第9章

IwillvisitDonnaCeciliaonlynowandthen。"Feelingmostunhappy，Itookhishandtopressitagainstmylips，buthefoldedmeinhisarmsasafathermighthavedone，andturnedhimselfroundsoasnottoletmeseethathewasweeping。

Idinedatthecardinal’spalaceandsatneartheAbbeGama；thetablewaslaidfortwelvepersons，whoallworethecostumeofpriests，forinRomeeveryoneisapriestorwishestobethoughtapriestandasthereisnolawtoforbidanyonetodresslikeanecclesiasticthatdressisadoptedbyallthosewhowishtoberespected（noblemenexcepted）eveniftheyarenotintheecclesiasticalprofession。

Ifeltverymiserable，anddidnotutterawordduringthedinner；mysilencewasconstruedintoaproofofmysagacity。Aswerosefromthetable，theAbbeGamainvitedmetospendthedaywithhim，butI

declinedunderpretenceofletterstobewritten，andItrulydidsoforsevenhours。IwrotetoDonLelio，toDonAntonio，tomyyoungfriendPaul，andtotheworthyBishopofMartorano，whoansweredthatheheartilywishedhimselfinmyplace。

DeeplyenamouredofLucreziaandhappyinmylove，togiveherupappearedtomeashamefulaction。Inordertoinsurethehappinessofmyfuturelife，Iwasbeginningtobetheexecutionerofmypresentfelicity，andthetormentorofmyheart。IrevoltedagainstsuchanecessitywhichIjudgedfictitious，andwhichIcouldnotadmitunlessIstoodguiltyofvilenessbeforethetribunalofmyownreason。IthoughtthatFatherGeorgi，ifhewishedtoforbidmyvisitingthatfamily，oughtnottohavesaidthatitwasworthyofrespect；mysorrowwouldnothavebeensointense。Thedayandthewholeofthenightwerespentinpainfulthoughts。

InthemorningtheAbbeGamabroughtmeagreatbookfilledwithministeriallettersfromwhichIwastocompileformyamusement。

Afterashorttimedevotedtothatoccupation，IwentouttotakemyfirstFrenchlesson，afterwhichIwalkedtowardstheStrada—

Condotta。Iintendedtotakealongwalk，whenIheardmyselfcalledbymyname。IsawtheAbbeGamainfrontofacoffee—house。

IwhisperedtohimthatMinervahadforbiddenmethecoffee—roomsofRome。"Minerva，"heanswered，"desiresyoutoformsomeideaofsuchplaces。Sitdownbyme。"

Iheardayoungabbetellingaloud，butwithoutbitterness，astory，whichattackedinamostdirectmannerthejusticeofHisHoliness。

Everybodywaslaughingandechoingthestory。Another，beingaskedwhyhehadlefttheservicesofCardinalB。，answeredthatitwasbecausehiseminencedidnotthinkhimselfcalledupontopayhimapartforcertainprivateservices，andeverybodylaughedoutright。

AnothercametotheAbbeGama，andtoldhimthat，ifhefeltanyinclinationtospendtheafternoonattheVillaMedicis，hewouldfindhimtherewithtwoyoungRomangirlswhoweresatisfiedwitha’quartino’，agoldcoinworthone—fourthofasequin。Anotherabbereadanincendiarysonnetagainstthegovernment，andseveraltookacopyofit。Anotherreadasatireofhisowncomposition，inwhichhetoretopiecesthehonourofafamily。Inthemiddleofallthatconfusion，Isawapriestwithaveryattractivecountenancecomein。

Thesizeofhishipsmademetakehimforawomandressedinmen’sclothes，andIsaidsotoGama，whotoldmethathewasthecelebratedcastrato，BepinodeltaMamana。Theabbecalledhimtous，andtoldhimwithalaughthatIhadtakenhimforagirl。Theimpudentfellowlookedmefullintheface，andsaidthat，ifI

liked，hewouldshewmewhetherIhadbeenrightorwrong。

Atthedinner—tableeveryonespoketome，andIfanciedIhadgivenproperanswerstoall，but，whentherepastwasover，theAbbeGamainvitedmetotakecoffeeinhisownapartment。Themomentwewerealone，hetoldmethatalltheguestsIhadmetwereworthyandhonestmen，andheaskedmewhetherIbelievedthatIhadsucceededinpleasingthecompany。

"IflattermyselfIhave，"Ianswered。

"Youarewrong，"saidtheabbe，"youareflatteringyourself。Youhavesoconspicuouslyavoidedthequestionsputtoyouthateverybodyintheroomnoticedyourextremereserve。Inthefuturenoonewillaskyouanyquestions。"

"Ishouldbesorryifitshouldturnoutso，butwasItoexposemyownconcerns？"

"No，butthereisamediuminallthings。"

"Yes，themediumofHorace，butitisoftenamatterofgreatdifficultytohititexactly。"

"Amanoughttoknowhowtoobtainaffectionandesteematthesametime。"

"Thatistheverywishnearesttomyheart。"

"To—dayyouhavetriedfortheesteemmuchmorethanfortheaffectionofyourfellow—creatures。Itmaybeanobleaspiration，butyoumustprepareyourselftofightjealousyandherdaughter，calumny；ifthosetwomonstersdonotsucceedindestroyingyou，thevictorymustbeyours。Now，forinstance，youthoroughlyrefutedSalicettito—day。Well，heisaphysician，andwhatismoreaCorsican；hemustfeelbadlytowardsyou。"

"CouldIgrantthatthelongingsofwomenduringtheirpregnancyhavenoinfluencewhateverontheskinofthefoetus，whenIknowthereversetobethecase？Areyounotofmyopinion？"

"Iamforneitherparty；Ihaveseenmanychildrenwithsomesuchmarks，butIhavenomeansofknowingwithcertaintywhetherthosemarkshavetheirorigininsomelongingexperiencedbythemotherwhileshewaspregnant。"

"ButIcanswearitisso。"

"Allthebetterforyouifyourconvictionisbaseduponsuchevidence，andalltheworseforSalicettiifhedeniesthepossibilityofthethingwithoutcertainauthority。Butlethimremaininerror；itisbetterthusthantoprovehiminthewrongandtomakeabitterenemyofhim。"

IntheeveningIcalleduponLucrezia。Thefamilyknewmysuccess，andwarmlycongratulatedme。LucreziatoldmethatIlookedsad，andIansweredthatIwasassistingatthefuneralofmyliberty，forI

wasnolongermyownmaster。Herhusband，alwaysfondofajoke，toldherthatIwasinlovewithher，andhismother—in—lawadvisedhimnottoshowsomuchintrepidity。Ionlyremainedanhourwiththosecharmingpersons，andthentookleaveofthem，buttheveryairaroundmewasheatedbytheflamewithinmybreast。WhenIreachedmyroomIbegantowrite，andspentthenightincomposinganodewhichIsentthenextdaytotheadvocate。Iwascertainthathewouldshewittohiswife，wholovedpoetry，andwhodidnotyetknowthatIwasapoet。Iabstainedfromseeingheragainforthreeorfourdays。IwaslearningFrench，andmakingextractsfromministerialletters。

Hiseminencewasinthehabitofreceivingeveryevening，andhisroomswerethrongedwiththehighestnobilityofRome；Ihadneverattendedthesereceptions。TheAbbeGamatoldmethatIoughttodosoaswellashedid，withoutanypretension。Ifollowedhisadviceandwent；nobodyspoketome，butasIwasunknowneveryonelookedatmeandenquiredwhoIwas。TheAbbeGamaaskedmewhichwastheladywhoappearedtomethemostamiable，andIshewedonetohim；butI

regrettedhavingdoneso，forthecourtierwenttoher，andofcourseinformedherofwhatIhadsaid。SoonafterwardsIsawherlookatmethroughhereye—glassandsmilekindlyuponme。ShewastheMarchionessG————，whose’cicisbeo’wasCardinalS————C————。

OntheverydayIhadfixedtospendtheeveningwithDonnaLucreziatheworthyadvocatecalleduponme。HetoldmethatifIthoughtI

wasgoingtoproveIwasnotinlovewithhiswifebystayingawayI

wasverymuchmistaken，andheinvitedmetoaccompanyallthefamilytoTestaccio，wheretheyintendedtohaveluncheononthefollowingThursday。Headdedthathiswifeknewmyodebyheart，andthatshehadreadittotheintendedhusbandofAngelique，whohadagreatwishtomakemyacquaintance。Thatgentlemanwaslikewiseapoet，andwouldbeoneofthepartytoTestaccio。IpromisedtheadvocateIwouldcometohishouseontheThursdaywithacarriagefortwo。

AtthattimeeveryThursdayinthemonthofOctoberwasafestivaldayinRome。IwenttoseeDonnaCeciliaintheevening，andwetalkedabouttheexcursionthewholetime。IfeltcertainthatDonnaLucrezialookedforwardtoitwithasmuchpleasureasIdidmyself。

Wehadnofixedplan，wecouldnothaveany，butwetrustedtothegodoflove，andtacitlyplacedourconfidenceinhisprotection。

ItookcarethatFatherGeorgishouldnothearofthatexcursionbeforeImentionedittohimmyself，andIhastenedtohiminordertoobtainhispermissiontogo。Iconfessthat，toobtainhisleave，Iprofessedthemostcompleteindifferenceaboutit，andtheconsequencewasthatthegoodmaninsisteduponmygoing，sayingthatitwasafamilyparty，andthatitwasquiterightformetovisittheenvironsofRomeandtoenjoymyselfinarespectableway。

IwenttoDonnaCecilia’sinacarriagewhichIhiredfromacertainRoland，anativeofAvignon，andifIinsisthereuponhisnameitisbecausemyreaderswillmeethimagainineighteenyears，hisacquaintancewithmehavinghadveryimportantresults。ThecharmingwidowintroducedmetoDonFrancisco，herintendedson—in—law，whomsherepresentedasagreatfriendofliterarymen，andverydeeplylearnedhimself。Iaccepteditasgospel，andbehavedaccordingly；

yetIthoughthelookedratherheavyandnotsufficientlyelatedforayoungmanonthepointofmarryingsuchaprettygirlasAngelique。

Buthehadplentyofgood—natureandplentyofmoney，andthesearebetterthanlearningandgallantry。

Aswewerereadytogetintothecarriages，theadvocatetoldmethathewouldridewithmeinmycarriage，andthatthethreeladieswouldgowithDonFranciscointheother。IansweredatoncethatheoughttokeepDonFranciscocompany，andthatIclaimedtheprivilegeoftakingcareofDonnaCecilia，addingthatIshouldfeeldishonouredifthingswerearrangeddifferently。ThereuponIofferedmyarmtothehandsomewidow，whothoughtthearrangementaccordingtotherulesofetiquetteandgoodbreeding，andanapprovinglookofmyLucreziagavemethemostagreeablesensation。Yettheproposaloftheadvocatestruckmesomewhatunpleasantly，becauseitwasincontradictionwithhisformerbehaviour，andespeciallywithwhathehadsaidtomeinmyroomafewdaysbefore。"Hashebecomejealous？"Isaidtomyself；thatwouldhavemademealmostangry，butthehopeofbringinghimroundduringourstayatTestaccioclearedawaythedarkcloudonmymind，andIwasveryamiabletoDonnaCecilia。Whatwithlunchingandwalkingwecontrivedtopasstheafternoonverypleasantly；Iwasverygay，andmyloveforLucreziawasnotoncementioned；Iwasallattentiontohermother。

IoccasionallyaddressedmyselftoLucrezia，butnotoncetotheadvocate，feelingthisthebestwaytoshewhimthathehadinsultedme。

Aswepreparedtoreturn，theadvocatecarriedoffDonnaCeciliaandwentwithhertothecarriageinwhichwerealreadyseatedAngeliqueandDonFrancisco。Scarcelyabletocontrolmydelight，IofferedmyarmtoDonnaLucrezia，payinghersomeabsurdcompliment，whiletheadvocatelaughedoutright，andseemedtoenjoythetrickheimaginedhehadplayedme。

Howmanythingswemighthavesaidtoeachotherbeforegivingourselvesuptothematerialenjoymentofourlove，hadnottheinstantsbeensoprecious！But，awarethatwehadonlyhalfanhourbeforeus，weweresparingoftheminutes。WewereabsorbedinvoluptuouspleasurewhensuddenlyLucreziaexclaims，———

"Oh！dear，howunhappyweare！"

Shepushesmeback，composesherself，thecarriagestops，andtheservantopensthedoor。"Whatisthematter？"Ienquire。"Weareathome。"WheneverIrecollectthecircumstance，itseemstomefabulous，foritisnotpossibletoannihilatetime，andthehorseswereregularoldscrews。Butwewereluckyallthrough。Thenightwasdark，andmybelovedangelhappenedtobeontherightsidetogetoutofthecarriagefirst，sothat，althoughtheadvocatewasatthedoorofthebroughamassoonasthefootman，everythingwentright，owingtotheslowmannerinwhichLucreziaalighted。I

remainedatDonnaCecilia’suntilmidnight。

WhenIgothomeagain，Iwenttobed；buthowcouldIsleep？IfeltburninginmetheflamewhichIhadnotbeenabletorestoretoitsoriginalsourceinthetooshortdistancefromTestacciotoRome。Itwasconsumingme。Oh！unhappyarethosewhobelievethatthepleasuresofCytheraareworthhaving，unlesstheyareenjoyedinthemostperfectaccordbytwoheartsoverflowingwithlove！

IonlyroseintimeformyFrenchlesson。Myteacherhadaprettydaughter，namedBarbara，whowasalwayspresentduringmylessons，andwhosometimestaughtmeherselfwithevenmoreexactitudethanherfather。Agood—lookingyoungman，wholikewisetooklessons，wascourtingher，andIsoonperceivedthatshelovedhim。Thisyoungmancalledoftenuponme，andIlikedhim，especiallyonaccountofhisreserve，for，althoughImadehimconfesshisloveforBarbara，healwayschangedthesubject，ifImentioneditinourconversation。

Ihadmadeupmymindtorespecthisreserve，andhadnotalludedtohisaffectionforseveraldays。ButallatonceIremarkedthathehadceasedhisvisitsbothtomeandtohisteacher，andatthesametimeIobservedthattheyounggirlwasnolongerpresentatmylessons；Ifeltsomecuriositytoknowwhathadhappened，althoughitwasnot，afterall，anyconcernofmine。

Afewdaysafter，asIwasreturningfromchurch，Imettheyoungman，andreproachedhimforkeepingawayfromusall。Hetoldmethatgreatsorrowhadbefallenhim，whichhadfairlyturnedhisbrain，andthathewasapreytothemostintensedespair。Hiseyeswerewetwithtears。AsIwasleavinghim，heheldmeback，andI

toldhimthatIwouldnolongerbehisfriendunlessheopenedhishearttome。Hetookmetooneofthecloisters，andhespokethus:

"IhavelovedBarbaraforthelastsixmonths，andforthreemonthsshehasgivenmeindisputableproofsofheraffection。Fivedaysago，wewerebetrayedbytheservant，andthefathercaughtusinaratherdelicateposition。Helefttheroomwithoutsayingoneword，andIfollowedhim，thinkingofthrowingmyselfathisfeet；but，asIappearedbeforehim，hetookholdofmebythearm，pushedmeroughlytothedoor，andforbademeevertopresentmyselfagainathishouse。Icannotclaimherhandinmarriage，becauseoneofmybrothersismarried，andmyfatherisnotrich；Ihavenoprofession，andmymistresshasnothing。Alas，nowthatIhaveconfessedalltoyou，tellme，Ientreatyou，howsheis。IamcertainthatsheisasmiserableasIammyself。Icannotmanagetogetaletterdeliveredtoher，forshedoesnotleavethehouse，eventoattendchurch。

Unhappywretch！WhatshallIdo？"

Icouldbutpityhim，for，asamanofhonour，itwasimpossibleformetointerfereinsuchabusiness。ItoldhimthatIhadnotseenBarbaraforfivedays，and，notknowingwhattosay，Igavehimtheadvicewhichistenderedbyallfoolsundersimilarcircumstances；I

advisedhimtoforgethismistress。

WehadthenreachedthequayofRipetta，and，observingthathewascastingdarklookstowardstheTiber，Ifearedhisdespairmightleadhimtocommitsomefoolishattemptagainsthisownlife，and，inordertocalmhisexcitedfeelings，Ipromisedtomakesomeenquiriesfromthefatherabouthismistress，andtoinformhimofallIheard。

Hefeltquietedbymypromise，andentreatedmenottoforgethim。

InspiteofthefirewhichhadbeenragingthroughmyveinseversincetheexcursiontoTestaccio，IhadnotseenmyLucreziaforfourdays。IdreadedFatherGeorgi’ssuavemanner，andIwasstillmoreafraidoffindinghehadmadeuphismindtogivemenomoreadvice。

But，unabletoresistmydesires，IcalleduponLucreziaaftermyFrenchlesson，andfoundheralone，sadanddispirited。

"Ah！"sheexclaimed，assoonasIwasbyherside，"Ithinkyoumightfindtimetocomeandseeme！"

"Mybelovedone，itisnotthatIcannotfindtime，butIamsojealousofmylovethatIwouldratherdiethanletitbeknownpublicly。IhavebeenthinkingofinvitingyoualltodinewithmeatFrascati。Iwillsendyouaphaeton，andItrustthatsomeluckyaccidentwillsmileuponourlove。"

"Oh！yes，do，dearest！Iamsureyourinvitationwillbeaccepted:"

Inaquarterofanhourtherestofthefamilycamein，andI

profferedmyinvitationforthefollowingSunday，whichhappenedtobetheFestivalofSt。Ursula，patronessofLucrezia’syoungestsister。IbeggedDonnaCeciliatobringheraswellasherson。Myproposalbeingreadilyaccepted，IgavenoticethatthephaetonwouldbeatDonnaCecilia’sdooratseveno’clock，andthatIwouldcomemyselfwithacarriagefortwopersons。

ThenextdayIwenttoM。Dalacqua，and，aftermylesson，IsawBarbarawho，passingfromoneroomtoanother，droppedapaperandearnestlylookedatme。Ifeltboundtopickitup，becauseaservant，whowasathand，mighthaveseenitandtakenit。Itwasaletter，enclosinganotheraddressedtoherlover。Thenoteformeranthus:"Ifyouthinkittobeasintodelivertheenclosedtoyourfriend，burnit。Havepityonanunfortunategirl，andbediscreet。"

Theenclosedletterwhichwasunsealed，ranasfollows:"Ifyoulovemeasdeeplyas’Iloveyou，youcannothopetobehappywithoutme；

wecannotcorrespondinanyotherwaythantheoneIamboldenoughtoadopt。Iamreadytodoanythingtouniteourlivesuntildeath。

Consideranddecide。"

Thecruelsituationofthepoorgirlmovedmealmosttotears；yetI

determinedtoreturnherletterthenextday，andIencloseditinanoteinwhichIbeggedhertoexcusemeifIcouldnotrenderhertheservicesherequiredatmyhands。Iputitinmypocketreadyfordelivery。ThenextdayIwentformylessonasusual，but，notseeingBarbara，Ihadnoopportunityofreturningherletter，andpostponeditsdeliverytothefollowingday。Unfortunately，justafterIhadreturnedtomyroom，theunhappylovermadehisappearance。Hiseyeswereredfromweeping，hisvoicehoarse；hedrewsuchavividpictureofhismisery，that，dreadingsomemadactioncounselledbydespair，IcouldnotwithholdfromhimtheconsolationwhichIknewitwasinmypowertogive。Thiswasmyfirsterrorinthisfatalbusiness；Iwasthevictimofmyownkindness。

Thepoorfellowreadtheletteroverandover；hekisseditwithtransportsofjoy；hewept，huggedme，andthankedmeforsavinghislife，andfinallyentreatedmetotakechargeofhisanswer，ashisbelovedmistressmustbelongingforconsolationasmuchashehadbeenhimself，assuringmethathislettercouldnotinanywayimplicateme，andthatIwasatlibertytoreadit。

Andtruly，althoughverylong，hislettercontainednothingbuttheassuranceofeverlastinglove，andhopeswhichcouldnotberealized。

YetIwaswrongtoacceptthecharacterofMercurytothetwoyounglovers。Torefuse，IhadonlytorecollectthatFatherGeorgiwouldcertainlyhavedisapprovedofmyeasycompliance。

ThenextdayIfoundM。Dalacquaillinbed；hisdaughtergavememylessoninhisroom，andIthoughtthatperhapsshehadobtainedherpardon。Icontrivedtogiveherherlover’sletter，whichshedextrouslyconveyedtoherpocket，butherblusheswouldhaveeasilybetrayedherifherfatherhadbeenlookingthatway。AfterthelessonIgaveM。DalacquanoticethatIwouldnotcomeonthemorrow，asitwastheFestivalofSt。Ursula，oneoftheeleventhousandprincessesandmartyr—virgins。

Intheevening，atthereceptionofhiseminence，whichIattendedregularly，althoughpersonsofdistinctionseldomspoketome，thecardinalbeckonedtome。HewasspeakingtothebeautifulMarchionessG————，towhomGamahadindiscreetlyconfidedthatI

thoughtherthehandsomestwomanamongsthiseminence’sguests。

"Hergrace，"saidtheCardinal，"wishestoknowwhetheryouaremakingrapidprogressintheFrenchlanguage，whichshespeaksadmirably。"

IansweredinItalianthatIhadlearnedagreatdeal，butthatIwasnotyetboldenoughtospeak。

"Youshouldbebold，"saidthemarchioness，"butwithoutshowinganypretension。Itisthebestwavtodisarmcriticism。"

Mymindhavingalmostunwittinglylenttothewords"Youshouldbebold"ameaningwhichhadverylikelybeenfarfromtheideaofthemarchioness，Iturnedveryred，andthehandsomespeaker，observingit，changedtheconversationanddismissedme。

Thenextmorning，atseveno’clock，IwasatDonnaCecilia’sdoor。

Thephaetonwasthereaswellasthecarriagefortwopersons，whichthistimewasanelegantvis—a—vis，solightandwell—hungthatDonnaCeciliapraisedithighlywhenshetookherseat。

"IshallhavemyturnaswereturntoRome，"saidLucrezia；andI

bowedtoherasifinacceptanceofherpromise。

Lucreziathussetsuspicionatdefianceinordertopreventsuspicionarising。Myhappinesswasassured，andIgavewaytomynaturalflowofspirits。Iorderedasplendiddinner，andweallsetouttowardstheVillaLudovisi。Aswemighthavemissedeachotherduringourramblings，weagreedtomeetagainattheinnatoneo’clock。Thediscreetwidowtookthearmofherson—in—law，Angeliqueremainedwithhersister，andLucreziawasmydelightfulshare；Ursulaandherbrotherwererunningabouttogether，andinlessthanaquarterofanhourIhadLucreziaentirelytomyself。

"Didyouremark，"shesaid，"withwhatcandourIsecuredforustwohoursofdelightful’tete—a—tete’，anda’tete—a—tete’ina’vis—a—

vis’，too！HowcleverLoveis！"

"Yes，darling，Lovehasmadebutoneofourtwosouls。Iadoreyou，andifIhavethecouragetopasssomanydayswithoutseeingyouitisinordertoberewardedbythefreedomofonesingledaylikethis。"

"Ididnotthinkitpossible。Butyouhavemanageditallverywell。

Youknowtoomuchforyourage，dearest。"

"Amonthago，mybeloved，Iwasbutanignorantchild，andyouarethefirstwomanwhohasinitiatedmeintothemysteriesoflove。

Yourdeparturewillkillme，forIcouldnotfindanotherwomanlikeyouinallItaly。"

"What！amIyourfirstlove？Alas！youwillneverbecuredofit。

Oh！whyamInotentirelyyourown？Youarealsothefirsttrueloveofmyheart，andyouwillbethelast。Howgreatwillbethehappinessofmysuccessor！Ishouldnotbejealousofher，butwhatsufferingwouldbemineifIthoughtthatherheartwasnotlikemine！"

Lucrezia，seeingmyeyeswetwithtears，begantogivewaytoherown，and，seatingourselvesonthegrass，ourlipsdrankourtearsamidstthesweetestkisses。Howsweetisthenectarofthetearsshedbylove，whenthatnectarisrelishedamidsttherapturesofmutualardour！Ihaveoftentastedthem——thosedelicioustears，andIcansayknowinglythattheancientphysicianswereright，andthatthemodernarewrong。

Inamomentofcalm，seeingthedisorderinwhichwebothwere，I

toldherthatwemightbesurprised。

"Donotfear，mybestbeloved，"shesaid，"weareundertheguardianshipofourgoodangels。"

Wewererestingandrevivingourstrengthbygazingintooneanother’seyes，whensuddenlyLucrezia，castingaglancetotheright，exclaimed，"Lookthere！idolofmyheart，haveInottoldyouso？Yes，theangelsarewatchingoverus！Ah！howhestaresatus！Heseemstotrytogiveusconfidence。Lookatthatlittledemon；admirehim！

Hemustcertainlybeyourguardianspiritormine。"

Ithoughtshewasdelirious。

"Whatareyousaying，dearest？Idonotunderstandyou。WhatamI

toadmire？"

"Doyounotseethatbeautifulserpentwiththeblazingskin，whichliftsitsheadandseemstoworshipus？"

Ilookedinthedirectionsheindicated，andsawaserpentwithchangeablecoloursaboutthreefeetinlength，whichdidseemtobelookingatus。Iwasnotparticularlypleasedatthesight，butI

couldnotshowmyselflesscourageousthanshewas。

"What！"saidI，"areyounotafraid？"

"Itellyou，again，thatthesightisdelightfultome，andIfeelcertainthatitisaspiritwithnothingbuttheshape，orrathertheappearance，ofaserpent。"

"Andifthespiritcameglidingalongthegrassandhissedatyou？"

"Iwouldholdyoutighteragainstmybosom，andsethimatdefiance。

InyourarmsLucreziaissafe。Look！thespiritisgoingaway。

Quick，quick！Heiswarningusoftheapproachofsomeprofaneperson，andtellsustoseeksomeotherretreattorenewourpleasures。Letusgo。"

WeroseandslowlyadvancedtowardsDonnaCeciliaandtheadvocate，whowerejustemergingfromaneighbouringalley。Withoutavoidingthem，andwithouthurrying，justasiftomeetoneanotherwasaverynaturaloccurrence，IenquiredofDonnaCeciliawhetherherdaughterhadanyfearofserpents。

"Inspiteofallherstrengthofmind，"sheanswered，"sheisdreadfullyafraidofthunder，andshewillscreamwithterroratthesightofthesmallestsnake。Therearesomehere，butsheneednotbefrightened，fortheyarenotvenomous"

Iwasspeechlesswithastonishment，forIdiscoveredthatIhadjustwitnessedawonderfullovemiracle。Atthatmomentthechildrencameup，and，withoutceremony，weagainpartedcompany。

"Tellme，wonderfulbeing，bewitchingwoman，whatwouldyouhavedoneif，insteadofyourprettyserpent，youhadseenyourhusbandandyourmother？"

"Nothing。Doyounotknowthat，inmomentsofsuchrapture，loversseeandfeelnothingbutlove？Doyoudoubthavingpossessedmewholly，entirely？"

Lucrezia，inspeakingthus，wasnotcomposingapoeticalode；shewasnotfeigningfictitioussentiments；herlooks，thesoundofhervoice，weretruthitself！

"Areyoucertain，"Ienquired，"thatwearenotsuspected？"

"Myhusbanddoesnotbelieveustobeinlovewitheachother，orelsehedoesnotmindsuchtriflingpleasuresasyouthisgenerallywonttoindulgein。Mymotherisacleverwoman，andperhapsshesuspectsthetruth，butsheisawarethatitisnolongeranyconcernofhers。Astomysister，shemustknoweverything，forshecannothaveforgottenthebroken—downbed；butsheisprudent，andbesides，shehastakenitintoherheadtopityme。Shehasnoconceptionofthenatureofmyfeelingstowardsyou。IfIhadnotmetyou，mybeloved，Ishouldprobablyhavegonethroughlifewithoutrealizingsuchfeelingsmyself；forwhatIfeelformyhusband……well，Ihaveforhimtheobediencewhichmypositionasawifeimposesuponme。"

"Andyetheismosthappy，andIenvyhim！Hecanclaspinhisarmsallyourlovelypersonwheneverhelikes！Thereisnohatefulveiltohideanyofyourcharmsfromhisgaze。"

"Oh！whereartthou，mydearserpent？Cometous，comeandprotectusagainstthesurpriseoftheuninitiated，andthisveryinstantI

fulfilallthewishesofhimIadore！"

Wepassedthemorninginrepeatingthatwelovedeachother，andinexchangingoverandoveragainsubstantialproofsofourmutualpassion。

Wehadadeliciousdinner，duringwhichIwasallattentionfortheamiableDonnaCecilia。Myprettytortoise—shellbox，filledwithexcellentsnuff，wentmorethanonceroundthetable。AsithappenedtobeinthehandsofLucreziawhowassittingonmyleft，herhusbandtoldherthat，ifIhadnoobjection，shemightgivemeherringandkeepthesnuff—boxinexchange。Thinkingthattheringwasnotofasmuchvalueasmybox，Iimmediatelyaccepted，butIfoundtheringofgreatervalue。Lucreziawouldnot，however，listentoanythingonthatsubject。Sheputtheboxinherpocket，andthuscompelledmetokeepherring。

Dessertwasnearlyover，theconversationwasveryanimated，whensuddenlytheintendedhusbandofAngeliqueclaimedourattentionforthereadingofasonnetwhichhehadcomposedanddedicatedtome。I

thankedhim，andplacingthesonnetinmypocketpromisedtowriteoneforhim。Thiswasnot，however，whathewished；heexpectedthat，stimulatedbyemulation，Iwouldcallforpaperandpen，andsacrificetoApollohourswhichitwasmuchmoretomytastetoemployinworshippinganothergodwhomhiscoldnatureknewonlybyname。Wedrankcoffee，Ipaidthebill，andwewentaboutramblingthroughthelabyrinthinealleysoftheVillaAldobrandini。

Whatsweetrecollectionsthatvillahasleftinmymemory！ItseemedasifIsawmydivineLucreziaforthefirsttime。Ourlookswerefullofardentlove，ourheartswerebeatinginconcertwiththemosttenderimpatience，andanaturalinstinctwasleadingustowardsasolitaryasylumwhichthehandofLoveseemedtohavepreparedonpurposeforthemysteriesofitssecretworship。There，inthemiddleofalongavenue，andunderacanopyofthickfoliage，wefoundawidesofamadeofgrass，andshelteredbyadeepthicket；

fromthatplaceoureyescouldrangeoveranimmenseplain，andviewtheavenuetosuchadistancerightandleftthatwewereperfectlysecureagainstanysurprise。Wedidnotrequiretoexchangeonewordatthesightofthisbeautifultemplesofavourabletoourlove；ourheartsspokethesamelanguage。

Withoutawordbeingspoken，ourreadyhandssoonmanagedtogetridofallobstacles，andtoexposeinastateofnatureallthebeautieswhicharegenerallyveiledbytroublesomewearingapparel。Twowholehoursweredevotedtothemostdelightful，lovingecstasies。Atlastweexclaimedtogetherinmutualecstasy，"OLove，wethankthee！"

Weslowlyretracedourstepstowardsthecarriages，revellinginourintensehappiness。LucreziainformedmethatAngelique’ssuitorwaswealthy，thatheownedasplendidvillaatTivoli，andthatmostlikelyhewouldinviteusalltodineandpassthenightthere。

"Ipraythegodoflove，"sheadded，"tograntusanightasbeautifulasthisdayhasbeen。"Then，lookingsad，shesaid，"Butalas！theecclesiasticallawsuitwhichhasbroughtmyhusbandtoRomeisprogressingsofavourablythatIammortallyafraidhewillobtainjudgmentalltoosoon。"

Thejourneybacktothecitylastedtwohours；wewerealoneinmyvis—a—visandweovertaxednature，exactingmorethanitcanpossiblygive。AsweweregettingnearRomewewerecompelledtoletthecurtainfallbeforethedenouementofthedramawhichwehadperformedtothecompletesatisfactionoftheactors。

Ireturnedhomeratherfatigued，butthesoundsleepwhichwassonaturalatmyagerestoredmyfullvigour，andinthemorningItookmyFrenchlessonattheusualhour。

CHAPTERX

BenedictXIV——ExcursiontoTivoli——DepartureofLucrezia——TheMarchionessG。——BarbaraDalacqua——MyMisfortunes——ILeaveRomeM。Dalacquabeingveryill，hisdaughterBarbaragavememylesson。

Whenitwasover，sheseizedanopportunityofslippingaletterintomypocket，andimmediatelydisappeared，sothatIhadnochanceofrefusing。Theletterwasaddressedtome，andexpressedfeelingsofthewarmestgratitude。Sheonlydesiredmetoinformherloverthatherfatherhadspokentoheragain，andthatmostlikelyhewouldengageanewservantassoonashehadrecoveredfromhisillness，andsheconcludedherletterbyassuringmethatsheneverwouldimplicatemeinthisbusiness。

Herfatherwascompelledtokeephisbedforafortnight，andBarbaracontinuedtogivememylessoneveryday。Ifeltforheraninterestwhich，frommetowardsayoungandprettygirl，was，indeed，quiteanewsentiment。Itwasafeelingofpity，andIwasproudofbeingabletohelpandcomforther。Hereyesneverresteduponmine，herhandnevermetmine，Ineversawinhertoilettheslightestwishtopleaseme。Shewasverypretty，andIknewshehadatender，lovingnature；butnothinginterferedwiththerespectandtheregardwhichIwasboundinhonourandingoodfaithtofeeltowardsher，andI

wasproudtoremarkthatsheneverthoughtmecapableoftakingadvantageofherweaknessorofherposition。

Whenthefatherhadrecoveredhedismissedhisservantandengagedanother。Barbaraentreatedmetoinformherfriendofthecircumstance，andlikewiseofherhopetogainthenewservanttotheirinterests，atleastsufficientlytosecurethepossibilityofcarryingonsomecorrespondence。Ipromisedtodoso，andasamarkofhergratitudeshetookmyhandtocarryittoherlips，butquicklywithdrawingitItriedtokissher；sheturnedherfaceaway，blushingdeeply。Iwasmuchpleasedwithhermodesty。

Barbarahavingsucceededingainingthenewservantover，Ihadnothingmoretodowiththeintrigue，andIwasverygladofit，forIknewmyinterferencemighthavebroughtevilonmyownhead。

Unfortunately，itwasalreadytoolate。

IseldomvisitedDonGaspar；thestudyoftheFrenchlanguagetookupallmymornings，anditwasonlyinthemorningthatIcouldseehim；

butIcalledeveryeveninguponFatherGeorgi，and，althoughIwenttohimonlyasoneofhis’proteges’，itgavemesomereputation。I

seldomspokebeforehisguests，yetIneverfeltweary，forinhiscirclehisfriendswouldcriticisewithoutslandering，discusspoliticswithoutstubbornness，literaturewithoutpassion，andI

profitedbyall。Aftermyvisittothesagaciousmonk，Iusedtoattendtheassemblyofthecardinal，mymaster，asamatterofduty。

Almosteveryevening，whenshehappenedtoseemeathercard—table，thebeautifulmarchionesswouldaddresstomeafewgraciouswordsinFrench，andIalwaysansweredinItalian，notcaringtomakeherlaughbeforesomanypersons。Myfeelingsforherwereofasingularkind。Imustleavethemtotheanalysisofthereader。Ithoughtthatwomancharming，yetIavoidedher；itwasnotbecauseIwasafraidoffallinginlovewithher；IlovedLucrezia，andIfirmlybelievedthatsuchanaffectionwasashieldagainstanyotherattachment，butitwasbecauseIfearedthatshemightlovemeorhaveapassingfancyforme。Wasitself—conceitormodesty，viceorvirtue？Perhapsneitheronenortheother。

OneeveningshedesiredtheAbbeGamatocallmetoher；shewasstandingnearthecardinal，mypatron，andthemomentIapproachedhershecausedmeastrangefeelingofsurprisebyaskingmeinItalianaquestionwhichIwasfarfromanticipating:

"HowdidyoulikeFrascati？"

"Verymuch，madam；Ihaveneverseensuchabeautifulplace。"

"Butyourcompanywasstillmorebeautiful，andyourvis—a—viswasverysmart。"

Ionlybowedlowtothemarchioness，andamomentafterCardinalAcquavivasaidtome，kindly，"Youareastonishedatyouradventurebeingknown？"

"No，mylord；butIamsurprisedthatpeopleshouldtalkofit。I

couldnothavebelievedRometobesomuchlikeasmallvillage。"

"ThelongeryouliveinRome，"saidhiseminence，"themoreyouwillfinditso。YouhavenotyetpresentedyourselftokissthefootofourHolyFather？"

"Notyet，mylord。"

"Thenyoumustdoso。"

Ibowedincompliancetohiswishes。

TheAbbeGamatoldmetopresentmyselftothePopeonthemorrow，andheadded，"OfcourseyouhavealreadyshewnyourselfintheMarchionessG。’spalace？"

"No，Ihaveneverbeenthere。"

"Youastonishme；butsheoftenspeakstoyou！"

"Ihavenoobjectiontogowithyou。"

"Inevervisitatherpalace。"

"Yetshespeakstoyoulikewise。"

"Yes，but……YoudonotknowRome；goalone；believeme，yououghttogo。"

"Willshereceiveme？"

"Youarejoking，Isuppose。Ofcourseitisoutofthequestionforyoutobeannounced。Youwillcallwhenthedoorsarewideopentoeverybody。Youwillmeetthereallthosewhopayhomagetoher。"

"Willsheseeme？"

"Nodoubtofit。"

OnthefollowingdayIproceededtoMonte—Cavallo，andIwasatonceledintotheroomwherethePopewasalone。Ithrewmyselfonmykneesandkissedtheholycrossonhismostholyslipper。ThePopeenquiringwhoIwas，Itoldhim，andheansweredthatheknewme，congratulatingmeuponmybeingintheserviceofsoeminentacardinal。HeaskedmehowIhadsucceededingainingthecardinal’sfavour；IansweredwithafaithfulrecitalofmyadventuresfrommyarrivalatMartorano。HelaughedheartilyatallIsaidrespectingthepoorandworthybishop，andremarkedthat，insteadoftryingtoaddresshiminTuscan，IcouldspeakintheVenetiandialect，ashewashimselfspeakingtomeinthedialectofBologna。Ifeltquiteatmyeasewithhim，andItoldhimsomuchnewsandamusedhimsowellthattheHolyFatherkindlysaidthathewouldbegladtoseemewheneverIpresentedmyselfatMonte—Cavallo。Ibeggedhispermissiontoreadallforbiddenbooks，andhegranteditwithhisblessing，sayingthatIshouldhavethepermissioninwriting，butheforgotit。

BenedictXIV，wasalearnedman，veryamiable，andfondofajoke。

IsawhimforthesecondtimeattheVillaMedicis。Hecalledmetohim，andcontinuedhiswalk，speakingoftriflingthings。HewasthenaccompaniedbyCardinalAlbaniandtheambassadorfromVenice。

AmanofmodestappearanceapproachedHisHoliness，whoaskedwhatherequired；themansaidafewwordsinalowvoice，and，afterlisteningtohim，thePopeanswered，"Youareright，placeyourtrustinGod；"andhegavehimhisblessing。Thepoorfellowwentawayverydejected，andtheHolyFathercontinuedhiswalk。

"Thisman，"Isaid，"mostHolyFather，hasnotbeenpleasedwiththeanswerofYourHoliness。"

"Why？"

"BecausemostlikelyhehadalreadyaddressedhimselftoGodbeforeheventuredtoapplytoyou；andwhenYourHolinesssendshimtoGodagain，hefindshimselfsentback，astheproverbsays，fromHerodtoPilate。"

ThePope，aswellashistwocompanions，laughedheartily；butIkeptaseriouscountenance。

"Icannot，"continuedthePope，"doanygoodwithoutGod’sassistance。"

"Verytrue，HolyFather；butthemanisawarethatyouareGod’sprimeminister，anditiseasytoimaginehistroublenowthattheministersendshimagaintothemaster。HisonlyresourceistogivemoneytothebeggarsofRome，whoforone’bajocco’willprayforhim。TheyboastoftheirinfluencebeforethethroneoftheAlmighty，butasIhavefaithonlyinyourcredit，IentreatYourHolinesstodelivermeoftheheatwhichinflamesmyeyesbygrantingmepermissiontoeatmeat。"

"Eatmeat，myson。"

"HolyFather，givemeyourblessing。"

Heblessedme，addingthatIwasnotdispensedfromfasting。

Thatveryevening，atthecardinal’sassembly，IfoundthatthenewsofmydialoguewiththePopewasalreadyknown。Everybodywasanxioustospeaktome。Ifeltflattered，butIwasmuchmoredelightedatthejoywhichCardinalAcquavivatriedinvaintoconceal。

AsIwishednottoneglectGama’sadvice，Ipresentedmyselfatthemansionofthebeautifulmarchionessatthehouratwhicheveryonehadfreeaccesstoherladyship。Isawher，Isawthecardinalandagreatmanyabbes；butImighthavesupposedmyselfinvisible，fornoonehonouredmewithalook，andnoonespoketome。Ileftafterhavingperformedforhalfanhourthecharacterofamute。Fiveorsixdaysafterwards，themarchionesstoldmegraciouslythatshehadcaughtasightofmeinherreception—rooms。

"Iwasthere，itistrue，madam；butIhadnoideathatIhadhadthehonourtobeseenbyyourladyship。"

"Oh！Iseeeverybody。Theytellmethatyouhavewit。"

"Ifitisnotamistakeonthepartofyourinformants，yourladyshipgivesmeverygoodnews。"

"Oh！theyareexcellentjudges。"

"Then，madam，thosepersonsmusthavehonouredmewiththeirconversation；otherwise，itisnotlikelythattheywouldhavebeenabletoexpresssuchanopinion。"

"Nodoubt；butletmeseeyouoftenatmyreceptions。"

Ourconversationhadbeenoverheardbythosewhowerearound；hisexcellencythecardinaltoldmethat，whenthemarchionessaddressedherselfparticularlytomeinFrench，mydutywastoanswerherinthesamelanguage，goodorbad。ThecunningpoliticianGamatookmeapart，andremarkedthatmyreparteesweretoosmart，toocutting，andthat，afteratime，Iwouldbesuretodisplease。IhadmadeconsiderableprogressinFrench；Ihadgivenupmylessons，andpracticewasallIrequired。IwastheninthehabitofcallingsometimesuponLucreziainthemorning，andofvisitingintheeveningFatherGeorgi，whowasacquaintedwiththeexcursiontoFrascati，andhadnotexpressedanydissatisfaction。

Twodaysafterthesortofcommandlaiduponmebythemarchioness，I

presentedmyselfatherreception。Assoonasshesawme，shefavouredmewithasmilewhichIacknowledgedbyadeepreverence；

thatwasall。InaquarterofanhourafterwardsIleftthemansion。

Themarchionesswasbeautiful，butshewaspowerful，andIcouldnotmakeupmymindtocrawlatthefeetofpower，and，onthathead，I

feltdisgustedwiththemannersoftheRomans。

OnemorningtowardstheendofNovembertheadvocate，accompaniedbyAngelique’sintended，calledonme。Thelattergavemeapressinginvitationtospendtwenty—fourhoursatTivoliwiththefriendsI

hadentertainedatFrascati。Iacceptedwithgreatpleasure，forI

hadfoundnoopportunityofbeingalonewithLucreziasincetheFestivalofSt。Ursula。IpromisedtobeatDonnaCecilia’shouseatday—breakwiththesame’is—a—vis’。Itwasnecessarytostartveryearly，becauseTivoliissixteenmilesfromRome，andhassomanyobjectsofinterestthatitrequiresmanyhourstoseethemall。AsIhadtosleepoutthatnight，Icravedpermissiontodosofromthecardinalhimself，who，hearingwithwhomIwasgoing，toldmethatI

wasquiterightnottolosesuchanopportunityofvisitingthatsplendidplaceinsuchgoodsociety。

Thefirstdawnofdayfoundmewithmy’vis—a—vis’andfouratthedoorofDonnaCecilia，whocamewithmeasbefore。Thecharmingwidow，notwithstandingherstrictmorality，wasdelightedatmyloveforherdaughter。ThefamilyrodeinalargephaetonhiredbyDonFrancisco，whichgaveroomforsixpersons。

Athalf—pastseveninthemorningwemadeahaltatasmallplacewherehadbeenprepared，byDonFranciso’sorders，anexcellentbreakfast，whichwasintendedtoreplacethedinner，andweallmadeaheartymeal，aswewerenotlikelytofindtimeforanythingbutsupperatTivoli。IworeonmyfingerthebeautifulringwhichLucreziahadgivenme。AtthebackoftheringIhadhadapieceofenamelplaced，onitwasdelineatedasaduceus，withoneserpentbetweenthelettersAlphaandOmega。Thisringwasthesubjectofconversationduringbreakfast，andDonFrancisco，aswellastheadvocate，exertedhimselfinvaintoguessthemeaningofthehieroglyphs；muchtotheamusementofLucrezia，whounderstoodthemysterioussecretsowell。Wecontinuedourroad，andreachedTivoliatteno’clock。

WebeganbyvisitingDonFrancisco’svilla。Itwasabeautifullittlehouse，andwespentthefollowingsixhoursinexaminingtogethertheantiquitiesofTivoli。LucreziahavingoccasiontowhisperafewwordstoDonFrancisco，IseizedtheopportunityoftellingAngeliquethatafterhermarriageIshouldbehappytospendafewdaysofthefineseasonwithher。

"Sir，"sheanswered，"IgiveyoufairnoticethatthemomentIbecomemistressinthishouseyouwillbetheveryfirstpersontobeexcluded。"

"Ifeelgreatlyobligedtoyou，signora，foryourtimelynotice。"

ButthemostamusingpartoftheaffairwasthatIconstruedAngelique’swantoninsultintoadeclarationoflove。Iwasastounded。Lucrezia，remarkingthestateIwasin，touchedmyarm，enquiringwhatailedme。Itoldher，andshesaidatonce，"Mydarling，myhappinesscannotlastlong；thecruelmomentofourseparationisdrawingnear。WhenIhavegone，prayundertakethetaskofcompellinghertoacknowledgehererror。Angeliquepitiesme，besuretoavengeme。"

IhaveforgottentomentionthatatDonFrancisco’svillaIhappenedtopraiseaveryprettyroomopeningupontheorange—house，andtheamiablehost，havingheardme，cameobliginglytome，andsaidthatitshouldbemyroomthatnight。Lucreziafeignednottohear，butitwastoherAriadne’sclue，for，asweweretoremainaltogetherduringourvisittothebeautiesofTivoli，wehadnochanceofatete—a—tetethroughtheday。

IhavesaidthatwedevotedsixhourstoanexaminationoftheantiquitiesofTivoli，butIamboundtoconfessherethatIsaw，formypart，verylittleofthem，anditwasonlytwenty—eightyearslaterthatImadeathoroughacquaintancewiththebeautifulspot。

Wereturnedtothevillatowardsevening，fatiguedandveryhungry，butanhour’srestbeforesupper——arepastwhichlastedtwohours，themostdeliciousdishes，themostexquisitewines，andparticularlytheexcellentwineofTivoli——restoredussowellthateverybodywantednothingmorethanagoodbedandthefreedomtoenjoythebedaccordingtohisowntaste。

Aseverybodyobjectedtosleepalone，LucreziasaidthatshewouldsleepwithAngeliqueinoneoftheroomsleadingtotheorange—house，andproposedthatherhusbandshouldsharearoomwiththeyoungabbe，hisbrother—in—law，andthatDonnaCeciliashouldtakeheryoungestdaughterwithher。

Thearrangementmetwithgeneralapprobation，andDonFrancisco，takingacandle，escortedmetomyprettylittleroomadjoiningtheoneinwhichthetwosistersweretosleep，and，aftershewingmehowIcouldlockmyselfin，hewishedmegoodnightandleftmealone。

AngeliquehadnoideathatIwashernearneighbour，butLucreziaandI，withoutexchangingasinglewordonthesubject，hadperfectlyunderstoodeachother。

Iwatchedthroughthekey—holeandsawthetwosisterscomeintotheirroom，precededbythepoliteDonFrancisco，whocarriedataper，and，afterlightinganight—lamp，badethemgoodnightandretired。Thenmytwobeauties，theirdooroncelocked，satdownonthesofaandcompletedtheirnighttoilet，which，inthatfortunateclimate，issimilartothecostumeofourfirstmother。Lucrezia，knowingthatIwaswaitingtocomein，toldhersistertoliedownonthesidetowardsthewindow，andthevirgin，havingnoideathatshewasexposinghermostsecretbeautiestomyprofaneeyes，crossedtheroominastateofcompletenakedness。Lucreziaputoutthelampandlaydownnearherinnocentsister。

HappymomentswhichIcannolongerenjoy，butthesweetremembranceofwhichdeathalonecanmakemelose！IbelieveIneverundressedmyselfasquicklyasIdidthatevening。

IopenthedoorandfallintothearmsofmyLucrezia，whosaystohersister，"Itismyangel，mylove；nevermindhim，andgotosleep。"

WhatadelightfulpictureIcouldoffertomyreadersifitwerepossibleformetopaintvoluptuousnesinitsmostenchantingcolours！Whatecstasiesoflovefromtheveryonset！WhatdeliciousrapturessucceedeachotheruntilthesweetestfatiguemadeusgivewaytothesoothinginfluenceofMorpheus！

Thefirstraysofthesun，piercingthroughthecrevicesoftheshutters，wakeusoutofourrefreshingslumbers，andliketwovalorousknightswhohaveceasedfightingonlytorenewthecontestwithincreasedardour，welosenotimeingivingourselvesuptoalltheintensityoftheflamewhichconsumesus。

"Oh，mybelovedLucrezia！howsupremelyhappyIam！But，mydarling，mindyoursister；shemightturnroundandseeus。"

"Fearnothing，mylife；mysisteriskind，shelovesme，shepitiesme；doyounotloveme，mydearAngelique？Oh！turnround，seehowhappyyoursisteris，andknowwhatfelicityawaitsyouwhenyouowntheswayoflove。"

Angelique，ayoungmaidenofseventeensummers，whomusthavesufferedthetormentsofTantalusduringthenight，andwhoonlywishesforapretexttoshewthatshehasforgivenhersister，turnsround，andcoveringhersisterwithkisses，confessesthatshehasnotclosedhereyesthroughthenight。

"Thenforgivelikewise，darlingAngelique，forgivehimwholovesme，andwhomIadore，"saysLucrezia。

Unfathomablepowerofthegodwhoconquersallhumanbeings！

"Angeliquehatesme，"Isay，"Idarenot……"

"No，Idonothateyou！"answersthecharminggirl。

"Kissher，dearest，"saysLucrezia，pushingmetowardshersister，andpleasedtoseeherinmyarmsmotionlessandlanguid。

Butsentiment，stillmorethanlove，forbidsmetodepriveLucreziaoftheproofofmygratitude，andIturntoherwithalltheraptureofabeginner，feelingthatmyardourisincreasedbyAngelique’secstasy，asforthefirsttimeshewitnessestheamorouscontest。

Lucrezia，dyingofenjoyment，entreatsmetostop，but，asIdonotlistentoherprayer，shetricksme，andthesweetAngeliquemakesherfirstsacrificetothemotheroflove。Itisthus，verylikely，thatwhenthegodsinhabitedthisearth，thevoluptuousArcadia，inlovewiththesoftandpleasingbreathofZephyrus，onedayopenedherarms，andwasfecundated。

Lucreziawasastonishedanddelighted，andcoveredusbothwithkisses。Angelique，ashappyashersister，expireddeliciouslyinmyarmsforthethirdtime，andshesecondedmewithsomuchlovingardour，thatitseemedtomeIwastastinghappinessforthefirsttime。

Phoebushadleftthenuptialcouch，andhisrayswerealreadydiffusinglightovertheuniverse；andthatlight，reachingusthroughtheclosedshutters，gavemewarningtoquittheplace；weexchangedthemostlovingadieus，Ileftmytwodivinitiesandretiredtomyownroom。Afewminutesafterwards，thecheerfulvoiceoftheadvocatewasheardinthechamberofthesisters；hewasreproachingthemforsleepingtoolong！Thenheknockedatmydoor，threateningtobringtheladiestome，andwentaway，sayingthathewouldsendmethehair—dresser。

Aftermanyablutionsandacarefultoilet，IthoughtIcouldskewmyface，andIpresentedmyselfcoollyinthedrawing—room。Thetwosistersweretherewiththeothermembersofoursociety，andIwasdelightedwiththeirrosycheeks。Lucreziawasfrankandgay，andbeamedwithhappiness；Angelique，asfreshasthemorningdew，wasmoreradiantthanusual，butfidgety，andcarefullyavoidedlookingmeintheface。Isawthatmyuselessattemptstocatchhereyesmadehersmile，andIremarkedtohermother，rathermischievously，thatitwasapityAngeliqueusedpaintforherface。Shewasdupedbythisstratagem，andcompelledmetopassahandkerchiefoverherface，andwasthenobligedtolookatme。Iofferedhermyapologies，andDonFranciscoappearedhighlypleasedthatthecomplexionofhisintendedhadmetwithsuchtriumph。

Afterbreakfastwetookawalkthroughthegarden，and，findingmyselfalonewithLucrezia，Iexpostulatedtenderlywithherforhavingalmostthrownhersisterinmyarms。

"Donotreproachme，"shesaid，"whenIdeservepraise。Ihavebroughtlightintothedarknessofmycharmingsister’ssoul；Ihaveinitiatedherinthesweetestofmysteries，andnow，insteadofpityingme，shemustenvyme。Farfromhavinghatredforyou，shemustloveyoudearly，andasIamsounhappyastohavetopartfromyouverysoon，mybeloved，Ileavehertoyou；shewillreplaceme。"

"Ah，Lucrezia！howcanIloveher？"

"Isshenotacharminggirl？"

"Nodoubtofit；butmyadorationforyouisashieldagainstanyotherlove。BesidesDonFranciscomust，ofcourse，entirelymonopolizeher，andIdonotwishtocausecoolnessbetweenthem，ortoruinthepeaceoftheirhome。Iamcertainyoursisterisnotlikeyou，andIwouldbetthat，evennow，sheupbraidsherselfforhavinggivenwaytotheardourofhertemperament:"

"Mostlikely；but，dearest，Iamsorrytosaymyhusbandexpectstoobtainjudgmentinthecourseofthisweek，andthentheshortinstantsofhappinesswillforeverbelosttome。"

Thiswassadnewsindeed，andtocauseadiversionatthebreakfast—

tableItookmuchnoticeofthegenerousDonFrancisco，andpromisedtocomposeanuptialsongforhiswedding—day，whichhadbeenfixedfortheearlypartofJanuary。

WereturnedtoRome，andforthethreehoursthatshewaswithmeinmyvis—a—vis，Lucreziahadnoreasontothinkthatmyardourwasatallabated。ButwhenwereachedthecityIwasratherfatigued，andproceededatoncetothepalace。

Lucreziahadguessedrightly；herhusbandobtainedhisjudgmentthreeorfourdaysafterwards，andcalleduponmetoannouncetheirdepartureforthedayafterthemorrow；heexpressedhiswarmfriendshipforme，andbyhisinvitationIspentthetwolasteveningswithLucrezia，butwewerealwayssurroundedbythefamily。

Thedayofherdeparture，wishingtocauseheranagreeablesurprise，IleftRomebeforethemandwaitedforthemattheplacewhereI

thoughttheywouldputupforthenight，buttheadvocate，havingbeendetainedbyseveralengagements，wasdetainedinRome，andtheyonlyreachedtheplacenextdayfordinner。Wedinedtogether，weexchangedasad，painfulfarewell，andtheycontinuedtheirjourneywhileIreturnedtoRome。

Afterthedepartureofthischarmingwoman，Ifoundmyselfinsortofsolitudeverynaturaltoayoungmanwhoseheartisnotfullofhope。

Ipassedwholedaysinmyroom，makingextractsfromtheFrenchletterswrittenbythecardinal，andhiseminencewaskindenoughtotellmethatmyextractswerejudiciouslymade，butthatheinsisteduponmynotworkingsohard。Thebeautifulmarchionesswaspresentwhenhepaidmethatcompliment。

Sincemysecondvisittoher，Ihadnotpresentedmyselfatherhouse；shewasconsequentlyrathercooltome，and，gladofanopportunityofmakingmefeelherdispleasure，sheremarkedtohiseminencethatverylikelyworkwasaconsolationtomeinthegreatvoidcausedbythedepartureofDonnaLucrezia。

"Icandidlyconfess，madam，thatIhavefeltherlossdeeply。Shewaskindandgenerous；aboveall，shewasindulgentwhenIdidnotcalloftenuponher。Myfriendshipforherwasinnocent。"

"Ihavenodoubtofit，althoughyourodewastheworkofapoetdeeplyinlove。"

"Oh！"saidthekindlycardinal，"apoetcannotpossiblywritewithoutprofessingtobeinlove。"

"But，"repliedthemarchioness，"ifthepoetisreallyinlove，hehasnoneedofprofessingafeelingwhichhepossesses。"

Asshewasspeaking，themarchionessdrewoutofherpocketapaperwhichsheofferedtohiseminence。

"Thisistheode，"shesaid，"itdoesgreathonourtothepoet，foritisadmittedtobeamasterpiecebyalltheliteratiinRome，andDonnaLucreziaknowsitbyheart。"

Thecardinalreaditoverandreturnedit，smiling，andremarkingthat，ashehadnotasteforItalianpoetry，shemustgiveherselfthepleasureoftranslatingitintoFrenchrhymeifshewishedhimtoadmireit。

"IonlywriteFrenchprose，"answeredthemarchioness，"andaprosetranslationdestroyshalfthebeautyofpoetry。IamsatisfiedwithwritingoccasionallyalittleItalianpoetrywithoutanypretensiontopoeticalfame"

Thosewordswereaccompaniedbyaverysignificantglanceinmydirection。

"Ishouldconsidermyselffortunate，madam，ifIcouldobtainthehappinessofadmiringsomeofyourpoetry。"

"Hereisasonnetofherladyship’s，"saidCardinalS。C。

Itookitrespectfully，andIpreparedtoreadit，buttheamiablemarchionesstoldmetoputitinmypocketandreturnittothecardinalthenextday，althoughshedidnotthinkthesonnetworthsomuchtrouble。"Ifyoushouldhappentogooutinthemorning，"saidCardinalS。C。，"youcouldbringitback，anddinewithme。"CardinalAquavivaimmediatelyansweredforme:"Hewillbesuretogooutpurposely。"

Withadeepreverence，whichexpressedmythanks，Ilefttheroomquietlyandreturnedtomyapartment，veryimpatienttoreadthesonnet。Yet，beforesatisfyingmywish，Icouldnothelpmakingsomereflectionsonthesituation。IbegantothinkmyselfsomebodysincethegiganticstrideIhadmadethiseveningatthecardinal’sassembly。TheMarchionessdeG。hadshewninthemostopenwaytheinterestshefeltinme，and，undercoverofhergrandeur，hadnothesitatedtocompromiseherselfpubliclybythemostflatteringadvances。Butwhowouldhavethoughtofdisapproving？Ayoungabbelikeme，withoutanyimportancewhatever，whocouldscarcelypretendtoherhighprotection！True，butshewaspreciselythewomantograntittothosewho，feelingthemselvesunworthyofit，darednotshewanypretensionstoherpatronage。Onthathead，mymodestymustbeevidenttoeveryone，andthemarchionesswouldcertainlyhaveinsultedmehadshesupposedmecapableofsufficientvanitytofancythatshefelttheslightestinclinationforme。No，suchapieceofself—conceitwasnotinaccordancewithmynature。Hercardinalhimselfhadinvitedmetodinner。Wouldhehavedonesoifhehadadmittedthepossibilityofthebeautifulmarchionessfeelinganythingforme？Ofcoursenot，andhegavemeaninvitationtodinewithhimonlybecausehehadunderstood，fromtheverywordsofthelady，thatIwasjustthesortofpersonwithwhomtheycouldconverseforafewhourswithoutanyrisk；tobesure，withoutanyriskwhatever。Oh，MasterCasanova！doyoureallythinkso？

Well，whyshouldIputonamaskbeforemyreaders？Theymaythinkmeconceitediftheyplease，butthefactofthematteristhatI

feltsureofhavingmadeaconquestofthemarchioness。I

congratulatedmyselfbecauseshehadtakenthefirst，mostdifficult，andmostimportantstep。Hadshenotdoneso，Ishouldneverhavedared—tolaysiegetohereveninthemostapprovedfashion；Ishouldneverhaveevenventuredtodreamofwinningher。ItwasonlythiseveningthatIthoughtshemightreplaceLucrezia。Shewasbeautiful，young，fullofwitandtalent；shewasfondofliterarypursuits，andverypowerfulinRome；whatmorewasnecessary？YetI

thoughtitwouldbegoodpolicytoappearignorantofherinclinationforme，andtolethersupposefromtheverynextdaythatIwasinlovewithher，butthatmyloveappearedtomehopeless。Iknewthatsuchaplanwasinfallible，becauseitsavedherdignity。ItseemedtomethatFatherGeorgihimselfwouldbecompelledtoapprovesuchanundertaking，andIhadremarkedwithgreatsatisfactionthatCardinalAcquavivahadexpressedhisdelightatCardinalS。C。’sinvitation——anhonourwhichhehadneveryetbestowedonmehimself。

Thisaffairmighthaveveryimportantresultsforme。

Ireadthemarchioness’ssonnet，andfounditeasy，flowing，andwellwritten。ItwascomposedinpraiseoftheKingofPrussia，whohadjustconqueredSilesiabyamasterlystroke。AsIwascopyingit，theideastruckmetopersonifySilesia，andtomakeher，inanswertothesonnet，bewailthatLove（supposedtobetheauthorofthesonnetofthemarchioness）couldapplaudthemanwhohadconqueredher，whenthatconquerorwastheswornenemyofLove。

Itisimpossibleforamanaccustomedtowritepoetrytoabstainwhenahappysubjectsmilesuponhisdelightedimagination。Ifheattemptedtosmotherthepoeticalflamerunningthroughhisveinsitwouldconsumehim。Icomposedmysonnet，keepingthesamerhymesasintheoriginal，and，wellpleasedwithmymuse，Iwenttobed。

ThenextmorningtheAbbeGamacameinjustasIhadfinishedrecopyingmysonnet，andsaidhewouldbreakfastwithme。HecomplimentedmeuponthehonourconferredonmebytheinvitationofCardinalS。C。

"Butbeprudent，"headded，"forhiseminencehasthereputationofbeingjealous:"

Ithankedhimforhisfriendlyadvice，takingcaretoassurehimthatIhadnothingtofear，becauseIdidnotfeeltheslightestinclinationforthehandsomemarchioness。

CardinalS。C。receivedmewithgreatkindnessmingledwithdignity，tomakemerealizetheimportanceofthefavourhewasbestowinguponme。

"Whatdoyouthink，"heenquired，"ofthesonnet？"

"Monsignor，itisperfectlywritten，and，whatismore，itisacharmingcomposition。Allowmetoreturnittoyouwithmythanks。"

"Shehasmuchtalent。Iwishtoshewyoutenstanzasofhercomposition，mydearabbe，butyoumustpromisetobeverydiscreetaboutit。"

"Youreminencemayrelyonme。"

Heopenedhisbureauandbroughtforththestanzasofwhichhewasthesubject。Ireadthem，foundthemwellwritten，butdevoidofenthusiasm；theyweretheworkofapoet，andexpressedloveinthewordsofpassion，butwerenotpervadedbythatpeculiarfeelingbywhichtrueloveissoeasilydiscovered。Theworthycardinalwasdoubtlessguiltyofaverygreatindiscretion，butself—loveisthecauseofsomanyinjudicioussteps！Iaskedhiseminencewhetherhehadansweredthestanzas。

"No，"hereplied，"Ihavenot；butwouldyoufeeldisposedtolendmeyourpoeticalpen，alwaysunderthesealofsecrecy？"

"Astosecrecy，monsignor，Ipromiseitfaithfully；butIamafraidthemarchionesswillremarkthedifferencebetweenyourstyleandmine。"

"Shehasnothingofmycomposition，"saidthecardinal；"Idonotthinkshesupposesmeafinepoet，andforthatreasonyourstanzasmustbewritteninsuchamannerthatshewillnotesteemthemabovemyabilities。"

"Iwillwritethemwithpleasure，monsignor，andyoureminencecanformanopinion；iftheydonotseemgoodenoughtobeworthyofyou，theyneednotbegiventothemarchioness。"