Thereadingwascontinued，andIthoughtmytimehadcomewhenshereadtheverses:
　　Iosenzascaleinsularoocasalto，Etostendardopiantovidibotto，Elanemicamiamicacciosotto**
　　**Iscaledtherockwithoutaladder，Iplantedmystandardsuddenly，andheldmyenemybeneathme。
　　Iwantedtogiveherapracticalillustrationofthelines，butwiththatsensibilitysonaturaltowomen，andwhichtheycanusesowellasagoadtopassion，shesaid，——
　　"Dearest，youmightmakeyourselfworse；letuswaittillyoursprainiscured。"
　　"ArewetowaittillIamcuredfortheconsummationofourmarriage？"
　　"Isupposeso，forifIamnotmistakenthethingcan’tbedonewithoutacertainmovement。"
　　"Youarewrong，dearPauline，butitwouldmakenodifferencetomeevenifitwereso。YoumaybesureIwouldnotputitofftillto—
　　morrow，evenifitcostmemyleg。Besides，youshallseethattherearewaysandmeansofsatisfyingourpassionswithoutdoingmeanyharm。Isthatenoughforyou？"
　　"Well，well，asitiswrittenthatawifeshouldobeyherhusband，youwillfindmedocile。"
　　"When？"
　　"Aftersupper。"
　　"Thenwewillhavenosupper。Weshalldinewithallthebetterappetiteto—morrow。Letusbeginnow。"
　　"No，forthesuspicionsoftheservantsmightbearoused。Lovehasitsrulesofdecencylikeeverythingelse。"
　　"YoutalkaswiselyasCato，andIamobligedtoconfessthatyouarerightinallyousay。"
　　Supperwasservedasusual；itwasdelicateenough，butthethoughtofapproachingblisshadtakenawayourappetites，andweateonlyforform’ssake。Atteno’clockwewereatliberty，andcouldindulgeourpassionwithoutanyfearofbeingdisturbed。
　　Butthisdelightfulwoman，whohadsoplainlytoldmeafewhoursbeforethatwhenIwascuredwewouldlivetogetherasmanandwife，wasnowashamedtoundressbeforeme。Shecouldnotmakeuphermind，andtoldmeso，laughingatherself。FromthiscircumstanceI
　　gatheredthatthedecencyofthebodyismoretenaciousinitsgraspthanthepurityofthesoul。
　　"But，sweetheart，"saidI，"youdressedandundressedforafortnightbeforeyourbetrothed。"
　　"Yes，buthewasalwayslyinginhishammockwithhisbacktowardsmeatnight，andinthemorningheneverturnedroundandwishedmegooddaytillheknewIwasdressed。"
　　"What，heneverturned？"
　　"Ineverlethimtakeanyliberties。"
　　"Suchvirtueisincomprehensibletome。"
　　"Youseethecountwastobemyhusband，andIwastobehiswife，andinsuchcasesayoungwomaniscareful。Besides，Ibelievethatifonewillbutrefrainfromtakingthefirststep，continenceiseasy。Thenthecountwasnaturallytimid，andwouldneverhavetakenanylibertieswithoutmyencouraginghim，whichItookcarenottodo。Forthisonce，youwillallowmetosleepwithyouinmyclothes。"
　　"Certainly，ifyouwishmetobedressedalso，otherwiseitwouldbeunbearableforbothofus。"
　　"Youareverycruel。"
　　"But，dearest，areyounotashamedofthesefoolishscruples？"
　　"Well，well，putoutthecandles，andinaminuteIwillbebesideyou。"
　　"Verygood；thoughthewantoflightwilldeprivemeofagreatpleasure。Quick，outwiththem！"
　　MycharmingPortuguesedidnotreflectthatthemoonshonefullintotheroom，andthatthemuslincurtainswouldnotpreventmyseeingherexquisitefigure，whichshewedtogreateradvantageinthepositionshehappenedtotake。IfPaulinehadbeenacoquetteI
　　shouldhaveconsideredherscruplesasmereartificecalculatedtoincreasemyardour；butshehadnoneedtousesuchstratagems。Atlastshewaswithinmyarms，andweclaspedeachothercloselyandinsilencethatwasonlybrokenbythemurmurofourkisses。Soonourunionbecamecloser，andhersighsandtheardourofhersurrendershewedmethatherpassionwasmoreinneedofreliefthanmine。I
　　wassufficientlymasterofmyselftorememberthatImusthaveacareforherhonour，greatlytoherastonishment，forsheconfessedshehadneverthoughtofsuchathing，andhadgivenherselfupfreely，resolvedtobravetheconsequenceswhichshebelievedtobeinevitable。Iexplainedthemysteryandmadeherhappy。
　　Tillthismomentlovealonehadswayedme，butnowthatthebloodysacrificewasoverIfeltfullofrespectandgratitude。ItoldhereffusivelythatIknewhowgreatwasmyhappiness，andthatIwasreadytosacrificemylifetohertoprovemylove。
　　ThethoughtthatourembraceswouldhavenodangerousresulthadputPaulineatherease，andshehavereinstoherardenttemperament，whileIdidvaliantservice，tillatlastwewereexhaustedandthelastsacrificewasnotentirelyconsummated。Weabandonedourselvestoaprofoundandpeacefulsleep。Iwasthefirsttoawake；thesunwasshininginthroughthewindow，andIgazedonPauline。AsI
　　lookedatthiswoman，thefirstbeautyinPortugal，theonlychildofanillustriousfamily，whohadgivenherselftomeallforlove，andwhomIshouldpossessforsoshortatime，Icouldnotrestrainaprofoundsigh。
　　Paulineawoke，andhergaze，asbrightastherisingsuninspringtime，fixeditselfonmetruthfullyandlovingly。
　　"Whatareyouthinkingof，dearest？"
　　"Iamtryingtoconvincemyselfthatmyhappinessisnotadream，andifitberealIwantittolastforever。Iamthehappymortaltowhomyouhavegivenupyourgreattreasure，ofwhichIamunworthy，thoughIloveyoutenderly。"
　　"Sweetheart，youareworthyofallmydevotionandaffection，ifyouhavenotceasedtorespectme。"
　　"Canyoudoubtit，Pauline？"
　　"No，dearest，Ithinkyouloveme，andthatIshallneverrepenthavingtrustedinyou。"
　　Thesweetsacrificewasofferedagain，andPaulineroseandlaughedtofindthatshewasnolongerashamedofhernakednessbeforeme。
　　Then，passingfromjesttoearnest，shesaid，——
　　"Ifthelossofshameistheresultofknowledge，howwasitthatourfirstparentswerenotashamedtilltheyhadacquiredknowledge？"
　　"Idon’tknow，dearest，buttellme，didyoueveraskyourlearnedItalianmasterthatsamequestion？"
　　"Yes，Idid。"
　　"Whatdidhesay？"
　　"Thattheirshamearosenotfromtheirenjoyment，butfromdisobedience；andthatincoveringthepartswhichhadseducedthem，theydiscovered，asitwere，thesintheyhadcommitted。Whatevermaybesaidonthesubject，IshallalwaysthinkthatAdamwasmuchmoretoblamethanEve。"
　　"Howisthat？"
　　"BecauseAdamhadreceivedtheprohibitionfromGod，whileEvehadonlyreceiveditfromAdam。"
　　"IthoughtthatbothofthemreceivedtheprohibitiondirectlyfromGod。"
　　"YouhavenotreadGenesis，then。"
　　"Youarelaughingatme。"
　　"Thenyouhavereaditcarelessly，becauseitisdistinctlystatedthatGodmadeEveafterhehadforbiddenAdamtoeatofthefruit。"
　　"Iwonderthatpointhasnotbeenremarkedbyourcommentators；itseemsaveryimportantonetome。"
　　"Theyareapackofknaves，allswornenemiesofwomen。"
　　"No，no，theygiveproofsofquiteanotherfeelingonlytoooften。"
　　"Wewon’tsayanythingmoreaboutit。Myteacherwasanhonestman。"
　　"WasheaJesuit？"
　　"Yes，butoftheshortrobe。"
　　"Whatdoyoumean？"
　　"Wewilldiscussthequestionanothertime。"
　　"Verygood；IshouldliketohaveitprovedtomethatamancanbeaJesuitandhonestatthesametime。"
　　"Thereareexceptionstoallrules。"
　　MyPaulinewasaprofoundthinker，andstronglyattachedtoherreligion。IshouldneverhavediscoveredthatshepossessedthismeritifIhadnotsleptwithher。Ihaveknownseveralwomenofthesamestamp；ifyouwishtoknowtheelevationoftheirsouls，youmustbeginbydamningthem。Whenthisisdone，oneenjoystheirconfidence，fortheyhavenosecretsforthehappyvictor。Thisisthereasonwhythecharmingthoughfeeblesexlovesthebraveanddespisesthecowardly。Sometimestheyappeartolovecowards，butalwaysfortheirphysicalbeauty。Womenamusethemselveswithsuchfellows，butarethefirsttolaughiftheygetcaned。
　　AfterthemostdeliciousnightIhadeverpassed，IresolvednottoleavemyhousetillPaulinehadtoreturntoPortugal。Shedidnotleavemeforamoment，savetohearmassonSundays。Ishutmydoortoeverybody，eventothedoctor，formyspraindisappearedofitself。IdidnotfailtoinformMissChudleighofmyrapidcure；
　　shehadsenttwiceadayeversincetheaccidenttolearnhowIwas。
　　Paulinewenttoherroomafterouramorousconflict，andIdidnotseeheragaintilldinner—time；butwhenIdidseeherIthoughtheranangel。Herfacehadcaughtthehuesofthelilyandtherose，andhadanairofhappinessIcouldnothelpadmiring。
　　Aswebothwantedtohaveourportraitstaken，IaskedMartinellitosendmethebestminiature—painterinLondon。HesentaJew，whosucceededadmirably。IhadmyminiaturemountedinaringandgaveittoPauline；andthiswastheonlypresentshewouldacceptfromme，whowouldhavethoughtmyselfallthericherifshehadacceptedallIhad。
　　Wespentthreeweeksinahappydreamwhichnopencandescribe。I
　　wasquitewellagain，andwetastedallthesweetsoflovetogether。
　　Alldayandallnightweweretogether，ourdesiresweresatisfiedonlytoberenewed；weenjoyedtheextremestbliss。Inaword，itisdifficulttoformajustideaofthestateoftwoindividualswhoenjoyalltherangeofphysicalandmentalpleasurestogether，whoselifeisforthepresentwithoutthoughtofthefuture；whosejoysaremutualandcontinual；such，nevertheless，wasthepositionofmyselfandmydivinePauline。
　　EverydayIdiscoveredinhersomefreshperfectionwhichmademelovehermore；hernaturewasinexhaustibleinitstreasures，forhermentalqualitiesevensurpassedherphysicalbeauties，andanexcellenteducationhadwonderfullyincreasedthepowersofherintelligence。Withallthebeautyandgraceofawomanshehadthatexaltedcharacterwhichisthelotofthebestofmen。Shebegantoflatterherselfthatthefatalletterwouldnevercome，andthecountwaslittlemorethanadreamofthepast。Sometimesshewouldsaythatshecouldnotunderstandhowaprettyfacecouldexercisesuchastronginfluenceoverusinspiteofourreason。
　　"Ihavefoundouttoolate，"sheadded，"thatchancealonecanmakeamarriage，contractedforsuchphysicalreasons，happy。"
　　The1stofAugustwasafataldayforbothofus。PaulinereceivedaletterfromLisbon，whichsummonedherhomewithoutdelay，andIhadaletterfromParisannouncingthedeathofMadamed’Urfe。MadameduRumaintoldmethatontheevidenceofhermaidthedoctorshadpronouncedherdeathtobeduetoanoverdoseoftheliquidshecalled"ThePanacea。"Sheaddedthatawillhadbeenfoundwhichsavouredofalunaticasylum，forshehadleftallherwealthtothesonordaughterthatshouldbebornofher，declaringthatshewaswithchild。Iwastobethegovernoroftheinfant；thisvexedmeexceedingly，asIknewIshouldbethelaughing—stockofParisforaweekatleast。Herdaughter，theComtessedeChatelet，hadtakenpossessionofallherrealestateandofherpocket—book，whichcontained，tomysurprise，fourhundredthousandfrancs。Itwasagreatshockforme，butthecontentsofthetwolettersPaulinehadreceivedwasagreaterblow。Onewasfromheraunt，andtheotherfromOeiras，whobeggedhertoreturntoLisbonassoonaspossible，andassuredherthatsheshouldbeputinpossessionofherpropertyonherarrival，andwouldbeatlibertytomarryCountAl————inthesightofalltheworld。Hesentherachequefortwentymillionreis。Iwasnotawareofthesmallvalueofthecoin，andwasinanecstasy；butPaulinelaughed，andsaiditonlycametotwothousandpounds，whichwasasufficientsum，however，toallowhertotravelinthestyleofaduchess。Theministerwantedhertocomebysea，andallshehadtodowastocommunicatewiththePortugueseambassador，whohadorderstogiveherapassageonaPortuguesefrigatewhichhappenedtoberidinginanEnglishport。Paulinewouldnothearofthevoyage，orofapplyingtotheambassador，forshedidnotwantanyonetothinkthatshehadbeenobligedtoreturn。
　　Shewasangrywiththeministerforhavingsentheracheque，thinkingthathemustbeawarethatshehadbeeninneed，butIsoonbroughthertoseereasononthispoint，tellingherthatitwasaverythoughtfulanddelicateproceedingonthepartofOeiras，andthathehadmerelylent—herthemoney，andnotgivenittoher。
　　Paulinewasrich，andshewasahigh—mindedwoman。Hergenerositymaybeestimatedbyhergivingmeherringwhenshewasinwant，andshecertainlynevercountedonmypurse，thoughshemayhavefeltsurethatIwouldnotabandonher。Iamsureshebelievedmetobeveryrich，andmyconductwascertainlycalculatedtofavourthatidea。
　　Thedayandeventhenightpassedsadly。ThenextdayPaulineaddressedmeasfollows:
　　"Wemustpart，dearfriend，andtrytoforgetoneanother，formyhonourobligesmetobecomethewifeofthecountassoonasIarriveinLisbon。Thefirstfancyofmyheart，whichyouhavealmosteffaced，willregainallitsoldforcewhenIseeyounolonger，andIamsureIshalllovemyhusband，forheisagoodhearted，honest，andpleasantyoungman；thatmuchIknowfromthefewdayswelivedtogether。
　　"NowIhaveafavourtoaskofyou，whichIamsureyouwillgrant。
　　PromisemenevertocometoLisbonwithoutmypermission。Ihopeyouwillnotseektoknowmyreasons；youwouldnot，Iamsure，cometotroublemypeace，forifIsinnedIshouldbeunhappy，andyouwouldnotdesirethatforme。Ihavedreamedwehavelivedtogetherasmanandwife，andnowwearepartedIshallfancymyselfawidowabouttoundertakeanothermarriage。"
　　Iburstintotears，andpressinghertomybreastpromisedIwoulddoasshewished。
　　PaulinewrotetoherauntandOeirasthatshewouldbeinLisboninOctober，andthattheyshouldhavefurthernewsofherwhenshereachedSpain。Shehadplentyofmoney，andboughtacarriageandengagedamaid，andthesearrangementstookuphertimeduringthelastweekshespentwithme。ImadeherpromisemetoletClairmontaccompanyherasfarasMadrid。ShewastosendmebackmyfaithfulservantwhenshereachedtheSpanishcapital，butfatehaddecreedthatIshouldseehisfacenomore。
　　Thelastfewdayswerespentpartlyinsorrowandpartlyindelight。
　　Welookedateachotherwithoutspeaking，andspokewithoutknowingwhatwesaid。Weforgottoeat，andwenttobedhopingthatloveandanguishwouldkeepusawake，butourexhaustedbodiesfellintoaheavysleep，andwhenweawokewecouldonlysighandkissagain。
　　PaulineallowedmetoescortherasfarasCalais，andwestartedonthe10thofAugust，onlystoppingatDovertoembarkthecarriageonthepacket，andfourhoursafterwardswedisembarkedatCalais，andPauline，consideringherwidowhoodhadbegun，beggedmetosleepinanotherroom。Shestartedonthe12thofAugust，precededbymypoorClairmont，andresolvedonlytotravelbydaytime。
　　TheanalogybetweenmypartingwithPaulineandmypartingwithHenriettefifteenyearsbefore，wasexceedinglystriking；thetwowomenwereofverysimilarcharacter，andbothwereequallybeautiful，thoughtheirbeautywasofadifferentkind。ThusIfellasmadlyinlovewiththesecondaswiththefirst，bothbeingequallyintelligent。Thefactthatonehadmoretalentandlessprejudicesthantheothermusthavebeenaneffectoftheirdifferenteducations。Paulinehadthefineprideofhernation，hermindwasaseriouscast，andherreligionwasmoreanaffairoftheheartthantheunderstanding。ShewasalsoafarmoreardentmistressthanHenriette。IwassuccessfulwithbothofthembecauseIwasrich；ifIhadbeenapoormanIshouldneverhaveknowneitherofthem。I
　　havehalfforgottenthem，aseverythingisforgottenintime，butwhenIrecallthemtomymemoryIfindthatHenriettemadetheprofounderimpressiononme，nodoubtbecauseIwastwenty—fivewhenIknewher，whileIwasthirty—seveninLondon。
　　TheolderIgetthemoreIfeelthedestructiveeffectsofoldage；
　　andIregretbitterlythatIcouldnotdiscoverthesecretofremainingyoungandhappyforever。Vainregrets！wemustfinishaswebegan，helplessanddevoidofsense。
　　IwentbacktoEnglandthesameday，andhadatroublesomepassage。
　　Nevertheless，IdidnotrestatDover；andassoonasIgottoLondonIshutmyselfupwithatrulyEnglishattackofthespleen，whileI
　　thoughtofPaulineandstrovetoforgether。Jarbeputmetobed，andinthemorning，whenhecameintomyroom，hemademeshudderwithaspeechatwhichIlaughedafterwards。
　　"Sir，"saidhe，"theoldwomanwantstoknowwhethersheistoputupthenoticeagain。"
　　"Theoldhag！Doesshewantmetochokeher？"
　　"Goodheavens—no，sir！Sheisveryfondofyou，seeingyouseemedsosad，shethought……"
　　"Goandtellhernevertothinksuchthingsagain，andasforyou……"
　　"Iwilldoasyouwish，sir。"
　　"Thenleaveme。"
　　EndTheEnglishByJacquesCasanovaTHEMEMOIRSOFJACQUESCASANOVADESEINGALT
　　THERAREUNABRIDGEDLONDONEDITIONOF1894TRANSLATEDBYARTHUR
　　MACHENTOWHICHHASBEENADDEDTHECHAPTERSDISCOVEREDBYARTHUR
　　SYMONS。
　　MEMOIRSOFJACQUESCASANOVAdeSEINGALT1725—1798
　　INLONDONANDMOSCOW，Volume5c——THEENGLISH
　　THEENGLISH
　　CHAPTERX
　　EccentricityoftheEnglish——CastelbajacCountSchwerin——SophieatSchool——MyReceptionattheBettingClub——TheCharpillonIpassedanightwhichseemedlikeanever—endingnightmare，andI
　　gotupsadandsavage，feelingasifIcouldkillamanonthesmallestprovocation。Itseemedasifthehouse，whichIhadhithertothoughtsobeautiful，waslikeamillstoneaboutmyneck。
　　Iwentoutinmytravellingclothes，andwalkedintoacoffee—house，whereIsawascoreofpeoplereadingthepapers。
　　Isatdown，and，notunderstandingEnglish，passedmytimeingazingatthegoersandcomers。IhadbeentheresometimewhenmyattentionwasattractedbythevoiceofamanspeakingasfollowsinFrench:
　　"Tommyhascommittedsuicide，andhewaswise，forhewasinsuchastatethathecouldonlyexpectunhappinessfortherestofhislife。"
　　"Youarequitemistaken，"saidtheother，withthegreatestcomposure。"Iwasoneofhiscreditorsmyself，andonmakinganinventoryofhiseffectsIfeelsatisfiedthathehasdoneaveryfoolishandaverychildishthing；hemighthavelivedoncomfortably，andnotkilledhimselfforfullysixmonths。"
　　Atanyothertimethiscalculationwouldhavemademelaugh，and，asitwas，Ifeltasiftheincidenthaddonemegood。
　　Ileftthecoffee—housewithouthavingsaidawordorspentapenny，andIwenttowardstheExchangetogetsomemoney。BosanquetgavemewhatIwanteddirectly，andasIwalkedoutwithhimInoticedacurious—lookingindividual，whosenameIasked。
　　"He’sworthahundredthousand，"saidthebanker。
　　"Andwhoisthatothermanoverthere？"
　　"He’snotworthaten—poundnote。"
　　"ButIdon’twanttohearwhattheyareworth；it’stheirnamesI
　　want。"
　　"Ireallydon’tknow。"
　　"Howcanyoutellhowmuchtheyareworth，notknowingtheirnames？"
　　"Namesdon’tgoforanythinghere。Whatwewanttoknowaboutamanishowmuchhehasgot？Besides；what’sinaname？Askmeforathousandpoundsandgivemeaproperreceipt，andyoucandoitunderthenameofSocratesorAttila，forallIcare。YouwillpaymebackmymoneyasSocratesorAttila，andnotasSeingalt；thatisall。"
　　"Buthowaboutsigningbillsofexchange？"
　　"That’sanotherthing；Imustusethenamewhichthedrawergivesme。"
　　"Idon’tunderstandthat。"
　　"Well，yousee，youarenotEnglish，norareyouabusinessman。"
　　OnleavinghimIwalkedtowardsthepark，butwishingtochangeatwenty—poundnotebeforegoinginIwenttoafatmerchant，anepicurewhoseacquaintanceIhadmadeatthetavern，andputdownthenoteonhiscounter，begginghimtocashitforme。
　　"Comeagaininanhour，"saidhe，"Ihavenomoneybymejustnow。"
　　"Verygood；IwillcallagainwhenIcomefromthepark。"
　　"Takebackyournote；youshallgiveittomewhenIhandyouthemoney。"
　　"Nevermind；keepit。Idon’tdoubtyourhonesty。"
　　"Don’tbesofoolish。IfyouleftmethenoteIshouldcertainlydeclinetohandoverthemoney，ifonlyforthesakeofgivingyoualesson。"
　　"Idon’tbelieveyouarecapableofsuchdishonesty。"
　　"NoramI，butwhenitcomestosuchasimplethingasputtingabanknoteinyourpocket，themosthonestmanintheworldwouldneverdreamofhavingsuchathinginhispossessionwithouthavingpaidthemoneyforit，andtheleastslipofmemorymightleadtoadisputeinwhichyouwouldinfalliblycomeoffsecondbest。"
　　"Ifeeltheforceofyourarguments，especiallyinatownwheresomuchbusinessiscarriedon。"
　　WhenIgotintotheparkImetMartinelliandthankedhimforsendingmeacopyoftheDecameron，whilehecongratulatedmeonmyre—
　　appearanceinsociety，andontheyoungladyofwhomIhadbeenthehappypossessorandnodoubttheslave。
　　"MyLordPembrokehasseenher，"saidhe，"andthoughthercharming。"
　　"What？Wherecouldhehaveseenher？"
　　"InacarriagewithyoudrivingfastalongtheRochesterroad。Itisthreeorfourdaysago。"
　　"ThenImaytellyouthatIwastakinghertoCalais；Ishallneverseeherfaceagain。"
　　"Willyoulettheroomagaininthesameway？"
　　"No，neveragain，thoughthegodoflovehasbeenpropitioustome。
　　Ishallbegladtoseeyouatmyhousewheneveryouliketocome。"
　　"ShallIsendyouanotetowarnyou？"
　　"Notatall。"
　　Wewalkedontalkingaboutliterature，manners，andsoforth，inanaimlessway。Allatonce，asweapproachedBuckinghamHouse，Isawfiveorsixpersons，relievingnatureamidstthebushes，withtheirhinderpartsfacingthepassers—by。Ithoughtthisadisgustingpieceofindecency，andsaidasmuchtoMartinelli，addingthattheimpudentrascalsmightatleastturntheirfacestowardsthepath。
　　"Notatall，"heexclaimed，"forthentheymightberecognized；
　　whereasinexposingtheirposteriorstheyrunnosuchrisk；besidesthesightmakessqueamishpersonsturnaway。"
　　"Youareright，butyouwillconfessthatthewholethingstrikesastrangerasveryrevolting。"
　　"Yes，thereisnothingsoineradicableasnationalprejudice。YoumayhavenoticedthatwhenanEnglishmanwantstoeasehissluicesinthestreet，hedoesn’trunupanalleyorturntothewalllikewedo。"
　　"Yes，Ihavenoticedthemturningtowardsthemiddleofthestreet，butiftheythusescapethenoticeofthepeopleintheshopsandonthepavementtheyareseenbyeverybodywhoisdrivinginacarriage，andthatisasbad。"
　　"Thepeopleinthecarriagesneednotlook。"
　　"Thatistrue"
　　WewalkedontotheGreenPark，andmetLordPembrokeonhorseback。
　　Hestoppedandburstintoexclamationsonseeingme。AsIguessedthecauseofhissurprise，IhastenedtotellhimthatIwasafreemanoncemore，tomysorrow，andfeltlonelyamidstmysplendour。
　　"Ifeelrathercuriousaboutit，andperhapsImaycomeandkeepyoucompanyto—day。"
　　Weparted，andreckoningonseeinghimatdinnerI，wentbacktotellmycookthatdinnerwastobeservedinthelargeroom。Martinellihadanengagementandcouldnotcometodinner，butheledmeoutoftheparkbyadoorwithwhichIwasnotacquainted，andsentmeonmyway。
　　Asweweregoingalongwesawacrowdofpeoplewhoseemedtobestaringatsomething。Martinelliwentuptothecrowd，andthenreturnedtome，saying，——
　　"That’sacurioussightforyou；youcanenteritamidstyourremarksonEnglishmanners。"
　　"Whatisit？"
　　"Amanatthepointofdeathfromablowhehasreceivedinboxingwithanothersturdyfellow。"
　　"Cannotanythingbedone？"
　　"Thereisasurgeontherewhowouldbleedhim，ifhewereallowed。"
　　"Whocouldpreventhim？"
　　"That’sthecuriouspartofit。Twomenhavebettedonhisdeathorrecovery。Onesays，’I’llbettwentyguineashedies，’andtheothersays，’Done。’Numberonewillnotallowthesurgeontobleedhim，forifthemanrecoveredhistwentyguineaswouldbegone。"
　　"Poorman！whatpitilessbetters！"
　　"TheEnglishareverystrangeintheirbettingproclivities；theybetabouteverything。ThereisaBettingClubtowhichIwillintroduceyou，ifyoulike。"
　　"DotheyspeakFrenchthere？"
　　"Mostcertainly，foritiscomposedofmenofwitandmark。"
　　"Whatdotheydo？"
　　"Theytalkandargue，andifonemanbringsforwardapropositionwhichanotherdenies，andonebackshisopinion，theotherhastobettoo，onpainofafinewhichgoestothecommonfund。"
　　"Introducemetothisdelightfulclub，byallmeans；itwillmakemyfortune，forIshallalwaystakecaretobeontherightside。"
　　"Youhadbetterbecareful；theyarewarybirds。"
　　"Buttoreturntothedyingman；whatwillbedonetohisantagonist？"
　　"Hishandwillbeexamined，andifitisfoundtobejustthesameasyoursormineitwillbemarked，andhewillbeletgo。"
　　"Idon’tunderstandthat，sokindlyexplain。Howdotheyrecognizeadangeroushand？"
　　"Ifitisfoundtobemarkedalready，itisaproofthathehaskilledhismanbeforeandhasbeenmarkedforit，withthewarning，’Takecarenottokillanyoneelse，forifyoudoyouwillbehanged。’"
　　"Butsupposingsuchamanisattacked？"
　　"Heoughttoshewhishand，andthenhisadversarywouldlethimalone。"
　　"Butifnot？"
　　"Thenheisdefendinghimself；andifhekillshismanheisacquitted，providedhecanbringwitnessestoswearthathewasobligedtofight。"
　　"Sincefightingwiththefistmaycausedeath，Iwonderitisallowed。"
　　"Itisonlyallowedforawager。Ifthecombatantsdonotputoneormorepiecesofmoneyonthegroundbeforethefight，andthereisadeath，themanishanged。"
　　"Whatlaws！Whatmanners！"
　　InsuchwaysIlearntmuchconcerningthemannerandcustomsofthisproudnation，atoncesogreatandsolittle。
　　Thenoblelordcametodinner，andItreatedhiminamannertomakehimwishtocomeagain。Althoughtherewereonlythetwoofus，themeallastedalongtime，asIwasanxiousforadditionalinformationonwhatIhadheardinthemorning，especiallyontheBettingClub。
　　TheworthyPembrokeadvisedmenottohaveanythingtodowithit，unlessImadeupmymindtokeepperfectsilenceforfourorfiveweeks。
　　"Butsupposingtheyaskmeaquestion？"
　　"Evadeit。"
　　"Certainly，ifIamnotinapositiontogivemyopinion；butifI
　　haveanopinion，thepowersofSatancouldnotshutmymouth。"
　　"Alltheworseforyou。"
　　"Arethemembersknaves？"
　　"Certainlynot。Theyarenoblemen，philosophers，andepicures；buttheyarepitilesswhereabetisconcerned。"
　　"Istheclubtreasuryrich？"
　　"Farfromit；theyareallashamedtopayafine，andprefertobet。
　　Whowillintroduceyou？"
　　"Martinelli。"
　　"Quiteso；throughLordSpencer，whoisamember。Iwouldnotbecomeone。"
　　"Whynot？"
　　"BecauseIdon’tlikeargument。"
　　"Mytasterunstheotherway，soIshalltrytogetin。"
　　"Bytheway，M。deSeingalt，doyouknowthatyouareaveryextraordinaryman？"
　　"Forwhatreason，mylord？"
　　"YoushutyourselfupforawholemonthwithawomanwhospentfourteenmonthsinLondonwithoutanybodymakingheracquaintanceorevendiscoveringhernationality。Alltheamateurshavetakenalivelyinterestintheaffair。"
　　"HowdidyoufindoutthatshespentfourteenmonthsinLondon？"
　　"Becauseseveralpersonssawherinthehouseofaworthywidowwhereshespentthefirstmonth。Shewouldneverhaveanythingtosaytoanyadvances，butthebillinyourwindowworkedwonders。"
　　"Yes，andalltheworseforme，forIfeelasifIcouldneverloveanotherwoman。"
　　"Oh，that’schildishindeed！Youwillloveanotherwomaninaweek—
　　nay，perhapsto—morrow，ifyouwillcomeanddinewithmeatmycountryhouse。AperfectFrenchbeautyhasaskedmetodinewithher。Ihavetoldsomeofmyfriendswhoarefondofgaming。"
　　"DoesthecharmingFrenchwomanlikegaming？"
　　"No，butherhusbanddoes。"
　　"What’shisname？"
　　"HecallshimselfCountdeCastelbajac。"
　　"Ah！Castelbajac？"
　　"Yes。"
　　"HeisaGascon？"
　　"Yes。"
　　"Tall，thin，anddark，andmarkedwiththesmallpox？
　　"Exactly！Iamdelightedtofindyouknowhim。Youwillagreewithmethathiswifeisverypretty？"
　　"Ireallycan’tsay。IknewCastelbajac，ashecallshimself，sixyearsago，andIneverheardhewasmarried。Ishallbedelightedtojoinyou，however。Imustwarnyounottosayanythingifheseemsnottoknowme；hemaypossiblyhavegoodreasonsforactinginthatmanner。BeforelongIwilltellyouastorywhichdoesnotrepresenthiminaveryadvantageousmanner。Ididnotknowheplayed。I
　　shalltakecaretobeonmyguardattheBettingClub，andIadviseyou，mylord，tobeonyourguardinthesocietyofCastelbajac。"
　　"Iwillnotforgetthewarning。"
　　WhenPembrokehadleftmeIwenttoseeMadameCornelis，whohadwrittenaweekbeforetotellmemydaughterwasill，andexplainedthatshehadbeenturnedfrommydoorsontwooccasionsthoughshefeltcertainIwasin。TothisIrepliedthatIwasinlove，andsohappywithinmyownhousethatIhadexcludedallstrangers，andwiththatshehadtobecontented，butthestateinwhichIfoundlittleSophiefrightenedme。Shewaslyinginbedwithhighfever，shehadgrownmuchthinner，andhereyesseemedtosaythatshewasdyingofgrief。Hermotherwasindespair，forshewaspassionatelyfondofthechild，andIthoughtshewouldhavetornmyeyesoutwhenItoldherthatifSophiediedshewouldonlyhaveherselftoreproach。
　　Sophie，whowasverygood—hearted，criedout，"No，no！papadear；"
　　andquietedhermotherbyhercaresses。
　　Nevertheless，Itookthemotheraside，andtoldherthatthediseasewassolelycausedbySophie’sdreadofherseverity。
　　"Inspiteofyouraffection，"saidI，"youtreatherwithinsufferabletyranny。Sendhertoaboardingschoolforacoupleofyears，andletherassociatewithgirlsofgoodfamily。Tellherthiseveningthatsheistogotoschool，andseeifshedoesnotgetbetter。"
　　"Yes，"saidshe，"butagoodboarding—schoolcostsahundredguineasayear，includingmasters。"
　　"IfIapproveoftheschoolyouselectIwillpayayearinadvance。"
　　Onmymakingthisofferthewoman，whoseemedtobelivingsoluxuriously，butwasinrealitypoverty—stricken，embracedmewiththeutmostgratitude。
　　"Comeandtellthenewstoyourdaughternow，"saidshe，"Ishouldliketowatchherfacewhenshehearsit。"
　　"Certainly。"
　　"MydearSophie，"Isaid，"yourmotheragreeswithmethatifyouhadachangeofairyouwouldgetbetter，andifyouwouldliketospendayearortwoinagoodschoolIwillpaythefirstyearinadvance。"
　　"Ofcourse，Iwillobeymydearmother，"saidSophie。
　　"Thereisnoquestionofobedience。Wouldyouliketogotoschool？
　　Tellmetruly。"
　　"Butwouldmymotherlikemetogo？"
　　"Yes，mychild，ifitwouldpleaseyou。"
　　"Then，mamma，Ishouldliketogoverymuch。"
　　Herfaceflushedasshespoke，andIknewthatmydiagnosishadbeencorrect。IlefthersayingIshouldhopetohearfromhersoon。
　　Atteno’clockthenextdayJarbecametoaskifIhadforgottenmyengagement。
　　"No，"saidI，"butitisonlyteno’clock。"
　　"Yes，butwehavetwentymilestogo。"
　　"Twentymiles？"
　　"Certainly，thehouseisatSt。Albans。"
　　"It’sverystrangePembrokenevertoldme；howdidyoufindouttheaddress？"
　　"Heleftitwhenhewentaway:"
　　"JustlikeanEnglishman。"
　　Itookapost—chaise，andinthreehoursIhadreachedmydestination。TheEnglishroadsareexcellent，andthecountryoffersasmilingprospectoneveryside。Thevineislacking，forthoughtheEnglishsoilisfertileitwillnotbeargrapes。
　　LordPembroke’shousewasnotaparticularlylargeone，buttwentymastersandtheirservantscouldeasilybeaccommodatedinit。
　　Theladyhadnotyetarrived，somylordshewedmehisgardens，hisfountains，andhismagnificenthot—houses；alsoacockchainedbytheleg，andofatrulyferociousaspect。
　　"Whathavewehere，mylord？"
　　"Acock。"
　　"Iseeitis，butwhydoyouchainit？"
　　"Becauseitissavage。Itisveryamorous，andifitwerelooseitwouldgoafterthehens，andkillallthecocksonthecountry—side。"
　　"Butwhydoyoucondemnhimtocelibacy？"
　　"Tomakehimfiercer。Here，thisisthelistofhisconquests。"
　　Hegavemealistofhiscock’svictories，inwhichhehadkilledtheotherbird；thishadhappenedmorethanthirtytimes。Hethenshewedmethesteelspurs，atthesightofwhichthecockbegantoruffleandcrow。Icouldnothelplaughingtoseesuchamartialspiritinsosmallananimal。Heseemedpossessedbythedemonofstrife，andliftednowonefootandnowtheother，asiftobegthathisarmsmightbeputon。
　　Pembrokethenexhibitedthehelmet，alsoofsteel。
　　"Butwithsucharms，"saidI，"heissureofconquest。"
　　"No；forwhenheisarmedcap—a—piehewillnotfightwithadefencelesscock。"
　　"Ican’tbelieveit，mylord。"
　　"It’sawell—knownfact。Here，readthis。"
　　Hethengavemeapieceofpaperwiththisremarkablebiped’spedigree。Hecouldprovehisthirty—twoquartersmoreeasilythanagoodmanynoblemen，onthefather’sside，beitunderstood，forifhecouldhaveprovedpurebloodonthemother’ssideaswell，LordPembrokewouldhavedecoratedhimwiththeOrderoftheGoldenFleeceatleast。
　　"Thebirdcostmeahundredguineas，"saidhe，"butIwouldnotsellhimforathousand。"
　　"Hasheanyoffspring？"
　　"Hetrieshisbest，buttherearedifficulties。"
　　IdonotrememberwhetherLordPembrokeexplainedwhatthesedifficultieswere。CertainlytheEnglishoffermorepeculiaritiestotheattentiveobserverthananyothernation。
　　Atlastacarriagecontainingaladyandtwogentlemendroveuptothedoor。OneofthegentlemenwastherascallyCastelbajacandtheotherwasintroducedasCountSchwerin，nephewofthefamousmarshalofthatnamewhofellonwhatiscommonlycalledthefieldofglory。
　　GeneralBekw————anEnglishmanwhowasintheserviceoftheKingofPrussia，andwasoneofPembroke’sguests，receivedSchwerinpolitely，sayingthathehadseenhisuncledie；atthisthemodestnephewdrewtheOrderoftheBlackEaglefromhisbreast，andshewedittousallcoveredwithblood。
　　"Myuncleworeitonthedayofhisdeath，andtheKingofPrussiaallowedmetokeepitasanoblememorialofmykinsman。"
　　"Yes，"saidanEnglishmanwhowaspresent，"butthecoat—pocketisnottheplaceforathinglikethat。"
　　Schwerinmadeasifhedidnotunderstand，andthisenabledmetotakehismeasure。
　　LordPembroketookpossessionofthelady，whomIdidnotthinkworthyofbeingcomparedtoPauline。Shewaspalerandshorter，andutterlydeficientinPauline’snobleair；besides，whenshesmileditspoiledherface，andthisisadefectinawoman，towhomlaughtershouldalwaysbebecoming。
　　LordPembrokeintroducedusalltoeachother，andwhenhecametomeCastelbajacsaidhewasdelightedtoseemeagain，althoughhemighteasilyhavepretendednottoknowmeundermynameofSeingalt。
　　WehadagoodEnglishdinner，andafterwardstheladyproposedagameoffaro。Mylordneverplayed，sothegeneralconsentedtoamusethecompanybyholdingthebank，andplacedahundredguineasandseveralbanknotesonthetable。Theremightbeathousandguineasinall。
　　Hethengavetwentycounterstoeachpunter，sayingthateverycounterwasworthtenshillings。AsIonlystakedgoldagainstgoldIwouldnotacceptthem。BythethirddealSchwerinhadlosthistwentycountersandaskedfortwentymore；butthebankertoldhimhemustpayforthem，andtheself—styledfield—marshal’snephewlapsedintosilenceandplayednomore。
　　AtthefollowingdealCastelbajacwasinthesamepositionashisfriend，andbeingonmysidehebeggedtobeallowedtotaketenpieces。
　　"Youwillbringmeill—luck，"Isaid，coldly，wardingoffhishand；
　　andhewentouttothegarden，nodoubttoswallowtheaffronthehadreceived。Theladysaidherhusbandhadforgottenhispocketbook。
　　Anhourafterwardsthegamecametoanend，andItookmyleave，afterinvitingLordPembrokeandtherestofthecompanytodinewithmethenextday。
　　Igothomeateleveno’clockwithoutmeetinganyhighwaymenasIhadexpected，indeedIhadputupsixguineasinasmallpursefortheirspecialuseandbenefit。IwokeupmycooktotellhimthatthenextdayIshouldhavetwelvepeopletodinner，andthatIhopedhewoulddomehonour。IfoundaletterfromMadameCornelisonmytabletellingmethatsheandherdaughterwoulddrivewithmeonthefollowingSunday，andthatwecouldgoandseetheboarding—schoolshehadselected。
　　NextdayLordPembrokeandthefairFrenchwomanwerethefirsttoarrive。Theydroveinacarriagewithtworatheruncomfortableseats，butthisdiscomfortisfavourabletolove。TheGasconandthePrussianwerethelasttocome。
　　Wesatdowntotableattwoandleftitatfour，ailofuswellpleasedwiththecook，andstillmoresowiththewinemerchant；forthoughwehademptiedfortybottlesofwine，notoneofuswasatallintoxicated。
　　Aftercoffeehadbeenservedthegeneralinvitedusalltosupwithhim，andMadameCastelbajacbeggedmetoholdabank。Ididnotwaittobepressedbutplacedathousandguineasonthetable，andasI
　　hadnocountersofanykindIwarnedthecompanythatIwouldonlyplaygoldagainstgold，andthatIshouldstopplayingwheneverI
　　thoughtfit。
　　Beforethegamebeganthetwocountspaidtheirlossesofthedaybeforetothegeneralinbanknotes，whichhebeggedmetochange。I
　　alsochangedtwoothernotespresentedtomebythesamegentleman，andputthemallundermysnuff—box。Playbegan。Ihadnocroupier，soIwasobligedtodealslowlyandkeepaneyeonthetwocounts，whosemethodofplaywasveryquestionable。Atlastbothofthemweredriedup，andCastelbajacgavemeabillofexchangefortwohundredguineas，beggingmetodiscountitforhim。
　　"Iknownothingaboutbusiness，"Ireplied。
　　AnEnglishmantookthebill，andafteracarefulexaminationsaidheneitherknewthedrawer，theaccepter，northebacker。
　　"Iamthebacker，"saidCastelbajac，"andthatoughttobeenough，I
　　think。"
　　Everybodylaughed，besidesmyself，andIgaveithimbackcourteously，sayingpolitelythathecouldgetitdiscountedon’Changethenextday。Hegotupinabadtemper，andlefttheroom，murmuringsomeinsolentexpressions。Schweringfollowedhim。
　　Afterthesetwoworthygentlemenhadleftus，Iwentondealingtillthenightwasfaradvanced，andthenleftoff，thoughIwasataloss。However，thegeneralhadarunofluck，andIthoughtitbesttostop。BeforeleavinghetookmeandLordPembrokeaside，andbeggedmetocontrivethatthetwoknavesshouldnotcometohishousethefollowifigday。"For，"saidhe，"ifthatGasconweretobehalfasinsolenttomeashewastoyou，Ishouldshewhimoutbythewindow。"
　　Pembrokesaidhewouldtelltheladyofthegeneral’swishes。
　　"Doyouthink，"saidI，"thatthosefournotesoftheirscanbeforgeries？"
　　"It’sverypossible。"
　　"Whatwouldyouadvisemydoingtoclearthematterup？"
　　"Iwouldsendthemtothebank。"
　　"Andiftheyshouldbeforgeries？"
　　"Iwouldhavepatience，orIwouldarresttherascals。"
　　ThenextdayIwenttothebankmyself，andthepersontowhomIgavethenotesgavemethemback，saying，coldly，——
　　"Thesenotesarebad，sir。"
　　"Bekindenoughtoexaminethemclosely。"
　　"It’snogood，theyareevidentforgeries。Returnthemtothepersonfromwhomyougotthem，andhewillbeonlytoogladtocashthem。"
　　IwasperfectlyawarethatIcouldputthetwoknavesunderlockandkey，butIdidnotwanttodoso。IwenttoLordPembroketofindouttheiraddress，buthewasstillinbed，andoneofhisservantstookmetothem。Theyweresurprisedtoseeme。Itoldthemcoollyenoughthatthefournoteswereforged，andthatIshouldfeelmuchobligediftheywouldgivemefortyguineasandtaketheirnotesback。
　　"Ihaven’tgotanymoney，"saidCastelbajac，"andwhatyousayastonishesmeverymuch。Icanonlyreturnthemtothepersonswhogavethemtome，ifthearereallythesamenotesthatwegaveyouyesterday。"
　　Atthissuggestionthebloodrushedtomyface，andwithawitheringglanceandanindignantapostropheIleftthem。LordPembroke’sservanttookmetoamagistratewho，havingheardmystatementonoath，gavemeapaperauthorizingmetoarresttwocounts。Igavethedocumenttoanalderman，whosaidhewouldseeitwascarriedout，andIwenthomeillpleasedwiththewholebusiness。
　　Martinelliwaswaitingforme；hehadcometoaskmetogivehimadinner。Itoldhimmystory，withoutaddingthattheknavesweretobearrested，andhisadvicedeliveredwithphilosophiccalmwastomakeanautoda—feofthefournotes。Itwasverygoodadvice，butI
　　didnottakeit。
　　TheworthyMartinelli，thinkingtoobligeme，toldmethathehadarrangedwithLordSpencerthedayonwhichIwastobeintroducedtotheclub，butIansweredthatmyfancyforgoingtherewasover。I
　　oughttohavetreatedthislearnedanddistinguishedmanwithmorepoliteness，butwhocansoundhumanweaknesstoitsdepths？Oneoftengoestoawisemanforadvicewhichonehasnotthecouragetofollow。
　　IntheeveningIwenttothegeneral’s，andfoundtheself—styledCountessCastelbajacseatedonLordPembroke’sknees。Thesupperwasagoodone，andpassedoffpleasantly；thetworascalswerenotthere，andtheirabsencewasnotremarked。Whenweleftthetablewewentintoanotherroom，andplayedtillday—break。Ilefttheboardwithalossoftwoorthreehundredguineas。
　　Ididnotwaketilllatethenextmorning，andwhenIdidmymantoldmethatapersonwantedtospeaktome。Ihadhimshewnin，andasheonlyspokeEnglishthenegrohadtobeourinterpreter。Hewasthechiefofthepolice，andtoldmethatifIwouldpayforthejourneyhewouldarrestCastelbajacatDover，forwhichtownhehadstartedatnoon。Astotheotherhewassureofhavinghiminthecourseofthenight。Igavehimaguinea，andtoldhimitwouldbeenoughtocatchtheone，andthattheothercouldgowhereheliked。
　　ThenextdaywasSunday，theonlydayonwhichMadameCorneliscouldgoabroadwithoutfearofthebailiff。Shecametodinewithme，andbroughtherdaughter，whomtheprospectofleavinghermotherhadquitecured。TheschoolwhichMadameCornelishadchosenwasatHarwich，andwewentthereafterdinner。
　　Thehead—mistresswasaCatholic，andthoughshemusthavebeensixty，shelookedkeen，witty，andasifsheknewthewaysoftheworld。ShehadreceivedanintroductionfromLadyHarrington，andsowelcomedtheyoungladyinthemostcordialmanner。Shehadaboutfifteenyoungboardersofthirteenorfourteenyearsofage。WhenshepresentedSophietothemasanewcompanion，theycrowdedroundherandcoveredherwithcaresses。Fiveorsixwereperfectangelsofbeauty，andtwoorthreewerehideouslyugly；andsuchextremesaremorecommoninEnglandthananywhereelse。Mydaughterwasthesmallestofthemall，butasfarasbeautywentshehadnothingtofearbycomparison，andhertalentsplacedheronaparwiththeeldest，whilesherespondedtotheircaresseswiththateasewhichlaterinlifeisonlyacquiredwithgreatdifficulty。
　　Wewentoverthehouse，andallthegirlsfollowedus，andthosewhocouldspeakFrenchorItalianspoketome，sayinghowmuchtheywouldlovemydaughter，whilethosewhocouldnotspeaksufficientlywellheldoffasifashamedoftheirignorance。Wesawthebedrooms，thedining—room，thedrawing—room，theharpsandthepianos——infact，everything，andIdecidedthatSophiecouldnotbebetterplacid。Wewentintothehead—mistress’sprivateroom，andMadameCornelispaidherahundredguineasinadvance，andobtainedareceipt。WethenagreedthatSophieshouldbereceivedasaboarderassoonasshelikedtocome，thatshewastobringherbedwithher，andallthenecessarylinen。MadameCornelismadethefinalarrangementsontheensuingSunday。
　　NextdaythealdermantoldmethatCountSchwerinwasaprisoner，andwantedtospeaktome。Ideclinedatfirst，butasthealderman’smessengertoldme，throughJarbe，thatthepoordevilhadnotafarthinginhispocket，Iwasmovedwithcompassion。AshewaschargedwithutteringforgednoteshehadbeentakentoNewgate，andwasindangerofbeinghanged。
　　Ifollowedthemagistrate’smessenger，andcannotsayhowthewoefulaspect，thetearsandsupplicationsformercyofthepoorwretch，movedmyheart。HesworethatCastelbajachadgivenhimthenotes，butheaddedthatheknewwheretheycamefromoriginally，andwouldtellmeifIwouldreleasehim。
　　Alittlebitternessstillremainedinmybreast，soItoldhimthatifheknewwhoforgedthenoteshecouldcertainlyescapethegallows，butthatIshouldkeephimprisonertillIgotmymoneyback。Atthisthreathistearsandsupplicationsbeganoveragainandwithrenewedforce，andtellingmethathewasinutterpovertyheemptiedhispocketsoneaftertheothertoshewmethathehadnomoney，andatlastofferedmethebloodstainedbadgeofhisuncle。I
　　wasdelightedtobeabletorelievehimwithoutanyappearanceofweakness，andacceptedthebaubleasapledge，tellinghimthatheshouldhaveitbackonpaymentoffortypounds。
　　Iwroteoutaformalrelease，andinhispresenceandinthatofthealdermanIburntthefournotesandsethimfree。
　　Twodaysafterwardstheso—calledcountesscametomyhouse，sayingthatnowCastelbajacandSchewirinweregone，sheknewnotwheretolayherhead。ShecomplainedbitterlyofLordPembroke，whodesertedheraftermakinghergivehimtheclearestproofsofheraffection。
　　BywayofconsolationItoldherthatitwouldbeveryfoolishofhimtohaveabandonedherbeforeinsteadofafter。
　　TogetridofherIwasobligedtogiveherthemoneytopayherjourneytoCalais。ShetoldmeshedidnotwanttorejointheGascon，whowasnotreallyherhusband。Weshallhearmoreofthesepersonsinthecourseofthreeyears。
　　TwoorthreedayslateranItaliancalledonme，andgavemealetterfrommyfriendBaletti，whichrecommendedthebearer，Constantini，anativeofVicenza，tomygoodoffices。HehadcometoLondononamatterofimportanceinwhichIcouldhelphim。
　　IassuredM。ConstantinithatIwasonlytoohappytodoanythingtojustifytheconfidenceplacedinmybyoneofmybestfriends，andhesaidthatthelongjourneyhadalmostexhaustedhispurse；butheadded，——
　　"Iknowthatmywifeliveshere，andthatsheisrich。Ishalleasilyfindoutwhereshelives，andyouknowthatasIamherhusbandallthatishersismine。"
　　"Iwasnotawareofthat。"
　　"Thenyoudon’tknowthelawsofthiscountry？"
　　"Notatall。"
　　"Iamsorrytohearit，butsuchisthecase。1amgoingtoherhouse，andIshallturnheroutofdoorswithnothingelsethanthedressonherback，forthefurniture，clothes，jewels，linen—infact，allherpossessions，belongtome。MayIaskyoutobewithmewhenIperformthisexploit？"
　　Iwasastonished。IaskedhimifhehadtoldBalettiwhatheintendedtodo。
　　"YouarethefirstpersontowhomIhavedisclosedmyintentions。"
　　Icouldnottreathimasamadman，forhedidnotlooklikeone，and，concludingthattherereallymightbethelawhehadalleged，I
　　repliedthatIdidnotfeelinclinedtojoinhiminhisenterprise，ofwhichIdisapprovedverystrongly，unlesshiswifehadactuallyrobbedhimofwhatshepossessed。
　　"Shehasonlyrobbedmeofmyhonour，sir，andsheleftme，takinghertalentswithher。Shemusthavemadeagreatfortunehere，andhaveInotarighttotakeitfromher，wereitonlyforvengeancesake？"
　　"Thatmaybe，butIaskyouwhatyouwouldthinkofmeifIagreedtojoinyouinanundertakingwhichseemsacruelonetome，howevergoodyourreasonsmaybe。BesidesImayknowyourwife，shemayevenbeafriendofmine。"
　　"Iwilltellyouhername。"
　　"No，Ibegofyounottodoso，althoughIdonotknowanyMadameConstantini。"
　　"ShehaschangedhernametoCalori，andshesingsatthe’Haymarket。’"
　　"Iknowwhosheisnow。Iamsorryyouhavetoldme。"
　　"Ihavenodoubtyouwillkeepmysecret，andIamnowgoingtofindoutwhereshelives；forthatistheprincipalthing。"
　　Heleftmeweeping，andIpitiedhim，butatthesametimeIwassorrythathehadmademethedepositaryofhissecret。AfewhoursafterIcalledonMadameBinetti，andshetoldmethehistoriesofalltheartistesinLondon。WhenshecametotheCalorishetoldmethatshehadhadseveralloversoutofwhomshehadmadeagreatdeal，butatpresentshehadnolover，unlessitweretheviolinistGiardini，withwhomshewasinloveinearnest。
　　"Wheredoesshecomefrom？"
　　"FromVicenza。"
　　"Isshemarried？"
　　"Idon’tthinkso。"
　　Ithoughtnomoreofthiswretchedbusiness，butthreeorfourdayslaterIhadaletterfromKing’sBenchPrison。ItwasfromConstantini。ThepoorwretchsaidIwastheonlyfriendhehadinLondon，andthathehopedIwouldcomeandseehim，wereitonlytogivehimsomeadvice。
　　Ithoughtitmydutytoaccedetohisrequest，andIwenttotheprison，whereIfoundthepoormaninawretchedstate，withanoldEnglishattorney，whospokealittlebadItalian，andwasknowntome。
　　Constantinihadbeenarrestedthedaybeforeonaccountofseveralbillsdrawnbyhiswifewhichhadnotbeentakenup。Bythesebillssheappearedindebttotheamountofathousandguineas。Theattorneyhadgotthefivebills，andhewastryingtomakesomearrangementswiththehusband。
　　Isawatoncethatthewholethingwasascandalousswindle，forMadameBinettihadtoldmethattheCaloriwasveryrich。Ibeggedtheattorneytoleavemealonewiththeprisoner，asIwantedtohavesomeprivateconversationwithhim。
　　"Theyhavearrestedmeformywife’sdebts，"saidhe，"andtheytellmeImustpaythembecauseIamherhusband。"
　　"It’satrickyourwifehasplayedonyou；shemusthavefoundoutyouwereinLondon。"
　　"Shesawmethroughthewindow。"
　　"Whydidyoudelayputtingyourprojectintoexecution？"
　　"Imeanttocarryitoutthismorning，buthowwasItoknowthatshehaddebts？"
　　"Norhassheanydebts；thesebillsareshams。Theymusthavebeenante—dated，fortheywerereallyexecutedyesterday。It’sabadbusiness，andshemayhavetopaydearlyforit。"
　　"ButinthemeanwhileIaminprison。"
　　"Nevermind，trusttome，Iwillseeyouagaintomorrow。"
　　Thisscurvytrickhadmademeangry，andImadeupmymindtotakeupthepoorman’scause。IwenttoBosanquet，whotoldmethatthedevicewasaverycommononeinLondon，butthatpeoplehadfoundoutthewaytodefeatit。Finally，hesaidthatiftheprisonerinterestedmehewouldputthecaseintothehandsofabarristerwhowouldextricatehimfromhisdifficulty，andmakethewifeandthelover，whohadprobablyhelpedher，repentoftheirday’swork。I
　　beggedhimtoactasifmyinterestswereatstake，andpromisedtoguaranteeallexpenses。
　　"That’senough，"saidhe；"don’ttroubleyourselfanymoreaboutit。"
　　SamedaysafterMr。BosanquetcametotellmethatConstantinihadlefttheprisonandEnglandaswell，accordingtowhatthebarristerwhohadchargeofthecasetoldhim。
　　"Impossible！"
　　"Notatall。Theloverofhiswife，foreseeingthestormthatwasabouttoburstovertheirheads，gotroundthefellow，andmadehimleavethecountrybymeansofasummoreorlesslarge。"
　　Theaffairwasover，butitwassooninallthenewspapers，garnishedwithallthewitimaginable，andGiardiniwaswarmlypraisedfortheactionhehadtaken。
　　AsformeIwasgladenoughtohavethematterover，butIfeltvexedwithConstantiniforhavingfledwithoutgivingtheloversalesson。
　　IwroteanaccountofthecircumstancestoBaletti，andIheardfromMadameBinettithattheCalorihadgivenherhusbandahundredguineastoleavethecountry。SomeyearslaterIsawtheCaloriatPrague。
　　AFlemishofficer，themanwhomIhadhelpedatAix—la—Chapelle，hadcalledonmeseveraltimes，andhadevendinedthreeorfourtimeswithme。Ireproachedmyselffornothavingbeenpoliteenoughtoreturnhiscall，andwhenwemetinthestreet，andhereproachedmefornothavingbeentoseehim，Iwasobligedtoblush。Hehadhiswifeanddaughterwithhim，andsomefeelingofshameandagooddealofcuriositymademecallonhim。
　　Whenhesawmehethrewhisarmsaboutmyneck，callingmehispreserver。Iwasobligedtoreceiveallthecomplimentswhichknavesmaketohonestmenwhentheyhopetotakethemin。Afewmomentsafter，anoldwomanandagirlcamein，andIwasintroducedastheChevalierdeSeingalt，ofwhomhehadspokensooften。Thegirl，affectingsurprise，saidshehadknownaM。Casanova，whowasverylikeme。IansweredthatCasanovawasmynameaswellasSeingalt，butthatIhadnotthehappinessofrecollectingher。
　　"MynamewasAnspergherwhenIsawyou，"shereplied，"butnowitisCharpillon；andconsideringthatweonlymetonce，andthatIwasonlythirteenatthetime，Idonotwonderatyournotrecollectingme。IhavebeeninLondonwithmymotherandauntsforthelastfouryears。"
　　"ButwherehadIthepleasureofspeakingtoyou？"
　　"AtParis。"
　　"InwhatpartofParis？"
　　"IntheBazaar。Youwerewithacharminglady，andyougavemethesebuckles"（sheshewedmethemonhershoes），"andyoualsodidmethehonourtokissme。"
　　Irecollectedthecircumstance，andthereaderwillrememberthatI
　　waswithMadameBaret，thefairstocking—seller。
　　"NowIrememberyou，"saidI；"butIdonotrecognizeyouraunt。"
　　"Thisisthesisteroftheoneyousaw，butifyouwilltaketeawithusyouwillseeher。"
　　"Wheredoyoulive？"
　　"InDenmarkStreet，Soho。"
　　CHAPTERXI
　　TheCharpillon——DreadfulConsequencesofMyAcquaintanceWithHerThenameCharpillonremindedmethatIwasthebearerofaletterforher，anddrawingitfrommypocket—bookIgaveither，sayingthatthedocumentoughttocementouracquaintance。
　　"What！"sheexclaimed，"aletterfromthedearambassadorMorosini。
　　HowdelightedIamtohaveit！AndyouhaveactuallybeenallthesemonthsinLondonwithoutgivingitme？"
　　"IconfessIamtoblame，but，asyousee，thenotehasnoaddressonit。Iamgratefulforthechancewhichhasenabledmetodischargemycommissionto—day。"
　　"Comeanddinewithusto—morrow。"
　　"Icannotdoso，asIamexpectingLordPembroketodinner。"
　　"Willyoubealone？"
　　"Iexpectso。"
　　"Iamgladtohearit；youwillseemyauntandmyselfappearingonthescene。"
　　"Hereismyaddress；andIshallbedelightedifyouwillcomeandseeme。"
　　Shetooktheaddress，andIwassurprisedtoseehersmileasshereadit。
　　"ThenyouaretheItalian，"shesaid，"whoputupthatnoticethatamusedallthetown？"
　　"Iam。"
　　"Theysaythejokecostyoudear。"
　　"Quitethereverse；itresultedinthegreatesthappiness。"
　　"Butnowthatthebelovedobjecthasleftyou，Isupposeyouareunhappy？"
　　"Iam；buttherearesorrowssosweetthattheyarealmostjoys。"
　　"Nobodyknowswhoshewas，butIsupposeyoudo？"
　　"Yes。"
　　"Doyoumakeamysteryofit？"
　　"Surely，andIwouldratherdiethanrevealit。"
　　"AskmyauntifImaytakesomeroomsinyourhouse；butIamafraidmymotherwouldnotletme。"
　　"Whydoyouwanttolodgecheaply？"
　　"Idon’twanttolodgecheaply，butIshouldliketopunishtheaudaciousauthorofthatnotice。"
　　"Howwouldyoupunishme？"
　　"Bymakingyoufallinlovewithme，andthentormentingyou。Itwouldhaveamusedmeimmensely。"
　　"Thenyouthinkthatyoucaninspiremewithlove，andatthesametimeformthedreadfulplanoftyrannisingoverthevictimofyourcharms。Suchaprojectismonstrous，andunhappilyforuspoormen，youdonotlookamonster。Nevertheless，Iamobligedtoyouforyourfrankness，andIshallbeonmyguard。"
　　"Thenyoumusttakecarenevertoseeme，orelseallyoureffortswillbeinvain。"
　　AstheCharpillonhadlaughedmerrilythroughthewholeofthisdialogue，Itookitallasajest，butIcouldnothelpadmiringhermanner，whichseemedmadeforthesubjugationofmen。ButthoughI
　　knewitnot，thedayImadethatwoman’sacquaintancewasalucklessoneforme，asmyreaderswillsee。
　　ItwastowardstheendofthemonthofSeptember，1763，whenImettheCharpillon，andfromthatdayIbegantodie。Ifthelinesofascentanddeclinationareequal，now，onthefirstdayofNovember，1797，Ihaveaboutfourmoreyearsoflifetoreckonon，whichwillpassbyswiftly，accordingtotheaxiom’Motusinfinevelocior’。
　　TheCharpillon，whowaswellknowninLondon，andIbelieveisstillalive，wasoneofthosebeautiesinwhomitisdifficulttofindanypositivefault。Herhairwaschestnutcoloured，andastonishinglylongandthick，herblueeyeswereatoncelanguorousandbrilliant，herskin，faintlytingedwitharosyhue，wasofadazzlingwhiteness；shewastallforherage，andseemedlikelytobecomeastallasPauline。Herbreastwasperhapsalittlesmall，butperfectlyshaped，herhandswerewhiteandplump，herfeetsmall，andhergaithadsomethingnobleandgracious。Herfeatureswereofthatexquisitesensibilitywhichgivessomuchcharmtothefairsex，butnaturehadgivenherabeautifulbodyandadeformedsoul。Thissirenhadformedadesigntowreckmyhappinessevenbeforesheknewme，andasiftoaddtohertriumphshetoldmeasmuch。
　　IleftMalingan’shousenotlikeamanwho，fondofthefairsex，isgladtohavemadetheacquaintanceofabeautifulwoman，butinastateofstupefactionthattheimageofPauline，whichwasalwaysbeforeme，wasnotstrongenoughtoovercometheinfluenceofacreatureliketheCharpillon，whominmyheartIcouldnothelpdespising。
　　Icalmedmyselfbysayingthatthisstrongimpressionwasduetonovelty，andbyhopingthatIshouldsoonbedisenchanted。
　　"Shewillhavenocharm，"saidI，"whenIhaveoncepossessedher，andthatwillnotbelongincoming。"PerhapsthereaderwillthinkthatIwastoopresumptuous，butwhyshouldIsupposethattherewouldbeanydifficulty？Shehadaskedmetodinnerherself，shehadsurrenderedherselfentirelytoMorosini，whowasnotthemantosighforlongatanywoman’sfeet，andmusthavepaidher，forhewasnotyoungenoughnorhandsomeenoughtoinspireherwithafancyforhim。
　　Withoutcountingmyphysicalattractions，Ihadplentyofmoney，andIwasnotafraidofspendingit；andsoIthoughtIcouldcountonaneasyvictory。
　　PembrokehadbecomeanintimatefriendofminesincemyproceedingswithregardtoSchwerin。Headmiredmyconductinnotmakinganyclaimonthegeneralforhalfmyloss。Hehadsaidwewouldmakeapleasantdayofittogether，andwhenhesawthatmytablewaslaidforfourheaskedwhotheotherguestsweretobe。HewasextremelysurprisedwhenheheardthattheyweretheCharpillonandheraunt，andthatthegirlhadinvitedherselfwhensheheardhewastodinewithme。
　　"Ioncetookaviolentfancyforthelittlehussy，"saidhe。"ItwasoneeveningwhenIwasatVauxhall，andIofferedhertwentyguineasifshewouldcomeandtakealittlewalkwithmeinadarkalley。
　　ShesaidshewouldcomeifIgaveherthemoneyinadvance，whichI
　　wasfoolenoughtodo。Shewentwithme，butassoonaswewerealonesheranaway，andIcouldnotcatchheragain，thoughIlookedforheralltheevening。"
　　"Yououghttohaveboxedherearsbeforeeverybody。"
　　"Ishouldhavegotintotrouble，andpeoplewouldhavelaughedatmebesides。Ipreferredtodespiseherandthemoneytoo。Areyouinlovewithher？"
　　"No；butIamcurious，asyouwere。"
　　"Takecare！shewilldoallinherpowertoentrapyou。"
　　Shecameinandwentuptomylordwiththemostperfectcoolness，andbegantochatterawaytohimwithouttakinganynoticeofme。
　　Shelaughed，joked，andreproachedhimfornothavingpursuedheratVauxhall。Herstratagem，shesaid，wasonlymeanttoexcitehimthemore。
　　"Anothertime，"sheadded，"Ishallnotescapeyou。"
　　"Perhapsnot，mydear，foranothertimeIshalltakecarenottopayinadvance。"
　　"Oh，fie！youdegradeyourselfbytalkingaboutpaying。"
　　"IsupposeIhonouryou。"
　　"Wenevertalkofsuchthings。"
　　LordPembrokelaughedatherimpertinences，whileshemadeavigorousassaultonhim，forhiscoolnessandindifferencepiquedher。
　　Sheleftussoonafterdinner，makingmepromisetodinewithherthedayafternext。
　　IpassedthenextdaywiththeamiablenoblemanwhoinitiatedmeintothemysteriesoftheEnglishbagnio，anentertainmentwhichIshallnotdescribe，foritiswellknowntoallwhocaretospendsixguineas。
　　Onthedayappointed，myevildestinymademegototheCharpillon’s；
　　thegirlintroducedmetohermother，whomIatoncerecollected，althoughshehadagedandalteredsinceIhadseenher。
　　Intheyear1759aGenevannamedBolomehadpersuadedmetosellherjewelstotheextentofsixthousandfrancs，andshehadpaidmeinbillsdrawnbyherandhertwosistersonthisBolome，buttheywerethenknownasAnspergher。TheGenevanbecamebankruptbeforethebillsweredue，andthethreesistersdisappeared。Asmaybeimagined，IwassurprisedtofindtheminEngland，andespeciallytobeintroducedtothembytheCharpillon，who，knowingnothingoftheaffairofthejewels，hadnottoldthemthatSeingaltwasthesameasCasanova，whomtheyhadcheatedofsixthousandfrancs。
　　"Iamdelightedtoseeyouagain，"werethefirstwordsIaddressedtoher。
　　"Irecollectyou，sir；thatrascalBolome……"
　　"Wewilldiscussthatsubjectanothertime。Iseeyouareill。"
　　"Ihavebeenatdeath’sdoor，butIambetternow。Mydaughterdidnottellmeyourpropername。"
　　"Yes，shedid。MynameisSeingaltaswellasCasanova。IwasknownbythelatternameatPariswhenImadeyourdaughter’sacquaintance，thoughIdidnotknowthenthatshewasyourdaughter。"
　　Justthenthegrandmother，whosenamewasalsoAnspergher，cameinwiththetwoaunts，andaquarterofanhourlaterthreemenarrived，oneofwhomwastheChevalierGoudar，whomIhadmetatParis。IdidnotknowtheotherswhowereintroducedtomeunderthenamesofRostaingandCaumon。Theywerethreefriendsofthehousehold，whosebusinessitwastobringindupes。