetrayedherifherfatherhadbeenlookingthatway。AfterthelessonIgaveM。DalacquanoticethatIwouldnotcomeonthemorrow，asitwastheFestivalofSt。Ursula，oneoftheeleventhousandprincessesandmartyr—virgins。
　　Intheevening，atthereceptionofhiseminence，whichIattendedregularly，althoughpersonsofdistinctionseldomspoketome，thecardinalbeckonedtome。HewasspeakingtothebeautifulMarchionessG————，towhomGamahadindiscreetlyconfidedthatI
　　thoughtherthehandsomestwomanamongsthiseminence’sguests。
　　"Hergrace，"saidtheCardinal，"wishestoknowwhetheryouaremakingrapidprogressintheFrenchlanguage，whichshespeaksadmirably。"
　　IansweredinItalianthatIhadlearnedagreatdeal，butthatIwasnotyetboldenoughtospeak。
　　"Youshouldbebold，"saidthemarchioness，"butwithoutshowinganypretension。Itisthebestwavtodisarmcriticism。"
　　Mymindhavingalmostunwittinglylenttothewords"Youshouldbebold"ameaningwhichhadverylikelybeenfarfromtheideaofthemarchioness，Iturnedveryred，andthehandsomespeaker，observingit，changedtheconversationanddismissedme。
　　Thenextmorning，atseveno’clock，IwasatDonnaCecilia’sdoor。
　　Thephaetonwasthereaswellasthecarriagefortwopersons，whichthistimewasanelegantvis—a—vis，solightandwell—hungthatDonnaCeciliapraisedithighlywhenshetookherseat。
　　"IshallhavemyturnaswereturntoRome，"saidLucrezia；andI
　　bowedtoherasifinacceptanceofherpromise。
　　Lucreziathussetsuspicionatdefianceinordertopreventsuspicionarising。Myhappinesswasassured，andIgavewaytomynaturalflowofspirits。Iorderedasplendiddinner，andweallsetouttowardstheVillaLudovisi。Aswemighthavemissedeachotherduringourramblings，weagreedtomeetagainattheinnatoneo’clock。Thediscreetwidowtookthearmofherson—in—law，Angeliqueremainedwithhersister，andLucreziawasmydelightfulshare；Ursulaandherbrotherwererunningabouttogether，andinlessthanaquarterofanhourIhadLucreziaentirelytomyself。
　　"Didyouremark，"shesaid，"withwhatcandourIsecuredforustwohoursofdelightful’tete—a—tete’，anda’tete—a—tete’ina’vis—a—
　　vis’，too！HowcleverLoveis！"
　　"Yes，darling，Lovehasmadebutoneofourtwosouls。Iadoreyou，andifIhavethecouragetopasssomanydayswithoutseeingyouitisinordertoberewardedbythefreedomofonesingledaylikethis。"
　　"Ididnotthinkitpossible。Butyouhavemanageditallverywell。
　　Youknowtoomuchforyourage，dearest。"
　　"Amonthago，mybeloved，Iwasbutanignorantchild，andyouarethefirstwomanwhohasinitiatedmeintothemysteriesoflove。
　　Yourdeparturewillkillme，forIcouldnotfindanotherwomanlikeyouinallItaly。"
　　"What！amIyourfirstlove？Alas！youwillneverbecuredofit。
　　Oh！whyamInotentirelyyourown？Youarealsothefirsttrueloveofmyheart，andyouwillbethelast。Howgreatwillbethehappinessofmysuccessor！Ishouldnotbejealousofher，butwhatsufferingwouldbemineifIthoughtthatherheartwasnotlikemine！"
　　Lucrezia，seeingmyeyeswetwithtears，begantogivewaytoherown，and，seatingourselvesonthegrass，ourlipsdrankourtearsamidstthesweetestkisses。Howsweetisthenectarofthetearsshedbylove，whenthatnectarisrelishedamidsttherapturesofmutualardour！Ihaveoftentastedthem——thosedelicioustears，andIcansayknowinglythattheancientphysicianswereright，andthatthemodernarewrong。
　　Inamomentofcalm，seeingthedisorderinwhichwebothwere，I
　　toldherthatwemightbesurprised。
　　"Donotfear，mybestbeloved，"shesaid，"weareundertheguardianshipofourgoodangels。"
　　Wewererestingandrevivingourstrengthbygazingintooneanother’seyes，whensuddenlyLucrezia，castingaglancetotheright，exclaimed，"Lookthere！idolofmyheart，haveInottoldyouso？Yes，theangelsarewatchingoverus！Ah！howhestaresatus！Heseemstotrytogiveusconfidence。Lookatthatlittledemon；admirehim！
　　Hemustcertainlybeyourguardianspiritormine。"
　　Ithoughtshewasdelirious。
　　"Whatareyousaying，dearest？Idonotunderstandyou。WhatamI
　　toadmire？"
　　"Doyounotseethatbeautifulserpentwiththeblazingskin，whichliftsitsheadandseemstoworshipus？"
　　Ilookedinthedirectionsheindicated，andsawaserpentwithchangeablecoloursaboutthreefeetinlength，whichdidseemtobelookingatus。Iwasnotparticularlypleasedatthesight，butI
　　couldnotshowmyselflesscourageousthanshewas。
　　"What！"saidI，"areyounotafraid？"
　　"Itellyou，again，thatthesightisdelightfultome，andIfeelcertainthatitisaspiritwithnothingbuttheshape，orrathertheappearance，ofaserpent。"
　　"Andifthespiritcameglidingalongthegrassandhissedatyou？"
　　"Iwouldholdyoutighteragainstmybosom，andsethimatdefiance。
　　InyourarmsLucreziaissafe。Look！thespiritisgoingaway。
　　Quick，quick！Heiswarningusoftheapproachofsomeprofaneperson，andtellsustoseeksomeotherretreattorenewourpleasures。Letusgo。"
　　WeroseandslowlyadvancedtowardsDonnaCeciliaandtheadvocate，whowerejustemergingfromaneighbouringalley。Withoutavoidingthem，andwithouthurrying，justasiftomeetoneanotherwasaverynaturaloccurrence，IenquiredofDonnaCeciliawhetherherdaughterhadanyfearofserpents。
　　"Inspiteofallherstrengthofmind，"sheanswered，"sheisdreadfullyafraidofthunder，andshewillscreamwithterroratthesightofthesmallestsnake。Therearesomehere，butsheneednotbefrightened，fortheyarenotvenomous"
　　Iwasspeechlesswithastonishment，forIdiscoveredthatIhadjustwitnessedawonderfullovemiracle。Atthatmomentthechildrencameup，and，withoutceremony，weagainpartedcompany。
　　"Tellme，wonderfulbeing，bewitchingwoman，whatwouldyouhavedoneif，insteadofyourprettyserpent，youhadseenyourhusbandandyourmother？"
　　"Nothing。Doyounotknowthat，inmomentsofsuchrapture，loversseeandfeelnothingbutlove？Doyoudoubthavingpossessedmewholly，entirely？"
　　Lucrezia，inspeakingthus，wasnotcomposingapoeticalode；shewasnotfeigningfictitioussentiments；herlooks，thesoundofhervoice，weretruthitself！
　　"Areyoucertain，"Ienquired，"thatwearenotsuspected？"
　　"Myhusbanddoesnotbelieveustobeinlovewitheachother，orelsehedoesnotmindsuchtriflingpleasuresasyouthisgenerallywonttoindulgein。Mymotherisacleverwoman，andperhapsshesuspectsthetruth，butsheisawarethatitisnolongeranyconcernofhers。Astomysister，shemustknoweverything，forshecannothaveforgottenthebroken—downbed；butsheisprudent，andbesides，shehastakenitintoherheadtopityme。Shehasnoconceptionofthenatureofmyfeelingstowardsyou。IfIhadnotmetyou，mybeloved，Ishouldprobablyhavegonethroughlifewithoutrealizingsuchfeelingsmyself；forwhatIfeelformyhusband……well，Ihaveforhimtheobediencewhichmypositionasawifeimposesuponme。"
　　"Andyetheismosthappy，andIenvyhim！Hecanclaspinhisarmsallyourlovelypersonwheneverhelikes！Thereisnohatefulveiltohideanyofyourcharmsfromhisgaze。"
　　"Oh！whereartthou，mydearserpent？Cometous，comeandprotectusagainstthesurpriseoftheuninitiated，andthisveryinstantI
　　fulfilallthewishesofhimIadore！"
　　Wepassedthemorninginrepeatingthatwelovedeachother，andinexchangingoverandoveragainsubstantialproofsofourmutualpassion。
　　Wehadadeliciousdinner，duringwhichIwasallattentionfortheamiableDonnaCecilia。Myprettytortoise—shellbox，filledwithexcellentsnuff，wentmorethanonceroundthetable。AsithappenedtobeinthehandsofLucreziawhowassittingonmyleft，herhusbandtoldherthat，ifIhadnoobjection，shemightgivemeherringandkeepthesnuff—boxinexchange。Thinkingthattheringwasnotofasmuchvalueasmybox，Iimmediatelyaccepted，butIfoundtheringofgreatervalue。Lucreziawouldnot，however，listentoanythingonthatsubject。Sheputtheboxinherpocket，andthuscompelledmetokeepherring。
　　Dessertwasnearlyover，theconversationwasveryanimated，whensuddenlytheintendedhusbandofAngeliqueclaimedourattentionforthereadingofasonnetwhichhehadcomposedanddedicatedtome。I
　　thankedhim，andplacingthesonnetinmypocketpromisedtowriteoneforhim。Thiswasnot，however，whathewished；heexpectedthat，stimulatedbyemulation，Iwouldcallforpaperandpen，andsacrificetoApollohourswhichitwasmuchmoretomytastetoemployinworshippinganothergodwhomhiscoldnatureknewonlybyname。Wedrankcoffee，Ipaidthebill，andwewentaboutramblingthroughthelabyrinthinealleysoftheVillaAldobrandini。
　　Whatsweetrecollectionsthatvillahasleftinmymemory！ItseemedasifIsawmydivineLucreziaforthefirsttime。Ourlookswerefullofardentlove，ourheartswerebeatinginconcertwiththemosttenderimpatience，andanaturalinstinctwasleadingustowardsasolitaryasylumwhichthehandofLoveseemedtohavepreparedonpurposeforthemysteriesofitssecretworship。There，inthemiddleofalongavenue，andunderacanopyofthickfoliage，wefoundawidesofamadeofgrass，andshelteredbyadeepthicket；
　　fromthatplaceoureyescouldrangeoveranimmenseplain，andviewtheavenuetosuchadistancerightandleftthatwewereperfectlysecureagainstanysurprise。Wedidnotrequiretoexchangeonewordatthesightofthisbeautifultemplesofavourabletoourlove；ourheartsspokethesamelanguage。
　　Withoutawordbeingspoken，ourreadyhandssoonmanagedtogetridofallobstacles，andtoexposeinastateofnatureallthebeautieswhicharegenerallyveiledbytroublesomewearingapparel。Twowholehoursweredevotedtothemostdelightful，lovingecstasies。Atlastweexclaimedtogetherinmutualecstasy，"OLove，wethankthee！"
　　Weslowlyretracedourstepstowardsthecarriages，revellinginourintensehappiness。LucreziainformedmethatAngelique’ssuitorwaswealthy，thatheownedasplendidvillaatTivoli，andthatmostlikelyhewouldinviteusalltodineandpassthenightthere。
　　"Ipraythegodoflove，"sheadded，"tograntusanightasbeautifulasthisdayhasbeen。"Then，lookingsad，shesaid，"Butalas！theecclesiasticallawsuitwhichhasbroughtmyhusbandtoRomeisprogressingsofavourablythatIammortallyafraidhewillobtainjudgmentalltoosoon。"
　　Thejourneybacktothecitylastedtwohours；wewerealoneinmyvis—a—visandweovertaxednature，exactingmorethanitcanpossiblygive。AsweweregettingnearRomewewerecompelledtoletthecurtainfallbeforethedenouementofthedramawhichwehadperformedtothecompletesatisfactionoftheactors。
　　Ireturnedhomeratherfatigued，butthesoundsleepwhichwassonaturalatmyagerestoredmyfullvigour，andinthemorningItookmyFrenchlessonattheusualhour。
　　CHAPTERX
　　BenedictXIV——ExcursiontoTivoli——DepartureofLucrezia——TheMarchionessG。——BarbaraDalacqua——MyMisfortunes——ILeaveRomeM。Dalacquabeingveryill，hisdaughterBarbaragavememylesson。
　　Whenitwasover，sheseizedanopportunityofslippingaletterintomypocket，andimmediatelydisappeared，sothatIhadnochanceofrefusing。Theletterwasaddressedtome，andexpressedfeelingsofthewarmestgratitude。Sheonlydesiredmetoinformherloverthatherfatherhadspokentoheragain，andthatmostlikelyhewouldengageanewservantassoonashehadrecoveredfromhisillness，andsheconcludedherletterbyassuringmethatsheneverwouldimplicatemeinthisbusiness。
　　Herfatherwascompelledtokeephisbedforafortnight，andBarbaracontinuedtogivememylessoneveryday。Ifeltforheraninterestwhich，frommetowardsayoungandprettygirl，was，indeed，quiteanewsentiment。Itwasafeelingofpity，andIwasproudofbeingabletohelpandcomforther。Hereyesneverresteduponmine，herhandnevermetmine，Ineversawinhertoilettheslightestwishtopleaseme。Shewasverypretty，andIknewshehadatender，lovingnature；butnothinginterferedwiththerespectandtheregardwhichIwasboundinhonourandingoodfaithtofeeltowardsher，andI
　　wasproudtoremarkthatsheneverthoughtmecapableoftakingadvantageofherweaknessorofherposition。
　　Whenthefatherhadrecoveredhedismissedhisservantandengagedanother。Barbaraentreatedmetoinformherfriendofthecircumstance，andlikewiseofherhopetogainthenewservanttotheirinterests，atleastsufficientlytosecurethepossibilityofcarryingonsomecorrespondence。Ipromisedtodoso，andasamarkofhergratitudeshetookmyhandtocarryittoherlips，butquicklywithdrawingitItriedtokissher；sheturnedherfaceaway，blushingdeeply。Iwasmuchpleasedwithhermodesty。
　　Barbarahavingsucceededingainingthenewservantover，Ihadnothingmoretodowiththeintrigue，andIwasverygladofit，forIknewmyinterferencemighthavebroughtevilonmyownhead。
　　Unfortunately，itwasalreadytoolate。
　　IseldomvisitedDonGaspar；thestudyoftheFrenchlanguagetookupallmymornings，anditwasonlyinthemorningthatIcouldseehim；
　　butIcalledeveryeveninguponFatherGeorgi，and，althoughIwenttohimonlyasoneofhis’proteges’，itgavemesomereputation。I
　　seldomspokebeforehisguests，yetIneverfeltweary，forinhiscirclehisfriendswouldcriticisewithoutslandering，discusspoliticswithoutstubbornness，literaturewithoutpassion，andI
　　profitedbyall。Aftermyvisittothesagaciousmonk，Iusedtoattendtheassemblyofthecardinal，mymaster，asamatterofduty。
　　Almosteveryevening，whenshehappenedtoseemeathercard—table，thebeautifulmarchionesswouldaddresstomeafewgraciouswordsinFrench，andIalwaysansweredinItalian，notcaringtomakeherlaughbeforesomanypersons。Myfeelingsforherwereofasingularkind。Imustleavethemtotheanalysisofthereader。Ithoughtthatwomancharming，yetIavoidedher；itwasnotbecauseIwasafraidoffallinginlovewithher；IlovedLucrezia，andIfirmlybelievedthatsuchanaffectionwasashieldagainstanyotherattachment，butitwasbecauseIfearedthatshemightlovemeorhaveapassingfancyforme。Wasitself—conceitormodesty，viceorvirtue？Perhapsneitheronenortheother。
　　OneeveningshedesiredtheAbbeGamatocallmetoher；shewasstandingnearthecardinal，mypatron，andthemomentIapproachedhershecausedmeastrangefeelingofsurprisebyaskingmeinItalianaquestionwhichIwasfarfromanticipating:
　　"HowdidyoulikeFrascati？"
　　"Verymuch，madam；Ihaveneverseensuchabeautifulplace。"
　　"Butyourcompanywasstillmorebeautiful，andyourvis—a—viswasverysmart。"
　　Ionlybowedlowtothemarchioness，andamomentafterCardinalAcquavivasaidtome，kindly，"Youareastonishedatyouradventurebeingknown？"
　　"No，mylord；butIamsurprisedthatpeopleshouldtalkofit。I
　　couldnothavebelievedRometobesomuchlikeasmallvillage。"
　　"ThelongeryouliveinRome，"saidhiseminence，"themoreyouwillfinditso。YouhavenotyetpresentedyourselftokissthefootofourHolyFather？"
　　"Notyet，mylord。"
　　"Thenyoumustdoso。"
　　Ibowedincompliancetohiswishes。
　　TheAbbeGamatoldmetopresentmyselftothePopeonthemorrow，andheadded，"OfcourseyouhavealreadyshewnyourselfintheMarchionessG。’spalace？"
　　"No，Ihaveneverbeenthere。"
　　"Youastonishme；butsheoftenspeakstoyou！"
　　"Ihavenoobjectiontogowithyou。"
　　"Inevervisitatherpalace。"
　　"Yetshespeakstoyoulikewise。"
　　"Yes，but……YoudonotknowRome；goalone；believeme，yououghttogo。"
　　"Willshereceiveme？"
　　"Youarejoking，Isuppose。Ofcourseitisoutofthequestionforyoutobeannounced。Youwillcallwhenthedoorsarewideopentoeverybody。Youwillmeetthereallthosewhopayhomagetoher。"
　　"Willsheseeme？"
　　"Nodoubtofit。"
　　OnthefollowingdayIproceededtoMonte—Cavallo，andIwasatonceledintotheroomwherethePopewasalone。Ithrewmyselfonmykneesandkissedtheholycrossonhismostholyslipper。ThePopeenquiringwhoIwas，Itoldhim，andheansweredthatheknewme，congratulatingmeuponmybeingintheserviceofsoeminentacardinal。HeaskedmehowIhadsucceededingainingthecardinal’sfavour；IansweredwithafaithfulrecitalofmyadventuresfrommyarrivalatMartorano。HelaughedheartilyatallIsaidrespectingthepoorandworthybishop，andremarkedthat，insteadoftryingtoaddresshiminTuscan，IcouldspeakintheVenetiandialect，ashewashimselfspeakingtomeinthedialectofBologna。Ifeltquiteatmyeasewithhim，andItoldhimsomuchnewsandamusedhimsowellthattheHolyFatherkindlysaidthathewouldbegladtoseemewheneverIpresentedmyselfatMonte—Cavallo。Ibeggedhispermissiontoreadallforbiddenbooks，andhegranteditwithhisblessing，sayingthatIshouldhavethepermissioninwriting，butheforgotit。
　　BenedictXIV，wasalearnedman，veryamiable，andfondofajoke。
　　IsawhimforthesecondtimeattheVillaMedicis。Hecalledmetohim，andcontinuedhiswalk，speakingoftriflingthings。HewasthenaccompaniedbyCardinalAlbaniandtheambassadorfromVenice。
　　AmanofmodestappearanceapproachedHisHoliness，whoaskedwhatherequired；themansaidafewwordsinalowvoice，and，afterlisteningtohim，thePopeanswered，"Youareright，placeyourtrustinGod；"andhegavehimhisblessing。Thepoorfellowwentawayverydejected，andtheHolyFathercontinuedhiswalk。
　　"Thisman，"Isaid，"mostHolyFather，hasnotbeenpleasedwiththeanswerofYourHoliness。"
　　"Why？"
　　"BecausemostlikelyhehadalreadyaddressedhimselftoGodbeforeheventuredtoapplytoyou；andwhenYourHolinesssendshimtoGodagain，hefindshimselfsentback，astheproverbsays，fromHerodtoPilate。"
　　ThePope，aswellashistwocompanions，laughedheartily；butIkeptaseriouscountenance。
　　"Icannot，"continuedthePope，"doanygoodwithoutGod’sassistance。"
　　"Verytrue，HolyFather；butthemanisawarethatyouareGod’sprimeminister，anditiseasytoimaginehistroublenowthattheministersendshimagaintothemaster。HisonlyresourceistogivemoneytothebeggarsofRome，whoforone’bajocco’willprayforhim。TheyboastoftheirinfluencebeforethethroneoftheAlmighty，butasIhavefaithonlyinyourcredit，IentreatYourHolinesstodelivermeoftheheatwhichinflamesmyeyesbygrantingmepermissiontoeatmeat。"
　　"Eatmeat，myson。"
　　"HolyFather，givemeyourblessing。"
　　Heblessedme，addingthatIwasnotdispensedfromfasting。
　　Thatveryevening，atthecardinal’sassembly，IfoundthatthenewsofmydialoguewiththePopewasalreadyknown。Everybodywasanxioustospeaktome。Ifeltflattered，butIwasmuchmoredelightedatthejoywhichCardinalAcquavivatriedinvaintoconceal。
　　AsIwishednottoneglectGama’sadvice，Ipresentedmyselfatthemansionofthebeautifulmarchionessatthehouratwhicheveryonehadfreeaccesstoherladyship。Isawher，Isawthecardinalandagreatmanyabbes；butImighthavesupposedmyselfinvisible，fornoonehonouredmewithalook，andnoonespoketome。Ileftafterhavingperformedforhalfanhourthecharacterofamute。Fiveorsixdaysafterwards，themarchionesstoldmegraciouslythatshehadcaughtasightofmeinherreception—rooms。
　　"Iwasthere，itistrue，madam；butIhadnoideathatIhadhadthehonourtobeseenbyyourladyship。"
　　"Oh！Iseeeverybody。Theytellmethatyouhavewit。"
　　"Ifitisnotamistakeonthepartofyourinformants，yourladyshipgivesmeverygoodnews。"
　　"Oh！theyareexcellentjudges。"
　　"Then，madam，thosepersonsmusthavehonouredmewiththeirconversation；otherwise，itisnotlikelythattheywouldhavebeenabletoexpresssuchanopinion。"
　　"Nodoubt；butletmeseeyouoftenatmyreceptions。"
　　Ourconversationhadbeenoverheardbythosewhowerearound；hisexcellencythecardinaltoldmethat，whenthemarchionessaddressedherselfparticularlytomeinFrench，mydutywastoanswerherinthesamelanguage，goodorbad。ThecunningpoliticianGamatookmeapart，andremarkedthatmyreparteesweretoosmart，toocutting，andthat，afteratime，Iwouldbesuretodisplease。IhadmadeconsiderableprogressinFrench；Ihadgivenupmylessons，andpracticewasallIrequired。IwastheninthehabitofcallingsometimesuponLucreziainthemorning，andofvisitingintheeveningFatherGeorgi，whowasacquaintedwiththeexcursiontoFrascati，andhadnotexpressedanydissatisfaction。
　　Twodaysafterthesortofcommandlaiduponmebythemarchioness，I
　　presentedmyselfatherreception。Assoonasshesawme，shefavouredmewithasmilewhichIacknowledgedbyadeepreverence；
　　thatwasall。InaquarterofanhourafterwardsIleftthemansion。
　　Themarchionesswasbeautiful，butshewaspowerful，andIcouldnotmakeupmymindtocrawlatthefeetofpower，and，onthathead，I
　　feltdisgustedwiththemannersoftheRomans。
　　OnemorningtowardstheendofNovembertheadvocate，accompaniedbyAngelique’sintended，calledonme。Thelattergavemeapressinginvitationtospendtwenty—fourhoursatTivoliwiththefriendsI
　　hadentertainedatFrascati。Iacceptedwithgreatpleasure，forI
　　hadfoundnoopportunityofbeingalonewithLucreziasincetheFestivalofSt。Ursula。IpromisedtobeatDonnaCecilia’shouseatday—breakwiththesame’is—a—vis’。Itwasnecessarytostartveryearly，becauseTivoliissixteenmilesfromRome，andhassomanyobjectsofinterestthatitrequiresmanyhourstoseethemall。AsIhadtosleepoutthatnight，Icravedpermissiontodosofromthecardinalhimself，who，hearingwithwhomIwasgoing，toldmethatI
　　wasquiterightnottolosesuchanopportunityofvisitingthatsplendidplaceinsuchgoodsociety。
　　Thefirstdawnofdayfoundmewithmy’vis—a—vis’andfouratthedoorofDonnaCecilia，whocamewithmeasbefore。Thecharmingwidow，notwithstandingherstrictmorality，wasdelightedatmyloveforherdaughter。ThefamilyrodeinalargephaetonhiredbyDonFrancisco，whichgaveroomforsixpersons。
　　Athalf—pastseveninthemorningwemadeahaltatasmallplacewherehadbeenprepared，byDonFranciso’sorders，anexcellentbreakfast，whichwasintendedtoreplacethedinner，andweallmadeaheartymeal，aswewerenotlikelytofindtimeforanythingbutsupperatTivoli。IworeonmyfingerthebeautifulringwhichLucreziahadgivenme。AtthebackoftheringIhadhadapieceofenamelplaced，onitwasdelineatedasaduceus，withoneserpentbetweenthelettersAlphaandOmega。Thisringwasthesubjectofconversationduringbreakfast，andDonFrancisco，aswellastheadvocate，exertedhimselfinvaintoguessthemeaningofthehieroglyphs；muchtotheamusementofLucrezia，whounderstoodthemysterioussecretsowell。Wecontinuedourroad，andreachedTivoliatteno’clock。
　　WebeganbyvisitingDonFrancisco’svilla。Itwasabeautifullittlehouse，andwespentthefollowingsixhoursinexaminingtogethertheantiquitiesofTivoli。LucreziahavingoccasiontowhisperafewwordstoDonFrancisco，IseizedtheopportunityoftellingAngeliquethatafterhermarriageIshouldbehappytospendafewdaysofthefineseasonwithher。
　　"Sir，"sheanswered，"IgiveyoufairnoticethatthemomentIbecomemistressinthishouseyouwillbetheveryfirstpersontobeexcluded。"
　　"Ifeelgreatlyobligedtoyou，signora，foryourtimelynotice。"
　　ButthemostamusingpartoftheaffairwasthatIconstruedAngelique’swantoninsultintoadeclarationoflove。Iwasastounded。Lucrezia，remarkingthestateIwasin，touchedmyarm，enquiringwhatailedme。Itoldher，andshesaidatonce，"Mydarling，myhappinesscannotlastlong；thecruelmomentofourseparationisdrawingnear。WhenIhavegone，prayundertakethetaskofcompellinghertoacknowledgehererror。Angeliquepitiesme，besuretoavengeme。"
　　IhaveforgottentomentionthatatDonFrancisco’svillaIhappenedtopraiseaveryprettyroomopeningupontheorange—house，andtheamiablehost，havingheardme，cameobliginglytome，andsaidthatitshouldbemyroomthatnight。Lucreziafeignednottohear，butitwastoherAriadne’sclue，for，asweweretoremainaltogetherduringourvisittothebeautiesofTivoli，wehadnochanceofatete—a—tetethroughtheday。
　　IhavesaidthatwedevotedsixhourstoanexaminationoftheantiquitiesofTivoli，butIamboundtoconfessherethatIsaw，formypart，verylittleofthem，anditwasonlytwenty—eightyearslaterthatImadeathoroughacquaintancewiththebeautifulspot。
　　Wereturnedtothevillatowardsevening，fatiguedandveryhungry，butanhour’srestbeforesupper——arepastwhichlastedtwohours，themostdeliciousdishes，themostexquisitewines，andparticularlytheexcellentwineofTivoli——restoredussowellthateverybodywantednothingmorethanagoodbedandthefreedomtoenjoythebedaccordingtohisowntaste。
　　Aseverybodyobjectedtosleepalone，LucreziasaidthatshewouldsleepwithAngeliqueinoneoftheroomsleadingtotheorange—house，andproposedthatherhusbandshouldsharearoomwiththeyoungabbe，hisbrother—in—law，andthatDonnaCeciliashouldtakeheryoungestdaughterwithher。
　　Thearrangementmetwithgeneralapprobation，andDonFrancisco，takingacandle，escortedmetomyprettylittleroomadjoiningtheoneinwhichthetwosistersweretosleep，and，aftershewingmehowIcouldlockmyselfin，hewishedmegoodnightandleftmealone。
　　AngeliquehadnoideathatIwashernearneighbour，butLucreziaandI，withoutexchangingasinglewordonthesubject，hadperfectlyunderstoodeachother。
　　Iwatchedthroughthekey—holeandsawthetwosisterscomeintotheirroom，precededbythepoliteDonFrancisco，whocarriedataper，and，afterlightinganight—lamp，badethemgoodnightandretired。Thenmytwobeauties，theirdooroncelocked，satdownonthesofaandcompletedtheirnighttoilet，which，inthatfortunateclimate，issimilartothecostumeofourfirstmother。Lucrezia，knowingthatIwaswaitingtocomein，toldhersistertoliedownonthesidetowardsthewindow，andthevirgin，havingnoideathatshewasexposinghermostsecretbeautiestomyprofaneeyes，crossedtheroominastateofcompletenakedness。Lucreziaputoutthelampandlaydownnearherinnocentsister。
　　HappymomentswhichIcannolongerenjoy，butthesweetremembranceofwhichdeathalonecanmakemelose！IbelieveIneverundressedmyselfasquicklyasIdidthatevening。
　　IopenthedoorandfallintothearmsofmyLucrezia，whosaystohersister，"Itismyangel，mylove；nevermindhim，andgotosleep。"
　　WhatadelightfulpictureIcouldoffertomyreadersifitwerepossibleformetopaintvoluptuousnesinitsmostenchantingcolours！Whatecstasiesoflovefromtheveryonset！WhatdeliciousrapturessucceedeachotheruntilthesweetestfatiguemadeusgivewaytothesoothinginfluenceofMorpheus！
　　Thefirstraysofthesun，piercingthroughthecrevicesoftheshutters，wakeusoutofourrefreshingslumbers，andliketwovalorousknightswhohaveceasedfightingonlytorenewthecontestwithincreasedardour，welosenotimeingivingourselvesuptoalltheintensityoftheflamewhichconsumesus。
　　"Oh，mybelovedLucrezia！howsupremelyhappyIam！But，mydarling，mindyoursister；shemightturnroundandseeus。"
　　"Fearnothing，mylife；mysisteriskind，shelovesme，shepitiesme；doyounotloveme，mydearAngelique？Oh！turnround，seehowhappyyoursisteris，andknowwhatfelicityawaitsyouwhenyouowntheswayoflove。"
　　Angelique，ayoungmaidenofseventeensummers，whomusthavesufferedthetormentsofTantalusduringthenight，andwhoonlywishesforapretexttoshewthatshehasforgivenhersister，turnsround，andcoveringhersisterwithkisses，confessesthatshehasnotclosedhereyesthroughthenight。
　　"Thenforgivelikewise，darlingAngelique，forgivehimwholovesme，andwhomIadore，"saysLucrezia。
　　Unfathomablepowerofthegodwhoconquersallhumanbeings！
　　"Angeliquehatesme，"Isay，"Idarenot……"
　　"No，Idonothateyou！"answersthecharminggirl。
　　"Kissher，dearest，"saysLucrezia，pushingmetowardshersister，andpleasedtoseeherinmyarmsmotionlessandlanguid。
　　Butsentiment，stillmorethanlove，forbidsmetodepriveLucreziaoftheproofofmygratitude，andIturntoherwithalltheraptureofabeginner，feelingthatmyardourisincreasedbyAngelique’secstasy，asforthefirsttimeshewitnessestheamorouscontest。
　　Lucrezia，dyingofenjoyment，entreatsmetostop，but，asIdonotlistentoherprayer，shetricksme，andthesweetAngeliquemakesherfirstsacrificetothemotheroflove。Itisthus，verylikely，thatwhenthegodsinhabitedthisearth，thevoluptuousArcadia，inlovewiththesoftandpleasingbreathofZephyrus，onedayopenedherarms，andwasfecundated。
　　Lucreziawasastonishedanddelighted，andcoveredusbothwithkisses。Angelique，ashappyashersister，expireddeliciouslyinmyarmsforthethirdtime，andshesecondedmewithsomuchlovingardour，thatitseemedtomeIwastastinghappinessforthefirsttime。
　　Phoebushadleftthenuptialcouch，andhisrayswerealreadydiffusinglightovertheuniverse；andthatlight，reachingusthroughtheclosedshutters，gavemewarningtoquittheplace；weexchangedthemostlovingadieus，Ileftmytwodivinitiesandretiredtomyownroom。Afewminutesafterwards，thecheerfulvoiceoftheadvocatewasheardinthechamberofthesisters；hewasreproachingthemforsleepingtoolong！Thenheknockedatmydoor，threateningtobringtheladiestome，andwentaway，sayingthathewouldsendmethehair—dresser。
　　Aftermanyablutionsandacarefultoilet，IthoughtIcouldskewmyface，andIpresentedmyselfcoollyinthedrawing—room。Thetwosistersweretherewiththeothermembersofoursociety，andIwasdelightedwiththeirrosycheeks。Lucreziawasfrankandgay，andbeamedwithhappiness；Angelique，asfreshasthemorningdew，wasmoreradiantthanusual，butfidgety，andcarefullyavoidedlookingmeintheface。Isawthatmyuselessattemptstocatchhereyesmadehersmile，andIremarkedtohermother，rathermischievously，thatitwasapityAngeliqueusedpaintforherface。Shewasdupedbythisstratagem，andcompelledmetopassahandkerchiefoverherface，andwasthenobligedtolookatme。Iofferedhermyapologies，andDonFranciscoappearedhighlypleasedthatthecomplexionofhisintendedhadmetwithsuchtriumph。
　　Afterbreakfastwetookawalkthroughthegarden，and，findingmyselfalonewithLucrezia，Iexpostulatedtenderlywithherforhavingalmostthrownhersisterinmyarms。
　　"Donotreproachme，"shesaid，"whenIdeservepraise。Ihavebroughtlightintothedarknessofmycharmingsister’ssoul；Ihaveinitiatedherinthesweetestofmysteries，andnow，insteadofpityingme，shemustenvyme。Farfromhavinghatredforyou，shemustloveyoudearly，andasIamsounhappyastohavetopartfromyouverysoon，mybeloved，Ileavehertoyou；shewillreplaceme。"
　　"Ah，Lucrezia！howcanIloveher？"
　　"Isshenotacharminggirl？"
　　"Nodoubtofit；butmyadorationforyouisashieldagainstanyotherlove。BesidesDonFranciscomust，ofcourse，entirelymonopolizeher，andIdonotwishtocausecoolnessbetweenthem，ortoruinthepeaceoftheirhome。Iamcertainyoursisterisnotlikeyou，andIwouldbetthat，evennow，sheupbraidsherselfforhavinggivenwaytotheardourofhertemperament:"
　　"Mostlikely；but，dearest，Iamsorrytosaymyhusbandexpectstoobtainjudgmentinthecourseofthisweek，andthentheshortinstantsofhappinesswillforeverbelosttome。"
　　Thiswassadnewsindeed，andtocauseadiversionatthebreakfast—
　　tableItookmuchnoticeofthegenerousDonFrancisco，andpromisedtocomposeanuptialsongforhiswedding—day，whichhadbeenfixedfortheearlypartofJanuary。
　　WereturnedtoRome，andforthethreehoursthatshewaswithmeinmyvis—a—vis，Lucreziahadnoreasontothinkthatmyardourwasatallabated。ButwhenwereachedthecityIwasratherfatigued，andproceededatoncetothepalace。
　　Lucreziahadguessedrightly；herhusbandobtainedhisjudgmentthreeorfourdaysafterwards，andcalleduponmetoannouncetheirdepartureforthedayafterthemorrow；heexpressedhiswarmfriendshipforme，andbyhisinvitationIspentthetwolasteveningswithLucrezia，butwewerealwayssurroundedbythefamily。
　　Thedayofherdeparture，wishingtocauseheranagreeablesurprise，IleftRomebeforethemandwaitedforthemattheplacewhereI
　　thoughttheywouldputupforthenight，buttheadvocate，havingbeendetainedbyseveralengagements，wasdetainedinRome，andtheyonlyreachedtheplacenextdayfordinner。Wedinedtogether，weexchangedasad，painfulfarewell，andtheycontinuedtheirjourneywhileIreturnedtoRome。
　　Afterthedepartureofthischarmingwoman，Ifoundmyselfinsortofsolitudeverynaturaltoayoungmanwhoseheartisnotfullofhope。
　　Ipassedwholedaysinmyroom，makingextractsfromtheFrenchletterswrittenbythecardinal，andhiseminencewaskindenoughtotellmethatmyextractswerejudiciouslymade，butthatheinsisteduponmynotworkingsohard。Thebeautifulmarchionesswaspresentwhenhepaidmethatcompliment。
　　Sincemysecondvisittoher，Ihadnotpresentedmyselfatherhouse；shewasconsequentlyrathercooltome，and，gladofanopportunityofmakingmefeelherdispleasure，sheremarkedtohiseminencethatverylikelyworkwasaconsolationtomeinthegreatvoidcausedbythedepartureofDonnaLucrezia。
　　"Icandidlyconfess，madam，thatIhavefeltherlossdeeply。Shewaskindandgenerous；aboveall，shewasindulgentwhenIdidnotcalloftenuponher。Myfriendshipforherwasinnocent。"
　　"Ihavenodoubtofit，althoughyourodewastheworkofapoetdeeplyinlove。"
　　"Oh！"saidthekindlycardinal，"apoetcannotpossiblywritewithoutprofessingtobeinlove。"
　　"But，"repliedthemarchioness，"ifthepoetisreallyinlove，hehasnoneedofprofessingafeelingwhichhepossesses。"
　　Asshewasspeaking，themarchionessdrewoutofherpocketapaperwhichsheofferedtohiseminence。
　　"Thisistheode，"shesaid，"itdoesgreathonourtothepoet，foritisadmittedtobeamasterpiecebyalltheliteratiinRome，andDonnaLucreziaknowsitbyheart。"
　　Thecardinalreaditoverandreturnedit，smiling，andremarkingthat，ashehadnotasteforItalianpoetry，shemustgiveherselfthepleasureoftranslatingitintoFrenchrhymeifshewishedhimtoadmireit。
　　"IonlywriteFrenchprose，"answeredthemarchioness，"andaprosetranslationdestroyshalfthebeautyofpoetry。IamsatisfiedwithwritingoccasionallyalittleItalianpoetrywithoutanypretensiontopoeticalfame"
　　Thosewordswereaccompaniedbyaverysignificantglanceinmydirection。
　　"Ishouldconsidermyselffortunate，madam，ifIcouldobtainthehappinessofadmiringsomeofyourpoetry。"
　　"Hereisasonnetofherladyship’s，"saidCardinalS。C。
　　Itookitrespectfully，andIpreparedtoreadit，buttheamiablemarchionesstoldmetoputitinmypocketandreturnittothecardinalthenextday，althoughshedidnotthinkthesonnetworthsomuchtrouble。"Ifyoushouldhappentogooutinthemorning，"saidCardinalS。C。，"youcouldbringitback，anddinewithme。"CardinalAquavivaimmediatelyansweredforme:"Hewillbesuretogooutpurposely。"
　　Withadeepreverence，whichexpressedmythanks，Ilefttheroomquietlyandreturnedtomyapartment，veryimpatienttoreadthesonnet。Yet，beforesatisfyingmywish，Icouldnothelpmakingsomereflectionsonthesituation。IbegantothinkmyselfsomebodysincethegiganticstrideIhadmadethiseveningatthecardinal’sassembly。TheMarchionessdeG。hadshewninthemostopenwaytheinterestshefeltinme，and，undercoverofhergrandeur，hadnothesitatedtocompromiseherselfpubliclybythemostflatteringadvances。Butwhowouldhavethoughtofdisapproving？Ayoungabbelikeme，withoutanyimportancewhatever，whocouldscarcelypretendtoherhighprotection！True，butshewaspreciselythewomantograntittothosewho，feelingthemselvesunworthyofit，darednotshewanypretensionstoherpatronage。Onthathead，mymodestymustbeevidenttoeveryone，andthemarchionesswouldcertainlyhaveinsultedmehadshesupposedmecapableofsufficientvanitytofancythatshefelttheslightestinclinationforme。No，suchapieceofself—conceitwasnotinaccordancewithmynature。Hercardinalhimselfhadinvitedmetodinner。Wouldhehavedonesoifhehadadmittedthepossibilityofthebeautifulmarchionessfeelinganythingforme？Ofcoursenot，andhegavemeaninvitationtodinewithhimonlybecausehehadunderstood，fromtheverywordsofthelady，thatIwasjustthesortofpersonwithwhomtheycouldconverseforafewhourswithoutanyrisk；tobesure，withoutanyriskwhatever。Oh，MasterCasanova！doyoureallythinkso？
　　Well，whyshouldIputonamaskbeforemyreaders？Theymaythinkmeconceitediftheyplease，butthefactofthematteristhatI
　　feltsureofhavingmadeaconquestofthemarchioness。I
　　congratulatedmyselfbecauseshehadtakenthefirst，mostdifficult，andmostimportantstep。Hadshenotdoneso，Ishouldneverhavedared—tolaysiegetohereveninthemostapprovedfashion；Ishouldneverhaveevenventuredtodreamofwinningher。ItwasonlythiseveningthatIthoughtshemightreplaceLucrezia。Shewasbeautiful，young，fullofwitandtalent；shewasfondofliterarypursuits，andverypowerfulinRome；whatmorewasnecessary？YetI
　　thoughtitwouldbegoodpolicytoappearignorantofherinclinationforme，andtolethersupposefromtheverynextdaythatIwasinlovewithher，butthatmyloveappearedtomehopeless。Iknewthatsuchaplanwasinfallible，becauseitsavedherdignity。ItseemedtomethatFatherGeorgihimselfwouldbecompelledtoapprovesuchanundertaking，andIhadremarkedwithgreatsatisfactionthatCardinalAcquavivahadexpressedhisdelightatCardinalS。C。’sinvitation——anhonourwhichhehadneveryetbestowedonmehimself。
　　Thisaffairmighthaveveryimportantresultsforme。
　　Ireadthemarchioness’ssonnet，andfounditeasy，flowing，andwellwritten。ItwascomposedinpraiseoftheKingofPrussia，whohadjustconqueredSilesiabyamasterlystroke。AsIwascopyingit，theideastruckmetopersonifySilesia，andtomakeher，inanswertothesonnet，bewailthatLove（supposedtobetheauthorofthesonnetofthemarchioness）couldapplaudthemanwhohadconqueredher，whenthatconquerorwastheswornenemyofLove。
　　Itisimpossibleforamanaccustomedtowritepoetrytoabstainwhenahappysubjectsmilesuponhisdelightedimagination。Ifheattemptedtosmotherthepoeticalflamerunningthroughhisveinsitwouldconsumehim。Icomposedmysonnet，keepingthesamerhymesasintheoriginal，and，wellpleasedwithmymuse，Iwenttobed。
　　ThenextmorningtheAbbeGamacameinjustasIhadfinishedrecopyingmysonnet，andsaidhewouldbreakfastwithme。HecomplimentedmeuponthehonourconferredonmebytheinvitationofCardinalS。C。
　　"Butbeprudent，"headded，"forhiseminencehasthereputationofbeingjealous:"
　　Ithankedhimforhisfriendlyadvice，takingcaretoassurehimthatIhadnothingtofear，becauseIdidnotfeeltheslightestinclinationforthehandsomemarchioness。
　　CardinalS。C。receivedmewithgreatkindnessmingledwithdignity，tomakemerealizetheimportanceofthefavourhewasbestowinguponme。
　　"Whatdoyouthink，"heenquired，"ofthesonnet？"
　　"Monsignor，itisperfectlywritten，and，whatismore，itisacharmingcomposition。Allowmetoreturnittoyouwithmythanks。"
　　"Shehasmuchtalent。Iwishtoshewyoutenstanzasofhercomposition，mydearabbe，butyoumustpromisetobeverydiscreetaboutit。"
　　"Youreminencemayrelyonme。"
　　Heopenedhisbureauandbroughtforththestanzasofwhichhewasthesubject。Ireadthem，foundthemwellwritten，butdevoidofenthusiasm；theyweretheworkofapoet，andexpressedloveinthewordsofpassion，butwerenotpervadedbythatpeculiarfeelingbywhichtrueloveissoeasilydiscovered。Theworthycardinalwasdoubtlessguiltyofaverygreatindiscretion，butself—loveisthecauseofsomanyinjudicioussteps！Iaskedhiseminencewhetherhehadansweredthestanzas。
　　"No，"hereplied，"Ihavenot；butwouldyoufeeldisposedtolendmeyourpoeticalpen，alwaysunderthesealofsecrecy？"
　　"Astosecrecy，monsignor，Ipromiseitfaithfully；butIamafraidthemarchionesswillremarkthedifferencebetweenyourstyleandmine。"
　　"Shehasnothingofmycomposition，"saidthecardinal；"Idonotthinkshesupposesmeafinepoet，andforthatreasonyourstanzasmustbewritteninsuchamannerthatshewillnotesteemthemabovemyabilities。"
　　"Iwillwritethemwithpleasure，monsignor，andyoureminencecanformanopinion；iftheydonotseemgoodenoughtobeworthyofyou，theyneednotbegiventothemarchioness。"