Asamatteroffact，Ihadnoneedofmoney。Ihadplayedwithmoderation，andmyprofitsamountedtonearlyfourhundredlouis。WhentheluckturnedagainstmeIwaswiseenoughtoturnmybackontheboard。AlthoughthebruisethatMercyhadgivenmewasstillapparent，I
escortedthemarchionesstothetables，andthereshedrewalleyesuponher。Shewasfondofpiquet，andweplayedtogetherforsmallstakesforsometime。Intheendshelosttwentycrownstome，andIwasforcedtotakethemoneyforfearofoffendingher。
WhenwewentbackwemetCroceandConti，whohadbothwon——ContiascoreoflouisatFaro，andCrocemorethanahundredguineasat’passedix’，whichhehadbeenplayingataclubofEnglishmen。Iwasmorelivelyatsupperthandinner，andexcitedCharlottetolaughterbymywit。
HenceforththePolesandtheTomatisonlysawmeatintervals。Iwasinlovewiththefairmarchioness，andeverybodysaiditwasverynatural。
Whenaweekhadelapsed，Croce，findingthatthepigeonswouldnotcometobeplucked，despitethesuppershegave，wenttothepublicroom，andlostcontinually。Hewasasusedtolossastogain，andhisspiritswereunaltered；hewasstillgay，stillatewellanddrankbetter，andcaressedhisvictim，whohadnosuspicionsofwhatwasgoingon。
Ilovedher，butdidnotdaretorevealmypassion，fearinglestitshouldbeunrequited；andIwasafraidtotellherofCroce’slosseslestsheshouldputdownmyactiontosomeulteriormotive；infine，Iwasafraidtolosethetrustshehadalreadybeguntoplaceinme。
AttheendofthreeweeksConti，whohadplayedwithprudenceandsuccess，leftCroceandsetoutforVeronawithhiswifeandservant。A
fewdayslaterCharlottedismissedhermaid，sendingherbacktoLiege，hernativetown。
TowardsthemiddleofSeptemberallthePolishpartylefttheSpaforParis，whereIpromisedtorejointhem。IonlystayedforCharlotte’ssake；Iforesawacatastrophe，andIwouldnotabandonher。EverydayCrocelostheavily，andatlasthewasobligedtosellhisjewellery。
ThencameCharlotte’sturn；shehadtogiveupherwatches，ear—rings，herrings，andallthejewelsshehad。Helosteverything，butthiswonderfulgirlwasasaffectionateasever。Tomakeafinishhedespoiledherofherlaceandherbestgowns，andthensellinghisownwardrobehewenttohislastfightwithfortune，providedwithtwohundredLouis。Heplayedlikeamadman，withoutcommon—senseorprudence，andlostall。
Hispocketswereempty，andseeingmehebeckonedtome，andIfollowedhimoutoftheSpa。
"Myfriend，"hebegan，"Ihavetwoalternatives，IcankillmyselfthisinstantorIcanflywithoutreturningtothehouse。IshallembracethelatterandgotoWarsawonfoot，andIleavemywifeinyourhands，forI
knowyouadoreher。ItmustbeyourtasktogiveherthedreadfulnewsofthepasstowhichIhavecome。Haveacareofher，sheistoogoodbyfarforapoorwretchlikeme。TakehertoParisandIwillwritetoyouthereatyourbrother’saddress。Iknowyouhavemoney，butIwoulddieratherthanacceptasinglelouisfromyou。Ihavestilltwoorthreepiecesleft，andIassureyouthatIamricheratthepresentmomentthanIwastwomonthsago。Farewell；oncemoreIcommendCharlottetoyourcare；Iwouldthatshehadneverknownme。"
Withthesewordsheshedtears，andembracingmewenthisway。Iwasstupefiedatwhatlaybeforeme。
Ihadtoinformapregnantwomanthatthemanshedearlylovedhaddesertedher。Theonlythoughtthatsupportedmeinthatmomentwasthatitwouldbedoneforloveofher，andIfeltthankfulthatIhadsufficientmeanstosecureherfromprivation。
Iwenttothehouseandtoldherthatwemightdineatonce，asthemarquiswouldbeengagedtilltheevening。Shesighed，wishedhimluck，andweproceededtodine。Idisguisedmyemotionssowellthatsheconceivednosuspicion。Afterthemealwasover，IaskedhertowalkwithmeinthegardenoftheCapuchinMonastery，whichwascloseathand。
ToprepareherforthefatalnewsIaskedherifshewouldapproveofherloverexposinghimselftoassassinationforthesakeofbiddingadieutoherratherthanmakinghisescape。
"Ishouldblamehimfordoingso，"shereplied。"Heoughttoescapebyallmeans，ifonlytosavehislifeformysake。Hasmyhusbanddoneso？
Speakopenlytome。Myspiritisstrongenoughtoresistevensofatalablow，forIknowIhaveafriendinyou。Speak。"
"Well，Iwilltellyouall。Butfirstofallrememberthis；youmustlookuponmeasatenderfatherwhowillneverletyouwant，solongasliferemainstohim。"
"InthatcaseIcannotbecalledunfortunate，forIhaveatruefriend。
Sayon。"
ItoldallthatCrocehadtoldme，notomittinghislastwords:"I
commendCharlottetoyourcare；Iwouldthatshehadneverknownme。"
Forafewminutessheremainedmotionless，asoneturnedintostone。Byherattitude，byherlabouredandunequalbreath，Icoulddivinesomewhatofthebattlebetweenlove，andanger，andsorrow，andpity，thatwasraginginthenoblebreast。Iwascuttotheheart。Atlastshewipedawaythebigtearsthatbegantotrickledownhercheeks，andturningtomesighedandsaid，——
"Dearfriend，sinceIcancountonyou，Iamfarindeedfromuttermisery。"
"Isweartoyou，Charlotte，thatIwillneverleaveyoutillIplaceyouagaininyourhusband’shands，providedIdonotdiebefore。"
"Thatisenough。Isweareternalgratitude，andtobeassubmissivetoyouasagooddaughteroughttobe。"
Thereligionandphilosophywithwhichherheartandmindwerefortified，thoughshemadenoparadeofeither，begantocalmherspirit，andsheproceededtomakesomereflectionsonCroce’sunhappylot，butallinpitynotinanger，excusinghisinveteratepassionforplay。ShehadoftenheardfromCroce’slipsthestoryoftheMarseillesgirlwhomhehadleftpennilessinaninnatMilan，commendinghertomycare。ShethoughtitsomethingwonderfulthatIshouldagainbeinterveningasthetutelarygenius；buthersituationwasmuchtheworse，forshewaswithchild。
"There’sanotherdifference，"Iadded，"forImadethefortuneofthefirstbyfindingheranhonesthusband，whereasIshouldneverhavethecouragetoadoptthesamemethodwiththesecond。"
"WhileCrocelivesIamnoman’swifebuthis，neverthelessIamgladtofindmyselffree。"
Whenwewerebackinthehouse，IadvisedhertosendawaytheservantandtopayhisjourneytoBesanion，whereshehadtakenhim。Thusallunpleasantnesswouldbeavoided。Imadehersellallthatremainedofherpoorlover’swardrobe，asalsohiscarriage，forminewasabetterone。Sheshewedmeallshehadleft，whichonlyamountedtosomesetsoflinenandthreeorfourdresses。
WeremainedatSpawithoutgoingoutofdoors。Shecouldseethatmylovewasatendererpassionthantheloveofafather，andshetoldmeso，andthatshewasobligedtomefortherespectwithwhichItreatedher。Wesattogetherforhours，shefoldedinmyarms，whilstIgentlykissedherbeautifuleyes，andaskednomore。Iwashappyinhergratitudeandinmypowersofself—restraint。WhentemptationwastoostrongIleftthebeautifulgirltillIwasmyselfagain，andsuchconquestsmademeproud。Intheaffectionbetweenustherewassomewhatofthepurityofaman’sfirstlove。
Iwantedasmalltravellingcap，andtheservantofthehousewenttomyformerlodgingtoorderone。Mercybroughtseveralformetochoosefrom。Sheblushedwhenshesawme，butIsaidnothingtoher。WhenshehadgoneItoldCharlottethewholestory，andshelaughedwithallherheartwhenIremindedherofthebruiseonmyfacewhenwefirstmet，andinformedherthatMercyhadgivenitme。Shepraisedmyfirmnessinrejectingherrepentance，andagreedwithmeinthinkingthatthewholeplanhadbeenconcertedbetweenherandheraunt。
WeleftSpawithoutanyservant，andwhenwereachedLiegewetookthewayoftheArdennes，asshewasafraidofbeingrecognizedifwepassedthroughBrussels。AtLuxemburgweengagedaservant，whoattendedonustillwereachedParis。AllthewayCharlottewastenderandaffectionate，butherconditionprescribedlimitstoherlove，andI
couldonlylookforwardtothetimeafterherdelivery。WegotdownatParisatthe"HotelMontmorenci，"inthestreetofthesamename。
Parisstruckmequiteasanewplace。Madamed’Urfewasdead，myfriendshadchangedtheirhousesandtheirfortunes；thepoorhadbecomerichandtherichpoor，newstreetsandbuildingswererisingonallsides；I
hardlyknewmywayaboutthetown。Everythingwasdearer；povertywasrampant，andluxuryatithighestpitch。PerhapsParisistheonlycitywheresogreatachangecouldtakeplaceinthecourseoffiveorsixyears。
ThefirstcallImadewasonMadameduRumain，whowasdelightedtoseeme。Irepaidherthemoneyshehadsokindlylentmeinthetimeofmydistress。Shewaswellinhealth，butharassedbysomanyanxietiesandprivatetroublesthatshesaidProvidencemusthavesentmetohertorelieveherofallhergriefsbymycabala。ItoldherthatIwouldwaitonheratanyhourorhours；andthis，indeed，wastheleastIcoulddoforthewomanwhohadbeensokindtome。
MybrotherhadgonetoliveintheFaubourgSt。Antoine。Bothheandhiswife（whoremainedconstanttohim，despitehisphysicaldisability）wereoverjoyedtoseeme，andentreatedmetocomeandstopwiththem。ItoldthemIshouldbegladtodoso，assoonastheladywhohadtravelledwithmehadgotoverherconfinement。Ididnotthinkpropertotellthemherstory，andtheyhadthedelicacytorefrainfromquestioningmeonthesubject。ThesamedayIcalledonPrincessLubomirskaandTomatis，beggingthemnottotakeitamissifmyvisitswerefewandfarbetween，astheladytheyhadseenatSpawasapproachingherconfinement，anddemandedallmycare。
AfterthedischargeofthesedutiesIremainedconstantlybyCharlotte’sside。OnOctober8thIthoughtitwouldbewelltotakehertoMadameLamarre，amidwife，wholivedintheFaubourgSt。Denis，andCharlottewasofthesameopinion。Wewenttogether，shesawtheroom，thebed，andheardhowshewouldbetendedandlookedafter，forallofwhichI
wouldpay。Atnightfallwedrovetotheplace，withatrunkcontainingallhereffects。
AswewereleavingtheRueMontmorenciourcarriagewasobligedtostoptoallowthefuneralofsomerichmantogoby。Charlottecoveredherfacewithherhandkerchief，andwhisperedinmyear，"Dearest，Iknowitisafoolishsuperstition，buttoawomaninmyconditionsuchameetingisofevilomen。"
"What，Charlotte！Ithoughtyouweretoowisetohavesuchsillyfears。
Awomaninchild—bedisnotasickwoman，andnowomaneverdiedofgivingbirthtoachildexceptsomeotherdiseaseintervened。"
"Yes，mydearphilosopher，itislikeaduel；therearetwomeninperfecthealth，whenallofasuddentherecomesasword—thrust，andoneofthemisdead。"
"That’sawittyidea。Butbidallgloomythoughtsgoby，andafteryourchildisborn，andwehaveplaceditingoodhands，youshallcomewithmetoMadrid，andthereIhopetoseeyouhappyandcontented。"
AllthewayIdidmybesttocheerher，forIknewonlytoowellthefataleffectsofmelancholyonapregnantwoman，especiallyinsuchadelicategirlasCharlotte。
WhenIsawhercompletelysettledIreturnedtothehotel，andthenextdayItookupmyquarterswithmybrother。However，aslongasmyCharlottelived，Ionlysleptathishouse，forfromnineinthemorningtillaftermidnightIwaswithmydear。
OnOctober13thCharlottewasattackedwithafeverwhichneverlefther。
Onthe17thshewashappilydeliveredofaboy，whichwasimmediatelytakentothechurchandbaptizedattheexpresswishesofthemother。
Charlottewrotedownwhatitsnamewastobe——Jacques（afterme），Charles（afterher），sonofAntoniodellaCroceandofCharlottede（shegaveherrealname）。WhenitwasbroughtfromthechurchshetoldMadameLamarretocarryittotheFoundlingHospital，withthecertificateofbaptisminitslinen。Ivainlyendeavouredtopersuadehertoleavethecareofthechildtome。Shesaidthatifitlivedthefathercouldeasilyreclaimit。Onthesameday，October18th，the，midwifegavemethefollowingcertificate，whichIstillpossess:
Itwaswordedasfollows:
"We，J。B。Dorival，CouncillortotheKing，CommissaryoftheChatelet，formerlySuperintendentofPoliceintheCityofParis，docertifythattherehasbeentakentotheHospitalforChildrenamaleinfant，appearingtobeonedayold，broughtfromtheFaubourgSt。DenisbythemidwifeLamarre，andbearingacertificateofbaptismtotheeffectthatitsnameisJacquesCharles，sonofAntoniodellaCroceandofCharlottede————。Wherefore，wehavedeliveredtheabovecertificateatourofficeintheCityofParis，this18thdayofOctober，intheyearofourLord，1767，atseveno’clockintheafternoon。
"DORIVAL。"
Ifanyofmyreadershaveanycuriositytoknowtherealnameofthemother，Ihavegiventhemthemeansofsatisfyingit。
AfterthisIdidnotleavethebedoftheinvalidforasingleinstant。
Inspiteofallthedoctor’scarethefeverincreased，andatfiveo’clockinthemorningofOctober26th，shesuccumbedtoit。Anhourbeforeshesighedherlast，shebademethelastfarewellinthepresenceofthevenerableecclesiasticwhohadconfessedheratmidnight。ThetearswhichgatherfastasIwritethesewordsareprobablythelasthonoursIshallpaytothispoorvictimofamanwhoisstillalive，andwhosedestinyseemedtobetomakewomenunhappy。
IsatweepingbythebedofherIlovedsodearly，andinvainMadameLamarretriedtoinducemetocomeandsitwithher。Ilovedthepoorcorpsebetterthanalltheworldoutside。
Atnoonmybrotherandhiswifecametoseeme；theyhadnotseenmeforaweek，andweregettinganxious。Theysawthebodylovelyindeath；
theyunderstoodmytears，andmingledtheirswithmine。AtlastIaskedthemtoleaveme，andIremainedallnightbyCharlotte’sbed，resolvednottoleaveittillherbodyhadbeenconsignedtothegrave。
Thedaybeforethismorningofunhappymemorymybrotherhadgivenmeseveralletters，butIhadnotopenedanyofthem。OnmyreturnfromthefuneralIproceededtodoso，andthefirstonewasfromM。Dandolo，announcingthedeathofM。deBragadin；butIcouldnotweep。Fortwenty—twoyearsM。deBragadinhadbeenasafathertome，livingpoorly，andevengoingintodebtthatImighthaveenough。Hecouldnotleavemeanything，ashispropertywasentailed，whilehisfurnitureandhislibrarywouldbecomethepreyofhiscreditors。Histwofriends，whoweremyfriendsalso，werepoor，andcouldgivemenothingbuttheirlove。Thedreadfulnewswasaccompaniedbyabillofexchangeforathousandcrowns，whichhehadsentmetwenty—fourhoursbeforehisdeath，foreseeingthatitwouldbethelastgifthewouldevermakeme。
Iwasoverwhelmed，andthoughtthatFortunehaddoneherworsttome。
Ispentthreedaysinmybrother’shousewithoutgoingout。OnthefourthIbegantopayanassiduouscourttoPrincessLubomirska，whohadwrittentheking，herbrother，aletterthatmusthavemortifiedhim，assheprovedbeyondadoubtthatthetaleshehadlistenedtoagainstmeweremerecalumny。Butyourkingsdonotallowsosmallathingtovexormortifythem。Besides，StanislasAugustushadjustreceivedadreadfulinsultfromRussia。Repnin’sviolenceinkidnappingthethreesenatorswhohadspokentheirmindsattheDietwasablowwhichmusthavepiercedthehaplesskingtotheheart。
TheprincesshadleftWarsawmorefromhatredthanlove；thoughsuchwasnotthegeneralopinion。AsIhaddecidedtovisittheCourtofMadridbeforegoingtoPortugal，theprincessgavemealetterofintroductiontothepowerfulCountofAranda；andtheMarquisCaraccioli，whowasstillatParis，gavemethreeletters，oneforPrincedelaCatolica，theNeapolitanambassadoratMadrid，onefortheDukeofLossada，theking’sfavouriteandlordhighsteward，andathirdfortheMarquisMoraPignatelli。
OnNovember4thIwenttoaconcertwithaticketthattheprincesshadgivenme。Whentheconcertwashalf—waythroughIheardmynamepronounced，accompaniedbyscornfullaughter。Iturnedroundandsawthegentlemanwhowasspeakingcontemptuouslyofme。Itwasatallyoungmansittingbetweentwomenadvancedinyears。Istaredhimintheface，butheturnedhisheadawayandcontinuedhisimpertinencies，saying，amongstotherthings，thatIhadrobbedhimofamillionfrancsatleastbymyswindlinghislateaunt，theMarchionessd’Urfe。
"Youareanimpudentliar，"Isaidtohim，"andifwewereoutofthisroomIwouldgiveyouakicktoteachyoutospeakrespectfully。"
WiththesewordsImademywayoutofthehall，andonturningmyheadroundIsawthatthetwoelderlymenwerekeepingtheyoungblockheadback。Igotintomycarriageandwaitedsometime，andashedidnotcomeIdrovetothetheatreandchancedtofindmyselfinthesameboxasMadameValville。Sheinformedmethatshehadlefttheboards，andwaskeptbytheMarquistheBrunel。
"Icongratulateyou，andwishyougoodluck。"
"Ihopeyouwillcometosupperatmyhouse。"
"Ishouldbeonlytoohappy，butunfortunatelyIhaveanengagement；butIwillcomeandseeyouifyouwillgivemeyouraddress。"
Sosaying，Islippedintoherhandarouleau，itbeingthefiftylouisI
owedher。
"Whatisthis？"
"ThemoneyyoulentmesokindlyatKonigsberg。"
"Thisisneitherthetimenortheplacetoreturnit。Iwillonlytakeitatmyownhouse，sopleasedonotinsist。"
Iputthemoneybackintomypocket，shegavemeheraddress，andIlefther。Ifelttoosadtovisitheralone。
Twodayslater，asIwasattablewithmybrother，mysister—in—law，andsomeyoungRussianswhomhewasteachingtopaint，IwastoldthataChevalierofSt。Louiswantedtospeaktomeintheantechamber。Iwentout，andhehandedmeapaperwithoutmakinganypreface。Iopenedthedocument，andfounditwassigned"Louis。"ThegreatkingorderedmetoleaveParisintwenty—fourhoursandhisrealmofFrancewithinthreeweeks，andthereasonassignedwas:"Itisourgoodpleasure。"
CHAPTERIII
MyDepartureFromParis——MyJourneytoMadrid——TheCountofAranda——ThePrincedelaCatolica——TheDukeofLossada——Mengs——ABall——MadamePichona——DonnaIgnazia"Well，chevalier，"Isaid，"Ihavereadthelittlenote，andIwilltryandobligehismajestyassoonaspossible。However，ifIhavenottimetogetawayintwenty—fourhours，hismajestymustworkhisdreadwillonme。"
"Mydearsir，thetwenty—fourhoursareamereformality。Subscribetheorderandgivemeareceiptforthelettredecachet，andyoucangoatyourconvenience。AllIaskofyouisthatyougivemeyourwordofhonournottogotothetheatresorpublicplacesofamusementonfoot。"
"Igiveyoumywordwithpleasure。"
Itookthechevaliertomyroomandgavehimthenecessaryacknowledgment，andwiththeobservationthathewouldbegladtoseemybrother，whomheknewalready，Iledhimintothedining—room，andexplainedwithacheerfulfacethepurportofhisvisit。
Mybrotherlaughedandsaid，——
"But，M。Buhot，thisnewsislikeMarchinLent，itwasquiteunnecessary；mybrotherwasgoinginthecourseofaweek。"
"Allthebetter。Iftheministerhadbeenawareofthathewouldnothavetroubledhimselfaboutit。"
"Isthereasonknown？"
"Ihaveheardsomethingaboutaproposaltokickagentleman，whothoughyoung，istooexaltedapersontobespokentoinsuchamanner。"
"Why，chevalier，"saidI，"thephraseisamereformalitylikethetwenty—fourhoursforiftheimpudentyoungrascalhadcomeouthewouldhavemetme，andhisswordshouldhavebeensufficienttowardoffanykicks。"
Ithentoldthewholestory，andBuhotagreedthatIwasintherightthroughout；addingthatthepolicewerealsointherighttopreventanyencounterbetweenus。HeadvisedmetogonextmorningandtellthetaletoM。deSartine，whoknewme，andwouldbegladtohavetheaccountfrommyownlips。Isaidnothing，asIknewthefamoussuperintendentofpolicetobeadreadfulsermoniser。
ThelettredecachetwasdatedNovember6th，andIdidnotleaveParistillthe20th。
Iinformedallmyfriendsofthegreathonourhismajestyhaddoneme，andIwouldnothearofMadameduRumainappealingtothekingonmybehalf，thoughshesaidshefeltcertainshecouldgettheorderrevoked。
TheDucdeChoiseulgavemeapostingpassportdatedNovember19th，whichIstillpreserve。
IleftPariswithoutanyservant，stillgrieving，thoughquietly，overCharlotte’sfate。IhadahundredLouisincash，andabillofexchangeonBordeauxforeightthousandfrancs。Ienjoyedperfecthealth，andalmostfeltasifIhadbeenrejuvenated。Ihadneedoftheutmostprudenceanddiscretionforthefuture。ThedeathsofM。deBragadinandMadamed’Urfehadleftmealoneintheworld，andIwasslowlybutsteadilyapproachingwhatiscalledacertainage，whenwomenbegintolookonamanwithcoldness。
IonlycalledonMadameValvilleontheeveofmydeparture:andfoundherinarichly—furnishedhouse，andhercasketwellfilledwithdiamonds。WhenIproposedtoreturnherthefiftylouis，sheaskedmeifIhadgotathousand；andonlearningthatIhadonlyfivehundredsherefusedthemoneyabsolutelyandofferedmeherpurse，whichIinmyturnrefused。Ihavenotseentheexcellentcreaturesincethen，butbeforeI
leftIgavehersomeexcellentadviceastothenecessityofsavinghergainsforthetimeofheroldage，whenhercharmswouldbenomore。I
hopeshehasprofitedbymycounsel。Ibadefarewelltomybrotherandmysister—in—lawatsixo’clockintheevening，andgotintomychaiseinthemoonlight，intendingtotravelallnightsoastodinenextdayatOrleans，whereIwantedtoseeanoldfriend。InhalfanhourIwasatBourg—la—Reine，andthereIbegantofallasleep。AtseveninthemorningIreachedOrleans。
FairandbelovedFrance，thatwentsowellinthosedays，despitelettresdecachet，despitecorvees，despitethepeople’smiseryandtheking’s"goodpleasure，"dearFrance，whereartthounow？Thysovereignisthepeoplenow，themostbrutalandtyrannicalsovereignintheworld。Youhavenolongertobearthe"goodpleasure"ofthesovereign，butyouhavetoendurethewhimsofthemobandthefanciesoftheRepublic——theruinofallgoodGovernment。Arepublicpresupposesself—denialandavirtuouspeople；itcannotendurelonginourselfishandluxuriousdays。
IwenttoseeBodin，adancer，whohadmarriedMadameJoffroy，oneofmythousandmistresseswhomIhadlovedtwenty—twoyearsago，andhadseenlateratTurin，Paris，andVienna。Thesemeetingswitholdfriendsandsweetheartswerealwaysaweakorratherastrongpointwithme。ForamomentIseemedtobeyoungagain，andIfedoncemoreonthedelightsoflongago。Repentancewasnopartofmycomposition。
Bodinandhiswife（whowasratheruglythanold—looking，andhadbecomepioustosuitherhusband’stastes，thusgivingtoGodthedevil’sleavings），Bodin，Isay，livedonasmallestatehehadpurchased，andattributedalltheagriculturalmisfortuneshemetwithinthecourseoftheyeartothewrathofanavengingDeity。
Ihadafastingdinnerwiththem，foritwasFriday，andtheystrictlyobservedalltherulesoftheChurch。Itoldthemofmyadventuresofthepastyears，andwhenIhadfinishedtheyproceededtomakereflectionsonthefaultsandfailingsofmenwhohavenotGodforaguide。TheytoldmewhatIknewalready:thatIhadanimmortalsoul，thattherewasaGodthatjudgethrighteously，andthatitwashightimeformetotakeexamplebythem，andtorenounceallthepompsandvanitiesoftheworld。
"AndturnCapuchin，Isuppose？"
"Youmightdomuchworse。"
"Verygood；butIshallwaittillmybeardgrowsthenecessarylengthinasinglenight。"
Inspiteoftheirsilliness，Iwasnotsorrytohavespentsixhourswiththesegoodcreatureswhoseemedsincerelyrepentantandhappyintheirway，andafteranaffectionateembraceItookleaveofthemandtravelledallnight。IstoppedatChantelouptoseethemonumentofthetasteandmagnificenceoftheDucdeChoiseul，andspenttwenty—fourhoursthere。
Agentlemanlyandpolishedindividual，whodidnotknowme，andforwhomIhadnointroduction，lodgedmeinafinesuiteofrooms，gavemesupper，andwouldonlysitdowntotablewithmeafterIhadusedallmypowersofpersuasion。Thenextdayhetreatedmeinthesameway，gavemeanexcellentdinner，shewedmeeverything，andbehavedasifIweresomeprince，thoughhedidnotevenaskmyname。HisattentionsevenextendedtoseeingthatnoneofhisservantswereathandwhenIgotintomycarriageanddroveoff。Thiswastopreventmygivingmoneytoanyofthem。
ThecastleonwhichtheDucdeChoiseulhadspentsuchimmensesumshadinrealitycosthimnothing。Itwasallowing，buthedidnottroublehimselfaboutthatintheslightestdegree，ashewasaswornfoetotheprincipleofmeumandtuum。Heneverpaidhiscreditors，andneverdisturbedhisdebtors。Hewasagenerousman；aloverofartandartists，towhomhelikedtobeofservice，andwhattheydidforhimhelookeduponasagratefuloffering。Hewasintellectual，butahaterofalldetailandminuteresearch，beingofanaturallyindolentandprocrastinatingdisposition。Hisfavouritesayingwas，"There’stimeenoughforthat。"
WhenIgottoPoitiers，IwantedtopushontoVivonne；itwasseveno’clockintheevening，andtwogirlsendeavouredtodissuademefromthiscourse。
"It’sverycold，"saidthey，"andtheroadisnoneofthebest。Youarenocourier，suphere，wewillgiveyouagoodbed，andyoushallstartagaininthemorning。"
"Ihavemadeupmymindtogoon，butifyouwillkeepmecompanyatsupperIwillstay。"
"Thatwouldcostyoutoodearly。"
"Nevertoodear。QuickImakeupyourminds。"
"Well，wewillsupwithyou。"
"Thenlaythetableforthree；Imustgooninanhour。"
"Inanhour！Youmeanthree，sir；papawilltaketwohourstogetyouagoodsupper。"
"ThenIwillnotgoon，butyoumustkeepmecompanyallnight。"
"Wewilldoso，ifpapadoesnotobject。Wewillhaveyourchaiseputintothecoach—house。"
Thesetwominxesgavemeanexcellentsupper，andwereamatchformeindrinkingaswellaseating。Thewinewasdelicious，andwestayedattabletillmidnight，laughingandjokingtogether，thoughwithoutoversteppingtheboundsofpropriety。
Aboutmidnight，thefathercameinjovially，andaskedmehowIhadenjoyedmysupper。
"Verymuch，"Ianswered，"butIhaveenjoyedstillmorethecompanyofyourcharmingdaughters。"
"Iamdelightedtohearit。Wheneveryoucomethiswaytheyshallkeepyoucompany，butnowitispastmidnight，andtimeforthemtogotobed。"
Inoddedmyhead，forCharlotte’sdeathwasstilltoofreshinmymemorytoadmitofmyindulginginanyvoluptuouspleasures。Iwishedthegirlsapleasantsleep，andIdonotthinkIshouldevenhavekissedthemifthefatherhadnoturgedmetodothishonourtotheircharms。However，myvanitymademeputsomefireintotheembrace，andIhavenodoubttheythoughtmeapreytovaindesires。
WhenIwasaloneIreflectedthatifIdidnotforgetCharlotteIwasalostman。Islepttillnineo’clock，andItoldtheservantthatcametolightmyfiretogetcoffeeforthree，andtohavemyhorsesputin。
Thetwoprettygirlscametobreakfastwithme，andIthankedthemforhavingmademestaythenight。Iaskedforthebill，andtheeldestsaiditwasinroundfiguresaLouisapiece。Ishewednosignofangeratthisoutrageousfleecing，butgavethemthreeLouiswiththebestgraceimaginableandwentonmyway。WhenIreachedAngouleme，whereI
expectedtofindNoel，theKingofPrussia’scook，Ionlyfoundhisfather，whosetalentsinthematterofpateswassomethingprodigious。
Hiseloquencewasasferventashisovens。HesaidhewouldsendhispatesalloverEuropetoanyaddressIlikedtogivehim。
"What！ToVenice，London，Warsaw，St。Petersburg？"
"ToConstantinople，ifyoulike。Youneedonlygivemeyouraddress，andyouneednotpaymetillyougetthepates。"
IsenthispatestomyfriendsinVenice，Warsaw，andTurin，andeverybodythankedmeforthedeliciousdish。
Noelhadmadequiteafortune。HeassuredmehehadsentlargeconsignmentstoAmerica，andwiththeexceptionofsomelossesbyshipwreckallthepateshadarrivedinexcellentcondition。Theywerechieflymadeofturkeys，partridges，andhare，seasonedwithtruffles，buthealsomadepatesdefoiegrasoflarksandofthrushes，accordingtotheseason。
IntwodaysIarrivedatBordeaux，abeautifultowncomingonlysecondtoParis，withrespecttoLyonsbeitsaid。Ispentaweekthere，eatinganddrinkingofthebest，forthelivingthereisthechoicestintheworld。
ItransferredmybillofexchangeforeightthousandfrancstoaMadridhouse，andcrossedtheLandes，passingbyMontdeMarsan，Bayonne，andSt。JeandeLuz，whereIsoldmypost—chaise。FromSt。JeandeLuzI
wenttoPampelunabywayofthePyrenees，whichIcrossedonmule—back，mybaggagebeingcarriedbyanothermule。ThemountainsstruckmeashigherthantheAlps。InthisImaypossiblybewrong，butIamcertainthatthePyreneesarethemostpicturesque，fertile，andagreeableofthetwo。
AtPampelunaamannamedAndreaCapellotookchargeofmeandmyluggage，andwesetoutforMadrid。Forthefirsttwentyleaguesthetravellingwaseasyenough，andtheroadsasgoodasanyinFrance。TheseroadsdidhonourtothememoryofM。deGages，whohadadministeredNavarreaftertheItalianwar，andhad，asIwasassured，madetheroadathisownexpense。TwentyyearsearlierIhadbeenarrestedbythisfamousgeneral；buthehadestablishedaclaimonposteritygreaterthananyofhisvictories。Theselaurelsweredyedinblood，butthemakerofagoodroadisasolidbenefactorofallposterity。
Intimethisroadcametoanend，andthenceforthitwouldbeincorrecttosaythattheroadswerebad，for，totellthetruth，therewerenoroadsatall。Thereweresteepascentsandviolentdescents，butnotracesofcarriagewheels，andsoitisthroughoutthewholeofOldCastile。Therearenogoodinns，onlymiserabledensscarcegoodenoughforthemuleteers，whomaketheirbedsbesidetheiranimals。SignororratherSenorAndreatriedtochoosetheleastwretchedinnsforme，andafterhavingprovidedforthemuleshewouldgoroundtheentirevillagetogetsomethingformetoeat。Thelandlordwouldnotstir；heshewedmearoomwhereIcouldsleepifIliked，containingafire—place，inwhichIcouldlightafireifIthoughtfit，butastoprocuringfirewoodorprovisions，heleftthatalltome。WretchedSpain！
Thesumaskedforanight’saccommodationwaslessthanafarmerwouldaskinFranceorGermanyforleavetosleepinhisbarn；buttherewasalwaysanextrachargeofa’pizettaporelruido’。Thepizettaisworthfourreals；abouttwenty—oneFrenchsous。
Thelandlordsmokedhispapercigarettenonchalantlyenough，blowingcloudsofsmokeintotheairwithimmensedignity。Tohimpovertywasasgoodasriches；hiswantsweresmall，andhismeanssufficedforthem。
InnocountryinEuropedothelowerorderslivesocontentedlyonaverylittleasinSpain。Twoouncesofwhitebread，ahandfulofroastchestnutsoracorns（calledbellotasinSpanish）sufficetokeepaSpaniardforaday。Itishisglorytosaywhenastrangerisdepartingfromhisabode，——
"Ihavenotgivenmyselfanytroubleinwaitingonhim。"
ThisproceedsinpartfromidlenessandinpartfromCastilianpride。A
Castilianshouldnotlowerhimself，theysay，byattendingonaGavacho，bywhichnametheSpaniardsknowtheFrench，and，indeed，allforeigners。
ItisnotsooffensiveastheTurkishappellationofdog，orthedamnedforeigneroftheEnglish。Ofcourse，personswhohavetravelledorhavehadaliberaleducationdonotspeakinthisway，andarespectableforeignerwillfindreasonableSpaniardsashewillfindreasonableTurksandEnglishmen。
OnthesecondnightofmyjourneyIsleptatAgreda，asmallanduglytown，orrathervillage。ThereSisterMaried’AgredabecamesocrazyastowritealifeoftheVirgin，whichsheaffirmedtohavebeendictatedtoherbytheMotheroftheLord。TheStateInquisitorshadgivenmethisworktoreadwhenIwasundertheLeads，andithadnearlydrivenmemad。
WedidtenSpanishleaguesaday，andlongandwearyleaguestheyseemedtome。OnemorningIthoughtIsawadozenCapuchinswalkingslowlyinfrontofus，butwhenwecaughtthemupIfoundtheywerewomenofallages。
"Aretheymad？"IsaidtoSeniorAndrea。
"Notatall。TheyweartheCapuchinhabitoutofdevotion，andyouwouldnotfindachemiseononeofthem。"
Therewasnothingsurprisingintheirnothavingchemises，forthechemiseisascarcearticleinSpain，buttheideaofpleasingGodbywearingaCapuchin’shabitstruckmeasextremelyodd。Iwillhererelateanamusingadventurewhichbefellmeonmyway。
AtthegateofatownnotfarfromMadridIwasaskedformypassport。I
handeditover，andgotdowntoamusemyself。Ifoundthechiefofthecustoms’houseengagedinanargumentwithaforeignpriestwhowasonhiswaytoMadrid，andhadnopassportforthecapital。HeskewedonehehadhadforBilbao，buttheofficialwasnotsatisfied。ThepriestwasaSicilian，andIaskedhimwhyhehadexposedhimselftobeingplacedinthisdisagreeablepredicament。HesaidhethoughtitwasunnecessarytohaveapassportinSpainwhenonehadoncejourneyedinthecountry。
"IwanttogotoMadrid，"saidhetome，"andhopetoobtainachaplaincyinthehouseofagrandee。Ihavealetterforhim。"
"Shewit；theywillletyoupassthen。"
"Youareright。"
Thepoorpriestdrewouttheletterandskewedittotheofficial，whoopenedit，lookedatthesignature，andabsolutelyshriekedwhenhesawthenameSquillace。
"What，senorabbe！youaregoingtoMadridwithaletterfromSquillace，andyoudaretoskewit？"
Theclerks，constables，andhangers—on，hearingthatthehatedSquillace，whowouldhavebeenstonedtodeathifithadnotbeenfortheking’sprotection，wasthepoorabbe’sonlypatron，begantobeathimviolently，muchtothepoorSicilian’sastonishment。
Iinterposed，however，andaftersometroubleIsucceededinrescuingthepriest，whowasthenallowedtopass，asIbelieve，asaset—offagainsttheblowshehadreceived。
SquillacewassenttoVeniceasSpanishambassador，andinVenicehediedatanadvancedage。Hewasamandesignedtobeanobjectofintensehatredtothepeople；hewassimplyruthlessinhistaxation。
Thedoorofmyroomhadalockontheoutsidebutnoneontheinside。
ForthefirstandsecondnightIletitpass，butonthethirdItoldSenorAndreathatImusthaveitaltered。
"SenorDonJacob，youmustbearwithitinSpain，fortheHolyInquisitionmustalwaysbeatlibertytoinspecttheroomsofforeigners。"
"Butwhatinthedevil’snamedoesyourcursedInquisitionwant……？"
"FortheloveofGod，SenorJacob，speaknotthus！ifyouwereoverheardweshouldbothbeundone。"
"Well，whatcantheHolyInquisitionwanttoknow？"
"Everything。Itwantstoknowwhetheryoueatmeatonfastdays，whetherpersonsofoppositesexessleeptogether，ifso，whethertheyaremarried，andifnotmarrieditwillcausebothpartiestobeimprisoned；
infine，SenorDonJaimo，theHolyinquisitioniscontinuallywatchingoveroursoulsinthiscountry。"
Whenwemetapriestbearingtheviaticumtosomesickman，SenorAndreawouldtellmeimperativelytogetoutofmycarriage，andthentherewasnochoicebuttokneelinthemudordustasthecasemightbe。Thechiefsubjectofdisputeatthattimewasthefashionofwearingbreeches。Thosewhowore’braguettes’wereimprisoned，andalltailorsmakingbreecheswith’braguettes’wereseverelypunished。Nevertheless，peoplepersistedinwearingthem，andthepriestsandmonkspreachedinvainagainsttheindecencyofsuchahabit。Arevolutionseemedimminent，butthematterwashappilysettledwithouteffusionofblood。
Anedictwaspublishedandaffixedtothedoorsofallthechurches，inwhichitwasdeclaredthatbreecheswithbraguetteswereonlytobewornbythepublichangmen。Thenthefashionpassedaway；fornoonecaredtopassforthepublicexecutioner。
BylittleandlittleIgotaninsightintothemannersoftheSpanishnationasIpassedthroughGuadalaxaraandAlcala，andatlengtharrivedatMadrid。
Guadalaxara，orGuadalajara，ispronouncedbytheSpaniardswithastrongaspirate，thexandjhavingthesameforce。Thevoweld，thequeenofletters，reignssupremeinSpain；itisarelicoftheoldMoorishlanguage。EveryoneknowsthattheArabicaboundsind’s，andperhapsthephilologistsarerightincallingitthemostancientoflanguages，sincetheaisthemostnaturalandeasytopronounceofalltheletters。ItseemstomeverymistakentocallsuchwordsasAchald，Ayanda，Almanda，Acard，Agracaramba，Alcantara，etc。，barbarous，forthesonorousringwithwhichtheyarepronouncedrenderstheCastiliantherichestofallmodernlanguages。Spanishisundoubtedlyoneofthefinest，mostenergetic，andmostmajesticlanguagesintheworld。Whenitispronounced’orerotundo’itissusceptibleofthemostpoeticharmony。
ItwouldbesuperiortotheItalian，ifitwerenotforthethreegutturalletters，inspiteofwhattheSpaniardssaytothecontrary。Itisnogoodremonstratingwiththem。
’Quisquisamatranam，ranampuratesseDianam’。
AsIwasenteringtheGateofAlcala，myluggagewassearched，andtheclerkspaidthegreatestattentiontomybooks，andtheywereverydisappointedonlytofindthe"Iliad"inGreek，andaLatinHorace。Theyweretakenaway，butthreedaysafter，theywerereturnedtomeatmylodgingintheRuedelaCroixwhereIhadgoneinspiteofSenorAndrea，whohadwantedtotakemeelsewhere。AworthymanwhomIhadmetinBordeauxhadgivenmetheaddress。OneoftheceremoniesIhadtoundergoattheGateofAlcaladispleasedmeinthehighestdegree。A
clerkaskedmeforapinchofsnuff，soItookoutmysnuff—boxandgaveithim，butinsteadoftakingapinchhesnatcheditoutofmyhandsandsaid，——
"Senor，thissnuffwillnotpassinSpain"（itwasFrenchrappee）；andafterturningitoutonthegroundhegavemebackthebox。
Theauthoritiesaremostrigorousonthematterofthisinnocentpowder，andinconsequenceanimmensecontrabandtradeiscarriedon。ThespiesemployedbytheSpanishsnuff—makersarealwaysonthelook—outafterforeignsnuff，andiftheydetectanyonecarryingittheymakehimpaydearlyfortheluxury。Theambassadorsofforeignpowersaretheonlypersonsexemptedfromtheprohibitions。ThekingwhostuffsintohisenormousnoseoneenormouspinchasherisesinthemorningwillsthatallhissubjectsbuytheirsnuffoftheSpanishmanufacturers。WhenSpanishsnuffispureitisverygood，butatthetimeIwasinSpainthegenuinearticlecouldhardlybeboughtforitsweightingold。Byreasonofthenaturalinclinationtowardsforbiddenfruit，theSpaniardsareextremelyfondofforeignsnuff，andcarelittlefortheirown；thussnuffissmuggledtoanenormousextent。
Mylodgingwascomfortableenough，butIfeltthewantofafireasthecoldwasmoretryingthanthatofParis，inspiteofthesouthernlatitude。ThecauseofthiscoldisthatMadridisthehighesttowninEurope。Fromwhateverpartofthecoastonestarts，onehastomounttoreachthecapital。Thetownisalsosurroundedbymountainsandhills，sothattheslightesttouchofwindfromthenorthmakesthecoldintense。TheairofMadridisnothealthyforstrangers，especiallyforthoseofafullhabitofbody；theSpaniardsitsuitswellenough，fortheyaredryandthin，andwearacloakeveninthedogdays。
ThemenofSpaindwellmentallyinalimitedhorizon，boundedbyprejudiceoneveryside；butthewomen，thoughignorant，areusuallyintelligent；whilebothsexesarethepreyofdesires，aslivelyastheirnativeair，asburningasthesunthatshinesonthem。EverySpaniardhatesaforeigner，simplybecauseheisaforeigner，butthewomenavengeusbylovingus，thoughwithgreatprecautions，foryourSpaniardisintenselyjealous。Theywatchmostjealouslyoverthehonouroftheirwivesanddaughters。Asarulethemenareugly，thoughtherearenumerousexceptions；whilethewomenarepretty，andbeautiesarenotuncommon。Thesouthernbloodintheirveinsinclinesthemtolove，andtheyarealwaysreadytoenterintoanintrigueandtodeceivethespiesbywhomtheyaresurrounded。Theloverwhorunsthegreatestdangersisalwaysthefavourite。Inthepublicwalks，thechurches，thetheatres，theSpanishwomenarealwaysspeakingthelanguageoftheeyes。Ifthepersontowhomitisaddressedknowshowtoseizetheinstant，hemaybesureofsuccess，butifnot，theopportunitywillneverbeofferedhimagain。
Irequiredsomekindofheatinmyroom，andcouldnotbearacharcoalbrazier，soIincitedaningenioustin—smithtomakemeastovewithapipegoingoutofthewindow。However，hewassoproudofhissuccessthathemademepaydearly。
BeforethestovewasreadyIwastoldwhereImightgoandwarmmyselfanhourbeforenoon，andstaytilldinner—time。ItiscalledLaPueytadelSol，"TheGateoftheSun。"Itisnotagate，butittakesitsnamefromthemannerinwhichthesourceofallheatlavisheshistreasuresthere，andwarmsallwhocomeandbaskinhisrays。Ifoundanumerouscompanypromenadingthere，walkingandtalking，butitwasnotmuchtomytaste。
IwantedaservantwhocouldspeakFrench，andIhadthegreatestdifficultyingettingone，andhadtopaydearly，forinMadridthekindofmanIwantedwascalledapage。Icouldnotcompelhimtomountbehindmycarriage，nortocarryapackage，nortolightmebynightwithatorchorlantern。
Mypagewasamanofthirty，andterriblyugly；butthiswasarecommendation，ashisuglinesssecuredhimfromthejealoussuspicionsofhusbands。Awomanofrankwillnotdriveoutwithoutoneofthesepagesseatedintheforepartofhercarriage。Theyaresaidtobemoredifficulttoseducethanthestrictestofduennas。
Iwasobligedtotakeoneoftheserascallytribeintomyservice，andI
wishhehadbrokenhislegonhiswaytomyhouse。
Ideliveredallmyintroductions，beginningwiththeletterfromPrincessLubomirskatotheCountofAranda。ThecounthadcoveredhimselfwithglorybydrivingtheJesuitsoutofSpain。Hewasmorepowerfulthanthekinghimself，andneverwentoutwithoutanumberoftheroyalguardsmenabouthim，whomhemadetositdownathistable。OfcoursealltheSpaniardshatedhim，buthedidnotseemtocaremuchforthat。A
profoundpolitician，andabsolutelyresoluteandfirm，heprivatelyindulgedineveryluxurythatheforbadetoothers，anddidnotcarewhetherpeopletalkedofitornot。
Hewasaratheruglyman，withadisagreeablesquint。Hisreceptionofmewasfarfromcordial。
"WhatdoyouwantinSpain？"hebegan。
"Toaddfreshtreasurestomystoreofexperience，byobservingthemannersandthecustomsofthecountry，andifpossibletoservetheGovernmentwithsuchfeeble，talentsasImaypossess。"
"Well，youhavenoneedofmyprotection。Ifyoudonotinfringethelaws，noonewilldisturbyou。Astoyourobtainingemployment，youhadbettergototherepresentativeofyourcountry；hewillintroduceyouatCourt，andmakeyouknown。"
"Mylord，theVenetianambassadorwilldonothingforme；IamindisgracewiththeGovernment。Hewillnotevenreceivemeattheembassy。"
"ThenIwouldadviseyoutogiveupallhopesofemployment，forthekingwouldbeginbyaskingyourambassadoraboutyou，andhisanswerwouldbefatal。Youwilldowelltobesatisfiedwithamusingyourself。"
AfterthisIcalledontheNeapolitanambassador，whotalkedinmuchthesameway。EventheMarquisofMoras，oneofthemostpleasantmeninSpain，didnotholdoutanyhopes。TheDukeofLossada，thehighstewardandfavouriteofhisCatholicmajesty，wassorrytobedisabledfromdoingmeanyservice，inspiteofhisgoodwill，andadvisedme，insomewayorother，togettheVenetianambassadortogivemeagoodword，inspiteofmydisgrace。Ideterminedtofollowhisadvice，andwrotetoM。
Dandolo，begginghimtogettheambassadortofavourmeattheSpanishCourtinspiteofmyquarrelwiththeVenetianGovernment。IwordedmyletterinsuchawaythatitmightbereadbytheInquisitorsthemselves，andcalculatedonitsproducingagoodimpression。
AfterIhadwrittenthisletterIwenttothelodgingoftheVenetianambassador，andpresentedmyselftothesecretary，GasparSoderini，aworthyandintelligentman。Nevertheless，hedaredtotellmethathewasastonishedatmyhardihoodinpresentingmyselfattheembassy。
"Ihavepresentedmyself，sir，thatmyenemiesmayneverreproachmefornothavingdoneso；IamnotawarethatIhaveeverdoneanythingwhichmakesmetooinfamoustocallonmyambassador。IshouldhavecreditedmyselfwithmuchgreaterhardihoodifIhadleftwithoutfulfillingthisduty；butIshallbesorryiftheambassadorviewsmyproceedingsinthesamelightasyourself，andputsdowntotemeritywhatwasmeantforamarkofrespect。IshallbenonethelessastonishedifhisexcellencyrefusestoreceivemeonaccountofaprivatequarrelbetweenmyselfandtheStateInquisitors，ofwhichheknowsnomorethanIdo，andIknownothing。YouwillexcusemysayingthatheisnottheambassadoroftheStateInquisitors，butoftheRepublicofwhichIamasubject；forI
defyhimandIdefytheInquisitorstotellmewhatcrimeIhavecommittedthatIamtobedeprivedofmyrightsasaVenetiancitizen。I
thinkthat，whileitismydutytoreverencemyprinceinthepersonofmyambassador，itishisdutytoaffordmehisprotection。"
ThisspeechhadmadeSoderiniblush，andhereplied，——
"Whydon’tyouwritealettertotheambassador，withtheargumentsyouhavejustusedtome？"
"IcouldnotwritetohimbeforeIknowwhetherhewillreceivemeornot。Butnow，asIhavereasontosupposethathisopinionsaremuchthesameasyourown，Iwillcertainlywritetohim。"
"IdonotknowwhetherhisexcellencythinksasIdoornot，and，inspiteofwhatIsaidtoyou，itisjustpossiblethatyoudonotknowmyownopinionsonthequestion；butwritetohim，andhemaypossiblygiveyouanaudience。"
"Ishallfollowyouradvice，forwhichIammuchobliged。"
WhenIgothomeIwrotetohisexcellencyallIhadsaidtothesecretary，andthenextdayIhadavisitfromCountManucci。Thecountprovedtobeafine—lookingyoungmanofanagreeablepresence。Hesaidthathelivedintheembassy，thathisexcellencyhadreadmyletter，andthoughhegrievednottoreceivemepubliclyheshouldbedelightedtoseemeinprivate，forhebothknewandesteemedme。
YoungManuccitoldmethathewasaVenetian，andthatheknewmebyname，asheoftenheardhisfatherandmotherlamentingmyfortune。
BeforelongitdawneduponmethatthisCountManucciwasthesonofthatJeanBaptisteManucciwhohadservedasthespyoftheStateInquisitorsandhadsoadroitlymanagedtogetpossessionofmybooksofmagic，whichwereinallprobabilitythechiefcorpusdelicti。
Ididnotsayanythingtohim，butIwascertainthatmyguesswascorrect。Hismotherwasthedaughterofavaletdechambre，andhisfatherwasapoormechanic。Iaskedtheyoungmanifhewerecalledcountattheembassy，andhesaidheborethetitleinvirtueofawarrantfromtheelector—palatine。MyquestionskewedhimthatIknewhisorigin，andhebegantospeakopenlytome；andknowingthatIwasacquaintedwiththepeculiartastesofM。deMocenigo，theambassador，heinformedmelaughinglythathewashispathic。
"Iwilldomybestforyou，"headded；andIwasgladtohearhimsayso，foranAlexisshouldbeabletoobtainalmostanythingfromhisCorydon。
Weembraced，andhetoldmeaswepartedthathewouldexpectmeattheembassyintheafternoon，totakecoffeeinhisroom；theambassador，hesaid，wouldcertainlycomeinassoonasheheardofmypresence。
Iwenttotheembassy，andhadaverykindreceptionfromtheambassador，whosaidhewasdeeplygrievednottobeabletoreceivemepublicly。HeadmittedthathemightpresentmeatCourtwithoutcompromisinghimself，buthewasafraidofmakingenemies。
"Ihopesoontoreceivealetterfromafriendofmine，whichwillauthoriseyourexcellencyproducingme。"
"Ishallbedelighted，inthatcase，topresentyoutoalltheSpanishministers。"
ThisMocenigowasthesamethatacquiredsuchareputationatParisbyhisleaningstopederasty，aviceortastewhichtheFrenchholdinhorror。Lateron，MocenigowascondemnedbytheCouncilofTentotenyears’imprisonmentforhavingstartedonanembassytoViennawithoutformalpermission。MariaTheresahadintimatedtotheVenetianGovernmentthatshewouldnotreceivesuchacharacter，ashishabitswouldbethescandalofhercapital。TheVenetianGovernmenthadsometroublewithMocenigo，andasheattemptedtosetoutforViennatheyexiledhimandchoseanotherambassador，whosemoralswereasbad，savethatthenewambassadorindulgedhimselfwithHebeandnotGanymede，whichthrewaveilofdecencyoverhisproceedings。
Inspiteofhisreputationforpederasty，MocenigowasmuchlikedatMadrid。OnoneoccasionIwasataball，andaSpaniardnoticingmewithManucci，cameuptome，andtoldmewithanairofmysterythatthatyoungmanwastheambassador’swife。HedidnotknowthattheambassadorwasManucci’swife；infact，hedidnotunderstandthearrangementatall。"Whereignoranceisbliss！"etc。However，inspiteoftherevoltingnatureofthisvice，ithasbeenafavouriteonewithseveralgreatmen。Itwaswell—knowntotheAncients，andthosewhoindulgedinitwerecalledHermaphrodites，whichsymbolisesnotamanoftwosexesbutamanwiththepassionsofthetwosexes。
IhadcalledtwoorthreetimesonthepainterMengs，whohadbeenpainterinordinarytohisCatholicmajestyforsixyears，andhadanexcellentsalary。Hegavemesomegooddinners。HiswifeandfamilywereatRome，whilehebaskedintheroyalfavoursatMadrid，enjoyingtheunusualprivilegeofbeingabletospeaktothekingwheneverhewould。AtMengs’shouseItradetheacquaintanceofthearchitectSabatini，anextremelyablemanwhomthekinghadsummonedfromNaplestocleanseMadrid，whichwasformerlythedirtiestandmoststinkingtowninEurope，or，forthematterofthat，intheworld。Sabatinihadbecomearichmanbyconstructingdrains，sewers，andclosetsforacityoffourteenthousandhouses。HehadmarriedbyproxythedaughterofVanvitelli，whowasalsoanarchitectatNaples，buthehadneverseenher。ShecametoMadridaboutthesametimeasmyself。Shewasabeautyofeighteen，andnosoonerdidsheseeherhusbandthanshedeclaredshewouldneverbehiswife。Sabatiniwasneitherayoungmannorahandsomeone，buthewaskind—heartedanddistinguished；andwhenhetoldhisyoungwifethatshewouldhavetochoosebetweenhimandanunnery，shedeterminedtomakethebestofwhatshethoughtabadbargain。However，shehadnoreasontorepentofherchoice；herhusbandwasrich，affectionate，andeasygoing，andgavehereverythingshewanted。I
sighedandburnedforherinsilence，notdaringtodeclaremylove，forwhilethewoundofthedeathofCharlottewasstillbleedingIalsobegantofindthatwomenwerebeginningtogivemethecoldshoulder。
BywayofamusingmyselfIbegantogotothetheatre，andthemaskedballstowhichtheCountofArandahadestablished。Theywereheldinaroombuiltforthepurpose，andnamed’LosScannosdelPeral’。ASpanishplayisfullofabsurdities，butIratherrelishedtherepresentations。
The’AutosSacramentales’werestillrepresented；theywereafterwardsprohibited。Icouldnothelpremarkingthestrangewayinwhichtheboxesareconstructedbyorderofthewretchedpolice。Insteadofbeingboardedinfronttheyareperfectlyopen，beingkeptupbysmallpillars。
Adevoteeoncesaidtomeatthetheatrethatthiswasaverywiseregulation，andhewassurprisedthatitwasnotcarriedintoforceinItaly。
"Whyso？"
"Becauselovers，whofeelsurethatnooneinthepitcanseethem，maycommitimproprieties。"
Ionlyansweredwithashrugoftheshoulders。
Inalargeboxoppositetothestagesat’lospadres’oftheHolyInquisitiontowatchoverthemoralsofactorsandaudience。Iwasgazingonthemwhenofasuddenthesentinelatthedoorofthepitcalledout"Dios！"andatthiscryalltheactorsandalltheaudience，menandwomen，felldownontheirknees，andremainedkneelingtillthesoundofabellinthestreetceasedtobeheard。Thisbellbetokenedthatapriestwaspassingbycarryingtheviaticumtosomesickman。I
feltverymuchinclinedtolaugh，butIhadseenenoughofSpanishmannerstorefrain。AllthereligionoftheSpaniardisinoutwardshowandceremony。AprofligatewomanbeforeyieldingtothedesiresofherlovercoversthepictureofChrist，ortheVirgin，withaveil。IftheloverlaughedatthisabsurdityhewouldrunariskofbeingdenouncedasanAtheist，andmostprobablybythewretchedwomanwhohadsoldhimhercharms。
InMadrid，andpossiblyalloverSpain，agentlemanwhotakesaladytoaprivateroominaninnmustexpecttohaveaservantintheroomthewholeofthetime，thathemaybeabletoswearthatthecoupletooknoindecentlibertieswitheachother。Inspiteofall，profligacyisrampantatMadrid，andalsothemostdreadfulhypocrisy，whichismoreoffensivetotruepietythanopensin。Menandwomenseemedtohavecometoanagreementtosetthewholesystemofsurveillanceutterlyatnought。However，commercewithwomenisnotwithoutitsdangers；whetheritbeendemicoraresultofdirtyhabits，onehasoftengoodreasontorepentthefavoursonehasobtained。
Themaskedballquitecaptivatedme。ThefirsttimeIwenttoseewhatitwaslikeanditonlycostmeadoubloon（aboutelevenfrancs），buteverafteritcostmefourdoubloons，forthefollowingreason:
Anelderlygentleman，whosatnextmeatsupper，guessedIwasaforeignerbymydifficultyinmakingmyselfunderstoodbythewaiter，andaskedmewhere，Ihadleftmyladyfriend。
"Ihavenotgotone；Icamebymyselftoenjoythisdelightfulandexcellently—managedentertainment。"
"Yes，butyououghttocomewithacompanion；thenyoucoulddance。Atpresentyoucannotdoso，aseveryladyhasherpartner，whowillnotallowhertodancewithanyoneelse。"
"ThenImustbecontentnottodance，for，beingastranger，IdonotknowanyladywhomIcanasktocomewithme。"
"AsastrangeryouwouldhavemuchlessdifficultyinsecuringapartnerthanacitizenofMadrid。Underthenewfashion，introducedbytheCountofAranda，themaskedballhasbecometherageofallthewomeninthecapital。Youseethereareabouttwohundredofthemonthefloorto—
night；well，IthinkthereareatleastfourthousandgirlsinMadridwhoaresighingforsomeonetotakethemtotheball，for，asyoumayknow，nowomanisallowedtocomebyherself。Youwouldonlyhavetogotoanyrespectablepeople，giveyournameandaddress，andasktohavethepleasureoftakingtheirdaughtertotheball。Youwouldhavetosendheradomino，mask，andgloves；andyouwouldtakeherandbringherbackinyourcarriage。"
"Andifthefatherandmotherrefused？"
"Thenyouwouldmakeyourbowandgo，leavingthemtorepentoftheirfolly，forthegirlwouldsigh，andweep，andmoan，bewailparentaltyranny，callHeaventowitnesstheinnocencyofgoingtoaball，andfinallygointoconvulsions。"
Thisoration，whichwasutteredinthemostpersuasivestyle，mademequitegay，forIscentedanintriguefromafar。Ithankedthemasked（whospokeItalianverywell）andpromisedtofollowhisadviceandtolethimknowtheresults。
"Ishallbedelightedtohearofyoursuccess，andyouwillfindmeinthebox，whereIshallbegladifyouwillfollowmenow，tobeintroducedtotheladywhoismyconstantcompanion。"
Iwasastonishedatsomuchpoliteness，andtoldhimmynameandfollowedhim。Hetookmeintoaboxwherethereweretwoladiesandanelderlyman。Theyweretalkingabouttheball，soIputinaremarkortwoonthesametopic，whichseemedtomeetwithapproval。Oneofthetwoladies，whoretainedsometracesofherformerbeauty，askedme，inexcellentFrench，whatcirclesImovedin。
"IhaveonlybeenashorttimeinMadrid，andnothavingbeenpresentedatCourtIreallyknownoone。"
"Really！Iquitepityyou。Comeandseeme，youwillbewelcome。MynameisPichona，andanybodywilltellyouwhereIlive。"
"Ishallbedelightedtopaymyrespectstoyou，madam。"
WhatIlikedbestaboutthespectaclewasawonderfulandfantasticdancewhichwasstruckupatmidnight。Itwasthefamousfandango，ofwhichI
hadoftenheard，butofwhichIhadabsolutelynoidea。
IhadseenitdancedonthestageinFranceandItaly，buttheactorswerecarefulnottousethosevoluptuousgestureswhichmakeitthemostseductiveintheworld。Itcannotbedescribed。Eachcoupleonlydancesthreesteps，butthegesturesandtheattitudesarethemostlasciviousimaginable。Everythingisrepresented，fromthesighofdesiretothefinalecstasy；itisaveryhistoryoflove。Icouldnotconceiveawomanrefusingherpartneranythingafterthisdance，foritseemedmadetostirupthesenses。IwassoexcitedatthisBacchanalianspectaclethatIburstoutintocriesofdelight。ThemaskerwhohadtakenmetohisboxtoldmethatIshouldseethefandangodancedbytheGitanaswithgoodpartners。
"But，"Iremarked，"doesnottheInquisitionobjecttothisdance？"
MadamePichonatoldmethatitwasabsolutelyforbidden，andwouldnotbedancedunlesstheCountofArandahadgivenpermission。
Iheardafterwardsthat，onthecountforbiddingthefandango，theball—
roomwasdesertedwithbittercomplaints，andontheprohibitionbeingwithdrawneveryonewasloudinhispraise。
ThenextdayItoldmyinfamouspagetogetmeaSpaniardwhowouldteachmethefandango。Hebroughtmeanactor，whoalsogavemeSpanishlessons，forhepronouncedthelanguageadmirably。Inthecourseofthreedaystheyoungactortaughtmeallthestepssowellthat，bytheconfessionoftheSpaniardsthemselves，Idancedittoperfection。
ForthenextballIdeterminedtocarrythemasker’sadviceintoeffect，butIdidnotwanttotakeacourtesanoramarriedwomanwithme，andI
couldnotreasonablyexpectthatanyyoungladyoffamilywouldaccompanyme。
ItwasSt。Anthony’sDay，andpassingtheChurchoftheSoledadIwentin，withthedoublemotiveofhearingmassandofprocuringapartnerforthenextday’sball。
Inoticedafine—lookinggirlcomingoutoftheconfessional，withcontritefaceandloweredeyes，andInotedwhereshewent。Shekneltdowninthemiddleofthechurch，andIwassoattractedbyherappearancethatIregisteredamentalvowtotheeffectthatsheshouldbemyfirstpartner。Shedidnotlooklikeapersonofcondition，nor，sofarasIcouldsee，wassherich，andnothingaboutherindicatedthecourtesan，thoughwomenofthatclassgotoconfessioninMadridlikeeverybodyelse。Whenmasswasended，thepriestdistributedtheEucharist，andIsawherriseandapproachhumblytotheholytable，andtherereceivethecommunion。Shethenreturnedtothechurchtofinishherdevotions，andIwaspatientenoughtowaittilltheywereover。
Atlastsheleft，incompanywithanothergirl，andIfollowedheratadistance。Attheendofastreethercompanionlefthertogointoherhouse，andshe，retracinghersteps，turnedintoanotherstreetandenteredasmallhouse，onestoryhigh。Inotedthehouseandthestreet（CalledesDesinjano）andthenwalkedupanddownforhalfanhour，thatImightnotbesuspectedoffollowingher。AtlastItookcourageandwalkedin，and，onmyringingabell，Iheardavoice，"Whoisthere？"
"Honestfolk，"Ianswered，accordingtothecustomofthecountry；andthedoorwasopened。Ifoundmyselfinthepresenceofaman，awoman，theyoungdevoteeIhadfollowed，andanothergirl，somewhatugly。
MySpanishwasbad，butstillitwasgoodenoughtoexpressmymeaning，and，hatinhand，Iinformedthefatherthat，beingastranger，andhavingnopartnertotaketotheball，Ihadcometoaskhimtogivemehisdaughterformypartner，supposinghehadadaughter。IassuredhimthatIwasamanofhonour，andthatthegirlshouldbereturnedtohimaftertheballinthesameconditionaswhenshestarted。
"Senor，"saidhe，"thereismydaughter，butIdon’tknowyou，andI
don’tknowwhethershewantstogo。"
"Ishouldliketogo，ifmyparentswillallowme。"
"Thenyouknowthisgentleman？"
"Ihaveneverseenhim，andIsupposehehasneverseenme。"
"Youspeakthetruth，senora。"
Thefatheraskedmemynameandaddress，andpromisedIshouldhaveadecisiveanswerbydinner—time，ifIdinedathome。IbeggedhimtoexcusethelibertyIhadtaken，andtoletmeknowhisanswerwithoutfail，sothatImighthavetimetogetanotherpartnerifitwereunfavourabletome。
JustasIwasbeginningtodinemymanappeared。Iaskedhimtositdown，andheinformedmethathisdaughterwouldacceptmyoffer，butthathermotherwouldaccompanyherandsleepinthecarriage。Isaidthatshemightdosoifsheliked，butIshouldbesorryforheronaccountofthecold。"Sheshallhaveagoodcloak，"saidhe；andheproceededtoinformmethathewasacordwainer。
"ThenIhopeyouwilltakemymeasureforapairofshoes。"
"Idaren’tdothat；I’manhidalgo，andifIweretotakeanyone’smeasureIshouldhavetotouchhisfoot，andthatwouldbeadegradation。
Iamacobbler，andthatisnotinconsistentwithmynobility。"
"Then，willyoumendmetheseboots？"
"Iwillmakethemlikenew；butIseetheywantalotofwork；itwillcostyouapezzoduro，aboutfivefrancs。"
ItoldhimthatIthoughthistermsveryreasonable，andhewentoutwithaprofoundbow，refusingabsolutelytodinewithme。
Herewasacobblerwhodespisedbootmakersbecausetheyhadtotouchthefoot，andthey，nodoubt，despisedhimbecausehetouchedoldleather。
Unhappypridehowmanyformsitassumes，andwhoiswithouthisownpeculiarformofit？
ThenextdayIsenttothegentleman—cobbler’satradesmanwithdominos，masks，andgloves；butItookcarenottogomyselfnortosendmypage，forwhomIhadanaversionwhichalmostamountedtoapresentiment。I
hiredacarriagetoseatfour，andatnightfallIdrovetothehouseofmypiouspartner，whowasquitereadyforme。Thehappyflushonherfacewasasufficientindextomeofthefeelingsofherheart。Wegotintothecarriagewiththemother，whowaswrappedupinavastcloak，andatthedoorofthedancing—roomwedescended，leavingthemotherinthecarriage。AssoonaswewerealonemyfairpartnertoldmethathernamewasDonnaIgnazia。