IspentanextremelypleasantfourmonthsatAugsburg，suppingtwiceorthriceaweekatCountLamberg’s。AtthesesuppersImadetheacquaintanceofaveryremarkableman——CountThuraandValsamina，thenapageintheprince—bishop’shousehold，nowDeanofRatisbon。Hewasalwaysatthecount’s，aswasalsoDr。Algardi，ofBologna，theprince’sphysicianandadelightfulman。
IoftensawatthesamehouseacertainBaronSellenthin，aPrussianofficer，whowasalwaysrecruitingforhismasteratAugsburg。Hewasapleasantman，somewhatintheGasconstyle，soft—spoken，andanexpertgamester。FiveorsixyearsagoIhadaletterfromhimdatedDresden，inwhichhesaidthatthoughhewasold，andhadmarriedarichwife，herepentedofhavingmarriedatall。IshouldsaythesameifIhadeverchancedtomarry。
DuringmystayatAugsburgseveralPoles，whohadlefttheircountryonaccountofthetroubles，cametoseeme。AmongstotherswasRzewuski，theroyalProthonotary，whomIhadknownatSt。PetersburgastheloverofpoorMadameLanglade。
"Whatadiet！Whatplots！Whatcounterplots！Whatmisfortunes！"saidthishonestPole，tome。"Happyaretheywhohavenothingtodowithit！"
HewasgoingtoSpa，andheassuredmethatifIfollowedhimIshouldfindPrinceAdam’ssister，Tomatis，andMadameCatai，whohadbecomethemanager’swife。IdeterminedtogotoSpa，andtotakemeasuressothatImightgotherewiththreeorfourhundredducatsinmypurse。TothisintentIwrotetoPrinceCharlesofCourland，whowasatVenice，tosendmeahundredducats，andinmyletterIgavehimaninfalliblereceiptforthephilosopher’sstone。Thelettercontainingthisvastsecretwasnotincypher，soIadvisedhimtoburnitafterhehadreadit，assuringhimthatIpossessedacopy。Hedidnotdoso，anditwastakentoPariswithhisorderpaperswhenhewassenttotheBastile。
IfithadnotbeenfortheRevolutionmyletterwouldneverhaveseenthelight。WhentheBastillewasdestroyed，myletterwasfoundandprintedwithothercuriouscompositions，whichwereafterwardstranslatedintoGermanandEnglish。TheignorantfoolsthataboundinthelandwheremyfatewillsthatIshouldwritedownthechiefeventsofmylongandtroublouslife——thesefools，Isay，whoarenaturallymyswornfoes（fortheassliesnotdownwiththehorse），makethisletteranarticleofaccusationagainstme，andthinktheycanstopmymouthbytellingmethattheletterhasbeentranslatedintoGerman，andremainstomyeternalshame。TheignorantBohemiansareastonishedwhenItellthemthatIregardtheletterasredoundingtomyglory，andthatiftheirearswerenotquitesolongtheirblamewouldbeturnedintopraise。
Idonotknowwhethermyletterhasbeencorrectlytranslated，butsinceithasbecomepublicpropertyIshallsetitdownhereinhomagetotruth，theonlygodIadore。IhavebeforemeanexactcopyoftheoriginalwritteninAugsburgintheyear1767，andwearenowintheyear1798。
Itrunsasfollows:
"MYLORD，——Ihopeyourhighnesswilleitherburnthisletterafterreadingit，orelsepreserveitwiththegreatestcare。Itwillbebetter，however，tomakeacopyincypher，andtoburntheoriginal。Myattachmenttoyouisnotmyonlymotiveinwriting；Iconfessmyinterestisequallyconcerned。AllowmetosaythatIdonotwishyourhighnesstoesteemmealoneforanyqualitiesyoumayhaveobservedinme；IwishyoutobecomemydebtorbytheinestimablesecretIamgoingtoconfidetoyou。Thissecretrelatestothemakingofgold，theonlythingofwhichyourhighnessstandsinneed。Ifyouhadbeenmiserlybynatureyouwouldberichnow；butyouaregenerous，andwillbepoorallyourdaysifyoudonotmakeuseofmysecret。
"YourhighnesstoldmeatRigathatyouwouldlikemetogiveyouthesecretbywhichItransmutedironintocopper；Ineverdidso，butnowI
shallteachyouhowtomakeamuchmoremarvelloustransmutation。I
shouldpointouttoyou，however，thatyouarenotatpresentinasuitableplacefortheoperation，althoughallthematerialsareeasilyprocurable。Theoperationnecessitatesmypresencefortheconstructionofafurnace，andforthegreatcarenecessary，fartheleastmistakewillspoilall。ThetransmutationofMarsisaneasyandmerelymechanicalprocess，butthatofgoldisphilosophicalinthehighestdegree。ThegoldproducedwillbeequaltothatusedintheVenetiansequins。Youmustreflect，mylord，thatIamgivingyouinformationwhichwillpermityoutodispensewithme，andyoumustalsoreflectthatIamconfidingtoyoumylifeandmyliberty。
"ThestepIamtakingshouldinsureyourlife—longprotection，andshouldraiseyouabovethatprejudicewhichisentertainedagainstthegeneralmassofalchemists。Myvanitywouldbewoundedifyourefusetodistinguishmefromthecommonherdofoperators。AllIaskyouisthatyouwillwaittillwemeetbeforeundertakingtheprocess。Youcannotdoitbyyourself，andifyouemployanyotherpersonbutmyself，youwillbetraythesecret。Imusttellyouthat，usingthesamematerials，andbytheadditionofmercuryandnitre，ImadethetreeofprojectionfortheMarchionessd’UrfeandthePrincessofAnhalt。Zerbstcalculatedtheprofitasfiftypercent。Myfortunewouldhavebeenmadelongago，ifI
hadfoundaprincewiththecontrolofamintwhomIcouldtrust。Yourcharacterenablesmetoconfideinyou。However，wewillcometothepoint。
"Youmusttakefourouncesofgoodsilver，dissolveinaquafortis，precipitatesecundumartemwithcopper，thenwashinlukewarmwatertoseparatetheacids；dry，mixwithhalfanounceofsalammoniac，andplaceinasuitablevessel。Afterwardsyoumusttakeapoundofalum，apoundofHungarycrystals，fourouncesofverdigris，fourouncesofcinnabar，andtwoouncesofsulphur。Pulveriseandmix，andplaceinaretortofsuchsizethattheabovematterswillonlyhalffillit。Thisretortmustbeplacedoverafurnacewithfourdraughts，fortheheatmustberaisedtothefourthdegree。Atfirstyourfiremustbeslowsoastoextractthegrossphlegmofthematter，andwhenthespiritbeginstoappear，placethereceiverundertheretort，andLunawiththeammoniacsaltswillappearinit。AllthejoiningsmustbelutedwiththePhilosophicalLuting，andasthespiritcomes，soregulateyourfurnace，butdonotletitpassthethirddegreeofheat。
"Sosoonasthesublimationbeginsthenboldlyopenyourforthvent，buttakeheedthatthatwhichissublimedpassnotintothereceiverwhereisyourLuna，andsoyoumustshut，themouthoftheretortclosely，andkeepitsofortwenty—fourhours，andthentakeoffyourfastenings，andallowthedistillationtogoon。Thenyoumustincreaseyourfiresothatthespiritsmaypass，over，untilthematterintheretortisquitedesiccated。Afterthisoperationhasbeenperformedthreetimes，thenyoushallsee，thegoldappearintheretort。Thendrawitforthandmeltit，addingyourcorpusperfectum。Meltwithittwoouncesofgold，thenlayitinwater，andyoushallfindfourouncesofpuregold。
"Suchmylord，isthegoldmineforyourmintofMitau，bywhich，withtheassistanceofamanagerandfourmen，youcanassureyourselfarevenueofathousandducatsaweek，anddouble，andquadruplethatsum，ifyourhighnesschoosestoincreasethemenandthefurnaces。Iaskyourhighnesstomakemeyourmanager。ButrememberitmustbeaStatesecret，soburnthisletter，andifyourhighnesswouldgivemeanyrewardinadvance，Ionlyaskyoutogivemeyouraffectionandesteem。
IshallbehappyifIhavereasontobelievethatmymasterwillalsobemyfriend。Mylife，whichthisletterplacesinyourpower，iseveratyourservice，andIknownotwhatIshalldoifIeverhavecausetorepenthavingdisclosedmysecret。Ihavethehonourtobe，etc。"
Inwhateverlanguagethislettermayhavebeentranslated，ifitssenserunnotasabove，itisnotmyletter，andIamreadytogivethelietoalltheMirabeausintheworld。Ihavebeencalledanexile，butwrongfully，foramanwhohastoleaveacountrybyvirtueofa’lettredecachet’isnoexile。Heisforcedtoobeyadespoticmonarchwholooksuponhiskingdomashishouse，andturnsoutofdoorsanyonewhomeetswithhisdispleasure。
Assoonasmypurseswelledtoarespectablesize，IleftAugsburg，ThedateofmydeparturewasJune14th，1767。IwasatUlmwhenacourieroftheDukeofWurtemburg’spassedthroughthetownwiththenewsthathishighnesswouldarrivefromVeniceinthecourseoffiveorsixdays。
Thiscourierhadaletterforme。IthadbeenentrustedtohimbyPrinceCharlesofCourland，whohadtoldthecourierthathewouldfindmeatthe"HotelduRaisin，"inAugsburg。Asithappened，Ihadleftthedaybefore，butknowingthewaybywhichIhadgonehecaughtmeupatUlm。
HegavemetheletterandaskedmeifIwerethesameCasanovawhohadbeenplacedunderarrestandhadescaped，onaccountofsomegamblingdisputewiththreeofficers。AsIwasneveranadeptinconcealingthetruth，Irepliedintheaffirmative。AWurtemburgofficerwhowasstandingbesideusobservedtomeinafriendlymannerthathewasatStuttgartatthetime，andthatmostpeopleconcurredinblamingthethreeofficersfortheirconductinthematter。
WithoutmakinganyreplyIreadtheletter，whichreferredtoourprivateaffairs，butasIwasreadingitIresolvedtotellalittlelie——oneofthoselieswhichdonobodyanyharm。
"Well，sir，"Isaidtotheofficer，"hishighness，yoursovereign，haslistenedtoreasonatlast，andthisletterinformsmeofareparationwhichisineverywaysatisfactory。Thedukehascreatedmehisprivatesecretary，withasalaryoftwelvehundredayear。ButIhavewaitedforitalongtime。Godknowswhathasbecomeofthethreeofficers！"
"TheyareallatLouisburg，and——————isnowacolonel。"
"Well，theywillbesurprisedtohearmynews，andtheywillhearitto—morrow，forIamleavingthisplaceinanhour。IftheyareatLouisburg，Ishallhaveatriumph；butIamsorrynottobeabletoaccompanyyou，howeverweshallseeeachotherthedayaftertomorrow。"
Ihadanexcellentnight，andawokewiththebeautifulideaofgoingtoLouisburg，nottofightthethreeofficersbuttofrightenthem，triumphoverthem，andtoenjoyapleasantvengeancefortheinjurytheyhaddoneme。Ishouldatthesametimeseeagoodmanyoldfriends；therewasMadameToscani，theduke’smistress；Baletti，andVestri，whohadmarriedaformermistressoftheduke’s。Ihadsoundedthedepthsofthehumanheart，andknewIhadnothingtofear。Thedukewasonthepointofreturning，andnobodywoulddreamofimpugningthetruthofmystory。
Whenheactuallydidarrivehewouldnotfindme，forassoonasthecourierannouncedhisapproachIshouldgoaway，tellingeverybodythatI
hadorderstoprecedehishighness，andeverybodywouldbeduped。
Ineverhadsopleasantanideabefore。Iwasquiteproudofit，andI
shouldhavedespisedmyselfifIhadfailedtocarryitintoeffect。Itwouldbemyvengeanceontheduke，whocouldnothaveforgottentheterribleletterIhadwrittenhim；forprincesdonotforgetsmallinjuriesastheyforgetgreatservices。
Isleptbadlythefollowingnight，myanxietywassogreat，andIreachedLouisburgandgavemynameatthetowngates，withouttheadditionofmypretendedoffice，formyjestmustbematuredbydegrees。Iwenttostayattheposting—inn，andjustasIwasaskingfortheaddressofMadameToscani，sheandherhusbandappearedonthescene。Theybothflungtheirarmsaroundmyneck，andoverwhelmedmewithcomplimentsonmywoundedarmandthevictoryIhadachieved。
"Whatvictory？"
"Yourappearanceherehasfilledtheheartsofallyourfriendswithjoy。"
"Well，Icertainlyamintheduke’sservice，buthowdidyoufinditout？"
"It’sthecommontalk。Thecourierwhogaveyoutheletterhasspreaditallabroad，andtheofficerwhowaspresentandarrivedhereyesterdaymorningconfirmedit。Butyoucannotimaginetheconsternationofyourthreefoes。However，weareafraidthatyouwillhavesometroublewiththem，astheyhavekeptyourletterofdefiancegivenfromFurstenberg。"
"Whydidn’ttheymeetme，then？"
"Twoofthemcouldnotgo，andthethirdarrivedtoolate。"
"Verygood。IfthedukehasnoobjectionIshallbehappytomeetthemoneafteranother，notthreeallatonce。Ofcourse，theduelmustbewithpistols；aswordduelisoutofthequestionwithmyarminasling。"
"Wewillspeakofthatagain。Mydaughterwantstomakepeacebeforethedukecomes，andyouhadbetterconsenttoarrangements，fortherearethreeofthem，anditisn’tlikelythatyoucouldkillthewholethreeoneaftertheother。"
"Yourdaughtermusthavegrownintoabeauty。"
"Youmuststopwithusthisevening；youwillseeher，forsheisnolongertheduke’smistress。Sheisgoingtogetmarried。"
"IfyourdaughtercanbringaboutanarrangementIwouldgladlyfallinwithit，provideditisanhonourableoneforme。"
"Howisitthatyouarewearingtheslingafterallthesemonths？"
"Iamquitecured，andyetmyarmswellsassoonasIletitswingloose。
Youshallseeitafterdinner，foryoumustdinewithmeifyouwantmetosupwithyou。"
NextcameVestri，whomIdidnotknow，accompainedbymybelovedBaletti。
WiththemwasanofficerwhowasinlovewithMadameToscani’sseconddaughter，andanotheroftheircircle，withwhomIwasalsounacquainted。
Theyallcametocongratulatemeonmyhonourablepositionintheduke’sservice。Balettiwasquiteovercomewithdelight。ThereaderwillrecollectthathewasmychiefassistantinmyescapefromStuttgart，andthatIwasoncegoingtomarryhissister。Balettiwasafinefellow，andthedukewasveryfondofhim。Hehadalittlecountryhouse，withaspareroom，whichhebeggedmetoaccept，ashesaidhewasonlytooproudthatthedukeshouldknowhimasmybestfriend。Whenhishighnesscame，ofcourseIwouldhaveanapartmentinthepalace。Iaccepted；andasitwasstillearly，weallwenttoseetheyoungToscani。IhadlovedherinParisbeforeherbeautyhadreacheditszenith，andshewasnaturallyproudtoshewmehowbeautifulshehadbecome。Sheshewedmeherhouseandherjewels，toldmethestoryofheramourswiththeduke，ofherbreakingwithhimonaccountofhisperpetualinfidelities，andofhermarriagewithamanshedespised，butwhowasforcedonherbyherposition。
Atdinner—timeweallwenttotheinn，wherewemettheoffendingcolonel；hewasthefirsttotakeoffhishat，wereturnedthesalute，andhepassedonhisway。
Thedinnerwasapleasantone，andwhenitwasoverIproceededtotakeupmyquarterswithBaletti。IntheeveningwewenttoMadameToscani’s，whereIsawtwogirlsofravishingbeauty，MadameToscani’sdaughterandVestri’swife，ofwhomthedukehadhadtwochildren。MadameVestriwasahandsomewoman，butherwitandthecharmofhermannerenchantedmestillmore。Shehadonlyonefault——shelisped。
TherewasacertainreserveaboutthemannerofMdlle。Toscani，soI
chieflyaddressedmyselftoMadameVestri，whosehusbandwasnotjealous，forheneithercaredforhernorsheforhim。Onthedayofmyarrivalthemanagerhaddistributedthepartsofalittleplaywhichwastobegiveninhonouroftheduke’sarrival。Ithadbeenwrittenbyalocalauthor，inhopesofitsobtainingthefavouroftheCourtforhim。
Aftersupperthelittlepiecewasdiscussed。MadameVestriplayedtheprincipalpart，whichshewasprevailedupontorecite。
"Yourelocutionisadmirable，andyourexpressionfullofspirit，"I
observed；"butwhatapityitisthatyoudonotpronouncethedentals。"
Thewholetablescoutedmyopinion。
"It’sabeauty，notadefect，"saidthey。"Itmakesheractingsoftanddelicate；otheractressesenvyhertheprivilegeofwhatyoucalladefect。"
Imadenoanswer，butlookedatMadameVestri。
"DoyouthinkIamtakeninbyallthat？"saidshe。
"Ithinkyouaremuchtoosensibletobelievesuchnonsense。"
"Ipreferamantosayhonestly，’whatapity，’thantohearallthatfoolishflattery。ButIamsorrytosaythatthereisnoremedyforthedefect。"
"Noremedy？"
"No。"
"Pardonme，Ihaveaninfallibleremedyforyourcomplaint。YoushallgivemeagoodheartyblowifIdonotmakeyoureadthepartperfectlybyto—morrow，butifIsucceedinmakingyoureaditasyourhusband，forexample’ssake，mightreadityoushallpermitmetogiveyouatenderembrace。"
"Verygood；butwhatmustIdo？"
"Youmustletmeweaveaspelloveryourpart，thatisall。Giveittome。To—morrowmorningatnineo’clockIwillbringittoyoutogetmyblowormykiss，ifyourhusbandhasnoobjection。"
"Nonewhatever；butwedonotbelieveinspells。"
"Youareright，inageneralway；butminewillnotfail。"
"Verygood。"
MadameVestrileftmethepart，andtheconversationturnedonothersubjects。Iwascondoledwithonmyswollenhand，andItoldthestoryofmyduel。Everybodyseemedtodelightinentertainingmeandfeastingme，andIwentbacktoBaletti’sinlovewithalltheladies，butespeciallywithMadameVestriandMdlle。Toscani。
Balettihadabeautifullittlegirlofthreeyearsold。
"Howdidyougetthatangel？"Iasked。
"There’shermother；and，asaproofofmyhospitality，sheshallsleepwithyouto—night。"
"Iacceptyourgenerousoffer；butletitbeto—morrownight。"
"Andwhynotto—night？"
"BecauseIshallbeengagedallnightinweavingmyspell。"
"Whatdoyoumean？Ithoughtthatwasajoke。"
"No，Iamquiteserious。"
"Areyoualittlecrazy？"
"Youshallsee。Doyougotobed，andleavemealightandwritingmaterials。"
Ispentsixhoursincopyingoutthepart，onlyalteringcertainphrases。
ForallwordsinwhichtheletterrappearedIsubstitutedanother。Itwasatiresometask，butIlongedtoembraceMadameVestribeforeherhusband。Isetaboutmytaskinthefollowingmanner:
Thetextran:
"Lesprocedesdecethommem’outragentetmedeseparent，jedoispenseramedebarrasser。"
ForthisIsubstituted:
"Cethommeadesfaconsquim’offensentetmedesolent，ilfautquejem’endefasse；"andsoonthroughoutthepiece。
WhenIhadfinishedIsleptforthreehours，andthenroseanddressed。
Balettisawmyspell，andsaidIhadearnedthecursesoftheyoungauthor，asMadameVestriwouldnodoubtmakehimwriteallpartsforherwithoutusingtheletter’r’；and，indeed，thatwasjustwhatshedid。
Icalledontheactressandfoundhergettingup。Igaveherthepart，andassoonasshesawwhatIhaddonesheburstoutintoexclamationsofdelight；andcallingherhusbandshewedhimmycontrivance，andsaidshewouldneverplayapartwithan’r’initagain。Ipromisedtocopythemallout，andaddedthatIhadspentthewholenightinamendingthepresentpart。"Thewholenight！Comeandtakeyourreward，foryouareclevererthananysorcerer。Wemusthavetheauthortodinner，andI
shallmakehimpromisetowriteallmypartswithoutthe’r’，orthedukewillnotemployhim。Indeed，Idon’twonderthedukehasmadeyouhissecretary。Ineverthoughtitwouldbepossibletodowhatyouhavedone；butIsupposeitwasverydifficult？"
"Notatall。IfIwereaprettywomanwiththelikedefectIshouldtakecaretoavoidallwordswithan’r；inthem。"
"Oh，thatwouldbetoomuchtrouble。"
"Letusbetagain，foraboxorakiss，thatyoucanspendawholedaywithoutusingan’r’。Letusbeginnow。"
"Allingoodtime，"saidshe，"butwewon’thaveanystake，asIthinkyouaretoogreedy。"
Theauthorcametodinner，andwasdulyattackedbyMadameVestri。Shebeganbysayingthatitwasanauthor’sdutytobepolitetoactresses，andifanyofthemspokewithalisptheleasthecoulddowastowritetheirpartswithoutthefatalletter。
Theyoungauthorlaughed，andsaiditcouldnotbedonewithoutspoilingthestyle。ThereuponMadameVestrigavehimmyversionofherpart，tellinghimtoreadit，andtosayonhisconsciencewhetherthestylehadsuffered。Hehadtoconfessthatmyalterationswerepositiveimprovements，duetothegreatrichnessoftheFrenchlanguage。Andhewasright，forthereisnolanguageintheworldthatcancompareincopiousnessofexpressionwiththeFrench。
Thistriflingsubjectkeptusmerry，butMadameVestriexpressedadevoutwishthatallauthorswoulddoforherwhatIhaddone。AtParis，whereIheardherplayingwellandlispingterribly，shedidnotfindtheauthorssoobliging，butshepleasedthepeople。SheaskedmeifIwouldundertaketorecomposeZaire，leavingoutther’s。
"Ah！"saidI，"consideringthatitwouldhavetobeinverse，andinVoltaireanverse，Iwouldrathernotundertakethetask。"
WithaviewtopleasingtheactresstheyoungauthoraskedmehowIwouldtellherthatshewascharmingwithoutusingan’r’。
"Ishouldsaythatsheenchantedme，mademeinanecstasy，thatsheisunique。"
Shewrotemealetter，whichIstillkeep，inwhichthe’r’doesnotappear。IfIcouldhavestayedatStuttgart，thisdeviceofminemighthavewonmeherfavours；butafteraweekoffeastingandtriumphthecouriercameonemorningatteno’clockandannouncedthathishighness，theduke，wouldarriveatfour。
AssoonasIheardthenewsItoldBalettiwiththeutmostcoolnessthatIthoughtitwouldbeonlypolitetomeetmylord，andswellhistrainonhisentryintoLouisburg；andasIwishedtomeethimatadistanceoftwostagesIshouldhavetogoatonce。Hethoughtmyideaanexcellentone，andwenttoorderpost—horsesimmediately；butwhenhesawmepackingupallmybelongingsintomytrunk，heguessedthetruthandapplaudedthejest。Iembracedhimandconfessedmyhardihood。Hewassorrytoloseme，buthelaughedwhenhethoughtofthefeelingsofthedukeandofthethreeofficerswhentheyfoundoutthetrick。HepromisedtowritetomeatMannheim，whereIhaddecidedonspendingaweektoseemybelovedAlgardi，whowasintheserviceoftheElector。I
hadalsolettersforM。deSickirigenandBaronBecker，oneoftheElector’sministers。
WhenthehorseswereputinIembracedBaletti，hislittlegirl，andhisprettyhousekeeper，andorderedthepostilliontodrivetoMannheim。
WhenwereachedMannheimIheardthattheCourtwasatSchwetzingen，andIbadethepostilliondriveon。IfoundeveryoneIhadexpectedtosee。
Algardihadgotmarried，M。deSickingenwassolicitingthepositionofambassadortoParis，andBaronBeckerintroducedmetotheElector。FiveorsixdaysaftermyarrivaldiedPrinceFredericdesDeuxPonts，andI
willhererelateananecdoteIheardthedaybeforehedied。
Dr。Algardihadattendedontheprinceduringhislastillness。IwassuppingwithVeraci，thepoet—laureate，ontheeveoftheprince’sdeath，andinthecourseofsupperAlgardicamein。
"Howistheprince？"saidI。
"Thepoorprince——hecannotpossiblylivemorethantwenty—fourhours。"
"Doesheknowit？"
"No，hestillhopes。Hegrievedmetotheheartbybiddingmetellhimthewholetruth；heevenbademegivemywordofhonourthatIwasspeakingthetruth。Thenheaskedmeifhewerepositivelyindangerofdeath。"
"Andyoutoldhimthetruth？"
"Certainlynot。Itoldhimhissicknesswasundoubtedlyamortalone，butthatwiththehelpofnatureandartwondersmightbeworked。"
"Thenyoudeceivedhim，andtoldalie？"
"Ididnotdeceivehim；hisrecoverycomesunderthecategoryofthepossible。Ididnotwanttoleavehimindespair，fordespairwouldmostcertainlykillhim。"
"Yes，yes；butyouwillconfessthatyoutoldhimalieandbrokeyourwordofhonour。"
"Itoldnolie，forIknowthathemaypossiblybecured。"
"Thenyouliedjustnow？"
"Notatall，forliewilldieto—morrow。"
"ItseemstomethatyourreasoningisalittleJesuitical。"
"No，itisnot。Mydutywastoprolongmypatient’slifeandtosparehimasentencewhichwouldmostcertainlyhaveshortenedit，possiblybyseveralhours；besides，itisnotanabsoluteimpossibilitythatheshouldrecover，thereforeIdidnotliewhenItoldhimthathemightrecover，nordidIliejustnowwhenIgaveitasmyopinion（theresultofmyexperience）thathewoulddieto—morrow。Iwouldcertainlywageramilliontoonethathewilldieto—morrow，butIwouldnotwagermylife。"
"Youareright，andyetforallthatyoudeceivedthepoorman；forhisintentioninaskingyouthequestionwasnottobetoldacommonplacewhichheknewaswellasyou，buttolearnyourtrueopinionastohislifeordeath。ButagainIagreewithyouthatashisphysicianyouwerequiterightnottoshortenhisfewremaininghoursbytellinghimtheterribletruth。"
AfterafortnightIleftSchwetzingen，leavingsomeofmybelongingsunderthecareofVeracithepoet，tellinghimIwouldcallforthemsomeday；butInevercame，andafteralapseofthirty—oneyearsVeracikeepsthemstill。HewasoneofthestrangestpoetsIhaveevermet。Heaffectedeccentricitytomakehimselfnotorious，andopposedthegreatMetastasioineverything，writingunwieldyverseswhichhesaidgavemorescopeforthepersonwhosetthemtomusic。HehadgotthisextravagantnotionfromJumelli。
ItraveledtoMayenceandthenceIsailedtoCologne，whereIlookedforwardtothepleasureofmeetingwiththeburgomaster’swifewhodislikedGeneralKettler，andhadtreatedmesowellsevenyearsago。
Butthatwasnottheonlyreasonwhichimpelledmetovisitthatodioustown。WhenIwasatDresdenIhadreadinanumberoftheCologneGazettethat"MasterCasanovahasreturnedtoWarsawonlytobesentabouthisbusinessagain。Thekinghasheardsomestoriesofthisfamousadventurer，whichcompelhimtoforbidhimhisCourt。"
Icouldnotstomachlanguageofthiskind，andIresolvedtopayJacquet，theeditor，avisit，andnowmytimehadcome。
Imadeahastydinnerandthencalledontheburgomaster，whomIfoundsittingattablewithhisfairMimi。Theywelcomedmewarmly，andfortwohoursItoldthemthestoryofmyadventuresduringthelastsevenyears。Mimihadtogoout，andIwasaskedtodinewiththemthenextday。
Ithoughtshelookedprettierthanever，andmyimaginationpromisedmesomedeliciousmomentswithher。Ispentananxiousandimpatientnight，andcalledonmyAmphitryonatanearlyhourtohaveanopportunityofspeakingtohisdearcompanion。Ifoundheralone，andbeganwithanardentcaresswhichshegentlyrepelled，butherfacefrozemypassioninitscourse。
"Timeisanexcellentdoctor，"saidshe，"andithascuredmeofapassionwhichleftbehinditthestingofremorse。"
"What！Theconfessional……"
"Shouldonlyserveasaplacewhereintoconfessoursinsofthepast，andtoimploregracetosinnomore。"
"MaytheLordsavemefromrepentance，theonlysourceofwhichisaprejudice！IshallleaveCologneto—morrow。"
"Idonottellyoutogo。"
"Ifthereisnohope，itisnoplaceforme。MayIhope？"
"Never。"
"Shewasdelightfulattable，butIwasgloomyanddistracted。Atseveno’clocknextdayIsetout，andassoonasIhadpassedtheAixlaChapelleGate，Itoldthepostilliontostopandwaitforme。IthenwalkedtoJacquet’s，armedwithapistolandacane，thoughIonlymeanttobeathim。
Theservantshewedmeintotheroomwherehewasworkingbyhimself。Itwasonthegroundfloor，andthedoorwasopenforcoolness’sake。
Heheardmecominginandaskedwhathecoulddoforme。
"Youscoundrellyjournalist。"Ireplied，"IamtheadventurerCasanovawhomyouslanderedinyourmiserablesheetfourmonthsago。"
SosayingIdirectedmypistolathishead，withmylefthand，andliftedmycanewithmyright。ButthewretchedscribblerfellonhiskneesbeforemewithclaspedhandsandofferedtoshewmethesignedletterhehadreceivedfromWarsaw，whichcontainedthestatementshehadinsertedinhispaper。
"Whereisthisletter？"
"Youshallhaveitinamoment。"
Imadewayforhimtosearch，butIlockedandboltedthedoortopreventhisescaping。ThemantrembledlikealeafandbegantolookfortheletteramongsthisWarsawcorrespondence，whichwasinadisgracefulstateofconfusion。Ishewedhimthedateofthearticleinthepaper，butthelettercouldnotbefound；andattheendofanhourhefelldownagainonhisknees，andtoldmetodowhatIwouldtohim。Igavehimakickandtoldhimtogetupandfollowme。Hemadenoreply，andfollowedmebareheadedtillhesawmegetintomychaiseanddriveoff，andIhavenodoubthegavethankstoGodforhislightescape。Intheevening，IreachedAix—la—Chapelle，whereIfoundPrincessLubomirska，GeneralRoniker，severalotherdistinguishedPoles，Tomatisandhiswife，andmanyEnglishmenofmyacquaintance。
CHAPTERII
MyStayatSpa——TheBlow——TheSword——DellaCroce——Charlotte；HerLying—inandDeath——ALettredeCachetObligesMetoLeaveParisintheCourseofTwenty—fourHoursAllmyfriendsseemeddelightedtoseeme，andIwaswellpleasedtofindmyselfinsuchgoodcompany。PeoplewereonthepointofleavingAixforSpa。Nearlyeveryonewent，andthosewhostayedonlydidsobecauselodgingswerenottobehadatSpa。Everybodyassuredmethatthiswasthecase，andmanyhadreturnedafterseekinginvainforameregarret。
Ipaidnoattentiontoallthis，andtoldtheprincessthatifshewouldcomewithmeIwouldfindsomelodging，wereitonlyinmycarriage。Weaccordinglysetoutthenextday，andgottoSpaingoodtime，ourcompanyconsistingoftheprincess，theprothonotary，Roniker，andtheTomatis。Everyoneexceptmyselfhadtakenroomsinadvance，Ialoneknewnotwheretoturn。Igotoutandpreparedforthesearch，butbeforegoingalongthestreetsIwentintoashopandboughtahat，havinglostmineontheway。Iexplainedmysituationtotheshopwoman，whoseemedtotakeaninterestinme，andbeganspeakingtoherhusbandinFlemishorWalloon，andfinallyinformedmethatifitwereonlyforafewdayssheandherhusbandwouldsleepintheshopandgiveuptheirroomtome。
Butshesaidthatshehadabsolutelynoroomwhateverformyman。
"Ihaven’tgotone。"
"Allthebetter。Sendawayyourcarriage。"
"WhereshallIsendit？"
"Iwillseethatitishousedsafely。"
"HowmuchamItopay？"
"Nothing；andifyouarenottooparticular，weshouldlikeyoutoshareourmeals。"
"Iacceptyourofferthankfully。"
Iwentupanarrowstaircase，andfoundmyselfinaprettylittleroomwithacloset，agoodbed，suitablefurniture，andeverythingperfectlyneatandclean。Ithoughtmyselfverylucky，andaskedthegoodpeoplewhytheywouldnotsleepintheclosetratherthantheshop，andtheyrepliedwithonebreaththattheywouldbeinmyway，whiletheirniecewouldnotinterferewithme。
Thisnewsabouttheniecewasasurprisetome。Theclosethadnodoor，andwasnotmuchbiggerthanthebedwhichitcontained；itwas，infact，amerealcove，withoutanywindow。
Imustnotethatmyhostessandherhusband，bothofthemfromLiege，wereperfectmodelsofugliness。
"It’snotwithinthelimitsofpossibility，"Isaidtomyself，"fortheniecetobeuglierthanthey，butiftheyallowhertosleepthusinthesameroomwiththefirstcomer，shemustbeproofagainstalltemptation。"
However，Igavenosign，anddidnotasktoseethenieceforfearofoffense，andIwentoutwithoutopeningmytrunk。ItoldthemasIwentoutthatIshouldnotbebacktillaftersupper，andgavethemsomemoneytobuywaxcandlesandnightlights。
IwenttoseetheprincesswithwhomIwastosup。Allthecompanycongratulatedmeonmygoodfortuneinfindingalodging。Iwenttotheconcert，tothebankatfaro，andtotheothergamingsaloons，andthereIsawtheso—calledMarquisd’Aragon，whowasplayingatpiquetwithanoldcountoftheHolyRomanEmpire。IwastoldabouttheduelhehadhadthreeweeksbeforewithaFrenchmanwhohadpickedaquarrelwithhim；
theFrenchmanhadbeenwoundedinthechest，andwasstillill。
Nevertheless，hewasonlywaitingforhiscuretobecompletedtohavehisrevenge，whichhehaddemandedashewastakenoffthefield。SuchisthewayoftheFrenchwhenaduelisfoughtforatriflingmatter。
Theystopatthefirstblood，andfightthedueloverandoveragain。InItaly，ontheotherhand，duelsarefoughttothedeath。Ourbloodburnstofirewhenouradversary’sswordopensavein。ThusstabbingiscommoninItalyandrareinFrance；whileduelsarecommoninFrance，andrareinItaly。
OfallthecompanyatSpa，IwasmostpleasedtoseetheMarquisCaraccioli，whomIhadleftinLondon。HisCourthadgivenhimleaveofabsence，andhewasspendingitatSpa。Hewasbrimfulofwitandthemilkofhumankindness，compassionatefortheweaknessesofothers，anddevotedtoyouth，nomatterofwhatsex，butheknewwellthevirtueofmoderation，andusedallthingswithoutabusingthem。Heneverplayed，buthelovedagoodgamesteranddespisedalldupes。Theworthymarquiswasthemeansofmakingthefortuneoftheso—calledMarquisd’AragonbybecomingsuretyforhisnobilityandbonafidestoawealthyEnglishwidowoffifty，whohadtakenafancytohim，andbroughthimherfortuneofsixtythousandpoundssterling。Nodoubtthewidowwastakenwiththegiganticformandthebeautifultitleofd’Aragon，forDragon（ashisnamereallywas）wasdevoidofwitandmanners，andhislegs，whichI
supposehekeptwellcovered，boredisgustingmarksofthelibertinelifehehadled。IsawthemarquissometimeafterwardsatMarseilles，andafewyearslaterhepurchasedtwoestatesatModena。Hiswifediedinduecourse，andaccordingtotheEnglishlawheinheritedthewholeofherproperty。
Ireturnedtomylodgingingoodtime，andwenttobedwithoutseeingtheniece，whowasfastasleep。Iwaswaitedonbytheuglyaunt，whobeggedmenottotakeaservantwhileIremainedinherhouse，forbyheraccountallservantswerethieves。
WhenIawokeinthemorningtheniecehadgotupandgonedown。I
dressedtogototheWells，andwarnedmyhostandhostessthatIshouldhavethepleasureofdiningwiththem。TheroomIoccupiedwastheonlyplaceinwhichtheycouldtaketheirmeals，andIwasastonishedwhentheycameandaskedmypermissiontodoso。Theniecehadgoneout，soI
hadtoputmycuriosityaside。WhenIwasoutmyacquaintancespointedouttomethechiefbeautieswhothenhauntedtheWells。ThenumberofadventurerswhoflocktoSpaduringtheseasonissomethingincredible，andtheyallhopetomaketheirfortunes；and，asmaybesupposed，mostofthemgoawayasnakedastheycame，ifnotmoreso。Moneycirculateswithgreatfreedom，butprincipallyamongstthegamesters，shop—keepers，money—lenders，andcourtezans。Themoneywhichproceedsfromthegaming—tablehasthreeissues:thefirstandsmallestsharegoestothePrince—BishopofLiege；thesecondandlargerportion，tothenumerousamateurcheatswhofrequenttheplace；andbyfarthelargestofalltothecoffersoftwelvesharpers，whokeepthetablesandareauthorizedbythesovereign。
Thusgoesthemoney。Itcomesfromthepocketsofthedupes——poormothswhoburntheirwingsatSpa！
TheWellsareamerepretextforgaming，intriguing，andfortune—hunting。
Thereareafewhonestpeoplewhogoforamusement，andafewforrestandrelaxationafterthetoilsofbusiness。
LivingischeapenoughatSpa。Thetabled’hoteisexcellent，andonlycostsasmallFrenchcrown，andonecangetgoodlodgingforthelikesum。
Icamehomeatnoonhavingwonascoreoflouis。Iwentintotheshop，intendingtogotomyroom，butIwasstoppedshortbyseeingahandsomebrunette，ofnineteenortwenty，withgreatblackeyes，voluptuouslips，andshiningteeth，measuringoutribbononthecounter。This，then，wastheniece，whomIhadimaginedassougly。Iconcealedmysurpriseandsatdownintheshoptogazeatherandendeavourtomakeheracquaintance。Butshehardlyseemedtoseeme，andonlyacknowledgedmypresencebyaslightinclinationofthehead。Herauntcamedowntosaythatdinnerwasready，andIwentupstairsandfoundthetablelaidforfour。Theservantbroughtinthesoup，andthenaskedmeveryplainlytogivehersomemoneyifIwantedanywine，ashermasterandmistressonlydrankbeer。Iwasdelightedwithherfreedom，andgavehermoneytobuytwobottlesofBurgundy。
Themastercameupandshewedmeagoldrepeaterwithachainalsoofgoldbyawell—knownmodernmaker。Hewantedtoknowhowmuchitwasworth。
"Fortylouisattheleast。"
"Agentlemanwantsmetogivehimtwentylouisforit，ontheconditionthatIreturnitto—morrowifhebringsmetwenty—two。"
"ThenIadviseyoutoaccepthisoffer。"
"Ihaven’tgotthemoney。"
"Iwilllendityouwithpleasure。"
IgavehimthetwentyLouis，andplacedthewatchinmyjewel—casket。Attabletheniecesatoppositetome，butItookcarenottolookather，andshe，likeamodestgirl，didnotsayascoreofwordsallthroughthemeal。Themealwasanexcellentone，consistingofsoup，boiledbeef，anentree，andaroast。Themistressofthehousetoldmethattheroastwasinmyhonour，"for，"shesaid，"wearenotrichpeople，andweonlyallowourselvesthisLuxuryonaSunday。"Iadmiredherdelicacy，andtheevidentsinceritywithwhichshespoke。Ibeggedmyentertainerstohelpmewithmywine，andtheyacceptedtheoffer，sayingtheyonlywishedtheywererichenoughtobeabletodrinkhalfabottleaday。
"Ithoughttradewasgoodwithyou。"
"Thestuffisnotours，andwehavedebts；besides，theexpensesareverygreat。Wehavesoldverylittleuptonow。"
"Doyouonlysellhats？"
"No，wehavesilkhandkerchiefs，Parisstockings，andlaceruffs，buttheysayeverythingistoodear。"
"Iwillbuysomethingsforyou，andwillsendallmyfriendshere。
Leaveittome；IwillseewhatIcandoforyou。"
"Mercy，fetchdownoneortwopacketsofthosehandkerchiefsandsomestockings，largesize，forthegentlemanhasabigleg。"
Mercy，astheniecewascalled，obeyed。Ipronouncedthehandkerchiefssuperbandthestockingsexcellent。Iboughtadozen，andIpromisedthemthattheyshouldsellouttheirwholestock。Theyoverwhelmedmewiththanks，andpromisedtoputthemselvesentirelyinmyhands。
Aftercoffee，which，liketheroast，wasinmyhonour，theaunttoldherniecetotakecaretoawakemeinthemorningwhenshegotup。Shesaidshewouldnotfail，butIbeggedhernottotaketoomuchtroubleoverme，asIwasaveryheavysleeper。
IntheafternoonIwenttoanarmourer’stobuyabraceofpistols，andaskedthemanifheknewthetradesmanwithwhomIwasstaying。
"Wearecousins—german，"hereplied。
"Isherich？"
"Yes，indebts。"
Why？"
"Becauseheisunfortunate，likemosthonestpeople。"
"Howabouthiswife？"
"Hercarefuleconomykeepshimabovewater。"
"Doyouknowtheniece？"
"Yes；she’sagoodgirl，butverypious。Hersillyscrupleskeepcustomersawayfromtheshop。"
"Whatdoyouthinksheshoulddotoattractcustomers？"
"Sheshouldbemorepolite，andnotplaytheprudewhenanyonewantstogiveherakiss。"
"Sheislikethat，isshe？"
"Tryheryourselfandyouwillsee。Lastweekshegaveanofficeraboxontheear。Mycousinscoldedher，andshewantedtogobacktoLiege；
however，thewifesoothedheragain。Sheisprettyenough，don’tyouthinkso？"
"CertainlyIdo，butifsheisascross—grainedasyousay，thebestthingwillbetoleaveheralone。"
AfterwhatIhadheardImadeupmymindtochangemyroom，forMercyhadpleasedmeinsuchawaythatIwassureIshouldbeobligedtopayheracallbeforelong，andIdetestedPamelasasheartilyasCharpillons。
IntheafternoonItookRzewuskiandRonikertotheshop，andtheyboughtfiftyducats’worthofgoodstoobligeme。ThenextdaytheprincessandMadameTomatisboughtallthehandkerchiefs。
Icamehomeatteno’clock，andfoundMercyinbedasIhaddonethenightbefore。Nextmorningthewatchwasredeemed，andthehatterreturnedmetwenty—twolouis。Imadehimapresentofthetwolouis，andsaidIshouldalwaysbegladtolendhimmoneyinthatway——theprofitstobehis。Heleftmefullofgratitude。
IwasaskedtodinewithMadameTomatis，soItoldmyhoststhatIwouldhavethepleasureofsuppingwiththem，thecoststobebornebyme。ThesupperwasgoodandtheBurgundyexcellent，butMercyrefusedtotasteit。Shehappenedtoleavetheroomforamomentatthecloseofthemeal，andIobservedtotheauntthatherniecewascharming，butitwasapityshewassosad。
"Shewillhavetochangeherways，orIwillkeephernolonger。"
"Isshethesamewithallmen？"
"Withall。"
"Thenshehasneverbeeninlove。"
"Shesaysshehasnot，butIdon’tbelieveher。"
"Iwondershecansleepsocomfortablywithamanatafewfeetdistant。"
"Sheisnotafraid。"
Mercycamein，badeusgoodnight，andsaidshewouldgotobed。ImadeasifIwouldgiveherakiss，butsheturnedherbackonme，andplacedachairinfrontofherclosetsothatImightnotseehertakingoffherchemise。Myhostandhostessthenwenttobed，andsodidI，puzzlingmyheadoverthegirl’sbehaviourwhichstruckmeasmostextraordinaryandunaccountable。However，Isleptpeacefully，andwhenIawokethebirdhadleftthenest。Ifeltinclinedtohavealittlequietargumentwiththegirl，andtoseewhatIcouldmakeofher；butIsawnochanceofmygettinganopportunity。Thehatteravailedhimselfofmyofferofpursetolendmoneyonpledges，wherebyhemadeagoodprofit。Therewasnoriskformeinthematter，andheandhiswifedeclaredthattheyblessedthedayonwhichIhadcometolivewiththem。
OnthefifthorsixthdayIawokebeforeMercy，andonlyputtingonmydressing—gownIcametowardsherbed。Shehadaquickearandwokeup，andnosoonerdidsheseemecomingtowardsherthansheaskedmewhatI
wanted。IsatdownonherbedandsaidgentlythatIonlywantedtowishheragooddayandtohavealittletalk。Itwashotweather，andshewasonlycoveredbyasinglesheet；andstretchingoutonearmIdrewhertowardsme，andbeggedhertoletmegiveherakiss。Herresistancemademeangry；andpassinganaudacioushandunderthesheetIdiscoveredthatshewasmadelikeotherwomen；butjustasmyhandwasonthespot，Ireceivedafisticuffonthenosethatmademeseeathousandstars，andquiteextinguishedthefireofmyconcupiscence。ThebloodstreamedfrommynoseandstainedthebedofthefuriousMercy。Ikeptmypresenceofmindandleftheronthespot，astheblowshehadgivenmewasbutasampleofwhatImightexpectifIattemptedreprisals。Iwashedmyfaceincoldwater，andasIwasdoingsoMercydressedherselfandlefttheroom。
Atlastmybloodceasedtoflow，andIsawtomygreatannoyancethatmynosewasswolleninsuchamannerthatmyfacewassimplyhideous。I
covereditupwithahandkerchiefandsentforthehairdressertodomyhair，andwhenthiswasdonemylandladybroughtmeupsomefinetrout，ofwhichIapproved；butasIwasgivingherthemoneyshesawmyfaceandutteredacryofhorror。Itoldherthewholestory，freelyacknowledgingthatIwasinthewrong，andbegginghertosaynothingtoherniece。ThenheedingnotherexcusesIwentoutwithmyhandkerchiefbeforemyface，andvisitedahousewhichtheDuchessofRichmondhadleftthedaybefore。
HalfofthesuiteshehadabandonedhadbeentakeninadvancebyanItalianmarquis；Itooktheotherhalf，hiredaservant，andhadmyeffectstransportedtherefrommyoldlodgings。Thetearsandsupplicationsofmylandladyhadnoeffectwhateveruponme，IfeltI
couldnotbearthesightofMercyanylonger。
InthehouseintowhichIhadmovedIfoundanEnglishmanwhosaidhewouldbringdownthebruiseinonehour，andmakethediscolorationofthefleshdisappearintwenty—four。Ilethimdowhathelikedandhekepthisword。Herubbedtheplacewithspiritsofwineandsomedrugwhichisunknowntome；butbeingashamedtoappearinpublicinthestateIwasin，Ikeptindoorsfortherestoftheday。Atnoonthedistressedauntbroughtmemytrout，andsaidthatMercywascuttothehearttohaveusedmeso，andthatifIwouldcomebackIcoulddowhatI
likedwithher。
"Youmustfeel，"Ireplied，"thatifIcompliedwithyourrequesttheadventurewouldbecomepublictothedamageofmyhonourandyourbusiness，andyourniecewouldnotbeabletopassforadevoteeanylonger。"
Imadesomereflectionsontheblowshehadgiventheofficer，muchtotheaunt’ssurprise，forshecouldnotthinkhowIhadheardofit；andI
shewedherthat，afterhavingexposedmetoherniece’sbrutality，herrequestwasextremelyoutofplace。IconcludedbysayingthatIcouldbelievehertobeanaccompliceinthefactwithoutanygreatstretchofimagination。Thismadeherburstintotears，andIhadtoapologizeandtopromisetocontinueforwardingherbusinessbywayofconsolation，andsosheleftmeinacalmermood。Halfanhourafterwardsherhusbandcamewithtwenty—fiveLouisIhadlenthimonagoldsnuff—boxsetwithdiamonds，andproposedthatIshouldlendtwohundredLouisonaringworthfourhundred。
"Itwillbeyours，"hesaid，"iftheownerdoesnotbringmetwohundredandtwentyLouisinaweek’stime。"
Ihadthemoneyandproceededtoexaminethestonewhichseemedtobeagooddiamond，andwouldprobablyweighsixcaratsastheownerdeclared。
Thesettingwasingold。
"Iconsenttogivethesumrequirediftheownerisreadytogivemeareceipt。"
"Iwilldosomyselfinthepresenceofwitnesses。"
"Verygood。Youshallhavethemoneyinthecourseofanhour；Iamgoingtohavethestonetakenoutfirst。Thatwillmakenodifferencetotheowner，asIshallhaveitresetatmyownexpense。Ifheredeemsit，thetwentyLouisshallbeyours。"
"Imustaskhimwhetherhehasanyobjectiontothestonebeingtakenout。"
"Verygood，butyoucantellhimthatifhewillnotallowittobedonehewillgetnothingforit。"
Hereturnedbeforelongwithajewellerwhosaidhewouldguaranteethestonetobeatleasttwograinsoverthesixcarats。
"Haveyouweighedit？"
"No，butIamquitesureitweighsoversixcarats。"
"Thenyoucanlendthemoneyonit？"
"Icannotcommandsuchasum。"
"Canyoutellmewhytheownerobjectstothestonebeingtakenoutandputinatmyexpense？"
"No，Ican’t；buthedoesobject。"
"Thenhemaytakehisringsomewhereelse。"
Theywentaway，leavingmewellpleasedatmyrefusal，foritwasplainthatthestonewaseitherfalseorhadafalsebottom。
Ispenttherestofthedayinwritinglettersandmakingagoodsupper，InthemorningIwasawokebysomeoneknockingatmydoor，andonmygettinguptoopenit，whatwasmyastonishmenttofindMercy！
Iletherin，andwentbacktobed，andaskedherwhatshewantedwithmesoearlyinthemorning。Shesatdownonthebed，andbegantooverwhelmmewithapologies。Irepliedbyaskingherwhy，ifitwasherprincipletoflyatherloverslikeatiger，shehadsleptalmostinthesameroomasmyself。
"Insleepinginthecloset，"saidshe，"Iobeyedmyaunt’sorders，andinstrikingyou（forwhichIamverysorry）Iwasbutdefendingmyhonour；
andIcannotadmitthateverymanwhoseesmeisatlibertytolosehisreason。Ithinkyouwillallowthatyourdutyistorespect，andminetodefend，myhonour。"
"Ifthatisyourlineofargument，Iacknowledgethatyouareright；butyouhadnothingtocomplainof，forIboreyourblowinsilence，andbymyleavingthehouseyoumightknowthatitwasmyintentiontorespectyouforthefuture。Didyoucometohearmesaythis？Ifso，youaresatisfied。ButyouwillnotbeoffendedifIlaughatyourexcuses，forafterwhatyouhavesaidIcannothelpthinkingthemverylaughable。"
"WhathaveIsaid？"
"Thatyouonlydidyourdutyinflatteningmynose。Ifso，doyouthinkitisnecessarytoapologizefortheperformanceofduty？"
"Ioughttohavedefendedmyselfmoregently。Butforgeteverythingandforgiveme；Iwilldefendmyselfnomoreinanyway。IamyoursandI
loveyou，andIamreadytoprovemylove。"
Shecouldnothavespokenmoreplainly，andasshespokethelastwordsshefellonmewithherfaceclosetomine，whichshebedewedwithhertears。Iwasashamedofsuchaneasyconquest，andIgentlywithdrewfromherembrace，tellinghertoreturnafterthebruiseonmyfacehaddisappeared。Sheleftmedeeplymortified。
TheItalian，whohadtakenhalfthesuiteofrooms，hadarrivedinthecourseofthenight。Iaskedhisname，andwasgivenacardbearingthenameofTheMarquisDonAntoniodellaCroce。
WasittheCroceIknew？
Itwasverypossible。
Iaskedwhatkindofanestablishmenthehad，andwasinformedthatthemarchionesshadalady’smaid，andthemarquisasecretaryandtwoservants。Ilongedtoseethenoblemaninquestion。
Ihadnotlongtowait，forassoonasheheardthatIwashisneighbour，hecametoseeme，andwespenttwohoursintellingeachotherouradventuressincewehadpartedinMilan。HehadheardthatIhadmadethefortuneofthegirlhehadabandoned，andinthesixyearsthathadelapsedhehadbeentravellingalloverEurope，engagedinaconstantstrifewithfortune。AtParisandBrusselshehadmadeagooddealofmoney，andinthelattertownhehadfalleninlovewithayoungladyofrank，whomherfatherhadshutupinaconvent。Hehadtakenheraway，andsheitwaswhomhecalledtheMarchionessdellaCroce，nowsixmonthswithchild。
Hemadeherpassforhiswife，because，ashesaid，hemeanttomarryhereventually。
"Ihavefiftythousandfrancsingold，"saidhe，"andasmuchagaininjewelleryandvariouspossessions。Itismyintentiontogivesuppershereandholdabank，butifIplaywithoutcorrectingthefreaksoffortuneIamsuretolose。"HeintendedgoingtoWarsaw，thinkingI
wouldgivehimintroductionstoallmyfriendsthere；buthemadeamistake，andIdidnotevenintroducehimtomyPolishfriendsatSpa。I
toldhimhecouldeasilymaketheiracquaintancebyhimself，andthatI
wouldneithermakenormarwithhim。
Iacceptedhisinvitationtodinnerforthesameday。Hissecretary，ashecalledhim，wasmerelyhisconfederate。HewasacleverVeronesenamedConti，andhiswifewasanessentialaccompliceinCroce’sdesigns。
Atnoonmyfriendthehattercameagainwiththering，followedbytheowner，wholookedlikeabravo。Theywereaccompaniedbythejewellerandanotherindividual。Theowneraskedmeoncemoretolendhimtwohundredlouisonthering。
Mypropercoursewouldhavebeentobegtobeexcused，thenIshouldhavehadnomoretroubleinthematter；butitwasnottobe。Iwantedtomakehimseethattheobjectionhemadetohavingthestonetakenoutwasaninsuperableobstacletomylendinghimthemoney。
"Whenthestoneisremoved，"saidI，"weshallseewhatitreallyis。
Listentomyproposal:ifitweighstwenty—sixgrains，Iwillgiveyou，nottwobutthreehundredlouis，butinitspresentconditionIshallgivenothingatall。"
"Youhavenobusinesstodoubtmyword；youinsultmebydoingso。"
"Notatall，Ihavenointentionsofthekind。Isimplyproposeawagertoyou。Ifthestonebefoundtoweightwenty—sixgrains，IshalllosetwohundredLouis，ifitweighsmuchlessyouwilllosethering。"
"That’sascandalousproposal；it’sasmuchastotellmethatIamaliar。"
Ididnotlikethetonewithwhichthesewordswerespoken，andIwentuptothechestofdrawerswhereIkeptmypistols，andbadehimgoandleavemeinpeace。
JustthenGeneralRonikercamein，andtheowneroftheringtoldhimofthedisputebetweenus。Thegenerallookedatthering，andsaidtohim，——
"IfanyoneweretogivemetheringIshouldnothavethestonetakenout，becauseoneshouldnotlookagifthorseinthemouth；butifitcametoaquestionofbuyingorlendingIwouldnotgiveacrownforit，weretheowneranemperor，beforethestonewastakenout；andIamverymuchsurprisedatyourrefusingtoletthisbedone。"
Withoutawordtheknavemadeforthedoor，andtheringremainedinthehandsofmylatehost。
"Whydidn’tyougivehimhisring？"saidI。
"BecauseIhaveadvancedhimfiftyLouisonit；butifhedoesnotredeemitto—morrowIwillhavethestonetakenoutbeforeajudge，andafterwardsIshallsellitbyauction。"
"Idon’tliketheman’smanners，andIhopeyouwillneverbringanyonetomyroomsagain。"
Theaffaircametothefollowingconclusion:Theimpostordidnotredeemthering，andtheLiegetradesmanhadthesettingremoved。Thediamondwasfoundtobeplacedonabedofrockcrystal，whichformedtwo—thirdsofthewholebulk。However，thediamondwasworthfiftyLouis，andanEnglishmanboughtit。AweekafterwardstheknavemetmeasIwaswalkingbymyself，andbeggedmetofollowhimtoplacewhereweshouldbefreefromobservation，ashisswordhadsomewhattosaytomine。
CuriouslyenoughIhappenedtobewearingmyswordatthetime。
"Iwillnotfollowyou，"Ireplied；"themattercanbesettledhere？"
"Weareobserved。"
"Allthebetter。Makehasteanddrawyourswordfirst。"
"Theadvantageiswithyou。"
"Iknowit，andsoitoughttobe。IfyoudonotdrawIwillproclaimyoutobethecowardIamsureyouare。"
Atthishedrewhisswordrapidlyandcameon，butIwasreadytoreceivehim。Hebegantofencetotrymymettle，butIlungedrightathischest，andgavehimthreeinchesofcoldsteel。Ishouldhavekilledhimonthespotifhehadnotloweredhissword，sayinghewouldtakehisrevengeatanothertime。Withthishewentoff，holdinghishandtothewound。
Ascoreofpeoplewerecloseby，butnoonetroubledhimselfaboutthewoundedman，ashewasknowntohavebeentheaggressor。Theduelhadnofurtherconsequencesforme。WhenIleftSpathemanwasstillinthesurgeon’shands。Hewassomethingworsethananadventurer，andalltheFrenchatSpadisownedhim。
ButtoreturntoCroceandhisdinner。
Themarchioness，hiswifeso—called，wasayoungladyofsixteenorseventeen，fair—complexionedandtall，withallthemannersoftheBelgiannobility。Thehistoryofherescapeiswellknowntoherbrothersandsisters，andasherfamilyarestillinexistencemyreaderswillbeobligedtomeforconcealinghername。
Herhusbandhadtoldheraboutme，andshereceivedmeinthemostgraciousmannerpossible。Sheshewednosignsofsadnessorofrepentanceforthestepsshehadtaken。Shewaswithchildforsomemonths，andseemedtobenearherterm，owingtotheslimnessofherfigure。Neverthelessshehadtheaspectofperfecthealth。Hercountenanceexpressedcandourandfranknessofdispositioninaremarkabledegree。Hereyeswerelargeandblue，hercomplexionaroseatehue，hersmallsweetmouth，herperfectteethmadeherabeautyworthyofthebrushofAlbano。
Ithoughtmyselfskilledinphysiognomy，andconcludedthatshewasnotonlyperfectlyhappy，butalsothecauseofhappiness。Buthereletmesayhowvainathingitisforanyonetopronounceamanorwomantobehappyorunhappyfromamerelycursoryinspection。
Theyoungmarchionesshadbeautifulear—rings，andtworings，whichgavemeapretextforadmiringthebeautyofherhands。
Conti’swifedidnotcutanyfigureatall，andIwasalleyesforthemarchioness，whosenamewasCharlotte。IwasprofoundlyimpressedbyherthatIwasquiteabstractedduringdinner。
IsoughtinvaintodiscoverbywhatmeritsCrocehadbeenabletoseducetwosuchsuperiorwomen。Hewasnotafine—lookingman，hewasnotwelleducated，hismannersweredoubtful，andhiswayofspeakingbynomeansseductive；infine，Isawnothingcaptivatingabouthim，andyetIcouldbeawitnesstohishavingmadetwogirlsleavetheirhomestofollowhim。Ilostmyselfinconjecture；butIhadnopremonitionofwhatwastohappeninthecourseofafewweeks。
WhendinnerwasoverItookCroceapart，andtalkedseriouslytohim。I
impressedonhimthenecessityofcircumspectconduct，asinmyopinionhewouldbeforeverinfamousifthebeautifulwomanwhomhehadseducedwastobecomewretchedbyhisfault。
"ForthefutureImeantotrusttomyskillinplay，andthusIamsureofacomfortableliving。"
"Doessheknow，thatyourrevenueisfedsolelybythepursesofdupes？"
"SheknowsthatIamagamester；andassheadoresme，herwillisasmine。IamthinkingofmarryingheratWarsawbeforesheisconfined。
Ifyouareinanywantofmoney，lookuponmypurseasyourown。"
Ithankedhim，andoncemorepressedonhimthedutyofexercisingextremeprudence。