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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of To Paris And Prison: The False Nun
+by Jacques Casanova de Seingalt
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: To Paris And Prison: The False Nun
+       The Memoirs Of Jacques Casanova De Seingalt 1725-1798
+
+Author: Jacques Casanova de Seingalt
+
+Release Date: October 30, 2006 [EBook #2959]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TO PARIS AND PRISON: THE FALSE NUN ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by David Widger
+
+
+
+
+
+MEMOIRS OF JACQUES CASANOVA de SEINGALT 1725-1798
+
+TO PARIS AND PRISON, Volume 2d--The False Nun
+
+THE RARE UNABRIDGED LONDON EDITION OF 1894 TRANSLATED BY ARTHUR MACHEN TO
+WHICH HAS BEEN ADDED THE CHAPTERS DISCOVERED BY ARTHUR SYMONS.
+
+
+
+
+THE FALSE NUN
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI
+
+Supper at My Casino With M. M. and M. de Bernis, the French Ambassador--A
+Proposal from M. M.; I Accept It--Consequences--C. C. is Unfaithful to
+Me, and I Cannot Complain
+
+I felt highly pleased with the supper-party I had arranged with
+M---- M----, and I ought to have been happy. Yet I was not so; but whence
+came the anxiety which was a torment to me? Whence? From my fatal habit
+of gambling. That passion was rooted in me; to live and to play were to
+me two identical things, and as I could not hold the bank I would go and
+punt at the ridotto, where I lost my money morning and night. That state
+of things made me miserable. Perhaps someone will say to me:
+
+"Why did you play, when there was no need of it, when you were in want of
+nothing, when you had all the money you could wish to satisfy your
+fancies?"
+
+That would be a troublesome question if I had not made it a law to tell
+the truth. Well, then, dear inquisitive reader, if I played with almost
+the certainty of losing, although no one, perhaps, was more sensible than
+I was to the losses made in gambling, it is because I had in me the evil
+spirit of avarice; it is because I loved prodigality, and because my
+heart bled when I found myself compelled to spend any money that I had
+not won at the gaming-table. It is an ugly vice, dear reader, I do not
+deny it. However, all I can say is that, during the four days previous to
+the supper, I lost all the gold won for me by M---- M----
+
+On the anxiously-expected day I went to my casino, where at the appointed
+hour M---- M---- came with her friend, whom she introduced to me as soon as
+he had taken off his mask.
+
+"I had an ardent wish, sir," said M. de Bernis to me, "to renew
+acquaintance with you, since I heard from madame that we had known each
+other in Paris."
+
+With these words he looked at me attentively, as people will do when they
+are trying to recollect a person whom they have lost sight of. I then
+told him that we had never spoken to one another, and that he had not
+seen enough of me to recollect my features now.
+
+"I had the honour," I added, "to dine with your excellency at M. de
+Mocenigo's house, but you talked all the time with Marshal Keith, the
+Prussian ambassador, and I was not fortunate enough to attract your
+attention. As you were on the point of leaving Paris to return to Venice,
+you went away almost immediately after dinner, and I have never had the
+honour of seeing you since that time."
+
+"Now I recollect you," he answered, "and I remember asking whether you
+were not the secretary of the embassy. But from this day we shall not
+forget each other again, for the mysteries which unite us are of a nature
+likely to establish a lasting intimacy between us."
+
+The amiable couple were not long before they felt thoroughly at ease, and
+we sat down to supper, of which, of course, I did the honours. The
+ambassador, a fine connoisseur in wines, found mine excellent, and was
+delighted to hear that I had them from Count Algarotti, who was reputed
+as having the best cellar in Venice.
+
+My supper was delicate and abundant, and my manners towards my handsome
+guests were those of a private individual receiving his sovereign and his
+mistress. I saw that M---- M---- was charmed with the respect with which I
+treated her, and with my conversation, which evidently interested the
+ambassador highly. The serious character of a first meeting did not
+prevent the utterance of witty jests, for in that respect M. de Bernis
+was a true Frenchman. I have travelled much, I have deeply studied men,
+individually and in a body, but I have never met with true sociability
+except in Frenchmen; they alone know how to jest, and it is rare,
+delicate, refined jesting, which animates conversation and makes society
+charming.
+
+During our delightful supper wit was never wanting, and the amiable
+M---- M---- led the conversation to the romantic combination which had
+given her occasion to know me. Naturally, she proceeded to speak of my
+passion for C---- C----, and she gave such an interesting description of
+that young girl that the ambassador listened with as much attention as if
+he had never seen the object of it. But that was his part, for he was not
+aware that I had been informed of his having witnessed from his
+hiding-place my silly interview with C---- C----. He told M---- M---- that
+he would have been delighted if she had brought her young friend to sup
+with us.
+
+"That would be running too great a risk," answered the cunning nun, "but
+if you approve of it," she added, looking at me, "I can make you sup with
+her at my casino, for we sleep in the same room."
+
+That offer surprised me much, but it was not the moment to shew it, so I
+replied:
+
+"It is impossible, madam, to add anything to the pleasure of your
+society, yet I confess I should be pleased if you could contrive to do us
+that great favour:"
+
+"Well, I will think of it."
+
+"But," observed the ambassador, "if I am to be one of the party, I think
+it would be right to apprize the young lady of it."
+
+"It is not necessary, for I will write to her to agree to whatever madam
+may propose to her. I will do so to-morrow."
+
+I begged the ambassador to prepare himself with a good stock of
+indulgence for a girl of fifteen who had no experience of the world. In
+the course of the evening I related the history of O-Morphi, which
+greatly amused him. He entreated me to let him see her portrait. He
+informed me that she was still an inmate of the 'Parc-aux-cerfs', where
+she continued to be the delight of Louis XV., to whom she had given a
+child. My guests left me after midnight, highly pleased, and I remained
+alone.
+
+The next morning, faithful to the promise I had made to my beautiful nun,
+I wrote to C---- C---- without informing her that there would be a fourth
+person at the projected supper, and having given my note to Laura I
+repaired to Muran, where I found the following letter from M---- M---- :
+
+"I could not sleep soundly, my love, if I did not ease my conscience of
+an unpleasant weight. Perhaps you did not approve of the 'partie carree'
+with our young friend, and you may not have objected out of mere
+politeness. Tell me the truth, dearest, for, should you not look forward
+to that meeting with pleasure, I can contrive to undo it without
+implicating you in any way; trust me for that. If, however, you have no
+objection to the party, it will take place as agreed. Believe me, I love
+your soul more than your heart--I mean than your person. Adieu."
+
+Her fear was very natural, but out of shamefacedness I did not like to
+retract. M---- M---- knew me well, and as a skilful tactician she attacked
+my weak side.
+
+Here is my answer:
+
+"I expected your letter, my best beloved, and you cannot doubt it,
+because, as you know me thoroughly, you must be aware that I know you as
+well. Yes, I know your mind, and I know what idea you must entertain of
+mine, because I have exposed to you all my weakness and irritability by
+my sophisms. I do penance for it, dearest, when I think that having
+raised your suspicions your tenderness for me must have been weakened.
+Forget my visions, I beg, and be quite certain that for the future my
+soul will be in unison with yours. The supper must take place, it will be
+a pleasure for me, but let me confess that in accepting it I have shewn
+myself more grateful than polite. C---- C---- is a novice, and I am not
+sorry to give her an opportunity of seeing the world. In what school
+could she learn better than yours? Therefore I recommend her to you, and
+you will please me much by continuing to shew your care and friendship
+towards her, and by increasing, if possible, the sum of your goodness. I
+fear that you may entice her to take the veil, and if she did I would
+never console myself. Your friend has quite captivated me; he is a
+superior man, and truly charming."
+
+Thus did I wittingly deprive myself of the power of drawing back, but I
+was able to realize the full force of the situation. I had no difficulty
+in guessing that the ambassador was in love with C---- C----, and that he
+had confessed as much to M---- M----, who, not being in a position to
+object to it, was compelled to shew herself compliant, and to assist him
+in everything that could render his passion successful. She could
+certainly not do anything without my consent, and she had evidently
+considered the affair too delicate to venture upon proposing the party
+point-blank to me. They had, no doubt, put their heads together, so that
+by bringing the conversation on that subject I should find myself
+compelled, for the sake of politeness and perhaps of my inward feelings,
+to fall into the snare. The ambassador, whose profession it was to carry
+on intrigues skilfully, had succeeded well, and I had taken the bait as
+he wished. There was nothing left for me but to put a good face on the
+matter, not only so as not to shew myself a very silly being, but also in
+order not to prove myself shamefully ungrateful towards a man who had
+granted me unheard-of privileges. Nevertheless, the consequence of it all
+was likely to be some coolness in my feelings towards both my mistresses.
+M---- M---- had become conscious of this after she had returned to the
+convent, and wishing to screen herself from all responsibility she had
+lost no time in writing to me that she would cause the projected supper
+to be abandoned, in case I should disapprove of it, but she knew very
+well that I would not accept her offer. Self-love is a stronger passion
+even than jealousy; it does not allow a man who has some pretension to
+wit to shew himself jealous, particularly towards a person who is not
+tainted by that base passion, and has proved it.
+
+The next day, having gone early to the casino, I found the ambassador
+already there, and he welcomed me in the most friendly manner. He told me
+that, if he had known me in Paris he would have introduced me at the
+court, where I should certainly have made my fortune. Now, when I think
+of that, I say to myself, "That might have been the case, but of what
+good would it have been to me?" Perhaps I should have fallen a victim of
+the Revolution, like so many others. M. de Bernis himself would have been
+one of those victims if Fate had not allowed him to die in Rome in 1794.
+He died there unhappy, although wealthy, unless his feelings had
+undergone a complete change before his death, and I do not believe it.
+
+I asked him whether he liked Venice, and he answered that he could not do
+otherwise than like that city, in which he enjoyed excellent health, and
+in which, with plenty of money, life could be enjoyed better than
+anywhere else.
+
+"But I do not expect," he added, "to be allowed to keep this embassy very
+long. Be kind enough to let that remain between us. I do not wish to make
+M---- M---- unhappy."
+
+We were conversing in all confidence when M---- M---- arrived with her
+young friend, who showed her surprise at seeing another man with me, but
+I encouraged her by the most tender welcome; and she recovered all her
+composure when she saw the delight of the stranger at being answered by
+her in good French. It gave us both an opportunity of paying the warmest
+compliments to the mistress who had taught her so well.
+
+C---- C---- was truly charming; her looks, bright and modest at the same
+time, seemed to say to me, "You must belong to me:" I wished to see her
+shine before our friends; and I contrived to conquer a cowardly feeling
+of jealousy which, in spite of myself, was beginning to get hold of me. I
+took care to make her talk on such subjects as I knew to be familiar to
+her. I developed her natural intelligence, and had the satisfaction of
+seeing her admired.
+
+Applauded, flattered, animated by the satisfaction she could read in my
+eyes, C---- C---- appeared a prodigy to M. de Bernis, and, oh! what a
+contradiction of the human heart! I was pleased, yet I trembled lest he
+should fall in love with her! What an enigma! I was intent myself upon a
+work which would have caused me to murder any man who dared to undertake
+it.
+
+During the supper, which was worthy of a king, the ambassador treated
+C---- C---- with the most delicate attentions. Wit, cheerfulness, decent
+manners, attended our delightful party, and did not expel the gaiety and
+the merry jests with which a Frenchman knows how to season every
+conversation.
+
+An observing critic who, without being acquainted with us, wished to
+guess whether love was present at our happy party, might have suspected,
+perhaps, but he certainly could not have affirmed, that it was there.
+M---- M---- treated the ambassador as a friend. She shewed no other feeling
+towards me than that of deep esteem, and she behaved to C---- C---- with
+the tender affection of a sister. M. de Bernis was kind, polite, and
+amiable with M---- M----, but he never ceased to take the greatest
+interest in every word uttered by C---- C----, who played her part to
+perfection, because she had only to follow her own nature, and, that
+nature being beautiful, C---- C---- could not fail to be most charming.
+
+We had passed five delightful hours, and the ambassador seemed more
+pleased even than any of us. M---- M---- had the air of a person satisfied
+with her own work, and I was playing the part of an approving spectator.
+C---- C---- looked highly pleased at having secured the general
+approbation, and there was, perhaps, a slight feeling of vanity in her
+arising from the special attention which the ambassador had bestowed on
+her. She looked at me, smiling, and I could easily understand the
+language of her soul, by which she wished to tell me that she felt
+perfectly well the difference between the society in which she was then,
+and that in which her brother had given us such a disgusting specimen of
+his depravity.
+
+After midnight it was time to think of our departure, and M. de Bernis
+undertook all the complimentary part. Thanking M---- M---- for the most
+agreeable supper he had ever made in his life, he contrived to make her
+offer a repetition of it for two days afterwards, and he asked me, for
+the sake of appearance, whether I should not find as much delight in that
+second meeting as himself. Could he have any doubt of my answering
+affirmatively? I believe not, for I had placed myself under the necessity
+of being compliant. All being agreed, we parted company.
+
+The next day, when I thought of that exemplary supper, I had no
+difficulty in guessing what the ultimate result would be. The ambassador
+owed his great fortune entirely to the fair sex, because he possessed to
+the highest degree the art of coddling love; and as his nature was
+eminently voluptuous he found his advantage in it, because he knew how to
+call desires into existence, and this procured him enjoyments worthy of
+his delicate taste. I saw that he was deeply in love with C---- C----, and
+I was far from supposing him the man to be satisfied with looking at her
+lovely eyes. He certainly had some plan arranged, and M---- M----, in
+spite of all her honesty, was the prime manager of it. I knew that she
+would carry it on with such delicate skill that I should not see any
+evidence of it. Although I did not feel disposed to shew more compliance
+than was strictly just, I foresaw that in the end I should be the dupe,
+and my poor C---- C---- the victim, of a cunningly-contrived trick. I could
+not make up my mind either to consent with a good grace, or to throw
+obstacles in the way, and, believing my dear little wife incapable of
+abandoning herself to anything likely to displease me, I allowed myself
+to be taken off my guard, and to rely upon the difficulty of seducing
+her. Stupid calculation! Self-love and shamefacedness prevented me from
+using my common sense. At all events, that intrigue kept me in a state of
+fever because I was afraid of its consequences, and yet curiosity
+mastered me to such an extent that I was longing for the result. I knew
+very well that a second edition of the supper did not imply that the same
+play would be performed a second time, and I foresaw that the changes
+would be strongly marked. But I thought myself bound in honour not to
+retract. I could not lead the intrigue, but I believed myself
+sufficiently skilful to baffle all their manoeuvrings.
+
+After all those considerations, however, considerations which enabled me
+to assume the countenance of false bravery, the inexperience of
+C---- C----, who, in spite of all the knowledge she had lately acquired,
+was only a novice, caused me great anxiety. It was easy to abuse her
+natural wish to be polite, but that fear gave way very soon before the
+confidence I had in M---- M---- s delicacy. I thought that, having seen how
+I had spent six hours with that young girl, knowing for a certainty that
+I intended to marry her, M---- M---- would never be guilty of such base
+treason. All these thoughts, worthy only of a weak and bashful jealousy,
+brought no conclusive decision. I had to follow the current and watch
+events.
+
+At the appointed time I repaired to the casino, where I found my two
+lovely friends sitting by the fire.
+
+"Good evening, my two divinities, where is our charming Frenchman?"
+
+"He has not arrived yet," answered M---- M----, "but he will doubtless
+soon be here."
+
+I took off my mask, and sitting between them, I gave them a thousand
+kisses, taking good care not to shew any preference, and although I knew
+that they were aware of the unquestionable right I had upon both of them,
+I kept within the limits of the utmost decency. I congratulated them upon
+the mutual inclination they felt for each other, and I saw that they were
+pleased not to have to blush on that account.
+
+More than one hour was spent in gallant and friendly conversation,
+without my giving any satisfaction to my burning desires.
+M---M---- attracted me more than C---- C----, but I would not for the world
+have offended the charming girl. M---- M---- was beginning to shew some
+anxiety about the absence of M. de Bernis, when the door-keeper brought
+her a note from him.
+
+"A courier," he wrote, "who arrived two hours ago, prevents my being
+happy to-night, for I am compelled to pass it in answering the dispatches
+I have received. I trust that you will forgive and pity me. May I hope
+that you will kindly grant me on Friday the pleasure of which I am so
+unfortunately deprived to-day? Let me know your answer by to-morrow. I
+wish ardently, in that case, to find you with the same guests, to whom I
+beg you will present my affectionate compliments."
+
+"Well," said M---- M----, "it is not his fault. We will sup without him.
+Will you come on Friday?"
+
+"Yes, with the greatest pleasure. But what is the matter with you, dear
+C---- C----? You look sad."
+
+"Sad, no, unless it should be for the sake of my friend, for I have never
+seen a more polite and more obliging gentleman."
+
+"Very well, dear, I am glad he has rendered you so sensible."
+
+"What do you mean? Could anyone be insensible to his merit?"
+
+"Better still, but I agree with you. Only tell me if you love him?"
+
+"Well, even if I loved him, do you think I would go and tell him?
+Besides, I am certain that he loves my friend."
+
+So saying, she sat down on M---- M----'s knee, calling her her own little
+wife, and my two beauties began to bestow on one another caresses which
+made me laugh heartily. Far from troubling their sport, I excited them,
+in order to enjoy a spectacle with which I had long been acquainted.
+
+M---- M---- took up a book full of the most lascivious engravings, and
+said, with a significant glance in my direction:
+
+"Do you wish me to have a fire lighted in the alcove?"
+
+I understood her, and replied:
+
+"You would oblige me, for the bed being large we can all three sleep
+comfortably in it."
+
+I guessed that she feared my suspecting the ambassador of enjoying from
+the mysterious closet the sight of our amorous trio, and she wished to
+destroy that suspicion by her proposal.
+
+The table having been laid in front of the alcove, supper was served, and
+we all did honour to it. We were all blessed with a devouring appetite.
+While M---- M---- was teaching her friend how to mix punch, I was admiring
+with delight the progress made in beauty by C---- C----.
+
+"Your bosom," I said to her, "must have become perfect during the last
+nine months."
+
+"It is like mine," answered M---- M----, "would you like to see for
+yourself?"
+
+Of course I did not refuse. M---- M---- unlaced her friend, who made no
+resistance, and performing afterwards the same office upon herself, in
+less than two minutes I was admiring four rivals contending for the
+golden apple like the three goddesses, and which would have set at
+defiance the handsome Paris himself to adjudge the prize without
+injustice. Need I say what an ardent fire that ravishing sight sent
+coursing through my veins? I placed immediately an the table the Academie
+des Dames, and pointed out a certain position to M---- M----, who,
+understanding my wishes, said to C---- C---- :
+
+"Will you, darling, represent that group with me?"
+
+A look of compliance was C---- C----'s only answer; she was not yet inured
+to amorous pleasures as much as her lovely teacher. While I was laughing
+with delight, the two friends were getting ready, and in a few minutes we
+were all three in bed, and in a state of nature. At first, satisfied with
+enjoying the sight of the barren contest of my two bacchanalians, I was
+amused by their efforts and by the contrast of colours, for one was dark
+and the other fair, but soon, excited myself, and consumed by all the
+fire of voluptuousness, I threw myself upon them, and I made them, one
+after the other, almost faint away from the excess of love and enjoyment.
+
+Worn out and satiated with pleasure, I invited them to take some rest. We
+slept until we were awakened by the alarum, which I had taken care to set
+at four o'clock. We were certain of turning to good account the two hours
+we had then to spare before parting company, which we did at the dawn of
+day, humiliated at having to confess our exhaustion, but highly pleased
+with each other, and longing for a renewal of our delightful pleasures.
+
+The next day, however, when I came to think of that rather too lively
+night, during which, as is generally the case, Love had routed Reason, I
+felt some remorse. M---- M---- wanted to convince me of her love, and for
+that purpose she had combined all the virtues which I attached to my own
+affection--namely, honour, delicacy, and truth, but her temperament, of
+which her mind was the slave, carried her towards excess, and she
+prepared everything in order to give way to it, while she awaited the
+opportunity of making me her accomplice. She was coaxing love to make it
+compliant, and to succeed in mastering it, because her heart, enslaved by
+her senses, never reproached her. She likewise tried to deceive herself
+by endeavouring to forget that I might complain of having been surprised.
+She knew that to utter such a complaint I would have to acknowledge
+myself weaker or less courageous than she was, and she relied upon my
+being ashamed to make such a confession. I had no doubt whatever that the
+absence of the ambassador had been arranged and concerted beforehand. I
+could see still further, for it seemed evident to me that the two
+conspirators had foreseen that I would guess the artifice, and that,
+feeling stung to the quick, in spite of all my regrets, I would not shew
+myself less generous than they had been themselves. The ambassador having
+first procured me a delightful night, how could I refuse to let him enjoy
+as pleasant a one? My friends had argued very well, for, in spite of all
+the objections of my mind, I saw that I could not on my side put any
+obstacle in their way. C---- C---- was no impediment to them. They were
+certain of conquering her the moment she was not hindered by my presence.
+It rested entirely with M---- M----, who had perfect control over her.
+Poor girl! I saw her on the high road to debauchery, and it was my own
+doing! I sighed when I thought how little I had spared them in our last
+orgie, and what would become of me if both of them should happen to be,
+by my doing, in such a position as to be compelled to run away from the
+convent? I could imagine both of them thrown upon my hands, and the
+prospect was not particularly agreeable. It would be an 'embarras de
+richesse'. In this miserable contest between reason and prejudice,
+between nature and sentiment, I could not make up my mind either to go to
+the supper or to remain absent from it. "If I go," said I to myself,
+"that night will pass with perfect decency, but I shall prove myself very
+ridiculous, jealous, ungrateful, and even wanting in common politeness:
+if I remain absent, C---- C---- is lost, at least, in my estimation, for I
+feel that my love will no longer exist, and then good-bye to all idea of
+a marriage with her." In the perplexity of mind in which I found myself,
+I felt a want of something more certain than mere probabilities to base
+my decision upon. I put on my mask, and repaired to the mansion of the
+French ambassador. I addressed myself to the gate-keeper, saying that I
+had a letter for Versailles, and that I would thank him to deliver it to
+the courier when he went back to France with his excellency's dispatches.
+
+"But, sir," answered the man, "we have not had a special courier for the
+last two months:"
+
+"What? Did not a special cabinet messenger arrive here last night?"
+
+"Then he must have come in through the garret window or down the chimney,
+for, on the word of an honest man, none entered through the gate."
+
+"But the ambassador worked all night?"
+
+"That may be, sir, but not here, for his excellency dined with the
+Spanish ambassador, and did not return till very late:"
+
+I had guessed rightly. I could no longer entertain any doubt. It was all
+over; I could not draw back without shame. C---- C---- must resist, if the
+game was distasteful to her; no violence would of course be offered to
+her. The die was cast!
+
+Towards evening I went to the casino of Muran, and wrote a short note to
+M---- M----, requesting her to excuse me if some important business of M.
+de Bragadin's prevented me from spending the night with her and with our
+two friends, to whom I sent my compliments as well as my apologies. After
+that I returned to Venice, but in rather an unpleasant mood; to divert
+myself I went to the gaming table, and lost all night.
+
+Two days afterwards, being certain that a letter from M---- M---- awaited
+me at Muran, I went over, and the door-keeper handed me a parcel in which
+I found a note from my nun and a letter from C---- C----, for everything
+was now in common between them.
+
+Here is C---- C----'s letter."
+
+"We were very sorry, dearest friend, when we heard that we should not
+have the happiness of seeing you. My dear M---- M----'s friend came
+shortly afterwards, and when he read your note he likewise expressed his
+deep regret. We expected to have a very dull supper, but the witty
+sayings of that gentleman enlivened us and you cannot imagine of what
+follies we were guilty after partaking of some champagne punch. Our
+friend had become as gay as ourselves, and we spent the night in trios,
+not very fatiguing, but very pleasant. I can assure you that that man
+deserves to be loved, but he must acknowledge himself inferior to you in
+everything. Believe me, dearest, I shall ever love you, and you must for
+ever remain the master of my heart."
+
+In spite of all my vexation, that letter made me laugh, but the note of
+M---- M---- was much more singular. Here are the contents of it:
+
+"I am certain, my own beloved, that you told a story out of pure
+politeness, but you had guessed that I expected you to do so. You have
+made our friend a splendid present in exchange for the one he made you
+when he did not object to his M---- M---- bestowing her heart upon you. You
+possess that heart entirely, dearest, and you would possess it under all
+circumstances, but how sweet it is to flavour the pleasures of love with
+the charms of friendship! I was sorry not to see you, but I knew that if
+you had come we would not have had much enjoyment; for our friend,
+notwithstanding all his wit, is not exempt from some natural prejudices.
+As for C---- C----, her mind is now quite as free of them as our own, and
+I am glad she owes it to me. You must feel thankful to me for having
+completed her education, and for rendering her in every way worthy of
+you. I wish you had been hiding in the closet, where I am certain you
+would have spent some delightful hours. On Wednesday next I shall be
+yours, and all alone with you in your casino in Venice; let me know
+whether you will be at the usual hour near the statue of the hero
+Colleoni. In case you should be prevented, name any other day."
+
+I had to answer those two letters in the same spirit in which they had
+been written, and in spite of all the bitter feelings which were then
+raging in my heart, my answers were to be as sweet as honey. I was in
+need of great courage, but I said to myself: "George Dandin, tu las
+voulu!" I could not refuse to pay the penalty of my own deeds, and I have
+never been able to ascertain whether the shame I felt was what is called
+shamefacedness. It is a problem which I leave to others.
+
+In my letter to C---- C---- I had the courage, or the effrontery, to
+congratulate her, and to encourage her to imitate M---- M----, the best
+model, I said, I could propose to her.
+
+I wrote to my nun that I would be punctual at the appointment near the
+statue, and amidst many false compliments, which ought to have betrayed
+the true state of my heart, I told her that I admired the perfect
+education she had given to C---- C----, but that I congratulated myself
+upon having escaped the torture I should have suffered in the mysterious
+observatory, for I felt that I could not have borne it.
+
+On the Wednesday I was punctual at the rendezvous, and I had not to wait
+long for M---- M----, who came disguised in male attire. "No theatre
+to-night," she said to me; "let us go to the 'ridotto', to lose or double
+our money." She had six hundred sequins. I had about one hundred. Fortune
+turned her back upon us, and we lost all. I expected that we would then
+leave that cutthroat place, but M---- M----, having left me for a minute,
+came back with three hundred sequins which had been given to her by her
+friend, whom she knew where to find. That money given by love or by
+friendship brought her luck for a short time, and she soon won back all
+we had lost, but in our greediness or imprudence we continued to play,
+and finally we lost our last sequin.
+
+When we could play no longer, M---- M---- said to me,
+
+"Now that we need not fear thieves, let us go to our supper."
+
+That woman, religious and a Free-thinker, a libertine and gambler, was
+wonderful in all she did. She had just lost five hundred pounds, and she
+was as completely at her ease as if she had won a very large sum. It is
+true that the money she had just lost had not cost her much.
+
+As soon as we were alone, she found me sad and low-spirited, although I
+tried hard not to appear so, but, as for her, always the same, she was
+handsome, brilliant, cheerful, and amorous.
+
+She thought she would bring back my spirits by giving me the fullest
+particulars of the night she had passed with C---- C---- and her friend,
+but she ought to have guessed that she was going the wrong way. That is a
+very common error, it comes from the mind, because people imagine that
+what they feel themselves others must feel likewise.
+
+I was on thorns, and I tried everything to avoid that subject, and to
+lead the conversation into a different channel, for the amorous
+particulars, on which she was dwelling with apparent delight, vexed me
+greatly, and spite causing coldness, I was afraid of not playing my part
+very warmly in the amorous contest which was at hand. When a lover doubts
+his own strength, he may almost always be sure that he will fail in his
+efforts.
+
+After supper we went to bed in the alcove, where the beauty, the mental
+and physical charms, the grace and the ardour of my lovely nun, cast all
+my bad temper to the winds, and soon restored me to my usual
+good-spirits. The nights being shorter we spent two hours in the most
+delightful pleasures, and then parted, satisfied and full of love.
+
+Before leaving, M---- M---- asked me to go to her casino, to take some
+money and to play, taking her for my partner. I did so. I took all the
+gold I found, and playing the martingale, and doubling my stakes
+continuously, I won every day during the remainder of the carnival. I was
+fortunate enough never to lose the sixth card, and, if I had lost it, I
+should have been without money to play, for I had two thousand sequins on
+that card. I congratulated myself upon having increased the treasure of
+my dear mistress, who wrote to me that, for the sake of civility, we
+ought to have a supper 'en partie carree' on Shrove Monday. I consented.
+
+That supper was the last I ever had in my life with C---- C----. She was
+in excellent spirits, but I had made up my mind, and as I paid all my
+attentions to M---- M----, C---- C---- imitated my example without
+difficulty, and she devoted herself wholly to her new lover.
+
+Foreseeing that we would, a little later, be all of us in each other's
+way, I begged M---- M---- to arrange everything so that we could be apart,
+and she contrived it marvellously well.
+
+After supper, the ambassador proposed a game of faro, which our beauties
+did not know; he called for cards, and placed one hundred Louis on the
+table before him; he dealt, and took care to make C---- C---- win the whole
+of that sum. It was the best way to make her accept it as pin-money. The
+young girl, dazzled by so much gold, and not knowing what to do with it,
+asked her friend to take care of it for her until such time as she should
+leave the convent to get married.
+
+When the game was over, M---- M---- complained of a headache, and said that
+she would go to bed in the alcove: she asked me to come and lull her to
+sleep. We thus left the new lovers free to be as gay as they chose. Six
+hours afterwards, when the alarum warned us that it was time to part, we
+found them asleep in each other's embrace. I had myself passed an amorous
+and quiet night, pleased with M---- M----, and with out giving one thought
+to C---- C----.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII
+
+M. De Bernis Goes Away Leaving Me the Use of His Casino--His Good Advice:
+How I Follow It--Peril of M. M. and Myself--Mr. Murray, the English
+Ambassador--Sale of the Casino and End of Our Meetings--Serious Illness
+of M. M.--Zorzi and Condulmer--Tonnie
+
+Though the infidelities of C---- C---- made me look at her with other eyes
+than before, and I had now no intention of making her the companion of my
+life, I could not help feeling that it had rested with me to stop her on
+the brink of the stream, and I therefore considered it my duty always to
+be her friend.
+
+If I had been more logical, the resolution I took with respect to her
+would doubtless have been of another kind. I should have said to myself:
+After seducing her, I myself have set the example of infidelity; I have
+bidden her to follow blindly the advice of her friend, although I knew
+that the advice and the example of M---M---- would end in her ruin; I had
+insulted, in the most grievous manner, the delicacy of my mistress, and
+that before her very eyes, and after all this how could I ask a weak
+woman to do what a man, priding himself on his strength, would shrink
+from at tempting? I should have stood self-condemned, and have felt that
+it was my duty to remain the same to her, but flattering myself that I
+was overcoming mere prejudices, I was in fact that most degraded of
+slaves, he who uses his strength to crush the weak.
+
+The day after Shrove Tuesday, going to the casino of Muran, I found there
+a letter from M---- M----, who gave me two pieces of bad news: that
+C---- C---- had lost her mother, and that the poor girl was in despair; and
+that the lay-sister, whose rheum was cured, had returned to take her
+place. Thus C---- C---- was deprived of her friend at a time when she would
+have given her consolation, of which she stood in great need. C---- C----,
+it seemed, had gone to share the rooms of her aunt, who, being very fond
+of her, had obtained permission from the superior. This circumstance
+would prevent the ambassador taking any more suppers with her, and I
+should have been delighted if chance had put this obstacle in his path a
+few days sooner.
+
+All these misfortunes seemed of small account com pared with what I was
+afraid of, for C---- C---- might have to pay the price for her pleasures,
+and I so far regarded myself as the origin of her unhappiness as to feel
+bound never to abandon her, and this might have involved me in terrible
+complications.
+
+M---- M---- asked me to sup with her and her lover on the following Monday.
+I went and found them both sad--he for the loss of his new mistress, and
+she because she had no longer a friend to make the seclusion of the
+convent pleasant.
+
+About midnight M. de Bemis left us, saying in a melancholy manner that he
+feared he should be obliged to pass several months in Vienna on important
+diplomatic business. Before parting we agreed to sup together every
+Friday.
+
+When we were alone M---- M---- told me that the ambassador would be obliged
+to me if in the future I would come to the casino two hours later. I
+understood that the good-natured and witty profligate had a very natural
+prejudice against indulging his amorous feelings except when he was
+certain of being alone.
+
+M. de Bemis came to all our suppers till he left for Vienna, and always
+went away at midnight. He no longer made use of his hiding-place, partly
+because we now only lay in the recess, and partly because, having had
+time to make love before my arrival, his desires were appeased.
+M---- M---- always found me amorous. My love, indeed, was even hotter than
+it had been, since, only seeing her once a week and remaining faithful to
+her, I had always an abundant harvest to gather in. C---- C----'s letters
+which she brought to me softened me to tears, for she said that after the
+loss of her mother she could not count upon the friendship of any of her
+relations. She called me her sole friend, her only protector, and in
+speaking of her grief in not being able to see me any more whilst she
+remained in the convent, she begged me to remain faithful to her dear
+friend.
+
+On Good Friday, when I got to the casino, I found the lovers over-whelmed
+with grief. Supper was served, but the ambassador, downcast and absent,
+neither ate nor spoke; and M---- M---- was like a statue that moves at
+intervals by some mechanism. Good sense and ordinary politeness prevented
+me from asking any questions, but on M---- M---- leaving us together, M. de
+Bemis told me that she was distressed, and with reason, since he was
+obliged to set out for Vienna fifteen days after Easter. "I may tell you
+confidentially," he added, "that I believe I shall scarcely be able to
+return, but she must not be told, as she would be in despair."
+M---- M---- came back in a few minutes, but it was easy to see that she had
+been weeping.
+
+After some commonplace conversation, M. de Bernis, seeing M---- M---- still
+low-spirited, said,
+
+"Do not grieve thus, sweetheart, go I must, but my return is a matter of
+equal certainty when I have finished the important business which summons
+me to Vienna. You will still have the casino, but, dearest, both
+friendship and prudence make me advise you not to come here in my
+absence, for after I have left Venice I cannot depend upon the faith of
+the gondoliers in my service, and I suspect our friend here cannot
+flatter himself on his ability to get reliable ones. I may also tell you
+that I have strong reasons for suspecting that our intercourse is known
+to the State Inquisitors, who conceal their knowledge for political
+reasons, but I fancy the secret would soon come to light when I am no
+longer here, and when the nun who connives at your departure from the
+convent knows that it is no longer for me that you leave it. The only
+people whom I would trust are the housekeeper and his wife. I shall order
+them, before I go, to look upon our friend here as myself, and you can
+make your arrangements with them. I trust all will go well till my
+return, if you will only behave discreetly. I will write to you under
+cover of the housekeeper, his wife will give you my letters as before,
+and in the same way you may reply. I must needs go, dearest one, but my
+heart is with you, and I leave you, till my return, in the hands of a
+friend, whom I rejoice to have known. He loves you, he has a heart and
+knowledge of the world, and he will not let you make any mistakes."
+
+M---- M---- was so affected by what the ambassador had said that she
+entreated us to let her go, as she wished to be alone and to lie down. As
+she went we agreed to sup together on the following Thursday.
+
+As soon as we were alone the ambassador impressed me with the absolute
+necessity of concealing from her that he was going to return no more. "I
+am going," said he, "to work in concert with the Austrian cabinet on a
+treaty which will be the talk of Europe. I entreat you to write to me
+unreservedly, and as a friend, and if you love our common mistress, have
+a care for her honour, and above all have the strength of mind to resist
+all projects which are certain to involve you in misfortune, and which
+will be equally fatal to both. You know what happened to Madame de Riva,
+a nun in the convent of St.----. She had to disappear after it became
+known that she was with child, and M. de Frulai, my predecessor, went
+mad, and died shortly after. J. J. Rousseau told me that he died of
+poison, but he is a visionary who sees the black side of everything. For
+my part, I believe that he died of grief at not being able to do anything
+for the unfortunate woman, who afterwards procured a dispensation from
+her vows from the Pope, and having got married is now living at Padua
+without any position in society.
+
+"Let the prudent and loyal friend master the lover: go and see
+M---- M---- sometimes in the parlour of the convent, but not here, or the
+boatmen will betray you. The knowledge which we both have that the girls
+are in a satisfactory condition is a great alleviation to my distress,
+but you must confess that you have been very imprudent. You have risked a
+terrible misfortune; consider the position you would have been in, for I
+am sure you would not have abandoned her. She had an idea that the danger
+might be overcome by means of drugs but I convinced her that she was
+mistaken. In God's name, be discreet in the future, and write to me
+fully, for I shall always be interested in her fate, both from duty and
+sentiment."
+
+We returned together to Venice, where we separated, and I passed the rest
+of the night in great distress. In the morning I wrote to the fair
+afflicted, and whilst endeavouring to console her to the best of my
+ability, I tried to impress on her the necessity for prudence and the
+avoidance of such escapades as might eventually ruin us.
+
+Next day I received her reply, every word of which spelt despair. Nature
+had given her a disposition which had become so intensified by indulgence
+that the cloister was unbearable to her, and I foresaw the hard fights I
+should have to undergo.
+
+We saw each other the Thursday after Easter, and I told her that I should
+not come to the casino before midnight. She had had four hours to pass
+with her lover in tears and regrets, amongst which she had often cursed
+her cruel fate and the foolish resolution which made her take the veil.
+We supped together, and although the meal was a rich and delicate one we
+did it little honour. When we had finished, the ambassador left,
+entreating me to remain, which I did, without thinking at all of the
+pleasures of a party of two, for Love lighteth not his torch at the
+hearts of two lovers who are full of grief and sorrow. M---- M---- had
+grown thin, and her condition excited my pity and shut out all other
+feelings. I held her a long time in my arms, covering her with tender and
+affectionate kisses, but I shewed no intention of consoling her by
+amusements in which her spirit could not have taken part. She said,
+before we parted, that I had shewn myself a true lover, and she asked me
+to consider myself from henceforth as her only friend and protector.
+
+Next week, when we were together as usual, M. de Bemis called the
+housekeeper just before supper, and in his presence executed a deed in my
+behalf, which he made him sign. In this document he transferred to me all
+rights over the contents of the casino, and charged him to consider me in
+all things as his master.
+
+We arranged to sup together two days after, to make our farewells, but on
+my arrival I found by herself, standing up, and pale as death, or rather
+as white as a statue of Carrara marble.
+
+"He is gone," she said, "and he leaves me to your care. Fatal being, whom
+perchance I shall see no more, whom I thought I loved but as a friend,
+now you are lost to me I see my mistake. Before I knew him I was not
+happy, but neither was I unhappy as I now am."
+
+I passed the whole night beside her, striving by the most delicate
+attentions to soften her grief, but with out success. Her character, as
+abandoned to sorrow as to pleasure, was displayed to me during that long
+and weary night. She told me at what hour I should come to the convent
+parlour, the next day, and on my arrival I was delighted to find her not
+quite so sad. She shewed me a letter which her lover had written to her
+from Trevisa, and she then told me that I must come and see her twice a
+week, warning me that she would be accompanied sometimes by one nun and
+sometimes by another, for she foresaw that my visits would become the
+talk of the convent, when it became known that I was the individual who
+used to go to mass at their church. She therefore told me to give in
+another name, to prevent C---- C----'s aunt from becoming suspicious.
+
+"Nevertheless," she added, "this will not prevent my coming alone when I
+have any matter of importance to communicate to you. Promise me,
+sweetheart, to sup and sleep at the casino at least once a week, and
+write me a note each time by the housekeeper's wife."
+
+I made no difficulty in promising her that much.
+
+We thus passed a fortnight quietly enough, as she was happy again, and
+her amorous inclinations had returned in full force. About this time she
+gave me a piece of news which delighted me--namely, that C---- C---- had no
+longer anything to fear.
+
+Full of amorous wishes and having to be content with the teasing pleasure
+of seeing one another through a wretched grating, we racked our brains to
+find out some way to be alone together to do what we liked, without any
+risk.
+
+"I am assured," she said, "of the good faith of the gardener's sister. I
+can go out and come in without fear of being seen, for the little door
+leading to the convent is not overlooked by any window--indeed it is
+thought to be walled up. Nobody can see me crossing the garden to the
+little stream, which is considered unnavigable. All we want is a
+one-oared gondola, and I cannot believe that with the help of money you
+will be unable to find a boatman on whom we may rely."
+
+I understood from these expressions that she suspected me of becoming
+cold towards her, and this suspicion pierced me to the heart.
+
+"Listen," said I, "I will be the boatman myself. I will come to the quay,
+pass by the little door, and you shall lead me to your room where I will
+pass the whole night with you, and the day, too, if you think you can
+hide me."
+
+"That plan," said she, "makes me shudder. I tremble at the danger to
+which you might be exposed. No, I should be too unfortunate if I were to
+be the cause of your misfortune, but, as you can row, come in the boat,
+let me know the time as closely as possible; the trusty woman will be on
+the watch, and I will not keep you four minutes waiting. I will get into
+the boat, we will go to our beloved casino, and then we shall be happy
+without fearing anything."
+
+"I will think it over."
+
+The way I took to satisfy her was as follows: I bought a small boat, and
+without telling her I went one night all by myself round the island to
+inspect the walls of the convent on the side of the lagune. With some
+difficulty I made out a little door, which I judged to be the only one by
+which she could pass, but to go from there to the casino was no small
+matter, since one was obliged to fetch a wide course, and with one oar I
+could not do the passage in less than a quarter of an hour, and that with
+much toil. Nevertheless, feeling sure of success, I told my pretty nun of
+the plan, and never was news received with so much pleasure. We set our
+watches together, and fixed our meeting for the Friday following.
+
+On the day appointed, an hour before sunset, I betook myself to St.
+Francis de la Vigne, where I kept my boat, and having set it in order and
+dressed myself as a boatman, I got upon the poop and held a straight
+course for the little door, which opened the moment I arrived.
+M---- M---- came out wrapped in a cloak, and someone shutting the door
+after her she got on board my frail bark, and in a quarter of an hour we
+were at the casino. M---- M---- made haste to go in, but I stayed to belay
+my boat with a lock and chain against thieves, who pass the night
+pleasantly by stealing whatever they can lay hands on.
+
+Though I had rowed easily enough, I was in a bath of perspiration, which,
+however, by no means hindered my charming mistress from falling on my
+neck; the pleasure of meeting seemed to challenge her love, and, proud of
+what I had done, I enjoyed her transports.
+
+Not dreaming that I should have any occasion for a change of linen, I had
+brought none with me, but she soon found a cure for this defect; for
+after having undressed me she dried me lovingly, gave me one of her
+smocks, and I found myself dressed to admiration.
+
+We had been too long deprived of our amorous pleasures to think of taking
+supper before we had offered a plenteous sacrifice to love. We spent two
+hours in the sweetest of intoxications, our bliss seeming more acute than
+at our first meeting. In spite of the fire which consumed me, in spite of
+the ardour of my mistress, I was sufficiently master of myself to
+disappoint her at the critical moment, for the picture which our friend
+had drawn was always before my eyes. M---- M----, joyous and wanton,
+having me for the first time in the character of boatman, augmented our
+delights by her amorous caprices, but it was useless for her to try to
+add fuel to my flame, since I loved her better than myself.
+
+The night was short, for she was obliged to return at three in the
+morning, and it struck one as we sat down to table. As the climax of ill
+luck a storm came on whilst we were at supper. Our hair stood on end; our
+only hope was founded in the nature of these squalls, which seldom last
+more than an hour. We were in hopes, also, that it would not leave behind
+it too strong a wind, as is sometimes the case, for though I was strong
+and sturdy I was far from having the skill or experience of a
+professional boatman.
+
+In less than half an hour the storm became violent, one flash of
+lightning followed another, the thunder roared, and the wind grew to a
+gale. Yet after a heavy rain, in less than an hour, the sky cleared, but
+there was no moon, it being the day after the Ascension. Two o'clock
+stuck. I put my head out at the window, but perceive that a contrary gale
+is blowing.
+
+   'Ma tiranno del mar Libecchio resta.'
+
+This Libecchio which Ariosto calls--and with good reason--the tyrant of
+the sea, is the southwesterly wind, which is commonly called 'Garbin' at
+Venice. I said nothing, but I was frightened. I told my sweetheart that
+we must needs sacrifice an hour of pleasure, since prudence would have it
+so.
+
+"Let us set out forthwith, for if the gale gets stronger I shall not be
+able to double the island."
+
+She saw my advice was not to be questioned, and taking the key of her
+strong box, whence she desired to get some money, she was delighted to
+find her store increased fourfold. She thanked me for having told her
+nothing about it, assuring me she would have of me nothing but my heart,
+and following me she got into my boat and lay down at full length so as
+not to hinder its motion, I got upon the poop, as full of fear as
+courage, and in five minutes I had the good luck to double the point. But
+there it was that the tyrant was waiting for me, and it was not long
+before I felt that my strength would not outlast that of the winds. I
+rowed with all my strength, but all I could do was to prevent my boat
+from going back. For half an hour I was in this pitiful state, and I felt
+my strength failing without daring to say a word. I was out of breath,
+but could not rest a moment, since the least relaxation would have let
+the boat slip a far way back, and this would have been a distance hard to
+recover. M---- M---- lay still and silent, for she perceived I had no
+breath wherewith to answer her. I began to give ourselves up as lost.
+
+At that instant I saw in the distance a barque coming swiftly towards us.
+What a piece of luck! I waited till she caught us up, for if I had not
+done so I should not have been able to make myself heard, but as soon as
+I saw her at my left hand, twelve feet off, I shouted, "Help! I will give
+two sequins!"
+
+They lowered sail and came towards me, and on their hailing me I asked
+for a man to take us to the opposite point of the island. They asked a
+sequin in advance, I gave it them, and promised the other to the man who
+would get on my poop and help me to make the point. In less than ten
+minutes we were opposite to the little stream leading to the convent, but
+the secret of it was too dear to be hazarded, so as soon as we reached
+the point I paid my preserver and sent him back. Henceforth the wind was
+in our favour, and we soon got to the little door, where
+M---- M---- landed, saying to me, "Go and sleep in the casino." I thought
+her advice wise, and I followed it, and having the wind behind me I got
+to the casino without trouble, and slept till broad day. As soon as I had
+risen I wrote to my dear mistress that I was well, and that we should see
+each other at the grating. Having taken my boat back to St. Francis, I
+put on my mask and went to Liston.
+
+In the morning M---- M---- came to the grating by herself, and we made all
+such observations as our adventures of the night would be likely to
+suggest, but in place of deciding to follow the advice which prudence
+should have given us-namely, not to expose ourselves to danger for the
+future, we thought ourselves extremely prudent in resolving that if we
+were again threatened by a storm we would set out as soon as we saw it
+rising. All the same we had to confess that if chance had not thrown the
+barque in our way we should have been obliged to return to the casino,
+for M---- M---- could not have got to the convent, and how could she ever
+have entered its walls again? I should have been forced to leave Venice
+with her, and that for ever. My life would have been finally and
+irretrievably linked with hers, and, without doubt, the various
+adventures which at the age of seventy-two years impel me to write these
+Memoirs, would never have taken place.
+
+For the next three months we continued to meet each other once a week,
+always amorous, and never disturbed by the slightest accidents.
+
+M---- M---- could not resist giving the ambassador a full account of our
+adventures, and I had promised to write to him, and always to write the
+whole truth. He replied by congratulating us on our good fortune, but he
+prophesied inevitable disaster if we had not the prudence to stop our
+intercourse.
+
+Mr. Murray, the English ambassador, a witty and handsome man, and a great
+amateur of the fair sex, wine, and good cheer, then kept the fair
+Ancilla, who introduced me to him. This fine fellow became my friend in
+much the same way as M. de Bernis, the only difference being that the
+Frenchman liked to look on while the Englishman preferred to give the
+show. I was never unwelcome at their amorous battles, and the voluptuous
+Ancilla was delighted to have me for a witness. I never gave them the
+pleasure of mingling in the strife. I loved M---- M----, but I should avow
+that my fidelity to her was not entirely dependent on my love. Though
+Ancilla was handsome she inspired me with repugnance, for she was always
+hoarse, and complained of a sharp pain in the throat, and though her
+lover kept well, I was afraid of her, and not without cause, for the
+disease which ended the days of Francis I. of France brought her to the
+grave in the following autumn. A quarter of an hour before she died, her
+brave Briton, yielding to the lascivious requests of this new Messalina,
+offered in my presence the last sacrifice, in spite of a large sore on
+her face which made her look hideous.
+
+This truly heroic action was known all over the town, and it was Murray
+himself who made it known, citing me as his witness.
+
+This famous courtezan, whose beauty was justly celebrated, feeling
+herself eaten away by an internal disease, promised to give a hundred
+louis to a doctor named Lucchesi, who by dint of mercury undertook to
+cure her, but Ancilla specified on the agreement that she was not to pay
+the aforesaid sum till Lucchesi had offered with her an amorous
+sacrifice.
+
+The doctor having done his business as well as he could wished to be paid
+without submitting to the conditions of the treaty, but Ancilla held her
+ground, and the matter was brought before a magistrate.
+
+In England, where all agreements are binding, Ancilla would have won her
+case, but at Venice she lost it.
+
+The judge, in giving sentence, said a condition, criminal per se, not
+fulfilled, did not invalidate an agreement--a sentence abounding in
+wisdom, especially in this instance.
+
+Two months before this woman had become disgusting, my friend M. Memmo,
+afterwards procurator, asked me to take him to her house. In the height
+of the conversation, what should come but a gondola, and we saw Count
+Rosemberg, the ambassador from Vienna, getting out of it. M. Memmo was
+thunderstruck (for a Venetian noble conversing with a foreign ambassador
+becomes guilty of treason to the state), and ran in hot haste from
+Ancilla's room, I after him, but on the stair he met the ambassador, who,
+seeing his distress, burst into a laugh, and passed on. I got directly
+into M. Memmo's gondola, and we went forthwith to M. Cavalli, secretary
+to the State Inquisitors. M. Memmo could have taken no better course to
+avoid the troublesome consequences which this fatal meeting might have
+had, and he was very glad that I was with him to testify to his innocence
+and to the harmlessness of the occurrence.
+
+M. Cavalli received M. Memmo with a smile, and told him he did well to
+come to confession without wasting any time. M. Memmo, much astonished at
+this reception, told him the brief history of the meeting, and the
+secretary replied with a grave air that he had no doubt as to the truth
+of his story, as the circumstances were in perfect correspondence with
+what he knew of the matter.
+
+We came away extremely puzzled at the secretary's reply, and discussed
+the subject for some time, but then we came to the conclusion that M.
+Cavalli could have had no positive knowledge of the matter before we
+came, and that he only spoke as he did from the instinct of an
+Inquisitor, who likes it to be understood that nothing is hid from him
+for a moment.
+
+After the death of Ancilla, Mr. Murray remained without a titular
+mistress, but, fluttering about like a butterfly, he had, one after
+another, the prettiest girls in Venice. This good-natured Epicurean set
+out for Constantinople two years later, and was for twenty years the
+ambassador of the Court of St. James at the Sublime Porte. He returned to
+Venice in 1778 with the intention of ending his days there, far from
+affairs of state, but he died in the lazaretto eight days before the
+completion of his quarantine.
+
+At play fortune continued to favour me; my commerce with M---- M---- could
+not be discovered now that I was my own waterman; and the nuns who were
+in the secret were too deeply involved not to keep it. I led them a merry
+life, but I foresaw that as soon as M. de Bernis decided to let
+M---- M---- know that he would not return to Venice, he would recall his
+people, and we should then have the casino no longer. I knew, besides,
+that when the rough season came on it would be impossible for me by
+myself to continue our voyages.
+
+The first Monday in October, when the theatres are opened and masks may
+be worn, I went to St. Francis to get my boat, and thence to Muran for my
+mistress, afterwards making for the casino. The nights were now long
+enough for us to have ample time for enjoyment, so we began by making an
+excellent supper, and then devoted ourselves to the worship of Love and
+Sleep. Suddenly, in the midst of a moment of ecstasy, I heard a noise in
+the direction of the canal, which aroused my suspicions, and I rushed to
+the window. What was my astonishment and anger to see a large boat taking
+mine in tow! Nevertheless, without giving way to my passion, I shouted to
+the robbers that I would give them ten sequins if they would be kind
+enough to return me my boat.
+
+A shout of laughter was all the reply they made, and not believing what I
+said they continued their course. What was I to do? I dared not cry,
+"Stop thief!" and not being endued with the power of walking on the water
+dry-footed, I could not give chase to the robbers. I was in the utmost
+distress, and for the moment M---- M---- shewed signs of terror, for she
+did not see how I could remedy this disaster.
+
+I dressed myself hastily, giving no more thoughts to love, my only
+comfort being that I had still two hours to get the indispensable boat,
+should it cost me a hundred sequins. I should have been in no perplexity
+if I had been able to take one, but the gondoliers would infallibly make
+proclamation over the whole of Muran that they had taken a nun to such a
+convent, and all would have been lost.
+
+The only way, then, that was open to me was either to buy a boat or to
+steal one. I put my pistols and dagger in my pocket, took some money, and
+with an oar on my shoulder set out.
+
+The robbers had filed the chain of my boat with a silent file; this I
+could not do, and I could only reckon on having the good luck to find a
+boat moored with cords.
+
+Coming to the large bridge I saw boats and to spare, but there were
+people on the quay, and I would not risk taking one. Seeing a tavern open
+at the end of the quay I ran like a madman, and asked if there were any
+boatmen there; the drawer told me there were two, but that they were
+drunk. I came up to them, and said, "Who will take me to Venice for
+eighty sous?"
+
+"I," and "I;" and they began to quarrel as to who should go. I quieted
+them by giving forty sous to the more drunken of the two, and I went out
+with the other.
+
+As soon as we were on our way, I said,
+
+"You are too drunk to take me, lend me your boat, and I will give it you
+back to-morrow."
+
+"I don't know you."
+
+"I will deposit ten sequins, but your boat is not worth that. Who will be
+your surety?"
+
+He took me back to the tavern, and the drawer went bail for him. Well
+pleased, I took my man to the boat, and having furnished it with a second
+oar and two poles he went away, chuckling at having made a good bargain,
+while I was as glad to have had the worst of it. I had been an hour away,
+and on entering the casino found my dear M---- M---- in an agony, but as
+soon as she saw my beaming face all the laughter came back on hers. I
+took her to the convent, and then went to St. Francis, where the keeper
+of the boathouse looked as if he thought me a fool, when I told him that
+I had trucked away my boat for the one I had with me. I put on my mask,
+and went forthwith to my lodging and to bed, for these annoyances had
+been too much for me.
+
+About this time my destiny made me acquainted with a nobleman called Mark
+Antony Zorzi, a man of parts and famous for his skill in writing verses
+in the Venetian dialect. Zorzi, who was very fond of the play, and
+desired to offer a sacrifice to Thalia, wrote a comedy which the audience
+took the liberty of hissing; but having persuaded himself that his piece
+only failed through the conspiracies of the Abbe Chiari, who wrote for
+the Theatre of St. Angelo, he declared open war against all the abbe's
+plays.
+
+I felt no reluctance whatever to visit M. Zorzi, for he possessed an
+excellent cook and a charming wife. He knew that I did not care for
+Chiari as an author, and M. Zorzi had in his pay people who, without
+pity, rhyme, or reason, hissed all the compositions of the ecclesiastical
+playwright. My part was to criticise them in hammer verses--a kind of
+doggerel then much in fashion, and Zorzi took care to distribute my
+lucubrations far and wide. These manoeuvres made me a powerful enemy in
+the person of M. Condulmer, who liked me none the better for having all
+the appearance of being in high favour with Madame Zorzi, to whom before
+my appearance he had paid diligent court. This M. Condulmer was to be
+excused for not caring for me, for, having a large share in the St.
+Angelo Theatre, the failure of the abbe's pieces was a loss to him, as
+the boxes had to be let at a very low rent, and all men are governed by
+interested motives.
+
+This M. Condulmer was sixty years old, but with all the greenness of
+youth he was still fond of women, gaming, and money, and he was, in fact,
+a money-lender, but he knew how to pass for a saint, as he took care to
+go to mass every morning at St. Mark's, and never omitted to shed tears
+before the crucifix. The following year he was made a councillor, and in
+that capacity he was for eight months a State Inquisitor. Having thus
+attained this diabolically-eminent, or eminently-diabolical, position, he
+had not much difficulty in shewing his colleagues the necessity of
+putting me under The Leads as a disturber of the peace of the Republic.
+In the beginning of the winter the astounding news of the treaty between
+France and Austria was divulged--a treaty by which the political balance
+was entirely readjusted, and which was received with incredulity by the
+Powers. The whole of Italy had reason to rejoice, for the treaty guarded
+that fair land from becoming the theatre of war on the slightest
+difference which might arise between the two Powers. What astonished the
+most acute was that this wonderful treaty was conceived and carried out
+by a young ambassador who had hitherto been famed only as a wit. The
+first foundations had been laid in 1750 by Madame de Pompadour, Count
+Canes (who was created a prince), and M. l'Abbe de Bernis, who was not
+known till the following year, when the king made him ambassador to
+Venice. The House of Bourbon and the House of Hapsburg had been foes for
+two hundred and forty years when this famous treaty was concluded, but it
+only lasted for forty years, and it is not likely that any treaty will
+last longer between two courts so essentially opposed to one another.
+
+The Abbe de Bernis was created minister for foreign affairs some time
+after the ratification of the treaty; three years after he re-established
+the parliament, became a cardinal, was disgraced, and finally sent to
+Rome, where he died. 'Mors ultimo linea rerum est'.
+
+Affairs fell out as I had foreseen, for nine months after he left Venice
+he conveyed to M---- M---- the news of his recall, though he did it in the
+most delicate manner. Nevertheless, M---- M---- felt the blow so severely
+that she would very possibly have succumbed, had I not been preparing her
+for it in every way I could think of M. de Bernis sent me all
+instructions.
+
+He directed that all the contents of the casino should be sold and the
+proceeds given to M---- M----, with the exception of the books and prints
+which the housekeeper was ordered to bring to Paris. It was a nice
+breviary for a cardinal, but would to God they had nothing worse!
+
+Whilst M---- M---- abandoned herself to grief I carried out the orders of
+M. de Bernis, and by the middle of January we had no longer a casino. She
+kept by her two thousand sequins and her pearls, intending to sell them
+later on to buy herself an annuity.
+
+We were now only able to see each other at the grating; and soon, worn
+with grief, she fell dangerously ill, and on the 2nd of February I
+recognized in her features the symptoms of approaching death. She sent me
+her jewel-case, with all her diamonds and nearly all her money, all the
+scandalous books she possessed, and all her letters, telling me that if
+she did not die I was to return her the whole, but that all belonged to
+me if, as she thought, she should succumb to the disease. She also told
+me that C---- C---- was aware of her state, and asked me to take pity on
+her and write to her, as my letters were her only comfort, and that she
+hoped to have strength to read them till her latest breath.
+
+I burst into tears, for I loved her passionately, and I promised her to
+come and live in Muran until she recovered her health.
+
+Having placed the property in a gondola, I went to the Bragadin Palace to
+deposit it, and then returned to Muran to get Laura to find me a
+furnished room where I could live as I liked. "I know of a good room,
+with meals provided," she said; "you will be quite comfortable and will
+get it cheaply, and if you like to pay in advance, you need not even say
+who you are. The old man to whom the house belongs lives on the ground
+floor; he will give you all the keys and if you like you need see no
+one."
+
+She gave me the address, and I went there on the spot, and having found
+everything to my liking I paid a month in advance and the thing was done.
+It was a little house at the end of a blind alley abutting on the canal.
+I returned to Laura's house to tell her that I wanted a servant to get my
+food and to make my bed, and she promised to get me one by the next day.
+
+Having set all in order for my new lodging, I returned to Venice and
+packed my mails as if I were about to make a long journey. After supper I
+took leave of M. de Bragadin and of his two friends, telling them that I
+was going to be away for several weeks on important business.
+
+Next day, going to my new room, I was surprised to find there Tonine,
+Laura's daughter, a pretty girl not more than fifteen years old, who told
+me with a blush, but with more spirit than I gave her credit for, that
+she would serve me as well as her mother would have done.
+
+I was in too much distress to thank Laura for this pretty present, and I
+even determined that her daughter should not stay in my service. We know
+how much such resolutions are commonly worth. In the meanwhile I was kind
+to the girl: "I am sure," I said, "of your goodwill, but I must talk to
+your mother. I must be alone," I added, "as I have to write all day, and
+I shall not take anything till the evening." She then gave me a letter,
+begging pardon for not having given it me sooner. "You must never forget
+to deliver messages," I said, "for if you had waited any longer before
+bringing me this letter, it might have had the most serious
+consequences." She blushed, begged pardon, and went out of the room. The
+letter was from C---- C----, who told me that her friend was in bed, and
+that the doctor had pronounced her illness to be fever. I passed the rest
+of the day in putting my room in order, and in writing to C---- C---- and
+her suffering friend.
+
+Towards evening Tonine brought in the candles, and told me that my supper
+was ready. "Follow me," I said. Seeing that she had only laid supper for
+one--a pleasing proof of her modesty, I told her to get another knife and
+fork, as I wished her always to take her meals with me. I can give no
+account of my motives. I only wished to be kind to her, and I did
+everything in good faith. By and by, reader, we shall see whether this is
+not one of the devices by which the devil compasses his ends.
+
+Not having any appetite, I ate little, but I thought everything good with
+the exception of the wine; but Tonine promised to get some better by the
+next day, and when supper was over she went to sleep in the ante-room.
+
+After sealing my letters, wishing to know whether the outer door was
+locked, I went out and saw Tonine in bed, sleeping peacefully, or
+pretending to do so. I might have suspected her thoughts, but I had never
+been in a similar situation, and I measured the extremity of my grief by
+the indifference with which I looked at this girl; she was pretty, but
+for all that I felt that neither she nor I ran any risk.
+
+Next day, waking very early, I called her, and she came in neatly
+dressed. I gave her my letter to C---- C----, which enclosed the letter to
+M---- M----, telling her to take it to her mother and then to return to
+make my coffee.
+
+"I shall dine at noon, Tonine," I said, "take care to get what is
+necessary in good time."
+
+"Sir, I prepared yesterday's supper myself, and if you like I can cook
+all your meals."
+
+"I am satisfied with your abilities, go on, and here is a sequin for
+expenses."
+
+"I still have a hundred and twenty sous remaining from the one you gave
+me yesterday, and that will be enough."
+
+"No, they are for yourself, and I shall give you as much every day."
+
+Her delight was so great that I could not prevent her covering my hand
+with kisses. I took care to draw it back and not to kiss her in return,
+for I felt as if I should be obliged to laugh, and this would have
+dishonoured my grief.
+
+The second day passed like the first. Tonine was glad that I said no more
+about speaking to her mother, and drew the conclusion that her services
+were agreeable to me. Feeling tired and weak, and fearing that I should
+not wake early enough to send the letter to the convent, but not wishing
+to rouse Tonine if she were asleep, I called her softly. She rose
+immediately and came into my room with nothing on but a slight petticoat.
+Pretending to see nothing, I gave her my letter, and told her to take it
+to her mother in the morning before she came into my room. She went out,
+saying that my instructions should be carried out, but as soon as she was
+gone I could not resist saying to myself that she was very pretty; and I
+felt both sad and ashamed at the reflection that this girl could very
+easily console me. I hugged my grief, and I determined to separate myself
+from a being who made me forget it.
+
+"In the morning," I said, "I will tell Laura to get me something less
+seducing;" but the night brought counsel, and in the morning I put on the
+armour of sophism, telling myself that my weakness was no fault of the
+girl's, and that it would therefore be unjust to punish her for it. We
+shall see, dear reader, how all this ended.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII
+
+Continues the Preceding Chapter--M. M. Recovers--I Return to
+Venice--Tonine Consoles Me--Decrease of My Love For M. M.--Doctor
+Righelini--Curious Conversation With Him--How This Conversation Affected
+M. M.--Mr. Murray Undeceived and Avenged
+
+Tontine had what is called tact and common sense, and thinking these
+qualities were required in our economy she behaved with great delicacy,
+not going to bed before receiving my letters, and never coming into my
+room except in a proper dress, and all this pleased me. For a fortnight
+M---- M---- was so ill that I expected every moment to hear the news of her
+death. On Shrove Tuesday C---- C---- wrote that her friend was not strong
+enough to read my letter, and that she was going to receive 'extreme
+unction'. This news so shocked me that I could not rise, and passed the
+whole day in weeping and writing, Tonine not leaving me till midnight. I
+could not sleep. On Ash Wednesday I got a letter, in which C---- C---- told
+me that the doctor had no hopes for her friend, and that he only gave her
+a fortnight to live. A low fever was wasting her away, her weakness was
+extreme, and she could scarcely swallow a little broth. She had also the
+misfortune to be harassed by her confessor, who made her foretaste all
+the terrors of death. I could only solace my grief by writing, and Tonine
+now and again made bold to observe that I was cherishing my grief, and
+that it would be the death of me. I knew myself that I was making my
+anguish more poignant, and that keeping to my bed, continued writing, and
+no food, would finally drive me mad. I had told my grief to poor Tonine,
+whose chief duty was to wipe away my tears. She had compassion on me.
+
+A few days later, after assuring C---- C---- that if our friend died I
+should not survive her, I asked her to tell M---- M---- that if she wanted
+me to take care of my life she must promise to let me carry her off on
+her recovery.
+
+"I have," I said, "four thousand sequins and her diamonds, which are
+worth six thousand; we should, therefore, have a sufficient sum to enable
+us to live honourably in any part of Europe."
+
+C---- C---- wrote to me on the following day, and said that my mistress,
+after hearing my letter read, had fallen into a kind of convulsion, and,
+becoming delirious, she talked incessantly in French for three whole
+hours in a fashion which would have made all the nuns take to their
+heels, if they had understood her. I was in despair, and was nearly
+raving as wildly as my poor nun. Her delirium lasted three days, and as
+soon as she got back her reason she charged her young friend to tell me
+that she was sure to get well if I promised to keep to my word, and to
+carry her off as soon as her health would allow. I hastened to reply that
+if I lived she might be sure my promise would be fulfilled.
+
+Thus continuing to deceive each other in all good faith, we got better,
+for every letter from C---- C----, telling me how the convalescence of her
+friend was progressing, was to me as balm. And as my mind grew more
+composed my appetite also grew better, and my health improving day by
+day, I soon, though quite unconsciously, began to take pleasure in the
+simple ways of Tonine, who now never left me at night before she saw that
+I was asleep.
+
+Towards the end of March M---- M---- wrote to me herself, saying that she
+believed herself out of danger, and that by taking care she hoped to be
+able to leave her room after Easter. I replied that I should not leave
+Muran till I had the pleasure of seeing her at the grating, where,
+without hurrying ourselves, we could plan the execution of our scheme.
+
+It was now seven weeks since M. de Bragadin had seen me, and thinking
+that he would be getting anxious I resolved to go and see him that very
+day. Telling Tonine that I should not be back till the evening, I started
+for Venice without a cloak, for having gone to Muran masked I had
+forgotten to take one. I had spent forty-eight days without going out of
+my room, chiefly in tears and distress, and without taking any food. I
+had just gone through an experience which flattered my self-esteem. I had
+been served by a girl who would have passed for a beauty anywhere in
+Europe. She was gentle, thoughtful, and delicate, and without being taxed
+with foppishness I think I may say that, if she was not in love with me,
+she was at all events inclined to please me to the utmost of her ability;
+for all that I had been able to withstand her youthful charms, and I now
+scarcely dreaded them. Seeing her every day, I had dispersed my amorous
+fancies, and friendship and gratitude seemed to have vanquished all other
+feelings, for I was obliged to confess that this charming girl had
+lavished on me the most tender and assiduous care.
+
+She had passed whole nights on a chair by my bedside, tending me like a
+mother, and never giving me the slightest cause for complaint.
+
+Never had I given her a kiss, never had I allowed myself to undress in
+her presence, and never (with one exception) had she come into my room
+without being properly dressed. For all that, I knew that I had fought a
+battle, and I felt inclined to boast at having won the victory. There was
+only one circumstance that vexed me--namely, that I was nearly certain
+that neither M. M. nor C. C. would consider such continence to be within
+the bounds of possibility, if they heard of it, and that Laura herself,
+to whom her daughter would tell the whole story, would be sceptical,
+though she might out of kindness pretend to believe it all.
+
+I got to M. de Bragadin's just as the soup was being served. He welcomed
+me heartily, and was delighted at having foreseen that I should thus
+surprise them. Besides my two other old friends, there were De la Haye,
+Bavois, and Dr. Righelini at table.
+
+"What! you without a cloak!" said M. Dandolo.
+
+"Yes," said I; "for having gone out with my mask on I forgot to bring
+one:"
+
+At this they laughed, and, without putting myself out, I sat down. No one
+asked where I had been so long, for it was understood that that question
+should be left to me to answer or not. Nevertheless, De la Haye, who was
+bursting with curiosity, could not refrain from breaking some jests on
+me.
+
+"You have got so thin," said he, "that uncharitable people will be rather
+hard on you."
+
+"I trust they will not say that I have been passing my time with the
+Jesuits."
+
+"You are sarcastic. They may say, perhaps, that you have passed your time
+in a hot-house under the influence of Mercury."
+
+"Don't be afraid, sir, for to escape this hasty judgment I shall go back
+this evening."
+
+"No, no, I am quite sure you will not."
+
+"Believe me, sir," said I, with a bantering tone, "that I deem your
+opinion of too much consequence not to be governed by it."
+
+Seeing that I was in earnest, my friends were angry with him; and the
+Aristarchus was in some confusion.
+
+Righelini, who was one of Murray's intimate friends, said to me in a
+friendly way that he had been longing to tell Murray of my re-appearance,
+and of the falsity of all the reports about me.
+
+"We will go to sup with him," said I, "and I will return after supper."
+
+Seeing that M. de Bragadin and his two friends were uneasy about me, I
+promised to dine with them on April 25th, St. Mark's Day.
+
+As soon as Mr. Murray saw me, he fell on my neck and embraced me. He
+introduced me to his wife, who asked me to supper with great politeness.
+After Murray had told me the innumerable stories which had been made
+about my disappearance, he asked me if I knew a little story by the Abbe
+Chiari, which had come out at the end of the carnival. As I said that I
+knew nothing about it, he gave me a copy, telling me that I should like
+it. He was right. It was a satire in which the Zorzi clique was pulled to
+pieces, and in which I played a very poor part. I did not read it till
+some time after, and in the mean time put it in my pocket. After a very
+good supper I took a gondola to return to Muran.
+
+It was midnight and very dark, so that I did not perceive the gondola to
+be ill covered and in wretched order. A fine rain was falling when I got
+in, and the drops getting larger I was soon wet to the skin. No great
+harm was done, as I was close to my quarters. I groped my way upstairs
+and knocked at the door of the ante-room, where Tonine, who had not
+waited for me, was sleeping. Awake in a moment she came to open the door
+in her smock, and without a light. As I wanted one, I told her to get the
+flint and steel, which she did, warning me in a modest voice that she was
+not dressed. "That's of no consequence," said I, "provided you are
+covered." She said no more, and soon lighted a candle, but she could not
+help laughing when she saw me dripping wet.
+
+"I only want you, my dear," said I, "to dry my hair." She quickly set to
+work with powder and powder-puff in hand, but her smock was short and
+loose at the top, and I repented, rather too late, that I had not given
+her time to dress. I felt that all was lost, all the more as having to
+use both her hands she could not hold her smock and conceal two swelling
+spheres more seductive than the apples of the Hesperides. How could I
+help seeing them? I shut my eyes and, said "For shame!" but I gave in at
+last, and fixed such a hungry gaze upon poor Tonine that she blushed.
+"Come," said I, "take your smock between your teeth and then I shall see
+no more." But it was worse than before, and I had only added fuel to the
+fire; for, as the veil was short, I could see the bases and almost the
+frieze of two marble columns; and at this sight I gave a voluptuous cry.
+Not knowing how to conceal everything from my gaze, Tonine let herself
+fall on the sofa, and I, my passions at fever-heat, stood beside her, not
+knowing what to do.
+
+"Well," she said, "shall I go and dress myself and then do your hair?"
+
+"No, come and sit on my knee, and cover my eyes with your hands." She
+came obediently, but the die was cast, and my resistance overcome. I
+clasped her between my arms, and without any more thoughts of playing at
+blind man's buff I threw her on the bed and covered her with kisses. And
+as I swore that I would always love her, she opened her arms to receive
+me in a way that shewed how long she had been waiting for this moment.
+
+I plucked the rose, and then, as ever, I thought it the rarest I had ever
+gathered since I had laboured in the harvest of the fruitful fields of
+love.
+
+When I awoke in the morning I found myself more deeply in love with
+Tonine than I had been with any other woman. She had got up without
+waking me, but as soon as she heard me stirring she came, and I tenderly
+chid her for not waiting for me to give her good morrow. Without
+answering she gave me M---- M----'s letter. I thanked her, but putting the
+letter on one side I took her in my arms, and set her by my side. "What a
+wonder!" cried Tonine. "You are not in a hurry to read that letter!
+Faithless man, why did you not let me cure you six weeks ago. How lucky I
+am; thanks to the rain! I do not blame you, dear, but love me as you love
+her who writes to you every day, and I shall be satisfied."
+
+"Do you know who she is?"
+
+"She lives in a boarding-house, and is as beautiful as an angel; but she
+is there, and I am here. You are my master, and I will be your servant as
+long as you like."
+
+I was glad to leave her in error, and swore an ever-lasting love; but
+during our conversation she had let herself drop down in the bottom of
+the bed, and I entreated her to lie down again; but she said that on the
+contrary it was time for me to get up for dinner, for she wanted to give
+me a dainty meal cooked in the Venetian manner.
+
+"Who is the cook?" said I.
+
+"I am, and I have been using all my skill on it since five, when I got
+up."
+
+"What time is it now, then?"
+
+"Past one."
+
+The girl astonished me. She was no longer the shy Tonine of last night;
+she had that exultant air which happiness bestows, and the look of
+pleasure which the delights of love give to a young beauty. I could not
+understand how I had escaped from doing homage to her beauty when I first
+saw her at her mother's house. But I was then too deeply in love with
+C---- C----; I was in too great distress; and, moreover, Tonine was then
+unformed. I got up, and making her bring me a cup of coffee I asked her
+to keep the dinner back for a couple of hours.
+
+I found M---- M----'s letter affectionate, but not so interesting as it
+would have been the day before. I set myself to answer it, and was almost
+thunderstruck to find the task, for the first time, a painful one.
+However, my short journey to Venice supplied me with talk which covered
+four pages.
+
+I had an exquisite dinner with my charming Tonine. Looking at her as at
+the same time my wife, my mistress, and my housekeeper, I was delighted
+to find myself made happy at such a cheap rate. We spent the whole day at
+the table talking of our love, and giving each other a thousand little
+marks of it; for there is no such rich and pleasant matter for
+conversation as when they who talk are parties to an amorous suit. She
+told with charming simplicity that she knew perfectly well that she could
+not make me amorous of her, because I loved another, and that her only
+hope was therefore in a surprise, and that she had foreseen the happy
+moment when I told her that she need not dress herself to light a candle.
+
+Tonine was naturally quick-witted, but she did not know either how to
+read or to write. She was enchanted to see herself become rich (for she
+thought herself so) without a soul at Muran being able to breathe a word
+against her honour. I passed three weeks in the company of this
+delightful girl--weeks which I still reckon among the happiest of my
+life; and what embitters my old age is that, having a heart as warm as
+ever, I have no longer the strength necessary to secure a single day as
+blissful as those which I owed to this charming girl.
+
+Towards the end of April I saw M. M. at the grating, looking thin and
+much changed, but out of danger. I therefore returned to Venice. In my
+interview, calling my attachment and tender feelings to my aid, I
+succeeded in behaving myself in such wise that she could not possibly
+detect the change which a new love had worked in my heart. I shall be, I
+trust, easily believed when I say that I was not imprudent enough to let
+her suspect that I had given up the idea of escaping with her, upon which
+she counted more than ever. I was afraid lest she should fall ill again,
+if I took this hope away from her. I kept my casino, which cost me
+little, and as I went to see M. M. twice a week I slept there on those
+occasions, and made love with my dashing Tonine.
+
+Having kept my word with my friends by dining with them on St. Mark's
+Day, I went with Dr. Righelini to the parlour of the Vierges to see the
+taking of the veil.
+
+The Convent of the Vierges is within the jurisdiction of the Doge, whom
+the nuns style "Most Serene Father." They all belong to the first
+families in Venice.
+
+While I was praising the beauty of Mother M---- E---- to Dr. Righelini, he
+whispered to me that he could get her me for a money payment, if I were
+curious in the matter. A hundred sequins for her and ten sequins for the
+go-between was the price fixed on. He assured me that Murray had had her,
+and could have her again. Seeing my surprise, he added that there was not
+a nun whom one could not have by paying for her: that Murray had the
+courage to disburse five hundred sequins for a nun of Muran--a rare
+beauty, who was afterwards the mistress of the French ambassador.
+
+Though my passion for M---- M---- was on the wane, I felt my heart gripped
+as by a hand of ice, and it was with the greatest difficulty that I made
+no sign. Notwithstanding, I took the story for an atrocious calumny, but
+yet the matter was too near my heart for me to delay in bringing it to
+light at the earliest opportunity. I therefore replied to Righelini in
+the calmest manner possible, that one or two nuns might be had for money,
+but that it could happen very rarely on account of the difficulties in
+most convents.
+
+"As for the nun of Muran, justly famous for her beauty, if she be
+M---- M----, nun of the convent..., I not only disbelieve that Murray ever
+had her, but I am sure she was never the French ambassador's mistress. If
+he knew her it could only have been at the grating, where I really cannot
+say what happens."
+
+Righelini, who was an honourable and spirited man, answered me coldly
+that the English ambassador was a man of his word, and that he had the
+story from his own lips.
+
+"If Mr. Murray," he continued, "had not told it me under the seal of
+secrecy I would make him tell it you himself. I shall be obliged if you
+will take care that he never knows I told you of it."
+
+"You may rely on my discretion."
+
+The same evening, supping at Murray's casino with Righelini, having the
+matter at heart, and seeing before me the two men who could clear up
+everything to my satisfaction, I began to speak with enthusiasm of the
+beauty of M---- E----, whom I had seen at the Vierges.
+
+Here the ambassador struck in, taking the ball on the hop:
+
+"Between friends," said he, "you can get yourself the enjoyment of those
+charms, if you are willing to sacrifice a sum of money--not too much,
+either, but you must have the key."
+
+"Do you think you have it?"
+
+"No, I am sure; and had less trouble than you might suppose."
+
+"If you are sure; I congratulate you, and doubt no more. I envy your
+fortune, for I don't believe a more perfect beauty could be found in all
+the convents of Venice."
+
+"There you are wrong. Mother M---- M----, at---- in Muran, is certainly
+handsomer."
+
+"I have heard her talked of and I have seen her once, but I do not think
+it possible that she can be procured for money."
+
+"I think so," said he, laughing, "and when I think I mostly have good
+reasons."
+
+"You surprise me; but all the same I don't mind betting you are
+deceived."
+
+"You would lose. As you have only seen her once, I suppose you would not
+recognize her portrait?"
+
+"I should, indeed, as her face left a strong impression on my mind."
+
+"Wait a minute."
+
+He got up from the table, went out, and returned a minute after with a
+box containing eight or ten miniatures, all in the same style, namely,
+with hair in disorder and bare necks.
+
+"These," said I, "are rare charms, with which you have doubtless a near
+acquaintance?"
+
+"Yes, and if you recognize any of them be discreet."
+
+"You need not be afraid. Here are three I recognize, and this looks like
+M---- M----; but confess that you may have been deceived--at least, that
+you did not have her in the convent or here, for there are women like
+her."
+
+"Why do you think I have been deceived? I have had her here in her
+religious habit, and I have spent a whole night with her; and it was to
+her individually that I sent a purse containing five hundred sequins. I
+gave fifty to the good procurer."
+
+"You have, I suppose, visited her in the parlour, after having her here?"
+
+"No, never, as she was afraid her titular lover might hear of it. You
+know that was the French ambassador."
+
+"But she only saw him in the parlour."
+
+"She used to go to his house in secular dress whenever he wanted her. I
+was told that by the man who brought her here."
+
+"Have you had her several times?"
+
+"Only once and that was enough, but I can have her whenever I like for a
+hundred sequins."
+
+"All that may be the truth, but I would wager five hundred sequins that
+you have been deceived."
+
+"You shall have your answer in three days."
+
+I was perfectly certain, I repeat, that the whole affair was a piece of
+knavery; but it was necessary to have it proved, and I shuddered when the
+thought came into my head that after all it might be a true story. In
+this case I should have been freed from a good many obligations, but I
+was strongly persuaded of her innocence. At all events, if I were to find
+her guilty (which was amongst possible occurrences), I resigned myself to
+lose five hundred sequins as the price of this horrible discovery and
+addition to my experience of life. I was full of restless anguish--the
+worst, perhaps, of the torments of the mind. If the honest Englishman had
+been the victim of a mystification, or rather knavery, my regard for
+M---- M----'s honour compelled me to find a way to undeceive him without
+compromising her; and such was my plan, and thus fortune favoured me.
+Three or four days after, Mr. Murray told the doctor that he wished to
+see me. We went to him, and he greeted me thus:
+
+"I have won; for a hundred sequins I can have the fair nun!
+
+"Alas!" said I, "there go my five hundred sequins."
+
+"No, not five hundred, my dear fellow, for I should be ashamed to win so
+much of you, but the hundred she would cost me. If I win, you shall pay
+for my pleasure, and if I lose I shall give her nothing."
+
+"How is the problem to be solved?" "My Mercury tells me that we must wait
+for a day when masks are worn. He is endeavouring at present to find out
+a way to convince both of us; for otherwise neither you nor I would feel
+compelled to pay the wager, and if I really have M. M. my honour would
+not allow me to let her suspect that I had betrayed the secret."
+
+"No, that would be an unpardonable crime. Hear my plan, which will
+satisfy us both; for after it has been carried out each of us will be
+sure that he has fairly won or fairly lost.
+
+"As soon as you have possessed yourself of the real or pretended nun,
+leave her on some pretext, and meet me in a place to be agreed upon. We
+will then go together to the convent, and I will ask for M. M.
+
+"Will seeing her and speaking to her convince you that the woman you have
+left at home is a mere impostor?"
+
+"Perfectly, and I shall pay my wager with the greatest willingness."
+
+"I may say the same. If, when I summon M. M. to the parlour, the
+lay-sister tells us she is ill or busy, we will go, and the wager will be
+yours; you will sup with the fair, and I will go elsewhere."
+
+"So be it; but since all this will be at nighttime, it is possible that
+when you ask for her, the sister will tell you that no one can be seen at
+such an hour."
+
+"Then I shall lose."
+
+"You are quite sure, then, that if she be in the convent she will come
+down?"
+
+"That's my business. I repeat, if you don't speak to her, I shall hold
+myself to have lost a hundred sequins, or a thousand if you like."
+
+"One can't speak plainer than that, my dear fellow, and I thank you
+beforehand."
+
+"The only thing I ask you is to come sharp to time; and not to come too
+late for a convent."
+
+"Will an hour after sunset suit you?"
+
+"Admirably."
+
+"I shall also make it my business to compel my masked mistress to stop
+where she is, even though it be M. M. herself."
+
+"Some won't have long to wait, if you will take her to a casino which I
+myself possess at Muran, and where I secretly keep a girl of whom I am
+amorous. I will take care that she shall not be there on the appointed
+day, and I will give you the key of the casino. I shall also see that you
+find a delicate cold supper ready."
+
+"That is admirable, but I must be able to point out the place to my
+Mercury."
+
+"True! I will give you a supper to-morrow, the greatest secrecy to be
+observed between us. We will go to my casino in a gondola, and after
+supper we will go out by the street door; thus you will know the way by
+land and water. You will only have to tell the procurer the name of the
+canal and of the house, and on the day fixed you shall have the key. You
+will only find there an old man who lives on the ground floor, and he
+will see neither those who go out nor those who come in. My sweetheart
+will see nothing and will not be seen; and all, trust me, will turn out
+well."
+
+"I begin to think that I have lost my bet," said the Englishman, who was
+delighted with the plan; "but it matters not, I can gaily encounter
+either loss or gain." We made our appointment for the next day, and
+separated.
+
+On the following morning I went to Muran to warn Tonine that I was going
+to sup with her, and to bring two of my friends; and as my English friend
+paid as great court to Bacchus as to Cupid, I took care to send my little
+housekeeper several bottles of excellent wine.
+
+Charmed with the prospect of doing the honours of the table, Tonine only
+asked me if my friends would go away after supper. I said yes, and this
+reply made her happy; she only cared for the dessert.
+
+After leaving her I went to the convent and passed an hour with M. M. in
+the parlour. I was glad to see that she was getting back her health and
+her beauty every day, and having complimented her upon it I returned to
+Venice. In the evening my two friends kept their appointments to the
+minute, and we went to my little casino at two hours after sunset.
+
+Our supper was delicious, and my Tonine charmed me with the gracefulness
+of her carriage. I was delighted to see Righelini enchanted, and the
+ambassador dumb with admiration. When I was in love I did not encourage
+my friends to cajole my sweetheart, but I became full of complaisance
+when time had cooled the heat of my passion.
+
+We parted about midnight, and having taken Mr. Murray to the spot where I
+was to wait for him on the day of trial, I returned to compliment my
+charming Tonine as she deserved. She praised my two friends, and could
+not express her surprise at seeing our English friend going away, fresh
+and nimble on his feet, notwithstanding his having emptied by himself six
+bottles of my best wine. Murray looked like a fine Bacchus after Rubens.
+
+On Whit Sunday Righelini came to tell me that the English ambassador had
+made all arrangements with the pretended procurer of M. M. for Whit
+Tuesday. I gave him the keys of my abode at Muran, and told him to assure
+Murray that I would keep the appointment at the exact time arranged upon.
+
+My impatience brought on palpitation of the heart, which was extremely
+painful, and I passed the two nights without closing an eye; for although
+I was convinced of M---- M----'s innocence, my agitation was extreme. But
+whence all this anxiety? Merely from a desire to see the ambassador
+undeceived. M. M. must in his eyes have seemed a common prostitute, and
+the moment in which he would be obliged to confess himself the victim of
+roguery would re-establish the honour of the nun.
+
+Mr. Murray was as impatient as myself, with this difference, that whereas
+he, looking upon the adventure as a comic one, only laughed, I who found
+it too tragic shuddered with indignation.
+
+On Tuesday morning I went to Muran to tell Tonine to get a cold supper
+after my instruction, to lay the table for two, to get wax lights ready,
+and having sent in several bottles of wine I bade her keep to the room
+occupied by the old landlord, and not to come out till the people who
+were coming in the evening were gone. She promised to do so, and asked no
+questions. After leaving her I went to the convent parlour, and asked to
+see M---- M----. Not expecting to see me, she asked me why I had not gone
+to the pageant of the Bucentaur, which, the weather being favourable,
+would set out on this day. I do not know what I answered, but I know that
+she found my words little to the purpose. I came at last to the important
+point, and told her I was going to ask a favour of her, on which my peace
+of mind depended, but which she must grant blindly without asking any
+questions.
+
+"Tell me what I am to do, sweetheart," said she, "and be sure I will
+refuse nothing which may be in my power."
+
+"I shall be here this evening an hour after sunset, and ask for you at
+this grating; come. I shall be with another man, to whom I beg of you to
+say a few words of politeness; you can then leave us. Let us find some
+pretext to justify the unseasonable hour."
+
+"I will do what you ask, but you cannot imagine how troublesome it is in
+a convent, for at six o'clock the parlours are shut up and the keys are
+taken to the abbess' room. However, as you only want me for five minutes,
+I will tell the abbess that I am expecting a letter from my brother, and
+that it can be sent to me on this evening only. You must give me a letter
+that the nun who will be with me may be able to say that I have not been
+guilty of deception."
+
+"You will not come alone, then?"
+
+"I should not dare even to ask for such a privilege."
+
+"Very good, but try to come with some old nun who is short-sighted."
+
+"I will keep the light in the background."
+
+"Pray do not do so, my beloved; on the contrary, place it so that you may
+be distinctly seen."
+
+"All this is very strange, but I have promised passive obedience, and I
+will come down with two lights. May I hope that you will explain this
+riddle to me at your next interview?"
+
+"By to-morrow, at latest, you shall know the whole story."
+
+"My curiosity will prevent me from sleeping."
+
+"Not so, dear heart; sleep peacefully, and be sure of my gratitude."
+
+The reader will think that after this conversation my heart was perfectly
+at rest; but how far was I from resting! I returned to Venice, tortured
+lest I should be told in the evening at the door of the cathedral, where
+we were to meet, that the nun had been obliged to put off her
+appointment. If that had happened, I should not have exactly suspected
+M---- M----, but the ambassador would have thought that I had caused the
+scheme to miscarry. It is certain that in that case I should not have
+taken my man to the parlour, but should have gone there sadly by myself.
+
+I passed the whole day in these torments, thinking it would never come to
+an end, and in the evening I put a letter in my pocket, and went to my
+post at the hour agreed upon.
+
+Fortunately, Murray kept the appointment exactly.
+
+"Is the nun there?" said I, as soon as he was near me.
+
+"Yes, my dear fellow. We will go, if you like, to the parlour; but you
+will find that we shall be told she is ill or engaged. If you like, the
+bet shall be off."
+
+"God forbid, my dear fellow! I cling to that hundred ducats. Let us be
+gone."
+
+We presented ourselves at the wicket, and I asked for M---- M----, and the
+doorkeeper made me breathe again by saying that I was expected. I entered
+the parlour with my English friend, and saw that it was lighted by four
+candles. I cannot recall these moments without being in love with life. I
+take note not only of my noble mistress's innocence, but also of the
+quickness of her wit. Murray remained serious, without a smile on his
+face. Full of grace and beauty, M---- M---- came into the room with a
+lay-sister, each of them holding a candlestick. She paid me a compliment
+in good French; I gave her the letter, and looking at the address and the
+seal she put it in her pocket. After thanking me and saying she would
+reply in due course, she turned towards my companion:
+
+"I shall, perhaps, make you lose the first act of the opera," said she.
+
+"The pleasure of seeing you, madam, is worth all the operas in the
+world."
+
+"You are English, I think?"
+
+"Yes, madam."
+
+"The English are now the greatest people in the world, because they are
+free and powerful. Gentlemen, I wish you a very good evening."
+
+I had never seen M---- M---- looking so beautiful as then, and I went out
+of the parlour ablaze with love, and glad as I had never been before. I
+walked with long strides towards my casino, without taking notice of the
+ambassador, who did not hurry himself in following me; I waited for him
+at my door.
+
+"Well," said I, "are you convinced now that you have been cheated?"
+
+"Be quiet, we have time enough to talk about that. Let us go upstairs."
+
+"Shall I come?"
+
+"Do. What do you think I could do by myself for four hours with that
+creature who is waiting for me? We will amuse ourselves with her."
+
+"Had we not better turn her out?"
+
+"No; her master is coming for her at two o'clock in the morning. She
+would go and warn him, and he would escape my vengeance. We will throw
+them both out of the window."
+
+"Be moderate, for M---- M---- s honour depends on the secrecy we observe.
+Let us go upstairs. We shall have some fun. I should like to see the
+hussy."
+
+Murray was the first to enter the room. As soon as the girl saw me, she
+threw her handkerchief over her face, and told the ambassador that such
+behaviour was unworthy of him. He made no answer. She was not so tall as
+M---- M----, and she spoke bad French.
+
+Her cloak and mask were on the bed, but she was dressed as a nun. As I
+wanted to see her face, I politely asked her to do me the favour of
+shewing it.
+
+"I don't know you," said she; "who are you?"
+
+"You are in my house, and don't know who I am?"
+
+"I am in your house because I have been betrayed. I did not think that I
+should have to do with a scoundrel."
+
+At this word Murray commanded her to be silent, calling her by the name
+of her honourable business; and the slut got up to take her cloak, saying
+she would go. Murray pushed her back, and told her that she would have to
+wait for her worthy friend, warning her to make no noise if she wanted to
+keep out of prison.
+
+"Put me in prison!"
+
+With this she directed her hand towards her dress, but I rushed forward
+and seized one hand while Murray mastered the other. We pushed her back
+on a chair while we possessed ourselves of the pistols she carried in her
+pockets.
+
+Murray tore away the front of her holy habit, and I extracted a stiletto
+eight inches long, the false nun weeping bitterly all the time.
+
+"Will you hold your tongue, and keep quiet till Capsucefalo comes," said
+the ambassador, "or go to prison?"
+
+"If I keep quiet what will become of me?"
+
+"I promise to let you go."
+
+"With him?"
+
+"Perhaps."
+
+"Very well, then, I will keep quiet."
+
+"Have you got any more weapons?"
+
+Hereupon the slut took off her habit and her petticoat, and if we had
+allowed her she would have soon been in a state of nature, no doubt in
+the expectation of our passions granting what our reason refused. I was
+much astonished to find in her only a false resemblance to M.M. I
+remarked as much to the ambassador, who agreed with me, but made me
+confess that most men, prepossessed with the idea that they were going to
+see M. M., would have fallen into the same trap. In fact, the longing to
+possess one's self of a nun who has renounced all the pleasures of the
+world, and especially that of cohabitation with the other sex, is the
+very apple of Eve, and is more delightful from the very difficulty of
+penetrating the convent grating.
+
+Few of my readers will fail to testify that the sweetest pleasures are
+those which are hardest to be won, and that the prize, to obtain which
+one would risk one's life, would often pass unnoticed if it were freely
+offered without difficulty or hazard.
+
+In the following chapter, dear reader, you will see the end of this
+farcical adventure. In the mean time, let us take a little breath.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV
+
+Pleasant Ending of the Adventure of the False Nun--M. M. Finds Out That I
+Have a Mistress--She is Avenged on the Wretch Capsucefalo--I Ruin Myself
+at Play, and at the Suggestion of M. M. I Sell all Her Diamonds, One
+After Another--I Hand Over Tonine to Murray, Who Makes Provision for
+Her--Her Sister Barberine Takes Her Place.
+
+"How did you make this nice acquaintance?" I asked the ambassador.
+
+"Six months ago," he replied, "while standing at the convent gate with
+Mr. Smith, our consul, in whose company I had been to see some ceremony
+or other, I remarked to him, as we were talking over some nuns we had
+noticed, 'I would gladly give five hundred sequins for a few hours of
+Sister M---- M---- s company.' Count Capsucefalo heard what I said, but
+made no remark. Mr. Smith answered that one could only see her at the
+grating as did the ambassador of France, who often came to visit her.
+Capsucefalo called on me the next morning, and said that if I had spoken
+in good faith he was sure he could get me a night with the nun in
+whatever place I liked, if she could count on my secrecy. 'I have just
+been speaking to her,' said he, 'and on my mentioning your name she said
+she had noticed you with Mr. Smith, and vowed she would sup with you more
+for love than money. 'I,' said the rascal, 'am the only man she trusts,
+and I take her to the French ambassador's casino in Venice whenever she
+wants to go there. You need not be afraid of being cheated, as you will
+give the money to her personally when you have possessed yourself of
+her.' With this he took her portrait from his pocket and shewed it me;
+and here it is. I bought it of him two days after I believed myself to
+have spent a night with the charming nun, and a fortnight after our
+conversation. This beauty here came masked in a nun's habit, and I was
+fool enough to think I had got a treasure. I am vexed with myself for not
+having suspected the cheat--at all events, when I saw her hair, as I know
+that nuns' hair should be cut short. But when I said something about it
+to the hussy, she told me they were allowed to keep their hair under
+their caps, and I was weak enough to believe her."
+
+I knew that on this particular Murray had not been deceived, but I did
+not feel compelled to tell him so then and there.
+
+I held the portrait Murray had given me in my hand, and compared it with
+the face before me. In the portrait the breast was bare, and as I was
+remarking that painters did those parts as best they could, the impudent
+wench seized the opportunity to shew me that the miniature was faithful
+to nature. I turned my back upon her with an expression of contempt which
+would have mortified her, if these creatures were ever capable of shame.
+As we talked things over, I could not help laughing at the axiom, Things
+which are equal to the same thing are equal to one another, for the
+miniature was like M. M. and like the courtezan, and yet the two women
+were not like each other. Murray agreed with me, and we spent an hour in
+a philosophical discussion on the matter. As the false M. M. was named
+Innocente, we expressed a wish to know how her name agreed with her
+profession, and how the knave had induced her to play the part she had
+taken; and she told us the following story:
+
+"I have known Count Capsucefalo for two years, and have found him useful,
+for, though he has given me no money, he has made me profit largely
+through the people he has introduced to me. About the end of last autumn
+he came to me one day, and said that if I could make up as a nun with
+some clothes he would get me, and in that character pass a night with an
+Englishman, I should be the better by five hundred sequins. 'You need not
+be afraid of anything,' said he, 'as I myself will take you to the casino
+where the dupe will be awaiting you, and I will come and take you back to
+your imaginary convent towards the end of the night. He shewed me how I
+must behave, and told me what to reply if my lover asked any questions
+about the discipline of the convent.
+
+"I liked the plot, gentlemen, and I told him I was ready to carry it out.
+And be pleased to consider that there are not many women of my profession
+who would hesitate over a chance of getting five hundred sequins. Finding
+the scheme both agreeable and profitable, I promised to play my part with
+the greatest skill. The bargain was struck, and he gave me full
+instructions as to my dialogue. He told me that the Englishman could only
+talk about my convent and any lovers I might have had; that on the latter
+point I was to cut him short, and to answer with a laugh that I did not
+know what he was talking about, and even to tell him that I was a nun in
+appearance only, and that in the course of toying I might let him see my
+hair. 'That,' said Capsucefalo, 'won't prevent him from thinking you a
+nun--yes! and the very nun he is amorous of, for he will have made up his
+mind that you cannot possibly be anyone else.' Seizing the point of the
+jest, I did not take the trouble to find out the name of the nun I was to
+represent, nor the convent whence I was to come; the only thing in my
+head was the five hundred sequins. So little have I troubled about aught
+else that, though I passed a delicious night with you, and found you
+rather worthy of being paid for than paying, I have not ascertained who
+and what you are, and I don't know at this moment to whom I am speaking.
+You know what a night I had; I have told you it was delicious, and I was
+happy in the idea that I was going to have another. You have found
+everything out. I am sorry, but I am not afraid of anything, since I can
+put on any disguise I like, and can't prevent my lovers taking me for a
+saint if they like to do so. You have found weapons in my possession, but
+everyone is allowed to bear arms in self-defence. I plead not guilty on
+all counts."
+
+"Do you know me?" said I.
+
+"No, but I have often seen you passing under my window. I live at St.
+Roch, near the bridge."
+
+The way in which the woman told her yarn convinced us that she was an
+adept in the science of prostitution, but we thought Capsucefalo, in
+spite of the count, worthy of the pillory. The girl was about ten years
+older than M. M., she was pretty, but light-complexioned, while my
+beautiful nun had fine dark brown hair and was at least three inches
+taller.
+
+After twelve o'clock we sat down to supper, and did honour to the
+excellent meal which my dear Antoinette had prepared for us. We were
+cruel enough to leave the poor wretch without offering her so much as a
+glass of wine, but we thought it our duty.
+
+While we were talking, the jolly Englishman made some witty comments on
+my eagerness to convince him that he had not enjoyed M. M.'s favours.
+
+"I can't believe," said he, "that you have shewn so much interest without
+being in love with the divine nun."
+
+I answered by saying that if I were her lover I was much to be pitied in
+being condemned to go to the parlour, and no farther.
+
+"I would gladly give a hundred guineas a month," said he, "to have the
+privilege of visiting her at the grating."
+
+So saying he gave me my hundred sequins, complimenting me on my success,
+and I slipped them forthwith into my pocket.
+
+At two o'clock in the morning we heard a soft knock on the street door.
+
+"Here is our friend," I said, "be discreet, and you will see that he will
+make a full confession."
+
+He came in and saw Murray and the lady, but did not discover that a third
+party was present till he heard the ante-room door being locked. He
+turned round and saw me, and as he knew me, merely said, without losing
+countenance:
+
+"Ah, you are here; you know, of course, that the secret must be kept?"
+
+Murray laughed and calmly asked him to be seated, and he enquired, with
+the lady's pistols in his hands, where he was going to take her before
+day-break.
+
+"Home."
+
+"I think you may be mistaken, as it is very possible that when you leave
+this place you will both of you be provided with a bed in prison."
+
+"No, I am not afraid of that happening; the thing would make too much
+noise, and the laugh would not be on your side. Come," said he to his
+mate, "put on your cloak and let us be off."
+
+The ambassador, who like an Englishman kept quite cool the whole time,
+poured him out a glass of Chambertin, and the blackguard drank his
+health. Murray seeing he had on a fine ring set with brilliants, praised
+it, and shewing some curiosity to see it more closely he drew it off the
+fellow's finger, examined it, found it without flaw, and asked how much
+it was worth. Capsucefalo, a little taken aback, said it cost him four
+hundred sequins.
+
+"I will hold it as a pledge for that sum," said the ambassador, putting
+the ring into his pocket. The other looked chop-fallen, and Murray
+laughing at his retiring manners told the girl to put on her cloak and to
+pack off with her worthy acolyte. She did so directly, and with a low bow
+they disappeared.
+
+"Farewell, nun procurer!" said the ambassador, but the count made no
+answer.
+
+As soon as they were gone I thanked Murray warmly for the moderation he
+had shewn, as a scandal would have only injured three innocent people.
+
+"Be sure," said he, "that the guilty parties shall be punished without
+anyone's knowing the reason."
+
+I then made Tonine come upstairs, and my English friend offered her a
+glass of wine, which she declined with much modesty and politeness.
+Murray looked at her with flaming glances, and left after giving me his
+heartiest thanks.
+
+Poor little Tonine had been resigned, and obedient for many hours, and
+she had good cause to think I had been unfaithful to her; however, I gave
+her the most unmistakable proofs of my fidelity. We stayed in bed for six
+hours, and rose happy in the morning.
+
+After dinner I hurried off to my noble M---- M----, and told her the whole
+story. She listened eagerly, her various feelings flitting across her
+face. Fear, anger, wrath, approval of my method of clearing up my natural
+suspicions, joy at discovering me still her lover--all were depicted in
+succession in her glance, and in the play of her features, and in the red
+and white which followed one another on her cheeks and forehead. She was
+delighted to hear that the masker who was with me in the parlour was the
+English ambassador, but she became nobly disdainful when I told her that
+he would gladly give a hundred guineas a month for the pleasure of
+visiting her in the parlour. She was angry with him for fancying that she
+had been in his power, and for finding a likeness between her and a
+portrait, when, so she said, there was no likeness at all; I had given
+her the portrait. She added, with a shrewd smile, that she was sure I had
+not let my little maid see the false nun, as she might have been
+mistaken.
+
+"You know, do you, that I have a young servant?"
+
+"Yes, and a pretty one, too. She is Laura's daughter, and if you love her
+I am very glad, and so is C---- C----. I hope you will let me have a sight
+of her. C---- C---- has seen her before."
+
+As I saw that she knew too much for me to be able to deceive her, I took
+my cue directly and told her in detail the history of my amours. She
+shewed her satisfaction too openly not to be sincere. Before I left her
+she said her honour obliged her to get Capsucefalo assassinated, for the
+wretch had wronged her beyond pardon. By way of quieting her I promised
+that if the ambassador did not rid us of him within the week I would
+charge myself with the execution of our common vengeance.
+
+About this time died Bragadin the procurator, brother of my patron,
+leaving M. de Bragadin sufficiently well off. However, as the family
+threatened to become extinct, he desired a woman who had been his
+mistress, and of whom he had had a natural son, to become his wife. By
+this marriage the son would have become legitimate, and the family
+renewed again. The College of Cardinals would have recognized the wife
+for a small fee, and all would have gone admirably.
+
+The woman wrote to me, asking me to call on her; and I was going to,
+curious to know what a woman, whom I did not know from Adam, could want
+with me, when I received a summons from M. de Bragadin. He begged me to
+ask Paralis if he ought to follow De la Haye's advice in a matter he had
+promised not to confide to me, but of which the oracle must be informed.
+The oracle, naturally opposed to the Jesuit, told him to consult his own
+feelings and nothing else. After this I went to the lady.
+
+She began by telling me the whole story. She introduced her son to me,
+and told me that if the marriage could be performed, a deed would be
+delivered in my favour by which, at the death of M. de Bragadin, I should
+become entitled to an estate worth five thousand crowns per annum.
+
+As I guessed without much trouble that this was the same matter which De
+la Haye had proposed to M. de Bragadin, I answered without hesitation
+that since De la Haye was before me I could do nothing, and thereupon
+made her my bow.
+
+I could not help wondering at this Jesuit's continually intriguing to
+marry my old friends without my knowledge. Two years ago, if I had not
+set my face against it, he would have married M. Dandolo. I cared not a
+whit whether the family of Bragadin became extinct or not, but I did care
+for the life of my benefactor, and was quite sure that marriage would
+shorten it by many years; he was already sixty-three, and had recovered
+from a serious apoplectic stroke.
+
+I went to dine with Lady Murray (English-women who are daughters of lords
+keep the title), and after dinner the ambassador told me that he had told
+M. Cavalli the whole story of the false nun, and that the secretary had
+informed him, the evening before, that everything had been done to his
+liking. Count Capsucefalo had been sent to Cephalonia, his native
+country, with the order never to return to Venice, and the courtezan had
+disappeared.
+
+The fine part, or rather the fearful part, about these sentences is that
+no one ever knows the reason why or wherefore, and that the lot may fall
+on the innocent as well as the guilty. M. M. was delighted with the
+event, and I was more pleased than she, for I should have been sorry to
+have been obliged to soil my hands with the blood of that rascally count.
+
+There are seasons in the life of men which may be called 'fasti' and
+'nefasti'; I have proved this often in my long career, and on the
+strength of the rubs and struggles I have had to encounter. I am able, as
+well as any man, to verify the truth of this axiom. I had just
+experienced a run of luck. Fortune had befriended me at play, I had been
+happy in the society of men, and from love I had nothing to ask; but now
+the reverse of the medal began to appear. Love was still kind, but
+Fortune had quite left me, and you will soon see, reader, that men used
+me no better than the blind goddess. Nevertheless, since one's fate has
+phases as well as the moon, good follows evil as disasters succeed to
+happiness.
+
+I still played on the martingale, but with such bad luck that I was soon
+left without a sequin. As I shared my property with M. M. I was obliged
+to tell her of my losses, and it was at her request that I sold all her
+diamonds, losing what I got for them; she had now only five hundred
+sequins by her. There was no more talk of her escaping from the convent,
+for we had nothing to live on! I still gamed, but for small stakes,
+waiting for the slow return of good luck.
+
+One day the English ambassador, after giving me a supper at his casino
+with the celebrated Fanny Murray, asked me to let him sup at my casino at
+Muran, which I now only kept up for the sake of Tonine. I granted him the
+favour, but did not imitate his generosity. He found my little mistress
+smiling and polite, but always keeping within the bounds of decency, from
+which he would have very willingly excused her. The next morning he wrote
+to me as follows:
+
+"I am madly in love with Tonine. If you like to hand her over to me I
+will make the following provision for her: I will set her up in a
+suitable lodging which I will furnish throughout, and which I will give
+to her with all its contents, provided that I may visit her whenever I
+please, and that she gives me all the rights of a fortunate lover. I will
+give her a maid, a cook, and thirty sequins a month as provision for two
+people, without reckoning the wine, which I will procure myself. Besides
+this I will give her a life income of two hundred crowns per annum, over
+which she will have full control after living with me for a year. I give
+you a week to send your answer."
+
+I replied immediately that I would let him know in three days whether his
+proposal were accepted, for Tonine had a mother of whom she was fond, and
+she would possibly not care to do anything without her consent. I also
+informed him that in all appearance the girl was with child.
+
+The business was an important one for Tonine. I loved her, but I knew
+perfectly well that we could not pass the rest of our lives together, and
+I saw no prospect of being able to make her as good a provision as that
+offered by the ambassador. Consequently I had no doubts on the question,
+and the very same day I went to Muran and told her all.
+
+"You wish to leave me, then," said she, in tears.
+
+"I love you, dearest, and what I propose ought to convince you of my
+love."
+
+"Not so; I cannot serve two masters."
+
+"You will only serve your new lover, sweetheart. I beg of you to reflect
+that you will have a fine dowry, on the strength of which you may marry
+well; and that however much I love you I cannot possibly make so good a
+provision for you."
+
+"Leave me to-day for tears and reflection, and come to supper with me
+to-morrow."
+
+I did not fail to keep the appointment.
+
+"I think your English friend is a very pretty man," she said, "and when
+he speaks in the Venetian dialect it makes me die with laughter. If my
+mother agrees, I might, perhaps, force myself to love him. Supposing we
+did not agree we could part at the end of a year, and I should be the
+richer by an income of two hundred crowns."
+
+"I am charmed with the sense of your arguments; speak about it to your
+mother."
+
+"I daren't, sweetheart; this kind of thing is too delicate to be
+discussed between a mother and her daughter speak to her yourself."
+
+"I will, indeed."
+
+Laura, whom I had not seen since she had given me her daughter, asked for
+no time to think it over, but full of glee told me that now her daughter
+would be able to soothe her declining years, and that she would leave
+Muran of which she was tired. She shewed me a hundred and thirty sequins
+which Tonine had gained in my service, and which she had placed in her
+hands.
+
+Barberine, Tonine's younger sister, came to kiss my hand. I thought her
+charming, and I gave her all the silver in my pocket. I then left,
+telling Laura that I should expect her at my house. She soon followed me,
+and gave her child a mother's blessing, telling her that she and her
+family could go and live in Venice for sixty sous a day. Tonine embraced
+her, and told her that she should have it.
+
+This important affair having been managed to everybody's satisfaction, I
+went to see M---- M----, who came into the parlour with C---- C----, whom I
+found looking sad, though prettier than ever. She was melancholy, but
+none the less tender. She could not stay for more than a quarter of an
+hour for fear of being seen, as she was forbidden ever to go into the
+parlour. I told M. M. the story of Tonine, who was going to live with
+Murray in Venice; she was sorry to hear it, "for," said she, "now that
+you have no longer any attraction at Muran, I shall see you less than
+ever." I promised to come and see her often, but vain promises! The time
+was near which parted us for ever.
+
+The same evening I went to tell the good news to my friend Murray. He was
+in a transport of joy, and begged me to come and sup with him at his
+casino the day after next, and to bring the girl with me, that the
+surrender might be made in form. I did not fail him, for once the matter
+was decided, I longed to bring it to an end. In my presence he assigned
+to her the yearly income for her life of two hundred Venetian ducats, and
+by a second deed he gave her all the contents of the house with which he
+was going to provide her, provided always that she lived with him for a
+year. He allowed her to receive me as a friend, also to receive her
+mother and sisters, and she was free to go and see them when she would.
+Tonine threw her arms about his neck, and assured him that she would
+endeavour to please him to the utmost of her ability. "I will see him,"
+said she, pointing to me, "but as his friend he shall have nothing more
+from me." Throughout this truly affecting scene she kept back her tears,
+but I could not conceal mine. Murray was happy, but I was not long a
+witness of his good fortune, the reason of which I will explain a little
+later.
+
+Three days afterwards Laura came to me, told me that she was living in
+Venice, and asked me to take her to her daughter's. I owed this woman too
+much to refuse her, and I took her there forthwith. Tonine gave thanks to
+God, and also to me, and her mother took up the song, for they were not
+quite sure whether they were more indebted to God or to me. Tonine was
+eloquent in her praise of Murray, and made no complaint at my not having
+come to see her, at which I was glad. As I was going Laura asked me to
+take her back in my gondola, and as we had to pass by the house in which
+she lived she begged me to come in for a moment, and I could not hurt her
+feelings by refusing. I owe it to my honour to remark here that I was
+thus polite without thinking that I should see Barberine again.
+
+This girl, as pretty as her sister, though in another style, began by
+awakening my curiosity--a weakness which usually renders the profligate
+man inconstant. If all women were to have the same features, the same
+disposition, and the same manners, men would not only never be
+inconstant, but would never be in love. Under that state of things one
+would choose a wife by instinct and keep to her till death, but our world
+would then be under a different system to the present. Novelty is the
+master of the soul. We know that what we do not see is very nearly the
+same as what we have seen, but we are curious, we like to be quite sure,
+and to attain our ends we give ourselves as much trouble as if we were
+certain of finding some prize beyond compare.
+
+Barberine, who looked upon me as an old friend--for her mother had
+accustomed her to kiss my hand whenever I went there, who had undressed
+more than once in my presence without troubling about me, who knew I had
+made her sister's fortune and the family fortune as well, and thought
+herself prettier than Tonine because her skin was fairer, and because she
+had fine black eyes, desiring to take her sister's place, knew that to
+succeed she must take me by storm. Her common sense told her that as I
+hardly ever came to the house, I should not be likely to become amorous
+of her unless she won me by storm; and to this end she shewed the utmost
+complaisance when she had the chance, so that I won her without any
+difficulty. All this reasoning came from her own head, for I am sure her
+mother gave her no instructions. Laura was a mother of a kind common the
+world over, but especially in Italy. She was willing to take advantage of
+the earnings of her daughters, but she would never have induced them to
+take the path of evil. There her virtue stopped short.
+
+After I had inspected her two rooms and her little kitchen, and had
+admired the cleanness which shone all around, Barberine asked me if I
+would like to see their small garden.
+
+"With pleasure," I replied, "for a garden is a rarity in Venice."
+
+Her mother told her to give me some figs if there were any ripe ones. The
+garden consisted of about thirty square feet, and grew only salad herbs
+and a fine fig tree. It had not a good crop, and I told her that I could
+not see any figs.
+
+"I can see some at the top," said Barberine, "and I will gather them if
+you will hold me the ladder."
+
+"Yes, climb away; I will hold it quite firmly."
+
+She stepped up lightly, and stretching out an arm to get at some figs to
+one side of her, she put her body off its balance, holding on to the
+ladder with the other hand.
+
+"My dear Barberine, what do you think I can see?"
+
+"What you have often seen with my sister."
+
+"That's true! but you are prettier than she is."
+
+The girl made no reply, but, as if she could not reach the fruit, she put
+her foot on a high branch, and spewed me the most seductive picture. I
+was in an ecstasy, and Barberine, who saw it, did not hurry herself. At
+last I helped her to come down, and letting my hand wander indiscreetly,
+I asked her if the fruit I held had been plucked, and she kept me a long
+time telling me it was quite fresh. I took her within my arms, and
+already her captive, I pressed her amorously to my heart, printing on her
+lips a fiery kiss, which she gave me back with as much ardour.
+
+"Will you give me what I have caught, dearest?"
+
+"My mother is going to Muran to-morrow, and she will stay there all the
+day; if you come, there is nothing I will refuse you."
+
+When speech like this proceeds from a mouth still innocent, the man to
+whom it is addressed ought to be happy, for desires are but pain and
+torment, and enjoyment is sweet because it delivers us from them. This
+shews that those who prefer a little resistance to an easy conquest are
+in the wrong; but a too easy conquest often points to a depraved nature,
+and this men do not like, however depraved they themselves may be.
+
+We returned to the house, and I gave Barberine a tender kiss before
+Laura's eyes, telling her that she had a very jewel in her daughter--a
+compliment which made her face light up with pleasure. I gave the dear
+girl ten sequins, and I went away congratulating myself, but cursing my
+luck at not being able to make as good provision for Barberine as Murray
+had made for her sister.
+
+Tonine had told me that for manners' sake I should sup once with her. I
+went the same evening and found Righelini and Murray there. The supper
+was delicious, and I was delighted with the excellent understanding the
+two lovers had already come to. I complimented the ambassador on the loss
+of one of his tastes, and he told me he should be very sorry at such a
+loss, as it would warn him of his declining powers.
+
+"But," said I, "you used to like to perform the mysterious sacrifice of
+Love without a veil."
+
+"It was not I but Ancilla who liked it, and as I preferred pleasing her
+to pleasing myself, I gave in to her taste without any difficulty."
+
+"I am delighted with your answer, as I confess it would cost me something
+to be the witness of your exploits with Tonine."
+
+Having casually remarked that I had no longer a house in Muran, Righelini
+told me that if I liked he could get me a delightful house at a low rent
+on the Tondamente Nuovo.
+
+As this quarter facing north, and as agreeable in summer as disagreeable
+in winter, was opposite to Muran, where I should have to go twice a week,
+I told the doctor I should be glad to look at the house.
+
+I took leave of the rich and fortunate ambassador at midnight, and before
+passing the day with my new prize I went to sleep so as to be fresh and
+capable of running a good course.
+
+I went to Barberine at an early hour, and as soon as she saw me she said,
+
+"My mother will not be back till the evening, and my brother will take
+his dinner at the school. Here is a fowl, a ham, some cheese, and two
+bottles of Scopolo wine. We will take our mess whenever you like:"
+
+"You astonish me, sweetheart, for how did you manage to get such a good
+dinner?"
+
+"We owe it to my mother, so to her be the praise."
+
+"You have told her, then, what we are going to do?"
+
+"No, not I, for I know nothing about it; but I told her you were coming
+to see me, and at the same time I gave her the ten sequins."
+
+"And what did your mother say?"
+
+"She said she wouldn't be sorry if you were to love me as you loved my
+sister."
+
+"I love you better, though I love her well."
+
+"You love her? Why have you left her, then?"
+
+"I have not left her, for we supped together yesterday evening; but we no
+longer live together as lovers, that is all. I have yielded her up to a
+rich friend of mine, who has made her fortune."
+
+"That is well, though I don't understand much about these affairs. I hope
+you will tell Tonine that I have taken her place, and I should be very
+pleased if you would let her know that you are quite sure you are my
+first lover."
+
+"And supposing the news vexes her?"
+
+"So much the better. Will you do it for me? it's the first favour I have
+asked of you."
+
+"I promise to do so."
+
+After this rapid dialogue we took breakfast, and then, perfectly agreed,
+we went to bed, rather as if we were about to sacrifice to Hymen than to
+love.
+
+The game was new to Barberine, and her transports, her green
+notions--which she told me openly--her inexperience, or rather her
+awkwardness, enchanted me. I seemed for the first time to pluck the fruit
+of the tree of knowledge, and never had I tasted fruit so delicious. My
+little maid would have been ashamed to let me see how the first thorn
+hurt her, and to convince me that she only smelt the rose, she strove to
+make me think she experienced more pleasure than is possible in a first
+trial, always more or less painful. She was not yet a big girl, the roses
+on her swelling breasts were as yet but buds, and she was a woman only in
+her heart.
+
+After more than one assault delivered and sustained with spirit, we got
+up for dinner, and after we had refreshed ourselves we mounted once more
+the altar of love, where we remained till the evening. Laura found us
+dressed and well pleased with each other on her return. I made Barberine
+another present of twenty sequins, I swore to love her always, and went
+on my way. At the time I certainly meant to keep to my oath, but that
+which destiny had in store for me could not be reconciled with these
+promises which welled forth from my soul in a moment of excitement.
+
+The next morning Righelini took me to see the lodging he had spoken to me
+about. I liked it and took it on the spot, paying the first quarter in
+advance. The house belonged to a widow with two daughters, the elder of
+whom had just been blooded. Righelini was her doctor, and had treated her
+for nine months without success. As he was going to pay her a visit I
+went in with him, and found myself in the presence of a fine waxen
+statue. Surprise drew from me these words:
+
+"She is pretty, but the sculptor should give her some colour."
+
+On which the statue smiled in a manner which would have been charming if
+her lips had but been red.
+
+"Her pallor," said Righelini, "will not astonish you when I tell you she
+has just been blooded for the hundred and fourth time."
+
+I gave a very natural gesture of surprise.
+
+This fine girl had attained the age of eighteen years without
+experiencing the monthly relief afforded by nature, the result being that
+she felt a deathly faintness three or four times a week, and the only
+relief was to open the vein.
+
+"I want to send her to the country," said the doctor, "where pure and
+wholesome air, and, above all, more exercise, will do her more good than
+all the drugs in the world."
+
+After I had been told that my bed should be made ready by the evening, I
+went away with Righelini, who told me that the only cure for the girl
+would be a good strong lover.
+
+"But my dear doctor," said I, "can't you make your own prescription?"
+
+"That would be too risky a game, for I might find myself compelled to
+marry her, and I hate marriage like the devil."
+
+Though I was no better inclined towards marriage than the doctor, I was
+too near the fire not to get burnt, and the reader will see in the next
+chapter how I performed the miraculous cure of bringing the colours of
+health into the cheeks of this pallid beauty.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXV
+
+The Fair Invalid I Cure Her--A Plot Formed to Ruin Me--What Happened at
+the House of the Young Countess Bonafede--The Erberia--Domiciliary
+Visit--My Conversation with M. de Bragadin--I Am Arrested by Order of the
+State Inquisitors.
+
+After leaving Dr. Righelini I went to sup with M. de Bragadin, and gave
+the generous and worthy old man a happy evening. This was always the
+case; I made him and his two good friends happy whenever I took meals
+with them.
+
+Leaving them at an early hour, I went to my lodging and was greatly
+surprised to find my bedroom balcony occupied. A young lady of an
+exquisite figure rose as soon as she saw me, and gracefully asked me
+pardon for the liberty she had taken.
+
+"I am," she said, "the statue you saw this morning. We do not light the
+candles in the evening for fear of attracting the gnats, but when you
+want to go to bed we will shut the door and go away. I beg to introduce
+you to my younger sister, my mother has gone to bed."
+
+I answered her to the effect that the balcony was always at her service,
+and that since it was still early I begged their permission to put on my
+dressing-gown and to keep them company. Her conversation was charming;
+she made me spend two most delightful hours, and did not leave me till
+twelve o'clock. Her younger sister lighted me a candle, and as they went
+they wished me a good night.
+
+I lay down full of this pretty girl, and I could not believe that she was
+really ill. She spoke to the point, she was cheerful, clever, and full of
+spirits. I could not understand how it came to pass that she had not been
+already cured in a town like Venice, if her cure was really only to be
+effected in the manner described by Dr. Righelini; for in spite of her
+pallor she seemed to me quite fair enough to charm a lover, and I
+believed her to be spirited enough to determine to take the most
+agreeable medicine a doctor can prescribe.
+
+In the morning I rang the bell as I was getting up, and the younger
+sister came into my room, and said that as they kept no servant she had
+come to do what I wanted. I did not care to have a servant when I was not
+at M. de Bragadin's, as I found myself more at liberty to do what I
+liked. After she had done me some small services, I asked her how her
+sister was.
+
+"Very well," said she, "for her pale complexion is not an illness, and
+she only suffers when her breath fails her. She has a very good appetite,
+and sleeps as well as I do."
+
+"Whom do I hear playing the violin?"
+
+"It's the dancing master giving my sister a lesson."
+
+I hurried over my dressing that I might see her; and I found her
+charming, though her old dancing master allowed her to turn in her toes.
+All that this young and beautiful girl wanted was the Promethean spark,
+the colour of life; her whiteness was too like snow, and was distressing
+to look at.
+
+The dancing master begged me to dance a minuet with his pupil, and I
+assented, asking him to play larghissimo. "The signorina would find it
+too tiring," said he; but she hastened to answer that she did not feel
+weak, and would like to dance thus. She danced very well, but when we had
+done she was obliged to throw herself in a chair. "In future, my dear
+master," said she, "I will only dance like that, for I think the rapid
+motion will do me good."
+
+When the master was gone, I told her that her lessons were too short, and
+that her master was letting her get into bad habits. I then set her feet,
+her shoulders, and her arms in the proper manner. I taught her how to
+give her hand gracefully, to bend her knees in time; in fine, I gave her
+a regular lesson for an hour, and seeing that she was getting rather
+tired I begged her to sit down, and I went out to pay a visit to M. M.
+
+I found her very sad, for C---- C----'s father was dead, and they had
+taken her out of the convent to marry her to a lawyer. Before leaving
+C---- C---- had left a letter for me, in which she said that if I would
+promise to marry her at some time suitable to myself, she would wait for
+me, and refuse all other offers. I answered her straightforwardly that I
+had no property and no prospects, that I left her free, advising her not
+to refuse any offer which might be to her advantage.
+
+In spite of this dismissal C---- C---- did not marry N---- till after my
+flight from The Leads, when nobody expected to see me again in Venice. I
+did not see her for nineteen years, and then I was grieved to find her a
+widow, and poorly off. If I went to Venice now I should not marry her,
+for at my age marriage is an absurdity, but I would share with her my
+little all, and live with her as with a dear sister.
+
+When I hear women talking about the bad faith and inconstancy of men, and
+maintaining that when men make promises of eternal constancy they are
+always deceivers, I confess that they are right, and join in their
+complaints. Still it cannot be helped, for the promises of lovers are
+dictated by the heart, and consequently the lamentations of women only
+make me want to laugh. Alas! we love without heeding reason, and cease to
+love in the same manner.
+
+About this time I received a letter from the Abbe de Bernis, who wrote
+also to M---- M----. He told me that I ought to do my utmost to make our
+nun take a reasonable view of things, dwelling on the risks I should run
+in carrying her off and bringing her to Paris, where all his influence
+would be of no avail to obtain for us that safety so indispensable to
+happiness. I saw M---- M----; we shewed each other our letters, she had
+some bitter tears, and her grief pierced me to the heart. I still had a
+great love for her in spite of my daily infidelities, and when I thought
+of those moments in which I had seen her given over to voluptuousness I
+could not help pitying her fate as I thought of the days of despair in
+store for her. But soon after this an event happened which gave rise to
+some wholesome reflections. One day, when I had come to see her, she
+said,
+
+"They have just been burying a nun who died of consumption the day before
+yesterday in the odour of sanctity. She was called 'Maria Concetta.' She
+knew you, and told C---- C---- your name when you used to come to mass on
+feast days. C---- C---- begged her to be discreet, but the nun told her
+that you were a dangerous man, whose presence should be shunned by a
+young girl. C---- C---- told me all this after the mask of Pierrot."
+
+"What was this saint's name when she was in the world?"
+
+"Martha."
+
+"I know her."
+
+I then told M---- M---- the whole history of my loves with Nanette and
+Marton, ending with the letter she wrote me, in which she said that she
+owed me, indirectly, that eternal salvation to which she hoped to attain.
+
+In eight or ten days my conversation with my hostess'
+daughter--conversation which took place on the balcony, and which
+generally lasted till midnight--and the lesson I gave her every morning,
+produced the inevitable and natural results; firstly, that she no longer
+complained of her breath failing, and, secondly, that I fell in love with
+her. Nature's cure had not yet relieved her, but she no longer needed to
+be let blood. Righelini came to visit her as usual, and seeing that she
+was better he prophesied that nature's remedy, without which only art
+could keep her alive, would make all right before the autumn. Her mother
+looked upon me as an angel sent by God to cure her daughter, who for her
+part shewed me that gratitude which with women is the first step towards
+love. I had made her dismiss her old dancing master, and I had taught her
+to dance with extreme grace.
+
+At the end of these ten or twelve days, just as I was going to give her
+her lesson, her breath failed instantaneously, and she fell back into my
+arms like a dead woman. I was alarmed, but her mother, who had become
+accustomed to see her thus, sent for the surgeon, and her sister unlaced
+her. I was enchanted with her exquisite bosom, which needed no colouring
+to make it more beautiful. I covered it up, saying that the surgeon would
+make a false stroke if he were to see her thus uncovered; but feeling
+that I laid my hand upon her with delight, she gently repulsed me,
+looking at me with a languishing gaze which made the deepest impression
+on me.
+
+The surgeon came and bled her in the arm, and almost instantaneously she
+recovered full consciousness. At most only four ounces of blood were
+taken from her, and her mother telling me that this was the utmost extent
+to which she was blooded, I saw it was no such matter for wonder as
+Righelini represented it, for being blooded twice a week she lost three
+pounds of blood a month, which she would have done naturally if the
+vessels had not been obstructed.
+
+The surgeon had hardly gone out of the door when to my astonishment she
+told me that if I would wait for her a moment she would come back and
+begin her dancing. This she did, and danced as if there had been nothing
+the matter.
+
+Her bosom, on which two of my senses were qualified to give evidence, was
+the last stroke, and made me madly in love with her. I returned to the
+house in the evening, and found her in her room with the sister. She told
+me that she was expecting her god-father, who was an intimate friend of
+her father's, and had come every evening to spend an hour with her for
+the last eighteen years.
+
+"How old is he?"
+
+"He is over fifty."
+
+"Is he a married man?"
+
+"Yes, his name is Count S----. He is as fond of me as a father would be,
+and his affection has continued the same since my childhood. Even his
+wife comes to see me sometimes, and to ask me to dinner. Neat autumn I am
+going into the country with her, and I hope the fresh air will do me
+good. My god-father knows you are staying with us and is satisfied. He
+does not know you, but if you like you can make his acquaintance."
+
+I was glad to hear all this, as I gained a good deal of useful
+information without having to ask any awkward questions. The friendship
+of this Greek looked very like love. He was the husband of Countess
+S----, who had taken me to the convent at Muran two years before.
+
+I found the count a very polite man. He thanked me in a paternal manner
+for my kindness to his daughter, and begged me to do him the honour of
+dining with him on the following day, telling me that he would introduce
+me to his wife. I accepted his invitation with pleasure, for I was fond
+of dramatic situations, and my meeting with the countess promised to be
+an exciting one. This invitation bespoke the courteous gentleman, and I
+charmed my pretty pupil by singing his praises after he had gone.
+
+"My god-father," said she, "is in possession of all the necessary
+documents for withdrawing from the house of Persico our family fortune,
+which amounts to forty thousand crowns. A quarter of this sum belongs to
+me, and my mother has promised my sister and myself to share her dowry
+between us."
+
+I concluded from this that she would bring her husband fifteen thousand
+Venetian ducats.
+
+I guessed that she was appealing to me with her fortune, and wished to
+make me in love with her by shewing herself chary of her favours; for
+whenever I allowed myself any small liberties, she checked me with words,
+of remonstrance to which I could find no answer. I determined to make her
+pursue another course.
+
+Next day I took her with me to her god-father's without telling her that
+I knew the countess. I fancied the lady would pretend not to know me, but
+I was wrong, as she welcomed me in the handsomest manner as if I were an
+old friend. This, no doubt, was a surprise for the count, but he was too
+much a man of the world to, shew any astonishment. He asked her when she
+had made my acquaintance, and she, like a woman of experience, answered
+without the slightest hesitation that we had seen each other two years
+ago at Mira. The matter was settled, and we spent a very pleasant day.
+
+Towards evening I took the young lady in my gondola back to the house,
+but wishing to shorten the journey I allowed myself to indulge in a few
+caresses. I was hurt at being responded to by reproaches, and for that
+reason, as soon as she had set foot on her own doorstep, instead of
+getting out I went to Tonine's house, and spent nearly the whole night
+there with the ambassador, who came a little after me. Next day, as I did
+not get up till quite late, there was no dancing lesson, and when I
+excused myself she told me not to trouble any more about it. In the
+evening I sat on the balcony far into the night, but she did not come.
+Vexed at this air of indifference I rose early in the morning and went
+out, not returning till nightfall. She was on the balcony, but as she
+kept me at a respectful distance I only talked to her on commonplace
+subjects. In the morning I was roused by a tremendous noise. I got up,
+and hurriedly putting on my dressing-gown ran into her room to see what
+was the matter, only to find her dying. I had no need to feign an
+interest in her, for I felt the most tender concern. As it was at the
+beginning of July it was extremely hot, and my fair invalid was only
+covered by a thin sheet. She could only speak to me with her eyes, but
+though the lids were lowered she looked upon me so lovingly! I asked her
+if she suffered from palpitations, and laying my hand upon her heart I
+pressed a fiery kiss upon her breast. This was the electric spark, for
+she gave a sigh which did her good. She had not strength to repulse the
+hand which I pressed amorously upon her heart, and becoming bolder I
+fastened my burning lips upon her languid mouth. I warmed her with my
+breath, and my audacious hand penetrated to the very sanctuary of bliss.
+She made an effort to push me back, and told me with her eyes, since she
+could not speak, how insulted she felt. I drew back my hand, and at that
+moment the surgeon came. Hardly was the vein opened when she drew a long
+breath, and by the time the operation was over she wished to get up. I
+entreated her to stay in bed, and her mother added her voice to mine; at
+last I persuaded her, telling her that I would not leave her for a
+second, and that I would have my dinner by her bedside. She then put on a
+corset and asked her sister to draw a sarcenet coverlet over her, as her
+limbs could be seen as plainly as through a crape veil.
+
+Having given orders for my dinner, I sat down by her bedside, burning
+with love, and taking her hand and covering it with kisses I told her
+that I was sure she would get better if she would let herself love.
+
+"Alas!" she said, "whom shall I love, not knowing whether I shall be
+loved in return?"
+
+I did not leave this question unanswered, and continuing the amorous
+discourse with animation I won a sigh and a lovelorn glance. I put my
+hand on her knee, begging her to let me leave it there, and promising to
+go no farther, but little by little I attained the center, and strove to
+give her some pleasant sensations.
+
+"Let me alone," said she, in a sentimental voice, drawing away, "'tis
+perchance the cause of my illness."
+
+"No, sweetheart," I replied, "that cannot be." And my mouth stopped all
+her objections upon her lips.
+
+I was enchanted, for I was now in a fair way, and I saw the moment of
+bliss in the distance, feeling certain that I could effect a cure if the
+doctor was not mistaken. I spared her all indiscreet questions out of
+regard for her modesty; but I declared myself her lover, promising to ask
+nothing of her but what was necessary to feed the fire of my love. They
+sent me up a very good dinner, and she did justice to it; afterwards
+saying that she was quite well she got up, and I went away to dress
+myself for going out. I came back early in the evening, and found her on
+my balcony. There, as I sat close to her looking into her face, speaking
+by turns the language of the eyes and that of sighs, fixing my amorous
+gaze upon those charms which the moonlight rendered sweeter, I made her
+share in the fire which consumed me; and as I pressed her amorously to my
+bosom she completed my bliss with such warmth that I could easily see
+that she thought she was receiving a favour and not granting one. I
+sacrificed the victim without staining the altar with blood.
+
+Her sister came to tell her that it grew late.
+
+"Do you go to bed," she answered; "the fresh air is doing me good, and I
+want to enjoy it a little longer."
+
+As soon as we were alone we went to bed together as if we had been doing
+it for a whole year, and we passed a glorious night, I full of love and
+the desire of curing her, and she of tender and ardent voluptuousness. At
+day-break she embraced me, her eyes dewy with bliss, and went to lie down
+in her own bed. I, like her, stood in need of a rest, and on that day
+there was no talk of a dancing lesson. In spite of the fierce pleasure of
+enjoyment and the transports of this delightful girl, I did not for a
+moment lay prudence aside. We continued to pass such nights as these for
+three weeks, and I had the pleasure of seeing her thoroughly cured. I
+should doubtless have married her, if an event had not happened to me
+towards the end of the month, of which I shall speak lower down.
+
+You will remember, dear reader, about a romance by the Abbe Chiari, a
+satirical romance which Mr. Murray had given me, and in which I fared
+badly enough at the author's hands I had small reason to be pleased with
+him, and I let him know my opinion in such wise that the abbe who dreaded
+a caning, kept upon his guard. About the same time I received an
+anonymous letter, the writer of which told me that I should be better
+occupied in taking care of myself than in thoughts of chastising the
+abbe, for I was threatened by an imminent danger. Anonymous
+letter-writers should be held in contempt, but one ought to know how, on
+occasion, to make the best of advice given in that way. I did nothing,
+and made a great mistake.
+
+About the same time a man named Manuzzi, a stone setter for his first
+trade, and also a spy, a vile agent of the State Inquisitors--a man of
+whom I knew nothing--found a way to make my acquaintance by offering to
+let me have diamonds on credit, and by this means he got the entry of my
+house. As he was looking at some books scattered here and there about the
+room, he stopped short at the manuscripts which were on magic. Enjoying
+foolishly enough, his look of astonishment, I shewed him the books which
+teach one how to summon the elementary spirits. My readers will, I hope,
+do me the favour to believe that I put no faith in these conjuring books,
+but I had them by me and used to amuse myself with them as one does amuse
+one's self with the multitudinous follies which proceed from the heads of
+visionaries. A few days after, the traitor came to see me and told me
+that a collector, whose name he might not tell me, was ready to give me a
+thousand sequins for my five books, but that he would like to examine
+them first to see if they were genuine. As he promised to let me have
+them back in twenty-four hours, and not thinking much about the matter, I
+let him have them. He did not fail to bring them back the next day,
+telling me that the collector thought them forgeries. I found out, some
+years after, that he had taken them to the State Inquisitors, who thus
+discovered that I was a notable magician.
+
+Everything that happened throughout this fatal month tended to my ruin,
+for Madame Memmo, mother of Andre, Bernard, and Laurent Memmo, had taken
+it into her head that I had inclined her sons to atheistic opinions, and
+took counsel with the old knight Antony Mocenigo, M. de Bragadin's uncle,
+who was angry with me, because, as he said, I had conspired to seduce his
+nephew. The matter was a serious one, and an auto-da-fe was very
+possible, as it came under the jurisdiction of the Holy Office--a kind of
+wild beast, with which it is not good to quarrel. Nevertheless, as there
+would be some difficulty in shutting me up in the ecclesiastical prisons
+of the Holy Office, it was determined to carry my case before the State
+Inquisitors, who took upon themselves the provisional duty of putting a
+watch upon my manner of living.
+
+M. Antony Condulmer, who as a friend of Abbe Chiari's was an enemy of
+mine, was then an Inquisitor of State, and he took the opportunity of
+looking upon me in the light of a disturber of the peace of the
+commonwealth. A secretary of an embassy, whom I knew some years after,
+told me that a paid informer, with two other witnesses, also, doubtless,
+in the pay of this grand tribunal, had declared that I was guilty of only
+believing in the devil, as if this absurd belief, if it were possible,
+did not necessarily connote a belief in God! These three honest fellows
+testified with an oath that when I lost money at play, on which occasion
+all the faithful are wont to blaspheme, I was never heard to curse the
+devil. I was further accused of eating meat all the year round, of only
+going to hear fine masses, and I was vehemently suspected of being a
+Freemason. It was added that I frequented the society of foreign
+ministers, and that living as I did with three noblemen, it was certain
+that I revealed, for the large sums which I was seen to lose, as many
+state secrets as I could worm out of them.
+
+All these accusations, none of which had any foundation in fact, served
+the Tribunal as a pretext to treat me as an enemy of the commonwealth and
+as a prime conspirator. For several weeks I was counselled by persons
+whom I might have trusted to go abroad whilst the Tribunal was engaged on
+my case. This should have been enough, for the only people who can live
+in peace at Venice are those whose existence the Tribunal is ignorant of,
+but I obstinately despised all these hints. If I had listened to the
+indirect advice which was given me, I should have become anxious, and I
+was the sworn foe of all anxiety. I kept saying to myself, "I feel
+remorse for nothing and I am therefore guilty of nothing, and the
+innocent have nothing to fear." I was a fool, for I argued as if I had
+been a free man in a free country. I must also confess that what to a
+great extent kept me from thinking of possible misfortune was the actual
+misfortune which oppressed me from morning to night. I lost every day, I
+owed money everywhere, I had pawned all my jewels, and even my portrait
+cases, taking the precaution, however, of removing the portraits, which
+with my important papers and my amorous letters I had placed in the hands
+of Madame Manzoni. I found myself avoided in society. An old senator told
+me, one day, that it was known that the young Countess Bonafede had
+become mad in consequence of the love philtres I had given her. She was
+still at the asylum, and in her moments of delirium she did nothing but
+utter my name with curses. I must let my readers into the secret of this
+small history.
+
+This young Countess Bonafede, to whom I had given some sequins a few days
+after my return to Venice, thought herself capable of making me continue
+my visits, from which she had profited largely. Worried by her letters I
+went to see her several times, and always left her a few sequins, but
+with the exception of my first visit I was never polite enough to give
+her any proofs of my affection. My coldness had baulked all her
+endeavours for a year, when she played a criminal part, of which, though
+I was never able absolutely to convict her, I had every reason to believe
+her guilty.
+
+She wrote me a letter, in which she importuned me to come and see her at
+a certain hour on important business.
+
+My curiosity, as well as a desire to be of service to her, took me there
+at the appointed time; but as soon as she saw me she flung her arms round
+my neck, and told me that the important business was love. This made me
+laugh heartily, and I was pleased to find her looking neater than usual,
+which, doubtless, made me find her looking prettier. She reminded me of
+St. Andre, and succeeded so well in her efforts that I was on the point
+of satisfying her desires. I took off my cloak, and asked her if her
+father were in. She told me he had gone out. Being obliged to go out for
+a minute, in coming back I mistook the door, and I found myself in the
+next room, where I was much astonished to see the count and two
+villainous-looking fellows with him.
+
+"My dear count," I said, "your daughter has just told me that you were
+out."
+
+"I myself told her to do so, as I have some business with these
+gentlemen, which, however, can wait for another day."
+
+I would have gone, but he stopped me, and having dismissed the two men he
+told me that he was delighted to see me, and forthwith began the tale of
+his troubles, which were of more than one kind. The State Inquisitors had
+stopped his slender pension, and he was on the eve of seeing himself
+driven out with his family into the streets to beg his bread. He said
+that he had not been able to pay his landlord anything for three years,
+but if he could pay only a quarter's rent, he would obtain a respite, or
+if he persisted in turning him out, he could make a night-flitting of it,
+and take up his abode somewhere else. As he only wanted twenty ducats, I
+took out six sequins and gave them to him. He embraced me, and shed tears
+of joy; then, taking his poor cloak, he called his daughter, told her to
+keep me company, and went out.
+
+Alone with the countess, I examined the door of communication between the
+two rooms and found it slightly open.
+
+"Your father," I said, "would have surprised me, and it is easy to guess
+what he would have done with the two sbirri who were with him. The plot
+is clear, and I have only escaped from it by the happiest of chances."
+
+She denied, wept, called God to witness, threw herself on her knees; but
+I turned my head away, and taking my cloak went away without a word. She
+kept on writing to me, but her letters remained unanswered, and I saw her
+no more.
+
+It was summer-time, and between the heat, her passions, hunger, and
+wretchedness, her head was turned, and she became so mad that she went
+out of the house stark naked, and ran up and down St. Peter's Place,
+asking those who stopped her to take her to my house. This sad story went
+all over the town and caused me a great deal of annoyance. The poor
+wretch was sent to an asylum, and did not recover her reason for five
+years. When she came out she found herself reduced to beg her bread in
+the streets, like all her brothers, except one, whom I found a cadet in
+the guards of the King of Spain twelve years afterwards.
+
+At the time of which I am speaking all this had happened a year ago, but
+the story was dug up against me, and dressed out in the attire of
+fiction, and thus formed part of those clouds which were to discharge
+their thunder upon me to my destruction.
+
+In the July of 1755 the hateful court gave Messer-Grande instructions to
+secure me, alive or dead. In this furious style all orders for arrests
+proceeding from the Three were issued, for the least of their commands
+carried with it the penalty of death.
+
+Three or four days before the Feast of St. James, my patron saint,
+M---- M---- made me a present of several ells of silver lace to trim a
+sarcenet dress which I was going to wear on the eve of the feast. I went
+to see her, dressed in my fine suit, and I told her that I should come
+again on the day following to ask her to lend me some money, as I did not
+know where to turn to find some. She was still in possession of the five
+hundred sequins which she had put aside when I had sold her diamonds.
+
+As I was sure of getting the money in the morning I passed the night at
+play, and I lost the five hundred sequins in advance. At day-break, being
+in need of a little quiet, I went to the Erberia, a space of ground on
+the quay of the Grand Canal. Here is held the herb, fruit, and flower
+market.
+
+People in good society who come to walk in the Erberia at a rather early
+hour usually say that they come to see the hundreds of boats laden with
+vegetables, fruit and flowers, which hail from the numerous islands near
+the town; but everyone knows that they are men and women who have been
+spending the night in the excesses of Venus or Bacchus, or who have lost
+all hope at the gaming-table, and come here to breath a purer air and to
+calm their minds. The fashion of walking in this place shews how the
+character of a nation changes. The Venetians of old time who made as
+great a mystery of love as of state affairs, have been replaced by the
+modern Venetians, whose most prominent characteristic is to make a
+mystery of nothing. Those who come to the Erberia with women wish to
+excite the envy of their friends by thus publishing their good fortune.
+Those who come alone are on the watch for discoveries, or on the look-out
+for materials to make wives or husbands jealous, the women only come to
+be seen, glad to let everybody know that they are without any restraint
+upon their actions. There was certainly no question of smartness there,
+considering the disordered style of dress worn. The women seemed to have
+agreed to shew all the signs of disorder imaginable, to give those who
+saw them something to talk about. As for the men, on whose arms they
+leaned, their careless and lounging airs were intended to give the idea
+of a surfeit of pleasure, and to make one think that the disordered
+appearance of their companions was a sure triumph they had enjoyed. In
+short it was the correct thing to look tired out, and as if one stood in
+need of sleep.
+
+This veracious description, reader, will not give you a very high opinion
+of the morals of my dear fellow citizens; but what object should I have
+at my age for deceiving? Venice is not at the world's end, but is well
+enough known to those whose curiosity brings them into Italy; and
+everyone can see for himself if my pictures are overdrawn.
+
+After walking up and down for half an hour, I came away, and thinking the
+whole house still a-bed I drew my key out to open the door, but what was
+my astonishment to find it useless, as the door was open, and what is
+more, the lock burst off. I ran upstairs, and found them all up, and my
+landlady uttering bitter lamentations.
+
+"Messer-Grande," she told me, "has entered my house forcibly, accompanied
+by a band of sbirri. He turned everything upside down, on the pretext
+that he was in search of a portmanteau full of salt--a highly contraband
+article. He said he knew that a portmanteau had been landed there the
+evening before, which was quite true; but it belonged to Count S----, and
+only contained linen and clothes. Messer-Grande, after inspecting it,
+went out without saying a word."
+
+He had also paid my room a visit. She told me that she must have some
+reparation made her, and thinking she was in the right I promised to
+speak to M. de Bragadin on the matter the same day. Needing rest above
+all things, I lay down, but my nervous excitement, which I attributed to
+my heavy losses at play, made me rise after three or four hours, and I
+went to see M. de Bragadin, to whom I told the whole story begging him to
+press for some signal amends. I made a lively representation to him of
+all the grounds on which my landlady required proportionate amends to be
+made, since the laws guaranteed the peace of all law-abiding people.
+
+I saw that the three friends were greatly saddened by what I said, and
+the wise old man, quietly but sadly, told me that I should have my answer
+after dinner.
+
+De la Haye dined with us, but all through the meal, which was a
+melancholy one, he spoke not a word. His silence should have told me all,
+if I had not been under the influence of some malevolent genii who would
+not allow me to exercise my common sense: as to the sorrow of my three
+friends, I put that down to their friendship for me. My connection with
+these worthy men had always been the talk of the town, and as all were
+agreed that it could not be explained on natural grounds, it was deemed
+to be the effect of some sorcery exercised by me. These three men were
+thoroughly religious and virtuous citizens; I was nothing if not
+irreligious, and Venice did not contain a greater libertine. Virtue, it
+was said, may have compassion on vice, but cannot become its friend.
+
+After dinner M. de Bragadin took me into his closet with his two friends,
+from whom he had no secrets. He told me with wonderful calmness that
+instead of meditating vengeance on Messer-Grande I should be thinking of
+putting myself in a place of safety. "The portmanteau," said he, "was a
+mere pretext; it was you they wanted and thought to find. Since your good
+genius has made them miss you, look out for yourself; perhaps by
+to-morrow it may be too late. I have been a State Inquisitor for eight
+months, and I know the way in which the arrests ordered by the court are
+carried out. They would not break open a door to look for a box of salt.
+Indeed, it is possible that they knew you were out, and sought to warn
+you to escape in this manner. Take my advice, my dear son, and set out
+directly for Fusina, and thence as quickly as you can make your way to
+Florence, where you can remain till I write to you that you may return
+with safety. If you have no money I will give you a hundred sequins for
+present expenses. Believe me that prudence bids you go."
+
+Blinded by my folly, I answered him that being guilty of nothing I had
+nothing to fear, and that consequently, although I knew his advice was
+good, I could not follow it.
+
+"The high court," said he, "may deem you guilty of crimes real or
+imaginary; but in any case it will give you no account of the accusations
+against you. Ask your oracle if you shall follow my advice or not." I
+refused because I knew the folly of such a proceeding, but by way of
+excuse I said that I only consulted it when I was in doubt. Finally, I
+reasoned that if I fled I should be shewing fear, and thus confessing my
+guilt, for an innocent man, feeling no remorse, cannot reasonably be
+afraid of anything.
+
+"If secrecy," said I, "is of the essence of the Court, you cannot
+possibly judge, after my escape, whether I have done so rightly or
+wrongly. The same reasons, which, according to your excellence, bid me
+go, would forbid my return. Must I then say good-bye for ever to my
+country, and all that is dear to me?" As a last resource he tried to
+persuade me to pass the following day and night, at least, at the palace.
+I am still ashamed of having refused the worthy old man to whom I owed so
+much this favour; for the palace of a noble is sacred to the police who
+dare not cross its threshold without a special order from the Tribunal,
+which is practically never given; by yielding to his request I should
+have avoided a grievous misfortune, and spared the worthy old man some
+acute grief.
+
+I was moved to see M. de Bragadin weeping, and perhaps I might have
+granted to his tears that which I had obstinately refused to his
+arguments and entreaties. "For Heaven's sake!" said I, "spare me the
+harrowing sight of your tears." In an instant he summoned all his
+strength to his assistance, made some indifferent remarks, and then, with
+a smile full of good nature, he embraced me, saying, "Perhaps I may be
+fated never to see you again, but 'Fata viam invenient'."
+
+I embraced him affectionately, and went away, but his prediction was
+verified, for I never saw him again; he died eleven years afterwards. I
+found myself in the street without feeling the slightest fear, but I was
+in a good deal of trouble about my debts. I had not the heart to go to
+Muran to take away from M. M. her last five hundred sequins, which sum I
+owed to the man who won it from me in the night; I preferred asking him
+to wait eight days, and I did so. After performing this unpleasant piece
+of business I returned home, and, having consoled my landlady to the
+utmost of my power, I kissed the daughter, and lay down to sleep. The
+date was July 25th, 1755.
+
+Next morning at day-break who should enter my room but the awful
+Messer-Grande. To awake, to see him, and to hear him asking if I were
+Jacques Casanova, was the work of a moment. At my "yes, I am Casanova,"
+he told me to rise, to put on my clothes, to give him all the papers and
+manuscripts in my possession, and to follow him.
+
+"On whose authority do you order me to do this?"
+
+"By the authority of the Tribunal."
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of To Paris And Prison: The False Nun
+by Jacques Casanova de Seingalt
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+The Project Gutenberg Etext of The False Nun by Jacques Casanova
+#9 in our series by Jacques Casanova
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+Title: The False Nun
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+Author: Jacques Casanova
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+
+MEMOIRS OF JACQUES CASANOVA de SEINGALT 1725-1798
+TO PARIS AND PRISON, Volume 2d--The False Nun
+
+
+THE RARE UNABRIDGED LONDON EDITION OF 1894 TRANSLATED BY ARTHUR
+MACHEN TO WHICH HAS BEEN ADDED THE CHAPTERS DISCOVERED
+BY ARTHUR SYMONS.
+
+
+
+
+THE FALSE NUN
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI
+
+Supper at My Casino With M. M. and M. de Bernis, the French
+Ambassador--A Proposal from M. M.; I Accept It--Consequences--
+C. C. is Unfaithful to Me, and I Cannot Complain
+
+
+I felt highly pleased with the supper-party I had arranged with M----
+M----, and I ought to have been happy.  Yet I was not so; but whence
+came the anxiety which was a torment to me?  Whence?  From my fatal
+habit of gambling.  That passion was rooted in me; to live and to
+play were to me two identical things, and as I could not hold the
+bank I would go and punt at the ridotto, where I lost my money
+morning and night.  That state of things made me miserable.  Perhaps
+someone will say to me:
+
+"Why did you play, when there was no need of it, when you were in
+want of nothing, when you had all the money you could wish to satisfy
+your fancies?"
+
+That would be a troublesome question if I had not made it a law to
+tell the truth.  Well, then, dear inquisitive reader, if I played
+with almost the certainty of losing, although no one, perhaps, was
+more sensible than I was to the losses made in gambling, it is
+because I had in me the evil spirit of avarice; it is because I loved
+prodigality, and because my heart bled when I found myself compelled
+to spend any money that I had not won at the gaming-table.  It is an
+ugly vice, dear reader, I do not deny it.  However, all I can say is
+that, during the four days previous to the supper, I lost all the
+gold won for me by M---- M----
+
+On the anxiously-expected day I went to my casino, where at the
+appointed hour M---- M---- came with her friend, whom she introduced
+to me as soon as he had taken off his mask.
+
+"I had an ardent wish, sir," said M. de Bernis to me, "to renew
+acquaintance with you, since I heard from madame that we had known
+each other in Paris."
+
+With these words he looked at me attentively, as people will do when
+they are trying to recollect a person whom they have lost sight of.
+I then told him that we had never spoken to one another, and that he
+had not seen enough of me to recollect my features now.
+
+"I had the honour," I added, "to dine with your excellency at M. de
+Mocenigo's house, but you talked all the time with Marshal Keith, the
+Prussian ambassador, and I was not fortunate enough to attract your
+attention.  As you were on the point of leaving Paris to return to
+Venice, you went away almost immediately after dinner, and I have
+never had the honour of seeing you since that time."
+
+"Now I recollect you," he answered, "and I remember asking whether
+you were not the secretary of the embassy.  But from this day we
+shall not forget each other again, for the mysteries which unite us
+are of a nature likely to establish a lasting intimacy between us."
+
+The amiable couple were not long before they felt thoroughly at ease,
+and we sat down to supper, of which, of course, I did the honours.
+The ambassador, a fine connoisseur in wines, found mine excellent,
+and was delighted to hear that I had them from Count Algarotti, who
+was reputed as having the best cellar in Venice.
+
+My supper was delicate and abundant, and my manners towards my
+handsome guests were those of a private individual receiving his
+sovereign and his mistress.  I saw that M---- M---- was charmed with
+the respect with which I treated her, and with my conversation, which
+evidently interested the ambassador highly.  The serious character of
+a first meeting did not prevent the utterance of witty jests, for in
+that respect M. de Bernis was a true Frenchman.  I have travelled
+much, I have deeply studied men, individually and in a body, but I
+have never met with true sociability except in Frenchmen; they alone
+know how to jest, and it is rare, delicate, refined jesting, which
+animates conversation and makes society charming.
+
+During our delightful supper wit was never wanting, and the amiable
+M---- M---- led the conversation to the romantic combination which
+had given her occasion to know me.  Naturally, she proceeded to speak
+of my passion for C---- C----, and she gave such an interesting
+description of that young girl that the ambassador listened with as
+much attention as if he had never seen the object of it.  But that
+was his part, for he was not aware that I had been informed of his
+having witnessed from his hiding-place my silly interview with C----
+C----.  He told M---- M---- that he would have been delighted if she
+had brought her young friend to sup with us.
+
+"That would be running too great a risk," answered the cunning nun,
+"but if you approve of it," she added, looking at me, "I can make you
+sup with her at my casino, for we sleep in the same room."
+
+That offer surprised me much, but it was not the moment to shew it,
+so I replied:
+
+"It is impossible, madam, to add anything to the pleasure of your
+society, yet I confess I should be pleased if you could contrive to
+do us that great favour:"
+
+"Well, I will think of it."
+
+"But," observed the ambassador, "if I am to be one of the party, I
+think it would be right to apprize the young lady of it."
+
+"It is not necessary, for I will write to her to agree to whatever
+madam may propose to her.  I will do so to-morrow."
+
+I begged the ambassador to prepare himself with a good stock of
+indulgence for a girl of fifteen who had no experience of the world.
+In the course of the evening I related the history of O-Morphi, which
+greatly amused him.  He entreated me to let him see her portrait.  He
+informed me that she was still an inmate of the 'Parc-aux-cerfs',
+where she continued to be the delight of Louis XV., to whom she had
+given a child.  My guests left me after midnight, highly pleased, and
+I remained alone.
+
+The next morning, faithful to the promise I had made to my beautiful
+nun, I wrote to C---- C---- without informing her that there would be
+a fourth person at the projected supper, and having given my note to
+Laura I repaired to Muran, where I found the following letter from
+M---- M----:
+
+"I could not sleep soundly, my love, if I did not ease my conscience
+of an unpleasant weight.  Perhaps you did not approve of the 'partie
+carree' with our young friend, and you may not have objected out of
+mere politeness.  Tell me the truth, dearest, for, should you not
+look forward to that meeting with pleasure, I can contrive to undo it
+without implicating you in any way; trust me for that.  If, however,
+you have no objection to the party, it will take place as agreed.
+Believe me, I love your soul more than your heart--I mean than your
+person.  Adieu."
+
+
+Her fear was very natural, but out of shamefacedness I did not like
+to retract.  M---- M---- knew me well, and as a skilful tactician she
+attacked my weak side.
+
+Here is my answer:
+
+"I expected your letter, my best beloved, and you cannot doubt it,
+because, as you know me thoroughly, you must be aware that I know you
+as well.  Yes, I know your mind, and I know what idea you must
+entertain of mine, because I have exposed to you all my weakness and
+irritability by my sophisms.  I do penance for it, dearest, when I
+think that having raised your suspicions your tenderness for me must
+have been weakened.  Forget my visions, I beg, and be quite certain
+that for the future my soul will be in unison with yours.  The supper
+must take place, it will be a pleasure for me, but let me confess
+that in accepting it I have shewn myself more grateful than polite.
+C---- C---- is a novice, and I am not sorry to give her an
+opportunity of seeing the world.  In what school could she learn
+better than yours?  Therefore I recommend her to you, and you will
+please me much by continuing to shew your care and friendship towards
+her, and by increasing, if possible, the sum of your goodness.  I
+fear that you may entice her to take the veil, and if she did I would
+never console myself.  Your friend has quite captivated me; he is a
+superior man, and truly charming."
+
+Thus did I wittingly deprive myself of the power of drawing back, but
+I was able to realize the full force of the situation.  I had no
+difficulty in guessing that the ambassador was in love with C----
+C----, and that he had confessed as much to M---- M----, who, not
+being in a position to object to it, was compelled to shew herself
+compliant, and to assist him in everything that could render his
+passion successful.  She could certainly not do anything without my
+consent, and she had evidently considered the affair too delicate to
+venture upon proposing the party point-blank to me.  They had, no
+doubt, put their heads together, so that by bringing the conversation
+on that subject I should find myself compelled, for the sake of
+politeness and perhaps of my inward feelings, to fall into the snare.
+The ambassador, whose profession it was to carry on intrigues
+skilfully, had succeeded well, and I had taken the bait as he wished.
+There was nothing left for me but to put a good face on the matter,
+not only so as not to shew myself a very silly being, but also in
+order not to prove myself shamefully ungrateful towards a man who had
+granted me unheard-of privileges.  Nevertheless, the consequence of
+it all was likely to be some coolness in my feelings towards both my
+mistresses.  M---- M---- had become conscious of this after she had
+returned to the convent, and wishing to screen herself from all
+responsibility she had lost no time in writing to me that she would
+cause the projected supper to be abandoned, in case I should
+disapprove of it, but she knew very well that I would not accept her
+offer.  Self-love is a stronger passion even than jealousy; it does
+not allow a man who has some pretension to wit to shew himself
+jealous, particularly towards a person who is not tainted by that
+base passion, and has proved it.
+
+The next day, having gone early to the casino, I found the ambassador
+already there, and he welcomed me in the most friendly manner.  He
+told me that, if he had known me in Paris he would have introduced me
+at the court, where I should certainly have made my fortune.  Now,
+when I think of that, I say to myself, "That might have been the
+case, but of what good would it have been to me?"  Perhaps I should
+have fallen a victim of the Revolution, like so many others.  M. de
+Bernis himself would have been one of those victims if Fate had not
+allowed him to die in Rome in 1794.  He died there unhappy, although
+wealthy, unless his feelings had undergone a complete change before
+his death, and I do not believe it.
+
+I asked him whether he liked Venice, and he answered that he could
+not do otherwise than like that city, in which he enjoyed excellent
+health, and in which, with plenty of money, life could be enjoyed
+better than anywhere else.
+
+"But I do not expect," he added, "to be allowed to keep this embassy
+very long.  Be kind enough to let that remain between us.  I do not
+wish to make M---- M----- unhappy."
+
+We were conversing in all confidence when M---- M---- arrived with
+her young friend, who showed her surprise at seeing another man with
+me, but I encouraged her by the most tender welcome; and she
+recovered all her composure when she saw the delight of the stranger
+at being answered by her in good French.  It gave us both an
+opportunity of paying the warmest compliments to the mistress who had
+taught her so well.
+
+C---- C---- was truly charming; her looks, bright and modest at the
+same time, seemed to say to me, "You must belong to me:" I wished to
+see her shine before our friends; and I contrived to conquer a
+cowardly feeling of jealousy which, in spite of myself, was beginning
+to get hold of me.  I took care to make her talk on such subjects as
+I knew to be familiar to her.  I developed her natural intelligence,
+and had the satisfaction of seeing her admired.
+
+Applauded, flattered, animated by the satisfaction she could read in
+my eyes, C---- C---- appeared a prodigy to M. de Bernis, and, oh!
+what a contradiction of the human heart!  I was pleased, yet I
+trembled lest he should fall in love with her!  What an enigma!  I
+was intent myself upon a work which would have caused me to murder
+any man who dared to undertake it.
+
+During the supper, which was worthy of a king, the ambassador treated
+C---- C---- with the most delicate attentions.  Wit, cheerfulness,
+decent manners, attended our delightful party, and did not expel the
+gaiety and the merry jests with which a Frenchman knows how to season
+every conversation.
+
+An observing critic who, without being acquainted with us, wished to
+guess whether love was present at our happy party, might have
+suspected, perhaps, but he certainly could not have affirmed, that it
+was there.  M---- M---- treated the ambassador as a friend.  She
+shewed no other feeling towards me than that of deep esteem, and she
+behaved to C---- C---- with the tender affection of a sister.  M. de
+Bernis was kind, polite, and amiable with M---- M-----, but he never
+ceased to take the greatest interest in every word uttered by C----
+C----, who played her part to perfection, because she had only to
+follow her own nature, and, that nature being beautiful, C---- C----
+could not fail to be most charming.
+
+We had passed five delightful hours, and the ambassador seemed more
+pleased even than any of us.  M---- M---- had the air of a person
+satisfied with her own work, and I was playing the part of an
+approving spectator.  C---- C---- looked highly pleased at having
+secured the general approbation, and there was, perhaps, a slight
+feeling of vanity in her arising from the special attention which the
+ambassador had bestowed on her.  She looked at me, smiling, and I
+could easily understand the language of her soul, by which she wished
+to tell me that she felt perfectly well the difference between the
+society in which she was then, and that in which her brother had
+given us such a disgusting specimen of his depravity.
+
+After midnight it was time to think of our departure, and M. de
+Bernis undertook all the complimentary part.  Thanking M---- M----
+for the most agreeable supper he had ever made in his life, he
+contrived to make her offer a repetition of it for two days
+afterwards, and he asked me, for the sake of appearance, whether I
+should not find as much delight in that second meeting as himself.
+Could he have any doubt of my answering affirmatively?  I believe
+not, for I had placed myself under the necessity of being compliant.
+All being agreed, we parted company.
+
+The next day, when I thought of that exemplary supper, I had no
+difficulty in guessing what the ultimate result would be.  The
+ambassador owed his great fortune entirely to the fair sex, because
+he possessed to the highest degree the art of coddling love; and as
+his nature was eminently voluptuous he found his advantage in it,
+because he knew how to call desires into existence, and this procured
+him enjoyments worthy of his delicate taste.  I saw that he was
+deeply in love with C---- C----, and I was far from supposing him the
+man to be satisfied with looking at her lovely eyes.  He certainly
+had some plan arranged, and M---- M----, in spite of all her honesty,
+was the prime manager of it.  I knew that she would carry it on with
+such delicate skill that I should not see any evidence of it.
+Although I did not feel disposed to shew more compliance than was
+strictly just, I foresaw that in the end I should be the dupe, and my
+poor C---- C---- the victim, of a cunningly-contrived trick.  I could
+not make up my mind either to consent with a good grace, or to throw
+obstacles in the way, and, believing my dear little wife incapable of
+abandoning herself to anything likely to displease me, I allowed
+myself to be taken off my guard, and to rely upon the difficulty of
+seducing her.  Stupid calculation!  Self-love and shamefacedness
+prevented me from using my common sense.  At all events, that
+intrigue kept me in a state of fever because I was afraid of its
+consequences, and yet curiosity mastered me to such an extent that I
+was longing for the result.  I knew very well that a second edition
+of the supper did not imply that the same play would be performed a
+second time, and I foresaw that the changes would be strongly marked.
+But I thought myself bound in honour not to retract.  I could not
+lead the intrigue, but I believed myself sufficiently skilful to
+baffle all their manoeuvrings.
+
+After all those considerations, however, considerations which enabled
+me to assume the countenance of false bravery, the inexperience of C-
+--- C----, who, in spite of all the knowledge she had lately
+acquired, was only a novice, caused me great anxiety.  It was easy to
+abuse her natural wish to be polite, but that fear gave way very soon
+before the confidence I had in M---- M----s delicacy.  I thought
+that, having seen how I had spent six hours with that young girl,
+knowing for a certainty that I intended to marry her, M---- M----
+would never be guilty of such base treason.  All these thoughts,
+worthy only of a weak and bashful jealousy, brought no conclusive
+decision.  I had to follow the current and watch events.
+
+At the appointed time I repaired to the casino, where I found my two
+lovely friends sitting by the fire.
+
+"Good evening, my two divinities, where is our charming Frenchman?"
+
+"He has not arrived yet," answered M---- M----, "but he will
+doubtless soon be here."
+
+I took off my mask, and sitting between them, I gave them a thousand
+kisses, taking good care not to shew any preference, and although I
+knew that they were aware of the unquestionable right I had upon both
+of them, I kept within the limits of the utmost decency.  I
+congratulated them upon the mutual inclination they felt for each
+other, and I saw that they were pleased not to have to blush on that
+account.
+
+More than one hour was spent in gallant and friendly conversation,
+without my giving any satisfaction to my burning desires.  M--- M----
+attracted me more than C---- C----, but I would not for the world
+have offended the charming girl.  M---- M---- was beginning to shew
+some anxiety about the absence of M. de Bernis, when the door-keeper
+brought her a note from him.
+
+"A courier," he wrote, "who arrived two hours ago, prevents my being
+happy to-night, for I am compelled to pass it in answering the
+dispatches I have received.  I trust that you will forgive and pity
+me.  May I hope that you will kindly grant me on Friday the pleasure
+of which I am so unfortunately deprived to-day?  Let me know your
+answer by to-morrow.  I wish ardently, in that case, to find you with
+the same guests, to whom I beg you will present my affectionate
+compliments."
+
+"Well," said M---- M----, "it is not his fault.  We will sup without
+him.  Will you come on Friday?"
+
+"Yes, with the greatest pleasure.  But what is the matter with you,
+dear C---- C----?  You look sad."
+
+"Sad, no, unless it should be for the sake of my friend, for I have
+never seen a more polite and more obliging gentleman."
+
+"Very well, dear, I am glad he has rendered you so sensible."
+
+"What do you mean?  Could anyone be insensible to his merit?"
+
+"Better still, but I agree with you.  Only tell me if you love him?"
+
+"Well, even if I loved him, do you think I would go and tell him?
+Besides, I am certain that he loves my friend."
+
+So saying, she sat down on M---- M----'s knee, calling her her own
+little wife, and my two beauties began to bestow on one another
+caresses which made me laugh heartily.  Far from troubling their
+sport, I excited them, in order to enjoy a spectacle with which I had
+long been acquainted.
+
+M---- M---- took up a book full of the most lascivious engravings,
+and said, with a significant glance in my direction:
+
+"Do you wish me to have a fire lighted in the alcove?"
+
+I understood her, and replied:
+
+"You would oblige me, for the bed being large we can all three sleep
+comfortably in it."
+
+I guessed that she feared my suspecting the ambassador of enjoying
+from the mysterious closet the sight of our amorous trio, and she
+wished to destroy that suspicion by her proposal.
+
+The table having been laid in front of the alcove, supper was served,
+and we all did honour to it.  We were all blessed with a devouring
+appetite.  While M---- M---- was teaching her friend how to mix
+punch, I was admiring with delight the progress made in beauty by
+C---- C----.
+
+"Your bosom," I said to her, "must have become perfect during the
+last nine months."
+
+"It is like mine," answered M---- M----, "would you like to see for
+yourself?"
+
+Of course I did not refuse.  M---- M---- unlaced her friend, who made
+no resistance, and performing afterwards the same office upon
+herself, in less than two minutes I was admiring four rivals
+contending for the golden apple like the three goddesses, and which
+would have set at defiance the handsome Paris himself to adjudge the
+prize without injustice.  Need I say what an ardent fire that
+ravishing sight sent coursing through my veins?  I placed immediately
+an the table the Academie des Dames, and pointed out a certain
+position to M---- M----, who, understanding my wishes, said to C----
+C----:
+
+"Will you, darling, represent that group with me?"
+
+A look of compliance was C---- C----'s only answer; she was not yet
+inured to amorous pleasures as much as her lovely teacher.  While I
+was laughing with delight, the two friends were getting ready, and in
+a few minutes we were all three in bed, and in a state of nature.  At
+first, satisfied with enjoying the sight of the barren contest of my
+two bacchanalians, I was amused by their efforts and by the contrast
+of colours, for one was dark and the other fair, but soon, excited
+myself, and consumed by all the fire of voluptuousness, I threw
+myself upon them, and I made them, one after the other, almost faint
+away from the excess of love and enjoyment.
+
+Worn out and satiated with pleasure, I invited them to take some
+rest.  We slept until we were awakened by the alarum, which I had
+taken care to set at four o'clock.  We were certain of turning to
+good account the two hours we had then to spare before parting
+company, which we did at the dawn of day, humiliated at having to
+confess our exhaustion, but highly pleased with each other, and
+longing for a renewal of our delightful pleasures.
+
+The next day, however, when I came to think of that rather too lively
+night, during which, as is generally the case, Love had routed
+Reason, I felt some remorse.  M---- M---- wanted to convince me of
+her love, and for that purpose she had combined all the virtues which
+I attached to my own affection--namely, honour, delicacy, and truth,
+but her temperament, of which her mind was the slave, carried her
+towards excess, and she prepared everything in order to give way to
+it, while she awaited the opportunity of making me her accomplice.
+She was coaxing love to make it compliant, and to succeed in
+mastering it, because her heart, enslaved by her senses, never
+reproached her.  She likewise tried to deceive herself by
+endeavouring to forget that I might complain of having been
+surprised.  She knew that to utter such a complaint I would have to
+acknowledge myself weaker or less courageous than she was, and she
+relied upon my being ashamed to make such a confession.  I had no
+doubt whatever that the absence of the ambassador had been arranged
+and concerted beforehand.  I could see still further, for it seemed
+evident to me that the two conspirators had foreseen that I would
+guess the artifice, and that, feeling stung to the quick, in spite of
+all my regrets, I would not shew myself less generous than they had
+been themselves.  The ambassador having first procured me a
+delightful night, how could I refuse to let him enjoy as pleasant a
+one?  My friends had argued very well, for, in spite of all the
+objections of my mind, I saw that I could not on my side put any
+obstacle in their way.  C---- C---- was no impediment to them.  They
+were certain of conquering her the moment she was not hindered by my
+presence.  It rested entirely with M---- M----, who had perfect
+control over her.  Poor girl!  I saw her on the high road to
+debauchery, and it was my own doing!  I sighed when I thought how
+little I had spared them in our last orgie, and what would become of
+me if both of them should happen to be, by my doing, in such a
+position as to be compelled to run away from the convent?  I could
+imagine both of them thrown upon my hands, and the prospect was not
+particularly agreeable.  It would be an 'embarras de richesse'.  In
+this miserable contest between reason and prejudice, between nature
+and sentiment, I could not make up my mind either to go to the supper
+or to remain absent from it.  "If I go," said I to myself, "that
+night will pass with perfect decency, but I shall prove myself very
+ridiculous, jealous, ungrateful, and even wanting in common
+politeness: if I remain absent, C---- C---- is lost, at least, in my
+estimation, for I feel that my love will no longer exist, and then
+good-bye to all idea of a marriage with her."  In the perplexity of
+mind in which I found myself, I felt a want of something more certain
+than mere probabilities to base my decision upon.  I put on my mask,
+and repaired to the mansion of the French ambassador.  I addressed
+myself to the gate-keeper, saying that I had a letter for Versailles,
+and that I would thank him to deliver it to the courier when he went
+back to France with his excellency's dispatches.
+
+"But, sir," answered the man, "we have not had a special courier for
+the last two months:"
+
+"What?  Did not a special cabinet messenger arrive here last night?"
+
+"Then he must have come in through the garret window or down the
+chimney, for, on the word of an honest man, none entered through the
+gate."
+
+"But the ambassador worked all night?"
+
+"That may be, sir, but not here, for his excellency dined with the
+Spanish ambassador, and did not return till very late:"
+
+I had guessed rightly.  I could no longer entertain any doubt.  It
+was all over; I could not draw back without shame.  C---- C---- must
+resist, if the game was distasteful to her; no violence would of
+course be offered to her.  The die was cast!
+
+Towards evening I went to the casino of Muran, and wrote a short note
+to M---- M----, requesting her to excuse me if some important
+business of M. de Bragadin's prevented me from spending the night
+with her and with our two friends, to whom I sent my compliments as
+well as my apologies.  After that I returned to Venice, but in rather
+an unpleasant mood; to divert myself I went to the gaming table, and
+lost all night.
+
+Two days afterwards, being certain that a letter from M---- M----
+awaited me at Muran, I went over, and the door-keeper handed me a
+parcel in which I found a note from my nun and a letter from C----
+C----, for everything was now in common between them.
+
+Here is C---- C ----'s letter"
+
+"We were very sorry, dearest friend, when we heard that we should not
+have the happiness of seeing you.  My dear M---- M----'s friend came
+shortly afterwards, and when he read your note he likewise expressed
+his deep regret.  We expected to have a very dull supper, but the
+witty sayings of that gentleman enlivened us and you cannot imagine
+of what follies we were guilty after partaking of some champagne
+punch.  Our friend had become as gay as ourselves, and we spent the
+night in trios, not very fatiguing, but very pleasant.  I can assure
+you that that man deserves to be loved, but he must acknowledge
+himself inferior to you in everything.  Believe me, dearest, I shall
+ever love you, and you must for ever remain the master of my heart."
+
+In spite of all my vexation, that letter made me laugh, but the note
+of M---- M---- was much more singular.  Here are the contents of it:
+
+"I am certain, my own beloved, that you told a story out of pure
+politeness, but you had guessed that I expected you to do so.  You
+have made our friend a splendid present in exchange for the one he
+made you when he did not object to his M---- M---- bestowing her
+heart upon you.  You possess that heart entirely, dearest, and you
+would possess it under all circumstances, but how sweet it is to
+flavour the pleasures of love with the charms of friendship!  I was
+sorry not to see you, but I knew that if you had come we would not
+have had much enjoyment; for our friend, notwithstanding all his wit,
+is not exempt from some natural prejudices.  As for C---- C-----, her
+mind is now quite as free of them as our own, and I am glad she owes
+it to me.  You must feel thankful to me for having completed her
+education, and for rendering her in every way worthy of you.  I wish
+you had been hiding in the closet, where I am certain you would have
+spent some delightful hours.  On Wednesday next I shall be yours, and
+all alone with you in your casino in Venice; let me know whether you
+will be at the usual hour near the statue of the hero Colleoni.  In
+case you should be prevented, name any other day."
+
+I had to answer those two letters in the same spirit in which they
+had been written, and in spite of all the bitter feelings which were
+then raging in my heart, my answers were to be as sweet as honey.  I
+was in need of great courage, but I said to myself: "George Dandin,
+tu las voulu!"  I could not refuse to pay the penalty of my own
+deeds, and I have never been able to ascertain whether the shame I
+felt was what is called shamefacedness.  It is a problem which I
+leave to others.
+
+In my letter to C---- C---- I had the courage, or the effrontery, to
+congratulate her, and to encourage her to imitate M---- M----, the
+best model, I said, I could propose to her.
+
+I wrote to my nun that I would be punctual at the appointment near
+the statue, and amidst many false compliments, which ought to have
+betrayed the true state of my heart, I told her that I admired the
+perfect education she had given to C---- C-----, but that I
+congratulated myself upon having escaped the torture I should have
+suffered in the mysterious observatory, for I felt that I could not
+have borne it.
+
+On the Wednesday I was punctual at the rendezvous, and I had not to
+wait long for M---- M----, who came disguised in male attire.  "No
+theatre to-night," she said to me; "let us go to the 'ridotto', to
+lose or double our money."  She had six hundred sequins.  I had about
+one hundred.  Fortune turned her back upon us, and we lost a11.  I
+expected that we would then leave that cutthroat place, but M----
+M----, having left me for a minute, came back with three hundred
+sequins which had been given to her by her friend, whom she knew
+where to find.  That money given by love or by friendship brought her
+luck for a short time, and she soon won back all we had lost, but in
+our greediness or imprudence we continued to play, and finally we
+lost our last sequin.
+
+When we could play no longer, M---- M---- said to me,
+
+"Now that we need not fear thieves, let us go to our supper."
+
+That woman, religious and a Free-thinker, a libertine and gambler,
+was wonderful in all she did.  She had just lost five hundred pounds,
+and she was as completely at her ease as if she had won a very large
+sum.  It is true that the money she had just lost had not cost her
+much.
+
+As soon as we were alone, she found me sad and low-spirited, although
+I tried hard not to appear so, but, as for her, always the same, she
+was handsome, brilliant, cheerful, and amorous.
+
+She thought she would bring back my spirits by giving me the fullest
+particulars of the night she had passed with C---- C---- and her
+friend, but she ought to have guessed that she was going the wrong
+way.  That is a very common error, it comes from the mind, because
+people imagine that what they feel themselves others must feel
+likewise.
+
+I was on thorns, and I tried everything to avoid that subject, and to
+lead the conversation into a different channel, for the amorous
+particulars, on which she was dwelling with apparent delight, vexed
+me greatly, and spite causing coldness, I was afraid of not playing
+my part very warmly in the amorous contest which was at hand.  When a
+lover doubts his own strength, he may almost always be sure that he
+will fail in his efforts.
+
+After supper we went to bed in the alcove, where the beauty, the
+mental and physical charms, the grace and the ardour of my lovely
+nun, cast all my bad temper to the winds, and soon restored me to my
+usual good-spirits.  The nights being shorter we spent two hours in
+the most delightful pleasures, and then parted, satisfied and full of
+love.
+
+Before leaving, M---- M---- asked me to go to her casino, to take
+some money and to play, taking her for my partner.  I did so.  I took
+all the gold I found, and playing the martingale, and doubling my
+stakes continuously, I won every day during the remainder of the
+carnival.  I was fortunate enough never to lose the sixth card, and,
+if I had lost it, I should have been without money to play, for I had
+two thousand sequins on that card.  I congratulated myself upon
+having increased the treasure of my dear mistress, who wrote to me
+that, for the sake of civility, we ought to have a supper 'en partie
+carree' on Shrove Monday.  I consented.
+
+That supper was the last I ever had in my life with C---- C----.  She
+was in excellent spirits, but I had made up my mind, and as I paid
+all my attentions to M---- M----, C---- C---- imitated my example
+without difficulty, and she devoted herself wholly to her new lover.
+
+Foreseeing that we would, a little later, be all of us in each
+other's way, I begged M---- M---- to arrange everything so that we
+could be apart, and she contrived it marvellously well.
+
+After supper, the ambassador proposed a game of faro, which our
+beauties did not know; he called for cards, and placed one hundred
+Louis on the table before him; he dealt, and took care to make C----
+C---- win the whole of that sum.  It was the best way to make her
+accept it as pin-money.  The young girl, dazzled by so much gold, and
+not knowing what to do with it, asked her friend to take care of it
+for her until such time as she should leave the convent to get
+married.
+
+When the game was over, M---- M---- complained of a headache, and
+said that she would go to bed in the alcove: she asked me to come and
+lull her to sleep.  We thus left the new lovers free to be as gay as
+they chose.  Six hours afterwards, when the alarum warned us that it
+was time to part, we found them asleep in each other's embrace.  I
+had myself passed an amorous and quiet night, pleased with M----
+M----, and with out giving one thought to C---- C----.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII
+
+M. De Bernis Goes Away Leaving Me the Use of His Casino--His Good
+Advice: How I Follow It--Peril of M. M. and Myself--Mr. Murray, the
+English Ambassador--Sale of the Casino and End of Our Meetings--
+Serious Illness of M. M.--Zorzi and Condulmer--Tonnie
+
+
+Though the infidelities of C---- C----made me look at her with other
+eyes than before, and I had now no intention of making her the
+companion of my life, I could not help feeling that it had rested
+with me to stop her on the brink of the stream, and I therefore
+considered it my duty always to be her friend.
+
+If I had been more logical, the resolution I took with respect to her
+would doubtless have been of another kind.  I should have said to
+myself: After seducing her, I myself have set the example of
+infidelity; I have bidden her to follow blindly the advice of her
+friend, although I knew that the advice and the example of M--- M----
+would end in her ruin; I had insulted, in the most grievous manner,
+the delicacy of my mistress, and that before her very eyes, and after
+all this how could I ask a weak woman to do what a man, priding
+himself on his strength, would shrink from at tempting?  I should
+have stood self-condemned, and have felt that it was my duty to
+remain the same to her, but flattering myself that I was overcoming
+mere prejudices, I was in fact that most degraded of slaves, he who
+uses his strength to crush the weak.
+
+The day after Shrove Tuesday, going to the casino of Muran, I found
+there a letter from M---- M----, who gave me two pieces of bad news:
+that C---- C---- had lost her mother, and that the poor girl was in
+despair; and that the lay-sister, whose rheum was cured, had returned
+to take her place.  Thus C---- C---- was deprived of her friend at a
+time when she would have given her consolation, of which she stood in
+great need.  C---- C----, it seemed, had gone to share the rooms of
+her aunt, who, being very fond of her, had obtained permission from
+the superior.  This circumstance would prevent the ambassador taking
+any more suppers with her, and I should have been delighted if chance
+had put this obstacle in his path a few days sooner.
+
+All these misfortunes seemed of small account com pared with what I
+was afraid of, for C---- C---- might have to pay the price for her
+pleasures, and I so far regarded myself as the origin of her
+unhappiness as to feel bound never to abandon her, and this might
+have involved me in terrible complications.
+
+M---- M---- asked me to sup with her and her lover on the following
+Monday.  I went and found them both sad--he for the loss of his new
+mistress, and she because she had no longer a friend to make the
+seclusion of the convent pleasant.
+
+About midnight M. de Bemis left us, saying in a melancholy manner
+that he feared he should be obliged to pass several months in Vienna
+on important diplomatic business.  Before parting we agreed to sup
+together every Friday.
+
+When we were alone M---- M---- told me that the ambassador would be
+obliged to me if in the future I would come to the casino two hours
+later.  I understood that the good-natured and witty profligate had a
+very natural prejudice against indulging his amorous feelings except
+when he was certain of being alone.
+
+M. de Bemis came to all our suppers till he left for Vienna, and
+always went away at midnight.  He no longer made use of his hiding-
+place, partly because we now only lay in the recess, and partly
+because, having had time to make love before my arrival, his desires
+were appeased.  M---- M---- always found me amorous.  My love,
+indeed, was even hotter than it had been, since, only seeing her once
+a week and remaining faithful to her, I had always an abundant
+harvest to gather in.  C---- C----'s letters which she brought to me
+softened me to tears, for she said that after the loss of her mother
+she could not count upon the friendship of any of her relations.  She
+called me her sole friend, her only protector, and in speaking of her
+grief in not being able to see me any more whilst she remained in the
+convent, she begged me to remain faithful to her dear friend.
+
+On Good Friday, when I got to the casino, I found the lovers over-
+whelmed with grief.  Supper was served, but the ambassador, downcast
+and absent, neither ate nor spoke; and M---- M---- was like a statue
+that moves at intervals by some mechanism.  Good sense and ordinary
+politeness prevented me from asking any questions, but on M---- M----
+leaving us together, M.  de Bemis told me that she was distressed,
+and with reason, since he was obliged to set out for Vienna fifteen
+days after Easter.  "I may tell you confidentially," he added, "that
+I believe I shall scarcely be able to return, but she must not be
+told, as she would be in despair."  M---- M---- came back in a few
+minutes, but it was easy to see that she had been weeping.
+
+After some commonplace conversation, M.  de Bernis, seeing M----M----
+still low-spirited, said,
+
+"Do not grieve thus, sweetheart, go I must, but my return is a matter
+of equal certainty when I have finished the important business which
+summons me to Vienna.  You will still have the casino, but, dearest,
+both friendship and prudence make me advise you not to come here in
+my absence, for after I have left Venice I cannot depend upon the
+faith of the gondoliers in my service, and I suspect our friend here
+cannot flatter himself on his ability to get reliable ones.  I may
+also tell you that I have strong reasons for suspecting that our
+intercourse is known to the State Inquisitors, who conceal their
+knowledge for political reasons, but I fancy the secret would soon
+come to light when I am no longer here, and when the nun who connives
+at your departure from the convent knows that it is no longer for me
+that you leave it.  The only people whom I would trust are the
+housekeeper and his wife.  I shall order them, before I go, to look
+upon our friend here as myself, and you can make your arrangements
+with them.  I trust all will go well till my return, if you will only
+behave discreetly.  I will write to you under cover of the
+housekeeper, his wife will give you my letters as before, and in the
+same way you may reply.  I must needs go, dearest one, but my heart
+is with you, and I leave you, till my return, in the hands of a
+friend, whom I rejoice to have known.  He loves you, he has a heart
+and knowledge of the world, and he will not let you make any
+mistakes."
+
+M---- M---- was so affected by what the ambassador had said that she
+entreated us to let her go, as she wished to be alone and to lie
+down.  As she went we agreed to sup together on the following
+Thursday.
+
+As soon as we were alone the ambassador impressed me with the
+absolute necessity of concealing from her that he was going to return
+no more.  "I am going," said he, "to work in concert with the
+Austrian cabinet on a treaty which will be the talk of Europe.  I
+entreat you to write to me unreservedly, and as a friend, and if you
+love our common mistress, have a care for her honour, and above all
+have the strength of mind to resist all projects which are certain to
+involve you in misfortune, and which will be equally fatal to both.
+You know what happened to Madame de Riva, a nun in the convent of
+St.----.  She had to disappear after it became known that she was
+with child, and M. de Frulai, my predecessor, went mad, and died
+shortly after.  J. J. Rousseau told me that he died of poison, but he
+is a visionary who sees the black side of everything.  For my part, I
+believe that he died of grief at not being able to do anything for
+the unfortunate woman, who afterwards procured a dispensation from
+her vows from the Pope, and having got married is now living at Padua
+without any position in society.
+
+"Let the prudent and loyal friend master the lover: go and see M----
+M---- sometimes in the parlour of the convent, but not here, or the
+boatmen will betray you.  The knowledge which we both have that the
+girls are in a satisfactory condition is a great alleviation to my
+distress, but you must confess that you have been very imprudent.
+You have risked a terrible misfortune; consider the position you
+would have been in, for I am sure you would not have abandoned her.
+She had an idea that the danger might be overcome by means of drugs
+but I convinced her that she was mistaken.  "In God's name, be
+discreet in the future, and write to me fully, for I shall always be
+interested in her fate, both from duty and sentiment."
+
+We returned together to Venice, where we separated, and I passed the
+rest of the night in great distress.  In the morning I wrote to the
+fair afflicted, and whilst endeavouring to console her to the best of
+my ability, I tried to impress on her the necessity for prudence and
+the avoidance of such escapades as might eventually ruin us.
+
+Next day I received her reply, every word of which spelt despair.
+Nature had given her a disposition which had become so intensified by
+indulgence that the cloister was unbearable to her, and I foresaw the
+hard fights I should have to undergo.
+
+We saw each other the Thursday after Easter, and I told her that I
+should not come to the casino before midnight.  She had had four
+hours to pass with her lover in tears and regrets, amongst which she
+had often cursed her cruel fate and the foolish resolution which made
+her take the veil.  We supped together, and although the meal was a
+rich and delicate one we did it little honour.  When we had finished,
+the ambassador left, entreating me to remain, which I did, without
+thinking at all of the pleasures of a party of two, for Love lighteth
+not his torch at the hearts of two lovers who are full of grief and
+sorrow.  M---- M---- had grown thin, and her condition excited my
+pity and shut out all other feelings.  I held her a long time in my
+arms, covering her with tender and affectionate kisses, but I shewed
+no intention of consoling her by amusements in which her spirit could
+not have taken part.  She said, before we parted, that I had shewn
+myself a true lover, and she asked me to consider myself from
+henceforth as her only friend and protector.
+
+Next week, when we were together as usual, M. de Bemis called the
+housekeeper just before supper, and in his presence executed a deed
+in my behalf, which he made him sign.  In this document he
+transferred to me all rights over the contents of the casino, and
+charged him to consider me in all things as his master.
+
+We arranged to sup together two days after, to make our farewells,
+but on my arrival I found by herself, standing up, and pale as death,
+or rather as white as a statue of Carrara marble.
+
+"He is gone," she said, "and he leaves me to your care.  Fatal being,
+whom perchance I shall see no more, whom I thought I loved but as a
+friend, now you are lost to me I see my mistake.  Before I knew him I
+was not happy, but neither was I unhappy as I now am."
+
+I passed the whole night beside her, striving by the most delicate
+attentions to soften her grief, but with out success.  Her character,
+as abandoned to sorrow as to pleasure, was displayed to me during
+that long and weary night.  She told me at what hour I should come to
+the convent parlour, the next day, and on my arrival I was delighted
+to find her not quite so sad.  She shewed me a letter which her lover
+had written to her from Trevisa, and she then told me that I must
+come and see her twice a week, warning me that she would be
+accompanied sometimes by one nun and sometimes by another, for she
+foresaw that my visits would become the talk of the convent, when it
+became known that I was the individual who used to go to mass at
+their church. She therefore told me to give in another name, to
+prevent C---- C----'s aunt from becoming suspicious.
+
+"Nevertheless," she added, "this will not prevent my coming alone
+when I nave any matter of importance to communicate to you.  Promise
+me, sweetheart, to sup and sleep at the casino at least once a week,
+and write me a note each time by the housekeeper's wife."
+
+I made no difficulty in promising her that much.
+
+We thus passed a fortnight quietly enough, as she was happy again,
+and her amorous inclinations had returned in full force.  About this
+time she gave me a piece of news which delighted me--namely, that
+C---- C---- had no longer anything to fear.
+
+Full of amorous wishes and having to be content with the teasing
+pleasure of seeing one another through a wretched grating, we racked
+our brains to find out some way to be alone together to do what we
+liked, without any risk.
+
+"I am assured," she said, "of the good faith of the gardener's
+sister.  I can go out and come in without fear of being seen, for the
+little door leading to the convent is not overlooked by any window--
+indeed it is thought to be walled up.  Nobody can see me crossing the
+garden to the little stream, which is considered unnavigable.  All we
+want is a one-oared gondola, and I cannot believe that with the help
+of money you will be unable to find a boatman on whom we may rely."
+
+I understood from these expressions that she suspected me of becoming
+cold towards her, and this suspicion pierced me to the heart.
+
+"Listen," said I, "I will be the boatman myself.  I will come to the
+quay, pass by the little door, and you shall lead me to your room
+where I will pass the whole night with you, and the day, too, if you
+think you can hide me."
+
+"That plan," said she, "makes me shudder.  I tremble at the danger to
+which you might be exposed.  No, I should be too unfortunate if I
+were to be the cause of your misfortune, but, as you can row, come in
+the boat, let me know the time as closely as possible; the trusty
+woman will be on the watch, and I will not keep you four minutes
+waiting.  I will get into the boat, we will go to our beloved casino,
+and then we shall be happy without fearing anything."
+
+"I will think it over"
+
+The way I took to satisfy her was as follows: I bought a small boat,
+and without telling her I went one night all by myself round the
+island to inspect the walls of the convent on the side of the lagune.
+With some difficulty I made out a little door, which I judged to be
+the only one by which she could pass, but to go from there to the
+casino was no small matter, since one was obliged to fetch a wide
+course, and with one oar I could not do the passage in less than a
+quarter of an hour, and that with much toil.  Nevertheless, feeling
+sure of success, I told my pretty nun of the plan, and never was news
+received with so much pleasure.  We set our watches together, and
+fixed our meeting for the Friday following.
+
+On the day appointed, an hour before sunset, I betook myself to St.
+Francis de la Vigne, where I kept my boat, and having set it in order
+and dressed myself as a boatman, I got upon the poop and held a
+straight course for the little door, which opened the moment I
+arrived.  M---- M---- came out wrapped in a cloak, and someone
+shutting the door after her she got on board my frail bark, and in a
+quarter of an hour we were at the casino.  M---- M---- made haste to
+go in, but I stayed to belay my boat with a lock and chain against
+thieves, who pass the night pleasantly by stealing whatever they can
+lay hands on.
+
+Though I had rowed easily enough, I was in a bath of perspiration,
+which, however, by no means hindered my charming mistress from
+falling on my neck; the pleasure of meeting seemed to challenge her
+love, and, proud of what I had done, I enjoyed her transports.
+
+Not dreaming that I should have any occasion for a change of linen, I
+had brought none with me, but she soon found a cure for this defect;
+for after having undressed me she dried me lovingly, gave me one of
+her smocks, and I found myself dressed to admiration.
+
+We had been too long deprived of our amorous pleasures to think of
+taking supper before we had offered a plenteous sacrifice to love.
+We spent two hours in the sweetest of intoxications, our bliss
+seeming more acute than at our first meeting.  In spite of the fire
+which consumed me, in spite of the ardour of my mistress, I was
+sufficiently master of myself to disappoint her at the critical
+moment, for the picture which our friend had drawn was always before
+my eyes.  M---- M----, joyous and wanton, having me for the first
+time in the character of boatman, augmented our delights by her
+amorous caprices, but it was useless for her to try to add fuel to my
+flame, since I loved her better than myself.
+
+The night was short, for she was obliged to return at three in the
+morning, and it struck one as we sat down to table.  As the climax of
+ill luck a storm came on whilst we were at supper.  Our hair stood on
+end; our only hope was founded in the nature of these squalls, which
+seldom last more than an hour.  We were in hopes, also, that it would
+not leave behind it too strong a wind, as is sometimes the case, for
+though I was strong and sturdy I was far from having the skill or
+experience of a professional boatman.
+
+In less than half an hour the storm became violent, one flash of
+lightning followed another, the thunder roared, and the wind grew to
+a gale.  Yet after a heavy rain, in less than an hour, the sky
+cleared, but there was no moon, it being the day after the Ascension.
+Two o'clock stuck.  I put my head out at the window, but perceive
+that a contrary gale is blowing.
+
+     'Ma tiranno del mar Libecchio resta.'
+
+This Libecchio which Ariosto calls--and with good reason--the tyrant
+of the sea, is the southwesterly wind, which is commonly called
+'Garbin' at Venice.  I said nothing, but I was frightened.  I told my
+sweetheart that we must needs sacrifice an hour of pleasure, since
+prudence would have it so.
+
+"Let us set out forthwith, for if the gale gets stronger I shall not
+be able to double the island."
+
+She saw my advice was not to be questioned, and taking the key of her
+strong box, whence she desired to get some money, she was delighted
+to find her store increased fourfold.  She thanked me for having told
+her nothing about it, assuring me she would have of me nothing but my
+heart, and following me she got into my boat and lay down at full
+length so as not to hinder its motion, I got upon the poop, as full
+of fear as courage, and in five minutes I had the good luck to double
+the point.  But there it was that the tyrant was waiting for me, and
+it was not long before I felt that my strength would not outlast that
+of the winds.  I rowed with all my strength, but all I could do was
+to prevent my boat from going back.  For half an hour I was in this
+pitiful state, and I felt my strength failing without daring to say a
+word.  I was out of breath, but could not rest a moment, since the
+least relaxation would have let the boat slip a far way back, and
+this would have been a distance hard to recover.  M---- M---- lay
+still and silent, for she perceived I had no breath wherewith to
+answer her.  I began to give ourselves up as lost.
+
+At that instant I saw in the distance a barque coming swiftly towards
+us.  What a piece of luck!  I waited till she caught us up, for if I
+had not done so I should not have been able to make myself heard, but
+as soon as I saw her at my left hand, twelve feet off, I shouted,
+"Help!  I will give two sequins!"
+
+They lowered sail and came towards me, and on their hailing me I
+asked for a man to take us to the opposite point of the island.  They
+asked a sequin in advance, I gave it them, and promised the other to
+the man who would get on my poop and help me to make the point.  In
+less than ten minutes we were opposite to the little stream leading
+to the convent, but the secret of it was too dear to be hazarded, so
+as soon as we reached the point I paid my preserver and sent him
+back.  Henceforth the wind was in our favour, and we soon got to the
+little door, where M---- M---- landed, saying to me, "Go and sleep in
+the casino."  I thought her advice wise, and I followed it, and
+having the wind behind me I got to the casino without trouble, and
+slept till broad day.  As soon as I had risen I wrote to my dear
+mistress that I was well, and that we should see each other at the
+grating.  Having taken my boat back to St. Francis, I put on my mask
+and went to Liston.
+
+In the morning M---- M---- came to the grating by herself, and we
+made all such observations as our adventures of the night would be
+likely to suggest, but in place of deciding to follow the advice
+which prudence should have given us-namely, not to expose ourselves
+to danger for the future, we thought ourselves extremely prudent in
+resolving that if we were again threatened by a storm we would set
+out as soon as we saw it rising.  All the same we had to confess that
+if chance had not thrown the barque in our way we should have been
+obliged to return to the casino, for M---- M---- could not have got
+to the convent, and how could she ever have entered its walls again?
+I should have been forced to leave Venice with her, and that for
+ever.  My life would have been finally and irretrievably linked with
+hers, and, without doubt, the various adventures which at the age of
+seventy-two years impel me to write these Memoirs, would never have
+taken place.
+
+For the next three months we continued to meet each other once a
+week, always amorous, and never disturbed by the slightest accidents.
+
+M---- M---- could not resist giving the ambassador a full account of
+our adventures, and I had promised to write to him, and always to
+write the whole truth.  He replied by congratulating us on our good
+fortune, but he prophesied inevitable disaster if we had not the
+prudence to stop our intercourse.
+
+Mr. Murray, the English ambassador, a witty and handsome man, and a
+great amateur of the fair sex, wine, and good cheer, then kept the
+fair Ancilla, who introduced me to him.  This fine fellow became my
+friend in much the same way as M. de Bernis, the only difference
+being that the Frenchman liked to look on while the Englishman
+preferred to give the show.  I was never unwelcome at their amorous
+battles, and the voluptuous Ancilla was delighted to have me for a
+witness.  I never gave them the pleasure of mingling in the strife.
+I loved M---- M----, but I should avow that my fidelity to her was
+not entirely dependent on my love.  Though Ancilla was handsome she
+inspired me with repugnance, for she was always hoarse, and
+complained of a sharp pain in the throat, and though her lover kept
+well, I was afraid of her, and not without cause, for the disease
+which ended the days of Francis I. of France brought her to the grave
+in the following autumn.  A quarter of an hour before she died, her
+brave Briton, yielding to the lascivious requests of this new
+Messalina, offered in my presence the last sacrifice, in spite of a
+large sore on her face which made her look hideous.
+
+This truly heroic action was known all over the town, and it was
+Murray himself who made it known, citing me as his witness.
+
+This famous courtezan, whose beauty was justly celebrated, feeling
+herself eaten away by an internal disease, promised to give a hundred
+louis to a doctor named Lucchesi, who by dint of mercury undertook to
+cure her, but Ancilla specified on the agreement that she was not to
+pay the aforesaid sum till Lucchesi had offered with her an amorous
+sacrifice.
+
+The doctor having done his business as well as he could wished to be
+paid without submitting to the conditions of the treaty, but Ancilla
+held her ground, and the matter was brought before a magistrate.
+
+In England, where all agreements are binding, Ancilla would have won
+her case, but at Venice she lost it.
+
+The judge, in giving sentence, said a condition, criminal per se, not
+fulfilled, did not invalidate an agreement--a sentence abounding in
+wisdom, especially in this instance.
+
+Two months before this woman had become disgusting, my friend M.
+Memmo, afterwards procurator, asked me to take him to her house.  In
+the height of the conversation, what should come but a gondola, and
+we saw Count Rosemberg, the ambassador from Vienna, getting out of
+it.  M. Memmo was thunderstruck (for a Venetian noble conversing with
+a foreign ambassador becomes guilty of treason to the state), and ran
+in hot haste from Ancilla's room, I after him, but on the stair he
+met the ambassador, who, seeing his distress, burst into a laugh, and
+passed on.  I got directly into M. Memmo's gondola, and we went
+forthwith to M. Cavalli, secretary to the State Inquisitors.
+M. Memmo could have taken no better course to avoid the troublesome
+consequences which this fatal meeting might have had, and he was very
+glad that I was with him to testify to his innocence and to the
+harmlessness of the occurrence.
+
+M. Cavalli received M.  Memmo with a smile, and told him he did well
+to come to confession without wasting any time.  M. Memmo, much
+astonished at this reception, told him the brief history of the
+meeting, and the secretary replied with a grave air that he had no
+doubt as to the truth of his story, as the circumstances were in
+perfect correspondence with what he knew of the matter.
+
+We came away extremely puzzled at the secretary's reply, and
+discussed the subject for some time, but then we came to the
+conclusion that M. Cavalli could have had no positive knowledge of
+the matter before we came, and that he only spoke as he did from the
+instinct of an Inquisitor, who likes it to be understood that nothing
+is hid from him for a moment.
+
+After the death of Ancilla, Mr. Murray remained without a titular
+mistress, but, fluttering about like a butterfly, he had, one after
+another, the prettiest girls in Venice.  This good-natured Epicurean
+set out for Constantinople two years later, and was for twenty years
+the ambassador of the Court of St. James at the Sublime Porte.  He
+returned to Venice in 1778 with the intention of ending his days
+there, far from affairs of state, but he died in the lazaretto eight
+days before the completion of his quarantine.
+
+At play fortune continued to favour me; my commerce with M---- M----
+could not be discovered now that I was my own waterman ; and the nuns
+who were in the secret were too deeply involved not to keep it.  I
+led them a merry life, but I foresaw that as soon as M. de Bernis
+decided to let M---- M---- know that he would not return to Venice,
+he would recall his people, and we should then have the casino no
+longer.  I knew, besides, that when the rough season came on it would
+be impossible for me by myself to continue our voyages.
+
+The first Monday in October, when the theatres are opened and masks
+may be worn, I went to St. Francis to get my boat, and thence to
+Muran for my mistress, afterwards making for the casino.  The nights
+were now long enough for us to have ample time for enjoyment, so we
+began by making an excellent supper, and then devoted ourselves to
+the worship of Love and Sleep.  Suddenly, in the midst of a moment of
+ecstasy, I heard a noise in the direction of the canal, which aroused
+my suspicions, and I rushed to the window.  What was my astonishment
+and anger to see a large boat taking mine in tow!  Nevertheless,
+without giving way to my passion, I shouted to the robbers that I
+would give them ten sequins if they would be kind enough to return me
+my boat.
+
+A shout of laughter was all the reply they made, and not believing
+what I said they continued their course.  What was I to do?  I dared
+not cry, "Stop thief!" and not being endued with the power of walking
+on the water dry-footed, I could not give chase to the robbers.  I
+was in the utmost distress, and for the moment M---- M---- shewed
+signs of terror, for she did not see how I could remedy this
+disaster.
+
+I dressed myself hastily, giving no more thoughts to love, my only
+comfort being that I had still two hours to get the indispensable
+boat, should it cost me a hundred sequins.  I should have been in no
+perplexity if I had been able to take one, but the gondoliers would
+infallibly make proclamation over the whole of Muran that they had
+taken a nun to such a convent, and all would have been lost.
+
+The only way, then, that was open to me was either to buy a boat or
+to steal one.  I put my pistols and dagger in my pocket, took some
+money, and with an oar on my shoulder set out.
+
+The robbers had filed the chain of my boat with a silent file; this I
+could not do, and I could only reckon on having the good luck to find
+a boat moored with cords.
+
+Coming to the large bridge I saw boats and to spare, but there were
+people on the quay, and I would not risk taking one.  Seeing a tavern
+open at the end of the quay I ran like a madman, and asked if there
+were any boatmen there; the drawer told me there were two, but that
+they were drunk.  I came up to them, and said, "Who will take me to
+Venice for eighty sous?"
+
+"I," and "I"; and they began to quarrel as to who should go.  I
+quieted them by giving forty sous to the more drunken of the two, and
+I went out with the other.
+
+As soon as we were on our way, I said,
+
+"You are too drunk to take me, lend me your boat, and I will give it
+you back to-morrow."
+
+"I don't know you."
+
+"I will deposit ten sequins, but your boat is not worth that.  Who
+will be your surety?"
+
+He took me back to the tavern, and the drawer went bail for him.
+Well pleased, I took my man to the boat, and having furnished it with
+a second oar and two poles he went away, chuckling at having made a
+good bargain, while I was as glad to have had the worst of it.  I had
+been an hour away, and on entering the casino found my dear M----
+M---- in an agony, but as soon as she saw my beaming face all the
+laughter came back on hers.  I took her to the convent, and then went
+to St. Francis, where the keeper of the boathouse looked as if he
+thought me a fool, when I told him that I had trucked away my boat
+for the one I had with me.  I put on my mask, and went forthwith to
+my lodging and to bed, for these annoyances had been too much for me.
+
+About this time my destiny made me acquainted with a nobleman called
+Mark Antony Zorzi, a man of parts and famous for his skill in writing
+verses in the Venetian dialect.  Zorzi, who was very fond of the
+play, and desired to offer a sacrifice to Thalia, wrote a comedy
+which the audience took the liberty of hissing; but having persuaded
+himself that his piece only failed through the conspiracies of the
+Abbe Chiari, who wrote for the Theatre of St. Angelo, he declared
+open war against all the abbe's plays.
+
+I felt no reluctance whatever to visit M. Zorzi, for he possessed an
+excellent cook and a charming wife.  He knew that I did not care for
+Chiari as an author, and M. Zorzi had in his pay people who, without
+pity, rhyme, or reason, hissed all the compositions of the
+ecclesiastical playwright.  My part was to criticise them in hammer
+verses--a kind of doggerel then much in fashion, and Zorzi took care
+to distribute my lucubrations far and wide.  These manoeuvres made me
+a powerful enemy in the person of M. Condulmer, who liked me none the
+better for having all the appearance of being in high favour with
+Madame Zorzi, to whom before my appearance he had paid diligent
+court.  This M. Condulmer was to be excused for not caring for me,
+for, having a large share in the St. Angelo Theatre, the failure of
+the abbe's pieces was a loss to him, as the boxes had to be let at a
+very low rent, and all men are governed by interested motives.
+
+This M.  Condulmer was sixty years old, but with all the greenness of
+youth he was still fond of women, gaming, and money, and he was, in
+fact, a money-lender, but he knew how to pass for a saint, as he took
+care to go to mass every morning at St. Mark's, and never omitted to
+shed tears before the crucifix.  The following year he was made a
+councillor, and in that capacity he was for eight months a State
+Inquisitor.  Having thus attained this diabolically-eminent, or
+eminently-diabolical, position, he had not much difficulty in shewing
+his colleagues the necessity of putting me under The Leads as a
+disturber of the peace of the Republic.  In the beginning of the
+winter the astounding news of the treaty between France and Austria
+was divulged--a treaty by which the political balance was entirely
+readjusted, and which was received with incredulity by the Powers.
+The whole of Italy had reason to rejoice, for the treaty guarded that
+fair land from becoming the theatre of war on the slightest
+difference which might arise between the two Powers.  What astonished
+the most acute was that this wonderful treaty was conceived and
+carried out by a young ambassador who had hitherto been famed only as
+a wit.  The first foundations had been laid in 1750 by Madame de
+Pompadour, Count Canes (who was created a prince), and M. 1'Abbe de
+Bernis, who was not known till the following year, when the king made
+him ambassador to Venice.  The House of Bourbon and the House of
+Hapsburg had been foes for two hundred and forty years when this
+famous treaty was concluded, but it only lasted for forty years, and
+it is not likely that any treaty will last longer between two courts
+so essentially opposed to one another.
+
+The Abbe de Bernis was created minister for foreign affairs some time
+after the ratification of the treaty; three years after he re-
+established the parliament, became a cardinal, was disgraced, and
+finally sent to Rome, where he died.  'Mors ultimo linea rerum est'.
+
+Affairs fell out as I had foreseen, for nine months after he left
+Venice he conveyed to M---- M---- the news of his recall, though he
+did it in the most delicate manner.  Nevertheless, M---- M---- felt
+the blow so severely that she would very possibly have succumbed, had
+I not been preparing her for it in every way I could think of  M. de
+Bernis sent me all instructions.
+
+He directed that all the contents of the casino should be sold and
+the proceeds given to M---- M----, with the exception of the books
+and prints which the housekeeper was ordered to bring to Paris.  It
+was a nice breviary for a cardinal, but would to God they had nothing
+worse!
+
+Whilst M---- M---- abandoned herself to grief I carried out the
+orders of M. de Bernis, and by the middle of January we had no longer
+a casino.  She kept by her two thousand sequins and her pearls,
+intending to sell them later on to buy herself an annuity.
+
+We were now only able to see each other at the grating; and soon,
+worn with grief, she fell dangerously ill, and on the 2nd of February
+I recognized in her features the symptoms of approaching death.  She
+sent me her jewel-case, with all her diamonds and nearly all her
+money, all the scandalous books she possessed, and all her letters,
+telling me that if she did not die I was to return her the whole, but
+that all belonged to me if, as she thought, she should succumb to the
+disease.  She also told me that C---- C---- was aware of her state,
+and asked me to take pity on her and write to her, as my letters were
+her only comfort, and that she hoped to have strength to read them
+till her latest breath.
+
+I burst into tears, for I loved her passionately, and I promised her
+to come and live in Muran until she recovered her health.
+
+Having placed the property in a gondola, I went to the Bragadin
+Palace to deposit it, and then returned to Muran to get Laura to find
+me a furnished room where I could live as I liked.  "I know of a good
+room, with meals provided," she said; "you will be quite comfortable
+and will get it cheaply, and if you like to pay in advance, you need
+not even say who you are.  The old man to whom the house belongs
+lives on the ground floor; he will give you all the keys and if you
+like you need see no one."
+
+She gave me the address, and I went there on the spot, and having
+found everything to my liking I paid a month in advance and the thing
+was done.  It was a little house at the end of a blind alley abutting
+on the canal.  I returned to Laura's house to tell her that I wanted
+a servant to get my food and to make my bed, and she promised to get
+me one by the next day.
+
+Having set all in order for my new lodging, I returned to Venice and
+packed my mails as if I were about to make a long journey.  After
+supper I took leave of M.  de Bragadin and of his two friends,
+telling them that I was going to be away for several weeks on
+important business.
+
+Next day, going to my new room, I was surprised to find there Tonine,
+Laura's daughter, a pretty girl not more than fifteen years old, who
+told me with a blush, but with more spirit than I gave her credit
+for, that she would serve me as well as her mother would have done.
+
+I was in too much distress to thank Laura for this pretty present,
+and I even determined that her daughter should not stay in my
+service.  We know how much such resolutions are commonly worth.  In
+the meanwhile I was kind to the girl: "I am sure," I said, "of your
+goodwill, but I must talk to your mother.  I must be alone," I added,
+"as I have to write all day, and I shall not take anything till the
+evening."  She then gave me a letter, begging pardon for not having
+given it me sooner.  "You must never forget to deliver messages,"
+I said, "for if you had waited any longer before bringing me this
+letter, it might have had the most serious consequences."  She
+blushed, begged pardon, and went out of the room.  The letter was
+from C---- C----, who told me that her friend was in bed, and that
+the doctor had pronounced her illness to be fever.  I passed the rest
+of the day in putting my room in order, and in writing to C---- C----
+and her suffering friend.
+
+Towards evening Tonine brought in the candles, and told me that my
+supper was ready.  "Follow me," I said.  Seeing that she had only
+laid supper for one--a pleasing proof of her modesty, I told her to
+get another knife and fork, as I wished her always to take her meals
+with me.  I can give no account of my motives.  I only wished to be
+kind to her, and I did everything in good faith.  By and by, reader,
+we shall see whether this is not one of the devices by which the
+devil compasses his ends.
+
+Not having any appetite, I ate little, but I thought everything good
+with the exception of the wine; but Tonine promised to get some
+better by the next day, and when supper was over she went to sleep in
+the ante-room.
+
+After sealing my letters, wishing to know whether the outer door was
+locked, I went out and saw Tonine in bed, sleeping peacefully, or
+pretending to do so.  I might have suspected her thoughts, but I had
+never been in a similar situation, and I measured the extremity of my
+grief by the indifference with which I looked at this girl; she was
+pretty, but for all that I felt that neither she nor I ran any risk.
+
+Next day, waking very early, I called her, and she came in neatly
+dressed.  I gave her my letter to C---- C----, which enclosed the
+letter to M---- M----, telling her to take it to her mother and then
+to return to make my coffee.
+
+"I shall dine at noon, Tonine," I said, "take care to get what is
+necessary in good time."
+
+"Sir, I prepared yesterday's supper myself, and if you like I can
+cook all your meals."
+
+"I am satisfied with your abilities, go on, and here is a sequin for
+expenses."
+
+"I still have a hundred and twenty sous remaining from the one you
+gave me yesterday, and that will be enough."
+
+"No, they are for yourself, and I shall give you as much every day."
+
+Her delight was so great that I could not prevent her covering my
+hand with kisses.  I took care to draw it back and not to kiss her in
+return, for I felt as if I should be obliged to laugh, and this would
+have dishonoured my grief.
+
+The second day passed like the first.  Tonine was glad that I said no
+more about speaking to her mother, and drew the conclusion that her
+services were agreeable to me.  Feeling tired and weak, and fearing
+that I should not wake early enough to send the letter to the
+convent, but not wishing to rouse Tonine if she were asleep, I called
+her softly.  She rose immediately and came into my room with nothing
+on but a slight petticoat.  Pretending to see nothing, I gave her my
+letter, and told her to take it to her mother in the morning before
+she came into my room.  She went out, saying that my instructions
+should be carried out, but as soon as she was gone I could not resist
+saying to myself that she was very pretty; and I felt both sad and
+ashamed at the reflection that this girl could very easily console
+me.  I hugged my grief, and I determined to separate myself from a
+being who made me forget it.
+
+"In the morning," I said, "I will tell Laura to get me something less
+seducing;" but the night brought counsel, and in the morning I put on
+the armour of sophism, telling myself that my weakness was no fault
+of the girl's, and that it would therefore be unjust to punish her
+for it.  We shall see, dear reader, how all this ended.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII
+
+Continues the Preceding Chapter--M. M. Recovers--I Return to Venice--
+Tonine Consoles Me--Decrease of My Love For M. M.--Doctor Righelini--
+Curious Conversation With Him--How This Conversation Affected M. M.--
+Mr. Murray Undeceived and Avenged
+
+
+Tontine had what is called tact and common sense, and thinking these
+qualities were required in our economy she behaved with great
+delicacy, not going to bed before receiving my letters, and never
+coming into my room except in a proper dress, and all this pleased
+me.  For a fortnight M---- M---- was so ill that I expected every
+moment to hear the news of her death.  On Shrove Tuesday C---- C----
+wrote that her friend was not strong enough to read my letter, and
+that she was going to receive 'extreme unction'.  This news so
+shocked me that I could not rise, and passed the whole day in weeping
+and writing, Tonine not leaving me till midnight.  I could not sleep.
+On Ash Wednesday I got a letter, in which C---- C---- told me that
+the doctor had no hopes for her friend, and that he only gave her a
+fortnight to live.  A low fever was wasting her away, her weakness
+was extreme, and she could scarcely swallow a little broth.  She had
+also the misfortune to be harassed by her confessor, who made her
+foretaste all the terrors of death.  I could only solace my grief by
+writing, and Tonine now and again made bold to observe that I was
+cherishing my grief, and that it would be the death of me.  I knew
+myself that I was making my anguish more poignant, and that keeping
+to my bed, continued writing, and no food, would finally drive me
+mad.  I had told my grief to poor Tonine, whose chief duty was to
+wipe away my tears.  She had compassion on me.
+
+A few days later, after assuring C---- C---- that if our friend died
+I should not survive her, I asked her to tell M---- M---- that if she
+wanted me to take care of my life she must promise to let me carry
+her off on her recovery.
+
+"I have," I said, "four thousand sequins and her diamonds, which are
+worth six thousand; we should, therefore, have a sufficient sum to
+enable us to live honourably in any part of Europe."
+
+C---- C---- wrote to me on the following day, and said that my
+mistress, after hearing my letter read, had fallen into a kind of
+convulsion, and, becoming delirious, she talked incessantly in French
+for three whole hours in a fashion which would have made all the nuns
+take to their heels, if they had understood her.  I was in despair,
+and was nearly raving as wildly as my poor nun.  Her delirium lasted
+three days, and as soon as she got back her reason she charged her
+young friend to tell me that she was sure to get well if I promised
+to keep to my word, and to carry her off as soon as her health would
+allow.  I hastened to reply that if I lived she might be sure my
+promise would be fulfilled.
+
+Thus continuing to deceive each other in all good faith, we got
+better, for every letter from C---- C----, telling me how the
+convalescence of her friend was progressing, was to me as balm.  And
+as my mind grew more composed my appetite also grew better, and my
+health improving day by day, I soon, though quite unconsciously,
+began to take pleasure in the simple ways of Tonine, who now never
+left me at night before she saw that I was asleep.
+
+Towards the end of March M---- M---- wrote to me herself, saying that
+she believed herself out of danger, and that by taking care she hoped
+to be able to leave her room after Easter.  I replied that I should
+not leave Muran till I had the pleasure of seeing her at the grating,
+where, without hurrying ourselves, we could plan the execution of our
+scheme.
+
+It was now seven weeks since M. de Bragadin had seen me, and thinking
+that he would be getting anxious I resolved to go and see him that
+very day.  Telling Tonine that I should not be back till the evening,
+I started for Venice without a cloak, for having gone to Muran masked
+I had forgotten to take one.  I had spent forty-eight days without
+going out of my room, chiefly in tears and distress, and without
+taking any food.  I had just gone through an experience which
+flattered my self-esteem.  I had been served by a girl who would have
+passed for a beauty anywhere in Europe.  She was gentle, thoughtful,
+and delicate, and without being taxed with foppishness I think I may
+say that, if she was not in love with me, she was at all events
+inclined to please me to the utmost of her ability; for all that I
+had been able to withstand her youthful charms, and I now scarcely
+dreaded them.  Seeing her every day, I had dispersed my amorous
+fancies, and friendship and gratitude seemed to have vanquished all
+other feelings, for I was obliged to confess that this charming girl
+had lavished on me the most tender and assiduous care.
+
+She had passed whole nights on a chair by my bedside, tending me like
+a mother, and never giving me the slightest cause for complaint.
+
+Never had I given her a kiss, never had I allowed myself to undress
+in her presence, and never (with one exception) had she come into my
+room without being properly dressed.  For all that, I knew that I had
+fought a battle, and I felt inclined to boast at having won the
+victory.  There was only one circumstance that vexed me--namely, that
+I was nearly certain that neither M. M. nor C. C. would consider such
+continence to be within the bounds of possibility, if they heard of
+it, and that Laura herself, to whom her daughter would tell the whole
+story, would be sceptical, though she might out of kindness pretend
+to believe it all.
+
+I got to M. de Bragadin's just as the soup was being served.  He
+welcomed me heartily, and was delighted at having foreseen that I
+should thus surprise them.  Besides my two other old friends, there
+were De la Haye, Bavois, and Dr. Righelini at table.
+
+"What! you without a cloak!" said M. Dandolo.
+
+"Yes," said I ; "for having gone out with my mask on I forgot to
+bring one:"
+
+At this they laughed, and, without putting myself out, I sat down.
+No one asked where I had been so long, for it was understood that
+that question should be left to me to answer or not.  Nevertheless,
+De la Haye, who was bursting with curiosity, could not refrain from
+breaking some jests on me.
+
+"You have got so thin," said he, "that uncharitable people will be
+rather hard on you."
+
+"I trust they will not say that I have been passing my time with the
+Jesuits."
+
+"You are sarcastic.  They may say, perhaps, that you have passed your
+time in a hot-house under the influence of Mercury."
+
+"Don't be afraid, sir, for to escape this hasty judgment I shall go
+back this evening."
+
+"No, no, I am quite sure you will not."
+
+"Believe me, sir," said I, with a bantering tone, "that I deem your
+opinion of too much consequence not to be governed by it."
+
+Seeing that I was in earnest, my friends were angry with him; and the
+Aristarchus was in some confusion.
+
+Righelini, who was one of Murray's intimate friends, said to me in a
+friendly way that he had been longing to tell Murray of my re-
+appearance, and of the falsity of all the reports about me.
+
+"We will go to sup with him," said I, "and I will return after
+supper."
+
+Seeing that M. de Bragadin and his two friends were uneasy about me,
+I promised to dine with them on April 25th, St. Mark's Day.
+
+As soon as Mr. Murray saw me, he fell on my neck and embraced me.  He
+introduced me to his wife, who asked me to supper with great
+politeness.  After Murray had told me the innumerable stories which
+had been made about my disappearance, he asked me if I knew a little
+story by the Abbe Chiari, which had come out at the end of the
+carnival.  As I said that I knew nothing about it, he gave me a copy,
+telling me that I should like it.  He was right.  It was a satire in
+which the Zorzi clique was pulled to pieces, and in which I played a
+very poor part.  I did not read it till some time after, and in the
+mean time put it in my pocket.  After a very good supper I took a
+gondola to return to Muran.
+
+It was midnight and very dark, so that I did not perceive the gondola
+to be ill covered and in wretched order.  A fine rain was falling
+when I got in, and the drops getting larger I was soon wet to the
+skin.  No great harm was done, as I was close to my quarters.  I
+groped my way upstairs and knocked at the door of the ante-room,
+where Tonine, who had not waited for me, was sleeping.
+Awake in a moment she came to open the door in her smock, and without
+a light.  As I wanted one, I told her to get the flint and steel,
+which she did, warning me in a modest voice that she was not dressed.
+"That's of no consequence," said I, "provided you are covered."  She
+said no more, and soon lighted a candle, but she could not help
+laughing when she saw me dripping wet.
+
+"I only want you, my dear," said I, "to dry my hair."  She quickly
+set to work with powder and powder-puff in hand, but her smock was
+short and loose at the top, and I repented, rather too late, that I
+had not given her time to dress.  I felt that all was lost, all the
+more as having to use both her hands she could not hold her smock and
+conceal two swelling spheres more seductive than the apples of the
+Hesperides.  How could I help seeing them?  I shut my eyes and, said
+"For shame!" but I gave in at last, and fixed such a hungry gaze upon
+poor Tonine that she blushed.  "Come," said I, "take your smock
+between your teeth and then I shall see no more."  But it was worse
+than before, and I had only added fuel to the fire; for, as the veil
+was short, I could see the bases and almost the frieze of two marble
+columns; and at this sight I gave a voluptuous cry.  Not knowing how
+to conceal everything from my gaze, Tonine let herself fall on the
+sofa, and I, my passions at fever-heat, stood beside her, not knowing
+what to do.
+
+"Well," she said, "shall I go and dress myself and then do your
+hair?"
+
+"No, come and sit on my knee, and cover my eyes with your hands."
+She came obediently, but the die was cast, and my resistance
+overcome.  I clasped her between my arms, and without any more
+thoughts of playing at blind man's buff I threw her on the bed and
+covered her with kisses.  And as I swore that I would always love
+her, she opened her arms to receive me in a way that shewed how long
+she had been waiting for this moment.
+
+I plucked the rose, and then, as ever, I thought it the rarest I had
+ever gathered since I had laboured in the harvest of the fruitful
+fields of love.
+
+When I awoke in the morning I found myself more deeply in love with
+Tonine than I had been with any other woman.  She had got up without
+waking me, but as soon as she heard me stirring she came, and I
+tenderly chid her for not waiting for me to give her good morrow.
+Without answering she gave me M---- M---- 's letter.  I thanked her,
+but putting the letter on one side I took her in my arms, and set her
+by my side.  "What a wonder!" cried Tonine.  "You are not in a hurry
+to read that letter!  Faithless man, why did you not let me cure you
+six weeks ago.  How lucky I am; thanks to the rain!  I do not blame
+you, dear, but love me as you love her who writes to you every day,
+and I shall be satisfied."
+
+"Do you know who she is?"
+
+"She lives in a boarding-house, and is as beautiful as an angel; but
+she is there, and I am here.  You are my master, and I will be your
+servant as long as you like."
+
+I was glad to leave her in error, and swore an ever-lasting love; but
+during our conversation she had let herself drop down in the bottom
+of the bed, and I entreated her to lie down again; but she said that
+on the contrary it was time for me to get up for dinner, for she
+wanted to give me a dainty meal cooked in the Venetian manner.
+
+"Who is the cook?" said I.
+
+"I am, and I have been using all my skill on it since five, when I
+got up."
+
+"What time is it now, then?"
+
+"Past one."
+
+The girl astonished me.  She was no longer the shy Tonine of last
+night; she had that exultant air which happiness bestows, and the
+look of pleasure which the delights of love give to a young beauty.
+I could not understand how I had escaped from doing homage to her
+beauty when I first saw her at her mother's house.  But I was then
+too deeply in love with C---- C----; I was in too great distress;
+and, moreover, Tonine was then unformed.  I got up, and making her
+bring me a cup of coffee I asked her to keep the dinner back for a
+couple of hours.
+
+I found M---- M----'s letter affectionate, but not so interesting as
+it would have been the day before.  I set myself to answer it, and
+was almost thunderstruck to find the task, for the first time, a
+painful one.  However, my short journey to Venice supplied me with
+talk which covered four pages.
+
+I had an exquisite dinner with my charming Tonine.  Looking at her as
+at the same time my wife, my mistress, and my housekeeper, I was
+delighted to find myself made happy at such a cheap rate.  We spent
+the whole day at the table talking of our love, and giving each other
+a thousand little marks of it; for there is no such rich and pleasant
+matter for conversation as when they who talk are parties to an
+amorous suit.  She told with charming simplicity that she knew
+perfectly well that she could not make me amorous of her, because I
+loved another, and that her only hope was therefore in a surprise,
+and that she had foreseen the happy moment when I told her that she
+need not dress herself to light a candle.
+
+Tonine was naturally quick-witted, but she did not know either how to
+read or to write.  She was enchanted to see herself become rich (for
+she thought herself so) without a soul at Muran being able to breathe
+a word against her honour.  I passed three weeks in the company of
+this delightful girl--weeks which I still reckon among the happiest
+of my life; and what embitters my old age is that, having a heart as
+warm as ever, I have no longer the strength necessary to secure a
+single day as blissful as those which I owed to this charming girl.
+
+Towards the end of April I saw M. M. at the grating, looking thin and
+much changed, but out of danger.  I therefore returned to Venice.  In
+my interview, calling my attachment and tender feelings to my aid, I
+succeeded in behaving myself in such wise that she could not possibly
+detect the change which a new love had worked in my heart.  I shall
+be, I trust, easily believed when I say that I was not imprudent
+enough to let her suspect that I had given up the idea of escaping
+with her, upon which she counted more than ever.  I was afraid lest
+she should fall ill again, if I took this hope away from her.  I kept
+my casino, which cost me little, and as I went to see M. M. twice a
+week I slept there on those occasions, and made love with my dashing
+Tonine.
+
+Having kept my word with my friends by dining with them on St. Mark's
+Day, I went with Dr. Righelini to the parlour of the Vierges to see
+the taking of the veil.
+
+The Convent of the Vierges is within the jurisdiction of the Doge,
+whom the nuns style "Most Serene Father."  They all belong to the
+first families in Venice.
+
+While I was praising the beauty of Mother M---- E----- to Dr.
+Righelini, he whispered to me that he could get her me for a money
+payment, if I were curious in the matter.  A hundred sequins for her
+and ten sequins for the go-between was the price fixed on.  He
+assured me that Murray had had her, and could have her again.  Seeing
+my surprise, he added that there was not a nun whom one could not
+have by paying for her: that Murray had the courage to disburse five
+hundred sequins for a nun of Muran--a rare beauty, who was afterwards
+the mistress of the French ambassador.
+
+Though my passion for M---- M---- was on the wane, I felt my heart
+gripped as by a hand of ice, and it was with the greatest difficulty
+that I made no sign.  Notwithstanding, I took the story for an
+atrocious calumny, but yet the matter was too near my heart for me to
+delay in bringing it to light at the earliest opportunity.  I
+therefore replied to Righelini in the calmest manner possible, that
+one or two nuns might be had for money, but that it could happen very
+rarely on account of the difficulties in most convents.
+
+"As for the nun of Muran, justly famous for her beauty, if she be
+M---- M----, nun of the convent..., I not only disbelieve that Murray
+ever had her, but I am sure she was never the French ambassador's
+mistress.  If he knew her it could only have been at the grating,
+where I really cannot say what happens."
+
+Righelini, who was an honourable and spirited man, answered me coldly
+that the English ambassador was a man of his word, and that he had
+the story from his own lips.
+
+"If Mr. Murray," he continued, "had not told it me under the seal of
+secrecy I would make him tell it you himself.  I shall be obliged if
+you will take care that he never knows I told you of it."
+
+"You may rely on my discretion."
+
+The same evening, supping at Murray's casino with Righelini, having
+the matter at heart, and seeing before me the two men who could clear
+up everything to my satisfaction, I began to speak with enthusiasm of
+the beauty of M---- E----, whom I had seen at the Vierges.
+
+Here the ambassador struck in, taking the ball on the hop:
+
+"Between friends," said he, "you can get yourself the enjoyment of
+those charms, if you are willing to sacrifice a sum of money--not too
+much, either, but you must have the key."
+
+"Do you think you have it?"
+
+"No, I am sure; and had less trouble than you might suppose."
+
+"If you are sure; I congratulate you, and doubt no more.  I envy your
+fortune, for I don't believe a more perfect beauty could be found in
+all the convents of Venice."
+
+"There you are wrong.  Mother M---- M----, at ---- in Muran, is
+certainly handsomer."
+
+"I have heard her talked of and I have seen her once, but I do not
+think it possible that she can be procured for money."
+
+"I think so," said he, laughing, "and when I think I mostly have good
+reasons."
+
+"You surprise me; but all the same I don't mind betting you are
+deceived."
+
+"You would lose.  As you have only seen her once, I suppose you would
+not recognize her portrait?"
+
+"I should, indeed, as her face left a strong impression on my mind."
+
+"Wait a minute."
+
+He got up from the table, went out, and returned a minute after with
+a box containing eight or ten miniatures, all in the same style,
+namely, with hair in disorder and bare necks.
+
+"These," said I, "are rare charms, with which you have doubtless a
+near acquaintance?"
+
+"Yes, and if you recognize any of them be discreet."
+
+"You need not be afraid.  Here are three I recognize, and this looks
+like M---- M----; but confess that you may have been deceived--at
+least, that you did not have her in the convent or here, for there
+are women like her."
+
+"Why do you think I have been deceived?  I have had her here in her
+religious habit, and I have spent a whole night with her; and it was
+to her individually that I sent a purse containing five hundred
+sequins.  I gave fifty to the good procurer."
+
+"You have, I suppose, visited her in the parlour, after having her
+here?"
+
+"No, never, as she was afraid her titular lover might hear of it.
+You know that was the French ambassador."
+
+"But she only saw him in the parlour;"
+
+"She used to go to his house in secular dress whenever he wanted her.
+I was told that by the man who brought her here."
+
+"Have you had her several times?"
+
+"Only once and that was enough, but I can have her whenever I like
+for a hundred sequins."
+
+"All that may be the truth, but I would wager five hundred sequins
+that you have been deceived."
+
+"You shall have your answer in three days."
+
+I was perfectly certain, I repeat, that the whole affair was a piece
+of knavery; but it was necessary to have it proved, and I shuddered
+when the thought came into my head that after all it might be a true
+story.  In this case I should have been freed from a good many
+obligations, but I was strongly persuaded of her innocence.  At all
+events, if I were to find her guilty (which was amongst possible
+occurrences), I resigned myself to lose five hundred sequins as the
+price of this horrible discovery and addition to my experience of
+life.  I was full of restless anguish--the worst, perhaps, of the
+torments of the mind.  If the honest Englishman had been the victim
+of a mystification, or rather knavery, my regard for M---- M----'s
+honour compelled me to find a way to undeceive him without
+compromising her; and such was my plan, and thus fortune favoured me.
+Three or four days after, Mr. Murray told the doctor that he wished
+to see me.  We went to him, and he greeted me thus:
+
+"I have won; for a hundred sequins I can have the fair nun!
+
+"Alas!" said I, "there go my five hundred sequins."
+
+"No, not five hundred, my dear fellow, for I should be ashamed to win
+so much of you, but the hundred she would cost me.  If I win, you
+shall pay for my pleasure, and if I lose I shall give her nothing."
+
+"How is the problem to be solved?"  "My Mercury tells me that we must
+wait for a day when masks are worn.  He is endeavouring at present to
+find out a way to convince both of us; for otherwise neither you nor
+I would feel compelled to pay the wager, and if I really have M. M.
+my honour would not allow me to let her suspect that I had betrayed
+the secret."
+
+"No, that would be an unpardonable crime.  Hear my plan, which will
+satisfy us both; for after it has been carried out each of us will be
+sure that he has fairly won or fairly lost.
+
+"As soon as you have possessed yourself of the real or pretended nun,
+leave her on some pretext, and meet me in a place to be agreed upon.
+We will then go together to the convent, and I will ask for M. M.
+
+Will seeing her and speaking to her convince you that the woman you
+have left at home is a mere impostor?"
+
+"Perfectly, and I shall pay my wager with the greatest willingness."
+
+"I may say the same.  If, when I summon M. M. to the parlour, the
+lay-sister tells us she is ill or busy, we will go, and the wager
+will be yours; you will sup with the fair, and I will go elsewhere."
+
+"So be it; but since all this will be at nighttime, it is possible
+that when you ask for her, the sister will tell you that no one can
+be seen at such an hour."
+
+"Then I shall lose."
+
+"You are quite sure, then, that if she be in the convent she will
+come down?"
+
+"That's my business.  I repeat, if you don't speak to her, I shall
+hold myself to have lost a hundred sequins, or a thousand if you
+like."
+
+"One can't speak plainer than that, my dear fellow, and I thank you
+beforehand."
+
+"The only thing I ask you is to come sharp to time; and not to come
+too late for a convent."
+
+"Will an hour after sunset suit you?"
+
+"Admirably."
+
+"I shall also make it my business to compel my masked mistress to
+stop where she is, even though it be M. M. herself."
+
+"Some won't have long to wait, if you will take her to a casino which
+I myself possess at Muran, and where I secretly keep a girl of whom I
+am amorous.  I will take care that she shall not be there on the
+appointed day, and I will give you the key of the casino.  I shall
+also see that you find a delicate cold supper ready."
+
+"That is admirable, but I must be able to point out the place to my
+Mercury."
+
+"True!  I will give you a supper to-morrow, the greatest secrecy to
+be observed between us.  We will go to my casino in a gondola, and
+after supper we will go out by the street door; thus you will know
+the way by land and water.  You will only have to tell the procurer
+the name of the canal and of the house, and on the day fixed you
+shall have the key.  You will only find there an old man who lives on
+the ground floor, and he will see neither those who go out nor those
+who come in.  My sweetheart will see nothing and will not be seen;
+and all, trust me, will turn out well."
+
+"I begin to think that I have lost my bet," said the Englishman, who
+was delighted with the plan; "but it matters not, I can gaily
+encounter either loss or gain."  We made our appointment for the next
+day, and separated.
+
+On the following morning I went to Muran to warn Tonine that I was
+going to sup with her, and to bring two of my friends; and as my
+English friend paid as great court to Bacchus as to Cupid, I took
+care to send my little housekeeper several bottles of excellent wine.
+
+Charmed with the prospect of doing the honours of the table, Tonine
+only asked me if my friends would go away after supper.  I said yes,
+and this reply made her happy; she only cared for the dessert.
+
+After leaving her I went to the convent and passed an hour with M. M.
+in the parlour.  I was glad to see that she was getting back her
+health and her beauty every day, and having complimented her upon it
+I returned to Venice.  In the evening my two friends kept their
+appointments to the minute, and we went to my little casino at two
+hours after sunset.
+
+Our supper was delicious, and my Tonine charmed me with the
+gracefulness of her carriage.  I was delighted to see Righelini
+enchanted, and the ambassador dumb with admiration.  When I was in
+love I did not encourage my friends to cajole my sweetheart, but I
+became full of complaisance when time had cooled the heat of my
+passion.
+
+We parted about midnight, and having taken Mr.  Murray to the spot
+where I was to wait for him on the day of trial, I returned to
+compliment my charming Tonine as she deserved.  She praised my two
+friends, and could not express her surprise at seeing our English
+friend going away, fresh and nimble on his feet, notwithstanding his
+having emptied by himself six bottles of my best wine.  Murray looked
+like a fine Bacchus after Rubens.
+
+On Whit Sunday Righelini came to tell me that the English ambassador
+had made all arrangements with the pretended procurer of M. M. for
+Whit Tuesday.  I gave him the keys of my abode at Muran, and told him
+to assure Murray that I would keep the appointment at the exact time
+arranged upon.
+
+My impatience brought on palpitation of the heart, which was
+extremely painful, and I passed the two nights without closing an
+eye; for although I was convinced of M---- M----'s innocence, my
+agitation was extreme.  But whence all this anxiety?  Merely from a
+desire to see the ambassador undeceived.  M. M. must in his eyes have
+seemed a common prostitute, and the moment in which he would be
+obliged to confess himself the victim of roguery would re-establish
+the honour of the nun.
+
+Mr. Murray was as impatient as myself, with this difference, that
+whereas he, looking upon the adventure as a comic one, only laughed,
+I who found it too tragic shuddered with indignation.
+
+On Tuesday morning I went to Muran to tell Tonine to get a cold
+supper after my instruction, to lay the table for two, to get wax
+lights ready, and having sent in several bottles of wine I bade her
+keep to the room occupied by the old landlord, and not to come out
+till the people who were coming in the evening were gone.  She
+promised to do so, and asked no questions.  After leaving her I went
+to the convent parlour, and asked to see M---- M----.  Not expecting
+to see me, she asked me why I had not gone to the pageant of the
+Bucentaur, which, the weather being favourable, would set out on this
+day.  I do not know what I answered, but I know that she found my
+words little to the purpose.  I came at last to the important point,
+and told her I was going to ask a favour of her, on which my peace of
+mind depended, but which she must grant blindly without asking any
+questions.
+
+"Tell me what I am to do, sweetheart," said she, "and be sure I will
+refuse nothing which may be in my power."
+
+"I shall be here this evening an hour after sunset, and ask for you
+at this grating; come.  I shall be with another man, to whom I beg of
+you to say a few words of politeness; you can then leave us.  Let us
+find some pretext to justify the unseasonable hour."
+
+"I will do what you ask, but you cannot imagine how troublesome it is
+in a convent, for at six o'clock the parlours are shut up and the
+keys are taken to the abbess' room.  However, as you only want me for
+five minutes, I will tell the abbess that I am expecting a letter
+from my brother, and that it can be sent to me on this evening only.
+You must give me a letter that the nun who will be with me may be
+able to say that I have not been guilty of deception."
+
+"You will not come alone, then?"
+
+"I should not dare even to ask for such a privilege."
+
+"Very good, but try to come with some old nun who is short-sighted."
+
+"I will keep the light in the background."
+
+"Pray do not do so, my beloved; on the contrary, place it so that you
+may be distinctly seen."
+
+"All this is very strange, but I have promised passive obedience, and
+I will come down with two lights.  May I hope that you will explain
+this riddle to me at your next interview?"
+
+"By to-morrow, at latest, you shall know the whole story."
+
+"My curiosity will prevent me from sleeping."
+
+"Not so, dear heart; sleep peacefully, and be sure of my gratitude."
+
+The reader will think that after this conversation my heart was
+perfectly at rest; but how far was I from resting!  I returned to
+Venice, tortured lest I should be told in the evening at the door of
+the cathedral, where we were to meet, that the nun had been obliged
+to put off her appointment.  If that had happened, I should not have
+exactly suspected M---- M----, but the ambassador would have thought
+that I had caused the scheme to miscarry.  It is certain that in that
+case I should not have taken my man to the parlour, but should have
+gone there sadly by myself.
+
+I passed the whole day in these torments, thinking it would never
+come to an end, and in the evening I put a letter in my pocket, and
+went to my post at the hour agreed upon.
+
+Fortunately, Murray kept the appointment exactly.
+
+"Is the nun there?" said I, as soon as he was near me.
+
+"Yes, my dear fellow.  We will go, if you like, to the parlour; but
+you will find that we shall be told she is ill or engaged.  If you
+like, the bet shall be off."
+
+"God forbid, my dear fellow!  I cling to that hundred ducats.  Let us
+be gone."
+
+We presented ourselves at the wicket, and I asked for M---- M----,
+and the doorkeeper made me breathe again by saying that I was
+expected.  I entered the parlour with my English friend, and saw that
+it was lighted by four candles.  I cannot recall these moments
+without being in love with life.  I take note not only of my noble
+mistress's innocence, but also of the quickness of her wit.  Murray
+remained serious, without a smile on his face.  Full of grace and
+beauty, M---- M---- came into the room with a lay-sister, each of
+them holding a candlestick.  She paid me a compliment in good French;
+I gave her the letter, and looking at the address and the seal she
+put it in her pocket.  After thanking me and saying she would reply
+in due course, she turned towards my companion:
+
+"I shall, perhaps, make you lose the first act of the opera," said
+she.
+
+"The pleasure of seeing you, madam, is worth all the operas in the
+world."
+
+"You are English, I think?"
+
+"Yes, madam."
+
+"The English are now the greatest people in the world, because they
+are free and powerful.  Gentlemen, I wish you a very good evening."
+
+I had never seen M---- M---- looking so beautiful as then, and I went
+out of the parlour ablaze with love, and glad as I had never been
+before.  I walked with long strides towards my casino, without taking
+notice of the ambassador, who did not hurry himself in following me;
+I waited for him at my door.
+
+"Well," said I, "are you convinced now that you have been cheated?"
+
+"Be quiet, we have time enough to talk about that.  Let us go
+upstairs."
+
+"Shall I come?"
+
+"Do.  What do you think I could do by myself for four hours with that
+creature who is waiting for me?  We will amuse ourselves with her."
+
+"Had we not better turn her out?"
+
+"No; her master is coming for her at two o'clock in the morning.  She
+would go and warn him, and he would escape my vengeance.  We will
+throw them both out of the window."
+
+"Be moderate, for M---- M----s honour depends on the secrecy we
+observe.  Let us go upstairs.  We shall have some fun.  I should like
+to see the hussy."
+
+Murray was the first to enter the room.  As soon as the girl saw me,
+she threw her handkerchief over her face, and told the ambassador
+that such behaviour was unworthy of him.  He made no answer.  She was
+not so tall as M---- M----, and she spoke bad French.
+
+Her cloak and mask were on the bed, but she was dressed as a nun.  As
+I wanted to see her face, I politely asked her to do me the favour of
+shewing it.
+
+"I don't know you," said she; "who are you?"
+
+"You are in my house, and don't know who I am?"
+
+"I am in your house because I have been betrayed.  I did not think
+that I should have to do with a scoundrel."
+
+At this word Murray commanded her to be silent, calling her by the
+name of her honourable business; and the slut got up to take her
+cloak, saying she would go.  Murray pushed her back, and told her
+that she would have to wait for her worthy friend, warning her to
+make no noise if she wanted to keep out of prison.
+
+"Put me in prison!"
+
+With this she directed her hand towards her dress, but I rushed
+forward and seized one hand while Murray mastered the other.  We
+pushed her back on a chair while we possessed ourselves of the
+pistols she carried in her pockets.
+
+Murray tore away the front of her holy habit, and I extracted a
+stiletto eight inches long, the false nun weeping bitterly all the
+time.
+
+"Will you hold your tongue, and keep quiet till Capsucefalo comes,"
+said the ambassador, "or go to prison?"
+
+"If I keep quiet what will become of me?"
+
+"I promise to let you go."
+
+"With him?"
+
+"Perhaps."
+
+"Very well, then, I will keep quiet."
+
+"Have you got any more weapons?"
+
+Hereupon the slut took off her habit and her petticoat, and if we had
+allowed her she would have soon been in a state of nature, no doubt
+in the expectation of our passions granting what our reason refused.
+I was much astonished to find in her only a false resemblance to
+M.M.  I remarked as much to the ambassador, who agreed with me, but
+made me confess that most men, prepossessed with the idea that they
+were going to see M. M., would have fallen into the same trap.  In
+fact, the longing to possess one's self of a nun who has renounced
+all the pleasures of the world, and especially that of cohabitation
+with the other sex, is the very apple of Eve, and is more delightful
+from the very difficulty of penetrating the convent grating.
+
+Few of my readers will fail to testify that the sweetest pleasures
+are those which are hardest to be won, and that the prize, to obtain
+which one would risk one's life, would often pass unnoticed if it
+were freely offered without difficulty or hazard.
+
+In the following chapter, dear reader, you will see the end of this
+farcical adventure.  In the mean time, let us take a little breath.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV
+
+Pleasant Ending of the Adventure of the False Nun--M. M. Finds Out
+That I Have d Mistress--She is Avenged on the Wretch Capsucefalo--
+I Ruin Myself at Play, and at the Suggestion of M. M. I Sell all Her
+Diamonds, One After Another--I Hand Over Tonine to Murray, Who Makes
+Provision for Her--Her Sister Barberine Takes Her Place.
+
+
+How did you make this nice acquaintance?" I asked the ambassador.
+
+"Six months ago," he replied, "while standing at the convent gate
+with Mr. Smith, our consul, in whose company I had been to see some
+ceremony or other, I remarked to him, as we were talking over some
+nuns we had noticed, 'I would gladly give five hundred sequins for a
+few hours of Sister M---- M----s company.'  Count Capsucefalo heard
+what I said, but made no remark.  Mr. Smith answered that one could
+only see her at the grating as did the ambassador of France, who
+often came to visit her.  Capsucefalo called on me the next morning,
+and said that if I had spoken in good faith he was sure he could get
+me a night with the nun in whatever place I liked, if she could count
+on my secrecy. 'I have just been speaking to her,' said he, 'and on
+my mentioning your name she said she had noticed you with Mr. Smith,
+and vowed she would sup with you more for love than money.  'I,' said
+the rascal, 'am the only man she trusts, and I take her to the French
+ambassador's casino in Venice whenever she wants to go there.  You
+need not be afraid of being cheated, as you will give the money to
+her personally when you have possessed yourself of her.'  With this
+he took her portrait from his pocket and shewed it me; and here it
+is.  I bought it of him two days after I believed myself to have
+spent a night with the charming nun, and a fortnight after our
+conversation.  This beauty here came masked in a nun's habit, and I
+was fool enough to think I had got a treasure.  I am vexed with
+myself for not having suspected the cheat--at all events, when I saw
+her hair, as I know that nuns' hair should be cut short.  But when I
+said something about it to the hussy, she told me they were allowed
+to keep their hair under their caps, and I was weak enough to believe
+her."
+
+I knew that on this particular Murray had not been deceived, but I
+did not feel compelled to tell him so then and there.
+
+I held the portrait Murray had given me in my hand, and compared it
+with the face before me.  In the portrait the breast was bare, and as
+I was remarking that painters did those parts as best they could, the
+impudent wench seized the opportunity to shew me that the miniature
+was faithful to nature.  I turned my back upon her with an expression
+of contempt which would have mortified her, if these creatures were
+ever capable of shame.  As we talked things over, I could not help
+laughing at the axiom, Things which are equal to the same thing are
+equal to one another, for the miniature was like M. M. and like the
+courtezan, and yet the two women were not like each other.  Murray
+agreed with me, and we spent an hour in a philosophical discussion on
+the matter.  As the false M. M. was named Innocente, we expressed a
+wish to know how her name agreed with her profession, and how the
+knave had induced her to play the part she had taken; and she told us
+the following story:
+
+"I have known Count Capsucefalo for two years, and have found him
+useful, for, though he has given me no money, he has made me profit
+largely through the people he has introduced to me.  About the end of
+last autumn he came to me one day, and said that if I could make up
+as a nun with some clothes he would get me, and in that character
+pass a night with an Englishman, I should be the better by five
+hundred sequins.  'You need not be afraid of anything,' said he, 'as
+I myself will take you to the casino where the dupe will be awaiting
+you, and I will come and take you back to your imaginary convent
+towards the end of the night.  He shewed me how I must behave, and
+told me what to reply if my lover asked any questions about the
+discipline of the convent.
+
+"I liked the plot, gentlemen, and I told him I was ready to carry it
+out.  And be pleased to consider that there are not many women of my
+profession who would hesitate over a chance of getting five hundred
+sequins.  Finding the scheme both agreeable and profitable, I
+promised to play my part with the greatest skill.  The bargain was
+struck, and he gave me full instructions as to my dialogue.  He told
+me that the Englishman could only talk about my convent and any
+lovers I might have had; that on the latter point I was to cut him
+short, and to answer with a laugh that I did not know what he was
+talking about, and even to tell him that I was a nun in appearance
+only, and that in the course of toying I might let him see my hair.
+'That,' said Capsucefalo, 'won't prevent him from thinking you a nun
+--yes! and the very nun he is amorous of, for he will have made up
+his mind that you cannot possibly be anyone else.'  Seizing the point
+of the jest, I did not take the trouble to find out the name of the
+nun I was to represent, nor the convent whence I was to come; the
+only thing in my head was the five hundred sequins.  So little have I
+troubled about aught else that, though I passed a delicious night
+with you, and found you rather worthy of being paid for than paying,
+I have not ascertained who and what you are, and I don't know at this
+moment to whom I am speaking.  You know what a night I had; I have
+told you it was delicious, and I was happy in the idea that I was
+going to have another.  You have found everything out.  I am sorry,
+but I am not afraid of anything, since I can put on any disguise I
+like, and can't prevent my lovers taking me for a saint if they like
+to do so.  You have found weapons in my possession, but everyone is
+allowed to bear arms in self-defence.  I plead not guilty on all
+counts."
+
+"Do you know me?" said I.
+
+"No, but I have often seen you passing under my window.  I live at
+St. Roch, near the bridge."
+
+The way in which the woman told her yarn convinced us that she was an
+adept in the science of prostitution, but we thought Capsucefalo, in
+spite of the count, worthy of the pillory.  The girl was about ten
+years older than M. M., she was pretty, but light-complexioned, while
+my beautiful nun had fine dark brown hair and was at least three
+inches taller.
+
+After twelve o'clock we sat down to supper, and did honour to the
+excellent meal which my dear Antoinette had prepared for us.  We were
+cruel enough to leave the poor wretch without offering her so much as
+a glass of wine, but we thought it our duty.
+
+While we were talking, the jolly Englishman made some witty comments
+on my eagerness to convince him that he had not enjoyed M. M.'s
+favours.
+
+"I can't believe," said he, "that you have shewn so much interest
+without being in love with the divine nun."
+
+I answered by saying that if I were her lover I was much to be pitied
+in being condemned to go to the parlour, and no farther.
+
+"I would gladly give a hundred guineas a month," said he, "to have
+the privilege of visiting her at the grating."
+
+So saying he gave me my hundred sequins, complimenting me on my
+success, and I slipped them forthwith into my pocket.
+
+At two o'clock in the morning we heard a soft knock on the street
+door.
+
+"Here is our friend," I said, "be discreet, and you will see that he
+will make a full confession."
+
+He came in and saw Murray and the lady, but did not discover that a
+third party was present till he heard the ante-room door being
+locked.  He turned round and saw me, and as he knew me, merely said,
+without losing countenance:
+
+"Ah, you are here; you know, of course, that the secret must be
+kept?"
+
+Murray laughed and calmly asked him to be seated, and he enquired,
+with the lady's pistols in his hands, where he was going to take her
+before day-break.
+
+"Home."
+
+"I think you may be mistaken, as it is very possible that when you
+leave this place you will both of you be provided with a bed in
+prison."
+
+"No, I am not afraid of that happening; the thing would make too much
+noise, and the laugh would not be on your side.  Come," said he to
+his mate, "put on your cloak and let us be off."
+
+The ambassador, who like an Englishman kept quite cool the whole
+time, poured him out a glass of Chambertin, and the blackguard drank
+his health.  Murray seeing he had on a fine ring set with brilliants,
+praised it, and shewing some curiosity to see it more closely he drew
+it off the fellow's finger, examined it, found it without flaw, and
+asked how much it was worth.  Capsucefalo, a little taken aback, said
+it cost him four hundred sequins.
+
+"I will hold it as a pledge for that sum," said the ambassador,
+putting the ring into his pocket.  The other looked chop-fallen, and
+Murray laughing at his retiring manners told the girl to put on her
+cloak and to pack off with her worthy acolyte.  She did so directly,
+and with a low bow they disappeared.
+
+"Farewell, nun procurer!" said the ambassador, but the count made no
+answer.
+
+As soon as they were gone I thanked Murray warmly for the moderation
+he had shewn, as a scandal would have only injured three innocent
+people.
+
+"Be sure," said he, "that the guilty parties shall be punished
+without anyone's knowing the reason"
+
+I then made Tonine come upstairs, and my English friend offered her a
+glass of wine, which she declined with much modesty and politeness.
+Murray looked at her with flaming glances, and left after giving me
+his heartiest thanks.
+
+Poor little Tonine had been resigned, and obedient for many hours,
+and she had good cause to think I had been unfaithful to her;
+however, I gave her the most unmistakable proofs of my fidelity.  We
+stayed in bed for six hours, and rose happy in the morning.
+
+After dinner I hurried off to my noble M---- M----, and told her the
+whole story.  She listened eagerly, her various feelings flitting
+across her face.  Fear, anger, wrath, approval of my method of
+clearing up my natural suspicions, joy at discovering me still her
+lover--all were depicted in succession in her glance, and in the play
+of her features, and in the red and white which followed one another
+on her cheeks and forehead.  She was delighted to hear that the
+masker who was with me in the parlour was the English ambassador, but
+she became nobly disdainful when I told her that he would gladly give
+a hundred guineas a month for the pleasure of visiting her in the
+parlour.  She was angry with him for fancying that she had been in
+his power, and for finding a likeness between her and a portrait,
+when, so she said, there was no likeness at all; I had given her the
+portrait.  She added, with a shrewd smile, that she was sure I had
+not let my little maid see the false nun, as she might have been
+mistaken.
+
+"You know, do you, that I have a young servant?"
+
+"Yes, and a pretty one, too.  She is Laura's daughter, and if you
+love her I am very glad, and so is C---- C----.  I hope you will let
+me have a sight of her.  C---- C---- has seen her before."
+
+As I saw that she knew too much for me to be able to deceive her, I
+took my cue directly and told her in detail the history of my amours.
+She shewed her satisfaction too openly not to be sincere.  Before I
+left her she said her honour obliged her to get Capsucefalo
+assassinated, for the wretch had wronged her beyond pardon.  By way
+of quieting her I promised that if the ambassador did not rid us of
+him within the week I would charge myself with the execution of our
+common vengeance.
+
+About this time died Bragadin the procurator, brother of my patron,
+leaving M. de Bragadin sufficiently well off.  However, as the family
+threatened to become extinct, he desired a woman who had been his
+mistress, and of whom he had had a natural son, to become his wife.
+By this marriage the son would have become legitimate, and the family
+renewed again.  The College of Cardinals would have recognized the
+wife for a small fee, and all would have gone admirably.
+
+The woman wrote to me, asking me to call on her; and I was going to,
+curious to know what a woman, whom I did not know from Adam, could
+want with me, when I received a summons from M. de Bragadin.  He
+begged me to ask Paralis if he ought to follow De la Haye's advice in
+a matter he had promised not to confide to me, but of which the
+oracle must be informed.  The oracle, naturally opposed to the
+Jesuit, told him to consult his own feelings and nothing else.  After
+this I went to the lady.
+
+She began by telling me the whole story.  She introduced her son to
+me, and told me that if the marriage could be performed, a deed would
+be delivered in my favour by which, at the death of M. de Bragadin,
+I should become entitled to an estate worth five thousand crowns per
+annum.
+
+As I guessed without much trouble that this was the same matter which
+De la Haye had proposed to M.  de Bragadin, I answered without
+hesitation that since De la Haye was before me I could do nothing,
+and thereupon made her my bow.
+
+I could not help wondering at this Jesuit's continually intriguing to
+marry my old friends without my knowledge.  Two years ago, if I had
+not set my face against it, he would have married M. Dandolo.  I
+cared not a whit whether the family of Bragadin became extinct or
+not, but I did care for the life of my benefactor, and was quite sure
+that marriage would shorten it by many years; he was already sixty-
+three, and had recovered from a serious apoplectic stroke.
+
+I went to dine with Lady Murray (English-women who are daughters of
+lords keep the title), and after dinner the ambassador told me that
+he had told M. Cavalli the whole story of the false nun, and that the
+secretary had informed him, the evening before, that everything had
+been done to his liking.  Count Capsucefalo had been sent to
+Cephalonia, his native country, with the order never to return to
+Venice, and the courtezan had disappeared.
+
+The fine part, or rather the fearful part, about these sentences is
+that no one ever knows the reason why or wherefore, and that the lot
+may fall on the innocent as well as the guilty.  M. M. was delighted
+with the event, and I was more pleased than she, for I should have
+been sorry to have been obliged to soil my hands with the blood of
+that rascally count.
+
+There are seasons in the life of men which may be called 'fasti' and
+'nefasti'; I have proved this often in my long career, and on the
+strength of the rubs and struggles I have had to encounter.  I am
+able, as well as any man, to verify the truth of this axiom.  I had
+just experienced a run of luck.  Fortune had befriended me at play, I
+had been happy in the society of men, and from love I had nothing to
+ask; but now the reverse of the medal began to appear.  Love was
+still kind, but Fortune had quite left me, and you will soon see,
+reader, that men used me no better than the blind goddess.
+Nevertheless, since one's fate has phases as well as the moon, good
+follows evil as disasters succeed to happiness.
+
+I still played on the martingale, but with such bad luck that I was
+soon left without a sequin.  As I shared my property with M. M. I was
+obliged to tell her of my losses, and it was at her request that I
+sold all her diamonds, losing what I got for them; she had now only
+five hundred sequins by her.  There was no more talk of her escaping
+from the convent, for we had nothing to live on!  I still gamed, but
+for small stakes, waiting for the slow return of good luck.
+
+One day the English ambassador, after giving me a supper at his
+casino with the celebrated Fanny Murray, asked me to let him sup at
+my casino at Muran, which I now only kept up for the sake of Tonine.
+I granted him the favour, but did not imitate his generosity.  He
+found my little mistress smiling and polite, but always keeping
+within the bounds of decency, from which he would have very willingly
+excused her.  The next morning he wrote to me as follows:
+
+"I am madly in love with Tonine.  If you like to hand her over to me
+I will make the following provision for her: I will set her up in a
+suitable lodging which I will furnish throughout, and which I will
+give to her with all its contents, provided that I may visit her
+whenever I please, and that she gives me all the rights of a
+fortunate lover.  I will give her a maid, a cook, and thirty sequins
+a month as provision for two people, without reckoning the wine,
+which I will procure myself.  Besides this I will give her a life
+income of two hundred crowns per annum, over which she will have full
+control after living with me for a year.  I give you a week to send
+your answer."
+
+I replied immediately that I would let him know in three days whether
+his proposal were accepted, for Tonine had a mother of whom she was
+fond, and she would possibly not care to do anything without her
+consent.  I also informed him that in all appearance the girl was
+with child.
+
+The business was an important one for Tonine.  I loved her, but I
+knew perfectly well that we could not pass the rest of our lives
+together, and I saw no prospect of being able to make her as good a
+provision as that offered by the ambassador.  Consequently I had no
+doubts on the question, and the very same day I went to Muran and
+told her all.
+
+"You wish to leave me, then," said she, in tears.
+
+"I love you, dearest, and what I propose ought to convince you of my
+love."
+
+"Not so; I cannot serve two masters."
+
+"You will only serve your new lover, sweetheart.  I beg of you to
+reflect that you will have a fine dowry, on the strength of which you
+may marry well; and that however much I love you I cannot possibly
+make so good a provision for you."
+
+"Leave me to-day for tears and reflection, and come to supper with me
+to-morrow."
+
+I did not fail to keep the appointment.
+
+"I think your English friend is a very pretty man," she said, "and
+when he speaks in the Venetian dialect it makes me die with laughter.
+If my mother agrees, I might, perhaps, force myself to love him.
+Supposing we did not agree we could part at the end of a year, and I
+should be the richer by an income of two hundred crowns."
+
+"I am charmed with the sense of your arguments; speak about it to
+your mother."
+
+"I daren't, sweetheart; this kind of thing is too delicate to be
+discussed between a mother and her daughter speak to her yourself."
+
+"I will, indeed."
+
+Laura, whom I had not seen since she had given me her daughter, asked
+for no time to think it over, but full of glee told me that now her
+daughter would be able to soothe her declining years, and that she
+would leave Muran of which she was tired.  She shewed me a hundred
+and thirty sequins which Tonine had gained in my service, and which
+she had placed in her hands.
+
+Barberine, Tonine's younger sister, came to kiss my hand.  I thought
+her charming, and I gave her all the silver in my pocket.  I then
+left, telling Laura that I should expect her at my house.  She soon
+followed me, and gave her child a mother's blessing, telling her that
+she and her family could go and live in Venice for sixty sous a day.
+Tonine embraced her, and told her that she should have it.
+
+This important affair having been managed to everybody's
+satisfaction, I went to see M---- M----, who came into the parlour
+with C---- C----, whom I found looking sad, though prettier than
+ever.  She was melancholy, but none the less tender.  She could not
+stay for more than a quarter of an hour for fear of being seen, as
+she was forbidden ever to go into the parlour.  I told M. M. the
+story of Tonine, who was going to live with Murray in Venice; she was
+sorry to hear it, "for," said she, "now that you have no longer any
+attraction at Muran, I shall see you less than ever."  I promised to
+come and see her often, but vain promises!  The time was near which
+parted us for ever.
+
+The same evening I went to tell the good news to my friend Murray.
+He was in a transport of joy, and begged me to come and sup with him
+at his casino the day after next, and to bring the girl with me, that
+the surrender might be made in form.  I did not fail him, for once
+the matter was decided, I longed to bring it to an end.  In my
+presence he assigned to her the yearly income for her life of two
+hundred Venetian ducats, and by a second deed he gave her all the
+contents of the house with which he was going to provide her,
+provided always that she lived with him for a year.  He allowed her
+to receive me as a friend, also to receive her mother and sisters,
+and she was free to go and see them when she would.  Tonine threw her
+arms about his neck, and assured him that she would endeavour to
+please him to the utmost of her ability.  "I will see him," said she,
+pointing to me, "but as his friend he shall have nothing more from
+me."  Throughout this truly affecting scene she kept back her tears,
+but I could not conceal mine.  Murray was happy, but I was not long a
+witness of his good fortune, the reason of which I will explain a
+little later.
+
+Three days afterwards Laura came to me, told me that she was living
+in Venice, and asked me to take her to her daughter's.  I owed this
+woman too much to refuse her, and I took her there forthwith.  Tonine
+gave thanks to God, and also to me, and her mother took up the song,
+for they were not quite sure whether they were more indebted to God
+or to me.  Tonine was eloquent in her praise of Murray, and made no
+complaint at my not having come to see her, at which I was glad.  As
+I was going Laura asked me to take her back in my gondola, and as we
+had to pass by the house in which she lived she begged me to come in
+for a moment, and I could not hurt her feelings by refusing.  I owe
+it to my honour to remark here that I was thus polite without
+thinking that I should see Barberine again.
+
+This girl, as pretty as her sister, though in another style, began by
+awakening my curiosity--a weakness which usually renders the
+profligate man inconstant.  If all women were to have the same
+features, the same disposition, and the same manners, men would not
+only never be inconstant, but would never be in love.  Under that
+state of things one would choose a wife by instinct and keep to her
+till death, but our world would then be under a different system to
+the present.  Novelty is the master of the soul.  We know that what
+we do not see is very nearly the same as what we have seen, but we
+are curious, we like to be quite sure, and to attain our ends we give
+ourselves as much trouble as if we were certain of finding some prize
+beyond compare.
+
+Barberine, who looked upon me as an old friend--for her mother had
+accustomed her to kiss my hand whenever I went there, who had
+undressed more than once in my presence without troubling about me,
+who knew I had made her sister's fortune and the family fortune as
+well, and thought herself prettier than Tonine because her skin was
+fairer, and because she had fine black eyes, desiring to take her
+sister's place, knew that to succeed she must take me by storm.  Her
+common sense told her that as I hardly ever came to the house, I
+should not be likely to become amorous of her unless she won me by
+storm; and to this end she shewed the utmost complaisance when she
+had the chance, so that I won her without any difficulty.  All this
+reasoning came from her own head, for I am sure her mother gave her
+no instructions.  Laura was a mother of a kind common the world over,
+but especially in Italy.  She was willing to take advantage of the
+earnings of her daughters, but she would never have induced them to
+take the path of evil.  There her virtue stopped short.
+
+After I had inspected her two rooms and her little kitchen, and had
+admired the cleanness which shone all around, Barberine asked me if I
+would like to see their small garden.
+
+"With pleasure," I replied, "for a garden is a rarity in Venice."
+
+Her mother told her to give me some figs if there were any ripe ones.
+The garden consisted of about thirty square feet, and grew only salad
+herbs and a fine fig tree.  It had not a good crop, and I told her
+that I could not see any figs.
+
+"I can see some at the top," said Barberine, "and I will gather them
+if you will hold me the ladder."
+
+"Yes, climb away; I will hold it quite firmly."
+
+She stepped up lightly, and stretching out an arm to get at some figs
+to one side of her, she put her body off its balance, holding on to
+the ladder with the other hand.
+
+"My dear Barberine, what do you think I can see?"
+
+"What you have often seen with my sister."
+
+"That's true!  but you are prettier than she is."
+
+The girl made no reply, but, as if she could not reach the fruit, she
+put her foot on a high branch, and spewed me the most seductive
+picture.  I was in an ecstasy, and Barberine, who saw it, did not
+hurry herself.  At last I helped her to come down, and letting my
+hand wander indiscreetly, I asked her if the fruit I held had been
+plucked, and she kept me a long time telling me it was quite fresh.
+I took her within my arms, and already her captive, I pressed her
+amorously to my heart, printing on her lips a fiery kiss, which she
+gave me back with as much ardour.
+
+"Will you give me what I have caught, dearest?"
+
+"My mother is going to Muran to-morrow, and she will stay there all
+the day; if you come, there is nothing I will refuse you."
+
+When speech like this proceeds from a mouth still innocent, the man
+to whom it is addressed ought to be happy, for desires are but pain
+and torment, and enjoyment is sweet because it delivers us from them.
+This shews that those who prefer a little resistance to an easy
+conquest are in the wrong; but a too easy conquest often points to a
+depraved nature, and this men do not like, however depraved they
+themselves may be.
+
+We returned to the house, and I gave Barberine a tender kiss before
+Laura's eyes, telling her that she had a very jewel in her daughter--
+a compliment which made her face light up with pleasure.  I gave the
+dear girl ten sequins, and I went away congratulating myself, but
+cursing my luck at not being able to make as good provision for
+Barberine as Murray had made for her sister.
+
+Tonine had told me that for manners' sake I should sup once with her.
+I went the same evening and found Righelini and Murray there.  The
+supper was delicious, and I was delighted with the excellent
+understanding the two lovers had already come to.  I complimented the
+ambassador on the loss of one of his tastes, and he told me he should
+be very sorry at such a loss, as it would warn him of his declining
+powers.
+
+"But," said I, "you used to like to perform the mysterious sacrifice
+of Love without a veil."
+
+"It was not I but Ancilla who liked it, and as I preferred pleasing
+her to pleasing myself, I gave in to her taste without any
+difficulty."
+
+"I am delighted with your answer, as I confess it would cost me
+something to be the witness of your exploits with Tonine."
+
+Having casually remarked that I had no longer a house in Muran,
+Righelini told me that if I liked he could get me a delightful house
+at a low rent on the Tondamente Nuovo.
+
+As this quarter facing north, and as agreeable in summer as
+disagreeable in winter, was opposite to Muran, where I should have to
+go twice a week, I told the doctor I should be glad to look at the
+house.
+
+I took leave of the rich and fortunate ambassador at midnight, and
+before passing the day with my new prize I went to sleep so as to be
+fresh and capable of running a good course.
+
+I went to Barberine at an early hour, and as soon as she saw me she
+said,
+
+"My mother will not be back till the evening, and my brother will
+take his dinner at the school.  Here is a fowl, a ham, some cheese,
+and two bottles of Scopolo wine.  We will take our mess whenever you
+like:"
+
+"You astonish me, sweetheart, for how did you manage to get such a
+good dinner?"
+
+"We owe it to my mother, so to her be the praise."
+
+"You have told her, then, what we are going to do?"
+
+"No, not I, for I know nothing about it; but I told her you were
+coming to see me, and at the same time I gave her the ten sequins."
+
+"And what did your mother say?"
+
+"She said she wouldn't be sorry if you were to love me as you loved
+my sister."
+
+"I love you better, though I love her well."
+
+"You love her?  Why have you left her, then?"
+
+"I have not left her, for we supped together yesterday evening; but
+we no longer live together as lovers, that is all.  I have yielded
+her up to a rich friend of mine, who has made her fortune."
+
+"That is well, though I don't understand much about these affairs.  I
+hope you will tell Tonine that I have taken her place, and I should
+be very pleased if you would let her know that you are quite sure you
+are my first lover."
+
+"And supposing the news vexes her?"
+
+"So much the better.  Will you do it for me? it's the first favour I
+have asked of you."
+
+"I promise to do so."
+
+After this rapid dialogue we took breakfast, and then, perfectly
+agreed, we went to bed, rather as if we were about to sacrifice to
+Hymen than to love.
+
+The game was new to Barberine, and her transports, her green notions-
+-which she told me openly--her inexperience, or rather her
+awkwardness, enchanted me.  I seemed for the first time to pluck the
+fruit of the tree of knowledge, and never had I tasted fruit so
+delicious.  My little maid would have been ashamed to let me see how
+the first thorn hurt her, and to convince me that she only smelt the
+rose, she strove to make me think she experienced more pleasure than
+is possible in a first trial, always more or less painful.  She was
+not yet a big girl, the roses on her swelling breasts were as yet but
+buds, and she was a woman only in her heart.
+
+After more than one assault delivered and sustained with spirit, we
+got up for dinner, and after we had refreshed ourselves we mounted
+once more the altar of love, where we remained till the evening.
+Laura found us dressed and well pleased with each other on her
+return.  I made Barberine another present of twenty sequins, I swore
+to love her always, and went on my way.  At the time I certainly
+meant to keep to my oath, but that which destiny had in store for me
+could not be reconciled with these promises which welled forth from
+my soul in a moment of excitement.
+
+The next morning Righelini took me to see the lodging he had spoken
+to me about.  I liked it and took it on the spot, paying the first
+quarter in advance.  The house belonged to a widow with two
+daughters, the elder of whom had just been blooded.  Righelini was
+her doctor, and had treated her for nine months without success.  As
+he was going to pay her a visit I went in with him, and found myself
+in the presence of a fine waxen statue.  Surprise drew from me these
+words:
+
+"She is pretty, but the sculptor should give her some colour."
+
+On which the statue smiled in a manner which would have been charming
+if her lips had but been red.
+
+"Her pallor," said Righelini, "will not astonish you when I tell you
+she has just been blooded for the hundred and fourth time."
+
+I gave a very natural gesture of surprise.
+
+This fine girl had attained the age of eighteen years without
+experiencing the monthly relief afforded by nature, the result being
+that she felt a deathly faintness three or four times a week, and the
+only relief was to open the vein.
+
+"I want to send her to the country," said the doctor, "where pure and
+wholesome air, and, above all, more exercise, will do her more good
+than all the drugs in the world."
+
+After I had been told that my bed should be made ready by the
+evening, I went away with Righelini, who told me that the only cure
+for the girl would be a good strong lover.
+
+"But my dear doctor," said I, "can't you make your own prescription?"
+
+"That would be too risky a game, for I might find myself compelled to
+marry her, and I hate marriage like the devil."
+
+Though I was no better inclined towards marriage than the doctor, I
+was too near the fire not to get burnt, and the reader will see in
+the next chapter how I performed the miraculous cure of bringing the
+colours of health into the cheeks of this pallid beauty.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXV
+
+The Fair Invalid I Cure Her--A Plot Formed to Ruin Me--What Happened
+at the House of the Young Countess Bonafede--The Erberia--Domiciliary
+Visit--My Conversation with M. de Bragadin--I Am Arrested by Order of
+the State Inquisitors.
+
+After leaving Dr. Righelini I went to sup with M. de Bragadin, and
+gave the generous and worthy old man a happy evening.  This was
+always the case; I made him and his two good friends happy whenever I
+took meals with them.
+
+Leaving them at an early hour, I went to my lodging and was greatly
+surprised to find my bedroom balcony occupied.  A young lady of an
+exquisite figure rose as soon as she saw me, and gracefully asked me
+pardon for the liberty she had taken.
+
+"I am," she said, "the statue you saw this morning.  We do not light
+the candles in the evening for fear of attracting the gnats, but when
+you want to go to bed we will shut the door and go away.  I beg to
+introduce you to my younger sister, my mother has gone to bed."
+
+I answered her to the effect that the balcony was always at her
+service, and that since it was still early I begged their permission
+to put on my dressing-gown and to keep them company.  Her
+conversation was charming; she made me spend two most delightful
+hours, and did not leave me till twelve o'clock.  Her younger sister
+lighted me a candle, and as they went they wished me a good night.
+
+I lay down full of this pretty girl, and I could not believe that she
+was really ill.  She spoke to the point, she was cheerful, clever,
+and full of spirits.  I could not understand how it came to pass that
+she had not been already cured in a town like Venice, if her cure was
+really only to be effected in the manner described by Dr. Righelini;
+for in spite of her pallor she seemed to me quite fair enough to
+charm a lover, and I believed her to be spirited enough to determine
+to take the most agreeable medicine a doctor can prescribe.
+
+In the morning I rang the bell as I was getting up, and the younger
+sister came into my room, and said that as they kept no servant she
+had come to do what I wanted.  I did not care to have a servant when
+I was not at M. de Bragadin's, as I found myself more at liberty to
+do what I liked.  After she had done me some small services, I asked
+her how her sister was.
+
+"Very well," said she, "for her pale complexion is not an illness,
+and she only suffers when her breath fails her.  She has a very good
+appetite, and sleeps as well as I do."
+
+"Whom do I hear playing the violin?"
+
+"It's the dancing master giving my sister a lesson."
+
+I hurried over my dressing that I might see her; and I found her
+charming, though her old dancing master allowed her to turn in her
+toes.  All that this young and beautiful girl wanted was the
+Promethean spark, the colour of life; her whiteness was too like
+snow, and was distressing to look at.
+
+The dancing master begged me to dance a minuet with his pupil, and I
+assented, asking him to play larghissimo.  "The signorina would find
+it too tiring," said he; but she hastened to answer that she did not
+feel weak, and would like to dance thus.  She danced very well, but
+when we had done she was obliged to throw herself in a chair.  "In
+future, my dear master," said she, "I will only dance like that, for
+I think the rapid motion will do me good."
+
+When the master was gone, I told her that her lessons were too short,
+and that her master was letting her get into bad habits.  I then set
+her feet, her shoulders, and her arms in the proper manner.  I taught
+her how to give her hand gracefully, to bend her knees in time; in
+fine, I gave her a regular lesson for an hour, and seeing that she
+was getting rather tired I begged her to sit down, and I went out to
+pay a visit to M. M.
+
+I found her very sad, for C---- C----'s father was dead, and they had
+taken her out of the convent to marry her to a lawyer.  Before
+leaving C---- C---- had left a letter for me, in which she said that
+if I would promise to marry her at some time suitable to myself, she
+would wait for me, and refuse all other offers.  I answered her
+straightforwardly that I had no property and no prospects, that I
+left her free, advising her not to refuse any offer which might be to
+her advantage.
+
+In spite of this dismissal C---- C---- did not marry N---- till after
+my flight from The Leads, when nobody expected to see me again in
+Venice.  I did not see her for nineteen years, and then I was grieved
+to find her a widow, and poorly off.  If I went to Venice now I
+should not marry her, for at my age marriage is an absurdity, but I
+would share with her my little all, and live with her as with a dear
+sister.
+
+When I hear women talking about the bad faith and inconstancy of men,
+and maintaining that when men make promises of eternal constancy they
+are always deceivers, I confess that they are right, and join in
+their complaints.  Still it cannot be helped, for the promises of
+lovers are dictated by the heart, and consequently the lamentations
+of women only make me want to laugh.  Alas! we love without heeding
+reason, and cease to love in the same manner.
+
+About this time I received a letter from the Abbe de Bernis, who
+wrote also to M---- M----.  He told me that I ought to do my utmost
+to make our nun take a reasonable view of things, dwelling on the
+risks I should run in carrying her off and bringing her to Paris,
+where all his influence would be of no avail to obtain for us that
+safety so indispensable to happiness.  I saw M---- M----; we shewed
+each other our letters, she had some bitter tears, and her grief
+pierced me to the heart.  I still had a great love for her in spite
+of my daily infidelities, and when I thought of those moments in
+which I had seen her given over to voluptuousness I could not help
+pitying her fate as I thought of the days of despair in store for
+her.  But soon after this an event happened which gave rise to some
+wholesome reflections.  One day, when I had come to see her, she
+said,
+
+"They have just been burying a nun who died of consumption the day
+before yesterday in the odour of sanctity.  She was called 'Maria
+Concetta.'  She knew you, and told C---- C---- your name when you
+used to come to mass on feast days.  C---- C---- begged her to be
+discreet, but the nun told her that you were a dangerous man, whose
+presence should be shunned by a young girl.  C---- C---- told me all
+this after the mask of Pierrot."
+
+"What was this saint's name when she was in the world?"
+
+"Martha."
+
+"I know her."
+
+I then told M---- M---- the whole history of my loves with Nanette
+and Marton, ending with the letter she wrote me, in which she said
+that she owed me, indirectly, that eternal salvation to which she
+hoped to attain.
+
+In eight or ten days my conversation with my hostess' daughter--
+conversation which took place on the balcony, and which generally
+lasted till midnight--and the lesson I gave her every morning,
+produced the inevitable and natural results; firstly, that she no
+longer complained of her breath failing, and, secondly, that I fell
+in love with her.  Nature's cure had not yet relieved her, but she no
+longer needed to be let blood.  Righelini came to visit her as usual,
+and seeing that she was better he prophesied that nature's remedy,
+without which only art could keep her alive, would make all right
+before the autumn.  Her mother looked upon me as an angel sent by God
+to cure her daughter, who for her part shewed me that gratitude which
+with women is the first step towards love.  I had made her dismiss
+her old dancing master, and I had taught her to dance with extreme
+grace.
+
+At the end of these ten or twelve days, just as I was going to give
+her her lesson, her breath failed instantaneously, and she fell back
+into my arms like a dead woman.  I was alarmed, but her mother, who
+had become accustomed to see her thus, sent for the surgeon, and her
+sister unlaced her.  I was enchanted with her exquisite bosom, which
+needed no colouring to make it more beautiful.  I covered it up,
+saying that the surgeon would make a false stroke if he were to see
+her thus uncovered; but feeling that I laid my hand upon her with
+delight, she gently repulsed me, looking at me with a languishing
+gaze which made the deepest impression on me.
+
+The surgeon came and bled her in the arm, and almost instantaneously
+she recovered full consciousness.  At most only four ounces of blood
+were taken from her, and her mother telling me that this was the
+utmost extent to which she was blooded, I saw it was no such matter
+for wonder as Righelini represented it, for being blooded twice a
+week she lost three pounds of blood a month, which she would have
+done naturally if the vessels had not been obstructed.
+
+The surgeon had hardly gone out of the door when to my astonishment
+she told me that if I would wait for her a moment she would come back
+and begin her dancing.  This she did, and danced as if there had been
+nothing the matter.
+
+Her bosom, on which two of my senses were qualified to give evidence,
+was the last stroke, and made me madly in love with her.  I returned
+to the house in the evening, and found her in her room with the
+sister.  She told me that she was expecting her god-father, who was
+an intimate friend of her father's, and had come every evening to
+spend an hour with her for the last eighteen years.
+
+"How old is he?"
+
+"He is over fifty."
+
+"Is he a married man?"
+
+"Yes, his name is Count S----.  He is as fond of me as a father would
+be, and his affection has continued the same since my childhood.
+Even his wife comes to see me sometimes, and to ask me to dinner.
+Neat autumn I am going into the country with her, and I hope the
+fresh air will do me good.  My god-father knows you are staying with
+us and is satisfied.  He does not know you, but if you like you can
+make his acquaintance."
+
+I was glad to hear all this, as I gained a good deal of useful
+information without having to ask any awkward questions.  The
+friendship of this Greek looked very like love.  He was the husband
+of Countess S----, who had taken me to the convent at Muran two years
+before.
+
+I found the count a very polite man.  He thanked me in a paternal
+manner for my kindness to his daughter, and begged me to do him the
+honour of dining with him on the following day, telling me that he
+would introduce me to his wife.  I accepted his invitation with
+pleasure, for I was fond of dramatic situations, and my meeting with
+the countess promised to be an exciting one.  This invitation bespoke
+the courteous gentleman, and I charmed my pretty pupil by singing his
+praises after he had gone.
+
+"My god-father," said she, "is in possession of all the necessary
+documents for withdrawing from the house of Persico our family
+fortune, which amounts to forty thousand crowns.  A quarter of this
+sum belongs to me,, and my mother has promised my sister and myself
+to share her dowry between us."
+
+I concluded from this that she would bring her husband fifteen
+thousand Venetian ducats.
+
+I guessed that she was appealing to me with her fortune, and wished
+to make me in love with her by shewing herself chary of her favours;
+for whenever I allowed myself any small liberties, she checked me
+with words, of remonstrance to which I could find no answer.  I
+determined to make her pursue another course.
+
+Next day I took her with me to her god-father's without telling her
+that I knew the countess.  I fancied the lady would pretend not to
+know me, but I was wrong, as she welcomed me in the handsomest manner
+as if I were an old friend.  This, no doubt, was a surprise for the
+count, but he was too much a man of the world to, shew any
+astonishment.  He asked her when she had made my acquaintance, and
+she, like a woman of experience, answered without the slightest
+hesitation that we had seen each other two years ago at Mira.  The
+matter was settled, and we spent a very pleasant day.
+
+Towards evening I took the young lady in my gondola back to the
+house, but wishing to shorten the journey I allowed myself to indulge
+in a few caresses.  I was hurt at being responded to by reproaches,
+and for that reason, as soon as she had set foot on her own doorstep,
+instead of getting out I went to Tonine's house, and spent nearly the
+whole night there with the ambassador, who came a little after me.
+Next day, as I did not get up till quite late, there was no dancing
+lesson, and when I excused myself she told me not to trouble any more
+about it.  In the evening I sat on the balcony far into the night,
+but she did not come.  Vexed at this air of indifference I rose early
+in the morning and went out, not returning till nightfall.  She was
+on the balcony, but as she kept me at a respectful distance I only
+talked to her on commonplace subjects.  In the morning I was roused
+by a tremendous noise.  I got up, and hurriedly putting on my
+dressing-gown ran into her room to see what was the matter, only to
+find her dying.  I had no need to feign an interest in her, for I
+felt the most tender concern.  As it was at the beginning of July it
+was extremely hot, and my fair invalid was only covered by a thin
+sheet.  She could only speak to me with her eyes, but though the lids
+were lowered she looked upon me so lovingly!  I asked her if she
+suffered from palpitations, and laying my hand upon her heart I
+pressed a fiery kiss upon her breast.  This was the electric spark,
+for she gave a sigh which did her good.  She had not strength to
+repulse the hand which I pressed amorously upon her heart, and
+becoming bolder I fastened my burning lips upon her languid mouth.
+I warmed her with my breath, and my audacious hand penetrated to the
+very sanctuary of bliss.  She made an effort to push me back, and
+told me with her eyes, since she could not speak, how insulted she
+felt.  I drew back my hand, and at that moment the surgeon came.
+Hardly was the vein opened when she drew a long breath, and by the
+time the operation was over she wished to get up.  I entreated her to
+stay in bed, and her mother added her voice to mine; at last I
+persuaded her, telling her that I would not leave her for a second,
+and that I would have my dinner by her bedside.  She then put on a
+corset and asked her sister to draw a sarcenet coverlet over her, as
+her limbs could be seen as plainly as through a crape veil.
+
+Having given orders for my dinner, I sat down by her bedside, burning
+with love, and taking her hand and covering it with kisses I told her
+that I was sure she would get better if she would let herself love.
+
+"Alas!" she said, "whom shall I love, not knowing whether I shall be
+loved in return?"
+
+I did not leave this question unanswered, and continuing the amorous
+discourse with animation I won a sigh and a lovelorn glance.  I put
+my hand on her knee, begging her to let me leave it there, and
+promising to go no farther, but little by little I attained the
+center, and strove to give her some pleasant sensations.
+
+"Let me alone," said she, in a sentimental voice, drawing away, "'tis
+perchance the cause of my illness."
+
+"No, sweetheart," I replied, "that cannot be."  And my mouth stopped
+all her objections upon her lips.
+
+I was enchanted, for I was now in a fair way, and I saw the moment of
+bliss in the distance, feeling certain that I could effect a cure if
+the doctor was not mistaken.  I spared her all indiscreet questions
+out of regard for her modesty; but I declared myself her lover,
+promising to ask nothing of her but what was necessary to feed the
+fire of my love.  They sent me up a very good dinner, and she did
+justice to it; afterwards saying that she was quite well she got up,
+and I went away to dress myself for going out.  I came back early in
+the evening, and found her on my balcony.  There, as I sat close to
+her looking into her face, speaking by turns the language of the eyes
+and that of sighs, fixing my amorous gaze upon those charms which the
+moonlight rendered sweeter, I made her share in the fire which
+consumed me; and as I pressed her amorously to my bosom she completed
+my bliss with such warmth that I could easily see that she thought
+she was receiving a favour and not granting one.  I sacrificed the
+victim without staining the altar with blood.
+
+Her sister came to tell her that it grew late.
+
+"Do you go to bed," she answered; "the fresh air is doing me good,
+and I want to enjoy it a little longer."
+
+As soon as we were alone we went to bed together as if we had been
+doing it for a whole year, and we passed a glorious night, I full of
+love and the desire of curing her, and she of tender and ardent
+voluptuousness.  At day-break she embraced me, her eyes dewy with
+bliss, and went to lie down in her own bed.  I, like her, stood in
+need of a rest, and on that day there was no talk of a dancing
+lesson.  In spite of the fierce pleasure of enjoyment and the
+transports of this delightful girl, I did not for a moment lay
+prudence aside.  We continued to pass such nights as these for three
+weeks, and I had the pleasure of seeing her thoroughly cured.  I
+should doubtless have married her, if an event had not happened to me
+towards the end of the month, of which I shall speak lower down.
+
+You will remember, dear reader, about a romance by the Abbe Chiari, a
+satirical romance which Mr. Murray had given me, and in which I fared
+badly enough at the author's hands I had small reason to be pleased
+with him, and I let him know my opinion in such wise that the abbe
+who dreaded a caning, kept upon his guard.  About the same time I
+received an anonymous letter, the writer of which told me that I
+should be better occupied in taking care of myself than in thoughts
+of chastising the abbe, for I was threatened by an imminent danger.
+Anonymous letter-writers should be held in contempt, but one ought to
+know how, on occasion, to make the best of advice given in that way.
+I did nothing, and made a great mistake.
+
+About the same time a man named Manuzzi, a stone setter for his first
+trade, and also a spy, a vile agent of the State Inquisitors--a man
+of whom I knew nothing--found a way to make my acquaintance by
+offering to let me have diamonds on credit, and by this means he got
+the entry of my house.  As he was looking at some books scattered
+here and there about the room, he stopped short at the manuscripts
+which were on magic.  Enjoying foolishly enough, his look of
+astonishment, I shewed him the books which teach one how to summon
+the elementary spirits.  My readers will, I hope, do me the favour to
+believe that I put no faith in these conjuring books, but I had them
+by me and used to amuse myself with them as one does amuse one's self
+with the multitudinous follies which proceed from the heads of
+visionaries.  A few days after, the traitor came to see me and told
+me that a collector, whose name he might not tell me, was ready to
+give me a thousand sequins for my five books, but that he would like
+to examine them first to see if they were genuine.  As he promised to
+let me have them back in twenty-four hours, and not thinking much
+about the matter, I let him have them.  He did not fail to bring them
+back the next day, telling me that the collector thought them
+forgeries.  I found out, some years after, that he had taken them to
+the State Inquisitors, who thus discovered that I was a notable
+magician.
+
+Everything that happened throughout this fatal month tended to my
+ruin, for Madame Memmo, mother of Andre, Bernard, and Laurent Memmo,
+had taken it into her head that I had inclined her sons to atheistic
+opinions, and took counsel with the old knight Antony Mocenigo,
+M.  de Bragadin's uncle, who was angry with me, because, as he said,
+I had conspired to seduce his nephew.  The matter was a serious one,
+and an auto-da-fe was very possible, as it came under the
+jurisdiction of the Holy Office--a kind of wild beast, with which it
+is not good to quarrel.  Nevertheless, as there would be some
+difficulty in shutting me up in the ecclesiastical prisons of the
+Holy Office, it was determined to carry my case before the State
+Inquisitors, who took upon themselves the provisional duty of putting
+a watch upon my manner of living.
+
+M. Antony Condulmer, who as a friend of Abbe Chiari's was an enemy of
+mine, was then an Inquisitor of State, and he took the opportunity of
+looking upon me in the light of a disturber of the peace of the
+commonwealth.  A secretary of an embassy, whom I knew some years
+after, told me that a paid informer, with two other witnesses, also,
+doubtless, in the pay of this grand tribunal, had declared that I was
+guilty of only believing in the devil, as if this absurd belief, if
+it were possible, did not necessarily connote a belief in God!  These
+three honest fellows testified with an oath that when I lost money at
+play, on which occasion all the faithful are wont to blaspheme, I was
+never heard to curse the devil.  I was further accused of eating meat
+all the year round, of only going to hear fine masses, and I was
+vehemently suspected of being a Freemason.  It was added that I
+frequented the society of foreign ministers, and that living as I did
+with three noblemen, it was certain that I revealed, for the large
+sums which I was seen to lose, as many state secrets as I could worm
+out of them.
+
+All these accusations, none of which had any foundation in fact,
+served the Tribunal as a pretext to treat me as an enemy of the
+commonwealth and as a prime conspirator.  For several weeks I was
+counselled by persons whom I might have trusted to go abroad whilst
+the Tribunal was engaged on my case.  This should have been enough,
+for the only people who can live in peace at Venice are those whose
+existence the Tribunal is ignorant of, but I obstinately despised all
+these hints.  If I had listened to the indirect advice which was
+given me, I should have become anxious, and I was the sworn foe of
+all anxiety.  I kept saying to myself, "I feel remorse for nothing
+and I am therefore guilty of nothing, and the innocent have nothing
+to fear."  I was a fool, for I argued as if I had been a free man in
+a free country.  I must also confess that what to a great extent kept
+me from thinking of possible misfortune was the actual misfortune
+which oppressed me from morning to night.  I lost every day, I owed
+money everywhere, I had pawned all my jewels, and even my portrait
+cases, taking the precaution, however, of removing the portraits,
+which with my important papers and my amorous letters I had placed in
+the hands of Madame Manzoni.  I found myself avoided in society.  An
+old senator told me, one day, that it was known that the young
+Countess Bonafede had become mad in consequence of the love philtres
+I had given her.  She was still at the asylum, and in her moments of
+delirium she did nothing but utter my name with curses.  I must let
+my readers into the secret of this small history.
+
+This young Countess Bonafede, to whom I had given some sequins a few
+days after my return to Venice, thought herself capable of making me
+continue my visits, from which she had profited largely.  Worried by
+her letters I went to see her several times, and always left her a
+few sequins, but with the exception of my first visit I was never
+polite enough to give her any proofs of my affection.  My coldness
+had baulked all her endeavours for a year, when she played a criminal
+part, of which, though I was never able absolutely to convict her, I
+had every reason to believe her guilty.
+
+She wrote me a letter, in which she importuned me to come and see her
+at a certain hour on important business.
+
+My curiosity, as well as a desire to be of service to her, took me
+there at the appointed time; but as soon as she saw me she flung her
+arms round my neck, and told me that the important business was love.
+This made me laugh heartily, and I was pleased to find her looking
+neater than usual, which, doubtless, made me find her looking
+prettier.  She reminded me of St. Andre, and succeeded so well in her
+efforts that I was on the point of satisfying her desires.  I took
+off my cloak, and asked her if her father were in.  She told me he
+had gone out.  Being obliged to go out for a minute, in coming back I
+mistook the door, and I found myself in the next room, where I was
+much astonished to see the count and two villainous-looking fellows
+with him.
+
+"My dear count," I said, "your daughter has just told me that you
+were out."
+
+"I myself told her to do so, as I have some business with these
+gentlemen, which, however, can wait for another day."
+
+I would have gone, but he stopped me, and having dismissed the two
+men he told me that he was delighted to see me, and forthwith began
+the tale of his troubles, which were of more than one kind.  The
+State Inquisitors had stopped his slender pension, and he was on the
+eve of seeing himself driven out with his family into the streets to
+beg his bread.  He said that he had not been able to pay his landlord
+anything for three years, but if he could pay only a quarter's rent,
+he would obtain a respite, or if he persisted in turning him out, he
+could make a night-flitting of it, and take up his abode somewhere
+else.  As he only wanted twenty ducats, I took out six sequins and
+gave them to him.  He embraced me, and shed tears of joy; then,
+taking his poor cloak, he called his daughter, told her to keep me
+company, and went out.
+
+Alone with the countess, I examined the door of communication between
+the two rooms and found it slightly open.
+
+"Your father," I said, "would have surprised me, and it is easy to
+guess what he would have done with the two sbirri who were with him.
+The plot is clear, and I have only escaped from it by the happiest of
+chances."
+
+She denied, wept, called God to witness, threw herself on her knees;
+but I turned my head away, and taking my cloak went away without a
+word.  She kept on writing to me, but her letters remained
+unanswered, and I saw her no more.
+
+It was summer-time, and between the heat, her passions, hunger, and
+wretchedness, her head was turned, and she became so mad that she
+went out of the house stark naked, and ran up and down St. Peter's
+Place, asking those who stopped her to take her to my house.  This
+sad story went all over the town and caused me a great deal of
+annoyance.  The poor wretch was sent to an asylum, and did not
+recover her reason for five years.  When she came out she found
+herself reduced to beg her bread in the streets, like all her
+brothers, except one, whom I found a cadet in the guards of the King
+of Spain twelve years afterwards.
+
+At the time of which I am speaking all this had happened a year ago,
+but the story was dug up against me, and dressed out in the attire of
+fiction, and thus formed part of those clouds which were to discharge
+their thunder upon me to my destruction.
+
+In the July of 1755 the hateful court gave Messer-Grande instructions
+to secure me, alive or dead.  In this furious style all orders for
+arrests proceeding from the Three were issued, for the least of their
+commands carried with it the penalty of death.
+
+Three or four days before the Feast of St. James, my patron saint,
+M---- M---- made me a present of several ells of silver lace to trim
+a sarcenet dress which I was going to wear on the eve of the feast.
+I went to see her, dressed in my fine suit, and I told her that I
+should come again on the day following to ask her to lend me some
+money, as I did not know where to turn to find some.  She was still
+in possession of the five hundred sequins which she had put aside
+when I had sold her diamonds.
+
+As I was sure of getting the money in the morning I passed the night
+at play, and I lost the five hundred sequins in advance.  At day-
+break, being in need of a little quiet, I went to the Erberia, a
+space of ground on the quay of the Grand Canal.  Here is held the
+herb, fruit, and flower market.
+
+People in good society who come to walk in the Erberia at a rather
+early hour usually say that they come to see the hundreds of boats
+laden with vegetables, fruit and flowers, which hail from the
+numerous islands near the town; but everyone knows that they are men
+and women who have been spending the night in the excesses of Venus
+or Bacchus, or who have lost all hope at the gaming-table, and come
+here to breath a purer air and to calm their minds.  The fashion of
+walking in this place shews how the character of a nation changes.
+The Venetians of old time who made as great a mystery of love as of
+state affairs, have been replaced by the modern Venetians, whose most
+prominent characteristic is to make a mystery of nothing.  Those who
+come to the Erberia with women wish to excite the envy of their
+friends by thus publishing their good fortune.  Those who come alone
+are on the watch for discoveries, or on the look-out for materials to
+make wives or husbands jealous, the women only come to be seen, glad
+to let everybody know that they are without any restraint upon their
+actions.  There was certainly no question of smartness there,
+considering the disordered style of dress worn.  The women seemed to
+have agreed to shew all the signs of disorder imaginable, to give
+those who saw them something to talk about.  As for the men, on whose
+arms they leaned, their careless and lounging airs were intended to
+give the idea of a surfeit of pleasure, and to make one think that
+the disordered appearance of their companions was a sure triumph they
+had enjoyed.  In short it was the correct thing to look tired out,
+and as if one stood in need of sleep.
+
+This veracious description, reader, will not give you a very high
+opinion of the morals of my dear fellow citizens; but what object
+should I have at my age for deceiving?  Venice is not at the world's
+end, but is well enough known to those whose curiosity brings them
+into Italy; and everyone can see for himself if my pictures are
+overdrawn.
+
+After walking up and down for half an hour, I came away, and thinking
+the whole house still a-bed I drew my key out to open the door, but
+what was my astonishment to find it useless, as the door was open,
+and what is more, the lock burst off.  I ran upstairs, and found them
+all up, and my landlady uttering bitter lamentations.
+
+"Messer-Grande," she told me, "has entered my house forcibly,
+accompanied by a band of sbirri.  He turned everything upside down,
+on the pretext that he was in search of a portmanteau full of salt--a
+highly contraband article.  He said he knew that a portmanteau had
+been landed there the evening before, which was quite true; but it
+belonged to Count S----, and only contained linen and clothes.
+Messer-Grande, after inspecting it, went out without saying a word."
+
+He had also paid my room a visit.  She told me that she must have
+some reparation made her, and thinking she was in the right I
+promised to speak to M. de Bragadin on the matter the same day.
+Needing rest above all things, I lay down, but my nervous excitement,
+which I attributed to my heavy losses at play, made me rise after
+three or four hours, and I went to see M. de Bragadin, to whom I told
+the whole story begging him to press for some signal amends.  I made
+a lively representation to him of all the grounds on which my
+landlady required proportionate amends to be made, since the laws
+guaranteed the peace of all law-abiding people.
+
+I saw that the three friends were greatly saddened by what I said,
+and the wise old man, quietly but sadly, told me that I should have
+my answer after dinner.
+
+De la Haye dined with us, but all through the meal, which was a
+melancholy one, he spoke not a word.  His silence should have told me
+all, if I had not been under the influence of some malevolent genii
+who would not allow me to exercise my common sense: as to the sorrow
+of my three friends, I put that down to their friendship for me.
+My connection with these worthy men had always been the talk of the
+town, and as all were agreed that it could not be explained on
+natural grounds, it was deemed to be the effect of some sorcery
+exercised by me.  These three men were thoroughly religious and
+virtuous citizens; I was nothing if not irreligious, and Venice did
+not contain a greater libertine.  Virtue, it was said, may have
+compassion on vice, but cannot become its friend.
+
+After dinner M. de Bragadin took me into his closet with his two
+friends, from whom he had no secrets.  He told me with wonderful
+calmness that instead of meditating vengeance on Messer-Grande I
+should be thinking of putting myself in a place of safety.
+"The portmanteau," said he, "was a mere pretext; it was you they
+wanted and thought to find.  Since your good genius has made them
+miss you, look out for yourself; perhaps by to-morrow it may be too
+late.  I have been a State Inquisitor for eight months, and I know
+the way in which the arrests ordered by the court are carried out.
+They would not break open a door to look for a box of salt.  Indeed,
+it is possible that they knew you were out, and sought to warn you to
+escape in this manner.  Take my advice, my dear son, and set out
+directly for Fusina, and thence as quickly as you can make your way
+to Florence, where you can remain till I write to you that you may
+return with safety.  If you have no money I will give you a hundred
+sequins for present expenses.  Believe me that prudence bids you go."
+
+Blinded by my folly, I answered him that being guilty of nothing I
+had nothing to fear, and that consequently, although I knew his
+advice was good, I could not follow it.
+
+"The high court," said he, "may deem you guilty of crimes real or
+imaginary; but in any case it will give you no account of the
+accusations against you.  Ask your oracle if you shall follow my
+advice or not."  I refused because I knew the folly of such a
+proceeding, but by way of excuse I said that I only consulted it when
+I was in doubt.  Finally, I reasoned that if I fled I should be
+shewing fear, and thus confessing my guilt, for an innocent man,
+feeling no remorse, cannot reasonably be afraid of anything.
+
+"If secrecy," said I, "is of the essence of the Court, you cannot
+possibly judge, after my escape, whether I have done so rightly or
+wrongly.  The same reasons, which, according to your excellence, bid
+me go, would forbid my return.  Must I then say good-bye for ever to
+my country, and all that is dear to me?"  As a last resource he tried
+to persuade me to pass the following day and night, at least, at the
+palace.  I am still ashamed of having refused the worthy old man to
+whom I owed so much this favour; for the palace of a noble is sacred
+to the police who dare not cross its threshold without a special
+order from the Tribunal, which is practically never given; by
+yielding to his request I should have avoided a grievous misfortune,
+and spared the worthy old man some acute grief.
+
+I was moved to see M.  de Bragadin weeping, and perhaps I might have
+granted to his tears that which I had obstinately refused to his
+arguments and entreaties.  "For Heaven's sake!" said I, "spare me the
+harrowing sight of your tears."  In an instant he summoned all his
+strength to his assistance, made some indifferent remarks, and then,
+with a smile full of good nature, he embraced me, saying, "Perhaps I
+may be fated never to see you again, but 'Fata viam invenient'."
+
+I embraced him affectionately, and went away, but his prediction was
+verified, for I never saw him again; he died eleven years afterwards.
+I found myself in the street without feeling the slightest fear, but
+I was in a good deal of trouble about my debts.  I had not the heart
+to go to Muran to take away from M. M. her last five hundred sequins,
+which sum I owed to the man who won it from me in the night; I
+preferred asking him to wait eight days, and I did so.  After
+performing this unpleasant piece of business I returned home, and,
+having consoled my landlady to the utmost of my power, I kissed the
+daughter, and lay down to sleep.  The date was July 25th, 1755.
+
+Next morning at day-break who should enter my room but the awful
+Messer-Grande.  To awake, to see him, and to hear him asking if I
+were Jacques Casanova, was the work of a moment.  At my "yes, I am
+Casanova," he told me to rise, to put on my clothes, to give him all
+the papers and manuscripts in my possession, and to follow him.
+
+"On whose authority do you order me to do this?"
+
+"By the authority of the Tribunal."
+
+
+
+End of this Project Gutenberg Etext of MEMOIRES OF JACQUES CASANOVA
+TO PARIS AND PRISON, Vol. 2d, THE FALSE NUN
+by Jacques Casanova de Seingalt
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+The Project Gutenberg Etext of The False Nun, by Casanova
+#9 in our series by Jacques Casanova de Seingalt
+
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+Title: The False Nun, Casanova, v9
+
+Author: Jacques Casanova de Seingalt
+
+Release Date: December, 2001 [Etext #2959]
+[Yes, we are more than one year ahead of schedule]
+[Most recently updated: December 10, 2001]
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+Edition: 11
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+The Project Gutenberg Etext of The False Nun, by Jacques Casanova
+******This file should be named jcfln11.txt or jcfln11.zip*******
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+
+MEMOIRS OF JACQUES CASANOVA de SEINGALT 1725-1798
+TO PARIS AND PRISON, Volume 2d--The False Nun
+
+
+THE RARE UNABRIDGED LONDON EDITION OF 1894 TRANSLATED BY ARTHUR
+MACHEN TO WHICH HAS BEEN ADDED THE CHAPTERS DISCOVERED
+BY ARTHUR SYMONS.
+
+
+
+
+THE FALSE NUN
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI
+
+Supper at My Casino With M. M. and M. de Bernis, the French
+Ambassador--A Proposal from M. M.; I Accept It--Consequences--
+C. C. is Unfaithful to Me, and I Cannot Complain
+
+
+I felt highly pleased with the supper-party I had arranged with M----
+M----, and I ought to have been happy.  Yet I was not so; but whence
+came the anxiety which was a torment to me?  Whence?  From my fatal
+habit of gambling.  That passion was rooted in me; to live and to
+play were to me two identical things, and as I could not hold the
+bank I would go and punt at the ridotto, where I lost my money
+morning and night.  That state of things made me miserable.  Perhaps
+someone will say to me:
+
+"Why did you play, when there was no need of it, when you were in
+want of nothing, when you had all the money you could wish to satisfy
+your fancies?"
+
+That would be a troublesome question if I had not made it a law to
+tell the truth.  Well, then, dear inquisitive reader, if I played
+with almost the certainty of losing, although no one, perhaps, was
+more sensible than I was to the losses made in gambling, it is
+because I had in me the evil spirit of avarice; it is because I loved
+prodigality, and because my heart bled when I found myself compelled
+to spend any money that I had not won at the gaming-table.  It is an
+ugly vice, dear reader, I do not deny it.  However, all I can say is
+that, during the four days previous to the supper, I lost all the
+gold won for me by M---- M----
+
+On the anxiously-expected day I went to my casino, where at the
+appointed hour M---- M---- came with her friend, whom she introduced
+to me as soon as he had taken off his mask.
+
+"I had an ardent wish, sir," said M. de Bernis to me, "to renew
+acquaintance with you, since I heard from madame that we had known
+each other in Paris."
+
+With these words he looked at me attentively, as people will do when
+they are trying to recollect a person whom they have lost sight of.
+I then told him that we had never spoken to one another, and that he
+had not seen enough of me to recollect my features now.
+
+"I had the honour," I added, "to dine with your excellency at M. de
+Mocenigo's house, but you talked all the time with Marshal Keith, the
+Prussian ambassador, and I was not fortunate enough to attract your
+attention.  As you were on the point of leaving Paris to return to
+Venice, you went away almost immediately after dinner, and I have
+never had the honour of seeing you since that time."
+
+"Now I recollect you," he answered, "and I remember asking whether
+you were not the secretary of the embassy.  But from this day we
+shall not forget each other again, for the mysteries which unite us
+are of a nature likely to establish a lasting intimacy between us."
+
+The amiable couple were not long before they felt thoroughly at ease,
+and we sat down to supper, of which, of course, I did the honours.
+The ambassador, a fine connoisseur in wines, found mine excellent,
+and was delighted to hear that I had them from Count Algarotti, who
+was reputed as having the best cellar in Venice.
+
+My supper was delicate and abundant, and my manners towards my
+handsome guests were those of a private individual receiving his
+sovereign and his mistress.  I saw that M---- M---- was charmed with
+the respect with which I treated her, and with my conversation, which
+evidently interested the ambassador highly.  The serious character of
+a first meeting did not prevent the utterance of witty jests, for in
+that respect M. de Bernis was a true Frenchman.  I have travelled
+much, I have deeply studied men, individually and in a body, but I
+have never met with true sociability except in Frenchmen; they alone
+know how to jest, and it is rare, delicate, refined jesting, which
+animates conversation and makes society charming.
+
+During our delightful supper wit was never wanting, and the amiable
+M---- M---- led the conversation to the romantic combination which
+had given her occasion to know me.  Naturally, she proceeded to speak
+of my passion for C---- C----, and she gave such an interesting
+description of that young girl that the ambassador listened with as
+much attention as if he had never seen the object of it.  But that
+was his part, for he was not aware that I had been informed of his
+having witnessed from his hiding-place my silly interview with C----
+C----.  He told M---- M---- that he would have been delighted if she
+had brought her young friend to sup with us.
+
+"That would be running too great a risk," answered the cunning nun,
+"but if you approve of it," she added, looking at me, "I can make you
+sup with her at my casino, for we sleep in the same room."
+
+That offer surprised me much, but it was not the moment to shew it,
+so I replied:
+
+"It is impossible, madam, to add anything to the pleasure of your
+society, yet I confess I should be pleased if you could contrive to
+do us that great favour:"
+
+"Well, I will think of it."
+
+"But," observed the ambassador, "if I am to be one of the party, I
+think it would be right to apprize the young lady of it."
+
+"It is not necessary, for I will write to her to agree to whatever
+madam may propose to her.  I will do so to-morrow."
+
+I begged the ambassador to prepare himself with a good stock of
+indulgence for a girl of fifteen who had no experience of the world.
+In the course of the evening I related the history of O-Morphi, which
+greatly amused him.  He entreated me to let him see her portrait.  He
+informed me that she was still an inmate of the 'Parc-aux-cerfs',
+where she continued to be the delight of Louis XV., to whom she had
+given a child.  My guests left me after midnight, highly pleased, and
+I remained alone.
+
+The next morning, faithful to the promise I had made to my beautiful
+nun, I wrote to C---- C---- without informing her that there would be
+a fourth person at the projected supper, and having given my note to
+Laura I repaired to Muran, where I found the following letter from
+M---- M----:
+
+"I could not sleep soundly, my love, if I did not ease my conscience
+of an unpleasant weight.  Perhaps you did not approve of the 'partie
+carree' with our young friend, and you may not have objected out of
+mere politeness.  Tell me the truth, dearest, for, should you not
+look forward to that meeting with pleasure, I can contrive to undo it
+without implicating you in any way; trust me for that.  If, however,
+you have no objection to the party, it will take place as agreed.
+Believe me, I love your soul more than your heart--I mean than your
+person.  Adieu."
+
+
+Her fear was very natural, but out of shamefacedness I did not like
+to retract.  M---- M---- knew me well, and as a skilful tactician she
+attacked my weak side.
+
+Here is my answer:
+
+"I expected your letter, my best beloved, and you cannot doubt it,
+because, as you know me thoroughly, you must be aware that I know you
+as well.  Yes, I know your mind, and I know what idea you must
+entertain of mine, because I have exposed to you all my weakness and
+irritability by my sophisms.  I do penance for it, dearest, when I
+think that having raised your suspicions your tenderness for me must
+have been weakened.  Forget my visions, I beg, and be quite certain
+that for the future my soul will be in unison with yours.  The supper
+must take place, it will be a pleasure for me, but let me confess
+that in accepting it I have shewn myself more grateful than polite.
+C---- C---- is a novice, and I am not sorry to give her an
+opportunity of seeing the world.  In what school could she learn
+better than yours?  Therefore I recommend her to you, and you will
+please me much by continuing to shew your care and friendship towards
+her, and by increasing, if possible, the sum of your goodness.  I
+fear that you may entice her to take the veil, and if she did I would
+never console myself.  Your friend has quite captivated me; he is a
+superior man, and truly charming."
+
+Thus did I wittingly deprive myself of the power of drawing back, but
+I was able to realize the full force of the situation.  I had no
+difficulty in guessing that the ambassador was in love with C----
+C----, and that he had confessed as much to M---- M----, who, not
+being in a position to object to it, was compelled to shew herself
+compliant, and to assist him in everything that could render his
+passion successful.  She could certainly not do anything without my
+consent, and she had evidently considered the affair too delicate to
+venture upon proposing the party point-blank to me.  They had, no
+doubt, put their heads together, so that by bringing the conversation
+on that subject I should find myself compelled, for the sake of
+politeness and perhaps of my inward feelings, to fall into the snare.
+The ambassador, whose profession it was to carry on intrigues
+skilfully, had succeeded well, and I had taken the bait as he wished.
+There was nothing left for me but to put a good face on the matter,
+not only so as not to shew myself a very silly being, but also in
+order not to prove myself shamefully ungrateful towards a man who had
+granted me unheard-of privileges.  Nevertheless, the consequence of
+it all was likely to be some coolness in my feelings towards both my
+mistresses.  M---- M---- had become conscious of this after she had
+returned to the convent, and wishing to screen herself from all
+responsibility she had lost no time in writing to me that she would
+cause the projected supper to be abandoned, in case I should
+disapprove of it, but she knew very well that I would not accept her
+offer.  Self-love is a stronger passion even than jealousy; it does
+not allow a man who has some pretension to wit to shew himself
+jealous, particularly towards a person who is not tainted by that
+base passion, and has proved it.
+
+The next day, having gone early to the casino, I found the ambassador
+already there, and he welcomed me in the most friendly manner.  He
+told me that, if he had known me in Paris he would have introduced me
+at the court, where I should certainly have made my fortune.  Now,
+when I think of that, I say to myself, "That might have been the
+case, but of what good would it have been to me?"  Perhaps I should
+have fallen a victim of the Revolution, like so many others.  M. de
+Bernis himself would have been one of those victims if Fate had not
+allowed him to die in Rome in 1794.  He died there unhappy, although
+wealthy, unless his feelings had undergone a complete change before
+his death, and I do not believe it.
+
+I asked him whether he liked Venice, and he answered that he could
+not do otherwise than like that city, in which he enjoyed excellent
+health, and in which, with plenty of money, life could be enjoyed
+better than anywhere else.
+
+"But I do not expect," he added, "to be allowed to keep this embassy
+very long.  Be kind enough to let that remain between us.  I do not
+wish to make M---- M----- unhappy."
+
+We were conversing in all confidence when M---- M---- arrived with
+her young friend, who showed her surprise at seeing another man with
+me, but I encouraged her by the most tender welcome; and she
+recovered all her composure when she saw the delight of the stranger
+at being answered by her in good French.  It gave us both an
+opportunity of paying the warmest compliments to the mistress who had
+taught her so well.
+
+C---- C---- was truly charming; her looks, bright and modest at the
+same time, seemed to say to me, "You must belong to me:" I wished to
+see her shine before our friends; and I contrived to conquer a
+cowardly feeling of jealousy which, in spite of myself, was beginning
+to get hold of me.  I took care to make her talk on such subjects as
+I knew to be familiar to her.  I developed her natural intelligence,
+and had the satisfaction of seeing her admired.
+
+Applauded, flattered, animated by the satisfaction she could read in
+my eyes, C---- C---- appeared a prodigy to M. de Bernis, and, oh!
+what a contradiction of the human heart!  I was pleased, yet I
+trembled lest he should fall in love with her!  What an enigma!  I
+was intent myself upon a work which would have caused me to murder
+any man who dared to undertake it.
+
+During the supper, which was worthy of a king, the ambassador treated
+C---- C---- with the most delicate attentions.  Wit, cheerfulness,
+decent manners, attended our delightful party, and did not expel the
+gaiety and the merry jests with which a Frenchman knows how to season
+every conversation.
+
+An observing critic who, without being acquainted with us, wished to
+guess whether love was present at our happy party, might have
+suspected, perhaps, but he certainly could not have affirmed, that it
+was there.  M---- M---- treated the ambassador as a friend.  She
+shewed no other feeling towards me than that of deep esteem, and she
+behaved to C---- C---- with the tender affection of a sister.  M. de
+Bernis was kind, polite, and amiable with M---- M-----, but he never
+ceased to take the greatest interest in every word uttered by C----
+C----, who played her part to perfection, because she had only to
+follow her own nature, and, that nature being beautiful, C---- C----
+could not fail to be most charming.
+
+We had passed five delightful hours, and the ambassador seemed more
+pleased even than any of us.  M---- M---- had the air of a person
+satisfied with her own work, and I was playing the part of an
+approving spectator.  C---- C---- looked highly pleased at having
+secured the general approbation, and there was, perhaps, a slight
+feeling of vanity in her arising from the special attention which the
+ambassador had bestowed on her.  She looked at me, smiling, and I
+could easily understand the language of her soul, by which she wished
+to tell me that she felt perfectly well the difference between the
+society in which she was then, and that in which her brother had
+given us such a disgusting specimen of his depravity.
+
+After midnight it was time to think of our departure, and M. de
+Bernis undertook all the complimentary part.  Thanking M---- M----
+for the most agreeable supper he had ever made in his life, he
+contrived to make her offer a repetition of it for two days
+afterwards, and he asked me, for the sake of appearance, whether I
+should not find as much delight in that second meeting as himself.
+Could he have any doubt of my answering affirmatively?  I believe
+not, for I had placed myself under the necessity of being compliant.
+All being agreed, we parted company.
+
+The next day, when I thought of that exemplary supper, I had no
+difficulty in guessing what the ultimate result would be.  The
+ambassador owed his great fortune entirely to the fair sex, because
+he possessed to the highest degree the art of coddling love; and as
+his nature was eminently voluptuous he found his advantage in it,
+because he knew how to call desires into existence, and this procured
+him enjoyments worthy of his delicate taste.  I saw that he was
+deeply in love with C---- C----, and I was far from supposing him the
+man to be satisfied with looking at her lovely eyes.  He certainly
+had some plan arranged, and M---- M----, in spite of all her honesty,
+was the prime manager of it.  I knew that she would carry it on with
+such delicate skill that I should not see any evidence of it.
+Although I did not feel disposed to shew more compliance than was
+strictly just, I foresaw that in the end I should be the dupe, and my
+poor C---- C---- the victim, of a cunningly-contrived trick.  I could
+not make up my mind either to consent with a good grace, or to throw
+obstacles in the way, and, believing my dear little wife incapable of
+abandoning herself to anything likely to displease me, I allowed
+myself to be taken off my guard, and to rely upon the difficulty of
+seducing her.  Stupid calculation!  Self-love and shamefacedness
+prevented me from using my common sense.  At all events, that
+intrigue kept me in a state of fever because I was afraid of its
+consequences, and yet curiosity mastered me to such an extent that I
+was longing for the result.  I knew very well that a second edition
+of the supper did not imply that the same play would be performed a
+second time, and I foresaw that the changes would be strongly marked.
+But I thought myself bound in honour not to retract.  I could not
+lead the intrigue, but I believed myself sufficiently skilful to
+baffle all their manoeuvrings.
+
+After all those considerations, however, considerations which enabled
+me to assume the countenance of false bravery, the inexperience of C-
+--- C----, who, in spite of all the knowledge she had lately
+acquired, was only a novice, caused me great anxiety.  It was easy to
+abuse her natural wish to be polite, but that fear gave way very soon
+before the confidence I had in M---- M----s delicacy.  I thought
+that, having seen how I had spent six hours with that young girl,
+knowing for a certainty that I intended to marry her, M---- M----
+would never be guilty of such base treason.  All these thoughts,
+worthy only of a weak and bashful jealousy, brought no conclusive
+decision.  I had to follow the current and watch events.
+
+At the appointed time I repaired to the casino, where I found my two
+lovely friends sitting by the fire.
+
+"Good evening, my two divinities, where is our charming Frenchman?"
+
+"He has not arrived yet," answered M---- M----, "but he will
+doubtless soon be here."
+
+I took off my mask, and sitting between them, I gave them a thousand
+kisses, taking good care not to shew any preference, and although I
+knew that they were aware of the unquestionable right I had upon both
+of them, I kept within the limits of the utmost decency.  I
+congratulated them upon the mutual inclination they felt for each
+other, and I saw that they were pleased not to have to blush on that
+account.
+
+More than one hour was spent in gallant and friendly conversation,
+without my giving any satisfaction to my burning desires.  M--- M----
+attracted me more than C---- C----, but I would not for the world
+have offended the charming girl.  M---- M---- was beginning to shew
+some anxiety about the absence of M. de Bernis, when the door-keeper
+brought her a note from him.
+
+"A courier," he wrote, "who arrived two hours ago, prevents my being
+happy to-night, for I am compelled to pass it in answering the
+dispatches I have received.  I trust that you will forgive and pity
+me.  May I hope that you will kindly grant me on Friday the pleasure
+of which I am so unfortunately deprived to-day?  Let me know your
+answer by to-morrow.  I wish ardently, in that case, to find you with
+the same guests, to whom I beg you will present my affectionate
+compliments."
+
+"Well," said M---- M----, "it is not his fault.  We will sup without
+him.  Will you come on Friday?"
+
+"Yes, with the greatest pleasure.  But what is the matter with you,
+dear C---- C----?  You look sad."
+
+"Sad, no, unless it should be for the sake of my friend, for I have
+never seen a more polite and more obliging gentleman."
+
+"Very well, dear, I am glad he has rendered you so sensible."
+
+"What do you mean?  Could anyone be insensible to his merit?"
+
+"Better still, but I agree with you.  Only tell me if you love him?"
+
+"Well, even if I loved him, do you think I would go and tell him?
+Besides, I am certain that he loves my friend."
+
+So saying, she sat down on M---- M----'s knee, calling her her own
+little wife, and my two beauties began to bestow on one another
+caresses which made me laugh heartily.  Far from troubling their
+sport, I excited them, in order to enjoy a spectacle with which I had
+long been acquainted.
+
+M---- M---- took up a book full of the most lascivious engravings,
+and said, with a significant glance in my direction:
+
+"Do you wish me to have a fire lighted in the alcove?"
+
+I understood her, and replied:
+
+"You would oblige me, for the bed being large we can all three sleep
+comfortably in it."
+
+I guessed that she feared my suspecting the ambassador of enjoying
+from the mysterious closet the sight of our amorous trio, and she
+wished to destroy that suspicion by her proposal.
+
+The table having been laid in front of the alcove, supper was served,
+and we all did honour to it.  We were all blessed with a devouring
+appetite.  While M---- M---- was teaching her friend how to mix
+punch, I was admiring with delight the progress made in beauty by
+C---- C----.
+
+"Your bosom," I said to her, "must have become perfect during the
+last nine months."
+
+"It is like mine," answered M---- M----, "would you like to see for
+yourself?"
+
+Of course I did not refuse.  M---- M---- unlaced her friend, who made
+no resistance, and performing afterwards the same office upon
+herself, in less than two minutes I was admiring four rivals
+contending for the golden apple like the three goddesses, and which
+would have set at defiance the handsome Paris himself to adjudge the
+prize without injustice.  Need I say what an ardent fire that
+ravishing sight sent coursing through my veins?  I placed immediately
+an the table the Academie des Dames, and pointed out a certain
+position to M---- M----, who, understanding my wishes, said to C----
+C----:
+
+"Will you, darling, represent that group with me?"
+
+A look of compliance was C---- C----'s only answer; she was not yet
+inured to amorous pleasures as much as her lovely teacher.  While I
+was laughing with delight, the two friends were getting ready, and in
+a few minutes we were all three in bed, and in a state of nature.  At
+first, satisfied with enjoying the sight of the barren contest of my
+two bacchanalians, I was amused by their efforts and by the contrast
+of colours, for one was dark and the other fair, but soon, excited
+myself, and consumed by all the fire of voluptuousness, I threw
+myself upon them, and I made them, one after the other, almost faint
+away from the excess of love and enjoyment.
+
+Worn out and satiated with pleasure, I invited them to take some
+rest.  We slept until we were awakened by the alarum, which I had
+taken care to set at four o'clock.  We were certain of turning to
+good account the two hours we had then to spare before parting
+company, which we did at the dawn of day, humiliated at having to
+confess our exhaustion, but highly pleased with each other, and
+longing for a renewal of our delightful pleasures.
+
+The next day, however, when I came to think of that rather too lively
+night, during which, as is generally the case, Love had routed
+Reason, I felt some remorse.  M---- M---- wanted to convince me of
+her love, and for that purpose she had combined all the virtues which
+I attached to my own affection--namely, honour, delicacy, and truth,
+but her temperament, of which her mind was the slave, carried her
+towards excess, and she prepared everything in order to give way to
+it, while she awaited the opportunity of making me her accomplice.
+She was coaxing love to make it compliant, and to succeed in
+mastering it, because her heart, enslaved by her senses, never
+reproached her.  She likewise tried to deceive herself by
+endeavouring to forget that I might complain of having been
+surprised.  She knew that to utter such a complaint I would have to
+acknowledge myself weaker or less courageous than she was, and she
+relied upon my being ashamed to make such a confession.  I had no
+doubt whatever that the absence of the ambassador had been arranged
+and concerted beforehand.  I could see still further, for it seemed
+evident to me that the two conspirators had foreseen that I would
+guess the artifice, and that, feeling stung to the quick, in spite of
+all my regrets, I would not shew myself less generous than they had
+been themselves.  The ambassador having first procured me a
+delightful night, how could I refuse to let him enjoy as pleasant a
+one?  My friends had argued very well, for, in spite of all the
+objections of my mind, I saw that I could not on my side put any
+obstacle in their way.  C---- C---- was no impediment to them.  They
+were certain of conquering her the moment she was not hindered by my
+presence.  It rested entirely with M---- M----, who had perfect
+control over her.  Poor girl!  I saw her on the high road to
+debauchery, and it was my own doing!  I sighed when I thought how
+little I had spared them in our last orgie, and what would become of
+me if both of them should happen to be, by my doing, in such a
+position as to be compelled to run away from the convent?  I could
+imagine both of them thrown upon my hands, and the prospect was not
+particularly agreeable.  It would be an 'embarras de richesse'.  In
+this miserable contest between reason and prejudice, between nature
+and sentiment, I could not make up my mind either to go to the supper
+or to remain absent from it.  "If I go," said I to myself, "that
+night will pass with perfect decency, but I shall prove myself very
+ridiculous, jealous, ungrateful, and even wanting in common
+politeness: if I remain absent, C---- C---- is lost, at least, in my
+estimation, for I feel that my love will no longer exist, and then
+good-bye to all idea of a marriage with her."  In the perplexity of
+mind in which I found myself, I felt a want of something more certain
+than mere probabilities to base my decision upon.  I put on my mask,
+and repaired to the mansion of the French ambassador.  I addressed
+myself to the gate-keeper, saying that I had a letter for Versailles,
+and that I would thank him to deliver it to the courier when he went
+back to France with his excellency's dispatches.
+
+"But, sir," answered the man, "we have not had a special courier for
+the last two months:"
+
+"What?  Did not a special cabinet messenger arrive here last night?"
+
+"Then he must have come in through the garret window or down the
+chimney, for, on the word of an honest man, none entered through the
+gate."
+
+"But the ambassador worked all night?"
+
+"That may be, sir, but not here, for his excellency dined with the
+Spanish ambassador, and did not return till very late:"
+
+I had guessed rightly.  I could no longer entertain any doubt.  It
+was all over; I could not draw back without shame.  C---- C---- must
+resist, if the game was distasteful to her; no violence would of
+course be offered to her.  The die was cast!
+
+Towards evening I went to the casino of Muran, and wrote a short note
+to M---- M----, requesting her to excuse me if some important
+business of M. de Bragadin's prevented me from spending the night
+with her and with our two friends, to whom I sent my compliments as
+well as my apologies.  After that I returned to Venice, but in rather
+an unpleasant mood; to divert myself I went to the gaming table, and
+lost all night.
+
+Two days afterwards, being certain that a letter from M---- M----
+awaited me at Muran, I went over, and the door-keeper handed me a
+parcel in which I found a note from my nun and a letter from C----
+C----, for everything was now in common between them.
+
+Here is C---- C ----'s letter"
+
+"We were very sorry, dearest friend, when we heard that we should not
+have the happiness of seeing you.  My dear M---- M----'s friend came
+shortly afterwards, and when he read your note he likewise expressed
+his deep regret.  We expected to have a very dull supper, but the
+witty sayings of that gentleman enlivened us and you cannot imagine
+of what follies we were guilty after partaking of some champagne
+punch.  Our friend had become as gay as ourselves, and we spent the
+night in trios, not very fatiguing, but very pleasant.  I can assure
+you that that man deserves to be loved, but he must acknowledge
+himself inferior to you in everything.  Believe me, dearest, I shall
+ever love you, and you must for ever remain the master of my heart."
+
+In spite of all my vexation, that letter made me laugh, but the note
+of M---- M---- was much more singular.  Here are the contents of it:
+
+"I am certain, my own beloved, that you told a story out of pure
+politeness, but you had guessed that I expected you to do so.  You
+have made our friend a splendid present in exchange for the one he
+made you when he did not object to his M---- M---- bestowing her
+heart upon you.  You possess that heart entirely, dearest, and you
+would possess it under all circumstances, but how sweet it is to
+flavour the pleasures of love with the charms of friendship!  I was
+sorry not to see you, but I knew that if you had come we would not
+have had much enjoyment; for our friend, notwithstanding all his wit,
+is not exempt from some natural prejudices.  As for C---- C-----, her
+mind is now quite as free of them as our own, and I am glad she owes
+it to me.  You must feel thankful to me for having completed her
+education, and for rendering her in every way worthy of you.  I wish
+you had been hiding in the closet, where I am certain you would have
+spent some delightful hours.  On Wednesday next I shall be yours, and
+all alone with you in your casino in Venice; let me know whether you
+will be at the usual hour near the statue of the hero Colleoni.  In
+case you should be prevented, name any other day."
+
+I had to answer those two letters in the same spirit in which they
+had been written, and in spite of all the bitter feelings which were
+then raging in my heart, my answers were to be as sweet as honey.  I
+was in need of great courage, but I said to myself: "George Dandin,
+tu las voulu!"  I could not refuse to pay the penalty of my own
+deeds, and I have never been able to ascertain whether the shame I
+felt was what is called shamefacedness.  It is a problem which I
+leave to others.
+
+In my letter to C---- C---- I had the courage, or the effrontery, to
+congratulate her, and to encourage her to imitate M---- M----, the
+best model, I said, I could propose to her.
+
+I wrote to my nun that I would be punctual at the appointment near
+the statue, and amidst many false compliments, which ought to have
+betrayed the true state of my heart, I told her that I admired the
+perfect education she had given to C---- C-----, but that I
+congratulated myself upon having escaped the torture I should have
+suffered in the mysterious observatory, for I felt that I could not
+have borne it.
+
+On the Wednesday I was punctual at the rendezvous, and I had not to
+wait long for M---- M----, who came disguised in male attire.  "No
+theatre to-night," she said to me; "let us go to the 'ridotto', to
+lose or double our money."  She had six hundred sequins.  I had about
+one hundred.  Fortune turned her back upon us, and we lost a11.  I
+expected that we would then leave that cutthroat place, but M----
+M----, having left me for a minute, came back with three hundred
+sequins which had been given to her by her friend, whom she knew
+where to find.  That money given by love or by friendship brought her
+luck for a short time, and she soon won back all we had lost, but in
+our greediness or imprudence we continued to play, and finally we
+lost our last sequin.
+
+When we could play no longer, M---- M---- said to me,
+
+"Now that we need not fear thieves, let us go to our supper."
+
+That woman, religious and a Free-thinker, a libertine and gambler,
+was wonderful in all she did.  She had just lost five hundred pounds,
+and she was as completely at her ease as if she had won a very large
+sum.  It is true that the money she had just lost had not cost her
+much.
+
+As soon as we were alone, she found me sad and low-spirited, although
+I tried hard not to appear so, but, as for her, always the same, she
+was handsome, brilliant, cheerful, and amorous.
+
+She thought she would bring back my spirits by giving me the fullest
+particulars of the night she had passed with C---- C---- and her
+friend, but she ought to have guessed that she was going the wrong
+way.  That is a very common error, it comes from the mind, because
+people imagine that what they feel themselves others must feel
+likewise.
+
+I was on thorns, and I tried everything to avoid that subject, and to
+lead the conversation into a different channel, for the amorous
+particulars, on which she was dwelling with apparent delight, vexed
+me greatly, and spite causing coldness, I was afraid of not playing
+my part very warmly in the amorous contest which was at hand.  When a
+lover doubts his own strength, he may almost always be sure that he
+will fail in his efforts.
+
+After supper we went to bed in the alcove, where the beauty, the
+mental and physical charms, the grace and the ardour of my lovely
+nun, cast all my bad temper to the winds, and soon restored me to my
+usual good-spirits.  The nights being shorter we spent two hours in
+the most delightful pleasures, and then parted, satisfied and full of
+love.
+
+Before leaving, M---- M---- asked me to go to her casino, to take
+some money and to play, taking her for my partner.  I did so.  I took
+all the gold I found, and playing the martingale, and doubling my
+stakes continuously, I won every day during the remainder of the
+carnival.  I was fortunate enough never to lose the sixth card, and,
+if I had lost it, I should have been without money to play, for I had
+two thousand sequins on that card.  I congratulated myself upon
+having increased the treasure of my dear mistress, who wrote to me
+that, for the sake of civility, we ought to have a supper 'en partie
+carree' on Shrove Monday.  I consented.
+
+That supper was the last I ever had in my life with C---- C----.  She
+was in excellent spirits, but I had made up my mind, and as I paid
+all my attentions to M---- M----, C---- C---- imitated my example
+without difficulty, and she devoted herself wholly to her new lover.
+
+Foreseeing that we would, a little later, be all of us in each
+other's way, I begged M---- M---- to arrange everything so that we
+could be apart, and she contrived it marvellously well.
+
+After supper, the ambassador proposed a game of faro, which our
+beauties did not know; he called for cards, and placed one hundred
+Louis on the table before him; he dealt, and took care to make C----
+C---- win the whole of that sum.  It was the best way to make her
+accept it as pin-money.  The young girl, dazzled by so much gold, and
+not knowing what to do with it, asked her friend to take care of it
+for her until such time as she should leave the convent to get
+married.
+
+When the game was over, M---- M---- complained of a headache, and
+said that she would go to bed in the alcove: she asked me to come and
+lull her to sleep.  We thus left the new lovers free to be as gay as
+they chose.  Six hours afterwards, when the alarum warned us that it
+was time to part, we found them asleep in each other's embrace.  I
+had myself passed an amorous and quiet night, pleased with M----
+M----, and with out giving one thought to C---- C----.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII
+
+M. De Bernis Goes Away Leaving Me the Use of His Casino--His Good
+Advice: How I Follow It--Peril of M. M. and Myself--Mr. Murray, the
+English Ambassador--Sale of the Casino and End of Our Meetings--
+Serious Illness of M. M.--Zorzi and Condulmer--Tonnie
+
+
+Though the infidelities of C---- C----made me look at her with other
+eyes than before, and I had now no intention of making her the
+companion of my life, I could not help feeling that it had rested
+with me to stop her on the brink of the stream, and I therefore
+considered it my duty always to be her friend.
+
+If I had been more logical, the resolution I took with respect to her
+would doubtless have been of another kind.  I should have said to
+myself: After seducing her, I myself have set the example of
+infidelity; I have bidden her to follow blindly the advice of her
+friend, although I knew that the advice and the example of M--- M----
+would end in her ruin; I had insulted, in the most grievous manner,
+the delicacy of my mistress, and that before her very eyes, and after
+all this how could I ask a weak woman to do what a man, priding
+himself on his strength, would shrink from at tempting?  I should
+have stood self-condemned, and have felt that it was my duty to
+remain the same to her, but flattering myself that I was overcoming
+mere prejudices, I was in fact that most degraded of slaves, he who
+uses his strength to crush the weak.
+
+The day after Shrove Tuesday, going to the casino of Muran, I found
+there a letter from M---- M----, who gave me two pieces of bad news:
+that C---- C---- had lost her mother, and that the poor girl was in
+despair; and that the lay-sister, whose rheum was cured, had returned
+to take her place.  Thus C---- C---- was deprived of her friend at a
+time when she would have given her consolation, of which she stood in
+great need.  C---- C----, it seemed, had gone to share the rooms of
+her aunt, who, being very fond of her, had obtained permission from
+the superior.  This circumstance would prevent the ambassador taking
+any more suppers with her, and I should have been delighted if chance
+had put this obstacle in his path a few days sooner.
+
+All these misfortunes seemed of small account com pared with what I
+was afraid of, for C---- C---- might have to pay the price for her
+pleasures, and I so far regarded myself as the origin of her
+unhappiness as to feel bound never to abandon her, and this might
+have involved me in terrible complications.
+
+M---- M---- asked me to sup with her and her lover on the following
+Monday.  I went and found them both sad--he for the loss of his new
+mistress, and she because she had no longer a friend to make the
+seclusion of the convent pleasant.
+
+About midnight M. de Bemis left us, saying in a melancholy manner
+that he feared he should be obliged to pass several months in Vienna
+on important diplomatic business.  Before parting we agreed to sup
+together every Friday.
+
+When we were alone M---- M---- told me that the ambassador would be
+obliged to me if in the future I would come to the casino two hours
+later.  I understood that the good-natured and witty profligate had a
+very natural prejudice against indulging his amorous feelings except
+when he was certain of being alone.
+
+M. de Bemis came to all our suppers till he left for Vienna, and
+always went away at midnight.  He no longer made use of his hiding-
+place, partly because we now only lay in the recess, and partly
+because, having had time to make love before my arrival, his desires
+were appeased.  M---- M---- always found me amorous.  My love,
+indeed, was even hotter than it had been, since, only seeing her once
+a week and remaining faithful to her, I had always an abundant
+harvest to gather in.  C---- C----'s letters which she brought to me
+softened me to tears, for she said that after the loss of her mother
+she could not count upon the friendship of any of her relations.  She
+called me her sole friend, her only protector, and in speaking of her
+grief in not being able to see me any more whilst she remained in the
+convent, she begged me to remain faithful to her dear friend.
+
+On Good Friday, when I got to the casino, I found the lovers over-
+whelmed with grief.  Supper was served, but the ambassador, downcast
+and absent, neither ate nor spoke; and M---- M---- was like a statue
+that moves at intervals by some mechanism.  Good sense and ordinary
+politeness prevented me from asking any questions, but on M---- M----
+leaving us together, M.  de Bemis told me that she was distressed,
+and with reason, since he was obliged to set out for Vienna fifteen
+days after Easter.  "I may tell you confidentially," he added, "that
+I believe I shall scarcely be able to return, but she must not be
+told, as she would be in despair."  M---- M---- came back in a few
+minutes, but it was easy to see that she had been weeping.
+
+After some commonplace conversation, M.  de Bernis, seeing M----M----
+still low-spirited, said,
+
+"Do not grieve thus, sweetheart, go I must, but my return is a matter
+of equal certainty when I have finished the important business which
+summons me to Vienna.  You will still have the casino, but, dearest,
+both friendship and prudence make me advise you not to come here in
+my absence, for after I have left Venice I cannot depend upon the
+faith of the gondoliers in my service, and I suspect our friend here
+cannot flatter himself on his ability to get reliable ones.  I may
+also tell you that I have strong reasons for suspecting that our
+intercourse is known to the State Inquisitors, who conceal their
+knowledge for political reasons, but I fancy the secret would soon
+come to light when I am no longer here, and when the nun who connives
+at your departure from the convent knows that it is no longer for me
+that you leave it.  The only people whom I would trust are the
+housekeeper and his wife.  I shall order them, before I go, to look
+upon our friend here as myself, and you can make your arrangements
+with them.  I trust all will go well till my return, if you will only
+behave discreetly.  I will write to you under cover of the
+housekeeper, his wife will give you my letters as before, and in the
+same way you may reply.  I must needs go, dearest one, but my heart
+is with you, and I leave you, till my return, in the hands of a
+friend, whom I rejoice to have known.  He loves you, he has a heart
+and knowledge of the world, and he will not let you make any
+mistakes."
+
+M---- M---- was so affected by what the ambassador had said that she
+entreated us to let her go, as she wished to be alone and to lie
+down.  As she went we agreed to sup together on the following
+Thursday.
+
+As soon as we were alone the ambassador impressed me with the
+absolute necessity of concealing from her that he was going to return
+no more.  "I am going," said he, "to work in concert with the
+Austrian cabinet on a treaty which will be the talk of Europe.  I
+entreat you to write to me unreservedly, and as a friend, and if you
+love our common mistress, have a care for her honour, and above all
+have the strength of mind to resist all projects which are certain to
+involve you in misfortune, and which will be equally fatal to both.
+You know what happened to Madame de Riva, a nun in the convent of
+St.----.  She had to disappear after it became known that she was
+with child, and M. de Frulai, my predecessor, went mad, and died
+shortly after.  J. J. Rousseau told me that he died of poison, but he
+is a visionary who sees the black side of everything.  For my part, I
+believe that he died of grief at not being able to do anything for
+the unfortunate woman, who afterwards procured a dispensation from
+her vows from the Pope, and having got married is now living at Padua
+without any position in society.
+
+"Let the prudent and loyal friend master the lover: go and see M----
+M---- sometimes in the parlour of the convent, but not here, or the
+boatmen will betray you.  The knowledge which we both have that the
+girls are in a satisfactory condition is a great alleviation to my
+distress, but you must confess that you have been very imprudent.
+You have risked a terrible misfortune; consider the position you
+would have been in, for I am sure you would not have abandoned her.
+She had an idea that the danger might be overcome by means of drugs
+but I convinced her that she was mistaken.  In God's name, be
+discreet in the future, and write to me fully, for I shall always be
+interested in her fate, both from duty and sentiment."
+
+We returned together to Venice, where we separated, and I passed the
+rest of the night in great distress.  In the morning I wrote to the
+fair afflicted, and whilst endeavouring to console her to the best of
+my ability, I tried to impress on her the necessity for prudence and
+the avoidance of such escapades as might eventually ruin us.
+
+Next day I received her reply, every word of which spelt despair.
+Nature had given her a disposition which had become so intensified by
+indulgence that the cloister was unbearable to her, and I foresaw the
+hard fights I should have to undergo.
+
+We saw each other the Thursday after Easter, and I told her that I
+should not come to the casino before midnight.  She had had four
+hours to pass with her lover in tears and regrets, amongst which she
+had often cursed her cruel fate and the foolish resolution which made
+her take the veil.  We supped together, and although the meal was a
+rich and delicate one we did it little honour.  When we had finished,
+the ambassador left, entreating me to remain, which I did, without
+thinking at all of the pleasures of a party of two, for Love lighteth
+not his torch at the hearts of two lovers who are full of grief and
+sorrow.  M---- M---- had grown thin, and her condition excited my
+pity and shut out all other feelings.  I held her a long time in my
+arms, covering her with tender and affectionate kisses, but I shewed
+no intention of consoling her by amusements in which her spirit could
+not have taken part.  She said, before we parted, that I had shewn
+myself a true lover, and she asked me to consider myself from
+henceforth as her only friend and protector.
+
+Next week, when we were together as usual, M. de Bemis called the
+housekeeper just before supper, and in his presence executed a deed
+in my behalf, which he made him sign.  In this document he
+transferred to me all rights over the contents of the casino, and
+charged him to consider me in all things as his master.
+
+We arranged to sup together two days after, to make our farewells,
+but on my arrival I found by herself, standing up, and pale as death,
+or rather as white as a statue of Carrara marble.
+
+"He is gone," she said, "and he leaves me to your care.  Fatal being,
+whom perchance I shall see no more, whom I thought I loved but as a
+friend, now you are lost to me I see my mistake.  Before I knew him I
+was not happy, but neither was I unhappy as I now am."
+
+I passed the whole night beside her, striving by the most delicate
+attentions to soften her grief, but with out success.  Her character,
+as abandoned to sorrow as to pleasure, was displayed to me during
+that long and weary night.  She told me at what hour I should come to
+the convent parlour, the next day, and on my arrival I was delighted
+to find her not quite so sad.  She shewed me a letter which her lover
+had written to her from Trevisa, and she then told me that I must
+come and see her twice a week, warning me that she would be
+accompanied sometimes by one nun and sometimes by another, for she
+foresaw that my visits would become the talk of the convent, when it
+became known that I was the individual who used to go to mass at
+their church. She therefore told me to give in another name, to
+prevent C---- C----'s aunt from becoming suspicious.
+
+"Nevertheless," she added, "this will not prevent my coming alone
+when I nave any matter of importance to communicate to you.  Promise
+me, sweetheart, to sup and sleep at the casino at least once a week,
+and write me a note each time by the housekeeper's wife."
+
+I made no difficulty in promising her that much.
+
+We thus passed a fortnight quietly enough, as she was happy again,
+and her amorous inclinations had returned in full force.  About this
+time she gave me a piece of news which delighted me--namely, that
+C---- C---- had no longer anything to fear.
+
+Full of amorous wishes and having to be content with the teasing
+pleasure of seeing one another through a wretched grating, we racked
+our brains to find out some way to be alone together to do what we
+liked, without any risk.
+
+"I am assured," she said, "of the good faith of the gardener's
+sister.  I can go out and come in without fear of being seen, for the
+little door leading to the convent is not overlooked by any window--
+indeed it is thought to be walled up.  Nobody can see me crossing the
+garden to the little stream, which is considered unnavigable.  All we
+want is a one-oared gondola, and I cannot believe that with the help
+of money you will be unable to find a boatman on whom we may rely."
+
+I understood from these expressions that she suspected me of becoming
+cold towards her, and this suspicion pierced me to the heart.
+
+"Listen," said I, "I will be the boatman myself.  I will come to the
+quay, pass by the little door, and you shall lead me to your room
+where I will pass the whole night with you, and the day, too, if you
+think you can hide me."
+
+"That plan," said she, "makes me shudder.  I tremble at the danger to
+which you might be exposed.  No, I should be too unfortunate if I
+were to be the cause of your misfortune, but, as you can row, come in
+the boat, let me know the time as closely as possible; the trusty
+woman will be on the watch, and I will not keep you four minutes
+waiting.  I will get into the boat, we will go to our beloved casino,
+and then we shall be happy without fearing anything."
+
+"I will think it over"
+
+The way I took to satisfy her was as follows: I bought a small boat,
+and without telling her I went one night all by myself round the
+island to inspect the walls of the convent on the side of the lagune.
+With some difficulty I made out a little door, which I judged to be
+the only one by which she could pass, but to go from there to the
+casino was no small matter, since one was obliged to fetch a wide
+course, and with one oar I could not do the passage in less than a
+quarter of an hour, and that with much toil.  Nevertheless, feeling
+sure of success, I told my pretty nun of the plan, and never was news
+received with so much pleasure.  We set our watches together, and
+fixed our meeting for the Friday following.
+
+On the day appointed, an hour before sunset, I betook myself to St.
+Francis de la Vigne, where I kept my boat, and having set it in order
+and dressed myself as a boatman, I got upon the poop and held a
+straight course for the little door, which opened the moment I
+arrived.  M---- M---- came out wrapped in a cloak, and someone
+shutting the door after her she got on board my frail bark, and in a
+quarter of an hour we were at the casino.  M---- M---- made haste to
+go in, but I stayed to belay my boat with a lock and chain against
+thieves, who pass the night pleasantly by stealing whatever they can
+lay hands on.
+
+Though I had rowed easily enough, I was in a bath of perspiration,
+which, however, by no means hindered my charming mistress from
+falling on my neck; the pleasure of meeting seemed to challenge her
+love, and, proud of what I had done, I enjoyed her transports.
+
+Not dreaming that I should have any occasion for a change of linen, I
+had brought none with me, but she soon found a cure for this defect;
+for after having undressed me she dried me lovingly, gave me one of
+her smocks, and I found myself dressed to admiration.
+
+We had been too long deprived of our amorous pleasures to think of
+taking supper before we had offered a plenteous sacrifice to love.
+We spent two hours in the sweetest of intoxications, our bliss
+seeming more acute than at our first meeting.  In spite of the fire
+which consumed me, in spite of the ardour of my mistress, I was
+sufficiently master of myself to disappoint her at the critical
+moment, for the picture which our friend had drawn was always before
+my eyes.  M---- M----, joyous and wanton, having me for the first
+time in the character of boatman, augmented our delights by her
+amorous caprices, but it was useless for her to try to add fuel to my
+flame, since I loved her better than myself.
+
+The night was short, for she was obliged to return at three in the
+morning, and it struck one as we sat down to table.  As the climax of
+ill luck a storm came on whilst we were at supper.  Our hair stood on
+end; our only hope was founded in the nature of these squalls, which
+seldom last more than an hour.  We were in hopes, also, that it would
+not leave behind it too strong a wind, as is sometimes the case, for
+though I was strong and sturdy I was far from having the skill or
+experience of a professional boatman.
+
+In less than half an hour the storm became violent, one flash of
+lightning followed another, the thunder roared, and the wind grew to
+a gale.  Yet after a heavy rain, in less than an hour, the sky
+cleared, but there was no moon, it being the day after the Ascension.
+Two o'clock stuck.  I put my head out at the window, but perceive
+that a contrary gale is blowing.
+
+     'Ma tiranno del mar Libecchio resta.'
+
+This Libecchio which Ariosto calls--and with good reason--the tyrant
+of the sea, is the southwesterly wind, which is commonly called
+'Garbin' at Venice.  I said nothing, but I was frightened.  I told my
+sweetheart that we must needs sacrifice an hour of pleasure, since
+prudence would have it so.
+
+"Let us set out forthwith, for if the gale gets stronger I shall not
+be able to double the island."
+
+She saw my advice was not to be questioned, and taking the key of her
+strong box, whence she desired to get some money, she was delighted
+to find her store increased fourfold.  She thanked me for having told
+her nothing about it, assuring me she would have of me nothing but my
+heart, and following me she got into my boat and lay down at full
+length so as not to hinder its motion, I got upon the poop, as full
+of fear as courage, and in five minutes I had the good luck to double
+the point.  But there it was that the tyrant was waiting for me, and
+it was not long before I felt that my strength would not outlast that
+of the winds.  I rowed with all my strength, but all I could do was
+to prevent my boat from going back.  For half an hour I was in this
+pitiful state, and I felt my strength failing without daring to say a
+word.  I was out of breath, but could not rest a moment, since the
+least relaxation would have let the boat slip a far way back, and
+this would have been a distance hard to recover.  M---- M---- lay
+still and silent, for she perceived I had no breath wherewith to
+answer her.  I began to give ourselves up as lost.
+
+At that instant I saw in the distance a barque coming swiftly towards
+us.  What a piece of luck!  I waited till she caught us up, for if I
+had not done so I should not have been able to make myself heard, but
+as soon as I saw her at my left hand, twelve feet off, I shouted,
+"Help!  I will give two sequins!"
+
+They lowered sail and came towards me, and on their hailing me I
+asked for a man to take us to the opposite point of the island.  They
+asked a sequin in advance, I gave it them, and promised the other to
+the man who would get on my poop and help me to make the point.  In
+less than ten minutes we were opposite to the little stream leading
+to the convent, but the secret of it was too dear to be hazarded, so
+as soon as we reached the point I paid my preserver and sent him
+back.  Henceforth the wind was in our favour, and we soon got to the
+little door, where M---- M---- landed, saying to me, "Go and sleep in
+the casino."  I thought her advice wise, and I followed it, and
+having the wind behind me I got to the casino without trouble, and
+slept till broad day.  As soon as I had risen I wrote to my dear
+mistress that I was well, and that we should see each other at the
+grating.  Having taken my boat back to St. Francis, I put on my mask
+and went to Liston.
+
+In the morning M---- M---- came to the grating by herself, and we
+made all such observations as our adventures of the night would be
+likely to suggest, but in place of deciding to follow the advice
+which prudence should have given us-namely, not to expose ourselves
+to danger for the future, we thought ourselves extremely prudent in
+resolving that if we were again threatened by a storm we would set
+out as soon as we saw it rising.  All the same we had to confess that
+if chance had not thrown the barque in our way we should have been
+obliged to return to the casino, for M---- M---- could not have got
+to the convent, and how could she ever have entered its walls again?
+I should have been forced to leave Venice with her, and that for
+ever.  My life would have been finally and irretrievably linked with
+hers, and, without doubt, the various adventures which at the age of
+seventy-two years impel me to write these Memoirs, would never have
+taken place.
+
+For the next three months we continued to meet each other once a
+week, always amorous, and never disturbed by the slightest accidents.
+
+M---- M---- could not resist giving the ambassador a full account of
+our adventures, and I had promised to write to him, and always to
+write the whole truth.  He replied by congratulating us on our good
+fortune, but he prophesied inevitable disaster if we had not the
+prudence to stop our intercourse.
+
+Mr. Murray, the English ambassador, a witty and handsome man, and a
+great amateur of the fair sex, wine, and good cheer, then kept the
+fair Ancilla, who introduced me to him.  This fine fellow became my
+friend in much the same way as M. de Bernis, the only difference
+being that the Frenchman liked to look on while the Englishman
+preferred to give the show.  I was never unwelcome at their amorous
+battles, and the voluptuous Ancilla was delighted to have me for a
+witness.  I never gave them the pleasure of mingling in the strife.
+I loved M---- M----, but I should avow that my fidelity to her was
+not entirely dependent on my love.  Though Ancilla was handsome she
+inspired me with repugnance, for she was always hoarse, and
+complained of a sharp pain in the throat, and though her lover kept
+well, I was afraid of her, and not without cause, for the disease
+which ended the days of Francis I. of France brought her to the grave
+in the following autumn.  A quarter of an hour before she died, her
+brave Briton, yielding to the lascivious requests of this new
+Messalina, offered in my presence the last sacrifice, in spite of a
+large sore on her face which made her look hideous.
+
+This truly heroic action was known all over the town, and it was
+Murray himself who made it known, citing me as his witness.
+
+This famous courtezan, whose beauty was justly celebrated, feeling
+herself eaten away by an internal disease, promised to give a hundred
+louis to a doctor named Lucchesi, who by dint of mercury undertook to
+cure her, but Ancilla specified on the agreement that she was not to
+pay the aforesaid sum till Lucchesi had offered with her an amorous
+sacrifice.
+
+The doctor having done his business as well as he could wished to be
+paid without submitting to the conditions of the treaty, but Ancilla
+held her ground, and the matter was brought before a magistrate.
+
+In England, where all agreements are binding, Ancilla would have won
+her case, but at Venice she lost it.
+
+The judge, in giving sentence, said a condition, criminal per se, not
+fulfilled, did not invalidate an agreement--a sentence abounding in
+wisdom, especially in this instance.
+
+Two months before this woman had become disgusting, my friend M.
+Memmo, afterwards procurator, asked me to take him to her house.  In
+the height of the conversation, what should come but a gondola, and
+we saw Count Rosemberg, the ambassador from Vienna, getting out of
+it.  M. Memmo was thunderstruck (for a Venetian noble conversing with
+a foreign ambassador becomes guilty of treason to the state), and ran
+in hot haste from Ancilla's room, I after him, but on the stair he
+met the ambassador, who, seeing his distress, burst into a laugh, and
+passed on.  I got directly into M. Memmo's gondola, and we went
+forthwith to M. Cavalli, secretary to the State Inquisitors.
+M. Memmo could have taken no better course to avoid the troublesome
+consequences which this fatal meeting might have had, and he was very
+glad that I was with him to testify to his innocence and to the
+harmlessness of the occurrence.
+
+M. Cavalli received M.  Memmo with a smile, and told him he did well
+to come to confession without wasting any time.  M. Memmo, much
+astonished at this reception, told him the brief history of the
+meeting, and the secretary replied with a grave air that he had no
+doubt as to the truth of his story, as the circumstances were in
+perfect correspondence with what he knew of the matter.
+
+We came away extremely puzzled at the secretary's reply, and
+discussed the subject for some time, but then we came to the
+conclusion that M. Cavalli could have had no positive knowledge of
+the matter before we came, and that he only spoke as he did from the
+instinct of an Inquisitor, who likes it to be understood that nothing
+is hid from him for a moment.
+
+After the death of Ancilla, Mr. Murray remained without a titular
+mistress, but, fluttering about like a butterfly, he had, one after
+another, the prettiest girls in Venice.  This good-natured Epicurean
+set out for Constantinople two years later, and was for twenty years
+the ambassador of the Court of St. James at the Sublime Porte.  He
+returned to Venice in 1778 with the intention of ending his days
+there, far from affairs of state, but he died in the lazaretto eight
+days before the completion of his quarantine.
+
+At play fortune continued to favour me; my commerce with M---- M----
+could not be discovered now that I was my own waterman ; and the nuns
+who were in the secret were too deeply involved not to keep it.  I
+led them a merry life, but I foresaw that as soon as M. de Bernis
+decided to let M---- M---- know that he would not return to Venice,
+he would recall his people, and we should then have the casino no
+longer.  I knew, besides, that when the rough season came on it would
+be impossible for me by myself to continue our voyages.
+
+The first Monday in October, when the theatres are opened and masks
+may be worn, I went to St. Francis to get my boat, and thence to
+Muran for my mistress, afterwards making for the casino.  The nights
+were now long enough for us to have ample time for enjoyment, so we
+began by making an excellent supper, and then devoted ourselves to
+the worship of Love and Sleep.  Suddenly, in the midst of a moment of
+ecstasy, I heard a noise in the direction of the canal, which aroused
+my suspicions, and I rushed to the window.  What was my astonishment
+and anger to see a large boat taking mine in tow!  Nevertheless,
+without giving way to my passion, I shouted to the robbers that I
+would give them ten sequins if they would be kind enough to return me
+my boat.
+
+A shout of laughter was all the reply they made, and not believing
+what I said they continued their course.  What was I to do?  I dared
+not cry, "Stop thief!" and not being endued with the power of walking
+on the water dry-footed, I could not give chase to the robbers.  I
+was in the utmost distress, and for the moment M---- M---- shewed
+signs of terror, for she did not see how I could remedy this
+disaster.
+
+I dressed myself hastily, giving no more thoughts to love, my only
+comfort being that I had still two hours to get the indispensable
+boat, should it cost me a hundred sequins.  I should have been in no
+perplexity if I had been able to take one, but the gondoliers would
+infallibly make proclamation over the whole of Muran that they had
+taken a nun to such a convent, and all would have been lost.
+
+The only way, then, that was open to me was either to buy a boat or
+to steal one.  I put my pistols and dagger in my pocket, took some
+money, and with an oar on my shoulder set out.
+
+The robbers had filed the chain of my boat with a silent file; this I
+could not do, and I could only reckon on having the good luck to find
+a boat moored with cords.
+
+Coming to the large bridge I saw boats and to spare, but there were
+people on the quay, and I would not risk taking one.  Seeing a tavern
+open at the end of the quay I ran like a madman, and asked if there
+were any boatmen there; the drawer told me there were two, but that
+they were drunk.  I came up to them, and said, "Who will take me to
+Venice for eighty sous?"
+
+"I," and "I"; and they began to quarrel as to who should go.  I
+quieted them by giving forty sous to the more drunken of the two, and
+I went out with the other.
+
+As soon as we were on our way, I said,
+
+"You are too drunk to take me, lend me your boat, and I will give it
+you back to-morrow."
+
+"I don't know you."
+
+"I will deposit ten sequins, but your boat is not worth that.  Who
+will be your surety?"
+
+He took me back to the tavern, and the drawer went bail for him.
+Well pleased, I took my man to the boat, and having furnished it with
+a second oar and two poles he went away, chuckling at having made a
+good bargain, while I was as glad to have had the worst of it.  I had
+been an hour away, and on entering the casino found my dear M----
+M---- in an agony, but as soon as she saw my beaming face all the
+laughter came back on hers.  I took her to the convent, and then went
+to St. Francis, where the keeper of the boathouse looked as if he
+thought me a fool, when I told him that I had trucked away my boat
+for the one I had with me.  I put on my mask, and went forthwith to
+my lodging and to bed, for these annoyances had been too much for me.
+
+About this time my destiny made me acquainted with a nobleman called
+Mark Antony Zorzi, a man of parts and famous for his skill in writing
+verses in the Venetian dialect.  Zorzi, who was very fond of the
+play, and desired to offer a sacrifice to Thalia, wrote a comedy
+which the audience took the liberty of hissing; but having persuaded
+himself that his piece only failed through the conspiracies of the
+Abbe Chiari, who wrote for the Theatre of St. Angelo, he declared
+open war against all the abbe's plays.
+
+I felt no reluctance whatever to visit M. Zorzi, for he possessed an
+excellent cook and a charming wife.  He knew that I did not care for
+Chiari as an author, and M. Zorzi had in his pay people who, without
+pity, rhyme, or reason, hissed all the compositions of the
+ecclesiastical playwright.  My part was to criticise them in hammer
+verses--a kind of doggerel then much in fashion, and Zorzi took care
+to distribute my lucubrations far and wide.  These manoeuvres made me
+a powerful enemy in the person of M. Condulmer, who liked me none the
+better for having all the appearance of being in high favour with
+Madame Zorzi, to whom before my appearance he had paid diligent
+court.  This M. Condulmer was to be excused for not caring for me,
+for, having a large share in the St. Angelo Theatre, the failure of
+the abbe's pieces was a loss to him, as the boxes had to be let at a
+very low rent, and all men are governed by interested motives.
+
+This M.  Condulmer was sixty years old, but with all the greenness of
+youth he was still fond of women, gaming, and money, and he was, in
+fact, a money-lender, but he knew how to pass for a saint, as he took
+care to go to mass every morning at St. Mark's, and never omitted to
+shed tears before the crucifix.  The following year he was made a
+councillor, and in that capacity he was for eight months a State
+Inquisitor.  Having thus attained this diabolically-eminent, or
+eminently-diabolical, position, he had not much difficulty in shewing
+his colleagues the necessity of putting me under The Leads as a
+disturber of the peace of the Republic.  In the beginning of the
+winter the astounding news of the treaty between France and Austria
+was divulged--a treaty by which the political balance was entirely
+readjusted, and which was received with incredulity by the Powers.
+The whole of Italy had reason to rejoice, for the treaty guarded that
+fair land from becoming the theatre of war on the slightest
+difference which might arise between the two Powers.  What astonished
+the most acute was that this wonderful treaty was conceived and
+carried out by a young ambassador who had hitherto been famed only as
+a wit.  The first foundations had been laid in 1750 by Madame de
+Pompadour, Count Canes (who was created a prince), and M. l'Abbe de
+Bernis, who was not known till the following year, when the king made
+him ambassador to Venice.  The House of Bourbon and the House of
+Hapsburg had been foes for two hundred and forty years when this
+famous treaty was concluded, but it only lasted for forty years, and
+it is not likely that any treaty will last longer between two courts
+so essentially opposed to one another.
+
+The Abbe de Bernis was created minister for foreign affairs some time
+after the ratification of the treaty; three years after he re-
+established the parliament, became a cardinal, was disgraced, and
+finally sent to Rome, where he died.  'Mors ultimo linea rerum est'.
+
+Affairs fell out as I had foreseen, for nine months after he left
+Venice he conveyed to M---- M---- the news of his recall, though he
+did it in the most delicate manner.  Nevertheless, M---- M---- felt
+the blow so severely that she would very possibly have succumbed, had
+I not been preparing her for it in every way I could think of  M. de
+Bernis sent me all instructions.
+
+He directed that all the contents of the casino should be sold and
+the proceeds given to M---- M----, with the exception of the books
+and prints which the housekeeper was ordered to bring to Paris.  It
+was a nice breviary for a cardinal, but would to God they had nothing
+worse!
+
+Whilst M---- M---- abandoned herself to grief I carried out the
+orders of M. de Bernis, and by the middle of January we had no longer
+a casino.  She kept by her two thousand sequins and her pearls,
+intending to sell them later on to buy herself an annuity.
+
+We were now only able to see each other at the grating; and soon,
+worn with grief, she fell dangerously ill, and on the 2nd of February
+I recognized in her features the symptoms of approaching death.  She
+sent me her jewel-case, with all her diamonds and nearly all her
+money, all the scandalous books she possessed, and all her letters,
+telling me that if she did not die I was to return her the whole, but
+that all belonged to me if, as she thought, she should succumb to the
+disease.  She also told me that C---- C---- was aware of her state,
+and asked me to take pity on her and write to her, as my letters were
+her only comfort, and that she hoped to have strength to read them
+till her latest breath.
+
+I burst into tears, for I loved her passionately, and I promised her
+to come and live in Muran until she recovered her health.
+
+Having placed the property in a gondola, I went to the Bragadin
+Palace to deposit it, and then returned to Muran to get Laura to find
+me a furnished room where I could live as I liked.  "I know of a good
+room, with meals provided," she said; "you will be quite comfortable
+and will get it cheaply, and if you like to pay in advance, you need
+not even say who you are.  The old man to whom the house belongs
+lives on the ground floor; he will give you all the keys and if you
+like you need see no one."
+
+She gave me the address, and I went there on the spot, and having
+found everything to my liking I paid a month in advance and the thing
+was done.  It was a little house at the end of a blind alley abutting
+on the canal.  I returned to Laura's house to tell her that I wanted
+a servant to get my food and to make my bed, and she promised to get
+me one by the next day.
+
+Having set all in order for my new lodging, I returned to Venice and
+packed my mails as if I were about to make a long journey.  After
+supper I took leave of M.  de Bragadin and of his two friends,
+telling them that I was going to be away for several weeks on
+important business.
+
+Next day, going to my new room, I was surprised to find there Tonine,
+Laura's daughter, a pretty girl not more than fifteen years old, who
+told me with a blush, but with more spirit than I gave her credit
+for, that she would serve me as well as her mother would have done.
+
+I was in too much distress to thank Laura for this pretty present,
+and I even determined that her daughter should not stay in my
+service.  We know how much such resolutions are commonly worth.  In
+the meanwhile I was kind to the girl: "I am sure," I said, "of your
+goodwill, but I must talk to your mother.  I must be alone," I added,
+"as I have to write all day, and I shall not take anything till the
+evening."  She then gave me a letter, begging pardon for not having
+given it me sooner.  "You must never forget to deliver messages,"
+I said, "for if you had waited any longer before bringing me this
+letter, it might have had the most serious consequences."  She
+blushed, begged pardon, and went out of the room.  The letter was
+from C---- C----, who told me that her friend was in bed, and that
+the doctor had pronounced her illness to be fever.  I passed the rest
+of the day in putting my room in order, and in writing to C---- C----
+and her suffering friend.
+
+Towards evening Tonine brought in the candles, and told me that my
+supper was ready.  "Follow me," I said.  Seeing that she had only
+laid supper for one--a pleasing proof of her modesty, I told her to
+get another knife and fork, as I wished her always to take her meals
+with me.  I can give no account of my motives.  I only wished to be
+kind to her, and I did everything in good faith.  By and by, reader,
+we shall see whether this is not one of the devices by which the
+devil compasses his ends.
+
+Not having any appetite, I ate little, but I thought everything good
+with the exception of the wine; but Tonine promised to get some
+better by the next day, and when supper was over she went to sleep in
+the ante-room.
+
+After sealing my letters, wishing to know whether the outer door was
+locked, I went out and saw Tonine in bed, sleeping peacefully, or
+pretending to do so.  I might have suspected her thoughts, but I had
+never been in a similar situation, and I measured the extremity of my
+grief by the indifference with which I looked at this girl; she was
+pretty, but for all that I felt that neither she nor I ran any risk.
+
+Next day, waking very early, I called her, and she came in neatly
+dressed.  I gave her my letter to C---- C----, which enclosed the
+letter to M---- M----, telling her to take it to her mother and then
+to return to make my coffee.
+
+"I shall dine at noon, Tonine," I said, "take care to get what is
+necessary in good time."
+
+"Sir, I prepared yesterday's supper myself, and if you like I can
+cook all your meals."
+
+"I am satisfied with your abilities, go on, and here is a sequin for
+expenses."
+
+"I still have a hundred and twenty sous remaining from the one you
+gave me yesterday, and that will be enough."
+
+"No, they are for yourself, and I shall give you as much every day."
+
+Her delight was so great that I could not prevent her covering my
+hand with kisses.  I took care to draw it back and not to kiss her in
+return, for I felt as if I should be obliged to laugh, and this would
+have dishonoured my grief.
+
+The second day passed like the first.  Tonine was glad that I said no
+more about speaking to her mother, and drew the conclusion that her
+services were agreeable to me.  Feeling tired and weak, and fearing
+that I should not wake early enough to send the letter to the
+convent, but not wishing to rouse Tonine if she were asleep, I called
+her softly.  She rose immediately and came into my room with nothing
+on but a slight petticoat.  Pretending to see nothing, I gave her my
+letter, and told her to take it to her mother in the morning before
+she came into my room.  She went out, saying that my instructions
+should be carried out, but as soon as she was gone I could not resist
+saying to myself that she was very pretty; and I felt both sad and
+ashamed at the reflection that this girl could very easily console
+me.  I hugged my grief, and I determined to separate myself from a
+being who made me forget it.
+
+"In the morning," I said, "I will tell Laura to get me something less
+seducing;" but the night brought counsel, and in the morning I put on
+the armour of sophism, telling myself that my weakness was no fault
+of the girl's, and that it would therefore be unjust to punish her
+for it.  We shall see, dear reader, how all this ended.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII
+
+Continues the Preceding Chapter--M. M. Recovers--I Return to Venice--
+Tonine Consoles Me--Decrease of My Love For M. M.--Doctor Righelini--
+Curious Conversation With Him--How This Conversation Affected M. M.--
+Mr. Murray Undeceived and Avenged
+
+
+Tontine had what is called tact and common sense, and thinking these
+qualities were required in our economy she behaved with great
+delicacy, not going to bed before receiving my letters, and never
+coming into my room except in a proper dress, and all this pleased
+me.  For a fortnight M---- M---- was so ill that I expected every
+moment to hear the news of her death.  On Shrove Tuesday C---- C----
+wrote that her friend was not strong enough to read my letter, and
+that she was going to receive 'extreme unction'.  This news so
+shocked me that I could not rise, and passed the whole day in weeping
+and writing, Tonine not leaving me till midnight.  I could not sleep.
+On Ash Wednesday I got a letter, in which C---- C---- told me that
+the doctor had no hopes for her friend, and that he only gave her a
+fortnight to live.  A low fever was wasting her away, her weakness
+was extreme, and she could scarcely swallow a little broth.  She had
+also the misfortune to be harassed by her confessor, who made her
+foretaste all the terrors of death.  I could only solace my grief by
+writing, and Tonine now and again made bold to observe that I was
+cherishing my grief, and that it would be the death of me.  I knew
+myself that I was making my anguish more poignant, and that keeping
+to my bed, continued writing, and no food, would finally drive me
+mad.  I had told my grief to poor Tonine, whose chief duty was to
+wipe away my tears.  She had compassion on me.
+
+A few days later, after assuring C---- C---- that if our friend died
+I should not survive her, I asked her to tell M---- M---- that if she
+wanted me to take care of my life she must promise to let me carry
+her off on her recovery.
+
+"I have," I said, "four thousand sequins and her diamonds, which are
+worth six thousand; we should, therefore, have a sufficient sum to
+enable us to live honourably in any part of Europe."
+
+C---- C---- wrote to me on the following day, and said that my
+mistress, after hearing my letter read, had fallen into a kind of
+convulsion, and, becoming delirious, she talked incessantly in French
+for three whole hours in a fashion which would have made all the nuns
+take to their heels, if they had understood her.  I was in despair,
+and was nearly raving as wildly as my poor nun.  Her delirium lasted
+three days, and as soon as she got back her reason she charged her
+young friend to tell me that she was sure to get well if I promised
+to keep to my word, and to carry her off as soon as her health would
+allow.  I hastened to reply that if I lived she might be sure my
+promise would be fulfilled.
+
+Thus continuing to deceive each other in all good faith, we got
+better, for every letter from C---- C----, telling me how the
+convalescence of her friend was progressing, was to me as balm.  And
+as my mind grew more composed my appetite also grew better, and my
+health improving day by day, I soon, though quite unconsciously,
+began to take pleasure in the simple ways of Tonine, who now never
+left me at night before she saw that I was asleep.
+
+Towards the end of March M---- M---- wrote to me herself, saying that
+she believed herself out of danger, and that by taking care she hoped
+to be able to leave her room after Easter.  I replied that I should
+not leave Muran till I had the pleasure of seeing her at the grating,
+where, without hurrying ourselves, we could plan the execution of our
+scheme.
+
+It was now seven weeks since M. de Bragadin had seen me, and thinking
+that he would be getting anxious I resolved to go and see him that
+very day.  Telling Tonine that I should not be back till the evening,
+I started for Venice without a cloak, for having gone to Muran masked
+I had forgotten to take one.  I had spent forty-eight days without
+going out of my room, chiefly in tears and distress, and without
+taking any food.  I had just gone through an experience which
+flattered my self-esteem.  I had been served by a girl who would have
+passed for a beauty anywhere in Europe.  She was gentle, thoughtful,
+and delicate, and without being taxed with foppishness I think I may
+say that, if she was not in love with me, she was at all events
+inclined to please me to the utmost of her ability; for all that I
+had been able to withstand her youthful charms, and I now scarcely
+dreaded them.  Seeing her every day, I had dispersed my amorous
+fancies, and friendship and gratitude seemed to have vanquished all
+other feelings, for I was obliged to confess that this charming girl
+had lavished on me the most tender and assiduous care.
+
+She had passed whole nights on a chair by my bedside, tending me like
+a mother, and never giving me the slightest cause for complaint.
+
+Never had I given her a kiss, never had I allowed myself to undress
+in her presence, and never (with one exception) had she come into my
+room without being properly dressed.  For all that, I knew that I had
+fought a battle, and I felt inclined to boast at having won the
+victory.  There was only one circumstance that vexed me--namely, that
+I was nearly certain that neither M. M. nor C. C. would consider such
+continence to be within the bounds of possibility, if they heard of
+it, and that Laura herself, to whom her daughter would tell the whole
+story, would be sceptical, though she might out of kindness pretend
+to believe it all.
+
+I got to M. de Bragadin's just as the soup was being served.  He
+welcomed me heartily, and was delighted at having foreseen that I
+should thus surprise them.  Besides my two other old friends, there
+were De la Haye, Bavois, and Dr. Righelini at table.
+
+"What! you without a cloak!" said M. Dandolo.
+
+"Yes," said I; "for having gone out with my mask on I forgot to
+bring one:"
+
+At this they laughed, and, without putting myself out, I sat down.
+No one asked where I had been so long, for it was understood that
+that question should be left to me to answer or not.  Nevertheless,
+De la Haye, who was bursting with curiosity, could not refrain from
+breaking some jests on me.
+
+"You have got so thin," said he, "that uncharitable people will be
+rather hard on you."
+
+"I trust they will not say that I have been passing my time with the
+Jesuits."
+
+"You are sarcastic.  They may say, perhaps, that you have passed your
+time in a hot-house under the influence of Mercury."
+
+"Don't be afraid, sir, for to escape this hasty judgment I shall go
+back this evening."
+
+"No, no, I am quite sure you will not."
+
+"Believe me, sir," said I, with a bantering tone, "that I deem your
+opinion of too much consequence not to be governed by it."
+
+Seeing that I was in earnest, my friends were angry with him; and the
+Aristarchus was in some confusion.
+
+Righelini, who was one of Murray's intimate friends, said to me in a
+friendly way that he had been longing to tell Murray of my re-
+appearance, and of the falsity of all the reports about me.
+
+"We will go to sup with him," said I, "and I will return after
+supper."
+
+Seeing that M. de Bragadin and his two friends were uneasy about me,
+I promised to dine with them on April 25th, St. Mark's Day.
+
+As soon as Mr. Murray saw me, he fell on my neck and embraced me.  He
+introduced me to his wife, who asked me to supper with great
+politeness.  After Murray had told me the innumerable stories which
+had been made about my disappearance, he asked me if I knew a little
+story by the Abbe Chiari, which had come out at the end of the
+carnival.  As I said that I knew nothing about it, he gave me a copy,
+telling me that I should like it.  He was right.  It was a satire in
+which the Zorzi clique was pulled to pieces, and in which I played a
+very poor part.  I did not read it till some time after, and in the
+mean time put it in my pocket.  After a very good supper I took a
+gondola to return to Muran.
+
+It was midnight and very dark, so that I did not perceive the gondola
+to be ill covered and in wretched order.  A fine rain was falling
+when I got in, and the drops getting larger I was soon wet to the
+skin.  No great harm was done, as I was close to my quarters.  I
+groped my way upstairs and knocked at the door of the ante-room,
+where Tonine, who had not waited for me, was sleeping.
+Awake in a moment she came to open the door in her smock, and without
+a light.  As I wanted one, I told her to get the flint and steel,
+which she did, warning me in a modest voice that she was not dressed.
+"That's of no consequence," said I, "provided you are covered."  She
+said no more, and soon lighted a candle, but she could not help
+laughing when she saw me dripping wet.
+
+"I only want you, my dear," said I, "to dry my hair."  She quickly
+set to work with powder and powder-puff in hand, but her smock was
+short and loose at the top, and I repented, rather too late, that I
+had not given her time to dress.  I felt that all was lost, all the
+more as having to use both her hands she could not hold her smock and
+conceal two swelling spheres more seductive than the apples of the
+Hesperides.  How could I help seeing them?  I shut my eyes and, said
+"For shame!" but I gave in at last, and fixed such a hungry gaze upon
+poor Tonine that she blushed.  "Come," said I, "take your smock
+between your teeth and then I shall see no more."  But it was worse
+than before, and I had only added fuel to the fire; for, as the veil
+was short, I could see the bases and almost the frieze of two marble
+columns; and at this sight I gave a voluptuous cry.  Not knowing how
+to conceal everything from my gaze, Tonine let herself fall on the
+sofa, and I, my passions at fever-heat, stood beside her, not knowing
+what to do.
+
+"Well," she said, "shall I go and dress myself and then do your
+hair?"
+
+"No, come and sit on my knee, and cover my eyes with your hands."
+She came obediently, but the die was cast, and my resistance
+overcome.  I clasped her between my arms, and without any more
+thoughts of playing at blind man's buff I threw her on the bed and
+covered her with kisses.  And as I swore that I would always love
+her, she opened her arms to receive me in a way that shewed how long
+she had been waiting for this moment.
+
+I plucked the rose, and then, as ever, I thought it the rarest I had
+ever gathered since I had laboured in the harvest of the fruitful
+fields of love.
+
+When I awoke in the morning I found myself more deeply in love with
+Tonine than I had been with any other woman.  She had got up without
+waking me, but as soon as she heard me stirring she came, and I
+tenderly chid her for not waiting for me to give her good morrow.
+Without answering she gave me M---- M---- 's letter.  I thanked her,
+but putting the letter on one side I took her in my arms, and set her
+by my side.  "What a wonder!" cried Tonine.  "You are not in a hurry
+to read that letter!  Faithless man, why did you not let me cure you
+six weeks ago.  How lucky I am; thanks to the rain!  I do not blame
+you, dear, but love me as you love her who writes to you every day,
+and I shall be satisfied."
+
+"Do you know who she is?"
+
+"She lives in a boarding-house, and is as beautiful as an angel; but
+she is there, and I am here.  You are my master, and I will be your
+servant as long as you like."
+
+I was glad to leave her in error, and swore an ever-lasting love; but
+during our conversation she had let herself drop down in the bottom
+of the bed, and I entreated her to lie down again; but she said that
+on the contrary it was time for me to get up for dinner, for she
+wanted to give me a dainty meal cooked in the Venetian manner.
+
+"Who is the cook?" said I.
+
+"I am, and I have been using all my skill on it since five, when I
+got up."
+
+"What time is it now, then?"
+
+"Past one."
+
+The girl astonished me.  She was no longer the shy Tonine of last
+night; she had that exultant air which happiness bestows, and the
+look of pleasure which the delights of love give to a young beauty.
+I could not understand how I had escaped from doing homage to her
+beauty when I first saw her at her mother's house.  But I was then
+too deeply in love with C---- C----; I was in too great distress;
+and, moreover, Tonine was then unformed.  I got up, and making her
+bring me a cup of coffee I asked her to keep the dinner back for a
+couple of hours.
+
+I found M---- M----'s letter affectionate, but not so interesting as
+it would have been the day before.  I set myself to answer it, and
+was almost thunderstruck to find the task, for the first time, a
+painful one.  However, my short journey to Venice supplied me with
+talk which covered four pages.
+
+I had an exquisite dinner with my charming Tonine.  Looking at her as
+at the same time my wife, my mistress, and my housekeeper, I was
+delighted to find myself made happy at such a cheap rate.  We spent
+the whole day at the table talking of our love, and giving each other
+a thousand little marks of it; for there is no such rich and pleasant
+matter for conversation as when they who talk are parties to an
+amorous suit.  She told with charming simplicity that she knew
+perfectly well that she could not make me amorous of her, because I
+loved another, and that her only hope was therefore in a surprise,
+and that she had foreseen the happy moment when I told her that she
+need not dress herself to light a candle.
+
+Tonine was naturally quick-witted, but she did not know either how to
+read or to write.  She was enchanted to see herself become rich (for
+she thought herself so) without a soul at Muran being able to breathe
+a word against her honour.  I passed three weeks in the company of
+this delightful girl--weeks which I still reckon among the happiest
+of my life; and what embitters my old age is that, having a heart as
+warm as ever, I have no longer the strength necessary to secure a
+single day as blissful as those which I owed to this charming girl.
+
+Towards the end of April I saw M. M. at the grating, looking thin and
+much changed, but out of danger.  I therefore returned to Venice.  In
+my interview, calling my attachment and tender feelings to my aid, I
+succeeded in behaving myself in such wise that she could not possibly
+detect the change which a new love had worked in my heart.  I shall
+be, I trust, easily believed when I say that I was not imprudent
+enough to let her suspect that I had given up the idea of escaping
+with her, upon which she counted more than ever.  I was afraid lest
+she should fall ill again, if I took this hope away from her.  I kept
+my casino, which cost me little, and as I went to see M. M. twice a
+week I slept there on those occasions, and made love with my dashing
+Tonine.
+
+Having kept my word with my friends by dining with them on St. Mark's
+Day, I went with Dr. Righelini to the parlour of the Vierges to see
+the taking of the veil.
+
+The Convent of the Vierges is within the jurisdiction of the Doge,
+whom the nuns style "Most Serene Father."  They all belong to the
+first families in Venice.
+
+While I was praising the beauty of Mother M---- E----- to Dr.
+Righelini, he whispered to me that he could get her me for a money
+payment, if I were curious in the matter.  A hundred sequins for her
+and ten sequins for the go-between was the price fixed on.  He
+assured me that Murray had had her, and could have her again.  Seeing
+my surprise, he added that there was not a nun whom one could not
+have by paying for her: that Murray had the courage to disburse five
+hundred sequins for a nun of Muran--a rare beauty, who was afterwards
+the mistress of the French ambassador.
+
+Though my passion for M---- M---- was on the wane, I felt my heart
+gripped as by a hand of ice, and it was with the greatest difficulty
+that I made no sign.  Notwithstanding, I took the story for an
+atrocious calumny, but yet the matter was too near my heart for me to
+delay in bringing it to light at the earliest opportunity.  I
+therefore replied to Righelini in the calmest manner possible, that
+one or two nuns might be had for money, but that it could happen very
+rarely on account of the difficulties in most convents.
+
+"As for the nun of Muran, justly famous for her beauty, if she be
+M---- M----, nun of the convent..., I not only disbelieve that Murray
+ever had her, but I am sure she was never the French ambassador's
+mistress.  If he knew her it could only have been at the grating,
+where I really cannot say what happens."
+
+Righelini, who was an honourable and spirited man, answered me coldly
+that the English ambassador was a man of his word, and that he had
+the story from his own lips.
+
+"If Mr. Murray," he continued, "had not told it me under the seal of
+secrecy I would make him tell it you himself.  I shall be obliged if
+you will take care that he never knows I told you of it."
+
+"You may rely on my discretion."
+
+The same evening, supping at Murray's casino with Righelini, having
+the matter at heart, and seeing before me the two men who could clear
+up everything to my satisfaction, I began to speak with enthusiasm of
+the beauty of M---- E----, whom I had seen at the Vierges.
+
+Here the ambassador struck in, taking the ball on the hop:
+
+"Between friends," said he, "you can get yourself the enjoyment of
+those charms, if you are willing to sacrifice a sum of money--not too
+much, either, but you must have the key."
+
+"Do you think you have it?"
+
+"No, I am sure; and had less trouble than you might suppose."
+
+"If you are sure; I congratulate you, and doubt no more.  I envy your
+fortune, for I don't believe a more perfect beauty could be found in
+all the convents of Venice."
+
+"There you are wrong.  Mother M---- M----, at ---- in Muran, is
+certainly handsomer."
+
+"I have heard her talked of and I have seen her once, but I do not
+think it possible that she can be procured for money."
+
+"I think so," said he, laughing, "and when I think I mostly have good
+reasons."
+
+"You surprise me; but all the same I don't mind betting you are
+deceived."
+
+"You would lose.  As you have only seen her once, I suppose you would
+not recognize her portrait?"
+
+"I should, indeed, as her face left a strong impression on my mind."
+
+"Wait a minute."
+
+He got up from the table, went out, and returned a minute after with
+a box containing eight or ten miniatures, all in the same style,
+namely, with hair in disorder and bare necks.
+
+"These," said I, "are rare charms, with which you have doubtless a
+near acquaintance?"
+
+"Yes, and if you recognize any of them be discreet."
+
+"You need not be afraid.  Here are three I recognize, and this looks
+like M---- M----; but confess that you may have been deceived--at
+least, that you did not have her in the convent or here, for there
+are women like her."
+
+"Why do you think I have been deceived?  I have had her here in her
+religious habit, and I have spent a whole night with her; and it was
+to her individually that I sent a purse containing five hundred
+sequins.  I gave fifty to the good procurer."
+
+"You have, I suppose, visited her in the parlour, after having her
+here?"
+
+"No, never, as she was afraid her titular lover might hear of it.
+You know that was the French ambassador."
+
+"But she only saw him in the parlour;"
+
+"She used to go to his house in secular dress whenever he wanted her.
+I was told that by the man who brought her here."
+
+"Have you had her several times?"
+
+"Only once and that was enough, but I can have her whenever I like
+for a hundred sequins."
+
+"All that may be the truth, but I would wager five hundred sequins
+that you have been deceived."
+
+"You shall have your answer in three days."
+
+I was perfectly certain, I repeat, that the whole affair was a piece
+of knavery; but it was necessary to have it proved, and I shuddered
+when the thought came into my head that after all it might be a true
+story.  In this case I should have been freed from a good many
+obligations, but I was strongly persuaded of her innocence.  At all
+events, if I were to find her guilty (which was amongst possible
+occurrences), I resigned myself to lose five hundred sequins as the
+price of this horrible discovery and addition to my experience of
+life.  I was full of restless anguish--the worst, perhaps, of the
+torments of the mind.  If the honest Englishman had been the victim
+of a mystification, or rather knavery, my regard for M---- M----'s
+honour compelled me to find a way to undeceive him without
+compromising her; and such was my plan, and thus fortune favoured me.
+Three or four days after, Mr. Murray told the doctor that he wished
+to see me.  We went to him, and he greeted me thus:
+
+"I have won; for a hundred sequins I can have the fair nun!
+
+"Alas!" said I, "there go my five hundred sequins."
+
+"No, not five hundred, my dear fellow, for I should be ashamed to win
+so much of you, but the hundred she would cost me.  If I win, you
+shall pay for my pleasure, and if I lose I shall give her nothing."
+
+"How is the problem to be solved?"  "My Mercury tells me that we must
+wait for a day when masks are worn.  He is endeavouring at present to
+find out a way to convince both of us; for otherwise neither you nor
+I would feel compelled to pay the wager, and if I really have M. M.
+my honour would not allow me to let her suspect that I had betrayed
+the secret."
+
+"No, that would be an unpardonable crime.  Hear my plan, which will
+satisfy us both; for after it has been carried out each of us will be
+sure that he has fairly won or fairly lost.
+
+"As soon as you have possessed yourself of the real or pretended nun,
+leave her on some pretext, and meet me in a place to be agreed upon.
+We will then go together to the convent, and I will ask for M. M.
+
+"Will seeing her and speaking to her convince you that the woman you
+have left at home is a mere impostor?"
+
+"Perfectly, and I shall pay my wager with the greatest willingness."
+
+"I may say the same.  If, when I summon M. M. to the parlour, the
+lay-sister tells us she is ill or busy, we will go, and the wager
+will be yours; you will sup with the fair, and I will go elsewhere."
+
+"So be it; but since all this will be at nighttime, it is possible
+that when you ask for her, the sister will tell you that no one can
+be seen at such an hour."
+
+"Then I shall lose."
+
+"You are quite sure, then, that if she be in the convent she will
+come down?"
+
+"That's my business.  I repeat, if you don't speak to her, I shall
+hold myself to have lost a hundred sequins, or a thousand if you
+like."
+
+"One can't speak plainer than that, my dear fellow, and I thank you
+beforehand."
+
+"The only thing I ask you is to come sharp to time; and not to come
+too late for a convent."
+
+"Will an hour after sunset suit you?"
+
+"Admirably."
+
+"I shall also make it my business to compel my masked mistress to
+stop where she is, even though it be M. M. herself."
+
+"Some won't have long to wait, if you will take her to a casino which
+I myself possess at Muran, and where I secretly keep a girl of whom I
+am amorous.  I will take care that she shall not be there on the
+appointed day, and I will give you the key of the casino.  I shall
+also see that you find a delicate cold supper ready."
+
+"That is admirable, but I must be able to point out the place to my
+Mercury."
+
+"True!  I will give you a supper to-morrow, the greatest secrecy to
+be observed between us.  We will go to my casino in a gondola, and
+after supper we will go out by the street door; thus you will know
+the way by land and water.  You will only have to tell the procurer
+the name of the canal and of the house, and on the day fixed you
+shall have the key.  You will only find there an old man who lives on
+the ground floor, and he will see neither those who go out nor those
+who come in.  My sweetheart will see nothing and will not be seen;
+and all, trust me, will turn out well."
+
+"I begin to think that I have lost my bet," said the Englishman, who
+was delighted with the plan; "but it matters not, I can gaily
+encounter either loss or gain."  We made our appointment for the next
+day, and separated.
+
+On the following morning I went to Muran to warn Tonine that I was
+going to sup with her, and to bring two of my friends; and as my
+English friend paid as great court to Bacchus as to Cupid, I took
+care to send my little housekeeper several bottles of excellent wine.
+
+Charmed with the prospect of doing the honours of the table, Tonine
+only asked me if my friends would go away after supper.  I said yes,
+and this reply made her happy; she only cared for the dessert.
+
+After leaving her I went to the convent and passed an hour with M. M.
+in the parlour.  I was glad to see that she was getting back her
+health and her beauty every day, and having complimented her upon it
+I returned to Venice.  In the evening my two friends kept their
+appointments to the minute, and we went to my little casino at two
+hours after sunset.
+
+Our supper was delicious, and my Tonine charmed me with the
+gracefulness of her carriage.  I was delighted to see Righelini
+enchanted, and the ambassador dumb with admiration.  When I was in
+love I did not encourage my friends to cajole my sweetheart, but I
+became full of complaisance when time had cooled the heat of my
+passion.
+
+We parted about midnight, and having taken Mr.  Murray to the spot
+where I was to wait for him on the day of trial, I returned to
+compliment my charming Tonine as she deserved.  She praised my two
+friends, and could not express her surprise at seeing our English
+friend going away, fresh and nimble on his feet, notwithstanding his
+having emptied by himself six bottles of my best wine.  Murray looked
+like a fine Bacchus after Rubens.
+
+On Whit Sunday Righelini came to tell me that the English ambassador
+had made all arrangements with the pretended procurer of M. M. for
+Whit Tuesday.  I gave him the keys of my abode at Muran, and told him
+to assure Murray that I would keep the appointment at the exact time
+arranged upon.
+
+My impatience brought on palpitation of the heart, which was
+extremely painful, and I passed the two nights without closing an
+eye; for although I was convinced of M---- M----'s innocence, my
+agitation was extreme.  But whence all this anxiety?  Merely from a
+desire to see the ambassador undeceived.  M. M. must in his eyes have
+seemed a common prostitute, and the moment in which he would be
+obliged to confess himself the victim of roguery would re-establish
+the honour of the nun.
+
+Mr. Murray was as impatient as myself, with this difference, that
+whereas he, looking upon the adventure as a comic one, only laughed,
+I who found it too tragic shuddered with indignation.
+
+On Tuesday morning I went to Muran to tell Tonine to get a cold
+supper after my instruction, to lay the table for two, to get wax
+lights ready, and having sent in several bottles of wine I bade her
+keep to the room occupied by the old landlord, and not to come out
+till the people who were coming in the evening were gone.  She
+promised to do so, and asked no questions.  After leaving her I went
+to the convent parlour, and asked to see M---- M----.  Not expecting
+to see me, she asked me why I had not gone to the pageant of the
+Bucentaur, which, the weather being favourable, would set out on this
+day.  I do not know what I answered, but I know that she found my
+words little to the purpose.  I came at last to the important point,
+and told her I was going to ask a favour of her, on which my peace of
+mind depended, but which she must grant blindly without asking any
+questions.
+
+"Tell me what I am to do, sweetheart," said she, "and be sure I will
+refuse nothing which may be in my power."
+
+"I shall be here this evening an hour after sunset, and ask for you
+at this grating; come.  I shall be with another man, to whom I beg of
+you to say a few words of politeness; you can then leave us.  Let us
+find some pretext to justify the unseasonable hour."
+
+"I will do what you ask, but you cannot imagine how troublesome it is
+in a convent, for at six o'clock the parlours are shut up and the
+keys are taken to the abbess' room.  However, as you only want me for
+five minutes, I will tell the abbess that I am expecting a letter
+from my brother, and that it can be sent to me on this evening only.
+You must give me a letter that the nun who will be with me may be
+able to say that I have not been guilty of deception."
+
+"You will not come alone, then?"
+
+"I should not dare even to ask for such a privilege."
+
+"Very good, but try to come with some old nun who is short-sighted."
+
+"I will keep the light in the background."
+
+"Pray do not do so, my beloved; on the contrary, place it so that you
+may be distinctly seen."
+
+"All this is very strange, but I have promised passive obedience, and
+I will come down with two lights.  May I hope that you will explain
+this riddle to me at your next interview?"
+
+"By to-morrow, at latest, you shall know the whole story."
+
+"My curiosity will prevent me from sleeping."
+
+"Not so, dear heart; sleep peacefully, and be sure of my gratitude."
+
+The reader will think that after this conversation my heart was
+perfectly at rest; but how far was I from resting!  I returned to
+Venice, tortured lest I should be told in the evening at the door of
+the cathedral, where we were to meet, that the nun had been obliged
+to put off her appointment.  If that had happened, I should not have
+exactly suspected M---- M----, but the ambassador would have thought
+that I had caused the scheme to miscarry.  It is certain that in that
+case I should not have taken my man to the parlour, but should have
+gone there sadly by myself.
+
+I passed the whole day in these torments, thinking it would never
+come to an end, and in the evening I put a letter in my pocket, and
+went to my post at the hour agreed upon.
+
+Fortunately, Murray kept the appointment exactly.
+
+"Is the nun there?" said I, as soon as he was near me.
+
+"Yes, my dear fellow.  We will go, if you like, to the parlour; but
+you will find that we shall be told she is ill or engaged.  If you
+like, the bet shall be off."
+
+"God forbid, my dear fellow!  I cling to that hundred ducats.  Let us
+be gone."
+
+We presented ourselves at the wicket, and I asked for M---- M----,
+and the doorkeeper made me breathe again by saying that I was
+expected.  I entered the parlour with my English friend, and saw that
+it was lighted by four candles.  I cannot recall these moments
+without being in love with life.  I take note not only of my noble
+mistress's innocence, but also of the quickness of her wit.  Murray
+remained serious, without a smile on his face.  Full of grace and
+beauty, M---- M---- came into the room with a lay-sister, each of
+them holding a candlestick.  She paid me a compliment in good French;
+I gave her the letter, and looking at the address and the seal she
+put it in her pocket.  After thanking me and saying she would reply
+in due course, she turned towards my companion:
+
+"I shall, perhaps, make you lose the first act of the opera," said
+she.
+
+"The pleasure of seeing you, madam, is worth all the operas in the
+world."
+
+"You are English, I think?"
+
+"Yes, madam."
+
+"The English are now the greatest people in the world, because they
+are free and powerful.  Gentlemen, I wish you a very good evening."
+
+I had never seen M---- M---- looking so beautiful as then, and I went
+out of the parlour ablaze with love, and glad as I had never been
+before.  I walked with long strides towards my casino, without taking
+notice of the ambassador, who did not hurry himself in following me;
+I waited for him at my door.
+
+"Well," said I, "are you convinced now that you have been cheated?"
+
+"Be quiet, we have time enough to talk about that.  Let us go
+upstairs."
+
+"Shall I come?"
+
+"Do.  What do you think I could do by myself for four hours with that
+creature who is waiting for me?  We will amuse ourselves with her."
+
+"Had we not better turn her out?"
+
+"No; her master is coming for her at two o'clock in the morning.  She
+would go and warn him, and he would escape my vengeance.  We will
+throw them both out of the window."
+
+"Be moderate, for M---- M----s honour depends on the secrecy we
+observe.  Let us go upstairs.  We shall have some fun.  I should like
+to see the hussy."
+
+Murray was the first to enter the room.  As soon as the girl saw me,
+she threw her handkerchief over her face, and told the ambassador
+that such behaviour was unworthy of him.  He made no answer.  She was
+not so tall as M---- M----, and she spoke bad French.
+
+Her cloak and mask were on the bed, but she was dressed as a nun.  As
+I wanted to see her face, I politely asked her to do me the favour of
+shewing it.
+
+"I don't know you," said she; "who are you?"
+
+"You are in my house, and don't know who I am?"
+
+"I am in your house because I have been betrayed.  I did not think
+that I should have to do with a scoundrel."
+
+At this word Murray commanded her to be silent, calling her by the
+name of her honourable business; and the slut got up to take her
+cloak, saying she would go.  Murray pushed her back, and told her
+that she would have to wait for her worthy friend, warning her to
+make no noise if she wanted to keep out of prison.
+
+"Put me in prison!"
+
+With this she directed her hand towards her dress, but I rushed
+forward and seized one hand while Murray mastered the other.  We
+pushed her back on a chair while we possessed ourselves of the
+pistols she carried in her pockets.
+
+Murray tore away the front of her holy habit, and I extracted a
+stiletto eight inches long, the false nun weeping bitterly all the
+time.
+
+"Will you hold your tongue, and keep quiet till Capsucefalo comes,"
+said the ambassador, "or go to prison?"
+
+"If I keep quiet what will become of me?"
+
+"I promise to let you go."
+
+"With him?"
+
+"Perhaps."
+
+"Very well, then, I will keep quiet."
+
+"Have you got any more weapons?"
+
+Hereupon the slut took off her habit and her petticoat, and if we had
+allowed her she would have soon been in a state of nature, no doubt
+in the expectation of our passions granting what our reason refused.
+I was much astonished to find in her only a false resemblance to
+M.M.  I remarked as much to the ambassador, who agreed with me, but
+made me confess that most men, prepossessed with the idea that they
+were going to see M. M., would have fallen into the same trap.  In
+fact, the longing to possess one's self of a nun who has renounced
+all the pleasures of the world, and especially that of cohabitation
+with the other sex, is the very apple of Eve, and is more delightful
+from the very difficulty of penetrating the convent grating.
+
+Few of my readers will fail to testify that the sweetest pleasures
+are those which are hardest to be won, and that the prize, to obtain
+which one would risk one's life, would often pass unnoticed if it
+were freely offered without difficulty or hazard.
+
+In the following chapter, dear reader, you will see the end of this
+farcical adventure.  In the mean time, let us take a little breath.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV
+
+Pleasant Ending of the Adventure of the False Nun--M. M. Finds Out
+That I Have d Mistress--She is Avenged on the Wretch Capsucefalo--
+I Ruin Myself at Play, and at the Suggestion of M. M. I Sell all Her
+Diamonds, One After Another--I Hand Over Tonine to Murray, Who Makes
+Provision for Her--Her Sister Barberine Takes Her Place.
+
+
+How did you make this nice acquaintance?" I asked the ambassador.
+
+"Six months ago," he replied, "while standing at the convent gate
+with Mr. Smith, our consul, in whose company I had been to see some
+ceremony or other, I remarked to him, as we were talking over some
+nuns we had noticed, 'I would gladly give five hundred sequins for a
+few hours of Sister M---- M----s company.'  Count Capsucefalo heard
+what I said, but made no remark.  Mr. Smith answered that one could
+only see her at the grating as did the ambassador of France, who
+often came to visit her.  Capsucefalo called on me the next morning,
+and said that if I had spoken in good faith he was sure he could get
+me a night with the nun in whatever place I liked, if she could count
+on my secrecy. 'I have just been speaking to her,' said he, 'and on
+my mentioning your name she said she had noticed you with Mr. Smith,
+and vowed she would sup with you more for love than money.  'I,' said
+the rascal, 'am the only man she trusts, and I take her to the French
+ambassador's casino in Venice whenever she wants to go there.  You
+need not be afraid of being cheated, as you will give the money to
+her personally when you have possessed yourself of her.'  With this
+he took her portrait from his pocket and shewed it me; and here it
+is.  I bought it of him two days after I believed myself to have
+spent a night with the charming nun, and a fortnight after our
+conversation.  This beauty here came masked in a nun's habit, and I
+was fool enough to think I had got a treasure.  I am vexed with
+myself for not having suspected the cheat--at all events, when I saw
+her hair, as I know that nuns' hair should be cut short.  But when I
+said something about it to the hussy, she told me they were allowed
+to keep their hair under their caps, and I was weak enough to believe
+her."
+
+I knew that on this particular Murray had not been deceived, but I
+did not feel compelled to tell him so then and there.
+
+I held the portrait Murray had given me in my hand, and compared it
+with the face before me.  In the portrait the breast was bare, and as
+I was remarking that painters did those parts as best they could, the
+impudent wench seized the opportunity to shew me that the miniature
+was faithful to nature.  I turned my back upon her with an expression
+of contempt which would have mortified her, if these creatures were
+ever capable of shame.  As we talked things over, I could not help
+laughing at the axiom, Things which are equal to the same thing are
+equal to one another, for the miniature was like M. M. and like the
+courtezan, and yet the two women were not like each other.  Murray
+agreed with me, and we spent an hour in a philosophical discussion on
+the matter.  As the false M. M. was named Innocente, we expressed a
+wish to know how her name agreed with her profession, and how the
+knave had induced her to play the part she had taken; and she told us
+the following story:
+
+"I have known Count Capsucefalo for two years, and have found him
+useful, for, though he has given me no money, he has made me profit
+largely through the people he has introduced to me.  About the end of
+last autumn he came to me one day, and said that if I could make up
+as a nun with some clothes he would get me, and in that character
+pass a night with an Englishman, I should be the better by five
+hundred sequins.  'You need not be afraid of anything,' said he, 'as
+I myself will take you to the casino where the dupe will be awaiting
+you, and I will come and take you back to your imaginary convent
+towards the end of the night.  He shewed me how I must behave, and
+told me what to reply if my lover asked any questions about the
+discipline of the convent.
+
+"I liked the plot, gentlemen, and I told him I was ready to carry it
+out.  And be pleased to consider that there are not many women of my
+profession who would hesitate over a chance of getting five hundred
+sequins.  Finding the scheme both agreeable and profitable, I
+promised to play my part with the greatest skill.  The bargain was
+struck, and he gave me full instructions as to my dialogue.  He told
+me that the Englishman could only talk about my convent and any
+lovers I might have had; that on the latter point I was to cut him
+short, and to answer with a laugh that I did not know what he was
+talking about, and even to tell him that I was a nun in appearance
+only, and that in the course of toying I might let him see my hair.
+'That,' said Capsucefalo, 'won't prevent him from thinking you a nun
+--yes! and the very nun he is amorous of, for he will have made up
+his mind that you cannot possibly be anyone else.'  Seizing the point
+of the jest, I did not take the trouble to find out the name of the
+nun I was to represent, nor the convent whence I was to come; the
+only thing in my head was the five hundred sequins.  So little have I
+troubled about aught else that, though I passed a delicious night
+with you, and found you rather worthy of being paid for than paying,
+I have not ascertained who and what you are, and I don't know at this
+moment to whom I am speaking.  You know what a night I had; I have
+told you it was delicious, and I was happy in the idea that I was
+going to have another.  You have found everything out.  I am sorry,
+but I am not afraid of anything, since I can put on any disguise I
+like, and can't prevent my lovers taking me for a saint if they like
+to do so.  You have found weapons in my possession, but everyone is
+allowed to bear arms in self-defence.  I plead not guilty on all
+counts."
+
+"Do you know me?" said I.
+
+"No, but I have often seen you passing under my window.  I live at
+St. Roch, near the bridge."
+
+The way in which the woman told her yarn convinced us that she was an
+adept in the science of prostitution, but we thought Capsucefalo, in
+spite of the count, worthy of the pillory.  The girl was about ten
+years older than M. M., she was pretty, but light-complexioned, while
+my beautiful nun had fine dark brown hair and was at least three
+inches taller.
+
+After twelve o'clock we sat down to supper, and did honour to the
+excellent meal which my dear Antoinette had prepared for us.  We were
+cruel enough to leave the poor wretch without offering her so much as
+a glass of wine, but we thought it our duty.
+
+While we were talking, the jolly Englishman made some witty comments
+on my eagerness to convince him that he had not enjoyed M. M.'s
+favours.
+
+"I can't believe," said he, "that you have shewn so much interest
+without being in love with the divine nun."
+
+I answered by saying that if I were her lover I was much to be pitied
+in being condemned to go to the parlour, and no farther.
+
+"I would gladly give a hundred guineas a month," said he, "to have
+the privilege of visiting her at the grating."
+
+So saying he gave me my hundred sequins, complimenting me on my
+success, and I slipped them forthwith into my pocket.
+
+At two o'clock in the morning we heard a soft knock on the street
+door.
+
+"Here is our friend," I said, "be discreet, and you will see that he
+will make a full confession."
+
+He came in and saw Murray and the lady, but did not discover that a
+third party was present till he heard the ante-room door being
+locked.  He turned round and saw me, and as he knew me, merely said,
+without losing countenance:
+
+"Ah, you are here; you know, of course, that the secret must be
+kept?"
+
+Murray laughed and calmly asked him to be seated, and he enquired,
+with the lady's pistols in his hands, where he was going to take her
+before day-break.
+
+"Home."
+
+"I think you may be mistaken, as it is very possible that when you
+leave this place you will both of you be provided with a bed in
+prison."
+
+"No, I am not afraid of that happening; the thing would make too much
+noise, and the laugh would not be on your side.  Come," said he to
+his mate, "put on your cloak and let us be off."
+
+The ambassador, who like an Englishman kept quite cool the whole
+time, poured him out a glass of Chambertin, and the blackguard drank
+his health.  Murray seeing he had on a fine ring set with brilliants,
+praised it, and shewing some curiosity to see it more closely he drew
+it off the fellow's finger, examined it, found it without flaw, and
+asked how much it was worth.  Capsucefalo, a little taken aback, said
+it cost him four hundred sequins.
+
+"I will hold it as a pledge for that sum," said the ambassador,
+putting the ring into his pocket.  The other looked chop-fallen, and
+Murray laughing at his retiring manners told the girl to put on her
+cloak and to pack off with her worthy acolyte.  She did so directly,
+and with a low bow they disappeared.
+
+"Farewell, nun procurer!" said the ambassador, but the count made no
+answer.
+
+As soon as they were gone I thanked Murray warmly for the moderation
+he had shewn, as a scandal would have only injured three innocent
+people.
+
+"Be sure," said he, "that the guilty parties shall be punished
+without anyone's knowing the reason"
+
+I then made Tonine come upstairs, and my English friend offered her a
+glass of wine, which she declined with much modesty and politeness.
+Murray looked at her with flaming glances, and left after giving me
+his heartiest thanks.
+
+Poor little Tonine had been resigned, and obedient for many hours,
+and she had good cause to think I had been unfaithful to her;
+however, I gave her the most unmistakable proofs of my fidelity.  We
+stayed in bed for six hours, and rose happy in the morning.
+
+After dinner I hurried off to my noble M---- M----, and told her the
+whole story.  She listened eagerly, her various feelings flitting
+across her face.  Fear, anger, wrath, approval of my method of
+clearing up my natural suspicions, joy at discovering me still her
+lover--all were depicted in succession in her glance, and in the play
+of her features, and in the red and white which followed one another
+on her cheeks and forehead.  She was delighted to hear that the
+masker who was with me in the parlour was the English ambassador, but
+she became nobly disdainful when I told her that he would gladly give
+a hundred guineas a month for the pleasure of visiting her in the
+parlour.  She was angry with him for fancying that she had been in
+his power, and for finding a likeness between her and a portrait,
+when, so she said, there was no likeness at all; I had given her the
+portrait.  She added, with a shrewd smile, that she was sure I had
+not let my little maid see the false nun, as she might have been
+mistaken.
+
+"You know, do you, that I have a young servant?"
+
+"Yes, and a pretty one, too.  She is Laura's daughter, and if you
+love her I am very glad, and so is C---- C----.  I hope you will let
+me have a sight of her.  C---- C---- has seen her before."
+
+As I saw that she knew too much for me to be able to deceive her, I
+took my cue directly and told her in detail the history of my amours.
+She shewed her satisfaction too openly not to be sincere.  Before I
+left her she said her honour obliged her to get Capsucefalo
+assassinated, for the wretch had wronged her beyond pardon.  By way
+of quieting her I promised that if the ambassador did not rid us of
+him within the week I would charge myself with the execution of our
+common vengeance.
+
+About this time died Bragadin the procurator, brother of my patron,
+leaving M. de Bragadin sufficiently well off.  However, as the family
+threatened to become extinct, he desired a woman who had been his
+mistress, and of whom he had had a natural son, to become his wife.
+By this marriage the son would have become legitimate, and the family
+renewed again.  The College of Cardinals would have recognized the
+wife for a small fee, and all would have gone admirably.
+
+The woman wrote to me, asking me to call on her; and I was going to,
+curious to know what a woman, whom I did not know from Adam, could
+want with me, when I received a summons from M. de Bragadin.  He
+begged me to ask Paralis if he ought to follow De la Haye's advice in
+a matter he had promised not to confide to me, but of which the
+oracle must be informed.  The oracle, naturally opposed to the
+Jesuit, told him to consult his own feelings and nothing else.  After
+this I went to the lady.
+
+She began by telling me the whole story.  She introduced her son to
+me, and told me that if the marriage could be performed, a deed would
+be delivered in my favour by which, at the death of M. de Bragadin,
+I should become entitled to an estate worth five thousand crowns per
+annum.
+
+As I guessed without much trouble that this was the same matter which
+De la Haye had proposed to M.  de Bragadin, I answered without
+hesitation that since De la Haye was before me I could do nothing,
+and thereupon made her my bow.
+
+I could not help wondering at this Jesuit's continually intriguing to
+marry my old friends without my knowledge.  Two years ago, if I had
+not set my face against it, he would have married M. Dandolo.  I
+cared not a whit whether the family of Bragadin became extinct or
+not, but I did care for the life of my benefactor, and was quite sure
+that marriage would shorten it by many years; he was already sixty-
+three, and had recovered from a serious apoplectic stroke.
+
+I went to dine with Lady Murray (English-women who are daughters of
+lords keep the title), and after dinner the ambassador told me that
+he had told M. Cavalli the whole story of the false nun, and that the
+secretary had informed him, the evening before, that everything had
+been done to his liking.  Count Capsucefalo had been sent to
+Cephalonia, his native country, with the order never to return to
+Venice, and the courtezan had disappeared.
+
+The fine part, or rather the fearful part, about these sentences is
+that no one ever knows the reason why or wherefore, and that the lot
+may fall on the innocent as well as the guilty.  M. M. was delighted
+with the event, and I was more pleased than she, for I should have
+been sorry to have been obliged to soil my hands with the blood of
+that rascally count.
+
+There are seasons in the life of men which may be called 'fasti' and
+'nefasti'; I have proved this often in my long career, and on the
+strength of the rubs and struggles I have had to encounter.  I am
+able, as well as any man, to verify the truth of this axiom.  I had
+just experienced a run of luck.  Fortune had befriended me at play, I
+had been happy in the society of men, and from love I had nothing to
+ask; but now the reverse of the medal began to appear.  Love was
+still kind, but Fortune had quite left me, and you will soon see,
+reader, that men used me no better than the blind goddess.
+Nevertheless, since one's fate has phases as well as the moon, good
+follows evil as disasters succeed to happiness.
+
+I still played on the martingale, but with such bad luck that I was
+soon left without a sequin.  As I shared my property with M. M. I was
+obliged to tell her of my losses, and it was at her request that I
+sold all her diamonds, losing what I got for them; she had now only
+five hundred sequins by her.  There was no more talk of her escaping
+from the convent, for we had nothing to live on!  I still gamed, but
+for small stakes, waiting for the slow return of good luck.
+
+One day the English ambassador, after giving me a supper at his
+casino with the celebrated Fanny Murray, asked me to let him sup at
+my casino at Muran, which I now only kept up for the sake of Tonine.
+I granted him the favour, but did not imitate his generosity.  He
+found my little mistress smiling and polite, but always keeping
+within the bounds of decency, from which he would have very willingly
+excused her.  The next morning he wrote to me as follows:
+
+"I am madly in love with Tonine.  If you like to hand her over to me
+I will make the following provision for her: I will set her up in a
+suitable lodging which I will furnish throughout, and which I will
+give to her with all its contents, provided that I may visit her
+whenever I please, and that she gives me all the rights of a
+fortunate lover.  I will give her a maid, a cook, and thirty sequins
+a month as provision for two people, without reckoning the wine,
+which I will procure myself.  Besides this I will give her a life
+income of two hundred crowns per annum, over which she will have full
+control after living with me for a year.  I give you a week to send
+your answer."
+
+I replied immediately that I would let him know in three days whether
+his proposal were accepted, for Tonine had a mother of whom she was
+fond, and she would possibly not care to do anything without her
+consent.  I also informed him that in all appearance the girl was
+with child.
+
+The business was an important one for Tonine.  I loved her, but I
+knew perfectly well that we could not pass the rest of our lives
+together, and I saw no prospect of being able to make her as good a
+provision as that offered by the ambassador.  Consequently I had no
+doubts on the question, and the very same day I went to Muran and
+told her all.
+
+"You wish to leave me, then," said she, in tears.
+
+"I love you, dearest, and what I propose ought to convince you of my
+love."
+
+"Not so; I cannot serve two masters."
+
+"You will only serve your new lover, sweetheart.  I beg of you to
+reflect that you will have a fine dowry, on the strength of which you
+may marry well; and that however much I love you I cannot possibly
+make so good a provision for you."
+
+"Leave me to-day for tears and reflection, and come to supper with me
+to-morrow."
+
+I did not fail to keep the appointment.
+
+"I think your English friend is a very pretty man," she said, "and
+when he speaks in the Venetian dialect it makes me die with laughter.
+If my mother agrees, I might, perhaps, force myself to love him.
+Supposing we did not agree we could part at the end of a year, and I
+should be the richer by an income of two hundred crowns."
+
+"I am charmed with the sense of your arguments; speak about it to
+your mother."
+
+"I daren't, sweetheart; this kind of thing is too delicate to be
+discussed between a mother and her daughter speak to her yourself."
+
+"I will, indeed."
+
+Laura, whom I had not seen since she had given me her daughter, asked
+for no time to think it over, but full of glee told me that now her
+daughter would be able to soothe her declining years, and that she
+would leave Muran of which she was tired.  She shewed me a hundred
+and thirty sequins which Tonine had gained in my service, and which
+she had placed in her hands.
+
+Barberine, Tonine's younger sister, came to kiss my hand.  I thought
+her charming, and I gave her all the silver in my pocket.  I then
+left, telling Laura that I should expect her at my house.  She soon
+followed me, and gave her child a mother's blessing, telling her that
+she and her family could go and live in Venice for sixty sous a day.
+Tonine embraced her, and told her that she should have it.
+
+This important affair having been managed to everybody's
+satisfaction, I went to see M---- M----, who came into the parlour
+with C---- C----, whom I found looking sad, though prettier than
+ever.  She was melancholy, but none the less tender.  She could not
+stay for more than a quarter of an hour for fear of being seen, as
+she was forbidden ever to go into the parlour.  I told M. M. the
+story of Tonine, who was going to live with Murray in Venice; she was
+sorry to hear it, "for," said she, "now that you have no longer any
+attraction at Muran, I shall see you less than ever."  I promised to
+come and see her often, but vain promises!  The time was near which
+parted us for ever.
+
+The same evening I went to tell the good news to my friend Murray.
+He was in a transport of joy, and begged me to come and sup with him
+at his casino the day after next, and to bring the girl with me, that
+the surrender might be made in form.  I did not fail him, for once
+the matter was decided, I longed to bring it to an end.  In my
+presence he assigned to her the yearly income for her life of two
+hundred Venetian ducats, and by a second deed he gave her all the
+contents of the house with which he was going to provide her,
+provided always that she lived with him for a year.  He allowed her
+to receive me as a friend, also to receive her mother and sisters,
+and she was free to go and see them when she would.  Tonine threw her
+arms about his neck, and assured him that she would endeavour to
+please him to the utmost of her ability.  "I will see him," said she,
+pointing to me, "but as his friend he shall have nothing more from
+me."  Throughout this truly affecting scene she kept back her tears,
+but I could not conceal mine.  Murray was happy, but I was not long a
+witness of his good fortune, the reason of which I will explain a
+little later.
+
+Three days afterwards Laura came to me, told me that she was living
+in Venice, and asked me to take her to her daughter's.  I owed this
+woman too much to refuse her, and I took her there forthwith.  Tonine
+gave thanks to God, and also to me, and her mother took up the song,
+for they were not quite sure whether they were more indebted to God
+or to me.  Tonine was eloquent in her praise of Murray, and made no
+complaint at my not having come to see her, at which I was glad.  As
+I was going Laura asked me to take her back in my gondola, and as we
+had to pass by the house in which she lived she begged me to come in
+for a moment, and I could not hurt her feelings by refusing.  I owe
+it to my honour to remark here that I was thus polite without
+thinking that I should see Barberine again.
+
+This girl, as pretty as her sister, though in another style, began by
+awakening my curiosity--a weakness which usually renders the
+profligate man inconstant.  If all women were to have the same
+features, the same disposition, and the same manners, men would not
+only never be inconstant, but would never be in love.  Under that
+state of things one would choose a wife by instinct and keep to her
+till death, but our world would then be under a different system to
+the present.  Novelty is the master of the soul.  We know that what
+we do not see is very nearly the same as what we have seen, but we
+are curious, we like to be quite sure, and to attain our ends we give
+ourselves as much trouble as if we were certain of finding some prize
+beyond compare.
+
+Barberine, who looked upon me as an old friend--for her mother had
+accustomed her to kiss my hand whenever I went there, who had
+undressed more than once in my presence without troubling about me,
+who knew I had made her sister's fortune and the family fortune as
+well, and thought herself prettier than Tonine because her skin was
+fairer, and because she had fine black eyes, desiring to take her
+sister's place, knew that to succeed she must take me by storm.  Her
+common sense told her that as I hardly ever came to the house, I
+should not be likely to become amorous of her unless she won me by
+storm; and to this end she shewed the utmost complaisance when she
+had the chance, so that I won her without any difficulty.  All this
+reasoning came from her own head, for I am sure her mother gave her
+no instructions.  Laura was a mother of a kind common the world over,
+but especially in Italy.  She was willing to take advantage of the
+earnings of her daughters, but she would never have induced them to
+take the path of evil.  There her virtue stopped short.
+
+After I had inspected her two rooms and her little kitchen, and had
+admired the cleanness which shone all around, Barberine asked me if I
+would like to see their small garden.
+
+"With pleasure," I replied, "for a garden is a rarity in Venice."
+
+Her mother told her to give me some figs if there were any ripe ones.
+The garden consisted of about thirty square feet, and grew only salad
+herbs and a fine fig tree.  It had not a good crop, and I told her
+that I could not see any figs.
+
+"I can see some at the top," said Barberine, "and I will gather them
+if you will hold me the ladder."
+
+"Yes, climb away; I will hold it quite firmly."
+
+She stepped up lightly, and stretching out an arm to get at some figs
+to one side of her, she put her body off its balance, holding on to
+the ladder with the other hand.
+
+"My dear Barberine, what do you think I can see?"
+
+"What you have often seen with my sister."
+
+"That's true!  but you are prettier than she is."
+
+The girl made no reply, but, as if she could not reach the fruit, she
+put her foot on a high branch, and spewed me the most seductive
+picture.  I was in an ecstasy, and Barberine, who saw it, did not
+hurry herself.  At last I helped her to come down, and letting my
+hand wander indiscreetly, I asked her if the fruit I held had been
+plucked, and she kept me a long time telling me it was quite fresh.
+I took her within my arms, and already her captive, I pressed her
+amorously to my heart, printing on her lips a fiery kiss, which she
+gave me back with as much ardour.
+
+"Will you give me what I have caught, dearest?"
+
+"My mother is going to Muran to-morrow, and she will stay there all
+the day; if you come, there is nothing I will refuse you."
+
+When speech like this proceeds from a mouth still innocent, the man
+to whom it is addressed ought to be happy, for desires are but pain
+and torment, and enjoyment is sweet because it delivers us from them.
+This shews that those who prefer a little resistance to an easy
+conquest are in the wrong; but a too easy conquest often points to a
+depraved nature, and this men do not like, however depraved they
+themselves may be.
+
+We returned to the house, and I gave Barberine a tender kiss before
+Laura's eyes, telling her that she had a very jewel in her daughter--
+a compliment which made her face light up with pleasure.  I gave the
+dear girl ten sequins, and I went away congratulating myself, but
+cursing my luck at not being able to make as good provision for
+Barberine as Murray had made for her sister.
+
+Tonine had told me that for manners' sake I should sup once with her.
+I went the same evening and found Righelini and Murray there.  The
+supper was delicious, and I was delighted with the excellent
+understanding the two lovers had already come to.  I complimented the
+ambassador on the loss of one of his tastes, and he told me he should
+be very sorry at such a loss, as it would warn him of his declining
+powers.
+
+"But," said I, "you used to like to perform the mysterious sacrifice
+of Love without a veil."
+
+"It was not I but Ancilla who liked it, and as I preferred pleasing
+her to pleasing myself, I gave in to her taste without any
+difficulty."
+
+"I am delighted with your answer, as I confess it would cost me
+something to be the witness of your exploits with Tonine."
+
+Having casually remarked that I had no longer a house in Muran,
+Righelini told me that if I liked he could get me a delightful house
+at a low rent on the Tondamente Nuovo.
+
+As this quarter facing north, and as agreeable in summer as
+disagreeable in winter, was opposite to Muran, where I should have to
+go twice a week, I told the doctor I should be glad to look at the
+house.
+
+I took leave of the rich and fortunate ambassador at midnight, and
+before passing the day with my new prize I went to sleep so as to be
+fresh and capable of running a good course.
+
+I went to Barberine at an early hour, and as soon as she saw me she
+said,
+
+"My mother will not be back till the evening, and my brother will
+take his dinner at the school.  Here is a fowl, a ham, some cheese,
+and two bottles of Scopolo wine.  We will take our mess whenever you
+like:"
+
+"You astonish me, sweetheart, for how did you manage to get such a
+good dinner?"
+
+"We owe it to my mother, so to her be the praise."
+
+"You have told her, then, what we are going to do?"
+
+"No, not I, for I know nothing about it; but I told her you were
+coming to see me, and at the same time I gave her the ten sequins."
+
+"And what did your mother say?"
+
+"She said she wouldn't be sorry if you were to love me as you loved
+my sister."
+
+"I love you better, though I love her well."
+
+"You love her?  Why have you left her, then?"
+
+"I have not left her, for we supped together yesterday evening; but
+we no longer live together as lovers, that is all.  I have yielded
+her up to a rich friend of mine, who has made her fortune."
+
+"That is well, though I don't understand much about these affairs.  I
+hope you will tell Tonine that I have taken her place, and I should
+be very pleased if you would let her know that you are quite sure you
+are my first lover."
+
+"And supposing the news vexes her?"
+
+"So much the better.  Will you do it for me? it's the first favour I
+have asked of you."
+
+"I promise to do so."
+
+After this rapid dialogue we took breakfast, and then, perfectly
+agreed, we went to bed, rather as if we were about to sacrifice to
+Hymen than to love.
+
+The game was new to Barberine, and her transports, her green notions-
+-which she told me openly--her inexperience, or rather her
+awkwardness, enchanted me.  I seemed for the first time to pluck the
+fruit of the tree of knowledge, and never had I tasted fruit so
+delicious.  My little maid would have been ashamed to let me see how
+the first thorn hurt her, and to convince me that she only smelt the
+rose, she strove to make me think she experienced more pleasure than
+is possible in a first trial, always more or less painful.  She was
+not yet a big girl, the roses on her swelling breasts were as yet but
+buds, and she was a woman only in her heart.
+
+After more than one assault delivered and sustained with spirit, we
+got up for dinner, and after we had refreshed ourselves we mounted
+once more the altar of love, where we remained till the evening.
+Laura found us dressed and well pleased with each other on her
+return.  I made Barberine another present of twenty sequins, I swore
+to love her always, and went on my way.  At the time I certainly
+meant to keep to my oath, but that which destiny had in store for me
+could not be reconciled with these promises which welled forth from
+my soul in a moment of excitement.
+
+The next morning Righelini took me to see the lodging he had spoken
+to me about.  I liked it and took it on the spot, paying the first
+quarter in advance.  The house belonged to a widow with two
+daughters, the elder of whom had just been blooded.  Righelini was
+her doctor, and had treated her for nine months without success.  As
+he was going to pay her a visit I went in with him, and found myself
+in the presence of a fine waxen statue.  Surprise drew from me these
+words:
+
+"She is pretty, but the sculptor should give her some colour."
+
+On which the statue smiled in a manner which would have been charming
+if her lips had but been red.
+
+"Her pallor," said Righelini, "will not astonish you when I tell you
+she has just been blooded for the hundred and fourth time."
+
+I gave a very natural gesture of surprise.
+
+This fine girl had attained the age of eighteen years without
+experiencing the monthly relief afforded by nature, the result being
+that she felt a deathly faintness three or four times a week, and the
+only relief was to open the vein.
+
+"I want to send her to the country," said the doctor, "where pure and
+wholesome air, and, above all, more exercise, will do her more good
+than all the drugs in the world."
+
+After I had been told that my bed should be made ready by the
+evening, I went away with Righelini, who told me that the only cure
+for the girl would be a good strong lover.
+
+"But my dear doctor," said I, "can't you make your own prescription?"
+
+"That would be too risky a game, for I might find myself compelled to
+marry her, and I hate marriage like the devil."
+
+Though I was no better inclined towards marriage than the doctor, I
+was too near the fire not to get burnt, and the reader will see in
+the next chapter how I performed the miraculous cure of bringing the
+colours of health into the cheeks of this pallid beauty.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXV
+
+The Fair Invalid I Cure Her--A Plot Formed to Ruin Me--What Happened
+at the House of the Young Countess Bonafede--The Erberia--Domiciliary
+Visit--My Conversation with M. de Bragadin--I Am Arrested by Order of
+the State Inquisitors.
+
+After leaving Dr. Righelini I went to sup with M. de Bragadin, and
+gave the generous and worthy old man a happy evening.  This was
+always the case; I made him and his two good friends happy whenever I
+took meals with them.
+
+Leaving them at an early hour, I went to my lodging and was greatly
+surprised to find my bedroom balcony occupied.  A young lady of an
+exquisite figure rose as soon as she saw me, and gracefully asked me
+pardon for the liberty she had taken.
+
+"I am," she said, "the statue you saw this morning.  We do not light
+the candles in the evening for fear of attracting the gnats, but when
+you want to go to bed we will shut the door and go away.  I beg to
+introduce you to my younger sister, my mother has gone to bed."
+
+I answered her to the effect that the balcony was always at her
+service, and that since it was still early I begged their permission
+to put on my dressing-gown and to keep them company.  Her
+conversation was charming; she made me spend two most delightful
+hours, and did not leave me till twelve o'clock.  Her younger sister
+lighted me a candle, and as they went they wished me a good night.
+
+I lay down full of this pretty girl, and I could not believe that she
+was really ill.  She spoke to the point, she was cheerful, clever,
+and full of spirits.  I could not understand how it came to pass that
+she had not been already cured in a town like Venice, if her cure was
+really only to be effected in the manner described by Dr. Righelini;
+for in spite of her pallor she seemed to me quite fair enough to
+charm a lover, and I believed her to be spirited enough to determine
+to take the most agreeable medicine a doctor can prescribe.
+
+In the morning I rang the bell as I was getting up, and the younger
+sister came into my room, and said that as they kept no servant she
+had come to do what I wanted.  I did not care to have a servant when
+I was not at M. de Bragadin's, as I found myself more at liberty to
+do what I liked.  After she had done me some small services, I asked
+her how her sister was.
+
+"Very well," said she, "for her pale complexion is not an illness,
+and she only suffers when her breath fails her.  She has a very good
+appetite, and sleeps as well as I do."
+
+"Whom do I hear playing the violin?"
+
+"It's the dancing master giving my sister a lesson."
+
+I hurried over my dressing that I might see her; and I found her
+charming, though her old dancing master allowed her to turn in her
+toes.  All that this young and beautiful girl wanted was the
+Promethean spark, the colour of life; her whiteness was too like
+snow, and was distressing to look at.
+
+The dancing master begged me to dance a minuet with his pupil, and I
+assented, asking him to play larghissimo.  "The signorina would find
+it too tiring," said he; but she hastened to answer that she did not
+feel weak, and would like to dance thus.  She danced very well, but
+when we had done she was obliged to throw herself in a chair.  "In
+future, my dear master," said she, "I will only dance like that, for
+I think the rapid motion will do me good."
+
+When the master was gone, I told her that her lessons were too short,
+and that her master was letting her get into bad habits.  I then set
+her feet, her shoulders, and her arms in the proper manner.  I taught
+her how to give her hand gracefully, to bend her knees in time; in
+fine, I gave her a regular lesson for an hour, and seeing that she
+was getting rather tired I begged her to sit down, and I went out to
+pay a visit to M. M.
+
+I found her very sad, for C---- C----'s father was dead, and they had
+taken her out of the convent to marry her to a lawyer.  Before
+leaving C---- C---- had left a letter for me, in which she said that
+if I would promise to marry her at some time suitable to myself, she
+would wait for me, and refuse all other offers.  I answered her
+straightforwardly that I had no property and no prospects, that I
+left her free, advising her not to refuse any offer which might be to
+her advantage.
+
+In spite of this dismissal C---- C---- did not marry N---- till after
+my flight from The Leads, when nobody expected to see me again in
+Venice.  I did not see her for nineteen years, and then I was grieved
+to find her a widow, and poorly off.  If I went to Venice now I
+should not marry her, for at my age marriage is an absurdity, but I
+would share with her my little all, and live with her as with a dear
+sister.
+
+When I hear women talking about the bad faith and inconstancy of men,
+and maintaining that when men make promises of eternal constancy they
+are always deceivers, I confess that they are right, and join in
+their complaints.  Still it cannot be helped, for the promises of
+lovers are dictated by the heart, and consequently the lamentations
+of women only make me want to laugh.  Alas! we love without heeding
+reason, and cease to love in the same manner.
+
+About this time I received a letter from the Abbe de Bernis, who
+wrote also to M---- M----.  He told me that I ought to do my utmost
+to make our nun take a reasonable view of things, dwelling on the
+risks I should run in carrying her off and bringing her to Paris,
+where all his influence would be of no avail to obtain for us that
+safety so indispensable to happiness.  I saw M---- M----; we shewed
+each other our letters, she had some bitter tears, and her grief
+pierced me to the heart.  I still had a great love for her in spite
+of my daily infidelities, and when I thought of those moments in
+which I had seen her given over to voluptuousness I could not help
+pitying her fate as I thought of the days of despair in store for
+her.  But soon after this an event happened which gave rise to some
+wholesome reflections.  One day, when I had come to see her, she
+said,
+
+"They have just been burying a nun who died of consumption the day
+before yesterday in the odour of sanctity.  She was called 'Maria
+Concetta.'  She knew you, and told C---- C---- your name when you
+used to come to mass on feast days.  C---- C---- begged her to be
+discreet, but the nun told her that you were a dangerous man, whose
+presence should be shunned by a young girl.  C---- C---- told me all
+this after the mask of Pierrot."
+
+"What was this saint's name when she was in the world?"
+
+"Martha."
+
+"I know her."
+
+I then told M---- M---- the whole history of my loves with Nanette
+and Marton, ending with the letter she wrote me, in which she said
+that she owed me, indirectly, that eternal salvation to which she
+hoped to attain.
+
+In eight or ten days my conversation with my hostess' daughter--
+conversation which took place on the balcony, and which generally
+lasted till midnight--and the lesson I gave her every morning,
+produced the inevitable and natural results; firstly, that she no
+longer complained of her breath failing, and, secondly, that I fell
+in love with her.  Nature's cure had not yet relieved her, but she no
+longer needed to be let blood.  Righelini came to visit her as usual,
+and seeing that she was better he prophesied that nature's remedy,
+without which only art could keep her alive, would make all right
+before the autumn.  Her mother looked upon me as an angel sent by God
+to cure her daughter, who for her part shewed me that gratitude which
+with women is the first step towards love.  I had made her dismiss
+her old dancing master, and I had taught her to dance with extreme
+grace.
+
+At the end of these ten or twelve days, just as I was going to give
+her her lesson, her breath failed instantaneously, and she fell back
+into my arms like a dead woman.  I was alarmed, but her mother, who
+had become accustomed to see her thus, sent for the surgeon, and her
+sister unlaced her.  I was enchanted with her exquisite bosom, which
+needed no colouring to make it more beautiful.  I covered it up,
+saying that the surgeon would make a false stroke if he were to see
+her thus uncovered; but feeling that I laid my hand upon her with
+delight, she gently repulsed me, looking at me with a languishing
+gaze which made the deepest impression on me.
+
+The surgeon came and bled her in the arm, and almost instantaneously
+she recovered full consciousness.  At most only four ounces of blood
+were taken from her, and her mother telling me that this was the
+utmost extent to which she was blooded, I saw it was no such matter
+for wonder as Righelini represented it, for being blooded twice a
+week she lost three pounds of blood a month, which she would have
+done naturally if the vessels had not been obstructed.
+
+The surgeon had hardly gone out of the door when to my astonishment
+she told me that if I would wait for her a moment she would come back
+and begin her dancing.  This she did, and danced as if there had been
+nothing the matter.
+
+Her bosom, on which two of my senses were qualified to give evidence,
+was the last stroke, and made me madly in love with her.  I returned
+to the house in the evening, and found her in her room with the
+sister.  She told me that she was expecting her god-father, who was
+an intimate friend of her father's, and had come every evening to
+spend an hour with her for the last eighteen years.
+
+"How old is he?"
+
+"He is over fifty."
+
+"Is he a married man?"
+
+"Yes, his name is Count S----.  He is as fond of me as a father would
+be, and his affection has continued the same since my childhood.
+Even his wife comes to see me sometimes, and to ask me to dinner.
+Neat autumn I am going into the country with her, and I hope the
+fresh air will do me good.  My god-father knows you are staying with
+us and is satisfied.  He does not know you, but if you like you can
+make his acquaintance."
+
+I was glad to hear all this, as I gained a good deal of useful
+information without having to ask any awkward questions.  The
+friendship of this Greek looked very like love.  He was the husband
+of Countess S----, who had taken me to the convent at Muran two years
+before.
+
+I found the count a very polite man.  He thanked me in a paternal
+manner for my kindness to his daughter, and begged me to do him the
+honour of dining with him on the following day, telling me that he
+would introduce me to his wife.  I accepted his invitation with
+pleasure, for I was fond of dramatic situations, and my meeting with
+the countess promised to be an exciting one.  This invitation bespoke
+the courteous gentleman, and I charmed my pretty pupil by singing his
+praises after he had gone.
+
+"My god-father," said she, "is in possession of all the necessary
+documents for withdrawing from the house of Persico our family
+fortune, which amounts to forty thousand crowns.  A quarter of this
+sum belongs to me, and my mother has promised my sister and myself
+to share her dowry between us."
+
+I concluded from this that she would bring her husband fifteen
+thousand Venetian ducats.
+
+I guessed that she was appealing to me with her fortune, and wished
+to make me in love with her by shewing herself chary of her favours;
+for whenever I allowed myself any small liberties, she checked me
+with words, of remonstrance to which I could find no answer.  I
+determined to make her pursue another course.
+
+Next day I took her with me to her god-father's without telling her
+that I knew the countess.  I fancied the lady would pretend not to
+know me, but I was wrong, as she welcomed me in the handsomest manner
+as if I were an old friend.  This, no doubt, was a surprise for the
+count, but he was too much a man of the world to, shew any
+astonishment.  He asked her when she had made my acquaintance, and
+she, like a woman of experience, answered without the slightest
+hesitation that we had seen each other two years ago at Mira.  The
+matter was settled, and we spent a very pleasant day.
+
+Towards evening I took the young lady in my gondola back to the
+house, but wishing to shorten the journey I allowed myself to indulge
+in a few caresses.  I was hurt at being responded to by reproaches,
+and for that reason, as soon as she had set foot on her own doorstep,
+instead of getting out I went to Tonine's house, and spent nearly the
+whole night there with the ambassador, who came a little after me.
+Next day, as I did not get up till quite late, there was no dancing
+lesson, and when I excused myself she told me not to trouble any more
+about it.  In the evening I sat on the balcony far into the night,
+but she did not come.  Vexed at this air of indifference I rose early
+in the morning and went out, not returning till nightfall.  She was
+on the balcony, but as she kept me at a respectful distance I only
+talked to her on commonplace subjects.  In the morning I was roused
+by a tremendous noise.  I got up, and hurriedly putting on my
+dressing-gown ran into her room to see what was the matter, only to
+find her dying.  I had no need to feign an interest in her, for I
+felt the most tender concern.  As it was at the beginning of July it
+was extremely hot, and my fair invalid was only covered by a thin
+sheet.  She could only speak to me with her eyes, but though the lids
+were lowered she looked upon me so lovingly!  I asked her if she
+suffered from palpitations, and laying my hand upon her heart I
+pressed a fiery kiss upon her breast.  This was the electric spark,
+for she gave a sigh which did her good.  She had not strength to
+repulse the hand which I pressed amorously upon her heart, and
+becoming bolder I fastened my burning lips upon her languid mouth.
+I warmed her with my breath, and my audacious hand penetrated to the
+very sanctuary of bliss.  She made an effort to push me back, and
+told me with her eyes, since she could not speak, how insulted she
+felt.  I drew back my hand, and at that moment the surgeon came.
+Hardly was the vein opened when she drew a long breath, and by the
+time the operation was over she wished to get up.  I entreated her to
+stay in bed, and her mother added her voice to mine; at last I
+persuaded her, telling her that I would not leave her for a second,
+and that I would have my dinner by her bedside.  She then put on a
+corset and asked her sister to draw a sarcenet coverlet over her, as
+her limbs could be seen as plainly as through a crape veil.
+
+Having given orders for my dinner, I sat down by her bedside, burning
+with love, and taking her hand and covering it with kisses I told her
+that I was sure she would get better if she would let herself love.
+
+"Alas!" she said, "whom shall I love, not knowing whether I shall be
+loved in return?"
+
+I did not leave this question unanswered, and continuing the amorous
+discourse with animation I won a sigh and a lovelorn glance.  I put
+my hand on her knee, begging her to let me leave it there, and
+promising to go no farther, but little by little I attained the
+center, and strove to give her some pleasant sensations.
+
+"Let me alone," said she, in a sentimental voice, drawing away, "'tis
+perchance the cause of my illness."
+
+"No, sweetheart," I replied, "that cannot be."  And my mouth stopped
+all her objections upon her lips.
+
+I was enchanted, for I was now in a fair way, and I saw the moment of
+bliss in the distance, feeling certain that I could effect a cure if
+the doctor was not mistaken.  I spared her all indiscreet questions
+out of regard for her modesty; but I declared myself her lover,
+promising to ask nothing of her but what was necessary to feed the
+fire of my love.  They sent me up a very good dinner, and she did
+justice to it; afterwards saying that she was quite well she got up,
+and I went away to dress myself for going out.  I came back early in
+the evening, and found her on my balcony.  There, as I sat close to
+her looking into her face, speaking by turns the language of the eyes
+and that of sighs, fixing my amorous gaze upon those charms which the
+moonlight rendered sweeter, I made her share in the fire which
+consumed me; and as I pressed her amorously to my bosom she completed
+my bliss with such warmth that I could easily see that she thought
+she was receiving a favour and not granting one.  I sacrificed the
+victim without staining the altar with blood.
+
+Her sister came to tell her that it grew late.
+
+"Do you go to bed," she answered; "the fresh air is doing me good,
+and I want to enjoy it a little longer."
+
+As soon as we were alone we went to bed together as if we had been
+doing it for a whole year, and we passed a glorious night, I full of
+love and the desire of curing her, and she of tender and ardent
+voluptuousness.  At day-break she embraced me, her eyes dewy with
+bliss, and went to lie down in her own bed.  I, like her, stood in
+need of a rest, and on that day there was no talk of a dancing
+lesson.  In spite of the fierce pleasure of enjoyment and the
+transports of this delightful girl, I did not for a moment lay
+prudence aside.  We continued to pass such nights as these for three
+weeks, and I had the pleasure of seeing her thoroughly cured.  I
+should doubtless have married her, if an event had not happened to me
+towards the end of the month, of which I shall speak lower down.
+
+You will remember, dear reader, about a romance by the Abbe Chiari, a
+satirical romance which Mr. Murray had given me, and in which I fared
+badly enough at the author's hands I had small reason to be pleased
+with him, and I let him know my opinion in such wise that the abbe
+who dreaded a caning, kept upon his guard.  About the same time I
+received an anonymous letter, the writer of which told me that I
+should be better occupied in taking care of myself than in thoughts
+of chastising the abbe, for I was threatened by an imminent danger.
+Anonymous letter-writers should be held in contempt, but one ought to
+know how, on occasion, to make the best of advice given in that way.
+I did nothing, and made a great mistake.
+
+About the same time a man named Manuzzi, a stone setter for his first
+trade, and also a spy, a vile agent of the State Inquisitors--a man
+of whom I knew nothing--found a way to make my acquaintance by
+offering to let me have diamonds on credit, and by this means he got
+the entry of my house.  As he was looking at some books scattered
+here and there about the room, he stopped short at the manuscripts
+which were on magic.  Enjoying foolishly enough, his look of
+astonishment, I shewed him the books which teach one how to summon
+the elementary spirits.  My readers will, I hope, do me the favour to
+believe that I put no faith in these conjuring books, but I had them
+by me and used to amuse myself with them as one does amuse one's self
+with the multitudinous follies which proceed from the heads of
+visionaries.  A few days after, the traitor came to see me and told
+me that a collector, whose name he might not tell me, was ready to
+give me a thousand sequins for my five books, but that he would like
+to examine them first to see if they were genuine.  As he promised to
+let me have them back in twenty-four hours, and not thinking much
+about the matter, I let him have them.  He did not fail to bring them
+back the next day, telling me that the collector thought them
+forgeries.  I found out, some years after, that he had taken them to
+the State Inquisitors, who thus discovered that I was a notable
+magician.
+
+Everything that happened throughout this fatal month tended to my
+ruin, for Madame Memmo, mother of Andre, Bernard, and Laurent Memmo,
+had taken it into her head that I had inclined her sons to atheistic
+opinions, and took counsel with the old knight Antony Mocenigo,
+M.  de Bragadin's uncle, who was angry with me, because, as he said,
+I had conspired to seduce his nephew.  The matter was a serious one,
+and an auto-da-fe was very possible, as it came under the
+jurisdiction of the Holy Office--a kind of wild beast, with which it
+is not good to quarrel.  Nevertheless, as there would be some
+difficulty in shutting me up in the ecclesiastical prisons of the
+Holy Office, it was determined to carry my case before the State
+Inquisitors, who took upon themselves the provisional duty of putting
+a watch upon my manner of living.
+
+M. Antony Condulmer, who as a friend of Abbe Chiari's was an enemy of
+mine, was then an Inquisitor of State, and he took the opportunity of
+looking upon me in the light of a disturber of the peace of the
+commonwealth.  A secretary of an embassy, whom I knew some years
+after, told me that a paid informer, with two other witnesses, also,
+doubtless, in the pay of this grand tribunal, had declared that I was
+guilty of only believing in the devil, as if this absurd belief, if
+it were possible, did not necessarily connote a belief in God!  These
+three honest fellows testified with an oath that when I lost money at
+play, on which occasion all the faithful are wont to blaspheme, I was
+never heard to curse the devil.  I was further accused of eating meat
+all the year round, of only going to hear fine masses, and I was
+vehemently suspected of being a Freemason.  It was added that I
+frequented the society of foreign ministers, and that living as I did
+with three noblemen, it was certain that I revealed, for the large
+sums which I was seen to lose, as many state secrets as I could worm
+out of them.
+
+All these accusations, none of which had any foundation in fact,
+served the Tribunal as a pretext to treat me as an enemy of the
+commonwealth and as a prime conspirator.  For several weeks I was
+counselled by persons whom I might have trusted to go abroad whilst
+the Tribunal was engaged on my case.  This should have been enough,
+for the only people who can live in peace at Venice are those whose
+existence the Tribunal is ignorant of, but I obstinately despised all
+these hints.  If I had listened to the indirect advice which was
+given me, I should have become anxious, and I was the sworn foe of
+all anxiety.  I kept saying to myself, "I feel remorse for nothing
+and I am therefore guilty of nothing, and the innocent have nothing
+to fear."  I was a fool, for I argued as if I had been a free man in
+a free country.  I must also confess that what to a great extent kept
+me from thinking of possible misfortune was the actual misfortune
+which oppressed me from morning to night.  I lost every day, I owed
+money everywhere, I had pawned all my jewels, and even my portrait
+cases, taking the precaution, however, of removing the portraits,
+which with my important papers and my amorous letters I had placed in
+the hands of Madame Manzoni.  I found myself avoided in society.  An
+old senator told me, one day, that it was known that the young
+Countess Bonafede had become mad in consequence of the love philtres
+I had given her.  She was still at the asylum, and in her moments of
+delirium she did nothing but utter my name with curses.  I must let
+my readers into the secret of this small history.
+
+This young Countess Bonafede, to whom I had given some sequins a few
+days after my return to Venice, thought herself capable of making me
+continue my visits, from which she had profited largely.  Worried by
+her letters I went to see her several times, and always left her a
+few sequins, but with the exception of my first visit I was never
+polite enough to give her any proofs of my affection.  My coldness
+had baulked all her endeavours for a year, when she played a criminal
+part, of which, though I was never able absolutely to convict her, I
+had every reason to believe her guilty.
+
+She wrote me a letter, in which she importuned me to come and see her
+at a certain hour on important business.
+
+My curiosity, as well as a desire to be of service to her, took me
+there at the appointed time; but as soon as she saw me she flung her
+arms round my neck, and told me that the important business was love.
+This made me laugh heartily, and I was pleased to find her looking
+neater than usual, which, doubtless, made me find her looking
+prettier.  She reminded me of St. Andre, and succeeded so well in her
+efforts that I was on the point of satisfying her desires.  I took
+off my cloak, and asked her if her father were in.  She told me he
+had gone out.  Being obliged to go out for a minute, in coming back I
+mistook the door, and I found myself in the next room, where I was
+much astonished to see the count and two villainous-looking fellows
+with him.
+
+"My dear count," I said, "your daughter has just told me that you
+were out."
+
+"I myself told her to do so, as I have some business with these
+gentlemen, which, however, can wait for another day."
+
+I would have gone, but he stopped me, and having dismissed the two
+men he told me that he was delighted to see me, and forthwith began
+the tale of his troubles, which were of more than one kind.  The
+State Inquisitors had stopped his slender pension, and he was on the
+eve of seeing himself driven out with his family into the streets to
+beg his bread.  He said that he had not been able to pay his landlord
+anything for three years, but if he could pay only a quarter's rent,
+he would obtain a respite, or if he persisted in turning him out, he
+could make a night-flitting of it, and take up his abode somewhere
+else.  As he only wanted twenty ducats, I took out six sequins and
+gave them to him.  He embraced me, and shed tears of joy; then,
+taking his poor cloak, he called his daughter, told her to keep me
+company, and went out.
+
+Alone with the countess, I examined the door of communication between
+the two rooms and found it slightly open.
+
+"Your father," I said, "would have surprised me, and it is easy to
+guess what he would have done with the two sbirri who were with him.
+The plot is clear, and I have only escaped from it by the happiest of
+chances."
+
+She denied, wept, called God to witness, threw herself on her knees;
+but I turned my head away, and taking my cloak went away without a
+word.  She kept on writing to me, but her letters remained
+unanswered, and I saw her no more.
+
+It was summer-time, and between the heat, her passions, hunger, and
+wretchedness, her head was turned, and she became so mad that she
+went out of the house stark naked, and ran up and down St. Peter's
+Place, asking those who stopped her to take her to my house.  This
+sad story went all over the town and caused me a great deal of
+annoyance.  The poor wretch was sent to an asylum, and did not
+recover her reason for five years.  When she came out she found
+herself reduced to beg her bread in the streets, like all her
+brothers, except one, whom I found a cadet in the guards of the King
+of Spain twelve years afterwards.
+
+At the time of which I am speaking all this had happened a year ago,
+but the story was dug up against me, and dressed out in the attire of
+fiction, and thus formed part of those clouds which were to discharge
+their thunder upon me to my destruction.
+
+In the July of 1755 the hateful court gave Messer-Grande instructions
+to secure me, alive or dead.  In this furious style all orders for
+arrests proceeding from the Three were issued, for the least of their
+commands carried with it the penalty of death.
+
+Three or four days before the Feast of St. James, my patron saint,
+M---- M---- made me a present of several ells of silver lace to trim
+a sarcenet dress which I was going to wear on the eve of the feast.
+I went to see her, dressed in my fine suit, and I told her that I
+should come again on the day following to ask her to lend me some
+money, as I did not know where to turn to find some.  She was still
+in possession of the five hundred sequins which she had put aside
+when I had sold her diamonds.
+
+As I was sure of getting the money in the morning I passed the night
+at play, and I lost the five hundred sequins in advance.  At day-
+break, being in need of a little quiet, I went to the Erberia, a
+space of ground on the quay of the Grand Canal.  Here is held the
+herb, fruit, and flower market.
+
+People in good society who come to walk in the Erberia at a rather
+early hour usually say that they come to see the hundreds of boats
+laden with vegetables, fruit and flowers, which hail from the
+numerous islands near the town; but everyone knows that they are men
+and women who have been spending the night in the excesses of Venus
+or Bacchus, or who have lost all hope at the gaming-table, and come
+here to breath a purer air and to calm their minds.  The fashion of
+walking in this place shews how the character of a nation changes.
+The Venetians of old time who made as great a mystery of love as of
+state affairs, have been replaced by the modern Venetians, whose most
+prominent characteristic is to make a mystery of nothing.  Those who
+come to the Erberia with women wish to excite the envy of their
+friends by thus publishing their good fortune.  Those who come alone
+are on the watch for discoveries, or on the look-out for materials to
+make wives or husbands jealous, the women only come to be seen, glad
+to let everybody know that they are without any restraint upon their
+actions.  There was certainly no question of smartness there,
+considering the disordered style of dress worn.  The women seemed to
+have agreed to shew all the signs of disorder imaginable, to give
+those who saw them something to talk about.  As for the men, on whose
+arms they leaned, their careless and lounging airs were intended to
+give the idea of a surfeit of pleasure, and to make one think that
+the disordered appearance of their companions was a sure triumph they
+had enjoyed.  In short it was the correct thing to look tired out,
+and as if one stood in need of sleep.
+
+This veracious description, reader, will not give you a very high
+opinion of the morals of my dear fellow citizens; but what object
+should I have at my age for deceiving?  Venice is not at the world's
+end, but is well enough known to those whose curiosity brings them
+into Italy; and everyone can see for himself if my pictures are
+overdrawn.
+
+After walking up and down for half an hour, I came away, and thinking
+the whole house still a-bed I drew my key out to open the door, but
+what was my astonishment to find it useless, as the door was open,
+and what is more, the lock burst off.  I ran upstairs, and found them
+all up, and my landlady uttering bitter lamentations.
+
+"Messer-Grande," she told me, "has entered my house forcibly,
+accompanied by a band of sbirri.  He turned everything upside down,
+on the pretext that he was in search of a portmanteau full of salt--a
+highly contraband article.  He said he knew that a portmanteau had
+been landed there the evening before, which was quite true; but it
+belonged to Count S----, and only contained linen and clothes.
+Messer-Grande, after inspecting it, went out without saying a word."
+
+He had also paid my room a visit.  She told me that she must have
+some reparation made her, and thinking she was in the right I
+promised to speak to M. de Bragadin on the matter the same day.
+Needing rest above all things, I lay down, but my nervous excitement,
+which I attributed to my heavy losses at play, made me rise after
+three or four hours, and I went to see M. de Bragadin, to whom I told
+the whole story begging him to press for some signal amends.  I made
+a lively representation to him of all the grounds on which my
+landlady required proportionate amends to be made, since the laws
+guaranteed the peace of all law-abiding people.
+
+I saw that the three friends were greatly saddened by what I said,
+and the wise old man, quietly but sadly, told me that I should have
+my answer after dinner.
+
+De la Haye dined with us, but all through the meal, which was a
+melancholy one, he spoke not a word.  His silence should have told me
+all, if I had not been under the influence of some malevolent genii
+who would not allow me to exercise my common sense: as to the sorrow
+of my three friends, I put that down to their friendship for me.
+My connection with these worthy men had always been the talk of the
+town, and as all were agreed that it could not be explained on
+natural grounds, it was deemed to be the effect of some sorcery
+exercised by me.  These three men were thoroughly religious and
+virtuous citizens; I was nothing if not irreligious, and Venice did
+not contain a greater libertine.  Virtue, it was said, may have
+compassion on vice, but cannot become its friend.
+
+After dinner M. de Bragadin took me into his closet with his two
+friends, from whom he had no secrets.  He told me with wonderful
+calmness that instead of meditating vengeance on Messer-Grande I
+should be thinking of putting myself in a place of safety.
+"The portmanteau," said he, "was a mere pretext; it was you they
+wanted and thought to find.  Since your good genius has made them
+miss you, look out for yourself; perhaps by to-morrow it may be too
+late.  I have been a State Inquisitor for eight months, and I know
+the way in which the arrests ordered by the court are carried out.
+They would not break open a door to look for a box of salt.  Indeed,
+it is possible that they knew you were out, and sought to warn you to
+escape in this manner.  Take my advice, my dear son, and set out
+directly for Fusina, and thence as quickly as you can make your way
+to Florence, where you can remain till I write to you that you may
+return with safety.  If you have no money I will give you a hundred
+sequins for present expenses.  Believe me that prudence bids you go."
+
+Blinded by my folly, I answered him that being guilty of nothing I
+had nothing to fear, and that consequently, although I knew his
+advice was good, I could not follow it.
+
+"The high court," said he, "may deem you guilty of crimes real or
+imaginary; but in any case it will give you no account of the
+accusations against you.  Ask your oracle if you shall follow my
+advice or not."  I refused because I knew the folly of such a
+proceeding, but by way of excuse I said that I only consulted it when
+I was in doubt.  Finally, I reasoned that if I fled I should be
+shewing fear, and thus confessing my guilt, for an innocent man,
+feeling no remorse, cannot reasonably be afraid of anything.
+
+"If secrecy," said I, "is of the essence of the Court, you cannot
+possibly judge, after my escape, whether I have done so rightly or
+wrongly.  The same reasons, which, according to your excellence, bid
+me go, would forbid my return.  Must I then say good-bye for ever to
+my country, and all that is dear to me?"  As a last resource he tried
+to persuade me to pass the following day and night, at least, at the
+palace.  I am still ashamed of having refused the worthy old man to
+whom I owed so much this favour; for the palace of a noble is sacred
+to the police who dare not cross its threshold without a special
+order from the Tribunal, which is practically never given; by
+yielding to his request I should have avoided a grievous misfortune,
+and spared the worthy old man some acute grief.
+
+I was moved to see M.  de Bragadin weeping, and perhaps I might have
+granted to his tears that which I had obstinately refused to his
+arguments and entreaties.  "For Heaven's sake!" said I, "spare me the
+harrowing sight of your tears."  In an instant he summoned all his
+strength to his assistance, made some indifferent remarks, and then,
+with a smile full of good nature, he embraced me, saying, "Perhaps I
+may be fated never to see you again, but 'Fata viam invenient'."
+
+I embraced him affectionately, and went away, but his prediction was
+verified, for I never saw him again; he died eleven years afterwards.
+I found myself in the street without feeling the slightest fear, but
+I was in a good deal of trouble about my debts.  I had not the heart
+to go to Muran to take away from M. M. her last five hundred sequins,
+which sum I owed to the man who won it from me in the night; I
+preferred asking him to wait eight days, and I did so.  After
+performing this unpleasant piece of business I returned home, and,
+having consoled my landlady to the utmost of my power, I kissed the
+daughter, and lay down to sleep.  The date was July 25th, 1755.
+
+Next morning at day-break who should enter my room but the awful
+Messer-Grande.  To awake, to see him, and to hear him asking if I
+were Jacques Casanova, was the work of a moment.  At my "yes, I am
+Casanova," he told me to rise, to put on my clothes, to give him all
+the papers and manuscripts in my possession, and to follow him.
+
+"On whose authority do you order me to do this?"
+
+"By the authority of the Tribunal."
+
+
+
+
+End of this Project Gutenberg Etext of MEMOIRES OF JACQUES CASANOVA
+TO PARIS AND PRISON, Vol. 2d, THE FALSE NUN
+by Jacques Casanova de Seingalt
+
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