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diff --git a/39301-h/39301-h.htm b/39301-h/39301-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..a8a7abe --- /dev/null +++ b/39301-h/39301-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,27879 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> + +<!DOCTYPE html + PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd" > + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en"> + <head> + <title> + The Memoirs of Jacques Casanova de Seingalt 1725-1798 + </title> + <style type="text/css"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Memoires of Casanova,by +Jacques Casanova de Seingalt + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Memoires of Casanova + The Rare Unabridged London Edition Of 1894, plus An + Unpublished Chapter of History, By Arthur Symons + +Author: Jacques Casanova de Seingalt + +Translator: Arthur Machen + +Release Date: November 2, 2006 [EBook #39301] +Last Updated: December 15, 2016 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MEMOIRES OF CASANOVA *** + + + + +Produced by David Widger + + + + + +</pre> + <br /> <br /> <br /> + <h1> + THE MEMOIRS + </h1> + <br /> + <h3> + OF + </h3> + <br /> + <h1> + JACQUES CASANOVA de SEINGALT <br /> <br /> 1725-1798 + </h1> + <br /> <br /> <br /> + <div class="fig" style="width:80%;"> + <img alt="spines (178K)" src="images/spines.jpg" width="100%" /> + </div> + <br /> + <h3> + THE RARE UNABRIDGED LONDON EDITION OF 1894 TRANSLATED BY ARTHUR MACHEN TO + WHICH HAS BEEN ADDED THE CHAPTERS DISCOVERED BY ARTHUR SYMONS. + </h3> + <br /><br /> + <hr /> + <div class="tr"> + [Transcriber’s Note: These memoires were not written for children, they + may outrage readers also offended by Chaucer, La Fontaine, Rabelais and + The Old Testament. D.W.] + </div> + <br /> <br /> + <hr /> + <br /> <br /> <a name="linkimage-0001" id="linkimage-0001"> + <!-- IMG --></a> <a href="images/cover1.jpg">ENLARGE TO FULL SIZE</a> + <div class="fig" style="width:80%;"> + <img src="images/cover1th.jpg" width="100%" alt="Bookcover 1 " /> + </div> + <a name="linkimage-0002" id="linkimage-0002"> + <!-- IMG --></a> + <div class="fig" style="width:80%;"> + <img src="images/title1.jpg" width="100%" alt="Titlepage 1 " /> + </div> + <br /> <br /> + <hr /> + <br /> <br /> + <blockquote> + <p class="toc"> + <big><b>CONTENTS</b></big> + </p> + <br /> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0001"> CASANOVA AT DUX </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0002"> TRANSLATOR’S PREFACE </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0003"> AUTHOR’S PREFACE </a> + </p> + <br /> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0004"> <big><b>THE MEMOIRS OF JACQUES CASANOVA</b></big> + </a> + </p> + <br /> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0005"> <big><b>VENETIAN YEARS</b></big> </a> + </p> + <br /> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0006"> <b>EPISODE 1 — CHILDHOOD</b> </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0001"> CHAPTER I </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0002"> CHAPTER II </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0003"> CHAPTER III </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0004"> CHAPTER IV </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0005"> CHAPTER V </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0006"> CHAPTER VI </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0007"> CHAPTER VII </a> + </p> + <br /> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0014"> <b>EPISODE 2 — CLERIC IN NAPLES</b> </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0008"> CHAPTER VIII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0009"> CHAPTER IX </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0010"> CHAPTER X </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0011"> CHAPTER XI </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0012"> CHAPTER XII </a> + </p> + <br /> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0020"> <b>EPISODE 3 — MILITARY CAREER</b> </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0013"> CHAPTER XIII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0014"> CHAPTER XIV </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0015"> CHAPTER XV </a> + </p> + <br /> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0024"> <b>EPISODE 4 — RETURN TO VENICE</b> </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0016"> CHAPTER XVI </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0017"> CHAPTER XVII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0018"> CHAPTER XVIII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0019"> CHAPTER XIX </a> + </p> + <br /> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0029"> <b>EPISODE 5 — MILAN AND MANTUA</b> </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0020"> CHAPTER XX </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0021"> CHAPTER XXI </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0022"> CHAPTER XXII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0023"> CHAPTER XXIII </a> + </p> +</blockquote> + + + <br /> <br /> + <hr /> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2H_4_0001" id="link2H_4_0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CASANOVA AT DUX + </h2> + <h3> + An Unpublished Chapter of History, By Arthur Symons + </h3> + <center> + I + </center> + <p> + The Memoirs of Casanova, though they have enjoyed the popularity of a bad + reputation, have never had justice done to them by serious students of + literature, of life, and of history. One English writer, indeed, Mr. + Havelock Ellis, has realised that ‘there are few more delightful books in + the world,’ and he has analysed them in an essay on Casanova, published in + Affirmations, with extreme care and remarkable subtlety. But this essay + stands alone, at all events in English, as an attempt to take Casanova + seriously, to show him in his relation to his time, and in his relation to + human problems. And yet these Memoirs are perhaps the most valuable + document which we possess on the society of the eighteenth century; they + are the history of a unique life, a unique personality, one of the + greatest of autobiographies; as a record of adventures, they are more + entertaining than Gil Blas, or Monte Cristo, or any of the imaginary + travels, and escapes, and masquerades in life, which have been written in + imitation of them. They tell the story of a man who loved life + passionately for its own sake: one to whom woman was, indeed, the most + important thing in the world, but to whom nothing in the world was + indifferent. The bust which gives us the most lively notion of him shows + us a great, vivid, intellectual face, full of fiery energy and calm + resource, the face of a thinker and a fighter in one. A scholar, an + adventurer, perhaps a Cabalist, a busy stirrer in politics, a gamester, + one ‘born for the fairer sex,’ as he tells us, and born also to be a + vagabond; this man, who is remembered now for his written account of his + own life, was that rarest kind of autobiographer, one who did not live to + write, but wrote because he had lived, and when he could live no longer. + </p> + <p> + And his Memoirs take one all over Europe, giving sidelights, all the more + valuable in being almost accidental, upon many of the affairs and people + most interesting to us during two-thirds of the eighteenth century. + Giacomo Casanova was born in Venice, of Spanish and Italian parentage, on + April 2, 1725; he died at the Chateau of Dux, in Bohemia, on June 4, 1798. + In that lifetime of seventy-three years he travelled, as his Memoirs show + us, in Italy, France, Germany, Austria, England, Switzerland, Belgium, + Russia, Poland, Spain, Holland, Turkey; he met Voltaire at Ferney, + Rousseau at Montmorency, Fontenelle, d’Alembert and Crebillon at Paris, + George III. in London, Louis XV. at Fontainebleau, Catherine the Great at + St. Petersburg, Benedict XII. at Rome, Joseph II. at Vienna, Frederick the + Great at Sans-Souci. Imprisoned by the Inquisitors of State in the Piombi + at Venice, he made, in 1755, the most famous escape in history. His + Memoirs, as we have them, break off abruptly at the moment when he is + expecting a safe conduct, and the permission to return to Venice after + twenty years’ wanderings. He did return, as we know from documents in the + Venetian archives; he returned as secret agent of the Inquisitors, and + remained in their service from 1774 until 1782. At the end of 1782 he left + Venice; and next year we find him in Paris, where, in 1784, he met Count + Waldstein at the Venetian Ambassador’s, and was invited by him to become + his librarian at Dux. He accepted, and for the fourteen remaining years of + his life lived at Dux, where he wrote his Memoirs. + </p> + <p> + Casanova died in 1798, but nothing was heard of the Memoirs (which the + Prince de Ligne, in his own Memoirs, tells us that Casanova had read to + him, and in which he found ‘du dyamatique, de la rapidite, du comique, de + la philosophie, des choses neuves, sublimes, inimitables meme’) until the + year 1820, when a certain Carlo Angiolini brought to the publishing house + of Brockhaus, in Leipzig, a manuscript entitled Histoire de ma vie jusqu a + l’an 1797, in the handwriting of Casanova. This manuscript, which I have + examined at Leipzig, is written on foolscap paper, rather rough and + yellow; it is written on both sides of the page, and in sheets or quires; + here and there the paging shows that some pages have been omitted, and in + their place are smaller sheets of thinner and whiter paper, all in + Casanova’s handsome, unmistakable handwriting. The manuscript is done up + in twelve bundles, corresponding with the twelve volumes of the original + edition; and only in one place is there a gap. The fourth and fifth + chapters of the twelfth volume are missing, as the editor of the original + edition points out, adding: ‘It is not probable that these two chapters + have been withdrawn from the manuscript of Casanova by a strange hand; + everything leads us to believe that the author himself suppressed them, in + the intention, no doubt, of re-writing them, but without having found time + to do so.’ The manuscript ends abruptly with the year 1774, and not with + the year 1797, as the title would lead us to suppose. + </p> + <p> + This manuscript, in its original state, has never been printed. Herr + Brockhaus, on obtaining possession of the manuscript, had it translated + into German by Wilhelm Schutz, but with many omissions and alterations, + and published this translation, volume by volume, from 1822 to 1828, under + the title, ‘Aus den Memoiren des Venetianers Jacob Casanova de Seingalt.’ + While the German edition was in course of publication, Herr Brockhaus + employed a certain Jean Laforgue, a professor of the French language at + Dresden, to revise the original manuscript, correcting Casanova’s + vigorous, but at times incorrect, and often somewhat Italian, French + according to his own notions of elegant writing, suppressing passages + which seemed too free-spoken from the point of view of morals and of + politics, and altering the names of some of the persons referred to, or + replacing those names by initials. This revised text was published in + twelve volumes, the first two in 1826, the third and fourth in 1828, the + fifth to the eighth in 1832, and the ninth to the twelfth in 1837; the + first four bearing the imprint of Brockhaus at Leipzig and Ponthieu et Cie + at Paris; the next four the imprint of Heideloff et Campe at Paris; and + the last four nothing but ‘A Bruxelles.’ The volumes are all uniform, and + were all really printed for the firm of Brockhaus. This, however far from + representing the real text, is the only authoritative edition, and my + references throughout this article will always be to this edition. + </p> + <p> + In turning over the manuscript at Leipzig, I read some of the suppressed + passages, and regretted their suppression; but Herr Brockhaus, the present + head of the firm, assured me that they are not really very considerable in + number. The damage, however, to the vivacity of the whole narrative, by + the persistent alterations of M. Laforgue, is incalculable. I compared + many passages, and found scarcely three consecutive sentences untouched. + Herr Brockhaus (whose courtesy I cannot sufficiently acknowledge) was kind + enough to have a passage copied out for me, which I afterwards read over, + and checked word by word. In this passage Casanova says, for instance: + ‘Elle venoit presque tous les jours lui faire une belle visite.’ This is + altered into: ‘Cependant chaque jour Therese venait lui faire une visite.’ + Casanova says that some one ‘avoit, comme de raison, forme le projet + d’allier Dieu avec le diable.’ This is made to read: ‘Qui, comme de + raison, avait saintement forme le projet d’allier les interets du ciel aux + oeuvres de ce monde.’ Casanova tells us that Therese would not commit a + mortal sin ‘pour devenir reine du monde;’ pour une couronne,’ corrects the + indefatigable Laforgue. ‘Il ne savoit que lui dire’ becomes ‘Dans cet etat + de perplexite;’ and so forth. It must, therefore, be realized that the + Memoirs, as we have them, are only a kind of pale tracing of the vivid + colours of the original. + </p> + <p> + When Casanova’s Memoirs were first published, doubts were expressed as to + their authenticity, first by Ugo Foscolo (in the Westminster Review, + 1827), then by Querard, supposed to be an authority in regard to anonymous + and pseudonymous writings, finally by Paul Lacroix, ‘le bibliophile + Jacob’, who suggested, or rather expressed his ‘certainty,’ that the real + author of the Memoirs was Stendhal, whose ‘mind, character, ideas and + style’ he seemed to recognise on every page. This theory, as foolish and + as unsupported as the Baconian theory of Shakespeare, has been carelessly + accepted, or at all events accepted as possible, by many good scholars who + have never taken the trouble to look into the matter for themselves. It + was finally disproved by a series of articles of Armand Baschet, entitled + ‘Preuves curieuses de l’authenticite des Memoires de Jacques Casanova de + Seingalt,’ in ‘Le Livre,’ January, February, April and May, 1881; and + these proofs were further corroborated by two articles of Alessandro + d’Ancona, entitled ‘Un Avventuriere del Secolo XVIII., in the ‘Nuovo + Antologia,’ February 1 and August 1, 1882. Baschet had never himself seen + the manuscript of the Memoirs, but he had learnt all the facts about it + from Messrs. Brockhaus, and he had himself examined the numerous papers + relating to Casanova in the Venetian archives. A similar examination was + made at the Frari at about the same time by the Abbe Fulin; and I myself, + in 1894, not knowing at the time that the discovery had been already made, + made it over again for myself. There the arrest of Casanova, his + imprisonment in the Piombi, the exact date of his escape, the name of the + monk who accompanied him, are all authenticated by documents contained in + the ‘riferte’ of the Inquisition of State; there are the bills for the + repairs of the roof and walls of the cell from which he escaped; there are + the reports of the spies on whose information he was arrested, for his too + dangerous free-spokenness in matters of religion and morality. The same + archives contain forty-eight letters of Casanova to the Inquisitors of + State, dating from 1763 to 1782, among the Riferte dei Confidenti, or + reports of secret agents; the earliest asking permission to return to + Venice, the rest giving information in regard to the immoralities of the + city, after his return there; all in the same handwriting as the Memoirs. + Further proof could scarcely be needed, but Baschet has done more than + prove the authenticity, he has proved the extraordinary veracity, of the + Memoirs. F. W. Barthold, in ‘Die Geschichtlichen Personlichkeiten in J. + Casanova’s Memoiren,’ 2 vols., 1846, had already examined about a hundred + of Casanova’s allusions to well known people, showing the perfect + exactitude of all but six or seven, and out of these six or seven + inexactitudes ascribing only a single one to the author’s intention. + Baschet and d’Ancona both carry on what Barthold had begun; other + investigators, in France, Italy and Germany, have followed them; and two + things are now certain, first, that Casanova himself wrote the Memoirs + published under his name, though not textually in the precise form in + which we have them; and, second, that as their veracity becomes more and + more evident as they are confronted with more and more independent + witnesses, it is only fair to suppose that they are equally truthful where + the facts are such as could only have been known to Casanova himself. + </p> + <center> + II + </center> + <p> + For more than two-thirds of a century it has been known that Casanova + spent the last fourteen years of his life at Dux, that he wrote his + Memoirs there, and that he died there. During all this time people have + been discussing the authenticity and the truthfulness of the Memoirs, they + have been searching for information about Casanova in various directions, + and yet hardly any one has ever taken the trouble, or obtained the + permission, to make a careful examination in precisely the one place where + information was most likely to be found. The very existence of the + manuscripts at Dux was known only to a few, and to most of these only on + hearsay; and thus the singular good fortune was reserved for me, on my + visit to Count Waldstein in September 1899, to be the first to discover + the most interesting things contained in these manuscripts. M. Octave + Uzanne, though he had not himself visited Dux, had indeed procured copies + of some of the manuscripts, a few of which were published by him in Le + Livre, in 1887 and 1889. But with the death of Le Livre in 1889 the + ‘Casanova inedit’ came to an end, and has never, so far as I know, been + continued elsewhere. Beyond the publication of these fragments, nothing + has been done with the manuscripts at Dux, nor has an account of them ever + been given by any one who has been allowed to examine them. + </p> + <p> + For five years, ever since I had discovered the documents in the Venetian + archives, I had wanted to go to Dux; and in 1899, when I was staying with + Count Lutzow at Zampach, in Bohemia, I found the way kindly opened for me. + Count Waldstein, the present head of the family, with extreme courtesy, + put all his manuscripts at my disposal, and invited me to stay with him. + Unluckily, he was called away on the morning of the day that I reached + Dux. He had left everything ready for me, and I was shown over the castle + by a friend of his, Dr. Kittel, whose courtesy I should like also to + acknowledge. After a hurried visit to the castle we started on the long + drive to Oberleutensdorf, a smaller Schloss near Komotau, where the + Waldstein family was then staying. The air was sharp and bracing; the two + Russian horses flew like the wind; I was whirled along in an unfamiliar + darkness, through a strange country, black with coal mines, through dark + pine woods, where a wild peasantry dwelt in little mining towns. Here and + there, a few men and women passed us on the road, in their Sunday finery; + then a long space of silence, and we were in the open country, galloping + between broad fields; and always in a haze of lovely hills, which I saw + more distinctly as we drove back next morning. + </p> + <p> + The return to Dux was like a triumphal entry, as we dashed through the + market-place filled with people come for the Monday market, pots and pans + and vegetables strewn in heaps all over the ground, on the rough paving + stones, up to the great gateway of the castle, leaving but just room for + us to drive through their midst. I had the sensation of an enormous + building: all Bohemian castles are big, but this one was like a royal + palace. Set there in the midst of the town, after the Bohemian fashion, it + opens at the back upon great gardens, as if it were in the midst of the + country. I walked through room after room, along corridor after corridor; + everywhere there were pictures, everywhere portraits of Wallenstein, and + battle-scenes in which he led on his troops. The library, which was + formed, or at least arranged, by Casanova, and which remains as he left + it, contains some 25,000 volumes, some of them of considerable value; one + of the most famous books in Bohemian literature, Skala’s History of the + Church, exists in manuscript at Dux, and it is from this manuscript that + the two published volumes of it were printed. The library forms part of + the Museum, which occupies a ground-floor wing of the castle. The first + room is an armoury, in which all kinds of arms are arranged, in a + decorative way, covering the ceiling and the walls with strange patterns. + The second room contains pottery, collected by Casanova’s Waldstein on his + Eastern travels. The third room is full of curious mechanical toys, and + cabinets, and carvings in ivory. Finally, we come to the library, + contained in the two innermost rooms. The book-shelves are painted white, + and reach to the low-vaulted ceilings, which are whitewashed. At the end + of a bookcase, in the corner of one of the windows, hangs a fine engraved + portrait of Casanova. + </p> + <p> + After I had been all over the castle, so long Casanova’s home, I was taken + to Count Waldstein’s study, and left there with the manuscripts. I found + six huge cardboard cases, large enough to contain foolscap paper, lettered + on the back: ‘Grafl. Waldstein-Wartenberg’sches Real Fideicommiss. + Dux-Oberleutensdorf: Handschriftlicher Nachlass Casanova.’ The cases were + arranged so as to stand like books; they opened at the side; and on + opening them, one after another, I found series after series of + manuscripts roughly thrown together, after some pretence at arrangement, + and lettered with a very generalised description of contents. The greater + part of the manuscripts were in Casanova’s handwriting, which I could see + gradually beginning to get shaky with years. Most were written in French, + a certain number in Italian. The beginning of a catalogue in the library, + though said to be by him, was not in his handwriting. Perhaps it was taken + down at his dictation. There were also some copies of Italian and Latin + poems not written by him. Then there were many big bundles of letters + addressed to him, dating over more than thirty years. Almost all the rest + was in his own handwriting. + </p> + <p> + I came first upon the smaller manuscripts, among which I, found, jumbled + together on the same and on separate scraps of paper, washing-bills, + accounts, hotel bills, lists of letters written, first drafts of letters + with many erasures, notes on books, theological and mathematical notes, + sums, Latin quotations, French and Italian verses, with variants, a long + list of classical names which have and have not been ‘francises,’ with + reasons for and against; ‘what I must wear at Dresden’; headings without + anything to follow, such as: ‘Reflexions on respiration, on the true cause + of youth-the crows’; a new method of winning the lottery at Rome; recipes, + among which is a long printed list of perfumes sold at Spa; a newspaper + cutting, dated Prague, 25th October 1790, on the thirty-seventh balloon + ascent of Blanchard; thanks to some ‘noble donor’ for the gift of a dog + called ‘Finette’; a passport for ‘Monsieur de Casanova, Venitien, allant + d’ici en Hollande, October 13, 1758 (Ce Passeport bon pour quinze jours)’, + together with an order for post-horses, gratis, from Paris to Bordeaux and + Bayonne.’ + </p> + <p> + Occasionally, one gets a glimpse into his daily life at Dux, as in this + note, scribbled on a fragment of paper (here and always I translate the + French literally): ‘I beg you to tell my servant what the biscuits are + that I like to eat; dipped in wine, to fortify my stomach. I believe that + they can all be found at Roman’s.’ Usually, however, these notes, though + often suggested by something closely personal, branch off into more + general considerations; or else begin with general considerations, and end + with a case in point. Thus, for instance, a fragment of three pages + begins: ‘A compliment which is only made to gild the pill is a positive + impertinence, and Monsieur Bailli is nothing but a charlatan; the monarch + ought to have spit in his face, but the monarch trembled with fear.’ A + manuscript entitled ‘Essai d’Egoisme,’ dated, ‘Dux, this 27th June, 1769,’ + contains, in the midst of various reflections, an offer to let his + ‘appartement’ in return for enough money to ‘tranquillise for six months + two Jew creditors at Prague.’ Another manuscript is headed ‘Pride and + Folly,’ and begins with a long series of antitheses, such as: ‘All fools + are not proud, and all proud men are fools. Many fools are happy, all + proud men are unhappy.’ On the same sheet follows this instance or + application: + </p> + <p> + Whether it is possible to compose a Latin distich of the greatest beauty + without knowing either the Latin language or prosody. We must examine the + possibility and the impossibility, and afterwards see who is the man who + says he is the author of the distich, for there are extraordinary people + in the world. My brother, in short, ought to have composed the distich, + because he says so, and because he confided it to me tete-’a-tete. I had, + it is true, difficulty in believing him; but what is one to do! Either one + must believe, or suppose him capable of telling a lie which could only be + told by a fool; and that is impossible, for all Europe knows that my + brother is not a fool. + </p> + <p> + Here, as so often in these manuscripts, we seem to see Casanova thinking + on paper. He uses scraps of paper (sometimes the blank page of a letter, + on the other side of which we see the address) as a kind of informal + diary; and it is characteristic of him, of the man of infinitely curious + mind, which this adventurer really was, that there are so few merely + personal notes among these casual jottings. Often, they are purely + abstract; at times, metaphysical ‘jeux d’esprit,’ like the sheet of + fourteen ‘Different Wagers,’ which begins: + </p> + <p> + I wager that it is not true that a man who weighs a hundred pounds will + weigh more if you kill him. I wager that if there is any difference, he + will weigh less. I wager that diamond powder has not sufficient force to + kill a man. + </p> + <p> + Side by side with these fanciful excursions into science, come more + serious ones, as in the note on Algebra, which traces its progress since + the year 1494, before which ‘it had only arrived at the solution of + problems of the second degree, inclusive.’ A scrap of paper tells us that + Casanova ‘did not like regular towns.’ ‘I like,’ he says, ‘Venice, Rome, + Florence, Milan, Constantinople, Genoa.’ Then he becomes abstract and + inquisitive again, and writes two pages, full of curious, out-of-the-way + learning, on the name of Paradise: + </p> + <p> + The name of Paradise is a name in Genesis which indicates a place of + pleasure (lieu voluptueux): this term is Persian. This place of pleasure + was made by God before he had created man. + </p> + <p> + It may be remembered that Casanova quarrelled with Voltaire, because + Voltaire had told him frankly that his translation of L’Ecossaise was a + bad translation. It is piquant to read another note written in this style + of righteous indignation: + </p> + <p> + Voltaire, the hardy Voltaire, whose pen is without bit or bridle; + Voltaire, who devoured the Bible, and ridiculed our dogmas, doubts, and + after having made proselytes to impiety, is not ashamed, being reduced to + the extremity of life, to ask for the sacraments, and to cover his body + with more relics than St. Louis had at Amboise. + </p> + <p> + Here is an argument more in keeping with the tone of the Memoirs: + </p> + <p> + A girl who is pretty and good, and as virtuous as you please, ought not to + take it ill that a man, carried away by her charms, should set himself to + the task of making their conquest. If this man cannot please her by any + means, even if his passion be criminal, she ought never to take offence at + it, nor treat him unkindly; she ought to be gentle, and pity him, if she + does not love him, and think it enough to keep invincibly hold upon her + own duty. + </p> + <p> + Occasionally he touches upon aesthetical matters, as in a fragment which + begins with this liberal definition of beauty: + </p> + <p> + Harmony makes beauty, says M. de S. P. (Bernardin de St. Pierre), but the + definition is too short, if he thinks he has said everything. Here is + mine. Remember that the subject is metaphysical. An object really + beautiful ought to seem beautiful to all whose eyes fall upon it. That is + all; there is nothing more to be said. + </p> + <p> + At times we have an anecdote and its commentary, perhaps jotted down for + use in that latter part of the Memoirs which was never written, or which + has been lost. Here is a single sheet, dated ‘this 2nd September, 1791,’ + and headed Souvenir: + </p> + <p> + The Prince de Rosenberg said to me, as we went down stairs, that Madame de + Rosenberg was dead, and asked me if the Comte de Waldstein had in the + library the illustration of the Villa d’Altichiero, which the Emperor had + asked for in vain at the city library of Prague, and when I answered + ‘yes,’ he gave an equivocal laugh. A moment afterwards, he asked me if he + might tell the Emperor. ‘Why not, monseigneur? It is not a secret, ‘Is His + Majesty coming to Dux?’ ‘If he goes to Oberlaitensdorf (sic) he will go to + Dux, too; and he may ask you for it, for there is a monument there which + relates to him when he was Grand Duke.’ ‘In that case, His Majesty can + also see my critical remarks on the Egyptian prints.’ + </p> + <p> + The Emperor asked me this morning, 6th October, how I employed my time at + Dux, and I told him that I was making an Italian anthology. ‘You have all + the Italians, then?’ ‘All, sire.’ See what a lie leads to. If I had not + lied in saying that I was making an anthology, I should not have found + myself obliged to lie again in saying that we have all the Italian poets. + If the Emperor comes to Dux, I shall kill myself. + </p> + <p> + ‘They say that this Dux is a delightful spot,’ says Casanova in one of the + most personal of his notes, ‘and I see that it might be for many; but not + for me, for what delights me in my old age is independent of the place + which I inhabit. When I do not sleep I dream, and when I am tired of + dreaming I blacken paper, then I read, and most often reject all that my + pen has vomited.’ Here we see him blackening paper, on every occasion, and + for every purpose. In one bundle I found an unfinished story about Roland, + and some adventure with women in a cave; then a ‘Meditation on arising + from sleep, 19th May 1789’; then a ‘Short Reflection of a Philosopher who + finds himself thinking of procuring his own death. At Dux, on getting out + of bed on 13th October 1793, day dedicated to St. Lucy, memorable in my + too long life.’ A big budget, containing cryptograms, is headed + ‘Grammatical Lottery’; and there is the title-page of a treatise on The + Duplication of the Hexahedron, demonstrated geometrically to all the + Universities and all the Academies of Europe.’ [See Charles Henry, Les + Connaissances Mathimatiques de Casanova. Rome, 1883.] There are + innumerable verses, French and Italian, in all stages, occasionally + attaining the finality of these lines, which appear in half a dozen + tentative forms: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ‘Sans mystere point de plaisirs, + Sans silence point de mystere. + Charme divin de mes loisirs, + Solitude! que tu mes chere! +</pre> + <p> + Then there are a number of more or less complete manuscripts of some + extent. There is the manuscript of the translation of Homer’s ‘Iliad, in + ottava rima (published in Venice, 1775-8); of the ‘Histoire de Venise,’ of + the ‘Icosameron,’ a curious book published in 1787, purporting to be + ‘translated from English,’ but really an original work of Casanova; + ‘Philocalies sur les Sottises des Mortels,’ a long manuscript never + published; the sketch and beginning of ‘Le Pollmarque, ou la Calomnie + demasquee par la presence d’esprit. Tragicomedie en trois actes, composed + a Dux dans le mois de Juin de l’Annee, 1791,’ which recurs again under the + form of the ‘Polemoscope: La Lorgnette menteuse ou la Calomnie demasquge,’ + acted before the Princess de Ligne, at her chateau at Teplitz, 1791. There + is a treatise in Italian, ‘Delle Passioni’; there are long dialogues, such + as ‘Le Philosophe et le Theologien’, and ‘Reve’: ‘Dieu-Moi’; there is the + ‘Songe d’un Quart d’Heure’, divided into minutes; there is the very + lengthy criticism of ‘Bernardin de Saint-Pierre’; there is the + ‘Confutation d’une Censure indiscrate qu’on lit dans la Gazette de Iena, + 19 Juin 1789’; with another large manuscript, unfortunately imperfect, + first called ‘L’Insulte’, and then ‘Placet au Public’, dated ‘Dux, this + 2nd March, 1790,’ referring to the same criticism on the ‘Icosameron’ and + the ‘Fuite des Prisons. L’Histoire de ma Fuite des Prisons de la + Republique de Venise, qu’on appelle les Plombs’, which is the first draft + of the most famous part of the Memoirs, was published at Leipzig in 1788; + and, having read it in the Marcian Library at Venice, I am not surprised + to learn from this indignant document that it was printed ‘under the care + of a young Swiss, who had the talent to commit a hundred faults of + orthography.’ + </p> + <center> + III. + </center> + <p> + We come now to the documents directly relating to the Memoirs, and among + these are several attempts at a preface, in which we see the actual + preface coming gradually into form. One is entitled ‘Casanova au Lecteur’, + another ‘Histoire de mon Existence’, and a third Preface. There is also a + brief and characteristic ‘Precis de ma vie’, dated November 17, 1797. Some + of these have been printed in Le Livre, 1887. But by far the most + important manuscript that I discovered, one which, apparently, I am the + first to discover, is a manuscript entitled ‘Extrait du Chapitre 4 et 5. + It is written on paper similar to that on which the Memoirs are written; + the pages are numbered 104-148; and though it is described as Extrait, it + seems to contain, at all events, the greater part of the missing chapters + to which I have already referred, Chapters IV. and V. of the last volume + of the Memoirs. In this manuscript we find Armeline and Scolastica, whose + story is interrupted by the abrupt ending of Chapter III.; we find + Mariuccia of Vol. VII, Chapter IX., who married a hairdresser; and we find + also Jaconine, whom Casanova recognises as his daughter, ‘much prettier + than Sophia, the daughter of Therese Pompeati, whom I had left at London.’ + It is curious that this very important manuscript, which supplies the one + missing link in the Memoirs, should never have been discovered by any of + the few people who have had the opportunity of looking over the Dux + manuscripts. I am inclined to explain it by the fact that the case in + which I found this manuscript contains some papers not relating to + Casanova. Probably, those who looked into this case looked no further. I + have told Herr Brockhaus of my discovery, and I hope to see Chapters IV. + and V. in their places when the long-looked-for edition of the complete + text is at length given to the world. + </p> + <p> + Another manuscript which I found tells with great piquancy the whole story + of the Abbe de Brosses’ ointment, the curing of the Princess de Conti’s + pimples, and the birth of the Duc de Montpensier, which is told very + briefly, and with much less point, in the Memoirs (vol. iii., p. 327). + Readers of the Memoirs will remember the duel at Warsaw with Count + Branicki in 1766 (vol. X., pp. 274-320), an affair which attracted a good + deal of attention at the time, and of which there is an account in a + letter from the Abbe Taruffi to the dramatist, Francesco Albergati, dated + Warsaw, March 19, 1766, quoted in Ernesto Masi’s Life of Albergati, + Bologna, 1878. A manuscript at Dux in Casanova’s handwriting gives an + account of this duel in the third person; it is entitled, ‘Description de + l’affaire arrivee a Varsovie le 5 Mars, 1766’. D’Ancona, in the Nuova + Antologia (vol. lxvii., p. 412), referring to the Abbe Taruffi’s account, + mentions what he considers to be a slight discrepancy: that Taruffi refers + to the danseuse, about whom the duel was fought, as La Casacci, while + Casanova refers to her as La Catai. In this manuscript Casanova always + refers to her as La Casacci; La Catai is evidently one of M. Laforgue’s + arbitrary alterations of the text. + </p> + <p> + In turning over another manuscript, I was caught by the name Charpillon, + which every reader of the Memoirs will remember as the name of the harpy + by whom Casanova suffered so much in London, in 1763-4. This manuscript + begins by saying: ‘I have been in London for six months and have been to + see them (that is the mother and daughter) in their own house,’ where he + finds nothing but ‘swindlers, who cause all who go there to lose their + money in gambling.’ This manuscript adds some details to the story told in + the ninth and tenth volumes of the Memoirs, and refers to the meeting with + the Charpillons four and a half years before, described in Volume V., + pages 428-485. It is written in a tone of great indignation. Elsewhere, I + found a letter written by Casanova, but not signed, referring to an + anonymous letter which he had received in reference to the Charpillons, + and ending: ‘My handwriting is known.’ It was not until the last that I + came upon great bundles of letters addressed to Casanova, and so carefully + preserved that little scraps of paper, on which postscripts are written, + are still in their places. One still sees the seals on the backs of many + of the letters, on paper which has slightly yellowed with age, leaving the + ink, however, almost always fresh. They come from Venice, Paris, Rome, + Prague, Bayreuth, The Hague, Genoa, Fiume, Trieste, etc., and are + addressed to as many places, often poste restante. Many are letters from + women, some in beautiful handwriting, on thick paper; others on scraps of + paper, in painful hands, ill-spelt. A Countess writes pitifully, imploring + help; one protests her love, in spite of the ‘many chagrins’ he has caused + her; another asks ‘how they are to live together’; another laments that a + report has gone about that she is secretly living with him, which may harm + his reputation. Some are in French, more in Italian. ‘Mon cher + Giacometto’, writes one woman, in French; ‘Carissimo a Amatissimo’, writes + another, in Italian. These letters from women are in some confusion, and + are in need of a good deal of sorting over and rearranging before their + full extent can be realised. Thus I found letters in the same handwriting + separated by letters in other handwritings; many are unsigned, or signed + only by a single initial; many are undated, or dated only with the day of + the week or month. There are a great many letters, dating from 1779 to + 1786, signed ‘Francesca Buschini,’ a name which I cannot identify; they + are written in Italian, and one of them begins: ‘Unico Mio vero Amico’ + (‘my only true friend’). Others are signed ‘Virginia B.’; one of these is + dated, ‘Forli, October 15, 1773.’ There is also a ‘Theresa B.,’ who writes + from Genoa. I was at first unable to identify the writer of a whole series + of letters in French, very affectionate and intimate letters, usually + unsigned, occasionally signed ‘B.’ She calls herself votre petite amie; or + she ends with a half-smiling, half-reproachful ‘goodnight, and sleep + better than I’ In one letter, sent from Paris in 1759, she writes: ‘Never + believe me, but when I tell you that I love you, and that I shall love you + always: In another letter, ill-spelt, as her letters often are, she + writes: ‘Be assured that evil tongues, vapours, calumny, nothing can + change my heart, which is yours entirely, and has no will to change its + master.’ Now, it seems to me that these letters must be from Manon + Baletti, and that they are the letters referred to in the sixth volume of + the Memoirs. We read there (page 60) how on Christmas Day, 1759, Casanova + receives a letter from Manon in Paris, announcing her marriage with ‘M. + Blondel, architect to the King, and member of his Academy’; she returns + him his letters, and begs him to return hers, or burn them. Instead of + doing so he allows Esther to read them, intending to burn them afterwards. + Esther begs to be allowed to keep the letters, promising to ‘preserve them + religiously all her life.’ ‘These letters,’ he says, ‘numbered more than + two hundred, and the shortest were of four pages: Certainly there are not + two hundred of them at Dux, but it seems to me highly probable that + Casanova made a final selection from Manon’s letters, and that it is these + which I have found. + </p> + <p> + But, however this may be, I was fortunate enough to find the set of + letters which I was most anxious to find the letters from Henriette, whose + loss every writer on Casanova has lamented. Henriette, it will be + remembered, makes her first appearance at Cesena, in the year 1748; after + their meeting at Geneva, she reappears, romantically ‘a propos’, + twenty-two years later, at Aix in Provence; and she writes to Casanova + proposing ‘un commerce epistolaire’, asking him what he has done since his + escape from prison, and promising to do her best to tell him all that has + happened to her during the long interval. After quoting her letter, he + adds: ‘I replied to her, accepting the correspondence that she offered me, + and telling her briefly all my vicissitudes. She related to me in turn, in + some forty letters, all the history of her life. If she dies before me, I + shall add these letters to these Memoirs; but to-day she is still alive, + and always happy, though now old.’ It has never been known what became of + these letters, and why they were not added to the Memoirs. I have found a + great quantity of them, some signed with her married name in full, + ‘Henriette de Schnetzmann,’ and I am inclined to think that she survived + Casanova, for one of the letters is dated Bayreuth, 1798, the year of + Casanova’s death. They are remarkably charming, written with a mixture of + piquancy and distinction; and I will quote the characteristic beginning + and end of the last letter I was able to find. It begins: ‘No, it is + impossible to be sulky with you!’ and ends: ‘If I become vicious, it is + you, my Mentor, who make me so, and I cast my sins upon you. Even if I + were damned I should still be your most devoted friend, Henriette de + Schnetzmann.’ Casanova was twenty-three when he met Henriette; now, + herself an old woman, she writes to him when he is seventy-three, as if + the fifty years that had passed were blotted out in the faithful affection + of her memory. How many more discreet and less changing lovers have had + the quality of constancy in change, to which this life-long correspondence + bears witness? Does it not suggest a view of Casanova not quite the view + of all the world? To me it shows the real man, who perhaps of all others + best understood what Shelley meant when he said: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + True love in this differs from gold or clay + That to divide is not to take away. +</pre> + <p> + But, though the letters from women naturally interested me the most, they + were only a certain proportion of the great mass of correspondence which I + turned over. There were letters from Carlo Angiolini, who was afterwards + to bring the manuscript of the Memoirs to Brockhaus; from Balbi, the monk + with whom Casanova escaped from the Piombi; from the Marquis Albergati, + playwright, actor, and eccentric, of whom there is some account in the + Memoirs; from the Marquis Mosca, ‘a distinguished man of letters whom I + was anxious to see,’ Casanova tells us in the same volume in which he + describes his visit to the Moscas at Pesaro; from Zulian, brother of the + Duchess of Fiano; from Richard Lorrain, ‘bel homme, ayant de l’esprit, le + ton et le gout de la bonne societe’, who came to settle at Gorizia in + 1773, while Casanova was there; from the Procurator Morosini, whom he + speaks of in the Memoirs as his ‘protector,’ and as one of those through + whom he obtained permission to return to Venice. His other ‘protector,’ + the ‘avogador’ Zaguri, had, says Casanova, ‘since the affair of the + Marquis Albergati, carried on a most interesting correspondence with me’; + and in fact I found a bundle of no less than a hundred and thirty-eight + letters from him, dating from 1784 to 1798. Another bundle contains one + hundred and seventy-two letters from Count Lamberg. In the Memoirs + Casanova says, referring to his visit to Augsburg at the end of 1761: + </p> + <p> + I used to spend my evenings in a very agreeable manner at the house of + Count Max de Lamberg, who resided at the court of the Prince-Bishop with + the title of Grand Marshal. What particularly attached me to Count Lamberg + was his literary talent. A first-rate scholar, learned to a degree, he has + published several much esteemed works. I carried on an exchange of letters + with him which ended only with his death four years ago in 1792. + </p> + <p> + Casanova tells us that, at his second visit to Augsburg in the early part + of 1767, he ‘supped with Count Lamberg two or three times a week,’ during + the four months he was there. It is with this year that the letters I have + found begin: they end with the year of his death, 1792. In his ‘Memorial + d’un Mondain’ Lamberg refers to Casanova as ‘a man known in literature, a + man of profound knowledge.’ In the first edition of 1774, he laments that + ‘a man such as M. de S. Galt’ should not yet have been taken back into + favour by the Venetian government, and in the second edition, 1775, + rejoices over Casanova’s return to Venice. Then there are letters from Da + Ponte, who tells the story of Casanova’s curious relations with Mme. + d’Urfe, in his ‘Memorie scritte da esso’, 1829; from Pittoni, Bono, and + others mentioned in different parts of the Memoirs, and from some dozen + others who are not mentioned in them. The only letters in the whole + collection that have been published are those from the Prince de Ligne and + from Count Koenig. + </p> + <center> + IV. + </center> + <p> + Casanova tells us in his Memoirs that, during his later years at Dux, he + had only been able to ‘hinder black melancholy from devouring his poor + existence, or sending him out of his mind,’ by writing ten or twelve hours + a day. The copious manuscripts at Dux show us how persistently he was at + work on a singular variety of subjects, in addition to the Memoirs, and to + the various books which he published during those years. We see him + jotting down everything that comes into his head, for his own amusement, + and certainly without any thought of publication; engaging in learned + controversies, writing treatises on abstruse mathematical problems, + composing comedies to be acted before Count Waldstein’s neighbours, + practising verse-writing in two languages, indeed with more patience than + success, writing philosophical dialogues in which God and himself are the + speakers, and keeping up an extensive correspondence, both with + distinguished men and with delightful women. His mental activity, up to + the age of seventy-three, is as prodigious as the activity which he had + expended in living a multiform and incalculable life. As in life + everything living had interested him so in his retirement from life every + idea makes its separate appeal to him; and he welcomes ideas with the same + impartiality with which he had welcomed adventures. Passion has + intellectualised itself, and remains not less passionate. He wishes to do + everything, to compete with every one; and it is only after having spent + seven years in heaping up miscellaneous learning, and exercising his + faculties in many directions, that he turns to look back over his own past + life, and to live it over again in memory, as he writes down the narrative + of what had interested him most in it. ‘I write in the hope that my + history will never see the broad day light of publication,’ he tells us, + scarcely meaning it, we may be sure, even in the moment of hesitancy which + may naturally come to him. But if ever a book was written for the pleasure + of writing it, it was this one; and an autobiography written for oneself + is not likely to be anything but frank. + </p> + <p> + ‘Truth is the only God I have ever adored,’ he tells us: and we now know + how truthful he was in saying so. I have only summarised in this article + the most important confirmations of his exact accuracy in facts and dates; + the number could be extended indefinitely. In the manuscripts we find + innumerable further confirmations; and their chief value as testimony is + that they tell us nothing which we should not have already known, if we + had merely taken Casanova at his word. But it is not always easy to take + people at their own word, when they are writing about themselves; and the + world has been very loth to believe in Casanova as he represents himself. + It has been specially loth to believe that he is telling the truth when he + tells us about his adventures with women. But the letters contained among + these manuscripts shows us the women of Casanova writing to him with all + the fervour and all the fidelity which he attributes to them; and they + show him to us in the character of as fervid and faithful a lover. In + every fact, every detail, and in the whole mental impression which they + convey, these manuscripts bring before us the Casanova of the Memoirs. As + I seemed to come upon Casanova at home, it was as if I came upon old + friend, already perfectly known to me, before I had made my pilgrimage to + Dux. + </p> + <center> + 1902 + </center> + <a name="link2H_4_0002" id="link2H_4_0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + TRANSLATOR’S PREFACE + </h2> + <p> + A series of adventures wilder and more fantastic than the wildest of + romances, written down with the exactitude of a business diary; a view of + men and cities from Naples to Berlin, from Madrid and London to + Constantinople and St. Petersburg; the ‘vie intime’ of the eighteenth + century depicted by a man, who to-day sat with cardinals and saluted + crowned heads, and to morrow lurked in dens of profligacy and crime; a + book of confessions penned without reticence and without penitence; a + record of forty years of “occult” charlatanism; a collection of tales of + successful imposture, of ‘bonnes fortunes’, of marvellous escapes, of + transcendent audacity, told with the humour of Smollett and the delicate + wit of Voltaire. Who is there interested in men and letters, and in the + life of the past, who would not cry, “Where can such a book as this be + found?” + </p> + <p> + Yet the above catalogue is but a brief outline, a bare and meagre summary, + of the book known as “THE MEMOIRS OF CASANOVA”; a work absolutely unique + in literature. He who opens these wonderful pages is as one who sits in a + theatre and looks across the gloom, not on a stage-play, but on another + and a vanished world. The curtain draws up, and suddenly a hundred and + fifty years are rolled away, and in bright light stands out before us the + whole life of the past; the gay dresses, the polished wit, the careless + morals, and all the revel and dancing of those merry years before the + mighty deluge of the Revolution. The palaces and marble stairs of old + Venice are no longer desolate, but thronged with scarlet-robed senators, + prisoners with the doom of the Ten upon their heads cross the Bridge of + Sighs, at dead of night the nun slips out of the convent gate to the dark + canal where a gondola is waiting, we assist at the ‘parties fines’ of + cardinals, and we see the bank made at faro. Venice gives place to the + assembly rooms of Mrs. Cornely and the fast taverns of the London of 1760; + we pass from Versailles to the Winter Palace of St. Petersburg in the days + of Catherine, from the policy of the Great Frederick to the lewd mirth of + strolling-players, and the presence-chamber of the Vatican is succeeded by + an intrigue in a garret. It is indeed a new experience to read this + history of a man who, refraining from nothing, has concealed nothing; of + one who stood in the courts of Louis the Magnificent before Madame de + Pompadour and the nobles of the Ancien Regime, and had an affair with an + adventuress of Denmark Street, Soho; who was bound over to keep the peace + by Fielding, and knew Cagliostro. The friend of popes and kings and + noblemen, and of all the male and female ruffians and vagabonds of Europe, + abbe, soldier, charlatan, gamester, financier, diplomatist, viveur, + philosopher, virtuoso, “chemist, fiddler, and buffoon,” each of these, and + all of these was Giacomo Casanova, Chevalier de Seingalt, Knight of the + Golden Spur. + </p> + <p> + And not only are the Memoirs a literary curiosity; they are almost equally + curious from a bibliographical point of view. The manuscript was written + in French and came into the possession of the publisher Brockhaus, of + Leipzig, who had it translated into German, and printed. From this German + edition, M. Aubert de Vitry re-translated the work into French, but + omitted about a fourth of the matter, and this mutilated and worthless + version is frequently purchased by unwary bibliophiles. In the year 1826, + however, Brockhaus, in order presumably to protect his property, printed + the entire text of the original MS. in French, for the first time, and in + this complete form, containing a large number of anecdotes and incidents + not to be found in the spurious version, the work was not acceptable to + the authorities, and was consequently rigorously suppressed. Only a few + copies sent out for presentation or for review are known to have escaped, + and from one of these rare copies the present translation has been made + and solely for private circulation. + </p> + <p> + In conclusion, both translator and ‘editeur’ have done their utmost to + present the English Casanova in a dress worthy of the wonderful and witty + original. + </p> + <a name="link2H_4_0003" id="link2H_4_0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + AUTHOR’S PREFACE + </h2> + <p> + I will begin with this confession: whatever I have done in the course of + my life, whether it be good or evil, has been done freely; I am a free + agent. + </p> + <p> + The doctrine of the Stoics or of any other sect as to the force of Destiny + is a bubble engendered by the imagination of man, and is near akin to + Atheism. I not only believe in one God, but my faith as a Christian is + also grafted upon that tree of philosophy which has never spoiled + anything. + </p> + <p> + I believe in the existence of an immaterial God, the Author and Master of + all beings and all things, and I feel that I never had any doubt of His + existence, from the fact that I have always relied upon His providence, + prayed to Him in my distress, and that He has always granted my prayers. + Despair brings death, but prayer does away with despair; and when a man + has prayed he feels himself supported by new confidence and endowed with + power to act. As to the means employed by the Sovereign Master of human + beings to avert impending dangers from those who beseech His assistance, I + confess that the knowledge of them is above the intelligence of man, who + can but wonder and adore. Our ignorance becomes our only resource, and + happy, truly happy; are those who cherish their ignorance! Therefore must + we pray to God, and believe that He has granted the favour we have been + praying for, even when in appearance it seems the reverse. As to the + position which our body ought to assume when we address ourselves to the + Creator, a line of Petrarch settles it: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ‘Con le ginocchia della mente inchine.’ +</pre> + <p> + Man is free, but his freedom ceases when he has no faith in it; and the + greater power he ascribes to faith, the more he deprives himself of that + power which God has given to him when He endowed him with the gift of + reason. Reason is a particle of the Creator’s divinity. When we use it + with a spirit of humility and justice we are certain to please the Giver + of that precious gift. God ceases to be God only for those who can admit + the possibility of His non-existence, and that conception is in itself the + most severe punishment they can suffer. + </p> + <p> + Man is free; yet we must not suppose that he is at liberty to do + everything he pleases, for he becomes a slave the moment he allows his + actions to be ruled by passion. The man who has sufficient power over + himself to wait until his nature has recovered its even balance is the + truly wise man, but such beings are seldom met with. + </p> + <p> + The reader of these Memoirs will discover that I never had any fixed aim + before my eyes, and that my system, if it can be called a system, has been + to glide away unconcernedly on the stream of life, trusting to the wind + wherever it led. How many changes arise from such an independent mode of + life! My success and my misfortunes, the bright and the dark days I have + gone through, everything has proved to me that in this world, either + physical or moral, good comes out of evil just as well as evil comes out + of good. My errors will point to thinking men the various roads, and will + teach them the great art of treading on the brink of the precipice without + falling into it. It is only necessary to have courage, for strength + without self-confidence is useless. I have often met with happiness after + some imprudent step which ought to have brought ruin upon me, and although + passing a vote of censure upon myself I would thank God for his mercy. + But, by way of compensation, dire misfortune has befallen me in + consequence of actions prompted by the most cautious wisdom. This would + humble me; yet conscious that I had acted rightly I would easily derive + comfort from that conviction. + </p> + <p> + In spite of a good foundation of sound morals, the natural offspring of + the Divine principles which had been early rooted in my heart, I have been + throughout my life the victim of my senses; I have found delight in losing + the right path, I have constantly lived in the midst of error, with no + consolation but the consciousness of my being mistaken. Therefore, dear + reader, I trust that, far from attaching to my history the character of + impudent boasting, you will find in my Memoirs only the characteristic + proper to a general confession, and that my narratory style will be the + manner neither of a repenting sinner, nor of a man ashamed to acknowledge + his frolics. They are the follies inherent to youth; I make sport of them, + and, if you are kind, you will not yourself refuse them a good-natured + smile. You will be amused when you see that I have more than once deceived + without the slightest qualm of conscience, both knaves and fools. As to + the deceit perpetrated upon women, let it pass, for, when love is in the + way, men and women as a general rule dupe each other. But on the score of + fools it is a very different matter. I always feel the greatest bliss when + I recollect those I have caught in my snares, for they generally are + insolent, and so self-conceited that they challenge wit. We avenge + intellect when we dupe a fool, and it is a victory not to be despised for + a fool is covered with steel and it is often very hard to find his + vulnerable part. In fact, to gull a fool seems to me an exploit worthy of + a witty man. I have felt in my very blood, ever since I was born, a most + unconquerable hatred towards the whole tribe of fools, and it arises from + the fact that I feel myself a blockhead whenever I am in their company. I + am very far from placing them in the same class with those men whom we + call stupid, for the latter are stupid only from deficient education, and + I rather like them. I have met with some of them—very honest + fellows, who, with all their stupidity, had a kind of intelligence and an + upright good sense, which cannot be the characteristics of fools. They are + like eyes veiled with the cataract, which, if the disease could be + removed, would be very beautiful. + </p> + <p> + Dear reader, examine the spirit of this preface, and you will at once + guess at my purpose. I have written a preface because I wish you to know + me thoroughly before you begin the reading of my Memoirs. It is only in a + coffee-room or at a table d’hote that we like to converse with strangers. + </p> + <p> + I have written the history of my life, and I have a perfect right to do + so; but am I wise in throwing it before a public of which I know nothing + but evil? No, I am aware it is sheer folly, but I want to be busy, I want + to laugh, and why should I deny myself this gratification? + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ‘Expulit elleboro morbum bilemque mero.’ +</pre> + <p> + An ancient author tells us somewhere, with the tone of a pedagogue, if you + have not done anything worthy of being recorded, at least write something + worthy of being read. It is a precept as beautiful as a diamond of the + first water cut in England, but it cannot be applied to me, because I have + not written either a novel, or the life of an illustrious character. + Worthy or not, my life is my subject, and my subject is my life. I have + lived without dreaming that I should ever take a fancy to write the + history of my life, and, for that very reason, my Memoirs may claim from + the reader an interest and a sympathy which they would not have obtained, + had I always entertained the design to write them in my old age, and, + still more, to publish them. + </p> + <p> + I have reached, in 1797, the age of three-score years and twelve; I can + not say, Vixi, and I could not procure a more agreeable pastime than to + relate my own adventures, and to cause pleasant laughter amongst the good + company listening to me, from which I have received so many tokens of + friendship, and in the midst of which I have ever lived. To enable me to + write well, I have only to think that my readers will belong to that + polite society: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ‘Quoecunque dixi, si placuerint, dictavit auditor.’ +</pre> + <p> + Should there be a few intruders whom I can not prevent from perusing my + Memoirs, I must find comfort in the idea that my history was not written + for them. + </p> + <p> + By recollecting the pleasures I have had formerly, I renew them, I enjoy + them a second time, while I laugh at the remembrance of troubles now past, + and which I no longer feel. A member of this great universe, I speak to + the air, and I fancy myself rendering an account of my administration, as + a steward is wont to do before leaving his situation. For my future I have + no concern, and as a true philosopher, I never would have any, for I know + not what it may be: as a Christian, on the other hand, faith must believe + without discussion, and the stronger it is, the more it keeps silent. I + know that I have lived because I have felt, and, feeling giving me the + knowledge of my existence, I know likewise that I shall exist no more when + I shall have ceased to feel. + </p> + <p> + Should I perchance still feel after my death, I would no longer have any + doubt, but I would most certainly give the lie to anyone asserting before + me that I was dead. + </p> + <p> + The history of my life must begin by the earliest circumstance which my + memory can evoke; it will therefore commence when I had attained the age + of eight years and four months. Before that time, if to think is to live + be a true axiom, I did not live, I could only lay claim to a state of + vegetation. The mind of a human being is formed only of comparisons made + in order to examine analogies, and therefore cannot precede the existence + of memory. The mnemonic organ was developed in my head only eight years + and four months after my birth; it is then that my soul began to be + susceptible of receiving impressions. How is it possible for an immaterial + substance, which can neither touch nor be touched to receive impressions? + It is a mystery which man cannot unravel. + </p> + <p> + A certain philosophy, full of consolation, and in perfect accord with + religion, pretends that the state of dependence in which the soul stands + in relation to the senses and to the organs, is only incidental and + transient, and that it will reach a condition of freedom and happiness + when the death of the body shall have delivered it from that state of + tyrannic subjection. This is very fine, but, apart from religion, where is + the proof of it all? Therefore, as I cannot, from my own information, have + a perfect certainty of my being immortal until the dissolution of my body + has actually taken place, people must kindly bear with me, if I am in no + hurry to obtain that certain knowledge, for, in my estimation, a knowledge + to be gained at the cost of life is a rather expensive piece of + information. In the mean time I worship God, laying every wrong action + under an interdict which I endeavour to respect, and I loathe the wicked + without doing them any injury. I only abstain from doing them any good, in + the full belief that we ought not to cherish serpents. + </p> + <p> + As I must likewise say a few words respecting my nature and my + temperament, I premise that the most indulgent of my readers is not likely + to be the most dishonest or the least gifted with intelligence. + </p> + <p> + I have had in turn every temperament; phlegmatic in my infancy; sanguine + in my youth; later on, bilious; and now I have a disposition which + engenders melancholy, and most likely will never change. I always made my + food congenial to my constitution, and my health was always excellent. I + learned very early that our health is always impaired by some excess + either of food or abstinence, and I never had any physician except myself. + I am bound to add that the excess in too little has ever proved in me more + dangerous than the excess in too much; the last may cause indigestion, but + the first causes death. + </p> + <p> + Now, old as I am, and although enjoying good digestive organs, I must have + only one meal every day; but I find a set-off to that privation in my + delightful sleep, and in the ease which I experience in writing down my + thoughts without having recourse to paradox or sophism, which would be + calculated to deceive myself even more than my readers, for I never could + make up my mind to palm counterfeit coin upon them if I knew it to be + such. + </p> + <p> + The sanguine temperament rendered me very sensible to the attractions of + voluptuousness: I was always cheerful and ever ready to pass from one + enjoyment to another, and I was at the same time very skillful in + inventing new pleasures. Thence, I suppose, my natural disposition to make + fresh acquaintances, and to break with them so readily, although always + for a good reason, and never through mere fickleness. The errors caused by + temperament are not to be corrected, because our temperament is perfectly + independent of our strength: it is not the case with our character. Heart + and head are the constituent parts of character; temperament has almost + nothing to do with it, and, therefore, character is dependent upon + education, and is susceptible of being corrected and improved. + </p> + <p> + I leave to others the decision as to the good or evil tendencies of my + character, but such as it is it shines upon my countenance, and there it + can easily be detected by any physiognomist. It is only on the fact that + character can be read; there it lies exposed to the view. It is worthy of + remark that men who have no peculiar cast of countenance, and there are a + great many such men, are likewise totally deficient in peculiar + characteristics, and we may establish the rule that the varieties in + physiognomy are equal to the differences in character. I am aware that + throughout my life my actions have received their impulse more from the + force of feeling than from the wisdom of reason, and this has led me to + acknowledge that my conduct has been dependent upon my nature more than + upon my mind; both are generally at war, and in the midst of their + continual collisions I have never found in me sufficient mind to balance + my nature, or enough strength in my nature to counteract the power of my + mind. But enough of this, for there is truth in the old saying: ‘Si brevis + esse volo, obscurus fio’, and I believe that, without offending against + modesty, I can apply to myself the following words of my dear Virgil: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ‘Nec sum adeo informis: nuper me in littore vidi + Cum placidum ventis staret mare.’ +</pre> + <p> + The chief business of my life has always been to indulge my senses; I + never knew anything of greater importance. I felt myself born for the fair + sex, I have ever loved it dearly, and I have been loved by it as often and + as much as I could. I have likewise always had a great weakness for good + living, and I ever felt passionately fond of every object which excited my + curiosity. + </p> + <p> + I have had friends who have acted kindly towards me, and it has been my + good fortune to have it in my power to give them substantial proofs of my + gratitude. I have had also bitter enemies who have persecuted me, and whom + I have not crushed simply because I could not do it. I never would have + forgiven them, had I not lost the memory of all the injuries they had + heaped upon me. The man who forgets does not forgive, he only loses the + remembrance of the harm inflicted on him; forgiveness is the offspring of + a feeling of heroism, of a noble heart, of a generous mind, whilst + forgetfulness is only the result of a weak memory, or of an easy + carelessness, and still oftener of a natural desire for calm and + quietness. Hatred, in the course of time, kills the unhappy wretch who + delights in nursing it in his bosom. + </p> + <p> + Should anyone bring against me an accusation of sensuality he would be + wrong, for all the fierceness of my senses never caused me to neglect any + of my duties. For the same excellent reason, the accusation of drunkenness + ought not to have been brought against Homer: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ‘Laudibus arguitur vini vinosus Homerus.’ +</pre> + <p> + I have always been fond of highly-seasoned, rich dishes, such as macaroni + prepared by a skilful Neapolitan cook, the olla-podrida of the Spaniards, + the glutinous codfish from Newfoundland, game with a strong flavour, and + cheese the perfect state of which is attained when the tiny animaculae + formed from its very essence begin to shew signs of life. As for women, I + have always found the odour of my beloved ones exceeding pleasant. + </p> + <p> + What depraved tastes! some people will exclaim. Are you not ashamed to + confess such inclinations without blushing! Dear critics, you make me + laugh heartily. Thanks to my coarse tastes, I believe myself happier than + other men, because I am convinced that they enhance my enjoyment. Happy + are those who know how to obtain pleasures without injury to anyone; + insane are those who fancy that the Almighty can enjoy the sufferings, the + pains, the fasts and abstinences which they offer to Him as a sacrifice, + and that His love is granted only to those who tax themselves so + foolishly. God can only demand from His creatures the practice of virtues + the seed of which He has sown in their soul, and all He has given unto us + has been intended for our happiness; self-love, thirst for praise, + emulation, strength, courage, and a power of which nothing can deprive us—the + power of self-destruction, if, after due calculation, whether false or + just, we unfortunately reckon death to be advantageous. This is the + strongest proof of our moral freedom so much attacked by sophists. Yet + this power of self-destruction is repugnant to nature, and has been + rightly opposed by every religion. + </p> + <p> + A so-called free-thinker told me at one time that I could not consider + myself a philosopher if I placed any faith in revelation. But when we + accept it readily in physics, why should we reject it in religious + matters? The form alone is the point in question. The spirit speaks to the + spirit, and not to the ears. The principles of everything we are + acquainted with must necessarily have been revealed to those from whom we + have received them by the great, supreme principle, which contains them + all. The bee erecting its hive, the swallow building its nest, the ant + constructing its cave, and the spider warping its web, would never have + done anything but for a previous and everlasting revelation. We must + either believe that it is so, or admit that matter is endowed with + thought. But as we dare not pay such a compliment to matter, let us stand + by revelation. + </p> + <p> + The great philosopher, who having deeply studied nature, thought he had + found the truth because he acknowledged nature as God, died too soon. Had + he lived a little while longer, he would have gone much farther, and yet + his journey would have been but a short one, for finding himself in his + Author, he could not have denied Him: In Him we move and have our being. + He would have found Him inscrutable, and thus would have ended his + journey. + </p> + <p> + God, great principle of all minor principles, God, who is Himself without + a principle, could not conceive Himself, if, in order to do it, He + required to know His own principle. + </p> + <p> + Oh, blissful ignorance! Spinosa, the virtuous Spinosa, died before he + could possess it. He would have died a learned man and with a right to the + reward his virtue deserved, if he had only supposed his soul to be + immortal! + </p> + <p> + It is not true that a wish for reward is unworthy of real virtue, and + throws a blemish upon its purity. Such a pretension, on the contrary, + helps to sustain virtue, man being himself too weak to consent to be + virtuous only for his own ‘gratification. I hold as a myth that Amphiaraus + who preferred to be good than to seem good. In fact, I do not believe + there is an honest man alive without some pretension, and here is mine. + </p> + <p> + I pretend to the friendship, to the esteem, to the gratitude of my + readers. I claim their gratitude, if my Memoirs can give them instruction + and pleasure; I claim their esteem if, rendering me justice, they find + more good qualities in me than faults, and I claim their friendship as + soon as they deem me worthy of it by the candour and the good faith with + which I abandon myself to their judgment, without disguise and exactly as + I am in reality. They will find that I have always had such sincere love + for truth, that I have often begun by telling stories for the purpose of + getting truth to enter the heads of those who could not appreciate its + charms. They will not form a wrong opinion of me when they see one + emptying the purse of my friends to satisfy my fancies, for those friends + entertained idle schemes, and by giving them the hope of success I trusted + to disappointment to cure them. I would deceive them to make them wiser, + and I did not consider myself guilty, for I applied to my own enjoyment + sums of money which would have been lost in the vain pursuit of + possessions denied by nature; therefore I was not actuated by any + avaricious rapacity. I might think myself guilty if I were rich now, but I + have nothing. I have squandered everything; it is my comfort and my + justification. The money was intended for extravagant follies, and by + applying it to my own frolics I did not turn it into a very different, + channel. + </p> + <p> + If I were deceived in my hope to please, I candidly confess I would regret + it, but not sufficiently so to repent having written my Memoirs, for, + after all, writing them has given me pleasure. Oh, cruel ennui! It must be + by mistake that those who have invented the torments of hell have + forgotten to ascribe thee the first place among them. Yet I am bound to + own that I entertain a great fear of hisses; it is too natural a fear for + me to boast of being insensible to them, and I cannot find any solace in + the idea that, when these Memoirs are published, I shall be no more. I + cannot think without a shudder of contracting any obligation towards + death: I hate death; for, happy or miserable, life is the only blessing + which man possesses, and those who do not love it are unworthy of it. If + we prefer honour to life, it is because life is blighted by infamy; and + if, in the alternative, man sometimes throws away his life, philosophy + must remain silent. + </p> + <p> + Oh, death, cruel death! Fatal law which nature necessarily rejects because + thy very office is to destroy nature! Cicero says that death frees us from + all pains and sorrows, but this great philosopher books all the expense + without taking the receipts into account. I do not recollect if, when he + wrote his ‘Tusculan Disputations’, his own Tullia was dead. Death is a + monster which turns away from the great theatre an attentive hearer before + the end of the play which deeply interests him, and this is reason enough + to hate it. + </p> + <p> + All my adventures are not to be found in these Memoirs; I have left out + those which might have offended the persons who have played a sorry part + therein. In spite of this reserve, my readers will perhaps often think me + indiscreet, and I am sorry for it. Should I perchance become wiser before + I give up the ghost, I might burn every one of these sheets, but now I + have not courage enough to do it. + </p> + <p> + It may be that certain love scenes will be considered too explicit, but + let no one blame me, unless it be for lack of skill, for I ought not to be + scolded because, in my old age, I can find no other enjoyment but that + which recollections of the past afford to me. After all, virtuous and + prudish readers are at liberty to skip over any offensive pictures, and I + think it my duty to give them this piece of advice; so much the worse for + those who may not read my preface; it is no fault of mine if they do not, + for everyone ought to know that a preface is to a book what the play-bill + is to a comedy; both must be read. + </p> + <p> + My Memoirs are not written for young persons who, in order to avoid false + steps and slippery roads, ought to spend their youth in blissful + ignorance, but for those who, having thorough experience of life, are no + longer exposed to temptation, and who, having but too often gone through + the fire, are like salamanders, and can be scorched by it no more. True + virtue is but a habit, and I have no hesitation in saying that the really + virtuous are those persons who can practice virtue without the slightest + trouble; such persons are always full of toleration, and it is to them + that my Memoirs are addressed. + </p> + <p> + I have written in French, and not in Italian, because the French language + is more universal than mine, and the purists, who may criticise in my + style some Italian turns will be quite right, but only in case it should + prevent them from understanding me clearly. The Greeks admired + Theophrastus in spite of his Eresian style, and the Romans delighted in + their Livy in spite of his Patavinity. Provided I amuse my readers, it + seems to me that I can claim the same indulgence. After all, every Italian + reads Algarotti with pleasure, although his works are full of French + idioms. + </p> + <p> + There is one thing worthy of notice: of all the living languages belonging + to the republic of letters, the French tongue is the only one which has + been condemned by its masters never to borrow in order to become richer, + whilst all other languages, although richer in words than the French, + plunder from it words and constructions of sentences, whenever they find + that by such robbery they add something to their own beauty. Yet those who + borrow the most from the French, are the most forward in trumpeting the + poverty of that language, very likely thinking that such an accusation + justifies their depredations. It is said that the French language has + attained the apogee of its beauty, and that the smallest foreign loan + would spoil it, but I make bold to assert that this is prejudice, for, + although it certainly is the most clear, the most logical of all + languages, it would be great temerity to affirm that it can never go + farther or higher than it has gone. We all recollect that, in the days of + Lulli, there was but one opinion of his music, yet Rameau came and + everything was changed. The new impulse given to the French nation may + open new and unexpected horizons, and new beauties, fresh perfections, may + spring up from new combinations and from new wants. + </p> + <p> + The motto I have adopted justifies my digressions, and all the + commentaries, perhaps too numerous, in which I indulge upon my various + exploits: ‘Nequidquam sapit qui sibi non sapit’. For the same reason I + have always felt a great desire to receive praise and applause from polite + society: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ‘Excitat auditor stadium, laudataque virtus + Crescit, et immensum gloria calcar habet. +</pre> + <p> + I would willingly have displayed here the proud axiom: ‘Nemo laeditur nisi + a se ipso’, had I not feared to offend the immense number of persons who, + whenever anything goes wrong with them, are wont to exclaim, “It is no + fault of mine!” I cannot deprive them of that small particle of comfort, + for, were it not for it, they would soon feel hatred for themselves, and + self-hatred often leads to the fatal idea of self-destruction. + </p> + <p> + As for myself I always willingly acknowledge my own self as the principal + cause of every good or of every evil which may befall me; therefore I have + always found myself capable of being my own pupil, and ready to love my + teacher. + </p> + <a name="link2H_4_0004" id="link2H_4_0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE MEMOIRS OF JACQUES CASANOVA + </h2> + <a name="link2H_4_0005" id="link2H_4_0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + VENETIAN YEARS + </h2> + <a name="link2H_4_0006" id="link2H_4_0006"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> <a name="linkepisode1" id="linkepisode1"></a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + EPISODE 1 — CHILDHOOD + </h2> + <a name="link2HCH0001" id="link2HCH0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER I + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + My Family Pedigree—My Childhood +</pre> + <p> + Don Jacob Casanova, the illegitimate son of Don Francisco Casanova, was a + native of Saragosa, the capital of Aragon, and in the year of 1428 he + carried off Dona Anna Palofax from her convent, on the day after she had + taken the veil. He was secretary to King Alfonso. He ran away with her to + Rome, where, after one year of imprisonment, the pope, Martin III., + released Anna from her vows, and gave them the nuptial blessing at the + instance of Don Juan Casanova, majordomo of the Vatican, and uncle of Don + Jacob. All the children born from that marriage died in their infancy, + with the exception of Don Juan, who, in 1475, married Donna Eleonora + Albini, by whom he had a son, Marco Antonio. + </p> + <p> + In 1481, Don Juan, having killed an officer of the king of Naples, was + compelled to leave Rome, and escaped to Como with his wife and his son; + but having left that city to seek his fortune, he died while traveling + with Christopher Columbus in the year 1493. + </p> + <p> + Marco Antonio became a noted poet of the school of Martial, and was + secretary to Cardinal Pompeo Colonna. + </p> + <p> + The satire against Giulio de Medicis, which we find in his works, having + made it necessary for him to leave Rome, he returned to Como, where he + married Abondia Rezzonica. The same Giulio de Medicis, having become pope + under the name of Clement VII, pardoned him and called him back to Rome + with his wife. The city having been taken and ransacked by the + Imperialists in 1526, Marco Antonio died there from an attack of the + plague; otherwise he would have died of misery, the soldiers of Charles V. + having taken all he possessed. Pierre Valerien speaks of him in his work + ‘de infelicitate litteratorum’. + </p> + <p> + Three months after his death, his wife gave birth to Jacques Casanova, who + died in France at a great age, colonel in the army commanded by Farnese + against Henri, king of Navarre, afterwards king of France. He had left in + the city of Parma a son who married Theresa Conti, from whom he had + Jacques, who, in the year 1681, married Anna Roli. Jacques had two sons, + Jean-Baptiste and Gaetan-Joseph-Jacques. The eldest left Parma in 1712, + and was never heard of; the other also went away in 1715, being only + nineteen years old. + </p> + <p> + This is all I have found in my father’s diary: from my mother’s lips I + have heard the following particulars: + </p> + <p> + Gaetan-Joseph-Jacques left his family, madly in love with an actress named + Fragoletta, who performed the chambermaids. In his poverty, he determined + to earn a living by making the most of his own person. At first he gave + himself up to dancing, and five years afterwards became an actor, making + himself conspicuous by his conduct still more than by his talent. + </p> + <p> + Whether from fickleness or from jealousy, he abandoned the Fragoletta, and + joined in Venice a troop of comedians then giving performances at the + Saint-Samuel Theatre. Opposite the house in which he had taken his lodging + resided a shoemaker, by name Jerome Farusi, with his wife Marzia, and + Zanetta, their only daughter—a perfect beauty sixteen years of age. + The young actor fell in love with this girl, succeeded in gaining her + affection, and in obtaining her consent to a runaway match. It was the + only way to win her, for, being an actor, he never could have had Marzia’s + consent, still less Jerome’s, as in their eyes a player was a most awful + individual. The young lovers, provided with the necessary certificates and + accompanied by two witnesses, presented themselves before the Patriarch of + Venice, who performed over them the marriage ceremony. Marzia, Zanetta’s + mother, indulged in a good deal of exclamation, and the father died + broken-hearted. + </p> + <p> + I was born nine months afterwards, on the 2nd of April, 1725. + </p> + <p> + The following April my mother left me under the care of her own mother, + who had forgiven her as soon as she had heard that my father had promised + never to compel her to appear on the stage. This is a promise which all + actors make to the young girls they marry, and which they never fulfil, + simply because their wives never care much about claiming from them the + performance of it. Moreover, it turned out a very fortunate thing for my + mother that she had studied for the stage, for nine years later, having + been left a widow with six children, she could not have brought them up if + it had not been for the resources she found in that profession. + </p> + <p> + I was only one year old when my father left me to go to London, where he + had an engagement. It was in that great city that my mother made her first + appearance on the stage, and in that city likewise that she gave birth to + my brother Francois, a celebrated painter of battles, now residing in + Vienna, where he has followed his profession since 1783. + </p> + <p> + Towards the end of the year 1728 my mother returned to Venice with her + husband, and as she had become an actress she continued her artistic life. + In 1730 she was delivered of my brother Jean, who became Director of the + Academy of painting at Dresden, and died there in 1795; and during the + three following years she became the mother of two daughters, one of whom + died at an early age, while the other married in Dresden, where she still + lived in 1798. I had also a posthumous brother, who became a priest; he + died in Rome fifteen years ago. + </p> + <p> + Let us now come to the dawn of my existence in the character of a thinking + being. + </p> + <p> + The organ of memory began to develop itself in me at the beginning of + August, 1733. I had at that time reached the age of eight years and four + months. Of what may have happened to me before that period I have not the + faintest recollection. This is the circumstance. + </p> + <p> + I was standing in the corner of a room bending towards the wall, + supporting my head, and my eyes fixed upon a stream of blood flowing from + my nose to the ground. My grandmother, Marzia, whose pet I was, came to + me, bathed my face with cold water, and, unknown to everyone in the house, + took me with her in a gondola as far as Muran, a thickly-populated island + only half a league distant from Venice. + </p> + <p> + Alighting from the gondola, we enter a wretched hole, where we find an old + woman sitting on a rickety bed, holding a black cat in her arms, with five + or six more purring around her. The two old cronies held together a long + discourse of which, most likely, I was the subject. At the end of the + dialogue, which was carried on in the patois of Forli, the witch having + received a silver ducat from my grandmother, opened a box, took me in her + arms, placed me in the box and locked me in it, telling me not to be + frightened—a piece of advice which would certainly have had the + contrary effect, if I had had any wits about me, but I was stupefied. I + kept myself quiet in a corner of the box, holding a handkerchief to my + nose because it was still bleeding, and otherwise very indifferent to the + uproar going on outside. I could hear in turn, laughter, weeping, singing, + screams, shrieks, and knocking against the box, but for all that I cared + nought. At last I am taken out of the box; the blood stops flowing. The + wonderful old witch, after lavishing caresses upon me, takes off my + clothes, lays me on the bed, burns some drugs, gathers the smoke in a + sheet which she wraps around me, pronounces incantations, takes the sheet + off me, and gives me five sugar-plums of a very agreeable taste. Then she + immediately rubs my temples and the nape of my neck with an ointment + exhaling a delightful perfume, and puts my clothes on me again. She told + me that my haemorrhage would little by little leave me, provided I should + never disclose to any one what she had done to cure me, and she threatened + me, on the other hand, with the loss of all my blood and with death, + should I ever breathe a word concerning those mysteries. After having thus + taught me my lesson, she informed me that a beautiful lady would pay me a + visit during the following night, and that she would make me happy, on + condition that I should have sufficient control over myself never to + mention to anyone my having received such a visit. Upon this we left and + returned home. + </p> + <p> + I fell asleep almost as soon as I was in bed, without giving a thought to + the beautiful visitor I was to receive; but, waking up a few hours + afterwards, I saw, or fancied I saw, coming down the chimney, a dazzling + woman, with immense hoops, splendidly attired, and wearing on her head a + crown set with precious stones, which seemed to me sparkling with fire. + With slow steps, but with a majestic and sweet countenance, she came + forward and sat on my bed; then taking several small boxes from her + pocket, she emptied their contents over my head, softly whispering a few + words, and after giving utterance to a long speech, not a single word of + which I understood, she kissed me and disappeared the same way she had + come. I soon went again to sleep. + </p> + <p> + The next morning, my grandmother came to dress me, and the moment she was + near my bed, she cautioned me to be silent, threatening me with death if I + dared to say anything respecting my night’s adventures. This command, laid + upon me by the only woman who had complete authority over me, and whose + orders I was accustomed to obey blindly, caused me to remember the vision, + and to store it, with the seal of secrecy, in the inmost corner of my + dawning memory. I had not, however, the slightest inclination to mention + the circumstances to anyone; in the first place, because I did not suppose + it would interest anybody, and in the second because I would not have + known whom to make a confidant of. My disease had rendered me dull and + retired; everybody pitied me and left me to myself; my life was considered + likely to be but a short one, and as to my parents, they never spoke to + me. + </p> + <p> + After the journey to Muran, and the nocturnal visit of the fairy, I + continued to have bleeding at the nose, but less from day to day, and my + memory slowly developed itself. I learned to read in less than a month. + </p> + <p> + It would be ridiculous, of course, to attribute this cure to such follies, + but at the same time I think it would be wrong to assert that they did not + in any way contribute to it. As far as the apparition of the beautiful + queen is concerned, I have always deemed it to be a dream, unless it + should have been some masquerade got up for the occasion, but it is not + always in the druggist’s shop that are found the best remedies for severe + diseases. Our ignorance is every day proved by some wonderful phenomenon, + and I believe this to be the reason why it is so difficult to meet with a + learned man entirely untainted with superstition. We know, as a matter of + course, that there never have been any sorcerers in this world, yet it is + true that their power has always existed in the estimation of those to + whom crafty knaves have passed themselves off as such. ‘Somnio nocturnos + lemures portentaque Thessalia vides’. + </p> + <p> + Many things become real which, at first, had no existence but in our + imagination, and, as a natural consequence, many facts which have been + attributed to Faith may not always have been miraculous, although they are + true miracles for those who lend to Faith a boundless power. + </p> + <p> + The next circumstance of any importance to myself which I recollect + happened three months after my trip to Muran, and six weeks before my + father’s death. I give it to my readers only to convey some idea of the + manner in which my nature was expanding. + </p> + <p> + One day, about the middle of November, I was with my brother Francois, two + years younger than I, in my father’s room, watching him attentively as he + was working at optics. A large lump of crystal, round and cut into facets, + attracted my attention. I took it up, and having brought it near my eyes I + was delighted to see that it multiplied objects. The wish to possess + myself of it at once got hold of me, and seeing myself unobserved I took + my opportunity and hid it in my pocket. + </p> + <p> + A few minutes after this my father looked about for his crystal, and + unable to find it, he concluded that one of us must have taken it. My + brother asserted that he had not touched it, and I, although guilty, said + the same; but my father, satisfied that he could not be mistaken, + threatened to search us and to thrash the one who had told him a story. I + pretended to look for the crystal in every corner of the room, and, + watching my opportunity I slyly slipped it in the pocket of my brother’s + jacket. At first I was sorry for what I had done, for I might as well have + feigned to find the crystal somewhere about the room; but the evil deed + was past recall. My father, seeing that we were looking in vain, lost + patience, searched us, found the unlucky ball of crystal in the pocket of + the innocent boy, and inflicted upon him the promised thrashing. Three or + four years later I was foolish enough to boast before my brother of the + trick I had then played on him; he never forgave me, and has never failed + to take his revenge whenever the opportunity offered. + </p> + <p> + However, having at a later period gone to confession, and accused myself + to the priest of the sin with every circumstance surrounding it, I gained + some knowledge which afforded me great satisfaction. My confessor, who was + a Jesuit, told me that by that deed I had verified the meaning of my first + name, Jacques, which, he said, meant, in Hebrew, “supplanter,” and that + God had changed for that reason the name of the ancient patriarch into + that of Israel, which meant “knowing.” He had deceived his brother Esau. + </p> + <p> + Six weeks after the above adventure my father was attacked with an abscess + in the head which carried him off in a week. Dr. Zambelli first gave him + oppilative remedies, and, seeing his mistake, he tried to mend it by + administering castoreum, which sent his patient into convulsions and + killed him. The abscess broke out through the ear one minute after his + death, taking its leave after killing him, as if it had no longer any + business with him. My father departed this life in the very prime of his + manhood. He was only thirty-six years of age, but he was followed to his + grave by the regrets of the public, and more particularly of all the + patricians amongst whom he was held as above his profession, not less on + account of his gentlemanly behaviour than on account of his extensive + knowledge in mechanics. + </p> + <p> + Two days before his death, feeling that his end was at hand, my father + expressed a wish to see us all around his bed, in the presence of his wife + and of the Messieurs Grimani, three Venetian noblemen whose protection he + wished to entreat in our favour. After giving us his blessing, he + requested our mother, who was drowned in tears, to give her sacred promise + that she would not educate any of us for the stage, on which he never + would have appeared himself had he not been led to it by an unfortunate + attachment. My mother gave her promise, and the three noblemen said that + they would see to its being faithfully kept. Circumstances helped our + mother to fulfill her word. + </p> + <p> + At that time my mother had been pregnant for six months, and she was + allowed to remain away from the stage until after Easter. Beautiful and + young as she was, she declined all the offers of marriage which were made + to her, and, placing her trust in Providence, she courageously devoted + herself to the task of bringing up her young family. + </p> + <p> + She considered it a duty to think of me before the others, not so much + from a feeling of preference as in consequence of my disease, which had + such an effect upon me that it was difficult to know what to do with me. I + was very weak, without any appetite, unable to apply myself to anything, + and I had all the appearance of an idiot. Physicians disagreed as to the + cause of the disease. He loses, they would say, two pounds of blood every + week; yet there cannot be more than sixteen or eighteen pounds in his + body. What, then, can cause so abundant a bleeding? One asserted that in + me all the chyle turned into blood; another was of opinion that the air I + was breathing must, at each inhalation, increase the quantity of blood in + my lungs, and contended that this was the reason for which I always kept + my mouth open. I heard of it all six years afterward from M. Baffo, a + great friend of my late father. + </p> + <p> + This M. Baffo consulted the celebrated Doctor Macop, of Padua, who sent + him his opinion by writing. This consultation, which I have still in my + possession, says that our blood is an elastic fluid which is liable to + diminish or to increase in thickness, but never in quantity, and that my + haemorrhage could only proceed from the thickness of the mass of my blood, + which relieved itself in a natural way in order to facilitate circulation. + The doctor added that I would have died long before, had not nature, in + its wish for life, assisted itself, and he concluded by stating that the + cause of the thickness of my blood could only be ascribed to the air I was + breathing and that consequently I must have a change of air, or every hope + of cure be abandoned. He thought likewise, that the stupidity so apparent + on my countenance was caused by nothing else but the thickness of my + blood. + </p> + <p> + M. Baffo, a man of sublime genius, a most lascivious, yet a great and + original poet, was therefore instrumental in bringing about the decision + which was then taken to send me to Padua, and to him I am indebted for my + life. He died twenty years after, the last of his ancient patrician + family, but his poems, although obscene, will give everlasting fame to his + name. The state-inquisitors of Venice have contributed to his celebrity by + their mistaken strictness. Their persecutions caused his manuscript works + to become precious. They ought to have been aware that despised things are + forgotten. + </p> + <p> + As soon as the verdict given by Professor Macop had been approved of, the + Abbe Grimani undertook to find a good boarding-house in Padua for me, + through a chemist of his acquaintance who resided in that city. His name + was Ottaviani, and he was also an antiquarian of some repute. In a few + days the boarding-house was found, and on the 2nd day of April, 1734, on + the very day I had accomplished my ninth year, I was taken to Padua in a + ‘burchiello’, along the Brenta Canal. We embarked at ten o’clock in the + evening, immediately after supper. + </p> + <p> + The ‘burchiello’ may be considered a small floating house. There is a + large saloon with a smaller cabin at each end, and rooms for servants fore + and aft. It is a long square with a roof, and cut on each side by glazed + windows with shutters. The voyage takes eight hours. M. Grimani, M. Baffo, + and my mother accompanied me. I slept with her in the saloon, and the two + friends passed the night in one of the cabins. My mother rose at day + break, opened one of the windows facing the bed, and the rays of the + rising sun, falling on my eyes, caused me to open them. The bed was too + low for me to see the land; I could see through the window only the tops + of the trees along the river. The boat was sailing with such an even + movement that I could not realize the fact of our moving, so that the + trees, which, one after the other, were rapidly disappearing from my + sight, caused me an extreme surprise. “Ah, dear mother!” I exclaimed, + “what is this? the trees are walking!” At that very moment the two + noblemen came in, and reading astonishment on my countenance, they asked + me what my thoughts were so busy about. “How is it,” I answered, “that the + trees are walking.” + </p> + <p> + They all laughed, but my mother, heaving a great sigh, told me, in a tone + of deep pity, “The boat is moving, the trees are not. Now dress yourself.” + </p> + <p> + I understood at once the reason of the phenomenon. “Then it may be,” said + I, “that the sun does not move, and that we, on the contrary, are + revolving from west to east.” At these words my good mother fairly + screamed. M. Grimani pitied my foolishness, and I remained dismayed, + grieved, and ready to cry. M. Baffo brought me life again. He rushed to + me, embraced me tenderly, and said, “Thou are right, my child. The sun + does not move; take courage, give heed to your reasoning powers and let + others laugh.” + </p> + <p> + My mother, greatly surprised, asked him whether he had taken leave of his + senses to give me such lessons; but the philosopher, not even + condescending to answer her, went on sketching a theory in harmony with my + young and simple intelligence. This was the first real pleasure I enjoyed + in my life. Had it not been for M. Baffo, this circumstance might have + been enough to degrade my understanding; the weakness of credulity would + have become part of my mind. The ignorance of the two others would + certainly have blunted in me the edge of a faculty which, perhaps, has not + carried me very far in my after life, but to which alone I feel that I am + indebted for every particle of happiness I enjoy when I look into myself. + </p> + <p> + We reached Padua at an early hour and went to Ottaviani’s house; his wife + loaded me with caresses. I found there five or six children, amongst them + a girl of eight years, named Marie, and another of seven, Rose, beautiful + as a seraph. Ten years later Marie became the wife of the broker Colonda, + and Rose, a few years afterwards, married a nobleman, Pierre Marcello, and + had one son and two daughters, one of whom was wedded to M. Pierre + Moncenigo, and the other to a nobleman of the Carrero family. This last + marriage was afterwards nullified. I shall have, in the course of events, + to speak of all these persons, and that is my reason for mentioning their + names here. + </p> + <p> + Ottaviani took us at once to the house where I was to board. It was only a + few yards from his own residence, at Sainte-Marie d’Advance, in the parish + of Saint-Michel, in the house of an old Sclavonian woman, who let the + first floor to Signora Mida, wife of a Sclavonian colonel. My small trunk + was laid open before the old woman, to whom was handed an inventory of all + its contents, together with six sequins for six months paid in advance. + For this small sum she undertook to feed me, to keep me clean, and to send + me to a day-school. Protesting that it was not enough, she accepted these + terms. I was kissed and strongly commanded to be always obedient and + docile, and I was left with her. + </p> + <p> + In this way did my family get rid of me. + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0002" id="link2HCH0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER II + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + My Grandmother Comes to Padua, and Takes Me to Dr. Gozzi’s + School—My First Love Affair +</pre> + <p> + As soon as I was left alone with the Sclavonian woman, she took me up to + the garret, where she pointed out my bed in a row with four others, three + of which belonged to three young boys of my age, who at that moment were + at school, and the fourth to a servant girl whose province it was to watch + us and to prevent the many peccadilloes in which school-boys are wont to + indulge. After this visit we came downstairs, and I was taken to the + garden with permission to walk about until dinner-time. + </p> + <p> + I felt neither happy nor unhappy; I had nothing to say. I had neither fear + nor hope, nor even a feeling of curiosity; I was neither cheerful nor sad. + The only thing which grated upon me was the face of the mistress of the + house. Although I had not the faintest idea either of beauty or of + ugliness, her face, her countenance, her tone of voice, her language, + everything in that woman was repulsive to me. Her masculine features + repelled me every time I lifted my eyes towards her face to listen to what + she said to me. She was tall and coarse like a trooper; her complexion was + yellow, her hair black, her eyebrows long and thick, and her chin gloried + in a respectable bristly beard: to complete the picture, her hideous, + half-naked bosom was hanging half-way down her long chest; she may have + been about fifty. The servant was a stout country girl, who did all the + work of the house; the garden was a square of some thirty feet, which had + no other beauty than its green appearance. + </p> + <p> + Towards noon my three companions came back from school, and they at once + spoke to me as if we had been old acquaintances, naturally giving me + credit for such intelligence as belonged to my age, but which I did not + possess. I did not answer them, but they were not baffled, and they at + last prevailed upon me to share their innocent pleasures. I had to run, to + carry and be carried, to turn head over heels, and I allowed myself to be + initiated into those arts with a pretty good grace until we were summoned + to dinner. I sat down to the table; but seeing before me a wooden spoon, I + pushed it back, asking for my silver spoon and fork to which I was much + attached, because they were a gift from my good old granny. The servant + answered that the mistress wished to maintain equality between the boys, + and I had to submit, much to my disgust. Having thus learned that equality + in everything was the rule of the house, I went to work like the others + and began to eat the soup out of the common dish, and if I did not + complain of the rapidity with which my companions made it disappear, I + could not help wondering at such inequality being allowed. To follow this + very poor soup, we had a small portion of dried cod and one apple each, + and dinner was over: it was in Lent. We had neither glasses nor cups, and + we all helped ourselves out of the same earthen pitcher to a miserable + drink called graspia, which is made by boiling in water the stems of + grapes stripped of their fruit. From the following day I drank nothing but + water. This way of living surprised me, for I did not know whether I had a + right to complain of it. After dinner the servant took me to the school, + kept by a young priest, Doctor Gozzi, with whom the Sclavonian woman had + bargained for my schooling at the rate of forty sous a month, or the + eleventh part of a sequin. + </p> + <p> + The first thing to do was to teach me writing, and I was placed amongst + children of five and six years, who did not fail to turn me into ridicule + on account of my age. + </p> + <p> + On my return to the boarding-house I had my supper, which, as a matter of + course, was worse than the dinner, and I could not make out why the right + of complaint should be denied me. I was then put to bed, but there three + well-known species of vermin kept me awake all night, besides the rats, + which, running all over the garret, jumped on my bed and fairly made my + blood run cold with fright. This is the way in which I began to feel + misery, and to learn how to suffer it patiently. The vermin, which feasted + upon me, lessened my fear of the rats, and by a very lucky system of + compensation, the dread of the rats made me less sensitive to the bites of + the vermin. My mind was reaping benefit from the very struggle fought + between the evils which surrounded me. The servant was perfectly deaf to + my screaming. + </p> + <p> + As soon as it was daylight I ran out of the wretched garret, and, after + complaining to the girl of all I had endured during the night, I asked her + to give me a clean shirt, the one I had on being disgusting to look at, + but she answered that I could only change my linen on a Sunday, and + laughed at me when I threatened to complain to the mistress. For the first + time in my life I shed tears of sorrow and of anger, when I heard my + companions scoffing at me. The poor wretches shared my unhappy condition, + but they were used to it, and that makes all the difference. + </p> + <p> + Sorely depressed, I went to school, but only to sleep soundly through the + morning. One of my comrades, in the hope of turning the affair into + ridicule at my expense, told the doctor the reason of my being so sleepy. + The good priest, however, to whom without doubt Providence had guided me, + called me into his private room, listened to all I had to say, saw with + his own eyes the proofs of my misery, and moved by the sight of the + blisters which disfigured my innocent skin, he took up his cloak, went + with me to my boarding-house, and shewed the woman the state I was in. She + put on a look of great astonishment, and threw all the blame upon the + servant. The doctor being curious to see my bed, I was, as much as he was, + surprised at the filthy state of the sheets in which I had passed the + night. The accursed woman went on blaming the servant, and said that she + would discharge her; but the girl, happening to be close by, and not + relishing the accusation, told her boldly that the fault was her own, and + she then threw open the beds of my companions to shew us that they did not + experience any better treatment. The mistress, raving, slapped her on the + face, and the servant, to be even with her, returned the compliment and + ran away. The doctor left me there, saying that I could not enter his + school unless I was sent to him as clean as the other boys. The result for + me was a very sharp rebuke, with the threat, as a finishing stroke, that + if I ever caused such a broil again, I would be ignominiously turned out + of the house. + </p> + <p> + I could not make it out; I had just entered life, and I had no knowledge + of any other place but the house in which I had been born, in which I had + been brought up, and in which I had always seen cleanliness and honest + comfort. Here I found myself ill-treated, scolded, although it did not + seem possible that any blame could be attached to me. At last the old + shrew tossed a shirt in my face, and an hour later I saw a new servant + changing the sheets, after which we had our dinner. + </p> + <p> + My schoolmaster took particular care in instructing me. He gave me a seat + at his own desk, and in order to shew my proper appreciation of such a + favour, I gave myself up to my studies; at the end of the first month I + could write so well that I was promoted to the grammar class. + </p> + <p> + The new life I was leading, the half-starvation system to which I was + condemned, and most likely more than everything else, the air of Padua, + brought me health such as I had never enjoyed before, but that very state + of blooming health made it still more difficult for me to bear the hunger + which I was compelled to endure; it became unbearable. I was growing + rapidly; I enjoyed nine hours of deep sleep, unbroken by any dreams, save + that I always fancied myself sitting at a well-spread table, and + gratifying my cruel appetite, but every morning I could realize in full + the vanity and the unpleasant disappointment of flattering dreams! This + ravenous appetite would at last have weakened me to death, had I not made + up my mind to pounce upon, and to swallow, every kind of eatables I could + find, whenever I was certain of not being seen. + </p> + <p> + Necessity begets ingenuity. I had spied in a cupboard of the kitchen some + fifty red herrings; I devoured them all one after the other, as well as + all the sausages which were hanging in the chimney to be smoked; and in + order to accomplish those feats without being detected, I was in the habit + of getting up at night and of undertaking my foraging expeditions under + the friendly veil of darkness. Every new-laid egg I could discover in the + poultry-yard, quite warm and scarcely dropped by the hen, was a most + delicious treat. I would even go as far as the kitchen of the schoolmaster + in the hope of pilfering something to eat. + </p> + <p> + The Sclavonian woman, in despair at being unable to catch the thieves, + turned away servant after servant. But, in spite of all my expeditions, as + I could not always find something to steal, I was as thin as a walking + skeleton. + </p> + <p> + My progress at school was so rapid during four or five months that the + master promoted me to the rank of dux. My province was to examine the + lessons of my thirty school-fellows, to correct their mistakes and report + to the master with whatever note of blame or of approval I thought they + deserved; but my strictness did not last long, for idle boys soon found + out the way to enlist my sympathy. When their Latin lesson was full of + mistakes, they would buy me off with cutlets and roast chickens; they even + gave me money. These proceedings excited my covetousness, or, rather, my + gluttony, and, not satisfied with levying a tax upon the ignorant, I + became a tyrant, and I refused well-merited approbation to all those who + declined paying the contribution I demanded. At last, unable to bear my + injustice any longer, the boys accused me, and the master, seeing me + convicted of extortion, removed me from my exalted position. I would very + likely have fared badly after my dismissal, had not Fate decided to put an + end to my cruel apprenticeship. + </p> + <p> + Doctor Gozzi, who was attached to me, called me privately one day into his + study, and asked me whether I would feel disposed to carry out the advice + he would give me in order to bring about my removal from the house of the + Sclavonian woman, and my admission in his own family. Finding me delighted + at such an offer, he caused me to copy three letters which I sent, one to + the Abbe Grimani, another to my friend Baffo, and the last to my excellent + grandam. The half-year was nearly out, and my mother not being in Venice + at that period there was no time to lose. + </p> + <p> + In my letters I gave a description of all my sufferings, and I + prognosticated my death were I not immediately removed from my + boarding-house and placed under the care of my school-master, who was + disposed to receive me; but he wanted two sequins a month. + </p> + <p> + M. Grimani did not answer me, and commissioned his friend Ottaviani to + scold me for allowing myself to be ensnared by the doctor; but M. Baffo + went to consult with my grandmother, who could not write, and in a letter + which he addressed to me he informed me that I would soon find myself in a + happier situation. And, truly, within a week the excellent old woman, who + loved me until her death, made her appearance as I was sitting down to my + dinner. She came in with the mistress of the house, and the moment I saw + her I threw my arms around her neck, crying bitterly, in which luxury the + old lady soon joined me. She sat down and took me on her knees; my courage + rose again. In the presence of the Sclavonian woman I enumerated all my + grievances, and after calling her attention to the food, fit only for + beggars, which I was compelled to swallow, I took her upstairs to shew her + my bed. I begged her to take me out and give me a good dinner after six + months of such starvation. The boarding-house keeper boldly asserted that + she could not afford better for the amount she had received, and there was + truth in that, but she had no business to keep house and to become the + tormentor of poor children who were thrown on her hands by stinginess, and + who required to be properly fed. + </p> + <p> + My grandmother very quietly intimated her intention to take me away + forthwith, and asked her to put all my things in my trunk. I cannot + express my joy during these preparations. For the first time I felt that + kind of happiness which makes forgiveness compulsory upon the being who + enjoys it, and causes him to forget all previous unpleasantness. My + grandmother took me to the inn, and dinner was served, but she could + hardly eat anything in her astonishment at the voracity with which I was + swallowing my food. In the meantime Doctor Gozzi, to whom she had sent + notice of her arrival, came in, and his appearance soon prepossessed her + in his favour. He was then a fine-looking priest, twenty-six years of age, + chubby, modest, and respectful. In less than a quarter of an hour + everything was satisfactorily arranged between them. The good old lady + counted out twenty-four sequins for one year of my schooling, and took a + receipt for the same, but she kept me with her for three days in order to + have me clothed like a priest, and to get me a wig, as the filthy state of + my hair made it necessary to have it all cut off. + </p> + <p> + At the end of the three days she took me to the doctor’s house, so as to + see herself to my installation and to recommend me to the doctor’s mother, + who desired her to send or to buy in Padua a bedstead and bedding; but the + doctor having remarked that, his own bed being very wide, I might sleep + with him, my grandmother expressed her gratitude for all his kindness, and + we accompanied her as far as the burchiello she had engaged to return to + Venice. + </p> + <p> + The family of Doctor Gozzi was composed of his mother, who had great + reverence for him, because, a peasant by birth, she did not think herself + worthy of having a son who was a priest, and still more a doctor in + divinity; she was plain, old, and cross; and of his father, a shoemaker by + trade, working all day long and never addressing a word to anyone, not + even during the meals. He only became a sociable being on holidays, on + which occasions he would spend his time with his friends in some tavern, + coming home at midnight as drunk as a lord and singing verses from Tasso. + When in this blissful state the good man could not make up his mind to go + to bed, and became violent if anyone attempted to compel him to lie down. + Wine alone gave him sense and spirit, for when sober he was incapable of + attending to the simplest family matter, and his wife often said that he + never would have married her had not his friends taken care to give him a + good breakfast before he went to the church. + </p> + <p> + But Doctor Gozzi had also a sister, called Bettina, who at the age of + thirteen was pretty, lively, and a great reader of romances. Her father + and mother scolded her constantly because she was too often looking out of + the window, and the doctor did the same on account of her love for + reading. This girl took at once my fancy without my knowing why, and + little by little she kindled in my heart the first spark of a passion + which, afterwards became in me the ruling one. + </p> + <p> + Six months after I had been an inmate in the house, the doctor found + himself without scholars; they all went away because I had become the sole + object of his affection. He then determined to establish a college, and to + receive young boys as boarders; but two years passed before he met with + any success. During that period he taught me everything he knew; true, it + was not much; yet it was enough to open to me the high road to all + sciences. He likewise taught me the violin, an accomplishment which proved + very useful to me in a peculiar circumstance, the particulars of which I + will give in good time. The excellent doctor, who was in no way a + philosopher, made me study the logic of the Peripatetics, and the + cosmography of the ancient system of Ptolemy, at which I would laugh, + teasing the poor doctor with theorems to which he could find no answer. + His habits, moreover, were irreproachable, and in all things connected + with religion, although no bigot, he was of the greatest strictness, and, + admitting everything as an article of faith, nothing appeared difficult to + his conception. He believed the deluge to have been universal, and he + thought that, before that great cataclysm, men lived a thousand years and + conversed with God, that Noah took one hundred years to build the ark, and + that the earth, suspended in the air, is firmly held in the very centre of + the universe which God had created from nothing. When I would say and + prove that it was absurd to believe in the existence of nothingness, he + would stop me short and call me a fool. + </p> + <p> + He could enjoy a good bed, a glass of wine, and cheerfulness at home. He + did not admire fine wits, good jests or criticism, because it easily turns + to slander, and he would laugh at the folly of men reading newspapers + which, in his opinion, always lied and constantly repeated the same + things. He asserted that nothing was more troublesome than incertitude, + and therefore he condemned thought because it gives birth to doubt. + </p> + <p> + His ruling passion was preaching, for which his face and his voice + qualified him; his congregation was almost entirely composed of women of + whom, however, he was the sworn enemy; so much so, that he would not look + them in the face even when he spoke to them. Weakness of the flesh and + fornication appeared to him the most monstrous of sins, and he would be + very angry if I dared to assert that, in my estimation, they were the most + venial of faults. His sermons were crammed with passages from the Greek + authors, which he translated into Latin. One day I ventured to remark that + those passages ought to be translated into Italian because women did not + understand Latin any more than Greek, but he took offence, and I never had + afterwards the courage to allude any more to the matter. Moreover he + praised me to his friends as a wonder, because I had learned to read Greek + alone, without any assistance but a grammar. + </p> + <p> + During Lent, in the year 1736, my mother, wrote to the doctor; and, as she + was on the point of her departure for St. Petersburg, she wished to see + me, and requested him to accompany me to Venice for three or four days. + This invitation set him thinking, for he had never seen Venice, never + frequented good company, and yet he did not wish to appear a novice in + anything. We were soon ready to leave Padua, and all the family escorted + us to the ‘burchiello’. + </p> + <p> + My mother received the doctor with a most friendly welcome; but she was + strikingly beautiful, and my poor master felt very uncomfortable, not + daring to look her in the face, and yet called upon to converse with her. + She saw the dilemma he was in, and thought she would have some amusing + sport about it should opportunity present itself. I, in the meantime, drew + the attention of everyone in her circle; everybody had known me as a fool, + and was amazed at my improvement in the short space of two years. The + doctor was overjoyed, because he saw that the full credit of my + transformation was given to him. + </p> + <p> + The first thing which struck my mother unpleasantly was my light-coloured + wig, which was not in harmony with my dark complexion, and contrasted most + woefully with my black eyes and eyebrows. She inquired from the doctor why + I did not wear my own hair, and he answered that, with a wig, it was + easier for his sister to keep me clean. Everyone smiled at the simplicity + of the answer, but the merriment increased when, to the question made by + my mother whether his sister was married, I took the answer upon myself, + and said that Bettina was the prettiest girl of Padua, and was only + fourteen years of age. My mother promised the doctor a splendid present + for his sister on condition that she would let me wear my own hair, and he + promised that her wishes would be complied with. The peruke-maker was then + called, and I had a wig which matched my complexion. + </p> + <p> + Soon afterwards all the guests began to play cards, with the exception of + my master, and I went to see my brothers in my grandmother’s room. + Francois shewed me some architectural designs which I pretended to admire; + Jean had nothing to shew me, and I thought him a rather insignificant boy. + The others were still very young. + </p> + <p> + At the supper-table, the doctor, seated next to my mother, was very + awkward. He would very likely not have said one word, had not an + Englishman, a writer of talent, addressed him in Latin; but the doctor, + being unable to make him out, modestly answered that he did not understand + English, which caused much hilarity. M. Baffo, however, explained the + puzzle by telling us that Englishmen read and pronounced Latin in the same + way that they read and spoke their own language, and I remarked that + Englishmen were wrong as much as we would be, if we pretended to read and + to pronounce their language according to Latin rules. The Englishman, + pleased with my reasoning, wrote down the following old couplet, and gave + it to me to read: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ‘Dicite, grammatici, cur mascula nomina cunnus, + Et cur femineum mentula nomen habet.’ +</pre> + <p> + After reading it aloud, I exclaimed, “This is Latin indeed.” + </p> + <p> + “We know that,” said my mother, “but can you explain it?” + </p> + <p> + “To explain it is not enough,” I answered; “it is a question which is + worthy of an answer.” And after considering for a moment, I wrote the + following pentameter: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ‘Disce quod a domino nomina servus habet.’ +</pre> + <p> + This was my first literary exploit, and I may say that in that very + instant the seed of my love for literary fame was sown in my breast, for + the applause lavished upon me exalted me to the very pinnacle of + happiness. The Englishman, quite amazed at my answer, said that no boy of + eleven years had ever accomplished such a feat, embraced me repeatedly, + and presented me with his watch. My mother, inquisitive like a woman, + asked M. Grimani to tell her the meaning of the lines, but as the abbe was + not any wiser than she was M. Baffo translated it in a whisper. Surprised + at my knowledge, she rose from her chair to get a valuable gold watch and + presented to my master, who, not knowing how to express his deep + gratitude, treated us to the most comic scene. My mother, in order to save + him from the difficulty of paying her a compliment, offered him her cheek. + He had only to give her a couple of kisses, the easiest and the most + innocent thing in good company; but the poor man was on burning coals, and + so completely out of countenance that he would, I truly believe, rather + have died than give the kisses. He drew back with his head down, and he + was allowed to remain in peace until we retired for the night. + </p> + <p> + When we found ourselves alone in our room, he poured out his heart, and + exclaimed that it was a pity he could not publish in Padua the distich and + my answer. + </p> + <p> + “And why not?” I said. + </p> + <p> + “Because both are obscene.” + </p> + <p> + “But they are sublime.” + </p> + <p> + “Let us go to bed and speak no more on the subject. Your answer was + wonderful, because you cannot possibly know anything of the subject in + question, or of the manner in which verses ought to be written.” + </p> + <p> + As far as the subject was concerned, I knew it by theory; for, unknown to + the doctor, and because he had forbidden it, I had read Meursius, but it + was natural that he should be amazed at my being able to write verses, + when he, who had taught me prosody, never could compose a single line. + ‘Nemo dat quod non habet’ is a false axiom when applied to mental + acquirements. + </p> + <p> + Four days afterwards, as we were preparing for our departure, my mother + gave me a parcel for Bettina, and M. Grimani presented me with four + sequins to buy books. A week later my mother left for St. Petersburg. + </p> + <p> + After our return to Padua, my good master for three or four months never + ceased to speak of my mother, and Bettina, having found in the parcel five + yards of black silk and twelve pairs of gloves, became singularly attached + to me, and took such good care of my hair that in less than six months I + was able to give up wearing the wig. She used to comb my hair every + morning, often before I was out of bed, saying that she had not time to + wait until I was dressed. She washed my face, my neck, my chest; lavished + on me childish caresses which I thought innocent, but which caused me to + be angry with myself, because I felt that they excited me. Three years + younger than she was, it seemed to me that she could not love me with any + idea of mischief, and the consciousness of my own vicious excitement put + me out of temper with myself. When, seated on my bed, she would say that I + was getting stouter, and would have the proof of it with her own hands, + she caused me the most intense emotion; but I said nothing, for fear she + would remark my sensitiveness, and when she would go on saying that my + skin was soft, the tickling sensation made me draw back, angry with myself + that I did not dare to do the same to her, but delighted at her not + guessing how I longed to do it. When I was dressed, she often gave me the + sweetest kisses, calling me her darling child, but whatever wish I had to + follow her example, I was not yet bold enough. After some time, however, + Bettina laughing at my timidity, I became more daring and returned her + kisses with interest, but I always gave way the moment I felt a wish to go + further; I then would turn my head, pretending to look for something, and + she would go away. She was scarcely out of the room before I was in + despair at not having followed the inclination of my nature, and, + astonished at the fact that Bettina could do to me all she was in the + habit of doing without feeling any excitement from it, while I could + hardly refrain from pushing my attacks further, I would every day + determine to change my way of acting. + </p> + <p> + In the early part of autumn, the doctor received three new boarders; and + one of them, who was fifteen years old, appeared to me in less than a + month on very friendly terms with Bettina. + </p> + <p> + This circumstance caused me a feeling of which until then I had no idea, + and which I only analyzed a few years afterwards. It was neither jealousy + nor indignation, but a noble contempt which I thought ought not to be + repressed, because Cordiani, an ignorant, coarse boy, without talent or + polite education, the son of a simple farmer, and incapable of competing + with me in anything, having over me but the advantage of dawning manhood, + did not appear to me a fit person to be preferred to me; my young + self-esteem whispered that I was above him. I began to nurse a feeling of + pride mixed with contempt which told against Bettina, whom I loved unknown + to myself. She soon guessed it from the way I would receive her caresses, + when she came to comb my hair while I was in bed; I would repulse her + hands, and no longer return her kisses. One day, vexed at my answering her + question as to the reason of my change towards her by stating that I had + no cause for it, she, told me in a tone of commiseration that I was + jealous of Cordiani. This reproach sounded to me like a debasing slander. + I answered that Cordiani was, in my estimation, as worthy of her as she + was worthy of him. She went away smiling, but, revolving in her mind the + only way by which she could be revenged, she thought herself bound to + render me jealous. However, as she could not attain such an end without + making me fall in love with her, this is the policy she adopted. + </p> + <p> + One morning she came to me as I was in bed and brought me a pair of white + stockings of her own knitting. After dressing my hair, she asked my + permission to try the stockings on herself, in order to correct any + deficiency in the other pairs she intended to knit for me. The doctor had + gone out to say his mass. As she was putting on the stocking, she remarked + that my legs were not clean, and without any more ado she immediately + began to wash them. I would have been ashamed to let her see my + bashfulness; I let her do as she liked, not foreseeing what would happen. + Bettina, seated on my bed, carried too far her love for cleanliness, and + her curiosity caused me such intense voluptuousness that the feeling did + not stop until it could be carried no further. Having recovered my calm, I + bethought myself that I was guilty and begged her forgiveness. She did not + expect this, and, after considering for a few moments, she told me kindly + that the fault was entirely her own, but that she never would again be + guilty of it. And she went out of the room, leaving me to my own thoughts. + </p> + <p> + They were of a cruel character. It seemed to me that I had brought + dishonour upon Bettina, that I had betrayed the confidence of her family, + offended against the sacred laws of hospitality, that I was guilty of a + most wicked crime, which I could only atone for by marrying her, in case + Bettina could make up her mind to accept for her husband a wretch unworthy + of her. + </p> + <p> + These thoughts led to a deep melancholy which went on increasing from day + to day, Bettina having entirely ceased her morning visits by my bedside. + During the first week, I could easily account for the girl’s reserve, and + my sadness would soon have taken the character of the warmest love, had + not her manner towards Cordiani inoculated in my veins the poison of + jealousy, although I never dreamed of accusing her of the same crime + towards him that she had committed upon me. + </p> + <p> + I felt convinced, after due consideration, that the act she had been + guilty of with me had been deliberately done, and that her feelings of + repentance kept her away from me. This conviction was rather flattering to + my vanity, as it gave me the hope of being loved, and the end of all my + communings was that I made up my mind to write to her, and thus to give + her courage. + </p> + <p> + I composed a letter, short but calculated to restore peace to her mind, + whether she thought herself guilty, or suspected me of feelings contrary + to those which her dignity might expect from me. My letter was, in my own + estimation, a perfect masterpiece, and just the kind of epistle by which I + was certain to conquer her very adoration, and to sink for ever the sun of + Cordiani, whom I could not accept as the sort of being likely to make her + hesitate for one instant in her choice between him and me. Half-an-hour + after the receipt of my letter, she told me herself that the next morning + she would pay me her usual visit, but I waited in vain. This conduct + provoked me almost to madness, but my surprise was indeed great when, at + the breakfast table, she asked me whether I would let her dress me up as a + girl to accompany her five or six days later to a ball for which a + neighbour of ours, Doctor Olivo, had sent letters of invitation. Everybody + having seconded the motion, I gave my consent. I thought this arrangement + would afford a favourable opportunity for an explanation, for mutual + vindication, and would open a door for the most complete reconciliation, + without fear of any surprise arising from the proverbial weakness of the + flesh. But a most unexpected circumstance prevented our attending the + ball, and brought forth a comedy with a truly tragic turn. + </p> + <p> + Doctor Gozzi’s godfather, a man advanced in age, and in easy + circumstances, residing in the country, thought himself, after a severe + illness, very near his end, and sent to the doctor a carriage with a + request to come to him at once with his father, as he wished them to be + present at his death, and to pray for his departing soul. The old + shoemaker drained a bottle, donned his Sunday clothes, and went off with + his son. + </p> + <p> + I thought this a favourable opportunity and determined to improve it, + considering that the night of the ball was too remote to suit my + impatience. I therefore managed to tell Bettina that I would leave ajar + the door of my room, and that I would wait for her as soon as everyone in + the house had gone to bed. She promised to come. She slept on the ground + floor in a small closet divided only by a partition from her father’s + chamber; the doctor being away, I was alone in the large room. The three + boarders had their apartment in a different part of the house, and I had + therefore no mishap to fear. I was delighted at the idea that I had at + last reached the moment so ardently desired. + </p> + <p> + The instant I was in my room I bolted my door and opened the one leading + to the passage, so that Bettina should have only to push it in order to + come in; I then put my light out, but did not undress. When we read of + such situations in a romance we think they are exaggerated; they are not + so, and the passage in which Ariosto represents Roger waiting for Alcine + is a beautiful picture painted from nature. + </p> + <p> + Until midnight I waited without feeling much anxiety; but I heard the + clock strike two, three, four o’clock in the morning without seeing + Bettina; my blood began to boil, and I was soon in a state of furious + rage. It was snowing hard, but I shook from passion more than from cold. + One hour before day-break, unable to master any longer my impatience, I + made up my mind to go downstairs with bare feet, so as not to wake the + dog, and to place myself at the bottom of the stairs within a yard of + Bettina’s door, which ought to have been opened if she had gone out of her + room. I reached the door; it was closed, and as it could be locked only + from inside I imagined that Bettina had fallen asleep. I was on the point + of knocking at the door, but was prevented by fear of rousing the dog, as + from that door to that of her closet there was a distance of three or four + yards. Overwhelmed with grief, and unable to take a decision, I sat down + on the last step of the stairs; but at day-break, chilled, benumbed, + shivering with cold, afraid that the servant would see me and would think + I was mad, I determined to go back to my room. I arise, but at that very + moment I hear some noise in Bettina’s room. Certain that I am going to see + her, and hope lending me new strength, I draw nearer to the door. It + opens; but instead of Bettina coming out I see Cordiani, who gives me such + a furious kick in the stomach that I am thrown at a distance deep in the + snow. Without stopping a single instant Cordiani is off, and locks himself + up in the room which he shared with the brothers Feltrini. + </p> + <p> + I pick myself up quickly with the intention of taking my revenge upon + Bettina, whom nothing could have saved from the effects of my rage at that + moment. But I find her door locked; I kick vigorously against it, the dog + starts a loud barking, and I make a hurried retreat to my room, in which I + lock myself up, throwing myself in bed to compose and heal up my mind and + body, for I was half dead. + </p> + <p> + Deceived, humbled, ill-treated, an object of contempt to the happy and + triumphant Cordiani, I spent three hours ruminating the darkest schemes of + revenge. To poison them both seemed to me but a trifle in that terrible + moment of bitter misery. This project gave way to another as extravagant, + as cowardly-namely, to go at once to her brother and disclose everything + to him. I was twelve years of age, and my mind had not yet acquired + sufficient coolness to mature schemes of heroic revenge, which are + produced by false feelings of honour; this was only my apprenticeship in + such adventures. + </p> + <p> + I was in that state of mind when suddenly I heard outside of my door the + gruff voice of Bettina’s mother, who begged me to come down, adding that + her daughter was dying. As I would have been very sorry if she had + departed this life before she could feel the effects of my revenge, I got + up hurriedly and went downstairs. I found Bettina lying in her father’s + bed writhing with fearful convulsions, and surrounded by the whole family. + Half dressed, nearly bent in two, she was throwing her body now to the + right, now to the left, striking at random with her feet and with her + fists, and extricating herself by violent shaking from the hands of those + who endeavoured to keep her down. + </p> + <p> + With this sight before me, and the night’s adventure still in my mind, I + hardly knew what to think. I had no knowledge of human nature, no + knowledge of artifice and tricks, and I could not understand how I found + myself coolly witnessing such a scene, and composedly calm in the presence + of two beings, one of whom I intended to kill and the other to dishonour. + At the end of an hour Bettina fell asleep. + </p> + <p> + A nurse and Doctor Olivo came soon after. The first said that the + convulsions were caused by hysterics, but the doctor said no, and + prescribed rest and cold baths. I said nothing, but I could not refrain + from laughing at them, for I knew, or rather guessed, that Bettina’s + sickness was the result of her nocturnal employment, or of the fright + which she must have felt at my meeting with Cordiani. At all events, I + determined to postpone my revenge until the return of her brother, + although I had not the slightest suspicion that her illness was all sham, + for I did not give her credit for so much cleverness. + </p> + <p> + To return to my room I had to pass through Bettina’s closet, and seeing + her dress handy on the bed I took it into my head to search her pockets. I + found a small note, and recognizing Cordiani’s handwriting, I took + possession of it to read it in my room. I marvelled at the girl’s + imprudence, for her mother might have discovered it, and being unable to + read would very likely have given it to the doctor, her son. I thought she + must have taken leave of her senses, but my feelings may be appreciated + when I read the following words: “As your father is away it is not + necessary to leave your door ajar as usual. When we leave the supper-table + I will go to your closet; you will find me there.” + </p> + <p> + When I recovered from my stupor I gave way to an irresistible fit of + laughter, and seeing how completely I had been duped I thought I was cured + of my love. Cordiani appeared to me deserving of forgiveness, and Bettina + of contempt. I congratulated myself upon having received a lesson of such + importance for the remainder of my life. I even went so far as to + acknowledge to myself that Bettina had been quite right in giving the + preference to Cordiani, who was fifteen years old, while I was only a + child. Yet, in spite of my good disposition to forgiveness, the kick + administered by Cordiani was still heavy upon my memory, and I could not + help keeping a grudge against him. + </p> + <p> + At noon, as we were at dinner in the kitchen, where we took our meals on + account of the cold weather, Bettina began again to raise piercing + screams. Everybody rushed to her room, but I quietly kept my seat and + finished my dinner, after which I went to my studies. In the evening when + I came down to supper I found that Bettina’s bed had been brought to the + kitchen close by her mother’s; but it was no concern of mine, and I + remained likewise perfectly indifferent to the noise made during the + night, and to the confusion which took place in the morning, when she had + a fresh fit of convulsions. + </p> + <p> + Doctor Gozzi and his father returned in the evening. Cordiani, who felt + uneasy, came to inquire from me what my intentions were, but I rushed + towards him with an open penknife in my hand, and he beat a hasty retreat. + I had entirely abandoned the idea of relating the night’s scandalous + adventure to the doctor, for such a project I could only entertain in a + moment of excitement and rage. The next day the mother came in while we + were at our lesson, and told the doctor, after a lengthened preamble, that + she had discovered the character of her daughter’s illness; that it was + caused by a spell thrown over her by a witch, and that she knew the witch + well. + </p> + <p> + “It may be, my dear mother, but we must be careful not to make a mistake. + Who is the witch?” + </p> + <p> + “Our old servant, and I have just had a proof of it.” + </p> + <p> + “How so?” + </p> + <p> + “I have barred the door of my room with two broomsticks placed in the + shape of a cross, which she must have undone to go in; but when she saw + them she drew back, and she went round by the other door. It is evident + that, were she not a witch, she would not be afraid of touching them.” + </p> + <p> + “It is not complete evidence, dear mother; send the woman to me.” + </p> + <p> + The servant made her appearance. + </p> + <p> + “Why,” said the doctor, “did you not enter my mother’s room this morning + through the usual door?” + </p> + <p> + “I do not know what you mean.” + </p> + <p> + “Did you not see the St. Andrew’s cross on the door?” + </p> + <p> + “What cross is that?” + </p> + <p> + “It is useless to plead ignorance,” said the mother; “where did you sleep + last Thursday night?” + </p> + <p> + “At my niece’s, who had just been confined.” + </p> + <p> + “Nothing of the sort. You were at the witches’ Sabbath; you are a witch, + and have bewitched my daughter.” + </p> + <p> + The poor woman, indignant at such an accusation, spits at her mistress’s + face; the mistress, enraged, gets hold of a stick to give the servant a + drubbing; the doctor endeavours to keep his mother back, but he is + compelled to let her loose and to run after the servant, who was hurrying + down the stairs, screaming and howling in order to rouse the neighbours; + he catches her, and finally succeeds in pacifying her with some money. + </p> + <p> + After this comical but rather scandalous exhibition, the doctor donned his + vestments for the purpose of exorcising his sister and of ascertaining + whether she was truly possessed of an unclean spirit. The novelty of this + mystery attracted the whole of my attention. All the inmates of the house + appeared to me either mad or stupid, for I could not, for the life of me, + imagine that diabolical spirits were dwelling in Bettina’s body. When we + drew near her bed, her breathing had, to all appearance, stopped, and the + exorcisms of her brother did not restore it. Doctor Olivo happened to come + in at that moment, and inquired whether he would be in the way; he was + answered in the negative, provided he had faith. + </p> + <p> + Upon which he left, saying that he had no faith in any miracles except in + those of the Gospel. + </p> + <p> + Soon after Doctor Gozzi went to his room, and finding myself alone with + Bettina I bent down over her bed and whispered in her ear. + </p> + <p> + “Take courage, get well again, and rely upon my discretion.” + </p> + <p> + She turned her head towards the wall and did not answer me, but the day + passed off without any more convulsions. I thought I had cured her, but on + the following day the frenzy went up to the brain, and in her delirium she + pronounced at random Greek and Latin words without any meaning, and then + no doubt whatever was entertained of her being possessed of the evil + spirit. Her mother went out and returned soon, accompanied by the most + renowned exorcist of Padua, a very ill-featured Capuchin, called Friar + Prospero da Bovolenta. + </p> + <p> + The moment Bettina saw the exorcist, she burst into loud laughter, and + addressed to him the most offensive insults, which fairly delighted + everybody, as the devil alone could be bold enough to address a Capuchin + in such a manner; but the holy man, hearing himself called an obtrusive + ignoramus and a stinkard, went on striking Bettina with a heavy crucifix, + saying that he was beating the devil. He stopped only when he saw her on + the point of hurling at him the chamber utensil which she had just seized. + “If it is the devil who has offended thee with his words,” she said, + “resent the insult with words likewise, jackass that thou art, but if I + have offended thee myself, learn, stupid booby, that thou must respect me, + and be off at once.” + </p> + <p> + I could see poor Doctor Gozzi blushing; the friar, however, held his + ground, and, armed at all points, began to read a terrible exorcism, at + the end of which he commanded the devil to state his name. + </p> + <p> + “My name is Bettina.” + </p> + <p> + “It cannot be, for it is the name of a baptized girl.” + </p> + <p> + “Then thou art of opinion that a devil must rejoice in a masculine name? + Learn, ignorant friar, that a devil is a spirit, and does not belong to + either sex. But as thou believest that a devil is speaking to thee through + my lips, promise to answer me with truth, and I will engage to give way + before thy incantations.” + </p> + <p> + “Very well, I agree to this.” + </p> + <p> + “Tell me, then, art thou thinking that thy knowledge is greater than + mine?” + </p> + <p> + “No, but I believe myself more powerful in the name of the holy Trinity, + and by my sacred character.” + </p> + <p> + “If thou art more powerful than I, then prevent me from telling thee + unpalatable truths. Thou art very vain of thy beard, thou art combing and + dressing it ten times a day, and thou would’st not shave half of it to get + me out of this body. Cut off thy beard, and I promise to come out.” + </p> + <p> + “Father of lies, I will increase thy punishment a hundred fold.” + </p> + <p> + “I dare thee to do it.” + </p> + <p> + After saying these words, Bettina broke into such a loud peal of laughter, + that I could not refrain from joining in it. The Capuchin, turning towards + Doctor Gozzi, told him that I was wanting in faith, and that I ought to + leave the room; which I did, remarking that he had guessed rightly. I was + not yet out of the room when the friar offered his hand to Bettina for her + to kiss, and I had the pleasure of seeing her spit upon it. + </p> + <p> + This strange girl, full of extraordinary talent, made rare sport of the + friar, without causing any surprise to anyone, as all her answers were + attributed to the devil. I could not conceive what her purpose was in + playing such a part. + </p> + <p> + The Capuchin dined with us, and during the meal he uttered a good deal of + nonsense. After dinner, he returned to Bettina’s chamber, with the + intention of blessing her, but as soon as she caught sight of him, she + took up a glass full of some black mixture sent from the apothecary, and + threw it at his head. Cordiani, being close by the friar, came in for a + good share of the liquid-an accident which afforded me the greatest + delight. Bettina was quite right to improve her opportunity, as everything + she did was, of course, put to the account of the unfortunate devil. Not + overmuch pleased, Friar Prospero, as he left the house, told the doctor + that there was no doubt of the girl being possessed, but that another + exorcist must be sent for, since he had not, himself, obtained God’s grace + to eject the evil spirit. + </p> + <p> + After he had gone, Bettina kept very calm for six hours, and in the + evening, to our great surprise, she joined us at the supper table. She + told her parents that she felt quite well, spoke to her brother, and then, + addressing me, she remarked that, the ball taking place on the morrow, she + would come to my room in the morning to dress my hair like a girl’s. I + thanked her, and said that, as she had been so ill, she ought to nurse + herself. She soon retired to bed, and we remained at the table, talking of + her. + </p> + <p> + When I was undressing for the night, I took up my night-cap, and found in + it a small note with these words: “You must accompany me to the ball, + disguised as a girl, or I will give you a sight which will cause you to + weep.” + </p> + <p> + I waited until the doctor was asleep, and I wrote the following answer: “I + cannot go to the ball, because I have fully made up my mind to avoid every + opportunity of being alone with you. As for the painful sight with which + you threaten to entertain me, I believe you capable of keeping your word, + but I entreat you to spare my heart, for I love you as if you were my + sister. I have forgiven you, dear Bettina, and I wish to forget + everything. I enclose a note which you must be delighted to have again in + your possession. You see what risk you were running when you left it in + your pocket. This restitution must convince you of my friendship.” + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0003" id="link2HCH0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER III + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Bettina Is Supposed to Go Mad—Father Mancia—The Small-pox— + I Leave Padua +</pre> + <p> + Bettina must have been in despair, not knowing into whose hands her letter + had fallen; to return it to her and thus to allay her anxiety, was + therefore a great proof of friendship; but my generosity, at the same time + that it freed her from a keen sorrow, must have caused her another quite + as dreadful, for she knew that I was master of her secret. Cordiani’s + letter was perfectly explicit; it gave the strongest evidence that she was + in the habit of receiving him every night, and therefore the story she had + prepared to deceive me was useless. I felt it was so, and, being disposed + to calm her anxiety as far as I could, I went to her bedside in the + morning, and I placed in her hands Cordiani’s note and my answer to her + letter. + </p> + <p> + The girl’s spirit and talent had won my esteem; I could no longer despise + her; I saw in her only a poor creature seduced by her natural temperament. + She loved man, and was to be pitied only on account of the consequences. + Believing that the view I took of the situation was a right one, I had + resigned myself like a reasonable being, and not like a disappointed + lover. The shame was for her and not for me. I had only one wish, namely, + to find out whether the two brothers Feltrini, Cordiani’s companions, had + likewise shared Bettina’s favours. + </p> + <p> + Bettina put on throughout the day a cheerful and happy look. In the + evening she dressed herself for the ball; but suddenly an attack of + sickness, whether feigned or real I did not know, compelled her to go to + bed, and frightened everybody in the house. As for myself, knowing the + whole affair, I was prepared for new scenes, and indeed for sad ones, for + I felt that I had obtained over her a power repugnant to her vanity and + self-love. I must, however, confess that, in spite of the excellent school + in which I found myself before I had attained manhood, and which ought to + have given me experience as a shield for the future, I have through the + whole of my life been the dupe of women. Twelve years ago, if it had not + been for my guardian angel, I would have foolishly married a young, + thoughtless girl, with whom I had fallen in love: Now that I am + seventy-two years old I believe myself no longer susceptible of such + follies; but, alas! that is the very thing which causes me to be + miserable. + </p> + <p> + The next day the whole family was deeply grieved because the devil of whom + Bettina was possessed had made himself master of her reason. Doctor Gozzi + told me that there could not be the shadow of a doubt that his unfortunate + sister was possessed, as, if she had only been mad, she never would have + so cruelly ill-treated the Capuchin, Prospero, and he determined to place + her under the care of Father Mancia. + </p> + <p> + This Mancia was a celebrated Jacobin (or Dominican) exorcist, who enjoyed + the reputation of never having failed to cure a girl possessed of the + demon. + </p> + <p> + Sunday had come; Bettina had made a good dinner, but she had been frantic + all through the day. Towards midnight her father came home, singing Tasso + as usual, and so drunk that he could not stand. He went up to Bettina’s + bed, and after kissing her affectionately he said to her: “Thou art not + mad, my girl.” + </p> + <p> + Her answer was that he was not drunk. + </p> + <p> + “Thou art possessed of the devil, my dear child.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, father, and you alone can cure me.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I am ready.” + </p> + <p> + Upon this our shoemaker begins a theological discourse, expatiating upon + the power of faith and upon the virtue of the paternal blessing. He throws + off his cloak, takes a crucifix with one hand, places the other over the + head of his daughter, and addresses the devil in such an amusing way that + even his wife, always a stupid, dull, cross-grained old woman, had to + laugh till the tears came down her cheeks. The two performers in the + comedy alone were not laughing, and their serious countenance added to the + fun of the performance. I marvelled at Bettina (who was always ready to + enjoy a good laugh) having sufficient control over herself to remain calm + and grave. Doctor Gozzi had also given way to merriment; but begged that + the farce should come to an end, for he deemed that his father’s + eccentricities were as many profanations against the sacredness of + exorcism. At last the exorcist, doubtless tired out, went to bed saying + that he was certain that the devil would not disturb his daughter during + the night. + </p> + <p> + On the morrow, just as we had finished our breakfast, Father Mancia made + his appearance. Doctor Gozzi, followed by the whole family, escorted him + to his sister’s bedside. As for me, I was entirely taken up by the face of + the monk. Here is his portrait. His figure was tall and majestic, his age + about thirty; he had light hair and blue eyes; his features were those of + Apollo, but without his pride and assuming haughtiness; his complexion, + dazzling white, was pale, but that paleness seemed to have been given for + the very purpose of showing off the red coral of his lips, through which + could be seen, when they opened, two rows of pearls. He was neither thin + nor stout, and the habitual sadness of his countenance enhanced its + sweetness. His gait was slow, his air timid, an indication of the great + modesty of his mind. + </p> + <p> + When we entered the room Bettina was asleep, or pretended to be so. Father + Mancia took a sprinkler and threw over her a few drops of holy water; she + opened her eyes, looked at the monk, and closed them immediately; a little + while after she opened them again, had a better look at him, laid herself + on her back, let her arms droop down gently, and with her head prettily + bent on one side she fell into the sweetest of slumbers. + </p> + <p> + The exorcist, standing by the bed, took out his pocket ritual and the + stole which he put round his neck, then a reliquary, which he placed on + the bosom of the sleeping girl, and with the air of a saint he begged all + of us to fall on our knees and to pray, so that God should let him know + whether the patient was possessed or only labouring under a natural + disease. He kept us kneeling for half an hour, reading all the time in a + low tone of voice. Bettina did not stir. + </p> + <p> + Tired, I suppose, of the performance, he desired to speak privately with + Doctor Gozzi. They passed into the next room, out of which they emerged + after a quarter of an hour, brought back by a loud peal of laughter from + the mad girl, who, when she saw them, turned her back on them. Father + Mancia smiled, dipped the sprinkler over and over in the holy water, gave + us all a generous shower, and took his leave. + </p> + <p> + Doctor Gozzi told us that the exorcist would come again on the morrow, and + that he had promised to deliver Bettina within three hours if she were + truly possessed of the demon, but that he made no promise if it should + turn out to be a case of madness. The mother exclaimed that he would + surely deliver her, and she poured out her thanks to God for having + allowed her the grace of beholding a saint before her death. + </p> + <p> + The following day Bettina was in a fine frenzy. She began to utter the + most extravagant speeches that a poet could imagine, and did not stop when + the charming exorcist came into her room; he seemed to enjoy her foolish + talk for a few minutes, after which, having armed himself ‘cap-a-pie’, he + begged us to withdraw. His order was obeyed instantly; we left the + chamber, and the door remained open. But what did it matter? Who would + have been bold enough to go in? + </p> + <p> + During three long hours we heard nothing; the stillness was unbroken. At + noon the monk called us in. Bettina was there sad and very quiet while the + exorcist packed up his things. He took his departure, saying he had very + good hopes of the case, and requesting that the doctor would send him news + of the patient. Bettina partook of dinner in her bed, got up for supper, + and the next day behaved herself rationally; but the following + circumstance strengthened my opinion that she had been neither insane nor + possessed. + </p> + <p> + It was two days before the Purification of the Holy Virgin. Doctor Gozzi + was in the habit of giving us the sacrament in his own church, but he + always sent us for our confession to the church of Saint-Augustin, in + which the Jacobins of Padua officiated. At the supper table, he told us to + prepare ourselves for the next day, and his mother, addressing us, said: + “You ought, all of you, to confess to Father Mancia, so as to obtain + absolution from that holy man. I intend to go to him myself.” Cordiani and + the two Feltrini agreed to the proposal; I remained silent, but as the + idea was unpleasant to me, I concealed the feeling, with a full + determination to prevent the execution of the project. + </p> + <p> + I had entire confidence in the secrecy of confession, and I was incapable + of making a false one, but knowing that I had a right to choose my + confessor, I most certainly never would have been so simple as to confess + to Father Mancia what had taken place between me and a girl, because he + would have easily guessed that the girl could be no other but Bettina. + Besides, I was satisfied that Cordiani would confess everything to the + monk, and I was deeply sorry. + </p> + <p> + Early the next morning, Bettina brought me a band for my neck, and gave me + the following letter: “Spurn me, but respect my honour and the shadow of + peace to which I aspire. No one from this house must confess to Father + Mancia; you alone can prevent the execution of that project, and I need + not suggest the way to succeed. It will prove whether you have some + friendship for me.” + </p> + <p> + I could not express the pity I felt for the poor girl, as I read that + note. In spite of that feeling, this is what I answered: “I can well + understand that, notwithstanding the inviolability of confession, your + mother’s proposal should cause you great anxiety; but I cannot see why, in + order to prevent its execution, you should depend upon me rather than upon + Cordiani who has expressed his acceptance of it. All I can promise you is + that I will not be one of those who may go to Father Mancia; but I have no + influence over your lover; you alone can speak to him.” + </p> + <p> + She replied: “I have never addressed a word to Cordiani since the fatal + night which has sealed my misery, and I never will speak to him again, + even if I could by so doing recover my lost happiness. To you alone I wish + to be indebted for my life and for my honour.” + </p> + <p> + This girl appeared to me more wonderful than all the heroines of whom I + had read in novels. It seemed to me that she was making sport of me with + the most barefaced effrontery. I thought she was trying to fetter me again + with her chains; and although I had no inclination for them, I made up my + mind to render her the service she claimed at my hands, and which she + believed I alone could compass. She felt certain of her success, but in + what school had she obtained her experience of the human heart? Was it in + reading novels? Most likely the reading of a certain class of novels + causes the ruin of a great many young girls, but I am of opinion that from + good romances they acquire graceful manners and a knowledge of society. + </p> + <p> + Having made up my mind to shew her every kindness in my power, I took an + opportunity, as we were undressing for the night, of telling Doctor Gozzi + that, for conscientious motives, I could not confess to Father Mancia, and + yet that I did not wish to be an exception in that matter. He kindly + answered that he understood my reasons, and that he would take us all to + the church of Saint-Antoine. I kissed his hand in token of my gratitude. + </p> + <p> + On the following day, everything having gone according to her wishes, I + saw Bettina sit down to the table with a face beaming with satisfaction. + In the afternoon I had to go to bed in consequence of a wound in my foot; + the doctor accompanied his pupils to church; and Bettina being alone, + availed herself of the opportunity, came to my room and sat down on my + bed. I had expected her visit, and I received it with pleasure, as it + heralded an explanation for which I was positively longing. + </p> + <p> + She began by expressing a hope that I would not be angry with her for + seizing the first opportunity she had of some conversation with me. + </p> + <p> + “No,” I answered, “for you thus afford me an occasion of assuring you + that, my feelings towards you being those of a friend only, you need not + have any fear of my causing you any anxiety or displeasure. Therefore + Bettina, you may do whatever suits you; my love is no more. You have at + one blow given the death-stroke to the intense passion which was + blossoming in my heart. When I reached my room, after the ill-treatment I + had experienced at Cordiani’s hands, I felt for you nothing but hatred; + that feeling soon merged into utter contempt, but that sensation itself + was in time, when my mind recovered its balance, changed for a feeling of + the deepest indifference, which again has given way when I saw what power + there is in your mind. I have now become your friend; I have conceived the + greatest esteem for your cleverness. I have been the dupe of it, but no + matter; that talent of yours does exist, it is wonderful, divine, I admire + it, I love it, and the highest homage I can render to it is, in my + estimation, to foster for the possessor of it the purest feelings of + friendship. Reciprocate that friendship, be true, sincere, and plain + dealing. Give up all nonsense, for you have already obtained from me all I + can give you. The very thought of love is repugnant to me; I can bestow my + love only where I feel certain of being the only one loved. You are at + liberty to lay my foolish delicacy to the account of my youthful age, but + I feel so, and I cannot help it. You have written to me that you never + speak to Cordiani; if I am the cause of that rupture between you, I regret + it, and I think that, in the interest of your honour, you would do well to + make it up with him; for the future I must be careful never to give him + any grounds for umbrage or suspicion. Recollect also that, if you have + tempted him by the same manoeuvres which you have employed towards me, you + are doubly wrong, for it may be that, if he truly loves you, you have + caused him to be miserable.” + </p> + <p> + “All you have just said to me,” answered Bettina, “is grounded upon false + impressions and deceptive appearances. I do not love Cordiani, and I never + had any love for him; on the contrary, I have felt, and I do feel, for him + a hatred which he has richly deserved, and I hope to convince you, in + spite of every appearance which seems to convict me. As to the reproach of + seduction, I entreat you to spare me such an accusation. On our side, + consider that, if you had not yourself thrown temptation in my way, I + never would have committed towards you an action of which I have deeply + repented, for reasons which you do not know, but which you must learn from + me. The fault I have been guilty of is a serious one only because I did + not foresee the injury it would do me in the inexperienced mind of the + ingrate who dares to reproach me with it.” + </p> + <p> + Bettina was shedding tears: all she had said was not unlikely and rather + complimentary to my vanity, but I had seen too much. Besides, I knew the + extent of her cleverness, and it was very natural to lend her a wish to + deceive me; how could I help thinking that her visit to me was prompted + only by her self-love being too deeply wounded to let me enjoy a victory + so humiliating to herself? Therefore, unshaken in my preconceived opinion, + I told her that I placed implicit confidence in all she had just said + respecting the state of her heart previous to the playful nonsense which + had been the origin of my love for her, and that I promised never in the + future to allude again to my accusation of seduction. “But,” I continued, + “confess that the fire at that time burning in your bosom was only of + short duration, and that the slightest breath of wind had been enough to + extinguish it. Your virtue, which went astray for only one instant, and + which has so suddenly recovered its mastery over your senses, deserves + some praise. You, with all your deep adoring love for me, became all at + once blind to my sorrow, whatever care I took to make it clear to your + sight. It remains for me to learn how that virtue could be so very dear to + you, at the very time that Cordiani took care to wreck it every night.” + </p> + <p> + Bettina eyed me with the air of triumph which perfect confidence in + victory gives to a person, and said: “You have just reached the point + where I wished you to be. You shall now be made aware of things which I + could not explain before, owing to your refusing the appointment which I + then gave you for no other purpose than to tell you all the truth. + Cordiani declared his love for me a week after he became an inmate in our + house; he begged my consent to a marriage, if his father made the demand + of my hand as soon as he should have completed his studies. My answer was + that I did not know him sufficiently, that I could form no idea on the + subject, and I requested him not to allude to it any more. He appeared to + have quietly given up the matter, but soon after, I found out that it was + not the case; he begged me one day to come to his room now and then to + dress his hair; I told him I had no time to spare, and he remarked that + you were more fortunate. I laughed at this reproach, as everyone here knew + that I had the care of you. It was a fortnight after my refusal to + Cordiani, that I unfortunately spent an hour with you in that loving + nonsense which has naturally given you ideas until then unknown to your + senses. That hour made me very happy: I loved you, and having given way to + very natural desires, I revelled in my enjoyment without the slightest + remorse of conscience. I was longing to be again with you the next + morning, but after supper, misfortune laid for the first time its hand + upon me. Cordiani slipped in my hands this note and this letter which I + have since hidden in a hole in the wall, with the intention of shewing + them to you at the first opportunity.” + </p> + <p> + Saying this, Bettina handed me the note and the letter; the first ran as + follows: “Admit me this evening in your closet, the door of which, leading + to the yard, can be left ajar, or prepare yourself to make the best of it + with the doctor, to whom I intend to deliver, if you should refuse my + request, the letter of which I enclose a copy.” + </p> + <p> + The letter contained the statement of a cowardly and enraged informer, and + would certainly have caused the most unpleasant results. In that letter + Cordiani informed the doctor that his sister spent her mornings with me in + criminal connection while he was saying his mass, and he pledged himself + to enter into particulars which would leave him no doubt. + </p> + <p> + “After giving to the case the consideration it required,” continued + Bettina, “I made up my mind to hear that monster; but my determination + being fixed, I put in my pocket my father’s stilletto, and holding my door + ajar I waited for him there, unwilling to let him come in, as my closet is + divided only by a thin partition from the room of my father, whom the + slightest noise might have roused up. My first question to Cordiani was in + reference to the slander contained in the letter he threatened to deliver + to my brother: he answered that it was no slander, for he had been a + witness to everything that had taken place in the morning through a hole + he had bored in the garret just above your bed, and to which he would + apply his eye the moment he knew that I was in your room. He wound up by + threatening to discover everything to my brother and to my mother, unless + I granted him the same favours I had bestowed upon you. In my just + indignation I loaded him with the most bitter insults, I called him a + cowardly spy and slanderer, for he could not have seen anything but + childish playfulness, and I declared to him that he need not flatter + himself that any threat would compel me to give the slightest compliance + to his wishes. He then begged and begged my pardon a thousand times, and + went on assuring me that I must lay to my rigour the odium of the step he + had taken, the only excuse for it being in the fervent love I had kindled + in his heart, and which made him miserable. He acknowledged that his + letter might be a slander, that he had acted treacherously, and he pledged + his honour never to attempt obtaining from me by violence favours which he + desired to merit only by the constancy of his love. I then thought myself + to some extent compelled to say that I might love him at some future time, + and to promise that I would not again come near your bed during the + absence of my brother. In this way I dismissed him satisfied, without his + daring to beg for so much as a kiss, but with the promise that we might + now and then have some conversation in the same place. As soon as he left + me I went to bed, deeply grieved that I could no longer see you in the + absence of my brother, and that I was unable, for fear of consequences, to + let you know the reason of my change. Three weeks passed off in that + position, and I cannot express what have been my sufferings, for you, of + course, urged me to come, and I was always under the painful necessity of + disappointing you. I even feared to find myself alone with you, for I felt + certain that I could not have refrained from telling you the cause of the + change in my conduct. To crown my misery, add that I found myself + compelled, at least once a week, to receive the vile Cordiani outside of + my room, and to speak to him, in order to check his impatience with a few + words. At last, unable to bear up any longer under such misery, threatened + likewise by you, I determined to end my agony. I wished to disclose to you + all this intrigue, leaving to you the care of bringing a change for the + better, and for that purpose I proposed that you should accompany me to + the ball disguised as a girl, although I knew it would enrage Cordiani; + but my mind was made up. You know how my scheme fell to the ground. The + unexpected departure of my brother with my father suggested to both of you + the same idea, and it was before receiving Cordiani’s letter that I + promised to come to you. Cordiani did not ask for an appointment; he only + stated that he would be waiting for me in my closet, and I had no + opportunity of telling him that I could not allow him to come, any more + than I could find time to let you know that I would be with you only after + midnight, as I intended to do, for I reckoned that after an hour’s talk I + would dismiss the wretch to his room. But my reckoning was wrong; Cordiani + had conceived a scheme, and I could not help listening to all he had to + say about it. His whining and exaggerated complaints had no end. He + upbraided me for refusing to further the plan he had concocted, and which + he thought I would accept with rapture if I loved him. The scheme was for + me to elope with him during holy week, and to run away to Ferrara, where + he had an uncle who would have given us a kind welcome, and would soon + have brought his father to forgive him and to insure our happiness for + life. The objections I made, his answers, the details to be entered into, + the explanations and the ways and means to be examined to obviate the + difficulties of the project, took up the whole night. My heart was + bleeding as I thought of you; but my conscience is at rest, and I did + nothing that could render me unworthy of your esteem. You cannot refuse it + to me, unless you believe that the confession I have just made is untrue; + but you would be both mistaken and unjust. Had I made up my mind to + sacrifice myself and to grant favours which love alone ought to obtain, I + might have got rid of the treacherous wretch within one hour, but death + seemed preferable to such a dreadful expedient. Could I in any way suppose + that you were outside of my door, exposed to the wind and to the snow? + Both of us were deserving of pity, but my misery was still greater than + yours. All these fearful circumstances were written in the book of fate, + to make me lose my reason, which now returns only at intervals, and I am + in constant dread of a fresh attack of those awful convulsions. They say I + am bewitched, and possessed of the demon; I do not know anything about it, + but if it should be true I am the most miserable creature in existence.” + Bettina ceased speaking, and burst into a violent storm of tears, sobs, + and groans. I was deeply moved, although I felt that all she had said + might be true, and yet was scarcely worthy of belief: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ‘Forse era ver, ma non pero credibile + A chi del senso suo fosse signor.’ +</pre> + <p> + But she was weeping, and her tears, which at all events were not + deceptive, took away from me the faculty of doubt. Yet I put her tears to + the account of her wounded self-love; to give way entirely I needed a + thorough conviction, and to obtain it evidence was necessary, probability + was not enough. I could not admit either Cordiani’s moderation or + Bettina’s patience, or the fact of seven hours employed in innocent + conversation. In spite of all these considerations, I felt a sort of + pleasure in accepting for ready cash all the counterfeit coins that she + had spread out before me. + </p> + <p> + After drying her tears, Bettina fixed her beautiful eyes upon mine, + thinking that she could discern in them evident signs of her victory; but + I surprised her much by alluding to one point which, with all her cunning, + she had neglected to mention in her defence. Rhetoric makes use of + nature’s secrets in the same way as painters who try to imitate it: their + most beautiful work is false. This young girl, whose mind had not been + refined by study, aimed at being considered innocent and artless, and she + did her best to succeed, but I had seen too good a specimen of her + cleverness. + </p> + <p> + “Well, my dear Bettina,” I said, “your story has affected me; but how do + you think I am going to accept your convulsions as natural, and to believe + in the demoniac symptoms which came on so seasonably during the exorcisms, + although you very properly expressed your doubts on the matter?” + </p> + <p> + Hearing this, Bettina stared at me, remaining silent for a few minutes, + then casting her eyes down she gave way to fresh tears, exclaiming now and + then: “Poor me! oh, poor me!” This situation, however, becoming most + painful to me, I asked what I could do for her. She answered in a sad tone + that if my heart did not suggest to me what to do, she did not herself see + what she could demand of me. + </p> + <p> + “I thought,” said she, “that I would reconquer my lost influence over your + heart, but, I see it too plainly, you no longer feel an interest in me. Go + on treating me harshly; go on taking for mere fictions sufferings which + are but too real, which you have caused, and which you will now increase. + Some day, but too late, you will be sorry, and your repentance will be + bitter indeed.” + </p> + <p> + As she pronounced these words she rose to take her leave; but judging her + capable of anything I felt afraid, and I detained her to say that the only + way to regain my affection was to remain one month without convulsions and + without handsome Father Mancia’s presence being required. + </p> + <p> + “I cannot help being convulsed,” she answered, “but what do you mean by + applying to the Jacobin that epithet of handsome? Could you suppose—?” + </p> + <p> + “Not at all, not at all—I suppose nothing; to do so would be + necessary for me to be jealous. But I cannot help saying that the + preference given by your devils to the exorcism of that handsome monk over + the incantations of the ugly Capuchin is likely to give birth to remarks + rather detrimental to your honour. Moreover, you are free to do whatever + pleases you.” + </p> + <p> + Thereupon she left my room, and a few minutes later everybody came home. + </p> + <p> + After supper the servant, without any question on my part, informed me + that Bettina had gone to bed with violent feverish chills, having + previously had her bed carried into the kitchen beside her mother’s. This + attack of fever might be real, but I had my doubts. I felt certain that + she would never make up her mind to be well, for her good health would + have supplied me with too strong an argument against her pretended + innocence, even in the case of Cordiani; I likewise considered her idea of + having her bed placed near her mother’s nothing but artful contrivance. + </p> + <p> + The next day Doctor Olivo found her very feverish, and told her brother + that she would most likely be excited and delirious, but that it would be + the effect of the fever and not the work of the devil. And truly, Bettina + was raving all day, but Dr. Gozzi, placing implicit confidence in the + physician, would not listen to his mother, and did not send for the + Jacobin friar. The fever increased in violence, and on the fourth day the + small-pox broke out. Cordiani and the two brothers Feitrini, who had so + far escaped that disease, were immediately sent away, but as I had had it + before I remained at home. + </p> + <p> + The poor girl was so fearfully covered with the loathsome eruption, that + on the sixth day her skin could not be seen on any part of her body. Her + eyes closed, and her life was despaired of, when it was found that her + mouth and throat were obstructed to such a degree that she could swallow + nothing but a few drops of honey. She was perfectly motionless; she + breathed and that was all. Her mother never left her bedside, and I was + thought a saint when I carried my table and my books into the patient’s + room. The unfortunate girl had become a fearful sight to look upon; her + head was dreadfully swollen, the nose could no longer be seen, and much + fear was entertained for her eyes, in case her life should be spared. The + odour of her perspiration was most offensive, but I persisted in keeping + my watch by her. + </p> + <p> + On the ninth day, the vicar gave her absolution, and after administering + extreme unction, he left her, as he said, in the hands of God. In the + midst of so much sadness, the conversation of the mother with her son, + would, in spite of myself, cause me some amount of merriment. The good + woman wanted to know whether the demon who was dwelling in her child could + still influence her to perform extravagant follies, and what would become + of the demon in the case of her daughter’s death, for, as she expressed + it, she could not think of his being so stupid as to remain in so + loathsome a body. She particularly wanted to ascertain whether the demon + had power to carry off the soul of her child. Doctor Gozzi, who was an + ubiquitarian, made to all those questions answers which had not even the + shadow of good sense, and which of course had no other effect than to + increase a hundred-fold the perplexity of his poor mother. + </p> + <p> + During the tenth and eleventh days, Bettina was so bad that we thought + every moment likely to be her last. The disease had reached its worst + period; the smell was unbearable; I alone would not leave her, so sorely + did I pity her. The heart of man is indeed an unfathomable abyss, for, + however incredible it may appear, it was while in that fearful state that + Bettina inspired me with the fondness which I showed her after her + recovery. + </p> + <p> + On the thirteenth day the fever abated, but the patient began to + experience great irritation, owing to a dreadful itching, which no remedy + could have allayed as effectually as these powerful words which I kept + constantly pouring into her ear: “Bettina, you are getting better; but if + you dare to scratch yourself, you will become such a fright that nobody + will ever love you.” All the physicians in the universe might be + challenged to prescribe a more potent remedy against itching for a girl + who, aware that she has been pretty, finds herself exposed to the loss of + her beauty through her own fault, if she scratches herself. + </p> + <p> + At last her fine eyes opened again to the light of heaven; she was moved + to her own room, but she had to keep her bed until Easter. She inoculated + me with a few pocks, three of which have left upon my face everlasting + marks; but in her eyes they gave me credit for great devotedness, for they + were a proof of my constant care, and she felt that I indeed deserved her + whole love. And she truly loved me, and I returned her love, although I + never plucked a flower which fate and prejudice kept in store for a + husband. But what a contemptible husband! + </p> + <p> + Two years later she married a shoemaker, by name Pigozzo—a base, + arrant knave who beggared and ill-treated her to such an extent that her + brother had to take her home and to provide for her. Fifteen years + afterwards, having been appointed arch-priest at Saint-George de la + Vallee, he took her there with him, and when I went to pay him a visit + eighteen years ago, I found Bettina old, ill, and dying. She breathed her + last in my arms in 1776, twenty-four hours after my arrival. I will speak + of her death in good time. + </p> + <p> + About that period, my mother returned from St. Petersburg, where the + Empress Anne Iwanowa had not approved of the Italian comedy. The whole of + the troop had already returned to Italy, and my mother had travelled with + Carlin Bertinazzi, the harlequin, who died in Paris in the year 1783. As + soon as she had reached Padua, she informed Doctor Gozzi of her arrival, + and he lost no time in accompanying me to the inn where she had put up. We + dined with her, and before bidding us adieu, she presented the doctor with + a splendid fur, and gave me the skin of a lynx for Bettina. Six months + afterwards she summoned me to Venice, as she wished to see me before + leaving for Dresden, where she had contracted an engagement for life in + the service of the Elector of Saxony, Augustus III., King of Poland. She + took with her my brother Jean, then eight years old, who was weeping + bitterly when he left; I thought him very foolish, for there was nothing + very tragic in that departure. He is the only one in the family who was + wholly indebted to our mother for his fortune, although he was not her + favourite child. + </p> + <p> + I spent another year in Padua, studying law in which I took the degree of + Doctor in my sixteenth year, the subject of my thesis being in the civil + law, ‘de testamentis’, and in the canon law, ‘utrum Hebraei possint + construere novas synagogas’. + </p> + <p> + My vocation was to study medicine, and to practice it, for I felt a great + inclination for that profession, but no heed was given to my wishes, and I + was compelled to apply myself to the study of the law, for which I had an + invincible repugnance. My friends were of opinion that I could not make my + fortune in any profession but that of an advocate, and, what is still + worse, of an ecclesiastical advocate. If they had given the matter proper + consideration, they would have given me leave to follow my own + inclinations, and I would have been a physician—a profession in + which quackery is of still greater avail than in the legal business. I + never became either a physician or an advocate, and I never would apply to + a lawyer, when I had any legal business, nor call in a physician when I + happened to be ill. Lawsuits and pettifoggery may support a good many + families, but a greater proportion is ruined by them, and those who perish + in the hands, of physicians are more numerous by far than those who get + cured strong evidence in my opinion, that mankind would be much less + miserable without either lawyers or doctors. + </p> + <p> + To attend the lectures of the professors, I had to go to the university + called the Bo, and it became necessary for me to go out alone. This was a + matter of great wonder to me, for until then I had never considered myself + a free man; and in my wish to enjoy fully the liberty I thought I had just + conquered, it was not long before I had made the very worst acquaintances + amongst the most renowned students. As a matter of course, the most + renowned were the most worthless, dissolute fellows, gamblers, frequenters + of disorderly houses, hard drinkers, debauchees, tormentors and suborners + of honest girls, liars, and wholly incapable of any good or virtuous + feeling. In the company of such men did I begin my apprenticeship of the + world, learning my lesson from the book of experience. + </p> + <p> + The theory of morals and its usefulness through the life of man can be + compared to the advantage derived by running over the index of a book + before reading it when we have perused that index we know nothing but the + subject of the work. This is like the school for morals offered by the + sermons, the precepts, and the tales which our instructors recite for our + especial benefit. We lend our whole attention to those lessons, but when + an opportunity offers of profiting by the advice thus bestowed upon us, we + feel inclined to ascertain for ourselves whether the result will turn out + as predicted; we give way to that very natural inclination, and punishment + speedily follows with concomitant repentance. Our only consolation lies in + the fact that in such moments we are conscious of our own knowledge, and + consider ourselves as having earned the right to instruct others; but + those to whom we wish to impart our experience act exactly as we have + acted before them, and, as a matter of course, the world remains in statu + quo, or grows worse and worse. + </p> + <p> + When Doctor Gozzi granted me the privilege of going out alone, he gave me + an opportunity for the discovery of several truths which, until then, were + not only unknown to me, but the very existence of which I had never + suspected. On my first appearance, the boldest scholars got hold of me and + sounded my depth. Finding that I was a thorough freshman, they undertook + my education, and with that worthy purpose in view they allowed me to fall + blindly into every trap. They taught me gambling, won the little I + possessed, and then they made me play upon trust, and put me up to + dishonest practices in order to procure the means of paying my gambling + debts; but I acquired at the same time the sad experience of sorrow! Yet + these hard lessons proved useful, for they taught me to mistrust the + impudent sycophants who openly flatter their dupes, and never to rely upon + the offers made by fawning flatterers. They taught me likewise how to + behave in the company of quarrelsome duellists, the society of whom ought + to be avoided, unless we make up our mind to be constantly in the very + teeth of danger. I was not caught in the snares of professional lewd + women, because not one of them was in my eyes as pretty as Bettina, but I + did not resist so well the desire for that species of vain glory which is + the reward of holding life at a cheap price. + </p> + <p> + In those days the students in Padua enjoyed very great privileges, which + were in reality abuses made legal through prescription, the primitive + characteristic of privileges, which differ essentially from prerogatives. + In fact, in order to maintain the legality of their privileges, the + students often committed crimes. The guilty were dealt with tenderly, + because the interest of the city demanded that severity should not + diminish the great influx of scholars who flocked to that renowned + university from every part of Europe. The practice of the Venetian + government was to secure at a high salary the most celebrated professors, + and to grant the utmost freedom to the young men attending their lessons. + The students acknowledged no authority but that of a chief, chosen among + themselves, and called syndic. He was usually a foreign nobleman, who + could keep a large establishment, and who was responsible to the + government for the behaviour of the scholars. It was his duty to give them + up to justice when they transgressed the laws, and the students never + disputed his sentence, because he always defended them to the utmost, when + they had the slightest shadow of right on their side. + </p> + <p> + The students, amongst other privileges, would not suffer their trunks to + be searched by customhouse authorities, and no ordinary policeman would + have dared to arrest one of them. They carried about them forbidden + weapons, seduced helpless girls, and often disturbed the public peace by + their nocturnal broils and impudent practical jokes; in one word, they + were a body of young fellows, whom nothing could restrain, who would + gratify every whim, and enjoy their sport without regard or consideration + for any human being. + </p> + <p> + It was about that time that a policeman entered a coffee-room, in which + were seated two students. One of them ordered him out, but the man taking + no notice of it, the student fired a pistol at him, and missed his aim. + The policeman returned the fire, wounded the aggressor, and ran away. The + students immediately mustered together at the Bo, divided into bands, and + went over the city, hunting the policemen to murder them, and avenge the + insult they had received. In one of the encounters two of the students + were killed, and all the others, assembling in one troop, swore never to + lay their arms down as long as there should be one policeman alive in + Padua. The authorities had to interfere, and the syndic of the students + undertook to put a stop to hostilities provided proper satisfaction was + given, as the police were in the wrong. The man who had shot the student + in the coffee-room was hanged, and peace was restored; but during the + eight days of agitation, as I was anxious not to appear less brave than my + comrades who were patrolling the city, I followed them in spite of Doctor + Gozzi’s remonstrances. Armed with a carbine and a pair of pistols, I ran + about the town with the others, in quest of the enemy, and I recollect how + disappointed I was because the troop to which I belonged did not meet one + policeman. When the war was over, the doctor laughed at me, but Bettina + admired my valour. Unfortunately, I indulged in expenses far above my + means, owing to my unwillingness to seem poorer than my new friends. I + sold or pledged everything I possessed, and I contracted debts which I + could not possibly pay. This state of things caused my first sorrows, and + they are the most poignant sorrows under which a young man can smart. Not + knowing which way to turn, I wrote to my excellent grandmother, begging + her assistance, but instead of sending me some money, she came to Padua on + the 1st of October, 1739, and, after thanking the doctor and Bettina for + all their affectionate care, she brought me back to Venice. As he took + leave of me, the doctor, who was shedding tears, gave me what he prized + most on earth; a relic of some saint, which perhaps I might have kept to + this very day, had not the setting been of gold. It performed only one + miracle, that of being of service to me in a moment of great need. + Whenever I visited Padua, to complete my study of the law, I stayed at the + house of the kind doctor, but I was always grieved at seeing near Bettina + the brute to whom she was engaged, and who did not appear to me deserving + of such a wife. I have always regretted that a prejudice, of which I soon + got rid, should have made me preserve for that man a flower which I could + have plucked so easily. + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0004" id="link2HCH0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IV + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + I receive the minor orders from the patriarch of Venice— + I get acquainted with Senator Malipiero, with Therese Imer, + with the niece of the Curate, with Madame Orio, with Nanette + and Marton, and with the Cavamacchia—I become a preacher— + My adventure with Lucie at Pasean—A rendezvous on the third + story. +</pre> + <a name="linkimage-0003" id="linkimage-0003"> + <!-- IMG --></a> + <div class="fig" style="width:80%;"> + <img src="images/1c04.jpg" width="100%" alt="1c04.jpg " /> + </div> + <p> + “He comes from Padua, where he has completed his studies.” Such were the + words by which I was everywhere introduced, and which, the moment they + were uttered, called upon me the silent observation of every young man of + my age and condition, the compliments of all fathers, and the caresses of + old women, as well as the kisses of a few who, although not old, were not + sorry to be considered so for the sake of embracing a young man without + impropriety. The curate of Saint-Samuel, the Abbe Josello, presented me to + Monsignor Correre, Patriarch of Venice, who gave me the tonsure, and who, + four months afterwards, by special favour, admitted me to the four minor + orders. No words could express the joy and the pride of my grandmother. + Excellent masters were given to me to continue my studies, and M. Baffo + chose the Abbe Schiavo to teach me a pure Italian style, especially + poetry, for which I had a decided talent. I was very comfortably lodged + with my brother Francois, who was studying theatrical architecture. My + sister and my youngest brother were living with our grandam in a house of + her own, in which it was her wish to die, because her husband had there + breathed his last. The house in which I dwelt was the same in which my + father had died, and the rent of which my mother continued to pay. It was + large and well furnished. + </p> + <p> + Although Abbe Grimani was my chief protector, I seldom saw him, and I + particularly attached myself to M. de Malipiero, to whom I had been + presented by the Curate Josello. M. de Malipiero was a senator, who was + unwilling at seventy years of age to attend any more to State affairs, and + enjoyed a happy, sumptuous life in his mansion, surrounded every evening + by a well-chosen party of ladies who had all known how to make the best of + their younger days, and of gentlemen who were always acquainted with the + news of the town. He was a bachelor and wealthy, but, unfortunately, he + had three or four times every year severe attacks of gout, which always + left him crippled in some part or other of his body, so that all his + person was disabled. His head, his lungs, and his stomach had alone + escaped this cruel havoc. He was still a fine man, a great epicure, and a + good judge of wine; his wit was keen, his knowledge of the world + extensive, his eloquence worthy of a son of Venice, and he had that wisdom + which must naturally belong to a senator who for forty years has had the + management of public affairs, and to a man who has bid farewell to women + after having possessed twenty mistresses, and only when he felt himself + compelled to acknowledge that he could no longer be accepted by any woman. + Although almost entirely crippled, he did not appear to be so when he was + seated, when he talked, or when he was at table. He had only one meal a + day, and always took it alone because, being toothless and unable to eat + otherwise than very slowly, he did not wish to hurry himself out of + compliment to his guests, and would have been sorry to see them waiting + for him. This feeling deprived him of the pleasure he would have enjoyed + in entertaining at his board friendly and agreeable guests, and caused + great sorrow to his excellent cook. + </p> + <p> + The first time I had the honour of being introduced to him by the curate, + I opposed earnestly the reason which made him eat his meals in solitude, + and I said that his excellency had only to invite guests whose appetite + was good enough to enable them to eat a double share. + </p> + <p> + “But where can I find such table companions?” he asked. + </p> + <p> + “It is rather a delicate matter,” I answered; “but you must take your + guests on trial, and after they have been found such as you wish them to + be, the only difficulty will be to keep them as your guests without their + being aware of the real cause of your preference, for no respectable man + could acknowledge that he enjoys the honour of sitting at your + excellency’s table only because he eats twice as much as any other man.” + </p> + <p> + The senator understood the truth of my argument, and asked the curate to + bring me to dinner on the following day. He found my practice even better + than my theory, and I became his daily guest. + </p> + <p> + This man, who had given up everything in life except his own self, + fostered an amorous inclination, in spite of his age and of his gout. He + loved a young girl named Therese Imer, the daughter of an actor residing + near his mansion, her bedroom window being opposite to his own. This young + girl, then in her seventeenth year, was pretty, whimsical, and a regular + coquette. She was practising music with a view to entering the theatrical + profession, and by showing herself constantly at the window she had + intoxicated the old senator, and was playing with him cruelly. She paid + him a daily visit, but always escorted by her mother, a former actress, + who had retired from the stage in order to work out her salvation, and + who, as a matter of course, had made up her mind to combine the interests + of heaven with the works of this world. She took her daughter to mass + every day and compelled her to go to confession every week; but every + afternoon she accompanied her in a visit to the amorous old man, the rage + of whom frightened me when she refused him a kiss under the plea that she + had performed her devotions in the morning, and that she could not + reconcile herself to the idea of offending the God who was still dwelling + in her. + </p> + <p> + What a sight for a young man of fifteen like me, whom the old man admitted + as the only and silent witness of these erotic scenes! The miserable + mother applauded her daughter’s reserve, and went so far as to lecture the + elderly lover, who, in his turn, dared not refute her maxims, which + savoured either too much or too little of Christianity, and resisted a + very strong inclination to hurl at her head any object he had at hand. + Anger would then take the place of lewd desires, and after they had + retired he would comfort himself by exchanging with me philosophical + considerations. + </p> + <p> + Compelled to answer him, and not knowing well what to say, I ventured one + day upon advising a marriage. He struck me with amazement when he answered + that she refused to marry him from fear of drawing upon herself the hatred + of his relatives. + </p> + <p> + “Then make her the offer of a large sum of money, or a position.” + </p> + <p> + “She says that she would not, even for a crown, commit a deadly sin.” + </p> + <p> + “In that case, you must either take her by storm, or banish her for ever + from your presence.” + </p> + <p> + “I can do neither one nor the other; physical as well as moral strength is + deficient in me.” + </p> + <p> + “Kill her, then.” + </p> + <p> + “That will very likely be the case unless I die first.” + </p> + <p> + “Indeed I pity your excellency.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you sometimes visit her?” + </p> + <p> + “No, for I might fall in love with her, and I would be miserable.” + </p> + <p> + “You are right.” + </p> + <p> + Witnessing many such scenes, and taking part in many similar + conversations, I became an especial favourite with the old nobleman. I was + invited to his evening assemblies which were, as I have stated before, + frequented by superannuated women and witty men. He told me that in this + circle I would learn a science of greater import than Gassendi’s + philosophy, which I was then studying by his advice instead of + Aristotle’s, which he turned into ridicule. He laid down some precepts for + my conduct in those assemblies, explaining the necessity of my observing + them, as there would be some wonder at a young man of my age being + received at such parties. He ordered me never to open my lips except to + answer direct questions, and particularly enjoined me never to pass an + opinion on any subject, because at my age I could not be allowed to have + any opinions. + </p> + <p> + I faithfully followed his precepts, and obeyed his orders so well, that in + a few days I had gained his esteem, and become the child of the house, as + well as the favourite of all the ladies who visited him. In my character + of a young and innocent ecclesiastic, they would ask me to accompany them + in their visits to the convents where their daughters or their nieces were + educated; I was at all hours received at their houses without even being + announced; I was scolded if a week elapsed without my calling upon them, + and when I went to the apartments reserved for the young ladies, they + would run away, but the moment they saw that the intruder was only I, they + would return at once, and their confidence was very charming to me. + </p> + <p> + Before dinner, M. de Malipiero would often inquire from me what advantages + were accruing to me from the welcome I received at the hands of the + respectable ladies I had become acquainted with at his house, taking care + to tell me, before I could have time to answer, that they were all endowed + with the greatest virtue, and that I would give everybody a bad opinion of + myself, if I ever breathed one word of disparagement to the high + reputation they all enjoyed. In this way he would inculcate in me the wise + precept of reserve and discretion. + </p> + <p> + It was at the senator’s house that I made the acquaintance of Madame + Manzoni, the wife of a notary public, of whom I shall have to speak very + often. This worthy lady inspired me with the deepest attachment, and she + gave me the wisest advice. Had I followed it, and profited by it, my life + would not have been exposed to so many storms; it is true that in that + case, my life would not be worth writing. + </p> + <p> + All these fine acquaintances amongst women who enjoyed the reputation of + being high-bred ladies, gave me a very natural desire to shine by my good + looks and by the elegance of my dress; but my father confessor, as well as + my grandmother, objected very strongly to this feeling of vanity. On one + occasion, taking me apart, the curate told me, with honeyed words, that in + the profession to which I had devoted myself my thoughts ought to dwell + upon the best means of being agreeable to God, and not on pleasing the + world by my fine appearance. He condemned my elaborate curls, and the + exquisite perfume of my pomatum. He said that the devil had got hold of me + by the hair, that I would be excommunicated if I continued to take such + care of it, and concluded by quoting for my benefit these words from an + oecumenical council: ‘clericus qui nutrit coman, anathema sit’. I answered + him with the names of several fashionable perfumed abbots, who were not + threatened with excommunication, who were not interfered with, although + they wore four times as much powder as I did—for I only used a + slight sprinkling—who perfumed their hair with a certain + amber-scented pomatum which brought women to the very point of fainting, + while mine, a jessamine pomade, called forth the compliment of every + circle in which I was received. I added that I could not, much to my + regret, obey him, and that if I had meant to live in slovenliness, I would + have become a Capuchin and not an abbe. + </p> + <p> + My answer made him so angry that, three or four days afterwards, he + contrived to obtain leave from my grandmother to enter my chamber early in + the morning, before I was awake, and, approaching my bed on tiptoe with a + sharp pair of scissors, he cut off unmercifully all my front hair, from + one ear to the other. My brother Francois was in the adjoining room and + saw him, but he did not interfere as he was delighted at my misfortune. He + wore a wig, and was very jealous of my beautiful head of hair. Francois + was envious through the whole of his life; yet he combined this feeling of + envy with friendship; I never could understand him; but this vice of his, + like my own vices, must by this time have died of old age. + </p> + <p> + After his great operation, the abbe left my room quietly, but when I woke + up shortly afterwards, and realized all the horror of this unheard-of + execution, my rage and indignation were indeed wrought to the highest + pitch. + </p> + <p> + What wild schemes of revenge my brain engendered while, with a + looking-glass in my hand, I was groaning over the shameful havoc performed + by this audacious priest! At the noise I made my grandmother hastened to + my room, and amidst my brother’s laughter the kind old woman assured me + that the priest would never have been allowed to enter my room if she + could have foreseen his intention, and she managed to soothe my passion to + some extent by confessing that he had over-stepped the limits of his right + to administer a reproof. + </p> + <p> + But I was determined upon revenge, and I went on dressing myself and + revolving in my mind the darkest plots. It seemed to me that I was + entitled to the most cruel revenge, without having anything to dread from + the terrors of the law. The theatres being open at that time I put on a + mask to go out, and I, went to the advocate Carrare, with whom I had + become acquainted at the senator’s house, to inquire from him whether I + could bring a suit against the priest. He told me that, but a short time + since, a family had been ruined for having sheared the moustache of a + Sclavonian—a crime not nearly so atrocious as the shearing of all my + front locks, and that I had only to give him my instructions to begin a + criminal suit against the abbe, which would make him tremble. I gave my + consent, and begged that he would tell M. de Malipiero in the evening the + reason for which I could not go to his house, for I did not feel any + inclination to show myself anywhere until my hair had grown again. + </p> + <p> + I went home and partook with my brother of a repast which appeared rather + scanty in comparison to the dinners I had with the old senator. The + privation of the delicate and plentiful fare to which his excellency had + accustomed me was most painful, besides all the enjoyments from which I + was excluded through the atrocious conduct of the virulent priest, who was + my godfather. I wept from sheer vexation; and my rage was increased by the + consciousness that there was in this insult a certain dash of comical fun + which threw over me a ridicule more disgraceful in my estimation than the + greatest crime. + </p> + <p> + I went to bed early, and, refreshed by ten hours of profound slumber, I + felt in the morning somewhat less angry, but quite as determined to summon + the priest before a court. I dressed myself with the intention of calling + upon my advocate, when I received the visit of a skilful hair-dresser whom + I had seen at Madame Cantarini’s house. He told me that he was sent by M. + de Malipiero to arrange my hair so that I could go out, as the senator + wished me to dine with him on that very day. He examined the damage done + to my head, and said, with a smile, that if I would trust to his art, he + would undertake to send me out with an appearance of even greater elegance + than I could boast of before; and truly, when he had done, I found myself + so good-looking that I considered my thirst for revenge entirely + satisfied. + </p> + <p> + Having thus forgotten the injury, I called upon the lawyer to tell him to + stay all proceedings, and I hastened to M. de Malipiero’s palace, where, + as chance would have it, I met the abbe. Notwithstanding all my joy, I + could not help casting upon him rather unfriendly looks, but not a word + was said about what had taken place. The senator noticed everything, and + the priest took his leave, most likely with feelings of mortified + repentance, for this time I most verily deserved excommunication by the + extreme studied elegance of my curling hair. + </p> + <p> + When my cruel godfather had left us, I did not dissemble with M. de + Malipiero; I candidly told him that I would look out for another church, + and that nothing would induce me to remain under a priest who, in his + wrath, could go the length of such proceedings. The wise old man agreed + with me, and said that I was quite right: it was the best way to make me + do ultimately whatever he liked. In the evening everyone in our circle, + being well aware of what had happened, complimented me, and assured me + that nothing could be handsomer than my new head-dress. I was delighted, + and was still more gratified when, after a fortnight had elapsed, I found + that M. de Malipiero did not broach the subject of my returning to my + godfather’s church. My grandmother alone constantly urged me to return. + But this calm was the harbinger of a storm. When my mind was thoroughly at + rest on that subject, M. de Malipiero threw me into the greatest + astonishment by suddenly telling me that an excellent opportunity offered + itself for me to reappear in the church and to secure ample satisfaction + from the abbe. + </p> + <p> + “It is my province,” added the senator, “as president of the Confraternity + of the Holy Sacrament, to choose the preacher who is to deliver the sermon + on the fourth Sunday of this month, which happens to be the second + Christmas holiday. I mean to appoint you, and I am certain that the abbe + will not dare to reject my choice. What say you to such a triumphant + reappearance? Does it satisfy you?” + </p> + <p> + This offer caused me the greatest surprise, for I had never dreamt of + becoming a preacher, and I had never been vain enough to suppose that I + could write a sermon and deliver it in the church. I told M. de Malipiero + that he must surely be enjoying a joke at my expense, but he answered that + he had spoken in earnest, and he soon contrived to persuade me and to make + me believe that I was born to become the most renowned preacher of our age + as soon as I should have grown fat—a quality which I certainly could + not boast of, for at that time I was extremely thin. I had not the shadow + of a fear as to my voice or to my elocution, and for the matter of + composing my sermon I felt myself equal to the production of a + masterpiece. + </p> + <p> + I told M. de Malipiero that I was ready, and anxious to be at home in + order to go to work; that, although no theologian, I was acquainted with + my subject, and would compose a sermon which would take everyone by + surprise on account of its novelty. + </p> + <p> + On the following day, when I called upon him, he informed me that the abbe + had expressed unqualified delight at the choice made by him, and at my + readiness in accepting the appointment; but he likewise desired that I + should submit my sermon to him as soon as it was written, because the + subject belonging to the most sublime theology he could not allow me to + enter the pulpit without being satisfied that I would not utter any + heresies. I agreed to this demand, and during the week I gave birth to my + masterpiece. I have now that first sermon in my possession, and I cannot + help saying that, considering my tender years, I think it a very good one. + </p> + <p> + I could not give an idea of my grandmother’s joy; she wept tears of + happiness at having a grandson who had become an apostle. She insisted + upon my reading my sermon to her, listened to it with her beads in her + hands, and pronounced it very beautiful. M. de Malipiero, who had no + rosary when I read it to him, was of opinion that it would not prove + acceptable to the parson. My text was from Horace: ‘Ploravere suis non + respondere favorem sperdtum meritis’; and I deplored the wickedness and + ingratitude of men, through which had failed the design adopted by Divine + wisdom for the redemption of humankind. But M. de Malipiero was sorry that + I had taken my text from any heretical poet, although he was pleased that + my sermon was not interlarded with Latin quotations. + </p> + <p> + I called upon the priest to read my production; but as he was out I had to + wait for his return, and during that time I fell in love with his niece, + Angela. She was busy upon some tambour work; I sat down close by her, and + telling me that she had long desired to make my acquaintance, she begged + me to relate the history of the locks of hair sheared by her venerable + uncle. + </p> + <p> + My love for Angela proved fatal to me, because from it sprang two other + love affairs which, in their turn, gave birth to a great many others, and + caused me finally to renounce the Church as a profession. But let us + proceed quietly, and not encroach upon future events. + </p> + <p> + On his return home the abbe found me with his niece, who was about my age, + and he did not appear to be angry. I gave him my sermon: he read it over, + and told me that it was a beautiful academical dissertation, but unfit for + a sermon from the pulpit, and he added, + </p> + <p> + “I will give you a sermon written by myself, which I have never delivered; + you will commit it to memory, and I promise to let everybody suppose that + it is of your own composition.” + </p> + <p> + “I thank you, very reverend father, but I will preach my own sermon, or + none at all.” + </p> + <p> + “At all events, you shall not preach such a sermon as this in my church.” + </p> + <p> + “You can talk the matter over with M. de Malipiero. In the meantime I will + take my work to the censorship, and to His Eminence the Patriarch, and if + it is not accepted I shall have it printed.” + </p> + <p> + “All very well, young man. The patriarch will coincide with me.” + </p> + <p> + In the evening I related my discussion with the parson before all the + guests of M. de Malipiero. The reading of my sermon was called for, and it + was praised by all. They lauded me for having with proper modesty + refrained from quoting the holy fathers of the Church, whom at my age I + could not be supposed to have sufficiently studied, and the ladies + particularly admired me because there was no Latin in it but the Text from + Horace, who, although a great libertine himself, has written very good + things. A niece of the patriarch, who was present that evening, promised + to prepare her uncle in my favour, as I had expressed my intention to + appeal to him; but M. de Malipiero desired me not to take any steps in the + matter until I had seen him on the following day, and I submissively bowed + to his wishes. + </p> + <p> + When I called at his mansion the next day he sent for the priest, who soon + made his appearance. As he knew well what he had been sent for, he + immediately launched out into a very long discourse, which I did not + interrupt, but the moment he had concluded his list of objections I told + him that there could not be two ways to decide the question; that the + patriarch would either approve or disapprove my sermon. + </p> + <p> + “In the first case,” I added, “I can pronounce it in your church, and no + responsibility can possibly fall upon your shoulders; in the second, I + must, of course, give way.” + </p> + <p> + The abbe was struck by my determination and he said, + </p> + <p> + “Do not go to the patriarch; I accept your sermon; I only request you to + change your text. Horace was a villain.” + </p> + <p> + “Why do you quote Seneca, Tertullian, Origen, and Boethius? They were all + heretics, and must, consequently, be considered by you as worse wretches + than Horace, who, after all, never had the chance of becoming a + Christian!” + </p> + <p> + However, as I saw it would please M. de Malipiero, I finally consented to + accept, as a substitute for mine, a text offered by the abbe, although it + did not suit in any way the spirit of my production; and in order to get + an opportunity for a visit to his niece, I gave him my manuscript, saying + that I would call for it the next day. My vanity prompted me to send a + copy to Doctor Gozzi, but the good man caused me much amusement by + returning it and writing that I must have gone mad, and that if I were + allowed to deliver such a sermon from the pulpit I would bring dishonour + upon myself as well as upon the man who had educated me. + </p> + <p> + I cared but little for his opinion, and on the appointed day I delivered + my sermon in the Church of the Holy Sacrament in the presence of the best + society of Venice. I received much applause, and every one predicted that + I would certainly become the first preacher of our century, as no young + ecclesiastic of fifteen had ever been known to preach as well as I had + done. It is customary for the faithful to deposit their offerings for the + preacher in a purse which is handed to them for that purpose. + </p> + <p> + The sexton who emptied it of its contents found in it more than fifty + sequins, and several billets-doux, to the great scandal of the weaker + brethren. An anonymous note amongst them, the writer of which I thought I + had guessed, let me into a mistake which I think better not to relate. + This rich harvest, in my great penury, caused me to entertain serious + thoughts of becoming a preacher, and I confided my intention to the + parson, requesting his assistance to carry it into execution. This gave me + the privilege of visiting at his house every day, and I improved the + opportunity of conversing with Angela, for whom my love was daily + increasing. But Angela was virtuous. She did not object to my love, but + she wished me to renounce the Church and to marry her. In spite of my + infatuation for her, I could not make up my mind to such a step, and I + went on seeing her and courting her in the hope that she would alter her + decision. + </p> + <p> + The priest, who had at last confessed his admiration for my first sermon, + asked me, some time afterwards, to prepare another for St. Joseph’s Day, + with an invitation to deliver it on the 19th of March, 1741. I composed + it, and the abbe spoke of it with enthusiasm, but fate had decided that I + should never preach but once in my life. It is a sad tale, unfortunately + for me very true, which some persons are cruel enough to consider very + amusing. + </p> + <p> + Young and rather self-conceited, I fancied that it was not necessary for + me to spend much time in committing my sermon to memory. Being the author, + I had all the ideas contained in my work classified in my mind, and it did + not seem to me within the range of possibilities that I could forget what + I had written. Perhaps I might not remember the exact words of a sentence, + but I was at liberty to replace them by other expressions as good, and as + I never happened to be at a loss, or to be struck dumb, when I spoke in + society, it was not likely that such an untoward accident would befall me + before an audience amongst whom I did not know anyone who could intimidate + me and cause me suddenly to lose the faculty of reason or of speech. I + therefore took my pleasure as usual, being satisfied with reading my + sermon morning and evening, in order to impress it upon my memory which + until then had never betrayed me. + </p> + <p> + The 19th of March came, and on that eventful day at four o’clock in the + afternoon I was to ascend the pulpit; but, believing myself quite secure + and thoroughly master of my subject, I had not the moral courage to deny + myself the pleasure of dining with Count Mont-Real, who was then residing + with me, and who had invited the patrician Barozzi, engaged to be married + to his daughter after the Easter holidays. + </p> + <p> + I was still enjoying myself with my fine company, when the sexton of the + church came in to tell me that they were waiting for me in the vestry. + With a full stomach and my head rather heated, I took my leave, ran to the + church, and entered the pulpit. I went through the exordium with credit to + myself, and I took breathing time; but scarcely had I pronounced the first + sentences of the narration, before I forgot what I was saying, what I had + to say, and in my endeavours to proceed, I fairly wandered from my subject + and I lost myself entirely. I was still more discomforted by a + half-repressed murmur of the audience, as my deficiency appeared evident. + Several persons left the church, others began to smile, I lost all + presence of mind and every hope of getting out of the scrape. + </p> + <p> + I could not say whether I feigned a fainting fit, or whether I truly + swooned; all I know is that I fell down on the floor of the pulpit, + striking my head against the wall, with an inward prayer for annihilation. + </p> + <p> + Two of the parish clerks carried me to the vestry, and after a few + moments, without addressing a word to anyone, I took my cloak and my hat, + and went home to lock myself in my room. I immediately dressed myself in a + short coat, after the fashion of travelling priests, I packed a few things + in a trunk, obtained some money from my grandmother, and took my departure + for Padua, where I intended to pass my third examination. I reached Padua + at midnight, and went to Doctor Gozzi’s house, but I did not feel the + slightest temptation to mention to him my unlucky adventure. + </p> + <p> + I remained in Padua long enough to prepare myself for the doctor’s degree, + which I intended to take the following year, and after Easter I returned + to Venice, where my misfortune was already forgotten; but preaching was + out of the question, and when any attempt was made to induce me to renew + my efforts, I manfully kept to my determination never to ascend the pulpit + again. + </p> + <p> + On the eve of Ascension Day M. Manzoni introduced me to a young courtezan, + who was at that time in great repute at Venice, and was nick-named + Cavamacchia, because her father had been a scourer. This named vexed her a + great deal, she wished to be called Preati, which was her family name, but + it was all in vain, and the only concession her friends would make was to + call her by her Christian name of Juliette. She had been introduced to + fashionable notice by the Marquis de Sanvitali, a nobleman from Parma, who + had given her one hundred thousand ducats for her favours. Her beauty was + then the talk of everybody in Venice, and it was fashionable to call upon + her. To converse with her, and especially to be admitted into her circle, + was considered a great boon. + </p> + <p> + As I shall have to mention her several times in the course of my history, + my readers will, I trust, allow me to enter into some particulars about + her previous life. + </p> + <p> + Juliette was only fourteen years of age when her father sent her one day + to the house of a Venetian nobleman, Marco Muazzo, with a coat which he + had cleaned for him. He thought her very beautiful in spite of the dirty + rags in which she was dressed, and he called to see her at her father’s + shop, with a friend of his, the celebrated advocate, Bastien Uccelli, who; + struck by the romantic and cheerful nature of Juliette still more than by + her beauty and fine figure, gave her an apartment, made her study music, + and kept her as his mistress. At the time of the fair, Bastien took her + with him to various public places of resort; everywhere she attracted + general attention, and secured the admiration of every lover of the sex. + She made rapid progress in music, and at the end of six months she felt + sufficient confidence in herself to sign an engagement with a theatrical + manager who took her to Vienna to give her a ‘castrato’ part in one of + Metastasio’s operas. + </p> + <p> + The advocate had previously ceded her to a wealthy Jew who, after giving + her splendid diamonds, left her also. + </p> + <p> + In Vienna, Juliette appeared on the stage, and her beauty gained for her + an admiration which she would never have conquered by her very inferior + talent. But the constant crowd of adorers who went to worship the goddess, + having sounded her exploits rather too loudly, the august Maria-Theresa + objected to this new creed being sanctioned in her capital, and the + beautiful actress received an order to quit Vienna forthwith. + </p> + <p> + Count Spada offered her his protection, and brought her back to Venice, + but she soon left for Padua where she had an engagement. In that city she + kindled the fire of love in the breast of Marquis Sanvitali, but the + marchioness having caught her once in her own box, and Juliette having + acted disrespectfully to her, she slapped her face, and the affair having + caused a good deal of noise, Juliette gave up the stage altogether. She + came back to Venice, where, made conspicuous by her banishment from + Vienna, she could not fail to make her fortune. Expulsion from Vienna, for + this class of women, had become a title to fashionable favour, and when + there was a wish to depreciate a singer or a dancer, it was said of her + that she had not been sufficiently prized to be expelled from Vienna. + </p> + <p> + After her return, her first lover was Steffano Querini de Papozzes, but in + the spring of 1740, the Marquis de Sanvitali came to Venice and soon + carried her off. It was indeed difficult to resist this delightful + marquis! His first present to the fair lady was a sum of one hundred + thousand ducats, and, to prevent his being accused of weakness or of + lavish prodigality, he loudly proclaimed that the present could scarcely + make up for the insult Juliette had received from his wife—an + insult, however, which the courtezan never admitted, as she felt that + there would be humiliation in such an acknowledgment, and she always + professed to admire with gratitude her lover’s generosity. She was right; + the admission of the blow received would have left a stain upon her + charms, and how much more to her taste to allow those charms to be prized + at such a high figure! + </p> + <p> + It was in the year 1741 that M. Manzoni introduced me to this new Phryne + as a young ecclesiastic who was beginning to make a reputation. I found + her surrounded by seven or eight well-seasoned admirers, who were burning + at her feet the incense of their flattery. She was carelessly reclining on + a sofa near Querini. I was much struck with her appearance. She eyed me + from head to foot, as if I had been exposed for sale, and telling me, with + the air of a princess, that she was not sorry to make my acquaintance, she + invited me to take a seat. I began then, in my turn, to examine her + closely and deliberately, and it was an easy matter, as the room, although + small, was lighted with at least twenty wax candles. + </p> + <p> + Juliette was then in her eighteenth year; the freshness of her complexion + was dazzling, but the carnation tint of her cheeks, the vermilion of her + lips, and the dark, very narrow curve of her eyebrows, impressed me as + being produced by art rather than nature. Her teeth—two rows of + magnificent pearls—made one overlook the fact that her mouth was + somewhat too large, and whether from habit, or because she could not help + it, she seemed to be ever smiling. Her bosom, hid under a light gauze, + invited the desires of love; yet I did not surrender to her charms. Her + bracelets and the rings which covered her fingers did not prevent me from + noticing that her hand was too large and too fleshy, and in spite of her + carefully hiding her feet, I judged, by a telltale slipper lying close by + her dress, that they were well proportioned to the height of her figure—a + proportion which is unpleasant not only to the Chinese and Spaniards, but + likewise to every man of refined taste. We want a tall women to have a + small foot, and certainly it is not a modern taste, for Holofernes of old + was of the same opinion; otherwise he would not have thought Judith so + charming: ‘et sandalid ejus rapuerunt oculos ejus’. Altogether I found her + beautiful, but when I compared her beauty and the price of one hundred + thousand ducats paid for it, I marvelled at my remaining so cold, and at + my not being tempted to give even one sequin for the privilege of making + from nature a study of the charms which her dress concealed from my eyes. + </p> + <p> + I had scarcely been there a quarter of an hour when the noise made by the + oars of a gondola striking the water heralded the prodigal marquis. We all + rose from our seats, and M. Querini hastened, somewhat blushing, to quit + his place on the sofa. M. de Sanvitali, a man of middle age, who had + travelled much, took a seat near Juliette, but not on the sofa, so she was + compelled to turn round. It gave me the opportunity of seeing her full + front, while I had before only a side view of her face. + </p> + <p> + After my introduction to Juliette, I paid her four or five visits, and I + thought myself justified, by the care I had given to the examination of + her beauty, in saying in M. de Malipiero’s draw-room, one evening, when my + opinion about her was asked, that she could please only a glutton with + depraved tastes; that she had neither the fascination of simple nature nor + any knowledge of society, that she was deficient in well-bred, easy + manners as well as in striking talents and that those were the qualities + which a thorough gentleman liked to find in a woman. This opinion met the + general approbation of his friends, but M. de Malipiero kindly whispered + to me that Juliette would certainly be informed of the portrait I had + drawn of her, and that she would become my sworn enemy. He had guessed + rightly. + </p> + <p> + I thought Juliette very singular, for she seldom spoke to me, and whenever + she looked at me she made use of an eye-glass, or she contracted her + eye-lids, as if she wished to deny me the honour of seeing her eyes, which + were beyond all dispute very beautiful. They were blue, wondrously large + and full, and tinted with that unfathomable variegated iris which nature + only gives to youth, and which generally disappears, after having worked + miracles, when the owner reaches the shady side of forty. Frederick the + Great preserved it until his death. + </p> + <p> + Juliette was informed of the portrait I had given of her to M. de + Malipiero’s friends by the indiscreet pensioner, Xavier Cortantini. One + evening I called upon her with M. Manzoni, and she told him that a + wonderful judge of beauty had found flaws in hers, but she took good care + not to specify them. It was not difficult to make out that she was + indirectly firing at me, and I prepared myself for the ostracism which I + was expecting, but which, however, she kept in abeyance fully for an hour. + At last, our conversation falling upon a concert given a few days before + by Imer, the actor, and in which his daughter, Therese, had taken a + brilliant part, Juliette turned round to me and inquired what M. de + Malipiero did for Therese. I said that he was educating her. “He can well + do it,” she answered, “for he is a man of talent; but I should like to + know what he can do with you?” + </p> + <p> + “Whatever he can.” + </p> + <p> + “I am told that he thinks you rather stupid.” + </p> + <p> + As a matter of course, she had the laugh on her side, and I, confused, + uncomfortable and not knowing what to say, took leave after having cut a + very sorry figure, and determined never again to darken her door. The next + day at dinner the account of my adventure caused much amusement to the old + senator. + </p> + <p> + Throughout the summer, I carried on a course of Platonic love with my + charming Angela at the house of her teacher of embroidery, but her extreme + reserve excited me, and my love had almost become a torment to myself. + With my ardent nature, I required a mistress like Bettina, who knew how to + satisfy my love without wearing it out. I still retained some feelings of + purity, and I entertained the deepest veneration for Angela. She was in my + eyes the very palladium of Cecrops. Still very innocent, I felt some + disinclination towards women, and I was simple enough to be jealous of + even their husbands. + </p> + <p> + Angela would not grant me the slightest favour, yet she was no flirt; but + the fire beginning in me parched and withered me. The pathetic entreaties + which I poured out of my heart had less effect upon her than upon two + young sisters, her companions and friends: had I not concentrated every + look of mine upon the heartless girl, I might have discovered that her + friends excelled her in beauty and in feeling, but my prejudiced eyes saw + no one but Angela. To every outpouring of my love she answered that she + was quite ready to become my wife, and that such was to be the limit of my + wishes; when she condescended to add that she suffered as much as I did + myself, she thought she had bestowed upon me the greatest of favours. + </p> + <p> + Such was the state of my mind, when, in the first days of autumn, I + received a letter from the Countess de Mont-Real with an invitation to + spend some time at her beautiful estate at Pasean. She expected many + guests, and among them her own daughter, who had married a Venetian + nobleman, and who had a great reputation for wit and beauty, although she + had but one eye; but it was so beautiful that it made up for the loss of + the other. I accepted the invitation, and Pasean offering me a constant + round of pleasures, it was easy enough for me to enjoy myself, and to + forget for the time the rigours of the cruel Angela. + </p> + <p> + I was given a pretty room on the ground floor, opening upon the gardens of + Pasean, and I enjoyed its comforts without caring to know who my + neighbours were. + </p> + <p> + The morning after my arrival, at the very moment I awoke, my eyes were + delighted with the sight of the charming creature who brought me my + coffee. She was a very young girl, but as well formed as a young person of + seventeen; yet she had scarcely completed her fourteenth year. The snow of + her complexion, her hair as dark as the raven’s wing, her black eyes + beaming with fire and innocence, her dress composed only of a chemise and + a short petticoat which exposed a well-turned leg and the prettiest tiny + foot, every detail I gathered in one instant presented to my looks the + most original and the most perfect beauty I had ever beheld. I looked at + her with the greatest pleasure, and her eyes rested upon me as if we had + been old acquaintances. + </p> + <p> + “How did you find your bed?” she asked. + </p> + <p> + “Very comfortable; I am sure you made it. Pray, who are you?” + </p> + <p> + “I am Lucie, the daughter of the gate-keeper: I have neither brothers nor + sisters, and I am fourteen years old. I am very glad you have no servant + with you; I will be your little maid, and I am sure you will be pleased + with me.” + </p> + <p> + Delighted at this beginning, I sat up in my bed and she helped me to put + on my dressing-gown, saying a hundred things which I did not understand. I + began to drink my coffee, quite amazed at her easy freedom, and struck + with her beauty, to which it would have been impossible to remain + indifferent. She had seated herself on my bed, giving no other apology for + that liberty than the most delightful smile. + </p> + <p> + I was still sipping my coffee, when Lucie’s parents came into my room. She + did not move from her place on the bed, but she looked at them, appearing + very proud of such a seat. The good people kindly scolded her, begged my + forgiveness in her favour, and Lucie left the room to attend to her other + duties. The moment she had gone her father and mother began to praise + their daughter. + </p> + <p> + “She is,” they said, “our only child, our darling pet, the hope of our old + age. She loves and obeys us, and fears God; she is as clean as a new pin, + and has but one fault.” + </p> + <p> + “What is that?” + </p> + <p> + “She is too young.” + </p> + <p> + “That is a charming fault which time will mend.” + </p> + <p> + I was not long in ascertaining that they were living specimens of honesty, + of truth, of homely virtues, and of real happiness. I was delighted at + this discovery, when Lucie returned as gay as a lark, prettily dressed, + her hair done in a peculiar way of her own, and with well-fitting shoes. + She dropped a simple courtesy before me, gave a couple of hearty kisses to + both her parents, and jumped on her father’s knees. I asked her to come and + sit on my bed, but she answered that she could not take such a liberty now + that she was dressed, The simplicity, artlessness, and innocence of the + answer seemed to me very enchanting, and brought a smile on my lips. I + examined her to see whether she was prettier in her new dress or in the + morning’s negligee, and I decided in favour of the latter. To speak the + truth, Lucie was, I thought, superior in everything, not only to Angela, + but even to Bettina. + </p> + <p> + The hair-dresser made his appearance, and the honest family left my room. + When I was dressed I went to meet the countess and her amiable daughter. + The day passed off very pleasantly, as is generally the case in the + country, when you are amongst agreeable people. + </p> + <p> + In the morning, the moment my eyes were opened, + </p> + <p> + I rang the bell, and pretty Lucie came in, simple and natural as before, + with her easy manners and wonderful remarks. Her candour, her innocence + shone brilliantly all over her person. I could not conceive how, with her + goodness, her virtue and her intelligence, she could run the risk of + exciting me by coming into my room alone, and with so much familiarity. I + fancied that she would not attach much importance to certain slight + liberties, and would not prove over-scrupulous, and with that idea I made + up my mind to shew her that I fully understood her. I felt no remorse of + conscience on the score of her parents, who, in my estimation, were as + careless as herself; I had no dread of being the first to give the alarm + to her innocence, or to enlighten her mind with the gloomy light of + malice, but, unwilling either to be the dupe of feeling or to act against + it, I resolved to reconnoitre the ground. I extend a daring hand towards + her person, and by an involuntary movement she withdraws, blushes, her + cheerfulness disappears, and, turning her head aside as if she were in + search of something, she waits until her agitation has subsided. The whole + affair had not lasted one minute. She came back, abashed at the idea that + she had proved herself rather knowing, and at the dread of having perhaps + given a wrong interpretation to an action which might have been, on my + part, perfectly innocent, or the result of politeness. Her natural laugh + soon returned, and, having rapidly read in her mind all I have just + described, I lost no time in restoring her confidence, and, judging that I + would venture too much by active operations, I resolved to employ the + following morning in a friendly chat during which I could make her out + better. + </p> + <p> + In pursuance of that plan, the next morning, as we were talking, I told + her that it was cold, but that she would not feel it if she would lie down + near me. + </p> + <p> + “Shall I disturb you?” she said. + </p> + <p> + “No; but I am thinking that if your mother happened to come in, she would + be angry.” + </p> + <p> + “Mother would not think of any harm.” + </p> + <p> + “Come, then. But Lucie, do you know what danger you are exposing yourself + to?” + </p> + <p> + “Certainly I do; but you are good, and, what is more, you are a priest.” + </p> + <p> + “Come; only lock the door.” + </p> + <p> + “No, no, for people might think.... I do not know what.” She laid down + close by me, and kept on her chatting, although I did not understand a + word of what she said, for in that singular position, and unwilling to + give way to my ardent desires, I remained as still as a log. + </p> + <p> + Her confidence in her safety, confidence which was certainly not feigned, + worked upon my feelings to such an extent that I would have been ashamed + to take any advantage of it. At last she told me that nine o’clock had + struck, and that if old Count Antonio found us as we were, he would tease + her with his jokes. “When I see that man,” she said, “I am afraid and I + run away.” Saying these words, she rose from the bed and left the room. + </p> + <p> + I remained motionless for a long while, stupefied, benumbed, and mastered + by the agitation of my excited senses as well as by my thoughts. The next + morning, as I wished to keep calm, I only let her sit down on my bed, and + the conversation I had with her proved without the shadow of a doubt that + her parents had every reason to idolize her, and that the easy freedom of + her mind as well as of her behaviour with me was entirely owing to her + innocence and to her purity. Her artlessness, her vivacity, her eager + curiosity, and the bashful blushes which spread over her face whenever her + innocent or jesting remarks caused me to laugh, everything, in fact, + convinced me that she was an angel destined to become the victim of the + first libertine who would undertake to seduce her. I felt sufficient + control over my own feelings to resist any attempt against her virtue + which my conscience might afterwards reproach me with. The mere thought of + taking advantage of her innocence made me shudder, and my self-esteem was + a guarantee to her parents, who abandoned her to me on the strength of the + good opinion they entertained of me, that Lucie’s honour was safe in my + hands. I thought I would have despised myself if I had betrayed the trust + they reposed in me. I therefore determined to conquer my feelings, and, + with perfect confidence in the victory, I made up my mind to wage war + against myself, and to be satisfied with her presence as the only reward + of my heroic efforts. I was not yet acquainted with the axiom that “as + long as the fighting lasts, victory remains uncertain.” + </p> + <p> + As I enjoyed her conversation much, a natural instinct prompted me to tell + her that she would afford me great pleasure if she could come earlier in + the morning, and even wake me up if I happened to be asleep, adding, in + order to give more weight to my request, that the less I slept the better + I felt in health. In this manner I contrived to spend three hours instead + of two in her society, although this cunning contrivance of mine did not + prevent the hours flying, at least in my opinion, as swift as lightning. + </p> + <p> + Her mother would often come in as we were talking, and when the good woman + found her sitting on my bed she would say nothing, only wondering at my + kindness. Lucie would then cover her with kisses, and the kind old soul + would entreat me to give her child lessons of goodness, and to cultivate + her mind; but when she had left us Lucie did not think herself more + unrestrained, and whether in or out of her mother’s presence, she was + always the same without the slightest change. + </p> + <p> + If the society of this angelic child afforded me the sweetest delight, it + also caused me the most cruel suffering. Often, very often, when her face + was close to my lips, I felt the most ardent temptation to smother her + with kisses, and my blood was at fever heat when she wished that she had + been a sister of mine. But I kept sufficient command over myself to avoid + the slightest contact, for I was conscious that even one kiss would have + been the spark which would have blown up all the edifice of my reserve. + Every time she left me I remained astounded at my own victory, but, always + eager to win fresh laurels, I longed for the following morning, panting + for a renewal of this sweet yet very dangerous contest. + </p> + <p> + At the end of ten or twelve days, I felt that there was no alternative but + to put a stop to this state of things, or to become a monster in my own + eyes; and I decided for the moral side of the question all the more easily + that nothing insured me success, if I chose the second alternative. The + moment I placed her under the obligation to defend herself Lucie would + become a heroine, and the door of my room being open, I might have been + exposed to shame and to a very useless repentance. This rather frightened + me. Yet, to put an end to my torture, I did not know what to decide. I + could no longer resist the effect made upon my senses by this beautiful + girl, who, at the break of day and scarcely dressed, ran gaily into my + room, came to my bed enquiring how I had slept, bent familiarly her head + towards me, and, so to speak, dropped her words on my lips. In those + dangerous moments I would turn my head aside; but in her innocence she + would reproach me for being afraid when she felt herself so safe, and if I + answered that I could not possibly fear a child, she would reply that a + difference of two years was of no account. + </p> + <p> + Standing at bay, exhausted, conscious that every instant increased the + ardour which was devouring me, I resolved to entreat from herself the + discontinuance of her visits, and this resolution appeared to me sublime + and infallible; but having postponed its execution until the following + morning, I passed a dreadful night, tortured by the image of Lucie, and by + the idea that I would see her in the morning for the last time. I fancied + that Lucie would not only grant my prayer, but that she would conceive for + me the highest esteem. In the morning, it was barely day-light, Lucie + beaming, radiant with beauty, a happy smile brightening her pretty mouth, + and her splendid hair in the most fascinating disorder, bursts into my + room, and rushes with open arms towards my bed; but when she sees my pale, + dejected, and unhappy countenance, she stops short, and her beautiful face + taking an expression of sadness and anxiety: + </p> + <p> + “What ails you?” she asks, with deep sympathy. + </p> + <p> + “I have had no sleep through the night.” + </p> + <p> + “And why?” + </p> + <p> + “Because I have made up my mind to impart to you a project which, although + fraught with misery to myself, will at least secure me your esteem.” + </p> + <p> + “But if your project is to insure my esteem it ought to make you very + cheerful. Only tell me, reverend sir, why, after calling me ‘thou’ + yesterday, you treat me today respectfully, like a lady? What have I done? + I will get your coffee, and you must tell me everything after you have + drunk it; I long to hear you.” + </p> + <p> + She goes and returns, I drink the coffee, and seeing that my countenance + remains grave she tries to enliven me, contrives to make me smile, and + claps her hands for joy. After putting everything in order, she closes the + door because the wind is high, and in her anxiety not to lose one word of + what I have to say, she entreats artlessly a little place near me. I + cannot refuse her, for I feel almost lifeless. + </p> + <p> + I then begin a faithful recital of the fearful state in which her beauty + has thrown me, and a vivid picture of all the suffering I have experienced + in trying to master my ardent wish to give her some proof of my love; I + explain to her that, unable to endure such torture any longer, I see no + other safety but in entreating her not to see me any more. The importance + of the subject, the truth of my love, my wish to present my expedient in + the light of the heroic effort of a deep and virtuous passion, lend me a + peculiar eloquence. I endeavour above all to make her realize the fearful + consequences which might follow a course different to the one I was + proposing, and how miserable we might be. + </p> + <p> + At the close of my long discourse Lucie, seeing my eyes wet with tears, + throws off the bed-clothes to wipe them, without thinking that in so doing + she uncovers two globes, the beauty of which might have caused the wreck + of the most experienced pilot. After a short silence, the charming child + tells me that my tears make her very unhappy, and that she had never + supposed that she could cause them. + </p> + <p> + “All you have just told me,” she added, “proves the sincerity of your + great love for me, but I cannot imagine why you should be in such dread of + a feeling which affords me the most intense pleasure. You wish to banish + me from your presence because you stand in fear of your love, but what + would you do if you hated me? Am I guilty because I have pleased you? If + it is a crime to have won your affection, I can assure you that I did not + think I was committing a criminal action, and therefore you cannot + conscientiously punish me. Yet I cannot conceal the truth; I am very happy + to be loved by you. As for the danger we run, when we love, danger which I + can understand, we can set it at defiance, if we choose, and I wonder at + my not fearing it, ignorant as I am, while you, a learned man, think it so + terrible. I am astonished that love, which is not a disease, should have + made you ill, and that it should have exactly the opposite effect upon me. + Is it possible that I am mistaken, and that my feeling towards you should + not be love? You saw me very cheerful when I came in this morning; it is + because I have been dreaming all night, but my dreams did not keep me + awake; only several times I woke up to ascertain whether my dream was + true, for I thought I was near you; and every time, finding that it was + not so, I quickly went to sleep again in the hope of continuing my happy + dream, and every time I succeeded. After such a night, was it not natural + for me to be cheerful this morning? My dear abbe, if love is a torment for + you I am very sorry, but would it be possible for you to live without + love? I will do anything you order me to do, but, even if your cure + depended upon it, I would not cease to love you, for that would be + impossible. Yet if to heal your sufferings it should be necessary for you + to love me no more, you must do your utmost to succeed, for I would much + rather see you alive without love, than dead for having loved too much. + Only try to find some other plan, for the one you have proposed makes me + very miserable. Think of it, there may be some other way which will be + less painful. Suggest one more practicable, and depend upon Lucie’s + obedience.” + </p> + <p> + These words, so true, so artless, so innocent, made me realize the immense + superiority of nature’s eloquence over that of philosophical intellect. + For the first time I folded this angelic being in my arms, exclaiming, + “Yes, dearest Lucie, yes, thou hast it in thy power to afford the sweetest + relief to my devouring pain; abandon to my ardent kisses thy divine lips + which have just assured me of thy love.” + </p> + <p> + An hour passed in the most delightful silence, which nothing interrupted + except these words murmured now and then by Lucie, “Oh, God! is it true? + is it not a dream?” Yet I respected her innocence, and the more readily + that she abandoned herself entirely and without the slightest resistance. + At last, extricating herself gently from my arms, she said, with some + uneasiness, “My heart begins to speak, I must go;” and she instantly rose. + Having somewhat rearranged her dress she sat down, and her mother, coming + in at that moment, complimented me upon my good looks and my bright + countenance, and told Lucie to dress herself to attend mass. Lucie came + back an hour later, and expressed her joy and her pride at the wonderful + cure she thought she had performed upon me, for the healthy appearance I + was then shewing convinced her of my love much better than the pitiful + state in which she had found me in the morning. “If your complete + happiness,” she said, “rests in my power, be happy; there is nothing that + I can refuse you.” + </p> + <p> + The moment she left me, still wavering between happiness and fear, I + understood that I was standing on the very brink of the abyss, and that + nothing but a most extraordinary determination could prevent me from + falling headlong into it. + </p> + <p> + I remained at Pasean until the end of September, and the last eleven + nights of my stay were passed in the undisturbed possession of Lucie, who, + secure in her mother’s profound sleep, came to my room to enjoy in my arms + the most delicious hours. The burning ardour of my love was increased by + the abstinence to which I condemned myself, although Lucie did everything + in her power to make me break through my determination. She could not + fully enjoy the sweetness of the forbidden fruit unless I plucked it + without reserve, and the effect produced by our constantly lying in each + other’s arms was too strong for a young girl to resist. She tried + everything she could to deceive me, and to make me believe that I had + already, and in reality, gathered the whole flower, but Bettina’s lessons + had been too efficient to allow me to go on a wrong scent, and I reached + the end of my stay without yielding entirely to the temptation she so + fondly threw in my way. I promised her to return in the spring; our + farewell was tender and very sad, and I left her in a state of mind and of + body which must have been the cause of her misfortunes, which, twenty + years after, I had occasion to reproach myself with in Holland, and which + will ever remain upon my conscience. + </p> + <p> + A few days after my return to Venice, I had fallen back into all my old + habits, and resumed my courtship of Angela in the hope that I would obtain + from her, at least, as much as Lucie had granted to me. A certain dread + which to-day I can no longer trace in my nature, a sort of terror of the + consequences which might have a blighting influence upon my future, + prevented me from giving myself up to complete enjoyment. I do not know + whether I have ever been a truly honest man, but I am fully aware that the + feelings I fostered in my youth were by far more upright than those I + have, as I lived on, forced myself to accept. A wicked philosophy throws + down too many of these barriers which we call prejudices. + </p> + <p> + The two sisters who were sharing Angela’s embroidery lessons were her + intimate friends and the confidantes of all her secrets. I made their + acquaintance, and found that they disapproved of her extreme reserve + towards me. As I usually saw them with Angela and knew their intimacy with + her, I would, when I happened to meet them alone, tell them all my + sorrows, and, thinking only of my cruel sweetheart, I never was conceited + enough to propose that these young girls might fall in love with me; but I + often ventured to speak to them with all the blazing inspiration which was + burning in me—a liberty I would not have dared to take in the + presence of her whom I loved. True love always begets reserve; we fear to + be accused of exaggeration if we should give utterance to feelings + inspired, by passion, and the modest lover, in his dread of saying too + much, very often says too little. + </p> + <p> + The teacher of embroidery, an old bigot, who at first appeared not to mind + the attachment I shewed for Angela, got tired at last of my too frequent + visits, and mentioned them to the abbe, the uncle of my fair lady. He told + me kindly one day that I ought not to call at that house so often, as my + constant visits might be wrongly construed, and prove detrimental to the + reputation of his niece. His words fell upon me like a thunder-bolt, but I + mastered my feelings sufficiently to leave him without incurring any + suspicion, and I promised to follow his good advice. + </p> + <p> + Three or four days afterwards, I paid a visit to the teacher of + embroidery, and, to make her believe that my visit was only intended for + her, I did not stop one instant near the young girls; yet I contrived to + slip in the hand of the eldest of the two sisters a note enclosing another + for my dear Angela, in which I explained why I had been compelled to + discontinue my visits, entreating her to devise some means by which I + could enjoy the happiness of seeing her and of conversing with her. In my + note to Nanette, I only begged her to give my letter to her friend, adding + that I would see them again the day after the morrow, and that I trusted + to her to find an opportunity for delivering me the answer. She managed it + all very cleverly, and, when I renewed my visit two days afterwards, she + gave me a letter without attracting the attention of anyone. Nanette’s + letter enclosed a very short note from Angela, who, disliking + letter-writing, merely advised me to follow, if I could, the plan proposed + by her friend. Here is the copy of the letter written by Nanette, which I + have always kept, as well as all other letters which I give in these + Memoirs: + </p> + <p> + “There is nothing in the world, reverend sir, that I would not readily do + for my friend. She visits at our house every holiday, has supper with us, + and sleeps under our roof. I will suggest the best way for you to make the + acquaintance of Madame Orio, our aunt; but, if you obtain an introduction + to her, you must be very careful not to let her suspect your preference + for Angela, for our aunt would certainly object to her house being made a + place of rendezvous to facilitate your interviews with a stranger to her + family. Now for the plan I propose, and in the execution of which I will + give you every assistance in my power. Madame Orio, although a woman of + good station in life, is not wealthy, and she wishes to have her name + entered on the list of noble widows who receive the bounties bestowed by + the Confraternity of the Holy Sacrament, of which M. de Malipiero is + president. Last Sunday, Angela mentioned that you are in the good graces + of that nobleman, and that the best way to obtain his patronage would be + to ask you to entreat it in her behalf. The foolish girl added that you + were smitten with me, that all your visits to our mistress of embroidery + were made for my special benefit and for the sake of entertaining me, and + that I would find it a very easy task to interest you in her favour. My + aunt answered that, as you are a priest, there was no fear of any harm, + and she told me to write to you with an invitation to call on her; I + refused. The procurator Rosa, who is a great favourite of my aunt’s, was + present; he approved of my refusal, saying that the letter ought to be + written by her and not by me, that it was for my aunt to beg the honour of + your visit on business of real importance, and that, if there was any + truth in the report of your love for me, you would not fail to come. My + aunt, by his advice, has therefore written the letter which you will find + at your house. If you wish to meet Angela, postpone your visit to us until + next Sunday. Should you succeed in obtaining M. de Malipiero’s good will + in favour of my aunt, you will become the pet of the household, but you + must forgive me if I appear to treat you with coolness, for I have said + that I do not like you. I would advise you to make love to my aunt, who is + sixty years of age; M. Rosa will not be jealous, and you will become dear + to everyone. For my part, I will manage for you an opportunity for some + private conversation with Angela, and I will do anything to convince you + of my friendship. Adieu.” + </p> + <p> + This plan appeared to me very well conceived, and, having the same evening + received Madame Orio’s letter, I called upon her on the following day, + Sunday. I was welcomed in a very friendly manner, and the lady, entreating + me to exert in her behalf my influence with M. de Malipiero, entrusted me + with all the papers which I might require to succeed. I undertook to do my + utmost, and I took care to address only a few words to Angela, but I + directed all my gallant attentions to Nanette, who treated me as coolly as + could be. Finally, I won the friendship of the old procurator Rosa, who, + in after years, was of some service to me. + </p> + <p> + I had so much at stake in the success of Madame Orio’s petition, that I + thought of nothing else, and knowing all the power of the beautiful + Therese Imer over our amorous senator, who would be but too happy to + please her in anything, I determined to call upon her the next day, and I + went straight to her room without being announced. I found her alone with + the physician Doro, who, feigning to be on a professional visit, wrote a + prescription, felt her pulse, and went off. This Doro was suspected of + being in love with Therese; M. de Malipiero, who was jealous, had + forbidden Therese to receive his visits, and she had promised to obey him. + She knew that I was acquainted with those circumstances, and my presence + was evidently unpleasant to her, for she had certainly no wish that the + old man should hear how she kept her promise. I thought that no better + opportunity could be found of obtaining from her everything I wished. + </p> + <p> + I told her in a few words the object of my visit, and I took care to add + that she could rely upon my discretion, and that I would not for the world + do her any injury. Therese, grateful for this assurance, answered that she + rejoiced at finding an occasion to oblige me, and, asking me to give her + the papers of my protege, she shewed me the certificates and testimonials + of another lady in favour of whom she had undertaken to speak, and whom, + she said, she would sacrifice to the person in whose behalf I felt + interested. She kept her word, for the very next day she placed in my + hands the brevet, signed by his excellency as president of the + confraternity. For the present, and with the expectation of further + favours, Madame Orio’s name was put down to share the bounties which were + distributed twice a year. + </p> + <p> + Nanette and her sister Marton were the orphan daughters of a sister of + Madame Orio. All the fortune of the good lady consisted in the house which + was her dwelling, the first floor being let, and in a pension given to her + by her brother, member of the council of ten. She lived alone with her two + charming nieces, the eldest sixteen, and the youngest fifteen years of + age. She kept no servant, and only employed an old woman, who, for one + crown a month, fetched water, and did the rough work. Her only friend was + the procurator Rosa; he had, like her, reached his sixtieth year, and + expected to marry her as soon as he should become a widower. + </p> + <p> + The two sisters slept together on the third floor in a large bed, which + was likewise shared by Angela every Sunday. + </p> + <p> + As soon as I found myself in possession of the deed for Madame Orio, I + hastened to pay a visit to the mistress of embroidery, in order to find an + opportunity of acquainting Nanette with my success, and in a short note + which I prepared, I informed her that in two days I would call to give the + brevet to Madame Orio, and I begged her earnestly not to forget her + promise to contrive a private interview with my dear Angela. + </p> + <p> + When I arrived, on the appointed day, at Madame Orio’s house, Nanette, who + had watched for my coming, dexterously conveyed to my hand a billet, + requesting me to find a moment to read it before leaving the house. I + found Madame Orio, Angela, the old procurator, and Marton in the room. + Longing to read the note, I refused the seat offered to me, and presenting + to Madame Orio the deed she had so long desired, I asked, as my only + reward, the pleasure of kissing her hand, giving her to understand that I + wanted to leave the room immediately. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, my dear abbe!” said the lady, “you shall have a kiss, but not on my + hand, and no one can object to it, as I am thirty years older than you.” + </p> + <p> + She might have said forty-five without going much astray. I gave her two + kisses, which evidently satisfied her, for she desired me to perform the + same ceremony with her nieces, but they both ran away, and Angela alone + stood the brunt of my hardihood. After this the widow asked me to sit + down. + </p> + <p> + “I cannot, Madame.” + </p> + <p> + “Why, I beg?” + </p> + <p> + “I have—.” + </p> + <p> + “I understand. Nanette, shew the way.” + </p> + <p> + “Dear aunt, excuse me.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, then, Marton.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh! dear aunt, why do you not insist upon my sister obeying your orders?” + </p> + <p> + “Alas! madame, these young ladies are quite right. Allow me to retire.” + </p> + <p> + “No, my dear abbe, my nieces are very foolish; M. Rosa, I am sure, will + kindly.” + </p> + <p> + The good procurator takes me affectionately by the hand, and leads me to + the third story, where he leaves me. The moment I am alone I open my + letter, and I read the following: + </p> + <p> + “My aunt will invite you to supper; do not accept. Go away as soon as we + sit down to table, and Marton will escort you as far as the street door, + but do not leave the house. When the street door is closed again, everyone + thinking you are gone, go upstairs in the dark as far as the third floor, + where you must wait for us. We will come up the moment M. Rosa has left + the house, and our aunt has gone to bed. Angela will be at liberty to + grant you throughout the night a tete-a-tete which, I trust, will prove a + happy one.” + </p> + <p> + Oh! what joy-what gratitude for the lucky chance which allowed me to read + this letter on the very spot where I was to expect the dear abject of my + love! Certain of finding my way without the slightest difficulty, I + returned to Madame Orio’s sitting-room, overwhelmed with happiness. + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0005" id="link2HCH0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER V + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + An Unlucky Night I Fall in Love with the Two Sisters, and + Forget Angela—A Ball at My House—Juliette’s Humiliation— + My Return to Pasian—Lucie’s Misfortune—A Propitious Storm +</pre> + <a name="linkimage-0004" id="linkimage-0004"> + <!-- IMG --></a> + <div class="fig" style="width:80%;"> + <img src="images/1c05.jpg" width="100%" alt="1c05.jpg " /> + </div> + <p> + On my reappearance, Madame Orio told me, with many heart-felt thanks, that + I must for the future consider myself as a privileged and welcome friend, + and the evening passed off very pleasantly. As the hour for supper drew + near, I excused myself so well that Madame Orio could not insist upon my + accepting her invitation to stay. Marton rose to light me out of the room, + but her aunt, believing Nanette to be my favourite, gave her such an + imperative order to accompany me that she was compelled to obey. She went + down the stairs rapidly, opened and closed the street door very noisily, + and putting her light out, she reentered the sitting room, leaving me in + darkness. I went upstairs softly: when I reached the third landing I found + the chamber of the two sisters, and, throwing myself upon a sofa, I waited + patiently for the rising of the star of my happiness. An hour passed + amidst the sweetest dreams of my imagination; at last I hear the noise of + the street door opening and closing, and, a few minutes after, the two + sisters come in with my Angela. I draw her towards me, and caring for + nobody else, I keep up for two full hours my conversation with her. The + clock strikes midnight; I am pitied for having gone so late supperless, + but I am shocked at such an idea; I answer that, with such happiness as I + am enjoying, I can suffer from no human want. I am told that I am a + prisoner, that the key of the house door is under the aunt’s pillow, and + that it is opened only by herself as she goes in the morning to the first + mass. I wonder at my young friends imagining that such news can be + anything but delightful to me. I express all my joy at the certainty of + passing the next five hours with the beloved mistress of my heart. Another + hour is spent, when suddenly Nanette begins to laugh, Angela wants to know + the reason, and Marton whispering a few words to her, they both laugh + likewise. This puzzles me. In my turn, I want to know what causes this + general laughter, and at last Nanette, putting on an air of anxiety, tells + me that they have no more candle, and that in a few minutes we shall be in + the dark. This is a piece of news particularly agreeable to me, but I do + not let my satisfaction appear on my countenance, and saying how truly I + am sorry for their sake, I propose that they should go to bed and sleep + quietly under my respectful guardianship. My proposal increases their + merriment. + </p> + <p> + “What can we do in the dark?” + </p> + <p> + “We can talk.” + </p> + <p> + We were four; for the last three hours we had been talking, and I was the + hero of the romance. Love is a great poet, its resources are + inexhaustible, but if the end it has in view is not obtained, it feels + weary and remains silent. My Angela listened willingly, but little + disposed to talk herself, she seldom answered, and she displayed good + sense rather than wit. To weaken the force of my arguments, she was often + satisfied with hurling at me a proverb, somewhat in the fashion of the + Romans throwing the catapult. Every time that my poor hands came to the + assistance of love, she drew herself back or repulsed me. Yet, in spite of + all, I went on talking and using my hands without losing courage, but I + gave myself up to despair when I found that my rather artful arguing + astounded her without bringing conviction to her heart, which was only + disquieted, never softened. On the other hand, I could see with + astonishment upon their countenances the impression made upon the two + sisters by the ardent speeches I poured out to Angela. This metaphysical + curve struck me as unnatural, it ought to have been an angle; I was then, + unhappily for myself, studying geometry. I was in such a state that, + notwithstanding the cold, I was perspiring profusely. At last the light + was nearly out, and Nanette took it away. + </p> + <p> + The moment we were in the dark, I very naturally extended my arms to seize + her whom I loved; but I only met with empty space, and I could not help + laughing at the rapidity with which Angela had availed herself of the + opportunity of escaping me. For one full hour I poured out all the tender, + cheerful words that love inspired me with, to persuade her to come back to + me; I could only suppose that it was a joke to tease me. But I became + impatient. + </p> + <p> + “The joke,” I said, “has lasted long enough; it is foolish, as I could not + run after you, and I am surprised to hear you laugh, for your strange + conduct leads me to suppose that you are making fun of me. Come and take + your seat near me, and if I must speak to you without seeing you let my + hands assure me that I am not addressing my words to the empty air. To + continue this game would be an insult to me, and my love does not deserve + such a return.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, be calm. I will listen to every word you may say, but you must feel + that it would not be decent for me to place myself near you in this dark + room.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you want me to stand where I am until morning?” + </p> + <p> + “Lie down on the bed, and go to sleep.” + </p> + <p> + “In wonder, indeed, at your thinking me capable of doing so in the state I + am in. Well, I suppose we must play at blind man’s buff.” + </p> + <p> + Thereupon, I began to feel right and left, everywhere, but in vain. + Whenever I caught anyone it always turned out to be Nanette or Marton, who + at once discovered themselves, and I, stupid Don Quixote, instantly would + let them go! Love and prejudice blinded me, I could not see how ridiculous + I was with my respectful reserve. I had not yet read the anecdotes of + Louis XIII, king of France, but I had read Boccacio. I kept on seeking in + vain, reproaching her with her cruelty, and entreating her to let me catch + her; but she would only answer that the difficulty of meeting each other + was mutual. The room was not large, and I was enraged at my want of + success. + </p> + <p> + Tired and still more vexed, I sat down, and for the next hour I told the + history of Roger, when Angelica disappears through the power of the magic + ring which the loving knight had so imprudently given her: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ‘Cosi dicendo, intorno a la fortuna + Brancolando n’andava come cieco. + O quante volte abbraccio l’aria vana + Speyando la donzella abbracciar seco’. +</pre> + <p> + Angela had not read Ariosto, but Nanette had done so several times. She + undertook the defence of Angelica, and blamed the simplicity of Roger, + who, if he had been wise, would never have trusted the ring to a coquette. + I was delighted with Nanette, but I was yet too much of a novice to apply + her remarks to myself. + </p> + <p> + Only one more hour remained, and I was to leave before the break of day, + for Madame Orio would have died rather than give way to the temptation of + missing the early mass. During that hour I spoke to Angela, trying to + convince her that she ought to come and sit by me. My soul went through + every gradation of hope and despair, and the reader cannot possibly + realize it unless he has been placed in a similar position. I exhausted + the most convincing arguments; then I had recourse to prayers, and even to + tears; but, seeing all was useless, I gave way to that feeling of noble + indignation which lends dignity to anger. Had I not been in the dark, I + might, I truly believe, have struck the proud monster, the cruel girl, who + had thus for five hours condemned me to the most distressing suffering. I + poured out all the abuse, all the insulting words that despised love can + suggest to an infuriated mind; I loaded her with the deepest curses; I + swore that my love had entirely turned into hatred, and, as a finale, I + advised her to be careful, as I would kill her the moment I would set my + eyes on her. + </p> + <p> + My invectives came to an end with the darkness. At the first break of day, + and as soon as I heard the noise made by the bolt and the key of the + street door, which Madame Orio was opening to let herself out, that she + might seek in the church the repose of which her pious soul was in need, I + got myself ready and looked for my cloak and for my hat. But how can I + ever portray the consternation in which I was thrown when, casting a sly + glance upon the young friends, I found the three bathed in tears! In my + shame and despair I thought of committing suicide, and sitting down again, + I recollected my brutal speeches, and upbraided myself for having wantonly + caused them to weep. I could not say one word; I felt choking; at last + tears came to my assistance, and I gave way to a fit of crying which + relieved me. Nanette then remarked that her aunt would soon return home; I + dried my eyes, and, not venturing another look at Angela or at her + friends, I ran away without uttering a word, and threw myself on my bed, + where sleep would not visit my troubled mind. + </p> + <p> + At noon, M. de Malipiero, noticing the change in my countenance, enquired + what ailed me, and longing to unburden my heart, I told him all that had + happened. The wise old man did not laugh at my sorrow, but by his sensible + advice he managed to console me and to give me courage. He was in the same + predicament with the beautiful Therese. Yet he could not help giving way + to his merriment when at dinner he saw me, in spite of my grief, eat with + increased appetite; I had gone without my supper the night before; he + complimented me upon my happy constitution. + </p> + <p> + I was determined never to visit Madame Orio’s house, and on that very day + I held an argument in metaphysics, in which I contended that any being of + whom we had only an abstract idea, could only exist abstractedly, and I + was right; but it was a very easy task to give to my thesis an irreligious + turn, and I was obliged to recant. A few days afterwards I went to Padua, + where I took my degree of doctor ‘utroque jure’. + </p> + <p> + When I returned to Venice, I received a note from M. Rosa, who entreated + me to call upon Madame Orio; she wished to see me, and, feeling certain of + not meeting Angela, I paid her a visit the same evening. The two graceful + sisters were so kind, so pleasant, that they scattered to the winds the + shame I felt at seeing them after the fearful night I had passed in their + room two months before. The labours of writing my thesis and passing my + examination were of course sufficient excuses for Madame Orio, who only + wanted to reproach me for having remained so long away from her house. + </p> + <p> + As I left, Nanette gave me a letter containing a note from Angela, the + contents of which ran as follows: + </p> + <p> + “If you are not afraid of passing another night with me you shall have no + reason to complain of me, for I love you, and I wish to hear from your own + lips whether you would still have loved me if I had consented to become + contemptible in your eyes.” + </p> + <p> + This is the letter of Nanette, who alone had her wits about her: + </p> + <p> + “M. Rosa having undertaken to bring you back to our house, I prepare these + few lines to let you know that Angela is in despair at having lost you. I + confess that the night you spent with us was a cruel one, but I do not + think that you did rightly in giving up your visits to Madame Orio. If you + still feel any love for Angela, I advise you to take your chances once + more. Accept a rendezvous for another night; she may vindicate herself, + and you will be happy. Believe me; come. Farewell!” + </p> + <p> + Those two letters afforded me much gratification, for I had it in my power + to enjoy my revenge by shewing to Angela the coldest contempt. Therefore, + on the following Sunday I went to Madame Orio’s house, having provided + myself with a smoked tongue and a couple of bottles of Cyprus wine; but to + my great surprise my cruel mistress was not there. Nanette told me that + she had met her at church in the morning, and that she would not be able + to come before supper-time. Trusting to that promise I declined Madam + Orio’s invitation, and before the family sat down to supper I left the + room as I had done on the former occasion, and slipped upstairs. I longed + to represent the character I had prepared myself for, and feeling assured + that Angela, even if she should prove less cruel, would only grant me + insignificant favours, I despised them in anticipation, and resolved to be + avenged. + </p> + <p> + After waiting three quarters of an hour the street door was locked, and a + moment later Nanette and Marton entered the room. + </p> + <p> + “Where is Angela?” I enquired. + </p> + <p> + “She must have been unable to come, or to send a message. Yet she knows + you are here.” + </p> + <p> + “She thinks she has made a fool of me; but I suspected she would act in + this way. You know her now. She is trifling with me, and very likely she + is now revelling in her triumph. She has made use of you to allure me in + the snare, and it is all the better for her; had she come, I meant to have + had my turn, and to have laughed at her.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah! you must allow me to have my doubts as to that.” + </p> + <p> + “Doubt me not, beautiful Nanette; the pleasant night we are going to spend + without her must convince you.” + </p> + <p> + “That is to say that, as a man of sense, you can accept us as a makeshift; + but you can sleep here, and my sister can lie with me on the sofa in the + next room.” + </p> + <p> + “I cannot hinder you, but it would be great unkindness on your part. At + all events, I do not intend to go to bed.” + </p> + <p> + “What! you would have the courage to spend seven hours alone with us? Why, + I am certain that in a short time you will be at a loss what to say, and + you will fall asleep.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, we shall see. In the mean-time here are provisions. You will not be + so cruel as to let me eat alone? Can you get any bread?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, and to please you we must have a second supper.” + </p> + <p> + “I ought to be in love with you. Tell me, beautiful Nanette, if I were as + much attached to you as I was to Angela, would you follow her example and + make me unhappy?” + </p> + <p> + “How can you ask such a question? It is worthy of a conceited man. All I + can answer is, that I do not know what I would do.” + </p> + <p> + They laid the cloth, brought some bread, some Parmesan cheese and water, + laughing all the while, and then we went to work. The wine, to which they + were not accustomed, went to their heads, and their gaiety was soon + delightful. I wondered, as I looked at them, at my having been blind + enough not to see their merit. + </p> + <p> + After our supper, which was delicious, I sat between them, holding their + hands, which I pressed to my lips, asking them whether they were truly my + friends, and whether they approved of Angela’s conduct towards me. They + both answered that it had made them shed many tears. “Then let me,” I + said, “have for you the tender feelings of a brother, and share those + feelings yourselves as if you were my sisters; let us exchange, in all + innocence, proofs of our mutual affection, and swear to each other an + eternal fidelity.” + </p> + <p> + The first kiss I gave them was prompted by entirely harmless motives, and + they returned the kiss, as they assured me a few days afterwards only to + prove to me that they reciprocated my brotherly feelings; but those + innocent kisses, as we repeated them, very soon became ardent ones, and + kindled a flame which certainly took us by surprise, for we stopped, as by + common consent, after a short time, looking at each other very much + astonished and rather serious. They both left me without affectation, and + I remained alone with my thoughts. Indeed, it was natural that the burning + kisses I had given and received should have sent through me the fire of + passion, and that I should suddenly have fallen madly in love with the two + amiable sisters. Both were handsomer than Angela, and they were superior + to her—Nanette by her charming wit, Marton by her sweet and simple + nature; I could not understand how I had been so long in rendering them + the justice they deserved, but they were the innocent daughters of a noble + family, and the lucky chance which had thrown them in my way ought not to + prove a calamity for them. I was not vain enough to suppose that they + loved me, but I could well enough admit that my kisses had influenced them + in the same manner that their kisses had influenced me, and, believing + this to be the case, it was evident that, with a little cunning on my + part, and of sly practices of which they were ignorant, I could easily, + during the long night I was going to spend with them, obtain favours, the + consequences of which might be very positive. The very thought made me + shudder, and I firmly resolved to respect their virtue, never dreaming + that circumstances might prove too strong for me. + </p> + <p> + When they returned, I read upon their countenances perfect security and + satisfaction, and I quickly put on the same appearance, with a full + determination not to expose myself again to the danger of their kisses. + </p> + <p> + For one hour we spoke of Angela, and I expressed my determination never to + see her again, as I had every proof that she did not care for me. “She + loves you,” said the artless Marton; “I know she does, but if you do not + mean to marry her, you will do well to give up all intercourse with her, + for she is quite determined not to grant you even a kiss as long as you + are not her acknowledged suitor. You must therefore either give up the + acquaintance altogether, or make up your mind that she will refuse you + everything.” + </p> + <p> + “You argue very well, but how do you know that she loves me?” + </p> + <p> + “I am quite sure of it, and as you have promised to be our brother, I can + tell you why I have that conviction. When Angela is in bed with me, she + embraces me lovingly and calls me her dear abbe.” + </p> + <p> + The words were scarcely spoken when Nanette, laughing heartily, placed her + hand on her sister’s lips, but the innocent confession had such an effect + upon me that I could hardly control myself. + </p> + <p> + Marton told Nanette that I could not possibly be ignorant of what takes + place between young girls sleeping together. + </p> + <p> + “There is no doubt,” I said, “that everybody knows those trifles, and I do + not think, dear Nanette, that you ought to reproach your sister with + indiscretion for her friendly confidence.” + </p> + <p> + “It cannot be helped now, but such things ought not to be mentioned. If + Angela knew it!” + </p> + <p> + “She would be vexed, of course; but Marton has given me a mark of her + friendship which I never can forget. But it is all over; I hate Angela, + and I do not mean to speak to her any more! she is false, and she wishes + my ruin.” + </p> + <p> + “Yet, loving you, is she wrong to think of having you for her husband?” + </p> + <p> + “Granted that she is not; but she thinks only of her own self, for she + knows what I suffer, and her conduct would be very different if she loved + me. In the mean time, thanks to her imagination, she finds the means of + satisfying her senses with the charming Marton who kindly performs the + part of her husband.” + </p> + <p> + Nanette laughed louder, but I kept very serious, and I went on talking to + her sister, and praising her sincerity. I said that very likely, and to + reciprocate her kindness, Angela must likewise have been her husband, but + she answered, with a smile, that Angela played husband only to Nanette, + and Nanette could not deny it. + </p> + <p> + “But,” said I, “what name did Nanette, in her rapture, give to her + husband?” + </p> + <p> + “Nobody knows.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you love anyone, Nanette?” + </p> + <p> + “I do; but my secret is my own.” + </p> + <p> + This reserve gave me the suspicion that I had something to do with her + secret, and that Nanette was the rival of Angela. Such a delightful + conversation caused me to lose the wish of passing an idle night with two + girls so well made for love. + </p> + <p> + “It is very lucky,” I exclaimed, “that I have for you only feelings of + friendship; otherwise it would be very hard to pass the night without + giving way to the temptation of bestowing upon you proofs of my affection, + for you are both so lovely, so bewitching, that you would turn the brains + of any man.” + </p> + <p> + As I went on talking, I pretended to be somewhat sleepy; Nanette being the + first to notice it, said, “Go to bed without any ceremony, we will lie + down on the sofa in the adjoining room.” + </p> + <p> + “I would be a very poor-spirited fellow indeed, if I agreed to this; let + us talk; my sleepiness will soon pass off, but I am anxious about you. Go + to bed yourselves, my charming friends, and I will go into the next room. + If you are afraid of me, lock the door, but you would do me an injustice, + for I feel only a brother’s yearnings towards you.” + </p> + <p> + “We cannot accept such an arrangement,” said Nanette, “but let me persuade + you; take this bed.” + </p> + <p> + “I cannot sleep with my clothes on.” + </p> + <p> + “Undress yourself; we will not look at you.” + </p> + <p> + “I have no fear of it, but how could I find the heart to sleep, while on + my account you are compelled to sit up?” + </p> + <p> + “Well,” said Marton, “we can lie down, too, without undressing.” + </p> + <p> + “If you shew me such distrust, you will offend me. Tell me, Nanette, do + you think I am an honest man?” + </p> + <p> + “Most certainly.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, then, give me a proof of your good opinion; lie down near me in the + bed, undressed, and rely on my word of honour that I will not even lay a + finger upon you. Besides, you are two against one, what can you fear? Will + you not be free to get out of the bed in case I should not keep quiet? In + short, unless you consent to give me this mark of your confidence in me, + at least when I have fallen asleep, I cannot go to bed.” + </p> + <p> + I said no more, and pretended to be very sleepy. They exchanged a few + words, whispering to each other, and Marton told me to go to bed, that + they would follow me as soon as I was asleep. Nanette made me the same + promise, I turned my back to them, undressed myself quickly, and wishing + them good night, I went to bed. I immediately pretended to fall asleep, + but soon I dozed in good earnest, and only woke when they came to bed. + Then, turning round as if I wished to resume my slumbers, I remained very + quiet until I could suppose them fast asleep; at all events, if they did + not sleep, they were at liberty to pretend to do so. Their backs were + towards me, and the light was out; therefore I could only act at random, + and I paid my first compliments to the one who was lying on my right, not + knowing whether she was Nanette or Marton. I find her bent in two, and + wrapped up in the only garment she had kept on. Taking my time, and + sparing her modesty, I compel her by degrees to acknowledge her defeat, + and convince her that it is better to feign sleep and to let me proceed. + Her natural instincts soon working in concert with mine, I reach the goal; + and my efforts, crowned with the most complete success, leave me not the + shadow of a doubt that I have gathered those first-fruits to which our + prejudice makes us attach so great an importance. Enraptured at having + enjoyed my manhood completely and for the first time, I quietly leave my + beauty in order to do homage to the other sister. I find her motionless, + lying on her back like a person wrapped in profound and undisturbed + slumber. Carefully managing my advance, as if I were afraid of waking her + up, I begin by gently gratifying her senses, and I ascertain the + delightful fact that, like her sister, she is still in possession of her + maidenhood. As soon as a natural movement proves to me that love accepts + the offering, I take my measures to consummate the sacrifice. At that + moment, giving way suddenly to the violence of her feelings, and tired of + her assumed dissimulation, she warmly locks me in her arms at the very + instant of the voluptuous crisis, smothers me with kisses, shares my + raptures, and love blends our souls in the most ecstatic enjoyment. + </p> + <p> + Guessing her to be Nanette, I whisper her name. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I am Nanette,” she answers; “and I declare myself happy, as well as + my sister, if you prove yourself true and faithful.” + </p> + <p> + “Until death, my beloved ones, and as everything we have done is the work + of love, do not let us ever mention the name of Angela.” + </p> + <p> + After this, I begged that she would give us a light; but Marton, always + kind and obliging, got out of bed leaving us alone. When I saw Nanette in + my arms, beaming with love, and Marton near the bed, holding a candle, + with her eyes reproaching us with ingratitude because we did not speak to + her, who, by accepting my first caresses, had encouraged her sister to + follow her example, I realized all my happiness. + </p> + <p> + “Let us get up, my darlings,” said I, “and swear to each other eternal + affection.” + </p> + <p> + When we had risen we performed, all three together, ablutions which made + them laugh a good deal, and which gave a new impetus to the ardour of our + feelings. Sitting up in the simple costume of nature, we ate the remains + of our supper, exchanging those thousand trifling words which love alone + can understand, and we again retired to our bed, where we spent a most + delightful night giving each other mutual and oft-repeated proofs of our + passionate ardour. Nanette was the recipient of my last bounties, for + Madame Orio having left the house to go to church, I had to hasten my + departure, after assuring the two lovely sisters that they had effectually + extinguished whatever flame might still have flickered in my heart for + Angela. I went home and slept soundly until dinner-time. + </p> + <p> + M. de Malipiero passed a remark upon my cheerful looks and the dark + circles around my eyes, but I kept my own counsel, and I allowed him to + think whatever he pleased. On the following day I paid a visit to Madame + Orio, and Angela not being of the party, I remained to supper and retired + with M. Rosa. During the evening Nanette contrived to give me a letter and + a small parcel. The parcel contained a small lump of wax with the stamp of + a key, and the letter told me to have a key made, and to use it to enter + the house whenever I wished to spend the night with them. She informed me + at the same time that Angela had slept with them the night following our + adventures, and that, thanks to their mutual and usual practices, she had + guessed the real state of things, that they had not denied it, adding that + it was all her fault, and that Angela, after abusing them most vehemently, + had sworn never again to darken their doors; but they did not care a jot. + </p> + <p> + A few days afterwards our good fortune delivered us from Angela; she was + taken to Vicenza by her father, who had removed there for a couple of + years, having been engaged to paint frescoes in some houses in that city. + Thanks to her absence, I found myself undisturbed possessor of the two + charming sisters, with whom I spent at least two nights every week, + finding no difficulty in entering the house with the key which I had + speedily procured. + </p> + <p> + Carnival was nearly over, when M. Manzoni informed me one day that the + celebrated Juliette wished to see me, and regretted much that I had ceased + to visit her. I felt curious as to what she had to say to me, and + accompanied him to her house. She received me very politely, and remarking + that she had heard of a large hall I had in my house, she said she would + like to give a ball there, if I would give her the use of it. I readily + consented, and she handed me twenty-four sequins for the supper and for + the band, undertaking to send people to place chandeliers in the hall and + in my other rooms. + </p> + <p> + M. de Sanvitali had left Venice, and the Parmesan government had placed + his estates in chancery in consequence of his extravagant expenditure. I + met him at Versailles ten years afterwards. He wore the insignia of the + king’s order of knighthood, and was grand equerry to the eldest daughter + of Louis XV., Duchess of Parma, who, like all the French princesses, could + not be reconciled to the climate of Italy. + </p> + <p> + The ball took place, and went off splendidly. All the guests belonged to + Juliette’s set, with the exception of Madame Orio, her nieces, and the + procurator Rosa, who sat together in the room adjoining the hall, and whom + I had been permitted to introduce as persons of no consequence whatever. + </p> + <p> + While the after-supper minuets were being danced Juliette took me apart, + and said, “Take me to your bedroom; I have just got an amusing idea.” + </p> + <p> + My room was on the third story; I shewed her the way. The moment we + entered she bolted the door, much to my surprise. “I wish you,” she said, + “to dress me up in your ecclesiastical clothes, and I will disguise you as + a woman with my own things. We will go down and dance together. Come, let + us first dress our hair.” + </p> + <p> + Feeling sure of something pleasant to come, and delighted with such an + unusual adventure, I lose no time in arranging her hair, and I let her + afterwards dress mine. She applies rouge and a few beauty spots to my + face; I humour her in everything, and to prove her satisfaction, she gives + me with the best of grace a very loving kiss, on condition that I do not + ask for anything else. + </p> + <p> + “As you please, beautiful Juliette, but I give you due notice that I adore + you!” + </p> + <p> + I place upon my bed a shirt, an abbe’s neckband, a pair of drawers, black + silk stockings—in fact, a complete fit-out. Coming near the bed, + Juliette drops her skirt, and cleverly gets into the drawers, which were + not a bad fit, but when she comes to the breeches there is some + difficulty; the waistband is too narrow, and the only remedy is to rip it + behind or to cut it, if necessary. I undertake to make everything right, + and, as I sit on the foot of my bed, she places herself in front of me, + with her back towards me. I begin my work, but she thinks that I want to + see too much, that I am not skilful enough, and that my fingers wander in + unnecessary places; she gets fidgety, leaves me, tears the breeches, and + manages in her own way. Then I help her to put her shoes on, and I pass + the shirt over her head, but as I am disposing the ruffle and the + neck-band, she complains of my hands being too curious; and in truth, her + bosom was rather scanty. She calls me a knave and rascal, but I take no + notice of her. I was not going to be duped, and I thought that a woman who + had been paid one hundred thousand ducats was well worth some study. At + last, her toilet being completed, my turn comes. In spite of her + objections I quickly get rid of my breeches, and she must put on me the + chemise, then a skirt, in a word she has to dress me up. But all at once, + playing the coquette, she gets angry because I do not conceal from her + looks the very apparent proof that her charms have some effect on a + particular part of my being, and she refuses to grant me the favour which + would soon afford both relief and calm. I try to kiss her, and she + repulses me, whereupon I lose patience, and in spite of herself she has to + witness the last stage of my excitement. At the sight of this, she pours + out every insulting word she can think of; I endeavour to prove that she + is to blame, but it is all in vain. + </p> + <p> + However, she is compelled to complete my disguise. There is no doubt that + an honest woman would not have exposed herself to such an adventure, + unless she had intended to prove her tender feelings, and that she would + not have drawn back at the very moment she saw them shared by her + companion; but women like Juliette are often guided by a spirit of + contradiction which causes them to act against their own interests. + Besides, she felt disappointed when she found out that I was not timid, + and my want of restraint appeared to her a want of respect. She would not + have objected to my stealing a few light favours which she would have + allowed me to take, as being of no importance, but, by doing that, I + should have flattered her vanity too highly. + </p> + <p> + Our disguise being complete, we went together to the dancing-hall, where + the enthusiastic applause of the guests soon restored our good temper. + Everybody gave me credit for a piece of fortune which I had not enjoyed, + but I was not ill-pleased with the rumour, and went on dancing with the + false abbe, who was only too charming. Juliette treated me so well during + the night that I construed her manners towards me into some sort of + repentance, and I almost regretted what had taken place between us; it was + a momentary weakness for which I was sorely punished. + </p> + <p> + At the end of the quadrille all the men thought they had a right to take + liberties with the abbe, and I became myself rather free with the young + girls, who would have been afraid of exposing themselves to ridicule had + they offered any opposition to my caresses. + </p> + <p> + M. Querini was foolish enough to enquire from me whether I had kept on my + breeches, and as I answered that I had been compelled to lend them to + Juliette, he looked very unhappy, sat down in a corner of the room, and + refused to dance. + </p> + <p> + Every one of the guests soon remarked that I had on a woman’s chemise, and + nobody entertained a doubt of the sacrifice having been consummated, with + the exception of Nanette and Marton, who could not imagine the possibility + of my being unfaithful to them. Juliette perceived that she had been + guilty of great imprudence, but it was too late to remedy the evil. + </p> + <p> + When we returned to my chamber upstairs, thinking that she had repented of + her previous behaviour, and feeling some desire to possess her, I thought + I would kiss her, and I took hold of her hand, saying I was disposed to + give her every satisfaction, but she quickly slapped my face in so violent + a manner that, in my indignation, I was very near returning the + compliment. I undressed myself rapidly without looking at her, she did the + same, and we came downstairs; but, in spite of the cold water I had + applied to my cheek, everyone could easily see the stamp of the large hand + which had come in contact with my face. + </p> + <p> + Before leaving the house, Juliette took me apart, and told me, in the most + decided and impressive manner, that if I had any fancy for being thrown + out of the window, I could enjoy that pleasure whenever I liked to enter + her dwelling, and that she would have me murdered if this night’s + adventure ever became publicly known. I took care not to give her any + cause for the execution of either of her threats, but I could not prevent + the fact of our having exchanged shirts being rather notorious. As I was + not seen at her house, it was generally supposed that she had been + compelled by M. Querini to keep me at a distance. The reader will see how, + six years later, this extraordinary woman thought proper to feign entire + forgetfulness of this adventure. + </p> + <p> + I passed Lent, partly in the company of my loved ones, partly in the study + of experimental physics at the Convent of the Salutation. My evenings were + always given to M. de Malipiero’s assemblies. At Easter, in order to keep + the promise I had made to the Countess of Mont-Real, and longing to see + again my beautiful Lucie, I went to Pasean. I found the guests entirely + different to the set I had met the previous autumn. Count Daniel, the + eldest of the family, had married a Countess Gozzi, and a young and + wealthy government official, who had married a god-daughter of the old + countess, was there with his wife and his sister-in-law. I thought the + supper very long. The same room had been given to me, and I was burning to + see Lucie, whom I did not intend to treat any more like a child. I did not + see her before going to bed, but I expected her early the next morning, + when lo! instead of her pretty face brightening my eyes, I see standing + before me a fat, ugly servant-girl! I enquire after the gatekeeper’s + family, but her answer is given in the peculiar dialect of the place, and + is, of course, unintelligible to me. + </p> + <p> + I wonder what has become of Lucie; I fancy that our intimacy has been + found out, I fancy that she is ill—dead, perhaps. I dress myself + with the intention of looking for her. If she has been forbidden to see + me, I think to myself, I will be even with them all, for somehow or other + I will contrive the means of speaking to her, and out of spite I will do + with her that which honour prevented love from accomplishing. As I was + revolving such thoughts, the gate-keeper comes in with a sorrowful + countenance. I enquire after his wife’s health, and after his daughter, + but at the name of Lucie his eyes are filled with tears. + </p> + <p> + “What! is she dead?” + </p> + <p> + “Would to God she were!” + </p> + <p> + “What has she done?” + </p> + <p> + “She has run away with Count Daniel’s courier, and we have been unable to + trace her anywhere.” + </p> + <p> + His wife comes in at the moment he replies, and at these words, which + renewed her grief, the poor woman faints away. The keeper, seeing how + sincerely I felt for his misery, tells me that this great misfortune + befell them only a week before my arrival. + </p> + <p> + “I know that man l’Aigle,” I say; “he is a scoundrel. Did he ask to marry + Lucie?” + </p> + <p> + “No; he knew well enough that our consent would have been refused!” + </p> + <p> + “I wonder at Lucie acting in such a way.” + </p> + <p> + “He seduced her, and her running away made us suspect the truth, for she + had become very stout.” + </p> + <p> + “Had he known her long?” + </p> + <p> + “About a month after your last visit she saw him for the first time. He + must have thrown a spell over her, for our Lucie was as pure as a dove, + and you can, I believe, bear testimony to her goodness.” + </p> + <p> + “And no one knows where they are?” + </p> + <p> + “No one. God alone knows what this villain will do with her.” + </p> + <p> + I grieved as much as the unfortunate parents; I went out and took a long + ramble in the woods to give way to my sad feelings. During two hours I + cogitated over considerations, some true, some false, which were all + prefaced by an if. If I had paid this visit, as I might have done, a week + sooner, loving Lucie would have confided in me, and I would have prevented + that self-murder. If I had acted with her as with Nanette and Marton, she + would not have been left by me in that state of ardent excitement which + must have proved the principal cause of her fault, and she would not have + fallen a prey to that scoundrel. If she had not known me before meeting + the courier, her innocent soul would never have listened to such a man. I + was in despair, for in my conscience I acknowledged myself the primary + agent of this infamous seduction; I had prepared the way for the villain. + </p> + <p> + Had I known where to find Lucie, I would certainly have gone forth on the + instant to seek for her, but no trace whatever of her whereabouts had been + discovered. + </p> + <p> + Before I had been made acquainted with Lucie’s misfortune I felt great + pride at having had sufficient power over myself to respect her innocence; + but after hearing what had happened I was ashamed of my own reserve, and I + promised myself that for the future I would on that score act more wisely. + I felt truly miserable when my imagination painted the probability of the + unfortunate girl being left to poverty and shame, cursing the remembrance + of me, and hating me as the first cause of her misery. This fatal event + caused me to adopt a new system, which in after years I carried sometimes + rather too far. + </p> + <p> + I joined the cheerful guests of the countess in the gardens, and received + such a welcome that I was soon again in my usual spirits, and at dinner I + delighted everyone. + </p> + <p> + My sorrow was so great that it was necessary either to drive it away at + once or to leave Pasean. But a new life crept into my being as I examined + the face and the disposition of the newly-married lady. Her sister was + prettier, but I was beginning to feel afraid of a novice; I thought the + work too great. + </p> + <p> + This newly-married lady, who was between nineteen and twenty years of age, + drew upon herself everybody’s attention by her over-strained and unnatural + manners. A great talker, with a memory crammed with maxims and precepts + often without sense, but of which she loved to make a show, very devout, + and so jealous of her husband that she did not conceal her vexation when + he expressed his satisfaction at being seated at table opposite her + sister, she laid herself open to much ridicule. Her husband was a giddy + young fellow, who perhaps felt very deep affection for his wife, but who + imagined that, through good breeding, he ought to appear very indifferent, + and whose vanity found pleasure in giving her constant causes for + jealousy. She, in her turn, had a great dread of passing for an idiot if + she did not shew her appreciation of, and her resentment for, his conduct. + She felt uneasy in the midst of good company, precisely because she wished + to appear thoroughly at home. If I prattled away with some of my trilling + nonsense, she would stare at me, and in her anxiety not to be thought + stupid, she would laugh out of season. Her oddity, her awkwardness, and + her self-conceit gave me the desire to know her better, and I began to + dance attendance upon her. + </p> + <p> + My attentions, important and unimportant, my constant care, ever my + fopperies, let everybody know that I meditated conquest. The husband was + duly warned, but, with a great show of intrepidity, he answered with a + joke every time he was told that I was a formidable rival. On my side I + assumed a modest, and even sometimes a careless appearance, when, to shew + his freedom from jealousy, he excited me to make love to his wife, who, on + her part, understood but little how to perform the part of fancy free. + </p> + <p> + I had been paying my address to her for five or six days with great + constancy, when, taking a walk with her in the garden, she imprudently + confided to me the reason of her anxiety respecting her husband, and how + wrong he was to give her any cause for jealousy. I told her, speaking as + an old friend, that the best way to punish him would be to take no + apparent notice of her husband’s preference for her sister, and to feign + to be herself in love with me. In order to entice her more easily to + follow my advice, I added that I was well aware of my plan being a very + difficult one to carry out, and that to play successfully such a character + a woman must be particularly witty. I had touched her weak point, and she + exclaimed that she would play the part to perfection; but in spite of her + self-confidence she acquitted herself so badly that everybody understood + that the plan was of my own scheming. + </p> + <p> + If I happened to be alone with her in the dark paths of the garden, and + tried to make her play her part in real earnest, she would take the + dangerous step of running away, and rejoining the other guests; the result + being that, on my reappearance, I was called a bad sportsman who + frightened the bird away. I would not fail at the first opportunity to + reproach her for her flight, and to represent the triumph she had thus + prepared for her spouse. I praised her mind, but lamented over the + shortcomings of her education; I said that the tone, the manners I adopted + towards her, were those of good society, and proved the great esteem I + entertained for her intelligence, but in the middle of all my fine + speeches, towards the eleventh or twelfth day of my courtship, she + suddenly put me out of all conceit by telling me that, being a priest, I + ought to know that every amorous connection was a deadly sin, that God + could see every action of His creatures, and that she would neither damn + her soul nor place herself under the necessity of saying to her confessor + that she had so far forgotten herself as to commit such a sin with a + priest. I objected that I was not yet a priest, but she foiled me by + enquiring point-blank whether or not the act I had in view was to be + numbered amongst the cardinal sins, for, not feeling the courage to deny + it, I felt that I must give up the argument and put an end to the + adventure. + </p> + <p> + A little consideration having considerably calmed my feelings, everybody + remarked my new countenance during dinner; and the old count, who was very + fond of a joke, expressed loudly his opinion that such quiet demeanour on + my part announced the complete success of my campaign. Considering such a + remark to be favourable to me, I took care to shew my cruel devotee that + such was the way the world would judge, but all this was lost labour. + Luck, however, stood me in good stead, and my efforts were crowned with + success in the following manner. + </p> + <p> + On Ascension Day, we all went to pay a visit to Madame Bergali, a + celebrated Italian poetess. On my return to Pasean the same evening, my + pretty mistress wished to get into a carriage for four persons in which + her husband and sister were already seated, while I was alone in a + two-wheeled chaise. I exclaimed at this, saying that such a mark of + distrust was indeed too pointed, and everybody remonstrated with her, + saying that she ought not to insult me so cruelly. She was compelled to + come with me, and having told the postillion that I wanted to go by the + nearest road, he left the other carriages, and took the way through the + forest of Cequini. The sky was clear and cloudless when we left, but in + less than half-an-hour we were visited by one of those storms so frequent + in the south, which appear likely to overthrow heaven and earth, and which + end rapidly, leaving behind them a bright sky and a cool atmosphere, so + that they do more good than harm. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, heavens!” exclaimed my companion, “we shall have a storm.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” I say, “and although the chaise is covered, the rain will spoil + your pretty dress. I am very sorry.” + </p> + <p> + “I do not mind the dress; but the thunder frightens me so!” + </p> + <p> + “Close your ears.” + </p> + <p> + “And the lightning?” + </p> + <p> + “Postillion, let us go somewhere for shelter.” + </p> + <p> + “There is not a house, sir, for a league, and before we come to it, the + storm will have passed off.” + </p> + <p> + He quietly keeps on his way, and the lightning flashes, the thunder sends + forth its mighty voice, and the lady shudders with fright. The rain comes + down in torrents, I take off my cloak to shelter us in front, at the same + moment we are blinded by a flash of lightning, and the electric fluid + strikes the earth within one hundred yards of us. The horses plunge and + prance with fear, and my companion falls in spasmodic convulsions. She + throws herself upon me, and folds me in her arms. The cloak had gone down, + I stoop to place it around us, and improving my opportunity I take up her + clothes. She tries to pull them down, but another clap of thunder deprives + her of every particle of strength. Covering her with the cloak, I draw her + towards me, and the motion of the chaise coming to my assistance, she + falls over me in the most favourable position. I lose no time, and under + pretence of arranging my watch in my fob, I prepare myself for the + assault. On her side, conscious that, unless she stops me at once, all is + lost, she makes a great effort; but I hold her tightly, saying that if she + does not feign a fainting fit, the post-boy will turn round and see + everything; I let her enjoy the pleasure of calling me an infidel, a + monster, anything she likes, but my victory is the most complete that ever + a champion achieved. + </p> + <p> + The rain, however, was falling, the wind, which was very high, blew in our + faces, and, compelled to stay where she was, she said I would ruin her + reputation, as the postillion could see everything. + </p> + <p> + “I keep my eye upon him,” I answered, “he is not thinking of us, and even + if he should turn his head, the cloak shelters us from him. Be quiet, and + pretend to have fainted, for I will not let you go.” + </p> + <p> + She seems resigned, and asks how I can thus set the storm at defiance. + </p> + <p> + “The storm, dear one, is my best friend to-day.” + </p> + <p> + She almost seems to believe me, her fear vanishes, and feeling my rapture, + she enquires whether I have done. I smile and answer in the negative, + stating that I cannot let her go till the storm is over. “Consent to + everything, or I let the cloak drop,” I say to her. + </p> + <p> + “Well, you dreadful man, are you satisfied, now that you have insured my + misery for the remainder of my life?” + </p> + <p> + “No, not yet.” + </p> + <p> + “What more do you want?” + </p> + <p> + “A shower of kisses.” + </p> + <p> + “How unhappy I am! Well! here they are.” + </p> + <p> + “Tell me you forgive me, and confess that you have shared all my + pleasure.” + </p> + <p> + “You know I did. Yes, I forgive you.” + </p> + <p> + Then I give her her liberty, and treating her to some very pleasant + caresses, I ask her to have the same kindness for me, and she goes to work + with a smile on her pretty lips. + </p> + <p> + “Tell me you love me,” I say to her. + </p> + <p> + “No, I do not, for you are an atheist, and hell awaits you.” + </p> + <p> + The weather was fine again, and the elements calm; I kissed her hands and + told her that the postillion had certainly not seen anything, and that I + was sure I had cured her of her dread of thunder, but that she was not + likely to reveal the secret of my remedy. She answered that one thing at + least was certain, namely that no other woman had ever been cured by the + same prescription. + </p> + <p> + “Why,” I said, “the same remedy has very likely been applied a million of + times within the last thousand years. To tell you the truth, I had + somewhat depended upon it, when we entered the chaise together, for I did + not know any other way of obtaining the happiness of possessing you. But + console yourself with the belief that, placed in the same position, no + frightened woman could have resisted.” + </p> + <p> + “I believe you; but for the future I will travel only with my husband.” + </p> + <p> + “You would be wrong, for your husband would not have been clever enough to + cure your fright in the way I have done.” + </p> + <p> + “True, again. One learns some curious things in your company; but we shall + not travel tete-a-tete again.” + </p> + <p> + We reached Pasean an hour before our friends. We get out of the chaise, + and my fair mistress ran off to her chamber, while I was looking for a + crown for the postillion. I saw that he was grinning. + </p> + <p> + “What are you laughing at?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh! you know.” + </p> + <p> + “Here, take this ducat and keep a quiet tongue in your head.” + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0006" id="link2HCH0006"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VI + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + My Grandmother’s Death and Its Consequences—I Lose M. de + Malipiero’s Friendship—I Have No Longer a Home— + La Tintoretta—I Am Sent to a Clerical Seminary—I Am Expelled + From It, and Confined in a Fortress +</pre> + <p> + During supper the conversation turned altogether upon the storm, and the + official, who knew the weakness of his wife, told me that he was quite + certain I would never travel with her again. “Nor I with him,” his wife + remarked, “for, in his fearful impiety, he exorcised the lightning with + jokes.” + </p> + <p> + Henceforth she avoided me so skilfully that I never could contrive another + interview with her. + </p> + <p> + When I returned to Venice I found my grandmother ill, and I had to change + all my habits, for I loved her too dearly not to surround her with every + care and attention; I never left her until she had breathed her last. She + was unable to leave me anything, for during her life she had given me all + she could, and her death compelled me to adopt an entirely different mode + of life. + </p> + <p> + A month after her death, I received a letter from my mother informing me + that, as there was no probability of her return to Venice, she had + determined to give up the house, the rent of which she was still paying, + that she had communicated her intention to the Abbe Grimani, and that I + was to be guided entirely by his advice. + </p> + <p> + He was instructed to sell the furniture, and to place me, as well as my + brothers and my sister, in a good boarding-house. I called upon Grimani to + assure him of my perfect disposition to obey his commands. + </p> + <p> + The rent of the house had been paid until the end of the year; but, as I + was aware that the furniture would be sold on the expiration of the term, + I placed my wants under no restraint. I had already sold some linen, most + of the china, and several tapestries; I now began to dispose of the + mirrors, beds, etc. I had no doubt that my conduct would be severely + blamed, but I knew likewise that it was my father’s inheritance, to which + my mother had no claim whatever, and, as to my brothers, there was plenty + of time before any explanation could take place between us. + </p> + <p> + Four months afterwards I had a second letter from my mother, dated from + Warsaw, and enclosing another. Here is the translation of my mother’s + letter: + </p> + <p> + “My dear son, I have made here the acquaintance of a learned Minim friar, + a Calabrian by birth, whose great qualities have made me think of you + every time he has honoured me with a visit. A year ago I told him that I + had a son who was preparing himself for the Church, but that I had not the + means of keeping him during his studies, and he promised that my son would + become his own child, if I could obtain for him from the queen a bishopric + in his native country, and he added that it would be very easy to succeed + if I could induce the sovereign to recommend him to her daughter, the + queen of Naples. + </p> + <p> + “Full of trust in the Almighty, I threw myself at the feet of her majesty, + who granted me her gracious protection. She wrote to her daughter, and the + worthy friar has been appointed by the Pope to the bishopric of Monterano. + Faithful to his promise, the good bishop will take you with him about the + middle of next year, as he passes through Venice to reach Calabria. He + informs you himself of his intentions in the enclosed letter. Answer him + immediately, my dear son, and forward your letter to me; I will deliver it + to the bishop. He will pave your way to the highest dignities of the + Church, and you may imagine my consolation if, in some twenty or thirty + years, I had the happiness of seeing you a bishop, at least! Until his + arrival, M. Grimani will take care of you. I give you my blessing, and I + am, my dear child, etc., etc.” + </p> + <p> + The bishop’s letter was written in Latin, and was only a repetition of my + mother’s. It was full of unction, and informed me that he would tarry but + three days in Venice. + </p> + <p> + I answered according to my mother’s wishes, but those two letters had + turned my brain. I looked upon my fortune as made. I longed to enter the + road which was to lead me to it, and I congratulated myself that I could + leave my country without any regret. Farewell, Venice, I exclaimed; the + days for vanity are gone by, and in the future I will only think of a + great, of a substantial career! M. Grimani congratulated me warmly on my + good luck, and promised all his friendly care to secure a good + boarding-house, to which I would go at the beginning of the year, and + where I would wait for the bishop’s arrival. + </p> + <p> + M. de Malipiero, who in his own way had great wisdom, and who saw that in + Venice I was plunging headlong into pleasures and dissipation, and was + only wasting a precious time, was delighted to see me on the eve of going + somewhere else to fulfil my destiny, and much pleased with my ready + acceptance of those new circumstances in my life. He read me a lesson + which I have never forgotten. “The famous precept of the Stoic + philosophers,” he said to me, “‘Sequere Deum’, can be perfectly explained + by these words: ‘Give yourself up to whatever fate offers to you, provided + you do not feel an invincible repugnance to accept it.’” He added that it + was the genius of Socrates, ‘saepe revocans, raro impellens’; and that it + was the origin of the ‘fata viam inveniunt’ of the same philosophers. + </p> + <p> + M. de Malipiero’s science was embodied in that very lesson, for he had + obtained his knowledge by the study of only one book—the book of + man. However, as if it were to give me the proof that perfection does not + exist, and that there is a bad side as well as a good one to everything, a + certain adventure happened to me a month afterwards which, although I was + following his own maxims, cost me the loss of his friendship, and which + certainly did not teach me anything. + </p> + <p> + The senator fancied that he could trace upon the physiognomy of young + people certain signs which marked them out as the special favourites of + fortune. When he imagined that he had discovered those signs upon any + individual, he would take him in hand and instruct him how to assist + fortune by good and wise principles; and he used to say, with a great deal + of truth, that a good remedy would turn into poison in the hands of a + fool, but that poison is a good remedy when administered by a learned man. + He had, in my time, three favourites in whose education he took great + pains. They were, besides myself, Therese Imer, with whom the reader has a + slight acquaintance already, and the third was the daughter of the boatman + Gardela, a girl three years younger than I, who had the prettiest and most + fascinating countenance. The speculative old man, in order to assist + fortune in her particular case, made her learn dancing, for, he would say, + the ball cannot reach the pocket unless someone pushes it. This girl made + a great reputation at Stuttgard under the name of Augusta. She was the + favourite mistress of the Duke of Wurtemburg in 1757. She was a most + charming woman. The last time I saw her she was in Venice, and she died + two years afterwards. Her husband, Michel de l’Agata, poisoned himself a + short time after her death. + </p> + <p> + One day we had all three dined with him, and after dinner the senator left + us, as was his wont, to enjoy his siesta; the little Gardela, having a + dancing lesson to take, went away soon after him, and I found myself alone + with Therese, whom I rather admired, although I had never made love to + her. We were sitting down at a table very near each other, with our backs + to the door of the room in which we thought our patron fast asleep, and + somehow or other we took a fancy to examine into the difference of + conformation between a girl and a boy; but at the most interesting part of + our study a violent blow on my shoulders from a stick, followed by + another, and which would have been itself followed by many more if I had + not ran away, compelled us to abandon our interesting investigation + unfinished. I got off without hat or cloak, and went home; but in less + than a quarter of an hour the old housekeeper of the senator brought my + clothes with a letter which contained a command never to present myself + again at the mansion of his excellency. I immediately wrote him an answer + in the following terms: “You have struck me while you were the slave of + your anger; you cannot therefore boast of having given me a lesson, and I + have not learned anything. To forgive you I must forget that you are a man + of great wisdom, and I can never forget it.” + </p> + <p> + This nobleman was perhaps quite right not to be pleased with the sight we + gave him; yet, with all his prudence, he proved himself very unwise, for + all the servants were acquainted with the cause of my exile, and, of + course, the adventure was soon known through the city, and was received + with great merriment. He dared not address any reproaches to Therese, as I + heard from her soon after, but she could not venture to entreat him to + pardon me. + </p> + <p> + The time to leave my father’s house was drawing near, and one fine morning + I received the visit of a man about forty years old, with a black wig, a + scarlet cloak, and a very swarthy complexion, who handed me a letter from + M. Grimani, ordering me to consign to the bearer all the furniture of the + house according to the inventory, a copy of which was in my possession. + Taking the inventory in my hand, I pointed out every article marked down, + except when the said article, having through my instrumentality taken an + airing out of the house, happened to be missing, and whenever any article + was absent I said that I had not the slightest idea where it might be. But + the uncouth fellow, taking a very high tone, said loudly that he must know + what I had done with the furniture. His manner being very disagreeable to + me, I answered that I had nothing to do with him, and as he still raised + his voice I advised him to take himself off as quickly as possible, and I + gave him that piece of advice in such a way as to prove to him that, at + home, I knew I was the more powerful of the two. + </p> + <p> + Feeling it my duty to give information to M. Grimani of what had just + taken place, I called upon him as soon as he was up, but I found that my + man was already there, and that he had given his own account of the + affair. The abbe, after a very severe lecture to which I had to listen in + silence, ordered me to render an account of all the missing articles. I + answered that I had found myself under the necessity of selling them to + avoid running into debt. This confession threw him in a violent passion; + he called me a rascal, said that those things did not belong to me, that + he knew what he had to do, and he commanded me to leave his house on the + very instant. + </p> + <p> + Mad with rage, I ran for a Jew, to whom I wanted to sell what remained of + the furniture, but when I returned to my house I found a bailiff waiting + at the door, and he handed me a summons. I looked over it and perceived + that it was issued at the instance of Antonio Razetta. It was the name of + the fellow with the swarthy countenance. The seals were already affixed on + all the doors, and I was not even allowed to go to my room, for a keeper + had been left there by the bailiff. I lost no time, and called upon M. + Rosa, to whom I related all the circumstances. After reading the summons + he said, + </p> + <p> + “The seals shall be removed to-morrow morning, and in the meantime I shall + summon Razetta before the avogador. But to-night, my dear friend,” he + added, “you must beg the hospitality of some one of your acquaintances. It + has been a violent proceeding, but you shall be paid handsomely for it; + the man is evidently acting under M. Grimani’s orders.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, that is their business.” + </p> + <p> + I spent the night with Nanette and Marton, and on the following morning, + the seals having been taken off, I took possession of my dwelling. Razetta + did not appear before the ‘avogador’, and M. Rosa summoned him in my name + before the criminal court, and obtained against him a writ of ‘capias’ in + case he should not obey the second summons. On the third day M. Grimani + wrote to me, commanding me to call upon him. I went immediately. As soon + as I was in his presence he enquired abruptly what my intentions were. + </p> + <p> + “I intend to shield myself from your violent proceedings under the + protection of the law, and to defend myself against a man with whom I + ought never to have had any connection, and who has compelled me to pass + the night in a disreputable place.” + </p> + <p> + “In a disreputable place?” + </p> + <p> + “Of course. Why was I, against all right and justice, prevented from + entering my own dwelling?” + </p> + <p> + “You have possession of it now. But you must go to your lawyer and tell + him to suspend all proceedings against Razetta, who has done nothing but + under my instructions. I suspected that your intention was to sell the + rest of the furniture; I have prevented it. There is a room at your + disposal at St. Chrysostom’s, in a house of mine, the first floor of which + is occupied by La Tintoretta, our first opera dancer. Send all your things + there, and come and dine with me every day. Your sister and your brothers + have been provided with a comfortable home; therefore, everything is now + arranged for the best.” + </p> + <p> + I called at once upon M. Rosa, to whom I explained all that had taken + place, and his advice being to give way to M. Grimani’s wishes, I + determined to follow it. Besides, the arrangement offered the best + satisfaction I could obtain, as to be a guest at his dinner table was an + honour for me. I was likewise full of curiosity respecting my new lodging + under the same roof with La Tintoretta, who was much talked of, owing to a + certain Prince of Waldeck who was extravagantly generous with her. + </p> + <p> + The bishop was expected in the course of the summer; I had, therefore, + only six months more to wait in Venice before taking the road which would + lead me, perhaps, to the throne of Saint Peter: everything in the future + assumed in my eyes the brightest hue, and my imagination revelled amongst + the most radiant beams of sunshine; my castles in the air were indeed most + beautiful. + </p> + <p> + I dined the same day with M. Grimani, and I found myself seated next to + Razetta—an unpleasant neighbour, but I took no notice of him. When + the meal was over, I paid a last visit to my beautiful house in + Saint-Samuel’s parish, and sent all I possessed in a gondola to my new + lodging. + </p> + <p> + I did not know Signora Tintoretta, but I was well acquainted with her + reputation, character and manners. She was but a poor dancer, neither + handsome nor plain, but a woman of wit and intellect. Prince Waldeck spent + a great deal for her, and yet he did not prevent her from retaining the + titulary protection of a noble Venetian of the Lin family, now extinct, a + man about sixty years of age, who was her visitor at every hour of the + day. This nobleman, who knew me, came to my room towards the evening, with + the compliments of the lady, who, he added, was delighted to have me in + her house, and would be pleased to receive me in her intimate circle. + </p> + <p> + To excuse myself for not having been the first to pay my respects to the + signora, I told M. Lin that I did not know she was my neighbour, that M. + Grimani had not mentioned the circumstance, otherwise I would have paid my + duties to her before taking possession of my lodging. After this apology I + followed the ambassador, he presented me to his mistress, and the + acquaintance was made. + </p> + <p> + She received me like a princess, took off her glove before giving me her + hand to kiss, mentioned my name before five or six strangers who were + present, and whose names she gave me, and invited me to take a seat near + her. As she was a native of Venice, I thought it was absurd for her to + speak French to me, and I told her that I was not acquainted with that + language, and would feel grateful if she would converse in Italian. She + was surprised at my not speaking French, and said I would cut but a poor + figure in her drawing-room, as they seldom spoke any other language there, + because she received a great many foreigners. I promised to learn French. + Prince Waldeck came in during the evening; I was introduced to him, and he + gave me a very friendly welcome. He could speak Italian very well, and + during the carnival he shewed me great kindness. He presented me with a + gold snuffbox as a reward for a very poor sonnet which I had written for + his dear Grizellini. This was her family name; she was called Tintoretta + because her father had been a dyer. + </p> + <p> + The Tintoretta had greater claims than Juliette to the admiration of + sensible men. She loved poetry, and if it had not been that I was + expecting the bishop, I would have fallen in love with her. She was + herself smitten with a young physician of great merit, named Righelini, + who died in the prime of life, and whom I still regret. I shall have to + mention him in another part of my Memoirs. + </p> + <p> + Towards the end of the carnival, my mother wrote to M. Grimani that it + would be a great shame if the bishop found me under the roof of an opera + dancer, and he made up his mind to lodge me in a respectable and decent + place. He took the Abbe Tosello into consultation, and the two gentlemen + thought that the best thing they could do for me would be to send me to a + clerical seminary. They arranged everything unknown to me, and the abbe + undertook to inform me of their plan and to obtain from me a gracious + consent. But when I heard him speak with beautiful flowers of rhetoric for + the purpose of gilding the bitter pill, I could not help bursting into a + joyous laughter, and I astounded his reverence when I expressed my + readiness to go anywhere he might think right to send me. + </p> + <p> + The plan of the two worthy gentlemen was absurd, for at the age of + seventeen, and with a nature like mine, the idea of placing me in a + seminary ought never to have been entertained, but ever a faithful + disciple of Socrates, feeling no unconquerable reluctance, and the plan, + on the contrary, appearing to me rather a good joke, I not only gave a + ready consent, but I even longed to enter the seminary. I told M. Grimani + I was prepared to accept anything, provided Razetta had nothing to do with + it. He gave me his promise, but he did not keep it when I left the + seminary. I have never been able to decide whether this Grimani was kind + because he was a fool, or whether his stupidity was the result of his + kindness, but all his brothers were the same. The worst trick that Dame + Fortune can play upon an intelligent young man is to place him under the + dependence of a fool. A few days afterwards, having been dressed as a + pupil of a clerical seminary by the care of the abbe, I was taken to + Saint-Cyprian de Muran and introduced to the rector. + </p> + <p> + The patriarchal church of Saint-Cyprian is served by an order of the + monks, founded by the blessed Jerome Miani, a nobleman of Venice. The + rector received me with tender affection and great kindness. But in his + address (which was full of unction) I thought I could perceive a suspicion + on his part that my being sent to the seminary was a punishment, or at + least a way to put a stop to an irregular life, and, feeling hurt in my + dignity, I told him at once, “Reverend father, I do not think that any one + has the right of punishing me.” + </p> + <p> + “No, no, my son,” he answered, “I only meant that you would be very happy + with us.” + </p> + <p> + We were then shewn three halls, in which we found at least one hundred and + fifty seminarists, ten or twelve schoolrooms, the refectory, the + dormitory, the gardens for play hours, and every pain was taken to make me + imagine life in such a place the happiest that could fall to the lot of a + young man, and to make me suppose that I would even regret the arrival of + the bishop. Yet they all tried to cheer me up by saying that I would only + remain there five or six months. Their eloquence amused me greatly. + </p> + <p> + I entered the seminary at the beginning of March, and prepared myself for + my new life by passing the night between my two young friends, Nanette and + Marton, who bathed their pillows with tears; they could not understand, + and this was likewise the feeling of their aunt and of the good M. Rosa, + how a young man like myself could shew such obedience. + </p> + <p> + The day before going to the seminary, I had taken care to entrust all my + papers to Madame Manzoni. They made a large parcel, and I left it in her + hands for fifteen years. The worthy old lady is still alive, and with her + ninety years she enjoys good health and a cheerful temper. She received me + with a smile, and told me that I would not remain one month in the + seminary. + </p> + <p> + “I beg your pardon, madam, but I am very glad to go there, and intend to + remain until the arrival of the bishop.” + </p> + <p> + “You do not know your own nature, and you do not know your bishop, with + whom you will not remain very long either.” + </p> + <p> + The abbe accompanied me to the seminary in a gondola, but at Saint-Michel + he had to stop in consequence of a violent attack of vomiting which seized + me suddenly; the apothecary cured me with some mint-water. + </p> + <p> + I was indebted for this attack to the too frequent sacrifices which I had + been offering on the altar of love. Any lover who knows what his feelings + were when he found himself with the woman he adored and with the fear that + it was for the last time, will easily imagine my feelings during the last + hours that I expected ever to spend with my two charming mistresses. I + could not be induced to let the last offering be the last, and I went on + offering until there was no more incense left. + </p> + <p> + The priest committed me to the care of the rector, and my luggage was + carried to the dormitory, where I went myself to deposit my cloak and my + hat. I was not placed amongst the adults, because, notwithstanding my + size, I was not old enough. Besides, I would not shave myself, through + vanity, because I thought that the down on my face left no doubt of my + youth. It was ridiculous, of course; but when does man cease to be so? We + get rid of our vices more easily than of our follies. Tyranny has not had + sufficient power over me to compel me to shave myself; it is only in that + respect that I have found tyranny to be tolerant. + </p> + <p> + “To which school do you wish to belong?” asked the rector. + </p> + <p> + “To the dogmatic, reverend father; I wish to study the history of the + Church.” + </p> + <p> + “I will introduce you to the father examiner.” + </p> + <p> + “I am doctor in divinity, most reverend father, and do not want to be + examined.” + </p> + <p> + “It is necessary, my dear son; come with me.” + </p> + <p> + This necessity appeared to me an insult, and I felt very angry; but a + spirit of revenge quickly whispered to me the best way to mystify them, + and the idea made me very joyful. I answered so badly all the questions + propounded in Latin by the examiner, I made so many solecisms, that he + felt it his duty to send me to an inferior class of grammar, in which, to + my great delight, I found myself the companion of some twenty young + urchins of about ten years, who, hearing that I was doctor in divinity, + kept on saying: ‘Accipiamus pecuniam, et mittamus asinum in patriam suam’. + </p> + <p> + Our play hours afforded me great amusement; my companions of the + dormitory, who were all in the class of philosophy at least, looked down + upon me with great contempt, and when they spoke of their own sublime + discourses, they laughed if I appeared to be listening attentively to + their discussions which, as they thought, must have been perfect enigmas + to me. I did not intend to betray myself, but an accident, which I could + not avoid, forced me to throw off the mask. + </p> + <p> + Father Barbarigo, belonging to the Convent of the Salutation at Venice, + whose pupil I had been in physics, came to pay a visit to the rector, and + seeing me as we were coming from mass paid me his friendly compliments. + His first question was to enquire what science I was studying, and he + thought I was joking when I answered that I was learning the grammar. The + rector having joined us, I left them together, and went to my class. An + hour later, the rector sent for me. + </p> + <p> + “Why did you feign such ignorance at the examination?” he asked. + </p> + <p> + “Why,” I answered, “were you unjust enough to compel me to the degradation + of an examination?” + </p> + <p> + He looked annoyed, and escorted me to the dogmatic school, where my + comrades of the dormitory received me with great astonishment, and in the + afternoon, at play time, they gathered around me and made me very happy + with their professions of friendship. + </p> + <p> + One of them, about fifteen years old, and who at the present time must, if + still alive, be a bishop, attracted my notice by his features as much as + by his talents. He inspired me with a very warm friendship, and during + recess, instead of playing skittles with the others, we always walked + together. We conversed upon poetry, and we both delighted in the beautiful + odes of Horace. We liked Ariosto better than Tasso, and Petrarch had our + whole admiration, while Tassoni and Muratori, who had been his critics, + were the special objects of our contempt. We were such fast friends, after + four days of acquaintance, that we were actually jealous of each other, + and to such an extent that if either of us walked about with any + seminarist, the other would be angry and sulk like a disappointed lover. + </p> + <p> + The dormitory was placed under the supervision of a lay friar, and it was + his province to keep us in good order. After supper, accompanied by this + lay friar, who had the title of prefect, we all proceeded to the + dormitory. There, everyone had to go to his own bed, and to undress + quietly after having said his prayers in a low voice. When all the pupils + were in bed, the prefect would go to his own. A large lantern lighted up + the dormitory, which had the shape of a parallelogram eighty yards by ten. + The beds were placed at equal distances, and to each bed there were a + fold-stool, a chair, and room for the trunk of the Seminarist. At one end + was the washing place, and at the other the bed of the prefect. The bed of + my friend was opposite mine, and the lantern was between us. + </p> + <p> + The principal duty of the prefect was to take care that no pupil should go + and sleep with one of his comrades, for such a visit was never supposed an + innocent one. It was a cardinal sin, and, bed being accounted the place + for sleep and not for conversation, it was admitted that a pupil who slept + out of his own bed, did so only for immoral purposes. So long as he + stopped in his own bed, he could do what he liked; so much the worse for + him if he gave himself up to bad practices. It has been remarked in + Germany that it is precisely in those institutions for young men in which + the directors have taken most pains to prevent onanism that this vice is + most prevalent. + </p> + <p> + Those who had framed the regulations in our seminary were stupid fools, + who had not the slightest knowledge of either morals or human nature. + Nature has wants which must be administered to, and Tissot is right only + as far as the abuse of nature is concerned, but this abuse would very + seldom occur if the directors exercised proper wisdom and prudence, and if + they did not make a point of forbidding it in a special and peculiar + manner; young people give way to dangerous excesses from a sheer delight + in disobedience,—a disposition very natural to humankind, since it + began with Adam and Eve. + </p> + <p> + I had been in the seminary for nine or ten days, when one night I felt + someone stealing very quietly in my bed; my hand was at once clutched, and + my name whispered. I could hardly restrain my laughter. It was my friend, + who, having chanced to wake up and finding that the lantern was out, had + taken a sudden fancy to pay me a visit. I very soon begged him to go away + for fear the prefect should be awake, for in such a case we should have + found ourselves in a very unpleasant dilemma, and most likely would have + been accused of some abominable offence. As I was giving him that good + advice we heard someone moving, and my friend made his escape; but + immediately after he had left me I heard the fall of some person, and at + the same time the hoarse voice of the prefect exclaiming: + </p> + <p> + “Ah, villain! wait until to-morrow—until to-morrow!” + </p> + <p> + After which threat he lighted the lantern and retired to his couch. + </p> + <p> + The next morning, before the ringing of the bell for rising, the rector, + followed by the prefect, entered the dormitory, and said to us: + </p> + <p> + “Listen to me, all of you. You are aware of what has taken place this last + night. Two amongst you must be guilty; but I wish to forgive them, and to + save their honour I promise that their names shall not be made public. I + expect every one of you to come to me for confession before recess.” + </p> + <p> + He left the dormitory, and we dressed ourselves. In the afternoon, in + obedience to his orders, we all went to him and confessed, after which + ceremony we repaired to the garden, where my friend told me that, having + unfortunately met the prefect after he left me, he had thought that the + best way was to knock him down, in order to get time to reach his own bed + without being known. + </p> + <p> + “And now,” I said, “you are certain of being forgiven, for, of course, you + have wisely confessed your error?” + </p> + <p> + “You are joking,” answered my friend; “why, the good rector would not have + known any more than he knows at present, even if my visit to you had been + paid with a criminal intent.” + </p> + <p> + “Then you must have made a false confession: you are at all events guilty + of disobedience?” + </p> + <p> + “That may be, but the rector is responsible for the guilt, as he used + compulsion.” + </p> + <p> + “My dear friend, you argue in a very forcible way, and the very reverend + rector must by this time be satisfied that the inmates of our dormitory + are more learned than he is himself.” + </p> + <p> + No more would have been said about the adventure if, a few nights after, I + had not in my turn taken a fancy to return the visit paid by my friend. + Towards midnight, having had occasion to get out of bed, and hearing the + loud snoring of the prefect, I quickly put out the lantern and went to lie + beside my friend. He knew me at once, and gladly received me; but we both + listened attentively to the snoring of our keeper, and when it ceased, + understanding our danger, I got up and reached my own bed without losing a + second, but the moment I got to it I had a double surprise. In the first + place I felt somebody lying in my bed, and in the second I saw the + prefect, with a candle in his hand, coming along slowly and taking a + survey of all the beds right and left. I could understand the prefect + suddenly lighting a candle, but how could I realize what I saw—namely, + one of my comrades sleeping soundly in my bed, with his back turned to me? + I immediately made up my mind to feign sleep. After two or three shakings + given by the prefect, I pretended to wake up, and my bed-companion woke up + in earnest. Astonished at finding himself in my bed, he offered me an + apology: + </p> + <p> + “I have made a mistake,” he said, “as I returned from a certain place in + the dark, I found your bed empty, and mistook it for mine.” + </p> + <p> + “Very likely,” I answered; “I had to get up, too.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” remarked the prefect; “but how does it happen that you went to bed + without making any remark when, on your return, you found your bed already + tenanted? And how is it that, being in the dark, you did not suppose that + you were mistaken yourself?” + </p> + <p> + “I could not be mistaken, for I felt the pedestal of this crucifix of + mine, and I knew I was right; as to my companion here, I did not feel + him.” + </p> + <p> + “It is all very unlikely,” answered our Argus; and he went to the lantern, + the wick of which he found crushed down. + </p> + <p> + “The wick has been forced into the oil, gentlemen; it has not gone out of + itself; it has been the handiwork of one of you, but it will be seen to in + the morning.” + </p> + <p> + My stupid companion went to his own bed, the prefect lighted the lamp and + retired to his rest, and after this scene, which had broken the repose of + every pupil, I quietly slept until the appearance of the rector, who, at + the dawn of day, came in great fury, escorted by his satellite, the + prefect. + </p> + <p> + The rector, after examining the localities and submitting to a lengthy + interrogatory first my accomplice, who very naturally was considered as + the most guilty, and then myself, whom nothing could convict of the + offence, ordered us to get up and go to church to attend mass. As soon as + we were dressed, he came back, and addressing us both, he said, kindly: + </p> + <p> + “You stand both convicted of a scandalous connivance, and it is proved by + the fact of the lantern having been wilfully extinguished. I am disposed + to believe that the cause of all this disorder is, if not entirely + innocent, at least due only to extreme thoughtlessness; but the scandal + given to all your comrades, the outrage offered to the discipline and to + the established rules of the seminary, call loudly for punishment. Leave + the room.” + </p> + <p> + We obeyed; but hardly were we between the double doors of the dormitory + than we were seized by four servants, who tied our hands behind us, and + led us to the class room, where they compelled us to kneel down before the + great crucifix. The rector told them to execute his orders, and, as we + were in that position, the wretches administered to each of us seven or + eight blows with a stick, or with a rope, which I received, as well as my + companion, without a murmur. But the moment my hands were free, I asked + the rector whether I could write two lines at the very foot of the cross. + He gave orders to bring ink and paper, and I traced the following words: + </p> + <p> + “I solemnly swear by this God that I have never spoken to the seminarist + who was found in my bed. As an innocent person I must protest against this + shameful violence. I shall appeal to the justice of his lordship the + patriarch.” + </p> + <p> + My comrade in misery signed this protest with me; after which, addressing + myself to all the pupils, I read it aloud, calling upon them to speak the + truth if any one could say the contrary of what I had written. They, with + one voice, immediately declared that we had never been seen conversing + together, and that no one knew who had put the lamp out. The rector left + the room in the midst of hisses and curses, but he sent us to prison all + the same at the top of the house and in separate cells. An hour + afterwards, I had my bed, my trunk and all my things, and my meals were + brought to me every day. On the fourth day, the Abbe Tosello came for me + with instructions to bring me to Venice. I asked him whether he had sifted + this unpleasant affair; he told me that he had enquired into it, that he + had seen the other seminarist, and that he believed we were both innocent; + but the rector would not confess himself in the wrong, and he did not see + what could be done. + </p> + <p> + I threw off my seminarist’s habit, and dressed myself in the clothes I + used to wear in Venice, and, while my luggage was carried to a boat, I + accompanied the abbe to M. Grimani’s gondola in which he had come, and we + took our departure. On our way, the abbe ordered the boatman to leave my + things at the Palace Grimani, adding that he was instructed by M. Grimani + to tell me that, if I had the audacity to present myself at his mansion, + his servants had received orders to turn me away. + </p> + <p> + He landed me near the convent of the Jesuits, without any money, and with + nothing but what I had on my back. + </p> + <p> + I went to beg a dinner from Madame Manzoni, who laughed heartily at the + realization of her prediction. After dinner I called upon M. Rosa to see + whether the law could protect me against the tyranny of my enemies, and + after he had been made acquainted with the circumstances of the case, he + promised to bring me the same evening, at Madame Orio’s house, an + extra-judicial act. I repaired to the place of appointment to wait for + him, and to enjoy the pleasure of my two charming friends at my sudden + reappearance. It was indeed very great, and the recital of my adventures + did not astonish them less than my unexpected presence. M. Rosa came and + made me read the act which he had prepared; he had not had time to have it + engrossed by the notary, but he undertook to have it ready the next day. + </p> + <p> + I left Madame Orio to take supper with my brother Francois, who resided + with a painter called Guardi; he was, like me, much oppressed by the + tyranny of Grimani, and I promised to deliver him. Towards midnight I + returned to the two amiable sisters who were expecting me with their usual + loving impatience, but, I am bound to confess it with all humility, my + sorrows were prejudicial to love in spite of the fortnight of absence and + of abstinence. They were themselves deeply affected to see me so unhappy, + and pitied me with all their hearts. I endeavoured to console them, and + assured them that all my misery would soon come to an end, and that we + would make up for lost time. + </p> + <p> + In the morning, having no money, and not knowing where to go, I went to + St. Mark’s Library, where I remained until noon. I left it with the + intention of dining with Madame Manzoni, but I was suddenly accosted by a + soldier who informed me that someone wanted to speak to me in a gondola to + which he pointed. I answered that the person might as well come out, but + he quietly remarked that he had a friend at hand to conduct me forcibly to + the gondola, if necessary, and without any more hesitation I went towards + it. I had a great dislike to noise or to anything like a public + exhibition. I might have resisted, for the soldiers were unarmed, and I + would not have been taken up, this sort of arrest not being legal in + Venice, but I did not think of it. The ‘sequere deum’ was playing its + part; I felt no reluctance. Besides, there are moments in which a + courageous man has no courage, or disdains to shew it. + </p> + <p> + I enter the gondola, the curtain is drawn aside, and I see my evil genius, + Razetta, with an officer. The two soldiers sit down at the prow; I + recognize M. Grimani’s own gondola, it leaves the landing and takes the + direction of the Lido. No one spoke to me, and I remained silent. After + half-an-hour’s sailing, the gondola stopped before the small entrance of + the Fortress St. Andre, at the mouth of the Adriatic, on the very spot + where the Bucentaur stands, when, on Ascension Day, the doge comes to + espouse the sea. + </p> + <p> + The sentinel calls the corporal; we alight, the officer who accompanied me + introduces me to the major, and presents a letter to him. The major, after + reading its contents, gives orders to M. Zen, his adjutant, to consign me + to the guard-house. In another quarter of an hour my conductors take their + departure, and M. Zen brings me three livres and a half, stating that I + would receive the same amount every week. It was exactly the pay of a + private. + </p> + <p> + I did not give way to any burst of passion, but I felt the most intense + indignation. Late in the evening I expressed a wish to have some food + bought, for I could not starve; then, stretching myself upon a hard camp + bed, I passed the night amongst the soldiers without closing my eyes, for + these Sclavonians were singing, eating garlic, smoking a bad tobacco which + was most noxious, and drinking a wine of their own country, as black as + ink, which nobody else could swallow. + </p> + <p> + Early next morning Major Pelodoro (the governor of the fortress) called me + up to his room, and told me that, in compelling me to spend the night in + the guard-house, he had only obeyed the orders he had received from Venice + from the secretary of war. “Now, reverend sir,” he added, “my further + orders are only to keep you a prisoner in the fort, and I am responsible + for your remaining here. I give you the whole of the fortress for your + prison. You shall have a good room in which you will find your bed and all + your luggage. Walk anywhere you please; but recollect that, if you should + escape, you would cause my ruin. I am sorry that my instructions are to + give you only ten sous a day, but if you have any friends in Venice able + to send you some money, write to them, and trust to me for the security of + your letters. Now you may go to bed, if you need rest.” + </p> + <p> + I was taken to my room; it was large and on the first story, with two + windows from which I had a very fine view. I found my bed, and I + ascertained with great satisfaction that my trunk, of which I had the + keys, had not been forced open. The major had kindly supplied my table + with all the implements necessary for writing. A Sclavonian soldier + informed me very politely that he would attend upon me, and that I would + pay him for his services whenever I could, for everyone knew that I had + only ten sous a day. I began by ordering some soup, and, when I had + dispatched it, I went to bed and slept for nine hours. When I woke, I + received an invitation to supper from the major, and I began to imagine + that things, after all, would not be so very bad. + </p> + <p> + I went to the honest governor, whom I found in numerous company. He + presented me to his wife and to every person present. I met there several + officers, the chaplain of the fortress, a certain Paoli Vida, one of the + singers of St. Mark’s Church, and his wife, a pretty woman, sister-in-law + of the major, whom the husband chose to confine in the fort because he was + very jealous (jealous men are not comfortable at Venice), together with + several other ladies, not very young, but whom I thought very agreeable, + owing to their kind welcome. + </p> + <p> + Cheerful as I was by nature, those pleasant guests easily managed to put + me in the best of humours. Everyone expressed a wish to know the reasons + which could have induced M. Grimani to send me to the fortress, so I gave + a faithful account of all my adventures since my grandmother’s death. I + spoke for three hours without any bitterness, and even in a pleasant tone, + upon things which, said in a different manner, might have displeased my + audience; all expressed their satisfaction, and shewed so much sympathy + that, as we parted for the night, I received from all an assurance of + friendship and the offer of their services. This is a piece of good + fortune which has never failed me whenever I have been the victim of + oppression, until I reached the age of fifty. Whenever I met with honest + persons expressing a curiosity to know the history of the misfortune under + which I was labouring, and whenever I satisfied their curiosity, I have + inspired them with friendship, and with that sympathy which was necessary + to render them favourable and useful to me. + </p> + <p> + That success was owing to a very simple artifice; it was only to tell my + story in a quiet and truthful manner, without even avoiding the facts + which told against me. It is simple secret that many men do not know, + because the larger portion of humankind is composed of cowards; a man who + always tells the truth must be possessed of great moral courage. + Experience has taught me that truth is a talisman, the charm of which + never fails in its effect, provided it is not wasted upon unworthy people, + and I believe that a guilty man, who candidly speaks the truth to his + judge, has a better chance of being acquitted, than the innocent man who + hesitates and evades true statements. Of course the speaker must be young, + or at least in the prime of manhood; for an old man finds the whole of + nature combined against him. + </p> + <p> + The major had his joke respecting the visit paid and returned to the + seminarist’s bed, but the chaplain and the ladies scolded him. The major + advised me to write out my story and send it to the secretary of war, + undertaking that he should receive it, and he assured me that he would + become my protector. All the ladies tried to induce me to follow the + major’s advice. + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0007" id="link2HCH0007"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VII + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + My Short Stay in Fort St. Andre—My First Repentance in Love + Affairs—I Enjoy the Sweets of Revenge, and Prove a Clever + Alibi—Arrest of Count Bonafede—My Release—Arrival of the + Bishop—Farewell to Venice +</pre> + <p> + The fort, in which the Republic usually kept only a garrison of one + hundred half-pay Sclavonians, happened to contain at that time two + thousand Albanian soldiers, who were called Cimariotes. + </p> + <p> + The secretary of war, who was generally known under the title of ‘sage a + l’ecriture’, had summoned these men from the East in consequence of some + impending promotion, as he wanted the officers to be on the spot in order + to prove their merits before being rewarded. They all came from the part + of Epirus called Albania, which belongs to the Republic of Venice, and + they had distinguished themselves in the last war against the Turks. It + was for me a new and extraordinary sight to examine some eighteen or + twenty officers, all of an advanced age, yet strong and healthy, shewing + the scars which covered their face and their chest, the last naked and + entirely exposed through military pride. The lieutenant-colonel was + particularly conspicuous by his wounds, for, without exaggeration, he had + lost one-fourth of his head. He had but one eye, but one ear, and no jaw + to speak of. Yet he could eat very well, speak without difficulty, and was + very cheerful. He had with him all his family, composed of two pretty + daughters, who looked all the prettier in their national costume, and of + seven sons, every one of them a soldier. This lieutenant-colonel stood six + feet high, and his figure was magnificent, but his scars so completely + deformed his features that his face was truly horrid to look at. Yet I + found so much attraction in him that I liked him the moment I saw him, and + I would have been much pleased to converse with him if his breath had not + sent forth such a strong smell of garlic. All the Albanians had their + pockets full of it, and they enjoyed a piece of garlic with as much relish + as we do a sugar-plum. After this none can maintain it to be a poison, + though the only medicinal virtue it possesses is to excite the appetite, + because it acts like a tonic upon a weak stomach. + </p> + <p> + The lieutenant-colonel could not read, but he was not ashamed of his + ignorance, because not one amongst his men, except the priest and the + surgeon, could boast greater learning. Every man, officer or private, had + his purse full of gold; half of them, at least, were married, and we had + in the fortress a colony of five or six hundred women, with God knows how + many children! I felt greatly interested in them all. Happy idleness! I + often regret thee because thou hast often offered me new sights, and for + the same reason I hate old age which never offers but what I know already, + unless I should take up a gazette, but I cared nothing for them in my + young days. + </p> + <p> + Alone in my room I made an inventory of my trunk, and having put aside + everything of an ecclesiastical character, I sent for a Jew, and sold the + whole parcel unmercifully. Then I wrote to M. Rosa, enclosing all the + tickets of the articles I had pledged, requesting him to have them sold + without any exception, and to forward me the surplus raised by the sale. + Thanks to that double operation, I was enabled to give my Sclavonian + servant the ten sous allowed to me every day. Another soldier, who had + been a hair-dresser, took care of my hair which I had been compelled to + neglect, in consequence of the rules of the seminary. I spent my time in + walking about the fort and through the barracks, and my two places of + resort were the major’s apartment for some intellectual enjoyment, and the + rooms of the Albanian lieutenant-colonel for a sprinkling of love. The + Albanian feeling certain that his colonel would be appointed brigadier, + solicited the command of the regiment, but he had a rival and he feared + his success. I wrote him a petition, short, but so well composed that the + secretary of war, having enquired the name of the author, gave the + Albanian his colonelcy. On his return to the fort, the brave fellow, + overjoyed at his success, hugged me in his arms, saying that he owed it + all to me; he invited me to a family dinner, in which my very soul was + parched by his garlic, and he presented me with twelve botargoes and two + pounds of excellent Turkish tobacco. + </p> + <p> + The result of my petition made all the other officers think that they + could not succeed without the assistance of my pen, and I willingly gave + it to everybody; this entailed many quarrels upon me, for I served all + interests, but, finding myself the lucky possessor of some forty sequins, + I was no longer in dread of poverty, and laughed at everything. However, I + met with an accident which made me pass six weeks in a very unpleasant + condition. + </p> + <p> + On the 2nd of April, the fatal anniversary of my first appearance in this + world, as I was getting up in the morning, I received in my room the visit + of a very handsome Greek woman, who told me that her husband, then ensign + in the regiment, had every right to claim the rank of lieutenant, and that + he would certainly be appointed, if it were not for the opposition of his + captain who was against him, because she had refused him certain favours + which she could bestow only upon her husband. She handed me some + certificates, and begged me to write a petition which she would present + herself to the secretary of war, adding that she could only offer me her + heart in payment. I answered that her heart ought not to go alone; I acted + as I had spoken, and I met with no other resistance than the objection + which a pretty woman is always sure to feign for the sake of appearance. + After that, I told her to come back at noon, and that the petition would + be ready. She was exact to the appointment, and very kindly rewarded me a + second time; and in the evening, under pretence of some alterations to be + made in the petition, she afforded an excellent opportunity of reaping a + third recompense. + </p> + <p> + But, alas! the path of pleasure is not strewn only with roses! On the + third day, I found out, much to my dismay, that a serpent had been hid + under the flowers. Six weeks of care and of rigid diet re-established my + health. + </p> + <p> + When I met the handsome Greek again, I was foolish enough to reproach her + for the present she had bestowed upon me, but she baffled me by laughing, + and saying that she had only offered me what she possessed, and that it + was my own fault if I had not been sufficiently careful. The reader cannot + imagine how much this first misfortune grieved me, and what deep shame I + felt. I looked upon myself as a dishonoured man, and while I am on that + subject I may as well relate an incident which will give some idea of my + thoughtlessness. + </p> + <p> + Madame Vida, the major’s sister-in-law, being alone with me one morning, + confided in me in a moment of unreserved confidence what she had to suffer + from the jealous disposition of her husband, and his cruelty in having + allowed her to sleep alone for the last four years, when she was in the + very flower of her age. + </p> + <p> + “I trust to God,” she added, “that my husband will not find out that you + have spent an hour alone with me, for I should never hear the end of it.” + </p> + <p> + Feeling deeply for her grief, and confidence begetting confidence, I was + stupid enough to tell her the sad state to which I had been reduced by the + cruel Greek woman, assuring her that I felt my misery all the more deeply, + because I should have been delighted to console her, and to give her the + opportunity of a revenge for her jealous husband’s coldness. At this + speech, in which my simplicity and good faith could easily be traced, she + rose from her chair, and upbraided me with every insult which an outraged + honest woman might hurl at the head of a bold libertine who has presumed + too far. Astounded, but understanding perfectly well the nature of my + crime, I bowed myself out of her room; but as I was leaving it she told me + in the same angry tone that my visits would not be welcome for the future, + as I was a conceited puppy, unworthy of the society of good and + respectable women. I took care to answer that a respectable woman would + have been rather more reserved than she had been in her confidences. On + reflection I felt pretty sure that, if I had been in good health, or had + said nothing about my mishap, she would have been but too happy to receive + my consolations. + </p> + <p> + A few days after that incident I had a much greater cause to regret my + acquaintance with the Greek woman. On Ascension Day, as the ceremony of + the Bucentaur was celebrated near the fort, M. Rosa brought Madame Orio + and her two nieces to witness it, and I had the pleasure of treating them + all to a good dinner in my room. I found myself, during the day, alone + with my young friends in one of the casements, and they both loaded me + with the most loving caresses and kisses. I felt that they expected some + substantial proof of my love; but, to conceal the real state, of things, I + pretended to be afraid of being surprised, and they had to be satisfied + with my shallow excuse. + </p> + <p> + I had informed my mother by letter of all I had suffered from Grimani’s + treatment; she answered that she had written to him on the subject, that + she had no doubt he would immediately set me at liberty, and that an + arrangement had been entered into by which M. Grimani would devote the + money raised by Razetta from the sale of the furniture to the settlement + of a small patrimony on my youngest brother. But in this matter Grimani + did not act honestly, for the patrimony was only settled thirteen years + afterwards, and even then only in a fictitious manner. I shall have an + opportunity later on of mentioning this unfortunate brother, who died very + poor in Rome twenty years ago. + </p> + <p> + Towards the middle of June the Cimariotes were sent back to the East, and + after their departure the garrison of the fort was reduced to its usual + number. I began to feel weary in this comparative solitude, and I gave way + to terrible fits of passion. + </p> + <p> + The heat was intense, and so disagreeable to me that I wrote to M. + Grimani, asking for two summer suits of clothes, and telling him where + they would be found, if Razetta had not sold them. A week afterwards I was + in the major’s apartment when I saw the wretch Razetta come in, + accompanied by a man whom he introduced as Petrillo, the celebrated + favourite of the Empress of Russia, just arrived from St. Petersburg. He + ought to have said infamous instead of celebrated, and clown instead of + favourite. + </p> + <p> + The major invited them to take a seat, and Razetta, receiving a parcel + from Grimani’s gondolier, handed it to me, saying, + </p> + <p> + “I have brought you your rags; take them.” + </p> + <p> + I answered: + </p> + <p> + “Some day I will bring you a ‘rigano’.” + </p> + <p> + At these words the scoundrel dared to raise his cane, but the indignant + major compelled him to lower his tone by asking him whether he had any + wish to pass the night in the guard-house. Petrillo, who had not yet + opened his lips, told me then that he was sorry not to have found me in + Venice, as I might have shewn him round certain places which must be well + known to me. + </p> + <p> + “Very likely we should have met your wife in such places,” I answered. + </p> + <p> + “I am a good judge of faces,” he said, “and I can see that you are a true + gallows-bird.” + </p> + <p> + I was trembling with rage, and the major, who shared my utter disgust, + told them that he had business to transact, and they took their leave. The + major assured me that on the following day he would go to the war office + to complain of Razetta, and that he would have him punished for his + insolence. + </p> + <p> + I remained alone, a prey to feelings of the deepest indignation, and to a + most ardent thirst for revenge. + </p> + <p> + The fortress was entirely surrounded by water, and my windows were not + overlooked by any of the sentinels. A boat coming under my windows could + therefore easily take me to Venice during the night and bring me back to + the fortress before day-break. All that was necessary was to find a + boatman who, for a certain amount, would risk the galleys in case of + discovery. Amongst several who brought provisions to the fort, I chose a + boatman whose countenance pleased me, and I offered him one sequin; he + promised to let me know his decision on the following day. He was true to + his time, and declared himself ready to take me. He informed me that, + before deciding to serve me, he had wished to know whether I was kept in + the fort for any great crime, but as the wife of the major had told him + that my imprisonment had been caused by very trifling frolics, I could + rely upon him. We arranged that he should be under my window at the + beginning of the night, and that his boat should be provided with a mast + long enough to enable me to slide along it from the window to the boat. + </p> + <p> + The appointed hour came, and everything being ready I got safely into the + boat, landed at the Sclavonian quay, ordered the boatman to wait for me, + and wrapped up in a mariner’s cloak I took my way straight to the gate of + Saint-Sauveur, and engaged the waiter of a coffee-room to take me to + Razetta’s house. + </p> + <p> + Being quite certain that he would not be at home at that time, I rang the + bell, and I heard my sister’s voice telling me that if I wanted to see him + I must call in the morning. Satisfied with this, I went to the foot of the + bridge and sat down, waiting there to see which way he would come, and a + few minutes before midnight I saw him advancing from the square of + Saint-Paul. It was all I wanted to know; I went back to my boat and + returned to the fort without any difficulty. At five o’clock in the + morning everyone in the garrison could see me enjoying my walk on the + platform. + </p> + <p> + Taking all the time necessary to mature my plans, I made the following + arrangements to secure my revenge with perfect safety, and to prove an + alibi in case I should kill my rascally enemy, as it was my intention to + do. The day preceding the night fixed for my expedition, I walked about + with the son of the Adjutant Zen, who was only twelve years old, but who + amused me much by his shrewdness. The reader will meet him again in the + year 1771. As I was walking with him, I jumped down from one of the + bastions, and feigned to sprain my ankle. Two soldiers carried me to my + room, and the surgeon of the fort, thinking that I was suffering from a + luxation, ordered me to keep to bed, and wrapped up the ankle in towels + saturated with camphorated spirits of wine. Everybody came to see me, and + I requested the soldier who served me to remain and to sleep in my room. I + knew that a glass of brandy was enough to stupefy the man, and to make him + sleep soundly. As soon as I saw him fast asleep, I begged the surgeon and + the chaplain, who had his room over mine, to leave me, and at half-past + ten I lowered myself in the boat. + </p> + <p> + As soon as I reached Venice, I bought a stout cudgel, and I sat myself + down on a door-step, at the corner of the street near Saint-Paul’s Square. + A narrow canal at the end of the street, was, I thought, the very place to + throw my enemy in. That canal has now disappeared. + </p> + <p> + At a quarter before twelve I see Razetta, walking along leisurely. I come + out of the street with rapid strides, keeping near the wall to compel him + to make room for me, and I strike a first blow on the head, and a second + on his arm; the third blow sends him tumbling in the canal, howling and + screaming my name. At the same instant a Forlan, or citizen of Forli, + comes out of a house on my left side with a lantern in his hand. A blow + from my cudgel knocks the lantern out of his grasp, and the man, + frightened out of his wits, takes to his heels. I throw away my stick, I + run at full speed through the square and over the bridge, and while people + are hastening towards the spot where the disturbance had taken place, I + jump into the boat, and, thanks to a strong breeze swelling our sail, I + get back to the fortress. Twelve o’clock was striking as I re-entered my + room through the window. I quickly undress myself, and the moment I am in + my bed I wake up the soldier by my loud screams, telling him to go for the + surgeon, as I am dying of the colic. + </p> + <p> + The chaplain, roused by my screaming, comes down and finds me in + convulsions. In the hope that some diascordium would relieve me, the good + old man runs to his room and brings it, but while he has gone for some + water I hide the medicine. After half an hour of wry faces, I say that I + feel much better, and thanking all my friends, I beg them to retire, which + everyone does, wishing me a quiet sleep. + </p> + <p> + The next morning I could not get up in consequence of my sprained ankle, + although I had slept very well; the major was kind enough to call upon me + before going to Venice, and he said that very likely my colic had been + caused by the melon I had eaten for my dinner the day before. + </p> + <p> + The major returned at one o’clock in the afternoon. “I have good news to + give you,” he said to me, with a joyful laugh. “Razetta was soundly + cudgelled last night and thrown into a canal.” + </p> + <p> + “Has he been killed?” + </p> + <p> + “No; but I am glad of it for your sake, for his death would make your + position much more serious. You are accused of having done it.” + </p> + <p> + “I am very glad people think me guilty; it is something of a revenge, but + it will be rather difficult to bring it home to me.” + </p> + <p> + “Very difficult! All the same, Razetta swears he recognized you, and the + same declaration is made by the Forlan who says that you struck his hand + to make him drop his lantern. Razetta’s nose is broken, three of his teeth + are gone, and his right arm is severely hurt. You have been accused before + the avogador, and M. Grimani has written to the war office to complain of + your release from the fortress without his knowledge. I arrived at the + office just in time. The secretary was reading Grimani’s letter, and I + assured his excellency that it was a false report, for I left you in bed + this morning, suffering from a sprained ankle. I told him likewise that at + twelve o’clock last night you were very near death from a severe attack of + colic.” + </p> + <p> + “Was it at midnight that Razetta was so well treated?” + </p> + <p> + “So says the official report. The war secretary wrote at once to M. + Grimani and informed him that you have not left the fort, and that you are + even now detained in it, and that the plaintiff is at liberty, if he + chooses, to send commissaries to ascertain the fact. Therefore, my dear + abbe, you must prepare yourself for an interrogatory.” + </p> + <p> + “I expect it, and I will answer that I am very sorry to be innocent.” + </p> + <p> + Three days afterwards, a commissary came to the fort with a clerk of the + court, and the proceedings were soon over. Everybody knew that I had + sprained my ankle; the chaplain, the surgeon, my body-servant, and several + others swore that at midnight I was in bed suffering from colic. My alibi + being thoroughly proved, the avogador sentenced Razetta and the Forlan to + pay all expenses without prejudice to my rights of action. + </p> + <p> + After this judgment, the major advised me to address to the secretary of + war a petition which he undertook to deliver himself, and to claim my + release from the fort. I gave notice of my proceedings to M. Grimani, and + a week afterwards the major told me that I was free, and that he would + himself take me to the abbe. It was at dinnertime, and in the middle of + some amusing conversation, that he imparted that piece of information. Not + supposing him to be in earnest, and in order to keep up the joke, I told + him very politely that I preferred his house to Venice, and that, to prove + it, I would be happy to remain a week longer, if he would grant me + permission to do so. I was taken at my word, and everybody seemed very + pleased. But when, two hours later, the news was confirmed, and I could no + longer doubt the truth of my release, I repented the week which I had so + foolishly thrown away as a present to the major; yet I had not the courage + to break my word, for everybody, and particularly his wife, had shown such + unaffected pleasure, it would have been contemptible of me to change my + mind. The good woman knew that I owed her every kindness which I had + enjoyed, and she might have thought me ungrateful. + </p> + <p> + But I met in the fort with a last adventure, which I must not forget to + relate. + </p> + <p> + On the following day, an officer dressed in the national uniform called + upon the major, accompanied by an elderly man of about sixty years of age, + wearing a sword, and, presenting to the major a dispatch with the seal of + the war office, he waited for an answer, and went away as soon as he had + received one from the governor. + </p> + <p> + After the officer had taken leave, the major, addressing himself to the + elderly gentleman, to whom he gave the title of count, told him that his + orders were to keep him a prisoner, and that he gave him the whole of the + fort for his prison. The count offered him his sword, but the major nobly + refused to take it, and escorted him to the room he was to occupy. Soon + after, a servant in livery brought a bed and a trunk, and the next morning + the same servant, knocking at my door, told me that his master begged the + honour of my company to breakfast. I accepted the invitation, and he + received me with these words: + </p> + <p> + “Dear sir, there has been so much talk in Venice about the skill with + which you proved your incredible alibi, that I could not help asking for + the honour of your acquaintance.” + </p> + <p> + “But, count, the alibi being a true one, there can be no skill required to + prove it. Allow me to say that those who doubt its truth are paying me a + very poor compliment, for—” + </p> + <p> + “Never mind; do not let us talk any more of that, and forgive me. But as + we happen to be companions in misfortune, I trust you will not refuse me + your friendship. Now for breakfast.” + </p> + <p> + After our meal, the count, who had heard from me some portion of my + history, thought that my confidence called for a return on his part, and + he began: “I am the Count de Bonafede. In my early days I served under + Prince Eugene, but I gave up the army, and entered on a civil career in + Austria. I had to fly from Austria and take refuge in Bavaria in + consequence of an unfortunate duel. In Munich I made the acquaintance of a + young lady belonging to a noble family; I eloped with her and brought her + to Venice, where we were married. I have now been twenty years in Venice. + I have six children, and everybody knows me. About a week ago I sent my + servant to the postoffice for my letters, but they were refused him + because he had not any money to pay the postage. I went myself, but the + clerk would not deliver me my letters, although I assured him that I would + pay for them the next time. This made me angry, and I called upon the + Baron de Taxis, the postmaster, and complained of the clerk, but he + answered very rudely that the clerk had simply obeyed his orders, and that + my letters would only be delivered on payment of the postage. I felt very + indignant, but as I was in his house I controlled my anger, went home, and + wrote a note to him asking him to give me satisfaction for his rudeness, + telling him that I would never go out without my sword, and that I would + force him to fight whenever and wherever I should meet him. I never came + across him, but yesterday I was accosted by the secretary of the + inquisitors, who told me that I must forget the baron’s rude conduct, and + go under the guidance of an officer whom he pointed out to me, to imprison + myself for a week in this fortress. I shall thus have the pleasure of + spending that time with you.” + </p> + <p> + I told him that I had been free for the last twenty-four hours, but that + to shew my gratitude for his friendly confidence I would feel honoured if + he would allow me to keep him company. As I had already engaged myself + with the major, this was only a polite falsehood. + </p> + <p> + In the afternoon I happened to be with him on the tower of the fort, and + pointed out a gondola advancing towards the lower gate; he took his + spy-glass and told me that it was his wife and daughter coming to see him. + We went to meet the ladies, one of whom might once have been worth the + trouble of an elopement; the other, a young person between fourteen and + sixteen, struck me as a beauty of a new style. Her hair was of a beautiful + light auburn, her eyes were blue and very fine, her nose a Roman, and her + pretty mouth, half-open and laughing, exposed a set of teeth as white as + her complexion, although a beautiful rosy tint somewhat veiled the + whiteness of the last. Her figure was so slight that it seemed out of + nature, but her perfectly-formed breast appeared an altar on which the god + of love would have delighted to breathe the sweetest incense. This + splendid chest was, however, not yet well furnished, but in my imagination + I gave her all the embonpoint which might have been desired, and I was so + pleased that I could not take my looks from her. I met her eyes, and her + laughing countenance seemed to say to me: “Only wait for two years, at the + utmost, and all that your imagination is now creating will then exist in + reality.” + </p> + <p> + She was elegantly dressed in the prevalent fashion, with large hoops, and + like the daughters of the nobility who have not yet attained the age of + puberty, although the young countess was marriageable. I had never dared + to stare so openly at the bosom of a young lady of quality, but I thought + there was no harm in fixing my eyes on a spot where there was nothing yet + but in expectation. + </p> + <p> + The count, after having exchanged a few words in German with his wife, + presented me in the most flattering manner, and I was received with great + politeness. The major joined us, deeming it his duty to escort the + countess all over the fortress, and I improved the excellent opportunity + thrown in my way by the inferiority of my position; I offered my arm to + the young lady, and the count left us to go to his room. + </p> + <p> + I was still an adept in the old Venetian fashion of attending upon ladies, + and the young countess thought me rather awkward, though I believed myself + very fashionable when I placed my hand under her arm, but she drew it back + in high merriment. Her mother turned round to enquire what she was + laughing at, and I was terribly confused when I heard her answer that I + had tickled her. + </p> + <p> + “This is the way to offer your arm to a lady,” she said, and she passed + her hand through my arm, which I rounded in the most clumsy manner, + feeling it a very difficult task to resume a dignified countenance. + Thinking me a novice of the most innocent species, she very likely + determined to make sport of me. She began by remarking that by rounding my + arm as I had done I placed it too far from her waist, and that I was + consequently out of drawing. I told her I did not know how to draw, and + inquired whether it was one of her accomplishments. + </p> + <p> + “I am learning,” she answered, “and when you call upon us I will shew you + Adam and Eve, after the Chevalier Liberi; I have made a copy which has + been found very fine by some professors, although they did not know it was + my work.” + </p> + <p> + “Why did you not tell them?” + </p> + <p> + “Because those two figures are too naked.” + </p> + <p> + “I am not curious to see your Adam, but I will look at your Eve with + pleasure, and keep your secret.” + </p> + <p> + This answer made her laugh again, and again her mother turned round. I put + on the look of a simpleton, for, seeing the advantage I could derive from + her opinion of me, I had formed my plan at the very moment she tried to + teach me how to offer my arm to a lady. + </p> + <p> + She was so convinced of my simplicity that she ventured to say that she + considered her Adam by far more beautiful than her Eve, because in her + drawing of the man she had omitted nothing, every muscle being visible, + while there was none conspicuous in Eve. “It is,” she added, “a figure + with nothing in it.” + </p> + <p> + “Yet it is the one which I shall like best.” + </p> + <p> + “No; believe me, Adam will please you most.” + </p> + <p> + This conversation had greatly excited me. I had on a pair of linen + breeches, the weather being very warm.... I was afraid of the major and + the countess, who were a few yards in front of us, turning round .... I + was on thorns. To make matters worse, the young lady stumbled, one of her + shoes slipped off, and presenting me her pretty foot she asked me to put + the shoe right. I knelt on the ground, and, very likely without thinking, + she lifted up her skirt.... she had very wide hoops and no petticoat.... + what I saw was enough to strike me dead on the spot.... When I rose, she + asked if anything was the matter with me. + </p> + <p> + A moment after, coming out of one of the casemates, her head-dress got + slightly out of order, and she begged that I would remedy the accident, + but, having to bend her head down, the state in which I was could no + longer remain a secret for her. In order to avoid greater confusion to + both of us, she enquired who had made my watch ribbon; I told her it was a + present from my sister, and she desired to examine it, but when I answered + her that it was fastened to the fob-pocket, and found that she disbelieved + me, I added that she could see for herself. She put her hand to it, and a + natural but involuntary excitement caused me to be very indiscreet. She + must have felt vexed, for she saw that she had made a mistake in her + estimate of my character; she became more timid, she would not laugh any + more, and we joined her mother and the major who was shewing her, in a + sentry-box, the body of Marshal de Schulenburg which had been deposited + there until the mausoleum erected for him was completed. As for myself, I + felt deeply ashamed. I thought myself the first man who had alarmed her + innocence, and I felt ready to do anything to atone for the insult. + </p> + <p> + Such was my delicacy of feeling in those days. I used to credit people + with exalted sentiments, which often existed only in my imagination. I + must confess that time has entirely destroyed that delicacy; yet I do not + believe myself worse than other men, my equals in age and inexperience. + </p> + <p> + We returned to the count’s apartment, and the day passed off rather + gloomily. Towards evening the ladies went away, but the countess gave me a + pressing invitation to call upon them in Venice. + </p> + <p> + The young lady, whom I thought I had insulted, had made such a deep + impression upon me that the seven following days seemed very long; yet I + was impatient to see her again only that I might entreat her forgiveness, + and convince her of my repentance. + </p> + <p> + The following day the count was visited by his son; he was plain-featured, + but a thorough gentleman, and modest withal. Twenty-five years afterwards + I met him in Spain, a cadet in the king’s body-guard. He had served as a + private twenty years before obtaining this poor promotion. The reader will + hear of him in good time; I will only mention here that when I met him in + Spain, he stood me out that I had never known him; his self-love prompted + this very contemptible lie. + </p> + <p> + Early on the eighth day the count left the fortress, and I took my + departure the same evening, having made an appointment at a coffee-house + in St. Mark’s Square with the major who was to accompany me to M. + Grimani’s house. I took leave of his wife, whose memory will always be + dear to me, and she said, “I thank you for your skill in proving your + alibi, but you have also to thank me for having understood you so well. My + husband never heard anything about it until it was all over.” + </p> + <p> + As soon as I reached Venice, I went to pay a visit to Madame Orio, where I + was made welcome. I remained to supper, and my two charming sweethearts + who were praying for the death of the bishop, gave me the most delightful + hospitality for the night. + </p> + <p> + At noon the next day I met the major according to our appointment, and we + called upon the Abbe Grimani. He received me with the air of a guilty man + begging for mercy, and I was astounded at his stupidity when he entreated + me to forgive Razetta and his companion. He told me that the bishop was + expected very soon, and that he had ordered a room to be ready for me, and + that I could take my meals with him. Then he introduced me to M. Valavero, + a man of talent, who had just left the ministry of war, his term of office + having lasted the usual six months. I paid my duty to him, and we kept up + a kind of desultory conversation until the departure of the major. When he + had left us M. Valavero entreated me to confess that I had been the guilty + party in the attack upon Razetta. I candidly told him that the thrashing + had been my handiwork, and I gave him all the particulars, which amused + him immensely. He remarked that, as I had perpetrated the affair before + midnight, the fools had made a mistake in their accusation; but that, + after all, the mistake had not materially helped me in proving the alibi, + because my sprained ankle, which everybody had supposed a real accident, + would of itself have been sufficient. + </p> + <p> + But I trust that my kind reader has not forgotten that I had a very heavy + weight upon my conscience, of which I longed to get rid. I had to see the + goddess of my fancy, to obtain my pardon, or die at her feet. + </p> + <p> + I found the house without difficulty; the count was not at home. The + countess received me very kindly, but her appearance caused me so great a + surprise that I did not know what to say to her. I had fancied that I was + going to visit an angel, that I would find her in a lovely paradise, and I + found myself in a large sitting-room furnished with four rickety chairs + and a dirty old table. There was hardly any light in the room because the + shutters were nearly closed. It might have been a precaution against the + heat, but I judged that it was more probably for the purpose of concealing + the windows, the glass of which was all broken. But this visible darkness + did not prevent me from remarking that the countess was wrapped up in an + old tattered gown, and that her chemise did not shine by its cleanliness. + Seeing that I was ill at ease, she left the room, saying that she would + send her daughter, who, a few minutes afterwards, came in with an easy and + noble appearance, and told me that she had expected me with great + impatience, but that I had surprised her at a time at which she was not in + the habit of receiving any visits. + </p> + <p> + I did not know what to answer, for she did not seem to me to be the same + person. Her miserable dishabille made her look almost ugly, and I wondered + at the impression she had produced upon me at the fortress. She saw my + surprise, and partly guessed my thoughts, for she put on a look, not of + vexation, but of sorrow which called forth all my pity. If she had been a + philosopher she might have rightly despised me as a man whose sympathy was + enlisted only by her fine dress, her nobility, or her apparent wealth; but + she endeavoured to bring me round by her sincerity. She felt that if she + could call a little sentiment into play, it would certainly plead in her + favour. + </p> + <p> + “I see that you are astonished, reverend sir, and I know the reason of + your surprise. You expected to see great splendour here, and you find only + misery. The government allows my father but a small salary, and there are + nine of us. As we must attend church on Sundays and holidays in a style + proper to our condition, we are often compelled to go without our dinner, + in order to get out of pledge the clothes which urgent need too often + obliges us to part with, and which we pledge anew on the following day. If + we did not attend mass, the curate would strike our names off the list of + those who share the alms of the Confraternity of the Poor, and those alms + alone keep us afloat.” + </p> + <p> + What a sad tale! She had guessed rightly. I was touched, but rather with + shame than true emotion. I was not rich myself, and, as I was no longer in + love, I only heaved a deep sigh, and remained as cold as ice. + Nevertheless, her position was painful, and I answered politely, speaking + with kindness and assuring her of my sympathy. “Were I wealthy,” I said, + “I would soon shew you that your tale of woe has not fallen on unfeeling + ears; but I am poor, and, being at the eve of my departure from Venice, + even my friendship would be useless to you.” Then, after some desultory + talk, I expressed a hope that her beauty would yet win happiness for her. + She seemed to consider for a few minutes, and said, “That may happen some + day, provided that the man who feels the power of my charms understands + that they can be bestowed only with my heart, and is willing to render me + the justice I deserve; I am only looking for a lawful marriage, without + dreaming of rank or fortune; I no longer believe in the first, and I know + how to live without the second; for I have been accustomed to poverty, and + even to abject need; but you cannot realize that. Come and see my + drawings.” + </p> + <p> + “You are very good, mademoiselle.” + </p> + <p> + Alas! I was not thinking of her drawings, and I could no longer feel + interested in her Eve, but I followed her. + </p> + <p> + We came to a chamber in which I saw a table, a chair, a small toilet-glass + and a bed with the straw palliasse turned over, very likely for the + purpose of allowing the looker-on to suppose that there were sheets + underneath, but I was particularly disgusted by a certain smell, the cause + of which was recent; I was thunderstruck, and if I had been still in love, + this antidote would have been sufficiently powerful to cure me instanter. + I wished for nothing but to make my escape, never to return, and I + regretted that I could not throw on the table a handful of ducats, which I + should have considered the price of my ransom. + </p> + <p> + The poor girl shewed me her drawings; they were fine, and I praised them, + without alluding particularly to Eve, and without venturing a joke upon + Adam. I asked her, for the sake of saying something, why she did not try + to render her talent remunerative by learning pastel drawing. + </p> + <p> + “I wish I could,” she answered, “but the box of chalks alone costs two + sequins.” + </p> + <p> + “Will you forgive me if I am bold enough to offer you six?” + </p> + <p> + “Alas! I accept them gratefully, and to be indebted to you for such a + service makes me truly happy.” + </p> + <p> + Unable to keep back her tears, she turned her head round to conceal them + from me, and I took that opportunity of laying the money on the table, and + out of politeness, wishing to spare her every unnecessary humiliation, I + saluted her lips with a kiss which she was at liberty to consider a loving + one, as I wanted her to ascribe my reserve to the respect I felt for her. + I then left her with a promise to call another day to see her father. I + never kept my promise. The reader will see how I met her again after ten + years. + </p> + <p> + How many thoughts crowded upon my mind as I left that house! What a + lesson! I compared reality with the imagination, and I had to give the + preference to the last, as reality is always dependent on it. I then began + to forsee a truth which has been clearly proved to me in my after life, + namely, that love is only a feeling of curiosity more or less intense, + grafted upon the inclination placed in us by nature that the species may + be preserved. And truly, woman is like a book, which, good or bad, must at + first please us by the frontispiece. If this is not interesting, we do not + feel any wish to read the book, and our wish is in direct proportion to + the interest we feel. The frontispiece of woman runs from top to bottom + like that of a book, and her feet, which are most important to every man + who shares my taste, offer the same interest as the edition of the work. + If it is true that most amateurs bestow little or no attention upon the + feet of a woman, it is likewise a fact that most readers care little or + nothing whether a book is of the first edition or the tenth. At all + events, women are quite right to take the greatest care of their face, of + their dress, of their general appearance; for it is only by that part of + the frontispiece that they can call forth a wish to read them in those men + who have not been endowed by nature with the privilege of blindness. And + just in the same manner that men, who have read a great many books, are + certain to feel at last a desire for perusing new works even if they are + bad, a man who has known many women, and all handsome women, feels at last + a curiosity for ugly specimens when he meets with entirely new ones. It is + all very well for his eye to discover the paint which conceals the + reality, but his passion has become a vice, and suggests some argument in + favour of the lying frontispiece. It is possible, at least he thinks so, + that the work may prove better than the title-page, and the reality more + acceptable than the paint which hides it. He then tries to peruse the + book, but the leaves have not been opened; he meets with some resistance, + the living book must be read according to established rules, and the + book-worm falls a victim to a coquetry, the monster which persecutes all + those who make a business of love. As for thee, intelligent man, who hast + read the few preceding lines, let me tell thee that, if they do not assist + in opening thy eyes, thou art lost; I mean that thou art certain of being + a victim to the fair sex to the very last moment of thy life. If my + candour does not displease thee, accept my congratulations. In the evening + I called upon Madame Orio, as I wanted to inform her charming nieces that, + being an inmate of Grimani’s house, I could not sleep out for the first + night. I found there the faithful Rosa, who told me that the affair of the + alibi was in every mouth, and that, as such celebrity was evidently caused + by a very decided belief in the untruth of the alibi itself, I ought to + fear a retaliation of the same sort on the part of Razetta, and to keep on + my guard, particularly at night. I felt all the importance of this advice, + and I took care never to go out in the evening otherwise than in a + gondola, or accompanied by some friends. Madame Manzoni told me that I was + acting wisely, because, although the judges could not do otherwise than + acquit me, everybody knew the real truth of the matter, and Razetta could + not fail to be my deadly foe. + </p> + <p> + Three or four days afterwards M. Grimani announced the arrival of the + bishop, who had put up at the convent of his order, at Saint-Francois de + Paul. He presented me himself to the prelate as a jewel highly prized by + himself, and as if he had been the only person worthy of descanting upon + its beauty. + </p> + <p> + I saw a fine monk wearing his pectoral cross. He would have reminded me of + Father Mancia if he had not looked stouter and less reserved. He was about + thirty-four, and had been made a bishop by the grace of God, the Holy See, + and my mother. After pronouncing over me a blessing, which I received + kneeling, and giving me his hand to kiss, he embraced me warmly, calling + me his dear son in the Latin language, in which he continued to address + me. I thought that, being a Calabrian, he might feel ashamed of his + Italian, but he undeceived me by speaking in that language to M. Grimani. + He told me that, as he could not take me with him from Venice, I should + have to proceed to Rome, where Grimani would take care to send me, and + that I would procure his address at Ancona from one of his friends, called + Lazari, a Minim monk, who would likewise supply me with the means of + continuing my journey. + </p> + <p> + “When we meet in Rome,” he added, “we can go together to Martorano by way + of Naples. Call upon me to-morrow morning, and have your breakfast with + me. I intend to leave the day after.” + </p> + <p> + As we were on our way back to his house, M. Grimani treated me to a long + lecture on morals, which nearly caused me to burst into loud laughter. + Amongst other things, he informed me that I ought not to study too hard, + because the air in Calabria was very heavy, and I might become consumptive + from too close application to my books. + </p> + <p> + The next morning at day-break I went to the bishop. After saying his mass, + we took some chocolate, and for three hours he laid me under examination. + I saw clearly that he was not pleased with me, but I was well enough + pleased with him. He seemed to me a worthy man, and as he was to lead me + along the great highway of the Church, I felt attracted towards him, for, + at the time, although I entertained a good opinion of my personal + appearance, I had no confidence whatever in my talents. + </p> + <p> + After the departure of the good bishop, M. Grimani gave me a letter left + by him, which I was to deliver to Father Lazari, at the Convent of the + Minims, in Ancona. M. Grimani informed me that he would send me to that + city with the ambassador from Venice, who was on the point of sailing. I + had therefore to keep myself in readiness, and, as I was anxious to be out + of his hands, I approved all his arrangements. As soon as I had notice of + the day on which the suite of the ambassador would embark, I went to pay + my last farewell to all my acquaintances. I left my brother Francois in + the school of M. Joli, a celebrated decorative painter. As the peotta in + which I was to sail would not leave before daybreak, I spent the short + night in the arms of the two sisters, who, this time, entertained no hope + of ever seeing me again. On my side I could not forsee what would happen, + for I was abandoning myself to fate, and I thought it would be useless to + think of the future. The night was therefore spent between joy and + sadness, between pleasures and tears. As I bade them adieu, I returned the + key which had opened so often for me the road to happiness. + </p> + <p> + This, my first love affair, did not give me any experience of the world, + for our intercourse was always a happy one, and was never disturbed by any + quarrel or stained by any interested motive. We often felt, all three of + us, as if we must raise our souls towards the eternal Providence of God, + to thank Him for having, by His particular protection, kept from us all + the accidents which might have disturbed the sweet peace we were enjoying. + </p> + <p> + I left in the hands of Madame Manzoni all my papers, and all the forbidden + books I possessed. The good woman, who was twenty years older than I, and + who, believing in an immutable destiny, took pleasure in turning the + leaves of the great book of fate, told me that she was certain of + restoring to me all I left with her, before the end of the following year, + at the latest. Her prediction caused me both surprise and pleasure, and + feeling deep reverence for her, I thought myself bound to assist the + realization of her foresight. After all, if she predicted the future, it + was not through superstition, or in consequence of some vain foreboding + which reason must condemn, but through her knowledge of the world, and of + the nature of the person she was addressing. She used to laugh because she + never made a mistake. + </p> + <p> + I embarked from St. Mark’s landing. M. Grimani had given me ten sequins, + which he thought would keep me during my stay in the lazzaretto of Ancona + for the necessary quarantine, after which it was not to be supposed that I + could want any money. I shared Grimani’s certainty on the subject, and + with my natural thoughtlessness I cared nothing about it. Yet I must say + that, unknown to everybody, I had in my purse forty bright sequins, which + powerfully contributed to increase my cheerfulness, and I left Venice full + of joy and without one regret. + </p> + <a name="link2H_4_0014" id="link2H_4_0014"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> <a name="linkepisode2" id="linkepisode2"></a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + EPISODE 2 — CLERIC IN NAPLES + </h2> + <a name="link2HCH0008" id="link2HCH0008"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VIII + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + My Misfortunes in Chiozza—Father Stephano—The Lazzaretto + at Ancona—The Greek Slave—My Pilgrimage to Our Lady of + Loretto—I Go to Rome on Foot, and From Rome to Naples to + Meet the Bishop—I Cannot Join Him—Good Luck Offers Me the + Means of Reaching Martorano, Which Place I Very Quickly + Leave to Return to Naples +</pre> + <a name="linkimage-0005" id="linkimage-0005"> + <!-- IMG --></a> + <div class="fig" style="width:80%;"> + <img src="images/1c08.jpg" width="100%" alt="1c08.jpg " /> + </div> + <p> + The retinue of the ambassador, which was styled “grand,” appeared to me + very small. It was composed of a Milanese steward, named Carcinelli, of a + priest who fulfilled the duties of secretary because he could not write, + of an old woman acting as housekeeper, of a man cook with his ugly wife, + and eight or ten servants. + </p> + <p> + We reached Chiozza about noon. Immediately after landing, I politely asked + the steward where I should put up, and his answer was: + </p> + <p> + “Wherever you please, provided you let this man know where it is, so that + he can give you notice when the peotta is ready to sail. My duty,” he + added, “is to leave you at the lazzaretto of Ancona free of expense from + the moment we leave this place. Until then enjoy yourself as well as you + can.” + </p> + <p> + The man to whom I was to give my address was the captain of the peotta. I + asked him to recommend me a lodging. + </p> + <p> + “You can come to my house,” he said, “if you have no objection to share a + large bed with the cook, whose wife remains on board.” + </p> + <p> + Unable to devise any better plan, I accepted the offer, and a sailor, + carrying my trunk, accompanied me to the dwelling of the honest captain. + My trunk had to be placed under the bed which filled up the room. I was + amused at this, for I was not in a position to be over-fastidious, and, + after partaking of some dinner at the inn, I went about the town. Chiozza + is a peninsula, a sea-port belonging to Venice, with a population of ten + thousand inhabitants, seamen, fishermen, merchants, lawyers, and + government clerks. + </p> + <p> + I entered a coffee-room, and I had scarcely taken a seat when a young + doctor-at-law, with whom I had studied in Padua, came up to me, and + introduced me to a druggist whose shop was near by, saying that his house + was the rendezvous of all the literary men of the place. A few minutes + afterwards, a tall Jacobin friar, blind of one eye, called Corsini, whom I + had known in Venice, came in and paid me many compliments. He told me that + I had arrived just in time to go to a picnic got up by the Macaronic + academicians for the next day, after a sitting of the academy in which + every member was to recite something of his composition. He invited me to + join them, and to gratify the meeting with the delivery of one of my + productions. I accepted the invitation, and, after the reading of ten + stanzas which I had written for the occasion, I was unanimously elected a + member. My success at the picnic was still greater, for I disposed of such + a quantity of macaroni that I was found worthy of the title of prince of + the academy. + </p> + <p> + The young doctor, himself one of the academicians, introduced me to his + family. His parents, who were in easy circumstances, received me very + kindly. One of his sisters was very amiable, but the other, a professed + nun, appeared to me a prodigy of beauty. I might have enjoyed myself in a + very agreeable way in the midst of that charming family during my stay in + Chiozza, but I suppose that it was my destiny to meet in that place with + nothing but sorrows. The young doctor forewarned me that the monk Corsini + was a very worthless fellow, despised by everybody, and advised me to + avoid him. I thanked him for the information, but my thoughtlessness + prevented me from profiting by it. Of a very easy disposition, and too + giddy to fear any snares, I was foolish enough to believe that the monk + would, on the contrary, be the very man to throw plenty of amusement in my + way. + </p> + <p> + On the third day the worthless dog took me to a house of ill-fame, where I + might have gone without his introduction, and, in order to shew my mettle, + I obliged a low creature whose ugliness ought to have been a sufficient + antidote against any fleshly desire. On leaving the place, he brought me + for supper to an inn where we met four scoundrels of his own stamp. After + supper one of them began a bank of faro, and I was invited to join in the + game. I gave way to that feeling of false pride which so often causes the + ruin of young men, and after losing four sequins I expressed a wish to + retire, but my honest friend, the Jacobin contrived to make me risk four + more sequins in partnership with him. He held the bank, and it was broken. + I did not wish to play any more, but Corsini, feigning to pity me and to + feel great sorrow at being the cause of my loss, induced me to try myself + a bank of twenty-five sequins; my bank was likewise broken. The hope of + winning back my money made me keep up the game, and I lost everything I + had. + </p> + <p> + Deeply grieved, I went away and laid myself down near the cook, who woke + up and said I was a libertine. + </p> + <p> + “You are right,” was all I could answer. + </p> + <p> + I was worn out with fatigue and sorrow, and I slept soundly. My vile + tormentor, the monk, woke me at noon, and informed me with a triumphant + joy that a very rich young man had been invited by his friends to supper, + that he would be sure to play and to lose, and that it would be a good + opportunity for me to retrieve my losses. + </p> + <p> + “I have lost all my money. Lend me twenty sequins.” + </p> + <p> + “When I lend money I am sure to lose; you may call it superstition, but I + have tried it too often. Try to find money somewhere else, and come. + Farewell.” + </p> + <p> + I felt ashamed to confess my position to my friend, and sending for, a + money-lender I emptied my trunk before him. We made an inventory of my + clothes, and the honest broker gave me thirty sequins, with the + understanding that if I did not redeem them within three days all my + things would become his property. I am bound to call him an honest man, + for he advised me to keep three shirts, a few pairs of stockings, and a + few handkerchiefs; I was disposed to let him take everything, having a + presentiment that I would win back all I had lost; a very common error. A + few years later I took my revenge by writing a diatribe against + presentiments. I am of opinion that the only foreboding in which man can + have any sort of faith is the one which forbodes evil, because it comes + from the mind, while a presentiment of happiness has its origin in the + heart, and the heart is a fool worthy of reckoning foolishly upon fickle + fortune. + </p> + <p> + I did not lose any time in joining the honest company, which was alarmed + at the thought of not seeing me. Supper went off without any allusion to + gambling, but my admirable qualities were highly praised, and it was + decided that a brilliant fortune awaited me in Rome. After supper there + was no talk of play, but giving way to my evil genius I loudly asked for + my revenge. I was told that if I would take the bank everyone would punt. + I took the bank, lost every sequin I had, and retired, begging the monk to + pay what I owed to the landlord, which he promised to do. + </p> + <p> + I was in despair, and to crown my misery I found out as I was going home + that I had met the day before with another living specimen of the Greek + woman, less beautiful but as perfidious. I went to bed stunned by my + grief, and I believe that I must have fainted into a heavy sleep, which + lasted eleven hours; my awaking was that of a miserable being, hating the + light of heaven, of which he felt himself unworthy, and I closed my eyes + again, trying to sleep for a little while longer. I dreaded to rouse + myself up entirely, knowing that I would then have to take some decision; + but I never once thought of returning to Venice, which would have been the + very best thing to do, and I would have destroyed myself rather than + confide my sad position to the young doctor. I was weary of my existence, + and I entertained vaguely some hope of starving where I was, without + leaving my bed. It is certain that I should not have got up if M. Alban, + the master of the peotta, had not roused me by calling upon me and + informing me that the boat was ready to sail. + </p> + <p> + The man who is delivered from great perplexity, no matter by what means, + feels himself relieved. It seemed to me that Captain Alban had come to + point out the only thing I could possibly do; I dressed myself in haste, + and tying all my worldly possessions in a handkerchief I went on board. + Soon afterwards we left the shore, and in the morning we cast anchor in + Orsara, a seaport of Istria. We all landed to visit the city, which would + more properly be called a village. It belongs to the Pope, the Republic of + Venice having abandoned it to the Holy See. + </p> + <p> + A young monk of the order of the Recollects who called himself Friar + Stephano of Belun, and had obtained a free passage from the devout Captain + Alban, joined me as we landed and enquired whether I felt sick. + </p> + <p> + “Reverend father, I am unhappy.” + </p> + <p> + “You will forget all your sorrow, if you will come and dine with me at the + house of one of our devout friends.” + </p> + <p> + I had not broken my fast for thirty-six hours, and having suffered much + from sea-sickness during the night, my stomach was quite empty. My erotic + inconvenience made me very uncomfortable, my mind felt deeply the + consciousness of my degradation, and I did not possess a groat! I was in + such a miserable state that I had no strength to accept or to refuse + anything. I was thoroughly torpid, and I followed the monk mechanically. + </p> + <p> + He presented me to a lady, saying that he was accompanying me to Rome, + where I intend to become a Franciscan. This untruth disgusted me, and + under any other circumstances I would not have let it pass without + protest, but in my actual position it struck me as rather comical. The + good lady gave us a good dinner of fish cooked in oil, which in Orsara is + delicious, and we drank some exquisite refosco. During our meal, a priest + happened to drop in, and, after a short conversation, he told me that I + ought not to pass the night on board the tartan, and pressed me to accept + a bed in his house and a good dinner for the next day in case the wind + should not allow us to sail; I accepted without hesitation. I offered my + most sincere thanks to the good old lady, and the priest took me all over + the town. In the evening, he brought me to his house where we partook of + an excellent supper prepared by his housekeeper, who sat down to the table + with us, and with whom I was much pleased. The refosco, still better than + that which I had drunk at dinner, scattered all my misery to the wind, and + I conversed gaily with the priest. He offered to read to me a poem of his + own composition, but, feeling that my eyes would not keep open, I begged + he would excuse me and postpone the reading until the following day. + </p> + <p> + I went to bed, and in the morning, after ten hours of the most profound + sleep, the housekeeper, who had been watching for my awakening, brought me + some coffee. I thought her a charming woman, but, alas! I was not in a fit + state to prove to her the high estimation in which I held her beauty. + </p> + <p> + Entertaining feelings of gratitude for my kind host, and disposed to + listen attentively to his poem, I dismissed all sadness, and I paid his + poetry such compliments that he was delighted, and, finding me much more + talented than he had judged me to be at first, he insisted upon treating + me to a reading of his idylls, and I had to swallow them, bearing the + infliction cheerfully. The day passed off very agreeably; the housekeeper + surrounded me with the kindest attentions—a proof that she was + smitten with me; and, giving way to that pleasing idea, I felt that, by a + very natural system of reciprocity, she had made my conquest. The good + priest thought that the day had passed like lightning, thanks to all the + beauties I had discovered in his poetry, which, to speak the truth, was + below mediocrity, but time seemed to me to drag along very slowly, because + the friendly glances of the housekeeper made me long for bedtime, in spite + of the miserable condition in which I felt myself morally and physically. + But such was my nature; I abandoned myself to joy and happiness, when, had + I been more reasonable, I ought to have sunk under my grief and sadness. + </p> + <p> + But the golden time came at last. I found the pretty housekeeper full of + compliance, but only up to a certain point, and as she offered some + resistance when I shewed myself disposed to pay a full homage to her + charms, I quietly gave up the undertaking, very well pleased for both of + us that it had not been carried any further, and I sought my couch in + peace. But I had not seen the end of the adventure, for the next morning, + when she brought my coffee, her pretty, enticing manners allured me to + bestow a few loving caresses upon her, and if she did not abandon herself + entirely, it was only, as she said, because she was afraid of some + surprise. The day passed off very pleasantly with the good priest, and at + night, the house-keeper no longer fearing detection, and I having on my + side taken every precaution necessary in the state in which I was, we + passed two most delicious hours. I left Orsara the next morning. + </p> + <p> + Friar Stephano amused me all day with his talk, which plainly showed me + his ignorance combined with knavery under the veil of simplicity. He made + me look at the alms he had received in Orsara—bread, wine, cheese, + sausages, preserves, and chocolate; every nook and cranny of his holy + garment was full of provisions. + </p> + <p> + “Have you received money likewise?” I enquired. + </p> + <p> + “God forbid! In the first place, our glorious order does not permit me to + touch money, and, in the second place, were I to be foolish enough to + receive any when I am begging, people would think themselves quit of me + with one or two sous, whilst they give me ten times as much in eatables. + Believe me Saint-Francis, was a very judicious man.” + </p> + <p> + I bethought myself that what this monk called wealth would be poverty to + me. He offered to share with me, and seemed very proud at my consenting to + honour him so far. + </p> + <p> + The tartan touched at the harbour of Pola, called Veruda, and we landed. + After a walk up hill of nearly a quarter of an hour, we entered the city, + and I devoted a couple of hours to visiting the Roman antiquities, which + are numerous, the town having been the metropolis of the empire. Yet I saw + no other trace of grand buildings except the ruins of the arena. We + returned to Veruda, and went again to sea. On the following day we sighted + Ancona, but the wind being against us we were compelled to tack about, and + we did not reach the port till the second day. The harbour of Ancona, + although considered one of the great works of Trajan, would be very unsafe + if it were not for a causeway which has cost a great deal of money, and + which makes it some what better. I observed a fact worthy of notice, + namely, that, in the Adriatic, the northern coast has many harbours, while + the opposite coast can only boast of one or two. It is evident that the + sea is retiring by degrees towards the east, and that in three or four + more centuries Venice must be joined to the land. We landed at the old + lazzaretto, where we received the pleasant information that we would go + through a quarantine of twenty-eight days, because Venice had admitted, + after a quarantine of three months, the crew of two ships from Messina, + where the plague had recently been raging. I requested a room for myself + and for Brother Stephano, who thanked me very heartily. I hired from a Jew + a bed, a table and a few chairs, promising to pay for the hire at the + expiration of our quarantine. The monk would have nothing but straw. If he + had guessed that without him I might have starved, he would most likely + not have felt so much vanity at sharing my room. A sailor, expecting to + find in me a generous customer, came to enquire where my trunk was, and, + hearing from me that I did not know, he, as well as Captain Alban, went to + a great deal of trouble to find it, and I could hardly keep down my + merriment when the captain called, begging to be excused for having left + it behind, and assuring me that he would take care to forward it to me in + less than three weeks. + </p> + <p> + The friar, who had to remain with me four weeks, expected to live at my + expense, while, on the contrary, he had been sent by Providence to keep + me. He had provisions enough for one week, but it was necessary to think + of the future. + </p> + <p> + After supper, I drew a most affecting picture of my position, shewing that + I should be in need of everything until my arrival at Rome, where I was + going, I said, to fill the post of secretary of memorials, and my + astonishment may be imagined when I saw the blockhead delighted at the + recital of my misfortunes. + </p> + <p> + “I undertake to take care of you until we reach Rome; only tell me whether + you can write.” + </p> + <p> + “What a question! Are you joking?” + </p> + <p> + “Why should I? Look at me; I cannot write anything but my name. True, I + can write it with either hand; and what else do I want to know?” + </p> + <p> + “You astonish me greatly, for I thought you were a priest.” + </p> + <p> + “I am a monk; I say the mass, and, as a matter of course, I must know how + to read. Saint-Francis, whose unworthy son I am, could not read, and that + is the reason why he never said a mass. But as you can write, you will + to-morrow pen a letter in my name to the persons whose names I will give + you, and I warrant you we shall have enough sent here to live like + fighting cocks all through our quarantine.” + </p> + <p> + The next day he made me write eight letters, because, in the oral + tradition of his order, it is said that, when a monk has knocked at seven + doors and has met with a refusal at every one of them, he must apply to + the eighth with perfect confidence, because there he is certain of + receiving alms. As he had already performed the pilgrimage to Rome, he + knew every person in Ancona devoted to the cult of Saint-Francis, and was + acquainted with the superiors of all the rich convents. I had to write to + every person he named, and to set down all the lies he dictated to me. He + likewise made me sign the letters for him, saying, that, if he signed + himself, his correspondents would see that the letters had not been + written by him, which would injure him, for, he added, in this age of + corruption, people will esteem only learned men. He compelled me to fill + the letters with Latin passages and quotations, even those addressed to + ladies, and I remonstrated in vain, for, when I raised any objection, he + threatened to leave me without anything to eat. I made up my mind to do + exactly as he wished. He desired me to write to the superior of the + Jesuits that he would not apply to the Capuchins, because they were no + better than atheists, and that that was the reason of the great dislike of + Saint-Francis for them. It was in vain that I reminded him of the fact + that, in the time of Saint-Francis, there were neither Capuchins nor + Recollets. His answer was that I had proved myself an ignoramus. I firmly + believed that he would be thought a madman, and that we should not receive + anything, but I was mistaken, for such a quantity of provisions came + pouring in that I was amazed. Wine was sent from three or four different + quarters, more than enough for us during all our stay, and yet I drank + nothing but water, so great was my wish to recover my health. As for + eatables, enough was sent in every day for six persons; we gave all our + surplus to our keeper, who had a large family. But the monk felt no + gratitude for the kind souls who bestowed their charity upon him; all his + thanks were reserved for Saint-Francis. + </p> + <p> + He undertook to have my linen washed by the keeper; I would not have dared + to give it myself, and he said that he had nothing to fear, as everybody + was well aware that the monks of his order never wear any kind of linen. + </p> + <p> + I kept myself in bed nearly all day, and thus avoided shewing myself to + visitors. The persons who did not come wrote letters full of incongruities + cleverly worded, which I took good care not to point out to him. It was + with great difficulty that I tried to persuade him that those letters did + not require any answer. + </p> + <p> + A fortnight of repose and severe diet brought me round towards complete + recovery, and I began to walk in the yard of the lazzaretto from morning + till night; but the arrival of a Turk from Thessalonia with his family + compelled me to suspend my walks, the ground-floor having been given to + him. The only pleasure left me was to spend my time on the balcony + overlooking the yard. I soon saw a Greek slave, a girl of dazzling beauty, + for whom I felt the deepest interest. She was in the habit of spending the + whole day sitting near the door with a book or some embroidery in her + hand. If she happened to raise her eyes and to meet mine, she modestly + bent her head down, and sometimes she rose and went in slowly, as if she + meant to say, “I did not know that somebody was looking at me.” Her figure + was tall and slender, her features proclaimed her to be very young; she + had a very fair complexion, with beautiful black hair and eyes. She wore + the Greek costume, which gave her person a certain air of very exciting + voluptuousness. + </p> + <p> + I was perfectly idle, and with the temperament which nature and habit had + given me, was it likely that I could feast my eyes constantly upon such a + charming object without falling desperately in love? I had heard her + conversing in Lingua Franca with her master, a fine old man, who, like + her, felt very weary of the quarantine, and used to come out but seldom, + smoking his pipe, and remaining in the yard only a short time. I felt a + great temptation to address a few words to the beautiful girl, but I was + afraid she might run away and never come out again; however, unable to + control myself any longer, I determined to write to her; I had no + difficulty in conveying the letter, as I had only to let it fall from my + balcony. But she might have refused to pick it up, and this is the plan I + adopted in order not to risk any unpleasant result. + </p> + <p> + Availing myself of a moment during which she was alone in the yard, I + dropped from my balcony a small piece of paper folded like a letter, but I + had taken care not to write anything on it, and held the true letter in my + hand. As soon as I saw her stooping down to pick up the first, I quickly + let the second drop at her feet, and she put both into her pocket. A few + minutes afterwards she left the yard. My letter was somewhat to this + effect: + </p> + <p> + “Beautiful angel from the East, I worship you. I will remain all night on + this balcony in the hope that you will come to me for a quarter of an + hour, and listen to my voice through the hole under my feet. We can speak + softly, and in order to hear me you can climb up to the top of the bale of + goods which lies beneath the same hole.” + </p> + <p> + I begged from my keeper not to lock me in as he did every night, and he + consented on condition that he would watch me, for if I had jumped down in + the yard his life might have been the penalty, and he promised not to + disturb me on the balcony. + </p> + <p> + At midnight, as I was beginning to give her up, she came forward. I then + laid myself flat on the floor of the balcony, and I placed my head against + the hole, about six inches square. I saw her jump on the bale, and her + head reached within a foot from the balcony. She was compelled to steady + herself with one hand against the wall for fear of falling, and in that + position we talked of love, of ardent desires, of obstacles, of + impossibilities, and of cunning artifices. I told her the reason for which + I dared not jump down in the yard, and she observed that, even without + that reason, it would bring ruin upon us, as it would be impossible to + come up again, and that, besides, God alone knew what her master would do + if he were to find us together. Then, promising to visit me in this way + every night, she passed her hand through the hole. Alas! I could not leave + off kissing it, for I thought that I had never in my life touched so soft, + so delicate a hand. But what bliss when she begged for mine! I quickly + thrust my arm through the hole, so that she could fasten her lips to the + bend of the elbow. How many sweet liberties my hand ventured to take! But + we were at last compelled by prudence to separate, and when I returned to + my room I saw with great pleasure that the keeper was fast asleep. + </p> + <p> + Although I was delighted at having obtained every favour I could possibly + wish for in the uncomfortable position we had been in, I racked my brain + to contrive the means of securing more complete enjoyment for the + following night, but I found during the afternoon that the feminine + cunning of my beautiful Greek was more fertile than mine. + </p> + <p> + Being alone in the yard with her master, she said a few words to him in + Turkish, to which he seemed to give his approval, and soon after a + servant, assisted by the keeper, brought under the balcony a large basket + of goods. She overlooked the arrangement, and in order to secure the + basket better, she made the servant place a bale of cotton across two + others. Guessing at her purpose, I fairly leaped for joy, for she had + found the way of raising herself two feet higher; but I thought that she + would then find herself in the most inconvenient position, and that, + forced to bend double, she would not be able to resist the fatigue. The + hole was not wide enough for her head to pass through, otherwise she might + have stood erect and been comfortable. It was necessary at all events to + guard against that difficulty; the only way was to tear out one of the + planks of the floor of the balcony, but it was not an easy undertaking. + Yet I decided upon attempting it, regardless of consequences; and I went + to my room to provide myself with a large pair of pincers. Luckily the + keeper was absent, and availing myself of the opportunity, I succeeded in + dragging out carefully the four large nails which fastened the plank. + Finding that I could lift it at my will, I replaced the pincers, and + waited for the night with amorous impatience. + </p> + <p> + The darling girl came exactly at midnight, noticing the difficulty she + experienced in climbing up, and in getting a footing upon the third bale + of cotton, I lifted the plank, and, extending my arm as far as I could, I + offered her a steady point of support. She stood straight, and found + herself agreeably surprised, for she could pass her head and her arms + through the hole. We wasted no time in empty compliments; we only + congratulated each other upon having both worked for the same purpose. + </p> + <p> + If, the night before, I had found myself master of her person more than + she was of mine, this time the position was entirely reversed. Her hand + roamed freely over every part of my body, but I had to stop half-way down + hers. She cursed the man who had packed the bale for not having made it + half a foot bigger, so as to get nearer to me. Very likely even that would + not have satisfied us, but she would have felt happier. + </p> + <p> + Our pleasures were barren, yet we kept up our enjoyment until the first + streak of light. I put back the plank carefully, and I lay down in my bed + in great need of recruiting my strength. + </p> + <p> + My dear mistress had informed me that the Turkish Bairam began that very + morning, and would last three days during which it would be impossible for + her to see me. + </p> + <p> + The night after Bairam, she did not fail to make her appearance, and, + saying that she could not be happy without me, she told me that, as she + was a Christian woman, I could buy her, if I waited for her after leaving + the lazzaretto. I was compelled to tell her that I did not possess the + means of doing so, and my confession made her sigh. On the following + night, she informed me that her master would sell her for two thousand + piasters, that she would give me the amount, that she was yet a virgin, + and that I would be pleased with my bargain. She added that she would give + me a casket full of diamonds, one of which was alone worth two thousand + piasters, and that the sale of the others would place us beyond the reach + of poverty for the remainder of our life. She assured me that her master + would not notice the loss of the casket, and that, if he did, he would + never think of accusing her. + </p> + <p> + I was in love with this girl; and her proposal made me uncomfortable, but + when I woke in the morning I did not hesitate any longer. She brought the + casket in the evening, but I told her that I never could make up my mind + to be accessory to a robbery; she was very unhappy, and said that my love + was not as deep as her own, but that she could not help admiring me for + being so good a Christian. + </p> + <p> + This was the last night; probably we should never meet again. The flame of + passion consumed us. She proposed that I should lift her up to the balcony + through the open space. Where is the lover who would have objected to so + attractive a proposal? I rose, and without being a Milo, I placed my hands + under her arms, I drew her up towards me, and my desires are on the point + of being fulfilled. Suddenly I feel two hands upon my shoulders, and the + voice of the keeper exclaims, “What are you about?” I let my precious + burden drop; she regains her chamber, and I, giving vent to my rage, throw + myself flat on the floor of the balcony, and remain there without a + movement, in spite of the shaking of the keeper whom I was sorely tempted + to strangle. At last I rose from the floor and went to bed without + uttering one word, and not even caring to replace the plank. + </p> + <p> + In the morning, the governor informed us that we were free. As I left the + lazzaretto, with a breaking heart, I caught a glimpse of the Greek slave + drowned in tears. + </p> + <p> + I agreed to meet Friar Stephano at the exchange, and I took the Jew from + whom I had hired the furniture, to the convent of the Minims, where I + received from Father Lazari ten sequins and the address of the bishop, + who, after performing quarantine on the frontiers of Tuscany, had + proceeded to Rome, where he would expect me to meet him. + </p> + <p> + I paid the Jew, and made a poor dinner at an inn. As I was leaving it to + join the monk, I was so unlucky as to meet Captain Alban, who reproached + me bitterly for having led him to believe that my trunk had been left + behind. I contrived to appease his anger by telling him all my + misfortunes, and I signed a paper in which I declared that I had no claim + whatever upon him. I then purchased a pair of shoes and an overcoat, and + met Stephano, whom I informed of my decision to make a pilgrimage to Our + Lady of Loretto. I said I would await there for him, and that we would + afterwards travel together as far as Rome. He answered that he did not + wish to go through Loretto, and that I would repent of my contempt for the + grace of Saint-Francis. I did not alter my mind, and I left for Loretto + the next day in the enjoyment of perfect health. + </p> + <p> + I reached the Holy City, tired almost to death, for it was the first time + in my life that I had walked fifteen miles, drinking nothing but water, + although the weather was very warm, because the dry wine used in that part + of the country parched me too much. I must observe that, in spite of my + poverty, I did not look like a beggar. + </p> + <p> + As I was entering the city, I saw coming towards me an elderly priest of + very respectable appearance, and, as he was evidently taking notice of me, + as soon as he drew near, I saluted him, and enquired where I could find a + comfortable inn. “I cannot doubt,” he said, “that a person like you, + travelling on foot, must come here from devout motives; come with me.” He + turned back, I followed him, and he took me to a fine-looking house. After + whispering a few words to a man who appeared to be a steward, he left me + saying, very affably, “You shall be well attended to.” + </p> + <p> + My first impression was that I had been mistaken for some other person, + but I said nothing. + </p> + <p> + I was led to a suite of three rooms; the chamber was decorated with damask + hangings, the bedstead had a canopy, and the table was supplied with all + materials necessary for writing. A servant brought me a light + dressing-gown, and another came in with linen and a large tub full of + water, which he placed before me; my shoes and stockings were taken off, + and my feet washed. A very decent-looking woman, followed by a servant + girl, came in a few minutes after, and curtsying very low, she proceeded + to make my bed. At that moment the Angelus bell was heard; everyone knelt + down, and I followed their example. After the prayer, a small table was + neatly laid out, I was asked what sort of wine I wished to drink, and I + was provided with newspapers and two silver candlesticks. An hour + afterwards I had a delicious fish supper, and, before I retired to bed, a + servant came to enquire whether I would take chocolate in the morning + before or after mass. + </p> + <p> + As soon as I was in bed, the servant brought me a night-lamp with a dial, + and I remained alone. Except in France I have never had such a good bed as + I had that night. It would have cured the most chronic insomnia, but I was + not labouring under such a disease, and I slept for ten hours. + </p> + <p> + This sort of treatment easily led me to believe that I was not in any kind + of hostelry; but where was I? How was I to suppose that I was in a + hospital? + </p> + <p> + When I had taken my chocolate, a hair-dresser—quite a fashionable, + dapper fellow—made his appearance, dying to give vent to his + chattering propensities. Guessing that I did not wish to be shaved, he + offered to clip my soft down with the scissors, saying that I would look + younger. + </p> + <p> + “Why do you suppose that I want to conceal my age?” + </p> + <p> + “It is very natural, because, if your lordship did not wish to do so, your + lordship would have shaved long ago. Countess Marcolini is here; does your + lordship know her? I must go to her at noon to dress her hair.” + </p> + <p> + I did not feel interested in the Countess Marcolini, and, seeing it, the + gossip changed the subject. + </p> + <p> + “Is this your lordship’s first visit to this house? It is the finest + hospital throughout the papal states.” + </p> + <p> + “I quite agree with you, and I shall compliment His Holiness on the + establishment.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh! His Holiness knows all about it, he resided here before he became + pope. If Monsignor Caraffa had not been well acquainted with you, he would + not have introduced you here.” + </p> + <p> + Such is the use of barbers throughout Europe; but you must not put any + questions to them, for, if you do, they are sure to treat you to an + impudent mixture of truth and falsehood, and instead of you pumping them, + they will worm everything out of you. + </p> + <p> + Thinking that it was my duty to present my respectful compliments to + Monsignor Caraffa, I desired to be taken to his apartment. He gave me a + pleasant welcome, shewed me his library, and entrusted me to the care of + one of his abbes, a man of parts, who acted as my cicerone every where. + Twenty years afterwards, this same abbe was of great service to me in + Rome, and, if still alive, he is a canon of St. John Lateran. + </p> + <p> + On the following day, I took the communion in the Santa-Casa. The third + day was entirely employed in examining the exterior of this truly + wonderful sanctuary, and early the next day I resumed my journey, having + spent nothing except three paoli for the barber. Halfway to Macerata, I + overtook Brother Stephano walking on at a very slow rate. He was delighted + to see me again, and told me that he had left Ancona two hours after me, + but that he never walked more than three miles a day, being quite + satisfied to take two months for a journey which, even on foot, can easily + be accomplished in a week. “I want,” he said, “to reach Rome without + fatigue and in good health. I am in no hurry, and if you feel disposed to + travel with me and in the same quiet way, Saint-Francis will not find it + difficult to keep us both during the journey.” + </p> + <p> + This lazy fellow was a man about thirty, red-haired, very strong and + healthy; a true peasant who had turned himself into a monk only for the + sake of living in idle comfort. I answered that, as I was in a hurry to + reach Rome, I could not be his travelling companion. + </p> + <p> + “I undertake to walk six miles, instead of three, today,” he said, “if you + will carry my cloak, which I find very heavy.” + </p> + <p> + The proposal struck me as a rather funny one; I put on his cloak, and he + took my great-coat, but, after the exchange, we cut such a comical figure + that every peasant we met laughed at us. His cloak would truly have proved + a load for a mule. There were twelve pockets quite full, without taken + into account a pocket behind, which he called ‘il batticulo’, and which + contained alone twice as much as all the others. Bread, wine, fresh and + salt meat, fowls, eggs, cheese, ham, sausages—everything was to be + found in those pockets, which contained provisions enough for a fortnight. + </p> + <p> + I told him how well I had been treated in Loretto, and he assured me that + I might have asked Monsignor Caraffa to give me letters for all the + hospitals on my road to Rome, and that everywhere I would have met with + the same reception. “The hospitals,” he added, “are all under the curse of + Saint-Francis, because the mendicant friars are not admitted in them; but + we do not mind their gates being shut against us, because they are too far + apart from each other. We prefer the homes of the persons attached to our + order; these we find everywhere.” + </p> + <p> + “Why do you not ask hospitality in the convents of your order?” + </p> + <p> + “I am not so foolish. In the first place, I should not be admitted, + because, being a fugitive, I have not the written obedience which must be + shown at every convent, and I should even run the risk of being thrown + into prison; your monks are a cursed bad lot. In the second place, I + should not be half so comfortable in the convents as I am with our devout + benefactors.” + </p> + <p> + “Why and how are you a fugitive?” + </p> + <p> + He answered my question by the narrative of his imprisonment and flight, + the whole story being a tissue of absurdities and lies. The fugitive + Recollet friar was a fool, with something of the wit of harlequin, and he + thought that every man listening to him was a greater fool than himself. + Yet with all his folly he was not wanting in a certain species of cunning. + His religious principles were singular. As he did not wish to be taken for + a bigoted man, he was scandalous, and for the sake of making people laugh + he would often make use of the most disgusting expressions. He had no + taste whatever for women, and no inclination towards the pleasures of the + flesh; but this was only owing to a deficiency in his natural temperament, + and yet he claimed for himself the virtue of continence. On that score, + everything appeared to him food for merriment, and when he had drunk + rather too much, he would ask questions of such an indecent character that + they would bring blushes on everybody’s countenance. Yet the brute would + only laugh. + </p> + <p> + As we were getting within one hundred yards from the house of the devout + friend whom he intended to honour with his visit, he took back his heavy + cloak. On entering the house he gave his blessing to everybody, and + everyone in the family came to kiss his hand. The mistress of the house + requested him to say mass for them, and the compliant monk asked to be + taken to the vestry, but when I whispered in his ear,— + </p> + <p> + “Have you forgotten that we have already broken our fast to-day?” he + answered, dryly,— + </p> + <p> + “Mind your own business.” + </p> + <p> + I dared not make any further remark, but during the mass I was indeed + surprised, for I saw that he did not understand what he was doing. I could + not help being amused at his awkwardness, but I had not yet seen the best + part of the comedy. As soon as he had somehow or other finished his mass + he went to the confessional, and after hearing in confession every member + of the family he took it into his head to refuse absolution to the + daughter of his hostess, a girl of twelve or thirteen, pretty and quite + charming. He gave his refusal publicly, scolding her and threatening her + with the torments of hell. The poor girl, overwhelmed with shame, left the + church crying bitterly, and I, feeling real sympathy for her, could not + help saying aloud to Stephano that he was a madman. I ran after the girl + to offer her my consolations, but she had disappeared, and could not be + induced to join us at dinner. This piece of extravagance on the part of + the monk exasperated me to such an extent that I felt a very strong + inclination to thrash him. In the presence of all the family I told him + that he was an impostor, and the infamous destroyer of the poor child’s + honour; I challenged him to explain his reasons for refusing to give her + absolution, but he closed my lips by answering very coolly that he could + not betray the secrets of the confessional. I could eat nothing, and was + fully determined to leave the scoundrel. As we left the house I was + compelled to accept one paolo as the price of the mock mass he had said. I + had to fulfil the sorry duty of his treasurer. + </p> + <p> + The moment we were on the road, I told him that I was going to part + company, because I was afraid of being sent as a felon to the galleys if I + continued my journey with him. We exchanged high words; I called him an + ignorant scoundrel, he styled me beggar. I struck him a violent slap on + the face, which he returned with a blow from his stick, but I quickly + snatched it from him, and, leaving him, I hastened towards Macerata. A + carrier who was going to Tolentino took me with him for two paoli, and for + six more I might have reached Foligno in a waggon, but unfortunately a + wish for economy made me refuse the offer. I felt well, and I thought I + could easily walk as far as Valcimare, but I arrived there only after five + hours of hard walking, and thoroughly beaten with fatigue. I was strong + and healthy, but a walk of five hours was more than I could bear, because + in my infancy I had never gone a league on foot. Young people cannot + practise too much the art of walking. + </p> + <p> + The next day, refreshed by a good night’s rest, and ready to resume my + journey, I wanted to pay the innkeeper, but, alas! a new misfortune was in + store for me! Let the reader imagine my sad position! I recollected that I + had forgotten my purse, containing seven sequins, on the table of the inn + at Tolentino. What a thunderbolt! I was in despair, but I gave up the idea + of going back, as it was very doubtful whether I would find my money. Yet + it contained all I possessed, save a few copper coins I had in my pocket. + I paid my small bill, and, deeply grieved at my loss, continued my journey + towards Seraval. I was within three miles of that place when, in jumping + over a ditch, I sprained my ankle, and was compelled to sit down on one + side of the road, and to wait until someone should come to my assistance. + </p> + <p> + In the course of an hour a peasant happened to pass with his donkey, and + he agreed to carry me to Seraval for one paolo. As I wanted to spend as + little as possible, the peasant took me to an ill-looking fellow who, for + two paoli paid in advance, consented to give me a lodging. I asked him to + send for a surgeon, but I did not obtain one until the following morning. + I had a wretched supper, after which I lay down in a filthy bed. I was in + hope that sleep would bring me some relief, but my evil genius was + preparing for me a night of torments. + </p> + <p> + Three men, armed with guns and looking like banditti, came in shortly + after I had gone to bed, speaking a kind of slang which I could not make + out, swearing, raging, and paying no attention to me. They drank and sang + until midnight, after which they threw themselves down on bundles of straw + brought for them, and my host, who was drunk, came, greatly to my dismay, + to lie down near me. Disgusted at the idea of having such a fellow for my + bed companion, I refused to let him come, but he answered, with fearful + blasphemies, that all the devils in hell could not prevent him from taking + possession of his own bed. I was forced to make room for him, and + exclaimed “Heavens, where am I?” He told me that I was in the house of the + most honest constable in all the papal states. + </p> + <p> + Could I possibly have supposed that the peasant would have brought me + amongst those accursed enemies of humankind! + </p> + <p> + He laid himself down near me, but the filthy scoundrel soon compelled me + to give him, for certain reasons, such a blow in his chest that he rolled + out of bed. He picked himself up, and renewed his beastly attempt. Being + well aware that I could not master him without great danger, I got out of + bed, thinking myself lucky that he did not oppose my wish, and crawling + along as well as I could, I found a chair on which I passed the night. At + day-break, my tormentor, called up by his honest comrades, joined them in + drinking and shouting, and the three strangers, taking their guns, + departed. Left alone by the departure of the vile rabble, I passed another + unpleasant hour, calling in vain for someone. At last a young boy came in, + I gave him some money and he went for a surgeon. The doctor examined my + foot, and assured me that three or four days would set me to rights. He + advised me to be removed to an inn, and I most willingly followed his + counsel. As soon as I was brought to the inn, I went to bed, and was well + cared for, but my position was such that I dreaded the moment of my + recovery. I feared that I should be compelled to sell my coat to pay the + inn-keeper, and the very thought made me feel ashamed. I began to consider + that if I had controlled my sympathy for the young girl so ill-treated by + Stephano, I should not have fallen into this sad predicament, and I felt + conscious that my sympathy had been a mistake. If I had put up with the + faults of the friar, if this and if that, and every other if was conjured + up to torment my restless and wretched brain. Yet I must confess that the + thoughts which have their origin in misfortune are not without advantage + to a young man, for they give him the habit of thinking, and the man who + does not think never does anything right. + </p> + <p> + The morning of the fourth day came, and I was able to walk, as the surgeon + had predicted; I made up my mind, although reluctantly, to beg the worthy + man to sell my great coat for me—a most unpleasant necessity, for + rain had begun to fall. I owed fifteen paoli to the inn-keeper and four to + the surgeon. Just as I was going to proffer my painful request, Brother + Stephano made his appearance in my room, and burst into loud laughter + enquiring whether I had forgotten the blow from his stick! + </p> + <p> + I was struck with amazement! I begged the surgeon to leave me with the + monk, and he immediately complied. + </p> + <p> + I must ask my readers whether it is possible, in the face of such + extraordinary circumstances, not to feel superstitious! What is truly + miraculous in this case is the precise minute at which the event took + place, for the friar entered the room as the word was hanging on my lips. + What surprised me most was the force of Providence, of fortune, of chance, + whatever name is given to it, of that very necessary combination which + compelled me to find no hope but in that fatal monk, who had begun to be + my protective genius in Chiozza at the moment my distress had likewise + commenced. And yet, a singular guardian angel, this Stephano! I felt that + the mysterious force which threw me in his hands was a punishment rather + than a favour. + </p> + <p> + Nevertheless he was welcome, because I had no doubt of his relieving me + from my difficulties,—and whatever might be the power that sent him + to me, I felt that I could not do better than to submit to its influence; + the destiny of that monk was to escort me to Rome. + </p> + <p> + “Chi va piano va sano,” said the friar as soon as we were alone. He had + taken five days to traverse the road over which I had travelled in one + day, but he was in good health, and he had met with no misfortune. He told + me that, as he was passing, he heard that an abbe, secretary to the + Venetian ambassador at Rome, was lying ill at the inn, after having been + robbed in Valcimara. “I came to see you,” he added, “and as I find you + recovered from your illness, we can start again together; I agree to walk + six miles every day to please you. Come, let us forget the past, and let + us be at once on our way.” + </p> + <p> + “I cannot go; I have lost my purse, and I owe twenty paoli.” + </p> + <p> + “I will go and find the amount in the name of Saint-Francis.” + </p> + <p> + He returned within an hour, but he was accompanied by the infamous + constable who told me that, if I had let him know who I was, he would have + been happy to keep me in his house. “I will give you,” he continued, + “forty paoli, if you will promise me the protection of your ambassador; + but if you do not succeed in obtaining it for me in Rome, you will + undertake to repay me. Therefore you must give me an acknowledgement of + the debt.” + </p> + <p> + “I have no objection.” Every arrangement was speedily completed; I + received the money, paid my debts, and left Seraval with Stephano. + </p> + <p> + About one o’clock in the afternoon, we saw a wretched-looking house at a + short distance from the road, and the friar said, “It is a good distance + from here to Collefiorito; we had better put up there for the night.” It + was in vain that I objected, remonstrating that we were certain of having + very poor accommodation! I had to submit to his will. We found a decrepit + old man lying on a pallet, two ugly women of thirty or forty, three + children entirely naked, a cow, and a cursed dog which barked continually. + It was a picture of squalid misery; but the niggardly monk, instead of + giving alms to the poor people, asked them to entertain us to supper in + the name of Saint-Francis. + </p> + <p> + “You must boil the hen,” said the dying man to the females, “and bring out + of the cellar the bottle of wine which I have kept now for twenty years.” + As he uttered those few words, he was seized with such a fit of coughing + that I thought he would die. The friar went near him, and promised him + that, by the grace of Saint-Francis, he would get young and well. Moved by + the sight of so much misery, I wanted to continue my journey as far as + Collefiorito, and to wait there for Stephano, but the women would not let + me go, and I remained. After boiling for four hours the hen set the + strongest teeth at defiance, and the bottle which I uncorked proved to be + nothing but sour vinegar. Losing patience, I got hold of the monk’s + batticaslo, and took out of it enough for a plentiful supper, and I saw + the two women opening their eyes very wide at the sight of our provisions. + </p> + <p> + We all ate with good appetite, and, after our supper the women made for us + two large beds of fresh straw, and we lay down in the dark, as the last + bit of candle to be found in the miserable dwelling was burnt out. We had + not been lying on the straw five minutes, when Stephano called out to me + that one of the women had just placed herself near him, and at the same + instant the other one takes me in her arms and kisses me. I push her away, + and the monk defends himself against the other; but mine, nothing daunted, + insists upon laying herself near me; I get up, the dog springs at my neck, + and fear compels me to remain quiet on my straw bed; the monk screams, + swears, struggles, the dog barks furiously, the old man coughs; all is + noise and confusion. At last Stephano, protected by his heavy garments, + shakes off the too loving shrew, and, braving the dog, manages to find his + stick. Then he lays about to right and left, striking in every direction; + one of the women exclaims, “Oh, God!” the friar answers, “She has her + quietus.” Calm reigns again in the house, the dog, most likely dead, is + silent; the old man, who perhaps has received his death-blow, coughs no + more; the children sleep, and the women, afraid of the singular caresses + of the monk, sheer off into a corner; the remainder of the night passed + off quietly. + </p> + <p> + At day-break I rose; Stephano was likewise soon up. I looked all round, + and my surprise was great when I found that the women had gone out, and + seeing that the old man gave no sign of life, and had a bruise on his + forehead, I shewed it to Stephano, remarking that very likely he had + killed him. + </p> + <p> + “It is possible,” he answered, “but I have not done it intentionally.” + </p> + <p> + Then taking up his batticulo and finding it empty he flew into a violent + passion; but I was much pleased, for I had been afraid that the women had + gone out to get assistance and to have us arrested, and the robbery of our + provisions reassured me, as I felt certain that the poor wretches had gone + out of the way so as to secure impunity for their theft. But I laid great + stress upon the danger we should run by remaining any longer, and I + succeeded in frightening the friar out of the house. We soon met a + waggoner going to Folligno; I persuaded Stephano to take the opportunity + of putting a good distance between us and the scene of our last + adventures; and, as we were eating our breakfast at Folligno, we saw + another waggon, quite empty, got a lift in it for a trifle, and thus rode + to Pisignano, where a devout person gave us a charitable welcome, and I + slept soundly through the night without the dread of being arrested. + </p> + <p> + Early the next day we reached Spoleti, where Brother Stephano had two + benefactors, and, careful not to give either of them a cause of jealousy, + he favoured both; we dined with the first, who entertained us like + princes, and we had supper and lodging in the house of the second, a + wealthy wine merchant, and the father of a large and delightful family. He + gave us a delicious supper, and everything would have gone on pleasantly + had not the friar, already excited by his good dinner, made himself quite + drunk. In that state, thinking to please his new host, he began to abuse + the other, greatly to my annoyance; he said the wine he had given us to + drink was adulterated, and that the man was a thief. I gave him the lie to + his face, and called him a scoundrel. The host and his wife pacified me, + saying that they were well acquainted with their neighbour, and knew what + to think of him; but the monk threw his napkin at my face, and the host + took him very quietly by the arm and put him to bed in a room in which he + locked him up. I slept in another room. + </p> + <p> + In the morning I rose early, and was considering whether it would not be + better to go alone, when the friar, who had slept himself sober, made his + appearance and told me that we ought for the future to live together like + good friends, and not give way to angry feelings; I followed my destiny + once more. We resumed our journey, and at Soma, the inn-keeper, a woman of + rare beauty, gave us a good dinner, and some excellent Cyprus wine which + the Venetian couriers exchanged with her against delicious truffles found + in the vicinity of Soma, which sold for a good price in Venice. I did not + leave the handsome inn-keeper without losing a part of my heart. + </p> + <p> + It would be difficult to draw a picture of the indignation which + overpowered me when, as we were about two miles from Terni, the infamous + friar shewed me a small bag full of truffles which the scoundrel had + stolen from the amiable woman by way of thanks for her generous + hospitality. The truffles were worth two sequins at least. In my + indignation I snatched the bag from him, saying that I would certainly + return it to its lawful owner. But, as he had not committed the robbery to + give himself the pleasure of making restitution, he threw himself upon me, + and we came to a regular fight. But victory did not remain long in + abeyance; I forced his stick out of his hands, knocked him into a ditch, + and went off. On reaching Terni, I wrote a letter of apology to our + beautiful hostess of Soma, and sent back the truffles. + </p> + <p> + From Terni I went on foot to Otricoli, where I only stayed long enough to + examine the fine old bridge, and from there I paid four paoli to a + waggoner who carried me to Castel-Nuovo, from which place I walked to + Rome. I reached the celebrated city on the 1st of September, at nine in + the morning. + </p> + <p> + I must not forget to mention here a rather peculiar circumstance, which, + however ridiculous it may be in reality, will please many of my readers. + </p> + <p> + An hour after I had left Castel-Nuovo, the atmosphere being calm and the + sky clear, I perceived on my right, and within ten paces of me, a + pyramidal flame about two feet long and four or five feet above the + ground. This apparition surprised me, because it seemed to accompany me. + Anxious to examine it, I endeavoured to get nearer to it, but the more I + advanced towards it the further it went from me. It would stop when I + stood still, and when the road along which I was travelling happened to be + lined with trees, I no longer saw it, but it was sure to reappear as soon + as I reached a portion of the road without trees. I several times retraced + my steps purposely, but, every time I did so, the flame disappeared, and + would not shew itself again until I proceeded towards Rome. This + extraordinary beacon left me when daylight chased darkness from the sky. + </p> + <p> + What a splendid field for ignorant superstition, if there had been any + witnesses to that phenomenon, and if I had chanced to make a great name in + Rome! History is full of such trifles, and the world is full of people who + attach great importance to them in spite of the so-called light of + science. I must candidly confess that, although somewhat versed in + physics, the sight of that small meteor gave me singular ideas. But I was + prudent enough not to mention the circumstance to any one. + </p> + <p> + When I reached the ancient capital of the world, I possessed only seven + paoli, and consequently I did not loiter about. I paid no attention to the + splendid entrance through the gate of the polar trees, which is by mistake + pompously called of the people, or to the beautiful square of the same + name, or to the portals of the magnificent churches, or to all the stately + buildings which generally strike the traveller as he enters the city. I + went straight towards Monte-Magnanopoli, where, according to the address + given to me, I was to find the bishop. There I was informed that he had + left Rome ten days before, leaving instructions to send me to Naples free + of expense. A coach was to start for Naples the next day; not caring to + see Rome, I went to bed until the time for the departure of the coach. I + travelled with three low fellows to whom I did not address one word + through the whole of the journey. I entered Naples on the 6th day of + September. + </p> + <p> + I went immediately to the address which had been given to me in Rome; the + bishop was not there. I called at the Convent of the Minims, and I found + that he had left Naples to proceed to Martorano. I enquired whether he had + left any instructions for me, but all in vain, no one could give me any + information. And there I was, alone in a large city, without a friend, + with eight carlini in my pocket, and not knowing what to do! But never + mind; fate calls me to Martorano, and to Martorano I must go. The + distance, after all, is only two hundred miles. + </p> + <p> + I found several drivers starting for Cosenza, but when they heard that I + had no luggage, they refused to take me, unless I paid in advance. They + were quite right, but their prudence placed me under the necessity of + going on foot. Yet I felt I must reach Martorano, and I made up my mind to + walk the distance, begging food and lodging like the very reverend Brother + Stephano. + </p> + <p> + First of all I made a light meal for one fourth of my money, and, having + been informed that I had to follow the Salerno road, I went towards + Portici where I arrived in an hour and a half. I already felt rather + fatigued; my legs, if not my head, took me to an inn, where I ordered a + room and some supper. I was served in good style, my appetite was + excellent, and I passed a quiet night in a comfortable bed. In the morning + I told the inn-keeper that I would return for my dinner, and I went out to + visit the royal palace. As I passed through the gate, I was met by a man + of prepossessing appearance, dressed in the eastern fashion, who offered + to shew me all over the palace, saying that I would thus save my money. I + was in a position to accept any offer; I thanked him for his kindness. + </p> + <p> + Happening during the conversation to state that I was a Venetian, he told + me that he was my subject, since he came from Zante. I acknowledged his + polite compliment with a reverence. + </p> + <p> + “I have,” he said, “some very excellent muscatel wine grown in the East, + which I could sell you cheap.” + </p> + <p> + “I might buy some, but I warn you I am a good judge.” + </p> + <p> + “So much the better. Which do you prefer?” + </p> + <p> + “The Cerigo wine.” + </p> + <p> + “You are right. I have some rare Cerigo muscatel, and we can taste it if + you have no objection to dine with me.” + </p> + <p> + “None whatever.” + </p> + <p> + “I can likewise give you the wines of Samos and Cephalonia. I have also a + quantity of minerals, plenty of vitriol, cinnabar, antimony, and one + hundred quintals of mercury.” + </p> + <p> + “Are all these goods here?” + </p> + <p> + “No, they are in Naples. Here I have only the muscatel wine and the + mercury.” + </p> + <p> + It is quite naturally and without any intention to deceive, that a young + man accustomed to poverty, and ashamed of it when he speaks to a rich + stranger, boasts of his means—of his fortune. As I was talking with + my new acquaintance, I recollected an amalgam of mercury with lead and + bismuth, by which the mercury increases one-fourth in weight. I said + nothing, but I bethought myself that if the mystery should be unknown to + the Greek I might profit by it. I felt that some cunning was necessary, + and that he would not care for my secret if I proposed to sell it to him + without preparing the way. The best plan was to astonish my man with the + miracle of the augmentation of the mercury, treat it as a jest, and see + what his intentions would be. Cheating is a crime, but honest cunning may + be considered as a species of prudence. True, it is a quality which is + near akin to roguery; but that cannot be helped, and the man who, in time + of need, does not know how to exercise his cunning nobly is a fool. The + Greeks call this sort of wisdom Cerdaleophyon from the word cerdo; fox, + and it might be translated by foxdom if there were such a word in English. + </p> + <p> + After we had visited the palace we returned to the inn, and the Greek took + me to his room, in which he ordered the table to be laid for two. In the + next room I saw several large vessels of muscatel wine and four flagons of + mercury, each containing about ten pounds. + </p> + <p> + My plans were laid, and I asked him to let me have one of the flagons of + mercury at the current price, and took it to my room. The Greek went out + to attend to his business, reminding me that he expected me to dinner. I + went out likewise, and bought two pounds and a half of lead and an equal + quantity of bismuth; the druggist had no more. I came back to the inn, + asked for some large empty bottles, and made the amalgam. + </p> + <p> + We dined very pleasantly, and the Greek was delighted because I pronounced + his Cerigo excellent. In the course of conversation he inquired laughingly + why I had bought one of his flagons of mercury. + </p> + <p> + “You can find out if you come to my room,” I said. + </p> + <p> + After dinner we repaired to my room, and he found his mercury divided in + two vessels. I asked for a piece of chamois, strained the liquid through + it, filled his own flagon, and the Greek stood astonished at the sight of + the fine mercury, about one-fourth of a flagon, which remained over, with + an equal quantity of a powder unknown to him; it was the bismuth. My merry + laugh kept company with his astonishment, and calling one of the servants + of the inn I sent him to the druggist to sell the mercury that was left. + He returned in a few minutes and handed me fifteen carlini. + </p> + <p> + The Greek, whose surprise was complete, asked me to give him back his own + flagon, which was there quite full, and worth sixty carlini. I handed it + to him with a smile, thanking him for the opportunity he had afforded me + of earning fifteen carlini, and took care to add that I should leave for + Salerno early the next morning. + </p> + <p> + “Then we must have supper together this evening,” he said. + </p> + <p> + During the afternoon we took a walk towards Mount Vesuvius. Our + conversation went from one subject to another, but no allusion was made to + the mercury, though I could see that the Greek had something on his mind. + At supper he told me, jestingly, that I ought to stop in Portici the next + day to make forty-five carlini out of the three other flagons of mercury. + I answered gravely that I did not want the money, and that I had augmented + the first flagon only for the sake of procuring him an agreeable surprise. + </p> + <p> + “But,” said he, “you must be very wealthy.” + </p> + <p> + “No, I am not, because I am in search of the secret of the augmentation of + gold, and it is a very expensive study for us.” + </p> + <p> + “How many are there in your company?” + </p> + <p> + “Only my uncle and myself.” + </p> + <p> + “What do you want to augment gold for? The augmentation of mercury ought + to be enough for you. Pray, tell me whether the mercury augmented by you + to-day is again susceptible of a similar increase.” + </p> + <p> + “No, if it were so, it would be an immense source of wealth for us.” + </p> + <p> + “I am much pleased with your sincerity.” + </p> + <p> + Supper over I paid my bill, and asked the landlord to get me a carriage + and pair of horses to take me to Salerno early the next morning. I thanked + the Greek for his delicious muscatel wine, and, requesting his address in + Naples, I assured him that he would see me within a fortnight, as I was + determined to secure a cask of his Cerigo. + </p> + <p> + We embraced each other, and I retired to bed well pleased with my day’s + work, and in no way astonished at the Greek’s not offering to purchase my + secret, for I was certain that he would not sleep for anxiety, and that I + should see him early in the morning. At all events, I had enough money to + reach the Tour-du-Grec, and there Providence would take care of me. Yet it + seemed to me very difficult to travel as far as Martorano, begging like a + mendicant-friar, because my outward appearance did not excite pity; people + would feel interested in me only from a conviction that I needed nothing—a + very unfortunate conviction, when the object of it is truly poor. + </p> + <p> + As I had forseen, the Greek was in my room at daybreak. I received him in + a friendly way, saying that we could take coffee together. + </p> + <p> + “Willingly; but tell me, reverend abbe, whether you would feel disposed to + sell me your secret?” + </p> + <p> + “Why not? When we meet in Naples—” + </p> + <p> + “But why not now?” + </p> + <p> + “I am expected in Salerno; besides, I would only sell the secret for a + large sum of money, and I am not acquainted with you.” + </p> + <p> + “That does not matter, as I am sufficiently known here to pay you in cash. + How much would you want?” + </p> + <p> + “Two thousand ounces.” + </p> + <p> + “I agree to pay you that sum provided that I succeed in making the + augmentation myself with such matter as you name to me, which I will + purchase.” + </p> + <p> + “It is impossible, because the necessary ingredients cannot be got here; + but they are common enough in Naples.” + </p> + <p> + “If it is any sort of metal, we can get it at the Tour-du-Grec. We could go + there together. Can you tell me what is the expense of the augmentation?” + </p> + <p> + “One and a half per cent. but are you likewise known at the Tour-du-Grec, + for I should not like to lose my time?” + </p> + <p> + “Your doubts grieve me.” + </p> + <p> + Saying which, he took a pen, wrote a few words, and handed to me this + order: + </p> + <p> + “At sight, pay to bearer the sum of fifty gold ounces, on account of + Panagiotti.” + </p> + <p> + He told me that the banker resided within two hundred yards of the inn, + and he pressed me to go there myself. I did not stand upon ceremony, but + went to the banker who paid me the amount. I returned to my room in which + he was waiting for me, and placed the gold on the table, saying that we + could now proceed together to the Tour-du-Grec, where we would complete + our arrangements after the signature of a deed of agreement. The Greek had + his own carriage and horses; he gave orders for them to be got ready, and + we left the inn; but he had nobly insisted upon my taking possession of + the fifty ounces. + </p> + <p> + When we arrived at the Tour-du-Grec, he signed a document by which he + promised to pay me two thousand ounces as soon as I should have discovered + to him the process of augmenting mercury by one-fourth without injuring + its quality, the amalgam to be equal to the mercury which I had sold in + his presence at Portici. + </p> + <p> + He then gave me a bill of exchange payable at sight in eight days on M. + Genaro de Carlo. I told him that the ingredients were lead and bismuth; + the first, combining with mercury, and the second giving to the whole the + perfect fluidity necessary to strain it through the chamois leather. The + Greek went out to try the amalgam—I do not know where, and I dined + alone, but toward evening he came back, looking very disconsolate, as I + had expected. + </p> + <p> + “I have made the amalgam,” he said, “but the mercury is not perfect.” + </p> + <p> + “It is equal to that which I have sold in Portici, and that is the very + letter of your engagement.” + </p> + <p> + “But my engagement says likewise without injury to the quality. You must + agree that the quality is injured, because it is no longer susceptible of + further augmentation.” + </p> + <p> + “You knew that to be the case; the point is its equality with the mercury + I sold in Portici. But we shall have to go to law, and you will lose. I am + sorry the secret should become public. Congratulate yourself, sir, for, if + you should gain the lawsuit, you will have obtained my secret for nothing. + I would never have believed you capable of deceiving me in such a manner.” + </p> + <p> + “Reverend sir, I can assure you that I would not willingly deceive any + one.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you know the secret, or do you not? Do you suppose I would have given + it to you without the agreement we entered into? Well, there will be some + fun over this affair in Naples, and the lawyers will make money out of it. + But I am much grieved at this turn of affairs, and I am very sorry that I + allowed myself to be so easily deceived by your fine talk. In the mean + time, here are your fifty ounces.” + </p> + <p> + As I was taking the money out of my pocket, frightened to death lest he + should accept it, he left the room, saying that he would not have it. He + soon returned; we had supper in the same room, but at separate tables; war + had been openly declared, but I felt certain that a treaty of peace would + soon be signed. We did not exchange one word during the evening, but in + the morning he came to me as I was getting ready to go. I again offered to + return the money I received, but he told me to keep it, and proposed to + give me fifty ounces more if I would give him back his bill of exchange + for two thousand. We began to argue the matter quietly, and after two + hours of discussion I gave in. I received fifty ounces more, we dined + together like old friends, and embraced each other cordially. As I was + bidding him adieu, he gave me an order on his house at Naples for a barrel + of muscatel wine, and he presented me with a splendid box containing + twelve razors with silver handles, manufactured in the Tour-du-Grec. We + parted the best friends in the world and well pleased with each other. + </p> + <p> + I remained two days in Salerno to provide myself with linen and other + necessaries. Possessing about one hundred sequins, and enjoying good + health, I was very proud of my success, in which I could not see any cause + of reproach to myself, for the cunning I had brought into play to insure + the sale of my secret could not be found fault with except by the most + intolerant of moralists, and such men have no authority to speak on + matters of business. At all events, free, rich, and certain of presenting + myself before the bishop with a respectable appearance, and not like a + beggar, I soon recovered my natural spirits, and congratulated myself upon + having bought sufficient experience to insure me against falling a second + time an easy prey to a Father Corsini, to thieving gamblers, to mercenary + women, and particularly to the impudent scoundrels who barefacedly praise + so well those they intend to dupe—a species of knaves very common in + the world, even amongst people who form what is called good society. + </p> + <p> + I left Salerno with two priests who were going to Cosenza on business, and + we traversed the distance of one hundred and forty-two miles in twenty-two + hours. The day after my arrival in the capital of Calabria, I took a small + carriage and drove to Martorano. During the journey, fixing my eyes upon + the famous mare Ausonaum, I felt delighted at finding myself in the middle + of Magna Grecia, rendered so celebrated for twenty-four centuries by its + connection with Pythagoras. I looked with astonishment upon a country + renowned for its fertility, and in which, in spite of nature’s + prodigality, my eyes met everywhere the aspect of terrible misery, the + complete absence of that pleasant superfluity which helps man to enjoy + life, and the degradation of the inhabitants sparsely scattered on a soil + where they ought to be so numerous; I felt ashamed to acknowledge them as + originating from the same stock as myself. Such is, however the Terra di + Lavoro where labour seems to be execrated, where everything is cheap, + where the miserable inhabitants consider that they have made a good + bargain when they have found anyone disposed to take care of the fruit + which the ground supplies almost spontaneously in too great abundance, and + for which there is no market. I felt compelled to admit the justice of the + Romans who had called them Brutes instead of Byutians. The good priests + with whom I had been travelling laughed at my dread of the tarantula and + of the crasydra, for the disease brought on by the bite of those insects + appeared to me more fearful even than a certain disease with which I was + already too well acquainted. They assured me that all the stories relating + to those creatures were fables; they laughed at the lines which Virgil has + devoted to them in the Georgics as well as at all those I quoted to + justify my fears. + </p> + <p> + I found Bishop Bernard de Bernardis occupying a hard chair near an old + table on which he was writing. I fell on my knees, as it is customary to + do before a prelate, but, instead of giving me his blessing, he raised me + up from the floor, and, folding me in his arms, embraced me tenderly. He + expressed his deep sorrow when I told him that in Naples I had not been + able to find any instructions to enable me to join him, but his face + lighted up again when I added that I was indebted to no one for money, and + that I was in good health. He bade me take a seat, and with a heavy sigh + he began to talk of his poverty, and ordered a servant to lay the cloth + for three persons. Besides this servant, his lordship’s suite consisted of + a most devout-looking housekeeper, and of a priest whom I judged to be + very ignorant from the few words he uttered during our meal. The house + inhabited by his lordship was large, but badly built and poorly kept. The + furniture was so miserable that, in order to make up a bed for me in the + room adjoining his chamber, the poor bishop had to give up one of his two + mattresses! His dinner, not to say any more about it, frightened me, for + he was very strict in keeping the rules of his order, and this being a + fast day, he did not eat any meat, and the oil was very bad. Nevertheless, + monsignor was an intelligent man, and, what is still better, an honest + man. He told me, much to my surprise, that his bishopric, although not one + of little importance, brought him in only five hundred ducat-diregno + yearly, and that, unfortunately, he had contracted debts to the amount of + six hundred. He added, with a sigh, that his only happiness was to feel + himself out of the clutches of the monks, who had persecuted him, and made + his life a perfect purgatory for fifteen years. All these confidences + caused me sorrow and mortification, because they proved to me, not only + that I was not in the promised land where a mitre could be picked up, but + also that I would be a heavy charge for him. I felt that he was grieved + himself at the sorry present his patronage seemed likely to prove. + </p> + <p> + I enquired whether he had a good library, whether there were any literary + men, or any good society in which one could spend a few agreeable hours. + He smiled and answered that throughout his diocese there was not one man + who could boast of writing decently, and still less of any taste or + knowledge in literature; that there was not a single bookseller, nor any + person caring even for the newspapers. But he promised me that we would + follow our literary tastes together, as soon as he received the books he + had ordered from Naples. + </p> + <p> + That was all very well, but was this the place for a young man of eighteen + to live in, without a good library, without good society, without + emulation and literary intercourse? The good bishop, seeing me full of sad + thoughts, and almost astounded at the prospect of the miserable life I + should have to lead with him, tried to give me courage by promising to do + everything in his power to secure my happiness. + </p> + <p> + The next day, the bishop having to officiate in his pontifical robes, I + had an opportunity of seeing all the clergy, and all the faithful of the + diocese, men and women, of whom the cathedral was full; the sight made me + resolve at once to leave Martorano. I thought I was gazing upon a troop of + brutes for whom my external appearance was a cause of scandal. How ugly + were the women! What a look of stupidity and coarseness in the men! When I + returned to the bishop’s house I told the prelate that I did not feel in + me the vocation to die within a few months a martyr in this miserable + city. + </p> + <p> + “Give me your blessing,” I added, “and let me go; or, rather, come with + me. I promise you that we shall make a fortune somewhere else.” + </p> + <p> + The proposal made him laugh repeatedly during the day. Had he agreed to it + he would not have died two years afterwards in the prime of manhood. The + worthy man, feeling how natural was my repugnance, begged me to forgive + him for having summoned me to him, and, considering it his duty to send me + back to Venice, having no money himself and not being aware that I had + any, he told me that he would give me an introduction to a worthy citizen + of Naples who would lend me sixty ducati-di-regno to enable me to reach my + native city. I accepted his offer with gratitude, and going to my room I + took out of my trunk the case of fine razors which the Greek had given me, + and I begged his acceptance of it as a souvenir of me. I had great + difficulty in forcing it upon him, for it was worth the sixty ducats, and + to conquer his resistance I had to threaten to remain with him if he + refused my present. He gave me a very flattering letter of recommendation + for the Archbishop of Cosenza, in which he requested him to forward me as + far as Naples without any expense to myself. It was thus I left Martorano + sixty hours after my arrival, pitying the bishop whom I was leaving + behind, and who wept as he was pouring heartfelt blessings upon me. + </p> + <p> + The Archbishop of Cosenza, a man of wealth and of intelligence, offered me + a room in his palace. During the dinner I made, with an overflowing heart, + the eulogy of the Bishop of Martorano; but I railed mercilessly at his + diocese and at the whole of Calabria in so cutting a manner that I greatly + amused the archbishop and all his guests, amongst whom were two ladies, + his relatives, who did the honours of the dinner-table. The youngest, + however, objected to the satirical style in which I had depicted her + country, and declared war against me; but I contrived to obtain peace + again by telling her that Calabria would be a delightful country if + one-fourth only of its inhabitants were like her. Perhaps it was with the + idea of proving to me that I had been wrong in my opinion that the + archbishop gave on the following day a splendid supper. + </p> + <p> + Cosenza is a city in which a gentleman can find plenty of amusement; the + nobility are wealthy, the women are pretty, and men generally + well-informed, because they have been educated in Naples or in Rome. I + left Cosenza on the third day with a letter from the archbishop for the + far-famed Genovesi. + </p> + <p> + I had five travelling companions, whom I judged, from their appearance, to + be either pirates or banditti, and I took very good care not to let them + see or guess that I had a well-filled purse. I likewise thought it prudent + to go to bed without undressing during the whole journey—an + excellent measure of prudence for a young man travelling in that part of + the country. + </p> + <p> + I reached Naples on the 16th of September, 1743, and I lost no time in + presenting the letter of the Bishop of Martorano. It was addressed to a M. + Gennaro Polo at St. Anne’s. This excellent man, whose duty was only to + give me the sum of sixty ducats, insisted, after perusing the bishop’s + letter, upon receiving me in his house, because he wished me to make the + acquaintance of his son, who was a poet like myself. The bishop had + represented my poetry as sublime. After the usual ceremonies, I accepted + his kind invitation, my trunk was sent for, and I was a guest in the house + of M. Gennaro Polo. + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0009" id="link2HCH0009"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IX + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + My Stay in Naples; It Is Short but Happy—Don Antonio + Casanova—Don Lelio Caraffa—I Go to Rome in Very Agreeable + Company, and Enter the Service of Cardinal Acquaviva— + Barbara—Testaccio—Frascati +</pre> + <a name="linkimage-0006" id="linkimage-0006"> + <!-- IMG --></a> + <div class="fig" style="width:80%;"> + <img src="images/1c09.jpg" width="100%" alt="1c09.jpg " /> + </div> + <p> + I had no difficulty in answering the various questions which Doctor + Gennaro addressed to me, but I was surprised, and even displeased, at the + constant peals of laughter with which he received my answers. The piteous + description of miserable Calabria, and the picture of the sad situation of + the Bishop of Martorano, appeared to me more likely to call forth tears + than to excite hilarity, and, suspecting that some mystification was being + played upon me, I was very near getting angry when, becoming more + composed, he told me with feeling that I must kindly excuse him; that his + laughter was a disease which seemed to be endemic in his family, for one + of his uncles died of it. + </p> + <p> + “What!” I exclaimed, “died of laughing!” + </p> + <p> + “Yes. This disease, which was not known to Hippocrates, is called li + flati.” + </p> + <p> + “What do you mean? Does an hypochondriac affection, which causes sadness + and lowness in all those who suffer from it, render you cheerful?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, because, most likely, my flati, instead of influencing the + hypochondrium, affects my spleen, which my physician asserts to be the + organ of laughter. It is quite a discovery.” + </p> + <p> + “You are mistaken; it is a very ancient notion, and it is the only + function which is ascribed to the spleen in our animal organization.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, we must discuss the matter at length, for I hope you will remain + with us a few weeks.” + </p> + <p> + “I wish I could, but I must leave Naples to-morrow or the day after.” + </p> + <p> + “Have you got any money?” + </p> + <p> + “I rely upon the sixty ducats you have to give me.” + </p> + <p> + At these words, his peals of laughter began again, and as he could see + that I was annoyed, he said, “I am amused at the idea that I can keep you + here as long as I like. But be good enough to see my son; he writes pretty + verses enough.” + </p> + <p> + And truly his son, although only fourteen, was already a great poet. + </p> + <p> + A servant took me to the apartment of the young man whom I found possessed + of a pleasing countenance and engaging manners. He gave me a polite + welcome, and begged to be excused if he could not attend to me altogether + for the present, as he had to finish a song which he was composing for a + relative of the Duchess de Rovino, who was taking the veil at the Convent + of St. Claire, and the printer was waiting for the manuscript. I told him + that his excuse was a very good one, and I offered to assist him. He then + read his song, and I found it so full of enthusiasm, and so truly in the + style of Guidi, that I advised him to call it an ode; but as I had praised + all the truly beautiful passages, I thought I could venture to point out + the weak ones, and I replaced them by verses of my own composition. He was + delighted, and thanked me warmly, inquiring whether I was Apollo. As he + was writing his ode, I composed a sonnet on the same subject, and, + expressing his admiration for it he begged me to sign it, and to allow him + to send it with his poetry. + </p> + <p> + While I was correcting and recopying my manuscript, he went to his father + to find out who I was, which made the old man laugh until supper-time. In + the evening, I had the pleasure of seeing that my bed had been prepared in + the young man’s chamber. + </p> + <p> + Doctor Gennaro’s family was composed of this son and of a daughter + unfortunately very plain, of his wife and of two elderly, devout sisters. + Amongst the guests at the supper-table I met several literary men, and the + Marquis Galiani, who was at that time annotating Vitruvius. He had a + brother, an abbe whose acquaintance I made twenty years after, in Paris, + when he was secretary of embassy to Count Cantillana. The next day, at + supper, I was presented to the celebrated Genovesi; I had already sent him + the letter of the Archbishop of Cosenza. He spoke to me of Apostolo Zeno + and of the Abbe Conti. He remarked that it was considered a very venial + sin for a regular priest to say two masses in one day for the sake of + earning two carlini more, but that for the same sin a secular priest would + deserve to be burnt at the stake. + </p> + <p> + The nun took the veil on the following day, and Gennaro’s ode and my + sonnet had the greatest success. A Neapolitan gentleman, whose name was + the same as mine, expressed a wish to know me, and, hearing that I resided + at the doctor’s, he called to congratulate him on the occasion of his + feast-day, which happened to fall on the day following the ceremony at + Sainte-Claire. + </p> + <p> + Don Antonio Casanova, informing me of his name, enquired whether my family + was originally from Venice. + </p> + <p> + “I am, sir,” I answered modestly, “the great-grandson of the unfortunate + Marco Antonio Casanova, secretary to Cardinal Pompeo Colonna, who died of + the plague in Rome, in the year 1528, under the pontificate of Clement + VII.” The words were scarcely out of my lips when he embraced me, calling + me his cousin, but we all thought that Doctor Gennaro would actually die + with laughter, for it seemed impossible to laugh so immoderately without + risk of life. Madame Gennaro was very angry and told my newly-found cousin + that he might have avoided enacting such a scene before her husband, + knowing his disease, but he answered that he never thought the + circumstance likely to provoke mirth. I said nothing, for, in reality, I + felt that the recognition was very comic. Our poor laugher having + recovered his composure, Casanova, who had remained very serious, invited + me to dinner for the next day with my young friend Paul Gennaro, who had + already become my alter ego. + </p> + <p> + When we called at his house, my worthy cousin showed me his family tree, + beginning with a Don Francisco, brother of Don Juan. In my pedigree, which + I knew by heart, Don Juan, my direct ancestor, was a posthumous child. It + was possible that there might have been a brother of Marco Antonio’s; but + when he heard that my genealogy began with Don Francisco, from Aragon, who + had lived in the fourteenth century, and that consequently all the + pedigree of the illustrious house of the Casanovas of Saragossa belonged + to him, his joy knew no bounds; he did not know what to do to convince me + that the same blood was flowing in his veins and in mine. + </p> + <p> + He expressed some curiosity to know what lucky accident had brought me to + Naples; I told him that, having embraced the ecclesiastical profession, I + was going to Rome to seek my fortune. He then presented me to his family, + and I thought that I could read on the countenance of my cousin, his + dearly beloved wife, that she was not much pleased with the newly-found + relationship, but his pretty daughter, and a still prettier niece of his, + might very easily have given me faith in the doctrine that blood is + thicker than water, however fabulous it may be. + </p> + <p> + After dinner, Don Antonio informed me that the Duchess de Bovino had + expressed a wish to know the Abbe Casanova who had written the sonnet in + honour of her relative, and that he would be very happy to introduce me to + her as his own cousin. As we were alone at that moment, I begged he would + not insist on presenting me, as I was only provided with travelling suits, + and had to be careful of my purse so as not to arrive in Rome without + money. Delighted at my confidence, and approving my economy, he said, “I + am rich, and you must not scruple to come with me to my tailor;” and he + accompanied his offer with an assurance that the circumstance would not be + known to anyone, and that he would feel deeply mortified if I denied him + the pleasure of serving me. I shook him warmly by the hand, and answered + that I was ready to do anything he pleased. We went to a tailor who took + my measure, and who brought me on the following day everything necessary + to the toilet of the most elegant abbe. Don Antonio called on me, and + remained to dine with Don Gennaro, after which he took me and my friend + Paul to the duchess. This lady, according to the Neapolitan fashion, + called me thou in her very first compliment of welcome. Her daughter, then + only ten or twelve years old, was very handsome, and a few years later + became Duchess de Matalona. The duchess presented me with a snuff-box in + pale tortoise-shell with arabesque incrustations in gold, and she invited + us to dine with her on the morrow, promising to take us after dinner to + the Convent of St. Claire to pay a visit to the new nun. + </p> + <p> + As we came out of the palace of the duchess, I left my friends and went + alone to Panagiotti’s to claim the barrel of muscatel wine. The manager + was kind enough to have the barrel divided into two smaller casks of equal + capacity, and I sent one to Don Antonio, and the other to Don Gennaro. As + I was leaving the shop I met the worthy Panagiotti, who was glad to see + me. Was I to blush at the sight of the good man I had at first deceived? + No, for in his opinion I had acted very nobly towards him. + </p> + <p> + Don Gennaro, as I returned home, managed to thank me for my handsome + present without laughing, and the next day Don Antonio, to make up for the + muscatel wine I had sent him, offered me a gold-headed cane, worth at + least fifteen ounces, and his tailor brought me a travelling suit and a + blue great coat, with the buttonholes in gold lace. I therefore found + myself splendidly equipped. + </p> + <p> + At the Duchess de Bovino’s dinner I made the acquaintance of the wisest + and most learned man in Naples, the illustrious Don Lelio Caraffa, who + belonged to the ducal family of Matalona, and whom King Carlos honoured + with the title of friend. + </p> + <p> + I spent two delightful hours in the convent parlour, coping successfully + with the curiosity of all the nuns who were pressing against the grating. + Had destiny allowed me to remain in Naples my fortune would have been + made; but, although I had no fixed plan, the voice of fate summoned me to + Rome, and therefore I resisted all the entreaties of my cousin Antonio to + accept the honourable position of tutor in several houses of the highest + order. + </p> + <p> + Don Antonio gave a splendid dinner in my honour, but he was annoyed and + angry because he saw that his wife looked daggers at her new cousin. I + thought that, more than once, she cast a glance at my new costume, and + then whispered to the guest next to her. Very likely she knew what had + taken place. There are some positions in life to which I could never be + reconciled. If, in the most brilliant circle, there is one person who + affects to stare at me I lose all presence of mind. Self-dignity feels + outraged, my wit dies away, and I play the part of a dolt. It is a + weakness on my part, but a weakness I cannot overcome. + </p> + <p> + Don Lelio Caraffa offered me a very liberal salary if I would undertake + the education of his nephew, the Duke de Matalona, then ten years of age. + I expressed my gratitude, and begged him to be my true benefactor in a + different manner—namely, by giving me a few good letters of + introduction for Rome, a favour which he granted at once. He gave me one + for Cardinal Acquaviva, and another for Father Georgi. + </p> + <p> + I found out that the interest felt towards me by my friends had induced + them to obtain for me the honour of kissing the hand of Her Majesty the + Queen, and I hastened my preparations to leave Naples, for the queen would + certainly have asked me some questions, and I could not have avoided + telling her that I had just left Martorano and the poor bishop whom she + had sent there. The queen likewise knew my mother; she would very likely + have alluded to my mother’s profession in Dresden; it would have mortified + Don Antonio, and my pedigree would have been covered with ridicule. I knew + the force of prejudice! I should have been ruined, and I felt I should do + well to withdraw in good time. As I took leave of him, Don Antonio + presented me with a fine gold watch and gave me a letter for Don Gaspar + Vidaldi, whom he called his best friend. Don Gennaro paid me the sixty + ducats, and his son, swearing eternal friendship, asked me to write to + him. They all accompanied me to the coach, blending their tears with mine, + and loading me with good wishes and blessings. + </p> + <p> + From my landing in Chiozza up to my arrival in Naples, fortune had seemed + bent upon frowning on me; in Naples it began to shew itself less adverse, + and on my return to that city it entirely smiled upon me. Naples has + always been a fortunate place for me, as the reader of my memoirs will + discover. My readers must not forget that in Portici I was on the point of + disgracing myself, and there is no remedy against the degradation of the + mind, for nothing can restore it to its former standard. It is a case of + disheartening atony for which there is no possible cure. + </p> + <p> + I was not ungrateful to the good Bishop of Martorano, for, if he had + unwittingly injured me by summoning me to his diocese, I felt that to his + letter for M. Gennaro I was indebted for all the good fortune which had + just befallen me. I wrote to him from Rome. + </p> + <p> + I was wholly engaged in drying my tears as we were driving through the + beautiful street of Toledo, and it was only after we had left Naples that + I could find time to examine the countenance of my travelling companions. + Next to me, I saw a man of from forty to fifty, with a pleasing face and a + lively air, but, opposite to me, two charming faces delighted my eyes. + They belonged to two ladies, young and pretty, very well dressed, with a + look of candour and modesty. This discovery was most agreeable, but I felt + sad and I wanted calm and silence. We reached Avessa without one word + being exchanged, and as the vetturino stopped there only to water his + mules, we did not get out of the coach. From Avessa to Capua my companions + conversed almost without interruption, and, wonderful to relate! I did not + open my lips once. I was amused by the Neapolitan jargon of the gentleman, + and by the pretty accent of the ladies, who were evidently Romans. It was + a most wonderful feat for me to remain five hours before two charming + women without addressing one word to them, without paying them one + compliment. + </p> + <p> + At Capua, where we were to spend the night, we put up at an inn, and were + shown into a room with two beds—a very usual thing in Italy. The + Neapolitan, addressing himself to me, said, + </p> + <p> + “Am I to have the honour of sleeping with the reverend gentleman?” + </p> + <p> + I answered in a very serious tone that it was for him to choose or to + arrange it otherwise, if he liked. The answer made the two ladies smile, + particularly the one whom I preferred, and it seemed to me a good omen. + </p> + <p> + We were five at supper, for it is usual for the vetturino to supply his + travellers with their meals, unless some private agreement is made + otherwise, and to sit down at table with them. In the desultory talk which + went on during the supper, I found in my travelling companions decorum, + propriety, wit, and the manners of persons accustomed to good society. I + became curious to know who they were, and going down with the driver after + supper, I asked him. + </p> + <p> + “The gentleman,” he told me, “is an advocate, and one of the ladies is his + wife, but I do not know which of the two.” + </p> + <p> + I went back to our room, and I was polite enough to go to bed first, in + order to make it easier for the ladies to undress themselves with freedom; + I likewise got up first in the morning, left the room, and only returned + when I was called for breakfast. The coffee was delicious. I praised it + highly, and the lady, the one who was my favourite, promised that I should + have the same every morning during our journey. The barber came in after + breakfast; the advocate was shaved, and the barber offered me his + services, which I declined, but the rogue declared that it was slovenly to + wear one’s beard. + </p> + <p> + When we had resumed our seats in the coach, the advocate made some remark + upon the impudence of barbers in general. + </p> + <p> + “But we ought to decide first,” said the lady, “whether or not it is + slovenly to go bearded.” + </p> + <p> + “Of course it is,” said the advocate. “Beard is nothing but a dirty + excrescence.” + </p> + <p> + “You may think so,” I answered, “but everybody does not share your + opinion. Do we consider as a dirty excrescence the hair of which we take + so much care, and which is of the same nature as the beard? Far from it; + we admire the length and the beauty of the hair.” + </p> + <p> + “Then,” remarked the lady, “the barber is a fool.” + </p> + <p> + “But after all,” I asked, “have I any beard?” + </p> + <p> + “I thought you had,” she answered. + </p> + <p> + “In that case, I will begin to shave as soon as I reach Rome, for this is + the first time that I have been convicted of having a beard.” + </p> + <p> + “My dear wife,” exclaimed the advocate, “you should have held your tongue; + perhaps the reverend abbe is going to Rome with the intention of becoming + a Capuchin friar.” + </p> + <p> + The pleasantry made me laugh, but, unwilling that he should have the last + word, I answered that he had guessed rightly, that such had been my + intention, but that I had entirely altered my mind since I had seen his + wife. + </p> + <p> + “Oh! you are wrong,” said the joyous Neapolitan, “for my wife is very fond + of Capuchins, and if you wish to please her, you had better follow your + original vocation.” Our conversation continued in the same tone of + pleasantry, and the day passed off in an agreeable manner; in the evening + we had a very poor supper at Garillan, but we made up for it by + cheerfulness and witty conversation. My dawning inclination for the + advocate’s wife borrowed strength from the affectionate manner she + displayed towards me. + </p> + <p> + The next day she asked me, after we had resumed our journey, whether I + intended to make a long stay in Rome before returning to Venice. I + answered that, having no acquaintances in Rome, I was afraid my life there + would be very dull. + </p> + <p> + “Strangers are liked in Rome,” she said, “I feel certain that you will be + pleased with your residence in that city.” + </p> + <p> + “May I hope, madam, that you will allow me to pay you my respects?” + </p> + <p> + “We shall be honoured by your calling on us,” said the advocate. + </p> + <p> + My eyes were fixed upon his charming wife. She blushed, but I did not + appear to notice it. I kept up the conversation, and the day passed as + pleasantly as the previous one. We stopped at Terracina, where they gave + us a room with three beds, two single beds and a large one between the two + others. It was natural that the two sisters should take the large bed; + they did so, and undressed themselves while the advocate and I went on + talking at the table, with our backs turned to them. As soon as they had + gone to rest, the advocate took the bed on which he found his nightcap, + and I the other, which was only about one foot distant from the large bed. + I remarked that the lady by whom I was captivated was on the side nearest + my couch, and, without much vanity, I could suppose that it was not owing + only to chance. + </p> + <p> + I put the light out and laid down, revolving in my mind a project which I + could not abandon, and yet durst not execute. In vain did I court sleep. A + very faint light enabled me to perceive the bed in which the pretty woman + was lying, and my eyes would, in spite of myself, remain open. It would be + difficult to guess what I might have done at last (I had already fought a + hard battle with myself for more than an hour), when I saw her rise, get + out of her bed, and go and lay herself down near her husband, who, most + likely, did not wake up, and continued to sleep in peace, for I did not + hear any noise. + </p> + <p> + Vexed, disgusted.... I tried to compose myself to sleep, and I woke only + at day-break. Seeing the beautiful wandering star in her own bed, I got + up, dressed myself in haste, and went out, leaving all my companions fast + asleep. I returned to the inn only at the time fixed for our departure, + and I found the advocate and the two ladies already in the coach, waiting + for me. + </p> + <p> + The lady complained, in a very obliging manner, of my not having cared for + her coffee; I pleaded as an excuse a desire for an early walk, and I took + care not to honour her even with a look; I feigned to be suffering from + the toothache, and remained in my corner dull and silent. At Piperno she + managed to whisper to me that my toothache was all sham; I was pleased + with the reproach, because it heralded an explanation which I craved for, + in spite of my vexation. + </p> + <p> + During the afternoon I continued my policy of the morning. I was morose + and silent until we reached Serinonetta, where we were to pass the night. + We arrived early, and the weather being fine, the lady said that she could + enjoy a walk, and asked me politely to offer her my arm. I did so, for it + would have been rude to refuse; besides I had had enough of my sulking + fit. An explanation could alone bring matters back to their original + standing, but I did not know how to force it upon the lady. Her husband + followed us at some distance with the sister. + </p> + <p> + When we were far enough in advance, I ventured to ask her why she had + supposed my toothache to have been feigned. + </p> + <p> + “I am very candid,” she said; “it is because the difference in your manner + was so marked, and because you were so careful to avoid looking at me + through the whole day. A toothache would not have prevented you from being + polite, and therefore I thought it had been feigned for some purpose. But + I am certain that not one of us can possibly have given you any grounds + for such a rapid change in your manner.” + </p> + <p> + “Yet something must have caused the change, and you, madam, are only half + sincere.” + </p> + <p> + “You are mistaken, sir, I am entirely sincere; and if I have given you any + motive for anger, I am, and must remain, ignorant of it. Be good enough to + tell me what I have done.” + </p> + <p> + “Nothing, for I have no right to complain.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, you have; you have a right, the same that I have myself; the right + which good society grants to every one of its members. Speak, and shew + yourself as sincere as I am.” + </p> + <p> + “You are certainly bound not to know, or to pretend not to know the real + cause, but you must acknowledge that my duty is to remain silent.” + </p> + <p> + “Very well; now it is all over; but if your duty bids you to conceal the + cause of your bad humour, it also bids you not to shew it. Delicacy + sometimes enforces upon a polite gentleman the necessity of concealing + certain feelings which might implicate either himself or others; it is a + restraint for the mind, I confess, but it has some advantage when its + effect is to render more amiable the man who forces himself to accept that + restraint.” Her close argument made me blush for shame, and carrying her + beautiful hand to my lips, I confessed my self in the wrong. + </p> + <p> + “You would see me at your feet,” I exclaimed, “in token of my repentance, + were I not afraid of injuring you—” + </p> + <p> + “Do not let us allude to the matter any more,” she answered. + </p> + <p> + And, pleased with my repentance, she gave me a look so expressive of + forgiveness that, without being afraid of augmenting my guilt, I took my + lips off her hand and I raised them to her half-open, smiling mouth. + Intoxicated with rapture, I passed so rapidly from a state of sadness to + one of overwhelming cheerfulness that during our supper the advocate + enjoyed a thousand jokes upon my toothache, so quickly cured by the simple + remedy of a walk. On the following day we dined at Velletri and slept in + Marino, where, although the town was full of troops, we had two small + rooms and a good supper. I could not have been on better terms with my + charming Roman; for, although I had received but a rapid proof of her + regard, it had been such a true one—such a tender one! In the coach + our eyes could not say much; but I was opposite to her, and our feet spoke + a very eloquent language. + </p> + <p> + The advocate had told me that he was going to Rome on some ecclesiastical + business, and that he intended to reside in the house of his + mother-in-law, whom his wife had not seen since her marriage, two years + ago, and her sister hoped to remain in Rome, where she expected to marry a + clerk at the Spirito Santo Bank. He gave me their address, with a pressing + invitation to call upon them, and I promised to devote all my spare time + to them. + </p> + <p> + We were enjoying our dessert, when my beautiful lady-love, admiring my + snuff-box, told her husband that she wished she had one like it. + </p> + <p> + “I will buy you one, dear.” + </p> + <p> + “Then buy mine,” I said; “I will let you have it for twenty ounces, and + you can give me a note of hand payable to bearer in payment. I owe that + amount to an Englishman, and I will give it him to redeem my debt.” + </p> + <p> + “Your snuff-box, my dear abbe, is worth twenty ounces, but I cannot buy it + unless you agree to receive payment in cash; I should be delighted to see + it in my wife’s possession, and she would keep it as a remembrance of + you.” + </p> + <p> + His wife, thinking that I would not accept his offer, said that she had no + objection to give me the note of hand. + </p> + <p> + “But,” exclaimed the advocate, “can you not guess the Englishman exists + only in our friend’s imagination? He would never enter an appearance, and + we would have the snuff-box for nothing. Do not trust the abbe, my dear, + he is a great cheat.” + </p> + <p> + “I had no idea,” answered his wife, looking at me, “that the world + contained rogues of this species.” + </p> + <p> + I affected a melancholy air, and said that I only wished myself rich + enough to be often guilty of such cheating. + </p> + <p> + When a man is in love very little is enough to throw him into despair, and + as little to enhance his joy to the utmost. There was but one bed in the + room where supper had been served, and another in a small closet leading + out of the room, but without a door. The ladies chose the closet, and the + advocate retired to rest before me. I bid the ladies good night as soon as + they had gone to bed; I looked at my dear mistress, and after undressing + myself I went to bed, intending not to sleep through the night. But the + reader may imagine my rage when I found, as I got into the bed, that it + creaked loud enough to wake the dead. I waited, however, quite motionless, + until my companion should be fast asleep, and as soon as his snoring told + me that he was entirely under the influence of Morpheus, I tried to slip + out of the bed; but the infernal creaking which took place whenever I + moved, woke my companion, who felt about with his hand, and, finding me + near him, went to sleep again. Half an hour after, I tried a second time, + but with the same result. I had to give it up in despair. + </p> + <p> + Love is the most cunning of gods; in the midst of obstacles he seems to be + in his own element, but as his very existence depends upon the enjoyment + of those who ardently worship him, the shrewd, all-seeing, little blind + god contrives to bring success out of the most desperate case. + </p> + <p> + I had given up all hope for the night, and had nearly gone to sleep, when + suddenly we hear a dreadful noise. Guns are fired in the street, people, + screaming and howling, are running up and down the stairs; at last there + is a loud knocking at our door. The advocate, frightened out of his + slumbers, asks me what it can all mean; I pretend to be very indifferent, + and beg to be allowed to sleep. But the ladies are trembling with fear, + and loudly calling for a light. I remain very quiet, the advocate jumps + out of bed, and runs out of the room to obtain a candle; I rise at once, I + follow him to shut the door, but I slam it rather too hard, the double + spring of the lock gives way, and the door cannot be reopened without the + key. + </p> + <p> + I approach the ladies in order to calm their anxiety, telling them that + the advocate would soon return with a light, and that we should then know + the cause of the tumult, but I am not losing my time, and am at work while + I am speaking. I meet with very little opposition, but, leaning rather too + heavily upon my fair lady, I break through the bottom of the bedstead, and + we suddenly find ourselves, the two ladies and myself, all together in a + heap on the floor. The advocate comes back and knocks at the door; the + sister gets up, I obey the prayers of my charming friend, and, feeling my + way, reach the door, and tell the advocate that I cannot open it, and that + he must get the key. The two sisters are behind me. I extend my hand; but + I am abruptly repulsed, and judge that I have addressed myself to the + wrong quarter; I go to the other side, and there I am better received. But + the husband returns, the noise of the key in the lock announces that the + door is going to be opened, and we return to our respective beds. + </p> + <p> + The advocate hurries to the bed of the two frightened ladies, thinking of + relieving their anxiety, but, when he sees them buried in their + broken-down bedstead, he bursts into a loud laugh. He tells me to come and + have a look at them, but I am very modest, and decline the invitation. He + then tells us that the alarm has been caused by a German detachment + attacking suddenly the Spanish troops in the city, and that the Spaniards + are running away. In a quarter of an hour the noise has ceased, and quiet + is entirely re-established. + </p> + <p> + The advocate complimented me upon my coolness, got into bed again, and was + soon asleep. As for me, I was careful not to close my eyes, and as soon as + I saw daylight I got up in order to perform certain ablutions and to + change my shirt; it was an absolute necessity. + </p> + <p> + I returned for breakfast, and while we were drinking the delicious coffee + which Donna Lucrezia had made, as I thought, better than ever, I remarked + that her sister frowned on me. But how little I cared for her anger when I + saw the cheerful, happy countenance, and the approving looks of my adored + Lucrezia! I felt a delightful sensation run through the whole of my body. + </p> + <p> + We reached Rome very early. We had taken breakfast at the Tour, and the + advocate being in a very gay mood I assumed the same tone, loading him + with compliments, and predicting that a son would be born to him, I + compelled his wife to promise it should be so. I did not forget the sister + of my charming Lucrezia, and to make her change her hostile attitude + towards me I addressed to her so many pretty compliments, and behaved in + such a friendly manner, that she was compelled to forgive the fall of the + bed. As I took leave of them, I promised to give them a call on the + following day. + </p> + <p> + I was in Rome! with a good wardrobe, pretty well supplied with money and + jewellery, not wanting in experience, and with excellent letters of + introduction. I was free, my own master, and just reaching the age in + which a man can have faith in his own fortune, provided he is not + deficient in courage, and is blessed with a face likely to attract the + sympathy of those he mixes with. I was not handsome, but I had something + better than beauty—a striking expression which almost compelled a + kind interest in my favour, and I felt myself ready for anything. I knew + that Rome is the one city in which a man can begin from the lowest rung, + and reach the very top of the social ladder. This knowledge increased my + courage, and I must confess that a most inveterate feeling of self-esteem + which, on account of my inexperience, I could not distrust, enhanced + wonderfully my confidence in myself. + </p> + <p> + The man who intends to make his fortune in this ancient capital of the + world must be a chameleon susceptible of reflecting all the colours of the + atmosphere that surrounds him—a Proteus apt to assume every form, + every shape. He must be supple, flexible, insinuating; close, inscrutable, + often base, sometimes sincere, some times perfidious, always concealing a + part of his knowledge, indulging in one tone of voice, patient, a perfect + master of his own countenance as cold as ice when any other man would be + all fire; and if unfortunately he is not religious at heart—a very + common occurrence for a soul possessing the above requisites—he must + have religion in his mind, that is to say, on his face, on his lips, in + his manners; he must suffer quietly, if he be an honest man the necessity + of knowing himself an arrant hypocrite. The man whose soul would loathe + such a life should leave Rome and seek his fortune elsewhere. I do not + know whether I am praising or excusing myself, but of all those qualities + I possessed but one—namely, flexibility; for the rest, I was only an + interesting, heedless young fellow, a pretty good blood horse, but not + broken, or rather badly broken; and that is much worse. + </p> + <p> + I began by delivering the letter I had received from Don Lelio for Father + Georgi. The learned monk enjoyed the esteem of everyone in Rome, and the + Pope himself had a great consideration for him, because he disliked the + Jesuits, and did not put a mask on to tear the mask from their faces, + although they deemed themselves powerful enough to despise him. + </p> + <p> + He read the letter with great attention, and expressed himself disposed to + be my adviser; and that consequently I might make him responsible for any + evil which might befall me, as misfortune is not to be feared by a man who + acts rightly. He asked me what I intended to do in Rome, and I answered + that I wished him to tell me what to do. + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps I may; but in that case you must come and see me often, and never + conceal from me anything, you understand, not anything, of what interests + you, or of what happens to you.” + </p> + <p> + “Don Lelio has likewise given me a letter for the Cardinal Acquaviva.” + </p> + <p> + “I congratulate you; the cardinal’s influence in Rome is greater even than + that of the Pope.” + </p> + <p> + “Must I deliver the letter at once?” + </p> + <p> + “No; I will see him this evening, and prepare him for your visit. Call on + me to-morrow morning, and I will then tell you where and when you are to + deliver your letter to the cardinal. Have you any money?” + </p> + <p> + “Enough for all my wants during one year.” + </p> + <p> + “That is well. Have you any acquaintances?” + </p> + <p> + “Not one.” + </p> + <p> + “Do not make any without first consulting me, and, above all, avoid + coffee-houses and ordinaries, but if you should happen to frequent such + places, listen and never speak. Be careful to form your judgment upon + those who ask any questions from you, and if common civility obliges you + to give an answer, give only an evasive one, if any other is likely to + commit you. Do you speak French?” + </p> + <p> + “Not one word.” + </p> + <p> + “I am sorry for that; you must learn French. Have you been a student?” + </p> + <p> + “A poor one, but I have a sufficient smattering to converse with ordinary + company.” + </p> + <p> + “That is enough; but be very prudent, for Rome is the city in which + smatterers unmask each other, and are always at war amongst themselves. I + hope you will take your letter to the cardinal, dressed like a modest + abbe, and not in this elegant costume which is not likely to conjure + fortune. Adieu, let me see you to-morrow.” + </p> + <p> + Highly pleased with the welcome I had received at his hands, and with all + he had said to me, I left his house and proceeded towards Campo-di-Fiore + to deliver the letter of my cousin Antonio to Don Gaspar Vivaldi, who + received me in his library, where I met two respectable-looking priests. + He gave me the most friendly welcome, asked for my address, and invited me + to dinner for the next day. He praised Father Georgi most highly, and, + accompanying me as far as the stairs, he told me that he would give me on + the morrow the amount his friend Don Antonio requested him to hand me. + </p> + <p> + More money which my generous cousin was bestowing on me! It is easy enough + to give away when one possesses sufficient means to do it, but it is not + every man who knows how to give. I found the proceeding of Don Antonio + more delicate even than generous; I could not refuse his present; it was + my duty to prove my gratitude by accepting it. + </p> + <p> + Just after I had left M. Vivaldi’s house I found myself face to face with + Stephano, and this extraordinary original loaded me with friendly + caresses. I inwardly despised him, yet I could not feel hatred for him; I + looked upon him as the instrument which Providence had been pleased to + employ in order to save me from ruin. After telling me that he had + obtained from the Pope all he wished, he advised me to avoid meeting the + fatal constable who had advanced me two sequins in Seraval, because he had + found out that I had deceived him, and had sworn revenge against me. I + asked Stephano to induce the man to leave my acknowledgement of the debt + in the hands of a certain merchant whom we both knew, and that I would + call there to discharge the amount. This was done, and it ended the + affair. + </p> + <p> + That evening I dined at the ordinary, which was frequented by Romans and + foreigners; but I carefully followed the advice of Father Georgi. I heard + a great deal of harsh language used against the Pope and against the + Cardinal Minister, who had caused the Papal States to be inundated by + eighty thousand men, Germans as well as Spaniards. But I was much + surprised when I saw that everybody was eating meat, although it was + Saturday. But a stranger during the first few days after his arrival in + Rome is surrounded with many things which at first cause surprise, and to + which he soon gets accustomed. There is not a Catholic city in the world + in which a man is half so free on religious matters as in Rome. The + inhabitants of Rome are like the men employed at the Government tobacco + works, who are allowed to take gratis as much tobacco as they want for + their own use. One can live in Rome with the most complete freedom, except + that the ‘ordini santissimi’ are as much to be dreaded as the famous + Lettres-de-cachet before the Revolution came and destroyed them, and + shewed the whole world the general character of the French nation. + </p> + <p> + The next day, the 1st of October, 1743, I made up my mind to be shaved. + The down on my chin had become a beard, and I judged that it was time to + renounce some of the privileges enjoyed by adolescence. I dressed myself + completely in the Roman fashion, and Father Georgi was highly pleased when + he saw me in that costume, which had been made by the tailor of my dear + cousin, Don Antonio. + </p> + <p> + Father Georgi invited me to take a cup of chocolate with him, and informed + me that the cardinal had been apprised of my arrival by a letter from Don + Lelio, and that his eminence would receive me at noon at the Villa + Negroni, where he would be taking a walk. I told Father Georgi that I had + been invited to dinner by M. Vivaldi, and he advised me to cultivate his + acquaintance. + </p> + <p> + I proceeded to the Villa Negroni; the moment he saw me the cardinal + stopped to receive my letter, allowing two persons who accompanied him to + walk forward. He put the letter in his pocket without reading it, examined + me for one or two minutes, and enquired whether I felt any taste for + politics. I answered that, until now, I had not felt in me any but + frivolous tastes, but that I would make bold to answer for my readiness to + execute all the orders which his eminence might be pleased to lay upon me, + if he should judge me worthy of entering his service. + </p> + <p> + “Come to my office to-morrow morning,” said the cardinal, “and ask for the + Abbe Gama, to whom I will give my instructions. You must apply yourself + diligently to the study of the French language; it is indispensable.” He + then enquired after Don Leilo’s health, and after kissing his hand I took + my leave. + </p> + <p> + I hastened to the house of M. Gaspar Vivaldi, where I dined amongst a + well-chosen party of guests. M. Vivaldi was not married; literature was + his only passion. He loved Latin poetry even better than Italian, and + Horace, whom I knew by heart, was his favourite poet. After dinner, we + repaired to his study, and he handed me one hundred Roman crowns, and Don + Antonio’s present, and assured me that I would be most welcome whenever I + would call to take a cup of chocolate with him. + </p> + <p> + After I had taken leave of Don Gaspar, I proceeded towards the Minerva, + for I longed to enjoy the surprise of my dear Lucrezia and of her sister; + I inquired for Donna Cecilia Monti, their mother, and I saw, to my great + astonishment, a young widow who looked like the sister of her two charming + daughters. There was no need for me to give her my name; I had been + announced, and she expected me. Her daughters soon came in, and their + greeting caused me some amusement, for I did not appear to them to be the + same individual. Donna Lucrezia presented me to her youngest sister, only + eleven years of age, and to her brother, an abbe of fifteen, of charming + appearance. I took care to behave so as to please the mother; I was + modest, respectful, and shewed a deep interest in everything I saw. The + good advocate arrived, and was surprised at the change in my appearance. + He launched out in his usual jokes, and I followed him on that ground, yet + I was careful not to give to my conversation the tone of levity which used + to cause so much mirth in our travelling coach; so that, to, pay me a + compliment, he told me that, if I had had the sign of manhood shaved from + my face, I had certainly transferred it to my mind. Donna Lucrezia did not + know what to think of the change in my manners. + </p> + <p> + Towards evening I saw, coming in rapid succession, five or six + ordinary-looking ladies, and as many abbes, who appeared to me some of the + volumes with which I was to begin my Roman education. They all listened + attentively to the most insignificant word I uttered, and I was very + careful to let them enjoy their conjectures about me. Donna Cecilia told + the advocate that he was but a poor painter, and that his portraits were + not like the originals; he answered that she could not judge, because the + original was shewing under a mask, and I pretended to be mortified by his + answer. Donna Lucrezia said that she found me exactly the same, and her + sister was of opinion that the air of Rome gave strangers a peculiar + appearance. Everybody applauded, and Angelique turned red with + satisfaction. After a visit of four hours I bowed myself out, and the + advocate, following me, told me that his mother-in-law begged me to + consider myself as a friend of the family, and to be certain of a welcome + at any hour I liked to call. I thanked him gratefully and took my leave, + trusting that I had pleased this amiable society as much as it had pleased + me. + </p> + <p> + The next day I presented myself to the Abbe Gama. He was a Portuguese, + about forty years old, handsome, and with a countenance full of candour, + wit, and good temper. His affability claimed and obtained confidence. His + manners and accent were quite Roman. He informed me, in the blandest + manner, that his eminence had himself given his instructions about me to + his majordomo, that I would have a lodging in the cardinal’s palace, that + I would have my meals at the secretaries’ table, and that, until I learned + French, I would have nothing to do but make extracts from letters that he + would supply me with. He then gave me the address of the French teacher to + whom he had already spoken in my behalf. He was a Roman advocate, Dalacqua + by name, residing precisely opposite the palace. + </p> + <p> + After this short explanation, and an assurance that I could at all times + rely upon his friendship, he had me taken to the major-domo, who made me + sign my name at the bottom of a page in a large book, already filled with + other names, and counted out sixty Roman crowns which he paid me for three + months salary in advance. After this he accompanied me, followed by a + ‘staffiere’ to my apartment on the third floor, which I found very + comfortably furnished. The servant handed me the key, saying that he would + come every morning to attend upon me, and the major-domo accompanied me to + the gate to make me known to the gate-keeper. I immediately repaired to my + inn, sent my luggage to the palace, and found myself established in a + place in which a great fortune awaited me, if I had only been able to lead + a wise and prudent life, but unfortunately it was not in my nature. + ‘Volentem ducit, nolentem trahit.’ + </p> + <p> + I naturally felt it my duty to call upon my mentor, Father Georgi, to whom + I gave all my good news. He said I was on the right road, and that my + fortune was in my hands. + </p> + <p> + “Recollect,” added the good father, “that to lead a blameless life you + must curb your passions, and that whatever misfortune may befall you it + cannot be ascribed by any one to a want of good luck, or attributed to + fate; those words are devoid of sense, and all the fault will rightly fall + on your own head.” + </p> + <p> + “I foresee, reverend father, that my youth and my want of experience will + often make it necessary for me to disturb you. I am afraid of proving + myself too heavy a charge for you, but you will find me docile and + obedient.” + </p> + <p> + “I suppose you will often think me rather too severe; but you are not + likely to confide everything to me.” + </p> + <p> + “Everything, without any exception.” + </p> + <p> + “Allow me to feel somewhat doubtful; you have not told me where you spent + four hours yesterday.” + </p> + <p> + “Because I did not think it was worth mentioning. I made the acquaintance + of those persons during my journey; I believe them to be worthy and + respectable, and the right sort of people for me to visit, unless you + should be of a different opinion.” + </p> + <p> + “God forbid! It is a very respectable house, frequented by honest people. + They are delighted at having made your acquaintance; you are much liked by + everybody, and they hope to retain you as a friend; I have heard all about + it this morning; but you must not go there too often and as a regular + guest.” + </p> + <p> + “Must I cease my visits at once, and without cause?” + </p> + <p> + “No, it would be a want of politeness on your part. You may go there once + or twice every week, but do not be a constant visitor. You are sighing, my + son?” + </p> + <p> + “No, I assure you not. I will obey you.” + </p> + <p> + “I hope it may not be only a matter of obedience, and I trust your heart + will not feel it a hardship, but, if necessary, your heart must be + conquered. Recollect that the heart is the greatest enemy of reason.” + </p> + <p> + “Yet they can be made to agree.” + </p> + <p> + “We often imagine so; but distrust the animism of your dear Horace. You + know that there is no middle course with it: ‘nisi paret, imperat’.” + </p> + <p> + “I know it, but in the family of which we were speaking there is no danger + for my heart.” + </p> + <p> + “I am glad of it, because in that case it will be all the easier for you + to abstain from frequent visits. Remember that I shall trust you.” + </p> + <p> + “And I, reverend father; will listen to and follow your good advice. I + will visit Donna Cecilia only now and then.” Feeling most unhappy, I took + his hand to press it against my lips, but he folded me in his arms as a + father might have done, and turned himself round so as not to let me see + that he was weeping. + </p> + <p> + I dined at the cardinal’s palace and sat near the Abbe Gama; the table was + laid for twelve persons, who all wore the costume of priests, for in Rome + everyone is a priest or wishes to be thought a priest and as there is no + law to forbid anyone to dress like an ecclesiastic that dress is adopted + by all those who wish to be respected (noblemen excepted) even if they are + not in the ecclesiastical profession. + </p> + <p> + I felt very miserable, and did not utter a word during the dinner; my + silence was construed into a proof of my sagacity. As we rose from the + table, the Abbe Gama invited me to spend the day with him, but I declined + under pretence of letters to be written, and I truly did so for seven + hours. I wrote to Don Lelio, to Don Antonio, to my young friend Paul, and + to the worthy Bishop of Martorano, who answered that he heartily wished + himself in my place. + </p> + <p> + Deeply enamoured of Lucrezia and happy in my love, to give her up appeared + to me a shameful action. In order to insure the happiness of my future + life, I was beginning to be the executioner of my present felicity, and + the tormentor of my heart. I revolted against such a necessity which I + judged fictitious, and which I could not admit unless I stood guilty of + vileness before the tribunal of my own reason. I thought that Father + Georgi, if he wished to forbid my visiting that family, ought not to have + said that it was worthy of respect; my sorrow would not have been so + intense. The day and the whole of the night were spent in painful + thoughts. + </p> + <p> + In the morning the Abbe Gama brought me a great book filled with + ministerial letters from which I was to compile for my amusement. After a + short time devoted to that occupation, I went out to take my first French + lesson, after which I walked towards the Strada-Condotta. I intended to + take a long walk, when I heard myself called by my name. I saw the Abbe + Gama in front of a coffee-house. I whispered to him that Minerva had + forbidden me the coffee-rooms of Rome. “Minerva,” he answered, “desires + you to form some idea of such places. Sit down by me.” + </p> + <p> + I heard a young abbe telling aloud, but without bitterness, a story, which + attacked in a most direct manner the justice of His Holiness. Everybody + was laughing and echoing the story. Another, being asked why he had left + the services of Cardinal B., answered that it was because his eminence did + not think himself called upon to pay him apart for certain private + services, and everybody laughed outright. Another came to the Abbe Gama, + and told him that, if he felt any inclination to spend the afternoon at + the Villa Medicis, he would find him there with two young Roman girls who + were satisfied with a ‘quartino’, a gold coin worth one-fourth of a + sequin. Another abbe read an incendiary sonnet against the government, and + several took a copy of it. Another read a satire of his own composition, + in which he tore to pieces the honour of a family. In the middle of all + that confusion, I saw a priest with a very attractive countenance come in. + The size of his hips made me take him for a woman dressed in men’s + clothes, and I said so to Gama, who told me that he was the celebrated + castrato, Bepino delta Mamana. The abbe called him to us, and told him + with a laugh that I had taken him for a girl. The impudent fellow looked + me full in the face, and said that, if I liked, he would shew me whether I + had been right or wrong. + </p> + <p> + At the dinner-table everyone spoke to me, and I fancied I had given proper + answers to all, but, when the repast was over, the Abbe Gama invited me to + take coffee in his own apartment. The moment we were alone, he told me + that all the guests I had met were worthy and honest men, and he asked me + whether I believed that I had succeeded in pleasing the company. + </p> + <p> + “I flatter myself I have,” I answered. + </p> + <p> + “You are wrong,” said the abbe, “you are flattering yourself. You have so + conspicuously avoided the questions put to you that everybody in the room + noticed your extreme reserve. In the future no one will ask you any + questions.” + </p> + <p> + “I should be sorry if it should turn out so, but was I to expose my own + concerns?” + </p> + <p> + “No, but there is a medium in all things.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, the medium of Horace, but it is often a matter of great difficulty + to hit it exactly.” + </p> + <p> + “A man ought to know how to obtain affection and esteem at the same time.” + </p> + <p> + “That is the very wish nearest to my heart.” + </p> + <p> + “To-day you have tried for the esteem much more than for the affection of + your fellow-creatures. It may be a noble aspiration, but you must prepare + yourself to fight jealousy and her daughter, calumny; if those two + monsters do not succeed in destroying you, the victory must be yours. Now, + for instance, you thoroughly refuted Salicetti to-day. Well, he is a + physician, and what is more a Corsican; he must feel badly towards you.” + </p> + <p> + “Could I grant that the longings of women during their pregnancy have no + influence whatever on the skin of the foetus, when I know the reverse to + be the case? Are you not of my opinion?” + </p> + <p> + “I am for neither party; I have seen many children with some such marks, + but I have no means of knowing with certainty whether those marks have + their origin in some longing experienced by the mother while she was + pregnant.” + </p> + <p> + “But I can swear it is so.” + </p> + <p> + “All the better for you if your conviction is based upon such evidence, + and all the worse for Salicetti if he denies the possibility of the thing + without certain authority. But let him remain in error; it is better thus + than to prove him in the wrong and to make a bitter enemy of him.” + </p> + <p> + In the evening I called upon Lucrezia. The family knew my success, and + warmly congratulated me. Lucrezia told me that I looked sad, and I + answered that I was assisting at the funeral of my liberty, for I was no + longer my own master. Her husband, always fond of a joke, told her that I + was in love with her, and his mother-in-law advised him not to show so + much intrepidity. I only remained an hour with those charming persons, and + then took leave of them, but the very air around me was heated by the + flame within my breast. When I reached my room I began to write, and spent + the night in composing an ode which I sent the next day to the advocate. I + was certain that he would shew it to his wife, who loved poetry, and who + did not yet know that I was a poet. I abstained from seeing her again for + three or four days. I was learning French, and making extracts from + ministerial letters. + </p> + <p> + His eminence was in the habit of receiving every evening, and his rooms + were thronged with the highest nobility of Rome; I had never attended + these receptions. The Abbe Gama told me that I ought to do so as well as + he did, without any pretension. I followed his advice and went; nobody + spoke to me, but as I was unknown everyone looked at me and enquired who I + was. The Abbe Gama asked me which was the lady who appeared to me the most + amiable, and I shewed one to him; but I regretted having done so, for the + courtier went to her, and of course informed her of what I had said. Soon + afterwards I saw her look at me through her eye-glass and smile kindly + upon me. She was the Marchioness G——, whose ‘cicisbeo’ was + Cardinal S—— C——. + </p> + <p> + On the very day I had fixed to spend the evening with Donna Lucrezia the + worthy advocate called upon me. He told me that if I thought I was going + to prove I was not in love with his wife by staying away I was very much + mistaken, and he invited me to accompany all the family to Testaccio, + where they intended to have luncheon on the following Thursday. He added + that his wife knew my ode by heart, and that she had read it to the + intended husband of Angelique, who had a great wish to make my + acquaintance. That gentleman was likewise a poet, and would be one of the + party to Testaccio. I promised the advocate I would come to his house on + the Thursday with a carriage for two. + </p> + <p> + At that time every Thursday in the month of October was a festival day in + Rome. I went to see Donna Cecilia in the evening, and we talked about the + excursion the whole time. I felt certain that Donna Lucrezia looked + forward to it with as much pleasure as I did myself. We had no fixed plan, + we could not have any, but we trusted to the god of love, and tacitly + placed our confidence in his protection. + </p> + <p> + I took care that Father Georgi should not hear of that excursion before I + mentioned it to him myself, and I hastened to him in order to obtain his + permission to go. I confess that, to obtain his leave, I professed the + most complete indifference about it, and the consequence was that the good + man insisted upon my going, saying that it was a family party, and that it + was quite right for me to visit the environs of Rome and to enjoy myself + in a respectable way. + </p> + <p> + I went to Donna Cecilia’s in a carriage which I hired from a certain + Roland, a native of Avignon, and if I insist here upon his name it is + because my readers will meet him again in eighteen years, his acquaintance + with me having had very important results. The charming widow introduced + me to Don Francisco, her intended son-in-law, whom she represented as a + great friend of literary men, and very deeply learned himself. I accepted + it as gospel, and behaved accordingly; yet I thought he looked rather + heavy and not sufficiently elated for a young man on the point of marrying + such a pretty girl as Angelique. But he had plenty of good-nature and + plenty of money, and these are better than learning and gallantry. + </p> + <p> + As we were ready to get into the carriages, the advocate told me that he + would ride with me in my carriage, and that the three ladies would go with + Don Francisco in the other. I answered at once that he ought to keep Don + Francisco company, and that I claimed the privilege of taking care of + Donna Cecilia, adding that I should feel dishonoured if things were + arranged differently. Thereupon I offered my arm to the handsome widow, + who thought the arrangement according to the rules of etiquette and good + breeding, and an approving look of my Lucrezia gave me the most agreeable + sensation. Yet the proposal of the advocate struck me somewhat + unpleasantly, because it was in contradiction with his former behaviour, + and especially with what he had said to me in my room a few days before. + “Has he become jealous?” I said to myself; that would have made me almost + angry, but the hope of bringing him round during our stay at Testaccio + cleared away the dark cloud on my mind, and I was very amiable to Donna + Cecilia. What with lunching and walking we contrived to pass the afternoon + very pleasantly; I was very gay, and my love for Lucrezia was not once + mentioned; I was all attention to her mother. I occasionally addressed + myself to Lucrezia, but not once to the advocate, feeling this the best + way to shew him that he had insulted me. + </p> + <p> + As we prepared to return, the advocate carried off Donna Cecilia and went + with her to the carriage in which were already seated Angelique and Don + Francisco. Scarcely able to control my delight, I offered my arm to Donna + Lucrezia, paying her some absurd compliment, while the advocate laughed + outright, and seemed to enjoy the trick he imagined he had played me. + </p> + <p> + How many things we might have said to each other before giving ourselves + up to the material enjoyment of our love, had not the instants been so + precious! But, aware that we had only half an hour before us, we were + sparing of the minutes. We were absorbed in voluptuous pleasure when + suddenly Lucrezia exclaims,— + </p> + <p> + “Oh! dear, how unhappy we are!” + </p> + <p> + She pushes me back, composes herself, the carriage stops, and the servant + opens the door. “What is the matter?” I enquire. “We are at home.” + Whenever I recollect the circumstance, it seems to me fabulous, for it is + not possible to annihilate time, and the horses were regular old screws. + But we were lucky all through. The night was dark, and my beloved angel + happened to be on the right side to get out of the carriage first, so + that, although the advocate was at the door of the brougham as soon as the + footman, everything went right, owing to the slow manner in which Lucrezia + alighted. I remained at Donna Cecilia’s until midnight. + </p> + <p> + When I got home again, I went to bed; but how could I sleep? I felt + burning in me the flame which I had not been able to restore to its + original source in the too short distance from Testaccio to Rome. It was + consuming me. Oh! unhappy are those who believe that the pleasures of + Cythera are worth having, unless they are enjoyed in the most perfect + accord by two hearts overflowing with love! + </p> + <p> + I only rose in time for my French lesson. My teacher had a pretty + daughter, named Barbara, who was always present during my lessons, and who + sometimes taught me herself with even more exactitude than her father. A + good-looking young man, who likewise took lessons, was courting her, and I + soon perceived that she loved him. This young man called often upon me, + and I liked him, especially on account of his reserve, for, although I + made him confess his love for Barbara, he always changed the subject, if I + mentioned it in our conversation. + </p> + <p> + I had made up my mind to respect his reserve, and had not alluded to his + affection for several days. But all at once I remarked that he had ceased + his visits both to me and to his teacher, and at the same time I observed + that the young girl was no longer present at my lessons; I felt some + curiosity to know what had happened, although it was not, after all, any + concern of mine. + </p> + <p> + A few days after, as I was returning from church, I met the young man, and + reproached him for keeping away from us all. He told me that great sorrow + had befallen him, which had fairly turned his brain, and that he was a + prey to the most intense despair. His eyes were wet with tears. As I was + leaving him, he held me back, and I told him that I would no longer be his + friend unless he opened his heart to me. He took me to one of the + cloisters, and he spoke thus: + </p> + <p> + “I have loved Barbara for the last six months, and for three months she + has given me indisputable proofs of her affection. Five days ago, we were + betrayed by the servant, and the father caught us in a rather delicate + position. He left the room without saying one word, and I followed him, + thinking of throwing myself at his feet; but, as I appeared before him, he + took hold of me by the arm, pushed me roughly to the door, and forbade me + ever to present myself again at his house. I cannot claim her hand in + marriage, because one of my brothers is married, and my father is not + rich; I have no profession, and my mistress has nothing. Alas, now that I + have confessed all to you, tell me, I entreat you, how she is. I am + certain that she is as miserable as I am myself. I cannot manage to get a + letter delivered to her, for she does not leave the house, even to attend + church. Unhappy wretch! What shall I do?” + </p> + <p> + I could but pity him, for, as a man of honour, it was impossible for me to + interfere in such a business. I told him that I had not seen Barbara for + five days, and, not knowing what to say, I gave him the advice which is + tendered by all fools under similar circumstances; I advised him to forget + his mistress. + </p> + <p> + We had then reached the quay of Ripetta, and, observing that he was + casting dark looks towards the Tiber, I feared his despair might lead him + to commit some foolish attempt against his own life, and, in order to calm + his excited feelings, I promised to make some enquiries from the father + about his mistress, and to inform him of all I heard. He felt quieted by + my promise, and entreated me not to forget him. + </p> + <p> + In spite of the fire which had been raging through my veins ever since the + excursion to Testaccio, I had not seen my Lucrezia for four days. I + dreaded Father Georgi’s suave manner, and I was still more afraid of + finding he had made up his mind to give me no more advice. But, unable to + resist my desires, I called upon Lucrezia after my French lesson, and + found her alone, sad and dispirited. + </p> + <p> + “Ah!” she exclaimed, as soon as I was by her side, “I think you might find + time to come and see me!” + </p> + <p> + “My beloved one, it is not that I cannot find time, but I am so jealous of + my love that I would rather die than let it be known publicly. I have been + thinking of inviting you all to dine with me at Frascati. I will send you + a phaeton, and I trust that some lucky accident will smile upon our love.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh! yes, do, dearest! I am sure your invitation will be accepted.” + </p> + <p> + In a quarter of an hour the rest of the family came in, and I proffered my + invitation for the following Sunday, which happened to be the Festival of + St. Ursula, patroness of Lucrezia’s youngest sister. I begged Donna + Cecilia to bring her as well as her son. My proposal being readily + accepted, I gave notice that the phaeton would be at Donna Cecilia’s door + at seven o’clock, and that I would come myself with a carriage for two + persons. + </p> + <p> + The next day I went to M. Dalacqua, and, after my lesson, I saw Barbara + who, passing from one room to another, dropped a paper and earnestly + looked at me. I felt bound to pick it up, because a servant, who was at + hand, might have seen it and taken it. It was a letter, enclosing another + addressed to her lover. The note for me ran thus: “If you think it to be a + sin to deliver the enclosed to your friend, burn it. Have pity on an + unfortunate girl, and be discreet.” + </p> + <p> + The enclosed letter which was unsealed, ran as follows: “If you love me as + deeply as I love you, you cannot hope to be happy without me; we cannot + correspond in any other way than the one I am bold enough to adopt. I am + ready to do anything to unite our lives until death. Consider and decide.” + </p> + <p> + The cruel situation of the poor girl moved me almost to tears; yet I + determined to return her letter the next day, and I enclosed it in a note + in which I begged her to excuse me if I could not render her the service + she required at my hands. I put it in my pocket ready for delivery. The + next day I went for my lesson as usual, but, not seeing Barbara, I had no + opportunity of returning her letter, and postponed its delivery to the + following day. Unfortunately, just after I had returned to my room, the + unhappy lover made his appearance. His eyes were red from weeping, his + voice hoarse; he drew such a vivid picture of his misery, that, dreading + some mad action counselled by despair, I could not withhold from him the + consolation which I knew it was in my power to give. This was my first + error in this fatal business; I was the victim of my own kindness. + </p> + <p> + The poor fellow read the letter over and over; he kissed it with + transports of joy; he wept, hugged me, and thanked me for saving his life, + and finally entreated me to take charge of his answer, as his beloved + mistress must be longing for consolation as much as he had been himself, + assuring me that his letter could not in any way implicate me, and that I + was at liberty to read it. + </p> + <p> + And truly, although very long, his letter contained nothing but the + assurance of everlasting love, and hopes which could not be realized. Yet + I was wrong to accept the character of Mercury to the two young lovers. To + refuse, I had only to recollect that Father Georgi would certainly have + disapproved of my easy compliance. + </p> + <p> + The next day I found M. Dalacqua ill in bed; his daughter gave me my + lesson in his room, and I thought that perhaps she had obtained her + pardon. I contrived to give her her lover’s letter, which she dextrously + conveyed to her pocket, but her blushes would have easily betrayed her if + her father had been looking that way. After the lesson I gave M. Dalacqua + notice that I would not come on the morrow, as it was the Festival of St. + Ursula, one of the eleven thousand princesses and martyr-virgins. + </p> + <p> + In the evening, at the reception of his eminence, which I attended + regularly, although persons of distinction seldom spoke to me, the + cardinal beckoned to me. He was speaking to the beautiful Marchioness G——, + to whom Gama had indiscreetly confided that I thought her the handsomest + woman amongst his eminence’s guests. + </p> + <p> + “Her grace,” said the Cardinal, “wishes to know whether you are making + rapid progress in the French language, which she speaks admirably.” + </p> + <p> + I answered in Italian that I had learned a great deal, but that I was not + yet bold enough to speak. + </p> + <p> + “You should be bold,” said the marchioness, “but without showing any + pretension. It is the best way to disarm criticism.” + </p> + <p> + My mind having almost unwittingly lent to the words “You should be bold” a + meaning which had very likely been far from the idea of the marchioness, I + turned very red, and the handsome speaker, observing it, changed the + conversation and dismissed me. + </p> + <p> + The next morning, at seven o’clock, I was at Donna Cecilia’s door. The + phaeton was there as well as the carriage for two persons, which this time + was an elegant vis-a-vis, so light and well-hung that Donna Cecilia + praised it highly when she took her seat. + </p> + <p> + “I shall have my turn as we return to Rome,” said Lucrezia; and I bowed to + her as if in acceptance of her promise. + </p> + <p> + Lucrezia thus set suspicion at defiance in order to prevent suspicion + arising. My happiness was assured, and I gave way to my natural flow of + spirits. I ordered a splendid dinner, and we all set out towards the Villa + Ludovisi. As we might have missed each other during our ramblings, we + agreed to meet again at the inn at one o’clock. The discreet widow took + the arm of her son-in-law, Angelique remained with her sister, and + Lucrezia was my delightful share; Ursula and her brother were running + about together, and in less than a quarter of an hour I had Lucrezia + entirely to myself. + </p> + <p> + “Did you remark,” she said, “with what candour I secured for us two hours + of delightful ‘tete-a-tete’, and a ‘tete-a-tete’ in a ‘vis-a-vis’, too! + How clever Love is!” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, darling, Love has made but one of our two souls. I adore you, and if + I have the courage to pass so many days without seeing you it is in order + to be rewarded by the freedom of one single day like this.” + </p> + <p> + “I did not think it possible. But you have managed it all very well. You + know too much for your age, dearest.” + </p> + <p> + “A month ago, my beloved, I was but an ignorant child, and you are the + first woman who has initiated me into the mysteries of love. Your + departure will kill me, for I could not find another woman like you in all + Italy.” + </p> + <p> + “What! am I your first love? Alas! you will never be cured of it. Oh! why + am I not entirely your own? You are also the first true love of my heart, + and you will be the last. How great will be the happiness of my successor! + I should not be jealous of her, but what suffering would be mine if I + thought that her heart was not like mine!” + </p> + <p> + Lucrezia, seeing my eyes wet with tears, began to give way to her own, + and, seating ourselves on the grass, our lips drank our tears amidst the + sweetest kisses. How sweet is the nectar of the tears shed by love, when + that nectar is relished amidst the raptures of mutual ardour! I have often + tasted them—those delicious tears, and I can say knowingly that the + ancient physicians were right, and that the modern are wrong. + </p> + <p> + In a moment of calm, seeing the disorder in which we both were, I told her + that we might be surprised. + </p> + <p> + “Do not fear, my best beloved,” she said, “we are under the guardianship + of our good angels.” + </p> + <p> + We were resting and reviving our strength by gazing into one another’s + eyes, when suddenly Lucrezia, casting a glance to the right, exclaimed, + </p> + <p> + “Look there! idol of my heart, have I not told you so? Yes, the angels are + watching over us! Ah! how he stares at us! He seems to try to give us + confidence. Look at that little demon; admire him! He must certainly be + your guardian spirit or mine.” + </p> + <p> + I thought she was delirious. + </p> + <p> + “What are you saying, dearest? I do not understand you. What am I to + admire?” + </p> + <p> + “Do you not see that beautiful serpent with the blazing skin, which lifts + its head and seems to worship us?” + </p> + <p> + I looked in the direction she indicated, and saw a serpent with changeable + colours about three feet in length, which did seem to be looking at us. I + was not particularly pleased at the sight, but I could not show myself + less courageous than she was. + </p> + <p> + “What!” said I, “are you not afraid?” + </p> + <p> + “I tell you, again, that the sight is delightful to me, and I feel certain + that it is a spirit with nothing but the shape, or rather the appearance, + of a serpent.” + </p> + <p> + “And if the spirit came gliding along the grass and hissed at you?” + </p> + <p> + “I would hold you tighter against my bosom, and set him at defiance. In + your arms Lucrezia is safe. Look! the spirit is going away. Quick, quick! + He is warning us of the approach of some profane person, and tells us to + seek some other retreat to renew our pleasures. Let us go.” + </p> + <p> + We rose and slowly advanced towards Donna Cecilia and the advocate, who + were just emerging from a neighbouring alley. Without avoiding them, and + without hurrying, just as if to meet one another was a very natural + occurrence, I enquired of Donna Cecilia whether her daughter had any fear + of serpents. + </p> + <p> + “In spite of all her strength of mind,” she answered, “she is dreadfully + afraid of thunder, and she will scream with terror at the sight of the + smallest snake. There are some here, but she need not be frightened, for + they are not venomous.” + </p> + <p> + I was speechless with astonishment, for I discovered that I had just + witnessed a wonderful love miracle. At that moment the children came up, + and, without ceremony, we again parted company. + </p> + <p> + “Tell me, wonderful being, bewitching woman, what would you have done if, + instead of your pretty serpent, you had seen your husband and your + mother?” + </p> + <p> + “Nothing. Do you not know that, in moments of such rapture, lovers see and + feel nothing but love? Do you doubt having possessed me wholly, entirely?” + </p> + <p> + Lucrezia, in speaking thus, was not composing a poetical ode; she was not + feigning fictitious sentiments; her looks, the sound of her voice, were + truth itself! + </p> + <p> + “Are you certain,” I enquired, “that we are not suspected?” + </p> + <p> + “My husband does not believe us to be in love with each other, or else he + does not mind such trifling pleasures as youth is generally wont to + indulge in. My mother is a clever woman, and perhaps she suspects the + truth, but she is aware that it is no longer any concern of hers. As to my + sister, she must know everything, for she cannot have forgotten the + broken-down bed; but she is prudent, and besides, she has taken it into + her head to pity me. She has no conception of the nature of my feelings + towards you. If I had not met you, my beloved, I should probably have gone + through life without realizing such feelings myself; for what I feel for + my husband.... well, I have for him the obedience which my position as a + wife imposes upon me.” + </p> + <p> + “And yet he is most happy, and I envy him! He can clasp in his arms all + your lovely person whenever he likes! There is no hateful veil to hide any + of your charms from his gaze.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh! where art thou, my dear serpent? Come to us, come and protect us + against the surprise of the uninitiated, and this very instant I fulfil + all the wishes of him I adore!” + </p> + <p> + We passed the morning in repeating that we loved each other, and in + exchanging over and over again substantial proofs of our mutual passion. + </p> + <p> + We had a delicious dinner, during which I was all attention for the + amiable Donna Cecilia. My pretty tortoise-shell box, filled with excellent + snuff, went more than once round the table. As it happened to be in the + hands of Lucrezia who was sitting on my left, her husband told her that, + if I had no objection, she might give me her ring and keep the snuff-box + in exchange. Thinking that the ring was not of as much value as my box, I + immediately accepted, but I found the ring of greater value. Lucrezia + would not, however, listen to anything on that subject. She put the box in + her pocket, and thus compelled me to keep her ring. + </p> + <p> + Dessert was nearly over, the conversation was very animated, when suddenly + the intended husband of Angelique claimed our attention for the reading of + a sonnet which he had composed and dedicated to me. I thanked him, and + placing the sonnet in my pocket promised to write one for him. This was + not, however, what he wished; he expected that, stimulated by emulation, I + would call for paper and pen, and sacrifice to Apollo hours which it was + much more to my taste to employ in worshipping another god whom his cold + nature knew only by name. We drank coffee, I paid the bill, and we went + about rambling through the labyrinthine alleys of the Villa Aldobrandini. + </p> + <p> + What sweet recollections that villa has left in my memory! It seemed as if + I saw my divine Lucrezia for the first time. Our looks were full of ardent + love, our hearts were beating in concert with the most tender impatience, + and a natural instinct was leading us towards a solitary asylum which the + hand of Love seemed to have prepared on purpose for the mysteries of its + secret worship. There, in the middle of a long avenue, and under a canopy + of thick foliage, we found a wide sofa made of grass, and sheltered by a + deep thicket; from that place our eyes could range over an immense plain, + and view the avenue to such a distance right and left that we were + perfectly secure against any surprise. We did not require to exchange one + word at the sight of this beautiful temple so favourable to our love; our + hearts spoke the same language. + </p> + <p> + Without a word being spoken, our ready hands soon managed to get rid of + all obstacles, and to expose in a state of nature all the beauties which + are generally veiled by troublesome wearing apparel. Two whole hours were + devoted to the most delightful, loving ecstasies. At last we exclaimed + together in mutual ecstasy, “O Love, we thank thee!” + </p> + <p> + We slowly retraced our steps towards the carriages, revelling in our + intense happiness. Lucrezia informed me that Angelique’s suitor was + wealthy, that he owned a splendid villa at Tivoli, and that most likely he + would invite us all to dine and pass the night there. “I pray the god of + love,” she added, “to grant us a night as beautiful as this day has been.” + Then, looking sad, she said, “But alas! the ecclesiastical lawsuit which + has brought my husband to Rome is progressing so favourably that I am + mortally afraid he will obtain judgment all too soon.” + </p> + <p> + The journey back to the city lasted two hours; we were alone in my + vis-a-vis and we overtaxed nature, exacting more than it can possibly + give. As we were getting near Rome we were compelled to let the curtain + fall before the denouement of the drama which we had performed to the + complete satisfaction of the actors. + </p> + <p> + I returned home rather fatigued, but the sound sleep which was so natural + at my age restored my full vigour, and in the morning I took my French + lesson at the usual hour. + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0010" id="link2HCH0010"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER X + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Benedict XIV—Excursion to Tivoli—Departure of Lucrezia— + The Marchioness G.—Barbara Dalacqua—My Misfortunes— + I Leave Rome +</pre> + <p> + M. Dalacqua being very ill, his daughter Barbara gave me my lesson. When + it was over, she seized an opportunity of slipping a letter into my + pocket, and immediately disappeared, so that I had no chance of refusing. + The letter was addressed to me, and expressed feelings of the warmest + gratitude. She only desired me to inform her lover that her father had + spoken to her again, and that most likely he would engage a new servant as + soon as he had recovered from his illness, and she concluded her letter by + assuring me that she never would implicate me in this business. + </p> + <p> + Her father was compelled to keep his bed for a fortnight, and Barbara + continued to give me my lesson every day. I felt for her an interest + which, from me towards a young and pretty girl, was, indeed, quite a new + sentiment. It was a feeling of pity, and I was proud of being able to help + and comfort her. Her eyes never rested upon mine, her hand never met mine, + I never saw in her toilet the slightest wish to please me. She was very + pretty, and I knew she had a tender, loving nature; but nothing interfered + with the respect and the regard which I was bound in honour and in good + faith to feel towards her, and I was proud to remark that she never + thought me capable of taking advantage of her weakness or of her position. + </p> + <p> + When the father had recovered he dismissed his servant and engaged + another. Barbara entreated me to inform her friend of the circumstance, + and likewise of her hope to gain the new servant to their interests, at + least sufficiently to secure the possibility of carrying on some + correspondence. I promised to do so, and as a mark of her gratitude she + took my hand to carry it to her lips, but quickly withdrawing it I tried + to kiss her; she turned her face away, blushing deeply. I was much pleased + with her modesty. + </p> + <p> + Barbara having succeeded in gaining the new servant over, I had nothing + more to do with the intrigue, and I was very glad of it, for I knew my + interference might have brought evil on my own head. Unfortunately, it was + already too late. + </p> + <p> + I seldom visited Don Gaspar; the study of the French language took up all + my mornings, and it was only in the morning that I could see him; but I + called every evening upon Father Georgi, and, although I went to him only + as one of his ‘proteges’, it gave me some reputation. I seldom spoke + before his guests, yet I never felt weary, for in his circle his friends + would criticise without slandering, discuss politics without stubbornness, + literature without passion, and I profited by all. After my visit to the + sagacious monk, I used to attend the assembly of the cardinal, my master, + as a matter of duty. Almost every evening, when she happened to see me at + her card-table, the beautiful marchioness would address to me a few + gracious words in French, and I always answered in Italian, not caring to + make her laugh before so many persons. My feelings for her were of a + singular kind. I must leave them to the analysis of the reader. I thought + that woman charming, yet I avoided her; it was not because I was afraid of + falling in love with her; I loved Lucrezia, and I firmly believed that + such an affection was a shield against any other attachment, but it was + because I feared that she might love me or have a passing fancy for me. + Was it self-conceit or modesty, vice or virtue? Perhaps neither one nor + the other. + </p> + <p> + One evening she desired the Abbe Gama to call me to her; she was standing + near the cardinal, my patron, and the moment I approached her she caused + me a strange feeling of surprise by asking me in Italian a question which + I was far from anticipating: + </p> + <p> + “How did you like Frascati?” + </p> + <p> + “Very much, madam; I have never seen such a beautiful place.” + </p> + <p> + “But your company was still more beautiful, and your vis-a-vis was very + smart.” + </p> + <p> + I only bowed low to the marchioness, and a moment after Cardinal Acquaviva + said to me, kindly, + </p> + <p> + “You are astonished at your adventure being known?” + </p> + <p> + “No, my lord; but I am surprised that people should talk of it. I could + not have believed Rome to be so much like a small village.” + </p> + <p> + “The longer you live in Rome,” said his eminence, “the more you will find + it so. You have not yet presented yourself to kiss the foot of our Holy + Father?” + </p> + <p> + “Not yet, my lord.” + </p> + <p> + “Then you must do so.” + </p> + <p> + I bowed in compliance to his wishes. + </p> + <p> + The Abbe Gama told me to present myself to the Pope on the morrow, and he + added, + </p> + <p> + “Of course you have already shewn yourself in the Marchioness G.‘s + palace?” + </p> + <p> + “No, I have never been there.” + </p> + <p> + “You astonish me; but she often speaks to you!” + </p> + <p> + “I have no objection to go with you.” + </p> + <p> + “I never visit at her palace.” + </p> + <p> + “Yet she speaks to you likewise.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, but.... You do not know Rome; go alone; believe me, you ought to + go.” + </p> + <p> + “Will she receive me?” + </p> + <p> + “You are joking, I suppose. Of course it is out of the question for you to + be announced. You will call when the doors are wide open to everybody. You + will meet there all those who pay homage to her.” + </p> + <p> + “Will she see me?” + </p> + <p> + “No doubt of it.” + </p> + <p> + On the following day I proceeded to Monte-Cavallo, and I was at once led + into the room where the Pope was alone. I threw myself on my knees and + kissed the holy cross on his most holy slipper. The Pope enquiring who I + was, I told him, and he answered that he knew me, congratulating me upon + my being in the service of so eminent a cardinal. He asked me how I had + succeeded in gaining the cardinal’s favour; I answered with a faithful + recital of my adventures from my arrival at Martorano. He laughed heartily + at all I said respecting the poor and worthy bishop, and remarked that, + instead of trying to address him in Tuscan, I could speak in the Venetian + dialect, as he was himself speaking to me in the dialect of Bologna. I + felt quite at my ease with him, and I told him so much news and amused him + so well that the Holy Father kindly said that he would be glad to see me + whenever I presented myself at Monte-Cavallo. I begged his permission to + read all forbidden books, and he granted it with his blessing, saying that + I should have the permission in writing, but he forgot it. + </p> + <p> + Benedict XIV, was a learned man, very amiable, and fond of a joke. I saw + him for the second time at the Villa Medicis. He called me to him, and + continued his walk, speaking of trifling things. He was then accompanied + by Cardinal Albani and the ambassador from Venice. A man of modest + appearance approached His Holiness, who asked what he required; the man + said a few words in a low voice, and, after listening to him, the Pope + answered, “You are right, place your trust in God;” and he gave him his + blessing. The poor fellow went away very dejected, and the Holy Father + continued his walk. + </p> + <p> + “This man,” I said, “most Holy Father, has not been pleased with the + answer of Your Holiness.” + </p> + <p> + “Why?” + </p> + <p> + “Because most likely he had already addressed himself to God before he + ventured to apply to you; and when Your Holiness sends him to God again, + he finds himself sent back, as the proverb says, from Herod to Pilate.” + </p> + <p> + The Pope, as well as his two companions, laughed heartily; but I kept a + serious countenance. + </p> + <p> + “I cannot,” continued the Pope, “do any good without God’s assistance.” + </p> + <p> + “Very true, Holy Father; but the man is aware that you are God’s prime + minister, and it is easy to imagine his trouble now that the minister + sends him again to the master. His only resource is to give money to the + beggars of Rome, who for one ‘bajocco’ will pray for him. They boast of + their influence before the throne of the Almighty, but as I have faith + only in your credit, I entreat Your Holiness to deliver me of the heat + which inflames my eyes by granting me permission to eat meat.” + </p> + <p> + “Eat meat, my son.” + </p> + <p> + “Holy Father, give me your blessing.” + </p> + <p> + He blessed me, adding that I was not dispensed from fasting. + </p> + <p> + That very evening, at the cardinal’s assembly, I found that the news of my + dialogue with the Pope was already known. Everybody was anxious to speak + to me. I felt flattered, but I was much more delighted at the joy which + Cardinal Acquaviva tried in vain to conceal. + </p> + <p> + As I wished not to neglect Gama’s advice, I presented myself at the + mansion of the beautiful marchioness at the hour at which everyone had + free access to her ladyship. I saw her, I saw the cardinal and a great + many abbes; but I might have supposed myself invisible, for no one + honoured me with a look, and no one spoke to me. I left after having + performed for half an hour the character of a mute. Five or six days + afterwards, the marchioness told me graciously that she had caught a sight + of me in her reception-rooms. + </p> + <p> + “I was there, it is true, madam; but I had no idea that I had had the + honour to be seen by your ladyship.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh! I see everybody. They tell me that you have wit.” + </p> + <p> + “If it is not a mistake on the part of your informants, your ladyship + gives me very good news.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh! they are excellent judges.” + </p> + <p> + “Then, madam, those persons must have honoured me with their conversation; + otherwise, it is not likely that they would have been able to express such + an opinion.” + </p> + <p> + “No doubt; but let me see you often at my receptions.” + </p> + <p> + Our conversation had been overheard by those who were around; his + excellency the cardinal told me that, when the marchioness addressed + herself particularly to me in French, my duty was to answer her in the + same language, good or bad. The cunning politician Gama took me apart, and + remarked that my repartees were too smart, too cutting, and that, after a + time, I would be sure to displease. I had made considerable progress in + French; I had given up my lessons, and practice was all I required. I was + then in the habit of calling sometimes upon Lucrezia in the morning, and + of visiting in the evening Father Georgi, who was acquainted with the + excursion to Frascati, and had not expressed any dissatisfaction. + </p> + <p> + Two days after the sort of command laid upon me by the marchioness, I + presented myself at her reception. As soon as she saw me, she favoured me + with a smile which I acknowledged by a deep reverence; that was all. In a + quarter of an hour afterwards I left the mansion. The marchioness was + beautiful, but she was powerful, and I could not make up my mind to crawl + at the feet of power, and, on that head, I felt disgusted with the manners + of the Romans. + </p> + <p> + One morning towards the end of November the advocate, accompanied by + Angelique’s intended, called on me. The latter gave me a pressing + invitation to spend twenty-four hours at Tivoli with the friends I had + entertained at Frascati. I accepted with great pleasure, for I had found + no opportunity of being alone with Lucrezia since the Festival of St. + Ursula. I promised to be at Donna Cecilia’s house at day-break with the + same ‘vis-a-vis’. It was necessary to start very early, because Tivoli is + sixteen miles from Rome, and has so many objects of interest that it + requires many hours to see them all. As I had to sleep out that night, I + craved permission to do so from the cardinal himself, who, hearing with + whom I was going, told me that I was quite right not to lose such an + opportunity of visiting that splendid place in such good society. + </p> + <p> + The first dawn of day found me with my ‘vis-a-vis’ and four at the door of + Donna Cecilia, who came with me as before. The charming widow, + notwithstanding her strict morality, was delighted at my love for her + daughter. The family rode in a large phaeton hired by Don Francisco, which + gave room for six persons. + </p> + <p> + At half-past seven in the morning we made a halt at a small place where + had been prepared, by Don Franciso’s orders, an excellent breakfast, which + was intended to replace the dinner, and we all made a hearty meal, as we + were not likely to find time for anything but supper at Tivoli. I wore on + my finger the beautiful ring which Lucrezia had given me. At the back of + the ring I had had a piece of enamel placed, on it was delineated a + saduceus, with one serpent between the letters Alpha and Omega. This ring + was the subject of conversation during breakfast, and Don Francisco, as + well as the advocate, exerted himself in vain to guess the meaning of the + hieroglyphs; much to the amusement of Lucrezia, who understood the + mysterious secret so well. We continued our road, and reached Tivoli at + ten o’clock. + </p> + <p> + We began by visiting Don Francisco’s villa. It was a beautiful little + house, and we spent the following six hours in examining together the + antiquities of Tivoli. Lucrezia having occasion to whisper a few words to + Don Francisco, I seized the opportunity of telling Angelique that after + her marriage I should be happy to spend a few days of the fine season with + her. + </p> + <p> + “Sir,” she answered, “I give you fair notice that the moment I become + mistress in this house you will be the very first person to be excluded.” + </p> + <p> + “I feel greatly obliged to you, signora, for your timely notice.” + </p> + <p> + But the most amusing part of the affair was that I construed Angelique’s + wanton insult into a declaration of love. I was astounded. Lucrezia, + remarking the state I was in, touched my arm, enquiring what ailed me. I + told her, and she said at once, + </p> + <p> + “My darling, my happiness cannot last long; the cruel moment of our + separation is drawing near. When I have gone, pray undertake the task of + compelling her to acknowledge her error. Angelique pities me, be sure to + avenge me.” + </p> + <p> + I have forgotten to mention that at Don Francisco’s villa I happened to + praise a very pretty room opening upon the orange-house, and the amiable + host, having heard me, came obligingly to me, and said that it should be + my room that night. Lucrezia feigned not to hear, but it was to her + Ariadne’s clue, for, as we were to remain altogether during our visit to + the beauties of Tivoli, we had no chance of a tete-a-tete through the day. + </p> + <p> + I have said that we devoted six hours to an examination of the antiquities + of Tivoli, but I am bound to confess here that I saw, for my part, very + little of them, and it was only twenty-eight years later that I made a + thorough acquaintance with the beautiful spot. + </p> + <p> + We returned to the villa towards evening, fatigued and very hungry, but an + hour’s rest before supper—a repast which lasted two hours, the most + delicious dishes, the most exquisite wines, and particularly the excellent + wine of Tivoli—restored us so well that everybody wanted nothing + more than a good bed and the freedom to enjoy the bed according to his own + taste. + </p> + <p> + As everybody objected to sleep alone, Lucrezia said that she would sleep + with Angelique in one of the rooms leading to the orange-house, and + proposed that her husband should share a room with the young abbe, his + brother-in-law, and that Donna Cecilia should take her youngest daughter + with her. + </p> + <p> + The arrangement met with general approbation, and Don Francisco, taking a + candle, escorted me to my pretty little room adjoining the one in which + the two sisters were to sleep, and, after shewing me how I could lock + myself in, he wished me good night and left me alone. + </p> + <p> + Angelique had no idea that I was her near neighbour, but Lucrezia and I, + without exchanging a single word on the subject, had perfectly understood + each other. + </p> + <p> + I watched through the key-hole and saw the two sisters come into their + room, preceded by the polite Don Francisco, who carried a taper, and, + after lighting a night-lamp, bade them good night and retired. Then my two + beauties, their door once locked, sat down on the sofa and completed their + night toilet, which, in that fortunate climate, is similar to the costume + of our first mother. Lucrezia, knowing that I was waiting to come in, told + her sister to lie down on the side towards the window, and the virgin, + having no idea that she was exposing her most secret beauties to my + profane eyes, crossed the room in a state of complete nakedness. Lucrezia + put out the lamp and lay down near her innocent sister. + </p> + <p> + Happy moments which I can no longer enjoy, but the sweet remembrance of + which death alone can make me lose! I believe I never undressed myself as + quickly as I did that evening. + </p> + <p> + I open the door and fall into the arms of my Lucrezia, who says to her + sister, “It is my angel, my love; never mind him, and go to sleep.” + </p> + <p> + What a delightful picture I could offer to my readers if it were possible + for me to paint voluptuousness in its most enchanting colours! What + ecstasies of love from the very onset! What delicious raptures succeed + each other until the sweetest fatigue made us give way to the soothing + influence of Morpheus! + </p> + <p> + The first rays of the sun, piercing through the crevices of the shutters, + wake us out of our refreshing slumbers, and like two valorous knights who + have ceased fighting only to renew the contest with increased ardour, we + lose no time in giving ourselves up to all the intensity of the flame + which consumes us. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, my beloved Lucrezia! how supremely happy I am! But, my darling, mind + your sister; she might turn round and see us.” + </p> + <p> + “Fear nothing, my life; my sister is kind, she loves me, she pities me; do + you not love me, my dear Angelique? Oh! turn round, see how happy your + sister is, and know what felicity awaits you when you own the sway of + love.” + </p> + <p> + Angelique, a young maiden of seventeen summers, who must have suffered the + torments of Tantalus during the night, and who only wishes for a pretext + to shew that she has forgiven her sister, turns round, and covering her + sister with kisses, confesses that she has not closed her eyes through the + night. + </p> + <p> + “Then forgive likewise, darling Angelique, forgive him who loves me, and + whom I adore,” says Lucrezia. + </p> + <p> + Unfathomable power of the god who conquers all human beings! + </p> + <p> + “Angelique hates me,” I say, “I dare not....” + </p> + <p> + “No, I do not hate you!” answers the charming girl. + </p> + <p> + “Kiss her, dearest,” says Lucrezia, pushing me towards her sister, and + pleased to see her in my arms motionless and languid. + </p> + <p> + But sentiment, still more than love, forbids me to deprive Lucrezia of the + proof of my gratitude, and I turn to her with all the rapture of a + beginner, feeling that my ardour is increased by Angelique’s ecstasy, as + for the first time she witnesses the amorous contest. Lucrezia, dying of + enjoyment, entreats me to stop, but, as I do not listen to her prayer, she + tricks me, and the sweet Angelique makes her first sacrifice to the mother + of love. It is thus, very likely, that when the gods inhabited this earth, + the voluptuous Arcadia, in love with the soft and pleasing breath of + Zephyrus, one day opened her arms, and was fecundated. + </p> + <p> + Lucrezia was astonished and delighted, and covered us both with kisses. + Angelique, as happy as her sister, expired deliciously in my arms for the + third time, and she seconded me with so much loving ardour, that it seemed + to me I was tasting happiness for the first time. + </p> + <p> + Phoebus had left the nuptial couch, and his rays were already diffusing + light over the universe; and that light, reaching us through the closed + shutters, gave me warning to quit the place; we exchanged the most loving + adieus, I left my two divinities and retired to my own room. A few minutes + afterwards, the cheerful voice of the advocate was heard in the chamber of + the sisters; he was reproaching them for sleeping too long! Then he + knocked at my door, threatening to bring the ladies to me, and went away, + saying that he would send me the hair-dresser. + </p> + <p> + After many ablutions and a careful toilet, I thought I could shew my face, + and I presented myself coolly in the drawing-room. The two sisters were + there with the other members of our society, and I was delighted with + their rosy cheeks. Lucrezia was frank and gay, and beamed with happiness; + Angelique, as fresh as the morning dew, was more radiant than usual, but + fidgety, and carefully avoided looking me in the face. I saw that my + useless attempts to catch her eyes made her smile, and I remarked to her + mother, rather mischievously, that it was a pity Angelique used paint for + her face. She was duped by this stratagem, and compelled me to pass a + handkerchief over her face, and was then obliged to look at me. I offered + her my apologies, and Don Francisco appeared highly pleased that the + complexion of his intended had met with such triumph. + </p> + <p> + After breakfast we took a walk through the garden, and, finding myself + alone with Lucrezia, I expostulated tenderly with her for having almost + thrown her sister in my arms. + </p> + <p> + “Do not reproach me,” she said, “when I deserve praise. I have brought + light into the darkness of my charming sister’s soul; I have initiated her + in the sweetest of mysteries, and now, instead of pitying me, she must + envy me. Far from having hatred for you, she must love you dearly, and as + I am so unhappy as to have to part from you very soon, my beloved, I leave + her to you; she will replace me.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, Lucrezia! how can I love her?” + </p> + <p> + “Is she not a charming girl?” + </p> + <p> + “No doubt of it; but my adoration for you is a shield against any other + love. Besides Don Francisco must, of course, entirely monopolize her, and + I do not wish to cause coolness between them, or to ruin the peace of + their home. I am certain your sister is not like you, and I would bet + that, even now, she upbraids herself for having given way to the ardour of + her temperament.” + </p> + <p> + “Most likely; but, dearest, I am sorry to say my husband expects to obtain + judgment in the course of this week, and then the short instants of + happiness will for ever be lost to me.” + </p> + <p> + This was sad news indeed, and to cause a diversion at the breakfast-table + I took much notice of the generous Don Francisco, and promised to compose + a nuptial song for his wedding-day, which had been fixed for the early + part of January. + </p> + <p> + We returned to Rome, and for the three hours that she was with me in my + vis-a-vis, Lucrezia had no reason to think that my ardour was at all + abated. But when we reached the city I was rather fatigued, and proceeded + at once to the palace. + </p> + <p> + Lucrezia had guessed rightly; her husband obtained his judgment three or + four days afterwards, and called upon me to announce their departure for + the day after the morrow; he expressed his warm friendship for me, and by + his invitation I spent the two last evenings with Lucrezia, but we were + always surrounded by the family. The day of her departure, wishing to + cause her an agreeable surprise, I left Rome before them and waited for + them at the place where I thought they would put up for the night, but the + advocate, having been detained by several engagements, was detained in + Rome, and they only reached the place next day for dinner. We dined + together, we exchanged a sad, painful farewell, and they continued their + journey while I returned to Rome. + </p> + <p> + After the departure of this charming woman, I found myself in sort of + solitude very natural to a young man whose heart is not full of hope. + </p> + <p> + I passed whole days in my room, making extracts from the French letters + written by the cardinal, and his eminence was kind enough to tell me that + my extracts were judiciously made, but that he insisted upon my not + working so hard. The beautiful marchioness was present when he paid me + that compliment. + </p> + <p> + Since my second visit to her, I had not presented myself at her house; she + was consequently rather cool to me, and, glad of an opportunity of making + me feel her displeasure, she remarked to his eminence that very likely + work was a consolation to me in the great void caused by the departure of + Donna Lucrezia. + </p> + <p> + “I candidly confess, madam, that I have felt her loss deeply. She was kind + and generous; above all, she was indulgent when I did not call often upon + her. My friendship for her was innocent.” + </p> + <p> + “I have no doubt of it, although your ode was the work of a poet deeply in + love.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh!” said the kindly cardinal, “a poet cannot possibly write without + professing to be in love.” + </p> + <p> + “But,” replied the marchioness, “if the poet is really in love, he has no + need of professing a feeling which he possesses.” + </p> + <p> + As she was speaking, the marchioness drew out of her pocket a paper which + she offered to his eminence. + </p> + <p> + “This is the ode,” she said, “it does great honour to the poet, for it is + admitted to be a masterpiece by all the literati in Rome, and Donna + Lucrezia knows it by heart.” + </p> + <p> + The cardinal read it over and returned it, smiling, and remarking that, as + he had no taste for Italian poetry, she must give herself the pleasure of + translating it into French rhyme if she wished him to admire it. + </p> + <p> + “I only write French prose,” answered the marchioness, “and a prose + translation destroys half the beauty of poetry. I am satisfied with + writing occasionally a little Italian poetry without any pretension to + poetical fame.” + </p> + <p> + Those words were accompanied by a very significant glance in my direction. + </p> + <p> + “I should consider myself fortunate, madam, if I could obtain the + happiness of admiring some of your poetry.” + </p> + <p> + “Here is a sonnet of her ladyship’s,” said Cardinal S. C. + </p> + <p> + I took it respectfully, and I prepared to read it, but the amiable + marchioness told me to put it in my pocket and return it to the cardinal + the next day, although she did not think the sonnet worth so much trouble. + “If you should happen to go out in the morning,” said Cardinal S. C., “you + could bring it back, and dine with me.” Cardinal Aquaviva immediately + answered for me: “He will be sure to go out purposely.” + </p> + <p> + With a deep reverence, which expressed my thanks, I left the room quietly + and returned to my apartment, very impatient to read the sonnet. Yet, + before satisfying my wish, I could not help making some reflections on the + situation. I began to think myself somebody since the gigantic stride I + had made this evening at the cardinal’s assembly. The Marchioness de G. + had shewn in the most open way the interest she felt in me, and, under + cover of her grandeur, had not hesitated to compromise herself publicly by + the most flattering advances. But who would have thought of disapproving? + A young abbe like me, without any importance whatever, who could scarcely + pretend to her high protection! True, but she was precisely the woman to + grant it to those who, feeling themselves unworthy of it, dared not shew + any pretensions to her patronage. On that head, my modesty must be evident + to everyone, and the marchioness would certainly have insulted me had she + supposed me capable of sufficient vanity to fancy that she felt the + slightest inclination for me. No, such a piece of self-conceit was not in + accordance with my nature. Her cardinal himself had invited me to dinner. + Would he have done so if he had admitted the possibility of the beautiful + marchioness feeling anything for me? Of course not, and he gave me an + invitation to dine with him only because he had understood, from the very + words of the lady, that I was just the sort of person with whom they could + converse for a few hours without any risk; to be sure, without any risk + whatever. Oh, Master Casanova! do you really think so? + </p> + <p> + Well, why should I put on a mask before my readers? They may think me + conceited if they please, but the fact of the matter is that I felt sure + of having made a conquest of the marchioness. I congratulated myself + because she had taken the first, most difficult, and most important step. + Had she not done so, I should never have dared to lay siege to her even in + the most approved fashion; I should never have even ventured to dream of + winning her. It was only this evening that I thought she might replace + Lucrezia. She was beautiful, young, full of wit and talent; she was fond + of literary pursuits, and very powerful in Rome; what more was necessary? + Yet I thought it would be good policy to appear ignorant of her + inclination for me, and to let her suppose from the very next day that I + was in love with her, but that my love appeared to me hopeless. I knew + that such a plan was infallible, because it saved her dignity. It seemed + to me that Father Georgi himself would be compelled to approve such an + undertaking, and I had remarked with great satisfaction that Cardinal + Acquaviva had expressed his delight at Cardinal S. C.‘s invitation—an + honour which he had never yet bestowed on me himself. This affair might + have very important results for me. + </p> + <p> + I read the marchioness’s sonnet, and found it easy, flowing, and well + written. It was composed in praise of the King of Prussia, who had just + conquered Silesia by a masterly stroke. As I was copying it, the idea + struck me to personify Silesia, and to make her, in answer to the sonnet, + bewail that Love (supposed to be the author of the sonnet of the + marchioness) could applaud the man who had conquered her, when that + conqueror was the sworn enemy of Love. + </p> + <p> + It is impossible for a man accustomed to write poetry to abstain when a + happy subject smiles upon his delighted imagination. If he attempted to + smother the poetical flame running through his veins it would consume him. + I composed my sonnet, keeping the same rhymes as in the original, and, + well pleased with my muse, I went to bed. + </p> + <p> + The next morning the Abbe Gama came in just as I had finished recopying my + sonnet, and said he would breakfast with me. He complimented me upon the + honour conferred on me by the invitation of Cardinal S. C. + </p> + <p> + “But be prudent,” he added, “for his eminence has the reputation of being + jealous.” + </p> + <p> + I thanked him for his friendly advice, taking care to assure him that I + had nothing to fear, because I did not feel the slightest inclination for + the handsome marchioness. + </p> + <p> + Cardinal S. C. received me with great kindness mingled with dignity, to + make me realize the importance of the favour he was bestowing upon me. + </p> + <p> + “What do you think,” he enquired, “of the sonnet?” + </p> + <p> + “Monsignor, it is perfectly written, and, what is more, it is a charming + composition. Allow me to return it to you with my thanks.” + </p> + <p> + “She has much talent. I wish to shew you ten stanzas of her composition, + my dear abbe, but you must promise to be very discreet about it.” + </p> + <p> + “Your eminence may rely on me.” + </p> + <p> + He opened his bureau and brought forth the stanzas of which he was the + subject. I read them, found them well written, but devoid of enthusiasm; + they were the work of a poet, and expressed love in the words of passion, + but were not pervaded by that peculiar feeling by which true love is so + easily discovered. The worthy cardinal was doubtless guilty of a very + great indiscretion, but self-love is the cause of so many injudicious + steps! I asked his eminence whether he had answered the stanzas. + </p> + <p> + “No,” he replied, “I have not; but would you feel disposed to lend me your + poetical pen, always under the seal of secrecy?” + </p> + <p> + “As to secrecy, monsignor, I promise it faithfully; but I am afraid the + marchioness will remark the difference between your style and mine.” + </p> + <p> + “She has nothing of my composition,” said the cardinal; “I do not think + she supposes me a fine poet, and for that reason your stanzas must be + written in such a manner that she will not esteem them above my + abilities.” + </p> + <p> + “I will write them with pleasure, monsignor, and your eminence can form an + opinion; if they do not seem good enough to be worthy of you, they need + not be given to the marchioness.” + </p> + <p> + “That is well said. Will you write them at once?” + </p> + <p> + “What! now, monsignor? It is not like prose.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, well! try to let me have them to-morrow.” + </p> + <p> + We dined alone, and his eminence complimented me upon my excellent + appetite, which he remarked was as good as his own; but I was beginning to + understand my eccentric host, and, to flatter him, I answered that he + praised me more than I deserved, and that my appetite was inferior to his. + The singular compliment delighted him, and I saw all the use I could make + of his eminence. + </p> + <p> + Towards the end of the dinner, as we were conversing, the marchioness made + her appearance, and, as a matter of course, without being announced. Her + looks threw me into raptures; I thought her a perfect beauty. She did not + give the cardinal time to meet her, but sat down near him, while I + remained standing, according to etiquette. + </p> + <p> + Without appearing to notice me, the marchioness ran wittily over various + topics until coffee was brought in. Then, addressing herself to me, she + told me to sit down, just as if she was bestowing charity upon me. + </p> + <p> + “By-the-by, abbe,” she said, a minute after, “have you read my sonnet?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, madam, and I have had the honour to return it to his eminence. I + have found it so perfect that I am certain it must have cost you a great + deal of time.” + </p> + <p> + “Time?” exclaimed the cardinal; “Oh! you do not know the marchioness.” + </p> + <p> + “Monsignor,” I replied, “nothing can be done well without time, and that + is why I have not dared to shew to your eminence an answer to the sonnet + which I have written in half an hour.” + </p> + <p> + “Let us see it, abbe,” said the marchioness; “I want to read it.” + </p> + <p> + “Answer of Silesia to Love.” This title brought the most fascinating + blushes on her countenance. “But Love is not mentioned in the sonnet,” + exclaimed the cardinal. “Wait,” said the marchioness, “we must respect the + idea of the poet.” + </p> + <p> + She read the sonnet over and over, and thought that the reproaches + addressed by Silesia to Love were very just. She explained my idea to the + cardinal, making him understand why Silesia was offended at having been + conquered by the King of Prussia. + </p> + <p> + “Ah, I see, I see!” exclaimed the cardinal, full of joy; “Silesia is a + woman.... and the King of Prussia.... Oh! oh! that is really a fine idea!” + And the good cardinal laughed heartily for more than a quarter of an hour. + “I must copy that sonnet,” he added, “indeed I must have it.” + </p> + <p> + “The abbe,” said the obliging marchioness, “will save you the trouble: I + will dictate it to him.” + </p> + <p> + I prepared to write, but his eminence suddenly exclaimed, “My dear + marchioness, this is wonderful; he has kept the same rhymes as in your own + sonnet: did you observe it?” + </p> + <p> + The beautiful marchioness gave me then a look of such expression that she + completed her conquest. I understood that she wanted me to know the + cardinal as well as she knew him; it was a kind of partnership in which I + was quite ready to play my part. + </p> + <p> + As soon as I had written the sonnet under the charming woman’s dictation, + I took my leave, but not before the cardinal had told me that he expected + me to dinner the next day. + </p> + <p> + I had plenty of work before me, for the ten stanzas I had to compose were + of the most singular character, and I lost no time in shutting myself up + in my room to think of them. I had to keep my balance between two points + of equal difficulty, and I felt that great care was indispensable. I had + to place the marchioness in such a position that she could pretend to believe + the cardinal the author of the stanzas, and, at the same time, compel her + to find out that I had written them, and that I was aware of her knowing + it. It was necessary to speak so carefully that not one expression should + breathe even the faintest hope on my part, and yet to make my stanzas + blaze with the ardent fire of my love under the thin veil of poetry. As + for the cardinal, I knew well enough that the better the stanzas were + written, the more disposed he would be to sign them. All I wanted was + clearness, so difficult to obtain in poetry, while a little doubtful + darkness would have been accounted sublime by my new Midas. But, although + I wanted to please him, the cardinal was only a secondary consideration, + and the handsome marchioness the principal object. + </p> + <p> + As the marchioness in her verses had made a pompous enumeration of every + physical and moral quality of his eminence, it was of course natural that + he should return the compliment, and here my task was easy. At last having + mastered my subject well, I began my work, and giving full career to my + imagination and to my feelings I composed the ten stanzas, and gave the + finishing stroke with these two beautiful lines from Ariosto: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Le angelicche bellezze nate al cielo + Non si ponno celar sotto alcum velo. +</pre> + <p> + Rather pleased with my production, I presented it the next day to the + cardinal, modestly saying that I doubted whether he would accept the + authorship of so ordinary a composition. He read the stanzas twice over + without taste or expression, and said at last that they were indeed not + much, but exactly what he wanted. He thanked me particularly for the two + lines from Ariosto, saying that they would assist in throwing the + authorship upon himself, as they would prove to the lady for whom they + were intended that he had not been able to write them without borrowing. + And, as to offer me some consolation, he told me that, in recopying the + lines, he would take care to make a few mistakes in the rhythm to complete + the illusion. + </p> + <p> + We dined earlier than the day before, and I withdrew immediately after + dinner so as to give him leisure to make a copy of the stanzas before the + arrival of the lady. + </p> + <p> + The next evening I met the marchioness at the entrance of the palace, and + offered her my arm to come out of her carriage. The instant she alighted, + she said to me, + </p> + <p> + “If ever your stanzas and mine become known in Rome, you may be sure of my + enmity.” + </p> + <p> + “Madam, I do not understand what you mean.” + </p> + <p> + “I expected you to answer me in this manner,” replied the marchioness, + “but recollect what I have said.” + </p> + <p> + I left her at the door of the reception-room, and thinking that she was + really angry with me, I went away in despair. “My stanzas,” I said to + myself, “are too fiery; they compromise her dignity, and her pride is + offended at my knowing the secret of her intrigue with Cardinal S. C. Yet, + I feel certain that the dread she expresses of my want of discretion is + only feigned, it is but a pretext to turn me out of her favour. She has + not understood my reserve! What would she have done, if I had painted her + in the simple apparel of the golden age, without any of those veils which + modesty imposes upon her sex!” I was sorry I had not done so. I undressed + and went to bed. My head was scarcely on the pillow when the Abbe Gama + knocked at my door. I pulled the door-string, and coming in, he said, + </p> + <p> + “My dear sir, the cardinal wishes to see you, and I am sent by the + beautiful marchioness and Cardinal S. C., who desire you to come down.” + </p> + <p> + “I am very sorry, but I cannot go; tell them the truth; I am ill in bed.” + </p> + <p> + As the abbe did not return, I judged that he had faithfully acquitted + himself of the commission, and I spent a quiet night. I was not yet + dressed in the morning, when I received a note from Cardinal S. C. + inviting me to dinner, saying that he had just been bled, and that he + wanted to speak to me: he concluded by entreating me to come to him early, + even if I did not feel well. + </p> + <p> + The invitation was pressing; I could not guess what had caused it, but the + tone of the letter did not forebode anything unpleasant. I went to church, + where I was sure that Cardinal Acquaviva would see me, and he did. After + mass, his eminence beckoned to me. + </p> + <p> + “Are you truly ill?” he enquired. + </p> + <p> + “No, monsignor, I was only sleepy.” + </p> + <p> + “I am very glad to hear it; but you are wrong, for you are loved. Cardinal + S. C. has been bled this morning.” + </p> + <p> + “I know it, monsignor. The cardinal tells me so in this note, in which he + invites me to dine with him, with your excellency’s permission.” + </p> + <p> + “Certainly. But this is amusing! I did not know that he wanted a third + person.” + </p> + <p> + “Will there be a third person?” + </p> + <p> + “I do not know, and I have no curiosity about it.” + </p> + <p> + The cardinal left me, and everybody imagined that his eminence had spoken + to me of state affairs. + </p> + <p> + I went to my new Maecenas, whom I found in bed. + </p> + <p> + “I am compelled to observe strict diet,” he said to me; “I shall have to + let you dine alone, but you will not lose by it as my cook does not know + it. What I wanted to tell you is that your stanzas are, I am afraid, too + pretty, for the marchioness adores them. If you had read them to me in the + same way that she does, I could never have made up my mind to offer them.” + “But she believes them to be written by your eminence?” + </p> + <p> + “Of course.” + </p> + <p> + “That is the essential point, monsignor.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes; but what should I do if she took it into her head to compose some + new stanzas for me?” + </p> + <p> + “You would answer through the same pen, for you can dispose of me night + and day, and rely upon the utmost secrecy.” + </p> + <p> + “I beg of you to accept this small present; it is some negrillo snuff from + Habana, which Cardinal Acquaviva has given me.” + </p> + <p> + The snuff was excellent, but the object which contained it was still + better. It was a splendid gold-enamelled box. I received it with respect, + and with the expression of the deepest gratitude. + </p> + <p> + If his eminence did not know how to write poetry, at least he knew how to + be generous, and in a delicate manner, and that science is, at least in my + estimation, superior to the other for a great nobleman. + </p> + <p> + At noon, and much to my surprise, the beautiful marchioness made her + appearance in the most elegant morning toilet. + </p> + <p> + “If I had known you were in good company,” she said to the cardinal, “I + would not have come.” + </p> + <p> + “I am sure, dear marchioness, you will not find our dear abbe in the way.” + </p> + <p> + “No, for I believe him to be honest and true.” + </p> + <p> + I kept at a respectful distance, ready to go away with my splendid + snuff-box at the first jest she might hurl at me. + </p> + <p> + The cardinal asked her if she intended to remain to dinner. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” she answered; “but I shall not enjoy my dinner, for I hate to eat + alone.” + </p> + <p> + “If you would honour him so far, the abbe would keep you company.” + </p> + <p> + She gave me a gracious look, but without uttering one word. + </p> + <p> + This was the first time I had anything to do with a woman of quality, and + that air of patronage, whatever kindness might accompany it, always put me + out of temper, for I thought it made love out of the question. However, as + we were in the presence of the cardinal, I fancied that she might be right + in treating me in that fashion. + </p> + <p> + The table was laid out near the cardinal’s bed, and the marchioness, who + ate hardly anything, encouraged me in my good appetite. + </p> + <p> + “I have told you that the abbe is equal to me in that respect,” said S. C. + </p> + <p> + “I truly believe,” answered the marchioness, “that he does not remain far + behind you; but,” added she with flattery, “you are more dainty in your + tastes.” + </p> + <p> + “Would her ladyship be so good as to tell me in what I have appeared to + her to be a mere glutton? For in all things I like only dainty and + exquisite morsels.” + </p> + <p> + “Explain what you mean by saying in all things,” said the cardinal. Taking + the liberty of laughing, I composed a few impromptu verses in which I + named all I thought dainty and exquisite. The marchioness applauded, + saying that she admired my courage. + </p> + <p> + “My courage, madam, is due to you, for I am as timid as a hare when I am + not encouraged; you are the author of my impromptu.” + </p> + <p> + “I admire you. As for myself, were I encouraged by Apollo himself, I could + not compose four lines without paper and ink.” + </p> + <p> + “Only give way boldly to your genius, madam, and you will produce poetry + worthy of heaven.” + </p> + <p> + “That is my opinion, too,” said the cardinal. “I entreat you to give + me permission to shew your ten stanzas to the abbe.” + </p> + <p> + “They are not very good, but I have no objection provided it remains + between us.” + </p> + <p> + The cardinal gave me, then, the stanzas composed by the marchioness, and I + read them aloud with all the expression, all the feeling necessary to such + reading. + </p> + <p> + “How well you have read those stanzas!” said the marchioness; “I can + hardly believe them to be my own composition; I thank you very much. But + have the goodness to give the benefit of your reading to the stanzas which + his eminence has written in answer to mine. They surpass them much.” + </p> + <p> + “Do not believe it, my dear abbe,” said the cardinal, handing them to me. + “Yet try not to let them lose anything through your reading.” + </p> + <p> + There was certainly no need of his eminence enforcing upon me such a + recommendation; it was my own poetry. I could not have read it otherwise + than in my best style, especially when I had before me the beautiful woman + who had inspired them, and when, besides, Bacchus was in me giving courage + to Apollo as much as the beautiful eyes of the marchioness were fanning + into an ardent blaze the fire already burning through my whole being. + </p> + <p> + I read the stanzas with so much expression that the cardinal was + enraptured, but I brought a deep carnation tint upon the cheeks of the + lovely marchioness when I came to the description of those beauties which + the imagination of the poet is allowed to guess at, but which I could not, + of course, have gazed upon. She snatched the paper from my hands with + passion, saying that I was adding verses of my own; it was true, but I did + not confess it. I was all aflame, and the fire was scorching her as well + as me. + </p> + <p> + The cardinal having fallen asleep, she rose and went to take a seat on the + balcony; I followed her. She had a rather high seat; I stood opposite to + her, so that her knee touched the fob-pocket in which was my watch. What a + position! Taking hold gently of one of her hands, I told her that she had + ignited in my soul a devouring flame, that I adored her, and that, unless + some hope was left to me of finding her sensible to my sufferings, I was + determined to fly away from her for ever. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, beautiful marchioness, pronounce my sentence.” + </p> + <p> + “I fear you are a libertine and an unfaithful lover.” + </p> + <p> + “I am neither one nor the other.” + </p> + <p> + With these words I folded her in my arms, and I pressed upon her lovely + lips, as pure as a rose, an ardent kiss which she received with the best + possible grace. This kiss, the forerunner of the most delicious pleasures, + had imparted to my hands the greatest boldness; I was on the point of.... + but the marchioness, changing her position, entreated me so sweetly to + respect her, that, enjoying new voluptuousness through my very obedience, + I not only abandoned an easy victory, but I even begged her pardon, which + I soon read in the most loving look. + </p> + <p> + She spoke of Lucrezia, and was pleased with my discretion. She then + alluded to the cardinal, doing her best to make me believe that there was + nothing between them but a feeling of innocent friendship. Of course I had + my opinion on that subject, but it was my interest to appear to believe + every word she uttered. We recited together lines from our best poets, and + all the time she was still sitting down and I standing before her, with my + looks rapt in the contemplation of the most lovely charms, to which I + remained insensible in appearance, for I had made up my mind not to press + her that evening for greater favours than those I had already received. + </p> + <p> + The cardinal, waking from his long and peaceful siesta, got up and joined + us in his night-cap, and good-naturedly enquired whether we had not felt + impatient at his protracted sleep. I remained until dark and went home + highly pleased with my day’s work, but determined to keep my ardent + desires in check until the opportunity for complete victory offered + itself. + </p> + <p> + From that day, the charming marchioness never ceased to give me the marks + of her particular esteem, without the slightest constraint; I was + reckoning upon the carnival, which was close at hand, feeling certain that + the more I should spare her delicacy, the more she would endeavour to find + the opportunity of rewarding my loyalty, and of crowning with happiness my + loving constancy. But fate ordained otherwise; Dame Fortune turned her + back upon me at the very moment when the Pope and Cardinal Acquaviva were + thinking of giving me a really good position. + </p> + <p> + The Holy Father had congratulated me upon the beautiful snuff-box + presented to me by Cardinal S. C., but he had been careful never to name + the marchioness. Cardinal Acquaviva expressed openly his delight at his + brother-cardinal having given me a taste of his negrillo snuff in so + splendid an envelope; the Abbe Gama, finding me so forward on the road to + success, did not venture to counsel me any more, and the virtuous Father + Georgi gave me but one piece of advice-namely, to cling to the lovely + marchioness and not to make any other acquaintances. + </p> + <p> + Such was my position-truly a brilliant one, when, on Christmas Day, the + lover of Barbara Dalacqua entered my room, locked the door, and threw + himself on the sofa, exclaiming that I saw him for the last time. + </p> + <p> + “I only come to beg of you some good advice.” + </p> + <p> + “On what subject can I advise you?” + </p> + <p> + “Take this and read it; it will explain everything.” + </p> + <p> + It was a letter from his mistress; the contents were these: + </p> + <p> + “I am pregnant of a child, the pledge of our mutual love; I can no longer + have any doubt of it, my beloved, and I forewarn you that I have made up + my mind to quit Rome alone, and to go away to die where it may please God, + if you refuse to take care of me and save me. I would suffer anything, do + anything, rather than let my father discover the truth.” + </p> + <p> + “If you are a man of honour,” I said, “you cannot abandon the poor girl. + Marry her in spite of your father, in spite of her own, and live together + honestly. The eternal Providence of God will watch over you and help you + in your difficulties.” + </p> + <p> + My advice seemed to bring calm to his mind, and he left me more composed. + </p> + <p> + At the beginning of January, 1744, he called again, looking very cheerful. + “I have hired,” he said, “the top floor of the house next to Barbara’s + dwelling; she knows it, and to-night I will gain her apartment through one + of the windows of the garret, and we will make all our arrangements to + enable me to carry her off. I have made up my mind; I have decided upon + taking her to Naples, and I will take with us the servant who, sleeping in + the garret, had to be made a confidante of.” + </p> + <p> + “God speed you, my friend!” + </p> + <p> + A week afterwards, towards eleven o’clock at night, he entered my room + accompanied by an abbe. + </p> + <p> + “What do you want so late?” + </p> + <p> + “I wish to introduce you to this handsome abbe.” + </p> + <p> + I looked up, and to my consternation I recognized Barbara. + </p> + <p> + “Has anyone seen you enter the house?” I enquired. + </p> + <p> + “No; and if we had been seen, what of it? It is only an abbe. We now pass + every night together.” + </p> + <p> + “I congratulate you.” + </p> + <p> + “The servant is our friend; she has consented to follow us, and all our + arrangements are completed.” + </p> + <p> + “I wish you every happiness. Adieu. I beg you to leave me.” + </p> + <p> + Three or four days after that visit, as I was walking with the Abbe Gama + towards the Villa Medicis, he told me deliberately that there would be an + execution during the night in the Piazza di Spagna. + </p> + <p> + “What kind of execution?” + </p> + <p> + “The bargello or his lieutenant will come to execute some ‘ordine + santissimo’, or to visit some suspicious dwelling in order to arrest and + carry off some person who does not expect anything of the sort.” + </p> + <p> + “How do you know it?” + </p> + <p> + “His eminence has to know it, for the Pope would not venture to encroach + upon his jurisdiction without asking his permission.” + </p> + <p> + “And his eminence has given it?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, one of the Holy Father’s auditors came for that purpose this + morning.” + </p> + <p> + “But the cardinal might have refused?” + </p> + <p> + “Of course; but such a permission is never denied.” + </p> + <p> + “And if the person to be arrested happened to be under the protection of + the cardinal—what then?” + </p> + <p> + “His eminence would give timely warning to that person.” + </p> + <p> + We changed the conversation, but the news had disturbed me. I fancied that + the execution threatened Barbara and her lover, for her father’s house was + under the Spanish jurisdiction. I tried to see the young man but I could + not succeed in meeting him, and I was afraid lest a visit at his home or + at M. Dalacqua’s dwelling might implicate me. Yet it is certain that this + last consideration would not have stopped me if I had been positively sure + that they were threatened; had I felt satisfied of their danger, I would + have braved everything. + </p> + <p> + About midnight, as I was ready to go to bed, and just as I was opening my + door to take the key from outside, an abbe rushed panting into my room and + threw himself on a chair. It was Barbara; I guessed what had taken place, + and, foreseeing all the evil consequences her visit might have for me, + deeply annoyed and very anxious, I upbraided her for having taken refuge + in my room, and entreated her to go away. + </p> + <p> + Fool that I was! Knowing that I was only ruining myself without any chance + of saving her, I ought to have compelled her to leave my room, I ought to + have called for the servants if she had refused to withdraw. But I had not + courage enough, or rather I voluntarily obeyed the decrees of destiny. + </p> + <p> + When she heard my order to go away, she threw herself on her knees, and + melting into tears, she begged, she entreated my pity! + </p> + <p> + Where is the heart of steel which is not softened by the tears, by the + prayers of a pretty and unfortunate woman? I gave way, but I told her that + it was ruin for both of us. + </p> + <p> + “No one,” she replied, “has seen me, I am certain, when I entered the + mansion and came up to your room, and I consider my visit here a week ago + as most fortunate; otherwise, I never could have known which was your + room.” + </p> + <p> + “Alas! how much better if you had never come! But what has become of your + lover?” + </p> + <p> + “The ‘sbirri’ have carried him off, as well as the servant. I will tell + you all about it. My lover had informed me that a carriage would wait + to-night at the foot of the flight of steps before the Church of Trinita + del Monte, and that he would be there himself. I entered his room through + the garret window an hour ago. There I put on this disguise, and, + accompanied by the servant, proceeded to meet him. The servant walked a + few yards before me, and carried a parcel of my things. At the corner of + the street, one of the buckles of my shoes being unfastened, I stopped an + instant, and the servant went on, thinking that I was following her. She + reached the carriage, got into it, and, as I was getting nearer, the light + from a lantern disclosed to me some thirty sbirri; at the same instant, + one of them got on the driver’s box and drove off at full speed, carrying + off the servant, whom they must have mistaken for me, and my lover who was + in the coach awaiting me. What could I do at such a fearful moment? I + could not go back to my father’s house, and I followed my first impulse + which brought me here. And here I am! You tell me that my presence will + cause your ruin; if it is so, tell me what to do; I feel I am dying; but + find some expedient and I am ready to do anything, even to lay my life + down, rather than be the cause of your ruin.” + </p> + <p> + But she wept more bitterly than ever. + </p> + <p> + Her position was so sad that I thought it worse even than mine, although I + could almost fancy I saw ruin before me despite my innocence. + </p> + <p> + “Let me,” I said, “conduct you to your father; I feel sure of obtaining + your pardon.” + </p> + <p> + But my proposal only enhanced her fears. + </p> + <p> + “I am lost,” she exclaimed; “I know my father. Ah! reverend sir, turn me + out into the street, and abandon me to my miserable fate.” + </p> + <p> + No doubt I ought to have done so, and I would have done it if the + consciousness of what was due to my own interest had been stronger than my + feeling of pity. But her tears! I have often said it, and those amongst my + readers who have experienced it, must be of the same opinion; there is + nothing on earth more irresistible than two beautiful eyes shedding tears, + when the owner of those eyes is handsome, honest, and unhappy. I found + myself physically unable to send her away. + </p> + <p> + “My poor girl,” I said at last, “when daylight comes, and that will not be + long, for it is past midnight, what do you intend to do?” + </p> + <p> + “I must leave the palace,” she replied, sobbing. “In this disguise no one + can recognize me; I will leave Rome, and I will walk straight before me + until I fall on the ground, dying with grief and fatigue.” + </p> + <p> + With these words she fell on the floor. She was choking; I could see her + face turn blue; I was in the greatest distress. + </p> + <p> + I took off her neck-band, unlaced her stays under the abbe’s dress, I + threw cold water in her face, and I finally succeeded in bringing her back + to consciousness. + </p> + <p> + The night was extremely cold, and there was no fire in my room. I advised + her to get into my bed, promising to respect her. + </p> + <p> + “Alas! reverend sir, pity is the only feeling with which I can now inspire + anyone.” + </p> + <p> + And, to speak the truth I was too deeply moved, and, at the same time, too + full of anxiety, to leave room in me for any desire. Having induced her to + go to bed, and her extreme weakness preventing her from doing anything for + herself, I undressed her and put her to bed, thus proving once more that + compassion will silence the most imperious requirements of nature, in + spite of all the charms which would, under other circumstances, excite to + the highest degree the senses of a man. I lay down near her in my clothes, + and woke her at day-break. Her strength was somewhat restored, she dressed + herself alone, and I left my room, telling her to keep quiet until my + return. I intended to proceed to her father’s house, and to solicit her + pardon, but, having perceived some suspicious-looking men loitering about + the palace, I thought it wise to alter my mind, and went to a coffeehouse. + </p> + <p> + I soon ascertained that a spy was watching my movements at a distance; but + I did not appear to notice him, and having taken some chocolate and stored + a few biscuits in my pocket, I returned towards the palace, apparently + without any anxiety or hurry, always followed by the same individual. I + judged that the bargello, having failed in his project, was now reduced to + guesswork, and I was strengthened in that view of the case when the + gate-keeper of the palace told me, without my asking any question, as I + came in, that an arrest had been attempted during the night, and had not + succeeded. While he was speaking, one of the auditors of the Vicar-General + called to enquire when he could see the Abby Gama. I saw that no time was + to be lost, and went up to my room to decide upon what was to be done. + </p> + <p> + I began by making the poor girl eat a couple of biscuits soaked in some + Canary wine, and I took her afterwards to the top story of the palace, + where, leaving her in a not very decent closet which was not used by + anyone, I told her to wait for me. + </p> + <p> + My servant came soon after, and I ordered him to lock the door of my room + as soon as he finished cleaning it, and to bring me the key at the Abbe + Gama’s apartment, where I was going. I found Gama in conversation with the + auditor sent by the Vicar-General. As soon as he had dismissed him, he + came to me, and ordered his servant to serve the chocolate. When we were + left alone he gave me an account of his interview with the auditor, who + had come to entreat his eminence to give orders to turn out of his palace + a person who was supposed to have taken refuge in it about midnight. “We + must wait,” said the abbe, “until the cardinal is visible, but I am quite + certain that, if anyone has taken refuge here unknown to him, his eminence + will compel that person to leave the palace.” We then spoke of the weather + and other trifles until my servant brought my key. Judging that I had at + least an hour to spare, I bethought myself of a plan which alone could + save Barbara from shame and misery. + </p> + <p> + Feeling certain that I was unobserved, I went up to my poor prisoner and + made her write the following words in French: + </p> + <p> + “I am an honest girl, monsignor, though I am disguised in the dress of an + abbe. I entreat your eminence to allow me to give my name only to you and + in person. I hope that, prompted by the great goodness of your soul, your + eminence will save me from dishonour.” I gave her the necessary + instructions, as to sending the note to the cardinal, assuring her that he + would have her brought to him as soon as he read it. + </p> + <p> + “When you are in his presence,” I added, “throw yourself on your knees, + tell him everything without any concealment, except as regards your having + passed the night in my room. You must be sure not to mention that + circumstance, for the cardinal must remain in complete ignorance of my + knowing anything whatever of this intrigue. Tell him that, seeing your + lover carried off, you rushed to his palace and ran upstairs as far as you + could go, and that after a most painful night Heaven inspired you with the + idea of writing to him to entreat his pity. I feel certain that, one way + or the other, his eminence will save you from dishonour, and it certainly + is the only chance you have of being united to the man you love so + dearly.” + </p> + <p> + She promised to follow my instructions faithfully, and, coming down, I + had my hair dressed and went to church, where the cardinal saw me. I then + went out and returned only for dinner, during which the only subject of + conversation was the adventure of the night. Gama alone said nothing, and + I followed his example, but I understood from all the talk going on round + the table that the cardinal had taken my poor Barbara under his + protection. That was all I wanted, and thinking that I had nothing more to + fear I congratulated myself, in petto, upon my stratagem, which had, I + thought, proved a master-stroke. After dinner, finding myself alone with + Gama, I asked him what was the meaning of it all, and this is what he told + me: + </p> + <p> + “A father, whose name I do not know yet, had requested the assistance of + the Vicar-General to prevent his son from carrying off a young girl, with + whom he intended to leave the States of the Church; the pair had arranged + to meet at midnight in this very square, and the Vicar, having previously + obtained the consent of our cardinal, as I told you yesterday, gave orders + to the bargello to dispose his men in such a way as to catch the young + people in the very act of running away, and to arrest them. The orders + were executed, but the ‘sbirri’ found out, when they returned to the + bargello, that they had met with only a half success, the woman who got + out of the carriage with the young man not belonging to that species + likely to be carried off. Soon afterwards a spy informed the bargello + that, at the very moment the arrest was executed, he had seen a young abbe + run away very rapidly and take refuge in this palace, and the suspicion + immediately arose that it might be the missing young lady in the disguise + of an ecclesiastic. The bargello reported to the Vicar-General the failure + of his men, as well as the account given by the spy, and the Prelate, + sharing the suspicion of the police, sent to his eminence, our master, + requesting him to have the person in question, man or woman, turned out of + the palace, unless such persons should happen to be known to his + excellency, and therefore above suspicion. Cardinal Acquaviva was made + acquainted with these circumstances at nine this morning through the + auditor you met in my room, and he promised to have the person sent away + unless she belonged to his household. + </p> + <p> + “According to his promise, the cardinal ordered the palace to be searched, + but, in less than a quarter of an hour, the major-domo received orders to + stop, and the only reason for these new instructions must be this: + </p> + <p> + “I am told by the major-domo that at nine o’clock exactly a very handsome, + young abbe, whom he immediately judged to be a girl in disguise, asked him + to deliver a note to his eminence, and that the cardinal, after reading + it, had desired the said abbe be brought to his apartment, which he has + not left since. As the order to stop searching the palace was given + immediately after the introduction of the abbe to the cardinal, it is easy + enough to suppose that this ecclesiastic is no other than the young girl + missed by the police, who took refuge in the palace in which she must have + passed the whole night.” + </p> + <p> + “I suppose,” said I, “that his eminence will give her up to-day, if not to + the bargello, at least to the Vicar-General.” + </p> + <p> + “No, not even to the Pope himself,” answered Gama. “You have not yet a + right idea of the protection of our cardinal, and that protection is + evidently granted to her, since the young person is not only in the palace + of his eminence, but also in his own apartment and under his own + guardianship.” + </p> + <p> + The whole affair being in itself very interesting, my attention could not + appear extraordinary to Gama, however suspicious he might be naturally, + and I was certain that he would not have told me anything if he had + guessed the share I had taken in the adventure, and the interest I must + have felt in it. + </p> + <p> + The next day, Gama came to my room with a radiant countenance, and + informed me that the Cardinal-Vicar was aware of the ravisher being my + friend, and supposed that I was likewise the friend of the girl, as she + was the daughter of my French teacher. “Everybody,” he added, “is + satisfied that you knew the whole affair, and it is natural to suspect + that the poor girl spent the night in your room. I admire your prudent + reserve during our conversation of yesterday. You kept so well on your + guard that I would have sworn you knew nothing whatever of the affair.” + </p> + <p> + “And it is the truth,” I answered, very seriously; “I have only learned + all the circumstances from you this moment. I know the girl, but I have + not seen her for six weeks, since I gave up my French lessons; I am much + better acquainted with the young man, but he never confided his project to + me. However, people may believe whatever they please. You say that it is + natural for the girl to have passed the night in my room, but you will not + mind my laughing in the face of those who accept their own suppositions as + realities.” + </p> + <p> + “That, my dear friend,” said the abbe, “is one of the vices of the Romans; + happy those who can afford to laugh at it; but this slander may do you + harm, even in the mind of our cardinal.” + </p> + <p> + As there was no performance at the Opera that night, I went to the + cardinal’s reception; I found no difference towards me either in the + cardinal’s manners, or in those of any other person, and the marchioness + was even more gracious than usual. + </p> + <p> + After dinner, on the following day, Gama informed me that the cardinal had + sent the young girl to a convent in which she would be well treated at his + eminence’s expense, and that he was certain that she would leave it only + to become the wife of the young doctor. + </p> + <p> + “I should be very happy if it should turn out so,” I replied; “for they + are both most estimable people.” + </p> + <p> + Two days afterwards, I called upon Father Georgi, and he told me, with an + air of sorrow, that the great news of the day in Rome was the failure of + the attempt to carry off Dalacqua’s daughter, and that all the honour of + the intrigue was given to me, which displeased him much. I told him what I + had already told Gama, and he appeared to believe me, but he added that in + Rome people did not want to know things as they truly were, but only as + they wished them to be. + </p> + <p> + “It is known, that you have been in the habit of going every morning to + Dalacqua’s house; it is known that the young man often called on you; that + is quite enough. People do not care, to know the circumstances which might + counteract the slander, but only those, likely to give it new force for + slander is vastly relished in the Holy City. Your innocence will not + prevent the whole adventure being booked to your account, if, in forty + years time you were proposed as pope in the conclave.” + </p> + <p> + During the following days the fatal adventure began to cause me more + annoyance than I could express, for everyone mentioned it to me, and I + could see clearly that people pretended to believe what I said only + because they did not dare to do otherwise. The marchioness told me + jeeringly that the Signora Dalacqua had contracted peculiar obligations + towards me, but my sorrow was very great when, during the last days of the + carnival, I remarked that Cardinal Acquaviva’s manner had become + constrained, although I was the only person who observed the change. + </p> + <p> + The noise made by the affair was, however, beginning to subside, when, in + the first days of Lent, the cardinal desired me to come to his private + room, and spoke as follows: + </p> + <p> + “The affair of the girl Dalacqua is now over; it is no longer spoken of, + but the verdict of the public is that you and I have profited by the + clumsiness of the young man who intended to carry her off. In reality I + care little for such a verdict, for, under similar circumstances, I should + always act in a similar manner, and I do not wish to know that which no + one can compel you to confess, and which, as a man of honour, you must not + admit. If you had no previous knowledge of the intrigue, and had actually + turned the girl out of your room (supposing she did come to you), you + would have been guilty of a wrong and cowardly action, because you would + have sealed her misery for the remainder of her days, and it would not + have caused you to escape the suspicion of being an accomplice, while at + the same time it would have attached to you the odium of dastardly + treachery. Notwithstanding all I have just said, you can easily imagine + that, in spite of my utter contempt for all gossiping fools, I cannot + openly defy them. I therefore feel myself compelled to ask you not only to + quit my service, but even to leave Rome. I undertake to supply you with an + honourable pretext for your departure, so as to insure you the + continuation of the respect which you may have secured through the marks + of esteem I have bestowed upon you. I promise you to whisper in the ear of + any person you may choose, and even to inform everybody, that you are + going on an important mission which I have entrusted to you. You have only + to name the country where you want to go; I have friends everywhere, and + can recommend you to such purpose that you will be sure to find + employment. My letters of recommendation will be in my own handwriting, + and nobody need know where you are going. Meet me to-morrow at the Villa + Negroni, and let me know where my letters are to be addressed. You must be + ready to start within a week. Believe me, I am sorry to lose you; but the + sacrifice is forced upon me by the most absurd prejudice. Go now, and do + not let me witness your grief.” + </p> + <p> + He spoke the last words because he saw my eyes filling with tears, and he + did not give me time to answer. Before leaving his room, I had the + strength of mind to compose myself, and I put on such an air of + cheerfulness that the Abbe Gama, who took me to his room to drink some + coffee, complimented me upon my happy looks. + </p> + <p> + “I am sure,” he said, “that they are caused by the conversation you have + had with his eminence.” + </p> + <p> + “You are right; but you do not know the sorrow at my heart which I try not + to shew outwardly.” + </p> + <p> + “What sorrow?” + </p> + <p> + “I am afraid of failing in a difficult mission which the cardinal has + entrusted me with this morning. I am compelled to conceal how little + confidence I feel in myself in order not to lessen the good opinion his + eminence is pleased to entertain of me.” + </p> + <p> + “If my advice can be of any service to you, pray dispose of me; but you + are quite right to shew yourself calm and cheerful. Is it any business to + transact in Rome?” + </p> + <p> + “No; it is a journey I shall have to undertake in a week or ten days.” + </p> + <p> + “Which way?” + </p> + <p> + “Towards the west.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh! I am not curious to know.” + </p> + <p> + I went out alone and took a walk in the Villa Borghese, where I spent two + hours wrapped in dark despair. I liked Rome, I was on the high road to + fortune, and suddenly I found myself in the abyss, without knowing where + to go, and with all my hopes scattered to the winds. I examined my + conduct, I judged myself severely, I could not find myself guilty of any + crime save of too much kindness, but I perceived how right the good Father + Georgi had been. My duty was not only to take no part in the intrigue of + the two love, but also to change my French teacher the moment I heard of + it; but this was like calling in a doctor after death has struck the + patient. Besides, young as I was, having no experience yet of misfortune, + and still less of the wickedness of society, it was very difficult for me + to have that prudence which a man gains only by long intercourse with the + world. + </p> + <p> + “Where shall I go?” This was the question which seemed to me impossible of + solution. I thought of it all through the night, and through the morning, + but I thought in vain; after Rome, I was indifferent where I went to! + </p> + <p> + In the evening, not caring for any supper, I had gone to my room; the Abbe + Gama came to me with a request from the cardinal not to accept any + invitation to dinner for the next day, as he wanted to speak to me. I + therefore waited upon his eminence the next day at the Villa Negroni; he + was walking with his secretary, whom he dismissed the moment he saw me. As + soon as we were alone, I gave him all the particulars of the intrigue of + the two lovers, and I expressed in the most vivid manner the sorrow I felt + at leaving his service. + </p> + <p> + “I have no hope of success,” I added, “for I am certain that Fortune will + smile upon me only as long as I am near your eminence.” + </p> + <p> + For nearly an hour I told him all the grief with which my heart was + bursting, weeping bitterly; yet I could not move him from his decision. + Kindly, but firmly he pressed me to tell him to what part of Europe I + wanted to go, and despair as much as vexation made me name Constantinople. + </p> + <p> + “Constantinople!” he exclaimed, moving back a step or two. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, monsignor, Constantinople,” I repeated, wiping away my tears. + </p> + <p> + The prelate, a man of great wit, but a Spaniard to the very back-bone, + after remaining silent a few minutes, said, with a smile, + </p> + <p> + “I am glad you have not chosen Ispahan, as I should have felt rather + embarrassed. When do you wish to go?” + </p> + <p> + “This day week, as your eminence has ordered me.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you intend to sail from Naples or from Venice?” + </p> + <p> + “From Venice.” + </p> + <p> + “I will give you such a passport as will be needed, for you will find two + armies in winter-quarters in the Romagna. It strikes me that you may tell + everybody that I sent you to Constantinople, for nobody will believe you.” + </p> + <p> + This diplomatic suggestion nearly made me smile. The cardinal told me that + I should dine with him, and he left me to join his secretary. + </p> + <p> + When I returned to the palace, thinking of the choice I had made, I said + to myself, “Either I am mad, or I am obeying the impulse of a mysterious + genius which sends me to Constantinople to work out my fate.” I was only + astonished that the cardinal had so readily accepted my choice. “Without + any doubt,” I thought, “he did not wish me to believe that he had boasted + of more than he could achieve, in telling me that he had friends + everywhere. But to whom can he recommend me in Constantinople? I have not + the slightest idea, but to Constantinople I must go.” + </p> + <p> + I dined alone with his eminence; he made a great show of peculiar kindness + and I of great satisfaction, for my self-pride, stronger even than my + sorrow, forbade me to let anyone guess that I was in disgrace. My deepest + grief was, however, to leave the marchioness, with whom I was in love, and + from whom I had not obtained any important favour. + </p> + <p> + Two days afterwards, the cardinal gave me a passport for Venice, and a + sealed letter addressed to Osman Bonneval, Pacha of Caramania, in + Constantinople. There was no need of my saying anything to anyone, but, as + the cardinal had not forbidden me to do it, I shewed the address on the + letter to all my acquaintances. + </p> + <p> + The Chevalier de Lezze, the Venetian Ambassador, gave me a letter for a + wealthy Turk, a very worthy man who had been his friend; Don Gaspar and + Father Georgi asked me to write to them, but the Abbe Gams, laughed, and + said he was quite sure I was not going to Constantinople. + </p> + <p> + I went to take my farewell of Donna Cecilia, who had just received a + letter from Lucrezia, imparting the news that she would soon be a mother. + I also called upon Angelique and Don Francisco, who had lately been + married and had not invited me to the wedding. + </p> + <p> + When I called to take Cardinal Acquaviva’s final instructions he gave me a + purse containing one hundred ounces, worth seven hundred sequins. I had + three hundred more, so that my fortune amounted to one thousand sequins; I + kept two hundred, and for the rest I took a letter of exchange upon a + Ragusan who was established in Ancona. I left Rome in the coach with a + lady going to Our Lady of Loretto, to fulfil a vow made during a severe + illness of her daughter, who accompanied her. The young lady was ugly; my + journey was a rather tedious one. + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0011" id="link2HCH0011"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XI + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + My Short But Rather Too Gay Visit To Ancona—Cecilia, + Marina, Bellino—the Greek Slave of the Lazzaretto—Bellino + Discovers Himself +</pre> + <p> + I arrived in Ancona on the 25th of February, 1744, and put up at the best + inn. Pleased with my room, I told mine host to prepare for me a good meat + dinner; but he answered that during Lent all good Catholics eat nothing + but fish. + </p> + <p> + “The Holy Father has granted me permission to eat meat.” + </p> + <p> + “Let me see your permission.” + </p> + <p> + “He gave it to me by word of mouth.” + </p> + <p> + “Reverend sir, I am not obliged to believe you.” + </p> + <p> + “You are a fool.” + </p> + <p> + “I am master in my own house, and I beg you will go to some other inn.” + </p> + <p> + Such an answer, coupled to a most unexpected notice to quit, threw me into + a violent passion. I was swearing, raving, screaming, when suddenly a + grave-looking individual made his appearance in my room, and said to me: + </p> + <p> + “Sir, you are wrong in calling for meat, when in Ancona fish is much + better; you are wrong in expecting the landlord to believe you on your + bare word; and if you have obtained the permission from the Pope, you have + been wrong in soliciting it at your age; you have been wrong in not asking + for such permission in writing; you are wrong in calling the host a fool, + because it is a compliment that no man is likely to accept in his own + house; and, finally, you are wrong in making such an uproar.” + </p> + <p> + Far from increasing my bad temper, this individual, who had entered my + room only to treat me to a sermon, made me laugh. + </p> + <p> + “I willingly plead guilty, sir,” I answered, “to all the counts which you + allege against me; but it is raining, it is getting late, I am tired and + hungry, and therefore you will easily understand that I do not feel + disposed to change my quarters. Will you give me some supper, as the + landlord refuses to do so?” + </p> + <p> + “No,” he replied, with great composure, “because I am a good Catholic and + fast. But I will undertake to make it all right for you with the landlord, + who will give you a good supper.” + </p> + <p> + Thereupon he went downstairs, and I, comparing my hastiness to his calm, + acknowledged the man worthy of teaching me some lessons. He soon came up + again, informed me that peace was signed, and that I would be served + immediately. + </p> + <p> + “Will you not take supper with me?” + </p> + <p> + “No, but I will keep you company.” + </p> + <p> + I accepted his offer, and to learn who he was, I told him my name, giving + myself the title of secretary to Cardinal Acquaviva. + </p> + <p> + “My name is Sancio Pico,” he said; “I am a Castilian, and the + ‘proveditore’ of the army of H. C. M., which is commanded by Count de + Gages under the orders of the generalissimo, the Duke of Modena.” + </p> + <p> + My excellent appetite astonished him, and he enquired whether I had dined. + “No,” said I; and I saw his countenance assume an air of satisfaction. + </p> + <p> + “Are you not afraid such a supper will hurt you?” he said. + </p> + <p> + “On the contrary, I hope it will do me a great deal of good.” + </p> + <p> + “Then you have deceived the Pope?” + </p> + <p> + “No, for I did not tell him that I had no appetite, but only that I liked + meat better than fish.” + </p> + <p> + “If you feel disposed to hear some good music,” he said a moment after, + “follow me to the next room; the prima donna of Ancona lives there.” + </p> + <p> + The words prima donna interested me at once, and I followed him. I saw, + sitting before a table, a woman already somewhat advanced in age, with two + young girls and two boys, but I looked in vain for the actress, whom Don + Sancio Pico at last presented to me in the shape of one of the two boys, + who was remarkably handsome and might have been seventeen. I thought he + was a ‘castrato’ who, as is the custom in Rome, performed all the parts of + a prima donna. The mother presented to me her other son, likewise very + good-looking, but more manly than the ‘castrato’, although younger. His + name was Petronio, and, keeping up the transformations of the family, he + was the first female dancer at the opera. The eldest girl, who was also + introduced to me, was named Cecilia, and studied music; she was twelve + years old; the youngest, called Marina, was only eleven, and like her + brother Petronio was consecrated to the worship of Terpsichore. Both the + girls were very pretty. + </p> + <p> + The family came from Bologna and lived upon the talent of its members; + cheerfulness and amiability replaced wealth with them. Bellino, such was + the name of the castrato, yielding to the entreaties of Don Sancio, rose + from the table, went to the harpsicord, and sang with the voice of an + angel and with delightful grace. The Castilian listened with his eyes + closed in an ecstasy of enjoyment, but I, far from closing my eyes, gazed + into Bellino’s, which seemed to dart amorous lightnings upon me. I could + discover in him some of the features of Lucrezia and the graceful manner + of the marchioness, and everything betrayed a beautiful woman, for his + dress concealed but imperfectly the most splendid bosom. The consequence + was that, in spite of his having been introduced as a man, I fancied that + the so-called Bellino was a disguised beauty, and, my imagination taking + at once the highest flight, I became thoroughly enamoured. + </p> + <p> + We spent two very pleasant hours, and I returned to my room accompanied by + the Castilian. “I intend to leave very early to-morrow morning,” he said, + “for Sinigaglia, with the Abbe Vilmarcati, but I expect to return for + supper the day after to-morrow.” I wished him a happy journey, saying that + we would most likely meet on the road, as I should probably leave Ancona + myself on the same day, after paying a visit to my banker. + </p> + <p> + I went to bed thinking of Bellino and of the impression he had made upon + me; I was sorry to go away without having proved to him that I was not the + dupe of his disguise. Accordingly, I was well pleased to see him enter my + room in the morning as soon as I had opened my door. He came to offer me + the services of his young brother Petronio during my stay in Ancona, + instead of my engaging a valet de place. I willingly agreed to the + proposal, and sent Petronio to get coffee for all the family. + </p> + <p> + I asked Bellino to sit on my bed with the intention of making love to him, + and of treating him like a girl, but the two young sisters ran into my + room and disturbed my plans. Yet the trio formed before me a very pleasing + sight; they represented natural beauty and artless cheerfulness of three + different kinds; unobtrusive familiarity, theatrical wit, pleasing + playfulness, and pretty Bolognese manners which I witnessed for the first + time; all this would have sufficed to cheer me if I had been downcast. + Cecilia and Marina were two sweet rosebuds, which, to bloom in all their + beauty, required only the inspiration of love, and they would certainly + have had the preference over Bellino if I had seen in him only the + miserable outcast of mankind, or rather the pitiful victim of sacerdotal + cruelty, for, in spite of their youth, the two amiable girls offered on + their dawning bosom the precious image of womanhood. + </p> + <p> + Petronio came with the coffee which he poured out, and I sent some to the + mother, who never left her room. Petronio was a true male harlot by taste + and by profession. The species is not scare in Italy, where the offence is + not regarded with the wild and ferocious intolerance of England and Spain. + I had given him one sequin to pay for the coffee, and told him to keep the + change, and, to shew me his gratitude, he gave me a voluptuous kiss with + half-open lips, supposing in me a taste which I was very far from + entertaining. I disabused him, but he did not seem the least ashamed. I + told him to order dinner for six persons, but he remarked that he would + order it only for four, as he had to keep his dear mother company; she + always took her dinner in bed. Everyone to his taste, I thought, and I let + him do as he pleased. + </p> + <p> + Two minutes after he had gone, the landlord came to my room and said, + “Reverend sir, the persons you have invited here have each the appetite of + two men at least; I give you notice of it, because I must charge + accordingly.” “All right,” I replied, “but let us have a good dinner.” + </p> + <p> + When I was dressed, I thought I ought to pay my compliments to the + compliant mother. I went to her room, and congratulated her upon her + children. She thanked me for the present I had given to Petronio, and + began to make me the confidant of her distress. “The manager of the + theatre,” she said, “is a miser who has given us only fifty Roman crowns + for the whole carnival. We have spent them for our living, and, to return + to Bologna, we shall have to walk and beg our way.” Her confidence moved + my pity, so I took a gold quadruple from my purse and offered it to her; + she wept for joy and gratitude. + </p> + <p> + “I promise you another gold quadruple, madam,” I said, “if you will + confide in me entirely. Confess that Bellino is a pretty woman in + disguise.” + </p> + <p> + “I can assure you it is not so, although he has the appearance of a + woman.” + </p> + <p> + “Not only the appearance, madam, but the tone, the manners; I am a good + judge.” + </p> + <p> + “Nevertheless, he is a boy, for he has had to be examined before he could + sing on the stage here.” + </p> + <p> + “And who examined him?” + </p> + <p> + “My lord bishop’s chaplain.” + </p> + <p> + “A chaplain?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, and you may satisfy yourself by enquiring from him.” + </p> + <p> + “The only way to clear my doubts would be to examine him myself.” + </p> + <p> + “You may, if he has no objection, but truly I cannot interfere, as I do + not know what your intentions are.” + </p> + <p> + “They are quite natural.” + </p> + <p> + I returned to my room and sent Petronio for a bottle of Cyprus wine. He + brought the wine and seven sequins, the change for the doubloon I had + given him. I divided them between Bellino, Cecilia and Marina, and begged + the two young girls to leave me alone with their brother. + </p> + <p> + “Bellino, I am certain that your natural conformation is different from + mine; my dear, you are a girl.” + </p> + <p> + “I am a man, but a castrato; I have been examined.” + </p> + <p> + “Allow me to examine you likewise, and I will give you a doubloon.” + </p> + <p> + “I cannot, for it is evident that you love me, and such love is condemned + by religion.” + </p> + <p> + “You did not raise these objections with the bishop’s chaplain.” + </p> + <p> + “He was an elderly priest, and besides, he only just glanced at me.” + </p> + <p> + “I will know the truth,” said I, extending my hand boldly. + </p> + <p> + But he repulsed me and rose from his chair. His obstinacy vexed me, for I + had already spent fifteen or sixteen sequins to satisfy my curiosity. + </p> + <p> + I began my dinner with a very bad humour, but the excellent appetite of my + pretty guests brought me round, and I soon thought that, after all, + cheerfulness was better than sulking, and I resolved to make up for my + disappointment with the two charming sisters, who seemed well disposed to + enjoy a frolic. + </p> + <p> + I began by distributing a few innocent kisses right and left, as I sat + between them near a good fire, eating chestnuts which we wetted with + Cyprus wine. But very soon my greedy hands touched every part which my + lips could not kiss, and Cecilia, as well as Marina, delighted in the + game. Seeing that Bellino was smiling, I kissed him likewise, and his + half-open ruffle attracting my hand, I ventured and went in without + resistance. The chisel of Praxiteles had never carved a finer bosom! + </p> + <p> + “Oh! this is enough,” I exclaimed; “I can no longer doubt that you are a + beautifully-formed woman!” + </p> + <p> + “It is,” he replied, “the defect of all castrati.” + </p> + <p> + “No, it is the perfection of all handsome women. Bellino, believe me, I am + enough of a good judge to distinguish between the deformed breast of a + castrato, and that of a beautiful woman; and your alabaster bosom belongs + to a young beauty of seventeen summers.” + </p> + <p> + Who does not know that love, inflamed by all that can excite it, never + stops in young people until it is satisfied, and that one favour granted + kindles the wish for a greater one? I had begun well, I tried to go + further and to smother with burning kisses that which my hand was pressing + so ardently, but the false Bellino, as if he had only just been aware of + the illicit pleasure I was enjoying, rose and ran away. Anger increased in + me the ardour of love, and feeling the necessity of calming myself either + by satisfying my ardent desires or by evaporating them, I begged Cecilia, + Bellino’s pupil, to sing a few Neapolitan airs. + </p> + <p> + I then went out to call upon the banker, from whom I took a letter of + exchange at sight upon Bologna, for the amount I had to receive from him, + and on my return, after a light supper with the two young sisters, I + prepared to go to bed, having previously instructed Petronio to order a + carriage for the morning. + </p> + <p> + I was just locking my door when Cecilia, half undressed, came in to say + that Bellino begged me to take him to Rimini, where he was engaged to sing + in an opera to be performed after Easter. + </p> + <p> + “Go and tell him, my dear little seraph, that I am ready to do what he + wishes, if he will only grant me in your presence what I desire; I want to + know for a certainty whether he is a man or a woman.” + </p> + <p> + She left me and returned soon, saying that Bellino had gone to bed, but + that if I would postpone my departure for one day only he promised to + satisfy me on the morrow. + </p> + <p> + “Tell me the truth, Cecilia, and I will give you six sequins.” + </p> + <p> + “I cannot earn them, for I have never seen him naked, and I cannot swear + to his being a girl. But he must be a man, otherwise he would not have + been allowed to perform here.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I will remain until the day after to-morrow, provided you keep me + company tonight.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you love me very much?” + </p> + <p> + “Very much indeed, if you shew yourself very kind.” + </p> + <p> + “I will be very kind, for I love you dearly likewise. I will go and tell + my mother.” + </p> + <p> + “Of course you have a lover?” + </p> + <p> + “I never had one.” + </p> + <p> + She left my room, and in a short time came back full of joy, saying that + her mother believed me an honest man; she of course meant a generous one. + Cecilia locked the door, and throwing herself in my arms covered me with + kisses. She was pretty, charming, but I was not in love with her, and I + was not able to say to her as to Lucrezia: “You have made me so happy!” + But she said it herself, and I did not feel much flattered, although I + pretended to believe her. When I woke up in the morning I gave her a + tender salutation, and presenting her with three doubloons, which must + have particularly delighted the mother, I sent her away without losing my + time in promising everlasting constancy—a promise as absurd as it is + trifling, and which the most virtuous man ought never to make even to the + most beautiful of women. + </p> + <p> + After breakfast I sent for mine host and ordered an excellent supper for + five persons, feeling certain that Don Sancio, whom I expected in the + evening, would not refuse to honour me by accepting my invitation, and + with that idea I made up my mind to go without my dinner. The Bolognese + family did not require to imitate my diet to insure a good appetite for + the evening. + </p> + <p> + I then summoned Bellino to my room, and claimed the performance of his + promise but he laughed, remarked that the day was not passed yet, and said + that he was certain of traveling with me. + </p> + <p> + “I fairly warn you that you cannot accompany me unless I am fully + satisfied.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I will satisfy you.” + </p> + <p> + “Shall we go and take a walk together?” + </p> + <p> + “Willingly; I will dress myself.” + </p> + <p> + While I was waiting for him, Marina came in with a dejected countenance, + enquiring how she had deserved my contempt. + </p> + <p> + “Cecilia has passed the night with you, Bellino will go with you + to-morrow, I am the most unfortunate of us all.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you want money?” + </p> + <p> + “No, for I love you.” + </p> + <p> + “But, Marinetta, you are too young.” + </p> + <p> + “I am much stronger than my sister.” + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps you have a lover.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh! no.” + </p> + <p> + “Very well, we can try this evening.” + </p> + <p> + “Good! Then I will tell mother to prepare clean sheets for to-morrow + morning; otherwise everybody here would know that I slept with you.” + </p> + <p> + I could not help admiring the fruits of a theatrical education, and was + much amused. + </p> + <p> + Bellino came back, we went out together, and we took our walk towards the + harbour. There were several vessels at anchor, and amongst them a Venetian + ship and a Turkish tartan. We went on board the first which we visited + with interest, but not seeing anyone of my acquaintance, we rowed towards + the Turkish tartan, where the most romantic surprise awaited me. The first + person I met on board was the beautiful Greek woman I had left in Ancona, + seven months before, when I went away from the lazzaretto. She was seated + near the old captain, of whom I enquired, without appearing to notice his + handsome slave, whether he had any fine goods to sell. He took us to his + cabin, but as I cast a glance towards the charming Greek, she expressed by + her looks all her delight at such an unexpected meeting. + </p> + <p> + I pretended not to be pleased with the goods shewn by the Turk, and under + the impulse of inspiration I told him that I would willingly buy something + pretty which would take the fancy of his better-half. He smiled, and the + Greek slave having whispered a few words to him, he left the cabin. The + moment he was out of sight, this new Aspasia threw herself in my arms, + saying, “Now is your time!” I would not be found wanting in courage, and + taking the most convenient position in such a place, I did to her in one + instant that which her old master had not done in five years. I had not + yet reached the goal of my wishes, when the unfortunate girl, hearing her + master, tore herself from my arms with a deep sigh, and placing herself + cunningly in front of me, gave me time to repair the disorder of my dress, + which might have cost me my life, or at least all I possessed to + compromise the affair. In that curious situation, I was highly amused at + the surprise of Bellino, who stood there trembling like an aspen leaf. + </p> + <p> + The trifles chosen by the handsome slave cost me only thirty sequins. + ‘Spolaitis’, she said to me in her own language, and the Turk telling her + that she ought to kiss me, she covered her face with her hands, and ran + away. I left the ship more sad than pleased, for I regretted that, in + spite of her courage, she should have enjoyed only an incomplete pleasure. + As soon as we were in our row boat, Bellino, who had recovered from his + fright, told me that I had just made him acquainted with a phenomenon, the + reality of which he could not admit, and which gave him a very strange + idea of my nature; that, as far as the Greek girl was concerned, he could + not make her out, unless I should assure him that every woman in her + country was like her. “How unhappy they must be!” he added. + </p> + <p> + “Do you think,” I asked, “that coquettes are happier?” + </p> + <p> + “No, but I think that when a woman yields to love, she should not be + conquered before she has fought with her own desires; she should not give + way to the first impulse of a lustful desire and abandon herself to the + first man who takes her fancy, like an animal—the slave of sense. + You must confess that the Greek woman has given you an evident proof that + you had taken her fancy, but that she has at the same time given you a + proof not less certain of her beastly lust, and of an effrontery which + exposed her to the shame of being repulsed, for she could not possibly + know whether you would feel as well disposed for her as she felt for you. + She is very handsome, and it all turned out well, but the adventure has + thrown me into a whirlpool of agitation which I cannot yet control.” + </p> + <p> + I might easily have put a stop to Bellino’s perplexity, and rectified the + mistake he was labouring under; but such a confession would not have + ministered to my self-love, and I held my peace, for, if Bellino happened + to be a girl, as I suspected, I wanted her to be convinced that I + attached, after all, but very little importance to the great affair, and + that it was not worth while employing cunning expedients to obtain it. + </p> + <p> + We returned to the inn, and, towards evening, hearing Don Sancio’s + travelling carriage roll into the yard, I hastened to meet him, and told + him that I hoped he would excuse me if I had felt certain that he would + not refuse me the honour of his company to supper with Bellino. He thanked + me politely for the pleasure I was so delicately offering him, and + accepted my invitation. + </p> + <p> + The most exquisite dishes, the most delicious wines of Spain, and, more + than everything else, the cheerfulness and the charming voices of Bellino + and of Cecilia, gave the Castilian five delightful hours. He left me at + midnight, saying that he could not declare himself thoroughly pleased + unless I promised to sup with him the next evening with the same guests. + It would compel me to postpone my departure for another day, but I + accepted. + </p> + <p> + As soon as Don Sancio had gone, I called upon Bellino to fulfil his + promise, but he answered that Marinetta was waiting for me, and that, as I + was not going away the next day, he would find an opportunity of + satisfying my doubts; and wishing me a good night, he left the room. + </p> + <p> + Marinetta, as cheerful as a lark, ran to lock the door and came back to + me, her eyes beaming with ardour. She was more formed than Cecilia, + although one year younger, and seemed anxious to convince me of her + superiority, but, thinking that the fatigue of the preceding night might + have exhausted my strength, she unfolded all the amorous ideas of her + mind, explained at length all she knew of the great mystery she was going + to enact with me, and of all the contrivances she had had recourse to in + order to acquire her imperfect knowledge, the whole interlarded with the + foolish talk natural to her age. I made out that she was afraid of my not + finding her a maiden, and of my reproaching her about it. Her anxiety + pleased me, and I gave her a new confidence by telling her that nature had + refused to many young girls what is called maidenhood, and that only a + fool could be angry with a girl for such a reason. + </p> + <p> + My science gave her courage and confidence, and I was compelled to + acknowledge that she was very superior to her sister. + </p> + <p> + “I am delighted you find me so,” she said; “we must not sleep at all + throughout the night.” + </p> + <p> + “Sleep, my darling, will prove our friend, and our strength renewed by + repose will reward you in the morning for what you may suppose lost time.” + </p> + <p> + And truly, after a quiet sleep, the morning was for her a succession of + fresh triumphs, and I crowned her happiness by sending her away with three + doubloons, which she took to her mother, and which gave the good woman an + insatiable desire to contract new obligations towards Providence. + </p> + <p> + I went out to get some money from the banker, as I did not know what might + happen during my journey. I had enjoyed myself, but I had spent too much: + yet there was Bellino who, if a girl, was not to find me less generous + than I had been with the two young sisters. It was to be decided during + the day, and I fancied that I was sure of the result. + </p> + <p> + There are some persons who pretend that life is only a succession of + misfortunes, which is as much as to say that life itself is a misfortune; + but if life is a misfortune, death must be exactly the reverse and + therefore death must be happiness, since death is the very reverse of + life. That deduction may appear too finely drawn. But those who say that + life is a succession of misfortunes are certainly either ill or poor; for, + if they enjoyed good health, if they had cheerfulness in their heart and + money in their purse, if they had for their enjoyment a Cecilia, a + Marinetta, and even a more lovely beauty in perspective, they would soon + entertain a very different opinion of life! I hold them to be a race of + pessimists, recruited amongst beggarly philosophers and knavish, + atrabilious theologians. If pleasure does exist, and if life is necessary + to enjoy pleasure, then life is happiness. There are misfortunes, as I + know by experience; but the very existence of such misfortunes proves that + the sum-total of happiness is greater. Because a few thorns are to be + found in a basket full of roses, is the existence of those beautiful + flowers to be denied? No; it is a slander to deny that life is happiness. + When I am in a dark room, it pleases me greatly to see through a window an + immense horizon before me. + </p> + <p> + As supper-time was drawing near, I went to Don Sancio, whom I found in + magnificently-furnished apartments. The table was loaded with silver + plate, and his servants were in livery. He was alone, but all his guests + arrived soon after me—Cecilia, Marina, and Bellino, who, either by + caprice or from taste, was dressed as a woman. The two young sisters, + prettily arranged, looked charming, but Bellino, in his female costume, so + completely threw them into the shade, that my last doubt vanished. + </p> + <p> + “Are you satisfied,” I said to Don Sancio, “that Bellino is a woman?” + </p> + <p> + “Woman or man, what do I care! I think he is a very pretty ‘castrato’, and + I have seen many as good-looking as he is.” + </p> + <p> + “But are you sure he is a ‘castrato’?” + </p> + <p> + “‘Valgame Dios’!” answered the grave Castilian, “I have not the slightest + wish to ascertain the truth.” + </p> + <p> + Oh, how widely different our thoughts were! I admired in him the wisdom of + which I was so much in need, and did not venture upon any more indiscreet + questions. During the supper, however, my greedy eyes could not leave that + charming being; my vicious nature caused me to feel intense voluptuousness + in believing him to be of that sex to which I wanted him to belong. + </p> + <p> + Don Sancio’s supper was excellent, and, as a matter of course, superior to + mine; otherwise the pride of the Castilian would have felt humbled. As a + general rule, men are not satisfied with what is good; they want the best, + or, to speak more to the point, the most. He gave us white truffles, + several sorts of shell-fish, the best fish of the Adriatic, dry champagne, + peralta, sherry and pedroximenes wines. + </p> + <p> + After that supper worthy of Lucullus, Bellino sang with a voice of such + beauty that it deprived us of the small amount of reason left in us by the + excellent wine. His movements, the expression of his looks, his gait, his + walk, his countenance, his voice, and, above all, my own instinct, which + told me that I could not possibly feel for a castrato what I felt for + Bellino, confirmed me in my hopes; yet it was necessary that my eyes + should ascertain the truth. + </p> + <p> + After many compliments and a thousand thanks, we took leave of the grand + Spaniard, and went to my room, where the mystery was at last to be + unravelled. I called upon Bellino to keep his word, or I threatened to + leave him alone the next morning at day-break. + </p> + <p> + I took him by the hand, and we seated ourselves near the fire. I dismissed + Cecilia and Marina, and I said to him, + </p> + <p> + “Bellino, everything must have an end; you have promised: it will soon be + over. If you are what you represent yourself to be, I will let you go back + to your own room; if you are what I believe you to be, and if you consent + to remain with me to-night, I will give you one hundred sequins, and we + will start together tomorrow morning.” + </p> + <p> + “You must go alone, and forgive me if I cannot fulfil my promise. I am + what I told you, and I can neither reconcile myself to the idea of + exposing my shame before you, nor lay myself open to the terrible + consequences that might follow the solution of your doubts.” + </p> + <p> + “There can be no consequences, since there will be an end to it at the + moment I have assured myself that you are unfortunate enough to be what + you say, and without ever mentioning the circumstances again, I promise to + take you with me to-morrow and to leave you at Rimini.” + </p> + <p> + “No, my mind is made up; I cannot satisfy your curiosity.” + </p> + <p> + Driven to madness by his words, I was very near using violence, but + subduing my angry feelings, I endeavored to succeed by gentle means and by + going straight to the spot where the mystery could be solved. I was very + near it, when his hand opposed a very strong resistance. I repeated my + efforts, but Bellino, rising suddenly, repulsed me, and I found myself + undone. After a few moments of calm, thinking I should take him by + surprise, I extended my hand, but I drew back terrified, for I fancied + that I had recognized in him a man, and a degraded man, contemptible less + on account of his degradation than for the want of feeling I thought I + could read on his countenance. Disgusted, confused, and almost blushing + for myself, I sent him away. + </p> + <p> + His sisters came to my room, but I dismissed them, sending word to their + brother that he might go with me, without any fear of further indiscretion + on my part. Yet, in spite of the conviction I thought I had acquired, + Bellino, even such as I believe him to be, filled my thoughts; I could not + make it out. + </p> + <p> + Early the next morning I left Ancona with him, distracted by the tears of + the two charming sisters and loaded with the blessings of the mother who, + with beads in hand, mumbled her ‘paternoster’, and repeated her constant + theme: ‘Dio provedera’. + </p> + <p> + The trust placed in Providence by most of those persons who earn their + living by some profession forbidden by religion is neither absurd, nor + false, nor deceitful; it is real and even godly, for it flows from an + excellent source. Whatever may be the ways of Providence, human beings + must always acknowledge it in its action, and those who call upon + Providence independently of all external consideration must, at the + bottom, be worthy, although guilty of transgressing its laws. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ‘Pulchra Laverna, + Da mihi fallere; da justo sanctoque videri; + Noctem peccatis, et fraudibus objice nubem.’ +</pre> + <p> + Such was the way in which, in the days of Horace, robbers addressed their + goddess, and I recollect a Jesuit who told me once that Horace would not + have known his own language, if he had said justo sanctoque: but there + were ignorant men even amongst the Jesuits, and robbers most likely have + but little respect for the rules of grammar. + </p> + <p> + The next morning I started with Bellino, who, believing me to be + undeceived, could suppose that I would not shew any more curiosity about + him, but we had not been a quarter of an hour together when he found out + his mistake, for I could not let my looks fall upon his splendid eyes + without feeling in me a fire which the sight of a man could not have + ignited. I told him that all his features were those of a woman, and that + I wanted the testimony of my eyes before I could feel perfectly satisfied, + because the protuberance I had felt in a certain place might be only a + freak of nature. “Should it be the case,” I added, “I should have no + difficulty in passing over a deformity which, in reality, is only + laughable. Bellino, the impression you produce upon me, this sort of + magnetism, your bosom worthy of Venus herself, which you have once + abandoned to my eager hand, the sound of your voice, every movement of + yours, assure me that you do not belong to my sex. Let me see for myself, + and, if my conjectures are right, depend upon my faithful love; if, on the + contrary, I find that I have been mistaken, you can rely upon my + friendship. If you refuse me, I shall be compelled to believe that you are + cruelly enjoying my misery, and that you have learned in the most accursed + school that the best way of preventing a young man from curing himself of + an amorous passion is to excite it constantly; but you must agree with me + that, to put such tyranny in practice, it is necessary to hate the person + it is practised upon, and, if that be so, I ought to call upon my reason + to give me the strength necessary to hate you likewise.” + </p> + <p> + I went on speaking for a long time; Bellino did not answer, but he seemed + deeply moved. At last I told him that, in the fearful state to which I was + reduced by his resistance, I should be compelled to treat him without any + regard for his feelings, and find out the truth by force. He answered with + much warmth and dignity: “Recollect that you are not my master, that I am + in your hands, because I had faith in your promise, and that, if you use + violence, you will be guilty of murder. Order the postillion to stop, I + will get out of the carriage, and you may rely upon my not complaining of + your treatment.” + </p> + <p> + Those few words were followed by a torrent of tears, a sight which I never + could resist. I felt myself moved in the inmost recesses of my soul, and I + almost thought that I had been wrong. I say almost, because, had I been + convinced of it, I would have thrown myself at his feet entreating pardon; + but, not feeling myself competent to stand in judgment in my own cause, I + satisfied myself by remaining dull and silent, and I never uttered one + word until we were only half a mile from Sinigaglia, where I intended to + take supper and to remain for the night. Having fought long enough with my + own feelings, I said to him; + </p> + <p> + “We might have spent a little time in Rimini like good friends, if you had + felt any friendship for me, for, with a little kind compliance, you could + have easily cured me of my passion.” + </p> + <p> + “It would not cure you,” answered Bellino, courageously, but with a + sweetness of tone which surprised me; “no, you would not be cured, whether + you found me to be man or woman, for you are in love with me independently + of my sex, and the certainty you would acquire would make you furious. In + such a state, should you find me inexorable, you would very likely give + way to excesses which would afterwards cause you deep sorrow.” + </p> + <p> + “You expect to make me admit that you are right, but you are completely + mistaken, for I feel that I should remain perfectly calm, and that by + complying with my wishes you would gain my friendship.” + </p> + <p> + “I tell you again that you would become furious.” + </p> + <p> + “Bellino, that which has made me furious is the sight of your charms, + either too real or too completely deceiving, the power of which you cannot + affect to ignore. You have not been afraid to ignite my amorous fury, how + can you expect me to believe you now, when you pretend to fear it, and + when I am only asking you to let me touch a thing, which, if it be as you + say, will only disgust me?” + </p> + <p> + “Ah! disgust you; I am quite certain of the contrary. Listen to me. Were I + a girl, I feel I could not resist loving you, but, being a man, it is my + duty not to grant what you desire, for your passion, now very natural, + would then become monstrous. Your ardent nature would be stronger than + your reason, and your reason itself would easily come to the assistance of + your senses and of your nature. That violent clearing-up of the mystery, + were you to obtain it, would leave you deprived of all control over + yourself. Disappointed in not finding what you had expected, you would + satisfy your passion upon that which you would find, and the result would, + of course, be an abomination. How can you, intelligent as you are, flatter + yourself that, finding me to be a man, you could all at once cease to love + me? Would the charms which you now see in me cease to exist then? Perhaps + their power would, on the contrary, be enhanced, and your passion, + becoming brutal, would lead you to take any means your imagination + suggested to gratify it. You would persuade yourself that you might change + me into a woman, or, what is worse, that you might change yourself into + one. Your passion would invent a thousand sophisms to justify your love, + decorated with the fine appellation of friendship, and you would not fail + to allege hundreds of similarly disgusting cases in order to excuse your + conduct. You would certainly never find me compliant; and how am I to know + that you would not threaten me with death?” + </p> + <p> + “Nothing of the sort would happen, Bellino,” I answered, rather tired of + the length of his argument, “positively nothing, and I am sure you are + exaggerating your fears. Yet I am bound to tell you that, even if all you + say should happen, it seems to me that to allow what can strictly be + considered only as a temporary fit of insanity, would prove a less evil + than to render incurable a disease of the mind which reason would soon cut + short.” + </p> + <p> + Thus does a poor philosopher reason when he takes it into his head to + argue at those periods during which a passion raging in his soul makes all + its faculties wander. To reason well, we must be under the sway neither of + love nor of anger, for those two passions have one thing in common which + is that, in their excess, they lower us to the condition of brutes acting + only under the influence of their predominating instinct, and, + unfortunately, we are never more disposed to argue than when we feel + ourselves under the influence of either of those two powerful human + passions. + </p> + <p> + We arrived at Sinigaglia late at night, and I went to the best inn, and, + after choosing a comfortable room, ordered supper. As there was but one + bed in the room, I asked Bellino, in as calm a tone as I could assume, + whether he would have a fire lighted in another chamber, and my surprise + may be imagined when he answered quietly that he had no objection to sleep + in the same bed with me. Such an answer, however, unexpected, was + necessary to dispel the angry feelings under which I was labouring. I + guessed that I was near the denouement of the romance, but I was very far + from congratulating myself, for I did not know whether the denouement + would prove agreeable or not. I felt, however, a real satisfaction at + having conquered, and was sure of my self-control, in case the senses, my + natural instinct, led me astray. But if I found myself in the right, I + thought I could expect the most precious favours. + </p> + <p> + We sat down to supper opposite each other, and during the meal, his words, + his countenance, the expression of his beautiful eyes, his sweet and + voluptuous smile, everything seemed to announce that he had had enough of + playing a part which must have proved as painful to him as to me. + </p> + <p> + A weight was lifted off my mind, and I managed to shorten the supper as + much as possible. As soon as we had left the table, my amiable companion + called for a night-lamp, undressed himself, and went to bed. I was not + long in following him, and the reader will soon know the nature of a + denouement so long and so ardently desired; in the mean time I beg to wish + him as happy a night as the one which was then awaiting me. + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0012" id="link2HCH0012"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XII + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Bellino’s History—I Am Put Under Arrest—I Run Away Against + My Will—My Return To Rimini, and My Arrival In Bologna +</pre> + <p> + Dear reader, I said enough at the end of the last chapter to make you + guess what happened, but no language would be powerful enough to make you + realize all the voluptuousness which that charming being had in store for + me. She came close to me the moment I was in bed. Without uttering one + word our lips met, and I found myself in the ecstasy of enjoyment before I + had had time to seek for it. After so complete a victory, what would my + eyes and my fingers have gained from investigations which could not give + me more certainty than I had already obtained? I could not take my gaze + off that beautiful face, which was all aflame with the ardour of love. + </p> + <p> + After a moment of quiet rapture, a spark lighted up in our veins a fresh + conflagration which we drowned in a sea of new delights. Bellino felt + bound to make me forget my sufferings, and to reward me by an ardour equal + to the fire kindled by her charms. + </p> + <p> + The happiness I gave her increased mine twofold, for it has always been my + weakness to compose the four-fifths of my enjoyment from the sum-total of + the happiness which I gave the charming being from whom I derived it. But + such a feeling must necessarily cause hatred for old age which can still + receive pleasure, but can no longer give enjoyment to another. And youth + runs away from old age, because it is its most cruel enemy. + </p> + <p> + An interval of repose became necessary, in consequence of the activity of + our enjoyment. Our senses were not tired out, but they required the rest + which renews their sensitiveness and restores the buoyancy necessary to + active service. + </p> + <p> + Bellino was the first to break our silence. + </p> + <p> + “Dearest,” she said, “are you satisfied now? Have you found me truly + loving?” + </p> + <p> + “Truly loving? Ah! traitress that you are! Do you, then, confess that I + was not mistaken when I guessed that you were a charming woman? And if you + truly loved me, tell me how you could contrive to defer your happiness and + mine so long? But is it quite certain that I did not make a mistake?” + </p> + <p> + “I am yours all over; see for yourself.” + </p> + <p> + Oh, what delightful survey! what charming beauties! what an ocean of + enjoyment! But I could not find any trace of the protuberance which had so + much terrified and disgusted me. + </p> + <p> + “What has become,” I said, “of that dreadful monstrosity?” + </p> + <p> + “Listen to me,” she replied, “and I will tell you everything. + </p> + <p> + “My name is Therese. My father, a poor clerk in the Institute of Bologna, + had let an apartment in his house to the celebrated Salimberi, a castrato, + and a delightful musician. He was young and handsome, he became attached + to me, and I felt flattered by his affection and by the praise he lavished + upon me. I was only twelve years of age; he proposed to teach me music, + and finding that I had a fine voice, he cultivated it carefully, and in + less than a year I could accompany myself on the harpsichord. His reward + was that which his love for me induced him to ask, and I granted the + reward without feeling any humiliation, for I worshipped him. Of course, + men like yourself are much above men of his species, but Salimberi was an + exception. His beauty, his manners, his talent, and the rare qualities of + his soul, made him superior in my eyes to all the men I had seen until + then. He was modest and reserved, rich and generous, and I doubt whether + he could have found a woman able to resist him; yet I never heard him + boast of having seduced any. The mutilation practised upon his body had + made him a monster, but he was an angel by his rare qualities and + endowments. + </p> + <p> + “Salimberi was at that time educating a boy of the same age as myself, who + was in Rimini with a music teacher. The father of the boy, who was poor + and had a large family, seeing himself near death, had thought of having + his unfortunate son maimed so that he should become the support of his + brothers with his voice. The name of the boy was Bellino; the good woman + whom you have just seen in Ancona was his mother, and everybody believes + that she is mine. + </p> + <p> + “I had belonged to Salimberi for about a year, when he announced to me one + day, weeping bitterly, that he was compelled to leave me to go to Rome, + but he promised to see me again. The news threw me into despair. He had + arranged everything for the continuation of my musical education, but, as + he was preparing himself for his departure, my father died very suddenly, + after a short illness, and I was left an orphan. + </p> + <p> + “Salimberi had not courage enough to resist my tears and my entreaties; he + made up his mind to take me to Rimini, and to place me in the same house + where his young ‘protege’ was educated. We reached Rimini, and put up at + an inn; after a short rest, Salimberi left me to call upon the teacher of + music, and to make all necessary arrangements respecting me with him; but + he soon returned, looking sad and unhappy; Bellino had died the day + before. + </p> + <p> + “As he was thinking of the grief which the loss of the young man would + cause his mother, he was struck with the idea of bringing me back to + Bologna under the name of Bellino, where he could arrange for my board + with the mother of the deceased Bellino, who, being very poor, would find + it to her advantage to keep the secret. ‘I will give her,’ he said, + ‘everything necessary for the completion of your musical education, and in + four years, I will take you to Dresden (he was in the service of the + Elector of Saxony, King of Poland), not as a girl, but as a castrato. + There we will live together without giving anyone cause for scandal, and + you will remain with me and minister to my happiness until I die. All we + have to do is to represent you as Bellino, and it is very easy, as nobody + knows you in Bologna. Bellino’s mother will alone know the secret; her + other children have seen their brother only when he was very young, and + can have no suspicion. But if you love me you must renounce your sex, lose + even the remembrance of it, and leave immediately for Bologna, dressed as + a boy, and under the name of Bellino. You must be very careful lest anyone + should find out that you are a girl; you must sleep alone, dress yourself + in private, and when your bosom is formed, as it will be in a year or two, + it will only be thought a deformity not uncommon amongst ‘castrati’. + Besides, before leaving you, I will give you a small instrument, and teach + how to fix it in such manner that, if you had at any time to submit to an + examination, you would easily be mistaken for a man. If you accept my + plan, I feel certain that we can live together in Dresden without losing + the good graces of the queen, who is very religious. Tell me, now, whether + you will accept my proposal? + </p> + <p> + “He could not entertain any doubt of my consent, for I adored him. As soon + as he had made a boy of me we left Rimini for Bologna, where we arrived + late in the evening. A little gold made everything right with Bellino’s + mother; I gave her the name of mother, and she kissed me, calling me her + dear son. Salimberi left us, and returned a short time afterwards with the + instrument which would complete my transformation. He taught me, in the + presence of my new mother, how to fix it with some tragacanth gum, and I + found myself exactly like my friend. I would have laughed at it, had not + my heart been deeply grieved at the departure of my beloved Salimberi, for + he bade me farewell as soon as the curious operation was completed. People + laugh at forebodings; I do not believe in them myself, but the foreboding + of evil, which almost broke my heart as he gave me his farewell kiss, did + not deceive me. I felt the cold shivering of death run through me; I felt + I was looking at him for the last time, and I fainted away. Alas! my fears + proved only too prophetic. Salimberi died a year ago in the Tyrol in the + prime of life, with the calmness of a true philosopher. His death + compelled me to earn my living with the assistance of my musical talent. + My mother advised me to continue to give myself out as a castrato, in the + hope of being able to take me to Rome. I agreed to do so, for I did not + feel sufficient energy to decide upon any other plan. In the meantime she + accepted an offer for the Ancona Theatre, and Petronio took the part of + first female dancer; in this way we played the comedy of ‘The World Turned + Upside Down.’ + </p> + <p> + “After Salimberi, you are the only man I have known, and, if you like, you + can restore me to my original state, and make me give up the name of + Bellino, which I hate since the death of my protector, and which begins to + inconvenience me. I have only appeared at two theatres, and each time I + have been compelled to submit to the scandalous, degrading examination, + because everywhere I am thought to have too much the appearance of a girl, + and I am admitted only after the shameful test has brought conviction. + Until now, fortunately, I have had to deal only with old priests who, in + their good faith, have been satisfied with a very slight examination, and + have made a favourable report to the bishop; but I might fall into the + hands of some young abbe, and the test would then become a more severe + one. Besides, I find myself exposed to the daily persecutions of two sorts + of beings: those who, like you, cannot and will not believe me to be a + man, and those who, for the satisfaction of their disgusting propensities, + are delighted at my being so, or find it advantageous to suppose me so. + The last particularly annoy me! Their tastes are so infamous, their habits + so low, that I fear I shall murder one of them some day, when I can no + longer control the rage in which their obscene language throws me. Out of + pity, my beloved angel, be generous; and, if you love me, oh! free me from + this state of shame and degradation! Take me with you. I do not ask to + become your wife, that would be too much happiness; I will only be your + friend, your mistress, as I would have been Salimberi’s; my heart is pure + and innocent, I feel that I can remain faithful to my lover through my + whole life. Do not abandon me. The love I have for you is sincere; my + affection for Salimberi was innocent; it was born of my inexperience and + of my gratitude, and it is only with you that I have felt myself truly a + woman.” + </p> + <p> + Her emotion, an inexpressible charm which seemed to flow from her lips and + to enforce conviction, made me shed tears of love and sympathy. I blended + my tears with those falling from her beautiful eyes, and deeply moved, I + promised not to abandon her and to make her the sharer of my fate. + Interested in the history, as singular as extraordinary, that she had just + narrated, and having seen nothing in it that did not bear the stamp of + truth, I felt really disposed to make her happy but I could not believe + that I had inspired her with a very deep passion during my short stay in + Ancona, many circumstances of which might, on the contrary, have had an + opposite effect upon her heart. + </p> + <p> + “If you loved me truly,” I said, “how could you let me sleep with your + sisters, out of spite at your resistance?” + </p> + <p> + “Alas, dearest! think of our great poverty, and how difficult it was for + me to discover myself. I loved you; but was it not natural that I should + suppose your inclination for me only a passing caprice? When I saw you go + so easily from Cecilia to Marinetta, I thought that you would treat me in + the same manner as soon as your desires were satisfied, I was likewise + confirmed in my opinion of your want of constancy and of the little + importance you attached to the delicacy of the sentiment of love, when I + witnessed what you did on board the Turkish vessel without being hindered + by my presence; had you loved me, I thought my being present would have + made you uncomfortable. I feared to be soon despised, and God knows how + much I suffered! You have insulted me, darling, in many different ways, + but my heart pleaded in your favour, because I knew you were excited, + angry, and thirsting for revenge. Did you not threaten me this very day in + your carriage? I confess you greatly frightened me, but do not fancy that + I gave myself to you out of fear. No, I had made up my mind to be yours + from the moment you sent me word by Cecilia that you would take me to + Rimini, and your control over your own feelings during a part of our + journey confirmed me in my resolution, for I thought I could trust myself + to your honour, to your delicacy.” + </p> + <p> + “Throw up,” I said, “the engagement you have in Rimini; let us proceed on + our journey, and, after remaining a couple of days in Bologna, you will go + with me to Venice; dressed as a woman, and with another name, I would + challenge the manager here to find you out.” + </p> + <p> + “I accept. Your will shall always be my law. I am my own mistress, and I + give myself to you without any reserve or restriction; my heart belongs to + you, and I trust to keep yours.” + </p> + <p> + Man has in himself a moral force of action which always makes him overstep + the line on which he is standing. I had obtained everything, I wanted + more. “Shew me,” I said, “how you were when I mistook you for a man.” She + got out of bed, opened her trunk, took out the instrument and fixed it + with the gum: I was compelled to admire the ingenuity of the contrivance. + My curiosity was satisfied, and I passed a most delightful night in her + arms. + </p> + <p> + When I woke up in the morning, I admired her lovely face while she was + sleeping: all I knew of her came back to my mind; the words which had been + spoken by her bewitching mouth, her rare talent, her candour, her feelings + so full of delicacy, and her misfortunes, the heaviest of which must have + been the false character she had been compelled to assume, and which + exposed her to humiliation and shame, everything strengthened my + resolution to make her the companion of my destiny, whatever it might be, + or to follow her fate, for our positions were very nearly the same; and + wishing truly to attach myself seriously to that interesting being, I + determined to give to our union the sanction of religion and of law, and + to take her legally for my wife. Such a step, as I then thought, could but + strengthen our love, increase our mutual esteem, and insure the + approbation of society which could not accept our union unless it was + sanctioned in the usual manner. + </p> + <p> + The talents of Therese precluded the fear of our being ever in want of the + necessaries of life, and, although I did not know in what way my own + talents might be made available, I had faith in myself. Our love might + have been lessened, she would have enjoyed too great advantages over me, + and my self-dignity would have too deeply suffered if I had allowed myself + to be supported by her earnings only. It might, after a time, have altered + the nature of our feelings; my wife, no longer thinking herself under any + obligation to me, might have fancied herself the protecting, instead of + the protected party, and I felt that my love would soon have turned into + utter contempt, if it had been my misfortune to find her harbouring such + thoughts. Although I trusted it would not be so, I wanted, before taking + the important step of marriage, to probe her heart, and I resolved to try + an experiment which would at once enable me to judge the real feelings of + her inmost soul. As soon as she was awake, I spoke to her thus: + </p> + <p> + “Dearest Therese, all you have told me leaves me no doubt of your love for + me, and the consciousness you feel of being the mistress of my heart + enhances my love for you to such a degree, that I am ready to do + everything to convince you that you were not mistaken in thinking that you + had entirely conquered me. I wish to prove to you that I am worthy of the + noble confidence you have reposed in me by trusting you with equal + sincerity. + </p> + <p> + “Our hearts must be on a footing of perfect equality. I know you, my + dearest Therese, but you do not know me yet. I can read in your eyes that + you do not mind it, and it proves our great love, but that feeling places + me too much below you, and I do not wish you to have so great an advantage + over me. I feel certain that my confidence is not necessary to your love; + that you only care to be mine, that your only wish is to possess my heart, + and I admire you, my Therese; but I should feel humiliated if I found + myself either too much above or too much below you. You have entrusted + your secrets to me, now listen to mine; but before I begin, promise me + that, when you know everything that concerns me, you will tell me candidly + if any change has taken place either in your feelings or in your hopes.” + </p> + <p> + “I promise it faithfully; I promise not to conceal anything from you; but + be upright enough not to tell me anything that is not perfectly true, for + I warn you that it would be useless. If you tried any artifice in order to + find me less worthy of you than I am in reality, you would only succeed in + lowering yourself in my estimation. I should be very sorry to see you + guilty of any cunning towards me. Have no more suspicion of me than I have + of you; tell me the whole truth.” + </p> + <p> + “Here it is. You suppose me wealthy, and I am not so; as soon as what + there is now in my purse is spent I shall have nothing left. You may fancy + that I was born a patrician, but my social condition is really inferior to + your own. I have no lucrative talents, no profession, nothing to give me + the assurance that I am able to earn my living. I have neither relatives + nor friends, nor claims upon anyone, and I have no serious plan or purpose + before me. All I possess is youth, health, courage, some intelligence, + honour, honesty, and some tincture of letters. My greatest treasure + consists in being my own master, perfectly independent, and not afraid of + misfortune. With all that, I am naturally inclined to extravagance. Lovely + Therese, you have my portrait. What is your answer?” + </p> + <p> + “In the first place, dearest, let me assure you that I believe every word + you have just uttered, as I would believe in the Gospel; in the second, + allow me to tell you that several times in Ancona I have judged you such + as you have just described yourself, but far from being displeased at such + a knowledge of your nature, I was only afraid of some illusion on my part, + for I could hope to win you if you were what I thought you to be. In one + word, dear one, if it is true that you are poor and a very bad hand at + economy, allow me to tell you that I feel delighted, because, if you love + me, you will not refuse a present from me, or despise me for offering it. + The present consists of myself, such as I am, and with all my faculties. I + give myself to you without any condition, with no restriction; I am yours, + I will take care of you. For the future think only of your love for me, + but love me exclusively. From this moment I am no longer Bellino. Let us + go to Venice, where my talent will keep us both comfortably; if you wish + to go anywhere else, let us go where you please.” + </p> + <p> + “I must go to Constantinople.” + </p> + <p> + “Then let us proceed to Constantinople. If you are afraid to lose me + through want of constancy, marry me, and your right over me will be + strengthened by law. I should not love you better than I do now, but I + should be happy to be your wife.” + </p> + <p> + “It is my intention to marry you, and I am delighted that we agree in that + respect. The day after to-morrow, in Bologna, you shall be made my + legal-wife before the altar of God; I swear it to you here in the presence + of Love. I want you to be mine, I want to be yours, I want us to be united + by the most holy ties.” + </p> + <p> + “I am the happiest of women! We have nothing to do in Rimini; suppose we + do not get up; we can have our dinner in bed, and go away to-morrow well + rested after our fatigues.” + </p> + <p> + We left Rimini the next day, and stayed for breakfast at Pesaro. As we + were getting into the carriage to leave that place, an officer, + accompanied by two soldiers, presented himself, enquired for our names, + and demanded our passports. Bellino had one and gave it, but I looked in + vain for mine; I could not find it. + </p> + <p> + The officer, a corporal, orders the postillion to wait and goes to make + his report. Half an hour afterwards, he returns, gives Bellino his + passport, saying that he can continue his journey, but tells me that his + orders are to escort me to the commanding officer, and I follow him. + </p> + <p> + “What have you done with your passport?” enquires that officer. + </p> + <p> + “I have lost it.” + </p> + <p> + “A passport is not so easily lost.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I have lost mine.” + </p> + <p> + “You cannot proceed any further.” + </p> + <p> + “I come from Rome, and I am going to Constantinople, bearing a letter from + Cardinal Acquaviva. Here is the letter stamped with his seal.” + </p> + <p> + “All I can do for you is to send you to M. de Gages.” + </p> + <p> + I found the famous general standing, surrounded by his staff. I told him + all I had already explained to the officer, and begged him to let me + continue my journey. + </p> + <p> + “The only favour I can grant you is to put you under arrest till you + receive another passport from Rome delivered under the same name as the + one you have given here. To lose a passport is a misfortune which befalls + only a thoughtless, giddy man, and the cardinal will for the future know + better than to put his confidence in a giddy fellow like you.” + </p> + <p> + With these words, he gave orders to take me to the guard-house at St. + Mary’s Gate, outside the city, as soon as I should have written to the + cardinal for a new passport. His orders were executed. I was brought back + to the inn, where I wrote my letter, and I sent it by express to his + eminence, entreating him to forward the document, without loss of time, + direct to the war office. Then I embraced Therese who was weeping, and, + telling her to go to Rimini and to wait there for my return, I made her + take one hundred sequins. She wished to remain in Pesaro, but I would not + hear of it; I had my trunk brought out, I saw Therese go away from the + inn, and was taken to the place appointed by the general. + </p> + <p> + It is undoubtedly under such circumstances that the most determined + optimist finds himself at a loss; but an easy stoicism can blunt the too + sharp edge of misfortune. + </p> + <p> + My greatest sorrow was the heart-grief of Therese who, seeing me torn from + her arms at the very moment of our union, was suffocated by the tears + which she tried to repress. She would not have left me if I had not made + her understand that she could not remain in Pesaro, and if I had not + promised to join her within ten days, never to be parted again. But fate + had decided otherwise. + </p> + <p> + When we reached the gate, the officer confined me immediately in the + guard-house, and I sat down on my trunk. The officer was a taciturn + Spaniard who did not even condescend to honour me with an answer, when I + told him that I had money and would like to have someone to wait on me. I + had to pass the night on a little straw, and without food, in the midst of + the Spanish soldiers. It was the second night of the sort that my destiny + had condemned me to, immediately after two delightful nights. My good + angel doubtless found some pleasure in bringing such conjunctions before + my mind for the benefit of my instruction. At all events, teachings of + that description have an infallible effect upon natures of a peculiar + stamp. + </p> + <p> + If you should wish to close the lips of a logician calling himself a + philosopher, who dares to argue that in this life grief overbalances + pleasure, ask him whether he would accept a life entirely without sorrow + and happiness. Be certain that he will not answer you, or he will shuffle, + because, if he says no, he proves that he likes life such as it is, and if + he likes it, he must find it agreeable, which is an utter impossibility, + if life is painful; should he, on the contrary, answer in the affirmative, + he would declare himself a fool, for it would be as much as to say that he + can conceive pleasure arising from indifference, which is absurd nonsense. + </p> + <p> + Suffering is inherent in human nature; but we never suffer without + entertaining the hope of recovery, or, at least, very seldom without such + hope, and hope itself is a pleasure. If it happens sometimes that man + suffers without any expectation of a cure, he necessarily finds pleasure + in the complete certainty of the end of his life; for the worst, in all + cases, must be either a sleep arising from extreme dejection, during which + we have the consolation of happy dreams or the loss of all sensitiveness. + But when we are happy, our happiness is never disturbed by the thought + that it will be followed by grief. Therefore pleasure, during its active + period, is always complete, without alloy; grief is always soothed by + hope. + </p> + <p> + I suppose you, dear reader, at the age of twenty, and devoting yourself to + the task of making a man of yourself by furnishing your mind with all the + knowledge necessary to render you a useful being through the activity of + your brain. Someone comes in and tells you, “I bring you thirty years of + existence; it is the immutable decree of fate; fifteen consecutive years + must be happy, and fifteen years unhappy. You are at liberty to choose the + half by which you wish to begin.” + </p> + <p> + Confess it candidly, dear reader, you will not require much more + consideration to decide, and you will certainly begin by the unhappy + series of years, because you will feel that the expectation of fifteen + delightful years cannot fail to brace you up with the courage necessary to + bear the unfortunate years you have to go through, and we can even + surmise, with every probability of being right, that the certainty of + future happiness will soothe to a considerable extent the misery of the + first period. + </p> + <p> + You have already guessed, I have no doubt, the purpose of this lengthy + argument. The sagacious man, believe me, can never be utterly miserable, + and I most willingly agree with my friend Horace, who says that, on the + contrary, such a man is always happy. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + ‘Nisi quum pituita molesta est.’ +</pre> + <p> + But, pray where is the man who is always suffering from a rheum? + </p> + <p> + The fact is that the fearful night I passed in the guardhouse of St. Mary + resulted for me in a slight loss and in a great gain. The small loss was + to be away from my dear Therese, but, being certain of seeing her within + ten days, the misfortune was not very great: as to the gain, it was in + experience the true school for a man. I gained a complete system against + thoughtlessness, a system of foresight. You may safely bet a hundred to + one that a young man who has once lost his purse or his passport, will not + lose either a second time. Each of those misfortunes has befallen me once + only, and I might have been very often the victim of them, if experience + had not taught me how much they were to be dreaded. A thoughtless fellow + is a man who has not yet found the word dread in the dictionary of his + life. + </p> + <p> + The officer who relieved my cross-grained Castilian on the following day + seemed of a different nature altogether; his prepossessing countenance + pleased me much. He was a Frenchman, and I must say that I have always + liked the French, and never the Spaniards; there is in the manners of the + first something so engaging, so obliging, that you feel attracted towards + them as towards a friend, whilst an air of unbecoming haughtiness gives to + the second a dark, forbidding countenance which certainly does not + prepossess in their favour. Yet I have often been duped by Frenchmen, and + never by Spaniards—a proof that we ought to mistrust our tastes. + </p> + <p> + The new officer, approaching me very politely, said to me,— + </p> + <p> + “To what chance, reverend sir, am I indebted for the honour of having you + in my custody?” + </p> + <p> + Ah! here was a way of speaking which restored to my lungs all their + elasticity! I gave him all the particulars of my misfortune, and he found + the mishap very amusing. But a man disposed to laugh at my disappointment + could not be disagreeable to me, for it proved that the turn of his mind + had more than one point of resemblance with mine. He gave me at once a + soldier to serve me, and I had very quickly a bed, a table, and a few + chairs. He was kind enough to have my bed placed in his own room, and I + felt very grateful to him for that delicate attention. + </p> + <p> + He gave me an invitation to share his dinner, and proposed a game of + piquet afterwards, but from the very beginning he saw that I was no match + for him; he told me so, and he warned me that the officer who would + relieve him the next day was a better player even than he was himself; I + lost three or four ducats. He advised me to abstain from playing on the + following day, and I followed his advice. He told me also that he would + have company to supper, that there would be a game of faro, but that the + banker being a Greek and a crafty player, I ought not to play. I thought + his advice very considerate, particularly when I saw that all the punters + lost, and that the Greek, very calm in the midst of the insulting + treatment of those he had duped, was pocketing his money, after handing a + share to the officer who had taken an interest in the bank. The name of + the banker was Don Pepe il Cadetto, and by his accent I knew he was a + Neapolitan. I communicated my discovery to the officer, asking him why he + had told me that the man was a Greek. He explained to me the meaning of + the word greek applied to a gambler, and the lesson which followed his + explanation proved very useful to me in after years. + </p> + <p> + During the five following days, my life was uniform and rather dull, but + on the sixth day the same French officer was on guard, and I was very glad + to see him. He told me, with a hearty laugh, that he was delighted to find + me still in the guard-house, and I accepted the compliment for what it was + worth. In the evening, we had the same bank at faro, with the same result + as the first time, except a violent blow from the stick of one of the + punters upon the back of the banker, of which the Greek stoically feigned + to take no notice. I saw the same man again nine years afterwards in + Vienna, captain in the service of Maria Theresa; he then called himself + d’Afflisso. Ten years later, I found him a colonel, and some time after + worth a million; but the last time I saw him, some thirteen or fourteen + years ago, he was a galley slave. He was handsome, but (rather a singular + thing) in spite of his beauty, he had a gallows look. I have seen others + with the same stamp—Cagliostro, for instance, and another who has + not yet been sent to the galleys, but who cannot fail to pay them a visit. + Should the reader feel any curiosity about it, I can whisper the name in + his ear. + </p> + <p> + Towards the ninth or tenth day everyone in the army knew and liked me, and + I was expecting the passport, which could not be delayed much longer. I + was almost free, and I would often walk about even out of sight of the + sentinel. They were quite right not to fear my running away, and I should + have been wrong if I had thought of escaping, but the most singular + adventure of my life happened to me then, and most unexpectedly. + </p> + <p> + It was about six in the morning. I was taking a walk within one hundred + yards of the sentinel, when an officer arrived and alighted from his + horse, threw the bridle on the neck of his steed, and walked off. Admiring + the docility of the horse, standing there like a faithful servant to whom + his master has given orders to wait for him I got up to him, and without + any purpose I get hold of the bridle, put my foot in the stirrup, and find + myself in the saddle. I was on horseback for the first time in my life. I + do not know whether I touched the horse with my cane or with my heels, but + suddenly the animal starts at full speed. My right foot having slipped out + of the stirrup, I press against the horse with my heels, and, feeling the + pressure, it gallops faster and faster, for I did not know how to check + it. At the last advanced post the sentinels call out to me to stop; but I + cannot obey the order, and the horse carrying me away faster than ever, I + hear the whizzing of a few musket balls, the natural consequence of my + involuntary disobedience. At last, when I reach the first advanced picket + of the Austrians, the horse is stopped, and I get off his back thanking + God. + </p> + <p> + An officer of Hussars asks where I am running so fast, and my tongue, + quicker than my thought, answers without any privity on my part, that I + can render no account but to Prince Lobkowitz, commander-in-chief of the + army, whose headquarters were at Rimini. Hearing my answer, the officer + gave orders for two Hussars to get on horseback, a fresh one is given me, + and I am taken at full gallop to Rimini, where the officer on guard has me + escorted at once to the prince. + </p> + <p> + I find his highness alone, and I tell him candidly what has just happened + to me. My story makes him laugh, although he observes that it is hardly + credible. + </p> + <p> + “I ought,” he says, “to put you under arrest, but I am willing to save you + that unpleasantness.” With that he called one of his officers and ordered + him to escort me through the Cesena Gate. “Then you can go wherever you + please,” he added, turning round to me; “but take care not to again enter + the lines of my army without a passport, or you might fare badly.” + </p> + <p> + I asked him to let me have the horse again, but he answered that the + animal did not belong to me. I forgot to ask him to send me back to the + place I had come from, and I regretted it; but after all perhaps I did for + the best. + </p> + <p> + The officer who accompanied me asked me, as we were passing a + coffee-house, whether I would like to take some chocolate, and we went in. + At that moment I saw Petronio going by, and availing myself of a moment + when the officer was talking to someone, I told him not to appear to be + acquainted with me, but to tell me where he lived. When we had taken our + chocolate the officer paid and we went out. Along the road we kept up the + conversation; he told me his name, I gave him mine, and I explained how I + found myself in Rimini. He asked me whether I had not remained some time + in Ancona; I answered in the affirmative, and he smiled and said I could + get a passport in Bologna, return to Rimini and to Pesaro without any + fear, and recover my trunk by paying the officer for the horse he had + lost. We reached the gate, he wished me a pleasant journey, and we parted + company. + </p> + <p> + I found myself free, with gold and jewels, but without my trunk. Therese + was in Rimini, and I could not enter that city. I made up my mind to go to + Bologna as quickly as possible in order to get a passport, and to return + to Pesaro, where I should find my passport from Rome, for I could not make + up my mind to lose my trunk, and I did not want to be separated from + Therese until the end of her engagement with the manager of the Rimini + Theatre. + </p> + <p> + It was raining; I had silk stockings on, and I longed for a carriage. I + took shelter under the portal of a church, and turned my fine overcoat + inside out, so as not to look like an abbe. At that moment a peasant + happened to come along, and I asked him if a carriage could be had to + drive me to Cesena. “I have one, sir,” he said, “but I live half a league + from here.” + </p> + <p> + “Go and get it, I will wait for you here.” + </p> + <p> + While I was waiting for the return of the peasant with his vehicle, some + forty mules laden with provisions came along the road towards Rimini. It + was still raining fast, and the mules passing close by me, I placed my + hand mechanically upon the neck of one of them, and following the slow + pace of the animals I re-entered Rimini without the slightest notice being + taken of me, even by the drivers of the mules. I gave some money to the + first street urchin I met, and he took me to Therese’s house. + </p> + <p> + With my hair fastened under a night-cap, my hat pulled down over my face, + and my fine cane concealed under my coat, I did not look a very elegant + figure. I enquired for Bellino’s mother, and the mistress of the house + took me to a room where I found all the family, and Therese in a woman’s + dress. I had reckoned upon surprising them, but Petronio had told them of + our meeting, and they were expecting me. I gave a full account of my + adventures, but Therese, frightened at the danger that threatened me, and + in spite of her love, told me that it was absolutely necessary for me to + go to Bologna, as I had been advised by M. Vais, the officer. + </p> + <p> + “I know him,” she said, “and he is a worthy man, but he comes here every + evening, and you must conceal yourself.” + </p> + <p> + It was only eight o’clock in the morning; we had the whole day before us, + and everyone promised to be discreet. I allayed Therese’s anxiety by + telling her that I could easily contrive to leave the city without being + observed. + </p> + <p> + Therese took me to her own room, where she told me that she had met the + manager of the theatre on her arrival in Rimini, and that he had taken her + at once to the apartments engaged for the family. She had informed him + that she was a woman, and that she had made up her mind not to appear as a + castrato any more; he had expressed himself delighted at such news, + because women could appear on the stage at Rimini, which was not under the + same legate as Ancona. She added that her engagement would be at an end by + the 1st of May, and that she would meet me wherever it would be agreeable + to me to wait for her. + </p> + <p> + “As soon as I can get a passport,” I said, “there is nothing to hinder me + from remaining near you until the end of your engagement. But as M. Vais + calls upon you, tell me whether you have informed him of my having spent a + few days in Ancona?” + </p> + <p> + “I did, and I even told him that you had been arrested because you had + lost your passport.” + </p> + <p> + I understood why the officer had smiled as he was talking with me. After + my conversation with Therese, I received the compliments of the mother and + of the young sisters who appeared to me less cheerful and less free than + they had been in Ancona. They felt that Bellino, transformed into Therese, + was too formidable a rival. I listened patiently to all the complaints of + the mother who maintained that, in giving up the character of castrato, + Therese had bidden adieu to fortune, because she might have earned a + thousand sequins a year in Rome. + </p> + <p> + “In Rome, my good woman,” I said, “the false Bellino would have been found + out, and Therese would have been consigned to a miserable convent for + which she was never made.” + </p> + <p> + Notwithstanding the danger of my position, I spent the whole of the day + alone with my beloved mistress, and it seemed that every moment gave her + fresh beauties and increased my love. At eight o’clock in the evening, + hearing someone coming in, she left me, and I remained in the dark, but in + such a position that I could see everything and hear every word. The Baron + Vais came in, and Therese gave him her hand with the grace of a pretty + woman and the dignity of a princess. The first thing he told her was the + news about me; she appeared to be pleased, and listened with well-feigned + indifference, when he said that he had advised me to return with a + passport. He spent an hour with her, and I was thoroughly well pleased + with her manners and behaviour, which had been such as to leave me no room + for the slightest feeling of jealousy. Marina lighted him out and Therese + returned to me. We had a joyous supper together, and, as we were getting + ready to go to bed, Petronio came to inform me that ten muleteers would + start for Cesena two hours before day-break, and that he was sure I could + leave the city with them if I would go and meet them a quarter of an hour + before their departure, and treat them to something to drink. I was of the + same opinion, and made up my mind to make the attempt. I asked Petronio to + sit up and to wake me in good time. It proved an unnecessary precaution, + for I was ready before the time, and left Therese satisfied with my love, + without any doubt of my constancy, but rather anxious as to my success in + attempting to leave Rimini. She had sixty sequins which she wanted to + force back upon me, but I asked her what opinion she would have of me if I + accepted them, and we said no more about it. + </p> + <p> + I went to the stable, and having treated one of the muleteers to some + drink I told him that I would willingly ride one of his mules as far as + Sarignan. + </p> + <p> + “You are welcome to the ride,” said the good fellow, “but I would advise + you not to get on the mule till we are outside the city, and to pass + through the gate on foot as if you were one of the drivers.” + </p> + <p> + It was exactly what I wanted. Petronio accompanied me as far as the gate, + where I gave him a substantial proof of my gratitude. I got out of the + city without the slightest difficulty, and left the muleteers at Sarignan, + whence I posted to Bologna. + </p> + <p> + I found out that I could not obtain a passport, for the simple reason that + the authorities of the city persisted that it was not necessary; but I + knew better, and it was not for me to tell them why. I resolved to write + to the French officer who had treated me so well at the guardhouse. I + begged him to enquire at the war office whether my passport had arrived + from Rome, and, if so, to forward it to me. I also asked him to find out + the owner of the horse who had run away with me, offering to pay for it. I + made up my mind to wait for Therese in Bologna, and I informed her of my + decision, entreating her to write very often. The reader will soon know + the new resolution I took on the very same day. + </p> + <a name="link2H_4_0020" id="link2H_4_0020"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> <a name="linkepisode3" id="linkepisode3"></a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + EPISODE 3 — MILITARY CAREER + </h2> + <a name="link2HCH0013" id="link2HCH0013"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIII + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + I Renounce the Clerical Profession, and Enter the Military + Service—Therese Leaves for Naples, and I Go to Venice—I Am + Appointed Ensign in the Army of My Native Country—I Embark + for Corfu, and Land at Orsera to Take a Walk +</pre> + <p> + I had been careful, on my arrival in Bologna, to take up my quarters at a + small inn, so as not to attract any notice, and as soon as I had + dispatched my letters to Therese and the French officer, I thought of + purchasing some linen, as it was at least doubtful whether I should ever + get my trunk. I deemed it expedient to order some clothes likewise. I was + thus ruminating, when it suddenly struck me that I was not likely now to + succeed in the Church, but feeling great uncertainty as to the profession + I ought to adopt, I took a fancy to transform myself into an officer, as + it was evident that I had not to account to anyone for my actions. It was + a very natural fancy at my age, for I had just passed through two armies + in which I had seen no respect paid to any garb but to the military + uniform, and I did not see why I should not cause myself to be respected + likewise. Besides, I was thinking of returning to Venice, and felt great + delight at the idea of shewing myself there in the garb of honour, for I + had been rather ill-treated in that of religion. + </p> + <p> + I enquired for a good tailor: death was brought to me, for the tailor sent + to me was named Morte. I explained to him how I wanted my uniform made, I + chose the cloth, he took my measure, and the next day I was transformed + into a follower of Mars. I procured a long sword, and with my fine cane in + hand, with a well-brushed hat ornamented with a black cockade, and wearing + a long false pigtail, I sallied forth and walked all over the city. + </p> + <p> + I bethought myself that the importance of my new calling required a better + and more showy lodging than the one I had secured on my arrival, and I + moved to the best inn. I like even now to recollect the pleasing + impression I felt when I was able to admire myself full length in a large + mirror. I was highly pleased with my own person! I thought myself made by + nature to wear and to honour the military costume, which I had adopted + through the most fortunate impulse. Certain that nobody knew me, I enjoyed + by anticipation all the conjectures which people would indulge in + respecting me, when I made my first appearance in the most fashionable + cafe of the town. + </p> + <p> + My uniform was white, the vest blue, a gold and silver shoulder-knot, and + a sword-knot of the same material. Very well pleased with my grand + appearance, I went to the coffee-room, and, taking some chocolate, began + to read the newspapers, quite at my ease, and delighted to see that + everybody was puzzled. A bold individual, in the hope of getting me into + conversation, came to me and addressed me; I answered him with a + monosyllable, and I observed that everyone was at a loss what to make of + me. When I had sufficiently enjoyed public admiration in the coffee-room, + I promenaded in the busiest thoroughfares of the city, and returned to the + inn, where I had dinner by myself. + </p> + <p> + I had just concluded my repast when my landlord presented himself with the + travellers’ book, in which he wanted to register my name. + </p> + <p> + “Casanova.” + </p> + <p> + “Your profession, if you please, sir?” + </p> + <p> + “Officer.” + </p> + <p> + “In which service?” + </p> + <p> + “None.” + </p> + <p> + “Your native place?” + </p> + <p> + “Venice.” + </p> + <p> + “Where do you come from?” + </p> + <p> + “That is no business of yours.” + </p> + <p> + This answer, which I thought was in keeping with my external appearance, + had the desired effect: the landlord bowed himself out, and I felt highly + pleased with myself, for I knew that I should enjoy perfect freedom in + Bologna, and I was certain that mine host had visited me at the instance + of some curious person eager to know who I was. + </p> + <p> + The next day I called on M. Orsi, the banker, to cash my bill of exchange, + and took another for six hundred sequins on Venice, and one hundred + sequins in gold after which I again exhibited myself in the public places. + Two days afterwards, whilst I was taking my coffee after dinner, the + banker Orsi was announced. I desired him to be shewn in, and he made his + appearance accompanied my Monsignor Cornaro, whom I feigned not to know. + M. Orsi remarked that he had called to offer me his services for my + letters of exchange, and introduced the prelate. I rose and expressed my + gratification at making his acquaintance. “But we have met before,” he + replied, “at Venice and Rome.” Assuming an air of blank surprise, I told + him he must certainly be mistaken. The prelate, thinking he could guess + the reason of my reserve, did not insist, and apologized. I offered him a + cup of coffee, which he accepted, and, on leaving me, he begged the honour + of my company to breakfast the next day. + </p> + <p> + I made up my mind to persist in my denials, and called upon the prelate, + who gave me a polite welcome. He was then apostolic prothonotary in + Bologna. Breakfast was served, and as we were sipping our chocolate, he + told me that I had most likely some good reasons to warrant my reserve, + but that I was wrong not to trust him, the more so that the affair in + question did me great honour. “I do not know,” said I, “what affair you + are alluding to.” He then handed me a newspaper, telling me to read a + paragraph which he pointed out. My astonishment may be imagined when I + read the following correspondence from Pesaro: “M. de Casanova, an officer + in the service of the queen, has deserted after having killed his captain + in a duel; the circumstances of the duel are not known; all that has been + ascertained is that M. de Casanova has taken the road to Rimini, riding + the horse belonging to the captain, who was killed on the spot.” + </p> + <p> + In spite of my surprise, and of the difficulty I had in keeping my gravity + at the reading of the paragraph, in which so much untruth was blended with + so little that was real, I managed to keep a serious countenance, and I + told the prelate that the Casanova spoken of in the newspaper must be + another man. + </p> + <p> + “That may be, but you are certainly the Casanova I knew a month ago at + Cardinal Acquaviva’s, and two years ago at the house of my sister, Madame + Lovedan, in Venice. Besides the Ancona banker speaks of you as an + ecclesiastic in his letter of advice to M. Orsi.” + </p> + <p> + “Very well, monsignor; your excellency compels me to agree to my being the + same Casanova, but I entreat you not to ask me any more questions as I am + bound in honour to observe the strictest reserve.” + </p> + <p> + “That is enough for me, and I am satisfied. Let us talk of something + else.” + </p> + <p> + I was amused at the false reports which were being circulated about me, + and I became from that moment a thorough sceptic on the subject of + historical truth. I enjoyed, however, very great pleasure in thinking that + my reserve had fed the belief of my being the Casanova mentioned in the + newspaper. I felt certain that the prelate would write the whole affair to + Venice, where it would do me great honour, at least until the truth should + be known, and in that case my reserve would be justified, besides, I + should then most likely be far away. I made up my mind to go to Venice as + soon as I heard from Therese, as I thought that I could wait for her there + more comfortably than in Bologna, and in my native place there was nothing + to hinder me from marrying her openly. In the mean time the fable from + Pesaro amused me a good deal, and I expected every day to see it denied in + some newspaper. The real officer Casanova must have laughed at the + accusation brought against him of having run away with the horse, as much + as I laughed at the caprice which had metamorphosed me into an officer in + Bologna, just as if I had done it for the very purpose of giving to the + affair every appearance of truth. + </p> + <p> + On the fourth day of my stay in Bologna, I received by express a long + letter from Therese. She informed me that, on the day after my escape from + Rimini, Baron Vais had presented to her the Duke de Castropignano, who, + having heard her sing, had offered her one thousand ounces a year, and all + travelling expenses paid, if she would accept an engagement as prima-donna + at the San Carlo Theatre, at Naples, where she would have to go + immediately after her Rimini engagement. She had requested and obtained a + week to come to a decision. She enclosed two documents, the first was the + written memorandum of the duke’s proposals, which she sent in order that I + should peruse it, as she did not wish to sign it without my consent; the + second was a formal engagement, written by herself, to remain all her life + devoted to me and at my service. She added in her letter that, if I wished + to accompany her to Naples, she would meet me anywhere I might appoint, + but that, if I had any objection to return to that city, she would + immediately refuse the brilliant offer, for her only happiness was to + please me in all things. + </p> + <p> + For the first time in my life I found myself in need of thoughtful + consideration before I could make up my mind. Therese’s letter had + entirely upset all my ideas, and, feeling that I could not answer it at + once, I told the messenger to call the next day. + </p> + <p> + Two motives of equal weight kept the balance wavering; self-love and love + for Therese. I felt that I ought not to require Therese to give up such + prospects of fortune; but I could not take upon myself either to let her + go to Naples without me, or to accompany her there. On one side, I + shuddered at the idea that my love might ruin Therese’s prospects; on the + other side, the idea of the blow inflicted on my self-love, on my pride, + if I went to Naples with her, sickened me. + </p> + <p> + How could I make up my mind to reappear in that city, in the guise of a + cowardly fellow living at the expense of his mistress or his wife? What + would my cousin Antonio, Don Polo and his dear son, Don Lelio Caraffa, and + all the patricians who knew me, have said? The thought of Lucrezia and of + her husband sent a cold shiver through me. I considered that, in spite of + my love for Therese, I should become very miserable if everyone despised + me. Linked to her destiny as a lover or as a husband, I would be a + degraded, humbled, and mean sycophant. Then came the thought, Is this to + be the end of all my hopes? The die was cast, my head had conquered my + heart. I fancied that I had hit upon an excellent expedient, which at all + events made me gain time, and I resolved to act upon it. I wrote to + Therese, advising her to accept the engagement for Naples, where she might + expect me to join her in the month of July, or after my return from + Constantinople. I cautioned her to engage an honest-looking waiting-woman, + so as to appear respectably in the world, and, to lead such a life as + would permit me to make her my wife, on my return, without being ashamed + of myself. I foresaw that her success would be insured by her beauty even + more than by her talent, and, with my nature, I knew that I could never + assume the character of an easy-going lover or of a compliant husband. + </p> + <p> + Had I received Therese’s letter one week sooner, it is certain that she + would not have gone to Naples, for my love would then have proved stronger + than my reason; but in matters of love, as well as in all others, Time is + a great teacher. + </p> + <p> + I told Therese to direct her answer to Bologna, and, three days after, I + received from her a letter loving, and at the same time sad, in which she + informed me that she had signed the engagement. She had secured the + services of a woman whom she could present as her mother; she would reach + Naples towards the middle of May, and she would wait for me there till she + heard from me that I no longer wanted her. + </p> + <p> + Four days after the receipt of that letter, the last but one that Therese + wrote me, I left Bologna for Venice. Before my departure I had received an + answer from the French officer, advising me that my passport had reached + Pesaro, and that he was ready to forward it to me with my trunk, if I + would pay M. Marcello Birna, the proveditore of the Spanish army, whose + address he enclosed, the sum of fifty doubloons for the horse which I had + run away with, or which had run away with me. I repaired at once to the + house of the proveditore, well pleased to settle that affair, and I + received my trunk and my passport a few hours before leaving Bologna. But + as my paying for the horse was known all over the town, Monsignor Cornaro + was confirmed in his belief that I had killed my captain in a duel. + </p> + <p> + To go to Venice, it was necessary to submit to a quarantine, which had + been adhered to only because the two governments had fallen out. The + Venetians wanted the Pope to be the first in giving free passage through + his frontiers, and the Pope insisted that the Venetians should take the + initiative. The result of this trifling pique between the two governments + was great hindrance to commerce, but very often that which bears only upon + the private interest of the people is lightly treated by the rulers. I did + not wish to be quarantined, and determined on evading it. It was rather a + delicate undertaking, for in Venice the sanitary laws are very strict, but + in those days I delighted in doing, if not everything that was forbidden, + at least everything which offered real difficulties. + </p> + <p> + I knew that between the state of Mantua and that of Venice the passage was + free, and I knew likewise that there was no restriction in the + communication between Mantua and Modena; if I could therefore penetrate + into the state of Mantua by stating that I was coming from Modena, my + success would be certain, because I could then cross the Po and go + straight to Venice. I got a carrier to drive me to Revero, a city situated + on the river Po, and belonging to the state of Mantua. + </p> + <p> + The driver told me that, if he took the crossroads, he could go to Revero, + and say that we came from Mantua, and that the only difficulty would be in + the absence of the sanitary certificate which is delivered in Mantua, and + which was certain to be asked for in Revero. I suggested that the best way + to manage would be for him to say that he had lost it, and a little money + removed every objection on his part. + </p> + <p> + When we reached the gates of Revero, I represented myself as a Spanish + officer going to Venice to meet the Duke of Modena (whom I knew to be + there) on business of the greatest importance. The sanitary certificate + was not even demanded, military honours were duly paid to me, and I was + most civilly treated. A certificate was immediately delivered to me, + setting forth that I was travelling from Revero, and with it I crossed the + Po, without any difficulty, at Ostiglia, from which place I proceeded to + Legnago. There I left my carrier as much pleased with my generosity as + with the good luck which had attended our journey, and, taking + post-horses, I reached Venice in the evening. I remarked that it was the + end of April, 1744, the anniversary of my birth, which, ten times during + my life, has been marked by some important event. + </p> + <p> + The very next morning I went to the exchange in order to procure a passage + to Constantinople, but I could not find any passenger ship sailing before + two or three months, and I engaged a berth in a Venetian ship called Our + Lady of the Rosary, Commander Zane, which was to sail for Corfu in the + course of the month. + </p> + <p> + Having thus prepared myself to obey my destiny, which, according to my + superstitious feelings, called me imperiously to Constantinople, I went to + St. Mark’s Square in order to see and to be seen, enjoying by anticipation + the surprise of my acquaintances at not finding me any longer an abbe. I + must not forget to state that at Revero I had decorated my hat with a red + cockade. + </p> + <p> + I thought that my first visit was, by right, due to the Abbe Grimani. The + moment he saw me he raised a perfect shriek of astonishment, for he + thought I was still with Cardinal Acquaviva, on the road to a political + career, and he saw standing before him a son of Mars. He had just left the + dinner-table as I entered, and he had company. I observed amongst the + guests an officer wearing the Spanish uniform, but I was not put out of + countenance. I told the Abbe Grimani that I was only passing through + Venice, and that I had felt it a duty and a pleasure to pay my respects to + him. + </p> + <p> + “I did not expect to see you in such a costume.” + </p> + <p> + “I have resolved to throw off the garb which could not procure me a + fortune likely to satisfy my ambition.” + </p> + <p> + “Where are you going?” + </p> + <p> + “To Constantinople; and I hope to find a quick passage to Corfu, as I have + dispatches from Cardinal Acquaviva.” + </p> + <p> + “Where do you come from now?” + </p> + <p> + “From the Spanish army, which I left ten days ago.” + </p> + <p> + These words were hardly spoken, when I heard the voice of a young nobleman + exclaiming; + </p> + <p> + “That is not true.” + </p> + <p> + “The profession to which I belong,” I said to him with great animation, + “does not permit me to let anyone give me the lie.” + </p> + <p> + And upon that, bowing all round, I went away, without taking any notice of + those who were calling me back. + </p> + <p> + I wore an uniform; it seemed to me that I was right in showing that + sensitive and haughty pride which forms one of the characteristics of + military men. I was no longer a priest: I could not bear being given the + lie, especially when it had been given to me in so public a manner. + </p> + <p> + I called upon Madame Manzoni, whom I was longing to see. She was very + happy to see me, and did not fail to remind me of her prediction. I told + her my history, which amused her much; but she said that if I went to + Constantinople I should most likely never see her again. + </p> + <p> + After my visit to Madame Manzoni I went to the house of Madame Orio, where + I found worthy M. Rosa, Nanette, and Marton. They were all greatly + surprised, indeed petrified at seeing me. The two lovely sisters looked + more beautiful than ever, but I did not think it necessary to tell them + the history of my nine months absence, for it would not have edified the + aunt or pleased the nieces. I satisfied myself with telling them as much + as I thought fit, and amused them for three hours. Seeing that the good + old lady was carried away by her enthusiasm, I told her that I should be + very happy to pass under her roof the four or five weeks of my stay in + Venice, if she could give me a room and supper, but on condition that I + should not prove a burden to her or to her charming nieces. + </p> + <p> + “I should be only too happy,” she answered, “to have you so long, but I + have no room to offer you.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, you have one, my dear,” exclaimed M. Rosa, “and I undertake to put + it to rights within two hours.” + </p> + <p> + It was the room adjoining the chamber of the two sisters. Nanette said + immediately that she would come downstairs with her sister, but Madame + Orio answered that it was unnecessary, as they could lock themselves in + their room. + </p> + <p> + “There would be no need for them to do that, madam,” I said, with a + serious and modest air; “and if I am likely to occasion the slightest + disturbance, I can remain at the inn.” + </p> + <p> + “There will be no disturbance whatever; but forgive my nieces, they are + young prudes, and have a very high opinion of themselves.” + </p> + <p> + Everything being satisfactorily arranged, I forced upon Madame Orio a + payment of fifteen sequins in advance, assuring her that I was rich, and + that I had made a very good bargain, as I should spend a great deal more + if I kept my room at the inn. I added that I would send my luggage, and + take up my quarters in her house on the following day. During the whole of + the conversation, I could see the eyes of my two dear little wives + sparkling with pleasure, and they reconquered all their influence over my + heart in spite of my love for Therese, whose image was, all the same, + brilliant in my soul: this was a passing infidelity, but not inconstancy. + </p> + <p> + On the following day I called at the war office, but, to avoid every + chance of unpleasantness, I took care to remove my cockade. I found in the + office Major Pelodoro, who could not control his joy when he saw me in a + military uniform, and hugged me with delight. As soon as I had explained + to him that I wanted to go to Constantinople, and that, although in + uniform, I was free, he advised me earnestly to seek the favour of going + to Turkey with the bailo, who intended to leave within two months, and + even to try to obtain service in the Venetian army. + </p> + <p> + His advice suited me exactly, and the secretary of war, who had known me + the year before, happening to see me, summoned me to him. He told me that + he had received letters from Bologna which had informed him of a certain + adventure entirely to my honour, adding that he knew that I would not + acknowledge it. He then asked me if I had received my discharge before + leaving the Spanish army. + </p> + <p> + “I could not receive my discharge, as I was never in the service.” + </p> + <p> + “And how did you manage to come to Venice without performing quarantine?” + </p> + <p> + “Persons coming from Mantua are not subject to it.” + </p> + <p> + “True; but I advise you to enter the Venetian service like Major + Pelodoro.” + </p> + <p> + As I was leaving the ducal palace, I met the Abbe Grimani who told me that + the abrupt manner in which I had left his house had displeased everybody. + </p> + <p> + “Even the Spanish officer?” + </p> + <p> + “No, for he remarked that, if you had truly been with the army, you could + not act differently, and he has himself assured me that you were there, + and to prove what he asserted he made me read an article in the newspaper, + in which it is stated that you killed your captain in a duel. Of course it + is only a fable?” + </p> + <p> + “How do you know that it is not a fact?” + </p> + <p> + “Is it true, then?” + </p> + <p> + “I do not say so, but it may be true, quite as true as my having been with + the Spanish army ten days ago.” + </p> + <p> + “But that is impossible, unless you have broken through the quarantine.” + </p> + <p> + “I have broken nothing. I have openly crossed the Po at Revero, and here I + am. I am sorry not to be able to present myself at your excellency’s + palace, but I cannot do so until I have received the most complete + satisfaction from the person who has given me the lie. I could put up with + an insult when I wore the livery of humility, but I cannot bear one now + that I wear the garb of honour.” + </p> + <p> + “You are wrong to take it in such a high tone. The person who attacked + your veracity is M. Valmarana, the proveditore of the sanitary department, + and he contends that, as nobody can pass through the cordon, it would be + impossible for you to be here. Satisfaction, indeed! Have you forgotten + who you are?” + </p> + <p> + “No, I know who I am; and I know likewise that, if I was taken for a + coward before leaving Venice, now that I have returned no one shall insult + me without repenting it.” + </p> + <p> + “Come and dine with me.” + </p> + <p> + “No, because the Spanish officer would know it.” + </p> + <p> + “He would even see you, for he dines with me every day.” + </p> + <p> + “Very well, then I will go, and I will let him be the judge of my quarrel + with M. Valmarana.” + </p> + <p> + I dined that day with Major Pelodoro and several other officers, who + agreed in advising me to enter the service of the Republic, and I resolved + to do so. “I am acquainted,” said the major, “with a young lieutenant + whose health is not sufficiently strong to allow him to go to the East, + and who would be glad to sell his commission, for which he wants one + hundred sequins. But it would be necessary to obtain the consent of the + secretary of war.” “Mention the matter to him,” I replied, “the one + hundred sequins are ready.” The major undertook the commission. + </p> + <p> + In the evening I went to Madame Orio, and I found myself very comfortably + lodged. After supper, the aunt told her nieces to shew me to my room, + and, as may well be supposed, we spent a most delightful night. After that + they took the agreeable duty by turns, and in order to avoid any surprise + in case the aunt should take it into her head to pay them a visit, we + skilfully displaced a part of the partition, which allowed them to come in + and out of my room without opening the door. But the good lady believed us + three living specimens of virtue, and never thought of putting us to the + test. + </p> + <p> + Two or three days afterwards, M. Grimani contrived an interview between me + and M. Valmarana, who told me that, if he had been aware that the sanitary + line could be eluded, he would never have impugned my veracity, and + thanked me for the information I had given him. The affair was thus + agreeably arranged, and until my departure I honoured M. Grimani’s + excellent dinner with my presence every day. + </p> + <p> + Towards the end of the month I entered the service of the Republic in the + capacity of ensign in the Bala regiment, then at Corfu; the young man who + had left the regiment through the magical virtue of my one hundred sequins + was lieutenant, but the secretary of war objected to my having that rank + for reasons to which I had to submit, if I wished to enter the army; but + he promised me that, at the end of the year, I would be promoted to the + grade of lieutenant, and he granted me a furlough to go to Constantinople. + I accepted, for I was determined to serve in the army. + </p> + <p> + M. Pierre Vendramin, an illustrious senator, obtained me the favour of a + passage to Constantinople with the Chevalier Venier, who was proceeding to + that city in the quality of bailo, but as he would arrive in Corfu a month + after me, the chevalier very kindly promised to take me as he called at + Corfu. + </p> + <p> + A few days before my departure, I received a letter from Therese, who + informed me that the Duke de Castropignano escorted her everywhere. “The + duke is old,” she wrote, “but even if he were young, you would have no + cause for uneasiness on my account. Should you ever want any money, draw + upon me from any place where you may happen to be, and be quite certain + that your letters of exchange will be paid, even if I had to sell + everything I possess to honour your signature.” + </p> + <p> + There was to be another passenger on board the ship of the line on which I + had engaged my passage, namely, a noble Venetian, who was going to Zante + in the quality of counsellor, with a numerous and brilliant retinue. The + captain of the ship told me that, if I was obliged to take my meals alone, + I was not likely to fare very well, and he advised me to obtain an + introduction to the nobleman, who would not fail to invite me to share his + table. His name was Antonio Dolfin, and he had been nicknamed Bucentoro, + in consequence of his air of grandeur and the elegance of his toilet. + Fortunately I did not require to beg an introduction, for M. Grimani + offered, of his own accord, to present me to the magnificent councillor, + who received me in the kindest manner, and invited me at once to take my + meals at his table. He expressed a desire that I should make the + acquaintance of his wife, who was to accompany him in the journey. I + called upon her the next day, and I found a lady perfect in manners, but + already of a certain age and completely deaf. I had therefore but little + pleasure to expect from her conversation. She had a very charming young + daughter whom she left in a convent. She became celebrated afterwards, and + she is still alive, I believe, the widow of Procurator Iron, whose family + is extinct. + </p> + <p> + I have seldom seen a finer-looking man, or a man of more imposing + appearance than M. Dolfin. He was eminently distinguished for his wit and + politeness. He was eloquent, always cheerful when he lost at cards, the + favourite of ladies, whom he endeavoured to please in everything, always + courageous, and of an equal temper, whether in good or in adverse fortune. + </p> + <p> + He had ventured on travelling without permission, and had entered a + foreign service, which had brought him into disgrace with the government, + for a noble son of Venice cannot be guilty of a greater crime. For this + offence he had been imprisoned in the Leads—a favour which destiny + kept also in reserve for me. + </p> + <p> + Highly gifted, generous, but not wealthy, M. Dolfin had been compelled to + solicit from the Grand Council a lucrative governorship, and had been + appointed to Zante; but he started with such a splendid suite that he was + not likely to save much out of his salary. Such a man as I have just + portrayed could not make a fortune in Venice, because an aristocratic + government can not obtain a state of lasting, steady peace at home unless + equality is maintained amongst the nobility, and equality, either moral or + physical, cannot be appreciated in any other way than by appearances. The + result is that the man who does not want to lay himself open to + persecution, and who happens to be superior or inferior to the others, + must endeavour to conceal it by all possible means. If he is ambitious, he + must feign great contempt for dignities; if he seeks employment, he must + not appear to want any; if his features are handsome, he must be careless + of his physical appearance; he must dress badly, wear nothing in good + taste, ridicule every foreign importation, make his bow without grace, be + careless in his manner; care nothing for the fine arts, conceal his good + breeding, have no foreign cook, wear an uncombed wig, and look rather + dirty. M. Dolfin was not endowed with any of those eminent qualities, and + therefore he had no hope of a great fortune in his native country. + </p> + <p> + The day before my departure from Venice I did not go out; I devoted the + whole of the day to friendship. Madame Orio and her lovely nieces shed + many tears, and I joined them in that delightful employment. During the + last night that I spent with both of them, the sisters repeated over and + over, in the midst of the raptures of love, that they never would see me + again. They guessed rightly; but if they had happened to see me again they + would have guessed wrongly. Observe how wonderful prophets are! + </p> + <p> + I went on board, on the 5th of May, with a good supply of clothing, + jewels, and ready cash. Our ship carried twenty-four guns and two hundred + Sclavonian soldiers. We sailed from Malamacca to the shores of Istria + during the night, and we came to anchor in the harbour of Orsera to take + ballast. I landed with several others to take a stroll through the + wretched place where I had spent three days nine months before, a + recollection which caused me a pleasant sensation when I compared my + present position to what it was at that time. What a difference in + everything—health, social condition, and money! I felt quite certain + that in the splendid uniform I was now wearing nobody would recognize the + miserable-looking abbe who, but for Friar Stephano, would have become—God + knows what! + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0014" id="link2HCH0014"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIV + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + An Amusing Meeting in Orsera—Journey to Corfu—My Stay in + Constantinople—Bonneval—My Return to Corfu—Madame F.—The + False Prince—I Run Away from Corfu—My Frolics at Casopo—I + Surrender Myself a Prisoner—My Speedy Release and Triumph— + My Success with Madame F. +</pre> + <a name="linkimage-0007" id="linkimage-0007"> + <!-- IMG --></a> + <div class="fig" style="width:80%;"> + <img src="images/1c14.jpg" width="100%" alt="1c14.jpg " /> + </div> + <p> + I affirm that a stupid servant is more dangerous than a bad one, and a + much greater plague, for one can be on one’s guard against a wicked + person, but never against a fool. You can punish wickedness but not + stupidity, unless you send away the fool, male or female, who is guilty of + it, and if you do so you generally find out that the change has only + thrown you out of the frying-pan into the fire. + </p> + <p> + This chapter and the two following ones were written; they gave at full + length all the particulars which I must now abridge, for my silly servant + has taken the three chapters for her own purposes. She pleaded as an + excuse that the sheets of paper were old, written upon, covered with + scribbling and erasures, and that she had taken them in preference to + nice, clean paper, thinking that I would care much more for the last than + for the first. I flew into a violent passion, but I was wrong, for the + poor girl had acted with a good intent; her judgment alone had misled her. + It is well known that the first result of anger is to deprive the angry + man of the faculty of reason, for anger and reason do not belong to the + same family. Luckily, passion does not keep me long under its sway: + ‘Irasci, celerem tamen et placabilem esse’. After I had wasted my time in + hurling at her bitter reproaches, the force of which did not strike her, + and in proving to her that she was a stupid fool, she refuted all my + arguments by the most complete silence. There was nothing to do but to + resign myself, and, although not yet in the best of tempers, I went to + work. What I am going to write will probably not be so good as what I had + composed when I felt in the proper humour, but my readers must be + satisfied with it they will, like the engineer, gain in time what they + lose in strength. + </p> + <p> + I landed at Orsera while our ship was taking ballast, as a ship cannot + sail well when she is too light, and I was walking about when I remarked a + man who was looking at me very attentively. As I had no dread of any + creditor, I thought that he was interested by my fine appearance; I could + not find fault with such a feeling, and kept walking on, but as I passed + him, he addressed me: + </p> + <p> + “Might I presume to enquire whether this is your first visit to Orsera, + captain?” + </p> + <p> + “No, sir, it is my second visit to this city.” + </p> + <p> + “Were you not here last year?” + </p> + <p> + “I was.” + </p> + <p> + “But you were not in uniform then?” + </p> + <p> + “True again; but your questions begin to sound rather indiscreet.” + </p> + <p> + “Be good enough to forgive me, sir, for my curiosity is the offspring of + gratitude. I am indebted to you for the greatest benefits, and I trust + that Providence has brought you here again only to give me the opportunity + of making greater still my debt of gratitude to you.” + </p> + <p> + “What on earth have I done, and what can I do for you? I am at a loss to + guess your meaning.” + </p> + <p> + “Will you be so kind as to come and breakfast with me? My house is near at + hand; my refosco is delicious, please to taste it, and I will convince you + in a few words that you are truly my benefactor, and that I have a right + to expect that you have returned Orsera to load me with fresh benefits.” + </p> + <p> + I could not suspect the man of insanity; but, as I could not make him out, + I fancied that he wanted to make me purchase some of his refosco, and I + accepted his invitation. We went up to his room, and he left me for a few + moments to order breakfast. I observed several surgical instruments, which + made me suppose that he was a surgeon, and I asked him when he returned. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, captain; I have been practising surgery in this place for twenty + years, and in a very poor way, for I had nothing to do, except a few cases + of bleeding, of cupping, and occasionally some slight excoriation to dress + or a sprained ankle to put to rights. I did not earn even the poorest + living. But since last year a great change has taken place; I have made a + good deal of money, I have laid it out advantageously, and it is to you, + captain, to you (may God bless you!) that I am indebted for my present + comforts.” + </p> + <p> + “But how so?” + </p> + <p> + “In this way, captain. You had a connection with Don Jerome’s housekeeper, + and you left her, when you went away, a certain souvenir which she + communicated to a friend of hers, who, in perfect good faith, made a + present of it to his wife. This lady did not wish, I suppose, to be + selfish, and she gave the souvenir to a libertine who, in his turn, was so + generous with it that, in less than a month, I had about fifty clients. + The following months were not less fruitful, and I gave the benefit of my + attendance to everybody, of course, for a consideration. There are a few + patients still under my care, but in a short time there will be no more, + as the souvenir left by you has now lost all its virtue. You can easily + realize now the joy I felt when I saw you; you are a bird of good omen. + May I hope that your visit will last long enough to enable you to renew + the source of my fortune?” + </p> + <p> + I laughed heartily, but he was grieved to hear that I was in excellent + health. He remarked, however, that I was not likely to be so well off on + my return, because, in the country to which I was going, there was + abundance of damaged goods, but that no one knew better than he did how to + root out the venom left by the use of such bad merchandise. He begged that + I would depend upon him, and not trust myself in the hands of quacks, who + would be sure to palm their remedies upon me. I promised him everything, + and, taking leave of him with many thanks, I returned to the ship. I + related the whole affair to M. Dolfin, who was highly amused. We sailed on + the following day, but on the fourth day, on the other side of Curzola, we + were visited by a storm which very nearly cost me my life. This is how it + happened: + </p> + <p> + The chaplain of the ship was a Sclavonian priest, very ignorant, insolent + and coarse-mannered, and, as I turned him into ridicule whenever the + opportunity offered, he had naturally become my sworn enemy. ‘Tant de fiel + entre-t-il dans l’ame d’un devot!’ When the storm was at its height, he + posted himself on the quarter-deck, and, with book in hand, proceeded to + exorcise all the spirits of hell whom he thought he could see in the + clouds, and to whom he pointed for the benefit of the sailors who, + believing themselves lost, were crying, howling, and giving way to + despair, instead of attending to the working of the ship, then in great + danger on account of the rocks and of the breakers which surrounded us. + </p> + <p> + Seeing the peril of our position, and the evil effect of his stupid, + incantations upon the minds of the sailors whom the ignorant priest was + throwing into the apathy of despair, instead of keeping up their courage, + I thought it prudent to interfere. I went up the rigging, calling upon the + sailors to do their duty cheerfully, telling them that there were no + devils, and that the priest who pretended to see them was a fool. But it + was in vain that I spoke in the most forcible manner, in vain that I went + to work myself, and shewed that safety was only to be insured by active + means, I could not prevent the priest declaring that I was an Atheist, and + he managed to rouse against me the anger of the greatest part of the crew. + The wind continued to lash the sea into fury for the two following days, + and the knave contrived to persuade the sailors who listened to him that + the hurricane would not abate as long as I was on board. Imbued with that + conviction, one of the men, thinking he had found a good opportunity of + fulfilling the wishes of the priest, came up to me as I was standing at + the extreme end of the forecastle, and pushed me so roughly that I was + thrown over. I should have been irretrievably lost, but the sharp point of + an anchor, hanging along the side of the ship, catching in my clothes, + prevented me from falling in the sea, and proved truly my sheet-anchor. + Some men came to my assistance, and I was saved. A corporal then pointed + out to me the sailor who had tried to murder me, and taking a stout stick + I treated the scoundrel to a sound thrashing; but the sailors, headed by + the furious priest, rushed towards us when they heard his screams, and I + should have been killed if the soldiers had not taken my part. The + commander and M. Dolfin then came on deck, but they were compelled to + listen to the chaplain, and to promise, in order to pacify the vile + rabble, that they would land me at the first opportunity. But even this + was not enough; the priest demanded that I should give up to him a certain + parchment that I had purchased from a Greek at Malamocco just before + sailing. I had no recollection of it, but it was true. I laughed, and gave + it to M. Dolfin; he handed it to the fanatic chaplain, who, exulting in + his victory, called for a large pan of live coals from the cook’s galley, + and made an auto-da-fe of the document. The unlucky parchment, before it + was entirely consumed, kept writhing on the fire for half an hour, and the + priest did not fail to represent those contortions as a miracle, and all + the sailors were sure that it was an infernal manuscript given to me by + the devil. The virtue claimed for that piece of parchment by the man who + had sold it to me was that it insured its lucky possessor the love of all + women, but I trust my readers will do me the justice to believe that I had + no faith whatever in amorous philtres, talismans, or amulets of any kind: + I had purchased it only for a joke. + </p> + <p> + You can find throughout Italy, in Greece, and generally in every country + the inhabitants of which are yet wrapped up in primitive ignorance, a + tribe of Greeks, of Jews, of astronomers, and of exorcists, who sell their + dupes rags and toys to which they boastingly attach wonderful virtues and + properties; amulets which render invulnerable, scraps of cloth which + defend from witchcraft, small bags filled with drugs to keep away goblins, + and a thousand gewgaws of the same description. These wonderful goods have + no marketable value whatever in France, in England, in Germany, and + throughout the north of Europe generally, but, in revenge, the inhabitants + of those countries indulge in knavish practices of a much worse kind. + </p> + <p> + The storm abated just as the innocent parchment was writhing on the fire, + and the sailors, believing that the spirits of hell had been exorcised, + thought no more of getting rid of my person, and after a prosperous voyage + of a week we cast anchor at Corfu. As soon as I had found a comfortable + lodging I took my letters to his eminence the proveditore-generale, and to + all the naval commanders to whom I was recommended; and after paying my + respects to my colonel, and making the acquaintance of the officers of my + regiment, I prepared to enjoy myself until the arrival of the Chevalier + Venier, who had promised to take me to Constantinople. He arrived towards + the middle of June, but in the mean time I had been playing basset, and + had lost all my money, and sold or pledged all my jewellery. + </p> + <p> + Such must be the fate awaiting every man who has a taste for gambling, + unless he should know how to fix fickle fortune by playing with a real + advantage derived from calculation or from adroitness, which defies + chance. I think that a cool and prudent player can manage both without + exposing himself to censure, or deserving to be called a cheat. + </p> + <p> + During the month that I spent in Corfu, waiting for the arrival of M. + Venier, I did not devote any time to the study, either moral or physical, + of the country, for, excepting the days on which I was on duty, I passed + my life at the coffee-house, intent upon the game, and sinking, as a + matter of course, under the adverse fortune which I braved with obstinacy. + I never won, and I had not the moral strength to stop till all my means + were gone. The only comfort I had, and a sorry one truly, was to hear the + banker himself call me—perhaps sarcastically—a fine player, + every time I lost a large stake. My misery was at its height, when new + life was infused in me by the booming of the guns fired in honour of the + arrival of the bailo. He was on board the Europa, a frigate of seventy-two + guns, and he had taken only eight days to sail from Venice to Corfu. The + moment he cast anchor, the bailo hoisted his flag of captain-general of + the Venetian navy, and the proveditore hauled down his own colours. The + Republic of Venice has not on the sea any authority greater than that of + Bailo to the Porte. The Chevalier Venier had with him a distinguished and + brilliant suite; Count Annibal Gambera, Count Charles Zenobio, both + Venetian noblemen of the first class, and the Marquis d’Anchotti of + Bressan, accompanied him to Constantinople for their own amusement. The + bailo remained a week in Corfu, and all the naval authorities entertained + him and his suite in turn, so that there was a constant succession of + balls and suppers. When I presented myself to his excellency, he informed + me that he had already spoken to the proveditore, who had granted me a + furlough of six months to enable me to accompany him to Constantinople as + his adjutant; and as soon as the official document for my furlough had + been delivered to me, I sent my small stock of worldly goods on board the + Europa, and we weighed anchor early the next day. + </p> + <p> + We sailed with a favourable wind which remained steady and brought us in + six days to Cerigo, where we stopped to take in some water. Feeling some + curiosity to visit the ancient Cythera, I went on shore with the sailors + on duty, but it would have been better for me if I had remained on board, + for in Cerigo I made a bad acquaintance. I was accompanied by the captain + of marines. + </p> + <p> + The moment we set foot on shore, two men, very poorly dressed and of + unprepossessing appearance, came to us and begged for assistance. I asked + them who they were, and one, quicker than the other, answered; + </p> + <p> + “We are sentenced to live, and perhaps to die, in this island by the + despotism of the Council of Ten. There are forty others as unfortunate as + ourselves, and we are all born subjects of the Republic. + </p> + <p> + “The crime of which we have been accused, which is not considered a crime + anywhere, is that we were in the habit of living with our mistresses, + without being jealous of our friends, when, finding our ladies handsome, + they obtained their favours with our ready consent. As we were not rich, + we felt no remorse in availing ourselves of the generosity of our friends + in such cases, but it was said that we were carrying on an illicit trade, + and we have been sent to this place, where we receive every day ten sous + in ‘moneta lunga’. We are called ‘mangia-mayroni’, and are worse off than + galley slaves, for we are dying of ennui, and we are often starving + without knowing how to stay our hunger. My name is Don Antonio Pocchini, I + am of a noble Paduan family, and my mother belongs to the illustrious + family of Campo San-Piero.” + </p> + <p> + We gave them some money, and went about the island, returning to the ship + after we had visited the fortress. I shall have to speak of that Pocchini + in a few years. + </p> + <p> + The wind continued in our favour, and we reached the Dardanelles in eight + or ten days; the Turkish barges met us there to carry us to + Constantinople. The sight offered by that city at the distance of a league + is truly wonderful; and I believe that a more magnificent panorama cannot + be found in any part of the world. It was that splendid view which was the + cause of the fall of the Roman, and of the rise of the Greek empire. + Constantine the Great, arriving at Byzantium by sea, was so much struck + with the wonderful beauty of its position, that he exclaimed, “Here is the + proper seat of the empire of the whole world!” and in order to secure the + fulfilment of his prediction, he left Rome for Byzantium. If he had known + the prophecy of Horace, or rather if he had believed in it, he would not + have been guilty of such folly. The poet had said that the downfall of the + Roman empire would begin only when one of the successors of Augustus + bethought him removing the capital of the empire to where it had + originated. The road is not far distant from Thrace. + </p> + <p> + We arrived at the Venetian Embassy in Pera towards the middle of July, + and, for a wonder, there was no talk of the plague in Constantinople just + then. We were all provided with very comfortable lodgings, but the + intensity of the heat induced the baili to seek for a little coolness in a + country mansion which had been hired by the Bailo Dona. It was situated at + Bouyoudere. The very first order laid upon me was never to go out unknown + to the bailo, and without being escorted by a janissary, and this order I + obeyed to the letter. In those days the Russians had not tamed the + insolence of the Turkish people. I am told that foreigners can now go + about as much as they please in perfect security. + </p> + <p> + The day after our arrival, I took a janissary to accompany me to Osman + Pacha, of Caramania, the name assumed by Count de Bonneval ever since he + had adopted the turban. I sent in my letter, and was immediately shewn + into an apartment on the ground floor, furnished in the French fashion, + where I saw a stout elderly gentleman, dressed like a Frenchman, who, as I + entered the room, rose, came to meet me with a smiling countenance, and + asked me how he could serve the ‘protege’ of a cardinal of the Roman + Catholic Church, which he could no longer call his mother. I gave him all + the particulars of the circumstances which, in a moment of despair, had + induced me to ask the cardinal for letters of introduction for + Constantinople, and I added that, the letters once in my possession, my + superstitious feelings had made me believe that I was bound to deliver + them in person. + </p> + <p> + “Then, without this letter,” he said, “you never would have come to + Constantinople, and you have no need of me?” + </p> + <p> + “True, but I consider myself fortunate in having thus made the + acquaintance of a man who has attracted the attention of the whole of + Europe, and who still commands that attention.” + </p> + <p> + His excellency made some remark respecting the happiness of young men who, + like me, without care, without any fixed purpose, abandon themselves to + fortune with that confidence which knows no fear, and telling me that the + cardinal’s letter made it desirable that he should do something for me, he + promised to introduce me to three or four of his Turkish friends who + deserved to be known. He invited me to dine with him every Thursday, and + undertook to send me a janissary who would protect me from the insults of + the rabble and shew me everything worth seeing. + </p> + <p> + The cardinal’s letter representing me as a literary man, the pacha + observed that I ought to see his library. I followed him through the + garden, and we entered a room furnished with grated cupboards; curtains + could be seen behind the wirework; the books were most likely behind the + curtains. + </p> + <p> + Taking a key out of his pocket, he opened one of the cupboards, and, + instead of folios, I saw long rows of bottles of the finest wines. We both + laughed heartily. + </p> + <p> + “Here are,” said the pacha, “my library and my harem. I am old, women + would only shorten my life but good wine will prolong it, or at least, + make it more agreeable. + </p> + <p> + “I imagine your excellency has obtained a dispensation from the mufti?” + </p> + <p> + “You are mistaken, for the Pope of the Turks is very far from enjoying as + great a power as the Christian Pope. He cannot in any case permit what is + forbidden by the Koran; but everyone is at liberty to work out his own + damnation if he likes. The Turkish devotees pity the libertines, but they + do not persecute them; there is no inquisition in Turkey. Those who do not + know the precepts of religion, say the Turks, will suffer enough in the + life to come; there is no need to make them suffer in this life. The only + dispensation I have asked and obtained, has been respecting circumcision, + although it can hardly be called so, because, at my age, it might have + proved dangerous. That ceremony is generally performed, but it is not + compulsory.” + </p> + <p> + During the two hours that we spent together, the pacha enquired after + several of his friends in Venice, and particularly after Marc Antonio + Dieto. I told him that his friends were still faithful to their affection + for him, and did not find fault with his apostasy. He answered that he was + a Mahometan as he had been a Christian, and that he was not better + acquainted with the Koran than he had been with the Gospel. “I am + certain,” he added, “that I shall die-calmer and much happier than Prince + Eugene. I have had to say that God is God, and that Mahomet is the + prophet. I have said it, and the Turks care very little whether I believe + it or not. I wear the turban as the soldier wears the uniform. I was + nothing but a military man; I could not have turned my hand to any other + profession, and I made up my mind to become lieutenant-general of the + Grand Turk only when I found myself entirely at a loss how to earn my + living. When I left Venice, the pitcher had gone too often to the well, it + was broken at last, and if the Jews had offered me the command of an army + of fifty thousand men, I would have gone and besieged Jerusalem.” + </p> + <p> + Bonneval was handsome, but too stout. He had received a sabre-cut in the + lower part of the abdomen, which compelled him to wear constantly a + bandage supported by a silver plate. He had been exiled to Asia, but only + for a short time, for, as he told me, the cabals are not so tenacious in + Turkey as they are in Europe, and particularly at the court of Vienna. As + I was taking leave of him, he was kind enough to say that, since his + arrival in Turkey, he had never passed two hours as pleasantly as those he + had just spent with me, and that he would compliment the bailo about me. + </p> + <p> + The Bailo Dona, who had known him intimately in Venice, desired me to be + the bearer of all his friendly compliments for him, and M. Venier + expressed his deep regret at not being able to make his acquaintance. + </p> + <p> + The second day after my first visit to him being a Thursday, the pacha did + not forget to send a janissary according to his promise. It was about + eleven in the morning when the janissary called for me, I followed him, + and this time I found Bonneval dressed in the Turkish style. His guests + soon arrived, and we sat down to dinner, eight of us, all well disposed to + be cheerful and happy. The dinner was entirely French, in cooking and + service; his steward and his cook were both worthy French renegades. + </p> + <p> + He had taken care to introduce me to all his guests and at the same time + to let me know who they were, but he did not give me an opportunity of + speaking before dinner was nearly over. The conversation was entirely kept + up in Italian, and I remarked that the Turks did not utter a single word + in their own language, even to say the most ordinary thing. Each guest had + near him a bottle which might have contained either white wine or + hydromel; all I know is that I drank, as well as M. de Bonneval, next to + whom I was seated, some excellent white Burgundy. + </p> + <p> + The guests got me on the subject of Venice, and particularly of Rome, and + the conversation very naturally fell upon religion, but not upon dogmatic + questions; the discipline of religion and liturgical questions were alone + discussed. + </p> + <p> + One of the guests, who was addressed as effendi, because he had been + secretary for foreign affairs, said that the ambassador from Venice to + Rome was a friend of his, and he spoke of him in the highest manner. I + told him that I shared his admiration for that ambassador, who had given + me a letter of introduction for a Turkish nobleman, whom he had + represented as an intimate friend. He enquired for the name of the person + to whom the letter was addressed, but I could not recollect it, and took + the letter out of my pocket-book. The effendi was delighted when he found + that the letter was for himself. He begged leave to read it at once, and + after he had perused it, he kissed the signature and came to embrace me. + This scene pleased M. de Bonneval and all his friends. The effendi, whose + name was Ismail, entreated the pacha to come to dine with him, and to + bring me; Bonneval accepted, and fixed a day. + </p> + <p> + Notwithstanding all the politeness of the effendi, I was particularly + interested during our charming dinner in a fine elderly man of about + sixty, whose countenance breathed at the same time the greatest sagacity + and the most perfect kindness. Two years afterwards I found again the same + features on the handsome face of M. de Bragadin, a Venetian senator of + whom I shall have to speak at length when we come to that period of my + life. That elderly gentleman had listened to me with the greatest + attention, but without uttering one word. In society, a man whose face and + general appearance excite your interest, stimulates strongly your + curiosity if he remains silent. When we left the dining-room I enquired + from de Bonneval who he was; he answered that he was wealthy, a + philosopher, a man of acknowledged merit, of great purity of morals, and + strongly attached to his religion. He advised me to cultivate his + acquaintance if he made any advances to me. + </p> + <p> + I was pleased with his advice, and when, after a walk under the shady + trees of the garden, we returned to a drawing-room furnished in the + Turkish fashion, I purposely took a seat near Yusuf Ali. Such was the name + of the Turk for whom I felt so much sympathy. He offered me his pipe in a + very graceful manner; I refused it politely, and took one brought to me by + one of M. de Bonneval’s servants. Whenever I have been amongst smokers I + have smoked or left the room; otherwise I would have fancied that I was + swallowing the smoke of the others, and that idea which is true and + unpleasant, disgusted me. I have never been able to understand how in + Germany the ladies, otherwise so polite and delicate, could inhale the + suffocating fumes of a crowd of smokers. + </p> + <p> + Yusuf, pleased to have me near him, at once led the conversation to + subjects similar to those which had been discussed at table, and + particularly to the reasons which had induced me to give up the peaceful + profession of the Church and to choose a military life; and in order to + gratify his curiosity without losing his good opinion, I gave him, but + with proper caution, some of the particulars of my life, for I wanted him + to be satisfied that, if I had at first entered the career of the holy + priesthood, it had not been through any vocation of mine. He seemed + pleased with my recital, spoke of natural vocations as a Stoic + philosopher, and I saw that he was a fatalist; but as I was careful not to + attack his system openly, he did not dislike my objections, most likely + because he thought himself strong enough to overthrow them. + </p> + <p> + I must have inspired the honest Mussulman with very great esteem, for he + thought me worthy of becoming his disciple; it was not likely that he + could entertain the idea of becoming himself the disciple of a young man + of nineteen, lost, as he thought, in a false religion. + </p> + <p> + After spending an hour in examining me, in listening to my principles, he + said that he believed me fit to know the real truth, because he saw that I + was seeking for it, and that I was not certain of having obtained it so + far. He invited me to come and spend a whole day with him, naming the days + when I would be certain to find him at home, but he advised me to consult + the Pacha Osman before accepting his invitation. I told him that the pacha + had already mentioned him to me and had spoken very highly of his + character; he seemed much pleased. I fixed a day for my visit, and left + him. + </p> + <p> + I informed M. de Bonneval of all that had occurred; he was delighted, and + promised that his janissary would be every day at the Venetian palace, + ready to execute my orders. + </p> + <p> + I received the congratulations of the baili upon the excellent + acquaintances I had already made, and M. Venier advised me not to neglect + such friends in a country where weariness of life was more deadly to + foreigners than the plague. + </p> + <p> + On the day appointed, I went early to Yusuf’s palace, but he was out. His + gardener, who had received his instructions, shewed me every attention, + and entertained me very agreeably for two hours in doing the honours of + his master’s splendid garden, where I found the most beautiful flowers. + This gardener was a Neapolitan, and had belonged to Yusuf for thirty + years. His manners made me suspect that he was well born and well + educated, but he told me frankly that he had never been taught even to + read, that he was a sailor when he was taken in slavery, and that he was + so happy in the service of Yusuf that liberty would be a punishment to + him. Of course I did not venture to address him any questions about his + master, for his reserve might have put my curiosity to the blush. + </p> + <p> + Yusuf had gone out on horseback; he returned, and, after the usual + compliments, we dined alone in a summerhouse, from which we had a fine + view of the sea, and in which the heat was cooled by a delightful breeze, + which blows regularly at the same hour every day from the north-west; and + is called the mistral. We had a good dinner; there was no prepared dish + except the cauroman, a peculiar delicacy of the Turks. I drank water and + hydromel, and I told Yusuf that I preferred the last to wine, of which I + never took much at that time. “Your hydromel,” I said, “is very good, and + the Mussulmans who offend against the law by drinking wine do not deserve + any indulgence; I believe they drink wine only because it is forbidden.” + “Many of the true believers,” he answered, “think that they can take it as + a medicine. The Grand Turk’s physician has brought it into vogue as a + medicine, and it has been the cause of his fortune, for he has captivated + the favour of his master who is in reality constantly ill, because he is + always in a state of intoxication.” I told Yusuf that in my country + drunkards were scarce, and that drunkenness was a vice to be found only + among the lowest people; he was much astonished. “I cannot understand,” he + said, “why wine is allowed by all religions, when its use deprives man of + his reason.”—“All religions,” I answered, “forbid excess in drinking + wine, and the crime is only in the abuse.” I proved him the truth of what + I had said by telling him that opium produced the same results as wine, + but more powerfully, and consequently Mahomet ought to have forbidden the + use of it. He observed that he had never taken either wine or opium in the + course of his life. + </p> + <p> + After dinner, pipes were brought in and we filled them ourselves. I was + smoking with pleasure, but, at the same time, was expectorating. Yusuf, + who smoked like a Turk, that is to say, without spitting, said,— + </p> + <p> + “The tobacco you are now smoking is of a very fine quality, and you ought + to swallow its balsam which is mixed with the saliva.” + </p> + <p> + “I suppose you are right; smoking cannot be truly enjoyed without the best + tobacco.” + </p> + <p> + “That is true to a certain extent, but the enjoyment found in smoking good + tobacco is not the principal pleasure, because it only pleases our senses; + true enjoyment is that which works upon the soul, and is completely + independent of the senses.” + </p> + <p> + “I cannot realize pleasures enjoyed by the soul without the + instrumentality of the senses.” + </p> + <p> + “Listen to me. When you fill your pipe do you feel any pleasure?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes.” + </p> + <p> + “Whence does that pleasure arise, if it is not from your soul? Let us go + further. Do you not feel pleased when you give up your pipe after having + smoked all the tobacco in it—when you see that nothing is left but + some ashes?” + </p> + <p> + “It is true.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, there are two pleasures in which your senses have certainly nothing + to do, but I want you to guess the third, and the most essential.” + </p> + <p> + “The most essential? It is the perfume.” + </p> + <p> + “No; that is a pleasure of the organ of smelling—a sensual + pleasure.” + </p> + <p> + “Then I do not know.” + </p> + <p> + “Listen. The principal pleasure derived from tobacco smoking is the sight + of a smoke itself. You must never see it go out of the bowl of your pipe,—but + only from the corner of your mouth, at regular intervals which must not be + too frequent. It is so truly the greatest pleasure connected with the + pipe, that you cannot find anywhere a blind man who smokes. Try yourself + the experiment of smoking a pipe in your room, at night and without a + light; you will soon lay the pipe down.” + </p> + <p> + “It is all perfectly true; yet you must forgive me if I give the + preference to several pleasures, in which my senses are interested, over + those which afford enjoyment only to my soul.” + </p> + <p> + “Forty years ago I was of the same opinion, and in forty years, if you + succeed in acquiring wisdom, you will think like me. Pleasures which give + activity to our senses, my dear son, disturb the repose of our soul—a + proof that they do not deserve the name of real enjoyments.” + </p> + <p> + “But if I feel them to be real enjoyments, it is enough to prove that they + are truly so.” + </p> + <p> + “Granted; but if you would take the trouble of analyzing them after you + have tasted them, you would not find them unalloyed.” + </p> + <p> + “It may be so, but why should I take a trouble which would only lessen my + enjoyment.” + </p> + <p> + “A time will come when you will feel pleasure in that very trouble.” + </p> + <p> + “It strikes me, dear father, that you prefer mature age to youth.” + </p> + <p> + “You may boldly say old age.” + </p> + <p> + “You surprise me. Must I believe that your early life has been unhappy?” + </p> + <p> + “Far from it. I was always fortunate in good health, and the master of my + own passions; but all I saw in my equals was for me a good school in which + I have acquired the knowledge of man, and learned the real road to + happiness. The happiest of men is not the most voluptuous, but the one who + knows how to choose the highest standards of voluptuousness, which can be + found, I say again, not in the pleasures which excite our senses, but in + those which give greater repose to the soul.” + </p> + <p> + “That is the voluptuousness which you consider unalloyed.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, and such is the sight of a vast prairie all covered with grass. The + green colour, so strongly recommended by our divine prophet, strikes my + eyes, and at the same moment I feel that my soul is wrapped up in a calm + so delightful that I fancy myself nearer the Creator. I enjoy the same + peace, the same repose, when I am seated on the banks of a river, when I + look upon the water so quiet, yet always moving, which flows constantly, + yet never disappears from my sight, never loses any of its clearness in + spite of its constant motion. It strikes me as the image of my own + existence, and of the calm which I require for my life in order to reach, + like the water I am gazing upon, the goal which I do not see, and which + can only be found at the other end of the journey.” + </p> + <p> + Thus did the Turk reason, and we passed four hours in this sort of + conversation. He had buried two wives, and he had two sons and one + daughter. The eldest son, having received his patrimony, had established + himself in the city of Salonica, where he was a wealthy merchant; the + other was in the seraglio, in the service of the Grand Turk and his + fortune was in the hands of a trustee. His daughter, Zelmi, then fifteen + years of age, was to inherit all his remaining property. He had given her + all the accomplishments which could minister to the happiness of the man + whom heaven had destined for her husband. We shall hear more of that + daughter anon. The mother of the three children was dead, and five years + previous to the time of my visit, Yusuf had taken another wife, a native + of Scio, young and very beautiful, but he told me himself that he was now + too old, and could not hope to have any child by her. Yet he was only + sixty years of age. Before I left, he made me promise to spend at least + one day every week with him. + </p> + <p> + At supper, I told the baili how pleasantly the day had passed. + </p> + <p> + “We envy you,” they said, “the prospect you have before you of spending + agreeably three or four months in this country, while, in our quality of + ministers, we must pine away with melancholy.” + </p> + <p> + A few days afterwards, M. de Bonneval took me with him to dine at Ismail’s + house, where I saw Asiatic luxury on a grand scale, but there were a great + many guests, and the conversation was held almost entirely in the Turkish + language—a circumstance which annoyed me and M. de Bonneval also. + Ismail saw it, and he invited me to breakfast whenever I felt disposed, + assuring me that he would have much pleasure in receiving me. I accepted + the invitation, and I went ten or twelve days afterwards. When we reach + that period my readers must kindly accompany me to the breakfast. For the + present I must return to Yusuf who, during my second visit, displayed a + character which inspired, me with the greatest esteem and the warmest + affection. + </p> + <p> + We had dined alone as before, and, conversation happening to turn upon the + fine arts, I gave my opinion upon one of the precepts in the Koran, by + which the Mahometans are deprived of the innocent enjoyment of paintings + and statues. He told me that Mahomet, a very sagacious legislator, had + been right in removing all images from the sight of the followers of + Islam. + </p> + <p> + “Recollect, my son, that the nations to which the prophet brought the + knowledge of the true God were all idolators. Men are weak; if the + disciples of the prophet had continued to see the same objects, they might + have fallen back into their former errors.” + </p> + <p> + “No one ever worshipped an image as an image; the deity of which the image + is a representation is what is worshipped.” + </p> + <p> + “I may grant that, but God cannot be matter, and it is right to remove + from the thoughts of the vulgar the idea of a material divinity. You are + the only men, you Christians, who believe that you see God.” + </p> + <p> + “It is true, we are sure of it, but observe that faith alone gives us that + certainty.” + </p> + <p> + “I know it; but you are idolators, for you see nothing but a material + representation, and yet you have a complete certainty that you see God, + unless you should tell me that faith disaffirms it.” + </p> + <p> + “God forbid I should tell you such a thing! Faith, on the contrary, + affirms our certainty.” + </p> + <p> + “We thank God that we have no need of such self-delusion, and there is not + one philosopher in the world who could prove to me that you require it.” + </p> + <p> + “That would not be the province of philosophy, dear father, but of + theology—a very superior science.” + </p> + <p> + “You are now speaking the language of our theologians, who differ from + yours only in this; they use their science to make clearer the truths we + ought to know, whilst your theologians try to render those truths more + obscure.” + </p> + <p> + “Recollect, dear father, that they are mysteries.” + </p> + <p> + “The existence of God is a sufficiently important mystery to prevent men + from daring to add anything to it. God can only be simple; any kind of + combination would destroy His essence; such is the God announced by our + prophet, who must be the same for all men and in all times. Agree with me + that we can add nothing to the simplicity of God. We say that God is one; + that is the image of simplicity. You say that He is one and three at the + same time, and such a definition strikes us as contradictory, absurd, and + impious.” + </p> + <p> + “It is a mystery.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you mean God or the definition? I am speaking only of the definition, + which ought not to be a mystery or absurd. Common sense, my son, must + consider as absurd an assertion which is substantially nonsensical. Prove to + me that three is not a compound, that it cannot be a compound and I will + become a Christian at once.” + </p> + <p> + “My religion tells me to believe without arguing, and I shudder, my dear + Yusuf, when I think that, through some specious reasoning, I might be led + to renounce the creed of my fathers. I first must be convinced that they + lived in error. Tell me whether, respecting my father’s memory, I ought to + have such a good opinion of myself as to sit in judgement over him, with + the intention of giving my sentence against him?” + </p> + <p> + My lively remonstrance moved Yusuf deeply, but after a few instants of + silence he said to me,— + </p> + <p> + “With such feelings, my son, you are sure to find grace in the eyes of + God, and you are, therefore, one of the elect. If you are in error, God + alone can convince you of it, for no just man on earth can refute the + sentiment you have just given expression to.” + </p> + <p> + We spoke of many other things in a friendly manner, and in the evening we + parted with the often repeated assurance of the warmest affection and of + the most perfect devotion. + </p> + <p> + But my mind was full of our conversation, and as I went on pondering over + the matter, I thought that Yusuf might be right in his opinion as to the + essence of God, for it seemed evident that the Creator of all beings ought + to be perfectly simple; but I thought at the same time how impossible it + would be for me, because the Christian religion had made a mistake, to + accept the Turkish creed, which might perhaps have just a conception of + God, but which caused me to smile when I recollected that the man who had + given birth to it had been an arrant imposter. I had not the slightest + idea, however, that Yusuf wished to make a convert of me. + </p> + <p> + The third time I dined with him religion was again the subject of + conversation. + </p> + <p> + “Do you believe, dear father, that the religion of Mahomet is the only one + in which salvation can be secured?” + </p> + <p> + “No, my dear son, I am not certain of it, and no man can have such a + certainty; but I am sure that the Christian religion is not the true one, + because it cannot be universal.” + </p> + <p> + “Why not?” + </p> + <p> + “Because there is neither bread nor wine to be found in three-fourths of + the world. Observe that the precepts of the Koran can be followed + everywhere.” + </p> + <p> + I did not know how to answer, and I would not equivocate. + </p> + <p> + “If God cannot be matter,” I said, “then He must be a spirit?” + </p> + <p> + “We know what He is not but we do not know what He is: man cannot affirm + that God is a spirit, because he can only realize the idea in an abstract + manner. God is immaterial; that is the extent of our knowledge and it can + never be greater.” + </p> + <p> + I was reminded of Plato, who had said exactly the same and most certainly + Yusuf never read Plato. + </p> + <p> + He added that the existence of God could be useful only to those who did + not entertain a doubt of that existence, and that, as a natural + consequence, Atheists must be the most miserable of men. God has made in + man His own image in order that, amongst all the animals created by Him, + there should be one that can understand and confess the existence of the + Creator. Without man, God would have no witness of His own glory, and man + must therefore understand that his first and highest duty is to glorify + God by practising justice and trusting to His providence. + </p> + <p> + “Observe, my son, that God never abandons the man who, in the midst of + misfortunes, falls down in prayer before Him, and that He often allows the + wretch who has no faith in prayer to die miserably.” + </p> + <p> + “Yet we meet with Atheists who are fortunate and happy.” + </p> + <p> + “True; but, in spite of their tranquillity, I pity them because they have + no hope beyond this life, and are on a level with animals. Besides, if + they are philosophers, they must linger in dark ignorance, and, if they + never think, they have no consolation, no resource, when adversity reaches + them. God has made man in such a manner that he cannot be happy unless he + entertains no doubt of the existence of his Divine Creator; in all + stations of life man is naturally prone to believe in that existence, + otherwise man would never have admitted one God, Creator of all beings and + of all things.” + </p> + <p> + “I should like to know why Atheism has only existed in the systems of the + learned, and never as a national creed.” + </p> + <p> + “Because the poor feel their wants much more than the rich, There are + amongst us a great many impious men who deride the true believers because + they have faith in the pilgrimage to Mecca. Wretches that they are, they + ought to respect the ancient customs which, exciting the devotion of + fervent souls, feed religious principles, and impart courage under all + misfortunes. Without such consolation, people would give way to all the + excess of despair.” + </p> + <p> + Much pleased with the attention I gave to all he said, Yusuf would thus + yield to the inclination he felt to instruct me, and, on my side, feeling + myself drawn towards him by the charm which amiable goodness exerts upon + all hearts, I would often go and spend the day with him, even without any + previous invitation, and Yusuf’s friendship soon became one of my most + precious treasures. + </p> + <p> + One morning, I told my janissary to take me to the palace of Ismail + Effendi, in order to fulfil my promise to breakfast with him. He gave me + the most friendly welcome, and after an excellent breakfast he invited me + to take a walk in his garden. We found there a pretty summer-house which + we entered, and Ismail attempted some liberties which were not at all to + my taste, and which I resented by rising in a very abrupt manner. Seeing + that I was angry, the Turk affected to approve my reserve, and said that + he had only been joking. I left him after a few minutes, with the + intention of not visiting him again, but I was compelled to do so, as I + will explain by-and-by. + </p> + <p> + When I saw M. de Bonneval I told him what had happened and he said that, + according to Turkish manners, Ismail had intended to give me a great proof + of his friendship, but that I need not be afraid of the offence being + repeated. He added that politeness required that I should visit him again, + and that Ismail was, in spite of his failing, a perfect gentleman, who had + at his disposal the most beautiful female slaves in Turkey. + </p> + <p> + Five or six weeks after the commencement of our intimacy, Yusuf asked me + one day whether I was married. I answered that I was not; the conversation + turned upon several moral questions, and at last fell upon chastity, + which, in his opinion, could be accounted a virtue only if considered from + one point of view, namely, that of total abstinence, but he added that it + could not be acceptable to God; because it transgressed against the very + first precept He had given to man. + </p> + <p> + “I would like to know, for instance,” he said, “what name can be given to + the chastity of your knights of Malta. They take a vow of chastity, but it + does not mean that they will renounce women altogether, they renounce + marriage only. Their chastity, and therefore chastity in general, is + violated only by marriage; yet I observe that marriage is one of your + sacraments. Therefore, those knights of Malta promise not to give way to + lustful incontinence in the only case in which God might forgive it, but + they reserve the license of being lustful unlawfully as often as they + please, and whenever an opportunity may offer itself; and that immoral, + illicit license is granted to them to such an extent, that they are + allowed to acknowledge legally a child which can be born to them only + through a double crime! The most revolting part of it all is that these + children of crime, who are of course perfectly innocent themselves, are + called natural children, as if children born in wedlock came into the + world in an unnatural manner! In one word, my dear son, the vow of + chastity is so much opposed to Divine precepts and to human nature that it + can be agreeable neither to God nor to society, nor to those who pledge + themselves to keep it, and being in such opposition to every divine and + human law, it must be a crime.” + </p> + <p> + He enquired for the second time whether I was married; I replied in the + negative, and added that I had no idea of ever getting married. + </p> + <p> + “What!” he exclaimed; “I must then believe that you are not a perfect man, + or that you intend to work out your own damnation; unless you should tell + me that you are a Christian only outwardly.” + </p> + <p> + “I am a man in the very strongest sense of the word, and I am a true + Christian. I must even confess that I adore women, and that I have not the + slightest idea of depriving myself of the most delightful of all + pleasures.” + </p> + <p> + “According to your religion, damnation awaits you.” + </p> + <p> + “I feel certain of the contrary, because, when we confess our sins, our + priests are compelled to give us absolution.” + </p> + <p> + “I know it, but you must agree with me that it is absurd to suppose that + God will forgive a crime which you would, perhaps, not commit, if you did + not think that, after confession, a priest, a man like you, will give you + absolution. God forgives only the repenting sinner.” + </p> + <p> + “No doubt of it, and confession supposes repentance; without it, + absolution has no effect.” + </p> + <p> + “Is onanism a crime amongst you?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, even greater than lustful and illegitimate copulation.” + </p> + <p> + “I was aware of it, and it has always caused me great surprise, for the + legislator who enacts a law, the execution of which is impossible, is a + fool. A man in good health, if he cannot have a woman, must necessarily + have recourse to onanism, whenever imperious nature demands it, and the + man who, from fear of polluting his soul, would abstain from it, would + only draw upon himself a mortal disease.” + </p> + <p> + “We believe exactly the reverse; we think that young people destroy their + constitutions, and shorten their lives through self-abuse. In several + communities they are closely watched, and are as much as possible deprived + of every opportunity of indulging in that crime.” + </p> + <p> + “Those who watch them are ignorant fools, and those who pay the watchers + for such a service are even more stupid, because prohibition must excite + the wish to break through such a tyrannical law, to set at nought an + interdiction so contrary to nature.” + </p> + <p> + “Yet it seems to me that self-abuse in excess must be injurious to health, + for it must weaken and enervate.” + </p> + <p> + “Certainly, because excess in everything is prejudicial and pernicious; + but all such excess is the result of our severe prohibition. If girls are + not interfered with in the matter of self-abuse, I do not see why boys + should be.” + </p> + <p> + “Because girls are very far from running the same risk; they do not lose a + great deal in the action of self-abuse, and what they lose does not come + from the same source whence flows the germinal liquid in men.” + </p> + <p> + “I do not know, but we have some physicians who say that chlorosis in + girls is the result of that pleasure indulged in to excess.” + </p> + <p> + After many such conversations, in which he seemed to consider me as + endowed with reason and talent, even when I was not of his opinion, Yusuf + Ali surprised me greatly one day by the following proposition: + </p> + <p> + “I have two sons and a daughter. I no longer think of my sons, because + they have received their share of my fortune. As far as my daughter is + concerned she will, after my death, inherit all my possessions, and I am, + besides, in a position while I am alive to promote the fortune of the man + who may marry her. Five years ago I took a young wife, but she has not + given me any progeny, and I know to a certainty that no offspring will + bless our union. My daughter, whose name is Zelmi, is now fifteen; she is + handsome, her eyes are black and lovely like her mother’s, her hair is of + the colour of the raven’s wing, her complexion is animated alabaster; she + is tall, well made, and of a sweet disposition; I have given her an + education which would make her worthy of our master, the Sultan. She + speaks Greek and Italian fluently, she sings delightfully, and accompanies + herself on the harp; she can draw and embroider, and is always contented + and cheerful. No living man can boast of having seen her features, and she + loves me so dearly that my will is hers. My daughter is a treasure, and I + offer her to you if you will consent to go for one year to Adrianople to + reside with a relative of mine, who will teach you our religion, our + language, and our manners. You will return at the end of one year, and as + soon as you have become a Mussulman my daughter shall be your wife. You + will find a house ready furnished, slaves of your own, and an income which + will enable you to live in comfort. I have no more to say at present. I do + not wish you to answer me either to-day, or to-morrow, or on any fixed + day. You will give me your decision whenever you feel yourself called upon + by your genius to give it, and you need not give me any answer unless you + accept my offer, for, should you refuse it, it is not necessary that the + subject should be again mentioned. I do not ask you to give full + consideration to my proposal, for now that I have thrown the seed in your + soul it must fructify. Without hurry, without delay, without anxiety, you + can but obey the decrees of God and follow the immutable decision of fate. + Such as I know you, I believe that you only require the possession of + Zelmi to be completely happy, and that you will become one of the pillars + of the Ottoman Empire.” + </p> + <p> + Saying those words, Yusuf pressed me affectionately in his arms, and left + me by myself to avoid any answer I might be inclined to make. I went away + in such wonder at all I had just heard, that I found myself at the + Venetian Embassy without knowing how I had reached it. The baili thought + me very pensive, and asked whether anything was the matter with me, but I + did not feel disposed to gratify their curiosity. I found that Yusuf had + indeed spoken truly: his proposal was of such importance that it was my + duty, not only not to mention it to anyone, but even to abstain from + thinking it over, until my mind had recovered its calm sufficiently to + give me the assurance that no external consideration would weigh in the + balance and influence my decision. I had to silence all my passions; + prejudices, principles already formed, love, and even self-interest were + to remain in a state of complete inaction. + </p> + <p> + When I awoke the next morning I began to think the matter over, and I soon + discovered that, if I wanted to come to a decision, I ought not to ponder + over it, as the more I considered the less likely I should be to decide. + This was truly a case for the ‘sequere Deum’ of the Stoics. + </p> + <p> + I did not visit Yusuf for four days, and when I called on him on the fifth + day, we talked cheerfully without once mentioning his proposal, although + it was very evident that we were both thinking of it. We remained thus for + a fortnight, without ever alluding to the matter which engrossed all our + thoughts, but our silence was not caused by dissimulation, or by any + feeling contrary to our mutual esteem and friendship; and one day Yusuf + suggested that very likely I had communicated his proposal to some wise + friend, in order to obtain good advice. I immediately assured him it was + not so, and that in a matter of so delicate a nature I thought I ought not + to ask anybody’s advice. + </p> + <p> + “I have abandoned myself to God, dear Yusuf, and, full of confidence in + Him, I feel certain that I shall decide for the best, whether I make up my + mind to become your son, or believe that I ought to remain what I am now. + In the mean time, my mind ponders over it day and night, whenever I am + quiet and feel myself composed and collected. When I come to a decision, I + will impart it to you alone, and from that moment you shall have over me + the authority of a father.” + </p> + <p> + At these words the worthy Yusuf, his eyes wet with tears, placed his left + hand over my head, and the first two fingers of the right hand on my + forehead, saying: + </p> + <p> + “Continue to act in that way, my dear son, and be certain that you can + never act wrongly.” + </p> + <p> + “But,” I said to him, “one thing might happen, Zelmi might not accept me.” + </p> + <p> + “Have no anxiety about that. My daughter loves you; she, as well as my + wife and her nurse, sees you every time that we dine together, and she + listens to you with pleasure.” + </p> + <p> + “Does she know that you are thinking of giving her to me as my wife?” + </p> + <p> + “She knows that I ardently wish you to become a true believer, so as to + enable me to link her destiny to yours.” + </p> + <p> + “I am glad that your habits do not permit you to let me see her, because + she might dazzle me with her beauty, and then passion would soon have too + much weight in the scale; I could no longer flatter myself that my + decision had been taken in all the unbiased, purity of my soul.” + </p> + <p> + Yusuf was highly delighted at hearing me speak in that manner, and I spoke + in perfect good faith. The mere idea of seeing Zelmi caused me to shudder. + I felt that, if I had fallen in love with her, I would have become a + Mussulman in order to possess her, and that I might soon have repented + such a step, for the religion of Mahomet presented to my eyes and to my + mind nothing but a disagreeable picture, as well for this life as for a + future one. As for wealth, I did not think it deserved the immense + sacrifice demanded from me. I could find equal wealth in Europe, without + stamping my forehead with the shameful brand of apostasy. I cared deeply + for the esteem of the persons of distinction who knew me, and did not want + to render myself unworthy of it. Besides, I felt an immense desire to + obtain fame amongst civilized and polite nations, either in the fine arts + or in literature, or in any other honourable profession, and I could not + reconcile myself to the idea of abandoning to my equals the triumph which + I might win if I lived amongst them. It seemed to me, and I am still of + the same opinion, that the decision of wearing the turban befits only a + Christian despairing of himself and at the end of his wits, and + fortunately I was lost not in that predicament. My greatest objection was + to spend a year in Adrianople to learn a language for which I did not feel + any liking, and which I should therefore have learned but imperfectly. How + could I, at my age, renounce the prerogative, so pleasant to my vanity, of + being reputed a fine talker? and I had secured that reputation wherever I + was known. Then I would often think that Zelmi, the eighth wonder of + creation in the eyes of her father might not appear such in my eyes, and + it would have been enough to make me miserable, for Yusuf was likely to + live twenty years longer, and I felt that gratitude, as well as respect, + would never have permitted me to give that excellent man any cause for + unhappiness by ceasing to shew myself a devoted and faithful husband to + his daughter. Such were my thoughts, and, as Yusuf could not guess them, + it was useless to make a confidant of him. + </p> + <p> + A few days afterwards, I dined with the Pacha Osman and met my Effendi + Ismail. He was very friendly to me, and I reciprocated his attentions, + though I paid no attention to the reproaches he addressed to me for not + having come to breakfast with him for such a long time. I could not refuse + to dine at his house with Bonneval, and he treated me to a very pleasing + sight; Neapolitan slaves, men and women, performed a pantomime and some + Calabrian dances. M. de Bonneval happened to mention the dance called + forlana, and Ismail expressing a great wish to know it, I told him that I + could give him that pleasure if I had a Venetian woman to dance with and a + fiddler who knew the time. I took a violin, and played the forlana, but, + even if the partner had been found, I could not play and dance at the same + time. + </p> + <p> + Ismail whispered a few words to one of his eunuchs, who went out of the + room and returned soon with some message that he delivered to him. The + effendi told me that he had found the partner I wanted, and I answered + that the musician could be had easily, if he would send a note to the + Venetian Embassy, which was done at once. The Bailo Dona sent one of his + men who played the violin well enough for dancing purposes. As soon as the + musician was ready, a door was thrown open, and a fine looking woman came + in, her face covered with a black velvet mask, such as we call moretta in + Venice. The appearance of that beautiful masked woman surprised and + delighted every one of the guests, for it was impossible to imagine a more + interesting object, not only on account of the beauty of that part of the + face which the mask left exposed, but also for the elegance of her shape, + the perfection of her figure, and the exquisite taste displayed in her + costume. The nymph took her place, I did the same, and we danced the + forlana six times without stopping. + </p> + <p> + I was in perspiration and out of breath, for the forlana is the most + violent of our national dances; but my beautiful partner stood near me + without betraying the slightest fatigue, and seemed to challenge me to a + new performance. At the round of the dance, which is the most difficult + step, she seemed to have wings. I was astounded, for I had never seen + anyone, even in Venice, dance the forlana so splendidly. After a few + minutes rest, rather ashamed of my feeling tired, I went up to her, and + said, ‘Ancora sei, a poi basta, se non volete vedermi a morire.’ She would + have answered me if she had been able, but she wore one of those cruel + masks which forbid speech. But a pressure of her hand which nobody could + see made me guess all I wanted to know. The moment we finished dancing the + eunuch opened the door, and my lovely partner disappeared. + </p> + <p> + Ismail could not thank me enough, but it was I who owed him my thanks, for + it was the only real pleasure which I enjoyed in Constantinople. I asked + him whether the lady was from Venice, but he only answered by a + significant smile. + </p> + <p> + “The worthy Ismail,” said M. de Bonneval to me, as we were leaving the + house late in the evening, “has been to-day the dupe of his vanity, and I + have no doubt that he is sorry already for what he has done. To bring out + his beautiful slave to dance with you! According to the prejudices of this + country it is injurious to his dignity, for you are sure to have kindled + an amorous flame in the poor girl’s breast. I would advise you to be + careful and to keep on your guard, because she will try to get up some + intrigue with you; but be prudent, for intrigues are always dangerous in + Turkey.” + </p> + <p> + I promised to be prudent, but I did not keep my promise; for, three or + four days afterwards, an old slave woman met me in the street, and offered + to sell me for one piaster a tobacco-bag embroidered in gold; and as she + put it in my hand she contrived to make me feel that there was a letter in + the bag. + </p> + <p> + I observed that she tried to avoid the eyes of the janissary who was + walking behind me; I gave her one piaster, she left me, and I proceeded + toward Yusuf’s house. He was not at home, and I went to his garden to read + the letter with perfect freedom. It was sealed and without any address, + and the slave might have made a mistake; but my curiosity was excited to + the highest pitch; I broke the seal, and found the following note written + in good enough Italian: + </p> + <p> + “Should you wish to see the person with whom you danced the forlana, take + a walk towards evening in the garden beyond the fountain, and contrive to + become acquainted with the old servant of the gardener by asking her for + some lemonade. You may perchance manage to see your partner in the forlana + without running any risk, even if you should happen to meet Ismail; she is + a native of Venice. Be careful not to mention this invitation to any human + being.” + </p> + <p> + “I am not such a fool, my lovely countrywoman,” I exclaimed, as if she had + been present, and put the letter in my pocket. But at that very moment, a + fine-looking elderly woman came out of a thicket, pronounced my name, and + enquired what I wanted and how I had seen her. I answered that I had been + speaking to the wind, not supposing that anyone could hear me, and without + any more preparation, she abruptly told me that she was very glad of the + opportunity of speaking with me, that she was from Rome, that she had + brought up Zelmi, and had taught her to sing and to play the harp. She + then praised highly the beauty and the excellent qualities of her pupil, + saying that, if I saw her, I would certainly fall in love with her, and + expressing how much she regretted that the law should not allow it. + </p> + <p> + “She sees us at this very moment,” she added, “from behind that green + window-blind, and we love you ever since Yusuf has informed us that you + may, perhaps, become Zelmi’s husband.” + </p> + <p> + “May I mention our conversation to Yusuf?” I enquired. + </p> + <p> + “No.” + </p> + <p> + Her answering in the negative made me understand that, if I had pressed + her a little, she would have allowed me to see her lovely pupil, and + perhaps it was with that intention that she had contrived to speak to me, + but I felt great reluctance to do anything to displease my worthy host. I + had another reason of even greater importance: I was afraid of entering an + intricate maze in which the sight of a turban hovering over me made me + shudder. + </p> + <p> + Yusuf came home, and far from being angry when he saw me with the woman, + he remarked that I must have found much pleasure in conversing with a + native of Rome, and he congratulated me upon the delight I must have felt + in dancing with one of the beauties from the harem of the voluptuous + Ismail. + </p> + <p> + “Then it must be a pleasure seldom enjoyed, if it is so much talked of?” + </p> + <p> + “Very seldom indeed, for there is amongst us an invincible prejudice + against exposing our lovely women to the eyes of other men; but everyone + may do as he pleases in his own house: Ismail is a very worthy and a very + intelligent man.” + </p> + <p> + “Is the lady with whom I danced known?” + </p> + <p> + “I believe not. She wore a mask, and everybody knows that Ismail possesses + half a dozen slaves of surpassing beauty.” + </p> + <p> + I spent a pleasant day with Yusuf, and when I left him, I ordered my + janissary to take me to Ismail’s. As I was known by his servants, they + allowed me to go in, and I proceeded to the spot described in the letter. + The eunuch came to me, informed me that his master was out, but that he + would be delighted to hear of my having taken a walk in the garden. I told + him that I would like a glass of lemonade, and he took me to the + summerhouse, where I recognized the old woman who had sold me the + tobacco-pouch. The eunuch told her to give me a glass of some liquid which + I found delicious, and would not allow me to give her any money. We then + walked together towards the fountain, but he told me abruptly that we were + to go back, as he saw three ladies to whom he pointed, adding that, for + the sake of decency, it was necessary to avoid them. I thanked him for his + attentions, left my compliments for Ismail, and went away not dissatisfied + with my first attempt, and with the hope of being more fortunate another + time. + </p> + <p> + The next morning I received a letter from Ismail inviting me to go fishing + with him on the following day, and stating that he intended to enjoy the + sport by moonlight. I immediately gave way to my suppositions, and I went + so far as to fancy that Ismail might be capable of arranging an interview + between me and the lovely Venetian. I did not mind his being present. I + begged permission of Chevalier Venier to stop out of the palace for one + night, but he granted it with the greatest difficulty, because he was + afraid of some love affair and of the results it might have. I took care + to calm his anxiety as much as I could, but without acquainting him with + all the circumstances of the case, for I thought I was wise in being + discreet. + </p> + <p> + I was exact to the appointed time, and Ismail received me with the utmost + cordiality, but I was surprised when I found myself alone with him in the + boat. We had two rowers and a man to steer; we took some fish, fried in + oil, and ate it in the summer-house. The moon shone brightly, and the + night was delightful. Alone with Ismail, and knowing his unnatural tastes, + I did not feel very comfortable for, in spite of what M. de Bonneval had + told me, I was afraid lest the Turk should take a fancy to give me too + great a proof of his friendship, and I did not relish our tete-a-tete. But + my fears were groundless. + </p> + <p> + “Let us leave this place quietly,” said Ismail, “I have just heard a + slight noise which heralds something that will amuse us.” + </p> + <p> + He dismissed his attendants, and took my hand, saying, + </p> + <p> + “Let us go to a small room, the key of which I luckily have with me, but + let us be careful not to make any noise. That room has a window + overlooking the fountain where I think that two or three of my beauties + have just gone to bathe. We will see them and enjoy a very pleasing sight, + for they do not imagine that anyone is looking at them. They know that the + place is forbidden to everybody except me.” + </p> + <p> + We entered the room, we went to the window, and, the moon shining right + over the basin of the fountain, we saw three nymphs who, now swimming, now + standing or sitting on the marble steps, offered themselves to our eyes in + every possible position, and in all the attitudes of graceful + voluptuousness. Dear reader, I must not paint in too vivid colours the + details of that beautiful picture, but if nature has endowed you with an + ardent imagination and with equally ardent senses, you will easily imagine + the fearful havoc which that unique, wonderful, and enchanting sight must + have made upon my poor body. + </p> + <p> + A few days after that delightful fishing and bathing party by moonlight, I + called upon Yusuf early in the morning; as it was raining, I could not go + to the garden, and I went into the dining-room, in which I had never seen + anyone. The moment I entered the room, a charming female form rose, + covering her features with a thick veil which fell to the feet. A slave + was sitting near the window, doing some tambour-work, but she did not + move. I apologized, and turned to leave the room, but the lady stopped me, + observing, with a sweet voice, that Yusuf had commanded her to entertain + me before going out. She invited me to be seated, pointing to a rich + cushion placed upon two larger ones, and I obeyed, while, crossing her + legs, she sat down upon another cushion opposite to me. I thought I was + looking upon Zelmi, and fancied that Yusuf had made up his mind to shew me + that he was not less courageous than Ismail. Yet I was surprised, for, by + such a proceeding, he strongly contradicted his maxims, and ran the risk + of impairing the unbiased purity of my consent by throwing love in the + balance. But I had no fear of that, because, to become enamoured, I should + have required to see her face. + </p> + <p> + “I suppose,” said the veiled beauty, “that you do not know who I am?” + </p> + <p> + “I could not guess, if I tried.” + </p> + <p> + “I have been for the last five years the wife of your friend, and I am a + native of Scio. I was thirteen years of age when I became his wife.” + </p> + <p> + I was greatly astonished to find that my Mussulman philosopher had gone so + far as to allow me to converse with his wife, but I felt more at ease + after I had received that information, and fancied that I might carry the + adventure further, but it would be necessary to see the lady’s face, for a + finely-dressed body, the head of which is not seen, excites but feeble + desires. The fire lighted by amorous desires is like a fire of straw; the + moment it burns up it is near its end. I had before me a magnificent + appearance, but I could not see the soul of the image, for a thick gauze + concealed it from my hungry gaze. I could see arms as white as alabaster, + and hands like those of Alcina, ‘dove ne nodo appasisce ne vena accede’, + and my active imagination fancied that all the rest was in harmony with + those beautiful specimens, for the graceful folds of the muslin, leaving + the outline all its perfection, hid from me only the living satin of the + surface; there was no doubt that everything was lovely, but I wanted to + see, in the expression of her eyes, that all that my imagination created + had life and was endowed with feeling. The Oriental costume is a beautiful + varnish placed upon a porcelain vase to protect from the touch the colours + of the flowers and of the design, without lessening the pleasure of the + eyes. Yusuf’s wife was not dressed like a sultana; she wore the costume of + Scio, with a short skirt which concealed neither the perfection of the leg + nor the round form of the thigh, nor the voluptuous plump fall of the + hips, nor the slender, well-made waist encompassed in a splendid band + embroidered in silver and covered with arabesques. Above all those + beauties, I could see the shape of two globes which Apelles would have + taken for the model of those of his lovely Venus, and the rapid, inequal + movement of which proved to me that those ravishing hillocks were + animated. The small valley left between them, and which my eyes greedily + feasted upon, seemed to me a lake of nectar, in which my burning lips + longed to quench their thirst with more ardour than they would have drunk + from the cup of the gods. + </p> + <p> + Enraptured, unable to control myself, I thrust my arm forward by a + movement almost independent of my will, and my hand, too audacious, was on + the point of lifting the hateful veil, but she prevented me by raising + herself quickly on tiptoe, upbraiding me at the same time for my + perfidious boldness, with a voice as commanding as her attitude. + </p> + <p> + “Dost thou deserve,” she said, “Yusuf’s friendship, when thou abusest the + sacred laws of hospitality by insulting his wife?” + </p> + <p> + “Madam, you must kindly forgive me, for I never had any intention to + insult you. In my country the lowest of men may fix his eyes upon the face + of a queen.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, but he cannot tear off her veil, if she chooses to wear it. Yusuf + shall avenge me.” + </p> + <p> + The threat, and the tone in which it was pronounced, frightened me. I + threw myself at her feet, and succeeded in calming her anger. + </p> + <p> + “Take a seat,” she said. + </p> + <p> + And she sat down herself, crossing her legs with so much freedom that I + caught a glimpse of charms which would have caused me to lose all control + over myself if the delightful sight had remained one moment longer exposed + to my eyes. I then saw that I had gone the wrong way to work, and I felt + vexed with myself; but it was too late. + </p> + <p> + “Art thou excited?” she said. + </p> + <p> + “How could I be otherwise,” I answered, “when thou art scorching me with + an ardent fire?” + </p> + <p> + I had become more prudent, and I seized her hand without thinking any more + of her face. + </p> + <p> + “Here is my husband,” she said, and Yusuf came into the room. We rose, + Yusuf embraced me, I complimented him, the slave left the room. Yusuf + thanked his wife for having entertained me, and offered her his arm to + take her to her own apartment. She took it, but when she reached the door, + she raised her veil, and kissing her husband she allowed me to see her + lovely face as if it had been done unwittingly. I followed her with my + eyes as long as I could, and Yusuf, coming back to me, said with a laugh + that his wife had offered to dine with us. + </p> + <p> + “I thought,” I said to him, “that I had Zelmi before me.” + </p> + <p> + “That would have been too much against our established rules. What I have + done is not much, but I do not know an honest man who would be bold enough + to bring his daughter into the presence of a stranger.” + </p> + <p> + “I think your wife must be handsome; is she more beautiful than Zelmi?” + </p> + <p> + “My daughter’s beauty is cheerful, sweet, and gentle; that of Sophia is + proud and haughty. She will be happy after my death. The man who will + marry her will find her a virgin.” + </p> + <p> + I gave an account of my adventure to M. de Bonneval, somewhat exaggerating + the danger I had run in trying to raise the veil of the handsome daughter + of Scio. + </p> + <p> + “She was laughing at you,” said the count, “and you ran no danger. She + felt very sorry, believe me, to have to deal with a novice like you. You + have been playing the comedy in the French fashion, when you ought to have + gone straight to the point. What on earth did you want to see her nose + for? She knew very well that she would have gained nothing by allowing you + to see her. You ought to have secured the essential point. If I were young + I would perhaps manage to give her a revenge, and to punish my friend + Yusuf. You have given that lovely woman a poor opinion of Italian valour. + The most reserved of Turkish women has no modesty except on her face, and, + with her veil over it, she knows to a certainty that she will not blush at + anything. I am certain that your beauty keeps her face covered whenever + our friend Yusuf wishes to joke with her.” + </p> + <p> + “She is yet a virgin.” + </p> + <p> + “Rather a difficult thing to admit, my good friend; but I know the + daughters of Scio; they have a talent for counterfeiting virginity.” + </p> + <p> + Yusuf never paid me a similar compliment again, and he was quite right. + </p> + <p> + A few days after, I happened to be in the shop of an Armenian merchant, + looking at some beautiful goods, when Yusuf entered the shop and praised + my taste; but, although I had admired a great many things, I did not buy, + because I thought they were too dear. I said so to Yusuf, but he remarked + that they were, on the contrary, very cheap, and he purchased them all. We + parted company at the door, and the next morning I received all the + beautiful things he had bought; it was a delicate attention of my friend, + and to prevent my refusal of such a splendid present, he had enclosed a + note stating that, on my arrival in Corfu, he would let me know to whom + the goods were to be delivered. He had thus sent me gold and silver + filigrees from Damascus, portfolios, scarfs, belts, handkerchiefs and + pipes, the whole worth four or five hundred piasters. When I called to + thank him, I compelled him to confess that it was a present offered by his + friendship. + </p> + <p> + The day before my departure from Constantinople, the excellent man burst + into tears as I bade him adieu, and my grief was as great as his own. He + told me that, by not accepting the offer of his daughter’s hand, I had so + strongly captivated his esteem that his feelings for me could not have + been warmer if I had become his son. When I went on board ship with the + Bailo Jean Dona, I found another case given to me by him, containing two + quintals of the best Mocha coffee, one hundred pounds of tobacco leaves, + two large flagons filled, one with Zabandi tobacco, the other with + camussa, and a magnificent pipe tube of jessamine wood, covered with gold + filigrane, which I sold in Corfu for one hundred sequins. I had not it in + my power to give my generous Turk any mark of my gratitude until I reached + Corfu, but there I did not fail to do so. I sold all his beautiful + presents, which made me the possessor of a small fortune. + </p> + <p> + Ismail gave me a letter for the Chevalier de Lezze, but I could not + forward it to him because I unfortunately lost it; he presented me with a + barrel of hydromel, which I turned likewise into money. M. de Bonneval + gave me a letter for Cardinal Acquaviva, which I sent to Rome with an + account of my journey, but his eminence did not think fit to acknowledge + the receipt of either. Bonneval made me a present of twelve bottles of + malmsey from Ragusa, and of twelve bottles of genuine scopolo—a + great rarity, with which I made a present in Corfu which proved very + useful to me, as the reader will discover. + </p> + <p> + The only foreign minister I saw much in Constantinople was the lord + marshal of Scotland, the celebrated Keith, who represented the King of + Prussia, and who, six years later was of great service to me in Paris. + </p> + <p> + We sailed from Constantinople in the beginning of September in the same + man-of-war which had brought us, and we reached Corfu in fourteen days. + The Bailo Dona did not land. He had with him eight splendid Turkish + horses; I saw two of them still alive in Gorizia in the year 1773. + </p> + <p> + As soon as I had landed with my luggage, and had engaged a rather mean + lodging, I presented myself to M. Andre Dolfin, the proveditore-generale, + who promised me again that I should soon be promoted to a lieutenancy. + After my visit to him, I called upon M. Camporese, my captain, and was + well received by him. My third visit was to the commander of galleases, M. + D—— R——, to whom M. Antonio Dolfin, with whom I + had travelled from Venice to Corfu, had kindly recommended me. After a + short conversation, he asked me if I would remain with him with the title + of adjutant. I did not hesitate one instant, but accepted, saying how + deeply honoured I felt by his offer, and assuring him that he would always + find me ready to carry out his orders. He immediately had me taken to my + room, and, the next day, I found myself established in his house. I + obtained from my captain a French soldier to serve me, and I was well + pleased when I found that the man was a hairdresser by trade, and a great + talker by nature, for he could take care of my beautiful head of hair, and + I wanted to practise French conversation. He was a good-for-nothing + fellow, a drunkard and a debauchee, a peasant from Picardy, and he could + hardly read or write, but I did not mind all that; all I wanted from him + was to serve me, and to talk to me, and his French was pretty good. He was + an amusing rogue, knowing by heart a quantity of erotic songs and of + smutty stories which he could tell in the most laughable manner. + </p> + <p> + When I had sold my stock of goods from Constantinople (except the wines), + I found myself the owner of nearly five hundred sequins. I redeemed all + the articles which I had pledged in the hands of Jews, and turned into + money everything of which I had no need. I was determined not to play any + longer as a dupe, but to secure in gambling all the advantages which a + prudent young man could obtain without sullying his honour. + </p> + <p> + I must now make my readers acquainted with the sort of life we were at + that time leading in Corfu. As to the city itself, I will not describe it, + because there are already many descriptions better than the one I could + offer in these pages. + </p> + <p> + We had then in Corfu the ‘proveditore-generale’ who had sovereign + authority, and lived in a style of great magnificence. That post was then + filled by M. Andre Dolfin, a man sixty years of age, strict, headstrong, + and ignorant. He no longer cared for women, but liked to be courted by + them. He received every evening, and the supper-table was always laid for + twenty-four persons. + </p> + <p> + We had three field-officers of the marines who did duty on the galleys, + and three field-officers for the troops of the line on board the + men-of-war. Each galeass had a captain called ‘sopracomito’, and we had + ten of those captains; we had likewise ten commanders, one for each + man-of-war, including three ‘capi di mare’, or admirals. They all belonged + to the nobility of Venice. Ten young Venetian noblemen, from twenty to + twenty-two years of age, were at Corfu as midshipmen in the navy. We had, + besides, about a dozen civil clerks in the police of the island, or in the + administration of justice, entitled ‘grandi offciali di terra’. Those who + were blessed with handsome wives had the pleasure of seeing their houses + very much frequented by admirers who aspired to win the favours of the + ladies, but there was not much heroic love-making, perhaps for the reason + that there were then in Corfu many Aspasias whose favours could be had for + money. Gambling was allowed everywhere, and that all absorbing passion was + very prejudicial to the emotions of the heart. + </p> + <p> + The lady who was then most eminent for beauty and gallantry was Madame F——. + Her husband, captain of a galley, had come to Corfu with her the year + before, and madam had greatly astonished all the naval officers. Thinking + that she had the privilege of the choice, she had given the preference to + M. D—— R——, and had dismissed all the suitors who + presented themselves. M. F—— had married her on the very day + she had left the convent; she was only seventeen years of age then, and he + had brought her on board his galley immediately after the marriage + ceremony. + </p> + <p> + I saw her for the first time at the dinner-table on the very day of my + installation at M. D—— R——‘s, and she made a + great impression upon me. I thought I was gazing at a supernatural being, + so infinitely above all the women I had ever seen, that it seemed + impossible to fall in love with her She appeared to me of a nature + different and so greatly superior to mine that I did not see the + possibility of rising up to her. I even went so far as to persuade myself + that nothing but a Platonic friendship could exist between her and M. D—— + R——, and that M. F—— was quite right now not to + shew any jealousy. Yet, that M. F—— was a perfect fool, and + certainly not worthy of such a woman. The impression made upon me by + Madame F—— was too ridiculous to last long, and the nature of + it soon changed, but in a novel manner, at least as far as I was + concerned. + </p> + <p> + My position as adjutant procured me the honour of dining at M. D—— + R——‘s table, but nothing more. The other adjutant, like me, + an ensign in the army, but the greatest fool I had ever seen, shared that + honour with me. We were not, however, considered as guests, for nobody + ever spoke to us, and, what is more, no one ever honoured us with a look. + It used to put me in a rage. I knew very well that people acted in that + manner through no real contempt for us, but it went very hard with me. I + could very well understand that my colleague, Sanzonio, should not + complain of such treatment, because he was a blockhead, but I did not feel + disposed to allow myself to be put on a par with him. At the end of eight + or ten days, Madame F——, not having condescended to cast one + glance upon my person, began to appear disagreeable to me. I felt piqued, + vexed, provoked, and the more so because I could not suppose that the lady + acted in that manner wilfully and purposely; I would have been highly + pleased if there had been premeditation on her part. I felt satisfied that + I was a nobody in her estimation, and as I was conscious of being + somebody, I wanted her to know it. At last a circumstance offered itself + in which, thinking that she could address me, she was compelled to look at + me. + </p> + <p> + M. D—— R—— having observed that a very, very fine + turkey had been placed before me, told me to carve it, and I immediately + went to work. I was not a skilful carver, and Madame F——, + laughing at my want of dexterity, told me that, if I had not been certain + of performing my task with credit to myself, I ought not to have + undertaken it. Full of confusion, and unable to answer her as my anger + prompted, I sat down, with my heart overflowing with spite and hatred + against her. To crown my rage, having one day to address me, she asked me + what was my name. She had seen me every day for a fortnight, ever since I + had been the adjutant of M. D—— R——; therefore she + ought to have known my name. Besides, I had been very lucky at the + gaming-table, and I had become rather famous in Corfu. My anger against + Madame F was at its height. + </p> + <p> + I had placed my money in the hands of a certain Maroli, a major in the + army and a gamester by profession, who held the faro bank at the + coffee-house. We were partners; I helped him when he dealt, and he + rendered me the same office when I held the cards, which was often the + case, because he was not generally liked. He used to hold the cards in a + way which frightened the punters; my manners were very different, and I + was very lucky. Besides I was easy and smiling when my bank was losing, + and I won without shewing any avidity, and that is a manner which always + pleases the punters. + </p> + <p> + This Maroli was the man who had won all my money during my first stay in + Corfu, and finding, when I returned, that I was resolved not to be duped + any more, he judged me worthy of sharing the wise maxims without which + gambling must necessarily ruin all those who meddle with it. But as Maroli + had won my confidence only to a very slight extent, I was very careful. We + made up our accounts every night, as soon as playing was over; the cashier + kept the capital of the bank, the winnings were divided, and each took his + share away. Lucky at play, enjoying good health and the friendship of my + comrades, who, whenever the opportunity offered, always found me generous + and ready to serve them, I would have been well pleased with my position + if I had been a little more considered at the table of M. D—— + R——, and treated with less haughtiness by his lady who, + without any reason, seemed disposed to humiliate me. My self-love was + deeply hurt, I hated her, and, with such a disposition of mind, the more I + admired the perfection of her charms, the more I found her deficient in + wit and intelligence. She might have made the conquest of my heart without + bestowing hers upon me, for all I wanted was not to be compelled to hate + her, and I could not understand what pleasure it could be for her to be + detested, while with only a little kindness she could have been adored. I + could not ascribe her manner to a spirit of coquetry, for I had never + given her the slightest proof of the opinion I entertained of her beauty, + and I could not therefore attribute her behaviour to a passion which might + have rendered me disagreeable in her eyes; M. D—— R—— + seemed to interest her only in a very slight manner, and as to her + husband, she cared nothing for him. In short, that charming woman made me + very unhappy, and I was angry with myself because I felt that, if it had + not been for the manner in which she treated me, I would not have thought + of her, and my vexation was increased by the feeling of hatred entertained + by my heart against her, a feeling which until then I had never known to + exist in me, and the discovery of which overwhelmed me with confusion. + </p> + <p> + One day a gentleman handed me, as we were leaving the dinner-table, a roll + of gold that he had lost upon trust; Madame F—— saw it, and + she said to me very abruptly,— + </p> + <p> + “What do you do with your money?” + </p> + <p> + “I keep it, madam, as a provision against possible losses.” + </p> + <p> + “But as you do not indulge in any expense it would be better for you not + to play; it is time wasted.” + </p> + <p> + “Time given to pleasure is never time lost, madam; the only time which a + young man wastes is that which is consumed in weariness, because when he + is a prey to ennui he is likely to fall a prey to love, and to be despised + by the object of his affection.” + </p> + <p> + “Very likely; but you amuse yourself with hoarding up your money, and shew + yourself to be a miser, and a miser is not less contemptible than a man in + love. Why do you not buy yourself a pair of gloves?” + </p> + <p> + You may be sure that at these words the laughter was all on her side, and + my vexation was all the greater because I could not deny that she was + quite right. It was the adjutant’s business to give the ladies an arm to + their carriages, and it was not proper to fulfil that duty without gloves. + I felt mortified, and the reproach of avarice hurt me deeply. I would a + thousand times rather that she had laid my error to a want of education; + and yet, so full of contradictions is the human heart, instead of making + amends by adopting an appearance of elegance which the state of my + finances enabled me to keep up, I did not purchase any gloves, and I + resolved to avoid her and to abandon her to the insipid and dull gallantry + of Sanzonio, who sported gloves, but whose teeth were rotten, whose breath + was putrid, who wore a wig, and whose face seemed to be covered with + shrivelled yellow parchment. + </p> + <p> + I spent my days in a continual state of rage and spite, and the most + absurd part of it all was that I felt unhappy because I could not control + my hatred for that woman whom, in good conscience, I could not find guilty + of anything. She had for me neither love nor dislike, which was quite + natural; but being young and disposed to enjoy myself I had become, + without any wilful malice on her part, an eye-sore to her and the butt of + her bantering jokes, which my sensitiveness exaggerated greatly. For all + that I had an ardent wish to punish her and to make her repent. I thought + of nothing else. At one time I would think of devoting all my intelligence + and all my money to kindling an amorous passion in her heart, and then to + revenge myself by treating her with contempt. But I soon realized the + impracticability of such a plan, for even supposing that I should succeed + in finding my way to her heart, was I the man to resist my own success + with such a woman? I certainly could not flatter myself that I was so + strong-minded. But I was the pet child of fortune, and my position was + suddenly altered. + </p> + <p> + M. D—— R—— having sent me with dispatches to M. de + Condulmer, captain of a ‘galeazza’, I had to wait until midnight to + deliver them, and when I returned I found that M. D—— R—— + had retired to his apartment for the night. As soon as he was visible in + the morning I went to him to render an account of my mission. I had been + with him only a few minutes when his valet brought a letter saying that + Madame F——‘s adjutant was waiting for an answer. M. D—— + R—— read the note, tore it to pieces, and in his excitement + stamped with his foot upon the fragments. He walked up and down the room + for a little time, then wrote an answer and rang for the adjutant, to whom + he delivered it. He then recovered his usual composure, concluded the + perusal of the dispatch sent by M. de Condulmer, and told me to write a + letter. He was looking it over when the valet came in, telling me that + Madame F—— desired to see me. M. D—— R—— + told me that he did not require my services any more for the present, and + that I might go. I left the room, but I had not gone ten yards when he + called me back to remind me that my duty was to know nothing; I begged to + assure him that I was well aware of that. I ran to Madame F——‘s + house, very eager to know what she wanted with me. I was introduced + immediately, and I was greatly surprised to find her sitting up in bed, + her countenance flushed and excited, and her eyes red from the tears she + had evidently just been shedding. My heart was beating quickly, yet I did + not know why. + </p> + <p> + “Pray be seated,” she said, “I wish to speak with you.” + </p> + <p> + “Madam,” I answered, “I am not worthy of so great a favour, and I have not + yet done anything to deserve it; allow me to remain standing.” + </p> + <p> + She very likely recollected that she had never been so polite before, and + dared not press me any further. She collected her thoughts for an instant + or two, and said to me: + </p> + <p> + “Last evening my husband lost two hundred sequins upon trust at your faro + bank; he believed that amount to be in my hands, and I must therefore give + it to him immediately, as he is bound in honour to pay his losses to-day. + Unfortunately I have disposed of the money, and I am in great trouble. I + thought you might tell Maroli that I have paid you the amount lost by my + husband. Here is a ring of some value; keep it until the 1st of January, + when I will return the two hundred sequins for which I am ready to give + you my note of hand.” + </p> + <p> + “I accept the note of hand, madam, but I cannot consent to deprive you of + your ring. I must also tell you that M. F—— must go himself to + the bank, or send some one there, to redeem his debt. Within ten minutes + you shall have the amount you require.” + </p> + <p> + I left her without waiting for an answer, and I returned within a few + minutes with the two hundred ducats, which I handed to her, and putting in + my pocket her note of hand which she had just written, I bowed to take my + leave, but she addressed to me these precious words: + </p> + <p> + “I believe, sir, that if I had known that you were so well disposed to + oblige me, I could not have made up my mind to beg that service from you.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, madam, for the future be quite certain that there is not a man in + the world capable of refusing you such an insignificant service whenever + you will condescend to ask for it in person.” + </p> + <p> + “What you say is very complimentary, but I trust never to find myself + again under the necessity of making such a cruel experiment.” + </p> + <p> + I left Madame F——, thinking of the shrewdness of her answer. + She had not told me that I was mistaken, as I had expected she would, for + that would have caused her some humiliation: she knew that I was with M. D—— + R—— when the adjutant had brought her letter, and she could + not doubt that I was aware of the refusal she had met with. The fact of + her not mentioning it proved to me that she was jealous of her own + dignity; it afforded me great gratification, and I thought her worthy of + adoration. I saw clearly that she could have no love for M. D—— + R——, and that she was not loved by him, and the discovery + made me leap for joy. From that moment I felt I was in love with her, and + I conceived the hope that she might return my ardent affection. + </p> + <p> + The first thing I did, when I returned to my room was to cross out with + ink every word of her note of hand, except her name, in such a manner that + it was impossible to guess at the contents, and putting it in an envelope + carefully sealed, I deposited it in the hands of a public notary who + stated, in the receipt he gave me of the envelope, that he would deliver + it only to Madame F——, whenever she should request its + delivery. + </p> + <p> + The same evening M. F—— came to the bank, paid me, played with + cash in hand, and won some fifty ducats. What caused me the greatest + surprise was that M. D—— R—— continued to be very + gracious to Madame F——, and that she remained exactly the same + towards him as she used to be before. He did not even enquire what she + wanted when she had sent for me. But if she did not seem to change her + manner towards my master, it was a very different case with me, for + whenever she was opposite to me at dinner, she often addressed herself to + me, and she thus gave me many opportunities of shewing my education and my + wit in amusing stories or in remarks, in which I took care to blend + instruction with witty jests. At that time F—— had the great + talent of making others laugh while I kept a serious countenance myself. I + had learnt that accomplishment from M. de Malipiero, my first master in + the art of good breeding, who used to say to me,— + </p> + <p> + “If you wish your audience to cry, you must shed tears yourself, but if + you wish to make them laugh you must contrive to look as serious as a + judge.” + </p> + <p> + In everything I did, in every word I uttered, in the presence of Madame F——, + the only aim I had was to please her, but I did not wish her to suppose + so, and I never looked at her unless she spoke to me. I wanted to force + her curiosity, to compel her to suspect nay, to guess my secret, but + without giving her any advantage over me: it was necessary for me to + proceed by slow degrees. In the mean time, and until I should have a + greater happiness, I was glad to see that my money, that magic talisman, + and my good conduct, obtained me a consideration much greater than I could + have hoped to obtain either through my position, or from my age, or in + consequence of any talent I might have shewn in the profession I had + adopted. + </p> + <p> + Towards the middle of November, the soldier who acted as my servant was + attacked with inflammation of the chest; I gave notice of it to the + captain of his company, and he was carried to the hospital. On the fourth + day I was told that he would not recover, and that he had received the + last sacraments; in the evening I happened to be at his captain’s when the + priest who had attended him came to announce his death, and to deliver a + small parcel which the dying man had entrusted to him to be given up to + his captain only after his death. The parcel contained a brass seal + engraved with ducal arms, a certificate of baptism, and a sheet of paper + covered with writing in French. Captain Camporese, who only spoke Italian, + begged me to translate the paper, the contents of which were as follows: + </p> + <p> + “My will is that this paper, which I have written and signed with my own + hand, shall be delivered to my captain only after I have breathed my last: + until then, my confessor shall not make any use of it, for I entrust it to + his hands only under the seal of confession. I entreat my captain to have + me buried in a vault from which my body can be exhumed in case the duke, + my father, should request its exhumation. I entreat him likewise to + forward my certificate of baptism, the seal with the armorial bearings of + my family, and a legal certificate of my birth to the French ambassador in + Venice, who will send the whole to the duke, my father, my rights of + primogeniture belonging, after my demise, to the prince, my brother. In + faith of which I have signed and sealed these presents: Francois VI. + Charles Philippe Louis Foucaud, Prince de la Rochefoucault.” + </p> + <p> + The certificate of baptism, delivered at St. Sulpice gave the same names, + and the title of the father was Francois V. The name of the mother was + Gabrielle du Plessis. + </p> + <p> + As I was concluding my translation I could not help bursting into loud + laughter; but the foolish captain, who thought my mirth out of place, + hurried out to render an account of the affair to the + proveditore-generale, and I went to the coffee-house, not doubting for one + moment that his excellency would laugh at the captain, and that the + post-mortem buffoonery would greatly amuse the whole of Corfu. + </p> + <p> + I had known in Rome, at Cardinal Acquaviva’s, the Abbe de Liancourt, + great-grandson of Charles, whose sister, Gabrielle du Plessis, had been + the wife of Francois V., but that dated from the beginning of the last + century. I had made a copy from the records of the cardinal of the account + of certain circumstances which the Abbe de Liancourt wanted to communicate + to the court of Spain, and in which there were a great many particulars + respecting the house of Du Plessis. I thought at the same time that the + singular imposture of La Valeur (such was the name by which my soldier + generally went) was absurd and without a motive, since it was to be known + only after his death, and could not therefore prove of any advantage to + him. + </p> + <p> + Half an hour afterwards, as I was opening a fresh pack of cards, the + Adjutant Sanzonio came in, and told the important news in the most serious + manner. He had just come from the office of the proveditore, where Captain + Camporese had run in the utmost hurry to deposit in the hands of his + excellency the seal and the papers of the deceased prince. His excellency + had immediately issued his orders for the burial of the prince in a vault + with all the honours due to his exalted rank. Another half hour passed, + and M. Minolto, adjutant of the proveditore-generale, came to inform me + that his excellency wanted to see me. I passed the cards to Major Maroli, + and went to his excellency’s house. I found him at supper with several + ladies, three or four naval commanders, Madame F——, and M. D—— + R——. + </p> + <p> + “So, your servant was a prince!” said the old general to me. + </p> + <p> + “Your excellency, I never would have suspected it, and even now that he is + dead I do not believe it.” + </p> + <p> + “Why? He is dead, but he was not insane. You have seen his armorial + bearings, his certificate of baptism, as well as what he wrote with his + own hand. When a man is so near death, he does not fancy practical jokes.” + </p> + <p> + “If your excellency is satisfied of the truth of the story, my duty is to + remain silent.” + </p> + <p> + “The story cannot be anything but true, and your doubts surprise me.” + </p> + <p> + “I doubt, monsignor, because I happen to have positive information + respecting the families of La Rochefoucault and Du Plessis. Besides, I + have seen too much of the man. He was not a madman, but he certainly was + an extravagant jester. I have never seen him write, and he has told me + himself a score of times that he had never learned.” + </p> + <p> + “The paper he has written proves the contrary. His arms have the ducal + bearings; but perhaps you are not aware that M. de la Rochefoucault is a + duke and peer of the French realm?” + </p> + <p> + “I beg your eminence’s pardon; I know all about it; I know even more, for + I know that Francois VI. married a daughter of the house of Vivonne.” + </p> + <p> + “You know nothing.” + </p> + <p> + When I heard this remark, as foolish as it was rude, I resolved on + remaining silent, and it was with some pleasure that I observed the joy + felt by all the male guests at what they thought an insult and a blow to + my vanity. An officer remarked that the deceased was a fine man, a witty + man, and had shewn wonderful cleverness in keeping up his assumed + character so well that no one ever had the faintest suspicion of what he + really was. A lady said that, if she had known him, she would have been + certain to find him out. Another flatterer, belonging to that mean, + contemptible race always to be found near the great and wealthy of the + earth, assured us that the late prince had always shewn himself cheerful, + amiable, obliging, devoid of haughtiness towards his comrades, and that he + used to sing beautifully. “He was only twenty-five years of age,” said + Madame Sagredo, looking me full in the face, “and if he was endowed with + all those qualities, you must have discovered them.” + </p> + <p> + “I can only give you, madam, a true likeness of the man, such as I have + seen him. Always gay, often even to folly, for he could throw a somersault + beautifully; singing songs of a very erotic kind, full of stories and of + popular tales of magic, miracles, and ghosts, and a thousand marvellous + feats which common-sense refused to believe, and which, for that very + reason, provoked the mirth of his hearers. His faults were that he was + drunken, dirty, quarrelsome, dissolute, and somewhat of a cheat. I put up + with all his deficiences, because he dressed my hair to my taste, and his + constant chattering offered me the opportunity of practising the + colloquial French which cannot be acquired from books. He has always + assured me that he was born in Picardy, the son of a common peasant, and + that he had deserted from the French army. He may have deceived me when he + said that he could not write.” + </p> + <p> + Just then Camporese rushed into the room, and announced that La Veleur was + yet breathing. The general, looking at me significantly, said that he + would be delighted if the man could be saved. + </p> + <p> + “And I likewise, monsignor, but his confessor will certainly kill him + to-night.” + </p> + <p> + “Why should the father confessor kill him?” + </p> + <p> + “To escape the galleys to which your excellency would not fail to send him + for having violated the secrecy of the confessional.” + </p> + <p> + Everybody burst out laughing, but the foolish old general knitted his + brows. The guests retired soon afterwards, and Madame F——, + whom I had preceded to the carriage, M. D—— R—— + having offered her his arm, invited me to get in with her, saying that it + was raining. It was the first time that she had bestowed such an honour + upon me. + </p> + <p> + “I am of your opinion about that prince,” she said, “but you have incurred + the displeasure of the proveditore.” + </p> + <p> + “I am very sorry, madam, but it could not have been avoided, for I cannot + help speaking the truth openly.” + </p> + <p> + “You might have spared him,” remarked M. D—— R——, + “the cutting jest of the confessor killing the false prince.” + </p> + <p> + “You are right, sir, but I thought it would make him laugh as well as it + made madam and your excellency. In conversation people generally do not + object to a witty jest causing merriment and laughter.” + </p> + <p> + “True; only those who have not wit enough to laugh do not like the jest.” + </p> + <p> + “I bet a hundred sequins that the madman will recover, and that, having + the general on his side, he will reap all the advantages of his imposture. + I long to see him treated as a prince, and making love to Madame Sagredo.” + </p> + <p> + Hearing the last words, Madame F——, who did not like Madame + Sagredo, laughed heartily, and, as we were getting out of the carriage, M. + D—— R—— invited me to accompany them upstairs. He + was in the habit of spending half an hour alone with her at her own house + when they had taken supper together with the general, for her husband + never shewed himself. It was the first time that the happy couple admitted + a third person to their tete-a-tete. I felt very proud of the compliment + thus paid to me, and I thought it might have important results for me. My + satisfaction, which I concealed as well as I could, did not prevent me + from being very gay and from giving a comic turn to every subject brought + forward by the lady or by her lord. + </p> + <p> + We kept up our pleasant trio for four hours; and returned to the mansion + of M. D—— R—— only at two o’clock in the morning. + It was during that night that Madame F—— and M. D—— + R—— really made my acquaintance. Madame F—— told + him that she had never laughed so much, and that she had never imagined + that a conversation, in appearance so simple, could afford so much + pleasure and merriment. On my side, I discovered in her so much wit and + cheerfulness, that I became deeply enamoured, and went to bed fully + satisfied that, in the future, I could not keep up the show of + indifference which I had so far assumed towards her. + </p> + <p> + When I woke up the next morning, I heard from the new soldier who served + me that La Valeur was better, and had been pronounced out of danger by the + physician. At dinner the conversation fell upon him, but I did not open my + lips. Two days afterwards, the general gave orders to have him removed to + a comfortable apartment, sent him a servant, clothed him, and the + over-credulous proveditore having paid him a visit, all the naval + commanders and officers thought it their duty to imitate him, and to + follow his example: the general curiosity was excited, there was a rush to + see the new prince. M. D—— R—— followed his + leaders, and Madame Sagredo, having set the ladies in motion, they all + called upon him, with the exception of Madame F——, who told me + laughingly that she would not pay him a visit unless I would consent to + introduce her. I begged to be excused. The knave was called your highness, + and the wonderful prince styled Madame Sagredo his princess. M. D—— + R—— tried to persuade me to call upon the rogue, but I told + him that I had said too much, and that I was neither courageous nor mean + enough to retract my words. The whole imposture would soon have been + discovered if anyone had possessed a peerage, but it just happened that + there was not a copy in Corfu, and the French consul, a fat blockhead, + like many other consuls, knew nothing of family trees. The madcap La + Valeur began to walk out a week after his metamorphosis into a prince. He + dined and had supper every day with the general, and every evening he was + present at the reception, during which, owing to his intemperance, he + always went fast asleep. Yet, there were two reasons which kept up the + belief of his being a prince: the first was that he did not seem afraid of + the news expected from Venice, where the proveditore had written + immediately after the discovery; the second was that he solicited from the + bishop the punishment of the priest who had betrayed his secret by + violating the seal of confession. The poor priest had already been sent to + prison, and the proveditore had not the courage to defend him. The new + prince had been invited to dinner by all the naval officers, but M. D—— + R—— had not made up his mind to imitate them so far, because + Madame F—— had clearly warned him that she would dine at her + own house on the day he was invited. I had likewise respectfully intimated + that, on the same occasion, I would take the liberty of dining somewhere + else. + </p> + <p> + I met the prince one day as I was coming out of the old fortress leading + to the esplanade. He stopped, and reproached me for not having called upon + him. I laughed, and advised him to think of his safety before the arrival + of the news which would expose all the imposture, in which case the + proveditore was certain to treat him very severely. I offered to help him + in his flight from Corfu, and to get a Neapolitan captain, whose ship was + ready to sail, to conceal him on board; but the fool, instead of accepting + my offer, loaded me with insults. + </p> + <p> + He was courting Madame Sagredo, who treated him very well, feeling proud + that a French prince should have given her the preference over all the + other ladies. One day that she was dining in great ceremony at M. D—— + R——‘s house, she asked me why I had advised the prince to run + away. + </p> + <p> + “I have it from his own lips,” she added, “and he cannot make out your + obstinacy in believing him an impostor.” + </p> + <p> + “I have given him that advice, madam, because my heart is good, and my + judgment sane.” + </p> + <p> + “Then we are all of us as many fools, the proveditore included?” + </p> + <p> + “That deduction would not be right, madam. An opinion contrary to that of + another does not necessarily make a fool of the person who entertains it. + It might possibly turn out, in ten or twelve days, that I have been + entirely mistaken myself, but I should not consider myself a fool in + consequence. In the mean time, a lady of your intelligence must have + discovered whether that man is a peasant or a prince by his education and + manners. For instance, does he dance well?” + </p> + <p> + “He does not know one step, but he is the first to laugh about it; he says + he never would learn dancing.” + </p> + <p> + “Does he behave well at table?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, he doesn’t stand on ceremony. He does not want his plate to be + changed, he helps himself with his spoon out of the dishes; he does not + know how to check an eructation or a yawn, and if he feels tired he leaves + the table. It is evident that he has been very badly brought up.” + </p> + <p> + “And yet he is very pleasant, I suppose. Is he clean and neat?” + </p> + <p> + “No, but then he is not yet well provided with linen.” + </p> + <p> + “I am told that he is very sober.” + </p> + <p> + “You are joking. He leaves the table intoxicated twice a day, but he ought + to be pitied, for he cannot drink wine and keep his head clear. Then he + swears like a trooper, and we all laugh, but he never takes offence.” + </p> + <p> + “Is he witty?” + </p> + <p> + “He has a wonderful memory, for he tells us new stories every day.” + </p> + <p> + “Does he speak of his family?” + </p> + <p> + “Very often of his mother, whom he loved tenderly. She was a Du Plessis.” + </p> + <p> + “If his mother is still alive she must be a hundred and fifty years old.” + </p> + <p> + “What nonsense!” + </p> + <p> + “Not at all; she was married in the days of Marie de Medicis.” + </p> + <p> + “But the certificate of baptism names the prince’s mother, and his seal—” + </p> + <p> + “Does he know what armorial bearings he has on that seal?” + </p> + <p> + “Do you doubt it?” + </p> + <p> + “Very strongly, or rather I am certain that he knows nothing about it.” + </p> + <p> + We left the table, and the prince was announced. He came in, and Madame + Sagredo lost no time in saying to him, “Prince, here is M. Casanova; he + pretends that you do not know your own armorial bearings.” Hearing these + words, he came up to me, sneering, called me a coward, and gave me a smack + on the face which almost stunned me. I left the room very slowly, not + forgetting my hat and my cane, and went downstairs, while M. D—— + R—— was loudly ordering the servants to throw the madman out + of the window. + </p> + <p> + I left the palace and went to the esplanade in order to wait for him. The + moment I saw him, I ran to meet him, and I beat him so violently with my + cane that one blow alone ought to have killed him. He drew back, and found + himself brought to a stand between two walls, where, to avoid being beaten + to death, his only resource was to draw his sword, but the cowardly + scoundrel did not even think of his weapon, and I left him, on the ground, + covered with blood. The crowd formed a line for me to pass, and I went to + the coffee-house, where I drank a glass of lemonade, without sugar to + precipitate the bitter saliva which rage had brought up from my stomach. + In a few minutes, I found myself surrounded by all the young officers of + the garrison, who joined in the general opinion that I ought to have + killed him, and they at last annoyed me, for it was not my fault if I had + not done so, and I would certainly have taken his life if he had drawn his + sword. + </p> + <p> + I had been in the coffee-house for half an hour when the general’s + adjutant came to tell me that his excellency ordered me to put myself + under arrest on board the bastarda, a galley on which the prisoners had + their legs in irons like galley slaves. The dose was rather too strong to + be swallowed, and I did not feel disposed to submit to it. “Very good, + adjutant,” I replied, “it shall be done.” He went away, and I left the + coffee-house a moment after him, but when I reached the end of the street, + instead of going towards the esplanade, I proceeded quickly towards the + sea. I walked along the beach for a quarter of an hour, and finding a boat + empty, but with a pair of oars, I got in her, and unfastening her, I rowed + as hard as I could towards a large caicco, sailing against the wind with + six oars. As soon as I had come up to her, I went on board and asked the + carabouchiri to sail before the wind and to take me to a large wherry + which could be seen at some distance, going towards Vido Rock. I abandoned + the row-boat, and, after paying the master of the caicco generously, I got + into the wherry, made a bargain with the skipper who unfurled three sails, + and in less than two hours we were fifteen miles away from Corfu. The wind + having died away, I made the men row against the current, but towards + midnight they told me that they could not row any longer, they were worn + out with fatigue. They advised me to sleep until day-break, but I refused + to do so, and for a trifle I got them to put me on shore, without asking + where I was, in order not to raise their suspicions. It was enough for me + to know that I was at a distance of twenty miles from Corfu, and in a + place where nobody could imagine me to be. The moon was shining, and I saw + a church with a house adjoining, a long barn opened on both sides, a plain + of about one hundred yards confined by hills, and nothing more. I found + some straw in the barn, and laying myself down, I slept until day-break in + spite of the cold. It was the 1st of December, and although the climate is + very mild in Corfu I felt benumbed when I awoke, as I had no cloak over my + thin uniform. + </p> + <p> + The bells begin to toll, and I proceed towards the church. The + long-bearded papa, surprised at my sudden apparition, enquires whether I + am Romeo (a Greek); I tell him that I am Fragico (Italian), but he turns + his back upon me and goes into his house, the door of which he shuts + without condescending to listen to me. + </p> + <p> + I then turned towards the sea, and saw a boat leaving a tartan lying at + anchor within one hundred yards of the island; the boat had four oars and + landed her passengers. I come up to them and meet a good-looking Greek, a + woman and a young boy ten or twelve years old. Addressing myself to the + Greek, I ask him whether he has had a pleasant passage, and where he comes + from. He answers in Italian that he has sailed from Cephalonia with his + wife and his son, and that he is bound for Venice; he had landed to hear + mass at the Church of Our Lady of Casopo, in order to ascertain whether + his father-in-law was still alive, and whether he would pay the amount he + had promised him for the dowry of his wife. + </p> + <p> + “But how can you find it out?” + </p> + <p> + “The Papa Deldimopulo will tell me; he will communicate faithfully the + oracle of the Holy Virgin.” I say nothing and follow him into the church; + he speaks to the priest, and gives him some money. The papa says the mass, + enters the sanctum sanctorum, comes out again in a quarter of an hour, + ascends the steps of the altar, turns towards his audience, and, after + meditating for a minute and stroking his long beard, he delivers his + oracle in a dozen words. The Greek of Cephalonia, who certainly could not + boast of being as wise as Ulysses, appears very well pleased, and gives + more money to the impostor. We leave the church, and I ask him whether he + feels satisfied with the oracle. + </p> + <p> + “Oh! quite satisfied. I know now that my father-in-law is alive, and that + he will pay me the dowry, if I consent to leave my child with him. I am + aware that it is his fancy and I will give him the boy.” + </p> + <p> + “Does the papa know you?” + </p> + <p> + “No; he is not even acquainted with my name.” + </p> + <p> + “Have you any fine goods on board your tartan?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes; come and breakfast with me; you can see all I have.” + </p> + <p> + “Very willingly.” + </p> + <p> + Delighted at hearing that oracles were not yet defunct, and satisfied that + they will endure as long as there are in this world simple-minded men and + deceitful, cunning priests, I follow the good man, who took me to his + tartan and treated me to an excellent breakfast. His cargo consisted of + cotton, linen, currants, oil, and excellent wines. He had also a stock of + night-caps, stockings, cloaks in the Eastern fashion, umbrellas, and sea + biscuits, of which I was very fond; in those days I had thirty teeth, and + it would have been difficult to find a finer set. Alas! I have but two + left now, the other twenty-eight are gone with other tools quite as + precious; but ‘dum vita super est, bene est.’ I bought a small stock of + everything he had except cotton, for which I had no use, and without + discussing his price I paid him the thirty-five or forty sequins he + demanded, and seeing my generosity he made me a present of six beautiful + botargoes. + </p> + <p> + I happened during our conversation to praise the wine of Xante, which he + called generoydes, and he told me that if I would accompany him to Venice + he would give me a bottle of that wine every day including the quarantine. + Always superstitious, I was on the point of accepting, and that for the + most foolish reason-namely, that there would be no premeditation in that + strange resolution, and it might be the impulse of fate. Such was my + nature in those days; alas; it is very different now. They say that it is + because wisdom comes with old age, but I cannot reconcile myself to + cherish the effect of a most unpleasant cause. + </p> + <p> + Just as I was going to accept his offer he proposes to sell me a very fine + gun for ten sequins, saying that in Corfu anyone would be glad of it for + twelve. The word Corfu upsets all my ideas on the spot! I fancy I hear the + voice of my genius telling me to go back to that city. I purchase the gun + for the ten sequins, and my honest Cephalonian, admiring my fair dealing, + gives me, over and above our bargain, a beautiful Turkish pouch well + filled with powder and shot. Carrying my gun, with a good warm cloak over + my uniform and with a large bag containing all my purchases, I take leave + of the worthy Greek, and am landed on the shore, determined on obtaining a + lodging from the cheating papa, by fair means or foul. The good wine of my + friend the Cephalonian had excited me just enough to make me carry my + determination into immediate execution. I had in my pockets four or five + hundred copper gazzette, which were very heavy, but which I had procured + from the Greek, foreseeing that I might want them during my stay on the + island. + </p> + <p> + I store my bag away in the barn and I proceed, gun in hand, towards the + house of the priest; the church was closed. + </p> + <p> + I must give my readers some idea of the state I was in at that moment. I + was quietly hopeless. The three or four hundred sequins I had with me did + not prevent me from thinking that I was not in very great security on the + island; I could not remain long, I would soon be found out, and, being + guilty of desertion, I should be treated accordingly. I did not know what + to do, and that is always an unpleasant predicament. It would be absurd + for me to return to Corfu of my own accord; my flight would then be + useless, and I should be thought a fool, for my return would be a proof of + cowardice or stupidity; yet I did not feel the courage to desert + altogether. The chief cause of my decision was not that I had a thousand + sequins in the hands of the faro banker, or my well-stocked wardrobe, or + the fear of not getting a living somewhere else, but the unpleasant + recollection that I should leave behind me a woman whom I loved to + adoration, and from whom I had not yet obtained any favour, not even that + of kissing her hand. In such distress of mind I could not do anything else + but abandon myself to chance, whatever the result might be, and the most + essential thing for the present was to secure a lodging and my daily food. + </p> + <p> + I knock at the door of the priest’s dwelling. He looks out of a window and + shuts it without listening to me, I knock again, I swear, I call out + loudly, all in vain, Giving way to my rage, I take aim at a poor sheep + grazing with several others at a short distance, and kill it. The herdsman + begins to scream, the papa shows himself at the window, calling out, + “Thieves! Murder!” and orders the alarm-bell to be rung. Three bells are + immediately set in motion, I foresee a general gathering: what is going to + happen? I do not know, but happen what will, I load my gun and await + coming events. + </p> + <p> + In less than eight or ten minutes, I see a crowd of peasants coming down + the hills, armed with guns, pitchforks, or cudgels: I withdraw inside of + the barn, but without the slightest fear, for I cannot suppose that, + seeing me alone, these men will murder me without listening to me. + </p> + <p> + The first ten or twelve peasants come forward, gun in hand and ready to + fire: I stop them by throwing down my gazzette, which they lose no time in + picking up from the ground, and I keep on throwing money down as the men + come forward, until I had no more left. The clowns were looking at each + other in great astonishment, not knowing what to make out of a + well-dressed young man, looking very peaceful, and throwing his money to + them with such generosity. I could not speak to them until the deafening + noise of the bells should cease. I quietly sit down on my large bag, and + keep still, but as soon as I can be heard I begin to address the men. The + priest, however, assisted by his beadle and by the herdsman, interrupts + me, and all the more easily that I was speaking Italian. My three enemies, + who talked all at once, were trying to excite the crowd against me. + </p> + <p> + One of the peasants, an elderly and reasonable-looking man, comes up to me + and asks me in Italian why I have killed the sheep. + </p> + <p> + “To eat it, my good fellow, but not before I have paid for it.” + </p> + <p> + “But his holiness, the papa, might choose to charge one sequin for it.” + </p> + <p> + “Here is one sequin.” + </p> + <p> + The priest takes the money and goes away: war is over. The peasant tells + me that he has served in the campaign of 1716, and that he was at the + defence of Corfu. I compliment him, and ask him to find me a lodging and a + man able to prepare my meals. He answers that he will procure me a whole + house, that he will be my cook himself, but I must go up the hill. No + matter! He calls two stout fellows, one takes my bag, the other shoulders + my sheep, and forward! As we are walking along, I tell him,— + </p> + <p> + “My good man, I would like to have in my service twenty-four fellows like + these under military discipline. I would give each man twenty gazzette a + day, and you would have forty as my lieutenant.” + </p> + <p> + “I will,” says the old soldier, “raise for you this very day a body-guard + of which you will be proud.” + </p> + <p> + We reach a very convenient house, containing on the ground floor three + rooms and a stable, which I immediately turned into a guard-room. + </p> + <p> + My lieutenant went to get what I wanted, and particularly a needlewoman to + make me some shirts. In the course of the day I had furniture, bedding, + kitchen utensils, a good dinner, twenty-four well-equipped soldiers, a + super-annuated sempstress and several young girls to make my shirts. After + supper, I found my position highly pleasant, being surrounded with some + thirty persons who looked upon me as their sovereign, although they could + not make out what had brought me to their island. The only thing which + struck me as disagreeable was that the young girls could not speak + Italian, and I did not know Greek enough to enable me to make love to + them. + </p> + <p> + The next morning my lieutenant had the guard relieved, and I could not + help bursting into a merry laugh. They were like a flock of sheep: all + fine men, well-made and strong; but without uniform and without discipline + the finest band is but a herd. However, they quickly learned how to + present arms and to obey the orders of their officer. I caused three + sentinels to be placed, one before the guardroom, one at my door, and the + third where he could have a good view of the sea. This sentinel was to + give me warning of the approach of any armed boat or vessel. For the first + two or three days I considered all this as mere amusement, but, thinking + that I might really want the men to repel force by force, I had some idea + of making my army take an oath of allegiance. I did not do so, however, + although my lieutenant assured me that I had only to express my wishes, + for my generosity had captivated the love of all the islanders. + </p> + <p> + My sempstress, who had procured some young needlewomen to sew my shirts, + had expected that I would fall in love with one and not with all, but my + amorous zeal overstepped her hopes, and all the pretty ones had their + turn; they were all well satisfied with me, and the sempstress was + rewarded for her good offices. I was leading a delightful life, for my + table was supplied with excellent dishes, juicy mutton, and snipe so + delicious that I have never tasted their like except in St. Petersburg. I + drank scopolo wine or the best muscatel of the Archipelago. My lieutenant + was my only table companion. I never took a walk without him and two of my + body-guard, in order to defend myself against the attacks of a few young + men who had a spite against me because they fancied, not without some + reason, that my needlewomen, their mistresses, had left them on my + account. I often thought while I was rambling about the island, that + without money I should have been unhappy, and that I was indebted to my + gold for all the happiness I was enjoying; but it was right to suppose at + the same time that, if I had not felt my purse pretty heavy, I would not + have been likely to leave Corfu. + </p> + <p> + I had thus been playing the petty king with success for a week or ten + days, when, towards ten o’clock at night I heard the sentinel’s challenge. + My lieutenant went out, and returned announcing that an honest-looking + man, who spoke Italian, wished to see me on important business. I had him + brought in, and, in the presence of my lieutenant, he told me in Italian: + </p> + <p> + “Next Sunday, the Papa Deldimopulo will fulminate against you the + ‘cataramonachia’. If you do not prevent him, a slow fever will send you + into the next world in six weeks.” + </p> + <p> + “I have never heard of such a drug.” + </p> + <p> + “It is not a drug. It is a curse pronounced by a priest with the Host in + his hands, and it is sure to be fulfilled.” + </p> + <p> + “What reason can that priest have to murder me?” + </p> + <p> + “You disturb the peace and discipline of his parish. You have seduced + several young girls, and now their lovers refuse to marry them.” + </p> + <p> + I made him drink, and thanking him heartily, wished him good night. His + warning struck me as deserving my attention, for, if I had no fear of the + ‘cataramonachia’, in which I had not the slightest faith, I feared certain + poisons which might be by far more efficient. I passed a very quiet night, + but at day-break I got up, and without saying anything to my lieutenant, I + went straight to the church where I found the priest, and addressed him in + the following words, uttered in a tone likely to enforce conviction: + </p> + <p> + “On the first symptom of fever, I will shoot you like a dog. Throw over me + a curse which will kill me instantly, or make your will. Farewell!” + </p> + <p> + Having thus warned him, I returned to my royal palace. Early on the + following Monday, the papa called on me. I had a slight headache; he + enquired after my health, and when I told him that my head felt rather + heavy, he made me laugh by the air of anxiety with which he assured me + that it could be caused by nothing else than the heavy atmosphere of the + island of Casopo. + </p> + <p> + Three days after his visit, the advanced sentinel gave the war-cry. The + lieutenant went out to reconnoitre, and after a short absence he gave me + notice that the long boat of an armed vessel had just landed an officer. + Danger was at hand. + </p> + <p> + I go out myself, I call my men to arms, and, advancing a few steps, I see + an officer, accompanied by a guide, who was walking towards my dwelling. + As he was alone, I had nothing to fear. I return to my room, giving orders + to my lieutenant to receive him with all military honours and to introduce + him. Then, girding my sword, I wait for my visitor. + </p> + <p> + In a few minutes, Adjutant Minolto, the same who had brought me the order + to put myself under arrest, makes his appearance. + </p> + <p> + “You are alone,” I say to him, “and therefore you come as a friend. Let us + embrace.” + </p> + <p> + “I must come as a friend, for, as an enemy, I should not have enough men. + But what I see seems a dream.” + </p> + <p> + “Take a seat, and dine with me. I will treat you splendidly.” + </p> + <p> + “Most willingly, and after dinner we will leave the island together.” + </p> + <p> + “You may go alone, if you like; but I will not leave this place until I + have the certainty, not only that I shall not be sent to the ‘bastarda’, + but also that I shall have every satisfaction from the knave whom the + general ought to send to the galleys.” + </p> + <p> + “Be reasonable, and come with me of your own accord. My orders are to take + you by force, but as I have not enough men to do so, I shall make my + report, and the general will, of course, send a force sufficient to arrest + you.” + </p> + <p> + “Never; I will not be taken alive.” + </p> + <p> + “You must be mad; believe me, you are in the wrong. You have disobeyed the + order I brought you to go to the ‘bastarda; in that you have acted + wrongly, and in that alone, for in every other respect you were perfectly + right, the general himself says so.” + </p> + <p> + “Then I ought to have put myself under arrest?” + </p> + <p> + “Certainly; obedience is necessary in our profession.” + </p> + <p> + “Would you have obeyed, if you had been in my place?” + </p> + <p> + “I cannot and will not tell you what I would have done, but I know that if + I had disobeyed orders I should have been guilty of a crime.” + </p> + <p> + “But if I surrendered now I should be treated like a criminal, and much + more severely than if I had obeyed that unjust order.” + </p> + <p> + “I think not. Come with me, and you will know everything.” + </p> + <p> + “What! Go without knowing what fate may be in store for me? Do not expect + it. Let us have dinner. If I am guilty of such a dreadful crime that + violence must be used against me, I will surrender only to irresistible + force. I cannot be worse off, but there may be blood spilled.” + </p> + <p> + “You are mistaken, such conduct would only make you more guilty. But I say + like you, let us have dinner. A good meal will very likely render you more + disposed to listen to reason.” + </p> + <p> + Our dinner was nearly over, when we heard some noise outside. The + lieutenant came in, and informed me that the peasants were gathering in + the neighbourhood of my house to defend me, because a rumour had spread + through the island that the felucca had been sent with orders to arrest me + and take me to Corfu. I told him to undeceive the good fellows, and to + send them away, but to give them first a barrel of wine. + </p> + <p> + The peasants went away satisfied, but, to shew their devotion to me, they + all fired their guns. + </p> + <p> + “It is all very amusing,” said the adjutant, “but it will turn out very + serious if you let me go away alone, for my duty compels me to give an + exact account of all I have witnessed.” + </p> + <p> + “I will follow you, if you will give me your word of honour to land me + free in Corfu.” + </p> + <p> + “I have orders to deliver your person to M. Foscari, on board the + bastarda.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, you shall not execute your orders this time.” + </p> + <p> + “If you do not obey the commands of the general, his honour will compel + him to use violence against you, and of course he can do it. But tell me, + what would you do if the general should leave you in this island for the + sake of the joke? There is no fear of that, however, and, after the report + which I must give, the general will certainly make up his mind to stop the + affair without shedding blood.” + </p> + <p> + “Without a fight it will be difficult to arrest me, for with five hundred + peasants in such a place as this I would not be afraid of three thousand + men.” + </p> + <p> + “One man will prove enough; you will be treated as a leader of rebels. All + these peasants may be devoted to you, but they cannot protect you against + one man who will shoot you for the sake of earning a few pieces of gold. I + can tell you more than that: amongst all those men who surround you there + is not one who would not murder you for twenty sequins. Believe me, go + with me. Come to enjoy the triumph which is awaiting you in Corfu. You + will be courted and applauded. You will narrate yourself all your mad + frolics, people will laugh, and at the same time will admire you for + having listened to reason the moment I came here. Everybody feels esteem + for you, and M. D—— R—— thinks a great deal of + you. He praises very highly the command you have shewn over your passion + in refraining from thrusting your sword through that insolent fool, in + order not to forget the respect you owed to his house. The general himself + must esteem you, for he cannot forget what you told him of that knave.” + </p> + <p> + “What has become of him?” + </p> + <p> + “Four days ago Major Sardina’s frigate arrived with dispatches, in which + the general must have found all the proof of the imposture, for he has + caused the false duke or prince to disappear very suddenly. Nobody knows + where he has been sent to, and nobody ventures to mention the fellow + before the general, for he made the most egregious blunder respecting + him.” + </p> + <p> + “But was the man received in society after the thrashing I gave him?” + </p> + <p> + “God forbid! Do you not recollect that he wore a sword? From that moment + no one would receive him. His arm was broken and his jaw shattered to + pieces. + </p> + <p> + “But in spite of the state he was in, in spite of what he must have + suffered, his excellency had him removed a week after you had treated him + so severely. But your flight is what everyone has been wondering over. It + was thought for three days that M. D—— R—— had + concealed you in his house, and he was openly blamed for doing so. He had + to declare loudly at the general’s table that he was in the most complete + ignorance of your whereabouts. His excellency even expressed his anxiety + about your escape, and it was only yesterday that your place of refuge was + made known by a letter addressed by the priest of this island to the + Proto-Papa Bulgari, in which he complained that an Italian officer had + invaded the island of Casopo a week before, and had committed unheard-of + violence. He accused you of seducing all the girls, and of threatening to + shoot him if he dared to pronounce ‘cataramonachia’ against you. This + letter, which was read publicly at the evening reception, made the general + laugh, but he ordered me to arrest you all the same.” + </p> + <p> + “Madame Sagredo is the cause of it all.” + </p> + <p> + “True, but she is well punished for it. You ought to call upon her with me + to-morrow.” + </p> + <p> + “To-morrow? Are you then certain that I shall not be placed under arrest?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, for I know that the general is a man of honour.” + </p> + <p> + “I am of the same opinion. Well, let us go on board your felucca. We will + embark together after midnight.” + </p> + <p> + “Why not now?” + </p> + <p> + “Because I will not run the risk of spending the night on board M. + Foscari’s bastarda. I want to reach Corfu by daylight, so as to make your + victory more brilliant.” + </p> + <p> + “But what shall we do for the next eight hours?” + </p> + <p> + “We will pay a visit to some beauties of a species unknown in Corfu, and + have a good supper.” + </p> + <p> + I ordered my lieutenant to send plenty to eat and to drink to the men on + board the felucca, to prepare a splendid supper, and to spare nothing, as + I should leave the island at midnight. I made him a present of all my + provisions, except such as I wanted to take with me; these I sent on + board. My janissaries, to whom I gave a week’s pay, insisted upon + escorting me, fully equipped, as far as the boat, which made the adjutant + laugh all the way. + </p> + <p> + We reached Corfu by eight o’clock in the morning, and we went alongside + the ‘bastarda. The adjutant consigned me to M. Foscari, assuring me that + he would immediately give notice of my arrival to M. D—— R——, + send my luggage to his house, and report the success of his expedition to + the general. + </p> + <p> + M. Foscari, the commander of the bastarda, treated me very badly. If he + had been blessed with any delicacy of feeling, he would not have been in + such a hurry to have me put in irons. He might have talked to me, and have + thus delayed for a quarter of an hour that operation which greatly vexed + me. But, without uttering a single word, he sent me to the ‘capo di scalo’ + who made me sit down, and told me to put my foot forward to receive the + irons, which, however, do not dishonour anyone in that country, not even + the galley slaves, for they are better treated than soldiers. + </p> + <p> + My right leg was already in irons, and the left one was in the hands of + the man for the completion of that unpleasant ceremony, when the adjutant + of his excellency came to tell the executioner to set me at liberty and to + return me my sword. I wanted to present my compliments to the noble M. + Foscari, but the adjutant, rather ashamed, assured me that his excellency + did not expect me to do so. The first thing I did was to pay my respects + to the general, without saying one word to him, but he told me with a + serious countenance to be more prudent for the future, and to learn that a + soldier’s first duty was to obey, and above all to be modest and discreet. + I understood perfectly the meaning of the two last words, and acted + accordingly. + </p> + <p> + When I made my appearance at M. D—— R——‘s, I + could see pleasure on everybody’s face. Those moments have always been so + dear to me that I have never forgotten them, they have afforded me + consolation in the time of adversity. If you would relish pleasure you + must endure pain, and delights are in proportion to the privations we have + suffered. M. D—— R—— was so glad to see me that he + came up to me and warmly embraced me. He presented me with a beautiful + ring which he took from his own finger, and told me that I had acted quite + rightly in not letting anyone, and particularly himself, know where I had + taken refuge. + </p> + <p> + “You can’t think,” he added, frankly, “how interested Madame F—— + was in your fate. She would be really delighted if you called on her + immediately.” + </p> + <p> + How delightful to receive such advice from his own lips! But the word + “immediately” annoyed me, because, having passed the night on board the + felucca, I was afraid that the disorder of my toilet might injure me in + her eyes. Yet I could neither refuse M. D—— R——, + nor tell him the reason of my refusal, and I bethought myself that I could + make a merit of it in the eyes of Madame F—— I therefore went + at once to her house; the goddess was not yet visible, but her attendant + told me to come in, assuring me that her mistress’s bell would soon be + heard, and that she would be very sorry if I did not wait to see her. I + spent half an hour with that young and indiscreet person, who was a very + charming girl, and learned from her many things which caused me great + pleasure, and particularly all that had been said respecting my escape. I + found that throughout the affair my conduct had met with general + approbation. + </p> + <a name="linkimage-0008" id="linkimage-0008"> + <!-- IMG --></a> + <div class="fig" style="width:80%;"> + <img src="images/1c14b.jpg" width="100%" alt="1c14b.jpg " /> + </div> + <p> + As soon as Madame F—— had seen her maid, she desired me to be + shewn in. The curtains were drawn aside, and I thought I saw Aurora + surrounded with the roses and the pearls of morning. I told her that, if + it had not been for the order I received from M. D—— R—— + I would not have presumed to present myself before her in my travelling + costume; and in the most friendly tone she answered that M. D—— + R——, knowing all the interest she felt in me, had been quite + right to tell me to come, and she assured me that M. D—— R—— + had the greatest esteem for me. + </p> + <p> + “I do not know, madam, how I have deserved such great happiness, for all I + dared aim at was toleration.” + </p> + <p> + “We all admired the control you kept over your feelings when you refrained + from killing that insolent madman on the spot; he would have been thrown + out of the window if he had not beat a hurried retreat.” + </p> + <p> + “I should certainly have killed him, madam, if you had not been present.” + </p> + <p> + “A very pretty compliment, but I can hardly believe that you thought of me + in such a moment.” + </p> + <p> + I did not answer, but cast my eyes down, and gave a deep sigh. She + observed my new ring, and in order to change the subject of conversation + she praised M. D—— R—— very highly, as soon as I + had told her how he had offered it to me. She desired me to give her an + account of my life on the island, and I did so, but allowed my pretty + needlewomen to remain under a veil, for I had already learnt that in this + world the truth must often remain untold. + </p> + <p> + All my adventures amused her much, and she greatly admired my conduct. + </p> + <p> + “Would you have the courage,” she said, “to repeat all you have just told + me, and exactly in the same terms, before the proveditore-generale?” + </p> + <p> + “Most certainly, madam, provided he asked me himself.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, then, prepare to redeem your promise. I want our excellent general + to love you and to become your warmest protector, so as to shield you + against every injustice and to promote your advancement. Leave it all to + me.” + </p> + <p> + Her reception fairly overwhelmed me with happiness, and on leaving her + house I went to Major Maroli to find out the state of my finances. I was + glad to hear that after my escape he had no longer considered me a partner + in the faro bank. I took four hundred sequins from the cashier, reserving + the right to become again a partner, should circumstances prove at any + time favourable. + </p> + <p> + In the evening I made a careful toilet, and called for the Adjutant + Minolto in order to pay with him a visit to Madame Sagredo, the general’s + favourite. With the exception of Madame F—— she was the + greatest beauty of Corfu. My visit surprised her, because, as she had been + the cause of all that had happened, she was very far from expecting it. + She imagined that I had a spite against her. I undeceived her, speaking to + her very candidly, and she treated me most kindly, inviting me to come now + and then to spend the evening at her house. + </p> + <p> + But I neither accepted nor refused her amiable invitation, knowing that + Madame F—— disliked her; and how could I be a frequent guest + at her house with such a knowledge! Besides, Madame Sagredo was very fond + of gambling, and, to please her, it was necessary either to lose or make + her win, but to accept such conditions one must be in love with the lady + or wish to make her conquest, and I had not the slightest idea of either. + The Adjutant Minolto never played, but he had captivated the lady’s good + graces by his services in the character of Mercury. + </p> + <p> + When I returned to the palace I found Madame F—— alone, M. D—— + R—— being engaged with his correspondence. She asked me to sit + near her, and to tell her all my adventures in Constantinople. I did so, + and I had no occasion to repent it. My meeting with Yusuf’s wife pleased + her extremely, but the bathing scene by moonlight made her blush with + excitement. I veiled as much as I could the too brilliant colours of my + picture, but, if she did not find me clear, she would oblige me to be more + explicit, and if I made myself better understood by giving to my recital a + touch of voluptuousness which I borrowed from her looks more than from my + recollection, she would scold me and tell me that I might have disguised a + little more. I felt that the way she was talking would give her a liking + for me, and I was satisfied that the man who can give birth to amorous + desires is easily called upon to gratify them. It was the reward I was + ardently longing for, and I dared to hope it would be mine, although I + could see it only looming in the distance. + </p> + <p> + It happened that, on that day, M. D—— R—— had + invited a large company to supper. I had, as a matter of course, to + engross all conversation, and to give the fullest particulars of all that + had taken place from the moment I received the order to place myself under + arrest up to the time of my release from the ‘bastarda’. M. Foscari was + seated next to me, and the last part of my narrative was not, I suppose, + particularly agreeable to him. + </p> + <p> + The account I gave of my adventures pleased everybody, and it was decided + that the proveditore-generale must have the pleasure of hearing my tale + from my own lips. I mentioned that hay was very plentiful in Casopo, and + as that article was very scarce in Corfu, M. D—— R—— + told me that I ought to seize the opportunity of making myself agreeable + to the general by informing him of that circumstance without delay. I + followed his advice the very next day, and was very well received, for his + excellency immediately ordered a squad of men to go to the island and + bring large quantities of hay to Corfu. + </p> + <p> + A few days later the Adjutant Minolto came to me in the coffee-house, and + told me that the general wished to see me: this time I promptly obeyed his + commands. + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0015" id="link2HCH0015"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XV + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Progress of My Amour—My Journey to Otranto—I Enter the + Service of Madame F.—A Fortunate Excoriation +</pre> + <p> + The room I entered was full of people. His excellency, seeing me, smiled + and drew upon me the attention of all his guests by saying aloud, “Here + comes the young man who is a good judge of princes.” + </p> + <p> + “My lord, I have become a judge of nobility by frequenting the society of + men like you.” + </p> + <p> + “The ladies are curious to know all you have done from the time of your + escape from Corfu up to your return.” + </p> + <p> + “Then you sentence me, monsignor, to make a public confession?” + </p> + <p> + “Exactly; but, as it is to be a confession, be careful not to omit the + most insignificant circumstance, and suppose that I am not in the room.” + </p> + <p> + “On the contrary, I wish to receive absolution only from your excellency. + But my history will be a long one.” + </p> + <p> + “If such is the case, your confessor gives you permission to be seated.” + </p> + <p> + I gave all the particulars of my adventures, with the exception of my + dalliance with the nymphs of the island. + </p> + <p> + “Your story is a very instructive one,” observed the general. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, my lord, for the adventures shew that a young man is never so near + his utter ruin than when, excited by some great passion, he finds himself + able to minister to it, thanks to the gold in his purse.” + </p> + <p> + I was preparing to take my leave, when the majordomo came to inform me + that his excellency desired me to remain to supper. I had therefore the + honour of a seat at his table, but not the pleasure of eating, for I was + obliged to answer the questions addressed to me from all quarters, and I + could not contrive to swallow a single mouthful. I was seated next to the + Proto-Papa Bulgari, and I entreated his pardon for having ridiculed + Deldimopulo’s oracle. “It is nothing else but regular cheating,” he said, + “but it is very difficult to put a stop to it; it is an old custom.” + </p> + <p> + A short time afterwards, Madame F—— whispered a few words to + the general, who turned to me and said that he would be glad to hear me + relate what had occurred to me in Constantinople with the wife of the Turk + Yusuf, and at another friend’s house, where I had seen bathing by + moonlight. I was rather surprised at such an invitation, and told him that + such frolics were not worth listening to, and the general not pressing me + no more was said about it. But I was astonished at Madame F——‘s + indiscretion; she had no business to make my confidences public. I wanted + her to be jealous of her own dignity, which I loved even more than her + person. + </p> + <p> + Two or three days later, she said to me, + </p> + <p> + “Why did you refuse to tell your adventures in Constantinople before the + general?” + </p> + <p> + “Because I do not wish everybody to know that you allow me to tell you + such things. What I may dare, madam, to say to you when we are alone, I + would certainly not say to you in public.” + </p> + <p> + “And why not? It seems to me, on the contrary, that if you are silent in + public out of respect for me, you ought to be all the more silent when we + are alone.” + </p> + <p> + “I wanted to amuse you, and have exposed myself to the danger of + displeasing you, but I can assure you, madam, that I will not run such a + risk again.” + </p> + <p> + “I have no wish to pry into your intentions, but it strikes me that if + your wish was to please me, you ought not to have run the risk of + obtaining the opposite result. We take supper with the general this + evening, and M. D—— R—— has been asked to bring + you. I feel certain that the general will ask you again for your + adventures in Constantinople, and this time you cannot refuse him.” + </p> + <p> + M. D—— R—— came in and we went to the general’s. I + thought as we were driving along that, although Madame F—— + seemed to have intended to humiliate me, I ought to accept it all as a + favour of fortune, because, by compelling me to explain my refusal to the + general; Madame F—— had, at the same time, compelled me to a + declaration of my feelings, which was not without importance. + </p> + <p> + The ‘proveditore-generale’ gave me a friendly welcome, and kindly handed + me a letter which had come with the official dispatches from + Constantinople. I bowed my thanks, and put the letter in my pocket: but he + told me that he was himself a great lover of news, and that I could read + my letter. I opened it; it was from Yusuf, who announced the death of + Count de Bonneval. Hearing the name of the worthy Yusuf, the general asked + me to tell him my adventure with his wife. I could not now refuse, and I + began a story which amused and interested the general and his friends for + an hour or so, but which was from beginning to end the work of my + imagination. + </p> + <p> + Thus I continued to respect the privacy of Yusuf, to avoid implicating the + good fame of Madame F——, and to shew myself in a light which + was tolerably advantageous to me. My story, which was full of sentiment, + did me a great deal of honour, and I felt very happy when I saw from the + expression of Madame F——‘s face that she was pleased with me, + although somewhat surprised. + </p> + <p> + When we found ourselves again in her house she told me, in the presence of + M. D—— R——, that the story I had related to the + general was certainly very pretty, although purely imaginary, that she was + not angry with me, because I had amused her, but that she could not help + remarking my obstinacy in refusing compliance with her wishes. Then, + turning to M. D—— R——, she said, + </p> + <p> + “M. Casanova pretends that if he had given an account of his meeting with + Yusuf’s wife without changing anything everybody would think that I + allowed him to entertain me with indecent stories. I want you to give your + opinion about it. Will you,” she added, speaking to me, “be so good as to + relate immediately the adventure in the same words which you have used + when you told me of it?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, madam, if you wish me to do so.” + </p> + <p> + Stung to the quick by an indiscretion which, as I did not yet know women + thoroughly, seemed to me without example, I cast all fears of displeasing + to the winds, related the adventure with all the warmth of an impassioned + poet, and without disguising or attenuating in the least the desires which + the charms of the Greek beauty had inspired me with. + </p> + <p> + “Do you think,” said M. D—— R—— to Madame F——, + “that he ought to have related that adventure before all our friends as he + has just related it to us?” + </p> + <p> + “If it be wrong for him to tell it in public, it is also wrong to tell it + to me in private.” + </p> + <p> + “You are the only judge of that: yes, if he has displeased you; no, if he + has amused you. As for my own opinion, here it is: He has just now amused + me very much, but he would have greatly displeased me if he had related + the same adventure in public.” + </p> + <p> + “Then,” exclaimed Madame F——, “I must request you never to + tell me in private anything that you cannot repeat in public.” + </p> + <p> + “I promise, madam, to act always according to your wishes.” + </p> + <p> + “It being understood,” added M. D—— R——, smiling, + “that madam reserves all rights of repealing that order whenever she may + think fit.” + </p> + <p> + I was vexed, but I contrived not to show it. A few minutes more, and we + took leave of Madame F——. + </p> + <p> + I was beginning to understand that charming woman, and to dread the ordeal + to which she would subject me. But love was stronger than fear, and, + fortified with hope, I had the courage to endure the thorns, so as to + gather the rose at the end of my sufferings. I was particularly pleased to + find that M. D—— R—— was not jealous of me, even + when she seemed to dare him to it. This was a point of the greatest + importance. + </p> + <p> + A few days afterwards, as I was entertaining her on various subjects, she + remarked how unfortunate it had been for me to enter the lazzaretto at + Ancona without any money. + </p> + <p> + “In spite of my distress,” I said, “I fell in love with a young and + beautiful Greek slave, who very nearly contrived to make me break through + all the sanitary laws.” + </p> + <p> + “How so?” + </p> + <p> + “You are alone, madam, and I have not forgotten your orders.” + </p> + <p> + “Is it a very improper story?” + </p> + <p> + “No: yet I would not relate it to you in public.” + </p> + <p> + “Well,” she said, laughing, “I repeal my order, as M. D—— R—— + said I would. Tell me all about it.” + </p> + <p> + I told my story, and, seeing that she was pensive, I exaggerated the + misery I had felt at not being able to complete my conquest. + </p> + <p> + “What do you mean by your misery? I think that the poor girl was more to + be pitied than you. You have never seen her since?” + </p> + <p> + “I beg your pardon, madam; I met her again, but I dare not tell you when + or how.” + </p> + <p> + “Now you must go on; it is all nonsense for you to stop. Tell me all; I + expect you have been guilty of some black deed.” + </p> + <p> + “Very far from it, madam, for it was a very sweet, although incomplete, + enjoyment.” + </p> + <p> + “Go on! But do not call things exactly by their names. It is not necessary + to go into details.” + </p> + <p> + Emboldened by the renewal of her order, I told her, without looking her in + the face, of my meeting with the Greek slave in the presence of Bellino, + and of the act which was cut short by the appearance of her master. When I + had finished my story, Madame F—— remained silent, and I + turned the conversation into a different channel, for though I felt myself + on an excellent footing with her, I knew likewise that I had to proceed + with great prudence. She was too young to have lowered herself before, and + she would certainly look upon a connection with me as a lowering of her + dignity. + </p> + <p> + Fortune which had always smiled upon me in the most hopeless cases, did + not intend to ill-treat me on this occasion, and procured me, on that very + same day, a favour of a very peculiar nature. My charming ladylove having + pricked her finger rather severely, screamed loudly, and stretched her + hand towards me, entreating me to suck the blood flowing from the wound. + You may judge, dear reader, whether I was long in seizing that beautiful + hand, and if you are, or if you have ever been in love, you will easily + guess the manner in which I performed my delightful work. What is a kiss? + Is it not an ardent desire to inhale a portion of the being we love? Was + not the blood I was sucking from that charming wound a portion of the + woman I worshipped? When I had completed my work, she thanked me + affectionately, and told me to spit out the blood I had sucked. + </p> + <p> + “It is here,” I said, placing my hand on my heart, “and God alone knows + what happiness it has given me.” + </p> + <p> + “You have drunk my blood with happiness! Are you then a cannibal?” + </p> + <p> + “I believe not, madam; but it would have been sacrilege in my eyes if I + had suffered one single drop of your blood to be lost.” + </p> + <p> + One evening, there was an unusually large attendance at M. D—— + R——‘s assembly, and we were talking of the carnival which was + near at hand. Everybody was regretting the lack of actors, and the + impossibility of enjoying the pleasures of the theatre. I immediately + offered to procure a good company at my expense, if the boxes were at once + subscribed for, and the monopoly of the faro bank granted to me. No time + was to be lost, for the carnival was approaching, and I had to go to + Otranto to engage a troop. My proposal was accepted with great joy, and + the proveditore-generale placed a felucca at my disposal. The boxes were + all taken in three days, and a Jew took the pit, two nights a week + excepted, which I reserved for my own profit. + </p> + <p> + The carnival being very long that year, I had every chance of success. It + is said generally that the profession of theatrical manager is difficult, + but, if that is the case, I have not found it so by experience, and am + bound to affirm the contrary. + </p> + <p> + I left Corfu in the evening, and having a good breeze in my favour, I + reached Otranto by day-break the following morning, without the oarsmen + having had to row a stroke. The distance from Corfu to Otranto is only + about fifteen leagues. + </p> + <p> + I had no idea of landing, owing to the quarantine which is always enforced + for any ship or boat coming to Italy from the east. I only went to the + parlour of the lazaretto, where, placed behind a grating, you can speak to + any person who calls, and who must stand behind another grating placed + opposite, at a distance of six feet. + </p> + <p> + As soon as I announced that I had come for the purpose of engaging a + troupe of actors to perform in Corfu, the managers of the two companies + then in Otranto came to the parlour to speak to me. I told them at once + that I wished to see all the performers, one company at a time. + </p> + <p> + The two rival managers gave me then a very comic scene, each manager + wanting the other to bring his troupe first. The harbour-master told me + that the only way to settle the matter was to say myself which of the two + companies I would see first: one was from Naples, the other from Sicily. + Not knowing either I gave the preference to the first. Don Fastidio, the + manager, was very vexed, while Battipaglia, the director of the second, + was delighted because he hoped that, after seeing the Neapolitan troupe, I + would engage his own. + </p> + <p> + An hour afterwards, Fastidio returned with all his performers, and my + surprise may be imagined when amongst them I recognized Petronio and his + sister Marina, who, the moment she saw me, screamed for joy, jumped over + the grating, and threw herself in my arms. A terrible hubbub followed, and + high words passed between Fastidio and the harbour-master. Marina being in + the service of Fastidio, the captain compelled him to confine her to the + lazaretto, where she would have to perform quarantine at his expense. The + poor girl cried bitterly, but I could not remedy her imprudence. + </p> + <p> + I put a stop to the quarrel by telling Fastidio to shew me all his people, + one after the other. Petronio belonged to his company, and performed the + lovers. He told me that he had a letter for me from Therese. I was also + glad to see a Venetian of my acquaintance who played the pantaloon in the + pantomime, three tolerably pretty actresses, a pulcinella, and a + scaramouch. Altogether, the troupe was a decent one. + </p> + <p> + I told Fastidio to name the lowest salary he wanted for all his company, + assuring him that I would give the preference to his rival, if he should + ask me too much. + </p> + <p> + “Sir,” he answered, “we are twenty, and shall require six rooms with ten + beds, one sitting-room for all of us, and thirty Neapolitan ducats a day, + all travelling expenses paid. Here is my stock of plays, and we will + perform those that you may choose.” + </p> + <p> + Thinking of poor Marina who would have to remain in the lazaretto before + she could reappear on the stage at Otranto, I told Fastidio to get the + contract ready, as I wanted to go away immediately. + </p> + <p> + I had scarcely pronounced these words than war broke out again between the + manager-elect and his unfortunate competitor. Battipaglia, in his rage, + called Marina a harlot, and said that she had arranged beforehand with + Fastidio to violate the rules of the lazaretto in order to compel me to + choose their troupe. Petronio, taking his sister’s part, joined Fastidio, + and the unlucky Battipaglia was dragged outside and treated to a generous + dose of blows and fisticuffs, which was not exactly the thing to console + him for a lost engagement. + </p> + <p> + Soon afterwards, Petronio brought me Therese’s letter. She was ruining the + duke, getting rich accordingly, and waiting for me in Naples. + </p> + <p> + Everything being ready towards evening, I left Otranto with twenty actors, + and six large trunks containing their complete wardrobes. A light breeze + which was blowing from the south might have carried us to Corfu in ten + hours, but when we had sailed about one hour my cayabouchiri informed me + that he could see by the moonlight a ship which might prove to be a + corsair, and get hold of us. I was unwilling to risk anything, so I + ordered them to lower the sails and return to Otranto. At day-break we + sailed again with a good westerly wind, which would also have taken us to + Corfu; but after we had gone two or three hours, the captain pointed out + to me a brigantine, evidently a pirate, for she was shaping her course so + as to get to windward of us. I told him to change the course, and to go by + starboard, to see if the brigantine would follow us, but she immediately + imitated our manoeuvre. I could not go back to Otranto, and I had no wish + to go to Africa, so I ordered the men to shape our course, so as to land + on the coast of Calabria, by hard rowing and at the nearest point. The + sailors, who were frightened to death, communicated their fears to my + comedians, and soon I heard nothing but weeping and sobbing. Every one of + them was calling earnestly upon some saint, but not one single prayer to + God did I hear. The bewailings of scaramouch, the dull and spiritless + despair of Fastidio, offered a picture which would have made me laugh + heartily if the danger had been imaginary and not real. Marina alone was + cheerful and happy, because she did not realize the danger we were + running, and she laughed at the terror of the crew and of her companions. + </p> + <p> + A strong breeze sprang up towards evening, so I ordered them to clap on + all sail and scud before the wind, even if it should get stronger. In + order to escape the pirate, I had made up my mind to cross the gulf. We + took the wind through the night, and in the morning we were eighty miles + from Corfu, which I determined to reach by rowing. We were in the middle + of the gulf, and the sailors were worn out with fatigue, but I had no + longer any fear. A gale began to blow from the north, and in less than an + hour it was blowing so hard that we were compelled to sail close to the + wind in a fearful manner. The felucca looked every moment as if it must + capsize. Every one looked terrified but kept complete silence, for I had + enjoined it on penalty of death. In spite of our dangerous position, I + could not help laughing when I heard the sobs of the cowardly scaramouch. + The helmsman was a man of great nerve, and the gale being steady I felt we + would reach Corfu without mishap. At day-break we sighted the town, and at + nine in the morning we landed at Mandrachia. Everybody was surprised to + see us arrive that way. + </p> + <p> + As soon as my company was landed, the young officers naturally came to + inspect the actresses, but they did not find them very desirable, with the + exception of Marina, who received uncomplainingly the news that I could + not renew my acquaintance with her. I felt certain that she would not lack + admirers. But my actresses, who had appeared ugly at the landing, produced + a very different effect on the stage, and particularly the pantaloon’s + wife. M. Duodo, commander of a man-of-war, called upon her, and, finding + master pantaloon intolerant on the subject of his better-half, gave him a + few blows with his cane. Fastidio informed me the next day that the + pantaloon and his wife refused to perform any more, but I made them alter + their mind by giving them a benefit night. + </p> + <p> + The pantaloon’s wife was much applauded, but she felt insulted because, in + the midst of the applause, the pit called out, “Bravo, Duodo!” She + presented herself to the general in his own box, in which I was generally, + and complained of the manner in which she was treated. The general + promised her, in my name, another benefit night for the close of the + carnival, and I was of course compelled to ratify his promise. The fact + is, that, to satisfy the greedy actors, I abandoned to my comedians, one + by one, the seventeen nights I had reserved for myself. The benefit I gave + to Marina was at the special request of Madame F——, who had + taken her into great favour since she had had the honour of breakfasting + alone with M. D—— R—— in a villa outside of the + city. + </p> + <p> + My generosity cost me four hundred sequins, but the faro bank brought me a + thousand and more, although I never held the cards, my management of the + theatre taking up all my time. My manner with the actresses gained me + great kindness; it was clearly seen that I carried on no intrigue with any + of them, although I had every facility for doing so. Madame F—— + complimented me, saying that she had not entertained such a good opinion + of my discretion. I was too busy through the carnival to think of love, + even of the passion which filled my heart. It was only at the beginning of + Lent, and after the departure of the comedians, that I could give rein to + my feelings. + </p> + <p> + One morning Madame F—— sent, a messenger who, summoned me to + her presence. It was eleven o’clock; I immediately went to her, and + enquired what I could do for her service. + </p> + <p> + “I wanted to see you,” she said, “to return the two hundred sequins which + you lent me so nobly. Here they are; be good enough to give me back my + note of hand.” + </p> + <p> + “Your note of hand, madam, is no longer in my possession. I have deposited + it in a sealed envelope with the notary who, according to this receipt of + his, can return it only to you.” + </p> + <p> + “Why did you not keep it yourself?” + </p> + <p> + “Because I was afraid of losing it, or of having it stolen. And in the + event of my death I did not want such a document to fall into any other + hands but yours.” + </p> + <p> + “A great proof of your extreme delicacy, certainly, but I think you ought + to have reserved the right of taking it out of the notary’s custody + yourself.” + </p> + <p> + “I did not forsee the possibility of calling for it myself.” + </p> + <p> + “Yet it was a very likely thing. Then I can send word to the notary to + transmit it to me?” + </p> + <p> + “Certainly, madam; you alone can claim it.” + </p> + <p> + She sent to the notary, who brought the note himself. + </p> + <p> + She tore the envelope open, and found only a piece of paper besmeared with + ink, quite illegible, except her own name, which had not been touched. + </p> + <p> + “You have acted,” she said, “most nobly; but you must agree with me that I + cannot be certain that this piece of paper is really my note of hand, + although I see my name on it.” + </p> + <p> + “True, madam; and if you are not certain of it, I confess myself in the + wrong.” + </p> + <p> + “I must be certain of it, and I am so; but you must grant that I could not + swear to it.” + </p> + <p> + “Granted, madam.” + </p> + <p> + During the following days it struck me that her manner towards me was + singularly altered. She never received me in her dishabille, and I had to + wait with great patience until her maid had entirely dressed her before + being admitted into her presence. + </p> + <p> + If I related any story, any adventure, she pretended not to understand, + and affected not to see the point of an anecdote or a jest; very often she + would purposely not look at me, and then I was sure to relate badly. If M. + D—— R—— laughed at something I had just said, she + would ask what he was laughing for, and when he had told her, she would + say it was insipid or dull. If one of her bracelets became unfastened, I + offered to fasten it again, but either she would not give me so much + trouble, or I did not understand the fastening, and the maid was called to + do it. I could not help shewing my vexation, but she did not seem to take + the slightest notice of it. If M. D—— R—— excited + me to say something amusing or witty, and I did not speak immediately, she + would say that my budget was empty, laughing, and adding that the wit of + poor M. Casanova was worn out. Full of rage, I would plead guilty by my + silence to her taunting accusation, but I was thoroughly miserable, for I + did not see any cause for that extraordinary change in her feelings, being + conscious that I had not given her any motive for it. I wanted to shew her + openly my indifference and contempt, but whenever an opportunity offered, + my courage would forsake me, and I would let it escape. + </p> + <p> + One evening M. D—— R—— asking me whether I had + often been in love, I answered, + </p> + <p> + “Three times, my lord.” + </p> + <p> + “And always happily, of course.” + </p> + <p> + “Always unhappily. The first time, perhaps, because, being an + ecclesiastic, I durst not speak openly of my love. The second, because a + cruel, unexpected event compelled me to leave the woman I loved at the + very moment in which my happiness would have been complete. The third + time, because the feeling of pity, with which I inspired the beloved + object, induced her to cure me of my passion, instead of crowning my + felicity.” + </p> + <p> + “But what specific remedies did she use to effect your cure?” + </p> + <p> + “She has ceased to be kind.” + </p> + <p> + “I understand she has treated you cruelly, and you call that pity, do you? + You are mistaken.” + </p> + <p> + “Certainly,” said Madame F——, “a woman may pity the man she + loves, but she would not think of ill-treating him to cure him of his + passion. That woman has never felt any love for you.” + </p> + <p> + “I cannot, I will not believe it, madam.” + </p> + <p> + “But are you cured?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh! thoroughly; for when I happen to think of her, I feel nothing but + indifference and coldness. But my recovery was long.” + </p> + <p> + “Your convalescence lasted, I suppose, until you fell in love with + another.” + </p> + <p> + “With another, madam? I thought I had just told you that the third time I + loved was the last.” + </p> + <p> + A few days after that conversation, M. D—— R—— + told me that Madame F—— was not well, that he could not keep + her company, and that I ought to go to her, as he was sure she would be + glad to see me. I obeyed, and told Madame F—— what M. D—— + R—— had said. She was lying on a sofa. Without looking at me, + she told me she was feverish, and would not ask me to remain with her, + because I would feel weary. + </p> + <p> + “I could not experience any weariness in your society, madam; at all + events, I can leave you only by your express command, and, in that case, I + must spend the next four hours in your ante-room, for M. D— R—— + has told me to wait for him here.” + </p> + <p> + “If so, you may take a seat.” + </p> + <p> + Her cold and distant manner repelled me, but I loved her, and I had never + seen her so beautiful, a slight fever animating her complexion which was + then truly dazzling in its beauty. I kept where I was, dumb and as + motionless as a statue, for a quarter of an hour. Then she rang for her + maid, and asked me to leave her alone for a moment. I was called back soon + after, and she said to me, + </p> + <p> + “What has become of your cheerfulness?” + </p> + <p> + “If it has disappeared, madam, it can only be by your will. Call it back, + and you will see it return in full force.” + </p> + <p> + “What must I do to obtain that result?” + </p> + <p> + “Only be towards me as you were when I returned from Casopo. I have been + disagreeable to you for the last four months, and as I do not know why, I + feel deeply grieved.” + </p> + <p> + “I am always the same: in what do you find me changed?” + </p> + <p> + “Good heavens! In everything, except in beauty. But I have taken my + decision.” + </p> + <p> + “And what is it?” + </p> + <p> + “To suffer in silence, without allowing any circumstance to alter the + feelings with which you have inspired me; to wish ardently to convince you + of my perfect obedience to your commands; to be ever ready to give you + fresh proofs of my devotion.” + </p> + <p> + “I thank you, but I cannot imagine what you can have to suffer in silence + on my account. I take an interest in you, and I always listen with + pleasure to your adventures. As a proof of it, I am extremely curious to + hear the history of your three loves.” + </p> + <p> + I invented on the spot three purely imaginary stories, making a great + display of tender sentiments and of ardent love, but without alluding to + amorous enjoyment, particularly when she seemed to expect me to do so. + Sometimes delicacy, sometimes respect or duty, interfered to prevent the + crowning pleasure, and I took care to observe, at such moments of + disappointment, that a true lover does not require that all important item + to feel perfectly happy. I could easily see that her imagination was + travelling farther than my narrative, and that my reserve was agreeable to + her. I believed I knew her nature well enough to be certain that I was + taking the best road to induce her to follow me where I wished to lead + her. She expressed a sentiment which moved me deeply, but I was careful + not to shew it. We were talking of my third love, of the woman who, out of + pity, had undertaken to cure me, and she remarked, + </p> + <p> + “If she truly loved you, she may have wished not to cure you, but to cure + herself.” + </p> + <p> + On the day following this partial reconciliation, M. F——, her + husband, begged my commanding officer, D—— R——, + to let me go with him to Butintro for an excursion of three days, his own + adjutant being seriously ill. + </p> + <p> + Butintro is seven miles from Corfu, almost opposite to that city; it is + the nearest point to the island from the mainland. It is not a fortress, + but only a small village of Epirus, or Albania, as it is now called, and + belonging to the Venetians. Acting on the political axiom that “neglected + right is lost right,” the Republic sends every year four galleys to + Butintro with a gang of galley slaves to fell trees, cut them, and load + them on the galleys, while the military keep a sharp look-out to prevent + them from escaping to Turkey and becoming Mussulmans. One of the four + galleys was commanded by M. F—— who, wanting an adjutant for + the occasion, chose me. + </p> + <p> + I went with him, and on the fourth day we came back to Corfu with a large + provision of wood. I found M. D—— R—— alone on the + terrace of his palace. It was Good Friday. He seemed thoughtful, and, + after a silence of a few minutes, he spoke the following words, which I + can never forget: + </p> + <p> + “M. F——, whose adjutant died yesterday, has just been + entreating me to give you to him until he can find another officer. I have + told him that I had no right to dispose of your person, and that he ought + to apply to you, assuring him that, if you asked me leave to go with him, + I would not raise any objection, although I require two adjutants. Has he + not mentioned the matter to you?” + </p> + <p> + “No, monsignor, he has only tendered me his thanks for having accompanied + him to Butintro, nothing else.” + </p> + <p> + “He is sure to speak to you about it. What do you intend to say?” + </p> + <p> + “Simply that I will never leave the service of your excellency without + your express command to do so.” + </p> + <p> + “I never will give you such an order.” + </p> + <p> + As M. D—— R—— was saying the last word, M. and + Madame F—— came in. Knowing that the conversation would most + likely turn upon the subject which had just been broached, I hurried out + of the room. In less than a quarter of an hour I was sent for, and M. F—— + said to me, confidentially, + </p> + <p> + “Well, M. Casanova, would you not be willing to live with me as my + adjutant?” + </p> + <p> + “Does his excellency dismiss me from his service?” + </p> + <p> + “Not at all,” observed M. D—— R——, “but I leave + you the choice.” + </p> + <p> + “My lord, I could not be guilty of ingratitude.” + </p> + <p> + And I remained there standing, uneasy, keeping my eyes on the ground, not + even striving to conceal my mortification, which was, after all, very + natural in such a position. I dreaded looking at Madame F——, + for I knew that she could easily guess all my feelings. An instant after, + her foolish husband coldly remarked that I should certainly have a more + fatiguing service with him than with M. D—— R——, + and that, of course, it was more honourable to serve the general governor + of the galeazze than a simple sopra-committo. I was on the point of + answering, when Madame F—— said, in a graceful and easy + manner, “M. Casanova is right,” and she changed the subject. I left the + room, revolving in my mind all that had just taken place. + </p> + <p> + My conclusion was that M. F—— had asked M. D—— R—— + to let me go with him at the suggestion of his wife, or, at least with her + consent, and it was highly flattering to my love and to my vanity. But I + was bound in honour not to accept the post, unless I had a perfect + assurance that it would not be disagreeable to my present patron. “I will + accept,” I said to myself, “if M. D—— R—— tells me + positively that I shall please him by doing so. It is for M. F—— to make him + say it.” + </p> + <p> + On the same night I had the honour of offering my arm to Madame F—during + the procession which takes place in commemoration of the death of our Lord + and Saviour, which was then attended on foot by all the nobility. I + expected she would mention the matter, but she did not. My love was in + despair, and through the night I could not close my eyes. I feared she had + been offended by my refusal, and was overwhelmed with grief. I passed the + whole of the next day without breaking my fast, and did not utter a single + word during the evening reception. I felt very unwell, and I had an attack + of fever which kept me in bed on Easter Sunday. I was very weak on the + Monday, and intended to remain in my room, when a messenger from Madame F—— + came to inform me that she wished to see me. I told the messenger not to + say that he had found me in bed, and dressing myself rapidly I hurried to + her house. I entered her room, pale, looking very ill: yet she did not + enquire after my health, and kept silent a minute or two, as if she had + been trying to recollect what she had to say to me. + </p> + <p> + “Ah! yes, you are aware that our adjutant is dead, and that we want to + replace him. My husband, who has a great esteem for you, and feels that M. + D—— R—— leaves you perfectly free to make your + choice, has taken the singular fancy that you will come, if I ask you + myself to do us that pleasure. Is he mistaken? If you would come to us, + you would have that room.” + </p> + <p> + She was pointing to a room adjoining the chamber in which she slept, and + so situated that, to see her in every part of her room, I should not even + require to place myself at the window. + </p> + <p> + “M. D—— R——,” she continued, “will not love you + less, and as he will see you here every day, he will not be likely to + forget his interest in your welfare. Now, tell me, will you come or not?” + </p> + <p> + “I wish I could, madam, but indeed I cannot.” + </p> + <p> + “You cannot? That is singular. Take a seat, and tell me what there is to + prevent you, when, in accepting my offer, you are sure to please M. D—— + R—— as well as us.” + </p> + <p> + “If I were certain of it, I would accept immediately; but all I have heard + from his lips was that he left me free to make a choice.” + </p> + <p> + “Then you are afraid to grieve him, if you come to us?” + </p> + <p> + “It might be, and for nothing on earth....” + </p> + <p> + “I am certain of the contrary.” + </p> + <p> + “Will you be so good as to obtain that he says so to me himself?” + </p> + <p> + “And then you will come?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, madam! that very minute!” + </p> + <p> + But the warmth of my exclamation might mean a great deal, and I turned my + head round so as not to embarrass her. She asked me to give her her mantle + to go to church, and we went out. As we were going down the stairs, she + placed her ungloved hand upon mine. It was the first time that she had + granted me such a favour, and it seemed to me a good omen. She took off + her hand, asking me whether I was feverish. “Your hand,” she said, “is + burning.” + </p> + <p> + When we left the church, M. D—— R——‘s carriage + happened to pass, and I assisted her to get in, and as soon as she had + gone, hurried to my room in order to breathe freely and to enjoy all the + felicity which filled my soul; for I no longer doubted her love for me, + and I knew that, in this case, M. D—— R—— was not + likely to refuse her anything. + </p> + <p> + What is love? I have read plenty of ancient verbiage on that subject, I + have read likewise most of what has been said by modern writers, but + neither all that has been said, nor what I have thought about it, when I + was young and now that I am no longer so, nothing, in fact, can make me + agree that love is a trifling vanity. It is a sort of madness, I grant + that, but a madness over which philosophy is entirely powerless; it is a + disease to which man is exposed at all times, no matter at what age, and + which cannot be cured, if he is attacked by it in his old age. Love being + sentiment which cannot be explained! God of all nature!—bitter and + sweet feeling! Love!—charming monster which cannot be fathomed! God + who, in the midst of all the thorns with which thou plaguest us, strewest + so many roses on our path that, without thee, existence and death would be + united and blended together! + </p> + <p> + Two days afterwards, M. D—— R——, told me to go + and take orders from M. F—— on board his galley, which was + ready for a five or six days’ voyage. I quickly packed a few things, and + called for my new patron who received me with great joy. We took our + departure without seeing madam, who was not yet visible. We returned on + the sixth day, and I went to establish myself in my new home, for, as I + was preparing to go to M. D—— R——, to take his + orders, after our landing, he came himself, and after asking M. F—— + and me whether we were pleased with each other, he said to me, + </p> + <p> + “Casanova, as you suit each other so well, you may be certain that you + will greatly please me by remaining in the service of M. F.” + </p> + <p> + I obeyed respectfully, and in less than one hour I had taken possession of + my new quarters. Madame F—— told me how delighted she was to + see that great affair ended according to her wishes, and I answered with a + deep reverence. + </p> + <p> + I found myself like the salamander, in the very heart of the fire for + which I had been longing so ardently. + </p> + <p> + Almost constantly in the presence of Madame F——, dining often + alone with her, accompanying her in her walks, even when M. D—— + R—— was not with us, seeing her from my room, or conversing + with her in her chamber, always reserved and attentive without pretension, + the first night passed by without any change being brought about by that + constant intercourse. Yet I was full of hope, and to keep up my courage I + imagined that love was not yet powerful enough to conquer her pride. I + expected everything from some lucky chance, which I promised myself to + improve as soon as it should present itself, for I was persuaded that a + lover is lost if he does not catch fortune by the forelock. + </p> + <p> + But there was one circumstance which annoyed me. In public, she seized + every opportunity of treating me with distinction, while, when we were + alone, it was exactly the reverse. In the eyes of the world I had all the + appearance of a happy lover, but I would rather have had less of the + appearance of happiness and more of the reality. My love for her was + disinterested; vanity had no share in my feelings. + </p> + <p> + One day, being alone with me, she said, + </p> + <p> + “You have enemies, but I silenced them last night.” + </p> + <p> + “They are envious, madam, and they would pity me if they could read the + secret pages of my heart. You could easily deliver me from those enemies.” + </p> + <p> + “How can you be an object of pity for them, and how could I deliver you + from them?” + </p> + <p> + “They believe me happy, and I am miserable; you would deliver me from them + by ill-treating me in their presence.” + </p> + <p> + “Then you would feel my bad treatment less than the envy of the wicked?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, madam, provided your bad treatment in public were compensated by + your kindness when we are alone, for there is no vanity in the happiness I + feel in belonging to you. Let others pity me, I will be happy on condition + that others are mistaken.” + </p> + <p> + “That’s a part that I can never play.” + </p> + <p> + I would often be indiscreet enough to remain behind the curtain of the + window in my room, looking at her when she thought herself perfectly + certain that nobody saw her; but the liberty I was thus guilty of never + proved of great advantage to me. Whether it was because she doubted my + discretion or from habitual reserve, she was so particular that, even when + I saw her in bed, my longing eyes never could obtain a sight of anything + but her head. + </p> + <p> + One day, being present in her room while her maid was cutting off the + points of her long and beautiful hair, I amused myself in picking up all + those pretty bits, and put them all, one after the other, on her + toilet-table, with the exception of one small lock which I slipped into my + pocket, thinking that she had not taken any notice of my keeping it; but + the moment we were alone she told me quietly, but rather too seriously, to + take out of my pocket the hair I had picked up from the floor. Thinking + she was going too far, and such rigour appearing to me as cruel as it was + unjust and absurd, I obeyed, but threw the hair on the toilet-table with + an air of supreme contempt. + </p> + <p> + “Sir, you forget yourself.” + </p> + <p> + “No, madam, I do not, for you might have feigned not to have observed such + an innocent theft.” + </p> + <p> + “Feigning is tiresome.” + </p> + <p> + “Was such petty larceny a very great crime?” + </p> + <p> + “No crime, but it was an indication of feelings which you have no right to + entertain for me.” + </p> + <p> + “Feelings which you are at liberty not to return, madam, but which hatred + or pride can alone forbid my heart to experience. If you had a heart you + would not be the victim of either of those two fearful passions, but you + have only head, and it must be a very wicked head, judging by the care it + takes to heap humiliation upon me. You have surprised my secret, madam, + you may use it as you think proper, but in the meantime I have learned to + know you thoroughly. That knowledge will prove more useful than your + discovery, for perhaps it will help me to become wiser.” + </p> + <p> + After this violent tirade I left her, and as she did not call me back + retired to my room. In the hope that sleep would bring calm, I undressed + and went to bed. In such moments a lover hates the object of his love, and + his heart distils only contempt and hatred. I could not go to sleep, and + when I was sent for at supper-time I answered that I was ill. The night + passed off without my eyes being visited by sleep, and feeling weak and + low I thought I would wait to see what ailed me, and refused to have my + dinner, sending word that I was still very unwell. Towards evening I felt + my heart leap for joy when I heard my beautiful lady-love enter my room. + Anxiety, want of food and sleep, gave me truly the appearance of being + ill, and I was delighted that it should be so. I sent her away very soon, + by telling her with perfect indifference that it was nothing but a bad + headache, to which I was subject, and that repose and diet would effect a + speedy cure. + </p> + <p> + But at eleven o’clock she came back with her friend, M. D—— R——, + and coming to my bed she said, affectionately, + </p> + <p> + “What ails you, my poor Casanova?” + </p> + <p> + “A very bad headache, madam, which will be cured to-morrow.” + </p> + <p> + “Why should you wait until to-morrow? You must get better at once. I have + ordered a basin of broth and two new-laid eggs for you.” + </p> + <p> + “Nothing, madam; complete abstinence can alone cure me.” + </p> + <p> + “He is right,” said M. D—— R——, “I know those + attacks.” + </p> + <p> + I shook my head slightly. M. D—— R—— having just + then turned round to examine an engraving, she took my hand, saying that + she would like me to drink some broth, and I felt that she was giving me a + small parcel. She went to look at the engraving with M. D—— R——. + </p> + <p> + I opened the parcel, but feeling that it contained hair, I hurriedly + concealed it under the bed-clothes: at the same moment the blood rushed to + my head with such violence that it actually frightened me. I begged for + some water, she came to me, with M. D—— R——, and + then were both frightened to see me so red, when they had seen me pale and + weak only one minute before. + </p> + <p> + Madame F—— gave me a glass of water in which she put some Eau + des carmes which instantly acted as a violent emetic. Two or three minutes + after I felt better, and asked for something to eat. Madame F—— + smiled. The servant came in with the broth and the eggs, and while I was + eating I told the history of Pandolfin. M. D—— R—— + thought it was all a miracle, and I could read, on the countenance of the + charming woman, love, affection, and repentance. If M. D—— R—— + had not been present, it would have been the moment of my happiness, but I + felt certain that I should not have long to wait. M. D—— R—— + told Madame F—— that, if he had not seen me so sick, he would + have believed my illness to be all sham, for he did not think it possible + for anyone to rally so rapidly. + </p> + <p> + “It is all owing to my Eau des carmes,” said Madame F——, + looking at me, “and I will leave you my bottle.” + </p> + <p> + “No, madam, be kind enough to take it with you, for the water would have + no virtue without your presence.” + </p> + <p> + “I am sure of that,” said M. D—— R——, “so I will + leave you here with your patient.” + </p> + <p> + “No, no, he must go to sleep now.” + </p> + <p> + I slept all night, but in my happy dreams I was with her, and the reality + itself would hardly have procured me greater enjoyment than I had during + my happy slumbers. I saw I had taken a very long stride forward, for + twenty-four hours of abstinence gave me the right to speak to her openly + of my love, and the gift of her hair was an irrefutable confession of her + own feelings. + </p> + <p> + On the following day, after presenting myself before M. F——, I + went to have a little chat with the maid, to wait until her mistress was + visible, which was not long, and I had the pleasure of hearing her laugh + when the maid told her I was there. As soon as I went in, without giving + me time to say a single word, she told me how delighted she was to see me + looking so well, and advised me to call upon M. D—— R——. + </p> + <p> + It is not only in the eyes of a lover, but also in those of every man of + taste, that a woman is a thousand times more lovely at the moment she + comes out of the arms of Morpheus than when she has completed her toilet. + Around Madame F—— more brilliant beams were blazing than + around the sun when he leaves the embrace of Aurora. Yet the most + beautiful woman thinks as much of her toilet as the one who cannot do + without it—very likely because more human creatures possess the more + they want. + </p> + <p> + In the order given to me by Madame F—— to call on M. D—— + R——, I saw another reason to be certain of approaching + happiness, for I thought that, by dismissing me so quickly, she had only + tried to postpone the consummation which I might have pressed upon her, + and which she could not have refused. + </p> + <p> + Rich in the possession of her hair, I held a consultation with my love to + decide what I ought to do with it, for Madame F——, very likely + in her wish to atone for the miserly sentiment which had refused me a + small bit, had given me a splendid lock, full a yard and a half long. + Having thought it over, I called upon a Jewish confectioner whose daughter + was a skilful embroiderer, and I made her embroider before me, on a + bracelet of green satin, the four initial letters of our names, and make a + very thin chain with the remainder. I had a piece of black ribbon added to + one end of the chain, in the shape of a sliding noose, with which I could + easily strangle myself if ever love should reduce me to despair, and I + passed it round my neck. As I did not want to lose even the smallest + particle of so precious a treasure, I cut with a pair of scissors all the + small bits which were left, and devoutly gathered them together. Then I + reduced them into a fine powder, and ordered the Jewish confectioner to + mix the powder in my presence with a paste made of amber, sugar, vanilla, + angelica, alkermes and storax, and I waited until the comfits prepared + with that mixture were ready. I had some more made with the same + composition, but without any hair; I put the first in a beautiful + sweetmeat box of fine crystal, and the second in a tortoise-shell box. + </p> + <p> + From the day when, by giving me her hair, Madame F—— had + betrayed the secret feelings of her heart, I no longer lost my time in + relating stories or adventures; I only spoke to her of my Love, of my + ardent desires; I told her that she must either banish me from her + presence, or crown my happiness, but the cruel, charming woman would not + accept that alternative. She answered that happiness could not be obtained + by offending every moral law, and by swerving from our duties. If I threw + myself at her feet to obtain by anticipation her forgiveness for the + loving violence I intended to use against her, she would repulse me more + powerfully than if she had had the strength of a female Hercules, for she + would say, in a voice full of sweetness and affection, + </p> + <p> + “My friend, I do not entreat you to respect my weakness, but be generous + enough to spare me for the sake of all the love I feel for you.” + </p> + <p> + “What! you love me, and you refuse to make me happy! It is impossible! it + is unnatural. You compel me to believe that you do not love me. Only allow + me to press my lips one moment upon your lips, and I ask no more.” + </p> + <p> + “No, dearest, no; it would only excite the ardour of your desires, shake + my resolution, and we should then find ourselves more miserable than we + are now.” + </p> + <p> + Thus did she every day plunge me in despair, and yet she complained that + my wit was no longer brilliant in society, that I had lost that elasticity + of spirits which had pleased her so much after my arrival from + Constantinople. M. D—— R——, who often jestingly + waged war against me, used to say that I was getting thinner and thinner + every day. Madame F—— told me one day that my sickly looks + were very disagreeable to her, because wicked tongues would not fail to + say that she treated me with cruelty. Strange, almost unnatural thought! + On it I composed an idyll which I cannot read, even now, without feeling + tears in my eyes. + </p> + <p> + “What!” I answered, “you acknowledge your cruelty towards me? You are + afraid of the world guessing all your heartless rigour, and yet you + continue to enjoy it! You condemn me unmercifully to the torments of + Tantalus! You would be delighted to see me gay, cheerful, happy, even at + the expense of a judgment by which the world would find you guilty of a + supposed but false kindness towards me, and yet you refuse me even the + slightest favours!” + </p> + <p> + “I do not mind people believing anything, provided it is not true.” + </p> + <p> + “What a contrast! Would it be possible for me not to love you, for you to + feel nothing for me? Such contradictions strike me as unnatural. But you + are growing thinner yourself, and I am dying. It must be so; we shall both + die before long, you of consumption, I of exhausting decline; for I am now + reduced to enjoying your shadow during the day, during the night, always, + everywhere, except when I am in your presence.” + </p> + <p> + At that passionate declaration, delivered with all the ardour of an + excited lover, she was surprised, deeply moved, and I thought that the + happy hour had struck. I folded her in my arms, and was already tasting + the first fruits of enjoyment. . . . The sentinel knocked twice! . . . Oh! + fatal mischance! I recovered my composure and stood in front of her. . . . + M. D—— R—— made his appearance, and this time he + found me in so cheerful a mood that he remained with us until one o’clock + in the morning. + </p> + <p> + My comfits were beginning to be the talk of our society. M. D—— + R——, Madame F——, and I were the only ones who had + a box full of them. I was stingy with them, and no one durst beg any from + me, because I had said that they were very expensive, and that in all + Corfu there was no confectioner who could make or physician who could + analyse them. I never gave one out of my crystal box, and Madame F. + remarked it. I certainly did not believe them to be amorous philtre, and I + was very far from supposing that the addition of the hair made them taste + more delicious; but a superstition, the offspring of my love, caused me to + cherish them, and it made me happy to think that a small portion of the + woman I worshipped was thus becoming a part of my being. + </p> + <p> + Influenced perhaps by some secret sympathy, Madame F. was exceedingly fond + of the comfits. She asserted before all her friends that they were the + universal panacea, and knowing herself perfect mistress of the inventor, + she did not enquire after the secret of the composition. But having + observed that I gave away only the comfits which I kept in my + tortoise-shell box, and that I never eat any but those from the crystal + box, she one day asked me what reason I had for that. Without taking time + to think, I told her that in those I kept for myself there was a certain + ingredient which made the partaker love her. + </p> + <p> + “I do not believe it,” she answered; “but are they different from those I + eat myself?” + </p> + <p> + “They are exactly the same, with the exception of the ingredient I have + just mentioned, which has been put only in mine.” + </p> + <p> + “Tell me what the ingredient is.” + </p> + <p> + “It is a secret which I cannot reveal to you.” + </p> + <p> + “Then I will never eat any of your comfits.” + </p> + <p> + Saying which, she rose, emptied her box, and filled it again with + chocolate drops; and for the next few days she was angry with me, and + avoided my company. I felt grieved, I became low-spirited, but I could not + make up my mind to tell her that I was eating her hair! + </p> + <p> + She enquired why I looked so sad. + </p> + <p> + “Because you refuse to take my comfits.” + </p> + <p> + “You are master of your secret, and I am mistress of my diet.” + </p> + <p> + “That is my reward for having taken you into my confidence.” + </p> + <p> + And I opened my box, emptied its contents in my hand, and swallowed the + whole of them, saying, “Two more doses like this, and I shall die mad with + love for you. Then you will be revenged for my reserve. Farewell, madam.” + </p> + <p> + She called me back, made me take a seat near her, and told me not to + commit follies which would make her unhappy; that I knew how much she + loved me, and that it was not owing to the effect of any drug. “To prove + to you,” she added, “that you do not require anything of the sort to be + loved, here is a token of my affection.” And she offered me her lovely + lips, and upon them mine remained pressed until I was compelled to draw a + breath. I threw myself at her feet, with tears of love and gratitude + blinding my eyes, and told her that I would confess my crime, if she would + promise to forgive me. + </p> + <p> + “Your crime! You frighten me. Yes, I forgive you, but speak quickly, and + tell me all.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, everything. My comfits contain your hair reduced to a powder. Here + on my arm, see this bracelet on which our names are written with your + hair, and round my neck this chain of the same material, which will help + me to destroy my own life when your love fails me. Such is my crime, but I + would not have been guilty of it, if I had not loved you.” + </p> + <p> + She smiled, and, bidding me rise from my kneeling position, she told me + that I was indeed the most criminal of men, and she wiped away my tears, + assuring me that I should never have any reason to strangle myself with + the chain. + </p> + <p> + After that conversation, in which I had enjoyed the sweet nectar of my + divinity’s first kiss, I had the courage to behave in a very different + manner. She could see the ardour which consumed me; perhaps the same fire + burned in her veins, but I abstained from any attack. + </p> + <p> + “What gives you,” she said one day, “the strength to control yourself?” + </p> + <p> + “After the kiss which you granted to me of your own accord, I felt that I + ought not to wish any favour unless your heart gave it as freely. You + cannot imagine the happiness that kiss has given me.” + </p> + <p> + “I not imagine it, you ungrateful man! Which of us has given that + happiness?” + </p> + <p> + “Neither you nor I, angel of my soul! That kiss so tender, so sweet, was + the child of love!” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, dearest, of love, the treasures of which are inexhaustible.” + </p> + <p> + The words were scarcely spoken, when our lips were engaged in happy + concert. She held me so tight against her bosom that I could not use my + hands to secure other pleasures, but I felt myself perfectly happy. After + that delightful skirmish, I asked her whether we were never to go any + further. + </p> + <p> + “Never, dearest friend, never. Love is a child which must be amused with + trifles; too substantial food would kill it.” + </p> + <p> + “I know love better than you; it requires that substantial food, and + unless it can obtain it, love dies of exhaustion. Do not refuse me the + consolation of hope.” + </p> + <p> + “Hope as much as you please, if it makes you happy.” + </p> + <p> + “What should I do, if I had no hope? I hope, because I know you have a + heart.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah! yes. Do you recollect the day, when, in your anger, you told me that + I had only a head, but no heart, thinking you were insulting me grossly!” + </p> + <p> + “Oh! yes, I recollect it.” + </p> + <p> + “How heartily I laughed, when I had time to think! Yes, dearest, I have a + heart, or I should not feel as happy as I feel now. Let us keep our + happiness, and be satisfied with it, as it is, without wishing for + anything more.” + </p> + <p> + Obedient to her wishes, but every day more deeply enamoured, I was in hope + that nature at last would prove stronger than prejudice, and would cause a + fortunate crisis. But, besides nature, fortune was my friend, and I owed + my happiness to an accident. + </p> + <p> + Madame F. was walking one day in the garden, leaning on M. D—— + R——‘s arm, and was caught by a large rose-bush, and the + prickly thorns left a deep cut on her leg. M. D—— R—— + bandaged the wound with his handkerchief, so as to stop the blood which + was flowing abundantly, and she had to be carried home in a palanquin. + </p> + <p> + In Corfu, wounds on the legs are dangerous when they are not well attended + to, and very often the wounded are compelled to leave the city to be + cured. + </p> + <p> + Madame F—— was confined to her bed, and my lucky position in + the house condemned me to remain constantly at her orders. I saw her every + minute; but, during the first three days, visitors succeeded each other + without intermission, and I never was alone with her. In the evening, + after everybody had gone, and her husband had retired to his own + apartment, M. D—— R—— remained another hour, and + for the sake of propriety I had to take my leave at the same time that he + did. I had much more liberty before the accident, and I told her so half + seriously, half jestingly. The next day, to make up for my disappointment, + she contrived a moment of happiness for me. + </p> + <p> + An elderly surgeon came every morning to dress her wound, during which + operation her maid only was present, but I used to go, in my morning + dishabille, to the girl’s room, and to wait there, so as to be the first + to hear how my dear one was. + </p> + <p> + That morning, the girl came to tell me to go in as the surgeon was + dressing the wound. + </p> + <p> + “See whether my leg is less inflamed.” + </p> + <p> + “To give an opinion, madam, I ought to have seen it yesterday.” + </p> + <p> + “True. I feel great pain, and I am afraid of erysipelas.” + </p> + <p> + “Do not be afraid, madam,” said the surgeon, “keep your bed, and I answer + for your complete recovery.” + </p> + <p> + The surgeon being busy preparing a poultice at the other end of the room, + and the maid out, I enquired whether she felt any hardness in the calf of + the leg, and whether the inflammation went up the limb; and naturally, my + eyes and my hands kept pace with my questions.... I saw no inflammation, I + felt no hardness, but... and the lovely patient hurriedly let the curtain + fall, smiling, and allowing me to take a sweet kiss, the perfume of which + I had not enjoyed for many days. It was a sweet moment; a delicious + ecstacy. From her mouth my lips descended to her wound, and satisfied in + that moment that my kisses were the best of medicines, I would have kept + my lips there, if the noise made by the maid coming back had not compelled + me to give up my delightful occupation. + </p> + <p> + When we were left alone, burning with intense desires, I entreated her to + grant happiness at least to my eyes. + </p> + <p> + “I feel humiliated,” I said to her, “by the thought that the felicity I + have just enjoyed was only a theft.” + </p> + <p> + “But supposing you were mistaken?” + </p> + <p> + The next day I was again present at the dressing of the wound, and as soon + as the surgeon had left, she asked me to arrange her pillows, which I did + at once. As if to make that pleasant office easier, she raised the + bedclothes to support herself, and she thus gave me a sight of beauties + which intoxicated my eyes, and I protracted the easy operation without her + complaining of my being too slow. + </p> + <p> + When I had done I was in a fearful state, and I threw myself in an + arm-chair opposite her bed, half dead, in a sort of trance. I was looking + at that lovely being who, almost artless, was continually granting me + greater and still greater favours, and yet never allowed me to reach the + goal for which I was so ardently longing. + </p> + <p> + “What are you thinking of?” she said. + </p> + <p> + “Of the supreme felicity I have just been enjoying.” + </p> + <p> + “You are a cruel man.” + </p> + <p> + “No, I am not cruel, for, if you love me, you must not blush for your + indulgence. You must know, too, that, loving you passionately, I must not + suppose that it is to be a surprise that I am indebted for my happiness in + the enjoyment of the most ravishing sights, for if I owed it only to mere + chance I should be compelled to believe that any other man in my position + might have had the same happiness, and such an idea would be misery to me. + Let me be indebted to you for having proved to me this morning how much + enjoyment I can derive from one of my senses. Can you be angry with my + eyes?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes.” + </p> + <p> + “They belong to you; tear them out.” + </p> + <p> + The next day, the moment the doctor had gone, she sent her maid out to + make some purchases. + </p> + <p> + “Ah!” she said a few minutes after, “my maid has forgotten to change my + chemise.” + </p> + <p> + “Allow me to take her place.” + </p> + <p> + “Very well, but recollect that I give permission only to your eyes to take + a share in the proceedings.” + </p> + <p> + “Agreed!” + </p> + <p> + She unlaced herself, took off her stays and her chemise, and told me to be + quick and put on the clean one, but I was not speedy enough, being too + much engaged by all I could see. + </p> + <p> + “Give me my chemise,” she exclaimed; “it is there on that small table.” + </p> + <p> + “Where?” + </p> + <p> + “There, near the bed. Well, I will take it myself.” + </p> + <p> + She leaned over towards the table, and exposed almost everything I was + longing for, and, turning slowly round, she handed me the chemise which I + could hardly hold, trembling all over with fearful excitement. She took + pity on me, my hands shared the happiness of my eyes; I fell in her arms, + our lips fastened together, and, in a voluptuous, ardent pressure, we + enjoyed an amorous exhaustion not sufficient to allay our desires, but + delightful enough to deceive them for the moment. + </p> + <p> + With greater control over herself than women have generally under similar + circumstances, she took care to let me reach only the porch of the temple, + without granting me yet a free entrance to the sanctuary. + </p> + <a name="link2H_4_0024" id="link2H_4_0024"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> <a name="linkepisode4" id="linkepisode4"></a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + EPISODE 4 — RETURN TO VENICE + </h2> + <a name="link2HCH0016" id="link2HCH0016"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVI + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + A Fearful Misfortune Befalls Me—Love Cools Down—Leave + Corfu and Return to Venice—Give Up the Army and Become a + Fiddler +</pre> + <p> + The wound was rapidly healing up, and I saw near at hand the moment when + Madame F—— would leave her bed, and resume her usual + avocations. + </p> + <p> + The governor of the galeasses having issued orders for a general review at + Gouyn, M. F——, left for that place in his galley, telling me + to join him there early on the following day with the felucca. I took + supper alone with Madame F——, and I told her how unhappy it + made me to remain one day away from her. + </p> + <p> + “Let us make up to-night for to-morrow’s disappointment,” she said, “and + let us spend it together in conversation. Here are the keys; when you know + that my maid has left me, come to me through my husband’s room.” + </p> + <p> + I did not fail to follow her instructions to the letter, and we found + ourselves alone with five hours before us. It was the month of June, and + the heat was intense. She had gone to bed; I folded her in my arms, she + pressed me to her bosom, but, condemning herself to the most cruel + torture, she thought I had no right to complain, if I was subjected to the + same privation which she imposed upon herself. My remonstrances, my + prayers, my entreaties were of no avail. + </p> + <p> + “Love,” she said, “must be kept in check with a tight hand, and we can + laugh at him, since, in spite of the tyranny which we force him to obey, + we succeed all the same in gratifying our desires.” + </p> + <p> + After the first ecstacy, our eyes and lips unclosed together, and a little + apart from each other we take delight in seeing the mutual satisfaction + beaming on our features. + </p> + <p> + Our desires revive; she casts a look upon my state of innocence entirely + exposed to her sight. She seems vexed at my want of excitement, and, + throwing off everything which makes the heat unpleasant and interferes + with our pleasure, she bounds upon me. It is more than amorous fury, it is + desperate lust. I share her frenzy, I hug her with a sort of delirium, I + enjoy a felicity which is on the point of carrying me to the regions of + bliss.... but, at the very moment of completing the offering, she fails + me, moves off, slips away, and comes back to work off my excitement with a + hand which strikes me as cold as ice. + </p> + <p> + “Ah, thou cruel, beloved woman! Thou art burning with the fire of love, + and thou deprivest thyself of the only remedy which could bring calm to + thy senses! Thy lovely hand is more humane than thou art, but thou has not + enjoyed the felicity that thy hand has given me. My hand must owe nothing + to thine. Come, darling light of my heart, come! Love doubles my existence + in the hope that I will die again, but only in that charming retreat from + which you have ejected me in the very moment of my greatest enjoyment.” + </p> + <p> + While I was speaking thus, her very soul was breathing forth the most + tender sighs of happiness, and as she pressed me tightly in her arms I + felt that she was weltering in an ocean of bliss. + </p> + <p> + Silence lasted rather a long time, but that unnatural felicity was + imperfect, and increased my excitement. + </p> + <p> + “How canst thou complain,” she said tenderly, “when it is to that very + imperfection of our enjoyment that we are indebted for its continuance? I + loved thee a few minutes since, now I love thee a thousand times more, and + perhaps I should love thee less if thou hadst carried my enjoyment to its + highest limit.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh! how much art thou mistaken, lovely one! How great is thy error! Thou + art feeding upon sophisms, and thou leavest reality aside; I mean nature + which alone can give real felicity. Desires constantly renewed and never + fully satisfied are more terrible than the torments of hell.” + </p> + <p> + “But are not these desires happiness when they are always accompanied by + hope?” + </p> + <p> + “No, if that hope is always disappointed. It becomes hell itself, because + there is no hope, and hope must die when it is killed by constant + deception.” + </p> + <p> + “Dearest, if hope does not exist in hell, desires cannot be found there + either; for to imagine desires without hopes would be more than madness.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, answer me. If you desire to be mine entirely, and if you feel the + hope of it, which, according to your way of reasoning, is a natural + consequence, why do you always raise an impediment to your own hope? + Cease, dearest, cease to deceive yourself by absurd sophisms. Let us be as + happy as it is in nature to be, and be quite certain that the reality of + happiness will increase our love, and that love will find a new life in + our very enjoyment.” + </p> + <p> + “What I see proves the contrary; you are alive with excitement now, but if + your desires had been entirely satisfied, you would be dead, benumbed, + motionless. I know it by experience: if you had breathed the full ecstacy + of enjoyment, as you desired, you would have found a weak ardour only at + long intervals.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah! charming creature, your experience is but very small; do not trust to + it. I see that you have never known love. That which you call love’s grave + is the sanctuary in which it receives life, the abode which makes it + immortal. Give way to my prayers, my lovely friend, and then you shall + know the difference between Love and Hymen. You shall see that, if Hymen + likes to die in order to get rid of life, Love on the contrary expires + only to spring up again into existence, and hastens to revive, so as to + savour new enjoyment. Let me undeceive you, and believe me when I say that + the full gratification of desires can only increase a hundredfold the + mutual ardour of two beings who adore each other.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I must believe you; but let us wait. In the meantime let us enjoy + all the trifles, all the sweet preliminaries of love. Devour thy mistress, + dearest, but abandon to me all thy being. If this night is too short we + must console ourselves to-morrow by making arrangements for another one.” + </p> + <p> + “And if our intercourse should be discovered?” + </p> + <p> + “Do we make a mystery of it? Everybody can see that we love each other, + and those who think that we do not enjoy the happiness of lovers are + precisely the only persons we have to fear. We must only be careful to + guard against being surprised in the very act of proving our love. Heaven + and nature must protect our affection, for there is no crime when two + hearts are blended in true love. Since I have been conscious of my own + existence, Love has always seemed to me the god of my being, for every + time I saw a man I was delighted; I thought that I was looking upon + one-half of myself, because I felt I was made for him and he for me. I + longed to be married. It was that uncertain longing of the heart which + occupies exclusively a young girl of fifteen. I had no conception of love, + but I fancied that it naturally accompanied marriage. You can therefore + imagine my surprise when my husband, in the very act of making a woman of + me, gave me a great deal of pain without giving me the slightest idea of + pleasure! My imagination in the convent was much better than the reality I + had been condemned to by my husband! The result has naturally been that we + have become very good friends, but a very indifferent husband and wife, + without any desires for each other. He has every reason to be pleased with + me, for I always shew myself docile to his wishes, but enjoyment not being + in those cases seasoned by love, he must find it without flavour, and he + seldom comes to me for it. + </p> + <p> + “When I found out that you were in love with me, I felt delighted, and + gave you every opportunity of becoming every day more deeply enamoured of + me, thinking myself certain of never loving you myself. As soon as I felt + that love had likewise attacked my heart, I ill-treated you to punish you + for having made my heart sensible. Your patience and constancy have + astonished me, and have caused me to be guilty, for after the first kiss I + gave you I had no longer any control over myself. I was indeed astounded + when I saw the havoc made by one single kiss, and I felt that my happiness + was wrapped up in yours. That discovery flattered and delighted me, and I + have found out, particularly to-night, that I cannot be happy unless you + are so yourself.” + </p> + <p> + “That is, my beloved, the most refined of all sentiments experienced by + love, but it is impossible for you to render me completely happy without + following in everything the laws and the wishes of nature.” + </p> + <p> + The night was spent in tender discussions and in exquisite voluptuousness, + and it was not without some grief that at day-break I tore myself from her + arms to go to Gouyn. She wept for joy when she saw that I left her without + having lost a particle of my vigour, for she did not imagine such a thing + possible. + </p> + <p> + After that night, so rich in delights, ten or twelve days passed without + giving us any opportunity of quenching even a small particle of the + amorous thirst which devoured us, and it was then that a fearful + misfortune befell me. + </p> + <p> + One evening after supper, M. D—— R—— having + retired, M. F—— used no ceremony, and, although I was present, + told his wife that he intended to pay her a visit after writing two + letters which he had to dispatch early the next morning. The moment he had + left the room we looked at each other, and with one accord fell into each + other’s arms. A torrent of delights rushed through our souls without + restraint, without reserve, but when the first ardour had been appeased, + without giving me time to think or to enjoy the most complete, the most + delicious victory, she drew back, repulsed me, and threw herself, panting, + distracted, upon a chair near her bed. Rooted to the spot, astonished, + almost mad, I tremblingly looked at her, trying to understand what had + caused such an extraordinary action. She turned round towards me and said, + her eyes flashing with the fire of love, + </p> + <p> + “My darling, we were on the brink of the precipice.” + </p> + <p> + “The precipice! Ah! cruel woman, you have killed me, I feel myself dying, + and perhaps you will never see me again.” + </p> + <p> + I left her in a state of frenzy, and rushed out, towards the esplanade, to + cool myself, for I was choking. Any man who has not experienced the + cruelty of an action like that of Madame F——, and especially + in the situation I found myself in at that moment, mentally and bodily, + can hardly realize what I suffered, and, although I have felt that + suffering, I could not give an idea of it. + </p> + <p> + I was in that fearful state, when I heard my name called from a window, + and unfortunately I condescended to answer. I went near the window, and I + saw, thanks to the moonlight, the famous Melulla standing on her balcony. + </p> + <p> + “What are you doing there at this time of night?” I enquired. + </p> + <p> + “I am enjoying the cool evening breeze. Come up for a little while.” + </p> + <p> + This Melulla, of fatal memory, was a courtezan from Zamte, of rare beauty, + who for the last four months had been the delight and the rage of all the + young men in Corfu. Those who had known her agreed in extolling her + charms: she was the talk of all the city. I had seen her often, but, + although she was very beautiful, I was very far from thinking her as + lovely as Madame F——, putting my affection for the latter on + one side. I recollect seeing in Dresden, in the year 1790, a very handsome + woman who was the image of Melulla. + </p> + <p> + I went upstairs mechanically, and she took me to a voluptuous boudoir; she + complained of my being the only one who had never paid her a visit, when I + was the man she would have preferred to all others, and I had the infamy + to give way.... I became the most criminal of men. + </p> + <p> + It was neither desire, nor imagination, nor the merit of the woman which + caused me to yield, for Melulla was in no way worthy of me; no, it was + weakness, indolence, and the state of bodily and mental irritation in + which I then found myself: it was a sort of spite, because the angel whom + I adored had displeased me by a caprice, which, had I not been unworthy of + her, would only have caused me to be still more attached to her. + </p> + <p> + Melulla, highly pleased with her success, refused the gold I wanted to + give her, and allowed me to go after I had spent two hours with her. + </p> + <p> + When I recovered my composure, I had but one feeling—hatred for myself and + for the contemptible creature who had allured me to be guilty of so vile + an insult to the loveliest of her sex. I went home the prey to fearful + remorse, and went to bed, but sleep never closed my eyes throughout that + cruel night. + </p> + <p> + In the morning, worn out with fatigue and sorrow, I got up, and as soon as + I was dressed I went to M. F——, who had sent for me to give me + some orders. After I had returned, and had given him an account of my + mission, I called upon Madame F——, and finding her at her + toilet I wished her good morning, observing that her lovely face was + breathing the cheerfulness and the calm of happiness; but, suddenly, her + eyes meeting mine, I saw her countenance change, and an expression of + sadness replace her looks of satisfaction. She cast her eyes down as if + she was deep in thought, raised them again as if to read my very soul, and + breaking our painful silence, as soon as she had dismissed her maid, she + said to me, with an accent full of tenderness and of solemnity, + </p> + <p> + “Dear one, let there be no concealment either on my part or on yours. I + felt deeply grieved when I saw you leave me last night, and a little + consideration made me understand all the evil which might accrue to you in + consequence of what I had done. With a nature like yours, such scenes + might cause very dangerous disorders, and I have resolved not to do again + anything by halves. I thought that you went out to breathe the fresh air, + and I hoped it would do you good. I placed myself at my window, where I + remained more than an hour without seeing a light in your room. Sorry for + what I had done, loving you more than ever, I was compelled, when my + husband came to my room, to go to bed with the sad conviction that you had + not come home. This morning, M. F. sent an officer to tell you that he + wanted to see you, and I heard the messenger inform him that you were not + yet up, and that you had come home very late. I felt my heart swell with + sorrow. I am not jealous, dearest, for I know that you cannot love anyone + but me; I only felt afraid of some misfortune. At last, this morning, when + I heard you coming, I was happy, because I was ready to shew my + repentance, but I looked at you, and you seemed a different man. Now, I am + still looking at you, and, in spite of myself, my soul reads upon your + countenance that you are guilty, that you have outraged my love. Tell me + at once, dearest, if I am mistaken; if you have deceived me, say so + openly. Do not be unfaithful to love and to truth. Knowing that I was the + cause of it, I should never forgive my self, but there is an excuse for + you in my heart, in my whole being.” + </p> + <p> + More than once, in the course of my life, I have found myself under the + painful necessity of telling falsehoods to the woman I loved; but in this + case, after so true, so touching an appeal, how could I be otherwise than + sincere? I felt myself sufficiently debased by my crime, and I could not + degrade myself still more by falsehood. I was so far from being disposed + to such a line of conduct that I could not speak, and I burst out crying. + </p> + <p> + “What, my darling! you are weeping! Your tears make me miserable. You + ought not to have shed any with me but tears of happiness and love. Quick, + my beloved, tell me whether you have made me wretched. Tell me what + fearful revenge you have taken on me, who would rather die than offend + you. If I have caused you any sorrow, it has been in the innocence of a + loving and devoted heart.” + </p> + <p> + “My own darling angel, I never thought of revenge, for my heart, which can + never cease to adore you, could never conceive such a dreadful idea. It is + against my own heart that my cowardly weakness has allured me to the + commission of a crime which, for the remainder of my life, makes me + unworthy of you.” + </p> + <p> + “Have you, then, given yourself to some wretched woman?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I have spent two hours in the vilest debauchery, and my soul was + present only to be the witness of my sadness, of my remorse, of my + unworthiness.” + </p> + <p> + “Sadness and remorse! Oh, my poor friend! I believe it. But it is my + fault; I alone ought to suffer; it is I who must beg you to forgive me.” + </p> + <p> + Her tears made mine flow again. + </p> + <p> + “Divine soul,” I said, “the reproaches you are addressing to yourself + increase twofold the gravity of my crime. You would never have been guilty + of any wrong against me if I had been really worthy of your love.” + </p> + <p> + I felt deeply the truth of my words. + </p> + <p> + We spent the remainder of the day apparently quiet and composed, + concealing our sadness in the depths of our hearts. She was curious to + know all the circumstances of my miserable adventure, and, accepting it as + an expiation, I related them to her. Full of kindness, she assured me that + we were bound to ascribe that accident to fate, and that the same thing + might have happened to the best of men. She added that I was more to be + pitied than condemned, and that she did not love me less. We both were + certain that we would seize the first favourable opportunity, she of + obtaining her pardon, I of atoning for my crime, by giving each other new + and complete proofs of our mutual ardour. But Heaven in its justice had + ordered differently, and I was cruelly punished for my disgusting + debauchery. + </p> + <p> + On the third day, as I got up in the morning, an awful pricking announced + the horrid state into which the wretched Melulla had thrown me. I was + thunderstruck! And when I came to think of the misery which I might have + caused if, during the last three days, I had obtained some new favour from + my lovely mistress, I was on the point of going mad. What would have been + her feelings if I had made her unhappy for the remainder of her life! + Would anyone, then, knowing the whole case, have condemned me if I had + destroyed my own life in order to deliver myself from everlasting remorse? + No, for the man who kills himself from sheer despair, thus performing upon + himself the execution of the sentence he would have deserved at the hands + of justice cannot be blamed either by a virtuous philosopher or by a + tolerant Christian. But of one thing I am quite certain: if such a + misfortune had happened, I should have committed suicide. + </p> + <p> + Overwhelmed with grief by the discovery I had just made, but thinking that + I should get rid of the inconvenience as I had done three times before, I + prepared myself for a strict diet, which would restore my health in six + weeks without anyone having any suspicion of my illness, but I soon found + out that I had not seen the end of my troubles; Melulla had communicated + to my system all the poisons which corrupt the source of life. I was + acquainted with an elderly doctor of great experience in those matters; I + consulted him, and he promised to set me to rights in two months; he + proved as good as his word. At the beginning of September I found myself + in good health, and it was about that time that I returned to Venice. + </p> + <p> + The first thing I resolved on, as soon as I discovered the state I was in, + was to confess everything to Madame F——. I did not wish to + wait for the time when a compulsory confession would have made her blush + for her weakness, and given her cause to think of the fearful consequences + which might have been the result of her passion for me. Her affection was + too dear to me to run the risk of losing it through a want of confidence + in her. Knowing her heart, her candour, and the generosity which had + prompted her to say that I was more to be pitied than blamed, I thought + myself bound to prove by my sincerity that I deserved her esteem. + </p> + <p> + I told her candidly my position and the state I had been thrown in, when I + thought of the dreadful consequences it might have had for her. I saw her + shudder and tremble, and she turned pale with fear when I added that I + would have avenged her by killing myself. + </p> + <p> + “Villainous, infamous Melulla!” she exclaimed. + </p> + <p> + And I repeated those words, but turning them against myself when I + realized all I had sacrificed through the most disgusting weakness. + </p> + <p> + Everyone in Corfu knew of my visit to the wretched Melulla, and everyone + seemed surprised to see the appearance of health on my countenance; for + many were the victims that she had treated like me. + </p> + <p> + My illness was not my only sorrow; I had others which, although of a + different nature, were not less serious. It was written in the book of + fate that I should return to Venice a simple ensign as when I left: the + general did not keep his word, and the bastard son of a nobleman was + promoted to the lieutenancy instead of myself. From that moment the + military profession, the one most subject to arbitrary despotism, inspired + me with disgust, and I determined to give it up. But I had another still + more important motive for sorrow in the fickleness of fortune which had + completely turned against me. I remarked that, from the time of my + degradation with Melulla, every kind of misfortune befell me. The greatest + of all—that which I felt most, but which I had the good sense to try + and consider a favour—was that a week before the departure of the + army M. D—— R—— took me again for his adjutant, + and M. F—— had to engage another in my place. On the occasion + of that change Madame F. told me, with an appearance of regret, that in + Venice we could not, for many reasons, continue our intimacy. I begged her + to spare me the reasons, as I foresaw that they would only throw + humiliation upon me. I began to discover that the goddess I had worshipped + was, after all, a poor human being like all other women, and to think that + I should have been very foolish to give up my life for her. I probed in + one day the real worth of her heart, for she told me, I cannot recollect + in reference to what, that I excited her pity. I saw clearly that she no + longer loved me; pity is a debasing feeling which cannot find a home in a + heart full of love, for that dreary sentiment is too near a relative of + contempt. Since that time I never found myself alone with Madame F——. + I loved her still; I could easily have made her blush, but I did not do + it. + </p> + <p> + As soon as we reached Venice she became attached to M. F—— R——, + whom she loved until death took him from her. She was unhappy enough to + lose her sight twenty years after. I believe she is still alive. + </p> + <p> + During the last two months of my stay in Corfu, I learned the most bitter + and important lessons. In after years I often derived useful hints from + the experience I acquired at that time. + </p> + <p> + Before my adventure with the worthless Melulla, I enjoyed good health, I + was rich, lucky at play, liked by everybody, beloved by the most lovely + woman of Corfu. When I spoke, everybody would listen and admire my wit; my + words were taken for oracles, and everyone coincided with me in + everything. After my fatal meeting with the courtezan I rapidly lost my + health, my money, my credit; cheerfulness, consideration, wit, everything, + even the faculty of eloquence vanished with fortune. I would talk, but + people knew that I was unfortunate, and I no longer interested or + convinced my hearers. The influence I had over Madame F—— + faded away little by little, and, almost without her knowing it, the + lovely woman became completely indifferent to me. + </p> + <p> + I left Corfu without money, although I had sold or pledged everything I + had of any value. Twice I had reached Corfu rich and happy, twice I left + it poor and miserable. But this time I had contracted debts which I have + never paid, not through want of will but through carelessness. + </p> + <p> + Rich and in good health, everyone received me with open arms; poor and + looking sick, no one shewed me any consideration. With a full purse and + the tone of a conqueror, I was thought witty, amusing; with an empty purse + and a modest air, all I said appeared dull and insipid. If I had become + rich again, how soon I would have been again accounted the eighth wonder + of the world! Oh, men! oh, fortune! Everyone avoided me as if the ill luck + which crushed me down was infectious. + </p> + <p> + We left Corfu towards the end of September, with five galleys, two + galeasses, and several smaller vessels, under the command of M. Renier. We + sailed along the shores of the Adriatic, towards the north of the gulf, + where there are a great many harbours, and we put in one of them every + night. I saw Madame F—— every evening; she always came with + her husband to take supper on board our galeass. We had a fortunate + voyage, and cast anchor in the harbour of Venice on the 14th of October, + 1745, and after having performed quarantine on board our ships, we landed + on the 25th of November. Two months afterwards, the galeasses were set + aside altogether. The use of these vessels could be traced very far back + in ancient times; their maintenance was very expensive, and they were + useless. A galeass had the frame of a frigate with the rowing apparatus of + the galley, and when there was no wind, five hundred slaves had to row. + </p> + <p> + Before simple good sense managed to prevail and to enforce the suppression + of these useless carcasses, there were long discussions in the senate, and + those who opposed the measure took their principal ground of opposition in + the necessity of respecting and conserving all the institutions of olden + times. That is the disease of persons who can never identify themselves + with the successive improvements born of reason and experience; worthy + persons who ought to be sent to China, or to the dominions of the Grand + Lama, where they would certainly be more at home than in Europe. + </p> + <p> + That ground of opposition to all improvements, however absurd it may be, + is a very powerful one in a republic, which must tremble at the mere idea + of novelty either in important or in trifling things. Superstition has + likewise a great part to play in these conservative views. + </p> + <p> + There is one thing that the Republic of Venice will never alter: I mean + the galleys, because the Venetians truly require such vessels to ply, in + all weathers and in spite of the frequent calms, in a narrow sea, and + because they would not know what to do with the men sentenced to hard + labour. + </p> + <p> + I have observed a singular thing in Corfu, where there are often as many + as three thousand galley slaves; it is that the men who row on the + galleys, in consequence of a sentence passed upon them for some crime, are + held in a kind of opprobrium, whilst those who are there voluntarily are, + to some extent, respected. I have always thought it ought to be the + reverse, because misfortune, whatever it may be, ought to inspire some + sort of respect; but the vile fellow who condemns himself voluntarily and + as a trade to the position of a slave seems to me contemptible in the + highest degree. The convicts of the Republic, however, enjoy many + privileges, and are, in every way, better treated than the soldiers. It + very often occurs that soldiers desert and give themselves up to a + ‘sopracomito’ to become galley slaves. In those cases, the captain who + loses a soldier has nothing to do but to submit patiently, for he would + claim the man in vain. The reason of it is that the Republic has always + believed galley slaves more necessary than soldiers. The Venetians may + perhaps now (I am writing these lines in the year 1797) begin to realize + their mistake. + </p> + <p> + A galley slave, for instance, has the privilege of stealing with impunity. + It is considered that stealing is the least crime they can be guilty of, + and that they ought to be forgiven for it. + </p> + <p> + “Keep on your guard,” says the master of the galley slave; “and if you + catch him in the act of stealing, thrash him, but be careful not to + cripple him; otherwise you must pay me the one hundred ducats the man has + cost me.” + </p> + <p> + A court of justice could not have a galley slave taken from a galley, + without paying the master the amount he has disbursed for the man. + </p> + <p> + As soon as I had landed in Venice, I called upon Madame Orio, but I found + the house empty. A neighbour told me that she had married the Procurator + Rosa, and had removed to his house. I went immediately to M. Rosa and was + well received. Madame Orio informed me that Nanette had become Countess + R., and was living in Guastalla with her husband. + </p> + <p> + Twenty-four years afterwards, I met her eldest son, then a distinguished + officer in the service of the Infante of Parma. + </p> + <p> + As for Marton, the grace of Heaven had touched her, and she had become a + nun in the convent at Muran. Two years afterwards, I received from her a + letter full of unction, in which she adjured me, in the name of Our + Saviour and of the Holy Virgin, never to present myself before her eyes. + She added that she was bound by Christian charity to forgive me for the + crime I had committed in seducing her, and she felt certain of the reward + of the elect, and she assured me that she would ever pray earnestly for my + conversion. + </p> + <p> + I never saw her again, but she saw me in 1754, as I will mention when we + reach that year. + </p> + <p> + I found Madame Manzoni still the same. She had predicted that I would not + remain in the military profession, and when I told her that I had made up + my mind to give it up, because I could not be reconciled to the injustice + I had experienced, she burst out laughing. She enquired about the + profession I intended to follow after giving up the army, and I answered + that I wished to become an advocate. She laughed again, saying that it was + too late. Yet I was only twenty years old. + </p> + <p> + When I called upon M. Grimani I had a friendly welcome from him, but, + having enquired after my brother Francois, he told me that he had had him + confined in Fort Saint Andre, the same to which I had been sent before the + arrival of the Bishop of Martorano. + </p> + <p> + “He works for the major there,” he said; “he copies Simonetti’s + battle-pieces, and the major pays him for them; in that manner he earns + his living, and is becoming a good painter.” + </p> + <p> + “But he is not a prisoner?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, very much like it, for he cannot leave the fort. The major, whose + name is Spiridion, is a friend of Razetta, who could not refuse him the + pleasure of taking care of your brother.” + </p> + <p> + I felt it a dreadful curse that the fatal Razetta should be the tormentor + of all my family, but I concealed my anger. + </p> + <p> + “Is my sister,” I enquired, “still with him?” + </p> + <p> + “No, she has gone to your mother in Dresden.” + </p> + <p> + This was good news. + </p> + <p> + I took a cordial leave of the Abbe Grimani, and I proceeded to Fort Saint + Andre. I found my brother hard at work, neither pleased nor displeased + with his position, and enjoying good health. After embracing him + affectionately, I enquired what crime he had committed to be thus a + prisoner. + </p> + <p> + “Ask the major,” he said, “for I have not the faintest idea.” + </p> + <p> + The major came in just then, so I gave him the military salute, and asked + by what authority he kept my brother under arrest. + </p> + <p> + “I am not accountable to you for my actions.” + </p> + <p> + “That remains to be seen.” + </p> + <p> + I then told my brother to take his hat, and to come and dine with me. The + major laughed, and said that he had no objection provided the sentinel + allowed him to pass. + </p> + <p> + I saw that I should only waste my time in discussion, and I left the fort + fully bent on obtaining justice. + </p> + <p> + The next day I went to the war office, where I had the pleasure of meeting + my dear Major Pelodoro, who was then commander of the Fortress of Chiozza. + I informed him of the complaint I wanted to prefer before the secretary of + war respecting my brother’s arrest, and of the resolution I had taken to + leave the army. He promised me that, as soon as the consent of the + secretary for war could be obtained, he would find a purchaser for my + commission at the same price I had paid for it. + </p> + <p> + I had not long to wait. The war secretary came to the office, and + everything was settled in half an hour. He promised his consent to the + sale of my commission as soon as he ascertained the abilities of the + purchaser, and Major Spiridion happening to make his appearance in the + office while I was still there, the secretary ordered him rather angrily, + to set my brother at liberty immediately, and cautioned him not to be + guilty again of such reprehensible and arbitrary acts. + </p> + <p> + I went at once for my brother, and we lived together in furnished + lodgings. + </p> + <p> + A few days afterwards, having received my discharge and one hundred + sequins, I threw off my uniform, and found myself once more my own master. + </p> + <p> + I had to earn my living in one way or another, and I decided for the + profession of gamester. But Dame Fortune was not of the same opinion, for + she refused to smile upon me from the very first step I took in the + career, and in less than a week I did not possess a groat. What was to + become of me? One must live, and I turned fiddler. Doctor Gozzi had taught + me well enough to enable me to scrape on the violin in the orchestra of a + theatre, and having mentioned my wishes to M. Grimani he procured me an + engagement at his own theatre of Saint Samuel, where I earned a crown a + day, and supported myself while I awaited better things. + </p> + <p> + Fully aware of my real position, I never shewed myself in the fashionable + circles which I used to frequent before my fortune had sunk so low. I knew + that I was considered as a worthless fellow, but I did not care. People + despised me, as a matter of course; but I found comfort in the + consciousness that I was worthy of contempt. I felt humiliated by the + position to which I was reduced after having played so brilliant a part in + society; but as I kept the secret to myself I was not degraded, even if I + felt some shame. I had not exchanged my last word with Dame Fortune, and + was still in hope of reckoning with her some day, because I was young, and + youth is dear to Fortune. + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0017" id="link2HCH0017"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVII + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + I Turn Out A Worthless Fellow—My Good Fortune—I Become A + Rich Nobleman +</pre> + <a name="linkimage-0009" id="linkimage-0009"> + <!-- IMG --></a> + <div class="fig" style="width:80%;"> + <img src="images/1c17.jpg" width="100%" alt="1c17.jpg " /> + </div> + <p> + With an education which ought to have ensured me an honourable standing in + the world, with some intelligence, wit, good literary and scientific + knowledge, and endowed with those accidental physical qualities which are + such a good passport into society, I found myself, at the age of twenty, + the mean follower of a sublime art, in which, if great talent is rightly + admired, mediocrity is as rightly despised. I was compelled by poverty to + become a member of a musical band, in which I could expect neither esteem + nor consideration, and I was well aware that I should be the + laughing-stock of the persons who had known me as a doctor in divinity, as + an ecclesiastic, and as an officer in the army, and had welcomed me in the + highest society. + </p> + <p> + I knew all that, for I was not blind to my position; but contempt, the + only thing to which I could not have remained indifferent, never shewed + itself anywhere under a form tangible enough for me to have no doubt of my + being despised, and I set it at defiance, because I was satisfied that + contempt is due only to cowardly, mean actions, and I was conscious that I + had never been guilty of any. As to public esteem, which I had ever been + anxious to secure, my ambition was slumbering, and satisfied with being my + own master I enjoyed my independence without puzzling my head about the + future. I felt that in my first profession, as I was not blessed with the + vocation necessary to it, I should have succeeded only by dint of + hypocrisy, and I should have been despicable in my own estimation, even if + I had seen the purple mantle on my shoulders, for the greatest dignities + cannot silence a man’s own conscience. If, on the other hand, I had + continued to seek fortune in a military career, which is surrounded by a + halo of glory, but is otherwise the worst of professions for the constant + self-abnegation, for the complete surrender of one’s will which passive + obedience demands, I should have required a patience to which I could not + lay any claim, as every kind of injustice was revolting to me, and as I + could not bear to feel myself dependent. Besides, I was of opinion that a + man’s profession, whatever it might be, ought to supply him with enough + money to satisfy all his wants; and the very poor pay of an officer would + never have been sufficient to cover my expenses, because my education had + given me greater wants than those of officers in general. By scraping my + violin I earned enough to keep myself without requiring anybody’s + assistance, and I have always thought that the man who can support himself + is happy. I grant that my profession was not a brilliant one, but I did + not mind it, and, calling prejudices all the feelings which rose in my + breast against myself, I was not long in sharing all the habits of my + degraded comrades. When the play was over, I went with them to the + drinking-booth, which we often left intoxicated to spend the night in + houses of ill-fame. When we happened to find those places already tenanted + by other men, we forced them by violence to quit the premises, and + defrauded the miserable victims of prostitution of the mean salary the law + allows them, after compelling them to yield to our brutality. Our + scandalous proceedings often exposed us to the greatest danger. + </p> + <p> + We would very often spend the whole night rambling about the city, + inventing and carrying into execution the most impertinent, practical + jokes. One of our favourite pleasures was to unmoor the patricians’ + gondolas, and to let them float at random along the canals, enjoying by + anticipation all the curses that gondoliers would not fail to indulge in. + We would rouse up hurriedly, in the middle of the night, an honest + midwife, telling her to hasten to Madame So-and-so, who, not being even + pregnant, was sure to tell her she was a fool when she called at the + house. We did the same with physicians, whom we often sent half dressed to + some nobleman who was enjoying excellent health. The priests fared no + better; we would send them to carry the last sacraments to married men who + were peacefully slumbering near their wives, and not thinking of extreme + unction. + </p> + <p> + We were in the habit of cutting the wires of the bells in every house, and + if we chanced to find a gate open we would go up the stairs in the dark, + and frighten the sleeping inmates by telling them very loudly that the + house door was not closed, after which we would go down, making as much + noise as we could, and leave the house with the gate wide open. + </p> + <p> + During a very dark night we formed a plot to overturn the large marble + table of St. Angelo’s Square, on which it was said that in the days of the + League of Cambray the commissaries of the Republic were in the habit of + paying the bounty to the recruits who engaged to fight under the standard + of St. Mark—a circumstance which secured for the table a sort of + public veneration. + </p> + <p> + Whenever we could contrive to get into a church tower we thought it great + fun to frighten all the parish by ringing the alarm bell, as if some fire + had broken out; but that was not all, we always cut the bell ropes, so + that in the morning the churchwardens had no means of summoning the + faithful to early mass. Sometimes we would cross the canal, each of us in + a different gondola, and take to our heels without paying as soon as we + landed on the opposite side, in order to make the gondoliers run after us. + </p> + <p> + The city was alive with complaints, and we laughed at the useless search + made by the police to find out those who disturbed the peace of the + inhabitants. We took good care to be careful, for if we had been + discovered we stood a very fair chance of being sent to practice rowing at + the expense of the Council of Ten. + </p> + <p> + We were seven, and sometimes eight, because, being much attached to my + brother Francois, I gave him a share now and then in our nocturnal orgies. + But at last fear put a stop to our criminal jokes, which in those days I + used to call only the frolics of young men. This is the amusing adventure + which closed our exploits. + </p> + <p> + In every one of the seventy-two parishes of the city of Venice, there is a + large public-house called ‘magazzino’. It remains open all night, and wine + is retailed there at a cheaper price than in all the other drinking + houses. People can likewise eat in the ‘magazzino’, but they must obtain + what they want from the pork butcher near by, who has the exclusive sale + of eatables, and likewise keeps his shop open throughout the night. The + pork butcher is usually a very poor cook, but as he is cheap, poor people + are willingly satisfied with him, and these resorts are considered very + useful to the lower class. The nobility, the merchants, even workmen in + good circumstances, are never seen in the ‘magazzino’, for cleanliness is + not exactly worshipped in such places. Yet there are a few private rooms + which contain a table surrounded with benches, in which a respectable + family or a few friends can enjoy themselves in a decent way. + </p> + <p> + It was during the Carnival of 1745, after midnight; we were, all the eight + of us, rambling about together with our masks on, in quest of some new + sort of mischief to amuse us, and we went into the magazzino of the parish + of the Holy Cross to get something to drink. We found the public room + empty, but in one of the private chambers we discovered three men quietly + conversing with a young and pretty woman, and enjoying their wine. + </p> + <p> + Our chief, a noble Venetian belonging to the Balbi family, said to us, “It + would be a good joke to carry off those three blockheads, and to keep the + pretty woman in our possession.” He immediately explained his plan, and + under cover of our masks we entered their room, Balbi at the head of us. + Our sudden appearance rather surprised the good people, but you may fancy + their astonishment when they heard Balbi say to them: “Under penalty of + death, and by order of the Council of Ten, I command you to follow us + immediately, without making the slightest noise; as to you, my good woman, + you need not be frightened, you will be escorted to your house.” When he + had finished his speech, two of us got hold of the woman to take her where + our chief had arranged beforehand, and the others seized the three poor + fellows, who were trembling all over, and had not the slightest idea of + opposing any resistance. + </p> + <p> + The waiter of the magazzino came to be paid, and our chief gave him what + was due, enjoining silence under penalty of death. We took our three + prisoners to a large boat. Balbi went to the stern, ordered the boatman to + stand at the bow, and told him that he need not enquire where we were + going, that he would steer himself whichever way he thought fit. Not one + of us knew where Balbi wanted to take the three poor devils. + </p> + <p> + He sails all along the canal, gets out of it, takes several turnings, and + in a quarter of an hour, we reach Saint George where Balbi lands our + prisoners, who are delighted to find themselves at liberty. After this, + the boatman is ordered to take us to Saint Genevieve, where we land, after + paying for the boat. + </p> + <p> + We proceed at once to Palombo Square, where my brother and another of our + band were waiting for us with our lovely prisoner, who was crying. + </p> + <p> + “Do not weep, my beauty,” says Balbi to her, “we will not hurt you. We + intend only to take some refreshment at the Rialto, and then we will take + you home in safety.” + </p> + <p> + “Where is my husband?” + </p> + <p> + “Never fear; you shall see him again to-morrow.” + </p> + <p> + Comforted by that promise, and as gentle as a lamb, she follows us to the + “Two Swords.” We ordered a good fire in a private room, and, everything we + wanted to eat and to drink having been brought in, we send the waiter + away, and remain alone. We take off our masks, and the sight of eight + young, healthy faces seems to please the beauty we had so unceremoniously + carried off. We soon manage to reconcile her to her fate by the gallantry + of our proceedings; encouraged by a good supper and by the stimulus of + wine, prepared by our compliments and by a few kisses, she realizes what + is in store for her, and does not seem to have any unconquerable + objection. Our chief, as a matter of right, claims the privilege of + opening the ball; and by dint of sweet words he overcomes the very natural + repugnance she feels at consummating the sacrifice in so numerous company. + She, doubtless, thinks the offering agreeable, for, when I present myself + as the priest appointed to sacrifice a second time to the god of love, she + receives me almost with gratitude, and she cannot conceal her joy when she + finds out that she is destined to make us all happy. My brother Francois + alone exempted himself from paying the tribute, saying that he was ill, + the only excuse which could render his refusal valid, for we had + established as a law that every member of our society was bound to do + whatever was done by the others. + </p> + <p> + After that fine exploit, we put on our masks, and, the bill being paid, + escorted the happy victim to Saint Job, where she lived, and did not leave + her till we had seen her safe in her house, and the street door closed. + </p> + <p> + My readers may imagine whether we felt inclined to laugh when the charming + creature bade us good night, thanking us all with perfect good faith! + </p> + <p> + Two days afterwards, our nocturnal orgy began to be talked of. The young + woman’s husband was a weaver by trade, and so were his two friends. They + joined together to address a complaint to the Council of Ten. The + complaint was candidly written and contained nothing but the truth, but + the criminal portion of the truth was veiled by a circumstance which must + have brought a smile on the grave countenances of the judges, and highly + amused the public at large: the complaint setting forth that the eight + masked men had not rendered themselves guilty of any act disagreeable to + the wife. It went on to say that the two men who had carried her off had + taken her to such a place, where they had, an hour later, been met by the + other six, and that they had all repaired to the “Two Swords,” where they + had spent an hour in drinking. The said lady having been handsomely + entertained by the eight masked men, had been escorted to her house, where + she had been politely requested to excuse the joke perpetrated upon her + husband. The three plaintiffs had not been able to leave the island of + Saint George until day-break, and the husband, on reaching his house, had + found his wife quietly asleep in her bed. She had informed him of all that + had happened; she complained of nothing but of the great fright she had + experienced on account of her husband, and on that count she entreated + justice and the punishment of the guilty parties. + </p> + <p> + That complaint was comic throughout, for the three rogues shewed + themselves very brave in writing, stating that they would certainly not + have given way so easily if the dread authority of the council had not + been put forth by the leader of the band. The document produced three + different results; in the first place, it amused the town; in the second, + all the idlers of Venice went to Saint Job to hear the account of the + adventure from the lips of the heroine herself, and she got many presents + from her numerous visitors; in the third place, the Council of Ten offered + a reward of five hundred ducats to any person giving such information as + would lead to the arrest of the perpetrators of the practical joke, even + if the informer belonged to the band, provided he was not the leader. + </p> + <p> + The offer of that reward would have made us tremble if our leader, + precisely the one who alone had no interest in turning informer, had not + been a patrician. The rank of Balbi quieted my anxiety at once, because I + knew that, even supposing one of us were vile enough to betray our secret + for the sake of the reward, the tribunal would have done nothing in order + not to implicate a patrician. There was no cowardly traitor amongst us, + although we were all poor; but fear had its effect, and our nocturnal + pranks were not renewed. + </p> + <p> + Three or four months afterwards the chevalier Nicolas Iron, then one of + the inquisitors, astonished me greatly by telling me the whole story, + giving the names of all the actors. He did not tell me whether any one of + the band had betrayed the secret, and I did not care to know; but I could + clearly see the characteristic spirit of the aristocracy, for which the + ‘solo mihi’ is the supreme law. + </p> + <p> + Towards the middle of April of the year 1746 M. Girolamo Cornaro, the + eldest son of the family Cornaro de la Reine, married a daughter of the + house of Soranzo de St. Pol, and I had the honour of being present at the + wedding—as a fiddler. I played the violin in one of the numerous + bands engaged for the balls which were given for three consecutive days in + the Soranzo Palace. + </p> + <p> + On the third day, towards the end of the dancing, an hour before + day-break, feeling tired, I left the orchestra abruptly; and as I was + going down the stairs I observed a senator, wearing his red robes, on the + point of getting into a gondola. In taking his handkerchief out of his + pocket he let a letter drop on the ground. I picked it up, and coming up + to him just as he was going down the steps I handed it to him. He received + it with many thanks, and enquired where I lived. I told him, and he + insisted upon my coming with him in the gondola saying that he would leave + me at my house. I accepted gratefully, and sat down near him. A few + minutes afterwards he asked me to rub his left arm, which, he said, was so + benumbed that he could not feel it. I rubbed it with all my strength, but + he told me in a sort of indistinct whisper that the numbness was spreading + all along the left side, and that he was dying. + </p> + <p> + I was greatly frightened; I opened the curtain, took the lantern, and + found him almost insensible, and the mouth drawn on one side. I understood + that he was seized with an apoplectic stroke, and called out to the + gondoliers to land me at once, in order to procure a surgeon to bleed the + patient. + </p> + <p> + I jumped out of the gondola, and found myself on the very spot where three + years before I had taught Razetta such a forcible lesson; I enquired for a + surgeon at the first coffee-house, and ran to the house that was pointed + out to me. I knocked as hard as I could; the door was at last opened, and + I made the surgeon follow me in his dressing-gown as far as the gondola, + which was waiting; he bled the senator while I was tearing my shirt to + make the compress and the bandage. + </p> + <p> + The operation being performed, I ordered the gondoliers to row as fast as + possible, and we soon reached St. Marina; the servants were roused up, and + taking the sick man out of the gondola we carried him to his bed almost + dead. + </p> + <p> + Taking everything upon myself, I ordered a servant to hurry out for a + physician, who came in a short time, and ordered the patient to be bled + again, thus approving the first bleeding prescribed by me. Thinking I had + a right to watch the sick man, I settled myself near his bed to give him + every care he required. + </p> + <p> + An hour later, two noblemen, friends of the senator, came in, one a few + minutes after the other. They were in despair; they had enquired about the + accident from the gondoliers, and having been told that I knew more than + they did, they loaded me with questions which I answered. They did not + know who I was, and did not like to ask me; whilst I thought it better to + preserve a modest silence. + </p> + <p> + The patient did not move; his breathing alone shewed that he was still + alive; fomentations were constantly applied, and the priest who had been + sent for, and was of very little use under such circumstances, seemed to + be there only to see him die. All visitors were sent away by my advice, + and the two noblemen and myself were the only persons in the sick man’s + room. At noon we partook silently of some dinner which was served in the + sick room. + </p> + <p> + In the evening one of the two friends told me that if I had any business + to attend to I could go, because they would both pass the night on a + mattress near the patient. + </p> + <p> + “And I, sir,” I said, “will remain near his bed in this arm-chair, for if + I went away the patient would die, and he will live as long as I am near + him.” + </p> + <p> + This sententious answer struck them with astonishment, as I expected it + would, and they looked at each other in great surprise. + </p> + <p> + We had supper, and in the little conversation we had I gathered the + information that the senator, their friend, was M. de Bragadin, the only + brother of the procurator of that name. He was celebrated in Venice not + only for his eloquence and his great talents as a statesman, but also for + the gallantries of his youth. He had been very extravagant with women, and + more than one of them had committed many follies for him. He had gambled + and lost a great deal, and his brother was his most bitter enemy, because + he was infatuated with the idea that he had tried to poison him. He had + accused him of that crime before the Council of Ten, which, after an + investigation of eight months, had brought in a verdict of not guilty: but + that just sentence, although given unanimously by that high tribunal, had + not had the effect of destroying his brother’s prejudices against him. + </p> + <p> + M. de Bragadin, who was perfectly innocent of such a crime and oppressed + by an unjust brother who deprived him of half of his income, spent his + days like an amiable philosopher, surrounded by his friends, amongst whom + were the two noblemen who were then watching him; one belonged to the + Dandolo family, the other was a Barbaro, and both were excellent men. M. + de Bragadin was handsome, learned, cheerful, and most kindly disposed; he + was then about fifty years old. + </p> + <p> + The physician who attended him was named Terro; he thought, by some + peculiar train of reasoning, that he could cure him by applying a + mercurial ointment to the chest, to which no one raised any objection. The + rapid effect of the remedy delighted the two friends, but it frightened + me, for in less than twenty-four hours the patient was labouring under + great excitement of the brain. The physician said that he had expected + that effect, but that on the following day the remedy would act less on + the brain, and diffuse its beneficial action through the whole of the + system, which required to be invigorated by a proper equilibrium in the + circulation of the fluids. + </p> + <p> + At midnight the patient was in a state of high fever, and in a fearful + state of irritation. I examined him closely, and found him hardly able to + breathe. I roused up his two friends; and declared that in my opinion the + patient would soon die unless the fatal ointment was at once removed. And + without waiting for their answer, I bared his chest, took off the plaster, + washed the skin carefully with lukewarm water, and in less than three + minutes he breathed freely and fell into a quiet sleep. Delighted with + such a fortunate result, we lay down again. + </p> + <p> + The physician came very early in the morning, and was much pleased to see + his patient so much better, but when M. Dandolo informed him of what had + been done, he was angry, said it was enough to kill his patient, and asked + who had been so audacious as to destroy the effect of his prescription. M. + de Bragadin, speaking for the first time, said to him— + </p> + <p> + “Doctor, the person who has delivered me from your mercury, which was + killing me, is a more skilful physician than you;” and, saying these + words, he pointed to me. + </p> + <p> + It would be hard to say who was the more astonished: the doctor, when he + saw an unknown young man, whom he must have taken for an impostor, + declared more learned than himself; or I, when I saw myself transformed + into a physician, at a moment’s notice. I kept silent, looking very + modest, but hardly able to control my mirth, whilst the doctor was staring + at me with a mixture of astonishment and of spite, evidently thinking me + some bold quack who had tried to supplant him. At last, turning towards M. + de Bragadin, he told him coldly that he would leave him in my hands; he + was taken at his word, he went away, and behold! I had become the + physician of one of the most illustrious members of the Venetian Senate! I + must confess that I was very glad of it, and I told my patient that a + proper diet was all he needed, and that nature, assisted by the + approaching fine season, would do the rest. + </p> + <p> + The dismissed physician related the affair through the town, and, as M. de + Bragadin was rapidly improving, one of his relations, who came to see him, + told him that everybody was astonished at his having chosen for his + physician a fiddler from the theatre; but the senator put a stop to his + remarks by answering that a fiddler could know more than all the doctors + in Venice, and that he owed his life to me. + </p> + <p> + The worthy nobleman considered me as his oracle, and his two friends + listened to me with the deepest attention. Their infatuation encouraging + me, I spoke like a learned physician, I dogmatized, I quoted authors whom + I had never read. + </p> + <p> + M. de Bragadin, who had the weakness to believe in the occult sciences, + told me one day that, for a young man of my age, he thought my learning + too extensive, and that he was certain I was the possessor of some + supernatural endowment. He entreated me to tell him the truth. + </p> + <p> + What extraordinary things will sometimes occur from mere chance, or from + the force of circumstances! Unwilling to hurt his vanity by telling him + that he was mistaken, I took the wild resolution of informing him, in the + presence of his two friends, that I possessed a certain numeral calculus + which gave answers (also in numbers), to any questions I liked to put. + </p> + <p> + M. de Bragadin said that it was Solomon’s key, vulgarly called cabalistic + science, and he asked me from whom I learnt it. + </p> + <p> + “From an old hermit,” I answered, “who lives on the Carpegna Mountain, and + whose acquaintance I made quite by chance when I was a prisoner in the + Spanish army.” + </p> + <p> + “The hermit,” remarked the senator, “has without informing you of it, + linked an invisible spirit to the calculus he has taught you, for simple + numbers can not have the power of reason. You possess a real treasure, and + you may derive great advantages from it.” + </p> + <p> + “I do not know,” I said, “in what way I could make my science useful, + because the answers given by the numerical figures are often so obscure + that I have felt discouraged, and I very seldom tried to make any use of + my calculus. Yet, it is very true that, if I had not formed my pyramid, I + never should have had the happiness of knowing your excellency.” + </p> + <p> + “How so?” + </p> + <p> + “On the second day, during the festivities at the Soranzo Palace, I + enquired of my oracle whether I would meet at the ball anyone whom I + should not care to see. The answer I obtained was this: ‘Leave the + ball-room precisely at four o’clock.’ I obeyed implicitly, and met your + excellency.” + </p> + <p> + The three friends were astounded. M. Dandolo asked me whether I would + answer a question he would ask, the interpretation of which would belong + only to him, as he was the only person acquainted with the subject of the + question. + </p> + <p> + I declared myself quite willing, for it was necessary to brazen it out, + after having ventured as far as I had done. He wrote the question, and + gave it to me; I read it, I could not understand either the subject or the + meaning of the words, but it did not matter, I had to give an answer. If + the question was so obscure that I could not make out the sense of it, it + was natural that I should not understand the answer. I therefore answered, + in ordinary figures, four lines of which he alone could be the + interpreter, not caring much, at least in appearance, how they would be + understood. M. Dandolo read them twice over, seemed astonished, said that + it was all very plain to him; it was Divine, it was unique, it was a gift + from Heaven, the numbers being only the vehicle, but the answer emanating + evidently from an immortal spirit. + </p> + <p> + M. Dandolo was so well pleased that his two friends very naturally wanted + also to make an experiment. They asked questions on all sorts of subjects, + and my answers, perfectly unintelligible to myself, were all held as + Divine by them. I congratulated them on their success, and congratulated + myself in their presence upon being the possessor of a thing to which I + had until then attached no importance whatever, but which I promised to + cultivate carefully, knowing that I could thus be of some service to their + excellencies. + </p> + <p> + They all asked me how long I would require to teach them the rules of my + sublime calculus. “Not very long,” I answered, “and I will teach you as + you wish, although the hermit assured me that I would die suddenly within + three days if I communicated my science to anyone, but I have no faith + whatever in that prediction.” M. de Bragadin who believed in it more than + I did, told me in a serious tone that I was bound to have faith in it, and + from that day they never asked me again to teach them. They very likely + thought that, if they could attach me to them, it would answer the purpose + as well as if they possessed the science themselves. Thus I became the + hierophant of those three worthy and talented men, who, in spite of their + literary accomplishments, were not wise, since they were infatuated with + occult and fabulous sciences, and believed in the existence of phenomena + impossible in the moral as well as in the physical order of things. They + believed that through me they possessed the philosopher’s stone, the + universal panacea, the intercourse with all the elementary, heavenly, and + infernal spirits; they had no doubt whatever that, thanks to my sublime + science, they could find out the secrets of every government in Europe. + </p> + <p> + After they had assured themselves of the reality of my cabalistic science + by questions respecting the past, they decided to turn it to some use by + consulting it upon the present and upon the future. I had no difficulty in + shewing myself a good guesser, because I always gave answers with a double + meaning, one of the meanings being carefully arranged by me, so as not to + be understood until after the event; in that manner, my cabalistic + science, like the oracle of Delphi, could never be found in fault. I saw + how easy it must have been for the ancient heathen priests to impose upon + ignorant, and therefore credulous mankind. I saw how easy it will always + be for impostors to find dupes, and I realized, even better than the Roman + orator, why two augurs could never look at each other without laughing; it + was because they had both an equal interest in giving importance to the + deceit they perpetrated, and from which they derived such immense profits. + But what I could not, and probably never shall, understand, was the reason + for which the Fathers, who were not so simple or so ignorant as our + Evangelists, did not feel able to deny the divinity of oracles, and, in + order to get out of the difficulty, ascribed them to the devil. They never + would have entertained such a strange idea if they had been acquainted + with cabalistic science. My three worthy friends were like the holy + Fathers; they had intelligence and wit, but they were superstitious, and + no philosophers. But, although believing fully in my oracles, they were + too kind-hearted to think them the work of the devil, and it suited their + natural goodness better to believe my answers inspired by some heavenly + spirit. They were not only good Christians and faithful to the Church, but + even real devotees and full of scruples. They were not married, and, after + having renounced all commerce with women, they had become the enemies of + the female sex; perhaps a strong proof of the weakness of their minds. + They imagined that chastity was the condition ‘sine qua non’ exacted by + the spirits from those who wished to have intimate communication or + intercourse with them: they fancied that spirits excluded women, and ‘vice + versa’. + </p> + <p> + With all these oddities, the three friends were truly intelligent and even + witty, and, at the beginning of my acquaintance with them, I could not + reconcile these antagonistic points. But a prejudiced mind cannot reason + well, and the faculty of reasoning is the most important of all. I often + laughed when I heard them talk on religious matters; they would ridicule + those whose intellectual faculties were so limited that they could not + understand the mysteries of religion. The incarnation of the Word, they + would say, was a trifle for God, and therefore easy to understand, and the + resurrection was so comprehensible that it did not appear to them + wonderful, because, as God cannot die, Jesus Christ was naturally certain + to rise again. As for the Eucharist, transubstantiation, the real + presence, it was all no mystery to them, but palpable evidence, and yet + they were not Jesuits. They were in the habit of going to confession every + week, without feeling the slightest trouble about their confessors, whose + ignorance they kindly regretted. They thought themselves bound to confess + only what was a sin in their own opinion, and in that, at least, they + reasoned with good sense. + </p> + <p> + With those three extraordinary characters, worthy of esteem and respect + for their moral qualities, their honesty, their reputation, and their age, + as well as for their noble birth, I spent my days in a very pleasant + manner: although, in their thirst for knowledge, they often kept me hard + at work for ten hours running, all four of us being locked up together in + a room, and unapproachable to everybody, even to friends or relatives. + </p> + <p> + I completed the conquest of their friendship by relating to them the whole + of my life, only with some proper reserve, so as not to lead them into any + capital sins. I confess candidly that I deceived them, as the Papa + Deldimopulo used to deceive the Greeks who applied to him for the oracles + of the Virgin. I certainly did not act towards them with a true sense of + honesty, but if the reader to whom I confess myself is acquainted with the + world and with the spirit of society, I entreat him to think before + judging me, and perhaps I may meet with some indulgence at his hands. + </p> + <p> + I might be told that if I had wished to follow the rules of pure morality + I ought either to have declined intimate intercourse with them or to have + undeceived them. I cannot deny these premises, but I will answer that I + was only twenty years of age, I was intelligent, talented, and had just + been a poor fiddler. I should have lost my time in trying to cure them of + their weakness; I should not have succeeded, for they would have laughed + in my face, deplored my ignorance, and the result of it all would have + been my dismissal. Besides, I had no mission, no right, to constitute + myself an apostle, and if I had heroically resolved on leaving them as + soon as I knew them to be foolish visionaries, I should have shewn myself + a misanthrope, the enemy of those worthy men for whom I could procure + innocent pleasures, and my own enemy at the same time; because, as a young + man, I liked to live well, to enjoy all the pleasures natural to youth and + to a good constitution. + </p> + <p> + By acting in that manner I should have failed in common politeness, I + should perhaps have caused or allowed M. de Bragadin’s death, and I should + have exposed those three honest men to becoming the victims of the first + bold cheat who, ministering to their monomania, might have won their + favour, and would have ruined them by inducing them to undertake the + chemical operations of the Great Work. There is also another + consideration, dear reader, and as I love you I will tell you what it is. + An invincible self-love would have prevented me from declaring myself + unworthy of their friendship either by my ignorance or by my pride; and I + should have been guilty of great rudeness if I had ceased to visit them. + </p> + <p> + I took, at least it seems to me so, the best, the most natural, and the + noblest decision, if we consider the disposition of their mind, when I + decided upon the plan of conduct which insured me the necessaries of life + and of those necessaries who could be a better judge than your very humble + servant? + </p> + <p> + Through the friendship of those three men, I was certain of obtaining + consideration and influence in my own country. Besides, I found it very + flattering to my vanity to become the subject of the speculative + chattering of empty fools who, having nothing else to do, are always + trying to find out the cause of every moral phenomenon they meet with, + which their narrow intellect cannot understand. + </p> + <p> + People racked their brain in Venice to find out how my intimacy with three + men of that high character could possibly exist; they were wrapped up in + heavenly aspirations, I was a world’s devotee; they were very strict in + their morals, I was thirsty of all pleasures! At the beginning of summer, + M. de Bragadin was once more able to take his seat in the senate, and, + the day before he went out for the first time, he spoke to me thus: + </p> + <p> + “Whoever you may be, I am indebted to you for my life. Your first + protectors wanted to make you a priest, a doctor, an advocate, a soldier, + and ended by making a fiddler of you; those persons did not know you. God + had evidently instructed your guardian angel to bring you to me. I know + you and appreciate you. If you will be my son, you have only to + acknowledge me for your father, and, for the future, until my death, I + will treat you as my own child. Your apartment is ready, you may send your + clothes: you shall have a servant, a gondola at your orders, my own table, + and ten sequins a month. It is the sum I used to receive from my father + when I was your age. You need not think of the future; think only of + enjoying yourself, and take me as your adviser in everything that may + happen to you, in everything you may wish to undertake, and you may be + certain of always finding me your friend.” + </p> + <p> + I threw myself at his feet to assure him of my gratitude, and embraced him + calling him my father. He folded me in his arms, called me his dear son; I + promised to love and to obey him; his two friends, who lived in the same + palace, embraced me affectionately, and we swore eternal fraternity. + </p> + <p> + Such is the history of my metamorphosis, and of the lucky stroke which, + taking me from the vile profession of a fiddler, raised me to the rank of + a grandee. + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0018" id="link2HCH0018"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVIII + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + I lead a dissolute life—Zawoiski—Rinaldi—L’Abbadie—the + young countess—the Capuchin friar —Z. Steffani—Ancilla—La + Ramor—I take a gondola at St. Job to go to Mestra. +</pre> + <a name="linkimage-0010" id="linkimage-0010"> + <!-- IMG --></a> + <div class="fig" style="width:80%;"> + <img src="images/1c18.jpg" width="100%" alt="1c18.jpg " /> + </div> + <p> + Fortune, which had taken pleasure in giving me a specimen of its despotic + caprice, and had insured my happiness through means which sages would + disavow, had not the power to make me adopt a system of moderation and + prudence which alone could establish my future welfare on a firm basis. + </p> + <p> + My ardent nature, my irresistible love of pleasure, my unconquerable + independence, would not allow me to submit to the reserve which my new + position in life demanded from me. I began to lead a life of complete + freedom, caring for nothing but what ministered to my tastes, and I + thought that, as long as I respected the laws, I could trample all + prejudices under my feet. I fancied that I could live free and independent + in a country ruled entirely by an aristocratic government, but this was + not the case, and would not have been so even if fortune had raised me to + a seat in that same government, for the Republic of Venice, considering + that its primary duty is to preserve its own integrity, finds itself the + slave of its own policy, and is bound to sacrifice everything to + self-preservation, before which the laws themselves cease to be + inviolable. + </p> + <p> + But let us abandon the discussion of a principle now too trite, for + humankind, at least in Europe, is satisfied that unlimited liberty is + nowhere consistent with a properly-regulated state of society. I have + touched lightly on the matter, only to give to my readers some idea of my + conduct in my own country, where I began to tread a path which was to lead + me to a state prison as inscrutable as it was unconstitutional. + </p> + <p> + With enough money, endowed by nature with a pleasing and commanding + physical appearance, a confirmed gambler, a true spendthrift, a great + talker, very far from modest, intrepid, always running after pretty women, + supplanting my rivals, and acknowledging no good company but that which + ministered to my enjoyment, I was certain to be disliked; but, ever ready + to expose myself to any danger, and to take the responsibility of all my + actions, I thought I had a right to do anything I pleased, for I always + broke down abruptly every obstacle I found in my way. + </p> + <p> + Such conduct could not but be disagreeable to the three worthy men whose + oracle I had become, but they did not like to complain. The excellent M. + de Bragadin would only tell me that I was giving him a repetition of the + foolish life he had himself led at my age, but that I must prepare to pay + the penalty of my follies, and to feel the punishment when I should reach + his time of life. Without wanting in the respect I owed him, I would turn + his terrible forebodings into jest, and continue my course of + extravagance. However, I must mention here the first proof he gave me of + his true wisdom. + </p> + <p> + At the house of Madame Avogadro, a woman full of wit in spite of her sixty + years, I had made the acquaintance of a young Polish nobleman called + Zawoiski. He was expecting money from Poland, but in the mean time the + Venetian ladies did not let him want for any, being all very much in love + with his handsome face and his Polish manners. We soon became good + friends, my purse was his, but, twenty years later, he assisted me to a + far greater extent in Munich. Zawoiski was honest, he had only a small + dose of intelligence, but it was enough for his happiness. He died in + Trieste five or six years ago, the ambassador of the Elector of Treves. I + will speak of him in another part of these Memoirs. + </p> + <p> + This amiable young man, who was a favourite with everybody and was thought + a free-thinker because he frequented the society of Angelo Querini and + Lunardo Venier, presented me one day, as we were out walking, to an + unknown countess who took my fancy very strongly. We called on her in the + evening, and, after introducing me to her husband, Count Rinaldi, she + invited us to remain and have supper. + </p> + <p> + The count made a faro bank in the course of the evening, I punted with his + wife as a partner, and won some fifty ducats. + </p> + <p> + Very much pleased with my new acquaintance, I called alone on the countess + the next morning. The count, apologizing for his wife who was not up yet, + took me to her room. She received me with graceful ease, and, her husband + having left us alone, she had the art to let me hope for every favour, yet + without committing herself; when I took leave of her, she invited me to + supper for the evening. After supper I played, still in partnership with + her, won again, and went away very much in love. I did not fail to pay her + another visit the next morning, but when I presented myself at the house I + was told that she had gone out. + </p> + <p> + I called again in the evening, and, after she had excused herself for not + having been at home in the morning, the faro bank began, and I lost all my + money, still having the countess for my partner. After supper, and when + the other guests had retired, I remained with Zawoiski, Count Rinaldi + having offered to give us our revenge. As I had no more money, I played + upon trust, and the count threw down the cards after I had lost five + hundred sequins. I went away in great sorrow. I was bound in honour to pay + the next morning, and I did not possess a groat. Love increased my + despair, for I saw myself on the point of losing the esteem of a woman by + whom I was smitten, and the anxiety I felt did not escape M. de Bragadin + when we met in the morning. He kindly encouraged me to confess my troubles + to him. I was conscious that it was my only chance, and candidly related + the whole affair, and I ended by saying that I should not survive my + disgrace. He consoled me by promising that my debt would be cancelled in + the course of the day, if I would swear never to play again upon trust. I + took an oath to that effect, and kissing his hand, I went out for a walk, + relieved from a great load. I had no doubt that my excellent father would + give me five hundred sequins during the day, and I enjoyed my anticipation + the honour I would derive, in the opinion of the lovely countess, by my + exactitude and prompt discharge of my debt. I felt that it gave new + strength to my hopes, and that feeling prevented me from regretting my + heavy loss, but grateful for the great generosity of my benefactor I was + fully determined on keeping my promise. + </p> + <p> + I dined with the three friends, and the matter was not even alluded to; + but, as we were rising from the table, a servant brought M. de Bragadin a + letter and a parcel. + </p> + <p> + He read the letter, asked me to follow him into his study, and the moment + we were alone, he said; + </p> + <p> + “Here is a parcel for you.” + </p> + <p> + I opened it, and found some forty sequins. Seeing my surprise, M. de + Bragadin laughed merrily and handed me the letter, the contents of which + ran thus: + </p> + <p> + “M. de Casanova may be sure that our playing last night was only a joke: + he owes me nothing. My wife begs to send him half of the gold which he has + lost in cash. “COUNT RINALDI.” + </p> + <p> + I looked at M. de Bragadin, perfectly amazed, and he burst out laughing. I + guessed the truth, thanked him, and embracing him tenderly I promised to + be wiser for the future. The mist I had before my eyes was dispelled, I + felt that my love was defunct, and I remained rather ashamed, when I + realized that I had been the dupe of the wife as well as of the husband. + </p> + <p> + “This evening,” said my clever physician, “you can have a gay supper with + the charming countess.” + </p> + <p> + “This evening, my dear, respected benefactor, I will have supper with you. + You have given me a masterly lesson.” + </p> + <p> + “The next time you lose money upon trust, you had better not pay it.” + </p> + <p> + “But I should be dishonoured.” + </p> + <p> + “Never mind. The sooner you dishonour yourself, the more you will save, + for you will always be compelled to accept your dishonour whenever you + find yourself utterly unable to pay your losses. It is therefore more + prudent not to wait until then.” + </p> + <p> + “It is much better still to avoid that fatal impossibility by never + playing otherwise than with money in hand.” + </p> + <p> + “No doubt of it, for then you will save both your honour and your purse. + But, as you are fond of games of chance, I advise you never to punt. Make + the bank, and the advantage must be on your side.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, but only a slight advantage.” + </p> + <p> + “As slight as you please, but it will be on your side, and when the game + is over you will find yourself a winner and not a loser. The punter is + excited, the banker is calm. The last says, ‘I bet you do not guess,’ + while the first says, ‘I bet I can guess.’ Which is the fool, and which is + the wise man? The question is easily answered. I adjure you to be prudent, + but if you should punt and win, recollect that you are only an idiot if at + the end you lose.” + </p> + <p> + “Why an idiot? Fortune is very fickle.” + </p> + <p> + “It must necessarily be so; it is a natural consequence. Leave off + playing, believe me, the very moment you see luck turning, even if you + should, at that moment, win but one groat.” + </p> + <p> + I had read Plato, and I was astonished at finding a man who could reason + like Socrates. + </p> + <p> + The next day, Zawoiski called on me very early to tell me that I had been + expected to supper, and that Count Rinaldi had praised my promptness in + paying my debts of honour. I did not think it necessary to undeceive him, + but I did not go again to Count Rinaldi’s, whom I saw sixteen years + afterwards in Milan. As to Zawoiski, I did not tell him the story till I + met him in Carlsbad, old and deaf, forty years later. + </p> + <p> + Three or four months later, M. de Bragadin taught me another of his + masterly lessons. I had become acquainted, through Zawoiski, with a + Frenchman called L’Abbadie, who was then soliciting from the Venetian + Government the appointment of inspector of the armies of the Republic. The + senate appointed, and I presented him to my protector, who promised him + his vote; but the circumstance I am going to relate prevented him from + fulfilling his promise. + </p> + <p> + I was in need of one hundred sequins to discharge a few debts, and I + begged M. de Bragadin to give them to me. + </p> + <p> + “Why, my dear son, do you not ask M. de l’Abbadie to render you that + service?” + </p> + <p> + “I should not dare to do so, dear father.” + </p> + <p> + “Try him; I am certain that he will be glad to lend you that sum.” + </p> + <p> + “I doubt it, but I will try.” + </p> + <p> + I called upon L’Abbadie on the following day, and after a short exchange + of compliments I told him the service I expected from his friendship. He + excused himself in a very polite manner, drowning his refusal in that sea + of commonplaces which people are sure to repeat when they cannot or will + not oblige a friend. Zawoiski came in as he was still apologizing, and I + left them together. I hurried at once to M. de Bragadin, and told him my + want of success. He merely remarked that the Frenchman was deficient in + intelligence. + </p> + <p> + It just happened that it was the very day on which the appointment of the + inspectorship was to be brought before the senate. I went out to attend to + my business (I ought to say to my pleasure), and as I did not return home + till after midnight I went to bed without seeing my father. In the morning + I said in his presence that I intended to call upon L’Abbadie to + congratulate him upon his appointment. + </p> + <p> + “You may spare yourself that trouble; the senate has rejected his + nomination.” + </p> + <p> + “How so? Three days ago L’Abbadie felt sure of his success.” + </p> + <p> + “He was right then, for he would have been appointed if I had not made up + my mind to speak against him. I have proved to the senate that a right + policy forbade the government to trust such an important post to a + foreigner.” + </p> + <p> + “I am much surprised, for your excellency was not of that opinion the day + before yesterday.” + </p> + <p> + “Very true, but then I did not know M. de l’Abbadie. I found out only + yesterday that the man was not sufficiently intelligent to fill the + position he was soliciting. Is he likely to possess a sane judgment when + he refuses to lend you one hundred sequins? That refusal has cost him an + important appointment and an income of three thousand crowns, which would + now be his.” + </p> + <p> + When I was taking my walk on the same day I met Zawoiski with L’Abbadie, + and did not try to avoid them. L’Abbadie was furious, and he had some + reason to be so. + </p> + <p> + “If you had told me,” he said angrily, “that the one hundred sequins were + intended as a gag to stop M. de Bragadin’s mouth, I would have contrived + to procure them for you.” + </p> + <p> + “If you had had an inspector’s brains you would have easily guessed it.” + </p> + <p> + The Frenchman’s resentment proved very useful to me, because he related + the circumstance to everybody. The result was that from that time those + who wanted the patronage of the senator applied to me. Comment is + needless; this sort of thing has long been in existence, and will long + remain so, because very often, to obtain the highest of favours, all that + is necessary is to obtain the good-will of a minister’s favourite or even + of his valet. My debts were soon paid. + </p> + <p> + It was about that time that my brother Jean came to Venice with Guarienti, + a converted Jew, a great judge of paintings, who was travelling at the + expense of His Majesty the King of Poland, and Elector of Saxony. It was + the converted Jew who had purchased for His Majesty the gallery of the + Duke of Modena for one hundred thousand sequins. Guarienti and my brother + left Venice for Rome, where Jean remained in the studio of the celebrated + painter Raphael Mengs, whom we shall meet again hereafter. + </p> + <p> + Now, as a faithful historian, I must give my readers the story of a + certain adventure in which were involved the honour and happiness of one + of the most charming women in Italy, who would have been unhappy if I had + not been a thoughtless fellow. + </p> + <p> + In the early part of October, 1746, the theatres being opened, I was + walking about with my mask on when I perceived a woman, whose head was + well enveloped in the hood of her mantle, getting out of the Ferrara barge + which had just arrived. Seeing her alone, and observing her uncertain + walk, I felt myself drawn towards her as if an unseen hand had guided me. + </p> + <p> + I come up to her, and offer my services if I can be of any use to her. She + answers timidly that she only wants to make some enquiries. + </p> + <p> + “We are not here in the right place for conversation,” I say to her; “but + if you would be kind enough to come with me to a cafe, you would be able + to speak and to explain your wishes.” + </p> + <p> + She hesitates, I insist, and she gives way. The tavern was close at hand; + we go in, and are alone in a private room. I take off my mask, and out of + politeness she must put down the hood of her mantle. A large muslin + head-dress conceals half of her face, but her eyes, her nose, and her + pretty mouth are enough to let me see on her features beauty, nobleness, + sorrow, and that candour which gives youth such an undefinable charm. I + need not say that, with such a good letter of introduction, the unknown at + once captivated my warmest interest. After wiping away a few tears which + are flowing, in spite of all her efforts, she tells me that she belongs to + a noble family, that she has run away from her father’s house, alone, + trusting in God, to meet a Venetian nobleman who had seduced her and then + deceived her, thus sealing her everlasting misery. + </p> + <p> + “You have then some hope of recalling him to the path of duty? I suppose + he has promised you marriage?” + </p> + <p> + “He has engaged his faith to me in writing. The only favour I claim from + your kindness is to take me to his house, to leave me there, and to keep + my secret.” + </p> + <p> + “You may trust, madam, to the feelings of a man of honour. I am worthy of + your trust. Have entire confidence in me, for I already take a deep + interest in all your concerns. Tell me his name.” + </p> + <p> + “Alas! sir, I give way to fate.” + </p> + <p> + With these words, she takes out of her bosom a paper which she gives me; I + recognize the handwriting of Zanetto Steffani. It was a promise of + marriage by which he engaged his word of honour to marry within a week, in + Venice, the young countess A—— S——. When I have + read the paper, I return it to her, saying that I knew the writer quite + well, that he was connected with the chancellor’s office, known as a great + libertine, and deeply in debt, but that he would be rich after his + mother’s death. + </p> + <p> + “For God’s sake take me to his house.” + </p> + <p> + “I will do anything you wish; but have entire confidence in me, and be + good enough to hear me. I advise you not to go to his house. He has + already done you great injury, and, even supposing that you should happen + to find him at home, he might be capable of receiving you badly; if he + should not be at home, it is most likely that his mother would not exactly + welcome you, if you should tell her who you are and what is your errand. + Trust to me, and be quite certain that God has sent me on your way to + assist you. I promise you that to-morrow at the latest you shall know + whether Steffani is in Venice, what he intends to do with you, and what we + may compel him to do. Until then my advice is not to let him know your + arrival in Venice.” + </p> + <p> + “Good God! where shall I go to-night?” + </p> + <p> + “To a respectable house, of course.” + </p> + <p> + “I will go to yours, if you are married.” + </p> + <p> + “I am a bachelor.” + </p> + <p> + I knew an honest widow who resided in a lane, and who had two furnished + rooms. I persuade the young countess to follow me, and we take a gondola. + As we are gliding along, she tells me that, one month before, Steffani had + stopped in her neighbourhood for necessary repairs to his + travelling-carriage, and that, on the same day he had made her + acquaintance at a house where she had gone with her mother for the purpose + of offering their congratulations to a newly-married lady. + </p> + <p> + “I was unfortunate enough,” she continued, “to inspire him with love, and + he postponed his departure. He remained one month in C——, + never going out but in the evening, and spending every night under my + windows conversing with me. He swore a thousand times that he adored me, + that his intentions were honourable. I entreated him to present himself to + my parents to ask me in marriage, but he always excused himself by + alleging some reason, good or bad, assuring me that he could not be happy + unless I shewed him entire confidence. He would beg of me to make up my + mind to run away with him, unknown to everybody, promising that my honour + should not suffer from such a step, because, three days after my + departure, everybody should receive notice of my being his wife, and he + assured me that he would bring me back on a visit to my native place + shortly after our marriage. Alas, sir! what shall I say now? Love blinded + me; I fell into the abyss; I believed him; I agreed to everything. He gave + me the paper which you have read, and the following night I allowed him to + come into my room through the window under which he was in the habit of + conversing with me. + </p> + <p> + “I consented to be guilty of a crime which I believed would be atoned for + within three days, and he left me, promising that the next night he would + be again under my window, ready to receive me in his arms. Could I + possibly entertain any doubt after the fearful crime I had committed for + him? I prepared a small parcel, and waited for his coming, but in vain. + Oh! what a cruel long night it was! In the morning I heard that the + monster had gone away with his servant one hour after sealing my shame. + You may imagine my despair! I adopted the only plan that despair could + suggest, and that, of course, was not the right one. One hour before + midnight I left my father’s roof, alone, thus completing my dishonour, but + resolved on death, if the man who has cruelly robbed me of my most + precious treasure, and whom a natural instinct told me I could find here, + does not restore me the honour which he alone can give me back. I walked + all night and nearly the whole day, without taking any food, until I got + into the barge, which brought me here in twenty-four hours. I travelled in + the boat with five men and two women, but no one saw my face or heard my + voice, I kept constantly sitting down in a corner, holding my head down, + half asleep, and with this prayer-book in my hands. I was left alone, no + one spoke to me, and I thanked God for it. When I landed on the wharf, you + did not give me time to think how I could find out the dwelling of my + perfidious seducer, but you may imagine the impression produced upon me by + the sudden apparition of a masked man who, abruptly, and as if placed + there purposely by Providence, offered me his services; it seemed to me + that you had guessed my distress, and, far from experiencing any + repugnance, I felt that I was acting rightly in trusting myself in your + hands, in spite of all prudence which, perhaps, ought to have made me turn + a deaf ear to your words, and refuse the invitation to enter alone with + you the house to which you took me. + </p> + <p> + “You know all now, sir; but I entreat you not to judge me too severely; I + have been virtuous all through my life; one month ago I had never + committed a fault which could call a blush upon my face, and the bitter + tears which I shed every day will, I hope, wash out my crime in the eyes + of God. I have been carefully brought up, but love and the want of + experience have thrown me into the abyss. I am in your hands, and I feel + certain that I shall have no cause to repent it.” + </p> + <p> + I needed all she had just told me to confirm me in the interest which I + had felt in her from the first moment. I told her unsparingly that + Steffani had seduced and abandoned her of malice aforethought, and that + she ought to think of him only to be revenged of his perfidy. My words + made her shudder, and she buried her beautiful face in her hands. + </p> + <p> + We reached the widow’s house. I established her in a pretty, comfortable + room, and ordered some supper for her, desiring the good landlady to shew + her every attention and to let her want for nothing. I then took an + affectionate leave of her, promising to see her early in the morning. + </p> + <p> + On leaving this interesting but hapless girl, I proceeded to the house of + Steffani. I heard from one of his mother’s gondoliers that he had returned + to Venice three days before, but that, twenty-four hours after his return, + he had gone away again without any servant, and nobody knew his + whereabouts, not even his mother. The same evening, happening to be seated + next to an abbe from Bologna at the theatre, I asked him several questions + respecting the family of my unfortunate protegee. + </p> + <p> + The abbe being intimately acquainted with them, I gathered from him all + the information I required, and, amongst other things, I heard that the + young countess had a brother, then an officer in the papal service. + </p> + <p> + Very early the next morning I called upon her. She was still asleep. The + widow told me that she had made a pretty good supper, but without speaking + a single word, and that she had locked herself up in her room immediately + afterwards. As soon as she had opened her door, I entered her room, and, + cutting short her apologies for having kept me waiting, I informed her of + all I had heard. + </p> + <p> + Her features bore the stamp of deep sorrow, but she looked calmer, and her + complexion was no longer pale. She thought it unlikely that Steffani would + have left for any other place but for C——. Admitting the + possibility that she might be right, I immediately offered to go to C—— + myself, and to return without loss of time to fetch her, in case Steffani + should be there. Without giving her time to answer I told her all the + particulars I had learned concerning her honourable family, which caused + her real satisfaction. + </p> + <p> + “I have no objection,” she said, “to your going to C——, and I + thank you for the generosity of your offer, but I beg you will postpone + your journey. I still hope that Steffani will return, and then I can take + a decision.” + </p> + <p> + “I think you are quite right,” I said. “Will you allow me to have some + breakfast with you?” + </p> + <p> + “Do you suppose I could refuse you?” + </p> + <p> + “I should be very sorry to disturb you in any way. How did you use to + amuse yourself at home?” + </p> + <p> + “I am very fond of books and music; my harpsichord was my delight.” + </p> + <p> + I left her after breakfast, and in the evening I came back with a basket + full of good books and music, and I sent her an excellent harpsichord. My + kindness confused her, but I surprised her much more when I took out of my + pocket three pairs of slippers. She blushed, and thanked me with great + feeling. She had walked a long distance, her shoes were evidently worn + out, her feet sore, and she appreciated the delicacy of my present. As I + had no improper design with regard to her, I enjoyed her gratitude, and + felt pleased at the idea she evidently entertained of my kind attentions. + I had no other purpose in view but to restore calm to her mind, and to + obliterate the bad opinion which the unworthy Steffani had given her of + men in general. I never thought of inspiring her with love for me, and I + had not the slightest idea that I could fall in love with her. She was + unhappy, and her unhappiness—a sacred thing in my eyes—called + all the more for my most honourable sympathy, because, without knowing me, + she had given me her entire confidence. Situated as she was, I could not + suppose her heart susceptible of harbouring a new affection, and I would + have despised myself if I had tried to seduce her by any means in my + power. + </p> + <p> + I remained with her only a quarter of an hour, being unwilling that my + presence should trouble her at such a moment, as she seemed to be at a + loss how to thank me and to express all her gratitude. + </p> + <p> + I was thus engaged in a rather delicate adventure, the end of which I + could not possibly foresee, but my warmth for my protegee did not cool + down, and having no difficulty in procuring the means to keep her I had no + wish to see the last scene of the romance. That singular meeting, which + gave me the useful opportunity of finding myself endowed with generous + dispositions, stronger even than my love for pleasure, flattered my + self-love more than I could express. I was then trying a great experiment, + and conscious that I wanted sadly to study myself, I gave up all my + energies to acquire the great science of the ‘xxxxxxxxxxxx’. + </p> + <p> + On the third day, in the midst of expressions of gratitude which I could + not succeed in stopping she told me that she could not conceive why I + shewed her so much sympathy, because I ought to have formed but a poor + opinion of her in consequence of the readiness with which she had followed + me into the cafe. She smiled when I answered that I could not understand + how I had succeeded in giving her so great a confidence in my virtue, when + I appeared before her with a mask on my face, in a costume which did not + indicate a very virtuous character. + </p> + <p> + “It was easy for me, madam,” I continued, “to guess that you were a beauty + in distress, when I observed your youth, the nobleness of your + countenance, and, more than all, your candour. The stamp of truth was so + well affixed to the first words you uttered that I could not have the + shadow of a doubt left in me as to your being the unhappy victim of the + most natural of all feelings, and as to your having abandoned your home + through a sentiment of honour. Your fault was that of a warm heart seduced + by love, over which reason could have no sway, and your flight—the + action of a soul crying for reparation or for revenge-fully justifies you. + Your cowardly seducer must pay with his life the penalty due to his crime, + and he ought never to receive, by marrying you, an unjust reward, for he + is not worthy of possessing you after degrading himself by the vilest + conduct.” + </p> + <p> + “Everything you say is true. My brother, I hope, will avenge me.” + </p> + <p> + “You are greatly mistaken if you imagine that Steffani will fight your + brother; Steffani is a coward who will never expose himself to an + honourable death.” + </p> + <p> + As I was speaking, she put her hand in her pocket and drew forth, after a + few moments’ consideration, a stiletto six inches long, which she placed + on the table. + </p> + <p> + “What is this?” I exclaimed. + </p> + <p> + “It is a weapon upon which I reckoned until now to use against myself in + case I should not succeed in obtaining reparation for the crime I have + committed. But you have opened my eyes. Take away, I entreat you, this + stiletto, which henceforth is useless to me. I trust in your friendship, + and I have an inward certainty that I shall be indebted to you for my + honour as well as for my life.” + </p> + <p> + I was struck by the words she had just uttered, and I felt that those + words, as well as her looks, had found their way to my heart, besides + enlisting my generous sympathy. I took the stiletto, and left her with so + much agitation that I had to acknowledge the weakness of my heroism, which + I was very near turning into ridicule; yet I had the wonderful strength to + perform, at least by halves, the character of a Cato until the seventh + day. + </p> + <p> + I must explain how a certain suspicion of the young lady arose in my mind. + That doubt was heavy on my heart, for, if it had proved true, I should + have been a dupe, and the idea was humiliating. She had told me that she + was a musician; I had immediately sent her a harpsichord, and, yet, + although the instrument had been at her disposal for three days, she had + not opened it once, for the widow had told me so. It seemed to me that the + best way to thank me for my attentive kindness would have been to give me + a specimen of her musical talent. Had she deceived me? If so, she would + lose my esteem. But, unwilling to form a hasty judgment, I kept on my + guard, with a firm determination to make good use of the first opportunity + that might present itself to clear up my doubts. + </p> + <p> + I called upon her the next day after dinner, which was not my usual time, + having resolved on creating the opportunity myself. I caught her seated + before a toilet-glass, while the widow dressed the most beautiful auburn + hair I had ever seen. I tendered my apologies for my sudden appearance at + an unusual hour; she excused herself for not having completed her toilet, + and the widow went on with her work. It was the first time I had seen the + whole of her face, her neck, and half of her arms, which the graces + themselves had moulded. I remained in silent contemplation. I praised, + quite by chance, the perfume of the pomatum, and the widow took the + opportunity of telling her that she had spent in combs, powder, and + pomatum the three livres she had received from her. I recollected then + that she had told me the first day that she had left C—— with + ten paoli. + </p> + <p> + I blushed for very shame, for I ought to have thought of that. + </p> + <p> + As soon as the widow had dressed her hair, she left the room to prepare + some coffee for us. I took up a ring which had been laid by her on the + toilet-table, and I saw that it contained a portrait exactly like her; I + was amused at the singular fancy she had had of having her likeness taken + in a man’s costume, with black hair. “You are mistaken,” she said, “it is + a portrait of my brother. He is two years older than I, and is an officer + in the papal army.” + </p> + <p> + I begged her permission to put the ring on her finger; she consented, and + when I tried, out of mere gallantry, to kiss her hand, she drew it back, + blushing. I feared she might be offended, and I assured her of my respect. + </p> + <p> + “Ah, sir!” she answered, “in the situation in which I am placed, I must + think of defending myself against my own self much more than against you.” + </p> + <p> + The compliment struck me as so fine, and so complimentary to me, that I + thought it better not to take it up, but she could easily read in my eyes + that she would never find me ungrateful for whatever feelings she might + entertain in my favour. Yet I felt my love taking such proportions that I + did not know how to keep it a mystery any longer. + </p> + <p> + Soon after that, as she was again thanking me for the books— I had + given her, saying that I had guessed her taste exactly, because she did + not like novels, she added, “I owe you an apology for not having sung to + you yet, knowing that you are fond of music.” These words made me breathe + freely; without waiting for any answer, she sat down before the instrument + and played several pieces with a facility, with a precision, with an + expression of which no words could convey any idea. I was in ecstacy. I + entreated her to sing; after some little ceremony, she took one of the + music books I had given her, and she sang at sight in a manner which + fairly ravished me. I begged that she would allow me to kiss her hand, and + she did not say yes, but when I took it and pressed my lips on it, she did + not oppose any resistance; I had the courage to smother my ardent desires, + and the kiss I imprinted on her lovely hand was a mixture of tenderness, + respect, and admiration. + </p> + <p> + I took leave of her, smitten, full of love, and almost determined on + declaring my passion. Reserve becomes silliness when we know that our + affection is returned by the woman we love, but as yet I was not quite + sure. + </p> + <p> + The disappearance of Steffani was the talk of Venice, but I did not inform + the charming countess of that circumstance. It was generally supposed that + his mother had refused to pay his debts, and that he had run away to avoid + his creditors. It was very possible. But, whether he returned or not, I + could not make up my mind to lose the precious treasure I had in my hands. + Yet I did not see in what manner, in what quality, I could enjoy that + treasure, and I found myself in a regular maze. Sometimes I had an idea of + consulting my kind father, but I would soon abandon it with fear, for I + had made a trial of his empiric treatment in the Rinaldi affair, and still + more in the case of l’Abbadie. His remedies frightened me to that extent + that I would rather remain ill than be cured by their means. + </p> + <p> + One morning I was foolish enough to enquire from the widow whether the + lady had asked her who I was. What an egregious blunder! I saw it when the + good woman, instead of answering me, said, + </p> + <p> + “Does she not know who you are?” + </p> + <p> + “Answer me, and do not ask questions,” I said, in order to hide my + confusion. + </p> + <p> + The worthy woman was right; through my stupidity she would now feel + curious; the tittle-tattle of the neighbourhood would of course take up + the affair and discuss it; and all through my thoughtlessness! It was an + unpardonable blunder. One ought never to be more careful than in + addressing questions to half-educated persons. During the fortnight that + she had passed under my protection, the countess had shewn me no curiosity + whatever to know anything about me, but it did not prove that she was not + curious on the subject. If I had been wise, I should have told her the + very first day who I was, but I made up for my mistake that evening better + than anybody else could have done it, and, after having told her all about + myself, I entreated her forgiveness for not having done so sooner. + Thanking me for my confidence, she confessed how curious she had been to + know me better, and she assured me that she would never have been + imprudent enough to ask any questions about me from her landlady. Women + have a more delicate, a surer tact than men, and her last words were a + home-thrust for me. + </p> + <p> + Our conversation having turned to the extraordinary absence of Steffani, + she said that her father must necessarily believe her to be hiding with + him somewhere. “He must have found out,” she added, “that I was in the + habit of conversing with him every night from my window, and he must have + heard of my having embarked for Venice on board the Ferrara barge. I feel + certain that my father is now in Venice, making secretly every effort to + discover me. When he visits this city he always puts up at Boncousin; will + you ascertain whether he is there?” + </p> + <p> + She never pronounced Steffani’s name without disgust and hatred, and she + said she would bury herself in a convent, far away from her native place, + where no one could be acquainted with her shameful history. + </p> + <p> + I intended to make some enquiries the next day, but it was not necessary + for me to do so, for in the evening, at supper-time, M. Barbaro said to + us, + </p> + <p> + “A nobleman, a subject of the Pope, has been recommended to me, and wishes + me to assist him with my influence in a rather delicate and intricate + matter. One of our citizens has, it appears, carried off his daughter, and + has been hiding somewhere with her for the last fortnight, but nobody + knows where. The affair ought to be brought before the Council of Ten, but + the mother of the ravisher claims to be a relative of mine, and I do not + intend to interfere.” + </p> + <p> + I pretended to take no interest in M. Barbaro’s words, and early the next + morning I went to the young countess to tell her the interesting news. She + was still asleep; but, being in a hurry, I sent the widow to say that I + wanted to see her only for two minutes in order to communicate something + of great importance. She received me, covering herself up to the chin with + the bed-clothes. + </p> + <p> + As soon as I had informed her of all I knew, she entreated me to enlist M. + Barbaro as a mediator between herself and her father, assuring me that she + would rather die than become the wife of the monster who had dishonoured + her. I undertook to do it, and she gave me the promise of marriage used by + the deceiver to seduce her, so that it could be shewn to her father. + </p> + <p> + In order to obtain M. Barbaro’s mediation in favour of the young countess, + it would have been necessary to tell him that she was under my protection, + and I felt it would injure my protegee. I took no determination at first, + and most likely one of the reasons for my hesitation was that I saw myself + on the point of losing her, which was particularly repugnant to my + feelings. + </p> + <p> + After dinner Count A—— S—— was announced as + wishing to see M. Barbaro. He came in with his son, the living portrait of + his sister. M. Barbaro took them to his study to talk the matter over, and + within an hour they had taken leave. As soon as they had gone, the + excellent M. Barbaro asked me, as I had expected, to consult my heavenly + spirit, and to ascertain whether he would be right in interfering in + favour of Count A—S—. He wrote the question himself, and I + gave the following answer with the utmost coolness: + </p> + <p> + “You ought to interfere, but only to advise the father to forgive his + daughter and to give up all idea of compelling her to marry her ravisher, + for Steffani has been sentenced to death by the will of God.” + </p> + <p> + The answer seemed wonderful to the three friends, and I was myself + surprised at my boldness, but I had a foreboding that Steffani was to meet + his death at the hands of somebody; love might have given birth to that + presentiment. M. de Bragadin, who believed my oracle infallible, observed + that it had never given such a clear answer, and that Steffani was + certainly dead. He said to M. de Barbaro, + </p> + <p> + “You had better invite the count and his son to dinner here to-morrow. You + must act slowly and prudently; it would be necessary to know where the + daughter is before you endeavour to make the father forgive her.” + </p> + <p> + M. Barbaro very nearly made me drop my serious countenance by telling me + that if I would try my oracle I could let them know at once where the girl + was. I answered that I would certainly ask my spirit on the morrow, thus + gaining time in order to ascertain before hand the disposition of the + father and of his son. But I could not help laughing, for I had placed + myself under the necessity of sending Steffani to the next world, if the + reputation of my oracle was to be maintained. + </p> + <p> + I spent the evening with the young countess, who entertained no doubt + either of her father’s indulgence or of the entire confidence she could + repose in me. + </p> + <p> + What delight the charming girl experienced when she heard that I would + dine the next day with her father and brother, and that I would tell her + every word that would be said about her! But what happiness it was for me + to see her convinced that she was right in loving me, and that, without + me, she would certainly have been lost in a town where the policy of the + government tolerates debauchery as a solitary species of individual + freedom. We congratulated each other upon our fortuitous meeting and upon + the conformity in our tastes, which we thought truly wonderful. We were + greatly pleased that her easy acceptance of my invitation, or my + promptness in persuading her to follow and to trust me, could not be + ascribed to the mutual attraction of our features, for I was masked, and + her hood was then as good as a mask. We entertained no doubt that + everything had been arranged by Heaven to get us acquainted, and to fire + us both, even unknown to ourselves, with love for each other. + </p> + <p> + “Confess,” I said to her, in a moment of enthusiasm, and as I was covering + her hand with kisses, “confess that if you found me to be in love with you + you would fear me.” + </p> + <p> + “Alas! my only fear is to lose you.” + </p> + <p> + That confession, the truth of which was made evident by her voice and by + her looks, proved the electric spark which ignited the latent fire. + Folding her rapidly in my arms, pressing my mouth on her lips, reading in + her beautiful eyes neither a proud indignation nor the cold compliance + which might have been the result of a fear of losing me, I gave way + entirely to the sweet inclination of love, and swimming already in a sea + of delights I felt my enjoyment increased a hundredfold when I saw, on the + countenance of the beloved creature who shared it, the expression of + happiness, of love, of modesty, and of sensibility, which enhances the + charm of the greatest triumph. + </p> + <p> + She had scarcely recovered her composure when she cast her eyes down and + sighed deeply. Thinking that I knew the cause of it, I threw myself on my + knees before her, and speaking to her words of the warmest affection I + begged, I entreated her, to forgive me. + </p> + <p> + “What offence have I to forgive you for, dear friend? You have not rightly + interpreted my thoughts. Your love caused me to think of my happiness, and + in that moment a cruel recollection drew that sigh from me. Pray rise from + your knees.” + </p> + <p> + Midnight had struck already; I told her that her good fame made it + necessary for me to go away; I put my mask on and left the house. I was so + surprised, so amazed at having obtained a felicity of which I did not + think myself worthy, that my departure must have appeared rather abrupt to + her. I could not sleep. I passed one of those disturbed nights during + which the imagination of an amorous young man is unceasingly running after + the shadows of reality. I had tasted, but not savoured, that happy + reality, and all my being was longing for her who alone could make my + enjoyment complete. In that nocturnal drama love and imagination were the + two principal actors; hope, in the background, performed only a dumb part. + People may say what they please on that subject but hope is in fact + nothing but a deceitful flatterer accepted by reason only because it is + often in need of palliatives. Happy are those men who, to enjoy life to + the fullest extent, require neither hope nor foresight. + </p> + <p> + In the morning, recollecting the sentence of death which I had passed on + Steffani, I felt somewhat embarrassed about it. I wished I could have + recalled it, as well for the honour of my oracle, which was seriously + implicated by it, as for the sake of Steffani himself, whom I did not hate + half so much since I was indebted to him for the treasure in my + possession. + </p> + <p> + The count and his son came to dinner. The father was simple, artless, and + unceremonious. It was easy to read on his countenance the grief he felt at + the unpleasant adventure of his daughter, and his anxiety to settle the + affair honourably, but no anger could be traced on his features or in his + manners. The son, as handsome as the god of love, had wit and great + nobility of manner. His easy, unaffected carriage pleased me, and wishing + to win his friendship I shewed him every attention. + </p> + <p> + After the dessert, M. Barbaro contrived to persuade the count that we were + four persons with but one head and one heart, and the worthy nobleman + spoke to us without any reserve. He praised his daughter very highly. He + assured us that Steffani had never entered his house, and therefore he + could not conceive by what spell, speaking to his daughter only at night + and from the street under the window, he had succeeded in seducing her to + such an extent as to make her leave her home alone, on foot, two days + after he had left himself in his post-chaise. + </p> + <p> + “Then,” observed M. Barbaro, “it is impossible to be certain that he + actually seduced her, or to prove that she went off with him.” + </p> + <p> + “Very true, sir, but although it cannot be proved, there is no doubt of + it, and now that no one knows where Steffani is, he can be nowhere but + with her. I only want him to marry her.” + </p> + <p> + “It strikes me that it would be better not to insist upon a compulsory + marriage which would seal your daughter’s misery, for Steffani is, in + every respect, one of the most worthless young men we have amongst our + government clerks.” + </p> + <p> + “Were I in your place,” said M. de Bragadin, “I would let my daughter’s + repentance disarm my anger, and I would forgive her.” + </p> + <p> + “Where is she? I am ready to fold her in my arms, but how can I believe in + her repentance when it is evident that she is still with him.” + </p> + <p> + “Is it quite certain that in leaving C—— she proceeded to this + city?” + </p> + <p> + “I have it from the master of the barge himself, and she landed within + twenty yards of the Roman gate. An individual wearing a mask was waiting + for her, joined her at once, and they both disappeared without leaving any + trace of their whereabouts.” + </p> + <p> + “Very likely it was Steffani waiting there for her.” + </p> + <p> + “No, for he is short, and the man with the mask was tall. Besides, I have + heard that Steffani had left Venice two days before the arrival of my + daughter. The man must have been some friend of Steffani, and he has taken + her to him.” + </p> + <p> + “But, my dear count, all this is mere supposition.” + </p> + <p> + “There are four persons who have seen the man with the mask, and pretend + to know him, only they do not agree. Here is a list of four names, and I + will accuse these four persons before the Council of Ten, if Steffani + should deny having my daughter in his possession.” + </p> + <p> + The list, which he handed to M. Barbaro, gave not only the names of the + four accused persons, but likewise those of their accusers. The last name, + which M. Barbaro read, was mine. When I heard it, I shrugged my shoulders + in a manner which caused the three friends to laugh heartily. + </p> + <p> + M. de Bragadin, seeing the surprise of the count at such uncalled-for + mirth, said to him, + </p> + <p> + “This is Casanova my son, and I give you my word of honour that, if your + daughter is in his hands, she is perfectly safe, although he may not look + exactly the sort of man to whom young girls should be trusted.” + </p> + <p> + The surprise, the amazement, and the perplexity of the count and his son + were an amusing picture. The loving father begged me to excuse him, with + tears in his eyes, telling me to place myself in his position. My only + answer was to embrace him most affectionately. + </p> + <p> + The man who had recognized me was a noted pimp whom I had thrashed some + time before for having deceived me. If I had not been there just in time + to take care of the young countess, she would not have escaped him, and he + would have ruined her for ever by taking her to some house of ill-fame. + </p> + <p> + The result of the meeting was that the count agreed to postpone his + application to the Council of Ten until Steffani’s place of refuge should + be discovered. + </p> + <p> + “I have not seen Steffani for six months, sir,” I said to the count, “but + I promise you to kill him in a duel as soon as he returns.” + </p> + <p> + “You shall not do it,” answered the young count, very coolly, “unless he + kills me first.” + </p> + <p> + “Gentlemen,” exclaimed M. de Bragadin, “I can assure you that you will + neither of you fight a duel with him, for Steffani is dead.” + </p> + <p> + “Dead!” said the count. + </p> + <p> + “We must not,” observed the prudent Barbaro, “take that word in its + literal sense, but the wretched man is dead to all honour and + self-respect.” + </p> + <p> + After that truly dramatic scene, during which I could guess that the + denouement of the play was near at hand, I went to my charming countess, + taking care to change my gondola three times—a necessary precaution + to baffle spies. + </p> + <p> + I gave my anxious mistress an exact account of all the conversation. She + was very impatient for my coming, and wept tears of joy when I repeated + her father’s words of forgiveness; but when I told her that nobody knew of + Steffani having entered her chamber, she fell on her knees and thanked + God. I then repeated her brother’s words, imitating his coolness: “You + shall not kill him, unless he kills me first.” She kissed me tenderly, + calling me her guardian angel, her saviour, and weeping in my arms. I + promised to bring her brother on the following day, or the day after that + at the latest. We had our supper, but we did not talk of Steffani, or of + revenge, and after that pleasant meal we devoted two hours to the worship + of the god of love. + </p> + <p> + I left her at midnight, promising to return early in the morning—my + reason for not remaining all night with her was that the landlady might, + if necessary, swear without scruple that I had never spent a night with + the young girl. It proved a very lucky inspiration of mine, for, when I + arrived home, I found the three friends waiting impatiently for me in + order to impart to me wonderful news which M. de Bragadin had heard at the + sitting of the senate. + </p> + <p> + “Steffani,” said M. de Bragadin to me, “is dead, as our angel Paralis + revealed it to us; he is dead to the world, for he has become a Capuchin + friar. The senate, as a matter of course, has been informed of it. We + alone are aware that it is a punishment which God has visited upon him. + Let us worship the Author of all things, and the heavenly hierarchy which + renders us worthy of knowing what remains a mystery to all men. Now we + must achieve our undertaking, and console the poor father. We must enquire + from Paralis where the girl is. She cannot now be with Steffani. Of + course, God has not condemned her to become a Capuchin nun.” + </p> + <p> + “I need not consult my angel, dearest father, for it is by his express + orders that I have been compelled until now to make a mystery of the + refuge found by the young countess.” + </p> + <p> + I related the whole story, except what they had no business to know, for, + in the opinion of the worthy men, who had paid heavy tribute to Love, all + intrigues were fearful crimes. M. Dandolo and M. Barbaro expressed their + surprise when they heard that the young girl had been under my protection + for a fortnight, but M. de Bragadin said that he was not astonished, that + it was according to cabalistic science, and that he knew it. + </p> + <p> + “We must only,” he added, “keep up the mystery of his daughter’s place of + refuge for the count, until we know for a certainty that he will forgive + her, and that he will take her with him to C——, or to any + other place where he may wish to live hereafter.” + </p> + <p> + “He cannot refuse to forgive her,” I said, “when he finds that the amiable + girl would never have left C—— if her seducer had not given + her this promise of marriage in his own handwriting. She walked as far as + the barge, and she landed at the very moment I was passing the Roman gate. + An inspiration from above told me to accost her and to invite her to + follow me. She obeyed, as if she was fulfilling the decree of Heaven, I + took her to a refuge impossible to discover, and placed her under the care + of a God-fearing woman.” + </p> + <p> + My three friends listened to me so attentively that they looked like three + statues. I advised them to invite the count to dinner for the day after + next, because I needed some time to consult ‘Paralis de modo tenendi’. I + then told M. Barbaro to let the count know in what sense he was to + understand Steffani’s death. He undertook to do it, and we retired to + rest. + </p> + <p> + I slept only four or five hours, and, dressing myself quickly, hurried to + my beloved mistress. I told the widow not to serve the coffee until we + called for it, because we wanted to remain quiet and undisturbed for some + hours, having several important letters to write. + </p> + <p> + I found the lovely countess in bed, but awake, and her eyes beaming with + happiness and contentment. For a fortnight I had only seen her sad, + melancholy, and thoughtful. Her pleased countenance, which I naturally + ascribed to my influence, filled me with joy. We commenced as all happy + lovers always do, and we were both unsparing of the mutual proofs of our + love, tenderness, and gratitude. + </p> + <p> + After our delightful amorous sport, I told her the news, but love had so + completely taken possession of her pure and sensitive soul, that what had + been important was now only an accessory. But the news of her seducer + having turned a Capuchin friar filled her with amazement, and, passing + very sensible remarks on the extraordinary event, she pitied Steffani. + When we can feel pity, we love no longer, but a feeling of pity succeeding + love is the characteristic only of a great and generous mind. She was much + pleased with me for having informed my three friends of her being under my + protection, and she left to my care all the necessary arrangements for + obtaining a reconciliation with her father. + </p> + <p> + Now and then we recollected that the time of our separation was near at + hand, our grief was bitter, but we contrived to forget it in the ecstacy + of our amorous enjoyment. + </p> + <p> + “Ah! why can we not belong for ever to each other?” the charming girl + would exclaim. “It is not my acquaintance with Steffani, it is your loss + which will seal my eternal misery.” + </p> + <p> + But it was necessary to bring our delightful interview to a close, for the + hours were flying with fearful rapidity. I left her happy, her eyes wet + with tears of intense felicity. + </p> + <p> + At the dinner-table M. Barbaro told me that he had paid a visit to his + relative, Steffani’s mother, and that she had not appeared sorry at the + decision taken by her son, although he was her only child. + </p> + <p> + “He had the choice,” she said, “between killing himself and turning friar, + and he took the wiser course.” + </p> + <p> + The woman spoke like a good Christian, and she professed to be one; but + she spoke like an unfeeling mother, and she was truly one, for she was + wealthy, and if she had not been cruelly avaricious her son would not have + been reduced to the fearful alternative of committing suicide or of + becoming a Capuchin friar. + </p> + <p> + The last and most serious motive which caused the despair of Steffani, who + is still alive, remained a mystery for everybody. My Memoirs will raise + the veil when no one will care anything about it. + </p> + <p> + The count and his son were, of course, greatly surprised, and the event + made them still more desirous of discovering the young lady. In order to + obtain a clue to her place of refuge, the count had resolved on summoning + before the Council of Ten all the parties, accused and accusing, whose + names he had on his list, with the exception of myself. His determination + made it necessary for us to inform him that his daughter was in my hands, + and M. de Bragadin undertook to let him know the truth. + </p> + <p> + We were all invited to supper by the count, and we went to his hostelry, + with the exception of M. de Bragadin, who had declined the invitation. I + was thus prevented from seeing my divinity that evening, but early the + next morning I made up for lost time, and as it had been decided that her + father would on that very day be informed of her being under my care, we + remained together until noon. We had no hope of contriving another + meeting, for I had promised to bring her brother in the afternoon. + </p> + <p> + The count and his son dined with us, and after dinner M. de Bragadin said, + </p> + <p> + “I have joyful news for you, count; your beloved daughter has been found!” + </p> + <p> + What an agreeable surprise for the father and son! M. de Bragadin handed + them the promise of marriage written by Steffani, and said, + </p> + <p> + “This, gentlemen, evidently brought your lovely young lady to the verge of + madness when she found that he had gone from C—— without her. + She left your house alone on foot, and as she landed in Venice Providence + threw her in the way of this young man, who induced her to follow him, and + has placed her under the care of an honest woman, whom she has not left + since, whom she will leave only to fall in your arms as soon as she is + certain of your forgiveness for the folly she has committed.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh! let her have no doubt of my forgiving her,” exclaimed the father, in + the ecstacy of joy, and turning to me, “Dear sir, I beg of you not to + delay the fortunate moment on which the whole happiness of my life + depends.” + </p> + <p> + I embraced him warmly, saying that his daughter would be restored to him + on the following day, and that I would let his son see her that very + afternoon, so as to give him an opportunity of preparing her by degrees + for that happy reconciliation. M. Barbaro desired to accompany us, and the + young man, approving all my arrangements, embraced me, swearing + everlasting friendship and gratitude. + </p> + <p> + We went out all three together, and a gondola carried us in a few minutes + to the place where I was guarding a treasure more precious than the golden + apples of the Hesperides. But, alas! I was on the point of losing that + treasure, the remembrance of which causes me, even now, a delicious + trembling. + </p> + <p> + I preceded my two companions in order to prepare my lovely young friend + for the visit, and when I told her that, according to my arrangements, her + father would not see her till on the following day: + </p> + <p> + “Ah!” she exclaimed with the accent of true happiness, “then we can spend + a few more hours together! Go, dearest, go and bring my brother.” + </p> + <p> + I returned with my companions, but how can I paint that truly dramatic + situation? Oh! how inferior art must ever be to nature! The fraternal + love, the delight beaming upon those two beautiful faces, with a slight + shade of confusion on that of the sister, the pure joy shining in the + midst of their tender caresses, the most eloquent exclamations followed by + a still more eloquent silence, their loving looks which seem like flashes + of lightning in the midst of a dew of tears, a thought of politeness which + brings blushes on her countenance, when she recollects that she has + forgotten her duty towards a nobleman whom she sees for the first time, + and finally there was my part, not a speaking one, but yet the most + important of all. The whole formed a living picture to which the most + skilful painter could not have rendered full justice. + </p> + <p> + We sat down at last, the young countess between her brother and M. + Barbaro, on the sofa, I, opposite to her, on a low foot-stool. + </p> + <p> + “To whom, dear sister, are we indebted for the happiness of having found + you again?” + </p> + <p> + “To my guardian angel,” she answered, giving me her hand, “to this + generous man who was waiting for me, as if Heaven had sent him with the + special mission of watching over your sister; it is he who has saved me, + who has prevented me from falling into the gulf which yawned under my + feet, who has rescued me from the shame threatening me, of which I had + then no conception; it is to him I am indebted for all, to him who, as you + see, kisses my hand now for the first time.” + </p> + <p> + And she pressed her handkerchief to her beautiful eyes to dry her tears, + but ours were flowing at the same time. + </p> + <p> + Such is true virtue, which never loses its nobleness, even when modesty + compels it to utter some innocent falsehood. But the charming girl had no + idea of being guilty of an untruth. It was a pure, virtuous soul which was + then speaking through her lips, and she allowed it to speak. Her virtue + seemed to whisper to her that, in spite of her errors, it had never + deserted her. A young girl who gives way to a real feeling of love cannot + be guilty of a crime, or be exposed to remorse. + </p> + <p> + Towards the end of our friendly visit, she said that she longed to throw + herself at her father’s feet, but that she wished to see him only in the + evening, so as not to give any opportunity to the gossips of the place, + and it was agreed that the meeting, which was to be the last scene of the + drama, should take place the next day towards the evening. + </p> + <p> + We returned to the count’s hostelry for supper, and the excellent man, + fully persuaded that he was indebted to me for his honour as well as for + his daughter’s, looked at me with admiration, and spoke to me with + gratitude. Yet he was not sorry to have ascertained himself, and before I + had said so, that I had been the first man who had spoken to her after landing. + Before parting in the evening, M. Barbaro invited them to dinner for the + next day. + </p> + <p> + I went to my charming mistress very early the following morning, and, + although there was some danger in protracting our interview, we did not + give it a thought, or, if we did, it only caused us to make good use of + the short time that we could still devote to love. + </p> + <p> + After having enjoyed, until our strength was almost expiring, the most + delightful, the most intense voluptuousness in which mutual ardour can + enfold two young, vigorous, and passionate lovers, the young countess + dressed herself, and, kissing her slippers, said she would never part with + them as long as she lived. I asked her to give me a lock of her hair, + which she did at once. I meant to have it made into a chain like the one + woven with the hair of Madame F——, which I still wore round my + neck. + </p> + <p> + Towards dusk, the count and his son, M. Dandolo, M. Barbaro, and myself, + proceeded together to the abode of the young countess. The moment she saw + her father, she threw herself on her knees before him, but the count, + bursting into tears, took her in his arms, covered her with kisses, and + breathed over her words of forgiveness, of love and blessing. What a scene + for a man of sensibility! An hour later we escorted the family to the inn, + and, after wishing them a pleasant journey, I went back with my two + friends to M. de Bragadin, to whom I gave a faithful account of what had + taken place. + </p> + <p> + We thought that they had left Venice, but the next morning they called at + the place in a peotta with six rowers. The count said that they could not + leave the city without seeing us once more; without thanking us again, and + me particularly, for all we had done for them. M. de Bragadin, who had not + seen the young countess before, was struck by her extraordinary likeness + to her brother. + </p> + <p> + They partook of some refreshments, and embarked in their peotta, which was + to carry them, in twenty-four hours, to Ponte di Lago Oscuro, on the River + Po, near the frontiers of the papal states. It was only with my eyes that + I could express to the lovely girl all the feelings which filled my heart, + but she understood the language, and I had no difficulty in interpreting + the meaning of her looks. + </p> + <p> + Never did an introduction occur in better season than that of the count to + M. Barbaro. It saved the honour of a respectable family; and it saved me + from the unpleasant consequences of an interrogatory in the presence of + the Council of Ten, during which I should have been convicted of having + taken the young girl with me, and compelled to say what I had done with + her. + </p> + <p> + A few days afterwards we all proceeded to Padua to remain in that city + until the end of autumn. I was grieved not to find Doctor Gozzi in Padua; + he had been appointed to a benefice in the country, and he was living + there with Bettina; she had not been able to remain with the scoundrel who + had married her only for the sake of her small dowry, and had treated her + very ill. + </p> + <p> + I did not like the quiet life of Padua, and to avoid dying from ennui I + fell in love with a celebrated Venetian courtezan. Her name was Ancilla; + sometime after, the well-known dancer, Campioni, married her and took her + to London, where she caused the death of a very worthy Englishman. I shall + have to mention her again in four years; now I have only to speak of a + certain circumstance which brought my love adventure with her to a close + after three or four weeks. + </p> + <p> + Count Medini, a young, thoughtless fellow like myself, and with + inclinations of much the same cast, had introduced me to Ancilla. The + count was a confirmed gambler and a thorough enemy of fortune. There was a + good deal of gambling going on at Ancilla’s, whose favourite lover he was, + and the fellow had presented me to his mistress only to give her the + opportunity of making a dupe of me at the card-table. + </p> + <p> + And, to tell the truth, I was a dupe at first; not thinking of any foul + play, I accepted ill luck without complaining; but one day I caught them + cheating. I took a pistol out of my pocket, and, aiming at Medini’s + breast, I threatened to kill him on the spot unless he refunded at once + all the gold they had won from me. Ancilla fainted away, and the count, + after refunding the money, challenged me to follow him out and measure + swords. I placed my pistols on the table, and we went out. Reaching a + convenient spot, we fought by the bright light of the moon, and I was + fortunate enough to give him a gash across the shoulder. He could not move + his arm, and he had to cry for mercy. + </p> + <p> + After that meeting, I went to bed and slept quietly, but in the morning I + related the whole affair to my father, and he advised me to leave Padua + immediately, which I did. + </p> + <p> + Count Medini remained my enemy through all his life. I shall have occasion + to speak of him again when I reach Naples. + </p> + <p> + The remainder of the year 1746 passed off quietly, without any events of + importance. Fortune was now favourable to me and now adverse. + </p> + <p> + Towards the end of January, 1747, I received a letter from the young + countess A—— S——, who had married the Marquis of——. + She entreated me not to appear to know her, if by chance I visited the + town in which she resided, for she had the happiness of having linked her + destiny to that of a man who had won her heart after he had obtained her + hand. + </p> + <p> + I had already heard from her brother that, after their return to C——, + her mother had taken her to the city from which her letter was written, + and there, in the house of a relative with whom she was residing, she had + made the acquaintance of the man who had taken upon himself the charge of + her future welfare and happiness. I saw her one year afterwards, and if it + had not been for her letter, I should certainly have solicited an + introduction to her husband. Yet, peace of mind has greater charms even + than love; but, when love is in the way, we do not think so. + </p> + <p> + For a fortnight I was the lover of a young Venetian girl, very handsome, + whom her father, a certain Ramon, exposed to public admiration as a dancer + at the theatre. I might have remained longer her captive, if marriage had + not forcibly broken my chains. Her protectress, Madame Cecilia Valmarano, + found her a very proper husband in the person of a French dancer, called + Binet, who had assumed the name of Binetti, and thus his young wife had + not to become a French woman; she soon won great fame in more ways than + one. She was strangely privileged; time with its heavy hand seemed to have + no power over her. She always appeared young, even in the eyes of the best + judges of faded, bygone female beauty. Men, as a general rule, do not ask + for anything more, and they are right in not racking their brain for the + sake of being convinced that they are the dupes of external appearance. + The last lover that the wonderful Binetti killed by excess of amorous + enjoyment was a certain Mosciuski, a Pole, whom fate brought to Venice + seven or eight years ago; she had then reached her sixty-third year! + </p> + <p> + My life in Venice would have been pleasant and happy, if I could have + abstained from punting at basset. The ridotti were only open to noblemen + who had to appear without masks, in their patrician robes, and wearing the + immense wig which had become indispensable since the beginning of the + century. I would play, and I was wrong, for I had neither prudence enough + to leave off when fortune was adverse, nor sufficient control over myself + to stop when I had won. I was then gambling through a feeling of avarice. + I was extravagant by taste, and I always regretted the money I had spent, + unless it had been won at the gaming-table, for it was only in that case + that the money had, in my opinion, cost me nothing. + </p> + <p> + At the end of January, finding myself under the necessity of procuring two + hundred sequins, Madame Manzoni contrived to obtain for me from another + woman the loan of a diamond ring worth five hundred. I made up my mind to + go to Treviso, fifteen miles distant from Venice, to pawn the ring at the + Mont-de-piete, which there lends money upon valuables at the rate of five + per cent. That useful establishment does not exist in Venice, where the + Jews have always managed to keep the monopoly in their hands. + </p> + <p> + I got up early one morning, and walked to the end of the canale regio, + intending to engage a gondola to take me as far as Mestra, where I could + take post horses, reach Treviso in less than two hours, pledge my diamond + ring, and return to Venice the same evening. + </p> + <p> + As I passed along St. Job’s Quay, I saw in a two-oared gondola a country + girl beautifully dressed. I stopped to look at her; the gondoliers, + supposing that I wanted an opportunity of reaching Mestra at a cheap rate, + rowed back to the shore. + </p> + <p> + Observing the lovely face of the young girl, I do not hesitate, but jump + into the gondola, and pay double fare, on condition that no more + passengers are taken. An elderly priest was seated near the young girl, he + rises to let me take his place, but I politely insist upon his keeping it. + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0019" id="link2HCH0019"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIX + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + I Fall in Love with Christine, and Find a Husband Worthy of + Her—Christine’s Wedding +</pre> + <p> + “Those gondoliers,” said the elderly priest, addressing me in order to + begin the conversation, “are very fortunate. They took us up at the Rialto + for thirty soldi, on condition that they would be allowed to embark other + passengers, and here is one already; they will certainly find more.” + </p> + <p> + “When I am in a gondola, reverend sir, there is no room left for any more + passengers.” + </p> + <p> + So saying, I give forty more soldi to the gondoliers, who, highly pleased + with my generosity, thank me and call me excellency. The good priest, + accepting that title as truly belonging to me, entreats my pardon for not + having addressed me as such. + </p> + <p> + “I am not a Venetian nobleman, reverend sir, and I have no right to the + title of Excellenza.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah!” says the young lady, “I am very glad of it.” + </p> + <p> + “Why so, signora?” + </p> + <p> + “Because when I find myself near a nobleman I am afraid. But I suppose + that you are an illustrissimo.” + </p> + <p> + “Not even that, signora; I am only an advocate’s clerk.” + </p> + <p> + “So much the better, for I like to be in the company of persons who do not + think themselves above me. My father was a farmer, brother of my uncle + here, rector of P——, where I was born and bred. As I am an + only daughter I inherited my father’s property after his death, and I + shall likewise be heiress to my mother, who has been ill a long time and + cannot live much longer, which causes me a great deal of sorrow; but it is + the doctor who says it. Now, to return to my subject, I do not suppose + that there is much difference between an advocate’s clerk and the daughter + of a rich farmer. I only say so for the sake of saying something, for I + know very well that, in travelling, one must accept all sorts of + companions: is it not so, uncle?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, my dear Christine, and as a proof you see that this gentleman has + accepted our company without knowing who or what we are.” + </p> + <p> + “But do you think I would have come if I had not been attracted by the + beauty of your lovely niece?” + </p> + <p> + At these words the good people burst out laughing. As I did not think that + there was anything very comic in what I had said, I judged that my + travelling companions were rather simple, and I was not sorry to find them + so. + </p> + <p> + “Why do you laugh so heartily, beautiful ‘demigella’? Is it to shew me + your fine teeth? I confess that I have never seen such a splendid set in + Venice.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh! it is not for that, sir, although everyone in Venice has paid me the + same compliment. I can assure you that in P—— all the girls + have teeth as fine as mine. Is it not a fact, uncle?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, my dear niece.” + </p> + <p> + “I was laughing, sir, at a thing which I will never tell you.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh! tell me, I entreat you.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh! certainly not, never.” + </p> + <p> + “I will tell you myself,” says the curate. + </p> + <p> + “You will not,” she exclaims, knitting her beautiful eyebrows. “If you do + I will go away.” + </p> + <p> + “I defy you to do it, my dear. Do you know what she said, sir, when she + saw you on the wharf? ‘Here is a very handsome young man who is looking at + me, and would not be sorry to be with us.’ And when she saw that the + gondoliers were putting back for you to embark she was delighted.” + </p> + <p> + While the uncle was speaking to me, the indignant niece was slapping him + on the shoulder. + </p> + <p> + “Why are you angry, lovely Christine, at my hearing that you liked my + appearance, when I am so glad to let you know how truly charming I think + you?” + </p> + <p> + “You are glad for a moment. Oh! I know the Venetians thoroughly now. They + have all told me that they were charmed with me, and not one of those I + would have liked ever made a declaration to me.” + </p> + <p> + “What sort of declaration did you want?” + </p> + <p> + “There’s only one sort for me, sir; the declaration leading to a good + marriage in church, in the sight of all men. Yet we remained a fortnight + in Venice; did we not, uncle?” + </p> + <p> + “This girl,” said the uncle, “is a good match, for she possesses three + thousand crowns. She has always said that she would marry only a Venetian, + and I have accompanied her to Venice to give her an opportunity of being + known. A worthy woman gave us hospitality for a fortnight, and has + presented my niece in several houses where she made the acquaintance of + marriageable young men, but those who pleased her would not hear of + marriage, and those who would have been glad to marry her did not take her + fancy.” + </p> + <p> + “But do you imagine, reverend sir, that marriages can be made like + omelets? A fortnight in Venice, that is nothing; you ought to live there + at least six months. Now, for instance, I think your niece sweetly pretty, + and I should consider myself fortunate if the wife whom God intends for me + were like her, but, even if she offered me now a dowry of fifty thousand + crowns on condition that our wedding takes place immediately, I would + refuse her. A prudent young man wants to know the character of a girl + before he marries her, for it is neither money nor beauty which can ensure + happiness in married life.” + </p> + <p> + “What do you mean by character?” asked Christine; “is it a beautiful + hand-writing?” + </p> + <p> + “No, my dear. I mean the qualities of the mind and the heart. I shall most + likely get married sometime, and I have been looking for a wife for the + last three years, but I am still looking in vain. I have known several + young girls almost as lovely as you are, and all with a good marriage + portion, but after an acquaintance of two or three months I found out that + they could not make me happy.” + </p> + <p> + “In what were they deficient?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I will tell you, because you are not acquainted with them, and + there can be no indiscretion on my part. One whom I certainly would have + married, for I loved her dearly, was extremely vain. She would have ruined + me in fashionable clothes and by her love for luxuries. Fancy! she was in + the habit of paying one sequin every month to the hair-dresser, and as + much at least for pomatum and perfumes.” + </p> + <p> + “She was a giddy, foolish girl. Now, I spend only ten soldi in one year on + wax which I mix with goat’s grease, and there I have an excellent + pomatum.” + </p> + <p> + “Another, whom I would have married two years ago, laboured under a + disease which would have made me unhappy; as soon as I knew of it, I + ceased my visits.” + </p> + <p> + “What disease was it?” + </p> + <p> + “A disease which would have prevented her from being a mother, and, if I + get married, I wish to have children.” + </p> + <p> + “All that is in God’s hands, but I know that my health is excellent. Is it + not, uncle?” + </p> + <p> + “Another was too devout, and that does not suit me. She was so + over-scrupulous that she was in the habit of going to her confessor twice + a week, and every time her confession lasted at least one hour. I want my + wife to be a good Christian, but not bigoted.” + </p> + <p> + “She must have been a great sinner, or else she was very foolish. I + confess only once a month, and get through everything in two minutes. Is + it not true, uncle? and if you were to ask me any questions, uncle, I + should not know what more to say.” + </p> + <p> + “One young lady thought herself more learned than I, although she would, + every minute, utter some absurdity. Another was always low-spirited, and + my wife must be cheerful.” + </p> + <p> + “Hark to that, uncle! You and my mother are always chiding me for my + cheerfulness.” + </p> + <p> + “Another, whom I did not court long, was always afraid of being alone with + me, and if I gave her a kiss she would run and tell her mother.” + </p> + <p> + “How silly she must have been! I have never yet listened to a lover, for + we have only rude peasants in P——, but I know very well that + there are some things which I would not tell my mother.” + </p> + <p> + “One had a rank breath; another painted her face, and, indeed, almost + every young girl is guilty of that fault. I am afraid marriage is out of + the question for me, because I want, for instance, my wife to have black + eyes, and in our days almost every woman colours them by art; but I cannot + be deceived, for I am a good judge.” + </p> + <p> + “Are mine black?” + </p> + <p> + “You are laughing?” + </p> + <p> + “I laugh because your eyes certainly appear to be black, but they are not + so in reality. Never mind, you are very charming in spite of that.” + </p> + <p> + “Now, that is amusing. You pretend to be a good judge, yet you say that my + eyes are dyed black. My eyes, sir, whether beautiful or ugly, are now the + same as God made them. Is it not so, uncle?” + </p> + <p> + “I never had any doubt of it, my dear niece.” + </p> + <p> + “And you do not believe me, sir?” + </p> + <p> + “No, they are too beautiful for me to believe them natural.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, dear me! I cannot bear it.” + </p> + <p> + “Excuse me, my lovely damigella, I am afraid I have been too sincere.” + </p> + <p> + After that quarrel we remained silent. The good curate smiled now and + then, but his niece found it very hard to keep down her sorrow. + </p> + <p> + At intervals I stole a look at her face, and could see that she was very + near crying. I felt sorry, for she was a charming girl. In her hair, + dressed in the fashion of wealthy countrywomen, she had more than one + hundred sequins’ worth of gold pins and arrows which fastened the plaits + of her long locks as dark as ebony. Heavy gold ear-rings, and a long + chain, which was wound twenty times round her snowy neck, made a fine + contrast to her complexion, on which the lilies and the roses were + admirably blended. It was the first time that I had seen a country beauty + in such splendid apparel. Six years before, Lucie at Pasean had captivated + me, but in a different manner. + </p> + <p> + Christine did not utter a single word, she was in despair, for her eyes + were truly of the greatest beauty, and I was cruel enough to attack them. + She evidently hated me, and her anger alone kept back her tears. Yet I + would not undeceive her, for I wanted her to bring matters to a climax. + </p> + <p> + When the gondola had entered the long canal of Marghera, I asked the + clergyman whether he had a carriage to go to Treviso, through which place + he had to pass to reach P——. + </p> + <p> + “I intended to walk,” said the worthy man, “for my parish is poor and I am + the same, but I will try to obtain a place for Christine in some carriage + travelling that way.” + </p> + <p> + “You would confer a real kindness on me if you would both accept a seat in + my chaise; it holds four persons, and there is plenty of room.” + </p> + <p> + “It is a good fortune which we were far from expecting” + </p> + <p> + “Not at all, uncle; I will not go with this gentleman.” + </p> + <p> + “Why not, my dear niece?” + </p> + <p> + “Because I will not.” + </p> + <p> + “Such is the way,” I remarked, without looking at her, “that sincerity is + generally rewarded.” + </p> + <p> + “Sincerity, sir! nothing of the sort,” she exclaimed, angrily, “it is + sheer wickedness. There can be no true black eyes now for you in the + world, but, as you like them, I am very glad of it.” + </p> + <p> + “You are mistaken, lovely Christine, for I have the means of ascertaining + the truth.” + </p> + <p> + “What means?” + </p> + <p> + “Only to wash the eyes with a little lukewarm rose-water; or if the lady + cries, the artificial colour is certain to be washed off.” + </p> + <p> + At those words, the scene changed as if by the wand of a conjuror. The + face of the charming girl, which had expressed nothing but indignation, + spite and disdain, took an air of contentment and of placidity delightful + to witness. She smiled at her uncle who was much pleased with the change + in her countenance, for the offer of the carriage had gone to his heart. + </p> + <p> + “Now you had better cry a little, my dear niece, and ‘il signore’ will + render full justice to your eyes.” + </p> + <p> + Christine cried in reality, but it was immoderate laughter that made her + tears flow. + </p> + <p> + That species of natural originality pleased me greatly, and as we were + going up the steps at the landing-place, I offered her my full apologies; + she accepted the carriage. I ordered breakfast, and told a ‘vetturino’ to + get a very handsome chaise ready while we had our meal, but the curate + said that he must first of all go and say his mass. + </p> + <p> + “Very well, reverend sir, we will hear it, and you must say it for my + intention.” + </p> + <p> + I put a silver ducat in his hand. + </p> + <p> + “It is what I am in the habit of giving,” I observed. + </p> + <p> + My generosity surprised him so much that he wanted to kiss my hand. We + proceeded towards the church, and I offered my arm to the niece who, not + knowing whether she ought to accept it or not, said to me, + </p> + <p> + “Do you suppose that I cannot walk alone?” + </p> + <p> + “I have no such idea, but if I do not give you my arm, people will think + me wanting in politeness.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I will take it. But now that I have your arm, what will people + think?” + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps that we love each other and that we make a very nice couple.” + </p> + <p> + “And if anyone should inform your mistress that we are in love with each + other, or even that you have given your arm to a young girl?” + </p> + <p> + “I have no mistress, and I shall have none in future, because I could not + find a girl as pretty as you in all Venice.” + </p> + <p> + “I am very sorry for you, for we cannot go again to Venice; and even if we + could, how could we remain there six months? You said that six months were + necessary to know a girl well.” + </p> + <p> + “I would willingly defray all your expenses.” + </p> + <p> + “Indeed? Then say so to my uncle, and he will think it over, for I could + not go alone.” + </p> + <p> + “In six months you would know me likewise.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh! I know you very well already.” + </p> + <p> + “Could you accept a man like me?” + </p> + <p> + “Why not?” + </p> + <p> + “And will you love me?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, very much, when you are my husband.” + </p> + <p> + I looked at the young girl with astonishment. She seemed to me a princess + in the disguise of a peasant girl. Her dress, made of ‘gros de Tours’ and + all embroidered in gold, was very handsome, and cost certainly twice as + much as the finest dress of a Venetian lady. Her bracelets, matching the + neckchain, completed her rich toilet. She had the figure of a nymph, and + the new fashion of wearing a mantle not having yet reached her village, I + could see the most magnificent bosom, although her dress was fastened up + to the neck. The end of the richly-embroidered skirt did not go lower than + the ankles, which allowed me to admire the neatest little foot and the + lower part of an exquisitely moulded leg. Her firm and easy walk, the + natural freedom of all her movements, a charming look which seemed to say, + “I am very glad that you think me pretty,” everything, in short, caused + the ardent fire of amorous desires to circulate through my veins. I could + not conceive how such a lovely girl could have spent a fortnight in Venice + without finding a man to marry or to deceive her. I was particularly + delighted with her simple, artless way of talking, which in the city might + have been taken for silliness. + </p> + <p> + Absorbed in my thoughts, and having resolved in my own mind on rendering + brilliant homage to her charms, I waited impatiently for the end of the + mass. + </p> + <p> + After breakfast I had great difficulty in convincing the curate that my + seat in the carriage was the last one, but I found it easier to persuade + him on our arrival in Treviso to remain for dinner and for supper at a + small, unfrequented inn, as I took all the expense upon myself. He + accepted very willingly when I added that immediately after supper a + carriage would be in readiness to convey him to P——, where he + would arrive in an hour after a pleasant journey by moonlight. He had + nothing to hurry him on, except his wish to say mass in his own church the + next morning. + </p> + <p> + I ordered a fire and a good dinner, and the idea struck me that the curate + himself might pledge the ring for me, and thus give me the opportunity of + a short interview with his niece. I proposed it to him, saying that I + could not very well go myself, as I did not wish to be known. He undertook + the commission at once, expressing his pleasure at doing something to + oblige me. + </p> + <p> + He left us, and I remained alone with Christine. I spent an hour with her + without trying to give her even a kiss, although I was dying to do so, but + I prepared her heart to burn with the same desires which were already + burning in me by those words which so easily inflame the imagination of a + young girl. + </p> + <p> + The curate came back and returned me the ring, saying that it could not be + pledged until the day after the morrow, in consequence of the Festival of + the Holy Virgin. He had spoken to the cashier, who had stated that if I + liked the bank would lend double the sum I had asked. + </p> + <p> + “My dear sir,” I said, “you would greatly oblige me if you would come back + here from P—— to pledge the ring yourself. Now that it has + been offered once by you, it might look very strange if it were brought by + another person. Of course I will pay all your expenses.” + </p> + <p> + “I promise you to come back.” + </p> + <p> + I hoped he would bring his niece with him. + </p> + <p> + I was seated opposite to Christine during the dinner, and discovered fresh + charms in her every minute, but, fearing I might lose her confidence if I + tried to obtain some slight favour, I made up my mind not to go to work + too quickly, and to contrive that the curate should take her again to + Venice. I thought that there only I could manage to bring love into play + and to give it the food it requires. + </p> + <p> + “Reverend sir,” I said, “let me advise you to take your niece again to + Venice. I undertake to defray all expenses, and to find an honest woman + with whom your Christine will be as safe as with her own mother. I want to + know her well in order to make her my wife, and if she comes to Venice our + marriage is certain.” + </p> + <p> + “Sir, I will bring my niece myself to Venice as soon as you inform me that + you have found a worthy woman with whom I can leave her in safety.” + </p> + <p> + While we were talking I kept looking at Christine, and I could see her + smile with contentment. + </p> + <p> + “My dear Christine,” I said, “within a week I shall have arranged the + affair. In the meantime, I will write to you. I hope that you have no + objection to correspond with me.” + </p> + <p> + “My uncle will write for me, for I have never been taught writing.” + </p> + <p> + “What, my dear child! you wish to become the wife of a Venetian, and you + cannot write.” + </p> + <p> + “Is it then necessary to know how to write in order to become a wife? I + can read well.” + </p> + <p> + “That is not enough, and although a girl can be a wife and a mother + without knowing how to trace one letter, it is generally admitted that a + young girl ought to be able to write. I wonder you never learned.” + </p> + <p> + “There is no wonder in that, for not one girl in our village can do it. + Ask my uncle.” + </p> + <p> + “It is perfectly true, but there is not one who thinks of getting married + in Venice, and as you wish for a Venetian husband you must learn.” + </p> + <p> + “Certainly,” I said, “and before you come to Venice, for everybody would + laugh at you, if you could not write. I see that it makes you sad, my + dear, but it cannot be helped.” + </p> + <p> + “I am sad, because I cannot learn writing in a week.” + </p> + <p> + “I undertake,” said her uncle, “to teach you in a fortnight, if you will + only practice diligently. You will then know enough to be able to improve + by your own exertions.” + </p> + <p> + “It is a great undertaking, but I accept it; I promise you to work night + and day, and to begin to-morrow.” + </p> + <p> + After dinner, I advised the priest not to leave that evening, to rest + during the night, and I observed that, by going away before day-break, he + would reach P—— in good time, and feel all the better for it. + I made the same proposal to him in the evening, and when he saw that his + niece was sleepy, he was easily persuaded to remain. I called for the + innkeeper, ordered a carriage for the clergyman, and desired that a fire + might be lit for me in the next room where I would sleep, but the good + priest said that it was unnecessary, because there were two large beds in + our room, that one would be for me and the other for him and his niece. + </p> + <p> + “We need not undress,” he added, “as we mean to leave very early, but you + can take off your clothes, sir, because you are not going with us, and you + will like to remain in bed to-morrow morning.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh!” remarked Christine, “I must undress myself, otherwise I could not + sleep, but I only want a few minutes to get ready in the morning.” + </p> + <p> + I said nothing, but I was amazed. Christine then, lovely and charming + enough to wreck the chastity of a Xenocrates, would sleep naked with her + uncle! True, he was old, devout, and without any of the ideas which might + render such a position dangerous, yet the priest was a man, he had + evidently felt like all men, and he ought to have known the danger he was + exposing himself to. My carnal-mindedness could not realize such a state + of innocence. But it was truly innocent, so much so that he did it openly, + and did not suppose that anyone could see anything wrong in it. I saw it + all plainly, but I was not accustomed to such things, and felt lost in + wonderment. As I advanced in age and in experience, I have seen the same + custom established in many countries amongst honest people whose good + morals were in no way debased by it, but it was amongst good people, and I + do not pretend to belong to that worthy class. + </p> + <p> + We had had no meat for dinner, and my delicate palate was not + over-satisfied. I went down to the kitchen myself, and I told the landlady + that I wanted the best that could be procured in Treviso for supper, + particularly in wines. + </p> + <p> + “If you do not mind the expense, sir, trust to me, and I undertake to + please you. I will give you some Gatta wine.” + </p> + <p> + “All right, but let us have supper early.” + </p> + <p> + When I returned to our room, I found Christine caressing the cheeks of her + old uncle, who was laughing; the good man was seventy-five years old. + </p> + <p> + “Do you know what is the matter?” he said to me; “my niece is caressing me + because she wants me to leave her here until my return. She tells me that + you were like brother and sister during the hour you have spent alone + together this morning, and I believe it, but she does not consider that + she would be a great trouble to you.” + </p> + <p> + “Not at all, quite the reverse, she will afford me great pleasure, for I + think her very charming. As to our mutual behaviour, I believe you can + trust us both to do our duty.” + </p> + <p> + “I have no doubt of it. Well, I will leave her under your care until the + day after to-morrow. I will come back early in the morning so as to attend + to your business.” + </p> + <p> + This extraordinary and unexpected arrangement caused the blood to rush to + my head with such violence that my nose bled profusely for a quarter of an + hour. It did not frighten me, because I was used to such accidents, but + the good priest was in a great fright, thinking that it was a serious + haemorrhage. + </p> + <p> + When I had allayed his anxiety, he left us on some business of his own, + saying that he would return at night-fall. I remained alone with the + charming, artless Christine, and lost no time in thanking her for the + confidence she placed in me. + </p> + <p> + “I can assure you,” she said, “that I wish you to have a thorough + knowledge of me; you will see that I have none of the faults which have + displeased you so much in the young ladies you have known in Venice, and I + promise to learn writing immediately.” + </p> + <p> + “You are charming and true; but you must be discreet in P——, + and confide to no one that we have entered into an agreement with each + other. You must act according to your uncle’s instructions, for it is to + him that I intend to write to make all arrangements.” + </p> + <p> + “You may rely upon my discretion. I will not say anything even to my + mother, until you give me permission to do so.” + </p> + <p> + I passed the afternoon, in denying myself even the slightest liberties + with my lovely companion, but falling every minute deeper in love with + her. I told her a few love stories which I veiled sufficiently not to + shock her modesty. She felt interested, and I could see that, although she + did not always understand, she pretended to do so, in order not to appear + ignorant. + </p> + <p> + When her uncle returned, I had arranged everything in my mind to make her + my wife, and I resolved on placing her, during her stay in Venice, in the + house of the same honest widow with whom I had found a lodging for my + beautiful Countess A—— S——. + </p> + <p> + We had a delicious supper. I had to teach Christine how to eat oysters and + truffles, which she then saw for the first time. Gatta wine is like + champagne, it causes merriment without intoxicating, but it cannot be kept + for more than one year. We went to bed before midnight, and it was broad + daylight when I awoke. The curate had left the room so quietly that I had + not heard him. + </p> + <p> + I looked towards the other bed, Christine was asleep. I wished her good + morning, she opened her eyes, and leaning on her elbow, she smiled + sweetly. + </p> + <p> + “My uncle has gone. I did not hear him.” + </p> + <p> + “Dearest Christine, you are as lovely as one of God’s angels. I have a + great longing to give you a kiss.” + </p> + <p> + “If you long for a kiss, my dear friend, come and give me one.” + </p> + <p> + I jump out of my bed, decency makes her hide her face. It was cold, and I + was in love. I find myself in her arms by one of those spontaneous + movements which sentiment alone can cause, and we belong to each other + without having thought of it, she happy and rather confused, I delighted, + yet unable to realize the truth of a victory won without any contest. + </p> + <p> + An hour passed in the midst of happiness, during which we forgot the whole + world. Calm followed the stormy gusts of passionate love, and we gazed at + each other without speaking. + </p> + <p> + Christine was the first to break the silence + </p> + <p> + “What have we done?” she said, softly and lovingly. + </p> + <p> + “We have become husband and wife.” + </p> + <p> + “What will my uncle say to-morrow?” + </p> + <p> + “He need not know anything about it until he gives us the nuptial + benediction in his own church.” + </p> + <p> + “And when will he do so?” + </p> + <p> + “As soon as we have completed all the arrangements necessary for a public + marriage.” + </p> + <p> + “How long will that be?” + </p> + <p> + “About a month.” + </p> + <p> + “We cannot be married during Lent.” + </p> + <p> + “I will obtain permission.” + </p> + <p> + “You are not deceiving me?” + </p> + <p> + “No, for I adore you.” + </p> + <p> + “Then, you no longer want to know me better?” + </p> + <p> + “No; I know you thoroughly now, and I feel certain that you will make me + happy.” + </p> + <p> + “And will you make me happy, too?” + </p> + <p> + “I hope so.” + </p> + <p> + “Let us get up and go to church. Who could have believed that, to get a + husband, it was necessary not to go to Venice, but to come back from that + city!” + </p> + <p> + We got up, and, after partaking of some breakfast, we went to hear mass. + The morning passed off quickly, but towards dinner-time I thought that + Christine looked different to what she did the day before, and I asked her + the reason of that change. + </p> + <p> + “It must be,” she said, “the same reason which causes you to be + thoughtful.” + </p> + <p> + “An air of thoughtfulness, my dear, is proper to love when it finds itself + in consultation with honour. This affair has become serious, and love is + now compelled to think and consider. We want to be married in the church, + and we cannot do it before Lent, now that we are in the last days of + carnival; yet we cannot wait until Easter, it would be too long. We must + therefore obtain a dispensation in order to be married. Have I not reason + to be thoughtful?” + </p> + <p> + Her only answer was to come and kiss me tenderly. I had spoken the truth, + yet I had not told her all my reasons for being so pensive. I found myself + drawn into an engagement which was not disagreeable to me, but I wished it + had not been so very pressing. I could not conceal from myself that + repentance was beginning to creep into my amorous and well-disposed mind, + and I was grieved at it. I felt certain, however, that the charming girl + would never have any cause to reproach me for her misery. + </p> + <p> + We had the whole evening before us, and as she had told me that she had + never gone to a theatre, I resolved on affording her that pleasure. I sent + for a Jew from whom I procured everything necessary to disguise her, and + we went to the theatre. A man in love enjoys no pleasure but that which he + gives to the woman he loves. After the performance was over, I took her to + the Casino, and her astonishment made me laugh when she saw for the first + time a faro bank. I had not money enough to play myself, but I had more + than enough to amuse her and to let her play a reasonable game. I gave her + ten sequins, and explained what she had to do. She did not even know the + cards, yet in less than an hour she had won one hundred sequins. I made + her leave off playing, and we returned to the inn. When we were in our + room, I told her to see how much money she had, and when I assured her + that all that gold belonged to her, she thought it was a dream. + </p> + <p> + “Oh! what will my uncle say?” she exclaimed. + </p> + <p> + We had a light supper, and spent a delightful night, taking good care to + part by day-break, so as not to be caught in the same bed by the worthy + ecclesiastic. He arrived early and found us sleeping soundly in our + respective beds. He woke me, and I gave him the ring which he went to + pledge immediately. When he returned two hours later, he saw us dressed + and talking quietly near the fire. As soon as he came in, Christine rushed + to embrace him, and she shewed him all the gold she had in her possession. + What a pleasant surprise for the good old priest! He did not know how to + express his wonder! He thanked God for what he called a miracle, and he + concluded by saying that we were made to insure each other’s happiness. + </p> + <p> + The time to part had come. I promised to pay them a visit in the first + days of Lent, but on condition that on my arrival in P—— I + would not find anyone informed of my name or of my concerns. The curate + gave me the certificate of birth of his niece and the account of her + possessions. As soon as they had gone I took my departure for Venice, full + of love for the charming girl, and determined on keeping my engagement + with her. I knew how easy it would be for me to convince my three friends + that my marriage had been irrevocably written in the great book of fate. + </p> + <p> + My return caused the greatest joy to the three excellent men, because, not + being accustomed to see me three days absent, M. Dandolo and M. Barbaro + were afraid of some accident having befallen me; but M. de Bragadin’s + faith was stronger, and he allayed their fears, saying to them that, with + Paralis watching over me, I could not be in any danger. + </p> + <p> + The very next day I resolved on insuring Christine’s happiness without + making her my wife. I had thought of marrying her when I loved her better + than myself, but after obtaining possession the balance was so much on my + side that my self-love proved stronger than my love for Christine. I could + not make up my mind to renounce the advantages, the hopes which I thought + were attached to my happy independence. Yet I was the slave of sentiment. + To abandon the artless, innocent girl seemed to me an awful crime of which + I could not be guilty, and the mere idea of it made me shudder. I was + aware that she was, perhaps, bearing in her womb a living token of our + mutual love, and I shivered at the bare possibility that her confidence in + me might be repaid by shame and everlasting misery. + </p> + <p> + I bethought myself of finding her a husband in every way better than + myself; a husband so good that she would not only forgive me for the + insult I should thus be guilty of towards her, but also thank me at the + end, and like me all the better for my deceit. + </p> + <p> + To find such a husband could not be very difficult, for Christine was not + only blessed with wonderful beauty, and with a well-established reputation + for virtue, but she was also the possessor of a fortune amounting to four + thousand Venetian ducats. + </p> + <p> + Shut up in a room with the three worshippers of my oracle, I consulted + Paralis upon the affair which I had so much at heart. The answer was: + </p> + <p> + “Serenus must attend to it.” + </p> + <p> + Serenus was the cabalistic name of M. de Bragadin, and the excellent man + immediately expressed himself ready to execute all the orders of Paralis. + It was my duty to inform him of those orders. + </p> + <p> + “You must,” I said to him, “obtain from the Holy Father a dispensation for + a worthy and virtuous girl, so as to give her the privilege of marrying + during Lent in the church of her village; she is a young country girl. + Here is her certificate of birth. The husband is not yet known; but it + does not matter, Paralis undertakes to find one.” + </p> + <p> + “Trust to me,” said my father, “I will write at once to our ambassador in + Rome, and I will contrive to have my letter sent by special express. You + need not be anxious, leave it all to me, I will make it a business of + state, and I must obey Paralis all the more readily that I foresee that + the intended husband is one of us four. Indeed, we must prepare ourselves + to obey.” + </p> + <p> + I had some trouble in keeping my laughter down, for it was in my power to + metamorphose Christine into a grand Venetian lady, the wife of a senator; + but that was not my intention. I again consulted the oracle in order to + ascertain who would be the husband of the young girl, and the answer was + that M. Dandolo was entrusted with the care of finding one, young, + handsome, virtuous, and able to serve the Republic, either at home or + abroad. M. Dandolo was to consult me before concluding any arrangements. I + gave him courage for his task by informing him that the girl had a dowry + of four thousand ducats, but I added that his choice was to be made within + a fortnight. M. de Bragadin, delighted at not being entrusted with the + commission, laughed heartily. + </p> + <p> + Those arrangements made me feel at peace with myself. I was certain that + the husband I wanted would be found, and I only thought of finishing the + carnival gaily, and of contriving to find my purse ready for a case of + emergency. + </p> + <p> + Fortune soon rendered me possessor of a thousand sequins. I paid my debts, + and the licence for the marriage having arrived from Rome ten days after + M. de Bragadin had applied for it, I gave him one hundred ducats, that + being the sum it had cost. The dispensation gave Christine the right of + being married in any church in Christendom, she would only have to obtain + the seal of the episcopal court of the diocese in which the marriage was + to take place, and no publication of banns was required. We wanted, + therefore, but one thing—a trifling one, namely, the husband. M. + Dandolo had already proposed three or four to me, but I had refused them + for excellent reasons. At last he offered one who suited me exactly. + </p> + <p> + I had to take the diamond ring out of pledge, and not wishing to do it + myself, I wrote to the priest making an appointment in Treviso. I was not, + of course, surprised when I found that he was accompanied by his lovely + niece, who, thinking that I had come to complete all arrangements for our + marriage, embraced me without ceremony, and I did the same. If the uncle + had not been present, I am afraid that those kisses would have caused all + my heroism to vanish. I gave the curate the dispensation, and the handsome + features of Christine shone with joy. She certainly could not imagine that + I had been working so actively for others, and, as I was not yet certain + of anything, I did not undeceive her then. I promised to be in P—— + within eight or ten days, when we would complete all necessary + arrangements. After dinner, I gave the curate the ticket for the ring and + the money to take it out of pledge, and we retired to rest. This time, + very fortunately, there was but one bed in the room, and I had to take + another chamber for myself. + </p> + <p> + The next morning, I went into Christine’s room, and found her in bed. Her + uncle had gone out for my diamond ring, and alone with that lovely girl, I + found that I had, when necessary, complete control over my passions. + Thinking that she was not to be my wife, and that she would belong to + another, I considered it my duty to silence my desires. I kissed her, but + nothing more. + </p> + <p> + I spent one hour with her, fighting like Saint Anthony against the carnal + desires of my nature. I could see the charming girl full of love and of + wonder at my reserve, and I admired her virtue in the natural modesty + which prevented her from making the first advances. She got out of bed and + dressed herself without shewing any disappointment. She would, of course, + have felt mortified if she had had the slightest idea that I despised her, + or that I did not value her charms. + </p> + <p> + Her uncle returned, gave me the ring, and we had dinner, after which he + treated me to a wonderful exhibition. Christine had learned how to write, + and, to give me a proof of her talent, she wrote very fluently and very + prettily in my presence. + </p> + <p> + We parted, after my promising to come back again within ten days, and I + returned to Venice. + </p> + <p> + On the second Sunday in Lent, M. Dandolo told me with an air of triumph + that the fortunate husband had been found, and that there was no doubt of + my approval of the new candidate. He named Charles—— whom I + knew by sight—very handsome young man, of irreproachable conduct, + and about twenty-two years of age. He was clerk to M. Ragionato and + god-son of Count Algarotti, a sister of whom had married M. Dandolo’s + brother. + </p> + <p> + “Charles,” said M. Dandolo to me, “has lost his father and his mother, and + I feel satisfied that his godfather will guarantee the dowry brought by + his wife. I have spoken to him, and I believe him disposed to marry an + honest girl whose dowry would enable him to purchase M. Ragionato’s + office.” + </p> + <p> + “It seems to promise very well, but I cannot decide until I have seen + him.” + </p> + <p> + “I have invited him to dine with us to-morrow.” + </p> + <p> + The young man came, and I found him worthy of all M. Dandolo’s praise. We + became friends at once; he had some taste for poetry, I read some of my + productions to him, and having paid him a visit the following day, he + shewed me several pieces of his own composition which were well written. + He introduced me to his aunt, in whose house he lived with his sister, and + I was much pleased with their friendly welcome. Being alone with him in + his room, I asked him what he thought of love. + </p> + <p> + “I do not care for love,” he answered: “but I should like to get married + in order to have a house of my own.” + </p> + <p> + When I returned to the palace, I told M. Dandolo that he might open the + affair with Count Algarotti, and the count mentioned it to Charles, who + said that he could not give any answer, either one way or the other, until + he should have seen the young girl, talked with her, and enquired about + her reputation. As for Count Algarotti, he was ready to be answerable for + his god-son, that is to guarantee four thousand ducats to the wife, + provided her dowry was worth that amount. Those were only the + preliminaries; the rest belonged to my province. + </p> + <p> + Dandolo having informed Charles that the matter was entirely in my hands, + he called on me and enquired when I would be kind enough to introduce him + to the young person. I named the day, adding that it was necessary to + devote a whole day to the visit, as she resided at a distance of twenty + miles from Venice, that we would dine with her and return the same + evening. He promised to be ready for me by day-break. I immediately sent + an express to the curate to inform him of the day on which I would call + with a friend of mine whom I wished to introduce to his niece. + </p> + <p> + On the appointed day, Charles was punctual. I took care to let him know + along the road that I had made the acquaintance of the young girl and of + her uncle as travelling companions from Venice to Mestra about one month + before, and that I would have offered myself as a husband, if I had been + in a position to guarantee the dowry of four thousand ducats. I did not + think it necessary to go any further in my confidences. + </p> + <p> + We arrived at the good priest’s house two hours before mid-day, and soon + after our arrival, Christine came in with an air of great ease, expressing + all her pleasure at seeing me. She only bowed to Charles, enquiring from + me whether he was likewise a clerk. + </p> + <p> + Charles answered that he was clerk at Ragionato. + </p> + <p> + She pretended to understand, in order not to appear ignorant. + </p> + <p> + “I want you to look at my writing,” she said to me, “and afterwards we + will go and see my mother.” + </p> + <p> + Delighted at the praise bestowed upon her writing by Charles, when he + heard that she had learned only one month, she invited us to follow her. + Charles asked her why she had waited until the age of nineteen to study + writing. + </p> + <p> + “Well, sir, what does it matter to you? Besides, I must tell you that I am + seventeen, and not nineteen years of age.” + </p> + <p> + Charles entreated her to excuse him, smiling at the quickness of her + answer. + </p> + <p> + She was dressed like a simple country girl, yet very neatly, and she wore + her handsome gold chains round her neck and on her arms. I told her to + take my arm and that of Charles, which she did, casting towards me a look + of loving obedience. We went to her mother’s house; the good woman was + compelled to keep her bed owing to sciatica. As we entered the room, a + respectable-looking man, who was seated near the patient, rose at the + sight of Charles, and embraced him affectionately. I heard that he was the + family physician, and the circumstance pleased me much. + </p> + <p> + After we had paid our compliments to the good woman, the doctor enquired + after Charles’s aunt and sister; and alluding to the sister who was + suffering from a secret disease, Charles desired to say a few words to him + in private; they left the room together. Being alone with the mother and + Christine, I praised Charles, his excellent conduct, his high character, + his business abilities, and extolled the happiness of the woman who would + be his wife. They both confirmed my praises by saying that everything I + said of him could be read on his features. I had no time to lose, so I + told Christine to be on her guard during dinner, as Charles might possibly + be the husband whom God had intended for her. + </p> + <p> + “For me?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, for you. Charles is one of a thousand; you would be much happier + with him than you could be with me; the doctor knows him, and you could + ascertain from him everything which I cannot find time to tell you now + about my friend.” + </p> + <p> + The reader can imagine all I suffered in making this declaration, and my + surprise when I saw the young girl calm and perfectly composed! Her + composure dried the tears already gathering in my eyes. After a short + silence, she asked me whether I was certain that such a handsome young man + would have her. That question gave me an insight into Christine’s heart + and feelings, and quieted all my sorrow, for I saw that I had not known + her well. I answered that, beautiful as she was, there was no doubt of her + being loved by everybody. + </p> + <p> + “It will be at dinner, my dear Christine, that my friend will examine and + study you; do not fail to shew all the charms and qualities with which God + has endowed you, but do not let him suspect our intimacy.” + </p> + <p> + “It is all very strange. Is my uncle informed of this wonderful change?” + </p> + <p> + “No.” + </p> + <p> + “If your friend should feel pleased with me, when would he marry me?” + </p> + <p> + “Within ten days. I will take care of everything, and you will see me + again in the course of the week.” + </p> + <p> + Charles came back with the doctor, and Christine, leaving her mother’s + bedside, took a chair opposite to us. She answered very sensibly all the + questions addressed to her by Charles, often exciting his mirth by her + artlessness, but not shewing any silliness. + </p> + <p> + Oh! charming simplicity! offspring of wit and of ignorance! thy charm is + delightful, and thou alone hast the privilege of saying anything without + ever giving offence! But how unpleasant thou art when thou art not + natural! and thou art the masterpiece of art when thou art imitated with + perfection! + </p> + <p> + We dined rather late, and I took care not to speak to Christine, not even + to look at her, so as not to engross her attention, which she devoted + entirely to Charles, and I was delighted to see with what ease and + interest she kept up the conversation. After dinner, and as we were taking + leave, I heard the following words uttered by Charles, which went to my + very heart: + </p> + <p> + “You are made, lovely Christine, to minister to the happiness of a + prince.” + </p> + <p> + And Christine? This was her answer: + </p> + <p> + “I should esteem myself fortunate, sir, if you should judge me worthy of + ministering to yours.” + </p> + <p> + These words excited Charles so much that he embraced me! + </p> + <p> + Christine was simple, but her artlessness did not come from her mind, only + from her heart. The simplicity of mind is nothing but silliness, that of + the heart is only ignorance and innocence; it is a quality which subsists + even when the cause has ceased to be. This young girl, almost a child of + nature, was simple in her manners, but graceful in a thousand trifling + ways which cannot be described. She was sincere, because she did not know + that to conceal some of our impressions is one of the precepts of + propriety, and as her intentions were pure, she was a stranger to that + false shame and mock modesty which cause pretended innocence to blush at a + word, or at a movement said or made very often without any wicked purpose. + </p> + <p> + During our journey back to Venice Charles spoke of nothing but of his + happiness. He had decidedly fallen in love. + </p> + <p> + “I will call to-morrow morning upon Count Algarotti,” he said to me, “and + you may write to the priest to come with all the necessary documents to + make the contract of marriage which I long to sign.” + </p> + <p> + His delight and his surprise were intense when I told him that my wedding + present to Christine was a dispensation from the Pope for her to be + married in Lent. + </p> + <p> + “Then,” he exclaimed, “we must go full speed ahead!” + </p> + <p> + In the conference which was held the next day between my young substitute, + his god-father, and M. Dandolo, it was decided that the parson should be + invited to come with his niece. I undertook to carry the message, and + leaving Venice two hours before morning I reached P—— early. + The priest said he would be ready to start immediately after mass. I then + called on Christine, and I treated her to a fatherly and sentimental + sermon, every word of which was intended to point out to her the true road + to happiness in the new condition which she was on the point of adopting. + I told her how she ought to behave towards her husband, towards his aunt + and his sister, in order to captivate their esteem and their love. The + last part of my discourse was pathetic and rather disparaging to myself, + for, as I enforced upon her the necessity of being faithful to her + husband, I was necessarily led to entreat her pardon for having seduced + her. “When you promised to marry me, after we had both been weak enough to + give way to our love, did you intend to deceive me?” + </p> + <p> + “Certainly not.” + </p> + <p> + “Then you have not deceived me. On the contrary, I owe you some gratitude + for having thought that, if our union should prove unhappy, it was better + to find another husband for me, and I thank God that you have succeeded so + well. Tell me, now, what I can answer to your friend in case he should ask + me, during the first night, why I am so different to what a virgin ought + to be?” + </p> + <p> + “It is not likely that Charles, who is full of reserve and propriety, + would ask you such a thing, but if he should, tell him positively that you + never had a lover, and that you do not suppose yourself to be different to + any other girl.” + </p> + <p> + “Will he believe me?” + </p> + <p> + “He would deserve your contempt, and entail punishment on himself if he + did not. But dismiss all anxiety; that will not occur. A sensible man, my + dear Christine, when he has been rightly brought up, never ventures upon + such a question, because he is not only certain to displease, but also + sure that he will never know the truth, for if the truth is likely to + injure a woman in the opinion of her husband, she would be very foolish, + indeed, to confess it.” + </p> + <p> + “I understand your meaning perfectly, my dear friend; let us, then, + embrace each other for the last time.” + </p> + <p> + “No, for we are alone and I am very weak. I adore thee as much as ever.” + </p> + <p> + “Do not cry, dear friend, for, truly speaking, I have no wish for it.” + </p> + <p> + That simple and candid answer changed my disposition suddenly, and, + instead of crying, I began to laugh. Christine dressed herself splendidly, + and after breakfast we left P——. We reached Venice in four + hours. I lodged them at a good inn, and going to the palace, I told M. + Dandolo that our people had arrived, that it would be his province to + bring them and Charles together on the following day, and to attend to the + matter altogether, because the honour of the future husband and wife, the + respect due to their parents and to propriety, forbade any further + interference on my part. + </p> + <p> + He understood my reasons, and acted accordingly. He brought Charles to me, + I presented both of them to the curate and his niece, and then left them + to complete their business. + </p> + <p> + I heard afterwards from M. Dandolo that they all called upon Count + Algarotti, and at the office of a notary, where the contract of marriage + was signed, and that, after fixing a day for the wedding, Charles had + escorted his intended back to P——. + </p> + <p> + On his return, Charles paid me a visit. He told me that Christine had won + by her beauty and pleasing manners the affection of his aunt, of his + sister, and of his god-father, and that they had taken upon themselves all + the expense of the wedding. + </p> + <p> + “We intend to be married,” he added, “on such a day at P——, + and I trust that you will crown your work of kindness by being present at + the ceremony.” + </p> + <p> + I tried to excuse myself, but he insisted with such a feeling of + gratitude, and with so much earnestness, that I was compelled to accept. I + listened with real pleasure to the account he gave me of the impression + produced upon all his family and upon Count Algarotti by the beauty, the + artlessness, the rich toilet, and especially by the simple talk of the + lovely country girl. + </p> + <p> + “I am deeply in love with her,” Charles said to me, “and I feel that it is + to you that I shall be indebted for the happiness I am sure to enjoy with + my charming wife. She will soon get rid of her country way of talking in + Venice, because here envy and slander will but too easily shew her the + absurdity of it.” + </p> + <p> + His enthusiasm and happiness delighted me, and I congratulated myself upon + my own work. Yet I felt inwardly some jealousy, and I could not help + envying a lot which I might have kept for myself. + </p> + <p> + M. Daridolo and M. Barbaro having been also invited by Charles, I went + with them to P——. We found the dinner-table laid out in the + rector’s house by the servants of Count Algarotti, who was acting as + Charles’s father, and having taken upon himself all the expense of the + wedding, had sent his cook and his major-domo to P——. + </p> + <p> + When I saw Christine, the tears filled my eyes, and I had to leave the + room. She was dressed as a country girl, but looked as lovely as a nymph. + Her husband, her uncle, and Count Algarotti had vainly tried to make her + adopt the Venetian costume, but she had very wisely refused. + </p> + <p> + “As soon as I am your wife,” she had said to Charles, “I will dress as you + please, but here I will not appear before my young companions in any other + costume than the one in which they have always seen me. I shall thus avoid + being laughed at, and accused of pride, by the girls among whom I have + been brought up.” + </p> + <p> + There was in these words something so noble, so just, and so generous, + that Charles thought his sweetheart a supernatural being. He told me that + he had enquired, from the woman with whom Christine had spent a fortnight, + about the offers of marriage she had refused at that time, and that he had + been much surprised, for two of those offers were excellent ones. + </p> + <p> + “Christine,” he added, “was evidently destined by Heaven for my happiness, + and to you I am indebted for the precious possession of that treasure.” + </p> + <p> + His gratitude pleased me, and I must render myself the justice of saying + that I entertained no thought of abusing it. I felt happy in the happiness + I had thus given. + </p> + <p> + We repaired to the church towards eleven o’clock, and were very much + astonished at the difficulty we experienced in getting in. A large number + of the nobility of Treviso, curious to ascertain whether it was true that + the marriage ceremony of a country girl would be publicly performed during + Lent when, by waiting only one month, a dispensation would have been + useless, had come to P——. Everyone wondered at the permission + having been obtained from the Pope, everyone imagined that there was some + extraordinary reason for it, and was in despair because it was impossible + to guess that reason. In spite of all feelings of envy, every face beamed + with pleasure and satisfaction when the young couple made their + appearance, and no one could deny that they deserved that extraordinary + distinction, that exception to all established rules. + </p> + <p> + A certain Countess of Tos,... from Treviso, Christine’s god-mother, went + up to her after the ceremony, and embraced her most tenderly, complaining + that the happy event had not been communicated to her in Treviso. + Christine, in her artless way, answered with as much modesty as sweetness, + that the countess ought to forgive her if she had failed in her duty + towards her, on account of the marriage having been decided on so hastily. + She presented her husband, and begged Count Algarotti to atone for her + error towards her god-mother by inviting her to join the wedding repast, + an invitation which the countess accepted with great pleasure. That + behaviour, which is usually the result of a good education and a long + experience of society, was in the lovely peasant-girl due only to a candid + and well-balanced mind which shone all the more because it was all nature + and not art. + </p> + <p> + As they returned from the church, Charles and Christine knelt down before + the young wife’s mother, who gave them her blessing with tears of joy. + </p> + <p> + Dinner was served, and, of course, Christine and her happy spouse took the + seats of honour. Mine was the last, and I was very glad of it, but + although everything was delicious, I ate very little, and scarcely opened + my lips. + </p> + <p> + Christine was constantly busy, saying pretty things to every one of her + guests, and looking at her husband to make sure that he was pleased with + her. + </p> + <p> + Once or twice she addressed his aunt and sister in such a gracious manner + that they could not help leaving their places and kissing her tenderly, + congratulating Charles upon his good fortune. I was seated not very far + from Count Algarotti, and I heard him say several times to Christine’s + god-mother that he had never felt so delighted in his life. + </p> + <p> + When four o’clock struck, Charles whispered a few words to his lovely + wife, she bowed to her god-mother, and everybody rose from the table. + After the usual compliments—and in this case they bore the stamp of + sincerity—the bride distributed among all the girls of the village, + who were in the adjoining room, packets full of sugar-plums which had been + prepared before hand, and she took leave of them, kissing them all without + any pride. Count Algarotti invited all the guests to sleep at a house he + had in Treviso, and to partake there of the dinner usually given the day + after the wedding. The uncle alone excused himself, and the mother could + not come, owing to her disease which prevented her from moving. The good + woman died three months after Christine’s marriage. + </p> + <p> + Christine therefore left her village to follow her husband, and for the + remainder of their lives they lived together in mutual happiness. + </p> + <p> + Count Algarotti, Christine’s god-mother and my two noble friends, went + away together. The bride and bridegroom had, of course, a carriage to + themselves, and I kept the aunt and the sister of Charles company in + another. I could not help envying the happy man somewhat, although in my + inmost heart I felt pleased with his happiness. + </p> + <p> + The sister was not without merit. She was a young widow of twenty-five, + and still deserved the homage of men, but I gave the preference to the + aunt, who told me that her new niece was a treasure, a jewel which was + worthy of everybody’s admiration, but that she would not let her go into + society until she could speak the Venetian dialect well. + </p> + <p> + “Her cheerful spirits,” she added, “her artless simplicity, her natural + wit, are like her beauty, they must be dressed in the Venetian fashion. We + are highly pleased with my nephew’s choice, and he has incurred + everlasting obligations towards you. I hope that for the future you will + consider our house as your own.” + </p> + <p> + The invitation was polite, perhaps it was sincere, yet I did not avail + myself of it, and they were glad of it. At the end of one year Christine + presented her husband with a living token of their mutual love, and that + circumstance increased their conjugal felicity. + </p> + <p> + We all found comfortable quarters in the count’s house in Treviso, where, + after partaking of some refreshments, the guests retired to rest. + </p> + <p> + The next morning I was with Count Algarotti and my two friends when + Charles came in, handsome, bright, and radiant. While he was answering + with much wit some jokes of the count, I kept looking at him with some + anxiety, but he came up to me and embraced me warmly. I confess that a + kiss never made me happier. + </p> + <p> + People wonder at the devout scoundrels who call upon their saint when they + think themselves in need of heavenly assistance, or who thank him when + they imagine that they have obtained some favour from him, but people are + wrong, for it is a good and right feeling, which preaches against Atheism. + </p> + <p> + At the invitation of Charles, his aunt and his sister had gone to pay a + morning visit to the young wife, and they returned with her. Happiness + never shone on a more lovely face! + </p> + <p> + M. Algarotti, going towards her, enquired from her affectionately whether + she had had a good night. Her only answer was to rush to her husband’s + arms. It was the most artless, and at the same time the most eloquent, + answer she could possible give. Then turning her beautiful eyes towards + me, and offering me her hand, she said, + </p> + <p> + “M. Casanova, I am happy, and I love to be indebted to you for my + happiness.” + </p> + <p> + The tears which were flowing from my eyes, as I kissed her hand, told her + better than words how truly happy I was myself. + </p> + <p> + The dinner passed off delightfully. We then left for Mestra and Venice. We + escorted the married couple to their house, and returned home to amuse M. + Bragadin with the relation of our expedition. This worthy and particularly + learned man said a thousand things about the marriage, some of great + profundity and others of great absurdity. + </p> + <p> + I laughed inwardly. I was the only one who had the key to the mystery, and + could realize the secret of the comedy. + </p> + <a name="link2H_4_0029" id="link2H_4_0029"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> <a name="linkepisode5" id="linkepisode5"></a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + EPISODE 5 — MILAN AND MANTUA + </h2> + <a name="link2HCH0020" id="link2HCH0020"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XX + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Slight Misfortunes Compel Me to Leave Venice—My Adventures + in Milan and Mantua +</pre> + <p> + On Low Sunday Charles paid us a visit with his lovely wife, who seemed + totally indifferent to what Christine used to be. Her hair dressed with + powder did not please me as well as the raven black of her beautiful + locks, and her fashionable town attire did not, in my eyes, suit her as + well as her rich country dress. But the countenances of husband and wife + bore the stamp of happiness. Charles reproached me in a friendly manner + because I had not called once upon them, and, in order to atone for my + apparent negligence, I went to see them the next day with M. Dandolo. + Charles told me that his wife was idolized by his aunt and his sister who + had become her bosom friend; that she was kind, affectionate, unassuming, + and of a disposition which enforced affection. I was no less pleased with + this favourable state of things than with the facility with which + Christine was learning the Venetian dialect. + </p> + <p> + When M. Dandolo and I called at their house, Charles was not at home; + Christine was alone with his two relatives. The most friendly welcome was + proffered to us, and in the course of conversation the aunt praised the + progress made by Christine in her writing very highly, and asked her to + let me see her copy-book. I followed her to the next room, where she told + me that she was very happy; that every day she discovered new virtues in + her husband. He had told her, without the slightest appearance of + suspicion of displeasure, that he knew that we had spent two days together + in Treviso, and that he had laughed at the well-meaning fool who had given + him that piece of information in the hope of raising a cloud in the heaven + of their felicity. + </p> + <p> + Charles was truly endowed with all the virtues, with all the noble + qualities of an honest and distinguished man. Twenty-six years afterwards + I happened to require the assistance of his purse, and found him my true + friend. I never was a frequent visitor at his house, and he appreciated my + delicacy. He died a few months before my last departure from Venice, + leaving his widow in easy circumstances, and three well-educated sons, all + with good positions, who may, for what I know, be still living with their + mother. + </p> + <p> + In June I went to the fair at Padua, and made the acquaintance of a young + man of my own age, who was then studying mathematics under the celebrated + Professor Succi. His name was Tognolo, but thinking it did not sound well, + he changed it for that of Fabris. He became, in after years, Comte de + Fabris, lieutenant-general under Joseph II., and died Governor of + Transylvania. This man, who owed his high fortune to his talents, would, + perhaps, have lived and died unknown if he had kept his name of Tognolo, a + truly vulgar one. He was from Uderzo, a large village of the Venetian + Friuli. He had a brother in the Church, a man of parts, and a great + gamester, who, having a deep knowledge of the world, had taken the name of + Fabris, and the younger brother had to assume it likewise. Soon afterwards + he bought an estate with the title of count, became a Venetian nobleman, + and his origin as a country bumpkin was forgotten. If he had kept his name + of Tognolo it would have injured him, for he could not have pronounced it + without reminding his hearers of what is called, by the most contemptible + of prejudices, low extraction, and the privileged class, through an absurd + error, does not admit the possibility of a peasant having talent or + genius. No doubt a time will come when society, more enlightened, and + therefore more reasonable, will acknowledge that noble feelings, honour, + and heroism can be found in every condition of life as easily as in a + class, the blood of which is not always exempt from the taint of a + misalliance. + </p> + <p> + The new count, while he allowed others to forget his origin, was too wise + to forget it himself, and in legal documents he always signed his family + name as well as the one he had adopted. His brother had offered him two + ways to win fortune in the world, leaving him perfectly free in his + choice. Both required an expenditure of one thousand sequins, but the abbe + had put the amount aside for that purpose. My friend had to choose between + the sword of Mars and the bird of Minerva. The abbe knew that he could + purchase for his brother a company in the army of his Imperial and + Apostolic Majesty, or obtain for him a professorship at the University of + Padua; for money can do everything. But my friend, who was gifted with + noble feelings and good sense, knew that in either profession talents and + knowledge were essentials, and before making a choice he was applying + himself with great success to the study of mathematics. He ultimately + decided upon the military profession, thus imitating Achilles, who + preferred the sword to the distaff, and he paid for it with his life like + the son of Peleus; though not so young, and not through a wound inflicted + by an arrow, but from the plague, which he caught in the unhappy country + in which the indolence of Europe allows the Turks to perpetuate that + fearful disease. + </p> + <p> + The distinguished appearance, the noble sentiments, the great knowledge, + and the talents of Fabris would have been turned into ridicule in a man + called Tognolo, for such is the force of prejudices, particularly of those + which have no ground to rest upon, that an ill-sounding name is degrading + in this our stupid society. My opinion is that men who have an + ill-sounding name, or one which presents an indecent or ridiculous idea, + are right in changing it if they intend to win honour, fame, and fortune + either in arts or sciences. No one can reasonably deny them that right, + provided the name they assume belongs to nobody. The alphabet is general + property, and everyone has the right to use it for the creation of a word + forming an appellative sound. But he must truly create it. Voltaire, in + spite of his genius, would not perhaps have reached posterity under his + name of Arouet, especially amongst the French, who always give way so + easily to their keen sense of ridicule and equivocation. How could they + have imagined that a writer ‘a rouet’ could be a man of genius? And + D’Alembert, would he have attained his high fame, his universal + reputation, if he had been satisfied with his name of M. Le Rond, or Mr. + Allround? What would have become of Metastasio under his true name of + Trapasso? What impression would Melanchthon have made with his name of + Schwarzerd? Would he then have dared to raise the voice of a moralist + philosopher, of a reformer of the Eucharist, and so many other holy + things? Would not M. de Beauharnais have caused some persons to laugh and + others to blush if he had kept his name of Beauvit, even if the first + founder of his family had been indebted for his fortune to the fine + quality expressed by that name? + </p> + <p> + Would the Bourbeux have made as good a figure on the throne as the + Bourbons? I think that King Poniatowski ought to have abdicated the name + of Augustus, which he had taken at the time of his accession to the + throne, when he abdicated royalty. The Coleoni of Bergamo, however, would + find it rather difficult to change their name, because they would be + compelled at the same time to change their coat of arms (the two + generative glands), and thus to annihilate the glory of their ancestor, + the hero Bartholomeo. + </p> + <p> + Towards the end of autumn my friend Fabris introduced me to a family in + the midst of which the mind and the heart could find delicious food. That + family resided in the country on the road to Zero. Card-playing, + lovemaking, and practical jokes were the order of the day. Some of those + jokes were rather severe ones, but the order of the day was never to get + angry and to laugh at everything, for one was to take every jest + pleasantly or be thought a bore. Bedsteads would at night tumble down + under their occupants, ghosts were personated, diuretic pills or + sugar-plums were given to young ladies, as well as comfits who produced + certain winds rising from the netherlands, and impossible to keep under + control. These jokes would sometimes go rather too far, but such was the + spirit animating all the members of that circle; they would laugh. I was + not less inured than the others to the war of offence and defence, but at + last there was such a bitter joke played upon me that it suggested to me + another, the fatal consequences of which put a stop to the mania by which + we were all possessed. + </p> + <p> + We were in the habit of walking to a farm which was about half a league + distant by the road, but the distance could be reduced by half by going + over a deep and miry ditch across which a narrow plank was thrown, and I + always insisted upon going that way, in spite of the fright of the ladies + who always trembled on the narrow bridge, although I never failed to cross + the first, and to offer my hand to help them over. One fine day, I crossed + first so as to give them courage, but suddenly, when I reached the middle + of the plank, it gave way under me, and there I was in the ditch, up to + the chin in stinking mud, and, in spite of my inward rage, obliged, + according to the general understanding, to join in the merry laughter of + all my companions. But the merriment did not last long, for the joke was + too bad, and everyone declared it to be so. Some peasants were called to + the rescue, and with much difficulty they dragged me out in the most awful + state. An entirely new dress, embroidered with spangles, my silk + stockings, my lace, everything, was of course spoiled, but not minding it, + I laughed more heartily that anybody else, although I had already made an + inward vow to have the most cruel revenge. In order to know the author of + that bitter joke I had only to appear calm and indifferent about it. It + was evident that the plank had been purposely sawn. I was taken back to + the house, a shirt, a coat, a complete costume, were lent me, for I had + come that time only for twenty-four hours, and had not brought anything + with me. I went to the city the next morning, and towards the evening I + returned to the gay company. Fabris, who had been as angry as myself, + observed to me that the perpetrator of the joke evidently felt his guilt, + because he took good care not to discover himself. But I unveiled the + mystery by promising one sequin to a peasant woman if she could find out + who had sawn the plank. She contrived to discover the young man who had + done the work. I called on him, and the offer of a sequin, together with + my threats, compelled him to confess that he had been paid for his work by + Signor Demetrio, a Greek, dealer in spices, a good and amiable man of + between forty-five and fifty years, on whom I never played any trick, + except in the case of a pretty, young servant girl whom he was courting, + and whom I had juggled from him. + </p> + <p> + Satisfied with my discovery, I was racking my brain to invent a good + practical joke, but to obtain complete revenge it was necessary that my + trick should prove worse than the one he had played upon me. Unfortunately + my imagination was at bay. I could not find anything. A funeral put an end + to my difficulties. + </p> + <p> + Armed with my hunting-knife, I went alone to the cemetery a little after + midnight, and opening the grave of the dead man who had been buried that + very day, I cut off one of the arms near the shoulder, not without some + trouble, and after I had re-buried the corpse, I returned to my room with + the arm of the defunct. The next day, when supper was over, I left the + table and retired to my chamber as if I intended to go to bed, but taking + the arm with me I hid myself under Demetrio’s bed. A short time after, the + Greek comes in, undresses himself, put his light out, and lies down. I + give him time to fall nearly asleep; then, placing myself at the foot of + the bed, I pull away the clothes little by little until he is half naked. + He laughs and calls out, + </p> + <p> + “Whoever you may be, go away and let me sleep quietly, for I do not + believe in ghosts;” he covers himself again and composes himself to sleep. + </p> + <p> + I wait five or six minutes, and pull again at the bedclothes; but when he + tries to draw up the sheet, saying that he does not care for ghosts, I + oppose some resistance. He sits up so as to catch the hand which is + pulling at the clothes, and I take care that he should get hold of the + dead hand. Confident that he has caught the man or the woman who was + playing the trick, he pulls it towards him, laughing all the time; I keep + tight hold of the arm for a few instants, and then let it go suddenly; the + Greek falls back on his pillow without uttering a single word. + </p> + <p> + The trick was played, I leave the room without any noise, and, reaching my + chamber, go to bed. + </p> + <p> + I was fast asleep, when towards morning I was awoke by persons going + about, and not understanding why they should be up so early, I got up. The + first person I met—the mistress of the house—told me that I + had played an abominable joke. + </p> + <p> + “I? What have I done?” + </p> + <p> + “M. Demetrio is dying.” + </p> + <p> + “Have I killed him?” + </p> + <p> + She went away without answering me. I dressed myself, rather frightened, I + confess, but determined upon pleading complete ignorance of everything, + and I proceeded to Demetrio’s room; and I was confronted with + horror-stricken countenances and bitter reproaches. I found all the guests + around him. I protested my innocence, but everyone smiled. The archpriest + and the beadle, who had just arrived, would not bury the arm which was + lying there, and they told me that I had been guilty of a great crime. + </p> + <p> + “I am astonished, reverend sir,” I said to the priest, “at the hasty + judgment which is thus passed upon me, when there is no proof to condemn + me.” + </p> + <p> + “You have done it,” exclaimed all the guests, “you alone are capable of + such an abomination; it is just like you. No one but you would have dared + to do such a thing!” + </p> + <p> + “I am compelled,” said the archpriest, “to draw up an official report.” + </p> + <p> + “As you please, I have not the slightest objection,” I answered, “I have + nothing to fear.” + </p> + <p> + And I left the room. + </p> + <p> + I continued to take it coolly, and at the dinner-table I was informed that + M. Demetrio had been bled, that he had recovered the use of his eyes, but + not of his tongue or of his limbs. The next day he could speak, and I + heard, after I had taken leave of the family, that he was stupid and + spasmodic. The poor man remained in that painful state for the rest of his + life. I felt deeply grieved, but I had not intended to injure him so + badly. I thought that the trick he had played upon me might have cost my + life, and I could not help deriving consolation from that idea. + </p> + <p> + On the same day, the archpriest made up his mind to have the arm buried, + and to send a formal denunciation against me to the episcopal + chancellorship of Treviso. + </p> + <p> + Annoyed at the reproaches which I received on all sides, I returned to + Venice. A fortnight afterwards I was summoned to appear before the + ‘magistrato alla blasfemia’. I begged M. Barbaro to enquire the cause of + the aforesaid summons, for it was a formidable court. I was surprised at + the proceedings being taken against me, as if there had been a certainty + of my having desecrated a grave, whilst there could be nothing but + suspicion. But I was mistaken, the summons was not relating to that + affair. M. Barbaro informed me in the evening that a woman had brought a + complaint against me for having violated her daughter. She stated in her + complaint that, having decoyed her child to the Zuecca, I had abused her + by violence, and she adduced as a proof that her daughter was confined to + her bed, owing to the bad treatment she had received from me in my + endeavours to ravish her. It was one of those complaints which are often + made, in order to give trouble and to cause expense, even against innocent + persons. I was innocent of violation, but it was quite true that I had + given the girl a sound thrashing. I prepared my defence, and begged M. + Barbaro to deliver it to the magistrate’s secretary. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + DECLARATION +</pre> + <p> + I hereby declare that, on such a day, having met the woman with her + daughter, I accosted them and offered to give them some refreshments at a + coffee-house near by; that the daughter refused to accept my caresses, and + that the mother said to me,— + </p> + <p> + “My daughter is yet a virgin, and she is quite right not to lose her + maidenhood without making a good profit by it.” + </p> + <p> + “If so,” I answered, “I will give you ten sequins for her virginity.” + </p> + <p> + “You may judge for yourself,” said the mother. + </p> + <p> + Having assured myself of the fact by the assistance of the sense of + feeling, and having ascertained that it might be true, I told the mother + to bring the girl in the afternoon to the Zuecca, and that I would give + her the ten sequins. My offer was joyfully accepted, the mother brought + her daughter to me, she received the money, and leaving us together in the + Garden of the Cross, she went away. When I tried to avail myself of the + right for which I had paid, the girl, most likely trained to the business + by her mother, contrived to prevent me. At first the game amused me, but + at last, being tired of it, I told her to have done. She answered quietly + that it was not her fault if I was not able to do what I wanted. Vexed and + annoyed, I placed her in such a position that she found herself at bay, + but, making a violent effort, she managed to change her position and + debarred me from making any further attempts. + </p> + <p> + “Why,” I said to her, “did you move?” + </p> + <p> + “Because I would not have it in that position.” + </p> + <p> + “You would not?” + </p> + <p> + “No.” + </p> + <p> + Without more ado, I got hold of a broomstick, and gave her a good lesson, + in order to get something for the ten sequins which I had been foolish + enough to pay in advance. But I have broken none of her limbs, and I took + care to apply my blows only on her posteriors, on which spot I have no + doubt that all the marks may be seen. In the evening I made her dress + herself again, and sent her back in a boat which chanced to pass, and she + was landed in safety. The mother received ten sequins, the daughter has + kept her hateful maidenhood, and, if I am guilty of anything, it is only + of having given a thrashing to an infamous girl, the pupil of a still more + infamous mother. + </p> + <p> + My declaration had no effect. The magistrate was acquainted with the girl, + and the mother laughed at having duped me so easily. I was summoned, but + did not appear before the court, and a writ was on the point of being + issued against my body, when the complaint of the profanation of a grave + was filed against me before the same magistrate. It would have been less + serious for me if the second affair had been carried before the Council of + Ten, because one court might have saved me from the other. + </p> + <p> + The second crime, which, after all, was only a joke, was high felony in + the eyes of the clergy, and a great deal was made of it. I was summoned to + appear within twenty-four hours, and it was evident that I would be + arrested immediately afterwards. M. de Bragadin, who always gave good + advice, told me that the best way to avoid the threatening storm was to + run away. The advice was certainly wise, and I lost no time in getting + ready. + </p> + <p> + I have never left Venice with so much regret as I did then, for I had some + pleasant intrigues on hand, and I was very lucky at cards. My three + friends assured me that, within one year at the furthest, the cases + against me would be forgotten, and in Venice, when public opinion has + forgotten anything, it can be easily arranged. + </p> + <p> + I left Venice in the evening and the next day I slept at Verona. Two days + afterwards I reached Mantua. I was alone, with plenty of clothes and + jewels, without letters of introduction, but with a well-filled purse, + enjoying excellent health and my twenty-three years. + </p> + <p> + In Mantua I ordered an excellent dinner, the very first thing one ought to + do at a large hotel, and after dinner I went out for a walk. In the + evening, after I had seen the coffee-houses and the places of resort, I + went to the theatre, and I was delighted to see Marina appear on the stage + as a comic dancer, amid the greatest applause, which she deserved, for she + danced beautifully. She was tall, handsome, very well made and very + graceful. I immediately resolved on renewing my acquaintance with her, if + she happened to be free, and after the opera I engaged a boy to take me to + her house. She had just sat down to supper with someone, but the moment + she saw me she threw her napkin down and flew to my arms. I returned her + kisses, judging by her warmth that her guest was a man of no consequence. + </p> + <p> + The servant, without waiting for orders, had already laid a plate for me, + and Marina invited me to sit down near her. I felt vexed, because the + aforesaid individual had not risen to salute me, and before I accepted + Marina’s invitation I asked her who the gentleman was, begging her to + introduce me. + </p> + <p> + “This gentleman,” she said, “is Count Celi, of Rome; he is my lover.” + </p> + <p> + “I congratulate you,” I said to her, and turning towards the so-called + count, “Sir,” I added, “do not be angry at our mutual affection, Marina is + my daughter.” + </p> + <p> + “She is a prostitute.” + </p> + <p> + “True,” said Marina, “and you can believe the count, for he is my + procurer.” + </p> + <p> + At those words, the brute threw his knife at her face, but she avoided it + by running away. The scoundrel followed her, but I drew my sword, and + said, + </p> + <p> + “Stop, or you are a dead man.” + </p> + <p> + I immediately asked Marina to order her servant to light me out, but she + hastily put a cloak on, and taking my arm she entreated me to take her + with me. + </p> + <p> + “With pleasure,” I said. + </p> + <p> + The count then invited me to meet him alone, on the following day, at the + Casino of Pomi, to hear what he had to say. + </p> + <p> + “Very well, sir, at four in the afternoon,” I answered. + </p> + <p> + I took Marina to my inn, where I lodged her in the room adjoining mine, + and we sat down to supper. + </p> + <p> + Marina, seeing that I was thoughtful, said, + </p> + <p> + “Are you sorry to have saved me from the rage of that brute?” + </p> + <p> + “No, I am glad to have done so, but tell me truly who and what he is.” + </p> + <p> + “He is a gambler by profession, and gives himself out as Count Celi. I + made his acquaintance here. He courted me, invited me to supper, played + after supper, and, having won a large sum from an Englishman whom he had + decoyed to his supper by telling him that I would be present, he gave me + fifty guineas, saying that he had given me an interest in his bank. As + soon as I had become his mistress, he insisted upon my being compliant + with all the men he wanted to make his dupes, and at last he took up his + quarters at my lodgings. The welcome I gave you very likely vexed him, and + you know the rest. Here I am, and here I will remain until my departure + for Mantua where I have an engagement as first dancer. My servant will + bring me all I need for to-night, and I will give him orders to move all + my luggage to-morrow. I will not see that scoundrel any more. I will be + only yours, if you are free as in Corfu, and if you love me still.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, my dear Marina, I do love you, but if you wish to be my mistress, + you must be only mine.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh! of course. I have three hundred sequins, and I will give them to you + to-morrow if you will take me as your mistress.” + </p> + <p> + “I do not want any money; all I want is yourself. Well, it is all + arranged; to-morrow evening we shall feel more comfortable.” + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps you are thinking of a duel for to-morrow? But do not imagine such + a thing, dearest. I know that man; he is an arrant coward.” + </p> + <p> + “I must keep my engagement with him.” + </p> + <p> + “I know that, but he will not keep his, and I am very glad of it.” + </p> + <p> + Changing the conversation and speaking of our old acquaintances, she + informed me that she had quarreled with her brother Petronio, that her + sister was primadonna in Genoa, and that Bellino Therese was still in + Naples, where she continued to ruin dukes. She concluded by saying; + </p> + <p> + “I am the most unhappy of the family.” + </p> + <p> + “How so? You are beautiful, and you have become an excellent dancer. Do + not be so prodigal of your favours, and you cannot fail to meet with a man + who will take care of your fortune.” + </p> + <p> + “To be sparing of my favours is very difficult; when I love, I am no + longer mine, but when I do not love, I cannot be amiable. Well, dearest, I + could be very happy with you.” + </p> + <p> + “Dear Marina, I am not wealthy, and my honour would not allow me....” + </p> + <p> + “Hold your tongue; I understand you.” + </p> + <p> + “Why have you not a lady’s maid with you instead of a male servant?” + </p> + <p> + “You are right. A maid would look more respectable, but my servant is so + clever and so faithful!” + </p> + <p> + “I can guess all his qualities, but he is not a fit servant for you.” + </p> + <p> + The next day after dinner I left Marina getting ready for the theatre, and + having put everything of value I possessed in my pocket, I took a carriage + and proceeded to the Casino of Pomi. I felt confident of disabling the + false count, and sent the carriage away. I was conscious of being guilty + of great folly in exposing my life with such an adversary. I might have + broken my engagement with him without implicating my honour, but, the fact + is that I felt well disposed for a fight, and as I was certainly in the + right I thought the prospect of a duel very delightful. A visit to a + dancer, a brute professing to be a nobleman, who insults her in my + presence, who wants to kill her, who allows her to be carried off in his + very teeth, and whose only opposition is to give me an appointment! It + seemed to me that if I had failed to come, I should have given him the + right to call me a coward. + </p> + <p> + The count had not yet arrived. I entered the coffee-room to wait for him. + I met a good-looking Frenchman there, and I addressed him. Being pleased + with his conversation, I told him that I expected the arrival of a man, + and that as my honour required that he should find me alone I would feel + grateful if he would go away as soon as I saw the man approaching. A short + time afterwards I saw my adversary coming along, but with a second. I then + told the Frenchman that he would oblige me by remaining, and he accepted + as readily as if I had invited him to a party of pleasure. The count came + in with his follower, who was sporting a sword at least forty inches long, + and had all the look of a cut-throat. I advanced towards the count, and + said to him dryly,— + </p> + <p> + “You told me that you would come alone.” + </p> + <p> + “My friend will not be in the way, as I only want to speak to you.” + </p> + <p> + “If I had known that, I would not have gone out of my way. But do not let + us be noisy, and let us go to some place where we can exchange a few words + without being seen. Follow me.” + </p> + <p> + I left the coffee-room with the young Frenchman, who, being well + acquainted with the place, took me to the most favourable spot, and we + waited there for the two other champions, who were walking slowly and + talking together. When they were within ten paces I drew my sword and + called upon my adversary to get ready. My Frenchman had already taken out + his sword, but he kept it under his arm. + </p> + <p> + “Two to one!” exclaimed Celi. + </p> + <p> + “Send your friend away, and this gentleman will go likewise; at all + events, your friend wears a sword, therefore we are two against two.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said the Frenchman, “let us have a four-handed game.” + </p> + <p> + “I do not cross swords with a dancer,” said the cutthroat. + </p> + <p> + He had scarcely uttered those words when my friend, going up to him, told + him that a dancer was certainly as good as a blackleg, and gave him a + violent bow with the flat of his sword on the face. I followed his example + with Celi, who began to beat a retreat, and said that he only wanted to + tell me something, and that he would fight afterwards. + </p> + <p> + “Well, speak.” + </p> + <p> + “You know me and I do not know you. Tell me who you are.” + </p> + <p> + My only answer was to resume laying my sword upon the scoundrel, while the + Frenchman was shewing the same dexterity upon the back of his companion, + but the two cowards took to their heels, and there was nothing for us to + do but to sheathe our weapons. Thus did the duel end in a manner even more + amusing than Marina herself had anticipated. + </p> + <p> + My brave Frenchman was expecting someone at the casino. I left him after + inviting him to supper for that evening after the opera. I gave him the + name which I had assumed for my journey and the address of my hotel. + </p> + <p> + I gave Marina a full description of the adventure. + </p> + <p> + “I will,” she said, “amuse everybody at the theatre this evening with the + story of your meeting. But that which pleases me most is that, if your + second is really a dancer, he can be no other than M. Baletti, who is + engaged with me for the Mantua Theatre.” + </p> + <p> + I stored all my valuables in my trunk again, and went to the opera, where + I saw Baletti, who recognized me, and pointed me out to all his friends, + to whom he was relating the adventure. He joined me after the performance, + and accompanied me to the inn. Marina, who had already returned, came to + my room as soon as she heard my voice, and I was amused at the surprise of + the amiable Frenchman, when he saw the young artist with whom he had + engaged to dance the comic parts. Marina, although an excellent dancer, + did not like the serious style. Those two handsome adepts of Terpsichore + had never met before, and they began an amorous warfare which made me + enjoy my supper immensely, because, as he was a fellow artist, Marina + assumed towards Baletti a tone well adapted to the circumstances, and very + different to her usual manner with other men. She shone with wit and + beauty that evening, and was in an excellent temper, for she had been much + applauded by the public, the true version of the Celi business being + already well known. + </p> + <p> + The theatre was to be open only for ten more nights, and as Marina wished + to leave Milan immediately after the last performance, we decided on + travelling together. In the mean time, I invited Baletti (it was an + Italian name which he had adopted for the stage) to be our guest during + the remainder of our stay in Milan. The friendship between us had a great + influence upon all the subsequent events of my life, as the reader will + see in these Memoirs. He had great talent as a dancer, but that was the + least of his excellent qualities. He was honest, his feelings were noble, + he had studied much, and he had received the best education that could be + given in those days in France to a nobleman. + </p> + <p> + On the third day I saw plainly that Marina wished to make a conquest of + her colleague, and feeling what great advantage might accrue to her from + it I resolved on helping her. She had a post-chaise for two persons, and I + easily persuaded her to take Baletti with her, saying that I wished to + arrive alone in Mantua for several reasons which I could not confide to + her. The fact was that if I had arrived with her, people would have + naturally supposed that I was her lover, and I wished to avoid that. + Baletti was delighted with the proposal; he insisted upon paying his share + of the expenses, but Marina would not hear of it. The reasons alleged by + the young man for paying his own expenses were excellent ones, and it was + with great difficulty that I prevailed upon him to accept Marina’s offer, + but I ultimately succeeded. I promised to wait for them on the road, so as + to take dinner and supper together, and on the day appointed for our + departure I left Milan one hour before them. + </p> + <p> + Reaching the city of Cremona very early, where we intended to sleep, I + took a walk about the streets, and, finding a coffee-house, I went in. I + made there the acquaintance of a French officer, and we left the + coffee-room together to take a short ramble. A very pretty woman happened + to pass in a carriage, and my companion stopped her to say a few words. + Their conversation was soon over, and the officer joined me again. + </p> + <p> + “Who is that lovely lady?” I enquired. + </p> + <p> + “She is a truly charming woman, and I can tell you an anecdote about her + worthy of being transmitted to posterity. You need not suppose that I am + going to exaggerate, for the adventure is known to everybody in Cremona. + The charming woman whom you have just seen is gifted with wit greater even + than her beauty, and here is a specimen of it. A young officer, one + amongst many military men who were courting her, when Marshal de Richelieu + was commanding in Genoa, boasted of being treated by her with more favour + than all the others, and one day, in the very coffee-room where we met, he + advised a brother officer not to lose his time in courting her, because he + had no chance whatever of obtaining any favour. + </p> + <p> + “‘My dear fellow,’ said the other officer, ‘I have a much better right to + give you that piece of advice; for I have already obtained from her + everything which can be granted to a lover.’ + </p> + <p> + “‘I am certain that you are telling a lie,’ exclaimed the young man, ‘and + I request you to follow me out.’ + </p> + <p> + “‘Most willingly,’ said the indiscreet swain, ‘but what is the good of + ascertaining the truth through a duel and of cutting our throats, when I + can make the lady herself certify the fact in your presence.’ + </p> + <p> + “‘I bet twenty-five louis that it is all untrue,’ said the incredulous + officer. + </p> + <p> + “‘I accept your bet. Let us go.’ + </p> + <p> + “The two contending parties proceeded together towards the dwelling of the + lady whom you saw just now, who was to name the winner of the twenty-five + louis. + </p> + <p> + “They found her in her dressing-room. ‘Well gentlemen,’ she said, ‘what + lucky wind has brought you here together at this hour? + </p> + <p> + “‘It is a bet, madam,’ answered the unbelieving officer, ‘and you alone + can be the umpire in our quarrel. This gentleman has been boasting of + having obtained from you everything a woman can grant to the most favoured + lover. I have given him the lie in the most impressive manner, and a duel + was to ensue, when he offered to have the truth of his boast certified by + you. I have bet twenty-five Louis that you would not admit it, and he has + taken my bet. Now, madam, you can say which of us two is right.’ + </p> + <p> + “You have lost, sir,” she said to him; ‘but now I beg both of you to quit + my house, and I give you fair warning that if you ever dare to shew your + faces here again, you will be sorry for it.’ + </p> + <p> + “The two heedless fellows went away dreadfully mortified. The unbeliever + paid the bet, but he was deeply vexed, called the other a coxcomb, and a + week afterwards killed him in a duel. + </p> + <p> + “Since that time the lady goes to the casino, and continues to mix in + society, but does not see company at her own house, and lives in perfect + accord with her husband.” + </p> + <p> + “How did the husband take it all?” + </p> + <p> + “Quite well, and like an intelligent, sensible man. He said that, if his + wife had acted differently, he would have applied for a divorce, because + in that case no one would have entertained a doubt of her being guilty.” + </p> + <p> + “That husband is indeed a sensible fellow. It is certain that, if his wife + had given the lie to the indiscreet officer, he would have paid the bet, + but he would have stood by what he had said, and everybody would have + believed him. By declaring him the winner of the bet she has cut the + matter short, and she has avoided a judgment by which she would have been + dishonoured. The inconsiderate boaster was guilty of a double mistake for + which he paid the penalty of his life, but his adversary was as much + wanting in delicacy, for in such matters rightly-minded men do not venture + upon betting. If the one who says yes is imprudent, the one who says no is + a dupe. I like the lady’s presence of mind.” + </p> + <p> + “But what sentence would you pass on her. Guilty or not guilty?” + </p> + <p> + “Not guilty.” + </p> + <p> + “I am of the same opinion, and it has been the verdict of the public + likewise, for she has since been treated even better than before the + affair. You will see, if you go to the casino, and I shall be happy to + introduce you to her.” + </p> + <p> + I invited the officer to sup with us, and we spent a very pleasant + evening. After he had gone, I remarked with pleasure that Marina was + capable of observing the rules of propriety. She had taken a bedroom to + herself, so as not to hurt the feelings of her respectable fellow-dancer. + </p> + <p> + When I arrived in Mantua, I put up at St. Mark’s hotel. Marina, to whom I + had given a notice that my intention was to call on her but seldom, took + up her abode in the house assigned to her by the theatrical manager. + </p> + <p> + In the afternoon of the same day, as I was walking about, I went into a + bookseller’s shop to ascertain whether there was any new work out. I + remained there without perceiving that the night had come, and on being + told that the shop was going to be closed, I went out. I had only gone a + few yards when I was arrested by a patrol, the officer of which told me + that, as I had no lantern and as eight o’clock had struck, his duty was to + take me to the guardhouse. It was in vain that I observed that, having + arrived only in the afternoon, I could not know that order of the police. + I was compelled to follow him. + </p> + <p> + When we reached the guardhouse, the officer of the patrol introduced me to + his captain, a tall, fine-looking young man who received me in the most + cheerful manner. I begged him to let me return to my hotel as I needed + rest after my journey. He laughed and answered, “No, indeed, I want you to + spend a joyous night with me, and in good company.” He told the officer to + give me back my sword, and, addressing me again, he said, “I only consider + you, my dear sir, as my friend and guest.” + </p> + <p> + I could not help being amused at such a novel mode of invitation, and I + accepted it. He gave some orders to a German soldier, and soon afterwards + the table was laid out for four persons. The two other officers joined us, + and we had a very gay supper. When the desert had been served the company + was increased by the arrival of two disgusting, dissolute females. A green + cloth was spread over the table, and one of the officers began a faro + bank. I punted so as not to appear unwilling to join the game, and after + losing a few sequins I went out to breathe the fresh air, for we had drunk + freely. One of the two females followed me, teased me, and finally + contrived, in spite of myself, to make me a present which condemned me to + a regimen of six weeks. After that fine exploit, I went in again. + </p> + <p> + A young and pleasant officer, who had lost some fifteen or twenty sequins, + was swearing like a trooper because the banker had pocketed his money and + was going. The young officer had a great deal of gold before him on the + table, and he contended that the banker ought to have warned him that it + would be the last game. + </p> + <p> + “Sir,” I said to him, politely, “you are in the wrong, for faro is the + freest of games. Why do you not take the bank yourself?” + </p> + <p> + “It would be too much trouble, and these gentlemen do not punt high enough + for me, but if that sort of thing amuses you, take the bank and I will + punt.” + </p> + <p> + “Captain,” I said, “will you take a fourth share in my bank?” + </p> + <p> + “Willingly.” + </p> + <p> + “Gentlemen, I beg you to give notice that I will lay the cards down after + six games.” + </p> + <p> + I asked for new packs of cards, and put three hundred sequins on the + table. The captain wrote on the back of a card, “Good for a hundred + sequins, O’Neilan,” and placing it with my gold I began my bank. + </p> + <p> + The young officer was delighted, and said to me, + </p> + <p> + “Your bank might be defunct before the end of the sixth game.” + </p> + <p> + I did not answer, and the play went on. + </p> + <p> + At the beginning of the fifth game, my bank was in the pangs of death; the + young officer was in high glee. I rather astonished him by telling him + that I was glad to lose, for I thought him a much more agreeable companion + when he was winning. + </p> + <p> + There are some civilities which very likely prove unlucky for those to + whom they are addressed, and it turned out so in this case, for my + compliment turned his brain. During the fifth game, a run of adverse cards + made him lose all he had won, and as he tried to do violence to Dame + Fortune in the sixth round, he lost every sequin he had. + </p> + <p> + “Sir,” he said to me, “you have been very lucky, but I hope you will give + me my revenge to-morrow.” + </p> + <p> + “It would be with the greatest pleasure, sir, but I never play except when + I am under arrest.” + </p> + <p> + I counted my money, and found that I had won two hundred and fifty + sequins, besides a debt of fifty sequins due by an officer who played on + trust which Captain O’Neilan took on his own account. I completed his + share, and at day-break he allowed me to go away. + </p> + <p> + As soon as I got to my hotel, I went to bed, and when I awoke, I had a + visit from Captain Laurent, the officer who had played on trust. Thinking + that his object was to pay me what he had lost, I told him that O’Neilan + had taken his debt on himself, but he answered than he had only called for + the purpose of begging of me a loan of six sequins on his note of hand, by + which he would pledge his honour to repay me within one week. I gave him + the money, and he begged that the matter, might remain between us. + </p> + <p> + “I promise it,” I said to him, “but do not break your word.” + </p> + <p> + The next day I was ill, and the reader is aware of the nature of my + illness. I immediately placed myself under a proper course of diet, + however unpleasant it was at my age; but I kept to my system, and it cured + me rapidly. + </p> + <p> + Three or four days afterwards Captain O’Neilan called on me, and when I + told him the nature of my sickness he laughed, much to my surprise. + </p> + <p> + “Then you were all right before that night?” he enquired. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, my health was excellent.” + </p> + <p> + “I am sorry that you should have lost your health in such an ugly place. I + would have warned you if I had thought you had any intentions in that + quarter.” + </p> + <p> + “Did you know of the woman having . . . ?” + </p> + <p> + “Zounds! Did I not? It is only a week since I paid a visit to the very + same place myself, and I believe the creature was all right before my + visit.” + </p> + <p> + “Then I have to thank you for the present she has bestowed upon me.” + </p> + <p> + “Most likely; but it is only a trifle, and you can easily get cured if you + care to take the trouble.” + </p> + <p> + “What! Do you not try to cure yourself?” + </p> + <p> + “Faith, no. It would be too much trouble to follow a regular diet, and + what is the use of curing such a trifling inconvenience when I am certain + of getting it again in a fortnight. Ten times in my life I have had that + patience, but I got tired of it, and for the last two years I have + resigned myself, and now I put up with it.” + </p> + <p> + “I pity you, for a man like you would have great success in love.” + </p> + <p> + “I do not care a fig for love; it requires cares which would bother me + much more than the slight inconvenience to which we were alluding, and to + which I am used now.” + </p> + <p> + “I am not of your opinion, for the amorous pleasure is insipid when love + does not throw a little spice in it. Do you think, for instance, that the + ugly wretch I met at the guard-room is worth what I now suffer on her + account?” + </p> + <p> + “Of course not, and that is why I am sorry for you. If I had known, I + could have introduced you to something better.” + </p> + <p> + “The very best in that line is not worth my health, and health ought to be + sacrificed only for love.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh! you want women worthy of love? There are a few here; stop with us for + some time, and when you are cured there is nothing to prevent you from + making conquests.” + </p> + <p> + O’Neilan was only twenty-three years old; his father, who was dead, had + been a general, and the beautiful Countess Borsati was his sister. He + presented me to the Countess Zanardi Nerli, still more lovely than his + sister, but I was prudent enough not to burn my incense before either of + them, for it seemed to me that everybody could guess the state of my + health. + </p> + <p> + I have never met a young man more addicted to debauchery than O’Neilan. I + have often spent the night rambling about with him, and I was amazed at + his cynical boldness and impudence. Yet he was noble, generous, brave, and + honourable. If in those days young officers were often guilty of so much + immorality, of so many vile actions, it was not so much their fault as the + fault of the privileges which they enjoyed through custom, indulgence, or + party spirit. Here is an example: + </p> + <p> + One day O’Neilan, having drunk rather freely, rides through the city at + full speed. A poor old woman who was crossing the street has no time to + avoid him, she falls, and her head is cut open by the horse’s feet. + O’Neilan places himself under arrest, but the next day he is set at + liberty. He had only to plead that it was an accident. + </p> + <p> + The officer Laurent not having called upon me to redeem his promisory note + of six sequins during the week, I told him in the street that I would no + longer consider myself bound to keep the affair secret. Instead of + excusing himself, he said, + </p> + <p> + “I do not care!” + </p> + <p> + The answer was insulting, and I intended to compel him to give me + reparation, but the next day O’Neilan told me that Captain Laurent had + gone mad and had been locked up in a mad-house. He subsequently recovered + his reason, but his conduct was so infamous that he was cashiered. + </p> + <p> + O’Neilan, who was as brave as Bayard, was killed a few years afterwards at + the battle of Prague. A man of his complexion was certain to fall the + victim of Mars or of Venus. He might be alive now if he had been endowed + only with the courage of the fox, but he had the courage of the lion. It + is a virtue in a soldier, but almost a fault in an officer. Those who + brave danger with a full knowledge of it are worthy of praise, but those + who do not realize it escape only by a miracle, and without any merit + attaching itself to them. Yet we must respect those great warriors, for + their unconquerable courage is the offspring of a strong soul, of a virtue + which places them above ordinary mortals. + </p> + <p> + Whenever I think of Prince Charles de Ligne I cannot restrain my tears. He + was as brave as Achilles, but Achilles was invulnerable. He would be alive + now if he had remembered during the fight that he was mortal. Who are they + that, having known him, have not shed tears in his memory? He was + handsome, kind, polished, learned, a lover of the arts, cheerful, witty in + his conversation, a pleasant companion, and a man of perfect equability. + Fatal, terrible revolution! A cannon ball took him from his friends, from + his family, from the happiness which surrounded him. + </p> + <p> + The Prince de Waldeck has also paid the penalty of his intrepidity with + the loss of one arm. It is said that he consoles himself for that loss + with the consciousness that with the remaining one he can yet command an + army. + </p> + <p> + O you who despise life, tell me whether that contempt of life renders you + worthy of it? + </p> + <p> + The opera opened immediately after Easter, and I was present at every + performance. I was then entirely cured, and had resumed my usual life. I + was pleased to see that Baletti shewed off Marina to the best advantage. I + never visited her, but Baletti was in the habit of breakfasting with me + almost every morning. + </p> + <p> + He had often mentioned an old actress who had left the stage for more than + twenty years, and pretended to have been my father’s friend. One day I + took a fancy to call upon her, and he accompanied me to her house. + </p> + <p> + I saw an old, broken-down crone whose toilet astonished me as much as her + person. In spite of her wrinkles, her face was plastered with red and + white, and her eyebrows were indebted to India ink for their black + appearance. She exposed one-half of her flabby, disgusting bosom, and + there could be no doubt as to her false set of teeth. She wore a wig which + fitted very badly, and allowed the intrusion of a few gray hairs which had + survived the havoc of time. Her shaking hands made mine quiver when she + pressed them. She diffused a perfume of amber at a distance of twenty + yards, and her affected, mincing manner amused and sickened me at the same + time. Her dress might possibly have been the fashion twenty years before. + I was looking with dread at the fearful havoc of old age upon a face + which, before merciless time had blighted it, had evidently been handsome, + but what amazed me was the childish effrontery with which this + time-withered specimen of womankind was still waging war with the help of + her blasted charms. + </p> + <p> + Baletti, who feared lest my too visible astonishment should vex her, told + her that I was amazed at the fact that the beautiful strawberry which + bloomed upon her chest had not been withered by the hand of Time. It was a + birth-mark which was really very much like a strawberry. “It is that + mark,” said the old woman, simpering, “which gave me the name of ‘La + Fragoletta.’” + </p> + <p> + Those words made me shudder. + </p> + <p> + I had before my eyes the fatal phantom which was the cause of my + existence. I saw the woman who had thirty years before, seduced my father: + if it had not been for her, he would never have thought of leaving his + father’s house, and would never have engendered me in the womb of a + Venetian woman. I have never been of the opinion of the old author who + says, ‘Nemo vitam vellet si daretur scientibus’. + </p> + <p> + Seeing how thoughtful I was, she politely enquired my name from Baletti, + for he had presented me only as a friend, and without having given her + notice of my visit. When he told her that my name was Casanova, she was + extremely surprised. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, madam,” I said, “I am the son of Gaetan Casanova, of Parma.” + </p> + <p> + “Heavens and earth! what is this? Ah! my friend, I adored your father! He + was jealous without cause, and abandoned me. Had he not done so, you would + have been my son! Allow me to embrace you with the feelings of a loving + mother.” + </p> + <p> + I expected as much, and, for fear she should fall, I went to her, received + her kiss, and abandoned myself to her tender recollections. Still an + actress, she pressed her handkerchief to her eyes, pretending to weep, and + assuring me that I was not to doubt the truth of what she said. + </p> + <p> + “Although,” she added, “I do not look an old woman yet.” + </p> + <p> + “The only fault of your dear father,” she continued, “was a want of + gratitude.” + </p> + <p> + I have no doubt that she passed the same sentence upon the son, for, in + spite of her kind invitation, I never paid her another visit. + </p> + <p> + My purse was well filled, and as I did not care for Mantua, I resolved on + going to Naples, to see again my dear Therese, Donna Lucrezia, Palo father + and son, Don Antonio Casanova, and all my former acquaintances. However, + my good genius did not approve of that decision, for I was not allowed to + carry it into execution. I should have left Mantua three days later, had I + not gone to the opera that night. + </p> + <p> + I lived like an anchorite during my two months’ stay in Mantua, owing to + the folly. I committed on the night of my arrival. I played only that + time, and then I had been lucky. My slight erotic inconvenience, by + compelling me to follow the diet necessary to my cure, most likely saved + me from greater misfortunes which, perhaps, I should not have been able to + avoid. + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0021" id="link2HCH0021"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXI + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + My Journey to Cesena in Search of Treasure—I Take Up My + Quarters in Franzia’s House—His Daughter Javotte +</pre> + <p> + The opera was nearly over when I was accosted by a young man who, + abruptly, and without any introduction, told me that as a stranger I + had been very wrong in spending two months in Mantua without paying a + visit to the natural history collection belonging to his father, Don + Antonio Capitani, commissary and prebendal president. + </p> + <p> + “Sir,” I answered, “I have been guilty only through ignorance, and if you + would be so good as to call for me at my hotel to-morrow morning, before + the evening I shall have atoned for my error, and you will no longer have + the right to address me the same reproach.” + </p> + <p> + The son of the prebendal commissary called for me, and I found in his + father a most eccentric, whimsical sort of man. The curiosities of his + collection consisted of his family tree, of books of magic, relics, coins + which he believed to be antediluvian, a model of the ark taken from nature + at the time when Noah arrived in that extraordinary harbour, Mount Ararat, + in Armenia. He load several medals, one of Sesostris, another of + Semiramis, and an old knife of a queer shape, covered with rust. Besides + all those wonderful treasures, he possessed, but under lock and key, all + the paraphernalia of freemasonry. + </p> + <p> + “Pray, tell me,” I said to him, “what relation there is between this + collection and natural history? I see nothing here representing the three + kingdoms.” + </p> + <p> + “What! You do not see the antediluvian kingdom, that of Sesostris and that + of Semiramis? Are not those the three kingdoms?” + </p> + <p> + When I heard that answer I embraced him with an exclamation of delight, + which was sarcastic in its intent, but which he took for admiration, and + he at once unfolded all the treasures of his whimsical knowledge + respecting his possessions, ending with the rusty blade which he said was + the very knife with which Saint Peter cut off the ear of Malek. + </p> + <p> + “What!” I exclaimed, “you are the possessor of this knife, and you are not + as rich as Croesus?” + </p> + <p> + “How could I be so through the possession of the knife?” + </p> + <p> + “In two ways. In the first place, you could obtain possession of all the + treasures hidden under ground in the States of the Church.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, that is a natural consequence, because St. Peter has the keys.” + </p> + <p> + “In the second place, you might sell the knife to the Pope, if you happen + to possess proof of its authenticity.” + </p> + <p> + “You mean the parchment. Of course I have it; do you think I would have + bought one without the other?” + </p> + <p> + “All right, then. In order to get possession of that knife, the Pope + would, I have no doubt, make a cardinal of your son, but you must have the + sheath too.” + </p> + <p> + “I have not got it, but it is unnecessary. At all events I can have one + made.” + </p> + <p> + “That would not do, you must have the very one in which Saint Peter + himself sheathed the knife when God said, ‘Mitte gladium tuum in vaginam’. + That very sheath does exist, and it is now in the hands of a person who + might sell it to you at a reasonable price, or you might sell him your + knife, for the sheath without the knife is of no use to him, just as the + knife is useless to you without the sheath.” + </p> + <p> + “How much would it cost me?” + </p> + <p> + “One thousand sequins.” + </p> + <p> + “And how much would that person give me for the knife?” + </p> + <p> + “One thousand sequins, for one has as much value as the other.” + </p> + <p> + The commissary, greatly astonished, looked at his son, and said, with the + voice of a judge on the bench, + </p> + <p> + “Well, son, would you ever have thought that I would be offered one + thousand sequins for this knife?” + </p> + <p> + He then opened a drawer and took out of it an old piece of paper, which he + placed before me. It was written in Hebrew, and a facsimile of the knife + was drawn on it. I pretended to be lost in admiration, and advised him + very strongly to purchase the sheath. + </p> + <p> + “It is not necessary for me to buy it, or for your friend to purchase the + knife. We can find out and dig up the treasures together.” + </p> + <p> + “Not at all. The rubric says in the most forcible manner that the owner of + the blade, ‘in vaginam’, shall be one. If the Pope were in possession of + it he would be able, through a magical operation known to me, to cut off + one of the ears of every Christian king who might be thinking of + encroaching upon the rights of the Church.” + </p> + <p> + “Wonderful, indeed! But it is very true, for it is said in the Gospel that + Saint Peter did cut off the ear of somebody.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, of a king.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, no! not of a king.” + </p> + <p> + “Of a king, I tell you. Enquire whether Malek or Melek does not mean + king.” + </p> + <p> + “Well! in case I should make up my mind to sell the knife, who would give + me the thousand sequins?” + </p> + <p> + “I would; one half to-morrow, cash down; the balance of five hundred in a + letter of exchange payable one month after date.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah! that is like business. Be good enough, to accept a dish of macaroni + with us to-morrow, and under a solemn pledge of secrecy we will discuss + this important affair.” + </p> + <p> + I accepted and took my leave, firmly resolved on keeping up the joke. I + came back on the following day, and the very first thing he told me was + that, to his certain knowledge, there was an immense treasure hidden + somewhere in the Papal States, and that he would make up his mind to + purchase the sheath. This satisfied me that there was no fear of his + taking me at my word, so I produced a purse full of gold, saying I was + quite ready to complete our bargain for the purchase of the knife. + </p> + <p> + “The Treasure,” he said, “is worth millions; but let us have dinner. You + are not going to be served in silver plates and dishes, but in real + Raphael mosaic.” + </p> + <p> + “My dear commissary, your magnificence astonishes me; mosaic is, indeed, + by far superior to silver plate, although an ignorant fool would only + consider it ugly earthen ware.” + </p> + <p> + The compliment delighted him. + </p> + <p> + After dinner, he spoke as follows: + </p> + <p> + “A man in very good circumstances, residing in the Papal States, and owner + of the country house in which he lives with all his family, is certain + that there is a treasure in his cellar. He has written to my son, + declaring himself ready to undertake all expenses necessary to possess + himself of that treasure, if we could procure a magician powerful enough + to unearth it.” + </p> + <p> + The son then took a letter out of his pocket, read me some passages, and + begged me to excuse him if, in consequence of his having pledged himself + to keep the secret, he could not communicate all the contents of the + letter; but I had, unperceived by him, read the word Cesena, the name of + the village, and that was enough for me. + </p> + <p> + “Therefore all that is necessary is to give me the possibility of + purchasing the sheath on credit, for I have no ready cash at present. You + need not be afraid of endorsing my letters of exchange, and if you should + know the magician you might go halves with him.” + </p> + <p> + “The magician is ready; it is I, but unless you give me five hundred + sequins cash down we cannot agree.” + </p> + <p> + “I have no money.” + </p> + <p> + “Then sell me the knife.” + </p> + <p> + “No.” + </p> + <p> + “You are wrong, for now that I have seen it I can easily take it from you. + But I am honest enough not to wish to play such a trick upon you.” + </p> + <p> + “You could take my knife from me? I should like to be convinced of that, + but I do not believe it.” + </p> + <p> + “You do not? Very well, to-morrow the knife will be in my possession, but + when it is once in my hands you need not hope to see it again. A spirit + which is under my orders will bring it to me at midnight, and the same + spirit will tell me where the treasure is buried.” + </p> + <p> + “Let the spirit tell you that, and I shall be convinced.” + </p> + <p> + “Give me a pen, ink and paper.” + </p> + <p> + I asked a question from my oracle, and the answer I had was that the + treasure was to be found not far from the Rubicon. + </p> + <p> + “That is,” I said, “a torrent which was once a river.” + </p> + <p> + They consulted a dictionary, and found that the Rubicon flowed through + Cesena. They were amazed, and, as I wished them to have full scope for + wrong reasoning, I left them. + </p> + <p> + I had taken a fancy, not to purloin five hundred sequins from those poor + fools, but to go and unearth the amount at their expense in the house of + another fool, and to laugh at them all into the bargain. I longed to play + the part of a magician. With that idea, when I left the house of the + ridiculous antiquarian, I proceeded to the public library, where, with the + assistance of a dictionary, I wrote the following specimen of facetious + erudition: + </p> + <p> + “The treasure is buried in the earth at a depth of seventeen and a half + fathoms, and has been there for six centuries. Its value amounts to two + millions of sequins, enclosed in a casket, the same which was taken by + Godfrey de Bouillon from Mathilda, Countess of Tuscany, in the year 1081, + when he endeavoured to assist Henry IV, against that princess. He buried + the box himself in the very spot where it now is, before he went to lay + siege to Jerusalem. Gregory VII, who was a great magician, having been + informed of the place where it had been hidden, had resolved on getting + possession of it himself, but death prevented him from carrying out his + intentions. After the death of the Countess Mathilda, in the year 1116, + the genius presiding over all hidden treasures appointed seven spirits to + guard the box. During a night with a full moon, a learned magician can + raise the treasure to the surface of the earth by placing himself in the + middle of the magical ring called maximus.” + </p> + <p> + I expected to see the father and son, and they came early in the morning. + After some rambling conversation, I gave them what I had composed at the + library, namely, the history of the treasure taken from the Countess + Mathilda. + </p> + <p> + I told them that I had made up my mind to recover the treasure, and I + promised them the fourth part of it, provided they would purchase the + sheath; I concluded by threatening again to possess myself of their knife. + </p> + <p> + “I cannot decide,” said the commissary, “before I have seen the sheath.” + </p> + <p> + “I pledge my word to shew it to you to-morrow,” I answered. + </p> + <p> + We parted company, highly pleased with each other. + </p> + <p> + In order to manufacture a sheath, such as the wonderful knife required, it + was necessary to combine the most whimsical idea with the oddest shape. I + recollected very well the form of the blade, and, as I was revolving in my + mind the best way to produce something very extravagant but well adapted + to the purpose I had in view, I spied in the yard of the hotel an old + piece of leather, the remnant of what had been a fine gentleman’s boot; it + was exactly what I wanted. + </p> + <p> + I took that old sole, boiled it, and made in it a slit in which I was + certain that the knife would go easily. Then I pared it carefully on all + sides to prevent the possibility of its former use being found out; I + rubbed it with pumice stone, sand, and ochre, and finally I succeeded in + imparting to my production such a queer, old-fashioned shape that I could + not help laughing in looking at my work. + </p> + <p> + When I presented it to the commissary, and he had found it an exact fit + for the knife, the good man remained astounded. We dined together, and + after dinner it was decided that his son should accompany me, and + introduce me to the master of the house in which the treasure was buried, + that I was to receive a letter of exchange for one thousand Roman crowns, + drawn by the son on Bologna, which would be made payable to my name only + after I should have found the treasure, and that the knife with the sheath + would be delivered into my hands only when I should require it for the + great operation; until then the son was to retain possession of it. + </p> + <p> + Those conditions having been agreed upon, we made an agreement in writing, + binding upon all parties, and our departure was fixed for the day after + the morrow. + </p> + <p> + As we left Mantua, the father pronounced a fervent blessing over his son’s + head, and told me that he was count palatine, shewing me the diploma which + he had received from the Pope. I embraced him, giving him his title of + count, and pocketed his letter of exchange. + </p> + <p> + After bidding adieu to Marina, who was then the acknowledged mistress of + Count Arcorati, and to Baletti whom I was sure of meeting again in Venice + before the end of the year, I went to sup with my friend O’Neilan. + </p> + <p> + We started early in the morning, travelled through Ferrara and Bologna, + and reached Cesena, where we put up at the posting-house. We got up early + the next day and walked quietly to the house of George Franzia, a wealthy + peasant, who was owner of the treasure. It was only a quarter of a mile + from the city, and the good man was agreeably surprised by our arrival. He + embraced Capitani, whom he knew already, and leaving me with his family he + went out with my companion to talk business. + </p> + <p> + Observant as usual, I passed the family in review, and fixed my choice + upon the eldest daughter. The youngest girl was ugly, and the son looked a + regular fool. The mother seemed to be the real master of the household, + and there were three or four servants going about the premises. + </p> + <p> + The eldest daughter was called Genevieve, or Javotte, a very common name + among the girls of Cesena. I told her that I thought her eighteen; but she + answered, in a tone half serious, half vexed, that I was very much + mistaken, for she had only just completed her fourteenth year. + </p> + <p> + “I am very glad it is so, my pretty child.” + </p> + <p> + These words brought back her smile. + </p> + <p> + The house was well situated, and there was not another dwelling around it + for at least four hundred yards. I was glad to see that I should have + comfortable quarters, but I was annoyed by a very unpleasant stink which + tainted the air, and which could certainly not be agreeable to the spirits + I had to evoke. + </p> + <p> + “Madame Franzia,” said I, to the mistress of the house, “what is the cause + of that bad smell?” + </p> + <p> + “Sir, it arises from the hemp which we are macerating.” + </p> + <p> + I concluded that if the cause were removed, I should get rid of the + effect. + </p> + <p> + “What is that hemp worth, madam?” I enquired. + </p> + <p> + “About forty crowns.” + </p> + <p> + “Here they are; the hemp belongs to me now, and I must beg your husband to + have it removed immediately.” + </p> + <p> + Capitani called me, and I joined him. Franzia shewed me all the respect + due to a great magician, although I had not much the appearance of one. + </p> + <p> + We agreed that he should receive one-fourth of the treasure, Capitani + another fourth, and that the remainder should belong to me. We certainly + did not shew much respect for the rights of Saint Peter. + </p> + <p> + I told Franzia that I should require a room with two beds for myself + alone, and an ante-room with bathing apparatus. Capitani’s room was to be + in a different part of the house, and my room was to be provided with + three tables, two of them small and one large. I added that he must at + once procure me a sewing-girl between the ages of fourteen and eighteen, + she was to be a virgin, and it was necessary that she should, as well as + every person in the house, keep the secret faithfully, in order that no + suspicion of our proceedings should reach the Inquisition, or all would be + lost. + </p> + <p> + “I intend to take up my quarters here to-morrow,” I added; “I require two + meals every day, and the only wine I can drink is jevese. For my breakfast + I drink a peculiar kind of chocolate which I make myself, and which I have + brought with me. I promise to pay my own expenses in case we do not + succeed. Please remove the hemp to a place sufficiently distant from the + house, so that its bad smell may not annoy the spirits to be evoked by me, + and let the air be purified by the discharge of gunpowder. Besides, you + must send a trusty servant to-morrow to convey our luggage from the hotel + here, and keep constantly in the house and at my disposal one hundred new + wax candles and three torches.” + </p> + <p> + After I had given those instructions to Franzia, I left him, and went + towards Cesena with Capitani, but we had not gone a hundred yards when we + heard the good man running after us. + </p> + <p> + “Sir,” he said to me, “be kind enough to take back the forty crowns which + you paid to my wife for the hemp.” + </p> + <p> + “No, I will not do anything of the sort, for I do not want you to sustain + any loss.” + </p> + <p> + “Take them back, I beg. I can sell the hemp in the course of the day for + forty crowns without difficulty.” + </p> + <p> + “In that case I will, for I have confidence in what you say.” + </p> + <p> + Such proceedings on my part impressed the excellent man very favourably, + and he entertained the deepest veneration for me, which was increased, + when, against Capitani’s advice, I resolutely refused one hundred sequins + which he wanted to force upon me for my travelling expenses. I threw him + into raptures by telling him that on the eve of possessing an immense + treasure, it was unnecessary to think of such trifles. + </p> + <p> + The next morning our luggage was sent for, and we found ourselves + comfortably located in the house of the wealthy and simple Franzia. + </p> + <p> + He gave us a good dinner, but with too many dishes, and I told him to be + more economical, and to give only some good fish for our supper, which he + did. After supper he told me that, as far as the young maiden was + concerned, he thought he could recommend his daughter Javotte, as he had + consulted his wife, and had found I could rely upon the girl being a + virgin. + </p> + <p> + “Very good,” I said; “now tell me what grounds you have for supposing that + there is a treasure in your house?” + </p> + <p> + “In the first place, the oral tradition transmitted from father to son for + the last eight generations; in the second, the heavy sounds which are + heard under ground during the night. Besides, the door of the cellar opens + and shuts of itself every three or four minutes; which must certainly be + the work of the devils seen every night wandering through the country in + the shape of pyramidal flames.” + </p> + <p> + “If it is as you say, it is evident that you have a treasure hidden + somewhere in your house; it is as certain as the fact that two and two are + four. Be very careful not to put a lock to the door of the cellar to + prevent its opening and shutting of itself; otherwise you would have an + earthquake, which would destroy everything here. Spirits will enjoy + perfect freedom, and they break through every obstacle raised against + them.” + </p> + <p> + “God be praised for having sent here, forty years ago, a learned man who + told my father exactly the same thing! That great magician required only + three days more to unearth the treasure when my father heard that the + Inquisition had given orders to arrest him, and he lost no time in + insuring his escape. Can you tell me how it is that magicians are not more + powerful than the Inquisitors?” + </p> + <p> + “Because the monks have a greater number of devils under their command + than we have. But I feel certain that your father had already expended a + great deal of money with that learned man.” + </p> + <p> + “About two thousand crowns.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh! more, more.” + </p> + <p> + I told Franzia to follow me, and, in order to accomplish something in the + magic line, I dipped a towel in some water, and uttering fearful words + which belonged to no human language, I washed the eyes, the temples, and + the chest of every person in the family, including Javotte, who might have + objected to it if I had not begun with her father, mother, and brother. I + made them swear upon my pocket-book that they were not labouring under any + impure disease, and I concluded the ceremony by compelling Javotte to + swear likewise that she had her maidenhood. As I saw that she was blushing + to the very roots of her hair in taking the oath, I was cruel enough to + explain to her what it meant; I then asked her to swear again, but she + answered that there was no need of it now that she knew what it was. I + ordered all the family to kiss me, and finding that Javotte had eaten + garlic I forbade the use of it entirely, which order Franzia promised + should be complied with. + </p> + <p> + Genevieve was not a beauty as far as her features were concerned; her + complexion was too much sunburnt, and her mouth was too large, but her + teeth were splendid, and her under lip projected slightly as if it had + been formed to receive kisses. Her bosom was well made and as firm as a + rock, but her hair was too light, and her hands too fleshy. The defects, + however, had to be overlooked, and altogether she was not an unpleasant + morsel. I did not purpose to make her fall in love with me; with a peasant + girl that task might have been a long one; all I wanted was to train her + to perfect obedience, which, in default of love, has always appeared to me + the essential point. True that in such a case one does not enjoy the + ecstatic raptures of love, but one finds a compensation in the complete + control obtained over the woman. + </p> + <p> + I gave notice to the father, to Capitani, and to Javotte, that each would, + in turn and in the order of their age, take supper with me, and that + Javotte would sleep every night in my ante-room, where was to be placed a + bath in which I would bathe my guest one half hour before sitting down to + supper, and the guest was not to have broken his fast throughout the day. + </p> + <p> + I prepared a list of all the articles of which I pretended to be in need, + and giving it to Franzia I told him to go to Cesena himself the next day, + and to purchase everything without bargaining to obtain a lower price. + Among other things, I ordered a piece, from twenty to thirty yards long, + of white linen, thread, scissors, needles, storax, myrrh, sulphur, olive + oil, camphor, one ream of paper, pens and ink, twelve sheets of parchment, + brushes, and a branch of olive tree to make a stick of eighteen inches in + length. + </p> + <p> + After I had given all my orders very seriously and without any wish to + laugh, I went to bed highly pleased with my personification of a magician, + in which I was astonished to find myself so completely successful. + </p> + <p> + The next morning, as soon as I was dressed, I sent for Capitani, and + commanded him to proceed every day to Cesena, to go to the best + coffee-house, to learn carefully every piece of news and every rumour, and + to report them to me. + </p> + <p> + Franzia, who had faithfully obeyed my orders, returned before noon from + the city with all the articles I had asked for. + </p> + <p> + “I have not bargained for anything,” he said to me, “and the merchants + must, I have no doubt, have taken me for a fool, for I have certainly paid + one-third more than the things are worth.” + </p> + <p> + “So much the worse for them if they have deceived you, but you would have + spoilt everything if you had beaten them down in their price. Now, send me + your daughter and let me be alone with her.” + </p> + <p> + As soon as Javotte was in my room, I made her cut the linen in seven + pieces, four of five feet long, two of two feet, and one of two feet and a + half; the last one was intended to form the hood of the robe I was to wear + for the great operation. Then I said to Javotte: + </p> + <p> + “Sit down near my bed and begin sewing. You will dine here and remain at + work until the evening. When your father comes, you must let us be alone, + but as soon as he leaves me, come back and go to bed.” + </p> + <p> + She dined in my room, where her mother waited on her without speaking, and + gave her nothing to drink except St. Jevese wine. Towards evening her + father came, and she left us. + </p> + <p> + I had the patience to wash the good man while he was in the bath, after + which he had supper with me; he ate voraciously, telling me that it was + the first time in his life that he had remained twenty-four hours without + breaking his fast. Intoxicated with the St. Jevese wine he had drunk, he + went to bed and slept soundly until morning, when his wife brought me my + chocolate. Javotte was kept sewing as on the day before; she left the room + in the evening when Capitani came in, and I treated him in the same manner + as Franzia; on the third day, it was Javotte’s turn, and that had been the + object I had kept in view all the time. + </p> + <p> + When the hour came, I said to her, + </p> + <p> + “Go, Javotte, get into the bath and call me when you are ready, for I must + purify you as I have purified your father and Capitani.” + </p> + <p> + She obeyed, and within a quarter of an hour she called me. I performed a + great many ablutions on every part of her body, making her assume all + sorts of positions, for she was perfectly docile, but, as I was afraid of + betraying myself, I felt more suffering than enjoyment, and my indiscreet + hands, running over every part of her person, and remaining longer and + more willingly on a certain spot, the sensitiveness of which is extreme, + the poor girl was excited by an ardent fire which was at last quenched by + the natural result of that excitement. I made her get out of the bath soon + after that, and as I was drying her I was very near forgetting magic to + follow the impulse of nature, but, quicker than I, nature relieved itself, + and I was thus enabled to reach the end of the scene without anticipating + the denouement. I told Javotte to dress herself, and to come back to me as + soon as she was ready. + </p> + <p> + She had been fasting all day, and her toilet did not take a long time. She + ate with a ferocious appetite, and the St. Jevese wine, which she drank + like water, imparted so much animation to her complexion that it was no + longer possible to see how sunburnt she was. Being alone with her after + supper, I said to her, + </p> + <p> + “My dear Javotte, have you been displeased at all I have compelled you to + submit to this evening?” + </p> + <p> + “Not at all; I liked it very much.” + </p> + <p> + “Then I hope that you will have no objection to get in the bath with me + to-morrow, and to wash me as I have washed you.” + </p> + <p> + “Most willingly, but shall I know how to do it well?” + </p> + <p> + “I will teach you, and for the future I wish you to sleep every night in + my room, because I must have a complete certainty that on the night of the + great operation I shall find you such as you ought to be.” + </p> + <p> + From that time Javotte was at her ease with me, all her restraint + disappeared, she would look at me and smile with entire confidence. Nature + had operated, and the mind of a young girl soon enlarges its sphere when + pleasure is her teacher. She went to bed, and as she knew that she had no + longer anything to conceal from me, her modesty was not alarmed when she + undressed herself in my presence. It was very warm, any kind of covering + is unpleasant in the hot weather, so she stripped to the skin and soon + fell asleep. I did the same, but I could not help feeling some regret at + having engaged myself not to take advantage of the position before the + night of the great incantation. I knew that the operation to unearth the + treasure would be a complete failure, but I knew likewise that it would + not fail because Javotte’s virginity was gone. + </p> + <p> + At day-break the girl rose and began sewing. As soon as she had finished + the robe, I told her to make a crown of parchment with seven long points, + on which I painted some fearful figures and hieroglyphs. + </p> + <p> + In the evening, one hour before supper, I got into the bath, and Javotte + joined me as soon as I called her. She performed upon me with great zeal + the same ceremonies that I had done for her the day before, and she was as + gentle and docile as possible. I spent a delicious hour in that bath, + enjoying everything, but respecting the essential point. + </p> + <p> + My kisses making her happy, and seeing that I had no objection to her + caresses, she loaded me with them. I was so pleased at all the amorous + enjoyment her senses were evidently experiencing, that I made her easy by + telling her that the success of the great magic operation depended upon + the amount of pleasure she enjoyed. She then made extraordinary efforts to + persuade me that she was happy, and without overstepping the limits where + I had made up my mind to stop, we got out of the bath highly pleased with + each other. + </p> + <p> + As we were on the point of going to bed, she said to me, + </p> + <p> + “Would it injure the success of your operation if we were to sleep + together?” + </p> + <p> + “No, my dear girl; provided you are a virgin on the day of the great + incantation, it is all I require.” + </p> + <p> + She threw herself in my arms, and we spent a delightful night, during + which I had full opportunity of admiring the strength of her constitution + as well as my own restraint, for I had sufficient control over myself not + to break through the last obstacle. + </p> + <p> + I passed a great part of the following night with Franzia and Capitani in + order to see with my own eyes the wonderful things which the worthy + peasant had mentioned to me. Standing in the yard, I heard distinctly + heavy blows struck under the ground at intervals of three or four minutes. + It was like the noise which would be made by a heavy pestle falling in a + large copper mortar. I took my pistols and placed myself near the + self-moving door of the cellar, holding a dark lantern in my hand. I saw + the door open slowly, and in about thirty seconds closing with violence. I + opened and closed it myself several times, and, unable to discover any + hidden physical cause for the phenomenon, I felt satisfied that there was + some unknown roguery at work, but I did not care much to find it out. + </p> + <p> + We went upstairs again, and, placing myself on the balcony, I saw in the + yard several shadows moving about. They were evidently caused by the heavy + and damp atmosphere, and as to the pyramidal flames which I could see + hovering over the fields, it was a phenomenon well known to me. But I + allowed my two companions to remain persuaded that they were the spirits + keeping watch over the treasure. + </p> + <p> + That phenomenon is very common throughout southern Italy where the country + is often at night illuminated by those meteors which the people believe to + be devils, and ignorance has called night spirits, or will-o’-the-wisps. + </p> + <p> + Dear reader, the next chapter will tell you how my magic undertaking + ended, and perhaps you will enjoy a good laugh at my expense, but you need + not be afraid of hurting my feelings. + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0022" id="link2HCH0022"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXII + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + The Incantation—A Terrible Storm—My Fright—Javotte’s + Virginity Is Saved—I Give Up the Undertaking, and Sell the + Sheath to Capitani—I Meet Juliette and Count Alfani, Alias + Count Celi—I Make Up My Mind to Go to Naples—Why I Take a + Different Road +</pre> + <p> + My great operation had to be performed on the following day; otherwise, + according to all established rules, I would have had to wait until the + next full moon. I had to make the gnomes raise the treasure to the surface + of the earth at the very spot on which my incantations would be performed. + Of course, I knew well enough that I should not succeed, but I knew + likewise that I could easily reconcile Franzia and Capitani to a failure, + by inventing some excellent reasons for our want of success. In the mean + time I had to play my part of a magician, in which I took a real delight. + I kept Javotte at work all day, sewing together, in the shape of a ring, + some thirty sheets of paper on which I painted the most wonderful designs. + That ring, which I called maximus, had a diameter of three geometric + paces. I had manufactured a sort of sceptre or magic wand with the branch + of olive brought by Franzia from Cesena. Thus prepared, I told Javotte + that, at twelve o’clock at night, when I came out of the magic ring, she + was to be ready for everything. The order did not seem repugnant to her; + she longed to give me that proof of her obedience, and, on my side, + considering myself as her debtor, I was in a hurry to pay my debt and to + give her every satisfaction. + </p> + <p> + The hour having struck, I ordered Franzia and Capitani to stand on the + balcony, so as to be ready to come to me if I called for them, and also to + prevent anyone in the house seeing my proceedings. I then threw off all + profane garments. I clothe myself in the long white robe, the work of a + virgin’s innocent hands. I allow my long hair to fall loosely. I place the + extraordinary crown on my head, the circle maximus on my shoulders, and, + seizing the sceptre with one hand, the wonderful knife with the other, I + go down into the yard. There I spread my circle on the ground, uttering + the most barbarous words, and after going round it three times I jump into + the middle. + </p> + <p> + Squatting down there, I remain a few minutes motionless, then I rise, and + I fix my eyes upon a heavy, dark cloud coming from the west, whilst from + the same quarter the thunder is rumbling loudly. What a sublime genius I + should have appeared in the eyes of my two fools, if, having a short time + before taken notice of the sky in that part of the horizon, I had + announced to them that my operation would be attended by that phenomenon. + </p> + <p> + The cloud spreads with fearful rapidity, and soon the sky seems covered + with a funeral pall, on which the most vivid flashes of lightning keep + blazing every moment. + </p> + <p> + Such a storm was a very natural occurrence, and I had no reason to be + astonished at it, but somehow, fear was beginning to creep into me, and I + wished myself in my room. My fright soon increased at the sight of the + lightning, and on hearing the claps of thunder which succeeded each other + with fearful rapidity and seemed to roar over my very head. I then + realized what extraordinary effect fear can have on the mind, for I + fancied that, if I was not annihilated by the fires of heaven which were + flashing all around me, it was only because they could not enter my magic + ring. Thus was I admiring my own deceitful work! That foolish reason + prevented me from leaving the circle in spite of the fear which caused me + to shudder. If it had not been for that belief, the result of a cowardly + fright, I would not have remained one minute where I was, and my hurried + flight would no doubt have opened the eyes of my two dupes, who could not + have failed to see that, far from being a magician, I was only a poltroon. + The violence of the wind, the claps of thunder, the piercing cold, and + above all, fear, made me tremble all over like an aspen leaf. My system, + which I thought proof against every accident, had vanished: I acknowledged + an avenging God who had waited for this opportunity of punishing me at one + blow for all my sins, and of annihilating me, in order to put an end to my + want of faith. The complete immobility which paralyzed all my limbs seemed + to me a proof of the uselessness of my repentance, and that conviction + only increased my consternation. + </p> + <p> + But the roaring of the thunder dies away, the rain begins to fall heavily, + danger vanishes, and I feel my courage reviving. Such is man! or at all + events, such was I at that moment. It was raining so fast that, if it had + continued pouring with the same violence for a quarter of an hour, the + country would have been inundated. As soon as the rain had ceased, the + wind abated, the clouds were dispersed, and the moon shone in all its + splendour, like silver in the pure, blue sky. I take up my magic ring, and + telling the two friends to retire to their beds without speaking to me, I + hurry to my room. I still felt rather shaken, and, casting my eyes on + Javotte, I thought her so pretty that I felt positively frightened. I + allowed her to dry me, and after that necessary operation I told her + piteously to go to bed. The next morning she told me that, when she saw me + come in, shaking all over in spite of the heat, she had herself shuddered + with fear. + </p> + <p> + After eight hours of sound sleep I felt all right, but I had had enough of + the comedy, and to my great surprise the sight of Genevieve did not move + me in any way. The obedient Javotte had certainly not changed, but I was + not the same. I was for the first time in my life reduced to a state of + apathy, and in consequence of the superstitious ideas which had crowded in + my mind the previous night I imagined that the innocence of that young + girl was under the special protection of Heaven, and that if I had dared + to rob her of her virginity the most rapid and terrible death would have + been my punishment. + </p> + <p> + At all events, thanks to my youth and my exalted ideas, I fancied that + through my self-denying resolutions the father would not be so great a + dupe, and the daughter not so unhappy, unless the result should prove as + unfortunate for her as it had been for poor Lucy, of Pasean. + </p> + <p> + The moment that Javotte became in my eyes an object of holy horror, my + departure was decided. The resolution was all the more irrevocable because + I fancied some old peasant might have witnessed all my tricks in the + middle of the magic ring, in which case the most Holy, or, if you like, + the most infernal, Inquisition, receiving information from him, might very + well have caught me and enhanced my fame by some splendid ‘auto-da-fe’ in + which I had not the slightest wish to be the principal actor. It struck me + as so entirely within the limits of probability that I sent at once for + Franzia and Capitani, and in the presence of the unpolluted virgin I told + them that I had obtained from the seven spirits watching over the treasure + all the necessary particulars, but that I had been compelled to enter into + an agreement with them to delay the extraction of the treasure placed + under their guardianship. I told Franzia that I would hand to him in + writing all the information which I had compelled the spirits to give me. + I produced, in reality, a few minutes afterwards, a document similar to + the one I had concocted at the public library in Mantua, adding that the + treasure consisted of diamonds, rubies, emeralds, and one hundred thousand + pounds of gold dust. I made him take an oath on my pocket-book to wait for + me, and not to have faith in any magician unless he gave him an account of + the treasure in every way similar to the one which, as a great favor, I + was leaving in his hands. I ordered him to burn the crown and the ring, + but to keep the other things carefully until my return. + </p> + <p> + “As for you, Capitani,” I said to my companion, “proceed at once to + Cesena, and remain at the inn until our luggage has been brought by the + man whom Franzia is going to send with it.” + </p> + <p> + Seeing that poor Javotte looked miserable, I went up to her, and, speaking + to her very tenderly, I promised to see her again before long. I told her + at the same time that, the great operation having been performed + successfully, her virginity was no longer necessary, and that she was at + liberty to marry as soon as she pleased, or whenever a good opportunity + offered itself. + </p> + <p> + I at once returned to the city, where I found Capitani making his + preparations to go to the fair of Lugo, and then to Mantua. He told me, + crying like a child, that his father would be in despair when he saw him + come back without the knife of Saint Peter. + </p> + <p> + “You may have it,” I said, “with the sheath, if you will let me have the + one thousand Roman crowns, the amount of the letter of exchange.” + </p> + <p> + He thought it an excellent bargain, and accepted it joyfully. I gave him + back the letter of exchange, and made him sign a paper by which he + undertook to return the sheath whenever I brought the same amount, but he + is still waiting for it. + </p> + <p> + I did not know what to do with the wonderful sheath, and I was not in want + of money, but I should have considered myself dishonoured if I had given + it to him for nothing; besides, I thought it a good joke to levy a + contribution upon the ignorant credulity of a count palatine created by + the grace of the Pope. In after days, however, I would willingly have + refunded his money, but, as fate would have it, we did not see each other + for a long time, and when I met him again I was not in a position to + return the amount. It is, therefore, only to chance that I was indebted + for the sum, and certainly Capitani never dreamed of complaining, for + being the possessor of ‘gladium cum vagina’ he truly believed himself the + master of every treasure concealed in the Papal States. + </p> + <p> + Capitani took leave of me on the following day, and I intended to proceed + at once to Naples, but I was again prevented; this is how it happened. + </p> + <p> + As I returned to the inn after a short walk, mine host handed me the bill + of the play announcing four performances of the Didone of Metastasio at + the Spada. Seeing no acquaintance of mine among the actors or actresses, I + made up my mind to go to the play in the evening, and to start early the + next day with post-horses. A remnant of my fear of the Inquisition urged + me on, and I could not help fancying that spies were at my heels. + </p> + <p> + Before entering the house I went into the actresses dressing-room, and the + leading lady struck me as rather good-looking. Her name was Narici, and + she was from Bologna. I bowed to her, and after the common-place + conversation usual in such cases, I asked her whether she was free. + </p> + <p> + “I am only engaged with the manager,” she answered. + </p> + <p> + “Have you any lover?” + </p> + <p> + “No.” + </p> + <p> + “I offer myself for the post, if you have no objection.” + </p> + <p> + She smiled jeeringly, and said, + </p> + <p> + “Will you take four tickets for the four performances?” + </p> + <p> + I took two sequins out of my purse, taking care to let her see that it was + well filled, and when she gave me the four tickets, presented them to the + maid who was dressing her and was prettier than the mistress, and so left + the room without uttering a single word. She called me back; I pretended + not to hear her, and took a ticket for the pit. After the first ballet, + finding the whole performance very poor, I was thinking of going away, + when, happening to look towards the chief box, I saw to my astonishment + that it was tenanted by the Venetian Manzoni and the celebrated Juliette. + The reader will doubtless remember the ball she gave at my house in + Venice, and the smack with which she saluted my cheek on that occasion. + </p> + <p> + They had not yet noticed me, and I enquired from the person seated next to + me who was that beautiful lady wearing so many diamonds. He told me that + she was Madame Querini, from Venice, whom Count Spada, the owner of the + theatre, who was sitting near her, had brought with him from Faenza. I was + glad to hear that M. Querini had married her at last, but I did not think + of renewing the acquaintance, for reasons which my reader cannot have + forgotten if he recollects our quarrel when I had to dress her as an abbe. + I was on the point of going away when she happened to see me and called + me. I went up to her, and, not wishing to be known by anyone, I whispered + to her that my name was Farusi. Manzoni informed me that I was speaking to + her excellency, Madame Querini. “I know it,” I said, “through a letter + which I have received from Venice, and I beg to offer my most sincere + congratulations to Madame.” She heard me and introduced me to Count Spada, + creating me a baron on the spot. He invited me most kindly to come to his + box, asked me where I came from, where I was going to, etc., and begged + the pleasure of my company at supper for the same evening. + </p> + <p> + Ten years before, he had been Juliette’s friend in Vienna, when Maria + Theresa, having been informed of the pernicious influence of her beauty, + gave her notice to quit the city. She had renewed her acquaintance with + him in Venice, and had contrived to make him take her to Bologna on a + pleasure trip. M. Manzoni, her old follower, who gave me all this + information, accompanied her in order to bear witness of her good conduct + before M. Querini. I must say that Manzoni was not a well-chosen chaperon. + </p> + <p> + In Venice she wanted everybody to believe that Querini had married her + secretly, but at a distance of fifty leagues she did not think such a + formality necessary, and she had already been presented by the general to + all the nobility of Cesena as Madame Querini Papozzes. M. Querini would + have been wrong in being jealous of the count, for he was an old + acquaintance who would do no harm. Besides, it is admitted amongst certain + women that the reigning lover who is jealous of an old acquaintance is + nothing but a fool, and ought to be treated as such. Juliette, most likely + afraid of my being indiscreet, had lost no time in making the first + advances, but, seeing that I had likewise some reason to fear her want of + discretion, she felt reassured. From the first moment I treated her + politely, and with every consideration due to her position. + </p> + <p> + I found numerous company at the general’s, and some pretty women. Not + seeing Juliette, I enquired for her from M. Manzoni, who told me that she + was at the faro table, losing her money. I saw her seated next to the + banker, who turned pale at the sight of my face. He was no other than the + so-called Count Celi. He offered me a card, which I refused politely, but + I accepted Juliette’s offer to be her partner. She had about fifty + sequins, I handed her the same sum, and took a seat near her. After the + first round, she asked me if I knew the banker; Celi had heard the + question; I answered negatively. A lady on my left told me that the banker + was Count Alfani. Half an hour later, Madame Querini went seven and lost, + she increased her stake of ten sequins; it was the last deal of the game, + and therefore the decisive one. I rose from my chair, and fixed my eyes on + the banker’s hands. But in spite of that, he cheated before me, and Madame + lost. + </p> + <p> + Just at that moment the general offered her his arm to go to supper; she + left the remainder of her gold on the table, and after supper, having + played again, she lost every sequin. + </p> + <p> + I enlivened the supper by my stories and witty jests. I captivated + everybody’s friendship, and particularly the general’s, who, having heard + me say that I was going to Naples only to gratify an amorous fancy, + entreated me to spend a month with him and to sacrifice my whim. But it + was all in vain. My heart was unoccupied; I longed to see Lucrezia and + Therese, whose charms after five years I could scarcely recollect. I only + consented to remain in Cesena the four days during which the general + intended to stay. + </p> + <p> + The next morning as I was dressing I had a call from the cowardly + Alfani-Celi; I received him with a jeering smile, saying that I had + expected him. + </p> + <p> + The hair-dresser being in the room Celi did not answer, but as soon as we + were alone he said, + </p> + <p> + “How could you possibly expect my visit?” + </p> + <p> + “I will tell you my reason as soon as you have handed me one hundred + sequins, and you are going to do so at once.’ + </p> + <p> + “Here are fifty which I brought for you; you cannot demand more from me.” + </p> + <p> + “Thank you, I take them on account, but as I am good-natured I advise you + not to shew yourself this evening in Count Spada’s drawing-rooms, for you + would not be admitted, and it would be owing to me.” + </p> + <p> + “I hope that you will think twice before you are guilty of such an + ungenerous act.” + </p> + <p> + “I have made up my mind; but now leave me.” + </p> + <p> + There was a knock at my door, and the self-styled Count Alfani went away + without giving me the trouble of repeating my order. My new visitor proved + to be the first castrato of the theatre, who brought an invitation to + dinner from Narici. The invitation was curious, and I accepted it with a + smile. The castrato was named Nicolas Peritti; he pretended to be the + grandson of a natural child of Sixtus V.; it might have been so I shall + have to mention him again in fifteen years. + </p> + <p> + When I made my appearance at Narici’s house I saw Count Alfani, who + certainly did not expect me, and must have taken me for his evil genius. + He bowed to me with great politeness, and begged that I would listen to a + few words in private. + </p> + <p> + “Here are fifty sequins more,” he said; “but as an honest man you can take + them only to give them to Madame Querini. But how can you hand the amount + to her without letting her know that you have forced me to refund it? You + understand what consequences such a confession might have for me.” + </p> + <p> + “I shall give her the money only when you have left this place; in the + mean time I promise to be discreet, but be careful not to assist fortune + in my presence, or I must act in a manner that will not be agreeable to + you.” + </p> + <p> + “Double the capital of my bank, and we can be partners.” + </p> + <p> + “Your proposal is an insult.” + </p> + <p> + He gave me fifty sequins, and I promised to keep his secret. + </p> + <p> + There was a numerous attendance in Narici’s rooms, especially of young + men, who after dinner lost all their money. I did not play, and it was a + disappointment for my pretty hostess, who had invited me only because she + had judged me as simple as the others. I remained an indifferent witness + of the play, and it gave me an opportunity of realizing how wise Mahomet + had been in forbidding all games of chance. + </p> + <p> + In the evening after the opera Count Celi had the faro bank, and I lose + two hundred sequins, but I could only accuse ill luck. Madame Querini won. + The next day before supper I broke the bank, and after supper, feeling + tired and well pleased with what I had won, I returned to the inn. + </p> + <p> + The following morning, which was the third day, and therefore the last but + one of my stay in Cesena, I called at the general’s. I heard that his + adjutant had thrown the cards in Alfani’s face, and that a meeting had + been arranged between them for twelve o’clock. I went to the adjutant’s + room and offered to be his second, assuring him that there would be no + blood spilt. He declined my offer with many thanks, and at dinner-time he + told me that I had guessed rightly, for Count Alfani had left for Rome. + </p> + <p> + “In that case,” I said to the guests, “I will take the bank tonight.” + </p> + <p> + After dinner, being alone with Madame Querini, I told her all about + Alfani, alias Celi, and handed her the fifty sequins of which I was the + depositary. + </p> + <p> + “I suppose,” she said, “that by means of this fable you hope to make me + accept fifty sequins, but I thank you, I am not in want of money.” + </p> + <p> + “I give you my word that I have compelled the thief to refund this money, + together with the fifty sequins of which he had likewise cheated me.” + </p> + <p> + “That may be, but I do not wish to believe you. I beg to inform you that I + am not simple enough to allow myself to be duped, and, what is worse, + cheated in such a manner.” + </p> + <p> + Philosophy forbids a man to feel repentance for a good deed, but he must + certainly have a right to regret such a deed when it is malevolently + misconstrued, and turned against him as a reproach. + </p> + <p> + In the evening, after the performance, which was to be the last, I took + the bank according to my promise: I lost a few sequins, but was caressed + by everybody, and that is much more pleasant than winning, when we are not + labouring under the hard necessity of making money. + </p> + <p> + Count Spada, who had got quite fond of me, wanted me to accompany him to + Brisighetta, but I resisted his entreaties because I had firmly resolved + on going to Naples. + </p> + <p> + The next morning I was awoke by a terrible noise in the passage, almost at + the door of my room. + </p> + <p> + Getting out of my bed, I open my door to ascertain the cause of the + uproar. I see a troop of ‘sbirri’ at the door of a chamber, and in that + chamber, sitting up in bed, a fine-looking man who was making himself + hoarse by screaming in Latin against that rabble, the plague of Italy, and + against the inn-keeper who had been rascally enough to open the door. + </p> + <p> + I enquire of the inn-keeper what it all means. + </p> + <p> + “This gentleman,” answers the scoundrel, “who, it appears, can only speak + Latin, is in bed with a girl, and the ‘sbirri’ of the bishop have been + sent to know whether she is truly his wife; all perfectly regular. If she + is his wife, he has only to convince them by shewing a certificate of + marriage, but if she is not, of course he must go to prison with her. Yet + it need not happen, for I undertake to arrange everything in a friendly + manner for a few sequins. I have only to exchange a few words with the + chief of the ‘sbirri’, and they will all go away. If you can speak Latin, + you had better go in, and make him listen to reason.” + </p> + <p> + “Who has broken open the door of his room?” + </p> + <p> + “Nobody; I have opened it myself with the key, as is my duty.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, the duty of a highway robber, but not of an honest inn-keeper.” + </p> + <p> + Such infamous dealing aroused my indignation, and I made up my mind to + interfere. I enter the room, although I had still my nightcap on, and + inform the gentleman of the cause of the disturbance. He answers with a + laugh that, in the first place, it was impossible to say whether the + person who was in bed with him was a woman, for that person had only been + seen in the costume of a military officer, and that, in the second place, + he did not think that any human being had a right to compel him to say + whether his bed-fellow was his wife or his mistress, even supposing that + his companion was truly a woman. + </p> + <p> + “At all events,” he added, “I am determined not to give one crown to + arrange the affair, and to remain in bed until my door is shut. The moment + I am dressed, I will treat you to an amusing denouement of the comedy. I + will drive away all those scoundrels at the point of my sword.” + </p> + <p> + I then see in a corner a broad sword, and a Hungarian costume looking like + a military uniform. I ask whether he is an officer. + </p> + <p> + “I have written my name and profession,” he answers, “in the hotel book.” + </p> + <p> + Astonished at the absurdity of the inn-keeper, I ask him whether it is so; + he confesses it, but adds that the clergy have the right to prevent + scandal. + </p> + <p> + “The insult you have offered to that officer, Mr. Landlord, will cost you + very dear.” + </p> + <p> + His only answer is to laugh in my face. Highly enraged at seeing such a + scoundrel laugh at me, I take up the officer’s quarrel warmly, and asked + him to entrust his passport to me for a few minutes. + </p> + <p> + “I have two,” he says; “therefore I can let you have one.” And taking the + document out of his pocket-book, he hands it to me. The passport was + signed by Cardinal Albani. The officer was a captain in a Hungarian + regiment belonging to the empress and queen. He was from Rome, on his way + to Parma with dispatches from Cardinal Albani Alexander to M. Dutillot, + prime minister of the Infante of Parma. + </p> + <p> + At the same moment, a man burst into the room, speaking very loudly, and + asked me to tell the officer that the affair must be settled at once, + because he wanted to leave Cesena immediately. + </p> + <p> + “Who are you?” I asked the man. + </p> + <p> + He answered that he was the ‘vetturino’ whom the captain had engaged. I + saw that it was a regular put-up thing, and begged the captain to let me + attend to the business, assuring him that I would settle it to his honour + and advantage. + </p> + <p> + “Do exactly as you please,” he said. + </p> + <p> + Then turning towards the ‘vetturino’, I ordered him to bring up the + captain’s luggage, saying that he would be paid at once. When he had done + so, I handed him eight sequins out of my own purse, and made him give me a + receipt in the name of the captain, who could only speak German, + Hungarian, and Latin. The vetturino went away, and the ‘sbirri’ followed + him in the greatest consternation, except two who remained. + </p> + <p> + “Captain,” I said to the Hungarian, “keep your bed until I return. I am + going now to the bishop to give him an account of these proceedings, and + make him understand that he owes you some reparation. Besides, General + Spada is here, and....” + </p> + <p> + “I know him,” interrupted the captain, “and if I had been aware of his + being in Cesena, I would have shot the landlord when he opened my door to + those scoundrels.” + </p> + <p> + I hurried over my toilet, and without waiting for my hair to be dressed I + proceeded to the bishop’s palace, and making a great deal of noise I + almost compelled the servants to take me to his room. A lackey who was at + the door informed me that his lordship was still in bed. + </p> + <p> + “Never mind, I cannot wait.” + </p> + <p> + I pushed him aside and entered the room. I related the whole affair to the + bishop, exaggerating the uproar, making much of the injustice of such + proceedings, and railing at a vexatious police daring to molest travellers + and to insult the sacred rights of individuals and nations. + </p> + <p> + The bishop without answering me referred me to his chancellor, to whom I + repeated all I had said to the bishop, but with words calculated to + irritate rather than to soften, and certainly not likely to obtain the + release of the captain. I even went so far as to threaten, and I said that + if I were in the place of the officer I would demand a public reparation. + The priest laughed at my threats; it was just what I wanted, and after + asking me whether I had taken leave of my senses, the chancellor told me + to apply to the captain of the ‘sbirri’. + </p> + <p> + “I shall go to somebody else,” I said, “reverend sir, besides the captain + of the ‘sbirri’.” + </p> + <p> + Delighted at having made matters worse, I left him and proceeded straight + to the house of General Spada, but being told that he could not be seen + before eight o’clock, I returned to the inn. + </p> + <p> + The state of excitement in which I was, the ardour with which I had made + the affair mine, might have led anyone to suppose that my indignation had + been roused only by disgust at seeing an odious persecution perpetrated + upon a stranger by an unrestrained, immoral, and vexatious police; but why + should I deceive the kind reader, to whom I have promised to tell the + truth; I must therefore say that my indignation was real, but my ardour + was excited by another feeling of a more personal nature. I fancied that + the woman concealed under the bed-clothes was a beauty. I longed to see + her face, which shame, most likely, had prevented her from shewing. She + had heard me speak, and the good opinion that I had of myself did not + leave the shadow of a doubt in my mind that she would prefer me to her + captain. + </p> + <p> + The door of the room being still open, I went in and related to the + captain all I had done, assuring him that in the course of the day he + would be at liberty to continue his journey at the bishop’s expense, for + the general would not fail to obtain complete satisfaction for him. He + thanked me warmly, gave back the eight ducats I had paid for him, and said + that he would not leave the city till the next day. + </p> + <p> + “From what country,” I asked him, “is your travelling companion?” + </p> + <p> + “From France, and he only speaks his native language.” + </p> + <p> + “Then you speak French?” + </p> + <p> + “Not one word.” + </p> + <p> + “That is amusing! Then you converse in pantomime?” + </p> + <p> + “Exactly.” + </p> + <p> + “I pity you, for it is a difficult language.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, to express the various shades of thought, but in the material part + of our intercourse we understand each other quite well.” + </p> + <p> + “May I invite myself to breakfast with you?” + </p> + <p> + “Ask my friend whether he has any objection.” + </p> + <p> + “Amiable companion of the captain,” I said in French, “will you kindly + accept me as a third guest at the breakfast-table?” + </p> + <p> + At these words I saw coming out of the bed-clothes a lovely head, with + dishevelled hair, and a blooming, laughing face which, although it was + crowned with a man’s cap, left no doubt that the captain’s friend belonged + to that sex without which man would be the most miserable animal on earth. + </p> + <p> + Delighted with the graceful creature, I told her that I had been happy + enough to feel interested in her even before I had seen her, and that now + that I had the pleasure of seeing her, I could but renew with greater zeal + all my efforts to serve her. + </p> + <p> + She answered me with the grace and the animation which are the exclusive + privilege of her native country, and retorted my argument in the most + witty manner; I was already under the charm. My request was granted; I + went out to order breakfast, and to give them an opportunity of making + themselves comfortable in bed, for they were determined not to get up + until the door of their room was closed again. + </p> + <p> + The waiter came, and I went in with him. I found my lovely Frenchwoman + wearing a blue frock-coat, with her hair badly arranged like a man’s, but + very charming even in that strange costume. I longed to see her up. She + ate her breakfast without once interrupting the officer speaking to me, + but to whom I was not listening, or listening with very little attention, + for I was in a sort of ecstatic trance. + </p> + <p> + Immediately after breakfast, I called on the general, and related the + affair to him, enlarging upon it in such a manner as to pique his martial + pride. I told him that, unless he settled the matter himself, the + Hungarian captain was determined to send an express to the cardinal + immediately. But my eloquence was unnecessary, for the general liked to + see priests attend to the business of Heaven, but he could not bear them + to meddle in temporal affairs. + </p> + <p> + “I shall,” he said, “immediately put a stop to this ridiculous comedy, and + treat it in a very serious manner.” + </p> + <p> + “Go at once to the inn,” he said to his aide-de-camp, “invite that officer + and his companion to dine with me to-day, and repair afterwards to the + bishop’s palace. Give him notice that the officer who has been so grossly + insulted by his ‘sbirri’ shall not leave the city before he has received a + complete apology, and whatever sum of money he may claim as damages. Tell + him that the notice comes from me, and that all the expenses incurred by + the officer shall be paid by him.” + </p> + <p> + What pleasure it was for me to listen to these words! In my vanity, I + fancied I had almost prompted them to the general. I accompanied the + aide-de-camp, and introduced him to the captain who received him with the + joy of a soldier meeting a comrade. The adjutant gave him the general’s + invitation for him and his companion, and asked him to write down what + satisfaction he wanted, as well as the amount of damages he claimed. At + the sight of the general’s adjutant, the ‘sbirri’ had quickly vanished. I + handed to the captain pen, paper and ink, and he wrote his claim in pretty + good Latin for a native of Hungary. The excellent fellow absolutely + refused to ask for more than thirty sequins, in spite of all I said to + make him claim one hundred. He was likewise a great deal too easy as to + the satisfaction he demanded, for all he asked was to see the landlord and + the ‘sbirri’ beg his pardon on their knees in the presence of the + general’s adjutant. He threatened the bishop to send an express to Rome to + Cardinal Alexander, unless his demands were complied with within two + hours, and to remain in Cesena at the rate of ten sequins a day at the + bishop’s expense. + </p> + <p> + The officer left us, and a moment afterwards the landlord came in + respectfully, to inform the captain that he was free, but the captain + having begged me to tell the scoundrel that he owed him a sound thrashing, + he lost no time in gaining the door. + </p> + <p> + I left my friends alone to get dressed, and to attend to my own toilet, as + I dined with them at the general’s. An hour afterwards I found them ready + in their military costumes. The uniform of the Frenchwoman was of course a + fancy one, but very elegant. The moment I saw her, I gave up all idea of + Naples, and decided upon accompanying the two friends to Parma. The beauty + of the lovely Frenchwoman had already captivated me. The captain was + certainly on the threshold of sixty, and, as a matter of course, I thought + such a union very badly assorted. I imagined that the affair which I was + already concocting in my brain could be arranged amicably. + </p> + <p> + The adjutant came back with a priest sent by the bishop, who told the + captain that he should have the satisfaction as well as the damages he had + claimed, but that he must be content with fifteen sequins. + </p> + <p> + “Thirty or nothing,” dryly answered the Hungarian. + </p> + <p> + They were at last given to him, and thus the matter ended. The victory was + due to my exertions, and I had won the friendship of the captain and his + lovely companion. + </p> + <p> + In order to guess, even at first sight, that the friend of the worthy + captain was not a man, it was enough to look at the hips. She was too well + made as a woman ever to pass for a man, and the women who disguise + themselves in male attire, and boast of being like men, are very wrong, + for by such a boast they confess themselves deficient in one of the + greatest perfections appertaining to woman. + </p> + <p> + A little before dinner-time we repaired to General Spada’s mansion, and + the general presented the two officers to all the ladies. Not one of them + was deceived in the young officer, but, being already acquainted with the + adventure, they were all delighted to dine with the hero of the comedy, + and treated the handsome officer exactly as if he had truly been a man, + but I am bound to confess that the male guests offered the Frenchwoman + homages more worthy of her sex. + </p> + <p> + Madame Querini alone did not seem pleased, because the lovely stranger + monopolized the general attention, and it was a blow to her vanity to see + herself neglected. She never spoke to her, except to shew off her French, + which she could speak well. The poor captain scarcely opened his lips, for + no one cared to speak Latin, and the general had not much to say in + German. + </p> + <p> + An elderly priest, who was one of the guests, tried to justify the conduct + of the bishop by assuring us that the inn-keeper and the ‘sbirri’ had + acted only under the orders of the Holy Office. + </p> + <p> + “That is the reason,” he said, “for which no bolts are allowed in the + rooms of the hotels, so that strangers may not shut themselves up in their + chambers. The Holy Inquisition does not allow a man to sleep with any + woman but his wife.” + </p> + <p> + Twenty years later I found all the doors in Spain with a bolt outside, so + that travellers were, as if they had been in prison, exposed to the + outrageous molestation of nocturnal visits from the police. That disease + is so chronic in Spain that it threatens to overthrow the monarchy some + day, and I should not be astonished if one fine morning the Grand + Inquisitor was to have the king shaved, and to take his place. + </p> + <a name="link2HCH0023" id="link2HCH0023"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXIII + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + I Purchase a Handsome Carriage, and Proceed to Parma With + the Old Captain and the Young Frenchwoman—I Pay a Visit to + Javotte, and Present Her With a Beautiful Pair of Gold + Bracelets—My Perplexities Respecting My Lovely Travelling + Companion—A Monologue—Conversation with the Captain—Tete- + a-Tete with Henriette +</pre> + <p> + The conversation was animated, and the young female officer was + entertaining everybody, even Madame Querini, although she hardly took the + trouble of concealing her spleen. + </p> + <p> + “It seems strange,” she remarked, “that you and the captain should live + together without ever speaking to each other.” + </p> + <p> + “Why, madam? We understand one another perfectly, for speech is of very + little consequence in the kind of business we do together.” + </p> + <p> + That answer, given with graceful liveliness, made everybody laugh, except + Madame Querini-Juliette, who, foolishly assuming the air of a prude, + thought that its meaning was too clearly expressed. + </p> + <p> + “I do not know any kind of business,” she said, “that can be transacted + without the assistance of the voice or the pen.” + </p> + <p> + “Excuse me, madam, there are some: playing at cards, for instance, is a + business of that sort.” + </p> + <p> + “Are you always playing?” + </p> + <p> + “We do nothing else. We play the game of the Pharaoh (faro), and I hold + the bank.” + </p> + <p> + Everybody, understanding the shrewdness of this evasive answer, laughed + again, and Juliette herself could not help joining in the general + merriment. + </p> + <p> + “But tell me,” said Count Spada, “does the bank receive much?” + </p> + <p> + “As for the deposits, they are of so little importance, that they are + hardly worth mentioning.” + </p> + <p> + No one ventured upon translating that sentence for the benefit of the + worthy captain. The conversation continued in the same amusing style, and + all the guests were delighted with the graceful wit of the charming + officer. + </p> + <p> + Late in the evening I took leave of the general, and wished him a pleasant + journey. + </p> + <p> + “Adieu,” he said, “I wish you a pleasant journey to Naples, and hope you + will enjoy yourself there.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, general, I am not going to Naples immediately; I have changed my + mind and intend to proceed to Parma, where I wish to see the Infante. I + also wish to constitute myself the interpreter of these two officers who + know nothing of Italian.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, young man! opportunity makes a thief, does it not? Well, if I were in + your place, I would do the same.” + </p> + <p> + I also bade farewell to Madame Querini, who asked me to write to her from + Bologna. I gave her a promise to do so, but without meaning to fulfil it. + </p> + <p> + I had felt interested in the young Frenchwoman when she was hiding under + the bed-clothes: she had taken my fancy the moment she had shewn her + features, and still more when I had seen her dressed. She completed her + conquest at the dinner-table by the display of a wit which I greatly + admired. It is rare in Italy, and seems to belong generally to the + daughters of France. I did not think it would be very difficult to win her + love, and I resolved on trying. Putting my self-esteem on one side, I + fancied I would suit her much better than the old Hungarian, a very + pleasant man for his age, but who, after all, carried his sixty years on + his face, while my twenty-three were blooming on my countenance. It seemed + to me that the captain himself would not raise any great objection, for he + seemed one of those men who, treating love as a matter of pure fancy, + accept all circumstances easily, and give way good-naturedly to all the + freaks of fortune. By becoming the travelling companion of this + ill-matched couple, I should probably succeed in my aims. I never dreamed + of experiencing a refusal at their hands, my company would certainly be + agreeable to them, as they could not exchange a single word by themselves. + </p> + <p> + With this idea I asked the captain, as we reached our inn, whether he + intended to proceed to Parma by the public coach or otherwise. + </p> + <p> + “As I have no carriage of my own,” he answered, “we shall have to take the + coach.” + </p> + <p> + “I have a very comfortable carriage, and I offer you the two back seats if + you have no objection to my society.” + </p> + <p> + “That is a piece of good fortune. Be kind enough to propose it to + Henriette.” + </p> + <p> + “Will you, madam, grant me the favour of accompanying you to Parma?” + </p> + <p> + “I should be delighted, for we could have some conversation, but take + care, sir, your task will not be an easy one, you will often find yourself + obliged to translate for both of us.” + </p> + <p> + “I shall do so with great pleasure; I am only sorry that the journey is + not longer. We can arrange everything at supper-time; allow me to leave + you now as I have some business to settle.” + </p> + <p> + My business was in reference to a carriage, for the one I had boasted of + existed only in my imagination. I went to the most fashionable + coffee-house, and, as good luck would have it, heard that there was a + travelling carriage for sale, which no one would buy because it was too + expensive. Two hundred sequins were asked for it, although it had but two + seats and a bracket-stool for a third person. It was just what I wanted. I + called at the place where it would be seen. I found a very fine English + carriage which could not have cost less than two hundred guineas. Its + noble proprietor was then at supper, so I sent him my name, requesting him + not to dispose of his carriage until the next morning, and I went back to + the hotel well pleased with my discovery. At supper I arranged with the + captain that we would not leave Cesena till after dinner on the following + day, and the conversation was almost entirely a dialogue between Henriette + and myself; it was my first talk with a French woman. I thought this young + creature more and more charming, yet I could not suppose her to be + anything else but an adventuress, and I was astonished at discovering in + her those noble and delicate feelings which denote a good education. + However, as such an idea would not have suited the views I had about her, + I rejected it whenever it presented itself to my mind. Whenever I tried to + make her talk about the captain she would change the subject of + conversation, or evade my insinuations with a tact and a shrewdness which + astonished and delighted me at the same time, for everything she said bore + the impress of grace and wit. Yet she did not elude this question: + </p> + <p> + “At least tell me, madam, whether the captain is your husband or your + father.” + </p> + <p> + “Neither one nor the other,” she answered, with a smile. + </p> + <p> + That was enough for me, and in reality what more did I want to know? The + worthy captain had fallen asleep. When he awoke I wished them both good + night, and retired to my room with a heart full of love and a mind full of + projects. I saw that everything had taken a good turn, and I felt certain + of success, for I was young, I enjoyed excellent health, I had money and + plenty of daring. I liked the affair all the better because it must come + to a conclusion in a few days. + </p> + <p> + Early the next morning I called upon Count Dandini, the owner of the + carriage, and as I passed a jeweller’s shop I bought a pair of gold + bracelets in Venetian filigree, each five yards long and of rare fineness. + I intended them as a present for Javotte. + </p> + <p> + The moment Count Dandini saw me he recognized me. He had seen me in Padua + at the house of his father, who was professor of civil law at the time I + was a student there. I bought his carriage on condition that he would send + it to me in good repair at one o’clock in the afternoon. + </p> + <p> + Having completed the purchase, I went to my friend, Franzia, and my + present of the bracelets made Javotte perfectly happy. There was not one + girl in Cesena who could boast of possessing a finer pair, and with that + present my conscience felt at ease, for it paid the expense I had + occasioned during my stay of ten or twelve days at her father’s house four + times over. But this was not the most important present I offered the + family. I made the father take an oath to wait for me, and never to trust + in any pretended magician for the necessary operation to obtain the + treasure, even if I did not return or give any news of myself for ten + years. + </p> + <p> + “Because,” I said to him, “in consequence of the agreement in which I have + entered with the spirits watching the treasure, at the first attempt made + by any other person, the casket containing the treasure will sink to twice + its present depth, that is to say as deep as thirty-five fathoms, and then + I shall have myself ten times more difficulty in raising it to the + surface. I cannot state precisely the time of my return, for it depends + upon certain combinations which are not under my control, but recollect + that the treasure cannot be obtained by anyone but I.” + </p> + <p> + I accompanied my advice with threats of utter ruin to his family if he + should ever break his oath. And in this manner I atoned for all I had + done, for, far from deceiving the worthy man, I became his benefactor by + guarding against the deceit of some cheat who would have cared for his + money more than for his daughter. I never saw him again, and most likely + he is dead, but knowing the deep impression I left on his mind I am + certain that his descendants are even now waiting for me, for the name of + Farusi must have remained immortal in that family. + </p> + <p> + Javotte accompanied me as far as the gate of the city, where I kissed her + affectionately, which made me feel that the thunder and lightning had had + but a momentary effect upon me; yet I kept control over my senses, and I + congratulate myself on doing so to this day. I told her, before bidding + her adieu, that, her virginity being no longer necessary for my magic + operations, I advised her to get married as soon as possible, if I did not + return within three months. She shed a few tears, but promised to follow + my advice. + </p> + <p> + I trust that my readers will approve of the noble manner in which I + concluded my magic business. I hardly dare to boast of it, but I think I + deserve some praise for my behaviour. Perhaps, I might have ruined poor + Franzia with a light heart, had I not possessed a well-filled purse. I do + not wish to enquire whether any young man, having intelligence, loving + pleasure, and placed in the same position, would not have done the same, + but I beg my readers to address that question to themselves. + </p> + <p> + As for Capitani, to whom I sold the sheath of St. Peter’s knife for rather + more than it was worth, I confess that I have not yet repented on his + account, for Capitani thought he had duped me in accepting it as security + for the amount he gave me, and the count, his father, valued it until his + death as more precious than the finest diamond in the world. Dying with + such a firm belief, he died rich, and I shall die a poor man. Let the + reader judge which of the two made the best bargain. But I must return now + to my future travelling companions. + </p> + <p> + As soon as I had reached the inn, I prepared everything for our departure + for which I was now longing. Henriette could not open her lips without my + discovering some fresh perfection, for her wit delighted me even more than + her beauty. It struck me that the old captain was pleased with all the + attention I shewed her, and it seemed evident to me that she would not be + sorry to exchange her elderly lover for me. I had all the better right to + think so, inasmuch as I was perfection from a physical point of view, and + I appeared to be wealthy, although I had no servant. I told Henriette + that, for the sake of having none, I spent twice as much as a servant + would have cost me, that, by my being my own servant, I was certain of + being served according to my taste, and I had the satisfaction of having + no spy at my heels and no privileged thief to fear. She agreed with + everything I said, and it increased my love. + </p> + <p> + The honest Hungarian insisted upon giving me in advance the amount to be + paid for the post-horses at the different stages as far as Parma. We left + Cesena after dinner, but not without a contest of politeness respecting + the seats. The captain wanted me to occupy the back seat-near Henriette, + but the reader will understand how much better the seat opposite to her + suited me; therefore I insisted upon taking the bracket-seat, and had the + double advantage of shewing my politeness, and of having constantly and + without difficulty before my eyes the lovely woman whom I adored. + </p> + <p> + My happiness would have been too great if there had been no drawback to + it. But where can we find roses without thorns? When the charming + Frenchwoman uttered some of those witty sayings which proceed so naturally + from the lips of her countrywomen, I could not help pitying the sorry face + of the poor Hungarian, and, wishing to make him share my mirth, I would + undertake to translate in Latin Henriette’s sallies; but far from making + him merry, I often saw his face bear a look of astonishment, as if what I + had said seemed to him rather flat. I had to acknowledge to myself that I + could not speak Latin as well as she spoke French, and this was indeed the + case. The last thing which we learn in all languages is wit, and wit never + shines so well as in jests. I was thirty years of age before I began to + laugh in reading Terence, Plautus and Martial. + </p> + <p> + Something being the matter with the carriage, we stopped at Forli to have + it repaired. After a very cheerful supper, I retired to my room to go to + bed, thinking of nothing else but the charming woman by whom I was so + completely captivated. Along the road, Henriette had struck me as so + strange that I would not sleep in the second bed in their room. I was + afraid lest she should leave her old comrade to come to my bed and sleep + with me, and I did not know how far the worthy captain would have put up + with such a joke. I wished, of course, to possess that lovely creature, + but I wanted everything to be settled amicably, for I felt some respect + for the brave officer. + </p> + <p> + Henriette had nothing but the military costume in which she stood, not any + woman’s linen, not even one chemise. For a change she took the captain’s + shirt. Such a state of things was so new to me that the situation seemed + to me a complete enigma. + </p> + <p> + In Bologna, excited by an excellent supper and by the amorous passion + which was every hour burning more fiercely in me, I asked her by what + singular adventure she had become the friend of the honest fellow who + looked her father rather than her lover. + </p> + <p> + “If you wish to know,” she answered, with a smile, “ask him to relate the + whole story himself, only you must request him not to omit any of the + particulars.” + </p> + <p> + Of course I applied at once to the captain, and, having first ascertained + by signs that the charming Frenchwoman had no objection, the good man + spoke to me thus: + </p> + <p> + “A friend of mine, an officer in the army, having occasion to go to Rome, + I solicited a furlough of six months, and accompanied him. I seized with + great delight the opportunity of visiting a city, the name of which has a + powerful influence on the imagination, owing to the memories of the past + attached to it. I did not entertain any doubt that the Latin language was + spoken there in good society, at least as generally as in Hungary. But I + was indeed greatly mistaken, for nobody can speak it, not even the + priests, who only pretend to write it, and it is true that some of them do + so with great purity. I was therefore rather uncomfortable during my stay + in Rome, and with the exception of my eyes my senses remained perfectly + inactive. I had spent a very tedious month in that city, the ancient queen + of the world, when Cardinal Albani gave my friend dispatches for Naples. + Before leaving Rome, he introduced me to his eminence, and his + recommendation had so much influence that the cardinal promised to send me + very soon with dispatches for the Duke of Parma, Piacenza, and Guastalla, + assuring me that all my travelling expenses would be defrayed. As I wished + to see the harbour called in former times Centum cellae and now + Civita-Vecchia, I gave up the remainder of my time to that visit, and I + proceeded there with a cicerone who spoke Latin. + </p> + <p> + “I was loitering about the harbour when I saw, coming out of a tartan, an + elderly officer and this young woman dressed as she is now. Her beauty + struck me, but I should not have thought any more about it, if the officer + had not put up at my inn, and in an apartment over which I had a complete + view whenever I opened my window. In the evening I saw the couple taking + supper at the same table, but I remarked that the elderly officer never + addressed a word to the young one. When the supper was over, the disguised + girl left the room, and her companion did not lift his eyes from a letter + which he was reading, as it seemed to me, with the deepest attention. Soon + afterwards the officer closed the windows, the light was put out, and I + suppose my neighbors went to bed. The next morning, being up early as is + my habit, I saw the officer go out, and the girl remained alone in the + room. + </p> + <p> + “I sent my cicerone, who was also my servant, to tell the girl in the garb + of an officer that I would give her ten sequins for an hour’s + conversation. He fulfilled my instructions, and on his return he informed + me that her answer, given in French, had been to the effect that she would + leave for Rome immediately after breakfast, and that, once in that city, I + should easily find some opportunity of speaking to her. + </p> + <p> + “‘I can find out from the vetturino,’ said my cicerone, ‘where they put up + in Rome, and I promise you to enquire of him.’ + </p> + <p> + “She left Civita-Vecchia with the elderly officer, and I returned home on + the following day. + </p> + <p> + “Two days afterwards, the cardinal gave me the dispatches, which were + addressed to M. Dutillot, the French minister, with a passport and the + money necessary for the journey. He told me, with great kindness, that I + need not hurry on the road. + </p> + <p> + “I had almost forgotten the handsome adventuress, when, two days before my + departure, my cicerone gave me the information that he had found out where + she lived, and that she was with the same officer. I told him to try to + see her, and to let her know that my departure was fixed for the day after + the morrow. She sent me word by him that, if I would inform her of the + hour of my departure, she would meet me outside of the gate, and get into + the coach with me to accompany me on my way. I thought the arrangement + very ingenious and during the day I sent the cicerone to tell her the hour + at which I intended to leave, and where I would wait for her outside of + the Porto del Popolo. She came at the appointed time, and we have remained + together ever since. As soon as she was seated near me, she made me + understand by signs that she wanted to dine with me. You may imagine what + difficulty we had in understanding one another, but we guessed somehow the + meaning expressed by our pantomime, and I accepted the adventure with + delight. + </p> + <p> + “We dined gaily together, speaking without understanding, but after the + dessert we comprehended each other very well. I fancied that I had seen + the end of it, and you may imagine how surprised I was when, upon my + offering her the ten sequins, she refused most positively to take any + money, making me understand that she would rather go with me to Parma, + because she had some business in that city, and did not want to return to + Rome. + </p> + <p> + “The proposal was, after all, rather agreeable to me; I consented to her + wishes. I only regretted my inability to make her understand that, if she + was followed by anyone from Rome, and if that person wanted to take her + back, I was not in a position to defend her against violence. I was also + sorry that, with our mutual ignorance of the language spoken by each of + us, we had no opportunity of conversation, for I should have been greatly + pleased to hear her adventures, which, I think, must be interesting. You + can, of course, guess that I have no idea of who she can be. I only know + that she calls herself Henriette, that she must be a Frenchwoman, that she + is as gentle as a turtledove, that she has evidently received a good + education, and that she enjoys good health. She is witty and courageous, + as we have both seen, I in Rome and you in Cesena at General Spada’s + table. If she would tell you her history, and allow you to translate it + for me in Latin she would indeed please me much, for I am sincerely her + friend, and I can assure you that it will grieve me to part from her in + Parma. Please to tell her that I intend to give her the thirty sequins I + received from the Bishop of Cesena, and that if I were rich I would give + her more substantial proofs of my tender affection. Now, sir, I shall feel + obliged to you if you will explain it all to her in French.” + </p> + <p> + I asked her whether she would feel offended if I gave her an exact + translation. She assured me that, on the contrary, she wished me to speak + openly, and I told her literally what the captain had related to me. + </p> + <p> + With a noble frankness which a slight shade of shame rendered more + interesting, Henriette confirmed the truth of her friend’s narrative, but + she begged me to tell him that she could not grant his wish respecting the + adventures of her life. + </p> + <p> + “Be good enough to inform him,” she added, “that the same principle which + forbids me to utter a falsehood, does not allow me to tell the truth. As + for the thirty sequins which he intends to give me, I will not accept even + one of them, and he would deeply grieve me by pressing them upon me. The + moment we reach Parma I wish him to allow me to lodge wherever I may + please, to make no enquiries whatever about me, and, in case he should + happen to meet me, to crown his great kindness to me by not appearing to + have ever known me.” + </p> + <p> + As she uttered the last words of this short speech, which she had + delivered very seriously and with a mixture of modesty and resolution, she + kissed her elderly friend in a manner which indicated esteem and gratitude + rather than love. The captain, who did not know why she was kissing him, + was deeply grieved when I translated what Henriette had said. He begged me + to tell her that, if he was to obey her with an easy conscience, he must + know whether she would have everything she required in Parma. + </p> + <p> + “You can assure him,” she answered, “that he need not entertain any + anxiety about me.” + </p> + <p> + This conversation had made us all very sad; we remained for a long time + thoughtful and silent, until, feeling the situation to be painful, I rose, + wishing them good night, and I saw that Henriette’s face wore a look of + great excitement. + </p> + <p> + As soon as I found myself alone in my room, deeply moved by conflicting + feelings of love, surprise, and uncertainty, I began to give vent to my + feelings in a kind of soliloquy, as I always do when I am strongly excited + by anything; thinking is not, in those cases, enough for me; I must speak + aloud, and I throw so much action, so much animation into these monologues + that I forget I am alone. What I knew now of Henriette had upset me + altogether. + </p> + <p> + “Who can she be,” I said, speaking to the walls; “this girl who seems to + have the most elevated feelings under the veil of the most cynical + libertinism? She says that in Parma she wishes to remain perfectly + unknown, her own mistress, and I cannot, of course, flatter myself that + she will not place me under the same restrictions as the captain to whom + she has already abandoned herself. Goodbye to my expectations, to my + money, and my illusions! But who is she—what is she? She must have + either a lover or a husband in Parma, or she must belong to a respectable + family; or, perhaps, thanks to a boundless love for debauchery and to her + confidence in her own charms, she intends to set fortune, misery, and + degradation at defiance, and to try to enslave some wealthy nobleman! But + that would be the plan of a mad woman or of a person reduced to utter + despair, and it does not seem to be the case with Henriette. Yet she + possesses nothing. True, but she refused, as if she had been provided with + all she needed, the kind assistance of a man who has the right to offer + it, and from whom, in sooth, she can accept without blushing, since she + has not been ashamed to grant him favours with which love had nothing to + do. Does she think that it is less shameful for a woman to abandon herself + to the desires of a man unknown and unloved than to receive a present from + an esteemed friend, and particularly at the eve of finding herself in the + street, entirely destitute in the middle of a foreign city, amongst people + whose language she cannot even speak? Perhaps she thinks that such conduct + will justify the ‘faux pas’ of which she has been guilty with the captain, + and give him to understand that she had abandoned herself to him only for + the sake of escaping from the officer with whom she was in Rome. But she + ought to be quite certain that the captain does not entertain any other + idea; he shews himself so reasonable that it is impossible to suppose that + he ever admitted the possibility of having inspired her with a violent + passion, because she had seen him once through a window in Civita-Vecchia. + She might possibly be right, and feel herself justified in her conduct + towards the captain, but it is not the same with me, for with her + intelligence she must be aware that I would not have travelled with them + if she had been indifferent to me, and she must know that there is but one + way in which she can obtain my pardon. She may be endowed with many + virtues, but she has not the only one which could prevent me from wishing + the reward which every man expects to receive at the hands of the woman he + loves. If she wants to assume prudish manners towards me and to make a + dupe of me, I am bound in honour to shew her how much she is mistaken.” + </p> + <p> + After this monologue, which had made me still more angry, I made up my + mind to have an explanation in the morning before our departure. + </p> + <p> + “I shall ask her,” said I to myself, “to grant me the same favours which + she has so easily granted to her old captain, and if I meet with a refusal + the best revenge will be to shew her a cold and profound contempt until + our arrival in Parma.” + </p> + <p> + I felt sure that she could not refuse me some marks of real or of + pretended affection, unless she wished to make a show of a modesty which + certainly did not belong to her, and, knowing that her modesty would only + be all pretence, I was determined not to be a mere toy in her hands. + </p> + <p> + As for the captain, I felt certain, from what he had told me, that he + would not be angry with me if I risked a declaration, for as a sensible + man he could only assume a neutral position. + </p> + <p> + Satisfied with my wise reasoning, and with my mind fully made up, I fell + asleep. My thoughts were too completely absorbed by Henriette for her not + to haunt my dreams, but the dream which I had throughout the night was so + much like reality that, on awaking, I looked for her in my bed, and my + imagination was so deeply struck with the delights of that night that, if + my door had not been fastened with a bolt, I should have believed that she + had left me during my sleep to resume her place near the worthy Hungarian. + </p> + <p> + When I was awake I found that the happy dream of the night had turned my + love for the lovely creature into a perfect amorous frenzy, and it could + not be other wise. Let the reader imagine a poor devil going to bed broken + down with fatigue and starvation; he succumbs to sleep, that most + imperative of all human wants, but in his dream he finds himself before a + table covered with every delicacy; what will then happen? Why, a very + natural result. His appetite, much more lively than on the previous day, + does not give him a minute’s rest he must satisfy it or die of sheer + hunger. + </p> + <p> + I dressed myself, resolved on making sure of the possession of the woman + who had inflamed all my senses, even before resuming our journey. + </p> + <p> + “If I do not succeed,” I said to myself, “I will not go one step further.” + </p> + <p> + But, in order not to offend against propriety, and not to deserve the + reproaches of an honest man, I felt that it was my duty to have an + explanation with the captain in the first place. + </p> + <p> + I fancy that I hear one of those sensible, calm, passionless readers, who + have had the advantage of what is called a youth without storms, or one of + those whom old age has forced to become virtuous, exclaim, + </p> + <p> + “Can anyone attach so much importance to such nonsense?” + </p> + <p> + Age has calmed my passions down by rendering them powerless, but my heart + has not grown old, and my memory has kept all the freshness of youth; and + far from considering that sort of thing a mere trifle, my only sorrow, + dear reader, arises from the fact that I have not the power to practise, + to the day of my death, that which has been the principal affair of my + life! + </p> + <p> + When I was ready I repaired to the chamber occupied by my two travelling + companions, and after paying each of them the usual morning compliments I + told the officer that I was deeply in love with Henriette, and I asked him + whether he would object to my trying to obtain her as my mistress. + </p> + <p> + “The reason for which she begs you,” I added, “to leave her in Parma and + not to take any further notice of her, must be that she hopes to meet some + lover of hers there. Let me have half an hour’s conversation with her, and + I flatter myself I can persuade her to sacrifice that lover for me. If she + refuses me, I remain here; you will go with her to Parma, where you will + leave my carriage at the post, only sending me a receipt, so that I can + claim it whenever I please.” + </p> + <p> + “As soon as breakfast is over,” said the excellent man, “I shall go and + visit the institute, and leave you alone with Henriette. I hope you may + succeed, for I should be delighted to see her under your protection when I + part with her. Should she persist in her first resolution, I could easily + find a ‘vetturino’ here, and you could keep your carriage. I thank you for + your proposal, and it will grieve me to leave you.” + </p> + <p> + Highly pleased at having accomplished half of my task, and at seeing + myself near the denouement, I asked the lovely Frenchwoman whether she + would like to see the sights of Bologna. + </p> + <p> + “I should like it very much,” she said, “if I had some other clothes; but + with such a costume as this I do not care to shew myself about the city.” + </p> + <p> + “Then you do not want to go out?” + </p> + <p> + “No.” + </p> + <p> + “Can I keep you company?” + </p> + <p> + “That would be delightful.” + </p> + <p> + The captain went out immediately after breakfast. The moment he had gone I + told Henriette that her friend had left us alone purposely, so as to give + me the opportunity of a private interview with her. + </p> + <p> + “Tell me now whether you intended the order which you gave him yesterday + to forget you, never to enquire after you; and even not to know you if he + happened to meet you, from the time of our arrival in Parma, for me as + well as for him.” + </p> + <p> + “It is not an order that I gave him; I have no right to do so, and I could + not so far forget myself; it is only a prayer I addressed to him, a + service which circumstances have compelled me to claim at his hands, and + as he has no right to refuse me, I never entertained any doubt of his + granting my command. As far as you are concerned, it is certain that I + should have addressed the same prayer to you, if I had thought that you + had any views about me. You have given me some marks of your friendship, + but you must understand that if, under the circumstances, I am likely to + be injured by the kind attentions of the captain, yours would injure me + much more. If you have any friendship for me, you would have felt all + that.” + </p> + <p> + “As you know that I entertain great friendship for you, you cannot + possibly suppose that I would leave you alone, without money, without + resources in the middle of a city where you cannot even make yourself + understood. Do you think that a man who feels for you the most tender + affection can abandon you when he has been fortunate enough to make your + acquaintance, when he is aware of the sad position in which you are + placed? If you think such a thing possible, you must have a very false + idea of friendship, and should such a man grant your request, he would + only prove that he is not your friend.” + </p> + <p> + “I am certain that the captain is my friend; yet you have heard him, he + will obey me, and forget me.” + </p> + <p> + “I do not know what sort of affection that honest man feels for you, or + how far he can rely upon the control he may have over himself, but I know + that if he can grant you what you have asked from him, his friendship must + be of a nature very different from mine, for I am bound to tell you it is + not only impossible for me to afford you willingly the strange + gratification of abandoning you in your position, but even that, if I go + to Parma, you could not possibly carry out your wishes, because I love you + so passionately that you must promise to be mine, or I must remain here. + In that case you must go to Parma alone with the captain, for I feel that, + if I accompanied you any further, I should soon be the most wretched of + men. I could not bear to see you with another lover, with a husband, not + even in the midst of your family; in fact, I would fain see you and live + with you forever. Let me tell you, lovely Henriette, that if it is + possible for a Frenchman to forget, an Italian cannot do it, at least if I + judge from my own feelings. I have made up my mind, you must be good + enough to decide now, and to tell me whether I am to accompany you or to + remain here. Answer yes or no; if I remain here it is all over. I shall + leave for Naples to-morrow, and I know I shall be cured in time of the mad + passion I feel for you, but if you tell me that I can accompany you to + Parma, you must promise me that your heart will forever belong to me + alone. I must be the only one to possess you, but I am ready to accept as + a condition, if you like, that you shall not crown my happiness until you + have judged me worthy of it by my attentions and by my loving care. Now, + be kind enough to decide before the return of the too happy captain. He + knows all, for I have told him what I feel.” + </p> + <p> + “And what did he answer?” + </p> + <p> + “That he would be happy to see you under my protection. But what is the + meaning of that smile playing on your lips?” + </p> + <p> + “Pray, allow me to laugh, for I have never in my life realized the idea of + a furious declaration of love. Do you understand what it is to say to a + woman in a declaration which ought to be passionate, but at the same time + tender and gentle, the following terrible words: + </p> + <p> + “‘Madam, make your choice, either one or the other, and decide instanter!’ + Ha! ha! ha!” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I understand perfectly. It is neither gentle, nor gallant, nor + pathetic, but it is passionate. Remember that this is a serious matter, + and that I have never yet found myself so much pressed by time. Can you, + on your side, realize the painful position of a man, who, being deeply in + love, finds himself compelled to take a decision which may perhaps decide + issues of life and death? Be good enough to remark that, in spite of the + passion raging in me, I do not fail in the respect I owe you; that the + resolution I intend to take, if you should persist in your original + decision, is not a threat, but an effort worthy of a hero, which ought to + call for your esteem. I beg of you to consider that we cannot afford to + lose time. The word choose must not sound harshly in your ears, since it + leaves my fate as well as yours entirely in your hands. To feel certain of + my love, do you want to see me kneeling before you like a simpleton, + crying and entreating you to take pity on me? No, madam, that would + certainly displease you, and it would not help me. I am conscious of being + worthy of your love, I therefore ask for that feeling and not for pity. + Leave me, if I displease you, but let me go away; for if you are humane + enough to wish that I should forget you, allow me to go far away from you + so as to make my sorrow less immense. Should I follow you to Parma, I + would not answer for myself, for I might give way to my despair. Consider + everything well, I beseech you; you would indeed be guilty of great + cruelty, were you to answer now: ‘Come to Parma, although I must beg of + you not to see me in that city.’ Confess that you cannot, in all fairness, + give me such an answer; am I not right?” + </p> + <p> + “Certainly, if you truly love me.” + </p> + <p> + “Good God! if I love you? Oh, yes! believe me, my love is immense, + sincere! Now, decide my fate.” + </p> + <p> + “What! always the same song?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes.” + </p> + <p> + “But are you aware that you look very angry?” + </p> + <p> + “No, for it is not so. I am only in a state of uncontrollable excitement, + in one of the decisive hours of my life, a prey to the most fearful + anxiety. I ought to curse my whimsical destiny and the ‘sbirri’ of Cesena + (may God curse them, too!), for, without them, I should never have known + you.” + </p> + <p> + “Are you, then, so very sorry to have made my acquaintance?” + </p> + <p> + “Have I not some reason to be so?” + </p> + <p> + “No, for I have not given you my decision yet.” + </p> + <p> + “Now I breathe more freely, for I am sure you will tell me to accompany + you to Parma.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, come to Parma.” + </p> + <div style="height: 6em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + + +<pre> + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Memoires of Casanova, by +Jacques Casanova de Seingalt + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MEMOIRES OF CASANOVA *** + +***** This file should be named 39301-h.htm or 39301-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/9/3/0/39301/ + +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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