"Yes，sire，butIhaveforgotteneverythingnow。IthoughtthatI
shouldnotbeawedbythemajestyofaking，butIwasmistaken。Mylord—marshalshouldhavewarnedme。"
"Thenheknowsyou？Letuswalk。Whatisitthatyouwant？Whatdoyouthinkofmygarden？"
Hisenquiriesaftermyneedsandofhisgardenweresimultaneous。ToanyotherpersonIshouldhaveansweredthatIdidnotknowanythingaboutgardening，butthiswouldhavebeenequivalenttorefusingtoanswerthequestion；andnomonarch，evenifhebeaphilosopher，couldendurethat。IthereforerepliedthatIthoughtthegardensuperb。
"But，"hesaid，"thegardensofVersaillesaremuchfiner。"
"Yes，sire，butthatischieflyonaccountofthefountains。"
"True，butitisnotmyfault；thereisnowaterhere。Ihavespentmorethanthreehundredthousandcrownstogetwater，butunsuccessfully。"
"Threehundredthousandcrowns，sire！Ifyourmajestyhadspentthemallatonce，thefountainsshouldbehere。"
"Oh，oh！Iseeyouareacquaintedwithhydraulics。"
Icouldnotsaythathewasmistaken，forfearofoffendinghim，soI
simplybentmyhead，whichmightmeaneitheryesorno。ThankGodthekingdidnottroubletotestmyknowledgeofthescienceofhydraulics，withwhichIwastotallyunacquainted。
Hekeptonthemoveallthetime，andasheturnedhisheadfromonesidetotheotherhurriedlyaskedmewhatforcesVenicecouldputintothefieldinwartime。
"Twentymen—of—war，sire，andanumberofgalleys。"
"Whatarethelandforces？"
"Seventythousandmen，sire；allofwhomaresubjectsoftheRepublic，andassessingeachvillageatoneman。"
"Thatisnottrue；nodoubtyouwishtoamusemebytellingmethesefables。Givemeyouropinionsontaxation。"
ThiswasthefirstconversationIhadeverhadwithamonarch。I
madearapidreviewofthesituation，andfoundmyselfmuchinthesamepositionasanactoroftheimprovisedcomedyoftheItalians，whoisgreetedbythehissesofthegodsifhestopsshortamoment。
IthereforerepliedwithalltheairsofadoctoroffinancethatI
couldsaysomethingaboutthetheoryoftaxation。
"That’swhatIwant，"hereplied，"forthepracticeisnobusinessofyours。"
"Therearethreekindsoftaxes，consideredastotheireffects。Thefirstisruinous，thesecondanecessaryevil，andthethirdinvariablybeneficial"
"Good！Goon。"
"Theruinousimpostistheroyaltax，thenecessaryisthemilitary，andthebeneficialisthepopular。"
AsIhadnotgiventhesubjectanythoughtIwasinadisagreeableposition，forIwasobligedtogoonspeaking，andyetnottotalknonsense。
"Theroyaltax，sire，isthatwhichdeplenishesthepursesofthesubjecttofillthecoffersoftheking。"
"Andthatkindoftaxisalwaysruinous，youthink。"
"Always，sire；itpreventsthecirculationofmoney——thesoulofcommerceandthemainstayofthestate。"
"Butifthetaxbeleviedtokeepupthestrengthofthearmy，yousayitisanecessaryevil。"
"Yes，itisnecessaryandyetevil，forwarisanevil。"
"Quiteso；andnowaboutthepopulartax。"
"Thisisalwaysabenefit，forthemonarchtakeswithonehandandgiveswiththeother；heimprovestownsandroads，foundsschools，protectsthesciences，cherishesthearts；infine，hedirectsthistaxtowardsimprovingtheconditionandincreasingthehappinessofhispeople。"
"Thereisagooddealoftruthinthat。IsupposeyouknowCalsabigi？"
"Ioughtto，yourmajesty，asheandIestablishedtheGenoaLotteryatParissevenyearsago。"
"Inwhatclasswouldyouputthistaxation，foryouwillagreethatitistaxationofakind？"
"Certainly，sire，andnottheleastimportant。Itisbeneficialwhenthemonarchspendshisprofitsforthegoodofthepeople。"
"Butthemonarchmaylose？"
"Onceinfifty。"
"Isthatconclusiontheresultofamathematicalcalculation？"
"Yes，sire。"
"Suchcalculationsoftenprovedeceptive。"
"Notso，mayitpleaseyourmajesty，whenGodremainsneutral。"
"WhathasGodgottodowithit？"
"Well，sire，wewillcallitdestinyorchance。"
"Good！Imaypossiblybeofyouropinionastothecalculation，butIdon’tlikeyourGenoeseLottery。Itseemstomeanelaborateswindle，andIwouldhavenothingmoretodowithit，evenifitwerepositivelycertainthatIshouldneverlose。"
"Yourmajestyisright，fortheconfidencewhichmakesthepeoplerisktheirmoneyinalotteryisperfectlyfallacious。"
Thiswastheendofourstrangedialogue，andstoppingbeforeabuildinghelookedmeover，andthen，afterashortsilence，observed，——
"Doyouknowthatyouareafineman？"
"Isitpossiblethat，afterthescientificconversationwehavehad，yourmajestyshouldselecttheleastofthequalitieswhichadornyourlifeguardsmenforremark？"
Thekingsmiledkindly，andsaid，——
"AsyouknowMarshalKeith，Iwillspeaktohimofyou。"
Withthathetookoffhishat，andbademefarewell。Iretiredwithaprofoundbow。
ThreeorfourdaysafterthemarshalgavemetheagreeablenewsthatIhadfoundfavourintheking’seyes，andthathismajestythoughtofemployingme。
Iwascurioustolearnthenatureofthisemployment，andbeinginnokindofhurryIresolvedtoawaiteventsinBerlin。Thetimepassedpleasantlyenough，forIwaseitherwithCalsabigi，BaronTreidel，ormylandlady，andwhentheseresourcesfailedme，Iusedtowalkinthepark，musingovertheeventsofmylife。
Calsabigihadnodifficultyinobtainingpermissiontocontinuethelotteryonhisownaccount，andheboldlyannouncedthathenceforwardhewouldconductthelotteryonhisownrisk。Hisaudacitywascrownedwithsuccess，andheobtainedaprofitofahundredthousandcrowns。Withthishepaidmostofhisdebts，andgavehismistresstenthousandcrowns，shereturningthedocumententitlinghertothatamount。Afterthisluckydrawingitwaseasytofindguarantors，andthelotterywentonsuccessfullyfortwoorthreeyears。
NeverthelessCalsabigiendedbybecomingbankruptanddiedpoorenoughinItaly。HemightbecomparedtotheDanaides；themorehegotthemorehespent。HismistresseventuallymadearespectablemarriageandreturnedtoParis，whereshelivedincomfort。
AttheperiodofwhichIamspeaking，theDuchessofBrunswick，theking’ssister，cametopayhimavisit。ShewasaccompaniedbyherdaughterwhomarriedtheCrownPrinceofPrussiainthefollowingyear。Isawthekinginasuitoflustringtrimmedwithgoldlace，andblacksilkstockingsonhislegs。Helookedtrulycomic，andmorelikeatheatricalheavyfatherthanagreatking。Hecameintothehallwithhissisteronhisarmandattracteduniversalattention，foronlyveryoldmencouldrememberseeinghimwithouthisuniformandtop—boots。
IwasnotawarethatthefamousMadameDeniswasatBerlin，anditwasthereforeanagreeablesurprisetometoseeherintheballetoneevening，dancingapasseulinanexquisitemanner。Wewereoldfriends，andIresolvedtopayheravisitthenextday。
Imusttellthereader（supposingIeverhaveone），thatwhenIwasabouttwelveyearsoldIwenttothetheatrewithmymotherandsaw，notwithoutmuchheart—beating，agirlofeightwhodancedaminuetinsoravishingamannerthatthewholehouseapplaudedloudly。Thisyoungdancer，whowasthepantaloon’sdaughter，charmedmetosuchadegreethatIcouldnotresistgoingtoherdressing—roomtocomplimentheronherperformance。Iworethecassockinthosedays，andshewasastonishedwhensheheardherfatherorderhertogetupandkissme。Shekissedme，nevertheless，withmuchgrace，andthoughIreceivedthecomplimentwithagooddealofawkwardnessI
wassodelighted，thatIcouldnothelpbuyingheralittleringfromatoymerchantinthetheatre。Shekissedmeagainwithgreatgratitudeandenthusiasm。
ThepleasantestpartaboutthiswasthatthesequinIhadgivenfortheringbelongedtoDr。Gozzi，andsowhenIwentbacktohimIwasinapitiablestate，forIhadnotonlyspentmoneywhichdidnotbelongtome，butIhadspentitforsosmallafavourasakiss。
IknewthatthenextdayIshouldhavetogiveanaccountofthemoneyhehadentrustedtome，andnothavingtheleastideaastowhatIshouldsay，Ihadabadnightofit。Thenextmorningeverythingcameout，andmymothermadeupthesequintothedoctor。
IlaughnowwhenIthinkofthischildishpieceofgallantry，whichwasanomenoftheextenttowhichmyheartwastobeswayedbythefairsex。
Thetoy—womanwhohadsoldmetheringcamethenextdayatdinner—
timetoourhouse，andafterproducingseveralringsandtrinketswhichwerejudgedtoodear，shebegantopraisemygenerosity，andsaidthatIhadnotthoughttheringIhadgiventoprettyJeannettetoodear。Thisdidmybusiness；andIhadtoconfessthewhole，layingmyfaulttotheaccountoflove，andpromisingnottodosuchathingagain。ButwhenIutteredthewordlove，everybodyroaredwithlaughter，andbegantomakecruelgameofme。Iwishedmyselfamileaway，andregisteredaninteriorresolvenevertoconfessmyfaultsagain。ThereaderknowshowwellIkeptmypromise。
Thepantaloon’slittledaughterwasmymother’sgoddaughter，andmythoughtswerefullofher。Mymother，wholovedmeandsawmypain，askedmeifIwouldlikethelittlegirltobeaskedtosupper。Mygrandmother，however，opposedtheidea，andIwasobligedtoher。
ThedayafterthisburlesquesceneIreturnedtoPadua，whereBettinasoonmademeforgetthelittleballet—girl。IsawheragainatCharlottenbourg，andthatwasnowseventeenyearsago。
Ilongedtohaveatalkwithher，andtoseewhethershewouldrememberme，thoughIdidnotexpecthertodoso。IaskedifherhusbandDeniswaswithher，andtheytoldmethatthekinghadbanishedhimbecauseheill—treatedher。
Icalledonherthedayaftertheperformance，andwaspolitelyreceived，butshesaidshedidnotthinkshehadhadthepleasureofseeingmebefore。
BydegreesItoldheroftheeventsofherchildhood，andhowsheenchantedallVenicebythegracewithwhichshedancedtheminuet。
Sheinterruptedmebysayingthatatthattimeshewasonlysixyearsold。
"Youcouldnotbemore，"Ireplied，"forIwasonlyten；andnevertheless，Ifellinlovewithyou，andneverhaveIforgottenthekissyougavemebyyourfather’sorderinreturnforsometriflingpresentImadeyou。"
"Bequiet；yougavemeabeautifulring，andIkissedyouofmyownfreewill。Youworethecassockthen。Ihaveneverforgottenyou。
Butcanitreallybeyou？"
"Itisindeed。"
"Iam。delightedtoseeyouagain。ButIcouldneverhaverecognizedyou，andIsupposeyouwouldnothaverecognizedme。"
"No，Ishouldnothaveknownyou，unlessIhadheardyournamementioned。"
"Onealtersintwentyyears，youknow。"
"Yes，onecannotexpecttohavethesamefaceasatsix。"
"YoucanbearwitnessthatIamnotmorethantwenty—six，thoughsomeevilspeakersgivemetenyearsmore。"
"Youshouldnottakeanynoticeofsuchcalumnies，mydear。Youareintheflowerofyourage，andmadefortheserviceoflove。Formypart，Icongratulatemyselfonbeingabletotellyouthatyouarethefirstwomanthatinspiredmewitharealpassion。"
Wecouldnothelpbecomingaffectionateifwecontinuedtokeepuptheconversationinthisstyle，butexperiencehadtaughtusthatitwaswelltoremainaswewereforthepresent。
MadameDeniswasstillfreshandyouthfullooking，thoughshepersistedinabbreviatingheragebytenyears。Ofcourseshecouldnotdeceiveme，andshemusthaveknownit，nevertheless，shelikedmetobearoutwardtestimonytoheryouthfulness。ShewouldhavedetestedmeifIhadattemptedtoprovetoherwhatsheknewperfectlywell，butdidnotcaretoconfess。Nodoubtshecaredlittleformythoughtsonthesubject，andshemayhaveimaginedthatIowedhergratitudefordiminishingherage，asitenabledmetodiminishmyowntomakeourtalesagree。However，Ididnottroublemyselfmuchaboutit，foritisalmostadutyinanactresstodisguiseherage，asinspiteoftalentthepublicwillnotforgiveawomanforhavingbeenborntoosoon。
Ithoughtherbehaviourauguredwell，andIhopedshewouldnotmakemelanguishlong。Sheshewedmeherhouse，whichwasalleleganceandgoodtaste。Iaskedherifshehadalover，andsherepliedwithasmilethatallBerlinthoughtso，butthatitwasneverthelessdeceivedontheprincipalpoint，astheindividualinquestionwasmoreofafatherthanalover。
"Butyoudeservetohaveareallover；Icannotconceivehowyoucandowithoutone。"
"IassureyouIdon’ttroublemyselfaboutit。Iamsubjecttoconvulsions，whicharetheplagueofmylife。IwanttotrytheTeplitzwaters，whicharesaidtobeexcellentforallnervousaffections；butthekinghasrefusedhispermission，whichI，nevertheless，hopetoobtainnextyear。"
Ifeltardentlydisposed，andIthoughtshewaspleasedwiththerestraintIputuponmyself。
"Willyoubeannoyed，"saidI，"ifIcalluponyoufrequently？"
"Ifyoudon’tmindIwillcallmyselfyourniece，oryourcousin，andthenwecanseeeachother。"
"Doyouknowthatthatmaypossiblybetrue？Iwouldnotswearthatyouwerenotmysister。"
Thissallymadeustalkofthefriendshipthathadsubsistedbetweenherfatherandmymother，andweallowedourselvesthosecaresseswhicharepermittedtonearrelations；butfeelingthatthingsweregoingtoofarweceased。Asshebademefarewell，sheaskedmetodinewithherthenextday，andIaccepted。
AsIwentbacktomyinnIreflectedonthestrangecombinationswhichmademylifeonecontinuouschainofevents，andIfeltitmydutytogivethankstoeternalProvidence，forIfeltthatIhadbeenbornunderahappystar。
Thenextday，whenIwenttodinewithMadameDenis，Ifoundanumerouscompanyassembled。ThefirstpersonwhogreetedmewiththewarmthofanoldfriendwasayoungdancernamedAubri，whomIhadknownatParisandatVenice。HewasfamousforhavingbeentheloverofoneofthemostexaltedVenetianladies，andatthesametimeherhusband’spathic。ItwassaidthatthisscandalousintimacywasofsuchanaturethatAubriusedtosleepbetweenthehusbandandwife。AtthebeginningofLenttheStateInquisitorssenthimtoTrieste。Heintroducedmetohiswife，whodancedlikehimselfandwascalledLaPanting。HehadmarriedheratSt。Petersburg，fromwhichcityhehadjustcome，andtheyweregoingtospendthewinterinParis。Thenextpersonwhoadvancedtogreetmewasafatman，whoheldouthishandandsaidwehadbeenfriendstwenty—fiveyearsago，butthatweweresoyoungthenthatitwouldbenowonderifwedidnotknoweachother。"WekneweachotheratPadua，atDr。
Gozzi’s，"headded；"mynameisJosephdaLoglio。"
"Irememberyou，"Ireplied，"inthosedaysyouwerevioloncelloattheRussianchapel。"
"Exactly；andnowIamreturningtomynativelandtoleaveitnomore。Ihavethehonourtointroduceyoutomywife，whowasbornatSt。Petersburg，butisadaughterofModonistheviolinist，whosereputationisEuropean。InaweekIshallbeatDresden，whereI
hopetohavethehonourofseeingMadameCasanova，yourmother。"
Iwasdelightedtofindmyselfinsuchcongenialsociety，butIcouldseethatMadameDenisdidnotrelishtheserecollectionsextendingoveraquarterofacentury，andIturnedtheconversationtotheeventsatSt。PetersburgwhichhadresultedinCatherinetheGreatascendingthethrone。DaLogliotoldusthathehadtakenasmallpartinthisconspiracy，andhadthoughtitprudenttogetoutoftheway。"Fortunately，"headded，"thiswasacontingencyIhadlongprovidedagainst，andIaminapositiontospendtherestofmydaysincomfortinItaly。"
MadameDenisthenobserved:
"AweekagoaPiedmontese，namedAudar，wasintroducedtome。Hehadbeenachiefmoverintheconspiracy，andtheempressgavehimapresentofahundredthousandroublesandanordertoleaveRussiaimmediately。"
IheardafterwardsthatthisAudarboughtanestateinPiedmontonwhichhebuiltafinemansion。Intwoorthreeyearsitwasstruckbyathunder—bolt，andtheunfortunatemanwaskilledintheruinsofhisownhouse。IfthiswasablowfromanAlmightyhand，itcouldnot，atallevents，havebeendirectedbythegeniusofRussia，foriftheunfortunatePeterIII。hadlived，hewouldhaveretardedRussiancivilizationbyahundredyears。
TheEmpressCatherinerewardedalltheforeignerswhohadassistedherinherplotsmostmagnificently，andshewedherselfgratefultotheRussianswhohadhelpedhertomountthethrone；while，likeacraftypolitician，shesentsuchnoblesasshesuspectedtobeaversetorevolutionoutofthecountry。
ItwasDaLoglioandhisprettywifewhodeterminedmetobetakemyselftoRussiaincasetheKingofPrussiadidnotgivemeanyemployment。IwasassuredthatIshouldmakemyfortunethere，andDaLogliopromisedtogivemegoodinstructions。
AssoonasthisworthymanleftBerlinmyintimacywithMadameDeniscommenced。OnenightwhenIwassuppingwithhershewasseizedwithconvulsionswhichlastedallthenight。Ididnotleaveherforamoment，andinthemorning，feelingquiterecovered，hergratitudefinishedwhatmylovehadbeguntwenty—sixyearsbefore，andouramorouscommercelastedwhileIstayedatBerlin。WeshallhearofheragainatFlorencesixyearslater。
SomedaysafterMadameDenistookmetoPotsdamtoshewmeallthesightsofthetown。Ourintimacyoffendednoone，forshewasgenerallybelievedtobemyniece，andthegeneralwhokepthereitherbelievedthereport，orlikeamanofsensepretendedtobelieveit。
AmongstothernotablethingsIsawatPotsdamwasthesightofthekingcommandingthefirstbattalionofhisgrenadiers，allpickedmen，theflowerofthePrussianarmy。
Theroomwhichweoccupiedattheinnfacedawalkbywhichthekingpassedwhenhecamefromthecastle。Theshutterswereallclosed，andourlandladytoldusthatononeoccasionwhenaprettydancercalledLaReggianawassleepinginthesameroom，thekinghadseenherin’purisnaturalibus’。Thiswastoomuchforhismodesty，andhehadorderedtheshutterstobeclosed，andclosedtheyhadremained，thoughthiseventwasfouryearsold。Thekinghadsomecausetofear，forhehadbeenseverelytreatedbyLaBarbarina。Intheking’sbedroomwesawherportrait，thatofLaCochois，sistertotheactresswhobecameMarchionessd’Argens，andthatofMarieTheresa，withwhomFrederickhadbeeninlove，orratherhehadbeeninlovewiththeideaofbecomingemperor。
Afterwehadadmiredthebeautyandeleganceofthecastle，wecouldnothelpadmiringthewayinwhichthemasterofthecastlewaslodged。Hehadameanroom，andsleptonalittlebedwithascreenaroundit。Therewasnodressing—gownandnoslippers。Thevaletshewedusanoldcapwhichthekingputonwhenhehadacold；itlookedasifitmustbeveryuncomfortable。Hismajesty’sbureauwasatablecoveredwithpens，paper，half—burntmanuscripts，andanink—
pot；besideitwasasofa。ThevalettoldusthatthesemanuscriptscontainedthehistoryofthelastPrussianwar，andthekinghadbeensoannoyedbytheiraccidentallygettingburntthathehadresolvedtohavenomoretodowiththework。Heprobablychangedhismind，forthebook，whichislittleesteemed，waspublishedshortlyafterhisdeath。
Fiveorsixweeksaftermycuriousconversationwiththemonarch，MarshalKeithtoldmethathismajestyhadbeenpleasedtocreatemeatutortothenewcorpsofPomeraniancadetswhichhewasjustestablishing。Thereweretobefifteencadetsandfivetutors，sothateachshouldhavethecareofthreepupils。Thesalarywassixhundredcrownsandboardfound。Thedutyofthetutorswastofolloworaccompanythecadetswherevertheywent，Courtincluded。Ihadtobequickinmakingupmymind，forthefourotherswerealreadyinstalled，andhismajestydidnotliketobekeptwaiting。IaskedLordKeithwherethecollegewas，andIpromisedtogivehimareplybythenextday。
Ihadtosummonallmypowersofself—restrainttomyassistancewhenIheardthisextravagantproposalascomingfromamanwhowassodiscreetinmostthings，butmyastonishmentwasincreasedwhenIsawtheabodeofthesefifteenyoungnoblemenofrichPomerania。Itconsistedofthreeorfourgreatroomsalmostdevoidoffurniture，severalwhitewashedbedrooms，containingawretchedbed，adealtable，andtwodealchairs。Theyoungcadets，boysoftwelveorthirteen，alllookeddirtyanduntidy，andwereboxedupinawretcheduniformwhichmatchedadmirablytheirrudeandrusticfaces。
Theywereincompanywiththeirfourgovernors，whomItookfortheirservants，andwholookedatmeinastupefiedmanner，notdaringtothinkthatIwastobetheirfuturecolleague。
JustasIwasgoingtobidaneternalfarewelltothisabodeofmisery，oneofthegovernorsputhisheadoutofthewindowandexclaimed，——
"Thekingisridingup。"
Icouldnotavoidmeetinghim，andbesides，Iwasgladenoughtoseehimagain，especiallyinsuchaplace。
HismajestycameupwithhisfriendIcilius，examinedeverything，andsawme，butdidnothonourmewithaword。Iwaselegantlydressed，andworemycrosssetwithbrilliants。ButIhadtobitemylipssoasnottoburstoutlaughingwhenFredericktheGreatgotinatoweringrageatachamberutensilwhichstoodbesideoneofthebeds，andwhichdidnotappeartobeinaverycleanlycondition。
"Whosebedisthis？"criedthemonarch。
"Mine，sire，"answeredatremblingcadet。
"Good！butitisnotyouIamangrywith；whereisyourgovernor？"
Thefortunategovernorpresentedhimself，andthemonarch，afterhonouringhimwiththetitleofblockhead，proceededtoscoldhimroundly。However，heendedbysayingthattherewasaservant，andthatthegovernoroughttoseethathedidhisworkproperly。
Thisdisgustingscenewasenoughforme，andIhastenedtocallonMarshalKeithtoannouncemydetermination。TheoldsoldierlaughedatthedescriptionIgavehimoftheacademy，andsaidIwasquiterighttodespisesuchanoffice；butthatIought，nevertheless，togoandthankthekingbeforeIleftBerlin。IsaidIdidnotfeelinclinedforanotherinterviewwithsuchaman，andheagreedtopresentmythanksandexcusesinmystead。
ImadeupmymindtogotoRussia，andbeganmypreparationsingoodearnest。BaronTreidelsupportedmyresolvebyofferingtogivemealetterofintroductiontohissister，theDuchessofCourland。I
wrotetoM。deBragadinto’givemealetterforabankeratSt。
Petersburg，andtoremitmethroughhimeverymonthasumwhichwouldkeepmeincomfort。
Icouldnottravelwithoutaservant，andchancekindlyprovidedmewithone。IwassittingwithMadameRufin，whenayoungLorrainercamein；likeBias，heboreallhisfortunewithhim，but，inhiscase，itwascarriedunderhisarm。Heintroducedhimselfthus:
"Madam，mynameisLambert，IcomefromLorraine，andIwishtolodgehere。"
"Verygood，sir，butyoumustpayforyourboardandlodgingeveryday。"
"That，madam，isoutofthequestion，forIhavenotgotafarthing，butIshallhavesomemoneywhenIdiscoverwhoIam。"
"IamafraidIcannotputyouuponthoseconditions，sir。"
Hewasgoingawaywithamortifiedair，whenmyheartwastouched，andIcalledhimback。
"Stay，"saidI，"Iwillpayforyouto—day。"
Happinessbeamedoverhisface。
"Whathaveyougotinthatlittlebundle？"saidI。
"Twoshirts，ascoreofmathematicalbooks，andsomeothertrifles。"
Itookhimtomyroom，andfindinghimtolerablywelleducated，I
askedhimhowhecametobeinsuchastateofdestitution。
"IcomefromStrasburg，"hereplied，"andacadetofaregimentstationedtherehavinggivenmeablowinacoffee—houseIpaidhimavisitthenextdayinhisownroomandstabbedhimthere。
"AfterthisIwenthome，madeupmybundle，andleftthetown。I
walkedallthewayandlivedsoberly，sothatmymoneylastedtillthismorning。To—morrowIshallwritetomymother，wholivesatLuneville，andIamsureshewillsendmesomemoney。"
"Andwhatdoyouthinkofdoing？"
"Iwanttobecomeamilitaryengineer，butifneedsmustIamreadytoenlistasaprivatesoldier。"
"Icangiveyouboardandlodgingtillyouhearfromyourmother。"
"Heavenhassentyouinmyway，"saidhe，kissingmyhandgratefully。
Ididnotsuspecthimofdeceivingme，thoughhestumbledsomewhatinhisnarrative。HowevermycuriosityledmetowritetoM。
Schauenbourg，whowasthenatStrasburg，toenquireifthetaleweretrue。
ThenextdayIhappenedtomeetanofficerofengineers，whotoldmethatyoungmenofeducationweresoplentifulthattheydidnotreceivethemintotheserviceunlesstheywerewillingtoserveascommonsoldiers。Iwassorryfortheyoungmantobereducedsolowasthat。Ibegantospendsometimewithhimeverydayinmathematicalcalculations，andIconceivedtheideaoftakinghimwithmetoSt。Petersburg，andbroachedthesubjecttohim。
"Itwouldbeapieceofgoodfortuneforme，"hereplied，"andtoshewmygratitudeIwillgladlywaitonyouasaservantduringthejourney。"
HespokeFrenchbadly，butashewasaLorrainerIwasnotastonishedatthat。NeverthelessIwassurprisedtofindthathedidnotknowawordofLatin，andthathisspellingwasofthewildestdescription。
Hesawmelaughing，butdidnotseemintheleastashamed。Indeedhesaidthathehadonlygonetoschooltolearnmathematics，andthathewasverygladthathehadescapedtheinflictionoflearninggrammar。Indeed，oneverysubjectbesidesmathematics，hewasprofoundlyignorant。Hehadnomannerswhatever；infact，hewasamerepeasant。
TenortwelvedayslaterIreceivedaletterfromM。deSchauenbourg，sayingthatthenameofLambertwasunknowninStrasburg，andthatnocadethadbeenkilledorwounded。
WhenIshewedLambertthisletterhesaidthatashewishedtoenterthearmyhethoughtitwouldbeofservicetohimtoshewthathewasbrave，addingthatasthisliehadnotbeentoldwiththeideaofimposingonmeIshouldforgiveit。
"Poverty，"saidhe，"isarascallyteacher，thatgivesamansomebadlessons。Iamnotaliarbydisposition，butIhaveneverthelesstoldyoualieonanotherandamoreimportantmatter。Idon’texpectanymoneywhateverfrommypoormother，whoratherneedsthatIshouldsendmoneytoher。Soforgiveme，andbesureIshallbeafaithfulservanttoyou。"
Iwasalwaysreadytoforgiveothermen’speccadilloes，andnotwithoutcause。IlikedLambert’slineofargument，andtoldhimthatwewouldsetoutinfiveorsixdays。
BaronBodisson，aVenetianwhowantedtosellthekingapicturebyAndreadelSarto，askedmetocomewithhimtoPotsdamandthedesireofseeingthemonarchonceagainmademeaccepttheinvitation。WhenIreachedPotsdamIwenttoseetheparadeatwhichFrederickwasnearlyalwaystobefound。WhenhesawmehecameupandaskedmeinafamiliarmannerwhenIwasgoingtostartforSt。Petersburg。
"Infiveorsixdays，ifyourmajestyhasnoobjection。"
"Iwishyouapleasantjourney；butwhatdoyouhopetodointhatland？"
"WhatIhopedtodointhisland，namely，topleasethesovereign。"
"Haveyougotanintroductiontotheempress？"
"No，butIhaveanintroductiontoabanker。"
"Ah！that’smuchbetter。IfyoupassthroughPrussiaonyourreturnIshallbedelightedtohearofyouradventuresinRussia。"
"Farewell，sire。"
SuchwasthesecondinterviewIhadwiththisgreatking，whomI
neversawagain。
AfterIhadtakenleaveofallmyfriendsIappliedtoBaronTreidel，whogavemealetterforM。deKaiserling，lord—chancelloratMitau，andanotherletterforhissister，theDuchessofCourland，andI
spentthelastnightwiththecharmingMadameDenis。Sheboughtmypost—chaise，andIstartedwithtwohundredducatsinmypurse。ThiswouldhavebeenampleforthewholejourneyifIhadnotbeensofoolishastoreduceitbyhalfatapartyofpleasurewithsomeyoungmerchantsatDantzic。IwasthusunabletostayafewdaysatKoenigsberg，thoughIhadalettertoField—MarshalvonLewald，whowasthegovernoroftheplace。Icouldonlystayonedaytodinewiththispleasantoldsoldier，whogavemealetterforhisfriendGeneralWoiakoff，theGovernorofRiga。
IfoundIwasrichenoughtoarriveatMitauinstate，andI
thereforetookacarriageandsix，andreachedmydestinationinthreedays。AttheinnwhereIputupIfoundaFlorentineartistenamedBregonei，whooverwhelmedmewithcaresses，tellingmethatI
hadlovedherwhenIwasaboyandworethecassock。IsawhersixyearslateratFlorence，whereshewaslivingwithMadameDenis。
ThedayaftermydeparturefromMemel，IwasaccostedintheopencountrybyamanwhomIrecognizedasaJew。HeinformedmethatI
wasonPolishterritory，andthatImustpaydutyonwhatevermerchandiseIhadwithme。
"Iamnomerchant，"saidI，"andyouwillgetnothingoutofme。"
"Ihavetherighttoexamineyoureffects，"repliedtheIsraelite，"andImeantomakeuseofit。"
"Youareamadman，"Iexclaimed，andIorderedthepostilliontowhiphimoff。
ButtheJewranandseizedtheforehorsesbythebridleandstoppedus，andthepostillion，insteadofwhippinghim，waitedwithTeutoniccalmformetocomeandsendtheJewaway。Iwasinafuriousrage，andleapingoutwithmycaneinonehandandapistolintheotherI
soonputtheJewtoflightafterapplyingaboutadozengoodsoundblowstohisback。Inoticedthatduringthecombatmyfellow—
traveller，myArchimedes—in—ordinary，whohadbeenasleepalltheway，didnotoffertostir。Ireproachedhimforhiscowardice；buthetoldmethathedidnotwanttheJewtosaythatwehadsetonhimtwotoone。
IarrivedatMitautwodaysafterthisburlesqueadventureandgotdownattheinnfacingthecastle。Ihadonlythreeducatsleft。
ThenextmorningIcalledonM。deKaiserling，whoreadtheBarondeTreidel’sletter，andintroducedmetohiswife，andleftmewithhertotakethebaron’slettertohissister。
MadamedeKaiserlingorderedacupofchocolatetobebroughtmebyabeautifulyoungPolishgirl，whostoodbeforemewithloweredeyesasifshewishedtogivemetheopportunityofexaminingheratease。
AsIlookedatherawhimcameintomyhead，and，asthereaderisaware，Ihaveneverresistedanyofmywhims。However，thiswasacuriousone。AsIhavesaid，Ihadonlythreeducatsleft，butafterIhademptiedthecupofchocolateIputitbackontheplateandthethreeducatswithit。
Thechancellorcamebackandtoldmethattheduchesscouldnotseemejustthen，butthatsheinvitedmetoasupperandballshewasgivingthatevening。Iacceptedthesupperandrefusedtheball，onthepretextthatIhadonlysummerclothesandablacksuit。ItwasinthebeginningofOctober，andthecoldwasalreadycommencingtomakeitselffelt。ThechancellorreturnedtotheCourt，andItomyinn。
Halfanhourlaterachamberlaincametobringmeherhighness’scompliments，andtoinformmethattheballwouldbeamaskedone，andthatIcouldappearindomino。
"YoucaneasilygetonefromtheJews，"headded。Hefurtherinformedmethattheballwastohavebeenafull—dressone，butthattheduchesshadsentwordtoallthegueststhatitwouldbemasked，asastrangerwhowastobepresenthadsentonhistrunks。
"Iamsorrytohavecausedsomuchtrouble，"saidI。
"Notatall，"hereplied，"themaskedballwillbemuchmorerelishedbythepeople。"
Hementionedthetimeitwastobegin，andleftme。
NodoubtthereaderwillthinkthatIfoundmyselfinanawkwardpredicament，andIwillbehonestandconfessIwasfarfrombeingatmyease。However，mygoodluckcametomyassistance。
AsPrussianmoney（whichistheworstinGermany）isnotcurrentinRussia，aJewcameandaskedmeifIhadanyfriedrichsd’or，offeringtoexchangethemagainstducatswithoutputtingmetoanyloss。
"Ihaveonlyducats，"Ireplied，"andthereforeIcannotprofitbyyouroffer。"
"Iknowitsir，andyougivethemawayverycheaply。"
Notunderstandingwhathemeant，Isimplygazedathim，andhewentontosaythathewouldbegladtoletmehavetwohundredducatsifIwouldkindlygivehimabillonSt。Petersburgforroublestothatamount。
Iwassomewhatsurprisedatthefellow’strustfulness，butafterpretendingtothinkthematteroverIsaidthatIwasnotinwantofducats，butthatIwouldtakeahundredtoobligehim。Hecountedoutthemoneygratefully，andIgavehimabillonthebanker，DemetrioPapanelopoulo，forwhomDaLogliohadgivenmealetter。
TheJewwenthisway，thankingme，andsayingthathewouldsendmesomebeautifuldominostochoosefrom。JustthenIrememberedthatI
wantedsilkstockings，andIsentLambertaftertheJewtotellhimtosendsome。WhenhecamebackhetoldmethatthelandlordhadstoppedhimtosaythatIscatteredmyducatsbroadcast，astheJewhadinformedhimthatIhadgiventhreeducatstoMadamedeKaiserling’smaid。
This，then，wasthekeytothemystery，anditmademelosemyselfinwonderatthestrangenessofthedecreesoffortune。IshouldnothavebeenabletogetasinglecrownatMitauifithadnotbeenforthewayinwhichIscatteredmythreeremainingducats。Nodoubttheastonishedgirlhadpublishedmygenerosityalloverthetown，andtheJew，intentonmoney—making，hadhastenedtoofferhisducatstotherichnoblemanwhothoughtsolittleofhismoney。
IrepairedtoCourtatthetimeappointed，andM。deKaiserlingimmediatelypresentedmetotheduchess，andshetotheduke，whowasthecelebratedBiron，orBirlen，theformerfavouriteofAnnaIvanovna。Hewassixfeetinheight，andstillpreservedsometracesofhavingbeenafineman，butoldagehadlaiditsheavyhandonhim。Ihadalongtalkwithhimthedayaftertheball。
Aquarterofanhouraftermyarrival，theballbeganwithapolonaise。Iwasastrangerwithintroductions，sotheduchessaskedmetoopentheballwithher。Ididnotknowthedance，butI
managedtoacquitmyselfhonourablyinit，asthestepsaresimpleandlendthemselvestothefancyofthedancer。
Afterthepolonaisewedancedminuets，andasomewhatelderlyladyaskedmeifIcoulddancethe"KingConqueror，"soIproceededtoexecuteitwithher。IthadgoneoutoffashionsincethetimeoftheRegency，butmycompanionmayhaveshoneinitinthosedays。
Alltheyoungerladiesstoodroundandwatcheduswithadmiration。
Afterasquaredance，inwhichIhadaspartnerMdlle。deManteufel，theprettiestoftheduchess’smaidsofhonour，herhighnesstoldmethatsupperwasready。Icameuptoherandofferedmyarm，andpresentlyfoundmyselfseatedbesideheratatablelaidfortwelvewhereIwastheonlygentleman。However，thereaderneednotenvyme；theladieswereallelderlydowagers，whohadlonglostthepowerofturningmen’sheads。Theduchesstookthegreatestcareofmycomforts，andattheendoftherepastgavemewithherownhandsaglassofliqueur，whichItookforTokayandpraisedaccordingly，butitturnedouttobeonlyoldEnglishale。Itookherbacktotheballwhenwerosefromtable。Theyoungchamberlainwhohadinvitedmetoldmethenamesofalltheladiespresent，butIhadnotimetopaymycourttoanyofthem。
ThenextdayIdinedwithM。deKaiserling，andhandedLambertovertoaJewtobeclothedproperly。
ThedayafterIdinedwiththedukewithapartyconsistingonlyofmen。Theoldprincemademedomostofthetalking，andtowardstheendofthedinnertheconversationfellupontheresourcesofthecountrywhichwasrichinmineralsandsemi—minerals。Itookitintomyheadtosaythattheseresourcesoughttobedeveloped，andthattheywouldbecomepreciousifthatweredone。TojustifythisremarkIhadtospeakuponthematterasifIhadmadeitmyprincipalstudy。Anoldchamberlain，whohadthecontrolofthemines，afterallowingmetoexhaustmyenthusiasm，begantodiscussthequestionhimself，madediversobjections，butseemedtoapproveofmanyofmyremarks。
IfIhadreflectedwhenIbegantospeakinthismannerthatIshouldhavetoactuptomywords，Ishouldcertainlyhavesaidmuchless；
butasitwas，thedukefanciedthatIknewmuchmorethanIcaredtosay。Theresultwasthat，whenthecompanyhadrisenfromthetable，heaskedmeifIcouldsparehimafortnightonmywaytoSt。
Petersburg。IsaidIshouldbegladtoobligehim，andhetookmetohisclosetandsaidthatthechamberlainwhohadspokentomewouldconductmeoveralltheminesandmanufactoriesinhisduchies，andthathewouldbemuchobligedifIwouldwritedownanyobservationsthatstruckme。Iagreedtohisproposal，andsaidIwouldstartthenextday。
Thedukewasdelightedwithmycompliance，andgavethechamberlainthenecessaryorders，anditwasagreedthatheshouldcallformeatday—breakwithacarriageandsix。
WhenIgothomeImademypreparations，andtoldLamberttobereadytoaccompanymewithhiscaseofinstruments。Itheninformedhimoftheobjectofthejourney，andhepromisedtoassistmetothebestofhisability，thoughheknewnothingaboutmines，andstilllessofthescienceofadministration。
Westartedatday—break，withaservantonthebox，andtwoothersprecedingusonhorseback，armedtotheteeth。Wechangedhorseseverytwoorthreehours，andthechamberlainhavingbroughtplentyofwinewerefreshedourselvesnowandagain。
Thetourlastedafortnight，andwestoppedatfiveironandcoppermanufactories。IfounditwasnotnecessarytohavemuchtechnicalknowledgetomakenotesonwhatIsaw；allIrequiredwasalittlesoundargument，especiallyinthematterofeconomy，whichwastheduke’smainobject。InoneplaceIadvisedreforms，andinanotherI
counselledtheemploymentofmorehandsaslikelytobenefittherevenue。InoneminewherethirtyconvictswereemployedIorderedtheconstructionofashortcanal，bywhichthreewheelscouldbeturnedandtwentymensaved。UndermydirectionLambertdrewtheplans，andmadethemeasurementswithperfectaccuracy。BymeansofothercanalsIproposedtodrainwholevalleys，withaviewtoobtainthesulphurwithwhichthesoilwaspermeated。
IreturnedtoMitauquitedelightedathavingmademyselfuseful，andathavingdiscoveredinmyselfatalentwhichIhadneversuspected。
Ispentthefollowingdayinmakingafaircopyofmyreportandinhavingtheplansdoneonalargerscale。ThedayafterItookthewholetotheduke，whoseemedwellpleased；andasIwastakingleaveofhimatthesametimehesaidhewouldhavemedrivetoRigainoneofhiscarriages，andhegavemealetterforhisson，PrinceCharles，whowasingarrisonthere。
TheworthyoldmantoldmetosayplainlywhetherIshouldpreferajewelorasumofmoneyofequivalentvalue。
"Fromaphilosopherlikeyourhighness，"Ireplied，"Iamnotafraidtotakemoney，foritmaybemoreusefultomethanjewels。"
Withoutmoreadohegavemeadraftforfourhundredalbertsthalers，whichIgotcashedimmediately，thealbertsthalerbeingworthhalfaducat。Ibadefarewelltotheduchess，anddinedasecondtimewithM。deKaiserling。
Thenextdaytheyoungchamberlaincametobringmetheduke’sletter，towishmeapleasantjourney，andtotellmethattheCourtcarriagewasatmydoor。IsetoutwellpleasedwiththeassistancethestutteringLamberthadgivenme，andbynoonIwasatRiga。ThefirstthingIdidwastodelivermyletterofintroductiontoPrinceCharles。
EndRussiaandPolandByJacquesCasanovaTHEMEMOIRSOFJACQUESCASANOVADESEINGALT
THERAREUNABRIDGEDLONDONEDITIONOF1894TRANSLATEDBYARTHUR
MACHENTOWHICHHASBEENADDEDTHECHAPTERSDISCOVEREDBYARTHUR
SYMONS。
MEMOIRSOFJACQUESCASANOVAdeSEINGALT1725—1798
INLONDONANDMOSCOW，Volume5e——RUSSIAANDPOLAND
RUSSIAANDPOLAND
CHAPTERXIX
MyStayatRiga——CampioniSt。Heleine——D’Asagon——ArrivaloftheEmpress——ILeaveRigaandGotoSt。Petersburg——ISeeSociety——IBuyZairaPrinceCharlesdeBiron，theyoungersonoftheDukeofCourland，Major—GeneralintheRussianservice，KnightoftheOrderofSt。
AlexanderNewski，gavemeadistinguishedreceptionafterreadinghisfather’sletter。Hewasthirty—sixyearsofage，pleasant—lookingwithoutbeinghandsome，andpoliteandwell—mannered，andhespokeFrenchextremelywell。InafewsentencesheletmeknowwhathecoulddoformeifIintendedtospendsometimeatRiga。Histable，hisfriends，hispleasures，hishorses，hisadvice，andhispurse，allthesewereatmyservice，andheofferedthemwiththefranknessofthesoldierandthegenialityoftheprince。
"Icannotofferyoualodging，"hesaid，"becauseIhavehardlyenoughroomformyself，butIwillseethatyougetacomfortableapartmentsomewhere。"
Theapartmentwassoonfound，andIwastakentoitbyoneoftheprince’saides—de—camp。Iwasscarcelyestablishedwhentheprincecametoseeme，andmademedinewithhimjustasIwas。Itwasanunceremoniousdinner，andIwaspleasedtomeetCampioni，ofwhomI
havespokenseveraltimesintheseMemoirs。Hewasadancer，butverysuperiortohisfellows，andfitforthebestcompanypolite，witty，intelligent，andalibertineinagentlemanlyway。Hewasdevoidofprejudices，andfondofwomen，goodcheer，andheavyplay，andknewhowtokeepanevenmindbothingoodandevilfortune。Weweremutuallypleasedtoseeeachotheragain。
Anotherguest，acertainBarondeSt。HeleinefromSavoy，hadaprettybutveryinsignificantwife。Thebaron，afatman，wasagamester，agourmand，andaloverofwine；addthathewasapastmasterintheartofgettingintodebtandlullinghiscreditorsintoastateoffalsesecurity，andyouhaveallhiscapacities，forinallotherrespectshewasafoolinthefullestsenseoftheword。
Anaide—decampandtheprince’smistressalsodinedwithus。Thismistress，whowaspale，thin，anddreamy—looking，butalsopretty，mightbetwentyyearsold。Shehardlyateanything，sayingthatshewasillanddidnotlikeanythingonthetable。Discontentsheweditselfonhereveryfeature。Theprinceendeavoured，butallinvain，tomakehereatanddrink，sherefusedeverythingdisdainfully。
Theprincelaughedgood—humouredlyatherinsuchamannerasnottowoundherfeelings。
Wespenttwohourspleasantlyenoughattable，andaftercoffeehadbeenserved，theprince，whohadbusiness，shookmebythehandandleftmewithCampioni，tellingmealwaystoregardhistableasmylastresource。
Thisoldfriendandfellow—countrymantookmetohishousetointroducemetohiswifeandfamily。Ididnotknowthathehadmarriedasecondtime。Ifoundtheso—calledwifetobeanEnglishwoman，thin，butfullofintelligence。Shehadadaughterofeleven，whomighteasilyhavebeentakenforfifteen；she，too，wasmarvellouslyintelligent，anddanced，sang，andplayedonthepianoandgavesuchglancesthatshewedthatnaturehadbeenswifterthanheryears。Shemadeaconquestofme，andherfathercongratulatedmetomydelight，buthermotheroffendedherdreadfullybycallingherbaby。
IwentforawalkwithCampioni，whogavemeagooddealofinformation，beginningwithhimself。
"Ihavelivedfortenyears，"hesaid，"withthatwoman。Betty，whomyouadmiredsomuch，isnotmydaughter，theothersaremychildrenbymyEnglishwoman。IhaveleftSt。Petersburgfortwoyears，andI
liveherewellenough，andhavepupilswhodomecredit。Iplaywiththeprince，sometimeswinningandsometimeslosing，butIneverwinenoughtoenablemetosatisfyawretchedcreditorIleftatSt。
Petersburg，whopersecutesmeonaccountofabillofexchange。Hemayputmeinprisonanyday，andIamalwaysexpectinghimtodoso。"
"Isthebillforalargesum？"
"Fivehundredroubles。"
"Thatisonlytwothousandfrancs。"
"Yes，butunfortunatelyIhavenotgotit。"
"Yououghttoannulthedebtbypayingsmallsumsonaccount。"
"Therascalwon’tletme。"
"Thenwhatdoyouproposedoing？"
"Winaheavysum，ifIcan，andescapeintoPoland。
"TheBarondeSt。Heleinewillrunaway，tooifhecan，forheonlylivesoncredit。Theprinceisveryusefultous，asweareabletoplayathishouse；butifwegetintodifficultyhecouldnotextricateus，asheisheavilyindebthimself。Healwayslosesatplay。Hismistressisexpensive，andgiveshimagreatdealoftroublebyherill—humour。"
"Whyisshesosour？"
"Shewantshimtokeephisword，forhepromisedtogethermarriedattheendoftwoyears；andonthestrengthofthispromiseshelethimgivehertwochildren。Thetwoyearshavepassedbyandthechildrenarethere，andshewillnolongerallowhimtohaveanythingtodowithherforfearofhavingathirdchild。"
"Can’ttheprincefindherahusband？"
"Hedidfindheralieutenant，butshewon’thearofanybodyundertherankofmajor。"
TheprincegaveastatedinnertoGeneralWoyakoff（forwhomIhadaletter），BaronessKorf，MadameIttinoff，andtoayoungladywhowasgoingtomarryBaronBudberg，whomIhadknownatFlorence，Turin，andAugsburg，andwhomImaypossiblyhaveforgottentomention。
Allthesefriendsmademespendthreeweeksverypleasantly，andI
wasespeciallypleasedwitholdGeneralWoyakoff。ThisworthymanhadbeenatVenicefiftyyearsbefore，whentheRussianswerestillcalledMuscovites，andthefounderofSt。Petersburgwasstillalive。
Hehadgrownoldlikeanoak，withoutchanginghishorizons。Hethoughttheworldwasjustthesameasithadbeenwhenhewasyoung，andwaseloquentinhispraiseoftheVenetianGovernment，imaginingittobestillthesameashehadleftit。
AtRigaanEnglishmerchantnamedCollinstoldmethattheso—calledBarondeStenau，whohadgivenmetheforgedbillofexchange，hadbeenhangedinPortugal。This"baron"wasapoorclerk，andthesonofasmalltradesman，andhadlefthisdeskinsearchofadventure，andthushehadended。MayGodhavemercyuponhissoul！
OneeveningaRussian，onhiswayfromPoland，wherehehadbeenexecutingsomecommissionfortheRussianCourt，calledontheprince，played，andlosttwentythousandroublesonhiswordofhonour。Campioniwasthedealer。TheRussiangavebillsofexchangeinpaymentofhisdebts；butassoonashegottoSt。Petersburghedishonouredhisownbills，anddeclaredthemworthless，notcaringforhishonourorgoodfaith。Theresultofthispieceofknaverywasnotonlythathiscreditorsweredefrauded，butgamingwashenceforthstrictlyforbiddenintheofficers’quarters。
ThisRussianwasthesamethatbetrayedthesecretsofElizabethPetrovna，whenshewasatwarwithPrussia。HecommunicatedtoPeter，theempress’snephewandheir—presumptive，alltheordersshesenttohergenerals，andPeterinhisturnpassedontheinformationtothePrussiankingwhomheworshipped。
OnthedeathofElizabeth，Peterputthistraitorattheheadofthedepartmentforcommerce，andthefellowactuallymadeknown，withtheCzar’ssanction，theserviceforwhichhehadreceivedsuchareward，andthus，insteadoflookinguponhisconductasdisgraceful，hegloriedoverit。Petercouldnothavebeenawareofthefactthat，thoughitissometimesnecessarytorewardtreachery，thetraitorhimselfisalwaysabhorredanddespised。
IhaveremarkedthatitwasCampioniwhodealt，buthedealtfortheprincewhoheldthebank。Ihadcertainclaims，butasIremarkedthatIexpectednothingandwouldgladlysellmyexpectationsforahundredroubles，theprincetookmeatmywordandgavemetheamountimmediately。ThusIwastheonlypersonwhomadeanymoneybyournight’splay。
CatherineII，wishingtoshewherselftohernewsubjects，overwhomshewasinrealitysupreme，thoughshehadputtheghostofakinginthepersonofStanislasPoniatowski，herformerfavourite，onthethroneofPoland，cametoRiga，anditwasthenIsawthisgreatsovereignforthefirsttime。IwasawitnessofthekindnessandaffabilitywithwhichshetreatedtheLivoniannobility，andofthewayinwhichshekissedtheyoungladies，whohadcometokissherhand，uponthemouth。ShewassurroundedbytheOrloffsandbyothernobleswhohadassistedinplacingheronthethrone。Forthecomfortandpleasureofherloyalsubjectstheempressgraciouslyexpressedherintentionofholdingabankatfarooftenthousandroubles。
Instantlythetableandthecardswerebroughtforward，andthepilesofgoldplacedinorder。Shetookthecards，pretendedtoshufflethem，andgavethemtothefirstcomertocut。Shehadthepleasureofseeingherbankbrokenatthefirstdeal，andindeedthisresultwastobeexpected，asanybodynotanabsoluteidiotcouldseehowthecardsweregoing。ThenextdaytheempresssetoutforMitau，wheretriumphalarcheswereerectedinherhonour。Theyweremadeofwood，asstoneisscarceinPoland，andindeedtherewouldnothavebeentimetobuildstonearches。
Thedayafterherarrivalgreatalarmprevailed，fornewscamethatarevolutionwasreadytoburstoutatSt。Petersburg，andsomeevensaidthatithadbegun。TherebelswishedtohaveforthfromhisprisonthehaplessIvanIvanovitz，whohadbeenproclaimedemperorinhiscradle，anddethronedbyElizabethPetrovna。Twoofficerstowhomtheguardianshipoftheprincehadbeenconfidedhadkilledthepoorinnocentmonarchwhentheysawthattheywouldbeoverpowered。
TheassassinationoftheinnocentprincecreatedsuchasensationthatthewaryPanin，fearingfortheresults，sentcourieraftercouriertotheempressurginghertoreturntoSt。Petersburgandshewherselftothepeople。
CatherinewasthusobligedtoleaveMitautwenty—fourhoursaftershehadenteredit，andafterhasteningbacktothecapitalshearrivedonlytofindthattheexcitementhadentirelysubsided。ForpoliticreasonstheassassinsofthewretchedIvanwererewarded，andtheboldmanwhohadendeavouredtorisebyherfallwasbeheaded。
ThereportranthatCatherinehadconcertedthewholeaffairwiththeassassins，butthiswasspeedilysetdownasacalumny。Theczarinawasstrong—minded，butneithercruelnorperfidious。WhenIsawheratRigashewasthirty—five，andhadreignedtwoyears。Shewasnotpreciselyhandsome，butneverthelessherappearancewaspleasing，herexpressionkindly，andtherewasaboutheranairofcalmandtranquillitywhichneverlefther。
AtaboutthesametimeafriendofBarondeSt。HeleinearrivedfromSt。PetersburgonhiswaytoWarsaw。HisnamewasMarquisDragon，buthecalledhimselfd’Aragon。HecamefromNaples，wasagreatgamester，askilledswordsman，andwasalwaysreadytoextracthimselffromadifficultybyaduel。HehadleftSt。PetersburgbecausetheOrloffshadpersuadedtheempresstoprohibitgamesofchance。ItwasthoughtstrangethattheprohibitionshouldcomefromtheOrloffs，asgaminghadbeentheirprincipalmeansofgainingalivelihoodbeforetheyenteredonthemoredangerousandcertainlynotmorehonourableprofessionofconspiracy。However，thismeasurewasreallyasensibleone。Havingbeengamestersthemselvestheyknewthatgamestersaremostlyknaves，andalwaysreadytoenterintoanyintrigueorconspiracyprovideditassuresthemsomesmallgain；
therecouldnothavebeenbetterjudgesofgaminganditsconsequencesthantheywere。
Butthoughagamestermaybearoguehemaystillhaveagoodheart，anditisonlyjusttosaythatthiswasthecasewiththeOrloffs。
Alexisgainedtheslashwhichadornshisfaceinatavern，andthemanwhogavetheblowhadjustlosttohimalargesumofmoney，andconsideredhisopponent’ssuccesstoberathertheresultofdexteritythanfortune。WhenAlexisbecamerichandpowerful，insteadofrevenginghimself，hehastenedtomakehisenemy’sfortune。Thiswasnoblydone。
Dragon，whosefirstprinciplewasalwaystoturnupthebestcard，andwhosesecondprinciplewasnevertoshirkaduel，hadgonetoSt。
Petersburgin1759withtheBarondeSt。Heleine。Elizabethwasstillonthethrone，butPeter，DukeofHolstein，theheir—
presumptive，hadalreadybeguntoloomlargeonthehorizon。Dragonusedtofrequentthefencingschoolwheretheprincewasafrequentvisitor，andthereencounteredallcomerssuccessfully。Thedukegotangry，andonedayhetookupafoilanddefiedtheNeapolitanmarquistoacombat。Dragonacceptedandwasthoroughlybeaten，whilethedukewentoffintriumph，forhemightsayfromhenceforththathewasthebestfencerinSt。Petersburg。
Whentheprincehadgone，Dragoncouldnotwithstandthetemptationofsayingthathehadonlylethimselfbebeatenforfearofoffendinghisantagonist；andthisboastsoongottothegrand—duke’sears。Thegreatmanwasterriblyenraged，andsworehewouldhavehimbanishedfromSt。Petersburgifhedidnotuseallhisskill，andatthesametimehesentanordertoDragontobeatthefencingschoolthenextday。
Theimpatientdukewasthefirsttoarrive，andd’Aragonwasnotlongincoming。Theprincebeganreproachinghimforwhathehadsaidthedaybefore，buttheNeapolitan，farfromdenyingthefact，expressedhimselfthathehadfelthimselfobligedtoshewhisrespectforhisprincebylettinghimraphimaboutforupwardsoftwohours。
"Verygood，"saidtheduke，"butnowitisyourturn；andifyoudon’tdoyourbestIwilldriveyoufromSt。Petersburg。"
"Mylord，yourhighnessshallbeobeyed。Ishallnotallowyoutotouchmeonce，butIhopeyouwilldeigntotakemeunderyourprotection。"
Thetwochampionspassedthewholemorningwiththefoils，andthedukewashitahundredtimeswithoutbeingabletotouchhisantagonist。Atlast，convincedofDragon’ssuperiority，hethrewdownhisfoilandshookhimbythehand，andmadehimhisfencer—in—
ordinary，withtherankofmajorinhisregimentofHolsteiners。
Shortlyafter，D’Aragonhavingwonthegoodgracesofthedukeobtainedleavetoholdabankatfaroinhiscourt，andinthreeorfouryearsheamassedafortuneofahundredthousandroubles，whichhetookwithhimtotheCourtofKingStanislas，wheregamesofallsortswereallowed。WhenhepassedthroughRiga，St。HeleineintroducedhimtoPrinceCharles，whobeggedhimtocallonhimthenextday，andtoshewhisskillwiththefoilsagainsthimselfandsomeofhisfriends。Ihadthehonourtobeofthenumber；andthoroughlywellhebeatus，forhisskillwasthatofademon。Iwasvainenoughtobecomeangryatbeinghitateverypass，andtoldhimthatIshouldnotbeafraidtomeethimatagameofsharps。Hewascalmer，andrepliedbytakingmyhand，andsaying，——
"WiththenakedswordIfenceinquiteanotherstyle，andyouarequiterightnottofearanyone，foryoufenceverywell。"
D’AragonsetoutforWarsawthenextday，butheunfortunatelyfoundtheplaceoccupiedbymorecunningGreeksthanhimself。Insixmonthstheyhadrelievedhimofhishundredthousandroubles，butsuchisthelotofgamesters；nocraftcanbemorewretchedthantheirs。
AweekbeforeIleftRiga（whereIstayedtwomonths）CampionifledbyfavourofthegoodPrinceCharles，andinafewdaystheBarondeSt。Heleinefollowedhimwithouttakingleaveofanoblearmyofcreditors。HeonlywrotealettertotheEnglishmanCollins，towhomheowedathousandcrowns，tellinghimthatlikeanhonestmanhehadlefthisdebtswherehehadcontractedthem。Weshallhearmoreofthesethreepersonsinthecourseoftwoyears。
Campionileftmehistravellingcarriage，whichobligedmetousesixhorsesonmyjourneytoSt。Petersburg。IwassorrytoleaveBetty，andIkeptupanepistolarycorrespondencewithhermotherthroughoutthewholeofmystayatSt。Petersburg。
IleftRigawiththethermometerindicatingfifteendegreesoffrost，butthoughItravelleddayandnight，notleavingthecarriageforthesixtyhoursforwhichmyjourneylasted，Ididnotfeelthecoldintheleast。Ihadtakencaretopayallthestagesinadvance，andMarshalBraun，GovernorofLivonia，hadgivenmetheproperpassport。
OntheboxseatwasaFrenchservantwhohadbeggedmetoallowhimtowaitonmeforthejourneyinreturnforaseatbesidethecoachman。Hekepthiswordandservedmewell，andthoughhewasbutillcladheborethehorriblecoldfortwodaysandthreenightswithoutappearingtofeelit。ItisonlyaFrenchmanwhocanbearsuchtrials；aRussianinsimilarattirewouldhavebeenfrozentodeathintwenty—fourhours，despiteplentifuldosesofcornbrandy。
IlostsightofthisindividualwhenIarrivedatSt。Petersburg，butImethimagainthreemonthsafter，richlydressed，andoccupyingaseatbesidemineatthetableofM。deCzernitscheff。Hewastheuchiteloftheyoungcount，whosatbesidehim。ButIshallhaveoccasiontospeakmoreatlengthoftheofficeofuchitel，ortutor，inRussia。
AsforLambert，whowasbesidemeinthecarriage，hedidnothingbuteat，drink，andsleepthewholeway；seldomspeaking，forhestammered，andcouldonlytalkaboutmathematicalproblems，onwhichIwasnotalwaysinthehumourtoconverse。Hewasneveramusing，neverhadanysensibleobservationtomakeonthevariedscenesthroughwhichwepassed；inshort，hewasafool，andwearisometoallsavehimself。
Iwasonlystoppedonce，andthatwasatNawa，wheretheauthoritiesdemandedapassport，whichIdidnotpossess。ItoldthegovernorthatasIwasaVenetian，andonlytravelledforpleasure，Ididnotconceiveapassportwouldbenecessary，myRepublicnotbeingatwarwithanyotherpower，andRussiahavingnoembassyatVenice。
"Nevertheless，"Iadded，"ifyourexcellencywillsitIwillturnback；butIshallcomplaintoMarshalBraun，whogavemethepassportforposting，knowingthatIhadnotthepoliticalpassport。"
Afterrubbinghisforeheadforaminute，thegovernorgavemeapass，whichIstillpossess，andwhichbroughtmeintoSt。Petersburg，withoutmyhavingtoallowthecustom—houseofficerstoinspectmytrunks。