Whenshehadexhaustedheramorousfuryshethrewherselfintoabath，thencameback，drankabottleofMalmseyMadeira，andfinallymadeherbrutalloverdrinktillhefellontothefloor。
Ifledintothenextroom，notbeingabletobearitanylonger，butshefollowedme。Shewasstillnaked，andseatingherselfbesidemeonanottomansheaskedmehowIhadenjoyedthespectacle。
Itoldherboldythatthedisgustwithwhichherwretchedcompanionhadinspiredmewassogreatthatithadutterlyannulledtheeffectofhercharms。
"Thatmaybeso，butnowheisnothere，andyetyoudonothing。Onewouldnotthinkit，tolookatyou。"
"Youareright，forIhavemyfeelingslikeanyotherman，buthehasdisgustedmetoomuch。Waittilltomorrow，andletmenotseethatmonstersounworthyofenjoyingyou。"
"Hedoesnotenjoyme。IfIthoughthedidIwouldratherdiethanlethimhavetodowithme，forIdetesthim。"
"What！youdonotlovehim，andyetyoumakeuseofhiminthewayyoudo？"
"Yes，justasImightuseamechanicalinstrument。"
InthiswomanIsawaninstanceofthedepthsofdegradationtowhichhumannaturemaybebrought。
Sheaskedmetosupwithheronthefollowingday，tellingmethatwewouldbealone，asMolinariwouldbeill。
"Hewillhavegotovertheeffectsofthewine。"
"Itellyouhewillbeill。Cometo—morrow，andcomeeveryevening。"
"Iamgoingthedayafterto—morrow。"
"Youwillnotgoforaweek，andthenwewillgotogether。"
"That’simpossible。"
"Ifyougoyouwillinsultmebeyondbearing。"
Iwenthomewithmymindmadeuptodepartwithouthavinganythingmoretodowithher；andthoughIwasfarfrominexperiencedinwickednessofallkinds，IcouldnothelpfeelingastonishedattheunblushingfranknessofthisMegaera，whohadtoldmewhatIalreadyknew，butinwordsthatIhadneverheardawomanusebefore。
"Ionlyusehimtosatisfymydesires，andbecauseIamcertainthathedoesnotloveme；ifIthoughthedidIwouldratherdiethanallowhimtodoanythingwithme，forIdetesthim。"
ThenextdayIwenttoheratseveno’clockintheevening。Shereceivedmewithanairoffeignedmelancholy，saying，——
"Alas！weshallhavetosupalone；Molinarihasgotthecolic。"
"Yousaidhewouldbeill；haveyoupoisonedhim？"
"Iamquitecapableofdoingso，butIhopeInevershall。"
"Butyouhavegivenhimsomething？"
"Onlywhathelikeshimself；butwewilltalkofthatagain。Letussupandplaytillto—morrow，andtomorroweveningwewillbeginagain。"
"Iamgoingawayatseveno’clockto—morrow。"
"No，no，youarenot；andyourcoachmanwillhavenocauseforcomplaint，forhehasbeenpaid；hereisthereceipt。"
Theseremarks，deliveredwithanairofamorousdespotism，flatteredmyvanity。Imadeupmymindtosubmitgaily，calledherwanton，andsaidI
wasnotworththepainsshewastakingoverme。
"Whatastonishesme，"saidI，"isthatwiththisfinehouseyoudonotcaretoentertaincompany。"
"Everybodyisafraidtocome；theyfearRicla’sjealousy，foritiswellknownthatthatanimalwhoisnowsufferingfromthecolictellshimeverythingIdo。Heswearsthatitisnotso，butIknowhimtobealiar。Indeed，IamverygladhedoeswritetoRicla，andonlywishhehadsomethingofrealimportancetowriteabout。"
"HewilltellhimthatIhavesuppedalonewithyou。"
"Allthebetter；areyouafraid？"
"No；butIthinkyououghttotellmeifIhaveanythingreallytofear。"
"Nothingatall；itwillfallonme。"
"ButIshouldnotliketoinvolveyouinadisputewhichmightbeprejudicialtoyourinterests。"
"Notatall；themoreIprovokehim，thebetterhelovesme，andIwillmakehimpaydearlywhenheasksmetomakeitup。"
"Thenyoudon’tlovehim？"
"Yes，toruinhim；butheissorichthattheredoesn’tseemmuchhopeofmyeverdoingthat。"
BeforemeIsawawomanasbeautifulasVenusandasdegradedasLucifer；
awomanmostsurelyborntobetheruinofanyonewhohadthemisfortunetofallinlovewithher。Ihadknownwomenofsimilarcharacter，butneveronesodangerousasshe。
IdeterminedtomakesomemoneyoutofherifIcould。
Shecalledforcards，andaskedmetoplaywithheratagamecalledprimiera。Itisagameofchance，butofsocomplicatedanaturethatthebestplayeralwayswins。InaquarterofanhourIfoundthatIwasthebetterplayer，butshehadsuchluckthatattheendofthegameI
hadlosttwentypistoles，whichIpaidonthespot。Shetookthemoney，promisingtogivememyrevenge。
Wehadsupper，andthenwecommittedallthewantonnessshewishedandI
wascapableofperforming，forwithmetheageofmiracleswaspast。
ThenextdayIcalledtoseeherearlierintheevening。Weplayedagain；andshelost，andwentonlosingeveningafterevening，tillIhadwonamatteroftwoorthreehundreddoubloons，nounwelcomeadditiontomysomewhatdepletedpurse。
Thespyrecoveredfromhiscolicandsuppedwithuseveryevening，buthispresencenolongerinterferedwithmypleasuresinceNinahadceasedtoprostituteherselftohiminmypresence。Shedidtheopposite；
givingherselftome，andtellinghimtowritetotheComtedeRiclawhateverheliked。
Thecountwroteheraletterwhichshegavemetoread。Thepoorlove—
sickviceroyinformedherthatshemightsafelyreturntoBarcelona，asthebishophadreceivedanorderfromtheCourttoregardherasmerelyauactress，whosestayinhisdiocesewouldonlybetemporary；shewouldthusbeallowedtolivethereinpeacesolongassheabstainedfromgivingcauseforscandal。ShetoldmethatwhilstshewasatBarcelonaI
couldonlyseeherafterteno’clockatnight，whenthecountalwayslefther。SheassuredmethatIshouldrunnoriskwhatever。
PossiblyIshouldnothavestayedatBarcelonaatallifNinahadnottoldmethatshewouldalwaysbereadytolendmeasmuchmoneyasI
wanted。
SheaskedmetoleaveValentiaadaybeforeher，andtoawaitheratTarragona。Ididso，andspentaverypleasantdayinthattown，whichaboundsinremainsofantiquity。
Iorderedachoicesupperaccordingtoherinstructions，andtookcarethatsheshouldhaveaseparatebedroomsoastoavoidanyscandal。
Shestartedinthemorningbeggingmetowaittilltheevening，andtotravelbynightsoastoreachBarcelonabyday—time。Shetoldmetoputupatthe"SantaMaria，"andnottocalltillIhadheardfromher。
Ifollowedallthedirectionsgivenmebythiscuriouswoman，andfoundmyselfcomfortablylodgedatBarcelona。MylandlordwasaSwisswhotoldmeinconfidencethathehadreceivedinstructionstotreatmewell，andthatIhadonlytoaskforwhatIwanted。
Weshallseesoonwhatwastheresultofallthis。
CHAPTERVIII
MyImprudence——Passano——IAmImprisoned——MyDeparturefromBarcelona——
MadameCastelbajacatMontpellier——Nimes——IArriveatAixAlthoughmySwisslandlordseemedanhonestandtrustworthykindofman，IcouldnothelpthinkingthatNinahadactedveryimprudentlyincommendingmetohim。Shewastheviceroy’smistress；andthoughtheviceroymightbeaveryagreeableman，hewasaSpaniard，andnotlikelytobeeasy—goinginhisloveaffairs。Ninaherselfhadtoldmethathewasardent，jealous，andsuspicious。Butthemischiefwasdone，andtherewasnohelpforit。
WhenIgotupmylandlordbroughtmeavaletdeplace，forwhosecharacterhesaidhecouldanswer，andhethensentupanexcellentdinner。Ihadslepttillthreeo’clockintheafternoon。
AfterdinnerIsummonedmyhost，andaskedhimwhetherNinahadtoldhimtogetmeaservant。Heansweredintheaffirmative，andaddedthatacarriagewasawaitingmycommandsatthedoor；ithadbeentakenbytheweek。
"Iamastonishedtohearit，fornoonebutmyselfcansaywhatIcanaffordornot。"
"Sir，everythingispaidfor。"
"Paidfor！Iwillnothaveit！"
"Youcansettlethatwithher，butIshallcertainlytakenopayment。
Isawdangersahead，butasIhavenevercaredtocherishforbodingsI
dismissedtheidea。
IhadaletterofintroductionfromtheMarquisdelasMorastoDonMigueldeCevallos，andanotherfromColonelRoyastoDonDiegodelaSecada。Itookmyletters，andthenextdayDonDiegocametoseeme，andtookmetotheComtedePeralda。ThedayafterDonMiguelintroducedmetotheComtedeRicla，ViceroyofCatalonia，andtheloverofNina。
TheComtedePeraladawasayoungmanwithapleasantfacebutwithanill—proportionedbody。Hewasagreatdebaucheeandloverofbadcompany，anenemyofreligion，morality，andlaw。HewasdirectlydescendedfromtheComtedePeralada，whoservedPhilipII。sowellthatthiskingdeclaredhim"countbythegraceofGod。"TheoriginalpatentofnobilitywasthefirstthingIsawinhisantechamber，whereitwasframedandglazedsothatallvisitorsmightseeitinthequarterofanhourtheywerekeptwaiting。
Thecountreceivedmewithaneasyandcordialemanner，whichseemedtosaythatherenouncedallthedignitiesofhisrank。HethankedDonDiegoforintroducingme，andtalkedagooddealaboutColonelRoyas。HeaskedmeifIhadseentheEnglishgirlhewaskeepingatSaragossa，andonmyreplyingintheaffirmative，hetoldmeinawhisperthathehadsleptwithher。
Hetookmetohisstables，wherehehadsomesplendidhorses，andthenaskedmetodinewithhimthenextday。
Theviceroyreceivedmeinaverydifferentmanner；hestoodupsothathemightnothavetooffermeachair，andthoughIspokeItalian，withwhichlanguageIknewhimtobewellacquainted，heansweredmeinSpanish，stylingme’ussia’（acontractionof’vuestrasenoria’，yourlordship，andusedbyeveryoneinSpain），whileIgavehimhispropertitleofexcellence。
HetalkedagooddealaboutMadrid，andcomplainedthatM。deMocenigohadgonetoParisbyBayonneinsteadofBarcelona，ashehadpromisedhim。
Itriedtoexcusemyambassadorbysayingthatbytakingtheotherroutehehadsavedfiftyleaguesofhisjourney，buttheviceroyrepliedthat’tenirlapalabra’（keepingtoone’swords）comesbeforeallelse。
HeaskedmeifIthoughtofstayinglongatBarcelona，andseemedsurprisedwhenItoldhimthat，withhisleave，Ihopedtomakealongstay。
"Ihopeyouwillenjoyyourself，"hesaid，"butImustwarnyouthatifyouindulgeinthepleasureswhichmynephewPeraladawilldoubtlessofferyou，youwillnotenjoyaverygoodreputationatBarcelona。"
AstheComtedeRiclamadethisobservationinpublic，IthoughtmyselfjustifiedincommunicatingittoPeraladahimself。Hewasdelighted，andtoldme，withevidentvanity，thathehadgonetoMadridthreetimes，andhadbeenorderedtoreturntoCataloniaoneachoccasion。
Ithoughtmybestplanwouldbetofollowtheviceroy’sindirectadvice，soIrefusedtojoininanyofthelittlepartiesofpleasurewhichPeraladaproposed。
Onthefifthdayaftermyarrival，anofficercametoaskmetodinnerattheviceroy’s。Iacceptedtheinvitationwithmuchpleasure，forIhadbeenafraidoftheviceroy’shavingheardofmyrelationswithNina，andthoughtitpossiblethathemighthavetakenadisliketome。Hewasverypleasanttomeatdinner，oftenaddressinghisobservationstome，butalwaysinatoneofgreatgravity。
IhadbeeninBarcelonaforaweek，andwasbeginningtowonderwhyIhadnotheardfromNina；butoneeveningshewrotemeanote，beggingmetocomeonfootandalonetoherhouseatteno’clockthesamenight。
IfIhadbeenwiseIshouldnothavegone，forIwasnotinlovewiththewoman，andshouldhaverememberedtherespectduetotheviceroy；butI
wasdevoidofallwisdomandprudence。AllthemisfortunesIhaveexperiencedinmylonglifenevertaughtmethosetwomostnecessaryvirtues。
AtthehourshehadnamedIcalledonher，wearingmygreatcoat，andwithaswordformyonlyweapon。IfoundNinawithhersister，awomanofthirty—sixorthereabouts，whowasmarriedtoanItaliandancer，nicknamedSchizza，becausehehadaflatternosethananyTartar。
Ninahadjustbeensuppingwithherlover，whohadleftheratteno’clock，accordingtohisinvariablecustom。
ShesaidshewasdelightedtohearIhadbeentodinnerwithhim，asshehadherselfspokentohiminmypraise，sayinghowadmirablyIhadkepthercompanyatValentia。
"Iamgladtohearit，butIdonotthinkyouarewiseininvitingmetoyourhouseatsuchlatehours。"
"Ionlydosotoavoidscandalamongstmyneighbours。"
"Inmyopinionmycomingsolateisonlylikelytoincreasetheprobabilityofscandal，andtomakeyourviceroyjealous。"
"Hewillneverhearofyourcoming。"
"Ithinkyouaremistaken。"
Iwentawayatmidnight，afteraconversationofthemostdecentcharacter。Hersisterdidnotleaveusforamoment，andNinagavehernocausetosuspecttheintimacyofourrelations。
Iwenttoseehereveryevening，withoutencroachingonthecount’spreserves。Ithoughtmyselfsecure，butthefollowingwarningshouldhavemademedesistifIhadnotbeencarriedawaybytheforcesofdestinyandobstinacyincombination。
AnofficerintheWalloonGuardsaccostedmeonedayasIwaswalkingbymyselfjustoutsidethetown。Hebeggedmeinthemostpolitemannertoexcusehimifhespokeonamatterwhichwasindifferenttohimbutofgreatconsequencetome。
"Speak，sir，"Ireplied，"Iwilltakewhateveryousayingoodpart。"
"Verygood。Youareastranger，sir，andmaynotbeacquaintedwithourSpanishmanners，consequentlyyouareunawareofthegreatriskyouruningoingtoseeNinaeveryeveningafterthecounthaslefther。"
"WhatriskdoIrun？Ihavenodoubtthatthecountknowsallaboutitanddoesnotobject。"
"Ihavenodoubtastohisknowingit，andhemaypossiblypretendtoknownothingbeforeher，ashefearsaswellaslovesher；butifshetellsyouthathedoesnotobject，sheeitherdeceivesherselforyou。
Hecannotloveherwithoutbeingjealous，andajealousSpaniard……
"Followmyadvice，sir，andforgivemyfreedom。"
"Iamsincerelyobligedtoyouforyourkindinterestinme，butIcannotfollowyouradvice，asbydoingsoIshouldbewantinginpolitenesstoNina，wholikestoseemeandgivesmeawarmwelcome。Ishallcontinuetovisithertillsheordersmenottodoso，ortillthecountsignifiestomehisdispleasureatmyvisitstohismistress。"
"Thecountwillneverdosuchathing；heistoocarefulofhisdignity。"
TheworthyofficerthennarratedtomealltheactsofinjusticewhichRiclahadcommittedsincehehadfalleninlovewiththiswoman。Hehaddismissedgentlemenfromhisserviceonthemeresuspicionthattheywereinlovewithher；somehadbeenexiled，andothersimprisonedononefrivolouspretextoranother。BeforehehadknownNinahehadbeenapatternofwisdom，justice，andvirtue，andnowhehadbecomeunjust，cruel，blindlypassionate，andineverywayascandaltothehighpositionheoccupied。
Allthisshouldhaveinfluencedme，butithadnottheslightesteffect。
Itoldhimforpoliteness’sakethatIwouldendeavourtopartfromherbydegrees，butIhadnointentionofdoingso。
WhenIaskedhimhowheknewthatIvisitedNina，helaughedandsaiditwasacommontopicofconversationalloverthetown。
ThesameeveningIcalledonherwithoutmentioningmyconversationwiththeofficer。TherewouldhavebeensomeexcuseformeifIhadbeeninlovewithher，butasitwas……Iactedlikeamadman。
Onthe14thofNovemberIwenttoseeherattheusualtime。Ifoundherwithamanwhowasshewingherminiatures。IlookedathimandfoundthathewasthescoundrelPassano，orPogomas。
Mybloodboiled；ItookNina’shandandledherintoaneighbouringroom，andtoldhertodismisstherogueatonce，orIwouldgotoreturnnomore。
"He’sapainter。"
"Iamwellacquaintedwithhishistory，andwilltellyouallaboutitpresently；butsendhimaway，orIshallgo。"
Shecalledhersister，andtoldhertoordertheGenoesetoleavethehouseandnevertoenteritagain。
Thethingwas’doneinamoment，butthesistertoldusthatashewentouthehadsaid，——
"Senepentira"（"Heshallbesorryforit"）。
IoccupiedanhourinrelatingsomeoftheinjuriesIhadreceivedfromthisscoundrellyfellow。
Thenextday（November15th），IwenttoNinaattheusualtime，andafterspendingtwohoursinpleasantconversewithherandhersisterIwentoutastheclockswerestrikingmidnight。
Thedoorofthehousewasunderanarcade，whichextendedtotheendofthestreet。Itwasadarknight；andIhadscarcelygonetwenty—fivepaceswhentwomensuddenlyrushedatme。
Isteppedback，drawingmysword，andexclaiming，"Assassins！"andthenwitharapidmovement，Ithrustmybladeintothebodyofthenearestassailant。Ithenleftthearcade，andbegantorundownthestreet。
Thesecondassassinfiredapistolatme，butitfortunatelymissedme。
Ifelldownanddroppedmyhatinmyrapidflight，andgotupandcontinuedmycoursewithouttroublingtopickitup。IdidnotknowwhetherIwaswoundedornot，butatlastIgottomyinn，andlaiddownthebloodyswordonthecounter，underthelandlord’snose。Iwasquiteoutofbreath。
Itoldthelandlordwhathadhappened，andontakingoffmygreatcoat，I
foundittobepiercedintwoplacesjustbelowthearmpit。
"Iamgoingtobed，"Isaidtothelandlord，"andIleavemygreatcoatandtheswordinyourcharge。TomorrowmorningIshallaskyoutocomewithmebeforethemagistratetodenouncethisactofassassination，forifthemanwaskilleditmustbeshewnthatIonlyslewhimtosavemyownlife。"
"IthinkyourbestplanwouldbetoflyBarcelonaimmediately。"
"ThenyouthinkIhavenottoldyouthestricttruth？"
"Iamsureyouhave；butIknowwhencetheblowcomes，andGodknowswhatwillbefallyou！"
"Nothingatall；butifIflyIshallbeaccountedguilty。Takecareofthesword；theytriedtoassassinateme，butIthinktheassassinsgottheworstofit。"
Iwenttobedsomewhatperturbed，butIhadtheconsolingthoughtthatifIhadkilledamanIhaddonesotoself—defence；myconsciencewasquiteclear。
Atseveno’clockthenextmorningIheardaknockingatmydoor。I
openedit，andsawmylandlord，accompaniedbyanofficer，whotoldmetogivehimallmypapers，todress，andtofollowhim，addingthatheshouldbecompelledtouseforceincaseofresistance。
"Ihavenointentionofresisting，"Ireplied。"Bywhoseauthoritydoyouaskmeformypapers？"
"Bytheauthorityofthegovernor。Theywillbereturnedtoyouifnothingsuspiciousisfoundamongstthem。"
"Whereareyougoingtotakeme？"
"Tothecitadel。"
Iopenedmytrunk，tookoutmylinenandmyclothes，whichIgavetomylandlord，andIsawtheofficer’sastonishmentatseeingmytrunkhalffilledwithpapers。
"TheseareallthepapersIhave，"Isaid。Ilockedtheboxandgavetheofficerthekey。
"Iadviseyou，sir，"hesaid，"toputallnecessaryarticlesintoaportmanteau。"Hethenorderedthelandlordtosendmeabed，andfinallyaskedmeifIhadanypapersinmypockets。
"Onlymypassports。"
"That’sexactlywhatwewant，"herejoined，withagrimsmile。
"Mypassportsaresacred；Iwillnevergivethemtoanyonebutthegovernor—general。Reverenceyourking；hereishispassport，hereisthatoftheCountofAranda，andherethepassportoftheVenetianambassador。Youwillhavetobindmehandandfootbeforeyougetthem。"
"Bemoremoderate，sir。Ingivingthemtomeitisjustasifyougavethemtotheviceroy。IfyouresistIwillnotbindyouhandandfoot，butIshalltakeyoubeforetheviceroy，andthenyouwillbeforcedtogivethemupinpublic。Givethemtomewithagoodgrace，andyoushallhaveanacknowledgement。"
TheworthylandlordtoldmeIshouldbewisertogivein，soIletmyselfbepersuaded。Theofficergavemeafullquittance，whichIputinmypocketbook（thisheletmekeepoutofhiskindness），andthenIfollowedhim。Hehadsixconstableswithhim，buttheykeptagooddistanceaway。
ComparingthiswiththecircumstancesofmyarrestatMadrid，Ithoughtmyselfwelltreated。
BeforewelefttheinntheofficertoldmethatImightorderwhatmealsIpleased，andIaskedthelandlordtoletmehavemydinnerandsupperasusual。
OnthewayItoldhimofmyadventureofthenightbefore；helistenedattentivelybutmadenocomments。
WhenwereachedthecitadelIwasdeliveredtotheofficeroftheguard，whogavemearoomonthefirstfloor。Itwasbareoffurniture，butthewindowslookedontoasquareandhadnoironbars。
Ihadscarcelybeentheretenminuteswhenmycarpetbagandanexcellentbedwerebroughtin。
AssoonasIwasaloneIbegantothinkoverthesituation。IfinishedwhereIoughttohavebegun。
"Whatcanthisimprisonmenthavetodowithmylastnight’sadventure？"I
reflected。
Icouldnotmakeouttheconnection。
"Theyarebentonexaminingmypapers；theymustthinkIhavebeentamperinginsomepoliticalorreligiousintrigue；butmymindisquiteateaseonthatscore。Iamwelllodgedatpresent，andnodoubtshallbesetfreeaftermypapershavebeenexamined；theycanfindnothingagainstmethere。
"Theaffairofmyattemptedassassinationwill，nodoubt，beconsideredseparately。
"Eveniftherascalisdead，Idonotseewhattheycandotome。
"Ontheotherhand，mylandlord’sadvicetoflyfromBarcelonalooksominous；whatiftheassassinsreceivedtheirordersfromsomepersonhighinauthority？
"ItispossiblethatRiclamayhavevowedmyruin，butitdoesnotseemprobabletome。
"Wouldithavebeenwisetofollowthelandlord’sadvice？
"Possibly，butIdonotthinkso；myhonourwouldhavesuffered，andI
mighthavebeencaughtandlaidupinsomehorriddungeon，whereasforaprisonIamcomfortableenoughhere。
"Inthreeorfourdaystheexaminationofmypaperswillhavebeencompleted，andasthereisnothinginthemlikelytobeoffensivetothepowersthatbe，theywillbereturnedtomewithmyliberty，whichwilltasteallthesweeterforthisshortdeprivation。
"Asformypassportstheyallspeakinmyfavour。
"Icannotthinkthattheall—powerfulhandoftheviceroycouldhavedirectedtheassassin’ssword；itwouldbeadishonourtohim，andifitwereso，hewouldnotbetreatingmesokindlynow。Ifitwerehisdoing，hemusthavehearddirectlythattheblowhadfailed，andinthatcaseIdonotthinkhewouldhavearrestedmethismorning。
"ShallIwritetoNina？Willwritingbeallowedhere？"
AsIwaspuzzlingmybrainswiththesereflections，stretchedonmybed（forIhadnochair），Iheardsomedisturbance，andonopeningmywindowIsaw，tomygreatastonishment，Passanobeingbroughtintotheprisonbyacorporalandtwosoldiers。Ashewasgoingin，therascallookedupandsawme，andbegantolaugh。
"Alas！"Isaidtomyself，"hereisfreshfoodforconjecture。ThefellowtoldNina’ssisterthatIshouldbesorryforwhatIhaddone。Hemusthavedirectedsomefearfulcalumnyagainstme，andtheyareimprisoninghimsoastobesureofhisevidence。"
Onreflection，Iwaswellpleasedattheturnaffairshadtaken。
Anexcellentdinnerwassetbeforeme，butIhadnochairortable。Thedeficiencywasremediedbythesoldierwhowasinchargeofmefortheconsiderationofaduro。
Prisonerswerenotallowedtohavepenandinkwithoutspecialpermission；butpaperandpencilswerenotincludedunderthisregulation，somyguardgotthemforme，togetherwithcandlesandcandlesticks，andIproceededtokilltimebymakinggeometricalcalculations。Imadetheobligingsoldiersupwithme，andhepromisedtocommendmetooneofhiscomradeswhowouldservemewell。Theguardwasrelievedateleven。
Onthefourthdaytheofficeroftheguardcametomewithadistressedlook，andtoldmethathehadthedisagreeabledutyofgivingmesomeverybadnews。
"Whatisthat，sir？"
"Ihavereceivedorderstotransferyoutothebottomofthetower。"
"Totransferme？"
"Yes。"
"Thentheymusthavediscoveredinmeacriminalofthedeepestdye！Letusgoatonce。"
Ifoundmyselfinakindofroundcellar，pavedwithlargeflagstones，andlightedbyfiveorsixnarrowslitsinthewalls。TheofficertoldmeImustorderwhatfoodrequiredtobebroughtonceaday，asnoonewasallowedtocomeintothe’calabozo’，ordungeon，bynight。
"Howaboutlights？"
"Youmaylaveonelampalwaysburning，andthatwillbeenough，asbooksarenotallowed。Whenyourdinnerisbrought，theofficerondutywillopenthepiesandthepoultrytoseethattheydonotcontainanydocuments；forherenolettersareallowedtocomeinorgoout。"
"Havetheseordersbeengivenformyespecialbenefit？"
"No，sir；itistheordinaryrule。Youwillbeabletoconversewiththesentinel。"
"Thedoorwillbeopen，then？"
"Notatall。"
"Howaboutthecleanlinessofmycell？"
"Asoldierwillaccompanytheofficerinchargeofyourdinner，andhewillattendtoyourwantsforatrifle。"
"MayIamusemyselfbymakingarchitecturalplanswiththepencil？"
"Asmuchasyoulike。"
"Thenwillyoubegoodenoughtoordersomepapertobeboughtforme？"
"Withpleasure。"
Theofficerseemedtopitymeasheleftme，andboltedandbarredtheheavydoorbehindwhichIsawamanstandingsentrywithhisbayonetfixed。Thedoorwasfittedwithasmallirongrating。
WhenIgotmypaperandmydinneratnoondaytheofficercutopenafowl，andplungedaforkintheotherdishessoastomakesurethattherewerenopapersatthebottom。
Mydinnerwouldhavesufficedforsixpeople。ItoldtheofficerthatI
shouldbemuchhonouredbyhisdiningwithme，butherepliedthatitwasstrictlyforbidden。HegavemethesameanswerwhenIaskedifImighthavethenewspapers。
Itwasafestivaltimeforthesentinels，asIsharedmymealsandmygoodwinewiththem；andconsequentlythesepoorfellowswerefirmlyattachedtome。
Iwascurioustoknowwhowaspayingformygoodcheer，buttherewasnochanceofmyfindingout，forthewaiterfromtheinnwasneverallowedtoapproachmycell。
Inthisdungeon，whereIwasimprisonedforforty—twodays，Iwroteinpencilandwithoutotherreferencethanmymemory，myrefutationofAmelotdelaHoussaye’s"HistoryoftheVenetianGovernment。"
Iwasmostheartilyamusedduringmyimprisonment，andinthefollowingmanner:
WhileIwasatWarsawanItaliannamedTadinicametoWarsaw。HehadanintroductiontoTomatiswhocommendedhimtome。Hecalledhimselfanoculist。Tomatisusedtogivehimadinnernowandagain，butnotbeingwelloffinthosedaysIcouldonlygivehimgoodwordsandacupofcoffeewhenhechancedtocomeaboutmybreakfast—time。
Tadinitalkedtoeverybodyabouttheoperationshehadperformed，andcondemnedanoculistwhohadbeenatWarsawfortwentyyears，sayingthathedidnotunderstandhowtoextractacataract，whiletheotheroculistsaidthatTadiniwasacharlatanwhodidnotknowhowtheeyewasmade。
TadinibeggedmetospeakinhisfavourtoaladywhohadhadacataractremovedbytheWarsawoculist，onlytoreturnagainashorttimeaftertheoperation。
Theladywasblindoftheoneeye，butshecouldseewiththeother，andItoldTadinithatIdidnotcaretomeddlewithsuchadelicatematter。
"Ihavespokentothelady，"saidTadini，"andIhavementionedyournameasapersonwhowillanswerforme。"
"Youhavedonewrong；insuchamatterIwouldnotstandsuretyforthemostlearnedofmen，andIknownothingaboutyourlearning。"
"ButyouknowIamanoculist。"
"Iknowyouwereintroducedtomeassuch，butthat’sall。Asaprofessionalman，youshouldnotneedanyone’scommendation，youshouldbeabletosay，’Operibuscredite’。Thatshouldbeyourmotto。"
Tadiniwasvexedwithmyincredulity，andshewedmeanumberoftestimonials，whichImightpossiblyhaveread，ifthefirstwhichmetmyeyehadnotbeenfromaladywhoprotestedtoallandsingularthatM。Tadinihadcuredherofamaurosis。AtthisIlaughedinhisfaceandtoldhimtoleavemealone。
AfewdaysafterIfoundmyselfdiningwithhimatthehouseoftheladywiththecataract。Shehadalmostmadeuphermindtosubmittotheoperation，butastherascalhadmentionedmyname，shewantedmetobepresentatadisputebetweenTadiniandtheotheroculistwhocameinwiththedessert。
Idisposedmyselftolistentotheargumentsofthetworivalprofessorswithconsiderablepleasure。TheWarsawoculistwasaGerman，butspokeFrenchverywell；however，heattackedTadiniinLatin。TheItaliancheckedhimbysayingthattheirdiscoursemustbeconductedinalanguageintelligibletothelady，andIagreedwithhim。ItwasplainthatTadinididnotknowawordofLatin。
TheGermanoculistbeganbyadmittingthataftertheoperationforcataracttherewasnochanceofthediseasereturning，butthattherewasaconsiderableriskofthecrystallinehumourevaporating，andthepatientbeingleftinastateoftotalblindness。
Tadini，insteadofdenyingthisstatement（whichwasinaccurate），hadthefollytotakealittleboxoutofhispocket。Itcontainedanumberofminuteroundcrystals。
"What’sthat？"saidtheoldprofessor。
"AsubstancewhichIcanplaceinthecorneatosupplythelossofthecrystallinematter。"
TheGermanwentoffintoaroaroflaughtersolongandloudthattheladycouldnothelplaughing。Ishouldhavelikedtojointhem，butI
wasashamedtobethoughtthepatronofthisignorantfellow，soI
preservedagloomysilence。
TadininodoubtinterpretedmysilenceasamarkofdisapprovaloftheGerman’slaughter，andthoughttobettermattersbyaskingmetogivemyopinion。
"Asyouwanttohearit，"saidI，"hereitis。"
"There’sagreatdifferencebetweenatoothandthecrystallinehumour；
andthoughyoumayhavesucceededinputtinganartificialtoothintoagum，thistreatmentwillnotdowiththeeye。"
"Sir，Iamnotadentist。"
"No，noranoculisteither。"
Atthistheignorantrascalgotupandlefttheroom，anditwasdecidedlythebestthinghecoulddo。
Welaughedoverthisnewtreatment，andtheladypromisedtohavenothingmoretodowithhim。Theprofessorwasnotcontenttodespisehisopponentinsilence。HehadhimcitedbeforetheFacultyofMedicinetobeexaminedonhisknowledgeoftheeye，andprocuredtheinsertionofasatiricarticleinthenewsonthenewoperationforreplacingthecrystallinehumour，alludingtothewonderfulartisttheninWarsawwhocouldperformthisoperationaseasilyasadentistcouldputinafalsetooth。
ThismadeTadinifurious，andhesetupontheoldprofessorinthestreetandforcedhimtotherefugeinahouse。
Afterthishenodoubtleftthetownonfoot，forhewasseennomore。
Nowthereaderisinapositiontounderstandmysurpriseandamusement，when，onedayasIpeeredthroughthegratinginmydungeon，IsawtheoculistTadinistandingovermewithguninhand。Butheatalleventsevincednoamusementwhatever，whileIroaredandroaredagainwithlaughterforthetwohourshisdutylasted。
Igavehimagoodmealandasufficiencyofmyexcellentwine，andattheendacrown，promisingthatheshouldhavethesametreatmenteverytimehereturnedtothepost。ButIonlysawhimfourtimes，astheguardatmycellwasapositioneagerlycovetedandintriguedforbytheothersoldiers。
HeamusedmebythestoryofhismisadventuressincehehadleftWarsaw。
Hehadtravelledfarandwidewithoutmakingafortune，andatlastarrivedinBarcelona，wherehefailedtomeetwithanycourtesyorconsideration。Hehadnointroduction，nodiploma；hehadrefusedtosubmittoanexaminationintheLatintongue，because（ashesaid）therewasnoconnectionbetweenthelearnedlanguagesandthediseasesoftheeye；andtheresultwasthat，insteadofthecommonfateofbeingorderedtoleavethecountry，hewasmadeintoasoldier。Hetoldmeinconfidencethatheintendedtodesert，buthesaidheshouldtakecaretoavoidthegalleys。
"Whathaveyoudonewithyourcrystals？"
"IhaverenouncedthemsinceIleftWarsaw，thoughIamsuretheywouldsucceed。"
Ineverheardofhimagain。
OnDecember28th，sixweeksaftermyarrest，theofficeroftheguardcametomycellandtoldmetodressandfollowhim。
"Wherearewegoing？"
"Iamabouttodeliveryoutoanofficeroftheviceroy，whoiswaiting。"
Idressedhastily，andafterplacingallmybelongingsinaportmanteauI
followedhim。Wewenttotheguardroom，andthereIwasplacedunderthechargeoftheofficerwhohadarrestedme，whotookmetothepalace。
ThereaGovernmentofficialshewedmemytrunk，tellingmethatIshouldfindallmypapersintact；andhethenreturnedmemythreepassports，withtheremarkthattheyweregenuinedocuments。
"Iknewthatallalong。"
"Isupposeso，butwehadreasonsfordoubtingtheirauthenticity。"
"Theymusthavebeenstrangereasons，for，asyounowconfess，thesereasonsweredevoidofreason。"
"YoumustbeawarethatIcannotreplytosuchanobjection。"
"Idon’taskyoutodoso。"
"Yourcharacterisperfectlyclear；allthesameImustrequestyoutoleaveBarcelonainthreedays，andCataloniainaweek。"
"OfcourseIwillobey；butitstrikesmethattheCatalonianmethodofrepairinginjusticeissomewhatpeculiar。"
"IfyouthinkyouhavegroundforcomplaintyouareatlibertytogotoMadridandcomplaintotheCourt。"
"Ihavecertainlygroundsenoughforcomplaint，sir，butIshallgotoFrance，andnottoMadrid；IhavehadenoughofSpanishjustice。Willyoupleasegivemetheordertoleaveinwriting？"
"That’sunnecessary；youmaytakeitforgranted。MynameisEmmanuelBadillo；Iamasecretaryofstate。Thatgentlemanwillescortyoubacktotheroomwhereyouwerearrested。Youwillfindeverythingjustasyouhaveleftit。Youareafreeman。To—morrowIwillsendyouyourpassport，signedbytheviceroyandmyself。Goodday，sir。"
Accompaniedbytheofficerandaservantbearingmyportmanteau，I
proceededtomyoldinn。
OnmywayIsawatheatricalposter，anddecidedtogototheopera。
Thegoodlandlordwasdelightedtoseemeagain，andhastenedtolightmeafire，forabitterlycoldnorthwindwasblowing。Heassuredmethatnoonebuthimselfhadbeeninmyroom，andintheofficer’spresencehegavemebackmysword，mygreatcoat，and，tomyastonishment，thehatI
haddroppedinmyflightfromtheassassins。
TheofficeraskedmeifIhadanycomplaintstomake，andIrepliedthatIhadnone。
"IshouldliketohearyousaythatIhaddonenothingbutmyduty，andthatpersonallyIhavenotdoneyouanyinjury。"
Ishookhishand，andassuredhimofmyesteem。
"Farewell，sir，"saidhe，"Ihopeyouwillhaveapleasantjourney。"
ItoldmylandlordthatIwoulddineatnoon，andthatItrustedtohimtocelebratemyliberationinafittingmanner，andthenIwenttothepostofficetoseeiftherewereanylettersforme。Ifoundfiveorsixletters，withthesealsintact，muchtomyastonishment。WhatisonetomakeofaGovernmentwhichdeprivesamanofhislibertyonsometriflingpretext，and，thoughseizingallhispapers，respectstheprivacyofhisletters？ButSpain，asIhaveremarked，ispeculiarineveryway。
TheseletterswerefromParis，Venice，Warsaw，andMadrid，andIhaveneverhadanyreasontobelievethatanyotherlettershadcomeformeduringmyimprisonment。
Iwentbacktomyinn，andaskedmylandlordtobringthebill。
"Youdonotowemeanything，sir。Hereisyourbillfortheperiodprecedingyourimprisonment，and，asyousee，ithasbeensettled。I
alsoreceivedordersfromthesamesourcetoprovideforyouduringyourimprisonment，andaslongasyoustayedatBarcelona。"
"DidyouknowhowlongIshouldremaininprison？"
"No，Iwaspaidbytheweek。"
"Whopaidyou？"
"Youknowverywell。"
"Haveyouhadanynoteforme？"
"Nothingatall。"
"Whathasbecomeofthevaletdeplace？"
"Ipaidhim，andsenthimawayimmediatelyafteryourarrest。"
"IshouldliketohavehimwithmeasfarasPerpignan。"
"Youareright，andIthinkthebestthingyoucandoistoleaveSpainaltogether，foryouwillfindnojusticeinit。"
"Whatdotheysayaboutmyassassination？"
"Why，theysayyoufiredtheshotthatpeopleheardyourself，andthatyoumadeyourownswordbloody，fornoonewasfoundthere，eitherdeadorwounded。"
"That’sanamusingtheory。Wheredidmyhatcomefrom？"
"Itwasbroughttomethreedaysafter。"
"Whataconfusion！ButwasitknownthatIwasimprisonedinthetower？"
"Everybodyknewit，andtwogoodreasonsweregiven，theoneinpublic，andtheotherinprivate。"
"Whatarethesereasons？"
"Thepublicreasonwasthatyouhadforgedyourpassports；theprivateone，whichwasonlywhisperedattheear，wasthatyouspentallyournightswithNina。"
"YoumighthaveswornthatIneversleptoutofyourinn。"
"Itoldeveryoneasmuch，butnomatter；youdidgotoherhouse，andforacertainnoblemanthat’sacrime。IamgladyoudidnotflyasI
advisedyou，forasitisyourcharacterisclearedbeforeeverybody。"
"Ishouldliketogototheoperathisevening；takemeabox。"
"Itshallbedone；butdonothaveanythingmoretodowithNina，I
entreatyou。"
"No，mygoodfriend，Ihavemadeupmymindtoseehernomore。"
JustasIwassittingdowntodinner，abanker’sclerkbroughtmealetterwhichpleasedmeverymuch。ItcontainedthebillsofexchangeI
haddrawninGenoa，infavourofM。AugustinGrimaldi。Henowsentthemback，withthesewords:
"PassanohasbeenvainlyendeavouringtopersuademetosendthesebillstoBarcelona，sothattheymaybeprotested，andyouarrested。InowsendthemtoyoutoconvinceyouthatIamnotoneofthosewhodelightintramplingdownthevictimsofbadfortune。
——Genoa，November30th，1768。"
ForthefourthtimeaGenoesehadbehavedmostgenerouslytome。IwasalmostpersuadedthatIoughttoforgivetheinfamousPassanoforthesakeofhisfourexcellentfellow—countrymen。
Butthisvirtuewasalittlebeyondme。IconcludedthatthebestthingIcoulddowouldbetoridtheGenoesenameoftheopprobriumwhichthisrascalwasalwaysbringingonit，butIcouldneverfindanopportunity。
SomeyearsafterIheardthatthewretchdiedinmiserablepovertyinGenoa。
Iwascuriousatthetimetoknowwhathadbecomeofhim，asitwasimportantformetobeonmyguard。Iconfidedmycuriositytomylandlord，andheinstructedoneoftheservantstomakeenquiries。I
onlyheardthefollowingcircumstance:
AscanioPogomas，orPassano，hadbeenreleasedattheendofNovember，andhadthenbeenembarkedonafeluccaboundforToulon。
ThesamedayIwrotealongandgratefullettertoM。Grimaldi。Ihadindeedreasontobegrateful，forifhehadlistenedtomyenemyhemighthavereducedmetoastateofdreadfulmisery。
Mylandlordhadtakentheboxattheoperainmyname，andtwohoursafterwards，toeveryone’sgreatastonishment，thepostersannouncingtheplaysoftheeveningwerecoveredbybillsinformingthepublicthattwooftheperformershadbeentakenill，thattheplaywouldnotbegiven，andthetheatreclosedtilltheseconddayofthenewyear。
Thisorderundoubtedlycamefromtheviceroy，andeverybodyknewthereason。
IwassorrytohavedeprivedthepeopleofBarcelonaoftheonlyamusementtheyhadintheevening，andresolvedtostayindoors，thinkingthatwouldbethemostdignifiedcourseIcouldadopt。
Petrarchsays，——
’Amorchefagentileuncorvillano’。
IfhehadknowntheloverofNinahewouldhavechangedthelineinto’Amorchefavillanuncorgentile’。
InfourmonthsIshallbeabletothrowsomemorelightonthisstrangebusiness。
IshouldhaveleftBarcelonathesameday，butaslighttingeofsuperstitionmademedesiretoleaveonthelastdayoftheunhappyyearIhadspentinSpain。Ithereforespentmythreedaysofgraceinwritingletterstoallmyfriends。
DonMigueldeCevallos，DonDiegodelaSecada，andtheComtedelaPeraladacametoseeme，butseparately。DonDiegodelaSecadawastheuncleoftheCountessA————B————whomIhadmetatMilan。ThesegentlementoldmeataleasstrangeasanyofthecircumstanceswhichhadhappenedtomeatBarcelona。
Onthe26thofDecembertheAbbeMarquisio，theenvoyoftheDukeofModena，askedtheviceroy，beforeaconsiderablenumberofpeople，ifhecouldpaymeavisit，togivemealetterwhichhecouldplaceinnohandsbutmine。IfnothesaidheshouldbeobligedtotakethelettertoMadrid，forwhichtownhewasobligedtosetoutthenextday。
Thecountmadenoanswer，toeveryone’sastonishment，andtheabbeleftforMadridthenextday，theeveofmybeingsetatliberty。
Iwrotetotheabbe，whowasunknowntome，butIneversucceededinfindingoutthetruthaboutthisletter。
TherecouldbenodoubtthatIhadbeenarrestedbythedespoticviceroy，whohadbeenpersuadedbyNinathatIwasherfavouredlover。Thequestionofmypassportsmusthavebeenamerepretext，foreightortendayswouldhavesufficedtosendthemtoMadridandhavethembackagainiftheirauthenticityhadbeendoubted。PossiblyPassanomighthavetoldtheviceroythatanypassportsofminewereboundtobefalse，asI
shouldhavehadtoobtainthesignatureofmyownambassador。This，hemighthavesaid，wasoutofthequestionasIwasindisgracewiththeVenetianGovernment。Asamatteroffact，hewasmistakenifhereallysaidso，butthemistakewouldhavebeenanexcusableone。
WhenImadeupmymindattheendofAugusttoleaveMadrid，IaskedtheCountofArandaforapassport。HerepliedthatImustfirstobtainonefrommyambassador，who，headded，couldnotrefusetodomethisservice。
FortifiedwiththisopinionIcalledattheembassy。M。QueriniwasatSanIldefonsoatthetime，andItoldtheporterthatIwantedtospeaktothesecretaryofembassy。
Theservantsentinmyname，andthefopgavehimselfairs，andpretendedthathecouldnotreceiveme。InmyindignationIwrotetohimsayingthatIhadnotcalledtopaymycourttothesecretary，buttodemandapassportwhichwasmyright。Igavemynameandmydegree（doctoroflaw），andbeggedhimtoleavethepassportwiththeporter，asIshouldcallforitonthefollowingday。
Ipresentedmyselfaccordingly，andtheportertoldmethattheambassadorhadleftverbalordersthatIwasnottohaveapassport。
IwroteimmediatelytotheMarquisGrimaldiandtotheDukeofLossada，beggingthemtorequesttheambassadortosendmeapassportintheusualform，orelseIshouldpublishtheshamefulreasonsforwhichhisuncleMocenigohaddisgracedme。
IdonotknowwhetherthesegentlemenshewedmyletterstoQuerini，butI
doknowthatthesecretaryOlivierasentmemypassport。
ThereupontheCountArandafurnishedmewithapassportsignedbytheking。
OnthelastdayoftheyearIleftBarcelonawithaservantwhosatbehindmychaise，andIagreedwithmydrivertotakemetoPerpignanbyJanuary3rd，1769。
ThedriverwasaPiedmonteseandaworthyman:ThenextdayhecameintotheroomofthewaysideinnwhereIwasdining，andinthepresenceofmymanaskedmewhetherIhadanysuspicionthatIwasbeingfollowed。
"Well，Imaybe，"Isaid，"butwhatmakesyouaskthatquestion？"
"AsyouwereleavingBarcelonayesterday，Inoticedthreeill—lookingfellowswatchingus，armedtotheteeth。Lastnighttheysleptinthestablewithmymules。Theydinedhereto—day，andtheywentonthreequartersofanhourago。Theydon’tspeaktoanyone，andIdon’tlikethelooksofthem。"
"Whatshallwedotoavoidassassination，orthedreadofit？"
"Wemuststartlate，andstopataninnIknowof，aleaguethissideoftheordinarystagewheretheywillbeawaitingus。Iftheyturnback，andsleepatthesameinnasourselves，weshallbecertain。"
Ithoughttheideaasensibleone，andwestarted，Igoingonfootnearlythewholeway；andatfiveo’clockwehaltedatawretchedinn，butwesawnosignsofthesinistertrio。
Ateighto’clockIwasatsupper，whenmymancameinandtoldmethatthethreefellowshadcomeback，andweredrinkingwithourdriverinthestable。
Myhairstoodonend。Therecouldbenomoredoubtaboutthematter。
Atpresent，itwastrue，Ihadnothingtofear；butitwouldbegettingdarkwhenwearrivedatthefrontier，andthenmyperilwouldcome。
Itoldmyservanttoshewnosign，buttoaskthedrivertocomeandspeakwithmewhentheassassinswereasleep。
Hecameatteno’clock，andtoldmeplainlythatweshouldbeallmurderedasweapproachedtheFrenchfrontier。
"Thenyouhavebeendrinkingwiththem？"
"Yes，andafterwehaddispatchedabottleatmyexpense，oneofthemaskedmewhyIhadnotgoneontotheendofthestage，whereyouwouldbebetterlodged。Irepliedthatitwaslate，andyouwerecold。I
mighthaveaskedinmyturn，whytheyhadnotstayedatthestagethemselves，andwheretheyweregoing，butItookcaretodonothingofthekind。AllIaskedwaswhethertheroadtoPerpignanwasagoodone，andtheytoldmeitwasexcellentalltheway。"
"Whataretheydoingnow？"
"Theyaresleepingbymymules，coveredwiththeircloaks。"
"Whatshallwedo？"
"Wewillstartatday—breakafterthem，ofcourse，andweshalldineattheusualstage；butafterdinner，trustme，wewilltakeadifferentroad，andatmidnightweshallbeinFrancesafeandsound。"
IfIcouldhaveprocuredagoodarmedescortIwouldnothavetakenhisadvice，butinthesituationIwasinIhadnochoice。
Wefoundthethreescoundrelsintheplacewherethedriverhadtoldmeweshouldseethem。Igavethemasearchingglance，andthoughttheylookedliketrueSicarii，readytokillanyoneforalittlemoney。
Theystartedinaquarterofanhour，andhalfanhourlaterwesetout，withapeasanttoguideus，andsostruckintoacrossroad。Themuleswentatasharppace，andinsevenhourswehaddoneelevenleagues。Atteno’clockwestoppedataninninaFrenchvillage，andwehadnomoretofear。Igaveourguideadoubloon，withwhichhewaswellpleased，andIenjoyedoncemoreapeacefulnightinaFrenchbed，fornowherewillyoufindsuchsoftbedsorsuchdeliciouswinesasinthegoodlandofFrance。
ThenextdayIarrivedattheposting—innatPerpignanintimefordinner。Iendeavouredinvaintothinkwhocouldhavepaidmyassassins，butthereaderwillseetheexplanationwhenwegettwentydaysfarther。
AtPerpignanIdismissedmydriverandmyservant，rewardingthemaccordingtomyability。IwrotetomybrotheratParis，tellinghimI
hadhadafortunateescapefromthedaggeroftheassassin。IbeggedhimtodirecthisanswertoAix，whereIintendedtospendafortnight，inthehopeofseeingtheMarquisd’Argens。IleftPerpignanthedayaftermyarrival，andsleptatNarbonne，andthedayafteratBeziers。
ThedistancefromNarbonnetoBeziersisonlyfiveleagues，andIhadnotintendedtostop；butthegoodcheerwhichthekindestoflandladiesgavemeatdinnermademestopwithhertosupper。
Beziersisatownwhichlookspleasantevenattheworsttimeoftheyear。Aphilosopherwhowishedtorenounceallthevanitiesoftheworld，andanEpicureanwhowouldenjoygoodcheercheaply，couldfindnobetterretreatthanBeziers。
EverybodyatBeziersisintelligent，allthewomenarepretty，andthecooksareallartists；thewinesareexquisite——whatmorecouldonedesire！Mayitsrichesneverproveitsruin！
WhenIreachedMontpellier，Igotdownatthe"WhiteHorse，"withtheintentionofspendingaweekthere。IntheeveningIsuppedatthetabled’hote，whereIfoundanumerouscompany，andIsawtomyamusementthatforeveryguesttherewasaseparatedishbroughttotable。
NowhereistherebetterfarethanatMontpellier。’TisaveritablelandofCocagne！
ThenextdayIbreakfastedatthecafe（aninstitutionpeculiartoFrance，theonlycountrywherethescienceoflivingisreallyunderstood），andaddressedthefirstgentlemanImet，tellinghimthatI
wasastrangerandthatIwouldliketoknowsomeoftheprofessors。Heimmediatelyofferedtotakemetooneoftheprofessorswhoenjoyedagreatreputation。
HereinmaybeseenanotherofthegoodqualitiesoftheFrench，whorankaboveothernationsbysomanytitles。ToaFrenchmanaforeignerisasacredbeing；hereceivesthebestofhospitality，notmerelyinform，butindeed；andhiswelcomeisgivenwiththateasygracewhichsosoonsetsastrangerathisease。
Mynewfriendintroducedmetotheprofessor，whoreceivedmewithallthepolishedcourtesyoftheFrenchmanofletters。Hethatloveslettersshouldloveallotherloversofletters，andinFrancethatisthecase，evenmoresothanItaly。InGermanytheliterarymanhasanairofmysteriousreserve。Hethinksheisproclaimingtoalltheworldthatheatalleventsisamanofnopretension，whereashispridepeepsthrougheverymoment。Naturallythestrangerisnotencouragedbysuchamannerasthis。
AtthetimeofmyvisittherewasanexcellentcompanyofactorsatMontpellier，whomIwenttoseethesameevening。MybosomswelledatfindingmyselfintheblessedairofFranceafteralltheannoyancesI
hadgonethroughinSpain。Iseemedtohavebecomeyoungagain；butI
wasaltered，forseveralbeautifulandcleveractressesappearedonthestagewithoutarousinganydesireswithinme；andIwouldhaveitso。
IhadalivelydesiretofindMadameCastelbajac，notwithanywishtorenewmyoldrelationswithher。Iwishedtocongratulateheronherimprovedposition，butIwasafraidofcompromisingherbyaskingforherinthetown。
Iknewthatherhusbandwasanapothecary，soIresolvedtomaketheacquaintanceofalltheapothecariesintheplace。Ipretendedtobeinwantofsomeveryraredrugs，andenteredintoconversationaboutthedifferencesbetweenthetradeinFranceandinforeigncountries。IfI
spoketothemasterIhopedhewouldtalktohiswifeaboutthestrangerwhohadvisitedthecountrieswhereshehadbeen，andthatthatwouldmakehercurioustoknowme。If，ontheotherhand，Ispoketotheman，Iknewhewouldsoontellmeallheknewabouthismaster’sfamily。
Onthethirddaymystratagemsucceeded。Myoldfriendwrotemeanote，tellingmethatshehadseenmespeakingtoherhusbandinhisshop。Shebeggedmetocomeagainatacertaintime，andtotellherhusbandthatI
hadknownherunderthenameofMdlle。BlasininEngland，Spa，Leipzig，andVienna，asaselleroflace。Sheendedhernotewiththesewords:
"Ihavenodoubtthatmyhusbandwillfinallyintroduceyoutomeashiswife。"
Ifollowedheradvice，andthegoodmanaskedmeifIhadeverknownayounglacesellerofthenameofMdlle。Blasin，ofMontpellier。
"Yes，Irememberherwellenough——adelightfulandmostrespectableyoungwoman；butIdidnotknowshecamefromMontpellier。Shewasveryprettyandverysensible，andIexpectshedidagoodbusiness。IhaveseenherinseveralEuropeancities，andthelasttimeatVienna，whereIwasabletobeofsomeslightservicetoher。Heradmirablebehaviourwonhertheesteemofalltheladieswithwhomshecameincontact。InEnglandImetheratthehouseofaduchess。"
"Doyouthinkyouwouldrecognizeherifyousawheragain？"
"ByJove！Ishouldthinkso！ButissheatMontpellier？Ifso，tellherthattheChevalierdeSeingaltishere。"
"Sir，youshallspeaktoheryourself，ifyouwilldomethehonourtofollowme。"
Myheartleapt，butIrestrainedmyself。Theworthyapothecarywentthroughtheshop，climbedastair，and，openingadooronthefirstfloor，saidtome，——
"Theresheis。"
"What，mademoiselle！Youhere？Iamdelightedtoseeyou。"
"Thisisnotayounglady，sir，’tismydearwife；butIhopethatwillnothinderyoufromembracingher。"
"Ihaveneverhadsuchanhonour；butIwillavailmyselfofyourpermissionwithpleasure。ThenyouhavegotmarriedatMontpellier。I
congratulatebothofyou，andwishyouallhealthandhappiness。Tellme，didyouhaveapleasantjourneyfromViennatoLyons？"
MadameBlasin（forsoImustcontinuetodesignateher）answeredmyquestionaccordingtoherfancy，andfoundmeasgoodanactorasshewasanactress。
Wewereverygladtoseeeachotheragain，buttheapothecarywasdelightedatthegreatrespectwithwhichItreatedhiswife。
Forawholehourwecarriedonaconversationofaperfectlyimaginarycharacter，andwithallthesimplicityofperfecttruth。
SheaskedmeifIthoughtofspendingthecarnivalatMontpellier，andseemedquitemortifiedwhenIsaidthatIthoughtofgoingonthenextday。
Herhusbandhastenedtosaythatthatwasquiteoutofthequestion。
"Oh，Ihopeyouwon’tgo，"sheadded，"youmustdomyhusbandthehonourofdiningwithus。"
AfterthehusbandhadpressedmeforsometimeIgavein，andacceptedtheirinvitationtodinnerforthedayafternext。
InsteadofstoppingtwodaysIstoppedfour。Iwasmuchpleasedwiththehusband’smother，whowasadvancedinyearsbutextremelyintelligent。
Shehadevidentlymadeapointofforgettingeverythingunpleasantinthepasthistoryofherson’swife。
MadameBlasintoldmeinprivatethatshewasperfectlyhappy，andIhadeveryreasontobelievethatshewasspeakingthetruth。Shehadmadearuletobemostpreciseinfulfillingherwifelyduties，andrarelywentoutunlessaccompaniedbyherhusbandorhermother—in—law。
Ispentthesefourdaysintheenjoymentofpureandinnocentfriendshipwithouttherebeingtheslightestdesireoneithersidetorenewourguiltypleasures。
OnthethirddayafterIhaddinedwithherandherhusband，shetoldme，whilewewerealoneforamoment，thatifIwantedfiftylouissheknewwheretogetthemforme。Itoldhertokeepthemforanothertime，ifI
wassohappyastoseeheragain，andsounhappyastobeinwant。
IleftMontpellierfeelingcertainthatmyvisithadincreasedtheesteeminwhichherhusbandandhermother—in—lawheldher，andIcongratulatedmyselfonmyabilitytobehappywithoutcommittinganysins。
ThedayafterIhadbadethemfarewell，IsleptatNimes，whereIspentthreedaysinthecompanyofanaturalist:M。deSeguier，thefriendoftheMarquisMaffeiofVerona。InhiscabinetofnaturalhistoryIsawandadmiredtheimmensityandinfinityoftheCreator’shandiwork。
Nimesisatownwellworthyofthestranger’sobservation；itprovidesfoodforthemind，andthefairsex，whichisreallyfairthere，shouldgivetheheartthefooditlikesbest。
Iwasaskedtoaball，where，asaforeigner，Itookfirstplace——aprivilegepeculiartoFrance，forinEngland，andstillmoreinSpain，aforeignermeansanenemy。
OnleavingNimesIresolvedtospendthecarnivalatAix，wherethenobilityisofthemostdistinguishedcharacter。IbelieveIlodgedatthe"ThreeDolphins，"whereIfoundaSpanishcardinalonhiswaytoRometoelectasuccessortoPopeRezzonico。
CHAPTERIX
MyStayatAix；IFallIll——IamCaredforByanUnknownLady——
TheMarquisd’Argens——CagliostroMyroomwasonlyseparatedfromhisCastilianeminence’sbyalightpartition，andIcouldhearhimquiteplainlyreprimandinghischiefservantforbeingtooeconomical。
"Mylord，Idomybest，butitisreallyimpossibletospendmore，unlessIcompeltheinn—keeperstotakedoubletheamountoftheirbills；andyoureminencewilladmitthatnothinginthewayofrichandexpensivedisheshasbeenspared。"
"Thatmaybe，butyououghttouseyourwitsalittle；youmightforexampleordermealswhenweshallnotrequireany。Takecarethattherearealwaysthreetables——oneforus，oneformyofficers，andthethirdfortheservants。WhyIseethatyouonlygivethepostillionsafrancoverthelegalcharge，Ireallyblushforyou；youmustgivethemacrownextraatleast。Whentheygiveyouchangeforalouis，leaveitonthetable；toputbackone’schangeinone’spocketisanactiononlyworthyofabeggar。TheywillbesayingatVersaillesandMadrid，andmaybeatRomeitself，thattheCardinaldelaCerdaisamiser。Iamnosuchthing，andIdonotwanttobethoughtone。Youmustreallyceasetodishonourme，orleavemyservice。"