IsuspectedthatDonnaIgnaziaexpectedmetomakesomeattemptonherhonour，andfeelingsurethatshewouldresistforthesakeofappearance，Ideterminedtoleaveherinpeace。NextmorningIgotupandwentintotheirroominthehopeofplayingsometrickonthem。
However，thebirdswereflown，andIhadnodoubtthattheyhadgonetohearmass。
DonnaIgnaziacamehomebyherselfatteno’clock。Shefoundmealone，dressed，andwriting。Shetoldmeshehadbeeninthechurchforthreehours。
"Youhavebeentoconfession，Isuppose？"
"No；IwentlastSunday，andIshallwaittillnextSunday。"
"IamverygladthatyourconfessionwillnotbelengthenedbyanysinsI
havehelpedyoutocommit。"
"Youarewrong。"
"Wrong？Iunderstand；butyoumustknowthatIamnotgoingtobedamnedformeredesires。Idonotwishtotormentyouortobecomeamartyrmyself。Whatyougrantedmehasmademefalldeeplyinlovewithyou，anditmakesmeshudderwhenIimaginethatourlovehasbecomeasubjectofrepentancewithyou。Ihavehadabadnight；anditistimeformetothinkofmyhealth。Imustforgetyou，buttobringaboutthateffectI
willseeyounolonger。Iwillkeeponthehouse，butIwillnotliveinit。Ifyourreligionisanintelligentone，youwillapproveofmyidea。
TellyourconfessorofitnextSunday，andyouwillseethathewillapproveit。"
"Youareright，butIcannotagreetoit。Youcangoawayifyoulike，andIshallsaynothing，butIshallbethemostunhappygirlinallMadrid。"
Asshespokethesewords，twobigtearsrolleddownhercheeks，andherfacedropped；Iwasprofoundlymoved。
"Iloveyou，dearestIgnazia，andIhopenottobedamnedformylove。I
cannotseeyouwithoutlovingyouandtothislovesomepositiveproofisessential；otherwise，Iamunhappy。IfIgoyousayyouwillbeunhappy，andifIstayitisIthatwillbeunhappy，myhealthwillberuined。
ButtellmewhichIshalldostayorgo？Say。"
"Stay。"
"Thenyoumustbeaslovingandtenderasyouwerebefore。"
"Alas！Ipromisedtocommitthatsinnomore。Itellyoutostay，becauseIamsurethatineightortendaysweshallhavebecomesoaccustomedtooneanotherthatIshallbeabletoloveyoulikeafather，andyouwillbeabletotakemeinyourarmswithoutanyamoroussentiments。"
"Areyousureofthis？"
"Yes，dearest，quitesure。"
"Youmakeamistake。"
"Letmebemistaken，andbelievemeIshallbegladtobemistaken。"
"Unhappydevotee！"
"Whyunhappy？"
"Nothing，nothing。Imaybetoolong，Ishallendanger……letussaynomoreaboutit。Iwillstay。"
Iwentoutmorepainedwithherstatethanmyown，andIfeltthatthebestthingIcoulddowouldbetoforgether，"for，"saidItomyself，"evenifIdoenjoyheronce，Sundaywillcomeagain；shewillconfess，repent，andIshallhavetobeginalloveragain。Sheconfessedherlove，andflattersherselfthatshewillbeabletosubdueit——afoolishhope，whichcouldonlyexistinamindunderthedominionofprejudice。"
Icamehomeatnoon，andDonDiegodinedwithme；hisdaughterdidnotappeartillthedessert。Ibeggedhertositdown，politely，butcoldly。
HerfatheraskedherjestinglyifIhadpaidheravisitinthenight。
"IneversuspectedDonJaimeofsuchathing，"shereplied，"andIonlyobjectedoutofshyness。"
Iinterruptedherbypraisinghermodesty，andtellingherthatshewouldhavedonequiterighttobewareofme，ifmysenseofdutyhadnotbeenstrongerthananyvoluptuousdesiresinspiredbyhercharms。
DonDiegopronouncedthisdeclarationofloveasgoodasanythingtobefoundinthe"Morted’Arthur。"
HisdaughtersaidIwaslaughingather，butDonDiegosaidhewascertainthatIwasinearnest，andthatIhadknownherbeforetakinghertotheball。
"Youareutterlymistaken，"saidDonnaIgnazia，withsomedegreeoffire。
"Yourfatheriswiserthanyou，senora，"Ireplied。
"What！Howandwhendidyouseeme？"
"AtthechurchwhereIheardmass，andyoucommunicated，whenyouwentoutwithyourcousin。Ifollowedyouatsomedistance；youcanguesstherest。"
Shewasspeechless，andherfatherenjoyedtheconsciousnessofhissuperiorintellect。
"Iamgoingtoseethebullfight，"saidhe；"it’safineday，andallMadridwillbethere，soonemustgoearlytogetagoodplace。Iadviseyoutogo，asyouhaveneverseenabullfight；askDonJaimetotakeyouwithhim，Ignazia。"
"Wouldyouliketohavemycompanionship？"saidshe，tenderly。
"CertainlyIwould，butyoumustbringyourcousin，asIaminlovewithher。"
DonDiegoburstoutlaughing，butIgnaziasaid，slyly，"Itisnotsoimpossibleafterall。"
WewenttoseethesplendidbutbarbarousspectacleinwhichSpaniardstakesomuchdelight。Thetwogirlsplacedthemselvesinfrontoftheonlyvacantbox，andIsatbehindonthesecondbench，whichwasafootandahalfhigherthanthefirst。Therewerealreadytwoladiesthere，andmuchtomyamusementoneofthemwasthefamousDuchessofVilladorias。Shewasinfrontofme，andsatinsuchapositionthatherheadwasalmostbetweenmylegs。Sherecognizedme，andsaidwewerefortunateinmeetingoneanother；andthennoticingDonnaIgnazia，whowasclosetoher，shecongratulatedmeinFrenchonhercharms，andaskedmewhethershewasmymistressormywife。IrepliedthatshewasabeautybeforewhomIsighedinvain。Shereplied，withasmile，thatshewasratherascepticalperson；andturningtoDonnaIgnaziabeganapleasantandamorousdiscourse，thinkingthegirltobeaslearnedinthelawsofloveasherself。ShewhisperedsomethinginherearwhichmadeIgnaziablush，andtheduchess，becomingenthusiastic，toldmeIhadchosenthehandsomestgirlinMadrid，andthatshewouldbedelightedtoseeusbothathercountryhouse。
Ipromisedtocome，asIwasobligedtodo，butIbeggedtobeexcusednamingtheday。Nevertheless，shemademepromisetocallonheratfouro’clockthenextday，tellingme，muchtomyterror，thatshewouldbealone。Shewasprettyenough，buttoonotoriousacharacter；andsuchavisitwouldhavegivenrisetotalk。
Happilythefightbegan，andsilencebecamegeneral，fortheSpaniardsarepassionatelydevotedofbullfighting。
Somuchhasbeenwrittenonthesubjectthatmyreaderswillpardonmygivingadetailedaccountofthefight。Imaysaythatthesportis，inmyopinion，amostbarbarousone，andlikelytooperateunfavourablyonthenationalmorals；thearenaissometimesdrenchedinthebloodofbulls，horses，andevenoftheunfortunatepicadoresandmatadores，whosesoledefenceistheredragwithwhichtheyirritatethebull。
WhenitwasoverIescortedthegirls——whohadenjoyedthemselvesimmensely——backtothehouse，andmadetheuglycousinstaytosupper，asIforesawthattheywouldagainsleeptogether。
Wesuppedtogether，butitwasamelancholyaffair，forDonDiegowasaway，andIdidnotfeelinthehumourtoamusemycompany。
DonnaIgnaziabecamepensivewhen，inreplytoaquestionofhers，Isaidthatitwouldbeabsolutelyrudeofmenottogototheduchess’s。
"Youwillcomewithmesomeday，"Iadded，"todineathercountryhouse。"
"Youneednotlookforthat。"
"Whynot？"
"Becausesheisamadwoman。ShetalkedtomeinawaythatwouldhaveoffendedmeifIdidnotknowthatshefanciedshewashonouringmebylayingasideherrank。"
Werosefromtable，andafterIhaddismissedmymanwesatonthebalconytowaitforDonDiegoandtoenjoythedeliciouseveningbreezes。
Aswesatneartoeachotherinthetwilight，sofavourabletolovers’
vows，IlookedintoDonnaIgnazia’seyes，andsawtherethatmyhourhadcome。Iclaspedhertomewithonearm，Iclungwithmylipstohers，andbythewayshetrembledIguessedtheflamewhichconsumedher。
"Willyougoandseetheduchess？"
"No，ifyouwillpromisemenottogotoconfessionnextSunday。"
"ButwhatwillhesayifIdonotgo？"
"Nothingatall，ifheunderstandshisbusiness。Butletustalkitoveralittle。"
Weweresotightlyclaspedtogetherthatthecousin，likeagoodgirl，leftus，andwenttotheotherendofthebalcony，takingcaretolookawayfromus。
Withoutchangingmyposition，inspiteofthetemptationtodoso，I
askedherifshefeltinthehumourtorepentofthesinshewasreadytocommit。
"Iwasnotthinkingofrepentancejustthen，butasyouremindmeofit，ImusttellyouthatIshallcertainlygotoconfession。"
"Andafteryouhavebeentoconfessionwillyoulovemeasyoulovemenow？"
"IhopeGodwillgivemestrengthtooffendHimnomore。"
"IassureyouthatifyoucontinuelovingmeGodwillnotgiveyougrace，yetIfeelsurethatonSundayeveningyouwillrefusemethatwhichyouarenowreadytogrant。"
"IndeedIwill，sweetheart；butwhyshouldwetalkofthatnow？"
"BecauseifIabandonmyselftopleasurenowIshallbemoreinlovewithyouthanever，andconsequentlymoreunhappythanever，whenthedayofyourrepentancecomes。SopromisemethatyouwillnotgotoconfessionwhilstIremainatMadrid，orgivethefatalordernow，andbidmeleaveyou。Icannotabandonmyselftoloveto—dayknowingthatitwillberefusedmeonSunday。"
AsIremonstratedthus，Iclaspedheraffectionatelyinmyarms，caressinghermostardently；butbeforecomingtothedecisiveactionI
askedheragainwhethershewouldpromisenottogotoconfessionnextSunday。
"Youarecruel，"saidshe，"Icannotmakeyouthatpromiseformyconsciencesake。"
Atthisreply，whichIhadquiteexpected，Iremainedmotionless，feelingsurethatshemustbeinastateofdesperateirritationattheworkhalfbegunandnotconcluded。I，too，suffered，forIwasatthedoorofthesanctuary，andaslightmovementwouldhavesentmeintotheinmostshrine；butIknewthathertormentsmustbegreaterthanmine，andthatshecouldnotresistlong。
DonnaIgnaziawasindeedinaterriblestate；Ihadnotrepulsedher，butIwasperfectlyinactive。Modestypreventedheraskingmeopenlytocontinue，butsheredoubledhercaresses，andplacedherselfinaneasierposition，reproachingmewithmycruelty。IdonotknowwhetherIcouldhaveheldoutmuchlonger，butjustthenthecousinturnedroundandtoldusthatDonDiegowascomingin。
Wehastenedtoarrangeourtoilette，andtositinadecentposition。
Thecousincameuptous，andDonDiego，aftermakingafewremarks，leftusonthebalcony，wishingusagoodnight。Imighthavebegunoveragain，butIclungtomysystemofrepression，andafterwishingthegirlsgoodnightwithamelancholyair，Iwenttobed。
IhopedDonnaIgnaziawouldrepentandcomeandkeepmecompany，butI
wasdisappointed。Theylefttheirroomearlyinthemorning，andatnoonDonDiegocametodinewithme，sayinghisdaughterhadsuchabadheadachethatshehadnotevengonetomass。
"Wemustgethertoeatsomething。"
"No，Ithinkabstinencewilldohergood，andintheeveningIdaresayshewillbeabletosupwithyou。"
IwenttokeephercompanybyherbedsideafterIhadtakenmysiesta。
Ididmybestforthreehourstoconvinceherofherfolly；butshekepthereyesclosed，andsaidnothing，onlysighingwhenIsaidsomethingverytouching。
IlefthertowalkinSt。Jerome’sPark，andtoldherthatifshedidnotsupwithmeIshouldunderstandthatshedidnotwishtoseemeagain。
Thisthreathaditseffect。Shecametotableatsupper—time，butshelookedpaleandexhausted。Sheatelittle，andsaidnothing，forsheknewnotwhattosay。Isawthatshewassuffering，andIpitiedherfrommyheart。
BeforegoingtobedsheaskedmeifIhadbeentoseetheduchess。SheseemedsomewhatcheeredwhenIansweredinthenegative。ItoldherthatshemightsatisfyherselfofthetruthofmyreplybyaskingPhilippe，whohadtakenmynotebegginghergracetoexcusemeforthatday。
"Butwillyougoanotherday？"
"No，dearest，becauseIseeitwouldgrieveyou。"
Shegaveasighofcontent，andIembracedhergently，andsheleftmeassadasIwas。
IcouldseethatwhatIaskedofherwasagreatdeal；butIhadgoodgroundsforhope，asIknewherardentdisposition。ItwasnotGodandI
thatweredisputingforher，butherconfessorandI。IfshehadnotbeenaCatholicIshouldhavewonherthefirstday。
Shehadtoldmethatshewouldgetintotroublewithherconfessorifshedidnotgotohimasusual；shehadtoomuchoffineSpanishhonourinhertotellhimwhatwasnottrue，ortoendeavourtocombineherlovewithherreligion。
TheFridayandtheSaturdaypassedwithoutanyeventsofconsequence。
Herfather，whocouldnotblindhimselftoourloveanylonger，trusted，Isuppose，tohisdaughter’svirtue，andmadeherdineandsupwithmeeveryday。OnSaturdayeveningDonnaIgnazialeftmesadderthanever，andturnedherheadawaywhenIwouldhavekissedherasusual。
Isawwhatwasthematter；shewasgoingtocommunicatethenextday。
Iadmiredherconsistency，inspiteofmyself，andpitiedherheartily；
forIcouldguessthestormthatmustberaginginherbreast。Ibegantorepenthavingdemandedall，andwishedIhadbeencontentedwithalittle。
Iwishedtobesatisfiedwithmyowneyes，andgotupearlyonSundaymorningandfollowedher。Iknewthatshewouldcallforhercousin，soIwentontothechurch。Iplacedmyselfbythesacristy—door，whereI
couldseewithoutbeingseen。
Iwaitedaquarterofanhour，thentheycamein，andafterkneelingdownforafewmoments，separated，eachgoingtoherownconfessor。
IonlynoticedDonnaIgnazia；Isawhergoingtotheconfessional，andtheconfessorturningtowardsher。
Iwaitedpatiently。Ithoughttheconfessionwouldnevercometoanend。
"Whatishesaying？"IrepeatedtomyselfasIsawtheconfessorspeakingtohernowandagain。
Icouldbearitnolonger，andIwasonthepointofgoingawaywhenI
sawherrisefromherknees。
DonnaIgnazia，lookinglikeasaint，cametokneelinthechurch，butoutofmysight。IthoughtshewouldcomeforwardtoreceivetheHolyCommunionattheendoftheMassthatwasbeingsaid，butinsteadofthatshewenttowardsthedoor，rejoinedhercousinandtheyleftthechurch。
Iwasastonished。Myheartwasseizedwithapangofremorse。
"It’sallover，"Isaidtomyself。"Thepoorgirlhasmadeasincereandfullconfession，shehasavowedherlove，andthepriest’scrueldutyhasmadehimrefuseherabsolution。
"Allislost。Whatwillcomeofit？"
"Mypeaceofmindandhersrequiremetoleaveher。
"WretchthatIam，tohavelostallforall！IshouldhavemadeallowanceforthepeculiarSpanishcharacter。
"Imighthaveenjoyedherbysurprisenowandagain；thedifficultywouldhaveaddedpiquancytotheintrigue。IhavebehavedasifIwereoncemoretwenty，andIhavelostall。
"Atdinnershewillbeallsadandtearful。Imustfindsomewayoutofthisterriblesituation。"
Thussoliloquising，IcamehomeillpleasedwiththelineofconductI
hadadopted。
Myhairdresserwaswaitingforme，butIsenthimaway，andtoldmycooknottoservemydinnertillIorderedit；then，feelingtheneedofrest，Iflungmyselfonmybedandsleptprofoundlytilloneo’clock。
Igotupandordereddinnertobebroughtin，andsentamessagetothefatheranddaughterthatIwasexpectingthem。
MysurprisemaybeimaginedwhenDonnaIgnaziaappearedinacostumeofblackvelvet，adornedwithribbonsandlace。InmyopinionthereisnomoreseductivecostumeinEuropewhenthewearerispretty。
Ialsonoticedthateveryfeatureofherfacebreathedpeaceandcalm；I
hadneverseenherlookingsowell，andIcouldnothelpcongratulatingher。Sherepliedwithasmile，andIgaveherakiss，whichshetookasmeeklyasalamb。
Philippearrived，andwesatdowntotable。IsawthatmyfairsweethearthadcrossedtheRubicon；thedaywaswon。
"Iamgoingtobehappy，"saidshe，"butletussaynothing，anditwillcomeofitself。"
However，Ididnotconcealmybliss，andmadelovetoherwhenevertheservantwasoutoftheroom。Shewasnotonlysubmissive，butevenardent。
BeforeweleftthetablesheaskedmeifIstilllovedher。
"Morethanever，darling；Iadoreyou。"
"Thentakemetothebullfight。"
"Quick！Fetchthehairdresser。"
WhenmyhairwasdoneImadeanelaboratetoilette，andburningwithimpatiencewesetoutonfoot，asIwasafraidweshouldnotsecureagoodplaceifwewaitedtillthecarriagewasready。Wefoundafineboxwithonlytwopersonsinit，andIgnazia，afterglancinground，saidshewasgladthatthedetestableduchesswasnotanywherenearus。
AftersomefinesportmymistressbeggedmetotakehertothePrado，whereallthebestpeopleinMadridaretobeseen。
DonnaIgnazialeantonmyarm，seemedproudtobethoughtmine，andfilledmewithdelight。
AllatoncewemettheVenetianambassadorandhisfavourite，Manucci。
TheyhadjustarrivedfromAranjuez。WegreetedeachotherwithdueSpanishpoliteness，andtheambassadorpaidmeahighcomplimentonthebeautyofmycompanion。DonnaIgnaziapretendednottounderstand，butshepressedmyarmwithSpanishdelicacy。
AfterwalkingashortdistancewithusM。deMocenigosaidhehopedI
woulddinewithhimonthefollowingday，andafterIhadnoddedacquiescenceintheFrenchstyleweparted。
Towardstheeveningwetooksomeicesandreturnedhome，andthegentlepressureofmyarmonthewaypreparedmefortheblissIwastoenjoy。
WefoundDonDiegoonthebalconywaitingforus。Hecongratulatedhisdaughteronherpleasantappearanceandthepleasureshemusthavetakeninmysociety。
Charmedwithpapa’sgoodhumour，Iaskedhimtosupwithus，andheaccepted，andamuseduswithhiswittyconversationandamultitudeoflittletalesthatpleasedmeexceedingly。Hemadethefollowingspeechonleavingus，whichIgivewordforword，butIcannotgivethereaderanyideaoftheinimitableSpanishgravitywithwhichitwasdelivered。
"AmigoSeniorDonJaime，Ileaveyouheretoenjoythecoolairwithmydaughter。Iamdelightedatyourlovingher，andyoumaybeassuredthatIshallplacenoobstacleinthewayofyourbecomingmyson—in—lawassoonasyoucanshewyourtitlesofnobility。"
Whenhewasgone，Isaidtohisdaughter，——
"Ishouldbeonlytoohappy，ifitcouldbemanaged；butyoumustknowthatinmycountrytheyonlyarecallednobleswhohaveanhereditaryrighttorulethestate。IfIhadbeenborninSpainIshouldbenoble，butasitisIadoreyou，andIhopeyouwillmakemehappy。"
"Yes，dearest，butwemustbehappytogether；Icannotsufferanyinfidelity。"
"IgiveyoumywordofhonourthatIwillbewhollyfaithfultoyou。"
"Comethen，’corazonmio’，letusgoin。"
"No，letusputoutthelights，andstayhereaquarterofanhour。Tellme，myangel，whencecomesthisunexpectedhappiness？"
"Youoweittoapieceoftyrannywhichdrovemetodesperation。Godisgood，andIamsureHewouldnothavemebecomemyownexecutioner。WhenItoldmyconfessorthatIcouldnothelplovingyou，butthatIcouldrestrainmyselffromallexcessoflove，herepliedthatthisself—
confidencewasmisplaced，asIhadalreadyfallen。Hewantedmetopromisenevertobealonewithyouagain，andonmyrefusingtodosohewouldnotgivemeabsolution。
Ihaveneverhadsuchapieceofshamecastonme，butIlaiditallinthehandsofGod，andsaid，’Thywillbedone。’
"WhilstIheardmassmymindwasmadeup，andaslongasyoulovemeI
shallbeyours，andyoursonly。WhenyouleaveSpainandabandonmetodespair，Ishallfindanotherconfessor。Myconscienceholdsmeguiltless；thisismycomfort。Mycousin，whomIhavetoldall，isastonished，butthensheisnotveryclever。"
Afterthisdeclaration，whichputmequiteatmyease，andwouldhaverelievedmeofanyscruplesifIhadhadthem，Itookhertomybed。Inthemorning，sheleftmetiredout，butmoreinlovewithherthanever。
EndExpelledfromSpainByJacquesCasanovaMEMOIRSOFJACQUESCASANOVAdeSEINGALT1725—1798
SPANISHPASSIONS，Volume6b——EXPELLEDFROMSPAIN
THERAREUNABRIDGEDLONDONEDITIONOF1894TRANSLATEDBYARTHURMACHENTO
WHICHHASBEENADDEDTHECHAPTERSDISCOVEREDBYARTHURSYMONS。
EXPELLEDFROMSPAIN
CHAPTERVII
IMakeaMistakeandManucciBecomesMyMortalFoe——HisVengeance——
ILeaveMadrid——Saragossa——Valentia——Nina——IArriveatBarcelonaIftheseMemoirs，onlywrittentoconsolemeinthedreadfulwearinesswhichisslowlykillingmeinBohemia——andwhich，perhaps，wouldkillmeanywhere，since，thoughmybodyisold，myspiritandmydesiresareasyoungasever——iftheseMemoirsareeverread，Irepeat，theywillonlybereadwhenIamgone，andallcensurewillbelostonme。
Nevertheless，seeingthatmenaredividedintotwosections，theoneandbyfarthegreatercomposedoftheignorantandsuperficial，andtheotherofthelearnedandreflective，IbegtostatethatitistothelatterIwouldappeal。Theirjudgment，Ibelieve，willbeinfavourofmyveracity，and，indeed，whyshouldInotbeveracious？Amancanhavenoobjectindeceivinghimself，anditisformyselfthatIchieflywrite。
HithertoIhavespokennothingbutthetruth，withoutconsideringwhetherthetruthisinmyfavourorno。Mybookisnotaworkofdogmatictheology，butIdonotthinkitwilldoharmtoanyone；whileIfancythatthosewhoknowhowtoimitatethebeeandtogethoneyfromeveryflowerwillbeabletoextractsomegoodfromthecatalogueofmyvicesandvirtues。
Afterthisdigression（itmaybetoolong，butthatismybusinessandnoneother’s），ImustconfessthatneverhaveIhadsounpleasantatruthtosetdownasthatwhichIamgoingtorelate。Icommittedafatalactofindiscretion——anactwhichafteralltheseyearsstillgivesmyheartapangasIthinkofit。
ThedayaftermyconquestIdinedwiththeVenetianambassador，andIhadthepleasureofhearingthatalltheministersandgrandeeswithwhomI
hadassociatedhadthehighestpossibleopinionofme。Inthreeorfourdaystheking，theroyalfamily，andtheministerswouldreturntotown，andIexpectedtohavedailyconferenceswiththelatterrespectingthecolonyintheSierraMorena，whereIshouldmostprobablybegoing。
Manucci，whocontinuedtotreatmeasavaluedfriend，proposedtoaccompanymeonmyjourney，andwouldbringwithhimanadventuress，whocalledherselfPorto—Carrero，pretendingtobethedaughterornieceofthelatecardinalofthatname，andthusobtainedagooddealofconsideration；thoughinrealityshewasonlythemistressoftheFrenchconsulatMadrid，theAbbeBigliardi。
SuchwasthepromisingstateofmyprospectswhenmyevilgeniusbroughttoMadridanativeofLiege，BarondeFraiture，chiefhuntsmanoftheprincipality，andaprofligate，agamester，andacheat，likeallthosewhoproclaimtheirbeliefinhishonestynowadays。
IhadunfortunatelymethimatSpa，andtoldhimIwaswasgoingtoPortugal。Hehadcomeafterme，hopingtousemeasameansofgettingintogoodsociety，andoffillinghispocketwiththemoneyofthedupesheaspiredtomake。
Gamestershaveneverhadanyproofofmybelongingtotheirinfernalclique，buttheyhavealwayspersistedinbelievingthatItooama"Greek。"
AssoonasthisbaronheardthatIwasinMadridhecalledonme，andbydintofpolitenessobligedmetoreceivehim。IthoughtanysmallcivilitiesImightsheworintroductionsImightgivecoulddomenoharm。Hehadatravellingcompaniontowhomheintroducedme。Hewasafat，ignorantfellow，butaFrenchman，andthereforeagreeable。A
Frenchmanwhoknowshowtopresenthimself，whoiswelldressed，andhasthesocietyair，isusuallyacceptedwithoutdemurorscrutiny。Hehadbeenacavalrycaptain，buthadbeenfortunateenoughtoobtainaneverlastingfurlough。
Fourorfivedaysafterhisappearancethebaronaskedmequietlyenoughtolendhimascoreoflouis，ashewashardup。Irepliedasquietly，thankinghimfortreatingmeasafriend，butinforminghimthatIreallycouldnotlendhimthemoney，asIwantedwhatlittleIhadformyownnecessities。
"Butwecandogoodbusinesstogether，andyoucannotpossiblybemoneyless。"
"Idonotknowanythingaboutgoodbusiness，butIdoknowthatIwantmymoneyandcannotpartwithit。"
"Weareatourwits’endtoquietourlandlord；comeandspeaktohim。"
"IfIweretodosoIshoulddoyoumoreharmthangood。HewouldaskmeifIwouldanswerforyou，andIshouldreplythatyouareoneofthosenoblemenwhostandinneedofnosurety。Allthesame，thelandlordwouldthinkthatifIdidnotstandyoursurety，itmustbefrommyentertainingdoubtsastoyoursolvency。"
IhadintroducedFraituretoCountManucci，onthePando，andherequestedmetotakehimtoseethecount，towhichrequestIwasfoolishenoughtoaccede。
AfewdayslaterthebaronopenedhissoultoManucci。
HefoundtheVenetiandisposedtobeobliging，butwary。Herefusedtolendmoneyhimself，butintroducedthebarontosomeonewholenthimmoneyonpledgeswithoutinterest。
Thebaronandhisfrienddidalittlegamingandwonalittlemoney，butIheldalooffromthemtothebestofmyability。
IhadmycolonyandDonnaIgnazia，andwantedtolivepeacefully；andifIhadspentasinglenightawayfromhome，theinnocentgirlwouldhavebeenfilledwithalarm。
AboutthattimeM。deMocenigowentasambassadortoFrance，andwasreplacedbyM。Querini。Queriniwasamanofletters，whileMocenigoonlylikedmusicandhisownpeculiarkindoflove。
Thenewambassadorwasdistinctlyfavourabletome，andinafewdaysI
hadreasontobelievethathewoulddomoreformethaneverMocenigowouldhavedone。
Inthemeanwhile，thebaronandhisfriendbegantothinkofbeatingaretreattoFrance。Therewasnogamingattheambassador’sandnogamingattheCourt；theymustreturntoFrance，buttheyowedmoneytotheirlandlord，andtheywantedmoneyforthejourney。Icouldgivethemnothing，Manucciwouldgivethemnothing；webothpitiedthem，butourdutytoourselvesmadeuscrueltoeveryoneelse。However，hebroughttroubleonus。
OnemorningManuccicametoseemeinevidentperturbation。
"Whatisthematter？"saidI。
"Idonotknowexactly。ForthelastweekIhaverefusedtoseetheBaronFraiture，asnotbeingabletogivehimmoney，hispresenceonlyweariedme。Hehaswrittenmealetter，inwhichhethreatenstoblowouthisbrainsto—dayifIwillnotlendhimahundredpistoles。"
"Hesaidthesamethingtomethreedaysago；butIrepliedthatIwouldbettwohundredpistolesthathewoulddonothingofthekind。Thismadehimangry，andheproposedtofightaduelwithme；butIdeclinedonthepleathatashewasadesperatemaneitherhewouldhaveanadvantageovermeorI，overhim。Givehimthesameanswer，or，betterstill，noansweratall。"
"Icannotfollowyouradvice。Herearethehundredpistoles。Takethemtohimandgetareceipt。"
Iadmiredhisgenerosityandagreedtocarryouthiscommission。I
calledonthebaron，whoseemedratheruncomfortablewhenIwalkedin；
butconsideringhispositionIwasnotatallsurprised。
IinformedhimthatIwasthebearerofathousandfrancsfromCountManucci，whotherebyplacedhiminapositiontoarrangehisaffairsandtoleaveMadrid。Hereceivedthemoneywithoutanysignsofpleasure，surprise，orgratitude，andwroteoutthereceipt。HeassuredmethatheandhisfriendwouldstartforBarcelonaandFranceonthefollowingday。
IthentookthedocumenttoManucci，whowasevidentlysufferingfromsomementaltrouble；andIremainedtodinnerwiththeambassador。Itwasforthelasttime。
ThreedaysafterIwenttodinewiththeambassadors（fortheyalldinedtogether），buttomyastonishmenttheportertoldmethathehadreceivedordersnottoadmitme。
Theeffectofthissentenceonmewaslikethatofathunderbolt；I
returnedhomelikeamaninadream。IimmediatelysatdownandwrotetoManucci，askinghimwhyIhadbeensubjectedtosuchaninsult；butPhilippe，myman，broughtmebacktheletterunopened。
Thiswasanothersurprise；Ididnotknowwhattoexpectnext。
"Whatcanbethematter？"Isaidtomyself。"Icannotimagine，butI
willhaveanexplanation，orperish。"
IdinedsadlywithDonnaIgnazia，withouttellingherthecauseofmytrouble，andjustasIwasgoingtotakemysiestaaservantofManucci’sbroughtmealetterfromhismasterandfledbeforeIcouldreadit。
ThelettercontainedanenclosurewhichIreadfirst。ItwasfromBarondeFraiture。HeaskedManuccitolendhimahundredpistoles，promisingtoshewhimthemanwhomheheldforhisdearestfriendtobehisworstenemy。
Manucci（honouringme，bytheway，withthetitleofungratefultraitor）
saidthatthebaron’sletterhadexcitedhiscuriosityandhehehadmethiminSt。Jerome’sPark，wherethebaronhadclearlyprovedthisenemytobemyself，sinceIhadinformedthebaronthatthoughthenameofManucciwasgenuinethetitleofcountwasquiteapocryphal。
AfterrecapitulatingtheinformationwhichFraiturehadgivenhim，andwhichcouldonlyhaveproceededfrommyself，headvisedmetoleaveMadridassoonaspossible，inaweekatlatest。
Icangivethereadernoideaoftheshockthislettergaveme。ForthefirsttimeinmylifeIhadtoconfessmyselfguiltyoffolly，ingratitude，andcrime。Ifeltthatmyfaultwasbeyondforgiveness，anddidnotthinkofaskingManuccitopardonme；Icoulddonothingbutdespair。
Nevertheless，inspiteofManucci’sjustindignation，Icouldnothelpseeingthathehadmadeagreatmistakeinadvisingme，insoinsultingamanner，toleaveMadridinaweek。Theyoungmanmighthaveknownthatmyself—respectwouldforbidmyfollowingsuchapieceofadvice。Hecouldnotcompelmetoobeyhiscounselorcommand；andtoleaveMadridwouldhavebeentocommitasecondbasenessworsethanthefirst。
ApreytogriefIspentthedaywithouttakinganystepsonewayortheother，andIwenttobedwithoutsuppingandwithoutthecompanyofDonnaIgnazia。
AfterasoundsleepIgotupandwrotetothefriendwhomIhadoffendedasincereandhumbleconfessionofmyfault。IconcludedmyletterbysayingthatIhopedthatthisevidenceofmysincereandheartfeltrepentancewouldsuffice，butifnotthatIwasreadytogivehimanyhonourablesatisfactioninmypower。
"Youmay，"Isaid，"havemeassassinatedifyoulike，butIshallnotleaveMadridtillitssuitsmetodoso。"
Iputacommonplacesealonmyletter，andhadtheaddresswrittenbyPhilippe，whosehandwasunknowntoManucci，andthenIsentittoPandowherethekinghadgone。
Ikeptmyroomthewholeday；andDonnaIgnazia，seeingthatIhadrecoveredmyspiritstosomedegree，madenomoreenquiriesaboutthecauseofmydistress。Iwaitedinthewholeofthenextday，expectingareply，butinvain。
Thethirdday，beingSunday，IwentouttocallonthePrincedellaCatolica。Mycarriagestoppedathisdoor，buttheportercameoutandtoldmeinapolitewhisperthathishighnesshadhisreasonsfornotreceivingmeanylonger。
Thiswasanunexpectedblow，butafteritIwaspreparedforanything。
IdrovetotheAbbeBigliardi，butthelackey，aftertakinginmyname，informedmethathismasterwasout。
IgotintomycarriageandwenttoVarnier，whosaidhewantedtospeaktome。
"Comeintomycarriage，"saidI，"wewillgoandhearmasstogether。"
OnourwayhetoldmethattheVenetianambassador，Mocenigo，hadwarnedtheDukeofMedinaSidoniathatIwasadangerouscharacter。
"Theduke，"headded，"repliedthathewouldceasetoknowyouassoonashefoundoutthebadnessofyourcharacterhimself。"
Thesethreeshocks，followinginsuchquicksuccession，castmeintoastateofconfusion。Isaidnothingtillweheardmasstogether，butI
believethatifIhadnotthentoldhimthewholestoryIshouldhavehadanapoplecticfit。
Varnierpitiedme，andsaid，——
"Sucharethewaysofthegreatwhentheyhaveabjuredallvirtueandhonesty。Nevertheless，Iadviseyoutokeepsilenceaboutit，unlessyouwouldirritateManuccistillfarther。"
WhenIgothomeIwrotetoManuccibegginghimtosuspendhisvengeance，orelseIshouldbeobligedtotellthestorytoallthosewhoinsultedmefortheambassador’ssake。IsentthelettertoM。Soderini，thesecretaryoftheembassy，feelingsurethathewouldforwardittoManucci。
Idinedwithmymistress，andtookhertothebullfight，whereIchancedtofindmyselfinaboxadjoiningthatinwhichManucciandthetwoambassadorswereseated。Imadethemabowwhichtheywereobligedtoreturn，anddidnotvouchsafethemanotherglancefortherestofthespectacle。
ThenextdaytheMarquisGrimaldirefusedtoreceiveme，andIsawthatI
shouldhavetoabandonallhope。TheDukeofLossadaremainedmyfriendonaccountofhisdisliketotheambassadorandhisunnaturaltastes；buthetoldmethathehadbeenrequestednottoreceiveme，andthathedidnotthinkIhadtheslightestchanceofobtaininganyemploymentatCourt。
Icouldscarcelybelieveinsuchanextremityofvengeance:Manucciwasmakingaparadeoftheinfluencehepossessedoverhiswifetheambassador。Inhisinsanedesireforrevengehehadlaidallshameaside。
IwascurioustoknowwhetherhehadforgottenDonEmmanueldeRodaandtheMarquisdelaMoras；Ifoundbothofthemhadbeenforewarnedagainstme。TherewasstilltheCountofAranda，andIwasjustgoingtoseehimwhenaservantofhishighness’scameandtoldmethathismasterwishedtoseeme。
Ishuddered，forinmythenstateofmindIdrewthemostsinisterconclusionsfromthemessage。
Ifoundthegreatmanalone，lookingperfectlycalm。Thismademepluckupaheart。Heaskedmetositdown——afavourhehadnothithertodoneme，andthisfurthercontributedtocheerme。
"Whathaveyoubeendoingtooffendyourambassador？"hebegan。
"Mylord，Ihavedonenothingtohimdirectly，butbyaninexcusableactofstupidityIhavewoundedhisdearfriendManucciinhistenderestpart。WiththemostinnocentintentionsIreposedmyconfidenceinacowardlyfellow，whosoldittoManucciforahundredpistoles。Inhisirritation，Manuccihasstirredupthegreatmanagainstme:’hincillaelacrimae’。"
"Youhavebeenunwise，butwhatisdoneisdone。Iamsorryforyou，becausethereisanendtoallyourhopesofadvancement。Thefirstthingthekingwoulddowouldbetomakeenquiriesaboutyouoftheambassador。"
"Ifeelittomysorrow，mylord，butmustIleaveMadrid？"
"No。Theambassadordidhisbesttomakemesendyouway，butItoldhimthatIhadnopoweroveryousolongasyoudidnotinfringethelaws。"
"’HehascalumniatedaVenetiansubjectwhomIamboundtoprotect，’saidhe。
"’Inthatcase，’Ireplied，’youcanresorttotheordinarylaw，andpunishhimtothebestofyourability。’"
"TheambassadorfinallybeggedmetoorderyounottomentionthemattertoanyVenetiansubjectsatMadrid，andIthinkyoucansafelypromisemethis。"
"Mylord，Ihavemuchpleasureingivingyourexcellencymywordofhonournottodoso。"
"Verygood。ThenyoucanstayatMadridaslongasyouplease；and，indeed，Mocenigowillbeleavinginthecourseofaweek。"
>FromthatmomentImadeupmymindtoamusemyselfwithoutanythoughtofobtainingapositioninSpain。However，thetiesoffriendshipmademekeepupmyacquaintancewithVarnier，theDukeofMedinaSidonia，andthearchitect，Sabatini，whoalwaysgavemeawarmwelcome，asdidhiswife。
DonnaIgnaziahadmoreofmycompanythanever，andcongratulatedmeonmyfreedomfromthecaresofbusiness。
AfterthedepartureofMocenigoIthoughtIwouldgoandseeifQuerini，hisnephew，wasequallyprejudicedagainstme。Theportertoldmethathehadreceivedordersnottoadmitme，andIlaughedintheman’sface。
SixorsevenweeksafterManucci’sdepartureI，too，leftMadrid。Ididsooncompulsion，inspiteofmyloveforIgnazia，forIhadnolongerhopesofdoinganythinginPortugal，andmypursewasnearlyexhausted。
Ithoughtofsellingahandsomerepeaterandagoldsnuff—boxsoastoenablemetogotoMarseilles，whenceIthoughtofgoingtoConstantinopleandtryingmyfortunetherewithoutturningrenegade。
Doubtless，Ishouldhavefoundtheplanunsuccessful，forIwasattaininganagewhenFortuneflies。Ihadnoreason，however，tocomplainofFortune，forshehadbeenlavishinhergiftstome，andIinmyturnhadalwaysabusedthem。
InmystateofdistressthelearnedAbbePinziintroducedmetoaGenoesebookseller，namedCarrado，athoroughlyhonestman，whoseemedtohavebeencreatedthattheknaveryofmostoftheGenoesemightbepardoned。
TohimIbroughtmywatchandsnuff—box，buttheworthyCarradonotonlyrefusedtobuythem，butwouldnottaketheminpledge。HegavemeseventeenhundredfrancswithnoothersecuritythanmywordthatIwouldrepayhimifIwereeverabletodoso。UnhappilyIhaveneverbeenabletorepaythisdebt，unlessmygratitudebeaccountedrepayment。
Asnothingissweeterthanthecompanionshipbetweenamanandthewomanheadores，sonothingisbittererthantheseparation；thepleasurehasvanishedaway，andonlythepainremains。
IspentmylastdaysatMadriddrinkingthecupofpleasurewhichwasembitteredbythethoughtofthepainthatwastofollow。TheworthyDiegowassadatthethoughtoflosingme，andcouldwithdifficultyrefrainfromtears。
ForsometimemymanPhilippecontinuedtogivemenewsofDonnaIgnazia。
Shebecamethebrideofarichshoemaker，thoughherfatherwasextremelymortifiedbyhermakingamarriagesomuchbeneathherstation。
IhadpromisedtheMarquisdelasMorasandColonelRoyasthatIwouldcomeandseethematSaragossa，thecapitalofAragon，andIarrivedthereatthebeginningofSeptember。Mystaylastedforafortnight，duringwhichtimeIwasabletoexaminethemannersandcustomsoftheAragonese，whowerenotsubjecttotheordinancesoftheMarquisofAranda，aslongcloaksandlowhatsweretobeseenateverycorner。
Theylookedlikedarkphantomsmorethanmen，forthecloakcoveredupatleasthalftheface。UnderneaththecloakwascarriedelSpadino，aswordofenormouslength。Personswhoworethiscostumeweretreatedwithgreatrespect，thoughtheyweremostlyarrantrogues；stilltheymightpossiblybepowerfulnoblemenindisguise。
ThevisitortoSaragossashouldseethedevotionwhichispaidtoourLadydelPilar。Ihaveseenprocessionsgoingalongthestreetsinwhichwoodenstatuesofgiganticproportionswerecarried。Iwastakentothebestassemblies，wherethemonksswarmed。Iwasintroducedtoaladyofmonstroussize，who，Iwasinformed，wascousintothefamousPalafox，andIdidnotfeelmybosomswellwithprideaswasevidentlyexpected。
IalsomadetheacquaintanceofCanonPignatelli，amanofItalianorigin。HewasPresidentoftheInquisition，andeverymorningheimprisonedtheprocuresswhohadfurnishedhimwiththegirlwithwhomhehadsuppedandslept。Hewouldwakeupinthemorningtiredoutwiththepleasuresofthenight；thegirlwouldbedrivenawayandtheprocuressimprisoned。Hethendressed，confessed，saidmass，andafteranexcellentbreakfastwithplentyofgoodwinehewouldsendoutforanothergirl，andthiswouldgoondayafterday。Nevertheless，hewasheldingreatrespectatSaragossa，forhewasamonk，acanon，andanInquisitor。
ThebullfightswerefineratSaragossathanatMadrid——thatistosay，theyweredeadlier；andthechiefinterestofthisbarbarousspectacleliesinthesheddingofblood。TheMarquisdelasMorasandColonelRoyasgavemesomeexcellentdinners。ThemarquiswasoneofthepleasantestmenImetinSpain；hediedveryyoungtwoyearsafter。
TheChurchofNuestraSenoradelPilarissituatedontherampartsofthetown，andtheAragonesefondlybelievethisportionofthetowndefencestobeimpregnable。
IhadpromisedDonnaPellicciatogoandseeheratValentia，andonmywayIsawtheancienttownofSaguntumonahillatsomelittledistance。
TherewasapriesttravellingwithmeandItoldhimandthedriver（whopreferredhismulestoalltheantiquitiesintheworld）thatIshouldliketogoandseethetown。Howthemuleteerandthepriestobjectedtothisproposal！
"Thereareonlyruinsthere，senor。"
"That’sjustwhatIwanttosee。"
"WeshallnevergettoValentiato—night。"
"Here’sacrown；weshallgetthereto—morrow。"
Thecrownsettledeverything，andthemanexclaimed，"ValgameDios，esunhombredebuen！"（SohelpmeGod，thisisanhonestman！）AsubjectofhisCatholicmajestyknowsnoheartierpraisethanthis。
Isawthemassivewallsstillstandingandingoodcondition，andyettheywerebuiltduringthesecondPunicWar。Isawontwoofthegatewaysinscriptionswhichtomeweremeaningless，butwhichSeguier，theoldfriendoftheMarquisMaffei，couldnodoubthavedeciphered。
Thesightofthismonumenttothecourageofanancientrace，whopreferredtoperishintheflamesratherthansurrender，excitedmyaweandadmiration。Thepriestlaughedatme，andIamsurehewouldnothavepurchasedthisvenerablecityofthedeadifhecouldhavedonesobysayingamass。Theverynamehasperished；insteadofSaguntumitiscalledMurviedrofromtheLatin’muriveteres’（oldwalls）；butTimethatdestroysmarbleandbrassdestroysalsotheverymemoryofwhathasbeen。
"Thisplace，"saidthepriest，"isalwayscalledMurviedro。"
"Itisridiculoustodoso，"Ireplied；"commonsenseforbidsuscallingathingoldwhichwasonceyoungenough。That’sasifyouwouldtellmethatNewCastilleisreallynew。"
"Well，OldCastilleismoreancientthanNewCastille。"
"Noso。NewCastillewasonlycalledsobecauseitwasthelatestconquest；butasamatteroffactitistheolderofthetwo。"
Thepoorpriesttookrefugeinsilence；shakinghishead，andevidentlytakingmeforamadman。
ItriedvainlytofindHannibal’shead，andtheinscriptioninhonourofCaesarClaudius，butIfoundouttheremainsoftheamphitheatre。
ThenextdayIremarkedthemosaicpavement，whichhadbeendiscoveredtwentyyearsbefore。
IreachedValentiaatnineo’clockinthemorning，andfoundthatI
shouldhavetocontentmyselfwithabadlodging，asMarescalchi，theoperamanager，hadtakenallthebestroomsforthemembersofhiscompany。Marescalchiwasaccompaniedbyhisbrother，apriest，whomI
founddecidedlylearnedforhisage。Wetookawalktogether，andhelaughedwhenIproposedgoingintoacafe，fortherewasnotsuchathinginthetown。Therewereonlytavernsofthelowestclasswherethewineisnotfittodrink。Icouldscarcelybelieveit，butSpainisapeculiarcountry。WhenIwasatValentia，agoodbottleofwinewasscarcelyobtainable，thoughMalagaandAlicantewerebothcloseathand。
InthefirstthreedaysofmystayatValentia（thebirthplaceofAlexanderVI。），Isawalltheobjectsofinterestinthetown，andwasconfirmedinmyideathatwhatseemssoadmirableinthedescriptionsofwritersandthepicturesofartistslosesmuchofitscharmonactualinspection。
ThoughValentiaisblessedwithanexcellentclimate，thoughitiswellwatered，situatedinthemidstofabeautifulcountry，fertileinallthechoicestproductsofnature，thoughitistheresidenceofmanyofthemostdistinguishedoftheSpanishnobility，thoughitswomenarethemosthandsomeinSpain，thoughithastheadvantageofbeingtheseatofanarchbishop；inspiteofallthesecommodities，itisamostdisagreeabletowntolivein。Oneisilllodgedandillfed，thereisnogoodwineandnogoodcompany，thereisnotevenanyintellectualprovision，forthoughthereisauniversity，letteredmenareabsolutelyunknown。
Asforthebridges，churches，thearsenal，theexchange，thetownhall，thetwelvetowngates，andtherest，Icouldnottakepleasureinatownwherethestreetsarenotpaved，andwhereapublicpromenadeisconspicuousbyitsabsence。Outsidethetownthecountryisdelightful，especiallyonthesidetowardsthesea；buttheoutsideisnottheinside。
Thefeaturewhichpleasedmemostwasthenumberofsmallone—horsevehicleswhichtransportthetravellerrapidlyfromonepointtoanother，ataveryslightexpense，andwillevenundertakeatwoorthreedays’
journey。
Ifmyframeofmindhadbeenamorepleasantone，IshouldhavetravelledthroughthekingdomsofMurciaandGrenada，whichsurpassItalyinbeautyandfertility。
PoorSpaniards！Thisbeautyandfertilityofyourlandarethecauseofyourignorance，astheminesofPeruandPotosihavebroughtaboutthatfoolishprideandalltheprejudiceswhichdegradeyou。
Spaniards，whenwilltheimpulsecome？whenwillyoushakeoffthatfatallethargy？Nowyouaretrulyuselesstoyourselves，andtherestoftheworld；whatisityouneed？
Afuriousrevolution，aterribleshock，aconquestofregeneration；yourcaseispastgentlemethods，itneedsthecauteryandthefire。
ThefirstcallIpaidwasonDonnaPelliccia。Thefirstperformancewastobegivenintwodays。Thiswasnotamatterofanydifficulty，asthesameoperasweretobepresentedashadbeenalreadyplayedatAranjuez，theEscurial，andtheGranja，fortheCountofArandawouldneverhavedaredtosanctiontheperformanceofanItaliancomicoperaatMadrid。
Thenoveltywouldhavebeentoogreat，andtheInquisitionwouldhaveinterfered。
Theballswereaconsiderableshock，andtwoyearsaftertheyweresuppressed。Spainwillnevermakeanyrealadvance，untiltheInquisitionissuppressedalso。
AssoonasDonnaPellicciaarrived，shesentintheletterofintroductionshehadreceivedfromtheDukeofArcos，threemonthsbefore。ShehadnotseenthedukesincetheirmeetingatAranjuez。
Madam，"saidDonDiego，thepersontowhomshewascommended，"Ihavecometoofferyoumyservices，andtotellyouoftheordershisgracehaslaidonme，ofwhichyoumaypossiblybeignorant。"
"Ihope，sir，"shereplied，"thatIamnotputtingyoutoanyinconvenience，butIamextremelygratefultothedukeandtoyourself；
andIshallhavethehonourofcallingonyoutogiveyoumythanks。"
"Notatall；IhaveonlytosaythatIhaveorderstofurnishyouwithanysumsyoumayrequire，totheamountoftwenty—fivethousanddoubloons。"
"Twenty—fivethousanddoubloons？"
"Exactly，madam，twohundredandfiftythousandfrancsinFrenchmoney，andnomore。Kindlyreadhisgrace’sletter；youdonotseemtobeawareofitscontents。"
Theletterwasabriefone:
"DonDiego，——YouwillfurnishDonnaPellicciawithwhateversumsshemayrequire，notexceedingtwenty—fivethousanddoubloons，atmyaccount。
"THEDUKEDOSARCOS"
Weremainedinastateofperfectstupefaction。DonnaPellicciareturnedtheepistletothebanker，whobowedandtookhisleave。
Thissoundsalmostincrediblegenerosity，butinSpainsuchthingsarenotuncommon。IhavealreadymentionedthemunificentgiftofMedina—
CelitoMadamePichona。
ThosewhoareunacquaintedwiththepeculiarSpanishcharacterandthevastrichesofsomeofthenobility，maypronouncesuchactsofgenerositytoberidiculousandpositivelyinjurious，buttheymakeamistake。Thespendthriftgivesandsquandersbyakindofinstinct，andsohewillcontinuetodoaslongashismeansremain。ButthesesplendidgiftsIhavedescribeddonotcomeunderthecategoryofsenselessprodigality。TheSpaniardischieflyambitiousofpraise，forpraisehewilldoanything；butthisverydesireforadmirationservestorestrainhimfromactionsbywhichhewouldincurblame。Hewantstobethoughtsuperiortohisfellows，astheSpanishnationissuperiortoallothernations；hewantstobethoughtworthyofathrone，andtobeconsideredasthepossessorofallthevirtues。
ImayalsonotethatwhilesomeoftheSpanishnobilityareasrichastheEnglishlords，theformerhavenotsomanywaysofspendingtheirmoneyasthelatter，andthusareenabledtobeheroicallygenerousonoccasion。
AssoonasDonDiegohadgone，webegantodiscusstheduke’snoblebehaviour。
DonnaPellicciamaintainedthatthedukehadwishedtoshewhisconfidenceinherbydoingherthehonourofsupposingherincapableofabusinghisgenerosity；"atallevents，"sheconcluded，"IwouldratherdieofhungerthantakeasingledoubloonofDonDiego。"
"Thedukewouldbeoffended，"saidaviolinist；"Ithinkyououghttotakesomething。"
"Youmusttakeitall，"saidthehusband。
Iwasofthelady’sopinion，andtoldherthatIwassurethedukewouldrewardherdelicacybymakingherfortune。
Shefollowedmyadviceandherownimpulse，thoughthebankerremonstratedwithher。
SuchistheperversityofthehumanmindthatnoonebelievedinDonnaPelliccia’sdelicacy。WhenthekingheardwhathadhappenedheorderedtheworthyactresstoleaveMadrid，topreventthedukeruininghimself。
Suchisoftentherewardofvirtueherebelow，butthemaliciouspersonswhohadtriedtoinjureDonnaPellicciabycalumniatinghertothekingwerethemeansofmakingherfortune。
Thedukewhohadonlyspokenonceortwicetotheactressinpublic，andhadneverspentapennyonher，tooktheking’scommandasaninsult，andonenottobeborne。Hewastooproudtosolicitthekingtorevoketheorderhehadgiven，andintheendbehavedinawaybefittingsonoble—
mindedaman。ForthefirsttimehevisitedDonnaPellicciaatherownhouse，andbegginghertoforgivehimforhavingbeentheinnocentcauseofherdisgrace，askedhertoacceptarouleauandaletterwhichhelaidonthetable。
Therouleaucontainedahundredgoldounceswiththewords"fortravellingexpenses，"andtheletterwasaddressedtoaRomanbank，andprovedtobeanorderfortwenty—fourthousandRomancrowns。
Fortwenty—nineyearsthisworthywomankeptanestablishmentatRome，anddidsoinamannerwhichprovedherworthyofhergoodfortune。
ThedayafterDonnaPelliccia’sdeparturethekingsawtheDukeofArcos，andtoldhimnottobesad，buttoforgetthewoman，whohadbeensentawayforhisowngood。
"Bysendingheraway，yourmajestyobligedmetoturnfictionintofact，forIonlyknewherbyspeakingtoherinvariouspublicplaces，andI
hadnevermadeherthesmallestpresent。"
"Thenyounevergavehertwenty—fivethousanddoubloons？"
"Sire，Igaveherdoublethatsum，butonlyonthedaybeforeyesterday。
Yourmajestyhasabsolutepower，butifshehadnotreceivedherdismissalIshouldneverhavegonetoherhouse，norshouldIhavegivenherthesmallestpresent。"
Thekingwasstupefiedandsilent；hewasprobablymeditatingontheamountofcreditamonarchshouldgivetothegossipthathiscourtiersbringhim。
IheardaboutthisfromM。Monnino，whowasafterwardsknownunderthetitleofCastilledeFloridaBlanca，andisnowlivinginexileinMurcia，hisnativecountry。
AfterMarescalchihadgone，andIwasmakingmypreparationsformyjourneytoBarcelona，Isawoneday，atthebullfight，awomanwhoseappearancehadastrangekindoffascinationaboutit。
TherewasaknightofAlcantaraatmyside，andIaskedhimwhotheladywas。
"SheisthefamousNina。"
"Howfamous？"
"Ifyoudonotknowherstory，itistoolongtobetoldhere。"
Icouldnothelpgazingather，andtwominuteslateranill—lookingfellowbesidehercameuptomycompanionandwhisperedsomethinginhisear。
TheknightturnedtowardsmeandinformedmeinthemostpolitemannerthattheladywhosenameIhadaskeddesiredtoknowmine。
Iwassillyenoughtobeflatteredbyhercuriosity，andtoldthemessengerthatiftheladywouldallowmeIwouldcometoherboxandtellhermynameinpersonaftertheperformance。
"FromyouraccentIshouldsupposeyouwereanItalian。"
"IamaVenetian。"
"Soisshe。"
Whenhehadgoneawaymyneighbourseemedinclinedtobemorecommunicative，andinformedmethatNinawasadancerwhomtheCountdeRicla，theViceroyofBarcelona，waskeepingforsomeweeksatValentia，tillhecouldgetherbacktoBarcelona，whencethebishopofthediocesehadexpelledheronaccountofthescandalstowhichshegaverise。"Thecount，"headded，"ismadlyinlovewithher，andallowsherfiftydoubloonsaday。"
"Ishouldhopeshedoesnotspendthem。"
"Shecan’tdothat，butshedoesnotletadaypasswithoutcommittingsomeexpensiveactoffolly。"
Ifeltcurioustoknowawomanofsuchapeculiarcharacter，andlongedfortheendofthebullfight，littlethinkinginwhattroublethisnewacquaintancewouldinvolveme。
Shereceivedmewithgreatpoliteness，andasshegotintohercarriagedrawnbysixmules，shesaidshewouldbedelightedifIwouldbreakfastwithheratnineo’clockonthefollowingday。
Ipromisedtocome，andIkeptmyword。
Herhousewasjustoutsidethetownwalls，andwasaverylargebuilding。
Itwasrichlyandtastefullyfurnished，andwassurroundedbyanenormousgarden。
Thefirstthingthatstruckmewasthenumberofthelackeysandtherichnessoftheirliveries，andthemaidsinelegantattire，whoseemedtobegoingandcominginalldirections。
AsIadvancedIheardanimperiousvoicescoldingsomeone。
ThescoldwasNina，whowasabusinganastonished—lookingman，whowasstandingbyalargetablecoveredwithstuffsandlaces。
"Excuseme，"saidshe，"butthisfoolofaSpaniardwantstopersuademethatthislaceisreallyhandsome。"
SheaskedmewhatIthoughtofthelace，andthoughIprivatelythoughtitlaceofthefinestquality，Ididnotcaretocontradicther，andsorepliedthatIwasnojudge。
"Madam，"saidthetradesman，"ifyoudonotlikethelace，leaveit；willyoukeepthestuffs？"
"Yes，"shereplied；"andasforthelace，Iwillshewyouthatitisnotthemoneythatdetersme。"
Sosayingthemadgirltookupapairofscissorsandcutthelaceintofragments。
"Whatapity！"saidthemanwhohadspokentomeatthebullfight。
"Peoplewillsaythatyouhavegoneoffyourhead。"
"Besilent，youpimpingrogue！"saidshe，enforcingherwordswithasturdyboxontheear。
Thefellowwentoff，callingherstrumpet，whichonlymadeherscreamwithlaughter；then，turningtotheSpaniard，shetoldhimtomakeouthisaccountdirectly。
Themandidnotwanttellingtwice，andavengedhimselffortheabusehehadreceivedbytheinordinatelengthofhisbill。
Shetookuptheaccountandplacedherinitialsatthebottomwithoutdeigningtolookattheitems，andsaid，——
"GotoDonDiegoValencia；hewillpayyouimmediately。"
Assoonaswewerealonethechocolatewasserved，andshesentamessagetothefellowwhoseearsshehadboxedtocometobreakfastdirectly。
"Youneedn’tbesurprisedatmywayoftreatinghim，"shesaid。"He’sarascalwhomRiclahasplacedinmyhousetospyoutmyactions，andI
treathimasyouhaveseen，sothathemayhaveplentyofnewstowritetohismaster。"
IthoughtImustbedreaming；suchawomanseemedtomebeyondthelimitsofthepossible。
Thepoorwretch，whocamefromBolognaandwasamusicianbyprofession，cameandsatdownwithuswithoutaword。HisnamewasMolinari。
Assoonashehadfinishedhisbreakfasthelefttheroom，andNinaspentanhourwithmetalkingaboutSpain，Italy，andPortugal，whereshehadmarriedadancernamedBergonzi。
"Myfather，"shesaid，"wasthefamouscharlatanPelandi；youmayhaveknownhimatVenice。"
Afterthispieceofconfidence（andshedidnotseematallashamedofherparentage）sheaskedmetosupwithher，supperbeingherfavouritemeal。Ipromisedtocome，andIlefthertoreflectontheextraordinarycharacterofthewoman，andonthegoodfortunewhichshesoabused。
Ninawaswonderfullybeautiful；butasithasalwaysbeenmyopinionthatmerebeautydoesnotgoformuch，Icouldnotunderstandhowaviceroycouldhavefalleninlovewithhertosuchanextent。AsforMolinari，afterwhichIhadseen，Icouldonlysethimdownasaninfamouswretch。
Iwenttosupperwithherforamusement’ssake，for，withallherbeauty，shehadnottouchedmyheartintheslightestdegree。ItwasatthebeginningofOctober，butatValentiathethermometermarkedtwentydegreesReaumurintheshade。
Ninawaswalkinginthegardenwithhercompanion，bothofthembeingverylightlyclad；indeed，Ninahadonlyherchemiseandalightpetticoat。
Assoonasshesawmeshecameupandbeggedmetofollowtheirexampleinthewayofattire，butIbeggedtobeexcused。Thepresenceofthathatefulfellowrevoltedmeinthehighestdegree。
IntheintervalbeforesupperNinaentertainedmewithanumberoflasciviousanecdotesofherexperiencesfromthetimeshebeganherpresentmodeoflivinguptotheageoftwenty—two，whichwasheragethen。
IfithadnotbeenforthepresenceofthedisgustingArgus，nodoubtallthesestorieswouldhaveproducedtheirnaturaleffectonme；butasitwastheyhadnonewhatever。
Wehadadelicatesupperandatewithappetite，andafteritwasoverI
wouldhavegladlyleftthem；butNinawouldnotletmego。Thewinehadtakeneffect，andshewishedtohavealittleamusement。
Afteralltheservantshadbeendismissed，thisMessalinaorderedMolinaritostripnaked，andshethenbegantotreathiminamannerwhichIcannotdescribewithoutdisgust。
Therascalwasyoungandstrong，and，thoughhewasdrunk，Nina’streatmentsoonplacedhiminaheartycondition。Icouldseethatshewishedmetoplaymypartintherevels，butmydisgusthadutterlydeprivedmeofallmyamorousfaculties。
Nina，too，hadundressed，andseeingthatIviewedtheorgycoldlysheproceededtosatiateherdesiresbymeansofMolinari。
Ihadtobearwiththesightofthisbeautifulwomancouplingherselfwithananimal，whoseonlymeritlayinhisvirilemonstrosity，whichshenodoubtregardedaeabeauty。