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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/2972.txt b/2972.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..71ddce9 --- /dev/null +++ b/2972.txt @@ -0,0 +1,5818 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of In London And Moscow: To London +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: To London + The Memoirs Of Jacques Casanova De Seingalt 1725-1798 + +Author: Jacques Casanova de Seingalt + +Release Date: October 31, 2006 [EBook #2972] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK IN LONDON AND MOSCOW: TO LONDON *** + + + + +Produced by David Widger + + + + + +MEMOIRS OF JACQUES CASANOVA de SEINGALT 1725-1798 + +IN LONDON AND MOSCOW, Volume 5b--TO LONDON +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. + + + + +TO LONDON + + + + +CHAPTER V + +I Meet the Venetian Ambassadors at Lyons, and also Marcoline's Uncle--I +Part from Marcoline and Set Out for Paris--An Amorous Journey + +Thus freed from the cares which the dreadful slanders of Possano had +caused me, I gave myself up to the enjoyment of my fair Venetian, doing +all in my power to increase her happiness, as if I had had a premonition +that we should soon be separated from one another. + +The day after the supper I gave to Madame Pernon and M. Bono, we went to +the theatre together, and in the box opposite to us I saw M. Querini, the +procurator, Morosini, M. Memmo, and Count Stratico, a Professor of the +University of Padua. I knew all these gentlemen; they had been in London, +and were passing through Lyons on their return to Venice. + +"Farewell, fair Marcoline!" I said to myself, feeling quite +broken-hearted, but I remained calm, and said nothing to her. She did not +notice them as she was absorbed in her conversation with M. Bono, and +besides, she did not know them by sight. I saw that M. Memmo had seen me +and was telling the procurator of my presence, and as I knew the latter +very well I felt bound to pay them my respects then and there. + +Querini received me very politely for a devotee, as also did Morosini, +while Memmo seemed moved; but no doubt he remembered that it was chiefly +due to his mother that I had been imprisoned eight years ago. I +congratulated the gentlemen on their embassy to England, on their return +to their native land, and for form's sake commended myself to their good +offices to enable me to return also. M. Morosini, noticing the richness +of my dress and my general appearance of prosperity, said that while I +had to stay away he had to return, and that he considered me the luckier +man. + +"Your excellency is well aware," said I, "that nothing is sweeter than +forbidden fruit." + +He smiled, and asked me whither I went and whence I came. + +"I come from Rome," I answered, "where I had some converse with the Holy +Father, whom I knew before, and I am going through Paris on my way to +London. + +"Call on me here, if you have time, I have a little commission to give +you." + +"I shall always have time to serve your excellency in. Are you stopping +here for long?" + +"Three or four days." + +When I 'got back to my box Marcoline asked me who were the gentlemen to +whom I had been speaking. I answered coolly and indifferently, but +watching her as I spoke, that they were the Venetian ambassadors on their +way from London. The flush of her cheek died away and was replaced by +pallor; she raised her eyes to heaven, lowered them, and said not a word. +My heart was broken. A few minutes afterwards she asked me which was M. +Querini, and after I had pointed him out to her she watched him furtively +for the rest of the evening. + +The curtain fell, we left our box, and at the door of the theatre we +found the ambassadors waiting for their carriage. Mine was in the same +line as theirs. The ambassador Querini said,-- + +"You have a very pretty young lady with you." + +Marcoline stepped forward, seized his hand, and kissed it before I could +answer. + +Querini, who was greatly astonished, thanked her and said,-- + +"What have I done to deserve this honour?" + +"Because," said Marcoline, speaking in the Venetian dialect, "I have the +honour of knowing his excellency M. Querini." + +"What are you doing with M. Casanova?" + +"He is my uncle." + +My carriage came up. I made a profound bow to the ambassadors, and called +out to the coachman, "To the 'Hotel du Parc'." It was the best hotel in +Lyons, and I was not sorry for the Venetians to hear where I was staying. + +Marcoline was in despair, for she saw that the time for parting was near +at hand. + +"We have three or four days before us," said I, "in which we can contrive +how to communicate with your uncle Mattio. I must commend you highly for +kissing M. Querini's hand. That was a masterstroke indeed. All will go +off well; but I hope you will be merry, for sadness I abhor." + +We were still at table when I heard the voice of M. Memmo in the +ante-chamber; he was a young man, intelligent and good-natured. I warned +Marcoline not to say a word about our private affairs, but to display a +moderate gaiety. The servant announced the young nobleman, and we rose to +welcome him; but he made us sit down again, and sat beside us, and drank +a glass of wine with the utmost cordiality. He told me how he had been +supping with the old devotee Querini, who had had his hand kissed by a +young and fair Venetian. The ambassadors were much amused at the +circumstance, and Querini himself, in spite of his scrupulous conscience, +was greatly flattered. + +"May I ask you, mademoiselle," he added, "how you came to know M. +Querini?" + +"It's a mystery, sir." + +"A mystery, is it? What fun we shall have tomorrow! I have come," he +said, addressing himself to me, "to ask you to dine with us to-morrow, +and you must bring your charming niece." + +"Would you like to go, Marcoline?" + +"'Con grandissimo piacere'! We shall speak Venetian, shall we not?" + +"Certainly." + +"'E viva'! I cannot learn French." + +"M. Querini is in the same position," said M. Memmo. + +After half an hour's agreeable conversation he left us, and Marcoline +embraced me with delight at having made such a good impression on these +gentlemen. + +"Put on your best dress to-morrow," said I, "and do not forget your +jewels. Be agreeable to everybody, but pretend not to see your Uncle +Mattio, who will be sure to wait at table." + +"You may be sure I shall follow your advice to the letter." + +"And I mean to make the recognition a scene worthy of the drama. I intend +that you shall be taken back to Venice by M. Querini himself, while your +uncle will take care of you by his special orders." + +"I shall be delighted with this arrangement, provided it succeeds." + +"You may trust to me for that." + +At nine o'clock the next day I called on Morosini concerning the +commissions he had for me. He gave me a little box and a letter for Lady +Harrington, and another letter with the words,-- + +"The Procurator Morosini is very sorry not to have been able to take a +last leave of Mdlle. Charpillon." + +"Where shall I find her?" + +"I really don't know. If you find her, give her the letter; if not, it +doesn't matter. That's a dazzling beauty you have with you, Casanova." + +"Well, she has dazzled me." + +"But how did she know Querini?" + +"She has seen him at Venice, but she has never spoken to him." + +"I thought so; we have been laughing over it, but Querini is hugely +pleased. But how did you get hold of her? She must be very young, as +Memmo says she cannot speak French." + +"It would be a long story to tell, and after all we met through a mere +chance." + +"She is not your niece." + +"Nay, she is more--she is my queen." + +"You will have to teach her French, as when you get to London." + +"I am not going to take her there; she wants to return to Venice." + +"I pity you if you are in love with her! I hope she will dine with us?" + +"Oh, yes! she is delighted with the honour." + +"And we are delighted to have our poor repast animated by such a charming +person." + +"You will find her worthy of your company; she is full of wit." + +When I got back to the inn I told Marcoline that if anything was said at +dinner about her return to Venice, she was to reply that no one could +make her return except M. Querini, but that if she could have his +protection she would gladly go back with him. + +"I will draw you out of the difficulty," said I; and she promised to +carry out my instructions. + +Marcoline followed my advice with regard to her toilette, and looked +brilliant in all respects; and I, wishing to shine in the eyes of the +proud Venetian nobles, had dressed myself with the utmost richness. I +wore a suit of grey velvet, trimmed with gold and silver lace; my point +lace shirt was worth at least fifty louis; and my diamonds, my watches, +my chains, my sword of the finest English steel, my snuff-box set with +brilliants, my cross set with diamonds, my buckles set with the same +stones, were altogether worth more than fifty thousand crowns. This +ostentation, though puerile in itself, yet had a purpose, for I wished M. +de Bragadin to know that I did not cut a bad figure in the world; and I +wished the proud magistrates who had made me quit my native land to learn +that I had lost nothing, and could laugh at their severity. + +In this gorgeous style we drove to the ambassador's dinner at half-past +one. + +All present were Venetians, and they welcomed Marcoline enthusiastically. +She who was born with the instinct of good manners behaved with the grace +of a nymph and the dignity of a French princess; and as soon as she was +seated between two grave and reverend signors, she began by saying that +she was delighted to find herself the only representative of her sex in +this distinguished company, and also that there were no Frenchmen +present. + +"Then you don't like the French," said M. Memmo. + +"I like them well enough so far as I know them, but I am only acquainted +with their exterior, as I don't speak or understand the language." + +After this everybody knew how to take her, and the gaiety became general. + +She answered all questions to the point, and entertained the company with +her remarks on French manners, so different to Venetian customs. + +In the course of dinner M. Querini asked how she had known him, and she +replied that she had often seen him at Divine service, whereat the +devotee seemed greatly flattered. M. Morosini, pretending not to know +that she was to return to Venice, told her that unless she made haste to +acquire French, the universal language, she would find London very +tedious, as the Italian language was very little known there. + +"I hope," she replied, "that M. de Seingalt will not bring me into the +society of people with whom I cannot exchange ideas. I know I shall never +be able to learn French." + +When we had left the table the ambassadors begged me to tell the story of +my escape from The Leads, and I was glad to oblige them. My story lasted +for two whole hours; and as it was noticed that Marcoline's eyes became +wet with tears when I came to speak of my great danger. She was rallied +upon the circumstance, and told that nieces were not usually so +emotional. + +"That may be, gentlemen," she replied, "though I do not see why a niece +should not love her uncle. But I have never loved anyone else but the +hero of the tale, and I cannot see what difference there can be between +one kind of love and another." + +"There are five kinds of love known to man," said M. Querini. "The love +of one's neighbour, the love of God, which is beyond compare, the highest +of all, love matrimonial, the love of house and home, and the love of +self, which ought to come last of all, though many place it in the first +rank." + +The nobleman commented briefly on these diverse kinds of love, but when +he came to the love of God he began to soar, and I was greatly astonished +to see Marcoline shedding tears, which she wiped away hastily as if to +hide them from the sight of the worthy old man whom wine had made more +theological than usual. Feigning to be enthusiastic, Marcoline took his +hand and kissed it, while he in his vain exaltation drew her towards him +and kissed her on the brow, saying, "Poveretta, you are an angel!" + +At this incident, in which there was more love of our neighbour than love +of God, we all bit our lips to prevent ourselves bursting out laughing, +and the sly little puss pretended to be extremely moved. + +I never knew Marcoline's capacities till then, for she confessed that her +emotion was wholly fictitious, and designed to win the old man's good +graces; and that if she had followed her own inclinations she would have +laughed heartily. She was designed to act a part either upon the stage or +on a throne. Chance had ordained that she should be born of the people, +and her education had been neglected; but if she had been properly +tutored she would have been fit for anything. + +Before returning home we were warmly invited to dinner the next day. + +As we wanted to be together, we did not go to the theatre that day and +when we got home I did not wait for Marcoline to undress to cover her +with kisses. + +"Dear heart," said I, "you have not shewn me all your perfections till +now, when we are about to part; you make me regret you are going back to +Venice. Today you won all hearts." + +"Keep me then, with you, and I will ever be as I have been to-day. By the +way, did you see my uncle?" + +"I think so. Was it not he who was in continual attendance?" + +"Yes. I recognized him by his ring. Did he look, at me?" + +"All the time, and with an air of the greatest astonishment. I avoided +catching his eye, which roved from you to me continually." + +"I should like to know what the good man thinks! You will see him again +to-morrow. I am sure he will have told M. Querini that, I am his niece, +and consequently not yours. + +"I expect so, too." + +"And if M. Querini says as much to me to-morrow, I, expect I shall have +to, admit the fact. What do you think?" + +"You must undoubtedly tell him the truth, but frankly and openly, and so +as not to let him think that you have need of him to return to Venice. He +is not your father, and has no right over your liberty." + +"Certainly not." + +"Very good. You must also agree that I am not your uncle, and that the +bond between us is, of the most tender description. Will, there be any +difficulty is that?" + +"How can you ask me such a question? The link between us makes me feel +proud, and will ever do so." + +"Well, well, I say no more. I trust entirely in your tact. Remember that +Querini and no other must take you back to Venice; he must treat you as +if you were his daughter. If he will not consent, you shall not return at +all." + +"Would to God it were so!" + +Early the next morning I got a note from M. Querini requesting me to call +on him, as he wanted to speak to me on a matter of importance. + +"We are getting on," said Marcoline. "I am very glad that things have +taken this turn, for when you come back you can tell me the whole story, +and I can regulate my conduct accordingly." + +I found Querini and Morosini together. They gave me their hands when I +came in, and Querini asked me to sit down, saying that there would be +nothing in our discussion which M. Morosini might not hear. + +"I have a confidence to make to you, M. Casanova," he began; "but first I +want you to do me the same favor." + +"I can have no secrets from your excellency." + +"I am obliged to you, and will try to deserve your good opinion. I beg +that you will tell me sincerely whether you know the young person who is +with you, for no one believes that she is your niece." + +"It is true that she is--not my niece, but not being acquainted with her +relations or family I cannot be said to know her in the sense which your +excellency gives to the word. Nevertheless, I am proud to confess that I +love her with an affection which will not end save with my life." + +"I am delighted to hear you say so. How long have you had her?" + +"Nearly two months." + +"Very good! How did she fall into your hands?" + +"That is a point which only concerns her, and you will allow me not to +answer that question." + +"Good! we will go on. Though you are in love with her, it is very +possible that you have never made any enquiries respecting her family." + +"She has told me that she has a father and a mother, poor but honest, but +I confess I have never been curious enough to enquire her name. I only +know her baptismal name, which is possibly not her true one, but it does +quite well for me." + +"She has given you her true name." + +"Your excellency surprises me! You know her, then?" + +"Yes; I did not know her yesterday, but I do now. Two months . . . +Marcoline . . . yes, it must be she. I am now certain that my man is not +mad." + +"Your man?" + +"Yes, she is his niece. When we were at London he heard that she had left +the paternal roof about the middle of Lent. Marcoline's mother, who is +his sister, wrote to him. He was afraid to speak to her yesterday, +because she looked so grand. He even thought he must be mistaken, and he +would have been afraid of offending me by speaking to a grand lady at my +table. She must have seen him, too." + +"I don't think so, she has said nothing about it to me." + +"It is true that he was standing behind her all the time. But let us come +to the point. Is Marcoline your wife, or have you any intention of +marrying her?" + +"I love her as tenderly as any man can love a woman, but I cannot make +her a wife; the reasons are known only to herself and me." + +"I respect your secret; but tell me if you would object to my begging her +to return to Venice with her uncle?" + +"I think Marcoline is happy, but if she has succeeded in gaining the +favour of your excellency, she is happier still; and I feel sure that if +she were to go back to Venice under the exalted patronage of your +excellency, she would efface all stains on her reputation. As to +permitting her to go, I can put no stumbling-block in the way, for I am +not her master. As her lover I would defend her to the last drop of my +blood, but if she wants to leave me I can only assent, though with +sorrow." + +"You speak with much sense, and I hope you will not be displeased at my +undertaking this good work. Of course I shall do nothing without your +consent." + +"I respect the decrees of fate when they are promulgated by such a man as +you. If your excellency can induce Marcoline to leave me, I will make no +objection; but I warn you that she must be won mildly. She is +intelligent, she loves me, and she knows that she is independent; besides +she reckons on me, and she has cause to do so. Speak to her to-day by +herself; my presence would only be in your way. Wait till dinner is over; +the interview might last some time." + +"My dear Casanova, you are an honest man. I am delighted to have made +your acquaintance." + +"You do me too much honour. I may say that Marcoline will hear nothing of +all this." + +When I got back to the inn, I gave Marcoline an exact account of the +whole conversation, warning her that she would be supposed to know +nothing about it. + +"You must execute a masterly stroke, dearest," said I, "to persuade M. +Querini that I did not lie in saying that you had not seen your uncle. As +soon as you see him, you must give a shout of surprise, exclaim, 'My dear +uncle!' and rush to his arms. This would be a splendid and dramatic +situation, which would do you honour in the eyes of all the company." + +"You may be sure that I shall play the part very well, although my heart +be sad." + +At the time appointed we waited on the ambassadors, and found that all +the other guests had assembled. Marcoline, as blithe and smiling as +before, first accosted M. Querini, and then did the polite to all the +company. A few minutes before dinner Mattio brought in his master's +spectacles on a silver tray. Marcoline, who was sitting next to M. +Querini, stopped short in something she was saying, and staring at the +man, exclaimed in a questioning voice,-- + +"My uncle?" + +"Yes, my dear niece." + +Marcoline flung herself into his arms, and there was a moving scene, +which excited the admiration of all. + +"I knew you had left Venice, dear uncle, but I did not know you were in +his excellency's service. I am so glad to see you again! You will tell my +father and mother about me? You see I am happy. Where were you +yesterday?" + +"Here." + +"And you didn't see me?" + +"Yes; but your uncle there . . ." + +"Well," said I, laughing, "let us know each other, cousin, and be good +friends. Marcoline, I congratulate you on having such an honest man for +an uncle." + +"That is really very fine," said M. Querini; and everybody exclaimed, +"Very affecting, very affecting indeed!" + +The newly-found uncle departed, and we sat down to dinner, but in spirits +which differed from those of yesterday. Marcoline bore traces of those +mingled emotions of happiness and regret which move loyal hearts when +they call to mind ther native land. M. Querini looked at her admiringly, +and seemed to have all the confidence of success which a good action +gives to the mind. M. Morosini sat a pleased spectator. The others were +attentive and curious as to what would come next. They listened to what +was said, and hung on Marcoline's lips. + +After the first course there was greater unison in the company, and M. +Morosini told Marcoline that if she would return to Venice she would be +sure of finding a husband worthy of her. + +"I must be the judge of that," said she. + +"Yes, but it is a good thing to have recourse to the advice of discreet +persons who are interested in the happiness of both parties." + +"Excuse me, but I do not think so. If I ever marry, my husband will have +to please me first." + +"Who has taught you this maxim?" said Querini. + +"My uncle, Casanova, who has, I verily believe, taught me everything that +can be learnt in the two months I have been happy enough to live with +him." + +"I congratulate the master and the pupil, but you are both too young to +have learnt all the range of science. Moral science cannot be learnt in +two months." + +"What his excellency has just said," said I, turning to Marcoline, "is +perfectly correct. In affairs of marriage both parties should rely to a +great extent on the advice of friends, for mere marriages of inclination +are often unhappy." + +"That is a really philosophical remark, my dear Marcoline," said Querini; +"but tell me the qualities which in your opinion are desirable in a +husband." + +"I should be puzzled to name them, but they would all become manifest in +the man that pleased me." + +"And supposing he were a worthless fellow?" + +"He would certainly not please me, and that's the reason why I have made +up my mind never to marry a man whom I have not studied." + +"Supposing you made a mistake?" + +"Then I would weep in secret." + +"How if you were poor?" + +"She need never fear poverty, my lord," said I. "She has an income of +fifty crowns a month for the remainder of her life." + +"Oh, that's a different matter. If that is so, sweetheart, you are +privileged. You will be able to live at Venice in perfect independence." + +"I think that to live honourably there I only need the protection of a +lord like your excellency." + +"As to that, Marcoline, I give you my word that I will do all in my power +for you if you come to Venice. But let me ask you one question, how are +you sure of your income of fifty crowns a month? You are laughing." + +"I laugh because I am such a silly little thing. I don't have any heed +for my own business. My friend there will tell you all about it." + +"You have not been joking, have you?" said the worthy old man to me. + +"Marcoline," said I, "has not only capital which will produce a larger +sum than that which I have named, but she has also valuable possessions. +Your excellency will note her wisdom in saying that she would need your +lordship's protection at Venice, for she will require someone to look +after the investment of her capital. The whole amount is in my hands, and +if she likes Marcoline can have it all in less than two hours." + +"Very good; then you must start for Venice the day after to-morrow. +Mattio is quite ready to receive you." + +"I have the greatest respect and love for my uncle, but it is not to his +care that your excellency must commend me if I resolve to go." + +"Then to whom?" + +"To your own care, my lord. Your excellency has called me dear daughter +two or three times, lead me, then, to Venice, like a good father, and I +will come willingly; otherwise I protest I will not leave the man to whom +I owe all I have. I will start for London with him the day after +to-morrow." + +At these words which delighted me silence fell on all. They waited for M. +Querini to speak, and the general opinion seemed to be that he had gone +too far to be able to draw back. Nevertheless, the old man kept silence; +perhaps in his character of devotee he was afraid of being led into +temptation, or of giving occasion to scandal, and the other guests were +silent like him, and ate to keep each other in countenance. Mattio's hand +trembled as he waited; Marcoline alone was calm and collected. Dessert +was served, and still no one dared to say a word. All at once this +wonderful girl said, in an inspired voice, as if speaking to herself,-- + +"We must adore the decrees of Divine Providence, but after the issue, +since mortals are not able to discern the future, whether it be good or +whether it be evil." + +"What does that reflection relate to, my dear daughter?" said M. Querini, +"and why do you kiss my hand now?" + +"I kiss your hand because you have called me your dear daughter for the +fourth time." + +This judicious remark elicited a smile of approval from all, and restored +the general gaiety; but M. Querini asked Marcoline to explain her +observation on Providence. + +"It was an inspiration, and the result of self-examination. I am well; I +have learned something of life; I am only seventeen, and in the course of +two months I have become rich by honest means. I am all happy, and yet I +owe my happiness to the greatest error a maiden can commit. Thus I humble +myself before the decrees, of Providence and adore its wisdom." + +"You are right, but, none the less you ought to repent of what you have +done." + +"That's where I am puzzled; for before I can repent; I must think of it, +and when I think of it I find nothing for which to repent. I suppose I +shall have to consult some great theologian on the point." + +"That will not be necessary; you are, intelligent, and your heart is +good, and I will give you the necessary instruction on the way. When one +repents there is no need to think of the pleasure which our sins have +given us." + +In his character of apostle the good M. Querini was becoming piously +amorous of his fair proselyte. He left the table for a few moments, and +when he returned he, told Marcoline that if he had a young lady to take +to, Venice he should be obliged to leave her in the care of his +housekeeper, Dame Veneranda, in whom he had every confidence. + +"I have just been speaking to her; and if you would like to come, all is +arranged. You shall sleep with her, and dine with us till we get to +Venice, and then I will deliver, you into your mother's keeping, in the +presence of your uncle. What do you say?" + +"I will come with pleasure:" + +"Come and see Dame Veneranda." + +"Willingly." + +"Come with us, Casanova." + +Dame Veneranda looked a perfect cannoness, and I did not think that +Marcoline would fall, in love with her, but she seemed sensible and +trustworthy. M. Querini told her in our presence what he had just told +Marcoline, and the duenna assured him that she would take, the utmost +care of the young lady. Marcoline kissed her and called her mother, thus +gaining the old lady's, good graces. We rejoined, the company, who +expressed to Marcoline their intense pleasure at having her for a +companion on their journey. + +"I shall have to put my steward in another carriage," said M. Querini, +"as the calash only holds two." + +"That will not be necessary," I remarked, "for Marcoline has her +carriage, and Mistress Veneranda will find it a very comfortable one. It +will hold her luggage as well." + +"You, want to give me your carriage," said Marcoline. "You are too good +to me." + +I could made no reply, my emotion was so great. I turned aside and wiped, +away my tears. Returning to the company, I found that Marcoline had +vanished and M. Morosini, who, was also much affected told me she had +gome, to speak to Mistress Veneranda. Everybody was melancholy, and +seeing that I was the cause I began to talk about England, where I hoped +to make my fortune with a project of mine, the success of which only +depended on Lord Egremont. M. de Morosini said he would give me a letter +for Lord Egremont and another for M. Zuccata, the Venetian ambassador. + +"Are you not afraid," said M. Querini, "of getting into, trouble with the +State Inquisitors for recommending M. Casanova?" + +Morosini replied coldly that as the Inquisitors had, not told him for +what crime I was condemned, he did not feel himself bound to share their +judgment. Old Querini, who was extremely particular, shook his head and +said nothing. + +Just then Marcoline came back to the room, and everybody could see that +she had been weeping. I confess that this mark of her affection was as +pleasing to my vanity as to my love; but such is man, and such, +doubtless, is the reader who may be censuring my conduct. This charming +girl, who still, after all these years, dwells in my old heart, asked me +to take her back to the inn, as she wanted to pack up her trunks. We left +directly, after having promised to come to dinner on the following day. + +I wept bitterly when I got to my room. I told Clairmont to see that the +carriage was in good order, and then, hastily undressing, I flung myself +on the bed in my dressing-gown, and wept as if some blessing was being +taken from me against my will. Marcoline, who was much more sensible, did +what she could to console me, but I liked to torment myself, and her +words did but increase my despair. + +"Reflect," said she, "that it is not I who am leaving you, but you who +are sending me away; that I long to spend the rest of my days with you, +and that you have only got to say a word to keep me." + +I knew that she was right; but still a fatal fear which has always swayed +me, the fear of being bound to anyone, and the hypocrisy of a libertine +ever longing for change, both these feelings made me persist in my +resolution and my sadness. + +About six o'clock MM. Morosini and Querini came into the courtyard and +looked at the carriage, which was being inspected by the wheelwright. +They spoke to Clairmont, and then came to see us. + +"Good heavens!" said M. Querini, seeing the numerous boxes which she was +going to place on her carriage; and when he had heard that her carriage +was the one he had just looked at, he seemed surprised; it was indeed a +very good vehicle. + +M. Morosini told Marcoline that if she liked to sell it when she got to +Venice he would give her a thousand Venetian ducats, or three thousand +francs for it. + +"You might give her double that amount," said I, "for it is worth three +thousand ducats." + +"We will arrange all that," said he; and Querini added,-- + +"It will be a considerable addition to the capital she proposes to +invest." + +After some agreeable conversation I told M. Querini that I would give him +a bill of exchange for five thousand ducats, which, with the three or +four thousand ducats the sale of her jewellery would realize, and the +thousand for the carriage, would give her a capital of nine or ten +thousand ducats, the interest of which would bring her in a handsome +income. + +Next morning I got M. Bono to give me a bill of exchange on M. Querini's +order, and at dinner-time Marcoline handed it over to her new protector, +who wrote her a formal receipt. M. Morosini gave me the letters he had +promised, and their departure was fixed for eleven o'clock the next day. +The reader may imagine that our dinner-party was not over gay. Marcoline +was depressed, I as gloomy as a splenetic Englishman, and between us we +made the feast more like a funeral than a meeting of friends. + +I will not attempt to describe the night I passed with my charmer. She +asked me again and again how I could be my own executioner; but I could +not answer, for I did not know. But how often have I done things which +caused me pain, but to which I was impelled by some occult force it was +my whim not to resist. + +In the morning, when I had put on my boots and spurs, and told Clairmont +not to be uneasy if I did not return that night, Marcoline and I drove to +the ambassadors' residence. We breakfasted together, silently enough, for +Marcoline had tears in her eyes, and everyone knowing my noble conduct +towards her respected her natural grief. After breakfast we set out, I +sitting in the forepart of the carriage, facing Marcoline and Dame +Veneranda, who would have made me laugh under any other circumstances, +her astonishment at finding herself in a more gorgeous carriage than the +ambassador's was so great. She expatiated on the elegance and comfort of +the equipage, and amused us by saying that her master was quite right in +saying that the people would take her for the ambassadress. But in spite +of this piece of comedy, Marcoline and I were sad all the way. M. +Querini, who did not like night travelling, made us stop at +Pont-Boivoisin, at nine o'clock, and after a bad supper everyone went to +bed to be ready to start at daybreak. Marcoline was to sleep with +Veneranda, so I accompanied her, and the worthy old woman went to bed +without any ceremony, lying so close to the wall that there was room for +two more; but after Marcoline had got into bed I sat down on a chair, and +placing my head beside hers on the pillow we mingled our sobs and tears +all night. + +When Veneranda, who had slept soundly, awoke, she was much astonished to +see me still in the same position. She was a great devotee, but women's +piety easily gives place to pity, and she had moved to the furthest +extremity of the bed with the intention of giving me another night of +love. But my melancholy prevented my profiting by her kindness. + +I had ordered a saddle horse to be ready for me in the morning. We took a +hasty cup of coffee and bade each other mutual farewells. I placed +Marcoline in the carriage, gave her a last embrace, and waited for the +crack of the postillion's whip to gallop back to Lyons. I tore along like +a madman, for I felt as if I should like to send the horse to the ground +and kill myself. But death never comes to him that desires it, save in +the fable of the worthy Lafontaine. In six hours I had accomplished the +eighteen leagues between Pont-Boivoisin and Lyons, only stopping to +change horses. I tore off my clothes and threw myself on the bed, where +thirty hours before I had enjoyed all the delights of love. I hoped that +the bliss I had lost would return to me in my dreams. However, I slept +profoundly, and did not wake till eight o'clock. I had been asleep about +nineteen hours. + +I rang for Clairmont, and told him to bring up my breakfast, which I +devoured eagerly. When my stomach was restored in this manner I fell +asleep again, and did not get up till the next morning, feeling quite +well, and as if I could support life a little longer. + +Three days after Marcoline's departure I bought a comfortable two-wheeled +carriage with patent springs, and sent my trunks to Paris by the +diligence. I kept a portmanteau containing the merest necessaries, for I +meant to travel in a dressing-gown and night-cap, and keep to myself all +the way to Paris. I intended this as a sort of homage to Marcoline, but I +reckoned without my host. + +I was putting my jewellery together in a casket when Clairmont announced +a tradesman and his daughter, a pretty girl whom I had remarked at +dinner, for since the departure of my fair Venetian I had dined at the +table-d'hote by way of distraction. + +I shut up my jewels and asked them to come in, and the father addressed +me politely, saying,-- + +"Sir, I have come to ask you to do me a favour which will cost you but +little, while it will be of immense service to my daughter and myself." + +"What can I do for you? I am leaving Lyons at day-break to-morrow." + +"I know it, for you said so at dinner; but we shall be ready at any hour. +Be kind enough to give my daughter a seat in your carriage. I will, of +course, pay for a third horse, and will ride post." + +"You cannot have seen the carriage." + +"Excuse me, I have done so. It is, I know, only meant for one, but she +could easily squeeze into it. I know I am troubling you, but if you were +aware of the convenience it would be to me I am sure you would not +refuse. All the places in the diligence are taken up to next week, and if +I don't get to Paris in six days I might as well stay away altogether. If +I were a rich man I would post, but that would cost four hundred francs, +and I cannot afford to spend so much. The only course open to me is to +leave by the diligence tomorrow, and to have myself and my daughter bound +to the roof. You see, sir, the idea makes her weep, and I don't like it +much better myself." + +I looked attentively at the girl, and found her too pretty for me to keep +within bounds if I travelled alone with her. I was sad, and the torment I +had endured in parting from Marcoline had made me resolve to avoid all +occasions which might have similar results. I thought this resolve +necessary for my peace of mind. + +"This girl," I said to myself, "may be so charming that I should fall in +love with her if I yield to the father's request, and I do not wish for +any such result." + +I turned to the father and said,-- + +"I sympathize with you sincerely; but I really don't see what I can do +for you without causing myself the greatest inconvenience." + +"Perhaps you think that I shall not be able to ride so many posts in +succession, but you needn't be afraid on that score:" + +"The horse might give in; you might have a fall, and I know that I should +feel obliged to stop, and I am in a hurry. If that reason does not strike +you as a cogent one, I am sorry, for to me it appears unanswerable." + +"Let us run the risk, sir, at all events." + +"There is a still greater risk of which I can tell you nothing. In brief, +sir, you ask what is impossible." + +"In Heaven's name, sir," said the girl, with a voice and a look that +would have pierced a heart of stone, "rescue me from that dreadful +journey on the roof of the diligence! The very idea makes me shudder; I +should be afraid of falling off all the way; besides, there is something +mean in travelling that way. Do but grant me this favour, and I will sit +at your feet so as not to discomfort you." + +"This is too much! You do not know me, mademoiselle. I am neither cruel +nor impolite, especially where your sex is concerned, though my refusal +must make you feel otherwise. If I give way you may regret it afterwards, +and I do not wish that to happen." Then, turning to the father, I said,-- + +"A post-chaise costs six Louis. Here they are; take them. I will put off +my departure for a few hours, if necessary, to answer for the chaise, +supposing you are not known here, and an extra horse will cost four Louis +take them. As to the rest, you would have spent as much in taking two +places in the diligence." + +"You are very kind, sir, but I cannot accept your gift. I am not worthy +of it, and I should be still less worthy if I accepted the money. Adele, +let us go. Forgive us, sir, if we have wasted half an hour of your time. +Come, my poor child." + +"Wait a moment, father." + +Adele begged him to wait, as her sobs almost choked her. I was furious +with everything, but having received one look from her beautiful eyes I +could not withstand her sorrow any longer, and said, + +"Calm yourself, mademoiselle. It shall never be said that I remained +unmoved while beauty wept. I yield to your request, for if I did not I +should not be able to sleep all night. But I accede on one condition," I +added, turning to her father, "and that is that you sit at the back of +the carriage." + +"Certainly; but what is to become of your servant?" + +"He will ride on in front. Everything is settled. Go to bed now, and be +ready to start at six o'clock." + +"Certainly, but you will allow me to pay for the extra horse?" + +"You shall pay nothing at all; it would be a shame if I received any +money from you. You have told me you are poor, and poverty is no +dishonour; well, I may tell you that I am rich, and riches are no honour +save when they are used in doing good. Therefore, as I said, I will pay +for all." + +"Very good, but I will pay for the extra horse in the carriage." + +"Certainly not, and let us have no bargaining, please; it is time to go +to bed. I will put you down at Paris without the journey costing you a +farthing, and then if you like you may thank me; these are the only +conditions on which I will take you. Look! Mdlle. Adele is laughing, +that's reward enough for me." + +"I am laughing for joy at having escaped that dreadful diligence roof." + +"I see, but I hope you will not weep in my carriage, for all sadness is +an abomination to me." + +I went, to bed, resolved to struggle against my fate no longer. I saw +that I could not withstand the tempting charms of this new beauty, and I +determined that everything should be over in a couple of days. Adele had +beautiful blue eyes, a complexion wherein were mingled the lily and the +rose, a small mouth, excellent teeth, a figure still slender but full of +promise; here, surely, were enough motives for a fresh fall. I fell +asleep, thanking my good genius for thus providing me with amusement on +the journey. + +Just before we started the father came and asked if it was all the same +to me whether we went by Burgundy or the Bourbonnais. + +"Certainly. Do you prefer any particular route?" + +"If I went through Nevers I might be able to collect a small account." + +"Then we will go by the Bourbonnais." + +Directly after Adele, simply but neatly dressed, came down and wished me +good day, telling me that her father was going to put a small trunk +containing their belongings at the back of the carriage. Seeing me busy, +she asked if she could help me in any way. + +"No," I replied, "you had better take a seat." + +She did so, but in a timid manner, which annoyed me, because it seemed to +express that she was a dependent of mine. I told her so gently, and made +her take some coffee with me, and her shyness soon wore off. + +We were just stepping into the carriage when a man came and told me that +the lamps were out of repair and would come off if something were not +done to them. He offered to put them into good repair in the course of an +hour. I was in a terrible rage, and called Clairmont and began to scold +him, but he said that the lamps were all right a short while ago, and +that the man must have put them out of order that he might have the task +of repairing them. + +He had hit it off exactly. I had heard of the trick before, and I called +out to the man; and on his answering me rather impudently, I began to +kick him, with my pistol in my hand. He ran off swearing, and the noise +brought up the landlord and five or six of his people. Everybody said I +was in the right, but all the same I had to waste two hours as it would +not have been prudent to travel without lamps. + +Another lamp-maker was summoned; he looked at the damage, and laughed at +the rascally trick his fellow-tradesman had played me. + +"Can I imprison the rascal?" I said to the landlord. "I should like to +have the satisfaction of doing so, were it to cost me two Louis." + +"Two Louis! Your honour shall be attended to in a moment." + +I was in a dreadful rage, and did not notice Adele, who was quite afraid +of me. A police official came up to take my information, and examine +witnesses, and to draw up the case. + +"How much is your time worth, sir?" he asked me. + +"Five louis." + +With these words I slid two louis into his hand, and he immediately wrote +down a fine of twenty louis against the lamp-maker, and then went his +way, saying,-- + +"Your man will be in prison in the next ten minutes." I breathed again at +the prospect of vengeance. I then begged Mdlle. Adele's pardon, who asked +mine in her turn, not knowing how I had offended her. This might have led +to some affectionate passages, but her father came in saying that the +rascal was in prison, and that everyone said I was right. + +"I am perfectly ready to swear that he did the damage," said he. + +"You saw him, did you?" + +"No, but that's of no consequence, as everybody is sure he did it." + +This piece of simplicity restored my good temper completely, and I began +to ask Moreau, as he called himself, several questions. He told me he was +a widower, that Adele was his only child, that he was going to set up in +business at Louviers, and so on. + +In the course of an hour the farce turned into a tragedy, in the +following manner. Two women, one of them with a baby at her breast, and +followed by four brats, all of whom might have been put under a bushel +measure, came before me, and falling on their knees made me guess the +reason of this pitiful sight. They were the wife, the mother, and the +children of the delinquent. + +My heart was soon moved with pity for them, for my vengeance had been +complete, and I did not harbour resentment; but the wife almost put me in +a fury again by saying that her husband was an innocent man, and that +they who had accused him were rascals. + +The mother, seeing the storm ready to burst, attacked me more adroitly, +admitting that her son might be guilty, but that he must have been driven +to it by misery, as he had got no bread wherewith to feed his children. +She added: + +"My good sir, take pity on us, for he is our only support. Do a good deed +and set him free, for he would stay in prison all his days unless we sold +our beds to pay you." + +"My worthy woman, I forgive him completely. Hand this document to the +police magistrate and all will be well." + +At the same time I gave her a louis and told her to go, not wishing to be +troubled with her thanks. A few moments after, the official came to get +my signature for the man's release, and I had to pay him the legal costs. +My lamps cost twelve francs to mend, and at nine o'clock I started, +having spent four or five louis for nothing. + +Adele was obliged to sit between my legs, but she was ill at ease. I told +her to sit further back, but as she would have had to lean on me, I did +not urge her; it would have been rather a dangerous situation to begin +with. Moreau sat at the back of the carriage, Clairmont went on in front, +and we were thus neck and neck, or rather neck and back, the whole way. + +We got down to change horses, and as we were getting into the carriage +again Adele had to lift her leg, and shewed me a pair of black breeches. +I have always had a horror of women with breeches, but above all of black +breeches. + +"Sir," said I to her father, "your daughter has shewn me her black +breeches." + +"It's uncommonly lucky for her that she didn't shew you something else." + +I liked the reply, but the cursed breeches had so offended me that I +became quite sulky. It seemed to me that such clothes were a kind of +rampart or outwork, very natural, no doubt, but I thought a young girl +should know nothing of the danger, or, at all events, pretend ignorance +if she did not possess it. As I could neither scold her nor overcome my +bad temper, I contented myself with being polite, but I did not speak +again till we got to St. Simphorien, unless it was to ask her to sit more +comfortably. + +When we got to St. Simphorien I told Clairmont to go on in front and +order us a good supper at Roanne, and to sleep there. When we were about +half-way Adele told me that she must be a trouble to me, as I was not so +gay as I had been. I assured her that it was not so, and that I only kept +silence that she might be able to rest. + +"You are very kind," she answered, "but it is quite a mistake for you to +think that you would disturb me by talking. Allow me to tell you that you +are concealing the real cause of your silence." + +"Do you know the real cause?" + +"Yes, I think I do." + +"Well, what is it?" + +"You have changed since you saw my breeches." + +"You are right, this black attire has clothed my soul with gloom." + +"I am very sorry, but you must allow that in the first place I was not to +suppose that you were going to see my breeches, and in the second place +that I could not be aware that the colour would be distasteful to you." + +"True again, but as I chanced to see the articles you must forgive my +disgust. This black has filled my soul with funereal images, just as +white would have cheered me. Do you always wear those dreadful breeches?" + +"I am wearing them for the first time to-day." + +"Then you must allow that you have committed an unbecoming action." + +"Unbecoming?" + +"Yes, what would you have said if I had come down in petticoats this +morning? You would have pronounced them unbecoming. You are laughing." + +"Forgive me, but I never heard anything so amusing. But your comparison +will not stand; everyone would have seen your petticoats, whereas no one +has any business to see my breeches." + +I assented to her logic, delighted to find her capable of tearing my +sophism to pieces, but I still preserved silence. + +At Roanne we had a good enough supper, and Moreau, who knew very well +that if it had not been for his daughter there would have been no free +journey and free supper for him, was delighted when I told him that she +kept me good company. I told him about our discussion on breeches, and he +pronounced his daughter to be in the wrong, laughing pleasantly. After +supper I told him that he and his daughter were to sleep in the room in +which we were sitting, while I would pass the night in a neighbouring +closet. + +Just as we were starting the next morning, Clairmont told me that he +would go on in front, to see that our beds were ready, adding that as we +had lost one night it would not do much harm if we were to lose another. + +This speech let me know that my faithful Clairmont began to feel the need +of rest, and his health was dear to me. I told him to stop at St. Pierre +le Mortier, and to take care that a good supper was ready for us. When we +were in the carriage again, Adele thanked me. + +"Then you don't like night travelling?" I said. + +"I shouldn't mind it if I were not afraid of going to sleep and falling +on you." + +"Why, I should like it. A pretty girl like you is an agreeable burden." + +She made no reply, but I saw that she understood; my declaration was +made, but something more was wanted before I could rely on her docility. +I relapsed into silence again till we got to Varennes, and then I said,-- + +"If I thought you could eat a roast fowl with as good an appetite as +mine, I would dine here." + +"Try me, I will endeavour to match you." + +We ate well and drank better, and by the time we started again we were a +little drunk. Adele, who was only accustomed to drink wine two or three +times a year, laughed at not being able to stand upright, but seemed to +be afraid that something would happen. I comforted her by saying that the +fumes of champagne soon evaporated; but though she strove with all her +might to keep awake, nature conquered, and letting her pretty head fall +on my breast she fell asleep, and did not rouse herself for two hours. I +treated her with the greatest respect, though I could not resist +ascertaining that the article of clothing which had displeased me so much +had entirely disappeared. + +While she slept I enjoyed the pleasure of gazing on the swelling curves +of her budding breast, but I restrained my ardour, as the disappearance +of the black breeches assured me that I should find her perfectly +submissive whenever I chose to make the assault. I wished, however, that +she should give herself up to me of her own free will, or at any rate +come half-way to meet me, and I knew that I had only to smooth the path +to make her do so. + +When she awoke and found that she had been sleeping in my arms, her +astonishment was extreme. She apologized and begged me to forgive her, +while I thought the best way to put her at ease would be to give her an +affectionate kiss. The result was satisfactory; who does not know the +effect of a kiss given at the proper time? + +As her dress was in some disorder she tried to adjust it, but we were +rather pushed for space, and by an awkward movement she uncovered her +knee. I burst out laughing and she joined me, and had the presence of +mind to say: + +"I hope the black colour has given you no funereal thoughts this time." + +"The hue of the rose, dear Adele, can only inspire me with delicious +fancies." + +I saw that she lowered her eyes, but in a manner that shewed she was +pleased. + +With this talk--and, so to speak, casting oil on the flames--we reached +Moulin, and got down for a few moments. A crowd of women assailed us with +knives and edged tools of all sorts, and I bought the father and daughter +whatever they fancied. We went on our way, leaving the women quarrelling +and fighting because some had sold their wares and others had not. + +In the evening we reached St. Pierre; but during the four hours that had +elapsed since we left Moulin we had made way, and Adele had become quite +familiar with me. + +Thanks to Clairmont, who had arrived two hours before, an excellent +supper awaited us. We supped in a large room, where two great white beds +stood ready to receive us. + +I told Moreau that he and his daughter should sleep in one bed, and I in +the other; but he replied that I and Adele could each have a bed to +ourselves, as he wanted to start for Nevers directly after supper, so as +to be able to catch-his debtor at daybreak, and to rejoin us when we got +there the following day. + +"If you had told me before, we would have gone on to Nevers and slept +there." + +"You are too kind. I mean to ride the three and a half stages. The riding +will do me good, and I like it. I leave my daughter in your care. She +will not be so near you as in the carriage." + +"Oh, we will be very discreet, you may be sure!" + +After his departure I told Adele to go to bed in her clothes, if she were +afraid of me. + +"I shan't be offended," I added. + +"It would be very wrong of me," she answered, "to give you such a proof +of my want of confidence." + +She rose, went out a moment, and when she came back she locked the door, +and as soon as she was ready to slip off her last article of clothing +came and kissed me. I happened to be writing at the time, and as she had +come up on tiptoe I was surprised, though in a very agreeable manner. She +fled to her bed, saying saucily, + +"You are frightened of me, I think?" + +"You are wrong, but you surprised me. Come back, I want to see you fall +asleep in my arms." + +"Come and see me sleep." + +"Will you sleep all the time?" + +"Of course I shall." + +"We will see about that." + +I flung the pen down, and in a moment I held her in my arms, smiling, +ardent, submissive to my desires, and only entreating me to spare her. I +did my best, and though she helped me to the best of her ability, the +first assault was a labour of Hercules. The others were pleasanter, for +it is only the first step that is painful, and when the field had been +stained with the blood of three successive battles, we abandoned +ourselves to repose. At five o'clock in the morning Clairmont knocked, +and I told him to get us some coffee. I was obliged to get up without +giving fair Adele good day, but I promised that she should have it on the +way. + +When she was dressed she looked at the altar where she had offered her +first sacrifice to love, and viewed the signs of her defeat with a sigh. +She was pensive for some time, but when we were in the carriage again her +gaiety returned, and in our mutual transports we forgot to grieve over +our approaching parting. + +We found Moreau at Nevers; he was in a great state because he could not +get his money before noon. He dared not ask me to wait for him, but I +said that we would have a good dinner and start when the money was paid. + +While dinner was being prepared we shut ourselves up in a room to avoid +the crowd of women who pestered us to buy a thousand trifles, and at two +o'clock we started, Moreau having got his money. We got to Cosne at +twilight, and though Clairmont was waiting for us at Briane, I decided on +stopping where I was, and this night proved superior to the first. The +next day we made a breakfast of the meal which had been prepared for our +supper, and we slept at Fontainebleau, where I enjoyed Adele for the last +time. In the morning I promised to come and see her at Louviers, when I +returned from England, but I could not keep my word. + +We took four hours to get from Fontainebleau to Paris, but how quickly +the time passed. I stopped the carriage near the Pont St. Michel, +opposite to a clockmaker's shop, and after looking at several watches I +gave one to Adele, and then dropped her and her father at the corner of +the Rue aux Ours. I got down at the "Hotel de Montmorenci," not wanting +to stop with Madame d'Urfe, but after dressing I went to dine with her. + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +I Drive My Brother The Abbe From Paris--Madame du Rumain Recovers Her +Voice Through My Cabala--A Bad Joke--The Corticelli--I Take d'Aranda to +London My Arrival At Calais + +As usual, Madame d'Urfe received me with open arms, but I was surprised +at hearing her tell Aranda to fetch the sealed letter she had given him +in the morning. I opened it, found it was dated the same day, and +contained the following: + +"My genius told me at day-break that Galtinardus was starting from +Fontainebleau, and that he will come and dine with me to-day." + +She chanced to be right, but I have had many similar experiences in the +course of my life-experiences which would have turned any other man's +head. I confess they have surprised me, but they have never made me lose +my reasoning powers. Men make a guess which turns out to be correct, and +they immediately claim prophetic power; but they forgot all about the +many cases in which they have been mistaken. Six months ago I was silly +enough to bet that a bitch would have a litter of five bitch pups on a +certain day, and I won. Everyone thought it a marvel except myself, for +if I had chanced to lose I should have been the first to laugh. + +I naturally expressed my admiration for Madame d'Urfe's genius, and +shared her joy in finding herself so well during her pregnancy. The +worthy lunatic had given orders that she was not at home to her usual +callers, in expectation of my arrival, and so we spent the rest of the +day together, consulting how we could make Aranda go to London of his own +free will; and as I did not in the least know how it was to be done, the +replies of the oracle were very obscure. Madame d'Urfe had such a strong +dislike to bidding him go, that I could not presume on her obedience to +that extent, and I had to rack my brains to find out some way of making +the little man ask to be taken to London as a favour. + +I went to the Comedie Italienne, where I found Madame du Rumain, who +seemed glad to see me back in Paris again. + +"I want to consult the oracle on a matter of the greatest importance," +said she, "and I hope you will come and see me tomorrow." + +I, of course, promised to do so. + +I did not care for the performance, and should have left the theatre if I +had not wanted to see the ballet, though I could not guess the peculiar +interest it would have for me. What was my surprise to see the Corticelli +amongst the dancers. I thought I would like to speak to her, not for any +amorous reasons, but because I felt curious to hear her adventures. As I +came out I met the worthy Baletti, who told me he had left the stage and +was living on an annuity. I asked him about the Corticelli, and he gave +me her address, telling me that she was in a poor way. + +I went to sup with my brother and his wife, who were delighted to see me, +and told me that I had come just in time to use a little gentle +persuasion on our friend the abbe, of whom they had got tired. + +"Where is he?" + +"You will see him before long, for it is near supper-time; and as eating +and drinking are the chief concerns of his life, he will not fail to put +in an appearance." + +"What has he done?" + +"Everything that a good-for-nothing can do; but I hear him coming, and I +will tell you all about it in his presence." + +The abbe was astonished to see me, and began a polite speech, although I +did not favour him with so much as a look. Then he asked me what I had +against him. + +"All that an honest man can have against a monster. I have read the +letter you wrote to Possano, in which I am styled a cheat, a spy, a +coiner, and a poisoner. What does the abbe think of that?" + +He sat down to table without a word, and my brother began as follows: + +"When this fine gentleman first came here, my wife and I gave him a most +cordial welcome. I allowed him a nice room, and told him to look upon my +house as his own. Possibly with the idea of interesting us in his favour, +he began by saying that you were the greatest rascal in the world. To +prove it he told us how he had carried off a girl from Venice with the +idea of marrying her, and went to you at Genoa as he was in great +necessity. He confesses that you rescued him from his misery, but he says +that you traitorously took possession of the girl, associating her with +two other mistresses you had at that time. In fine, he says that you lay +with her before his eyes, and that you drove him from Marseilles that you +might be able to enjoy her with greater freedom. + +"He finished his story by saying that as he could not go back to Venice, +he needed our help till he could find some means of living on his talents +or through his profession as a priest. I asked him what his talents were, +and he said he could teach Italian; but as he speaks it vilely, and +doesn't know a word of French, we laughed at him. We were therefore +reduced to seeing what we could do for him in his character of priest, +and the very next day my wife spoke to M. de Sauci, the ecclesiastical +commissioner, begging him to give my brother an introduction to the +Archbishop of Paris, who might give him something that might lead to his +obtaining a good benefice. He would have to go to our parish church, and +I spoke to the rector of St. Sauveur, who promised to let him say mass, +for which he would receive the usual sum of twelve sols. This was a very +good beginning, and might have led to something worth having; but when we +told the worthy abbe of our success, he got into a rage, saying that he +was not the man to say mass for twelve sols, nor to toady the archbishop +in the hope of being taken into his service. No, he was not going to be +in anyone's service. We concealed our indignation, but for the three +weeks he has been here he has turned everything upside down. My wife's +maid left us yesterday, to our great annoyance, because of him; and the +cook says she will go if he remains, as he is always bothering her in the +kitchen. We are therefore resolved that he shall go, for his society is +intolerable to us. I am delighted to have you here, as I think we ought +to be able to drive him away between us, and the sooner the better." + +"Nothing easier," said I; "if he likes to stay in Paris, let him do so. +You can send off his rags to some furnished apartments, and serve him +with a police order not to put foot in your house again. On the other +hand if he wants to go away, let him say where, and I will pay his +journey-money this evening." + +"Nothing could be more generous. What do you say, abbe?" + +"I say that this is the way in which he drove me from Marseilles. What +intolerable violence!" + +"Give God thanks, monster, that instead of thrashing you within an inch +of your life as you deserve, I am going to give you some money! You +thought you would get me hanged at Lyons, did you?" + +"Where is Marcoline?" + +"What is that to you? Make haste and choose between Rome and Paris, and +remember that if you choose Paris you will have nothing to live on." + +"Then I will go to Rome." + +"Good! The journey only costs twenty louis, but I will give you +twenty-five." + +"Hand them over." + +"Patience. Give me pens, ink and paper." + +"What are you going to write?" + +"Bills of exchange on Lyons, Turin, Genoa, Florence, and Rome. Your place +will be paid as far as Lyons, and there you will be able to get five +louis, and the same sum in the other towns, but as long as you stay in +Paris not one single farthing will I give you. I am staying at the 'Hotel +Montmorenci;' that's all you need know about me." + +I then bade farewell to my brother and his wife, telling them that we +should meet again. Checco, as we called my brother, told me he would send +on the abbe's trunk the day following, and I bade him do so by all means. + +The next day trunk and abbe came together. I did not even look at him, +but after I had seen that a room had been assigned to him, I called out +to the landlord that I would be answerable for the abbe's board and +lodging for three days, and not a moment more. The abbe tried to speak to +me, but I sternly declined to have anything to say to him, strictly +forbidding Clairmont to admit him to my apartments. + +When I went to Madame du Rumain's, the porter said,-- + +"Sir, everybody is still asleep, but who are you? I have instructions." + +"I am the Chevalier de Seingalt." + +"Kindly come into my lodge, and amuse yourself with my niece. I will soon +be with you." + +I went in, and found a neatly-dressed and charming girl. + +"Mademoiselle," said I, "your uncle has told me to come and amuse myself +with you." + +"He is a rascal, for he consulted neither of us." + +"Yes, but he knew well enough that there could be no doubt about my +opinion after I had seen you." + +"You are very flattering, sir, but I know the value of compliments." + +"Yes, I suppose that you often get them, and you well deserve them all." + +The conversation, as well as the pretty eyes of the niece, began to +interest me, but fortunately the uncle put an end to it by begging me to +follow him. He took me to the maid's room, and I found her putting on a +petticoat, and grumbling the while. + +"What is the matter, my pretty maid? You don't seem to be in a good +humour." + +"You would have done better to come at noon; it is not nine o'clock yet, +and madame did not come home till three o'clock this morning. I am just +going to wake her, and I am sorry for her." + +I was taken into the room directly, and though her eyes were half closed +she thanked me for awaking her, while I apologized for having disturbed +her sleep. + +"Raton," said she, "give us the writing materials, and go away. Don't +come till I call you, and if anyone asks for me, I am asleep." + +"Very good, madam, and I will go to sleep also." + +"My dear M. Casanova, how is it that the oracle has deceived us? M. du +Rumain is still alive, and he ought to have died six months ago. It is +true that he is not well, but we will not go into all that again. The +really important question is this: You know that music is my favourite +pursuit, and that my voice is famous for its strength and compass; well, +I have completely lost it. I have not sung a note for three months. The +doctors have stuffed me with remedies which have had no effect: It makes +me very unhappy, for singing was the one thing that made me cling to +life. I entreat you to ask the oracle how I can recover my voice. How +delighted I should be if I could sing by to-morrow. I have a great many +people coming here, and I should enjoy the general astonishment. If the +oracle wills it I am sure that it might be so, for I have a very strong +chest. That is my question; it is a long one, but so much the better; the +answer will be long too, and I like long answers." + +I was of the same opinion, for when the question was a long one, I had +time to think over the answer as I made the pyramid. Madame Rumain's +complaint was evidently something trifling, but I was no physician, and +knew nothing about medicine. Besides, for the honour of the cabala, the +oracle must have nothing to do with mere empiric remedies. I soon made up +my mind that a little care in her way of living would soon restore the +throat to its normal condition, and any doctor with brains in his head +could have told her as much. In the position I was in, I had to make use +of the language of a charlatan, so I resolved on prescribing a ceremonial +worship to the sun, at an hour which would insure some regularity in her +mode of life. + +The oracle declared that she would recover her voice in twenty-one days, +reckoning from the new moon, if she worshipped the rising sun every +morning, in a room which had at least one window looking to the east. + +A second reply bade her sleep seven hours in succession before she +sacrificed to the sun, each hour symbolizing one of the seven planets; +and before she went to sleep she was to take a bath in honour of the +moon, placing her legs in lukewarm water up to the knees. I then pointed +out the psalms which she was to recite to the moon, and those which she +was to say in the face of the rising sun, at a closed window. + +This last direction filled her with admiration, "for," said she, "the +oracle knew that I should catch cold if the window were open. I will do +everything the oracle bids me," added the credulous lady, "but I hope you +will get me everything necessary for the ceremonies." + +"I will not only take care that you have all the requisites, but as a +proof of my zeal for you, I will come and do the suffumigations myself +that you may learn how it is done." + +She seemed deeply moved by this offer, but I expected as much. I knew how +the most trifling services are assessed at the highest rates; and herein +lies the great secret of success in the world, above all, where ladies of +fashion are concerned. + +As we had to begin the next day, being the new moon, I called on her at +nine o'clock. As she had to sleep for seven successive hours before +performing the ceremonies to the rising sun, she would have to go to bed +before ten; and the observance of all these trifles was of importance, as +anyone can understand. + +I was sure that if anything could restore this lady's voice a careful +regimen would do it. I proved to be right, and at London I received a +grateful letter announcing the success of my method. + +Madame du Rumain, whose daughter married the Prince de Polignac, was a +lover of pleasure, and haunted grand supper-parties. She could not expect +to enjoy perfect health, and she had lost her voice by the way in which +she had abused it. When she had recovered her voice, as she thought, by +the influence of the genii, she laughed at anyone who told her that there +was no such thing as magic. + +I found a letter from Therese at Madame d'Urfe's, in which she informed +me that she would come to Paris and take her son back by force if I did +not bring him to London, adding that she wanted a positive reply. I did +not ask for anything more, but I thought Therese very insolent. + +I told Aranda that his mother would be waiting for us at Abbeville in a +week's time, and that she wanted to see him. + +"We will both give her the pleasure of seeing us." + +"Certainly," said he; "but as you are going on to London, how shall I +come back?" + +"By yourself," said Madame d'Urfe, "dressed as a postillion." + +"What shall I ride post? How delightful!" + +"You must only cover eight or ten posts a day, for you have no need to +risk your life by riding all night." + +"Yes, yes; but I am to dress like a postillion, am I not?" + +"Yes; I will have a handsome jacket and a pair of leather breeches made +for you, and you shall have a flag with the arms of France on it." + +"They will take me for a courier going to London." + +With the idea that to throw difficulties in the way would confirm him in +his desire to go, I said roughly that I could not hear of it, as the +horse might fall and break his neck. I had to be begged and entreated for +three days before I would give in, and I did so on the condition that he +should only ride on his way back. + +As he was certain of returning to Paris, he only took linen sufficient +for a very short absence; but as I knew that once at Abbeville he could +not escape me, I sent his trunk on to Calais, where we found it on our +arrival. However, the worthy Madame d'Urfe got him a magnificent +postillion's suit, not forgetting the top-boots. + +This business which offered a good many difficulties was happily arranged +by the action of pure chance; and I am glad to confess that often in my +life has chance turned the scale in my favour. + +I called on a banker and got him to give me heavy credits on several of +the most important houses in London, where I wished to make numerous +acquaintances. + +While I was crossing the Place des Victoires, I passed by the house where +the Corticelli lived, and my curiosity made me enter. She was astonished +to see me, and after a long silence she burst into tears, and said,-- + +"I should never have been unhappy if I had never known you." + +"Yes, you would, only in some other way; your misfortunes are the result +of your bad conduct. But tell me what are your misfortunes." + +"As I could not stay in Turin after you had dishonoured me . . ." + +"You came to dishonour yourself here, I suppose. Drop that tone, or else +I will leave you." + +She began her wretched tale, which struck me with consternation, for I +could not help feeling that I was the first and final cause of this long +list of woes. Hence I felt it was my duty to succour her, however ill she +had treated me in the past. + +"Then," said I, "you are at present the victim of a fearful disease, +heavily in debt, likely to be turned out of doors and imprisoned by your +creditors. What do you propose to do?" + +"Do! Why, throw myself in the Seine, to be sure; that's all that is left +for me to do. I have not a farthing left." + +"And what would you do if you had some money?" + +"I would put myself under the doctor's hands, in the first place, and +then if any money was left I would go to Bologna and try to get a living +somehow. Perhaps I should have learnt a little wisdom by experience." + +"Poor girl, I pity you! and in spite of your bad treatment of me, which +has brought you to this pass, I will not abandon you. Here are four louis +for your present wants, and to-morrow I will tell you where you are to go +for your cure. When you have got well again, I will give you enough money +for the journey. Dry your tears, repent, amend your ways, and may God +have mercy on you!" + +The poor girl threw herself on the ground before me, and covered one of +my hands with kisses, begging me to forgive her for the ill she had done +me. I comforted her and went my way, feeling very sad. I took a coach and +drove to the Rue de Seine, where I called on an old surgeon I knew, told +him the story, and what I wanted him to do. He told me he could cure her +in six weeks without anybody hearing about it, but that he must be paid +in advance. + +"Certainly; but the girl is poor, and I am doing it out of charity." + +The worthy man took a piece of paper and gave me a note addressed to a +house in the Faubourg St. Antoine, which ran as follows: + +"You will take in the person who brings you this note and three hundred +francs, and in six weeks you will send her back cured, if it please God. +The person has reasons for not wishing to be known." + +I was delighted to have managed the matter so speedily and at such a +cheap rate, and I went to bed in a calmer state of mind, deferring my +interview with my brother till the next day. + +He came at eight o'clock, and, constant to his folly, told me he had a +plan to which he was sure I could have no objection. + +"I don't want to hear anything about it; make your choice, Paris or +Rome." + +"Give me the journey-money, I will remain at Paris; but I will give a +written engagement not to trouble you or your brother again. That should +be sufficient." + +"It is not for you to judge of that. Begone! I have neither the time nor +the wish to listen to you. Remember, Paris without a farthing, or Rome +with twenty-five louis." + +Thereupon I called Clairmont, and told him to put the abbe out. + +I was in a hurry to have done with the Corticelli affair, and went to the +house in the Faubourg St. Antoine, where I found a kindly and +intelligent-looking man and woman, and all the arrangements of the house +satisfactory and appropriate to the performance of secret cures. I saw +the room and the bath destined for the new boarder, everything was clean +and neat, and I gave them a hundred crowns, for which they handed me a +receipt. I told them that the lady would either come in the course of the +day, or on the day following. + +I went to dine with Madame d'Urfe and the young Count d'Aranda. After +dinner the worthy marchioness talked to me for a long time of her +pregnancy, dwelling on her symptoms, and on the happiness that would be +hers when the babe stirred within her. I had put to a strong restrain +upon myself to avoid bursting out laughing. When I had finished with her +I went to the Corticelli, who called me her saviour and her guardian +angel. I gave her two louis to get some linen out of pawn, and promised +to come and see her before I left Paris, to give her a hundred crowns, +which would take her back to Bologna. Then I waited on Madame du Rumain +who had said farewell to society for three weeks. + +This lady had an excellent heart, and was pretty as well, but she had so +curious a society-manner that she often made me laugh most heartily. She +talked of the sun and moon as if they were two Exalted Personages, to +whom she was about to be presented. She was once discussing with me the +state of the elect in heaven, and said that their greatest happiness was, +no doubt, to love God to distraction, for she had no idea of calm and +peaceful bliss. + +I gave her the incense for the fumigation, and told her what psalms to +recite, and then we had a delicious supper. She told her chamber-maid to +escort me at ten o'clock to a room on the second floor which she had +furnished for me with the utmost luxury, adding,-- + +"Take care that the Chevalier de Seingalt is able to come into my room at +five o'clock to-morrow." + +At nine o'clock I placed her legs in a bath of lukewarm water, and taught +her how to suffumigate. Her legs were moulded by the hand of the Graces +and I wiped them amorously, laughing within myself at her expression of +gratitude, and I then laid her in bed, contenting myself with a solemn +kiss on her pretty forehead. When it was over I went up to my room where +I was waited on by the pretty maid, who performed her duties with that +grace peculiar to the French soubrette, and told me that as I had become +her mistress's chambermaid it was only right that she should be my valet. +Her mirth was infectious, and I tried to make her sit down on my knee; +but she fled away like a deer, telling me that I ought to take care of +myself if I wanted to cut a good figure at five o'clock the next day. She +was wrong, but appearances were certainly against us, and it is well +known that servants do not give their masters and mistresses the benefit +of the doubt. + +At five o'clock in the morning I found Madame du Rumain nearly dressed +when I went into her room, and we immediately went into another, from +which the rising sun might have been see if the "Hotel de Bouillon" had +not been in the way, but that, of course, was a matter of no consequence. +Madame du Rumain performed the ceremonies with all the dignity of an +ancient priestess of Baal. She then sat down to her piano, telling me +that to find some occupation for the long morning of nine hours would +prove the hardest of all the rules, for she did not dine till two, which +was then the fashionable hour. We had a meat breakfast without coffee, +which I had proscribed, and I left her, promising to call again before I +left Paris. + +When I got back to my inn, I found my brother there looking very uneasy +at my absence at such an early hour. When I saw him I cried,-- + +"Rome or Paris, which is it to be?" + +"Rome," he replied, cringingly. + +"Wait in the antechamber. I will do your business for you." + +When I had finished I called him in, and found my other brother and his +wife, who said they had come to ask me to give them a dinner. + +"Welcome!" said I. "You are come just in time to see me deal with the +abbe, who has resolved at last to go to Rome and to follow my +directions." + +I sent Clairmont to the diligence office, and told him to book a place +for Lyons; and then I wrote out five bills of exchange, of five louis +each, on Lyons, Turin, Genoa, Florence, and Rome. + +"Who is to assure me that these bills will be honoured?" + +"I assure you, blockhead. If you don't like them you can leave them." + +Clairmont brought the ticket for the diligence and I gave it to the abbe, +telling him roughly to be gone. + +"But I may dine with you, surely?" said he. + +"No, I have done with you. Go and dine with Possano, as you are his +accomplice in the horrible attempt he made to murder me. Clairmont, shew +this man out, and never let him set foot here again." + +No doubt more than one of my readers will pronounce my treatment of the +abbe to have been barbarous; but putting aside the fact that I owe no man +an account of my thoughts, deeds, and words, nature had implanted in me a +strong dislike to this brother of mine, and his conduct as a man and a +priest, and, above all, his connivance with Possano, had made him so +hateful to me that I should have watched him being hanged with the utmost +indifference, not to say with the greatest pleasure. Let everyone have +his own principles and his own passions, and my favourite passion has +always been vengeance. + +"What did you do with the girl he eloped with?" said my sister-in-raw. + +"I sent her back to Venice with the ambassadors the better by thirty +thousand francs, some fine jewels, and a perfect outfit of clothes. She +travelled in a carriage I gave her which was worth more than two hundred +louis." + +"That's all very fine, but you must make some allowance for the abbe's +grief and rage at seeing you sleep with her." + +"Fools, my dear sister, are made to suffer such grief, and many others +besides. Did he tell you that she would not let him have anything to do +with her, and that she used to box his ears?" + +"On the the contrary, he was always talking of her love for him." + +"He made himself a fine fellow, I have no doubt, but the truth is, it was +a very ugly business." + +After several hours of pleasant conversation my brother left, and I took +my sister-in-law to the opera. As soon as we were alone this poor sister +of mine began to make the most bitter complaints of my brother. + +"I am no more his wife now," said she, "than I was the night before our +marriage." + +"What! Still a maid?" + +"As much a maid as at the moment I was born. They tell me I could easily +obtain a dissolution of the marriage, but besides the scandal that would +arise, I unhappily love him, and I should not like to do anything that +would give him pain." + +"You are a wonderful woman, but why do you not provide a substitute for +him?" + +"I know I might do so, without having to endure much remorse, but I +prefer to bear it." + +"You are very praiseworthy, but in the other ways you are happy?" + +"He is overwhelmed with debt, and if I liked to call upon him to give me +back my dowry he would not have a shirt to his back. Why did he marry me? +He must have known his impotence. It was a dreadful thing to do." + +"Yes, but you must forgive him for it." + +She had cause for complaint, for marriage without enjoyment is a thorn +without roses. She was passionate, but her principles were stronger than +her passions, or else she would have sought for what she wanted +elsewhere. My impotent brother excused himself by saying that he loved +her so well that he thought cohabitation with her would restore the +missing faculty; he deceived himself and her at the same time. In time +she died, and he married another woman with the same idea, but this time +passion was stronger than virtue, and his new wife drove him away from +Paris. I shall say more of him in twenty years time. + +At six o'clock the next morning the abbe went off in the diligence, and I +did not see him for six years. I spent the day with Madame d'Urfe, and I +agreed, outwardly, that young d'Aranda should return to Paris as a +postillion. I fixed our departure for the day after next. + +The following day, after dining with Madame d'Urfe who continued to revel +in the joys of her regeneration, I paid a visit to the Corticelli in her +asylum. I found her sad and suffering, but content, and well pleased with +the gentleness of the surgeon and his wife, who told me they would effect +a radical cure. I gave her twelve louis, promising to send her twelve +more as soon as I had received a letter from her written at Bologna. She +promised she would write to me, but the poor unfortunate was never able +to keep her word, for she succumbed to the treatment, as the old surgeon +wrote to me, when I was at London. He asked what he should do with the +twelve louis which she had left to one Madame Laura, who was perhaps +known to me. I sent him her address, and the honest surgeon hastened to +fulfil the last wishes of the deceased. + +All the persons who helped me in my magical operations with Madame d'Urfe +betrayed me, Marcoline excepted, and all save the fair Venetian died +miserably. Later on the reader will hear more of Possano and Costa. + +The day before I left for London I supped with Madame du Rumain, who told +me that her voice was already beginning to return. She added a sage +reflection which pleased me highly. + +"I should think," she observed, "that the careful living prescribed by +the cabala must have a good effect on my health." + +"Most certainly," said I, "and if you continue to observe the rules you +will keep both your health and your voice." + +I knew that it is often necessary to deceive before one can instruct; the +shadows must come before the dawn. + +I took leave of my worthy Madame d'Urfe with an emotion which I had never +experienced before; it must have been a warning that I should never see +her again. I assured her that I would faithfully observe all my promises, +and she replied that her happiness was complete, and that she knew she +owed it all to me. In fine, I took d'Aranda and his top-boots, which he +was continually admiring, to my inn, whence we started in the evening, as +he had begged me to travel by night. He was ashamed to be seen in a +carriage dressed as a courier. + +When we reached Abbeville he asked me where his mother was. + +"We will see about it after dinner." + +"But you can find out in a moment whether she is here or not?" + +"Yes, but there is no hurry." + +"And what will you do if she is not here?" + +"We will go on till we meet her on the way. In the meanwhile let us go +and see the famous manufactory of M. Varobes before dinner." + +"Go by yourself. I am tired, and I will sleep till you come back." + +"Very good." + +I spent two hours in going over the magnificent establishment, the owner +himself shewing it me, and then I went back to dinner and called for my +young gentleman. + +"He started for Paris riding post," replied the innkeeper, who was also +the post-master, "five minutes after you left. He said he was going after +some dispatches you had left at Paris." + +"If you don't get him back I will ruin you with law-suits; you had no +business to let him have a horse without my orders." + +"I will capture the little rascal, sir, before he has got to Amiens." + +He called a smart-looking postillion, who laughed when he heard what was +wanted. + +"I would catch him up," said he, "even if he had four hours start. You +shall have him here at six o'clock." + +"I will give you two louis." + +"I would catch him for that, though he were a very lark." + +He was in the saddle in five minutes, and by the rate at which he started +I did not doubt his success. Nevertheless I could not enjoy my dinner. I +felt so ashamed to have been taken in by a lad without any knowledge of +the world. I lay down on a bed and slept till the postillion aroused me +by coming in with the runaway, who looked half dead. I said nothing to +him, but gave orders that he should be locked up in a good room, with a +good bed to sleep on, and a good supper; and I told the landlord that I +should hold him answerable for the lad as long as I was in his inn. The +postillion had caught him up at the fifth post, just before Amiens, and +as he was already quite tired out the little man surrendered like a lamb. + +At day-break I summoned him before me, and asked him if he would come to +London of his own free will or bound hand and foot. + +"I will come with you, I give you my word of honour; but you must let me +ride on before you. Otherwise, with this dress of mine, I should be +ashamed to go. I don't want it to be thought that you had to give chase +to me, as if I had robbed you." + +"I accept your word of honour, but be careful to keep it. Embrace me, and +order another saddle-horse." + +He mounted his horse in high spirits, and rode in front of the carriage +with Clairmont. He was quite astonished to find his trunk at Calais, +which he reached two hours before me. + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +My Arrival in London; Madame Cornelis--I Am Presented at Court--I Rent a +Furnished House--I Make a Large Circle of Acquaintance--Manners of the +English + +When I got to Calais I consigned my post-chaise to the care of the +landlord of the inn, and hired a packet. There was only one available for +a private party, there being another for public use at six francs apiece. +I paid six guineas in advance, taking care to get a proper receipt, for I +knew that at Calais a man finds himself in an awkward position if he is +unable to support his claim by documents. + +Before the tide was out Clairmont got all my belongings on board, and I +ordered my supper. The landlord told me that louis were not current in +England, and offered to give me guineas in exchange for mine; but I was +surprised when I found he gave me the same number of guineas as I had +given him of louis. I wanted him to take the difference--four per +cent.--but he refused, saying that he did not allow anything when the +English gave him guineas for louis. I do not know whether he found his +system a profitable one on the whole, but it was certainly so for me. + +The young Count d'Aranda, to whom I had restored his humble name of +Trenti, was quite resigned, but proud of having given me a specimen of +his knowingness by riding post. We were just going to sit down at table, +well pleased with one another, when I heard a loud conversation in +English going on near my door, and mine host came in to tell me what it +was about. + +"It's the courier of the Duke of Bedford, the English ambassador," said +he; "he announces the approach of his master, and is disputing with the +captain of the packet. He says he hired the boat by letter, and that the +captain had no right to let it to you. The master maintains that he has +received no such letter, and no one can prove that he is telling a lie." + +I congratulated myself on having taken the packet and paid the +earnest-money, and went to bed. At day-break the landlord said that the +ambassador had arrived at midnight, and that his man wanted to see me. + +He came in and told me that the nobleman, his master, was in a great +hurry to get to London, and that I should oblige him very much by +yielding the boat to him. + +I did not answer a word, but wrote a note which ran as follows: + +"My lord duke may dispose of the whole of the packet, with the exception +of the space necessary for my own accommodation, that of two other +persons, and my luggage. I am delighted to have the opportunity of +obliging the English ambassador." + +The valet took the note, and returned to thank me on behalf of his +master, who stipulated, however, that he should be allowed to pay for the +packet. + +"Tell him that it is out of the question, as the boat is paid for +already." + +"He will give you the six guineas." + +"Tell your master that I cannot allow him to pay. I do not buy to sell +again." + +The duke called on me in the course of half an hour, and said that we +were both of us in the right. + +"However," he added, "there is a middle course, let us adopt it, and I +shall be just as much indebted to you." + +"What is that, my lord?" + +"We will each pay half." + +"My desire to oblige you, my lord, will not allow me to refuse, but it is +I who will be indebted to you for the honour your lordship does me. We +will start as soon as you like, and I can make my arrangements +accordingly." + +He shook my hand and left the room, and when he had gone I found three +guineas on the table. He had placed them there without my noticing them. +An hour afterwards I returned his call, and then told the master to take +the duke and his carriages on board. + +We took two hours and a half in crossing the Channel; the wind was +strong, but we made a good passage. + +The stranger who sets his foot on English soil has need of a good deal of +patience. The custom-house officials made a minute, vexatious and even an +impertinent perquisition; but as the duke and ambassador had to submit, I +thought it best to follow his example; besides, resistance would be +useless. The Englishman, who prides himself on his strict adherence to +the law of the land, is curt and rude in his manner, and the English +officials cannot be compared to the French, who know how to combine +politeness with the exercise of their rights. + +English is different in every respect from the rest of Europe; even the +country has a different aspect, and the water of the Thames has a taste +peculiar to itself. Everything has its own characteristics, and the fish, +cattle, horses, men, and women are of a type not found in any other land. +Their manner of living is wholly different from that of other countries, +especially their cookery. The most striking feature in their character is +their national pride; they exalt themselves above all other nations. + +My attention was attracted by the universal cleanliness, the beauty of +the country, the goodness of the roads, the reasonable charges for +posting, the quickness of the horses, although they never go beyond a +trot; and lastly, the construction of the towns on the Dover road; +Canterbury and Rochester for instance, though large and populous, are +like long passages; they are all length and no breadth. + +We got to London in the evening and stopped at the house of Madame +Cornelis, as Therese called herself. She was originally married to an +actor named Imer, then to the dancer Pompeati, who committed suicide at +Venice by ripping up his stomach with a razor. + +In Holland she had been known as Madame Trenti, but at London she had +taken the name of her lover Cornelius Rigerboos, whom she had contrived +to ruin. + +She lived in Soho Square, almost facing the house of the Venetian +ambassador. When I arrived I followed the instructions I had received in +her last letter. I left her son in the carriage, and sent up my name, +expecting she would fly to meet me; but the porter told me to wait, and +in a few minutes a servant in grand livery brought me a note in which +Madame Cornelis asked me to get down at the house to which her servant +would conduct me. I thought this rather strange behaviour, but still she +might have her reasons for acting in this manner, so I did not let my +indignation appear. When we got to the house, a fat woman named Rancour, +and two servants, welcomed us, or rather welcomed my young friend; for +the lady embraced him, told him how glad she was to see him, and did not +appear to be aware of my existence. + +Our trunks were taken in, and Madame Rancour having ascertained which +belonged to Cornelis, had them placed in a fine suite of three rooms, and +said, pointing out to him the apartment and the two servants, + +"This apartment and the two servants are for you, and I, too, am your +most humble servant." + +Clairmont told me that he had put my things in a room which communicated +with Cornelis's. I went to inspect it, and saw directly that I was being +treated as if I were a person of no consequence. The storm of anger was +gathering, but wonderful to relate, I subdued myself, and did not say a +word. + +"Where is your room?" I said to Clairmont. + +"Near the roof, and I am to share it with one of those two louts you +saw." + +The worthy Clairmont, who knew my disposition, was surprised at the calm +with which I said,-- + +"Take your trunk there." + +"Shall I open yours?" + +"No. We will see what can be done to-morrow." + +I still kept on my mask, and returned to the room of the young gentleman +who seemed to be considered as my master. I found him listening with a +foolish stare to Madame Rancour, who was telling him of the splendid +position his mother occupied, her great enterprise, her immense credit, +the splendid house she had built, her thirty-three servants, her two +secretaries, her six horses, her country house, etc., etc. + +"How is my sister Sophie?" said the young gentleman. + +"Her name is Sophie, is it? She is only known as Miss Cornelis. She is a +beauty, a perfect prodigy, she plays at sight on several instruments, +dances like Terpsichore, speaks English, French, and Italian equally +well--in a word, she is really wonderful. She has a governess and a maid. +Unfortunately, she is rather short for her age; she is eight." + +She was ten, but as Madame Rancour was not speaking to me I refrained +from interrupting her. + +My lord Cornelis, who felt very tired, asked at what hour they were to +sup. + +"At ten o'clock and not before," said the duenna, "for Madame Cornelis is +always engaged till then. She is always with her lawyer, on account of an +important law-suit she has against Sir Frederick Fermer." + +I could see that I should learn nothing worth learning by listening to +the woman's gossip, so I took my hat and cane and went for a walk in the +immense city, taking care not to lose my way. + +It was seven o'clock when I went out, and a quarter of an hour after, +seeing a number of people in a coffeehouse, I entered it. It was the most +notorious place in London, the resort of all the rascally Italians in +town. I had heard of it at Lyons, and had taken a firm resolve never to +set foot in it, but almighty chance made me go there unknown to myself. +But it was my only visit. + +I sat down by myself and called for a glass of lemonade, and before long +a man came and sat by me to profit by the light. He had a printed paper +in his hand, and I could see that the words were Italian. He had a pencil +with which he scratched out some words and letters, writing the +corrections in the margin. Idle curiosity made me follow him in his work, +and I noticed him correcting the word 'ancora', putting in an 'h' in the +margin. I was irritated by this barbarous spelling, and told him that for +four centuries 'ancora' had been spelt without an 'h'. + +"Quite so," said he, "but I am quoting from Boccaccio, and one should be +exact in quotations." + +"I apologize, sir; I see you are a man of letters." + +"Well, in a small way. My name is Martinelli." + +"Then you are in a great way indeed. I know you by repute, and if I am +not mistaken you are a relation of Calsabigi, who has spoken of you to +me. I have read some of your satires." + +"May I ask to whom I have the honour of speaking?" + +"My name is Seingalt. Have you finished your edition of the Decameron?" + +"I am still at work on it, and trying to increase the number of my +subscribers." + +"If you will be so kind I should be glad to be of the number." + +"You do me honour." + +He gave me a ticket, and seeing that it was only for a guinea I took +four, and telling him I hoped to see him again at the same coffee-house, +the name of which I asked him, he told it me, evidently astonished at my +ignorance; but his surprise vanished when I informed him that I had only +been in London for an hour, and that it was my first visit to the great +city. + +"You will experience some trouble in finding your way back," said he, +"allow me to accompany you." + +When we had got out he gave me to understand that chance had led me to +the "Orange Coffee House," the most disreputable house in London. + +"But you go there." + +"Yes, but I can say with Juvenal: + +"'Cantabit vacuus coram latrone viator.' + +"The rogues can't hurt me; I know them and they know me; we never trouble +each other." + +"You have been a long time in London, I suppose." + +"Five years." + +"I presume you know a good many people." + +"Yes, but I seldom wait on anyone but Lord Spencer. I am occupied with +literary work and live all by myself. I don't make much, but enough to +live on. I live in furnished apartments, and have twelve shirts and the +clothes you see on my back, and that is enough for my happiness. + + "'Nec ultra deos lacesso.'" + +I was pleased with this honest man, who spoke Italian with the most +exquisite correctness. + +On the way back I asked him what I had better do to get a comfortable +lodging. When he heard the style in which I wished to live and the time I +proposed to spend in London, he advised me to take a house completely +furnished. + +"You will be given an inventory of the goods," said he, "and as soon as +you get a surety your house will be your castle." + +"I like the idea," I answered, "but how shall I find such a house?" + +"That is easily done." + +He went into a shop, begged the mistress to lend him the Advertiser, +noted down several advertisements, and said,-- + +"That's all we have to do." + +The nearest house was in Pall Mall and we went to see it. An old woman +opened the door to us, and shewed us the ground floor and the three +floors above. Each floor contained two rooms and a closet. Everything +shone with cleanliness; linen, furniture, carpets, mirrors, and china, +and even the bells and the bolts on the doors. The necessary linen was +kept in a large press, and in another was the silver plate and several +sets of china. The arrangements in the kitchen were excellent, and in a +word, nothing was lacking in the way of comfort. The rent was twenty +guineas a week, and, not stopping to bargain, which is never of any use +in London, I told Martinelli that I would take it on the spot. + +Martinelli translated what I said to the old woman, who told me that if I +liked to keep her on as housekeeper I need not have a surety, and that it +would only be necessary for me to pay for each week in advance. I +answered that I would do so, but that she must get me a servant who could +speak French or Italian as well as English. She promised to get one in a +day's time, and I paid her for four weeks' rent on the spot, for which +she gave me a receipt under the name of the Chevalier de Seingalt. This +was the name by which I was known during the whole of my stay in London. + +Thus in less than two hours I was comfortably settled in a town which is +sometimes described as a chaos, especially for a stranger. But in London +everything is easy to him who has money and is not afraid of spending it. +I was delighted to be able to escape so soon from a house where I was +welcomed so ill, though I had a right to the best reception; but I was +still more pleased at the chance which had made me acquainted with +Martinelli, whom I had known by repute for six years. + +When I got back Madame Cornelis had not yet arrived, though ten o'clock +had struck. Young Cornelis was asleep on the sofa. I was enraged at the +way the woman treated me, but I resolved to put a good face on it. + +Before long three loud knocks announced the arrival of Madame Cornelis in +a sedan-chair, and I heard her ascending the stairs. She came in and +seemed glad to see me, but did not come and give me those caresses which +I had a right to expect. She ran to her son and took him on her knee, but +the sleepy boy did not respond to her kisses with any great warmth. + +"He is very tired, like myself," said I, "and considering that we are +travellers in need of rest you have kept us waiting a long time." + +I do not know whether she would have answered at all, or, if so, what her +answer would have been, for just at that moment a servant came in and +said that supper was ready. She rose and did me the honour to take my +arm, and we went into another room which I had not seen. The table was +laid for four, and I was curious enough to enquire who was the fourth +person. + +"It was to have been my daughter, but I left her behind, as when I told +her that you and her brother had arrived she asked me if you were well." + +"And you have punished her for doing so?" + +"Certainly, for in my opinion she ought to have asked for her brother +first and then for you. Don't you think I was right?" + +"Poor Sophie! I am sorry for her. Gratitude has evidently more influence +over her than blood relationship." + +"It is not a question of sentiment, but of teaching young persons to +think with propriety." + +"Propriety is often far from proper." + +The woman told her son that she was working hard to leave him a fortune +when she died, and that she had been obliged to summon him to England as +he was old enough to help her in her business. + +"And how am I to help you, my dear mother?" + +"I give twelve balls and twelve suppers to the nobility, and the same +number to the middle classes in the year. I have often as many as six +hundred guests at two guineas a head. The expenses are enormous, and +alone as I am I must be robbed, for I can't be in two places at once. Now +that you are here you can keep everything under lock and key, keep the +books, pay and receive accounts, and see that everyone is properly +attended to at the assemblies; in fine, you will perform the duties of +the master." + +"And do you think that I can do all that?" + +"You will easily learn it." + +"I think it will be very difficult." + +"One of my secretaries will come and live with you, and instruct you in +everything. During the first year you will only have to acquire the +English language, and to be present at my assemblies, that I may +introduce you to the most distinguished people in London. You will get +quite English before long." + +"I would rather remain French." + +"That's mere prejudice, my dear, you will like the sound of Mister +Cornelis by-and-bye." + +"Cornelis?" + +"Yes; that is your name." + +"It's a very funny one." + +"I will write it down, so that you may not forget it." Thinking that her +dear son was joking. Madame Cornelis looked at me in some astonishment, +and told him to go to bed, which he did instantly. When we were alone she +said he struck her as badly educated, and too small for his age. + +"I am very much afraid," said she, "that we shall have to begin his +education all over again. What has he learnt in the last six years?" + +"He might have learnt a great deal, for he went to the best boarding +school in Paris; but he only learnt what he liked, and what he liked was +not much. He can play the flute, ride, fence, dance a minuet, change his +shirt every day, answer politely, make a graceful bow, talk elegant +trifles, and dress well. As he never had any application, he doesn't know +anything about literature; he can scarcely write, his spelling is +abominable, his arithmetic limited, and I doubt whether he knows in what +continent England is situated." + +"He has used the six years well, certainly." + +"Say, rather, he has wasted them; but he will waste many more." + +"My daughter will laugh at him; but then it is I who have had the care of +her education. He will be ashamed when he finds her so well instructed +though she is only eight." + +"He will never see her at eight, if I know anything of reckoning; she is +fully ten." + +"I think I ought to know the age of my own daughter. She knows geography, +history, languages, and music; she argues correctly, and behaves in a +manner which is surprising in so young a child. All the ladies are in +love with her. I keep her at a school of design all day; she shews a +great taste for drawing. She dines with me on Sundays, and if you would +care to come to dinner next Sunday you will confess that I have not +exaggerated her capacities." + +It was Monday. I said nothing, but I thought it strange that she did not +seem to consider that I was impatient to see my daughter. She should have +asked me to meet her at supper the following evening. + +"You are just in time," said she, "to witness the last assembly of the +year; for in a few weeks all the nobility will leave town in order to +pass the summer in the country. I can't give you a ticket, as they are +only issued to the nobility, but you can come as my friend and keep close +to me. You will see everything. If I am asked who you are, I will say +that you have superintended the education of my son in Paris, and have +brought him back to me." + +"You do me too much honour." + +We continued talking till two o'clock in the morning, and she told me all +about the suit she had with Sir Frederick Fermer. He maintained that the +house she had built at a cost of ten thousand guineas belonged to him as +he had furnished the money. In equity he was right, but according to +English law wrong, for it was she who had paid the workmen, the +contractors, and the architect; it was she that had given and received +receipts, and signed all documents. The house, therefore, belonged to +her, and Fermer admitted as much; but he claimed the sum he had +furnished, and here was the kernel of the whole case, for she had defied +him to produce a single acknowledgment of money received. + +"I confess," said this honest woman, "that you have often given me a +thousand pounds at a time, but that was a friendly gift, and nothing to +be wondered at in a rich Englishman, considering that we were lovers and +lived together." + +She had won her suit four times over in two years, but Fermer took +advantage of the intricacies of English law to appeal again and again, +and now he had gone to the House of Lords, the appeal to which might last +fifteen years. + +"This suit," said the honest lady, "dishonours Fermer." + +"I should think it did, but you surely don't think it honours you." + +"Certainly I do." + +"I don't quite understand how you make that out." + +"I will explain it all to you." + +"We will talk it over again." + +In the three hours for which we talked together this woman did not once +ask me how I was, whether I was comfortable, how long I intended to stay +in London, or whether I had made much money. In short she made no +enquiries what ever about me, only saying with a smile, but not +heedlessly,-- + +"I never have a penny to spare." + +Her receipts amounted to more than twenty-four thousand pounds per annum, +but her expenses were enormous and she had debts. + +I avenged myself on her indifference by not saying a word about myself. I +was dresssed simply but neatly, and had not any jewellry or diamonds +about my person. + +I went to bed annoyed with her, but glad to have discovered the badness +of her heart. In spite of my longing to see my daughter I determined not +to take any steps to meet her till the ensuing Sunday, when I was invited +to dinner. + +Early next morning I told Clairmont to pull all my goods and chattels in +a carriage, and when all was ready I went to take leave of young +Cornelis, telling him I was going to live in Pall Mall, and leaving him +my address. + +"You are not going to stay with me, then?" said he. + +"No, your mother doesn't know how to welcome or to treat me." + +"I think you are right. I shall go back to Paris." + +"Don't do anything so silly. Remember that here you are at home, and that +in Paris you might not find a roof to shelter you. Farewell; I shall see +you on Sunday." + +I was soon settled in my new house, and I went out to call on M. Zuccato, +the Venetian ambassador. I gave him M. Morosini's letter, and he said, +coldly, that he was glad to make my acquaintance. When I asked him to +present me at Court the insolent fool only replied with a smile, which +might fairly be described as contemptuous. It was the aristocratic pride +coming out, so I returned his smile with a cold bow, and never set foot +in his house again. + +On leaving Zuccato I called on Lord Egremont, and finding him ill left my +letter with the porter. He died a few days after, so M. Morosini's +letters were both useless through no fault of his. We shall learn +presently what was the result of the little note. + +I then went to the Comte de Guerchi, the French ambassador, with a letter +from the Marquis Chauvelin, and I received a warm welcome. This nobleman +asked me to dine with him the following day, and told me that if I liked +he would present me at Court after chapel on Sunday. It was at that +ambassador's table that I made the acquaintance of the Chevalier d'Eon, +the secretary of the embassy, who afterwards became famous. This +Chevalier d'Eon was a handsome woman who had been an advocate and a +captain of dragoons before entering the diplomatic service; she served +Louis XV. as a valiant soldier and a diplomatist of consummate skill. In +spite of her manly ways I soon recognized her as a woman; her voice was +not that of a castrato, and her shape was too rounded to be a man's. I +say nothing of the absence of hair on her face, as that might be an +accident. + +In the first days of my stay in London I made the acquaintance of my +bankers; who held at least three hundred thousand francs of my money. +They all honoured my drafts and offered their services to me, but I did +not make use of their good offices. + +I visited the theatres of Covent Garden and Drury Lane, but I could not +extract much enjoyment out of the performances as I did not know a word of +English. I dined at all the taverns, high and low, to get some insight +into the peculiar manners of the English. In the morning I went on +'Change, where I made some friends. It was there that a merchant to whom +I spoke got me a Negro servant who spoke English, French, and Italian +with equal facility; and the same individual procured me a cook who spoke +French. I also visited the bagnios where a rich man can sup, bathe, and +sleep with a fashionable courtezan, of which species there are many in +London. It makes a magnificent debauch and only costs six guineas. The +expense may be reduced to a hundred francs, but economy in pleasure is +not to my taste. + +On Sunday I made an elegant toilette and went to Court about eleven, and +met the Comte de Guerchi as we had arranged. He introduced me to George +III., who spoke to me, but in such a low voice that I could not +understand him and had to reply by a bow. The queen made up for the king, +however, and I was delighted to observe that the proud ambassador from my +beloved Venice was also present. When M. de Guerchi introduced me under +the name of the Chevalier de Seingalt, Zuccato looked astonished, for Mr. +Morosini had called me Casanova in his letter. The queen asked me from +what part of France I came, and understanding from my answer that I was +from Venice, she looked at the Venetian ambassador, who bowed as if to +say that he had no objection to make. Her Majesty then asked me if I knew +the ambassadors extraordinary, who had been sent to congratulate the +king, and I replied that I had the pleasure of knowing them intimately, +and that I had spent three days in their society at Lyons, where M. +Morosini gave me letters for my Lord d'Egremont and M. Zuccato. + +"M. Querini amused me extremely," said the queen; "he called me a little +devil." + +"He meant to say that your highness is as witty as an angel." + +I longed for the queen to ask me why I had not been presented by M. +Zuccatto, for I had a reply on the tip of my tongue that would have +deprived the ambassador of his sleep for a week, while I should have +slept soundly, for vengeance is a divine pleasure, especially when it is +taken on the proud and foolish; but the whole conversation was a compound +of nothings, as is usual in courts. + +After my interview was over I got into my sedan-chair and went to Soho +Square. A man in court dress cannot walk the streets of London without +being pelted with mud by the mob, while the gentleman look on and laugh. +All customs must be respected; they are all at once worthy and absurd. + +When I got to the house of Madame Cornelis, I and my Negro Jarbe were +shewn upstairs, and conducted through a suite of gorgeous apartments to a +room where the lady of the house was sitting with two English ladies and +two English gentlemen. She received me with familiar politeness, made me +sit down in an armchair beside her, and then continued the conversation +in English without introducing me. When her steward told her that dinner +was ready, she gave orders for the children to be brought down. + +I had long desired this meeting, and when I saw Sophie I ran to meet her; +but she, who had profited by her mother's instructions, drew back with +profound courtesy and a compliment learnt by heart. I did not say +anything for fear I should embarrass her, but I felt grieved to the +heart. + +Madame Cornelis then brought forward her son, telling the company that I +had brought him to England after superintending his education for six +years. She spoke in French, so I was glad to see that her friends +understood that language. + +We sat down to table; Madame Cornelis between her two children, and I +between the two Englishwomen, one of whom delighted me by her pleasant +wit. I attached myself to her as soon as I noticed that the mistress of +the house only spoke to me by chance, and that Sophie did not look at me. +She was so like me that no mistake was possible. I could see that she had +been carefully tutored by her mother to behave in this manner, and I felt +this treatment to be both absurd and impertinent. + +I did not want to let anyone see that I was angry, so I began to +discourse in a pleasant strain on the peculiarities of English manners, +taking care, however, not to say anything which might wound the insular +pride of the English guests. My idea was to make them laugh and to make +myself agreeable, and I succeeded, but not a word did I speak to Madame +Cornelis; I did not so much as look at her. + +The lady next to me, after admiring the beauty of my lace, asked me what +was the news at Court. + +"It was all news to me," said I, "for I went there to-day for the first +time." + +"Have you seen the king?" said Sir Joseph Cornelis. + +"My dear, you should not ask such questions," said his mother. + +"Why not?" + +"Because the gentleman may not wish to answer them." + +"On the contrary, madam, I like being questioned. I have been teaching +your son for the last six years to be always asking something, for that +is the way to acquire knowledge. He who asks nothing knows nothing." + +I had touched her to the quick, and she fell into a sulky silence. + +"You have not told me yet," said the lad, "whether you saw the king." + +"Yes, my man, I saw the king and the queen, and both their majesties did +me the honour to speak to me." + +"Who introduced you?" + +"The French ambassador." + +"I think you will agree with me," said the mother, "that last question +was a little too much." + +"Certainly it would be if it were addressed to a stranger, but not to me +who am his friend. You will notice that the reply he extracted from me +did me honour. If I had not wished it to be known that I had been at +Court, I should not have come here in this dress." + +"Very good; but as you like to be questioned, may I ask you why you were +not presented by your own ambassador?" + +"Because the Venetian ambassador would not present me, knowing that his +Government have a bone to pick with me." + +By this time we had come to the dessert, and poor Sophie had not uttered +a syllable. + +"Say something to M. de Seingalt," said her mother. + +"I don't know what to say," she answered. "Tell M. de Seingalt to ask me +some questions, and I will answer to the best of my ability." + +"Well, Sophie, tell me in what studies you are engaged at the present +time." + +"I am learning drawing; if you like I will shew you some of my work." + +"I will look at it with pleasure; but tell me how you think you have +offended me; you have a guilty air." + +"I, sir? I do not think I have done anything amiss." + +"Nor do I, my dear; but as you do not look at me when you speak I thought +you must be ashamed of something. Are you ashamed of your fine eyes? You +blush. What have you done?" + +"You are embarrassing her," said the mother. "Tell him, my dear, that you +have done nothing, but that a feeling of modesty and respect prevents you +from gazing at the persons you address." + +"Yes," said I; "but if modesty bids young ladies lower their eyes, +politeness should make them raise them now and again." + +No one replied to this objection, which was a sharp cut for the absurd +woman; but after an interval of silence we rose from the table, and +Sophie went to fetch her drawings. + +"I won't look at anything, Sophie, unless you will look at me." + +"Come," said her mother, "look at the gentleman." + +She obeyed as quickly as lightning, and I saw the prettiest eyes +imaginable. + +"Now," said I, "I know you again, and perhaps you may remember having +seen me." + +"Yes, although it is six years ago since we met, I recognized you +directly." + +"And yet you did not look me in the face! If you knew how impolite it was +to lower your eyes when you are addressing anyone, you would not do it. +Who can have given you such a bad lesson?" + +The child glanced towards her mother, who was standing by a window, and I +saw who was her preceptress. + +I felt that I had taken sufficient vengeance, and began to examine her +drawings, to praise them in detail, and to congratulate her on her +talents. I told her that she ought to be thankful to have a mother who +had given her so good an education. This indirect compliment pleased +Madame Cornelis, and Sophie, now free from all restraint, gazed at me +with an expression of child-like affection which ravished me. Her +features bore the imprint of a noble soul within, and I pitied her for +having to grow up under the authority of a foolish mother. Sophie went to +the piano, played with feeling, and then sang some Italian airs, to the +accompaniment of the guitar, too well for her age. She was too +precocious, and wanted much more discretion in her education than Madame +Cornelis was able to give her. + +When her singing had been applauded by the company, her mother told her +to dance a minuet with her brother, who had learnt in Paris, but danced +badly for want of a good carriage. His sister told him so with a kiss, +and then asked me to dance with her, which I did very readily. Her +mother, who thought she had danced exquisitely, as was indeed the case, +told her that she must give me a kiss. She came up to me, and drawing her +on my knee I covered her face with kisses, which she returned with the +greatest affection. Her mother laughed with all her heart, and then +Sophie, beginning to be doubtful again, went up to her and asked if she +were angry. Her mother comforted her with a kiss. + +After we had taken coffee, which was served in the French fashion, Madame +Cornelis shewed me a magnificent hall which she had built, in which she +could give supper to four hundred persons seated at one table. She told +me, and I could easily believe her, that there was not such another in +all London. + +The last assembly was given before the prorogation of Parliament; it was +to take place in four or five days. She had a score of pretty girls in +her service, and a dozen footmen all in full livery. + +"They all rob me," said she, "but I have to put up with it. What I want +is a sharp man to help me and watch over my interests; if I had such an +one I should make an immense fortune in a comparatively short time; for +when it is a question of pleasure, the English do not care what they +spend." + +I told her I hoped she would find such man and make the fortune, and then +I left her, admiring her enterprise. + +When I left Soho Square I went to St. James's Park to see Lady Harrington +for whom I bore a letter, as I have mentioned. This lady lived in the +precincts of the Court, and received company every Sunday. It was +allowable to play in her house, as the park is under the jurisdiction of +the Crown. In any other place there is no playing cards or singing on +Sundays. The town abounds in spies, and if they have reason to suppose +that there is any gaming or music going on, they watch for their +opportunity, slip into the house, and arrest all the bad Christians, who +are diverting themselves in a manner which is thought innocent enough in +any other country. But to make up for this severity the Englishman may go +in perfect liberty to the tavern or the brothel, and sanctify the Sabbath +as he pleases. + +I called on Lady Harrington, and having sent up my letter she summoned me +into her presence. I found her in the midst of about thirty persons, but +the hostess was easily distinguished by the air of welcome she had for +me. + +After I had made my bow she told me she had seen me at Court in the +morning, and that without knowing who I was she had been desirous of +making my acquaintance. Our conversation lasted three-quarters of an +hour, and was composed of those frivolous observations and idle questions +which are commonly addressed to a traveller. + +The lady was forty, but she was still handsome. She was well known for +her gallantries and her influence at Court. She introduced me to her +husband and her four daughters, charming girls of a marriageable age. She +asked me why I had come to London when everybody was on the point of +going out of town. I told her that as I always obeyed the impulse of the +moment, I should find it difficult to answer her question; besides, I +intended staying for a year, so that the pleasure would be deferred but +not lost. + +My reply seemed to please her by its character of English independence, +and she offered with exquisite grace to do all in her power for me. + +"In the meanwhile," said she, "we will begin by letting you see all the +nobility at Madame Cornelis's on Thursday next. I can give you a ticket +to admit to ball and supper. It is two guineas." + +I gave her the money, and she took the ticket again, writing on it, +"Paid.--Harrington." + +"Is this formality necessary, my lady?" + +"Yes; or else they would ask you for the money at the doors." + +I did not think it necessary to say anything about my connection with the +lady of Soho Square. + +While Lady Harrington was making up a rubber at whist, she asked me if I +had any other letters for ladies. + +"Yes," said I, "I have one which I intend to present to-morrow. It is a +singular letter, being merely a portrait." + +"Have you got it about you?" + +"Yes, my lady." + +"May I see it?" + +"Certainly. Here it is." + +"It is the Duchess of Northumberland. We will go and give it her." + +"With pleasure!" + +"Just wait till they have marked the game." + +Lord Percy had given me this portrait as a letter of introduction to his +mother. + +"My dear duchess," said Lady Harrington, "here is a letter of +introduction which this gentleman begs to present to you." + +"I know, it is M. de Seingalt. My son has written to me about him. I am +delighted to see you, Chevalier, and I hope you will come and see me. I +receive thrice a week." + +"Will your ladyship allow me to present my valuable letter in person?" + +"Certainly. You are right." + +I played a rubber of whist for very small stakes, and lost fifteen +guineas, which I paid on the spot. Directly afterwards Lady Harrington +took me apart, and gave me a lesson which I deem worthy of record. + +"You paid in gold," said she; "I suppose you had no bank notes about +you?" + +"Yes, my lady, I have notes for fifty and a hundred pounds." + +"Then you must change one of them or wait till another time to play, for +in England to pay in gold is a solecism only pardonable in a stranger. +Perhaps you noticed that the lady smiled?" + +"Yes; who is she?" + +"Lady Coventry, sister of the Duchess of Hamilton." + +"Ought I to apologize?" + +"Not at all, the offence is not one of those which require an apology. +She must have been more surprised than offended, for she made fifteen +shillings by your paying her in gold." + +I was vexed by this small mischance, for Lady Coventry was an exquisitely +beautiful brunette. I comforted myself, however, without much trouble. + +The same day I made the acquaintance of Lord Hervey, the nobleman who +conquered Havana, a pleasant an intelligent person. He had married Miss +Chudleigh, but the marriage was annulled. This celebrated Miss Chudleigh +was maid of honour to the Princess Dowager of Wales, and afterwards +became Duchess of Kingston. As her history is well known I shall say +something more of her in due course. I went home well enough pleased with +my day's work. + +The next day I began dining at home, and found my cook very satisfactory; +for, besides the usual English dishes, he was acquainted with the French +system of cooking, and did fricandeaus, cutlets, ragouts, and above all, +the excellent French soup, which is one of the principal glories of +France. + +My table and my house were not enough for my happiness. I was alone, and +the reader will understand by this that Nature had not meant me for a +hermit. I had neither a mistress nor a friend, and at London one may +invite a man to dinner at a tavern where he pays for himself, but not to +one's own table. One day I was invited by a younger son of the Duke of +Bedford to eat oysters and drink a bottle of champagne. I accepted the +invitation, and he ordered the oysters and the champagne, but we drank +two bottles, and he made me pay half the price of the second bottle. Such +are manners on the other side of the Channel. People laughed in my face +when I said that I did not care to dine at a tavern as I could not get +any soup. + +"Are you ill?" they said, "soup is only fit for invalids." + +The Englishman is entirely carnivorous. He eats very little bread, and +calls himself economical because he spares himself the expense of soup +and dessert, which circumstance made me remark that an English dinner is +like eternity: it has no beginning and no end. Soup is considered very +extravagant, as the very servants refuse to eat the meat from which it +has been made. They say it is only fit to give to dogs. The salt beef +which they use is certainly excellent. I cannot say the same for their +beer, which was so bitter that I could not drink it. However, I could not +be expected to like beer after the excellent French wines with which the +wine merchant supplied me, certainly at a very heavy cost. + +I had been a week in my new home without seeing Martinelli. He came on a +Monday morning, and I asked him to dine with me. He told me that he had +to go to the Museum, and my curiosity to see the famous collection which +is such an honour to England made me accompany him. It was there that I +made the acquaintance of Dr. Mati, of whom I shall speak in due course. + +At dinner Martinelli made himself extremely pleasant. He had a profound +knowledge of the English manners and customs which it behoved me to know +if I wished to get on. I happened to speak of the impoliteness of which I +had been guilty in paying a gaming debt in gold instead of paper, and on +this text he preached me a sermon on the national prosperity, +demonstrating that the preference given to paper shews the confidence +which is felt in the Bank, which may or may not be misplaced, but which +is certainly a source of wealth. This confidence might be destroyed by a +too large issue of paper money, and if that ever took place by reason of +a protracted or unfortunate war, bankruptcy would be inevitable, and no +one could calculate the final results. + +After a long discussion on politics, national manners, literature, in +which subjects Martinelli shone, we went to Drury Lane Theatre, where I +had a specimen of the rough insular manners. By some accident or other +the company could not give the piece that had been announced, and the +audience were in a tumult. Garrick, the celebrated actor who was buried +twenty years later in Westminster Abbey, came forward and tried in vain +to restore order. He was obliged to retire behind the curtain. Then the +king, the queen, and all the fashionables left the theatre, and in less +than an hour the theatre was gutted, till nothing but the bare walls were +left. + +After this destruction, which went on without any authority interposing, +the mad populace rushed to the taverns to consume gin and beer. In a +fortnight the theatre was refitted and the piece announced again, and +when Garrick appeared before the curtain to implore the indulgence of the +house, a voice from the pit shouted, "On your knees." A thousand voices +took up the cry "On your knees," and the English Roscius was obliged to +kneel down and beg forgiveness. Then came a thunder of applause, and +everything was over. Such are the English, and above all, the Londoners. +They hoot the king and the royal family when they appear in public, and +the consequence is, that they are never seen, save on great occasions, +when order is kept by hundreds of constables. + +One day, as I was walking by myself, I saw Sir Augustus Hervey, whose +acquaintance I had made, speaking to a gentleman, whom he left to come to +me. I asked him whom he had been speaking to. + +"That's the brother of Earl Ferrers," said he, "who was hanged a couple +of months ago for murdering one of his people." + +"And you speak to his brother?" + +"Why shouldn't I?" + +"Is he not dishonoured by the execution of his relative?" + +"Dishonoured! Certainly not; even his brother was not dishonoured. He +broke the law, but he paid for it with his life, and owed society nothing +more. He's a man of honour, who played high and lost; that's all. I don't +know that there is any penalty in the statute book which dishonours the +culprit; that would be tyrannical, and we would not bear it. I may break +any law I like, so long as I am willing to pay the penalty. It is only a +dishonour when the criminal tries to escape punishment by base or +cowardly actions." + +"How do you mean?" + +"To ask for the royal mercy, to beg forgiveness of the people, and the +like." + +"How about escaping from justice?" + +"That is no dishonour, for to fly is an act of courage; it continues the +defiance of the law, and if the law cannot exact obedience, so much the +worse for it. It is an honour for you to have escaped from the tyranny of +your magistrates; your flight from The Leads was a virtuous action. In +such cases man fights with death and flees from it. 'Vir fugiens denuo +pugnabit'." + +"What do you think of highway robbers, then?" + +"I detest them as wretches dangerous to society, but I pity them when I +reflect that they are always riding towards the gallows. You go out in a +coach to pay a visit to a friend three or four miles out of London. A +determined and agile-looking fellow springs upon you with his pistol in +his hand, and says, 'Your money or your life.' What would you do in such +a case?" + +"If I had a pistol handy I would blow out his brains, and if not I would +give him my purse and call him a scoundrelly assassin." + +"You would be wrong in both cases. If you killed him, you would be +hanged, for you have no right to take the law into your own hands; and if +you called him an assassin, he would tell you that he was no assassin as +he attacked you openly and gave you a free choice. Nay, he is generous, +for he might kill you and take your money as well. You might, indeed, +tell him he has an evil trade, and he would tell you that you were right, +and that he would try to avoid the gallows as long as possible. He would +then thank you and advise you never to drive out of London without being +accompanied by a mounted servant, as then no robber would dare to attack +you. We English always carry two purses on our journeys; a small one for +the robbers and a large one for ourselves." + +What answer could I make to such arguments, based as they were on the +national manners? England is a rich sea, but strewn with reefs, and those +who voyage there would do well to take precautions. Sir Augustus Hervey's +discourse gave me great pleasure. + +Going from one topic to another, as is always the way with a desultory +conversation, Sir Augustus deplored the fate of an unhappy Englishman who +had absconded to France with seventy thousand pounds, and had been +brought back to London, and was to be hanged. + +"How could that be?" I asked. + +"The Crown asked the Duc de Nivernois to extradite him, and Louis XV. +granted the request to make England assent to some articles of the peace. +It was an act unworthy of a king, for it violates the right of nations. +It is true that the man is a wretch, but that has nothing to do with the +principle of the thing." + +"Of course they have got back the seventy thousand pounds?" + +"Not a shilling of it." + +"How was that?" + +"Because no money was found on him. He has most likely left his little +fortune to his wife, who can marry again as she is still young and +pretty." + +"I wonder the police have not been after her." + +"Such a thing is never thought of. What could they do? It's not likely +that she would confess that her husband left her the stolen money. The +law says robbers shall be hanged, but it says nothing about what they +have stolen, as they are supposed to have made away with it. Then if we +had to take into account the thieves who had kept their theft and thieves +who had spent it, we should have to make two sets of laws, and make all +manner of allowances; the end of it would be inextricable confusion. It +seems to us Englishmen that it would not be just to ordain two +punishments for theft. The robber becomes the owner of what he has +stolen; true, he 'got it by violence, but it is none the less his, for he +can do what he likes with it. That being the case, everyone should be +careful to keep what he has, since he knows that once stolen he will +never see it again. I have taken Havana from Spain: this was robbery on a +large scale." + +He talked at once like a philosopher and a faithful subject of his king. + +Engaged in this discussion we walked towards the Duchess of +Northumberland's, where I made the acquaintance of Lady Rochefort, whose +husband had just been appointed Spanish ambassador. This lady's +gallantries were innumerable, and furnished a fresh topic of conversation +every day. + +The day before the assembly at Soho Square Martinelli dined with me, and +told me that Madame Cornelis was heavily in debt, and dared not go out +except on Sundays, when debtors are privileged. + +"The enormous and unnecessary expense which she puts herself to," said +he, "will soon bring her to ruin. She owes four times the amount of her +assets, even counting in the house, which is a doubtful item, as it is +the subject of litigation." + +This news only distressed me for her children's sake, for I thought that +she herself well deserved such a fate. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +The Assembly--Adventure at Ranelagh The English Courtezans--Pauline + +I went in due time to the assembly, and the secretary at the door wrote +down my name as I handed in my ticket. When Madame Cornelis saw me she +said she was delighted I had come in by ticket, and that she had had some +doubts as to whether I would come. + +"You might have spared yourself the trouble of doubting," said I, "for +after hearing that I had been to Court you might have guessed that a +matter of two guineas would not have kept me away. I am sorry for our old +friendship's sake that I did not pay the money to you; for you might have +known that I would not condescend to be present in the modest manner you +indicated." + +This address, delivered with an ironical accent, embarrassed Madame +Cornelis, but Lady Harrington, a great supporter of hers, came to her +rescue. + +"I have a number of guineas to hand over to you, my dear Cornelis, and +amongst others two from M. de Seingalt, who, I fancy, is an old friend of +yours. Nevertheless, I did not dare to tell him so," she added, with a +sly glance in my direction. + +"Why not, my lady? I have known Madame Cornelis for many years." + +"I should think you have," she answered, laughing, "and I congratulate +you both. I suppose you know the delightful Miss Sophie too, Chevalier?" + +"Certainly, my lady, who so knows the mother knows the daughter." + +"Quite so, quite so." + +Sophie was standing by, and after kissing her fondly Lady Harrington +said,-- + +"If you love yourself, you ought to love her, for she is the image of +you." + +"Yes, it is a freak of nature." + +"I think there is something more than a freak in this instance." + +With these words the lady took Sophie's hand, and leaning on my arm she +led us through the crowd, and I had to bear in silence the remarks of +everyone. + +"There is Madame Cornelis's husband." + +"That must be M. Cornelis." + +"Oh! there can be no doubt about it." + +"No, no," said Lady Harrington, "you are all quite wrong." + +I got tired of these remarks, which were all founded on the remarkable +likeness between myself and Sophie. I wanted Lady Harrington to let the +child go, but she was too much amused to do so. + +"Stay by me," she said, "if you want to know the names of the guests." +She sat down, making me sit on one side and Sophie on the other. + +Madame Cornelis then made her appearance, and everyone asked her the same +questions, and made the same remarks about me. She said bravely that I +was her best and her oldest friend, and that the likeness between me and +her daughter might possibly be capable of explanation. Everyone laughed +and said it was very natural that it should be so. To change the subject, +Madame Cornelis remarked that Sophie had learnt the minuet and danced it +admirably. + +"Then fetch a violin player," said Lady Harrington, "that we may have the +pleasure of witnessing the young artist's performance." + +The ball had not yet begun, and as soon as the violinist appeared, I +stepped forward and danced with Sophie, to the delight of the select +circle of spectators. + +The ball lasted all night without ceasing, as the company ate by relays, +and at all times and hours; the waste and prodigality were worthy of a +prince's palace. I made the acquaintance of all the nobility and the +Royal Family, for they were all there, with the exception of the king and +queen, and the Prince of Wales. Madame Cornelis must have received more +than twelve hundred guineas, but the outlay was enormous, without any +control or safeguard against the thefts, which must have been perpetrated +on all sides. She tried to introduce her son to everybody, but the poor +lad looked like a victim, and did nothing but make profound bows. I +pitied him from my heart. + +As soon as I got home I went to bed and spent the whole of the next day +there. The day after I went to the "Staven Tavern," as I had been told +that the prettiest girls in London resorted to it. Lord Pembroke gave me +this piece of information; he went there very frequently himself. When I +got to the tavern I asked for a private room, and the landlord, +perceiving that I did not know English, accosted me in French, and came +to keep me company. I was astonished at his grave and reverend manner of +speaking, and did not like to tell him that I wanted to dine with a +pretty Englishwoman. At last, however, I summoned up courage to say, with +a great deal of circumlocution, that I did not know whether Lord Pembroke +had deceived me in informing me that I should find the prettiest girls in +London at his house. + +"No, sir," said he, "my lord has not deceived you, and you can have as +many as you like." + +"That's what I came for." + +He called out some name, and a tidy-looking lad making his appearance, he +told him to get me a wench just as though he were ordering a bottle of +champagne. The lad went out, and presently a girl of herculean +proportions entered. + +"Sir," said I, "I don't like the looks of this girl." + +"Give her a shilling and send her away. We don't trouble ourselves about +ceremonies in London." + +This put me at my ease, so I paid my shilling and called for a prettier +wench. The second was worse than the first, and I sent her away, and ten +others after her, while I could see that my fastidiousness amused the +landlord immensely. + +"I'll see no more girls," said I at last, "let me have a good dinner. I +think the procurer must have been making game of me for the sake of the +shillings." + +"It's very likely; indeed it often happens so when a gentleman does not +give the name and address of the wench he wants." + +In the evening as I was walking in St. James's Park, I remembered it was +a Ranelagh evening, and wishing to see the place I took a coach and drove +there, intending to amuse myself till midnight, and to find a beauty to +my taste. + +I was pleased with the rotunda. I had some tea, I danced some minuets, +but I made no acquaintances; and although I saw several pretty women, I +did not dare to attack any of them. I got tired, and as it was near +midnight I went out thinking to find my coach, for which I had not paid, +still there, but it was gone, and I did not know what to do. An extremely +pretty woman who was waiting for her carriage in the doorway, noticed my +distress, and said that if I lived anywhere near Whitehall, she could +take me home. I thanked her gratefully, and told her where I lived. Her +carriage came up, her man opened the door, and she stepped in on my arm, +telling me to sit beside her, and to stop the carriage when it got to my +house. + +As soon as we were in the carriage, I burst out into expressions of +gratitude; and after telling her my name I expressed my regret at not +having seen her at Soho Square. + +"I was not in London," she replied, "I returned from Bath to-day." + +I apostrophised my happiness in having met her. I covered her hands with +kisses, and dared to kiss her on the cheek; and finding that she smiled +graciously, I fastened my lips on hers, and before long had given her an +unequivocal mark of the ardour with which she had inspired me. + +She took my attentions so easily that I flattered myself I had not +displeased her, and I begged her to tell me where I could call on her and +pay my court while I remained in London, but she replied,-- + +"We shall see each other again; we must be careful." + +I swore secrecy, and urged her no more. Directly after the carriage +stopped, I kissed her hand and was set down at my door, well pleased with +the ride home. + +For a fortnight I saw nothing of her, but I met her again in a house +where Lady Harrington had told me to present myself, giving her name. It +was Lady Betty German's, and I found her out, but was asked to sit down +and wait as she would be in soon. I was pleasantly surprised to find my +fair friend of Ranelagh in the room, reading a newspaper. I conceived the +idea of asking her to introduce me to Lady Betty, so I went up to her and +proffered my request, but she replied politely that she could not do so +not having the honour to know my name. + +"I have told you my name, madam. Do you not remember me?" + +"I remember you perfectly, but a piece of folly is not a title of +acquaintance." + +I was dumbfounded at the extraordinary reply, while the lady calmly +returned to her newspaper, and did not speak another word till the +arrival of Lady Betty. + +The fair philosopher talked for two hours without giving the least sign +of knowing who I was, although she answered me with great politeness +whenever I ventured to address her. She turned out to be a lady of high +birth and of great reputation. + +Happening to call on Martinelli, I asked him who was the pretty girl who +was kissing her hands to me from the house opposite. I was pleasantly +surprised to hear that she was a dancer named Binetti. Four years ago she +had done me a great service at Stuttgart, but I did not know she was in +London. I took leave of Martinelli to go and see her, and did so all the +more eagerly when I heard that she had parted from her husband, though +they were obliged to dance together at the Haymarket. + +She received me with open arms, telling me that she had recognized me +directly. + +"I am surprised, my dear elder," said she, "to see you in London." + +She called me "elder" because I was the oldest of her friends. + +"Nor did I know that you were here. I came to town after the close of the +opera. How is it that you are not living with your husband?" + +"Because he games, loses, and despoils me of all I possess. Besides, a +woman of my condition, if she be married, cannot hope that a rich lover +will come and see her, while if she be alone she can receive visits +without any constraint." + +"I shouldn't have thought they would be afraid of Binetti; he used to be +far from jealous." + +"Nor is he jealous now; but you must know that there is an English law +which allows the husband to arrest his wife and her lover if he finds +them in 'flagrante delicto'. He only wants two witnesses, and it is +enough that they are sitting together on a bed. The lover is forced to +pay to the husband the half of all he possesses. Several rich Englishmen +have been caught in this way, and now they are very shy of visiting +married women, especially Italians." + +"So you have much to be thankful for. You enjoy perfect liberty, can +receive any visitors you like, and are in a fair way to make a fortune." + +"Alas! my dear friend, you do not know all. When he has information from +his spies that I have had a visitor, he comes to me in a sedan-chair at +night, and threatens to turn me out into the street if I do not give him +all the money I have. He is a terrible rascal!" + +I left the poor woman, after giving her my address, and telling her to +come and dine with me whenever she liked. She had given me a lesson on +the subject of visiting ladies. England has very good laws, but most of +them are capable of abuse. The oath which jurymen have to take to execute +them to the letter has caused several to be interpreted in a manner +absolutely contrary to the intention of the legislators, thus placing the +judges in a difficult predicament. Thus new laws have constantly to be +made, and new glosses to explain the old ones. + +My Lord Pembroke, seeing me at my window, came in, and after examining my +house, including the kitchen, where the cook was at work, told me that +there was not a nobleman in town who had such a well-furnished and +comfortable house. He made a calculation, and told me that if I wanted to +entertain my friends I should require three hundred pounds a month. "You +can't live here," said he, "without a pretty girl, and those who know +that you keep bachelor's hall are of opinion that you are very wise, and +will save a great deal of useless expense." + +"Do you keep a girl, my lord?" + +"No, for I am unfortunate enough to be disgusted with a woman after I +have had her for a day." + +"Then you require a fresh one every day?" + +"Yes, and without being as comfortable as you I spend four times as much. +You must know that I live in London like a stranger. I never dine at my +own house. I wonder at your dining alone." + +"I can't speak English. I like soup and good wine, and that is enough to +keep me from your taverns." + +"I expect so, with your French tastes." + +"You will confess that they are not bad tastes." + +"You are right, for, good Englishman as I am, I get on very well in +Paris." + +He burst out laughing when I told him how I had dispatched a score of +wenches at the "Staven Tavern," and that my disappointment was due to +him. + +"I did not tell you what names to send for, and I was wrong." + +"Yes, you ought to have told me." + +"But even if I did they wouldn't have come, for they are not at the +orders of the procurers. If you will promise to pay them as I do, I will +give you some tickets which will make them come." + +"Can I have them here?" + +"Just as you like." + +"That will be most convenient for me. Write out the tickets and let them +know French if you can." + +"That's the difficulty; the prettiest only speak English." + +"Never mind, we shall understand each other well enough for the purpose I +dare say." + +He wrote several tickets for four and six guineas each; but one was +marked twelve guineas. + +"She is doubly pretty, is she?" said I. + +"Not exactly, but she has cuckolded a duke of Great Britain who keeps +her, and only uses her once or twice a month." + +"Would you do me the honour of testing the skill of my cook?" + +"Certainly, but I can't make an appointment." + +"And supposing I am out." + +"I'll go to the tavern." + +Having nothing better to do I sent Jarbe to one of the four-guinea +wenches, telling him to advise her that she would dine with me. She came. +She did not attract me sufficiently to make me attempt more than some +slight toying. She went away well pleased with her four guineas, which +she had done nothing to earn. Another wench, also at four guineas, supped +with me the following evening. She had been very pretty, and, indeed, was +so still, but she was too melancholy and quiet for my taste, and I could +not makeup my mind to tell her to undress. + +The third day, not feeling inclined to try another ticket, I went to +Covent Garden, and on meeting an attractive young person I accosted her +in French, and asked her if she would sup with me. + +"How much will you give me at dessert?" + +"Three guineas." + +"Come along." + +After the play I ordered a good supper for two, and she displayed an +appetite after mine own heart. When we had supped I asked for her name +and address, and I was astonished to find that she was one of the girls +whom Lord Pembroke had assessed at six guineas. I concluded that it was +best to do one's own business, or, at any rate, not to employ noblemen as +agents. As to the other tickets, they procured me but little pleasure. +The twelve-guinea one, which I had reserved for the last, as a choice +morsel, pleased me the least of all, and I did not care to cuckold the +noble duke who kept her. + +Lord Pembroke was young, handsome, rich, and full of wit. I went to see +him one day, and found him just getting out of bed. He said he would walk +with me and told his valet to shave him. + +"But," said I, "there's not a trace of beard on your face." + +"There never is," said he, "I get myself shaved three times a day." + +"Three times?" + +"Yes, when I change my shirt I wash my hands; when I wash my hands I have +to wash my face, and the proper way to wash a man's face is with a +razor." + +"When do you make these three ablutions?" + +"When I get up, when I dress for dinner, and when I go to bed, for I +should not like the woman who is sleeping with me to feel my beard." + +We had a short walk together, and then I left him as I had some writing +to do. As we parted, he asked me if I dined at home. I replied in the +affirmative, and foreseeing that he intended dining with me I warned my +cook to serve us well, though I did not let him know that I expected a +nobleman to dinner. Vanity has more than one string to its bow. + +I had scarcely got home when Madame Binetti came in, and said that if she +were not in the way, she would be glad to dine with me. I gave her a warm +welcome, and she said I was really doing her a great service, as her +husband would suffer the torments of hell in trying to find out with whom +she had dined. + +This woman still pleased me; and though she was thirty-five, nobody would +have taken her for more than twenty-five. Her appearance was in every way +pleasing. Her lips were of the hue of the rose, disclosing two exquisite +rows of teeth. A fine complexion, splendid eyes, and a forehead where +Innocence might have been well enthroned, all this made an exquisite +picture. If you add to this, that her breast was of the rarest +proportions, you will understand that more fastidious tastes than mine +would have been satisfied with her. + +She had not been in my house for half an hour when Lord Pembroke came in. +They both uttered an exclamation, and the nobleman told me that he had +been in love with her for the last six months; that he had written ardent +letters to her of which she had taken no notice. + +"I never would have anything to do with him," said she, "because he is +the greatest profligate in all England; and it's a pity," she added, +"because he is a kindhearted nobleman." + +This explanation was followed by a score of kisses, and I saw that they +were agreed. + +We had a choice dinner in the French style, and Lord Pembroke swore he +had not eaten so good a dinner for the last year. + +"I am sorry for you," he said, "when I think of you being alone every +day." + +Madame Binetti was as much a gourmet as the Englishman, and when we rose +from table we felt inclined to pass from the worship of Comus to that of +Venus; but the lady was too experienced to give the Englishman anything +more than a few trifling kisses. + +I busied myself in turning over the leaves of some books I had bought the +day before, and left them to talk together to their heart's content; but +to prevent their asking me to give them another dinner I said that I +hoped chance would bring about such another meeting on another occasion. + +At six o'clock, after my guests had left me, I dressed and went to +Vauxhaull, where I met a French officer named Malingan, to whom I had +given some money at Aix-la-Chapelle. He said he would like to speak to +me, so I gave him my name and address. I also met a well-known character, +the Chevalier Goudar, who talked to me about gaming and women. Malingan +introduced me to an individual who he said might be very useful to me in +London. He was a man of forty, and styled himself son of the late +Theodore, the pretender to the throne of Corsica, who had died miserably +in London fourteen years before, after having been imprisoned for debt +for seven years. I should have done better if I had never gone to +Vauxhall that evening. + +The entrance-fee at Vauxhall was half the sum charged at Ranelagh, but in +spite of that the amusements were of the most varied kinds. There was +good fare, music, walks in solitary alleys, thousands of lamps, and a +crowd of London beauties, both high and low. + +In the midst of all these pleasures I was dull, because I had no girl to +share my abode or my good table, and make it dear to me. I had been in +London for six weeks; ana in no other place had I been alone for so long. + +My house seemed intended for keeping a mistress with all decency, and as +I had the virtue of constancy a mistress was all I wanted to make me +happy. But how was I to find a woman who should be the equal of those +women I had loved before? I had already seen half a hundred of girls, +whom the town pronounced to be pretty, and who did not strike me as even +passable. I thought the matter over continually, and at last an odd idea +struck me. + +I called the old housekeeper, and told her by the servant, who acted as +my interpreter, that I wanted to let the second or third floor for the +sake of company; and although I was at perfect liberty to do what I liked +with the house, I would give her half-a-guinea a week extra. Forthwith I +ordered her to affix the following bill to the window: + +Second or third floor to be let, furnished, to a young lady speaking +English and French, who receives no visitors, either by day or night. + +The old Englishwoman, who had seen something of the world, began to laugh +so violently when the document was translated to her that I thought she +would have choked. + +"What are you laughing at, my worthy woman?" + +"Because this notice is a laughing matter." + +"I suppose you think I shall have no applications?" + +"Not at all, the doorstep will be crowded from morn to night, but I shall +leave it all to Fanny. Only tell me how much to ask." + +"I will arrange about the rent in my interview with the young lady. I +don't think I shall have so many enquiries, for the young lady is to +speak French and English, and also to be respectable. She must not +receive any visits, not even from her father and mother, if she has +them." + +"But there will be a mob in front of the house reading the notice." + +"All the better. Nothing is the worse for being a little odd." + +It happened just as the old woman had foretold; as soon as the notice was +up, everybody stopped to read it, made various comments, and passed on. +On the second day after it was up, my Negro told me that my notice was +printed in full in the St. James's Chronicle, with some amusing remarks. +I had the paper brought up to me, and Fanny translated it. It ran as +follows: + +"The landlord of the second and third floors probably occupies the first +floor himself. He must be a man of the world and of good taste, for he +wants a young and pretty lodger; and as he forbids her to receive visits, +he will have to keep her company himself." + +He added,-- + +"The landlord should take care lest he become his own dupe, for it is +very likely that the pretty lodger would only take the room to sleep in, +and possibly only to sleep in now and then; and if she chose she would +have a perfect right to refuse to receive the proprietor's visits." + +These sensible remarks delighted me, for after reading them I felt +forewarned. + +Such matters as these give their chief interest to the English +newspapers. They are allowed to gossip about everything, and the writers +have the knack of making the merest trifles seem amusing. Happy is the +nation where anything may be written and anything said! + +Lord Pembroke was the first to come and congratulate me on my idea, and +he was succeeded by Martinelli; but he expressed some fears as to the +possible consequences, "for," said he, "there are plenty of women in +London who would come and lodge with you to be your ruin." + +"In that case," I answered, "it would be a case of Greek meeting Greek; +however, we shall see. If I am taken in, people will have the fullest +right to laugh at me, for I have been warned." + +I will not trouble my readers with an account of the hundred women who +came in the first ten days, when I refused on one pretext or another, +though some of them were not wanting in grace and beauty. But one day, +when I was at dinner, I received a visit from a girl of from twenty to +twenty-four years, simply but elegantly dressed; her features were sweet +and gracious, though somewhat grave, her complexion pale, and her hair +black. She gave me a bow which I had to rise to return, and as I remained +standing she politely begged me not to put myself out, but to continue my +dinner. I begged her to be seated and to take dessert, but she refused +with an air of modesty which delighted me. + +This fair lady said, not in French, but in Italian worthy of a Sinnese, +its purity was so perfect, that she hoped I would let her have a room on +the third floor, and that she would gladly submit to all my conditions. + +"You may only make use of one room if you like, but all the floor will +belong to you." + +"Although the notice says the rooms will be let cheaply, I shall not be +able to afford more than one room. Two shillings a week is all I can +spend." + +"That's exactly what I want for the whole suite of rooms; so you see you +can use them all. My maid will wait on you, get you whatever food you may +require, and wash your linen as well. You can also employ her to do your +commissions, so that you need not go out for trifles." + +"Then I will dismiss my maid," she said; "she robs me of little, it is +true, but still too much for my small means. I will tell your maid what +food to buy for me every day, and she shall have six sots a week for her +pains." + +"That will be ample. I should advise you to apply to my cook's wife, who +will get your dinner and supper for you as cheaply as you could buy it." + +"I hardly think so, for I am ashamed to tell you how little I spend." + +"Even if you only spend two sols a day, she will give you two sols' +worth. All the same I advise you to be content with what you get from the +kitchen, without troubling about the price, for I usually have provision +made for four, though I dine alone, and the rest is the cook's +perquisite. I merely advise you to the best of my ability, and I hope you +will not be offended at my interest in your welfare." + +"Really, sir, you are too generous." + +"Wait a moment, and you will see how everything will be settled +comfortably." + +I told Clairmont to order up the maid and the cook's wife, and I said to +the latter: + +"For how much could you provide dinner and supper for this young lady who +is not rich, and only wants to eat to live?" + +"I can do it very cheaply; for you usually eat alone, and have enough for +four." + +"Very good; then I hope you will treat her very well for the sum she +gives you." + +"I can only afford five sols a day." + +"That will do nicely." + +I gave orders that the bill should be taken down directly, and that the +young lady's room should be made comfortable. When the maid and the +cook's wife had left the room, the young lady told me that she should +only go out on Sundays to hear mass at the Bavarian ambassador's chapel, +and once a month to a person who gave her three guineas to support her. + +"You can go out when you like," said I, "and without rendering an account +to anybody of your movements." + +She begged me not to introduce anyone to her, and to tell the porter to +deny her to anyone who might come to the door to make enquiries. I +promised that her wishes should be respected, and she went away saying +that she was going for her trunk. + +I immediately ordered my household to treat her with the utmost respect. +The old housekeeper told me that she had paid the first week in advance, +taking a receipt, and had gone, as she had come, in a sedan-chair. Then +the worthy old woman made free to tell me to be on my guard. + +"Against what? If I fall in love with her, so much the better; that is +just what I want. What name did she give you?" + +"Mistress Pauline. She was quite pale when she came, and she went away +covered with blushes." + +I was delighted to hear it. I did not want a woman merely to satisfy my +natural desires, for such can be found easily enough; I wished for some +one whom I could love. I expected beauty, both of the body and the soul; +and my love increased with the difficulties and obstacles I saw before +me. As to failure, I confess I did not give it a moment's thought, for +there is not a woman in the world who can resist constant and loving +attentions, especially when her lover is ready to make great sacrifices. + +When I got back from the theatre in the evening the maid told me that the +lady had chosen a modest closet at the back, which was only suitable for +a servant. She had had a moderate supper, only drinking water, and had +begged the cook's wife only to send her up soup and one dish, to which +the woman had replied that she must take what was served, and what she +did not eat would do for the servant. + +"When she finished she shut herself up to write, and wished me good +evening with much politeness." + +"What is she going to take in the morning?" + +"I asked her, and she said she would only take a little bread." + +"Then you had better tell her that it is the custom of the house for the +cook to serve everybody with coffee, chocolate, or tea, according to +taste, in the morning, and that I shall be pained if she refuses to fare +like the rest of us. But don't tell her I said so. Here's a crown for +you, and you shall have one every week if you will wait upon and care for +her properly." + +Before going to bed I wrote her a polite note, begging her to leave the +closet. She did so, but she went into another back room, and consented to +take coffee for her breakfast. Wishing to make her dine and sup with me, +I was dressing myself, and preparing to proffer my request in such a way +as to make a refusal impossible, when young Cornelis was announced. I +received him smilingly, and thanked him for the first visit he had paid +me in the course of six weeks. + +"Mamma hasn't allowed me to come. I have tried to do so a score of times +without her leave. Read this letter, and you will find something which +will surprise you." + +I opened the letter and read as follows: + +"Yesterday a bailiff waited for my door to be opened and slipped in and +arrested me. I was obliged to go with him, and I am now in the +sponging-house, and if I can't get bail by to-day he will take me to +Kings Bench Prison. The bail I require is to the amount of two hundred +pounds, to pay a bill which has fallen due. Dear friend, come and succour +me or else my other creditors will get wind of my imprisonment and I +shall be ruined. You surely will not allow that to happen, if not for my +sake at least for the sake of my innocent children. You cannot bail me +yourself, but you can easily get a householder to do so. If you have the +time come and call on me, and I will shew you that I could not help doing +the bill, otherwise I could not have given my last ball, as the whole of +my plate and china was pledged." + +I felt angry with the impudent woman who had hitherto paid me so little +attention, and I wrote that I could only pity her, and that I had no time +to go and see her, and that I should be ashamed to ask anyone to bail her +out. + +When young Cornelis had gone away in a melancholy mood, I told Clairmont +to ask Pauline if she would allow me to bid her a good day. She sent word +that I was at liberty to do so, and on going upstairs to her room I found +her sitting at a table on which were several books. + +Some linen on a chest of drawers did not give me the idea that she was +very poor. + +"I am immensely obliged," said she, "for all your goodness to me." + +"Say nothing of that, madam; it is I who have need of your goodness." + +"What can I do to shew my gratitude?" + +"Could you trouble yourself to take your meals with me? When I am alone I +eat like an ogre, and my health suffers. If you do not feel inclined to +grant me that favour, do not hesitate to refuse, and I assure you you +shall fare just as well as if you had acceded to my request." + +"I shall be delighted to dine and sup with you; sir, whenever you are +alone and you like to send for me. Nevertheless, I am not sure that my +society will amuse you." + +"Very good, I am grateful to you, and I promise you you shall never +repent of your kindness. I will do my best to amuse you, and I hope I +shall succeed, for you have inspired me with the liveliest interest. We +will dine at one to-day." + +I did not sit down or look at her books, or even ask her if she had spent +a good night. The only thing I noted was that she had looked pale and +careworn when I came in, and when I went out her cheeks were the colour +of the rose. + +I went for a walk in the park, feeling quite taken with this charming +woman, and resolved to make her love me, for I did not want to owe +anything to gratitude. I felt curious to know where she came from, and +suspected she was an Italian; but I determined to ask her no questions +for fear of offending her. + +When I got home Pauline came down of her own free will, and I was +delighted with this, which I took for a good omen. As we had half an hour +before us, I asked her how she found her health. + +"Nature," she replied, "has favoured me with such a good constitution +that I have never had the least sickness in my life, except on the sea." + +"You have made a voyage, then." + +"I must have done so to come to England." + +"You might be an Englishwoman." + +"Yes, for the English language has been familiar to me from my +childhood." + +We were seated on a sofa, and on the table in front of us was a +chess-board. Pauline toyed with the pawns, and I asked her if she could +play chess. + +"Yes, and pretty well too from what they tell me." + +"Then we will have a game together; my blunders will amuse you." + +We began, and in four moves I was checkmated. She laughed, and I admired +her play. We began again, and I was checkmated in five moves. My +agreeable guest laughed heartily, and while she laughed I became +intoxicated with love, watching the play of her features, her exquisite +teeth, and her happy expression. We began another game, Pauline played +carelessly, and I placed her in a difficult position. + +"I think you may conquer me," said she. + +"What happiness for me!" + +The servant came in to tell us that dinner was ready. + +"Interruptions are often extremely inconvenient," said I, as I offered +her my arm, feeling quite sure that she had not lost the significance of +my last words, for women find a meaning for everything. + +We were just sitting down to table when Clairmont announced my daughter +and Madame Rancour. + +"Tell them that I am at dinner, and that I shall not be disengaged till +three o'clock." + +Just as my man was leaving the room to carry back my answer, Sophie +rushed in and knelt before me, choking with sobs. + +This was too much for me, and raising her I took her on my knees, saying +I knew what she had come for, and that for love of her I would do it. + +Passing from grief to joy the dear child kissed me, calling me her +father, and at last made me weep myself. + +"Dine with us, dear Sophie," said I, "I shall be the more likely to do +what you wish." + +She ran from my arms to embrace Pauline, who was weeping out of sympathy, +and we all dined happily together. Sophie begged me to give Madame +Rancour some dinner. + +"It shall be so if you please, but only for your sake, for that woman +Rancour deserves that I should leave her standing at the door to punish +her for her impertinence to me when I came to London." + +The child amused us in an astonishing way all dinnertime, Pauline keeping +her ears open and not saying a word, so surprised was she to hear a child +of her age talk in a way that would have excited attention in a woman of +twenty. Although perfectly respectful she condemned her mother's conduct, +and said that she was unfortunate in being obliged to give her a blind +obedience. + +"I would wager that you don't love her much." + +"I respect, but I cannot love her, for I am always afraid. I never see +her without fearing her." + +"Why do you weep, then, at her fate?" + +"I pity her, and her family still more, and the expressions she used in +sending me to you were very affecting." + +"What were these expressions?" + +"'Go,' said she, 'kneel before him, for you and you alone can soften his +heart.'" + +"Then you knelt before me because your mother told you to do so." + +"Yes, for if I had followed my own inclination I should have rushed to +your arms." + +"You answer well. But are you sure of persuading me?" + +"No, for one can never be sure of anything; but I have good hopes of +success, remembering what you told me at the Hague. My mother told me +that I was only three then, but I know I was five. She it was who told me +not to look at you when I spoke to you, but fortunately you made her +remove her prohibition. Everybody says that you are my father, and at the +Hague she told me so herself; but here she is always dinning it into my +ears that I am the daughter of M. de Monpernis." + +"But, Sophie dear, your mother does wrong in making you a bastard when +you are the legitimate daughter of the dancer Pompeati, who killed +himself at Vienna." + +"Then I am not your daughter?" + +"Clearly, for you cannot have two fathers, can you?" + +"But how is it that I am your image?" + +"It's a mere chance." + +"You deprive me of a dream which has made me happy." + +Pauline said nothing, but covered her with kisses, which Sophie returned +effusively. She asked me if the lady was my wife, and on my replying in +the affirmative she called Pauline her "dear mamma," which made "dear +mamma" laugh merrily. + +When the dessert was served I drew four fifty-pound notes out of my +pocket-book, and giving them to Sophie told her that she might hand them +over to her mother if she liked, but that the present was for her and not +for her mother. + +"If you give her the money," I said, "she will be able to sleep to-night +in the fine house where she gave me such a poor reception." + +"It makes me unhappy to think of it, but you must forgive her." + +"Yes, Sophie; but out of love for you." + +"Write to her to the effect that it is to me you give the money, not to +her; I dare not tell her so myself." + +"I could not do that, my dear; it would be insulting her in her +affliction. Do you understand that?" + +"Yes, quite well." + +"You may tell her that whenever she sends you to dine or sup with me, she +will please me very much." + +"But you can write that down without wounding her, can you not? Do so, I +entreat you. Dear mamma," said she, addressing Pauline, "ask papa to do +so, and then I will come and dine with you sometimes." + +Pauline laughed with all her heart as she addressed me as husband, and +begged me to write the desired epistle. The effect on the mother could +only let her know how much I loved her daughter, and would consequently +increase her love for her child. I gave in, saying that I could not +refuse anything to the adorable woman who had honoured me with the name +of husband. Sophie kissed us, and went away in a happy mood. + +"It's a long time since I have laughed so much," said Pauline, "and I +don't think I have ever had such an agreeable meal. That child is a +perfect treasure. She is unhappy, poor little girl, but she would not be +so if I were her mother." + +I then told her of the true relationship between Sophie and myself, and +the reasons I had for despising her mother. + +"I wonder what she will say when Sophie tells her that she found you at +table with your wife." + +"She won't believe it, as she knows my horror for the sacrament of +matrimony." + +"How is that?" + +"I hate it because it is the grave of love." + +"Not always." + +As she said this Pauline sighed, and lowering her eyes changed the +conversation. She asked me how long I intended to stay in London and when +I had replied, "Nine or ten months," I felt myself entitled to ask her +the same question. + +"I really can't say," she answered, "my return to my country depends on +my getting a letter." + +"May I ask you what country you come from?" + +"I see I shall soon have no secrets from you, but let me have a little +time. I have only made your acquaintance to-day, and in a manner which +makes me have a very high opinion of you." + +"I shall try my best to deserve the good opinions you have conceived of +my character." + +"You have shewn yourself to me in a thoroughly estimable light." + +"Give me your esteem, I desire it earnestly, but don't say anything of +respect, for that seems to shut out friendship; I aspire to yours, and I +warn you that I shall do my best to gain it." + +"I have no doubt you are very clever in that way, but you are generous +too, and I hope you will spare me. If the friendship between us became +too ardent, a parting would be dreadful, and we may be parted at any +moment, indeed I ought to be looking forward to it." + +Our dialogue was getting rather sentimental, and with that ease which is +only acquired in the best society, Pauline turned it to other topics, and +soon asked me to allow her to go upstairs. I would have gladly spent the +whole day with her, for I have never met a woman whose manners were so +distinguished and at the same time so pleasant. + +When she left me I felt a sort of void, and went to see Madame Binetti, +who asked me for news of Pembroke. She was in a rage with him. + +"He is a detestable fellow," said she; "he would like to have a fresh +wife every day! What do you think of such conduct?" + +"I envy him his happiness." + +"He enjoys it because all women are such fools. He caught me through +meeting me at your house; he would never have done so otherwise. What are +you laughing at?" + +"Because if he has caught you, you have also caught him; you are +therefore quits." + +"You don't know what you are talking about." + +I came home at eight o'clock, and as soon as Fanny had told Pauline that +I had returned she came downstairs. I fancied she was trying to captivate +me by her attentions, and as the prospect was quite agreeable to me I +thought we should come to an understanding before very long. + +Supper was brought in and we stayed at table till midnight, talking about +trifles, but so pleasantly that the time passed away very quickly. When +she left me she wished me good night, and said my conversation had made +her forget her sorrows. + +Pembroke came next morning to ask me to give him breakfast, and +congratulated me on the disappearance of the bill from my window. + +"I should very much like to see your boarder," said he. + +"I daresay, my lord, but I can't gratify your curiosity just now, for the +lady likes to be alone, and only puts up with my company because she +can't help it." + +He did not insist, and to turn the conversation I told him that Madame +Binetti was furious with him for his inconstancy, which was a testimony +to his merits. That made him laugh, and without giving me any answer he +asked me if I dined at home that day. + +"No, my lord, not to-day." + +"I understand. Well, it's very natural; bring the affair to a happy +conclusion." + +"I will do my best." + +Martinelli had found two or three parodies of my notice in the +Advertiser, and came and read them to me. I was much amused with them; +they were mostly indecent, for the liberty of the press is much abused in +London. As for Martinelli he was too discreet and delicate a man to ask +me about my new boarder. As it was Sunday, I begged him to take me to +mass at the Bavarian ambassador's chapel; and here I must confess that I +was not moved by any feelings of devotion, but by the hope of seeing +Pauline. I had my trouble for nothing, for, as I heard afterwards, she +sat in a dark corner where no one could see her. The chapel was full, and +Martinelli pointed out several lords and ladies who were Catholics, and +did not conceal their religion. + +When I got home I received a note from Madame Cornelis, saying that as it +was Sunday and she could go out freely, she hoped I would let her come to +dinner. I shewed the letter to Pauline, not knowing whether she would +object to dining with her, and she said she would be happy to do so, +provided there were no men. I wrote in answer to Madame Cornelis that I +should be glad to see her and her charming daughter at dinner. She came, +and Sophie did not leave my side for a moment. Madame Cornelis, who was +constrained in Pauline's presence, took me aside to express her gratitude +and to communicate to me some chimerical schemes of hers which were soon +to make her rich. + +Sophie was the life and soul of the party, but as I happened to tell her +mother that Pauline was a lady who was lodging in my house, she said, + +"Then she is not your wife?" + +"No; such happiness is not for me. It was a joke of mine, and the lady +amused herself at the expense of your credulity." + +"Well, I should like to sleep with her." + +"Really? When?" + +"Whenever mamma will let me." + +"We must first ascertain," said the mother, "what the lady thinks of the +arrangement." + +"She needn't fear a refusal," said Pauline, giving the child a kiss. + +"Then you shall have her with pleasure, madam. I will get her governess +to fetch her away to-morrow." + +"At three o'clock," said I, "for she must dine with us." + +Sophie, taking her mother's silence for consent, went up to her and +kissed her, but these attentions were but coldly received. She +unfortunately did not know how to inspire love. + +After Madame Cornelis had gone, I asked Pauline if she would like to take +a walk with Sophie and myself in the suburbs, where nobody would know +her. + +"In prudence," said she, "I cannot go out unless I am alone." + +"Then shall we stay here?" + +"We could not do better." + +Pauline and Sophie sang Italian, French, and English duets, and the +concert of their voices seemed to me ravishing. We supped gaily, and at +midnight I escorted them to the third floor, telling Sophie that I would +come and breakfast with her in the morning, but that I should expect to +find her in bed. I wanted to see if her body was as beautiful as her +face. I would gladly have asked Pauline to grant me the same favour, but +I did not think things had advanced far enough for that. In the morning I +found Pauline up and dressed. + +When Sophie saw me she laughed and hid her head under the sheets, but as +soon as she felt me near her she soon let me see her pretty little face, +which I covered with kisses. + +When she had got up we breakfasted together, and the time went by as +pleasantly as possible till Madame Rancour came for her little charge, +who went away with a sad heart. Thus I was left alone with my Pauline who +began to inspire me with such ardent desires that I dreaded an explosion +every moment. And yet I had not so much as kissed her hand. + +When Sophie had gone I made her sit beside me, and taking her hand I +kissed it rapturously, saying, + +"Are you married, Pauline?" + +"Yes." + +"Do you know what it is to be a mother?" + +"No, but I can partly imagine what happiness it must be." + +"Are you separated from your husband?" + +"Yes, by circumstances and against our will. We were separated before we +had cohabited together." + +"Is he at London?" + +"No, he is far away, but please don't say anything more about it." + +"Only tell me whether my loss will be his gain." + +"Yes, and I promise not to leave you till I have to leave England--that +is, unless you dismiss me--and I shall leave this happy island to be +happy with the husband of my choice." + +"But I, dear Pauline, will be left unhappy, for I love you with all my +heart, and am afraid to give you any proof of my love." + +"Be generous and spare me, for I am not my own mistress, and have no +right to give myself to you; and perhaps, if you were so ungenerous as to +attack me, I should not have the strength to resist." + +"I will obey, but I shall still languish. I cannot be unhappy unless I +forfeit your favour." + +"I have duties to perform, my dear friend, and I cannot neglect them +without becoming contemptible in my own eyes and yours too." + +"I should deem myself the most miserable of men if I despised a woman for +making me happy." + +"Well, I like you too well to think you capable of such conduct, but let +us be moderate, for we may have to part to-morrow. You must confess that +if we yielded to desire, this parting would be all the more bitter. If +you are of another opinion, that only shews that your ideas of love and +mine are different." + +"Then tell me of what sort of love is that with which I am happy enough +to have inspired you?" + +"It is of such a kind that enjoyment would only increase it, and yet +enjoyment seems to me a mere accident." + +"Then what is its essence?" + +"To live together in perfect unity." + +"That's a blessing we can enjoy from morning to eve, but why should we +not add the harmless accident which would take so short a time, and give +us such peace and tranquillity. You must confess, Pauline, that the +essence cannot exist long without the accident." + +"Yes, but you in your turn, you will agree that the food often proves in +time to be deadly." + +"No, not when one loves truly, as I do. Do you think that you will not +love me so well after having possessed me?" + +"No, it's because I think quite otherwise, that I dread to make the +moment of parting so bitter." + +"I see I must yield to your logic. I should like to see the food on which +you feed your brain, otherwise your books. Will you let me come +upstairs?" + +"Certainly, but you will be caught." + +"How?" + +"Come and see." + +We went to her room, and I found that all her books were Portuguese, with +the exception of Milton, in English, Ariosto, in Italian, and Labruyere's +"Characters," in French. + +"Your selection gives me a high idea of your mental qualities," said I, +"but tell me, why do you give such a preference to Camoens and all these +Portuguese authors?" + +"For a very good reason, I am Portuguese myself." + +"You Portuguese? I thought you were Italian. And so you already know five +languages, for you doubtless know Spanish." + +"Yes, although Spanish is not absolutely necessary." + +"What an education you have had!" + +"I am twenty-two now, but I knew all these languages at eighteen." + +"Tell me who you are, tell me all about yourself. I am worthy of your +confidence." + +"I think so too, and to give you a proof of my trust in you I am going to +tell you my history, for since you love me you can only wish to do me +good." + +"What are all these manuscripts?" + +"My history, which I have written down myself. Let us sit down:" + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +Pauline's Story--I Am Happy--Pauline Leaves Me + +I am the only daughter of the unfortunate Count X---- o, whom Carvailho +Oeiras killed in prison on suspicion of being concerned in the attempt on +the king's life, in which the Jesuits were supposed to have had a hand. I +do not know whether my father was innocent or guilty, but I do know that +the tyrannical minister did not dare to have him tried, or to confiscate +the estates, which remain in my possession, though I can only enjoy them +by returning to my native land. + +"My mother had me brought up in a convent where her sister was abbess. I +had all kinds of masters, especially an Italian from Leghorn, who in six +years taught me all that he thought proper for me to know. He would +answer any questions I chose to put him, save on religious matters, but I +must confess that his reserve made me all the fonder of him, for in +leaving me to reflect on certain subjects by myself he did a great deal +to form my judgment. + +"I was eighteen when my grandfather removed me from the convent, although +I protested that I would gladly stay there till I got married. I was +fondly attached to my aunt, who did all in her power after my mother's +death to make me forget the double loss I had sustained. My leaving the +convent altered the whole course of my existence, and as it was not a +voluntary action I have nothing to repent of. + +"My grandfather placed me with his sister-in-law, the Marchioness X----o, +who gave me up half her house. I had a governess, a companion, maids, +pages, and footmen, all of whom, though in my service, were under the +orders of my governess, a well-born lady, who was happily honest and +trustworthy. + +"A year after I had left the convent my grandfather came and told me in +the presence of my governess that Count Fl---- had asked my hand for his +son, who was coming from Madrid end would arrive that day. + +"'What answer did you give him, dear grandfather?' + +"'That the marriage would be acceptable to the whole of the nobility, and +also to the king and royal family.' + +"'But are you quite sure that the young count will like me and that I +shall like the count?' + +"'That, my dear daughter, is a matter of course, and there need be no +discussion on the subject.' + +"'But it is a question in which I am strongly interested, and I should +like to consider it very carefully. We shall see how matters arrange +themselves.' + +"'You can see each other before deciding, but you must decide all the +same.' + +"'I hope so, but let us not be too certain. We shall see.' + +"As soon as my grandfather had gone I told my governess that I had made +up my mind never to give my hand save where I had given my heart, and +that I should only marry a man whose character and tastes I had carefully +studied. My governess gave me no answer, and on my pressing her to give +me her opinion, she replied that she thought her best course would be to +keep silence on such a delicate question. This was as much as to tell me +that she thought I was right; at least I persuaded myself that it was so. + +"The next day I went to the convent, and told the story to my aunt, the +abbess, who listened to me kindly and said it was to be hoped that I +should fall in love with him and he with me, but that even if it were +otherwise she was of opinion that the marriage would take place, as she +had reasons for believing that the scheme came from the Princess of +Brazil, who favoured Count Fl----. + +"Though this information grieved me, I was still glad to hear it, and my +resolution never to marry save for love was all the more strongly +confirmed. + +"In the course of a fortnight the count arrived, and my grandfather +presented him to me, several ladies being in the company. Nothing was +said about marrying, but there was a deal of talk about the strange lands +and peoples the new arrival had seen. I listened with the greatest +attention, not opening my mouth the whole time. I had very little +knowledge of the world, so I could not make any comparisons between my +suitor and other men, but my conclusion was that he could never hope to +please any woman, and that he would certainly never be mine. He had an +unpleasant sneering manner, joked in bad taste, was stupid, and a +devotee, or rather a fanatic. Furthermore he was ugly and ill-shapen, and +so great a fop that he was not ashamed to relate the story of his +conquests in France and Italy. + +"I went home hoping with all my heart that he had taken a dislike to me, +and a week which passed away without my hearing anything on the subject +confirmed me in this belief, but I was doomed to be disappointed. My +great-aunt asked me to dinner, and when I went I found the foolish young +man and his father present, together with my grandfather, who formally +introduced him to me as my future husband, and begged me to fix the +wedding day. I made up my mind that I would rather die than marry him, +and answered politely but coldly that I would name the day when I had +decided on marrying, but I should require time to think it over. The +dinner went off silently, and I only opened my mouth to utter +monosyllables in reply to questions which I could not avoid. After the +coffee had been served I left the house, taking no notice of anyone +besides my aunt and my grandfather. + +"Some time elapsed; and I again began to hope that I had effectually +disgusted my suitor, but one morning my governess told me that Father +Freire was waiting to speak to me in the ante-chamber. I ordered him to +be sent in. He was the confessor of the Princess of Brazil, and after +some desultory conversation he said the princess had sent him to +congratulate me on my approaching marriage with Count Fl----. + +"I did not evince any surprise, merely replying that I was sensible of +her highness's kindness, but that nothing had been decided so far, as I +was not thinking of getting married. + +"The priest, who was a perfect courtier, smiled in a manner, half kindly, +half sardonic, and said that I was at that happy age when I had no need +to think of anything, as my kind friends and relations did all my +thinking for me. + +"I only answered by an incredulous smile, which, for all his monastic +subtlety, struck him as the expression of a young girl's coyness. + +"Foreseeing the persecution to which I should be subjected, I went the +next day to my aunt the abbess, who could not refuse me her advice. I +began by stating my firm resolve to die rather than wed a being I +detested. + +"The worthy nun replied that the count had been introduced to her, and +that to tell the truth she thought him insufferable; all the same, she +said she was afraid I should be made to marry him. + +"These words were such a shock to me that I turned the conversation, and +spoke of other subjects for the remainder of my visit. But when I got +back to my house I pursued an extraordinary course. I shut myself up in +my closet and wrote a letter to the executioner of my unhappy father, the +pitiless Oeiras, telling him the whole story, and imploring him to +protect me and to speak to the king in my favour; 'for,' said I, 'as you +have made me an orphan it is your duty before God to care for me.' I +begged him to shelter me from the anger of the Princess of Brazil, and to +leave me at liberty to dispose of my hand according to my pleasure. + +"Though I did not imagine Oeiras to be a humane man, yet I thought he +must have some sort of a heart; besides, by this extraordinary step and +the firmness of my language, I hoped to appeal to his pride and to +interest him in my favour. I felt sure that he would do me justice, if +only to prove that he had not been unjust to my father. I was right, as +will be seen, and although I was but an inexperienced girl my instinct +served me well. + +"Two days elapsed before I was waited on by a messenger from Oeiras, who +begged the honour of a private interview with me. The messenger told me +that the minister wished me to reply to all who pressed me to marry that +I should not decide until I was assured that the princess desired the +match. The minister begged me to excuse his not answering my letter, but +he had good reasons for not doing so. The messenger assured me that I +could count on his master's support. + +"His message delivered, the gentleman took leave with a profound bow, and +went back without waiting for an answer. I must confess that the young +man's looks had made a great impression on me. I cannot describe my +feelings, but they have exerted great influence on my conduct, and will +no doubt continue to do so for the rest of my life. + +"This message put me quite at ease, for he would never have given me the +instructions he did without being perfectly sure that the princess would +not interfere any farther with my marriage; and so I gave myself up +entirely to the new sentiments which possessed my heart. Though strong, +the flame would no doubt soon have died down if it had not received fresh +fuel every day, for when I saw the young messenger a week later in church +I scarcely recognized him. From that moment, however, I met him +everywhere; out walking, in the theatre, in the houses where I called, +and especially when I was getting in or out of my carriage he was ever +beside me, ready to offer his hand; and I got so used to his presence +that when I missed his face I felt a void at my heart that made me +unhappy. + +"Almost every day I saw the two Counts Fl---- at my great-aunt's, but as +there was no longer any engagement between us their presence neither +joyed me nor grieved me. I had forgiven them but I was not happy. The +image of the young messenger, of whom I knew nothing, was ever before me, +and I blushed at my thoughts though I would not ask myself the reasons. + +"Such was my state of mind, when one day I heard a voice, which was +unknown to me, in my maid's room. I saw a quantity of lace on a table and +proceeded to examine it without paying any attention to a girl who was +standing near the table and curtsying to me. I did not like any of the +lace, so the girl said that she would bring me some more to choose from +the next day, and as I raised my eyes I was astonished to see that she +had the face of the young man who was always in my thoughts. My only +resource was to doubt their identity and to make myself believe that I +had been deceived by a mere chance likeness. I was reassured on second +thoughts; the girl seemed to me to be taller than the young man, whom I +hesitated to believe capable of such a piece of daring. The girl gathered +up her lace and went her way without raising her eyes to mine, and this +made me feel suspicious again. + +"'Do you know that girl?' I said, coldly, to my maid, and she replied +that she had never seen her before. I went away without another word, not +knowing what to think. + +"I thought it over and resolved to examine the girl when she came on the +following day, and to unmask her if my suspicions proved to be well +founded. I told myself that she might be the young man's sister, and that +if it were otherwise it would be all the more easy to cure myself of my +passion. A young girl who reasons on love falls into love, especially if +she have no one in whom to confide. + +"The pretended lace-seller duly came the next day with a box of lace. I +told her to come into my room, and then speaking to her to force her to +raise her eyes I saw before me the being who exerted such a powerful +influence over me. It was such a shock that I had no strength to ask her +any of the questions I had premeditated. Besides, my maid was in the +room, and the fear of exposing myself operated, I think, almost as +strongly as emotion. I set about choosing some pieces of lace in a +mechanical way, and told my maid to go and fetch my purse. No sooner had +she left the room than the lace-seller fell at my feet and exclaimed +passionately, + +"'Give me life or death, madam, for I see you know who I am.' + +"'Yes, I do know you, and I think you must have gone mad.' + +"'Yes, that may be; but I am mad with love. I adore you.' + +"'Rise, for my maid will come back directly.' + +"'She is in my secret.' + +"'What! you have dared--' + +"He got up, and the maid came in and gave him his money with the utmost +coolness. He picked up his lace, made me a profound bow, and departed. + +"It would have been natural for me to speak to my maid, and still more +natural if I had dismissed her on the spot. I had no courage to do so, +and my weakness will only astonish those rigorous moralists who know +nothing of a young girl's heart, and do not consider my painful position, +passionately in love and with no one but myself to rely on. + +"I did not follow at once the severe dictates of duty; afterwards it was +too late, and I easily consoled myself with the thought that I could +pretend not to be aware that the maid was in the secret. I determined to +dissemble, hoping that I should never see the adventurous lover again, +and that thus all would be as if it had never happened. + +"This resolve was really the effect of anger, for a fortnight passed by +without my seeing the young man in the theatre, the public walks, or in +any of the public places he used to frequent, and I became sad and +dreamy, feeling all the time ashamed of my own wanton fancies. I longed +to know his name, which I could only learn from my maid, and it was out +of the question for me to ask Oeiras. I hated my maid, and I blushed when +I saw her, imagining that she knew all. I was afraid that she would +suspect my honour, and at another time I feared lest she might think I +did not love him; and this thought nearly drove me mad. As for the young +adventurer I thought him more to be pitied than to be blamed, for I did +not believe that he knew I loved him, and it seemed to me that the idea +of my despising him was enough vengeance for his audacity. But my +thoughts were different when my vanity was stronger than love, for then +despair avenged itself on pride, and I fancied he would think no more of +me, and perhaps had already forgotten me. + +"Such a state cannot last long, for if nothing comes to put an end to the +storm which tosses the soul to and fro, it ends at last by making an +effort of itself to sail into the calm waters of peace. + +"One day I put on a lace kerchief I had bought from him, and asked my +maid, + +"'What has become of the girl who sold me this kerchief?' + +"I asked this question without premeditation; it was, as it were, an +inspiration from my 'good or my evil genius. + +"As crafty as I was simple, the woman answered that to be sure he had not +dared to come again, fearing that I had found out his disguise. + +"'Certainly,' I replied, 'I found it out directly, but I was astonished +to hear that you knew this lace-seller was a young man.' + +"'I did not think I should offend you, madam, I know him well.' + +"'Who is he? + +"'Count d'Al----; you ought to know him, for he paid you a visit about +four months ago.' + +"'True, and it is possible that I did not know him, but why did you tell +a lie when I asked you, "Do you know that girl?"' + +"'I lied to spare your feelings, madam, and I was afraid you would be +angry at the part I had taken: + +"'You would have honoured me more by supposing the contrary. When you +went out, and I told him he was mad, and that you would find him on his +knees when you returned, he told me you were in the secret.' + +"'If it be a secret, but it seems to me a mere joke: + +"'I wished to think so too, but nevertheless it seemed of such weight to +me, that I resolved to be silent that I might not be obliged to send you +away.' + +"'My idea was that you would have been amused, but as you take it +seriously I am sorry that I have failed in my strict duty.' + +"So weak is a woman in love that in this explanation which should have +shewn me the servant's fault in all its enormity I only saw a full +justification. In fact she had given peace to my heart, but my mind was +still uneasy. I knew that there was a young Count d'Al---- belonging to a +noble family, but almost penniless. All he had was the minister's +patronage, and the prospect of good State employments. The notion that +Heaven meant me to remedy the deficiencies in his fortune made me fall +into a sweet reverie, and at last I found myself deciding that my maid +who put it all down as a jest had more wit than I. I blamed myself for my +scrupulous behaviour, which seemed no better than prudery. My love was +stronger than I thought, and this is my best excuse, besides I had no one +to guide or counsel me. + +"But after sunshine comes shadow. My soul was like the ebb and tide of +the sea, now in the heights and now in the depths. The resolve, which the +count seemed to have taken, to see me no more, either shewed him to be a +man of little enterprise or little love, and this supposition humiliated +me. 'If,' I said to myself, 'the count is offended with me for calling +him a madman, he can have no delicacy and no discretion; he is unworthy +of my love.' + +"I was in this dreadful state of uncertainty when my maid took upon +herself to write to the count that he could come and see me under the +same disguise. He followed her advice, and one fine morning the crafty +maid came into my chamber laughing, and told me that the lace-seller was +in the next room. I was moved exceedingly, but restraining myself I began +to laugh also, though the affair was no laughing matter for me. + +"'Shall I shew her in? said the maid. + +"'Are you crazy? + +"Shall I send her away? + +"'No, I will go and speak to him myself.' + +"This day was a memorable one. My maid left the room now and again, and +we had plenty of time to disclose our feelings to one another. I frankly +confessed that I loved him, but added that it were best that I should +forget him, as it was not likely that my relations would consent to our +marriage. In his turn he told me that the minister having resolved to +send him to England, he would die of despair unless he carried with him +the hope of one day possessing me, for he said he loved me too well to +live without me. He begged me to allow him to come and see me under the +same disguise, and though I could not refuse him anything I said that we +might be discovered. + +"'It is enough for me,' he replied, tenderly, 'that you will incur no +danger, my visits will be set down to the account of your maid.' + +"'But I am afraid for you,' I replied, 'your disguise is a crime in +itself; your reputation will suffer, and that will not tend to bring the +wish of your heart nearer.' + +"In spite of my objections, my heart spoke in his favour, and he pleaded +so well and promised to be so discreet that at last I said I would see +him gladly whenever he liked to come. + +"Count Al---- is twenty-two, and is shorter than I; he is small-boned, and +in his disguise as a lace-seller it was hard to recognize him, even by +his voice, which is very soft. He imitated the gestures and ways of women +to perfection, and not a few women would be only too glad to be like him. + +"Thus for nearly three months the disguised count came to see me three or +four times a week, always in my maid's room, and mostly in her presence. +But even if we had been perfectly alone his fear of my displeasure was +too great to allow him to take the slightest liberties. I think now that +this mutual restraint added fuel to our flames, for when we thought of +the moment of parting it was with dumb sadness and with no idea of taking +the opportunity of rendering one another happy. We flattered ourselves +that Heaven would work some miracle in our favour, and that the day would +never come wherein we should be parted. + +"But one morning the count came earlier than usual, and, bursting into +tears, told me that the minister had given him a letter for M. de Saa, +the Portuguese ambassador at London, and another letter open for the +captain of a ship which was shortly to sail for London. In this letter +the minister ordered the captain to embark Count Al----, to take him to +London, and to treat him with distinction. + +"My poor lover was overwhelmed, he was nearly choked with sobs, and his +brain was all confusion. For his sake, and taking pity on his grief and +my love, I conceived the plan of accompanying him as his servant, or +rather to avoid disguising my sex, as his wife. When I told him, he was +at once stupefied and dazzled. He was beyond reasoning, and left +everything in my hands. We agreed to discuss the matter at greater length +on the following day, and parted. + +"Foreseeing that it would be difficult for me to leave the house in +woman's dress, I resolved to disguise myself as a man. But if I kept to +my man's dress I should be obliged to occupy the position of my lover's +valet, and have to undertake tasks beyond my strength. This thought made +me resolve to impersonate the master myself, but thinking that I should +not care to see my lover degraded to the rank of a servant, I determined +that he should be my wife, supposing that the captain of the ship did not +know him by sight. + +"'As soon as we get to England,' I thought, 'we will get married, and can +resume our several dresses. This marriage will efface whatever shame may +be attached to our flight; they will say, perhaps, that the count carried +me off; but a girl is not carried off against her will, and Oeiras surely +will not persecute me for having made the fortune of his favourite. As to +our means of subsistence, till I get my rents, I can sell my diamonds, +and they will realize an ample sum.' + +"The next day, when I told my lover of this strange plan, he made no +objections. The only obstacle which he thought of was the circumstance +that the sea-captain might know him by sight, and this would have been +fatal; but as he did not think it likely we determined to run the risk, +and it was agreed that he should get me the clothes for the new part I +was to play. + +"I saw my lover again after an interval of three days; it was nightfall +when he came. He told me that the Admiralty had informed him that the +ship was riding at the mouth of the Tagus, and that the captain would put +out to sea as soon as he had delivered his dispatches and had received +fresh instructions. Count Al was consequently requested to be at a +certain spot at midnight, and a boat would be in waiting to take him on +board. + +"I had made up my mind, and this was enough for me; and after having +fixed the time and place of meeting, I shut myself up, pretending to be +unwell. I put a few necessaries into a bag, not forgetting the precious +jewel-casket, and I dressed myself up as a man and left the house by a +stair only used by the servants. Even the porter did not see me as I made +my escape. + +"Fearing lest I should go astray the count was waiting for me at a short +distance, and I was pleasantly surprised when he took me by the arm, +saying, ''Tis I.' From this careful action, simple though it was, I saw +that he had intelligence; he was afraid to catch hold of me without +making himself known. We went to a house where he had his trunk, and in +half an hour his disguise was made. When all was ready a man came for our +slight baggage, and we walked to the river where the count was waiting +for us. It was eleven o'clock when we left land, and thinking my jewels +would be safer in his pocket than in my bag, I gave them to him, and we +anxiously awaited the arrival of the captain. He came aboard with his +officers at midnight, and accosted me politely, saying he had received +orders to treat me with distinction. I thanked him cordially, and +introduced my wife to him, whom he greeted respectfully, saying he was +delighted to have such a charming passenger, who would doubtless give us +a fortunate voyage. He was too polite to be astonished that the minister +had made no mention of the count's wife in his letter. + +"We got to the frigate in less than an hour; she was three leagues from +land, and as soon as we got on board the captain ordered the men to set +sail. He took us to a room which was extremely comfortable, considering +it was only a cabin, and after doing the honours left us to ourselves. + +"When we were alone we thanked Heaven that everything had gone off so +well, and far from going to sleep we spent the night in discussing the +bold step we had taken, or rather, only just begun to take; however, we +hoped it would have as fortunate an ending as beginning. When the day +dawned our hearts were gladdened because Lisbon was no longer in sight, +and as we were in need of rest I laid down on a seat, while the count got +into a hammock, neither of us troubling to undress. + +"We were just falling asleep, when we began to feel the approach of +sea-sickness, and for three days we knew no peace. + +"On the fourth day, scarcely being able to stand upright for weakness, we +began to be hungry, and had to exercise a careful moderation, so as not +to become seriously ill. Happily for us the captain had a store of good +food, and our meals were delicate and well-served. + +"My lover, whose sickness has been more severe than mine, used this as a +pretext for not leaving his room. The captain only came to see us once; +this must have been out of extreme politeness, for in Portugal one may be +jealous and yet not ridiculous. As for me, I stood upon the bridge nearly +all day; the fresh air did me good, and I amused myself by scanning the +horizon with my telescope. + +"The seventh day of the voyage my heart trembled as with a presentiment +of misfortune, when the sailors said that a vessel which could be seen in +the distance was a corvette which was due to sail a day after us, but +being a swift sailor would probably reach England two or three days +before us. + +"Though the voyage from Lisbon to England is a long one we had a fair +wind all the way, and in fourteen days we dropped anchor at day-break in +the port of Plymouth. + +"The officer sent ashore by the captain to ask leave to disembark +passengers came on board in the evening with several letters. One the +captain read with peculiar attention, and then called me to one side and +said, + +"'This letter comes from Count Oeiras, and enjoins me, on my life, not to +let any Portuguese young lady land, unless she be known to me. I am to +take her back to Lisbon after having executed my various commissions. +There is neither wife nor maid on my frigate, except the countess your +wife. If you can prove that she is really your wife she may land with +you; otherwise, you see, I cannot disobey the minister's orders.' + +"'She is my wife,' I said, coolly; 'but as I could not foresee this +accident I have no papers to prove the fact.' + +"'I am sorry to hear it, as in that case she must go back to Lisbon. You +may be sure I will treat her with all possible respect.' + +"'But a wife may not be parted from her husband.' + +"'Quite so, but I cannot disobey orders. If you like you can return to +Lisbon in the corvette; you will be there before us.' + +"'Why cannot I return in this frigate? + +"'Because I have distinct orders to put you on land. And now I come to +think of it, how was it that there was not a word about your wife in the +letter you gave me when we started? If the lady is not the person meant +by the minister, you may be sure she will be sent back to join you in +London.' + +"'You will allow me to go and speak to her? + +"'Certainly, but in my presence.' + +"My heart was broken; nevertheless, I had to put a good face on the +losing game I was playing. I went to the count, and addressing him as my +dear wife communicated the order which was to part us. + +"I was afraid he would betray himself, but he was strong-minded enough to +restrain his emotion, and only replied that we must needs submit, and +that we should see each other again in a couple of months. + +"As the captain stood beside us, I could only utter common-places. I +warned him, however, that I should write to the abbess directly I got to +London, who was the first person he must go and see at Lisbon, as she +would have my address. I took care not to ask for my jewel-case, as the +captain might have thought that my false wife was some rich young lady +whom I had seduced. + +"We had to abandon ourselves to our destiny. We embraced each other and +mingled our ears, and the captain wept, too, when he heard me say, + +"'Trust in all things to the worthy captain, and let us not fear at all.' + +"The count's trunk was lowered into the boat, and as I did not dare to +take my bag I found myself loaded with nothing but a man's clothes, which +would not have fitted me, even if I had intended to keep up my disguise. + +"When I came to the custom-house I saw my possessions. There were books, +letters, linen, some suits of clothes, a sword and two pairs of pistols, +one pair of which I put in my pockets, and then I went to an inn where +the host said that if I wanted to travel to London the next morning I +should only have to pay for one horse. + +"'Who are the people,' said I, 'who desire a companion? + +"'You shall sup with them if you like,' said he. + +"I accepted the offer, and found the party consisted of a minister of +religion and two ladies whose faces pleased me. I was fortunate enough to +win their good graces, and early the next day we got to London and +alighted in the Strand at an inn where I only dined, going out to seek a +lodging appropriate to my means and the kind of life I wished to lead. +Fifty Lisbon pieces and a ring of about the same value was all that I +possessed in the world. + +"I took a room on the third floor, being attracted by the honest and +kindly expression of the landlady. I could only trust in God and confide +my position to her. I agreed to pay her ten shillings a week, and begged +her to get me some woman's clothes, for I was afraid to go out in my +man's dress any longer. + +"The next day I was clothed like a poor girl who desires to escape +notice. I spoke English well enough to seem a native of the country, and +I knew how I must behave if I wished to be let alone. Although the +landlady was a worthy woman, her house was not exactly suitable for me; +my stay in England might be protracted, and if I came to destitution I +should be wretched indeed; so I resolved to leave the house. I received +no visitors, but I could not prevent the inquisitive from hovering round +my door, and the more it became known that I saw no one, the more their +curiosity increased. The house was not quiet enough. It was near the +Exchange, and the neighborhood swarmed with young men who came to dine on +the first floor of the house, and did their best to cure me of my +sadness, as they called it, though I had not shewn any signs of wishing +to be cured. + +"I made up my mind not to spend more than a guinea a week, and resolved +to sell my ring if I could have the money paid to me at intervals. An old +jeweler who lodged next door, and for whose honesty my landlady answered, +told me it was worth a hundred and fifty guineas, and asked me to let him +have it if I had no better offer. I had not thought it to be so valuable, +and I sold it to him on condition that he would pay me four guineas a +month, and that I should be at liberty to buy it back if I could do so +before all the payments had been made. + +"I wanted to keep my ready money, which I still have by me, so as to be +able to go back to Lisbon by land when I can do so in safety, for I could +not face the horrors of a sea voyage a second time. + +"I told my case to my worthy landlady who still befriends me, and she +helped me to get another lodging, but I had to procure a servant to fetch +me my food; I could not summon up courage to have my meals in a +coffee-house. However, all my servants turned out ill; they robbed me +continually, and levied a tax on all their purchases. + +"The temperance I observed--for I almost lived on bread and water--made +me get thinner every day, still I saw no way of mending my existence till +chance made me see your singular announcement. I laughed at it; and then +drawn by some irresistible power, or perhaps by the curiosity that falls +to the lot of most of us women, I could not resist going in and speaking +to you. Instinct thus pointed out the way to improve my lot without +increasing my expenditure. + +"When I got back I found a copy of the Advertiser on my landlady's table; +it contained some editorial fun on the notice I had just read. The writer +said that the master of the house was an Italian, and had therefore +nothing to fear from feminine violence. On my side I determined to hazard +everything, but I feel I have been too hasty, and that there are certain +attacks which it is pleasant not to resist. I was brought up by an +Italian, a clever and good man, and I have always had a great respect for +your fellow-countrymen." + +My fair Portuguese had finished her story, and I observed,-- + +"Really, your history has amused me very much; it has all the air of a +romance." + +"Quite so," said she; "but it is a strictly historical romance. But the +most amusing thing to me is that you have listened to it without +weariness." + +"That is your modesty, madam; not only, has your tale interested me, but +now that I know you are a Portuguese I am at peace with the nation." + +"Were you at war with us, then?" + +"I have never forgiven you for letting your Portuguese Virgil die +miserably two hundred years ago." + +"You mean Camoens. But the Greeks treated Homer in the same way." + +"Yes, but the faults of others are no excuse for our own." + +"You are right; but how can you like Camoens so much if you do not know +Portuguese?" + +"I have read a translation in Latin hexameters so well done that I +fancied I was reading Virgil." + +"Is that truly so?" + +"I would never lie to you." + +"Then I make a vow to learn Latin." + +"That is worthy of you, but it is of me that you must learn the language. +I will go to Portugal and live and die there, if you will give me your +heart.' + +"My heart! I have only one, and that is given already. Since I have known +you I have despised myself, for I am afraid I have an inconstant nature." + +"It will be enough for me if you will love me as your father, provided I +may sometimes take my daughter to my arms. But go on with your story, the +chief part is yet untold. What became of your lover, and what did your +relations do when they found out your flight?" + +"Three days after I arrived in this vast city I wrote to the abbess, my +aunt, and told her the whole story, begging her to protect my lover, and +to confirm me in my resolution never to return to Lisbon till I could do +so in security, and have no obstacles placed in the way of my marriage. I +also begged her to write and inform me of all that happened, addressing +her letters to 'Miss Pauline,' under cover of my landlady. + +"I sent my letter by Paris and Madrid, and I had to wait three months +before I got an answer. My aunt told me that the frigate had only +returned a short time, and that the captain immediately on his arrival +wrote to the minister informing him that the only lady who was in his +ship when he sailed was still on board, for he had brought her back with +him, despite the opposition of Count Al----, who declared she was his +wife. The captain ended by asking his excellency for further orders with +respect to the lady aforesaid. + +"Oeiras, feeling sure that the lady was myself, told the captain to take +her to the convent of which my aunt was abbess, with a letter he had +written. In this letter he told my aunt that he sent her her niece, and +begged her to keep the girl securely till further orders. My aunt was +extremely surprised, but she would have been still more surprised if she +had not got my letter a few days before. She thanked the captain for his +care, and took the false niece to a room and locked her up. She then +wrote to Oeiras, telling him that she had received into her convent a +person supposed to be his niece, but as this person was really a man in +woman's dress she begged his excellency to remove him as soon as +possible. + +"When the abbess had written this curious letter she paid a visit to the +count, who fell on his knees before her. My good aunt raised him, and +shewed him my letter. She said that she had been obliged to write to the +minister, and that she had no doubt he would be removed from the convent +in the course of a few hours. The count burst into tears, and begging the +abbess to protect us both gave her my jewel-casket, which the worthy +woman received with great pleasure. She left him, promising to write to +me of all that happened. + +"The minister was at one of his country estates, and did not receive the +abbess's letter till the next day, but hastened to reply in person. My +aunt easily convinced his excellency of the need for keeping the matter +secret, for a man had been sent into the convent, which would be to her +dishonour. She shewed the proud minister the letter she had had from me, +and told him how the honest young man had given her my jewel-casket. He +thanked her for her open dealing, and begged her pardon with a smile for +sending a fine young man to her nunnery. + +"'The secret,' said he, 'is of the greatest importance; we must see that +it goes no farther. I will relieve you of your false niece, and take her +away in my carriage.' + +"My aunt took him at his word and brought out the young recluse, who +drove away with the minister. The abbess tells me that from that day she +has heard nothing about him, but that all Lisbon is talking over the +affair, but in a wholly distorted manner. They say that the minister +first of all put me under the care of my aunt, but soon after took me +away, and has kept me in some secret place ever since. Count Al---- is +supposed to be in London, and I in the minister's power, and probably we +are supposed to have entered into a tender relationship. No doubt his +excellency is perfectly well informed of my doings here, for he knows my +address and has spies everywhere. + +"On the advice of my aunt I wrote to Oeiras a couple of months ago, +telling him that I am ready to return to Lisbon, if I may marry Count +Al---- and live in perfect liberty. Otherwise, I declared, I would stay in +London, where the laws guaranteed my freedom. I am waiting for his answer +every day, and I expect it will be a favourable one, for no one can +deprive me of my estates, and Oeiras will probably be only too glad to +protect me to lessen the odium which attaches to his name as the murderer +of my father." + +Pauline made no mystery of the names of the characters, but she may be +still alive, and I respect her too well to run the risk of wounding her, +though these Memoirs will not see the light of day during my lifetime. It +is sufficient to say that the story is known to all the inhabitants of +Lisbon, and that the persons who figure in it are public characters in +Portugal. + +I lived with dear Pauline in perfect harmony, feeling my love for her +increase daily, and daily inspiring her with tenderer feelings towards +myself. But as my love increased in strength, I grew thin and feeble; I +could not sleep nor eat. I should have languished away if I had not +succeeded in gratifying my passion. On the other hand, Pauline grew +plumper and prettier every day. + +"If my sufferings serve to increase your charms," said I, "you ought not +to let me die, for a dead man has no suffering." + +"Do you think that your sufferings are due to your love for me?" + +"Certainly." + +"There may be something in it, but, believe me, the tender passion does +not destroy the appetite nor take away the power of sleep. Your +indisposition is undoubtedly due to the sedentary life you have been +leading of late. If you love me, give me a proof of it; go out for a +ride." + +"I cannot refuse you anything, dearest Pauline, but what then?" + +"Then you shall find me grateful to you, you will have a good appetite, +and will sleep well." + +"A horse, a horse! Quick! My boots!" I kissed her hand--for I had not got +any farther than that--and began to ride towards Kingston. I did not care +for the motion of trotting, so I put my horse at a gallop, when all of a +sudden he stumbled, and in an instant I was lying on the ground in front +of the Duke of Kingston's house. Miss Chudleigh happened to be at the +window, and seeing me thrown to the ground uttered a shriek. I raised my +head and she recognized me, and hastened to send some of her people to +help me. As soon as I was on my feet I wanted to go and thank her, but I +could not stir, and a valet who knew something of surgery examined me, +and declared that I had put out my collar-bone and would require a week's +rest. + +The young lady told me that if I liked to stay in her house the greatest +care should be taken of me. I thanked her warmly, but begged her to have +me taken home, as I should not like to give her so much trouble. She +immediately gave the necessary orders, and I was driven home in a +comfortable carriage. The servants in charge would not accept any money, +and I saw in the incident a proof of that hospitality for which the +English are famed, although they are at the same time profoundly +egotistic. + +When I got home I went to bed, and sent for a surgeon, who laughed when I +told him that I had put out a bone. + +"I'll wager it is nothing more than a sprain. I only wish it was put out +that I might have some chance of shewing my skill." + +"I am delighted," I said, "not to be in a position to call for that +amount of talent, but I shall have a high opinion of you if you set me up +in a short time." + +I did not see Pauline, much to my astonishment. I was told she had gone +out in a sedan-chair, and I almost felt jealous. In two hours she came in +looking quite frightened, the old house-keeper having told her that I had +broken my leg, and that the doctor had been with me already. + +"Unhappy wretch that I am!" she exclaimed as she came to my bedside, +"'tis I that have brought you to this." + +With these words she turned pale and almost fell in a swoon beside me. + +"Divine being!" I cried, as I pressed her to my breast, "it is nothing; +only a sprain." + +"What pain that foolish old woman has given me! + +"God be praised that it is no worse! Feel my heart." + +"Oh, yes! I felt it with delight. It was a happy fall for me." + +Fastening my lips on hers, I felt with delight that our transports were +mutual, and I blessed the sprain that had brought me such bliss. + +After these ecstasies I felt that Pauline was laughing. + +"What are you laughing at, sweetheart?" + +"At the craft of love, which always triumphs at last." + +"Where have you been?" + +"I went to my old jeweler's to redeem my ring, that you might have a +souvenir of me; here it is." + +"Pauline! Pauline! a little love would have been much more precious to me +than this beautiful ring." + +"You shall have both. Till the time of my departure, which will come only +too soon, we will live together like man and wife; and to-night shall be +our wedding night, and the bed the table for the feast." + +"What sweet news you give me, Pauline! I cannot believe it till my +happiness is actually accomplished." + +"You may doubt, if you like; but let it be a slight doubt, or else you +will do me wrong. I am tired of living with you as a lover and only +making you wretched, and the moment I saw you on horseback I determined +to belong to you. Consequently I went to redeem the ring directly you +left, and I do not intend to leave you until I receive the fatal message +from Lisbon. I have dreaded its arrival every day for the last week." + +"May the messenger that brings it be robbed on the way." + +"No such luck, I am afraid." + +As Pauline was standing, I asked her to come to my arms, for I longed to +give her some palpable signs of my love. + +"No, dearest, one can love and yet be wise; the door is open." + +She got down Ariosto and began to read to me the adventure of +Ricciardetto with Fiordespina, an episode which gives its beauty to the +twenty-ninth canto of that beautiful poem which I knew by heart. She +imagined that she was the princess, and I Ricciardetto. She liked to +fancy, + + 'Che il ciel L'abbia concesso, + Bradamante cangiata in miglior sesso.' + +When she came to the lines; + + 'Le belle braccia al collo indi mi getta, + E dolcemente stringe, a baccia in bocca: + Tu puoi pensar se allora la saetta + Dirizza Amor, se in mezzo al cor mi tocca.' + +She wanted some explanations on the expression 'baccia in bocca', and on +the love which made Ricciardetto's arrow so stiff, and I, only too ready +to comment on the text, made her touch an arrow as stiff as +Ricciardetto's. Of course, she was angry at that, but her wrath did not +last long. She burst out laughing when she came to the lines, + + 'Io il veggo, io il sento, e a pena vero parmi: + Sento in maschio in femina matarsi.' + +And then, + + 'Cosi le dissi, e feci ch'ella stessa + Trovo con man la veritade expressa. + +She expressed her, wonder that this poem abounding in obscenities had not +been put on the "Index" at Rome. + +"What you call obscenity is mere license, and there is plenty of that at +Rome." + +"That's a joke which should bring the censures of the Church upon you. +But what do you call obscenities, if Ariosto is not obscene?" + +"Obscenity disgusts, and never gives pleasure." + +"Your logic is all your own, but situated as I am I cannot reargue your +proposition. I am amused at Ariosto's choosing a Spanish woman above all +others to conceive that strange passion for Bradamante." + +"The heat of the Spanish climate made him conclude that the Spanish +temperament was also ardent, and consequently whimsical in its tastes." + +"Poets are a kind of madmen who allow themselves to give utterance to all +their fancies." + +The reading was continued, and I thought my time had come when she read +the verses: + + Io senza scale in su la rooca salto, + E to stendardo piantovi di botto, + E la nemica mia mi caccio sotto** + +**I scaled the rock without a ladder, I planted my standard suddenly, and +held my enemy beneath me. + +I wanted to give her a practical illustration of the lines, but with that +sensibility so natural to women, and which they can use so well as a goad +to passion, she said,-- + +"Dearest, you might make yourself worse; let us wait till your sprain is +cured." + +"Are we to wait till I am cured for the consummation of our marriage?" + +"I suppose so, for if I am not mistaken the thing can't be done without a +certain movement." + +"You are wrong, dear Pauline, but it would make no difference to me even +if it were so. You may be sure I would not put it off till to-morrow, +even if it cost me my leg. Besides, you shall see that there are ways and +means of satisfying our passions without doing me any harm. Is that +enough for you?" + +"Well, well, as it is written that a wife should obey her husband, you +will find me docile." + +"When?" + +"After supper." + +"Then we will have no supper. We shall dine with all the better appetite +to-morrow. Let us begin now." + +"No, for the suspicions of the servants might be aroused. Love has its +rules of decency like everything else." + +"You talk as wisely as Cato, and I am obliged to confess that you are +right in all you say." + +Supper was served as usual; it was delicate enough, but the thought of +approaching bliss had taken away our appetites, and we ate only for +form's sake. At ten o'clock we were at liberty, and could indulge our +passion without any fear of being disturbed. + +But this delightful woman, who had so plainly told me a few hours before +that when I was cured we would live together as man and wife, was now +ashamed to undress before me. She could not make up her mind, and told me +so, laughing at herself. From this circumstance I gathered that the +decency of the body is more tenacious in its grasp than the purity of the +soul. + +"But, sweetheart," said I, "you dressed and undressed for a fortnight +before your betrothed." + +"Yes, but he was always lying in his hammock with his back towards me at +night, and in the morning he never turned round and wished me good day +till he knew I was dressed." + +"What, he never turned?" + +"I never let him take any liberties." + +"Such virtue is incomprehensible to me." + +"You see the count was to be my husband, and I was to be his wife, and in +such cases a young woman is careful. Besides, I believe that if one will +but refrain from taking the first step, continence is easy. Then the +count was naturally timid, and would never have taken any liberties +without my encouraging him, which I took care not to do. For this once, +you will allow me to sleep with you in my clothes." + +"Certainly, if you wish me to be dressed also, otherwise it would be +unbearable for both of us." + +"You are very cruel." + +"But, dearest, are you not ashamed of these foolish scruples?" + +"Well, well, put out the candles, and in a minute I will be beside you." + +"Very good; though the want of light will deprive me of a great pleasure. +Quick, out with them!" + +My charming Portuguese did not reflect that the moon shone full into the +room, and that the muslin curtains would not prevent my seeing her +exquisite figure, which shewed to greater advantage in the position she +happened to take. If Pauline had been a coquette I should have considered +her scruples as mere artifice calculated to increase my ardour; but she +had no need to use such stratagems. At last she was within my arms, and +we clasped each other closely and in silence that was only broken by the +murmur of our kisses. Soon our union became closer, and her sighs and the +ardour of her surrender shewed me that her passion was more in need of +relief than mine. I was sufficiently master of myself to remember that I +must have a care for her honour, greatly to her astonishment, for she +confessed she had never thought of such a thing, and had given herself up +freely, resolved to brave the consequences which she believed to be +inevitable. I explained the mystery and made her happy. + +Till this moment love alone had swayed me, but now that the bloody +sacrifice was over I felt full of respect and gratitude. I told her +effusively that I knew how great was my happiness, and that I was ready +to sacrifice my life to her to prove my love. + +The thought that our embraces would have no dangerous result had put +Pauline at her ease, and she have reins to her ardent temperament, while +I did valiant service, till at last we were exhausted and the last +sacrifice was not entirely consummated. We abandoned ourselves to a +profound and peaceful sleep. I was the first to awake; the sun was +shining in through the window, and I gazed on Pauline. As I looked at +this woman, the first beauty in Portugal, the only child of an +illustrious family, who had given herself to me all for love, and whom I +should possess for so short a time, I could not restrain a profound sigh. + +Pauline awoke, and her gaze, as bright as the rising sun in springtime, +fixed itself on me truthfully and lovingly. + +"What are you thinking of, dearest?" + +"I am trying to convince myself that my happiness is not a dream, and if +it be real I want it to last for ever. I am the happy mortal to whom you +have given up your great treasure, of which I am unworthy, though I love +you tenderly." + +"Sweetheart, you are worthy of all my devotion and affection, if you have +not ceased to respect me." + +"Can you doubt it, Pauline?" + +"No, dearest, I think you love me, and that I shall never repent having +trusted in you." + +The sweet sacrifice was offered again, and Pauline rose and laughed to +find that she was no longer ashamed of her nakedness before me. Then, +passing from jest to earnest, she said,-- + +"If the loss of shame is the result of knowledge, how was it that our +first parents were not ashamed till they had acquired knowledge?" + +"I don't know, dearest, but tell me, did you ever ask your learned +Italian master that same question?" + +"Yes, I did." + +"What did he say?" + +"That their shame arose not from their enjoyment, but from disobedience; +and that in covering the parts which had seduced them, they discovered, +as it were, the sin they had committed. Whatever may be said on the +subject, I shall always think that Adam was much more to blame than Eve." + +"How is that?" + +"Because Adam had received the prohibition from God, while Eve had only +received it from Adam." + +"I thought that both of them received the prohibition directly from God." + +"You have not read Genesis, then." + +"You are laughing at me." + +"Then you have read it carelessly, because it is distinctly stated that +God made Eve after he had forbidden Adam to eat of the fruit." + +"I wonder that point has not been remarked by our commentators; it seems +a very important one to me." + +"They are a pack of knaves, all sworn enemies of women." + +"No, no, they give proofs of quite another feeling only too often." + +"We won't say anything more about it. My teacher was an honest man." + +"Was he a Jesuit?" + +"Yes, but of the short robe." + +"What do you mean?" + +"We will discuss the question another time." + +"Very good; I should like to have it proved to me that a man can be a +Jesuit and honest at the same time." + +"There are exceptions to all rules." + +My Pauline was a profound thinker, and strongly attached to her religion. +I should never have discovered that she possessed this merit if I had not +slept with her. I have known several women of the same stamp; if you wish +to know the elevation of their souls, you must begin by damning them. +When this is done, one enjoys their confidence, for they have no secrets +for the happy victor. This is the reason why the charming though feeble +sex loves the brave and despises the cowardly. Sometimes they appear to +love cowards, but always for their physical beauty. Women amuse +themselves with such fellows, but are the first to laugh if they get +caned. + +After the most delicious night I had ever passed, I resolved not to leave +my house till Pauline had to return to Portugal. She did not leave me for +a moment, save to hear mass on Sundays. I shut my door to everybody, even +to the doctor, for my sprain disappeared of itself. I did not fail to +inform Miss Chudleigh of my rapid cure; she had sent twice a day ever +since the accident to learn how I was. + +Pauline went to her room after our amorous conflict, and I did not see +her again till dinner-time; but when I did see her I thought her an +angel. Her face had caught the hues of the lily and the rose, and had an +air of happiness I could not help admiring. + +As we both wanted to have our portraits taken, I asked Martinelli to send +me the best miniature-painter in London. He sent a Jew, who succeeded +admirably. I had my miniature mounted in a ring and gave it to Pauline; +and this was the only present she would accept from me, who would have +thought myself all the richer if she had accepted all I had. + +We spent three weeks in a happy dream which no pen can describe. I was +quite well again, and we tasted all the sweets of love together. All day +and all night we were together, our desires were satisfied only to be +renewed; we enjoyed the extremest bliss. In a word, it is difficult to +form a just idea of the state of two individuals who enjoy all the range +of physical and mental pleasures together, whose life is for the present +without thought of the future; whose joys are mutual and continual; such, +nevertheless, was the position of myself and my divine Pauline. + +Every day I discovered in her some fresh perfection which made me love +her more; her nature was inexhaustible in its treasures, for her mental +qualities even surpassed her physical beauties, and an excellent +education had wonderfully increased the powers of her intelligence. With +all the beauty and grace of a woman she had that exalted character which +is the lot of the best of men. She began to flatter herself that the +fatal letter would never come, and the count was little more than a dream +of the past. Sometimes she would say that she could not understand how a +pretty face could exercise such a strong influence over us in spite of +our reason. + +"I have found out too late," she added, "that chance alone can make a +marriage, contracted for such physical reasons, happy." + +The 1st of August was a fatal day for both of us. Pauline received a +letter from Lisbon, which summoned her home without delay, and I had a +letter from Paris announcing the death of Madame d'Urfe. Madame du Rumain +told me that on the evidence of her maid the doctors had pronounced her +death to be due to an overdose of the liquid she called "The Panacea." +She added that a will had been found which savoured of a lunatic asylum, +for she had left all her wealth to the son or daughter that should be +born of her, declaring that she was with child. I was to be the governor +of the infant; this vexed me exceedingly, as I knew I should be the +laughing-stock of Paris for a week at least. Her daughter, the Comtesse +de Chatelet, had taken possession of all her real estate and of her +pocket-book, which contained, to my surprise, four hundred thousand +francs. It was a great shock for me, but the contents of the two letters +Pauline had received was a greater blow. One was from her aunt, and the +other from Oeiras, who begged her to return to Lisbon as soon as +possible, and assured her that she should be put in possession of her +property on her arrival, and would be at liberty to marry Count Al---- in +the sight of all the world. He sent her a cheque for twenty million reis. +I was not aware of the small value of the coin, and was in an ecstasy; +but Pauline laughed, and said it only came to two thousand pounds, which +was a sufficient sum, however, to allow her to travel in the style of a +duchess. The minister wanted her to come by sea, and all she had to do +was to communicate with the Portuguese ambassador, who had orders to give +her a passage on a Portuguese frigate which happened to be riding in an +English port. Pauline would not hear of the voyage, or of applying to the +ambassador, for she did not want anyone to think that she had been +obliged to return. She was angry with the minister for having sent her a +cheque, thinking that he must be aware that she had been in need, but I +soon brought her to see reason on this point, telling her that it was a +very thoughtful and delicate proceeding on the part of Oeiras, and that +he had merely lent-her the money, and not given it to her. + +Pauline was rich, and she was a high-minded woman. Her generosity may be +estimated by her giving me her ring when she was in want, and she +certainly never counted on my purse, though she may have felt sure that I +would not abandon her. I am sure she believed me to be very rich, and my +conduct was certainly calculated to favour that idea. + +The day and even the night passed sadly. The next day Pauline addressed +me as follows: + +"We must part, dear friend, and try to forget one another, for my honour +obliges me to become the wife of the count as soon as I arrive in Lisbon. +The first fancy of my heart, which you have almost effaced, will regain +all its old force when I see you no longer, and I am sure I shall love my +husband, for he is a goodhearted, honest, and pleasant young man; that +much I know from the few days we lived together. + +"Now I have a favour to ask of you, which I am sure you will grant. +Promise me never to come to Lisbon without my permission. I hope you will +not seek to know my reasons; you would not, I am sure, come to trouble my +peace, for if I sinned I should be unhappy, and you would not desire that +for me. I have dreamed we have lived together as man and wife, and now we +are parted I shall fancy myself a widow about to undertake another +marriage." + +I burst into tears, and pressing her to my breast promised I would do as +she wished. + +Pauline wrote to her aunt and Oeiras that she would be in Lisbon in +October, and that they should have further news of her when she reached +Spain. She had plenty of money, and bought a carriage and engaged a maid, +and these arrangements took up her time during the last week she spent +with me. I made her promise me to let Clairmont accompany her as far as +Madrid. She was to send me back my faithful servant when she reached the +Spanish capital, but fate had decreed that I should see his face no more. + +The last few days were spent partly in sorrow and partly in delight. We +looked at each other without speaking, and spoke without knowing what we +said. We forgot to eat, and went to bed hoping that love and anguish +would keep us awake, but our exhausted bodies fell into a heavy sleep, +and when we awoke we could only sigh and kiss again. + +Pauline allowed me to escort her as far as Calais, and we started on the +10th of August, only stopping at Dover to embark the carriage on the +packet, and four hours afterwards we disembarked at Calais, and Pauline, +considering her widowhood had begun, begged me to sleep in another room. +She started on the 12th of August, preceded by my poor Clairmont, and +resolved only to travel by daytime. + +The analogy between my parting with Pauline and my parting with Henriette +fifteen years before, was exceedingly striking; the two women were of +very similar character, and both were equally beautiful, though their +beauty was of a different kind. Thus I fell as madly in love with the +second as with the first, both being equally intelligent. The fact that +one had more talent and less prejudices than the other must have been an +effect of their different educations. Pauline had the fine pride of her +nation, her mind was a serious cast, and her religion was more an affair +of the heart than the understanding. She was also a far more ardent +mistress than Henriette. I was successful with both of them because I was +rich; if I had been a poor man I should never have known either of them. +I have half forgotten them, as everything is forgotten in time, but when +I recall them to my memory I find that Henriette made the profounder +impression on me, no doubt because I was twenty-five when I knew her, +while I was thirty-seven in London. + +The older I get the more I feel the destructive effects of old age; and I +regret bitterly that I could not discover the secret of remaining young +and happy for ever. Vain regrets! we must finish as we began, helpless +and devoid of sense. + +I went back to England the same day, and had a troublesome passage. +Nevertheless, I did not rest at Dover; and as soon as I got to London I +shut myself up with a truly English attack of the spleen, while I thought +of Pauline and strove to forget her. Jarbe put me to bed, and in the +morning, when he came into my room, he made me shudder with a speech at +which I laughed afterwards. + +"Sir," said he, "the old woman wants to know whether she is to put up the +notice again." + +"The old hag! Does she want me to choke her?" + +"Good heavens-no, sir! She is very fond of you, seeing you seemed so sad, +she thought . . . ." + +"Go and tell her never to think such things again, and as for you . . . ." + +"I will do as you wish, sir." + +"Then leave me." + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of In London And Moscow: To London +by Jacques Casanova de Seingalt + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK IN LONDON AND MOSCOW: TO LONDON *** + +***** This file should be named 2972.txt or 2972.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/2/9/7/2972/ + +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> + + +To London +By Jacques Casanova + + + + +MEMOIRS OF JACQUES CASANOVA de SEINGALT 1725-1798 +IN LONDON AND MOSCOW, Volume 5b--TO LONDON + + + +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. + + + + +TO LONDON + + + +CHAPTER V + +I Meet the Venetian Ambassadors at Lyons, and also Marcoline's Uncle +--I Part from Marcoline and Set Out for Paris--An Amorous Journey + + +Thus freed from the cares which the dreadful slanders of Possano had +caused me, I gave myself up to the enjoyment of my fair Venetian, +doing all in my power to increase her happiness, as if I had had a +premonition that we should soon be separated from one another. + +The day after the supper I gave to Madame Pernon and M. Bono, we went +to the theatre together, and in the box opposite to us I saw M. +Querini, the procurator, Morosini, M. Memmo, and Count Stratico, a +Professor of the University of Padua. I knew all these gentlemen; +they had been in London, and were passing through Lyons on their +return to Venice. + +"Farewell, fair Marcoline!" I said to myself, feeling quite broken- +hearted, but I remained calm, and said nothing to her. She did not +notice them as she was absorbed in her conversation with M. Bono, and +besides, she did not know them by sight. I saw that M. Memmo had +seen me and was telling the procurator of my presence, and as I knew +the latter very well I felt bound to pay them my respects then and +there. + +Querini received me very politely for a devotee, as also did +Morosini, while Memmo seemed moved; but no doubt he remembered that +it was chiefly due to his mother that I had been imprisoned eight +years ago. I congratulated the gentlemen on their embassy to +England, on their return to their native land, and for form's sake +commended myself to their good offices to enable me to return also. +M. Morosini, noticing the richness of my dress and my general +appearance of prosperity, said that while I had to stay away he had +to return, and that he considered me the luckier man. + +"Your excellency is well aware," said I, "that nothing is sweeter +than forbidden fruit." + +He smiled, and asked me whither I went and whence I came. + +"I come from Rome," I answered, "where I had some converse with the +Holy Father, whom I knew before, and I am going through Paris on my +way to London. + +"Call on me here, if you have time, I have a little commission to +give you." + +"I shall always have time to serve your excellency in. Are you +stopping here for long?" + +"Three or four days." + +When I 'got back to my box Marcoline asked me who were the gentlemen +to whom I had been speaking. I answered coolly and indifferently, +but watching her as I spoke, that they were the Venetian ambassadors +on their way from London. The flush of her cheek died away and was +replaced by pallor; she raised her eyes to heaven, lowered them, and +said not a word. My heart was broken. A few minutes afterwards she +asked me which was M. Querini, and after I had pointed him out to her +she watched him furtively for the rest of the evening. + +The curtain fell, we left our box, and at the door of the theatre we +found the ambassadors waiting for their carriage. Mine was in the +same line as theirs. The ambassador Querini said,-- + +"You have a very pretty young lady with you." + +Marcoline stepped forward, seized his hand, and kissed it before I +could answer. + +Querini, who was greatly astonished, thanked her and said,-- + +"What have I done to deserve this honour?" + +"Because," said Marcoline, speaking in the Venetian dialect, "I have +the honour of knowing his excellency M. Querini." + +"What are you doing with M. Casanova?" + +"He is my uncle." + +My carriage came up. I made a profound bow to the ambassadors, and +called out to the coachman, "To the 'Hotel du Parc'." It was the +best hotel in Lyons, and I was not sorry for the Venetians to hear +where I was staying. + +Marcoline was in despair, for she saw that the time for parting was +near at hand. + +"We have three or four days before us," said I, "in which we can +contrive how to communicate with your uncle Mattio. I must commend +you highly for kissing M. Querini's hand. That was a masterstroke +indeed. All will go off well; but I hope you will be merry, for +sadness I abhor." + +We were still at table when I heard the voice of M. Memmo in the +ante-chamber; he was a young man, intelligent and good-natured. I +warned Marcoline not to say a word about our private affairs, but to +display a moderate gaiety. The servant announced the young nobleman, +and we rose to welcome him; but he made us sit down again, and sat +beside us, and drank a glass of wine with the utmost cordiality. He +told me how he had been supping with the old devotee Querini, who had +had his hand kissed by a young and fair Venetian. The ambassadors +were much amused at the circumstance, and Querini himself, in spite +of his scrupulous conscience, was greatly flattered. + +"May I ask you, mademoiselle," he added, "how you came to know M. +Querini?" + +"It's a mystery, sir." + +"A mystery, is it? What fun we shall have tomorrow! I have come," +he said, addressing himself to me, "to ask you to dine with us to- +morrow, and you must bring your charming niece." + +"Would you like to go, Marcoline?" + +"'Con grandissimo piacere'! We shall speak Venetian, shall we not?" + +"Certainly." + +"'E viva'! I cannot learn French." + +"M. Querini is in the same position," said M. Memmo. + +After half an hour's agreeable conversation he left us, and Marcoline +embraced me with delight at having made such a good impression on +these gentlemen. + +"Put on your best dress to-morrow," said I, "and do not forget your +jewels. Be agreeable to everybody, but pretend not to see your Uncle +Mattio, who will be sure to wait at table." + +"You may be sure I shall follow your advice to the letter." + +"And I mean to make the recognition a scene worthy of the drama. I +intend that you shall be taken back to Venice by M. Querini himself, +while your uncle will take care of you by his special orders." + +"I shall be delighted with this arrangement, provided it succeeds." + +"You may trust to me for that." + +At nine o'clock the next day I called on Morosini concerning the +commissions he had for me. He gave me a little box and a letter for +Lady Harrington, and another letter with the words,-- + +"The Procurator Morosini is very sorry not to have been able to take +a last leave of Mdlle. Charpillon." + +"Where shall I find her?" + +"I really don't know. If you find her, give her the letter; if not, +it doesn't matter. That's a dazzling beauty you have with you, +Casanova." + +"Well, she has dazzled me." + +"But how did she know Querini?" + +"She has seen him at Venice, but she has never spoken to him." + +"I thought so; we have been laughing over it, but Querini is hugely +pleased. But how did you get hold of her? She must be very young, +as Memmo says she cannot speak French." + +"It would be a long story to tell, and after all we met through a +mere chance." + +"She is not your niece." + +"Nay, she is more--she is my queen." + +"You will have to teach her French, as when you get to London." + +"I am not going to take her there; she wants to return to Venice." + +"I pity you if you are in love with her! I hope she will dine with +us?" + +"Oh, yes! she is delighted with the honour." + +"And we are delighted to have our poor repast animated by such a +charming person." + +"You will find her worthy of your company; she is full of wit." + +When I got back to the inn I told Marcoline that if anything was said +at dinner about her return to Venice, she was to reply that no one +could make her return except M. Querini, but that if she could have +his protection she would gladly go back with him. + +"I will draw you out of the difficulty," said I ; and she promised to +carry out my instructions. + +Marcoline followed my advice with regard to her toilette, and looked +brilliant in all respects; and I, wishing to shine in the eyes of the +proud Venetian nobles, had dressed myself with the utmost richness. +I wore a suit of grey velvet, trimmed with gold and silver lace; my +point lace shirt was worth at least fifty louis; and my diamonds, my +watches, my chains, my sword of the finest English steel, my snuff- +box set with brilliants, my cross set with diamonds, my buckles set +with the same stones, were altogether worth more than fifty thousand +crowns. This ostentation, though puerile in itself, yet had a +purpose, for I wished M. de Bragadin to know that I did not cut a bad +figure in the world; and I wished the proud magistrates who had made +me quit my native land to learn that I had lost nothing, and could +laugh at their severity. + +In this gorgeous style we drove to the ambassador's dinner at half- +past one. + +All present were Venetians, and they welcomed Marcoline +enthusiastically. She who was born with the instinct of good manners +behaved with the grace of a nymph and the dignity of a French +princess; and as soon as she was seated between two grave and +reverend signors, she began by saying that she was delighted to find +herself the only representative of her sex in this distinguished +company, and also that there were no Frenchmen present. + +"Then you don't like the French," said M. Memmo. + +"I like them well enough so far as I know them, but I am only +acquainted with their exterior, as I don't speak or understand the +language." + +After this everybody knew how to take her, and the gaiety became +general. + +She answered all questions to the point, and entertained the company +with her remarks on French manners, so different to Venetian customs. + +In the course of dinner M. Querini asked how she had known him, and +she replied that she had often seen him at Divine service, whereat +the devotee seemed greatly flattered. M. Morosini, pretending not to +know that she was to return to Venice, told her that unless she made +haste to acquire French, the universal language, she would find +London very tedious, as the Italian language was very little known +there. + +"I hope," she replied, "that M. de Seingalt will not bring me into +the society of people with whom I cannot exchange ideas. I know I +shall never be able to learn French." + +When we had left the table the ambassadors begged me to tell the +story of my escape from The Leads, and I was glad to oblige them. +My story lasted for two whole hours; and as it was noticed that +Marcoline's eyes became wet with tears when I came to speak of my +great danger. She was rallied upon the circumstance, and told that +nieces were not usually so emotional. + +"That may be, gentlemen," she replied, "though I do not see why a +niece should not love her uncle. But I have never loved anyone else +but the hero of the tale, and I cannot see what difference there can +be between one kind of love and another." + +"There are five kinds of love known to man," said M. Querini. "The +love of one's neighbour, the love of God, which is beyond compare, +the highest of all, love matrimonial, the love of house and home, and +the love of self, which ought to come last of all, though many place +it in the first rank." + +The nobleman commented briefly on these diverse kinds of love, but +when he came to the love of God he began to soar, and I was greatly +astonished to see Marcoline shedding tears, which she wiped away +hastily as if to hide them from the sight of the worthy old man whom +wine had made more theological than usual. Feigning to be +enthusiastic, Marcoline took his hand and kissed it, while he in his +vain exaltation drew her towards him and kissed her on the brow, +saying, "Poveretta, you are an angel!" + +At this incident, in which there was more love of our neighbour than +love of God, we all bit our lips to prevent ourselves bursting out +laughing, and the sly little puss pretended to be extremely moved. + +I never knew Marcoline's capacities till then, for she confessed that +her emotion was wholly fictitious, and designed to win the old man's +good graces; and that if she had followed her own inclinations she +would have laughed heartily. She was designed to act a part either +upon the stage or on a throne. Chance had ordained that she should +be born of the people, and her education had been neglected; but if +she had been properly tutored she would have been fit for anything. + +Before returning home we were warmly invited to dinner the next day. + +As we wanted to be together, we did not go to the theatre that day +and when we got home I did not wait for Marcoline to undress to cover +her with kisses. + +"Dear heart," said I, "you have not shewn me all your perfections +till now, when we are about to part; you make me regret you are going +back to Venice. Today you won all hearts." + +"Keep me then, with you, and I will ever be as I have been to-day. +By the way, did you see my uncle?" + +"I think so. Was it not he who was in continual attendance?" + +"Yes. I recognized him by his ring. Did he look, at me?" + +"All the time, and with an air of the greatest astonishment. I +avoided catching his eye, which roved from you to me continually." + +"I should like to know what the good man thinks! You will see him +again to-morrow. I am sure he will have told M. Querini that, I am +his niece, and consequently not yours. + +"I expect so, too." + +"And if M. Querini says as much to me to-morrow, I, expect I shall +have to, admit the fact. What do you think?" + +"You must undoubtedly tell him the truth, but frankly and openly, and +so as not to let him think that you have need of him to return to +Venice. He is not your father, and has no right over your liberty." + +"Certainly not." + +"Very good. You must also agree that I am not your uncle, and that +the bond between us is, of the most tender description. Will, there +be any difficulty is that?" + +"How can you ask me such a question? The link between us makes me +feel proud, and will ever do so." + +"Well, well, I say no more. I trust entirely in your tact. Remember +that Querini and no other must take you back to Venice; he must treat +you as if you were his daughter. If he will not consent, you shall +not return at all." + +"Would to God it were so!" + +Early the next morning I got a note from M. Querini requesting me to +call on him, as he wanted to speak to me on a matter of importance. + +"We are getting on," said Marcoline. "I am very glad that things +have taken this turn, for when you come back you can tell me the +whole story, and I can regulate my conduct accordingly." + +I found Querini and Morosini together. They gave me their hands when +I came in, and Querini asked me to sit down, saying that there would +be nothing in our discussion which M. Morosini might not hear. + +"I have a confidence to make to you, M. Casanova," he began; "but +first I want you to do me the same favor." + +"I can have no secrets from your excellency." + +"I am obliged to you, and will try to deserve your good opinion. +I beg that you will tell me sincerely whether you know the young +person who is with you, for no one believes that she is your niece." + +"It is true that she is--not my niece, but not being acquainted with +her relations or family I cannot be said to know her in the sense +which your excellency gives to the word. Nevertheless, I am proud to +confess that I love her with an affection which will not end save +with my life." + +"I am delighted to hear you say so. How long have you had her?" + +"Nearly two months." + +"Very good! How did she fall into your hands?" + +"That is a point which only concerns her, and you will allow me not +to answer that question." + +"Good! we will go on. Though you are in love with her, it is very +possible that you have never made any enquiries respecting her +family." + +"She has told me that she has a father and a mother, poor but honest, +but I confess I have never been curious enough to enquire her name. +I only know her baptismal name, which is possibly not her true one, +but it does quite well for me." + +"She has given you her true name." + +"Your excellency surprises me! You know her, then?" + +"Yes; I did not know her yesterday, but I do now. Two months . . . +Marcoline . . . yes, it must be she. I am now certain that my man +is not mad." + +"Your man?" + +"Yes, she is his niece. When we were at London he heard that she had +left the paternal roof about the middle of Lent. Marcoline's mother, +who is his sister, wrote to him. He was afraid to speak to her +yesterday, because she looked so grand. He even thought he must be +mistaken, and he would have been afraid of offending me by speaking +to a grand lady at my table. She must have seen him, too." + +"I don't think so, she has said nothing about it to me." + +"It is true that he was standing behind her all the time. But let us +come to the point. Is Marcoline your wife, or have you any intention +of marrying her?" + +"I love her as tenderly as any man can love a woman, but I cannot +make her a wife; the reasons are known only to herself and me." + +"I respect your secret; but tell me if you would object to my begging +her to return to Venice with her uncle?" + +"I think Marcoline is happy, but if she has succeeded in gaining the +favour of your excellency, she is happier still; and I feel sure that +if she were to go back to Venice under the exalted patronage of your +excellency, she would efface all stains on her reputation. As to +permitting her to go, I can put no stumblingblock in the way, for I +am not her master. As her lover I would defend her to the last drop +of my blood, but if she wants to leave me I can only assent, though +with sorrow." + +"You speak with much sense, and I hope you will not be displeased at +my undertaking this good work. Of course I shall do nothing without +your consent." + +"I respect the decrees of fate when they are promulgated by such a +man as you. If your excellency can induce Marcoline to leave me, I +will make no objection; but I warn you that she must be won mildly. +She is intelligent, she loves me, and she knows that she is +independent; besides she reckons on me, and she has cause to do so. +Speak to her to-day by herself; my presence would only be in your +way. Wait till dinner is over; the interview might last some time." + +"My dear Casanova, you are an honest man. I am delighted to have +made your acquaintance." + +"You do me too much honour. I may say that Marcoline will hear +nothing of all this." + +When I got back to the inn, I gave Marcoline an exact account of the +whole conversation, warning her that she would be supposed to know +nothing about it. + +"You must execute a masterly stroke, dearest," said I, "to persuade +M. Querini that I did not lie in saying that you had not seen your +uncle. As soon as you see him, you must give a shout of surprise, +exclaim, 'My dear uncle!' and rush to his arms. This would be a +splendid and dramatic situation, which would do you honour in the +eyes of all the company." + +"You may be sure that I shall play the part very well, although my +heart be sad." + +At the time appointed we waited on the ambassadors, and found that +all the other guests had assembled. Marcoline, as blithe and smiling +as before, first accosted M. Querini, and then did the polite to all +the company. A few minutes before dinner Mattio brought in his +master's spectacles on a silver tray. Marcoline, who was sitting +next to M. Querini, stopped short in something she was saying, and +staring at the man, exclaimed in a questioning voice,-- + +"My uncle?" + +"Yes, my dear niece." + +Marcoline flung herself into his arms, and there was a moving scene, +which excited the admiration of all. + +"I knew you had left Venice, dear uncle, but I did not know you were +in his excellency's service. I am so glad to see you again! You +will tell my father and mother about me? You see I am happy. Where +were you yesterday?" + +"Here." + +"And you didn't see me?" + +"Yes; but your uncle there . . ." + +"Well," said I, laughing, "let us know each other, cousin, and be +good friends. Marcoline, I congratulate you on having such an honest +man for an uncle." + +"That is really very fine," said M. Querini ; and everybody +exclaimed, "Very affecting, very affecting indeed!" + +The newly-found uncle departed, and we sat down to dinner, but in +spirits which differed from those of yesterday. Marcoline bore +traces of those mingled emotions of happiness and regret which move +loyal hearts when they call to mind ther native land. M. Querini +looked at her admiringly, and seemed to have all the confidence of +success which a good action gives to the mind. M. Morosini sat a +pleased spectator. The others were attentive and curious as to what +would come next. They listened to what was said, and hung on +Marcoline's lips. + +After the first course there was greater unison in the company, and +M. Morosini told Marcoline that if she would return to Venice she +would be sure of finding a husband worthy of her. + +"I must be the judge of that," said she. + +"Yes, but it is a good thing to have recourse to the advice of +discreet persons who are interested in the happiness of both +parties." + +"Excuse me, but I do not think so. If I ever marry, my husband will +have to please me first." + +"Who has taught you this maxim?" said Querini. + +"My uncle, Casanova, who has, I verily believe, taught me everything +that can be learnt in the two months I have been happy enough to live +with him." + +"I congratulate the master and the pupil, but you are both too young +to have learnt all the range of science. Moral science cannot be +learnt in two months." + +"What his excellency has just said," said I, turning to Marcoline, +"is perfectly correct. In affairs of marriage both parties should +rely to a great extent on the advice of friends, for mere marriages +of inclination are often unhappy." + +"That is a really philosophical remark, my dear Marcoline," said +Querini; "but tell me the qualities which in your opinion are +desirable in a husband." + +"I should be puzzled to name them, but they would all become manifest +in the man that pleased me." + +"And supposing he were a worthless fellow?" + +"He would certainly not please me, and that's the reason why I have +made up my mind never to marry a man whom I have not studied." + +"Supposing you made a mistake?" + +"Then I would weep in secret." + +"How if you were poor?" + +"She need never fear poverty, my lord," said I. "She has an income +of fifty crowns a month for the remainder of her life." + +"Oh, that's a different matter. If that is so, sweetheart, you are +privileged. You will be able to live at Venice in perfect +independence." + +"I think that to live honourably there I only need the protection of +a lord like your excellency." + +"As to that, Marcoline, I give you my word that I will do all in my +power for you if you come to Venice. But let me ask you one +question, how are you sure of your income of fifty crowns a month? +You are laughing." + +"I laugh because I am such a silly little thing. I don't have any +heed for my own business. My friend there will tell you all about +it." + +"You have not been joking, have you?" said the worthy old man to me. + +"Marcoline," said I, "has not only capital which will produce a +larger sum than that which I have named, but she has also valuable +possessions. Your excellency will note her wisdom in saying that she +would need your lordship's protection at Venice, for she will require +someone to look after the investment of her capital. The whole +amount is in my hands, and if she likes Marcoline can have it all in +less than two hours." + +"Very good; then you must start for Venice the day after to-morrow. +Mattio is quite ready to receive you." + +"I have the greatest respect and love for my uncle, but it is not to +his care that your excellency must commend me if I resolve to go." + +"Then to whom?" + +"To your own care, my lord. Your excellency has called me dear +daughter two or three times, lead me, then, to Venice, like a good +father, and I will come willingly; otherwise I protest I will not +leave the man to whom I owe all I have. I will start for London with +him the day after to-morrow." + +At these words which delighted me silence fell on all. They waited +for M. Querini to speak, and the general opinion seemed to be that he +had gone too far to be able to draw back. Nevertheless, the old man +kept silence; perhaps in his character of devotee he was afraid of +being led into temptation, or of giving occasion to scandal, and the +other guests were silent like him, and ate to keep each other in +countenance. Mattio's hand trembled as he waited; Marcoline alone +was calm and collected. Dessert was served, and still no one dared +to say a word. All at once this wonderful girl said, in an inspired +voice, as if speaking to herself,-- + +"We must adore the decrees of Divine Providence, but after the issue, +since mortals are not able to discern the future, whether it be good +or whether it be evil." + +"What does that reflection relate to, my dear daughter?" said M. +Querini, "and why do you kiss my hand now?" + +"I kiss your hand because you have called me your dear daughter for +the fourth time." + +This judicious remark elicited a smile of approval from all, and +restored the general gaiety; but M. Querini asked Marcoline to +explain her observation on Providence. + +"It was an inspiration, and the result of self-examination. I am +well; I have learned something of life; I am only seventeen, and in +the course of two months I have become rich by honest means. I am +all happy, and yet I owe my happiness to the greatest error a maiden +can commit. Thus I humble myself before the decrees, of Providence +and adore its wisdom." + +"You are right, but, none the less you ought to repent of what you +have done." + +"That's where I am puzzled; for before I can repent; I must think of +it, and when I think of it I find nothing for which to repent. I +suppose I shall have to consult some great theologian on the point." + +"That will not be necessary; you are, intelligent, and your heart is +good, and I will give you the necessary instruction on the way. When +one repents there is no need to think of the pleasure which our sins +have given us." + +In his character of apostle the good M. Querini was becoming piously +amorous of his fair proselyte. He left the table for a few moments, +and when he returned he, told Marcoline that if he had a young lady +to take to, Venice he should be obliged to leave her in the care of +his housekeeper, Dame Veneranda, in whom he had every confidence. + +"I have just been speaking to her; and if you would like to come, all +is arranged. You shall sleep with her, and dine with us till we get +to Venice, and then I will deliver, you into your mother's keeping, +in the presence of your uncle. What do you say?" + +"I will come with pleasure:" + +"Come and see Dame Veneranda." + +"Willingly." + +"Come with us, Casanova." + +Dame Veneranda looked a perfect cannoness, and I did not think that +Marcoline would fall, in love with her, but she seemed sensible and +trustworthy. M. Querini told her in our presence what he had just +told Marcoline, and the duenna assured him that she would take, the +utmost care of the young lady. Marcoline kissed her and called her +mother, thus gaining the old lady's, good graces. We rejoined, the +company, who expressed to Marcoline their intense pleasure at having +her for a companion on their journey. + +"I shall have to put my steward in another carriage," said +M. Querini, "as the calash only holds two." + +"That will not be necessary," I remarked, "for Marcoline has her +carriage, and Mistress Veneranda will find it a very comfortable one. +It will hold her luggage as well." + +"You, want to give me your carriage," said Marcoline. "You are too +good to me" + +I could made no reply, my emotion was so great. I turned aside and +wiped, away my tears. Returning to the company, I found that +Marcoline had vanished and M. Morosini, who, was also much affected +told me she had gome, to speak to Mistress Veneranda. Everybody was +melancholy, and seeing that I was the cause I began to talk about +England, where I hoped to make my fortune with a project of mine, the +success of which only depended on Lord Egremont. M. de Morosini said +he would give me a letter for Lord Egremont and another for +M. Zuccata, the Venetian ambassador. + +"Are you not afraid," said M. Querini, "of getting into, trouble with +the State Inquisitors for recommending M. Casanova?" + +Morosini replied coldly that as the Inquisitors had, not told him for +what crime I was condemned, he did not feel himself bound to share +their judgment. Old Querini, who was extremely particular, shook his +head and said nothing. + +Just then Marcoline came back to the room, and everybody could see +that she had been weeping. I confess that this mark of her affection +was as pleasing to my vanity as to my love; but such is man, and +such, doubtless, is the reader who may be censuring my conduct. +This charming girl, who still, after all these years, dwells in my +old heart, asked me to take her back to the inn, as she wanted to +pack up her trunks. We left directly, after having promised to come +to dinner on the following day. + +I wept bitterly when I got to my room. I told Clairmont to see that +the carriage was in good order, and then, hastily undressing, I flung +myself on the bed in my dressing-gown, and wept as if some blessing +was being taken from me against my will. Marcoline, who was much +more sensible, did what she could to console me, but I liked to +torment myself, and her words did but increase my despair. + +"Reflect," said she, "that it is not I who am leaving you, but you +who are sending me away; that I long to spend the rest of my days +with you, and that you have only got to say a word to keep me." + +I knew that she was right; but still a fatal fear which has always +swayed me, the fear of being bound to anyone, and the hypocrisy of a +libertine ever longing for change, both these feelings made me +persist in my resolution and my sadness. + +About six o'clock MM. Morosini and Querini came into the courtyard +and looked at the carriage, which was being inspected by the +wheelwright. They spoke to Clairmont, and then came to see us. + +"Good heavens!" said M. Querini, seeing the numerous boxes which she +was going to place on her carriage; and when he had heard that her +carriage was the one he had just looked at, he seemed surprised; it +was indeed a very good vehicle. + +M. Morosini told Marcoline that if she liked to sell it when she got +to Venice he would give her a thousand Venetian ducats, or three +thousand francs for it. + +"You might give her double that amount," said I, "for it is worth +three thousand ducats." + +"We will arrange all that," said he; and Querini added,-- + +"It will be a considerable addition to the capital she proposes to +invest." + +After some agreeable conversation I told M. Querini that I would give +him a bill of exchange for five thousand ducats, which, with the +three or four thousand ducats the sale of her jewellery would +realize, and the thousand for the carriage, would give her a capital +of nine or ten thousand ducats, the interest of which would bring her +in a handsome income. + +Next morning I got M. Bono to give me a bill of exchange on M. +Querini's order, and at dinner-time Marcoline handed it over to her +new protector, who wrote her a formal receipt. M. Morosini gave me +the letters he had promised, and their departure was fixed for eleven +o'clock the next day. The reader may imagine that our dinner-party +was not over gay. Marcoline was depressed, I as gloomy as a +splenetic Englishman, and between us we made the feast more like a +funeral than a meeting of friends. + +I will not attempt to describe the night I passed with my charmer. +She asked me again and again how I could be my own executioner; but I +could not answer, for I did not know. But how often have I done +things which caused me pain, but to which I was impelled by some +occult force it was my whim not to resist. + +In the morning, when I had put on my boots and spurs, and told +Clairmont not to be uneasy if I did not return that night, Marcoline +and I drove to the ambassadors' residence. We breakfasted together, +silently enough, for Marcoline had tears in her eyes, and everyone +knowing my noble conduct towards her respected her natural grief. +After breakfast we set out, I sitting in the forepart of the +carriage, facing Marcoline and Dame Veneranda, who would have made me +laugh under any other circumstances, her astonishment at finding +herself in a more gorgeous carriage than the ambassador's was so +great. She expatiated on the elegance and comfort of the equipage, +and amused us by saying that her master was quite right in saying +that the people would take her for the ambassadress. But in spite of +this piece of comedy, Marcoline and I were sad all the way. M. +Querini, who did not like night travelling, made us stop at Pont- +Boivoisin, at nine o'clock, and after a bad supper everyone went to +bed to be ready to start at daybreak. Marcoline was to sleep with +Veneranda, so I accompanied her, and the worthy old woman went to bed +without any ceremony, lying so close to the wall that there was room +for two more; but after Marcoline had got into bed I sat down on a +chair, and placing my head beside hers on the pillow we mingled our +sobs and tears all night. + +When Veneranda, who had slept soundly, awoke, she was much astonished +to see me still in the same position. She was a great devotee, but +women's piety easily gives place to pity, and she had moved to the +furthest extremity of the bed with the intention of giving me another +night of love. But my melancholy prevented my profiting by her +kindness. + +I had ordered a saddle horse to be ready for me in the morning. We +took a hasty cup of coffee and bade each other mutual farewells. I +placed Marcoline in the carriage, gave her a last embrace, and waited +for the crack of the postillion's whip to gallop back to Lyons. I +tore along like a madman, for I felt as if I should like to send the +horse to the ground and kill myself. But death never comes to him +that desires it, save in the fable of the worthy Lafontaine. In six +hours I had accomplished the eighteen leagues between Pont-Boivoisin +and Lyons, only stopping to change horses. I tore off my clothes and +threw myself on the bed, where thirty hours before I had enjoyed all +the delights of love. I hoped that the bliss I had lost would return +to me in my dreams. However, I slept profoundly, and did not wake +till eight o'clock. I had been asleep about nineteen hours. + +I rang for Clairmont, and told him to bring up my breakfast, which I +devoured eagerly. When my stomach was restored in this manner I fell +asleep again, and did not get up till the next morning, feeling quite +well, and as if I could support life a little longer. + +Three days after Marcoline's departure I bought a comfortable two- +wheeled carriage with patent springs, and sent my trunks to Paris by +the diligence. I kept a portmanteau containing the merest +necessaries, for I meant to travel in a dressing-gown and night-cap, +and keep to myself all the way to Paris. I intended this as a sort +of homage to Marcoline, but I reckoned without my host. + +I was putting my jewellery together in a casket when Clairmont +announced a tradesman and his daughter, a pretty girl whom I had +remarked at dinner, for since the departure of my fair Venetian I had +dined at the table-d'hote by way of distraction. + +I shut up my jewels and asked them to come in, and the father +addressed me politely, saying,-- + +"Sir, I have come to ask you to do me a favour which will cost you +but little, while it will be of immense service to my daughter and +myself." + +"What can I do for you? I am leaving Lyons at day-break to-morrow." + +"I know it, for you said so at dinner; but we shall be ready at any +hour. Be kind enough to give my daughter a seat in your carriage. I +will, of course, pay for a third horse, and will ride post." + +"You cannot have seen the carriage." + +"Excuse me, I have done so. It is, I know, only meant for one, but +she could easily squeeze into it. I know I am troubling you, but if +you were aware of the convenience it would be to me I am sure you +would not refuse. All the places in the diligence are taken up to +next week, and if I don't get to Paris in six days I might as well +stay away altogether. If I were a rich man I would post, but that +would cost four hundred francs, and I cannot afford to spend so much. +The only course open to me is to leave by the diligence tomorrow, and +to have myself and my daughter bound to the roof. You see, sir, the +idea makes her weep, and I don't like it much better myself." + +I looked attentively at the girl, and found her too pretty for me to +keep within bounds if I travelled alone with her. I was sad, and the +torment I had endured in parting from Marcoline had made me resolve +to avoid all occasions which might have similar results. I thought +this resolve necessary for my peace of mind. + +"This girl," I said to myself, "may be so charming that I should fall +in love with her if I yield to the father's request, and I do not +wish for any such result." + +I turned to the father and said,-- + +"I sympathize with you sincerely; but I really don't see what I can +do for you without causing myself the greatest inconvenience." + +"Perhaps you think that I shall not be able to ride so many posts in +succession, but you needn't be afraid on that score:" + +"The horse might give in; you might have a fall, and I know that I +should feel obliged to stop, and I am in a hurry. If that reason +does not strike you as a cogent one, I am sorry, for to me it appears +unanswerable." + +"Let us run the risk, sir, at all events." + +"There is a still greater risk of which I can tell you nothing. In +brief, sir, you ask what is impossible." + +"In Heaven's name, sir," said the girl, with a voice and a look that +would have pierced a heart of stone, "rescue me from that dreadful +journey on the roof of the diligence! The very idea makes me +shudder; I should be afraid of falling off all the way; besides, +there is something mean in travelling that way. Do but grant me this +favour, and I will sit at your feet so as not to discomfort you." + +"This is too much! You do not know me, mademoiselle. I am neither +cruel nor impolite, especially where your sex is concerned, though my +refusal must make you feel otherwise. If I give way you may regret +it afterwards, and I do not wish that to happen." Then, turning to +the father, I said,-- + +"A post-chaise costs six Louis. Here they are; take them. I will +put off my departure for a few hours, if necessary, to answer for the +chaise, supposing you are not known here, and an extra horse will +cost four Louis take them. As to the rest, you would have spent as +much in taking two places in the diligence." + +"You are very kind, sir, but I cannot accept your gift. I am not +worthy of it, and I should be still less worthy if I accepted the +money. Adele, let us go. Forgive us, sir, if we have wasted half an +hour of your time. Come, my poor child." + +"Wait a moment, father." + +Adele begged him to wait, as her sobs almost choked her. I was +furious with everything, but having received one look from her +beautiful eyes I could not withstand her sorrow any longer, and said, + +"Calm yourself, mademoiselle. It shall never be said that I remained +unmoved while beauty wept. I yield to your request, for if I did not +I should not be able to sleep all night. But I accede on one +condition," I added, turning to her father, "and that is that you sit +at the back of the carriage." + +"Certainly; but what is to become of your servant?" + +"He will ride on in front. Everything is settled. Go to bed now, +and be ready to start at six o'clock." + +"Certainly, but you will allow me to pay for the extra horse?" + +"You shall pay nothing at all; it would be a shame if I received any +money from you. You have told me you are poor, and poverty is no +dishonour; well, I may tell you that I am rich, and riches are no +honour save when they are used in doing good. Therefore, as I said, +I will pay for all." + +"Very good, but I will pay for the extra horse in the carriage." + +"Certainly not, and let us have no bargaining, please; it is time to +go to bed. I will put you down at Paris without the journey costing +you a farthing, and then if you like you may thank me; these are the +only conditions on which I will take you. Look! Mdlle. Adele is +laughing, that's reward enough for me." + +"I am laughing for joy at having escaped that dreadful diligence +roof." + +"I see, but I hope you will not weep in my carriage, for all sadness +is an abomination to me." + +I went, to bed, resolved to struggle against my fate no longer. I +saw that I could not withstand the tempting charms of this new +beauty, and I determined that everything should be over in a couple +of days. Adele had beautiful blue eyes, a complexion wherein were +mingled the lily and the rose, a small mouth, excellent teeth, a +figure still slender but full of promise; here, surely, were enough +motives for a fresh fall. I fell asleep, thanking my good genius for +thus providing me with amusement on the journey. + +Just before we started the father came and asked if it was all the +same to me whether we went by Burgundy or the Bourbonnais. + +"Certainly. Do you prefer any particular route?" + +"If I went through Nevers I might be able to collect a small +account." + +"Then we will go by the Bourbonnais." + +Directly after Adele, simply but neatly dressed, came down and wished +me good day, telling me that her father was going to put a small +trunk containing their belongings at the back of the carriage. +Seeing me busy, she asked if she could help me in any way. + +"No," I replied, "you had better take a seat," + +She did so, but in a timid manner, which annoyed me, because it +seemed to express that she was a dependent of mine. I told her so +gently, and made her take smae coffee with me, and her shyness soon +wore off. + +We were just stepping into the carriage when a man came and told me +that the lamps were out of repair and would come off if something +were not done to them. He offered to put them into good repair in +the course of an hour. I was in a terrible rage, and called +Clairmont and began to scold him, but he said that the lamps were all +right a short while ago, and that the man must have put them out of +order that he might have the task of repairing them. + +He had hit it off exactly. I had heard of the trick before, and I +called out to the man; and on his answering me rather impudently, I +began to kick him, with my pistol in my hand. He ran off swearing, +and the noise brought up the landlord and five or six of his people. +Everybody said I was in the right, but all the same I had to waste +two hours as it would not have been prudent to travel without lamps. + +Another lamp-maker was summoned; he looked at the damage, and laughed +at the rascally trick his fellow-tradesman had played me. + +"Can I imprison the rascal?" I said to the landlord. "I should like +to have the satisfaction of doing so, were it to cost me two Louis." + +"Two Louis! Your honour shall be attended to in a moment." + +I was in a dreadful rage, and did not notice Adele, who was quite +afraid of me. A police official came up to take my information, and +examine witnesses, and to draw up the case. + +"How much is your time worth, sir?" he asked me. + +"Five louis." + +With these words I slid two louis into his hand, and he immediately +wrote down a fine of twenty louis against the lamp-maker, and then +went his way, saying,-- + +"Your man will be in prison in the next ten minutes." I breathed +again at the prospect of vengeance. I then begged Mdlle. Adele's +pardon, who asked mine in her turn, not knowing how I had offended +her. This might have led to some affectionate passages, but her +father came in saying that the rascal was in prison, and that +everyone said I was right. + +"I am perfectly ready to swear that he did the damage," said he. + +"You saw him, did you?" + +"No, but that's of no consequence, as everybody is sure he did it." + +This piece of simplicity restored my good temper completely, and I +began to ask Moreau, as he called himself, several questions. He +told me he was a widower, that Adele was his only child, that he was +going to set up in business at Louviers, and so on. + +In the course of an hour the farce turned into a tragedy, in the +following manner. Two women, one of them with a baby at her breast, +and followed by four brats, all of whom might have been put under a +bushel measure, came before me, and falling on their knees made me +guess the reason of this pitiful sight. They were the wife, the +mother, and the children of the delinquent. + +My heart was soon moved with pity for them, for my vengeance had been +complete, and I did not harbour resentment; but the wife almost put +me in a fury again by saying that her husband was an innocent man, +and that they who had accused him were rascals. + +The mother, seeing the storm ready to burst, attacked me more +adroitly, admitting that her son might be guilty, but that he must +have been driven to it by misery, as he had got no bread wherewith to +feed his children. She added: + +"My good sir, take pity on us, for he is our only support. Do a good +deed and set him free, for he would stay in prison all his days +unless we sold our beds to pay you." + +"My worthy woman, I forgive him completely. Hand this document to +the police magistrate and all will be well." + +At the same time I gave her a louis and told her to go, not wishing +to be troubled with her thanks. A few moments after, the official +came to get my signature for the man's release, and I had to pay him +the legal costs. My lamps cost twelve francs to mend, and at nine +o'clock I started, having spent four or five louis for nothing. + +Adele was obliged to sit between my legs, but she was ill at ease. +I told her to sit further back, but as she would have had to lean on +me, I did not urge her; it would have been rather a dangerous +situation to begin with. Moreau sat at the back of the carriage, +Clairmont went on in front, and we were thus neck and neck, or rather +neck and back, the whole way. + +We got down to change horses, and as we were getting into the +carriage again Adele had to lift her leg, and shewed me a pair of +black breeches. I have always had a horror of women with breeches, +but above all of black breeches. + +"Sir," said I to her father, "your daughter has shewn me her black +breeches." + +"It's uncommonly lucky for her that she didn't shew you something +else." + +I liked the reply, but the cursed breeches had so offended me that I +became quite sulky. It seemed to me that such clothes were a kind of +rampart or outwork, very natural, no doubt, but I thought a young +girl should know nothing of the danger, or, at all events, pretend +ignorance if she did not possess it. As I could neither scold her +nor overcome my bad temper, I contented myself with being polite, but +I did not speak again till we got to St. Simphorien, unless it was to +ask her to sit more comfortably. + +When we got to St. Simphorien I told Clairmont to go on in front and +order us a good supper at Roanne, and to sleep there. When we were +about half-way Adele told me that she must be a trouble to me, as I +was not so gay as I had been. I assured her that it was not so, and +that I only kept silence that she might be able to rest. + +"You are very kind," she answered, "but it is quite a mistake for you +to think that you would disturb me by talking. Allow me to tell you +that you are concealing the real cause of your silence." + +"Do you know the real cause?" + +"Yes, I think I do." + +"Well, what is it?" + +"You have changed since you saw my breeches." + +"You are right, this black attire has clothed my soul with gloom." + +"I am very sorry, but you must allow that in the first place I was +not to suppose that you were going to see my breeches, and in the +second place that I could not be aware that the colour would be +distasteful to you." + +"True again, but as I chanced to see the articles you must forgive my +disgust. This black has filled my soul with funereal images, just as +white would have cheered me. Do you always wear those dreadful +breeches?" + +"I am wearing them for the first time to-day." + +"Then you must allow that you have committed an unbecoming action." + +"Unbecoming?" + +"Yes, what would you have said if I had come down in petticoats this +morning? You would have pronounced them unbecoming. You are +laughing." + +"Forgive me, but I never heard anything so amusing. But your +comparison will not stand; everyone would have seen your petticoats, +whereas no one has any business to see my breeches." + +I assented to her logic, delighted to find her capable of tearing my +sophism to pieces, but I still preserved silence. + +At Roanne we had a good enough supper, and Moreau, who knew very well +that if it had not been for his daughter there would have been no +free journey and free supper for him, was delighted when I told him +that she kept me good company. I told him about our discussion on +breeches, and he pronounced his daughter to be in the wrong, laughing +pleasantly. After supper I told him that he and his daughter were to +sleep in the room in which we were sitting, while I would pass the +night in a neighbouring closet. + +Just as we were starting the next morning, Clairmont told me that he +would go on in front, to see that our beds were ready, adding that as +we had lost one night it would not do much harm if we were to lose +another. + +This speech let me know that my faithful Clairmont began to feel the +need of rest, and his health was dear to me. I told him to stop at +St. Pierre le Mortier, and to take care that a good supper was ready +for us. When we were in the carriage again, Adele thanked me. + +"Then you don't like night travelling?" I said. + +"I shouldn't mind it if I were not afraid of going to sleep and +falling on you." + +"Why, I should like it. A pretty girl like you is an agreeable +burden." + +She made no reply, but I saw that she understood; my declaration was +made, but something more was wanted before I could rely on her +docility. I relapsed into silence again till we got to Varennes, and +then I said,-- + +"If I thought you could eat a roast fowl with as good an appetite as +mine, I would dine here." + +"Try me, I will endeavour to match you." + +We ate well and drank better, and by the time we started again we +were a little drunk. Adele, who was only accustomed to drink wine +two or three times a year, laughed at not being able to stand +upright, but seemed to be afraid that something would happen. I +comforted her by saying that the fumes of champagne soon evaporated; +but though she strove with all her might to keep awake, nature +conquered, and letting her pretty head fall on my breast she fell +asleep, and did not rouse herself for two hours. I treated her with +the greatest respect, though I could not resist ascertaining that the +article of clothing which had displeased me so much had entirely +disappeared. + +While she slept I enjoyed the pleasure of gazing on the swelling +curves of her budding breast, but I restrained my ardour, as the +disappearance of the black breeches assured me that I should find her +perfectly submissive whenever I chose to make the assault. I wished, +however, that she should give herself up to me of her own free will, +or at any rate come half-way to meet me, and I knew that I had only +to smooth the path to make her do so. + +When she awoke and found that she had been sleeping in my arms, her +astonishment was extreme. She apologized and begged me to forgive +her, while I thought the best way to put her at ease would be to give +her an affectionate kiss. The result was satisfactory; who does not +know the effect of a kiss given at the proper time? + +As her dress was in some disorder she tried to adjust it, but we were +rather pushed for space, and by an awkward movement she uncovered her +knee. I burst out laughing and she joined me, and had the presence +of mind to say: + +"I hope the black colour has given you no funereal thoughts this +time." + +"The hue of the rose, dear Adele, can only inspire me with delicious +fancies." + +I saw that she lowered her eyes, but in a manner that shewed she was +pleased. + +With this talk--and, so to speak, casting oil on the flames--we +reached Moulin, and got down for a few moments. A crowd of women +assailed us with knives and edged tools of all sorts, and I bought +the father and daughter whatever they fancied. We went on our way, +leaving the women quarrelling and fighting because some had sold +their wares and others had not. + +In the evening we reached St. Pierre; but during the four hours that +had elapsed since we left Moulin we had made way, and Adele had +become quite familiar with me. + +Thanks to Clairmont, who had arrived two hours before, an excellent +supper awaited us. We supped in a large room, where two great white +beds stood ready to receive us. + +I told Moreau that he and his daughter should sleep in one bed, and I +in the other; but he replied that I and Adele could each have a bed +to ourselves, as he wanted to start for Nevers directly after supper, +so as to be able to catch-his debtor at daybreak, and to rejoin us +when we got there the following day. + +"If you had told me before, we would have gone on to Nevers and slept +there." + +"You are too kind. I mean to ride the three and a half stages. The +riding will do me good, and I like it. I leave my daughter in your +care. She will not be so near you as in the carriage." + +"Oh, we will be very discreet, you may be sure!" + +After his departure I told Adele to go to bed in her clothes, if she +were afraid of me. + +"I shan't be offended," I added. + +"It would be very wrong of me," she answered, "to give you such a +proof of my want of confidence." + +She rose, went out a moment, and when she came back she locked the +door, and as soon as she was ready to slip off her last article of +clothing came and kissed me. I happened to be writing at the time, +and as she had come up on tiptoe I was surprised, though in a very +agreeable manner. She fled to her bed, saying saucily, + +"You are frightened of me, I think?" + +"You are wrong, but you surprised me. Come back, I want to see you +fall asleep in my arms." + +"Come and see me sleep." + +"Will you sleep all the time?" + +"Of course I shall." + +"We will see about that." + +I flung the pen down, and in a moment I held her in my arms, smiling, +ardent, submissive to my desires, and only entreating me to spare +her. I did my best, and though she helped me to the best of her +ability, the first assault was a labour of Hercules. The others were +pleasanter, for it is only the first step that is painful, and when +the field had been stained with the blood of three successive +battles, we abandoned ourselves to repose. At five o'clock in the +morning Clairmont knocked, and I told him to get us some coffee. I +was obliged to get up without giving fair Adele good day, but I +promised that she should have it on the way. + +When she was dressed she looked at the altar where she had offered +her first sacrifice to love, and viewed the signs of her defeat with +a sigh. She was pensive for some time, but when we were in the +carriage again her gaiety returned, and in our mutual transports we +forgot to grieve over our approaching parting. + +We found Moreau at Nevers; he was in a great state because he could +not get his money before noon. He dared not ask me to wait for him, +but I said that we would have a good dinner and start when the money +was paid. + +While dinner was being prepared we shut ourselves up in a room to +avoid the crowd of women who pestered us to buy a thousand trifles, +and at two o'clock we started, Moreau having got his money. We got +to Cosne at twilight, and though Clairmont was waiting for us at +Briane, I decided on stopping where I was, and this night proved +superior to the first. The next day we made a breakfast of the meal +which had been prepared for our supper, and we slept at +Fontainebleau, where I enjoyed Adele for the last time. In the +morning I promised to come and see her at Louviers, when I returned +from England, but I could not keep my word. + +We took four hours to get from Fontainebleau to Paris, but how +quickly the time passed. I stopped the carriage near the Pont St. +Michel, opposite to a clockmaker's shop, and after looking at several +watches I gave one to Adele, and then dropped her and her father at +the corner of the Rue aux Ours. I got down at the "Hotel de +Montmorenci," not wanting to stop with Madame d'Urfe, but after +dressing I went to dine with her. + + + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +I Drive My Brother The Abbe From Paris--Madame du Rumain Recovers Her +Voice Through My Cabala--A Bad Joke--The Corticelli--I Take d'Aranda +to London My Arrival At Calais + + +As usual, Madame d'Urfe received me with open arms, but I was +surprised at hearing her tell Aranda to fetch the sealed letter she +had given him in the morning. I opened it, found it was dated the +same day, and contained the following: + +"My genius told me at day-break that Galtinardus was starting from +Fontainebleau, and that he will come and dine with me to-day." + +She chanced to be right, but I have had many similar experiences in +the course of my life-experiences which would have turned any other +man's head. I confess they have surprised me, but they have never +made me lose my reasoning powers. Men make a guess which turns out +to be correct, and they immediately claim prophetic power; but they +forgot all about the many cases in which they have been mistaken. +Six months ago I was silly enough to bet that a bitch would have a +litter of five bitch pups on a certain day, and I won. Everyone +thought it a marvel except myself, for if I had chanced to lose I +should have been the first to laugh. + +I naturally expressed my admiration for Madame d'Urfe's genius, and +shared her joy in finding herself so well during her pregnancy. The +worthy lunatic had given orders that she was not at home to her usual +callers, in expectation of my arrival, and so we spent the rest of +the day together, consulting how we could make Aranda go to London of +his own free will; and as I did not in the least know how it was to +be done, the replies of the oracle were very obscure. Madame d'Urfe +had such a strong dislike to bidding him go, that I could not presume +on her obedience to that extent, and I had to rack my brains to find +out some way of making the little man ask to be taken to London as a +favour. + +I went to the Comedie Italienne, where I found Madame du Rumain, who +seemed glad to see me back in Paris again. + +"I want to consult the oracle on a matter of the greatest +importance," said she, "and I hope you will come and see me +tomorrow." + +I, of course, promised to do so. + +I did not care for the performance, and should have left the theatre +if I had not wanted to see the ballet, though I could not guess the +peculiar interest it would have for me. What was my surprise to see +the Corticelli amongst the dancers. I thought I would like to speak +to her, not for any amorous reasons, but because I felt curious to +hear her adventures. As I came out I met the worthy Baletti, who +told me he had left the stage and was living on an annuity. I asked +him about the Corticelli, and he gave me her address, telling me that +she was in a poor way. + +I went to sup with my brother and his wife, who were delighted to see +me, and told me that I had come just in time to use a little gentle +persuasion on our friend the abbe, of whom they had got tired. + +"Where is he?" + +"You will see him before long, for it is near supper-time; and as +eating and drinking are the chief concerns of his life, he will not +fail to put in an appearance." + +"What has he done?" + +"Everything that a good-for-nothing can do; but I hear him coming, +and I will tell you all about it in his presence." + +The abbe was astonished to see me, and began a polite speech, +although I did not favour him with so much as a look. Then he asked +me what I had against him. + +"All that an honest man can have against a monster. I have read the +letter you wrote to Possano, in which I am styled a cheat, a spy, a +coiner, and a poisoner. What does the abbe think of that?" + +He sat down to table without a word, and my brother began as follows: + +"When this fine gentleman first came here, my wife and I gave him a +most cordial welcome. I allowed him a nice room, and told him to +look upon my house as his own. Possibly with the idea of interesting +us in his favour, he began by saying that you were the greatest +rascal in the world. To prove it he told us how he had carried off a +girl from Venice with the idea of marrying her, and went to you at +Genoa as he was in great necessity. He confesses that you rescued +him from his misery, but he says that you traitorously took +possession of the girl, associating her with two other mistresses you +had at that time. In fine, he says that you lay with her before his +eyes, and that you drove him from Marseilles that you might be able +to enjoy her with greater freedom. + +"He finished his story by saying that as he could not go back to +Venice, he needed our help till he could find some means of living on +his talents or through his profession as a priest. I asked him what +his talents were, and he said he could teach Italian; but as he +speaks it vilely, and doesn't know a word of French, we laughed at +him. We were therefore reduced to seeing what we could do for him in +his character of priest, and the very next day my wife spoke to M. de +Sauci, the ecclesiastical commissioner, begging him to give my +brother an introduction to the Archbishop of Paris, who might give +him something that might lead to his obtaining a good benefice. He +would have to go to our parish church, and I spoke to the rector of +St. Sauveur, who promised to let him say mass, for which he would +receive the usual sum of twelve sols. This was a very good +beginning, and might have led to something worth having; but when we +told the worthy abbe of our success, he got into a rage, saying that +he was not the man to say mass for twelve sols, nor to toady the +archbishop in the hope of being taken into his service. No, he was +not going to be in anyone's service. We concealed our indignation, +but for the three weeks he has been here he has turned everything +upside down. My wife's maid left us yesterday, to our great +annoyance, because of him; and the cook says she will go if he +remains, as he is always bothering her in the kitchen. We are +therefore resolved that he shall go, for his society is intolerable +to us. I am delighted to have you here, as I think we ought to be +able to drive him away between us, and the sooner the better." + +"Nothing easier," said I; "if he likes to stay in Paris, let him do +so. You can send off his rags to some furnished apartments, and +serve him with a police order not to put foot in your house again. +On the other hand if he wants to go away, let him say where, and I +will pay his journey-money this evening." + +"Nothing could be more generous. What do you say, abbe?" + +"I say that this is the way in which he drove me from Marseilles. +What intolerable violence!" + +"Give God thanks, monster, that instead of thrashing you within an +inch of your life as you deserve, I am going to give you some money! +You thought you would get me hanged at Lyons, did you?" + +"Where is Marcoline ?" + +"What is that to you? Make haste and choose between Rome and Paris, +and remember that if you choose Paris you will have nothing to live +on." + +"Then I will go to Rome." + +"Good! The journey only costs twenty louis, but I will give you +twenty-five." + +"Hand them over." + +"Patience. Give me pens, ink and paper." + +"What are you going to write?" + +"Bills of exchange on Lyons, Turin, Genoa, Florence, and Rome. Your +place will be paid as far as Lyons, and there you will be able to get +five louis, and the same sum in the other towns, but as long as you +stay in Paris not one single farthing will I give you. I am staying +at the 'Hotel Montmorenci;' that's all you need know about me." + +I then bade farewell to my brother and his wife, telling them that we +should meet again. Checco, as we called my brother, told me he would +send on the abbe's trunk the day following, and I bade him do so by +all means. + +The next day trunk and abbe came together. I did not even look at +him, but after I had seen that a room had been assigned to him, I +called out to the landlord that I would be answerable for the abbe's +board and lodging for three days, and not a moment more. The abbe +tried to speak to me, but I sternly declined to have anything to say +to him, strictly forbidding Clairmont to admit him to my apartments. + +When I went to Madame du Rumain's, the porter said,-- + +"Sir, everybody is still asleep, but who are you? I have +instructions." + +"I am the Chevalier de Seingalt." + +"Kindly come into my lodge, and amuse yourself with my niece. I will +soon be with you." + +I went in, and found a neatly-dressed and charming girl. + +"Mademoiselle," said I, "your uncle has told me to come and amuse +myself with you." + +"He is a rascal, for he consulted neither of us." + +"Yes, but he knew well enough that there could be no doubt about my +opinion after I had seen you." + +"You are very flattering, sir, but I know the value of compliments." + +"Yes, I suppose that you often get them, and you well deserve them +all." + +The conversation, as well as the pretty eyes of the niece, began to +interest me, but fortunately the uncle put an end to it by begging me +to follow him. He took me to the maid's room, and I found her +putting on a petticoat, and grumbling the while. + +"What is the matter, my pretty maid? You don't seem to be in a good +humour." + +"You would have done better to come at noon; it is not nine o'clock +yet, and madame did not come home till three o'clock this morning. I +am just going to wake her, and I am sorry for her." + +I was taken into the room directly, and though her eyes were half +closed she thanked me for awaking her, while I apologized for having +disturbed her sleep. + +"Raton," said she, "give us the writing materials, and go away. +Don't come till I call you, and if anyone asks for me, I am asleep." + +"Very good, madam, and I will go to sleep also." + +"My dear M. Casanova, how is it that the oracle has deceived us? +M. du Rumain is still alive, and he ought to have died six months +ago. It is true that he is not well, but we will not go into all +that again. The really important question is this: You know that +music is my favourite pursuit, and that my voice is famous for its +strength and compass; well, I have comrletely lost it. I have not +sung a note for three months. The doctors have stuffed me with +remedies which have had no effect: It makes me very unhappy, for +singing was the one thing that made me cling to life. I entreat you +to ask the oracle how I can recover my voice. How delighted I should +be if I could sing by to-morrow. I have a great many people coming +here, and I should enjoy the general astonishment. If the oracle +wills it I am sure that it might be so, for I have a very strong +chest. That is my question; it is a long one, but so much the +better; the answer will be long too, and I like long answers." + +I was of the same opinion, for when the question was a long one, I +had time to think over the answer as I made the pyramid. Madame +Rumain's complaint was evidently something trifling, but I was no +physician, and knew nothing about medicine. Besides, for the honour +of the cabala, the oracle must have nothing to do with mere empiric +remedies. I soon made up my mind that a little care in her way of +living would soon restore the throat to its normal condition, and any +doctor with brains in his head could have told her as much. In the +position I was in, I had to make use of the language of a charlatan, +so I resolved on prescribing a ceremonial worship to the sun, at an +hour which would insure some regularity in her mode of life. + +The oracle declared that she would recover her voice in twenty-one +days, reckoning from the new moon, if she worshipped the rising sun +every morning, in a room which had at least one window looking to the +east. + +A second reply bade her sleep seven hours in succession before she +sacrificed to the sun, each hour symbolizing one of the seven +planets; and before she went to sleep she was to take a bath in +honour of the moon, placing her legs in lukewarm water up to the +knees. I then pointed out the psalms which she was to recite to the +moon, and those which she was to say in the face of the rising sun, +at a closed window. + +This last direction filled her with admiration, "for," said she, "the +oracle knew that I should catch cold if the window were open. I will +do everything the oracle bids me," added the credulous lady, "but I +hope you will get me everything necessary for the ceremonies" + +"I will not only take care that you have all the requisites, but as a +proof of my zeal for you, I will come and do the suffumigations +myself that you may learn how it is done." + +She seemed deeply moved by this offer, but I expected as much. I +knew how the most trifling services are assessed at the highest +rates; and herein lies the great secret of success in the world, +above all, where ladies of fashion are concerned. + +As we had to begin the next day, being the new moon, I called on her +at nine o'clock. As she had to sleep for seven successive hours +before performing the ceremonies to the rising sun, she would have to +go to bed before ten; and the observance of all these trifles was of +importance, as anyone can understand. + +I was sure that if anything could restore this lady's voice a careful +regimen would do it. I proved to be right, and at London I received +a grateful letter announcing the success of my method. + +Madame du Rumain, whose daughter married the Prince de Polignac, was +a lover of pleasure, and haunted grand supper-parties. She could not +expect to enjoy perfect health, and she had lost her voice by the way +in which she had abused it. When she had recovered her voice, as she +thought, by the influence of the genii, she laughed at anyone who +told her that there was no such thing as magic. + +I found a letter from Therese at Madame d'Urfe's, in which she +informed me that she would come to Paris and take her son back by +force if I did not bring him to London, adding that she wanted a +positive reply. I did not ask for anything more, but I thought +Therese very insolent. + +I told Aranda that his mother would be waiting for us at Abbeville in +a week's time, and that she wanted to see him. + +"We will both give her the pleasure of seeing us." + +"Certainly," said he; "but as you are going on to London, how shall I +come back?" + +"By yourself," said Madame d'Urfe, "dressed as a postillion." + +"What shall I ride post? How delightfull" + +"You must only cover eight or ten posts a day, for you have no need +to risk your life by riding all night." + +"Yes, yes; but I am to dress like a postillion, am I not?" + +"Yes; I will have a handsome jacket and a pair of leather breeches +made for you, and you shall have a flag with the arms of France on +it." + +"They will take me for a courier going to London." + +With the idea that to throw difficulties in the way would confirm him +in his desire to go, I said roughly that I could not hear of it, as +the horse might fall and break his neck. I had to be begged and +entreated for three days before I would give in, and I did so on the +condition that he should only ride on his way back. + +As he was certain of returning to Paris, he only took linen +sufficient for a very short absence; but as I knew that once at +Abbeville he could not escape me, I sent his trunk on to Calais, +where we found it on our arrival. However, the worthy Madame d'Urfe +got him a magnificent postillion's suit, not forgetting the top-boots. + +This business which offered a good many difficulties was happily +arranged by the action of pure chance; and I am glad to confess that +often in my life has chance turned the scale in my favour. + +I called on a banker and got him to give me heavy credits on several +of the most important houses in London, where I wished to make +numerous acquaintances. + +While I was crossing the Place des Victoires, I passed by the house +where the Corticelli lived, and my curiosity made me enter. She was +astonished to see me, and after a long silence she burst into tears, +and said,-- + +"I should never have been unhappy if I had never known you." + +"Yes, you would, only in some other way; your misfortunes are the +result of your bad conduct. But tell me what are your misfortunes." + +"As I could not stay in Turin after you had dishonoured me . . ." + +"You came to dishonour yourself here, I suppose. Drop that tone, or +else I will leave you." + +She began her wretched tale, which struck me with consternation, for +I could not help feeling that I was the first and final cause of this +long list of woes. Hence I felt it was my duty to succour her, +however ill she had treated me in the past. + +"Then," said I, "you are at present the victim of a fearful disease, +heavily in debt, likely to be turned out of doors and imprisoned by +your creditors. What do you propose to do?" + +"Do! Why, throw myself in the Seine, to be sure; that's all that is +left for me to do. I have not a farthing left." + +"And what would you do if you had some money?" + +"I would put myself under the doctor's hands, in the first place, and +then if any money was left I would go to Bologna and try to get a +living somehow. Perhaps I should have learnt a little wisdom by +experience." + +"Poor girl, I pity you! and in spite of your bad treatment of me, +which has brought you to this pass, I will not abandon you. Here are +four louis for your present wants, and to-morrow I will tell you +where you are to go for your cure. When you have got well again, I +will give you enough money for the journey. Dry your tears, repent, +amend your ways, and may God have mercy on you!" + +The poor girl threw herself on the ground before me, and covered one +of my hands with kisses, begging me to forgive her for the ill she +had done me. I comforted her and went my way, feeling very sad. I +took a coach and drove to the Rue de Seine, where I called on an old +surgeon I knew, told him the story, and what I wanted him to do. He +told me he could cure her in six weeks without anybody hearing about +it, but that he must be paid in advance. + +"Certainly; but the girl is poor, and I am doing it out of charity." + +The worthy man took a piece of paper and gave me a note addressed to +a house in the Faubourg St. Antoine, which ran as follows: + +"You will take in the person who brings you this note and three +hundred francs, and in six weeks you will send her back cured, if it +please God. The person has reasons for not wishing to be known." + +I was delighted to have managed the matter so speedily and at such a +cheap rate, and I went to bed in a calmer state of mind, deferring my +interview with my brother till the next day. + +He came at eight o'clock, and, constant to his folly, told me he had +a plan to which he was sure I could have no objection. + +"I don't want to hear anything about it; make your choice, Paris or +Rome." + +"Give me the journey-money, I will remain at Paris; but I will give a +written engagement not to trouble you or your brother again. That +should be sufficient." + +"It is not for you to judge of that. Begone! I have neither the +time nor the wish to listen to you. Remember, Paris without a +farthing, or Rome with twenty-five louis." + +Thereupon I called Clairmont, and told him to put the abbe out. + +I was in a hurry to have done with the Corticelli affair, and went to +the house in the Faubourg St. Antoine, where I found a kindly and +intelligent-looking man and woman, and all the arrangements of the +house satisfactory and appropriate to the performance of secret +cures. I saw the room and the bath destined for the new boarder, +everything was clean and neat, and I gave them a hundred crowns, for +which they handed me a receipt. I told them that the lady would +either come in the course of the day, or on the day following. + +I went to dine with Madame d'Urfe and the young Count d'Aranda. +After dinner the worthy marchioness talked to me for a long time of +her pregnancy, dwelling on her symptoms, and on the happiness that +would be hers when the babe stirred within her. I had put to a +strong restrain upon myself to avoid bursting out laughing. When I +had finished with her I went to the Corticelli, who called me her +saviour and her guardian angel. I gave her two louis to get some +linen out of pawn, and promised to come and see her before I left +Paris, to give her a hundred crowns, which would take her back to +Bologna. Then I waited on Madame du Rumain who had said farewell to +society for three weeks. + +This lady had an excellent heart, and was pretty as well, but she had +so curious a society-manner that she often made me laugh most +heartily. She talked of the sun and moon as if they were two Exalted +Personages, to whom she was about to be presented. She was once +discussing with me the state of the elect in heaven, and said that +their greatest happiness was, no doubt, to love God to distraction, +for she had no idea of calm and peaceful bliss. + +I gave her the incense for the fumigation, and told her what psalms +to recite, and then we had a delicious supper. She told her chamber- +maid to escort me at ten o'clock to a room on the second floor which +she had furnished for me with the utmost luxury, adding,-- + +"Take care that the Chevalier de Seingalt is able to come into my +room at five o'clock to-morrow." + +At nine o'clock I placed her legs in a bath of lukewarm water, and +taught her how to suffumigate. Her legs were moulded by the hand of +the Graces and I wiped them amorously, laughing within myself at her +expression of gratitude, and I then laid her in bed, contenting +myself with a solemn kiss on her pretty forehead. When it was over I +went up to my room where I was waited on by the pretty maid, who +performed her duties with that grace peculiar to the French +soubrette, and told me that as I had become her mistress's +chambermaid it was only right that she should be my valet. Her mirth +was infectious, and I tried to make her sit down on my knee; but she +fled away like a deer, telling me that I ought to take care of myself +if I wanted to cut a good figure at five o'clock the next day. She +was wrong, but appearances were certainly against us, and it is well +known that servants do not give their masters and mistresses the +benefit of the doubt. + +At five o'clock in the morning I found Madame du Rumain nearly +dressed when I went into her room, and we immediately went into +another, from which the rising sun might have been see if the "Hotel +de Bouillon" had not been in the way, but that, of course, was a +matter of no consequence. Madame du Rumain performed the ceremonies +with all the dignity of an ancient priestess of Baal. She then sat +down to her piano, telling me that to find some occupation for the +long morning of nine hours would prove the hardest of all the rules, +for she did not dine till two, which was then the fashionable hour. +We had a meat breakfast without coffee, which I had proscribed, and I +left her, promising to call again before I left Paris. + +When I got back to my inn, I found my brother there looking very +uneasy at my absence at such an early hour. When I saw him +I cried,-- + +"Rome or Paris, which is it to be?" + +"Rome," he replied, cringingly. + +"Wait in the antechamber. I will do your business for you." + +When I had finished I called him in, and found my other brother and +his wife, who said they had come to ask me to give them a dinner. + +"Welcome!" said I. "You are come just in time to see me deal with +the abbe, who has resolved at last to go to Rome and to follow my +directions." + +I sent Clairmont to the diligence office, and told him to book a +place for Lyons; and then I wrote out five bills of exchange, of five +louis each, on Lyons, Turin, Genoa, Florence, and Rome. + +"Who is to assure me that these bills will be honoured?" + +"I assure you, blockhead. If you don't like them you can leave +them." + +Clairmont brought the ticket for the diligence and I gave it to the +abbe, telling him roughly to be gone. + +"But I may dine with you, surely?" said he. + +"No, I have done with you. Go and dine with Possano, as you are his +accomplice in the horrible attempt he made to murder me. Clairmont, +shew this man out, and never let him set foot here again." + +No doubt more than one of my readers will pronounce my treatment of +the abbe to have been barbarous; but putting aside the fact that I +owe no man an account of my thoughts, deeds, and words, nature had +implanted in me a strong dislike to this brother of mine, and his +conduct as a man and a priest, and, above all, his connivance with +Possano, had made him so hateful to me that I should have watched him +being hanged with the utmost indifference, not to say with the +greatest pleasure. Let everyone have his own principles and his own +passions, and my favourite passion has always been vengeance. + +"What did you do with the girl he eloped with?" said my sister-in- +raw. + +"I sent her back to Venice with the ambassadors the better by thirty +thousand francs, some fine jewels, and a perfect outfit of clothes. +She travelled in a carriage I gave her which was worth more than two +hundred louis." + +"That's all very fine, but you must make some allowance for the +abbe's grief and rage at seeing you sleep with her." + +"Fools, my dear sister, are made to suffer such grief, and many +others besides. Did he tell you that she would not let him have +anything to do with her, and that she used to box his ears?" + +"On the the contrary, he was always talking of her love for him." + +"He made himself a fine fellow, I have no doubt, but the truth is, it +was a very ugly business." + +After several hours of pleasant conversation my brother left, and I +took my sister-in-law to the opera. As soon as we were alone this +poor sister of mine began to make the most bitter complaints of my +brother. + +"I am no more his wife now," said she, "than I was the night before +our marriage." + +"What! Still a maid?" + +"As much a maid as at the moment I was born. They tell me I could +easily obtain a dissolution of the marriage, but besides the scandal +that would arise, I unhappily love him, and I should not like to do +anything that would give him pain." + +"You are a wonderful woman, but why do you not provide a substitute +for him?" + +"I know I might do so, without having to endure much remorse, but I +prefer to bear it." + +"You are very praiseworthy, but in the other ways you are happy?" + +"He is overwhelmed with debt, and if I liked to call upon him to give +me back my dowry he would not have a shirt to his back. Why did he +marry me? He must have known his impotence. It was a dreadful thing +to do." + +"Yes, but you must forgive him for it." + +She had cause for complaint, for marriage without enjoyment is a +thorn without roses. She was passionate, but her principles were +stronger than her passions, or else she would have sought for what +she wanted elsewhere. My impotent brother excused himself by saying +that he loved her so well that he thought cohabitation with her would +restore the missing faculty; he deceived himself and her at the same +time. In time she died, and he married another woman with the same +idea, but this time passion was stronger than virtue, and his new +wife drove him away from Paris. I shall say more of him in twenty +years time. + +At six o'clock the next morning the abbe went off in the diligence, +and I did not see him for six years. I spent the day with Madame +d'Urfe, and I agreed, outwardly, that young d'Aranda should return to +Paris as a postillion. I fixed our departure for the day after next. + +The following day, after dining with Madame d'Urfe who continued to +revel in the joys of her regeneration, I paid a visit to the +Corticelli in her asylum. I found her sad and suffering, but +content, and well pleased with the gentleness of the surgeon and his +wife, who told me they would effect a radical cure. I gave her +twelve louis, promising to send her twelve more as soon as I had +received a letter from her written at Bologna. She promised she +would write to me, but the poor unfortunate was never able to keep +her word, for she succumbed to the treatment, as the old surgeon +wrote to me, when I was at London. He asked what he should do with +the twelve louis which she had left to one Madame Laura, who was +perhaps known to me. I sent him her address, and the honest surgeon +hastened to fulfil the last wishes of the deceased. + +All the persons who helped me in my magical operations with Madame +d'Urfe betrayed me, Marcoline excepted, and all save the fair +Venetian died miserably. Later on the reader will hear more of +Possano and Costa. + +The day before I left for London I supped with Madame du Rumain, who +told me that her voice was already beginning to return. She added a +sage reflection which pleased me highly. + +"I should think," she observed, "that the careful living prescribed +by the cabala must have a good effect on my health." + +"Most certainly," said I, "and if you continue to observe the rules +you will keep both your health and your voice." + +I knew that it is often necessary to deceive before one can instruct; +the shadows must come before the dawn. + +I took leave of my worthy Madame d'Urfe with an emotion which I had +never experienced before; it must have been a warning that I should +never see her again. I assured her that I would faithfully observe +all my promises, and she replied that her happiness was complete, and +that she knew she owed it all to me. In fine, I took d'Aranda and +his top-boots, which he was continually admiring, to my inn, whence +we started in the evening, as he had begged me to travel by night. +He was ashamed to be seen in a carriage dressed as a courier. + +When we reached Abbeville he asked me where his mother was. + +"We will see about it after dinner." + +"But you can find out in a moment whether she is here or not?" + +"Yes, but there is no hurry." + +"And what will you do if she is not here?" + +"We will go on till we meet her on the way. In the meanwhile let us +go and see the famous manufactory of M. Varobes before dinner." + +"Go by yourself. I am tired, and I will sleep till you come back." + +"Very good." + +I spent two hours in going over the magnificent establishment, the +owner himself shewing it me, and then I went back to dinner and +called for my young gentleman. + +"He started for Paris riding post," replied the innkeeper, who was +also the post-master, "five minutes after you left. He said he was +going after some dispatches you had left at Paris." + +"If you don't get him back I will ruin you with law-suits; you had no +business to let him have a horse without my orders." + +"I will capture the little rascal, sir, before he has got to Amiens." + +He called a smart-looking postillion, who laughed when he heard what +was wanted. + +"I would catch him up," said he, "even if he had four hours start. +You shall have him here at six o'clock." + +"I will give you two louis." + +"I would catch him for that, though he were a very lark." + +He was in the saddle in five minutes, and by the rate at which he +started I did not doubt his success. Nevertheless I could not enjoy +my dinner. I felt so ashamed to have been taken in by a lad without +any knowledge of the world. I lay down on a bed and slept till the +postillion aroused me by coming in with the runaway, who looked half +dead. I said nothing to him, but gave orders that he should be +locked up in a good room, with a good bed to sleep on, and a good +supper; and I told the landlord that I should hold him answerable for +the lad as long as I was in his inn. The postillion had caught him +up at the fifth post, just before Amiens, and as he was already quite +tired out the little man surrendered like a lamb. + +At day-break I summoned him before me, and asked him if he would come +to London of his own free will or bound hand and foot. + +"I will come with you, I give you my word of honour; but you must let +me ride on before you. Otherwise, with this dress of mine, I should +be ashamed to go. I don't want it to be thought that you had to give +chase to me, as if I had robbed you." + +"I accept your word of honour, but be careful to keep it. Embrace +me, and order another saddle-horse." + +He mounted his horse in high spirits, and rode in front of the +carriage with Clairmont. He was quite astonished to find his trunk +at Calais, which he reached two hours before me. + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +My Arrival in London; Madame Cornelis--I Am Presented at Court-- +I Rent a Furnished House--I Make a Large Circle of Acquaintance-- +Manners of the English + + +When I got to Calais I consigned my post-chaise to the care of the +landlord of the inn, and hired a packet. There was only one +available for a private party, there being another for public use at +six francs apiece. I paid six guineas in advance, taking care to get +a proper receipt, for I knew that at Calais a man finds himself in an +awkward position if he is unable to support his claim by documents. + +Before the tide was out Clairmont got all my belongings on board, and +I ordered my supper. The landlord told me that louis were not +current in England, and offered to give me guineas in exchange for +mine; but I was surprised when I found he gave me the same number of +guineas as I had given him of louis. I wanted him to take the +difference--four per cent.--but he refused, saying that he did not +allow anything when the English gave him guineas for louis. I do not +know whether he found his system a profitable one on the whole, but +it was certainly so for me. + +The young Count d'Aranda, to whom I had restored his humble name of +Trenti, was quite resigned, but proud of having given me a specimen +of his knowingness by riding post. We were just going to sit down at +table, well pleased with one another, when I heard a loud +conversation in English going on near my door, and mine host came in +to tell me what it was about. + +"It's the courier of the Duke of Bedford, the English ambassador," +said he; "he announces the approach of his master, and is disputing +with the captain of the packet. He says he hired the boat by letter, +and that the captain had no right to let it to you. The master +maintains that he has received no such letter, and no one can prove +that he is telling a lie." + +I congratulated myself on having taken the packet and paid the +earnest-money, and went to bed. At day-break the landlord said that +the ambassador had arrived at midnight, and that his man wanted to +see me. + +He came in and told me that the nobleman, his master, was in a great +hurry to get to London, and that I should oblige him very much by +yielding the boat to him. + +I did not answer a word, but wrote a note which ran as follows: + +"My lord duke may dispose of the whole of the packet, with the +exception of the space necessary for my own accommodation, that of +two other persons, and my luggage. I am delighted to have the +opportunity of obliging the English ambassador." + +The valet took the note, and returned to thank me on behalf of his +master, who stipulated, however, that he should be allowed to pay for +the packet. + +"Tell him that it is out of the question, as the boat is paid for +already." + +"He will give you the six guineas" + +"Tell your master that I cannot allow him to pay. I do not buy to +sell again." + +The duke called on me in the course of half an hour, and said that we +were both of us in the right. + +"However," he added, "there is a middle course, let us adopt it, and +I shall be just as much indebted to you." + +"What is that, my lord?" + +"We will each pay half." + +"My desire to oblige you, my lord, will not allow me to refuse, but +it is I who will be indebted to you for the honour your lordship does +me. We will start as soon as you like, and I can make my +arrangements accordingly." + +He shook my hand and left the room, and when he had gone I found +three guineas on the table. He had placed them there without my +noticing them. An hour afterwards I returned his call, and then told +the master to take the duke and his carriages on board. + +We took two hours and a half in crossing the Channel; the wind was +strong, but we made a good passage. + +The stranger who sets his foot on English soil has need of a good +deal of patience. The custom-house officials made a minute, +vexatious and even an impertinent perquisition; but as the duke and +ambassador had to submit, I thought it best to follow his example; +besides, resistance would be useless. The Englishman, who prides +himself on his strict adherence to the law of the land, is curt and +rude in his manner, and the English officials cannot be compared to +the French, who know how to combine politeness with the exercise of +their rights. + +English is different in every respect from the rest of Europe; even +the country has a different aspect, and the water of the Thames has a +taste peculiar to itself. Everything has its own characteristics, +and the fish, cattle, horses, men, and women are of a type not found +in any other land. Their manner of living is wholly different from +that of other countries, especially their cookery. The most striking +feature in their character is their national pride; they exalt +themselves above all other nations. + +My attention was attracted by the universal cleanliness, the beauty +of the country, the goodness of the roads, the reasonable charges for +posting, the quickness of the horses, although they never go beyond a +trot; and lastly, the construction of the towns on the Dover road; +Canterbury and Rochester for instance, though large and populous, are +like long passages; they are all length and no breadth. + +We got to London in the evening and stopped at the house of Madame +Cornelis, as Therese called herself. She was originally married to +an actor named Imer, then to the dancer Pompeati, who committed +suicide at Venice by ripping up his stomach with a razor. + +In Holland she had been known as Madame Trenti, but at London she had +taken the name of her lover Cornelius Rigerboos, whom she had +contrived to ruin. + +She lived in Soho Square, almost facing the house of the Venetian +ambassador. When I arrived I followed the instructions I had +received in her last letter. I left her son in the carriage, and +sent up my name, expecting she would fly to meet me; but the porter +told me to wait, and in a few minutes a servant in grand livery +brought me a note in which Madame Cornelis asked me to get down at +the house to which her servant would conduct me. I thought this +rather strange behaviour, but still she might have her reasons for +acting in this manner, so I did not let my indignation appear. When +we got to the house, a fat woman named Rancour, and two servants, +welcomed us, or rather welcomed my young friend; for the lady +embraced him, told him how glad she was to see him, and did not +appear to be aware of my existence. + +Our trunks were taken in, and Madame Rancour having ascertained which +belonged to Cornelis, had them placed in a fine suite of three rooms, +and said, pointing out to him the apartment and the two servants, + +"This apartment and the two servants are for you, and I, too, am your +most humble servant." + +Clairmont told me that he had put my things in a room which +communicated with Cornelis's. I went to inspect it, and saw djrectly +that I was being treated as if I were a person of no consequence. +The storm of anger was gathering, but wonderful to relate, I subdued +myself, and did not say a word. + +"Where is your room?" I said to Clairmont. + +"Near the roof, and I am to share it with one of those two louts you +saw." + +The worthy Clairmont, who knew my disposition, was surprised at the +calm with which I said,-- + +"Take your trunk there." + +"Shall I open yours?" + +"No. We will see what can be done to-morrow." + +I still kept on my mask, and returned to the room of the young +gentleman who seemed to be considered as my master. I found him +listening with a foolish stare to Madame Rancour, who was telling him +of the splendid position his mother occupied, her great enterprise, +her immense credit, the splendid house she had built, her thirty- +three servants, her two secretaries, her six horses, her country +house, etc., etc. + +"How is my sister Sophie?" said the young gentleman. + +"Her name is Sophie, is it? She is only known as Miss Cornelis. She +is a beauty, a perfect prodigy, she plays at sight on several +instruments, dances like Terpsichore, speaks English, French, and +Italian equally well--in a word, she is really wonderful. She has a +governess and a maid. Unfortunately, she is rather short for her +age; she is eight." + +She was ten, but as Madame Rancour was not speaking to me I refrained +from interrupting her. + +My lord Cornelis, who felt very tired, asked at what hour they were +to sup. + +"At ten o'clock and not before," said the duenna, "for Madame +Cornelis is always engaged till then. She is always with her lawyer, +on account of an important law-suit she has against Sir Frederick +Fermer." + +I could see that I should learn nothing worth learning by listening +to the woman's gossip, so I took my hat and cane and went for a walk +in the immense city, taking care not to lose my way. + +It was seven o'clock when I went out, and a quarter of an hour after, +seeing a number of people in a coffeehouse, I entered it. It was the +most notorious place in London, the resort of all the rascally +Italians in town. I had heard of it at Lyons, and had taken a firm +resolve never to set foot in it, but almighty chance made me go there +unknown to myself. But it was my only visit. + +I sat down by myself and called for a glass of lemonade, and before +long a man came and sat by me to profit by the light. He had a +printed paper in his hand, and I could see that the words were +Italian. He had a pencil with which he scratched out some words and +letters, writing the corrections in the margin. Idle curiosity made +me follow him in his work, and I noticed him correcting the word +'ancora', putting in an 'h' in the margin. I was irritated by this +barbarous spelling, and told him that for four centuries 'ancora' had +been spelt without an 'h'. + +"Quite so," said he, "but I am quoting from Boccaccio, and one should +be exact in quotations." + +"I apologize, sir; I see you are a man of letters." + +"Well, in a small way. My name is Martinelli." + +"Then you are in a great way indeed. I know you by repute, and if I +am not mistaken you are a relation of Calsabigi, who has spoken of +you to me. I have read some of your satires." + +"May I ask to whom I have the honour of speaking?" + +"My name is Seingalt. Have you finished your edition of the +Decameron?" + +"I am still at work on it, and trying to increase the number of my +subscribers." + +"If you will be so kind I should be glad to be of the number." + +"You do me honour." + +He gave me a ticket, and seeing that it was only for a guinea I took +four, and telling him I hoped to see him again at the same coffee- +house, the name of which I asked him, he told it me, evidently +astonished at my ignorance; but his surprise vanished when I informed +him that I had only been in London for an hour, and that it was my +first visit to the great city. + +"You will experience some trouble in finding your way back," said he, +"allow me to accompany you." + +When we had got out he gave me to understand that chance had led me +to the "Orange Coffee House," the most disreputable house in London. + +"But you go there." + +"Yes, but I can say with Juvenal: + +"'Cantabit vacuus coram latrone viator.' + +"The rogues can't hurt me; I know them and they know me; we never +trouble each other." + +"You have been a long time in London, I suppose." + +"Five years." + +"I presume you know a good many people." + +"Yes, but I seldom wait on anyone but Lord Spencer. I am occupied +with literary work and live all by myself. I don't make much, but +enough to live on. I live in furnished apartments, and have twelve +shirts and the clothes you see on my back, and that is enough for my +happiness. + + "'Nec ultra deos lacesso.'" + +I was pleased with this honest man, who spoke Italian with the most +exquisite correctness. + +On the way back I asked him what I had better do to get a comfortable +lodging. When he heard the style in which I wished to live and the +time I proposed to spend in London, he advised me to take a house +completely furnished. + +"You will be given an inventory of the goods," said he, "and as soon +as you get a surety your house will be your castle." + +"I like the idea," I answered, "but how shall I find such a house?" + +"That is easily done." + +He went into a shop, begged the mistress to lend him the Advertiser, +noted down several advertisements, and said,-- + +"That's all we have to do." + +The nearest house was in Pall Mall and we went to see it. An old +woman opened the door to us, and shewed us the ground floor and the +three floors above. Each floor contained two rooms and a closet. +Everything shone with cleanliness; linen, furniture, carpets, +mirrors, and china, and even the bells and the bolts on the doors. +The necessary linen was kept in a large press, and in another was the +silver plate and several sets of china. The arrangements in the +kitchen were excellent, and in a word, nothing was lacking in the way +of comfort. The rent was twenty guineas a week, and, not stopping to +bargain, which is never of any use in London, I told Martinelli that +I would take it on the spot. + +Martinelli translated what I said to the old woman, who told me that +if I liked to keep her on as housekeeper I need not have a surety, +and that it would only be necessary for me to pay for each week in +advance. I answered that I would do so, but that she must get me a +servant who could speak French or Italian as well as English. She +promised to get one in a day's time, and I paid her for four weeks' +rent on the spot, for which she gave me a receipt under the name of +the Chevalier de Seingalt. This was the name by which I was known +during the whole of my stay in London. + +Thus in less than two hours I was comfortably settled in a town which +is sometimes described as a chaos, especially for a stranger. But in +London everything is easy to him who has money and is not afraid of +spending it. I was delighted to be able to escape so soon from a +house where I was welcomed so ill, though I had a right to the best +reception; but I was still more pleased at the chance which had made +me acquainted with Martinelli, whom I had known by repute for six +years. + +When I got back Madame Cornelis had not yet arrived, though ten +o'clock had struck. Young Cornelis was asleep on the sofa. I was +enraged at the way the woman treated me, but I resolved to put a good +face on it. + +Before long three loud knocks announced the arrival of Madame +Cornelis in a sedan-chair, and I heard her ascending the stairs. She +came in and seemed glad to see me, but did not come and give me those +caresses which I had a right to expect. She ran to her son and took +him on her knee, but the sleepy boy did not respond to her kisses +with any great warmth. + +"He is very tired, like myself," said I, "and considering that we are +travellers in need of rest you have kept us waiting a long time." + +I do not know whether she would have answered at all, or, if so, what +her answer would have been, for just at that moment a servant came in +and said that supper was ready. She rose and did me the honour to +take my arm, and we went into another room which I had not seen. The +table was laid for four, and I was curious enough to enquire who was +the fourth person. + +"It was to have been my daughter, but I left her behind, as when I +told her that you and her brother had arrived she asked me if you +were well." + +"And you have punished her for doing so?" + +"Certainly, for in my opinion she ought to have asked for her brother +first and then for you. Don't you think I was right?" + +"Poor Sophie! I am sorry for her. Gratitude has evidently more +influence over her than blood relationship." + +"It is not a question of sentiment, but of teaching young persons to +think with propriety." + +"Propriety is often far from proper." + +The woman told her son that she was working hard to leave him a +fortune when she died, and that she had been obliged to summon him to +England as he was old enough to help her in her business. + +"And how am I to help you, my dear mother?" + +"I give twelve balls and twelve suppers to the nobility, and the same +number to the middle classes in the year. I have often as many as +six hundred guests at two guineas a head. The expenses are enormous, +and alone as I am I must be robbed, for I can't be in two places at +once. Now that you are here you can keep everything under lock and +key, keep the books, pay and receive accounts, and see that everyone +is properly attended to at the assemblies; in fine, you will perform +the duties of the master." + +"And do you think that I can do all that?" + +"You will easily learn it." + +"I think it will be very difficult." + +"One of my secretaries will come and live with you, and instruct you +in everything. During the first year you will only have to acquire +the English language, and to be present at my assemblies, that I may +introduce you to the most distinguished people in London. You will +get quite English before long." + +"I would rather remain French." + +"That's mere prejudice, my dear, you will like the sound of Mister +Cornelis by-and-bye." + +"Cornelis?" + +"Yes; that is your name." + +"It's a very funny one." + +"I will write it down, so that you may not forget it." Thinking that +her dear son was joking. Madame Cornelis looked at me in some +astonishment, and told him to go to bed, which he did instantly. +When we were alone she said he struck her as badly educated, and too +small for his age. + +"I am very much afraid," said she, "that we shall have to begin his +education all over again. What has he learnt in the last six years?" + +"He might have learnt a great deal, for he went to the best boarding +school in Paris; but he only learnt what he liked, and what he liked +was not much. He can play the flute, ride, fence, dance a minuet, +change his shirt every day, answer politely, make a graceful bow, +talk elegant trifles, and dress well. As he never had any +application, he doesn't know anything about literature; he can +scarcely write, his spelling is abominable, his arithmetic limited, +and I doubt whether he knows in what continent England is situated." + +"He has used the six years well, certainly." + +"Say, rather, he has wasted them; but he will waste many more." + +"My daughter will laugh at him; but then it is I who have had the +care of her education. He will be ashamed when he finds her so well +instructed though she is only eight." + +"He will never see her at eight, if I know anything of reckoning; she +is fully ten." + +"I think I ought to know the age of my own daughter. She knows +geography, history, languages, and music; she argues correctly, and +behaves in a manner which is surprising in so young a child. All the +ladies are in love with her. I keep her at a school of design all +day; she shews a great taste for drawing. She dines with me on +Sundays, and if you would care to come to dinner next Sunday you will +confess that I have not exaggerated her capacities." + +It was Monday. I said nothing, but I thought it strange that she did +not seem to consider that I was impatient to see my daughter. She +should have asked me to meet her at supper the following evening. + +"You are just in time," said she, "to witness the last assembly of +the year; for in a few weeks all the nobility will leave town in +order to pass the summer in the country. I can't give you a ticket, +as they are only issued to the nobility, but you can come as my +friend and keep close to me. You will see everything. If I am asked +who you are, I will say that you have superintended the education of +my son in Paris, and have brought him back to me." + +"You do me too much honour." + +We continued talking till two o'clock in the morning, and she told me +all about the suit she had with Sir Frederick Fermer. He maintained +that the house she had built at a cost of ten thousand guineas +belonged to him as he had furnished the money. In equity he was +right, but according to English law wrong, for it was she who had +paid the workmen, the contractors, and the architect; it was she that +had given and received receipts, and signed all documents. The +house, therefore, belonged to her, and Fermer admitted as much; but +he claimed the sum he had furnished, and here was the kernel of the +whole case, for she had defied him to produce a single acknowledgment +of money received. + +"I confess," said this honest woman, "that you have often given me a +thousand pounds at a time, but that was a friendly gift, and nothing +to be wondered at in a rich Englishman, considering that we were +lovers and lived together." + +She had won her suit four times over in two years, but Fermer took +advantage of the intricacies of English law to appeal again and +again, and now he had gone to the House of Lords, the appeal to which +might last fifteen years. + +"This suit," said the honest lady, "dishonours Fermer." + +"I should think it did, but you surely don't think it honours you." + +"Certainly I do." + +"I don't quite understand how you make that out." + +"I will explain it all to you." + +"We will talk it over again" + +In the three hours for which we talked together this woman did not +once ask me how I was, whether I was comfortable, how long I intended +to stay in London, or whether I had made much money. In short she +made no enquiries what ever about me, only saying with a smile, but +not heedlessly,-- + +"I never have a penny to spare." + +Her receipts amounted to more than twenty-four thousand pounds per +annum, but her expenses were enormous and she had debts. + +I avenged myself on her indifference by not saying a word about +myself. I was dresssed simply but neatly, and had not any jewellry +or diamonds about my person. + +I went to bed annoyed with her, but glad to have discovered the +badness of her heart. In spite of my longing to see my daughter I +determined not to take any steps to meet her till the ensuing Sunday, +when I was invited to dinner. + +Early next morning I told Clairmont to pull all my goods and chattels +in a carriage, and when all was ready I went to take leave of young +Cornelis, telling him I was going to live in Pall Mall, and leaving +him my address. + +"You are not going to stay with me, then?" said he. + +"No, your mother doesn't know how to welcome or to treat me." + +"I think you are right. I shall go back to Paris." + +"Don't do anything so silly. Remember that here you are at home, and +that in Paris you might not find a roof to shelter you. Farewell; I +shall see you on Sunday." + +I was soon settled in my new house, and I went out to call on M. +Zuccato, the Venetian ambassador. I gave him M. Morosini's letter, +and he said, coldly, that he was glad to make my acquaintance. When +I asked him to present me at Court the insolent fool only replied +with a smile, which might fairly be described as contemptuous. It +was the aristocratic pride coming out, so I returned his smile with a +cold bow, and never set foot in his house again. + +On leaving Zuccato I called on Lord Egremont, and finding him ill +left my letter with the porter. He died a few days after, so M. +Morosini's letters were both useless through no fault of his. We +shall learn presently what was the result of the little note. + +I then went to the Comte de Guerchi, the French ambassador, with a +letter from the Marquis Chauvelin, and I received a warm welcome. +This nobleman asked me to dine with him the following day, and told +me that if I liked he would present me at Court after chapel on +Sunday. It was at that ambassador's table that I made the +acquaintance of the Chevalier d'Eon, the secretary of the embassy, +who afterwards became famous. This Chevalier d'Eon was a handsome +woman who had been an advocate and a captain of dragoons before +entering the diplomatic service; she served Louis XV. as a valiant +soldier and a diplomatist of consummate skill. In spite of her manly +ways I soon recognized her as a woman; her voice was not that of a +castrato, and her shape was too rounded to be a man's. I say nothing +of the absence of hair on her face, as that might be an accident. + +In the first days of my stay in London I made the acquaintance of my +bankers; who held at least three hundred thousand francs of my money. +They all honoured my drafts and offered their services to me, but I +did not make use of their good offices. + +I visited the theatres of Covent Garden and Drury Lane, but I could +not extract much enjoyment out of the perfomances as I did not know a +word of English. I dined at all the taverns, high and low, to get +some insight into the peculiar manners of the English. In the +morning I went on 'Change, where I made some friends. It was there +that a merchant to whom I spoke got me a Negro servant who spoke +English, French, and Italian with equal facility; and the same +individual procured me a cook who spoke French. I also visited the +bagnios where a rich man can sup, bathe, and sleep with a fashionable +courtezan, of which species there are many in London. It makes a +magnificent debauch and only costs six guineas. The expense may be +reduced to a hundred francs, but economy in pleasure is not to my +taste. + +On Sunday I made an elegant toilette and went to Court about eleven, +and met the Comte de Guerchi as we had arranged. He introduced me to +George III., who spoke to me, but in such a low voice that I could +not understand him and had to reply by a bow. The queen made up for +the king, however, and I was delighted to observe that the proud +ambassador from my beloved Venice was also present. When M. de +Guerchi introduced me under the name of the Chevalier de Seingalt, +Zuccato looked astonished, for Mr. Morosini had called me Casanova in +his letter. The queen asked me from what part of France I came, and +understanding from my answer that I was from Venice, she looked at +the Venetian ambassador, who bowed as if to say that he had no +objection to make. Her Majesty then asked me if I knew the +ambassadors extraordinary, who had been sent to congratulate the +king, and I replied that I had the pleasure of knowing them +intimately, and that I had spent three days in their society at +Lyons, where M. Morosini gave me letters for my Lord d'Egremont and +M. Zuccato. + +"M. Querini amused me extremely," said the queen; "he called me a +little devil." + +"He meant to say that your highness is as witty as an angel." + +I longed for the queen to ask me why I had not been presented by M. +Zuccatto, for I had a reply on the tip of my tongue that would have +deprived the ambassador of his sleep for a week, while I should have +slept soundly, for vengeance is a divine pleasure, especially when it +is taken on the proud and foolish; but the whole conversation was a +compound of nothings, as is usual in courts. + +After my interview was over I got into my sedan-chair and went to +Soho Square. A man in court dress cannot walk the streets of London +without being pelted with mud by the mob, while the gentleman look on +and laugh. All customs must be respected; they are all at once +worthy and absurd. + +When I got to the house of Madame Cornelis, I and my Negro Jarbe were +shewn upstairs, and conducted through a suite of gorgeous apartments +to a room where the lady of the house was sitting with two English +ladies and two English gentlemen. She received me with familiar +politeness, made me sit down in an armchair beside her, and then +continued the conversation in English without introducing me. When +her steward told her that dinner was ready, she gave orders for the +children to be brought down. + +I had long desired this meeting, and when I saw Sophie I ran to meet +her; but she, who had profited by her mother's instructions, drew +back with profound courtesy and a compliment learnt by heart. I did +not say anything for fear I should embarrass her, but I felt grieved +to the heart. + +Madame Cornelis then brought forward her son, telling the company +that I had brought him to England after superintending his education +for six years. She spoke in French, so I was glad to see that her +friends understood that language. + +We sat down to table; Madame Cornelis between her two children, and I +between the two Englishwomen, one of whom delighted me by her +pleasant wit. I attached myself to her as soon as I noticed that the +mistress of the house only spoke to me by chance, and that Sophie did +not look at me. She was so like me that no mistake was possible. I +could see that she had been carefully tutored by her mother to behave +in this manner, and I felt this treatment to be both absurd and +impertinent. + +I did not want to let anyone see that I was angry, so I began to +discourse in a pleasant strain on the peculiarities of English +manners, taking care, however, not to say anything which might wound +the insular pride of the English guests. My idea was to make them +laugh and to make myself agreeable, and I succeeded, but not a word +did I speak to Madame Cornelis; I did not so much as look at her. + +The lady next to me, after admiring the beauty of my lace, asked me +what was the news at Court. + +"It was all news to me," said I, "for I went there to-day for the +first time." + +"Have you seen the king?" said Sir Joseph Cornelis. + +"My dear, you should not ask such questions," said his mother. + +"Why not?" + +"Because the gentleman may not wish to answer them." + +"On the contrary, madam, I like being questioned. I have been +teaching your son for the last six years to be always asking +something, for that is the way to acquire knowledge. He who asks +nothing knows nothing." + +I had touched her to the quick, and she fell into a sulky silence. + +"You have not told me yet," said the lad, "whether you saw the king." + +"Yes, my man, I saw the king and the queen, and both their majesties +did me the honour to speak to me." + +"Who introduced you?" + +"The French ambassador." + +"I think you will agree with me," said the mother, "that last +question was a little too much." + +"Certainly it would be if it were addressed to a stranger, but not to +me who am his friend. You will notice that the reply he extracted +from me did me honour. If I had not wished it to be known that I had +been at Court, I should not have come here in this dress." + +"Very good; but as you like to be questioned, may I ask you why you +were not presented by your own ambassador?" + +"Because the Venetian ambassador would not present me, knowing that +his Government have a bone to pick with me." + +By this time we had come to the dessert, and poor Sophie had not +uttered a syllable. + +"Say something to M. de Seingalt," said her mother. + +"I don't know what to say," she answered. "Tell M. de Seingalt to +ask me some questions, and I will answer to the best of my ability." + +"Well, Sophie, tell me in what studies you are engaged at the present +time." + +"I am learning drawing; if you like I will shew you some of my work." + +"I will look at it with pleasure; but tell me how you think you have +offended me; you have a guilty air." + +"I, sir? I do not think I have done anything amiss." + +"Nor do I, my dear; but as you do not look at me when you speak I +thought you must be ashamed of something. Are you ashamed of your +fine eyes? You blush. What have you done?" + +"You are embarrassing her," said the mother. "Tell him, my dear, +that you have done nothing, but that a feeling of modesty and respect +prevents you from gazing at the persons you address." + +"Yes," said I ; "but if modesty bids young ladies lower their eyes, +politeness should make them raise them now and again." + +No one replied to this objection, which was a sharp cut for the +absurd woman; but after an interval of silence we rose from the +table, and Sophie went to fetch her drawings. + +"I won't look at anything, Sophie, unless you will look at me." + +"Come," said her mother, "look at the gentleman." + +She obeyed as quickly as lightning, and I saw the prettiest eyes +imaginable. + +"Now," said I, "I know you again, and perhaps you may remember having +seen me." + +"Yes, although it is six years ago since we met, I recognized you +directly." + +"And yet you did not look me in the face! If you knew how impolite +it was to lower your eyes when you are addressing anyone, you would +not do it. Who can have given you such a bad lesson?" + +The child glanced towards her mother, who was standing by a window, +and I saw who was her preceptress. + +I felt that I had taken sufficient vengeance, and began to examine +her drawings, to praise them in detail, and to congratulate her on +her talents. I told her that she ought to be thankful to have a +mother who had given her so good an education. This indirect +compliment pleased Madame Cornelis, and Sophie, now free from all +restraint, gazed at me with an expression of child-like affection +which ravished me. Her features bore the imprint of a noble soul +within, and I pitied her for having to grow up under the authority of +a foolish mother. Sophie went to the piano, played with feeling, and +then sang some Italian airs, to the accompaniment of the guitar, too +well for her age. She was too precocious, and wanted much more +discretion in her education than Madame Cornelis was able to give +her. + +When her singing had been applauded by the company, her mother told +her to dance a minuet with her brother, who had learnt in Paris, but +danced badly for want of a good carriage. His sister told him so +with a kiss, and then asked me to dance with her, which I did very +readily. Her mother, who thought she had danced exquisitely, as was +indeed the case, told her that she must give me a kiss. She came up +to me, and drawing her on my knee I covered her face with kisses, +which she returned with the greatest affection. Her mother laughed +with all her heart, and then Sophie, beginning to be doubtful again, +went up to her and asked if she were angry. Her mother comforted her +with a kiss. + +After we had taken coffee, which was served in the French fashion, +Madame Cornelis shewed me a magnificent hall which she had built, in +which she could give supper to four hundred persons seated at one +table. She told me, and I could easily believe her, that there was +not such another in all London. + +The last assembly was given before the prorogation of Parliament; it +was to take place in four or five days. She had a score of pretty +girls in her service, and a dozen footmen all in full livery. + +"They all rob me," said she, "but I have to put up with it. What I +want is a sharp man to help me and watch over my interests; if I had +such an one I should make an immense fortune in a comparatively short +time; for when it is a question of pleasure, the English do not care +what they spend." + +I told her I hoped she would find such man and make the fortune, and +then I left her, admiring her enterprise. + +When I left Soho Square I went to St. James's Park to see Lady +Harrington for whom I bore a letter, as I have mentioned. This lady +lived in the precincts of the Court, and received company every +Sunday. It was allowable to play in her house, as the park is under +the jurisdiction of the Crown. In any other place there is no +playing cards or singing on Sundays. The town abounds in spies, and +if they have reason to suppose that there is any gaming or music +going on, they watch for their opportunity, slip into the house, and +arrest all the bad Christians, who are diverting themselves in a +manner which is thought innocent enough in any other country. But to +make up for this severity the Englishman may go in perfect liberty to +the tavern or the brothel, and sanctify the Sabbath as he pleases. + +I called on Lady Harrington, and having sent up my letter she +summoned me into her presence. I found her in the midst of about +thirty persons, but the hostess was easily distinguished by the air +of welcome she had for me. + +After I had made my bow she told me she had seen me at Court in the +morning, and that without knowing who I was she had been desirous of +making my acquaintance. Our conversation lasted three-quarters of an +hour, and was composed of those frivolous observations and idle +questions which are commonly addressed to a traveller. + +The lady was forty, but she was still handsome. She was well known +for her gallantries and her influence at Court. She introduced me to +her husband and her four daughters, charming girls of a marriageable +age. She asked me why I had come to London when everybody was on the +point of going out of town. I told her that as I always obeyed the +impulse of the moment, I should find it difficult to answer her +question; besides, I intended staying for a year, so that the +pleasure would be deferred but not lost. + +My reply seemed to please her by its character of English +independence, and she offered with exquisite grace to do all in her +power for me. + +"In the meanwhile," said she, "we will begin by letting you see all +the nobility at Madame Cornelis's on Thursday next. I can give you a +ticket to admit to ball and supper. It is two guineas." + +I gave her the money, and she took the ticket again, writing on it, +"Paid.--Harrington." + +"Is this formality necessary, my lady?" + +"Yes; or else they would ask you for the money at the doors." + +I did not think it necessary to say anything about my connection with +the lady of Soho Square. + +While Lady Harrington was making up a rubber at whist, she asked me +if I had any other letters for ladies. + +"Yes," said I, "I have one which I intend to present to-morrow. It +is a singular letter, being merely a portrait." + +"Have you got it about you?" + +"Yes, my lady." + +"May I see it?" + +"Certainly. Here it is." + +"It is the Duchess of Northumberland. We will go and give it her." + +"With pleasure!" + +"Just wait till they have marked the game." + +Lord Percy had given me this portrait as a letter of introduction to +his mother. + +"My dear duchess," said Lady Harrington, "here is a letter of +introduction which this gentleman begs to present to you." + +"I know, it is M. de Seingalt. My son has written to me about him. +I am delighted to see you, Chevalier, and I hope you will come and +see me. I receive thrice a week." + +"Will your ladyship allow me to present my valuable letter in +person?" + +"Certainly. You are right." + +I played a rubber of whist for very small stakes, and lost fifteen +guineas, which I paid on the spot. Directly afterwards Lady +Harrington took me apart, and gave me a lesson which I deem worthy of +record. + +"You paid in gold," said she; "I suppose you had no bank notes about +you?" + +"Yes, my lady, I have notes for fifty and a hundred pounds." + +"Then you must change one of them or wait till another time to play, +for in England to pay in gold is a solecism only pardonable in a +stranger. Perhaps you noticed that the lady smiled?" + +"Yes; who is she?" + +"Lady Coventry, sister of the Duchess of Hamilton." + +"Ought I to apologize?" + +"Not at all, the offence is not one of those which require an +apology. She must have been more surprised than offended, for she +made fifteen shillings by your paying her in gold." + +I was vexed by this small mischance, for Lady Coventry was an +exquisitely beautiful brunette. I comforted myself, however, without +much trouble. + +The same day I made the acquaintance of Lord Hervey, the nobleman who +conquered Havana, a pleasant an intelligent person. He had married +Miss Chudleigh, but the marriage was annulled. This celebrated Miss +Chudleigh was maid of honour to the Princess Dowager of Wales, and +afterwards became Duchess of Kingston. As her history is well known +I shall say something more of her in due course. I went home well +enough pleased with my day's work. + +The next day I began dining at home, and found my cook very +satisfactory; for, besides the usual English dishes, he was +acquainted with the French system of cooking, and did fricandeaus, +cutlets, ragouts, and above all, the excellent French soup, which is +one of the principal glories of France. + +My table and my house were not enough for my happiness. I was alone, +and the reader will understand by this that Nature had not meant me +for a hermit. I had neither a mistress nor a friend, and at London +one may invite a man to dinner at a tavern where he pays for himself, +but not to one's own table. One day I was invited by a younger son +of the Duke of Bedford to eat oysters and drink a bottle of +champagne. I accepted the invitation, and he ordered the oysters and +the champagne, but we drank two bottles, and he made me pay half the +price of the second bottle. Such are manners on the other side of +the Channel. People laughed in my face when I said that I did not +care to dine at a tavern as I could not get any soup. + +"Are you ill?" they said, "soup is only fit for invalids." + +The Englishman is entirely carnivorous. He eats very little bread, +and calls himself economical because he spares himself the expense of +soup and dessert, which circumstance made me remark that an English +dinner is like eternity: it has no beginning and no end. Soup is +considered very extravagant, as the very servants refuse to eat the +meat from which it has been made. They say it is only fit to give to +dogs. The salt beef which they use is certainly excellent. I cannot +say the same for their beer, which was so bitter that I could not +drink it. However, I could not be expected to like beer after the +excellent French wines with which the wine merchant supplied me, +certainly at a very heavy cost. + +I had been a week in my new home without seeing Martinelli. He came +on a Monday morning, and I asked him to dine with me. He told me +that he had to go to the Museum, and my curiosity to see the famous +collection which is such an honour to England made me accompany him. +It was there that I made the acquaintance of Dr. Mati, of whom I +shall speak in due course. + +At dinner Martinelli made himself extremely pleasant. He had a +profound knowledge of the English manners and customs which it +behoved me to know if I wished to get on. I happened to speak of the +impoliteness of which I had been guilty in paying a gaming debt in +gold instead of paper, and on this text he preached me a sermon on +the national prosperity, demonstrating that the preference given to +paper shews the confidence which is felt in the Bank, which may or +may not be misplaced, but which is certainly a source of wealth. +This confidence might be destroyed by a too large issue of paper +money, and if that ever took place by reason of a protracted or +unfortunate war, bankruptcy would be inevitable, and no one could +calculate the final results. + +After a long discussion on politics, national manners, literature, in +which subjects Martinelli shone, we went to Drury Lane Theatre, where +I had a specimen of the rough insular manners. By some accident or +other the company could not give the piece that had been announced, +and the audience were in a tumult. Garrick, the celebrated actor who +was buried twenty years later in Westminster Abbey, came forward and +tried in vain to restore order. He was obliged to retire behind the +curtain. Then the king, the queen, and all the fashionables left the +theatre, and in less than an hour the theatre was gutted, till +nothing but the bare walls were left. + +After this destruction, which went on without any authority +interposing, the mad populace rushed to the taverns to consume gin +and beer. In a fortnight the theatre was refitted and the piece +announced again, and when Garrick appeared before the curtain to +implore the indulgence of the house, a voice from the pit shouted, +"On your knees." A thousand voices took up the cry "On your knees," +and the English Roscius was obliged to kneel down and beg +forgiveness. Then came a thunder of applause, and everything was +over. Such are the English, and above all, the Londoners. They hoot +the king and the royal family when they appear in public, and the +consequence is, that they are never seen, save on great occasions, +when order is kept by hundreds of constables. + +One day, as I was walking by myself, I saw Sir Augustus Hervey, whose +acquaintance I had made, speaking to a gentleman, whom he left to +come to me. I asked him whom he had been speaking to. + +"That's the brother of Earl Ferrers," said he, "who was hanged a +couple of months ago for murdering one of his people." + +"And you speak to his brother?" + +"Why shouldn't I?" + +"Is he not dishonoured by the execution of his relative?" + +"Dishonoured! Certainly not; even his brother was not dishonoured. +He broke the law, but he paid for it with his life, and owed society +nothing more. He's a man of honour, who played high and lost; that's +all. I don't know that there is any penalty in the statute book +which dishonours the culprit; that would be tyrannical, and we would +not bear it. I may break any law I like, so long as I am willing to +pay the penalty. It is only a dishonour when the criminal tries to +escape punishment by base or cowardly actions." + +"How do you mean?" + +"To ask for the royal mercy, to beg forgiveness of the people, and +the like." + +"How about escaping from justice?" + +"That is no dishonour, for to fly is an act of courage; it continues +the defiance of the law, and if the law cannot exact obedience, so +much the worse for it. It is an honour for you to have escaped from +the tyranny of your magistrates; your flight from The Leads was a +virtuous action. In such cases man fights with death and flees from +it. 'Vir fugiens denuo pugnabit'." + +"What do you think of highway robbers, then?" + +"I detest them as wretches dangerous to society, but I pity them when +I reflect that they are always riding towards the gallows. You go +out in a coach to pay a visit to a friend three or four miles out of +London. A determined and agile-looking fellow springs upon you with +his pistol in his hand, and says, 'Your money or your life.' What +would you do in such a case?" + +"If I had a pistol handy I would blow out his brains, and if not I +would give him my purse and call him a scoundrelly assassin." + +"You would be wrong in both cases. If you killed him, you would be +hanged, for you have no right to take the law into your own hands; +and if you called him an assassin, he would tell you that he was no +assassin as he attacked you openly and gave you a free choice. Nay, +he is generous, for he might kill you and take your money as well. +You might, indeed, tell him he has an evil trade, and he would tell +you that you were right, and that he would try to avoid the gallows +as long as possible. He would then thank you and advise you never to +drive out of London without being accompanied by a mounted servant, +as then no robber would dare to attack you. We English always carry +two purses on our journeys; a small one for the robbers and a large +one for ourselves." + +What answer could I make to such arguments, based as they were on the +national manners? England is a rich sea, but strewn with reefs, and +those who voyage there would do well to take precautions. Sir +Augustus Hervey's discourse gave me great pleasure. + +Going from one topic to another, as is always the way with a +desultory conversation, Sir Augustus deplored the fate of an unhappy +Englishman who had absconded to France with seventy thousand pounds, +and had been brought back to London, and was to be hanged. + +"How could that be?" I asked. + +"The Crown asked the Duc de Nivernois to extradite him, and Louis XV. +granted the request to make England assent to some articles of the +peace. It was an act unworthy of a king, for it violates the right +of nations. It is true that the man is a wretch, but that has +nothing to do with the principle of the thing." + +"Of course they have got back the seventy thousand pounds?" + +"Not a shilling of it." + +"How was that?" + +"Because no money was found on him. He has most likely left his +little fortune to his wife, who can marry again as she is still young +and pretty." + +"I wonder the police have not been after her." + +"Such a thing is never thought of. What could they do? It's not +likely that she would confess that her husband left her the stolen +money. The law says robbers shall be hanged, but it says nothing +about what they have stolen, as they are supposed to have made away +with it. Then if we had to take into account the thieves who had +kept their theft and thieves who had spent it, we should have to make +two sets of laws, and make all manner of allowances; the end of it +would be inextricable confusion. It seems to us Englishmen that it +would not be just to ordain two punishments for theft. The robber +becomes the owner of what he has stolen; true, he 'got it by +violence, but it is none the less his, for he can do what he likes +with it. That being the case, everyone should be careful to keep +what he has, since he knows that once stolen he will never see it +again. I have taken Havana from Spain: this was robbery on a large +scale." + +He talked at once like a philosopher and a faithful subject of his +king. + +Engaged in this discussion we walked towards the Duchess of +Northumberland's, where I made the acquaintance of Lady Rochefort, +whose husband had just been appointed Spanish ambassador. This +lady's gallantries were innumerable, and furnished a fresh topic of +conversation every day. + +The day before the assembly at Soho Square Martinelli dined with me, +and told me that Madame Cornelis was heavily in debt, and dared not +go out except on Sundays, when debtors are privileged. + +"The enormous and unnecessary expense which she puts herself to," +said he, "will soon bring her to ruin. She owes four times the +amount of her assets, even counting in the house, which is a doubtful +item, as it is the subject of litigation." + +This news only distressed me for her children's sake, for I thought +that she herself well deserved such a fate. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +The Assembly--Adventure at Ranelagh The English Courtezans--Pauline + + +I went in due time to the assembly, and the secretary at the door +wrote down my name as I handed in my ticket. When Madame Cornelis +saw me she said she was delighted I had come in by ticket, and that +she had had some doubts as to whether I would come. + +"You might have spared yourself the trouble of doubting," said I, +"for after hearing that I had been to Court you might have guessed +that a matter of two guineas would not have kept me away. I am sorry +for our old friendship's sake that I did not pay the money to you; +for you might have known that I would not condescend to be present in +the modest manner you indicated." + +This address, delivered with an ironical accent, embarrassed Madame +Cornelis, but Lady Harrington, a great supporter of hers, came to her +rescue. + +"I have a number of guineas to hand over to you, my dear Cornelis, +and amongst others two from M. de Seingalt, who, I fancy, is an old +friend of yours. Nevertheless, I did not dare to tell him so," she +added, with a sly glance in my direction. + +"Why not, my lady? I have known Madame Cornelis for many years." + +"I should think you have," she answered, laughing, "and I +congratulate you both. I suppose you know the delightful Miss Sophie +too, Chevalier?" + +"Certainly, my lady, who so knows the mother knows the daughter." + +"Quite so, quite so." + +Sophie was standing by, and after kissing her fondly Lady Harrington +said,-- + +"If you love yourself, you ought to love her, for she is the image of +you." + +"Yes, it is a freak of nature." + +"I think there is something more than a freak in this instance." + +With these words the lady took Sophie's hand, and leaning on my arm +she led us through the crowd, and I had to bear in silence the +remarks of everyone. + +"There is Madame Cornelis's husband." + +"That must be M. Cornelis." + +"Oh! there can be no doubt about it." + +"No, no," said Lady Harrington, "you are all quite wrong." + +I got tired of these remarks, which were all founded on the +remarkable likeness between myself and Sophie. I wanted Lady +Harrington to let the child go, but she was too much amused to do so. + +"Stay by me," she said, "if you want to know the names of the +guests." She sat down, making me sit on one side and Sophie on the +other. + +Madame Cornelis then made her appearance, and everyone asked her the +same questions, and made the same remarks about me. She said bravely +that I was her best and her oldest friend, and that the likeness +between me and her daughter might possibly be capable of explanation. +Everyone laughed and said it was very natural that it should be so. +To change the subject, Madame Cornelis remarked that Sophie had +learnt the minuet and danced it admirably. + +"Then fetch a violin player," said Lady Harrington, "that we may have +the pleasure of witnessing the young artist's performance." + +The ball had not yet begun, and as soon as the violinist appeared, I +stepped forward and danced with Sophie, to the delight of the select +circle of spectators. + +The ball lasted all night without ceasing, as the company ate by +relays, and at all times and hours; the waste and prodigality were +worthy of a prince's palace. I made the acquaintance of all the +nobility and the Royal Family, for they were all there, with the +exception of the king and queen, and the Prince of Wales. Madame +Cornelis must have received more than twelve hundred guineas, but the +outlay was enormous, without any control or safeguard against the +thefts, which must have been perpetrated on all sides. She tried to +introduce her son to everybody, but the poor lad looked like a +victim, and did nothing but make profound bows. I pitied him from my +heart. + +As soon as I got home I went to bed and spent the whole of the next +day there. The day after I went to the "Staven Tavern," as I had +been told that the prettiest girls in London resorted to it. Lord +Pembroke gave me this piece of information; he went there very +frequently himself. When I got to the tavern I asked for a private +room, and the landlord, perceiving that I did not know English, +accosted me in French, and came to keep me company. I was astonished +at his grave and reverend manner of speaking, and did not like to +tell him that I wanted to dine with a pretty Englishwoman. At last, +however, I summoned up courage to say, with a great deal of +circumlocution, that I did not know whether Lord Pembroke had +deceived me in informing me that I should find the prettiest girls in +London at his house. + +"No, sir," said he, "my lord has not deceived you, and you can have +as many as you like." + +"That's what I came for." + +He called out some name, and a tidy-looking lad making his +appearance, he told him to get me a wench just as though he were +ordering a bottle of champagne. The lad went out, and presently a +girl of herculean proportions entered. + +"Sir," said I, "I don't like the looks of this girl." + +"Give her a shilling and send her away. We don't trouble ourselves +about ceremonies in London." + +This put me at my ease, so I paid my shilling and called for a +prettier wench. The second was worse than the first, and I sent her +away, and ten others after her, while I could see that my +fastidiousness amused the landlord immensely. + +"I'll see no more girls," said I at last, "let me have a good dinner. +I think the procurer must have been making game of me for the sake of +the shillings." + +"It's very likely; indeed it often happens so when a gentleman does +not give the name and address of the wench he wants." + +In the evening as I was walking in St. James's Park, I remembered it +was a Ranelagh evening, and wishing to see the place I took a coach +and drove there, intending to amuse myself till midnight, and to find +a beauty to my taste. + +I was pleased with the rotunda. I had some tea, I danced some +minuets, but I made no acquaintances; and although I saw several +pretty women, I did not dare to attack any of them. I got tired, and +as it was near midnight I went out thinking to find my coach, for +which I had not paid, still there, but it was gone, and I did not +know what to do. An extremely pretty woman who was waiting for her +carriage in the doorway, noticed my distress, and said that if I +lived anywhere near Whitehall, she could take me home. I thanked her +gratefully, and told her where I lived. Her carriage came up, her +man opened the door, and she stepped in on my arm, telling me to sit +beside her, and to stop the carriage when it got to my house. + +As soon as we were in the carriage, I burst out into expressions of +gratitude; and after telling her my name I expressed my regret at not +having seen her at Soho Square. + +"I was not in London," she replied, "I returned from Bath to-day." + +I apostrophised my happiness in having met her. I covered her hands +with kisses, and dared to kiss her on the cheek; and finding that she +smiled graciously, I fastened my lips on hers, and before long had +given her an unequivocal mark of the ardour with which she had +inspired me. + +She took my attentions so easily that I flattered myself I had not +displeased her, and I begged her to tell me where I could call on her +and pay my court while I remained in London, but she replied,-- + +"We shall see each other again; we must be careful." + +I swore secrecy, and urged her no more. Directly after the carriage +stopped, I kissed her hand and was set down at my door, well pleased +with the ride home. + +For a fortnight I saw nothing of her, but I met her again in a house +where Lady Harrington had told me to present myself, giving her name. +It was Lady Betty German's, and I found her out, but was asked to sit +down and wait as she would be in soon. I was pleasantly surprised to +find my fair friend of Ranelagh in the room, reading a newspaper. I +conceived the idea of asking her to introduce me to Lady Betty, so I +went up to her and proffered my request, but she replied politely +that she could not do so not having the honour to know my name. + +"I have told you my name, madam. Do you not remember me?" + +"I remember you perfectly, but a piece of folly is not a title of +acquaintance." + +I was dumbfounded at the extraordinary reply, while the lady calmly +returned to her newspaper, and did not speak another word till the +arrival of Lady Betty. + +The fair philosopher talked for two hours without giving the least +sign of knowing who I was, although she answered me with great +politeness whenever I ventured to address her. She turned out to be +a lady of high birth and of great reputation. + +Happening to call on Martinelli, I asked him who was the pretty girl +who was kissing her hands to me from the house opposite. I was +pleasantly surprised to hear that she was a dancer named Binetti. +Four years ago she had done me a great service at Stuttgart, but I +did not know she was in London. I took leave of Martinelli to go and +see her, and did so all the more eagerly when I heard that she had +parted from her husband, though they were obliged to dance together +at the Haymarket. + +She received me with open arms, telling me that she had recognized me +directly. + +"I am surprised, my dear elder," said she, "to see you in London." + +She called me "elder" because I was the oldest of her friends. + +"Nor did I know that you were here. I came to town after the close +of the opera. How is it that you are not living with your husband?" + +"Because he games, loses, and despoils me of all I possess. Besides, +a woman of my condition, if she be married, cannot hope that a rich +lover will come and see her, while if she be alone she can receive +visits without any constraint." + +"I shouldn't have thought they would be afraid of Binetti; he used to +be far from jealous." + +"Nor is he jealous now; but you must know that there is an English +law which allows the husband to arrest his wife and her lover if he +finds them in 'flagrante delicto'. He only wants two witnesses, and +it is enough that they are sitting together on a bed. The lover is +forced to pay to the husband the half of all he possesses. Several +rich Englishmen have been caught in this way, and now they are very +shy of visiting married women, especially Italians." + +"So you have much to be thankful for. You enjoy perfect liberty, can +receive any visitors you like, and are in a fair way to make a +fortune." + +"Alas! my dear friend, you do not know all. When he has information +from his spies that I have had a visitor, he comes to me in a sedan- +chair at night, and threatens to turn me out into the street if I do +not give him all the money I have. He is a terrible rascal!" + +I left the poor woman, after giving her my address, and telling her +to come and dine with me whenever she liked. She had given me a +lesson on the subject of visiting ladies. England has very good +laws, but most of them are capable of abuse. The oath which jurymen +have to take to execute them to the letter has caused several to be +interpreted in a manner absolutely contrary to the intention of the +legislators, thus placing the judges in a difficult predicament. +Thus new laws have constantly to be made, and new glosses to explain +the old ones. + +My Lord Pembroke, seeing me at my window, came in, and after +examining my house, including the kitchen, where the cook was at +work, told me that there was not a nobleman in town who had such a +well-furnished and comfortable house. He made a calculation, and +told me that if I wanted to entertain my friends I should require +three hundred pounds a month. "You can't live here," said he, +"without a pretty girl, and those who know that you keep bachelor's +hall are of opinion that you are very wise, and will save a great +deal of useless expense." + +"Do you keep a girl, my lord?" + +"No, for I am unfortunate enough to be disgusted with a woman after I +have had her for a day." + +"Then you require a fresh one every day?" + +"Yes, and without being as comfortable as you I spend four times as +much. You must know that I live in London like a stranger. I never +dine at my own house. I wonder at your dining alone." + +"I can't speak English. I like soup and good wine, and that is +enough to keep me from your taverns." + +"I expect so, with your French tastes." + +"You will confess that they are not bad tastes." + +"You are right, for, good Englishman as I am, I get on very well in +Paris." + +He burst out laughing when I told him how I had dispatched a score of +wenches at the "Staven Tavern," and that my disappointment was due to +him. + +"I did not tell you what names to send for, and I was wrong." + +"Yes, you ought to have told me." + + +"But even if I did they wouldn't have come, for they are not at the +orders of the procurers. If you will promise to pay them as I do, I +will give you some tickets which will make them come." + +"Can I have them here?" + +"Just as you like." + +"That will be most convenient for me. Write out the tickets and let +them know French if you can." + +"That's the difficulty; the prettiest only speak English." + +"Never mind, we shall understand each other well enough for the +purpose I dare say." + +He wrote several tickets for four and six guineas each; but one was +marked twelve guineas. + +"She is doubly pretty, is she?" said I. + +"Not exactly, but she has cuckolded a duke of Great Britain who keeps +her, and only uses her once or twice a month." + +"Would you do me the honour of testing the skill of my cook?" + +"Certainly, but I can't make an appointment." + +"And supposing I am out." + +"I'll go to the tavern." + +Having nothing better to do I sent Jarbe to one of the four-guinea +wenches, telling him to advise her that she would dine with me. She +came. She did not attract me sufficiently to make me attempt more +than some slight toying. She went away well pleased with her four +guineas, which she had done nothing to earn. Another wench, also at +four guineas, supped with me the following evening. She had been +very pretty, and, indeed, was so still, but she was too melancholy +and quiet for my taste, and I could not makeup my mind to tell her to +undress. + +The third day, not feeling inclined to try another ticket, I went to +Covent Garden, and on meeting an attractive young person I accosted +her in French, and asked her if she would sup with me. + +"How much will you give me at dessert?" + +"Three guineas." + +"Come along." + +After the play I ordered a good supper for two, and she displayed an +appetite after mine own heart. When we had supped I asked for her +name and address, and I was astonished to find that she was one of +the girls whom Lord Pembroke had assessed at six guineas. I +concluded that it was best to do one's own business, or, at any rate, +not to employ noblemen as agents. As to the other tickets, they +procured me but little pleasure. The twelve-guinea one, which I had +reserved for the last, as a choice morsel, pleased me the least of +all, and I did not care to cuckold the noble duke who kept her. + +Lord Pembroke was young, handsome, rich, and full of wit. I went to +see him one day, and found him just getting out of bed. He said he +would walk with me and told his valet to shave him. + +"But," said I, "there's not a trace of beard on your face." + +"There never is," said he, "I get myself shaved three times a day." + +"Three times?" + +"Yes, when I change my shirt I wash my hands; when I wash my hands I +have to wash my face, and the proper way to wash a man's face is with +a razor." + +"When do you make these three ablutions?" + +"When I get up, when I dress for dinner, and when I go to bed, for I +should not like the woman who is sleeping with me to feel my beard." + +We had a short walk together, and then I left him as I had some +writing to do. As we parted, he asked me if I dined at home. I +replied in the affirmative, and foreseeing that he intended dining +with me I warned my cook to serve us well, though I did not let him +know that I expected a nobleman to dinner. Vanity has more than one +string to its bow. + +I had scarcely got home when Madame Binetti came in, and said that if +she were not in the way, she would be glad to dine with me. I gave +her a warm welcome, and she said I was really doing her a great +service, as her husband would suffer the torments of hell in trying +to find out with whom she had dined. + +This woman still pleased me; and though she was thirty-five, nobody +would have taken her for more than twenty-five. Her appearance was +in every way pleasing. Her lips were of the hue of the rose, +disclosing two exquisite rows of teeth. A fine complexion, splendid +eyes, and a forehead where Innocence might have been well enthroned, +all this made an exquisite picture. If you add to this, that her +breast was of the rarest proportions, you will understand that more +fastidious tastes than mine would have been satisfied with her. + +She had not been in my house for half an hour when Lord Pembroke came +in. They both uttered an exclamation, and the nobleman told me that +he had been in love with her for the last six months; that he had +written ardent letters to her of which she had taken no notice. + +"I never would have anything to do with him," said she, "because he +is the greatest profligate in all England; and it's a pity," she +added, "because he is a kindhearted nobleman." + +This explanation was followed by a score of kisses, and I saw that +they were agreed. + + +We had a choice dinner in the French style, and Lord Pembroke swore +he had not eaten so good a dinner for the last year. + +"I am sorry for you," he said, "when I think of you being alone every +day." + +Madame Binetti was as much a gourmet as the Englishman, and when we +rose from table we felt inclined to pass from the worship of Comus to +that of Venus; but the lady was too experienced to give the +Englishman anything more than a few trifling kisses. + +I busied myself in turning over the leaves of some books I had bought +the day before, and left them to talk together to their heart's +content; but to prevent their asking me to give them another dinner I +said that I hoped chance would bring about such another meeting on +another occasion. + +At six o'clock, after my guests had left me, I dressed and went to +Vauxhaull, where I met a French officer named Malingan, to whom I had +given some money at Aix-la-Chapelle. He said he would like to speak +to me, so I gave him my name and address. I also met a well-known +character, the Chevalier Goudar, who talked to me about gaming and +women. Malingan introduced me to an individual who he said might be +very useful to me in London. He was a man of forty, and styled +himself son of the late Theodore, the pretender to the throne of +Corsica, who had died miserably in London fourteen years before, +after having been imprisoned for debt for seven years. I should have +done better if I had never gone to Vauxhall that evening. + +The entrance-fee at Vauxhall was half the sum charged at Ranelagh, +but in spite of that the amusements were of the most varied kinds. +There was good fare, music, walks in solitary alleys, thousands of +lamps, and a crowd of London beauties, both high and low. + +In the midst of all these pleasures I was dull, because I had no girl +to share my abode or my good table, and make it dear to me. I had +been in London for six weeks; ana in no other place had I been alone +for so long. + +My house seemed intended for keeping a mistress with all decency, and +as I had the virtue of constancy a mistress was all I wanted to make +me happy. But how was I to find a woman who should be the equal of +those women I had loved before? I had already seen half a hundred of +girls, whom the town pronounced to be pretty, and who did not strike +me as even passable. I thought the matter over continually, and at +last an odd idea struck me. + +I called the old housekeeper, and told her by the servant, who acted +as my interpreter, that I wanted to let the second or third floor for +the sake of company; and although I was at perfect liberty to do what +I liked with the house, I would give her half-a-guinea a week extra. +Forthwith I ordered her to affix the following bill to the window: + +Second or third floor to be let, furnished, to a young lady speaking +English and French, who receives no visitors, either by day or night. + +The old Englishwoman, who had seen something of the world, began to +laugh so violently when the document was translated to her that I +thought she would have choked. + +"What are you laughing at, my worthy woman?" + +"Because this notice is a laughing matter." + +"I suppose you think I shall have no applications?" + +"Not at all, the doorstep will be crowded from morn to night, but I +shall leave it all to Fanny. Only tell me how much to ask." + +"I will arrange about the rent in my interview with the young lady. +I don't think I shall have so many enquiries, for the young lady is +to speak French and English, and also to be respectable. She must +not receive any visits, not even from her father and mother, if she +has them." + +"But there will be a mob in front of the house reading the notice." + +"All the better. Nothing is the worse for being a little odd." + +It happened just as the old woman had foretold; as soon as the notice +was up, everybody stopped to read it, made various comments, and +passed on. On the second day after it was up, my Negro told me that +my notice was printed in full in the St. James's Chronicle, with some +amusing remarks. I had the paper brought up to me, and Fanny +translated it. It ran as follows: + +"The landlord of the second and third floors probably occupies the +first floor himself. He must be a man of the world and of good +taste, for he wants a young and pretty lodger; and as he forbids her +to receive visits, he will have to keep her company himself." + +He added,-- + +"The landlord should take care lest he become his own dupe, for it is +very likely that the pretty lodger would only take the room to sleep +in, and possibly only to sleep in now and then; and if she chose she +would have a perfect right to refuse to receive the proprietor's +visits." + +These sensible remarks delighted me, for after reading them I felt +forewarned. + +Such matters as these give their chief interest to the English +newspapers. They are allowed to gossip about everything, and the +writers have the knack of making the merest trifles seem amusing. +Happy is the nation where anything may be written and anything said! + +Lord Pembroke was the first to come and congratulate me on my idea, +and he was succeeded by Martinelli; but he expressed some fears as to +the possible consequences, "for," said he, "there are plenty of women +in London who would come and lodge with you to be your ruin." + +"In that case," I answered, "it would be a case of Greek meeting +Greek; however, we shall see. If I am taken in, people will have the +fullest right to laugh at me, for I have been warned." + +I will not trouble my readers with an account of the hundred women +who came in the first ten days, when I refused on one pretext or +another, though some of them were not wanting in grace and beauty. +But one day, when I was at dinner, I received a visit from a girl of +from twenty to twenty-four years, simply but elegantly dressed; her +features were sweet and gracious, though somewhat grave, her +complexion pale, and her hair black. She gave me a bow which I had +to rise to return, and as I remained standing she politely begged me +not to put myself out, but to continue my dinner. I begged her to be +seated and to take dessert, but she refused with an air of modesty +which delighted me. + +This fair lady said, not in French, but in Italian worthy of a +Sinnese, its purity was so perfect, that she hoped I would let her +have a room on the third floor, and that she would gladly submit to +all my conditions. + +"You may only make use of one room if you like, but all the floor +will belong to you." + +"Although the notice says the rooms will be let cheaply, I shall not +be able to afford more than one room. Two shillings a week is all I +can spend." + +"That's exactly what I want for the whole suite of rooms; so you see +you can use them all. My maid will wait on you, get you whatever +food you may require, and wash your linen as well. You can also +employ her to do your commissions, so that you need not go out for +trifles." + +"Then I will dismiss my maid," she said; "she robs me of little, it +is true, but still too much for my small means. I will tell your +maid what food to buy for me every day, and she shall have six sots a +week for her pains." + +"That will be ample. I should advise you to apply to my cook's wife, +who will get your dinner and supper for you as cheaply as you could +buy it." + +"I hardly think so, for I am ashamed to tell you how little I spend." + +"Even if you only spend two sols a day, she will give you two sols' +worth. All the same I advise you to be content with what you get +from the kitchen, without troubling about the price, for I usually +have provision made for four, though I dine alone, and the rest is +the cook's perquisite. I merely advise you to the best of my +ability, and I hope you will not be offended at my interest in your +welfare." + +"Really, sir, you are too generous." + +"Wait a moment, and you will see how everything will be settled +comfortably." + +I told Clairmont to order up the maid and the cook's wife, and I said +to the latter: + +"For how much could you provide dinner and supper for this young lady +who is not rich, and only wants to eat to live?" + +"I can do it very cheaply; for you usually eat alone, and have enough +for four." + +"Very good; then I hope you will treat her very well for the sum she +gives you." + +"I can only afford five sols a day." + +"That will do nicely." + +I gave orders that the bill should be taken down directly, and that +the young lady's room should be made comfortable. When the maid and +the cook's wife had left the room, the young lady told me that she +should only go out on Sundays to hear mass at the Bavarian +ambassador's chapel, and once a month to a person who gave her three +guineas to support her. + +"You can go out when you like," said I, "and without rendering an +account to anybody of your movements." + +She begged me not to introduce anyone to her, and to tell the, porter +to deny her to anyone who might come to the door to make enquiries. +I promised that her wishes should be respected, and she went away +saying that she was going for her trunk. + +I immediately ordered my household to treat her with the utmost +respect. The old housekeeper told me that she had paid the first +week in advance, taking a receipt, and had gone, as she had come, in +a sedan-chair. Then the worthy old woman made free to tell me to be +on my guard. + +"Against what? If I fall in love with her, so much the better; that +is just what I want. What name did she give you?" + +"Mistress Pauline. She was quite pale when she came, and she went +away covered with blushes." + +I was delighted to hear it. I did not want a woman merely to satisfy +my natural desires, for such can be found easily enough; I wished for +some one whom I could love. I expected beauty, both of the body and +the soul; and my love increased with the difficulties and obstacles I +saw before me. As to failure, I confess I did not give it a moment's +thought, for there is not a woman in the world who can resist constant +and loving attentions, especially when her lover is ready to +make great sacrifices. + +When I got back from the theatre in the evening the maid told me that +the lady had chosen a modest closet at the back, which was only +suitable for a servant. She had had a moderate supper, only drinking +water, and had begged the cook's wife only to send her up soup and +one dish, to which the woman had replied that she must take what was +served, and what she did not eat would do for the servant. + +"When she finished she shut herself up to write, and wished me good +evening with much politeness." + +"What is she going to take in the morning?" + +"I asked her, and she said she would only take a little bread." + +"Then you had better tell her that it is the custom of the house for +the cook to serve everybody with coffee, chocolate, or tea, according +to taste, in the morning, and that I shall be pained if she refuses +to fare like the rest of us. But don't tell her I said so. Here's a +crown for you, and you shall have one every week if you will wait +upon and care for her properly." + +Before going to bed I wrote her a polite note, begging her to leave +the closet. She did so, but she went into another back room, and +consented to take coffee for her breakfast. Wishing to make her dine +and sup with me, I was dressing myself, and preparing to proffer my +request in such a way as to make a refusal impossible, when young +Cornelis was announced. I received him smilingly, and thanked him +for the first visit he had paid me in the course of six weeks. + +"Mamma hasn't allowed me to come. I have tried to do so a score of +times without her leave. Read this letter, and you will find +something which will surprise you." + +I opened the letter and read as follows: + +"Yesterday a bailiff waited for my door to be opened and slipped in +and arrested me. I was obliged to go with him, and I am now in the +sponging-house, and if I can't get bail by to-day he will take me to +Kings Bench Prison. The bail I require is to the amount of two +hundred pounds, to pay a bill which has fallen due. Dear friend, +come and succour me or else my other creditors will get wind of my +imprisonment and I shall be ruined. You surely will not allow that +to happen, if not for my sake at least for the sake of my innocent +children. You cannot bail me yourself, but you can easily get a +householder to do so. If you have the time come and call on me, and +I will shew you that I could not help doing the bill, otherwise I +could not have given my last ball, as the whole of my plate and china +was pledged." + +I felt angry with the impudent woman who had hitherto paid me so +little attention, and I wrote that I could only pity her, and that I +had no time to go and see her, and that I should be ashamed to ask +anyone to bail her out. + +When young Cornelis had gone away in a melancholy mood, I told +Clairmont to ask Pauline if she would allow me to bid her a good day. +She sent word that I was at liberty to do so, and on going upstairs +to her room I found her sitting at a table on which were several +books. + +Some linen on a chest of drawers did not give me the idea that she +was very poor. + +"I am immensely obliged," said she, "for all your goodness to me." + +"Say nothing of that, madam; it is I who have need of your goodness." + +"What can I do to shew my gratitude?" + +"Could you trouble yourself to take your meals with me? When I am +alone I eat like an ogre, and my health suffers. If you do not feel +inclined to grant me that favour, do not hesitate to refuse, and I +assure you you shall fare just as well as if you had acceded to my +request." + +"I shall be delighted to dine and sup with you; sir, whenever you are +alone and you like to send for me. Nevertheless, I am not sure that +my society will amuse you." + +"Very good, I am grateful to you, and I promise you you shall never +repent of your kindness. I will do my best to amuse you, and I hope +I shall succeed, for you have inspired me with the liveliest +interest. We will dine at one to-day." + +I did not sit down or look at her books, or even ask her if she had +spent a good night. The only thing I noted was that she had looked +pale and careworn when I came in, and when I went out her cheeks were +the colour of the rose. + +I went for a walk in the park, feeling quite taken with this charming +woman, and resolved to make her love me, for I did not want to owe +anything to gratitude. I felt curious to know where she came from, +and suspected she was an Italian; but I determined to ask her no +questions for fear of offending her. + +When I got home Pauline came down of her own free will, and I was +delighted with this, which I took for a good omen. As we had half an +hour before us, I asked her how she found her health. + +"Nature," she replied, "has favoured me with such a good constitution +that I have never had the least sickness in my life, except on the +sea." + +"You have made a voyage, then." + +"I must have done so to come to England." + +"You might be an Englishwoman." + +"Yes, for the English language has been familiar to me from my +childhood." + +We were seated on a sofa, and on the table in front of us was a +chess-board. Pauline toyed with the pawns, and I asked her if she +could play chess. + +"Yes, and pretty well too from what they tell me." + +"Then we will have a game together; my blunders will amuse you." + +We began, and in four moves I was checkmated. She laughed, and I +admired her play. We began again, and I was checkmated in five +moves. My agreeable guest laughed heartily, and while she laughed I +became intoxicated with love, watching the play of her features, her +exquisite teeth, and her happy expression. We began another game, +Pauline played carelessly, and I placed her in a difficult position. + +"I think you may conquer me," said she. + +"What happiness for me!" + +The servant came in to tell us that dinner was ready. + +"Interruptions are often extremely inconvenient," said I, as I +offered her my arm, feeling quite sure that she had not lost the +significance of my last words, for women find a meaning for +everything. + +We were just sitting down to table when Clairmont announced my +daughter and Madame Rancour. + +"Tell them that I am at dinner, and that I shall not be disengaged +till three o'clock." + +Just as my man was leaving the room to carry back my answer, Sophie +rushed in and knelt before me, choking with sobs. + +This was too much for me, and raising her I took her on my knees, +saying I knew what she had come for, and that for love of her I would +do it. + +Passing from grief to joy the dear child kissed me, calling me her +father, and at last made me weep myself. + +"Dine with us, dear Sophie," said I, "I shall be the more likely to +do what you wish." + +She ran from my arms to embrace Pauline, who was weeping out of +sympathy, and we all dined happily together. Sophie begged me to +give Madame Rancour some dinner. + +"It shall be so if you please, but only for your sake, for that woman +Rancour deserves that I should leave her standing at the door to +punish her for her impertinence to me when I came to London." + +The child amused us in an astonishing way all dinnertime, Pauline +keeping her ears open and not saying a word, so surprised was she to +hear a child of her age talk in a way that would have excited +attention in a woman of twenty. Although perfectly respectful she +condemned her mother's conduct, and said that she was unfortunate in +being obliged to give her a blind obedience. + +"I would wager that you don't love her much." + +"I respect, but I cannot love her, for I am always afraid. I never +see her without fearing her." + +"Why do you weep, then, at her fate?" + +"I pity her, and her family still more, and the expressions she used +in sending me to you were very affecting." + +"What were these expressions?" + +"'Go,' said she, 'kneel before him, for you and you alone can soften +his heart.'" + +"Then you knelt before me because your mother told you to do so." + +"Yes, for if I had followed my own inclination I should have rushed +to your arms." + +"You answer well. But are you sure of persuading me?" + +"No, for one can never be sure of anything; but I have good hopes of +success, remembering what you told me at the Hague. My mother told +me that I was only three then, but I know I was five. She it was who +told me not to look at you when I spoke to you, but fortunately you +made her remove her prohibition. Everybody says that you are my +father, and at the Hague she told me so herself; but here she is +always dinning it into my ears that I am the daughter of M. de +Monpernis." + +"But, Sophie dear, your mother does wrong in making you a bastard +when you are the legitimate daughter of the dancer Pompeati, who +killed himself at Vienna." + +"Then I am not your daughter?" + +"Clearly, for you cannot have two fathers, can you?" + +"But how is it that I am your image?" + +"It's a mere chance." + +"You deprive me of a dream which has made me happy." + +Pauline said nothing, but covered her with kisses, which Sophie +returned effusively. She asked me if the lady was my wife, and on my +replying in the affirmative she called Pauline her "dear mamma," +which made "dear mamma" laugh merrily. + +When the dessert was served I drew four fifty-pound notes out of my +pocket-book, and giving them to Sophie told her that she might hand +them over to her mother if she liked, but that the present was for +her and not for her mother. + +"If you give her the money," I said, "she will be able to sleep to- +night in the fine house where she gave me such a poor reception." + +"It makes me unhappy to think of it, but you must forgive her." + +"Yes, Sophie; but out of love for you." + +"Write to her to the effect that it is to me you give the money, not +to her; I dare not tell her so myself." + +"I could not do that, my dear; it would be insulting her in her +affliction. Do you understand that?" + +"Yes, quite well." + +"You may tell her that whenever she sends you to dine or sup with me, +she will please me very much." + +"But you can write that down without wounding her, can you not? Do +so, I entreat you. Dear mamma," said she, addressing Pauline, "ask +papa to do so, and then I will come and dine with you sometimes." + +Pauline laughed with all her heart as she addressed me as husband, +and begged me to write the desired epistle. The effect on the mother +could only let her know how much I loved her daughter, and would +consequently increase her love for her child. I gave in, saying that +I could not refuse anything to the adorable woman who had honoured me +with the name of husband. Sophie kissed us, and went away in a happy +mood. + +"It's a long time since I have laughed so much," said Pauline, "and I +don't think I have ever had such an agreeable meal. That child is a +perfect treasure. She is unhappy, poor little girl, but she would +not be so if I were her mother." + +I then told her of the true relationship between Sophie and myself, +and the reasons I had for despising her mother. + +"I wonder what she will say when Sophie tells her that she found you +at table with your wife." + +"She won't believe it, as she knows my horror for the sacrament of +matrimony." + +"How is that?" + +"I hate it because it is the grave of love." + +"Not always." + +As she said this Pauline sighed, and lowering her eyes changed the +conversation. She asked me how long I intended to stay in London and +when I had replied, "Nine or ten months," I felt myself entitled to +ask her the same question. + +"I really can't say," she answered, "my return to my country depends +on my getting a letter." + +"May I ask you what country you come from?" + +"I see I shall soon have no secrets from you, but let me have a +little time. I have only made your acquaintance to-day, and in a +manner which makes me have a very high opinion of you." + +"I shall try my best to deserve the good opinions you have conceived +of my character." + +"You have shewn yourself to me in a thoroughly estimable light." + +"Give me your esteem, I desire it earnestly, but don't say anything +of respect, for that seems to shut out friendship; I aspire to yours, +and I warn you that I shall do my best to gain it." + +"I have no doubt you are very clever in that way, but you are +generous too, and I hope you will spare me. If the friendship +between us became too ardent, a parting would be dreadful, and we may +be parted at any moment, indeed I ought to be looking forward to it." + +Our dialogue was getting rather sentimental, and with that ease which +is only acquired in the best society, Pauline turned it to other +topics, and soon asked me to allow her to go upstairs. I would have +gladly spent the whole day with her, for I have never met a woman +whose manners were so distinguished and at the same time so pleasant. + +When she left me I felt a sort of void, and went to see Madame +Binetti, who asked me for news of Pembroke. She was in a rage with +him. + +"He is a detestable fellow," said she; "he would like to have a fresh +wife every day! What do you think of such conduct?" + +"I envy him his happiness." + +"He enjoys it because all women are such fools. He caught me through +meeting me at your house; he would never have done so otherwise. +What are you laughing at?" + +"Because if he has caught you, you have also caught him; you are +therefore quits." + +"You don't know what you are talking about." + +I came home at eight o'clock, and as soon as Fanny had told Pauline +that I had returned she came downstairs. I fancied she was trying to +captivate me by her attentions, and as the prospect was quite +agreeable to me I thought we should come to an understanding before +very long. + +Supper was brought in and we stayed at table till midnight, talking +about trifles, but so pleasantly that the time passed away very +quickly. When she left me she wished me good night, and said my +conversation had made her forget her sorrows. + +Pembroke came next morning to ask me to give him breakfast, and +congratulated me on the disappearance of the bill from my window. + +"I should very much like to see your boarder," said he. + +"I daresay, my lord, but I can't gratify your curiosity just now, for +the lady likes to be alone, and only puts up with my company because +she can't help it." + +He did not insist, and to turn the conversation I told him that +Madame Binetti was furious with him for his inconstancy, which was a +testimony to his merits. That made him laugh, and without giving me +any answer he asked me if I dined at home that day. + +"No, my lord, not to-day." + +"I understand. Well, it's very natural; bring the affair to a happy +conclusion." + +"I will do my best." + +Martinelli had found two or three parodies of my notice in the +Advertiser, and came and read them to me. I was much amused with +them; they were mostly indecent, for the liberty of the press is much +abused in London. As for Martinelli he was too discreet and delicate +a man to ask me about my new boarder. As it was Sunday, I begged him +to take me to mass at the Bavarian ambassador's chapel; and here I +must confess that I was not moved by any feelings of devotion, but by +the hope of seeing Pauline. I had my trouble for nothing, for, as I +heard afterwards, she sat in a dark corner where no one could see +her. The chapel was full, and Martinelli pointed out several lords +and ladies who were Catholics, and did not conceal their religion. + +When I got home I received a note from Madame Cornelis, saying that +as it was Sunday and she could go out freely, she hoped I would let +her come to dinner. I shewed the letter to Pauline, not knowing +whether she would object to dining with her, and she said she would +be happy to do so, provided there were no men. I wrote in answer to +Madame Cornelis that I should be glad to see her and her charming +daughter at dinner. She came, and Sophie did not leave my side for a +moment. Madame Cornelis, who was constrained in Pauline's presence, +took me aside to express her gratitude and to communicate to me some +chimerical schemes of hers which were soon to make her rich. + +Sophie was the life and soul of the party, but as I happened to tell +her mother that Pauline was a lady who was lodging in my house, she +said, + +"Then she is not your wife?" + +"No; such happiness is not for me. It was a joke of mine, and the +lady amused herself at the expense of your credulity." + +"Well, I should like to sleep with her." + +"Really? When?" + +"Whenever mamma will let me." + +"We must first ascertain," said the mother, "what the lady thinks of +the arrangement." + +"She needn't fear a refusal," said Pauline, giving the child a kiss. + +"Then you shall have her with pleasure, madam. I will get her +governess to fetch her away to-morrow." + +"At three o'clock," said I, "for she must dine with us." + +Sophie, taking her mother's silence for consent, went up to her and +kissed her, but these attentions were but coldly received. She +unfortunately did not know how to inspire love. + +After Madame Cornelis had gone, I asked Pauline if she would like to +take a walk with Sophie and myself in the suburbs, where nobody would +know her. + +"In prudence," said she, "I cannot go out unless I am alone." + +"Then shall we stay here?" + +"We could not do better." + +Pauline and Sophie sang Italian, French, and English duets, and the +concert of their voices seemed to me ravishing. We supped gaily, and +at midnight I escorted them to the third floor, telling Sophie that I +would come and breakfast with her in the morning, but that I should +expect to find her in bed. I wanted to see if her body was as +beautiful as her face. I would gladly have asked Pauline to grant me +the same favour, but I did not think things had advanced far enough +for that. In the morning I found Pauline up and dressed. + +When Sophie saw me she laughed and hid her head under the sheets, but +as soon as she felt me near her she soon let me see her pretty little +face, which I covered with kisses. + +When she had got up we breakfasted together, and the time went by as +pleasantly as possible till Madame Rancour came for her little +charge, who went away with a sad heart. Thus I was left alone with +my Pauline who began to inspire me with such ardent desires that I +dreaded an explosion every moment. And yet I had not so much as +kissed her hand. + +When Sophie had gone I made her sit beside me, and taking her hand I +kissed it rapturously, saying, + +"Are you married, Pauline?" + +"Yes." + +"Do you know what it is to be a mother?" + +"No, but I can partly imagine what happiness it must be." + +"Are you separated from your husband?" + +"Yes, by circumstances and against our will. We were separated +before we had cohabited together." + +"Is he at London?" + +"No, he is far away, but please don't say anything more about it." + +"Only tell me whether my loss will be his gain." + +"Yes, and I promise not to leave you till I have to leave England-- +that is, unless you dismiss me--and I shall leave this happy island +to be happy with the husband of my choice." + +"But I, dear Pauline, will be left unhappy, for I love you with all +my heart, and am afraid to give you any proof of my love." + +"Be generous and spare me, for I am not my own mistress, and have no +right to give myself to you; and perhaps, if you were so ungenerous +as to attack me, I should not have the strength to resist." + +"I will obey, but I shall still languish. I cannot be unhappy unless +I forfeit your favour." + +"I have duties to perform, my dear friend, and I cannot neglect them +without becoming contemptible in my own eyes and yours too." + +"I should deem myself the most miserable of men if I despised a woman +for making me happy." + +"Well, I like you too well to think you capable of such conduct, but +let us be moderate, for we may have to part to-morrow. You must +confess that if we yielded to desire, this parting would be all the +more bitter. If you are of another opinion, that only shews that +your ideas of love and mine are different." + +"Then tell me of what sort of love is that with which I am happy +enough to have inspired you?" + +"It is of such a kind that enjoyment would only increase it, and yet +enjoyment seems to me a mere accident." + +"Then what is its essence?" + +"To live together in perfect unity." + +"That's a blessing we can enjoy from morning to eve, but why should +we not add the harmless accident which would take so short a time, +and give us such peace and tranquillity. You must confess, Pauline, +that the essence cannot exist long without the accident." + +"Yes, but you in your turn, you will agree that the food often proves +in time to be deadly." + +"No, not when one loves truly, as I do. Do you think that you will +not love me so well after having possessed me?" + +"No, it's because I think quite otherwise, that I dread to make the +moment of parting so bitter." + +"I see I must yield to your logic. I should like to see the food on +which you feed your brain, otherwise your books. Will you let me +come upstairs?" + +"Certainly, but you will be caught." + +"How?" + +"Come and see." + +We went to her room, and I found that all her books were Portuguese, +with the exception of Milton, in English, Ariosto, in Italian, and +Labruyere's "Characters," in French. + +"Your selection gives me a high idea of your mental qualities," said +I, "but tell me, why do you give such a preference to Camoens and all +these Portuguese authors?" + +"For a very good reason, I am Portuguese myself." + +"You Portuguese? I thought you were Italian. And so you already +know five languages, for you doubtless know Spanish." + +"Yes, although Spanish is not absolutely necessary." + +"What an education you have had!" + +"I am twenty-two now, but I knew all these languages at eighteen." + +"Tell me who you are, tell me all about yourself. I am worthy of +your confidence." + +"I think so too, and to give you a proof of my trust in you I am +going to tell you my history, for since you love me you can only wish +to do me good." + +"What are all these manuscripts?" + +"My history, which I have written down myself. Let us sit down:" + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +Pauline's Story--I Am Happy--Pauline Leaves Me + +I am the only daughter of the unfortunate Count X----o, whom +Carvailho Oeiras killed in prison on suspicion of being concerned in +the attempt on the king's life, in which the Jesuits were supposed to +have had a hand. I do not know whether my father was innocent or +guilty, but I do know that the tyrannical minister did not dare to +have him tried, or to confiscate the estates, which remain in my +possession, though I can only enjoy them by returning to my native +land. + +"My mother had me brought up in a convent where her sister was +abbess. I had all kinds of masters, especially an Italian from +Leghorn, who in six years taught me all that he thought proper for me +to know. He would answer any questions I chose to put him, save on +religious matters, but I must confess that his reserve made me all +the fonder of him, for in leaving me to reflect on certain subjects +by myself he did a great deal to form my judgment. + +"I was eighteen when my grandfather removed ms from the convent, +although I protested that I would gladly stay there till I got +married. I was fondly attached to my aunt, who did all in her power +after my mother's death to make me forget the double loss I had +sustained. My leaving the convent altered the whole course of my +existence, and as it was not a voluntary action I have nothing to +repent of. + +"My grandfather placed me with his sister-in-law, the Marchioness +X----o, who gave me up half her house. I had a governess, a +companion, maids, pages, and footmen, all of whom, though in my +service, were under the orders of my governess, a well-born lady, who +was happily honest and trustworthy. + +"A year after I had left the convent my grandfather came and told me +in the presence of my governess that Count Fl---- had asked my hand +for his son, who was coming from Madrid end would arrive that day. + +"'What answer did you give him, dear grandfather?' + +"'That the marriage would be acceptable to the whole of the nobility, +and also to the king and royal family.' + +"'But are you quite sure that the young count will like me and that I +shall like the count?' + +"'That, my dear daughter, is a matter of course, and there need be no +discussion on the subject.' + +"'But it is a question in which I am strongly interested, and I +should like to consider it very carefully. We shall see how matters +arrange themselves.' + +"'You can see each other before deciding, but you must decide all the +same.' + +"'I hope so, but let us not be too certain. We shall see.' + +"As soon as my grandfather had gone I told my governess that I had +made up my mind never to give my hand save where I had given my +heart, and that I should only marry a man whose character and tastes +I had carefully studied. My governess gave me no answer, and on my +pressing her to give me her opinion, she replied that she thought her +best course would be to keep silence on such a delicate question. +This was as much as to tell me that she thought I was right; at least +I persuaded myself that it was so. + +"The next day I went to the convent, and told the story to my aunt, +the abbess, who listened to me kindly and said it was to be hoped +that I should fall in love with him and he with me, but that even if +it were otherwise she was of opinion that the marriage would take +place, as she had reasons for believing that the scheme came from the +Princess of Brazil, who favoured Count Fl----. + +"Though this information grieved me, I was still glad to hear it, and +my resolution never to marry save for love was all the more strongly +confirmed. + +"In the course of a fortnight the count arrived, and my grandfather +presented him to me, several ladies being in the company. Nothing +was said about marrying, but there was a deal of talk about the +strange lands and peoples the new arrival had seen. I listened with +the greatest attention, not opening my mouth the whole time. I had +very little knowledge of the world, so I could not make any +comparisons between my suitor and other men, but my conclusion was +that he could never hope to please any woman, and that he would +certainly never be mine. He had an unpleasant sneering manner, joked +in bad taste, was stupid, and a devotee, or rather a fanatic. +Furthermore he was ugly and ill-shapen, and so great a fop that he +was not ashamed to relate the story of his conquests in France and +Italy. + +"I went home hoping with all my heart that he had taken a dislike to +me, and a week which passed away without my hearing anything on the +subject confirmed me in this belief, but I was doomed to be +disappointed. My great-aunt asked me to dinner, and when I went I +found the foolish young man and his father present, together with my +grandfather, who formally introduced him to me as my future husband, +and begged me to fix the wedding day. I made up my mind that I would +rather die than marry him, and answered politely but coldly that I +would name the day when I had decided on marrying, but I should +require time to think it over. The dinner went off silently, and I +only opened my mouth to utter monosyllables in reply to questions +which I could not avoid. After the coffee had been served I left the +house, taking no notice of anyone besides my aunt and my grandfather. + +"Some time elapsed; and I again began to hope that I had effectually +disgusted my suitor, but one morning my governess told me that Father +Freire was waiting to speak to me in the ante-chamber. I ordered him +to be sent in. He was the confessor of the Princess of Brazil, and +after some desultory conversation he said the princess had sent him +to congratulate me on my approaching marriage with Count Fl----. + +"I did not evince any surprise, merely replying that I was sensible +of her highness's kindness, but that nothing had been decided so far, +as I was not thinking of getting married. + +"The priest, who was a perfect courtier, smiled in a manner, half +kindly, half sardonic, and said that I was at that happy age when I +had no need to think of anything, as my kind friends and relations +did all my thinking for me. + +"I only answered by an incredulous smile, which, for all his monastic +subtlety, struck him as the expression of a young girl's coyness. + +"Foreseeing the persecution to which I should be subjected, I went +the next day to my aunt the abbess, who could not refuse me her +advice. I began by stating my firm resolve to die rather than wed a +being I detested. + +"The worthy nun replied that the count had been introduced to her, +and that to tell the truth she thought him insufferable; all the +same, she said she was afraid I should be made to marry him. + +"These words were such a shock to me that I turned the conversation, +and spoke of other subjects for the remainder of my visit. But when +I got back to my house I pursued an extraordinary course. I shut +myself up in my closet and wrote a letter to the executioner of my +unhappy father, the pitiless Oeiras, telling him the whole story, and +imploring him to protect me and to speak to the king in my favour; +'for,' said I, 'as you have made me an orphan it is your duty before +God to care for me.' I begged him to shelter me from the anger of the +Princess of Brazil, and to leave me at liberty to dispose of my hand +according to my pleasure. + +"Though I did not imagine Oeiras to be a humane man, yet I thought he +must have some sort of a heart; besides, by this extraordinary step +and the firmness of my language, I hoped to appeal to his pride and +to interest him in my favour. I felt sure that he would do me +justice, if only to prove that he had not been unjust to my father. +I was right, as will be seen, and although I was but an inexperienced +girl my instinct served me well. + +"Two days elapsed before I was waited on by a messenger from Oeiras, +who begged the honour of a private interview with me. The messenger +told me that the minister wished me to reply to all who pressed me to +marry that I should not decide until I was assured that the princess +desired the match. The minister begged me to excuse his not +answering my letter, but he had good reasons for not doing so. The +messenger assured me that I could count on his master's support. + +"His message delivered, the gentleman took leave with a profound bow, +and went back without waiting for an answer. I must confess that the +young man's looks had made a great impression on me. I cannot +describe my feelings, but they have exerted great influence on my +conduct, and will no doubt continue to do so for the rest of my life. + +"This message put me quite at ease, for he would never have given me +the instructions he did without being perfectly sure that the +princess would not interfere any farther with my marriage; and so I +gave myself up entirely to the new sentiments which possessed my +heart. Though strong, the flame would no doubt soon have died down +if it had not received fresh fuel every day, for when I saw the young +messenger a week later in church I scarcely recognized him. From +that moment, however, I met him everywhere; out walking, in the +theatre, in the houses where I called, and especially when I was +getting in or out of my carriage he was ever beside me, ready to +offer his hand; and I got so used to his presence that when I missed +his face I felt a void at my heart that made me unhappy. + +"Almost every day I saw the two Counts Fl---- at my great-aunt's, but +as there was no longer any engagement between us their presence +neither joyed me nor grieved me. I had forgiven them but I was not +happy. The image of the young messenger, of whom I knew nothing, was +ever before me, and I blushed at my thoughts though I would not ask +myself the reasons. + +"Such was my state of mind, when one day I heard a voice, which was +unknown to me, in my maid's room. I saw a quantity of lace on a +table and proceeded to examine it without paying any attention to a +girl who was standing near the table and curtsying to me. I did not +like any of the lace, so the girl said that she would bring me some +more to choose from the next day, and as I raised my eyes I was +astonished to see that she had the face of the young man who was +always in my thoughts. My only resource was to doubt their identity +and to make myself believe that I had been deceived by a mere chance +likeness. I was reassured on second thoughts; the girl seemed to me +to be taller than the young man, whom I hesitated to believe capable +of such a piece of daring. The girl gathered up her lace and went +her way without raising her eyes to mine, and this made me feel +suspicious again. + +"'Do you know that girl?' I said, coldly, to my maid, and she replied +that she had never seen her before. I went away without another +word, not knowing what to think. + +"I thought it over and resolved to examine the girl when she came on +the following day, and to unmask her if my suspicions proved to be +well founded. I told myself that she might be the young man's +sister, and that if it were otherwise it would be all the more easy +to cure myself of my passion. A young girl who reasons on love falls +into love, especially if she have no one in whom to confide. + +"The pretended lace-seller duly came the next day with a box of lace. +I told her to come into my room, and then speaking to her to force +her to raise her eyes I saw before me the being who exerted such a +powerful influence over me. It was such a shock that I had no +strength to ask her any of the questions I had premeditated. +Besides, my maid was in the room, and the fear of exposing myself +operated, I think, almost as strongly as emotion. I set about +choosing some pieces of lace in a mechanical way, and told my maid to +go and fetch my purse. No sooner had she left the room than the +lace-seller fell at my feet and exclaimed passionately, + +"'Give me life or death, madam, for I see you know who I am.' + +"'Yes, I do know you, and I think you must have gone mad.' + +"'Yes, that may be; but I am mad with love. I adore you.' + +"'Rise, for my maid will come back directly.' + +"'She is in my secret.' + +"'What! you have dared ' + +"He got up, and the maid came in and gave him his money with the +utmost coolness. He picked up his lace, made me a profound bow, and +departed. + +"It would have been natural for me to speak to my maid, and still +more natural if I had dismissed her on the spot. I had no courage to +do so, and my weakness will only astonish those rigorous moralists +who know nothing of a young girl's heart, and do not consider my +painful position, passionately in love and with no one but myself to +rely on. + +"I did not follow at once the severe dictates of duty; afterwards it +was too late, and I easily consoled myself with the thought that I +could pretend not to be aware that the maid was in the secret. I +determined to dissemble, hoping that I should never see the +adventurous lover again, and that thus all would be as if it had +never happened. + +"This resolve was really the effect of anger, for a fortnight passed +by without my seeing the young man in the theatre, the public walks, +or in any of the public places he used to frequent, and I became sad +and dreamy, feeling all the time ashamed of my own wanton fancies. +I longed to know his name, which I could only learn from my maid, and +it was out of the question for me to ask Oeiras. I hated my maid, +and I blushed when I saw her, imagining that she knew all. I was +afraid that she would suspect my honour, and at another time I feared +lest she might think I did not love him; and this thought nearly +drove me mad. As for the young adventurer I thought him more to be +pitied than to be blamed, for I did not believe that he knew I loved +him, and it seemed to me that the idea of my despising him was enough +vengeance for his audacity. But my thoughts were different when my +vanity was stronger than love, for then despair avenged itself on +pride, and I fancied he would think no more of me, and perhaps had +already forgotten me. + +"Such a state cannot last long, for if nothing comes to put an end to +the storm which tosses the soul to and fro, it ends at last by making +an effort of itself to sail into the calm waters of peace. + +"One day I put on a lace kerchief I had bought from him, and asked my +maid, + +"'What has become of the girl who sold me this kerchief?' + +"I asked this question without premeditation; it was, as it were, an +inspiration from my 'good or my evil genius. + +"As crafty as I was simple, the woman answered that to be sure he had +not dared to come again, fearing that I had found out his disguise. + +"'Certainly,' I replied, 'I found it out directly, but I was +astonished to hear that you knew this lace-seller was a young man.' + +"'I did not think I should offend you, madam, I know him well.' + +"'Who is he? + +"'Count d'Al----; you ought to know him, for he paid you a visit +about four months ago' + +"'True, and it is possible that I did not know him, but why did you +tell a lie when I asked you, "Do you know that girl?"' + +"'I lied to spare your feelings, madam, and I was afraid you would be +angry at the part I had taken: + +"'You would have honoured me more by supposing the contrary. When +you went out, and I told him he was mad, and that you would find him +on his knees when you returned, he told me you were in the secret.' + +"'If it be a secret, but it seems to me a mere joke: + +"'I wished to think so too, but nevertheless it seemed of such weight +to me, that I resolved to be silent that I might not be obliged to +send you away.' + +"'My idea was that you would have been amused, but as you take it +seriously I am sorry that I have failed in my strict duty.' + +"So weak is a woman in love that in this explanation which should +have shewn me the servant's fault in all its enormity I only saw a +full justification. In fact she had given peace to my heart, but my +mind was still uneasy. I knew that there was a young Count d'Al---- +belonging to a noble family, but almost penniless. All he had was +the minister's patronage, and the prospect of good State employments. +The notion that Heaven meant me to remedy the deficiencies in his +fortune made me fall into a sweet reverie, and at last I found myself +deciding that my maid who put it all down as a jest had more wit than +I. I blamed myself for my scrupulous behaviour, which seemed no +better than prudery. My love was stronger than I thought, and this +is my best excuse, besides I had no one to guide or counsel me. + +"But after sunshine comes shadow. My soul was like the ebb and tide +of the sea, now in the heights and now in the depths. The resolve, +which the count seemed to have taken, to see me no more, either +shewed him to be a man of little enterprise or little love, and this +supposition humiliated me. 'If,' I said to myself, 'the count is +offended with me for calling him a madman, he can have no delicacy +and no discretion; he is unworthy of my love.' + +"I was in this dreadful state of uncertainty when my maid took upon +herself to write to the count that he could come and see me under the +same diguise. He followed her advice, and one fine morning the +crafty maid came into my chamber laughing, and told me that the lace- +seller was in the next room. I was moved exceedingly, but +restraining myself I began to laugh also, though the affair was no +laughing matter for me. + +"'Shall I shew her in? said the maid. + +"'Are you crazy? + +"Shall I send her away? + +"'No, I will go and speak to him myself.' + +"This day was a memorable one. My maid left the room now and again, +and we had plenty of time to disclose our feelings to one another. I +frankly confessed that I loved him, but added that it were best that +I should forget him, as it was not likely that my relations would +consent to our marriage. In his turn he told me that the minister +having resolved to send him to England, he would die of despair +unless he carried with him the hope of one day possessing me, for he +said he loved me too well to live without me. He begged me to allow +him to come and see me under the same disguise, and though I could +not refuse him anything I said that we might be discovered. + +"'It is enough for me,' he replied, tenderly, 'that you will incur no +danger, my visits will be set down to the account of your maid.' + +"'But I am afraid for you,' I replied, 'your disguise is a crime in +itself; your reputation will suffer, and that will not tend to bring +the wish of your heart nearer.' + +"In spite of my objections, my heart spoke in his favour, and he +pleaded so well and promised to be so discreet that at last I said I +would see him gladly whenever he liked to come. + +"Count Al---- is twenty-two, and is shorter than I; he is small- +boned, and in his disguise as a lace-seller it was hard to recognize +him, even by his voice, which is very soft. He imitated the gestures +and ways of women to perfection, and not a few women would be only +too glad to be like him. + +"Thus for nearly three months the disguised count came to see me +three or four times a week, always in my maid's room, and mostly in +her presence. But even if we had been perfectly alone his fear of my +displeasure was too great to allow him to take the slightest +liberties. I think now that this mutual restraint added fuel to our +flames, for when we thought of the moment of parting it was with dumb +sadness and with no idea of taking the opportunity of rendering one +another happy. We flattered ourselves that Heaven would work some +miracle in our favour, and that the day would never come wherein we +should be parted. + +"But one morning the count came earlier than usual, and, bursting +into tears, told me that the minister had given him a letter for +M. de Saa, the Portuguese ambassador at London, and another letter +open for the captain of a ship which was shortly to sail for London. +In this letter the minister ordered the captain to embark Count +Al----, to take him to London, and to treat him with distinction. + +"My poor lover was overwhelmed, he was nearly choked with sobs, and +his brain was all confusion. For his sake, and taking pity on his +grief and my love, I conceived the plan of accompanying him as his +servant, or rather to avoid disguising my sex, as his wife. When I +told him, he was at once stupefied and dazzled. He was beyond +reasoning, and left everything in my hands. We agreed to discuss the +matter at greater length on the following day, and parted. + +"Foreseeing that it would be difficult for me to leave the house in +woman's dress, I resolved to disguise myself as a man. But if I kept +to my man's dress I should be obliged to occupy the position of my +lover's valet, and have to undertake tasks beyond my strength. This +thought made me resolve to impersonate the master myself, but +thinking that I should not care to see my lover degraded to the rank +of a servant, I determined that he should be my wife, supposing that +the captain of the ship did not know him by sight. + +"'As soon as we get to England,' I thought, 'we will get married, and +can resume our several dresses. This marriage will efface whatever +shame may be attached to our flight; they will say, perhaps, that the +count carried me off ; but a girl is not carried off against her +will, and Oeiras surely will not persecute me for having made the +fortune of his favourite. As to our means of subsistence, till I get +my rents, I can sell my diamonds, and they will realize an ample +sum.' + +"The next day, when I told my lover of this strange plan, he made no +objections. The only obstacle which he thought of was the +circumstance that the sea-captain might know him by sight, and this +would have been fatal; but as he did not think it likely we +determined to run the risk, and it was agreed that he should get me +the clothes for the new part I was to play. + +"I saw my lover again after an interval of three days; it was +nightfall when he came. He told me that the Admiralty had informed +him that the ship was riding at the mouth of the Tagus, and that the +captain would put out to sea as soon as he had delivered his +dispatches and had received fresh instructions. Count Al was +consequently requested to be at a certain spot at midnight, and a +boat would be in waiting to take him on board. + +"I had made up my mind, and this was enough for me; and after having +fixed the time and place of meeting, I shut myself up, pretending to +be unwell. I put a few necessaries into a bag, not forgetting the +precious jewel-casket, and I dressed myself up as a man and left the +house by a stair only used by the servants. Even the porter did not +see me as I made my escape. + +"Fearing lest I should go astray the count was waiting for me at a +short distance, and I was pleasantly surprised when he took me by the +arm, saying, "Tis I." From this careful action, simple though it +was, I saw that he had intelligence; he was afraid to catch hold of +me without making himself known. We went to a house where he had his +trunk, and in half an hour his disguise was made. When all was ready +a man came for our slight baggage, and we walked to the river where +the count was waiting for us. It was eleven o'clock when we left +land, and thinking my jewels would be safer in his pocket than in my +bag, I gave them to him, and we anxiously awaited the arrival of the +captain. He came aboard with his officers at midnight, and accosted +me politely, saying he had received orders to treat me with +distinction. I thanked him cordially, and introduced my wife to him, +whom he greeted respectfully, saying he was delighted to have such a +charming passenger, who would doubtless give us a fortunate voyage. +He was too polite to be astonished that the minister had made no +mention of the count's wife in his letter. + +"We got to the frigate in less than an hour; she was three leagues +from land, and as soon as we got on board the captain ordered the men +to set sail. He took us to a room which was extremely comfortable, +considering it was only a cabin, and after doing the honours left us +to ourselves. + +"When we were alone we thanked Heaven that everything had gone off so +well, and far from going to sleep we spent the night in discussing +the bold step we had taken, or rather, only just begun to take; +however, we hoped it would have as fortunate an ending as beginning. +When the day dawned our hearts were gladdened because Lisbon was no +longer in sight, and as we were in need of rest I laid down on a +seat, while the count got into a hammock, neither of us troubling to +undress. + +"We were just falling asleep, when we began to feel the approach of +sea-sickness, and for three days we knew no peace. + +"On the fourth day, scarcely being able to stand upright for +weakness, we began to be hungry, and had to exercise a careful +moderation, so as not to become seriously ill. Happily for us the +captain had a store of good food, and our meals were delicate and +well-served. + +"My lover, whose sickness has been more severe than mine, used this +as a pretext for not leaving his room. The captain only came to see +us once; this must have been out of extreme politeness, for in +Portugal one may be jealous and yet not ridiculous. As for me, I +stood upon the bridge nearly all day; the fresh air did me good, and +I amused myself by scanning the horizon with my telescope. + +"The seventh day of the voyage my heart trembled as with a +presentiment of misfortune, when the sailors said that a vessel which +could be seen in the distance was a corvette which was due to sail a +day after us, but being a swift sailor would probably reach England +two or three days before us. + +"Though the voyage from Lisbon to England is a long one we had a fair +wind all the way, and in fourteen days we dropped anchor at day-break +in the port of Plymouth. + +"The officer sent ashore by the captain to ask leave to disembark +passengers came on board in the evening with several letters. One +the captain read with peculiar attention, and then called me to one +side and said, + +"'This letter comes from Count Oeiras, and enjoins me, on my life, +not to let any Portuguese young lady land, unless she be known to me. +I am to take her back to Lisbon after having executed my various +commissions. There is neither wife nor maid on my frigate, except +the countess your wife. If you can prove that she is really your +wife she may land with you; otherwise, you see, I cannot disobey the +minister's orders.' + +"'She is my wife,' I said, coolly; 'but as I could not foresee this +accident I have no papers to prove the fact.' + +"'I am sorry to hear it, as in that case she must go back to Lisbon. +You may be sure I will treat her with all possible respect.' + +"'But a wife may not be parted from her husband.' + +"'Quite so, but I cannot disobey orders. If you like you can return +to Lisbon in the corvette; you will be there before us.' + +"'Why cannot I return in this frigate? + +"'Because I have distinct orders to put you on land. And now I come +to think of it, how was it that there was not a word about your wife +in the letter you gave me when we started? If the lady is not the +person meant by the minister, you may be sure she will be sent back +to join you in London.' + +"'You will allow me to go and speak to her? + +"'Certainly, but in my presence.' + +"My heart was broken; nevertheless, I had to put a good face on the +losing game I was playing. I went to the count, and addressing him +as my dear wife communicated the order which was to part us. + +"I was afraid he would betray himself, but he was strong-minded +enough to restrain his emotion, and only replied that we must needs +submit, and that we should see each other again in a couple of +months. + +"As the captain stood beside us, I could only utter common-places. I +warned him, however, that I should write to the abbess directly I got +to London, who was the first person he must go and see at Lisbon, as +she would have my address. I took care not to ask for my jewel-case, +as the captain might have thought that my false wife was some rich +young lady whom I had seduced. + +"We had to abandon ourselves to our destiny. We embraced each other +and mingled our ears, and the captain wept, too, when he heard me +say, + +"'Trust in all things to the worthy captain, and let us not fear at +all.' + +"The count's trunk was lowered into the boat, and as I did not dare +to take my bag I found myself loaded with nothing but a man's +clothes, which would not have fitted me, even if I had intended to +keep up my disguise. + +"When I came to the custom-house I saw my possessions. There were +books, letters, linen, some suits of clothes, a sword and two pairs +of pistols, one pair of which I put in my pockets, and then I went to +an inn where the host said that if I wanted to travel to London the +next morning I should only have to pay for one horse. + +"'Who are the people,' said I, 'who desire a companion? + +"'You shall sup with them if you like,' said he. + +"I accepted the offer, and found the party consisted of a minister of +religion and two ladies whose faces pleased me. I was fortunate +enough to win their good graces, and early the next day we got to +London and alighted in the Strand at an inn where I only dined, going +out to seek a lodging appropriate to my means and the kind of life I +wished to lead. Fifty Lisbon pieces and a ring of about the same +value was all that I possessed in the world. + +"I took a room on the third floor, being attracted by the honest and +kindly expression of the landlady. I could only trust in God and +confide my position to her. I agreed to pay her ten shillings a +week, and begged her to get me some woman's clothes, for I was afraid +to go out in my man's dress any longer. + +"The next day I was clothed like a poor girl who desires to escape +notice. I spoke English well enough to seem a native of the country, +and I knew how I must behave if I wished to be let alone. Although +the landlady was a worthy woman, her house was not exactly suitable +for me; my stay in England might be protracted, and if I came to +destitution I should be wretched indeed; so I resolved to leave the +house. I received no visitors, but I could not prevent the +inquisitive from hovering round my door, and the more it became known +that I saw no one, the more their curiosity increased. The house was +not quiet enough. It was near the Exchange, and the neighborhood +swarmed with young men who came to dine on the first floor of the +house, and did their best to cure me of my sadness, as they called +it, though I had not shewn any signs of wishing to be cured. + +"I made up my mind not to spend more than a guinea a week, and +resolved to sell my ring if I could have the money paid to me at +intervals. An old jeweler who lodged next door, and for whose +honesty my landlady answered, told me it was worth a hundred and +fifty guineas, and asked me to let him have it if I had no better +offer. I had not thought it to be so valuable, and I sold it to him +on condition that he would pay me four guineas a month, and that I +should be at liberty to buy it back if I could do so before all the +payments had been made. + +"I wanted to keep my ready money, which I still have by me, so as to +be able to go back to Lisbon by land when I can do so in safety, for +I could not face the horrors of a sea voyage a second time. + +"I told my case to my worthy landlady who still befriends me, and she +helped me to get another lodging, but I had to procure a servant to +fetch me my food; I could not summon up courage to have my meals in a +coffee-house. However, all my servants turned out ill; they robbed +me continually, and levied a tax on all their purchases. + +"The temperance I observed--for I almost lived on bread and water-- +made me get thinner every day, still I saw no way of mending my +existence till chance made me see your singular announcement. I +laughed at it; and then drawn by some irresistible power, or perhaps +by the curiosity that falls to the lot of most of us women, + +I could not resist going in and speaking to you. Instinct thus +pointed out the way to improve my lot without increasing my +expenditure. + +"When I got back I found a copy of the Advertiser on my landlady's +table; it contained some editorial fun on the notice I had just read. +The writer said that the master of the house was an Italian, and had +therefore nothing to fear from feminine violence. On my side I +determined to hazard everything, but I feel I have been too hasty, +and that there are certain attacks which it is pleasant not to +resist. I was brought up by an Italian, a clever and good man, and I +have always had a great respect for your fellow-countrymen." + +My fair Portuguese had finished her story, and I observed,-- + +"Really, your history has amused me very much; it has all the air of +a romance." + +"Quite so," said she; "but it is a strictly historical romance. But +the most amusing thing to me is that you have listened to it without +weariness." + +"That is your modesty, madam; not only, has your tale interested me, +but now that I know you are a Portuguese I am at peace with the +nation." + +"Were you at war with us, then?" + +"I have never forgiven you for letting your Portuguese Virgil die +miserably two hundred years ago." + +"You mean Camoens. But the Greeks treated Homer in the same way." + +"Yes, but the faults of others are no excuse for our own." + +"You are right; but how can you like Camoens so much if you do not +know Portuguese?" + +"I have read a translation in Latin hexameters so well done that I +fancied I was reading Virgil." + +"Is that truly so?" + +"I would never lie to you." + +"Then I make a vow to learn Latin." + +"That is worthy of you, but it is of me that you must learn the +language. I will go to Portugal and live and die there, if you will +give me your heart.' + +"My heart! I have only one, and that is given already. Since I have +known you I have despised myself, for I am afraid I have an +inconstant nature." + +"It will be enough for me if you will love me as your father, +provided I may sometimes take my daughter to my arms. But go on with +your story, the chief part is yet untold. What became of your lover, +and what did your relations do when they found out your flight?" + +"Three days after I arrived in this vast city I wrote to the abbess, +my aunt, and told her the whole story, begging her to protect my +lover, and to confirm me in my resolution never to return to Lisbon +till I could do so in security, and have no obstacles placed in the +way of my marriage. I also begged her to write and inform me of all +that happened, addressing her letters to 'Miss Pauline,' under cover +of my landlady. + +"I sent my letter by Paris and Madrid, and I had to wait three months +before I got an answer. My aunt told me that the frigate had only +returned a short time, and that the captain immediately on his +arrival wrote to the minister informing him that the only lady who +was in his ship when he sailed was still on board, for he had brought +her back with him, despite the opposition of Count Al-----, who +declared she was his wife. The captain ended by asking his +excellency for further orders with respect to the lady aforesaid. + +"Oeiras, feeling sure that the lady was myself, told the captain to +take her to the convent of which my aunt was abbess, with a letter he +had written. In this letter he told my aunt that he sent her her +niece, and begged her to keep the girl securely till further orders. +My aunt was extremely surprised, but she would have been still more +surprised if she had not got my letter a few days before. She +thanked the captain for his care, and took the false niece to a room +and locked her up. She then wrote to Oeiras, telling him that she +had received into her convent a person supposed to be his niece, but +as this person was really a man in woman's dress she begged his +excellency to remove him as soon as possible. + +"When the abbess had written this curious letter she paid a visit to +the count, who fell on his knees before her. My good aunt raised +him, and shewed him my letter. She said that she had been obliged to +write to the minister, and that she had no doubt he would be removed +from the convent in the course of a few hours. The count burst into +tears, and begging the abbess to protect us both gave her my jewel- +casket, which the worthy woman received with great pleasure. She +left him, promising to write to me of all that happened. + +"The minister was at one of his country estates, and did not receive +the abbess's letter till the next day, but hastened to reply in +person. My aunt easily convinced his excellency of the need for +keeping the matter secret, for a man had been sent into the convent, +which would be to her dishonour. She shewed the proud minister the +letter she had had from me, and told him how the honest young man had +given her my jewel-casket. He thanked her for her open dealing, and +begged her pardon with a smile for sending a fine young man to her +nunnery. + +"'The secret,' said he, 'is of the greatest importance; we must see +that it goes no farther. I will relieve you of your false niece, and +take her away in my carriage.' + +"My aunt took him at his word and brought out the young recluse, who +drove away with the minister. The abbess tells me that from that day +she has heard nothing about him, but that all Lisbon is talking over +the affair, but in a wholly distorted manner. They say that the +minister first of all put me under the care of my aunt, but soon +after took me away, and has kept me in some secret place ever since. +Count Al---- is supposed to be in London, and I in the minister's +power, and probably we are supposed to have entered into a tender +relationship. No doubt his excellency is perfectly well informed of +my doings here, for he knows my address and has spies everywhere. + +"On the advice of my aunt I wrote to Oeiras a couple of months ago, +telling him that I am ready to return to Lisbon, if I may marry Count +Al---- and live in perfect liberty. Otherwise, I declared, I would +stay in London, where the laws guaranteed my freedom. I am waiting +for his answer every day, and I expect it will be a favourable one, +for no one can deprive me of my estates, and Oeiras will probably be +only too glad to protect me to lessen the odium which attaches to his +name as the murderer of my father." + +Pauline made no mystery of the names of the characters, but she may +be still alive, and I respect her too well to run the risk of +wounding her, though these Memoirs will not see the light of day +during my lifetime. It is sufficient to say that the story is known +to all the inhabitants of Lisbon, and that the persons who figure in +it are public characters in Portugal. + +I lived with dear Pauline in perfect harmony, feeling my love for her +increase daily, and daily inspiring her with tenderer feelings +towards myself. But as my love increased in strength, I grew thin +and feeble; I could not sleep nor eat. I should have languished away +if I had not succeeded in gratifying my passion. On the other hand, +Pauline grew plumper and prettier every day. + +"If my sufferings serve to increase your charms," said I, "you ought +not to let me die, for a dead man has no suffering." + +"Do you think that your sufferings are due to your love for me?" " + +"Certainly." + +"There may be something in it, but, believe me, the tender passion +does not destroy the appetite nor take away the power of sleep. Your +indisposition is undoubtedly due to the sedentary life you have been +leading of late. If you love me, give me a proof of it; go out for a +ride." + +"I cannot refuse you anything, dearest Pauline, but what then?" + +"Then you shall find me grateful to you, you will have a good +appetite, and will sleep well." + +"A horse, a horse! Quick! My boots!" I kissed her hand--for I had +not got any farther than that--and began to ride towards Kingston. +I did not care for the motion of trotting, so I put my horse at a +gallop, when all of a sudden he stumbled, and in an instant I was +lying on the ground in front of the Duke of Kingston's house. Miss +Chudleigh happened to be at the window, and seeing me thrown to the +ground uttered a shriek. I raised my head and she recognized me, and +hastened to send some of her people to help me. As soon as I was on +my feet I wanted to go and thank her, but I could not stir, and a +valet who knew something of surgery examined me, and declared that I +had put out my collar-bone and would require a week's rest. + +The young lady told me that if I liked to stay in her house the +greatest care should be taken of me. I thanked her warmly, but +begged her to have me taken home, as I should not like to give her so +much trouble. She immediately gave the necessary orders, and I was +driven home in a comfortable carriage. The servants in charge would +not acept any money, and I saw in the incident a proof of that +hospitality for which the English are famed, although they are at the +same time profoundly egotistic. + +When I got home I went to bed, and sent for a surgeon, who laughed +when I told him that I had put out a bone. + +"I'll wager it is nothing more than a sprain. I only wish it was put +out that I might have some chance of shewing my skill." + +"I am delighted," I said, "not to be in a position to call for that +amount of talent, but I shall have a high opinion of you if you set +me up in a short time." + +I did not see Pauline, much to my astonishment. I was told she had +gone out in a sedan-chair, and I almost felt jealous. In two hours +she came in looking quite frightened, the old house-keeper having +told her that I had broken my leg, and that the doctor had been with +me already. + +"Unhappy wretch that I am!" she exclaimed as she came to my bedside, +"'tis I that have brought you to this." + +With these words she turned pale and almost fell in a swoon beside +me. + +"Divine being!" I cried, as I pressed her to my breast, "it is +nothing; only a sprain." + +"What pain that foolish old woman has given me! + +God be praised that it is no worse! Feel my heart." + +"Oh, yes! I felt it with delight. It was a happy fall for me." + +Fastening my lips on hers, I felt with delight that our transports +were mutual, and I blessed the sprain that had brought me such bliss. + +After these ectasies I felt that Pauline was laughing. + +"What are you laughing at, sweetheart?" + +"At the craft of love, which always triumphs at last." + +"Where have you been?" + +"I went to my old jeweler's to redeem my ring, that you might have a +souvenir of me; here it is." + +"Pauline! Pauline! a little love would have been much more precious +to me than this beautiful ring." + +"You shall have both. Till the time of my departure, which will come +only too soon, we will live together like man and wife; and to-night +shall be our wedding night, and the bed the table for the feast." + +"What sweet news you give me, Pauline! I cannot believe it till my +happiness is actually accomplished." + +"You may doubt, if you like; but let it be a slight doubt, or else +you will do me wrong. I am tired of living with you as a lover and +only making you wretched, and the moment I saw you on horseback I +determined to belong to you. Consequently I went to redeem the ring +directly you left, and I do not intend to leave you until I receive +the fatal message from Lisbon. I have dreaded its arrival every day +for the last week." + +"May the messenger that brings it be robbed on the way." + +"No such luck, I am afraid." + +As Pauline was standing, I asked her to come to my arms, for I longed +to give her some palpable signs of my love. + +"No, dearest, one can love and yet be wise; the door is open." + +She got down Ariosto and began to read to me the adventure of +Ricciardetto with Fiordespina, an episode which gives its beauty to +the twenty-ninth canto of that beautiful poem which I knew by heart. +She imagined that she was the princess, and I Ricciardetto. She +liked to fancy, + + 'Che il ciel L'abbia concesso, + Bradamante cangiata in miglior sesso.' + +When she came to the lines; + + 'Le belle braccia al collo indi mi getta, + E dolcemente stringe, a baccia in bocca: + Tu puoi pensar se allora la saetta + Dirizza Amor, se in mezzo al cor mi tocca.' + +She wanted some explanations on the expression 'baccia in bocca', and +on the love which made Ricciardetto's arrow so stiff, and I, only too +ready to comment on the text, made her touch an arrow as stiff as +Ricciardetto's. Of course, she was angry at that, but her wrath did +not last long. She burst out laughing when she came to the lines, + + 'Io il veggo, io il sento, e a pena vero parmi: + Sento in maschio in femina matarsi.' + +And then, + + 'Cosi le dissi, e feci ch'ella stessa + Trovo con man la veritade expressa. + +She expressed her, wonder that this poem abounding in obscenities had +not been put on the "Index" at Rome. + +"What you call obscenity is mere license, and there is plenty of that +at Rome." + +"That's a joke which should bring the censures of the Church upon +you. But what do you call obscenities, if Ariosto is not obscene?" + +"Obscenity disgusts, and never gives pleasure." + +"Your logic is all your own, but situated as I am I cannot reargue +your proposition. I am amused at Ariosto's choosing a Spanish woman +above all others to conceive that strange passion for Bradamante." + +"The heat of the Spanish climate made him conclude that the Spanish +temperament was also ardent, and consequently whimsical in its +tastes." + +"Poets are a kind of madmen who allow themselves to give utterance to +all their fancies." + +The reading was continued, and I thought my time had come when she +read the verses: + + Io senza scale in su la rooca salto, + E to stendardo piantovi di botto, + E la nemica mia mi caccio sotto** + +**I scaled the rock without a ladder, I planted my standard suddenly, +and held my enemy beneath me. + +I wanted to give her a practical illustration of the lines, but with +that sensibility so natural to women, and which they can use so well +as a goad to passion, she said,-- + +"Dearest, you might make yourself worse; let us wait till your sprain +is cured." + +"Are we to wait till I am cured for the consummation of our +marriage?" + +"I suppose so, for if I am not mistaken the thing can't be done +without a certain movement." + +"You are wrong, dear Pauline, but it would make no difference to me +even if it were so. You may be sure I would not put it off till to- +morrow, even if it cost me my leg. Besides, you shall see that there +are ways and means of satisfying our passions without doing me any +harm. Is that enough for you?" + +"Well, well, as it is written that a wife should obey her husband, +you will find me docile." + +"When?" + +"After supper." + +"Then we will have no supper. We shall dine with all the better +appetite to-morrow. Let us begin now." + +"No, for the suspicions of the servants might be aroused. Love has +its rules of decency like everything else." + +"You talk as wisely as Cato, and I am obliged to confess that you are +right in all you say." + +Supper was served as usual; it was delicate enough, but the thought +of approaching bliss had taken away our appetites, and we ate only +for form's sake. At ten o'clock we were at liberty, and could +indulge our passion without any fear of being disturbed. + +But this delightful woman, who had so plainly told me a few hours +before that when I was cured we would live together as man and wife, +was now ashamed to undress before me. She could not make up her +mind, and told me so, laughing at herself. From this circumstance I +gathered that the decency of the body is more tenacious in its grasp +than the purity of the soul. + +"But, sweetheart," said I, "you dressed and undressed for a fortnight +before your betrothed." + +"Yes, but he was always lying in his hammock with his back towards me +at night, and in the morning he never turned round and wished me good +day till he knew I was dressed." + +"What, he never turned?" + +"I never let him take any liberties." + +"Such virtue is incomprehensible to me." + +"You see the count was to be my husband, and I was to be his wife, +and in such cases a young woman is careful. Besides, I believe that +if one will but refrain from taking the first step, continence is +easy. Then the count was naturally timid, and would never have taken +any liberties without my encouraging him, which I took care not to +do. For this once, you will allow me to sleep with you in my +clothes." + +"Certainly, if you wish me to be dressed also, otherwise it would be +unbearable for both of us." + +"You are very cruel." + +"But, dearest, are you not ashamed of these foolish scruples?" + +"Well, well, put out the candles, and in a minute I will be beside +you." + +"Very good; though the want of light will deprive me of a great +pleasure. Quick, out with them!" + +My charming Portuguese did not reflect that the moon shone full into +the room, and that the muslin curtains would not prevent my seeing +her exquisite figure, which shewed to greater advantage in the +position she happened to take. If Pauline had been a coquette I +should have considered her scruples as mere artifice calculated to +increase my ardour; but she had no need to use such stratagems. At +last she was within my arms, and we clasped each other closely and in +silence that was only broken by the murmur of our kisses. Soon our +union became closer, and her sighs and the ardour of her surrender +shewed me that her passion was more in need of relief than mine. I +was sufficiently master of myself to remember that I must have a care +for her honour, greatly to her astonishment, for she confessed she +had never thought of such a thing, and had given herself up freely, +resolved to brave the consequences which she believed to be +inevitable. I explained the mystery and made her happy. + +Till this moment love alone had swayed me, but now that the bloody +sacrifice was over I felt full of respect and gratitude. I told her +effusively that I knew how great was my happiness, and that I was +ready to sacrifice my life to her to prove my love. + +The thought that our embraces would have no dangerous result had put +Pauline at her ease, and she have reins to her ardent temperament, +while I did valiant service, till at last we were exhausted and the +last sacrifice was not entirely consummated. We abandoned ourselves +to a profound and peaceful sleep. I was the first to awake; the sun +was shining in through the window, and I gazed on Pauline. As I +looked at this woman, the first beauty in Portugal, the only child of +an illustrious family, who had given herself to me all for love, and +whom I should possess for so short a time, I could not restrain a +profound sigh. + +Pauline awoke, and her gaze, as bright as the rising sun in +springtime, fixed itself on me truthfully and lovingly. + +"What are you thinking of, dearest?" + +"I am trying to convince myself that my happiness is not a dream, and +if it be real I want it to last for ever. I am the happy mortal to +whom you have given up your great treasure, of which I am unworthy, +though I love you tenderly." + +"Sweetheart, you are worthy of all my devotion and affection, if you +have not ceased to respect me." + +"Can you doubt it, Pauline?" + +"No, dearest, I think you love me, and that I shall never repent +having trusted in you." + +The sweet sacrifice was offered again, and Pauline rose and laughed +to find that she was no longer ashamed of her nakedness before me. +Then, passing from jest to earnest, she said,-- + +"If the loss of shame is the result of knowledge, how was it that our +first parents were not ashamed till they had acquired knowledge?" + +"I don't know, dearest, but tell me, did you ever ask your learned +Italian master that same question?" + +"Yes, I did." + +"What did he say?" + +"That their shame arose not from their enjoyment, but from +disobedience; and that in covering the parts which had seduced them, +they discovered, as it were, the sin they had committed. Whatever +may be said on the subject, I shall always think that Adam was much +more to blame than Eve." + +"How is that?" + +"Because Adam had received the prohibition from God, while Eve had +only received it from Adam." + +"I thought that both of them received the prohibition directly from +God." + +"You have not read Genesis, then." + +"You are laughing at me." + +"Then you have read it carelessly, because it is distinctly stated +that God made Eve after he had forbidden Adam to eat of the fruit." + +"I wonder that point has not been remarked by our commentators; it +seems a very important one to me." + +"They are a pack of knaves, all sworn enemies of women." + +"No, no, they give proofs of quite another feeling only too often." + +"We won't say anything more about it. My teacher was an honest man." + +"Was he a Jesuit?" + +"Yes, but of the short robe." + +"What do you mean?" + +"We will discuss the question another time." + +"Very good; I should like to have it proved to me that a man can be a +Jesuit and honest at the same time." + +"There are exceptions to all rules." + +My Pauline was a profound thinker, and strongly attached to her +religion. I should never have discovered that she possessed this +merit if I had not slept with her. I have known several women of the +same stamp; if you wish to know the elevation of their souls, you +must begin by damning them. When this is done, one enjoys their +confidence, for they have no secrets for the happy victor. This is +the reason why the charming though feeble sex loves the brave and +despises the cowardly. Sometimes they appear to love cowards, but +always for their physical beauty. Women amuse themselves with such +fellows, but are the first to laugh if they get caned. + +After the most delicious night I had ever passed, I resolved not to +leave my house till Pauline had to return to Portugal. She did not +leave me for a moment, save to hear mass on Sundays. I shut my door +to everybody, even to the doctor, for my sprain disappeared of +itself. I did not fail to inform Miss Chudleigh of my rapid cure; +she had sent twice a day ever since the accident to learn how I was. + +Pauline went to her room after our amorous conflict, and I did not +see her again till dinner-time; but when I did see her I thought her +an angel. Her face had caught the hues of the lily and the rose, and +had an air of happiness I could not help admiring. + +As we both wanted to have our portraits taken, I asked Martinelli to +send me the best miniature-painter in London. He sent a Jew, who +succeeded admirably. I had my miniature mounted in a ring and gave +it to Pauline; and this was the only present she would accept from +me, who would have thought myself all the richer if she had accepted +all I had. + +We spent three weeks in a happy dream which no pen can describe. I +was quite well again, and we tasted all the sweets of love together. +All day and all night we were together, our desires were satisfied +only to be renewed; we enjoyed the extremest bliss. In a word, it is +difficult to form a just idea of the state of two individuals who +enjoy all the range of physical and mental pleasures together, whose +life is for the present without thought of the future; whose joys are +mutual and continual; such, nevertheless, was the position of myself +and my divine Pauline. + +Every day I discovered in her some fresh perfection which made me +love her more; her nature was inexhaustible in its treasures, for her +mental qualities even surpassed her physical beauties, and an +excellent education had wonderfully increased the powers of her +intelligence. With all the beauty and grace of a woman she had that +exalted character which is the lot of the best of men. She began to +flatter herself that the fatal letter would never come, and the count +was little more than a dream of the past. Sometimes she would say +that she could not understand how a pretty face could exercise such a +strong influence over us in spite of our reason. + +"I have found out too late," she added, "that chance alone can make a +marriage, contracted for such physical reasons, happy." + +The 1st of August was a fatal day for both of us. Pauline received a +letter from Lisbon, which summoned her home without delay, and I had +a letter from Paris announcing the death of Madame d'Urfe. Madame du +Rumain told me that on the evidence of her maid the doctors had +pronounced her death to be due to an overdose of the liquid she +called "The Panacea." She added that a will had been found which +savoured of a lunatic asylum, for she had left all her wealth to the +son or daughter that should be born of her, declaring that she was +with child. I was to be the governor of the infant; this vexed me +exceedingly, as I knew I should be the laughing-stock of Paris for a +week at least. Her daughter, the Comtesse de Chatelet, had taken +possession of all her real estate and of her pocket-book, which +contained, to my surprise, four hundred thousand francs. It was a +great shock for me, but the contents of the two letters Pauline had +received was a greater blow. One was from her aunt, and the other +from Oeiras, who begged her to return to Lisbon as soon as possible, +and assured her that she should be put in possession of her property +on her arrival, and would be at liberty to marry Count Al---- in the +sight of all the world. He sent her a cheque for twenty million +reis. I was not aware of the small value of the coin, and was in an +ecstasy; but Pauline laughed, and said it only came to two thousand +pounds, which was a sufficient sum, however, to allow her to travel +in the style of a duchess. The minister wanted her to come by sea, +and all she had to do was to communicate with the Portuguese +ambassador, who had orders to give her a passage on a Portuguese +frigate which happened to be riding in an English port. Pauline +would not hear of the voyage, or of applying to the ambassador, for +she did not want anyone to think that she had been obliged to return. +She was angry with the minister for having sent her a cheque, +thinking that he must be aware that she had been in need, but I soon +brought her to see reason on this point, telling her that it was a +very thoughtful and delicate proceeding on the part of Oeiras, and +that he had merely lent-her the money, and not given it to her. + +Pauline was rich, and she was a high-minded woman. Her generosity +may be estimated by her giving me her ring when she was in want, and +she certainly never counted on my purse, though she may have felt +sure that I would not abandon her. I am sure she believed me to be +very rich, and my conduct was certainly calculated to favour that +idea. + +The day and even the night passed sadly. The next day Pauline +addressed me as follows: + +"We must part, dear friend, and try to forget one another, for my +honour obliges me to become the wife of the count as soon as I arrive +in Lisbon. The first fancy of my heart, which you have almost +effaced, will regain all its old force when I see you no longer, and +I am sure I shall love my husband, for he is a goodhearted, honest, +and pleasant young man; that much I know from the few days we lived +together. + +"Now I have a favour to ask of you, which I am sure you will grant. +Promise me never to come to Lisbon without my permission. I hope you +will not seek to know my reasons; you would not, I am sure, come to +trouble my peace, for if I sinned I should be unhappy, and you would +not desire that for me. I have dreamed we have lived together as man +and wife, and now we are parted I shall fancy myself a widow about to +undertake another marriage." + +I burst into tears, and pressing her to my breast promised I would do +as she wished. + +Pauline wrote to her aunt and Oeiras that she would be in Lisbon in +October, and that they should have further news of her when she +reached Spain. She had plenty of money, and bought a carriage and +engaged a maid, and these arrangements took up her time during the +last week she spent with me. I made her promise me to let Clairmont +accompany her as far as Madrid. She was to send me back my faithful +servant when she reached the Spanish capital, but fate had decreed +that I should see his face no more. + +The last few days were spent partly in sorrow and partly in delight. +We looked at each other without speaking, and spoke without knowing +what we said. We forgot to eat, and went to bed hoping that love and +anguish would keep us awake, but our exhausted bodies fell into a +heavy sleep, and when we awoke we could only sigh and kiss again. + +Pauline allowed me to escort her as far as Calais, and we started on +the 10th of August, only stopping at Dover to embark the carriage on +the packet, and four hours afterwards we disembarked at Calais, and +Pauline, considering her widowhood had begun, begged me to sleep in +another room. She started on the 12th of August, preceded by my poor +Clairmont, and resolved only to travel by daytime. + +The analogy between my parting with Pauline and my parting with +Henriette fifteen years before, was exceedingly striking; the two +women were of very similar character, and both were equally +beautiful, though their beauty was of a different kind. Thus I fell +as madly in love with the second as with the first, both being +equally intelligent. The fact that one had more talent and less +prejudices than the other must have been an effect of their different +educations. Pauline had the fine pride of her nation, her mind was a +serious cast, and her religion was more an affair of the heart than +the understanding. She was also a far more ardent mistress than +Henriette. I was successful with both of them because I was rich; if +I had been a poor man I should never have known either of them. I +have half forgotten them, as everything is forgotten in time, but +when I recall them to my memory I find that Henriette made the +profounder impression on me, no doubt because I was twenty-five when +I knew her, while I was thirty-seven in London. + +The older I get the more I feel the destructive effects of old age; +and I regret bitterly that I could not discover the secret of +remaining young and happy for ever. Vain regrets! we must finish as +we began, helpless and devoid of sense. + +I went back to England the same day, and had a troublesome passage. +Nevertheless, I did not rest at Dover; and as soon as I got to London +I shut myself up with a truly English attack of the spleen, while I +thought of Pauline and strove to forget her. Jarbe put me to bed, +and in the morning, when he came into my room, he made me shudder +with a speech at which I laughed afterwards. + +"Sir," said he, "the old woman wants to know whether she is to put up +the notice again." + +"The old hag! Does she want me to choke her?" + +"Good heavens-no, sir! She is very fond of you, seeing you seemed so +sad, she thought . . . ." + +"Go and tell her never to think such things again, and as for you . +. . ." + +"I will do as you wish, sir." + +"Then leave me." + + + + +End of this Project Gutenberg Etext of MEMOIRES OF JACQUES CASANOVA +IN LONDON AND MOSCOW, Vol. 5b, TO LONDON +by Jacques Casanova de Seingalt diff --git a/old/jclon10.zip b/old/jclon10.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..445b099 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/jclon10.zip diff --git a/old/jclon11.txt b/old/jclon11.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..279fc3c --- /dev/null +++ b/old/jclon11.txt @@ -0,0 +1,6002 @@ +The Project Gutenberg Etext of To London, by Jacques Casanova +#22 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> + + + + + +MEMOIRS OF JACQUES CASANOVA de SEINGALT 1725-1798 +IN LONDON AND MOSCOW, Volume 5b--TO LONDON + + + +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. + + + + +TO LONDON + + + +CHAPTER V + +I Meet the Venetian Ambassadors at Lyons, and also Marcoline's Uncle +--I Part from Marcoline and Set Out for Paris--An Amorous Journey + + +Thus freed from the cares which the dreadful slanders of Possano had +caused me, I gave myself up to the enjoyment of my fair Venetian, +doing all in my power to increase her happiness, as if I had had a +premonition that we should soon be separated from one another. + +The day after the supper I gave to Madame Pernon and M. Bono, we went +to the theatre together, and in the box opposite to us I saw M. +Querini, the procurator, Morosini, M. Memmo, and Count Stratico, a +Professor of the University of Padua. I knew all these gentlemen; +they had been in London, and were passing through Lyons on their +return to Venice. + +"Farewell, fair Marcoline!" I said to myself, feeling quite broken- +hearted, but I remained calm, and said nothing to her. She did not +notice them as she was absorbed in her conversation with M. Bono, and +besides, she did not know them by sight. I saw that M. Memmo had +seen me and was telling the procurator of my presence, and as I knew +the latter very well I felt bound to pay them my respects then and +there. + +Querini received me very politely for a devotee, as also did +Morosini, while Memmo seemed moved; but no doubt he remembered that +it was chiefly due to his mother that I had been imprisoned eight +years ago. I congratulated the gentlemen on their embassy to +England, on their return to their native land, and for form's sake +commended myself to their good offices to enable me to return also. +M. Morosini, noticing the richness of my dress and my general +appearance of prosperity, said that while I had to stay away he had +to return, and that he considered me the luckier man. + +"Your excellency is well aware," said I, "that nothing is sweeter +than forbidden fruit." + +He smiled, and asked me whither I went and whence I came. + +"I come from Rome," I answered, "where I had some converse with the +Holy Father, whom I knew before, and I am going through Paris on my +way to London. + +"Call on me here, if you have time, I have a little commission to +give you." + +"I shall always have time to serve your excellency in. Are you +stopping here for long?" + +"Three or four days." + +When I 'got back to my box Marcoline asked me who were the gentlemen +to whom I had been speaking. I answered coolly and indifferently, +but watching her as I spoke, that they were the Venetian ambassadors +on their way from London. The flush of her cheek died away and was +replaced by pallor; she raised her eyes to heaven, lowered them, and +said not a word. My heart was broken. A few minutes afterwards she +asked me which was M. Querini, and after I had pointed him out to her +she watched him furtively for the rest of the evening. + +The curtain fell, we left our box, and at the door of the theatre we +found the ambassadors waiting for their carriage. Mine was in the +same line as theirs. The ambassador Querini said,-- + +"You have a very pretty young lady with you." + +Marcoline stepped forward, seized his hand, and kissed it before I +could answer. + +Querini, who was greatly astonished, thanked her and said,-- + +"What have I done to deserve this honour?" + +"Because," said Marcoline, speaking in the Venetian dialect, "I have +the honour of knowing his excellency M. Querini." + +"What are you doing with M. Casanova?" + +"He is my uncle." + +My carriage came up. I made a profound bow to the ambassadors, and +called out to the coachman, "To the 'Hotel du Parc'." It was the +best hotel in Lyons, and I was not sorry for the Venetians to hear +where I was staying. + +Marcoline was in despair, for she saw that the time for parting was +near at hand. + +"We have three or four days before us," said I, "in which we can +contrive how to communicate with your uncle Mattio. I must commend +you highly for kissing M. Querini's hand. That was a masterstroke +indeed. All will go off well; but I hope you will be merry, for +sadness I abhor." + +We were still at table when I heard the voice of M. Memmo in the +ante-chamber; he was a young man, intelligent and good-natured. I +warned Marcoline not to say a word about our private affairs, but to +display a moderate gaiety. The servant announced the young nobleman, +and we rose to welcome him; but he made us sit down again, and sat +beside us, and drank a glass of wine with the utmost cordiality. He +told me how he had been supping with the old devotee Querini, who had +had his hand kissed by a young and fair Venetian. The ambassadors +were much amused at the circumstance, and Querini himself, in spite +of his scrupulous conscience, was greatly flattered. + +"May I ask you, mademoiselle," he added, "how you came to know M. +Querini?" + +"It's a mystery, sir." + +"A mystery, is it? What fun we shall have tomorrow! I have come," +he said, addressing himself to me, "to ask you to dine with us to- +morrow, and you must bring your charming niece." + +"Would you like to go, Marcoline?" + +"'Con grandissimo piacere'! We shall speak Venetian, shall we not?" + +"Certainly." + +"'E viva'! I cannot learn French." + +"M. Querini is in the same position," said M. Memmo. + +After half an hour's agreeable conversation he left us, and Marcoline +embraced me with delight at having made such a good impression on +these gentlemen. + +"Put on your best dress to-morrow," said I, "and do not forget your +jewels. Be agreeable to everybody, but pretend not to see your Uncle +Mattio, who will be sure to wait at table." + +"You may be sure I shall follow your advice to the letter." + +"And I mean to make the recognition a scene worthy of the drama. I +intend that you shall be taken back to Venice by M. Querini himself, +while your uncle will take care of you by his special orders." + +"I shall be delighted with this arrangement, provided it succeeds." + +"You may trust to me for that." + +At nine o'clock the next day I called on Morosini concerning the +commissions he had for me. He gave me a little box and a letter for +Lady Harrington, and another letter with the words,-- + +"The Procurator Morosini is very sorry not to have been able to take +a last leave of Mdlle. Charpillon." + +"Where shall I find her?" + +"I really don't know. If you find her, give her the letter; if not, +it doesn't matter. That's a dazzling beauty you have with you, +Casanova." + +"Well, she has dazzled me." + +"But how did she know Querini?" + +"She has seen him at Venice, but she has never spoken to him." + +"I thought so; we have been laughing over it, but Querini is hugely +pleased. But how did you get hold of her? She must be very young, +as Memmo says she cannot speak French." + +"It would be a long story to tell, and after all we met through a +mere chance." + +"She is not your niece." + +"Nay, she is more--she is my queen." + +"You will have to teach her French, as when you get to London." + +"I am not going to take her there; she wants to return to Venice." + +"I pity you if you are in love with her! I hope she will dine with +us?" + +"Oh, yes! she is delighted with the honour." + +"And we are delighted to have our poor repast animated by such a +charming person." + +"You will find her worthy of your company; she is full of wit." + +When I got back to the inn I told Marcoline that if anything was said +at dinner about her return to Venice, she was to reply that no one +could make her return except M. Querini, but that if she could have +his protection she would gladly go back with him. + +"I will draw you out of the difficulty," said I; and she promised to +carry out my instructions. + +Marcoline followed my advice with regard to her toilette, and looked +brilliant in all respects; and I, wishing to shine in the eyes of the +proud Venetian nobles, had dressed myself with the utmost richness. +I wore a suit of grey velvet, trimmed with gold and silver lace; my +point lace shirt was worth at least fifty louis; and my diamonds, my +watches, my chains, my sword of the finest English steel, my snuff- +box set with brilliants, my cross set with diamonds, my buckles set +with the same stones, were altogether worth more than fifty thousand +crowns. This ostentation, though puerile in itself, yet had a +purpose, for I wished M. de Bragadin to know that I did not cut a bad +figure in the world; and I wished the proud magistrates who had made +me quit my native land to learn that I had lost nothing, and could +laugh at their severity. + +In this gorgeous style we drove to the ambassador's dinner at half- +past one. + +All present were Venetians, and they welcomed Marcoline +enthusiastically. She who was born with the instinct of good manners +behaved with the grace of a nymph and the dignity of a French +princess; and as soon as she was seated between two grave and +reverend signors, she began by saying that she was delighted to find +herself the only representative of her sex in this distinguished +company, and also that there were no Frenchmen present. + +"Then you don't like the French," said M. Memmo. + +"I like them well enough so far as I know them, but I am only +acquainted with their exterior, as I don't speak or understand the +language." + +After this everybody knew how to take her, and the gaiety became +general. + +She answered all questions to the point, and entertained the company +with her remarks on French manners, so different to Venetian customs. + +In the course of dinner M. Querini asked how she had known him, and +she replied that she had often seen him at Divine service, whereat +the devotee seemed greatly flattered. M. Morosini, pretending not to +know that she was to return to Venice, told her that unless she made +haste to acquire French, the universal language, she would find +London very tedious, as the Italian language was very little known +there. + +"I hope," she replied, "that M. de Seingalt will not bring me into +the society of people with whom I cannot exchange ideas. I know I +shall never be able to learn French." + +When we had left the table the ambassadors begged me to tell the +story of my escape from The Leads, and I was glad to oblige them. +My story lasted for two whole hours; and as it was noticed that +Marcoline's eyes became wet with tears when I came to speak of my +great danger. She was rallied upon the circumstance, and told that +nieces were not usually so emotional. + +"That may be, gentlemen," she replied, "though I do not see why a +niece should not love her uncle. But I have never loved anyone else +but the hero of the tale, and I cannot see what difference there can +be between one kind of love and another." + +"There are five kinds of love known to man," said M. Querini. "The +love of one's neighbour, the love of God, which is beyond compare, +the highest of all, love matrimonial, the love of house and home, and +the love of self, which ought to come last of all, though many place +it in the first rank." + +The nobleman commented briefly on these diverse kinds of love, but +when he came to the love of God he began to soar, and I was greatly +astonished to see Marcoline shedding tears, which she wiped away +hastily as if to hide them from the sight of the worthy old man whom +wine had made more theological than usual. Feigning to be +enthusiastic, Marcoline took his hand and kissed it, while he in his +vain exaltation drew her towards him and kissed her on the brow, +saying, "Poveretta, you are an angel!" + +At this incident, in which there was more love of our neighbour than +love of God, we all bit our lips to prevent ourselves bursting out +laughing, and the sly little puss pretended to be extremely moved. + +I never knew Marcoline's capacities till then, for she confessed that +her emotion was wholly fictitious, and designed to win the old man's +good graces; and that if she had followed her own inclinations she +would have laughed heartily. She was designed to act a part either +upon the stage or on a throne. Chance had ordained that she should +be born of the people, and her education had been neglected; but if +she had been properly tutored she would have been fit for anything. + +Before returning home we were warmly invited to dinner the next day. + +As we wanted to be together, we did not go to the theatre that day +and when we got home I did not wait for Marcoline to undress to cover +her with kisses. + +"Dear heart," said I, "you have not shewn me all your perfections +till now, when we are about to part; you make me regret you are going +back to Venice. Today you won all hearts." + +"Keep me then, with you, and I will ever be as I have been to-day. +By the way, did you see my uncle?" + +"I think so. Was it not he who was in continual attendance?" + +"Yes. I recognized him by his ring. Did he look, at me?" + +"All the time, and with an air of the greatest astonishment. I +avoided catching his eye, which roved from you to me continually." + +"I should like to know what the good man thinks! You will see him +again to-morrow. I am sure he will have told M. Querini that, I am +his niece, and consequently not yours. + +"I expect so, too." + +"And if M. Querini says as much to me to-morrow, I, expect I shall +have to, admit the fact. What do you think?" + +"You must undoubtedly tell him the truth, but frankly and openly, and +so as not to let him think that you have need of him to return to +Venice. He is not your father, and has no right over your liberty." + +"Certainly not." + +"Very good. You must also agree that I am not your uncle, and that +the bond between us is, of the most tender description. Will, there +be any difficulty is that?" + +"How can you ask me such a question? The link between us makes me +feel proud, and will ever do so." + +"Well, well, I say no more. I trust entirely in your tact. Remember +that Querini and no other must take you back to Venice; he must treat +you as if you were his daughter. If he will not consent, you shall +not return at all." + +"Would to God it were so!" + +Early the next morning I got a note from M. Querini requesting me to +call on him, as he wanted to speak to me on a matter of importance. + +"We are getting on," said Marcoline. "I am very glad that things +have taken this turn, for when you come back you can tell me the +whole story, and I can regulate my conduct accordingly." + +I found Querini and Morosini together. They gave me their hands when +I came in, and Querini asked me to sit down, saying that there would +be nothing in our discussion which M. Morosini might not hear. + +"I have a confidence to make to you, M. Casanova," he began; "but +first I want you to do me the same favor." + +"I can have no secrets from your excellency." + +"I am obliged to you, and will try to deserve your good opinion. +I beg that you will tell me sincerely whether you know the young +person who is with you, for no one believes that she is your niece." + +"It is true that she is--not my niece, but not being acquainted with +her relations or family I cannot be said to know her in the sense +which your excellency gives to the word. Nevertheless, I am proud to +confess that I love her with an affection which will not end save +with my life." + +"I am delighted to hear you say so. How long have you had her?" + +"Nearly two months." + +"Very good! How did she fall into your hands?" + +"That is a point which only concerns her, and you will allow me not +to answer that question." + +"Good! we will go on. Though you are in love with her, it is very +possible that you have never made any enquiries respecting her +family." + +"She has told me that she has a father and a mother, poor but honest, +but I confess I have never been curious enough to enquire her name. +I only know her baptismal name, which is possibly not her true one, +but it does quite well for me." + +"She has given you her true name." + +"Your excellency surprises me! You know her, then?" + +"Yes; I did not know her yesterday, but I do now. Two months . . . +Marcoline . . . yes, it must be she. I am now certain that my man +is not mad." + +"Your man?" + +"Yes, she is his niece. When we were at London he heard that she had +left the paternal roof about the middle of Lent. Marcoline's mother, +who is his sister, wrote to him. He was afraid to speak to her +yesterday, because she looked so grand. He even thought he must be +mistaken, and he would have been afraid of offending me by speaking +to a grand lady at my table. She must have seen him, too." + +"I don't think so, she has said nothing about it to me." + +"It is true that he was standing behind her all the time. But let us +come to the point. Is Marcoline your wife, or have you any intention +of marrying her?" + +"I love her as tenderly as any man can love a woman, but I cannot +make her a wife; the reasons are known only to herself and me." + +"I respect your secret; but tell me if you would object to my begging +her to return to Venice with her uncle?" + +"I think Marcoline is happy, but if she has succeeded in gaining the +favour of your excellency, she is happier still; and I feel sure that +if she were to go back to Venice under the exalted patronage of your +excellency, she would efface all stains on her reputation. As to +permitting her to go, I can put no stumblingblock in the way, for I +am not her master. As her lover I would defend her to the last drop +of my blood, but if she wants to leave me I can only assent, though +with sorrow." + +"You speak with much sense, and I hope you will not be displeased at +my undertaking this good work. Of course I shall do nothing without +your consent." + +"I respect the decrees of fate when they are promulgated by such a +man as you. If your excellency can induce Marcoline to leave me, I +will make no objection; but I warn you that she must be won mildly. +She is intelligent, she loves me, and she knows that she is +independent; besides she reckons on me, and she has cause to do so. +Speak to her to-day by herself; my presence would only be in your +way. Wait till dinner is over; the interview might last some time." + +"My dear Casanova, you are an honest man. I am delighted to have +made your acquaintance." + +"You do me too much honour. I may say that Marcoline will hear +nothing of all this." + +When I got back to the inn, I gave Marcoline an exact account of the +whole conversation, warning her that she would be supposed to know +nothing about it. + +"You must execute a masterly stroke, dearest," said I, "to persuade +M. Querini that I did not lie in saying that you had not seen your +uncle. As soon as you see him, you must give a shout of surprise, +exclaim, 'My dear uncle!' and rush to his arms. This would be a +splendid and dramatic situation, which would do you honour in the +eyes of all the company." + +"You may be sure that I shall play the part very well, although my +heart be sad." + +At the time appointed we waited on the ambassadors, and found that +all the other guests had assembled. Marcoline, as blithe and smiling +as before, first accosted M. Querini, and then did the polite to all +the company. A few minutes before dinner Mattio brought in his +master's spectacles on a silver tray. Marcoline, who was sitting +next to M. Querini, stopped short in something she was saying, and +staring at the man, exclaimed in a questioning voice,-- + +"My uncle?" + +"Yes, my dear niece." + +Marcoline flung herself into his arms, and there was a moving scene, +which excited the admiration of all. + +"I knew you had left Venice, dear uncle, but I did not know you were +in his excellency's service. I am so glad to see you again! You +will tell my father and mother about me? You see I am happy. Where +were you yesterday?" + +"Here." + +"And you didn't see me?" + +"Yes; but your uncle there . . ." + +"Well," said I, laughing, "let us know each other, cousin, and be +good friends. Marcoline, I congratulate you on having such an honest +man for an uncle." + +"That is really very fine," said M. Querini; and everybody +exclaimed, "Very affecting, very affecting indeed!" + +The newly-found uncle departed, and we sat down to dinner, but in +spirits which differed from those of yesterday. Marcoline bore +traces of those mingled emotions of happiness and regret which move +loyal hearts when they call to mind ther native land. M. Querini +looked at her admiringly, and seemed to have all the confidence of +success which a good action gives to the mind. M. Morosini sat a +pleased spectator. The others were attentive and curious as to what +would come next. They listened to what was said, and hung on +Marcoline's lips. + +After the first course there was greater unison in the company, and +M. Morosini told Marcoline that if she would return to Venice she +would be sure of finding a husband worthy of her. + +"I must be the judge of that," said she. + +"Yes, but it is a good thing to have recourse to the advice of +discreet persons who are interested in the happiness of both +parties." + +"Excuse me, but I do not think so. If I ever marry, my husband will +have to please me first." + +"Who has taught you this maxim?" said Querini. + +"My uncle, Casanova, who has, I verily believe, taught me everything +that can be learnt in the two months I have been happy enough to live +with him." + +"I congratulate the master and the pupil, but you are both too young +to have learnt all the range of science. Moral science cannot be +learnt in two months." + +"What his excellency has just said," said I, turning to Marcoline, +"is perfectly correct. In affairs of marriage both parties should +rely to a great extent on the advice of friends, for mere marriages +of inclination are often unhappy." + +"That is a really philosophical remark, my dear Marcoline," said +Querini; "but tell me the qualities which in your opinion are +desirable in a husband." + +"I should be puzzled to name them, but they would all become manifest +in the man that pleased me." + +"And supposing he were a worthless fellow?" + +"He would certainly not please me, and that's the reason why I have +made up my mind never to marry a man whom I have not studied." + +"Supposing you made a mistake?" + +"Then I would weep in secret." + +"How if you were poor?" + +"She need never fear poverty, my lord," said I. "She has an income +of fifty crowns a month for the remainder of her life." + +"Oh, that's a different matter. If that is so, sweetheart, you are +privileged. You will be able to live at Venice in perfect +independence." + +"I think that to live honourably there I only need the protection of +a lord like your excellency." + +"As to that, Marcoline, I give you my word that I will do all in my +power for you if you come to Venice. But let me ask you one +question, how are you sure of your income of fifty crowns a month? +You are laughing." + +"I laugh because I am such a silly little thing. I don't have any +heed for my own business. My friend there will tell you all about +it." + +"You have not been joking, have you?" said the worthy old man to me. + +"Marcoline," said I, "has not only capital which will produce a +larger sum than that which I have named, but she has also valuable +possessions. Your excellency will note her wisdom in saying that she +would need your lordship's protection at Venice, for she will require +someone to look after the investment of her capital. The whole +amount is in my hands, and if she likes Marcoline can have it all in +less than two hours." + +"Very good; then you must start for Venice the day after to-morrow. +Mattio is quite ready to receive you." + +"I have the greatest respect and love for my uncle, but it is not to +his care that your excellency must commend me if I resolve to go." + +"Then to whom?" + +"To your own care, my lord. Your excellency has called me dear +daughter two or three times, lead me, then, to Venice, like a good +father, and I will come willingly; otherwise I protest I will not +leave the man to whom I owe all I have. I will start for London with +him the day after to-morrow." + +At these words which delighted me silence fell on all. They waited +for M. Querini to speak, and the general opinion seemed to be that he +had gone too far to be able to draw back. Nevertheless, the old man +kept silence; perhaps in his character of devotee he was afraid of +being led into temptation, or of giving occasion to scandal, and the +other guests were silent like him, and ate to keep each other in +countenance. Mattio's hand trembled as he waited; Marcoline alone +was calm and collected. Dessert was served, and still no one dared +to say a word. All at once this wonderful girl said, in an inspired +voice, as if speaking to herself,-- + +"We must adore the decrees of Divine Providence, but after the issue, +since mortals are not able to discern the future, whether it be good +or whether it be evil." + +"What does that reflection relate to, my dear daughter?" said M. +Querini, "and why do you kiss my hand now?" + +"I kiss your hand because you have called me your dear daughter for +the fourth time." + +This judicious remark elicited a smile of approval from all, and +restored the general gaiety; but M. Querini asked Marcoline to +explain her observation on Providence. + +"It was an inspiration, and the result of self-examination. I am +well; I have learned something of life; I am only seventeen, and in +the course of two months I have become rich by honest means. I am +all happy, and yet I owe my happiness to the greatest error a maiden +can commit. Thus I humble myself before the decrees, of Providence +and adore its wisdom." + +"You are right, but, none the less you ought to repent of what you +have done." + +"That's where I am puzzled; for before I can repent; I must think of +it, and when I think of it I find nothing for which to repent. I +suppose I shall have to consult some great theologian on the point." + +"That will not be necessary; you are, intelligent, and your heart is +good, and I will give you the necessary instruction on the way. When +one repents there is no need to think of the pleasure which our sins +have given us." + +In his character of apostle the good M. Querini was becoming piously +amorous of his fair proselyte. He left the table for a few moments, +and when he returned he, told Marcoline that if he had a young lady +to take to, Venice he should be obliged to leave her in the care of +his housekeeper, Dame Veneranda, in whom he had every confidence. + +"I have just been speaking to her; and if you would like to come, all +is arranged. You shall sleep with her, and dine with us till we get +to Venice, and then I will deliver, you into your mother's keeping, +in the presence of your uncle. What do you say?" + +"I will come with pleasure:" + +"Come and see Dame Veneranda." + +"Willingly." + +"Come with us, Casanova." + +Dame Veneranda looked a perfect cannoness, and I did not think that +Marcoline would fall, in love with her, but she seemed sensible and +trustworthy. M. Querini told her in our presence what he had just +told Marcoline, and the duenna assured him that she would take, the +utmost care of the young lady. Marcoline kissed her and called her +mother, thus gaining the old lady's, good graces. We rejoined, the +company, who expressed to Marcoline their intense pleasure at having +her for a companion on their journey. + +"I shall have to put my steward in another carriage," said +M. Querini, "as the calash only holds two." + +"That will not be necessary," I remarked, "for Marcoline has her +carriage, and Mistress Veneranda will find it a very comfortable one. +It will hold her luggage as well." + +"You, want to give me your carriage," said Marcoline. "You are too +good to me" + +I could made no reply, my emotion was so great. I turned aside and +wiped, away my tears. Returning to the company, I found that +Marcoline had vanished and M. Morosini, who, was also much affected +told me she had gome, to speak to Mistress Veneranda. Everybody was +melancholy, and seeing that I was the cause I began to talk about +England, where I hoped to make my fortune with a project of mine, the +success of which only depended on Lord Egremont. M. de Morosini said +he would give me a letter for Lord Egremont and another for +M. Zuccata, the Venetian ambassador. + +"Are you not afraid," said M. Querini, "of getting into, trouble with +the State Inquisitors for recommending M. Casanova?" + +Morosini replied coldly that as the Inquisitors had, not told him for +what crime I was condemned, he did not feel himself bound to share +their judgment. Old Querini, who was extremely particular, shook his +head and said nothing. + +Just then Marcoline came back to the room, and everybody could see +that she had been weeping. I confess that this mark of her affection +was as pleasing to my vanity as to my love; but such is man, and +such, doubtless, is the reader who may be censuring my conduct. +This charming girl, who still, after all these years, dwells in my +old heart, asked me to take her back to the inn, as she wanted to +pack up her trunks. We left directly, after having promised to come +to dinner on the following day. + +I wept bitterly when I got to my room. I told Clairmont to see that +the carriage was in good order, and then, hastily undressing, I flung +myself on the bed in my dressing-gown, and wept as if some blessing +was being taken from me against my will. Marcoline, who was much +more sensible, did what she could to console me, but I liked to +torment myself, and her words did but increase my despair. + +"Reflect," said she, "that it is not I who am leaving you, but you +who are sending me away; that I long to spend the rest of my days +with you, and that you have only got to say a word to keep me." + +I knew that she was right; but still a fatal fear which has always +swayed me, the fear of being bound to anyone, and the hypocrisy of a +libertine ever longing for change, both these feelings made me +persist in my resolution and my sadness. + +About six o'clock MM. Morosini and Querini came into the courtyard +and looked at the carriage, which was being inspected by the +wheelwright. They spoke to Clairmont, and then came to see us. + +"Good heavens!" said M. Querini, seeing the numerous boxes which she +was going to place on her carriage; and when he had heard that her +carriage was the one he had just looked at, he seemed surprised; it +was indeed a very good vehicle. + +M. Morosini told Marcoline that if she liked to sell it when she got +to Venice he would give her a thousand Venetian ducats, or three +thousand francs for it. + +"You might give her double that amount," said I, "for it is worth +three thousand ducats." + +"We will arrange all that," said he; and Querini added,-- + +"It will be a considerable addition to the capital she proposes to +invest." + +After some agreeable conversation I told M. Querini that I would give +him a bill of exchange for five thousand ducats, which, with the +three or four thousand ducats the sale of her jewellery would +realize, and the thousand for the carriage, would give her a capital +of nine or ten thousand ducats, the interest of which would bring her +in a handsome income. + +Next morning I got M. Bono to give me a bill of exchange on M. +Querini's order, and at dinner-time Marcoline handed it over to her +new protector, who wrote her a formal receipt. M. Morosini gave me +the letters he had promised, and their departure was fixed for eleven +o'clock the next day. The reader may imagine that our dinner-party +was not over gay. Marcoline was depressed, I as gloomy as a +splenetic Englishman, and between us we made the feast more like a +funeral than a meeting of friends. + +I will not attempt to describe the night I passed with my charmer. +She asked me again and again how I could be my own executioner; but I +could not answer, for I did not know. But how often have I done +things which caused me pain, but to which I was impelled by some +occult force it was my whim not to resist. + +In the morning, when I had put on my boots and spurs, and told +Clairmont not to be uneasy if I did not return that night, Marcoline +and I drove to the ambassadors' residence. We breakfasted together, +silently enough, for Marcoline had tears in her eyes, and everyone +knowing my noble conduct towards her respected her natural grief. +After breakfast we set out, I sitting in the forepart of the +carriage, facing Marcoline and Dame Veneranda, who would have made me +laugh under any other circumstances, her astonishment at finding +herself in a more gorgeous carriage than the ambassador's was so +great. She expatiated on the elegance and comfort of the equipage, +and amused us by saying that her master was quite right in saying +that the people would take her for the ambassadress. But in spite of +this piece of comedy, Marcoline and I were sad all the way. M. +Querini, who did not like night travelling, made us stop at Pont- +Boivoisin, at nine o'clock, and after a bad supper everyone went to +bed to be ready to start at daybreak. Marcoline was to sleep with +Veneranda, so I accompanied her, and the worthy old woman went to bed +without any ceremony, lying so close to the wall that there was room +for two more; but after Marcoline had got into bed I sat down on a +chair, and placing my head beside hers on the pillow we mingled our +sobs and tears all night. + +When Veneranda, who had slept soundly, awoke, she was much astonished +to see me still in the same position. She was a great devotee, but +women's piety easily gives place to pity, and she had moved to the +furthest extremity of the bed with the intention of giving me another +night of love. But my melancholy prevented my profiting by her +kindness. + +I had ordered a saddle horse to be ready for me in the morning. We +took a hasty cup of coffee and bade each other mutual farewells. I +placed Marcoline in the carriage, gave her a last embrace, and waited +for the crack of the postillion's whip to gallop back to Lyons. I +tore along like a madman, for I felt as if I should like to send the +horse to the ground and kill myself. But death never comes to him +that desires it, save in the fable of the worthy Lafontaine. In six +hours I had accomplished the eighteen leagues between Pont-Boivoisin +and Lyons, only stopping to change horses. I tore off my clothes and +threw myself on the bed, where thirty hours before I had enjoyed all +the delights of love. I hoped that the bliss I had lost would return +to me in my dreams. However, I slept profoundly, and did not wake +till eight o'clock. I had been asleep about nineteen hours. + +I rang for Clairmont, and told him to bring up my breakfast, which I +devoured eagerly. When my stomach was restored in this manner I fell +asleep again, and did not get up till the next morning, feeling quite +well, and as if I could support life a little longer. + +Three days after Marcoline's departure I bought a comfortable two- +wheeled carriage with patent springs, and sent my trunks to Paris by +the diligence. I kept a portmanteau containing the merest +necessaries, for I meant to travel in a dressing-gown and night-cap, +and keep to myself all the way to Paris. I intended this as a sort +of homage to Marcoline, but I reckoned without my host. + +I was putting my jewellery together in a casket when Clairmont +announced a tradesman and his daughter, a pretty girl whom I had +remarked at dinner, for since the departure of my fair Venetian I had +dined at the table-d'hote by way of distraction. + +I shut up my jewels and asked them to come in, and the father +addressed me politely, saying,-- + +"Sir, I have come to ask you to do me a favour which will cost you +but little, while it will be of immense service to my daughter and +myself." + +"What can I do for you? I am leaving Lyons at day-break to-morrow." + +"I know it, for you said so at dinner; but we shall be ready at any +hour. Be kind enough to give my daughter a seat in your carriage. I +will, of course, pay for a third horse, and will ride post." + +"You cannot have seen the carriage." + +"Excuse me, I have done so. It is, I know, only meant for one, but +she could easily squeeze into it. I know I am troubling you, but if +you were aware of the convenience it would be to me I am sure you +would not refuse. All the places in the diligence are taken up to +next week, and if I don't get to Paris in six days I might as well +stay away altogether. If I were a rich man I would post, but that +would cost four hundred francs, and I cannot afford to spend so much. +The only course open to me is to leave by the diligence tomorrow, and +to have myself and my daughter bound to the roof. You see, sir, the +idea makes her weep, and I don't like it much better myself." + +I looked attentively at the girl, and found her too pretty for me to +keep within bounds if I travelled alone with her. I was sad, and the +torment I had endured in parting from Marcoline had made me resolve +to avoid all occasions which might have similar results. I thought +this resolve necessary for my peace of mind. + +"This girl," I said to myself, "may be so charming that I should fall +in love with her if I yield to the father's request, and I do not +wish for any such result." + +I turned to the father and said,-- + +"I sympathize with you sincerely; but I really don't see what I can +do for you without causing myself the greatest inconvenience." + +"Perhaps you think that I shall not be able to ride so many posts in +succession, but you needn't be afraid on that score:" + +"The horse might give in; you might have a fall, and I know that I +should feel obliged to stop, and I am in a hurry. If that reason +does not strike you as a cogent one, I am sorry, for to me it appears +unanswerable." + +"Let us run the risk, sir, at all events." + +"There is a still greater risk of which I can tell you nothing. In +brief, sir, you ask what is impossible." + +"In Heaven's name, sir," said the girl, with a voice and a look that +would have pierced a heart of stone, "rescue me from that dreadful +journey on the roof of the diligence! The very idea makes me +shudder; I should be afraid of falling off all the way; besides, +there is something mean in travelling that way. Do but grant me this +favour, and I will sit at your feet so as not to discomfort you." + +"This is too much! You do not know me, mademoiselle. I am neither +cruel nor impolite, especially where your sex is concerned, though my +refusal must make you feel otherwise. If I give way you may regret +it afterwards, and I do not wish that to happen." Then, turning to +the father, I said,-- + +"A post-chaise costs six Louis. Here they are; take them. I will +put off my departure for a few hours, if necessary, to answer for the +chaise, supposing you are not known here, and an extra horse will +cost four Louis take them. As to the rest, you would have spent as +much in taking two places in the diligence." + +"You are very kind, sir, but I cannot accept your gift. I am not +worthy of it, and I should be still less worthy if I accepted the +money. Adele, let us go. Forgive us, sir, if we have wasted half an +hour of your time. Come, my poor child." + +"Wait a moment, father." + +Adele begged him to wait, as her sobs almost choked her. I was +furious with everything, but having received one look from her +beautiful eyes I could not withstand her sorrow any longer, and said, + +"Calm yourself, mademoiselle. It shall never be said that I remained +unmoved while beauty wept. I yield to your request, for if I did not +I should not be able to sleep all night. But I accede on one +condition," I added, turning to her father, "and that is that you sit +at the back of the carriage." + +"Certainly; but what is to become of your servant?" + +"He will ride on in front. Everything is settled. Go to bed now, +and be ready to start at six o'clock." + +"Certainly, but you will allow me to pay for the extra horse?" + +"You shall pay nothing at all; it would be a shame if I received any +money from you. You have told me you are poor, and poverty is no +dishonour; well, I may tell you that I am rich, and riches are no +honour save when they are used in doing good. Therefore, as I said, +I will pay for all." + +"Very good, but I will pay for the extra horse in the carriage." + +"Certainly not, and let us have no bargaining, please; it is time to +go to bed. I will put you down at Paris without the journey costing +you a farthing, and then if you like you may thank me; these are the +only conditions on which I will take you. Look! Mdlle. Adele is +laughing, that's reward enough for me." + +"I am laughing for joy at having escaped that dreadful diligence +roof." + +"I see, but I hope you will not weep in my carriage, for all sadness +is an abomination to me." + +I went, to bed, resolved to struggle against my fate no longer. I +saw that I could not withstand the tempting charms of this new +beauty, and I determined that everything should be over in a couple +of days. Adele had beautiful blue eyes, a complexion wherein were +mingled the lily and the rose, a small mouth, excellent teeth, a +figure still slender but full of promise; here, surely, were enough +motives for a fresh fall. I fell asleep, thanking my good genius for +thus providing me with amusement on the journey. + +Just before we started the father came and asked if it was all the +same to me whether we went by Burgundy or the Bourbonnais. + +"Certainly. Do you prefer any particular route?" + +"If I went through Nevers I might be able to collect a small +account." + +"Then we will go by the Bourbonnais." + +Directly after Adele, simply but neatly dressed, came down and wished +me good day, telling me that her father was going to put a small +trunk containing their belongings at the back of the carriage. +Seeing me busy, she asked if she could help me in any way. + +"No," I replied, "you had better take a seat," + +She did so, but in a timid manner, which annoyed me, because it +seemed to express that she was a dependent of mine. I told her so +gently, and made her take some coffee with me, and her shyness soon +wore off. + +We were just stepping into the carriage when a man came and told me +that the lamps were out of repair and would come off if something +were not done to them. He offered to put them into good repair in +the course of an hour. I was in a terrible rage, and called +Clairmont and began to scold him, but he said that the lamps were all +right a short while ago, and that the man must have put them out of +order that he might have the task of repairing them. + +He had hit it off exactly. I had heard of the trick before, and I +called out to the man; and on his answering me rather impudently, I +began to kick him, with my pistol in my hand. He ran off swearing, +and the noise brought up the landlord and five or six of his people. +Everybody said I was in the right, but all the same I had to waste +two hours as it would not have been prudent to travel without lamps. + +Another lamp-maker was summoned; he looked at the damage, and laughed +at the rascally trick his fellow-tradesman had played me. + +"Can I imprison the rascal?" I said to the landlord. "I should like +to have the satisfaction of doing so, were it to cost me two Louis." + +"Two Louis! Your honour shall be attended to in a moment." + +I was in a dreadful rage, and did not notice Adele, who was quite +afraid of me. A police official came up to take my information, and +examine witnesses, and to draw up the case. + +"How much is your time worth, sir?" he asked me. + +"Five louis." + +With these words I slid two louis into his hand, and he immediately +wrote down a fine of twenty louis against the lamp-maker, and then +went his way, saying,-- + +"Your man will be in prison in the next ten minutes." I breathed +again at the prospect of vengeance. I then begged Mdlle. Adele's +pardon, who asked mine in her turn, not knowing how I had offended +her. This might have led to some affectionate passages, but her +father came in saying that the rascal was in prison, and that +everyone said I was right. + +"I am perfectly ready to swear that he did the damage," said he. + +"You saw him, did you?" + +"No, but that's of no consequence, as everybody is sure he did it." + +This piece of simplicity restored my good temper completely, and I +began to ask Moreau, as he called himself, several questions. He +told me he was a widower, that Adele was his only child, that he was +going to set up in business at Louviers, and so on. + +In the course of an hour the farce turned into a tragedy, in the +following manner. Two women, one of them with a baby at her breast, +and followed by four brats, all of whom might have been put under a +bushel measure, came before me, and falling on their knees made me +guess the reason of this pitiful sight. They were the wife, the +mother, and the children of the delinquent. + +My heart was soon moved with pity for them, for my vengeance had been +complete, and I did not harbour resentment; but the wife almost put +me in a fury again by saying that her husband was an innocent man, +and that they who had accused him were rascals. + +The mother, seeing the storm ready to burst, attacked me more +adroitly, admitting that her son might be guilty, but that he must +have been driven to it by misery, as he had got no bread wherewith to +feed his children. She added: + +"My good sir, take pity on us, for he is our only support. Do a good +deed and set him free, for he would stay in prison all his days +unless we sold our beds to pay you." + +"My worthy woman, I forgive him completely. Hand this document to +the police magistrate and all will be well." + +At the same time I gave her a louis and told her to go, not wishing +to be troubled with her thanks. A few moments after, the official +came to get my signature for the man's release, and I had to pay him +the legal costs. My lamps cost twelve francs to mend, and at nine +o'clock I started, having spent four or five louis for nothing. + +Adele was obliged to sit between my legs, but she was ill at ease. +I told her to sit further back, but as she would have had to lean on +me, I did not urge her; it would have been rather a dangerous +situation to begin with. Moreau sat at the back of the carriage, +Clairmont went on in front, and we were thus neck and neck, or rather +neck and back, the whole way. + +We got down to change horses, and as we were getting into the +carriage again Adele had to lift her leg, and shewed me a pair of +black breeches. I have always had a horror of women with breeches, +but above all of black breeches. + +"Sir," said I to her father, "your daughter has shewn me her black +breeches." + +"It's uncommonly lucky for her that she didn't shew you something +else." + +I liked the reply, but the cursed breeches had so offended me that I +became quite sulky. It seemed to me that such clothes were a kind of +rampart or outwork, very natural, no doubt, but I thought a young +girl should know nothing of the danger, or, at all events, pretend +ignorance if she did not possess it. As I could neither scold her +nor overcome my bad temper, I contented myself with being polite, but +I did not speak again till we got to St. Simphorien, unless it was to +ask her to sit more comfortably. + +When we got to St. Simphorien I told Clairmont to go on in front and +order us a good supper at Roanne, and to sleep there. When we were +about half-way Adele told me that she must be a trouble to me, as I +was not so gay as I had been. I assured her that it was not so, and +that I only kept silence that she might be able to rest. + +"You are very kind," she answered, "but it is quite a mistake for you +to think that you would disturb me by talking. Allow me to tell you +that you are concealing the real cause of your silence." + +"Do you know the real cause?" + +"Yes, I think I do." + +"Well, what is it?" + +"You have changed since you saw my breeches." + +"You are right, this black attire has clothed my soul with gloom." + +"I am very sorry, but you must allow that in the first place I was +not to suppose that you were going to see my breeches, and in the +second place that I could not be aware that the colour would be +distasteful to you." + +"True again, but as I chanced to see the articles you must forgive my +disgust. This black has filled my soul with funereal images, just as +white would have cheered me. Do you always wear those dreadful +breeches?" + +"I am wearing them for the first time to-day." + +"Then you must allow that you have committed an unbecoming action." + +"Unbecoming?" + +"Yes, what would you have said if I had come down in petticoats this +morning? You would have pronounced them unbecoming. You are +laughing." + +"Forgive me, but I never heard anything so amusing. But your +comparison will not stand; everyone would have seen your petticoats, +whereas no one has any business to see my breeches." + +I assented to her logic, delighted to find her capable of tearing my +sophism to pieces, but I still preserved silence. + +At Roanne we had a good enough supper, and Moreau, who knew very well +that if it had not been for his daughter there would have been no +free journey and free supper for him, was delighted when I told him +that she kept me good company. I told him about our discussion on +breeches, and he pronounced his daughter to be in the wrong, laughing +pleasantly. After supper I told him that he and his daughter were to +sleep in the room in which we were sitting, while I would pass the +night in a neighbouring closet. + +Just as we were starting the next morning, Clairmont told me that he +would go on in front, to see that our beds were ready, adding that as +we had lost one night it would not do much harm if we were to lose +another. + +This speech let me know that my faithful Clairmont began to feel the +need of rest, and his health was dear to me. I told him to stop at +St. Pierre le Mortier, and to take care that a good supper was ready +for us. When we were in the carriage again, Adele thanked me. + +"Then you don't like night travelling?" I said. + +"I shouldn't mind it if I were not afraid of going to sleep and +falling on you." + +"Why, I should like it. A pretty girl like you is an agreeable +burden." + +She made no reply, but I saw that she understood; my declaration was +made, but something more was wanted before I could rely on her +docility. I relapsed into silence again till we got to Varennes, and +then I said,-- + +"If I thought you could eat a roast fowl with as good an appetite as +mine, I would dine here." + +"Try me, I will endeavour to match you." + +We ate well and drank better, and by the time we started again we +were a little drunk. Adele, who was only accustomed to drink wine +two or three times a year, laughed at not being able to stand +upright, but seemed to be afraid that something would happen. I +comforted her by saying that the fumes of champagne soon evaporated; +but though she strove with all her might to keep awake, nature +conquered, and letting her pretty head fall on my breast she fell +asleep, and did not rouse herself for two hours. I treated her with +the greatest respect, though I could not resist ascertaining that the +article of clothing which had displeased me so much had entirely +disappeared. + +While she slept I enjoyed the pleasure of gazing on the swelling +curves of her budding breast, but I restrained my ardour, as the +disappearance of the black breeches assured me that I should find her +perfectly submissive whenever I chose to make the assault. I wished, +however, that she should give herself up to me of her own free will, +or at any rate come half-way to meet me, and I knew that I had only +to smooth the path to make her do so. + +When she awoke and found that she had been sleeping in my arms, her +astonishment was extreme. She apologized and begged me to forgive +her, while I thought the best way to put her at ease would be to give +her an affectionate kiss. The result was satisfactory; who does not +know the effect of a kiss given at the proper time? + +As her dress was in some disorder she tried to adjust it, but we were +rather pushed for space, and by an awkward movement she uncovered her +knee. I burst out laughing and she joined me, and had the presence +of mind to say: + +"I hope the black colour has given you no funereal thoughts this +time." + +"The hue of the rose, dear Adele, can only inspire me with delicious +fancies." + +I saw that she lowered her eyes, but in a manner that shewed she was +pleased. + +With this talk--and, so to speak, casting oil on the flames--we +reached Moulin, and got down for a few moments. A crowd of women +assailed us with knives and edged tools of all sorts, and I bought +the father and daughter whatever they fancied. We went on our way, +leaving the women quarrelling and fighting because some had sold +their wares and others had not. + +In the evening we reached St. Pierre; but during the four hours that +had elapsed since we left Moulin we had made way, and Adele had +become quite familiar with me. + +Thanks to Clairmont, who had arrived two hours before, an excellent +supper awaited us. We supped in a large room, where two great white +beds stood ready to receive us. + +I told Moreau that he and his daughter should sleep in one bed, and I +in the other; but he replied that I and Adele could each have a bed +to ourselves, as he wanted to start for Nevers directly after supper, +so as to be able to catch-his debtor at daybreak, and to rejoin us +when we got there the following day. + +"If you had told me before, we would have gone on to Nevers and slept +there." + +"You are too kind. I mean to ride the three and a half stages. The +riding will do me good, and I like it. I leave my daughter in your +care. She will not be so near you as in the carriage." + +"Oh, we will be very discreet, you may be sure!" + +After his departure I told Adele to go to bed in her clothes, if she +were afraid of me. + +"I shan't be offended," I added. + +"It would be very wrong of me," she answered, "to give you such a +proof of my want of confidence." + +She rose, went out a moment, and when she came back she locked the +door, and as soon as she was ready to slip off her last article of +clothing came and kissed me. I happened to be writing at the time, +and as she had come up on tiptoe I was surprised, though in a very +agreeable manner. She fled to her bed, saying saucily, + +"You are frightened of me, I think?" + +"You are wrong, but you surprised me. Come back, I want to see you +fall asleep in my arms." + +"Come and see me sleep." + +"Will you sleep all the time?" + +"Of course I shall." + +"We will see about that." + +I flung the pen down, and in a moment I held her in my arms, smiling, +ardent, submissive to my desires, and only entreating me to spare +her. I did my best, and though she helped me to the best of her +ability, the first assault was a labour of Hercules. The others were +pleasanter, for it is only the first step that is painful, and when +the field had been stained with the blood of three successive +battles, we abandoned ourselves to repose. At five o'clock in the +morning Clairmont knocked, and I told him to get us some coffee. I +was obliged to get up without giving fair Adele good day, but I +promised that she should have it on the way. + +When she was dressed she looked at the altar where she had offered +her first sacrifice to love, and viewed the signs of her defeat with +a sigh. She was pensive for some time, but when we were in the +carriage again her gaiety returned, and in our mutual transports we +forgot to grieve over our approaching parting. + +We found Moreau at Nevers; he was in a great state because he could +not get his money before noon. He dared not ask me to wait for him, +but I said that we would have a good dinner and start when the money +was paid. + +While dinner was being prepared we shut ourselves up in a room to +avoid the crowd of women who pestered us to buy a thousand trifles, +and at two o'clock we started, Moreau having got his money. We got +to Cosne at twilight, and though Clairmont was waiting for us at +Briane, I decided on stopping where I was, and this night proved +superior to the first. The next day we made a breakfast of the meal +which had been prepared for our supper, and we slept at +Fontainebleau, where I enjoyed Adele for the last time. In the +morning I promised to come and see her at Louviers, when I returned +from England, but I could not keep my word. + +We took four hours to get from Fontainebleau to Paris, but how +quickly the time passed. I stopped the carriage near the Pont St. +Michel, opposite to a clockmaker's shop, and after looking at several +watches I gave one to Adele, and then dropped her and her father at +the corner of the Rue aux Ours. I got down at the "Hotel de +Montmorenci," not wanting to stop with Madame d'Urfe, but after +dressing I went to dine with her. + + + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +I Drive My Brother The Abbe From Paris--Madame du Rumain Recovers Her +Voice Through My Cabala--A Bad Joke--The Corticelli--I Take d'Aranda +to London My Arrival At Calais + + +As usual, Madame d'Urfe received me with open arms, but I was +surprised at hearing her tell Aranda to fetch the sealed letter she +had given him in the morning. I opened it, found it was dated the +same day, and contained the following: + +"My genius told me at day-break that Galtinardus was starting from +Fontainebleau, and that he will come and dine with me to-day." + +She chanced to be right, but I have had many similar experiences in +the course of my life-experiences which would have turned any other +man's head. I confess they have surprised me, but they have never +made me lose my reasoning powers. Men make a guess which turns out +to be correct, and they immediately claim prophetic power; but they +forgot all about the many cases in which they have been mistaken. +Six months ago I was silly enough to bet that a bitch would have a +litter of five bitch pups on a certain day, and I won. Everyone +thought it a marvel except myself, for if I had chanced to lose I +should have been the first to laugh. + +I naturally expressed my admiration for Madame d'Urfe's genius, and +shared her joy in finding herself so well during her pregnancy. The +worthy lunatic had given orders that she was not at home to her usual +callers, in expectation of my arrival, and so we spent the rest of +the day together, consulting how we could make Aranda go to London of +his own free will; and as I did not in the least know how it was to +be done, the replies of the oracle were very obscure. Madame d'Urfe +had such a strong dislike to bidding him go, that I could not presume +on her obedience to that extent, and I had to rack my brains to find +out some way of making the little man ask to be taken to London as a +favour. + +I went to the Comedie Italienne, where I found Madame du Rumain, who +seemed glad to see me back in Paris again. + +"I want to consult the oracle on a matter of the greatest +importance," said she, "and I hope you will come and see me +tomorrow." + +I, of course, promised to do so. + +I did not care for the performance, and should have left the theatre +if I had not wanted to see the ballet, though I could not guess the +peculiar interest it would have for me. What was my surprise to see +the Corticelli amongst the dancers. I thought I would like to speak +to her, not for any amorous reasons, but because I felt curious to +hear her adventures. As I came out I met the worthy Baletti, who +told me he had left the stage and was living on an annuity. I asked +him about the Corticelli, and he gave me her address, telling me that +she was in a poor way. + +I went to sup with my brother and his wife, who were delighted to see +me, and told me that I had come just in time to use a little gentle +persuasion on our friend the abbe, of whom they had got tired. + +"Where is he?" + +"You will see him before long, for it is near supper-time; and as +eating and drinking are the chief concerns of his life, he will not +fail to put in an appearance." + +"What has he done?" + +"Everything that a good-for-nothing can do; but I hear him coming, +and I will tell you all about it in his presence." + +The abbe was astonished to see me, and began a polite speech, +although I did not favour him with so much as a look. Then he asked +me what I had against him. + +"All that an honest man can have against a monster. I have read the +letter you wrote to Possano, in which I am styled a cheat, a spy, a +coiner, and a poisoner. What does the abbe think of that?" + +He sat down to table without a word, and my brother began as follows: + +"When this fine gentleman first came here, my wife and I gave him a +most cordial welcome. I allowed him a nice room, and told him to +look upon my house as his own. Possibly with the idea of interesting +us in his favour, he began by saying that you were the greatest +rascal in the world. To prove it he told us how he had carried off a +girl from Venice with the idea of marrying her, and went to you at +Genoa as he was in great necessity. He confesses that you rescued +him from his misery, but he says that you traitorously took +possession of the girl, associating her with two other mistresses you +had at that time. In fine, he says that you lay with her before his +eyes, and that you drove him from Marseilles that you might be able +to enjoy her with greater freedom. + +"He finished his story by saying that as he could not go back to +Venice, he needed our help till he could find some means of living on +his talents or through his profession as a priest. I asked him what +his talents were, and he said he could teach Italian; but as he +speaks it vilely, and doesn't know a word of French, we laughed at +him. We were therefore reduced to seeing what we could do for him in +his character of priest, and the very next day my wife spoke to M. de +Sauci, the ecclesiastical commissioner, begging him to give my +brother an introduction to the Archbishop of Paris, who might give +him something that might lead to his obtaining a good benefice. He +would have to go to our parish church, and I spoke to the rector of +St. Sauveur, who promised to let him say mass, for which he would +receive the usual sum of twelve sols. This was a very good +beginning, and might have led to something worth having; but when we +told the worthy abbe of our success, he got into a rage, saying that +he was not the man to say mass for twelve sols, nor to toady the +archbishop in the hope of being taken into his service. No, he was +not going to be in anyone's service. We concealed our indignation, +but for the three weeks he has been here he has turned everything +upside down. My wife's maid left us yesterday, to our great +annoyance, because of him; and the cook says she will go if he +remains, as he is always bothering her in the kitchen. We are +therefore resolved that he shall go, for his society is intolerable +to us. I am delighted to have you here, as I think we ought to be +able to drive him away between us, and the sooner the better." + +"Nothing easier," said I; "if he likes to stay in Paris, let him do +so. You can send off his rags to some furnished apartments, and +serve him with a police order not to put foot in your house again. +On the other hand if he wants to go away, let him say where, and I +will pay his journey-money this evening." + +"Nothing could be more generous. What do you say, abbe?" + +"I say that this is the way in which he drove me from Marseilles. +What intolerable violence!" + +"Give God thanks, monster, that instead of thrashing you within an +inch of your life as you deserve, I am going to give you some money! +You thought you would get me hanged at Lyons, did you?" + +"Where is Marcoline ?" + +"What is that to you? Make haste and choose between Rome and Paris, +and remember that if you choose Paris you will have nothing to live +on." + +"Then I will go to Rome." + +"Good! The journey only costs twenty louis, but I will give you +twenty-five." + +"Hand them over." + +"Patience. Give me pens, ink and paper." + +"What are you going to write?" + +"Bills of exchange on Lyons, Turin, Genoa, Florence, and Rome. Your +place will be paid as far as Lyons, and there you will be able to get +five louis, and the same sum in the other towns, but as long as you +stay in Paris not one single farthing will I give you. I am staying +at the 'Hotel Montmorenci;' that's all you need know about me." + +I then bade farewell to my brother and his wife, telling them that we +should meet again. Checco, as we called my brother, told me he would +send on the abbe's trunk the day following, and I bade him do so by +all means. + +The next day trunk and abbe came together. I did not even look at +him, but after I had seen that a room had been assigned to him, I +called out to the landlord that I would be answerable for the abbe's +board and lodging for three days, and not a moment more. The abbe +tried to speak to me, but I sternly declined to have anything to say +to him, strictly forbidding Clairmont to admit him to my apartments. + +When I went to Madame du Rumain's, the porter said,-- + +"Sir, everybody is still asleep, but who are you? I have +instructions." + +"I am the Chevalier de Seingalt." + +"Kindly come into my lodge, and amuse yourself with my niece. I will +soon be with you." + +I went in, and found a neatly-dressed and charming girl. + +"Mademoiselle," said I, "your uncle has told me to come and amuse +myself with you." + +"He is a rascal, for he consulted neither of us." + +"Yes, but he knew well enough that there could be no doubt about my +opinion after I had seen you." + +"You are very flattering, sir, but I know the value of compliments." + +"Yes, I suppose that you often get them, and you well deserve them +all." + +The conversation, as well as the pretty eyes of the niece, began to +interest me, but fortunately the uncle put an end to it by begging me +to follow him. He took me to the maid's room, and I found her +putting on a petticoat, and grumbling the while. + +"What is the matter, my pretty maid? You don't seem to be in a good +humour." + +"You would have done better to come at noon; it is not nine o'clock +yet, and madame did not come home till three o'clock this morning. I +am just going to wake her, and I am sorry for her." + +I was taken into the room directly, and though her eyes were half +closed she thanked me for awaking her, while I apologized for having +disturbed her sleep. + +"Raton," said she, "give us the writing materials, and go away. +Don't come till I call you, and if anyone asks for me, I am asleep." + +"Very good, madam, and I will go to sleep also." + +"My dear M. Casanova, how is it that the oracle has deceived us? +M. du Rumain is still alive, and he ought to have died six months +ago. It is true that he is not well, but we will not go into all +that again. The really important question is this: You know that +music is my favourite pursuit, and that my voice is famous for its +strength and compass; well, I have comrletely lost it. I have not +sung a note for three months. The doctors have stuffed me with +remedies which have had no effect: It makes me very unhappy, for +singing was the one thing that made me cling to life. I entreat you +to ask the oracle how I can recover my voice. How delighted I should +be if I could sing by to-morrow. I have a great many people coming +here, and I should enjoy the general astonishment. If the oracle +wills it I am sure that it might be so, for I have a very strong +chest. That is my question; it is a long one, but so much the +better; the answer will be long too, and I like long answers." + +I was of the same opinion, for when the question was a long one, I +had time to think over the answer as I made the pyramid. Madame +Rumain's complaint was evidently something trifling, but I was no +physician, and knew nothing about medicine. Besides, for the honour +of the cabala, the oracle must have nothing to do with mere empiric +remedies. I soon made up my mind that a little care in her way of +living would soon restore the throat to its normal condition, and any +doctor with brains in his head could have told her as much. In the +position I was in, I had to make use of the language of a charlatan, +so I resolved on prescribing a ceremonial worship to the sun, at an +hour which would insure some regularity in her mode of life. + +The oracle declared that she would recover her voice in twenty-one +days, reckoning from the new moon, if she worshipped the rising sun +every morning, in a room which had at least one window looking to the +east. + +A second reply bade her sleep seven hours in succession before she +sacrificed to the sun, each hour symbolizing one of the seven +planets; and before she went to sleep she was to take a bath in +honour of the moon, placing her legs in lukewarm water up to the +knees. I then pointed out the psalms which she was to recite to the +moon, and those which she was to say in the face of the rising sun, +at a closed window. + +This last direction filled her with admiration, "for," said she, "the +oracle knew that I should catch cold if the window were open. I will +do everything the oracle bids me," added the credulous lady, "but I +hope you will get me everything necessary for the ceremonies" + +"I will not only take care that you have all the requisites, but as a +proof of my zeal for you, I will come and do the suffumigations +myself that you may learn how it is done." + +She seemed deeply moved by this offer, but I expected as much. I +knew how the most trifling services are assessed at the highest +rates; and herein lies the great secret of success in the world, +above all, where ladies of fashion are concerned. + +As we had to begin the next day, being the new moon, I called on her +at nine o'clock. As she had to sleep for seven successive hours +before performing the ceremonies to the rising sun, she would have to +go to bed before ten; and the observance of all these trifles was of +importance, as anyone can understand. + +I was sure that if anything could restore this lady's voice a careful +regimen would do it. I proved to be right, and at London I received +a grateful letter announcing the success of my method. + +Madame du Rumain, whose daughter married the Prince de Polignac, was +a lover of pleasure, and haunted grand supper-parties. She could not +expect to enjoy perfect health, and she had lost her voice by the way +in which she had abused it. When she had recovered her voice, as she +thought, by the influence of the genii, she laughed at anyone who +told her that there was no such thing as magic. + +I found a letter from Therese at Madame d'Urfe's, in which she +informed me that she would come to Paris and take her son back by +force if I did not bring him to London, adding that she wanted a +positive reply. I did not ask for anything more, but I thought +Therese very insolent. + +I told Aranda that his mother would be waiting for us at Abbeville in +a week's time, and that she wanted to see him. + +"We will both give her the pleasure of seeing us." + +"Certainly," said he; "but as you are going on to London, how shall I +come back?" + +"By yourself," said Madame d'Urfe, "dressed as a postillion." + +"What shall I ride post? How delightfull" + +"You must only cover eight or ten posts a day, for you have no need +to risk your life by riding all night." + +"Yes, yes; but I am to dress like a postillion, am I not?" + +"Yes; I will have a handsome jacket and a pair of leather breeches +made for you, and you shall have a flag with the arms of France on +it." + +"They will take me for a courier going to London." + +With the idea that to throw difficulties in the way would confirm him +in his desire to go, I said roughly that I could not hear of it, as +the horse might fall and break his neck. I had to be begged and +entreated for three days before I would give in, and I did so on the +condition that he should only ride on his way back. + +As he was certain of returning to Paris, he only took linen +sufficient for a very short absence; but as I knew that once at +Abbeville he could not escape me, I sent his trunk on to Calais, +where we found it on our arrival. However, the worthy Madame d'Urfe +got him a magnificent postillion's suit, not forgetting the top-boots. + +This business which offered a good many difficulties was happily +arranged by the action of pure chance; and I am glad to confess that +often in my life has chance turned the scale in my favour. + +I called on a banker and got him to give me heavy credits on several +of the most important houses in London, where I wished to make +numerous acquaintances. + +While I was crossing the Place des Victoires, I passed by the house +where the Corticelli lived, and my curiosity made me enter. She was +astonished to see me, and after a long silence she burst into tears, +and said,-- + +"I should never have been unhappy if I had never known you." + +"Yes, you would, only in some other way; your misfortunes are the +result of your bad conduct. But tell me what are your misfortunes." + +"As I could not stay in Turin after you had dishonoured me . . ." + +"You came to dishonour yourself here, I suppose. Drop that tone, or +else I will leave you." + +She began her wretched tale, which struck me with consternation, for +I could not help feeling that I was the first and final cause of this +long list of woes. Hence I felt it was my duty to succour her, +however ill she had treated me in the past. + +"Then," said I, "you are at present the victim of a fearful disease, +heavily in debt, likely to be turned out of doors and imprisoned by +your creditors. What do you propose to do?" + +"Do! Why, throw myself in the Seine, to be sure; that's all that is +left for me to do. I have not a farthing left." + +"And what would you do if you had some money?" + +"I would put myself under the doctor's hands, in the first place, and +then if any money was left I would go to Bologna and try to get a +living somehow. Perhaps I should have learnt a little wisdom by +experience." + +"Poor girl, I pity you! and in spite of your bad treatment of me, +which has brought you to this pass, I will not abandon you. Here are +four louis for your present wants, and to-morrow I will tell you +where you are to go for your cure. When you have got well again, I +will give you enough money for the journey. Dry your tears, repent, +amend your ways, and may God have mercy on you!" + +The poor girl threw herself on the ground before me, and covered one +of my hands with kisses, begging me to forgive her for the ill she +had done me. I comforted her and went my way, feeling very sad. I +took a coach and drove to the Rue de Seine, where I called on an old +surgeon I knew, told him the story, and what I wanted him to do. He +told me he could cure her in six weeks without anybody hearing about +it, but that he must be paid in advance. + +"Certainly; but the girl is poor, and I am doing it out of charity." + +The worthy man took a piece of paper and gave me a note addressed to +a house in the Faubourg St. Antoine, which ran as follows: + +"You will take in the person who brings you this note and three +hundred francs, and in six weeks you will send her back cured, if it +please God. The person has reasons for not wishing to be known." + +I was delighted to have managed the matter so speedily and at such a +cheap rate, and I went to bed in a calmer state of mind, deferring my +interview with my brother till the next day. + +He came at eight o'clock, and, constant to his folly, told me he had +a plan to which he was sure I could have no objection. + +"I don't want to hear anything about it; make your choice, Paris or +Rome." + +"Give me the journey-money, I will remain at Paris; but I will give a +written engagement not to trouble you or your brother again. That +should be sufficient." + +"It is not for you to judge of that. Begone! I have neither the +time nor the wish to listen to you. Remember, Paris without a +farthing, or Rome with twenty-five louis." + +Thereupon I called Clairmont, and told him to put the abbe out. + +I was in a hurry to have done with the Corticelli affair, and went to +the house in the Faubourg St. Antoine, where I found a kindly and +intelligent-looking man and woman, and all the arrangements of the +house satisfactory and appropriate to the performance of secret +cures. I saw the room and the bath destined for the new boarder, +everything was clean and neat, and I gave them a hundred crowns, for +which they handed me a receipt. I told them that the lady would +either come in the course of the day, or on the day following. + +I went to dine with Madame d'Urfe and the young Count d'Aranda. +After dinner the worthy marchioness talked to me for a long time of +her pregnancy, dwelling on her symptoms, and on the happiness that +would be hers when the babe stirred within her. I had put to a +strong restrain upon myself to avoid bursting out laughing. When I +had finished with her I went to the Corticelli, who called me her +saviour and her guardian angel. I gave her two louis to get some +linen out of pawn, and promised to come and see her before I left +Paris, to give her a hundred crowns, which would take her back to +Bologna. Then I waited on Madame du Rumain who had said farewell to +society for three weeks. + +This lady had an excellent heart, and was pretty as well, but she had +so curious a society-manner that she often made me laugh most +heartily. She talked of the sun and moon as if they were two Exalted +Personages, to whom she was about to be presented. She was once +discussing with me the state of the elect in heaven, and said that +their greatest happiness was, no doubt, to love God to distraction, +for she had no idea of calm and peaceful bliss. + +I gave her the incense for the fumigation, and told her what psalms +to recite, and then we had a delicious supper. She told her chamber- +maid to escort me at ten o'clock to a room on the second floor which +she had furnished for me with the utmost luxury, adding,-- + +"Take care that the Chevalier de Seingalt is able to come into my +room at five o'clock to-morrow." + +At nine o'clock I placed her legs in a bath of lukewarm water, and +taught her how to suffumigate. Her legs were moulded by the hand of +the Graces and I wiped them amorously, laughing within myself at her +expression of gratitude, and I then laid her in bed, contenting +myself with a solemn kiss on her pretty forehead. When it was over I +went up to my room where I was waited on by the pretty maid, who +performed her duties with that grace peculiar to the French +soubrette, and told me that as I had become her mistress's +chambermaid it was only right that she should be my valet. Her mirth +was infectious, and I tried to make her sit down on my knee; but she +fled away like a deer, telling me that I ought to take care of myself +if I wanted to cut a good figure at five o'clock the next day. She +was wrong, but appearances were certainly against us, and it is well +known that servants do not give their masters and mistresses the +benefit of the doubt. + +At five o'clock in the morning I found Madame du Rumain nearly +dressed when I went into her room, and we immediately went into +another, from which the rising sun might have been see if the "Hotel +de Bouillon" had not been in the way, but that, of course, was a +matter of no consequence. Madame du Rumain performed the ceremonies +with all the dignity of an ancient priestess of Baal. She then sat +down to her piano, telling me that to find some occupation for the +long morning of nine hours would prove the hardest of all the rules, +for she did not dine till two, which was then the fashionable hour. +We had a meat breakfast without coffee, which I had proscribed, and I +left her, promising to call again before I left Paris. + +When I got back to my inn, I found my brother there looking very +uneasy at my absence at such an early hour. When I saw him +I cried,-- + +"Rome or Paris, which is it to be?" + +"Rome," he replied, cringingly. + +"Wait in the antechamber. I will do your business for you." + +When I had finished I called him in, and found my other brother and +his wife, who said they had come to ask me to give them a dinner. + +"Welcome!" said I. "You are come just in time to see me deal with +the abbe, who has resolved at last to go to Rome and to follow my +directions." + +I sent Clairmont to the diligence office, and told him to book a +place for Lyons; and then I wrote out five bills of exchange, of five +louis each, on Lyons, Turin, Genoa, Florence, and Rome. + +"Who is to assure me that these bills will be honoured?" + +"I assure you, blockhead. If you don't like them you can leave +them." + +Clairmont brought the ticket for the diligence and I gave it to the +abbe, telling him roughly to be gone. + +"But I may dine with you, surely?" said he. + +"No, I have done with you. Go and dine with Possano, as you are his +accomplice in the horrible attempt he made to murder me. Clairmont, +shew this man out, and never let him set foot here again." + +No doubt more than one of my readers will pronounce my treatment of +the abbe to have been barbarous; but putting aside the fact that I +owe no man an account of my thoughts, deeds, and words, nature had +implanted in me a strong dislike to this brother of mine, and his +conduct as a man and a priest, and, above all, his connivance with +Possano, had made him so hateful to me that I should have watched him +being hanged with the utmost indifference, not to say with the +greatest pleasure. Let everyone have his own principles and his own +passions, and my favourite passion has always been vengeance. + +"What did you do with the girl he eloped with?" said my sister-in- +raw. + +"I sent her back to Venice with the ambassadors the better by thirty +thousand francs, some fine jewels, and a perfect outfit of clothes. +She travelled in a carriage I gave her which was worth more than two +hundred louis." + +"That's all very fine, but you must make some allowance for the +abbe's grief and rage at seeing you sleep with her." + +"Fools, my dear sister, are made to suffer such grief, and many +others besides. Did he tell you that she would not let him have +anything to do with her, and that she used to box his ears?" + +"On the the contrary, he was always talking of her love for him." + +"He made himself a fine fellow, I have no doubt, but the truth is, it +was a very ugly business." + +After several hours of pleasant conversation my brother left, and I +took my sister-in-law to the opera. As soon as we were alone this +poor sister of mine began to make the most bitter complaints of my +brother. + +"I am no more his wife now," said she, "than I was the night before +our marriage." + +"What! Still a maid?" + +"As much a maid as at the moment I was born. They tell me I could +easily obtain a dissolution of the marriage, but besides the scandal +that would arise, I unhappily love him, and I should not like to do +anything that would give him pain." + +"You are a wonderful woman, but why do you not provide a substitute +for him?" + +"I know I might do so, without having to endure much remorse, but I +prefer to bear it." + +"You are very praiseworthy, but in the other ways you are happy?" + +"He is overwhelmed with debt, and if I liked to call upon him to give +me back my dowry he would not have a shirt to his back. Why did he +marry me? He must have known his impotence. It was a dreadful thing +to do." + +"Yes, but you must forgive him for it." + +She had cause for complaint, for marriage without enjoyment is a +thorn without roses. She was passionate, but her principles were +stronger than her passions, or else she would have sought for what +she wanted elsewhere. My impotent brother excused himself by saying +that he loved her so well that he thought cohabitation with her would +restore the missing faculty; he deceived himself and her at the same +time. In time she died, and he married another woman with the same +idea, but this time passion was stronger than virtue, and his new +wife drove him away from Paris. I shall say more of him in twenty +years time. + +At six o'clock the next morning the abbe went off in the diligence, +and I did not see him for six years. I spent the day with Madame +d'Urfe, and I agreed, outwardly, that young d'Aranda should return to +Paris as a postillion. I fixed our departure for the day after next. + +The following day, after dining with Madame d'Urfe who continued to +revel in the joys of her regeneration, I paid a visit to the +Corticelli in her asylum. I found her sad and suffering, but +content, and well pleased with the gentleness of the surgeon and his +wife, who told me they would effect a radical cure. I gave her +twelve louis, promising to send her twelve more as soon as I had +received a letter from her written at Bologna. She promised she +would write to me, but the poor unfortunate was never able to keep +her word, for she succumbed to the treatment, as the old surgeon +wrote to me, when I was at London. He asked what he should do with +the twelve louis which she had left to one Madame Laura, who was +perhaps known to me. I sent him her address, and the honest surgeon +hastened to fulfil the last wishes of the deceased. + +All the persons who helped me in my magical operations with Madame +d'Urfe betrayed me, Marcoline excepted, and all save the fair +Venetian died miserably. Later on the reader will hear more of +Possano and Costa. + +The day before I left for London I supped with Madame du Rumain, who +told me that her voice was already beginning to return. She added a +sage reflection which pleased me highly. + +"I should think," she observed, "that the careful living prescribed +by the cabala must have a good effect on my health." + +"Most certainly," said I, "and if you continue to observe the rules +you will keep both your health and your voice." + +I knew that it is often necessary to deceive before one can instruct; +the shadows must come before the dawn. + +I took leave of my worthy Madame d'Urfe with an emotion which I had +never experienced before; it must have been a warning that I should +never see her again. I assured her that I would faithfully observe +all my promises, and she replied that her happiness was complete, and +that she knew she owed it all to me. In fine, I took d'Aranda and +his top-boots, which he was continually admiring, to my inn, whence +we started in the evening, as he had begged me to travel by night. +He was ashamed to be seen in a carriage dressed as a courier. + +When we reached Abbeville he asked me where his mother was. + +"We will see about it after dinner." + +"But you can find out in a moment whether she is here or not?" + +"Yes, but there is no hurry." + +"And what will you do if she is not here?" + +"We will go on till we meet her on the way. In the meanwhile let us +go and see the famous manufactory of M. Varobes before dinner." + +"Go by yourself. I am tired, and I will sleep till you come back." + +"Very good." + +I spent two hours in going over the magnificent establishment, the +owner himself shewing it me, and then I went back to dinner and +called for my young gentleman. + +"He started for Paris riding post," replied the innkeeper, who was +also the post-master, "five minutes after you left. He said he was +going after some dispatches you had left at Paris." + +"If you don't get him back I will ruin you with law-suits; you had no +business to let him have a horse without my orders." + +"I will capture the little rascal, sir, before he has got to Amiens." + +He called a smart-looking postillion, who laughed when he heard what +was wanted. + +"I would catch him up," said he, "even if he had four hours start. +You shall have him here at six o'clock." + +"I will give you two louis." + +"I would catch him for that, though he were a very lark." + +He was in the saddle in five minutes, and by the rate at which he +started I did not doubt his success. Nevertheless I could not enjoy +my dinner. I felt so ashamed to have been taken in by a lad without +any knowledge of the world. I lay down on a bed and slept till the +postillion aroused me by coming in with the runaway, who looked half +dead. I said nothing to him, but gave orders that he should be +locked up in a good room, with a good bed to sleep on, and a good +supper; and I told the landlord that I should hold him answerable for +the lad as long as I was in his inn. The postillion had caught him +up at the fifth post, just before Amiens, and as he was already quite +tired out the little man surrendered like a lamb. + +At day-break I summoned him before me, and asked him if he would come +to London of his own free will or bound hand and foot. + +"I will come with you, I give you my word of honour; but you must let +me ride on before you. Otherwise, with this dress of mine, I should +be ashamed to go. I don't want it to be thought that you had to give +chase to me, as if I had robbed you." + +"I accept your word of honour, but be careful to keep it. Embrace +me, and order another saddle-horse." + +He mounted his horse in high spirits, and rode in front of the +carriage with Clairmont. He was quite astonished to find his trunk +at Calais, which he reached two hours before me. + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +My Arrival in London; Madame Cornelis--I Am Presented at Court-- +I Rent a Furnished House--I Make a Large Circle of Acquaintance-- +Manners of the English + + +When I got to Calais I consigned my post-chaise to the care of the +landlord of the inn, and hired a packet. There was only one +available for a private party, there being another for public use at +six francs apiece. I paid six guineas in advance, taking care to get +a proper receipt, for I knew that at Calais a man finds himself in an +awkward position if he is unable to support his claim by documents. + +Before the tide was out Clairmont got all my belongings on board, and +I ordered my supper. The landlord told me that louis were not +current in England, and offered to give me guineas in exchange for +mine; but I was surprised when I found he gave me the same number of +guineas as I had given him of louis. I wanted him to take the +difference--four per cent.--but he refused, saying that he did not +allow anything when the English gave him guineas for louis. I do not +know whether he found his system a profitable one on the whole, but +it was certainly so for me. + +The young Count d'Aranda, to whom I had restored his humble name of +Trenti, was quite resigned, but proud of having given me a specimen +of his knowingness by riding post. We were just going to sit down at +table, well pleased with one another, when I heard a loud +conversation in English going on near my door, and mine host came in +to tell me what it was about. + +"It's the courier of the Duke of Bedford, the English ambassador," +said he; "he announces the approach of his master, and is disputing +with the captain of the packet. He says he hired the boat by letter, +and that the captain had no right to let it to you. The master +maintains that he has received no such letter, and no one can prove +that he is telling a lie." + +I congratulated myself on having taken the packet and paid the +earnest-money, and went to bed. At day-break the landlord said that +the ambassador had arrived at midnight, and that his man wanted to +see me. + +He came in and told me that the nobleman, his master, was in a great +hurry to get to London, and that I should oblige him very much by +yielding the boat to him. + +I did not answer a word, but wrote a note which ran as follows: + +"My lord duke may dispose of the whole of the packet, with the +exception of the space necessary for my own accommodation, that of +two other persons, and my luggage. I am delighted to have the +opportunity of obliging the English ambassador." + +The valet took the note, and returned to thank me on behalf of his +master, who stipulated, however, that he should be allowed to pay for +the packet. + +"Tell him that it is out of the question, as the boat is paid for +already." + +"He will give you the six guineas" + +"Tell your master that I cannot allow him to pay. I do not buy to +sell again." + +The duke called on me in the course of half an hour, and said that we +were both of us in the right. + +"However," he added, "there is a middle course, let us adopt it, and +I shall be just as much indebted to you." + +"What is that, my lord?" + +"We will each pay half." + +"My desire to oblige you, my lord, will not allow me to refuse, but +it is I who will be indebted to you for the honour your lordship does +me. We will start as soon as you like, and I can make my +arrangements accordingly." + +He shook my hand and left the room, and when he had gone I found +three guineas on the table. He had placed them there without my +noticing them. An hour afterwards I returned his call, and then told +the master to take the duke and his carriages on board. + +We took two hours and a half in crossing the Channel; the wind was +strong, but we made a good passage. + +The stranger who sets his foot on English soil has need of a good +deal of patience. The custom-house officials made a minute, +vexatious and even an impertinent perquisition; but as the duke and +ambassador had to submit, I thought it best to follow his example; +besides, resistance would be useless. The Englishman, who prides +himself on his strict adherence to the law of the land, is curt and +rude in his manner, and the English officials cannot be compared to +the French, who know how to combine politeness with the exercise of +their rights. + +English is different in every respect from the rest of Europe; even +the country has a different aspect, and the water of the Thames has a +taste peculiar to itself. Everything has its own characteristics, +and the fish, cattle, horses, men, and women are of a type not found +in any other land. Their manner of living is wholly different from +that of other countries, especially their cookery. The most striking +feature in their character is their national pride; they exalt +themselves above all other nations. + +My attention was attracted by the universal cleanliness, the beauty +of the country, the goodness of the roads, the reasonable charges for +posting, the quickness of the horses, although they never go beyond a +trot; and lastly, the construction of the towns on the Dover road; +Canterbury and Rochester for instance, though large and populous, are +like long passages; they are all length and no breadth. + +We got to London in the evening and stopped at the house of Madame +Cornelis, as Therese called herself. She was originally married to +an actor named Imer, then to the dancer Pompeati, who committed +suicide at Venice by ripping up his stomach with a razor. + +In Holland she had been known as Madame Trenti, but at London she had +taken the name of her lover Cornelius Rigerboos, whom she had +contrived to ruin. + +She lived in Soho Square, almost facing the house of the Venetian +ambassador. When I arrived I followed the instructions I had +received in her last letter. I left her son in the carriage, and +sent up my name, expecting she would fly to meet me; but the porter +told me to wait, and in a few minutes a servant in grand livery +brought me a note in which Madame Cornelis asked me to get down at +the house to which her servant would conduct me. I thought this +rather strange behaviour, but still she might have her reasons for +acting in this manner, so I did not let my indignation appear. When +we got to the house, a fat woman named Rancour, and two servants, +welcomed us, or rather welcomed my young friend; for the lady +embraced him, told him how glad she was to see him, and did not +appear to be aware of my existence. + +Our trunks were taken in, and Madame Rancour having ascertained which +belonged to Cornelis, had them placed in a fine suite of three rooms, +and said, pointing out to him the apartment and the two servants, + +"This apartment and the two servants are for you, and I, too, am your +most humble servant." + +Clairmont told me that he had put my things in a room which +communicated with Cornelis's. I went to inspect it, and saw djrectly +that I was being treated as if I were a person of no consequence. +The storm of anger was gathering, but wonderful to relate, I subdued +myself, and did not say a word. + +"Where is your room?" I said to Clairmont. + +"Near the roof, and I am to share it with one of those two louts you +saw." + +The worthy Clairmont, who knew my disposition, was surprised at the +calm with which I said,-- + +"Take your trunk there." + +"Shall I open yours?" + +"No. We will see what can be done to-morrow." + +I still kept on my mask, and returned to the room of the young +gentleman who seemed to be considered as my master. I found him +listening with a foolish stare to Madame Rancour, who was telling him +of the splendid position his mother occupied, her great enterprise, +her immense credit, the splendid house she had built, her thirty- +three servants, her two secretaries, her six horses, her country +house, etc., etc. + +"How is my sister Sophie?" said the young gentleman. + +"Her name is Sophie, is it? She is only known as Miss Cornelis. She +is a beauty, a perfect prodigy, she plays at sight on several +instruments, dances like Terpsichore, speaks English, French, and +Italian equally well--in a word, she is really wonderful. She has a +governess and a maid. Unfortunately, she is rather short for her +age; she is eight." + +She was ten, but as Madame Rancour was not speaking to me I refrained +from interrupting her. + +My lord Cornelis, who felt very tired, asked at what hour they were +to sup. + +"At ten o'clock and not before," said the duenna, "for Madame +Cornelis is always engaged till then. She is always with her lawyer, +on account of an important law-suit she has against Sir Frederick +Fermer." + +I could see that I should learn nothing worth learning by listening +to the woman's gossip, so I took my hat and cane and went for a walk +in the immense city, taking care not to lose my way. + +It was seven o'clock when I went out, and a quarter of an hour after, +seeing a number of people in a coffeehouse, I entered it. It was the +most notorious place in London, the resort of all the rascally +Italians in town. I had heard of it at Lyons, and had taken a firm +resolve never to set foot in it, but almighty chance made me go there +unknown to myself. But it was my only visit. + +I sat down by myself and called for a glass of lemonade, and before +long a man came and sat by me to profit by the light. He had a +printed paper in his hand, and I could see that the words were +Italian. He had a pencil with which he scratched out some words and +letters, writing the corrections in the margin. Idle curiosity made +me follow him in his work, and I noticed him correcting the word +'ancora', putting in an 'h' in the margin. I was irritated by this +barbarous spelling, and told him that for four centuries 'ancora' had +been spelt without an 'h'. + +"Quite so," said he, "but I am quoting from Boccaccio, and one should +be exact in quotations." + +"I apologize, sir; I see you are a man of letters." + +"Well, in a small way. My name is Martinelli." + +"Then you are in a great way indeed. I know you by repute, and if I +am not mistaken you are a relation of Calsabigi, who has spoken of +you to me. I have read some of your satires." + +"May I ask to whom I have the honour of speaking?" + +"My name is Seingalt. Have you finished your edition of the +Decameron?" + +"I am still at work on it, and trying to increase the number of my +subscribers." + +"If you will be so kind I should be glad to be of the number." + +"You do me honour." + +He gave me a ticket, and seeing that it was only for a guinea I took +four, and telling him I hoped to see him again at the same coffee- +house, the name of which I asked him, he told it me, evidently +astonished at my ignorance; but his surprise vanished when I informed +him that I had only been in London for an hour, and that it was my +first visit to the great city. + +"You will experience some trouble in finding your way back," said he, +"allow me to accompany you." + +When we had got out he gave me to understand that chance had led me +to the "Orange Coffee House," the most disreputable house in London. + +"But you go there." + +"Yes, but I can say with Juvenal: + +"'Cantabit vacuus coram latrone viator.' + +"The rogues can't hurt me; I know them and they know me; we never +trouble each other." + +"You have been a long time in London, I suppose." + +"Five years." + +"I presume you know a good many people." + +"Yes, but I seldom wait on anyone but Lord Spencer. I am occupied +with literary work and live all by myself. I don't make much, but +enough to live on. I live in furnished apartments, and have twelve +shirts and the clothes you see on my back, and that is enough for my +happiness. + + "'Nec ultra deos lacesso.'" + +I was pleased with this honest man, who spoke Italian with the most +exquisite correctness. + +On the way back I asked him what I had better do to get a comfortable +lodging. When he heard the style in which I wished to live and the +time I proposed to spend in London, he advised me to take a house +completely furnished. + +"You will be given an inventory of the goods," said he, "and as soon +as you get a surety your house will be your castle." + +"I like the idea," I answered, "but how shall I find such a house?" + +"That is easily done." + +He went into a shop, begged the mistress to lend him the Advertiser, +noted down several advertisements, and said,-- + +"That's all we have to do." + +The nearest house was in Pall Mall and we went to see it. An old +woman opened the door to us, and shewed us the ground floor and the +three floors above. Each floor contained two rooms and a closet. +Everything shone with cleanliness; linen, furniture, carpets, +mirrors, and china, and even the bells and the bolts on the doors. +The necessary linen was kept in a large press, and in another was the +silver plate and several sets of china. The arrangements in the +kitchen were excellent, and in a word, nothing was lacking in the way +of comfort. The rent was twenty guineas a week, and, not stopping to +bargain, which is never of any use in London, I told Martinelli that +I would take it on the spot. + +Martinelli translated what I said to the old woman, who told me that +if I liked to keep her on as housekeeper I need not have a surety, +and that it would only be necessary for me to pay for each week in +advance. I answered that I would do so, but that she must get me a +servant who could speak French or Italian as well as English. She +promised to get one in a day's time, and I paid her for four weeks' +rent on the spot, for which she gave me a receipt under the name of +the Chevalier de Seingalt. This was the name by which I was known +during the whole of my stay in London. + +Thus in less than two hours I was comfortably settled in a town which +is sometimes described as a chaos, especially for a stranger. But in +London everything is easy to him who has money and is not afraid of +spending it. I was delighted to be able to escape so soon from a +house where I was welcomed so ill, though I had a right to the best +reception; but I was still more pleased at the chance which had made +me acquainted with Martinelli, whom I had known by repute for six +years. + +When I got back Madame Cornelis had not yet arrived, though ten +o'clock had struck. Young Cornelis was asleep on the sofa. I was +enraged at the way the woman treated me, but I resolved to put a good +face on it. + +Before long three loud knocks announced the arrival of Madame +Cornelis in a sedan-chair, and I heard her ascending the stairs. She +came in and seemed glad to see me, but did not come and give me those +caresses which I had a right to expect. She ran to her son and took +him on her knee, but the sleepy boy did not respond to her kisses +with any great warmth. + +"He is very tired, like myself," said I, "and considering that we are +travellers in need of rest you have kept us waiting a long time." + +I do not know whether she would have answered at all, or, if so, what +her answer would have been, for just at that moment a servant came in +and said that supper was ready. She rose and did me the honour to +take my arm, and we went into another room which I had not seen. The +table was laid for four, and I was curious enough to enquire who was +the fourth person. + +"It was to have been my daughter, but I left her behind, as when I +told her that you and her brother had arrived she asked me if you +were well." + +"And you have punished her for doing so?" + +"Certainly, for in my opinion she ought to have asked for her brother +first and then for you. Don't you think I was right?" + +"Poor Sophie! I am sorry for her. Gratitude has evidently more +influence over her than blood relationship." + +"It is not a question of sentiment, but of teaching young persons to +think with propriety." + +"Propriety is often far from proper." + +The woman told her son that she was working hard to leave him a +fortune when she died, and that she had been obliged to summon him to +England as he was old enough to help her in her business. + +"And how am I to help you, my dear mother?" + +"I give twelve balls and twelve suppers to the nobility, and the same +number to the middle classes in the year. I have often as many as +six hundred guests at two guineas a head. The expenses are enormous, +and alone as I am I must be robbed, for I can't be in two places at +once. Now that you are here you can keep everything under lock and +key, keep the books, pay and receive accounts, and see that everyone +is properly attended to at the assemblies; in fine, you will perform +the duties of the master." + +"And do you think that I can do all that?" + +"You will easily learn it." + +"I think it will be very difficult." + +"One of my secretaries will come and live with you, and instruct you +in everything. During the first year you will only have to acquire +the English language, and to be present at my assemblies, that I may +introduce you to the most distinguished people in London. You will +get quite English before long." + +"I would rather remain French." + +"That's mere prejudice, my dear, you will like the sound of Mister +Cornelis by-and-bye." + +"Cornelis?" + +"Yes; that is your name." + +"It's a very funny one." + +"I will write it down, so that you may not forget it." Thinking that +her dear son was joking. Madame Cornelis looked at me in some +astonishment, and told him to go to bed, which he did instantly. +When we were alone she said he struck her as badly educated, and too +small for his age. + +"I am very much afraid," said she, "that we shall have to begin his +education all over again. What has he learnt in the last six years?" + +"He might have learnt a great deal, for he went to the best boarding +school in Paris; but he only learnt what he liked, and what he liked +was not much. He can play the flute, ride, fence, dance a minuet, +change his shirt every day, answer politely, make a graceful bow, +talk elegant trifles, and dress well. As he never had any +application, he doesn't know anything about literature; he can +scarcely write, his spelling is abominable, his arithmetic limited, +and I doubt whether he knows in what continent England is situated." + +"He has used the six years well, certainly." + +"Say, rather, he has wasted them; but he will waste many more." + +"My daughter will laugh at him; but then it is I who have had the +care of her education. He will be ashamed when he finds her so well +instructed though she is only eight." + +"He will never see her at eight, if I know anything of reckoning; she +is fully ten." + +"I think I ought to know the age of my own daughter. She knows +geography, history, languages, and music; she argues correctly, and +behaves in a manner which is surprising in so young a child. All the +ladies are in love with her. I keep her at a school of design all +day; she shews a great taste for drawing. She dines with me on +Sundays, and if you would care to come to dinner next Sunday you will +confess that I have not exaggerated her capacities." + +It was Monday. I said nothing, but I thought it strange that she did +not seem to consider that I was impatient to see my daughter. She +should have asked me to meet her at supper the following evening. + +"You are just in time," said she, "to witness the last assembly of +the year; for in a few weeks all the nobility will leave town in +order to pass the summer in the country. I can't give you a ticket, +as they are only issued to the nobility, but you can come as my +friend and keep close to me. You will see everything. If I am asked +who you are, I will say that you have superintended the education of +my son in Paris, and have brought him back to me." + +"You do me too much honour." + +We continued talking till two o'clock in the morning, and she told me +all about the suit she had with Sir Frederick Fermer. He maintained +that the house she had built at a cost of ten thousand guineas +belonged to him as he had furnished the money. In equity he was +right, but according to English law wrong, for it was she who had +paid the workmen, the contractors, and the architect; it was she that +had given and received receipts, and signed all documents. The +house, therefore, belonged to her, and Fermer admitted as much; but +he claimed the sum he had furnished, and here was the kernel of the +whole case, for she had defied him to produce a single acknowledgment +of money received. + +"I confess," said this honest woman, "that you have often given me a +thousand pounds at a time, but that was a friendly gift, and nothing +to be wondered at in a rich Englishman, considering that we were +lovers and lived together." + +She had won her suit four times over in two years, but Fermer took +advantage of the intricacies of English law to appeal again and +again, and now he had gone to the House of Lords, the appeal to which +might last fifteen years. + +"This suit," said the honest lady, "dishonours Fermer." + +"I should think it did, but you surely don't think it honours you." + +"Certainly I do." + +"I don't quite understand how you make that out." + +"I will explain it all to you." + +"We will talk it over again" + +In the three hours for which we talked together this woman did not +once ask me how I was, whether I was comfortable, how long I intended +to stay in London, or whether I had made much money. In short she +made no enquiries what ever about me, only saying with a smile, but +not heedlessly,-- + +"I never have a penny to spare." + +Her receipts amounted to more than twenty-four thousand pounds per +annum, but her expenses were enormous and she had debts. + +I avenged myself on her indifference by not saying a word about +myself. I was dresssed simply but neatly, and had not any jewellry +or diamonds about my person. + +I went to bed annoyed with her, but glad to have discovered the +badness of her heart. In spite of my longing to see my daughter I +determined not to take any steps to meet her till the ensuing Sunday, +when I was invited to dinner. + +Early next morning I told Clairmont to pull all my goods and chattels +in a carriage, and when all was ready I went to take leave of young +Cornelis, telling him I was going to live in Pall Mall, and leaving +him my address. + +"You are not going to stay with me, then?" said he. + +"No, your mother doesn't know how to welcome or to treat me." + +"I think you are right. I shall go back to Paris." + +"Don't do anything so silly. Remember that here you are at home, and +that in Paris you might not find a roof to shelter you. Farewell; I +shall see you on Sunday." + +I was soon settled in my new house, and I went out to call on M. +Zuccato, the Venetian ambassador. I gave him M. Morosini's letter, +and he said, coldly, that he was glad to make my acquaintance. When +I asked him to present me at Court the insolent fool only replied +with a smile, which might fairly be described as contemptuous. It +was the aristocratic pride coming out, so I returned his smile with a +cold bow, and never set foot in his house again. + +On leaving Zuccato I called on Lord Egremont, and finding him ill +left my letter with the porter. He died a few days after, so M. +Morosini's letters were both useless through no fault of his. We +shall learn presently what was the result of the little note. + +I then went to the Comte de Guerchi, the French ambassador, with a +letter from the Marquis Chauvelin, and I received a warm welcome. +This nobleman asked me to dine with him the following day, and told +me that if I liked he would present me at Court after chapel on +Sunday. It was at that ambassador's table that I made the +acquaintance of the Chevalier d'Eon, the secretary of the embassy, +who afterwards became famous. This Chevalier d'Eon was a handsome +woman who had been an advocate and a captain of dragoons before +entering the diplomatic service; she served Louis XV. as a valiant +soldier and a diplomatist of consummate skill. In spite of her manly +ways I soon recognized her as a woman; her voice was not that of a +castrato, and her shape was too rounded to be a man's. I say nothing +of the absence of hair on her face, as that might be an accident. + +In the first days of my stay in London I made the acquaintance of my +bankers; who held at least three hundred thousand francs of my money. +They all honoured my drafts and offered their services to me, but I +did not make use of their good offices. + +I visited the theatres of Covent Garden and Drury Lane, but I could +not extract much enjoyment out of the perfomances as I did not know a +word of English. I dined at all the taverns, high and low, to get +some insight into the peculiar manners of the English. In the +morning I went on 'Change, where I made some friends. It was there +that a merchant to whom I spoke got me a Negro servant who spoke +English, French, and Italian with equal facility; and the same +individual procured me a cook who spoke French. I also visited the +bagnios where a rich man can sup, bathe, and sleep with a fashionable +courtezan, of which species there are many in London. It makes a +magnificent debauch and only costs six guineas. The expense may be +reduced to a hundred francs, but economy in pleasure is not to my +taste. + +On Sunday I made an elegant toilette and went to Court about eleven, +and met the Comte de Guerchi as we had arranged. He introduced me to +George III., who spoke to me, but in such a low voice that I could +not understand him and had to reply by a bow. The queen made up for +the king, however, and I was delighted to observe that the proud +ambassador from my beloved Venice was also present. When M. de +Guerchi introduced me under the name of the Chevalier de Seingalt, +Zuccato looked astonished, for Mr. Morosini had called me Casanova in +his letter. The queen asked me from what part of France I came, and +understanding from my answer that I was from Venice, she looked at +the Venetian ambassador, who bowed as if to say that he had no +objection to make. Her Majesty then asked me if I knew the +ambassadors extraordinary, who had been sent to congratulate the +king, and I replied that I had the pleasure of knowing them +intimately, and that I had spent three days in their society at +Lyons, where M. Morosini gave me letters for my Lord d'Egremont and +M. Zuccato. + +"M. Querini amused me extremely," said the queen; "he called me a +little devil." + +"He meant to say that your highness is as witty as an angel." + +I longed for the queen to ask me why I had not been presented by M. +Zuccatto, for I had a reply on the tip of my tongue that would have +deprived the ambassador of his sleep for a week, while I should have +slept soundly, for vengeance is a divine pleasure, especially when it +is taken on the proud and foolish; but the whole conversation was a +compound of nothings, as is usual in courts. + +After my interview was over I got into my sedan-chair and went to +Soho Square. A man in court dress cannot walk the streets of London +without being pelted with mud by the mob, while the gentleman look on +and laugh. All customs must be respected; they are all at once +worthy and absurd. + +When I got to the house of Madame Cornelis, I and my Negro Jarbe were +shewn upstairs, and conducted through a suite of gorgeous apartments +to a room where the lady of the house was sitting with two English +ladies and two English gentlemen. She received me with familiar +politeness, made me sit down in an armchair beside her, and then +continued the conversation in English without introducing me. When +her steward told her that dinner was ready, she gave orders for the +children to be brought down. + +I had long desired this meeting, and when I saw Sophie I ran to meet +her; but she, who had profited by her mother's instructions, drew +back with profound courtesy and a compliment learnt by heart. I did +not say anything for fear I should embarrass her, but I felt grieved +to the heart. + +Madame Cornelis then brought forward her son, telling the company +that I had brought him to England after superintending his education +for six years. She spoke in French, so I was glad to see that her +friends understood that language. + +We sat down to table; Madame Cornelis between her two children, and I +between the two Englishwomen, one of whom delighted me by her +pleasant wit. I attached myself to her as soon as I noticed that the +mistress of the house only spoke to me by chance, and that Sophie did +not look at me. She was so like me that no mistake was possible. I +could see that she had been carefully tutored by her mother to behave +in this manner, and I felt this treatment to be both absurd and +impertinent. + +I did not want to let anyone see that I was angry, so I began to +discourse in a pleasant strain on the peculiarities of English +manners, taking care, however, not to say anything which might wound +the insular pride of the English guests. My idea was to make them +laugh and to make myself agreeable, and I succeeded, but not a word +did I speak to Madame Cornelis; I did not so much as look at her. + +The lady next to me, after admiring the beauty of my lace, asked me +what was the news at Court. + +"It was all news to me," said I, "for I went there to-day for the +first time." + +"Have you seen the king?" said Sir Joseph Cornelis. + +"My dear, you should not ask such questions," said his mother. + +"Why not?" + +"Because the gentleman may not wish to answer them." + +"On the contrary, madam, I like being questioned. I have been +teaching your son for the last six years to be always asking +something, for that is the way to acquire knowledge. He who asks +nothing knows nothing." + +I had touched her to the quick, and she fell into a sulky silence. + +"You have not told me yet," said the lad, "whether you saw the king." + +"Yes, my man, I saw the king and the queen, and both their majesties +did me the honour to speak to me." + +"Who introduced you?" + +"The French ambassador." + +"I think you will agree with me," said the mother, "that last +question was a little too much." + +"Certainly it would be if it were addressed to a stranger, but not to +me who am his friend. You will notice that the reply he extracted +from me did me honour. If I had not wished it to be known that I had +been at Court, I should not have come here in this dress." + +"Very good; but as you like to be questioned, may I ask you why you +were not presented by your own ambassador?" + +"Because the Venetian ambassador would not present me, knowing that +his Government have a bone to pick with me." + +By this time we had come to the dessert, and poor Sophie had not +uttered a syllable. + +"Say something to M. de Seingalt," said her mother. + +"I don't know what to say," she answered. "Tell M. de Seingalt to +ask me some questions, and I will answer to the best of my ability." + +"Well, Sophie, tell me in what studies you are engaged at the present +time." + +"I am learning drawing; if you like I will shew you some of my work." + +"I will look at it with pleasure; but tell me how you think you have +offended me; you have a guilty air." + +"I, sir? I do not think I have done anything amiss." + +"Nor do I, my dear; but as you do not look at me when you speak I +thought you must be ashamed of something. Are you ashamed of your +fine eyes? You blush. What have you done?" + +"You are embarrassing her," said the mother. "Tell him, my dear, +that you have done nothing, but that a feeling of modesty and respect +prevents you from gazing at the persons you address." + +"Yes," said I; "but if modesty bids young ladies lower their eyes, +politeness should make them raise them now and again." + +No one replied to this objection, which was a sharp cut for the +absurd woman; but after an interval of silence we rose from the +table, and Sophie went to fetch her drawings. + +"I won't look at anything, Sophie, unless you will look at me." + +"Come," said her mother, "look at the gentleman." + +She obeyed as quickly as lightning, and I saw the prettiest eyes +imaginable. + +"Now," said I, "I know you again, and perhaps you may remember having +seen me." + +"Yes, although it is six years ago since we met, I recognized you +directly." + +"And yet you did not look me in the face! If you knew how impolite +it was to lower your eyes when you are addressing anyone, you would +not do it. Who can have given you such a bad lesson?" + +The child glanced towards her mother, who was standing by a window, +and I saw who was her preceptress. + +I felt that I had taken sufficient vengeance, and began to examine +her drawings, to praise them in detail, and to congratulate her on +her talents. I told her that she ought to be thankful to have a +mother who had given her so good an education. This indirect +compliment pleased Madame Cornelis, and Sophie, now free from all +restraint, gazed at me with an expression of child-like affection +which ravished me. Her features bore the imprint of a noble soul +within, and I pitied her for having to grow up under the authority of +a foolish mother. Sophie went to the piano, played with feeling, and +then sang some Italian airs, to the accompaniment of the guitar, too +well for her age. She was too precocious, and wanted much more +discretion in her education than Madame Cornelis was able to give +her. + +When her singing had been applauded by the company, her mother told +her to dance a minuet with her brother, who had learnt in Paris, but +danced badly for want of a good carriage. His sister told him so +with a kiss, and then asked me to dance with her, which I did very +readily. Her mother, who thought she had danced exquisitely, as was +indeed the case, told her that she must give me a kiss. She came up +to me, and drawing her on my knee I covered her face with kisses, +which she returned with the greatest affection. Her mother laughed +with all her heart, and then Sophie, beginning to be doubtful again, +went up to her and asked if she were angry. Her mother comforted her +with a kiss. + +After we had taken coffee, which was served in the French fashion, +Madame Cornelis shewed me a magnificent hall which she had built, in +which she could give supper to four hundred persons seated at one +table. She told me, and I could easily believe her, that there was +not such another in all London. + +The last assembly was given before the prorogation of Parliament; it +was to take place in four or five days. She had a score of pretty +girls in her service, and a dozen footmen all in full livery. + +"They all rob me," said she, "but I have to put up with it. What I +want is a sharp man to help me and watch over my interests; if I had +such an one I should make an immense fortune in a comparatively short +time; for when it is a question of pleasure, the English do not care +what they spend." + +I told her I hoped she would find such man and make the fortune, and +then I left her, admiring her enterprise. + +When I left Soho Square I went to St. James's Park to see Lady +Harrington for whom I bore a letter, as I have mentioned. This lady +lived in the precincts of the Court, and received company every +Sunday. It was allowable to play in her house, as the park is under +the jurisdiction of the Crown. In any other place there is no +playing cards or singing on Sundays. The town abounds in spies, and +if they have reason to suppose that there is any gaming or music +going on, they watch for their opportunity, slip into the house, and +arrest all the bad Christians, who are diverting themselves in a +manner which is thought innocent enough in any other country. But to +make up for this severity the Englishman may go in perfect liberty to +the tavern or the brothel, and sanctify the Sabbath as he pleases. + +I called on Lady Harrington, and having sent up my letter she +summoned me into her presence. I found her in the midst of about +thirty persons, but the hostess was easily distinguished by the air +of welcome she had for me. + +After I had made my bow she told me she had seen me at Court in the +morning, and that without knowing who I was she had been desirous of +making my acquaintance. Our conversation lasted three-quarters of an +hour, and was composed of those frivolous observations and idle +questions which are commonly addressed to a traveller. + +The lady was forty, but she was still handsome. She was well known +for her gallantries and her influence at Court. She introduced me to +her husband and her four daughters, charming girls of a marriageable +age. She asked me why I had come to London when everybody was on the +point of going out of town. I told her that as I always obeyed the +impulse of the moment, I should find it difficult to answer her +question; besides, I intended staying for a year, so that the +pleasure would be deferred but not lost. + +My reply seemed to please her by its character of English +independence, and she offered with exquisite grace to do all in her +power for me. + +"In the meanwhile," said she, "we will begin by letting you see all +the nobility at Madame Cornelis's on Thursday next. I can give you a +ticket to admit to ball and supper. It is two guineas." + +I gave her the money, and she took the ticket again, writing on it, +"Paid.--Harrington." + +"Is this formality necessary, my lady?" + +"Yes; or else they would ask you for the money at the doors." + +I did not think it necessary to say anything about my connection with +the lady of Soho Square. + +While Lady Harrington was making up a rubber at whist, she asked me +if I had any other letters for ladies. + +"Yes," said I, "I have one which I intend to present to-morrow. It +is a singular letter, being merely a portrait." + +"Have you got it about you?" + +"Yes, my lady." + +"May I see it?" + +"Certainly. Here it is." + +"It is the Duchess of Northumberland. We will go and give it her." + +"With pleasure!" + +"Just wait till they have marked the game." + +Lord Percy had given me this portrait as a letter of introduction to +his mother. + +"My dear duchess," said Lady Harrington, "here is a letter of +introduction which this gentleman begs to present to you." + +"I know, it is M. de Seingalt. My son has written to me about him. +I am delighted to see you, Chevalier, and I hope you will come and +see me. I receive thrice a week." + +"Will your ladyship allow me to present my valuable letter in +person?" + +"Certainly. You are right." + +I played a rubber of whist for very small stakes, and lost fifteen +guineas, which I paid on the spot. Directly afterwards Lady +Harrington took me apart, and gave me a lesson which I deem worthy of +record. + +"You paid in gold," said she; "I suppose you had no bank notes about +you?" + +"Yes, my lady, I have notes for fifty and a hundred pounds." + +"Then you must change one of them or wait till another time to play, +for in England to pay in gold is a solecism only pardonable in a +stranger. Perhaps you noticed that the lady smiled?" + +"Yes; who is she?" + +"Lady Coventry, sister of the Duchess of Hamilton." + +"Ought I to apologize?" + +"Not at all, the offence is not one of those which require an +apology. She must have been more surprised than offended, for she +made fifteen shillings by your paying her in gold." + +I was vexed by this small mischance, for Lady Coventry was an +exquisitely beautiful brunette. I comforted myself, however, without +much trouble. + +The same day I made the acquaintance of Lord Hervey, the nobleman who +conquered Havana, a pleasant an intelligent person. He had married +Miss Chudleigh, but the marriage was annulled. This celebrated Miss +Chudleigh was maid of honour to the Princess Dowager of Wales, and +afterwards became Duchess of Kingston. As her history is well known +I shall say something more of her in due course. I went home well +enough pleased with my day's work. + +The next day I began dining at home, and found my cook very +satisfactory; for, besides the usual English dishes, he was +acquainted with the French system of cooking, and did fricandeaus, +cutlets, ragouts, and above all, the excellent French soup, which is +one of the principal glories of France. + +My table and my house were not enough for my happiness. I was alone, +and the reader will understand by this that Nature had not meant me +for a hermit. I had neither a mistress nor a friend, and at London +one may invite a man to dinner at a tavern where he pays for himself, +but not to one's own table. One day I was invited by a younger son +of the Duke of Bedford to eat oysters and drink a bottle of +champagne. I accepted the invitation, and he ordered the oysters and +the champagne, but we drank two bottles, and he made me pay half the +price of the second bottle. Such are manners on the other side of +the Channel. People laughed in my face when I said that I did not +care to dine at a tavern as I could not get any soup. + +"Are you ill?" they said, "soup is only fit for invalids." + +The Englishman is entirely carnivorous. He eats very little bread, +and calls himself economical because he spares himself the expense of +soup and dessert, which circumstance made me remark that an English +dinner is like eternity: it has no beginning and no end. Soup is +considered very extravagant, as the very servants refuse to eat the +meat from which it has been made. They say it is only fit to give to +dogs. The salt beef which they use is certainly excellent. I cannot +say the same for their beer, which was so bitter that I could not +drink it. However, I could not be expected to like beer after the +excellent French wines with which the wine merchant supplied me, +certainly at a very heavy cost. + +I had been a week in my new home without seeing Martinelli. He came +on a Monday morning, and I asked him to dine with me. He told me +that he had to go to the Museum, and my curiosity to see the famous +collection which is such an honour to England made me accompany him. +It was there that I made the acquaintance of Dr. Mati, of whom I +shall speak in due course. + +At dinner Martinelli made himself extremely pleasant. He had a +profound knowledge of the English manners and customs which it +behoved me to know if I wished to get on. I happened to speak of the +impoliteness of which I had been guilty in paying a gaming debt in +gold instead of paper, and on this text he preached me a sermon on +the national prosperity, demonstrating that the preference given to +paper shews the confidence which is felt in the Bank, which may or +may not be misplaced, but which is certainly a source of wealth. +This confidence might be destroyed by a too large issue of paper +money, and if that ever took place by reason of a protracted or +unfortunate war, bankruptcy would be inevitable, and no one could +calculate the final results. + +After a long discussion on politics, national manners, literature, in +which subjects Martinelli shone, we went to Drury Lane Theatre, where +I had a specimen of the rough insular manners. By some accident or +other the company could not give the piece that had been announced, +and the audience were in a tumult. Garrick, the celebrated actor who +was buried twenty years later in Westminster Abbey, came forward and +tried in vain to restore order. He was obliged to retire behind the +curtain. Then the king, the queen, and all the fashionables left the +theatre, and in less than an hour the theatre was gutted, till +nothing but the bare walls were left. + +After this destruction, which went on without any authority +interposing, the mad populace rushed to the taverns to consume gin +and beer. In a fortnight the theatre was refitted and the piece +announced again, and when Garrick appeared before the curtain to +implore the indulgence of the house, a voice from the pit shouted, +"On your knees." A thousand voices took up the cry "On your knees," +and the English Roscius was obliged to kneel down and beg +forgiveness. Then came a thunder of applause, and everything was +over. Such are the English, and above all, the Londoners. They hoot +the king and the royal family when they appear in public, and the +consequence is, that they are never seen, save on great occasions, +when order is kept by hundreds of constables. + +One day, as I was walking by myself, I saw Sir Augustus Hervey, whose +acquaintance I had made, speaking to a gentleman, whom he left to +come to me. I asked him whom he had been speaking to. + +"That's the brother of Earl Ferrers," said he, "who was hanged a +couple of months ago for murdering one of his people." + +"And you speak to his brother?" + +"Why shouldn't I?" + +"Is he not dishonoured by the execution of his relative?" + +"Dishonoured! Certainly not; even his brother was not dishonoured. +He broke the law, but he paid for it with his life, and owed society +nothing more. He's a man of honour, who played high and lost; that's +all. I don't know that there is any penalty in the statute book +which dishonours the culprit; that would be tyrannical, and we would +not bear it. I may break any law I like, so long as I am willing to +pay the penalty. It is only a dishonour when the criminal tries to +escape punishment by base or cowardly actions." + +"How do you mean?" + +"To ask for the royal mercy, to beg forgiveness of the people, and +the like." + +"How about escaping from justice?" + +"That is no dishonour, for to fly is an act of courage; it continues +the defiance of the law, and if the law cannot exact obedience, so +much the worse for it. It is an honour for you to have escaped from +the tyranny of your magistrates; your flight from The Leads was a +virtuous action. In such cases man fights with death and flees from +it. 'Vir fugiens denuo pugnabit'." + +"What do you think of highway robbers, then?" + +"I detest them as wretches dangerous to society, but I pity them when +I reflect that they are always riding towards the gallows. You go +out in a coach to pay a visit to a friend three or four miles out of +London. A determined and agile-looking fellow springs upon you with +his pistol in his hand, and says, 'Your money or your life.' What +would you do in such a case?" + +"If I had a pistol handy I would blow out his brains, and if not I +would give him my purse and call him a scoundrelly assassin." + +"You would be wrong in both cases. If you killed him, you would be +hanged, for you have no right to take the law into your own hands; +and if you called him an assassin, he would tell you that he was no +assassin as he attacked you openly and gave you a free choice. Nay, +he is generous, for he might kill you and take your money as well. +You might, indeed, tell him he has an evil trade, and he would tell +you that you were right, and that he would try to avoid the gallows +as long as possible. He would then thank you and advise you never to +drive out of London without being accompanied by a mounted servant, +as then no robber would dare to attack you. We English always carry +two purses on our journeys; a small one for the robbers and a large +one for ourselves." + +What answer could I make to such arguments, based as they were on the +national manners? England is a rich sea, but strewn with reefs, and +those who voyage there would do well to take precautions. Sir +Augustus Hervey's discourse gave me great pleasure. + +Going from one topic to another, as is always the way with a +desultory conversation, Sir Augustus deplored the fate of an unhappy +Englishman who had absconded to France with seventy thousand pounds, +and had been brought back to London, and was to be hanged. + +"How could that be?" I asked. + +"The Crown asked the Duc de Nivernois to extradite him, and Louis XV. +granted the request to make England assent to some articles of the +peace. It was an act unworthy of a king, for it violates the right +of nations. It is true that the man is a wretch, but that has +nothing to do with the principle of the thing." + +"Of course they have got back the seventy thousand pounds?" + +"Not a shilling of it." + +"How was that?" + +"Because no money was found on him. He has most likely left his +little fortune to his wife, who can marry again as she is still young +and pretty." + +"I wonder the police have not been after her." + +"Such a thing is never thought of. What could they do? It's not +likely that she would confess that her husband left her the stolen +money. The law says robbers shall be hanged, but it says nothing +about what they have stolen, as they are supposed to have made away +with it. Then if we had to take into account the thieves who had +kept their theft and thieves who had spent it, we should have to make +two sets of laws, and make all manner of allowances; the end of it +would be inextricable confusion. It seems to us Englishmen that it +would not be just to ordain two punishments for theft. The robber +becomes the owner of what he has stolen; true, he 'got it by +violence, but it is none the less his, for he can do what he likes +with it. That being the case, everyone should be careful to keep +what he has, since he knows that once stolen he will never see it +again. I have taken Havana from Spain: this was robbery on a large +scale." + +He talked at once like a philosopher and a faithful subject of his +king. + +Engaged in this discussion we walked towards the Duchess of +Northumberland's, where I made the acquaintance of Lady Rochefort, +whose husband had just been appointed Spanish ambassador. This +lady's gallantries were innumerable, and furnished a fresh topic of +conversation every day. + +The day before the assembly at Soho Square Martinelli dined with me, +and told me that Madame Cornelis was heavily in debt, and dared not +go out except on Sundays, when debtors are privileged. + +"The enormous and unnecessary expense which she puts herself to," +said he, "will soon bring her to ruin. She owes four times the +amount of her assets, even counting in the house, which is a doubtful +item, as it is the subject of litigation." + +This news only distressed me for her children's sake, for I thought +that she herself well deserved such a fate. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +The Assembly--Adventure at Ranelagh The English Courtezans--Pauline + + +I went in due time to the assembly, and the secretary at the door +wrote down my name as I handed in my ticket. When Madame Cornelis +saw me she said she was delighted I had come in by ticket, and that +she had had some doubts as to whether I would come. + +"You might have spared yourself the trouble of doubting," said I, +"for after hearing that I had been to Court you might have guessed +that a matter of two guineas would not have kept me away. I am sorry +for our old friendship's sake that I did not pay the money to you; +for you might have known that I would not condescend to be present in +the modest manner you indicated." + +This address, delivered with an ironical accent, embarrassed Madame +Cornelis, but Lady Harrington, a great supporter of hers, came to her +rescue. + +"I have a number of guineas to hand over to you, my dear Cornelis, +and amongst others two from M. de Seingalt, who, I fancy, is an old +friend of yours. Nevertheless, I did not dare to tell him so," she +added, with a sly glance in my direction. + +"Why not, my lady? I have known Madame Cornelis for many years." + +"I should think you have," she answered, laughing, "and I +congratulate you both. I suppose you know the delightful Miss Sophie +too, Chevalier?" + +"Certainly, my lady, who so knows the mother knows the daughter." + +"Quite so, quite so." + +Sophie was standing by, and after kissing her fondly Lady Harrington +said,-- + +"If you love yourself, you ought to love her, for she is the image of +you." + +"Yes, it is a freak of nature." + +"I think there is something more than a freak in this instance." + +With these words the lady took Sophie's hand, and leaning on my arm +she led us through the crowd, and I had to bear in silence the +remarks of everyone. + +"There is Madame Cornelis's husband." + +"That must be M. Cornelis." + +"Oh! there can be no doubt about it." + +"No, no," said Lady Harrington, "you are all quite wrong." + +I got tired of these remarks, which were all founded on the +remarkable likeness between myself and Sophie. I wanted Lady +Harrington to let the child go, but she was too much amused to do so. + +"Stay by me," she said, "if you want to know the names of the +guests." She sat down, making me sit on one side and Sophie on the +other. + +Madame Cornelis then made her appearance, and everyone asked her the +same questions, and made the same remarks about me. She said bravely +that I was her best and her oldest friend, and that the likeness +between me and her daughter might possibly be capable of explanation. +Everyone laughed and said it was very natural that it should be so. +To change the subject, Madame Cornelis remarked that Sophie had +learnt the minuet and danced it admirably. + +"Then fetch a violin player," said Lady Harrington, "that we may have +the pleasure of witnessing the young artist's performance." + +The ball had not yet begun, and as soon as the violinist appeared, I +stepped forward and danced with Sophie, to the delight of the select +circle of spectators. + +The ball lasted all night without ceasing, as the company ate by +relays, and at all times and hours; the waste and prodigality were +worthy of a prince's palace. I made the acquaintance of all the +nobility and the Royal Family, for they were all there, with the +exception of the king and queen, and the Prince of Wales. Madame +Cornelis must have received more than twelve hundred guineas, but the +outlay was enormous, without any control or safeguard against the +thefts, which must have been perpetrated on all sides. She tried to +introduce her son to everybody, but the poor lad looked like a +victim, and did nothing but make profound bows. I pitied him from my +heart. + +As soon as I got home I went to bed and spent the whole of the next +day there. The day after I went to the "Staven Tavern," as I had +been told that the prettiest girls in London resorted to it. Lord +Pembroke gave me this piece of information; he went there very +frequently himself. When I got to the tavern I asked for a private +room, and the landlord, perceiving that I did not know English, +accosted me in French, and came to keep me company. I was astonished +at his grave and reverend manner of speaking, and did not like to +tell him that I wanted to dine with a pretty Englishwoman. At last, +however, I summoned up courage to say, with a great deal of +circumlocution, that I did not know whether Lord Pembroke had +deceived me in informing me that I should find the prettiest girls in +London at his house. + +"No, sir," said he, "my lord has not deceived you, and you can have +as many as you like." + +"That's what I came for." + +He called out some name, and a tidy-looking lad making his +appearance, he told him to get me a wench just as though he were +ordering a bottle of champagne. The lad went out, and presently a +girl of herculean proportions entered. + +"Sir," said I, "I don't like the looks of this girl." + +"Give her a shilling and send her away. We don't trouble ourselves +about ceremonies in London." + +This put me at my ease, so I paid my shilling and called for a +prettier wench. The second was worse than the first, and I sent her +away, and ten others after her, while I could see that my +fastidiousness amused the landlord immensely. + +"I'll see no more girls," said I at last, "let me have a good dinner. +I think the procurer must have been making game of me for the sake of +the shillings." + +"It's very likely; indeed it often happens so when a gentleman does +not give the name and address of the wench he wants." + +In the evening as I was walking in St. James's Park, I remembered it +was a Ranelagh evening, and wishing to see the place I took a coach +and drove there, intending to amuse myself till midnight, and to find +a beauty to my taste. + +I was pleased with the rotunda. I had some tea, I danced some +minuets, but I made no acquaintances; and although I saw several +pretty women, I did not dare to attack any of them. I got tired, and +as it was near midnight I went out thinking to find my coach, for +which I had not paid, still there, but it was gone, and I did not +know what to do. An extremely pretty woman who was waiting for her +carriage in the doorway, noticed my distress, and said that if I +lived anywhere near Whitehall, she could take me home. I thanked her +gratefully, and told her where I lived. Her carriage came up, her +man opened the door, and she stepped in on my arm, telling me to sit +beside her, and to stop the carriage when it got to my house. + +As soon as we were in the carriage, I burst out into expressions of +gratitude; and after telling her my name I expressed my regret at not +having seen her at Soho Square. + +"I was not in London," she replied, "I returned from Bath to-day." + +I apostrophised my happiness in having met her. I covered her hands +with kisses, and dared to kiss her on the cheek; and finding that she +smiled graciously, I fastened my lips on hers, and before long had +given her an unequivocal mark of the ardour with which she had +inspired me. + +She took my attentions so easily that I flattered myself I had not +displeased her, and I begged her to tell me where I could call on her +and pay my court while I remained in London, but she replied,-- + +"We shall see each other again; we must be careful." + +I swore secrecy, and urged her no more. Directly after the carriage +stopped, I kissed her hand and was set down at my door, well pleased +with the ride home. + +For a fortnight I saw nothing of her, but I met her again in a house +where Lady Harrington had told me to present myself, giving her name. +It was Lady Betty German's, and I found her out, but was asked to sit +down and wait as she would be in soon. I was pleasantly surprised to +find my fair friend of Ranelagh in the room, reading a newspaper. I +conceived the idea of asking her to introduce me to Lady Betty, so I +went up to her and proffered my request, but she replied politely +that she could not do so not having the honour to know my name. + +"I have told you my name, madam. Do you not remember me?" + +"I remember you perfectly, but a piece of folly is not a title of +acquaintance." + +I was dumbfounded at the extraordinary reply, while the lady calmly +returned to her newspaper, and did not speak another word till the +arrival of Lady Betty. + +The fair philosopher talked for two hours without giving the least +sign of knowing who I was, although she answered me with great +politeness whenever I ventured to address her. She turned out to be +a lady of high birth and of great reputation. + +Happening to call on Martinelli, I asked him who was the pretty girl +who was kissing her hands to me from the house opposite. I was +pleasantly surprised to hear that she was a dancer named Binetti. +Four years ago she had done me a great service at Stuttgart, but I +did not know she was in London. I took leave of Martinelli to go and +see her, and did so all the more eagerly when I heard that she had +parted from her husband, though they were obliged to dance together +at the Haymarket. + +She received me with open arms, telling me that she had recognized me +directly. + +"I am surprised, my dear elder," said she, "to see you in London." + +She called me "elder" because I was the oldest of her friends. + +"Nor did I know that you were here. I came to town after the close +of the opera. How is it that you are not living with your husband?" + +"Because he games, loses, and despoils me of all I possess. Besides, +a woman of my condition, if she be married, cannot hope that a rich +lover will come and see her, while if she be alone she can receive +visits without any constraint." + +"I shouldn't have thought they would be afraid of Binetti; he used to +be far from jealous." + +"Nor is he jealous now; but you must know that there is an English +law which allows the husband to arrest his wife and her lover if he +finds them in 'flagrante delicto'. He only wants two witnesses, and +it is enough that they are sitting together on a bed. The lover is +forced to pay to the husband the half of all he possesses. Several +rich Englishmen have been caught in this way, and now they are very +shy of visiting married women, especially Italians." + +"So you have much to be thankful for. You enjoy perfect liberty, can +receive any visitors you like, and are in a fair way to make a +fortune." + +"Alas! my dear friend, you do not know all. When he has information +from his spies that I have had a visitor, he comes to me in a sedan- +chair at night, and threatens to turn me out into the street if I do +not give him all the money I have. He is a terrible rascal!" + +I left the poor woman, after giving her my address, and telling her +to come and dine with me whenever she liked. She had given me a +lesson on the subject of visiting ladies. England has very good +laws, but most of them are capable of abuse. The oath which jurymen +have to take to execute them to the letter has caused several to be +interpreted in a manner absolutely contrary to the intention of the +legislators, thus placing the judges in a difficult predicament. +Thus new laws have constantly to be made, and new glosses to explain +the old ones. + +My Lord Pembroke, seeing me at my window, came in, and after +examining my house, including the kitchen, where the cook was at +work, told me that there was not a nobleman in town who had such a +well-furnished and comfortable house. He made a calculation, and +told me that if I wanted to entertain my friends I should require +three hundred pounds a month. "You can't live here," said he, +"without a pretty girl, and those who know that you keep bachelor's +hall are of opinion that you are very wise, and will save a great +deal of useless expense." + +"Do you keep a girl, my lord?" + +"No, for I am unfortunate enough to be disgusted with a woman after I +have had her for a day." + +"Then you require a fresh one every day?" + +"Yes, and without being as comfortable as you I spend four times as +much. You must know that I live in London like a stranger. I never +dine at my own house. I wonder at your dining alone." + +"I can't speak English. I like soup and good wine, and that is +enough to keep me from your taverns." + +"I expect so, with your French tastes." + +"You will confess that they are not bad tastes." + +"You are right, for, good Englishman as I am, I get on very well in +Paris." + +He burst out laughing when I told him how I had dispatched a score of +wenches at the "Staven Tavern," and that my disappointment was due to +him. + +"I did not tell you what names to send for, and I was wrong." + +"Yes, you ought to have told me." + + +"But even if I did they wouldn't have come, for they are not at the +orders of the procurers. If you will promise to pay them as I do, I +will give you some tickets which will make them come." + +"Can I have them here?" + +"Just as you like." + +"That will be most convenient for me. Write out the tickets and let +them know French if you can." + +"That's the difficulty; the prettiest only speak English." + +"Never mind, we shall understand each other well enough for the +purpose I dare say." + +He wrote several tickets for four and six guineas each; but one was +marked twelve guineas. + +"She is doubly pretty, is she?" said I. + +"Not exactly, but she has cuckolded a duke of Great Britain who keeps +her, and only uses her once or twice a month." + +"Would you do me the honour of testing the skill of my cook?" + +"Certainly, but I can't make an appointment." + +"And supposing I am out." + +"I'll go to the tavern." + +Having nothing better to do I sent Jarbe to one of the four-guinea +wenches, telling him to advise her that she would dine with me. She +came. She did not attract me sufficiently to make me attempt more +than some slight toying. She went away well pleased with her four +guineas, which she had done nothing to earn. Another wench, also at +four guineas, supped with me the following evening. She had been +very pretty, and, indeed, was so still, but she was too melancholy +and quiet for my taste, and I could not makeup my mind to tell her to +undress. + +The third day, not feeling inclined to try another ticket, I went to +Covent Garden, and on meeting an attractive young person I accosted +her in French, and asked her if she would sup with me. + +"How much will you give me at dessert?" + +"Three guineas." + +"Come along." + +After the play I ordered a good supper for two, and she displayed an +appetite after mine own heart. When we had supped I asked for her +name and address, and I was astonished to find that she was one of +the girls whom Lord Pembroke had assessed at six guineas. I +concluded that it was best to do one's own business, or, at any rate, +not to employ noblemen as agents. As to the other tickets, they +procured me but little pleasure. The twelve-guinea one, which I had +reserved for the last, as a choice morsel, pleased me the least of +all, and I did not care to cuckold the noble duke who kept her. + +Lord Pembroke was young, handsome, rich, and full of wit. I went to +see him one day, and found him just getting out of bed. He said he +would walk with me and told his valet to shave him. + +"But," said I, "there's not a trace of beard on your face." + +"There never is," said he, "I get myself shaved three times a day." + +"Three times?" + +"Yes, when I change my shirt I wash my hands; when I wash my hands I +have to wash my face, and the proper way to wash a man's face is with +a razor." + +"When do you make these three ablutions?" + +"When I get up, when I dress for dinner, and when I go to bed, for I +should not like the woman who is sleeping with me to feel my beard." + +We had a short walk together, and then I left him as I had some +writing to do. As we parted, he asked me if I dined at home. I +replied in the affirmative, and foreseeing that he intended dining +with me I warned my cook to serve us well, though I did not let him +know that I expected a nobleman to dinner. Vanity has more than one +string to its bow. + +I had scarcely got home when Madame Binetti came in, and said that if +she were not in the way, she would be glad to dine with me. I gave +her a warm welcome, and she said I was really doing her a great +service, as her husband would suffer the torments of hell in trying +to find out with whom she had dined. + +This woman still pleased me; and though she was thirty-five, nobody +would have taken her for more than twenty-five. Her appearance was +in every way pleasing. Her lips were of the hue of the rose, +disclosing two exquisite rows of teeth. A fine complexion, splendid +eyes, and a forehead where Innocence might have been well enthroned, +all this made an exquisite picture. If you add to this, that her +breast was of the rarest proportions, you will understand that more +fastidious tastes than mine would have been satisfied with her. + +She had not been in my house for half an hour when Lord Pembroke came +in. They both uttered an exclamation, and the nobleman told me that +he had been in love with her for the last six months; that he had +written ardent letters to her of which she had taken no notice. + +"I never would have anything to do with him," said she, "because he +is the greatest profligate in all England; and it's a pity," she +added, "because he is a kindhearted nobleman." + +This explanation was followed by a score of kisses, and I saw that +they were agreed. + + +We had a choice dinner in the French style, and Lord Pembroke swore +he had not eaten so good a dinner for the last year. + +"I am sorry for you," he said, "when I think of you being alone every +day." + +Madame Binetti was as much a gourmet as the Englishman, and when we +rose from table we felt inclined to pass from the worship of Comus to +that of Venus; but the lady was too experienced to give the +Englishman anything more than a few trifling kisses. + +I busied myself in turning over the leaves of some books I had bought +the day before, and left them to talk together to their heart's +content; but to prevent their asking me to give them another dinner I +said that I hoped chance would bring about such another meeting on +another occasion. + +At six o'clock, after my guests had left me, I dressed and went to +Vauxhaull, where I met a French officer named Malingan, to whom I had +given some money at Aix-la-Chapelle. He said he would like to speak +to me, so I gave him my name and address. I also met a well-known +character, the Chevalier Goudar, who talked to me about gaming and +women. Malingan introduced me to an individual who he said might be +very useful to me in London. He was a man of forty, and styled +himself son of the late Theodore, the pretender to the throne of +Corsica, who had died miserably in London fourteen years before, +after having been imprisoned for debt for seven years. I should have +done better if I had never gone to Vauxhall that evening. + +The entrance-fee at Vauxhall was half the sum charged at Ranelagh, +but in spite of that the amusements were of the most varied kinds. +There was good fare, music, walks in solitary alleys, thousands of +lamps, and a crowd of London beauties, both high and low. + +In the midst of all these pleasures I was dull, because I had no girl +to share my abode or my good table, and make it dear to me. I had +been in London for six weeks; ana in no other place had I been alone +for so long. + +My house seemed intended for keeping a mistress with all decency, and +as I had the virtue of constancy a mistress was all I wanted to make +me happy. But how was I to find a woman who should be the equal of +those women I had loved before? I had already seen half a hundred of +girls, whom the town pronounced to be pretty, and who did not strike +me as even passable. I thought the matter over continually, and at +last an odd idea struck me. + +I called the old housekeeper, and told her by the servant, who acted +as my interpreter, that I wanted to let the second or third floor for +the sake of company; and although I was at perfect liberty to do what +I liked with the house, I would give her half-a-guinea a week extra. +Forthwith I ordered her to affix the following bill to the window: + +Second or third floor to be let, furnished, to a young lady speaking +English and French, who receives no visitors, either by day or night. + +The old Englishwoman, who had seen something of the world, began to +laugh so violently when the document was translated to her that I +thought she would have choked. + +"What are you laughing at, my worthy woman?" + +"Because this notice is a laughing matter." + +"I suppose you think I shall have no applications?" + +"Not at all, the doorstep will be crowded from morn to night, but I +shall leave it all to Fanny. Only tell me how much to ask." + +"I will arrange about the rent in my interview with the young lady. +I don't think I shall have so many enquiries, for the young lady is +to speak French and English, and also to be respectable. She must +not receive any visits, not even from her father and mother, if she +has them." + +"But there will be a mob in front of the house reading the notice." + +"All the better. Nothing is the worse for being a little odd." + +It happened just as the old woman had foretold; as soon as the notice +was up, everybody stopped to read it, made various comments, and +passed on. On the second day after it was up, my Negro told me that +my notice was printed in full in the St. James's Chronicle, with some +amusing remarks. I had the paper brought up to me, and Fanny +translated it. It ran as follows: + +"The landlord of the second and third floors probably occupies the +first floor himself. He must be a man of the world and of good +taste, for he wants a young and pretty lodger; and as he forbids her +to receive visits, he will have to keep her company himself." + +He added,-- + +"The landlord should take care lest he become his own dupe, for it is +very likely that the pretty lodger would only take the room to sleep +in, and possibly only to sleep in now and then; and if she chose she +would have a perfect right to refuse to receive the proprietor's +visits." + +These sensible remarks delighted me, for after reading them I felt +forewarned. + +Such matters as these give their chief interest to the English +newspapers. They are allowed to gossip about everything, and the +writers have the knack of making the merest trifles seem amusing. +Happy is the nation where anything may be written and anything said! + +Lord Pembroke was the first to come and congratulate me on my idea, +and he was succeeded by Martinelli; but he expressed some fears as to +the possible consequences, "for," said he, "there are plenty of women +in London who would come and lodge with you to be your ruin." + +"In that case," I answered, "it would be a case of Greek meeting +Greek; however, we shall see. If I am taken in, people will have the +fullest right to laugh at me, for I have been warned." + +I will not trouble my readers with an account of the hundred women +who came in the first ten days, when I refused on one pretext or +another, though some of them were not wanting in grace and beauty. +But one day, when I was at dinner, I received a visit from a girl of +from twenty to twenty-four years, simply but elegantly dressed; her +features were sweet and gracious, though somewhat grave, her +complexion pale, and her hair black. She gave me a bow which I had +to rise to return, and as I remained standing she politely begged me +not to put myself out, but to continue my dinner. I begged her to be +seated and to take dessert, but she refused with an air of modesty +which delighted me. + +This fair lady said, not in French, but in Italian worthy of a +Sinnese, its purity was so perfect, that she hoped I would let her +have a room on the third floor, and that she would gladly submit to +all my conditions. + +"You may only make use of one room if you like, but all the floor +will belong to you." + +"Although the notice says the rooms will be let cheaply, I shall not +be able to afford more than one room. Two shillings a week is all I +can spend." + +"That's exactly what I want for the whole suite of rooms; so you see +you can use them all. My maid will wait on you, get you whatever +food you may require, and wash your linen as well. You can also +employ her to do your commissions, so that you need not go out for +trifles." + +"Then I will dismiss my maid," she said; "she robs me of little, it +is true, but still too much for my small means. I will tell your +maid what food to buy for me every day, and she shall have six sots a +week for her pains." + +"That will be ample. I should advise you to apply to my cook's wife, +who will get your dinner and supper for you as cheaply as you could +buy it." + +"I hardly think so, for I am ashamed to tell you how little I spend." + +"Even if you only spend two sols a day, she will give you two sols' +worth. All the same I advise you to be content with what you get +from the kitchen, without troubling about the price, for I usually +have provision made for four, though I dine alone, and the rest is +the cook's perquisite. I merely advise you to the best of my +ability, and I hope you will not be offended at my interest in your +welfare." + +"Really, sir, you are too generous." + +"Wait a moment, and you will see how everything will be settled +comfortably." + +I told Clairmont to order up the maid and the cook's wife, and I said +to the latter: + +"For how much could you provide dinner and supper for this young lady +who is not rich, and only wants to eat to live?" + +"I can do it very cheaply; for you usually eat alone, and have enough +for four." + +"Very good; then I hope you will treat her very well for the sum she +gives you." + +"I can only afford five sols a day." + +"That will do nicely." + +I gave orders that the bill should be taken down directly, and that +the young lady's room should be made comfortable. When the maid and +the cook's wife had left the room, the young lady told me that she +should only go out on Sundays to hear mass at the Bavarian +ambassador's chapel, and once a month to a person who gave her three +guineas to support her. + +"You can go out when you like," said I, "and without rendering an +account to anybody of your movements." + +She begged me not to introduce anyone to her, and to tell the, porter +to deny her to anyone who might come to the door to make enquiries. +I promised that her wishes should be respected, and she went away +saying that she was going for her trunk. + +I immediately ordered my household to treat her with the utmost +respect. The old housekeeper told me that she had paid the first +week in advance, taking a receipt, and had gone, as she had come, in +a sedan-chair. Then the worthy old woman made free to tell me to be +on my guard. + +"Against what? If I fall in love with her, so much the better; that +is just what I want. What name did she give you?" + +"Mistress Pauline. She was quite pale when she came, and she went +away covered with blushes." + +I was delighted to hear it. I did not want a woman merely to satisfy +my natural desires, for such can be found easily enough; I wished for +some one whom I could love. I expected beauty, both of the body and +the soul; and my love increased with the difficulties and obstacles I +saw before me. As to failure, I confess I did not give it a moment's +thought, for there is not a woman in the world who can resist constant +and loving attentions, especially when her lover is ready to +make great sacrifices. + +When I got back from the theatre in the evening the maid told me that +the lady had chosen a modest closet at the back, which was only +suitable for a servant. She had had a moderate supper, only drinking +water, and had begged the cook's wife only to send her up soup and +one dish, to which the woman had replied that she must take what was +served, and what she did not eat would do for the servant. + +"When she finished she shut herself up to write, and wished me good +evening with much politeness." + +"What is she going to take in the morning?" + +"I asked her, and she said she would only take a little bread." + +"Then you had better tell her that it is the custom of the house for +the cook to serve everybody with coffee, chocolate, or tea, according +to taste, in the morning, and that I shall be pained if she refuses +to fare like the rest of us. But don't tell her I said so. Here's a +crown for you, and you shall have one every week if you will wait +upon and care for her properly." + +Before going to bed I wrote her a polite note, begging her to leave +the closet. She did so, but she went into another back room, and +consented to take coffee for her breakfast. Wishing to make her dine +and sup with me, I was dressing myself, and preparing to proffer my +request in such a way as to make a refusal impossible, when young +Cornelis was announced. I received him smilingly, and thanked him +for the first visit he had paid me in the course of six weeks. + +"Mamma hasn't allowed me to come. I have tried to do so a score of +times without her leave. Read this letter, and you will find +something which will surprise you." + +I opened the letter and read as follows: + +"Yesterday a bailiff waited for my door to be opened and slipped in +and arrested me. I was obliged to go with him, and I am now in the +sponging-house, and if I can't get bail by to-day he will take me to +Kings Bench Prison. The bail I require is to the amount of two +hundred pounds, to pay a bill which has fallen due. Dear friend, +come and succour me or else my other creditors will get wind of my +imprisonment and I shall be ruined. You surely will not allow that +to happen, if not for my sake at least for the sake of my innocent +children. You cannot bail me yourself, but you can easily get a +householder to do so. If you have the time come and call on me, and +I will shew you that I could not help doing the bill, otherwise I +could not have given my last ball, as the whole of my plate and china +was pledged." + +I felt angry with the impudent woman who had hitherto paid me so +little attention, and I wrote that I could only pity her, and that I +had no time to go and see her, and that I should be ashamed to ask +anyone to bail her out. + +When young Cornelis had gone away in a melancholy mood, I told +Clairmont to ask Pauline if she would allow me to bid her a good day. +She sent word that I was at liberty to do so, and on going upstairs +to her room I found her sitting at a table on which were several +books. + +Some linen on a chest of drawers did not give me the idea that she +was very poor. + +"I am immensely obliged," said she, "for all your goodness to me." + +"Say nothing of that, madam; it is I who have need of your goodness." + +"What can I do to shew my gratitude?" + +"Could you trouble yourself to take your meals with me? When I am +alone I eat like an ogre, and my health suffers. If you do not feel +inclined to grant me that favour, do not hesitate to refuse, and I +assure you you shall fare just as well as if you had acceded to my +request." + +"I shall be delighted to dine and sup with you; sir, whenever you are +alone and you like to send for me. Nevertheless, I am not sure that +my society will amuse you." + +"Very good, I am grateful to you, and I promise you you shall never +repent of your kindness. I will do my best to amuse you, and I hope +I shall succeed, for you have inspired me with the liveliest +interest. We will dine at one to-day." + +I did not sit down or look at her books, or even ask her if she had +spent a good night. The only thing I noted was that she had looked +pale and careworn when I came in, and when I went out her cheeks were +the colour of the rose. + +I went for a walk in the park, feeling quite taken with this charming +woman, and resolved to make her love me, for I did not want to owe +anything to gratitude. I felt curious to know where she came from, +and suspected she was an Italian; but I determined to ask her no +questions for fear of offending her. + +When I got home Pauline came down of her own free will, and I was +delighted with this, which I took for a good omen. As we had half an +hour before us, I asked her how she found her health. + +"Nature," she replied, "has favoured me with such a good constitution +that I have never had the least sickness in my life, except on the +sea." + +"You have made a voyage, then." + +"I must have done so to come to England." + +"You might be an Englishwoman." + +"Yes, for the English language has been familiar to me from my +childhood." + +We were seated on a sofa, and on the table in front of us was a +chess-board. Pauline toyed with the pawns, and I asked her if she +could play chess. + +"Yes, and pretty well too from what they tell me." + +"Then we will have a game together; my blunders will amuse you." + +We began, and in four moves I was checkmated. She laughed, and I +admired her play. We began again, and I was checkmated in five +moves. My agreeable guest laughed heartily, and while she laughed I +became intoxicated with love, watching the play of her features, her +exquisite teeth, and her happy expression. We began another game, +Pauline played carelessly, and I placed her in a difficult position. + +"I think you may conquer me," said she. + +"What happiness for me!" + +The servant came in to tell us that dinner was ready. + +"Interruptions are often extremely inconvenient," said I, as I +offered her my arm, feeling quite sure that she had not lost the +significance of my last words, for women find a meaning for +everything. + +We were just sitting down to table when Clairmont announced my +daughter and Madame Rancour. + +"Tell them that I am at dinner, and that I shall not be disengaged +till three o'clock." + +Just as my man was leaving the room to carry back my answer, Sophie +rushed in and knelt before me, choking with sobs. + +This was too much for me, and raising her I took her on my knees, +saying I knew what she had come for, and that for love of her I would +do it. + +Passing from grief to joy the dear child kissed me, calling me her +father, and at last made me weep myself. + +"Dine with us, dear Sophie," said I, "I shall be the more likely to +do what you wish." + +She ran from my arms to embrace Pauline, who was weeping out of +sympathy, and we all dined happily together. Sophie begged me to +give Madame Rancour some dinner. + +"It shall be so if you please, but only for your sake, for that woman +Rancour deserves that I should leave her standing at the door to +punish her for her impertinence to me when I came to London." + +The child amused us in an astonishing way all dinnertime, Pauline +keeping her ears open and not saying a word, so surprised was she to +hear a child of her age talk in a way that would have excited +attention in a woman of twenty. Although perfectly respectful she +condemned her mother's conduct, and said that she was unfortunate in +being obliged to give her a blind obedience. + +"I would wager that you don't love her much." + +"I respect, but I cannot love her, for I am always afraid. I never +see her without fearing her." + +"Why do you weep, then, at her fate?" + +"I pity her, and her family still more, and the expressions she used +in sending me to you were very affecting." + +"What were these expressions?" + +"'Go,' said she, 'kneel before him, for you and you alone can soften +his heart.'" + +"Then you knelt before me because your mother told you to do so." + +"Yes, for if I had followed my own inclination I should have rushed +to your arms." + +"You answer well. But are you sure of persuading me?" + +"No, for one can never be sure of anything; but I have good hopes of +success, remembering what you told me at the Hague. My mother told +me that I was only three then, but I know I was five. She it was who +told me not to look at you when I spoke to you, but fortunately you +made her remove her prohibition. Everybody says that you are my +father, and at the Hague she told me so herself; but here she is +always dinning it into my ears that I am the daughter of M. de +Monpernis." + +"But, Sophie dear, your mother does wrong in making you a bastard +when you are the legitimate daughter of the dancer Pompeati, who +killed himself at Vienna." + +"Then I am not your daughter?" + +"Clearly, for you cannot have two fathers, can you?" + +"But how is it that I am your image?" + +"It's a mere chance." + +"You deprive me of a dream which has made me happy." + +Pauline said nothing, but covered her with kisses, which Sophie +returned effusively. She asked me if the lady was my wife, and on my +replying in the affirmative she called Pauline her "dear mamma," +which made "dear mamma" laugh merrily. + +When the dessert was served I drew four fifty-pound notes out of my +pocket-book, and giving them to Sophie told her that she might hand +them over to her mother if she liked, but that the present was for +her and not for her mother. + +"If you give her the money," I said, "she will be able to sleep to- +night in the fine house where she gave me such a poor reception." + +"It makes me unhappy to think of it, but you must forgive her." + +"Yes, Sophie; but out of love for you." + +"Write to her to the effect that it is to me you give the money, not +to her; I dare not tell her so myself." + +"I could not do that, my dear; it would be insulting her in her +affliction. Do you understand that?" + +"Yes, quite well." + +"You may tell her that whenever she sends you to dine or sup with me, +she will please me very much." + +"But you can write that down without wounding her, can you not? Do +so, I entreat you. Dear mamma," said she, addressing Pauline, "ask +papa to do so, and then I will come and dine with you sometimes." + +Pauline laughed with all her heart as she addressed me as husband, +and begged me to write the desired epistle. The effect on the mother +could only let her know how much I loved her daughter, and would +consequently increase her love for her child. I gave in, saying that +I could not refuse anything to the adorable woman who had honoured me +with the name of husband. Sophie kissed us, and went away in a happy +mood. + +"It's a long time since I have laughed so much," said Pauline, "and I +don't think I have ever had such an agreeable meal. That child is a +perfect treasure. She is unhappy, poor little girl, but she would +not be so if I were her mother." + +I then told her of the true relationship between Sophie and myself, +and the reasons I had for despising her mother. + +"I wonder what she will say when Sophie tells her that she found you +at table with your wife." + +"She won't believe it, as she knows my horror for the sacrament of +matrimony." + +"How is that?" + +"I hate it because it is the grave of love." + +"Not always." + +As she said this Pauline sighed, and lowering her eyes changed the +conversation. She asked me how long I intended to stay in London and +when I had replied, "Nine or ten months," I felt myself entitled to +ask her the same question. + +"I really can't say," she answered, "my return to my country depends +on my getting a letter." + +"May I ask you what country you come from?" + +"I see I shall soon have no secrets from you, but let me have a +little time. I have only made your acquaintance to-day, and in a +manner which makes me have a very high opinion of you." + +"I shall try my best to deserve the good opinions you have conceived +of my character." + +"You have shewn yourself to me in a thoroughly estimable light." + +"Give me your esteem, I desire it earnestly, but don't say anything +of respect, for that seems to shut out friendship; I aspire to yours, +and I warn you that I shall do my best to gain it." + +"I have no doubt you are very clever in that way, but you are +generous too, and I hope you will spare me. If the friendship +between us became too ardent, a parting would be dreadful, and we may +be parted at any moment, indeed I ought to be looking forward to it." + +Our dialogue was getting rather sentimental, and with that ease which +is only acquired in the best society, Pauline turned it to other +topics, and soon asked me to allow her to go upstairs. I would have +gladly spent the whole day with her, for I have never met a woman +whose manners were so distinguished and at the same time so pleasant. + +When she left me I felt a sort of void, and went to see Madame +Binetti, who asked me for news of Pembroke. She was in a rage with +him. + +"He is a detestable fellow," said she; "he would like to have a fresh +wife every day! What do you think of such conduct?" + +"I envy him his happiness." + +"He enjoys it because all women are such fools. He caught me through +meeting me at your house; he would never have done so otherwise. +What are you laughing at?" + +"Because if he has caught you, you have also caught him; you are +therefore quits." + +"You don't know what you are talking about." + +I came home at eight o'clock, and as soon as Fanny had told Pauline +that I had returned she came downstairs. I fancied she was trying to +captivate me by her attentions, and as the prospect was quite +agreeable to me I thought we should come to an understanding before +very long. + +Supper was brought in and we stayed at table till midnight, talking +about trifles, but so pleasantly that the time passed away very +quickly. When she left me she wished me good night, and said my +conversation had made her forget her sorrows. + +Pembroke came next morning to ask me to give him breakfast, and +congratulated me on the disappearance of the bill from my window. + +"I should very much like to see your boarder," said he. + +"I daresay, my lord, but I can't gratify your curiosity just now, for +the lady likes to be alone, and only puts up with my company because +she can't help it." + +He did not insist, and to turn the conversation I told him that +Madame Binetti was furious with him for his inconstancy, which was a +testimony to his merits. That made him laugh, and without giving me +any answer he asked me if I dined at home that day. + +"No, my lord, not to-day." + +"I understand. Well, it's very natural; bring the affair to a happy +conclusion." + +"I will do my best." + +Martinelli had found two or three parodies of my notice in the +Advertiser, and came and read them to me. I was much amused with +them; they were mostly indecent, for the liberty of the press is much +abused in London. As for Martinelli he was too discreet and delicate +a man to ask me about my new boarder. As it was Sunday, I begged him +to take me to mass at the Bavarian ambassador's chapel; and here I +must confess that I was not moved by any feelings of devotion, but by +the hope of seeing Pauline. I had my trouble for nothing, for, as I +heard afterwards, she sat in a dark corner where no one could see +her. The chapel was full, and Martinelli pointed out several lords +and ladies who were Catholics, and did not conceal their religion. + +When I got home I received a note from Madame Cornelis, saying that +as it was Sunday and she could go out freely, she hoped I would let +her come to dinner. I shewed the letter to Pauline, not knowing +whether she would object to dining with her, and she said she would +be happy to do so, provided there were no men. I wrote in answer to +Madame Cornelis that I should be glad to see her and her charming +daughter at dinner. She came, and Sophie did not leave my side for a +moment. Madame Cornelis, who was constrained in Pauline's presence, +took me aside to express her gratitude and to communicate to me some +chimerical schemes of hers which were soon to make her rich. + +Sophie was the life and soul of the party, but as I happened to tell +her mother that Pauline was a lady who was lodging in my house, she +said, + +"Then she is not your wife?" + +"No; such happiness is not for me. It was a joke of mine, and the +lady amused herself at the expense of your credulity." + +"Well, I should like to sleep with her." + +"Really? When?" + +"Whenever mamma will let me." + +"We must first ascertain," said the mother, "what the lady thinks of +the arrangement." + +"She needn't fear a refusal," said Pauline, giving the child a kiss. + +"Then you shall have her with pleasure, madam. I will get her +governess to fetch her away to-morrow." + +"At three o'clock," said I, "for she must dine with us." + +Sophie, taking her mother's silence for consent, went up to her and +kissed her, but these attentions were but coldly received. She +unfortunately did not know how to inspire love. + +After Madame Cornelis had gone, I asked Pauline if she would like to +take a walk with Sophie and myself in the suburbs, where nobody would +know her. + +"In prudence," said she, "I cannot go out unless I am alone." + +"Then shall we stay here?" + +"We could not do better." + +Pauline and Sophie sang Italian, French, and English duets, and the +concert of their voices seemed to me ravishing. We supped gaily, and +at midnight I escorted them to the third floor, telling Sophie that I +would come and breakfast with her in the morning, but that I should +expect to find her in bed. I wanted to see if her body was as +beautiful as her face. I would gladly have asked Pauline to grant me +the same favour, but I did not think things had advanced far enough +for that. In the morning I found Pauline up and dressed. + +When Sophie saw me she laughed and hid her head under the sheets, but +as soon as she felt me near her she soon let me see her pretty little +face, which I covered with kisses. + +When she had got up we breakfasted together, and the time went by as +pleasantly as possible till Madame Rancour came for her little +charge, who went away with a sad heart. Thus I was left alone with +my Pauline who began to inspire me with such ardent desires that I +dreaded an explosion every moment. And yet I had not so much as +kissed her hand. + +When Sophie had gone I made her sit beside me, and taking her hand I +kissed it rapturously, saying, + +"Are you married, Pauline?" + +"Yes." + +"Do you know what it is to be a mother?" + +"No, but I can partly imagine what happiness it must be." + +"Are you separated from your husband?" + +"Yes, by circumstances and against our will. We were separated +before we had cohabited together." + +"Is he at London?" + +"No, he is far away, but please don't say anything more about it." + +"Only tell me whether my loss will be his gain." + +"Yes, and I promise not to leave you till I have to leave England-- +that is, unless you dismiss me--and I shall leave this happy island +to be happy with the husband of my choice." + +"But I, dear Pauline, will be left unhappy, for I love you with all +my heart, and am afraid to give you any proof of my love." + +"Be generous and spare me, for I am not my own mistress, and have no +right to give myself to you; and perhaps, if you were so ungenerous +as to attack me, I should not have the strength to resist." + +"I will obey, but I shall still languish. I cannot be unhappy unless +I forfeit your favour." + +"I have duties to perform, my dear friend, and I cannot neglect them +without becoming contemptible in my own eyes and yours too." + +"I should deem myself the most miserable of men if I despised a woman +for making me happy." + +"Well, I like you too well to think you capable of such conduct, but +let us be moderate, for we may have to part to-morrow. You must +confess that if we yielded to desire, this parting would be all the +more bitter. If you are of another opinion, that only shews that +your ideas of love and mine are different." + +"Then tell me of what sort of love is that with which I am happy +enough to have inspired you?" + +"It is of such a kind that enjoyment would only increase it, and yet +enjoyment seems to me a mere accident." + +"Then what is its essence?" + +"To live together in perfect unity." + +"That's a blessing we can enjoy from morning to eve, but why should +we not add the harmless accident which would take so short a time, +and give us such peace and tranquillity. You must confess, Pauline, +that the essence cannot exist long without the accident." + +"Yes, but you in your turn, you will agree that the food often proves +in time to be deadly." + +"No, not when one loves truly, as I do. Do you think that you will +not love me so well after having possessed me?" + +"No, it's because I think quite otherwise, that I dread to make the +moment of parting so bitter." + +"I see I must yield to your logic. I should like to see the food on +which you feed your brain, otherwise your books. Will you let me +come upstairs?" + +"Certainly, but you will be caught." + +"How?" + +"Come and see." + +We went to her room, and I found that all her books were Portuguese, +with the exception of Milton, in English, Ariosto, in Italian, and +Labruyere's "Characters," in French. + +"Your selection gives me a high idea of your mental qualities," said +I, "but tell me, why do you give such a preference to Camoens and all +these Portuguese authors?" + +"For a very good reason, I am Portuguese myself." + +"You Portuguese? I thought you were Italian. And so you already +know five languages, for you doubtless know Spanish." + +"Yes, although Spanish is not absolutely necessary." + +"What an education you have had!" + +"I am twenty-two now, but I knew all these languages at eighteen." + +"Tell me who you are, tell me all about yourself. I am worthy of +your confidence." + +"I think so too, and to give you a proof of my trust in you I am +going to tell you my history, for since you love me you can only wish +to do me good." + +"What are all these manuscripts?" + +"My history, which I have written down myself. Let us sit down:" + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +Pauline's Story--I Am Happy--Pauline Leaves Me + +I am the only daughter of the unfortunate Count X----o, whom +Carvailho Oeiras killed in prison on suspicion of being concerned in +the attempt on the king's life, in which the Jesuits were supposed to +have had a hand. I do not know whether my father was innocent or +guilty, but I do know that the tyrannical minister did not dare to +have him tried, or to confiscate the estates, which remain in my +possession, though I can only enjoy them by returning to my native +land. + +"My mother had me brought up in a convent where her sister was +abbess. I had all kinds of masters, especially an Italian from +Leghorn, who in six years taught me all that he thought proper for me +to know. He would answer any questions I chose to put him, save on +religious matters, but I must confess that his reserve made me all +the fonder of him, for in leaving me to reflect on certain subjects +by myself he did a great deal to form my judgment. + +"I was eighteen when my grandfather removed ms from the convent, +although I protested that I would gladly stay there till I got +married. I was fondly attached to my aunt, who did all in her power +after my mother's death to make me forget the double loss I had +sustained. My leaving the convent altered the whole course of my +existence, and as it was not a voluntary action I have nothing to +repent of. + +"My grandfather placed me with his sister-in-law, the Marchioness +X----o, who gave me up half her house. I had a governess, a +companion, maids, pages, and footmen, all of whom, though in my +service, were under the orders of my governess, a well-born lady, who +was happily honest and trustworthy. + +"A year after I had left the convent my grandfather came and told me +in the presence of my governess that Count Fl---- had asked my hand +for his son, who was coming from Madrid end would arrive that day. + +"'What answer did you give him, dear grandfather?' + +"'That the marriage would be acceptable to the whole of the nobility, +and also to the king and royal family.' + +"'But are you quite sure that the young count will like me and that I +shall like the count?' + +"'That, my dear daughter, is a matter of course, and there need be no +discussion on the subject.' + +"'But it is a question in which I am strongly interested, and I +should like to consider it very carefully. We shall see how matters +arrange themselves.' + +"'You can see each other before deciding, but you must decide all the +same.' + +"'I hope so, but let us not be too certain. We shall see.' + +"As soon as my grandfather had gone I told my governess that I had +made up my mind never to give my hand save where I had given my +heart, and that I should only marry a man whose character and tastes +I had carefully studied. My governess gave me no answer, and on my +pressing her to give me her opinion, she replied that she thought her +best course would be to keep silence on such a delicate question. +This was as much as to tell me that she thought I was right; at least +I persuaded myself that it was so. + +"The next day I went to the convent, and told the story to my aunt, +the abbess, who listened to me kindly and said it was to be hoped +that I should fall in love with him and he with me, but that even if +it were otherwise she was of opinion that the marriage would take +place, as she had reasons for believing that the scheme came from the +Princess of Brazil, who favoured Count Fl----. + +"Though this information grieved me, I was still glad to hear it, and +my resolution never to marry save for love was all the more strongly +confirmed. + +"In the course of a fortnight the count arrived, and my grandfather +presented him to me, several ladies being in the company. Nothing +was said about marrying, but there was a deal of talk about the +strange lands and peoples the new arrival had seen. I listened with +the greatest attention, not opening my mouth the whole time. I had +very little knowledge of the world, so I could not make any +comparisons between my suitor and other men, but my conclusion was +that he could never hope to please any woman, and that he would +certainly never be mine. He had an unpleasant sneering manner, joked +in bad taste, was stupid, and a devotee, or rather a fanatic. +Furthermore he was ugly and ill-shapen, and so great a fop that he +was not ashamed to relate the story of his conquests in France and +Italy. + +"I went home hoping with all my heart that he had taken a dislike to +me, and a week which passed away without my hearing anything on the +subject confirmed me in this belief, but I was doomed to be +disappointed. My great-aunt asked me to dinner, and when I went I +found the foolish young man and his father present, together with my +grandfather, who formally introduced him to me as my future husband, +and begged me to fix the wedding day. I made up my mind that I would +rather die than marry him, and answered politely but coldly that I +would name the day when I had decided on marrying, but I should +require time to think it over. The dinner went off silently, and I +only opened my mouth to utter monosyllables in reply to questions +which I could not avoid. After the coffee had been served I left the +house, taking no notice of anyone besides my aunt and my grandfather. + +"Some time elapsed; and I again began to hope that I had effectually +disgusted my suitor, but one morning my governess told me that Father +Freire was waiting to speak to me in the ante-chamber. I ordered him +to be sent in. He was the confessor of the Princess of Brazil, and +after some desultory conversation he said the princess had sent him +to congratulate me on my approaching marriage with Count Fl----. + +"I did not evince any surprise, merely replying that I was sensible +of her highness's kindness, but that nothing had been decided so far, +as I was not thinking of getting married. + +"The priest, who was a perfect courtier, smiled in a manner, half +kindly, half sardonic, and said that I was at that happy age when I +had no need to think of anything, as my kind friends and relations +did all my thinking for me. + +"I only answered by an incredulous smile, which, for all his monastic +subtlety, struck him as the expression of a young girl's coyness. + +"Foreseeing the persecution to which I should be subjected, I went +the next day to my aunt the abbess, who could not refuse me her +advice. I began by stating my firm resolve to die rather than wed a +being I detested. + +"The worthy nun replied that the count had been introduced to her, +and that to tell the truth she thought him insufferable; all the +same, she said she was afraid I should be made to marry him. + +"These words were such a shock to me that I turned the conversation, +and spoke of other subjects for the remainder of my visit. But when +I got back to my house I pursued an extraordinary course. I shut +myself up in my closet and wrote a letter to the executioner of my +unhappy father, the pitiless Oeiras, telling him the whole story, and +imploring him to protect me and to speak to the king in my favour; +'for,' said I, 'as you have made me an orphan it is your duty before +God to care for me.' I begged him to shelter me from the anger of the +Princess of Brazil, and to leave me at liberty to dispose of my hand +according to my pleasure. + +"Though I did not imagine Oeiras to be a humane man, yet I thought he +must have some sort of a heart; besides, by this extraordinary step +and the firmness of my language, I hoped to appeal to his pride and +to interest him in my favour. I felt sure that he would do me +justice, if only to prove that he had not been unjust to my father. +I was right, as will be seen, and although I was but an inexperienced +girl my instinct served me well. + +"Two days elapsed before I was waited on by a messenger from Oeiras, +who begged the honour of a private interview with me. The messenger +told me that the minister wished me to reply to all who pressed me to +marry that I should not decide until I was assured that the princess +desired the match. The minister begged me to excuse his not +answering my letter, but he had good reasons for not doing so. The +messenger assured me that I could count on his master's support. + +"His message delivered, the gentleman took leave with a profound bow, +and went back without waiting for an answer. I must confess that the +young man's looks had made a great impression on me. I cannot +describe my feelings, but they have exerted great influence on my +conduct, and will no doubt continue to do so for the rest of my life. + +"This message put me quite at ease, for he would never have given me +the instructions he did without being perfectly sure that the +princess would not interfere any farther with my marriage; and so I +gave myself up entirely to the new sentiments which possessed my +heart. Though strong, the flame would no doubt soon have died down +if it had not received fresh fuel every day, for when I saw the young +messenger a week later in church I scarcely recognized him. From +that moment, however, I met him everywhere; out walking, in the +theatre, in the houses where I called, and especially when I was +getting in or out of my carriage he was ever beside me, ready to +offer his hand; and I got so used to his presence that when I missed +his face I felt a void at my heart that made me unhappy. + +"Almost every day I saw the two Counts Fl---- at my great-aunt's, but +as there was no longer any engagement between us their presence +neither joyed me nor grieved me. I had forgiven them but I was not +happy. The image of the young messenger, of whom I knew nothing, was +ever before me, and I blushed at my thoughts though I would not ask +myself the reasons. + +"Such was my state of mind, when one day I heard a voice, which was +unknown to me, in my maid's room. I saw a quantity of lace on a +table and proceeded to examine it without paying any attention to a +girl who was standing near the table and curtsying to me. I did not +like any of the lace, so the girl said that she would bring me some +more to choose from the next day, and as I raised my eyes I was +astonished to see that she had the face of the young man who was +always in my thoughts. My only resource was to doubt their identity +and to make myself believe that I had been deceived by a mere chance +likeness. I was reassured on second thoughts; the girl seemed to me +to be taller than the young man, whom I hesitated to believe capable +of such a piece of daring. The girl gathered up her lace and went +her way without raising her eyes to mine, and this made me feel +suspicious again. + +"'Do you know that girl?' I said, coldly, to my maid, and she replied +that she had never seen her before. I went away without another +word, not knowing what to think. + +"I thought it over and resolved to examine the girl when she came on +the following day, and to unmask her if my suspicions proved to be +well founded. I told myself that she might be the young man's +sister, and that if it were otherwise it would be all the more easy +to cure myself of my passion. A young girl who reasons on love falls +into love, especially if she have no one in whom to confide. + +"The pretended lace-seller duly came the next day with a box of lace. +I told her to come into my room, and then speaking to her to force +her to raise her eyes I saw before me the being who exerted such a +powerful influence over me. It was such a shock that I had no +strength to ask her any of the questions I had premeditated. +Besides, my maid was in the room, and the fear of exposing myself +operated, I think, almost as strongly as emotion. I set about +choosing some pieces of lace in a mechanical way, and told my maid to +go and fetch my purse. No sooner had she left the room than the +lace-seller fell at my feet and exclaimed passionately, + +"'Give me life or death, madam, for I see you know who I am.' + +"'Yes, I do know you, and I think you must have gone mad.' + +"'Yes, that may be; but I am mad with love. I adore you.' + +"'Rise, for my maid will come back directly.' + +"'She is in my secret.' + +"'What! you have dared ' + +"He got up, and the maid came in and gave him his money with the +utmost coolness. He picked up his lace, made me a profound bow, and +departed. + +"It would have been natural for me to speak to my maid, and still +more natural if I had dismissed her on the spot. I had no courage to +do so, and my weakness will only astonish those rigorous moralists +who know nothing of a young girl's heart, and do not consider my +painful position, passionately in love and with no one but myself to +rely on. + +"I did not follow at once the severe dictates of duty; afterwards it +was too late, and I easily consoled myself with the thought that I +could pretend not to be aware that the maid was in the secret. I +determined to dissemble, hoping that I should never see the +adventurous lover again, and that thus all would be as if it had +never happened. + +"This resolve was really the effect of anger, for a fortnight passed +by without my seeing the young man in the theatre, the public walks, +or in any of the public places he used to frequent, and I became sad +and dreamy, feeling all the time ashamed of my own wanton fancies. +I longed to know his name, which I could only learn from my maid, and +it was out of the question for me to ask Oeiras. I hated my maid, +and I blushed when I saw her, imagining that she knew all. I was +afraid that she would suspect my honour, and at another time I feared +lest she might think I did not love him; and this thought nearly +drove me mad. As for the young adventurer I thought him more to be +pitied than to be blamed, for I did not believe that he knew I loved +him, and it seemed to me that the idea of my despising him was enough +vengeance for his audacity. But my thoughts were different when my +vanity was stronger than love, for then despair avenged itself on +pride, and I fancied he would think no more of me, and perhaps had +already forgotten me. + +"Such a state cannot last long, for if nothing comes to put an end to +the storm which tosses the soul to and fro, it ends at last by making +an effort of itself to sail into the calm waters of peace. + +"One day I put on a lace kerchief I had bought from him, and asked my +maid, + +"'What has become of the girl who sold me this kerchief?' + +"I asked this question without premeditation; it was, as it were, an +inspiration from my 'good or my evil genius. + +"As crafty as I was simple, the woman answered that to be sure he had +not dared to come again, fearing that I had found out his disguise. + +"'Certainly,' I replied, 'I found it out directly, but I was +astonished to hear that you knew this lace-seller was a young man.' + +"'I did not think I should offend you, madam, I know him well.' + +"'Who is he? + +"'Count d'Al----; you ought to know him, for he paid you a visit +about four months ago' + +"'True, and it is possible that I did not know him, but why did you +tell a lie when I asked you, "Do you know that girl?"' + +"'I lied to spare your feelings, madam, and I was afraid you would be +angry at the part I had taken: + +"'You would have honoured me more by supposing the contrary. When +you went out, and I told him he was mad, and that you would find him +on his knees when you returned, he told me you were in the secret.' + +"'If it be a secret, but it seems to me a mere joke: + +"'I wished to think so too, but nevertheless it seemed of such weight +to me, that I resolved to be silent that I might not be obliged to +send you away.' + +"'My idea was that you would have been amused, but as you take it +seriously I am sorry that I have failed in my strict duty.' + +"So weak is a woman in love that in this explanation which should +have shewn me the servant's fault in all its enormity I only saw a +full justification. In fact she had given peace to my heart, but my +mind was still uneasy. I knew that there was a young Count d'Al---- +belonging to a noble family, but almost penniless. All he had was +the minister's patronage, and the prospect of good State employments. +The notion that Heaven meant me to remedy the deficiencies in his +fortune made me fall into a sweet reverie, and at last I found myself +deciding that my maid who put it all down as a jest had more wit than +I. I blamed myself for my scrupulous behaviour, which seemed no +better than prudery. My love was stronger than I thought, and this +is my best excuse, besides I had no one to guide or counsel me. + +"But after sunshine comes shadow. My soul was like the ebb and tide +of the sea, now in the heights and now in the depths. The resolve, +which the count seemed to have taken, to see me no more, either +shewed him to be a man of little enterprise or little love, and this +supposition humiliated me. 'If,' I said to myself, 'the count is +offended with me for calling him a madman, he can have no delicacy +and no discretion; he is unworthy of my love.' + +"I was in this dreadful state of uncertainty when my maid took upon +herself to write to the count that he could come and see me under the +same diguise. He followed her advice, and one fine morning the +crafty maid came into my chamber laughing, and told me that the lace- +seller was in the next room. I was moved exceedingly, but +restraining myself I began to laugh also, though the affair was no +laughing matter for me. + +"'Shall I shew her in? said the maid. + +"'Are you crazy? + +"Shall I send her away? + +"'No, I will go and speak to him myself.' + +"This day was a memorable one. My maid left the room now and again, +and we had plenty of time to disclose our feelings to one another. I +frankly confessed that I loved him, but added that it were best that +I should forget him, as it was not likely that my relations would +consent to our marriage. In his turn he told me that the minister +having resolved to send him to England, he would die of despair +unless he carried with him the hope of one day possessing me, for he +said he loved me too well to live without me. He begged me to allow +him to come and see me under the same disguise, and though I could +not refuse him anything I said that we might be discovered. + +"'It is enough for me,' he replied, tenderly, 'that you will incur no +danger, my visits will be set down to the account of your maid.' + +"'But I am afraid for you,' I replied, 'your disguise is a crime in +itself; your reputation will suffer, and that will not tend to bring +the wish of your heart nearer.' + +"In spite of my objections, my heart spoke in his favour, and he +pleaded so well and promised to be so discreet that at last I said I +would see him gladly whenever he liked to come. + +"Count Al---- is twenty-two, and is shorter than I; he is small- +boned, and in his disguise as a lace-seller it was hard to recognize +him, even by his voice, which is very soft. He imitated the gestures +and ways of women to perfection, and not a few women would be only +too glad to be like him. + +"Thus for nearly three months the disguised count came to see me +three or four times a week, always in my maid's room, and mostly in +her presence. But even if we had been perfectly alone his fear of my +displeasure was too great to allow him to take the slightest +liberties. I think now that this mutual restraint added fuel to our +flames, for when we thought of the moment of parting it was with dumb +sadness and with no idea of taking the opportunity of rendering one +another happy. We flattered ourselves that Heaven would work some +miracle in our favour, and that the day would never come wherein we +should be parted. + +"But one morning the count came earlier than usual, and, bursting +into tears, told me that the minister had given him a letter for +M. de Saa, the Portuguese ambassador at London, and another letter +open for the captain of a ship which was shortly to sail for London. +In this letter the minister ordered the captain to embark Count +Al----, to take him to London, and to treat him with distinction. + +"My poor lover was overwhelmed, he was nearly choked with sobs, and +his brain was all confusion. For his sake, and taking pity on his +grief and my love, I conceived the plan of accompanying him as his +servant, or rather to avoid disguising my sex, as his wife. When I +told him, he was at once stupefied and dazzled. He was beyond +reasoning, and left everything in my hands. We agreed to discuss the +matter at greater length on the following day, and parted. + +"Foreseeing that it would be difficult for me to leave the house in +woman's dress, I resolved to disguise myself as a man. But if I kept +to my man's dress I should be obliged to occupy the position of my +lover's valet, and have to undertake tasks beyond my strength. This +thought made me resolve to impersonate the master myself, but +thinking that I should not care to see my lover degraded to the rank +of a servant, I determined that he should be my wife, supposing that +the captain of the ship did not know him by sight. + +"'As soon as we get to England,' I thought, 'we will get married, and +can resume our several dresses. This marriage will efface whatever +shame may be attached to our flight; they will say, perhaps, that the +count carried me off; but a girl is not carried off against her +will, and Oeiras surely will not persecute me for having made the +fortune of his favourite. As to our means of subsistence, till I get +my rents, I can sell my diamonds, and they will realize an ample +sum.' + +"The next day, when I told my lover of this strange plan, he made no +objections. The only obstacle which he thought of was the +circumstance that the sea-captain might know him by sight, and this +would have been fatal; but as he did not think it likely we +determined to run the risk, and it was agreed that he should get me +the clothes for the new part I was to play. + +"I saw my lover again after an interval of three days; it was +nightfall when he came. He told me that the Admiralty had informed +him that the ship was riding at the mouth of the Tagus, and that the +captain would put out to sea as soon as he had delivered his +dispatches and had received fresh instructions. Count Al was +consequently requested to be at a certain spot at midnight, and a +boat would be in waiting to take him on board. + +"I had made up my mind, and this was enough for me; and after having +fixed the time and place of meeting, I shut myself up, pretending to +be unwell. I put a few necessaries into a bag, not forgetting the +precious jewel-casket, and I dressed myself up as a man and left the +house by a stair only used by the servants. Even the porter did not +see me as I made my escape. + +"Fearing lest I should go astray the count was waiting for me at a +short distance, and I was pleasantly surprised when he took me by the +arm, saying, "Tis I." From this careful action, simple though it +was, I saw that he had intelligence; he was afraid to catch hold of +me without making himself known. We went to a house where he had his +trunk, and in half an hour his disguise was made. When all was ready +a man came for our slight baggage, and we walked to the river where +the count was waiting for us. It was eleven o'clock when we left +land, and thinking my jewels would be safer in his pocket than in my +bag, I gave them to him, and we anxiously awaited the arrival of the +captain. He came aboard with his officers at midnight, and accosted +me politely, saying he had received orders to treat me with +distinction. I thanked him cordially, and introduced my wife to him, +whom he greeted respectfully, saying he was delighted to have such a +charming passenger, who would doubtless give us a fortunate voyage. +He was too polite to be astonished that the minister had made no +mention of the count's wife in his letter. + +"We got to the frigate in less than an hour; she was three leagues +from land, and as soon as we got on board the captain ordered the men +to set sail. He took us to a room which was extremely comfortable, +considering it was only a cabin, and after doing the honours left us +to ourselves. + +"When we were alone we thanked Heaven that everything had gone off so +well, and far from going to sleep we spent the night in discussing +the bold step we had taken, or rather, only just begun to take; +however, we hoped it would have as fortunate an ending as beginning. +When the day dawned our hearts were gladdened because Lisbon was no +longer in sight, and as we were in need of rest I laid down on a +seat, while the count got into a hammock, neither of us troubling to +undress. + +"We were just falling asleep, when we began to feel the approach of +sea-sickness, and for three days we knew no peace. + +"On the fourth day, scarcely being able to stand upright for +weakness, we began to be hungry, and had to exercise a careful +moderation, so as not to become seriously ill. Happily for us the +captain had a store of good food, and our meals were delicate and +well-served. + +"My lover, whose sickness has been more severe than mine, used this +as a pretext for not leaving his room. The captain only came to see +us once; this must have been out of extreme politeness, for in +Portugal one may be jealous and yet not ridiculous. As for me, I +stood upon the bridge nearly all day; the fresh air did me good, and +I amused myself by scanning the horizon with my telescope. + +"The seventh day of the voyage my heart trembled as with a +presentiment of misfortune, when the sailors said that a vessel which +could be seen in the distance was a corvette which was due to sail a +day after us, but being a swift sailor would probably reach England +two or three days before us. + +"Though the voyage from Lisbon to England is a long one we had a fair +wind all the way, and in fourteen days we dropped anchor at day-break +in the port of Plymouth. + +"The officer sent ashore by the captain to ask leave to disembark +passengers came on board in the evening with several letters. One +the captain read with peculiar attention, and then called me to one +side and said, + +"'This letter comes from Count Oeiras, and enjoins me, on my life, +not to let any Portuguese young lady land, unless she be known to me. +I am to take her back to Lisbon after having executed my various +commissions. There is neither wife nor maid on my frigate, except +the countess your wife. If you can prove that she is really your +wife she may land with you; otherwise, you see, I cannot disobey the +minister's orders.' + +"'She is my wife,' I said, coolly; 'but as I could not foresee this +accident I have no papers to prove the fact.' + +"'I am sorry to hear it, as in that case she must go back to Lisbon. +You may be sure I will treat her with all possible respect.' + +"'But a wife may not be parted from her husband.' + +"'Quite so, but I cannot disobey orders. If you like you can return +to Lisbon in the corvette; you will be there before us.' + +"'Why cannot I return in this frigate? + +"'Because I have distinct orders to put you on land. And now I come +to think of it, how was it that there was not a word about your wife +in the letter you gave me when we started? If the lady is not the +person meant by the minister, you may be sure she will be sent back +to join you in London.' + +"'You will allow me to go and speak to her? + +"'Certainly, but in my presence.' + +"My heart was broken; nevertheless, I had to put a good face on the +losing game I was playing. I went to the count, and addressing him +as my dear wife communicated the order which was to part us. + +"I was afraid he would betray himself, but he was strong-minded +enough to restrain his emotion, and only replied that we must needs +submit, and that we should see each other again in a couple of +months. + +"As the captain stood beside us, I could only utter common-places. I +warned him, however, that I should write to the abbess directly I got +to London, who was the first person he must go and see at Lisbon, as +she would have my address. I took care not to ask for my jewel-case, +as the captain might have thought that my false wife was some rich +young lady whom I had seduced. + +"We had to abandon ourselves to our destiny. We embraced each other +and mingled our ears, and the captain wept, too, when he heard me +say, + +"'Trust in all things to the worthy captain, and let us not fear at +all.' + +"The count's trunk was lowered into the boat, and as I did not dare +to take my bag I found myself loaded with nothing but a man's +clothes, which would not have fitted me, even if I had intended to +keep up my disguise. + +"When I came to the custom-house I saw my possessions. There were +books, letters, linen, some suits of clothes, a sword and two pairs +of pistols, one pair of which I put in my pockets, and then I went to +an inn where the host said that if I wanted to travel to London the +next morning I should only have to pay for one horse. + +"'Who are the people,' said I, 'who desire a companion? + +"'You shall sup with them if you like,' said he. + +"I accepted the offer, and found the party consisted of a minister of +religion and two ladies whose faces pleased me. I was fortunate +enough to win their good graces, and early the next day we got to +London and alighted in the Strand at an inn where I only dined, going +out to seek a lodging appropriate to my means and the kind of life I +wished to lead. Fifty Lisbon pieces and a ring of about the same +value was all that I possessed in the world. + +"I took a room on the third floor, being attracted by the honest and +kindly expression of the landlady. I could only trust in God and +confide my position to her. I agreed to pay her ten shillings a +week, and begged her to get me some woman's clothes, for I was afraid +to go out in my man's dress any longer. + +"The next day I was clothed like a poor girl who desires to escape +notice. I spoke English well enough to seem a native of the country, +and I knew how I must behave if I wished to be let alone. Although +the landlady was a worthy woman, her house was not exactly suitable +for me; my stay in England might be protracted, and if I came to +destitution I should be wretched indeed; so I resolved to leave the +house. I received no visitors, but I could not prevent the +inquisitive from hovering round my door, and the more it became known +that I saw no one, the more their curiosity increased. The house was +not quiet enough. It was near the Exchange, and the neighborhood +swarmed with young men who came to dine on the first floor of the +house, and did their best to cure me of my sadness, as they called +it, though I had not shewn any signs of wishing to be cured. + +"I made up my mind not to spend more than a guinea a week, and +resolved to sell my ring if I could have the money paid to me at +intervals. An old jeweler who lodged next door, and for whose +honesty my landlady answered, told me it was worth a hundred and +fifty guineas, and asked me to let him have it if I had no better +offer. I had not thought it to be so valuable, and I sold it to him +on condition that he would pay me four guineas a month, and that I +should be at liberty to buy it back if I could do so before all the +payments had been made. + +"I wanted to keep my ready money, which I still have by me, so as to +be able to go back to Lisbon by land when I can do so in safety, for +I could not face the horrors of a sea voyage a second time. + +"I told my case to my worthy landlady who still befriends me, and she +helped me to get another lodging, but I had to procure a servant to +fetch me my food; I could not summon up courage to have my meals in a +coffee-house. However, all my servants turned out ill; they robbed +me continually, and levied a tax on all their purchases. + +"The temperance I observed--for I almost lived on bread and water-- +made me get thinner every day, still I saw no way of mending my +existence till chance made me see your singular announcement. I +laughed at it; and then drawn by some irresistible power, or perhaps +by the curiosity that falls to the lot of most of us women, +I could not resist going in and speaking to you. Instinct thus +pointed out the way to improve my lot without increasing my +expenditure. + +"When I got back I found a copy of the Advertiser on my landlady's +table; it contained some editorial fun on the notice I had just read. +The writer said that the master of the house was an Italian, and had +therefore nothing to fear from feminine violence. On my side I +determined to hazard everything, but I feel I have been too hasty, +and that there are certain attacks which it is pleasant not to +resist. I was brought up by an Italian, a clever and good man, and I +have always had a great respect for your fellow-countrymen." + +My fair Portuguese had finished her story, and I observed,-- + +"Really, your history has amused me very much; it has all the air of +a romance." + +"Quite so," said she; "but it is a strictly historical romance. But +the most amusing thing to me is that you have listened to it without +weariness." + +"That is your modesty, madam; not only, has your tale interested me, +but now that I know you are a Portuguese I am at peace with the +nation." + +"Were you at war with us, then?" + +"I have never forgiven you for letting your Portuguese Virgil die +miserably two hundred years ago." + +"You mean Camoens. But the Greeks treated Homer in the same way." + +"Yes, but the faults of others are no excuse for our own." + +"You are right; but how can you like Camoens so much if you do not +know Portuguese?" + +"I have read a translation in Latin hexameters so well done that I +fancied I was reading Virgil." + +"Is that truly so?" + +"I would never lie to you." + +"Then I make a vow to learn Latin." + +"That is worthy of you, but it is of me that you must learn the +language. I will go to Portugal and live and die there, if you will +give me your heart.' + +"My heart! I have only one, and that is given already. Since I have +known you I have despised myself, for I am afraid I have an +inconstant nature." + +"It will be enough for me if you will love me as your father, +provided I may sometimes take my daughter to my arms. But go on with +your story, the chief part is yet untold. What became of your lover, +and what did your relations do when they found out your flight?" + +"Three days after I arrived in this vast city I wrote to the abbess, +my aunt, and told her the whole story, begging her to protect my +lover, and to confirm me in my resolution never to return to Lisbon +till I could do so in security, and have no obstacles placed in the +way of my marriage. I also begged her to write and inform me of all +that happened, addressing her letters to 'Miss Pauline,' under cover +of my landlady. + +"I sent my letter by Paris and Madrid, and I had to wait three months +before I got an answer. My aunt told me that the frigate had only +returned a short time, and that the captain immediately on his +arrival wrote to the minister informing him that the only lady who +was in his ship when he sailed was still on board, for he had brought +her back with him, despite the opposition of Count Al-----, who +declared she was his wife. The captain ended by asking his +excellency for further orders with respect to the lady aforesaid. + +"Oeiras, feeling sure that the lady was myself, told the captain to +take her to the convent of which my aunt was abbess, with a letter he +had written. In this letter he told my aunt that he sent her her +niece, and begged her to keep the girl securely till further orders. +My aunt was extremely surprised, but she would have been still more +surprised if she had not got my letter a few days before. She +thanked the captain for his care, and took the false niece to a room +and locked her up. She then wrote to Oeiras, telling him that she +had received into her convent a person supposed to be his niece, but +as this person was really a man in woman's dress she begged his +excellency to remove him as soon as possible. + +"When the abbess had written this curious letter she paid a visit to +the count, who fell on his knees before her. My good aunt raised +him, and shewed him my letter. She said that she had been obliged to +write to the minister, and that she had no doubt he would be removed +from the convent in the course of a few hours. The count burst into +tears, and begging the abbess to protect us both gave her my jewel- +casket, which the worthy woman received with great pleasure. She +left him, promising to write to me of all that happened. + +"The minister was at one of his country estates, and did not receive +the abbess's letter till the next day, but hastened to reply in +person. My aunt easily convinced his excellency of the need for +keeping the matter secret, for a man had been sent into the convent, +which would be to her dishonour. She shewed the proud minister the +letter she had had from me, and told him how the honest young man had +given her my jewel-casket. He thanked her for her open dealing, and +begged her pardon with a smile for sending a fine young man to her +nunnery. + +"'The secret,' said he, 'is of the greatest importance; we must see +that it goes no farther. I will relieve you of your false niece, and +take her away in my carriage.' + +"My aunt took him at his word and brought out the young recluse, who +drove away with the minister. The abbess tells me that from that day +she has heard nothing about him, but that all Lisbon is talking over +the affair, but in a wholly distorted manner. They say that the +minister first of all put me under the care of my aunt, but soon +after took me away, and has kept me in some secret place ever since. +Count Al---- is supposed to be in London, and I in the minister's +power, and probably we are supposed to have entered into a tender +relationship. No doubt his excellency is perfectly well informed of +my doings here, for he knows my address and has spies everywhere. + +"On the advice of my aunt I wrote to Oeiras a couple of months ago, +telling him that I am ready to return to Lisbon, if I may marry Count +Al---- and live in perfect liberty. Otherwise, I declared, I would +stay in London, where the laws guaranteed my freedom. I am waiting +for his answer every day, and I expect it will be a favourable one, +for no one can deprive me of my estates, and Oeiras will probably be +only too glad to protect me to lessen the odium which attaches to his +name as the murderer of my father." + +Pauline made no mystery of the names of the characters, but she may +be still alive, and I respect her too well to run the risk of +wounding her, though these Memoirs will not see the light of day +during my lifetime. It is sufficient to say that the story is known +to all the inhabitants of Lisbon, and that the persons who figure in +it are public characters in Portugal. + +I lived with dear Pauline in perfect harmony, feeling my love for her +increase daily, and daily inspiring her with tenderer feelings +towards myself. But as my love increased in strength, I grew thin +and feeble; I could not sleep nor eat. I should have languished away +if I had not succeeded in gratifying my passion. On the other hand, +Pauline grew plumper and prettier every day. + +"If my sufferings serve to increase your charms," said I, "you ought +not to let me die, for a dead man has no suffering." + +"Do you think that your sufferings are due to your love for me?" + +"Certainly." + +"There may be something in it, but, believe me, the tender passion +does not destroy the appetite nor take away the power of sleep. Your +indisposition is undoubtedly due to the sedentary life you have been +leading of late. If you love me, give me a proof of it; go out for a +ride." + +"I cannot refuse you anything, dearest Pauline, but what then?" + +"Then you shall find me grateful to you, you will have a good +appetite, and will sleep well." + +"A horse, a horse! Quick! My boots!" I kissed her hand--for I had +not got any farther than that--and began to ride towards Kingston. +I did not care for the motion of trotting, so I put my horse at a +gallop, when all of a sudden he stumbled, and in an instant I was +lying on the ground in front of the Duke of Kingston's house. Miss +Chudleigh happened to be at the window, and seeing me thrown to the +ground uttered a shriek. I raised my head and she recognized me, and +hastened to send some of her people to help me. As soon as I was on +my feet I wanted to go and thank her, but I could not stir, and a +valet who knew something of surgery examined me, and declared that I +had put out my collar-bone and would require a week's rest. + +The young lady told me that if I liked to stay in her house the +greatest care should be taken of me. I thanked her warmly, but +begged her to have me taken home, as I should not like to give her so +much trouble. She immediately gave the necessary orders, and I was +driven home in a comfortable carriage. The servants in charge would +not acept any money, and I saw in the incident a proof of that +hospitality for which the English are famed, although they are at the +same time profoundly egotistic. + +When I got home I went to bed, and sent for a surgeon, who laughed +when I told him that I had put out a bone. + +"I'll wager it is nothing more than a sprain. I only wish it was put +out that I might have some chance of shewing my skill." + +"I am delighted," I said, "not to be in a position to call for that +amount of talent, but I shall have a high opinion of you if you set +me up in a short time." + +I did not see Pauline, much to my astonishment. I was told she had +gone out in a sedan-chair, and I almost felt jealous. In two hours +she came in looking quite frightened, the old house-keeper having +told her that I had broken my leg, and that the doctor had been with +me already. + +"Unhappy wretch that I am!" she exclaimed as she came to my bedside, +"'tis I that have brought you to this." + +With these words she turned pale and almost fell in a swoon beside +me. + +"Divine being!" I cried, as I pressed her to my breast, "it is +nothing; only a sprain." + +"What pain that foolish old woman has given me! + +"God be praised that it is no worse! Feel my heart." + +"Oh, yes! I felt it with delight. It was a happy fall for me." + +Fastening my lips on hers, I felt with delight that our transports +were mutual, and I blessed the sprain that had brought me such bliss. + +After these ectasies I felt that Pauline was laughing. + +"What are you laughing at, sweetheart?" + +"At the craft of love, which always triumphs at last." + +"Where have you been?" + +"I went to my old jeweler's to redeem my ring, that you might have a +souvenir of me; here it is." + +"Pauline! Pauline! a little love would have been much more precious +to me than this beautiful ring." + +"You shall have both. Till the time of my departure, which will come +only too soon, we will live together like man and wife; and to-night +shall be our wedding night, and the bed the table for the feast." + +"What sweet news you give me, Pauline! I cannot believe it till my +happiness is actually accomplished." + +"You may doubt, if you like; but let it be a slight doubt, or else +you will do me wrong. I am tired of living with you as a lover and +only making you wretched, and the moment I saw you on horseback I +determined to belong to you. Consequently I went to redeem the ring +directly you left, and I do not intend to leave you until I receive +the fatal message from Lisbon. I have dreaded its arrival every day +for the last week." + +"May the messenger that brings it be robbed on the way." + +"No such luck, I am afraid." + +As Pauline was standing, I asked her to come to my arms, for I longed +to give her some palpable signs of my love. + +"No, dearest, one can love and yet be wise; the door is open." + +She got down Ariosto and began to read to me the adventure of +Ricciardetto with Fiordespina, an episode which gives its beauty to +the twenty-ninth canto of that beautiful poem which I knew by heart. +She imagined that she was the princess, and I Ricciardetto. She +liked to fancy, + + 'Che il ciel L'abbia concesso, + Bradamante cangiata in miglior sesso.' + +When she came to the lines; + + 'Le belle braccia al collo indi mi getta, + E dolcemente stringe, a baccia in bocca: + Tu puoi pensar se allora la saetta + Dirizza Amor, se in mezzo al cor mi tocca.' + +She wanted some explanations on the expression 'baccia in bocca', and +on the love which made Ricciardetto's arrow so stiff, and I, only too +ready to comment on the text, made her touch an arrow as stiff as +Ricciardetto's. Of course, she was angry at that, but her wrath did +not last long. She burst out laughing when she came to the lines, + + 'Io il veggo, io il sento, e a pena vero parmi: + Sento in maschio in femina matarsi.' + +And then, + + 'Cosi le dissi, e feci ch'ella stessa + Trovo con man la veritade expressa. + +She expressed her, wonder that this poem abounding in obscenities had +not been put on the "Index" at Rome. + +"What you call obscenity is mere license, and there is plenty of that +at Rome." + +"That's a joke which should bring the censures of the Church upon +you. But what do you call obscenities, if Ariosto is not obscene?" + +"Obscenity disgusts, and never gives pleasure." + +"Your logic is all your own, but situated as I am I cannot reargue +your proposition. I am amused at Ariosto's choosing a Spanish woman +above all others to conceive that strange passion for Bradamante." + +"The heat of the Spanish climate made him conclude that the Spanish +temperament was also ardent, and consequently whimsical in its +tastes." + +"Poets are a kind of madmen who allow themselves to give utterance to +all their fancies." + +The reading was continued, and I thought my time had come when she +read the verses: + + Io senza scale in su la rooca salto, + E to stendardo piantovi di botto, + E la nemica mia mi caccio sotto** + +**I scaled the rock without a ladder, I planted my standard suddenly, +and held my enemy beneath me. + +I wanted to give her a practical illustration of the lines, but with +that sensibility so natural to women, and which they can use so well +as a goad to passion, she said,-- + +"Dearest, you might make yourself worse; let us wait till your sprain +is cured." + +"Are we to wait till I am cured for the consummation of our +marriage?" + +"I suppose so, for if I am not mistaken the thing can't be done +without a certain movement." + +"You are wrong, dear Pauline, but it would make no difference to me +even if it were so. You may be sure I would not put it off till to- +morrow, even if it cost me my leg. Besides, you shall see that there +are ways and means of satisfying our passions without doing me any +harm. Is that enough for you?" + +"Well, well, as it is written that a wife should obey her husband, +you will find me docile." + +"When?" + +"After supper." + +"Then we will have no supper. We shall dine with all the better +appetite to-morrow. Let us begin now." + +"No, for the suspicions of the servants might be aroused. Love has +its rules of decency like everything else." + +"You talk as wisely as Cato, and I am obliged to confess that you are +right in all you say." + +Supper was served as usual; it was delicate enough, but the thought +of approaching bliss had taken away our appetites, and we ate only +for form's sake. At ten o'clock we were at liberty, and could +indulge our passion without any fear of being disturbed. + +But this delightful woman, who had so plainly told me a few hours +before that when I was cured we would live together as man and wife, +was now ashamed to undress before me. She could not make up her +mind, and told me so, laughing at herself. From this circumstance I +gathered that the decency of the body is more tenacious in its grasp +than the purity of the soul. + +"But, sweetheart," said I, "you dressed and undressed for a fortnight +before your betrothed." + +"Yes, but he was always lying in his hammock with his back towards me +at night, and in the morning he never turned round and wished me good +day till he knew I was dressed." + +"What, he never turned?" + +"I never let him take any liberties." + +"Such virtue is incomprehensible to me." + +"You see the count was to be my husband, and I was to be his wife, +and in such cases a young woman is careful. Besides, I believe that +if one will but refrain from taking the first step, continence is +easy. Then the count was naturally timid, and would never have taken +any liberties without my encouraging him, which I took care not to +do. For this once, you will allow me to sleep with you in my +clothes." + +"Certainly, if you wish me to be dressed also, otherwise it would be +unbearable for both of us." + +"You are very cruel." + +"But, dearest, are you not ashamed of these foolish scruples?" + +"Well, well, put out the candles, and in a minute I will be beside +you." + +"Very good; though the want of light will deprive me of a great +pleasure. Quick, out with them!" + +My charming Portuguese did not reflect that the moon shone full into +the room, and that the muslin curtains would not prevent my seeing +her exquisite figure, which shewed to greater advantage in the +position she happened to take. If Pauline had been a coquette I +should have considered her scruples as mere artifice calculated to +increase my ardour; but she had no need to use such stratagems. At +last she was within my arms, and we clasped each other closely and in +silence that was only broken by the murmur of our kisses. Soon our +union became closer, and her sighs and the ardour of her surrender +shewed me that her passion was more in need of relief than mine. I +was sufficiently master of myself to remember that I must have a care +for her honour, greatly to her astonishment, for she confessed she +had never thought of such a thing, and had given herself up freely, +resolved to brave the consequences which she believed to be +inevitable. I explained the mystery and made her happy. + +Till this moment love alone had swayed me, but now that the bloody +sacrifice was over I felt full of respect and gratitude. I told her +effusively that I knew how great was my happiness, and that I was +ready to sacrifice my life to her to prove my love. + +The thought that our embraces would have no dangerous result had put +Pauline at her ease, and she have reins to her ardent temperament, +while I did valiant service, till at last we were exhausted and the +last sacrifice was not entirely consummated. We abandoned ourselves +to a profound and peaceful sleep. I was the first to awake; the sun +was shining in through the window, and I gazed on Pauline. As I +looked at this woman, the first beauty in Portugal, the only child of +an illustrious family, who had given herself to me all for love, and +whom I should possess for so short a time, I could not restrain a +profound sigh. + +Pauline awoke, and her gaze, as bright as the rising sun in +springtime, fixed itself on me truthfully and lovingly. + +"What are you thinking of, dearest?" + +"I am trying to convince myself that my happiness is not a dream, and +if it be real I want it to last for ever. I am the happy mortal to +whom you have given up your great treasure, of which I am unworthy, +though I love you tenderly." + +"Sweetheart, you are worthy of all my devotion and affection, if you +have not ceased to respect me." + +"Can you doubt it, Pauline?" + +"No, dearest, I think you love me, and that I shall never repent +having trusted in you." + +The sweet sacrifice was offered again, and Pauline rose and laughed +to find that she was no longer ashamed of her nakedness before me. +Then, passing from jest to earnest, she said,-- + +"If the loss of shame is the result of knowledge, how was it that our +first parents were not ashamed till they had acquired knowledge?" + +"I don't know, dearest, but tell me, did you ever ask your learned +Italian master that same question?" + +"Yes, I did." + +"What did he say?" + +"That their shame arose not from their enjoyment, but from +disobedience; and that in covering the parts which had seduced them, +they discovered, as it were, the sin they had committed. Whatever +may be said on the subject, I shall always think that Adam was much +more to blame than Eve." + +"How is that?" + +"Because Adam had received the prohibition from God, while Eve had +only received it from Adam." + +"I thought that both of them received the prohibition directly from +God." + +"You have not read Genesis, then." + +"You are laughing at me." + +"Then you have read it carelessly, because it is distinctly stated +that God made Eve after he had forbidden Adam to eat of the fruit." + +"I wonder that point has not been remarked by our commentators; it +seems a very important one to me." + +"They are a pack of knaves, all sworn enemies of women." + +"No, no, they give proofs of quite another feeling only too often." + +"We won't say anything more about it. My teacher was an honest man." + +"Was he a Jesuit?" + +"Yes, but of the short robe." + +"What do you mean?" + +"We will discuss the question another time." + +"Very good; I should like to have it proved to me that a man can be a +Jesuit and honest at the same time." + +"There are exceptions to all rules." + +My Pauline was a profound thinker, and strongly attached to her +religion. I should never have discovered that she possessed this +merit if I had not slept with her. I have known several women of the +same stamp; if you wish to know the elevation of their souls, you +must begin by damning them. When this is done, one enjoys their +confidence, for they have no secrets for the happy victor. This is +the reason why the charming though feeble sex loves the brave and +despises the cowardly. Sometimes they appear to love cowards, but +always for their physical beauty. Women amuse themselves with such +fellows, but are the first to laugh if they get caned. + +After the most delicious night I had ever passed, I resolved not to +leave my house till Pauline had to return to Portugal. She did not +leave me for a moment, save to hear mass on Sundays. I shut my door +to everybody, even to the doctor, for my sprain disappeared of +itself. I did not fail to inform Miss Chudleigh of my rapid cure; +she had sent twice a day ever since the accident to learn how I was. + +Pauline went to her room after our amorous conflict, and I did not +see her again till dinner-time; but when I did see her I thought her +an angel. Her face had caught the hues of the lily and the rose, and +had an air of happiness I could not help admiring. + +As we both wanted to have our portraits taken, I asked Martinelli to +send me the best miniature-painter in London. He sent a Jew, who +succeeded admirably. I had my miniature mounted in a ring and gave +it to Pauline; and this was the only present she would accept from +me, who would have thought myself all the richer if she had accepted +all I had. + +We spent three weeks in a happy dream which no pen can describe. I +was quite well again, and we tasted all the sweets of love together. +All day and all night we were together, our desires were satisfied +only to be renewed; we enjoyed the extremest bliss. In a word, it is +difficult to form a just idea of the state of two individuals who +enjoy all the range of physical and mental pleasures together, whose +life is for the present without thought of the future; whose joys are +mutual and continual; such, nevertheless, was the position of myself +and my divine Pauline. + +Every day I discovered in her some fresh perfection which made me +love her more; her nature was inexhaustible in its treasures, for her +mental qualities even surpassed her physical beauties, and an +excellent education had wonderfully increased the powers of her +intelligence. With all the beauty and grace of a woman she had that +exalted character which is the lot of the best of men. She began to +flatter herself that the fatal letter would never come, and the count +was little more than a dream of the past. Sometimes she would say +that she could not understand how a pretty face could exercise such a +strong influence over us in spite of our reason. + +"I have found out too late," she added, "that chance alone can make a +marriage, contracted for such physical reasons, happy." + +The 1st of August was a fatal day for both of us. Pauline received a +letter from Lisbon, which summoned her home without delay, and I had +a letter from Paris announcing the death of Madame d'Urfe. Madame du +Rumain told me that on the evidence of her maid the doctors had +pronounced her death to be due to an overdose of the liquid she +called "The Panacea." She added that a will had been found which +savoured of a lunatic asylum, for she had left all her wealth to the +son or daughter that should be born of her, declaring that she was +with child. I was to be the governor of the infant; this vexed me +exceedingly, as I knew I should be the laughing-stock of Paris for a +week at least. Her daughter, the Comtesse de Chatelet, had taken +possession of all her real estate and of her pocket-book, which +contained, to my surprise, four hundred thousand francs. It was a +great shock for me, but the contents of the two letters Pauline had +received was a greater blow. One was from her aunt, and the other +from Oeiras, who begged her to return to Lisbon as soon as possible, +and assured her that she should be put in possession of her property +on her arrival, and would be at liberty to marry Count Al---- in the +sight of all the world. He sent her a cheque for twenty million +reis. I was not aware of the small value of the coin, and was in an +ecstasy; but Pauline laughed, and said it only came to two thousand +pounds, which was a sufficient sum, however, to allow her to travel +in the style of a duchess. The minister wanted her to come by sea, +and all she had to do was to communicate with the Portuguese +ambassador, who had orders to give her a passage on a Portuguese +frigate which happened to be riding in an English port. Pauline +would not hear of the voyage, or of applying to the ambassador, for +she did not want anyone to think that she had been obliged to return. +She was angry with the minister for having sent her a cheque, +thinking that he must be aware that she had been in need, but I soon +brought her to see reason on this point, telling her that it was a +very thoughtful and delicate proceeding on the part of Oeiras, and +that he had merely lent-her the money, and not given it to her. + +Pauline was rich, and she was a high-minded woman. Her generosity +may be estimated by her giving me her ring when she was in want, and +she certainly never counted on my purse, though she may have felt +sure that I would not abandon her. I am sure she believed me to be +very rich, and my conduct was certainly calculated to favour that +idea. + +The day and even the night passed sadly. The next day Pauline +addressed me as follows: + +"We must part, dear friend, and try to forget one another, for my +honour obliges me to become the wife of the count as soon as I arrive +in Lisbon. The first fancy of my heart, which you have almost +effaced, will regain all its old force when I see you no longer, and +I am sure I shall love my husband, for he is a goodhearted, honest, +and pleasant young man; that much I know from the few days we lived +together. + +"Now I have a favour to ask of you, which I am sure you will grant. +Promise me never to come to Lisbon without my permission. I hope you +will not seek to know my reasons; you would not, I am sure, come to +trouble my peace, for if I sinned I should be unhappy, and you would +not desire that for me. I have dreamed we have lived together as man +and wife, and now we are parted I shall fancy myself a widow about to +undertake another marriage." + +I burst into tears, and pressing her to my breast promised I would do +as she wished. + +Pauline wrote to her aunt and Oeiras that she would be in Lisbon in +October, and that they should have further news of her when she +reached Spain. She had plenty of money, and bought a carriage and +engaged a maid, and these arrangements took up her time during the +last week she spent with me. I made her promise me to let Clairmont +accompany her as far as Madrid. She was to send me back my faithful +servant when she reached the Spanish capital, but fate had decreed +that I should see his face no more. + +The last few days were spent partly in sorrow and partly in delight. +We looked at each other without speaking, and spoke without knowing +what we said. We forgot to eat, and went to bed hoping that love and +anguish would keep us awake, but our exhausted bodies fell into a +heavy sleep, and when we awoke we could only sigh and kiss again. + +Pauline allowed me to escort her as far as Calais, and we started on +the 10th of August, only stopping at Dover to embark the carriage on +the packet, and four hours afterwards we disembarked at Calais, and +Pauline, considering her widowhood had begun, begged me to sleep in +another room. She started on the 12th of August, preceded by my poor +Clairmont, and resolved only to travel by daytime. + +The analogy between my parting with Pauline and my parting with +Henriette fifteen years before, was exceedingly striking; the two +women were of very similar character, and both were equally +beautiful, though their beauty was of a different kind. Thus I fell +as madly in love with the second as with the first, both being +equally intelligent. The fact that one had more talent and less +prejudices than the other must have been an effect of their different +educations. Pauline had the fine pride of her nation, her mind was a +serious cast, and her religion was more an affair of the heart than +the understanding. She was also a far more ardent mistress than +Henriette. I was successful with both of them because I was rich; if +I had been a poor man I should never have known either of them. I +have half forgotten them, as everything is forgotten in time, but +when I recall them to my memory I find that Henriette made the +profounder impression on me, no doubt because I was twenty-five when +I knew her, while I was thirty-seven in London. + +The older I get the more I feel the destructive effects of old age; +and I regret bitterly that I could not discover the secret of +remaining young and happy for ever. Vain regrets! we must finish as +we began, helpless and devoid of sense. + +I went back to England the same day, and had a troublesome passage. +Nevertheless, I did not rest at Dover; and as soon as I got to London +I shut myself up with a truly English attack of the spleen, while I +thought of Pauline and strove to forget her. Jarbe put me to bed, +and in the morning, when he came into my room, he made me shudder +with a speech at which I laughed afterwards. + +"Sir," said he, "the old woman wants to know whether she is to put up +the notice again." + +"The old hag! Does she want me to choke her?" + +"Good heavens-no, sir! She is very fond of you, seeing you seemed so +sad, she thought . . . ." + +"Go and tell her never to think such things again, and as for you . . +. . ." + +"I will do as you wish, sir." + +"Then leave me." + + + + +End of this Project Gutenberg Etext of MEMOIRES OF JACQUES CASANOVA +IN LONDON AND MOSCOW, Vol. 5b, TO LONDON +by Jacques Casanova de Seingalt + diff --git a/old/jclon11.zip b/old/jclon11.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..77e680f --- /dev/null +++ b/old/jclon11.zip |