"Mydearbaron，theluck’sagainstyou；youmightlosealargesumofmoney。Ireallythinkwehavehadenough。"
Withoutheedingmypoliteness，hesworeagainstfortuneandagainstthefavourIseemedtobeshewinghim。Finallyhegotup，andtakinghishatandcane，wentout，saying，——
"IwillpayyouwhenIcomeback。"
Assoonashehadgonethegirlsaid:
"Iamsureyouhavebeenregardingmeasyourpartneratplay。"
"Ifyouhaveguessedthat，youwillalsohaveguessedthatIthinkyoucharming。"
"Yes，IthinkIhave。"
"Areyouangrywithme？"
"Notintheleast。"
"Youshallhavethefiftyguineasassoonashehaspaidme。"
"Verygood，butthebaronmustknownothingaboutit。"
"Ofcoursenot。"
ThebargainwasscarcelystruckbeforeIbegantoshewherhowmuchI
lovedher。Ihadeveryreasontocongratulatemyselfonhercomplaisance，andIthoughtthismeetingawelcomegleamoflightwhenalllookeddarkaroundme。Wehadtomakehaste，however，asthedoorwasonlyshutwithacatch。Ihadbarelytimetoascertainheraddressandthehouratwhichshecouldseeme，andwhetherI
shouldhavetobecarefulwithherlover。Sherepliedthatthebaron’sfidelitywasnotofacharactertomakehimveryexacting。I
puttheaddressinmypocket，andpromisedtopassanightwithher。
Thebaroncameinagain，andsaid，——
"Ihavebeentoamerchanttodiscountthisbillofexchange，andthoughitisdrawnononeofthebesthouseinCadiz，andmadeoutbyagoodhouseinLondon，hewouldnothaveanythingtodowithit。"
Itookthebillandsawsomemillionsmentionedonit，whichastonishedme。
ThebaronsaidwithalaughthatthecurrencywasPortuguesemilries，andthattheyamountedtofivehundredpoundssterling。
"Ifthesignaturesareknown，"saidI，"Idon’tunderstandwhythemanwon’tdiscountit。Whydon’tyoutakeittoyourbanker？"
"Ihaven’tgotone。IcametoEnglandwithathousandgoldpiecesinmypocket，andIhavespentthemall。AsIhavenotgotanylettersofcreditIcannotpayyouunlessthebillisdiscounted。IfyouhavegotanyfriendsontheExchange，however，youcouldgetitdone。"
"IfthenamesprovegoodonesIwillletyouhavethemoneyto—morrowmorning。"
"ThenIwillmakeitpayabletoyourorder。"
Heputhisnametoit，andIpromisedtosendhimeitherthemoneyorthebillbeforenoononthedayfollowing。Hegavemehisaddressandbeggedmetocomeanddinewithhim，andsoweparted。
ThenextdayIwenttoBosanquet，whotoldmethatMr。LeighwaslookingoutforbillsofexchangeonCadiz，andIaccordinglywaitedonhim。Heexclaimedthatsuchpaperwasworthmorethangoldtohim，andgavemefivehundredandtwentyguineas，ofcourseafterI
hadendorsedit。
IcalledonthebaronandgavehimthemoneyIhadjustreceived，andhethankedmeandgavemebackthehundredguineas。Afterwardswehaddinner，andfelltotalkingofhismistress。
"Areyouinlovewithher？"saidI。
"No；Ihaveplentyofothers，andifyoulikeheryoucanhaveherfortenguineas。"
Ilikedthiswayofputtingit，thoughIhadnottheslightestideaofcheatingthegirloutofthesumIhadpromisedher。OnleavingthebaronIwenttoseeher，andassoonassheheardthatthebaronhadpaidmesheorderedadelicioussupper，andmademespendanightthatobliteratedallmysorrowsfrommymemory。Inthemorning，whenIhandedoverthefiftyguineas，shesaidthatasarewardforthewayinwhichIkeptmypromiseIcouldsupwithherwheneverIlikedtospendsixguineas。Ipromisedtocomeandseeheroften。
ThenextmorningIreceivedaletterthroughthepost，writteninbadItalian，andsigned，"Yourobedientgodson，Daturi。"Thisgodsonofminewasinprisonfordebt，andbeggedmetogivehimafewshillingstobuysomefood。
Ihadnothingparticulartodo，theappellationofgodsonmademecurious，andsoIwenttotheprisontoseeDaturi，ofwhoseidentityIhadnottheslightestidea。Hewasafineyoungmanoftwenty；hedidnotknowme，norIhim。Igavehimhisletter，andbeggingmetoforgivehimhedrewapaperfromhispocketandshewedmehiscertificateofbaptism，onwhichIsawmyownnameinscribedbesidehisnameandthoseofhisfatherandmother，theparishofVenice，wherehewasborn，andthechurchinwhichhewasbaptized；butstillIrackedmymemoryinvain；Icouldnotrecollecthim。
"Ifyouwilllistentome，"hesaid，"Icansetyouright；mymotherhastoldmethestoryahundredtimes。"
"Goon，"saidI，"Iwilllisten；"andashetoldhisstoryI
rememberedwhohewas。
ThisyoungmanwhomIhadheldatthefontasthesonoftheactorDaturiwaspossiblymyownson。HehadcometoLondonwithatroupeofjugglerstoplaytheillustriouspartofclown，orpagliazzo，buthavingquarrelledwiththecompanyhehadlosthisplaceandhadgotintodebttotheextentoftenpoundssterling，andforthisdebthehadbeenimprisoned。Withoutsayinganythingtohimaboutmyrelationswithhismother，Isethimfreeonthespot，tellinghimtocometomeeverymorning，asIwouldgivehimtwoshillingsadayforhissupport。
AweekafterIhaddonethisgoodworkIfeltthatIhadcaughtthefearfuldiseasefromwhichthegodMercuryhadalreadydeliveredmethreetimes，thoughwithgreatdangerandperilofmylife。IhadspentthreenightswiththefatalEnglishwoman，andthemisfortunewasdoublyinconvenientunderthecircumstances。Iwasontheeveofalongseavoyage，andthoughVenusmayhaverisenfromthewavesofthesea，seaairisbynomeansfavourabletothoseonwhomshehascasthermalignaspect。Iknewwhattodo，andresolvedtohavemycasetakeninhandwithoutdelay。
Ileftmyhouse，notwiththeintentionofreproachingtheEnglishwomanafterthemanneroffools，butratherofgoingtoagoodsurgeon，withwhomIcouldmakeanagreementtostayinhishousetillmycurewascompleted。
IhadmytrunkspackedjustasifIwasgoingtoleaveLondon，exceptingmylinen，whichIsenttomywasherwomanwholivedatadistanceofsixmilesfromtown，anddroveagreattrade。
TheverydayImeanttochangemylodgingaletterwashandedtome。
ItwasfromMr。Leigh，andranasfollows:
"ThebillofexchangeIdiscountedforyouisaforgery，sopleasetosendmeatyourearliestconveniencethefivehundredandtwentyguineas；andifthemanwhohascheatedyouwillnotreimbursethemoney，havehimarrested。ForHeaven’ssakedonotforcemetohaveyouarrestedto—morrow，andwhateveryoudomakehaste，forthismayproveahangingmatter。"
FortunatelyIwasbymyselfwhenIreceivedtheletter。Ifelluponmybed，andinamomentIwascoveredwithacoldsweat，whileI
trembledlikealeaf。Isawthegallowsbeforeme，fornobodywouldlendmethemoney，andtheywouldnotwaitformyremittancefromVenicetoreachme。
Tomyshudderingfitsucceededaburningfever。Iloadedmypistols，andwentoutwiththedeterminationofblowingoutBaronStenau’sbrains，orputtinghimunderarrestifhedidnotgivemethemoney。
Ireachedhishouse，andwasinformedthathehadsailedforLisbonfourdaysago。
ThisBaronStenauwasaLivonian，andfourmonthsaftertheseeventshewashangedatLisbon。IonlyanticipatethislittleeventinhislifebecauseImightpossiblyforgetitwhenIcometomysojournatRiga。
AssoonasIheardhewasgoneIsawtherewasnoremedy，andthatI
mustsavemyself。Ihadonlytenortwelveguineasleft，andthissumwasinsufficient。IwenttoTreves，aVenetianJewtowhomIhadaletterfromCountAlgarotti，theVenetianbanker。IdidnotthinkofgoingtoBosanquet，orSanhel，orSalvador，whomightpossiblyhavegotwindofmytrouble，whileTreveshadnodealingswiththesegreatbankers，anddiscountedabillforahundredsequinsreadilyenough。WiththemoneyinmypocketImademywaytomylodging，whiledeadlyfeardoggedeverystep。Leighhadgivenmetwenty—fourhours’breathingtime，andIdidnotthinkhimcapableofbreakinghisword，stillitwouldnotdototrusttoit。Ididnotwanttolosemylinennorthreefinesuitsofclotheswhichmytailorwaskeepingforme，andyetIhadneedofthegreatestpromptitude。
IcalledinJarbeandaskedhimwhetherhewouldprefertotaketwentyguineasandhisdismissal，ortocontinueinmyservice。I
explainedthathewouldhavetowaitinLondonforaweek，andjoinmeattheplacefromwhichIwrotetohim。
"Sir，"saidhe，"Ishouldliketoremaininyourservice，andIwillrejoinyouwhereveryouplease。Whenareyouleaving？"
"Inanhour’stime；butsaynotaword，oritwillcostmemylife。"
"Whycan’tyoutakemewithyou？"
"BecauseIwantyoutobringmylinenwhichisatthewash，andmyclotheswhichthetailorismaking。Iwillgiveyousufficientmoneyforthejourney。"
"Idon’twantanything。YoushallpaymewhatIhavespentwhenI
rejoinyou。Waitamoment。"
Hewentoutandcamebackagaindirectly，andholdingoutsixtyguineas，said，——
"Takethis，sir，Ientreatyou，mycreditisgoodforasmuchmoreincaseofneed。"
"Ithankyou，mygoodfellow，butIwillnottakeyourmoney，butbesureIwillnotforgetyourfidelity。"
MytailorlivedclosebyandIcalledonhim，andseeingthatmyclotheswerenotyetmadeupItoldhimthatIshouldliketosellthem，andalsothegoldlacethatwastobeusedinthetrimming。Heinstantlygavemethirtyguineaswhichmeantagaintohimoftwenty—
fivepercent。Ipaidtheweek’srentofmylodging，andafterbiddingfarewelltomynegroIsetoutwithDaturi。WesleptatRochester，asmystrengthwouldcarrymenofarther。Iwasinconvulsions，andhadasortofdelirium。Daturiwasthemeansofsavingmylife。
Ihadorderedpost—horsestocontinueourjourney，andDaturiofhisownauthoritysentthembackandwentforadoctor，whopronouncedmetobeindangerofanapoplecticfitandorderedacopiousblood—
letting，whichrestoredmycalm。Sixhourslaterhepronouncedmefittotravel。IgottoDoverearlyinthemorning，andhadonlyhalfanhourtostop，asthecaptainofthepacketsaidthatthetidewouldnotallowofanydelay。Theworthysailorlittleknewhowwellhisviewssuitedmine。IusedthishalfhourinwritingtoJarbe，tellinghimtorejoinmeatCalais，andMrs。Mercier，mylandlady，towhomIhadaddressedtheletter，wrotetotellmethatshehadgivenithimwithherownhands。However，Jarbedidnotcome。Weshallhearmoreofthisnegrointhecourseoftwoyears。
Thefeverandthevirusthatwasinmybloodputmeindangerofmylife，andonthethirddayIwasinextremis。Afourthblood—lettingexhaustedmystrength，andleftmeinastateofcomawhichlastedfortwenty—fourhours。Thiswassucceededbyacrisiswhichrestoredmetolifeagain，butitwasonlybydintofthemostcarefultreatmentthatIfoundmyselfabletocontinuemyjourneyafortnightaftermyarrivalinFrance。
Weakinhealth，grievedathavingbeentheinnocentcauseoftheworthyMr。Leigh’slosingalargesumofmoney，humiliatedbymyflightfromLondon，indignantwithJarbe，andangryatbeingobligedtoabandonmyPortugueseproject，Igotintoapost—chaisewithDaturi，notknowingwheretoturnorwheretogo，orwhetherIhadmanymoreweekstolive。
IhadwrittentoVeniceaskingM。deBragadintosendthesumIhavementionedtoBrusselsinsteadofLondon。
WhenIgottoDunkirk，thedayafterIleftParis，thefirstpersonI
sawwasthemerchantS————，thehusbandofthatTheresewhommyreadersmayremember，thenieceofTiretta’smistress，withwhomI
hadbeeninlovesevenyearsago。Theworthymanrecognizedme，andseeinghisastonishmentatthechangeinmyappearanceItoldhimI
wasrecoveringfromalongillness，andthenaskedafterhiswife。
"Sheiswonderfullywell，"heanswered，"andIhopeweshallhavethepleasureofseeingyoutodinnertomorrow。"
IsaidIwantedtobeoffatday—break，buthewouldnothearofit，andprotestedhewouldbequitehurtifIwentawaywithoutseeinghiswifeandhisthreechildren。AtlastIappeasedhimbysayingthatwewouldsuptogether。
MyreaderswillrememberthatIhadbeenonthepointofmarryingTherese，andthiscircumstancemademeashamedofpresentingmyselftoherinsuchasorryplight。
Inaquarterofanhourthehusbandarrivedwithhiswifeandthreechildren，theeldestofwhomlooked，aboutsix。Aftertheusualgreetingsandtiresomeenquiriesaftermyhealth，Theresesentbackthetwoyoungerchildren，rightlythinkingthattheeldestwouldbetheonlyoneinwhomIshouldtakeanyinterest。Hewasacharmingboy；andashewasexactlylikehismother，theworthymerchanthadnodoubtsastotheparentageofthechild。
IlaughedtomyselfatfindingmyoffspringthusscatteredalloverEurope。AtsupperTheresegavemenewsofTiretta。HehadenteredtheDutchEastIndiaCompany’sservice，buthavingbeenconcernedinarevoltatBatavia，hehadonlyescapedthegallowsbyflight——Ihadmyownthoughtsastothesimilaritybetweenhisdestinyandmine，butIdidnotrevealthem。Afterallitisaneasyenoughmatterforanadventurousman，whodoesnotlookwhereheisgoing，togethangedforameretrifle。
Thenextday，whenIgottoTournay，Isawsomegroomswalkingfinehorsesupanddown，andIaskedtowhomtheybelonged。
"’TotheComtedeSt。Germain，theadept，whohasbeenhereamonth，andnevergoesout。Everybodywhopassesthroughtheplacewantstoseehim；butheisinvisible。"
Thiswasenoughtogivemethesamedesire，soIwrotehimaletter，expressingmywishtospeaktohim，andaskinghimtonameanhour。
Hisreply，whichIhavepreserved，ranasfollows:
"Thegravityofmyoccupationcompelsmetoexcludeeveryone，butyouareanexception。Comewheneveryoulike，youwillbeshewnin。Youneednotmentionmynamenoryourown。Idonotaskyoutosharemyrepast，farmyfoodisnotsuitabletoothers——toyouleastofall，ifyourappetiteiswhatitusedtobe。"
Atnineo’clockIpaidmycall，andfoundhehadgrownabeardtwoincheslong。Hehadascoreofretortsbeforehim，fullofliquidsinvariousstagesofdigestion。Hetoldmehewasexperimentingwithcoloursforhisownamusement，andthathehadestablishedahatfactoryforCountCobenzl，theAustrianambassadoratBrussels。Headdedthatthecounthadonlygivenhimahundredandfiftythousandflorins，whichwereinsufficient。ThenwespokeofMadamed’Urfe。
"Shepoisonedherself，"saidhe，"bytakingtoostrongadoseoftheUniversalMedicine，andherwillshewsthatshethoughtherselftobewithchild。Ifshehadcometome，Icouldhavereallymadeherso，thoughitisadifficultprocess，andsciencehasnotadvancedfarenoughforustobeabletoguaranteethesexofthechild。"
Whenheheardthenatureofmydisease，hewantedmetostaythreedaysatTournayforhimtogivemefifteenpills，whichwouldeffectuallycureme，andrestoremetoperfecthealth。Thenheshewedmehismagistrum，whichhecalledathoeter。Itwasawhiteliquidcontainedinawell—stopperedphial。Hetoldmethatthisliquidwastheuniversalspiritofnature，andthatifthewaxonthestopperwasprickedeversolightly，thewholeofthecontentswoulddisappear。Ibeggedhimtomaketheexperiment。Hegavemethephialandapin，andIprickedthewax，andtolo！thephialwasempty。
"Itisveryfine，"saidI，"butwhatgoodisallthis？"
"Icannottellyou；thatismysecret。"
HewantedtoastonishmebeforeIwent，andaskedmeifIhadanymoneyaboutme。Itookoutseveralpiecesandputthemonthetable。
Hegotup，andwithoutsayingwhathewasgoingtodohetookaburningcoalandputitonametalplate，andplacedatwelve—solspiecewithasmallblackgrainonthecoal。Hethenblewit，andintwominutesitseemedonfire。
"Waitamoment，"saidthealchemist，"letitgetcool；"anditcooledalmostdirectly。
"Takeit；itisyours，"saidhe。
Itookupthepieceofmoneyandfoundithadbecomegold。Ifeltperfectlycertainthathehadsmuggledmysilverpieceaway，andhadsubstitutedagoldpiececoatedwithsilverforit。Ididnotcaretotellhimasmuch，buttolethimseethatIwasnottakenin，I
said，——
"Itisreallyverywonderful，butanothertimeyoushouldwarnmewhatyouaregoingtodo，sothattheoperationmightbeattentivelywatched，andthepieceofmoneynotedbeforebeingplacedontheburningcoal。"
"Thosethatarecapableofentertainingdoubtsofmyart，"saidtherogue，"arenotworthytospeaktome。"
Thiswasinhisusualstyleofarrogance，towhichIwasaccustomed。
ThiswasthelasttimeIsawthiscelebratedandlearnedimpostor；hediedatSchlesingsixorsevenyearsafter。Thepieceofmoneyhegavemewaspuregold，andtwomonthsafterField—marshalKeithtooksuchafancytoitthatIgaveithim。
IleftTournaythenextmorning，andstoppedatBrusselstoawaittheansweroftheletterwhichIhadwrittentoM。deBragadin。FivedaysafterIgottheletterwithabillofexchangefortwohundredducats。
IthoughtofstayinginBrusselstogetcured，butDaturitoldmethathehadheardfromarope—dancerthathisfatherandmotherandthewholefamilywereatBrunswick，andhepersuadedmetogothere，assuringmethatIshouldbecarefullylookedafter。
HehadnotmuchdifficultyingettingmetogotoBrunswick，asIwascurioustoseeagainthemotherofmygodson，soIstartedthesameday。AtRuremondeIwassoillthatIhadtostopforthirty—sixhours。AtWeselIwishedtogetridofmypost—chaise，forthehorsesofthecountryarenotusedtogoingbetweenshafts，butwhatwasmysurprisetomeetGeneralBekwthere。
Aftertheusualcomplimentshadpassed，andthegeneralhadcondoledwithmeonmyweakstateofhealth，hesaidheshouldliketobuymychaiseandexchangeitforacommodiouscarriage，inwhichIcouldtravelalloverGermany。Thebargainwassoonstruck，andthegeneraladvisedmetostayatWeselwheretherewasacleveryoungdoctorfromtheUniversityofLeyden，whowouldunderstandmycasebetterthantheBrunswickphysicians。
Nothingiseasierthantoinfluenceasickman，especiallyifhebeinsearchoffortune，andknowsnotwheretolookfortheficklegoddess。GeneralBekw————，whowasingarrisonatWesel，sentforDr。Pipers，andwaspresentatmyconfessionandevenattheexamination。
IwillnotrevoltmyreadersbydescribingthedisgustingstateinwhichIwas，sufficeittosaythatIshudderstillwhenIthinkofit。
Theyoungdoctor，whowasgentlenesspersonified，beggedmetocomeandstaywithhim，promisingthathismotherandsistersshouldtakethegreatestcareofme，andthathewouldeffectaradicalcureinthecourseofsixweeksifIwouldcarryoutallhisdirections。Thegeneraladvisedmestronglytostaywiththedoctor，andIagreedallthemorereadilyasIwishedtohavesomeamusementatBrunswickandnottoarrivetheredeprivedoftheuseofallmylimbs。Ithereforegavein，butthedoctorwouldnothearofanyagreement。HetoldmethatIcouldgivehimwhateverIlikedwhenIwentaway，andhewouldcertainlybesatisfied。Hetookhisleavetogoandmakemyroomready，andtoldmetocomeinanhour’stime。Iwenttohishouseinasedan—chair，andheldahandkerchiefbeforemyface，asIwasashamedthattheyoungdoctor’smotherandsistersshouldseemeinthestateIwasin。
AssoonasIgottomyroom，DaturiundressedmeandIwenttobed。
CHAPTERXVII
MyCure——DaturiisBeatenbySomeSoldiers——ILeaveWeselforBrunswick——Redegonde——Brunswick——TheHereditaryPrince——TheJew——
MyStayatWolfen—ButtelTheLibrary——BerlinCalsabigiandtheBerlinLottery——Mdlle。BelangerAtSupper—time，thedoctor，hismother，andoneofhissisterscametoseeme。Allofthemboretheloveoftheirkindwrittenontheirfeatures；theyassuredmethatIshouldhaveallpossiblecareattheirhands。Whentheladiesweregonethedoctorexplainedhistreatment。Hesaidthathehopedtocuremebytheexhibitionofsudorificesandmercurialpills，buthewarnedmeImustbeverycarefulinmydietandmustnotapplymyselfinanyway。Ipromisedtoabidebyhisdirections，andhesaidthathewouldreadmethenewspaperhimselftwiceaweektoamuseme，andbywayofabeginningheinformedmethatthefamousPompadourwasdead。
ThusIwascondemnedtoastateofperfectrest，butitwasnottheremediesortheabstinenceIdreadedmost；Ifearedtheeffectsofennui；IthoughtIshoulddieofit。Nodoubtthedoctorsawthedangeraswellasmyself，forheaskedmeifIwouldmindhissistercomingandworkinginmyroomoccasionallywithafewofherfriends。
Irepliedthat，despitemyshameofshewingmyselftoyoungladiesinsuchacondition，Iacceptedherofferwithdelight。Thesisterwasverygratefulforwhatshewaspleasedtocallmykindness，formyroomwastheonlyonewhichlookedinthestreet，andaseveryoneknowsgirlsareveryfondofinspectingthepassers—by。UnfortunatelythisarrangementturnedoutillforDaturi。Thepooryoungmanhadonlyreceivedtheeducationofamountebank，anditwastiresomeforhimtopassallhistimeinmycompany。WhenhesawthatIhadplentyoffriends，hethoughtIcoulddispensewithhissociety，andonlythoughtofamusinghimself。Onthethirddaytowardstheeveninghewascarriedhomecoveredwithbruises。Hehadbeenintheguard—roomwiththesoldiers，andsomequarrelhavingarisenhehadgotaseverebeating。Hewasinapitiablestate；alloverbloodandwiththreeteethmissing。Hetoldmethestorywithtears，andbeggedmetotakevengeanceonhisfoes。
IsentmydoctortoGeneralBekw————，whosaidthatallhecoulddowastogivethepoormanabedinthehospital。Baturihadnobonesbroken，andinafewdayswasquitewell，soIsenthimontoBrunswickwithapassportfromGeneralSalomon。Thelossofhisteethsecuredhimfromtheconscription；this，atanyrate，wasagoodthing。
Thetreatmentoftheyoungdoctorwasevenmoresuccessfulthanhehadanticipated，forinamonthIwasperfectlywellagain，thoughterriblythin。Theworthypeopleofthehousemusthavetakenanideaofmenotintheleastlikemyself；Iwasthoughttobethemostpatientofmen，andthesisterandheryoungladyfriendsmusthaveconsideredmeasmodestypersonified；butthesevirtuesonlyresultedfrommyillnessandmygreatdepression。Ifyouwanttodiscoverthecharacterofaman，viewhiminhealthandfreedom；acaptiveandinsicknessheisnolongerthesameman。
Igaveabeautifuldresstothesister，andtwentylouistothedoctor，andbothseemedtomeextremelysatisfied。
OntheeveofmydepartureIreceivedaletterfromMadameduRumain，whohadheardIwasinwantfrommyfriendBaletti，andsentmeabillofexchangeonAmsterdamforsixhundredflorins。ShesaidI
couldrepayheratmyconvenience，butshediedbeforeIwasabletodischargethedebt。
HavingmadeupmymindtogotoBrunswick，IcouldnotresistthetemptationtopassthroughHanover，forwheneverIthoughtofGabrielleIlovedherstill。Ididnotwishtostopanylengthoftime，forIwaspoorandIhadtobecarefulofmyhealth。IonlywishedtopayheraflyingvisitontheestatewhichhermotherhadatStocken，asshehadtoldme。Imayalsosaythatcuriositywasamotiveforthisvisit。
Ihaddecidedtostartatday—breakinmynewcarriage，butthefateshadordaineditotherwise。
TheEnglishgeneralwrotemeanoteaskingmetosupwithhim，tellingmethatsomeItalianswouldbepresent，andthisdecidedmetostayon，butIhadtopromisethedoctortoobservestricttemperance。
MysurprisemaybeimaginedwhenIsawtheRedegondeandherabominablemother。Themotherdidnotrecognizemeatfirst，butRedegondeknewmedirectly，andsaid，——
"GoodHeavens！howthinyouhavebecome！"
Icomplimentedheronherbeauty，andindeedshehadimprovedwonderfully。
"Ihavejustrecoveredfromadangerousillness，"saidI，"andIamstartingforBrunswickatday—breaktomorrow。"
"Soarewe，"sheexclaimed，lookingathermother。
Thegeneral，delightedtofindthatwekneweachother，saidwecouldtraveltogether。
"Hardly，Ithink，"Ireplied，"unlessthelady—motherhaschangedherprinciplessinceIknewher。"
"Iamalwaysthesame，"shesaid，drylyenough；butIonlyrepliedwithaglanceofcontempt。
Thegeneralheldabankatfaroatasmalltable。Therewereseveralotherladiesandsomeofficers，andthestakesweresmall。Heofferedmeaplace，butIexcusedmyself，sayingthatIneverplayedwhileonajourney。
Attheendofthedealthegeneralreturnedtothecharge，andsaid，——
"Really，chevalier，thismaximofyoursisanti—social；youmustplay。"
SosayinghedrewseveralEnglishbanknotesfromhispocket—book，tellingmetheywerethesameIhadgivenhiminLondonsixmonthsago。
"Takeyourrevenge，"headded；"therearefourhundredpoundshere。"
"Idon’twanttoloseasmuchasthat，"Ireplied，"butIwillriskfiftypoundstoamuseyou。"
WiththisItookoutthebillofexchangethatMadameduRumainhadsentme。
Thegeneralwentondealing，andatthethirddealIfoundIwasfiftyguineastothegood，andwiththatIwassatisfied。Directlyafterwardssupperwasannounced，andwewentintothedining—room。
Redegonde，whohadlearntFrenchadmirably，kepteverybodyamused。
ShehadbeenengagedbytheDukeofBrunswickassecondsinger，andshehadcomefromBrussels。Shebemoanedherjourneyintheuncomfortablepost—chaise，andexpressedafearthatshewouldbeillbythetimeshegottoherjourney’send。
"Why，there’stheChevalierSeingaltallaloneinamostcomfortablecarriage，"saidthegeneral。
Redegondesmiled。
"Howmanypeoplewillyourcarriagehold？"
"Onlytwo。"
"Thenit’soutofthequestion，forIneverletmydaughtertravelalonewithanybody。"
Ageneralburstoflaughter，inwhichRedegondejoined，seemedtoconfusethemotherinsomedegree；butlikeagooddaughterRedegondeexplainedthathermotherwasalwaysafraidofherbeingassassinated。
Theeveningpassedawayinpleasantconversation，andtheyoungersingerdidnotneedmuchpersuasiontoseatherselfatthepiano，whereshesanginamannerthatwongenuineapplause。
WhenIwantedtogothegeneralbeggedmetobreakfastwithhim，sayingthatthepost—chaisedidnotgotilltwelve，andthatthisactofpolitenesswasduetomyyoungfellow—countrywoman。Redegondejoinedin，reproachingmewithmybehaviouratTurinandFlorence，thoughshehadnothingreallytocomplainof。Igavein，andfeelingthatIwantedrestIwenttobed。
Thenextmorning，atnineo’clock，Itookleaveoftheworthydoctorandhisfamilyandwalkedtothegeneral’s，givingordersthatmycarriageshouldbebroughtroundassoonasitwasready。
InhalfanhourRedegondeandhermotherarrived，andIwasastonishedtoseethemaccompaniedbythebrotherwhohadbeenmyservantatFlorence。
Whenbreakfastwasovermycarriagestoodatthedoor，andImademybowtothegeneralandallthecompany，whowerestandinginthehalltoseemeoff。Redegondecamedownthestepswithme，andaskedifmycarriagewascomfortable，andthengotintoit。Igotinafterherwithouttheslightestpremeditation，andthepostillion，seeingthecarriagefull，gaveacrackwithhiswhipandwewereoff，Redegondeshriekingwithlaughter。Iwasonthepointoftellinghimtostop，butseeingherenjoymentofthedriveIheldmytongue，onlywaitingforhertosay，"Ihavehadenough。"ButIwaitedinvain，andwehadgoneoverhalfaleaguebeforeshesaidaword。
"Ihavelaughed，andlaughstill，"shesaid，"whenIthinkofwhatmymotherwillsayatthisfreakofmine。Ihadnointentionsingettingintothecarriage，andIamsureyoucannothavetoldthepostilliontodriveon。"
"Youmaybequitesureofthat。"
"Allthesamemymotherwillbelieveittobeadeeply—laidplan，andthatstrikesmeasamusing。"
"Soitis；Iamquitesatisfied，certainly。NowyouarehereyouhadbettercomeonwithmetoBrunswick；youwillbemorecomfortablethaninavillainousstagecoach。"
"Ishouldbedelighted，butthatwouldbepushingmatterstoofar。
No，wewillstopatthefirststageandwaitforthecoach。"
"Youmaydosoifyouplease，butyouwillexcusemywaiting。"
"What！youwouldleavemeallalone？"
"Youknow，dearRedegonde，thatIhavealwayslovedyou，andIamreadytotakeyouwithmetoBrunswick；whatmorecanIsay？"
"Ifyoulovemeyouwillwaitwithmeandrestoremetomymother，whomustbeindespair。"
"InspiteofmydevotionIamafraidIcannotdoso。"
Insteadofturningsulkytheyoungmadcapbegantolaughagain；andI
determinedsheshouldcomewithmetoBrunswick。
Whenwegottotheendofthestagetherewerenohorsesready。I
arrangedmatterswiththepostillion，andafterbaitingthehorseswesetoutoncemore。Theroadswerefearful，andwedidnotcometothesecondposting—stagetillnightfall。
Wemighthavesleptthere，butnotwishingtobecaughtupbythecoachandtolosemyprize，IorderedfreshhorsesandweresumedourjourneyinspiteofRedegonde’stearsandsupplications。WetravelledallnightandreachedLippstadtintheearlymorning，andinspiteoftheunseasonablenessofthehourIorderedsomethingtoeat。Redegondewantedarest，asindeeddidI，butshehadtogivewaywhenIsaidcaressinglythatwecouldsleepatMinden。Insteadofscoldingmeshebegantosmile，andIsawsheguessedwhatshehadtoexpect；infact，whenwegottoMindenwehadsupper，andthenwenttobedtogetherasmanandwife，andstayedinbedforfivehours。Shewasquitekind，andonlymademeentreatherforform’ssake。
WegottoHanoverandputupatanexcellentinnwherewehadachoicemeal，andwhereIfoundthewaiterwhowasattheinninZurichwhenIwaitedontheladiesattable。MissChudleighhaddinedtherewiththeDukeofKingston，andtheyhadgoneontoBerlin。
WehadabeautifulFrenchbedinwhichtospendthenight，andinthemorningwewereawakenedbythenoiseofthestagecoach。Redegondenotwishingtobesurprisedinmyarmsrangthebellandtoldthewaiterbynomeanstoadmittheladywhowouldcomeoutofthecoachandasktobeshewnindirectly；butherprecautionwasvain，for，asthewaiterwentout，themotherandsoncamein，andweweretakenin’flagrantedelicto’。
Itoldthemtowaitoutside，andgettingupinmyshirtIlockedthedoor。Themotherbegantoabusemeandherdaughter，andthreatenedmewithcriminalproceedingsifIdidnotgiveherup。Redegonde，however，calmedherbytellingherthestory，andshebelieved，orpretendedtobelieve，itwasallchance；butshesaid，——
"That’sallverywell；butyoucan’tdeny，youlittleslut，thatyouhavebeensleepingwithhim。"
"Oh，there’snoharminthat，foryouknow，dearmamma，nobodydoesanythingasleep。"
Withoutgivingherthetimetoreplyshethrewherarmsroundherneckandpromisedtogoonwithherinthecoach。
Afterthingshadbeenthussettled，Idressedmyself，andgavethemallagoodbreakfast，andwentonmywaytoBrunswick，whereI
arrivedafewhoursbeforethem。
RedegondehaddeprivedmeofmycuriositytoseeGabrielle；besides，intheconditionIwasin，myvanitywouldhavesufferedgrievously。
AssoonasIhadsettledinagoodinnIsentforDaturi，whocameimmediately，elegantlydressed，andveryanxioustointroducetomeacertainSignorNicolini，theatricalmanager。ThisNicoliniunderstoodhiscraftperfectly，andwashighinfavourwiththeprincetowhomhisdaughterAnnawasmistress。Hegavemeadistinguishedandacordialgreeting，andwasveryanxiousthatI
shouldstaywithhim，butIwasabletoescapetheconstraintofsuchanarrangementwithoutgivinghimanyoffense。Iacceptedhisoffertotakemymealsathistable，whichwasfurnishedbyanexcellentcookandsurroundedbyadistinguishedcompany。Herewasnogatheringofmenoftitle，withthecoldandhaughtymannersoftheCourt，allweretalented，andsuchcompanytomymindwasdelightful。
Iwasnotwell，andIwasnotrich，orelseIshouldhavemadealongerstayatBrunswick，whichhaditscharmsforme。Butwewillnotanticipate，thoughasoldagestealsonamanheisnevertiredofdwellingagainandagainontheincidentsofhispastlife，inspiteofhisdesiretoarrestthesandswhichrunoutsoquickly。
ThethirddayaftermyarrivalatBrunswick，RedegondeknowingthatI
wasdiningatNicolini’scametheretoo。Everybodyhadfoundout，somehoworother，thatwehadtravelledfromWeseltoHanovertogether，andtheywereatlibertytodrawwhateverconclusionstheypleased。
TwodayslaterthecrownprincearrivedfromPotsdamonavisittohisfuturebride，thedaughterofthereigningduke，whomhemarriedtheyearafter。
TheCourtentertainedinthemostmagnificentmanner，andthehereditaryprince，nowthereigningduke，honouredmewithaninvitation。IhadmethishighnessatanassemblyinSohoSquare，thedayafterhehadbeenmadeaLondoncitizen。
Itwastwenty—twoyearssinceIhadbeeninlovewithDaturi’smother。Iwascurioustoseetheravageswhichtimehadworkedonher，butIhadreasontorepentofmyvisit，forshehadgrownterriblyugly。Sheknewitherself，andablushofshameappearedonthosefeatureswhichhadoncebeenfair。
Theprincehadanarmyofsixthousandfootingoodcondition。Thisarmywastobereviewedonaplainatalittledistancefromthetown，andIwenttoseethespectacle，andwasrewardedbyhavingraindrippingdownmybackthewholetime。Amongthenumerousspectatorsweremanypersonsoffashion，ladiesinhandsomedresses，andagoodsprinklingofforeigners。IsawtheHonourableMissChudleigh，whohonouredmebyaddressingme，andaskedme，amongstotherquestions，howlongIhadleftLondon。ShewasdressedinIndianmuslin，andbeneathitsheonlyworeachemiseoffinecambric，andbythetimetherainhadmadeherclothesclingtoherbodyshelookedmorethannaked，butshedidnotevinceanyconfusion。Mostoftheladiesshelteredthemselvesfromtherainundereleganttentswhichhadbeenerected。
Thetroops，whotooknonoticeoftheweather，executedtheirmanoeuvres，andfiredtheirmusketsinamannerwhichseemedtosatisfygoodjudges。
TherewasnothingfurthertoattractmeatBrunswick，andIthoughtofspendingthesummeratBerlin，whichIconcludedwouldbemoreamusingthanasmallprovincialtown。WantinganovercoatIboughtthematerialfromaJew，whoofferedtodiscountbillsofexchangeformeifIhadany。IhadthebillwhichMadameduRumainhadsentme，andfindingthatitwouldbeconvenientformetogetitdiscounted，IgaveittotheIsraelite，whocashedit，deductingcommissionattheordinaryrateoftwopercent。TheletterwaspayabletotheorderoftheChevalierdeSeingalt，andwiththatnameIendorsedit。
Ithoughtnomoreofthematter，butearlythenextdaythesameJewcalledonme，andtoldmethatImusteitherreturnhimhismoney，orgivesuretiesfortheamounttillhehadascertainedwhetherthebillwasaforgeryornot。
Iwasoffendedatthispieceofimpertinence，andfeelingcertainthatthebillwasagoodoneItoldthefellowthathemightsethismindatrestandletmealone，asIshouldnotgivehimanysureties。
"Imusteitherhavethemoneyorthesurety，"saidhe，"andifyourefuseIwillhaveyouarrested；yourcharacteriswellknown。"
Thiswastoomuchforme，andraisingmycaneIgavehimablowontheheadwhichhemusthavefeltformanyalongday。IthendressedanddinedwithNicolini，withoutthinkingorspeakingofthisdisagreeableincident。
ThenextdayasIwastakingawalkoutsidethetownwalls，Imettheprinceonhorseback，followedbyasinglegroom。Ibowedtohimashepassed，buthecameuptomeandsaid，——
"YouareleavingBrunswick，chevalier？"
"Intwoorthreedays，yourhighness。"
"IheardthismorningthataJewhasbroughtacomplaintagainstyouforbeatinghimbecauseheaskedyoutogivehimsecurityforabillofexchangewhichhewasafraidof。"
"Mylord，Icannotanswerfortheeffectsofmyindignationagainstarascalwhodaredtocomeandinsultmeinmyownhouse，butIdoknowthatifIhadgivenhimsecurityIshouldhaveimpugnedmyownhonour。Theimpertinentscoundrelthreatenedtohavemearrested，butIknowthatajustGovernmentruleshere，andnotarbitrarypower。"
"Youareright；itwouldbeunjusttohaveyouarrested，butheisafraidforhisducats。"
"Heneednotbeafraid，mylord，forthebillisdrawnbyapersonofhonourandofhighstationinsociety。"
"Iamdelightedtohearit。TheJewsaidhewouldneverhavediscountedthebillifyouhadnotmentionedmyname。"
"That’salie！Yourhighness’nameneverpassed，mylips。"
"Healsosaysthatyouendorsedthebillwithafalsename。"
"Thenheliesagain，forIsignedmyselfSeingalt，andthatnameismine。"
"Inshort，itisacaseofaJewwhohasbeenbeaten，andisafraidofbeingduped。Ipitysuchananimal，andImustseewhatIcandotopreventhiskeepingyouheretillhelearnsthefateofthebillatAmsterdam。AsIhavenottheslightestdoubtastothegoodnessofthebill，Iwilltakeitupmyself，andthisverymorning:thusyouwillbeabletoleavewhenyoulike。Farewell，chevalier！
Iwishyouapleasantjourney。"
Withthiscomplimenttheprinceleftme，withoutgivingmetimetoanswerhim。ImighthavefeltinclinedtotellhimthatbytakingupthebillhewouldgivetheJewandeveryoneelsetounderstandthatitwasafavourdonetome，tothegreathurtofmyhonour，andthatconsequentlyIshouldbeobligedbyhisdoingnothingofthekind。
Butthoughtheprincewasamanofgenerosityandmagnanimity，hewasdeficientinthatdelicatequalitywhichwecalltact。Thisdefect，commonamongstprinces，arisesfromtheireducation，whichplacesthemabovethepolitenesswhichisconsiderednecessaryinordinarymortals。
Hecouldnothavetreatedmeworsethanhedid，ifhehadbeencertainofmydishonesty，andwishedmetounderstandthatIwasforgiven，andthathewouldbearalltheconsequencesofmymisdemeanour。Withthisideainmyhead，Isaidtomyself；"Perhaps，indeed，thisisexactlywhattheprincedoesthink。IsittheJewormethathepities？Ifthelatter，IthinkImustgivehimalesson，thoughIdonotwishtocausehimanyhumiliation。"
Feelingdeeplyhumiliatedmyself，andponderingonmyposition，Iwalkedaway，directingmyattentionespeciallytotheduke’sconcludingwords。Ithoughthiswishforapleasantjourneysupremelyoutofplace，underthecircumstances，inthemouthofonewhoenjoyedalmostabsolutepower。Itwasequivalenttoanordertoleavethetown，andIfeltindignantatthethought。
Ithereforeresolvedtovindicatemyhonourbyneithergoingawaynorremaining。
"IfIstay，"Isaidtomyself，"theJewwillbeadjudgedtobeintheright；andifIgothedukewillthinkIhaveprofitedbyhisfavour，andsotospeak，byhispresentoffiftylouisifthebillwereprotested。Iwillnotletanyoneenjoyasatisfactionwhichisnoonedue。"
Aftertheseconsiderations，whichIthoughtworthyofawiserheadthanmine，Ipackedupmytrunk，orderedhorses，andafteragooddinnerandthepaymentofmybillIwenttoWolfenbuttelwiththeideaofspendingweekthere。Iwassureoffindingamusement，forWolfenbuttelcontainsthethirdlargestlibraryinEurope，andIhadlongbeenanxioustoseeit。
Thelearnedlibrarian，whosepolitenesswasallthebetterforbeingcompletelydevoidofaffection，toldmethatnotonlycouldIhavewhateverbooksIwishedtosee，butthatIcouldtakethemtomylodging，notevenexceptingthemanuscripts，whicharethechieffeatureinthatfinelibrary。
Ispentaweekinthelibrary，onlyleavingittotakemymealsandgotobed，andIcountthisweekasoneofthehappiestIhaveeverspent，forthenIforgotmyselfcompletely；andinthedelightofstudy，thepast，thepresent，andthefuturewereentirelyblottedout。Ofsomesuchsort，Ithink，mustbethejoysoftheredeemed；
andnowIseethatonlyafewtriflinglittlecircumstancesandincidentswerewantingtomakemeaperfectsage。AndhereImustnoteacircumstancewhichmyreadersmayscarcelybelieve，butwhich，forallthat，isquitetrue—namely，thatIhavealwayspreferredvirtuetovice，andthatwhenIsinnedIdidsooutofmerelightnessofheart，forwhich，nodoubt，Ishallbeblamedbymanypersons。
But，nomatter——amanhasonlytogiveanaccountofhisactionstotwobeings，tohimselfhereandtoGodhereafter。
AtWolfenbuttelIgatheredagoodmanyhintsonthe"Iliad"and"Odyssey，"whichwillnotbefoundinanycommentator，andofwhichthegreatPopeknewnothing。Someoftheseconsiderationswillbefoundinmytranslationofthe"Iliad，"therestarestillinmanuscript，andwillprobablyneverseethelight。However，Iburnnothing，noteventheseMemoirs，thoughIoftenthinkofdoingso，butthetimenevercomes。
AttheendoftheweekIreturnedtothesameinnatBrunswickwhichIhadoccupiedbefore，andletmygodsonDaturiknowofmyarrival。
IwasdelightedtohearthatnoonesuspectedthatIhadspentthefortnightwithinfiveleaguesofBrunswick。DaturitoldmethatthegeneralbeliefwasthatIhadreturnedtheJewhismoneyandgotthebillofexchangeback。NeverthelessIfeltsurethatthebillhadbeenhonouredatAmsterdam，andthatthedukeknewthatIhadbeenstayingatWolfenbuttel。
DaturitoldmethatNicoliniwasexpectingtoseemeatdinner，andI
wasnotastonishedtohearofit，forIhadnottakenleaveofanyone。Iaccordinglywent，andthefollowingincident，whichservedtojustifymeintheeyesofallmen，tookplace:
Wewereattheroastwhenoneoftheprince’sservantscameinwiththeJewIhadbeaten。Thepoormancameuphumblytome，andspokeasfollows:
"Iamorderedtocomehere，sir，toapologizeforsuspectingtheauthenticityofthebillofexchangeyougaveme。Ihavebeenpunishedbybeingfinedtheamountofmycommission。"
"Iwishthathadbeenyouronlypunishment，"saidI。
Hemademeaprofoundbow，andwentout，sayingthatIwasonlytoogood。
WhenI’gotbacktotheinn，IfoundaletterfromRedegondeinwhichshereproachedmetenderlyfornothavingbeenoncetoseeherallthetimeIhadbeenatBrunswick，andbeggingmetobreakfastwithherinalittlecountryhouse。
"Ishallnotbeinmymother’scompany，"sheadded，"butinthatofayoungladyofyouracquaintance，whom，Iamsure，youwillbegladtoseeoncemore。"
IlikedRedegonde，andIhadonlyneglectedheratBrunswickbecausemymeansdidnotallowmymakingherahandsomepresent。Iresolvedtoacceptherinvitation，mycuriositybeingratherstimulatedbytheaccountoftheyounglady。
Iwasexactatthetimeindicated，andIfoundRedegondelookingcharminginaprettyroomonthegroundfloor，andwithherwasayoungartistewhomIhadknownasachildshortlybeforeIhadbeenputundertheLeads。Ipretendedtobedelightedtoseeher，butI
wasreallyquitetakenupwithRedegonde，andcongratulatedheruponherprettyhouse。Shesaidshehadtakenitforsixmonths，butdidnotsleepthere。Aftercoffeehadbeenservedwewereonthepointofgoingoutforastroll，whenwhoshouldcomeinbuttheprince。
Hesmiledpleasantlywhenhesawus，andapologizedtoRedegondeforinterruptingourlittleparty。
Theappearanceoftheprinceenlightenedmeastothepositionofmydelightfulfellowcountrywoman，andIunderstoodwhyshehadbeensopreciseaboutthetimeatwhichIwastocome。Redegondehadmadetheconquestoftheworthyprince，whowasalwaysdisposedtogallantry，butfeltithisdutyduringthefirstyearofhismarriagewiththeKingofEngland’ssistertopreservesomekindofincognitoinhisamours。
WespentanhourinwalkingupanddownandtalkingofLondonandBerlin，butnothingwassaidoftheJeworthebillofexchange。HewasdelightedwithmywarmeulogiumofhislibraryatWolfenbuttel，andlaughedwithallhisheartwhenIsaidthatunlessithadbeenfortheintellectualnourishmentIenjoyed，thebadfareattheinnwouldcertainlyhavereducedmetohalfmypresentsize。
Afterbiddingagracefulfarewelltothenymph，theprinceleftus，andweheardhimgallopingawayonhishorse。
WhenIwasalonewithRedegonde，farfrombeggingfornewfavours，I
advisedhertobefaithfultotheprince；butthoughappearanceswerecertainlynotdeceitfulinthiscase，shewouldnotadmitanything。
Thiswasinaccordancewithherpartasyoungmistress，andIdidnotreproachherforherwantofconfidence。
Ispenttherestofthedayattheinn，andstartedthenextmorningatday—break。
WhenIgottoMagdeburg，ItookaletterofintroductionfromGeneralBekw————toanofficer。Heshewedmethefortress，andkeptmeforthreedaysmakingmetasteallthepleasuresofthetable，women，andgaming。However，Iwasverymoderate，andmanagedtoincreasemysavingsinasmalldegree，contentingmyselfwithmodestwagers。
>FromMagdeburgIwentstraighttoBerlin，withoutcaringtostopatPotsdam，asthekingwasnotthere。ThefearfulPrussianroadswiththeirsandysoilmademetakethreedaystodoeighteenPrussianmiles。Prussiaisacountryofwhichmuchcouldbemadewithlabourandcapital，butIdonotthinkitwilleverbecomeareallyfinecountry。
Iputupatthe"HoteldeParis，"whichwasbothcomfortableandeconomical。MadameRufinwhokeptithadenteredintothespiritofherbusinesswithoutlosingherFrenchpoliteness，andthustheinnhadgotareputation。AssoonasIwasinmyroomshecametoaskmeifIweresatisfied，andtomakediversarrangementsformycomfort。
Therewasatabled’hote，andthosewhoateintheirprivateroomspaiddouble。
"Thisarrangement，"Isaid，"maysuityou，butforthepresentitwillnotsuitme。Iwanttodineinmyownroom，butIdon’twanttopaydouble；IwillthereforepayasifIwereinthepublicroom，butifyoulikeyouneedonlysendmeuphalfthenumberofdishes。"
"Iagree，ontheconditionthatyousupwithme；wewillnotputitintheaccounts，andyouwillonlymeetfriendsatmylittlesuppers。"
IthoughtherproposalsocuriousaonethatIhadagreatinclinationtolaugh，butfindingitatthesametimeveryadvantageousIacceptedfrankly，andasifwehadlongbeenfriends。
OnthefirstdayIwastired，anddidnotsupwithhertillthedayfollowing。MadameRufinhadahusbandwhoattendedtothecooking，andason，butneitherofthemcametothesesuppers。ThefirsttimeIwenttooneofthemImetanelderlybutagreeableandsensiblegentleman。Helodgedinaroomadjoiningmine，andcalledhimselfBaronTreidel；hissisterhadmarriedtheDukeofCourland，JeanErnestBiron，orBirlen。Thebaron，whowasextremelypleasant，becamemyfriend，andremainedsoforthecoupleofmonthsIspentinBerlin。IalsometaHamburgmerchant，namedGreve，andhiswife，whomhehadjustmarriedandhadbroughttoBerlinthatshemightseethemarvelsoftheWarrior—King’sCourt。Shewasaspleasantasherhusband，andIpaidheranassiduouscourt。Alivelyandhigh—
spiritedindividualcalledNoel，whowasthesoleandbelovedcookofhisPrussianMajesty，wasthefourthperson。Heonlycamerarelytothesuppersonaccountofhisdutiesintheking’skitchen。AsI
havesaid，hismajestyhadonlythisonecook，andNoelhadonlyonesculliontohelphim。
M。Noel，theambassadoroftheFrenchRepublicattheHague，is，asI
amassured，thesonofthiscook，whowasanexcellentman。AndhereImustsay，indespiteofmyhatredfortheFrenchRevolutionaryGovernment，thatIamnotatallillpleasedthatamanoftalentsshouldbeenabledtofillexaltedoffices，whichundertheoldsystemofprivilegewereoftenoccupiedbyfools。
IfithadnotbeenfortheculinaryskillofNoelthecook，thefamousAtheistphysicianLametriewouldnothavediedofindigestion，forthepiehesucceededineatinginhisextremitywasmadebyNoel。
LametrieoftensuppedwithMadameRufinandIthoughtitdisobligingofhimtodiesosoon，forIshouldhavelikedtoknowhim，ashewasalearnedmanandfullofmirth。Heexpiredlaughing，thoughitissaidthatdeathfromindigestionisthemostpainfulofall。
VoltairetoldmethathethoughtLametriethemostobstinateAtheistintheworld，andIcouldeasilybelieveitafterreadinghisworks。
TheKingofPrussiahimselfpronouncedhisfuneraloration，usingthewords，"Itisnotwonderfulthatheonlybelievedintheexistenceofmatter，forallthespiritintheworldwasenclosedinhisownbody。
Noonebutakingwouldventureonsuchasallyinafuneraloration。
However，FredericktheGreatwasaDeistandnotanAtheist；butthatisoflittleconsequence，sinceheneverallowedthebeliefinaGodtoinfluencehisactionsintheslightestdegree。SomesaythatanAtheistwhopondersoverthepossibleexistenceofaGodisbetterthanaDeistwhoneverthinksoftheDeity，butIwillnotventuretodecidethispoint。
ThefirstvisitIpaidinBerlinwastoCalsabigi，theyoungerbrotheroftheCalsabigiwithwhomIhadfoundedthelotteryinParisin1757。HehadleftParisandhiswifetoo，andhadsetupalotteryinBrussels；buthisextravagancewassogreatthathebecameabankruptinspiteoftheeffortsofCountCobenzltokeephimgoing。HefledfromBrusselstoBerlin，andwasintroducedtotheKingofPrussia。Hewasaplausiblespeaker，andpersuadedthemonarchtoestablishalottery，tomakehimthemanager，andtogivehimthetitleofCounsellorofState。Hepromisedthatthelotteryshouldbringinanannualrevenueofatleasttwohundredthousandcrowns，andonlyaskedapercentageoftenpercent。forhimself。
Thelotteryhadbeengoingfortwoyears，andhadhadagreatsuccess，ashithertoithadhadnolargelosses；buttheking，whoknewthattheluckmightturn，wasalwaysinafidgetaboutit。WiththisideahetoldCalsabigithathemustcarryitononhisownresponsibilityandpayhimahundredthousandcrownsperannum，thatbeingthecostofhisItalianTheatre。
IhappenedtocallonCalsabigiontheverydayonwhichthekingintimatedtohimthisdecision。Aftertalkingoverouroldrelationshipandthevicissitudeswehadbothexperienced，hetoldmewhathadhappened；itseemedanunexpectedblowtohim。Thenextdrawing，hesaid，wouldbeattheking’srisk；butthepublicwouldhavetobeinformedthatinfuturethelotterywouldbeaprivateone。Hewantedcapitaltotheamountoftwomillioncrowns，forheforesawthatotherwisethelotterywouldcollapse，aspeoplewouldnotrisktheirmoneywithoutthecertaintyofbeingpaidintheeventoftheirwinning。HesaidhewouldguaranteemeanincomeoftenthousandcrownsperannumifIsucceededinmakingthekingchangehismind，andbywayofencouragementherecalledtomymindtheeffectofmypersuasivepowersatParissevenyearsbefore。
"’Tisagoodomen，"saidhe，"andwithoutanysuperstitionIbelievethatthegoodgeniusofthelotteryhasbroughtmetoBerlinjustnow。"
Ilaughedathisillusions，butIpitiedhim。Ishewedhimtheimpossibilityofconvincinganindividualwhoseonlyargumentwas，"Iamafraid，andIdon’twishtobeafraidanylonger。"Hebeggedmetostaytodinnerandintroducedmetohiswife。Thiswasadoublesurpriseforme，inthefirstplacebecauseIthoughtGeneralLaMotte，ashisfirstwifewascalled，tobestillliving，andinthesecondplacebecauseIrecognizedinthissecondwifeofhis，Mdlle。Belanger。Iaddressedtheusualcomplimentstoherandenquiredafterhermother。Sherepliedwithaprofoundsigh，andtoldmenottoaskanyquestionsaboutherfamilyasshehadonlybadnewstotellme。
IhadknownMadameBelangeratParis；shewasawidowwithonedaughter，andseemedtobewelloff。NowIsawthisdaughter，prettyenoughandwellmarried，andyetinthisdolefulhumour，andIfeltembarrassedandyetcurious。
AfterCalsabigihadplacedmeinapositiontoentertainahighopinionoftheskillofhiscook，heshewedmehishorsesandcarriages，beggingmetotakeadrivewithhiswifeandcomebacktosupper，which，ashesaid，washisbestmeal。
Whenwewereinthecarriagetogether，thenecessityoftalkingaboutsomethingledmetoasktheladybywhathappychainofcircumstancesshefoundherselfthewifeofCalsabigi。
"Hisrealwifeisstillalive，soIhavenotthemisfortuneofoccupyingthatposition，buteveryoneinBerlinthinksIamhislawfulwife。ThreeyearsagoIwasdeprivedofmymotherandthemeansoflivelihoodatonestroke，formymotherhadanannuity。
Noneofmyrelationswererichenoughtohelpme，andwishingtolivevirtuouslyaboveallthingsIsubsistedfortwoyearsonthesaleofmymother’sfurniture，boardingwithaworthywomanwhomadeherlivingbyembroidery。Ilearntherart，andonlywentouttomassonSundays。Iwasapreytomelancholy，andwhenIhadspentallIhadIwenttoM。Brea，aGenoese，onwhomIthoughtIcouldrely。I
beggedhimtogetmeaplaceasamerewaiting—maid，thinkingthatI
wastolerablycompetentforsuchaposition。Hepromisedtodowhathecouldforme，andfiveorsixdaysafterwardshemademethefollowingproposal:
"HereadmealetterfromCalsabigi，ofwhomIhadneverheard，inwhichhechargedhimtosendavirtuousyoungladytoBerlin。Shemustbeofgoodbirth，goodeducation，andpleasantappearance，aswhenhisagedandinfirmwifediedheintendedtomarryher。
"Assuchapersonwouldmostprobablybebadlyoff，CalsabigibeggedM。BreatogiveherfiftyLouistobuyclothesandlinenandfiftyLouistojourneytoBerlinwithamaid。M。BreawasalsoauthorizedtopromisethattheyoungladyshouldholdthepositionofCalsabigi’swife，andbepresentedinthatcharactertoallhisfriends；thatsheshouldhaveawaiting—maid，acarriage，anallowanceofclothes，andacertainmonthlyamountaspin—moneytobespentasshechose。Hepromised，ifthearrangementwasnotfoundsuitable，tosetherfreeattheendofayear，givingherahundredLouis，andleavingherinpossessionofwhatevermoneyshemighthavesaved，andsuchclothesandjewelsashemighthavegivenher；infine，iftheladyagreedtolivewithhimtillhewasabletomarryher，Calsabigipromisedtoexecuteadeedofgiftinherfavourtotheamountoftenthousandcrownswhichthepublicwouldbelievetobeherdowry，andifhediedbeforebeingabletomarryhershewouldhavearighttoclaimtheaforesaidsumfromhisestate。
"WithsuchfinepromisesdidBreapersuademetoleavemynativecountrytocomeanddishonourmyselfhere，forthougheverybodytreatsmeasifIwerehiswife，itisprobablyknownthatIamonlyhismistress。Ihavebeenhereforsixmonths，andIhaveneverhadaninstant’shappiness。"
"Hashenotkepttheconditionsyouhavementioned？""Conditions！
Calsabigi’sstateofhealthwillkillhimlongbeforehiswife，andinthatcaseIshallhavenothing，forheisloadedwithdebt，andhiscreditorswouldhavethefirstclaimontheestate。Besides，I
donotlikehim；andthereasonisthathelovesmetoomuch。Youcanunderstandthat；hisdevotionworriesme。"
"Atallevents，youcanreturntoParisinsixmonths’time，or，infact，doanythingyoulikewhenthetermstipulatedhasexpired。Youwillgetyourhundredlouis，andcanlayinaprettystockoflinen。"
"IfIgotoParisIshallbedishonoured，andifIremainhereI
shallbedishonoured。Infact，Iamveryunhappy，andBreaisthecauseofmywoe。Nevertheless，Ican’tblamehim，ashecouldnothavebeenawarethathisfriend’spropertyonlyconsistedofdebts。
Andnowthekinghaswithdrawnhiscountenance，thelotterywillfail，andCalsabigiwillinevitablybecomeabankrupt。"
Shehadstudiouslyrefrainedfromexaggeration，andIcouldnothelpconfessingthatshewastobepitied。Iadvisedhertotryandsellthedeedofgiftfortenthousandcrowns，asitwasnotlikelyhewouldraiseanyobjection。
"Ihavethoughtitover，"saidshe，"buttodothatIhaveneedofafriend；ofcourse，Idonotexpecttodisposeofitsaveatagreatloss。"
IpromisedtoseewhatIcoulddoforher。
Therewerefourofusatsupper。ThefourthpersonwasayoungmanwhohadhelpedintheParisandBrusselsLotteries，andhadfollowedCalsabigitoBerlin。HewasevidentlyinlovewithMdlle。Belanger，butIdidnotthinkhislovewascrownedwithsuccess。
AtdessertCalsabigibeggedmetogivehimmyopinionofaschemehehaddrafted，theaimofwhichwastobringinasumoftwomillioncrowns，sothatthecreditofthelotterymightremainsecure。
Theladyleftustotalkbusinessatourease。Shewasbetweentwenty—fourandtwenty—five，andwithouthavingmuchwitshepossessedagreatknowledgeoftheusagesofsociety，whichisbetterthanwitinawoman；infine，shehadallthatamancouldwelldesire。ThesentimentsIfeltforherwereconfinedtothoseoffriendshipandesteemaftertheconfidenceshehadplacedinme。
Calsabigi’sprojectwasbrief，butclearandwellimagined。Heinvitedcapitalistsnottospeculateinthelottery，buttoguaranteeitforacertainsum。Inthecaseofthelottery’slosing，eachguarantorwouldhavetoshareinpayingaccordingtothesumnamed，andinlikemannertheywouldshareintheprofits。
Ipromisedtogivehimmyopinioninwritingbythenextday，andI
substitutedthefollowingplanforhis:
1。Acapitalofamillion，would，Ijudged，beample。
2。Thismillionshouldbedividedintoahundredsharesoftenthousandcrownseach。
3。Eachsharemustbetakenupbeforeanotary，whowouldanswerfortheshareholder’ssolvency。
4。Alldividendstobepaidthethirddayafterthedrawing。
5。Incaseoflosstheshareholdertorenewhisshare。
6。Acashier，chosenbyamajorityoffour—fifthsoftheshareholders，tohavethecontrolofallmoneys。
7。Winningticketstobepaidthedayafterthedrawing。
8。Ontheeveofadrawingtheshareholders’cashiertohaveanaccountofreceiptsfromthelotterycashier，andtheformertolockthesafewiththreekeys，oneofwhichtoremaininhishands，oneinthehandsofthelotterycashier，andoneinthehandsofthemanagerofthelottery。
9。Onlythesimpledrawing，theambeandtheternetoberetained；
thequarterneandthequinetobeabolished。
10。Onthethreecombinationsashillingtobetheminimum，andacrownthemaximumstake；theofficestobeclosedtwenty—fourhoursbeforethedrawing。
11。Tenpercent。togotoCalsabigi，themanager；allexpensesoffarmingtobepaidbyhim。
12。Calsabigitobeentitledtothepossessionoftwoshares，withoutaguaranteebeingrequired。
IsawbyCalsabigi’sfacethattheplandidnotpleasehim，butI
toldhimthathewouldnotgetshareholderssaveontheseterms，orontermsevenlessfavourabletohimself。
Hehaddegradedthelotterytothelevelofbiribi；hisluxuryandextravagancecausedhimtobedistrusted；itwasknownthathewasheadoverearsindebt，andthekingcouldnotbanishthefearthathewouldbecheatedinspiteofthekeennessofhiscomptroller—
general。
Thelastdrawingundertheking’ssanctionmadeeveryoneingoodspirits，forthelotterylosttwentythousandcrowns。Thekingsentthemoneyimmediatelybyaprivycouncillor，butitwassaid，whenheheardtheresultofthedrawing，thatheburstoutlaughing，observing，——
"Iknewitwouldbeso，andIamonlytoohappytohavegotquitofitsocheaply。"
Ithoughtitmydutytogoandsupwiththedirectortoconsolehim，andIfoundhiminastateofgreatdepression。Hecouldnothelpthinkingthathisunhappydrawingwouldmakethetaskofgettingshareholdersmoredifficultthanever。Hithertothelotteryhadalwaysbeenagainer，butitslatelosscouldnothavecomeataworsetime。
Nevertheless，hedidnotloseheart，andthenextmorningthepublicwereinformedbyprintedbillsthattheofficewouldremainclosedtillasufficientnumberofguarantorswerefound。
CHAPTERXVIII
LordKeith——MyAppointmenttoMeettheKingintheGardenofSans—
SouciMyConversationwithFredericktheGreat——MadameDenisThePomeranianCadets——Lambert——IGotoMitauMyWelcomeattheCourt，andMyAdministrativeJourneyThefifthdayaftermyarrivalatBerlinIpresentedmyselftothelord—marshal，whosincethedeathofhisbrotherhadbeenstyledLordKeith。IhadseenhiminLondonafterhisreturnfromScotland，wherehehadbeenreinstatedinthefamilyestates，whichhadbeenconfiscatedforJacobinism。FredericktheGreatwassupposedtohavebroughtthisabout。LordKeithlivedatBerlin，restingonhislaurels，andenjoyingtheblessingsofpeace。
Withhisoldsimplicityofmannerhetoldmehewasgladtoseemeagain，andaskedifIproposedmakinganystayatBerlin。IrepliedthatIwouldwillinglydosoifthekingwouldgivemeasuitableoffice。Iaskedhimifhewouldspeakawordinmyfavour；butherepliedthatthekinglikedtojudgemen’scharactersforhimself，andwouldoftendiscovermeritwherenoonehadsuspecteditspresence，andviceversa。
HeadvisedmetointimatetothekinginwritingthatIdesiredtohavethehonourofaninterview。"Whenyouspeaktohim，"thegoodoldmanadded，"youmaysaythatyouknowme，andthekingwilldoubtlessaddressmeonthesubject，andyoumaybesurewhatIsayshallnotbetoyourdisadvantage。"
"But，mylord，howcanIwritetoamonarchofwhomIknownothing，andwhoknowsnothingofme？Ishouldnothavethoughtofsuchastep。"
"Idaresay，butdon’tyouwishtospeaktohim？"
"Certainly。"
"Thatisenough。Yourletterwillmakehimawareofyourdesireandnothingmore。"
"Butwillhereply？"
"Undoubtedly；herepliestoeverybody。Hewilltellyouwhenandwherehewillseeyou。HisMajestyisnowatSans—Souci。Iamcurioustoknowthenatureofyourinterviewwiththemonarchwho，asyoucansee，isnotafraidofbeingimposedon。"
WhenIgothomeIwroteaplainbutrespectfullettertotheking，askingwhereandatwhattimeIcouldintroducemyselftohim。
IntwodaysIreceivedalettersigned"Frederick，"inwhichthereceiptofmyletterwasacknowledged，andIwastoldthatIshouldfindhismajestyinthegardenofSans—Souciatfouro’clock。
AsmaybeimaginedIwaspunctualtomyappointment。IwasatSans—
Souciatthree，cladinasimpleblackdress。WhenIgotintothecourt—yardtherewasnotsomuchasasentineltostopme，soIwentonmountedastair，andopenedadoorinfrontofme。Ifoundmyselfinapicture—gallery，andthecuratorcameuptomeandofferedtoshewmeoverit。
"Ihavenotcometoadmirethesemasterpieces，"Ireplied，"buttoseetheking，whoinformedmeinwritingthatIshouldfindhiminthegarden。"
"Heisnowataconcertplayingtheflute；hedoessoeverydayafterdinner。Didhenameanytime？"
"Yes，fouro’clock，buthewillhaveforgottenthat。"
"Thekingneverforgetsanything；hewillkeeptheappointment，andyouwilldowelltogointothegardenandawaithim。"
IhadbeeninthegardenforsomeminuteswhenIsawhimappear，followedbyhisreaderandaprettyspaniel。Assoonashesawmeheaccostedme，takingoffhisoldhat，andpronouncingmyname。ThenheaskedinaterriblevoicewhatIwantedofhim。Thisgreetingsurprisedme，andmyvoicestuckinmythroat。
"Well，speakout。Areyounotthepersonwhowrotetome？"