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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Eternal Quest: Holland and Germany
+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: The Eternal Quest: Holland and Germany
+       The Memoirs Of Jacques Casanova De Seingalt 1725-1798
+
+Author: Jacques Casanova de Seingalt
+
+Release Date: October 31, 2006 [EBook #2963]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HOLLAND AND GERMANY ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by David Widger
+
+
+
+
+
+MEMOIRS OF JACQUES CASANOVA de SEINGALT 1725-1798
+
+THE ETERNAL QUEST, Volume 3c--HOLLAND AND GERMANY
+
+THE RARE UNABRIDGED LONDON EDITION OF 1894 TRANSLATED BY ARTHUR MACHEN TO
+WHICH HAS BEEN ADDED THE CHAPTERS DISCOVERED BY ARTHUR SYMONS.
+
+
+
+
+THE ETERNAL QUEST
+
+
+
+
+HOLLAND AND GERMANY
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+Portrait of the Pretended Countess Piccolomini--Quarrel and Duel--Esther
+and Her Father, M. D'O.--Esther Still Taken with the Cabala--Piccolomini
+Forges a Bill of Exchange: Results I Am Fleeced, and in Danger of Being
+Assassinated--Debauch with the Two Paduan Girls--I Reveal A Great Secret
+To Esther--I Bate the Rascally St. Germain; His Flight--Manon Baletti
+Proves Faithless to Me; Her Letter Announcing Her Marriage: My
+Despair--Esther Spends a Day With Me--My Portrait and My Letters to Manon
+Get Into Esther's Hands--I Pass a Day with Her--We Talk of Marrying Each
+Other
+
+The so-called Countess Piccolomini was a fine example of the adventurers.
+She was young, tall, well-made, had eyes full of fire, and skin of a
+dazzling whiteness; not, however, that natural whiteness which delights
+those who know the value of a satin skin and rose petals, but rather that
+artificial fairness which is commonly to be seen at Rome on the faces of
+courtezans, and which disgusts those who know how it is produced. She had
+also splendid teeth, glorious hair as black as jet, and arched eyebrows
+like ebony. To these advantages she added attractive manners, and there
+was something intelligent about the way she spoke; but through all I saw
+the adventuress peeping out, which made me detest her.
+
+As she did not speak anything but Italian the countess had to play the
+part of a mute at table, except where an English officer named Walpole
+was concerned, who, finding her to his taste, set himself to amuse her. I
+felt friendly disposed towards this Englishman, though my feelings were
+certainly not the result of sympathy. If I had been blind or deaf Sir
+James Walpole would have been totally indifferent to me, as what I felt
+for him was the result of my observation.
+
+Although I did not care for the countess, for all that I went up to her
+room after dinner with the greater part of the guests. The count arranged
+a game of whist, and Walpole played at primero with the countess, who
+cheated him in a masterly manner; but though he saw it he laughed and
+paid, because it suited his purpose to do so. When he had lost fifty
+Louis he called quarter, and the countess asked him to take her to the
+theatre. This was what the good-natured Englishman wanted; and he and the
+countess went off, leaving the husband playing whist.
+
+I, too, went to the play, and as chance would have it my neighbour in the
+pit was Count Tot, brother to the count famous for his stay in
+Constantinople.
+
+We had some conversation together, and he told me he had been obliged to
+leave France on account of a duel which he had had with a man who had
+jested with him for not being present at the battle of Minden, saying
+that he had absented himself in view of the battle. The count had proved
+his courage with the sword on the other's body--a rough kind of argument
+which was fashionable then as now. He told me he had no money, and I
+immediately put my purse at his service; but, as the saying goes, a
+kindness is never thrown away, and five years later he did the same by me
+at St. Petersburg. Between the acts he happened to notice the Countess
+Piccolomini, and asked me if I knew her husband. "I know him very
+slightly," I answered, "but we happen to be staying at the same hotel."
+
+"He's a regular black sheep," said the count, "and his wife's no better
+than he."
+
+It seemed that they had already won a reputation in the town.
+
+After the play I went back to the hotel by myself, and the head-waiter
+told me that Piccolomini had set out hot-foot with his servant, his only
+luggage being a light portmanteau. He did not know the reason of this
+sudden departure, but a minute afterwards the countess came in, and her
+maid having whispered something to her she told me that the count had
+gone away because he had fought a duel but that often happened. She asked
+me to sup with her and Walpole, and her appetite did not seem to suffer
+from the absence of her spouse.
+
+Just as we were finishing supper, an Englishman, who had been of the
+whist party, came up and told Walpole that the Italian had been caught
+cheating and had given the lie to their fellow Englishman, who had
+detected him, and that they had gone out together. An hour afterwards the
+Englishman returned with two wounds, one on the fore-arm and one on the
+shoulder. It was a trifling affair altogether.
+
+Next day, after I had had dinner with the Comte d'Afri, I found a letter
+from Piccolomini, with an enclosure addressed to the countess, waiting
+for me at the inn. He begged me to give his wife the letter, which would
+inform her of his plans, and then to bring her to the Ville de Lyon at
+Amsterdam, where he was staying. He wanted to know how the Englishman
+whom he had wounded was getting on.
+
+The duty struck me as an amusing one, and I should have laughed with all
+my heart if I had felt the least desire to profit by the confidence he
+was pleased to place in me. Nevertheless I went up to the countess, whom
+I found sitting up in bed playing with Walpole. She read the letter, told
+me that she could not start till the day following, and informed me what
+time she would go, as if it had been all settled; but I smiled
+sardonically, and told her that my business kept me at the Hague, and
+that I could not possibly escort her. When Walpole heard me say this he
+offered to be my substitute, to which she agreed. They set out the day
+following, intending to lie at Leyden.
+
+Two days after their departure, I was sitting down to dinner with the
+usual company, increased by two Frenchmen who had just come. After the
+soup one of them said, coolly,
+
+"The famous Casanova is now in Holland."
+
+"Is he?" said the other, "I shall be glad to see him, and ask for an
+explanation which he will not like."
+
+I looked at the man, and feeling certain that I had never seen him before
+I began to get enraged; but I merely asked the fellow if he knew
+Casanova.
+
+"I'll ought to know him," said he, in that self-satisfied tone which is
+always so unpleasant.
+
+"Nay, sir, you are mistaken; I am Casanova."
+
+Without losing his self-possession, he replied, insolently,
+
+"You are really very much mistaken if you think you are the only Casanova
+in the world."
+
+It was a sharp answer, and put me in the wrong. I bit my lips and held my
+tongue, but I was grievously offended, and determined to make him find
+the Casanova who was in Holland, and from whom he was going to extract an
+unpleasant explanation, in myself. In the meanwhile I bore as well as I
+could the poor figure he must be cutting before the officers at table,
+who, after hearing the insolence of this young blockhead, might take me
+for a coward. He, the insolent fellow, had no scruple in abusing the
+triumph his answer had given him, and talked away in the random fashion.
+At last he forgot himself so far as to ask from what country I came.
+
+"I am a Venetian, sir," I replied.
+
+"Ah! then you are a good friend to France, as your republic is under
+French protection."
+
+At these words my ill-temper boiled aver, and, in the tone of voice one
+uses to put down a puppy, I replied that the Republic of Venice was
+strong enough to do without the protection of France or of any other
+power, and that during the thirteen centuries of its existence it had had
+many friends and allies but no protectors. "Perhaps," I ended, "you will
+reply by begging my pardon for not knowing that these was only one Venice
+in the world."
+
+I had no sooner said this than a burst of laughter from the whole table
+set me right again. The young blockhead seemed taken aback and in his
+turn bit his lips, but his evil genius made him, strike in again at
+dessert. As usual the conversation went from one subject to another, and
+we began to talk about the Duke of Albermarle. The Englishmen spoke in
+his favour, and said that if he had been alive there would have been no
+war between England and France; they were probably right, but even if the
+duke had lived war might have broken out, as the two nations in question
+have never yet succeeded in understanding that it is for both their
+interests to live at peace together. Another Englishman praised Lolotte,
+his mistress. I said I had seen that charming woman at the Duchess of
+Fulvi's, and that no one deserved better to become the Countess of
+Eronville. The Count of Eronville, a lieutenant-general and a man of
+letters, had just married her.
+
+I had scarcely finished what I had to say when Master Blockhead said,
+with a laugh, that he knew Lolotte to be a good sort of girl, as he had
+slept with her at Paris. I could restrain myself no longer; my
+indignation and rage consumed me. I took up my plate, and made as if I
+would throw it at his head, saying at the same time, "You infernal liar!"
+He got up, and stood with his back to the fire, but I could see by his
+sword-knot that he was a soldier.
+
+Everybody pretended not to hear anything of this, and the conversation
+went on for some time on indifferent subjects; and at last they all rose
+from their seats and left the room.
+
+My enemy said to his companion that they would see one another again
+after the play, and remained by the fire, with his elbow resting on the
+chimney-piece. I remained at table till the company had all left the
+room, and when we were alone together I got up and looked him straight in
+the face, and went out, walking towards Sheveningue, sure that he would
+follow me if he were a man of any mettle. When I had got to some distance
+from the hotel I looked round, and saw that he was following me at a
+distance of fifty paces.
+
+When I got to the wood I stopped at a suitable place, and stood awaiting
+my antagonist. He was ten paces off when he drew his sword, and I had
+plenty of time to draw mine though he came on fast. The fight did not
+last long, for as soon as he was near enough I gave him a thrust which
+has never failed me, and sent him back quicker than he came. He was
+wounded in the chest above the right breast, but as my sword was flat and
+the opening large enough the wound bled easily. I lowered my sword and
+ran up to him, but I could do nothing; he said that we should meet again
+at Amsterdam, if I was going there, and that he would have his revenge. I
+saw him again five or six years afterwards at Warsaw, and then I did him
+a kindness. I heard afterwards that his name was Varnier, but I do not
+know whether he was identical with the president of the National
+Convention under the infamous Robespierre.
+
+I did not return to the hotel till after the play, and I then heard that
+the Frenchman, after having the surgeon with him for an hour, had set out
+for Rotterdam with his friend. We had a pleasant supper and talked
+cheerfully together without a word being said about the duel, with the
+exception that an English lady said, I forget in what connection, that a
+man of honour should never risk sitting down to dinner at an hotel unless
+he felt inclined, if necessary, to fight. The remark was very true at
+that time, when one had to draw the sword for an idle word, and to expose
+one's self to the consequences of a duel, or else be pointed at, even by
+the ladies, with the finger of scorn.
+
+I had nothing more to keep me at the Hague, and I set out next morning
+before day-break for Amsterdam. On the way I stopped for dinner and
+recognized Sir James Walpole, who told me that he had started from
+Amsterdam the evening before, an hour after giving the countess into her
+husband's charge. He said that he had got very tired of her, as he had
+nothing more to get from a woman who gave more than one asked, if one's
+purse-strings were opened wide enough. I got to Amsterdam about midnight
+and took up my abode at "The Old Bible." The neighbourhood of Esther had
+awakened my love for that charming girl, and I was so impatient to see
+her that I could not sleep.
+
+I went out about ten o'clock and called on M. d'O, who welcomed me in the
+friendliest manner and reproached me for not having alighted at his
+house. When he heard that I had given up business he congratulated me on
+not having removed it into Holland, as I should have been ruined. I did
+not tell him that I had nearly come to that in France, as I considered
+such a piece of information would not assist my designs. He complained
+bitterly of the bad faith of the French Government, which had involved
+him in considerable losses; and then he asked me to come and see Esther.
+
+I was too impatient to embrace her to stay to be asked twice; I ran to
+greet her. As soon as she saw me she gave a cry of surprise and delight,
+and threw herself in my arms, where I received her with fondness equal to
+her own. I found her grown and improved; she looked lovely. We had
+scarcely sat down when she told me that she had become as skilled in the
+cabala as myself.
+
+"It makes my life happy," said she, "for it gives me a power over my
+father, and assures me that he will never marry me to anyone but the man
+of my choice."
+
+"I am delighted that you extract the only good that can proceed from this
+idle science, namely, the power to guide persons devoid of strength of
+will. But your father must think that I taught you the secret?"
+
+"Yes, he does; and he said, one day, that he would forgive me any
+sacrifices I might have made to obtain this precious secret from you."
+
+"He goes a little further than we did, my dearest Esther."
+
+"Yes, and I told him that I had gained it from you without any sacrifice,
+and that now I was a true Pythoness without having to endure the torments
+of the tripod; and I am sure that the replies you gave were invented by
+yourself."
+
+"But if that were so how could I have known where the pocket-book was, or
+whether the ship was safe?"
+
+"You saw the portfolio yourself and threw it where it was discovered, and
+as for the vessel you spoke at random; but as you are an honest man,
+confess that you were afraid of the results. I am never so bold as that,
+and when my father asks me questions of that kind, my replies are more
+obscure than a sibyl's. I don't wish him to lose confidence in my oracle,
+nor do I wish him to be able to reproach me with a loss that would injure
+my own interests."
+
+"If your mistake makes you happy I shall leave you in it. You are really
+a woman of extraordinary talents--, you are quite unique."
+
+"I don't want your compliments," said she, in a rather vexed manner, "I
+want a sincere avowal of the truth."
+
+"I don't think I can go as far as that."
+
+At these words, which I pronounced in a serious way, Esther went into a
+reverie, but I was not going to lose the superiority I had over her, and
+racked my brains to find some convincing prediction the oracle might make
+to her, and while I was doing so dinner was announced.
+
+There were four of us at table, and I concluded that the fourth of the
+party must be in love with Esther, as he kept his eyes on her the whole
+time. He was her father's favourite clerk, and no doubt her father would
+have been glad if she had fallen in love with him, but I soon saw that
+she was not likely to do so. Esther was silent all through dinner, and we
+did not mention the cabala till the clerk was gone.
+
+"Is it possible," said M. d'O, "for my daughter to obtain the answers of
+the oracle without your having taught her?"
+
+"I always thought such a thing impossible till to-day," I answered, "but
+Esther has convinced me that I was mistaken. I can teach the secret to no
+one without losing it myself, for the oath I swore to the sage who taught
+me forbids me to impart it to another under pain of forfeiture. But as
+your daughter has taken no such oath, having acquired it herself, she may
+be for all I know at perfect liberty to communicate the secret to
+anyone."
+
+Esther, who was as keen as a razor, took care to say that the same oath
+that I had taken had been imposed on her by the oracle, and that she
+could not communicate the cabalistic secret to anyone without the
+permission of her genius, under pain of losing it herself.
+
+I read her inmost thoughts, and was rejoiced to see that her mind was
+calmed. She had reason to be grateful to me, whether I had lied or not,
+for I had given her a power over her father which a father's kindness
+could not have assured; but she perceived that what I had said about her
+oracular abilities had been dictated merely by politeness, and she waited
+till we were alone to make me confess as much.
+
+Her worthy father, who believed entirely in the infallibility of our
+oracles, had the curiosity to put the same question to both of us, to see
+if we should agree in the answer. Esther was delighted with the idea, as
+she suspected that the one answer would flatly contradict the other, and
+M. d'O having written his question on two sheets of paper gave them to
+us. Esther went up to her own room for the operation, and I questioned
+the oracle on the table at which we had had dinner, in the presence of
+the father. Esther was quick, as she came down before I had extracted
+from the pyramid the letters which were to compose my reply, but as I
+knew what to say as soon as I saw her father read the answer she gave him
+I was not long in finishing what I had to do.
+
+M. d'O---- asked if he should try to get rid of the French securities he
+held in spite of the loss he would incur by selling out.
+
+Esther's oracle replied,
+
+"You must sow plentifully before you reap. Pluck not up the vine before
+the season of the vintage, for your vine is planted in a fruitful soil."
+
+Mine ran as follows:--
+
+"If you sell out you will repent, for there will be a new
+comptroller-general, who will pay all claims before another year has
+elapsed."
+
+Esther's answer was conceived in the sibylline style, and I admired the
+readiness of her wit; but mine went right to the point, and the worthy
+man embraced us joyfully, and, taking his hat and stick, said that since
+our replies agreed he would run the risk of losing three million francs
+and make a profit of five or six hundred thousand in the course of the
+year. His daughter began to recant, and would have warned him against the
+danger, but he, who was as firm as a Mussulman, kissed her again, saying,
+
+"The oracle is not wont to lie, and even if it does deceive me this time
+it will only be a fourth part of my fortune that I shall lose."
+
+When Esther and I were alone I began to compliment her, much to her
+delight, on the cleverness of her answer, the elegance of her style, and
+her boldness, for she could not be as well acquainted with French affairs
+as I was.
+
+"I am much obliged to you," said she, "for having confirmed my reply, but
+confess that you lied to please me."
+
+"I confess, since that will please you, and I will even tell you that you
+have nothing more to learn."
+
+"You are a cruel man! But how could you reply that there would be another
+comptroller-general in a year's time, and run the risk of compromising
+the oracle?  I never dare to say things like that; I love the oracle too
+well to expose it to shame and confusion."
+
+"That shews that I do not invent the answers; but since the oracle has
+pronounced it I am willing to bet that Silhouette will be dismissed."
+
+"Your obstinacy drives me to despair, for I shall not rest till I know
+that I am as much a master of the cabala as you are, and yet you will not
+confess that you invent the answers yourself. For charity's sake do
+something to convince me of the contrary."
+
+"I will think it over."
+
+I passed the whole day with this delightful girl, whose amiable
+disposition and great wealth would have made me a happy man if it were
+not for my master-passion, the love of independence, and my aversion to
+make up my mind to live for the rest of my days in Holland.
+
+In the course of my life I have often observed that the happiest hours
+are often the heralds of misfortune. The very next day my evil genius
+took me to the Ville de Lyon. This was the inn where Piccolomini and his
+wife were staying, and I found them there in the midst of a horde of
+cheats and sharpers, like themselves. As soon as the good people heard my
+name they rushed forward, some to greet me, and others to have a closer
+look at me, as if I were some strange wild beast. Amongst those present
+were a Chevalier de Sabi, who wore the uniform of a Polish major, and
+protested he had known me at Dresden; a Baron de Wiedan, claiming Bohemia
+as his fatherland, who greeted me by saying that his friend the Comte St.
+Germain had arrived at the Etoile d'Orient, and had been enquiring after
+me; an attenuated-looking bravo who was introduced to me as the Chevalier
+de la Perine, whom I recognized at the first glance as the fellow called
+Talvis, who had robbed the Prince-Bishop of Presburg, who had lent me a
+hundred Louis the same day, and with whom I had fought a duel at Paris.
+Finally, there was an Italian named Neri, who looked like a blacksmith
+minus his honesty, and said that he remembered seeing me one evening at
+the casino. I recollected having seen him at the place where I met the
+wretched Lucie.
+
+In the midst of this band of cut-purses I saw the so-called wife of the
+pretended Chevalier de Sabi, a pretty woman from Saxony, who, speaking
+Italian indifferently well, was paying her addresses to the Countess
+Piccolomini.
+
+I bit my lips with anger to find myself in such honourable company, but
+putting a good face on a bad game I greeted everybody politely, and then
+drawing a roll of a hundred Louis from my pocket I presented them to
+Master Perine Talvis, telling him I was glad to be able to return them to
+him with my best thanks.
+
+My politeness did not meet with much of a reception, for the impudent
+scoundrel answered me, as he pocketed the money, that he remembered
+having lent it me at Presburg, but he also remembered a more important
+matter.
+
+"And pray what is that?" said I, in a dry and half-disdainful tone.
+
+"You owe me a revenge at the sword's point, as you know right well. Here
+is the mark of the gash you gave me seven years ago."
+
+So saying, the wretched little man opened his shirt and shewed the small
+round scar. This scene, which belonged more to farce than comedy, seemed
+to have struck all tongues with paralysis.
+
+"Anywhere else than in Holland, where important and delicate business
+debars me from fighting, I shall be glad to meet you and mark you again,
+if you still desire to cross swords with me; but while I am here I must
+beg you not to disturb me. All the same, you may as well know that I
+never go out without a couple of friends in my pockets, and that if you
+attack me I shall blow your brains out in self-defence."
+
+"My revenge must be with crossed swords," said he. "However, I will let
+you finish your business."
+
+"You will do wisely."
+
+Piccolomini, who had been casting a hungry eye upon my hundred louis,
+proposed immediately afterwards a bank at faro, and began to deal.
+Prudence would have restrained me from playing in such company, but the
+dictates of prudence were overcome by my desire to get back the hundred
+louis which I had given Talvis, so I cut in. I had a run of bad luck and
+lost a hundred ducats, but, as usual, my loss only excited me. I wished
+to regain what I had lost, so I stayed to supper, and afterwards, with
+better luck, won back my money. I was content to stop at this, and to let
+the money I had paid to Talvis go, so I asked Piccolomini to pay me,
+which he did with a bill of exchange on an Amsterdam bank drawn by a firm
+in Middlesburg. At first I made some difficulty in taking it, on the
+pretext that it would be difficult to negotiate, but he promised to let
+me have the money next day, and I had to give in.
+
+I made haste to leave this cut-throat place, after refusing to lend
+Talvis a hundred Louis, which he wanted to borrow of me on the strength
+of the revenge I owed him. He was in a bad humour, both on this account
+and because he had lost the hundred Louis I had paid him, and he allowed
+himself to use abusive language, which I treated with contempt. I went to
+bed, promising myself never to set foot in such a place again.
+
+The next morning, however, I went out with the intention of calling on
+Piccolomini to get the bill of exchange cashed, but on my way I happened
+to go into a coffee-house and to meet Rigerboos, Therese's friend, whose
+acquaintance the reader has already made. After greeting each other, and
+talking about Therese, who was now in London and doing well, I skewed him
+my bill, telling him the circumstances under which I had it. He looked at
+it closely, and said,
+
+"It's a forgery, and the original from which it was copied was honoured
+yesterday."
+
+He saw that I could scarcely believe it, and told me to come with him to
+be convinced of the truth of what he said.
+
+He took me to a merchant of his acquaintance, who skewed me the genuine
+bill, which he had cashed the day before for an individual who was
+unknown to him. In my indignation I begged Rigerboos to come with me to
+Piccolomini, telling him that he might cash it without remark, and that
+otherwise he would witness what happened.
+
+We arrived at the count's and were politely received, the count asking me
+to give him the bill and he would send it to the bank to be cashed, but
+Rigerboos broke in by saying that it would be dishonoured, as it was a
+mere copy of a bill which had been cashed the evening before.
+
+Piccolomini pretended to be greatly astonished, and said that, "though he
+could not believe it, he would look into the matter."
+
+"You may look into it when you please," said I, "but in the mean time I
+should be obliged by your giving me five hundred florins."
+
+"You know me, sir," said he, raising his voice, "I guarantee to pay you,
+and that ought to be enough."
+
+"No doubt it would be enough, if I chose; but I want my money."
+
+At this his wife came in and began to take her part in the dispute, and
+on the arrival of the count's man, a very cut-threat, Rigerboos took hold
+of me by the arm and drew me forcibly away. "Follow me," said he, when we
+were outside, "and let me see to this business myself." He took me to a
+fine-looking man, who turned out to be the lieutenant of police, and
+after he had heard the case he told me to give him the bill of exchange
+and to say where I was going to dine. I told him I should be at M. d'O
+'s, and saying that would do he went off. I thanked Rigerboos, and went
+to Esther, who reproached me tenderly for not having been to see her the
+evening before. That flattered me, and I thought her a really charming
+girl.
+
+"I must take care," said I, "not to see you every day, for your eyes have
+a sway over me that I shall not be able to resist much longer."
+
+"I shall believe as much of that as I choose, but, by-the-by, have you
+thought of any way of convincing me?"
+
+"What do you want to be convinced about?"
+
+"If it be true that there is in your cabala an intelligence distinct from
+your own you ought to be able to find some way of proving it to me."
+
+"That is a happy thought; I will think it over."
+
+At that moment her father came in from the Exchange, and we sat dawn to
+dinner.
+
+We were at dessert when a police official brought me five hundred
+florins, for which I gave him a receipt.
+
+When he had gone I told my entertainers what had happened the evening
+before and in the morning, and the fair Esther reproached me for
+preferring such bad company to her. "By way of punishment," said she, "I
+hope you will come with me to the theatre this evening, though they are
+going to give a Dutch play, of which you will not understand a word."
+
+"I shall be near you, and that is enough for me:"
+
+In fact, I did not comprehend a word of the actors' gibberish, and was
+terribly bored, as Esther preserved a solemn and serious silence the
+whole time.
+
+As we were coming from the theatre she told me all about the piece with
+charming grace and wonderful memory; she seemed to wish to give me some
+pleasure in return for the tedium to which she had condemned me. When we
+got home we had supper, and that evening, Heaven be thanked! I heard
+nothing more about the cabala. Before we parted, Esther and her father
+made me promise to dine with them every day, and to let them know if
+anything prevented my coming.
+
+Next morning, about eight o'clock, while I was still dressing, I suddenly
+saw Piccolomini standing before me, and as he had not sent in his name I
+began to feel suspicious. I rang the bell for my faithful Spaniard, who
+came in directly.
+
+"I want to speak to you privately," said he, "tell that fellow to go
+out."
+
+"He can stay," I answered, "he does not know a word of Italian." Le Duc,
+of course, knew Italian perfectly well.
+
+"Yesterday, about noon," he began, "two men came into my room. They were
+accompanied by the innkeeper, who served as interpreter. One of the men
+asked me if I felt inclined to cash there and then a forged bill of
+exchange, which I had given the night before, and which he held in his
+hands. As I gave no reply, he told me that there was no time for
+consideration or argument; I must say yes or no there and then, for such
+were their instructions from the chief of police. I had no choice in the
+matter, so I paid the five hundred florins, but I did not get back the
+bill, and the man told me I could not have it unless I told the police
+the name of the person from whom I got it, as, in the interests of
+commerce, the forger must be prosecuted. My reply was that I could not
+possibly tell them what they wanted, as I had got it of a stranger who
+had come into my room while I was holding a small bank of faro, to pass
+the time.
+
+"I told him that after this person (who I had thought introduced by
+someone in the company) had gone, I found to my surprise that nobody knew
+him; and I added that if I had been aware of this I would not only have
+refused the bill but would not have allowed him to play. Thereupon the
+second policeman said that I had better find out who this person was, or
+else I should be considered as the forger and prosecuted accordingly;
+after this threat they went out.
+
+"In the afternoon my wife called on the chief of police and was politely
+received, but after hearing what she had to say he informed her that she
+must find out the forger, since M. Casanova's honour might be endangered
+by the banker taking proceedings against him, in which case he would have
+to prosecute me.
+
+"You see in what a difficult position we are placed, and I think you
+ought to try to help us. You have got your money and you are not without
+friends. Get their influence exerted in the matter, and we shall hear no
+more about it. Your interests as well as mine are concerned."
+
+"Except as a witness of the fact," I answered, "I can have nothing to do
+with this affair. You agree that I received the bill from you, since you
+cashed it; that is enough for me. I should be glad to be of service to
+you, but I really don't see what I can do. The best advice I can give you
+is to make a sacrifice of the rascally sharper who gave you the forged
+bill, and if you can't do that I would counsel you to disappear, and the
+sooner the better, or else you may come to the galleys, or worse."
+
+He got into a rage at this, and turning his back on me went out, saying I
+should be sorry for what I had said.
+
+My Spaniard followed him down the stair and came back to tell me that the
+signor had gone off threatening vengeance, and that, in his opinion, I
+would do well to be on my guard.
+
+"All right," said I, "say no more about it."
+
+All the same I was really very grateful for his advice, and I gave the
+matter a good deal of thought.
+
+I dressed myself and went to see Esther, whom I had to convince of the
+divinity of my oracle, a different task with one whose own wits had told
+her so much concerning my methods. This was the problem she gave me to
+solve,
+
+"Your oracle must tell me something which I, and only I, know."
+
+Feeling that it would be impossible to fulfil these conditions, I told
+her that the oracle might reveal some secret she might not care to have
+disclosed.
+
+"That is impossible," she answered, "as the secret will be known only to
+myself."
+
+"But, if the oracle replies I shall know the answer as well as you, and
+it may be something you would not like me to know."
+
+"There is no such thing, and, even if there were, if the oracle is not
+your own brain you can always find out anything you want to know."
+
+"But there is some limit to the powers of the oracle."
+
+"You are making idle excuses; either prove that I am mistaken in my ideas
+or acknowledge that my oracle is as good as yours."
+
+This was pushing me hard, and I was on the point of declaring myself
+conquered when a bright idea struck me.
+
+In the midst of the dimple which added such a charm to her chin Esther
+had a little dark mole, garnished with three or four extremely fine
+hairs. These moles, which we call in Italian 'neo, nei', and which are
+usually an improvement to the prettiest face, when they occur on the
+face, the neck, the arms, or the hands, are duplicated on the
+corresponding parts of the body. I concluded, therefore, that Esther had
+a mole like that on her chin in a certain place which a virtuous girl
+does not shew; and innocent as she was I suspected that she herself did
+not know of this second mole's existence. "I shall astonish her," I said
+to myself, "and establish my superiority in a manner which will put the
+idea of having equal skill to mine out of her head for good." Then with
+the solemn and far-away look of a seer I made my pyramid and extracted
+these words from it,
+
+"Fair and discreet Esther, no one knows that at the entrance of the
+temple of love you have a mole precisely like that which appears on your
+chin."
+
+While I was working at my calculations, Esther was leaning over me and
+following every movement. As she really knew as much about the cabala as
+I did she did not want it to be explained to her, but translated the
+numbers into letters as I wrote them down. As soon as I had extracted all
+the combinations of numbers from the pyramid she said, quietly, that as I
+did not want to know the answer, she would be much obliged if I would let
+her translate the cypher.
+
+"With pleasure," I replied. "And I shall do so all the more willingly as
+I shall thereby save your delicacy from sharing with me a secret which
+may or may not be agreeable. I promise you not to try to find it out. It
+is enough for me to see you convinced."
+
+"I shall be convinced when I have verified the truth of the reply."
+
+"Are you persuaded, dearest Esther, that I have had nothing to do with
+framing this answer?"
+
+"I shall be quite sure of it if it has spoken the truth, and if so the
+oracle will have conquered, for the matter is so secret a one that even I
+do not know of it. You need not know yourself, as it is only a trifle
+which would not interest you; but it will be enough to convince me that
+the answers of your oracle are dictated by an intelligence which has
+nothing in common with yours."
+
+There was so much candour and frankness in what she said that a feeling
+of shame replaced the desire of deceiving her, and I shed some tears,
+which Esther could only interpret favourably to me. Nevertheless, they
+were tears of remorse, and now, as I write after such a lapse of years, I
+still regret having deceived one so worthy of my esteem and love. Even
+then I reproached myself, but a pitiable feeling of shame would not let
+me tell the truth; but I hated myself for thus leading astray one whose
+esteem I desired to gain.
+
+In the mean time I was not absolutely sure that I had hit the mark, for
+in nature, like everything else, every law has its exceptions, and I
+might possibly have dug a pitfall for myself. On the other hand, if I
+were right, Esther would no doubt be convinced for the moment, but her
+belief would speedily disappear if she chanced to discover that the
+correspondence of moles on the human body was a necessary law of nature.
+In that case I could only anticipate her scorn. But however I might
+tremble I had carried the deception too far, and could not draw back.
+
+I left Esther to call on Rigerboos, whom I thanked for his offices on my
+behalf with the chief of the police. He told me that I had nothing to
+fear from Piccolomini in Holland, but all the same he advised me not to
+go about without pistols. "I am on the eve of embarking for Batavia,"
+said he, "in a vessel which I have laden with the ruins of my fortune. In
+the state my affairs are in I thought this the best plan. I have not
+insured the cargo, so as not diminish my profits, which will be
+considerable if I succeed. If the ship is taken or wrecked I shall take
+care not to survive its loss; and after all I shall not lose much."
+
+Poor Riberboos said all this as if he were jesting, but despair had no
+doubt a good deal to do with his resolve, since it is only in great
+misery that we despise both life and fortune. The charming Therese
+Trenti, whom Rigerboos always spoke of as Our Lady, had contributed to
+his ruin in no small degree. She was then in London, where, by her own
+account, she was doing well. She had exchanged the name of Trenti for
+that of Cornelis, or Cornely, which, as I found out afterwards, was
+Rigerboo's real name. We spent an hour in writing to this curious woman,
+as we desired to take advantage of the circumstance that a man whom
+Rigerboos desired to commend to her was shortly going to England. When we
+had finished we went sleighing on the Amstel, which had been frozen over
+for several days. This diversion, of which the Dutch are very fond, is,
+to my thinking, the dullest imaginable, for an objectless journey is no
+pleasure to me. After we were well frozen we went to eat oysters, with
+Sillery, to warm ourselves again, and after that we went from one casino
+to another, not intending to commit any debauchery, but for want of
+something better to do; but it seemed decreed that whenever I preferred
+any amusement of this kind to the charms of Esther's society I should
+come to grief.
+
+I do not know how it happened, but as we were going into one of these
+casinos Rigerboos called me loudly by my name, and at that instant a
+woman, such as one usually finds in these places, came forward and began
+to gaze at me. Although the room was ill enough lighted I saw it was the
+wretched Lucie, whom I had met a year before without her recognizing me.
+I turned away, pretending not to know her, for the sight of her was
+disagreeable to me, but in a sad voice she called me by my name,
+congratulating me on my prosperity and bewailing her own wretchedness. I
+saw that I could neither avoid her nor repulse her without inhumanity, so
+I called to Rigerboos to come upstairs and the girl would divert us by
+recounting the history of her life.
+
+Strictly speaking, Lucie had not become ugly; one could still see that
+she had been a beautiful woman; but for all that her appearance inspired
+me with terror and disgust. Since the days when I had known her at
+Pasean, nineteen years of misery, profligacy, and shame had made her the
+most debased, the vilest creature that can be imagined. She told us her
+story at great length; the pith of it might be expressed in six lines.
+
+The footman who had seduced her had taken her to Trieste to lie in, and
+the scoundrel lived on the sale of her charms for five or six months, and
+then a sea captain, who had taken a fancy to her, took her to Zante with
+the footman, who passed for her husband.
+
+At Zante the footman turned soldier, and deserted the army four years
+after. She was left alone and continued living on the wages of
+prostitution for six years; but the goods she had to offer lowering in
+value, and her customers being of the inferior kind, she set out for
+England with a young Greek girl, whom an English officer of marines
+treated as his wife, and whom he abandoned in the streets of London when
+he got tired of her. After living for two or three years in the vilest
+haunts in London, Lucie came to Holland, where, not being able to sell
+her own person any longer, she became a procuress--a natural ending to
+her career. Lucie was only thirty-three, but she was the wreck of a
+woman, and women are always as old as they look.
+
+While she told her history she emptied two bottles of Burgundy I had
+ordered, and which neither I nor my friend touched. Finally, she told us
+she was now supported by two pretty girls whom she kept, and who had to
+give her the half of what they got.
+
+Rigerboos asked her, jokingly, if the girls were at the casino.
+
+"No," said she, "they are not here, and shall never come here, for they
+are ladies of high birth, and their uncle, who looks after their
+interests, is a Venetian gentleman."
+
+At this I could not keep back my laughter, but Lucie, without losing
+countenance, told me that she could only repeat the account they had
+given of themselves, that if we wanted to be convinced we had only to go
+and see them at a house she rented fifty paces off, and that we need not
+be afraid of being disturbed if we went, as their uncle lived in a
+different part of the town.
+
+"Oh, indeed!" said I, "he does not live with his highborn nieces, then?"
+
+"No, he only comes to dinner to hear how business has been going, and to
+take all the money from them."
+
+"Come along," said Rigerboos, "we will go and see them."
+
+As I was desirous of seeing and addressing the noble Venetian ladies of
+so honourable a profession, I told Lucie to take us to the house. I knew
+very well that the girls were impostors, and their gentleman-uncle a
+blackguard; but the die was cast.
+
+We found them to be young and pretty. Lucie introduced me as a Venetian,
+and they were beside themselves with joy to have someone to whom they
+could talk. I found out directly that they came from Padua, not Venice,
+as they spoke the Paduan dialect, which I knew very well. I told them so,
+and they confessed it was the truth. I asked the name of their uncle, but
+they said they could not tell me.
+
+"We can get on without knowing," said Rigerboos, catching hold of the one
+he liked best. Lucie brought in some ham, oysters, a pie, and a good many
+bottles of wine, and then left us.
+
+I was not in the humour for wantonness, but Rigerboos was disposed to be
+merry; his sweetheart was at first inclined to be prudish on his taking
+liberties with her, but as I began to follow his example the ladies
+relaxed their severity; we went first to one and then the other, and
+before long they were both in the state of Eve before she used the
+fig-leaf.
+
+After passing an hour in these lascivious combats we gave each of the
+girls four ducats, paid for the provisions we had consumed, and sent six
+Louis to Lucie. We then left them, I going to bed cross with myself for
+having engaged in such brutal pleasures.
+
+Next morning I awoke late and in a bad humour, partly from the debauch of
+the night before (for profligacy depresses as well as degrades the mind)
+and partly from the thought that I had neglected Esther, who had
+unquestionably been grieved by my absence. I felt that I must hasten to
+reassure her, feeling certain that I should find some excuses to make,
+and that they would be well received. I rang for Le Duc, put on my
+dressing-gown, and sent him for my coffee. He had scarcely left the room
+when the door opened and I saw Perine and the fellow named Wiedan, whom I
+had seen at Piccolomini's, and who styled himself a friend of St.
+Germain. I was sitting on my bed, putting on my stockings. My apartments
+consisted of three fine rooms, but they were at the back of the house,
+and all the noise I could have made would not have been heard. The bell
+was on the other side of the room; Le Duc would be gone fully ten
+minutes, and I was in imminent danger of being assassinated without the
+possibility of self-defence.
+
+The above thoughts flashed through my head with lightning speed, and all
+that I could do was to keep calm and say,
+
+"Well, gentlemen, what can I do for you?" Wiedan took upon himself to
+answer me.
+
+"Count Piccolomini has found himself forced to declare that he received
+the forged bill from us, in order that he may escape from the difficult
+position in which your denunciation placed him. He has warned us that he
+is going to do so, and we must escape forthwith if we want to avoid
+prosecution. We have not a penny; we are desperate men."
+
+"Well, gentlemen, what have I to do with that?"
+
+"Give us four hundred florins immediately; we do not want more, but we
+must have that much, and now. If you refuse we will take to flight with
+everything of yours that we can lay our hands on; and our arguments are
+these."
+
+With this, each man drew a pistol from his pocket and aimed it at my
+head.
+
+"You need not have recourse to violence," said I, "it can only be fatal
+to you. Stay, here are a hundred ducats more than you asked. Begone, and
+I wish you a pleasant journey, but I would not be here when my servant
+comes back if I were you."
+
+Wiedan took the roll of money with a trembling hand and put it in his
+pocket without examining it; but Perine came up, and praising my noble
+generosity, would have put his arms around my neck and kissed me. I
+repulsed him, but without rudeness, and they went their ways, leaving me
+very glad to have rid myself of them at so cheap a rate.
+
+As soon as I was out of this snare I rang my bell, not to have them
+followed but that I might get dressed as quickly as possible. I did not
+say a word to Le Duc about what had happened, I was silent even to my
+landlord; and, after I had sent my Spaniard to M. d'O to excuse my dining
+there that day, I went to the chief of police, but had to wait two hours
+before I could see him. As soon as the worthy man had heard my account of
+my misfortune he said he would do his best to catch the two rascals, but
+he did not conceal from me his fears that it was already too late.
+
+I took the opportunity of telling him of Piccolomini's visit to me, his
+claims and threats. He thanked me for doing so, and promised to see to
+it; but he advised me for the future to be on my guard and ready to
+defend myself in case I was attacked before he could place my enemies in
+a place where they could do me no harm.
+
+I hastened home again, as I felt ill. An acid taste in my mouth skewed me
+how all these shocks had upset me; but I knew what to do. I took a strong
+glass of lemonade, which made me bring up a good deal of bile, and I then
+felt much better.
+
+Towards evening I went to see Esther, and found her looking serious and
+rather vexed; but as soon as she saw how pale I was her face lighted up,
+and she asked me, in a voice of tenderest interest, if I had been ill. I
+told her I had been out of sorts, that I had taken some medicine, and
+that I now felt better.
+
+"You will see my appetite at supper," added I, to calm her fears, "I have
+had nothing to eat since dinner yesterday."
+
+This was really the truth, as I had only eaten a few oysters with the
+Paduan girls.
+
+She could scarcely contain her joy at my recovery, and bade me kiss her,
+with which request I complied gladly, all unworthy though I felt of so
+great a favour.
+
+"I am going to tell you an important piece of news," said she, "and that
+is that I am sure that you do not invent the answers to your oracle, or
+at least that you only do so when you choose. The reply you procured me
+was wonderful-nay, divine, for it told me of a secret unknown to all,
+even to myself. You may imagine my surprise when I convinced myself, with
+no little trouble of the truth of the answer.
+
+"You possess a treasure, your oracle is infallible; but surely it can
+never lie, and my oracle tells me that you love me. It makes me glad to
+know that, for you are the man of my heart. But I want you to give me an
+exemplary proof of your love, and if you do love me you will not hesitate
+to do so. Stay, read the reply you got me; I am sure you do not know what
+it says; then I will tell you how you can make me quite happy."
+
+I pretended to read, and kissed the words which declared I loved her. "I
+am delighted," said I, "that the oracle has convinced you so easily, but
+I must be excused if I say that I believe you knew as much long ago." She
+replied, blushing, that if it were possible to chew me the object in
+question I should not wonder at her ignorance. Then, coming to the proof
+of my love, she told me that she wanted me to communicate the secret to
+her. "You love me," said she, "and you ought to make no difficulty in
+assuring the bliss of a girl who will be your wife, and in your power. My
+father will agree to our marriage, and when I become your wife I will do
+whatever you please. We will even go and live in another country if that
+would add to your happiness. But you must teach me how to obtain the
+answer to any question without inventing it myself."
+
+I took Esther's hands in mine; she inspired me with the tenderest
+feelings, and I kissed her hands with respectful fervour, saying, "You
+know, Esther, dear, that my word is passed at Paris. Certainly, Manon is
+not to be compared to you; but for all that I gave my promise to her poor
+mother, and I must keep it."
+
+A sigh escaped from Esther, and her head fell upon her breast: but what
+could I do?  I could not teach her any other way of consulting the oracle
+than the method she understood as well as I: my superiority over her only
+consisting in my greater craft and more extensive experience.
+
+Early one morning, two or three days later, a man was announced as
+wanting to see me. He called himself an officer, but his name was
+perfectly unknown to me. I sent down to say that I could not see him, and
+as soon as my Spaniard went out I locked my door. What had happened
+already had made me suspicious, and I did not care to see any more
+gentlemen alone. The two scoundrels who had robbed me had eluded all the
+snares of the police, and Piccolomini was not to be found; but I knew a
+good many of the gang were still in Amsterdam, and I thought it well to
+be on my guard.
+
+Some time after, Le Duc came in with a letter written in bad Italian,
+saying that it had been given him by an officer who was waiting for an
+answer. I opened it, and recognized the name I had heard a short while
+ago. The writer said we knew each other, but that he could only give his
+true name with his own lips, and that he had important information to
+give me.
+
+I told Le Duc to shew him in, and to stay by the door. I saw enter a
+well-made man of about forty, dressed in the uniform of an officer of I
+do not know what army, and bearing on his countenance all the marks of an
+escaped gallows'-bird.
+
+"What can I do for you, sir?" said I, as soon as he entered.
+
+"Sir, we knew each other at Cerigo, sixteen or seventeen years ago, and I
+am delighted to have an opportunity of renewing the acquaintance."
+
+I knew that I had spent but a few minutes at Cerigo, on my way to
+Constantinople, and concluded that my visitor must be one of the
+unfortunate wretches to whom I gave alms.
+
+"Are you the man," I said, "who told me that you were the son of a Count
+Peccini, of Padua, although there is no such count in Padua at all?"
+
+"I congratulate you on your excellent memory," said he, coolly, "I am
+that very individual."
+
+"Well, what do you want with me now?"
+
+"I can't divulge my business in the presence of your servant."
+
+"My servant does not understand Italian, so you can speak out; however,
+if you like, I will send him away."
+
+I ordered Le Duc to stay in the ante-chamber, and when he had left the
+room my Paduan count told me that I had been with his nieces, and had
+treated them as if they were courtezans, and that he was come to demand
+satisfaction.
+
+I was tired of being cheated, and I took hold of my pistols and pointed
+them at him, bidding him be gone instantly. Le Duc came in and the third
+robber took himself off, muttering that "a time would come."
+
+I was placed in a disagreeable position; if I wanted to prosecute, I
+should have to tell the whole story to the police. I thought of my honour
+and determined to be silent, and the only person to whom I mentioned the
+matter was Rigerboos, who not being in the same position as myself took
+his measures, the result of which was that Lucie had to send her
+high-born dames about their business. But the wretched woman came to me
+to say that this misfortune had plunged her into the deepest distress, so
+I made her a present of a few ducats, and she went away somewhat
+consoled. I begged her not to call on me again.
+
+Everything I did when I was away from Esther seemed to turn out ill, and
+I felt that if I wanted to be happy I should do well to keep near her;
+but my destiny, or rather my inconstancy, drew me away.
+
+Three days afterwards, the villainous Major Sabi called on me to warn me
+to be on my guard, as, according to his account, a Venetian officer I had
+insulted and refused to give satisfaction to had vowed vengeance against
+me.
+
+"Then," said I, "I shall have him arrested as an escaped galley slave, in
+which character I have given him alms, and for wearing without the right
+to do so the uniform of an officer, thereby disgracing the whole army.
+And pray what outrage can I have committed against girls who live in a
+brothel, and whom I have paid according to their deserts?"
+
+"If what you say is true you are quite right, but this poor devil is in a
+desperate situation; he wants to leave the country, and does not possess
+a single florin. I advise you to give him an alms once more, and you will
+have done with him. Two score florins will not make you any the poorer,
+and will rid you of a villainous enemy."
+
+"A most villainous one, I think." At last I agreed to give him the forty
+florins, and I handed them to him in a coffee-house where the major told
+me I should find him. The reader will see how I met this blackguard four
+months later.
+
+Now, when all these troubles have been long over and I can think over
+them calmly, reflecting on the annoyances I experienced at Amsterdam,
+where I might have been so happy, I am forced to admit that we ourselves
+are the authors of almost all our woes and griefs, of which we so
+unreasonably complain. If I could live my life over again, should I be
+wiser?  Perhaps; but then I should not be myself.
+
+M. d'O---- asked me to sup with him at the Burgomasters' Lodge, and this
+was a great distinction, for, contrary to the rules of Freemasonry, no
+one but the twenty-four members who compose the lodge is admitted, and
+these twenty-four masons were the richest men on the Exchange.
+
+"I have told them that you are coming," said M. d'O----, "and to welcome
+you more honourably the lodge will be opened in French." In short, these
+gentlemen gave me the most distinguished reception, and I had the fortune
+to make myself so agreeable to them that I was unanimously chosen an
+honorary member during the time I should stay at Amsterdam. As we were
+going away, M. d'O---- told me that I had supped with a company which
+represented a capital of three hundred millions.
+
+Next day the worthy Dutchman begged me to oblige him by answering a
+question to which his daughter's oracle had replied in a very obscure
+manner. Esther encouraged me, and I asked what the question was. It ran
+as follows:
+
+"I wish to know whether the individual who desires me and my company to
+transact a matter of the greatest importance is really a friend of the
+King of France?"
+
+It was not difficult for me to divine that the Comte de St. Germain was
+meant. M. d'O was not aware that I knew him, and I had not forgotten what
+M. d'Afri had told me.
+
+"Here's a fine opportunity," thought I, "for covering my oracle with
+glory, and giving my fair Esther something to think about."
+
+I set to work, and after erecting my pyramid and placing above the four
+keys the letters O, S, A, D, the better to impose on Esther, I extracted
+the reply, beginning with the fourth key, D. The oracle ran as follows:
+
+"The friend disavows. The order is signed. They grant. They refuse. All
+vanishes. Delay."
+
+I pretended to think the reply a very obscure one, but Esther gave a cry
+of astonishment and declared that it gave a lot of information in an
+extraordinary style. M. d'O----, in an ecstasy of delight, exclaimed,
+
+"The reply is clear enough for me. The oracle is divine; the word 'delay'
+is addressed to me. You and my daughter are clever enough in making the
+oracle speak, but I am more skilled than you in the interpretation
+thereof. I shall prevent the thing going any further. The project is no
+less a one than to lend a hundred millions, taking in pledge the diamonds
+of the French crown. The king wishes the loan to be concluded without the
+interference of his ministers and without their even knowing anything
+about it. I entreat you not to mention the matter to anyone."
+
+He then went out.
+
+"Now," said Esther, when we were by ourselves, "I am quite sure that that
+reply came from another intelligence than yours. In the name of all you
+hold sacred, tell me the meaning of those four letters, and why you
+usually omit them."
+
+"I omit them, dearest Esther, because experience has taught me that in
+ordinary cases they are unnecessary; but while I was making the pyramid
+the command came to me to set them down, and I thought it well to obey."
+
+"What do they mean?"
+
+"They are the initial letters of the holy names of the cardinal
+intelligences of the four quarters of the world."
+
+"I may not tell you, but whoever deals with the oracle should know them."
+
+"Ah! do not deceive me; I trust in you, and it would be worse than murder
+to abuse so simple a faith as mine."
+
+"I am not deceiving you, dearest Esther."
+
+"But if you were to teach me the cabala, you would impart to me these
+holy names?"
+
+"Certainly, but I cannot reveal them except to my successor. If I violate
+this command I should lose my knowledge; and this condition is well
+calculated to insure secrecy, is it not?"
+
+"It is, indeed. Unhappy that I am, your successor will be, of course,
+Manon."
+
+"No, Manon is not fitted intellectually for such knowledge as this."
+
+"But you should fix on someone, for you are mortal after all. If you
+like, my father would give you the half of his immense fortune without
+your marrying me."
+
+"Esther! what is it that you have said?  Do you think that to possess you
+would be a disagreeable condition in my eyes?"
+
+After a happy day--I think I may call it the happiest of my life--I left
+the too charming Esther, and went home towards the evening.
+
+Three or four days after, M. d'O---- came into Esther's room, where he
+found us both calculating pyramids. I was teaching her to double, to
+triple, and to quadruple the cabalistic combinations. M. d'O---- strode
+into the room in a great hurry, striking his breast in a sort of ecstasy.
+We were surprised and almost frightened to see him so strangely excited,
+and rose to meet him, but he running up to us almost forced us to embrace
+him, which we did willingly.
+
+"But what is the matter, papa dear?" said Esther, "you surprise me more
+than I can say."
+
+"Sit down beside me, my dear children, and listen to your father and your
+best friend. I have just received a letter from one of the secretaries of
+their high mightinesses informing me that the French ambassador has
+demanded, in the name of the king his master, that the Comte St. Germain
+should be delivered over, and that the Dutch authorities have answered
+that His Most Christian Majesty's requests shall be carried out as soon
+as the person of the count can be secured. In consequence of this the
+police, knowing that the Comte St. Germain was staying at the Etoile
+d'Orient, sent to arrest him at midnight, but the bird had flown. The
+landlord declared that the count had posted off at nightfall, taking the
+way to Nimeguen. He has been followed, but there are small hopes of
+catching him up.
+
+"It is not known how he can have discovered that a warrant existed
+against him, or how he continued to evade arrest."
+
+"It is not known;" went an M. d'O----, laughing, "but everyone guesses
+that M. Calcoen, the same that wrote to me, let this friend of the French
+king's know that he would be wanted at midnight, and that if he did not
+get the key of the fields he would be arrested. He is not so foolish as
+to despise a piece of advice like that. The Dutch Government has
+expressed its sorrow to M. d'Afri that his excellence did not demand the
+arrest of St. Germain sooner, and the ambassador will not be astonished
+at this reply, as it is like many others given on similar occasions.
+
+"The wisdom of the oracle has been verified, and I congratulate myself on
+having seized its meaning, for we were on the point of giving him a
+hundred thousand florins on account, which he said he must have
+immediately. He gave us in pledge the finest of the crown diamonds, and
+this we still retain. But we will return it to him an demand, unless it
+is claimed by the ambassador. I have never seen a finer stone.
+
+"And now, my children, you see what I owe to the oracle. On the Exchange
+the whole company can do nothing but express their gratitude to me. I am
+regarded as the most prudent and most farseeing man in Holland. To you,
+my dear children, I owe this honour, but I wear my peacock's feathers
+without scruple.
+
+"My dear Casanova, you will dine with us, I hope. After dinner I shall
+beg you to enquire of your inscrutable intelligence whether we ought to
+declare ourselves in possession of the splendid diamond, or to observe
+secrecy till it is reclaimed."
+
+After this discourse papa embraced us once more and left us.
+
+"Sweetheart," said Esther, throwing her arms round my neck, "you have an
+opportunity for giving me a strong proof of your friendship. It will cost
+you nothing, but it will cover me with honour and happiness."
+
+"Command me, and it shall be done. You cannot think that I would refuse
+you a favour which is to cost me nothing, when I should deem myself happy
+to shed my blood for your sake."
+
+"My father wishes you to tell him after dinner whether it will be better
+to declare that they have the diamond or to keep silence till it is
+claimed. When he asks you a second time, tell him to seek the answer of
+me, and offer to consult the oracle also, in case my answer may be too
+obscure. Then perform the operation, and I will make my father love me
+all the better, when he sees that my knowledge is equal to yours."
+
+"Dearest one, would I not do for thee a task a thousand times more
+difficult than this to prove my love and my devotion? Let us set to work.
+Do you write the question, set up the pyramids, and inscribe with your
+own hand the all-powerful initials. Good. Now begin to extract the answer
+by means of the divine key. Never was a cleverer pupil!"
+
+When all this had been done, I suggested the additions and subtractions I
+wanted made, and she was quite astonished to read the following reply:
+"Silence necessary. Without silence, general derision. Diamond valueless;
+mere paste."
+
+I thought she would have gone wild with delight. She laughed and laughed
+again.
+
+"What an amazing reply!" said she. "The diamond is false, and it is I who
+am about to reveal their folly to them. I shall inform my father of this
+important secret. It is too much, it overwhelms me; I can scarcely
+contain myself for joy! How much I owe you, you wonderful and delightful
+man! They will verify the truth of the oracle immediately, and when it is
+found that the famous diamond is but glittering paste the company will
+adore my father, for it will feel that but for him it would have been
+covered with shame, by avowing itself the dupe of a sharper. Will you
+leave the pyramid with me?"
+
+"Certainly; but it will not teach you anything you do not know." The
+father came in again and we had dinner, and after the dessert, when the
+worthy d 'O---- learnt from his daughter's oracle that the stone was
+false, the scene became a truly comical one. He burst into exclamations
+of astonishment, declared the thing impossible, incredible, and at last
+begged me to ask the same question, as he was quite sure that his
+daughter was mistaken, or rather that the oracle was deluding her.
+
+I set to work, and was not long in obtaining my answer. When he saw that
+it was to the same effect as Esther's, though differently expressed, he
+had no longer any doubts as to his daughter's skill, and hastened to go
+and test the pretended diamond, and to advise his associates to say
+nothing about the matter after they had received proofs of the
+worthlessness of the stone. This advice was, as it happened, useless; for
+though the persons concerned said nothing, everybody knew about it, and
+people said, with their usual malice, that the dupes had been duped most
+thoroughly, and that St. Germain had pocketed the hundred thousand
+florins; but this was not the case.
+
+Esther was very proud of her success, but instead of being satisfied with
+what she had done, she desired more fervently every day to possess the
+science in its entirety, as she supposed I possessed it.
+
+It soon became known that St. Germain had gone by Emden and had embarked
+for England, where he had arrived in safety. In due time we shall hear
+some further details concerning this celebrated impostor; and in the
+meanwhile I must relate a catastrophe of another kind, which was near to
+have made me die the death of a fool.
+
+It was Christmas Day. I had got up early in the morning in better spirits
+than usual. The old women tell you that always presages misfortune, but I
+was as far then as I am now from making my happiness into an omen of
+grief. But this time chance made the foolish belief of good effect. I
+received a letter and a large packet from Paris; they came from Manon. I
+opened the letter and I thought I should have died of grief when I
+read,--
+
+"Be wise, and receive the news I give you calmly. The packet contains
+your portrait and all the letters you have written to me. Return me my
+portrait, and if you have kept my letters be kind enough to burn them. I
+rely on your honour. Think of me no more. Duty bids me do all I can to
+forget you, for at this hour to-morrow I shall become the wife of M.
+Blondel of the Royal Academy, architect to the king. Please do not seem
+as if you knew me if we chance to meet on your return to Paris."
+
+This letter struck me dumb with astonishment, and for more than two hours
+after I read it I was, as it were, bereft of my senses. I sent word to M.
+d'O---- that, not feeling well, I was going to keep my room all day. When
+I felt a little better I opened the packet. The first thing to fall out
+was my portrait. I looked at it, and such was the perturbation of my
+mind, that, though the miniature really represented me as of a cheerful
+and animated expression, I thought I beheld a dreadful and a threatening
+visage. I went to my desk and wrote and tore up a score of letters in
+which I overwhelmed the faithless one with threats and reproaches.
+
+I could bear no more; the forces of nature were exhausted, and I was
+obliged to lie down and take a little broth, and court that sleep which
+refused to come. A thousand designs came to my disordered imagination. I
+rejected them one by one, only to devise new ones. I would slay this
+Blondel, who had carried off a woman who was mine and mine only; who was
+all but my wife. Her treachery should be punished by her losing the
+object for whom she had deserted me. I accused her father, I cursed her
+brother for having left me in ignorance of the insult which had so
+traitorously been put upon me.
+
+I spent the day and night in these delirious thoughts, and in the
+morning, feeling worse than ever, I sent to M. d'O---- to say that I could
+not possibly leave my room. Then I began to read and re-read the letters
+I had written to Manon, calling upon her name in a sort of frenzy; and
+again set myself to write to her without finishing a single letter. The
+emptiness of my stomach and the shock I had undergone began to stupefy
+me, and for a few moments I forgot my anguish only to re-awaken to acuter
+pains soon after.
+
+About three o'clock, the worthy M. d'O---- came to invite me to go with
+him to the Hague, where the chief masons of Holland met on the day
+following to keep the Feast of St. John, but when he saw my condition he
+did not press me to come.
+
+"What is the matter with you, my dear Casanova?" said he.
+
+"I have had a great grief, but let us say no more about it."
+
+He begged me to come and see Esther, and left me looking almost as
+downcast as I was. However, the next morning Esther anticipated my visit,
+for at nine o'clock she and her governess came into the room. The sight
+of her did me good. She was astonished to see me so undone and cast down,
+and asked me what was the grief of which I had spoken to her father, and
+which had proved too strong for my philosophy.
+
+"Sit down beside me, Esther dear, and allow me to make a mystery of what
+has affected me so grievously. Time, the mighty healer, and still more
+your company, will effect a cure which I should in vain seek by appealing
+to my reason. Whilst we talk of other things I shall not feel the
+misfortune which gnaws at my heart."
+
+"Well, get up, dress yourself, and come and spend the day with me, and I
+will do my best to make you forget your sorrow."
+
+"I feel very weak; for the last three days I have only taken a little
+broth and chocolate."
+
+At these words her face fell, and she began to weep.
+
+After a moment's silence she went to my desk, took a pen, and wrote a few
+lines, which she brought to me. They were,--
+
+"Dear, if a large sum of money, beyond what my father owes you, can
+remove or even soothe your grief I can be your doctor, and you ought to
+know that your accepting my treatment would make me happy."
+
+I took her hands and kissed them affectionately, saying,--
+
+"No, dear Esther, generous Esther, it is not money I want, for if I did I
+would ask you and your father as a friend: what I want, and what no one
+can give me, is a resolute mind, and determination to act for the best."
+
+"Ask advice of your oracle."
+
+I could not help laughing.
+
+"Why do you laugh?" said she, "if I am not mistaken, the oracle must know
+a remedy for your woes."
+
+"I laughed, dearest, because I felt inclined to tell you to consult the
+oracle this time. As for me I will have nothing to do with it, lest the
+cure be worse than the disease."
+
+"But you need not follow your advice unless you like it."
+
+"No, one is free to act as one thinks fit; but not to follow the advice
+of the oracle would be a contempt of the intelligence which directs it."
+
+Esther could say no more, and stood silent for several minutes, and then
+said that if I like she would stay with me for the rest of the day. The
+joy which illumined my countenance was manifest, and I said that if she
+would stay to dinner I would get up, and no doubt her presence would give
+me an appetite. "Ah!" said she, "I will make you the dish you are so fond
+of." She ordered the sedan-chairs to be sent back, and went to my
+landlady to order an appetising repast, and to procure the chafing-dish
+and the spirits of wine she required for her own cooking.
+
+Esther was an angel, a treasure, who consented to become mine if I would
+communicate to her a science which did not exist. I felt that I was
+looking forward to spending a happy day; this shewed me that I could
+forget Manon, and I was delighted with the idea. I got out of bed, and
+when Esther came back and found me on my feet she gave a skip of
+pleasure. "Now," said she, "you must oblige me by dressing, and doing
+your hair as if you were going to a ball."
+
+"That," I answered, "is a funny idea, but as it pleases you it pleases
+me."
+
+I rang for Le Duc, and told him I wanted to have my hair done, and to be
+dressed as if I were going to a ball. "Choose the dress that suits me
+best."
+
+"No," said Esther, "I will choose it myself."
+
+Le Duc opened my trunk, and leaving her to rummage in it he came to shave
+me, and to do my hair. Esther, delighted with her task, called in the
+assistance of her governess. She put on my bed a lace shirt, and the suit
+she found most to her taste. Then coming close, as if to see whether Le
+Duc was dressing my hair properly, she said,
+
+"A little broth would do you good; send for a dish, it will give you an
+appetite for dinner."
+
+I thought her advice dictated by the tenderest care, and I determined to
+benefit by it. So great was the influence of this charming girl over me,
+that, little by little, instead of loving Manon, I hated her. That gave
+me courage, and completed my cure. At the present time I can see that
+Manon was very wise in accepting Blondel's offer, and that my love for
+self and not my love for her was wounded.
+
+I was in my servant's hands, my face turned away towards the fire, so
+that I could not see Esther, but only divert myself with the idea that
+she was inspecting my belongings, when all at once she presented herself
+with a melancholy air, holding Mamon's fatal letter in her hand.
+
+"Am I to blame," said she, timidly, "for having discovered the cause of
+your sorrow?"
+
+I felt rather taken aback, but looking kindly at her, I said,
+
+"No, no, my dear Esther; pity your friend, and say no more about it."
+
+"Then I may read all the letters?"
+
+"Yes, dearest, if it will amuse you."
+
+All the letters of the faithless Manon Baletti to me, with mine to her,
+were together on my table. I pointed them out to Esther, who begun to
+read them quite eagerly.
+
+When I was dressed, as if for some Court holiday, Le Duc went out and
+left us by ourselves, for the worthy governess, who was working at her
+lace by the window, looked at her lace, and nothing else. Esther said
+that nothing had ever amused her so much as those letters.
+
+"Those cursed epistles, which please you so well, will be the death of
+me."
+
+"Death?  Oh, no! I will cure you, I hope."
+
+"I hope so, too; but after dinner you must help me to burn them all from
+first to last."
+
+"Burn them! No; make me a present of them. I promise to keep them
+carefully all my days."
+
+"They are yours, Esther. I will send them to you to-morrow."
+
+These letters were more than two hundred in number, and the shortest were
+four pages in length. She was enchanted to find herself the possessor of
+the letters, and she said she would make them into a parcel and take them
+away herself.
+
+"Shall you send back the portrait to your faithless mistress?" said she.
+
+"I don't know what to do with it."
+
+"Send it back to her; she is not worthy of your honouring her by keeping
+it. I am sure that your oracle would give you the same advice. Where is
+the portrait?  Will you shew it me?"
+
+I had the portrait in the interior of a gold snuff-box, but I had never
+shewn it to Esther for fear she should think Manon handsomer than
+herself, and conclude that I only shewd it her out of vanity; but as she
+now asked to see it I opened the box where it was and gave it her.
+
+Any other woman besides Esther would have pronounced Manon downright
+ugly, or have endeavored at the least to find some fault with her, but
+Esther pronounced her to be very beautiful, and only said it was a great
+pity so fair a body contained so vile a soul.
+
+The sight of Manon's portrait made Esther ask to see all the other
+portraits which Madame Manzoni had sent me from Venice. There were naked
+figures amongst them, but Esther was too pure a spirit to put on the
+hateful affectations of the prude, to whom everything natural is an
+abomination. O-Murphy pleased her very much, and her history, which I
+related, struck her as very curious. The portrait of the fair nun,
+M---- M----, first in the habit of her order and afterwards naked, made
+her laugh, but I would not tell Esther her story, in spite of the lively
+desire she displayed to hear it.
+
+At dinner-time a delicate repast was brought to us, and we spent two
+delightful hours in the pleasures of a conversation and the table. I
+seemed to have passed from death to life, and Esther was delighted to
+have been my physician. Before we rose from table I had declared my
+intention of sending Manon's portrait to her husband on the day
+following, but her good nature found a way of dissuading me from doing so
+without much difficulty.
+
+Some time after, while we were talking in front of the fire, she took a
+piece of paper, set up the pyramids, and inscribed the four keys O, S, A,
+D. She asked if I should send the portrait to the husband, or whether it
+would not be more generous to return it to the faithless Manon. Whilst
+she was calculating she said over and over again, with a smile, "I have
+not made up the answer." I pretend to believe her, and we laughed like
+two augurs meeting each other alone. At last the reply came that I ought
+to return the portrait, but to the giver, since to send it to the husband
+would be an act unworthy of a man of honour.
+
+I praised the wisdom of the oracle, and kissed the Pythoness a score of
+times, promising that the cabala should be obeyed implicitly, adding that
+she had no need of being taught the science since she knew it as well as
+the inventor.
+
+I spoke the truth, but Esther laughed, and, fearing lest I should really
+think so, took pains to assure me of the contrary.
+
+It is thus that love takes his pleasure, thus his growth increases, and
+thus that he so soon becomes a giant in strength.
+
+"Shall I be impertinent," said Esther, "if I ask you where your portrait
+is?  Manon says in her letter that she is sending it back; but I don't
+see it anywhere."
+
+"In my first paroxysm of rage, I threw it down; I don't know in what
+direction. What was thus despised by her cannot be of much value to me."
+
+"Let us look for it; I should like to see it."
+
+We soon found it on my table, in the midst of a of books; Esther said it
+was a speaking likeness.
+
+"I would give it you if such a present were worthy of you."
+
+"Ah! you could not give me anything I would value more."
+
+"Will you deign to accept it, Esther, though it has been possessed by
+another?"
+
+"It will be all the dearer to me."
+
+At last she had to leave me, after a day which might be called delightful
+if happiness consists of calm and mutual joys without the tumultuous
+raptures of passion. She went away at ten, after I had promised to spend
+the whole of the next day with her.
+
+After an unbroken sleep of nine hours' duration I got up refreshed and
+feeling once more in perfect health, and I went to see Esther
+immediately. I found she was still abed and asleep, but her governess
+went and roused her in spite of my request that her repose should be
+respected.
+
+She received me with a sweet smile as she sat up in bed, and shewd me my
+voluminous correspondence with Manon on her night-table, saying that she
+had been reading it till two o'clock in the morning.
+
+Her appearance was ravishing. A pretty cambric night-cap, tied with a
+light-blue ribbon and ornamented with lace, set off the beauties of her
+face; and a light shawl of Indian muslin, which she had hastily thrown
+on, veiled rather than concealed her snowy breast, which would have
+shamed the works of Praxiteles. She allowed me to take a hundred kisses
+on her rosy lips--ardent kisses which the sight of such charms made yet
+more ardent; but her hands forbade my approach to those two spheres I so
+longed to touch.
+
+I sat down by her and told her that her charms of body and mind would
+make a man forget all the Manons that ever were.
+
+"Is your Marion fair to see all over?" said she.
+
+"I really can't say, for, not being her husband, I never had an
+opportunity of investigating the matter."
+
+"Your discretion is worthy of all praise," she said, with a smile, "such
+conduct becomes a man of delicate feeling."
+
+"I was told by her nurse that she was perfect in all respects, and that
+no mote or blemish relieved the pure whiteness of her skin."
+
+"You must have a different notion of me?"
+
+"Yes, Esther, as the oracle revealed to me the great secret you desired
+to know. Nevertheless, I should find you perfect in all your parts."
+
+Hereupon I was guilty of a stupidity which turned to my confusion. I
+said,
+
+"If I became your husband, I could easily refrain from touching you
+there."
+
+"I suppose you think," said she, blushing, and evidently a little vexed,
+"that if you touched it your desires might be lessened?"
+
+This question probed me to the core and covered me with shame. I burst
+into tears, and begged her pardon in so truly repentant a voice that
+sympathy made her mingle her tears with mine. The incident only increased
+our intimacy, for, as I kissed her tears away, the same desires consumed
+us, and if the voice of prudence had not intervened, doubtless all would
+have been over. As it was, we had but a foretaste and an earnest of that
+bliss which it was in our power to procure. Three hours seemed to us as
+many minutes. She begged me to go into her sitting-room while she
+dressed, and we then went down and dined with the wretched secretary, who
+adored her, whom she did not love, and who must have borne small love to
+me, seeing how high I stood in her graces.
+
+We passed the rest of the day together in that confidential talk which is
+usual when the foundations of the most intimate friendship have been laid
+between two persons of opposite sex, who believe themselves created for
+each other. Our flames burnt as brightly, but with more restraint, in the
+dining-room as in the bedroom. In the very air of the bedroom of a woman
+one loves there is something so balmy and voluptuous that the lover,
+asked to choose between this garden of delights and Paradise, would not
+for one moment hesitate in his choice.
+
+We parted with hearts full of happiness, saying to each other, "Till
+to-morrow."
+
+I was truly in love with Esther, for my sentiment for her was composed of
+sweeter, calmer, and more lively feelings than mere sensual love, which
+is ever stormy and violent. I felt sure I could persuade her to marry me
+without my first teaching her what could not be taught. I was sorry I had
+not let her think herself as clever as myself in the cabala, and I feared
+it would be impossible to undeceive her without exciting her to anger,
+which would cast out love. Nevertheless, Esther was the only woman who
+would make me forget Manon, whom I began to think unworthy of all I had
+proposed doing for her.
+
+M. d'O---- came back and I went to dine with him. He was pleased to hear
+that his daughter had effected a complete cure by spending a day with me.
+When we were alone he told me that he had heard at the Hague that the
+Comte St. Germain had the art of making diamonds which only differed from
+the real ones in weight, and which, according to him, would make his
+fortune. M. d'O---- would have been amused if I had told him all I knew
+about this charlatan.
+
+Next day I took Esther to the concert, and while we were there she told
+me that on the day following she would not leave her room, so that we
+could talk about getting married without fear of interruption. This was
+the last day of the year 1759.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+I Undeceive Esther--I set out for Germany--Adventure Near Cologne--The
+Burgomaster's Wife; My Conquest of Her--Ball at Bonn--Welcome From the
+Elector of Cologne--Breakfast at Bruhl--First Intimacy--I sup Without
+Being Asked at General Kettler's I am Happy--I Leave Cologne--The Toscani
+--The Jewel--My Arrival at Stuttgart
+
+The appointment which Esther had made with me would probably have serious
+results; and I felt it due to my honour not to deceive her any longer,
+even were it to cost me my happiness; however, I had some hope that all
+would turn out well.
+
+I found her in bed, and she told me that she intended to stop there
+throughout the day. I approved, for in bed I thought her ravishing.
+
+"We will set to work," said she; and her governess set a little table by
+her bed, and she gave me a piece of paper covered with questions tending
+to convince me that before I married her I should communicate to her my
+supposed science. All these questions were artfully conceived, all were
+so worded as to force the oracle to order me to satisfy her, or to
+definitely forbid my doing so. I saw the snare, and all my thoughts were
+how to avoid it, though I pretended to be merely considering the
+questions. I could not make the oracle speak to please Esther, and I
+could still less make it pronounce a positive prohibition, as I feared
+that she would resent such an answer bitterly and revenge herself on me.
+Nevertheless, I had to assume an indifferent air, and I got myself out of
+the difficulty by equivocal answers, till the good-humoured papa came to
+summon me to dinner.
+
+He allowed his daughter to stay in bed on the condition that she was to
+do no more work, as he was afraid that by applying herself so intently
+she would increase her headache. She promised, much to my delight, that
+he should be obeyed, but on my return from dinner I found her asleep, and
+sitting at her bedside I let her sleep on.
+
+When she awoke she said she would like to read a little; and as if by
+inspiration, I chanced to take up Coiardeau's 'Heroides', and we inflamed
+each other by reading the letters of Heloise and Abelard. The ardours
+thus aroused passed into our talk and we began to discuss the secret
+which the oracle had revealed.
+
+"But, Esther dear," said I, "did not the oracle reveal a circumstance of
+which you knew perfectly well before?"
+
+"No, sweetheart, the secret was perfectly unknown to me and would have
+continued unknown."
+
+"Then you have never been curious enough to inspect your own person?"
+
+"However curious I may have been, nature placed that mole in such a
+position as to escape any but the most minute search."
+
+"You have never felt it, then?"
+
+"It is too small to be felt."
+
+"I don't believe it."
+
+She allowed my hand to wander indiscreetly, and my happy fingers felt all
+the precincts of the temple of love. This was enough to fire the chastest
+disposition. I could not find the object of my research, and, not wishing
+to stop short at so vain an enjoyment, I was allowed to convince myself
+with my eyes that it actually existed. There, however, her concessions
+stopped short, and I had to content myself by kissing again and again all
+those parts which modesty no longer denied to my gaze.
+
+Satiated with bliss, though I had not attained to the utmost of
+enjoyment, which she wisely denied me, after two hours had been devoted
+to those pastimes which lead to nothing, I resolved to tell her the whole
+truth and to shew her how I had abused her trust in me, though I feared
+that her anger would be roused.
+
+Esther, who had a large share of intelligence (indeed if she had had less
+I could not have deceived her so well), listened to me without
+interrupting me and without any signs of anger or astonishment. At last,
+when I had brought my long and sincere confession to an end, she said,
+
+"I know your love for me is as great as mine for you; and if I am certain
+that what you have just said cannot possibly be true, I am forced to
+conclude that if you do not communicate to me all the secrets of your
+science it is because to do so is not in your power. Let us love one
+another till death, and say no more about this matter."
+
+After a moment's silence, she went on,--
+
+"If love has taken away from you the courage of sincerity I forgive you,
+but I am sorry for you. You have given me too positive proof of the
+reality of your science to be able to shake my belief. You could never
+have found out a thing of which I myself was ignorant, and of which no
+mortal man could know."
+
+"And if I shew you, Esther dear, that I knew you had this mole, that I
+had good reasons for supposing you to be ignorant of it, will your belief
+be shaken then?"
+
+"You knew it? How could you have seen it? It's incredible!"
+
+"I will tell you all."
+
+I then explained to her the theory of the correspondence of moles on the
+various parts of the human body, and to convince her I ended by saying
+that her governess who had a large mark on her right cheek ought to have
+one very like it on her left thigh. At this she burst into laughter, and
+said, "I will find out, but after all you have told me I can only admire
+you the more for knowing what no one else does."
+
+"Do you really think, Esther, that I am the sole possessor of this
+science?  Undeceive yourself. All who have studied anatomy, physiology,
+and astrology, know of it."
+
+"Then I beg you to get me, by to-morrow--yes, tomorrow--all the books
+which will teach me secrets of that nature. I long to be able to astonish
+the ignorant with my cabala, which I see requires a mixture of knowledge
+and imposition. I wish to devote myself entirely to this study. We can
+love each other to the death, but we can do that without getting
+married."
+
+I re-entered my lodging in a peaceful and happy frame of mind; an
+enormous weight seemed taken off my spirits. Next morning I purchased
+such volumes as I judged would instruct and amuse her at the same time,
+and went to present them to her. She was most pleased with my Conis, as
+she found in it the character of truth. As she wished to shine by her
+answers through the oracle it was necessary for her to have an extensive
+knowledge of science, and I put her on the way.
+
+About that time I conceived the idea of making a short tour in Germany
+before returning to Paris, and Esther encouraged me to do so, after I had
+promised that she should see me again before the end of the year. This
+promise was sincerely, given; and though from that day to this I have not
+beheld the face of that charming and remarkable woman, I cannot reproach
+myself with having deceived her wilfully, for subsequent events prevented
+me from keeping my word.
+
+I wrote to M. d'Afri requesting him to procure me a passport through the
+empire, where the French and other belligerent powers were then
+campaigning. He answered very politely that I had no need of a passport,
+but that if I wished to have one he would send it me forthwith. I was
+content with this letter and put it among my papers, and at Cologne it
+got me a better reception than all the passports in the world.
+
+I made M. d'O---- the depositary of the various moneys I had in different
+banking houses, and the worthy man, who was a true friend to me, gave me
+a bill of exchange on a dozen of the chief houses in Germany.
+
+When my affairs were all in order I started in my post-chaise, with the
+sum of nearly a hundred thousand Dutch florins to my credit, some
+valuable jewels, and a well-stocked wardrobe. I sent my Swiss servant
+back to Paris, keeping only my faithful Spaniard, who on this occasion
+travelled with me, seated behind my chaise.
+
+Thus ends the history of my second visit to Holland, where I did nothing
+to augment my fortune. I had some unpleasant experiences there for which
+I had my own imprudence to thank, but after the lapse of so many years I
+feel that these mishaps were more than compensated by the charms of
+Esther's society.
+
+I only stopped one day at Utrecht, and two days after I reached Cologne
+at noon, without accident, but not without danger, for at a distance of
+half a league from the town five deserters, three on the right hand and
+two on the left, levelled their pistols at me, with the words, "Your
+money or your life." However, I covered the postillion with my own
+pistol, threatening to fire if he did not drive on, and the robbers
+discharged their weapons at the carriage, not having enough spirit to
+shoot the postillion.
+
+If I had been like the English, who carry a light purse for the benefit
+of the highwaymen, I would have thrown it to these poor wretches; but, as
+it was, I risked my life rather than be robbed. My Spaniard was quite
+astonished not to have been struck by any of the balls which whistled
+past his ears.
+
+The French were in winter quarters at Cologne, and I put up at the
+"Soleil d'Or." As I was going in, the first person I met was the Comte de
+Lastic, Madame d'Urfe's nephew, who greeted me with the utmost
+politeness, and offered to take me to M. de Torci, who was in command. I
+accepted, and this gentleman was quite satisfied with the letter M.
+d'Afri had written me. I told him what had happened to me as I was coming
+into Cologne, and he congratulated me on the happy issue of the affair,
+but with a soldier's freedom blamed the use I had made of my courage.
+
+"You played high," said he, "to save your money, but you might have lost
+a limb, and nothing would have made up for that."
+
+I answered that to make light of a danger often diminished it. We laughed
+at this, and he said that if I was going to make any stay in Cologne I
+should probably have the pleasure of seeing the highwaymen hanged.
+
+"I intend to go to-morrow," said I, "and if anything could keep me at
+Cologne it would certainly not be the prospect of being present at an
+execution, as such sights are not at all to my taste."
+
+I had to accept M. de Lastic's invitation to dinner, and he persuaded me
+to go with himself and his friend, M. de Flavacour, an officer of high
+rank, and an agreeable man, to the theatre. As I felt sure that I should
+be introduced to ladies, and wished to make something of a figure, I
+spent an hour in dressing.
+
+I found myself in a box opposite to a pretty woman, who looked at me
+again and again through her opera-glass. That was enough to rouse my
+curiosity, and I begged M. de Lastic to introduce me; which he did with
+the best grace imaginable. He first presented me to Count Kettler,
+lieutenant-general in the Austrian army, and on the general staff of the
+French army--just as the French General Montacet was on the staff of the
+Austrian army. I was then presented to the lady whose beauty had
+attracted my attention the moment I entered my box. She greeted me
+graciously, and asked me questions about Paris and Brussels, where she
+had been educated, without appearing to pay any attention to my replies,
+but gazing at my lace and jewellery.
+
+While we were talking of indifferent matters, like new acquaintances, she
+suddenly but politely asked me if I intended to make a long stay in
+Cologne.
+
+"I think of crossing the Rhine to-morrow," I answered, "and shall
+probably dine at Bonn."
+
+This reply, which was given as indifferently as her question, appeared to
+vex her; and I thought her vexation a good omen. General Kettler then
+rose, saying,--
+
+"I am sure, sir, that this lady will persuade you to delay your
+departure--at least, I hope so, that I may bane the pleasure of seeing
+more of your company."
+
+I bowed and he went out with Lastic, leaving me alone with this ravishing
+beauty. She was the burgomaster's wife, and the general was nearly always
+with her.
+
+"Is the count right," said she, pleasantly, "in attributing such power to
+me?"
+
+"I think so, indeed," I answered, "but he may possibly be wrong in
+thinking you care to exercise it."
+
+"Very good! We must catch him, then, if only as the punishment of his
+indiscretion. Stay."
+
+I was so astonished at this speech that I looked quite foolish and had to
+collect my senses. I thought the word indiscretion sublime, punishment
+exquisite, and catching admirable; and still more the idea of catching
+him by means of me. I thought it would be a mistake to enquire any
+further, and putting on an expression of resignation and gratitude I
+lowered my lips and kissed her hand with a mixture of respect and
+sentiment, which, without exactly imparting my feelings for her, let her
+know that they might be softened without much difficulty.
+
+"Then you will stay, sir! It is really very kind of you, for if you went
+off to-morrow people might say that you only came here to shew your
+disdain for us. Tomorrow the general gives a ball, and I hope you will be
+one of the party."
+
+"Can I hope to dance with you all the evening?"
+
+"I promise to dance with nobody but you, till you get tired of me."
+
+"Then we shall dance together through all the ball."
+
+"Where did you get that pomade which perfumes the air?  I smelt it as
+soon as you came into the box."
+
+"It came from Florence, and if you do not like it you shall not be
+troubled with it any more."
+
+"Oh! but I do like it. I should like some of it myself."
+
+"And I shall be only too happy if you will permit me to send you a little
+to-morrow."
+
+Just then the door of the box opened and the entrance of the general
+prevented her from replying. I was just going, when the count said:
+
+"I am sure madame has prevailed on you to stay, and to come to my ball
+and supper to-morrow?"
+
+"She has led me to anticipate that you would do me that honour, and she
+promises to dance the quadrilles with me. How can one resist entreaty
+from such lips?"
+
+"Quite so, and I am obliged to her for having kept you with us. I hope to
+see you to-morrow."
+
+I went out of the box in love, and almost happy in anticipation. The
+pomade was a present from Esther, and it was the first time I had used
+it. The box contained twenty-four pots of beautiful china. The next day I
+put twelve into an elegant casket, which I wrapped up in oil-cloth and
+sent to her without a note.
+
+I spent the morning by going over Cologne with a guide; I visited all the
+marvels of the place, and laughed with all my heart to see the horse
+Bayard, of whom Ariosto has sung, ridden by the four sons of Aimon, or
+Amone, father of Bradamante the Invincible, and Ricciardetto the
+Fortunate.
+
+I dined with M. de Castries, and everybody was surprised that the general
+had asked me himself to the ball, as his jealousy was known, while the
+lady was supposed only to suffer his attentions through a feeling of
+vanity. The dear general was well advanced in years, far from
+good-looking, and as his mental qualities by no means compensated for his
+lack of physical ones he was by no means an object to inspire love. In
+spite of his jealousy, he had to appear pleased that I sat next the fair
+at supper, and that I spent the night in dancing with her or talking to
+her. It was a happy night for me, and I re-entered my lodging no longer
+thinking of leaving Cologne. In a moment of ecstasy, emboldened by the
+turn the conversation had taken, I had dared to tell her that if she
+would meet me alone I would stay in Cologne till the end of the carnival.
+"And what would you say," she asked, "if I give my promise, and do not
+keep it?"
+
+"I should bemoan my lot, without accusing you; I should say to myself
+that you had found it impossible to keep your word."
+
+"You are very good; you must stay with us."
+
+The day after the ball I went to pay her my first visit. She made me
+welcome, and introduced me to her worthy husband, who, though neither
+young nor handsome, was extremely good-hearted. After I had been there an
+hour, we heard the general's carriage coming, and she said to me:
+
+"If he asks you whether you are going to the Elector's ball at Bonn, say
+yes!"
+
+The general came in, and after the usual compliments had been passed I
+withdrew.
+
+I did not know by whom the ball was to be given, or when it was to take
+place, but scenting pleasure from afar off I hastened to make enquiries
+about it, and heard that all the good families in Cologne were going. It
+was a masked ball, and consequently open to all. I decided then that I
+would go; indeed I concluded that I had had orders to that effect, and at
+all events my lady would be there, and I might hope for a happy meeting
+with her. But as I wished to keep up my incognito as much as possible, I
+resolved to reply to all who asked me that important business would
+prevent my being present.
+
+It fell out that the general asked me this very question in the presence
+of the lady, and without regard to the orders I had received from her I
+replied that my health would forbid my having that pleasure.
+
+"You are very wise, sir," said the general, "all the pleasures on earth
+should be sacrificed when it is a question of one's health."
+
+I think so, too, now, but I thought differently then.
+
+On the day of the ball, towards the evening, I set out in a post-chaise,
+disguised so that not a soul in Cologne could have recognized me, and
+provided with a box containing two dominoes; and on my arrival at Bonn I
+took a room and put on one of the dominoes, locking up the other in the
+box; and I then had myself carried to the ball in a sedan-chair.
+
+I got in easily and unperceived, and recognized all the ladies of Cologne
+without their masks, and my mistress sitting at a faro-table risking a
+ducat. I was glad to see in the banker, Count Verita of Verona, whom I
+had known in Bavaria. He was in the Elector's service. His small bank did
+not contain more than five or six ducats, and the punters, men and women,
+were not more than twelve. I took up a position by my mistress, and the
+banker asked me to cut. I excused myself with a gesture, and my neighbour
+cut without being asked. I put ten ducats on a single card, and lost four
+times running; I played at the second deal, and experienced the same
+fate. At the third deal nobody would cut, and the general, who was
+standing by but not playing, agreed to do so. I fancied his cutting would
+be lucky, and I put fifty ducats on one card. I won. I went 'paroli', and
+at the second deal I broke the bank. Everybody was curious about me; I
+was stared at and followed, but seizing a favourable opportunity I made
+my escape.
+
+I went to my room, took out my money, changed my costume, and returned to
+the ball. I saw the table occupied by new gamesters, and another banker
+who seemed to have a good deal of gold, but not caring to play any more I
+had not brought much money with me. I mingled in all the groups in the
+ballroom, and on all sides I heard expressions of curiosity about the
+mask who broke the first bank.
+
+I did not care to satisfy the general curiosity, but made my way from one
+side of the room to the other till I found the object of my search
+talking to Count Verita, and as I drew near I found out that they were
+talking of me. The count was saying that the Elector had been asking who
+had broken the bank, and that General Kettler had expressed his opinion
+that it was a Venetian who had been in Cologne for the last week. My
+mistress answered that she did not think I was there, as she had heard me
+say that the state of my health would keep me at home.
+
+"I know Casanova," said the count, "and if he be at Bonn the Elector
+shall hear of it, and he shan't go off without my seeing him." I saw that
+I might easily be discovered after the ball, but I defied the keenest
+eyes to penetrate beneath my present disguise. I should have, no doubt,
+remained unknown, but when the quadrilles were being arranged I took my
+place in one, without reflecting that I should have to take off my mask.
+
+As soon as my mistress saw me she told me she had been deceived, as she
+would have wagered that I was the masker who broke Count Verita's bank. I
+told her I had only just come.
+
+At the end of the dance the count spied me out and said, "My dear
+fellow-countryman, I am sure you are the man who broke my bank; I
+congratulate you."
+
+"I should congratulate myself if I were the fortunate individual."
+
+"I am sure that it was you."
+
+I left him laughing, and after having taken some refreshments I continued
+dancing. Two hours afterwards the count saw me again and said,--
+
+"You changed your domino in such a room, in such a house. The Elector
+knows all about it, and as a punishment for this deceit he has ordered me
+to tell you that you are not to leave Bonn to-morrow."
+
+"Is he going to arrest me, then?"
+
+"Why not, if you refuse his invitation to dinner tomorrow?"
+
+"Tell his highness that his commands shall be obeyed. Will you present me
+to him now?"
+
+"He has left the ball, but wait on me to-morrow at noon." So saying, he
+gave me his hand and went away.
+
+I took care to keep the appointment on the day following, but when I was
+presented I was in some confusion, as the Elector was surrounded by five
+or six courtiers, and never having seen him I looked in vain for an
+ecclesiastic. He saw my embarrassment and hastened to put an end to it,
+saying, in bad Venetian, "I am wearing the costume of Grand Master of the
+Teutonic Order to-day." In spite of his costume I made the usual
+genuflexion, and when I would have kissed his hand he would not allow it,
+but shook mine in an affectionate manner. "I was at Venice," said he,
+"when you were under the Leads, and my nephew, the Elector of Bavaria,
+told me that after your fortunate escape you stayed some time at Munich;
+if you had come to Cologne I should have kept you. I hope that after
+dinner you will be kind enough to tell us the story of your escape, that
+you will stay to supper, and will join in a little masquerade with which
+we propose to amuse ourselves."
+
+I promised to tell my tale if he thought it would not weary him, warning
+him that it would take two hours. "One could never have too much of a
+good thing," he was kind enough to say; and I made him laugh by my
+account of the conversation between the Duc de Choiseul and myself.
+
+At dinner the prince spoke to me in Venetian, and was pleased to be most
+gracious towards me. He was a man of a jovial and easy-going disposition,
+and with his look of health one would not have prophesied so soon an end
+as came to him. He died the year following.
+
+As soon as we rose from table he begged me to begin my story, and for two
+hours I had the pleasure of keeping this most brilliant company amused.
+
+My readers know the history; its interest lies in the dramatic nature of
+the details, but it is impossible to communicate the fire of a well-told
+story to an account in writing.
+
+The Elector's little bail was very pleasant. We were all dressed as
+peasants, and the costumes were taken from a special wardrobe of the
+prince's. It would have been ridiculous to choose any other dresses, as
+the Elector wore one of the same kind himself. General Kettler was the
+best disguised of us all; he looked the rustic to the life. My mistress
+was ravishing. We only danced quadrilles and German dances. There were
+only four or five ladies of the highest rank; all the others, who were
+more or less pretty, were favourites of the prince, all his days a great
+lover of the fair sex. Two of these ladies danced the Forlana, and the
+Elector was much amused in making me dance it also. I have already said
+that the Forlana is a Venetian dance, and one of the most energetic kind
+imaginable. It is danced by a lady and gentleman opposite to one another,
+and as the two ladies relieved one another they were almost the death of
+me. One has to be strong to dance twelve turns, and after the thirteenth
+I felt I could do no more, and begged for mercy.
+
+Soon after we danced another dance, where each gentleman kisses a lady. I
+was not too shy, and each time I continued to kiss my mistress with
+considerable ardour, which made the peasant-elector burst with laughter
+and the peasant-general burst with rage.
+
+In a lull between the dances, this charming and original woman found
+means to tell me in private that all the Cologne ladies would leave at
+noon on the next day, and that I would increase my popularity by inviting
+them all to breakfast at Bruhl.
+
+"Send each one a note with the name of her cavalier, and trust in Count
+Verita to do everything for the best; you need only tell him that you
+wish to give an entertainment similar to that given two years ago by the
+Prince de Deux-Ponts. Lose no time. You will have a score of guests; mind
+you let them know the hour of the repast. Take care, too, that your
+invitations are sent round by nine o'clock in the morning."
+
+All these instructions were uttered with lightning speed, and I,
+enchanted with the power my mistress thought she possessed over me,
+thought only of obeying, without reflecting whether I owed her obedience.
+Bruhl, breakfast, a score of people like the Prince Deux-Ponts,
+invitations to the ladies, Count Verita; I knew as much as she could have
+told me if she had taken an hour.
+
+I left the room in my peasant's dress, and begged a page to take me to
+Count Verita, who began to laugh on seeing my attire. I told my business
+with the importance of an ambassador, and this made him in a still better
+humour.
+
+"It can all easily be arranged," said he, "I have only to write to the
+steward, and I will do so immediately. But how much do you want to
+spend?"
+
+"As much as possible."
+
+"As little as possible, I suppose you mean."
+
+"Not at all; I want to treat my guests with magnificence."
+
+"All the same you must fix on a sum, as I know whom I've got to deal
+with."
+
+"Well, well! two-three hundred ducats; will that do?"
+
+"Two hundred; the Prince de Deux-Ponts did not spend more."
+
+He began to write, and gave me his word that everything should be in
+readiness. I left him and addressing myself to a sharp Italian page said
+that I would give two ducats to the valet who would furnish me with the
+names of the Cologne ladies who were in Bonn, and of the gentlemen who
+had accompanied them. I got what I wanted in less than half an hour, and
+before leaving the ball I told my mistress that all should be done
+according to her desires.
+
+I wrote eighteen notes before I went to bed, and in the morning a
+confidential servant had delivered them before nine o'clock.
+
+At nine o'clock I went to take leave of Count Verita, who gave me, on
+behalf of the Elector, a superb gold snuff-box with his portrait set in
+diamonds. I was very sensible of this mark of kindness, and I wished to
+go and thank his serene highness before my departure, but my friendly
+fellow-countryman told me that I might put off doing so till I passed
+through Bonn on my way to Frankfort.
+
+Breakfast was ordered for one o'clock. At noon I had arrived at Bruhl, a
+country house of the Elector's, with nothing remarkable about it save its
+furniture. In this it is a poor copy of the Trianon. In a fine hall I
+found a table laid for twenty-four persons, arranged with silver gilt
+plates, damask linen, and exquisite china, while the sideboard was
+adorned with an immense quantity of silver and silvergilt plate. At one
+end of the room were two other tables laden with sweets and the choicest
+wines procurable. I announced myself as the host, and the cook told me I
+should be perfectly satisfied.
+
+"The collation," said he, "will be composed of only twenty-four dishes,
+but in addition there will be twenty-four dishes of English oysters and a
+splendid dessert."
+
+I saw a great number of servants, and told him that they would not be
+necessary, but he said they were, as the guests' servants could not be
+admitted.
+
+I received all my guests at the door, confining my compliments to begging
+their pardons for having been so bold as to procure myself this great
+honour.
+
+The breakfast was served at one exactly, and I had the pleasure of
+enjoying the astonishment in my mistress's eyes when she saw that I had
+treated them as well as a prince of the empire. She was aware that
+everybody knew her to be the chief object of this lavish outlay, but she
+was delighted to see that I did not pay her any attentions which were at
+all invidious. The table was seated for twenty-four, and though I had
+only asked eighteen people every place was occupied. Three couples,
+therefore, had come without being asked; but that pleased me all the
+more. Like a courtly cavalier I would not sit down, but waited on the
+ladies, going from one to the other, eating the dainty bits they gave me,
+and seeing that all had what they wanted.
+
+By the time the oysters were done twenty bottles of champagne had been
+emptied, so that when the actual breakfast commenced everybody began to
+talk at once. The meal might easily have passed for a splendid dinner,
+and I was glad to see that not a drop of water was drunk, for the
+Champagne, Tokay, Rhine wine, Madeira, Malaga, Cyprus, Alicante, and Cape
+wine would not allow it.
+
+Before dessert was brought on an enormous dish of truffles was placed on
+the table. I advised my guests to take Maraschino with it, and those
+ladies who appreciated the liqueur drank it as if it had been water. The
+dessert was really sumptuous. In it were displayed the portraits of all
+the monarchs of Europe. Everyone complimented the cook on his
+achievement, and he, his vanity being tickled and wishing to appear
+good-natured, said that none of it would spoil in the pocket, and
+accordingly everybody took as much as they chose.
+
+General Kettler, who, in spite of his jealousy and the part he saw me
+play, had no suspicion of the real origin of the banquet, said,
+
+"I will wager that this is the Elector's doing. His highness has desired
+to preserve his incognito, and M. Casanova has played his part to
+admiration."
+
+This remark set all the company in a roar.
+
+"General," said I, "if the Elector had given me such an order, I should,
+of course, have obeyed him, but I should have felt it a humiliating part
+to play. His highness, however, has deigned to do me a far greater
+honour; look here." So saying, I shewed him the gold snuff-box, which
+made the tour of the table two or three times over.
+
+When we had finished, we rose from table, astonished to find we had been
+engaged for three hours in a pleasurable occupation, which all would
+willingly have prolonged; but at last we had to part, and after many
+compliments they all went upon their way, in order to be in time for the
+theatre. As well pleased as my guests, I left twenty ducats with the
+steward, for the servants, and promised him to let Count Verita know of
+my satisfaction in writing.
+
+I arrived at Cologne in time for the French play, and as I had no
+carriage I went to the theatre in a sedan chair. As soon as I got into
+the house, I saw the Comte de Lastic alone with my fair one. I thought
+this a good omen, and I went to them directly. As soon as she saw me, she
+said with a melancholy air that the general had got so ill that he had
+been obliged to go to bed. Soon after, M. de Lastic left us, and dropping
+her assumed melancholy she made me, with the utmost grace, a thousand
+compliments, which compensated me for the expenses of my breakfast a
+hundred times over.
+
+"The general," said she, "had too much to drink; he is an envious devil,
+and has discovered that it is not seemly of you to treat us as if you
+were a prince. I told him that, on the contrary, you had treated us as if
+we were princes, waiting on us with your napkin on your arm. He thereupon
+found fault with me for degrading you."
+
+"Why do you not send him about his business? So rude a fellow is not
+worthy of serving so famous a beauty."
+
+"It's too late. A woman whom you don't know would get possession of him.
+I should be obliged to conceal my feelings, and that would vex me."
+
+"I understand--I understand. Would that I were a great prince! In the
+mean time, let me tell you that my sickness is greater than Kettler's."
+
+"You are joking, I hope."
+
+"Nay, not at all; I am speaking seriously, for the kisses I was so happy
+to snatch from you at the ball have inflamed my blood, and if you have
+not enough kindness to cure me in the only possible way I shall leave
+Cologne with a life-long grief."
+
+"Put off your departure: why should you desire to go to Stuttgart so
+earnestly? I think of you, believe me, and I do not wish to deceive you;
+but it is hard to find an opportunity."
+
+"If you had not the general's carriage waiting for you to-night, and I
+had mine, I could take you home with perfect propriety."
+
+"Hush! As you have not your carriage, it is my part to take you home. It
+is a splendid idea, that we must so contrive it that it may not seem to
+be a concerted plan. You must give me your arm to my carriage, and I
+shall then ask you where your carriage is; you will answer that you have
+not got one. I shall ask you to come into mine, and I will drop you at
+your hotel. It will only give us a couple of minutes, but that is
+something till we are more fortunate."
+
+I replied to her only by a look which expressed the intoxication of my
+spirits at the prospect of so great bliss.
+
+Although the play was quite a short one, it seemed to me to last for
+ever. At last the curtain fell, and we went downstairs. When we got to
+the portico she asked me the questions we had agreed upon, and when I
+told her I had not got a carriage, she said, "I am going to the general's
+to ask after his health; if it will not take you too much out of your
+way, I can leave you at your lodging as we come back."
+
+It was a grand idea. We should pass the entire length of the ill-paved
+town twice, and thus we secured a little more time. Unfortunately, the
+carriage was a chariot, and as we were going the moon shone directly on
+us. On that occasion the planet was certainly not entitled to the
+appellation of the lovers' friend. We did all we could, but that was
+almost nothing, and I found the attempt a desperate one, though my lovely
+partner endeavoured to help me as much as possible. To add to our
+discomforts, the inquisitive and impudent coachman kept turning his head
+round, which forced us to moderate the energy of our movements. The
+sentry at the general's door told our coachman that his excellency could
+see no one, and we joyfully turned towards my hotel, and now that the
+moon was behind us and the man's curiosity less inconvenient, we got on a
+little better, or rather not so badly as before, but the horses seemed to
+me to fly rather than gallop; however, feeling that it would be well to
+have the coachman on my side in case of another opportunity, I gave him a
+ducat as I got down.
+
+I entered the hotel feeling vexed and unhappy, though more in love than
+ever, for my fair one had convinced me that she was no passive mistress,
+but could experience pleasure as well as give it. That being the case I
+resolved not to leave Cologne before we had drained the cup of pleasure
+together, and that, it seemed to me, could not take place till the
+general was out of the way.
+
+Next day, at noon, I went to the general's house to write down my name,
+but I found he was receiving visitors and I went in. I made the general
+an appropriate compliment, to which the rude Austrian only replied by a
+cold inclination of the head. He was surrounded by a good many officers,
+and after four minutes I made a general bow and went out. The boor kept
+his room for three days, and as my mistress did not come to the theatre I
+had not the pleasure of seeing her.
+
+On the last day of the carnival Kettler asked a good many people to a
+ball and supper. On my going to pay my court to my mistress in her box at
+the theatre, and being left for a moment alone with her, she asked me if
+I were invited to the general's supper. I answered in the negative.
+
+"What!" said she, in an imperious and indignant voice, "he has not asked
+you? You must go, for all that."
+
+"Consider what you say," said I, gently, "I will do anything to please
+you but that."
+
+"I know all you can urge; nevertheless, you must go. I should feel
+insulted if you were not at that supper. If you love me you will give me
+this proof of your affection and (I think I may say) esteem."
+
+"You ask me thus? Then I will go. But are you aware that you are exposing
+me to the danger of losing my life or taking his? for I am not the man to
+pass over an affront."
+
+"I know all you can say," said she. "I have your honour at heart as much
+as mine, or perhaps more so, but nothing will happen to you; I will
+answer for everything. You must go, and you must give me your promise
+now, for I am resolved if you do not go, neither will I, but we must
+never see each other more."
+
+"Then you may reckon upon me."
+
+At that moment M. de Castries came in, and I left the box and went to the
+pit, where I passed two anxious hours in reflecting on the possible
+consequences of the strange step this woman would have me take.
+Nevertheless, such was the sway of her beauty aver my soul, I determined
+to abide by my promise and to carry the matter through, and to put myself
+in the wrong as little as possible. I went to the general's at the end of
+the play, and only found five or six people there. I went up to a
+canoness who was very fond of Italian poetry, and had no trouble in
+engaging her in an interesting discussion. In half an hour the room was
+full, my mistress coming in last on the general's arm. I was taken up
+with the canoness and did not stir, and consequently Kettler did not
+notice me, while the lady in great delight at seeing me left him no time
+to examine his guests, and he was soon talking to some people at the
+other end of the room. In a quarter of an hour afterwards supper was
+announced. The canoness rose, took my arm, and we seated ourselves at
+table together, still talking about Italian literature. Then came the
+catastrophe. When all the places had been taken one gentleman was left
+standing, there being no place for him. "How can that have happened?"
+said the general, raising his voice, and while the servants were bringing
+another chair and arranging another place he passed his guests in review.
+All the while I pretended not to notice what was going on, but when he
+came to me he said loudly,
+
+"Sir, I did not ask you to come."
+
+"That is quite true, general," I said, respectfully, "but I thought, no
+doubt correctly, that the omission was due to forgetfulness, and I
+thought myself obliged all the same to come and pay my court to your
+excellency."
+
+Without a pause I renewed my conversation with the canoness, not so much
+as looking around. A dreadful silence reigned for four or five minutes,
+but the canoness began to utter witticisms which I took up and
+communicated to my neighbours, so that in a short time the whole table
+was in good spirits except the general, who preserved a sulky silence.
+This did not much matter to me, but my vanity was concerned in smoothing
+him down, and I watched for my opportunity.
+
+M. de Castries was praising the dauphin, and his brothers, the Comte de
+Lusace and the Duc de Courlande, were mentioned; this led the
+conversation up to Prince Biron, formerly a duke, who was in Siberia, and
+his personal qualities were discussed, one of the guests having said that
+his chiefest merit was to have pleased the Empress Anne. I begged his
+pardon, saying,--
+
+"His greatest merit was to have served faithfully the last Duke Kettler;
+who if it had not been for the courage of him who is now so unfortunate,
+would have lost all his belongings in the war. It was Duke Kettler who so
+heroically sent him to the Court of St. Petersburg, but Biron never asked
+for the duchy. An earldom would have satisfied him, as he recognized the
+rights of the younger branch of the Kettler family, which would be
+reigning now if it were not for the empress's whim: nothing would satisfy
+her but to confer a dukedom on the favourite."
+
+The general, whose face had cleared while I was speaking, said, in the
+most polite manner of which he was capable, that I was a person of
+remarkable information, adding regretfully,--
+
+"Yes, if it were not for that whim I should be reigning now."
+
+After this modest remark he burst into a fit of laughter and sent me down
+a bottle of the best Rhine wine, and addressed his conversation to me
+till the supper was over. I quietly enjoyed the turn things had taken,
+but still more the pleasure I saw expressed in the beautiful eyes of my
+mistress.
+
+Dancing went on all night, and I did not leave my canoness, who was a
+delightful woman and danced admirably. With my lady I only danced one
+minuet. Towards the end of the ball the general, to finish up with a
+piece of awkwardness, asked me if I was going soon. I replied that I did
+not think of leaving Cologne till after the grand review.
+
+I went to bed full of joy at having given the burgomaster's wife such a
+signal proof of my love, and full of gratitude to fortune who had helped
+me so in dealing with my doltish general, for God knows what I should
+have done if he had forgotten himself so far as to tell me to leave the
+table! The next time I saw the fair she told me she had felt a mortal
+pang of fear shoot through her when the general said he had not asked me.
+
+"I am quite sure," said she, "that he would have gone further, if your
+grand answer had not stopped his mouth; but if he had said another word,
+my mind was made up."
+
+"To do what?"
+
+"I should have risen from the table and taken your arm, and we should
+have gone out together. M. de Castries has told me that he would have
+done the same, and I believe all the ladies whom you asked to breakfast
+would have followed our example."
+
+"But the affair would not have stopped then, for I should certainly have
+demanded immediate satisfaction, and if he had refused it I should have
+struck him with the flat of my sword."
+
+"I know that, but pray forget that it was I who exposed you to this
+danger. For my part, I shall never forget what I owe to you, and I will
+try to convince you of my gratitude."
+
+Two days later, on hearing that she was indisposed, I went to call on her
+at eleven o'clock, at which time I was sure the general would not be
+there. She received me in her husband's room, and he, in the friendliest
+manner possible, asked me if I had come to dine with them. I hastened to
+thank him for his invitation, which I accepted with pleasure, and I
+enjoyed this dinner better than Kettler's supper. The burgomaster was a
+fine-looking man, pleasant-mannered and intelligent, and a lover of peace
+and quietness. His wife, whom he adored, ought to have loved him, since
+he was by no means one of those husbands whose motto is, "Displease whom
+you like, so long as you please me."
+
+On her husband's going out for a short time, she shewed me over the
+house.
+
+"Here is our bedroom," said she; "and this is the closet in which I sleep
+for five or six nights in every month. Here is a church which we may look
+upon as our private chapel, as we hear mass from those two grated
+windows. On Sundays we go down this stair and enter the church by a door,
+the key to which is always in my keeping." It was the second Saturday in
+Lent; we had an excellent fasting dinner, but I did not for once pay much
+attention to eating. To see this young and beautiful woman surrounded by
+her children, adored by her family, seemed to me a beautiful sight. I
+left them at an early hour to write to Esther, whom I did not neglect,
+all occupied as I was with this new flame.
+
+Next day I went to hear mass at the little church next to the
+burgomaster's house. I was well cloaked so as not to attract attention. I
+saw my fair one going out wearing a capuchin, and followed by her family.
+I noted the little door which was so recessed in the wall that it would
+have escaped the notice of anyone who was unaware of its existence; it
+opened, I saw, towards the staircase.
+
+The devil, who, as everybody knows, has more power in a church than
+anywhere else, put into my head the idea of enjoying my mistress by means
+of the door and stair. I told her my plan the next day at the theatre.
+
+"I have thought of it as well as you," said she, laughing, "and I will
+give you the necessary instructions in writing; you will find them in the
+first gazette I send you."
+
+We could not continue this pleasant interview, as my mistress had with
+her a lady from Aix-la-Chapelle, who was staying with her for a few days.
+And indeed the box was full of company.
+
+I had not long to wait, for next day she gave me back the gazette openly,
+telling me that she had not found anything to interest her in it. I knew
+that it would be exceedingly interesting to me. Her note was as follows:
+
+"The design which love inspired is subject not to difficulty but
+uncertainty. The wife only sleeps in the closet when her husband asks
+her--an event which only occurs at certain periods, and the separation
+does not last for more than a few days. This period is not far off, but
+long custom has made it impossible for the wife to impose on her husband.
+It will, therefore, be necessary to wait. Love will warn you when the
+hour of bliss has come. The plan will be to hide in the church; and there
+must be no thought of seducing the door-keeper, for though poor he is too
+stupid to be bribed, and would betray the secret. The only way will be to
+hide so as to elude his watchfulness. He shuts the church at noon on
+working days; on feast days he shuts it at evening, and he always opens
+it again at dawn. When the time comes, all that need be done is to give
+the door a gentle push-it will not be locked. As the closet which is to
+be the scene of the blissful combat is only separated from the room by a
+partition, there must be no spitting, coughing, nor nose-blowing: it
+would be fatal. The escape will be a matter of no difficulty; one can go
+down to the church, and go out as soon as it is opened. Since the beadle
+has seen nobody in the evening, it is not likely that he will see more in
+the morning."
+
+I kissed again and again this charming letter, which I thought shewed
+great power of mental combination, and I went next day to see how the
+coast lay: this was the first thing to be done. There was a chair in the
+church in which I should never have been seen, but the stair was on the
+sacristy side, and that was always locked up. I decided on occupying the
+confessional, which was close to the door. I could creep into the space
+beneath the confessor's seat, but it was so small that I doubted my
+ability to stay there after the door was shut. I waited till noon to make
+the attempt, and as soon as the church was empty I took up my position. I
+had to roll myself up into a ball, and even then I was so badly concealed
+by the folding door that anyone happening to pass by at two paces
+distance might easily have seen me. However I did not care for that, for
+in adventures of that nature one must leave a great deal to fortune.
+Determined to run all risks I went home highly pleased with my
+observations. I put everything I had determined down in writing, and sent
+it to her box at the theatre, enclosed in an old gazette.
+
+A week after she asked the general in my presence if her husband could do
+anything for him at Aix-la-Chapelle, where he was going on the morrow,
+with the intention of returning in three days. That was enough for me,
+but a glance from her added meaning to her words. I was all the more glad
+as I had a slight cold, and the next day being a feast day I could take
+up my position at night fall, and thus avoid a painful vigil of several
+hours' duration.
+
+I curled myself up in the confessional at four o'clock, hiding myself as
+best I could, and commending myself to the care of all the saints. At
+five o'clock the beadle made his usual tour of inspection, went out and
+locked the door. As soon as I heard the noise of the key I came out of my
+narrow cell and sat down on a bench facing the windows. Soon after my
+mistress's shadow appeared on the grated panes, and I knew she had seen
+me.
+
+I sat on the bench for a quarter of an hour and then pushed open the
+little door and entered. I shut it and sat down on the lowest step of the
+stair, and spent there five hours which would probably have not been
+unpleasant ones if I had not been dreadfully tormented by the rats
+running to and fro close to me. Nature has given me a great dislike to
+this animal, which is comparatively harmless; but the smell of rats
+always sickens me.
+
+At last I heard the clock strike ten, the hour of bliss, and I saw the
+form of my beloved holding a candle, and I was then freed from my painful
+position. If my readers have been in such a situation they can imagine
+the pleasures of that happy night, but they cannot divine the minute
+circumstances; for if I was an expert my partner had an inexhaustible
+store of contrivances for augmenting the bliss of that sweet employment.
+She had taken care to get me a little collation, which looked delicious,
+but which I could not touch, my appetite lying in another quarter.
+
+For seven hours, which I thought all too short, we enjoyed one another,
+not resting, except for talk, which served to heighten our pleasure.
+
+The burgomaster was not the man for an ardent passion, but his strength
+of constitution enabled him to do his duty to his wife every night
+without failing, but, whether from regard to his health or from a
+religious scruple, he suspended his rights every month while the moon
+exercised hers, and to put himself out of temptation he made his wife
+sleep apart. But for once in a way, the lady was not in the position of a
+divorcee.
+
+Exhausted, but not satiated with pleasure, I left her at day-break,
+assuring her that when we met again she would find me the same; and with
+that I went to hide in the confessional, fearing lest the growing light
+might betray me to the beadle. However, I got away without any
+difficulty, and passed nearly the whole day in bed, having my dinner
+served to me in my room. In the evening I went to the theatre, to have
+the pleasure of seeing the beloved object of whom my love and constancy
+had made me the possessor.
+
+At the end of a fortnight she sent me a note in which she told me that
+she would sleep by herself on the night following. It was a ferial day,
+and I therefore went to the church at eleven in the morning after making
+an enormous breakfast. I hid myself as before, and the beadle locked me
+in without making any discovery.
+
+I had a wait of ten hours, and the reflection that I should have to spend
+the time partly in the church and partly on the dark and rat-haunted
+staircase, without being able to take a pinch of snuff for fear of being
+obliged to blow my nose, did not tend to enliven the prospect; however,
+the hope of the great reward made it easy to be borne. But at one o'clock
+I heard a slight noise, and looking up saw a hand appear through the
+grated window, and a paper drop on the floor of the church. I ran to pick
+it up, while my heart beat fast, for my first idea was that some obstacle
+had occurred which would compel me to pass the night on a bench in the
+church. I opened it, and what was my joy to read as follows:
+
+"The door is open, and you will be more comfortable on the staircase,
+where you will find a light, a little dinner, and some books, than in the
+church. The seat is not very easy, but I have done my best to remedy the
+discomfort with a cushion. Trust me, the time will seem as long to me as
+to you, but be patient. I have told the general that I do not feel very
+well, and shall not go out to-day. May God keep you from coughing,
+especially during the night, for on the least noise we should be undone."
+
+What stratagems are inspired by love! I opened the door directly, and
+found a nicely-laid meal, dainty viands, delicious wine, coffee, a
+chafing dish, lemons, spirits of wine, sugar, and rum to make some punch
+if I liked. With these comforts and some books, I could wait well enough;
+but I was astonished at the dexterity of my charming mistress in doing
+all this without the knowledge of anybody in the house.
+
+I spent three hours in reading, and three more in eating, and making
+coffee and punch, and then I went to sleep. At ten o'clock my darling
+came and awoke me. This second night was delicious, but not so much so as
+the former, as we could not see each other, and the violence of our
+ecstatic combats was restrained by the vicinity of the good husband. We
+slept part of the time, and early in the morning I had to make good my
+retreat. Thus ended my amour with this lady. The general went to
+Westphalia, and she was soon to go into the country. I thus made my
+preparations for leaving Cologne, promising to come and see her the year
+following, which promise however I was precluded, as the reader will see,
+from keeping. I took leave of my acquaintance and set out, regretted by
+all.
+
+The stay of two months and a half which I made in Cologne did not
+diminish my monetary resources, although I lost whenever I was persuaded
+to play. However, my winnings at Bonn made up all deficiencies, and my
+banker, M. Franck, complained that I had not made any use of him.
+However, I was obliged to be prudent so that those persons who spied into
+my actions might find nothing reprehensible.
+
+I left Cologne about the middle of March, and I stopped at Bonn, to
+present my respects to the Elector, but he was away. I dined with Count
+Verita and the Abbe Scampar, a favourite of the Elector's. After dinner
+the count gave me a letter of introduction to a canoness at Coblentz, of
+whom he spoke in very high terms. That obliged me to stop at Coblentz;
+but when I got down at the inn, I found that the canoness was at Manheim,
+while in her stead I encountered an actress named Toscani, who was going
+to Stuttgart with her young and pretty daughter. She was on her way from
+Paris, where her daughter had been learning character-dancing with the
+famous Vestris. I had known her at Paris, but had not seen much of her,
+though I had given her a little spaniel dog, which was the joy of her
+daughter. This daughter was a perfect jewel, who had very little
+difficulty in persuading me to come with them to Stuttgart, where I
+expected, for other reasons, to have a very pleasant stay. The mother was
+impatient to know what the duke would think of her daughter, for she had
+destined her from her childhood to serve the pleasures of this voluptuous
+prince, who, though he had a titular mistress, was fond of experimenting
+with all the ballet-girls who took his fancy.
+
+We made up a little supper-party, and it may be guessed that two of us
+belonging to the boards the conversation was not exactly a course in
+moral theology. The Toscani told me that her daughter was a neophyte, and
+that she had made up her mind not to let the duke touch her till he had
+dismissed his reigning mistress, whose place she was designed to take.
+The mistress in question was a dancer named Gardella, daughter of a
+Venetian boatman, whose name has been mentioned in my first volume--in
+fine, she was the wife of Michel d'Agata, whom I found at Munich fleeing
+from the terrible Leads, where I myself languished for so long.
+
+As I seemed to doubt the mother's assertion, and threw out some rather
+broad hints to the effect that I believed that the first bloom had been
+plucked at Paris, and that the Duke of Wurtemburg would only have the
+second, their vanity was touched; and on my proposing to verify the
+matter with my own eyes it was solemnly agreed that this ceremony should
+take place the next day. They kept their promise, and I was pleasantly
+engaged for two hours the next morning, and was at last obliged to
+extinguish in the mother the flames her daughter had kindled in my
+breast.
+
+Although the Toscani was young enough, she would have found me ice if her
+daughter had been able to satisfy my desires, but she did not trust me
+well enough to leave us alone together. As it was she was well satisfied.
+
+I resolved, then, on going to Stuttgart in company with the two nymphs,
+and I expected to see there the Binetti, who was always an enthusiastic
+admirer of mine. This actress was the daughter of a Roman boatman. I had
+helped her to get on the boards the same year that Madame de Valmarana
+had married her to a French dancer named Binet, whose name she had
+Italianized by the addition of one syllable, like those who ennoble
+themselves by adding another syllable to their names. I also expected to
+see the Gardella, young Baletti, of whom I was very fond, his young wife
+the Vulcani, and several other of my old friends, who I thought would
+combine to make my stay at Stuttgart a very pleasant one. But it will be
+seen that it is a risky thing to reckon without one's host. At the last
+posting station I bid adieu to my two friends, and went to the "Bear."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII
+
+Gardella Portrait of The Duke of Wurtemburg--My Dinner with Gardella, And
+its Consequences--Unfortunate Meeting I Play and Lose Four Thousand
+Louis--Lawsuit--Lucky Flight--My Arrival at Zurich--Church Consecrated By
+Jesus Christ Himself
+
+At that period the Court of the Duke of Wurtemburg was the most brilliant
+in Europe. The heavy subsidies paid by France for quartering ten thousand
+men upon him furnished him with the means for indulging in luxury and
+debauchery. The army in question was a fine body of men, but during the
+war it was distinguished only by its blunders.
+
+The duke was sumptuous in his tastes, which were for splendid palaces,
+hunting establishments on a large scale, enormous stables--in short,
+every whim imaginable; but his chief expense was the large salaries he
+paid his theatre, and, above all, his mistresses. He had a French play,
+an Italian opera, grand and comic, and twenty Italian dancers, all of
+whom had been principal dancers in Italian theatres. His director of
+ballets was Novers, and sometimes five hundred dancers appeared at once.
+A clever machinist and the best scene painters did their best to make the
+audience believe in magic. All the ballet-girls were pretty, and all of
+them boasted of having been enjoyed at least once by my lord. The chief
+of them was a Venetian, daughter of a gondolier named Gardella. She was
+brought up by the senator Malipiero, whom my readers know for his good
+offices towards myself, who had her taught for the theatre, and gave her
+a dancing-master. I found her at Munich, after my flight from The Leads,
+married to Michel Agata. The duke took a fancy to her, and asked her
+husband, who was only too happy to agree, to yield her; but he was
+satisfied with her charms in a year, and put her on the retired list with
+the title of madame.
+
+This honour had made all the other ballet-girls jealous, and they all
+thought themselves as fit as she to be taken to the duke's titular
+mistress, especially as she only enjoyed the honour without the pleasure.
+They all intrigued to procure her dismissal, but the Venetian lady
+succeeded in holding her ground against all cabals.
+
+Far from reproaching the duke for this incorrigible infidelity, she
+encouraged him in it, and was very glad to be left to herself, as she
+cared nothing for him. Her chief pleasure was to have the ballet-girls
+who aspired to the honours of the handkerchief come to her to solicit her
+good offices. She always received them politely, gave them her advice,
+and bade them do their best to please the prince. In his turn the duke
+thought himself bound to shew his gratitude for her good nature, and gave
+her in public all the honours which could be given to a princess.
+
+I was not long in finding out that the duke's chief desire was to be
+talked about. He would have liked people to say that there was not a
+prince in Europe to compare with him for wit, taste, genius, in the
+invention of pleasures, and statesman-like capacities; he would fain be
+regarded as a Hercules in the pleasures of Bacchus and Venus, and none
+the less an Aristides in governing his people. He dismissed without pity
+an attendant who failed to wake him after he had been forced to yield to
+sleep for three or four hours, but he did not care how roughly he was
+awakened.
+
+It has happened that after having given his highness a large cup of
+coffee, the servant has been obliged to throw him into a bath of cold
+water, where the duke had to choose between awaking or drowning.
+
+As soon as he was dressed the duke would assemble his council and
+dispatch whatever business was on hand, and then he would give audience
+to whoever cared to come into his presence. Nothing could be more comic
+than the audiences he gave to his poorer subjects. Often there came to
+him dull peasants and workmen of the lowest class; the poor duke would
+sweat and rage to make them hear reason, in which he was sometimes
+unsuccessful, and his petitioners would go away terrified, desperate, and
+furious. As to the pretty country maidens, he examined into their
+complaints in private, and though he seldom did anything for them they
+went away consoled.
+
+The subsidies which the French Crown was foolish enough to pay him for a
+perfectly useless service did not suffice for his extravagant expenses.
+He loaded his subjects with taxes till the patient people could bear it
+no longer, and some years after had recourse to the Diet of Wetzlar,
+which obliged him to change his system. He was foolish enough to wish to
+imitate the King of Prussia, while that monarch made fun of the duke, and
+called him his ape. His wife was the daughter of the Margrave of
+Bayreuth, the prettiest and most accomplished princess in all Germany.
+When I had come to Stuttgart she was no longer there; she had taken
+refuge with her father, on account of a disgraceful affront which had
+been offered her by her unworthy husband. It is incorrect to say that
+this princess fled from her husband because of his infidelities.
+
+After I had dined by myself, I dressed and went to the opera provided
+gratis by the duke in the fine theatre he had built. The prince was in
+the front of the orchestra, surrounded by his brilliant Court. I sat in a
+box on the first tier, delighted to be able to hear so well the music of
+the famous Jumella, who was in the duke's service. In my ignorance of the
+etiquette of small German Courts I happened to applaud a solo, which had
+been exquisitely sung by a castrato whose name I have forgotten, and
+directly afterwards an individual came into my box and addressed me in a
+rude manner. However, I knew no German, and could only answer by 'nich
+verstand'--"I don't understand."
+
+He went out, and soon after an official came in, who told me, in good
+French, that when the sovereign was present all applause was forbidden.
+
+"Very good, sir. Then I will go away and come again when the sovereign is
+not here, as when an air pleases me I always applaud."
+
+After this reply I called for my carriage, but just as I was getting into
+it the same official came and told me that the duke wanted to speak to
+me. I accordingly followed him to the presence.
+
+"You are M. Casanova, are you?" said the duke.
+
+"Yes, my lord."
+
+"Where do you come from?"
+
+"From Cologne."
+
+"Is this the first time you have been to Stuttgart?"
+
+"Yes, my lord."
+
+"Do you think of staying long?"
+
+"For five or six days, if your highness will allow me."
+
+"Certainly, you may stay as long as you like, and you may clap when you
+please."
+
+"I shall profit by your permission, my lord."
+
+"Good."
+
+I sat down again, and the whole audience settled down to the play. Soon
+after, an actor sung an air which the duke applauded, and of course all
+the courtiers, but not caring much for the song I sat still--everyone to
+his taste. After the ballet the duke went to the favourite's box, kissed
+her hand, and left the theatre. An official, who was sitting by me and
+did not know that I was acquainted with the Gardella, told me that as I
+had had the honour of speaking to the prince I might obtain the honour of
+kissing his favourite's hand.
+
+I felt a strong inclination to laugh, but I restrained myself; and a
+sudden and very irrational impulse made me say that she was a relation of
+mine. The words had no sooner escaped me than I bit my lip, for this
+stupid lie could only do me harm, but it was decreed that I should do
+nothing at Stuttgart but commit blunders. The officer, who seemed
+astonished at my reply, bowed and went to the favourite's box to inform
+her of my presence. The Gardelia looked in my direction and beckoned to
+me with her fan, and I hastened to comply with the invitation, laughing
+inwardly at the part I was going to play. As soon as I came in she
+graciously gave me her hand, which I kissed, calling her my cousin.
+
+"Did you tell the duke you were my cousin?" said she.
+
+"No," I replied.
+
+"Very good, then I will do so myself; come and dine with me to-morrow."
+
+She then left the house, and I went to visit the ballet-girls, who were
+undressing: The Binetti, who was one of the oldest of my acquaintances,
+was in an ecstasy of joy at seeing me, and asked me to dine with her
+every day. Cartz, the violin, who had been with me in the orchestra at
+St. Samuel's, introduced me to his pretty daughter, saying,
+
+"She is not made for the duke's eyes to gaze on, and he shall never have
+her."
+
+The good man was no prophet, as the duke got possession of her a short
+time after. She presented him with two babies, but these pledges of
+affection could not fix the inconstant prince. Nevertheless, she was a
+girl of the most captivating kind, for to the most perfect beauty she
+added grace, wit, goodness, and kindness, which won everyone's heart. But
+the duke was satiated, and his only pleasure lay in novelty.
+
+After her I saw the Vulcani, whom I had known at Dresden, and who
+suddenly presented her husband to me. He threw his arms round my neck. He
+was Baletti, brother of my faithless one, a young man of great talent of
+whom I was very fond.
+
+I was surrounded by all these friends, when the officer whom I had so
+foolishly told that I was related to the Gardella came in and began to
+tell the story. The Binetti, after hearing it, said to him,
+
+"It's a lie."
+
+"But my dear," said I to her, "you can't be better informed on the
+subject than I am." She replied by laughing, but Cartz said, very
+wittily,
+
+"As Gardella is only a boatman's daughter, like Binetti, the latter
+thinks, and very rightly, that you ought to have given her the refusal of
+your cousinship."
+
+Next day I had a pleasant dinner with the favourite, though she told me
+that, not having seen the duke, she could not tell me how he would take
+my pleasantry, which her mother resented very much. This mother of hers,
+a woman of the lowest birth, had become very proud since her daughter was
+a prince's mistress, and thought my relationship a blot on their
+escutcheon. She had the impudence to tell me that her relations had never
+been players, without reflecting that it must be worse to descend to this
+estate than to rise from it, if it were dishonourable. I ought to have
+pitied her, but not being of a forbearing nature I retorted by asking if
+her sister was still alive, a question which made her frown and to which
+she gave no answer. The sister I spoke of was a fat blind woman, who
+begged on a bridge in Venice.
+
+After having spent a pleasant day with the favourite, who was the oldest
+of my theatrical friends, I left her, promising to come to breakfast the
+next day; but as I was going out the porter bade me not to put my feet
+there again, but would not say on whose authority he gave me this polite
+order. It would have been wiser to hold my tongue, as this stroke must
+have come from the mother; or, perhaps, from the daughter, whose vanity I
+had wounded: she was a good-enough actress to conceal her anger.
+
+I was angry with myself, and went away in an ill humour; I was humiliated
+to see myself treated in such a manner by a wretched wanton of an
+actress; though if I had been more discreet I could have got a welcome in
+the best society. If I had not promised to dine with Binetti the next day
+I should have posted off forthwith, and I should thus have escaped all
+the misadventures which befell me in that wretched town.
+
+The Binetti lived in the house of her lover, the Austrian ambassador, and
+the part of the house she occupied adjoined the town wall. As will be
+seen; this detail is an important one. I dined alone with my good
+fellow-countrywoman, and if I had felt myself capable of love at that
+period all my old affection would have resumed its sway over me, as her
+beauty was undiminished, and she had more tact and knowledge of the world
+than when I knew her formerly.
+
+The Austrian ambassador was a good-natured, easygoing, and generous man;
+as for her husband he was not worthy of her, and she never saw him. I
+spent a pleasant day with her, talking of our old friends, and as I had
+nothing to keep me in Wurtemburg I decided to leave in two days, as I had
+promised the Toscani and her daughter to go with them on the next day to
+Louisbourg. We were to start at five in the morning, but the following
+adventure befell me:--
+
+As I was leaving Binetti's house I was greeted very courteously by three
+officers whom I had become acquainted with at the coffee house, and I
+walked along the promenade with them.
+
+"We are going," said one of them, "to visit certain ladies of easy
+virtue; we shall be glad to have you of our company."
+
+"I only speak a few words of German," I answered, "and if I join you I
+shall be bored."
+
+"Ah! but the ladies are Italians," they exclaimed, "nothing could suit
+you better."
+
+I did not at all like following them, but my evil genius led me in that
+wretched town from one blunder to another, and so I went in spite of
+myself.
+
+We turned back into the town, and I let myself be led up to the third
+floor of an ill-looking house, and in the meanest of rooms I saw the
+pretended nieces of Peccini. A moment after Peccini appeared, and had the
+impudence to throw his arms around my neck, calling me his best friend.
+His nieces overwhelmed me with caresses, and seemed to confirm the idea
+that we were old friends. I did nothing and held my tongue.
+
+The officers prepared for a debauch; I did not imitate their example, but
+this made no difference to them. I saw into what an evil place I had been
+decoyed, but a false shame prevented me from leaving the house without
+ceremony. I was wrong, but I determined to be more prudent for the
+future.
+
+Before long a pot-house supper was served, of which I did not partake;
+but not wishing to seem bad company I drank two or three small glasses of
+Hungarian wine. After supper, which did not last very long, cards were
+produced, and one of the officers held a bank at faro. I punted and lost
+the fifty or sixty Louis I had about me. I felt that I was drunk, my head
+was reeling, and I would have gladly given over playing and gone away,
+but I have never been so possessed as on that day, either from false
+shame or from the effects of the drugged wine they gave me. My noble
+officers seemed vexed that I had lost, and would give me my revenge. They
+made me hold a bank of a hundred Louis in fish, which they counted out to
+me. I did so, and lost. I made a bank again, and again I lost. My
+inflamed understanding, my increasing drunkenness, and my anger, deprived
+me of all sense, and I kept increasing my bank, losing all the time, till
+at midnight my good rascals declared they would play no more. They made a
+calculation, and declared that I had lost nearly a hundred thousand
+francs. So great was my intoxication, although I had had no more wine,
+that they were obliged to send for a sedan chair to take me to my inn.
+While my servant was undressing me he discovered that I had neither my
+watches nor my gold snuff-boy.
+
+"Don't forget to wake me at four in the morning," said I. Therewith I
+went to bed and enjoyed a calm and refreshing sleep.
+
+While I was dressing next morning I found a hundred Louis in my pocket,
+at which I was much astonished, for my dizziness of brain being over now,
+I remembered that I had not this money about me the evening before; but
+my mind was taken up with the pleasure party, and I put off thinking of
+this incident and of my enormous losses till afterwards. I went to the
+Toscani and we set out for Louisbourg, where we had a capital dinner, and
+my spirits ran so high that my companions could never have guessed the
+misfortune that had just befallen me. We went back to Stuttgart in the
+evening.
+
+When I got home my Spaniard told me that they knew nothing about my
+watches and snuff-box at the house where I had been the evening before,
+and that the three officers had come to call on me, but not finding me at
+home they had told him to warn me that they would breakfast with me on
+the following morning. They kept the appointment.
+
+"Gentlemen," said I, as soon as they came in, "I have lost a sum which I
+cannot pay, and which I certainly should not have lost without the
+drugged wine you gave me. You have taken me to a den of infamy, where I
+was shamefully robbed of jewellery to the value of more than three
+hundred Louis. I complain of no one, since I have only my own folly to
+complain of. If I had been wiser all this would not have happened to me."
+
+They exclaimed loudly at this speech, and tried to play the part of men
+of honour. They spoke in vain, as I had made up my mind to pay nothing.
+
+Whilst we were in the thick of the fight, and were beginning to get angry
+over it, Baletti, Toscani, and Binetti came in, and heard the discussion.
+I then had breakfast brought in, and after we had finished my friends
+left me.
+
+When we were once more alone, one of the rascals addressed me as follows:
+
+"We are too honest, sir, to take advantage of your position. You have
+been unfortunate, but all men are sometimes unfortunate, and we ask
+nothing better than a mutual accommodation. We will take over all your
+properties; jewels, diamonds, arms, and carriage, and have them valued;
+and if the sum realized does not cover your debt we will take your
+acceptance, payable at date, and remain good friends."
+
+"Sir, I do not wish for the friendship of robbers, and I will not play a
+single farthing."
+
+At this they tried threats, but I kept cool and said,--
+
+"Gentlemen, your menaces will not intimidate me, and, as far as I can
+see, you have only two ways of getting paid; either by way of the law, in
+which case I do not think I shall find it difficult to get a barrister to
+take up my case, or, secondly, you can pay yourselves on my body,
+honourably, with sword in hand."
+
+As I had expected, they replied that if I wished they would do me the
+honour of killing me after I had paid them. They went off cursing,
+telling me that I would be sorry for what I had said.
+
+Soon after I went out and spent the day with the Toscani in gaiety which,
+situated as I was, was not far off madness. At the time I placed it to
+the daughter's charms, and to the need my spirits were in of recovering
+their elasticity.
+
+However, the mother having witnessed the rage of the three robbers was
+the first to urge me to fortify myself against their villainy by an
+appeal to the law.
+
+"If you give them the start," said she, "they may possibly gain a great
+advantage over you in spite of the right being on your side."
+
+And whilst I toyed with her charming daughter, she sent for a barrister.
+After hearing my case the counsel told me that my best way would be to
+tell the whole story to the sovereign as soon as possible.
+
+"They took you to the house of ill-fame; they poured out the drugged wine
+which deprived you of your reason; they made you play in spite of their
+prince's prohibition (for gaming is strictly forbidden); in this company
+you were robbed of your jewels after they had made you lose an enormous
+sum. It's a hanging matter, and the duke's interest will be to do you
+justice, for an act of scoundrelism like this committed by his officers
+would dishonour him all over Europe."
+
+I felt some repugnance to this course, for though the duke was a
+shameless libertine I did not like telling him such a disgraceful story.
+However, the case was a serious one, and after giving it due reflection I
+determined to wait on the dike on the following morning.
+
+"As the duke gives audience to the first comer," I said to myself, "why
+should I not have as good a reception as a labouring man?" In this way I
+concluded that it would be no use to write to him, and I was on my way to
+the Court, when, at about twenty paces from the gate of the castle, I met
+my three gentlemen who accosted me rudely and said I had better make up
+my mind to pay, or else they would play the devil with me.
+
+I was going on without paying any attention to them, when I felt myself
+rudely seized by the right arm. A natural impulse of self-defence made me
+put my hand to my sword, and I drew it in a manner that shewed I was in
+earnest. The officer of the guard came running up, and I complained that
+the three were assaulting me and endeavouring to hinder my approach to
+the prince. On enquiry being made, the sentry and the numerous persons
+who were present declared that I had only drawn in self-defence, so the
+officer decided that I had perfect liberty to enter the castle.
+
+I was allowed to penetrate to the last antechamber without any obstacle
+being raised. Here I addressed myself to the chamberlain, demanding an
+audience with the sovereign, and he assured me that I should be
+introduced into the presence. But directly afterwards the impudent
+scoundrel who had taken hold of my arm came up and began to speak to the
+chamberlain in German. He said his say without my being able to
+contradict him, and his representations were doubtless not in my favour.
+Very possibly, too, the chamberlain was one of the gang, and I went from
+Herod to Pilate. An hour went by without my being able to see the prince,
+and then the chamberlain, who had assured me that I should have an
+audience, came and told me that I might go home, as the duke had heard
+all the circumstances of the case, and would no doubt see that justice
+was done me.
+
+I saw at once that I should get no justice at all, and as I was walking
+away I thought how best I could get out of the difficulty. On my way I
+met Binetti, who knew how I was placed, and he asked me to come and dine
+with him, assuring me that the Austrian ambassador would take me under
+his protection, and that he would save me from the violent measures which
+the rascals no doubt intended to take, in spite of the chamberlain's
+assurances. I accepted the invitation, and Binetti's charming wife,
+taking the affair to heart, did not lose a moment in informing her lover,
+the ambassador, of all the circumstances.
+
+This diplomatist came into the room with her, and after hearing all the
+details from my lips he said that in all probability the duke knew
+nothing about it.
+
+"Write a brief account of the business," said he, "and I will lay it
+before the sovereign, who will no doubt see justice done."
+
+I went to Binetti's desk, and as soon as I had written down my true
+relation I gave it, unsealed, to the ambassador, who assured me that it
+should be in the duke's hands in the course of an hour.
+
+At dinner my country-woman assured me again that her lover should protect
+me, and we spent the day pleasantly enough; but towards evening my
+Spaniard came and assured me that if I returned to the inn I should be
+arrested, "for," said he, "an officer came to see you, and finding you
+were out he took up his position at the street door and has two soldiers
+standing at the foot of the staircase."
+
+The Binetti said, "You must not go to the inn; stay here, where you have
+nothing to fear. Send for what you want, and we will wait and see what
+happens." I then gave orders to my Spaniard to go and fetch the
+belongings which were absolutely necessary to me.
+
+At midnight the ambassador came in; we were still up, and he seemed
+pleased that his mistress had sheltered me. He assured me that my plea
+had been laid before the sovereign, but during the three days I was in
+the house I heard no more about it.
+
+On the fourth day, whilst I was pondering as to how I should act, the
+ambassador received a letter from a minister requesting him, on behalf of
+the sovereign, to dismiss me from his house, as I had a suit pending with
+certain officers of his highness, and whilst I was with the ambassador
+justice could not take its course. The ambassador gave me the letter, and
+I saw that the minister promised that strict justice should be done me.
+There was no help for it; I had to make up my mind to return to my inn,
+but the Binetti was so enraged that she began to scold her lover, at
+which he laughed, saying, with perfect truth, that he could not keep me
+there in defiance of the prince.
+
+I re-entered the inn without meeting anyone, but when I had had my dinner
+and was just going to see my counsel an officer served me with a summons,
+which was interpreted to me by my landlord, which ordered me to appear
+forthwith before the notary appointed to take my deposition. I went to
+him with the officer of the court, and spent two hours with the notary,
+who wrote down my deposition in German while I gave it in Latin. When it
+was done he told me to sign my name; to which I answered that I must
+decline to sign a document I did not understand. He insisted on my doing
+it, but I was immovable. He then got in a rage and said I ought to be
+ashamed of myself for suspecting a notary's honour. I replied calmly that
+I had no doubts as to his honour, but that I acted from principle, and
+that as I did not understand what he had written I refused to sign it. I
+left him, and was accompanied by the officer to my own counsel, who said
+I had done quite right, and promised to call on me the next day to
+receive my power of attorney.
+
+"And when I have done that," he said, "your business will be mine."
+
+I was comforted by this man, who inspired me with confidence, and went
+back to the hotel, where I made a good supper and went tranquilly to
+sleep. Next morning, however, when I awoke, my Spaniard announced an
+officer who had followed him, and told me in good French that I must not
+be astonished to find myself a prisoner in my room, for being a stranger
+and engaged in a suit at law it was only right that the opposite party
+should be assured that I would not escape before judgment was given. He
+asked very politely for my sword, and to my great regret I was compelled
+to give it him. The hilt was of steel, exquisitely chased; it was a
+present from Madame d'Urfe, and was worth at least fifty louis.
+
+I wrote a note to my counsel to tell him what had happened; he came to
+see me and assured me that I should only be under arrest for a few days.
+
+As I was obliged to keep my room, I let my friends know of my
+confinement, and I received visits from dancers and ballet-girls, who
+were the only decent people I was acquainted with in that wretched
+Stuttgart, where I had better never have set foot. My situation was not
+pleasant to contemplate: I had been drugged, cheated, robbed, abused,
+imprisoned, threatened with a mulct of a hundred thousand francs, which
+would have stripped me to my shirt, as nobody knew the contents of my
+pocket-book. I could think of nothing else. I had written to Madame the
+Gardella, but to no purpose, as I got no answer. All the consolation I
+got was from Binetti, Toscani, and Baletti, who dined or supped with me
+every day. The three rascals came to see me one by one, and each tried to
+get me to give him money unknown to the other two, and each promised that
+if I would do that, he would get me out of the difficulty. Each would
+have been content with three or four hundred louis, but even if I had
+given that sum to one of them I had no guarantee that the others would
+desist from their persecution. Indeed, if I had done so I should have
+given some ground to their pretensions, and bad would have been made
+worse. My answer was that they wearied me, and that I should be glad if
+they would desist from visiting me.
+
+On the fifth day of my arrest the duke left for Frankfort; and the same
+day Binetti came and told me from her lover that the duke had promised
+the officers not to interfere, and that I was therefore in danger of an
+iniquitous sentence. His advice was to neglect no means of getting out of
+the difficulty, to sacrifice all my property, diamonds, and jewellery,
+and thus to obtain a release from my enemies. The Binetti, like a wise
+woman, disliked this counsel, and I relished it still less, but she had
+to perform her commission.
+
+I had jewellery and lace to the value of more than a hundred thousand
+francs, but I could not resolve to make the sacrifice. I did not know
+which way to turn or where to go, and while I was in this state of mind
+my barrister came in. He spoke as follows:
+
+"Sir, all my endeavors on your behalf have been unsuccessful. There is a
+party against you which seems to have support in some high quarter, and
+which silences the voice of justice. It is my duty to warn you that
+unless you find some way of arranging matters with these rascals you are
+a ruined man. The judgment given by the police magistrate, a rascal like
+the rest of them, is of a summary character, for as a stranger you will
+not be allowed to have recourse to the delays of the law. You would
+require bail to do that. They have managed to procure witnesses who swear
+that you are a professional gamester, that it was you who seduced the
+three officers into the house of your countryman Peccini, that it is not
+true that your wine was drugged that you did not lose your watches nor
+your snuff-box, for, they say, these articles will be found in your mails
+when your goods are sold. For that you will only have to wait till
+to-morrow or the day after, and do not think that I am deceiving you in
+any particular, or you will be sorry for it. They will come here and
+empty your mails, boxes, and pockets, a list will be made, and they will
+be sold by auction the same day. If the sum realized is greater than the
+debt the surplus will go in costs, and you may depend upon it that a very
+small sum will be returned to you; but if, on the other hand, the sum is
+not sufficient to pay everything, including the debt, costs, expenses of
+the auction, etc., you will be enrolled as a common soldier in the forces
+of His Most Serene Highness. I heard it said to the officer, who is your
+greatest creditor, that the four Louis enlistment money would be taken
+into account, and that the duke would be glad to get hold of such a fine
+man."
+
+The barrister left me without my noticing him. I was so petrified by what
+he had said. I was in such a state of collapse that in less than an hour
+all the liquids in my body must have escaped. I, a common soldier in the
+army of a petty sovereign like the duke, who only existed by the horrible
+traffic in human flesh which he carried on after the manner of the
+Elector of Hesse. I, despoiled by those knaves, the victim of an
+iniquitous sentence. Never! I would endeavour to hit upon some plan to
+gain time.
+
+I began by writing to my chief creditor that I had decided to come to an
+agreement with them, but I wished them all to wait upon my notary, with
+witnesses, to put a formal close to the action and render me a free man
+again.
+
+I calculated that one of them was sure to be on duty on the morrow, and
+thus I should gain a day at any rate. In the mean time I hoped to
+discover some way of escape.
+
+I next wrote to the head of the police, whom I styled "your excellency"
+and "my lord," begging him to vouchsafe his all-powerful protection. I
+told him that I had resolved on selling all my property to put an end to
+the suit which threatened to overwhelm me, and I begged him to suspend
+the proceedings, the cost of which could only add to my difficulties. I
+also asked him to send me a trustworthy man to value my effects as soon
+as I had come to an agreement with my creditors, with whom I begged for
+his good offices. When I had done I sent my Spaniard to deliver the
+letters.
+
+The officer to whom I had written, who pretended that I was his debtor to
+the amount of two thousand Louis, came to see me after dinner. I was in
+bed; and I told him I thought I had fever. He began to offer his
+sympathy, and, genuine or not, I was pleased with it. He told me he had
+just had some conversation with the chief of the police, who had shewn
+him my letter.
+
+"You are very wise," said he, "in consenting to a composition, but we
+need not all three be present. I have full powers from the other two, and
+that will be sufficient for the notary:"
+
+"I am in bad enough case," I replied, "for you to grant me the favour of
+seeing you all together; I cannot think you will refuse me."
+
+"Well, well, you shall be satisfied, but if you are in a hurry to leave
+Stuttgart I must warn you that we cannot come before Monday, for we are
+on duty for the next four days."
+
+"I am sorry to hear it, but I will wait. Give me your word of honour that
+all proceedings shall be suspended in the mean time."
+
+"Certainly; here is my hand, and you may reckon on me. In my turn I have
+a favour to ask. I like your post-chaise; will you let me have it for
+what it cost you?"
+
+"With pleasure."
+
+"Be kind enough to call the landlord, and tell him in my presence that
+the carriage belongs to me."
+
+I had the landlord upstairs and did as the rascal had asked me, but mine
+host told him that he could dispose of it after he had paid for it, and
+with that he turned his back on him and left the room.
+
+"I am certain of having the chaise," said the officer, laughing. He then
+embraced me, and went away.
+
+I had derived so much pleasure from my talk with him that I felt quite
+another man. I had four days before me; it was a rare piece of good luck.
+
+Some hours after, an honest-looking fellow who spoke Italian well came to
+tell me, from the chief of police, that my creditors would meet on the
+ensuing Monday, and that he himself was appointed to value my goods. He
+advised me to make it a condition of the agreement that my goods should
+not be sold by auction, and that my creditors should consider his
+valuation as final and binding. He told me that I should congratulate
+myself if I followed his advice.
+
+I told him that I would not forget his services, and begged him to
+examine my mails and my jewel-box. He examined everything and told me
+that my lace alone was worth twenty thousand francs. "In all," he added,
+"your goods are worth more than a hundred thousand francs, but I promise
+to tell your adversaries another story, Thus, if you can persuade them to
+take half their debt, you will get off with half your effects."
+
+"In that ease," I said, "you shall have fifty louis, and here are six as
+an earnest."
+
+"I am grateful to you, and you can count upon my devotion. The whole town
+and the duke as well know your creditors to be knaves, but they have
+their reasons for refusing to see their conduct in its true light."
+
+I breathed again, and now all my thoughts were concentrated on making my
+escape with all I possessed, my poor chaise excepted. I had a difficult
+task before me, but not so difficult a one as my flight from The Leads,
+and the recollection of my great escape gave me fresh courage.
+
+My first step was to ask Toscani, Baletti, and the dancer Binetti to
+supper, as I had measures to concert with these friends of mine, whom I
+could rely on, and who had nothing to fear from the resentment of three
+rascals.
+
+After we had had a good supper I told them how the affair stood, and that
+I was determined to escape, and to carry my goods with me. "And now," I
+said, "I want your advice."
+
+After a brief silence Binetti said if I could get to his house I could
+lower myself down from a window, and once on the ground I should be
+outside the town walls and at a distance of a hundred paces from the high
+road, by which I could travel post and be out of the duke's dominions by
+daybreak. Thereupon Baletti opened the window and found that it would be
+impossible to escape that way, on account of a wooden roof above a shop.
+I looked out also, and seeing that he was right I said that I should no
+doubt hit on some way of making my escape from the inn, but what troubled
+me chiefly was my luggage. The Toscani then said:--
+
+"You will have to abandon your mails, which you could not take off
+without attracting attention, and you must send all your effects to my
+house. I engage to deliver safely whatever you may put in my care. I will
+take away your effects under my clothes in several journeys, and I can
+begin to-night."
+
+Baletti thought this idea a good one, and said that to do it the quicker
+his wife would come and help. We fixed on this plan, and I promised
+Binetti to be with him at midnight on Sunday, even if I had to stab the
+sentry, who was at my door all day, but who went away at night after
+locking me in. Baletti said he would provide me with a faithful servant,
+and a post-chaise with swift horses, which would take my effects in other
+mails. To make the best use of the time, the Toscani began to load
+herself, putting two of my suits of clothes under her dress. For the next
+few days my friends served me so well that, at midnight on Saturday, my
+mails and my dressing case were empty; I kept back all the jewellery
+intending to carry it in my pocket.
+
+On Sunday, the Toscani brought me the keys of the two mails, in which she
+had put my goods; and Baletti came also to tell me that all the necessary
+measures had been taken, and that I should find a post-chaise, under the
+charge of his servant, waiting for me on the high road. So far good, and
+the reader shall now hear how I contrived to escape from my inn.
+
+The sentry confined himself to a small ante-chamber, where he walked up
+and down, without ever coming into my room, except at my invitation. As
+soon as he heard that I had gone to bed he locked the door, and went off
+till the next day. He used to sup on a little table in a corner of the
+ante-room; his food being sent out by me. Profiting by my knowledge of
+his habits, I gave my Spaniard the following instructions:
+
+"After supper, instead of going to bed, I shall hold myself in readiness
+for leaving my room, and I shall leave it when I see the light
+extinguished in the ante-room, while I shall take care that my candle be
+so placed as not to shew any light outside, or to reflect my shadow. Once
+out of my room, I shall have no difficulty in reaching the stairs, and my
+escape will be accomplished. I shall go to Binetti's, leave the town by
+his house, and wait for you at Furstenburg. No one can hinder you from
+joining me in the course of a day or two. So when you see me ready in my
+room, and this will be whilst the sentry is having his supper, put out
+the candle on the table: you can easily manage to do so whilst snuffing
+it. You will then take it to re-light it, and I shall seize that moment
+to get off in the darkness. When you conclude that I have got out of the
+ante-room, you can come back to the soldier with the lighted candle, and
+you can help him to finish his bottle. By that time I shall be safe, and
+when you tell him I have gone to bed he will come to the door, wish me
+good night, and after locking the door and putting the key in his pocket
+he will go away with you. It is not likely that he will come in and speak
+to me when he hears I have gone to bed."
+
+Nevertheless, as he might possibly take it into his head to come into the
+room, I carefully arranged a wig-block in a night-cap on the pillow, and
+huddled up the coverlet so as to deceive a casual glance.
+
+All my plans were successful, as I heard afterwards from my Spaniard.
+Whilst he was drinking with the sentry I was getting on my great coat,
+girding on my hanger (I had no longer a sword), and putting my loaded
+pistols in my pocket. As soon as the darkness told me that Le Duc had put
+out the candle I went out softly, and reached the staircase without
+making the least noise. Once there the rest was easy, for the stair led
+into the passage, and the passage to the main door, which was always open
+till nearly midnight.
+
+I stepped out along the street, and at a quarter to twelve I got to
+Binetti's, and found his wife looking out for me at the window. When I
+was in the room, whence I intended to escape, we lost no time. I threw my
+overcoat to Baletti, who was standing in the ditch below, up to the knees
+in mud, and binding a strong cord round my waist I embraced the Binetti
+and Baletti's wife, who lowered me down as gently as possible. Baletti
+received me in his arms, I cut the cord, and after taking my great coat I
+followed his footsteps. We strode through the mud, and going along a
+hedge we reached the high road in a state of exhaustion, although it was
+not more than a hundred paces as the crow flies from where we stood to
+the house. At a little distance off, beside a small wayside inn, we found
+the postchaise in which sat Baletti's servant. He got out, telling us
+that the postillion had just gone into the inn to have a glass of beer
+and light his pipe. I took the good servant's place, and gave him a
+reward, and begged them both to be gone, saying I would manage all the
+rest myself.
+
+It was April and, 1760--my birthday--and a remarkable period in my
+career, although my whole life has been filled with adventures, good or
+bad.
+
+I had been in the carriage for two or three minutes when the postillion
+came and asked me if we had much longer to wait. He thought he was
+speaking to the same person that he had left in the chaise, and I did not
+undeceive him. "Drive on," I answered, "and make one stage of it from
+here to Tubingen, without changing horses at Waldenbach." He followed my
+instructions, and we went along at a good pace, but I had a strong
+inclination to laugh at the face he made when he saw me at Tubingen.
+Baletti's servant was a youth, and slightly built; I was tall, and quite
+a man. He opened his eyes to their utmost width, and told me I was not
+the same gentleman that was in the carriage when he started. "You're
+drunk," said I, putting in his hand four times what he was accustomed to
+get, and the poor devil did not say a word. Who has not experienced the
+persuasive influence of money?  I went on my journey, and did not stop
+till I reached Furstenburg, where I was quite safe.
+
+I had eaten nothing on the way, and by the time I got to the inn I was
+dying of hunger. I had a good supper brought to me, and then I went to
+bed and slept well. As soon as I awoke I wrote to my three rascals. I
+promised to wait ten days for them at the place from which I dated the
+letter, and I challenged them to a duel a l'outrance, swearing that I
+would publish their cowardice all over Europe if they refused to measure
+swords with me. I next wrote to the Toscani, to Baletti, and to the
+good-natured mistress of the Austrian ambassador, commending Le Duc to
+their care, and thanking them for their friendly help.
+
+The three rascals did not come, but the landlord's two daughters, both of
+them pretty, made me pass the three days very agreeably.
+
+On the fourth day, towards noon, I had the pleasure of seeing my faithful
+Spaniard riding into the town carrying his portmanteau on his saddle.
+
+"Sir," said he, "all Stuttgart knows you to be here, and I fear, lest the
+three officers who were too cowardly to accept your challenge may have
+you assassinated. If you are wise you will set out for Switzerland
+forthwith."
+
+"That's cowardly, my lad," said I. "Don't be afraid about me, but tell me
+all that happened after my escape."
+
+"As soon as you were gone, sir, I carried out your instructions, and
+helped the poor devil of a sentry to empty his bottle, though he would
+have willingly dispensed with my assistance in the matter; I then told
+him you had gone to bed, and he locked the door as usual, and went away
+after shaking me by the hand. After he had gone I went to bed. Next
+morning the worthy man was at his post by nine o'clock, and at ten the
+three officers came, and on my telling them that you were still asleep
+they went away, bidding me come to a coffee-house, and summon them when
+you got up. As they waited and waited to no purpose, they came again at
+noon, and told the soldier to open the door. What followed amused me,
+though I was in some danger in the midst of the rascals.
+
+"They went in, and taking the wig-block for your head they came up to the
+bed and politely wished you good morning. You took no notice, so one of
+them proceeded to give you a gentle shake, and the bauble fell and rolled
+along the floor. I roared with laughter at the sight of their amazement.
+
+"'You laugh, do you, rascal?  Tell us where your master is.' And to give
+emphasis to their words they accompanied them with some strokes of the
+cane.
+
+"I was not going to stand this sort of thing, so I told them, with an
+oath, that if they did not stop I should defend myself, adding that I was
+not my master's keeper, and advising them to ask the sentry.
+
+"The sentry on his part swore by all the saints that you must have
+escaped by the window, but in spite of this a corporal was summoned, and
+the poor man was sent to prison.
+
+"The clamour that was going on brought up the landlord, who opened your
+mails, and on finding them empty said that he would be well enough paid
+by your postchaise, replying only with a grin to the officer who
+pretended you had given it him.
+
+"In the midst of the tumult a superior officer came up, who decided that
+you must have escaped through the window, and ordered the sentry to be
+set at liberty on the spot. Then came my turn, for, as I kept on laughing
+and answered all questions by 'I don't know,' these gentleman had me
+taken to prison, telling me I should stay there till I informed them
+where you, or at least your effects, could be found.
+
+"The next day one of them came to the prison, and told me that unless I
+confessed I should undoubtedly be sent to the galleys.
+
+"'On the faith of a Spaniard,' I answered, I know nothing, but if I did
+it would be all the same to you, for no one can make an honest servant
+betray his master.
+
+"At this the rascal told the turnkey to give me a taste of the lash, and
+after this had been done I was set at liberty.
+
+"My back was somewhat scarified, but I had the proud consciousness of
+having done my duty, and I went back and slept at the inn, where they
+were glad to see me. Next morning everyone knew you were here and had
+sent a challenge to the three sharpers, but the universal opinion was
+that they were too knowing to risk their lives by meeting you.
+Nevertheless, Madame Baletti told me to beg you to leave Furstenburg, as
+they might very likely have you assassinated. The landlord sold your
+chaise and your mails to the Austrian ambassador, who, they say, let you
+escape from a window in the apartment occupied by his mistress. No one
+offered to prevent me coming here.
+
+"Three hours after Le Duc's arrival I took post and went to Schaffhaus,
+and from there to Zurich, with hired horses, as there are no posts in
+Switzerland. At Zurich I put up at the 'Sward,' an excellent inn.
+
+"After supper, powdering over my arrival in Zurich where I had dropped
+from the clouds as it were, I began, to reflect seriously upon my present
+situation and the events of my past life. I recalled my misfortunes and
+scrutinized my conduct; and was not long in concluding that all I had
+suffered was through my own fault, and that when fortune would have
+crowned me with happiness I had persistently trifled that happiness away.
+I had just succeeded in escaping from a trap where I might have perished,
+or at least have been overwhelmed with shame, and I shuddered at the
+thought. I resolved to be no more fortune's plaything, but to escape
+entirely from her hands. I calculated my assets and found I was possessed
+of a hundred thousand crowns. 'With that,' said I, 'I can live secure
+amidst the changes and chances of this life, and I shall at last
+experience true happiness.'"
+
+I went to bed pondering over these fancies, and my sleep was full of
+happy dreams. I saw myself dwelling in a retired spot amidst peace and
+plenty. I thought I was surrounded on all sides by a fair expanse of
+country which belonged to me, where I enjoyed that freedom the world
+cannot give. My dreams had all the force of reality, till a sudden
+awakening at day-break came to give them the lie. But the imaginary bliss
+I had enjoyed had so taken my fancy that I could not rest till I realized
+it. I arose, dressed myself hastily, and went out, fasting, without
+knowing where I was going.
+
+I walked on and on, absorbed in contemplation, and did not really awake
+till I found myself in a ravine between two lofty mountains. Stepping
+forward I reached a valley surrounded by mountains on all sides, and in
+the distance a fine church, attached to a pile of buildings,
+magnificently situated. I guessed it to be a monastery, and I made my way
+towards it.
+
+The church door was open, and I went in and was amazed at the rich
+marbles and the beauty of the altars; and, after hearing the last mass, I
+went to the sacristy and found myself in a crowd of Benedictines.
+
+The abbot, whom I recognized by his cross, came towards me and asked if I
+wished to see the church and monastery. I replied that I should be
+delighted, and he, with two other brethren, offered to shew me all. I saw
+their rich ornaments, chasubles embroidered with gold and pearls, the
+sacred vessels adorned with diamonds and other precious stones, a rich
+balustrade, etc.
+
+As I understood German very imperfectly and the Swiss dialect (which is
+hard to acquire and bears the same relation to German that Genoese has to
+Italian) not at all, I began to speak Latin, and asked the abbot if the
+church had been built for long. Thereupon the very reverend father
+entered into a long history, which would have made me repent my
+inquisitiveness if he had not finished by saying that the church was
+consecrated by Jesus Christ Himself. This was carrying its foundation
+rather far back, and no doubt my face expressed some surprise, for to
+convince me of the truth of the story the abbot bade me follow him into
+the church, and there on a piece of marble pavement he shewed me the
+imprint of the foot of Jesus, which He had left there at the moment of
+the consecration, to convince the infidels and to save the bishop the
+trouble of consecrating the church.
+
+The abbot had had this divinely revealed to him in a dream, and going
+into the church to verify the vision he saw the print of the Divine Foot,
+and gave thanks to the Lord.
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Eternal Quest: Holland and Germany
+by Jacques Casanova de Seingalt
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