Ayearbeforethisspeechwouldhaveastonishedmebeyondmeasure，butnowIwasnotsurprised，forIhadacquiredsomeknowledgeofSpanishmanners。ImightadmiretheSenordelaCerda’sprodigality，butIcouldnothelpdeploringsuchostentationonthepartofaPrinceoftheChurchabouttoparticipateinsuchasolemnfunction。
WhatIhadheardhimsaymademecurioustoseehim，andIkeptonthewatchforthemomentofhisdeparture。Whataman！Hewasnotonlyillmade，shortandsun—burnt；buthisfacewassouglyandsolowthatI
concludedthatAEsophimselfmusthavebeenalittleLovebesidehiseminence。Iunderstoodnowwhyhewassoprofuseinhisgenerosityanddecorations，forotherwisehemightwellhavebeentakenforastableboy。
Iftheconclavetooktheeccentricwhimofmakinghimpope，Christwouldneverhaveanugliervicar。
IenquiredabouttheMarquisd’Argenssoonafterthedepartureofhiseminence，andwastoldthathewasinthecountrywithhisbrother，theMarquisd’Eguille，PresidentoftheParliament，soIwentthere。
Thismarquis，famousforhisfriendshipforFrederickII。ratherthanforhiswritings（whicharenolongerread），wasanoldmanwhenIsawhim。
Hewasaworthyman，fondofpleasure，athorough—pacedEpicurean，andhadmarriedanactressnamedCochois，whohadprovedworthyofthehonourhehadlaidonher。HewasdeeplylearnedandhadathoroughknowledgeofLatin，Greek，andHebrewliterature。Hismemorywasprodigious。
Hereceivedmeverywell，andrecalledwhathisfriendthemarshalhadwrittenaboutme。Heintroducedmetohiswifeandtohisbrother，adistinguishedjurist，amanofletters，andastrictlymoralmanbytemperamentasmuchasreligion。Thoughahighlyintellectualman，hewasdeeplyandsincerelyreligious。
Hewasveryfondofhisbrother，andgrievedforhisirreligion，buthopedthatgracewouldeventuallybringhimbacktothefoldoftheChurch。Hisbrotherencouragedhiminhishopes，whilelaughingattheminprivate，butastheywerebothsensiblementheyneverdiscussedreligiontogether。
Iwasintroducedtoanumerouscompanyofbothsexes，chieflyconsistingofrelations。Allwereamiableandhighlypolished，likealltheProvencalnobility。
Playswereperformedontheminiaturestage，goodcheerprevailed，andatintervalswewalkedinthegarden，inspiteoftheweather。InProvince，however，thewinterisonlyseverewhenthewindblowsfromthenorth，whichunfortunatelyoftenhappens。
AmongthecompanywereaBerlinlady（widowofthemarquis’snephew）andherbrother。Thisyounggentleman，whowasgayandfreefromcare，enjoyedallthepleasuresofthehousewithoutpayinganyattentiontothereligiousserviceswhichwereheldeveryday。Ifhethoughtonthematteratall，hewasaheretic；andwhentheJesuitchaplainwassayingmassheamusedhimselfbyplayingontheflute；helaughedateverything。
Hewasunlikehissister，whohadnotonlybecomeaCatholic，butwasaverydevoutone。Shewasonlytwenty—two。
Herbrothertoldmethatherhusband，whohaddiedofconsumption，andwhosemindwasperfectlycleartothelast，asisusuallythecaseinphthisis，hadtoldherthathecouldnotentertainanyhopesofseeingherintheotherworldunlessshebecameaCatholic。
Thesewordswereengravedonherheart；shehadadoredherhusband，andsheresolvedtoleaveBerlintolivewithhisrelations。Nooneventuredtoopposethisdesign，herbrotheraccompanyingher，andshewaswelcomedjoyfullybyallherhusband’skinsfolk。
Thisbuddingsaintwasdecidedlyplain。
Herbrother，findingmelessstrictthantheothers，soonconstitutedhimselfmyfriend。HecameovertoAixeveryday，andtookmetothehousesofallthebestpeople。
Wewereatleastthirtyattableeveryday，thedishesweredelicatewithoutundueprofusion，theconversationgayandanimatedwithoutanyimproprieties。InoticedthatwhenevertheMarquisd’Argenschancedtoletslipanyequivocalexpressions，alltheladiesmadewryfaces，andthechaplainhastenedtoturntheconversation。Thischaplainhadnothingjesuiticalinhisappearance；hedressedinthecostumeofanordinarypriest，andIshouldneverhadknownhimiftheMarquisd’Argenshadnotwarnedme。However，Ididnotallowhispresencetoactasawetblanket。
Itold，inthemostdecentmannerpossible，thestoryofthepictureoftheVirginsucklingherDivineChild，andhowtheSpaniardsdesertedthechapelafterastupidpriesthadcoveredthebeautifulbreastwithakerchief。Idonotknowhowitwas，butalltheladiesbegantolaugh。
ThediscipleofLoyolawassodispleasedattheirmirth，thathetookuponhimselftotellmethatitwasunbecomingtotellsuchequivocalstoriesinpublic。Ithankedhimbyaninclinationofthehead，andtheMarquisd’Argens，bywayofturningtheconversation，askedmewhatwastheItalianforasplendiddishofstewedveal，whichMadamed’Argenswashelping。
"Unacrostata，"Ireplied，"butIreallydonotknowtheItalianforthe’beatilles’withwhichitisstuffed。"
These’beatilles’wereballsofrice，veal，champignons，artichoke，foiegras，etc。
TheJesuitdeclaredthatincallingthem’beatilles’Iwasmakingamockofthegloriesofhereafter。
Icouldnothelproaringwithlaughteratthis，andtheMarquisd’Eguilletookmypart，andsaidthat’beatilles’wastheproperFrenchfortheseballs。
Afterthisdaringdifferenceofopinionwithhisdirector，theworthymanthoughtitwouldbebesttotalkofsomethingelse。Unhappily，however，hefelloutofthefrying—panintothefirebyaskingmemyopinionastotheelectionofthenextpope。
"IbelieveitwillbeGanganelli，"Ireplied，"asheistheonlymonkintheconclave。"
"Whyshoulditbenecessarytochooseamonk？"
"BecausenonebutamonkwoulddaretocommittheexcesswhichtheSpaniardswilldemandofthenewpope。"
"YoumeanthesuppressionoftheJesuits。"
"Exactly。"
"Theywillneverobtainsuchademand。"
"Ihopenot，fortheJesuitsweremymasters，andIlovethemaccordingly。ButallthesameGanganelliwillbeelected，foranamusingandyetaweightyreason。"
"Tellusthereason。"
"Heistheonlycardinalwhodoesnotwearawig；andyoumustconsiderthatsincethefoundationoftheHolySeethePopehasneverbeenbewigged。"
Thisreasoncreatedagreatdealofamusement；buttheconversationwasbroughtbacktothesuppressionoftheJesuits，andwhenItoldthecompanythatIhadheardfromtheAbbePinziIsawtheJesuitturnpale。
"ThePopecouldneversuppresstheorder，"hesaid。
"ItseemsthatyouhaveneverbeenataJesuitseminary，"Ireplied，"forthedogmaoftheorderisthatthePopecandoeverything，’etaliquidpluris’。"
ThisanswermadeeverybodysupposemetobeunawarethatIwasspeakingtoaJesuit，andashegavemenoanswerthetopicwasabandoned。
AfterdinnerIwasaskedtostayandsee’Polieucte’played；butI
excusedmyself，andreturnedtoAixwiththeyoungBerliner，whotoldmethestoryofhissister，andmademeacquaintedwiththecharacterofthesocietytowhichtheMarquisd’Eguillewaschieflyaddicted。IfeltthatIcouldneveradaptmyselftotheirprejudices，andifithadnotbeenformyyoungfriend，whointroducedmetosomecharmingpeople，IshouldhavegoneontoMarseilles。
Whatwithassemblies，balls，suppers，andthesocietyofthehandsomeProvenqalladies，ImanagedtospendthewholeofthecarnivalandapartofLentatAix。
Ihadmadeapresentofacopyofthe"Iliad"tothelearnedMarquisd’Argens；tohisdaughter，whowasalsoagoodscholar，IgaveaLatintragedy。
The"Iliad"hadPorphyry’scomment；itwasacopyofarareedition，andwasrichlybound。
AsthemarquiscametoAixtothankme，Ihadtopayanothervisittothecountryhouse。
IntheeveningIdrovebackinanopencarriage。Ihadnocloak，andacoldnorthwindwasblowing；Iwasperishingwithcold，butinsteadofgoingtobedatonceIaccompaniedtheBerlinertothehouseofawomanwhohadadaughteroftheutmostbeauty。Thoughthegirlwasonlyfourteen，shehadalltheindicationsofthemarriageableage，andyetnoneoftheProvencalamateurshadsucceededinmakingherseedaylight。
Myfriendhadalreadymadeseveralunsuccessfulefforts。Ilaughedathim，asIknewitwasallacheat，andIfollowedhimtothehousewiththeideaofmakingtheyoungimposterdismountfromherhighhorse，asI
haddoneinsimilarcasesinEnglandandMetz。
Wesettowork；and，farfromresisting，thegirlsaidshewouldbeonlytoogladtogetridofthetroublesomeburden。
Isawthatthedifficultyonlyproceededfromthewaysheheldherself，andIoughttohavewhippedher，asIhaddoneinVenicetwenty—fiveyearsago，butIwasfoolishenoughtotrytotakethecitadelbystorm。
Butmyageofmiracleswasgone。
Iweariedmyselftonopurposeforacoupleofhours，andthenwenttomyinn，leavingtheyoungPrussiantodohisbest。
Iwenttobedwithapaininmyside，andaftersixhours’sleepawokefeelingthoroughlyill。Ihadpleurisy。Mylandlordcalledinanolddoctor，whorefusedtoletmeblood。Aseverecoughcameon，andthenextdayIbegantospitblood。InsixorsevendaysthemaladybecamesoseriousthatIwasconfessedandreceivedthelastsacraments。
Onthetenthday，thediseasehavingabatedforthreedays，mycleverolddoctoransweredformylife，butIcontinuedtospitbloodtilltheeighteenthday。
Myconvalescencelastedforthreeweeks，andIfounditmoretryingthantheactualillness，foramaninpainhasnotimetogrowweary。
ThroughoutthewholecaseIwastendeddayandnightbyastrangewoman，ofwhomIknewnothing。Shenursedmewiththetenderestcare，andI
awaitedmyrecoverytogivehermysincerethanks。
Shewasnotanoldwoman，neitherwassheattractivelooking。Shehadsleptinmyroomallthetime。AfterEastertide，feelingIwaswellenoughtoventureout，Ithankedhertothebestofmyability，andaskedwhohadsenthertome。Shetoldmeitwasthedoctor，andsobademefarewell。
AfewdayslaterIwasthankingmyolddoctorforhavingprocuredmesuchacapitalnurse，buthestaredatmeandsaidheknewnothingaboutthewoman。
Iwaspuzzled，andaskedmylandlordifshecouldthrowanylightonthestrangenurse’sidentity；butsheknewnothing，andherignoranceseemeduniversal。Icouldnotdiscoverwhenceorhowshecametoattendme。
AftermyconvalescenceItookcaretogetalltheletterswhichhadbeenawaitingme，andamongstthemwasaletterfrommybrotherinParis，inanswertotheepistleIwrotehimfromPerpignan。Heacknowledgedmyletter，andtoldmehowdelightedhehadbeentoreceiveit，afterhearingthedreadfulnewsthatIhadbeenassassinatedonthebordersofCataloniaatthebeginningofJanuary。
"Thepersonwhogavemethenews，"mybrotheradded，"wasoneofyourbestfriends，CountManucci，anattacheattheVenetianembassy。Hesaidtherecouldbenodoubtastothetruthofthereport。"
Thisletterwaslikeaflashoflightningtome。Thisfriendofminehadpushedhisvengeancesofarastopayassassinstodeprivemeofmylife。
Manuccihadgonealittletoofar。
Hemusthavebeenprettywellqualifiedtoprophesy，ashewassocertainofmydeath。Hemighthaveknownthatinthusproclaiminginadvancethemannerofmydeath，hewasalsoproclaiminghimselfasmymurderer。
ImethimatRome，twoyearslater，andwhenIwouldhavemadehimconfesshisguilt，hedeniedeverything，sayinghehadreceivedthenewsfromBarcelona；however，wewillspeakofthisinitsproperplace。
Idinedandsuppedeverydayatthetabled’hote，andonedayIheardthecompanytalkingofamaleandfemalepilgrimwhohadrecentlyarrived。
TheywereItalians，andwerereturningfromSt。JamesofCompostella。
Theyweresaidtobehigh—bornfolks，astheyhaddistributedlargealmsontheirentryintothetown。
Itwassaidthatthefemalepilgrim，whohadgonetobedonherarrival，wascharming。TheywerestayingatthesameinnasIwas，andweallgotverycuriousaboutthem。
AsanItalian，Iputmyselfattheheadofthebandwhoproceededtocallonthepilgrims，who，inmyopinion，musteitherbefanaticsorrogues。
Wefoundtheladysittinginanarm—chair，lookingverytired。Shewasyoung，beautiful，andmelancholy—looking，andinherhandssheheldabrasscrucifixsomesixincheslong。Shelaiditdownwhenwecamein，andgotupandreceivedusmostgraciously。Hercompanion，whowasarrangingcockle—shellsonhisblackmantle，didnotstir；heseemedtosay，byglancingathiswife，thatwemustconfineourattentionstoher。
Heseemedamanoftwenty—fourortwenty—fiveyearsofage。Hewasshortandbadlyhung，andhisfaceborealltheindicationsofdaring，impudence，scarcasm，andimposture。Hiswife，ontheotherhand，wasallmeeknessandsimplicity，andhadthatmodestywhichaddssomuchtothecharmoffemininebeauty。TheyonlyspokejustenoughFrenchtomakethemselvesunderstoodontheirjourney，andwhentheyheardmeaddressingtheminItaliantheyseemedmuchrelieved。
TheladytoldmeshewasaRoman，butIcouldhaveguessedasmuchfromheraccent。IjudgedthemantobeaNeapolitanorSicilian。Theirpassport，datedRome，calledhimBalsamo，whilesheborethenamesofSerafinaFeliciani，whichshestillretains。TenyearslaterweshallhearmoreofthiscoupleunderthenameofCagliostro。
"WearegoingbacktoRome，"saidshe，"wellpleasedwithourdevotionstoSt。JamesofCompostellaandtoOurLadydelPilar。Wehavewalkedthewholewayonfoot，livingonalms，soastomoresurelywinthemercyoftheGodwhomIhaveoffendedsogrievously。Wehavehadsilver，andevengoldmoneygivenus，andineverytownwecametowegavewhatremainedtothepoor，soasnottooffendGodbylackoffaith。
"Myhusbandisstrong，andhasnotsufferedmuch，butIhavefoundsomuchwalkingveryfatiguing。Wehavesleptonstraworbadbeds，alwayswithourclotheson，toavoidcontractingdiseasesitwouldbehardtoridone’sselfof。"
Itseemedtomethatthislastcircumstancewasaddedtomakeuswishtofindoutwhethertherestofherbodycouldcomparewithherhandsandarmsinwhiteness。
"Doyouthinkofmakinganystay？"
"Mywearinesswillobligeustostayhereforthreedays；thenweshallgotoRomebythewayofTurin，whereweshallpayourdevotiontotheHolySudary。"
"Youknow，ofcourse，thatthereareseveraloftheminEurope。"
"Sowehaveheard，butweareassuredthattheSudaryofTurinisthetrueone。ItisthekerchiefwithwhichSt。VeronicawipedthefaceofOurLord，wholefttheimprintofHisdivinefaceuponit。"
Weleftthem，wellpleasedwiththeappearanceandmannersoftheladypilgrim，butplacingverylittletrustinherdevotion。Iwasstillweakfrommyillness，andsheinspiredmewithnodesires，buttherestwouldhavegladlysuppedwithheriftheyhadthoughttherewasanythingtofollow。
NextdayherhusbandaskedmeifIwouldcomeupandbreakfastwiththem，oriftheyshouldcomedownandbreakfastwithme。Itwouldhavebeenimpolitetohaverepliedneither，soIsaidthatIshouldbedelightedtoseetheminmyroom。
AtbreakfastIaskedthepilgrimwhathedid，andherepliedthathewasanartist。
Hecouldnotdesignapicture，buthecouldcopyit，andheassuredmethathecouldcopyanengravingsoexactlythatnonecouldtellthecopyfromtheoriginal。
"Icongratulateyou。Ifyouarenotarichman，youare，atleast，certainofearningalivingwiththistalent。"
"Everybodysaysthesame，butitisamistake。IhavepursuedthiscraftatRomeandatNaples，andfoundIhadtoworkalldaytomakehalfatester，andthat’snotenoughtoliveon。"
Hethenshewedmesomefanshehaddone，andIthoughtthemmostbeautiful。Theyweredoneinpenandink，andthefinestcopper—platecouldnothavesurpassedthem。
NextheshowedmeacopyfromaRembrandt，whichifanything，wasfinerthantheoriginal。Inspiteofallhesworethattheworkhegotbarelysupportedhim，butIdidnotbelievewhathesaid。Hewasaweakgeniuswhopreferredavagabondlifetomethodicallabour。
IofferedaLouisforoneofhisfans，butherefusedtotakeit，beggingmetoacceptthefanasagift，andtomakeacollectionforhimatthetabled’hote，ashewantedtostartthedayafternext。
Iacceptedthepresentandpromisedtodoashedesired，andsucceededinmakingupapurseoftwohundredfrancsforthem。
Thewomanhadthemostvirtuousair。Shewasaskedtowritehernameonalotteryticket，butrefused，sayingthatnohonestgirlsweretaughttowriteatRome。
Everybodylaughedatthisexcuseexceptmyself，andIpitiedher，asI
couldseethatshewasofveryloworigin。
NextdayshecameandaskedmetogiveheraletterofintroductionforAvignon。Iwroteherouttwo；onetoM。Audifretthebanker，andtheothertothelandladyoftheinn。Intheeveningshereturnedmethelettertothebanker，sayingthatitwasnotnecessaryfortheirpurposes。Atthesametimesheaskedmetoexaminetheletterclosely，toseeifitwasreallythesamedocumentIhadgivenher。Ididso，andsaidIwassureitwasmyletter。
Shelaughed，andtoldmeIwasmistakenasitwasonlyacopy。
"Impossible！"
Shecalledherhusband，whocamewiththeletterinhishand。
Icoulddoubtnolonger，andsaidtohim，——
"Youareamanoftalents，foritismuchhardertoimitateahandwritingthananengraving。Yououghttomakethistalentserveyouingoodstead；butbecareful，oritmaycostyouyourlife。"
ThenextdaythecoupleleftAix。IntenyearsIsawthemagainunderthenameofCountandCountessPellegrini。
Atthepresentperiodheisinaprisonwhichhewillprobablyneverleave，andhiswifeishappy，maybe，inaconvent。
CHAPTERX
MyDeparture——LetterfromHenriette——Marsellies——HistoryofNina——Nice——
Turin——Lugano——MadameDe****
AssoonasIhadregainedmyusualstrength，IwenttotakeleaveoftheMarquisd’Argensandhisbrother。Idinedwiththem，pretendingnottoobservethepresenceoftheJesuit，andIthenspentthreedelightfulhoursinconversationwiththelearnedandamiableMarquisd’Argens。HetoldmeanumberofinterestinganecdotesabouttheprivatelifeofFrederickII。Nodoubtthereaderwouldliketohavethem，butIlacktheenergytosetthemdown。PerhapssomeotherdaywhenthemistsaboutDuxhavedispersed，andsomeraysofthesunshineinuponme，Ishallcommitalltheseanecdotestopaper，butnowIhavenotthecouragetodoso。
Frederickhadhisgoodandhisbadqualities，likeallgreatmen，butwheneverydeductiononthescoreofhisfailingshasbeenmade，hestillremainsthenoblestfigureintheeighteenthcentury。
TheKingofSweden，whohasbeenassassinated，lovedtoexcitehatredthathemighthavethegloryofdefyingittodoitsworst。Hewasadespotatheart，andhecametoadespot’send。Hemighthaveforeseenaviolentdeath，forthroughouthislifehewasalwaysprovokingmentothepointofdespair。TherecanbenocomparisonbetweenhimandFrederick。
TheMarquisd’Argensmademeapresentofallhisworks，andonmyaskinghimifIcouldcongratulatemyselfonpossessingthewholenumber，hesaidyes，withtheexceptionofafragmentofautobiographywhichhehadwritteninhisyouth，andwhichhehadafterwardssuppressed。
"Whyso？"Iasked。
"BecauseIwasfoolishenoughtowritethetruth。Nevergivewaytothistemptation，ifitassailsyou。Ifyouoncebeginonthisplanyouarenotonlycompelledtorecordallyourvicesandfollies，buttotreatthemintheseveretoneofaphilosophicalhistorian。Youmustnot，ofcourse，omitthegoodyoumayhavedone；andsopraiseandblameismingledoneverypage。Alltheevilyousayofyourselfwillbeheldforgospel，yourpeccadilloeswillbemadeintocrimes，andyourgooddeedswillnotonlybereceivedwithincredulity，butyouwillbetaxedwithprideandvanityforhavingrecordedthem。Besides，ifyouwriteyourmemoirs，youmakeanenemyineverychapterifyouoncebegintotellthetruth。Amanshouldneithertalkofhimselfnorwriteofhimself，unlessitbetorefutesomecalumnyorlibel。"
Iwasconvinced，andpromisednevertobeguiltyofsuchafolly，butinspiteofthatIhavebeenwritingmemoirsforthelastsevenyears，andthoughIrepentofhavingbegun，Ihavesworntogoontotheend。
However，IwriteinthehopethatmyMemoirsmayneverseethelightofday；inthefirstplacethecensurewouldnotallowthemtobeprinted，andinthesecondIhopeIshallbestrong—mindedenough，whenmylastillnesscomes，tohaveallmypapersburntbeforemyeyes。IfthatbenotthecaseIcountontheindulgenceofmyreaders，whoshouldrememberthatIhaveonlywrittenmystorytopreventmygoingmadinthemidstofallthepettyinsultsanddisagreeableswhichIhavetobeardaybydayfromtheenviousrascalswholivewithmeinthiscastleofCountWaldstein，orWallenstein，atDux。
Iwritetenortwelvehoursaday，andsokeepblackmelancholyatbay。
Myreadersshallhearmoreofmysufferingslateron，ifIdonotdiebeforeIwritethemdown。
ThedayafterCorpusChristiIleftAixforMarseilles。ButhereImustsetdownacircumstancethatIhadforgotten；ImeantheprocessionofCorpusChristi。
EveryoneknowsthatthisfestivaliscelebratedwithgreatceremonyalloverChristendom；butatAixtheseceremoniesareofsuchanaturethateverymanofsensemustbeshockedatmyrecital。
ItiswellknownthatthisprocessioninhonouroftheBeingofbeings，representedunderthesacramentalforms，isfollowedbyallthereligiousconfraternities，andthisisdulydoneatAix；butthescandalouspartoftheceremonyisthefollyandthebuffoonerywhichisallowedinaritewhichshouldbedesignedtostiruptheheartsofmentoaweandreverencetheirCreator。
Insteadofthat，thedevil，death，andthesevendeadlysins，areimpersonatedintheprocession。Theyarecladinthemostabsurdcostumes，andmakehideouscontortions，beatingandabusingeachotherintheirsupposedvexationathavingtojoinintheCreator’spraises。Thepeoplehootandhissthem，thelowerclassessingsongsinderisionofthem，andplaythemallmanneroftricks，andthewholesceneisoneofincrediblenoise，uproar，andconfusion，moreworthyofsomepaganbacchanaliathanaprocessionofChristianpeople。Allthecountry—folkfromfiveorsixleaguesaroundAixpourintothetownonthatdaytodohonourtoGod。Itistheonlyoccasionofthekind，andtheclergy，eitherknavishorignorant，encourageallthisshamefulriot。Thelowerorderstakeitallingoodfaith，andanyonewhoraisedanyobjectionwouldrunsomerisk，forthebishopgoesinfrontofthesaturnalia，andconsequentlyitisallholy。
Iexpressedmydisapprovalofthewholeaffair，aslikelytobringdiscreditonreligion，toacouncillorofparliament，M。deSt。Marc；buthetoldmegravelythatitwasanexcellentthing，asitbroughtnolessthanahundredthousandfrancsintothetownonthesingleday。
Icouldfindnoreplytothisveryweightyreason。
EverydayIspentatAixIthoughtofHenriette。Iknewherrealname，andrememberingthemessageshehadsentmebyMarcolineIhopedtomeetherinsomeassembly，beingreadytoadaptmyconducttohers。Ihadoftenheardhernamementioned，butIneverallowedmyselftoaskanyquestion，notwishingouroldfriendshiptobesuspected。Believinghertobeathercountryhouse，Ihadresolvedonpayingheravisit，andhadonlystayedonatAixsoastorecovermyhealthbeforeseeingher。InduecourseIleftAixwithaletterinmypocketforher，resolvingtosenditin，andtoremaininmycarriagetillsheaskedmetogetdown。
Wearrivedatherresidenceateleveno’clock。Amancametothedoor，tookmyletter，andsaidmadamshouldhaveitwithoutfail。
"Thensheisnothere。"
"No，sir；sheisatAix。"
"Sincewhen？"
"Forthelastsixmonths。"
"Wheredoesshelive？"
"Inhertownhouse。Shewillbecominghereinthreeweekstospendthesummerasusual。"
"Willyouletmewritealetter？"
"Ifyouwillgetdownyouwillfindallthenecessarymaterialsinmadam’sroom。"
Iwentintothehouse，andtomyextremesurprisefoundmyselffacetofacewithmynurse。
"Youlivehere，then。"
"Yes，sir。"
"Sincewhen？"
"Forthelasttenyears。"
"Howdidyoucometonurseme？"
"IfyouwillstepupstairsIwilltellyou。"
Herstorywasasfollows:
"Madamsentformeinhaste，andtoldmetogoandattendtoyouasifitwereherself。Shetoldmetosaythatthedoctorhadsentmeifyouaskedanyquestions。"
"Thedoctorsaidhedidn’tknowyou。"
"Perhapshewasspeakingthetruth，butmostlikelyhehadreceivedordersfrommadam。That’sallIknow，butIwonderyouhaven’tseenheratAix。"
"Shecannotseeanycompany，forIhavebeeneverywhere。"
"Shedoesnotseeanycompanyatherownhouse，butshegoeseverywhere。"
"It’sverystrange。Imusthaveseenher，andyetIdonotthinkIcouldhavepassedherbyunrecognized。Youhavebeenwithhertenyears？"
"Yes，sir，asIhadthehonourofinformingyou。"
"Hasshechanged？Hasshehadanysickness？Hassheaged？"
"Notatall。Shehasbecomeratherstout，butIassureyouyouwouldtakeherforawomanofthirty。"
"Imustbeblind，orIcannothaveseenher。Iamgoingtowritetohernow。"
Thewomanwentout，leavingmeinastonishment，attheextraordinarysituationinwhichIwasplaced。
"OughtItoreturntoAiximmediately？"Iaskedmyself。Shehasatownhouse，butdoesnotseecompany，butshemightsurelyseeme:Shelovesmestill。Shecaredformeallthroughmyillness，andshewouldnothavedonesoifshehadbecomeindifferenttome。Shewillbehurtatmynotrecognizingher。ShemustknowthatIhaveleftAix，andwillnodoubtguessthatIamherenow。ShallIgotoherorshallIwrite？
Iresolvedtowrite，andItoldherinmyletterthatIshouldawaitherreplyatMarseilles。Igavethelettertomylatenurse，withsomemoneytoinsureitsbeingdispatchedatonce，anddroveontoMarseilleswhereIalightedatanobscureinn，notwishingtoberecognized。IhadscarcelygotoutofmycarriagewhenIsawMadameSchizza，Nina’ssister。
ShehadleftBarcelonawithherhusband。TheyhadbeenatMarseillesthreeorfourdaysandweregoingtoLeghorn。
MadameSchizzawasaloneatthemoment，herhusbandhavinggoneout；andasIwasfullofcuriosityIbeggedhertocomeuptomyroomwhilemydinnerwasgettingready。
"Whatisyoursisterdoing？IsshestillatBarcelona？"
"Yes；butshewillnotbetherelong，forthebishopwillnothaveherinthetownorthediocese，andthebishopisstrongerthantheviceroy。
SheonlyreturnedtoBarcelonaonthepleathatshewishedtopassthroughCataloniaofherwayhome，butshedoesnotneedtostaytherefornineortenmonthsonthataccount。Shewillhavetoleaveinamonthforcertain，butsheisnotmuchputout，astheviceroyissuretokeepherwherevershegoes，andshemayeventuallysucceedinruininghim。Inthemeanwhilesheisrevellinginthebadreputeshehasgainedforherlover。"
"Iknowsomethingofherpeculiarities；butshecannotdislikeamanwhohasmadeherrich。"
"Rich！Shehasonlygotherdiamonds。Doyouimaginethismonstercapableofanyfeelingsofgratitude？Sheisnotahumanbeing，andnooneknowsherasIdo。ShehasmadethecountcommitahundredactsofinjusticesothatallSpainmaytalkofher，andknowthatshehasmadeherselfmistressofhisbodyandsoul，andallhehas。Theworsehisactionsare，themorecertainshefeelsthatpeoplewilltalkofher，andthatisallshewants。Herobligationstomearebeyondcounting，forsheowesmeall，eventoherexistence，andinsteadofcontinuingmyhusbandinherserviceshehassenthimabouthisbusiness。"
"ThenIwonderhowshecametotreatmesogenerously。"
"Ifyouknewall，youwouldnotfeelgratefultoher。"
"Tellmeall，then。"
"Sheonlypaidforyourkeepattheinnandinprisontomakepeoplebelieveyouwereherlover，andtoshamethecount。AllBarcelonaknowsthatyouwereassassinatedatherdoor，andthatyouwerefortunateenoughtorunthefellowthrough。"
"Butshecannothavebeentheinstigatorof，oreventheaccomplicein，theplotformyassassination。That’sagainstnature。"
"Idaresay，buteverythinginNinaisagainstnature。WhatItellyouisthebaretruth，forIwasawitnessofitall。Whenevertheviceroyvisitedhersheweariedhimwithpraiseofyourgallantry，yourwit，yournobleactions，comparingyouwiththeSpaniards，greatlytotheirdisadvantage。
"Thecountgotimpatientandtoldhertotalkofsomethingelse，butshewouldnot；andatlasthewentaway，cursingyourname。Twodaysbeforeyoucametogriefhelefther，saying，——
"’ValgameDios！Iwillgiveyouapleasureyoudonotexpect。’
"Iassureyouthatwhenweheardthepistol—shotafteryouhadgone，sheremarked，withoutevincingtheslightestemotion，thattheshotwasthepleasureherrascallySpaniardhadpromisedher。
"Isaidthatyoumightbekilled。
"’Alltheworseforthecount，’shereplied，’forhisturnwillcomealso。’
"Thenshebeganlaughinglikeamadcap；shewasthinkingoftheexcitementyourdeathwouldcauseinBarcelona。
"Ateighto’clockthefollowingday，yourmancameandtoldherthatyouhadbeentakentothecitadel；andIwillsayittohercredit，sheseemedrelievedtohearyouwerealive。"
"Myman——Ididnotknowthathewasincorrespondencewithher。"
"No，Isupposenot；butIassureyoutheworthymanwasverymuchattachedtoyou。"
"Iamsurehewas。Goon。"
"Ninathenwroteanotetoyourlandlord。Shedidnotshewitme，butitnodoubtcontainedinstructionstosupplyyouwitheverything。
"Themantoldusthathehadseenyourswordallredwithblood，andthatyourcloakhadabulletholethroughit。Shewasdelighted，butdonotthinkitwasbecauseshelovedyou；shewasgladyouhadescapedthatyoumighttakeyourrevenge。However，shewastroubledbythepretextonwhichthecounthadhadyouarrested。
"Ricladidnotcometoseeherthatday，buthecamethenextdayateighto’clock，andtheinfamouscreaturereceivedhimwithasmilingface。Shetoldhimshehadheardhehadimprisonedyou，andthatshewasobligedtohim，ashehad，ofcourse，donesotoprotectyoufromanyfreshattemptsonyourlife。
"Heanswered，dryly，thatyourarresthadnothingtodowithanythingthatmighthavehappenedthenightbefore。Headdedthatyouhadonlybeenseizedpendingtheexaminationofyourpapers，andthatiftheywerefoundtobeingoodform，youwouldbesetatlibertyinthecourseofafewdays。
"Ninaaskedhimwhowasthemanthatyouhadwounded。Herepliedthatthepolicewereenquiringintothematter，butthatsofartheyhadneitherfoundadeadmannorawoundedman，noranytracesofblood。AllthathadbeenfoundwasCasanova’shat，andthishadbeenreturnedtohim。
"Ileftthemalonetogethertillmidnight，soIcannotsaywhatfurtherconversetheymayhavehadonthesubject，butthreeorfourdayslatereverybodyknewthatyouwereimprisonedinthetower。
"Ninaaskedthecountthereasonofthisseverityintheevening，andherepliedthatyourpassportswerethoughttobeforgeries，becauseyouwereindisgracewiththeStateInquisitors，andthereforewouldnotbeinapositiontogetapassportfromtheVenetianambassador。Onthissuppositionhesaidyouhadbeenplacedinthetower，andifitprovedtobeatrueone，youwouldbestillmoreseverelypunished。
"Thisnewsdisturbedus，andwhenweheardthatPogomashadbeenarrestedwefeltcertainhehaddenouncedyouinrevengeforyourhavingprocuredhisdismissalfromNina’shouse。WhenweheardthathehadbeenletoutandsenttoGenoa，weexpectedtohearofyourbeingsetatliberty，astheauthoritiesmusthavebeensatisfiedofthegenuinecharacterofyourpassports；butyouwerestillshutup，andNinadidnotknowwhattothink，andthecountwouldnotanswerherwhenshemadeenquiriesaboutyou。Shehadmadeuphermindtosaynomoreaboutit，whenatlastweheardyouhadbeensetfreeandthatyourpassportshadbeendeclaredgenuine。
"Ninathoughttoseeyouinthepitoftheopera—house，andmadepreparationsforatriumphinherbox；butshewasindespairwhensheheardnoperformancewastobegiven。Intheeveningthecounttoldherthatyourpassportshadbeenreturnedwiththeordertoleaveinthreedays。Thefalsecreaturepraisedherlover’sprudencetohisface，butshecursedhiminherheart。
"Sheknewyouwouldnotdaretoseeher，andwhenyouleftwithoutwritingheranote，shesaidyouhadreceivedsecretordersnottoholdanyfurthercommunicationswithher。Shewasfuriouswiththeviceroy。
"’IfCasanovahadhadthecouragetoaskmetogowithhim，Iwouldhavegone，’saidshe。
"Yourmantoldherofyourfortunateescapefromthreeassassins。IntheeveningshecongratulatedRiclaonthecircumstance，buthesworeheknewnothingaboutit。Ninadidnotbelievehim。YoumaythankGodfromthebottomofyourheartthatyoueverleftSpainaliveafterknowingNina。
Shewouldhavecostyouyourlifeatlast，andshepunishesmeforhavinggivenherlife。"
"What！Areyouhermother？"
"Yes；Nina，thathorriblewoman，ismydaughter。"
"Really？Everybodysaysyouarehersister。"
"Thatisthehorriblepartofit，everybodyisright。"
"Explainyourself"
"Yes，thoughitistomyshame。Sheismysisterandmydaughter，forsheisthedaughterofmyfather。"
"What！yourfatherlovedyou？"
"Idonotknowwhetherthescoundrellovedme，buthetreatedmeashiswife。Iwassixteenthen。Sheisthedaughterofthecrime，andGodknowssheissufficientpunishmentforit。Myfatherdiedtoescapehervengeance；mayhealsoescapethevengeanceofGod。Ishouldhavestrangledherinhercradle，butmaybeIshallstrangleheryet。IfIdonot，shewillkillme。"
Iremaineddumbattheconclusionofthisdreadfulstory，whichboreallthemarksoftruth。
"DoesNinaknowthatyouarehermother？"
"Herownfathertoldherthesecretwhenshewastwelve，afterhehadinitiatedherintothelifeshehasbeenlivingeversince。Hewouldhavemadeheramotherinherturnifhehadnotkilledhimselfthesameyear，maybetoescapethegallows。"
"HowdidtheContedeRiclafallinlovewithher？"
"Itisashortstoryandacuriousone。TwoyearsagoshecametoBarcelonafromPortugal，andwasplacedinoneoftheballetsforthesakeofherprettyface，forastotalentsshehadnone，andcouldonlydotherebaltade（asortofskipandpirouette）properly。
Thefirsteveningshedancedshewasloudlyapplaudedbythepit，forasshedidtherebaltadesheshewedherdrawersuptoherwaist。InSpainanyactresswhoshewsherdrawersonthestageisliabletoafineofacrown。Ninaknewnothingaboutthis，and，hearingtheapplause，treatedtheaudiencetoanotherskipofthesamekind，butattheendoftheballetshewastoldtopaytwocrownsforherimmodesty。Ninacursedandswore，butshehadtogivein。Whatdoyouthinkshedidtoeludethelaw，andatthesametimeavengeherself？"
"Dancedbadly，perhaps。"
"Shedancedwithoutanydrawersatall，anddidherrebdltadeasbefore，whichcausedsuchaneffervescenceofhighspiritsinthehouseashadneverbeenknownatBarcelona。
"TheContedeRiclahadseenherfromhisbox，andwasdividedbetweenhorrorandadmiration，andsentfortheinspectortotellhimthatthisimpudentcreaturemustbepunished。
"’Inthemeantime，’saidhe，’bringherbeforeme。’
"PresentlyNinaappearedintheviceroy’sbox，andaskedhim，impudently，whathewantedwithher。
"’Youareanimmodestwoman，andhavefailedinyourdutytothepublic。’
"’WhathaveIdone？
"’Youperformedthesameskipasbefore。’
"’Yes，butIhaven’tbrokenyourlaw，fornoonecanhaveseenmydrawersasItooktheprecautionnottoputanyon。WhatmorecanIdoforyourcursedlaw，whichhascostmetwocrownsalready？Justtellme。’
"Theviceroyandthegreatpersonagesaroundhimhadmuchadotorefrainfromlaughter，forNinawasreallyintheright，andaseriousdiscussionoftheviolatedlawwouldhavebeenridiculous。
"Theviceroyfelthewasinafalseposition，andmerelysaidthatifsheeverdancedwithoutdrawersagainsheshouldhaveamonth’simprisonmentonbreadandwater。
"Aweekafteroneofmyhusband’sballetswasgiven。Itwassowellreceivedthattheaudienceencoreditwithenthusiasm。Riclagaveordersthatthepublicshouldbesatisfied，andallthedancersweretoldtheywouldhavetoreappear。
"Nina，whowasalmostundressed，toldmyhusbandtodoasbesthecould，asshewasnotgoingtodanceagain。Asshehadthechiefpartmyhusbandcouldnotdowithouther，andsentthemanagertoherdressing—
room。Shepushedthepoormanoutwithsomuchviolencethathefellagainstthewallofthepassage，headforemost。
"Themanagertoldhispiteoustaletotheviceroy，whoorderedtwosoldierstobringherbeforehim。Thiswashisruin；forNinaisabeautifulwoman，andinherthenstateofundressshewouldhaveseducedthecoldestofmen。
"Thecountreprovedher，buthisvoiceandhismannerwereill—assured，andgrowingbolderasshewatchedhisembarrassment，Ninarepliedthathemighthavehertorntopiecesifheliked，butshewouldnotdanceagainstherwill，andnowhereinheragreementwasitstipulatedthatsheshoulddancetwiceinthesameevening，whetherforhispleasureoranyoneelse’s。Shealsoexpressedherangeratmakingherappearbeforehiminastateofsemi—nudity，andsworeshewouldneverforgivehisbarbarousanddespoticconduct。
"’Iwilldancenomorebeforeyouoryourpeople。
Letmegoaway，orkillmeifyoulike；doyourworstonme，andyoushallfindthatIamaVenetianandafreewoman！’
"Theviceroysatastonished，andsaidshemustbemad。Hethensummonedmyhusbandandtoldhimshewasnolongerinhisservice。Ninawastoldshewasfree，andcouldgowhereshewould。
"Shewentbacktoherdressing—roomandcametous，whereshewasliving。
"Theballetwentonwithouther，andthepoorviceroysatinadream，forthepoisonhadenteredintohisveins。
"NextdayawretchedsingernamedMolinaricalledonNinaandtoldherthattheviceroywasanxioustoknowwhethershewerereallymadornot，andwouldliketoseeherinacountryhouse，thenameofwhichhementioned:thiswasjustwhatthewretchedwomanwanted。
"’Tellhishighness，’shesaidtoMolinari，"thatIwillcome，andthathewillfindmeasgentleasalambandasgoodasanangel。’
"Thisisthewayinwhichtheconnectionbegan，andshefathomedhischaractersoastutelythatshemaintainedherconquestasmuchwithill—
treatmentandseverityaswithherfavours。"
SuchwasthetaleofthehaplessMadameSchizza。ItwastoldwithallthepassionofanItaliandividedbetweenrepentanceforthepastandthedesireofvengeance。
Thenextday，asIhadexpected，IreceivedaletterfromHenriette。Itranasfollows:
"MyDearOldFriend，——Nothingcouldbemoreromanticthanourmeetingatmycountryhousesixyearsago，andnowagain，afterapartingofsomanyyears。Naturallywehavebothgrownolder，andthoughIloveyoustillI
amgladyoudidnotrecognizeme。NotthatIhavebecomeugly，butIamstout，andthisgivesmeanotherlook。Iamawidow，andwellenoughofftotellyouthatifyoulackmoneyyouwillfindsomereadyforyouinHenriette’spurse。DonotcomebacktoAixtoseeme，asyourreturnmightgiverisetogossip；butifyouchancetocomehereagainaftersometime，wemaymeet，thoughnotasoldacquaintances。IamhappytothinkthatIhaveperhapsprolongedyourdaysbygivingyouanurseforwhosetrustworthinessIwouldanswer。IfyouwouldliketocorrespondwithmeIshouldbehappytodomypart。IamverycurioustoknowwhathappenedtoyouafteryourflightfromTheLeads，andaftertheproofsyouhavegivenmeofyourdiscretionIthinkIshallbeabletotellyouhowwecametomeetatCesena，andhowIreturnedtomycountry。Thefirstpartisasecretforeveryone；onlyM。d’Antoineisacquaintedwithaportionofthestory。Iamgratefulforthereticenceyouhaveobserved，thoughMarcolinemusthavedeliveredthemessageIgaveher。
Tellmewhathasbecomeofthatbeautifulgirl。Farewell！"
Ireplied，acceptingheroffertocorrespond，andItoldherthewholestoryofmyadventures。FromherIreceivedfortyletters，inwhichthehistoryofherlifeisgiven。Ifshediebeforeme，IshalladdtheseletterstomyMemoirs，butatpresentsheisaliveandhappy，thoughadvancedinyears。
ThedayafterIwenttocallonMadameAudibert，andwewenttogethertoseeMadameN————N————，whowasalreadythemotherofthreechildren。
Herhusbandadoredher，andshewasveryhappy。IgavehergoodnewsofMarcoline，andtoldthestoryofCroceandCharlotte’sdeath，whichaffectedhertotears。
InturnshetoldmeaboutRosalie，whowasquitearichwoman。Ihadnohopesofseeingheragain，forshelivedatGenoa，andIshouldnothavecaredtofaceM。Grimaldi。
Myniece（asIoncecalledher）mortifiedmeunintentionally；shesaidI
wasageing。Thoughamancaneasilymakeajestofhisadvancingyears，aspeechlikethisisnotpleasantwhenonehasnotabandonedthepursuitofpleasure。Shegavemeacapitaldinner，andherhusbandmademeofferswhichIwasashamedtoaccept。IhadfiftyLouis，and，intendingtogoontoTurin，Ididnotfeeluneasyaboutthefuture。
AtMarseillesImettheDucdeVilardi，whowaskeptalivebytheartofTronchin。Thisnobleman，whowasGovernorofProvence，askedmetosupper，andIwassurprisedtomeetathishousetheself—styledMarquisd’Aragon；hewasengagedinholdingthebank。Istakedafewcoinsandlost，andthemarquisaskedmetodinewithhimandhiswife，anelderlyEnglishwoman，whohadbroughthimadowryoffortythousandguineasabsolutely，withtwentythousandguineaswhichwouldultimatelygotohersoninLondon。IwasnotashamedtoborrowfiftyLouisfromthisluckyrascal，thoughIfeltalmostcertainthatIshouldneverreturnthemoney。
IleftMarseillesbymyself，andaftercrossingtheAlpsarrivedatTurin。
ThereIhadawarmwelcomefromtheChevalierRaibertiandtheComtedelaPerouse。Bothofthempronouncedmetobelookingolder，butI
consoledmyselfwiththethoughtthat，afterall，Iwasonlyforty—four。
IbecameanintimatefriendoftheEnglishambassador，SirN————，arich，accomplishedandculturedman，whokeptthechoicestoftables。
Everybodylovedhim，andamongstothersthisfeelingwaswarmlysharedbyaParmesegirl，namedCampioni，whowaswonderfullybeautiful。
AssoonasIhadtoldmyfriendsthatIintendedtogointoSwitzerlandtoprintatmyownexpensearefutationinItalianofthe"HistoryoftheVenetianGovernment，"byAmelotdelaHoussaye，theyalldidtheirbestbysubscribingandobtainingsubscriptions。ThemostgenerousofallwastheComtedelaPerouse，whogavemetwohundredandfiftyfrancsforfiftycopies。IleftTurininaweekwithtwothousandlireinmypurse。
WiththisIshouldbeabletoprintthebookIhadcomposedinmyprison；
butIshouldhavetorewriteit’abinitio’，withthevolumetomyhand，asalsothe"HistoryofVenice，"byNani。
WhenIhadgottheseworksIsetoutwiththeintentionofhavingmybookprintedatLugano，astherewasagoodpressthereandnocensure。I
alsoknewthattheheadofthepresswasawell—readman，andthattheplaceaboundedingoodcheerandgoodsociety。
LuganoisnearMilan，Como，andLakeMaggiore，andIwaswellpleasedwiththesituation。Iwenttothebestinn，whichwaskeptbyamannamedTagoretti，whogavemethebestroominthehouse。
ThedayaftermyarrivalIcalledonDr。Agnelli，whowasatonceprinter，priest，theologian，andanhonestman。Imadearegularagreementwithhim，heengagingtoprintattherateoffoursheetsaweek，andonmysideIpromisedtopayhimeveryweek。Hereservedtherightofcensorship，expressingahopethatouropinionsmightcoincide。
Igavehimtheprefaceandthepreliminarymatteratonce，andchosethepaperandthesize，largeoctavo。
WhenIgotbacktomyinnthelandlordtoldmethatthebargello，orchiefconstable，wantedtoseeme。
AlthoughLuganoisinSwitzerland，itsmunicipalgovernmentismodelledafterthatoftheItaliantowns。
Iwascurioustohearwhatthisill—omenedpersonagecouldhavetosaytome，soItoldhimtoshewhimin。Aftergivingmeaprofoundbow，withhishatinhishand，SignorBargellotoldmethathehadcometooffermehisservices，andtoassuremethatIshouldenjoycompletetranquillityandsafetyinLugano，whetherfromanyenemieswithintheStateorfromtheVenetianGovernment，incaseIhadanydisputewithit。
"Ithankyou，signor，"Ireplied，"andIamsurethatyouaretellingmethetruth，asIaminSwitzerland。"
"Imusttakethelibertyoftellingyou，sir，thatitiscustomaryforstrangerswhotakeuptheirresidenceinLugano，topaysometriflingsum，eitherbytheweek，themonth，ortheyear。"
"Andiftheyrefusetopay？"
"Thentheirsafetyisnotsosure。"
"MoneydoeseverythinginLugano，Isuppose。"
"But，sir————"
"Iunderstand，butletmetellyouthatIhavenofears，andIshallconsequentlybegtobeexcusedfrompayinganything。"
"Youwillforgiveme，butIhappentoknowthatyouhavesomedisputeswiththeVenetianGovernment。"
"Youaremakingamistake，mygoodfellow。"
"No，Iamnot。"
"Ifyouaresosure，findsomeonetobetmetwohundredsequinsthatI
havereasontofeartheVenetianGovernment；Iwilltakethebetanddeposittheamount。"
Thebargelloremainedsilent，andthelandlordtoldhimheseemedtohavemadesomekindofmistake，sohewentaway，lookingverydisappointed。
MylandlordwasdelightedtohearthatIthoughtofmakingsomestayatLugano，andadvisedmetocallonthehighbailiff，whogovernedtheplace。
"He’saveryniceSwissgentleman，"saidhe，"andhiswifeacleverwoman，andasfairastheday。"
"Iwillgoandseehimto—morrow。"
Isentinmynametothehighbailiffatnoononthedayfollowing，andwhatwasmysurprisetofindmyselfinthepresenceofM。deRandhischarmingwife。Besideherwasaprettyboy，fiveorsixyearsold。
Ourmutualsurprisemaybeimagined！
CHAPTERXI
ThePunishmentofMarazzani——ILeaveLugano——Turin——M。DuboisatParma——
Leghorn——TheDukeofOrloff——Pisa——Stratico——Sienna——TheMarchionessChigi——MyDeparturefromSiennaWithanEnglishwomanTheseunforeseen，haphazardmeetingswitholdfriendshavealwaysbeenthehappiestmomentsofmylife。
Weallremainedforsometimedumbwithdelight。M。deR。wasthefirsttobreakthesilencebygivingmeacordialembrace。Weburstoutintomutualexcuses，heforhavingimaginedthattheremightbeotherCasanovasinItaly，andIfornothavingascertainedhisname。Hemademetakepot—luckwithhimthesameday，andweseemedasifwehadneverparted。TheRepublichadgivenhimthisemploy——averylucrativeone——
andhewasonlysorrythatitwouldexpireintwoyears。Hetoldmehewasdelightedtobeabletobeofusetome，andbeggedmetoconsiderhewaswhollyatmyservice。HewasdelightedtohearthatIshouldbeengagedinseeingmyworkthroughthepressforthreeorfourmonths，andseemedvexedwhenItoldhimthatIcouldnotaccepthishospitalitymorethanonceaweekasmylabourswouldbeincessant。
MadamedeR————couldscarcelyrecoverfromhersurprise。ItwasnineyearssinceIhadseenheratSoleure，andthenIthoughtherbeautymustbeatitszenith；butIwaswrong，shewasstillmorebeautifulandI
toldherso。Sheshewedmeheronlychild，whohadbeenbornfouryearsaftermydeparture。Shecherishedthechildastheappleofhereye，andseemedlikelytospoilit；butIheard，afewyearsago，thatthischildisnowanamiableandaccomplishedman。
InaquarterofanhourMadamedeR————informedmeofallthathadhappenedatSoleuresincemydeparture。LebelhadgonetoBesancon，wherehelivedhappilywithhischarmingwife。
ShehappenedtoobserveinacasualwaythatInolongerlookedasyoungasIhaddoneatSoleure，andthismademeregulatemyconductinamannerImightnototherwisehavedone。Ididnotletherbeautycarrymeaway；Iresistedtheeffectofhercharms，andIwascontenttoenjoyherfriendship，andtobeworthyofthefriendshipofhergoodhusband。
TheworkonwhichIwasengageddemandedallmycareandattention，andaloveaffairwouldhavewastedmostofmytime。
Ibeganworkthenextmorning，andsaveforanhour’svisitfromM。deR————Iwroteontillnightfall。ThenextdayIhadthefirstproof—
sheetwithwhichIwaswellenoughpleased。
Ispentthewholeofthenextmonthinmyroom，workingassiduously，andonlygoingouttomassonfeastdays，todinewithM。deR————，andtowalkwithhiswifeandherchild。
Attheendofamonthmyfirstvolumewasprintedandstitched，andthemanuscriptofthesecondvolumewasreadyforthepress。TowardstheendofOctobertheprintersentintheentireworkinthreevolumes，andinlessthanayeartheeditionwassoldout。
MyobjectwasnotsomuchtomakemoneyastoappeasethewrathoftheVenetianInquisitors；IhadgonealloverEurope，andexperiencedaviolentdesiretoseemynativelandoncemore。
AmelotdelaHoussayehadwrittenhisbookfromthepointofviewofanenemyofVenice。Hishistorywasratherasatire，containinglearnedandslanderousobservationsmingledtogether。Ithadbeenpublishedforseventyyears，buthithertonoonehadtakenthetroubletorefuteit。
IfaVenetianhadattemptedtodosohewouldnothaveobtainedpermissionfromhisGovernmenttoprintitintheStatesofVenice，fortheStatepolicyistoallownoonetodiscusstheactionsoftheauthorities，whetherinpraiseorblame；consequentlynowriterhadattemptedtorefutetheFrenchhistory，asitwaswellknownthattherefutationwouldbevisitedwithpunishmentandnotwithreward。
Mypositionwasanexceptionalone。IhadbeenpersecutedbytheVenetianGovernment，sonoonecouldaccusemeofbeingpartial；andbymyexposingthecalumniesofAmelotbeforeallEuropeIhopedtogainareward，whichafterallwouldonlybeanactofjustice。
Ihadbeenanexileforfourteenyears，andIthoughttheInquisitorswouldbegladtorepairtheirinjusticeonthepretextofrewardingmypatriotism。
Myreaderswillseethatmyhopeswerefulfilled，butIhadtowaitforfivemoreyearsinsteadofreceivingpermissiontoreturnatonce。
M。deBragadinwasdead，andDandoloandBarbaroweretheonlyfriendsI
hadleftatVenice；andwiththeiraidIcontrivedtosubscribefiftycopiesofmybookinmynativetown。
ThroughoutmystayatLuganoIonlyfrequentedthehouseofM。deR—————，whereIsawtheAbbeRiva，alearnedanddiscreetman，towhomIhadbeencommendedbyM。Querini，hisrelation。Theabbeenjoyedsuchareputationforwisdomamongsthisfellow—countrymenthathewasakindofarbiterinalldisputes，andthustheexpensesofthelawweresaved。
Itwasnowonderthatthegentlemenofthelongrobehatedhimmostcordially。Hisnephew，JeanBaptisteRiva，wasafriendoftheMuses，ofBacchus，andofVenus；hewasalsoafriendofmine，thoughIcouldnotmatchhimwiththebottles。Helentmeallthenymphshehadinitiatedintothemysteries，andtheylikedhimallthebetter，asImadethemsomesmallpresents。WithhimandhistwoprettysistersIwenttotheBorromeanIsles。IknewthatCountBorromeo，whohadhonouredmewithhisfriendshipatTurin，wasthere，andfromhimIfeltcertainofawarmwelcome。OneofthetwosistershadtopassforRiva’swife，andtheotherforhissister—in—law。
Althoughthecountwasaruinedmanhelivedinhisisleslikeaprince。
ItwouldbeimpossibletodescribetheseIslandsoftheBlest；theymustbeseentobeimagined。Theinhabitantsenjoyaneverlastingspring；
thereisneitherheatnorcold。
Thecountregaleduschoicely，andamusedthetwogirlsbygivingthemrodsandlinesandlettingthemfish。Althoughhewasugly，old，andruined，hestillpossessedtheartofpleasing。
OnthewaybacktoLugano，asIwasmakingplaceforacarriageinanarrowroad，myhorseslippedandfelldownaslopetenfeethigh。Myheadwentagainstalargestone，andIthoughtmylasthourwascomeasthebloodpouredoutofthewound。However，Iwaswellagaininafewdays。Thiswasmylastrideonhorseback。
DuringmystayatLuganotheinspectorsoftheSwisscantonscamethereinitsturn。Thepeopledignifiedthemwiththemagnificenttitleofambassadors，butM。deR————wascontenttocallthemavoyers。
Thesegentlemenstayedatmyinn，andIhadmymealswiththemthroughouttheirstay。
TheavoyerofBernegavemesomenewsofmypoorfriendM。F————。HischarmingdaughterSarahadbecomethewifeofM，deV————，andwashappy。
Afewdaysafterthesepleasantandculturedmenhadleft，IwasstartledonemorningbythesuddenappearanceofthewretchedMarazzaniinmyroom。Iseizedhimbyhiscollar，threwhimout，andbeforehehadtimetousehiscaneorhissword，Ihadkicked，beaten，andboxedhimmostsoundly。Hedefendedhimselftothebestofhisability，andthelandlordandhismenranupatthenoise，andhadsomedifficultyinseparatingus。
"Don’tlethimgo！"Icried，"sendforthebargelloandhavehimawaytoprison。"
Idressedmyselfhastily，andasIwasgoingouttoseeM。deR————，thebargellometme，andaskedmeonwhatchargeIgavethemanintocustody。
"YouwillhearthatatM。deR————’s，whereIshallawaityou。"
Imustnowexplainmyanger。Youmayremember，reader，thatIleftthewretchedfellowintheprisonofBuenRetiro。IheardafterwardsthattheKingofSpain，Jerusalem，andtheCanaryIslands，hadgivenhimasmallpostinagalleyoffthecoastofAfrica。
Hehaddonemenoharm，andIpitiedhim；butnotbeinghisintimatefriend，andhavingnopowertomitigatethehardshipofhislot，Ihadwell—nighforgottenhim。
Eightmonthsafter，ImetatBarcelonaMadameBellucci，aVenetiandancer，withwhomIhadhadasmallintrigue。Shegaveanexclamationofdelightonseeingme，andsaidshewasgladtoseemedeliveredfromthehardfatetowhichatyrannousGovernmenthadcondemnedme。
"Whatfateisthat？"Iasked，"IhaveseenagooddealofmisfortunesinceIleftyou。"
"Imeanthepresidio。"
"Butthathasneverbeenmylot，thankGod！Whotoldyousuchastory？"
"ACountMarazzani，whowasherethreeweeksago，andtoldmehehadbeenluckierthanyou，ashehadmadehisescape。"
"He’saliarandascoundrel；andifeverImeethimagainheshallpaymedearly。"
>FromthatmomentIneverthoughtoftherascalwithoutfeelingalivelydesiretogivehimathrashing，butIneverthoughtthatchancewouldbringaboutsoearlyameeting。
UnderthecircumstancesIthinkmybehaviourwillbethoughtonlynatural。Ihadbeatenhim，butthatwasnotenoughforme。Iseemedtohavedonenothing，andindeed，IhadgotasgoodasIgave。
Inthemeantimehewasinprison，andIwenttoM。deR————toseewhathecoulddoforme。
AssoonasM。deRheardmystatementhesaidhecouldneitherkeephiminprisonnordrivehimoutofthetownunlessIlaidapleabeforehim，cravingprotectionagainstthisman，whomIbelievedtohavecometoLuganowiththepurposeofassassinatingme。
"Youcanmakethedocumentmoreeffective，"headded，"byplacingyouractualgrievanceinastronglight，andlayingstressonhissuddenappearanceinyourroomwithoutsendinginhisname。That’swhatyouhadbetterdo，anditremainstobeseenhowIshallansweryourplea。I
shallaskhimforhispassportanddelaythecase，andorderhimtobeseverelytreated；butintheendIshallonlybeabletodrivehimoutofthetown，unlesshecanfindgoodbail。"
Icouldasknomore。Isentinmyplea，andthenextdayIhadthepleasureofseeinghimbroughtintothecourtboundhandandfoot。
M。deRbegantoexaminehim，andMarazzanisworehehadnoevilintentionsincallingonme。Astothecalumny，heprotestedhehadonlyrepeatedcommonrumour，andprofessedhisjoyatfindingithadbeenmistaken。
Thisoughttohavebeenenoughforme，butIcontinuedobdurate。
M。deR————saidthefactofmybeingsenttothegalleyshavingbeenrumouredwasnojustificationforhisrepeatingit。
"Andfurthermore，"heproceeded，"M。Casanova’ssuspicionthatyouweregoingtoassassinatehimisjustifiedbyyourgivingafalsename，fortheplaintiffmaintainsthatyouarenotCountMarazzaniatall。Heofferstofurnishsuretyonthisbehalf，andifM。Casanovadoesyouwrong，hisbailwillescheattoyouasdamages。Inthemeantimeyouwillremaininprisontillwehavefurtherinformationaboutyourrealstatus。"
Hewastakenback，andasthepoordevilhadnotapennyinhispocketitwouldhavebeensuperfluoustotellthebargedlototreathimseverely。
M。deRwrotetotheSwissagentatParmatoobtainthenecessaryinformation；butastherascalknewthiswouldbeagainsthim，hewrotemeahumbleletter，inwhichheconfessedthathewasthesonofapoorshopkeeperofBobbio，andalthoughhisnamewasreallyMarazzani，hehadnothingtodowiththeMarazzanisofPlaisance。Hebeggedmetosethimatliberty。
IshewedthelettertoM。deR————，wholethimoutofprisonwithorderstoleaveLuganointwenty—fourhours。
IthoughtIhadbeenrathertooharshwithhim，andgavethepoordevilsomemoneytotakehimtoAugsburg，andalsoaletterforM。deSellentin，whowasrecruitingthereforthePrussianking。WeshallhearofMarazzaniagain。