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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/2971.txt b/2971.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..41b39e3 --- /dev/null +++ b/2971.txt @@ -0,0 +1,4419 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of In London And Moscow: South Of France +by Jacques Casanova de Seingalt + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: In London And Moscow: South Of France + The Memoirs Of Jacques Casanova De Seingalt 1725-1798 + +Author: Jacques Casanova de Seingalt + +Release Date: October 31, 2006 [EBook #2971] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SOUTH OF FRANCE *** + + + + +Produced by David Widger + + + + + +THE MEMOIRS OF JACQUES CASANOVA DE SEINGALT + +THE RARE UNABRIDGED LONDON EDITION OF 1894 TRANSLATED BY ARTHUR MACHEN TO +WHICH HAS BEEN ADDED THE CHAPTERS DISCOVERED BY ARTHUR SYMONS. + +MEMOIRS OF JACQUES CASANOVA de SEINGALT 1725-1798 IN LONDON AND MOSCOW, +Volume 5a--SOUTH OF FRANCE + + + + +SOUTH OF FRANCE + + + + +CHAPTER I + +I Find Rosalie Happy--The Signora Isola-Bella--The +Cook--Biribi--Irene--Possano in Prison--My Niece Proves to be an Old +Friend of Rosalie's + +At Genoa, where he was known to all, Pogomas called himself Possano. He +introduced me to his wife and daughter, but they were so ugly and +disgusting in every respect that I left them on some trifling pretext, +and went to dine with my new niece. Afterwards I went to see the Marquis +Grimaldi, for I longed to know what had become of Rosalie. The marquis +was away in Venice, and was not expected back till the end of April; but +one of his servants took me to Rosalie, who had become Madame Paretti six +months after my departure. + +My heart beat fast as I entered the abode of this woman, of whom I had +such pleasant recollections. I first went to M. Paretti in his shop, and +he received me with a joyful smile, which shewed me how happy he was. He +took me to his wife directly, who cried out with delight, and ran to +embrace me. + +M. Paretti was busy, and begged me to excuse him, saying his wife would +entertain me. + +Rosalie shewed me a pretty little girl of six months old, telling me that +she was happy, that she loved her husband, and was loved by him, that he +was industrious and active in business, and under the patronage of the +Marquis Grimaldi had prospered exceedingly. + +The peaceful happiness of marriage had improved her wonderfully; she had +become a perfect beauty in every sense of the word. + +"My dear friend," she said, "you are very good to call on me directly you +arrive, and I hope you will dine with us to-morrow. I owe all my +happiness to you, and that is even a sweeter thought than the +recollection of the passionate hours we have spent together. Let us kiss, +but no more; my duty as an honest wife forbids me from going any further, +so do not disturb the happiness you have given." + +I pressed her hand tenderly, to skew that I assented to the conditions +she laid down. + +"Oh! by the way," she suddenly exclaimed, "I have a pleasant surprise for +you." + +She went out, and a moment afterward returned with Veronique, who had +become her maid. I was glad to see her and embraced her affectionately, +asking after Annette. She said her sister was well, and was working with +her mother. + +"I want her to come and wait on my niece while we are here," said I. + +At this Rosalie burst out laughing. + +"What! another niece? You have a great many relations! But as she is your +niece, I hope you will bring her with you to-morrow." + +"Certainly, and all the more willingly as she is from Marseilles." + +"From Marseilles? Why, we might know each other. Not that that would +matter, for all your nieces are discreet young persons. What is her +name?" + +"Crosin." + +"I don't know it." + +"I daresay you don't. She is the daughter of a cousin of mine who lived +at Marseilles." + +"Tell that to someone else; but, after all, what does it matter? You +choose well, amuse yourself, and make them happy. It may be wisdom after +all, and at any rate I congratulate you. I shall be delighted to see your +niece, but if she knows me you must see that she knows her part as well." + +On leaving Madame Paretti I called on the Signora Isola-Bella, and gave +her the Marquis Triulzi's letter. Soon after she came into the room and +welcomed me, saying that she had been expecting me, as Triulzi had +written to her on the subject. She introduced me to the Marquis Augustino +Grimaldi delta Pietra, her 'cicisbeoin-chief' during the long absence of +her husband, who lived at Lisbon. + +The signora's apartments were very elegant. She was pretty with small +though regular features, her manner was pleasant, her voice sweet, and +her figure well shaped, though too thin. She was nearly thirty. I say +nothing of her complexion, for her face was plastered with white and red, +and so coarsely, that these patches of paint were the first things that +caught my attention. I was disgusted at this, in spite of her fine +expressive eyes. After an hour spent in question and reply, in which both +parties were feeling their way, I accepted her invitation to come to +supper on the following day. When I got back I complimented my niece on +the way in which she had arranged her room, which was only separated from +mine by a small closet which I intended for her maid, who, I told her, +was coming the next day. She was highly pleased with this attention, and +it paved the way for my success. I also told her that the next day she +was to dine with me at a substantial merchant's as my niece, and this +piece of news made her quite happy. + +This girl whom Croce had infatuated and deprived of her senses was +exquisitely beautiful, but more charming than all her physical beauties +were the nobleness of her presence and the sweetness of her disposition. +I was already madly in love with her, and I repented not having taken +possession of her on the first day of our journey. If I had taken her at +her word I should have been a steadfast lover, and I do not think it +would have taken me long to make her forget her former admirer. + +I had made but a small dinner, so I sat down to supper famishing with +hunger; and as my niece had an excellent appetite we prepared ourselves +for enjoyment, but instead of the dishes being delicate, as we had +expected, they were detestable. I told Clairmont to send for the +landlady, and she said that she could not help it, as everything had been +done by my own cook. + +"My cook?" I repeated. + +"Yes, sir, the one your secretary, M. Possano, engaged for you. I could +have got a much better one and a much cheaper one myself." + +"Get one to-morrow." + +"Certainly; but you must rid yourself and me of the present cook, for he +has taken up his position here with his wife and children. Tell Possano +to send for him." + +"I will do so, and in the meanwhile do you get me a fresh cook. I will +try him the day after to-morrow." + +I escorted my niece into her room, and begged her to go to bed without +troubling about me, and so saying I took up the paper and began to read +it. When I had finished, I went up to bed, and said, + +"You might spare me the pain of having to sleep by myself." + +She lowered her eyes but said nothing, so I gave her a kiss and left her. + +In the morning my fair niece came into my room just as Clairmont was +washing my feet, and begged me to let her have some coffee as chocolate +made her hot. I told my man to go and fetch some coffee, and as soon as +he was gone she went down on her knees and would have wiped my feet. + +"I cannot allow that, my dear young lady." + +"Why not? it is a mark of friendship." + +"That may be, but such marks cannot be given to anyone but your lover +without your degrading yourself." + +She got up and sat down on a chair quietly, but saying nothing. + +Clairmont came back again, and I proceeded with my toilette. + +The landlady came in with our breakfast, and asked my niece if she would +like to buy a fine silk shawl made in the Genoese fashion. I did not let +her be confused by having to answer, but told the landlady to let us see +it. Soon after the milliner came in, but by that time I had given my +young friend twenty Genoese sequins, telling her that she might use them +for her private wants. She took the money, thanking me with much grace, +and letting me imprint a delicious kiss on her lovely lips. + +I had sent away the milliner after having bought the shawl, when Possano +took it upon himself to remonstrate with me in the matter of the cook. + +"I engaged the man by your orders," said he, "for the whole time you +stayed at Genoa, at four francs a day, with board and lodging." + +"Where is my letter?" + +"Here it is: 'Get me a good cook; I will keep him while I stay in +Genoa.'" + +"Perhaps you did not remark the expression, a good cook? Well, this +fellow is a very bad cook; and, at all events, I am the best judge +whether he is good or bad." + +"You are wrong, for the man will prove his skill. He will cite you in the +law courts, and win his case." + +"Then you have made a formal agreement with him?" + +"Certainly; and your letter authorized me to do so." + +"Tell him to come up; I want to speak to him." + +While Possano was downstairs I told Clairmont to go and fetch me an +advocate. The cook came upstairs, I read the agreement, and I saw that it +was worded in such a manner that I should be in the wrong legally; but I +did not change my mind for all that. + +"Sir," said the cook, "I am skilled in my business, and I can get four +thousand Genoese to swear as much." + +"That doesn't say much for their good taste; but whatever they may-say, +the execrable supper you gave me last night proves that you are only fit +to keep a low eating-house." + +As there is nothing more irritable than the feelings of a culinary +artist, I was expecting a sharp answer; but just then the advocate came +in. He had heard the end of our dialogue, and told me that not only would +the man find plenty of witnesses to his skill, but that I should find a +very great difficulty in getting anybody at all to swear to his want of +skill. + +"That may be," I replied, "but as I stick to my own opinion, and think +his cooking horrible, he must go, for I want to get another, and I will +pay that fellow as if he had served me the whole time." + +"That won't do," said the cook; "I will summon you before the judge and +demand damages for defamation of character." + +At this my bile overpowered me, and I was going to seize him anti throw +him out of the window, when Don Antonio Grimaldi came in. When he heard +what was the matter, he laughed and said, with a shrug of his shoulders, + +"My dear sir, you had better not go into court, or you will be cast in +costs, for the evidence is against you. Probably this man makes a slight +mistake in believing himself to be an excellent cook, but the chief +mistake is in the agreement, which ought to have stipulated that he +should cook a trial dinner. The person who drew up the agreement is +either a great knave or a great fool." + +At this Possano struck in in his rude way, and told the nobleman that he +was neither knave nor fool. + +"But you are cousin to the cook," said the landlady. + +This timely remark solved the mystery. I paid and dismissed the advocate, +and having sent the cook out of the room I said, + +"Do I owe you any money, Possano?" + +"On the contrary, you paid me a month in advance, and there are ten more +days of the month to run." + +"I will make you a present of the ten days and send you away this very +moment, unless your cousin does not leave my house to-day, and give you +the foolish engagement which you signed in my name." + +"That's what I call cutting the Gordian knot," said M. Grimaldi. + +He then begged me to introduce him to the lady he had seen with me, and I +did so, telling him she was my niece. + +"Signora Isola-Bella will be delighted to see her." + +"As the marquis did not mention her in his letter, I did not take the +liberty of bringing her." + +The marquis left a few moments afterwards, and soon after Annette came in +with her mother. The girl had developed in an incredible manner while I +was away. Her cheeks blossomed like the rose, her teeth were white as +pearls, and her breasts, though modestly concealed from view, were +exquisitely rounded. I presented her to her mistress, whose astonishment +amused me. + +Annette, who looked pleased to be in my service again, went to dress her +new mistress; and, after giving a few sequins to the mother I sent her +away, and proceeded to make my toilette. + +Towards noon, just as I was going out with my niece to dine at Rosalie's, +my landlady brought me the agreement Possano had made, and introduced the +new cook. I ordered the next day's dinner, and went away much pleased +with my comic victory. + +A brilliant company awaited us at the Paretti's, but I was agreeably +surprised on introducing my niece to Rosalie to see them recognize each +other. They called each other by their respective names, and indulged in +an affectionate embrace. After this they retired to another room for a +quarter of an hour, and returned looking very happy. Just then Paretti +entered, and on Rosalie introducing him to my niece under her true name +he welcomed her in the most cordial manner. Her father was a +correspondent of his, and drawing a letter he had just received from him +from his pocket, he gave it to her to read. My niece read it eagerly, +with tears in her eyes, and gave the signature a respectful pressure with +her lips. This expression of filial love, which displayed all the +feelings of her heart, moved me to such an extent that I burst into +tears. Then taking Rosalie aside, I begged her to ask her husband not to +mention the fact to his correspondent that he had seen his daughter. + +The dinner was excellent, and Rosalie did the honours with that grace +which was natural to her. However, the guests did not by any means pay +her all their attentions, the greater portion of which was diverted in +the direction of my supposed niece. Her father, a prosperous merchant of +Marseilles, was well known in the commercial circles of Genoa, and +besides this her wit and beauty captivated everybody, and one young +gentleman fell madly in love with her. He was an extremely good match, +and proved to be the husband whom Heaven had destined for my charming +friend. What a happy thought it was for me that I had been the means of +rescuing her from the gulf of shame, misery, and despair, and placing her +on the high road to happiness. I own that I have always felt a keener +pleasure in doing good than in anything else, though, perhaps, I may not +always have done good from strictly disinterested motives. + +When we rose from the table in excellent humour with ourselves and our +surroundings, cards were proposed, and Rosalie, who knew my likings, said +it must be trente-quarante. This was agreed to, and we played till +supper, nobody either winning or losing to any extent. We did not go till +midnight, after having spent a very happy day. + +When we were in our room I asked my niece how she had known Rosalie. + +"I knew her at home; she and her mother used to bring linen from the +wash. I always liked her." + +"You must be nearly the same age." + +"She is two years older than I am. I recognized her directly." + +"What did she tell you?" + +"That it was you who brought her from Marseilles and made her fortune." + +"She has not made you the depositary of any other confidences?" + +"No, but there are some things which don't need telling." + +"You are right. And what did you tell her?" + +"Only what she could have guessed for herself. I told her that you were +not my uncle, and if she thought you were my lover I was not sorry. You +do not know how I have enjoyed myself to-day, you must have been born to +make me happy." + +"But how about La Croix?" + +"For heaven's sake say nothing about him." + +This conversation increased my ardour. She called Annette, and I went to +my room. + +As I had expected, Annette came to me as soon as her mistress was in bed. + +"If the lady is really your niece," said she, "may I hope that you still +love me?" + +"Assuredly, dear Annette, I shall always love you. Undress, and let us +have a little talk." + +I had not long to wait, and in the course of two voluptuous hours I +quenched the flames that another woman had kindled in my breast. + +Next morning Possano came to tell me that he had arranged matters with +the cook with the help of six sequins. I gave him the money, and told him +to be more careful for the future. + +I went to Rosalie's for my breakfast, which she was delighted to give me: +and I asked her and her husband to dinner on the following day, telling +her to bring any four persons she liked. + +"Your decision," said I, "will decide the fate of my cook; it will be his +trial dinner." + +She promised to come, and then pressed me to tell her the history of my +amours with her fair country-woman. + +"Alas!" I said, "you may not believe me, but I assure you I am only +beginning with her." + +"I shall certainly believe you, if you tell me so, though it seems very +strange." + +"Strange but true. You must understand, however, that I have only known +her for a very short time; and, again, I would not be made happy save +through love, mere submission would kill me." + +"Good! but what did she say of me?" + +I gave her a report of the whole conversation I had had with my niece the +night before, and she was delighted." + +"As you have not yet gone far with your niece, would you object if the +young man who shewed her so much attention yesterday were of the party +to-morrow?" + +"Who is he? I should like to know him." + +"M. N----, the only son of a rich merchant." + +"Certainly, bring him with you." + +When I got home I went to my niece, who was still in bed, and told her +that her fellow-countryman would dine with us to-morrow. I comforted her +with the assurance that M. Paretti would not tell her father that she was +in Genoa. She had been a good deal tormented with the idea that the +merchant would inform her father of all. + +As I was going out to supper I told her that she could go and sup with +Rosalie, or take supper at home if she preferred it. + +"You are too kind to me, my dear uncle. I will go to Rosalie's." + +"Very good. Are you satisfied with Annette?" + +"Oh! by the way, she told me that you spent last night with her, and that +you had been her lover and her sister's at the same time." + +"It is true, but she is very indiscreet to say anything about it." + +"We must forgive her, though. She told me that she only consented to +sleep with you on the assurance that I was really your niece. I am sure +she only made this confession out of vanity, and in the hope of gaining +my favour, which would be naturally bestowed on a woman you love." + +"I wish you had the right to be jealous of her; and I swear that if she +does not comport herself with the utmost obedience to you in every +respect, I will send her packing, in despite of our relations. As for +you, you may not be able to love me, and I have no right to complain; but +I will not have you degrade yourself by becoming my submissive victim." + +I was not sorry for my niece to know that I made use of Annette, but my +vanity was wounded at the way she took it. It was plain that she was not +at all in love with me, and that she was glad that there was a safeguard +in the person of her maid, and that thus we could be together without +danger, for she could not ignore the power of her charms. + +We dined together, and augured well of the skill of the new cook. M. +Paretti had promised to get me a good man, and he presented himself just +as we were finishing dinner, and I made a present of him to my niece. We +went for a drive together, and I left my niece at Rosalie's, and I then +repaired to Isola-Bella's, where I found a numerous and brilliant company +had assembled consisting of all the best people in Genoa. + +Just then all the great ladies were mad over 'biribi', a regular cheating +game. It was strictly forbidden at Genoa, but this only made it more +popular, and besides, the prohibition had no force in private houses, +which are outside of the jurisdiction of the Government; in short, I +found the game in full swing at the Signora Isola-Bella's. The +professional gamesters who kept the bank went from house to house, and +the amateurs were advised of their presence at such a house and at such a +time. + +Although I detested the game, I began to play--to do as the others did. + +In the room there was a portrait of the mistress of the house in +harlequin costume, and there happened to be the same picture on one of +the divisions of the biribi-table: I chose this one out of politeness, +and did not play on any other. I risked a sequin each time. The board had +thirty-six compartments, and if one lost, one paid thirty-two tines the +amount of the stake; this, of course, was an enormous advantage for the +bank. + +Each player drew three numbers in succession, and there were three +professionals; one kept the bag, another the bank, and the third the +board, and the last took care to gather in the winnings as soon as the +result was known, and the bank amounted to two thousand sequins or +thereabouts. The table, the cloth, and four silver candlesticks belonged +to the players. + +I sat at the left of Madame Isola-Bella, who began to play, and as there +were fifteen or sixteen of us I had lost about fifty sequins when my turn +came, for my harlequin had not appeared once. Everybody pitied me, or +pretended to do so, for selfishness is the predominant passion of +gamesters. + +My turn came at last. I drew my harlequin and received thirty-two +sequins. I left them on the same figure, and got a thousand sequins. I +left fifty still on the board, and the harlequin came out for the third +time. The bank was broken, and the table, the cloth, the candlesticks, +and the board all belonged to me. Everyone congratulated me, and the +wretched bankrupt gamesters were hissed, hooted, and turned out of doors. + +After the first transports were over, I saw that the ladies were in +distress; for as there could be no more gaming they did not know what to +do. I consoled them by declaring that I would be banker, but with equal +stakes, and that I would pay winning cards thirty-six times the stake +instead of thirty-two. This was pronounced charming of me, and I amused +everybody till supper-time, without any great losses or gains on either +side. By dint of entreaty I made the lady of the house accept the whole +concern as a present, and a very handsome one it was. + +The supper was pleasant enough, and my success at play was the chief +topic of conversation. Before leaving I asked Signora Isola-Bella and her +marquis to dine with me, and they eagerly accepted the invitation. When I +got home I went to see my niece, who told me she had spent a delightful +evening. + +"A very pleasant young man," said she, "who is coming to dine with us +to-morrow, paid me great attention." + +"The same, I suppose, that did so yesterday?" + +"Yes. Amongst other pretty things he told me that if I liked he would go +to Marseilles and ask my hand of my father. I said nothing, but I thought +to myself that if the poor young man gave himself all this trouble he +would be woefully misled, as he would not see me." + +"Why not?" + +"Because I should be in a nunnery. My kind good father will forgive me, +but I must punish myself." + +"That is a sad design, which I hope you will abandon. You have all that +would make the happiness of a worthy husband. The more I think it over, +the more I am convinced of the truth of what I say." + +We said no more just then, for she needed rest. Annette came to undress +her, and I was glad to see the goodness of my niece towards her, but the +coolness with which the girl behaved to her mistress did not escape my +notice. As soon as she came to sleep with me I gently remonstrated with +her, bidding her to do her duty better for the future. Instead of +answering with a caress, as she ought to have done, she began to cry. + +"My dear child," said I, "your tears weary me. You are only here to amuse +me, and if you can't do that, you had better go." + +This hurt her foolish feelings of vanity, and she got up and went away +without a word, leaving me to go to sleep in a very bad temper. + +In the morning I told her, in a stern voice, that if she played me such a +trick again I would send her away. Instead of trying to soothe me with a +kiss the little rebel burst out crying again. I sent her out of the room +impatiently, and proceeded to count my gains. + +I thought no more about it, but presently my niece came in and asked me +why I had vexed poor Annette. + +"My dear niece," said I, "tell her to behave better or else I will send +her back to her mother's." + +She gave me no reply, but took a handful of silver and fled. I had not +time to reflect on this singular conduct, for Annette came in rattling +her crowns in her pocket, and promised, with a kiss, not to make me angry +any more. + +Such was my niece. She knew I adored her, and she loved me; but she did +not want me to be her lover, though she made use of the ascendancy which +my passion gave her. In the code of feminine coquetry such cases are +numerous. + +Possano came uninvited to see me, and congratulated me on my victory of +the evening before. + +"Who told you about it?" + +"I have just been at the coffee-house, where everybody is talking of it. +It was a wonderful victory, for those biribanti are knaves of the first +water. Your adventure is making a great noise, for everyone says that you +could not have broken their bank unless you had made an agreement with +the man that kept the bag." + +"My dear fellow, I am tired of you. Here, take this piece of money for +your wife and be off." + +The piece of money I had given him was a gold coin worth a hundred +Genoese livres, which the Government had struck for internal commerce; +there were also pieces of fifty and twenty-five livres. + +I was going on with my calculations when Clairmont brought me a note. It +was from Irene, and contained a tender invitation to breakfast with her. +I did not know that she was in Genoa, and the news gave me very great +pleasure. I locked up my money, dressed in haste, and started out to see +her. I found her in good and well-furnished rooms, and her old father, +Count Rinaldi, embraced me with tears of joy. + +After the ordinary compliments had been passed, the old man proceeded to +congratulate me on my winnings of the night before. + +"Three thousand sequins!" he exclaimed, "that is a grand haul indeed." + +"Quite so." + +"The funny part of it is that the man who keeps the bag is in the pay of +the others." + +"What strikes you as funny in that?" + +"Why, he gained half without any risk, otherwise he would not have been +likely to have entered into an agreement with you." + +"You think, then, that it was a case of connivance?" + +"Everybody says so; indeed what else could it be? The rascal has made his +fortune without running any risk. All the Greeks in Genoa are applauding +him and you." + +"As the greater rascal of the two?" + +"They don't call you a rascal; they say you're a great genius; you are +praised and envied." + +"I am sure I ought to be obliged to them." + +"I heard it all from a gentleman who was there. He says that the second +and the third time the man with the bag gave you the office." + +"And you believe this?" + +"I am sure of it. No man of honour in your position could have acted +otherwise. However, when you come to settle up with the fellow I advise +you to be very careful, for there will be spies on your tracks. If you +like, I will do the business for you." + +I had enough self-restraint to repress the indignation and rage I felt. +Without a word I took my hat and marched out of the room, sternly +repulsing Irene who tried to prevent me from going as she had done once +before. I resolved not to have anything more to do with the wretched old +count. + +This calumnious report vexed me extremely, although I knew that most +gamesters would consider it an honour. Possano and Rinaldi had said +enough to shew me that all the town was talking over it, and I was not +surprised that everyone believed it; but for my part I did not care to be +taken for a rogue when I had acted honourably. + +I felt the need of unbosoming myself to someone, and walked towards the +Strada Balbi to call on the Marquis Grimaldi, and discuss the matter with +him. I was told he was gone to the courts, so I followed him there and +was ushered into vast hall, where he waited on me. I told him my story, +and he said, + +"My dear chevalier, you ought to laugh at it, and I should not advise you +to take the trouble to refute the calumny." + +"Then you advise me to confess openly that I am a rogue?" + +"No, for only fools will think that of you. Despise them, unless they +tell you you are a rogue to your face." + +"I should like to know the name of the nobleman who was present and sent +this report about the town." + +"I do not know who it is. He was wrong to say anything, but you would be +equally wrong in taking any steps against him, for I am sure he did not +tell the story with any intention of giving offence; quite the contrary." + +"I am lost in wonder at his course of reasoning. Let us suppose that the +facts were as he told them, do you think they are to my honour?" + +"Neither to your honour nor shame. Such are the morals and such the +maxims of gamesters. The story will be laughed at, your skill will be +applauded, and you will be admired, for each one will say that in your +place he would have done likewise!" + +"Would you?" + +"Certainly. If I had been sure that the ball would have gone to the +harlequin, I would have broken the rascal's bank, as you did. I will say +honestly that I do not know whether you won by luck or skill, but the +most probable hypothesis, to my mind, is that you knew the direction of +the ball. You must confess that there is something to be said in favour +of the supposition." + +"I confess that there is, but it is none the less a dishonourable +imputation on me, and you in your turn must confess that those who think +that I won by sleight of hand, or by an agreement with a rascal, insult +me grievously." + +"That depends on the way you look at it. I confess they insult you, if +you think yourself insulted; but they are not aware of that, and their +intention being quite different there is no insult at all in the matter. +I promise you no one will tell you to your face that you cheated, but how +are you going to prevent them thinking so?" + +"Well, let them think what they like, but let them take care not to tell +me their thoughts." + +I went home angry with Grimaldi, Rinaldi, and everyone else. My anger +vexed me, I should properly have only laughed, for in the state of morals +at Genoa, the accusation, whether true or false, could not injure my +honour. On the contrary I gained by it a reputation for being a genius, a +term which the Genoese prefer to that Methodistical word, "a rogue," +though the meaning is the same. Finally I was astonished to find myself +reflecting that I should have had no scruple in breaking the bank in the +way suggested, if it had only been for the sake of making the company +laugh. What vexed me most was that I was credited with an exploit I had +not performed. + +When dinner-time drew near I endeavoured to overcome my ill temper for +the sake of the company I was going to receive. My niece was adorned only +with her native charms, for the rascal Croce had sold all her jewels; but +she was elegantly dressed, and her beautiful hair was more precious than +a crown of rubies. + +Rosalie came in richly dressed and looking very lovely. Her husband, her +uncle, and her aunt were with her, and also two friends, one of whom was +the aspirant for the hand of my niece. + +Madame Isola-Bella and her shadow, M. Grimaldi, came late, like great +people. Just as we were going to sit down, Clairmont told me that a man +wanted to speak to me. + +"Shew him in." + +As soon as he appeared M. Grimaldi exclaimed: + +"The man with the bag!" + +"What do you want?" I said, dryly. + +"Sir, I am come to ask you to help me. I am a family man, and it is +thought that . . ." + +I did not let him finish. + +"I have never refused to aid the unfortunate," said I. "Clairmont, give +him ten sequins. Leave the room." + +This incident spoke in my favour, and made me in a better temper. + +We sat down to table, and a letter was handed to me. I recognized +Possano's writing, and put it in my pocket without reading it. + +The dinner was delicious, and my cook was pronounced to have won his +spurs. Though her exalted rank and the brilliance of her attire gave +Signora Isoia-Bella the first place of right, she was nevertheless +eclipsed by my two nieces. The young Genoese was all attention for the +fair Marseillaise, and I could see that she was not displeased. I +sincerely wished to see her in love with someone, and I liked her too +well to bear the idea of her burying herself in a convent. She could +never be happy till she found someone who would make her forget the +rascal who had brought her to the brink of ruin. + +I seized the opportunity, when all my guests were engaged with each +other, to open Possano's letter. It ran as follows: + +"I went to the bank to change the piece of gold you gave me. It was +weighed, and found to be ten carats under weight. I was told to name the +person from whom I got it, but of course I did not do so. I then had to +go to prison, and if you do not get me out of the scrape I shall be +prosecuted, though of course I am not going to get myself hanged for +anybody." + +I gave the letter to Grimaldi, and when we had left the table he took me +aside, and said,-- + +"This is a very serious matter, for it may end in the gallows for the man +who clipped the coin." + +"Then they can hang the biribanti! That won't hurt me much." + +"No, that won't do; it would compromise Madame Isola-Bella, as biribi is +strictly forbidden. Leave it all to me, I will speak to the State +Inquisitors about it. Tell Possano to persevere in his silence, and that +you will see him safely through. The laws against coiners and clippers +are only severe with regard to these particular coins, as the Government +has special reasons for not wishing them to be depreciated." + +I wrote to Possano, and sent for a pair of scales. We weighed the gold I +had won at biribi, and every single piece had been clipped. M. Grimaldi +said he would have them defaced and sold to a jeweller. + +When we got back to the dining-room we found everybody at play. M. +Grimaldi proposed that I should play at quinze with him. I detested the +game, but as he was my guest I felt it would be impolite to refuse, and +in four hours I had lost five hundred sequins. + +Next morning the marquis told me that Possano was out of prison, and that +he had been given the value of the coin. He brought me thirteen hundred +sequins which had resulted from the sale of the gold. We agreed that I +was to call on Madame Isola-Bella the next day, when he would give me my +revenge at quinze. + +I kept the appointment, and lost three thousand sequins. I paid him a +thousand the next day, and gave him two bills of exchange, payable by +myself, for the other two thousand. When these bills were presented I was +in England, and being badly off I had to have them protested. Five years +later, when I was at Barcelona, M. de Grimaldi was urged by a traitor to +have me imprisoned, but he knew enough of me to be sure that if I did not +meet the bills it was from sheer inability to do so. He even wrote me a +very polite letter, in which he gave the name of my enemy, assuring me +that he would never take any steps to compel me to pay the money. This +enemy was Possano, who was also at Barcelona, though I was not aware of +his presence. I will speak of the circumstance in due time, but I cannot +help remarking that all who aided me in my pranks with Madame d'Urfe +proved traitors, with the exception of a Venetian girl, whose +acquaintance the reader will make in the following chapter. + +In spite of my losses I enjoyed myself, and had plenty of money, for +after all I had only lost what I had won at biribi. Rosalie often dined +with us, either alone or with her husband, and I supped regularly at her +home with my niece, whose love affair seemed quite promising. I +congratulated her upon the circumstance, but she persisted in her +determination to take refuge from the world in a cloister. Women often do +the most idiotic things out of sheer obstinacy; possibly they deceive +even themselves, and act in good faith; but unfortunately, when the veil +falls from before their eyes, they see but the profound abyss into which +their folly had plunged them. + +In the meanwhile, my niece had become so friendly and familiar that she +would often come and sit on my bed in the morning when Annette was still +in my arms. Her presence increased my ardour, and I quenched the fires on +the blonde which the brunette was kindling. My niece seemed to enjoy the +sight, and I could see that her senses were being pleasantly tortured. +Annette was short-sighted, and so did not perceive my distractions, while +my fair niece caressed me slightly, knowing that it would add to my +pleasures. When she thought I was exhausted she told Annette to get up +and leave me alone with her, as she wanted to tell me something. She then +began to jest and toy, and though her dress was extremely disordered she +seemed to think that her charms would exercise no power over me. She was +quite mistaken, but I was careful not to undeceive her for fear of losing +her confidence. I watched the game carefully, and noting how little by +little her familiarity increased, I felt sure that she would have to +surrender at last, if not at Genoa, certainly on the journey, when we +would be thrown constantly in each other's society with nobody to spy +upon our actions, and with nothing else to do but to make love. It is the +weariness of a journey, the constant monotony, that makes one do +something to make sure of one's existence; and when it comes to the +reckoning there is usually more joy than repentance. + +But the story of my journey from Genoa to Marseilles was written in the +book of fate, and could not be read by me. All I knew was that I must +soon go as Madame d'Urfe was waiting for me at Marseilles. I knew not +that in this journey would be involved the fate of a Venetian girl of +whom I had never heard, who had never seen me, but whom I was destined to +render happy. My fate seemed to have made me stop at Genoa to wait for +her. + +I settled my accounts with the banker, to whom I had been accredited, and +I took a letter of credit on Marseilles, where, however, I was not likely +to want for funds, as my high treasurer, Madame d'Urfe was there. I took +leave of Madame Isola-Bella and her circle that I might be able to devote +all my time to Rosalie and her friends. + + + + +CHAPTER II + +Disgraceful Behaviour of My Brother, the Abbe, I Relieve Him of His +Mistress--Departure from Genoa--The Prince of Monaco--My Niece +Overcome--Our Arrival at Antibes + +On the Tuesday in Holy Week I was just getting up, when Clairmont came to +tell me that a priest who would not give his name wanted to speak to me. +I went out in my night-cap, and the rascally priest rushed at me and +nearly choked me with his embraces. I did not like so much affection, and +as I had not recognized him at first on account of the darkness of the +room, I took him by the arm and led him to the window. It was my youngest +brother, a good-for-nothing fellow, whom I had always disliked. I had not +seen him for ten years, but I cared so little about him that I had not +even enquired whether he were alive or dead in the correspondence I +maintained with M. de Bragadin, Dandolo, and Barbaro. + +As soon as his silly embraces were over, I coldly asked him what chance +had brought him to Genoa in this disgusting state of dirt, rags, and +tatters. He was only twenty-nine, his complexion was fresh and healthy, +and he had a splendid head of hair. He was a posthumous son, born like +Mahomet, three months after the death of his father. + +"The story of my misfortunes would be only too long. Take me into your +room, and I will sit down and tell you the whole story." + +"First of all, answer my questions. How long have you been here?" + +"Since yesterday." + +"Who told you that I was here?" + +"Count B----, at Milan." + +"Who told you that the count knew me?" + +"I found out by chance. I was at M. de Bragadin's a month ago, and on his +table I saw a letter from the count to you." + +"Did you tell him you were my brother?" + +"I had to when he said how much I resembled you." + +"He made a mistake, for you are a blockhead." + +"He did not think so, at all events, for he asked me to dinner." + +"You must have cut a pretty figure, if you were in your present state." + +"He gave me four sequins to come here; otherwise, I should never have +been able to do the journey." + +"Then he did a very foolish thing. You're a mere beggar, then; you take +alms. Why did you leave Venice? What do you want with me? I can do +nothing for you." + +"Ah! do not make me despair, or I shall kill myself." + +"That's the very best thing you could do; but you are too great a coward. +I ask again why you left Venice, where you could say mass, and preach, +and make an honest living, like many priests much better than you?" + +"That is the kernel of the whole matter. Let us go in and I will tell +you." + +"No; wait for me here. We will go somewhere where you can tell me your +story, if I have patience to listen to it. But don't tell any of my +people that you are my brother, for I am ashamed to have such a relation. +Come, take me to the place where you are staying." + +"I must tell you that at my inn I am not alone, and I want to have a +private interview with you." + +"Who is with you?" + +"I will tell you presently, but let us go into a coffeehouse." + +"Are you in company with a band of brigands? What are you sighing at?" + +"I must confess it, however painful it may be to my feelings. I am with a +woman." + +"A woman! and you a priest!" + +"Forgive me. I was blinded by love, and seduced by my senses and her +beauty, so I seduced her under a promise to marry her at Geneva. I can +never go back to Venice, for I took her away from her father's house." + +"What could you do at Geneva? They would expel you after you had been +there three or four days. Come, we will go to the inn and see the woman +you have deceived. I will speak to you afterwards." + +I began to trace my steps in the direction he had pointed out, and he was +obliged to follow me. As soon as we got to the inn, he went on in front, +and after climbing three flights of stairs I entered a wretched den where +I saw a tall young girl, a sweet brunette, who looked proud and not in +the least confused. As soon as I made my appearance she said, without any +greeting,-- + +"Are you the brother of this liar and monster who has deceived me so +abominably?" + +"Yes," said I. "I have the honour." + +"A fine honour, truly. Well, have the kindness to send me back to Venice, +for I won't stop any longer with this rascal whom I listened to like the +fool I was, who turned my head with his lying tales. He was going to meet +you at Milan, and you were to give us enough money to go to Geneva, and +there we were to turn Protestants and get married. He swore you were +expecting him at Milan, but you were not there at all, and he contrived +to get money in some way or another, and brought me here miserably +enough. I thank Heaven he has found you at last, for if he had not I +should have started off by myself and begged my way. I have not a single +thing left; the wretch sold all I possessed at Bergamo and Verona. I +don't know how I kept my senses through it all. To hear him talk, the +world was a paradise outside Venice, but I have found to my cost that +there is no place like home. I curse the hour when I first saw the +miserable wretch. He's a beggarly knave; always whining. He wanted to +enjoy his rights as my husband when we got to Padua, but I am thankful to +say I gave him nothing. Here is the writing he gave me; take it, and do +what you like with it. But if you have any heart, send me back to Venice +or I will tramp there on foot." + +I had listened to this long tirade without interrupting her. She might +have spoken at much greater length, so far as I was concerned; my +astonishment took my breath away. Her discourse had all the fire of +eloquence, and was heightened by her expressive face and the flaming +glances she shot from her eyes. + +My brother, sitting down with his head between his hands, and obliged to +listen in silence to this long catalogue of well-deserved reproaches, +gave something of a comic element to the scene. In spite of that, +however, I was much touched by the sad aspects of the girl's story. I +felt at once that I must take charge of her, and put an end to this +ill-assorted match. I imagined that I should not have much difficulty in +sending her back to Venice, which she might never have quitted if it had +not been for her trust in me, founded on the fallacious promises of her +seducer. + +The true Venetian character of the girl struck me even more than her +beauty. Her courage, frank indignation, and the nobility of her aspect +made me resolve not to abandon her. I could not doubt that she had told a +true tale, as my brother continued to observe a guilty silence. + +I watched her silently for some time, and, my mind being made up, said,-- + +"I promise to send you back to Venice with a respectable woman to look +after you; but you will be unfortunate if you carry back with you the +results of your amours." + +"What results? Did I not tell you that we were going to be married at +Geneva?" + +"Yes, but in spite of that . . ." + +"I understand you, sir, but I am quite at ease on that point, as I am +happy to say that I did not yield to any of the wretch's desires." + +"Remember," said the abbe, in a plaintive voice, "the oath you took to be +mine for ever. You swore it upon the crucifix." + +So saying he got up and approached her with a supplicating gesture, but +as soon as he was within reach she gave him a good hearty box on the ear. +I expected to see a fight, in which I should not have interfered, but +nothing of the kind. The humble abbe gently turned away to the window, +and casting his eyes to heaven began to weep. + +"You are too malicious, my dear," I said; "the poor devil is only unhappy +because you have made him in love with you." + +"If he is it's his own fault, I should never have thought of him but for +his coming to me and fooling me, I shall never forgive him till he is out +of my sight. That's not the first blow I have given him; I had to begin +at Padua." + +"Yes," said the abbe, "but you are excommunicated, for I am a priest." + +"It's little I care for the excommunication of a scoundrel like you, and +if you say another word I will give you some more." + +"Calm yourself, my child," said I; "you have cause to be angry, but you +should not beat him. Take up your things and follow me." + +"Where are you going to take her?" said the foolish priest. + +"To my own house, and I should advise you to hold your tongue. Here, take +these twenty sequins and buy yourself some clean clothes and linen, and +give those rags of yours to the beggars. I will come and talk to you +to-morrow, and you may thank your stars that you found me here. As for +you, mademoiselle, I will have you conducted to my lodging, for Genoa +must not see you in my company after arriving here with a priest. We must +not have any scandal. I shall place you under the charge of my landlady, +but whatever you do don't tell her this sad story. I will see that you +are properly dressed, and that you want for nothing." + +"May Heaven reward you!" + +My brother, astonished at the sight of the twenty sequins, let me go away +without a word. I had the fair Venetian taken to my lodging in a +sedan-chair, and putting her under the charge of my landlady I told the +latter to see that she was properly dressed. I wanted to see how she +would look in decent clothes, for her present rags and tatters detracted +from her appearance. I warned Annette that a girl who had been placed in +my care would eat and sleep with her, and then having to entertain a +numerous company of guests I proceeded to make my toilette. + +Although my niece had no rights over me, I valued her esteem, and thought +it best to tell her the whole story lest she should pass an unfavourable +judgment on me. She listened attentively and thanked me for my confidence +in her, and said she should very much like to see the girl and the abbe +too, whom she pitied, though she admitted he was to be blamed for what he +had done. I had got her a dress to wear at dinner, which became her +exquisitely. I felt only too happy to be able to please her in any way, +for her conduct towards myself and the way she treated her ardent lover +commanded my admiration. She saw him every day either at my house or at +Rosalie's. The young man had received an excellent education, though he +was of the mercantile class, and wrote to her in a business-like manner, +that, as they were well suited to each other in every way, there was +nothing against his going to Marseilles and obtaining her father's +consent to the match, unless it were a feeling of aversion on her side. +He finished by requesting her to give him an answer. She shewed me the +letter, and I congratulated her, and advised her to accept, if there was +nothing about the young man which displeased her. + +"There is nothing of the kind," she said, "and Rosalie thinks with you." + +"Then tell him by word of mouth that you give your consent, and will +expect to see him at Marseilles." + +"Very good; as you think so, I will tell him tomorrow." + +When dinner was over a feeling of curiosity made me go into the room +where Annette was dining with the Venetian girl, whose name was +Marcoline. I was struck with astonishment on seeing her, for she was +completely changed, not so much by the pretty dress she had on as by the +contented expression of her face, which made her look quite another +person. Good humour had vanquished unbecoming rage, and the gentleness +born of happiness made her features breathe forth love. I could scarcely +believe that this charming creature before me was the same who had dealt +such a vigorous blow to my brother, a priest, and a sacred being in the +eyes of the common people. They were eating, and laughing at not being +able to understand each other, for Marcoline only spoke Venetian, and +Annette Genoese, and the latter dialect does not resemble the former any +more than Bohemian resembles Dutch. + +I spoke to Marcoline in her native tongue, which was mine too, and she +said,-- + +"I seem to have suddenly passed from hell to Paradise." + +"Indeed, you look like an angel." + +"You called me a little devil this morning. But here is a fair angel," +said she, pointing to Annette; "we don't see such in Venice." + +"She is my treasure." + +Shortly after my niece came in, and seeing me talking and laughing with +the two girls began to examine the new-comer. She told me in French that +she thought her perfectly beautiful, and repeating her opinion to the +girl in Italian gave her a kiss. Marcoline asked her plainly in the +Venetian manner who she was. + +"I am this gentleman's niece, and he is taking me back to Marseilles, +where my home is." + +"Then you would have been my niece too, if I had married his brother. I +wish I had such a pretty niece." + +This pleasant rejoinder was followed by a storm of kisses given and +returned with ardour which one might pronounce truly Venetian, if it were +not that this would wound the feelings of the almost equally ardent +Provencals. + +I took my niece for a sail in the bay, and after we had enjoyed one of +those delicious evenings which I think can be found nowhere else--sailing +on a mirror silvered by the moon, over which float the odours of the +jasmine, the orange-blossom, the pomegranates, the aloes, and all the +scented flowers which grow along the coasts--we returned to our lodging, +and I asked Annette what had become of Marcoline. She told me that she +had gone to bed early, and I went gently into her room, with no other +intention than to see her asleep. The light of the candle awoke her, and +she did not seem at all frightened at seeing me. I sat by the bed, and +fell to making love to her, and at last made as if I would kiss her, but +she resisted, and we went on talking. + +When Annette had put her mistress to bed, she came in and found us +together. + +"Go to bed, my dear," said I. "I will come to you directly." + +Proud of being my mistress, she gave me a fiery kiss and went away +without a word. + +I began to talk about my brother, and passing from him to myself I told +her of the interest I felt for her, saying that I would either have her +taken to Venice, or bring her with me when I went to France. + +"Do you want to marry me?" + +"No, I am married already." + +"That's a lie, I know, but it doesn't matter. Send me back to Venice, and +the sooner the better. I don't want to be anybody's concubine." + +"I admire your sentiments, my dear, they do you honour." + +Continuing my praise I became pressing, not using any force, but those +gentle caresses which are so much harder for a woman to resist than a +violent attack. Marcoline laughed, but seeing that I persisted in spite +of her resistance, she suddenly glided out of the bed and took refuge in +my niece's room and locked the door after her. I was not displeased; the +thing was done so easily and gracefully. I went to bed with Annette, who +lost nothing by the ardour with which Marcoline had inspired me. I told +her how she had escaped from my hands, and Annette was loud in her +praises. + +In the morning I got up early and went into my niece's room to enjoy the +sight of the companion I had involuntarily given her, and the two girls +were certainly a very pleasant sight. As soon as my niece saw me, she +exclaimed,-- + +"My dear uncle, would you believe it? This sly Venetian has violated me." + +Marcoline understood her, and far from denying the fact proceeded to give +my niece fresh marks of her affection, which were well received, and from +the movements of the sheets which covered them I could make a pretty good +guess as to the nature of their amusement. + +"This is a rude shock to the respect which your uncle has had for your +prejudices," said I. + +"The sports of two girls cannot tempt a man who has just left the arms of +Annette." + +"You are wrong, and perhaps you know it, for I am more than tempted." + +With these words I lifted the sheets of the bed. Marcoline shrieked but +did not move, but my niece earnestly begged me to replace the +bed-clothes. However, the picture before me was too charming to be +concealed. + +At this point Annette came in, and in obedience to her mistress replaced +the coverlet over the two Bacchantes. I felt angry with Annette, and +seizing her threw her on the bed, and then and there gave the two +sweethearts such an interesting spectacle that they left their own play +to watch us. When I had finished, Annette, who was in high glee; said I +was quite right to avenge myself on their prudery. I felt satisfied with +what I had done, and went to breakfast. I then dressed, and visited my +brother. + +"How is Marcoline?" said he, as soon as he saw me. + +"Very well, and you needn't trouble yourself any more about her. She is +well lodged, well dressed, and well fed, and sleeps with my niece's +maid." + +"I didn't know I had a niece." + +"There are many things you don't know. In three or four days she will +return to Venice." + +"I hope, dear brother, that you will ask me to dine with you to-day." + +"Not at all, dear brother. I forbid you to set foot in my house, where +your presence would be offensive to Marcoline, whom you must not see any +more." + +"Yes, I will; I will return to Venice, if I have to hang for it." + +"What good would that be? She won't have you." + +"She loves me." + +"She beats you." + +"She beats me because she loves me. She will be as gentle as a lamb when +she sees me so well dressed. You do not know how I suffer." + +"I can partly guess, but I do not pity you, for you are an impious and +cruel fool. You have broken your vows, and have not hesitated to make a +young girl endure misery and degradation to satisfy your caprice. What +would you have done, I should like to know, if I had given you the cold +shoulder instead of helping you?" + +"I should have gone into the street, and begged for my living with her." + +"She would have beaten you, and would probably have appealed to the law +to get rid of you." + +"But what will you do for me, if I let her go back to Venice without +following her." + +"I will take you to France, and try to get you employed by some bishop." + +"Employed! I was meant by nature to be employed by none but God." + +"You proud fool! Marcoline rightly called you a whiner. Who is your God? +How do you serve Him? You are either a hypocrite or an idiot. Do you +think that you, a priest, serve God by decoying an innocent girl away +from her home? Do you serve Him by profaning the religion you do not even +understand? Unhappy fool! do you think that with no talent, no +theological learning, and no eloquence, you can be a Protestant minister. +Take care never to come to my house, or I will have you expelled from +Genoa." + +"Well, well, take me to Paris, and I will see what my brother Francis can +do for me; his heart is not so hard as yours." + +"Very good! you shall go to Paris, and we will start from here in three +or four days. Eat and drink to your heart's content, but remain indoors; +I will let you know when we are going. I shall have my niece, my +secretary, and my valet with me. We shall travel by sea." + +"The sea makes me sick." + +"That will purge away some of your bad humours." + +When I got home I told Marcoline what had passed between us. + +"I hate him!" said she; "but I forgive him, since it is through him I +know you." + +"And I forgive him, too, because unless it had been for him I should +never have seen you. But I love you, and I shall die unless you satisfy +my desires." + +"Never; for I know I should be madly in love with you, and then you would +leave me, and I should be miserable again." + +"I will never leave you." + +"If you will swear that, take me into France and make me all your own. +Here you must continue living with Annette; besides, I have got your +niece to make love to." + +The pleasant part of the affair was that my niece was equally taken with +her, and had begged me to let her take meals with us and sleep with her. +As I had a prospect of being at their lascivious play, I willingly +consented, and henceforth she was always present at the table. We enjoyed +her company immensely, for she told us side-splitting tales which kept us +at table till it was time to go to Rosalie's, where my niece's adorer was +certain to be awaiting us. + +The next day, which was Holy Thursday, Rosalie came with us to see the +processions. I had Rosalie and Marcoline with me, one on each arm, veiled +in their mezzaros, and my niece was under the charge of her lover. The +day after we went to see the procession called at Genoa Caracce, and +Marcoline pointed out my brother who kept hovering round us, though he +pretended not to see us. He was most carefully dressed, and the stupid +fop seemed to think he was sure to find favour in Marcoline's eyes, and +make her regret having despised him; but he was woefully deceived, for +Marcoline knew how to manage her mezzaro so well that, though he was both +seen and laughed at, the poor devil could not be certain that she had +noticed him at all, and in addition the sly girl held me so closely by +the arm that he must have concluded we were very intimate. + +My niece and Marcoline thought themselves the best friends in the world, +and could not bear my telling them that their amorous sports were the +only reason for their attachment. They therefore agreed to abandon them +as soon as we left Genoa, and promised that I should sleep between them +in the felucca, all of us to keep our clothes on. I said I should hold +them to their word, and I fixed our departure for Thursday. I ordered the +felucca to be in readiness and summoned my brother to go on board. + +It was a cruel moment when I left Annette with her mother. She wept so +bitterly that all of us had to shed tears. My niece gave her a handsome +dress and I thirty sequins, promising to come and see her again on my +return from England. Possano was told to go on board with the abbe; I had +provisioned the boat for three days. The young merchant promised to be at +Marseilles, telling my niece that by the time he came everything would be +settled. I was delighted to hear it; it assured me that her father would +give her a kind reception. Our friends did not leave us till the moment +we went on board. + +The felucca was very conveniently arranged, and was propelled by the +twelve oarsmen. On the deck there were also twenty-four muskets, so that +we should have been able to defend ourselves against a pirate. Clairmont +had arranged my carriage and my trunks so cleverly, that by stretching +five mattresses over them we had an excellent bed, where we could sleep +and undress ourselves in perfect comfort; we had good pillows and plenty +of sheets. A long awning covered the deck, and two lanterns were hung up, +one at each end. In the evening they were lighted and Clairmont brought +in supper. I had warned my brother that at the slightest presumption on +his part he should be flung into the sea, so I allowed him and Possano to +sup with us. + +I sat between my two nymphs and served the company merrily, first my +niece, then Marcoline, then my brother, and finally Possano. No water was +drunk at table, so we each emptied a bottle of excellent Burgundy, and +when we had finished supper the rowers rested on their oars, although the +wind was very light. I had the lamps put out and went to bed with my two +sweethearts, one on each side of me. + +The light of dawn awoke me, and I found my darlings still sleeping in the +same position. I could kiss neither of them, since one passed for my +niece, and my sense of humanity would not allow me to treat Marcoline as +my mistress in the presence of an unfortunate brother who adored her, and +had never obtained the least favour from her. He was lying near at hand, +overwhelmed with grief and seasickness, and watching and listening with +all his might for the amorous encounter he suspected us of engaging in. I +did not want to have any unpleasantness, so I contented myself with +gazing on them till the two roses awoke and opened their eyes. + +When this delicious sight was over, I got up and found that we were only +opposite Final, and I proceeded to reprimand the master. + +"The wind fell dead at Savona, sir;" and all the seamen chorused his +excuse. + +"Then you should have rowed instead of idling." + +"We were afraid of waking you. You shall be at Antibes by tomorrow." + +After passing the time by eating a hearty meal, we took a fancy to go on +shore at St. Remo. Everybody was delighted. I took my two nymphs on land, +and after forbidding any of the others to disembark I conducted the +ladies to an inn, where I ordered coffee. A man accosted us, and invited +us to come and play biribi at his house. + +"I thought the game was forbidden in Genoa," said I. I felt certain that +the players were the rascals whose bank I had broken at Genoa, so I +accepted the invitation. My niece had fifty Louis in her purse, and I +gave fifteen to Marcoline. We found a large assemblage, room was made for +us, and I recognized the knaves of Genoa. As soon as they saw me they +turned pale and trembled. I should say that the man with the bag was not +the poor devil who had served me so well without wanting to. + +"I play harlequin," said I. + +"There isn't one." + +"What's the bank?" + +"There it is. We play for small stakes here, and those two hundred louis +are quite sufficient. You can bet as low as you like, and the highest +stake is of a louis." + +"That's all very well, but my louis is full weight." + +"I think ours are, too." + +"Are you sure?" + +"No." + +"Then I won't play," said I, to the keeper of the rooms. + +"You are right; bring the scales." + +The banker then said that when play was over he would give four crowns of +six livres for every louis that the company had won, and the matter was +settled. In a moment the board was covered with stakes. + +We each punted a louis at a time, and I and my niece lost twenty Louis, +but Marcoline, who had never possessed two sequins in her life before, +won two hundred and forty Louis. She played on the figure of an abbe +which came out fifth twenty times. She was given a bag full of crown +pieces, and we returned to the felucca. + +The wind was contrary, and we had to row all night, and in the morning +the sea was so rough that we had to put in at Mentone. My two sweethearts +were very sick, as also my brother and Possano, but I was perfectly well. +I took the two invalids to the inn, and allowed my brother and Possano to +land and refresh themselves. The innkeeper told me that the Prince and +Princess of Monaco were at Mentone, so I resolved to pay them a visit. It +was thirteen years since I had seen the prince at Paris, where I had +amused him and his mistress Caroline at supper. It was this prince who +had taken me to see the horrible Duchess of Rufec; then he was unmarried, +and now I met him again in his principality with his wife, of whom he had +already two sons. The princess had been a Duchess de Borgnoli, a great +heiress, and a delightful and pretty woman. I had heard all about her, +and I was curious to verify the facts for myself. + +I called on the prince, was announced, and after a long wait they +introduced me to his presence. I gave him his title of highness, which I +had never done at Paris, where he was not known under his full style and +title. He received me politely, but with that coolness which lets one +know that one is not an over-welcome visitor. + +"You have put in on account of the bad weather, I suppose?" said he. + +"Yes, prince, and if your highness will allow me I will spend the whole +day in your delicious villa." (It is far from being delicious.) + +"As you please. The princess as well as myself likes it better than our +place at Monaco, so we live here by preference." + +"I should be grateful if your highness would present me to the princess." + +Without mentioning my name he ordered a page in waiting to present me to +the princess. + +The page opened the door of a handsome room and said, "The Princess," and +left me. She was singing at the piano, but as soon as she saw me she rose +and came to meet me. I was obliged to introduce myself, a most unpleasant +thing, and no doubt the princess felt the position, for she pretended not +to notice it, and addressed me with the utmost kindness and politeness, +and in a way that shewed that she was learned in the maxims of good +society. I immediately became very much at my ease, and proceeded in a +lordly manner to entertain her with pleasant talk, though I said nothing +about my two lady friends. + +The princess was handsome, clever, and good-natured. Her mother, who knew +that a man like the prince would never make her daughter happy, opposed +the marriage, but the young marchioness was infatuated, and the mother +had to give in when the girl said,-- + +"O Monaco O monaca." (Either Monaco or a convent.) + +We were still occupied in the trifles which keep up an ordinary +conversation, when the prince came in running after a waiting-maid, who +was making her escape, laughing. The princess pretended not to see him, +and went on with what she was saying. The scene displeased me, and I took +leave of the princess, who wished me a pleasant journey. I met the prince +as I was going out, and he invited me to come and see him whenever I +passed that way. + +"Certainly," said I; and made my escape without saying any more. + +I went back to the inn and ordered a good dinner for three. + +In the principality of Monaco there was a French garrison, which was +worth a pension of a hundred thousand francs to the prince--a very +welcome addition to his income. + +A curled and scented young officer, passing by our room, the door of +which was open, stopped short, and with unblushing politeness asked us if +we would allow him to join our party. I replied politely, but coldly, +that he did us honour--a phrase which means neither yes nor no; but a +Frenchman who has advanced one step never retreats. + +He proceeded to display his graces for the benefit of the ladies, talking +incessantly, without giving them time to get in a word, when he suddenly +turned to me and said that he wondered how it was that the prince had not +asked me and my ladies to dinner. I told him that I had not said anything +to the prince about the treasure I had with me. + +I had scarcely uttered the words, when the kindly blockhead rose and +cried enthusiastically,-- + +"Parbleu! I am no longer surprised. I will go and tell his highness, and +I shall soon have the honour of dining with you at the castle." + +He did not wait to hear my answer, but went off in hot haste. + +We laughed heartily at his folly, feeling quite sure that we should +neither dine with him nor the prince, but in a quarter of an hour he +returned in high glee, and invited us all to dinner on behalf of the +prince. + +"I beg you will thank his highness, and at the same time ask him to +excuse us. The weather has improved, and I want to be off as soon as we +have taken a hasty morsel." + +The young Frenchman exerted all his eloquence in vain, and at length +retired with a mortified air to take our answer to the prince. + +I thought I had got rid of him at last, but I did not know my man. He +returned a short time after, and addressing himself in a complacent +manner to the ladies, as if I was of no more account, he told them that +he had given the prince such a description of their charms that he had +made up his mind to dine with them. + +"I have already ordered the table to be laid for two more, as I shall +have the honour of being of the party. In a quarter of an hour, ladies, +the prince will be here." + +"Very good," said I, "but as the prince is coming I must go to the +felucca and fetch a capital pie of which the prince is very fond, I know. +Come, ladies." + +"You can leave them here, sir. I will undertake to keep them amused." + +"I have no doubt you would, but they have some things to get from the +felucca as well." + +"Then you will allow me to come too." + +"Certainly with pleasure." + +As we were going down the stairs, I asked the innkeeper what I owed him. + +"Nothing, sir, I have just received orders to serve you in everything, +and to take no money from you." + +"The prince is really magnificent!" During this short dialogue, the +ladies had gone on with the fop. I hastened to rejoin them, and my niece +took my arm, laughing heartily to hear the officer making love to +Marcoline, who did not understand a word he said. He did not notice it in +the least, for his tongue kept going like the wheel of a mill, and he did +not pause for any answers. + +"We shall have some fun at dinner," said my niece, "but what are we going +to do on the felucca?" + +"We are leaving. Say nothing." + +"Leaving?" + +"Immediately." + +"What a jest! it is worth its weight in gold." + +We went on board the felucca, and the officer, who was delighted with the +pretty vessel, proceeded to examine it. I told my niece to keep him +company, and going to the master, whispered to him to let go directly. + +"Directly?" + +"Yes, this moment." + +"But the abbe and your secretary are gone for a walk, and two of my men +are on shore, too." + +"That's no matter; we shall pick them up again at Antibes; it's only ten +leagues, and they have plenty of money. I must go, and directly. Make +haste." + +"All right." + +He tripped the anchor, and the felucca began to swing away from the +shore. The officer asked me in great astonishment what it meant. + +"It means that I am going to Antibes and I shall be very glad to take you +there for nothing." + +"This is a fine jest! You are joking, surely?" + +"Your company will be very pleasant on the journey." + +"Pardieu! put me ashore, for with your leave, ladies, I cannot go to +Antibes." + +"Put the gentleman ashore," said I to the master, "he does not seem to +like our company." + +"It's not that, upon my honour. These ladies are charming, but the prince +would think that I was in the plot to play this trick upon him, which you +must confess is rather strong." + +"I never play a weak trick." + +"But what will the prince say?" + +"He may say what he likes, and I shall do as I like." + +"Well, it's no fault of mine. Farewell, ladies! farewell, sir!" + +"Farewell, and you may thank the prince for me for paying my bill." + +Marcoline who did not understand what was passing gazed in astonishment, +but my niece laughed till her sides ached, for the way in which the poor +officer had taken the matter was extremely comic. + +Clairmont brought us an excellent dinner, and we laughed incessantly +during its progress, even at the astonishment of the abbe and Possano +when they came to the quay and found the felucca had flown. However, I +was sure of meeting them again at Antibes, and we reached that port at +six o'clock in the evening. + +The motion of the sea had tired us without making us feel sick, for the +air was fresh, and our appetites felt the benefits of it, and in +consequence we did great honour to the supper and the wine. Marcoline +whose stomach was weakened by the sickness she had undergone soon felt +the effects of the Burgundy, her eyes were heavy, and she went to sleep. +My niece would have imitated her, but I reminded her tenderly that we +were at Antibes, and said I was sure she would keep her word. She did not +answer me, but gave me her hand, lowering her eyes with much modesty. + +Intoxicated with her submission which was so like love, I got into bed +beside her, exclaiming,-- + +"At last the hour of my happiness has come! + +"And mine too, dearest." + +"Yours? Have you not continually repulsed me?" + +"Never! I always loved you, and your indifference has been a bitter grief +to me." + +"But the first night we left Milan you preferred being alone to sleeping +with me." + +"Could I do otherwise without passing in your eyes for one more a slave +to sensual passion than to love? Besides you might have thought I was +giving myself to you for the benefits I had received; and though +gratitude be a noble feeling, it destroys all the sweet delights of love. +You ought to have told me that you loved me and subdued me by those +attentions which conquer the hearts of us women. Then you would have seen +that I loved you too, and our affection would have been mutual. On my +side I should have known that the pleasure you had of me was not given +out of a mere feeling of gratitude. I do not know whether you would have +loved me less the morning after, if I had consented, but I am sure I +should have lost your esteem." + +She was right, and I applauded her sentiments, while giving her to +understand that she was to put all notions of benefits received out of +her mind. I wanted to make her see that I knew that there was no more +need for gratitude on her side than mine. + +We spent a night that must be imagined rather than described. She told me +in the morning that she felt all had been for the best, as if she had +given way at first she could never have made up her mind to accept the +young Genoese, though he seemed likely to make her happy. + +Marcoline came to see us in the morning, caressed us, and promised to +sleep by herself the rest of the voyage. + +"Then you are not jealous?" said I. + +"No, for her happiness is mine too, and I know she will make you happy." + +She became more ravishingly beautiful every day. + +Possano and the abbe came in just as we were sitting down to table, and +my niece having ordered two more plates I allowed them to dine with us. +My brother's face was pitiful and yet ridiculous. He could not walk any +distance, so he had been obliged to come on horseback, probably for the +first time in his life. + +"My skin is delicate," said he, "so I am all blistered. But God's will be +done! I do not think any of His servants have endured greater torments +than mine during this journey. My body is sore, and so is my soul." + +So saying he cast a piteous glance at Marcoline, and we had to hold our +sides to prevent ourselves laughing. My niece could bear it no more, and +said,-- + +"How I pity you, dear uncle!" + +At this he blushed, and began to address the most absurd compliments to +her, styling her "my dear niece." I told him to be silent, and not to +speak French till he was able to express himself in that equivocal +language without making a fool of himself. But the poet Pogomas spoke no +better than he did. + +I was curious to know what had happened at Mentone after we had left, and +Pogomas proceeded to tell the story. + +"When we came back from our walk we were greatly astonished not to find +the felucca any more. We went to the inn, where I knew you had ordered +dinner; but the inn-keeper knew nothing except that he was expecting the +prince and a young officer to dine with you. I told him he might wait for +you in vain, and just then the prince came up in a rage, and told the +inn-keeper that now you were gone he might look to you for his payment. +'My lord,' said the inn-keeper, 'the gentleman wanted to pay me, but I +respected the orders I had received from your highness and would not take +the money.' At this the prince flung him a louis with an ill grace, and +asked us who we were. I told him that we belonged to you, and that you +had not waited for us either, which put us to great trouble. 'You will +get away easily enough,' said he; and then he began to laugh, and swore +the jest was a pleasant one. He then asked me who the ladies were. I told +him that the one was your niece, and that I knew nothing of the other; +but the abbe interfered, and said she was your cuisine. The prince +guessed he meant to say 'cousin,' and burst out laughing, in which he was +joined by the young officer. 'Greet him from me,' said he, as he went +away, 'and tell him that we shall meet again, and that I will pay him out +for the trick he has played me.' The worthy host laughed, too, when the +prince had gone, and gave us a good dinner, saying that the prince's +Louis would pay for it all. When we had dined we hired two horses, and +slept at Nice. In the morning we rode on again, being certain of finding +you here." Marcoline told the abbe in a cold voice to take care not to +tell anyone else that she was his cuisine, or his cousin, or else it +would go ill with him, as she did not wish to be thought either the one +or the other. I also advised him seriously not to speak French for the +future, as the absurd way in which he had committed himself made everyone +about him ashamed. + +Just as I was ordering post-horses to take us to Frejus, a man appeared, +and told me I owed him ten louis for the storage of a carriage which I +had left on his hands nearly three years ago. This was when I was taking +Rosalie to Italy. I laughed, for the carriage itself was not worth five +louis. "Friend," said I, "I make you a present of the article." + +"I don't want your present. I want the ten louis you owe me." + +"You won't get the ten louis. I will see you further first." + +"We will see about that;" and so saying he took his departure. + +I sent for horses that we might continue our journey. + +A few moments after, a sergeant summoned me to the governor's presence. I +followed him, and was politely requested to pay the ten louis that my +creditor demanded. I answered that, in the agreement I had entered into +for six francs a month, there was no mention of the length of the term, +and that I did not want to withdraw my carriage. + +"But supposing you were never to withdraw it?" + +"Then the man could bequeath his claim to his heir." + +"I believe he could oblige you to withdraw it, or to allow it to be sold +to defray expenses." + +"You are right, sir, and I wish to spare him that trouble. I make him a +present of the carriage." + +"That's fair enough. Friend, the carriage is yours." + +"But sir," said the plaintiff, "it is not enough; the carriage is not +worth ten louis, and I want the surplus." + +"You are in the wrong. I wish you a pleasant journey, sir, and I hope you +will forgive the ignorance of these poor people, who would like to shape +the laws according to their needs." + +All this trouble had made me lose a good deal of time, and I determined +to put off my departure till the next day. However, I wanted a carriage +for Possano and the abbe, and I got my secretary to buy the one I had +abandoned for four louis. It was in a deplorable state, and I had to have +it repaired, which kept us till the afternoon of the next day; however, +so far as pleasure was concerned, the time was not lost. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +My Arrival at Marseilles--Madame d'Urfe--My Niece Is Welcomed by Madame +Audibert I Get Rid of My Brother and Possano--Regeneration--Departure of +Madame d'Urfe--Marcoline Remains Constant + +My niece, now my mistress, grew more dear to me every day, and I could +not help trembling when I reflected that Marseilles would be the tomb of +our love. Though I could not help arriving there, I prolonged my +happiness as long as I could by travelling by short stages. I got to +Frejus in less than three hours, and stopped there, and telling Possano +and the abbe to do as they liked during our stay, I ordered a delicate +supper and choice wine for myself and my nymphs. Our repast lasted till +midnight, then we went to bed, and passed the time in sweet sleep and +sweeter pleasures. I made the same arrangements at Lucca, Brignoles, and +Aubayne, where I passed the sixth and last night of happiness. + +As soon as I got to Marseilles I conducted my niece to Madame Audibert's, +and sent Possano and my brother to the "Trieze Cantons" inn, bidding them +observe the strictest silence with regard to me, for Madame d'Urfe had +been awaiting me for three weeks, and I wished to be my own herald to +her. + +It was at Madame Audibert's that my niece had met Croce. She was a clever +woman, and had known the girl from her childhood, and it was through her +that my niece hoped to be restored to her father's good graces. We had +agreed that I should leave my niece and Marcoline in the carriage, and +should interview Madame Audibert, whose acquaintance I had made before, +and with whom I could make arrangements for my niece's lodging till some +arrangement was come to. + +Madame Audibert saw me getting out of my carriage, and as she did not +recognize me her curiosity made her come down and open the door. She soon +recognized me, and consented to let me have a private interview with the +best grace in the world. + +I did not lose any time in leading up to the subject, and after I had +given her a rapid sketch of the affair, how misfortune had obliged La +Croix to abandon Mdlle. Crosin, how I had been able to be of service to +her, and finally, how she had had the good luck to meet a wealthy and +distinguished person, who would come to Marseilles to ask her hand in a +fortnight, I concluded by saying that I should have the happiness of +restoring to her hands the dear girl whose preserver I had been. + +"Where is she?" cried Madame Audibert. + +"In my carriage. I have lowered the blinds." + +"Bring her in, quick! I will see to everything. Nobody shall know that +she is in my house." + +Happier than a prince, I made one bound to the carriage and, concealing +her face with her cloak and hood, I led my niece to her friend's arms. +This was a dramatic scene full of satisfaction for me. Kisses were given +and received, tears of happiness and repentance shed, I wept myself from +mingled feelings of emotion, happiness, and regret. + +In the meanwhile Clairmont had brought up my niece's luggage, and I went +away promising to return and see her another day. + +I had another and as important an arrangement to conclude, I mean with +respect to Marcoline. I told the postillions to take me to the worthy old +man's where I had lodged Rosalie so pleasantly. Marcoline was weeping at +this separation from her friend. I got down at the house, and made my +bargain hastily. My new mistress was, I said, to be lodged, fed, and +attended on as if she had been a princess. He shewed me the apartment she +was to occupy; it was fit for a young marchioness, and he told me that +she should be attended by his own niece, that she should not leave the +house, and that nobody but myself should visit her. + +Having made these arrangements I made the fair Venetian come in. I gave +her the money she had won, which I had converted into gold and made up to +a thousand ducats. + +"You won't want it here," said I, "so take care of it. At Venice a +thousand ducats will make you somebody. Do not weep, dearest, my heart is +with you, and to-morrow evening I will sup with you." + +The old man gave me the latch-key, and I went off to the "Treize +Cantons." I was expected, and my rooms were adjacent to those occupied by +Madame d'Urfe. + +As soon as I was settled, Bourgnole waited on me, and told me her +mistress was alone and expecting me impatiently. + +I shall not trouble my readers with an account of our interview, as it +was only composed of Madame d'Urfe's mad flights of fancy, and of lies on +my part which had not even the merit of probability. A slave to my life +of happy profligacy, I profited by her folly; she would have found +someone else to deceive her, if I had not done so, for it was really she +who deceived herself. I naturally preferred to profit by her rather than +that a stranger should do so; she was very rich, and I did myself a great +deal of good, without doing anyone any harm. The first thing she asked me +was, "Where is Querilinthos?" And she jumped with joy when I told her +that he was under the same roof. + +"'Tis he, then, who shall make me young again. So has my genius assured +me night after night. Ask Paralis if the presents I have prepared are +good enough for Semiramis to present to the head of the Fraternity of the +Rosy Cross." + +I did not know what these presents were, and as I could not ask to see +them, I answered that, before consulting Paralis, it would be necessary +to consecrate the gifts under the planetary hours, and that Querilinthos +himself must not see them before the consecration. Thereupon she took me +to her closet, and shewed me the seven packets meant for the Rosicrucian +in the form of offerings to the seven planets. + +Each packet contained seven pounds of the metal proper to the planet, and +seven precious stones, also proper to the planets, each being seven +carats in weight; there were diamonds, rubies, emeralds, sapphires, +chrysolites, topazes, and opals. + +I made up my mind that nothing of this should pass into the hands of the +Genoese, and told the mad woman that we must trust entirely in Paralis +for the method of consecration, which must be begun by our placing each +packet in a small casket made on purpose. One packet, and one only, could +be consecrated in a day, and it was necessary to begin with the sun. It +was now Friday, and we should have to wait till Sunday, the day of the +sun. On Saturday I had a box with seven niches made for the purpose. + +For the purposes of consecration I spent three hours every day with +Madame d'Urfe, and we had not finished till the ensuing Saturday. +Throughout this week I made Possano and my brother take their meals with +us, and as the latter did not understand a word the good lady said, he +did not speak a word himself, and might have passed for a mute of the +seraglio. Madame d'Urfe pronounced him devoid of sense, and imagined we +were going to put the soul of a sylph into his body that he might +engender some being half human, half divine. + +It was amusing to see my brother's despair and rage at being taken for an +idiot, and when he endeavoured to say something to spew that he was not +one, she only thought him more idiotic than ever. I laughed to myself, +and thought how ill he would have played the part if I had asked him to +do it. All the same the rascal did not lose anything by his reputation, +for Madame d'Urfe clothed him with a decent splendour that would have led +one to suppose that the abbe belonged to one of the first families in +France. The most uneasy guest at Madame d'Urfe's table was Possano, who +had to reply to questions, of the most occult nature, and, not knowing +anything about the subject, made the most ridiculous mistakes. + +I brought Madame d'Urfe the box, and having made all the necessary +arrangements for the consecrations, I received an order from the oracle +to go into the country and sleep there for seven nights in succession, to +abstain from intercourse with all mortal women, and to perform ceremonial +worship to the moon every night, at the hour of that planet, in the open +fields. This would make me fit to regenerate Madame d'Urfe myself in case +Querilinthos, for some mystic reasons, might not be able to do so. + +Through this order Madame d'Urfe was not only not vexed with me for +sleeping away from the hotel, but was grateful for the pains I was taking +to ensure the success of the operation. + +The day after my arrival I called on Madame Audibert, and had the +pleasure of finding my niece wail pleased with the efforts her friend was +making in her favour. Madame Audibert had spoken to her father, telling +him that his daughter was with her, and that she hoped to obtain his +pardon and to return to his house, where she would soon become the bride +of a rich Genoese, who wished to receive her from her father's hands. The +worthy man, glad to find again the lost sheep, said he would come in two +days and take her to her aunt, who had a house at St. Louis, two leagues +from the town. She might then quietly await the arrival of her future +husband, and avoid all occasion of scandal. My niece was surprised that +her father had not yet received a letter from the young man, and I could +see that she was anxious about it; but I comforted her and assured her +that I would not leave Marseilles till I had danced at her wedding. + +I left her to go to Marcoline, whom I longed to press to my heart. I +found her in an ecstasy of joy, and she said that if she could understand +what her maid said her happiness would be complete. I saw that her +situation was a painful one, especially as she was a woman, but for the +present I saw no way out of the difficulty; I should have to get an +Italian-speaking servant, and this would have been a troublesome task. +She wept with joy when I told her that my niece desired to be remembered +to her, and that in a day she would be on her father's hearth. Marcoline +had found out that she was not my real niece when she found her in my +arms. + +The choice supper which the old man had procured us, and which spewed he +had a good memory for my favorite tastes, made me think of Rosalie. +Marcoline heard me tell the story with great interest, and said that it +seemed to her that I only went about to make unfortunate girls happy, +provided I found them pretty. + +"I almost think you are right," said I; "and it is certain that I have +made many happy, and have never brought misfortune to any girl." + +"God will reward you, my dear friend." + +"Possibly I am not worth His taking the trouble!" + +Though the wit and beauty of Marcoline had charmed me, her appetite +charmed me still more; the reader knows that I have always liked women +who eat heartily. And in Marseilles they make an excellent dish of a +common fowl, which is often so insipid. + +Those who like oil will get on capitally in Provence, for it is used in +everything, and it must be confessed that if used in moderation it makes +an excellent relish. + +Marcoline was charming in bed. I had not enjoyed the Venetian vices for +nearly eight years, and Marcoline was a beauty before whom Praxiteles +would have bent the knee. I laughed at my brother for having let such a +treasure slip out of his hands, though I quite forgave him for falling in +love with her. I myself could not take her about, and as I wanted her to +be amused I begged my kind old landlord to send her to the play every +day, and to prepare a good supper every evening. I got her some rich +dresses that she might cut a good figure, and this attention redoubled +her affection for me. + +The next day, which was the second occasion on which I had visited her, +she told me that she had enjoyed the play though she could not understand +the dialogues; and the day after she astonished me by saying that my +brother had intruded himself into her box, and had said so many +impertinent things that if she had been at Venice she would have boxed +his ears. + +"I am afraid," she added, "that the rascal has followed me here, and will +be annoying me." + +"Don't be afraid," I answered, "I will see what I can do." + +When I got to the hotel I entered the abbe's room, and by Possano's bed I +saw an individual collecting lint and various surgical instruments. + +"What's all this? Are you ill?" + +"Yes, I have got something which will teach me to be wiser for the +future." + +"It's rather late for this kind of thing at sixty." + +"Better late than never." + +"You are an old fool. You stink of mercury." + +"I shall not leave my room." + +"This will harm you with the marchioness, who believes you to be the +greatest of adepts, and consequently above such weaknesses." + +"Damn the marchioness! Let me be." + +The rascal had never talked in this style before. I thought it best to +conceal my anger, and went up to my brother who was in a corner of the +room. + +"What do you mean by pestering Marcoline at the theatre yesterday?" + +"I went to remind her of her duty, and to warn her that I would not be +her complaisant lover." + +"You have insulted me and her too, fool that you are! You owe all to +Marcoline, for if it had not been for her, I should never have given you +a second glance; and yet you behave in this disgraceful manner." + +"I have ruined myself for her sake, and I can never shew my face in +Venice again. What right have you to take her from me?" + +"The right of love, blockhead, and the right of luck, and the right of +the strongest! How is it that she is happy with me, and does not wish to +leave me?" + +"You have dazzled her." + +"Another reason is that with you she was dying of misery and hunger." + +"Yes, but the end of it will be that you will abandon her as you have +done with many others, whereas I should have married her." + +"Married her! You renegade, you seem to forget that you are a priest. I +do not propose to part with her, but if I do I will send her away rich." + +"Well, well, do as you please; but still I have the right to speak to her +whenever I like." + +"I have forbidden you to do so, and you may trust me when I tell you that +you have spoken to her for the last time." + +So saying I went out and called on an advocate. I asked him if I could +have a foreign abbe, who was indebted to me, arrested, although I had no +proof of the debt. + +"You can do so, as he is a foreigner, but you will have to pay +caution-money. You can have him put under arrest at his inn, and you can +make him pay unless he is able to prove that he owes you nothing. Is the +sum a large one?" + +"Twelve louis." + +"You must come with me before the magistrate and deposit twelve louis, +and from that moment you will be able to have him arrested. Where is he +staying?" + +"In the same hotel as I am, but I do not wish to have him arrested there, +so I will get him to the 'Ste. Baume,' and put him under arrest. Here are +the twelve louis caution-money, so you can get the magistrate's order, +and we will meet again to-morrow." + +"Give me his name, and yours also." + +I returned in haste to the "Treize Cantons," and met the abbe, dressed up +to the nines, and just about to go out. + +"Follow me," said I, "I am going to take you to Marcoline, and you shall +have an explanation in her presence." + +"With pleasure." + +He got into a carriage with me, and I told the coachman to take us to the +"Ste. Baume" inn. When we got there, I told him to wait for me, that I +was going to fetch Marcoline, and that I would return with her in a +minute. + +I got into the carriage again, and drove to the advocate, who gave the +order for arrest to a policeman, who was to execute it. I then returned +to the "Treize Cantons" and put his belongings into a trunk, and had them +transported to his new abode. + +I found him under arrest, and talking to the astonished host, who could +not understand what it was all about. I told the landlord the mythical +history of the abbe debt to me, and handed over the trunk, telling him +that he had nothing to fear with regard to the bill, as I would take care +that he should be well paid. + +I then began my talk with the abbe, telling him that he must get ready to +leave Marseilles the next day, and that I would pay for his journey to +Paris; but that if he did not like to do so, I should leave him to his +fate, and in three days he would be expelled from Marseilles. The coward +began to weep and said he would go to Paris. + +"You must start for Lyons to-morrow, but you will first write me out an I +O U for twelve louis." + +"Why?" + +"Because I say so. If you do so I will give you twelve louis and tear up +the document before your face." + +"I have no choice in the matter." + +"You are right." + +When he had written the I O U, I went to take a place in the diligence +for him, and the next morning I went with the advocate to withdraw the +arrest and to take back the twelve louis, which I gave to my brother in +the diligence, with a letter to M. Bono, whom I warned not to give him +any money, and to send him on to Paris by the same diligence. I then tore +up his note of hand, and wished him a pleasant journey. + +Thus I got rid of this foolish fellow, whom I saw again in Paris in a +month's time. + +The day I had my brother arrested and before I went to dine with Madame +d'Urfe I had an interview with Possano in the hope of discovering the +reason of his ill humour. + +"The reason is," said he, "that I am sure you are going to lay hands on +twenty or thirty thousand crowns in gold and diamonds, which the +marchioness meant me to have." + +"That may be, but it is not for you to know anything about it. I may tell +you that it rests entirely with me to prevent your getting anything. If +you think you can succeed go to the marchioness and make your complaints +to her. I will do nothing to prevent you." + +"Then you think I am going to help you in your imposture for nothing; you +are very much mistaken. I want a thousand louis, and I will have it, +too." + +"Then get somebody to give it you," said I; and I turned my back on him. + +I went up to the marchioness and told her that dinner was ready, and that +we should dine alone, as I had been obliged to send the abbe away. + +"He was an idiot; but how about Querilinthos?" + +"After dinner Paralis will tell us all about him. I have strong +suspicions that there is something to be cleared up." + +"So have I. The man seems changed. Where is he?" + +"He is in bed, ill of a disease which I dare not so much as name to you." + +"That is a very extraordinary circumstance; I have never heard of such a +thing before. It must be the work of an evil genius." + +"I have never heard of such a thing, either; but now let us dine. We +shall have to work hard to-day at the consecration of the tin." + +"All the better. We must offer an expiatory sacrifice to Oromasis, for, +awful thought! in three days he would have to regenerate me, and the +operation would be performed in that condition." + +"Let us eat now," I repeated; "I fear lest the hour of Jupiter be +over-past." + +"Fear nothing, I will see that all goes well." + +After the consecration of the tin had been performed, I transferred that +of Oromasis to another day, while I consulted the oracle assiduously, the +marchioness translating the figures into letters. The oracle declared +that seven salamanders had transported the true Querilinthos to the Milky +Way, and that the man in the next room was the evil genius, St. Germain, +who had been put in that fearful condition by a female gnome, who had +intended to make him the executioner of Semiramis, who was to die of the +dreadful malady before her term had expired. The oracle also said that +Semiramis should leave to Payaliseus Galtinardus (myself) all the charge +of getting rid of the evil genius, St. Germain; and that she was not to +doubt concerning her regeneration, since the word would be sent me by the +true Querilinthos from the Milky Way on the seventh night of my worship +of the moon. Finally the oracle declared that I was to embrace Semiramis +two days before the end of the ceremonies, after an Undine had purified +us by bathing us in the room where we were. + +I had thus undertaken to regenerate the worthy Semiramis, and I began to +think how I could carry out my undertaking without putting myself to +shame. The marchioness was handsome but old, and I feared lest I should +be unable to perform the great act. I was thirty-eight, and I began to +feel age stealing on me. The Undine, whom I was to obtain of the moon, +was none other than Marcoline, who was to give me the necessary +generative vigour by the sight of her beauty and by the contact of her +hands. The reader will see how I made her come down from heaven. + +I received a note from Madame Audibert which made me call on her before +paying my visit to Marcoline. As soon as I came in she told me joyously +that my niece's father had just received a letter from the father of the +Genoese, asking the hand of his daughter for his only son, who had been +introduced to her by the Chevalier de Seingalt, her uncle, at the +Paretti's. + +"The worthy man thinks himself under great obligations to you," said +Madame Audibert. "He adores his daughter, and he knows you have cared for +her like a father. His daughter has drawn your portrait in very +favourable colors, and he would be extremely pleased to make your +acquaintance. Tell me when you can sup with me; the father will be here +to meet you, though unaccompanied by his daughter." + +"I am delighted at what you tell me, for the young man's esteem for his +future wife will only be augmented when he finds that I am her father's +friend. I cannot come to supper, however; I will be here at six and stop +till eight." + +As the lady left the choice of the day with me I fixed the day after +next, and then I repaired to my fair Venetian, to whom I told my news, +and how I had managed to get rid of the abbe. + +On the day after next, just as we were sitting down to dinner, the +marchioness smilingly gave me a letter which Possano had written her in +bad but perfectly intelligible French. He had filled eight pages in his +endeavour to convince her that I was deceiving her, and to make sure he +told the whole story without concealing any circumstance to my +disadvantage. He added that I had brought two girls with me to +Marseilles; and though he did not know where I had hidden them, he was +sure that it was with them that I spent my nights. + +After I had read the whole letter through, with the utmost coolness I +gave it back to her, asking her if she had had the patience to read it +through. She replied that she had run through it, but that she could not +make it out at all, as the evil genius seemed to write a sort of +outlandish dialect, which she did not care to puzzle herself over, as he +could only have written down lies calculated to lead her astray at the +most important moment of her life. I was much pleased with the +marchioness's prudence, for it was important that she should have no +suspicions about the Undine, the sight and the touch of whom were +necessary to me in the great work I was about to undertake. + +After dining, and discharging all the ceremonies and oracles which were +necessary to calm the soul of my poor victim, I went to a banker and got +a bill of a hundred louis on Lyons, to the order of M. Bono, and I +advised him of what I had done, requesting him to cash it for Possano if +it were presented on the day named thereon. + +I then wrote the advice for Possano to take with him, it ran as follows: +"M. Bonno, pay to M. Possano, on sight, to himself, and not to order, the +sum of one hundred louis, if these presents are delivered to you on the +30th day of April, in the year 1763; and after the day aforesaid my order +to become null and void." + +With this letter in my hand I went to the traitor who had been lanced an +hour before. + +"You're an infamous traitor," I began, "but as Madame d'Urfe knows of the +disgraceful state you are in she would not so much as read your letter. I +have read it, and by way of reward I give you two alternatives which you +must decide on immediately. I am in a hurry. You will either go to the +hospital--for we can't have pestiferous fellows like you here--or start +for Lyons in an hour. You must not stop on the way, for I have only given +you sixty hours, which is ample to do forty posts in. As soon as you get +to Lyons present this to M. Bono, and he will give you a hundred louis. +This is a present from me, and afterwards I don't care what you do, as +you are no longer in my service. You can have the carriage I bought for +you at Antibes, and there is twenty-five louis for the journey: that is +all. Make your choice, but I warn you that if you go to the hospital I +shall only give you a month's wages, as I dismiss you from my service now +at this instant." + +After a moment's reflection he said he would go to Lyons, though it would +be at the risk of his life, for he was very ill. + +"You must reap the reward of your treachery," said I, "and if you die it +will be a good thing for your family, who will come in for what I have +given you, but not what I should have given you if you had been a +faithful servant." + +I then left him and told Clairmont to pack up his trunk. I warned the +inn-keeper of his departure and told him to get the post horses ready as +soon as possible. + +I then gave Clairmont the letter to Bono and twenty-five Louis, for him +to hand them over to Possano when he was in the carriage and ready to go +off. + +When I had thus successfully accomplished my designs by means of the +all-powerful lever, gold, which I knew how to lavish in time of need, I +was once more free for my amours. I wanted to instruct the fair +Marcoline, with whom I grew more in love every day. She kept telling me +that her happiness would be complete if she knew French, and if she had +the slightest hope that I would take her to England with me. + +I had never flattered her that my love would go as far as that, but yet I +could not help feeling sad at the thought of parting from a being who +seemed made to taste voluptuous pleasures, and to communicate them with +tenfold intensity to the man of her choice. She was delighted to hear +that I had got rid of my two odious companions, and begged me to take her +to the theatre, "for," said she, "everybody is asking who and what I am, +and my landlord's niece is quite angry with me because I will not let her +tell the truth." + +I promised I would take her out in the course of the next week, but that +for the present I had a most important affair on hand, in which I had +need of her assistance. + +"I will do whatever you wish, dearest." + +"Very good! then listen to me. I will get you a disguise which will make +you look like a smart footman, and in that costume you will call on the +marchioness with whom I live, at the hour I shall name to you, and you +will give her a note. Have you sufficient courage for that?" + +"Certainly. Will you be there?" + +"Yes. She will speak, but you must pretend to be dumb, as the note you +bring with you will tell us; as also that you have come to wait upon us +while we are bathing. She will accept the offer, and when she tells you +to undress her from head to foot you will do so. When you have done, +undress yourself, and gently rub the marchioness from the feet to the +waist, but not higher. In the meanwhile I shall have taken off my +clothes, and while I hold her in a close embrace you must stand so that I +can see all your charms. + +"Further, sweetheart, when I leave you you must gently wash her +generative organs, and afterwards wipe them with a fine towel. Then do +the same to me, and try to bring me to life again. I shall proceed to +embrace the marchioness a second time, and when it is over wash her again +and embrace her, and then come and embrace me and kiss in your Venetian +manner the instrument with which the sacrifice is consummated. I shall +then clasp the marchioness to my arms a third time, and you must caress +us till the act is complete. Finally, you will wash us for the third +time, then dress, take what she gives you and come here, where I will +meet you in the course of an hour." + +"You may reckon on my following all your instructions, but you must see +that the task will be rather trying to my feelings." + +"Not more trying than to mine. I could do nothing with the old woman if +you were not present." + +"Is she very old?" + +"Nearly seventy." + +"My poor sweetheart! I do pity you. But after this painful duty is over +you must sup here and sleep with me." + +"Certainly." + +On the day appointed I had a long and friendly interview with the father +of my late niece. I told him all about his daughter, only suppressing the +history of our own amours, which were not suitable for a father's ears. +The worthy man embraced me again and again, calling me his benefactor, +and saying that I had done more for his daughter than he would have done +himself, which in a sense was perhaps true. He told me that he had +received another letter from the father, and a letter from the young man +himself, who wrote in the most tender and respectful manner possible. + +"He doesn't ask anything about the dower," said he, "a wonderful thing +these days, but I will give her a hundred and fifty thousand francs, for +the marriage is an excellent one, above all after my poor simpleton's +escape. All Marseilles knows the father of her future husband, and +to-morrow I mean to tell the whole story to my wife, and I am sure she +will forgive the poor girl as I have done." + +I had to promise to be present at the wedding, which was to be at Madame +Audibert's. That lady knowing me to be very fond of play, and there being +a good deal of play going on at her house, wondered why she did not see +more of me; but I was at Marseilles to create and not to destroy: there +is a time for everything. + +I had a green velvet jacket made for Marcoline, with breeches of the same +and silver-lace garters, green silk stockings, and fine leather shoes of +the same colour. Her fine black hair was confined in a net of green silk, +with a silver brooch. In this dress the voluptuous and well-rounded form +of Marcoline was displayed to so much advantage, that if she had shewn +herself in the street all Marseilles would have run after her, for, in +spite of her man's dress, anybody could see that she was a girl. I took +her to my rooms in her ordinary costume, to shew her where she would have +to hide after the operation was over. + +By Saturday we had finished all the consecrations, and the oracle fixed +the regeneration of Semiramis for the following Tuesday, in the hours of +the sun, Venus, and Mercury, which follow each other in the planetary +system of the magicians, as also in Ptolemy's. These hours were in +ordinary parlance the ninth, tenth, and eleventh of the day, since the +day being a Tuesday, the first hour was sacred to Mars. And as at the +beginning of May the hours are sixty-five minutes long, the reader, +however little of a magician he may be, will understand that I had to +perform the great work on Madame d'Urfe, beginning at half-past two and +ending at five minutes to six. I had taken plenty of time, as I expected +I should have great need of it. + +On the Monday night, at the hour of the moon, I had taken Madame d'Urfe +to the sea-shore, Clairmont following behind with the box containing the +offerings, which weighed fifty pounds. + +I was certain that nobody could see us, and I told my companion that the +time was come. I told Clairmont to put down the box beside us, and to go +and await us at the carriage. When we were alone we addressed a solemn +prayer to Selenis, and then to the great satisfaction of the marchioness +the box was consigned to the address. My satisfaction however was still +greater than hers, for the box contained fifty pounds of lead. The real +box, containing the treasure, was comfortably hidden in my room. + +When we got back to the "Treize Cantons," I left Madame d'Urfe alone, +telling her that I would return to the hotel when I had performed my +conjurations to the moon, at the same hour and in the same place in which +I had performed the seven consecrations. + +I spoke the truth. I went to Marcoline, and while she was putting on her +disguise I wrote on a sheet of white paper, in large and odd-looking +letters, the following sentences, using, instead of ink, rock-alum: + +"I am dumb but not deaf. I am come from the Rhone to bathe you. The hour +of Oromasis has begun." + +"This is the note you are to give to the marchioness," I said, "when you +appear before her." + +After supper we walked to the hotel and got in without anyone seeing us. +I hid Marcoline in a large cupboard, and then putting on my dressing-gown +I went to the marchioness to inform her that Selenis had fixed the next +day for the hour of regeneration, and that we must be careful to finish +before the hour of the moon began, as otherwise the operation would be +annulled or at least greatly enfeebled. + +"You must take care," I added, "that the bath be here beside your bed, +and that Brougnole does not interrupt us." + +"I will tell her to go out. But Selenis promised to send an Undine." + +"True, but I have not yet seen such a being." + +"Ask the oracle." + +"Willingly." + +She herself asked the question imploring Paralis not to delay the time of +her regeneration, even though the Undine were lacking, since she could +very well bathe herself. + +"The commands of Oromasis change not," came the reply; "and in that you +have doubted them you have sinned." + +At this the marchioness arose and performed an expiatory sacrifice, and +it appeared, on consulting the oracle, that Oromasis was satisfied. + +The old lady did not move my pity so much as my laughter. She solemnly +embraced me and said,-- + +"To-morrow, Galtinardus, you will be my spouse and my father." When I got +back to my room and had shut the door, I drew the Undine out of her place +of concealment. She undressed, and as she knew that I should be obliged +to husband my forces, she turned her back on me, and we passed the night +without giving each other a single kiss, for a spark would have set us +all ablaze. + +Next morning, before summoning Clairmont, I gave her her breakfast, and +then replaced her in the cupboard. Later on, I gave her her instructions +over again, telling her to do everything with calm precision, a cheerful +face, and, above all, silence. + +"Don't be afraid," said she, "I will make no mistakes." + +As we were to dine at noon exactly, I went to look for the marchioness, +but she was not in her room, though the bath was there, and the bed which +was to be our altar was prepared. + +A few moments after, the marchioness came out of her dressing-room, +exquisitely painted, her hair arranged with the choicest lace, and +looking radiant. Her breasts, which forty years before had been the +fairest in all France, were covered with a lace shawl, her dress was of +the antique kind, but of extremely rich material, her ear-rings were +emeralds, and a necklace of seven aquamarines of the finest water, from +which hung an enormous emerald, surrounded by twenty brilliants, each +weighing a carat and a half, completed her costume. She wore on her +finger the carbuncle which she thought worth a million francs, but which +was really only a splendid imitation. + +Seeing Semiramis thus decked out for the sacrifice, I thought it my +bounden duty to offer her my homage. I would have knelt before her and +kissed her hand, but she would not let me, and instead opened her arms +and strained me to her breast. + +After telling Brougnole that she could go out till six o'clock, we talked +over our mysteries till the dinner was brought in. + +Clairmont was the only person privileged to see us at dinner, at which +Semiramis would only eat fish. At half-past one I told Clairmont I was +not at home to anyone, and giving him a louis I told him to go and amuse +himself till the evening. + +The marchioness began to be uneasy, and I pretended to be so, too. I +looked at my watch, calculated how the planetary hours were proceeding, +and said from time to time,-- + +"We are still in the hour of Mars, that of the sun has not yet +commenced." + +At last the time-piece struck half-past two, and in two minutes +afterwards the fair and smiling Undine was seen advancing into the room. +She came along with measured steps, and knelt before Madame d'Urfe, and +gave her the paper she carried. Seeing that I did not rise, the +marchioness remained seated, but she raised the spirit with a gracious +air and took the paper from her. She was surprised, however, to find that +it was all white. + +I hastened to give her a pen to consult the oracle on the subject, and +after I had made a pyramid of her question, she interpreted it and found +the answer: + +"That which is written in water must be read in water." + +"I understand now," said she, and going to the bath she plunged the paper +into it, and then read in still whiter letters: "I am dumb, but not deaf. +I am come from the Rhone to bathe you. The hour of Oromasis has begun." + +"Then bathe me, divine being," said Semiramis, putting down the paper and +sitting on the bed. + +With perfect exactitude Marcoline undressed the marchioness, and +delicately placed her feet in the water, and then, in a twinkling she had +undressed herself, and was in the bath, beside Madame d'Urfe. What a +contrast there was between the two bodies; but the sight of the one +kindled the flame which the other was to quench. + +As I gazed on the beautiful girl, I, too, undressed, and when I was ready +to take off my shirt I spoke as follows: "O divine being, wipe the feet +of Semiramis, and be the witness of my union with her, to the glory of +the immortal Horomadis, King of the Salamanders." + +Scarcely had I uttered my prayer when it was granted, and I consummated +my first union with Semiramis, gazing on the charms of Marcoline, which I +had never seen to such advantage before. + +Semiramis had been handsome, but she was then what I am now, and without +the Undine the operation would have failed. Nevertheless, Semiramis was +affectionate, clean, and sweet in every respect, and had nothing +disgusting about her, so I succeeded. + +When the milk had been poured forth upon the altar, I said,-- + +"We must now await the hour of Venus." + +The Undine performed the ablutions, embraced the bride, and came to +perform the same office for me. + +Semiramis was in an ecstasy of happiness, and as she pointed out to me +the beauties of the Undine I was obliged to confess that I had never seen +any mortal woman to be compared to her in beauty. Semiramis grew excited +by so voluptuous a sight, and when the hour of Venus began I proceeded to +the second assault, which would be the severest, as the hour was of +sixty-five minutes. I worked for half an hour, steaming with +perspiration, and tiring Semiramis, without being able to come to the +point. Still I was ashamed to trick her. She, the victim, wiped the drops +of sweat from my forehead, while the Undine, seeing my exhaustion, +kindled anew the flame which the contact of that aged body had destroyed. +Towards the end of the hour, as I was exhausted and still unsuccessful, I +was obliged to deceive her by making use of those movements which are +incidental to success. As I went out of the battle with all the signs of +my strength still about me, Semiramis could have no doubts as to the +reality of my success, and even the Undine was deceived when she came to +wash me. But the third hour had come, and we were obliged to satisfy +Mercury. We spent a quarter of the time in the bath, while the Undine +delighted Semiramis by caresses which would have delighted the regent of +France, if he had ever known of them. The good marchioness, believing +these endearments to be peculiar to river spirits, was pleased with +everything, and begged the Undine to shew me the same kindness. Marcoline +obeyed, and lavished on me all the resources of the Venetian school of +love. She was a perfect Lesbian, and her caresses having soon restored me +to all my vigour I was encouraged to undertake to satisfy Mercury. I +proceeded to the work, but alas! it was all in vain. I saw how my +fruitless efforts vexed the Undine, and perceiving that Madame d'Urfe had +had enough, I again took the course of deceiving her by pretended +ecstacies and movements, followed by complete rest. Semiramis afterwards +told me that my exertions shewed that I was something more than mortal. + +I threw myself into the bath, and underwent my third ablution, then I +dressed. Marcoline washed the marchioness and proceeded to clothe her, +and did so with such a graceful charm that Madame d'Urfe followed the +inspiration of her good genius, and threw her magnificent necklace over +the Undine's neck. After a parting Venetian kiss she vanished, and went +to her hiding place in the cupboard. + +Semiramis asked the oracle if the operation had been successful. The +answer was that she bore within her the seed of the sun, and that in the +beginning of next February she would be brought to bed of another self of +the same sex as the creator; but in order that the evil genii might not +be able to do her any harm she must keep quiet in her bed for a hundred +and seven hours in succession. + +The worthy marchioness was delighted to receive this order, and looked +upon it as a good omen, for I had tired her dreadfully. I kissed her, +saying that I was going to the country to collect together what remained +of the substances that I had used in my ceremonies, but I promised to +dine with her on the morrow. + +I shut myself up in my room with the Undine, and we amused ourselves as +best we could till it was night, for she could not go out while it was +light in her spiritual costume. I took off my handsome wedding garment, +and as soon as it was dusk we crept out, and went away to Marcoline's +lodging in a hackney coach, carrying with us the planetary offerings +which I had gained so cleverly. + +We were dying of hunger, but the delicious supper which was waiting for +us brought us to life again. As soon as we got into the room Marcoline +took off her green clothes and put on her woman's dress, saying,-- + +"I was not born to wear the breeches. Here, take the beautiful necklace +the madwoman gave me!" + +"I will sell it, fair Undine, and you shall have the proceeds." + +"Is it worth much?" + +"At least a thousand sequins. By the time you get back to Venice you will +be worth at least five thousand ducats, and you will be able to get a +husband and live with him in a comfortable style." + +"Keep it all, I don't want it; I want you. I will never cease to love +you; I will do whatever you tell me, and I promise never to be jealous. I +will care for you--yes, as if you were my son." + +"Do not let us say anything more about it, fair Marcoline, but let us go +to bed, for you have never inspired me with so much ardour as now." + +"But you must be tired." + +"Yes, but not exhaustion, for I was only able to perform the distillation +once." + +"I thought you sacrificed twice on that old altar. Poor old woman! she is +still pretty, and I have no doubt that fifty years ago she was one of the +first beauties in France. How foolish of her to be thinking of love at +that age." + +"You excited me, but she undid your work even more quickly." + +"Are you always obliged to have--a girl beside you when you make love to +her?" + +"No; before, there was no question of making a son." + +"What? you are going to make her pregnant? That's ridiculous! Does she +imagine that she has conceived?" + +"Certainly; and the hope makes her happy." + +"What a mad idea! But why did you try to do it three times?" + +"I thought to shew my strength, and that if I gazed on you I should not +fail; but I was quite mistaken." + +"I pity you for having suffered so much." + +"You will renew my strength." + +As a matter of fact, I do not know whether to attribute it to the +difference between the old and the young, but I spent a most delicious +night with the beautiful Venetian--a night which I can only compare to +those I passed at Parma with Henriette, and at Muran with the beautiful +nun. I spent fourteen hours in bed, of which four at least were devoted +to expiating the insult I had offered to love. When I had dressed and +taken my chocolate I told Marcoline to dress herself with elegance, and +to expect me in the evening just before the play began. I could see that +she was intensely delighted with the prospect. + +I found Madame d'Urfe in bed, dressed with care and in the fashion of a +young bride, and with a smile of satisfaction on her face which I had +never remarked there before. + +"To thee, beloved Galtinardus, I owe all my happiness," said she, as she +embraced me. + +"I am happy to have contributed to it, divine Semiramis, but you must +remember I am only the agent of the genii." + +Thereupon the marchioness began to argue in the most sensible manner, but +unfortunately the foundation of her argument was wholly chimerical. + +"Marry me," said she; "you will then be able to be governor of the child, +who will be your son. In this manner you will keep all my property for +me, including what I shall have from my brother M. de Pontcarre, who is +old and cannot live much longer. If you do not care for me in February +next, when I shall be born again, into what hands shall I fall! I shall +be called a bastard, and my income of twenty-four thousand francs will be +lost to me. Think over it, dear Galtinardus. I must tell you that I feel +already as if I were a man. I confess I am in love with the Undine, and I +should like to know whether I shall be able to sleep with her in fourteen +or fifteen years time. I shall be so if Oromasis will it, and then I +shall be happy indeed. What a charming creature she is? Have you ever +seen a woman like her? What a pity she is dumb!" + +"She, no doubt, has a male water-spirit for a lover. But all of them are +dumb, since it is impossible to speak in the water. I wonder she is not +deaf as well. I can't think why you didn't touch her. The softness of her +skin is something wonderful--velvet and satin are not to be compared to +it! And then her breath is so sweet! How delighted I should be if I could +converse with such an exquisite being." + +"Dear Galtinardus, I beg you will consult the oracle to find out where I +am to be brought to bed, and if you won't marry me I think I had better +save all I have that I may have some provision when I am born again, for +when I am born I shall know nothing, and money will be wanted to educate +me. By selling the whole a large sum might be realized which could be put +out at interest. Thus the interest would suffice without the capital +being touched." + +"The oracle must be our guide," said I. "You will be my son, and I will +never allow anyone to call you a bastard." + +The sublime madwoman was quiet by this assurance. + +Doubtless many a reader will say that if I had been an honest man I +should have undeceived her, but I cannot agree with them; it would have +been impossible, and I confess that even if it had been possible I would +not have done so, for it would only have made me unhappy. + +I had told Marcoline to dress with elegance, and I put on one of my +handsomest suits to accompany her to the theatre. Chance brought the two +sisters Rangoni, daughters of the Roman consul, into our box. As I had +made their acquaintance on my first visit to Marseilles, I introduced +Marcoline to them as my niece, who only spoke Italian. As the two young +ladies spoke the tongue of Tasso also, Marcoline was highly delighted. +The younger sister, who was by far the handsomer of the two, afterwards +became the wife of Prince Gonzaga Solferino. The prince was a cultured +man, and even a genius, but very poor. For all that he was a true son of +Gonzaga, being a son of Leopold, who was also poor, and a girl of the +Medini family, sister to the Medini who died in prison at London in the +year 1787. + +Babet Rangoni, though poor, deserved to become a princess, for she had +all the airs and manners of one. She shines under her name of Rangoni +amongst the princess and princesses of the almanacs. Her vain husband is +delighted at his wife being thought to belong to the illustrious family +of Medini--an innocent feeling, which does neither good nor harm. The +same publications turn Medini into Medici, which is equally harmless. +This species of lie arises from the idiotic pride of the nobles who think +themselves raised above the rest of humanity by their titles which they +have often acquired by some act of baseness. It is of no use interfering +with them on this point, since all things are finally appreciated at +their true value, and the pride of the nobility is easily discounted when +one sees them as they really are. + +Prince Gonzaga Solferino, whom I saw at Venice eighteen years ago, lived +on a pension allowed him by the empress. I hope the late emperor did not +deprive him of it, as it was well deserved by this genius and his +knowledge of literature. + +At the play Marcoline did nothing but chatter with Babet Rangoni, who +wanted me to bring the fair Venetian to see her, but I had my own reasons +for not doing so. + +I was thinking how I could send Madame d'Urfe to Lyons, for I had no +further use for her at Marseilles, and she was often embarrassing. For +instance, on the third day after her regeneration, she requested me to +ask Paralis where she was to die--that is, to be brought to bed. I made +the oracle reply that she must sacrifice to the water-spirits on the +banks of two rivers, at the same hour, and that afterwards the question +of her lying-in would be resolved. The oracle added that I must perform +three expiatory sacrifices to Saturn, on account of my too harsh +treatment of the false Querilinthos, and that Semiramis need not take +part in these ceremonies, though she herself must perform the sacrifices +to the water-spirits. + +As I was pretending to think of a place where two rivers were +sufficiently near to each other to fulfil the requirements of the oracle, +Semiramis herself suggested that Lyons was watered by the Rhone and the +Saone, and that it would be an excellent place for the ceremony. As may +be imagined, I immediately agreed with her. On asking Paralis if there +were any preparations to be made, he replied that it Would be necessary +to pour a bottle of sea-water into each river a fortnight before the +sacrifice, and that this ceremony was to be performed by Semiramis in +person, at the first diurnal hour of the moon. + +"Then," said the marchioness, "the bottles must be filled here, for the +other French ports are farther off. I will go as soon as ever I can leave +my bed, and will wait for you at Lyons; for as you have to perform +expiatory sacrifices to Saturn in this place, you cannot come with me." + +I assented, pretending sorrow at not being able to accompany her. The +next morning I brought her two well-sealed bottles of sea-water, telling +her that she was to pour them out into the two rivers on the 15th of May +(the current month). We fixed her departure for the 11th, and I promised +to rejoin her before the expiration of the fortnight. I gave her the +hours of the moon in writing, and also directions for the journey. + +As soon as the marchioness had gone I left the "Treize Cantons" and went +to live with Marcoline, giving her four hundred and sixty louis, which, +with the hundred and forty she had won at biribi, gave her a total of six +hundred louis, or fourteen thousand four hundred francs. With this sum +she could look the future in the face fearlessly. + +The day after Madame d'Urfe's departure, the betrothed of Mdlle. Crosin +arrived at Marseilles with a letter from Rosalie, which he handed to me +on the day of his arrival. She begged me in the name of our common honour +to introduce the bearer in person to the father of the betrothed. Rosalie +was right, but as the lady was not my real niece there were some +difficulties in the way. I welcomed the young man and told him that I +would first take him to Madame Audibert, and that we could then go +together to his father-in-law in prospective. + +The young Genoese had gone to the "Treize Cantons," where he thought I +was staying. He was delighted to find himself so near the goal of his +desires, and his ecstacy received a new momentum when he saw how +cordially Madame Audibert received him. We all got into my carriage and +drove to the father's who gave him an excellent reception, and then +presented him to his wife, who was already friendly disposed towards him. + +I was pleasantly surprised when this good and sensible man introduced me +to his wife as his cousin, the Chevalier de Seingalt, who had taken such +care of their daughter. The good wife and good mother, her husband's +worthy partner, stretched out her hand to me, and all my trouble was +over. + +My new cousin immediately sent an express messenger to his sister, +telling her that he and his wife, his future son-in-law, Madame Audibert, +and a cousin she had not met before, would come and dine with her on the +following day. This done he invited us, and Madame Audibert said that she +would escort us. She told him that I had another niece with me, of whom +his daughter was very fond, and would be delighted to see again. The +worthy man was overjoyed to be able to increase his daughter's happiness. + +I, too, was pleased with Madame Audibert's tact and thoughtfulness; and +as making Marcoline happy was to make me happy also, I expressed my +gratitude to her in very warm terms. + +I took the young Genoese to the play, to Marcoline's delight, for she +would have liked the French very much if she could have understood them. +We had an excellent supper together, in the course of which I told +Marcoline of the pleasure which awaited her on the morrow. I thought she +would have gone wild with joy. + +The next day we were at Madame Audibert's as punctually as Achilles on +the field of battle. The lady spoke Italian well, and was charmed with +Marcoline, reproaching me for not having introduced her before. At eleven +we got to St. Louis, and my eyes were charmed with the dramatic +situation. My late niece had an air of dignity which became her to +admiration, and received her future husband with great graciousness; and +then, after thanking me with a pleasant smile for introducing him to her +father, she passed from dignity to gaiety, and gave her sweetheart a +hundred kisses. + +The dinner was delicious, and passed off merrily; but I alone preserved a +tender melancholy, though I laughed to myself when they asked me why I +was sad. I was thought to be sad because I did not talk in my usual +vivacious manner, but far from being really sad that was one of the +happiest moments of my life. My whole being was absorbed in the calm +delight which follows a good action. I was the author of the comedy which +promised such a happy ending. I was pleased with the thought that my +influence in the world was more for good than for ill, and though I was +not born a king yet I contrived to make many people happy. Everyone at +table was indebted to me for some part of their happiness, and the +father, the mother, and the betrothed pair wholly so. This thought made +me feel a peaceful calm which I could only enjoy in silence. + +Mdlle. Crosin returned to Marseilles with her father, her mother, and her +future husband, whom the father wished to take up his abode with them. I +went back with Madame Audibert, who made me promise to bring the +delightful Marcoline to sup with her. + +The marriage depended on the receipt of a letter from the young man's +father, in answer to one from my niece's father. It will be taken for +granted that we were all asked to the wedding, and Marcoline's affection +for me increased every day. + +When we went to sup with Madame Audibert we found a rich and witty young +wine merchant at her house. He sat beside Marcoline, who entertained him +with her sallies; and as the young man could speak Italian, and even the +Venetian dialect (for he had spent a year at Venice), he was much +impressed by the charms of my new niece. + +I have always been jealous of my mistresses; but when a rival promises to +marry them and give them a good establishment, jealousy gives way to a +more generous feeling. For the moment I satisfied myself by asking Madame +Audibert who he was, and I was delighted to hear that he had an excellent +reputation, a hundred thousand crowns, a large business, and complete +independence. + +The next day he came to see us in our box at the theatre, and Marcoline +received him very graciously. Wishing to push the matter on I asked him +to sup with us, and when he came I was well pleased with his manners and +his intelligence; to Marcoline he was tender but respectful. On his +departure I told him I hoped he would come and see us again, and when we +were alone I congratulated Marcoline on her conquest, and shewed her that +she might succeed almost as well as Mdlle. Crosin. But instead of being +grateful she was furiously, angry. + +"If you want to get rid of me," said she, "send me back to Venice, but +don't talk to me about marrying." + +"Calm yourself, my angel! I get rid of you? What an idea! Has my +behaviour led you to suppose that you are in my way? This handsome, +well-educated, and rich young man has come under my notice. I see he +loves you and you like him, and as I love you and wish to see you +sheltered from the storms of fortune, and as I think this pleasant young +Frenchman would make you happy, I have pointed out to you these +advantages, but instead of being grateful you scold me. Do not weep, +sweetheart, you grieve my very soul!" + +"I am weeping because you think that I can love him." + +"It might be so, dearest, and without my honour taking any hurt; but let +us say no more about it and get into bed." + +Marcoline's tears changed to smiles and kisses, and we said no more about +the young wine merchant. The next day he came to our box again, but the +scene had changed; she was polite but reserved, and I dared not ask him +to supper as I had done the night before. When we had got home Marcoline +thanked me for not doing so, adding that she had been afraid I would. + +"What you said last night is a sufficient guide for me for the future." + +In the morning Madame Audibert called on behalf of the wine merchant to +ask us to sup with him. I turned towards the fair Venetian, and guessing +my thoughts she hastened to reply that she would be happy to go anywhere +in company with Madame Audibert. That lady came for us in the evening, +and took us to the young man's house, where we found a magnificent +supper, but no other guests awaiting us. The house was luxuriously +furnished, it only lacked a mistress. The master divided his attention +between the two ladies, and Marcoline looked ravishing. Everything +convinced me that she had kindled the ardour of the worthy young wine +merchant. + +The next day I received a note from Madame Audibert, asking me to call on +her. When I went I found she wanted to give my consent to the marriage of +Marcoline with her friend. + +"The proposal is a very agreeable one to me," I answered, "and I would +willingly give her thirty thousand francs as a dowry, but I can have +nothing to do with the matter personally. I will send her to you; and if +you can win her over you may count on my word, but do not say that you +are speaking on my behalf, for that might spoil everything." + +"I will come for her, and if you like she shall dine with me, and you can +take her to the play in the evening." + +Madame Audibert came the following day, and Marcoline went to dinner with +her. I called for her at five o'clock, and finding her looking pleased +and happy I did not know what to think. As Madame Audibert did not take +me aside I stifled my curiosity and went with Marcoline to the theatre, +without knowing what had passed. + +On the way Marcoline sang the praises of Madame Audibert, but did not say +a word of the proposal she must have made to her. About the middle of the +piece, however, I thought I saw the explanation of the riddle, for the +young man was in the pit, and did not come to our box though there were +two empty places. + +We returned home without a word about the merchant or Madame Audibert, +but as I knew in my own mind what had happened, I felt disposed to be +grateful, and I saw that Marcoline was overjoyed to find me more +affectionate than ever. At last, amidst our amorous assaults, Marcoline, +feeling how dearly I loved her, told me what had passed between her and +Madame Audibert. + +"She spoke to me so kindly and so sensibly," said she, "but I contented +myself with saying that I would never marry till you told me to do so. +All the same I thank you with all my heart for the ten thousand crowns +you are willing to give me. You have tossed the ball to me and I have +sent it back. I will go back to Venice whenever you please if you will +not take me to England with you, but I will never marry. I expect we +shall see no more of the young gentleman, though if I had never met you I +might have loved him." + +It was evidently all over, and I liked her for the part she had taken, +for a man who knows his own worth is not likely to sigh long at the feet +of an obdurate lady. + +The wedding-day of my late niece came round. Marcoline was there, without +diamonds, but clad in a rich dress which set off her beauty and satisfied +my vanity. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +I Leave Marseilles--Henriette at Aix--Irene at Avignon--Treachery of +Possano--Madame d'Urfe Leaves Lyon + +The wedding only interested me because of the bride. The plentiful rather +than choice repast, the numerous and noisy company, the empty +compliments, the silly conversation, the roars of laughter at very poor +jokes--all this would have driven me to despair if it had not been for +Madame Audibert, whom I did not leave for a moment. Marcoline followed +the young bride about like a shadow, and the latter, who was going to +Genoa in a week, wanted Marcoline to come in her train, promising to have +her taken to Venice by a person of trust, but my sweetheart would listen +to no proposal for separating her from me,-- + +"I won't go to Venice," she said, "till you send me there." + +The splendours of her friend's marriage did not make her experience the +least regret at having refused the young wine merchant. The bride beamed +with happiness, and on my congratulating her she confessed her joy to be +great, adding that it was increased by the fact that she owed it all to +me. She was also very glad to be going to Genoa, where she was sure of +finding a true friend in Rosalie, who would sympathize with her, their +fortunes having been very similar. + +The day after the wedding I began to make preparations for my departure. +The first thing I disposed of was the box containing the planetary +offerings. I kept the diamonds and precious stones, and took all the gold +and silver to Rousse de Cosse, who still held the sum which Greppi had +placed to my credit. I took a bill of exchange on Tourton and Bauer, for +I should not be wanting any money at Lyons as Madame d'Urfe was there, +and consequently the three hundred louis I had about me would be ample. I +acted differently where Marcoline was concerned. I added a sufficient sum +to her six hundred louis to give her a capital in round numbers of +fifteen thousand francs. I got a bill drawn on Lyons for that amount, for +I intended at the first opportunity to send her back to Venice, and with +that idea had her trunks packed separately with all the linen and dresses +which I had given her in abundance. + +On the eve of our departure we took leave of the newly-married couple and +the whole family at supper, and we parted with tears, promising each +other a lifelong friendship. + +The next day we set out intending to travel all night and not to stop +till we got to Avignon, but about five o'clock the chain of the carriage +broke, and we could go no further until a wheelwright had repaired the +damage. We settled ourselves down to wait patiently, and Clairmont went +to get information at a fine house on our right, which was approached by +an alley of trees. As I had only one postillion, I did not allow him to +leave his horses for a moment. Before long we saw Clairmont reappear with +two servants, one of whom invited me, on behalf of his master, to await +the arrival of the wheelwright at his house. It would have been churlish +to refuse this invitation which was in the true spirit of French +politeness, so leaving Clairmont in charge Marcoline and I began to wend +our way towards the hospitable abode. + +Three ladies and two gentleman came to meet us, and one of the gentlemen +said they congratulated themselves on my small mishap, since it enabled +madam to offer me her house and hospitality. I turned towards the lady +whom the gentleman had indicated, and thanked her, saying, that I hoped +not to trouble her long, but that I was deeply grateful for her kindness. +She made me a graceful curtsy, but I could not make out her features, for +a stormy wind was blowing, and she and her two friends had drawn their +hoods almost entirely over their faces. Marcoline's beautiful head was +uncovered and her hair streaming in the breeze. She only replied by +graceful bows and smiles to the compliments which were addressed to her +on all sides. The gentleman who had first accosted me asked me, as he +gave her his arm, if she were my daughter. Marcoline smiled and I +answered that she was my cousin, and that we were both Venetians. + +A Frenchman is so bent on flattering a pretty woman that he will always +do so, even if it be at the expense of a third party. Nobody could really +think that Marcoline was my daughter, for though I was twenty years older +than she was, I looked ten years younger than my real age, and so +Marcoline smiled suggestively. + +We were just going into the house when a large mastiff ran towards us, +chasing a pretty spaniel, and the lady, being afraid of getting bitten, +began to run, made a false step, and fell to the ground. We ran to help +her, but she said she had sprained her ankle, and limped into the house +on the arm of one of the gentlemen. Refreshments were brought in, and I +saw that Marcoline looked uneasy in the company of a lady who was talking +to her. I hastened to excuse her, saying that she did not speak French. +As a matter of fact, Marcoline had begun to talk a sort of French, but +the most charming language in the world will not bear being spoken badly, +and I had begged her not to speak at all till she had learned to express +herself properly. It is better to remain silent than to make strangers +laugh by odd expressions and absurd equivocations. + +The less pretty, or rather the uglier, of the two ladies said that it was +astonishing that the education of young ladies was neglected in such a +shocking manner at Venice. "Fancy not teaching them French!" + +"It is certainly very wrong, but in my country young ladies are neither +taught foreign languages nor round games. These important branches of +education are attended to afterwards." + +"Then you are a Venetian, too?" + +"Yes, madam." + +"Really, I should not have thought so." + +I made a bow in return for this compliment, which in reality was only an +insult; for if flattering to me it was insulting to the rest of my +fellow-countrymen, and Marcoline thought as much for she made a little +grimace accompanied by a knowing smile. + +"I see that the young lady understands French," said our flattering +friend, "she laughs exactly in the right place." + +"Yes, she understands it, and as for her laughter it was due to the fact +that she knows me to be like all other Venetians." + +"Possibly, but it is easy to see that you have lived a long time in +France." + +"Yes, madam," said Marcoline; and these words in her pretty Venetian +accent were a pleasure to hear. + +The gentleman who had taken the lady to her room said that she found her +foot to be rather swollen, and had gone to bed hoping we would all come +upstairs. + +We found her lying in a splendid bed, placed in an alcove which the thick +curtains of red satin made still darker. I could not see whether she was +young or old, pretty or ugly. I said that I was very sorry to be the +indirect cause of her mishap, and she replied in good Italian that it was +a matter of no consequence, and that she did not think she could pay too +dear for the privilege of entertaining such pleasant guests. + +"Your ladyship must have lived in Venice to speak the language with so +much correctness." + +"No, I have never been there, but I have associated a good deal with +Venetians." + +A servant came and told me that the wheelwright had arrived, and that he +would take four hours to mend my carriage, so I went downstairs. The man +lived at a quarter of a league's distance, and by tying the carriage pole +with ropes, I could drive to his place, and wait there for the carriage +to be mended. I was about to do so, when the gentleman who did the +honours of the house came and asked me, on behalf of the lady, to sup and +pass the night at her house, as to go to the wheelwright's would be out +of my way; the man would have to work by night, I should be +uncomfortable, and the work would be ill done. I assented to the +countess's proposal, and having agreed with the man to come early the +next day and bring his tools with him, I told Clairmont to take my +belongings into the room which was assigned to me. + +When I returned to the countess's room I found everyone laughing at +Marcoline's sallies, which the countess translated. I was not astonished +at seeing the way in which my fair Venetian caressed the countess, but I +was enraged at not being able to see her, for I knew Marcoline would not +treat any woman in that manner unless she were pretty. + +The table was spread in the bedroom of the countess, whom I hoped to see +at supper-time, but I was disappointed; for she declared that she could +not take anything, and all supper-time she talked to Marcoline and +myself, shewing intelligence, education, and a great knowledge of +Italian. She let fall the expression, "my late husband," so I knew her +for a widow, but as I did not dare to ask any questions, my knowledge +ended at that point. When Clairmont was undressing me he told me her +married name, but as I knew nothing of the family that was no addition to +my information. + +When we had finished supper, Marcoline took up her old position by the +countess's bed, and they talked so volubly to one another that nobody +else could get in a word. + +When politeness bade me retire, my pretended cousin said she was going to +sleep with the countess. As the latter laughingly assented, I refrained +from telling my madcap that she was too forward, and I could see by their +mutual embraces that they were agreed in the matter. I satisfied myself +with saying that I could not guarantee the sex of the countess's +bed-fellow, but she answered, + +"Never mind; if there be a mistake I shall be the gainer." + +This struck me as rather free, but I was not the man to be scandalized. I +was amused at the tastes of my fair Venetian, and at the manner in which +she contrived to gratify them as she had done at Genoa with my last +niece. As a rule the Provencal women are inclined this way, and far from +reproaching them I like them all the better for it. + +The next day I rose at day-break to hurry on the wheelwright, and when +the work was done I asked if the countess were visible. Directly after +Marcoline came out with one of the gentlemen, who begged me to excuse the +countess, as she could not receive me in her present extremely scanty +attire; "but she hopes that whenever you are in these parts you will +honour her and her house by your company, whether you are alone or with +friends." + +This refusal, gilded as it was, was a bitter pill for me to swallow, but +I concealed my disgust, as I could only put it down to Marcoline's +doings; she seemed in high spirits, and I did not like to mortify her. I +thanked the gentleman with effusion, and placing a Louis in the hands of +all the servants who were present I took my leave. + +I kissed Marcoline affectionately, so that she should not notice my ill +humour, and asked how she and the countess spent the night. + +"Capitally," said she. "The countess is charming, and we amused ourselves +all night with the tricks of two amorous women." + +"Is she pretty or old?" + +"She is only thirty-three, and, I assure you, she is as pretty as my +friend Mdlle. Crosin. I can speak with authority for we saw each other in +a state of nature." + +"You are a singular creature; you were unfaithful to me for a woman, and +left me to pass the night by myself." + +"You must forgive me, and I had to sleep with her as she was the first to +declare her love." + +"Really? How was that?" + +"When I gave her the first of my kisses she returned it in the Florentine +manner, and our tongues met. After supper, I confess, I was the first to +begin the suggestive caresses, but she met me half-way. I could only make +her happy by spending the night with her. Look, this will shew you how +pleased she was." + +With these words Marcoline drew a superb ring, set with brilliants, from +her finger. I was astonished. + +"Truly," I said, "this woman is fond of pleasure and deserves to have +it." + +I gave my Lesbian (who might have vied with Sappho) a hundred kisses, +and forgave her her infidelity. + +"But," I remarked, "I can't think why she did not want me to see her; I +think she has treated me rather cavalierly." + +"No, I think the reason was that she was ashamed to be seen by my lover +after having made me unfaithful to him; I had to confess that we were +lovers." + +"Maybe. At all events you have been well paid; that ring is worth two +hundred louis:" + +"But I may as well tell you that I was well enough paid for the pleasure +I gave by the pleasure I received." + +"That's right; I am delighted to see you happy." + +"If you want to make me really happy, take me to England with you. My +uncle will be there, and I could go back to Venice with him." + +"What! you have an uncle in England? Do you really mean it? It sounds +like a fairy-tale. You never told me of it before." + +"I have never said anything about it up to now, because I have always +imagined that this might prevent your accomplishing your desire." + +"Is your uncle a Venetian? What is he doing in England? Are you sure that +he will welcome you?" + +"Yes." + +"What is his name? And how are we to find him in a town of more than a +million inhabitants?" + +"He is ready found. His name is Mattio Boisi, and he is valet de chambre +to M. Querini, the Venetian ambassador sent to England to congratulate +the new king; he is accompanied by the Procurator Morosini. My uncle is +my mother's brother; he is very fond of me, and will forgive my fault, +especially when he finds I am rich. When he went to England he said he +would be back in Venice in July, and we shall just catch him on the point +of departure." + +As far as the embassy went I knew it was all true, from the letters I had +received from M. de Bragadin, and as for the rest Marcoline seemed to me +to be speaking the truth. I was flattered by her proposal and agreed to +take her to England so that I should possess her for five or six weeks +longer without committing myself to anything. + +We reached Avignon at the close of the day, and found ourselves very +hungry. I knew that the "St. Omer" was an excellent inn, and when I got +there I ordered a choice meal and horses for five o'clock the next +morning. Marcoline, who did not like night travelling, was in high glee, +and threw her arms around my neck, saying,-- + +"Are we at Avignon now?" + +"Yes, dearest." + +"Then I conscientiously discharge the trust which the countess placed in +me when she embraced me for the last time this morning. She made me swear +not to say a word about it till we got to Avignon." + +"All this puzzles me, dearest; explain yourself." + +"She gave me a letter for you." + +"A letter?" + +"Will you forgive me for not placing it in your hands sooner?" + +"Certainly, if you passed your word to the countess; but where is this +letter?" + +"Wait a minute." + +She drew a large bundle of papers from her pocket, saying,-- + +"This is my certificate of baptism." + +"I see you were born in 1746." + +"This is a certificate of 'good conduct.'" + +"Keep it, it may be useful to you." + +"This is my certificate of virginity." + +"That's no use. Did you get it from a midwife?" + +"No, from the Patriarch of Venice." + +"Did he test the matter for himself?" + +"No, he was too old; he trusted in me." + +"Well, well, let me see the letter." + +"I hope I haven't lost it." + +"I hope not, to God." + +"Here is your brother's promise of marriage; he wanted to be a +Protestant." + +"You may throw that into the fire." + +"What is a Protestant?" + +"I will tell you another time. Give me the letter." + +"Praised be God, here it is!" + +"That's lucky; but it has no address." + +My heart beat fast, as I opened it, and found, instead of an address, +these words in Italian: + +"To the most honest man of my acquaintance." + +Could this be meant for me? I turned down the leaf, and read one +word--Henriette! Nothing else; the rest of the paper was blank. + +At the sight of that word I was for a moment annihilated. + +"Io non mori, e non rimasi vivo." + +Henriette! It was her style, eloquent in its brevity. I recollected her +last letter from Pontarlier, which I had received at Geneva, and which +contained only one word--Farewell! + +Henriette, whom I had loved so well, whom I seemed at that moment to love +as well as ever. "Cruel Henriette," said I to myself, "you saw me and +would not let me see you. No doubt you thought your charms would not have +their old power, and feared lest I should discover that after all you +were but mortal. And yet I love you with all the ardour of my early +passion. Why did you not let me learn from your own mouth that you were +happy? That is the only question I should have asked you, cruel fair one. +I should not have enquired whether you loved me still, for I feel my +unworthiness, who have loved other women after loving the most perfect of +her sex. Adorable Henriette, I will fly to you to-morrow, since you told +me that I should be always welcome." + +I turned these thoughts over in my own mind, and fortified myself in this +resolve; but at last I said,-- + +"No, your behaviour proves that you do not wish to see me now, and your +wishes shall be respected; but I must see you once before I die." + +Marcoline scarcely dared breathe to see me thus motionless and lost in +thought, and I do not know when I should have come to myself if the +landlord had not come in saying that he remembered my tastes, and had got +me a delicious supper. This brought me to my senses, and I made my fair +Venetian happy again by embracing her in a sort of ecstacy. + +"Do you know," she said, "you quite frightened me? You were as pale and +still as a dead man, and remained for a quarter of an hour in a kind of +swoon, the like of which I have never seen. What is the reason? I knew +that the countess was acquainted with you, but I should never have +thought that her name by itself could have such an astonishing effect." + +"Well, it is strange; but how did you find out that the countess knew +me?" + +"She told me as much twenty times over in the night, but she made me +promise to say nothing about it till I had given you the letter." + +"What did she say to you about me?" + +"She only repeated in different ways what she has written for an +address." + +"What a letter it is! Her name, and nothing more." + +"It is very strange." + +"Yes, but the name tells all." + +"She told me that if I wanted to be happy I should always remain with +you. I said I knew that well; but that you wanted to send me back to +Venice, though you were very fond of me. I can guess now that you were +lovers. How long ago was it?" + +"Sixteen or seventeen years." + +"She must have been very young, but she cannot have been prettier than +she is now." + +"Be quiet, Marcoline." + +"Did your union with her last long?" + +"We lived together four months in perfect happiness." + +"I shall not be happy for so long as that." + +"Yes you will, and longer, too; but with another man, and one more +suitable to you in age. I am going to England to try to get my daughter +from her mother." + +"Your daughter? The countess asked me if you were married, and I said +no." + +"You were right; she is my illegitimate daughter. She must be ten now, +and when you see her you will confess that she must belong to me." + +Just as we were sitting down to table we heard someone going downstairs +to the table d'hote in the room where I had made Madame Stuard's +acquaintance, our door was open, and we could see the people on the +stairs; and one of them seeing us gave a cry of joy, and came running in, +exclaiming, "My dear papa!" I turned to the light and saw Irene, the same +whom I had treated so rudely at Genoa after my discussion with her father +about biribi. I embraced her effusively, and the sly little puss, +pretending to be surprised to see Marcoline, made her a profound bow, +which was returned with much grace. Marcoline listened attentively to our +conversation. + +"What are you doing here, fair Irene?" + +"We have been here for the last fortnight. Good heavens! how lucky I am +to find you again. I am quite weak. Will you allow me to sit down, +madam?" + +"Yes, yes, my dear," said I, "sit down;" and I gave her a glass of wine +which restored her. + +A waiter came up, and said they were waiting for her at supper, but she +said, "I won't take any supper;" and Marcoline, always desirous of +pleasing me, ordered a third place to be laid. I made her happy by giving +an approving nod. + +We sat down to table, and ate our meal with great appetite. "When we have +done," I said to Irene, "you must tell us what chance has brought you to +Avignon." + +Marcoline, who had not spoken a word hitherto, noticing how hungry Irene +was, said pleasantly that it would have been a mistake if she had not +taken any supper. Irene was delighted to hear Venetian spoken, and +thanked her for her kindness, and in three or four minutes they had +kissed and become friends. + +It amused me to see the way in which Marcoline always fell in love with +pretty women, just as if she had been a man. + +In the course of conversation I found that Irene's father and mother were +at the table d'hote below, and from sundry exclamations, such as "you +have been brought to Avignon out of God's goodness," I learned that they +were in distress. In spite of that Irene's mirthful countenance matched +Marcoline's sallies, and the latter was delighted to hear that Irene had +only called me papa because her mother had styled her my daughter at +Milan. + +We had only got half-way through our supper when Rinaldi and his wife +came in. I asked them to sit down, but if it had not been for Irene I +should have given the old rascal a very warm reception. He began to chide +his daughter for troubling me with her presence when I had such fair +company already, but Marcoline hastened to say that Irene could only have +given me pleasure, for in my capacity of her uncle I was always glad when +she was able to enjoy the society of a sweet young girl. + +"I hope," she added, "that if she doesn't mind she will sleep with me." + +"Yes, yes," resounded on all sides, and though I should have preferred to +sleep with Marcoline by herself, I laughed and agreed; I have always been +able to accommodate myself to circumstances. + +Irene shared Marcoline's desires, for when it was settled that they +should sleep together they seemed wild with joy, and I added fuel to the +fire by plying them with punch and champagne. + +Rinaldi and his wife did not leave us till they were quite drunk. When we +had got rid of them, Irene told us how a Frenchman had fallen in love +with her at Genoa, and had persuaded her father to go to Nice where high +play was going on, but meeting with no luck there she had been obliged to +sell what she had to pay the inn-keeper. Her lover had assured her that +he would make it up to her at Aix, where there was some money owing to +him, and she persuaded her father to go there; but the persons who owed +the money having gone to Avignon, there had to be another sale of goods. + +"When we got here the luck was no better, and the poor young man, whom my +father reproached bitterly, would have killed himself if I had not given +him the mantle you gave me that he might pawn it and go on his quest. He +got four louis for it, and sent me the ticket with a very tender letter, +in which he assured me that he would find some money at Lyons, and that +he would then return and take us to Bordeaux, where we are to find +treasures. In the meanwhile we are penniless, and as we have nothing more +to sell the landlord threatens to turn us out naked." + +"And what does your father mean to do?" + +"I don't know. He says Providence will take care of us." + +"What does your mother say?" + +"Oh! she was as quiet as usual." + +"How about yourself?" + +"Alas! I have to bear a thousand mortifications every day. They are +continually reproaching me with having fallen in love with this +Frenchman, and bringing them to this dreadful pass." + +"Were you really in love with him?" + +"Yes, really." + +"Then you must be very unhappy." + +"Yes, very; but not on account of my love, for I shall get over that in +time, but because of that which will happen to-morrow." + +"Can't you make any conquests at the table-d'hote?" + +"Some of the men say pretty things to me, but as they all know how poor +we are they are afraid to come to our room." + +"And yet in spite of all you keep cheerful; you don't look sad like most +of the unhappy. I congratulate you on your good spirits." Irene's tale +was like the fair Stuard's story over again, and Marcoline, though she +had taken rather too much champagne, was deeply moved at this picture of +misery. She kissed the girl, telling her that I would not forsake her, +and that in the meanwhile they would spend a pleasant night. + +"Come! let us to bed!" said she; and after taking off her clothes she +helped Irene to undress. I had no wish to fight, against two, and said +that I wanted to rest. The fair Venetian burst out laughing and said,-- + +"Go to bed and leave us alone." + +I did so, and amused myself by watching the two Bacchantes; but Irene, +who had evidently never engaged in such a combat before, was not nearly +so adroit as Marcoline. + +Before long Marcoline brought Irene in her arms to my bedside, and told +me to kiss her. + +"Leave me alone, dearest," said I, "the punch has got into your head, and +you don't know what you are doing." + +This stung her; and urging Irene to follow her example, she took up a +position in my bed by force; and as there was not enough room for three, +Marcoline got on top of Irene, calling her her wife. + +I was virtuous enough to remain a wholly passive spectator of the scene, +which was always new to me, though I had seen it so often; but at last +they flung themselves on me with such violence that I was obliged to give +way, and for the most part of the night I performed my share of the work, +till they saw that I was completely exhausted. We fell asleep, and I did +not wake up till noon, and then I saw my two beauties still asleep, with +their limbs interlaced like the branches of a tree. I thought with a sigh +of the pleasures of such a sleep, and got out of bed gently for fear of +rousing them. I ordered a good dinner to be prepared, and countermanded +the horses which had been waiting several hours. + +The landlord remembering what I had done for Madame Stuard guessed I was +going to do the same for the Rinaldis, and left them in peace. + +When I came back I found my two Lesbians awake, and they gave me such an +amorous welcome that I felt inclined to complete the work of the night +with a lover's good morning; but I began to feel the need of husbanding +my forces, so I did nothing, and bore their sarcasms in silence till one +o'clock, when I told them to get up, as we ought to have done at five +o'clock, and here was two o'clock and breakfast not done. + +"We have enjoyed ourselves," said Marcoline, "and time that is given to +enjoyment is never lost." + +When they were dressed, I had coffee brought in, and I gave Irene sixteen +louis, four of which were to redeem her cloak. Her father and mother who +had just dined came in to bid us good-day, and Irene proudly gave her +father twelve Louis telling him to scold her a little less in future. He +laughed, wept, and went out, and then came back and said he found a good +way of getting to Antibes at a small cost, but they would have to go +directly, as the driver wanted to get to St. Andiol by nightfall. + +"I am quite ready." + +"No, dear Irene," said I, "you shall not go; you shall dine with your +friend, and your driver can wait. Make him do so, Count Rinaldi; my niece +will pay, will you not, Marcoline?" + +"Certainly. I should like to dine here, and still better to put off our +departure till the next day." + +Her wishes were my orders. We had a delicious supper at five o'clock, and +at eight we went to bed and spent the night in wantonness, but at five in +the morning all were ready to start. Irene, who wore her handsome cloak, +shed hot tears at parting from Marcoline, who also wept with all her +heart. Old Rinaldi, who proved himself no prophet, told me that I should +make a great fortune in England, and his daughter sighed to be in +Marcoline's place. We shall hear of Rinaldi later on. + +We drove on for fifteen posts without stopping, and passed the night at +Valence. The food was bad, but Marcoline forgot her discomfort in talking +of Irene. + +"Do you know," said she, "that if it had been in my power I should have +taken her from her parents. I believe she is your daughter, though she is +not like you." + +"How can she be my daughter when I have never known her mother?" + +"She told me that certainly." + +"Didn't she tell you anything else?" + +"Yes, she told me that you lived with her for three days and bought her +maidenhead for a thousand sequins." + +"Quite so, but did she tell you that I paid the money to her father?" + +"Yes, the little fool doesn't keep anything for herself. I don't think I +should ever be jealous of your mistresses, if you let me sleep with them. +Is not that a mark of a good disposition? Tell me." + +"You have, no doubt, a good disposition, but you could be quite as good +without your dominant passion." + +"It is not a passion. I only have desires for those I love." + +"Who gave you this taste?" + +"Nature. I began at seven, and in the last ten years I have certainly had +four hundred sweethearts." + +"You begin early. But when did you begin to have male sweethearts?" + +"At eleven." + +"Tell me all about it." + +"Father Molini, a monk, was my confessor, and he expressed a desire to +know the girl who was then my sweetheart. It was in the carnival time, +and he gave us a moral discourse, telling us that he would take us to the +play if we would promise to abstain for a week. We promised to do so, and +at the end of the week we went to tell him that we had kept our word +faithfully. The next day Father Molini called on my sweetheart's aunt in +a mask, and as she knew him, and as he was a monk and a confessor, we +were allowed to go with him. Besides, we were mere children; my +sweetheart was only a year older than I. + +"After the play the father took us to an inn, and gave us some supper; +and when the meal was over he spoke to us of our sin, and wanted to see +our privates. 'It's a great sin between two girls,' said he, 'but between +a man and a woman it is a venial matter. Do you know how men are made?' +We both knew, but we said no with one consent. 'Then would you like to +know?' said he. We said we should like to know very much, and he added, +'If you will promise to keep it a secret, I may be able to satisfy your +curiosity.' We gave our promises, and the good father proceeded to +gratify us with a sight of the riches which nature had lavished on him, +and in the course of an hour he had turned us into women. I must confess +that he understood so well how to work on our curiosity that the request +came from us. Three years later, when I was fourteen, I became the +mistress of a young jeweller. Then came your brother; but he got nothing +from me, because he began by saying that he could not ask me to give him +any favours till we were married." + +"You must have been amused at that." + +"Yes, it did make me laugh, because I did not know that a priest could +get married; and he excited my curiosity by telling me that they managed +it at Geneva. Curiosity and wantonness made me escape with him; you know +the rest." + +Thus did Marcoline amuse me during the evening, and then we went to bed +and slept quietly till the morning. We started from Valence at five, and +in the evening we were set down at the "Hotel du Parc" at Lyons. + +As soon as I was settled in the pleasant apartments allotted to me I went +to Madame d'Urfe, who was staying in the Place Bellecour, and said, as +usual, that she was sure I was coming on that day. She wanted to know if +she had performed the ceremonies correctly, and Paralis, of course, +informed her that she had, whereat she was much flattered. The young +Aranda was with her, and after I had kissed him affectionately I told the +marchioness that I would be with her at ten o'clock the next morning, and +so I left her. + +I kept the appointment and we spent the whole of the day in close +conference, asking of the oracle concerning her being brought to bed, how +she was to make her will, and how she should contrive to escape poverty +in her regenerated shape. The oracle told her that she must go to Paris +for her lying-in, and leave all her possessions to her son, who would not +be a bastard, as Paralis promised that as soon as I got to London an +English gentleman should be sent over to marry her. Finally, the oracle +ordered her to prepare to start in three days, and to take Aranda with +her. I had to take the latter to London and return him to his mother, for +his real position in life was no longer a mystery, the little rascal +having confessed all; however, I had found a remedy for his indiscretion +as for the treachery of the Corticelli and Possano. + +I longed to return him to the keeping of his mother, who constantly wrote +me impertinent letters. I also wished to take my daughter, who, according +to her mother, had become a prodigy of grace and beauty. + +After the oracular business had been settled, I returned to the "Hotel du +Parc" to dine with Marcoline. It was very late, and as I could not take +my sweetheart to the play I called on M. Bono to enquire whether he had +sent my brother to Paris. He told me that he had gone the day before, and +that my great enemy, Possano, was still in Lyons, and that I would do +well to be on my guard as far as he was concerned. + +"I have seen him," said Bono; "he looks pale and undone, and seems +scarcely able to stand. 'I shall die before long,' said he, 'for that +scoundrel Casanova has had me poisoned; but I will make him pay dearly +for his crime, and in this very town of Lyons, where I know he will come, +sooner or later.' + +"In fact, in the course of half an hour, he made some terrible +accusations against you, speaking as if he were in a fury. He wants all +the world to know that you are the greatest villain unhung, that you are +ruining Madame d'Urfe with your impious lies; that you are a sorcerer, a +forger, an utter of false moneys, a poisoner--in short, the worst of men. +He does not intend to publish a libellous pamphlet upon you, but to +accuse you before the courts, alleging that he wants reparation for the +wrongs you have done his person, his honour, and his life, for he says +you are killing him by a slow poison. He adds that for every article he +possesses the strongest proof. + +"I will say nothing about the vague abuse he adds to these formal +accusations, but I have felt it my duty to warn you of his treacherous +designs that you may be able to defeat them. It's no good saying he is a +miserable wretch, and that you despise him; you know how strong a thing +calumny is." + +"Where does the fellow live?" + +"I don't know in the least." + +"How can I find out?" + +"I can't say, for if he is hiding himself on purpose it would be hard to +get at him." + +"Nevertheless, Lyons is not so vast a place." + +"Lyons is a perfect maze, and there is no better hiding-place, especially +to a man with money, and Possano has money." + +"But what can he do to me?" + +"He can institute proceedings against you in the criminal court, which +would cause you immense anxiety and bring down your good name to the +dust, even though you be the most innocent, the most just of men." + +"It seems to me, then, that the best thing I can do will be to be first +in the field." + +"So I think, but even then you cannot avoid publicity." + +"Tell me frankly if you feel disposed to bear witness to what the rascal +has said in a court of justice." + +"I will tell all I know with perfect truth." + +"Be kind enough to tell me of a good advocate." + +"I will give you the address of one of the best; but reflect before you +do anything. The affair will make a noise." + +"As I don't know where he lives, I have really no choice in the matter." + +If I had known where he lived I could have had Possano expelled from +Lyons through the influence of Madame d'Urfe, whose relative, M. de la +Rochebaron, was the governor; but as it was, I had no other course than +the one I took. + +Although Possano was a liar and an ungrateful, treacherous hound, yet I +could not help being uneasy. I went to my hotel, and proceeded to ask for +police protection against a man in hiding in Lyons, who had designs +against my life and honour. + +The next day M. Bono came to dissuade me from the course I had taken. + +"For," said he, "the police will begin to search for him, and as soon as +he hears of it he will take proceedings against you in the criminal +courts, and then your positions will be changed. It seems to me that if +you have no important business at Lyons you had better hasten your +departure." + +"Do you think I would do such a thing for a miserable fellow like +Possano? No! I would despise myself if I did. I would die rather than +hasten my departure on account of a rascal whom I loaded with kindnesses, +despite his unworthiness! I would give a hundred louis to know where he +is now." + +"I am delighted to say that I do not know anything about it, for if I did +I would tell you, and then God knows what would happen! You won't go any +sooner; well, then, begin proceedings, and I will give my evidence by +word of mouth or writing whenever you please." + +I went to the advocate whom M. Bono had recommended to me, and told him +my business. When he heard what I wanted he said,---- + +"I can do nothing for you, sir, as I have undertaken the case of your +opponent. You need not be alarmed, however, at having spoken to me, for I +assure you that I will make no use whatever of the information. Possano's +plea or accusation will not be drawn up till the day after to-morrow, but +I will not tell him to make baste for fear of your anticipating him, as I +have only been informed of your intentions by hazard. However, you will +find plenty of advocates at Lyons as honest as I am, and more skilled." + +"Could you give me the name of one?" + +"That would not be etiquette, but M. Bono, who seems to have kindly +spoken of me with some esteem, will be able to serve you." + +"Can you tell me where your client lives?" + +"Since his chief aim is to remain hidden, and with good cause, you will +see that I could not think of doing such a thing." + +In bidding him farewell I put a louis on the table, and though I did it +with the utmost delicacy he ran after me and made me take it back. + +"For once in a way," I said to myself, "here's an honest advocate." + +As I walked along I thought of putting a spy on Possano and finding out +his abode, for I felt a strong desire to have him beaten to death; but +where was I to find a spy in a town of which I knew nothing? M. Bono gave +me the name of another advocate, and advised me to make haste. + +"'Tis in criminal matters," said he, "and in such cases the first comer +always has the advantage." + +I asked him to find me a trusty fellow to track out the rascally Possano, +but the worthy man would not hear of it. He shewed me that it would be +dishonourable to set a spy on the actions of Possano's advocate. I knew +it myself; but what man is there who has not yielded to the voice of +vengeance, the most violent and least reasonable of all the passions. + +I went to the second advocate, whom I found to be a man venerable not +only in years but in wisdom. I told him all the circumstances of the +affair, which he agreed to take up, saying he would present my plea in +the course of the day. + +"That's just what I want you to do," said I, "for his own advocate told +me that his pleas would be presented the day after to-morrow." + +"That, sir," said her "would not induce me to act with any greater +promptness, as I could not consent to your abusing the confidence of my +colleague." + +"But there is nothing dishonourable in making use of information which +one has acquired by chance." + +"That may be a tenable position in some cases, but in the present +instance the nature of the affair justifies prompt action. 'Prior in +tempore, Potior in jure'. Prudence bids us attack our enemy. Be so kind, +if you please, to call here at three o'clock in the afternoon." + +"I will not fail to do so, and in the meanwhile here are six louis." + +"I will keep account of my expenditure on your behalf." + +"I want you not to spare money." + +"Sir, I shall spend only what is absolutely necessary." + +I almost believed that probity had chosen a home for herself amongst the +Lyons advocates, and here I may say, to the honour of the French bar, +that I have never known a more honest body of men than the advocates of +France. + +At three o'clock, having seen that the plan was properly drawn up, I went +to Madame d'Urfe's, and for four hours I worked the oracle in a manner +that filled her with delight, and in spite of my vexation I could not +help laughing at her insane fancies on the subject of her pregnancy. She +was certain of it; she felt all the symptoms. Then she said how sorry she +felt that she would not be alive to laugh at all the hypotheses of the +Paris doctors as to her being delivered of a child, which would be +thought very extraordinary in a woman of her age. + +When I got back to the inn I found Marcoline very melancholy. She said +she had been waiting for me to take her to the play, according to my +promise, and that I should not have made her wait in vain. + +"You are right, dearest, but an affair of importance has kept me with the +marchioness. Don't be put out." + +I had need of some such advice myself, for the legal affair worried me, +and I slept very ill. Early the next morning I saw my counsel, who told +me that my plea had been laid before the criminal lieutenant. + +"For the present," said he, "there is nothing more to be done, for as we +don't know where he is we can't cite him to appear." + +"Could I not set the police on his track?" + +"You might, but I don't advise you to do so. Let us consider what the +result would be. The accuser finding himself accused would have to defend +himself and prove the accusation he has made against you. But in the +present state of things, if he does not put in an appearance we will get +judgment against him for contempt of court and also for libel. Even his +counsel will leave him in the lurch if he persistently refuses to shew +himself." + +This quieted my fears a little, and I spent the rest of the day with +Madame d'Urfe, who was going to Paris on the morrow. I promised to be +with her as soon as I had dealt with certain matters which concerned the +honour of the Fraternity R. C.. + +Her great maxim was always to respect my secrets, and never to trouble me +with her curiosity. Marcoline, who had been pining by herself all day, +breathed again when I told her that henceforth I should be all for her. + +In the morning M. Bono came to me and begged me to go with him to +Possano's counsel, who wanted to speak to me. The advocate said that his +client was a sort of madman who was ready to do anything, as he believed +himself to be dying from the effects of a slow poison. + +"He says that even if you are first in the field he will have you +condemned to death. He says he doesn't care if he is sent to prison, as +he is certain of coming out in triumph as he has the proof of all his +accusations. He shews twenty-five louis which you gave him, all of which +are clipped, and he exhibits documents dated from Genoa stating that you +clipped a number of gold pieces, which were melted by M. Grimaldi in +order that the police might not find them in your possession. He has even +a letter from your brother, the abbe, deposing against you. He is a +madman, a victim to syphilis, who wishes to send you to the other world +before himself, if he can. Now my advice to you is to give him some money +and get rid of him. He tells me that he is the father of a family, and +that if M. Bono would give him a thousand louis he would sacrifice +vengeance to necessity. He told me to speak to M. Bono about it; and now, +sir what do you say?" + +"That which my just indignation inspires me to say regarding a rascal +whom I rescued from poverty, and who nevertheless pursues me with +atrocious calumnies; he shall not have one single farthing of mine." + +I then told the Genoa story, putting things in their true light, and +adding that I could call M. Grimaldi as a witness if necessary. + +"I have delayed presenting the plea," said the counsel, "to see if the +scandal could be hushed up in any way, but I warn you that I shall now +present it." + +"Do so; I shall be greatly obliged to you." + +I immediately called on my advocate, and told him of the rascal's +proposal; and he said I was quite right to refuse to have any dealings +with such a fellow. He added that as I had M. Bono as a witness I ought +to make Possano's advocate present his plea, and I authorized him to take +proceedings in my name. + +A clerk was immediately sent to the criminal lieutenant, praying him to +command the advocate to bring before him, in three days, the plea of one +Anami, alias Pogomas, alias Possano, the said plea being against Jacques +Casanova, commonly called the Chevalier de Seingalt. This document, to +which I affixed my signature, was laid before the criminal lieutenant. + +I did not care for the three days' delay, but my counsel told me it was +always given, and that I must make up my mind to submit to all the +vexation I should be obliged to undergo, even if we were wholly +successful. + +As Madame d'Urfe had taken her departure in conformity with the orders of +Paralis, I dined with Marcoline at the inn, and tried to raise my spirits +by all the means in my power. I took my mistress to the best milliners +and dressmakers in the town, and bought her everything she took a fancy +to; and then we went to the theatre, where she must have been pleased to +see all eyes fixed on her. Madame Pernon, who was in the next box to +ours, made me introduce Marcoline to her; and from the way they embraced +each other when the play was over I saw they were likely to become +intimate, the only obstacle to their friendship being that Madame Pernon +did not know a word of Italian, and that Marcoline did not dare to speak +a word of French for fear of making herself ridiculous. When we got back +to the inn, Marcoline told me that her new friend had given her the +Florentine kiss: this is the shibboleth of the sect. + +The pretty nick-nacks I had given her had made her happy; her ardour was +redoubled, and the night passed joyously. + +I spent the next day in going from shop to shop, making fresh purchases +for Marcoline, and we supped merrily at Madame Pernon's. + +The day after, M. Bono came to see me at an early hour with a smile of +content on his face. + +"Let us go and breakfast at a coffee-house," said he; "we will have some +discussion together." + +When we were breakfasting he shewed me a letter written by Possano, in +which the rascal said that he was ready to abandon proceedings provided +that M. de Seingalt gave him a hundred louis, on receipt of which he +promised to leave Lyons immediately. + +"I should be a great fool," said I, "if I gave the knave more money to +escape from the hands of justice. Let him go if he likes, I won't prevent +him; but he had better not expect me to give him anything. He will have a +writ out against him to-morrow. I should like to see him branded by the +hangman. He has slandered me, his benefactor, too grievously; let him +prove what he says, or be dishonoured before all men." + +"His abandoning the proceedings," said M. Bono, "would in my opinion +amount to the same thing as his failing to prove his charges, and you +would do well to prefer it to a trial which would do your reputation no +good, even if you were completely successful. And the hundred louis is +nothing in comparison with the costs of such a trial." + +"M. Bono, I value your advice very highly, and still more highly the +kindly feelings which prompt you, but you must allow me to follow my own +opinion in this case." + +I went to my counsel and told him of the fresh proposal that Possano had +made, and of my refusal to listen to it, begging him to take measures for +the arrest of the villain who had vowed my death. + +The same evening I had Madame Pernon and M. Bono, who was her lover, to +sup with me; and as the latter had a good knowledge of Italian Marcoline +was able to take part in the merriment of the company. + +The next day Bono wrote to tell me that Possano had left Lyons never to +return, and that he had signed a full and satisfactory retraction. I was +not surprised to hear of his flight, but the other circumstance I could +not understand. I therefore hastened to call on Bono, who showed me the +document, which was certainly plain enough. + +"Will that do?" said he. + +"So well that I forgive him, but I wonder he did not insist on the +hundred Louis." + +"My dear sir, I gave him the money with pleasure, to prevent a scandalous +affair which would have done us all harm in becoming public. If I had +told you nothing, you couldn't have taken any steps in the matter, and I +felt myself obliged to repair the mischief I had done in this way. You +would have known nothing about it, if you had said that you were not +satisfied. I am only too glad to have been enabled to skew my friendship +by this trifling service. We will say no more about it." + +"Very good," said I, embracing him, "we will say no more, but please to +receive the assurance of my gratitude." + +I confess I felt much relieved at being freed from this troublesome +business. + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of In London And Moscow: South Of France +by Jacques Casanova de Seingalt + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SOUTH OF FRANCE *** + +***** This file should be named 2971.txt or 2971.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/2/9/7/2971/ + +Produced by David Widger + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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FOR PUBLIC DOMAIN ETEXTS*Ver.04.07.00*END* + + +This etext was produced by David Widger <widger@cecomet.net> + + +South of France +By Jacques Casanova + + + + +THE MEMOIRS OF JACQUES CASANOVA DE SEINGALT + +THE RARE UNABRIDGED LONDON EDITION OF 1894 TRANSLATED BY ARTHUR +MACHEN TO WHICH HAS BEEN ADDED THE CHAPTERS DISCOVERED BY ARTHUR +SYMONS. + + + +MEMOIRS OF JACQUES CASANOVA de SEINGALT 1725-1798 +IN LONDON AND MOSCOW, Volume 5a--SOUTH OF FRANCE + + + + +SOUTH OF FRANCE + + + + +CHAPTER I + +I Find Rosalie Happy--The Signora Isola-Bella--The Cook--Biribi +--Irene--Possano in Prison--My Niece Proves to be an Old Friend of +Rosalie's + + +At Genoa, where he was known to all, Pogomas called himself Possano. +He introduced me to his wife and daughter, but they were so ugly and +disgusting in every respect that I left them on some trifling +pretext, and went to dine with my new niece. Afterwards I went to +see the Marquis Grimaldi, for I longed to know what had become of +Rosalie. The marquis was away in Venice, and was not expected back +till the end of April; but one of his servants took me to Rosalie, +who had become Madame Paretti six months after my departure. + +My heart beat fast as I entered the abode of this woman, of whom I +had such pleasant recollections. I first went to M. Paretti in his +shop, and he received me with a joyful smile, which shewed me how +happy he was. He took me to his wife directly, who cried out with +delight, and ran to embrace me. + +M. Paretti was busy, and begged me to excuse him, saying his wife +would entertain me. + +Rosalie shewed me a pretty little girl of six months old, telling me +that she was happy, that she loved her husband, and was loved by him, +that he was industrious and active in business, and under the +patronage of the Marquis Grimaldi had prospered exceedingly. + +The peaceful happiness of marriage had improved her wonderfully; she +had become a perfect beauty in every sense of the word. + +"My dear friend," she said, "you are very good to call on me directly +you arrive, and I hope you will dine with us to-morrow. I owe all my +happiness to you, and that is even a sweeter thought than the +recollection of the passionate hours we have spent together. Let us +kiss, but no more; my duty as an honest wife forbids me from going +any further, so do not disturb the happiness you have given." + +I pressed her hand tenderly, to skew that I assented to the +conditions she laid down. + +"Oh! by the way," she suddenly exclaimed, "I have a pleasant surprise +for you." + +She went out, and a moment afterward returned with Veronique, who had +become her maid. I was glad to see her and embraced her +affectionately, asking after Annette. She said her sister was well, +and was working with her mother. + +"I want her to come and wait on my niece while we are here," said I. + +At this Rosalie burst out laughing. + +"What! another niece? You have a great many relations! But as she +is your niece, I hope you will bring her with you to-morrow." + +"Certainly, and all the more willingly as she is from Marseilles." + +"From Marseilles? Why, we might know each other. Not that that +would matter, for all your nieces are discreet young persons. What +is her name?" + +"Crosin." + +"I don't know it." + +"I daresay you don't. She is the daughter of a cousin of mine who +lived at Marseilles." + +"Tell that to someone else; but, after all, what does it matter? You +choose well, amuse yourself, and make them happy. It may be wisdom +after all, and at any rate I congratulate you. I shall be delighted +to see your niece, but if she knows me you must see that she knows +her part as well." + +On leaving Madame Paretti I called on the Signora Isola-Bella, and +gave her the Marquis Triulzi's letter. Soon after she came into the +room and welcomed me, saying that she had been expecting me, as +Triulzi had written to her on the subject. She introduced me to the +Marquis Augustino Grimaldi delta Pietra, her 'cicisbeoin-chief' +during the long absence of her husband, who lived at Lisbon. + +The signora's apartments were very elegant. She was pretty with +small though regular features, her manner was pleasant, her voice +sweet, and her figure well shaped, though too thin. She was nearly +thirty. I say nothing of her complexion, for her face was plastered +with white and red, and so coarsely, that these patches of paint were +the first things that caught my attention. I was disgusted at this, +in spite of her fine expressive eyes. After an hour spent in +question and reply, in which both parties were feeling their way, I +accepted her invitation to come to supper on the following day. When +I got back I complimented my niece on the way in which she had +arranged her room, which was only separated from mine by a small +closet which I intended for her maid, who, I told her, was coming the +next day. She was highly pleased with this attention, and it paved +the way for my success. I also told her that the next day she was to +dine with me at a substantial merchant's as my niece, and this piece +of news made her quite happy. + +This girl whom Croce had infatuated and deprived of her senses was +exquisitely beautiful, but more charming than all her physical +beauties were the nobleness of her presence and the sweetness of her +disposition. I was already madly in love with her, and I repented +not having taken possession of her on the first day of our journey. +If I had taken her at her word I should have been a steadfast lover, +and I do not think it would have taken me long to make her forget her +former admirer. + +I had made but a small dinner, so I sat down to supper famishing with +hunger; and as my niece had an excellent appetite we prepared +ourselves for enjoyment, but instead of the dishes being delicate, as +we had expected, they were detestable. I told Clairmont to send for +the landlady, and she said that she could not help it, as everything +had been done by my own cook. + +"My cook?" I repeated. + +"Yes, sir, the one your secretary, M. Possano, engaged for you. I +could have got a much better one and a much cheaper one myself." + +"Get one to-morrow." + +"Certainly; but you must rid yourself and me of the present cook, for +he has taken up his position here with his wife and children. Tell +Possano to send for him." + +"I will do so, and in the meanwhile do you get me a fresh cook. I +will try him the day after to-morrow." + +I escorted my niece into her room, and begged her to go to bed +without troubling about me, and so saying I took up the paper and +began to read it. When I had finished, I went up to bed, and said, + +"You might spare me the pain of having to sleep by myself." + +She lowered her eyes but said nothing, so I gave her a kiss and left +her. + +In the morning my fair niece came into my room just as Clairmont was +washing my feet, and begged me to let her have some coffee as +chocolate made her hot. I told my man to go and fetch some coffee, +and as soon as he was gone she went down on her knees and would have +wiped my feet. + +"I cannot allow that, my dear young lady." + +"Why not? it is a mark of friendship." + +"That may be, but such marks cannot be given to anyone but your lover +without your degrading yourself." + +She got up and sat down on a chair quietly, but saying nothing. + +Clairmont came back again, and I proceeded with my toilette. + +The landlady came in with our breakfast, and asked my niece if she +would like to buy a fine silk shawl made in the Genoese fashion. I +did not let her be confused by having to answer, but told the +landlady to let us see it. Soon after the milliner came in, but by +that time I had given my young friend twenty Genoese sequins, telling +her that she might use them for her private wants. She took the +money, thanking me with much grace, and letting me imprint a +delicious kiss on her lovely lips. + +I had sent away the milliner after having bought the shawl, when +Possano took it upon himself to remonstrate with me in the matter of +the cook. + +"I engaged the man by your orders," said he, "for the whole time you +stayed at Genoa, at four francs a day, with board and lodging." + +"Where is my letter?" + +"Here it is: 'Get me a good cook; I will keep him while I stay in +Genoa.'" + +"Perhaps you did not remark the expression, d good cook? Well, this +fellow is a very bad cook; and, at all events, I am the best judge +whether he is good or bad." + +"You are wrong, for the man will prove his skill. He will cite you +in the law courts, and win his case." + +"Then you have made a formal agreement with him?" + +"Certainly; and your letter authorized me to do so." + +"Tell him to come up; I want to speak to him." + +While Possano was downstairs I told Clairmont to go and fetch me an +advocate. The cook came upstairs, I read the agreement, and I saw +that it was worded in such a manner that I should be in the wrong +legally; but I did not change my mind for all that. + +"Sir," said the cook, "I am skilled in my business, and I can get +four thousand Genoese to swear as much." + +"That doesn't say much for their good taste; but whatever they may- +say, the execrable supper you gave me last night proves that you are +only fit to keep a low eating-house." + +As there is nothing more irritable than the feelings of a culinary +artist, I was expecting a sharp answer; but just then the advocate +came in. He had heard the end of our dialogue, and told me that not +only would the man find plenty of witnesses to his skill, but that I +should find a very great difficulty in getting anybody at all to +swear to his want of skill. + +"That may be," I replied, "but as I stick to my own opinion, and +think his cooking horrible, he must go, for I want to get another, +and I will pay that fellow as if he had served me the whole time." + +"That won't do," said the cook; "I will summon you before the judge +and demand damages for defamation of character." + +At this my bile overpowered me, and I was going to seize him anti +throw him out of the window, when Don Antonio Grimaldi came in. When +he heard what was the matter, he laughed and said, with a shrug of +his shoulders, + +"My dear sir, you had better not go into court, or you will be cast +in costs, for the evidence is against you. Probably this man makes a +slight mistake in believing himself to be an excellent cook, but the +chief mistake is in the agreement, which ought to have stipulated +that he should cook a trial dinner. The person who drew up the +agreement is either a great knave or a great fool." + +At this Possano struck in in his rude way, and told the nobleman that +he was neither knave nor fool. + +"But you are cousin to the cook," said the landlady. + +This timely remark solved the mystery. I paid and dismissed the +advocate, and having sent the cook out of the room I said, + +"Do I owe you any money, Possano?" + +"On the contrary, you paid me a month in advance, and there are ten +more days of the month to run." + +"I will make you a present of the ten days and send you away this +very moment, unless your cousin does not leave my house to-day, and +give you the foolish engagement which you signed in my name." + +"That's what I call cutting the Gordian knot," said M. Grimaldi. + +He then begged me to introduce him to the lady he had seen with me, +and I did so, telling him she was my niece. + +"Signora Isola-Bella will be delighted to see her." + +"As the marquis did not mention her in his letter, I did not take the +liberty of bringing her." + +The marquis left a few moments afterwards, and soon after Annette +came in with her mother. The girl had developed in an incredible +manner while I was away. Her cheeks blossomed like the rose, her +teeth were white as pearls, and her breasts, though modestly +concealed from view, were exquisitely rounded. I presented her to +her mistress, whose astonishment amused me. + +Annette, who looked pleased to be in my service again, went to dress +her new mistress; and, after giving a few sequins to the mother I +sent her away, and proceeded to make my toilette. + +Towards noon, just as I was going out with my niece to dine at +Rosalie's, my landlady brought me the agreement Possano had made, and +introduced the new cook. I ordered the next day's dinner, and went +away much pleased with my comic victory. + +A brilliant company awaited us at the Paretti's, but I was agreeably +surprised on introducing my niece to Rosalie to see them recognize +each other. They called each other by their respective names, and +indulged in an affectionate embrace. After this they retired to +another room for a quarter of an hour, and returned looking very +happy. Just then Paretti entered, and on Rosalie introducing him to +my niece under her true name he welcomed her in the most cordial +manner. Her father was a correspondent of his, and drawing a letter +he had just received from him from his pocket, he gave it to her to +read. My niece read it eagerly, with tears in her eyes, and gave the +signature a respectful pressure with her lips. This expression of +filial love, which displayed all the feelings of her heart, moved me +to such an extent that I burst into tears. Then taking Rosalie +aside, I begged her to ask her husband not to mention the fact to his +correspondent that he had seen his daughter. + +The dinner was excellent, and Rosalie did the honours with that grace +which was natural to her. However, the guests did not by any means +pay her all their attentions, the greater portion of which was +diverted in the direction of my supposed niece. Her father, a +prosperous merchant of Marseilles, was well known in the commercial +circles of Genoa, and besides this her wit and beauty captivated +everybody, and one young gentleman fell madly in love with her. He +was an extremely good match, and proved to be the husband whom Heaven +had destined for my charming friend. What a happy thought it was for +me that I had been the means of rescuing her from the gulf of shame, +misery, and despair, and placing her on the high road to happiness. +I own that I have always felt a keener pleasure in doing good than in +anything else, though, perhaps, I may not always have done good from +strictly disinterested motives. + +When we rose from the table in excellent humour with ourselves and +our surroundings, cards were proposed, and Rosalie, who knew my +likings, said it must be trente-quarante. This was agreed to, and we +played till supper, nobody either winning or losing to any extent. +We did not go till midnight, after having spent a very happy day. + +When we were in our room I asked my niece how she had known Rosalie. + +"I knew her at home; she and her mother used to bring linen from the +wash. I always liked her." + +"You must be nearly the same age." + +"She is two years older than I am. I recognized her directly." + +"What did she tell you?" + +"That it was you who brought her from Marseilles and made her +fortune." + +"She has not made you the depositary of any other confidences?" + +"No, but there are some things which don't need telling." + +"You are right. And what did you tell her?" + +"Only what she could have guessed for herself. I told her that you +were not my uncle, and if she thought you were my lover I was not +sorry. You do not know how I have enjoyed myself to-day, you must +have been born to make me happy." + +"But how about La Croix?" + +"For heaven's sake say nothing about him." + +This conversation increased my ardour. She called Annette, and I +went to my room. + +As I had expected, Annette came to me as soon as her mistress was in +bed. + +"If the lady is really your niece," said she, "may I hope that you +still love me?" + +"Assuredly, dear Annette, I shall always love you. Undress, and let +us have a little talk." + +I had not long to wait, and in the course of two voluptuous hours I +quenched the flames that another woman had kindled in my breast. + +Next morning Possano came to tell me that he had arranged matters +with the cook with the help of six sequins. I gave him the money, +and told him to be more careful for the future. + +I went to Rosalie's for my breakfast, which she was delighted to give +me: and I asked her and her husband to dinner on the following day, +telling her to bring any four persons she liked. + +"Your decision," said I, "will decide the fate of my cook; it will be +his trial dinner." + +She promised to come, and then pressed me to tell her the history of +my amours with her fair country-woman. + +"Alas!" I said, "you may not believe me, but I assure you I am only +beginning with her." + +"I shall certainly believe you, if you tell me so, though it seems +very strange." + +"Strange but true. You must understand, however, that I have only +known her for a very short time; and, again, I would not be made +happy save through love, mere submission would kill me." + +"Good! but what did she say of me?" + +I gave her a report of the whole conversation I had had with my niece +the night before, and she was delighted." + +"As you have not yet gone far with your niece, would you object if +the young man who shewed her so much attention yesterday were of the +party to-morrow?" + +"Who is he? I should like to know him." + +"M. N----, the only son of a rich merchant." + +"Certainly, bring him with you." + +When I got home I went to my niece, who was still in bed, and told +her that her fellow-countryman would dine with us to-morrow. I +comforted her with the assurance that M. Paretti would not tell her +father that she was in Genoa. She had been a good deal tormented +with the idea that the merchant would inform her father of all. + +As I was going out to supper I told her that she could go and sup +with Rosalie, or take supper at home if she preferred it. + +"You are too kind to me, my dear uncle. I will go to Rosalie's." + +"Very good. Are you satisfied with Annette?" + +"Oh! by the way, she told me that you spent last night with her, and +that you had been her lover and her sister's at the same time." + +"It is true, but she is very indiscreet to say anything about it." + +"We must forgive her, though. She told me that she only consented to +sleep with you on the assurance that I was really your niece. I am +sure she only made this confession out of vanity, and in the hope of +gaining my favour, which would be naturally bestowed on a woman you +love." + +"I wish you had the right to be jealous of her; and I swear that if +she does not comport herself with the utmost obedience to you in +every respect, I will send her packing, in despite of our relations. +As for you, you may not be able to love me, and I have no right to +complain; but I will not have you degrade yourself by becoming my +submissive victim." + +I was not sorry for my niece to know that I made use of Annette, but +my vanity was wounded at the way she took it. It was plain that she +was not at all in love with me, and that she was glad that there was +a safeguard in the person of her maid, and that thus we could be +together without danger, for she could not ignore the power of her +charms. + +We dined together, and augured well of the skill of the new cook. +M. Paretti had promised to get me a good man, and he presented +himself just as we were finishing dinner, and I made a present of him +to my niece. We went for a drive together, and I left my niece at +Rosalie's, and I then repaired to Isola-Bella's, where I found a +numerous and brilliant company had assembled consisting of all the +best people in Genoa. + +Just then all the great ladies were mad over 'biribi', a regular +cheating game. It was strictly forbidden at Genoa, but this only +made it more popular, and besides, the prohibition had no force in +private houses, which are outside of the jurisdiction of the +Government; in short, I found the game in full swing at the Signora +Isola-Bella's. The professional gamesters who kept the bank went +from house to house, and the amateurs were advised of their presence +at such a house and at such a time. + +Although I detested the game, I began to play--to do as the others +did. + +In the room there was a portrait of the mistress of the house in +harlequin costume, and there happened to be the same picture on one +of the divisions of the biribi-table: I chose this one out of +politeness, and did not play on any other. I risked a sequin each +time. The board had thirty-six compartments, and if one lost, one +paid thirty-two tines the amount of the stake; this, of course, was +an enormous advantage for the bank. + +Each player drew three numbers in succession, and there were three +professionals; one kept the bag, another the bank, and the third the +board, and the last took care to gather in the winnings as soon as +the result was known, and the bank amounted to two thousand sequins +or thereabouts. The table, the cloth, and four silver candlesticks +belonged to the players. + +I sat at the left of Madame Isola-Bella, who began to play, and as +there were fifteen or sixteen of us I had lost about fifty sequins +when my turn came, for my harlequin had not appeared once. Everybody +pitied me, or pretended to do so, for selfishness is the predominant +passion of gamesters. + +My turn came at last. I drew my harlequin and received thirty-two +sequins. I left them on the same figure, and got a thousand sequins. +I left fifty still on the board, and the harlequin came out for the +third time. The bank was broken, and the table, the cloth, the +candlesticks, and the board all belonged to me. Everyone +congratulated me, and the wretched bankrupt gamesters were hissed, +hooted, and turned out of doors. + +After the first transports were over, I saw that the ladies were in +distress; for as there could be no more gaming they did not know what +to do. I consoled them by declaring that I would be banker, but with +equal stakes, and that I would pay winning cards thirty-six times the +stake instead of thirty-two. This was pronounced charming of me, and +I amused everybody till supper-time, without any great losses or +gains on either side. By dint of entreaty I made the lady of the +house accept the whole concern as a present, and a very handsome one +it was. + +The supper was pleasant enough, and my success at play was the chief +topic of conversation. Before leaving I asked Signora Isola-Bella +and her marquis to dine with me, and they eagerly accepted the +invitation. When I got home I went to see my niece, who told me she +had spent a delightful evening. + +"A very pleasant young man," said she, "who is coming to dine with us +to-morrow, paid me great attention." + +"The same, I suppose, that did so yesterday?" + +"Yes. Amongst other pretty things he told me that if I liked he +would go to Marseilles and ask my hand of my father. I said nothing, +but I thought to myself that if the poor young man gave himself all +this trouble he would be woefully misled, as he would not see me." + +"Why not?" + +"Because I should be in a nunnery. My kind good father will forgive +me, but I must punish myself." + +"That is a sad design, which I hope you will abandon. You have all +that would make the happiness of a worthy husband. The more I think +it over, the more I am convinced of the truth of what I say." + +We said no more just then, for she needed rest. Annette came to +undress her, and I was glad to see the goodness of my niece towards +her, but the coolness with which the girl behaved to her mistress did +not escape my notice. As soon as she came to sleep with me I gently +remonstrated with her, bidding her to do her duty better for the +future. Instead of answering with a caress, as she ought to have +done, she began to cry. + +"My dear child," said I, "your tears weary me. You are only here to +amuse me, and if you can't do that, you had better go." + +This hurt her foolish feelings of vanity, and she got up and went +away without a word, leaving me to go to sleep in a very bad temper. + +In the morning I told her, in a stern voice, that if she played me +such a trick again I would send her away. Instead of trying to +soothe me with a kiss the little rebel burst out crying again. I +sent her out of the room impatiently, and proceeded to count my +gains. + +I thought no more about it, but presently my niece came in and asked +me why I had vexed poor Annette. + +"My dear niece," said I, "tell her to behave better or else I will +send her back to her mother's." + +She gave me no reply, but took a handful of silver and fled. I had +not time to reflect on this singular conduct, for Annette came in +rattling her crowns in her pocket, and promised, with a kiss, not to +make me angry any more. + +Such was my niece. She knew I adored her, and she loved me; but she +did not want me to be her lover, though she made use of the +ascendancy which my passion gave her. In the code of feminine +coquetry such cases are numerous. + +Possano came uninvited to see me, and congratulated me on my victory +of the evening before. + +"Who told you about it?" + +"I have just been at the coffee-house, where everybody is talking of +it. It was a wonderful victory, for those biribanti are knaves of +the first water. Your adventure is making a great noise, for +everyone says that you could not have broken their bank unless you +had made an agreement with the man that kept the bag." + +"My dear fellow, I am tired of you. Here, take this piece of money +for your wife and be off." + +The piece of money I had given him was a gold coin worth a hundred +Genoese livres, which the Government had struck for internal +commerce; there were also pieces of fifty and twenty-five livres. + +I was going on with my calculations when Clairmont brought me a note. +It was from Irene, and contained a tender invitation to breakfast +with her. I did not know that she was in Genoa, and the news gave me +very great pleasure. I locked up my money, dressed in haste, and +started out to see her. I found her in good and well-furnished +rooms, and her old father, Count Rinaldi, embraced me with tears of +joy. + +After the ordinary compliments had been passed, the old man proceeded +to congratulate me on my winnings of the night before. + +"Three thousand sequins!" he exclaimed, "that is a grand haul +indeed." + +"Quite so." + +"The funny part of it is that the man who keeps the bag is in the pay +of the others." + +"What strikes you as funny in that?" + +"Why, he gained half without any risk, otherwise he would not have +been likely to have entered into an agreement with you." + +"You think, then, that it was a case of connivance?" + +"Everybody says so; indeed what else could it be? The rascal has +made his fortune without running any risk. All the Greeks in Genoa +are applauding him and you." + +"As the greater rascal of the two?" + +"They don't call you a rascal; they say you're a great genius; you +are praised and envied." + +"I am sure I ought to be obliged to them." + +"I heard it all from a gentleman who was there. He says that the +second and the third time the man with the bag gave you the office." + +"And you believe this?" + +"I am sure of it. No man of honour in your position could have acted +otherwise. However, when you come to settle up with the fellow I +advise you to be very careful, for there will be spies on your +tracks. If you like, I will do the business for you." + +I had enough self-restraint to repress the indignation and rage I +felt. Without a word I took my hat and marched out of the room, +sternly repulsing Irene who tried to prevent me from going as she had +done once before. I resolved not to have anything more to do with +the wretched old count. + +This calumnious report vexed me extremely, although I knew that most +gamesters would consider it an honour. Possano and Rinaldi had said +enough to shew me that all the town was talking over it, and I was +not surprised that everyone believed it; but for my part I did not +care to be taken for a rogue when I had acted honourably. + +I felt the need of unbosoming myself to someone, and walked towards +the Strada Balbi to call on the Marquis Grimaldi, and discuss the +matter with him. I was told he was gone to the courts, so I followed +him there and was ushered into vast hall, where he waited on me. I +told him my story, and he said, + +"My dear chevalier, you ought to laugh at it, and I should not advise +you to take the trouble to refute the calumny." + +"Then you advise me to confess openly that I am a rogue?" + +"No, for only fools will think that of you. Despise them, unless +they tell you you are a rogue to your face." + +"I should like to know the name of the nobleman who was present and +sent this report about the town." + +"I do not know who it is. He was wrong to say anything, but you +would be equally wrong in taking any steps against him, for I am sure +he did not tell the story with any intention of giving offence; quite +the contrary." + +"I am lost in wonder at his course of reasoning. Let us suppose that +the facts were as he told them, do you think they are to my honour?" + +"Neither to your honour nor shame. Such are the morals and such the +maxims of gamesters. The story will be laughed at, your skill will +be applauded, and you will be admired, for each one will say that in +your place he would have done likewise!" + +"Would you?" + +"Certainly. If I had been sure that the ball would have gone to the +harlequin, I would have broken the rascal's bank, as you did. I will +say honestly that I do not know whether you won by luck or skill, but +the most probable hypothesis, to my mind, is that you knew the +direction of the ball. You must confess that there is something to +be said in favour of the supposition." + +"I confess that there is, but it is none the less a dishonourable +imputation on me, and you in your turn must confess that those who +think that I won by sleight of hand, or by an agreement with a +rascal, insult me grievously." + +"That depends on the way you look at it. I confess they insult you, +if you think yourself insulted; but they are not aware of that, and +their intention being quite different there is no insult at all in +the matter. I promise you no one will tell you to your face that you +cheated, but how are you going to prevent them thinking so?" + +"Well, let them think what they like, but let them take care not to +tell me their thoughts." + +I went home angry with Grimaldi, Rinaldi, and everyone else. My +anger vexed me, I should properly have only laughed, for in the state +of morals at Genoa, the accusation, whether true or false, could not +injure my honour. On the contrary I gained by it a reputation for +being a genius, a term which the Genoese prefer to that Methodistical +word, "a rogue," though the meaning is the same. Finally I was +astonished to find myself reflecting that I should have had no +scruple in breaking the bank in the way suggested, if it had only +been for the sake of making the company laugh. What vexed me most +was that I was credited with an exploit I had not performed. + +When dinner-time drew near I endeavoured to overcome my ill temper +for the sake of the company I was going to receive. My niece was +adorned only with her native charms, for the rascal Croce had sold +all her jewels; but she was elegantly dressed, and her beautiful hair +was more precious than a crown of rubies. + +Rosalie came in richly dressed and looking very lovely. Her husband, +her uncle, and her aunt were with her, and also two friends, one of +whom was the aspirant for the hand of my niece. + +Madame Isola-Bella and her shadow, M. Grimaldi, came late, like great +people. Just as we were going to sit down, Clairmont told me that a +man wanted to speak to me. + +"Shew him in." + +As soon as he appeared M. Grimaldi exclaimed: + +"The man with the bag!" + +"What do you want?" I said, dryly. + +"Sir, I am come to ask you to help me. I am a family man, and it is +thought that . . ." + +I did not let him finish. + +"I have never refused to aid the unfortunate," said I. "Clairmont, +give him ten sequins. Leave the room." + +This incident spoke in my favour, and made me in a better temper. + +We sat down to table, and a letter was handed to me. I recognized +Possano's writing, and put it in my pocket without reading it. + +The dinner was delicious, and my cook was pronounced to have won his +spurs. Though her exalted rank and the brilliance of her attire gave +Signora Isoia-Bella the first place of right, she was nevertheless +eclipsed by my two nieces. The young Genoese was all attention for +the fair Marseillaise, and I could see that she was not displeased. +I sincerely wished to see her in love with someone, and I liked her +too well to bear the idea of her burying herself in a convent. She +could never be happy till she found someone who would make her forget +the rascal who had brought her to the brink of ruin. + +I seized the opportunity, when all my guests were engaged with each +other, to open Possano's letter. It ran as follows: + +"I went to the bank to change the piece of gold you gave me. It was +weighed, and found to be ten carats under weight. I was told to name +the person from whom I got it, but of course I did not do so. I then +had to go to prison, and if you do not get me out of the scrape I +shall be prosecuted, though of course I am not going to get myself +hanged for anybody." + +I gave the letter to Grimaldi, and when we had left the table he took +me aside, and said,-- + +"This is a very serious matter, for it may end in the gallows for the +man who clipped the coin." + +"Then they can hang the biribanti! That won't hurt me much." + +"No, that won't do; it would compromise Madame Isola-Bella, as biribi +is strictly forbidden. Leave it all to me, I will speak to the State +Inquisitors about it. Tell Possano to persevere in his silence, and +that you will see him safely through. The laws against coiners and +clippers are only severe with regard to these particular coins, as +the Government has special reasons for not wishing them to be +depreciated." + +I wrote to Possano, and sent for a pair of scales. We weighed the +gold I had won at biribi, and every single piece had been clipped. +M. Grimaldi said he would have them defaced and sold to a jeweller. + +When we got back to the dining-room we found everybody at play. +M. Grimaldi proposed that I should play at quinze with him. I +detested the game, but as he was my guest I felt it would be impolite +to refuse, and in four hours I had lost five hundred sequins. + +Next morning the marquis told me that Possano was out of prison, and +that he had been given the value of the coin. He brought me thirteen +hundred sequins which had resulted from the sale of the gold. We +agreed that I was to call on Madame Isola-Bella the next day, when he +would give me my revenge at quinze. + +I kept the appointment, and lost three thousand sequins. I paid him +a thousand the next day, and gave him two bills of exchange, payable +by myself, for the other two thousand. When these bills were +presented I was in England, and being badly off I had to have them +protested. Five years later, when I was at Barcelona, M. de Grimaldi +was urged by a traitor to have me imprisoned, but he knew enough of +me to be sure that if I did not meet the bills it was from sheer +inability to do so. He even wrote me a very polite letter, in which +he gave the name of my enemy, assuring me that he would never take +any steps to compel me to pay the money. This enemy was Possano, who +was also at Barcelona, though I was not aware of his presence. I +will speak of the circumstance in due time, but I cannot help +remarking that all who aided me in my pranks with Madame d'Urfe +proved traitors, with the exception of a Venetian girl, whose +acquaintance the reader will make in the following chapter. + +In spite of my losses I enjoyed myself, and had plenty of money, for +after all I had only lost what I had won at biribi. Rosalie often +dined with us, either alone or with her husband, and I supped +regularly at her home with my niece, whose love affair seemed quite +promising. I congratulated her upon the circumstance, but she +persisted in her determination to take refuge from the world in a +cloister. Women often do the most idiotic things out of sheer +obstinacy; possibly they deceive even themselves, and act in good +faith; but unfortunately, when the veil falls from before their eyes, +they see but the profound abyss into which their folly had plunged +them. + +In the meanwhile, my niece had become so friendly and familiar that +she would often come and sit on my bed in the morning when Annette +was still in my arms. Her presence increased my ardour, and I +quenched the fires on the blonde which the brunette was kindling. My +niece seemed to enjoy the sight, and I could see that her senses were +being pleasantly tortured. Annette was short-sighted, and so did not +perceive my distractions, while my fair niece caressed me slightly, +knowing that it would add to my pleasures. When she thought I was +exhausted she told Annette to get up and leave me alone with her, as +she wanted to tell me something. She then began to jest and toy, and +though her dress was extremely disordered she seemed to think that +her charms would exercise no power over me. She was quite mistaken, +but I was careful not to undeceive her for fear of losing her +confidence. I watched the game carefully, and noting how little by +little her familiarity increased, I felt sure that she would have to +surrender at last, if not at Genoa, certainly on the journey, when we +would be thrown constantly in each other's society with nobody to spy +upon our actions, and with nothing else to do but to make love. It +is the weariness of a journey, the constant monotony, that makes one +do something to make sure of one's existence; and when it comes to +the reckoning there is usually more joy than repentance. + +But the story of my journey from Genoa to Marseilles was written in +the book of fate, and could not be read by me. All I knew was that I +must soon go as Madame d'Urfe was waiting for me at Marseilles. I +knew not that in this journey would be involved the fate of a +Venetian girl of whom I had never heard, who had never seen me, but +whom I was destined to render happy. My fate seemed to have made me +stop at Genoa to wait for her. + +I settled my accounts with the banker, to whom I had been accredited, +and I took a letter of credit on Marseilles, where, however, I was +not likely to want for funds, as my high treasurer, Madame d'Urfe was +there. I took leave of Madame Isola-Bella and her circle that I +might be able to devote all my time to Rosalie and her friends. + + + + +CHAPTER II + +Disgraceful Behaviour of My Brother, the Abbe, I Relieve Him of His +Mistress--Departure from Genoa--The Prince of Monaco--My Niece +Overcome--Our Arrival at Antibes + + +On the Tuesday in Holy Week I was just getting up, when Clairmont +came to tell me that a priest who would not give his name wanted to +speak to me. I went out in my night-cap, and the rascally priest +rushed at me and nearly choked me with his embraces. I did not like +so much affection, and as I had not recognized him at first on +account of the darkness of the room, I took him by the arm and led +him to the window. It was my youngest brother, a good-for-nothing +fellow, whom I had always disliked. I had not seen him for ten +years, but I cared so little about him that I had not even enquired +whether he were alive or dead in the correspondence I maintained with +M. de Bragadin, Dandolo, and Barbaro. + +As soon as his silly embraces were over, I coldly asked him what +chance had brought him to Genoa in this disgusting state of dirt, +rags, and tatters. He was only twenty-nine, his complexion was fresh +and healthy, and he had a splendid head of hair. He was a posthumous +son, born like Mahomet, three months after the death of his father. + +"The story of my misfortunes would be only too long. Take me into +your room, and I will sit down and tell you the whole story." + +"First of all, answer my questions. How long have you been here?" + +"Since yesterday." + +"Who told you that I was here?" + +"Count B----, at Milan." + +"Who told you that the count knew me?" + +"I found out by chance. I was at M. de Bragadin's a month ago, and +on his table I saw a letter from the count to you." + +"Did you tell him you were my brother?" + +"I had to when he said how much I resembled you." + +"He made a mistake, for you are a blockhead." + +"He did not think so, at all events, for he asked me to dinner." + +"You must have cut a pretty figure, if you were in your present +state." + +"He gave me four sequins to come here; otherwise, I should never have +been able to do the journey." + +"Then he did a very foolish thing. You're a mere beggar, then; you +take alms. Why did you leave Venice? What do you want with me? +I can do nothing for you." + +"Ah! do not make me despair, or I shall kill myself." + +"That's the very best thing you could do; but you are too great a +coward. I ask again why you left Venice, where you could say mass, +and preach, and make an honest living, like many priests much better +than you?" + +"That is the kernel of the whole matter. Let us go in and I will +tell you." + +"No; wait for me here. We will go somewhere where you can tell me +your story, if I have patience to listen to it. But don't tell any +of my people that you are my brother, for I am ashamed to have such a +relation. Come, take me to the place where you are staying." + +"I must tell you that at my inn I am not alone, and I want to have a +private interview with you." + +"Who is with you?" + +"I will tell you presently, but let us go into a coffeehouse." + +"Are you in company with a band of brigands? What are you sighing +at?" + +"I must confess it, however painful it may be to my feelings. I am +with a woman." + +"A woman! and you a priest!" + +"Forgive me. I was blinded by love, and seduced by my senses and her +beauty, so I seduced her under a promise to marry her at Geneva. I +can never go back to Venice, for I took her away from her father's +house." + +"What could you do at Geneva? They would expel you after you had +been there three or four days. Come, we will go to the inn and see +the woman you have deceived. I will speak to you afterwards." + +I began to trace my steps in the direction he had pointed out, and he +was obliged to follow me. As soon as we got to the inn, he went on +in front, and after climbing three flights of stairs I entered a +wretched den where I saw a tall young girl, a sweet brunette, who +looked proud and not in the least confused. As soon as I made my +appearance she said, without any greeting,-- + +"Are you the brother of this liar and monster who has deceived me so +abominably?" + +"Yes," said I. "I have the honour." + +"A fine honour, truly. Well, have the kindness to send me back to +Venice, for I won't stop any longer with this rascal whom I listened +to like the fool I was, who turned my head with his lying tales. He +was going to meet you at Milan, and you were to give us enough money +to go to Geneva, and there we were to turn Protestants and get +married. He swore you were expecting him at Milan, but you were not +there at all, and he contrived to get money in some way or another, +and brought me here miserably enough. I thank Heaven he has found +you at last, for if he had not I should have started off by myself +and begged my way. I have not a single thing left; the wretch sold +all I possessed at Bergamo and Verona. I don't know how I kept my +senses through it all. To hear him talk, the world was a paradise +outside Venice, but I have found to my cost that there is no place +like home. I curse the hour when I first saw the miserable wretch. +He's a beggarly knave; always whining. He wanted to enjoy his rights +as my husband when we got to Padua, but I am thankful to say I gave +him nothing. Here is the writing he gave me; take it, and do what +you like with it. But if you have any heart, send me back to Venice +or I will tramp there on foot." + +I had listened to this long tirade without interrupting her. She +might have spoken at much greater length, so far as I was concerned; +my astonishment took my breath away. Her discourse had all the fire +of eloquence, and was heightened by her expressive face and the +flaming glances she shot from her eyes. + +My brother, sitting down with his head between his hands, and obliged +to listen in silence to this long catalogue of well-deserved +reproaches, gave something of a comic element to the scene. In spite +of that, however, I was much touched by the sad aspects of the girl's +story. I felt at once that I must take charge of her, and put an end +to this ill-assorted match. I imagined that I should not have much +difficulty in sending her back to Venice, which she might never have +quitted if it had not been for her trust in me, founded on the +fallacious promises of her seducer. + +The true Venetian character of the girl struck me even more than her +beauty. Her courage, frank indignation, and the nobility of her +aspect made me resolve not to abandon her. I could not doubt that +she had told a true tale, as my brother continued to observe a guilty +silence. + +I watched her silently for some time, and, my mind being made up, +said,-- + +"I promise to send you back to Venice with a respectable woman to +look after you; but you will be unfortunate if you carry back with +you the results of your amours." + +"What results? Did I not tell you that we were going to be married +at Geneva?" + +"Yes, but in spite of that . . ." + +"I understand you, sir, but I am quite at ease on that point, as I am +happy to say that I did not yield to any of the wretch's desires." + +"Remember," said the abbe, in a plaintive voice, "the oath you took +to be mine for ever. You swore it upon the crucifix." + +So saying he got up and approached her with a supplicating gesture, +but as soon as he was within reach she gave him a good hearty box on +the ear. I expected to see a fight, in which I should not have +interfered, but nothing of the kind. The humble abbe gently turned +away to the window, and casting his eyes to heaven began to weep. + +"You are too malicious, my dear," I said; "the poor devil is only +unhappy because you have made him in love with you." + +"If he is it's his own fault, I should never have thought of him but +for his coming to me and fooling me, I shall never forgive him till +he is out of my sight. That's not the first blow I have given him; +I had to begin at Padua." + +"Yes," said the abbe, "but you are excommunicated, for I am a +priest." + +"It's little I care for the excommunication of a scoundrel like you, +and if you say another word I will give you some more." + +"Calm yourself, my child," said I; "you have cause to be angry, but +you should not beat him. Take up your things and follow me." + +"Where are you going to take her?" said the foolish priest. + +"To my own house, and I should advise you to hold your tongue. Here, +take these twenty sequins and buy yourself some clean clothes and +linen, and give those rags of yours to the beggars. I will come and +talk to you to-morrow, and you may thank your stars that you found me +here. As for you, mademoiselle, I will have you conducted to my +lodging, for Genoa must not see you in my company after arriving here +with a priest. We must not have any scandal. I shall place you +under the charge of my landlady, but whatever you do don't tell her +this sad story. I will see that you are properly dressed, and that +you want for nothing." + +"May Heaven reward you!" + +My brother, astonished at the sight of the twenty sequins, let me go +away without a word. I had the fair Venetian taken to my lodging in +a sedan-chair, and putting her under the charge of my landlady I told +the latter to see that she was properly dressed. I wanted to see how +she would look in decent clothes, for her present rags and tatters +detracted from her appearance. I warned Annette that a girl who had +been placed in my care would eat and sleep with her, and then having +to entertain a numerous company of guests I proceeded to make my +toilette. + +Although my niece had no rights over me, I valued her esteem, and +thought it best to tell her the whole story lest she should pass an +unfavourable judgment on me. She listened attentively and thanked me +for my confidence in her, and said she should very much like to see +the girl and the abbe too, whom she pitied, though she admitted he +was to be blamed for what he had done. I had got her a dress to wear +at dinner, which became her exquisitely. I felt only too happy to be +able to please her in any way, for her conduct towards myself and the +way she treated her ardent lover commanded my admiration. She saw +him every day either at my house or at Rosalie's. The young man had +received an excellent education, though he was of the mercantile +class, and wrote to her in a business-like manner, that, as they were +well suited to each other in every way, there was nothing against his +going to Marseilles and obtaining her father's consent to the match, +unless it were a feeling of aversion on her side. He finished by +requesting her to give him an answer. She shewed me the letter, and +I congratulated her, and advised her to accept, if there was nothing +about the young man which displeased her. + +"There is nothing of the kind," she said, "and Rosalie thinks with +you." + +"Then tell him by word of mouth that you give your consent, and will +expect to see him at Marseilles." + +"Very good; as you think so, I will tell him tomorrow." + +When dinner was over a feeling of curiosity made me go into the room +where Annette was dining with the Venetian girl, whose name was +Marcoline. I was struck with astonishment on seeing her, for she was +completely changed, not so much by the pretty dress she had on as by +the contented expression of her face, which made her look quite +another person. Good humour had vanquished unbecoming rage, and the +gentleness born of happiness made her features breathe forth love. +I could scarcely believe that this charming creature before me was +the same who had dealt such a vigorous blow to my brother, a priest, +and a sacred being in the eyes of the common people. They were +eating, and laughing at not being able to understand each other, for +Marcoline only spoke Venetian, and Annette Genoese, and the latter +dialect does not resemble the former any more than Bohemian resembles +Dutch. + +I spoke to Marcoline in her native tongue, which was mine too, and +she said,-- + +"I seem to have suddenly passed from hell to Paradise." + +"Indeed, you look like an angel." + +"You called me a little devil this morning. But here is a fair +angel," said she, pointing to Annette; "we don't see such in Venice." + +"She is my treasure." + +Shortly after my niece came in, and seeing me talking and laughing +with the two girls began to examine the new-comer. She told me in +French that she thought her perfectly beautiful, and repeating her +opinion to the girl in Italian gave her a kiss. Marcoline asked her +plainly in the Venetian manner who she was. + +"I am this gentleman's niece, and he is taking me back to Marseilles, +where my home is." + +"Then you would have been my niece too, if I had married his brother. +I wish I had such a pretty niece." + +This pleasant rejoinder was followed by a storm of kisses given and +returned with ardour which one might pronounce truly Venetian, if it +were not that this would wound the feelings of the almost equally +ardent Provencals. + +I took my niece for a sail in the bay, and after we had enjoyed one +of those delicious evenings which I think can be found nowhere else-- +sailing on a mirror silvered by the moon, over which float the odours +of the jasmine, the orange-blossom, the pomegranates, the aloes, and +all the scented flowers which grow along the coasts--we returned to +our lodging, and I asked Annette what had become of Marcoline. She +told me that she had gone to bed early, and I went gently into her +room, with no other intention than to see her asleep. The light of +the candle awoke her, and she did not seem at all frightened at +seeing me. I sat by the bed, and fell to making love to her, and at +last made as if I would kiss her, but she resisted, and we went on +talking. + +When Annette had put her mistress to bed, she came in and found us +together. + +"Go to bed, my dear," said I. "I will come to you directly." + +Proud of being my mistress, she gave me a fiery kiss and went away +without a word. + +I began to talk about my brother, and passing from him to myself I +told her of the interest I felt for her, saying that I would either +have her taken to Venice, or bring her with me when I went to France. + +"Do you want to marry me?" + +"No, I am married already." + +"That's a lie, I know, but it doesn't matter. Send me back to +Venice, and the sooner the better. I don't want to be anybody's +concubine." + +"I admire your sentiments, my dear, they do you honour." + +Continuing my praise I became pressing, not using any force, but +those gentle caresses which are so much harder for a woman to resist +than a violent attack. Marcoline laughed, but seeing that I +persisted in spite of her resistance, she suddenly glided out of the +bed and took refuge in my niece's room and locked the door after her. +I was not displeased; the thing was done so easily and gracefully. I +went to bed with Annette, who lost nothing by the ardour with which +Marcoline had inspired me. I told her how she had escaped from my +hands, and Annette was loud in her praises. + +In the morning I got up early and went into my niece's room to enjoy +the sight of the companion I had involuntarily given her, and the two +girls were certainly a very pleasant sight. As soon as my niece saw +me, she exclaimed,-- + +"My dear uncle, would you believe it? This sly Venetian has violated +me." + +Marcoline understood her, and far from denying the fact proceeded to +give my niece fresh marks of her affection, which were well received, +and from the movements of the sheets which covered them I could make +a pretty good guess as to the nature of their amusement. + +"This is a rude shock to the respect which your uncle has had for +your prejudices," said I. + +"The sports of two girls cannot tempt a man who has just left the +arms of Annette." + +"You are wrong, and perhaps you know it, for I am more than tempted." + +With these words I lifted the sheets of the bed. Marcoline shrieked +but did not move, but my niece earnestly begged me to replace the +bed-clothes. However, the picture before me was too charming to be +concealed. + +At this point Annette came in, and in obedience to her mistress +replaced the coverlet over the two Bacchantes. I felt angry with +Annette, and seizing her threw her on the bed, and then and there +gave the two sweethearts such an interesting spectacle that they left +their own play to watch us. When I had finished, Annette, who was in +high glee; said I was quite right to avenge myself on their prudery. +I felt satisfied with what I had done, and went to breakfast. I then +dressed, and visited my brother. + +"How is Marcoline?" said he, as soon as he saw me. + +"Very well, and you needn't trouble yourself any more about her. She +is well lodged, well dressed, and well fed, and sleeps with my +niece's maid." + +"I didn't know I had a niece." + +"There are many things you don't know. In three or four days she +will return to Venice." + +"I hope, dear brother, that you will ask me to dine with you to-day." + +"Not at all, dear brother. I forbid you to set foot in my house, +where your presence would be offensive to Marcoline, whom you must +not see any more." + +"Yes, I will; I will return to Venice, if I have to hang for it." + +"What good would that be? She won't have you." + +"She loves me." + +"She beats you." + +"She beats me because she loves me. She will be as gentle as a lamb +when she sees me so well dressed. You do not know how I suffer." + +"I can partly guess, but I do not pity you, for you are an impious +and cruel fool. You have broken your vows, and have not hesitated to +make a young girl endure misery and degradation to satisfy your +caprice. What would you have done, I should like to know, if I had +given you the cold shoulder instead of helping you?" + +"I should have gone into the street, and begged for my living with +her." + +"She would have beaten you, and would probably have appealed to the +law to get rid of you." + +"But what will you do for me, if I let her go back to Venice without +following her." + +"I will take you to France, and try to get you employed by some +bishop." + +"Employed! I was meant by nature to be employed by none but God." + +"You proud fool! Marcoline rightly called you a whiner. Who is your +God? How do you serve Him? You are either a hypocrite or an idiot. +Do you think that you, a priest, serve God by decoying an innocent +girl away from her home? Do you serve Him by profaning the religion +you do not even understand? Unhappy fool! do you think that with no +talent, no theological learning, and no eloquence, you can be a +Protestant minister. Take care never to come to my house, or I will +have you expelled from Genoa." + +"Well, well, take me to Paris, and I will see what my brother Francis +can do for me; his heart is not so hard as yours." + +"Very good! you shall go to Paris, and we will start from here in +three or four days. Eat and drink to your heart's content, but +remain indoors; I will let you know when we are going. I shall have +my niece, my secretary, and my valet with me. We shall travel by +sea." + +"The sea makes me sick." + +"That will purge away some of your bad humours." + +When I got home I told Marcoline what had passed between us. + +"I hate him!" said she; "but I forgive him, since it is through him I +know you." + +"And I forgive him, too, because unless it had been for him I should +never have seen you. But I love you, and I shall die unless you +satisfy my desires." + +"Never; for I know I should be madly in love with you, and then you +would leave me, and I should be miserable again." + +"I will never leave you." + +"If you will swear that, take me into France and make me all your +own. Here you must continue living with Annette; besides, I have got +your niece to make love to." + +The pleasant part of the affair was that my niece was equally taken +with her, and had begged me to let her take meals with us and sleep +with her. As I had a prospect of being at their lascivious play, I +willingly consented, and henceforth she was always present at the +table. We enjoyed her company immensely, for she told us side- +splitting tales which kept us at table till it was time to go to +Rosalie's, where my niece's adorer was certain to be awaiting us. + +The next day, which was Holy Thursday, Rosalie came with us to see +the processions. I had Rosalie and Marcoline with me, one on each +arm, veiled in their mezzaros, and my niece was under the charge of +her lover. The day after we went to see the procession called at +Genoa Caracce, and Marcoline pointed out my brother who kept hovering +round us, though he pretended not to see us. He was most carefully +dressed, and the stupid fop seemed to think he was sure to find +favour in Marcoline's eyes, and make her regret having despised him; +but he was woefully deceived, for Marcoline knew how to manage her +mezzaro so well that, though he was both seen and laughed at, the +poor devil could not be certain that she had noticed him at all, and +in addition the sly girl held me so closely by the arm that he must +have concluded we were very intimate. + +My niece and Marcoline thought themselves the best friends in the +world, and could not bear my telling them that their amorous sports +were the only reason for their attachment. They therefore agreed to +abandon them as soon as we left Genoa, and promised that I should +sleep between them in the felucca, all of us to keep our clothes on. +I said I should hold them to their word, and I fixed our departure +for Thursday. I ordered the felucca to be in readiness and summoned +my brother to go on board. + +It was a cruel moment when I left Annette with her mother. She wept +so bitterly that all of us had to shed tears. My niece gave her a +handsome dress and I thirty sequins, promising to come and see her +again on my return from England. Possano was told to go on board +with the abbe; I had provisioned the boat for three days. The young +merchant promised to be at Marseilles, telling my niece that by the +time he came everything would be settled. I was delighted to hear +it; it assured me that her father would give her a kind reception. +Our friends did not leave us till the moment we went on board. + +The felucca was very conveniently arranged, and was propelled by the +twelve oarsmen. On the deck there were also twenty-four muskets, so +that we should have been able to defend ourselves against a pirate. +Clairmont had arranged my carriage and my trunks so cleverly, that by +stretching five mattresses over them we had an excellent bed, where +we could sleep and undress ourselves in perfect comfort; we had good +pillows and plenty of sheets. A long awning covered the deck, and +two lanterns were hung up, one at each end. In the evening they were +lighted and Clairmont brought in supper. I had warned my brother +that at the slightest presumption on his part he should be flung into +the sea, so I allowed him and Possano to sup with us. + +I sat between my two nymphs and served the company merrily, first my +niece, then Marcoline, then my brother, and finally Possano. No +water was drunk at table, so we each emptied a bottle of excellent +Burgundy, and when we had finished supper the rowers rested on their +oars, although the wind was very light. I had the lamps put out and +went to bed with my two sweethearts, one on each side of me. + +The light of dawn awoke me, and I found my darlings still sleeping in +the same position. I could kiss neither of them, since one passed +for my niece, and my sense of humanity would not allow me to treat +Marcoline as my mistress in the presence of an unfortunate brother +who adored her, and had never obtained the least favour from her. He +was lying near at hand, overwhelmed with grief and seasickness, and +watching and listening with all his might for the amorous encounter +he suspected us of engaging in. I did not want to have any +unpleasantness, so I contented myself with gazing on them till the +two roses awoke and opened their eyes. + +When this delicious sight was over, I got up and found that we were +only opposite Final, and I proceeded to reprimand the master. + +"The wind fell dead at Savona, sir"; and all the seamen chorused his +excuse. + +"Then you should have rowed instead of idling." + +"We were afraid of waking you. You shall be at Antibes by tomorrow." + +After passing the time by eating a hearty meal, we took a fancy to go +on shore at St. Remo. Everybody was delighted. I took my two nymphs +on land, and after forbidding any of the others to disembark I +conducted the ladies to an inn, where I ordered coffee. A man +accosted us, and invited us to come and play biribi at his house. + +"I thought the game was forbidden in Genoa," said I. I felt certain +that the players were the rascals whose bank I had broken at Genoa, +so I accepted the invitation. My niece had fifty Louis in her purse, +and I gave fifteen to Marcoline. We found a large assemblage, room +was made for us, and I recognized the knaves of Genoa. As soon as +they saw me they turned pale and trembled. I should say that the man +with the bag was not the poor devil who had served me so well without +wanting to. + +"I play harlequin," said I. + +"There isn't one." + +"What's the bank?" + +"There it is. We play for small stakes here, and those two hundred +louis are quite sufficient. You can bet as low as you like, and the +highest stake is of a louis." + +"That's all very well, but my louis is full weight." + +"I think ours are, too." + +"Are you sure?" + +"No." + +"Then I won't play," said I, to the keeper of the rooms. + +"You are right; bring the scales." + +The banker then said that when play was over he would give four +crowns of six livres for every louis that the company had won, and +the matter was settled. In a moment the board was covered with +stakes. + +We each punted a louis at a time, and I and my niece lost twenty +Louis, but Marcoline, who had never possessed two sequins in her life +before, won two hundred and forty Louis. She played on the figure of +an abbe which came out fifth twenty times. She was given a bag full +of crown pieces, and we returned to the felucca. + +The wind was contrary, and we had to row all night, and in the +morning the sea was so rough that we had to put in at Mentone. My +two sweethearts were very sick, as also my brother and Possano, but I +was perfectly well. I took the two invalids to the inn, and allowed +my brother and Possano to land and refresh themselves. The innkeeper +told me that the Prince and Princess of Monaco were at Mentone, so I +resolved to pay them a visit. It was thirteen years since I had seen +the prince at Paris, where I had amused him and his mistress Caroline +at supper. It was this prince who had taken me to see the horrible +Duchess of Rufec; then he was unmarried, and now I met him again in +his principality with his wife, of whom he had already two sons. The +princess had been a Duchess de Borgnoli, a great heiress, and a +delightful and pretty woman. I had heard all about her, and I was +curious to verify the facts for myself. + +I called on the prince, was announced, and after a long wait they +introduced me to his presence. I gave him his title of highness, +which I had never done at Paris, where he was not known under his +full style and title. He received me politely, but with that +coolness which lets one know that one is not an over-welcome visitor. + +"You have put in on account of the bad weather, I suppose?" said he. + +"Yes, prince, and if your highness will allow me I will spend the +whole day in your delicious villa." (It is far from being +delicious.) + +"As you please. The princess as well as myself likes it better than +our place at Monaco, so we live here by preference." + +"I should be grateful if your highness would present me to the +princess." + +Without mentioning my name he ordered a page in waiting to present me +to the princess. + +The page opened the door of a handsome room and said, "The Princess," +and left me. She was singing at the piano, but as soon as she saw me +she rose and came to meet me. I was obliged to introduce myself, a +most unpleasant thing, and no doubt the princess felt the position, +for she pretended not to notice it, and addressed me with the utmost +kindness and politeness, and in a way that shewed that she was +learned in the maxims of good society. I immediately became very +much at my ease, and proceeded in a lordly manner to entertain her +with pleasant talk, though I said nothing about my two lady friends. + +The princess was handsome, clever, and good-natured. Her mother, who +knew that a man like the prince would never make her daughter happy, +opposed the marriage, but the young marchioness was infatuated, and +the mother had to give in when the girl said,-- + +"O Monaco O monaca." (Either Monaco or a convent.) + +We were still occupied in the trifles which keep up an ordinary +conversation, when the prince came in running after a waiting-maid, +who was making her escape, laughing. The princess pretended not to +see him, and went on with what she was saying. The scene displeased +me, and I took leave of the princess, who wished me a pleasant +journey. I met the prince as I was going out, and he invited me to +come and see him whenever I passed that way. + +"Certainly," said I ; and made my escape without saying any more. + +I went back to the inn and ordered a good dinner for three. + +In the principality of Monaco there was a French garrison, which was +worth a pension of a hundred thousand francs to the prince--a very +welcome addition to his income. + +A curled and scented young officer, passing by our room, the door of +which was open, stopped short, and with unblushing politeness asked +us if we would allow him to join our party. I replied politely, but +coldly, that he did us honour--a phrase which means neither yes nor +no; but a Frenchman who has advanced one step never retreats. + +He proceeded to display his graces for the benefit of the ladies, +talking incessantly, without giving them time to get in a word, when +he suddenly turned to me and said that he wondered how it was that +the prince had not asked me and my ladies to dinner. I told him that +I had not said anything to the prince about the treasure I had with +me. + +I had scarcely uttered the words, when the kindly blockhead rose and +cried enthusiastically,-- + +"Parbleu! I am no longer surprised. I will go and tell his +highness, and I shall soon have the honour of dining with you at the +castle." + +He did not wait to hear my answer, but went off in hot haste. + +We laughed heartily at his folly, feeling quite sure that we should +neither dine with him nor the prince, but in a quarter of an hour he +returned in high glee, and invited us all to dinner on behalf of the +prince. + +"I beg you will thank his highness, and at the same time ask him to +excuse us. The weather has improved, and I want to be off as soon as +we have taken a hasty morsel." + +The young Frenchman exerted all his eloquence in vain, and at length +retired with a mortified air to take our answer to the prince. + +I thought I had got rid of him at last, but I did not know my man. +He returned a short time after, and addressing himself in a +complacent manner to the ladies, as if I was of no more account, he +told them that he had given the prince such a description of their +charms that he had made up his mind to dine with them. + +"I have already ordered the table to be laid for two more, as I shall +have the honour of being of the party. In a quarter of an hour, +ladies, the prince will be here." + +"Very good," said I, "but as the prince is coming I must go to the +felucca and fetch a capital pie of which the prince is very fond, I +know. Come, ladies." + +"You can leave them here, sir. I will undertake to keep them +amused." + +"I have no doubt you would, but they have some things to get from the +felucca as well." + +"Then you will allow me to come too." + +"Certainly with pleasure." + +As we were going down the stairs, I asked the innkeeper what I owed +him. + +"Nothing, sir, I have just received orders to serve you in +everything, and to take no money from you." + +"The prince is really magnificent!" During this short dialogue, the +ladies had gone on with the fop. I hastened to rejoin them, and my +niece took my arm, laughing heartily to hear the officer making love +to Marcoline, who did not understand a word he said. He did not +notice it in the least, for his tongue kept going like the wheel of a +mill, and he did not pause for any answers. + +"We shall have some fun at dinner," said my niece, "but what are we +going to do on the felucca?" + +"We are leaving. Say nothing." + +"Leaving?" + +"Immediately." + +"What a jest! it is worth its weight in gold." + +We went on board the felucca, and the officer, who was delighted with +the pretty vessel, proceeded to examine it. I told my niece to keep +him company, and going to the master, whispered to him to let go +directly. + +"Directly?" + +"Yes, this moment." + +"But the abbe and your secretary are gone for a walk, and two of my +men are on shore, too." + +"That's no matter; we shall pick them up again at Antibes; it's only +ten leagues, and they have plenty of money. I must go, and directly. +Make haste." + +"All right." + +He tripped the anchor, and the felucca began to swing away from the +shore. The officer asked me in great astonishment what it meant. + +"It means that I am going to Antibes and I shall be very glad to take +you there for nothing." + +"This is a fine jest! You are joking, surely?" + +"Your company will be very pleasant on the journey." + +"Pardieu! put me ashore, for with your leave, ladies, I cannot go to +Antibes." + +"Put the gentleman ashore," said I to the master, "he does not seem +to like our company." + +"It's not that, upon my honour. These ladies are charming, but the +prince would think that I was in the plot to play this trick upon +him, which you must confess is rather strong." + +"I never play a weak trick." + +"But what will the prince say?" + +"He may say what he likes, and I shall do as I like." + +"Well, it's no fault of mine. Farewell, ladies! farewell, sir!" + +"Farewell, and you may thank the prince for me for paying my bill." + +Marcoline who did not understand what was passing gazed in +astonishment, but my niece laughed till her sides ached, for the way +in which the poor officer had taken the matter was extremely comic. + +Clairmont brought us an excellent dinner, and we laughed incessantly +during its progress, even at the astonishment of the abbe and Possano +when they came to the quay and found the felucca had flown. However, +I was sure of meeting them again at Antibes, and we reached that port +at six o'clock in the evening. + +The motion of the sea had tired us without making us feel sick, for +the air was fresh, and our appetites felt the benefits of it, and in +consequence we did great honour to the supper and the wine. +Marcoline whose stomach was weakened by the sickness she had +undergone soon felt the effects of the Burgundy, her eyes were heavy, +and she went to sleep. My niece would have imitated her, but I +reminded her tenderly that we were at Antibes, and said I was sure +she would keep her word. She did not answer me, but gave me her +hand, lowering her eyes with much modesty. + +Intoxicated with her submission which was so like love, I got into +bed beside her, exclaiming,-- + +"At last the hour of my happiness has come! + +"And mine too, dearest." + +"Yours? Have you not continually repulsed me?" + +"Never! I always loved you, and your indifference has been a bitter +grief to me." + +"But the first night we left Milan you preferred being alone to +sleeping with me." + +"Could I do otherwise without passing in your eyes for one more a +slave to sensual passion than to love? Besides you might have +thought I was giving myself to you for the benefits I had received; +and though gratitude be a noble feeling, it destroys all the sweet +delights of love. You ought to have told me that you loved me and +subdued me by those attentions which conquer the hearts of us women. +Then you would have seen that I loved you too, and our affection +would have been mutual. On my side I should have known that the +pleasure you had of me was not given out of a mere feeling of +gratitude. I do not know whether you would have loved me less the +morning after, if I had consented, but I am sure I should have lost +your esteem." + +She was right, and I applauded her sentiments, while giving her to +understand that she was to put all notions of benefits received out +of her mind. I wanted to make her see that I knew that there was no +more need for gratitude on her side than mine. + +We spent a night that must be imagined rather than described. She +told me in the morning that she felt all had been for the best, as if +she had given way at first she could never have made up her mind to +accept the young Genoese, though he seemed likely to make her happy. + +Marcoline came to see us in the morning, caressed us, and promised to +sleep by herself the rest of the voyage. + +"Then you are not jealous?" said I. + +"No, for her happiness is mine too, and I know she will make you +happy." + +She became more ravishingly beautiful every day. + +Possano and the abbe came in just as we were sitting down to table, +and my niece having ordered two more plates I allowed them to dine +with us. My brother's face was pitiful and yet ridiculous. He could +not walk any distance, so he had been obliged to come on horseback, +probably for the first time in his life. + +"My skin is delicate," said he, "so I am all blistered. But God's +will be done! I do not think any of His servants have endured +greater torments than mine during this journey. My body is sore, and +so is my soul." + +So saying he cast a piteous glance at Marcoline, and we had to hold +our sides to prevent ourselves laughing. My niece could bear it no +more, and said,-- + +"How I pity you, dear uncle!" + +At this he blushed, and began to address the most absurd compliments +to her, styling her "my dear niece." I told him to be silent, and +not to speak French till he was able to express himself in that +equivocal language without making a fool of himself. But the poet +Pogomas spoke no better than he did. + +I was curious to know what had happened at Mentone after we had left, +and Pogomas proceeded to tell the story. + +"When we came back from our walk we were greatly astonished not to +find the felucca any more. We went to the inn, where I knew you had +ordered dinner; but the inn-keeper knew nothing except that he was +expecting the prince and a young officer to dine with you. I told +him he might wait for you in vain, and just then the prince came up +in a rage, and told the inn-keeper that now you were gone he might +look to you for his payment. 'My lord,' said the inn-keeper, 'the +gentleman wanted to pay me, but I respected the orders I had received +from your highness and would not take the money.' At this the prince +flung him a louis with an ill grace, and asked us who we were. I +told him that we belonged to you, and that you had not waited for us +either, which put us to great trouble. 'You will get away easily +enough,' said he; and then he began to laugh, and swore the jest was +a pleasant one. He then asked me who the ladies were. I told him +that the one was your niece, and that I knew nothing of the other; +but the abbe interfered, and said she was your cuisine. The prince +guessed he meant to say 'cousin,' and burst out laughing, in which he +was joined by the young officer. 'Greet him from me,' said he, as he +went away, 'and tell him that we shall meet again, and that I will +pay him out for the trick he has played me.' "The worthy host +laughed, too, when the prince had gone, and gave us a good dinner, +saying that the prince's Louis would pay for it all. When we had +dined we hired two horses, and slept at Nice. In the morning we rode +on again, being certain of finding you here." Marcoline told the +abbe in a cold voice to take care not to tell anyone else that she +was his cuisine, or his cousin, or else it would go ill with him, as +she did not wish to be thought either the one or the other. I also +advised him seriously not to speak French for the future, as the +absurd way in which he had committed himself made everyone about him +ashamed. + +Just as I was ordering post-horses to take us to Frejus, a man +appeared, and told me I owed him ten louis for the storage of a +carriage which I had left on his hands nearly three years ago. This +was when I was taking Rosalie to Italy. I laughed, for the carriage +itself was not worth five louis. "Friend," said I, "I make you a +present of the article." + +"I don't want your present. I want the ten louis you owe me." + +"You won't get the ten louis. I will see you further first." + +"We will see about that"; and so saying he took his departure. + +I sent for horses that we might continue our journey. + +A few moments after, a sergeant summoned me to the governor's +presence. I followed him, and was politely requested to pay the ten +louis that my creditor demanded. I answered that, in the agreement I +had entered into for six francs a month, there was no mention of the +length of the term, and that I did not want to withdraw my carriage. + +"But supposing you were never to withdraw it?" + +"Then the man could bequeath his claim to his heir." + +"I believe he could oblige you to withdraw it, or to allow it to be +sold to defray expenses." + +"You are right, sir, and I wish to spare him that trouble. I make +him a present of the carriage." + +"That's fair enough. Friend, the carriage is yours." + +"But sir," said the plaintiff, "it is not enough; the carriage is not +worth ten louis, and I want the surplus." + +"You are in the wrong. I wish you a pleasant journey, sir, and I +hope you will forgive the ignorance of these poor people, who would +like to shape the laws according to their needs." + +All this trouble had made me lose a good deal of time, and I +determined to put off my departure till the next day. However, I +wanted a carriage for Possano and the abbe, and I got my secretary to +buy the one I had abandoned for four louis. It was in a deplorable +state, and I had to have it repaired, which kept us till the +afternoon of the next day; however, so far as pleasure was concerned, +the time was not lost. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +My Arrival at Marseilles--Madame d'Urfe--My Niece Is Welcomed by +Madame Audibert I Get Rid of My Brother and Possano--Regeneration +--Departure of Madame d'Urfe--Marcoline Remains Constant + + +My niece, now my mistress, grew more dear to me every day, and I +could not help trembling when I reflected that Marseilles would be +the tomb of our love. Though I could not help arriving there, I +prolonged my happiness as long as I could by travelling by short +stages. I got to Frejus in less than three hours, and stopped there, +and telling Possano and the abbe to do as they liked during our stay, +I ordered a delicate supper and choice wine for myself and my nymphs. +Our repast lasted till midnight, then we went to bed, and passed the +time in sweet sleep and sweeter pleasures. I made the same +arrangements at Lucca, Brignoles, and Aubayne, where I passed the +sixth and last night of happiness. + +As soon as I got to Marseilles I conducted my niece to Madame +Audibert's, and sent Possano and my brother to the "Trieze Cantons" +inn, bidding them observe the strictest silence with regard to me, +for Madame d'Urfe had been awaiting me for three weeks, and I wished +to be my own herald to her. + +It was at Madame Audibert's that my niece had met Croce. She was a +clever woman, and had known the girl from her childhood, and it was +through her that my niece hoped to be restored to her father's good +graces. We had agreed that I should leave my niece and Marcoline in +the carriage, and should interview Madame Audibert, whose +acquaintance I had made before, and with whom I could make +arrangements for my niece's lodging till some arrangement was come +to. + +Madame Audibert saw me getting out of my carriage, and as she did not +recognize me her curiosity made her come down and open the door. She +soon recognized me, and consented to let me have a private interview +with the best grace in the world. + +I did not lose any time in leading up to the subject, and after I had +given her a rapid sketch of the affair, how misfortune had obliged La +Croix to abandon Mdlle. Crosin, how I had been able to be of service +to her, and finally, how she had had the good luck to meet a wealthy +and distinguished person, who would come to Marseilles to ask her +hand in a fortnight, I concluded by saying that I should have the +happiness of restoring to her hands the dear girl whose preserver I +had been. + +"Where is she?" cried Madame Audibert. + +"In my carriage. I have lowered the blinds." + +"Bring her in, quick! I will see to everything. Nobody shall know +that she is in my house." + +Happier than a prince, I made one bound to the carriage and, +concealing her face with her cloak and hood, I led my niece to her +friend's arms. This was a dramatic scene full of satisfaction for +me. Kisses were given and received, tears of happiness and +repentance shed, I wept myself from mingled feelings of emotion, +happiness, and regret. + +In the meanwhile Clairmont had brought up my niece's luggage, and I +went away promising to return and see her another day. + +I had another and as important an arrangement to conclude, I mean +with respect to Marcoline. I told the postillions to take me to the +worthy old man's where I had lodged Rosalie so pleasantly. Marcoline +was weeping at this separation from her friend. I got down at the +house, and made my bargain hastily. My new mistress was, I said, to +be lodged, fed, and attended on as if she had been a princess. He +shewed me the apartment she was to occupy; it was fit for a young +marchioness, and he told me that she should be attended by his own +niece, that she should not leave the house, and that nobody but +myself should visit her. + +Having made these arrangements I made the fair Venetian come in. I +gave her the money she had won, which I had converted into gold and +made up to a thousand ducats. + +"You won't want it here," said I, "so take care of it. At Venice a +thousand ducats will make you somebody. Do not weep, dearest, my +heart is with you, and to-morrow evening I will sup with you." + +The old man gave me the latch-key, and I went off to the "Treize +Cantons." I was expected, and my rooms were adjacent to those +occupied by Madame d'Urfe. + +As soon as I was settled, Bourgnole waited on me, and told me her +mistress was alone and expecting me impatiently. + +I shall not trouble my readers with an account of our interview, as +it was only composed of Madame d'Urfe's mad flights of fancy, and of +lies on my part which had not even the merit of probability. A slave +to my life of happy profligacy, I profited by her folly; she would +have found someone else to deceive her, if I had not done so, for it +was really she who deceived herself. I naturally preferred to profit +by her rather than that a stranger should do so; she was very rich, +and I did myself a great deal of good, without doing anyone any harm. +The first thing she asked me was, "Where is Querilinthos?" And she +jumped with joy when I told her that he was under the same roof. + +"'Tis he, then, who shall make me young again. So has my genius +assured me night after night. Ask Paralis if the presents I have +prepared are good enough for Semiramis to present to the head of the +Fraternity of the Rosy Cross." + +I did not know what these presents were, and as I could not ask to +see them, I answered that, before consulting Paralis, it would be +necessary to consecrate the gifts under the planetary hours, and that +Querilinthos himself must not see them before the consecration. +Thereupon she took me to her closet, and shewed me the seven packets +meant for the Rosicrucian in the form of offerings to the seven +planets. + +Each packet contained seven pounds of the metal proper to the planet, +and seven precious stones, also proper to the planets, each being +seven carats in weight; there were diamonds, rubies, emeralds, +sapphires, chrysolites, topazes, and opals. + +I made up my mind that nothing of this should pass into the hands of +the Genoese, and told the mad woman that we must trust entirely in +Paralis for the method of consecration, which must be begun by our +placing each packet in a small casket made on purpose. One packet, +and one only, could be consecrated in a day, and it was necessary to +begin with the sun. It was now Friday, and we should have to wait +till Sunday, the day of the sun. On Saturday I had a box with seven +niches made for the purpose. + +For the purposes of consecration I spent three hours every day with +Madame d'Urfe, and we had not finished till the ensuing Saturday. +Throughout this week I made Possano and my brother take their meals +with us, and as the latter did not understand a word the good lady +said, he did not speak a word himself, and might have passed for a +mute of the seraglio. Madame d'Urfe pronounced him devoid of sense, +and imagined we were going to put the soul of a sylph into his body +that he might engender some being half human, half divine. + +It was amusing to see my brother's despair and rage at being taken +for an idiot, and when he endeavoured to say something to spew that +he was not one, she only thought him more idiotic than ever. I +laughed to myself, and thought how ill he would have played the part +if I had asked him to do it. All the same the rascal did not lose +anything by his reputation, for Madame d'Urfe clothed him with a +decent splendour that would have led one to suppose that the abbe +belonged to one of the first families in France. The most uneasy +guest at Madame d'Urfe's table was Possano, who had to reply to +questions, of the most occult nature, and, not knowing anything about +the subject, made the most ridiculous mistakes. + +I brought Madame d'Urfe the box, and having made all the necessary +arrangements for the consecrations, I received an order from the +oracle to go into the country and sleep there for seven nights in +succession, to abstain from intercourse with all mortal women, and to +perform ceremonial worship to the moon every night, at the hour of +that planet, in the open fields. This would make me fit to +regenerate Madame d'Urfe myself in case Querilinthos, for some mystic +reasons, might not be able to do so. + +Through this order Madame d'Urfe was not only not vexed with me for +sleeping away from the hotel, but was grateful for the pains I was +taking to ensure the success of the operation. + +The day after my arrival I called on Madame Audibert, and had the +pleasure of finding my niece wail pleased with the efforts her friend +was making in her favour. Madame Audibert had spoken to her father, +telling him that his daughter was with her, and that she hoped to +obtain his pardon and to return to his house, where she would soon +become the bride of a rich Genoese, who wished to receive her from +her father's hands. The worthy man, glad to find again the lost +sheep, said he would come in two days and take her to her aunt, who +had a house at St. Louis, two leagues from the town. She might then +quietly await the arrival of her future husband, and avoid all +occasion of scandal. My niece was surprised that her father had not +yet received a letter from the young man, and I could see that she +was anxious about it; but I comforted her and assured her that I +would not leave Marseilles till I had danced at her wedding. + +I left her to go to Marcoline, whom I longed to press to my heart. +I found her in an ecstasy of joy, and she said that if she could +understand what her maid said her happiness would be complete. I saw +that her situation was a painful one, especially as she was a woman, +but for the present I saw no way out of the difficulty; I should have +to get an Italian-speaking servant, and this would have been a +troublesome task. She wept with joy when I told her that my niece +desired to be remembered to her, and that in a day she would be on +her father's hearth. Marcoline had found out that she was not my +real niece when she found her in my arms. + +The choice supper which the old man had procured us, and which spewed +he had a good memory for my favorite tastes, made me think of +Rosalie. Marcoline heard me tell the story with great interest, and +said that it seemed to her that I only went about to make unfortunate +girls happy, provided I found them pretty. + +"I almost think you are right," said I; "and it is certain that I +have made many happy, and have never brought misfortune to any girl." + +"God will reward you, my dear friend." + +"Possibly I am not worth His taking the trouble!" + +Though the wit and beauty of Marcoline had charmed me, her appetite +charmed me still more; the reader knows that I have always liked +women who eat heartily. And in Marseilles they make an excellent +dish of a common fowl, which is often so insipid. + +Those who like oil will get on capitally in Provence, for it is used +in everything, and it must be confessed that if used in moderation it +makes an excellent relish. + +Marcoline was charming in bed. I had not enjoyed the Venetian vices +for nearly eight years, and Marcoline was a beauty before whom +Praxiteles would have bent the knee. I laughed at my brother for +having let such a treasure slip out of his hands, though I quite +forgave him for falling in love with her. I myself could not take +her about, and as I wanted her to be amused I begged my kind old +landlord to send her to the play every day, and to prepare a good +supper every evening. I got her some rich dresses that she might cut +a good figure, and this attention redoubled her affection for me. + +The next day, which was the second occasion on which I had visited +her, she told me that she had enjoyed the play though she could not +understand the dialogues; and the day after she astonished me by +saying that my brother had intruded himself into her box, and had +said so many impertinent things that if she had been at Venice she +would have boxed his ears. + +"I am afraid," she added, "that the rascal has followed me here, and +will be annoying me." + +"Don't be afraid," I answered, "I will see what I can do." + +When I got to the hotel I entered the abbe's room, and by Possano's +bed I saw an individual collecting lint and various surgical +instruments. + +"What's all this? Are you ill?" + +"Yes, I have got something which will teach me to be wiser for the +future." + +"It's rather late for this kind of thing at sixty." + +"Better late than never." + +"You are an old fool. You stink of mercury." + +"I shall not leave my room." + +"This will harm you with the marchioness, who believes you to be the +greatest of adepts, and consequently above such weaknesses." + +"Damn the marchioness! Let me be." + +The rascal had never talked in this style before. I thought it best +to conceal my anger, and went up to my brother who was in a corner of +the room. + +"What do you mean by pestering Marcoline at the theatre yesterday?" + +"I went to remind her of her duty, and to warn her that I would not +be her complaisant lover." + +"You have insulted me and her too, fool that you are! You owe all to +Marcoline, for if it had not been for her, I should never have given +you a second glance; and yet you behave in this disgraceful manner." + +"I have ruined myself for her sake, and I can never shew my face in +Venice again. What right have you to take her from me?" + +"The right of love, blockhead, and the right of luck, and the right +of the strongest! How is it that she is happy with me, and does not +wish to leave me?" + +"You have dazzled her." + +"Another reason is that with you she was dying of misery and hunger." + +"Yes, but the end of it will be that you will abandon her as you have +done with many others, whereas I should have married her." + +"Married her! You renegade, you seem to forget that you are a +priest. I do not propose to part with her, but if I do I will send +her away rich." + +"Well, well, do as you please; but still I have the right to speak to +her whenever I like." + +"I have forbidden you to do so, and you may trust me when I tell you +that you have spoken to her for the last time." + +So saying I went out and called on an advocate. I asked him if I +could have a foreign abbe, who was indebted to me, arrested, although +I had no proof of the debt. + +"You can do so, as he is a foreigner, but you will have to pay +caution-money. You can have him put under arrest at his inn, and you +can make him pay unless he is able to prove that he owes you nothing. +Is the sum a large one?" + +"Twelve louis." + +"You must come with me before the magistrate and deposit twelve +louis, and from that moment you will be able to have him arrested. +Where is he staying?" + +"In the same hotel as I am, but I do not wish to have him arrested +there, so I will get him to the 'Ste. Baume,' and put him under +arrest. Here are the twelve louis caution-money, so you can get the +magistrate's order, and we will meet again to-morrow." + +"Give me his name, and yours also." + +I returned in haste to the "Treize Cantons," and met the abbe, +dressed up to the nines, and just about to go out. + +"Follow me," said I, "I am going to take you to Marcoline, and you +shall have an explanation in her presence." + +"With pleasure." + +He got into a carriage with me, and I told the coachman to take us to +the "Ste. Baume" inn. When we got there, I told him to wait for me, +that I was going to fetch Marcoline, and that I would return with her +in a minute. + +I got into the carriage again, and drove to the advocate, who gave +the order for arrest to a policeman, who was to execute it. I then +returned to the "Treize Cantons" and put his belongings into a trunk, +and had them transported to his new abode. + +I found him under arrest, and talking to the astonished host, who +could not understand what it was all about. I told the landlord the +mythical history of the abbe debt to me, and handed over the trunk, +telling him that he had nothing to fear with regard to the bill, as I +would take care that he should be well paid. + +I then began my talk with the abbe, telling him that he must get +ready to leave Marseilles the next day, and that I would pay for his +journey to Paris; but that if he did not like to do so, I should +leave him to his fate, and in three days he would be expelled from +Marseilles. The coward began to weep and said he would go to Paris. + +"You must start for Lyons to-morrow, but you will first write me out +an I O U for twelve louis." + +"Why?" + +"Because I say so. If you do so I will give you twelve louis and +tear up the document before your face." + +"I have no choice in the matter." + +"You are right." + +When he had written the I O U, I went to take a place in the +diligence for him, and the next morning I went with the advocate to +withdraw the arrest and to take back the twelve louis, which I gave +to my brother in the diligence, with a letter to M. Bono, whom I +warned not to give him any money, and to send him on to Paris by the +same diligence. I then tore up his note of hand, and wished him a +pleasant journey. + +Thus I got rid of this foolish fellow, whom I saw again in Paris in a +month's time. + +The day I had my brother arrested and before I went to dine with +Madame d'Urfe I had an interview with Possano in the hope of +discovering the reason of his ill humour. + +"The reason is," said he, "that I am sure you are going to lay hands +on twenty or thirty thousand crowns in gold and diamonds, which the +marchioness meant me to have." + +"That may be, but it is not for you to know anything about it. I may +tell you that it rests entirely with me to prevent your getting +anything. If you think you can succeed go to the marchioness and +make your complaints to her. I will do nothing to prevent you." + +"Then you think I am going to help you in your imposture for nothing; +you are very much mistaken. I want a thousand louis, and I will have +it, too." + +"Then get somebody to give it you," said I ; and I turned my back on +him. + +I went up to the marchioness and told her that dinner was ready, and +that we should dine alone, as I had been obliged to send the abbe +away. + +"He was an idiot; but how about Querilinthos?" + +"After dinner Paralis will tell us all about him. I have strong +suspicions that there is something to be cleared up." + +"So have I. The man seems changed. Where is he?" + +"He is in bed, ill of a disease which I dare not so much as name to +you." + +"That is a very extraordinary circumstance; I have never heard of +such a thing before. It must be the work of an evil genius." + +"I have never heard of such a thing, either; but now let us dine. We +shall have to work hard to-day at the consecration of the tin." + +"All the better. We must offer an expiatory sacrifice to Oromasis, +for, awful thought! in three days he would have to regenerate me, and +the operation would be performed in that condition." + +"Let us eat now," I repeated; "I fear lest the hour of Jupiter be +over-past." + +"Fear nothing, I will see that all goes well." + +After the consecration of the tin had been performed, I transferred +that of Oromasis to another day, while I consulted the oracle +assiduously, the marchioness translating the figures into letters. +The oracle declared that seven salamanders had transported the true +Querilinthos to the Milky Way, and that the man in the next room was +the evil genius, St. Germain, who had been put in that fearful +condition by a female gnome, who had intended to make him the +executioner of Semiramis, who was to die of the dreadful malady +before her term had expired. The oracle also said that Semiramis +should leave to Payaliseus Galtinardus (myself) all the charge of +getting rid of the evil genius, St. Germain; and that she was not to +doubt concerning her regeneration, since the word would be sent me by +the true Querilinthos from the Milky Way on the seventh night of my +worship of the moon. Finally the oracle declared that I was to +embrace Semiramis two days before the end of the ceremonies, after an +Undine had purified us by bathing us in the room where we were. + +I had thus undertaken to regenerate the worthy Semiramis, and I began +to think how I could carry out my undertaking without putting myself +to shame. The marchioness was handsome but old, and I feared lest I +should be unable to perform the great act. I was thirty-eight, and I +began to feel age stealing on me. The Undine, whom I was to obtain +of the moon, was none other than Marcoline, who was to give me the +necessary generative vigour by the sight of her beauty and by the +contact of her hands. The reader will see how I made her come down +from heaven. + +I received a note from Madame Audibert which made me call on her +before paying my visit to Marcoline. As soon as I came in she told +me joyously that my niece's father had just received a letter from +the father of the Genoese, asking the hand of his daughter for his +only son, who had been introduced to her by the Chevalier de +Seingalt, her uncle, at the Paretti's. + +"The worthy man thinks himself under great obligations to you," said +Madame Audibert. "He adores his daughter, and he knows you have +cared for her like a father. His daughter has drawn your portrait in +very favourable colors, and he would be extremely pleased to make +your acquaintance. Tell me when you can sup with me; the father will +be here to meet you, though unaccompanied by his daughter." + +"I am delighted at what you tell me, for the young man's esteem for +his future wife will only be augmented when he finds that I am her +father's friend. I cannot come to supper, however; I will be here at +six and stop till eight." + +As the lady left the choice of the day with me I fixed the day after +next, and then I repaired to my fair Venetian, to whom I told my +news, and how I had managed to get rid of the abbe. + +On the day after next, just as we were sitting down to dinner, the +marchioness smilingly gave me a letter which Possano had written her +in bad but perfectly intelligible French. He had filled eight pages +in his endeavour to convince her that I was deceiving her, and to +make sure he told the whole story without concealing any circumstance +to my disadvantage. He added that I had brought two girls with me to +Marseilles; and though he did not know where I had hidden them, he +was sure that it was with them that I spent my nights. + +After I had read the whole letter through, with the utmost coolness I +gave it back to her, asking her if she had had the patience to read +it through. She replied that she had run through it, but that she +could not make it out at all, as the evil genius seemed to write a +sort of outlandish dialect, which she did not care to puzzle herself +over, as he could only have written down lies calculated to lead her +astray at the most important moment of her life. I was much pleased +with the marchioness's prudence, for it was important that she should +have no suspicions about the Undine, the sight and the touch of whom +were necessary to me in the great work I was about to undertake. + +After dining, and discharging all the ceremonies and oracles which +were necessary to calm the soul of my poor victim, I went to a banker +and got a bill of a hundred louis on Lyons, to the order of M. Bono, +and I advised him of what I had done, requesting him to cash it for +Possano if it were presented on the day named thereon. + +I then wrote the advice for Possano to take with him, it ran as +follows: "M. Bonno, pay to M. Possano, on sight, to himself, and not +to order, the sum of one hundred louis, if these presents are +delivered to you on the 30th day of April, in the year 1763; and +after the day aforesaid my order to become null and void." + +With this letter in my hand I went to the traitor who had been lanced +an hour before. + +"You're an infamous traitor," I began, "but as Madame d'Urfe knows of +the disgraceful state you are in she would not so much as read your +letter. I have read it, and by way of reward I give you two +alternatives which you must decide on immediately. I am in a hurry. +You will either go to the hospital--for we can't have pestiferous +fellows like you here--or start for Lyons in an hour. You must not +stop on the way, for I have only given you sixty hours, which is +ample to do forty posts in. As soon as you get to Lyons present this +to M. Bono, and he will give you a hundred louis. This is a present +from me, and afterwards I don't care what you do, as you are no +longer in my service. You can have the carriage I bought for you at +Antibes, and there is twenty-five louis for the journey: that is all. +Make your choice, but I warn you that if you go to the hospital I +shall only give you a month's wages, as I dismiss you from my service +now at this instant." + +After a moment's reflection he said he would go to Lyons, though it +would be at the risk of his life, for he was very ill. + +"You must reap the reward of your treachery," said I, "and if you die +it will be a good thing for your family, who will come in for what I +have given you, but not what I should have given you if you had been +a faithful servant." + +I then left him and told Clairmont to pack up his trunk. I warned +the inn-keeper of his departure and told him to get the post horses +ready as soon as possible. + +I then gave Clairmont the letter to Bono and twenty-five Louis, for +him to hand them over to Possano when he was in the carriage and +ready to go off. + +When I had thus successfully accomplished my designs by means of the +all-powerful lever, gold, which I knew how to lavish in time of need, +I was once more free for my amours. I wanted to instruct the fair +Marcoline, with whom I grew more in love every day. She kept telling +me that her happiness would be complete if she knew French, and if +she had the slightest hope that I would take her to England with me. + +I had never flattered her that my love would go as far as that, but +yet I could not help feeling sad at the thought of parting from a +being who seemed made to taste voluptuous pleasures, and to +communicate them with tenfold intensity to the man of her choice. +She was delighted to hear that I had got rid of my two odious +companions, and begged me to take her to the theatre, "for," said +she, "everybody is asking who and what I am, and my landlord's niece +is quite angry with me because I will not let her tell the truth" + +I promised I would take her out in the course of the next week, but +that for the present I had a most important affair on hand, in which +I had need of her assistance. + +"I will do whatever you wish, dearest." + +"Very good! then listen to me. I will get you a disguise which will +make you look like a smart footman, and in that costume you will call +on the marchioness with whom I live, at the hour I shall name to you, +and you will give her a note. Have you sufficient courage for that?" + +"Certainly. Will you be there?" + +"Yes. She will speak, but you must pretend to be dumb, as the note +you bring with you will tell us; as also that you have come to wait +upon us while we are bathing. She will accept the offer, and when +she tells you to undress her from head to foot you will do so. When +you have done, undress yourself, and gently rub the marchioness from +the feet to the waist, but not higher. In the meanwhile I shall have +taken off my clothes, and while I hold her in a close embrace you +must stand so that I can see all your charms. + +"Further, sweetheart, when I leave you you must gently wash her +generative organs, and afterwards wipe them with a fine towel. Then +do the same to me, and try to bring me to life again. I shall +proceed to embrace the marchioness a second time, and when it is over +wash her again and embrace her, and then come and embrace me and kiss +in your Venetian manner the instrument with which the sacrifice is +consummated. I shall then clasp the marchioness to my arms a third +time, and you must caress us till the act is complete. Finally, you +will wash us for the third time, then dress, take what she gives you +and come here, where I will meet you in the course of an hour." + +"You may reckon on my following all your instructions, but you must +see that the task will be rather trying to my feelings." + +"Not more trying than to mine. I could do nothing with the old woman +if you were not present." + +"Is she very old?" + +"Nearly seventy." + +"My poor sweetheart! I do pity you. But after this painful duty is +over you must sup here and sleep with me." + +"Certainly." + +On the day appointed I had a long and friendly interview with the +father of my late niece. I told him all about his daughter, only +suppressing the history of our own amours, which were not suitable +for a father's ears. The worthy man embraced me again and again, +calling me his benefactor, and saying that I had done more for his +daughter than he would have done himself, which in a sense was +perhaps true. He told me that he had received another letter from +the father, and a letter from the young man himself, who wrote in the +most tender and respectful manner possible. + +"He doesn't ask anything about the dower," said he, "a wonderful +thing these days, but I will give her a hundred and fifty thousand +francs, for the marriage is an excellent one, above all after my poor +simpleton's escape. All Marseilles knows the father of her future +husband, and to-morrow I mean to tell the whole story to my wife, and +I am sure she will forgive the poor girl as I have done." + +I had to promise to be present at the wedding, which was to be at +Madame Audibert's. That lady knowing me to be very fond of play, and +there being a good deal of play going on at her house, wondered why +she did not see more of me; but I was at Marseilles to create and not +to destroy: there is a time for everything. + +I had a green velvet jacket made for Marcoline, with breeches of the +same and silver-lace garters, green silk stockings, and fine leather +shoes of the same colour. Her fine black hair was confined in a net +of green silk, with a silver brooch. In this dress the voluptuous +and well-rounded form of Marcoline was displayed to so much +advantage, that if she had shewn herself in the street all Marseilles +would have run after her, for, in spite of her man's dress, anybody +could see that she was a girl. I took her to my rooms in her +ordinary costume, to shew her where she would have to hide after the +operation was over. + +By Saturday we had finished all the consecrations, and the oracle +fixed the regeneration of Semiramis for the following Tuesday, in the +hours of the sun, Venus, and Mercury, which follow each other in the +planetary system of the magicians, as also in Ptolemy's. These hours +were in ordinary parlance the ninth, tenth, and eleventh of the day, +since the day being a Tuesday, the first hour was sacred to Mars. +And as at the beginning of May the hours are sixty-five minutes long, +the reader, however little of a magician he may be, will understand +that I had to perform the great work on Madame d'Urfe, beginning at +half-past two and ending at five minutes to six. I had taken plenty +of time, as I expected I should have great need of it. + +On the Monday night, at the hour of the moon, I had taken Madame +d'Urfe to the sea-shore, Clairmont following behind with the box +containing the offerings, which weighed fifty pounds. + +I was certain that nobody could see us, and I told my companion that +the time was come. I told Clairmont to put down the box beside us, +and to go and await us at the carriage. When we were alone we +addressed a solemn prayer to Selenis, and then to the great +satisfaction of the marchioness the box was consigned to the address. +My satisfaction however was still greater than hers, for the box +contained fifty pounds of lead. The real box, containing the +treasure, was comfortably hidden in my room. + +When we got back to the "Treize Cantons," I left Madame d'Urfe alone, +telling her that I would return to the hotel when I had performed my +conjurations to the moon, at the same hour and in the same place in +which I had performed the seven consecrations. + +I spoke the truth. I went to Marcoline, and while she was putting on +her disguise I wrote on a sheet of white paper, in large and odd- +looking letters, the following sentences, using, instead of ink, +rock-alum: + +"I am dumb but not deaf. I am come from the Rhone to bathe you. The +hour of Oromasis has begun." + +"This is the note you are to give to the marchioness," I said, "when +you appear before her." + +After supper we walked to the hotel and got in without anyone seeing +us. I hid Marcoline in a large cupboard, and then putting on my +dressing-gown I went to the marchioness to inform her that Selenis +had fixed the next day for the hour of regeneration, and that we must +be careful to finish before the hour of the moon began, as otherwise +the operation would be annulled or at least greatly enfeebled. + +"You must take care," I added, "that the bath be here beside your +bed, and that Brougnole does not interrupt us." + +"I will tell her to go out. But Selenis promised to send an Undine." + +"True, but I have not yet seen such a being." + +"Ask the oracle." + +"Willingly." + +She herself asked the question imploring Paralis not to delay the +time of her regeneration, even though the Undine were lacking, since +she could very well bathe herself. + +"The commands of Oromasis change not," came the reply; "and in that +you have doubted them you have sinned." + +At this the marchioness arose and performed an expiatory sacrifice, +and it appeared, on consulting the oracle, that Oromasis was +satisfied. + +The old lady did not move my pity so much as my laughter. She +solemnly embraced me and said,-- + +"To-morrow, Galtinardus, you will be my spouse and my father." +When I got back to my room and had shut the door, I drew the Undine +out of her place of concealment. She undressed, and as she knew that +I should be obliged to husband my forces, she turned her back on me, +and we passed the night without giving each other a single kiss, for +a spark would have set us all ablaze. + +Next morning, before summoning Clairmont, I gave her her breakfast, +and then replaced her in the cupboard. Later on, I gave her her +instructions over again, telling her to do everything with calm +precision, a cheerful face, and, above all, silence. + +"Don't be afraid," said she, "I will make no mistakes." + +As we were to dine at noon exactly, I went to look for the +marchioness, but she was not in her room, though the bath was there, +and the bed which was to be our altar was prepared. + +A few moments after, the marchioness came out of her dressing-room, +exquisitely painted, her hair arranged with the choicest lace, and +looking radiant. Her breasts, which forty years before had been the +fairest in all France, were covered with a lace shawl, her dress was +of the antique kind, but of extremely rich material, her ear-rings +were emeralds, and a necklace of seven aquamarines of the finest +water, from which hung an enormous emerald, surrounded by twenty +brilliants, each weighing a carat and a half, completed her costume. +She wore on her finger the carbuncle which she thought worth a +million francs, but which was really only a splendid imitation. + +Seeing Semiramis thus decked out for the sacrifice, I thought it my +bounden duty to offer her my homage. I would have knelt before her +and kissed her hand, but she would not let me, and instead opened her +arms and strained me to her breast. + +After telling Brougnole that she could go out till six o'clock, we +talked over our mysteries till the dinner was brought in. + +Clairmont was the only person privileged to see us at dinner, at +which Semiramis would only eat fish. At half-past one I told +Clairmont I was not at home to anyone, and giving him a louis I told +him to go and amuse himself till the evening. + +The marchioness began to be uneasy, and I pretended to be so, too. I +looked at my watch, calculated how the planetary hours were +proceeding, and said from time to time,-- + +"We are still in the hour of Mars, that of the sun has not yet +commenced." + +At last the time-piece struck half-past two, and in two minutes +afterwards the fair and smiling Undine was seen advancing into the +room. She came along with measured steps, and knelt before Madame +d'Urfe, and gave her the paper she carried. Seeing that I did not +rise, the marchioness remained seated, but she raised the spirit with +a gracious air and took the paper from her. She was surprised, +however, to find that it was all white. + +I hastened to give her a pen to consult the oracle on the subject, +and after I had made a pyramid of her question, she interpreted it +and found the answer: + +"That which is written in water must be read in water." + +"I understand now," said she, and going to the bath she plunged the +paper into it, and then read in still whiter letters: "I am dumb, but +not deaf. I am come from the Rhone to bathe you. The hour of +Oromasis has begun." + +"Then bathe me, divine being," said Semiramis, putting down the paper +and sitting on the bed. + +With perfect exactitude Marcoline undressed the marchioness, and +delicately placed her feet in the water, and then, in a twinkling she +had undressed herself, and was in the bath, beside Madame d'Urfe. +What a contrast there was between the two bodies; but the sight of +the one kindled the flame which the other was to quench. + +As I gazed on the beautiful girl, I, too, undressed, and when I was +ready to take off my shirt I spoke as follows: "O divine being, wipe +the feet of Semiramis, and be the witness of my union with her, to +the glory of the immortal Horomadis, King of the Salamanders." + +Scarcely had I uttered my prayer when it was granted, and I +consummated my first union with Semiramis, gazing on the charms of +Marcoline, which I had never seen to such advantage before. + +Semiramis had been handsome, but she was then what I am now, and +without the Undine the operation would have failed. Nevertheless, +Semiramis was affectionate, clean, and sweet in every respect, and +had nothing disgusting about her, so I succeeded. + +When the milk had been poured forth upon the altar, I said,-- + +"We must now await the hour of Venus." + +The Undine performed the ablutions, embraced the bride, and came to +perform the same office for me. + +Semiramis was in an ecstasy of happiness, and as she pointed out to +me the beauties of the Undine I was obliged to confess that I had +never seen any mortal woman to be compared to her in beauty. +Semiramis grew excited by so voluptuous a sight, and when the hour of +Venus began I proceeded to the second assault, which would be the +severest, as the hour was of sixty-five minutes. I worked for half +an hour, steaming with perspiration, and tiring Semiramis, without +being able to come to the point. Still I was ashamed to trick her. +She, the victim, wiped the drops of sweat from my forehead, while the +Undine, seeing my exhaustion, kindled anew the flame which the +contact of that aged body had destroyed. Towards the end of the +hour, as I was exhausted and still unsuccessful, I was obliged to +deceive her by making use of those movements which are incidental to +success. As I went out of the battle with all the signs of my +strength still about me, Semiramis could have no doubts as to the +reality of my success, and even the Undine was deceived when she came +to wash me. But the third hour had come, and we were obliged to +satisfy Mercury. We spent a quarter of the time in the bath, while +the Undine delighted Semiramis by caresses which would have delighted +the regent of France, if he had ever known of them. The good +marchioness, believing these endearments to be peculiar to river +spirits, was pleased with everything, and begged the Undine to shew +me the same kindness. Marcoline obeyed, and lavished on me all the +resources of the Venetian school of love. She was a perfect Lesbian, +and her caresses having soon restored me to all my vigour I was +encouraged to undertake to satisfy Mercury. I proceeded to the work, +but alas! it was all in vain. I saw how my fruitless efforts vexed +the Undine, and perceiving that Madame d'Urfe had had enough, I again +took the course of deceiving her by pretended ecstacies and +movements, followed by complete rest. Semiramis afterwards told me +that my exertions shewed that I was something more than mortal. + +I threw myself into the bath, and underwent my third ablution, then I +dressed. Marcoline washed the marchioness and proceeded to clothe +her, and did so with such a graceful charm that Madame d'Urfe +followed the inspiration of her good genius, and threw her +magnificent necklace over the Undine's neck. After a parting +Venetian kiss she vanished, and went to her hiding place in the +cupboard. + +Semiramis asked the oracle if the operation had been successful. The +answer was that she bore within her the seed of the sun, and that in +the beginning of next February she would be brought to bed of another +self of the same sex as the creator; but in order that the evil genii +might not be able to do her any harm she must keep quiet in her bed +for a hundred and seven hours in succession. + +The worthy marchioness was delighted to receive this order, and +looked upon it as a good omen, for I had tired her dreadfully. I +kissed her, saying that I was going to the country to collect +together what remained of the substances that I had used in my +ceremonies, but I promised to dine with her on the morrow. + +I shut myself up in my room with the Undine, and we amused ourselves +as best we could till it was night, for she could not go out while it +was light in her spiritual costume. I took off my handsome wedding +garment, and as soon as it was dusk we crept out, and went away to +Marcoline's lodging in a hackney coach, carrying with us the +planetary offerings which I had gained so cleverly. + +We were dying of hunger, but the delicious supper which was waiting +for us brought us to life again. As soon as we got into the room +Marcoline took off her green clothes and put on her woman's dress, +saying,-- + +"I was not born to wear the breeches. Here, take the beautiful +necklace the madwoman gave me!" + +"I will sell it, fair Undine, and you shall have the proceeds." + +"Is it worth much?" + +"At least a thousand sequins. By the time you get back to Venice you +will be worth at least five thousand ducats, and you will be able to +get a husband and live with him in a comfortable style." + +"Keep it all, I don't want it; I want you. I will never cease to +love you; I will do whatever you tell me, and I promise never to be +jealous. I will care for you--yes, as if you were my son." + +"Do not let us say anything more about it, fair Marcoline, but let us +go to bed, for you have never inspired me with so much ardour as +now." + +"But you must be tired." + +"Yes, but not exhaustion, for I was only able to perform the +distillation once." + +"I thought you sacrificed twice on that old altar. Poor old woman! +she is still pretty, and I have no doubt that fifty years ago she was +one of the first beauties in France. How foolish of her to be +thinking of love at that age." + +"You excited me, but she undid your work even more quickly." + +"Are you always obliged to have--a girl beside you when you make love +to her?" + +"No; before, there was no question of making a son." + +"What? you are going to make her pregnant? That's ridiculous! Does +she imagine that she has conceived?" + +"Certainly; and the hope makes her happy." + +"What a mad idea! But why did you try to do it three times?" + +"I thought to shew my strength, and that if I gazed on you I should +not fail; but I was quite mistaken." + +"I pity you for having suffered so much." + +"You will renew my strength." + +As a matter of fact, I do not know whether to attribute it to the +difference between the old and the young, but I spent a most +delicious night with the beautiful Venetian--a night which I can only +compare to those I passed at Parma with Henriette, and at Muran with +the beautiful nun. I spent fourteen hours in bed, of which four at +least were devoted to expiating the insult I had offered to love. +When I had dressed and taken my chocolate I told Marcoline to dress +herself with elegance, and to expect me in the evening just before +the play began. I could see that she was intensely delighted with +the prospect. + +I found Madame d'Urfe in bed, dressed with care and in the fashion of +a young bride, and with a smile of satisfaction on her face which I +had never remarked there before. + +"To thee, beloved Galtinardus, I owe all my happiness," said she, as +she embraced me. + +"I am happy to have contributed to it, divine Semiramis, but you must +remember I am only the agent of the genii." + +Thereupon the marchioness began to argue in the most sensible manner, +but unfortunately the foundation of her argument was wholly +chimerical. + +"Marry me," said she; "you will then be able to be governor of the +child, who will be your son. In this manner you will keep all my +property for me, including what I shall have from my brother M. de +Pontcarre, who is old and cannot live much longer. If you do not +care for me in February next, when I shall be born again, into what +hands shall I fall! I shall be called a bastard, and my income of +twenty-four thousand francs will be lost to me. Think over it, dear +Galtinardus. I must tell you that I feel already as if I were a man. +I confess I am in love with the Undine, and I should like to know +whether I shall be able to sleep with her in fourteen or fifteen +years time. I shall be so if Oromasis will it, and then I shall be +happy indeed. What a charming creature she is? Have you ever seen a +woman like her? What a pity she is dumb!" + +"She, no doubt, has a male water-spirit for a lover. But all of them +are dumb, since it is impossible to speak in the water. I wonder she +is not deaf as well. I can't think why you didn't touch her. The +softness of her skin is something wonderful--velvet and satin are not +to be compared to it! And then her breath is so sweet! How +delighted I should be if I could converse with such an exquisite +being." + +"Dear Galtinardus, I beg you will consult the oracle to find out +where I am to be brought to bed, and if you won't marry me I think I +had better save all I have that I may have some provision when I am +born again, for when I am born I shall know nothing, and money will +be wanted to educate me. By selling the whole a large sum might be +realized which could be put out at interest. Thus the interest would +suffice without the capital being touched." + +"The oracle must be our guide," said I. "You will be my son, and I +will never allow anyone to call you a bastard." + +The sublime madwoman was quiet by this assurance. + +Doubtless many a reader will say that if I had been an honest man I +should have undeceived her, but I cannot agree with them; it would +have been impossible, and I confess that even if it had been possible +I would not have done so, for it would only have made me unhappy. + +I had told Marcoline to dress with elegance, and I put on one of my +handsomest suits to accompany her to the theatre. Chance brought the +two sisters Rangoni, daughters of the Roman consul, into our box. As +I had made their acquaintance on my first visit to Marseilles, I +introduced Marcoline to them as my niece, who only spoke Italian. As +the two young ladies spoke the tongue of Tasso also, Marcoline was +highly delighted. The younger sister, who was by far the handsomer +of the two, afterwards became the wife of Prince Gonzaga Solferino. +The prince was a cultured man, and even a genius, but very poor. For +all that he was a true son of Gonzaga, being a son of Leopold, who +was also poor, and a girl of the Medini family, sister to the Medini +who died in prison at London in the year 1787. + +Babet Rangoni, though poor, deserved to become s princess, for she +had all the airs and manners of one. She shines under her name of +Rangoni amongst the princess and princesses of the almanacs. Her +vain husband is delighted at his wife being thought to belong to the +illustrious family of Medini--an innocent feeling, which does neither +good nor harm. The same publications turn Medini into Medici, which +is equally harmless. This species of lie arises from the idiotic +pride of the nobles who think themselves raised above the rest of +humanity by their titles which they have often acquired by some act +of baseness. It is of no use interfering with them on this point, +since all things are finally appreciated at their true value, and the +pride of the nobility is easily discounted when one sees them as they +really are. + +Prince Gonzaga Solferino, whom I saw at Venice eighteen years ago, +lived on a pension allowed him by the empress. I hope the late +emperor did not deprive him of it, as it was well deserved by this +genius and his knowledge of literature. + +At the play Marcoline did nothing but chatter with Babet Rangoni, who +wanted me to bring the fair Venetian to see her, but I had my own +reasons for not doing so. + +I was thinking how I could send Madame d'Urfe to Lyons, for I had no +further use for her at Marseilles, and she was often embarrassing. +For instance, on the third day after her regeneration, she requested +me to ask Paralis where she was to die--that is, to be brought to +bed. I made the oracle reply that she must sacrifice to the water- +spirits on the banks of two rivers, at the same hour, and that +afterwards the question of her lying-in would be resolved. The +oracle added that I must perform three expiatory sacrifices to +Saturn, on account of my too harsh treatment of the false +Querilinthos, and that Semiramis need not take part in these +ceremonies, though she herself must perform the sacrifices to the +water-spirits. + +As I was pretending to think of a place where two rivers were +sufficiently near to each other to fulfil the requirements of the +oracle, Semiramis herself suggested that Lyons was watered by the +Rhone and the Saone, and that it would be an excellent place for the +ceremony. As may be imagined, I immediately agreed with her. On +asking Paralis if there were any preparations to be made, he replied +that it Would be necessary to pour a bottle of sea-water into each +river a fortnight before the sacrifice, and that this ceremony was to +be performed by Semiramis in person, at the first diurnal hour of the +moon. + +"Then," said the marchioness, "the bottles must be filled here, for +the other French ports are farther off. I will go as soon as ever I +can leave my bed, and will wait for you at Lyons; for as you have to +perform expiatory sacrifices to Saturn in this place, you cannot come +with me." + +I assented, pretending sorrow at not being able to accompany her. +The next morning I brought her two well-sealed bottles of sea-water, +telling her that she was to pour them out into the two rivers on the +15th of May (the current month). We fixed her departure for the +11th, and I promised to rejoin her before the expiration of the +fortnight. I gave her the hours of the moon in writing, and also +directions for the journey. + +As soon as the marchioness had gone I left the "Treize Cantons" and +went to live with Marcoline, giving her four hundred and sixty louis, +which, with the hundred and forty she had won at biribi, gave her a +total of six hundred louis, or fourteen thousand four hundred francs. +With this sum she could look the future in the face fearlessly. + +The day after Madame d'Urfe's departure, the betrothed of Mdlle. +Crosin arrived at Marseilles with a letter from Rosalie, which he +handed to me on the day of his arrival. She begged me in the name of +our common honour to introduce the bearer in person to the father of +the betrothed. Rosalie was right, but as the lady was not my real +niece there were some difficulties in the way. I welcomed the young +man and told him that I would first take him to Madame Audibert, and +that we could then go together to his father-in-law in prospective. + +The young Genoese had gone to the "Treize Cantons," where he thought +I was staying. He was delighted to find himself so near the goal of +his desires, and his ecstacy received a new momentum when he saw how +cordially Madame Audibert received him. We all got into my carriage +and drove to the father's who gave him an excellent reception, and +then presented him to his wife, who was already friendly disposed +towards him. + +I was pleasantly surprised when this good and sensible man introduced +me to his wife as his cousin, the Chevalier de Seingalt, who had +taken such care of their daughter. The good wife and good mother, +her husband's worthy partner, stretched out her hand to me, and all +my trouble was over. + +My new cousin immediately sent an express messenger to his sister, +telling her that he and his wife, his future son-in-law, Madame +Audibert, and a cousin she had not met before, would come and dine +with her on the following day. This done he invited us, and Madame +Audibert said that she would escort us. She told him that I had +another niece with me, of whom his daughter was very fond, and would +be delighted to see again. The worthy man was overjoyed to be able +to increase his daughter's happiness. + +I, too, was pleased with Madame Audibert's tact and thoughtfulness; +and as making Marcoline happy was to make me happy also, I expressed +my gratitude to her in very warm terms. + +I took the young Genoese to the play, to Marcoline's delight, for she +would have liked the French very much if she could have understood +them. We had an excellent supper together, in the course of which I +told Marcoline of the pleasure which awaited her on the morrow. I +thought she would have gone wild with joy. + +The next day we were at Madame Audibert's as punctually as Achilles +on the field of battle. The lady spoke Italian well, and was charmed +with Marcoline, reproaching me for not having introduced her before. +At eleven we got to St. Louis, and my eyes were charmed with the +dramatic situation. My late niece had an air of dignity which became +her to admiration, and received her future husband with great +graciousness; and then, after thanking me with a pleasant smile for +introducing him to her father, she passed from dignity to gaiety, and +gave her sweetheart a hundred kisses. + +The dinner was delicious, and passed off merrily; but I alone +preserved a tender melancholy, though I laughed to myself when they +asked me why I was sad. I was thought to be sad because I did not +talk in my usual vivacious manner, but far from being really sad that +was one of the happiest moments of my life. My whole being was +absorbed in the calm delight which follows a good action. I was the +author of the comedy which promised such a happy ending. I was +pleased with the thought that my influence in the world was more for +good than for ill, and though I was not born a king yet I contrived +to make many people happy. Everyone at table was indebted to me for +some part of their happiness, and the father, the mother, and the +betrothed pair wholly so. This thought made me feel a peaceful calm +which I could only enjoy in silence. + +Mdlle. Crosin returned to Marseilles with her father, her mother, +and her future husband, whom the father wished to take up his abode +with them. I went back with Madame Audibert, who made me promise to +bring the delightful Marcoline to sup with her. + +The marriage depended on the receipt of a letter from the young man's +father, in answer to one from my niece's father. It will be taken +for granted that we were all asked to the wedding, and Marcoline's +affection for me increased every day. + +When we went to sup with Madame Audibert we found a rich and witty +young wine merchant at her house. He sat beside Marcoline, who +entertained him with her sallies; and as the young man could speak +Italian, and even the Venetian dialect (for he had spent a year at +Venice), he was much impressed by the charms of my new niece. + +I have always been jealous of my mistresses; but when a rival +promises to marry them and give them a good establishment, jealousy +gives way to a more generous feeling. For the moment I satisfied +myself by asking Madame Audibert who he was, and I was delighted to +hear that he had an excellent reputation, a hundred thousand crowns, +a large business, and complete independence. + +The next day he came to see us in our box at the theatre, and +Marcoline received him very graciously. Wishing to push the matter +on I asked him to sup with us, and when he came I was well pleased +with his manners and his intelligence; to Marcoline he was tender but +respectful. On his departure I told him I hoped he would come and +see us again, and when we were alone I congratulated Marcoline on her +conquest, and shewed her that she might succeed almost as well as +Mdlle. Crosin. But instead of being grateful she was furiously, +angry. + +"If you want to get rid of me," said she, "send me back to Venice, +but don't talk to me about marrying." + +"Calm yourself, my angel! I get rid of you? What an idea! Has my +behaviour led you to suppose that you are in my way? This handsome, +well-educated, and rich young man has come under my notice. I see he +loves you and you like him, and as I love you and wish to see you +sheltered from the storms of fortune, and as I think this pleasant +young Frenchman would make you happy, I have pointed out to you these +advantages, but instead of being grateful you scold me. Do not weep, +sweetheart, you grieve my very soul!" + +"I am weeping because you think that I can love him." + +"It might be so, dearest, and without my honour taking any hurt; but +let us say no more about it and get into bed." + +Marcoline's tears changed to smiles and kisses, and we said no more +about the young wine merchant. The next day he came to our box +again, but the scene had changed; she was polite but reserved, and I +dared not ask him to supper as I had done the night before. When we +had got home Marcoline thanked me for not doing so, adding that she +had been afraid I would. + +"What you said last night is a sufficient guide for me for the +future." + +In the morning Madame Audibert called on behalf of the wine merchant +to ask us to sup with him. I turned towards the fair Venetian, and +guessing my thoughts she hastened to reply that she would be happy to +go anywhere in company with Madame Audibert. That lady came for us +in the evening, and took us to the young man's house, where we found +a magnificent supper, but no other guests awaiting us. The house was +luxuriously furnished, it only lacked a mistress. The master divided +his attention between the two ladies, and Marcoline looked ravishing. +Everything convinced me that she had kindled the ardour of the worthy +young wine merchant. + +The next day I received a note from Madame Audibert, asking me to +call on her. When I went I found she wanted to give my consent to +the marriage of Marcoline with her friend. + +"The proposal is a very agreeable one to me," I answered, "and I +would willingly give her thirty thousand francs as a dowry, but I can +have nothing to do with the matter personally. I will send her to +you; and if you can win her over you may count on my word, but do not +say that you are speaking on my behalf, for that might spoil +everything." + +"I will come for her, and if you like she shall dine with me, and you +can take her to the play in the evening." + +Madame Audibert came the following day, and Marcoline went to dinner +with her. I called for her at five o'clock, and finding her looking +pleased and happy I did not know what to think. As Madame Audibert +did not take me aside I stifled my curiosity and went with Marcoline +to the theatre, without knowing what had passed. + +On the way Marcoline sang the praises of Madame Audibert, but did not +say a word of the proposal she must have made to her. About the +middle of the piece, however, I thought I saw the explanation of the +riddle, for the young man was in the pit, and did not come to our box +though there were two empty places. + +We returned home without a word about the merchant or Madame +Audibert, but as I knew in my own mind what had happened, I felt +disposed to be grateful, and I saw that Marcoline was overjoyed to +find me more affectionate than ever. At last, amidst our amorous +assaults, Marcoline, feeling how dearly I loved her, told me what had +passed between her and Madame Audibert. + +"She spoke to me so kindly and so sensibly," said she, "but I +contented myself with saying that I would never marry till you told +me to do so. All the same I thank you with all my heart for the ten +thousand crowns you are willing to give me. You have tossed the ball +to me and I have sent it back. I will go back to Venice whenever you +please if you will not take me to England with you, but I will never +marry. I expect we shall see no more of the young gentleman, though +if I had never met you I might have loved him." + +It was evidently all over, and I liked her for the part she had +taken, for a man who knows his own worth is not likely to sigh long +at the feet of an obdurate lady. + +The wedding-day of my late niece came round. Marcoline was there, +without diamonds, but clad in a rich dress which set off her beauty +and satisfied my vanity. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +I Leave Marseilles--Henriette at Aix--Irene at Avignon--Treachery of +Possano--Madame d'Urfe Leaves Lyon + + +The wedding only interested me because of the bride. The plentiful +rather than choice repast, the numerous and noisy company, the empty +compliments, the silly conversation, the roars of laughter at very +poor jokes--all this would have driven me to despair if it had not +been for Madame Audibert, whom I did not leave for a moment. +Marcoline followed the young bride about like a shadow, and the +latter, who was going to Genoa in a week, wanted Marcoline to come in +her tram, promising to have her taken to Venice by a person of trust, +but my sweetheart would listen to no proposal for separating her from +me,-- + +"I won't go. to Venice," she said, "till you send me there." + +The splendours of her friend's marriage did not make her experience +the least regret at having refused the young wine merchant. The +bride beamed with happiness, and on my congratulating her she +confessed her joy to be great, adding that it was increased by the +fact that she owed it all to me. She was also very glad to be going +to Genoa, where she was sure of finding a true friend in Rosalie, who +would sympathize with her, their fortunes having been very similar. + +The day after the wedding I began to make preparations for my +departure. The first thing I disposed of was the box containing the +planetary offerings. I kept the diamonds and precious stones, and +took all the gold and silver to Rousse de Cosse, who still held the +sum which Greppi had placed to my credit. I took a bill of exchange +on Tourton and Bauer, for I should not be wanting any money at Lyons +as Madame d'Urfe was there, and consequently the three hundred louis +I had about me would be ample. I acted differently where Marcoline +was concerned. I added a sufficient sum to her six hundred louis to +give her a capital in round numbers of fifteen thousand francs. I +got a bill drawn on Lyons for that amount, for I intended at the +first opportunity to send her back to Venice, and with that idea had +her trunks packed separately with all the linen and dresses which I +had given her in abundance. + +On the eve of our departure we took leave of the newly-married couple +and the whole family at supper, and we parted with tears, promising +each other a lifelong friendship. + +The next day we set out intending to travel all night and not to stop +till we got to Avignon, but about five o'clock the chain of the +carriage broke, and we could go no further until a wheelwright had +repaired the damage. We settled ourselves down to wait patiently, +and Clairmont went to get information at a fine house on our right, +which was approached by an alley of trees. As I had only one +postillion, I did not allow him to leave his horses for a moment. +Before long we saw Clairmont reappear with two servants, one of whom +invited me, on behalf of his master, to await the arrival of the +wheelwright at his house. It would have been churlish to refuse this +invitation which was in the true spirit of French politeness, so +leaving Clairmont in charge Marcoline and I began to wend our way +towards the hospitable abode. + +Three ladies and two gentleman came to meet us, and one of the +gentlemen said they congratulated themselves on my small mishap, +since it enabled madam to offer me her house and hospitality. I +turned towards the lady whom the gentleman had indicated, and thanked +her, saying, that I hoped not to trouble her long, but that I was +deeply grateful for her kindness. She made me a graceful curtsy, but +I could not make out her features, for a stormy wind was blowing, and +she and her two friends had drawn their hoods almost entirely over +their faces. Marcoline's beautiful head was uncovered and her hair +streaming in the breeze. She only replied by graceful bows and +smiles to the compliments which were addressed to her on all sides. +The gentleman who had first accosted me asked me, as he gave her his +arm, if she were my daughter. Marcoline smiled and I answered that +she was my cousin, and that we were both Venetians. + +A Frenchman is so bent on flattering a pretty woman that he will +always do so, even if it be at the expense of a third party. Nobody +could really think that Marcoline was my daughter, for though I was +twenty years older than she was, I looked ten years younger than my +real age, and so Marcoline smiled suggestively. + +We were just going into the house when a large mastiff ran towards +us, chasing a pretty spaniel, and the lady, being afraid of getting +bitten, began to run, made a false step, and fell to the ground. We +ran to help her, but she said she had sprained her ankle, and limped +into the house on the arm of one of the gentlemen. Refreshments were +brought in, and I saw that Marcoline looked uneasy in the company of +a lady who was talking to her. I hastened to excuse her, saying that +she did not speak French. As a matter of fact, Marcoline had begun +to talk a sort of French, but the most charming language in the world +will not bear being spoken badly, and I had begged her not to speak +at all till she had learned to express herself properly. It is +better to remain silent than to make strangers laugh by odd +expressions and absurd equivocations. + +The less pretty, or rather the uglier, of the two ladies said that it +was astonishing that the education of young ladies was neglected in +such a shocking manner at Venice. "Fancy not teaching them French!" + +"It is certainly very wrong, but in my country young ladies are +neither taught foreign languages nor round games. These important +branches of education are attended to afterwards." + +"Then you are a Venetian, too?" + +"Yes, madam." + +"Really, I should not have thought so." + +I made a bow in return for this compliment, which in reality was only +an insult; for if flattering to me it was insulting to the rest of my +fellow-countrymen, and Marcoline thought as much for she made a +little grimace accompanied by a knowing smile. + +"I see that the young lady understands French," said our flattering +friend, "she laughs exactly in the right place." + +"Yes, she understands it, and as for her laughter it was due to the +fact that she knows me to be like all other Venetians." + +"Possibly, but it is easy to see that you have lived a long time in +France." + +"Yes, madam," said Marcoline ; and these words in her pretty Venetian +accent were a pleasure to hear. + +The gentleman who had taken the lady to her room said that she found +her foot to be rather swollen, and had gone to bed hoping we would +all come upstairs. + +We found her lying in a splendid bed, placed in an alcove which the +thick curtains of red satin made still darker. I could not see +whether she was young or old, pretty or ugly. I said that I was very +sorry to be the indirect cause of her mishap, and she replied in good +Italian that it was a matter of no consequence, and that she did not +think she could pay too dear for the privilege of entertaining such +pleasant guests. + +"Your ladyship must have lived in Venice to speak the language with +so much correctness." + +"No, I have never been there, but I have associated a good deal with +Venetians." + +A servant came and told me that the wheelwright had arrived, and that +he would take four hours to mend my carriage, so I went downstairs. +The man lived at a quarter of a league's distance, and by tying the +carriage pole with ropes, I could drive to his place, and wait there +for the carriage to be mended. I was about to do so, when the +gentleman who did the honours of the house came and asked me, on +behalf of the lady, to sup and pass the night at her house, as to go +to the wheelwright's would be out of my way; the man would have to +work by night, I should be uncomfortable, and the work would be ill +done. I assented to the countess's proposal, and having agreed with +the man to come early the next day and bring his tools with him, I +told Clairmont to take my belongings into the room which was assigned +to me. + +When I returned to the countess's room I found everyone laughing at +Marcoline's sallies, which the countess translated. I was not +astonished at seeing the way in which my fair Venetian caressed the +countess, but I was enraged at not being able to see her, for I knew +Marcoline would not treat any woman in that manner unless she were +pretty. + +The table was spread in the bedroom of the countess, whom I hoped to +see at supper-time, but I was disappointed; for she declared that she +could not take anything, and all supper-time she talked to Marcoline +and myself, shewing intelligence, education, and a great knowledge of +Italian. She let fall the expression, "my late husband," so I knew +her for a widow, but as I did not dare to ask any questions, my +knowledge ended at that point. When Clairmont was undressing me he +told me her married name, but as I knew nothing of the family that +was no addition to my information. + +When we had finished supper, Marcoline took up her old position by +the countess's bed, and they talked so volubly to one another that +nobody else could get in a word. + +When politeness bade me retire, my pretended cousin said she was +going to sleep with the countess. As the latter laughingly assented, +I refrained from telling my madcap that she was too forward, and I +could see by their mutual embraces that they were agreed in the +matter. I satisfied myself with saying that I could not guarantee +the sex of the countess's bed-fellow, but she answered, + +"Never mind; if there be a mistake I shall be the gainer." + +This struck me as rather free, but I was not the man to be +scandalized. I was amused at the tastes of my fair Venetian, and at +the manner in which she contrived to gratify them as she had done at +Genoa with my last niece. As a rule the Provencal women are inclined +this way, and far from reproaching them I like them all the better +for it. + +The next day I rose at day-break to hurry on the wheelwright, and +when the work was done I asked if the countess were visible. +Directly after Marcoline came out with one of the gentlemen, who +begged me to excuse the countess, as she could not receive me in her +present extremely scanty attire; "but she hopes that whenever you are +in these parts you will honour her and her house by your company, +whether you are alone or with friends." + +This refusal, gilded as it was, was a bitter pill for me to swallow, +but I concealed my disgust, as I could only put it down to +Marcoline's doings; she seemed in high spirits, and I did not like to +mortify her. I thanked the gentleman with effusion, and placing a +Louis in the hands of all the servants who were present I took my +leave. + +I kissed Marcoline affectionately, so that she should not notice my +ill humour, and asked how she and the countess spent the night." + +"Capitally," said she. "The countess is charming, and we amused +ourselves all night with the tricks of two amorous women." + +"Is she pretty or old?" + +"She is only thirty-three, and, I assure you, she is as pretty as my +friend Mdlle. Crosin. I can speak with authority for we saw each +other in a state of nature." + +"You are a singular creature; you were unfaithful to me for a woman, +and left me to pass the night by myself." + +"You must forgive me, and I had to sleep with her as she was the +first to declare her love." + +"Really? How was that?" + +"When I gave her the first of my kisses she returned it in the +Florentine manner, and our tongues met. After supper, I confess, I +was the first to begin the suggestive caresses, but she met me half- +way. I could only make her happy by spending the night with her. +Look, this will shew you how pleased she was." + +With these words Marcoline drew a superb ring, set with brilliants, +from her finger. I was astonished. + +"Truly," I said, "this woman is fond of pleasure and deserves to have +it." + +I gave my Lesbian (who might have vied with Sappho) a hundred. +kisses, and forgave her her infidelity. + +"But," I remarked, "I can't think why she did not want me to see her; +I think she has treated me rather cavalierly." + +"No, I think the reason was that she was ashamed to be seen by my +lover after having made me unfaithful to him; I had to confess that +we were lovers." + +"Maybe. At all events you have been well paid; that ring is worth +two hundred louis:" + +"But I may as well tell you that I was well enough paid for the +pleasure I gave by the pleasure I received." + +"That's right; I am delighted to see you happy." + +"If you want to make me really happy, take me to England with you. +My uncle will be there, and I could go back to Venice with him." + +"What! you have an uncle in England? Do you really mean it? It +sounds like a fairy-tale. You never told me of it before." + +"I have never said anything about it up to now, because I have always +imagined that this might prevent your accomplishing your desire." + +"Is your uncle a Venetian? What is he doing in England? Are you +sure that he will welcome you?" + +"Yes." + +"What is his name? And how are we to find him in a town of more than +a million inhabitants?" + +"He is ready found. His name is Mattio Boisi, and he is valet de +chambre to M. Querini, the Venetian ambassador sent to England to +congratulate the new king; he is accompanied by the Procurator +Morosini. My uncle is my mother's brother; he is very fond of me, +and will forgive my fault, especially when he finds I am rich. When +he went to England he said he would be back in Venice in July, and we +shall just catch him on the point of departure." + +As far as the embassy went I knew it was all true, from the letters I +had received from M. de Bragadin, and as for the rest Marcoline +seemed to me to be speaking the truth. I was flattered by her +proposal and agreed to take her to England so that I should possess +her for five or six weeks longer without committing myself to +anything. + +We reached Avignon at the close of the day, and found ourselves very +hungry. I knew that the "St. Omer" was an excellent inn, and when I +got there I ordered a choice meal and horses for five o'clock the +next morning. Marcoline, who did not like night travelling, was in +high glee, and threw her arms around my neck, saying,-- + +"Are we at Avignon now?" + +"Yes, dearest." + +"Then I conscientiously discharge the trust which the countess placed +in me when she embraced me for the last time this morning. She made +me swear not to say a word about it till we got to Avignon." + +"All this puzzles me, dearest; explain yourself." + +"She gave me a letter for you," + +"A letter?" + +"Will you forgive me for not placing it in your hands sooner?" + +"Certainly, if you passed your word to the countess; but where is +this letter?" + +"Wait a minute." + +She drew a large bundle of papers from her pocket, saying,-- + +"This is my certificate of baptism." + +"I see you were born in 1746." + +"This is a certificate of 'good conduct.'" + +"Keep it, it may be useful to you." + +"This is my certificate of virginity." + +"That's no use. Did you get it from a midwife?" + +"No, from the Patriarch of Venice." + +"Did he test the matter for himself?" + +"No, he was too old; he trusted in me." + +"Well, well, let me see the letter." + +"I hope I haven't lost it." + +"I hope not, to God." + +"Here is your brother's promise of marriage; he wanted to be a +Protestant." + +"You may throw that into the fire." + +"What is a Protestant?" + +"I will tell you another time. Give me the letter." + +"Praised be God, here it is!" + +"That's lucky; but it has no address." + +My heart beat fast, as I opened it, and found, instead of an address, +these words in Italian: + +"To the most honest man of my acquaintance." + +Could this be meant for me? I turned down the leaf, and read one +word--Henriette! Nothing else; the rest of the paper was blank. + +At the sight of that word I was for a moment annihilated. + +"Io non mori, e non rimasi vivo." + +Henriette! It was her style, eloquent in its brevity. I recollected +her last letter from Pontarlier, which I had received at Geneva, and +which contained only one word--Farewell! + +Henriette, whom I had loved so well, whom I seemed at that moment to +love as well as ever. "Cruel Henriette," said I to myself, "you saw +me and would not let me see you. No doubt you thought your charms +would not have their old power, and feared lest I should discover +that after all you were but mortal. And yet I love you with all the +ardour of my early passion. Why did you not let me learn from your +own mouth that you were happy? That is the only question I should +have asked you, cruel fair one. I should not have enquired whether +you loved me still, for I feel my unworthiness, who have loved other +women after loving the most perfect of her sex. Adorable Henriette, +I will fly to you to-morrow, since you told me that I should be +always welcome." + +I turned these thoughts over in my own mind, and fortified myself in +this resolve; but at last I said,-- + +"No, your behaviour proves that you do not wish to see me now, and +your wishes shall be respected; but I must see you once before I +die." + +Marcoline scarcely dared breathe to see me thus motionless and lost +in thought, and I do not know when I should have come to myself if +the landlord had not come in saying that he remembered my tastes, and +had got me a delicious supper. This brought me to my senses, and I +made my fair Venetian happy again by embracing her in a sort of +ecstacy. + +"Do you know," she said, "you quite frightened me? You were as pale +and still as a dead man, and remained for a quarter of an hour in a +kind of swoon, the like of which I have never seen. What is the +reason? I knew that the countess was acquainted with you, but I +should never have thought that her name by itself could have such an +astonishing effect." + +"Well, it is strange; but how did you find out that the countess knew +me?" + +"She told me as much twenty times over in the night, but she made me +promise to say nothing about it till I had given you the letter." + +"What did she say to you about me?" + +"She only repeated in different ways what she has written for an +address." + +"What a letter it is! Her name, and nothing more." + +"It is very strange." + +"Yes, but the name tells all." + +"She told me that if I wanted to be happy I should always remain with +you. I said I knew that well; but that you wanted to send me back to +Venice, though you were very fond of me. I can guess now that you +were lovers. How long ago was it?" + +"Sixteen or seventeen years." + +"She must have been very young, but she cannot have been prettier +than she is now." + +"Be quiet, Marcoline." + +"Did your union with her last long?" + +"We lived together four months in perfect happiness." + +"I shall not be happy for so long as that." + +"Yes you will, and longer, too; but with another man, and one more +suitable to you in age. I am going to England to try to get my +daughter from her mother." + +"Your daughter? The countess asked me if you were married, and I +said no." + +"You were right; she is my illegitimate daughter. She must be ten +now, and when you see her you will confess that she must belong to +me." + +Just as we were sitting down to table we heard someone going +downstairs to the table d'hote in the room where I had made Madame +Stuard's acquaintance, our door was open, and we could see the people +on the stairs; and one of them seeing us gave a cry of joy, and came +running in, exclaiming, "My dear papa! "I turned to the light and +saw Irene, the same whom I had treated so rudely at Genoa after my +discussion with her father about biribi. I embraced her effusively, +and the sly little puss, pretending to be surprised to see Marcoline, +made her a profound bow, which was returned with much grace. +Marcoline listened attentively to our conversation. + +"What are you doing here, fair Irene?" + +"We have been here for the last fortnight. Good heavens! how lucky +I am to find you again. I am quite weak. Will you allow me to sit +down, madam?" + +"Yes, yes, my dear," said I, "sit down;" and I gave her a glass of +wine which restored her. + +A waiter came up, and said they were waiting for her at supper, but +she said, "I won't take any supper;" and Marcoline, always desirous +of pleasing me, ordered a third place to be laid. I made her happy +by giving an approving nod. + +We sat down to table, and ate our meal with great appetite. "When we +have done," I said to Irene, "you must tell us what chance has +brought you to Avignon." + +Marcoline, who had not spoken a word hitherto, noticing how hungry +Irene was, said pleasantly that it would have been a mistake if she +had not taken any supper. Irene was delighted to hear Venetian +spoken, and thanked her for her kindness, and in three or four +minutes they had kissed and become friends. + +It amused me to see the way in which Marcoline always fell in love +with pretty women, just as if she had been a man. + +In the course of conversation I found that Irene's father and mother +were at the table d'hote below, and from sundry exclamations, such as +"you have been brought to Avignon out of God's goodness," I learned +that they were in distress. In spite of that Irene's mirthful +countenance matched Marcoline's sallies, and the latter was delighted +to hear that Irene had only called me papa because her mother had +styled her my daughter at Milan. + +We had only got half-way through our supper when Rinaldi and his wife +came in. I asked them to sit down, but if it had not been for Irene +I should have given the old rascal a very warm reception. He began +to chide his daughter for troubling me with her presence when I had +such fair company already, but Marcoline hastened to say that Irene +could only have given me pleasure, for in my capacity of her uncle I +was always glad when she was able to enjoy the society of a sweet +young girl. + +"I hope," she added, "that if she doesn't mind she will sleep with +me." + +"Yes, yes," resounded on all sides, and though I should have +preferred to sleep with Marcoline by herself, I laughed and agreed; I +have always been able to accommodate myself to circumstances. + +Irene shared Marcoline's desires, for when it was settled that they +should sleep together they seemed wild with joy, and I added fuel to +the fire by plying them with punch and champagne. + +Rinaldi and his wife did not leave us till they were quite drunk. +When we had got rid of them, Irene told us how a Frenchman had fallen +in love with her at Genoa, and had persuaded her father to go to Nice +where high play was going on, but meeting with no luck there she had +been obliged to sell what she had to pay the inn-keeper. Her lover +had assured her that he would make it up to her at Aix, where there +was some money owing to him, and she persuaded her father to go +there; but the persons who owed the money having gone to Avignon, +there had to be another sale of goods. + +"When we got here the luck was no better, and the poor young man, +whom my father reproached bitterly, would have killed himself if I +had not given him the mantle you gave me that he might pawn it and go +on his quest. He got four louis for it, and sent me the ticket with +a very tender letter, in which he assured me that he would find some +money at Lyons, and that he would then return and take us to +Bordeaux, where we are to find treasures. In the meanwhile we are +penniless, and as we have nothing more to sell the landlord threatens +to turn us out naked." + +"And what does your father mean to do?" + +"I don't know. He says Providence will take care of us." + +"What does your mother say?" + +"Oh! she was as quiet as usual." + +"How about yourself?" + +"Alas! I have to bear a thousand mortifications every day. They are +continually reproaching me with having fallen in love with this +Frenchman, and bringing them to this dreadful pass." + +"Were you really in love with him?" + +"Yes, really." + +"Then you must be very unhappy." + +"Yes, very; but not on account of my love, for I shall get over that +in time, but because of that which will happen to-morrow." + +"Can't you make any conquests at the table-d'hote?" + +"Some of the men say pretty things to me, but as they all know how +poor we are they are afraid to come to our room." + +"And yet in spite of all you keep cheerful; you don't look sad like +most of the unhappy. I congratulate you on your good spirits." +Irene's tale was like the fair Stuard's story over again, and +Marcoline, though she had taken rather too much champagne, was deeply +moved at this picture of misery. She kissed the girl, telling her +that I would not forsake her, and that in the meanwhile they would +spend a pleasant night. + +"Come! let us to bed!" said she; and after taking off her clothes she +helped Irene to undress. I had no wish to fight, against two, and +said that I wanted to rest. The fair Venetian burst out laughing and +said,-- + +"Go to bed and leave us alone." + +"I did so, and amused myself by watching the two Bacchantes; but +Irene, who had evidently never engaged in such a combat before, was +not nearly so adroit as Marcoline. + +Before long Marcoline brought Irene in her arms to my bedside, and +told me to kiss her. + +"Leave me alone, dearest," said I, "the punch has got into your head, +and you don't know what you are doing." + +This stung her; and urging Irene to follow her example, she took up a +position in my bed by force; and as there was not enough room for +three, Marcoline got on top of Irene, calling her her wife. + +I was virtuous enough to remain a wholly passive spectator of the +scene, which was always new to me, though I had seen it so often; but +at last they flung themselves on me with such violence that I was +obliged to give way, and for the most part of the night I performed +my share of the work, till they saw that I was completely exhausted. +We fell asleep, and I did not wake up till noon, and then I saw my +two beauties still asleep, with their limbs interlaced like the +branches of a tree. I thought with a sigh of the pleasures of such a +sleep, and got out of bed gently for fear of rousing them. I ordered +a good dinner to be prepared, and countermanded the horses which had +been waiting several hours. + +The landlord remembering what I had done for Madame Stuard guessed I +was going to do the same for the Rinaldis, and left them in peace. + +When I came back I found my two Lesbians awake, and they gave me such +an amorous welcome that I felt inclined to complete the work of the +night with a lover's good morning; but I began to feel the need of +husbanding my forces, so I did nothing, and bore their sarcasms in +silence till one o'clock, when I told them to get up, as we ought to +have done at five o'clock, and here was two o'clock and breakfast not +done. + +"We have enjoyed ourselves," said Marcoline, "and time that is given +to enjoyment is never lost." + +When they were dressed, I had coffee brought in, and I gave Irene +sixteen louis, four of which were to redeem her cloak. Her father +and mother who had just dined came in to bid us good-day, and Irene +proudly gave her father twelve Louis telling him to scold her a +little less in future. He laughed, wept, and went out, and then came +back and said he found a good way of getting to Antibes at a small +cost, but they would have to go directly, as the driver wanted to get +to St. Andiol by nightfall. + +"I am quite ready." + +"No, dear Irene," said I, "you shall not go; you shall dine with your +friend, and your driver can wait. Make him do so, Count Rinaldi ; my +niece will pay, will you not, Marcoline?" + +"Certainly. I should like to dine here, and still better to put off +our departure till the next day." + +Her wishes were my orders. We had a delicious supper at five +o'clock, and at eight we went to bed and spent the night in +wantonness, but at five in the morning all were ready to start. +Irene, who wore her handsome cloak, shed hot tears at parting from +Marcoline, who also wept with all her heart. Old Rinaldi, who proved +himself no prophet, told me that I should make a great fortune in +England, and his daughter sighed to be in Marcoline's place. +We shall hear of Rinaldi later on. + +We drove on for fifteen posts without stopping, and passed the night +at Valence. The food was bad, but Marcoline forgot her discomfort in +talking of Irene. + +"Do you know," said she, "that if it had been in my power I should +have taken her from her parents. I believe she is your daughter, +though she is not like you." + +"How can she be my daughter when I have never known her mother?" + +"She told me that certainly." + +"Didn't she tell you anything else?" + +"Yes, she told me that you lived with her for three days and bought +her maidenhead for a thousand sequins." + +"Quite so, but did she tell you that I paid the money to her father?" + +"Yes, the little fool doesn't keep anything for herself. I don't +think I should ever be jealous of your mistresses, if you let me +sleep with them. Is not that a mark of a good disposition? +Tell me." + +"You have, no doubt, a good disposition, but you could be quite as +good without your dominant passion." + +"It is not a passion. I only have desires for those I love." + +"Who gave you this taste?" + +"Nature. I began at seven, and in the last ten years I have +certainly had four hundred sweethearts." + +"You begin early. But when did you begin to have male sweethearts?" + +"At eleven." + +"Tell me all about it." + +"Father Molini, a monk, was my confessor, and he expressed a desire +to know the girl who was then my sweetheart. It was in the carnival +time, and he gave us a moral discourse, telling us that he would take +us to the play if we would promise to abstain for a week. We +promised to do so, and at the end of the week we went to tell him +that we had kept our word faithfully. The next day Father Molini +called on my sweetheart's aunt in a mask, and as she knew him, and as +he was a monk and a confessor, we were allowed to go with him. +Besides, we were mere children; my sweetheart was only a year older +than I. + +"After the play the father took us to an inn, and gave us some +supper; and when the meal was over he spoke to us of our sin, and +wanted to see our privates. 'It's a great sin between two girls,' +said he, 'but between a man and a woman it is a venial matter. Do +you know how men are made?' We both knew, but we said no with one +consent. 'Then would you like to know?' said he. We said we should +like to know very much, and he added, 'If you will promise to keep it +a secret, I may be able to satisfy your curiosity.' We gave our +promises, and the good father proceeded to gratify us with a sight of +the riches which nature had lavished on him, and in the course of an +hour he had turned us into women. I must confess that he understood +so well how to work on our curiosity that the request came from us. +Three years later, when I was fourteen, I became the mistress of a +young jeweller. Then came your brother; but he got nothing from me, +because he began by saying that he could not ask me to give him any +favours till we were married." + +"You must have been amused at that." + +"Yes, it did make me laugh, because I did not know that a priest +could get married; and he excited my curiosity by telling me that +they managed it at Geneva. Curiosity and wantonness made me escape +with him; you know the rest." + +Thus did Marcoline amuse me during the evening, and then we went to +bed and slept quietly till the morning. We started from Valence at +five, and in the evening we were set down at the "Hotel du Parc" at +Lyons. + +As soon as I was settled in the pleasant apartments allotted to me I +went to Madame d'Urfe, who was staying in the Place Bellecour, and +said, as usual, that she was sure I was coming on that day. She +wanted to know if she had performed the ceremonies correctly, and +Paralis, of course, informed her that she had, whereat she was much +flattered. The young Aranda was with her, and after I had kissed him +affectionately I told the marchioness that I would be with her at ten +o'clock the next morning, and so I left her. + +I kept the appointment and we spent the whole of the day in close +conference, asking of the oracle concerning her being brought to bed, +how she was to make her will, and how she should contrive to escape +poverty in her regenerated shape. The oracle told her that she must +go to Paris for her lying-in, and leave all her possessions to her +son, who would not be a bastard, as Paralis promised that as soon as +I got to London an English gentleman should be sent over to marry +her. Finally, the oracle ordered her to prepare to start in three +days, and to take Aranda with her. I had to take the latter to +London and return him to his mother, for his real position in life +was no longer a mystery, the little rascal having confessed all; +however, I had found a remedy for his indiscretion as for the +treachery of the Corticelli and Possano. + +I longed to return him to the keeping of his mother, who constantly +wrote me impertinent letters. I also wished to take my daughter, +who, according to her mother, had become a prodigy of grace and +beauty. + +After the oracular business had been settled, I returned to the +"Hotel du Parc" to dine with Marcoline. It was very late, and as I +could not take my sweetheart to the play I called on M. Bono to +enquire whether he had sent my brother to Paris. He told me that he +had gone the day before, and that my great enemy, Possano, was still +in Lyons, and that I would do well to be on my guard as far as he was +concerned. + +"I have seen him," said Bono; "he looks pale and undone, and seems +scarcely able to stand. 'I shall die before long,' said he, 'for +that scoundrel Casanova has had me poisoned; but I will make him pay +dearly for his crime, and in this very town of Lyons, where I know he +will come, sooner or later.' + +"In fact, in the course of half an hour, he made some terrible +accusations against you, speaking as if he were in a fury. He wants +all the world to know that you are the greatest villain unhung, that +you are ruining Madame d'Urfe with your impious lies; that you are a +sorcerer, a forger, an utter of false moneys, a poisoner--in short, +the worst of men. He does not intend to publish a libellous pamphlet +upon you, but to accuse you before the courts, alleging that he wants +reparation for the wrongs you have done his person, his honour, and +his life, for he says you are killing him by a slow poison. He adds +that for every article he possesses the strongest proof. + +"I will say nothing about the vague abuse he adds to these formal +accusations, but I have felt it my duty to warn you of his +treacherous designs that you may be able to defeat them. It's no +good saying he is a miserable wretch, and that you despise him; you +know how strong a thing calumny is." + +"Where does the fellow live?" + +"I don't know in the least." + +"How can I find out?" + +"I can't say, for if he is hiding himself on purpose it would be hard +to get at him." + +"Nevertheless, Lyons is not so vast a place." + +"Lyons is a perfect maze, and there is no better hiding-place, +especially to a man with money, and Possano has money." + +"But what can he do to me?" + +"He can institute proceedings against you in the criminal court, +which would cause you immense anxiety and bring down your good name +to the dust, even though you be the most innocent, the most just of +men." + +"It seems to me, then, that the best thing I can do will be to be +first in the field." + +"So I think, but even then you cannot avoid publicity." + +"Tell me frankly if you feel disposed to bear witness to what the +rascal has said in a court of justice." + +"I will tell all I know with perfect truth." + +"Be kind enough to tell me of a good advocate." + +"I will give you the address of one of the best; but reflect before +you do anything. The affair will make a noise." + +"As I don't know where he lives, I have really no choice in the +matter." + +If I had known where he lived I could have had Possano expelled from +Lyons through the influence of Madame d'Urfe, whose relative, M. de +la Rochebaron, was the governor; but as it was, I had no other course +than the one I took. + +Although Possano was a liar and an ungrateful, treacherous hound, yet +I could not help being uneasy. I went to my hotel, and proceeded to +ask for police protection against a man in hiding in Lyons, who had +designs against my life and honour. + +The next day M. Bono came to dissuade me from the course I had taken. + +"For," said he, "the police will begin to search for him, and as soon +as he hears of it he will take proceedings against you in the +criminal courts, and then your positions will be changed. It seems +to me that if you have no important business at Lyons you had better +hasten your departure." + +"Do you think I would do such a thing for a miserable fellow like +Possano ? No! I would despise myself if I did. I would die rather +than hasten my departure on account of a rascal whom I loaded with +kindnesses, despite his unworthiness ! I would give a hundred louis +to know where he is now." + +"I am delighted to say that I do not know anything about it, for if I +did I would tell you, and then God knows what would happen! You +won't go any sooner; well, then, begin proceedings, and I will give +my evidence by word of mouth or writing whenever you please." + +I went to the advocate whom M. Bono had recommended to me, and told +him my business. When he heard what I wanted he said,---- + +"I can do nothing for you, sir, as I have undertaken the case of your +opponent. You need not be alarmed, however, at having spoken to me, +for I assure you that I will make no use whatever of the information. +Possano's plea or accusation will not be drawn up till the day after +to-morrow, but I will not tell him to make baste for fear of your +anticipating him, as I have only been informed of your intentions by +hazard. However, you will find plenty of advocates at Lyons as +honest as I am, and more skilled." + +"Could you give me the name of one?" + +"That would not be etiquette, but M. Bono, who seems to have kindly +spoken of me with some esteem, will be able to serve you." + +"Can you tell me where your client lives?" + +"Since his chief aim is to remain hidden, and with good cause, you +will see that I could not think of doing such a thing." + +In bidding him farewell I put a louis on the table, and though I did +it with the utmost delicacy he ran after me and made me take it back. + +"For once in a way," I said to myself, "here's an honest advocate." + +As I walked along I thought of putting a spy on Possano and finding +out his abode, for I felt a strong desire to have him beaten to +death; but where was I to find a spy in a town of which I knew +nothing? M. Bono gave me the name of another advocate, and advised +me to make haste. + +"'Tis in criminal matters" said he, "and in such cases the first +comer always has the advantage." + +I asked him to find me a trusty fellow to track out the rascally +Possano, but the worthy man would not hear of it. He shewed me that +it would be dishonourable to set a spy on the actions of Possano's +advocate. I knew it myself; but what man is there who has not +yielded to the voice of vengeance, the most violent and least +reasonable of all the passions. + +I went to the second advocate, whom I found to be a man venerable not +only in years but in wisdom. I told him all the circumstances of the +affair, which he agreed to take up, saying he would present my plea +in the course of the day. + +"That's just what I want you to do," said I, "for his own advocate +told me that his pleas would be presented the day after to-morrow." + +"That, sir," said her "would not induce me to act with any greater +promptness, as I could not consent to your abusing the confidence of +my colleague." + +"But there is nothing dishonourable in making use of information +which one has acquired by chance." + +"That may be a tenable position in some cases, but in the present +instance the nature of the affair justifies prompt action. 'Prior in +tempore, Potior in jure'. Prudence bids us attack our enemy. Be so +kind, if you please, to call here at three o'clock in the afternoon." + +"I will not fail to do so, and in the meanwhile here are six louis." + +"I will keep account of my expenditure on your behalf." + +"I want you not to spare money." + +"Sir, I shall spend only what is absolutely necessary." + +I almost believed that probity had chosen a home for herself amongst +the Lyons advocates, and here I may say, to the honour of the French +bar, that I have never known a more honest body of men than the +advocates of France. + +At three o'clock, having seen that the plan was properly drawn up, I +went to Madame d'Urfe's, and for four hours I worked the oracle in a +manner that filled her with delight, and in spite of my vexation I +could not help laughing at her insane fancies on the subject of her +pregnancy. She was certain of it; she felt all the symptoms. Then +she said how sorry she felt that she would not be alive to laugh at +all the hypotheses of the Paris doctors as to her being delivered of +a child, which would be thought very extraordinary in a woman of her +age. + +When I got back to the inn I found Marcoline very melancholy. She +said she had been waiting for me to take her to the play, according +to my promise, and that I should not have made her wait in vain. + +"You are right, dearest, but an affair of importance has kept me with +the marchioness. Don't be put out." + +I had need of some such advice myself, for the legal affair worried +me, and I slept very ill. Early the next morning I saw my counsel, +who told me that my plea had been laid before the criminal +lieutenant. + +"For the present," said he, "there is nothing more to be done, for as +we don't know where he is we can't cite him to appear." + +"Could I not set the police on his track?" + +"You might, but I don't advise you to do so. Let us consider what +the result would be. The accuser finding himself accused would have +to defend himself and prove the accusation he has made against you. +But in the present state of things, if he does not put in an +appearance we will get judgment against him for contempt of court and +also for libel. Even his counsel will leave him in the lurch if he +persistently refuses to shew himself." + +This quieted my fears a little, and I spent the rest of the day with +Madame d'Urfe, who was going to Paris on the morrow. I promised to +be with her as soon as I had dealt with certain matters which +concerned the honour of the Fraternity R. C.. + +Her great maxim was always to respect my secrets, and never to +trouble me with her curiosity. Marcoline, who had been pining by +herself all day, breathed again when I told her that henceforth I +should be all for her. + +In the morning M. Bono came to me and begged me to go with him to +Possano's counsel, who wanted to speak to me. The advocate said that +his client was a sort of madman who was ready to do anything, as he +believed himself to be dying from the effects of a slow poison. + +"He says that even if you are first in the field he will have you +condemned to death. He says he doesn't care if he is sent to prison, +as he is certain of coming out in triumph as he has the proof of all +his accusations. He shews twenty-five louis which you gave him, all +of which are clipped, and he exhibits documents dated from Genoa +stating that you clipped a number of gold pieces, which were melted +by M. Grimaldi in order that the police might not find them in your +possession. He has even a letter from your brother, the abbe, +deposing against you. He is a madman, a victim to syphilis, who +wishes to send you to the other world before himself, if he can. Now +my advice to you is to give him some money and get rid of him. He +tells me that he is the father of a family, and that if M. Bono would +give him a thousand louis he would sacrifice vengeance to necessity. +He told me to speak to M. Bono about it; and now, sir what do you +say?" + +"That which my just indignation inspires me to say regarding a rascal +whom I rescued from poverty, and who nevertheless pursues me with +atrocious calumnies; he shall not have one single farthing of mine." + +I then told the Genoa story, putting things in their true light, and +adding that I could call M. Grimaldi as a witness if necessary. + +"I have delayed presenting the plea," said the counsel, "to see if +the scandal could be hushed up in any way, but I warn you that I +shall now present it." + +"Do so; I shall be greatly obliged to you." + +I immediately called on my advocate, and told him of the rascal's +proposal; and he said I was quite right to refuse to have any +dealings with such a fellow. He added that as I had M. Bono as a +witness I ought to make Possano's advocate present his plea, and I +authorized him to take proceedings in my name. + +A clerk was immediately sent to the criminal lieutenant, praying him +to command the advocate to bring before him, in three days, the plea +of one Anami, alias Pogomas, alias Possano, the said plea being +against Jacques Casanova, commonly called the Chevalier de Seingalt. +This document, to which I affixed my signature, was laid before the +criminal lieutenant. + +I did not care for the three days' delay, but my counsel told me it +was always given, and that I must make up my mind to submit to all +the vexation I should be obliged to undergo, even if we were wholly +successful. + +As Madame d'Urfe had taken her departure in conformity with the +orders of Paralis, I dined with Marcoline at the inn, and tried to +raise my spirits by all the means in my power. I took my mistress to +the best milliners and dressmakers in the town, and bought her +everything she took a fancy to; and then we went to the theatre, +where she must have been pleased to see all eyes fixed on her. +Madame Pernon, who was in the next box to ours, made me introduce +Marcoline to her; and from the way they embraced each other when the +play was over I saw they were likely to become intimate, the only +obstacle to their friendship being that Madame Pernon did not know a +word of Italian, and that Marcoline did not dare to speak a word of +French for fear of making herself ridiculous. When we got back to +the inn, Marcoline told me that her new friend had given her the +Florentine kiss: this is the shibboleth of the sect. + +The pretty nick-nacks I had given her had made her happy; her ardour +was redoubled, and the night passed joyously. + +I spent the next day in going from shop to shop, making fresh +purchases for Marcoline, and we supped merrily at Madame Pernon's. + +The day after, M. Bono came to see me at an early hour with a smile +of content on his face. + +"Let us go and breakfast at a coffee-house," said he; "we will have +some discussion together." + +When we were breakfasting he shewed me a letter written by Possano, +in which the rascal said that he was ready to abandon proceedings +provided that M. de Seingalt gave him a hundred louis, on receipt of +which he promised to leave Lyons immediately. + +"I should be a great fool," said I, "if I gave the knave more money +to escape from the hands of justice. Let him go if he likes, I won't +prevent him; but he had better not expect me to give him anything. +He will have a writ out against him to-morrow. I should like to see +him branded by the hangman. He has slandered me, his benefactor, too +grievously; let him prove what he says, or be dishonoured before all +men." + +"His abandoning the proceedings," said M. Bono, "would in my opinion +amount to the same thing as his failing to prove his charges, and you +would do well to prefer it to a trial which would do your reputation +no good, even if you were completely successful. And the hundred +louis is nothing in comparison with the costs of such a trial." + +"M. Bono, I value your advice very highly, and still more highly the +kindly feelings which prompt you, but you must allow me to follow my +own opinion in this case." + +I went to my counsel and told him of the fresh proposal that Possano +had made, and of my refusal to listen to it, begging him to take +measures for the arrest of the villain who had vowed my death. + +The same evening I had Madame Pernon and M. Bono, who was her lover, +to sup with me; and as the latter had a good knowledge of Italian +Marcoline was able to take part in the merriment of the company. + +The next day Bono wrote to tell me that Possano had left Lyons never +to return, and that he had signed a full and satisfactory retraction. +I was not surprised to hear of his flight, but the other circumstance +I could not understand. I therefore hastened to call on Bono, who +showed me the document, which was certainly plain enough. + +"Will that do?" said he. + +"So well that I forgive him, but I wonder he did not insist on the +hundred Louis." + +"My dear sir, I gave him the money with pleasure, to prevent a +scandalous affair which would have done us all harm in becoming +public. If I had told you nothing, you couldn't have taken any steps +in the matter, and I felt myself obliged to repair the mischief I had +done in this way. You would have known nothing about it, if you had +said that you were not satisfied. I am only too glad to have been +enabled to skew my friendship by this trifling service. We will say +no more about it." + +"Very good," said I, embracing him, "we will say no more, but please +to receive the assurance of my gratitude." + +I confess I felt much relieved at being freed from this troublesome +business. + + + + +End of this Project Gutenberg Etext of MEMOIRES OF JACQUES CASANOVA +IN LONDON AND MOSCOW, Vol. 5a, SOUTH OF FRANCE +by Jacques Casanova de Seingalt diff --git a/old/jcsfr10.zip b/old/jcsfr10.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..01f1326 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/jcsfr10.zip diff --git a/old/jcsfr11.txt b/old/jcsfr11.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..00ab148 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/jcsfr11.txt @@ -0,0 +1,4559 @@ +The Project Gutenberg Etext of South of France, by Jacgues Casanova +#21 in our series by Jacques Casanova de Seingalt + +Copyright laws are changing all over the world. 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FOR PUBLIC DOMAIN ETEXTS*Ver.10/04/01*END* + + + + + +This etext was produced by David Widger <widger@cecomet.net> + + + + + +THE MEMOIRS OF JACQUES CASANOVA DE SEINGALT + +THE RARE UNABRIDGED LONDON EDITION OF 1894 TRANSLATED BY ARTHUR +MACHEN TO WHICH HAS BEEN ADDED THE CHAPTERS DISCOVERED BY ARTHUR +SYMONS. + + + +MEMOIRS OF JACQUES CASANOVA de SEINGALT 1725-1798 +IN LONDON AND MOSCOW, Volume 5a--SOUTH OF FRANCE + + + + +SOUTH OF FRANCE + + + +CHAPTER I + +I Find Rosalie Happy--The Signora Isola-Bella--The Cook--Biribi +--Irene--Possano in Prison--My Niece Proves to be an Old Friend of +Rosalie's + + +At Genoa, where he was known to all, Pogomas called himself Possano. +He introduced me to his wife and daughter, but they were so ugly and +disgusting in every respect that I left them on some trifling +pretext, and went to dine with my new niece. Afterwards I went to +see the Marquis Grimaldi, for I longed to know what had become of +Rosalie. The marquis was away in Venice, and was not expected back +till the end of April; but one of his servants took me to Rosalie, +who had become Madame Paretti six months after my departure. + +My heart beat fast as I entered the abode of this woman, of whom I +had such pleasant recollections. I first went to M. Paretti in his +shop, and he received me with a joyful smile, which shewed me how +happy he was. He took me to his wife directly, who cried out with +delight, and ran to embrace me. + +M. Paretti was busy, and begged me to excuse him, saying his wife +would entertain me. + +Rosalie shewed me a pretty little girl of six months old, telling me +that she was happy, that she loved her husband, and was loved by him, +that he was industrious and active in business, and under the +patronage of the Marquis Grimaldi had prospered exceedingly. + +The peaceful happiness of marriage had improved her wonderfully; she +had become a perfect beauty in every sense of the word. + +"My dear friend," she said, "you are very good to call on me directly +you arrive, and I hope you will dine with us to-morrow. I owe all my +happiness to you, and that is even a sweeter thought than the +recollection of the passionate hours we have spent together. Let us +kiss, but no more; my duty as an honest wife forbids me from going +any further, so do not disturb the happiness you have given." + +I pressed her hand tenderly, to skew that I assented to the +conditions she laid down. + +"Oh! by the way," she suddenly exclaimed, "I have a pleasant surprise +for you." + +She went out, and a moment afterward returned with Veronique, who had +become her maid. I was glad to see her and embraced her +affectionately, asking after Annette. She said her sister was well, +and was working with her mother. + +"I want her to come and wait on my niece while we are here," said I. + +At this Rosalie burst out laughing. + +"What! another niece? You have a great many relations! But as she +is your niece, I hope you will bring her with you to-morrow." + +"Certainly, and all the more willingly as she is from Marseilles." + +"From Marseilles? Why, we might know each other. Not that that +would matter, for all your nieces are discreet young persons. What +is her name?" + +"Crosin." + +"I don't know it." + +"I daresay you don't. She is the daughter of a cousin of mine who +lived at Marseilles." + +"Tell that to someone else; but, after all, what does it matter? You +choose well, amuse yourself, and make them happy. It may be wisdom +after all, and at any rate I congratulate you. I shall be delighted +to see your niece, but if she knows me you must see that she knows +her part as well." + +On leaving Madame Paretti I called on the Signora Isola-Bella, and +gave her the Marquis Triulzi's letter. Soon after she came into the +room and welcomed me, saying that she had been expecting me, as +Triulzi had written to her on the subject. She introduced me to the +Marquis Augustino Grimaldi delta Pietra, her 'cicisbeoin-chief' +during the long absence of her husband, who lived at Lisbon. + +The signora's apartments were very elegant. She was pretty with +small though regular features, her manner was pleasant, her voice +sweet, and her figure well shaped, though too thin. She was nearly +thirty. I say nothing of her complexion, for her face was plastered +with white and red, and so coarsely, that these patches of paint were +the first things that caught my attention. I was disgusted at this, +in spite of her fine expressive eyes. After an hour spent in +question and reply, in which both parties were feeling their way, I +accepted her invitation to come to supper on the following day. When +I got back I complimented my niece on the way in which she had +arranged her room, which was only separated from mine by a small +closet which I intended for her maid, who, I told her, was coming the +next day. She was highly pleased with this attention, and it paved +the way for my success. I also told her that the next day she was to +dine with me at a substantial merchant's as my niece, and this piece +of news made her quite happy. + +This girl whom Croce had infatuated and deprived of her senses was +exquisitely beautiful, but more charming than all her physical +beauties were the nobleness of her presence and the sweetness of her +disposition. I was already madly in love with her, and I repented +not having taken possession of her on the first day of our journey. +If I had taken her at her word I should have been a steadfast lover, +and I do not think it would have taken me long to make her forget her +former admirer. + +I had made but a small dinner, so I sat down to supper famishing with +hunger; and as my niece had an excellent appetite we prepared +ourselves for enjoyment, but instead of the dishes being delicate, as +we had expected, they were detestable. I told Clairmont to send for +the landlady, and she said that she could not help it, as everything +had been done by my own cook. + +"My cook?" I repeated. + +"Yes, sir, the one your secretary, M. Possano, engaged for you. I +could have got a much better one and a much cheaper one myself." + +"Get one to-morrow." + +"Certainly; but you must rid yourself and me of the present cook, for +he has taken up his position here with his wife and children. Tell +Possano to send for him." + +"I will do so, and in the meanwhile do you get me a fresh cook. I +will try him the day after to-morrow." + +I escorted my niece into her room, and begged her to go to bed +without troubling about me, and so saying I took up the paper and +began to read it. When I had finished, I went up to bed, and said, + +"You might spare me the pain of having to sleep by myself." + +She lowered her eyes but said nothing, so I gave her a kiss and left +her. + +In the morning my fair niece came into my room just as Clairmont was +washing my feet, and begged me to let her have some coffee as +chocolate made her hot. I told my man to go and fetch some coffee, +and as soon as he was gone she went down on her knees and would have +wiped my feet. + +"I cannot allow that, my dear young lady." + +"Why not? it is a mark of friendship." + +"That may be, but such marks cannot be given to anyone but your lover +without your degrading yourself." + +She got up and sat down on a chair quietly, but saying nothing. + +Clairmont came back again, and I proceeded with my toilette. + +The landlady came in with our breakfast, and asked my niece if she +would like to buy a fine silk shawl made in the Genoese fashion. I +did not let her be confused by having to answer, but told the +landlady to let us see it. Soon after the milliner came in, but by +that time I had given my young friend twenty Genoese sequins, telling +her that she might use them for her private wants. She took the +money, thanking me with much grace, and letting me imprint a +delicious kiss on her lovely lips. + +I had sent away the milliner after having bought the shawl, when +Possano took it upon himself to remonstrate with me in the matter of +the cook. + +"I engaged the man by your orders," said he, "for the whole time you +stayed at Genoa, at four francs a day, with board and lodging." + +"Where is my letter?" + +"Here it is: 'Get me a good cook; I will keep him while I stay in +Genoa.'" + +"Perhaps you did not remark the expression, d good cook? Well, this +fellow is a very bad cook; and, at all events, I am the best judge +whether he is good or bad." + +"You are wrong, for the man will prove his skill. He will cite you +in the law courts, and win his case." + +"Then you have made a formal agreement with him?" + +"Certainly; and your letter authorized me to do so." + +"Tell him to come up; I want to speak to him." + +While Possano was downstairs I told Clairmont to go and fetch me an +advocate. The cook came upstairs, I read the agreement, and I saw +that it was worded in such a manner that I should be in the wrong +legally; but I did not change my mind for all that. + +"Sir," said the cook, "I am skilled in my business, and I can get +four thousand Genoese to swear as much." + +"That doesn't say much for their good taste; but whatever they may- +say, the execrable supper you gave me last night proves that you are +only fit to keep a low eating-house." + +As there is nothing more irritable than the feelings of a culinary +artist, I was expecting a sharp answer; but just then the advocate +came in. He had heard the end of our dialogue, and told me that not +only would the man find plenty of witnesses to his skill, but that I +should find a very great difficulty in getting anybody at all to +swear to his want of skill. + +"That may be," I replied, "but as I stick to my own opinion, and +think his cooking horrible, he must go, for I want to get another, +and I will pay that fellow as if he had served me the whole time." + +"That won't do," said the cook; "I will summon you before the judge +and demand damages for defamation of character." + +At this my bile overpowered me, and I was going to seize him anti +throw him out of the window, when Don Antonio Grimaldi came in. When +he heard what was the matter, he laughed and said, with a shrug of +his shoulders, + +"My dear sir, you had better not go into court, or you will be cast +in costs, for the evidence is against you. Probably this man makes a +slight mistake in believing himself to be an excellent cook, but the +chief mistake is in the agreement, which ought to have stipulated +that he should cook a trial dinner. The person who drew up the +agreement is either a great knave or a great fool." + +At this Possano struck in in his rude way, and told the nobleman that +he was neither knave nor fool. + +"But you are cousin to the cook," said the landlady. + +This timely remark solved the mystery. I paid and dismissed the +advocate, and having sent the cook out of the room I said, + +"Do I owe you any money, Possano?" + +"On the contrary, you paid me a month in advance, and there are ten +more days of the month to run." + +"I will make you a present of the ten days and send you away this +very moment, unless your cousin does not leave my house to-day, and +give you the foolish engagement which you signed in my name." + +"That's what I call cutting the Gordian knot," said M. Grimaldi. + +He then begged me to introduce him to the lady he had seen with me, +and I did so, telling him she was my niece. + +"Signora Isola-Bella will be delighted to see her." + +"As the marquis did not mention her in his letter, I did not take the +liberty of bringing her." + +The marquis left a few moments afterwards, and soon after Annette +came in with her mother. The girl had developed in an incredible +manner while I was away. Her cheeks blossomed like the rose, her +teeth were white as pearls, and her breasts, though modestly +concealed from view, were exquisitely rounded. I presented her to +her mistress, whose astonishment amused me. + +Annette, who looked pleased to be in my service again, went to dress +her new mistress; and, after giving a few sequins to the mother I +sent her away, and proceeded to make my toilette. + +Towards noon, just as I was going out with my niece to dine at +Rosalie's, my landlady brought me the agreement Possano had made, and +introduced the new cook. I ordered the next day's dinner, and went +away much pleased with my comic victory. + +A brilliant company awaited us at the Paretti's, but I was agreeably +surprised on introducing my niece to Rosalie to see them recognize +each other. They called each other by their respective names, and +indulged in an affectionate embrace. After this they retired to +another room for a quarter of an hour, and returned looking very +happy. Just then Paretti entered, and on Rosalie introducing him to +my niece under her true name he welcomed her in the most cordial +manner. Her father was a correspondent of his, and drawing a letter +he had just received from him from his pocket, he gave it to her to +read. My niece read it eagerly, with tears in her eyes, and gave the +signature a respectful pressure with her lips. This expression of +filial love, which displayed all the feelings of her heart, moved me +to such an extent that I burst into tears. Then taking Rosalie +aside, I begged her to ask her husband not to mention the fact to his +correspondent that he had seen his daughter. + +The dinner was excellent, and Rosalie did the honours with that grace +which was natural to her. However, the guests did not by any means +pay her all their attentions, the greater portion of which was +diverted in the direction of my supposed niece. Her father, a +prosperous merchant of Marseilles, was well known in the commercial +circles of Genoa, and besides this her wit and beauty captivated +everybody, and one young gentleman fell madly in love with her. He +was an extremely good match, and proved to be the husband whom Heaven +had destined for my charming friend. What a happy thought it was for +me that I had been the means of rescuing her from the gulf of shame, +misery, and despair, and placing her on the high road to happiness. +I own that I have always felt a keener pleasure in doing good than in +anything else, though, perhaps, I may not always have done good from +strictly disinterested motives. + +When we rose from the table in excellent humour with ourselves and +our surroundings, cards were proposed, and Rosalie, who knew my +likings, said it must be trente-quarante. This was agreed to, and we +played till supper, nobody either winning or losing to any extent. +We did not go till midnight, after having spent a very happy day. + +When we were in our room I asked my niece how she had known Rosalie. + +"I knew her at home; she and her mother used to bring linen from the +wash. I always liked her." + +"You must be nearly the same age." + +"She is two years older than I am. I recognized her directly." + +"What did she tell you?" + +"That it was you who brought her from Marseilles and made her +fortune." + +"She has not made you the depositary of any other confidences?" + +"No, but there are some things which don't need telling." + +"You are right. And what did you tell her?" + +"Only what she could have guessed for herself. I told her that you +were not my uncle, and if she thought you were my lover I was not +sorry. You do not know how I have enjoyed myself to-day, you must +have been born to make me happy." + +"But how about La Croix?" + +"For heaven's sake say nothing about him." + +This conversation increased my ardour. She called Annette, and I +went to my room. + +As I had expected, Annette came to me as soon as her mistress was in +bed. + +"If the lady is really your niece," said she, "may I hope that you +still love me?" + +"Assuredly, dear Annette, I shall always love you. Undress, and let +us have a little talk." + +I had not long to wait, and in the course of two voluptuous hours I +quenched the flames that another woman had kindled in my breast. + +Next morning Possano came to tell me that he had arranged matters +with the cook with the help of six sequins. I gave him the money, +and told him to be more careful for the future. + +I went to Rosalie's for my breakfast, which she was delighted to give +me: and I asked her and her husband to dinner on the following day, +telling her to bring any four persons she liked. + +"Your decision," said I, "will decide the fate of my cook; it will be +his trial dinner." + +She promised to come, and then pressed me to tell her the history of +my amours with her fair country-woman. + +"Alas!" I said, "you may not believe me, but I assure you I am only +beginning with her." + +"I shall certainly believe you, if you tell me so, though it seems +very strange." + +"Strange but true. You must understand, however, that I have only +known her for a very short time; and, again, I would not be made +happy save through love, mere submission would kill me." + +"Good! but what did she say of me?" + +I gave her a report of the whole conversation I had had with my niece +the night before, and she was delighted." + +"As you have not yet gone far with your niece, would you object if +the young man who shewed her so much attention yesterday were of the +party to-morrow?" + +"Who is he? I should like to know him." + +"M. N----, the only son of a rich merchant." + +"Certainly, bring him with you." + +When I got home I went to my niece, who was still in bed, and told +her that her fellow-countryman would dine with us to-morrow. I +comforted her with the assurance that M. Paretti would not tell her +father that she was in Genoa. She had been a good deal tormented +with the idea that the merchant would inform her father of all. + +As I was going out to supper I told her that she could go and sup +with Rosalie, or take supper at home if she preferred it. + +"You are too kind to me, my dear uncle. I will go to Rosalie's." + +"Very good. Are you satisfied with Annette?" + +"Oh! by the way, she told me that you spent last night with her, and +that you had been her lover and her sister's at the same time." + +"It is true, but she is very indiscreet to say anything about it." + +"We must forgive her, though. She told me that she only consented to +sleep with you on the assurance that I was really your niece. I am +sure she only made this confession out of vanity, and in the hope of +gaining my favour, which would be naturally bestowed on a woman you +love." + +"I wish you had the right to be jealous of her; and I swear that if +she does not comport herself with the utmost obedience to you in +every respect, I will send her packing, in despite of our relations. +As for you, you may not be able to love me, and I have no right to +complain; but I will not have you degrade yourself by becoming my +submissive victim." + +I was not sorry for my niece to know that I made use of Annette, but +my vanity was wounded at the way she took it. It was plain that she +was not at all in love with me, and that she was glad that there was +a safeguard in the person of her maid, and that thus we could be +together without danger, for she could not ignore the power of her +charms. + +We dined together, and augured well of the skill of the new cook. +M. Paretti had promised to get me a good man, and he presented +himself just as we were finishing dinner, and I made a present of him +to my niece. We went for a drive together, and I left my niece at +Rosalie's, and I then repaired to Isola-Bella's, where I found a +numerous and brilliant company had assembled consisting of all the +best people in Genoa. + +Just then all the great ladies were mad over 'biribi', a regular +cheating game. It was strictly forbidden at Genoa, but this only +made it more popular, and besides, the prohibition had no force in +private houses, which are outside of the jurisdiction of the +Government; in short, I found the game in full swing at the Signora +Isola-Bella's. The professional gamesters who kept the bank went +from house to house, and the amateurs were advised of their presence +at such a house and at such a time. + +Although I detested the game, I began to play--to do as the others +did. + +In the room there was a portrait of the mistress of the house in +harlequin costume, and there happened to be the same picture on one +of the divisions of the biribi-table: I chose this one out of +politeness, and did not play on any other. I risked a sequin each +time. The board had thirty-six compartments, and if one lost, one +paid thirty-two tines the amount of the stake; this, of course, was +an enormous advantage for the bank. + +Each player drew three numbers in succession, and there were three +professionals; one kept the bag, another the bank, and the third the +board, and the last took care to gather in the winnings as soon as +the result was known, and the bank amounted to two thousand sequins +or thereabouts. The table, the cloth, and four silver candlesticks +belonged to the players. + +I sat at the left of Madame Isola-Bella, who began to play, and as +there were fifteen or sixteen of us I had lost about fifty sequins +when my turn came, for my harlequin had not appeared once. Everybody +pitied me, or pretended to do so, for selfishness is the predominant +passion of gamesters. + +My turn came at last. I drew my harlequin and received thirty-two +sequins. I left them on the same figure, and got a thousand sequins. +I left fifty still on the board, and the harlequin came out for the +third time. The bank was broken, and the table, the cloth, the +candlesticks, and the board all belonged to me. Everyone +congratulated me, and the wretched bankrupt gamesters were hissed, +hooted, and turned out of doors. + +After the first transports were over, I saw that the ladies were in +distress; for as there could be no more gaming they did not know what +to do. I consoled them by declaring that I would be banker, but with +equal stakes, and that I would pay winning cards thirty-six times the +stake instead of thirty-two. This was pronounced charming of me, and +I amused everybody till supper-time, without any great losses or +gains on either side. By dint of entreaty I made the lady of the +house accept the whole concern as a present, and a very handsome one +it was. + +The supper was pleasant enough, and my success at play was the chief +topic of conversation. Before leaving I asked Signora Isola-Bella +and her marquis to dine with me, and they eagerly accepted the +invitation. When I got home I went to see my niece, who told me she +had spent a delightful evening. + +"A very pleasant young man," said she, "who is coming to dine with us +to-morrow, paid me great attention." + +"The same, I suppose, that did so yesterday?" + +"Yes. Amongst other pretty things he told me that if I liked he +would go to Marseilles and ask my hand of my father. I said nothing, +but I thought to myself that if the poor young man gave himself all +this trouble he would be woefully misled, as he would not see me." + +"Why not?" + +"Because I should be in a nunnery. My kind good father will forgive +me, but I must punish myself." + +"That is a sad design, which I hope you will abandon. You have all +that would make the happiness of a worthy husband. The more I think +it over, the more I am convinced of the truth of what I say." + +We said no more just then, for she needed rest. Annette came to +undress her, and I was glad to see the goodness of my niece towards +her, but the coolness with which the girl behaved to her mistress did +not escape my notice. As soon as she came to sleep with me I gently +remonstrated with her, bidding her to do her duty better for the +future. Instead of answering with a caress, as she ought to have +done, she began to cry. + +"My dear child," said I, "your tears weary me. You are only here to +amuse me, and if you can't do that, you had better go." + +This hurt her foolish feelings of vanity, and she got up and went +away without a word, leaving me to go to sleep in a very bad temper. + +In the morning I told her, in a stern voice, that if she played me +such a trick again I would send her away. Instead of trying to +soothe me with a kiss the little rebel burst out crying again. I +sent her out of the room impatiently, and proceeded to count my +gains. + +I thought no more about it, but presently my niece came in and asked +me why I had vexed poor Annette. + +"My dear niece," said I, "tell her to behave better or else I will +send her back to her mother's." + +She gave me no reply, but took a handful of silver and fled. I had +not time to reflect on this singular conduct, for Annette came in +rattling her crowns in her pocket, and promised, with a kiss, not to +make me angry any more. + +Such was my niece. She knew I adored her, and she loved me; but she +did not want me to be her lover, though she made use of the +ascendancy which my passion gave her. In the code of feminine +coquetry such cases are numerous. + +Possano came uninvited to see me, and congratulated me on my victory +of the evening before. + +"Who told you about it?" + +"I have just been at the coffee-house, where everybody is talking of +it. It was a wonderful victory, for those biribanti are knaves of +the first water. Your adventure is making a great noise, for +everyone says that you could not have broken their bank unless you +had made an agreement with the man that kept the bag." + +"My dear fellow, I am tired of you. Here, take this piece of money +for your wife and be off." + +The piece of money I had given him was a gold coin worth a hundred +Genoese livres, which the Government had struck for internal +commerce; there were also pieces of fifty and twenty-five livres. + +I was going on with my calculations when Clairmont brought me a note. +It was from Irene, and contained a tender invitation to breakfast +with her. I did not know that she was in Genoa, and the news gave me +very great pleasure. I locked up my money, dressed in haste, and +started out to see her. I found her in good and well-furnished +rooms, and her old father, Count Rinaldi, embraced me with tears of +joy. + +After the ordinary compliments had been passed, the old man proceeded +to congratulate me on my winnings of the night before. + +"Three thousand sequins!" he exclaimed, "that is a grand haul +indeed." + +"Quite so." + +"The funny part of it is that the man who keeps the bag is in the pay +of the others." + +"What strikes you as funny in that?" + +"Why, he gained half without any risk, otherwise he would not have +been likely to have entered into an agreement with you." + +"You think, then, that it was a case of connivance?" + +"Everybody says so; indeed what else could it be? The rascal has +made his fortune without running any risk. All the Greeks in Genoa +are applauding him and you." + +"As the greater rascal of the two?" + +"They don't call you a rascal; they say you're a great genius; you +are praised and envied." + +"I am sure I ought to be obliged to them." + +"I heard it all from a gentleman who was there. He says that the +second and the third time the man with the bag gave you the office." + +"And you believe this?" + +"I am sure of it. No man of honour in your position could have acted +otherwise. However, when you come to settle up with the fellow I +advise you to be very careful, for there will be spies on your +tracks. If you like, I will do the business for you." + +I had enough self-restraint to repress the indignation and rage I +felt. Without a word I took my hat and marched out of the room, +sternly repulsing Irene who tried to prevent me from going as she had +done once before. I resolved not to have anything more to do with +the wretched old count. + +This calumnious report vexed me extremely, although I knew that most +gamesters would consider it an honour. Possano and Rinaldi had said +enough to shew me that all the town was talking over it, and I was +not surprised that everyone believed it; but for my part I did not +care to be taken for a rogue when I had acted honourably. + +I felt the need of unbosoming myself to someone, and walked towards +the Strada Balbi to call on the Marquis Grimaldi, and discuss the +matter with him. I was told he was gone to the courts, so I followed +him there and was ushered into vast hall, where he waited on me. I +told him my story, and he said, + +"My dear chevalier, you ought to laugh at it, and I should not advise +you to take the trouble to refute the calumny." + +"Then you advise me to confess openly that I am a rogue?" + +"No, for only fools will think that of you. Despise them, unless +they tell you you are a rogue to your face." + +"I should like to know the name of the nobleman who was present and +sent this report about the town." + +"I do not know who it is. He was wrong to say anything, but you +would be equally wrong in taking any steps against him, for I am sure +he did not tell the story with any intention of giving offence; quite +the contrary." + +"I am lost in wonder at his course of reasoning. Let us suppose that +the facts were as he told them, do you think they are to my honour?" + +"Neither to your honour nor shame. Such are the morals and such the +maxims of gamesters. The story will be laughed at, your skill will +be applauded, and you will be admired, for each one will say that in +your place he would have done likewise!" + +"Would you?" + +"Certainly. If I had been sure that the ball would have gone to the +harlequin, I would have broken the rascal's bank, as you did. I will +say honestly that I do not know whether you won by luck or skill, but +the most probable hypothesis, to my mind, is that you knew the +direction of the ball. You must confess that there is something to +be said in favour of the supposition." + +"I confess that there is, but it is none the less a dishonourable +imputation on me, and you in your turn must confess that those who +think that I won by sleight of hand, or by an agreement with a +rascal, insult me grievously." + +"That depends on the way you look at it. I confess they insult you, +if you think yourself insulted; but they are not aware of that, and +their intention being quite different there is no insult at all in +the matter. I promise you no one will tell you to your face that you +cheated, but how are you going to prevent them thinking so?" + +"Well, let them think what they like, but let them take care not to +tell me their thoughts." + +I went home angry with Grimaldi, Rinaldi, and everyone else. My +anger vexed me, I should properly have only laughed, for in the state +of morals at Genoa, the accusation, whether true or false, could not +injure my honour. On the contrary I gained by it a reputation for +being a genius, a term which the Genoese prefer to that Methodistical +word, "a rogue," though the meaning is the same. Finally I was +astonished to find myself reflecting that I should have had no +scruple in breaking the bank in the way suggested, if it had only +been for the sake of making the company laugh. What vexed me most +was that I was credited with an exploit I had not performed. + +When dinner-time drew near I endeavoured to overcome my ill temper +for the sake of the company I was going to receive. My niece was +adorned only with her native charms, for the rascal Croce had sold +all her jewels; but she was elegantly dressed, and her beautiful hair +was more precious than a crown of rubies. + +Rosalie came in richly dressed and looking very lovely. Her husband, +her uncle, and her aunt were with her, and also two friends, one of +whom was the aspirant for the hand of my niece. + +Madame Isola-Bella and her shadow, M. Grimaldi, came late, like great +people. Just as we were going to sit down, Clairmont told me that a +man wanted to speak to me. + +"Shew him in." + +As soon as he appeared M. Grimaldi exclaimed: + +"The man with the bag!" + +"What do you want?" I said, dryly. + +"Sir, I am come to ask you to help me. I am a family man, and it is +thought that . . ." + +I did not let him finish. + +"I have never refused to aid the unfortunate," said I. "Clairmont, +give him ten sequins. Leave the room." + +This incident spoke in my favour, and made me in a better temper. + +We sat down to table, and a letter was handed to me. I recognized +Possano's writing, and put it in my pocket without reading it. + +The dinner was delicious, and my cook was pronounced to have won his +spurs. Though her exalted rank and the brilliance of her attire gave +Signora Isoia-Bella the first place of right, she was nevertheless +eclipsed by my two nieces. The young Genoese was all attention for +the fair Marseillaise, and I could see that she was not displeased. +I sincerely wished to see her in love with someone, and I liked her +too well to bear the idea of her burying herself in a convent. She +could never be happy till she found someone who would make her forget +the rascal who had brought her to the brink of ruin. + +I seized the opportunity, when all my guests were engaged with each +other, to open Possano's letter. It ran as follows: + +"I went to the bank to change the piece of gold you gave me. It was +weighed, and found to be ten carats under weight. I was told to name +the person from whom I got it, but of course I did not do so. I then +had to go to prison, and if you do not get me out of the scrape I +shall be prosecuted, though of course I am not going to get myself +hanged for anybody." + +I gave the letter to Grimaldi, and when we had left the table he took +me aside, and said,-- + +"This is a very serious matter, for it may end in the gallows for the +man who clipped the coin." + +"Then they can hang the biribanti! That won't hurt me much." + +"No, that won't do; it would compromise Madame Isola-Bella, as biribi +is strictly forbidden. Leave it all to me, I will speak to the State +Inquisitors about it. Tell Possano to persevere in his silence, and +that you will see him safely through. The laws against coiners and +clippers are only severe with regard to these particular coins, as +the Government has special reasons for not wishing them to be +depreciated." + +I wrote to Possano, and sent for a pair of scales. We weighed the +gold I had won at biribi, and every single piece had been clipped. +M. Grimaldi said he would have them defaced and sold to a jeweller. + +When we got back to the dining-room we found everybody at play. +M. Grimaldi proposed that I should play at quinze with him. I +detested the game, but as he was my guest I felt it would be impolite +to refuse, and in four hours I had lost five hundred sequins. + +Next morning the marquis told me that Possano was out of prison, and +that he had been given the value of the coin. He brought me thirteen +hundred sequins which had resulted from the sale of the gold. We +agreed that I was to call on Madame Isola-Bella the next day, when he +would give me my revenge at quinze. + +I kept the appointment, and lost three thousand sequins. I paid him +a thousand the next day, and gave him two bills of exchange, payable +by myself, for the other two thousand. When these bills were +presented I was in England, and being badly off I had to have them +protested. Five years later, when I was at Barcelona, M. de Grimaldi +was urged by a traitor to have me imprisoned, but he knew enough of +me to be sure that if I did not meet the bills it was from sheer +inability to do so. He even wrote me a very polite letter, in which +he gave the name of my enemy, assuring me that he would never take +any steps to compel me to pay the money. This enemy was Possano, who +was also at Barcelona, though I was not aware of his presence. I +will speak of the circumstance in due time, but I cannot help +remarking that all who aided me in my pranks with Madame d'Urfe +proved traitors, with the exception of a Venetian girl, whose +acquaintance the reader will make in the following chapter. + +In spite of my losses I enjoyed myself, and had plenty of money, for +after all I had only lost what I had won at biribi. Rosalie often +dined with us, either alone or with her husband, and I supped +regularly at her home with my niece, whose love affair seemed quite +promising. I congratulated her upon the circumstance, but she +persisted in her determination to take refuge from the world in a +cloister. Women often do the most idiotic things out of sheer +obstinacy; possibly they deceive even themselves, and act in good +faith; but unfortunately, when the veil falls from before their eyes, +they see but the profound abyss into which their folly had plunged +them. + +In the meanwhile, my niece had become so friendly and familiar that +she would often come and sit on my bed in the morning when Annette +was still in my arms. Her presence increased my ardour, and I +quenched the fires on the blonde which the brunette was kindling. My +niece seemed to enjoy the sight, and I could see that her senses were +being pleasantly tortured. Annette was short-sighted, and so did not +perceive my distractions, while my fair niece caressed me slightly, +knowing that it would add to my pleasures. When she thought I was +exhausted she told Annette to get up and leave me alone with her, as +she wanted to tell me something. She then began to jest and toy, and +though her dress was extremely disordered she seemed to think that +her charms would exercise no power over me. She was quite mistaken, +but I was careful not to undeceive her for fear of losing her +confidence. I watched the game carefully, and noting how little by +little her familiarity increased, I felt sure that she would have to +surrender at last, if not at Genoa, certainly on the journey, when we +would be thrown constantly in each other's society with nobody to spy +upon our actions, and with nothing else to do but to make love. It +is the weariness of a journey, the constant monotony, that makes one +do something to make sure of one's existence; and when it comes to +the reckoning there is usually more joy than repentance. + +But the story of my journey from Genoa to Marseilles was written in +the book of fate, and could not be read by me. All I knew was that I +must soon go as Madame d'Urfe was waiting for me at Marseilles. I +knew not that in this journey would be involved the fate of a +Venetian girl of whom I had never heard, who had never seen me, but +whom I was destined to render happy. My fate seemed to have made me +stop at Genoa to wait for her. + +I settled my accounts with the banker, to whom I had been accredited, +and I took a letter of credit on Marseilles, where, however, I was +not likely to want for funds, as my high treasurer, Madame d'Urfe was +there. I took leave of Madame Isola-Bella and her circle that I +might be able to devote all my time to Rosalie and her friends. + + + + +CHAPTER II + +Disgraceful Behaviour of My Brother, the Abbe, I Relieve Him of His +Mistress--Departure from Genoa--The Prince of Monaco--My Niece +Overcome--Our Arrival at Antibes + + +On the Tuesday in Holy Week I was just getting up, when Clairmont +came to tell me that a priest who would not give his name wanted to +speak to me. I went out in my night-cap, and the rascally priest +rushed at me and nearly choked me with his embraces. I did not like +so much affection, and as I had not recognized him at first on +account of the darkness of the room, I took him by the arm and led +him to the window. It was my youngest brother, a good-for-nothing +fellow, whom I had always disliked. I had not seen him for ten +years, but I cared so little about him that I had not even enquired +whether he were alive or dead in the correspondence I maintained with +M. de Bragadin, Dandolo, and Barbaro. + +As soon as his silly embraces were over, I coldly asked him what +chance had brought him to Genoa in this disgusting state of dirt, +rags, and tatters. He was only twenty-nine, his complexion was fresh +and healthy, and he had a splendid head of hair. He was a posthumous +son, born like Mahomet, three months after the death of his father. + +"The story of my misfortunes would be only too long. Take me into +your room, and I will sit down and tell you the whole story." + +"First of all, answer my questions. How long have you been here?" + +"Since yesterday." + +"Who told you that I was here?" + +"Count B----, at Milan." + +"Who told you that the count knew me?" + +"I found out by chance. I was at M. de Bragadin's a month ago, and +on his table I saw a letter from the count to you." + +"Did you tell him you were my brother?" + +"I had to when he said how much I resembled you." + +"He made a mistake, for you are a blockhead." + +"He did not think so, at all events, for he asked me to dinner." + +"You must have cut a pretty figure, if you were in your present +state." + +"He gave me four sequins to come here; otherwise, I should never have +been able to do the journey." + +"Then he did a very foolish thing. You're a mere beggar, then; you +take alms. Why did you leave Venice? What do you want with me? +I can do nothing for you." + +"Ah! do not make me despair, or I shall kill myself." + +"That's the very best thing you could do; but you are too great a +coward. I ask again why you left Venice, where you could say mass, +and preach, and make an honest living, like many priests much better +than you?" + +"That is the kernel of the whole matter. Let us go in and I will +tell you." + +"No; wait for me here. We will go somewhere where you can tell me +your story, if I have patience to listen to it. But don't tell any +of my people that you are my brother, for I am ashamed to have such a +relation. Come, take me to the place where you are staying." + +"I must tell you that at my inn I am not alone, and I want to have a +private interview with you." + +"Who is with you?" + +"I will tell you presently, but let us go into a coffeehouse." + +"Are you in company with a band of brigands? What are you sighing +at?" + +"I must confess it, however painful it may be to my feelings. I am +with a woman." + +"A woman! and you a priest!" + +"Forgive me. I was blinded by love, and seduced by my senses and her +beauty, so I seduced her under a promise to marry her at Geneva. I +can never go back to Venice, for I took her away from her father's +house." + +"What could you do at Geneva? They would expel you after you had +been there three or four days. Come, we will go to the inn and see +the woman you have deceived. I will speak to you afterwards." + +I began to trace my steps in the direction he had pointed out, and he +was obliged to follow me. As soon as we got to the inn, he went on +in front, and after climbing three flights of stairs I entered a +wretched den where I saw a tall young girl, a sweet brunette, who +looked proud and not in the least confused. As soon as I made my +appearance she said, without any greeting,-- + +"Are you the brother of this liar and monster who has deceived me so +abominably?" + +"Yes," said I. "I have the honour." + +"A fine honour, truly. Well, have the kindness to send me back to +Venice, for I won't stop any longer with this rascal whom I listened +to like the fool I was, who turned my head with his lying tales. He +was going to meet you at Milan, and you were to give us enough money +to go to Geneva, and there we were to turn Protestants and get +married. He swore you were expecting him at Milan, but you were not +there at all, and he contrived to get money in some way or another, +and brought me here miserably enough. I thank Heaven he has found +you at last, for if he had not I should have started off by myself +and begged my way. I have not a single thing left; the wretch sold +all I possessed at Bergamo and Verona. I don't know how I kept my +senses through it all. To hear him talk, the world was a paradise +outside Venice, but I have found to my cost that there is no place +like home. I curse the hour when I first saw the miserable wretch. +He's a beggarly knave; always whining. He wanted to enjoy his rights +as my husband when we got to Padua, but I am thankful to say I gave +him nothing. Here is the writing he gave me; take it, and do what +you like with it. But if you have any heart, send me back to Venice +or I will tramp there on foot." + +I had listened to this long tirade without interrupting her. She +might have spoken at much greater length, so far as I was concerned; +my astonishment took my breath away. Her discourse had all the fire +of eloquence, and was heightened by her expressive face and the +flaming glances she shot from her eyes. + +My brother, sitting down with his head between his hands, and obliged +to listen in silence to this long catalogue of well-deserved +reproaches, gave something of a comic element to the scene. In spite +of that, however, I was much touched by the sad aspects of the girl's +story. I felt at once that I must take charge of her, and put an end +to this ill-assorted match. I imagined that I should not have much +difficulty in sending her back to Venice, which she might never have +quitted if it had not been for her trust in me, founded on the +fallacious promises of her seducer. + +The true Venetian character of the girl struck me even more than her +beauty. Her courage, frank indignation, and the nobility of her +aspect made me resolve not to abandon her. I could not doubt that +she had told a true tale, as my brother continued to observe a guilty +silence. + +I watched her silently for some time, and, my mind being made up, +said,-- + +"I promise to send you back to Venice with a respectable woman to +look after you; but you will be unfortunate if you carry back with +you the results of your amours." + +"What results? Did I not tell you that we were going to be married +at Geneva?" + +"Yes, but in spite of that . . ." + +"I understand you, sir, but I am quite at ease on that point, as I am +happy to say that I did not yield to any of the wretch's desires." + +"Remember," said the abbe, in a plaintive voice, "the oath you took +to be mine for ever. You swore it upon the crucifix." + +So saying he got up and approached her with a supplicating gesture, +but as soon as he was within reach she gave him a good hearty box on +the ear. I expected to see a fight, in which I should not have +interfered, but nothing of the kind. The humble abbe gently turned +away to the window, and casting his eyes to heaven began to weep. + +"You are too malicious, my dear," I said; "the poor devil is only +unhappy because you have made him in love with you." + +"If he is it's his own fault, I should never have thought of him but +for his coming to me and fooling me, I shall never forgive him till +he is out of my sight. That's not the first blow I have given him; +I had to begin at Padua." + +"Yes," said the abbe, "but you are excommunicated, for I am a +priest." + +"It's little I care for the excommunication of a scoundrel like you, +and if you say another word I will give you some more." + +"Calm yourself, my child," said I; "you have cause to be angry, but +you should not beat him. Take up your things and follow me." + +"Where are you going to take her?" said the foolish priest. + +"To my own house, and I should advise you to hold your tongue. Here, +take these twenty sequins and buy yourself some clean clothes and +linen, and give those rags of yours to the beggars. I will come and +talk to you to-morrow, and you may thank your stars that you found me +here. As for you, mademoiselle, I will have you conducted to my +lodging, for Genoa must not see you in my company after arriving here +with a priest. We must not have any scandal. I shall place you +under the charge of my landlady, but whatever you do don't tell her +this sad story. I will see that you are properly dressed, and that +you want for nothing." + +"May Heaven reward you!" + +My brother, astonished at the sight of the twenty sequins, let me go +away without a word. I had the fair Venetian taken to my lodging in +a sedan-chair, and putting her under the charge of my landlady I told +the latter to see that she was properly dressed. I wanted to see how +she would look in decent clothes, for her present rags and tatters +detracted from her appearance. I warned Annette that a girl who had +been placed in my care would eat and sleep with her, and then having +to entertain a numerous company of guests I proceeded to make my +toilette. + +Although my niece had no rights over me, I valued her esteem, and +thought it best to tell her the whole story lest she should pass an +unfavourable judgment on me. She listened attentively and thanked me +for my confidence in her, and said she should very much like to see +the girl and the abbe too, whom she pitied, though she admitted he +was to be blamed for what he had done. I had got her a dress to wear +at dinner, which became her exquisitely. I felt only too happy to be +able to please her in any way, for her conduct towards myself and the +way she treated her ardent lover commanded my admiration. She saw +him every day either at my house or at Rosalie's. The young man had +received an excellent education, though he was of the mercantile +class, and wrote to her in a business-like manner, that, as they were +well suited to each other in every way, there was nothing against his +going to Marseilles and obtaining her father's consent to the match, +unless it were a feeling of aversion on her side. He finished by +requesting her to give him an answer. She shewed me the letter, and +I congratulated her, and advised her to accept, if there was nothing +about the young man which displeased her. + +"There is nothing of the kind," she said, "and Rosalie thinks with +you." + +"Then tell him by word of mouth that you give your consent, and will +expect to see him at Marseilles." + +"Very good; as you think so, I will tell him tomorrow." + +When dinner was over a feeling of curiosity made me go into the room +where Annette was dining with the Venetian girl, whose name was +Marcoline. I was struck with astonishment on seeing her, for she was +completely changed, not so much by the pretty dress she had on as by +the contented expression of her face, which made her look quite +another person. Good humour had vanquished unbecoming rage, and the +gentleness born of happiness made her features breathe forth love. +I could scarcely believe that this charming creature before me was +the same who had dealt such a vigorous blow to my brother, a priest, +and a sacred being in the eyes of the common people. They were +eating, and laughing at not being able to understand each other, for +Marcoline only spoke Venetian, and Annette Genoese, and the latter +dialect does not resemble the former any more than Bohemian resembles +Dutch. + +I spoke to Marcoline in her native tongue, which was mine too, and +she said,-- + +"I seem to have suddenly passed from hell to Paradise." + +"Indeed, you look like an angel." + +"You called me a little devil this morning. But here is a fair +angel," said she, pointing to Annette; "we don't see such in Venice." + +"She is my treasure." + +Shortly after my niece came in, and seeing me talking and laughing +with the two girls began to examine the new-comer. She told me in +French that she thought her perfectly beautiful, and repeating her +opinion to the girl in Italian gave her a kiss. Marcoline asked her +plainly in the Venetian manner who she was. + +"I am this gentleman's niece, and he is taking me back to Marseilles, +where my home is." + +"Then you would have been my niece too, if I had married his brother. +I wish I had such a pretty niece." + +This pleasant rejoinder was followed by a storm of kisses given and +returned with ardour which one might pronounce truly Venetian, if it +were not that this would wound the feelings of the almost equally +ardent Provencals. + +I took my niece for a sail in the bay, and after we had enjoyed one +of those delicious evenings which I think can be found nowhere else-- +sailing on a mirror silvered by the moon, over which float the odours +of the jasmine, the orange-blossom, the pomegranates, the aloes, and +all the scented flowers which grow along the coasts--we returned to +our lodging, and I asked Annette what had become of Marcoline. She +told me that she had gone to bed early, and I went gently into her +room, with no other intention than to see her asleep. The light of +the candle awoke her, and she did not seem at all frightened at +seeing me. I sat by the bed, and fell to making love to her, and at +last made as if I would kiss her, but she resisted, and we went on +talking. + +When Annette had put her mistress to bed, she came in and found us +together. + +"Go to bed, my dear," said I. "I will come to you directly." + +Proud of being my mistress, she gave me a fiery kiss and went away +without a word. + +I began to talk about my brother, and passing from him to myself I +told her of the interest I felt for her, saying that I would either +have her taken to Venice, or bring her with me when I went to France. + +"Do you want to marry me?" + +"No, I am married already." + +"That's a lie, I know, but it doesn't matter. Send me back to +Venice, and the sooner the better. I don't want to be anybody's +concubine." + +"I admire your sentiments, my dear, they do you honour." + +Continuing my praise I became pressing, not using any force, but +those gentle caresses which are so much harder for a woman to resist +than a violent attack. Marcoline laughed, but seeing that I +persisted in spite of her resistance, she suddenly glided out of the +bed and took refuge in my niece's room and locked the door after her. +I was not displeased; the thing was done so easily and gracefully. I +went to bed with Annette, who lost nothing by the ardour with which +Marcoline had inspired me. I told her how she had escaped from my +hands, and Annette was loud in her praises. + +In the morning I got up early and went into my niece's room to enjoy +the sight of the companion I had involuntarily given her, and the two +girls were certainly a very pleasant sight. As soon as my niece saw +me, she exclaimed,-- + +"My dear uncle, would you believe it? This sly Venetian has violated +me." + +Marcoline understood her, and far from denying the fact proceeded to +give my niece fresh marks of her affection, which were well received, +and from the movements of the sheets which covered them I could make +a pretty good guess as to the nature of their amusement. + +"This is a rude shock to the respect which your uncle has had for +your prejudices," said I. + +"The sports of two girls cannot tempt a man who has just left the +arms of Annette." + +"You are wrong, and perhaps you know it, for I am more than tempted." + +With these words I lifted the sheets of the bed. Marcoline shrieked +but did not move, but my niece earnestly begged me to replace the +bed-clothes. However, the picture before me was too charming to be +concealed. + +At this point Annette came in, and in obedience to her mistress +replaced the coverlet over the two Bacchantes. I felt angry with +Annette, and seizing her threw her on the bed, and then and there +gave the two sweethearts such an interesting spectacle that they left +their own play to watch us. When I had finished, Annette, who was in +high glee; said I was quite right to avenge myself on their prudery. +I felt satisfied with what I had done, and went to breakfast. I then +dressed, and visited my brother. + +"How is Marcoline?" said he, as soon as he saw me. + +"Very well, and you needn't trouble yourself any more about her. She +is well lodged, well dressed, and well fed, and sleeps with my +niece's maid." + +"I didn't know I had a niece." + +"There are many things you don't know. In three or four days she +will return to Venice." + +"I hope, dear brother, that you will ask me to dine with you to-day." + +"Not at all, dear brother. I forbid you to set foot in my house, +where your presence would be offensive to Marcoline, whom you must +not see any more." + +"Yes, I will; I will return to Venice, if I have to hang for it." + +"What good would that be? She won't have you." + +"She loves me." + +"She beats you." + +"She beats me because she loves me. She will be as gentle as a lamb +when she sees me so well dressed. You do not know how I suffer." + +"I can partly guess, but I do not pity you, for you are an impious +and cruel fool. You have broken your vows, and have not hesitated to +make a young girl endure misery and degradation to satisfy your +caprice. What would you have done, I should like to know, if I had +given you the cold shoulder instead of helping you?" + +"I should have gone into the street, and begged for my living with +her." + +"She would have beaten you, and would probably have appealed to the +law to get rid of you." + +"But what will you do for me, if I let her go back to Venice without +following her." + +"I will take you to France, and try to get you employed by some +bishop." + +"Employed! I was meant by nature to be employed by none but God." + +"You proud fool! Marcoline rightly called you a whiner. Who is your +God? How do you serve Him? You are either a hypocrite or an idiot. +Do you think that you, a priest, serve God by decoying an innocent +girl away from her home? Do you serve Him by profaning the religion +you do not even understand? Unhappy fool! do you think that with no +talent, no theological learning, and no eloquence, you can be a +Protestant minister. Take care never to come to my house, or I will +have you expelled from Genoa." + +"Well, well, take me to Paris, and I will see what my brother Francis +can do for me; his heart is not so hard as yours." + +"Very good! you shall go to Paris, and we will start from here in +three or four days. Eat and drink to your heart's content, but +remain indoors; I will let you know when we are going. I shall have +my niece, my secretary, and my valet with me. We shall travel by +sea." + +"The sea makes me sick." + +"That will purge away some of your bad humours." + +When I got home I told Marcoline what had passed between us. + +"I hate him!" said she; "but I forgive him, since it is through him I +know you." + +"And I forgive him, too, because unless it had been for him I should +never have seen you. But I love you, and I shall die unless you +satisfy my desires." + +"Never; for I know I should be madly in love with you, and then you +would leave me, and I should be miserable again." + +"I will never leave you." + +"If you will swear that, take me into France and make me all your +own. Here you must continue living with Annette; besides, I have got +your niece to make love to." + +The pleasant part of the affair was that my niece was equally taken +with her, and had begged me to let her take meals with us and sleep +with her. As I had a prospect of being at their lascivious play, I +willingly consented, and henceforth she was always present at the +table. We enjoyed her company immensely, for she told us side- +splitting tales which kept us at table till it was time to go to +Rosalie's, where my niece's adorer was certain to be awaiting us. + +The next day, which was Holy Thursday, Rosalie came with us to see +the processions. I had Rosalie and Marcoline with me, one on each +arm, veiled in their mezzaros, and my niece was under the charge of +her lover. The day after we went to see the procession called at +Genoa Caracce, and Marcoline pointed out my brother who kept hovering +round us, though he pretended not to see us. He was most carefully +dressed, and the stupid fop seemed to think he was sure to find +favour in Marcoline's eyes, and make her regret having despised him; +but he was woefully deceived, for Marcoline knew how to manage her +mezzaro so well that, though he was both seen and laughed at, the +poor devil could not be certain that she had noticed him at all, and +in addition the sly girl held me so closely by the arm that he must +have concluded we were very intimate. + +My niece and Marcoline thought themselves the best friends in the +world, and could not bear my telling them that their amorous sports +were the only reason for their attachment. They therefore agreed to +abandon them as soon as we left Genoa, and promised that I should +sleep between them in the felucca, all of us to keep our clothes on. +I said I should hold them to their word, and I fixed our departure +for Thursday. I ordered the felucca to be in readiness and summoned +my brother to go on board. + +It was a cruel moment when I left Annette with her mother. She wept +so bitterly that all of us had to shed tears. My niece gave her a +handsome dress and I thirty sequins, promising to come and see her +again on my return from England. Possano was told to go on board +with the abbe; I had provisioned the boat for three days. The young +merchant promised to be at Marseilles, telling my niece that by the +time he came everything would be settled. I was delighted to hear +it; it assured me that her father would give her a kind reception. +Our friends did not leave us till the moment we went on board. + +The felucca was very conveniently arranged, and was propelled by the +twelve oarsmen. On the deck there were also twenty-four muskets, so +that we should have been able to defend ourselves against a pirate. +Clairmont had arranged my carriage and my trunks so cleverly, that by +stretching five mattresses over them we had an excellent bed, where +we could sleep and undress ourselves in perfect comfort; we had good +pillows and plenty of sheets. A long awning covered the deck, and +two lanterns were hung up, one at each end. In the evening they were +lighted and Clairmont brought in supper. I had warned my brother +that at the slightest presumption on his part he should be flung into +the sea, so I allowed him and Possano to sup with us. + +I sat between my two nymphs and served the company merrily, first my +niece, then Marcoline, then my brother, and finally Possano. No +water was drunk at table, so we each emptied a bottle of excellent +Burgundy, and when we had finished supper the rowers rested on their +oars, although the wind was very light. I had the lamps put out and +went to bed with my two sweethearts, one on each side of me. + +The light of dawn awoke me, and I found my darlings still sleeping in +the same position. I could kiss neither of them, since one passed +for my niece, and my sense of humanity would not allow me to treat +Marcoline as my mistress in the presence of an unfortunate brother +who adored her, and had never obtained the least favour from her. He +was lying near at hand, overwhelmed with grief and seasickness, and +watching and listening with all his might for the amorous encounter +he suspected us of engaging in. I did not want to have any +unpleasantness, so I contented myself with gazing on them till the +two roses awoke and opened their eyes. + +When this delicious sight was over, I got up and found that we were +only opposite Final, and I proceeded to reprimand the master. + +"The wind fell dead at Savona, sir"; and all the seamen chorused his +excuse. + +"Then you should have rowed instead of idling." + +"We were afraid of waking you. You shall be at Antibes by tomorrow." + +After passing the time by eating a hearty meal, we took a fancy to go +on shore at St. Remo. Everybody was delighted. I took my two nymphs +on land, and after forbidding any of the others to disembark I +conducted the ladies to an inn, where I ordered coffee. A man +accosted us, and invited us to come and play biribi at his house. + +"I thought the game was forbidden in Genoa," said I. I felt certain +that the players were the rascals whose bank I had broken at Genoa, +so I accepted the invitation. My niece had fifty Louis in her purse, +and I gave fifteen to Marcoline. We found a large assemblage, room +was made for us, and I recognized the knaves of Genoa. As soon as +they saw me they turned pale and trembled. I should say that the man +with the bag was not the poor devil who had served me so well without +wanting to. + +"I play harlequin," said I. + +"There isn't one." + +"What's the bank?" + +"There it is. We play for small stakes here, and those two hundred +louis are quite sufficient. You can bet as low as you like, and the +highest stake is of a louis." + +"That's all very well, but my louis is full weight." + +"I think ours are, too." + +"Are you sure?" + +"No." + +"Then I won't play," said I, to the keeper of the rooms. + +"You are right; bring the scales." + +The banker then said that when play was over he would give four +crowns of six livres for every louis that the company had won, and +the matter was settled. In a moment the board was covered with +stakes. + +We each punted a louis at a time, and I and my niece lost twenty +Louis, but Marcoline, who had never possessed two sequins in her life +before, won two hundred and forty Louis. She played on the figure of +an abbe which came out fifth twenty times. She was given a bag full +of crown pieces, and we returned to the felucca. + +The wind was contrary, and we had to row all night, and in the +morning the sea was so rough that we had to put in at Mentone. My +two sweethearts were very sick, as also my brother and Possano, but I +was perfectly well. I took the two invalids to the inn, and allowed +my brother and Possano to land and refresh themselves. The innkeeper +told me that the Prince and Princess of Monaco were at Mentone, so I +resolved to pay them a visit. It was thirteen years since I had seen +the prince at Paris, where I had amused him and his mistress Caroline +at supper. It was this prince who had taken me to see the horrible +Duchess of Rufec; then he was unmarried, and now I met him again in +his principality with his wife, of whom he had already two sons. The +princess had been a Duchess de Borgnoli, a great heiress, and a +delightful and pretty woman. I had heard all about her, and I was +curious to verify the facts for myself. + +I called on the prince, was announced, and after a long wait they +introduced me to his presence. I gave him his title of highness, +which I had never done at Paris, where he was not known under his +full style and title. He received me politely, but with that +coolness which lets one know that one is not an over-welcome visitor. + +"You have put in on account of the bad weather, I suppose?" said he. + +"Yes, prince, and if your highness will allow me I will spend the +whole day in your delicious villa." (It is far from being +delicious.) + +"As you please. The princess as well as myself likes it better than +our place at Monaco, so we live here by preference." + +"I should be grateful if your highness would present me to the +princess." + +Without mentioning my name he ordered a page in waiting to present me +to the princess. + +The page opened the door of a handsome room and said, "The Princess," +and left me. She was singing at the piano, but as soon as she saw me +she rose and came to meet me. I was obliged to introduce myself, a +most unpleasant thing, and no doubt the princess felt the position, +for she pretended not to notice it, and addressed me with the utmost +kindness and politeness, and in a way that shewed that she was +learned in the maxims of good society. I immediately became very +much at my ease, and proceeded in a lordly manner to entertain her +with pleasant talk, though I said nothing about my two lady friends. + +The princess was handsome, clever, and good-natured. Her mother, who +knew that a man like the prince would never make her daughter happy, +opposed the marriage, but the young marchioness was infatuated, and +the mother had to give in when the girl said,-- + +"O Monaco O monaca." (Either Monaco or a convent.) + +We were still occupied in the trifles which keep up an ordinary +conversation, when the prince came in running after a waiting-maid, +who was making her escape, laughing. The princess pretended not to +see him, and went on with what she was saying. The scene displeased +me, and I took leave of the princess, who wished me a pleasant +journey. I met the prince as I was going out, and he invited me to +come and see him whenever I passed that way. + +"Certainly," said I; and made my escape without saying any more. + +I went back to the inn and ordered a good dinner for three. + +In the principality of Monaco there was a French garrison, which was +worth a pension of a hundred thousand francs to the prince--a very +welcome addition to his income. + +A curled and scented young officer, passing by our room, the door of +which was open, stopped short, and with unblushing politeness asked +us if we would allow him to join our party. I replied politely, but +coldly, that he did us honour--a phrase which means neither yes nor +no; but a Frenchman who has advanced one step never retreats. + +He proceeded to display his graces for the benefit of the ladies, +talking incessantly, without giving them time to get in a word, when +he suddenly turned to me and said that he wondered how it was that +the prince had not asked me and my ladies to dinner. I told him that +I had not said anything to the prince about the treasure I had with +me. + +I had scarcely uttered the words, when the kindly blockhead rose and +cried enthusiastically,-- + +"Parbleu! I am no longer surprised. I will go and tell his +highness, and I shall soon have the honour of dining with you at the +castle." + +He did not wait to hear my answer, but went off in hot haste. + +We laughed heartily at his folly, feeling quite sure that we should +neither dine with him nor the prince, but in a quarter of an hour he +returned in high glee, and invited us all to dinner on behalf of the +prince. + +"I beg you will thank his highness, and at the same time ask him to +excuse us. The weather has improved, and I want to be off as soon as +we have taken a hasty morsel." + +The young Frenchman exerted all his eloquence in vain, and at length +retired with a mortified air to take our answer to the prince. + +I thought I had got rid of him at last, but I did not know my man. +He returned a short time after, and addressing himself in a +complacent manner to the ladies, as if I was of no more account, he +told them that he had given the prince such a description of their +charms that he had made up his mind to dine with them. + +"I have already ordered the table to be laid for two more, as I shall +have the honour of being of the party. In a quarter of an hour, +ladies, the prince will be here." + +"Very good," said I, "but as the prince is coming I must go to the +felucca and fetch a capital pie of which the prince is very fond, I +know. Come, ladies." + +"You can leave them here, sir. I will undertake to keep them +amused." + +"I have no doubt you would, but they have some things to get from the +felucca as well." + +"Then you will allow me to come too." + +"Certainly with pleasure." + +As we were going down the stairs, I asked the innkeeper what I owed +him. + +"Nothing, sir, I have just received orders to serve you in +everything, and to take no money from you." + +"The prince is really magnificent!" During this short dialogue, the +ladies had gone on with the fop. I hastened to rejoin them, and my +niece took my arm, laughing heartily to hear the officer making love +to Marcoline, who did not understand a word he said. He did not +notice it in the least, for his tongue kept going like the wheel of a +mill, and he did not pause for any answers. + +"We shall have some fun at dinner," said my niece, "but what are we +going to do on the felucca?" + +"We are leaving. Say nothing." + +"Leaving?" + +"Immediately." + +"What a jest! it is worth its weight in gold." + +We went on board the felucca, and the officer, who was delighted with +the pretty vessel, proceeded to examine it. I told my niece to keep +him company, and going to the master, whispered to him to let go +directly. + +"Directly?" + +"Yes, this moment." + +"But the abbe and your secretary are gone for a walk, and two of my +men are on shore, too." + +"That's no matter; we shall pick them up again at Antibes; it's only +ten leagues, and they have plenty of money. I must go, and directly. +Make haste." + +"All right." + +He tripped the anchor, and the felucca began to swing away from the +shore. The officer asked me in great astonishment what it meant. + +"It means that I am going to Antibes and I shall be very glad to take +you there for nothing." + +"This is a fine jest! You are joking, surely?" + +"Your company will be very pleasant on the journey." + +"Pardieu! put me ashore, for with your leave, ladies, I cannot go to +Antibes." + +"Put the gentleman ashore," said I to the master, "he does not seem +to like our company." + +"It's not that, upon my honour. These ladies are charming, but the +prince would think that I was in the plot to play this trick upon +him, which you must confess is rather strong." + +"I never play a weak trick." + +"But what will the prince say?" + +"He may say what he likes, and I shall do as I like." + +"Well, it's no fault of mine. Farewell, ladies! farewell, sir!" + +"Farewell, and you may thank the prince for me for paying my bill." + +Marcoline who did not understand what was passing gazed in +astonishment, but my niece laughed till her sides ached, for the way +in which the poor officer had taken the matter was extremely comic. + +Clairmont brought us an excellent dinner, and we laughed incessantly +during its progress, even at the astonishment of the abbe and Possano +when they came to the quay and found the felucca had flown. However, +I was sure of meeting them again at Antibes, and we reached that port +at six o'clock in the evening. + +The motion of the sea had tired us without making us feel sick, for +the air was fresh, and our appetites felt the benefits of it, and in +consequence we did great honour to the supper and the wine. +Marcoline whose stomach was weakened by the sickness she had +undergone soon felt the effects of the Burgundy, her eyes were heavy, +and she went to sleep. My niece would have imitated her, but I +reminded her tenderly that we were at Antibes, and said I was sure +she would keep her word. She did not answer me, but gave me her +hand, lowering her eyes with much modesty. + +Intoxicated with her submission which was so like love, I got into +bed beside her, exclaiming,-- + +"At last the hour of my happiness has come! + +"And mine too, dearest." + +"Yours? Have you not continually repulsed me?" + +"Never! I always loved you, and your indifference has been a bitter +grief to me." + +"But the first night we left Milan you preferred being alone to +sleeping with me." + +"Could I do otherwise without passing in your eyes for one more a +slave to sensual passion than to love? Besides you might have +thought I was giving myself to you for the benefits I had received; +and though gratitude be a noble feeling, it destroys all the sweet +delights of love. You ought to have told me that you loved me and +subdued me by those attentions which conquer the hearts of us women. +Then you would have seen that I loved you too, and our affection +would have been mutual. On my side I should have known that the +pleasure you had of me was not given out of a mere feeling of +gratitude. I do not know whether you would have loved me less the +morning after, if I had consented, but I am sure I should have lost +your esteem." + +She was right, and I applauded her sentiments, while giving her to +understand that she was to put all notions of benefits received out +of her mind. I wanted to make her see that I knew that there was no +more need for gratitude on her side than mine. + +We spent a night that must be imagined rather than described. She +told me in the morning that she felt all had been for the best, as if +she had given way at first she could never have made up her mind to +accept the young Genoese, though he seemed likely to make her happy. + +Marcoline came to see us in the morning, caressed us, and promised to +sleep by herself the rest of the voyage. + +"Then you are not jealous?" said I. + +"No, for her happiness is mine too, and I know she will make you +happy." + +She became more ravishingly beautiful every day. + +Possano and the abbe came in just as we were sitting down to table, +and my niece having ordered two more plates I allowed them to dine +with us. My brother's face was pitiful and yet ridiculous. He could +not walk any distance, so he had been obliged to come on horseback, +probably for the first time in his life. + +"My skin is delicate," said he, "so I am all blistered. But God's +will be done! I do not think any of His servants have endured +greater torments than mine during this journey. My body is sore, and +so is my soul." + +So saying he cast a piteous glance at Marcoline, and we had to hold +our sides to prevent ourselves laughing. My niece could bear it no +more, and said,-- + +"How I pity you, dear uncle!" + +At this he blushed, and began to address the most absurd compliments +to her, styling her "my dear niece." I told him to be silent, and +not to speak French till he was able to express himself in that +equivocal language without making a fool of himself. But the poet +Pogomas spoke no better than he did. + +I was curious to know what had happened at Mentone after we had left, +and Pogomas proceeded to tell the story. + +"When we came back from our walk we were greatly astonished not to +find the felucca any more. We went to the inn, where I knew you had +ordered dinner; but the inn-keeper knew nothing except that he was +expecting the prince and a young officer to dine with you. I told +him he might wait for you in vain, and just then the prince came up +in a rage, and told the inn-keeper that now you were gone he might +look to you for his payment. 'My lord,' said the inn-keeper, 'the +gentleman wanted to pay me, but I respected the orders I had received +from your highness and would not take the money.' At this the prince +flung him a louis with an ill grace, and asked us who we were. I +told him that we belonged to you, and that you had not waited for us +either, which put us to great trouble. 'You will get away easily +enough,' said he; and then he began to laugh, and swore the jest was +a pleasant one. He then asked me who the ladies were. I told him +that the one was your niece, and that I knew nothing of the other; +but the abbe interfered, and said she was your cuisine. The prince +guessed he meant to say 'cousin,' and burst out laughing, in which he +was joined by the young officer. 'Greet him from me,' said he, as he +went away, 'and tell him that we shall meet again, and that I will +pay him out for the trick he has played me.' "The worthy host +laughed, too, when the prince had gone, and gave us a good dinner, +saying that the prince's Louis would pay for it all. When we had +dined we hired two horses, and slept at Nice. In the morning we rode +on again, being certain of finding you here." Marcoline told the +abbe in a cold voice to take care not to tell anyone else that she +was his cuisine, or his cousin, or else it would go ill with him, as +she did not wish to be thought either the one or the other. I also +advised him seriously not to speak French for the future, as the +absurd way in which he had committed himself made everyone about him +ashamed." + +Just as I was ordering post-horses to take us to Frejus, a man +appeared, and told me I owed him ten louis for the storage of a +carriage which I had left on his hands nearly three years ago. This +was when I was taking Rosalie to Italy. I laughed, for the carriage +itself was not worth five louis. "Friend," said I, "I make you a +present of the article." + +"I don't want your present. I want the ten louis you owe me." + +"You won't get the ten louis. I will see you further first." + +"We will see about that"; and so saying he took his departure. + +I sent for horses that we might continue our journey. + +A few moments after, a sergeant summoned me to the governor's +presence. I followed him, and was politely requested to pay the ten +louis that my creditor demanded. I answered that, in the agreement I +had entered into for six francs a month, there was no mention of the +length of the term, and that I did not want to withdraw my carriage. + +"But supposing you were never to withdraw it?" + +"Then the man could bequeath his claim to his heir." + +"I believe he could oblige you to withdraw it, or to allow it to be +sold to defray expenses." + +"You are right, sir, and I wish to spare him that trouble. I make +him a present of the carriage." + +"That's fair enough. Friend, the carriage is yours." + +"But sir," said the plaintiff, "it is not enough; the carriage is not +worth ten louis, and I want the surplus." + +"You are in the wrong. I wish you a pleasant journey, sir, and I +hope you will forgive the ignorance of these poor people, who would +like to shape the laws according to their needs." + +All this trouble had made me lose a good deal of time, and I +determined to put off my departure till the next day. However, I +wanted a carriage for Possano and the abbe, and I got my secretary to +buy the one I had abandoned for four louis. It was in a deplorable +state, and I had to have it repaired, which kept us till the +afternoon of the next day; however, so far as pleasure was concerned, +the time was not lost. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +My Arrival at Marseilles--Madame d'Urfe--My Niece Is Welcomed by +Madame Audibert I Get Rid of My Brother and Possano--Regeneration +--Departure of Madame d'Urfe--Marcoline Remains Constant + + +My niece, now my mistress, grew more dear to me every day, and I +could not help trembling when I reflected that Marseilles would be +the tomb of our love. Though I could not help arriving there, I +prolonged my happiness as long as I could by travelling by short +stages. I got to Frejus in less than three hours, and stopped there, +and telling Possano and the abbe to do as they liked during our stay, +I ordered a delicate supper and choice wine for myself and my nymphs. +Our repast lasted till midnight, then we went to bed, and passed the +time in sweet sleep and sweeter pleasures. I made the same +arrangements at Lucca, Brignoles, and Aubayne, where I passed the +sixth and last night of happiness. + +As soon as I got to Marseilles I conducted my niece to Madame +Audibert's, and sent Possano and my brother to the "Trieze Cantons" +inn, bidding them observe the strictest silence with regard to me, +for Madame d'Urfe had been awaiting me for three weeks, and I wished +to be my own herald to her. + +It was at Madame Audibert's that my niece had met Croce. She was a +clever woman, and had known the girl from her childhood, and it was +through her that my niece hoped to be restored to her father's good +graces. We had agreed that I should leave my niece and Marcoline in +the carriage, and should interview Madame Audibert, whose +acquaintance I had made before, and with whom I could make +arrangements for my niece's lodging till some arrangement was come +to. + +Madame Audibert saw me getting out of my carriage, and as she did not +recognize me her curiosity made her come down and open the door. She +soon recognized me, and consented to let me have a private interview +with the best grace in the world. + +I did not lose any time in leading up to the subject, and after I had +given her a rapid sketch of the affair, how misfortune had obliged La +Croix to abandon Mdlle. Crosin, how I had been able to be of service +to her, and finally, how she had had the good luck to meet a wealthy +and distinguished person, who would come to Marseilles to ask her +hand in a fortnight, I concluded by saying that I should have the +happiness of restoring to her hands the dear girl whose preserver I +had been. + +"Where is she?" cried Madame Audibert. + +"In my carriage. I have lowered the blinds." + +"Bring her in, quick! I will see to everything. Nobody shall know +that she is in my house." + +Happier than a prince, I made one bound to the carriage and, +concealing her face with her cloak and hood, I led my niece to her +friend's arms. This was a dramatic scene full of satisfaction for +me. Kisses were given and received, tears of happiness and +repentance shed, I wept myself from mingled feelings of emotion, +happiness, and regret. + +In the meanwhile Clairmont had brought up my niece's luggage, and I +went away promising to return and see her another day. + +I had another and as important an arrangement to conclude, I mean +with respect to Marcoline. I told the postillions to take me to the +worthy old man's where I had lodged Rosalie so pleasantly. Marcoline +was weeping at this separation from her friend. I got down at the +house, and made my bargain hastily. My new mistress was, I said, to +be lodged, fed, and attended on as if she had been a princess. He +shewed me the apartment she was to occupy; it was fit for a young +marchioness, and he told me that she should be attended by his own +niece, that she should not leave the house, and that nobody but +myself should visit her. + +Having made these arrangements I made the fair Venetian come in. I +gave her the money she had won, which I had converted into gold and +made up to a thousand ducats. + +"You won't want it here," said I, "so take care of it. At Venice a +thousand ducats will make you somebody. Do not weep, dearest, my +heart is with you, and to-morrow evening I will sup with you." + +The old man gave me the latch-key, and I went off to the "Treize +Cantons." I was expected, and my rooms were adjacent to those +occupied by Madame d'Urfe. + +As soon as I was settled, Bourgnole waited on me, and told me her +mistress was alone and expecting me impatiently. + +I shall not trouble my readers with an account of our interview, as +it was only composed of Madame d'Urfe's mad flights of fancy, and of +lies on my part which had not even the merit of probability. A slave +to my life of happy profligacy, I profited by her folly; she would +have found someone else to deceive her, if I had not done so, for it +was really she who deceived herself. I naturally preferred to profit +by her rather than that a stranger should do so; she was very rich, +and I did myself a great deal of good, without doing anyone any harm. +The first thing she asked me was, "Where is Querilinthos?" And she +jumped with joy when I told her that he was under the same roof. + +"'Tis he, then, who shall make me young again. So has my genius +assured me night after night. Ask Paralis if the presents I have +prepared are good enough for Semiramis to present to the head of the +Fraternity of the Rosy Cross." + +I did not know what these presents were, and as I could not ask to +see them, I answered that, before consulting Paralis, it would be +necessary to consecrate the gifts under the planetary hours, and that +Querilinthos himself must not see them before the consecration. +Thereupon she took me to her closet, and shewed me the seven packets +meant for the Rosicrucian in the form of offerings to the seven +planets. + +Each packet contained seven pounds of the metal proper to the planet, +and seven precious stones, also proper to the planets, each being +seven carats in weight; there were diamonds, rubies, emeralds, +sapphires, chrysolites, topazes, and opals. + +I made up my mind that nothing of this should pass into the hands of +the Genoese, and told the mad woman that we must trust entirely in +Paralis for the method of consecration, which must be begun by our +placing each packet in a small casket made on purpose. One packet, +and one only, could be consecrated in a day, and it was necessary to +begin with the sun. It was now Friday, and we should have to wait +till Sunday, the day of the sun. On Saturday I had a box with seven +niches made for the purpose. + +For the purposes of consecration I spent three hours every day with +Madame d'Urfe, and we had not finished till the ensuing Saturday. +Throughout this week I made Possano and my brother take their meals +with us, and as the latter did not understand a word the good lady +said, he did not speak a word himself, and might have passed for a +mute of the seraglio. Madame d'Urfe pronounced him devoid of sense, +and imagined we were going to put the soul of a sylph into his body +that he might engender some being half human, half divine. + +It was amusing to see my brother's despair and rage at being taken +for an idiot, and when he endeavoured to say something to spew that +he was not one, she only thought him more idiotic than ever. I +laughed to myself, and thought how ill he would have played the part +if I had asked him to do it. All the same the rascal did not lose +anything by his reputation, for Madame d'Urfe clothed him with a +decent splendour that would have led one to suppose that the abbe +belonged to one of the first families in France. The most uneasy +guest at Madame d'Urfe's table was Possano, who had to reply to +questions, of the most occult nature, and, not knowing anything about +the subject, made the most ridiculous mistakes. + +I brought Madame d'Urfe the box, and having made all the necessary +arrangements for the consecrations, I received an order from the +oracle to go into the country and sleep there for seven nights in +succession, to abstain from intercourse with all mortal women, and to +perform ceremonial worship to the moon every night, at the hour of +that planet, in the open fields. This would make me fit to +regenerate Madame d'Urfe myself in case Querilinthos, for some mystic +reasons, might not be able to do so. + +Through this order Madame d'Urfe was not only not vexed with me for +sleeping away from the hotel, but was grateful for the pains I was +taking to ensure the success of the operation. + +The day after my arrival I called on Madame Audibert, and had the +pleasure of finding my niece wail pleased with the efforts her friend +was making in her favour. Madame Audibert had spoken to her father, +telling him that his daughter was with her, and that she hoped to +obtain his pardon and to return to his house, where she would soon +become the bride of a rich Genoese, who wished to receive her from +her father's hands. The worthy man, glad to find again the lost +sheep, said he would come in two days and take her to her aunt, who +had a house at St. Louis, two leagues from the town. She might then +quietly await the arrival of her future husband, and avoid all +occasion of scandal. My niece was surprised that her father had not +yet received a letter from the young man, and I could see that she +was anxious about it; but I comforted her and assured her that I +would not leave Marseilles till I had danced at her wedding. + +I left her to go to Marcoline, whom I longed to press to my heart. +I found her in an ecstasy of joy, and she said that if she could +understand what her maid said her happiness would be complete. I saw +that her situation was a painful one, especially as she was a woman, +but for the present I saw no way out of the difficulty; I should have +to get an Italian-speaking servant, and this would have been a +troublesome task. She wept with joy when I told her that my niece +desired to be remembered to her, and that in a day she would be on +her father's hearth. Marcoline had found out that she was not my +real niece when she found her in my arms. + +The choice supper which the old man had procured us, and which spewed +he had a good memory for my favorite tastes, made me think of +Rosalie. Marcoline heard me tell the story with great interest, and +said that it seemed to her that I only went about to make unfortunate +girls happy, provided I found them pretty. + +"I almost think you are right," said I; "and it is certain that I +have made many happy, and have never brought misfortune to any girl." + +"God will reward you, my dear friend." + +"Possibly I am not worth His taking the trouble!" + +Though the wit and beauty of Marcoline had charmed me, her appetite +charmed me still more; the reader knows that I have always liked +women who eat heartily. And in Marseilles they make an excellent +dish of a common fowl, which is often so insipid. + +Those who like oil will get on capitally in Provence, for it is used +in everything, and it must be confessed that if used in moderation it +makes an excellent relish. + +Marcoline was charming in bed. I had not enjoyed the Venetian vices +for nearly eight years, and Marcoline was a beauty before whom +Praxiteles would have bent the knee. I laughed at my brother for +having let such a treasure slip out of his hands, though I quite +forgave him for falling in love with her. I myself could not take +her about, and as I wanted her to be amused I begged my kind old +landlord to send her to the play every day, and to prepare a good +supper every evening. I got her some rich dresses that she might cut +a good figure, and this attention redoubled her affection for me. + +The next day, which was the second occasion on which I had visited +her, she told me that she had enjoyed the play though she could not +understand the dialogues; and the day after she astonished me by +saying that my brother had intruded himself into her box, and had +said so many impertinent things that if she had been at Venice she +would have boxed his ears. + +"I am afraid," she added, "that the rascal has followed me here, and +will be annoying me." + +"Don't be afraid," I answered, "I will see what I can do." + +When I got to the hotel I entered the abbe's room, and by Possano's +bed I saw an individual collecting lint and various surgical +instruments. + +"What's all this? Are you ill?" + +"Yes, I have got something which will teach me to be wiser for the +future." + +"It's rather late for this kind of thing at sixty." + +"Better late than never." + +"You are an old fool. You stink of mercury." + +"I shall not leave my room." + +"This will harm you with the marchioness, who believes you to be the +greatest of adepts, and consequently above such weaknesses." + +"Damn the marchioness! Let me be." + +The rascal had never talked in this style before. I thought it best +to conceal my anger, and went up to my brother who was in a corner of +the room. + +"What do you mean by pestering Marcoline at the theatre yesterday?" + +"I went to remind her of her duty, and to warn her that I would not +be her complaisant lover." + +"You have insulted me and her too, fool that you are! You owe all to +Marcoline, for if it had not been for her, I should never have given +you a second glance; and yet you behave in this disgraceful manner." + +"I have ruined myself for her sake, and I can never shew my face in +Venice again. What right have you to take her from me?" + +"The right of love, blockhead, and the right of luck, and the right +of the strongest! How is it that she is happy with me, and does not +wish to leave me?" + +"You have dazzled her." + +"Another reason is that with you she was dying of misery and hunger." + +"Yes, but the end of it will be that you will abandon her as you have +done with many others, whereas I should have married her." + +"Married her! You renegade, you seem to forget that you are a +priest. I do not propose to part with her, but if I do I will send +her away rich." + +"Well, well, do as you please; but still I have the right to speak to +her whenever I like." + +"I have forbidden you to do so, and you may trust me when I tell you +that you have spoken to her for the last time." + +So saying I went out and called on an advocate. I asked him if I +could have a foreign abbe, who was indebted to me, arrested, although +I had no proof of the debt. + +"You can do so, as he is a foreigner, but you will have to pay +caution-money. You can have him put under arrest at his inn, and you +can make him pay unless he is able to prove that he owes you nothing. +Is the sum a large one?" + +"Twelve louis." + +"You must come with me before the magistrate and deposit twelve +louis, and from that moment you will be able to have him arrested. +Where is he staying?" + +"In the same hotel as I am, but I do not wish to have him arrested +there, so I will get him to the 'Ste. Baume,' and put him under +arrest. Here are the twelve louis caution-money, so you can get the +magistrate's order, and we will meet again to-morrow." + +"Give me his name, and yours also." + +I returned in haste to the "Treize Cantons," and met the abbe, +dressed up to the nines, and just about to go out. + +"Follow me," said I, "I am going to take you to Marcoline, and you +shall have an explanation in her presence." + +"With pleasure." + +He got into a carriage with me, and I told the coachman to take us to +the "Ste. Baume" inn. When we got there, I told him to wait for me, +that I was going to fetch Marcoline, and that I would return with her +in a minute. + +I got into the carriage again, and drove to the advocate, who gave +the order for arrest to a policeman, who was to execute it. I then +returned to the "Treize Cantons" and put his belongings into a trunk, +and had them transported to his new abode. + +I found him under arrest, and talking to the astonished host, who +could not understand what it was all about. I told the landlord the +mythical history of the abbe debt to me, and handed over the trunk, +telling him that he had nothing to fear with regard to the bill, as I +would take care that he should be well paid. + +I then began my talk with the abbe, telling him that he must get +ready to leave Marseilles the next day, and that I would pay for his +journey to Paris; but that if he did not like to do so, I should +leave him to his fate, and in three days he would be expelled from +Marseilles. The coward began to weep and said he would go to Paris. + +"You must start for Lyons to-morrow, but you will first write me out +an I O U for twelve louis." + +"Why?" + +"Because I say so. If you do so I will give you twelve louis and +tear up the document before your face." + +"I have no choice in the matter." + +"You are right." + +When he had written the I O U, I went to take a place in the +diligence for him, and the next morning I went with the advocate to +withdraw the arrest and to take back the twelve louis, which I gave +to my brother in the diligence, with a letter to M. Bono, whom I +warned not to give him any money, and to send him on to Paris by the +same diligence. I then tore up his note of hand, and wished him a +pleasant journey. + +Thus I got rid of this foolish fellow, whom I saw again in Paris in a +month's time. + +The day I had my brother arrested and before I went to dine with +Madame d'Urfe I had an interview with Possano in the hope of +discovering the reason of his ill humour. + +"The reason is," said he, "that I am sure you are going to lay hands +on twenty or thirty thousand crowns in gold and diamonds, which the +marchioness meant me to have." + +"That may be, but it is not for you to know anything about it. I may +tell you that it rests entirely with me to prevent your getting +anything. If you think you can succeed go to the marchioness and +make your complaints to her. I will do nothing to prevent you." + +"Then you think I am going to help you in your imposture for nothing; +you are very much mistaken. I want a thousand louis, and I will have +it, too." + +"Then get somebody to give it you," said I; and I turned my back on +him. + +I went up to the marchioness and told her that dinner was ready, and +that we should dine alone, as I had been obliged to send the abbe +away. + +"He was an idiot; but how about Querilinthos?" + +"After dinner Paralis will tell us all about him. I have strong +suspicions that there is something to be cleared up." + +"So have I. The man seems changed. Where is he?" + +"He is in bed, ill of a disease which I dare not so much as name to +you." + +"That is a very extraordinary circumstance; I have never heard of +such a thing before. It must be the work of an evil genius." + +"I have never heard of such a thing, either; but now let us dine. We +shall have to work hard to-day at the consecration of the tin." + +"All the better. We must offer an expiatory sacrifice to Oromasis, +for, awful thought! in three days he would have to regenerate me, and +the operation would be performed in that condition." + +"Let us eat now," I repeated; "I fear lest the hour of Jupiter be +over-past." + +"Fear nothing, I will see that all goes well." + +After the consecration of the tin had been performed, I transferred +that of Oromasis to another day, while I consulted the oracle +assiduously, the marchioness translating the figures into letters. +The oracle declared that seven salamanders had transported the true +Querilinthos to the Milky Way, and that the man in the next room was +the evil genius, St. Germain, who had been put in that fearful +condition by a female gnome, who had intended to make him the +executioner of Semiramis, who was to die of the dreadful malady +before her term had expired. The oracle also said that Semiramis +should leave to Payaliseus Galtinardus (myself) all the charge of +getting rid of the evil genius, St. Germain; and that she was not to +doubt concerning her regeneration, since the word would be sent me by +the true Querilinthos from the Milky Way on the seventh night of my +worship of the moon. Finally the oracle declared that I was to +embrace Semiramis two days before the end of the ceremonies, after an +Undine had purified us by bathing us in the room where we were. + +I had thus undertaken to regenerate the worthy Semiramis, and I began +to think how I could carry out my undertaking without putting myself +to shame. The marchioness was handsome but old, and I feared lest I +should be unable to perform the great act. I was thirty-eight, and I +began to feel age stealing on me. The Undine, whom I was to obtain +of the moon, was none other than Marcoline, who was to give me the +necessary generative vigour by the sight of her beauty and by the +contact of her hands. The reader will see how I made her come down +from heaven. + +I received a note from Madame Audibert which made me call on her +before paying my visit to Marcoline. As soon as I came in she told +me joyously that my niece's father had just received a letter from +the father of the Genoese, asking the hand of his daughter for his +only son, who had been introduced to her by the Chevalier de +Seingalt, her uncle, at the Paretti's. + +"The worthy man thinks himself under great obligations to you," said +Madame Audibert. "He adores his daughter, and he knows you have +cared for her like a father. His daughter has drawn your portrait in +very favourable colors, and he would be extremely pleased to make +your acquaintance. Tell me when you can sup with me; the father will +be here to meet you, though unaccompanied by his daughter." + +"I am delighted at what you tell me, for the young man's esteem for +his future wife will only be augmented when he finds that I am her +father's friend. I cannot come to supper, however; I will be here at +six and stop till eight." + +As the lady left the choice of the day with me I fixed the day after +next, and then I repaired to my fair Venetian, to whom I told my +news, and how I had managed to get rid of the abbe. + +On the day after next, just as we were sitting down to dinner, the +marchioness smilingly gave me a letter which Possano had written her +in bad but perfectly intelligible French. He had filled eight pages +in his endeavour to convince her that I was deceiving her, and to +make sure he told the whole story without concealing any circumstance +to my disadvantage. He added that I had brought two girls with me to +Marseilles; and though he did not know where I had hidden them, he +was sure that it was with them that I spent my nights. + +After I had read the whole letter through, with the utmost coolness I +gave it back to her, asking her if she had had the patience to read +it through. She replied that she had run through it, but that she +could not make it out at all, as the evil genius seemed to write a +sort of outlandish dialect, which she did not care to puzzle herself +over, as he could only have written down lies calculated to lead her +astray at the most important moment of her life. I was much pleased +with the marchioness's prudence, for it was important that she should +have no suspicions about the Undine, the sight and the touch of whom +were necessary to me in the great work I was about to undertake. + +After dining, and discharging all the ceremonies and oracles which +were necessary to calm the soul of my poor victim, I went to a banker +and got a bill of a hundred louis on Lyons, to the order of M. Bono, +and I advised him of what I had done, requesting him to cash it for +Possano if it were presented on the day named thereon. + +I then wrote the advice for Possano to take with him, it ran as +follows: "M. Bonno, pay to M. Possano, on sight, to himself, and not +to order, the sum of one hundred louis, if these presents are +delivered to you on the 30th day of April, in the year 1763; and +after the day aforesaid my order to become null and void." + +With this letter in my hand I went to the traitor who had been lanced +an hour before. + +"You're an infamous traitor," I began, "but as Madame d'Urfe knows of +the disgraceful state you are in she would not so much as read your +letter. I have read it, and by way of reward I give you two +alternatives which you must decide on immediately. I am in a hurry. +You will either go to the hospital--for we can't have pestiferous +fellows like you here--or start for Lyons in an hour. You must not +stop on the way, for I have only given you sixty hours, which is +ample to do forty posts in. As soon as you get to Lyons present this +to M. Bono, and he will give you a hundred louis. This is a present +from me, and afterwards I don't care what you do, as you are no +longer in my service. You can have the carriage I bought for you at +Antibes, and there is twenty-five louis for the journey: that is all. +Make your choice, but I warn you that if you go to the hospital I +shall only give you a month's wages, as I dismiss you from my service +now at this instant." + +After a moment's reflection he said he would go to Lyons, though it +would be at the risk of his life, for he was very ill. + +"You must reap the reward of your treachery," said I, "and if you die +it will be a good thing for your family, who will come in for what I +have given you, but not what I should have given you if you had been +a faithful servant." + +I then left him and told Clairmont to pack up his trunk. I warned +the inn-keeper of his departure and told him to get the post horses +ready as soon as possible. + +I then gave Clairmont the letter to Bono and twenty-five Louis, for +him to hand them over to Possano when he was in the carriage and +ready to go off. + +When I had thus successfully accomplished my designs by means of the +all-powerful lever, gold, which I knew how to lavish in time of need, +I was once more free for my amours. I wanted to instruct the fair +Marcoline, with whom I grew more in love every day. She kept telling +me that her happiness would be complete if she knew French, and if +she had the slightest hope that I would take her to England with me. + +I had never flattered her that my love would go as far as that, but +yet I could not help feeling sad at the thought of parting from a +being who seemed made to taste voluptuous pleasures, and to +communicate them with tenfold intensity to the man of her choice. +She was delighted to hear that I had got rid of my two odious +companions, and begged me to take her to the theatre, "for," said +she, "everybody is asking who and what I am, and my landlord's niece +is quite angry with me because I will not let her tell the truth" + +I promised I would take her out in the course of the next week, but +that for the present I had a most important affair on hand, in which +I had need of her assistance. + +"I will do whatever you wish, dearest." + +"Very good! then listen to me. I will get you a disguise which will +make you look like a smart footman, and in that costume you will call +on the marchioness with whom I live, at the hour I shall name to you, +and you will give her a note. Have you sufficient courage for that?" + +"Certainly. Will you be there?" + +"Yes. She will speak, but you must pretend to be dumb, as the note +you bring with you will tell us; as also that you have come to wait +upon us while we are bathing. She will accept the offer, and when +she tells you to undress her from head to foot you will do so. When +you have done, undress yourself, and gently rub the marchioness from +the feet to the waist, but not higher. In the meanwhile I shall have +taken off my clothes, and while I hold her in a close embrace you +must stand so that I can see all your charms. + +"Further, sweetheart, when I leave you you must gently wash her +generative organs, and afterwards wipe them with a fine towel. Then +do the same to me, and try to bring me to life again. I shall +proceed to embrace the marchioness a second time, and when it is over +wash her again and embrace her, and then come and embrace me and kiss +in your Venetian manner the instrument with which the sacrifice is +consummated. I shall then clasp the marchioness to my arms a third +time, and you must caress us till the act is complete. Finally, you +will wash us for the third time, then dress, take what she gives you +and come here, where I will meet you in the course of an hour." + +"You may reckon on my following all your instructions, but you must +see that the task will be rather trying to my feelings." + +"Not more trying than to mine. I could do nothing with the old woman +if you were not present." + +"Is she very old?" + +"Nearly seventy." + +"My poor sweetheart! I do pity you. But after this painful duty is +over you must sup here and sleep with me." + +"Certainly." + +On the day appointed I had a long and friendly interview with the +father of my late niece. I told him all about his daughter, only +suppressing the history of our own amours, which were not suitable +for a father's ears. The worthy man embraced me again and again, +calling me his benefactor, and saying that I had done more for his +daughter than he would have done himself, which in a sense was +perhaps true. He told me that he had received another letter from +the father, and a letter from the young man himself, who wrote in the +most tender and respectful manner possible. + +"He doesn't ask anything about the dower," said he, "a wonderful +thing these days, but I will give her a hundred and fifty thousand +francs, for the marriage is an excellent one, above all after my poor +simpleton's escape. All Marseilles knows the father of her future +husband, and to-morrow I mean to tell the whole story to my wife, and +I am sure she will forgive the poor girl as I have done." + +I had to promise to be present at the wedding, which was to be at +Madame Audibert's. That lady knowing me to be very fond of play, and +there being a good deal of play going on at her house, wondered why +she did not see more of me; but I was at Marseilles to create and not +to destroy: there is a time for everything. + +I had a green velvet jacket made for Marcoline, with breeches of the +same and silver-lace garters, green silk stockings, and fine leather +shoes of the same colour. Her fine black hair was confined in a net +of green silk, with a silver brooch. In this dress the voluptuous +and well-rounded form of Marcoline was displayed to so much +advantage, that if she had shewn herself in the street all Marseilles +would have run after her, for, in spite of her man's dress, anybody +could see that she was a girl. I took her to my rooms in her +ordinary costume, to shew her where she would have to hide after the +operation was over. + +By Saturday we had finished all the consecrations, and the oracle +fixed the regeneration of Semiramis for the following Tuesday, in the +hours of the sun, Venus, and Mercury, which follow each other in the +planetary system of the magicians, as also in Ptolemy's. These hours +were in ordinary parlance the ninth, tenth, and eleventh of the day, +since the day being a Tuesday, the first hour was sacred to Mars. +And as at the beginning of May the hours are sixty-five minutes long, +the reader, however little of a magician he may be, will understand +that I had to perform the great work on Madame d'Urfe, beginning at +half-past two and ending at five minutes to six. I had taken plenty +of time, as I expected I should have great need of it. + +On the Monday night, at the hour of the moon, I had taken Madame +d'Urfe to the sea-shore, Clairmont following behind with the box +containing the offerings, which weighed fifty pounds. + +I was certain that nobody could see us, and I told my companion that +the time was come. I told Clairmont to put down the box beside us, +and to go and await us at the carriage. When we were alone we +addressed a solemn prayer to Selenis, and then to the great +satisfaction of the marchioness the box was consigned to the address. +My satisfaction however was still greater than hers, for the box +contained fifty pounds of lead. The real box, containing the +treasure, was comfortably hidden in my room. + +When we got back to the "Treize Cantons," I left Madame d'Urfe alone, +telling her that I would return to the hotel when I had performed my +conjurations to the moon, at the same hour and in the same place in +which I had performed the seven consecrations. + +I spoke the truth. I went to Marcoline, and while she was putting on +her disguise I wrote on a sheet of white paper, in large and odd- +looking letters, the following sentences, using, instead of ink, +rock-alum: + +"I am dumb but not deaf. I am come from the Rhone to bathe you. The +hour of Oromasis has begun." + +"This is the note you are to give to the marchioness," I said, "when +you appear before her." + +After supper we walked to the hotel and got in without anyone seeing +us. I hid Marcoline in a large cupboard, and then putting on my +dressing-gown I went to the marchioness to inform her that Selenis +had fixed the next day for the hour of regeneration, and that we must +be careful to finish before the hour of the moon began, as otherwise +the operation would be annulled or at least greatly enfeebled. + +"You must take care," I added, "that the bath be here beside your +bed, and that Brougnole does not interrupt us." + +"I will tell her to go out. But Selenis promised to send an Undine." + +"True, but I have not yet seen such a being." + +"Ask the oracle." + +"Willingly." + +She herself asked the question imploring Paralis not to delay the +time of her regeneration, even though the Undine were lacking, since +she could very well bathe herself. + +"The commands of Oromasis change not," came the reply; "and in that +you have doubted them you have sinned." + +At this the marchioness arose and performed an expiatory sacrifice, +and it appeared, on consulting the oracle, that Oromasis was +satisfied. + +The old lady did not move my pity so much as my laughter. She +solemnly embraced me and said,-- + +"To-morrow, Galtinardus, you will be my spouse and my father." +When I got back to my room and had shut the door, I drew the Undine +out of her place of concealment. She undressed, and as she knew that +I should be obliged to husband my forces, she turned her back on me, +and we passed the night without giving each other a single kiss, for +a spark would have set us all ablaze. + +Next morning, before summoning Clairmont, I gave her her breakfast, +and then replaced her in the cupboard. Later on, I gave her her +instructions over again, telling her to do everything with calm +precision, a cheerful face, and, above all, silence. + +"Don't be afraid," said she, "I will make no mistakes." + +As we were to dine at noon exactly, I went to look for the +marchioness, but she was not in her room, though the bath was there, +and the bed which was to be our altar was prepared. + +A few moments after, the marchioness came out of her dressing-room, +exquisitely painted, her hair arranged with the choicest lace, and +looking radiant. Her breasts, which forty years before had been the +fairest in all France, were covered with a lace shawl, her dress was +of the antique kind, but of extremely rich material, her ear-rings +were emeralds, and a necklace of seven aquamarines of the finest +water, from which hung an enormous emerald, surrounded by twenty +brilliants, each weighing a carat and a half, completed her costume. +She wore on her finger the carbuncle which she thought worth a +million francs, but which was really only a splendid imitation. + +Seeing Semiramis thus decked out for the sacrifice, I thought it my +bounden duty to offer her my homage. I would have knelt before her +and kissed her hand, but she would not let me, and instead opened her +arms and strained me to her breast. + +After telling Brougnole that she could go out till six o'clock, we +talked over our mysteries till the dinner was brought in. + +Clairmont was the only person privileged to see us at dinner, at +which Semiramis would only eat fish. At half-past one I told +Clairmont I was not at home to anyone, and giving him a louis I told +him to go and amuse himself till the evening. + +The marchioness began to be uneasy, and I pretended to be so, too. I +looked at my watch, calculated how the planetary hours were +proceeding, and said from time to time,-- + +"We are still in the hour of Mars, that of the sun has not yet +commenced." + +At last the time-piece struck half-past two, and in two minutes +afterwards the fair and smiling Undine was seen advancing into the +room. She came along with measured steps, and knelt before Madame +d'Urfe, and gave her the paper she carried. Seeing that I did not +rise, the marchioness remained seated, but she raised the spirit with +a gracious air and took the paper from her. She was surprised, +however, to find that it was all white. + +I hastened to give her a pen to consult the oracle on the subject, +and after I had made a pyramid of her question, she interpreted it +and found the answer: + +"That which is written in water must be read in water." + +"I understand now," said she, and going to the bath she plunged the +paper into it, and then read in still whiter letters: "I am dumb, but +not deaf. I am come from the Rhone to bathe you. The hour of +Oromasis has begun." + +"Then bathe me, divine being," said Semiramis, putting down the paper +and sitting on the bed. + +With perfect exactitude Marcoline undressed the marchioness, and +delicately placed her feet in the water, and then, in a twinkling she +had undressed herself, and was in the bath, beside Madame d'Urfe. +What a contrast there was between the two bodies; but the sight of +the one kindled the flame which the other was to quench. + +As I gazed on the beautiful girl, I, too, undressed, and when I was +ready to take off my shirt I spoke as follows: "O divine being, wipe +the feet of Semiramis, and be the witness of my union with her, to +the glory of the immortal Horomadis, King of the Salamanders." + +Scarcely had I uttered my prayer when it was granted, and I +consummated my first union with Semiramis, gazing on the charms of +Marcoline, which I had never seen to such advantage before. + +Semiramis had been handsome, but she was then what I am now, and +without the Undine the operation would have failed. Nevertheless, +Semiramis was affectionate, clean, and sweet in every respect, and +had nothing disgusting about her, so I succeeded. + +When the milk had been poured forth upon the altar, I said,-- + +"We must now await the hour of Venus." + +The Undine performed the ablutions, embraced the bride, and came to +perform the same office for me. + +Semiramis was in an ecstasy of happiness, and as she pointed out to +me the beauties of the Undine I was obliged to confess that I had +never seen any mortal woman to be compared to her in beauty. +Semiramis grew excited by so voluptuous a sight, and when the hour of +Venus began I proceeded to the second assault, which would be the +severest, as the hour was of sixty-five minutes. I worked for half +an hour, steaming with perspiration, and tiring Semiramis, without +being able to come to the point. Still I was ashamed to trick her. +She, the victim, wiped the drops of sweat from my forehead, while the +Undine, seeing my exhaustion, kindled anew the flame which the +contact of that aged body had destroyed. Towards the end of the +hour, as I was exhausted and still unsuccessful, I was obliged to +deceive her by making use of those movements which are incidental to +success. As I went out of the battle with all the signs of my +strength still about me, Semiramis could have no doubts as to the +reality of my success, and even the Undine was deceived when she came +to wash me. But the third hour had come, and we were obliged to +satisfy Mercury. We spent a quarter of the time in the bath, while +the Undine delighted Semiramis by caresses which would have delighted +the regent of France, if he had ever known of them. The good +marchioness, believing these endearments to be peculiar to river +spirits, was pleased with everything, and begged the Undine to shew +me the same kindness. Marcoline obeyed, and lavished on me all the +resources of the Venetian school of love. She was a perfect Lesbian, +and her caresses having soon restored me to all my vigour I was +encouraged to undertake to satisfy Mercury. I proceeded to the work, +but alas! it was all in vain. I saw how my fruitless efforts vexed +the Undine, and perceiving that Madame d'Urfe had had enough, I again +took the course of deceiving her by pretended ecstacies and +movements, followed by complete rest. Semiramis afterwards told me +that my exertions shewed that I was something more than mortal. + +I threw myself into the bath, and underwent my third ablution, then I +dressed. Marcoline washed the marchioness and proceeded to clothe +her, and did so with such a graceful charm that Madame d'Urfe +followed the inspiration of her good genius, and threw her +magnificent necklace over the Undine's neck. After a parting +Venetian kiss she vanished, and went to her hiding place in the +cupboard. + +Semiramis asked the oracle if the operation had been successful. The +answer was that she bore within her the seed of the sun, and that in +the beginning of next February she would be brought to bed of another +self of the same sex as the creator; but in order that the evil genii +might not be able to do her any harm she must keep quiet in her bed +for a hundred and seven hours in succession. + +The worthy marchioness was delighted to receive this order, and +looked upon it as a good omen, for I had tired her dreadfully. I +kissed her, saying that I was going to the country to collect +together what remained of the substances that I had used in my +ceremonies, but I promised to dine with her on the morrow. + +I shut myself up in my room with the Undine, and we amused ourselves +as best we could till it was night, for she could not go out while it +was light in her spiritual costume. I took off my handsome wedding +garment, and as soon as it was dusk we crept out, and went away to +Marcoline's lodging in a hackney coach, carrying with us the +planetary offerings which I had gained so cleverly. + +We were dying of hunger, but the delicious supper which was waiting +for us brought us to life again. As soon as we got into the room +Marcoline took off her green clothes and put on her woman's dress, +saying,-- + +"I was not born to wear the breeches. Here, take the beautiful +necklace the madwoman gave me!" + +"I will sell it, fair Undine, and you shall have the proceeds." + +"Is it worth much?" + +"At least a thousand sequins. By the time you get back to Venice you +will be worth at least five thousand ducats, and you will be able to +get a husband and live with him in a comfortable style." + +"Keep it all, I don't want it; I want you. I will never cease to +love you; I will do whatever you tell me, and I promise never to be +jealous. I will care for you--yes, as if you were my son." + +"Do not let us say anything more about it, fair Marcoline, but let us +go to bed, for you have never inspired me with so much ardour as +now." + +"But you must be tired." + +"Yes, but not exhaustion, for I was only able to perform the +distillation once." + +"I thought you sacrificed twice on that old altar. Poor old woman! +she is still pretty, and I have no doubt that fifty years ago she was +one of the first beauties in France. How foolish of her to be +thinking of love at that age." + +"You excited me, but she undid your work even more quickly." + +"Are you always obliged to have--a girl beside you when you make love +to her?" + +"No; before, there was no question of making a son." + +"What? you are going to make her pregnant? That's ridiculous! Does +she imagine that she has conceived?" + +"Certainly; and the hope makes her happy." + +"What a mad idea! But why did you try to do it three times?" + +"I thought to shew my strength, and that if I gazed on you I should +not fail; but I was quite mistaken." + +"I pity you for having suffered so much." + +"You will renew my strength." + +As a matter of fact, I do not know whether to attribute it to the +difference between the old and the young, but I spent a most +delicious night with the beautiful Venetian--a night which I can only +compare to those I passed at Parma with Henriette, and at Muran with +the beautiful nun. I spent fourteen hours in bed, of which four at +least were devoted to expiating the insult I had offered to love. +When I had dressed and taken my chocolate I told Marcoline to dress +herself with elegance, and to expect me in the evening just before +the play began. I could see that she was intensely delighted with +the prospect. + +I found Madame d'Urfe in bed, dressed with care and in the fashion of +a young bride, and with a smile of satisfaction on her face which I +had never remarked there before. + +"To thee, beloved Galtinardus, I owe all my happiness," said she, as +she embraced me. + +"I am happy to have contributed to it, divine Semiramis, but you must +remember I am only the agent of the genii." + +Thereupon the marchioness began to argue in the most sensible manner, +but unfortunately the foundation of her argument was wholly +chimerical. + +"Marry me," said she; "you will then be able to be governor of the +child, who will be your son. In this manner you will keep all my +property for me, including what I shall have from my brother M. de +Pontcarre, who is old and cannot live much longer. If you do not +care for me in February next, when I shall be born again, into what +hands shall I fall! I shall be called a bastard, and my income of +twenty-four thousand francs will be lost to me. Think over it, dear +Galtinardus. I must tell you that I feel already as if I were a man. +I confess I am in love with the Undine, and I should like to know +whether I shall be able to sleep with her in fourteen or fifteen +years time. I shall be so if Oromasis will it, and then I shall be +happy indeed. What a charming creature she is? Have you ever seen a +woman like her? What a pity she is dumb!" + +"She, no doubt, has a male water-spirit for a lover. But all of them +are dumb, since it is impossible to speak in the water. I wonder she +is not deaf as well. I can't think why you didn't touch her. The +softness of her skin is something wonderful--velvet and satin are not +to be compared to it! And then her breath is so sweet! How +delighted I should be if I could converse with such an exquisite +being." + +"Dear Galtinardus, I beg you will consult the oracle to find out +where I am to be brought to bed, and if you won't marry me I think I +had better save all I have that I may have some provision when I am +born again, for when I am born I shall know nothing, and money will +be wanted to educate me. By selling the whole a large sum might be +realized which could be put out at interest. Thus the interest would +suffice without the capital being touched." + +"The oracle must be our guide," said I. "You will be my son, and I +will never allow anyone to call you a bastard." + +The sublime madwoman was quiet by this assurance. + +Doubtless many a reader will say that if I had been an honest man I +should have undeceived her, but I cannot agree with them; it would +have been impossible, and I confess that even if it had been possible +I would not have done so, for it would only have made me unhappy. + +I had told Marcoline to dress with elegance, and I put on one of my +handsomest suits to accompany her to the theatre. Chance brought the +two sisters Rangoni, daughters of the Roman consul, into our box. As +I had made their acquaintance on my first visit to Marseilles, I +introduced Marcoline to them as my niece, who only spoke Italian. As +the two young ladies spoke the tongue of Tasso also, Marcoline was +highly delighted. The younger sister, who was by far the handsomer +of the two, afterwards became the wife of Prince Gonzaga Solferino. +The prince was a cultured man, and even a genius, but very poor. For +all that he was a true son of Gonzaga, being a son of Leopold, who +was also poor, and a girl of the Medini family, sister to the Medini +who died in prison at London in the year 1787. + +Babet Rangoni, though poor, deserved to become s princess, for she +had all the airs and manners of one. She shines under her name of +Rangoni amongst the princess and princesses of the almanacs. Her +vain husband is delighted at his wife being thought to belong to the +illustrious family of Medini--an innocent feeling, which does neither +good nor harm. The same publications turn Medini into Medici, which +is equally harmless. This species of lie arises from the idiotic +pride of the nobles who think themselves raised above the rest of +humanity by their titles which they have often acquired by some act +of baseness. It is of no use interfering with them on this point, +since all things are finally appreciated at their true value, and the +pride of the nobility is easily discounted when one sees them as they +really are. + +Prince Gonzaga Solferino, whom I saw at Venice eighteen years ago, +lived on a pension allowed him by the empress. I hope the late +emperor did not deprive him of it, as it was well deserved by this +genius and his knowledge of literature. + +At the play Marcoline did nothing but chatter with Babet Rangoni, who +wanted me to bring the fair Venetian to see her, but I had my own +reasons for not doing so. + +I was thinking how I could send Madame d'Urfe to Lyons, for I had no +further use for her at Marseilles, and she was often embarrassing. +For instance, on the third day after her regeneration, she requested +me to ask Paralis where she was to die--that is, to be brought to +bed. I made the oracle reply that she must sacrifice to the water- +spirits on the banks of two rivers, at the same hour, and that +afterwards the question of her lying-in would be resolved. The +oracle added that I must perform three expiatory sacrifices to +Saturn, on account of my too harsh treatment of the false +Querilinthos, and that Semiramis need not take part in these +ceremonies, though she herself must perform the sacrifices to the +water-spirits. + +As I was pretending to think of a place where two rivers were +sufficiently near to each other to fulfil the requirements of the +oracle, Semiramis herself suggested that Lyons was watered by the +Rhone and the Saone, and that it would be an excellent place for the +ceremony. As may be imagined, I immediately agreed with her. On +asking Paralis if there were any preparations to be made, he replied +that it Would be necessary to pour a bottle of sea-water into each +river a fortnight before the sacrifice, and that this ceremony was to +be performed by Semiramis in person, at the first diurnal hour of the +moon. + +"Then," said the marchioness, "the bottles must be filled here, for +the other French ports are farther off. I will go as soon as ever I +can leave my bed, and will wait for you at Lyons; for as you have to +perform expiatory sacrifices to Saturn in this place, you cannot come +with me." + +I assented, pretending sorrow at not being able to accompany her. +The next morning I brought her two well-sealed bottles of sea-water, +telling her that she was to pour them out into the two rivers on the +15th of May (the current month). We fixed her departure for the +11th, and I promised to rejoin her before the expiration of the +fortnight. I gave her the hours of the moon in writing, and also +directions for the journey. + +As soon as the marchioness had gone I left the "Treize Cantons" and +went to live with Marcoline, giving her four hundred and sixty louis, +which, with the hundred and forty she had won at biribi, gave her a +total of six hundred louis, or fourteen thousand four hundred francs. +With this sum she could look the future in the face fearlessly. + +The day after Madame d'Urfe's departure, the betrothed of Mdlle. +Crosin arrived at Marseilles with a letter from Rosalie, which he +handed to me on the day of his arrival. She begged me in the name of +our common honour to introduce the bearer in person to the father of +the betrothed. Rosalie was right, but as the lady was not my real +niece there were some difficulties in the way. I welcomed the young +man and told him that I would first take him to Madame Audibert, and +that we could then go together to his father-in-law in prospective. + +The young Genoese had gone to the "Treize Cantons," where he thought +I was staying. He was delighted to find himself so near the goal of +his desires, and his ecstacy received a new momentum when he saw how +cordially Madame Audibert received him. We all got into my carriage +and drove to the father's who gave him an excellent reception, and +then presented him to his wife, who was already friendly disposed +towards him. + +I was pleasantly surprised when this good and sensible man introduced +me to his wife as his cousin, the Chevalier de Seingalt, who had +taken such care of their daughter. The good wife and good mother, +her husband's worthy partner, stretched out her hand to me, and all +my trouble was over. + +My new cousin immediately sent an express messenger to his sister, +telling her that he and his wife, his future son-in-law, Madame +Audibert, and a cousin she had not met before, would come and dine +with her on the following day. This done he invited us, and Madame +Audibert said that she would escort us. She told him that I had +another niece with me, of whom his daughter was very fond, and would +be delighted to see again. The worthy man was overjoyed to be able +to increase his daughter's happiness. + +I, too, was pleased with Madame Audibert's tact and thoughtfulness; +and as making Marcoline happy was to make me happy also, I expressed +my gratitude to her in very warm terms. + +I took the young Genoese to the play, to Marcoline's delight, for she +would have liked the French very much if she could have understood +them. We had an excellent supper together, in the course of which I +told Marcoline of the pleasure which awaited her on the morrow. I +thought she would have gone wild with joy. + +The next day we were at Madame Audibert's as punctually as Achilles +on the field of battle. The lady spoke Italian well, and was charmed +with Marcoline, reproaching me for not having introduced her before. +At eleven we got to St. Louis, and my eyes were charmed with the +dramatic situation. My late niece had an air of dignity which became +her to admiration, and received her future husband with great +graciousness; and then, after thanking me with a pleasant smile for +introducing him to her father, she passed from dignity to gaiety, and +gave her sweetheart a hundred kisses. + +The dinner was delicious, and passed off merrily; but I alone +preserved a tender melancholy, though I laughed to myself when they +asked me why I was sad. I was thought to be sad because I did not +talk in my usual vivacious manner, but far from being really sad that +was one of the happiest moments of my life. My whole being was +absorbed in the calm delight which follows a good action. I was the +author of the comedy which promised such a happy ending. I was +pleased with the thought that my influence in the world was more for +good than for ill, and though I was not born a king yet I contrived +to make many people happy. Everyone at table was indebted to me for +some part of their happiness, and the father, the mother, and the +betrothed pair wholly so. This thought made me feel a peaceful calm +which I could only enjoy in silence. + +Mdlle. Crosin returned to Marseilles with her father, her mother, +and her future husband, whom the father wished to take up his abode +with them. I went back with Madame Audibert, who made me promise to +bring the delightful Marcoline to sup with her. + +The marriage depended on the receipt of a letter from the young man's +father, in answer to one from my niece's father. It will be taken +for granted that we were all asked to the wedding, and Marcoline's +affection for me increased every day. + +When we went to sup with Madame Audibert we found a rich and witty +young wine merchant at her house. He sat beside Marcoline, who +entertained him with her sallies; and as the young man could speak +Italian, and even the Venetian dialect (for he had spent a year at +Venice), he was much impressed by the charms of my new niece. + +I have always been jealous of my mistresses; but when a rival +promises to marry them and give them a good establishment, jealousy +gives way to a more generous feeling. For the moment I satisfied +myself by asking Madame Audibert who he was, and I was delighted to +hear that he had an excellent reputation, a hundred thousand crowns, +a large business, and complete independence. + +The next day he came to see us in our box at the theatre, and +Marcoline received him very graciously. Wishing to push the matter +on I asked him to sup with us, and when he came I was well pleased +with his manners and his intelligence; to Marcoline he was tender but +respectful. On his departure I told him I hoped he would come and +see us again, and when we were alone I congratulated Marcoline on her +conquest, and shewed her that she might succeed almost as well as +Mdlle. Crosin. But instead of being grateful she was furiously, +angry. + +"If you want to get rid of me," said she, "send me back to Venice, +but don't talk to me about marrying." + +"Calm yourself, my angel! I get rid of you? What an idea! Has my +behaviour led you to suppose that you are in my way? This handsome, +well-educated, and rich young man has come under my notice. I see he +loves you and you like him, and as I love you and wish to see you +sheltered from the storms of fortune, and as I think this pleasant +young Frenchman would make you happy, I have pointed out to you these +advantages, but instead of being grateful you scold me. Do not weep, +sweetheart, you grieve my very soul!" + +"I am weeping because you think that I can love him." + +"It might be so, dearest, and without my honour taking any hurt; but +let us say no more about it and get into bed." + +Marcoline's tears changed to smiles and kisses, and we said no more +about the young wine merchant. The next day he came to our box +again, but the scene had changed; she was polite but reserved, and I +dared not ask him to supper as I had done the night before. When we +had got home Marcoline thanked me for not doing so, adding that she +had been afraid I would. + +"What you said last night is a sufficient guide for me for the +future." + +In the morning Madame Audibert called on behalf of the wine merchant +to ask us to sup with him. I turned towards the fair Venetian, and +guessing my thoughts she hastened to reply that she would be happy to +go anywhere in company with Madame Audibert. That lady came for us +in the evening, and took us to the young man's house, where we found +a magnificent supper, but no other guests awaiting us. The house was +luxuriously furnished, it only lacked a mistress. The master divided +his attention between the two ladies, and Marcoline looked ravishing. +Everything convinced me that she had kindled the ardour of the worthy +young wine merchant. + +The next day I received a note from Madame Audibert, asking me to +call on her. When I went I found she wanted to give my consent to +the marriage of Marcoline with her friend. + +"The proposal is a very agreeable one to me," I answered, "and I +would willingly give her thirty thousand francs as a dowry, but I can +have nothing to do with the matter personally. I will send her to +you; and if you can win her over you may count on my word, but do not +say that you are speaking on my behalf, for that might spoil +everything." + +"I will come for her, and if you like she shall dine with me, and you +can take her to the play in the evening." + +Madame Audibert came the following day, and Marcoline went to dinner +with her. I called for her at five o'clock, and finding her looking +pleased and happy I did not know what to think. As Madame Audibert +did not take me aside I stifled my curiosity and went with Marcoline +to the theatre, without knowing what had passed. + +On the way Marcoline sang the praises of Madame Audibert, but did not +say a word of the proposal she must have made to her. About the +middle of the piece, however, I thought I saw the explanation of the +riddle, for the young man was in the pit, and did not come to our box +though there were two empty places. + +We returned home without a word about the merchant or Madame +Audibert, but as I knew in my own mind what had happened, I felt +disposed to be grateful, and I saw that Marcoline was overjoyed to +find me more affectionate than ever. At last, amidst our amorous +assaults, Marcoline, feeling how dearly I loved her, told me what had +passed between her and Madame Audibert. + +"She spoke to me so kindly and so sensibly," said she, "but I +contented myself with saying that I would never marry till you told +me to do so. All the same I thank you with all my heart for the ten +thousand crowns you are willing to give me. You have tossed the ball +to me and I have sent it back. I will go back to Venice whenever you +please if you will not take me to England with you, but I will never +marry. I expect we shall see no more of the young gentleman, though +if I had never met you I might have loved him." + +It was evidently all over, and I liked her for the part she had +taken, for a man who knows his own worth is not likely to sigh long +at the feet of an obdurate lady. + +The wedding-day of my late niece came round. Marcoline was there, +without diamonds, but clad in a rich dress which set off her beauty +and satisfied my vanity. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +I Leave Marseilles--Henriette at Aix--Irene at Avignon--Treachery of +Possano--Madame d'Urfe Leaves Lyon + + +The wedding only interested me because of the bride. The plentiful +rather than choice repast, the numerous and noisy company, the empty +compliments, the silly conversation, the roars of laughter at very +poor jokes--all this would have driven me to despair if it had not +been for Madame Audibert, whom I did not leave for a moment. +Marcoline followed the young bride about like a shadow, and the +latter, who was going to Genoa in a week, wanted Marcoline to come in +her tram, promising to have her taken to Venice by a person of trust, +but my sweetheart would listen to no proposal for separating her from +me,-- + +"I won't go. to Venice," she said, "till you send me there." + +The splendours of her friend's marriage did not make her experience +the least regret at having refused the young wine merchant. The +bride beamed with happiness, and on my congratulating her she +confessed her joy to be great, adding that it was increased by the +fact that she owed it all to me. She was also very glad to be going +to Genoa, where she was sure of finding a true friend in Rosalie, who +would sympathize with her, their fortunes having been very similar. + +The day after the wedding I began to make preparations for my +departure. The first thing I disposed of was the box containing the +planetary offerings. I kept the diamonds and precious stones, and +took all the gold and silver to Rousse de Cosse, who still held the +sum which Greppi had placed to my credit. I took a bill of exchange +on Tourton and Bauer, for I should not be wanting any money at Lyons +as Madame d'Urfe was there, and consequently the three hundred louis +I had about me would be ample. I acted differently where Marcoline +was concerned. I added a sufficient sum to her six hundred louis to +give her a capital in round numbers of fifteen thousand francs. I +got a bill drawn on Lyons for that amount, for I intended at the +first opportunity to send her back to Venice, and with that idea had +her trunks packed separately with all the linen and dresses which I +had given her in abundance. + +On the eve of our departure we took leave of the newly-married couple +and the whole family at supper, and we parted with tears, promising +each other a lifelong friendship. + +The next day we set out intending to travel all night and not to stop +till we got to Avignon, but about five o'clock the chain of the +carriage broke, and we could go no further until a wheelwright had +repaired the damage. We settled ourselves down to wait patiently, +and Clairmont went to get information at a fine house on our right, +which was approached by an alley of trees. As I had only one +postillion, I did not allow him to leave his horses for a moment. +Before long we saw Clairmont reappear with two servants, one of whom +invited me, on behalf of his master, to await the arrival of the +wheelwright at his house. It would have been churlish to refuse this +invitation which was in the true spirit of French politeness, so +leaving Clairmont in charge Marcoline and I began to wend our way +towards the hospitable abode. + +Three ladies and two gentleman came to meet us, and one of the +gentlemen said they congratulated themselves on my small mishap, +since it enabled madam to offer me her house and hospitality. I +turned towards the lady whom the gentleman had indicated, and thanked +her, saying, that I hoped not to trouble her long, but that I was +deeply grateful for her kindness. She made me a graceful curtsy, but +I could not make out her features, for a stormy wind was blowing, and +she and her two friends had drawn their hoods almost entirely over +their faces. Marcoline's beautiful head was uncovered and her hair +streaming in the breeze. She only replied by graceful bows and +smiles to the compliments which were addressed to her on all sides. +The gentleman who had first accosted me asked me, as he gave her his +arm, if she were my daughter. Marcoline smiled and I answered that +she was my cousin, and that we were both Venetians. + +A Frenchman is so bent on flattering a pretty woman that he will +always do so, even if it be at the expense of a third party. Nobody +could really think that Marcoline was my daughter, for though I was +twenty years older than she was, I looked ten years younger than my +real age, and so Marcoline smiled suggestively. + +We were just going into the house when a large mastiff ran towards +us, chasing a pretty spaniel, and the lady, being afraid of getting +bitten, began to run, made a false step, and fell to the ground. We +ran to help her, but she said she had sprained her ankle, and limped +into the house on the arm of one of the gentlemen. Refreshments were +brought in, and I saw that Marcoline looked uneasy in the company of +a lady who was talking to her. I hastened to excuse her, saying that +she did not speak French. As a matter of fact, Marcoline had begun +to talk a sort of French, but the most charming language in the world +will not bear being spoken badly, and I had begged her not to speak +at all till she had learned to express herself properly. It is +better to remain silent than to make strangers laugh by odd +expressions and absurd equivocations. + +The less pretty, or rather the uglier, of the two ladies said that it +was astonishing that the education of young ladies was neglected in +such a shocking manner at Venice. "Fancy not teaching them French!" + +"It is certainly very wrong, but in my country young ladies are +neither taught foreign languages nor round games. These important +branches of education are attended to afterwards." + +"Then you are a Venetian, too?" + +"Yes, madam." + +"Really, I should not have thought so." + +I made a bow in return for this compliment, which in reality was only +an insult; for if flattering to me it was insulting to the rest of my +fellow-countrymen, and Marcoline thought as much for she made a +little grimace accompanied by a knowing smile. + +"I see that the young lady understands French," said our flattering +friend, "she laughs exactly in the right place." + +"Yes, she understands it, and as for her laughter it was due to the +fact that she knows me to be like all other Venetians." + +"Possibly, but it is easy to see that you have lived a long time in +France." + +"Yes, madam," said Marcoline; and these words in her pretty Venetian +accent were a pleasure to hear. + +The gentleman who had taken the lady to her room said that she found +her foot to be rather swollen, and had gone to bed hoping we would +all come upstairs. + +We found her lying in a splendid bed, placed in an alcove which the +thick curtains of red satin made still darker. I could not see +whether she was young or old, pretty or ugly. I said that I was very +sorry to be the indirect cause of her mishap, and she replied in good +Italian that it was a matter of no consequence, and that she did not +think she could pay too dear for the privilege of entertaining such +pleasant guests. + +"Your ladyship must have lived in Venice to speak the language with +so much correctness." + +"No, I have never been there, but I have associated a good deal with +Venetians." + +A servant came and told me that the wheelwright had arrived, and that +he would take four hours to mend my carriage, so I went downstairs. +The man lived at a quarter of a league's distance, and by tying the +carriage pole with ropes, I could drive to his place, and wait there +for the carriage to be mended. I was about to do so, when the +gentleman who did the honours of the house came and asked me, on +behalf of the lady, to sup and pass the night at her house, as to go +to the wheelwright's would be out of my way; the man would have to +work by night, I should be uncomfortable, and the work would be ill +done. I assented to the countess's proposal, and having agreed with +the man to come early the next day and bring his tools with him, I +told Clairmont to take my belongings into the room which was assigned +to me. + +When I returned to the countess's room I found everyone laughing at +Marcoline's sallies, which the countess translated. I was not +astonished at seeing the way in which my fair Venetian caressed the +countess, but I was enraged at not being able to see her, for I knew +Marcoline would not treat any woman in that manner unless she were +pretty. + +The table was spread in the bedroom of the countess, whom I hoped to +see at supper-time, but I was disappointed; for she declared that she +could not take anything, and all supper-time she talked to Marcoline +and myself, shewing intelligence, education, and a great knowledge of +Italian. She let fall the expression, "my late husband," so I knew +her for a widow, but as I did not dare to ask any questions, my +knowledge ended at that point. When Clairmont was undressing me he +told me her married name, but as I knew nothing of the family that +was no addition to my information. + +When we had finished supper, Marcoline took up her old position by +the countess's bed, and they talked so volubly to one another that +nobody else could get in a word. + +When politeness bade me retire, my pretended cousin said she was +going to sleep with the countess. As the latter laughingly assented, +I refrained from telling my madcap that she was too forward, and I +could see by their mutual embraces that they were agreed in the +matter. I satisfied myself with saying that I could not guarantee +the sex of the countess's bed-fellow, but she answered, + +"Never mind; if there be a mistake I shall be the gainer." + +This struck me as rather free, but I was not the man to be +scandalized. I was amused at the tastes of my fair Venetian, and at +the manner in which she contrived to gratify them as she had done at +Genoa with my last niece. As a rule the Provencal women are inclined +this way, and far from reproaching them I like them all the better +for it. + +The next day I rose at day-break to hurry on the wheelwright, and +when the work was done I asked if the countess were visible. +Directly after Marcoline came out with one of the gentlemen, who +begged me to excuse the countess, as she could not receive me in her +present extremely scanty attire; "but she hopes that whenever you are +in these parts you will honour her and her house by your company, +whether you are alone or with friends." + +This refusal, gilded as it was, was a bitter pill for me to swallow, +but I concealed my disgust, as I could only put it down to +Marcoline's doings; she seemed in high spirits, and I did not like to +mortify her. I thanked the gentleman with effusion, and placing a +Louis in the hands of all the servants who were present I took my +leave. + +I kissed Marcoline affectionately, so that she should not notice my +ill humour, and asked how she and the countess spent the night." + +"Capitally," said she. "The countess is charming, and we amused +ourselves all night with the tricks of two amorous women." + +"Is she pretty or old?" + +"She is only thirty-three, and, I assure you, she is as pretty as my +friend Mdlle. Crosin. I can speak with authority for we saw each +other in a state of nature." + +"You are a singular creature; you were unfaithful to me for a woman, +and left me to pass the night by myself." + +"You must forgive me, and I had to sleep with her as she was the +first to declare her love." + +"Really? How was that?" + +"When I gave her the first of my kisses she returned it in the +Florentine manner, and our tongues met. After supper, I confess, I +was the first to begin the suggestive caresses, but she met me half- +way. I could only make her happy by spending the night with her. +Look, this will shew you how pleased she was." + +With these words Marcoline drew a superb ring, set with brilliants, +from her finger. I was astonished. + +"Truly," I said, "this woman is fond of pleasure and deserves to have +it." + +I gave my Lesbian (who might have vied with Sappho) a hundred. +kisses, and forgave her her infidelity. + +"But," I remarked, "I can't think why she did not want me to see her; +I think she has treated me rather cavalierly." + +"No, I think the reason was that she was ashamed to be seen by my +lover after having made me unfaithful to him; I had to confess that +we were lovers." + +"Maybe. At all events you have been well paid; that ring is worth +two hundred louis:" + +"But I may as well tell you that I was well enough paid for the +pleasure I gave by the pleasure I received." + +"That's right; I am delighted to see you happy." + +"If you want to make me really happy, take me to England with you. +My uncle will be there, and I could go back to Venice with him." + +"What! you have an uncle in England? Do you really mean it? It +sounds like a fairy-tale. You never told me of it before." + +"I have never said anything about it up to now, because I have always +imagined that this might prevent your accomplishing your desire." + +"Is your uncle a Venetian? What is he doing in England? Are you +sure that he will welcome you?" + +"Yes." + +"What is his name? And how are we to find him in a town of more than +a million inhabitants?" + +"He is ready found. His name is Mattio Boisi, and he is valet de +chambre to M. Querini, the Venetian ambassador sent to England to +congratulate the new king; he is accompanied by the Procurator +Morosini. My uncle is my mother's brother; he is very fond of me, +and will forgive my fault, especially when he finds I am rich. When +he went to England he said he would be back in Venice in July, and we +shall just catch him on the point of departure." + +As far as the embassy went I knew it was all true, from the letters I +had received from M. de Bragadin, and as for the rest Marcoline +seemed to me to be speaking the truth. I was flattered by her +proposal and agreed to take her to England so that I should possess +her for five or six weeks longer without committing myself to +anything. + +We reached Avignon at the close of the day, and found ourselves very +hungry. I knew that the "St. Omer" was an excellent inn, and when I +got there I ordered a choice meal and horses for five o'clock the +next morning. Marcoline, who did not like night travelling, was in +high glee, and threw her arms around my neck, saying,-- + +"Are we at Avignon now?" + +"Yes, dearest." + +"Then I conscientiously discharge the trust which the countess placed +in me when she embraced me for the last time this morning. She made +me swear not to say a word about it till we got to Avignon." + +"All this puzzles me, dearest; explain yourself." + +"She gave me a letter for you," + +"A letter?" + +"Will you forgive me for not placing it in your hands sooner?" + +"Certainly, if you passed your word to the countess; but where is +this letter?" + +"Wait a minute." + +She drew a large bundle of papers from her pocket, saying,-- + +"This is my certificate of baptism." + +"I see you were born in 1746." + +"This is a certificate of 'good conduct.'" + +"Keep it, it may be useful to you." + +"This is my certificate of virginity." + +"That's no use. Did you get it from a midwife?" + +"No, from the Patriarch of Venice." + +"Did he test the matter for himself?" + +"No, he was too old; he trusted in me." + +"Well, well, let me see the letter." + +"I hope I haven't lost it." + +"I hope not, to God." + +"Here is your brother's promise of marriage; he wanted to be a +Protestant." + +"You may throw that into the fire." + +"What is a Protestant?" + +"I will tell you another time. Give me the letter." + +"Praised be God, here it is!" + +"That's lucky; but it has no address." + +My heart beat fast, as I opened it, and found, instead of an address, +these words in Italian: + +"To the most honest man of my acquaintance." + +Could this be meant for me? I turned down the leaf, and read one +word--Henriette! Nothing else; the rest of the paper was blank. + +At the sight of that word I was for a moment annihilated. + +"Io non mori, e non rimasi vivo." + +Henriette! It was her style, eloquent in its brevity. I recollected +her last letter from Pontarlier, which I had received at Geneva, and +which contained only one word--Farewell! + +Henriette, whom I had loved so well, whom I seemed at that moment to +love as well as ever. "Cruel Henriette," said I to myself, "you saw +me and would not let me see you. No doubt you thought your charms +would not have their old power, and feared lest I should discover +that after all you were but mortal. And yet I love you with all the +ardour of my early passion. Why did you not let me learn from your +own mouth that you were happy? That is the only question I should +have asked you, cruel fair one. I should not have enquired whether +you loved me still, for I feel my unworthiness, who have loved other +women after loving the most perfect of her sex. Adorable Henriette, +I will fly to you to-morrow, since you told me that I should be +always welcome." + +I turned these thoughts over in my own mind, and fortified myself in +this resolve; but at last I said,-- + +"No, your behaviour proves that you do not wish to see me now, and +your wishes shall be respected; but I must see you once before I +die." + +Marcoline scarcely dared breathe to see me thus motionless and lost +in thought, and I do not know when I should have come to myself if +the landlord had not come in saying that he remembered my tastes, and +had got me a delicious supper. This brought me to my senses, and I +made my fair Venetian happy again by embracing her in a sort of +ecstacy. + +"Do you know," she said, "you quite frightened me? You were as pale +and still as a dead man, and remained for a quarter of an hour in a +kind of swoon, the like of which I have never seen. What is the +reason? I knew that the countess was acquainted with you, but I +should never have thought that her name by itself could have such an +astonishing effect." + +"Well, it is strange; but how did you find out that the countess knew +me?" + +"She told me as much twenty times over in the night, but she made me +promise to say nothing about it till I had given you the letter." + +"What did she say to you about me?" + +"She only repeated in different ways what she has written for an +address." + +"What a letter it is! Her name, and nothing more." + +"It is very strange." + +"Yes, but the name tells all." + +"She told me that if I wanted to be happy I should always remain with +you. I said I knew that well; but that you wanted to send me back to +Venice, though you were very fond of me. I can guess now that you +were lovers. How long ago was it?" + +"Sixteen or seventeen years." + +"She must have been very young, but she cannot have been prettier +than she is now." + +"Be quiet, Marcoline." + +"Did your union with her last long?" + +"We lived together four months in perfect happiness." + +"I shall not be happy for so long as that." + +"Yes you will, and longer, too; but with another man, and one more +suitable to you in age. I am going to England to try to get my +daughter from her mother." + +"Your daughter? The countess asked me if you were married, and I +said no." + +"You were right; she is my illegitimate daughter. She must be ten +now, and when you see her you will confess that she must belong to +me." + +Just as we were sitting down to table we heard someone going +downstairs to the table d'hote in the room where I had made Madame +Stuard's acquaintance, our door was open, and we could see the people +on the stairs; and one of them seeing us gave a cry of joy, and came +running in, exclaiming, "My dear papa! "I turned to the light and +saw Irene, the same whom I had treated so rudely at Genoa after my +discussion with her father about biribi. I embraced her effusively, +and the sly little puss, pretending to be surprised to see Marcoline, +made her a profound bow, which was returned with much grace. +Marcoline listened attentively to our conversation. + +"What are you doing here, fair Irene?" + +"We have been here for the last fortnight. Good heavens! how lucky +I am to find you again. I am quite weak. Will you allow me to sit +down, madam?" + +"Yes, yes, my dear," said I, "sit down;" and I gave her a glass of +wine which restored her. + +A waiter came up, and said they were waiting for her at supper, but +she said, "I won't take any supper;" and Marcoline, always desirous +of pleasing me, ordered a third place to be laid. I made her happy +by giving an approving nod. + +We sat down to table, and ate our meal with great appetite. "When we +have done," I said to Irene, "you must tell us what chance has +brought you to Avignon." + +Marcoline, who had not spoken a word hitherto, noticing how hungry +Irene was, said pleasantly that it would have been a mistake if she +had not taken any supper. Irene was delighted to hear Venetian +spoken, and thanked her for her kindness, and in three or four +minutes they had kissed and become friends. + +It amused me to see the way in which Marcoline always fell in love +with pretty women, just as if she had been a man. + +In the course of conversation I found that Irene's father and mother +were at the table d'hote below, and from sundry exclamations, such as +"you have been brought to Avignon out of God's goodness," I learned +that they were in distress. In spite of that Irene's mirthful +countenance matched Marcoline's sallies, and the latter was delighted +to hear that Irene had only called me papa because her mother had +styled her my daughter at Milan. + +We had only got half-way through our supper when Rinaldi and his wife +came in. I asked them to sit down, but if it had not been for Irene +I should have given the old rascal a very warm reception. He began +to chide his daughter for troubling me with her presence when I had +such fair company already, but Marcoline hastened to say that Irene +could only have given me pleasure, for in my capacity of her uncle I +was always glad when she was able to enjoy the society of a sweet +young girl. + +"I hope," she added, "that if she doesn't mind she will sleep with +me." + +"Yes, yes," resounded on all sides, and though I should have +preferred to sleep with Marcoline by herself, I laughed and agreed; I +have always been able to accommodate myself to circumstances. + +Irene shared Marcoline's desires, for when it was settled that they +should sleep together they seemed wild with joy, and I added fuel to +the fire by plying them with punch and champagne. + +Rinaldi and his wife did not leave us till they were quite drunk. +When we had got rid of them, Irene told us how a Frenchman had fallen +in love with her at Genoa, and had persuaded her father to go to Nice +where high play was going on, but meeting with no luck there she had +been obliged to sell what she had to pay the inn-keeper. Her lover +had assured her that he would make it up to her at Aix, where there +was some money owing to him, and she persuaded her father to go +there; but the persons who owed the money having gone to Avignon, +there had to be another sale of goods. + +"When we got here the luck was no better, and the poor young man, +whom my father reproached bitterly, would have killed himself if I +had not given him the mantle you gave me that he might pawn it and go +on his quest. He got four louis for it, and sent me the ticket with +a very tender letter, in which he assured me that he would find some +money at Lyons, and that he would then return and take us to +Bordeaux, where we are to find treasures. In the meanwhile we are +penniless, and as we have nothing more to sell the landlord threatens +to turn us out naked." + +"And what does your father mean to do?" + +"I don't know. He says Providence will take care of us." + +"What does your mother say?" + +"Oh! she was as quiet as usual." + +"How about yourself?" + +"Alas! I have to bear a thousand mortifications every day. They are +continually reproaching me with having fallen in love with this +Frenchman, and bringing them to this dreadful pass." + +"Were you really in love with him?" + +"Yes, really." + +"Then you must be very unhappy." + +"Yes, very; but not on account of my love, for I shall get over that +in time, but because of that which will happen to-morrow." + +"Can't you make any conquests at the table-d'hote?" + +"Some of the men say pretty things to me, but as they all know how +poor we are they are afraid to come to our room." + +"And yet in spite of all you keep cheerful; you don't look sad like +most of the unhappy. I congratulate you on your good spirits." +Irene's tale was like the fair Stuard's story over again, and +Marcoline, though she had taken rather too much champagne, was deeply +moved at this picture of misery. She kissed the girl, telling her +that I would not forsake her, and that in the meanwhile they would +spend a pleasant night. + +"Come! let us to bed!" said she; and after taking off her clothes she +helped Irene to undress. I had no wish to fight, against two, and +said that I wanted to rest. The fair Venetian burst out laughing and +said,-- + +"Go to bed and leave us alone." + +I did so, and amused myself by watching the two Bacchantes; but +Irene, who had evidently never engaged in such a combat before, was +not nearly so adroit as Marcoline. + +Before long Marcoline brought Irene in her arms to my bedside, and +told me to kiss her. + +"Leave me alone, dearest," said I, "the punch has got into your head, +and you don't know what you are doing." + +This stung her; and urging Irene to follow her example, she took up a +position in my bed by force; and as there was not enough room for +three, Marcoline got on top of Irene, calling her her wife. + +I was virtuous enough to remain a wholly passive spectator of the +scene, which was always new to me, though I had seen it so often; but +at last they flung themselves on me with such violence that I was +obliged to give way, and for the most part of the night I performed +my share of the work, till they saw that I was completely exhausted. +We fell asleep, and I did not wake up till noon, and then I saw my +two beauties still asleep, with their limbs interlaced like the +branches of a tree. I thought with a sigh of the pleasures of such a +sleep, and got out of bed gently for fear of rousing them. I ordered +a good dinner to be prepared, and countermanded the horses which had +been waiting several hours. + +The landlord remembering what I had done for Madame Stuard guessed I +was going to do the same for the Rinaldis, and left them in peace. + +When I came back I found my two Lesbians awake, and they gave me such +an amorous welcome that I felt inclined to complete the work of the +night with a lover's good morning; but I began to feel the need of +husbanding my forces, so I did nothing, and bore their sarcasms in +silence till one o'clock, when I told them to get up, as we ought to +have done at five o'clock, and here was two o'clock and breakfast not +done. + +"We have enjoyed ourselves," said Marcoline, "and time that is given +to enjoyment is never lost." + +When they were dressed, I had coffee brought in, and I gave Irene +sixteen louis, four of which were to redeem her cloak. Her father +and mother who had just dined came in to bid us good-day, and Irene +proudly gave her father twelve Louis telling him to scold her a +little less in future. He laughed, wept, and went out, and then came +back and said he found a good way of getting to Antibes at a small +cost, but they would have to go directly, as the driver wanted to get +to St. Andiol by nightfall. + +"I am quite ready." + +"No, dear Irene," said I, "you shall not go; you shall dine with your +friend, and your driver can wait. Make him do so, Count Rinaldi; my +niece will pay, will you not, Marcoline?" + +"Certainly. I should like to dine here, and still better to put off +our departure till the next day." + +Her wishes were my orders. We had a delicious supper at five +o'clock, and at eight we went to bed and spent the night in +wantonness, but at five in the morning all were ready to start. +Irene, who wore her handsome cloak, shed hot tears at parting from +Marcoline, who also wept with all her heart. Old Rinaldi, who proved +himself no prophet, told me that I should make a great fortune in +England, and his daughter sighed to be in Marcoline's place. +We shall hear of Rinaldi later on. + +We drove on for fifteen posts without stopping, and passed the night +at Valence. The food was bad, but Marcoline forgot her discomfort in +talking of Irene. + +"Do you know," said she, "that if it had been in my power I should +have taken her from her parents. I believe she is your daughter, +though she is not like you." + +"How can she be my daughter when I have never known her mother?" + +"She told me that certainly." + +"Didn't she tell you anything else?" + +"Yes, she told me that you lived with her for three days and bought +her maidenhead for a thousand sequins." + +"Quite so, but did she tell you that I paid the money to her father?" + +"Yes, the little fool doesn't keep anything for herself. I don't +think I should ever be jealous of your mistresses, if you let me +sleep with them. Is not that a mark of a good disposition? +Tell me." + +"You have, no doubt, a good disposition, but you could be quite as +good without your dominant passion." + +"It is not a passion. I only have desires for those I love." + +"Who gave you this taste?" + +"Nature. I began at seven, and in the last ten years I have +certainly had four hundred sweethearts." + +"You begin early. But when did you begin to have male sweethearts?" + +"At eleven." + +"Tell me all about it." + +"Father Molini, a monk, was my confessor, and he expressed a desire +to know the girl who was then my sweetheart. It was in the carnival +time, and he gave us a moral discourse, telling us that he would take +us to the play if we would promise to abstain for a week. We +promised to do so, and at the end of the week we went to tell him +that we had kept our word faithfully. The next day Father Molini +called on my sweetheart's aunt in a mask, and as she knew him, and as +he was a monk and a confessor, we were allowed to go with him. +Besides, we were mere children; my sweetheart was only a year older +than I. + +"After the play the father took us to an inn, and gave us some +supper; and when the meal was over he spoke to us of our sin, and +wanted to see our privates. 'It's a great sin between two girls,' +said he, 'but between a man and a woman it is a venial matter. Do +you know how men are made?' We both knew, but we said no with one +consent. 'Then would you like to know?' said he. We said we should +like to know very much, and he added, 'If you will promise to keep it +a secret, I may be able to satisfy your curiosity.' We gave our +promises, and the good father proceeded to gratify us with a sight of +the riches which nature had lavished on him, and in the course of an +hour he had turned us into women. I must confess that he understood +so well how to work on our curiosity that the request came from us. +Three years later, when I was fourteen, I became the mistress of a +young jeweller. Then came your brother; but he got nothing from me, +because he began by saying that he could not ask me to give him any +favours till we were married." + +"You must have been amused at that." + +"Yes, it did make me laugh, because I did not know that a priest +could get married; and he excited my curiosity by telling me that +they managed it at Geneva. Curiosity and wantonness made me escape +with him; you know the rest." + +Thus did Marcoline amuse me during the evening, and then we went to +bed and slept quietly till the morning. We started from Valence at +five, and in the evening we were set down at the "Hotel du Parc" at +Lyons. + +As soon as I was settled in the pleasant apartments allotted to me I +went to Madame d'Urfe, who was staying in the Place Bellecour, and +said, as usual, that she was sure I was coming on that day. She +wanted to know if she had performed the ceremonies correctly, and +Paralis, of course, informed her that she had, whereat she was much +flattered. The young Aranda was with her, and after I had kissed him +affectionately I told the marchioness that I would be with her at ten +o'clock the next morning, and so I left her. + +I kept the appointment and we spent the whole of the day in close +conference, asking of the oracle concerning her being brought to bed, +how she was to make her will, and how she should contrive to escape +poverty in her regenerated shape. The oracle told her that she must +go to Paris for her lying-in, and leave all her possessions to her +son, who would not be a bastard, as Paralis promised that as soon as +I got to London an English gentleman should be sent over to marry +her. Finally, the oracle ordered her to prepare to start in three +days, and to take Aranda with her. I had to take the latter to +London and return him to his mother, for his real position in life +was no longer a mystery, the little rascal having confessed all; +however, I had found a remedy for his indiscretion as for the +treachery of the Corticelli and Possano. + +I longed to return him to the keeping of his mother, who constantly +wrote me impertinent letters. I also wished to take my daughter, +who, according to her mother, had become a prodigy of grace and +beauty. + +After the oracular business had been settled, I returned to the +"Hotel du Parc" to dine with Marcoline. It was very late, and as I +could not take my sweetheart to the play I called on M. Bono to +enquire whether he had sent my brother to Paris. He told me that he +had gone the day before, and that my great enemy, Possano, was still +in Lyons, and that I would do well to be on my guard as far as he was +concerned. + +"I have seen him," said Bono; "he looks pale and undone, and seems +scarcely able to stand. 'I shall die before long,' said he, 'for +that scoundrel Casanova has had me poisoned; but I will make him pay +dearly for his crime, and in this very town of Lyons, where I know he +will come, sooner or later.' + +"In fact, in the course of half an hour, he made some terrible +accusations against you, speaking as if he were in a fury. He wants +all the world to know that you are the greatest villain unhung, that +you are ruining Madame d'Urfe with your impious lies; that you are a +sorcerer, a forger, an utter of false moneys, a poisoner--in short, +the worst of men. He does not intend to publish a libellous pamphlet +upon you, but to accuse you before the courts, alleging that he wants +reparation for the wrongs you have done his person, his honour, and +his life, for he says you are killing him by a slow poison. He adds +that for every article he possesses the strongest proof. + +"I will say nothing about the vague abuse he adds to these formal +accusations, but I have felt it my duty to warn you of his +treacherous designs that you may be able to defeat them. It's no +good saying he is a miserable wretch, and that you despise him; you +know how strong a thing calumny is." + +"Where does the fellow live?" + +"I don't know in the least." + +"How can I find out?" + +"I can't say, for if he is hiding himself on purpose it would be hard +to get at him." + +"Nevertheless, Lyons is not so vast a place." + +"Lyons is a perfect maze, and there is no better hiding-place, +especially to a man with money, and Possano has money." + +"But what can he do to me?" + +"He can institute proceedings against you in the criminal court, +which would cause you immense anxiety and bring down your good name +to the dust, even though you be the most innocent, the most just of +men." + +"It seems to me, then, that the best thing I can do will be to be +first in the field." + +"So I think, but even then you cannot avoid publicity." + +"Tell me frankly if you feel disposed to bear witness to what the +rascal has said in a court of justice." + +"I will tell all I know with perfect truth." + +"Be kind enough to tell me of a good advocate." + +"I will give you the address of one of the best; but reflect before +you do anything. The affair will make a noise." + +"As I don't know where he lives, I have really no choice in the +matter." + +If I had known where he lived I could have had Possano expelled from +Lyons through the influence of Madame d'Urfe, whose relative, M. de +la Rochebaron, was the governor; but as it was, I had no other course +than the one I took. + +Although Possano was a liar and an ungrateful, treacherous hound, yet +I could not help being uneasy. I went to my hotel, and proceeded to +ask for police protection against a man in hiding in Lyons, who had +designs against my life and honour. + +The next day M. Bono came to dissuade me from the course I had taken. + +"For," said he, "the police will begin to search for him, and as soon +as he hears of it he will take proceedings against you in the +criminal courts, and then your positions will be changed. It seems +to me that if you have no important business at Lyons you had better +hasten your departure." + +"Do you think I would do such a thing for a miserable fellow like +Possano? No! I would despise myself if I did. I would die rather +than hasten my departure on account of a rascal whom I loaded with +kindnesses, despite his unworthiness! I would give a hundred louis +to know where he is now." + +"I am delighted to say that I do not know anything about it, for if I +did I would tell you, and then God knows what would happen! You +won't go any sooner; well, then, begin proceedings, and I will give +my evidence by word of mouth or writing whenever you please." + +I went to the advocate whom M. Bono had recommended to me, and told +him my business. When he heard what I wanted he said,---- + +"I can do nothing for you, sir, as I have undertaken the case of your +opponent. You need not be alarmed, however, at having spoken to me, +for I assure you that I will make no use whatever of the information. +Possano's plea or accusation will not be drawn up till the day after +to-morrow, but I will not tell him to make baste for fear of your +anticipating him, as I have only been informed of your intentions by +hazard. However, you will find plenty of advocates at Lyons as +honest as I am, and more skilled." + +"Could you give me the name of one?" + +"That would not be etiquette, but M. Bono, who seems to have kindly +spoken of me with some esteem, will be able to serve you." + +"Can you tell me where your client lives?" + +"Since his chief aim is to remain hidden, and with good cause, you +will see that I could not think of doing such a thing." + +In bidding him farewell I put a louis on the table, and though I did +it with the utmost delicacy he ran after me and made me take it back. + +"For once in a way," I said to myself, "here's an honest advocate." + +As I walked along I thought of putting a spy on Possano and finding +out his abode, for I felt a strong desire to have him beaten to +death; but where was I to find a spy in a town of which I knew +nothing? M. Bono gave me the name of another advocate, and advised +me to make haste. + +"'Tis in criminal matters" said he, "and in such cases the first +comer always has the advantage." + +I asked him to find me a trusty fellow to track out the rascally +Possano, but the worthy man would not hear of it. He shewed me that +it would be dishonourable to set a spy on the actions of Possano's +advocate. I knew it myself; but what man is there who has not +yielded to the voice of vengeance, the most violent and least +reasonable of all the passions. + +I went to the second advocate, whom I found to be a man venerable not +only in years but in wisdom. I told him all the circumstances of the +affair, which he agreed to take up, saying he would present my plea +in the course of the day. + +"That's just what I want you to do," said I, "for his own advocate +told me that his pleas would be presented the day after to-morrow." + +"That, sir," said her "would not induce me to act with any greater +promptness, as I could not consent to your abusing the confidence of +my colleague." + +"But there is nothing dishonourable in making use of information +which one has acquired by chance." + +"That may be a tenable position in some cases, but in the present +instance the nature of the affair justifies prompt action. 'Prior in +tempore, Potior in jure'. Prudence bids us attack our enemy. Be so +kind, if you please, to call here at three o'clock in the afternoon." + +"I will not fail to do so, and in the meanwhile here are six louis." + +"I will keep account of my expenditure on your behalf." + +"I want you not to spare money." + +"Sir, I shall spend only what is absolutely necessary." + +I almost believed that probity had chosen a home for herself amongst +the Lyons advocates, and here I may say, to the honour of the French +bar, that I have never known a more honest body of men than the +advocates of France. + +At three o'clock, having seen that the plan was properly drawn up, I +went to Madame d'Urfe's, and for four hours I worked the oracle in a +manner that filled her with delight, and in spite of my vexation I +could not help laughing at her insane fancies on the subject of her +pregnancy. She was certain of it; she felt all the symptoms. Then +she said how sorry she felt that she would not be alive to laugh at +all the hypotheses of the Paris doctors as to her being delivered of +a child, which would be thought very extraordinary in a woman of her +age. + +When I got back to the inn I found Marcoline very melancholy. She +said she had been waiting for me to take her to the play, according +to my promise, and that I should not have made her wait in vain. + +"You are right, dearest, but an affair of importance has kept me with +the marchioness. Don't be put out." + +I had need of some such advice myself, for the legal affair worried +me, and I slept very ill. Early the next morning I saw my counsel, +who told me that my plea had been laid before the criminal +lieutenant. + +"For the present," said he, "there is nothing more to be done, for as +we don't know where he is we can't cite him to appear." + +"Could I not set the police on his track?" + +"You might, but I don't advise you to do so. Let us consider what +the result would be. The accuser finding himself accused would have +to defend himself and prove the accusation he has made against you. +But in the present state of things, if he does not put in an +appearance we will get judgment against him for contempt of court and +also for libel. Even his counsel will leave him in the lurch if he +persistently refuses to shew himself." + +This quieted my fears a little, and I spent the rest of the day with +Madame d'Urfe, who was going to Paris on the morrow. I promised to +be with her as soon as I had dealt with certain matters which +concerned the honour of the Fraternity R. C.. + +Her great maxim was always to respect my secrets, and never to +trouble me with her curiosity. Marcoline, who had been pining by +herself all day, breathed again when I told her that henceforth I +should be all for her. + +In the morning M. Bono came to me and begged me to go with him to +Possano's counsel, who wanted to speak to me. The advocate said that +his client was a sort of madman who was ready to do anything, as he +believed himself to be dying from the effects of a slow poison. + +"He says that even if you are first in the field he will have you +condemned to death. He says he doesn't care if he is sent to prison, +as he is certain of coming out in triumph as he has the proof of all +his accusations. He shews twenty-five louis which you gave him, all +of which are clipped, and he exhibits documents dated from Genoa +stating that you clipped a number of gold pieces, which were melted +by M. Grimaldi in order that the police might not find them in your +possession. He has even a letter from your brother, the abbe, +deposing against you. He is a madman, a victim to syphilis, who +wishes to send you to the other world before himself, if he can. Now +my advice to you is to give him some money and get rid of him. He +tells me that he is the father of a family, and that if M. Bono would +give him a thousand louis he would sacrifice vengeance to necessity. +He told me to speak to M. Bono about it; and now, sir what do you +say?" + +"That which my just indignation inspires me to say regarding a rascal +whom I rescued from poverty, and who nevertheless pursues me with +atrocious calumnies; he shall not have one single farthing of mine." + +I then told the Genoa story, putting things in their true light, and +adding that I could call M. Grimaldi as a witness if necessary. + +"I have delayed presenting the plea," said the counsel, "to see if +the scandal could be hushed up in any way, but I warn you that I +shall now present it." + +"Do so; I shall be greatly obliged to you." + +I immediately called on my advocate, and told him of the rascal's +proposal; and he said I was quite right to refuse to have any +dealings with such a fellow. He added that as I had M. Bono as a +witness I ought to make Possano's advocate present his plea, and I +authorized him to take proceedings in my name. + +A clerk was immediately sent to the criminal lieutenant, praying him +to command the advocate to bring before him, in three days, the plea +of one Anami, alias Pogomas, alias Possano, the said plea being +against Jacques Casanova, commonly called the Chevalier de Seingalt. +This document, to which I affixed my signature, was laid before the +criminal lieutenant. + +I did not care for the three days' delay, but my counsel told me it +was always given, and that I must make up my mind to submit to all +the vexation I should be obliged to undergo, even if we were wholly +successful. + +As Madame d'Urfe had taken her departure in conformity with the +orders of Paralis, I dined with Marcoline at the inn, and tried to +raise my spirits by all the means in my power. I took my mistress to +the best milliners and dressmakers in the town, and bought her +everything she took a fancy to; and then we went to the theatre, +where she must have been pleased to see all eyes fixed on her. +Madame Pernon, who was in the next box to ours, made me introduce +Marcoline to her; and from the way they embraced each other when the +play was over I saw they were likely to become intimate, the only +obstacle to their friendship being that Madame Pernon did not know a +word of Italian, and that Marcoline did not dare to speak a word of +French for fear of making herself ridiculous. When we got back to +the inn, Marcoline told me that her new friend had given her the +Florentine kiss: this is the shibboleth of the sect. + +The pretty nick-nacks I had given her had made her happy; her ardour +was redoubled, and the night passed joyously. + +I spent the next day in going from shop to shop, making fresh +purchases for Marcoline, and we supped merrily at Madame Pernon's. + +The day after, M. Bono came to see me at an early hour with a smile +of content on his face. + +"Let us go and breakfast at a coffee-house," said he; "we will have +some discussion together." + +When we were breakfasting he shewed me a letter written by Possano, +in which the rascal said that he was ready to abandon proceedings +provided that M. de Seingalt gave him a hundred louis, on receipt of +which he promised to leave Lyons immediately. + +"I should be a great fool," said I, "if I gave the knave more money +to escape from the hands of justice. Let him go if he likes, I won't +prevent him; but he had better not expect me to give him anything. +He will have a writ out against him to-morrow. I should like to see +him branded by the hangman. He has slandered me, his benefactor, too +grievously; let him prove what he says, or be dishonoured before all +men." + +"His abandoning the proceedings," said M. Bono, "would in my opinion +amount to the same thing as his failing to prove his charges, and you +would do well to prefer it to a trial which would do your reputation +no good, even if you were completely successful. And the hundred +louis is nothing in comparison with the costs of such a trial." + +"M. Bono, I value your advice very highly, and still more highly the +kindly feelings which prompt you, but you must allow me to follow my +own opinion in this case." + +I went to my counsel and told him of the fresh proposal that Possano +had made, and of my refusal to listen to it, begging him to take +measures for the arrest of the villain who had vowed my death. + +The same evening I had Madame Pernon and M. Bono, who was her lover, +to sup with me; and as the latter had a good knowledge of Italian +Marcoline was able to take part in the merriment of the company. + +The next day Bono wrote to tell me that Possano had left Lyons never +to return, and that he had signed a full and satisfactory retraction. +I was not surprised to hear of his flight, but the other circumstance +I could not understand. I therefore hastened to call on Bono, who +showed me the document, which was certainly plain enough. + +"Will that do?" said he. + +"So well that I forgive him, but I wonder he did not insist on the +hundred Louis." + +"My dear sir, I gave him the money with pleasure, to prevent a +scandalous affair which would have done us all harm in becoming +public. If I had told you nothing, you couldn't have taken any steps +in the matter, and I felt myself obliged to repair the mischief I had +done in this way. You would have known nothing about it, if you had +said that you were not satisfied. I am only too glad to have been +enabled to skew my friendship by this trifling service. We will say +no more about it." + +"Very good," said I, embracing him, "we will say no more, but please +to receive the assurance of my gratitude." + +I confess I felt much relieved at being freed from this troublesome +business. + + + + +End of this Project Gutenberg Etext of MEMOIRES OF JACQUES CASANOVA +IN LONDON AND MOSCOW, Vol. 5a, SOUTH OF FRANCE +by Jacques Casanova de Seingalt + diff --git a/old/jcsfr11.zip b/old/jcsfr11.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..35ea1ca --- /dev/null +++ b/old/jcsfr11.zip |