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diff --git a/old/jcrit11.txt b/old/jcrit11.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..f441227 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/jcrit11.txt @@ -0,0 +1,4046 @@ +The Project Gutenberg Etext of Return to Italy, by Jacques Casanova +#17 in our series by Jacques Casanova de Seingalt + +Copyright laws are changing all over the world. Be sure to check the +copyright laws for your country before distributing this or any other +Project Gutenberg file. + +We encourage you to keep this file, exactly as it is, on your +own disk, thereby keeping an electronic path open for future +readers. Please do not remove this. + +This header should be the first thing seen when anyone starts to +view the etext. 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FOR PUBLIC DOMAIN ETEXTS*Ver.10/04/01*END* + + + + + +This etext was produced by David Widger <widger@cecomet.net> + + + + + +MEMOIRS OF JACQUES CASANOVA de SEINGALT 1725-1798 +ADVENTURES IN THE SOUTH, Volume 4b--RETURN TO ITALY + + +THE RARE UNABRIDGED LONDON EDITION OF 1894 TRANSLATED BY ARTHUR +MACHEN TO WHICH HAS BEEN ADDED THE CHAPTERS DISCOVERED +BY ARTHUR SYMONS. + + + + +RETURN TO ITALY + +GENOA--TUSCANY--ROME + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +The Play--The Russian--Petri--Rosalie at the Convent + + +When the marquis had gone, seeing Rosalie engaged with Veronique, +I set myself to translate the 'Ecossaise' for the actors at Genoa, +who seemed pretty good ones, to play. + +I thought Rosalie looking sad at dinner, and said, + +"What is the matter, dearest? You know I do not like to see you +looking melancholy." + +"I am vexed at Veronique's being prettier than I." + +"I see what you mean; I like that! But console your, self, +Veronique is nothing compared to you, in my eyes at all events. +You are my only beauty; but to reassure you I will ask M. de +Grimaldi to tell her mother to come and fetch her away, and to get +me another maid as ugly as possible." + +"Oh, no! pray do not do so; he will think I am jealous, and I +wouldn't have him think so for the world." + +"Well, well, smile again if you do not wish to vex me." + +"I shall soon do that, if, as you assure me, she will not make me +lose your love. But what made the old gentleman get me a girl +like that? Do you think he did it out of mischief?" + +"No, I don't think so. I am sure, on the other hand, that he +wanted to let you know that you need not fear being compared with +anybody. Are you pleased with her in other respects?" + +"She works well, and she is very respectful. She does not speak +four words without addressing me as signora, and she is careful to +translate what she says from Italian into French. I hope that in +a month I shall speak well enough for us to dispense with her +services when we go to Florence. I have ordered Le Duc to clear +out the room I have chosen for her, and I will send her her dinner +from our own table. I will be kind to her, but I hope you will +not make me wretched." + +"I could not do so; and I do not see what there can be in common +between the girl and myself." + +"Then you will pardon my fears." + +"The more readily as they shew your love." + +"I thank you, but keep my secret." + +I promised never to give a glance to Veronique, of whom I was +already afraid, but I loved Rosalie and would have done anything +to save her the least grief. + +I set to at my translation after dinner; it was work I liked. I +did not go out that day, and I spent the whole of the next morning +with M. de Grimaldi. + +I went to the banker Belloni and changed all my gold into gigliati +sequins. I made myself known after the money was changed, and the +head cashier treated me with great courtesy. I had bills on this +banker for forty thousand Roman crowns, and on Lepri bills for +twenty thousand. + +Rosalie did not want to go to the play again, so I got her a piece +of embroidery to amuse her in the evening. The theatre was a +necessity for me; I always went unless it interferred with some +still sweeter pleasure. I went by myself, and when I got home I +found the marquis talking to my mistress. I was pleased, and +after I had embraced the worthy nobleman I complimented Rosalie on +having kept him till my arrival, adding gently that she should +have put down her work. + +"Ask him," she replied, "if he did not make me keep on. He said +he would go if I didn't, so I gave in to keep him." + +She then rose, stopped working, and in the course of an +interesting conversation she succeeded in making the marquis +promise to stay to supper, thus forestalling my intention. He was +not accustomed to take anything at that hour, and ate little; but +I saw he was enchanted with my treasure, and that pleased me, for +I did not think I had anything to fear from a man of sixty; +besides, I was glad at the opportunity of accustoming Rosalie to +good society. I wanted her to be a little coquettish, as a woman +never pleases in society unless she shews a desire to please. + +Although the position was quite a strange one for her, she made me +admire the natural aptitude of women, which may be improved or +spoiled by art but which exists more or less in them all, from the +throne to the milk-pail. She talked to M. de Grimaldi in a way +that seemed to hint she was willing to give a little hope. As our +guest did not eat, she said graciously that he must come to dinner +some day that she might have an opportunity of seeing whether he +really had any appetite. + +When he had gone I took her on my knee, and covering her with +kisses asked her where she had learnt to talk to great people so +well. + +"It's an easy matter," she replied. "Your eyes speak to my soul, +and tell me what to do and what to say." + +A professed rhetorician could not have answered more elegantly or +more flatteringly. + +I finished the translation; I had it copied out by Costa and took +it to Rossi, the manager, who said he would put it on directly, +when I told him I was going to make him a present of the play. I +named the actors of my choice, and asked him to bring them to dine +with me at my inn, that I might read the play and distribute the +parts. + +As will be guessed, my invitation was accepted, and Rosalie +enjoyed dining with the actors and actresses, and especially +hearing herself called Madame Casanova every moment. Veronique +explained everything she did not understand. + +When my actors were round me in a ring, they begged me to tell +them their parts, but I would not give in on this point. + +"The first thing to be done," said I, "is for you to listen +attentively to the whole piece without minding about your parts. +When you know the whole play I will satisfy your curiosity." + +I knew that careless or idle actors often pay no attention to +anything except their own parts, and thus a piece, though well +played in its parts, is badly rendered as a whole. + +They submitted with a tolerably good grace, which the high and +mighty players of the Comedie Francaise would certainly not have +done. Just as I was beginning my heading the Marquis de Grimaldi +and the banker Belloni came in to call on me. I was glad for them +to be present at the trial, which only lasted an hour and a +quarter. + +After I had heard the opinion of the actors, who by their praise +of various situations shewed me that they had taken in the plot, I +told Costa to distribute the parts; but no sooner was this done +than the first actor and the first actress began to express their +displeasure; she, because I had given her the part of Lady Alton; +he, because I had not given him Murray's part; but they had to +bear it as it was my will. I pleased everybody by asking them all +to dinner for the day after the morrow, after dinner the piece to +be rehearsed for the first time. + +The banker Belloni asked me to dinner for the following day, +including my lady, who excused herself with great politeness, in +the invitation; and M. Grimaldi was glad to take my place at +dinner at her request. + +When I got to M. Belloni's, I was greatly surprised to see the +impostor Ivanoff, who instead of pretending not to know me, as he +ought to have done, came forward to embrace me. I stepped back +and bowed, which might be put down to a feeling of respect, +although my coldness and scant ceremony would have convinced any +observant eye of the contrary. He was well dressed, but seemed +sad, though he talked a good deal, and to some purpose, especially +on politics. The conversation turned on the Court of Russia, +where Elizabeth Petrovna reigned; and he said nothing, but sighed +and turned away pretending to wipe the tears from his eyes. At +dessert, he asked me if I had heard anything of Madame Morin, +adding, as if to recall the circumstance to my memory, that we had +supped together there: + +"I believe she is quite well," I answered. + +His servant, in yellow and red livery, waited on him at table. +After dinner he contrived to tell me that he had a matter of the +greatest importance he wanted to discuss with me. + +"My only desire sir, is to avoid all appearance of knowing +anything about you." + +"One word from you will gain me a hundred thousand crowns, and you +shall have half." + +I turned my back on him, and saw him no more at Genoa. + +When I got back to the inn I found M. de Grimaldi giving Rosalie +a lesson in Italian. + +"She has given me an exquisite dinner," said he, "you must be very +happy with her." + +In spite of his honest face, M. Grimaldi was in love with her, +but I thought I had nothing to fear. Before he went she invited +him to come to the rehearsal next day. + +When the actors came I noticed amongst them a young man whose face +I did not know, and on my enquiring Rossi told me he was the +prompter. + +"I won't have any prompter; send him about his business." + +"We can't get on without him." + +"You'll have to; I will be the prompter." + +The prompter was dismissed, but the three actresses began to +complain. + +"If we knew our parts as well as the 'pater noster' we should be +certain to come to a dead stop if the prompter isn't in his box." + +"Very good," said I to the actress, who was to play Lindane, "I +will occupy the box myself, but I shall see your drawers." + +"You would have some difficulty in doing that," said the first +actor, "she doesn't wear any." + +"So much the better." + +"You know nothing about it," said the actress. + +These remarks put us all in high spirits, and the ministers of +Thalia ended by promising that they would dispense with a +prompter. I was pleased with the way the piece was read, and they +said they would be letter-perfect in three days. But something +happened. + +On the day fixed for the rehearsal they came without the Lindane +and Murray. They were not well, but Rossi said they would not +fail us eventually. I took the part of Murray, and asked Rosalie +to be the Lindane. + +"I don't read Italian well enough," she whispered, "and I don't +wish to have the actors laughing at me; but Veronique could do +it." + +"Ask if she will read the part." + +However, Veronique said that she could repeat it by heart. + +"All the better," said I to her, laughing internally, as I thought +of Soleure, for I saw that I should thus be obliged to make love +to the girl to whom I had not spoken for the fortnight she had +been with us. I had not even had a good look at her face. I was +so afraid of Rosalie (whom I loved better every day) taking +fright. + +What I had feared happened. When I took Veronique's hand, and +said, "Si, bella Lindana, debbe adorarvi!" everybody clapped, +because I gave the words their proper expression; but glancing at +Rosalie I saw a shadow on her face, and I was angry at not having +controlled myself better. Nevertheless, I could not help feeling +amazed at the way Veronique played the part. When I told her that +I adored her she blushed up to her eyes; she could not have played +the love-sick girl better. + +We fixed a day for the dress-rehearsal at the theatre, and the +company announced the first night a week in advance to excite +public curiosity. The bills ran: + +"We shall give Voltaire's Ecossaise, translated by an anonymous +author: no prompter will be present." + +I cannot give the reader any idea of the trouble I had to quiet +Rosalie. She refused to be comforted; wept incessantly, and +touched my heart by gentle reproaches. + +"You love Veronique," said she, "and you only translated that +piece to have an opportunity of declaring your love." + +I succeeded in convincing her that she wronged me, and at last +after I had lavished caresses on her she suffered herself to be +calmed. Next morning she begged pardon for her jealousy, and to +cure it insisted on my speaking constantly to Veronique. Her +heroism went farther. She got up before me and sent me my coffee +by Veronique, who was as astonished as I was. + +At heart Rosalie was a great creature, capable of noble resolves, +but like all women she gave way to sudden emotions. From that day +she gave me no more signs of jealousy, and treated her maid with +more kindness than ever. Veronique was an intelligent and well- +mannered girl, and if my heart had not been already occupied she +would have reigned there. + +The first night of the play I took Rosalie to a box, and she would +have Veronique with her. M. de Grimaldi did not leave her for a +moment. The play was praised to the skies; the large theatre was +full of the best people in Genoa. The actors surpassed +themselves, though they had no prompter, and were loudly +applauded. The piece ran five nights and was performed to full +houses. Rossi, hoping perhaps that I would make him a present of +another play, asked my leave to give my lady a superb pelisse of +lynx-fur, which pleased her immensely. + +I would have done anything to spare my sweetheart the least +anxiety, and yet from my want of thought I contrived to vex her. +I should never have forgiven myself if Providence had not ordained +that I should be the cause of her final happiness. + +"I have reason to suspect," she said one day, "that I am with +child, and I am enchanted at the thought of giving you a dear +pledge of my love." + +"If it comes at such a time it will be mine, and I assure you I +shall love it dearly." + +"And if it comes two or three weeks sooner you will not be sure +that you are the parent?" + +"Not quite sure; but I shall love it just as well, and look upon +it as my child as well as yours." + +"I am sure you must be the father. It is impossible the child can +be Petri's, who only knew me once, and then very imperfectly, +whilst you and I have lived in tender love for so long a time." + +She wept hot tears. + +"Calm yourself, dearest, I implore you! You are right; it cannot +be Petri's child. You know I love you, and I cannot doubt that +you are with child by me and by me alone. If you give me a baby +as pretty as yourself, it will be mine indeed. Calm yourself." + +"How can I be calm when you can have such a suspicion?" + +We said no more about it; but in spite of my tenderness, my +caresses, and all the trifling cares which bear witness to love, +she was often sad and thoughtful. How many times I reproached +myself bitterly for having let out my silly calculations. + +A few days later she gave me a sealed letter, saying,-- + +"The servant has given me this letter when you were away. I am +offended by his doing so, and I want you to avenge me." + +I called the man, and said,-- + +"Where did you get this letter?" + +"From a young man, who is unknown to me. He gave me a crown, and +begged me to give the letter to the lady without your seeing me, +and he promised to give me two crowns more if I brought him a +reply tomorrow. I did not think I was doing wrong, sir, as the +lady was at perfect liberty to tell you." + +"That's all very well, but you must go, as the lady, who gave me +the letter unopened, as you can see for yourself, is offended with +you." + +I called Le Duc, who paid the man and sent him away. I opened the +letter, and found it to be from Petri. Rosalie left my side, not +wishing to read the contents. The letter ran as follows: + +"I have seen you, my dear Rosalie. It was just as you were coming +out of the theatre, escorted by the Marquis de Grimaldi, who is my +godfather. I have not deceived you; I was still intending to come +and marry you at Marseilles next spring, as I promised. I love +you faithfully, and if you are still my good Rosalie I am ready to +marry you here in the presence of my kinfolk. If you have done +wrong I promise never to speak of it, for I know that it was I who +led you astray. Tell me, I entreat you, whether I may speak to +the Marquis de Grimaldi with regard to you. I am ready to receive +you from the hands of the gentleman with whom you are living, +provided you are not his wife. Be sure, if you are still free, +that you can only recover your honour by marrying your seducer." + +"This letter comes from an honourable man who is worthy of +Rosalie," I thought to myself, "and that's more than I shall be, +unless I marry her myself. But Rosalie must decide." + +I called her to me, gave her the letter, and begged her to read it +attentively. She did so, and gave it me back, asking me if I +advised her to accept Petri's offer. + +"If you do dear Rosalie, I shall die of grief; but if I do not +yield you, my honour bids me marry you, and that I am quite ready +to do." + +At this the charming girl threw herself on my breast, crying in +the voice of true love, "I love you and you alone, darling; but it +is not true that your honour bids you marry me. Ours is a +marriage of the heart; our love is mutual, and that is enough for +my happiness." + +"Dear Rosalie, I adore you, but I am the best judge of my own +honour. If Petri is a well-to-do man and a man who would make you +happy, I must either give you up or take you myself." + +"No, no; there is no hurry to decide. If you love me I am happy, +for I love you and none other. I shall not answer the letter, and +I don't want to hear anything more of Petri." + +"You may be sure that I will say no more of him, but I am sure +that the marquis will have a hand in it." + +"I daresay, but he won't speak to me twice on the subject." + +After this treaty--a more sincere one than the Powers of Europe +usually make--I resolved to leave Genoa as soon as I got some +letters for Florence and Rome. In the meanwhile all was peace and +love between myself and Rosalie. She had not the slightest shadow +of jealousy in her soul, and M. de Grimaldi was the sole witness +of our happiness. + +Five or six days later I went to see the marquis at his casino at +St. Pierre d'Arena, and he accosted me by saying that he was +happy to see me as he had an important matter he wished to discuss +with me. I guessed what it would be, but begged him to explain +himself. He then spoke as follows: + +"A worthy merchant of the town brought his nephew, a young man +named Petri, to see me two days ago. He told me that the young +man is my godson, and he asked me to protect him. I answered that +as his godfather I owed him my protection, and I promised to do +what I could. + +"He left my godson to talk it over with me, and he informed me +that he knew your mistress before you did at Marseilles, that he +had promised to marry her next spring, that he had seen her in my +company, and that having followed us he found out that she lived +with you. He was told that she was your wife, but not believing +it, wrote her a letter saying that he was ready to marry her; but +this letter fell into your hands, and he has had no reply to it. + +"He could not make up his mind to lose a hope which made his +happiness, so he resolved to ascertain, through my good offices, +whether Rosalie would accept his proposition. He flatters himself +that on his informing me of his prosperous condition, I can tell +you that he is a likely man to make his wife happy. I told him +that I knew you, and would speak to you on the matter, and +afterwards inform him of the result of our interview. + +"I have made enquires into his condition, and find that he has +already amassed a considerable sum of money. His credit, morals, +and reputation, are all excellent; besides, he is his uncle's sole +heir, and the uncle passes for a man very comfortably off. And +now, my dear M. Casanova, tell me what answer I am to make." + +"Tell him that Rosalie is much obliged to him, and begs him to +forget her. We are going away in three or four days. Rosalie +loves me, and I her, and I am ready to marry her whenever she +likes." + +"That's plain speaking; but I should have thought a man like you +would prefer freedom to a woman, however beautiful, to whom you +would be bound by indissoluble ties. Will you allow me to speak +to Rosalie myself about it?" + +"You need not ask, my leave; speak to her, but in your own person +and not as representing my opinions. I adore her, and would not +have her think that I could cherish the thought of separating from +her." + +"If you don't want me to meddle in the matter, tell me so +frankly." + +"On the contrary, I wish you to see for yourself that I am not the +tyrant of the woman I adore." + +"I will talk to her to-night." + +I did not come home till supper-time, that the marquis might say +what he had to say in perfect freedom. The noble Genoese supped +with us, and the conversation turned on indifferent subjects. +After he had gone, my sweetheart told me what had passed between +them. He had spoken to her in almost the same words that he had +addressed to me, and our replies were nearly identical, though she +had requested the marquis to say no more about his godson, to +which request he had assented. + +We thought the matter settled, and busied ourselves with +preparations for our departure; but three or four days after, the +marquis (who we imagined had forgotten all about his godson) came +and asked us to dine with him at St. Pierre d'Arena, where Rosalie +had never been. + +"I want you to see my beautiful garden before you go," said M. +Grimaldi to her; "it will be one more pleasant recollection of +your stay for me." + +We went to see him at noon the next day. He was with an elderly +man and woman, to whom he introduced us. He introduced me by +name, and Rosalie as a person who belonged to me. + +We proceeded to walk in the garden, where the two old people got +Rosalie between them, and overwhelmed her with politeness and +complimentary remarks. She, who was happy and in high spirits, +answered in Italian, and delighted them by her intelligence, and +the grace which she gave to her mistakes in grammar. + +The servants came to tell us that dinner was ready, and what was +my astonishment on entering the room to see the table laid for +six. I did not want much insight now to see through the marquis's +trick, but it was too late. We sat down, and just then a young +man came in. + +"You are a little late," said the marquis; and then, without +waiting for his apology, he introduced him to me as M. Petri, his +godson, and nephew to his other guests, and he made him sit down +at his left hand, Rosalie being on his right. I sat opposite to +her, and seeing that she turned as pale as death the blood rushed +to my face; I was terribly enraged. This small despot's plot +seemed disgraceful to me; it was a scandalous insult to Rosalie +and myself--an insult which should be washed away in blood. I was +tempted to stab him at his table, but in spite of my agitation I +constrained myself. What could I do? Take Rosalie's arm, and +leave the room with her? I thought it over, but foreseeing the +consequences I could not summon up courage. + +I have never spent so terrible an hour as at that fatal dinner. +Neither Rosalie nor myself ate a morsel, and the marquis who +helped all the guests was discreet enough not to see that we left +one course after another untouched. Throughout dinner he only +spoke to Petri and his uncle, giving them opportunities for saying +how large a trade they did. At dessert the marquis told the young +man that he had better go and look after his affairs, and after +kissing his hand he withdrew with a bow to which nobody replied. + +Petri was about twenty-four, of a moderate height, with ordinary +but yet good-natured and honest features; respectful in his +manner, and sensible though not witty in what he said. After all +was said and done, I thought him worthy of Rosalie, but I +shuddered at the thought that if she became his wife she was lost +to me forever. After he had gone, the marquis said he was sorry +he had not known him before as he might be of use to him in his +business. + +"However, we will see to that in the future," said he, meaningly, +"I mean to make his fortune." + +At this the uncle and aunt, who no doubt knew what to say, began +to laud and extol their nephew, and ended by saying that as they +had no children they were delighted that Petri, who would be their +heir, was to have his excellency's patronage. + +"We are longing," they added, "to see the girl from Marseilles he +is going to marry. We should welcome her as a beloved daughter." + +Rosalie whispered to me that she could bear it no longer, and +begged me to take her away. We rose, and after we had saluted the +company with cold dignity we left the room. The marquis was +visibly disconcerted. As he escorted us to the door he stammered +out compliments, for the want of something to say, telling Rosalie +that he should not have the honour of seeing her that evening, but +that he hoped to call on her the next day. + +When we were by ourselves we seemed to breathe again, and spoke to +one another to relieve ourselves of the oppression which weighed +on our minds. + +Rosalie thought, as well as I, that the marquis had played us a +shameful trick, and she told me I ought to write him a note, +begging him not to give himself the trouble of calling on us +again. + +"I will find some means of vengeance," said I; "but I don't think +it would be a good plan to write to him. We will hasten our +preparations for leaving, and receive him to-morrow with that cold +politeness which bears witness to indignation. Above all, we will +not make the slightest reference to his godson." + +"If Petri really loves me," said she, "I pity him. I think he is +a good fellow, and I don't feel angry with him for being present +at dinner, as he may possibly be unaware that leis presence was +likely to give me offence. But I still shudder when I think of +it: I thought I should have died when our eyes met! Throughout +dinner he could not see my eyes, as I kept them nearly shut, and +indeed he could hardly see me. Did he look at me while he was +talking?" + +"No, he only looked at me. I am as sorry for him as you are, for, +as you say, he looks an honest fellow." + +"Well, it's over now, and I hope I shall make a good supper. Did +you notice what the aunt said? I am sure she was in the plot. +She thought she would gain me over by saying she was ready to +treat me like her own child. She was a decent-looking woman, +too." + +We made a good supper, and a pleasant night inclined us to forget +the insult the marquis had put upon us. When we woke up in the +morning we laughed at it. The marquis came to see us in the +evening, and greeting me with an air of mingled confusion and +vexation, he said that he knew he had done wrong in surprising me +as he had, but that he was ready to do anything in his power by +way of atonement, and to give whatever satisfaction I liked. + +Rosalie did not give me time to answer. "If you really feel," +said she, "that you have insulted us, that is enough; we are amply +avenged. But all the same, sir, we shall be on our guard against +you for the future, though that will be for a short while, as we +are just leaving." + +With this proud reply she made him a low bow and left the room. + +When he was left alone with me M. Grimaldi addressed me as +follows: + +"I take a great interest in your mistress's welfare; and as I feel +sure that she cannot long be happy in her present uncertain +position, while I am sure that she would make my godson an +excellent wife, I was determined that both of you should make his +acquaintance, for Rosalie herself knows very little of him. I +confess that the means I employed were dishonourable, but you will +pardon the means for the sake of the excellent end I had in view. +I hope you will have a pleasant journey, and that you may live for +a long time in uninterrupted happiness with your charming +mistress. I hope you will write to me, and always reckon on my +standing your friend, and doing everything in my power for you. +Before I go, I will tell you something which will give you an idea +of the excellent disposition of young Petri, to whose happiness +Rosalie seems essential. + +"He only told me the following, after I had absolutely refused to +take charge of a letter he had written to Rosalie, despairing of +being able to send it any other way. After assuring me that +Rosalie had loved him, and that consequently she could not have +any fixed aversion for him, he added that if the fear of being +with child was the reason why she would not marry him he would +agree to put off the marriage till after the child was born, +provided that she would agree to stay in Genoa in hiding, her +presence to be unknown to all save himself. He offers to pay all +the expenses of her stay. He made a remarkably wise reflection +when we were talking it over. + +"'If she gave birth to a child too soon after our marriage,' said +he, 'both her honour and mine would suffer hurt; she might also +lose the liking of my relations, and if Rosalie is to be my wife I +want her to be happy in everything."' + +At this Rosalie, who had no doubt been listening at the door after +the manner of her sex, burst into the room, and astonished me by +the following speech: + +"If M. Petri chid not tell you that it was possible that I might +be with child by him, he is a right honest man, but now I tell you +so myself. I do not think it likely, but still it is possible. +Tell him, sir, that I will remain at Genoa until the child is +born, in the case of my being pregnant, of which I have no certain +knowledge, or until I am quite sure that I am not with child. If +I do have a child the truth will be made known. In the case of +there being no doubt of M. Petri's being the parent, I am ready to +marry him; but if he sees for himself that the child is not his I +hope he will be reasonable enough to let me alone for the future. +As to the expenses and my lodging at Genoa, tell him that he need +not trouble himself about either." + +I was petrified. I saw the consequence of my own imprudent words, +and my heart seemed broken. The marquis asked me if this decision +was given with my authority, and I replied that as my sweetheart's +will was mine he might take her words for law. He went away in +high glee, for he foresaw that all would go well with his plans +when once he was able to exert his influence on Rosalie. The +absent always fare ill. + +"You want to leave me, then, Rosalie?" said I, when we were alone. + +"Yes, dearest, but it will not be for long." + +"I think we shall never see each other again." + +"Why not, dearest? You have only to remain faithful to me. +Listen to me. Your honour and my own make it imperative that I +should convince Petri that I am not with child by him, and you +that I am with child by you." + +"I never doubted it, dear Rosalie." + +"Yes, dear, you doubted it once and that is enough. Our parting +will cost me many a bitter tear, but these pangs are necessary to +my future happiness. I hope you will write to me, and after the +child is born it will be for you to decide on how I shall rejoin +you. If I am not pregnant I will rejoin you in a couple of months +at latest." + +"Though I may grieve at your resolve I will not oppose it, for I +promised I would never cross you. I suppose you will go into a +convent; and the marquis must find you a suitable one, and protect +you like a father. Shall I speak to him on the subject? I will +leave you as much money as you will want." + +"That will not be much. As for M. de Grimaldi, he is bound in +honour to procure me an asylum. I don't think it will be +necessary for you to speak to him about it." + +She was right, and I could not help admiring the truly astonishing +tact of this girl. + +In the morning I heard that the self-styled Ivanoff had made his +escape an hour before the police were to arrest him at the suit of +the banker, who had found out that one of the bills he had +presented was forged. He had escaped on foot, leaving all his +baggage behind him. + +Next day the marquis came to tell Rosalie that his godson had no +objection to make to her plan. He added that the young man hoped +she would become his wife, whether the child proved to be his or +not. + +"He may hope as much as he likes," said Rosalie, with a smile. + +"He also hopes that you will allow him to call on you now and +then. I have spoken to my kinswoman, the mother-superior of +convent. You are to have two rooms, and a very good sort of woman +is to keep you company, wait on you, and nurse you when the time +comes. I have paid the amount you are to pay every month for your +board. Every morning I will send you a confidential man, who will +see your companion and will bring me your orders. And I myself +will come and see you at the grating as often as you please." + +It was then my sad duty, which the laws of politeness enjoined, to +thank the marquis for his trouble. + +"'Tis to you, my lord," said I, "I entrust Rosalie. I am placing +her, I am sure, in good hands. I will go on my way as soon as she +is in the convent; I hope you will write a letter to the mother- +superior for her to take." + +"I will write it directly," said he. + +And as Rosalie had told him before that she would pay for +everything herself, he gave her a written copy of the agreement he +had made. + +"I have resolved," said Rosalie to the marquis, "to go into the +convent to-morrow, and I shall be very glad to have a short visit +from you the day after." + +"I will be there," said the marquis, "and you may be sure that I +will do all in my power to make your stay agreeable." + +The night was a sad one for both of us. Love scarcely made a +pause amidst our alternate complaints and consolations. We swore +to be faithful for ever, and our oaths were sincere, as ardent +lovers' oaths always are. But they are as nought unless they are +sealed by destiny, and that no mortal mind may know. + +Rosalie, whose eyes were red and wet with tears, spent most of the +morning in packing up with Veronique, who cried too. I could not +look at her, as I felt angry with myself for thinking how pretty +she was. Rosalie would only take two hundred sequins, telling me +that if she wanted more she could easily let me know. + +She told Veronique to look after me well for the two or three days +I should spend at Genoa, made me a mute curtsy, and went out with +Costa to get a sedan-chair. Two hours after, a servant of the +marquis's came to fetch her belongings, and I was thus left alone +and full of grief till the marquis came and asked me to give him +supper, advising that Veronique should be asked in to keep us +company. + +"That's a rare girl," said he, "you really don't know her, and you +ought to know her better." + +Although I was rather surprised, I did not stop to consider what +the motives of the crafty Genoese might be, and I went and asked +Veronique to come in. She replied politely that she would do so, +adding that she knew how great an honour I did her. + +I should have been the blindest of men if I had not seen that the +clever marquis had succeeded in his well-laid plans, and that he +had duped me as if I had been the merest freshman. Although I +hoped with all my heart that I should get Rosalie back again, I +had good reasons for suspecting that all the marquis's wit would +be employed to seduce her, and I could not help thinking that he +would succeed. + +Nevertheless, in the position I was in, I could only keep my fears +to myself and let him do his utmost. + +He was nearly sixty, a thorough disciple of Epicurus, a heavy +player, rich, eloquent, a master of state-craft, highly popular at +Genoa, and well acquainted with the hearts of men, and still more +so with the hearts of women. He had spent a good deal of time at +Venice to be more at liberty, and to enjoy the pleasures of life +at his ease. He had never married, and when asked the reason +would reply that he knew too well that women would be either +tyrants or slaves, and that he did not want to be a tyrant to any +woman, nor to be under any woman's orders. He found some way of +returning to his beloved Venice, in spite of the law forbidding +any noble who has filled the office of doge to leave his native +soil. Though he behaved to me in a very friendly manner he knew +how to maintain an air of superiority which imposed on me. +Nothing else could have given him the courage to ask me to dinner +when Petri was to be present. I felt that I had been tricked, and +I thought myself in duty bound to make him esteem me by my +behaviour for the future. It was gratitude on his part which made +him smooth the way to my conquest of Veronique, who doubtless +struck him as a fit and proper person to console me for the loss +of Rosalie. + +I did not take any part in the conversation at supper, but the +marquis drew out Veronique, and she shone. It was easy for me to +see that she had more wit and knowledge of the world than Rosalie, +but in my then state of mind this grieved rather than rejoiced me. +M. de Grimaldi seemed sorry to see me melancholy, and forced me, +as it were, to join in the conversation. As he was reproaching me +in a friendly manner for my silence, Veronique said with a +pleasing smile that I had a good reason to be silent after the +declaration of love I had made to her, and which she had received +so ill. I was astonished at this, and said that I did not +remember having ever made her such a declaration; but she made me +laugh in spite of myself, when she said that her name that day was +Lindane. + +"Ah, that's in a play," said I, "in real life the man who declares +his love in words is a simpleton; 'tis with deeds the true lover +shews his love." + +"Very true, but your lady was frightened all the same." + +"No, no, Veronique; she is very fond of you." + +"I know she is; but I have seen her jealous of me." + +"If so, she was quite wrong." + +This dialogue, which pleased me little, fell sweetly on the +marquis's ears; he told me that he was going to call on Rosalie +next morning, and that if I liked to give him a supper, he would +come and tell me about her in the evening. Of course I told him +that he would be welcome. + +After Veronique had lighted me to my room, she asked me to let my +servants wait on me, as if she did so now that my lady was gone, +people might talk about her. + +"You are right," said I, "kindly send Le Duc to me." + +Next morning I had a letter from Geneva. It came from my +Epicurean syndic, who had presented M. de Voltaire with my +translation of his play, with an exceedingly polite letter from +me, in which I begged his pardon for having taken the liberty of +travestying his fine French prose in Italian. The syndic told me +plainly that M. de Voltaire had pronounced my translation to be a +bad one. + +My self-esteem was so wounded by this, and by his impoliteness in +not answering my letter, with which he could certainly find no +fault, whatever his criticism of my translation might be, that I +became the sworn enemy of the great Voltaire. I have censured him +in all the works I have published, thinking that in wronging him I +was avenging myself, to such an extent did passion blind me. At +the present time I feel that even if my works survive, these +feeble stings of mine can hurt nobody but myself. Posterity will +class me amongst the Zoiluses whose own impotence made them attack +this great man to whom civilization and human happiness owe so +much. The only crime that can truthfully be alleged against +Voltaire is his attacks on religion. If he had been a true +philosopher he would never have spoken on such matters, for, even +if his attacks were based on truth, religion is necessary to +morality, without which there can be no happiness. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +I Fall in Love With Veronique--Her Sister--Plot Against Plot--My +Victory--Mutual Disappointment + +I have never liked eating by myself, and thus I have never turned +hermit, though I once thought of turning monk; but a monk without +renouncing all the pleasures of life lives well in a kind of holy +idleness. This dislike to loneliness made me give orders that the +table should be laid for two, and indeed, after supping with the +marquis and myself, Veronique had some right to expect as much, to +say nothing of those rights which her wit and beauty gave her. + +I only saw Costa, and asked him what had become of Le Duc. He +said he was ill. "Then go behind the lady's chair," said I. He +obeyed, but smiled as he did so. Pride is a universal failing, +and though a servant's pride is the silliest of all it is often +pushed to the greatest extremes. + +I thought Veronique prettier than before. Her behaviour, now free +and now reserved, as the occasion demanded, shewed me that she was +no new hand, and that she could have played the part of a princess +in the best society. Nevertheless (so strange a thing is the +heart of man), I was sorry to find I liked her, and my only +consolation was that her mother would come and take her away +before the day was over. I had adored Rosalie, and my heart still +bled at the thought of our parting. + +The girl's mother came while we were still at table. She was +astounded at the honour I shewed her daughter, and she overwhelmed +me with thanks. + +"You owe me no gratitude," said I to her; "your daughter is +clever, good, and beautiful." + +"Thank the gentleman for his compliment," said the mother, "for +you are really stupid, wanton, and ugly;" and then she added, "But +how could you have the face to sit at table with the gentleman in +a dirty chemise?" + +"I should blush, mother, if I thought you were right; but I put a +clean one on only two hours ago." + +"Madam," said I to the mother, "the chemise cannot look white +beside your daughter's whiter skin." + +This made the mother laugh, and pleased the girl immensely. When +the mother told her that she was come to take her back, Veronique +said, with a sly smile,-- + +"Perhaps the gentleman won't be pleased at my leaving him twenty- +four hours before he goes away." + +"On the contrary," said I, "I should be very vexed." + +"Well; then, she can stay, sir," said the mother; "but for +decency's sake I must send her younger sister to sleep with her." + +"If you please," I rejoined. And with that I left them. + +The thought of Veronique troubled me, as I knew I was taken with +her, and what I had to dread was a calculated resistance. + +The mother came into my room where I was writing, and wished me a +pleasant journey, telling me for the second time that she was +going to send her daughter Annette. The girl came in the evening, +accompanied by a servant, and after lowering her mezzaro, and +kissing my hand respectfully, she ran gaily to kiss her sister. + +I wanted to see what she was like, and called for candles; and on +their being brought I found she was a blonde of a kind I had never +before seen. Her hair, eyebrows, and eyelashes were the colour of +pale gold, fairer almost than her skin, which was extremely +delicate. She was very short-sighted, but her large pale blue +eyes were wonderfully beautiful. She had the smallest mouth +imaginable, but her teeth, though regular, were not so white as +her skin. But for this defect Annette might have passed for a +perfect beauty. + +Her shortness of sight made too brilliant a light painful to her, +but as she stood before me she seemed to like me looking at her. +My gaze fed hungrily on the two little half-spheres, which were +not yet ripe, but so white as to make me guess how ravishing the +rest of her body must be. Veronique did not shew her breasts so +freely. One could see that she was superbly shaped, but +everything was carefully hidden from the gaze. She made her +sister sit down beside her and work, but when I saw that she was +obliged to hold the stuff close to her face I told her that she +should spare her eyes, for that night at all events, and with that +she obediently put the work down. + +The marquis came as usual, and like myself he thought Annette, +whom he had never seen before, an astonishing miniature beauty. +Taking advantage of his age and high rank, the voluptuous old man +dared to pass his hand over her breast, and she, who was too +respectful to cross my lord, let him do it without making the +slightest objection. She was a compound of innocence and +coquetry. + +The woman who shewing little succeeds in making a man want to see +more, has accomplished three-fourths of the task of making him +fall in love with her; for is love anything else than a kind of +curiosity? I think not; and what makes me certain is that when the +curiosity is satisfied the love disappears. Love, however, +is the strongest kind of curiosity in existence, and I was already +curious about Annette. + +M. Grimaldi told Veronique that Rosalie wished her to stay with me +till I left Genoa, and she was as much astonished at this as I +was. + +"Be kind enough to tell her," said I to the marquis, "that +Veronique has anticipated her wishes and has got her sister +Annette to stay with her." + +"Two are always better than one, my dear fellow," replied the +crafty Genoese. + +After these remarks we left the two sisters together and went into +my room, where he said,-- + +"Your Rosalie is contented, and you ought to congratulate yourself +on having made her happy, as I am sure she will be. The only +thing that vexes me is that you can't go and see her yourself with +any decency." + +"You are in love with her, my lord." + +"I confess that I am, but I am an old man, and it vexes me." + +"That's no matter, she will love you tenderly; and if Petri ever +becomes her husband, I am sure she will never be anything more +than a good friend to him. Write to me at Florence and tell me +how she receives him." + +"Stay here for another three days; the two beauties there will +make the time seem short." + +"It's exactly for that reason that I want to go tomorrow. I am +afraid of Veronique." + +"I shouldn't have thought that you would have allowed any woman to +frighten you." + +"I am afraid she has cast her fatal nets around me, and when the +time comes she will be strictly moral. Rosalie is my only love." + +"Well, here's a letter from her." + +I went apart to read the letter, the sight of which made my heart +beat violently; it ran as follows: + + "Dearest,--I see you have placed me in the hands of one who + will care for me like a father. This is a new kindness which + I owe to the goodness of your heart. I will write to you at + whatever address you send me. If you like Veronique, my + darling, do not fear any jealousy from me; I should be wrong + to entertain such a feeling in my present position. I expect + that if you make much of her she will not be able to resist, + and I shall be glad to hear that she is lessening your + sadness. I hope you will write me a few lines before you + go." + +I went up to the marquis and told him to read it. He seemed +greatly moved. + +"Yes," said he, "the dear girl will find in me her friend and +father, and if she marries my godson and he does not treat her as +he ought, he will not possess her long. I shall remember her in +my will, and thus when I am dead my care will still continue. But +what do you think of her advice as to Veronique? I don't expect +she is exactly a vestal virgin, though I have never heard anything +against her." + +I had ordered that the table should be laid for four, so Annette +sat down without our having to ask her. Le Duc appeared on the +scene, and I told him that if he were ill he might go to bed. + +"I am quite well," said he. + +"I am glad to hear it; but don't trouble now, you shall wait on me +when I am at Leghorn." + +I saw that Veronique was delighted at my sending him away, and I +resolved then and there to lay siege to her heart. I began by +talking to her in a very meaning manner all supper-time, while the +marquis entertained Annette. I asked him if he thought I could +get a felucca next day to take me to Lerici. + +"Yes," said he, "whenever you like and with as many oarsmen as you +please; but I hope you will put off your departure for two or +three days." + +"No," I replied, ogling Veronique, "the delay might cost me too +dear." + +The sly puss answered with a smile that shewed she understood my +meaning. + +When we rose from the table I amused myself with Annette, and the +marquis with Veronique. After a quarter of an hour he came and +said to me,-- + +"Certain persons have asked me to beg you to stay a few days +longer, or at least to sup here to-morrow night." + +"Very good. We will talk of the few days more at supper to- +morrow." + +"Victory!" said the marquis; and Veronique seemed very grateful to +me for granting her request. When our guest was gone, I asked my +new housekeeper if I might send Costa to bed. + +"As my sister is with me, there can be no ground for any +suspicion." + +"I am delighted that you consent; now I am going to talk to you." + +She proceeded to do my hair, but she gave no answer to my soft +speeches. When I was on the point of getting into bed she wished +me good night, and I tried to kiss her by way of return. She +repulsed me and ran to the door, much to my surprise. She was +going to leave the room, when I addressed her in a voice of grave +politeness. + +"I beg you will stay; I want to speak to you; come and sit by me. +Why should you refuse me a pleasure which after all is a mere mark +of friendship?" + +"Because, things being as they are, we could not remain friends, +neither could we be lovers." + +"Lovers! why not, we are perfectly free" + +"I am not free; I am bound by certain prejudices which do not +trouble you." + +"I should have thought you were superior to prejudices." + +"There are some prejudices which a woman ought to respect. The +superiority you mention is a pitiful thing; always the dupe of +itself. What would become of me, I should like to know, if I +abandoned myself to the feelings I have for you?" + +"I was waiting for you to say that, dear Veronique. What you feel +for me is not love. If it were so, you would feel as I do, and +you would soon break the bonds of prejudice." + +"I confess that my head is not quite turned yet, but still I feel +that I shall grieve at your departure." + +"If so, that is no fault of mine. But tell me what I can do for +you during my short stay here." + +"Nothing; we do not know one another well enough." + +"I understand you, but I would have you know that I do not intend +to marry any woman who is not my friend." + +"You mean you will not marry her till you have ceased to be her +lover?" + +"Exactly." + +"You would like to finish where I would begin." + +"You may be happy some day, but you play for high stakes." + +"Well, well, it's a case of win all or lose all." + +"That's as may be. But without further argument it seems to me +that we could safely enjoy our love, and pass many happy moments +undisturbed by prejudice." + +"Possibly, but one gets burnt fingers at that game, and I shudder +at the very thought of it. No, no; leave me alone, there is my +sister who will wonder why I am in your arms." + +"Very good; I see I was mistaken, and Rosalie too." + +"Why what did she think about me?" + +"She wrote and told me that she thought you would be kind." + +"I hope she' mayn't have to repent for having been too kind +herself." + +"Good bye, Veronique." + +I felt vexed at having made the trial, for in these matters one +always feels angry at failure. I decided I would leave her and +her precepts, true or false, alone; but when I awoke in the +morning and saw her coming to my bed with a pleasant smile on her +face, I suddenly changed my mind. I had slept upon my anger and I +was in love again. I thought she had repented, and that I should +be victorious when I attacked her again. I put on a smile myself +and breakfasted gaily with her and her sister. I behaved in the +same way at dinner; and the general high spirits which M. de +Grimaldi found prevailing in the evening, made him think, +doubtless, that we were getting on well, and he congratulated us. +Veronique behaved exactly as if the marquis had guessed the truth, +and I felt sure of having her after supper, and in the ecstasy of +the thought I promised to stay for four days longer. + +"Bravo, Veronique!" said the marquis, "that's the way. You are +intended by nature to rule your lovers with an absolute sway." + +I thought she would say something to diminish the marquis's +certainty that there was an agreement between us, but she did +nothing of the sort, seeming to enjoy her triumph which made her +appear more beautiful than ever; whilst I looked at her with the +submissive gaze of a captive who glories in, his chain. I took +her behaviour as an omen of my approaching conquest, and did not +speak to M. de Grimaldi alone lest he might ask me questions which +I should not care to answer. He told us before he went away that +he was engaged on the morrow, and so could not come to see us till +the day after. + +As soon as we were alone Veronique said to me, "You see how I let +people believe what they please; I had rather be thought kind, as +you call it, than ridiculous, as an honest girl is termed now-a- +days. Is it not so?" + +"No, dear Veronique, I will never call you ridiculous, but I shall +think you hate me if you make me pass another night in torture. +You have inflamed me." + +"Oh, pray be quiet! For pity's sake leave me alone! I will not +inflame you any more. Oh! Oh!" + + +I had enraged her by thrusting a daring hand into the very door of +the sanctuary. She repulsed me and fled. Three or four minutes +later her sister came to undress me. I told her gently to go to +bed as I had to write for three or four hours; but not caring that +she should come on a bootless errand I opened a box and gave her a +watch. She took it modestly, saying,-- + +"This is for my sister, I suppose?" + +"No, dear Annette, it's for you." + +She gave a skip of delight, and I could not prevent her kissing my +hand. + +I proceeded to write Rosalie a letter of four pages. I felt +worried and displeased with myself and everyone else. I tore up +my letter without reading it over, and making an effort to calm +myself I wrote her another letter more subdued than the first, in +which I said nothing of Veronique, but informed my fair recluse +that I was going on the day following. + +I did not go to bed till very late, feeling out of temper with the +world. I considered that I had failed in my duty to Veronique, +whether she loved me or not, for I loved her and I was a man of +honour. I had a bad night, and when I awoke it was noon, and on +ringing Costa and Annette appeared. The absence of Veronique +shewed how I had offended her. When Costa had left the room I +asked Annette after her sister, and she said that she was working. +I wrote her a note, in which I begged her pardon, promising that I +would never offend her again, and begging her to forget everything +and to be just the same as before. I was taking my coffee when +she came into my room with an expression of mortification which +grieved me excessively. + +"Forget everything, I beg, and I will trouble you no more. Give +me my buckles, as I am going for a country walk, and I shall not +be in till suppertime. I shall doubtless get an excellent +appetite, and as you have nothing more to fear you need not +trouble to send me Annette again." + +I dressed myself in haste, and left the town by the first road +that came in my way, and I walked fast for two hours with the +intention of tiring myself, and of thus readjusting the balance +between mind and body. I have always found that severe exercise +and fresh air are the best cure for any mental perturbation. + +I had walked for more than three leagues when hunger and weariness +made me stop at a village inn, where I had an omelette cooked. I +ate it hungrily with brown bread and wine, which seemed to me +delicious though it was rather sharp. + +I felt too tired to walk back to Genoa, so I asked for a carriage; +but there was no such thing to be had. The inn-keeper provided me +with a sorry nag and a man to guide me. Darkness was coming on, +and we had more than six miles to do. Fine rain began to fall +when I started, and continued all the way, so that I got home by +eight o'clock wet to the skin, shivering with cold, dead tired, +and in a sore plight from the rough saddle, against which my satin +breeches were no protection. Costa helped me to change my +clothes, and as he went out Annette came in. + +"Where is your sister?" + +"She is in bed with a bad headache. She gave me a letter for you; +here it is." + +"I have been obliged to go to bed on account of a severe headache +to which I am subject. I feel better already, and I shall be able +to wait on you to-morrow. I tell you as much, because I do not +wish you to think that my illness is feigned. I am sure that your +repentance for having humiliated me is sincere, and I hope in your +turn that you will forgive me or pity me, if my way of thinking +prevents me from conforming to yours." + +"Annette dear, go and ask your sister if she would like us to sup +in her room." + +She soon came back telling me that Veronique was obliged, but +begged me to let her sleep. + +I supped with Annette, and was glad to see that, though she only +drank water, her appetite was better than mine. My passion for +her sister prevented me thinking of her, but I felt that Annette +would otherwise have taken my fancy. When we were taking dessert, +I conceived the idea of making her drunk to get her talk of her +sister, so I gave her a glass of Lunel muscat. + +"I only drink water, sir." + +"Don't you like wine?" + +"Yes, but as I am not used to it I am afraid of its getting into +my head." + +"Then you can go to bed; you will sleep all the better." + +She drank the first glass, which she enjoyed immensely, then a +second, and then a third. Her little brains were in some +confusion when she had finished the third glass. I made her talk +about her sister, and in perfect faith she told me all the good +imaginable. + +"Then you are very fond of Veronique?" said I. + +"Oh, yes! I love her with all my heart, but she will not let me +caress her." + +"No doubt she is afraid of your ceasing to love her. But do you +think she ought to make me suffer so?" + +"No, but if you love her you ought to forgive her." + +Annette was still quite reasonable. I made her drink a fourth +glass of muscat, but an instant after she told me that she could +not see anything, and we rose from the table. Annette began to +please me a little too much, but I determined not to make any +attempts upon her for fear of finding her too submissive. A +little resistance sharpens the appetite, while favours granted +with too much ease lose a great deal of their charm. Annette was +only fourteen, she had a soft heart, no knowledge of the world or +her own rights, and she would not have resisted my embraces for +fear of being rude. That sort of thing would only please a rich +and voluptuous Turk. + +I begged her to do my hair, intending to dismiss her directly +after, but when she had finished I asked her to give me the +ointment. + +"What do you want it for?" + +"For the blisters that cursed saddle on which I rode six miles +gave me." + +"Does the ointment do them good?" + +"Certainly; it takes away the smart, and by to-morrow I shall be +cured, but you must send Costa to me, as I cannot put it on +myself." + +"Can't I do it?" + +"Yes, but I am afraid that would be an abuse of your kindness." + +"I guess why; but as I am short-sighted, how shall I see the +blisters?" + +"If you want to do it for me, I will place myself so that it will +be easier for you. Stay, put the candle on this table." + +"There you are, but don't let Costa put it on again to-morrow, or +he will guess that I or my sister did it to-night." + +"You will do me the same service, then, to-morrow?" + +"I or my sister, for she will get up early." + +"Your sister! No, my dear; she would be afraid of giving me too +much pleasure by touching me so near." + +"And I am only afraid of hurting you. Is that right? Good +heavens! what a state your skin is in!" + +"You have not finished yet." + +"I am so short-sighted; turn round." + +"With pleasure. Here I am." + +The little wanton could not resist laughing at what she saw, +doubtless, for the first time. She was obliged to touch it to +continue rubbing the ointment in, and I saw that she liked it, as +she touched it when she had no need, and not being able to stand +it any longer I took hold of her hand and made her stop her work +in favour of a pleasanter employment. + +When she had finished I burst out laughing to hear her ask, in the +most serious way, the pot of ointment still in her left hand, + +"Did I do it right!" + +"Oh, admirably, dear Annette! You are an angel, and I am sure you +know what pleasure you gave me. Can you come and spend an hour +with me?" + +"Wait a bit." + +She went out and shut the door, and I waited for her to return; +but my patience being exhausted I opened the door slightly, and +saw her undressing and getting into bed with her sister. I went +back to my room and to bed again, without losing all hope. I was +not disappointed, for in five minutes back she came, clad in her +chemise and walking on tip-toe. + +"Come to my arms, my love; it is very cold." + +"Here I am. My sister is asleep and suspects nothing; and even if +she awoke the bed is so large that she would not notice my +absence." + +"You are a divine creature, and I love you with all my heart." + +"So much the better. I give myself up to you; do what you like +with me, on the condition that you think of my sister no more." + +"That will not cost me much. I promise that I will not think of +her." + +I found Annette a perfect neophyte, and though I saw no blood on +the altar of love next morning I did not suspect her on that +account. I have often seen such cases, and I know by experience +that the effusion of blood or its absence proves nothing. As a +general rule a girl cannot be convicted of having had a lover +unless she be with child. + +I spent two hours of delight with this pretty baby, for she was so +small, so delicate, and so daintily shaped all over, that I can +find no better name for her. Her docility did not detract from +the piquancy of the pleasure, for she was voluptuously inclined. + +When I rose in the morning she came to my room with Veronique, and +I was glad to see that while the younger sister was radiant with +happiness the elder looked pleasant and as if she desired to make +herself agreeable. I asked her how she was, and she told me that +diet and sleep had completely cured her. "I have always found +them the best remedy for a headache." Annette had also cured me +of the curiosity I had felt about her. I congratulated myself on +my achievement. + +I was in such high spirits at supper that M. de Grimaldi thought I +had won everything from Veronique, and I let him think so. I +promised to dine with him the next day, and I kept my word. After +dinner I gave him a long letter for Rosalie, whom I did not expect +to see again except as Madame Petri, though I took care not to let +the marquis know what I thought. + +In the evening I supped with the two sisters, and I made myself +equally agreeable to both of them. When Veronique was alone with +me, putting my hair into curl-papers, she said that she loved me +much more now that I behaved discreetly. + +"My discretion," I replied, "only means that I have given up the +hope of winning you. I know how to take my part." + +"Your love was not very great, then?" + +"It sprang up quickly, and you, Veronique, could have made it +increase to a gigantic size." + +She said nothing, but bit her lip, wished me good night and left +the room. I went to bed expecting a visit from Annette, but I +waited in vain. When I rang the next morning the dear girl +appeared looking rather sad. I asked her the reason. + +"Because my sister is ill, and spent the whole night in writing," +said she. + +Thus I learnt the reason of her not having paid me a visit. + +"Do you know what she was writing about?" + +"Oh, no! She does not tell me that kind of thing, but here is a +letter for you." + +I read through the long and well-composed letter, but as it bore +marks of craft and dissimulation it made me laugh. After several +remarks of no consequence she said that she had repulsed me +because she loved me so much and that she was afraid that if she +satisfied my fancy she might lose me. + +"I will be wholly yours," she added, "if you will give me the +position which Rosalie enjoyed. I will travel in your company, +but you must give me a document, which M. de Grimaldi will sign as +a witness, in which you must engage to marry me in a year, and to +give me a portion of fifty thousand francs; and if at the end of a +year you do not wish to marry me, that sum to be at my absolute +disposal." + +She stipulated also that if she became a mother in the course of a +year the child should be hers in the event of our separating. On +these conditions she would become my mistress, and would have for +me all possible love and kindness. + +This proposal, cleverly conceived, but foolishly communicated to +me, shewed me that Veronique had not the talent of duping others. +I saw directly that M. de Grimaldi had nothing to do with it, and +I felt sure that he would laugh when I told him the story. + +Annette soon came back with the chocolate, and told me that her +sister hoped I would answer her letter. + +"Yes, dear," said I, "I will answer her when I get up." + +I took my chocolate, put on my dressing-gown, and went to +Veronique's room. I found her sitting up in bed in a negligent +attire that might have attracted me if her letter had not deprived +her of my good opinion. I sat on the bed, gave her back the +letter, and said,-- + +"Why write, when we can talk the matter over?" + +"Because one is often more at ease in writing than in speaking." + +"In diplomacy and business that will pass, but not in love. Love +makes no conditions. Let us have no documents, no safeguards, but +give yourself up to me as Rosalie did, and begin to-night without +my promising anything. If you trust in love, you will make him +your prisoner. That way will honour us and our pleasures, and if +you like I will consult M. de Grimaldi on the subject. As to your +plan, if it does not injure your honour, it does small justice to +your common sense, and no one but a fool would agree to it. You +could not possibly love the man to whom you make such a proposal, +and as to M. de Grimaldi, far from having anything to do with it, +I am sure he would be indignant at the very idea." + +This discourse did not put Veronique out of countenance. She said +she did not love me well enough to give herself to me +unconditionally; to which I replied that I was not sufficiently +taken with her charms to buy them at the price she fixed, and so I +left her. + +I called Costa, and told him to go and warn the master of the +felucca that I was going the next day, and with this idea I went +to bid good-bye to the marquis, who informed me that he had just +been taking Petri to see Rosalie, who had received him well +enough. I told him I was glad to hear it, and said that I +commended to him the care of her happiness, but such commendations +were thrown away. + +It is one of the most curious circumstances of my history, that in +one year two women whom I sincerely loved and whom I might have +married were taken from me by two old men, whose affections I had +fostered without wishing to do so. Happily these gentlemen made +my mistresses' fortunes, but on the other hand they did me a still +greater service in relieving me of a tie which I should have found +very troublesome in course of time. No doubt they both saw that +my fortune, though great in outward show, rested on no solid +basis, which, as the reader will see, was unhappily too true. I +should be happy if I thought that my errors or rather follies +would serve as a warning to the readers of these Memoirs. + +I spent the day in watching the care with which Veronique and +Annette packed up my trunks, for I would not let my two servants +help in any way. Veronique was neither sad nor gay. She looked +as if she had made up her mind, and as if there had never been any +differences between us. I was very glad, for as I no longer cared +for her I should have been annoyed to find that she still cared +for me. + +We supped in our usual manner, discussing only commonplace topics, +but just as I was going to bed Annette shook my hand in a way that +told me to prepare for a visit from her. I admired the natural +acuteness of young girls, who take their degrees in the art of +love with so much ease and at such an early age. Annette, almost +a child, knew more than a young man of twenty. I decided on +giving her fifty sequins without letting Veronique see me, as I +did not intend to be so liberal towards her. I took a roll of +ducats and gave them to her as soon as she came. + +She lay down beside me, and after a moment devoted to love she +said that Veronique was asleep, adding,-- + +"I heard all you said to my sister, and I am sure you love her." + +"If I did, dear Annette, I should not have made my proposal in +such plain terms." + +"I should like to believe that, but what would you have done if +she had accepted your offer? You would be in one bed by this, I +suppose?" + +"I was more than certain, dearest, that her pride would hinder her +receiving me." + +We had reached this point in our conversation when we were +surprised by the sudden appearance of Veronique with a lighted +candle, and wearing only her chemise. She laughed at her sister +to encourage her, and I joined in the laughter, keeping a firm +hold on the little one for fear of her escaping. Veronique looked +ravishing in her scanty attire, and as she laughed I could not be +angry with her. However, I said,-- + +"You have interrupted our enjoyment, and hurt your sister's +feelings; perhaps you will despise her for the future?" + +"On the contrary, I shall always love her." + +"Her feelings overcame her, and she surrendered to me without +making any terms." + +"She has more sense than I" + +"Do you mean that?" + +"I do, really." + +"I am astonished and delighted to hear it; but as it is so, kiss +your sister." + +At this invitation Veronique put down the candle, and covered +Annette's beautiful body with kisses. The scene made me feel very +happy. + +"Come, Veronique," said I, "you will die of cold; come and lie +down." + +I made room for her, and soon there were three of us under the +same sheet. I was in an ecstasy at this group, worthy of Aretin's +pencil. + +"Dearest ones," said I, "you have played me a pretty trick; was it +premeditated? And was Veronique false this morning, or is she +false now?" + +"We did not premeditate anything, I was true this morning, and I +am true now. I feel that I and my plan were very silly, and I +hope you will forgive me, since I have repented and have had my +punishment. Now I think I am in my right senses, as I have +yielded to the feelings with which you inspired me when I saw you +first, and against which I have fought too long." + +"What you say pleases me extremely." + +"Well, forgive me and finish my punishment by shewing that you are +not angry with me." + +"How am I to do that?" + +"By telling me that you are vexed no longer, and by continuing to +give my sister proofs of your love." + +"I swear to you that so far from being angry with you I am very +fond of you; but would you like us to be fond in your presence?" + +"Yes, if you don't mind me." + +Feeling excited by voluptuous emotions, I saw that my part could +no longer be a passive one. + +"What do you say," said I to my blonde, "will you allow your +heroic sister to remain a mere looker-on at our sweet struggles? +Are you not generous enough to let me make her an actress in the +drama?" + +"No; I confess I do not feel as if I could be so generous to- +night, but next night, if you will play the same part, we will +change. Veronique shall act and I will look on." + +"That would do beautifully," said Veronique, with some vexation in +her manner, "if the gentleman was not going to-morrow morning." + +"I will stay, dear Veronique, if only to prove how much I love +you," + +I could not have wished for plainer speech on her part, and I +should have liked to shew her how grateful I felt on the spot; but +that would have been at Annette's expense, as I had no right to +make any alteration in the piece of which she was the author and +had a right to expect all the profits. Whenever I recall this +pleasant scene I feel my heart beat with voluptuous pleasure, and +even now, with the hand of old age upon me, I can not recall it +without delight. + +Veronique resigned herself to the passive part which her younger +sister imposed on her, and turning aside she leant her head on her +hand, disclosing a breast which would have excited the coldest of +men, and bade me begin my attack on Annette. It was no hard task +she laid upon me, for I was all on fire, and I was certain of +pleasing her as long as she looked at me. As Annette was short- +sighted, she could not distinguish in the heat of the action which +way I was looking, and I succeeded in getting my right hand free, +without her noticing me, and I was thus enabled to communicate a +pleasure as real though not as acute as that enjoyed by her +sister. When the coverlet was disarranged, Veronique took the +trouble to replace it, and thus offered me, as if by accident, a +new spectacle. She saw how I enjoyed the sight of her charms, and +her eye brightened. At last, full of unsatisfied desire, she +shewed me all the treasures which nature had given her, just as I +had finished with Annette for the fourth time. She might well +think that I was only rehearsing for the following night, and her +fancy must have painted her coming joys in the brightest colours. +Such at all events were my thoughts, but the fates determined +otherwise. I was in the middle of the seventh act, always slower +and more pleasant for the actress than the first two or three, +when Costa came knocking loudly at my door, calling out that the +felucca was ready. I was vexed at this untoward incident, got up +in a rage, and after telling him to pay the master for the day, as +I was not going till the morrow, I went back to bed, no longer, +however, in a state to continue the work I begun. My two +sweethearts were delighted with me, but we all wanted rest, though +the piece should not have finished with an interruption. I wanted +to get some amusement out of the interval, and proposed an +ablution, which made Annette laugh and which Veronique pronounced +to be absolutely necessary. I found it a delicious hors d'oeuvre +to the banquet I had enjoyed. The two sisters rendered each other +various services, standing in the most lascivious postures, and I +found my situation as looker-on an enviable one. + +When the washing and the laughter it gave rise to were over, we +returned to the stage where the last act should have been +performed. I longed to begin again, and I am sure I should have +succeeded if I had been well backed up by my partner; but Annette, +who was young and tired out with the toils of the night, forgot +her part, and yielded to sleep as she had yielded to love. +Veronique began to laugh when she saw her asleep, and I had to do +the same, when I saw that she was as still as a corpse. + +"What a pity!" said Veronique's eyes; but she said it with her +eyes alone, while I was waiting for these words to issue from her +lips. We were both of us wrong: she for not speaking, and I for +waiting for her to speak. It was a favourable moment, but we let +it pass by, and love punished us. I had, it is true, another +reason for abstaining. I wished to reserve myself for the night. +Veronique went to her own bed to quiet her excited feelings, and I +stayed in bed with my sleeping beauty till noon, when I wished her +good morning by a fresh assault which was completed neither on her +side nor on mine to the best of my belief. + +The day was spent in talking about ourselves, and determined to +eat only one meal, we did not sit down to table till night began +to fall. We spent two hours in the consumption of delicate +dishes, and in defying Bacchus to make us feel his power. We rose +as we saw Annette falling asleep, but we were not much annoyed at +the thought that she would not see the pleasures we promised each +other. I thought that I should have enough to do to contemplate +the charms of the one nymph without looking at Annette's beauties. +We went to bed, our arms interlaced, our bodies tight together, +and lip pressed on lip, but that was all. Veronique saw what +prevented me going any further, and she was too polite and modest +to complain. She dissembled her feelings and continued to caress +me, while I was in a frenzy of rage. I had never had such a +misfortune, unless as the result of complete exhaustion, or from a +strong mental impression capable of destroying my natural +faculties. Let my readers imagine what I suffered; in the flower +of my age, with a strong constitution, holding the body of a woman +I had ardently desired in my arms, while she tenderly caressed me, +and yet I could do nothing for her. I was in despair; one cannot +offer a greater insult to a woman. + +At last we had to accept the facts and speak reasonably, and I was +the first to bewail my misfortune. + +"You tired yourself too much yesterday," said she, "and you were +not sufficiently temperate at supper. Do not let it trouble you, +dearest, I am sure you love me. Do not try to force nature, you +will only weaken yourself more. I think a gentle sleep would +restore your manly powers better than anything. I can't sleep myself, +but don't mind me. Sleep, we will make love together afterwards." + +After those excellent and reasonable suggestions, Veronique turned +her back to me and I followed her example, but in vain did I +endeavour to obtain a refreshing slumber; nature which would not +give me the power of making her, the loveliest creature, happy, +envied me the power of repose as well. My amorous ardour and my +rage forbade all thoughts of rest, and my excited passions +conspired against that which would enable them to satisfy their +desires. Nature punished me for having distrusted her, and +because I had taken stimulants fit only for the weak. If I had +fasted, I should have done great things, but now there was a +conflict between the stimulants and nature, and by my desire for +enjoyment I had deprived myself of the power to enjoy. Thus +nature, wise like its Divine Author, punishes the ignorance and +presumption of poor weak mortals. + +Throughout this terrible and sleepless night my mind roamed +abroad, and amidst the reproaches with which I overwhelmed myself +I found a certain satisfaction in the thought that they were not +wholly undeserved. This is the sole enjoyment I still have when I +meditate on my past life and its varied adventures. I feel that +no misfortune has befallen me save by my own fault, whilst I +attribute to natural causes the blessings, of which I have enjoyed +many. I think I should go mad if in my soliloquies I came across +any misfortune which I could not trace to my own fault, for I +should not know where to place the reason, and that would degrade +me to the rank of creatures governed by instinct alone. I feel +that I am somewhat more than a beast. A beast, in truth, is a +foolish neighbour of mine, who tries to argue that the brutes +reason better than we do. + +"I will grant," I said, "that they reason better than you, but I +can go no farther; and I think every reasonable man would say as +much." + +This reply has made me an enemy, although he admits the first part +of the thesis. + +Happier than I, Veronique slept for three hours; but she was +disagreeably surprised on my telling her that I had not been able +to close an eye, and on finding me in the same state of impotence +as before. She began to get angry when I tried to convince her +rather too forcibly that my misfortune was not due to my want of +will, and then she blamed herself as the cause of my impotence; +and mortified by the idea, she endeavoured to destroy the spell by +all the means which passion suggested, and which I had hitherto +thought infallible; but her efforts and mine were all thrown away. +My despair was as great as hers when at last, wearied, ashamed, +and degraded in her own eyes, she discontinued her efforts, her +eyes full of tears. She went away without a word, and left me +alone for the two or three hours which had still to elapse before +the dawn appeared. + +At day-break Costa came and told me that the sea being rough and a +contrary wind blowing, the felucca would be in danger of +perishing. + +"We will go as soon as the weather improves," said I; "in the +mean time light me a fire" + +I arose, and proceeded to write down the sad history of the night. +This occupation soothed me, and feeling inclined to sleep I lay +down again and slept for eight hours. When I awoke I felt better, +but still rather sad. The two sisters were delighted to see me in +good health, but I thought I saw on Veronique's features an +unpleasant expression of contempt. However, I had deserved it, +and I did not take the trouble of changing her opinion, though if +she had been more caressing she might easily have put me in a +state to repair the involuntary wrongs I had done her in the +night. Before we sat down to table I gave her a present of a +hundred sequins, which made her look a little more cheerful. I +gave an equal present to my dear Annette, who had not expected +anything, thinking herself amply recompensed by my first gift and +by the pleasure I had afforded her. + +At midnight the master of the felucca came to tell me that the +wind had changed, and I took leave of the sisters. Veronique shed +tears, but I knew to what to attribute them. Annette kissed me +affectionately; thus each played her own part. I sailed for +Lerici, where I arrived the next day, and then posted to Leghorn. +Before I speak of this town I think I shall interest my readers by +narrating a circumstance not unworthy of these Memoirs. + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +A Clever Cheat--Passano--Pisa--Corilla--My Opinion of Squinting +Eyes--Florence--I See Therese Again--My Son--Corticelli + +I was standing at some distance from my carriage into which they +were putting four horses, when a man accosted me and asked me if I +would pay in advance or at the next stage. Without troubling to +look at him I said I would pay in advance, and gave him a coin +requesting him to bring me the change. + +"Directly, sir," said he, and with that he went into the inn. + +A few minutes after, just as I was going to look after my change, +the post-master came up and asked me to pay for the stage. + +"I have paid already, and I am waiting for my change. Did I not +give the money to you?" + +"Certainly not, sir." + +"Whom did I give it to, then?" + +"I really can't say; but you will be able to recognize the man, +doubtless." + +"It must have been you or one of your people." + +I was speaking loud, and all the men came about me. + +"These are all the men in my employ," said the master, and he +asked if any of them had received the money from me. + +They all denied the fact with an air of sincerity which left no +room for suspicion. I cursed and swore, but they let me curse and +swear as much as I liked. At last I discovered that there was no +help for it, and I paid a second time, laughing at the clever +rascal who had taken me in so thoroughly. Such are the lessons of +life; always full of new experiences, and yet one never knows +enough. From that day I have always taken care not to pay for +posting except to the proper persons. + +In no country are knaves so cunning as in Italy, Greece ancient +and modern excepted. + +When I got to the best inn at Leghorn they told me that there was +a theatre, and my luck made me go and see the play. I was +recognized by an actor who accosted me, and introduced me to one +of his comrades, a self-styled poet, and a great enemy of the Abbe +Chiari, whom I did not like, as he had written a biting satire +against me, and I had never succeeded in avenging myself on him. +I asked them to come and sup with me--a windfall which these +people are not given to refusing. The pretended poet was a +Genoese, and called himself Giacomo Passano. He informed me that +he had written three hundred sonnets against the abbe, who would +burst with rage if they were ever printed. As I could not +restrain a smile at the good opinion the poet had of his works, he +offered to read me a few sonnets. He had the manuscript about +him, and I could not escape the penance. He read a dozen or so, +which I thought mediocre, and a mediocre sonnet is necessarily a +bad sonnet, as this form of poetry demands sublimity; and thus +amongst the myriads of sonnets to which Italy gives birth very few +can be called good. + +If I had given myself time to examine the man's features, I +should, no doubt, have found him to be a rogue; but I was blinded +by passion, and the idea of three hundred sonnets against the Abbe +Chiari fascinated me. + +I cast my eyes over the title of the manuscript, and read, "La +Chiareide di Ascanio Pogomas." + +"That's an anagram of my Christian name and my surname; is it not +a happy combination?" + +This folly made me smile again. Each of the sonnets was a dull +diatribe ending with "l'abbate Chiari e un coglione." He did not +prove that he was one, but he said so over and over again, making +use of the poet's privilege to exaggerate and lie. What he wanted +to do was to annoy the abbe, who was by no means what Passano +called him, but on the contrary, a wit and a poet; and if he had +been acquainted with the requirements of the stage he would have +written better plays than Goldoni, as he had a greater command of +language. + +I told Passano, for civility's sake, that he ought to get his +Chiareide printed. + +"I would do so," said he, "if I could find a publisher, for I am +not rich enough to pay the expenses, and the publishers are a pack +of ignorant beggars. Besides, the press is not free, and the +censor would not let the epithet I give to my hero pass. If I +could go to Switzerland I am sure it could be managed; but I must +have six sequins to walk to Switzerland, and I have not got them." + +"And when you got to Switzerland, where there are no theatres, +what would you do for a living?" + +"I would paint in miniature. Look at those." + +He gave me a number of small ivory tablets, representing obscene +subjects, badly drawn and badly painted. + +"I will give you an introduction to a gentleman at Berne," I said; +and after supper I gave him a letter and six sequins. He wanted +to force some of his productions on me, but I would not have them. + +I was foolish enough to give him a letter to pretty Sara's father, +and I told him to write to me at Rome, under cover of the banker +Belloni. + +I set out from Leghorn the next day and went to Pisa, where I +stopped two days. There I made the acquaintance of an Englishman, +of whom I bought a travelling carriage. He took me to see +Corilla, the celebrated poetess. She received me with great +politeness, and was kind enough to improvise on several subjects +which I suggested. I was enchanted, not so much with her grace +and beauty, as by her wit and perfect elocution. How sweet a +language sounds when it is spoken well and the expressions are +well chosen. A language badly spoken is intolerable even from a +pretty mouth, and I have always admired the wisdom of the Greeks +who made their nurses teach the children from the cradle to speak +correctly and pleasantly. We are far from following their good +example; witness the fearful accents one hears in what is called, +often incorrectly, good society. + +Corilla was 'straba', like Venus as painted by the ancients--why, +I cannot think, for however fair a squint-eyed woman may be +otherwise, I always look upon her face as distorted. I am sure +that if Venus had been in truth a goddess, she would have made the +eccentric Greek, who first dared to paint her cross-eyed, feel the +weight of her anger. I was told that when Corilla sang, she had +only to fix her squinting eyes on a man and the conquest was +complete; but, praised be God! she did not fix them on me. + +At Florence I lodged at the "Hotel Carrajo," kept by Dr. Vannini, +who delighted to confess himself an unworthy member of the Academy +Della Crusca. I took a suite of rooms which looked out on the +bank of the Arno. I also took a carriage and a footman, whom, as +well as a coachman, I clad in blue and red livery. This was M. +de Bragadin's livery, and I thought I might use his colours, not +with the intention of deceiving anyone, but merely to cut a dash. + +The morning after my arrival I put on my great coat to escape +observation, and proceeded to walk about Florence. In the evening +I went to the theatre to see the famous harlequin, Rossi, but I +considered his reputation was greater than he deserved. I passed +the same judgment on the boasted Florentine elocution; I did not +care for it at all. I enjoyed seeing Pertici; having become old, +and not being able to sing any more, he acted, and, strange to +say, acted well; for, as a rule, all singers, men and women, trust +to their voice and care nothing for acting, so that an ordinary +cold entirely disables them for the time being. + +Next day I called on the banker, Sasso Sassi, on whom I had a good +letter of credit, and after an excellent dinner I dressed and went +to the opera an via della Pergola, taking a stage box, not so much +for the music, of which I was never much of an admirer, as because +I wanted to look at the actress. + +The reader may guess my delight and surprise when I recognised in +the prima donna Therese, the false Bellino, whom I had left at +Rimini in the year 1744; that charming Therese whom I should +certainly have married if M. de Gages had not put me under arrest. +I had not seen her for seventeen years, but she looked as +beautiful and ravishing as ever as she came forward on the stage. +It seemed impossible. I could not believe my eyes, thinking the +resemblance must be a coincidence, when, after singing an air, she +fixed her eyes on mine and kept them there. I could no longer +doubt that it was she; she plainly recognized me. As she left the +stage she stopped at the wings and made a sign to me with her fan +to come and speak to her. + +I went out with a beating heart, though I could not explain my +perturbation, for I did not feel guilty in any way towards +Therese, save in that I had not answered the last letter she had +written me from Naples, thirteen years ago. I went round the +theatre, feeling a greater curiosity as to the results of our +interview than to know what had befallen her during the seventeen +years which seemed an age to me. + +I came to the stage-door, and I saw Therese standing at the top of +the stair. She told the door-keeper to let me pass; I went up and +we stood face to face. Dumb with surprise I took her hand and +pressed it against my heart. + +"Know from that beating heart," said I, "all that I feel." + +"I can't follow your example," said she, "but when I saw you I +thought I should have fainted. Unfortunately I am engaged to +supper. I shall not shut my eyes all night. I shall expect you +at eight o'clock to-morrow morning. Where are you staying?" + +"At Dr. Vannini's." + +"Under what name?" + +"My own." + +"How long have you been here?" + +"Since yesterday." + +"Are you stopping long in Florence?" + +"As long as you like." + +"Are you married?" + +"No." + +"Cursed be that supper! What an event! You must leave me now, +I have to go on. Good-bye till seven o'clock to-morrow." + +She had said eight at first, but an hour sooner was no harm. +I returned to the theatre, and recollected that I had neither asked +her name or address, but I could find out all that easily. She +was playing Mandane, and her singing and acting were admirable. +I asked a well-dressed young man beside me what that admirable +actress's name was. + +"You have only come to Florence to-day, sir?" + +"I arrived yesterday." + +"Ah! well, then it's excusable. That actress has the same name as +I have. She is my wife, and I am Cirillo Palesi, at your +service." + +I bowed and was silent with surprise. I dared not ask where she +lived, lest he might think my curiosity impertinent. Therese +married to this handsome young man, of whom, of all others, I had +made enquiries about her! It was like a scene in a play. + +I could bear it no longer. I longed to be alone and to ponder +over this strange adventure at my ease, and to think about my +visit to Therese at seven o'clock the next morning. I felt the +most intense curiosity to see what the husband would do when he +recognized me, and he was certain to do so, for he had looked at +me attentively as he spoke. I felt that my old flame for Therese +was rekindled in my heart, and I did not know whether I was glad +or sorry at her being married. + +I left the opera-house and told my footman to call my carriage. + +"You can't have it till nine o'clock, sir; it was so cold the +coachman sent the horses back to the stable." + +"We will return on foot, then." + +"You will catch a cold." + +"What is the prima donna's name?" + +"When she came here, she called herself Lanti, but for the last +two months she has been Madame Palesi. She married a handsome +young man with no property and no profession, but she is rich, so +he takes his ease and does nothing." + +"Where does she live?" + +"At the end of this street. There's her house, sir; she lodges on +the first floor." + +This was all I wanted to know, so I said no more, but took note of +the various turnings, that I might be able to find my way alone +the next day. I ate a light supper, and told Le Duc to call me at +six o'clock. + +"But it is not light till seven." + +"I know that." + +"Very good" + +At the dawn of day, I was at the door of the woman I had loved so +passionately. I went to the first floor, rang the bell, and an +old woman came out and asked me if I were M. Casanova. I told her +that I was, whereupon she said that the lady had informed her I +was not coming till eight. + +"She said seven." + +"Well, well, it's of no consequence. Kindly walk in here. I will +go and awake her." + +In five minutes, the young husband in his night-cap and dressing- +gown came in, and said that his wife would not be long. Then +looking at me attentively with an astounded stare, he said, + +"Are you not the gentleman who asked me my wife's name last +night?" + +"You are right, I did. I have not seen your wife for many years, +but I thought I recognized her. My good fortune made me enquire +of her husband, and the friendship which formerly attached me to +her will henceforth attach me to you." + +As I uttered this pretty compliment Therese, as fair as love, +rushed into the room with open arms. I took her to my bosom in a +transport of delight, and thus we remained for two minutes, two +friends, two lovers, happy to see one another after a long and sad +parting. We kissed each other again and again, and then bidding +her husband sit down she drew me to a couch and gave full course +to her tears. I wept too, and my tears were happy ones. At last +we wiped our eyes, and glanced towards the husband whom we had +completely forgotten. He stood in an attitude of complete +astonishment, and we burst out laughing. There was something so +comic in his surprise that it would have taxed all the talents of +the poet and the caricaturist to depict his expression of +amazement. Therese, who knew how to manage him, cried in a +pathetic an affectionate voice,-- + +"My dear Palesi, you see before you my father--nay, more than a +father, for this is my generous friend to whom I owe all. Oh, +happy moment for which my heart has longed for these ten years +past." + +At the word "father" the unhappy husband fixed his gaze on me, but +I restrained my laughter with considerable difficulty. Although +Therese was young for her age, she was only two years younger than +I; but friendship gives a new meaning to the sweet name of father. + +"Yes, sir," said I, "your Therese is my daughter, my sister, my +cherished friend; she is an angel, and this treasure is your +wife." + +"I did not reply to your last letter," said I, not giving him time +to come to himself. + +"I know all," she replied. "You fell in love with a nun. You +were imprisoned under the Leads, and I heard of your almost +miraculous flight at Vienna. I had a false presentiment that I +should see you in that town. Afterwards I heard of you in Paris +and Holland, but after you left Paris nobody could tell me any +more about you. You will hear some fine tales when I tell you all +that has happened to me during the past ten years. Now I am +happy. I have my dear Palesi here, who comes from Rome. I +married him a couple of months ago. We are very fond of each +other, and I hope you will be as much his friend as mine." + +At this I arose and embraced the husband, who cut such an +extraordinary figure. He met me with open arms, but in some +confusion; he was, no doubt, not yet quite satisfied as to the +individual who was his wife's father, brother, friend, and perhaps +lover, all at once. Therese saw this feeling in his eyes, and +after I had done she came and kissed him most affectionately, +which confused me in my turn, for I felt all my old love for her +renewed, and as ardent as it was when Don Sancio Pico introduced +me to her at Ancona. + +Reassured by my embrace and his wife's caress, M. Palesi asked me +if I would take a cup of chocolate with them, which he himself +would make. I answered that chocolate was my favourite breakfast- +dish, and all the more so when it was made by a friend. He went +away to see to it. Our time had come. + +As soon as we were alone Therese threw herself into my arms, her +face shining with such love as no pen can describe. + +"Oh, my love! whom I shall love all my life, clasp me to your +breast! Let us give each other a hundred embraces on this happy +day, but not again, since my fate has made me another's bride. +To-morrow we will be like brother and sister; to-day let us be +lovers." + +She had not finished this speech before my bliss was crowned. Our +transports were mutual, and we renewed them again and again during +the half hour in which we had no fear of an interruption. Her +negligent morning dress and my great coat were highly convenient +under the circumstances. + +After we had satiated in part our amorous ardour we breathed again +and sat down. There was a short pause, and then she said, + +"You must know that I am in love with my husband and determined +not to deceive him. What I have just done was a debt I had to pay +to the remembrance of my first love. I had to pay it to prove how +much I love you; but let us forget it now. You must be contented +with the thought of my great affection for you--of which you can +have no doubt--and let me still think that you love me; but +henceforth do not let us be alone together, as I should give way, +and that would vex me. What makes you look so sad?" + +"I find you bound, while I am free. I thought we had met never to +part again; you had kindled the old fires. I am the same to you +as I was at Ancona. I have proved as much, and you can guess how +sad I feel at your decree that I am to enjoy you no more. I find +that you are not only married but in love with your husband. +Alas! I have come too late, but if I had not stayed at Genoa I +should not have been more fortunate. You shall know all in due +time, and in the meanwhile I will be guided by you in everything. +I suppose your husband knows nothing of our connection, and my +best plan will be to be reserved, will it not?" + +"Yes, dearest, for he knows nothing of my affairs, and I am glad +to say he shews no curiosity respecting them. Like everybody else, +he knows I made my fortune at Naples; I told him I went there when +I was ten years old. That was an innocent lie which hurts nobody; +and in my position I find that inconvenient truths have to give +way to lies. I give myself out as only twenty-four, how do you +think I look?" + +"You look as if you were telling the truth, though I know you must +be thirty-two." + +"You mean thirty-one, for when I knew you I couldn't have been +more than fourteen." + +"I thought you were fifteen at least." + +"Well, I might admit that between ourselves; but tell me if I look +more than twenty-four." + +"I swear to you you don't look as old, but at Naples . . . ." + +"At Naples some people might be able to contradict me, but nobody +would mind them. But I am waiting for what ought to be the +sweetest moment of your life." + +"What is that, pray?" + +"Allow me to keep my own counsel, I want to enjoy your surprise. +How are you off? If you want money, I can give you back all you +gave me, and with compound interest. All I have belongs to me; my +husband is not master of anything. I have fifty thousand ducats +at Naples, and an equal sum in diamonds. Tell me how much you +want--quick! the chocolate is coming." + +Such a woman was Therese. I was deeply moved, and was about to +throw my arms about her neck without answering when the chocolate +came. Her husband was followed by a girl of exquisite beauty, who +carried three cups of chocolate on a silver-gilt dish. While we +drank it Palesi amused us by telling us with much humour how +surprised he was when he recognized the man who made him rise at +such an early hour as the same who had asked him his wife's name +the night before. Therese and I laughed till our sides ached, the +story was told so wittily and pleasantly. This Roman displeased +me less than I expected; his jealousy seemed only put on for +form's sake. + +"At ten o'clock," said Theresa, "I have a rehearsal here of the +new opera. You can stay and listen if you like. I hope you will +dine with us every day, and it will give me great pleasure if you +will look upon my house as yours." + +"To-day," said I, "I will stay with you till after supper, and +then I will leave you with your fortunate husband." + +As I pronounced these words M. Palesi embraced me with effusion, +as if to thank me for not objecting to his enjoying his rights as +a husband. + +He was between the ages of twenty and twenty-two, of a fair +complexion, and well-made, but too pretty for a man. I did not +wonder at Therese being in love with him, for I knew too well the +power of a handsome face; but I thought that she had made a +mistake in marrying him, for a husband acquires certain rights +which may become troublesome. + +Therese's pretty maid came to tell me that my carriage was at the +door. + +"Will you allow me," said I to her, "to have my footman in?" + +"Rascal," said I, as soon as he came in, "who told you to come +here with my carriage?" + +"Nobody, sir, but I know my duty." + +"Who told you that I was here?" + +"I guessed as much." + +"Go and fetch Le Duc, and come back with him." + +When they arrived I told Le Duc to pay the impertinent fellow +three days' wages, to strip him of his livery, and to ask Dr. +Vannini to get me a servant of the same build, not gifted with the +faculty of divination, but who knew how to obey his master's +orders. The rascal was much perturbed at the result of his +officiousness, and asked Therese to plead for him; but, like a +sensible woman, she told him that his master was the best judge of +the value of his services. + +At ten o'clock all the actors and actresses arrived, bringing with +them a mob of amateurs who crowded the hall. Therese received +their greetings graciously, and I could see she enjoyed a great +reputation. The rehearsal lasted three hours, and wearied me +extremely. To relieve my boredom I talked to Palesi, whom I liked +for not asking me any particulars of my acquaintance with his +wife. I saw that he knew how to behave in the position in which +he was placed. + +A girl from Parma, named Redegonde, who played a man's part and +sang very well, stayed to dinner. Therese had also asked a young +Bolognese, named Corticelli. I was struck with the budding charms +of this pretty dancer, but as I was just then full of Therese, I +did not pay much attention to her. Soon after we sat down I saw a +plump abbe coming in with measured steps. He looked to me a +regular Tartuffe, after nothing but Therese. He came up to her as +soon as he saw her, and going on one knee in the Portuguese +fashion, kissed her hand tenderly and respectfully. Therese +received him with smiling courtesy and put him at her right hand; +I was at their left. His voice, manner, and all about him told me +that I had known him, and in fact I soon recognized him as the +Abbe Gama, whom I had left at Rome seventeen years before with +Cardinal Acquaviva; but I pretended not to recognize him, and +indeed he had aged greatly. This gallant priest had eyes for no +one but Therese, and he was too busy with saying a thousand soft +nothings to her to take notice of anybody else in the company. I +hoped that in his turn he would either not recognize me or pretend +not to do so, so I was continuing my trifling talk with the +Corticelli, when Therese told me that the abbe wanted to know +whether I did not recollect him. I looked at his face +attentively, and with the air of a man who is trying to recollect +something, and then I rose and asked if he were not the Abbe Gama, +with whose acquaintance I was honoured. + +"The same," said he, rising, and placing his arms round my neck he +kissed me again and again. This was in perfect agreement with his +crafty character; the reader will not have forgotten the portrait +of him contained in the first volume of these Memoirs. + +After the ice had been thus broken it will be imagined that we had +a long conversation. He spoke of Barbaruccia, of the fair +Marchioness G----, of Cardinal S---- C----, and told me how he had +passed from the Spanish to the Portuguese service, in which he +still continued. I was enjoying his talk about numerous subjects +which had interested me in my early youth, when an unexpected +sight absorbed all my thinking faculties. A young man of fifteen +or sixteen, as well grown as Italians usually are at that age, +came into the room, saluted the company with easy grace, and +kissed Therese. I was the only person who did not know him, but I +was not the only one who looked surprised. The daring Therese +introduced him to me with perfect coolness with the words:-- + +"That is my brother." + +I greeted him as warmly as I could, but my manner was slightly +confused, as I had not had time to recover my composure. This so- +called brother of Therese was my living image, though his +complexion was rather clearer than mine. I saw at once that he +was my son; nature had never been so indiscreet as in the amazing +likeness between us. This, then, was the surprise of which +Therese had spoken; she had devised the pleasure of seeing me at +once astounded and delighted, for she knew that my heart would be +touched at the thought of having left her such a pledge of our +mutual love. I had not the slightest foreknowledge in the matter, +for Therese had never alluded to her being with child in her +letters. I thought, however, that she should not have brought +about this meeting in the presence of a third party, for everyone +has eyes in their head, and anyone with eyes must have seen that +the young man was either my son or my brother. I glanced at her, +but she avoided meeting my eye, while the pretended brother was +looking at me so attentively that he did not hear what was said to +him. As to the others, they did nothing but look first at me and +then at him, and if they came to the conclusion that he was my son +they would be obliged to suppose that I had been the lover of +Therese's mother, if she were really his sister, for taking into +consideration the age she looked and gave herself out to be she +could not possibly be his mother. It was equally impossible that +I could be Therese's father, as I did not look any older than she +did. + +My son spoke the Neapolitan dialect perfectly, but he also spoke +Italian very well, and in whatever he said I was glad to recognize +taste, good sense, and intelligence. He was well-informed, though +he had been brought up at Naples, and his manners were very +distinguished. His mother made him sit between us at table. + +"His favourite amusement," she said to me, "is music. You must +hear him on the clavier, and though I am eight years older I shall +not be surprised if you pronounce him the better performer." + +Only a woman's delicate instinct could have suggested this remark; +men hardly ever approach women in this respect. + +Whether from natural impulses or self-esteem, I rose from the +table so delighted with my son that I embraced him with the utmost +tenderness, and was applauded by the company. I asked everybody +to dine with me the next day, and my invitation was joyfully +accepted; but the Corticelli said, with the utmost simplicity, + +"May I come, too?" + +"Certainty; you too." + +After dinner the Abbe Gama asked me to breakfast with him, or to +have him to breakfast the next morning, as be was longing for a +good talk with me. + +"Come and breakfast with me," said I, "I shall be delighted to see +you." + +When the guests had gone Don Cesarino, as the pretended brother of +Therese was called, asked me if I would walk with him. I kissed +him, and replied that my carriage was at his service, and that he +and his brother-in-law could drive in it, but that I had resolved +not to leave his sister that day. Palesi seemed quite satisfied +with the arrangement, and they both went away. + +When we were alone, I gave Therese an ardent embrace, and +congratulated her on having such a brother. + +"My dear, he is the fruit of our amours; he is your son. He makes +me happy, and is happy himself, and indeed he has everything to +make him so." + +"And I, too, am happy, dear Therese. You must have seen that I +recognized him at once." + +"But do you want to give him a brother? How ardent you are!" + +"Remember, beloved one, that to-morrow we are to be friends, and +nothing more." + +By this my efforts were crowned with success, but the thought that +it was the last time was a bitter drop in the cup of happiness. + +When we had regained our composure, Therese said,-- + +"The duke who took me from Rimini brought up our child; as soon as +I knew that I was pregnant I confided my secret to him. No one +knew of my delivery, and the child was sent to nurse at Sorrento, +and the duke had him baptized under the name of Caesar Philip +Land. He remained at Sorrento till he was nine, and then he was +boarded with a worthy man, who superintended his education and +taught him music. From his earliest childhood he has known me as +his sister, and you cannot think how happy I was when I saw him +growing so like you. I have always considered him as a sure +pledge of our final union. I was ever thinking what would happen +when we met, for I knew that he would have the same influence over +you as he has over me. I was sure you would marry me and make him +legitimate." + +"And you have rendered all this, which would have made me happy, +an impossibility." + +"The fates decided so; we will say no more about it. On the death +of the duke I left Naples, leaving Cesarino at the same boarding +school, under the protection of the Prince de la Riccia, who has +always looked upon him as a brother. Your son, though he does not +know it, possesses the sum of twenty thousand ducats, of which I +receive the interest, but you may imagine that I let him want for +nothing. My only regret is that I cannot tell him I am his +mother, as I think he would love me still more if he knew that he +owed his being to me. You cannot think how glad I was to see your +surprise to-day, and how soon you got to love him." + +"He is wonderfully like me." + +"That delights me. People must think that you were my mother's +lover. My husband thinks that our friendship is due to the +connection between you and my mother. He told me yesterday that +Cesarino might be my brother on the mother's side, but not on my +father's; as he had seen his father in the theatre, but that he +could not possibly be my father, too. If I have children by +Palesi all I have will go to them, but if not Cesarino will be my +heir. My property is well secured, even if the Prince de Riccia +were to die." + +"Come," said she, drawing me in the direction of her bed-room. +She opened a large box which contained her jewels and diamonds, +and shares to the amount of fifty thousand ducats. Besides that +she had a large amount of plate, and her talents which assured her +the first place in all the Italian theatres. + +"Do you know whether our dear Cesarino has been in love yet?" said I. + +"I don't think so, but I fancy my pretty maid is in love with him. +I shall keep my eyes open." + +"You mustn't be too strict." + +"No, but it isn't a good thing for a young man to engage too soon +in that pleasure which makes one neglect everything else." + +"Let me have him, I will teach him how to live." + +"Ask all, but leave me my son. You must know that I never kiss +him for fear of my giving way to excessive emotion. I wish you +knew how good and pure he is, and how well he loves me, I could +not refuse him anything." + +"What will people say in Venice when they see Casanova again, who +escaped from The Leads and has become twenty years younger?" + +"You are going to Venice, then, for the Ascensa?" + +"Yes, and you are going to Rome?" + +"And to Naples, to see my friend the Duke de Matalone." + +"I know him well. He has already had a son by the daughter of the +Duke de Bovino, whom he married. She must be a charming woman to +have made a man of him, for all Naples knew that he was impotent." + +"Probably, she only knew the secret of making him a father." + +"Well, it is possible." + +We spent the time by talking with interest on various topics till +Cesarino and the husband came back. The dear child finished his +conquest of me at supper; he had a merry random wit, and all the +Neapolitan vivacity. He sat down at the clavier, and after +playing several pieces with the utmost skill he began to sing +Neapolitan songs which made us all laugh. Therese only looked at +him and me, but now and again she embraced her husband, saying, +that in love alone lies happiness. + +I thought then, and I think now, that this day was one of the +happiest I have ever spent. + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +The Corticelli--The Jew Manager Beaten--The False Charles Ivanoff +and the Trick He Played Me--I Am Ordered to Leave Tuscany +--I Arrive at Rome--My Brother Jean + +At nine o'clock the next morning, the Abbe Gama was announced. +The first thing he did was to shed tears of joy (as he said) at +seeing me so well and prosperous after so many years. The reader +will guess that the abbe addressed me in the most flattering +terms, and perhaps he may know that one may be clever, experienced +in the ways of the world, and even distrustful of flattery, but +yet one's self-love, ever on the watch, listens to the flatterer, +and thinks him pleasant. This polite and pleasant abbe, who had +become extremely crafty from having lived all his days amongst the +high dignitaries at the court of the 'Servus Servorum Dei' (the +best school of strategy), was not altogether an ill-disposed man, +but both his disposition and his profession conspired to make him +inquisitive; in fine, such as I have depicted him in the first +volume of these Memoirs. He wanted to hear my adventures, and did +not wait for me to ask him to tell his story. He told me at great +length the various incidents in his life for the seventeen years +in which we had not seen one another. He had left the service of +the King of Spain for that of the King of Portugal, he was +secretary of embassy to the Commander Almada, and be had been +obliged to leave Rome because the Pope Rezzonico would not allow +the King of Portugal to punish certain worthy Jesuit assassins, +who had only broken his arm as it happened, but who had none the +less meant to take his life. Thus, Gama was staying in Italy +corresponding with Almada and the famous Carvalho, waiting for the +dispute to be finished before he returned to Rome. In point of +fact this was the only substantial incident in the abbe's story, +but he worked in so many episodes of no consequence that it lasted +for an hour. No doubt he wished me to shew my gratitude by +telling him all my adventures without reserve; but the upshot of +it was that we both shewed ourselves true diplomatists, he in +lengthening his story, I in shortening mine, while I could not +help feeling some enjoyment in bulking the curiosity of my +cassocked friend. + +"What are you going to do in Rome?" said he, indifferently. + +"I am going to beg the Pope to use his influence in my favour with +the State Inquisitors at Venice." + +It was not the truth, but one lie is as good as another, and if I +had said I was only going for amusement's sake he would not have +believed me. To tell the truth to an unbelieving man is to +prostitute, to murder it. He then begged me to enter into a +correspondence with him, and as that bound me to nothing I agreed +to do so. + +"I can give you a mark of my friendship," said he, "by introducing +you to the Marquis de Botta-Adamo, Governor of Tuscany; he is +supposed to be a friend of the regent's." + +I accepted his offer gratefully, and he began to sound me about +Therese, but found my lips as tightly closed as the lid of a +miser's coffer. I told him she was a child when I made the +acquaintance of her family at Bologna, and that the resemblance +between her brother and myself was a mere accident--a freak of +nature. He happened to catch sight of a well-written manuscript +on the table, and asked me if that superb writing was my +secretary's. Costa, who was present, answered in Spanish that he +wrote it. Gama overwhelmed him with compliments, and begged me to +send Costa to him to copy some letters. I guessed that he wanted +to pump him about me, and said that I needed his services all the +day. + +"Well, well," said the abbe, "another time will do." I gave him no +answer. Such is the character of the curious. + +I am not referring to that curiosity which depends on the occult +sciences, and endeavours to pry into the future--the daughter of +ignorance and superstition, its victims are either foolish or +ignorant. But the Abbe Gama was neither; he was naturally +curious, and his employment made him still more so, for he was +paid to find out everything. He was a diplomatist; if he had been +a little lower down in the social scale he would have been treated +as a spy. + +He left me to pay some calls, promising to be back by dinner-time. + +Dr. Vannini brought me another servant, of the same height as the +first, and engaged that he should obey orders and guess nothing. +I thanked the academician and inn-keeper, and ordered him to get +me a sumptuous dinner. + +The Corticelli was the first to arrive, bringing with her her +brother, an effeminate-looking young man, who played the violin +moderately well, and her mother, who informed me that she never +allowed her daughter to dine out without herself and her son. + +"Then you can take her back again this instant," said I, "or take +this ducat to dine somewhere else, as I don't want your company or +your son's." + +She took the ducat, saying that she was sure she was leaving her +daughter in good hands. + +"You may be sure of that," said I, "so be off." + +The daughter made such witty observations on the above dialogue +that I could not help laughing, and I began to be in love with +her. She was only thirteen, and was so small that she looked ten. +She was well-made, lively, witty, and fairer than is usual with +Italian women, but to this day I cannot conceive how I fell in +love with her. + +The young wanton begged me to protect her against the manager of +the opera, who was a Jew. In the agreement she had made with him +he had engaged to let her dance a 'pas de deux' in the second +opera, and he had not kept his word. She begged me to compel the +Jew to fulfil his engagement, and I promised to do so. + +The next guest was Redegonde, who came from Parma. She was a +tall, handsome woman, and Costa told me she was the sister of my +new footman. After I had talked with her for two or three minutes +I found her remarks well worthy of attention. + +Then came the Abbe Gama, who congratulated me on being seated +between two pretty girls. I made him take my place, and he began +to entertain them as if to the manner born; and though the girls +were laughing at him, he was not in the least disconcerted. He +thought he was amusing them, and on watching his expression I saw +that his self-esteem prevented him seeing that he was making a +fool of himself; but I did not guess that I might make the same +mistake at his age. + +Wretched is the old man who will not recognize his old age; +wretched unless he learn that the sex whom he seduced so often +when he was young will despise him now if he still attempts to +gain their favour. + +My fair Therese, with her husband and my son, was the last to +arrive. I kissed Therese and then my son, and sat down between +them, whispering to Therese that such a dear mysterious trinity +must not be parted; at which Therese smiled sweetly. The abbe sat +down between Redegonde and the Corticelli, and amused us all the +time by his agreeable conversation. + +I laughed internally when I observed how respectfully my new +footman changed his sister's plate, who appeared vain of honours +to which her brother could lay no claim. She was not kind; she +whispered to me, so that he could not hear,-- + +"He is a good fellow, but unfortunately he is rather stupid." + +I had put in my pocket a superb gold snuff-box, richly enamelled +and adorned with a perfect likeness of myself. I had had it made +at Paris, with the intention of giving it to Madame d'Urfe, and I +had not done so because the painter had made me too young. I had +filled it with some excellent Havana snuff which M. de Chavigny +had given me, and of which Therese was very fond; I was waiting +for her to ask me for a pinch before I drew it out of my pocket. + +The Abbe Gama, who had some exceedingly good snuff in an Origonela +box, sent a pinch to Therese, and she sent him her snuff in a +tortoise-shell box encrusted with gold in arabesques--an exquisite +piece of workmanship. Gama criticised Therese's snuff, while I +said that I found it delicious but that I thought I had some +better myself. I took out my snuff-box, and opening it offered +her a pinch. She did not notice the portrait, but she agreed that +my snuff was vastly superior to hers. + +"Well, would you like to make an exchange?" said I. "Certainly, +give me some paper." + +"That is not requisite; we will exchange the snuff and the snuff- +boxes." + +So saying, I put Therese's box in my pocket and gave her mine +shut. When she saw the portrait, she gave a cry which puzzled +everybody, and her first motion was to kiss the portrait. + +"Look," said she to Cesarino, "here is your portrait." + +Cesarino looked at it in astonishment, and the box passed from +hand to hand. Everybody said that it was my portrait, taken ten +years ago, and that it might pass for a likeness of Cesarino. +Therese got quite excited, and swearing that she would never let +the box out of her hands again, she went up to her son and kissed +him several times. While this was going on I watched the Abbe +Gama, and I could see that he was making internal comments of his +own on this affecting scene. + +The worthy abbe went away towards the evening, telling me that he +would expect me to breakfast next morning. + +I spent the rest of the day in making love to Redegonde, and +Therese, who saw that I was pleased with the girl, advised me to +declare myself, and promised that she would ask her to the house +as often as I liked. But Therese did not know her. + +Next morning Gama told me that he had informed Marshal Botta that +I would come and see him, and he would present me at four o'clock. +Then the worthy abbe, always the slave of his curiosity, +reproached me in a friendly manner for not having told him +anything about my fortune. + +"I did not think it was worth mentioning, but as you are +interested in the subject I may tell you that my means are small, +but that I have friends whose purses are always open to me." + +"If you have true friends you are a rich man, but true friends are +scarce." + +I left the Abbe Gama, my head full of Redegonde, whom I preferred +to the young Corticelli, and I went to pay her a visit; but what a +reception! She received me in a room in which were present her +mother, her uncle, and three or four dirty, untidy little monkeys: +these were her brothers.' + +"Haven't you a better room to receive your friends in?" said I. + +"I have no friends, so I don't want a room." + +"Get it, my dear, and you will find the friends come fast enough. +This is all very well for you to welcome your relations in, but +not persons like myself who come to do homage to your charms and +your talents." + +"Sir," said the mother, "my daughter has but few talents, and +thinks nothing of her charms, which are small." + +"You are extremely modest, and I appreciate your feelings; but +everybody does not see your daughter with the same eyes, and she +pleased me greatly." + +"That is an honour for her, and we are duly sensible of it, but +not so as to be over-proud. My daughter will see you as often as +you please, but here, and in no other place." + +"But I am afraid of being in the way here." + +"An honest man is never in the way." + +I felt ashamed, for nothing so confounds a libertine as modesty in +the mouth of poverty; and not knowing what to answer I took my +leave. + +I told Therese of my unfortunate visit, and we both, laughed at +it; it was the best thing we could do. + +"I shall be glad to see you at the opera," said she, "and you can +get into my dressing-room if you give the door-keeper a small +piece of money." + +The Abbe Gama came as he promised, to take me to Marshal Botta, a +man of high talents whom the affair of Genoa had already rendered +famous. He was in command of the Austrian army when the people, +growing angry at the sight of the foreigners, who had only come to +put them under the Austrian yoke, rose in revolt and made them +leave the town. This patriotic riot saved the Republic. I found +him in the midst of a crowd of ladies and gentlemen, whom he left +to welcome me. He talked about Venice in a way that shewed he +understood the country thoroughly, and I conversed to him on +France, and, I believe, satisfied him. In his turn he spoke of +the Court of Russia, at which he was staying when Elizabeth +Petrovna, who was still reigning at the period in question, so +easily mounted the throne of her father, Peter the Great. "It is +only in Russia," said he, "that poison enters into politics." + +At the time when the opera began the marshal left the room, and +everybody went away. On my way the abbe assured me, as a matter +of course, that I had pleased the governor, and I afterwards went +to the theatre, and obtained admission to Therese's dressing-room +for a tester. I found her in the hands of her pretty chamber- +maid, and she advised me to go to Redegonde's dressing-room, as +she played a man's part, and might, perhaps, allow me to assist in +her toilette. + +I followed her advice, but the mother would not let me come in, as +her daughter was just going to dress. I assured her that I would +turn my back all the time she was dressing, and on this condition +she let me in, and made me sit down at a table on which stood a +mirror, which enabled me to see all Redegonde's most secret parts +to advantage; above all, when she lifted her legs to put on her +breeches, either most awkwardly or most cleverly, according to her +intentions. She did not lose anything by what she shewed, +however, for I was so pleased, that to possess her charms I would +have signed any conditions she cared to impose upon me. + +"Redegonde must know," I said to myself, "that I could see +everything in the glass;" and the idea inflamed me. I did not +turn round till the mother gave me leave, and I then admired my +charmer as a young man of five feet one, whose shape left nothing +to be desired. + +Redegonde went out, and I followed her to the wings. + +"My dear," said I, "I am going to talk plainly to you. You have +inflamed my passions and I shall die if you do not make me happy." + +"You do not say that you will die if you chance to make me +unhappy." + +"I could not say so, because I cannot conceive such a thing as +possible. Do not trifle with me, dear Redegonde, you must be +aware that I saw all in the mirror, and I cannot think that you +are so cruel as to arouse my passions and then leave me to +despair." + +"What could you have seen? I don't know what you are talking +about." + +"May be, but know that I have seen all your charms. What shall I +do to possess you?" + +"To possess me? I don't understand you, sir; I'm an honest girl." + +"I dare say; but you wouldn't be any less honest after making me +happy. Dear Redegonde, do not let me languish for you, but tell +me my fate now this instant." + +"I do not know what to tell you, but you can come and see me +whenever you like" + +"When shall I find you alone?" + +"Alone! I am never alone." + +"Well, well, that's of no consequence; if only your mother is +present, that comes to the same thing. If she is sensible, she +will pretend not to see anything, and I will give you a hundred +ducats each time." + +"You are either a madman, or you do not know what sort of people +we are." + +With these words she went on, and I proceeded to tell Therese what +had passed. + +"Begin," said she, "by offering the hundred ducats to the mother, +and if she refuses, have no more to do with them, and go +elsewhere." + +I returned to the dressing-room, where I found the mother alone, +and without any ceremony spoke as follows:-- + +"Good evening, madam, I am a stranger here; I am only staying a +week, and I am in love with your daughter. If you like to be +obliging, bring her to sup with me. I will give you a hundred +sequins each time, so you see my purse is in your power." + +"Whom do you think you are talking to, sir? I am astonished at +your impudence. Ask the townsfolk what sort of character I bear, +and whether my daughter is an honest girl or not! and you will not +make such proposals again." + +"Good-bye, madam." + +"Good-bye, sir." + +As I went out I met Redegonde, and I told her word for word the +conversation I had had with her mother. She burst out laughing. + +"Have I done well or ill?" said I. + +"Well enough, but if you love me come and see me." + +"See you after what your mother said?" + +"Well, why not, who knows of it?" + +"Who knows? You don't know me, Redegonde. I do not care to +indulge myself in idle hopes, and I thought I had spoken to you +plainly enough." + +Feeling angry, and vowing to have no more to do with this strange +girl, I supped with Therese, and spent three delightful hours with +her. I had a great deal of writing to do the next day and kept in +doors, and in the evening I had a visit from the young Corticelli, +her mother and brother. She begged me to keep my promise +regarding the manager of the theatre, who would not let her dance +the 'pas de deux' stipulated for in the agreement. + +"Come and breakfast with me to-morrow morning," said I, "and I +will speak to the Israelite in your presence--at least I will do +so if he comes." + +"I love you very much," said the young wanton, "can't I stop a +little longer here." + +"You may stop as long as you like, but as I have got some letters +to finish, I must ask you to excuse my entertaining you." + +"Oh! just as you please." + +I told Costa to give her some supper. + +I finished my letters and felt inclined for a little amusement, so +I made the girl sit by me and proceeded to toy with her, but in +such a way that her mother could make no objection. All at once +the brother came up and tried to join in the sport, much to my +astonishment. + +"Get along with you," said I, "you are not a girl." + +At this the young scoundrel proceeded to shew me his sex, but in +such an indecent fashion that his sister, who was sitting on my +knee, burst out laughing and took refuge with her mother, who was +sitting at the other end of the room in gratitude for the good +supper I had given her. I rose from my chair, and after giving +the impudent pederast a box on the ear I asked the mother with +what intentions she had brought the young rascal to my house. By +way of reply the infamous woman said,-- + +"He's a pretty lad, isn't he?" + +I gave him a ducat for the blow I had given him, and told the +mother to begone, as she disgusted me. The pathic took my ducat, +kissed my hand, and they all departed. + +I went to bed feeling amused at the incident, and wondering at the +wickedness of a mother who would prostitute her own son to the +basest of vices. + +Next morning I sent and asked the Jew to call on me. The +Corticelli came with her mother, and the Jew soon after, just as +we were going to breakfast. + +I proceeded to explain the grievance of the young dancer, and I +read the agreement he had made with her, telling him politely that +I could easily force him to fulfil it. The Jew put in several +excuses, of which the Corticelli demonstrated the futility. At +last the son of Judah was forced to give in, and promised to speak +to the ballet-master the same day, in order that she might dance +the 'pas' with the actor she named. + +"And that, I hope, will please your excellency," he added, with a +low bow, which is not often a proof of sincerity, especially among +Jews. + +When my guests had taken leave I went to the Abbe Gama, to dine +with Marshal Botta who had asked us to dinner. I made the +acquaintance there of Sir Mann, the English ambassador, who was +the idol of Florence, very rich, of the most pleasing manners +although an Englishman; full of wit, taste, and a great lover of +the fine arts. He invited me to come next day and see his house +and garden. In this home he had made--furniture, pictures, choice +books--all shewed the man of genius. He called on me, asked me to +dinner, and had the politeness to include Therese, her husband, +and Cesarino in the invitation. After dinner my son sat down at +the clavier and delighted the company by his exquisite playing. +While we were talking of likenesses, Sir Mann shewed us some +miniatures of great beauty. + +Before leaving, Therese told me that she had been thinking +seriously of me. + +"In what respect?" I asked. + +"I have told Redegonde that I am going to call for her, that I +will keep her to supper, and have her taken home. You must see +that this last condition is properly carried out. Come to supper +too, and have your carriage in waiting. I leave the rest to you. +You will only be a few minutes with her, but that's something; and +the first step leads far." + +"An excellent plan. I will sup with you, and my carriage shall be +ready. I will tell you all about it to-morrow." + +I went to the house at nine o'clock, and was welcomed as an +unexpected guest. I told Redegonde that I was glad to meet her, +and she replied that she had not hoped to have the pleasure of +seeing me. Redegonde was the only one who had any appetite; she +ate capitally, and laughed merrily at the stories I told her. + +After supper Therese asked her if she would like to have a sedan- +chair sent for, or if she would prefer to be taken back in my +carriage. + +"If the gentleman will be so kind," said she, "I need not send for +a chair." + +I thought this reply of such favourable omen that I no longer +doubted of my success. After she had wished the others good +night, she took my arm, pressing it as she did so; we went down +the stairs, and she got into the carriage. I got in after her, +and on attempting to sit down I found the place taken. + +"Who is that?" I cried. + +Redegonde burst out laughing, and informed me it was her mother. + +I was done; I could not summon up courage to pass it off as a +jest. Such a shock makes a man stupid; for a moment it numbs all +the mental faculties, and wounded self-esteem only gives place to +anger. + +I sat down on the front seat and coldly asked the mother why she +had not come up to supper with us. When the carriage stopped at +their door, she asked me to come in, but I told her I would rather +not. I felt that for a little more I would have boxed her ears, +and the man at the house door looked very like a cut-throat. + +I felt enraged and excited physically as well as mentally, and +though I had never been to see the Corticelli, told the coachman +to drive there immediately, as I felt sure of finding her well +disposed. Everybody was gone to bed. I knocked at the door till +I got an answer, I gave my name, and I was let in, everything +being in total darkness. The mother told me she would light a +candle, and that if she had expected me she would have waited up +in spite of the cold. I felt as if I were in the middle of an +iceberg. I heard the girl laughing, and going up to the bed and +passing my hand over it I came across some plain tokens of the +masculine gender. I had got hold of her brother. In the +meanwhile the mother had got a candle, and I saw the girl with the +bedclothes up to her chin, for, like her brother, she was as naked +as my hand. Although no Puritan, I was shocked. + +"Why do you allow this horrible union?" I said to the mother. + +"What harm is there? They are brother and sister." + +"That's just what makes it a criminal matter." + +"Everything is perfectly innocent." + +"Possibly; but it's not a good plan." + +The pathic escaped from the bed and crept into his mother's, while +the little wanton told me there was really no harm, as they only +loved each other as brother and sister, and that if I wanted her +to sleep by herself all I had to do was to get her a new bed. +This speech, delivered with arch simplicity, in her Bolognese +jargon, made me laugh with all my heart, for in the violence of +her gesticulations she had disclosed half her charms, and I saw +nothing worth looking at. In spite of that, it was doubtless +decreed that I should fall in love with her skin, for that was all +she had. + +If I had been alone I should have brought matters to a crisis on +the spot, but I had a distaste to the presence of her mother and +her scoundrelly brother. I was afraid lest some unpleasant scenes +might follow. I gave her ten ducats to buy a bed, said good +night, and left the house. I returned to my lodging, cursing the +too scrupulous mothers of the opera girls. + +I passed the whole of the next morning with Sir Mann, in his +gallery, which contained some exquisite paintings, sculptures, +mosaics, and engraved gems. On leaving him, I called on Therese +and informed her of my misadventure of the night before. She +laughed heartily at my story, and I laughed too, in spite of a +feeling of anger due to my wounded self-esteem. + +"You must console yourself," said she; "you will not find much +difficulty in filling the place in your affections." + +"Ah! why are you married?" + +"Well, it's done; and there's no helping it. But listen to me. +As you can't do without someone, take up with the Corticelli; +she's as good as any other woman, and won't keep you waiting +long." + +On my return to my lodging, I found the Abbe Gama, whom I had +invited to dinner, and he asked me if I would accept a post to +represent Portugal at the approaching European Congress at +Augsburg. He told me that if I did the work well, I could get +anything I liked at Lisbon. + +"I am ready to do my best," said I; "you have only to write to +me, and I will tell you where to direct your letters." This +proposal made me long to become a diplomatist. + +In the evening I went to the opera-house and spoke to the ballet- +master, the dancer who was to take part in the 'pas de deux', and +to the Jew, who told me that my protegee should be satisfied in +two or three days, and that she should perform her favourite 'pas' +for the rest of the carnival. I saw the Corticelli, who told me +she had got her bed, and asked me to come to supper. I accepted +the invitation, and when the opera was over I went to her house. + +Her mother, feeling sure that I would pay the bill, had ordered an +excellent supper for four, and several flasks of the best Florence +wine. Besides that, she gave me a bottle of the wine called +Oleatico, which I found excellent. The three Corticellis +unaccustomed to good fare and wine, ate like a troop, and began to +get intoxicated. The mother and son went to bed without ceremony, +and the little wanton invited me to follow their example. I +should have liked to do so, but I did not dare. It was very cold +and there was no fire in the room, there was only one blanket on +the bed, and I might have caught a bad cold, and I was too fond of +my good health to expose myself to such a danger. I therefore +satisfied myself by taking her on my knee, and after a few +preliminaries she abandoned herself to my transports, endeavouring +to persuade me that I had got her maidenhead. I pretended to +believe her, though I cared very little whether it were so or not. + +I left her after I had repeated the dose three or four times, and +gave her fifty sequins, telling her to get a good wadded coverlet +and a large brazier, as I wanted to sleep with her the next night. + +Next morning I received an extremely interesting letter from +Grenoble. M. de Valenglard informed me that the fair Mdlle. +Roman, feeling convinced that her horoscope would never come true +unless she went to Paris, had gone to the capital with her aunt. + +Her destiny was a strange one; it depended on the liking I had +taken to her and my aversion to marriage, for it lay in my power +to have married the handsomest woman in France, and in that case +it is not likely that she would have become the mistress of Louis +XV. What strange whim could have made me indicate in her +horoscope the necessity of her journeying to Paris; for even if +there were such a science as astrology I was no astrologer; in +fine, her destiny depended on my absurd fancy. And in history, +what a number of extraordinary events would never have happened if +they had not been predicted! + +In the evening I went to the theatre, and found my Corticelli clad +in a pretty cloak, while the other girls looked at me +contemptuously, for they were enraged at the place being taken; +while the proud favourite caressed me with an air of triumph which +became her to admiration. + +In the evening I found a good supper awaiting me, a large brazier +on the hearth, and a warm coverlet on the bed. The mother shewed +me all the things her daughter had bought, and complained that she +had not got any clothes for her brother. I made her happy by +giving her a few louis. + +When I went to bed I did not find my mistress in any amorous +transports, but in a wanton and merry mood. She made me laugh, +and as she let me do as I liked I was satisfied. I gave her a +watch when I left her, and promised to sup with her on the +following night. She was to have danced the pas de deux, and I +went to see her do it, but to my astonishment she only danced with +the other girls. + +When I went to supper I found her in despair. She wept and said +that I must avenge her on the Jew, who had excused himself by +putting the fault on somebody else, but that he was a liar. I +promised everything to quiet her, and after spending several hours +in her company I returned home, determined to give the Jew a bad +quarter of an hour. Next morning I sent Costa to ask him to call +on me, but the rascal sent back word that he was not coming, and +if the Corticelli did not like his theatre she might try another. + +I was indignant, but I knew that I must dissemble, so I only +laughed. Nevertheless, I had pronounced his doom, for an Italian +never forgets to avenge himself on his enemy; he knows it is the +pleasure of the gods. + +As soon as Costa had left the room, I called Le Duc and told him +the story, saying that if I did not take vengeance I should be +dishonoured, and that it was only he who could procure the +scoundrel a good thrashing for daring to insult me. + +"But you know, Le Duc, the affair must be kept secret." + +"I only want twenty-four hours to give you an answer." + +I knew what he meant, and I was satisfied. + +Next morning Le Duc told me he had spent the previous day in +learning the Jew's abode and habits, without asking anybody any +questions. + +"To-day I will not let him go out of my sight. I shall find out +at what hour he returns home, and to-morrow you shall know the +results." + +"Be discreet," said I, "and don't let anybody into your plans." + +"Not I!" + +Next day, he told me that if the Jew came home at the same time +and by the same way as before, he would have a thrashing before he +got to bed. + +"Whom have you chosen for this expedition?" + +"Myself. These affairs ought to be kept secret, and a secret +oughtn't to be known to more than two people. I am sure that +everything will turn out well, but when you are satisfied that the +ass's hide has been well tanned, will there be anything to be +picked up?" + +"Twenty-five sequins." + +"That will do nicely. When I have done the trick I shall put on +my great coat again and return by the back door. If necessary +Costa himself will be able to swear that I did not leave the +house, and that therefore I cannot have committed the assault. +However, I shall put my pistols in my pocket in case of accidents, +and if anybody tries to arrest me I shall know how to defend +myself." + +Next morning he came coolly into my room while Costa was putting +on my dressing-gown, and when we were alone he said,-- + +"The thing's done. Instead of the Jew's running away when he +received the first blow he threw himself on to the ground. Then I +tanned his skin for him nicely, but on hearing some people coming +up I ran off. I don't know whether I did for him, but I gave him +two sturdy blows on the head. I should be sorry if he were +killed, as then he could not see about the dance." + +This jest did not arouse my mirth; the matter promised to be too +serious. + +Therese had asked me to dine with the Abbe Gama and M. Sassi, a +worthy man, if one may prostitute the name of man to describe a +being whom cruelty has separated from the rest of humanity; he was +the first castrato of the opera. Of course the Jew's mishap was +discussed. + +"I am sorry for him," said I, "though he is a rascally fellow." + +"I am not at all sorry for him myself," said Sassi, "he's a knave." + +"I daresay that everybody will be putting down his wooden baptism +to my account." + +"No," said the abbe, "people say that M. Casanova did the deed for +good reasons of his own." + +"It will be difficult to pitch on the right man," I answered, "the +rascal has pushed so many worthy people to extremities that he +must have a great many thrashings owing him." + +The conversation then passed to other topics, and we had a very +pleasant dinner. + +In a few days the Jew left his bed with a large plaster on his +nose, and although I was generally regarded as the author of his +misfortune the matter was gradually allowed to drop, as there were +only vague suspicions to go upon. But the Corticelli, in an +ecstasy of joy, was stupid enough to talk as if she were sure it +was I who had avenged her, and she got into a rage when I would +not admit the deed; but, as may be guessed, I was not foolish +enough to do so, as her imprudence might have been a hanging +matter for me. + +I was well enough amused at Florence, and had no thoughts of +leaving, when one day Vannini gave me a letter which someone had +left for me. I opened it in his presence, and found it contained +a bill of exchange for two hundred Florentine crowns on Sasso +Sassi. Vannini looked at it and told me it was a good one. I +went into my room to read the letter, and I was astonished to find +it signed "Charles Ivanoff." He dated it from Pistoia, and told +me that in his poverty and misfortune he had appealed to an +Englishman who was leaving Florence for Lucca, and had generously +given him a bill of exchange for two hundred crowns, which he had +written in his presence. It was made payable to bearer. + +"I daren't cash it in Florence," said he, "as I am afraid of being +arrested for my unfortunate affair at Genoa. I entreat you, then, +to have pity on me, to get the bill cashed, and to bring me the +money here, that I may pay my landlord and go." + +It looked like a very simple matter, but I might get into trouble, +for the note might be forged; and even if it were not I should be +declaring myself a friend or a correspondent, at all events, of a +man who had been posted. In this dilemma I took the part of +taking the bill of exchange to him in person. I went to the +posting establishment, hired two horses, and drove to Pistoia. +The landlord himself took me to the rascal's room, and left me +alone with him. + +I did not stay more than three minutes, and all I said was that as +Sassi knew me I did not wish him to think that there was any kind +of connection between us. + +"I advise you," I said, "to give the bill to your landlord, who +will cash it at M. Sassi's and bring you your change" + +"I will follow your advice," he said, and I therewith returned to +Florence. + +I thought no more of it, but in two days' time I received a visit +from M. Sassi and the landlord of the inn at Pistoia. The banker +shewed me the bill of exchange, and said that the person who had +given it me had deceived me, as it was not in the writing of the +Englishman whose name it bore, and that even if it were, the +Englishman not having any money with Sassi could not draw a bill +of exchange. + +"The inn-keeper here," said he, "discounted the bill, the Russian +has gone off, and when I told him that it was a forgery he said +that he knew Charles Ivanoff had it of you, and that thus he had +made no difficulty in cashing it; but now he wants you to return +him two hundred crowns." + +"Then he will be disappointed!" + +I told all the circumstances of the affair to Sassi; I shewed him +the rascal's letter; I made Dr. Vannini, who had given it me, come +up, and he said he was ready to swear that he had seen me take the +bill of exchange out of the letter, that he had examined it, and +had thought it good. + +On this the banker told the inn-keeper that he had no business to +ask me to pay him the money; but he persisted in his demand, and +dared to say that I was an accomplice of the Russian's. + +In my indignation I ran for my cane, but the banker held me by the +arm, and the impertinent fellow made his escape without a +thrashing. + +"You had a right to be angry," said M. Sassi, "but you must not +take any notice of what the poor fellow says in his blind rage." + +He shook me by the hand and went out. + +Next day the chief of police, called the auditor at Florence, sent +me a note begging me to call on him. There was no room for +hesitation, for as a stranger I felt that I might look on this +invitation as an intimation. He received me very politely, but he +said I should have to repay the landlord his two hundred crowns, +as he would not have discounted the bill if he had not seen me +bring it. I replied that as a judge he could not condemn me +unless he thought me the Russian's accomplice, but instead of +answering he repeated that I would have to pay. + +"Sir," I replied, "I will not pay." + +He rang the bell and bowed, and I left him, walking towards the +banker's, to whom I imparted the conversation I had had from the +auditor. He was extremely astonished, and at my request called on +him to try and make him listen to reason. As we parted I told him +that I was dining with the Abbe Gama. + +When I saw the abbe I told him what had happened, and he uttered a +loud exclamation of astonishment. + +"I foresee," he said, "that the auditor will not let go his hold, +and if M. Sassi does not succeed with him I advise you to speak to +Marshal Botta." + +"I don't think that will be necessary; the auditor can't force me +to pay." + +"He can do worse." + +"What can he do?". + +"He can make you leave Florence." + +"Well, I shall be astonished if he uses his power in this case, +but rather than pay I will leave the town. Let us go to the +marshal." + +We called on him at four o'clock, and we found the banker there, +who had told him the whole story. + +"I am sorry to tell you," said M. Sassi, "that I could do nothing +with the auditor, and if you want to remain in Florence you will +have to pay." + +"I will leave as soon as I receive the order," said I; "and as +soon as I reach another state I will print the history of this +shameful perversion of justice." + +"It's an incredible, a monstrous sentence" said the marshal, "and +I am sorry I cannot interfere. You are quite right," he added, +"to leave the place rather than pay." + +Early the next morning a police official brought me a letter from +the auditor, informing me that as he could not, from the nature of +the case, oblige me to pay, he was forced to warn me to leave +Florence in three days, and Tuscany in seven. This, he added, he +did in virtue of his office; but whenever the Grand Duke, to whom +I might appeal, had quashed his judgment I might return. + +I took a piece of paper and wrote upon it, "Your judgment is an +iniquitous one, but it shall be obeyed to the letter." + +At that moment I gave orders to pack up and have all in readiness +for my departure. I spent three days of respite in amusing myself +with Therese. I also saw the worthy Sir Mann, and I promised the +Corticelli to fetch her in Lent, and spend some time with her in +Bologna. The Abbe Gama did not leave my side for three days, and +shewed himself my true friend. It was a kind of triumph for me; +on every side I heard regrets at my departure, and curses of the +auditor. The Marquis Botta seemed to approve my conduct by giving +me a dinner, the table being laid for thirty, and the company +being composed of the most distinguished people in Florence. This +was a delicate attention on his part, of which I was very +sensible. + +I consecrated the last day to Therese, but I could not find any +opportunity to ask her for a last consoling embrace, which she +would not have refused me under the circumstances, and which I +should still fondly remember. We promised to write often to one +another, and we embraced each other in a way to make her husband's +heart ache. Next day I started on my journey, and got to Rome in +thirty-six hours. + +It was midnight when I passed under the Porta del Popolo, for one +may enter the Eternal City at any time. I was then taken to the +custom-house, which is always open, and my mails were examined. +The only thing they are strict about at Rome is books, as if they +feared the light. I had about thirty volumes, all more or less +against the Papacy, religion, or the virtues inculcated thereby. +I had resolved to surrender them without any dispute, as I felt +tired and wanted to go to bed, but the clerk told me politely to +count them and leave them in his charge for the night, and he +would bring them to my hotel in the morning. I did so, and he +kept his word. He was well enough pleased when he touched the two +sequins with which I rewarded him. + +I put up at the Ville de Paris, in the Piazza di Spagna. It is +the best inn in the town. All the world, I found, was drowned in +sleep, but when they let me in they asked me to wait on the ground +floor while a fire was lighted in my room. All the seats were +covered with dresses, petticoats, and chemises, and I heard a +small feminine voice begging me to sit on her bed. I approached +and saw a laughing mouth, and two black eyes shining like +carbuncles. + +"What splendid eyes!" said I, "let me kiss them." + +By way of reply she hid her head under the coverlet, and I slid a +hasty hand under the sheets; but finding her quite naked, I drew +it back and begged pardon. She put out her head again, and I +thought I read gratitude for my moderation in her eyes. + +"Who are you, my angel?" + +"I am Therese, the inn-keeper's daughter, and this is my sister." +There was another girl beside her, whom I had not seen, as her +head was under the bolster. + +"How old are you?" + +"Nearly seventeen." + +"I hope I shall see you in my room to-morrow morning." + +"Have you any ladies with you?" + +"No." + +"That's a pity, as we never go to the gentlemen's rooms." + +"Lower the coverlet a little; I can't hear what you say." + +"It's too cold." + +"Dear Therese, your eyes make me feel as if I were in flames." + +She put back her head at this, and I grew daring, and after sundry +experiments I was more than ever charmed with her. I caressed her +in a somewhat lively manner, and drew back my hand, again +apologizing for my daring, and when she let me see her face I +thought I saw delight rather than anger in her eyes and on her +cheeks, and I felt hopeful with regard to her. I was just going +to begin again, for I felt on fire; when a handsome chambermaid +came to tell me that my room was ready and my fire lighted. + +"Farewell till to-morrow," said I to Therese, but she only +answered by turning on her side to go to sleep. + +I went to bed after ordering dinner for one o'clock, and I slept +till noon, dreaming of Therese. When I woke up, Costa told me +that he had found out where my brother lived, and had left a note +at the house. This was my brother Jean, then about thirty, and a +pupil of the famous Raphael Mengs. This painter was then deprived +of his pension on account of a war which obliged the King of +Poland to live at Warsaw, as the Prussians occupied the whole +electorate of Saxe. I had not seen my brother for ten years, and +I kept our meeting as a holiday. I was sitting down to table when +he came, and we embraced each other with transport. We spent an +hour in telling, he his small adventures, and I my grand ones, and +he told me that I should not stay at the hotel, which was too +dear, but come and live at the Chevalier Mengs's house, which +contained an empty room, where I could stay at a much cheaper +rate. + +"As to your table, there is a restaurant in the house where one +can get a capital meal." + +"Your advice is excellent," said I, "but I have not the courage to +follow it, as I am in love with my landlord's daughter;" and I +told him what had happened the night before. + +"That's a mere nothing," said he, laughing; "you can cultivate her +acquaintance without staying in the house." + +I let myself be persuaded, and I promised to come to him the +following day; and then we proceeded to take a walk about Rome. + +I had many interesting memories of my last visit, and I wanted to +renew my acquaintance with those who had interested me at that +happy age when such impressions are so durable because they touch +the heart rather than the mind; but I had to make up my mind to a +good many disappointments, considering the space of time that had +elapsed since I had been in Rome. + +I went to the Minerva to find Donna Cecilia; she was no more in +this world. I found out where her daughter Angelica lived, and I +went to see her, but she gave me a poor reception, and said that +she really scarcely remembered me. + +"I can say the same," I replied, "for you are not the Angelica I +used to know. Good-bye, madam!" + +The lapse of time had not improved her personal appearance. I +found out also where the printer's son, who had married +Barbaruccia, lived, but--I put off the pleasure of seeing him till +another time, and also my visit to the Reverend Father Georgi, who +was a man of great repute in Rome. Gaspar Vivaldi had gone into +the country. + +My brother took me to Madame Cherubini. I found her mansion to be +a splendid one, and the lady welcomed me in the Roman manner. I +thought her pleasant and her daughters still more so, but I +thought the crowd of lovers too large and too miscellaneous. +There was too much luxury and ceremony, and the girls, one of whom +was as fair as Love himself, were too polite to everybody. An +interesting question was put to me, to which I answered in such a +manner as to elicit another question, but to no purpose. I saw +that the rank of my brother, who had introduced me, prevented my +being thought a person of any consequence, and on hearing an abbe +say, "He's Casanova's brother," I turned to him and said,-- + +"That's not correct; you should say Casanova's my brother." + +"That comes to the same thing." + +"Not at all, my dear abbe." + +I said these words in a tone which commanded attention, and +another abbe said,-- + +"The gentleman is quite right; it does not come to the same +thing." + +The first abbe made no reply to this. The one who had taken my +part, and was my friend from that moment, was the famous +Winckelmann, who was unhappily assassinated at Trieste twelve +years afterwards. + +While I was talking to him, Cardinal Alexander Albani arrived. +Winckelmann presented me to his eminence, who was nearly blind. +He talked to me a great deal, without saying anything worth +listening to. As soon as he heard that I was the Casanova who had +escaped from The Leads, he said in a somewhat rude tone that he +wondered I had the hardihood to come to Rome, where on the +slightest hint from the State Inquisitors at Venice an 'ordine +sanctissimo' would re-consign me to my prison. I was annoyed by +this unseemly remark, and replied in a dignified voice,-- + +"It is not my hardihood in coming to Rome that your eminence +should wonder at, but a man of any sense would wonder at the +Inquisitors if they had the hardihood to issue an 'ordine +sanctissimo' against me; for they would be perplexed to allege any +crime in me as a pretext for thus infamously depriving me of my +liberty." + +This reply silenced his eminence. He was ashamed at having taken +me for a fool, and to see that I thought him one. Shortly after I +left and never set foot in that house again. + +The Abbe Winckelmann went out with my brother and myself, and as +he came with me to my hotel he did me the honour of staying to +supper. Winckelmann was the second volume of the celebrated Abbe +de Voisenon. He called for me next day, and we went to Villa +Albani to see the Chevalier Mengs, who was then living there and +painting a ceiling. + +My landlord Roland (who knew my brother) paid me a visit at +supper. Roland came from Avignon and was fond of good living. I +told him I was sorry to be leaving him to stay with my brother, +because I had fallen in love with his daughter Therese, although I +had only spoken to her for a few minutes, and had only seen her +head. + +"You saw her in bed, I will bet" + +"Exactly, and I should very much like to see the rest of her. +Would you be so kind as to ask her to step up for a few minutes?" + +"With all my heart." + +She came upstairs, seeming only too glad to obey her father's +summons. She had a lithe, graceful figure, her eyes were of +surpassing brilliancy, her features exquisite, her mouth charming; +but taken altogether I did not like her so well as before. In +return, my poor brother became enamoured of her to such an extent +that he ended by becoming her slave. He married her next year, +and two years afterwards he took her to Dresden. I saw her five +years later with a pretty baby; but after ten years of married +life she died of consumption. + +I found Mengs at the Villa Albani; he was an indefatigable worker, +and extremely original in his conceptions. He welcomed me, and +said he was glad to be able to lodge me at his house in Rome, and +that he hoped to return home himself in a few days, with his whole +family. + +I was astonished with the Villa Albani. It had been built by +Cardinal Alexander, and had been wholly constructed from antique +materials to satisfy the cardinal's love for classic art; not only +the statues and the vases, but the columns, the pedestals--in +fact, everything was Greek. He was a Greek himself, and had a +perfect knowledge of antique work, and had contrived to spend +comparatively little money compared with the masterpiece he had +produced. If a sovereign monarch had had a villa like the +cardinal's built, it would have cost him fifty million francs, but +the cardinal made a much cheaper bargain. + +As he could not get any ancient ceilings, he was obliged to have +them painted, and Mengs was undoubtedly the greatest and the most +laborious painter of his age. It is a great pity that death +carried him off in the midst of his career, as otherwise he would +have enriched the stores of art with numerous masterpieces. My +brother never did anything to justify his title of pupil of this +great artist. When I come to my visit to Spain in 1767, I shall +have some more to say about Mengs. + +As soon as I was settled with my brother I hired a carriage, a +coachman, and a footman, whom I put into fancy livery, and I +called on Monsignor Cornaro, auditor of the 'rota', with the +intention of making my way into good society, but fearing lest he +as a Venetian might get compromised, he introduced me to Cardinal +Passionei, who spoke of me to the sovereign pontiff. + +Before I pass on to anything else, I will inform my readers of +what took place on the occasion of my second visit to this old +cardinal, a great enemy of the Jesuits, a wit, and man of letters. + + + + +End of this Project Gutenberg Etext of MEMOIRES OF JACQUES CASANOVA +ADVENTURES IN THE SOUTH, Vol. 4b, RETURN TO ITALY +by Jacques Casanova de Seingalt + |