第14章

IhadknowninRome，atCardinalAcquaviva’s，theAbbedeLiancourt，great—grandsonofCharles，whosesister，GabrielleduPlessis，hadbeenthewifeofFrancoisV。，butthatdatedfromthebeginningofthelastcentury。IhadmadeacopyfromtherecordsofthecardinaloftheaccountofcertaincircumstanceswhichtheAbbedeLiancourtwantedtocommunicatetothecourtofSpain，andinwhichtherewereagreatmanyparticularsrespectingthehouseofDuPlessis。I

thoughtatthesametimethatthesingularimpostureofLaValeur（suchwasthenamebywhichmysoldiergenerallywent）wasabsurdandwithoutamotive，sinceitwastobeknownonlyafterhisdeath，andcouldnotthereforeproveofanyadvantagetohim。

Halfanhourafterwards，asIwasopeningafreshpackofcards，theAdjutantSanzoniocamein，andtoldtheimportantnewsinthemostseriousmanner。Hehadjustcomefromtheofficeoftheproveditore，whereCaptainCamporesehadrunintheutmosthurrytodepositinthehandsofhisexcellencythesealandthepapersofthedeceasedprince。Hisexcellencyhadimmediatelyissuedhisordersfortheburialoftheprinceinavaultwithallthehonoursduetohisexaltedrank。Anotherhalfhourpassed，andM。Minolto，adjutantoftheproveditore—generale，cametoinformmethathisexcellencywantedtoseeme。IpassedthecardstoMajorMaroli，andwenttohisexcellency’shouse。Ifoundhimatsupperwithseveralladies，threeorfournavalcommanders，MadameF————，andM。D————

R—————。

"So，yourservantwasaprince！"saidtheoldgeneraltome。

"Yourexcellency，Ineverwouldhavesuspectedit，andevennowthatheisdeadIdonotbelieveit。"

"Why？Heisdead，buthewasnotinsane。Youhaveseenhisarmorialbearings，hiscertificateofbaptism，aswellaswhathewrotewithhisownhand。Whenamanissoneardeath，hedoesnotfancypracticaljokes。"

"Ifyourexcellencyissatisfiedofthetruthofthestory，mydutyistoremainsilent。"

"Thestorycannotbeanythingbuttrue，andyourdoubtssurpriseme。"

"Idoubt，monsignor，becauseIhappentohavepositiveinformationrespectingthefamiliesofLaRochefoucaultandDuPlessis。Besides，Ihaveseentoomuchoftheman。Hewasnotamadman，buthecertainlywasanextravagantjester。Ihaveneverseenhimwrite，andhehastoldmehimselfascoreoftimesthathehadneverlearned。"

"Thepaperhehaswrittenprovesthecontrary。Hisarmshavetheducalbearings；butperhapsyouarenotawarethatM。delaRochefoucaultisadukeandpeeroftheFrenchrealm？"

"Ibegyoureminence’spardon；Iknowallaboutit；Iknowevenmore，forIknowthatFrancoisVI。marriedadaughterofthehouseofVivonne。"

"Youknownothing。"

WhenIheardthisremark，asfoolishasitwasrude，Iresolvedonremainingsilent，anditwaswithsomepleasurethatIobservedthejoyfeltbyallthemaleguestsatwhattheythoughtaninsultandablowtomyvanity。Anofficerremarkedthatthedeceasedwasafineman，awittyman，andhadshewnwonderfulclevernessinkeepinguphisassumedcharactersowellthatnooneeverhadthefaintestsuspicionofwhathereallywas。Aladysaidthat，ifshehadknownhim，shewouldhavebeencertaintofindhimout。Anotherflatterer，belongingtothatmean，contemptibleracealwaystobefoundnearthegreatandwealthyoftheearth，assuredusthatthelateprincehadalwaysshewnhimselfcheerful，amiable，obliging，devoidofhaughtinesstowardshiscomrades，andthatheusedtosingbeautifully。"Hewasonlytwenty—fiveyearsofage，"saidMadameSagredo，lookingmefullintheface，"andifhewasendowedwithallthosequalities，youmusthavediscoveredthem。"

"Icanonlygiveyou，madam，atruelikenessoftheman，suchasI

haveseenhim。Alwaysgay，ofteneventofolly，forhecouldthrowasomersaultbeautifully；singingsongsofaveryerotickind，fullofstoriesandofpopulartalesofmagic，miracles，andghosts，andathousandmarvellousfeatswhichcommon—senserefusedtobelieve，andwhich，forthatveryreason，provokedthemirthofhishearers。Hisfaultswerethathewasdrunken，dirty，quarrelsome，dissolute，andsomewhatofacheat。Iputupwithallhisdeficiences，becausehedressedmyhairtomytaste，andhisconstantchatteringofferedmetheopportunityofpractisingthecolloquialFrenchwhichcannotbeacquiredfrombooks。HehasalwaysassuredmethathewasborninPicardy，thesonofacommonpeasant，andthathehaddesertedfromtheFrencharmy。Hemayhavedeceivedmewhenhesaidthathecouldnotwrite。"

JustthenCamporeserushedintotheroom，andannouncedthatLaVeleurwasyetbreathing。Thegeneral，lookingatmesignificantly，saidthathewouldbedelightedifthemancouldbesaved。

"AndIlikewise，monsignor，buthisconfessorwillcertainlykillhimto—night。"

"Whyshouldthefatherconfessorkillhim？"

"Toescapethegalleystowhichyourexcellencywouldnotfailtosendhimforhavingviolatedthesecrecyoftheconfessional。"

Everybodyburstoutlaughing，butthefoolisholdgeneralknittedhisbrows。Theguestsretiredsoonafterwards，andMadameF—————，whomIhadprecededtothecarriage，M。D————R—————havingofferedherhisarm，invitedmetogetinwithher，sayingthatitwasraining。

Itwasthefirsttimethatshehadbestowedsuchanhonouruponme。

"Iamofyouropinionaboutthatprince，"shesaid，"butyouhaveincurredthedispleasureoftheproveditore。"

"Iamverysorry，madam，butitcouldnothavebeenavoided，forI

cannothelpspeakingthetruthopenly。"

"Youmighthavesparedhim，"remarkedM。D————R—————，"thecuttingjestoftheconfessorkillingthefalseprince。"

"Youareright，sir，butIthoughtitwouldmakehimlaughaswellasitmademadamandyourexcellency。Inconversationpeoplegenerallydonotobjecttoawittyjestcausingmerrimentandlaughter。"

"True；onlythosewhohavenotwitenoughtolaughdonotlikethejest。"

"Ibetahundredsequinsthatthemadmanwillrecover，andthat，havingthegeneralonhisside，hewillreapalltheadvantagesofhisimposture。Ilongtoseehimtreatedasaprince，andmakinglovetoMadameSagredo"

Hearingthelastwords，MadameF—————，whodidnotlikeMadameSagredo，laughedheartily，and，asweweregettingoutofthecarriage，M。D————R—————invitedmetoaccompanythemupstairs。Hewasinthehabitofspendinghalfanhouralonewithheratherownhousewhentheyhadtakensuppertogetherwiththegeneral，forherhusbandnevershewedhimself。Itwasthefirsttimethatthehappycoupleadmittedathirdpersontotheirtete—a—tete。Ifeltveryproudofthecomplimentthuspaidtome，andIthoughtitmighthaveimportantresultsforme。Mysatisfaction，whichIconcealedaswellasIcould，didnotpreventmefrombeingverygayandfromgivingacomicturntoeverysubjectbroughtforwardbytheladyorbyherlord。

Wekeptupourpleasanttrioforfourhours；andreturnedtothemansionofM。D————R—————onlyattwoo’clockinthemorning。ItwasduringthatnightthatMadameF————andM。D————R—————reallymademyacquaintance。MadameF————toldhimthatshehadneverlaughedsomuch，andthatshehadneverimaginedthataconversation，inappearancesosimple，couldaffordsomuchpleasureandmerriment。

Onmyside，Idiscoveredinhersomuchwitandcheerfulness，thatI

becamedeeplyenamoured，andwenttobedfullysatisfiedthat，inthefuture，IcouldnotkeepuptheshowofindifferencewhichIhadsofarassumedtowardsher。

WhenIwokeupthenextmorning，IheardfromthenewsoldierwhoservedmethatLaValeurwasbetter，andhadbeenpronouncedoutofdangerbythephysician。Atdinnertheconversationfelluponhim，butIdidnotopenmylips。Twodaysafterwards，thegeneralgaveorderstohavehimremovedtoacomfortableapartment，senthimaservant，clothedhim，andtheover—credulousproveditorehavingpaidhimavisit，allthenavalcommandersandofficersthoughtittheirdutytoimitatehim，andtofollowhisexample:thegeneralcuriositywasexcited，therewasarushtoseethenewprince。M。D————R—————

followedhisleaders，andMadameSagredo，havingsettheladiesinmotion，theyallcalleduponhim，withtheexceptionofMadameF————，whotoldmelaughinglythatshewouldnotpayhimavisitunlessI

wouldconsenttointroduceher。Ibeggedtobeexcused。Theknavewascalledyourhighness，andthewonderfulprincestyledMadameSagredohisprincess。M。D————R—————triedtopersuademetocallupontherogue，butItoldhimthatIhadsaidtoomuch，andthatI

wasneithercourageousnormeanenoughtoretractmywords。Thewholeimposturewouldsoonhavebeendiscoveredifanyonehadpossessedapeerage，butitjusthappenedthattherewasnotacopyinCorfu，andtheFrenchconsul，afatblockhead，likemanyotherconsuls，knewnothingoffamilytrees。ThemadcapLaValeurbegantowalkoutaweekafterhismetamorphosisintoaprince。Hedinedandhadsuppereverydaywiththegeneral，andeveryeveninghewaspresentatthereception，duringwhich，owingtohisintemperance，healwayswentfastasleep。Yet，thereweretworeasonswhichkeptupthebeliefofhisbeingaprince:thefirstwasthathedidnotseemafraidofthenewsexpectedfromVenice，wheretheproveditorehadwrittenimmediatelyafterthediscovery；thesecondwasthathesolicitedfromthebishopthepunishmentofthepriestwhohadbetrayedhissecretbyviolatingthesealofconfession。Thepoorpriesthadalreadybeensenttoprison，andtheproveditorehadnotthecouragetodefendhim。Thenewprincehadbeeninvitedtodinnerbyallthenavalofficers，butM。D————R—————hadnotmadeuphismindtoimitatethemsofar，becauseMadameF————hadclearlywarnedhimthatshewoulddineatherownhouseonthedayhewasinvited。

Ihadlikewiserespectfullyintimatedthat，onthesameoccasion，I

wouldtakethelibertyofdiningsomewhereelse。

ImettheprinceonedayasIwascomingoutoftheoldfortressleadingtotheesplanade。Hestopped，andreproachedmefornothavingcalleduponhim。Ilaughed，andadvisedhimtothinkofhissafetybeforethearrivalofthenewswhichwouldexposealltheimposture，inwhichcasetheproveditorewascertaintotreathimveryseverely。IofferedtohelphiminhisflightfromCorfu，andtogetaNeapolitancaptain，whoseshipwasreadytosail，toconcealhimonboard；butthefool，insteadofacceptingmyoffer，loadedmewithinsults。

HewascourtingMadameSagredo，whotreatedhimverywell，feelingproudthataFrenchprinceshouldhavegivenherthepreferenceoveralltheotherladies。OnedaythatshewasdiningingreatceremonyatM。D————R—————’shouse，sheaskedmewhyIhadadvisedtheprincetorunaway。

"Ihaveitfromhisownlips，"sheadded，"andhecannotmakeoutyourobstinacyinbelievinghimanimpostor。"

"Ihavegivenhimthatadvice，madam，becausemyheartisgood，andmyjudgmentsane。"

"Thenweareallofusasmanyfools，theproveditoreincluded？"

"Thatdeductionwouldnotberight，madam。Anopinioncontrarytothatofanotherdoesnotnecessarilymakeafoolofthepersonwhoentertainsit。Itmightpossiblyturnout，intenortwelvedays，thatIhavebeenentirelymistakenmyself，butIshouldnotconsidermyselfafoolinconsequence。Inthemeantime，aladyofyourintelligencemusthavediscoveredwhetherthatmanisapeasantoraprincebyhiseducationandmanners。Forinstance，doeshedancewell？"

"Hedoesnotknowonestep，butheisthefirsttolaughaboutit；hesaysheneverwouldlearndancing。"

"Doeshebehavewellattable？"

"Well，hedoesn’tstandonceremony。Hedoesnotwanthisplatetobechanged，hehelpshimselfwithhisspoonoutofthedishes；hedoesnotknowhowtocheckaneructationorayawn，andifhefeelstiredheleavesthetable。Itisevidentthathehasbeenverybadlybroughtup。"

"Andyetheisverypleasant，Isuppose。Ishecleanandneat？"

"No，butthenheisnotyetwellprovidedwithlinen。"

"Iamtoldthatheisverysober。"

"Youarejoking。Heleavesthetableintoxicatedtwiceaday，butheoughttobepitied，forhecannotdrinkwineandkeephisheadclear。

Thenheswearslikeatrooper，andwealllaugh，buthenevertakesoffence。"

"Ishewitty？"

"Hehasawonderfulmemory，forhetellsusnewstorieseveryday。"

"Doeshespeakofhisfamily？"

"Veryoftenofhismother，whomhelovedtenderly。ShewasaDuPlessis。"

"Ifhismotherisstillaliveshemustbeahundredandfiftyyearsold。"

"Whatnonsense！"

"Notatall；shewasmarriedinthedaysofMariedeMedicis。"

"Butthecertificateofbaptismnamestheprince’smother，andhisseal——"

"Doesheknowwhatarmorialbearingshehasonthatseal？"

"Doyoudoubtit？"

"Verystrongly，orratherIamcertainthatheknowsnothingaboutit。"

Weleftthetable，andtheprincewasannounced。Hecamein，andMadameSagredolostnotimeinsayingtohim，"Prince，hereisM。

Casanova；hepretendsthatyoudonotknowyourownarmorialbearings。"Hearingthesewords，hecameuptome，sneering，calledmeacoward，andgavemeasmackonthefacewhichalmoststunnedme。I

lefttheroomveryslowly，notforgettingmyhatandmycane，andwentdownstairs，whileM。D————R—————wasloudlyorderingtheservantstothrowthemadmanoutofthewindow。

Ileftthepalaceandwenttotheesplanadeinordertowaitforhim。

ThemomentIsawhim，Irantomeethim，andIbeathimsoviolentlywithmycanethatoneblowaloneoughttohavekilledhim。Hedrewback，andfoundhimselfbroughttoastandbetweentwowalls，where，toavoidbeingbeatentodeath，hisonlyresourcewastodrawhissword，butthecowardlyscoundreldidnoteventhinkofhisweapon，andIlefthim，ontheground，coveredwithblood。Thecrowdformedalineformetopass，andIwenttothecoffee—house，whereIdrankaglassoflemonade，withoutsugartoprecipitatethebittersalivawhichragehadbroughtupfrommystomach。Inafewminutes，Ifoundmyselfsurroundedbyalltheyoungofficersofthegarrison，whojoinedinthegeneralopinionthatIoughttohavekilledhim，andtheyatlastannoyedme，foritwasnotmyfaultifIhadnotdoneso，andIwouldcertainlyhavetakenhislifeifhehaddrawnhissword。

Ihadbeeninthecoffee—houseforhalfanhourwhenthegeneral’sadjutantcametotellmethathisexcellencyorderedmetoputmyselfunderarrestonboardthebastarda，agalleyonwhichtheprisonershadtheirlegsinironslikegalleyslaves。Thedosewasrathertoostrongtobeswallowed，andIdidnotfeeldisposedtosubmittoit。

"Verygood，adjutant，"Ireplied，"itshallbedone。"Hewentaway，andIleftthecoffee—houseamomentafterhim，butwhenIreachedtheendofthestreet，insteadofgoingtowardstheesplanade，I

proceededquicklytowardsthesea。Iwalkedalongthebeachforaquarterofanhour，andfindingaboatempty，butwithapairofoars，Igotinher，andunfasteningher，IrowedashardasIcouldtowardsalargecaicco，sailingagainstthewindwithsixoars。AssoonasIhadcomeuptoher，Iwentonboardandaskedthecarabouchiritosailbeforethewindandtotakemetoalargewherrywhichcouldbeseenatsomedistance，goingtowardsVidoRock。I

abandonedtherow—boat，and，afterpayingthemasterofthecaiccogenerously，Igotintothewherry，madeabargainwiththeskipperwhounfurledthreesails，andinlessthantwohourswewerefifteenmilesawayfromCorfu。Thewindhavingdiedaway，Imadethemenrowagainstthecurrent，buttowardsmidnighttheytoldmethattheycouldnotrowanylonger，theywerewornoutwithfatigue。Theyadvisedmetosleepuntilday—break，butIrefusedtodoso，andforatrifleIgotthemtoputmeonshore，withoutaskingwhereIwas，inordernottoraisetheirsuspicions。ItwasenoughformetoknowthatIwasatadistanceoftwentymilesfromCorfu，andinaplacewherenobodycouldimaginemetobe。Themoonwasshining，andIsawachurchwithahouseadjoining，alongbarnopenedonbothsides，aplainofaboutonehundredyardsconfinedbyhills，andnothingmore。

Ifoundsomestrawinthebarn，andlayingmyselfdown，Isleptuntilday—breakinspiteofthecold。Itwasthe1stofDecember，andalthoughtheclimateisverymildinCorfuIfeltbenumbedwhenI

awoke，asIhadnocloakovermythinuniform。

Thebellsbegintotoll，andIproceedtowardsthechurch。Thelong—

beardedpapa，surprisedatmysuddenapparition，enquireswhetherI

amRomeo（aGreek）；ItellhimthatIamFragico（Italian），butheturnshisbackuponmeandgoesintohishouse，thedoorofwhichheshutswithoutcondescendingtolistentome。

Ithenturnedtowardsthesea，andsawaboatleavingatartanlyingatanchorwithinonehundredyardsoftheisland；theboathadfouroarsandlandedherpassengers。Icomeuptothemandmeetagood—

lookingGreek，awomanandayoungboytenortwelveyearsold。

AddressingmyselftotheGreek，Iaskhimwhetherhehashadapleasantpassage，andwherehecomesfrom。HeanswersinItalianthathehassailedfromCephaloniawithhiswifeandhisson，andthatheisboundforVenice；hehadlandedtohearmassattheChurchofOurLadyofCasopo，inordertoascertainwhetherhisfather—in—

lawwasstillalive，andwhetherhewouldpaytheamounthehadpromisedhimforthedowryofhiswife。

"Buthowcanyoufinditout？"

"ThePapaDeldimopulowilltellme；hewillcommunicatefaithfullytheoracleoftheHolyVirgin。"Isaynothingandfollowhimintothechurch；hespeakstothepriest，andgiveshimsomemoney。Thepapasaysthemass，entersthesanctumsanctorum，comesoutagaininaquarterofanhour，ascendsthestepsofthealtar，turnstowardshisaudience，and，aftermeditatingforaminuteandstrokinghislongbeard，hedelivershisoracleinadozenwords。TheGreekofCephalonia，whocertainlycouldnotboastofbeingaswiseasUlysses，appearsverywellpleased，andgivesmoremoneytotheimpostor。Weleavethechurch，andIaskhimwhetherhefeelssatisfied）withtheoracle。

"Oh！quitesatisfied。Iknownowthatmyfather—in—lawisalive，andthathewillpaymethedowry，ifIconsenttoleavemychildwithhim。IamawarethatitishisfancyandIwillgivehimtheboy。"

"Doesthepapaknowyou？"

"No；heisnotevenacquaintedwithmyname。"

"Haveyouanyfinegoodsonboardyourtartan？"

"Yes；comeandbreakfastwithme；youcanseeallIhave。"

"Verywillingly。"

Delightedathearingthatoracleswerenotyetdefunct，andsatisfiedthattheywillendureaslongasthereareinthisworldsimple—

mindedmenanddeceitful，cunningpriests，Ifollowthegoodman，whotookmetohistartanandtreatedmetoanexcellentbreakfast。Hiscargoconsistedofcotton，linen，currants，oil，andexcellentwines。

Hehadalsoastockofnight—caps，stockings，cloaksintheEasternfashion，umbrellas，andseabiscuits，ofwhichIwasveryfond；inthosedaysIhadthirtyteeth，anditwouldhavebeendifficulttofindafinerset。Alas！Ihavebuttwoleftnow，theothertwenty—

eightaregonewithothertoolsquiteasprecious；but’dumvitasuperest，beneest。’Iboughtasmallstockofeverythinghehadexceptcotton，forwhichIhadnouse，andwithoutdiscussinghispriceIpaidhimthethirty—fiveorfortysequinshedemanded，andseeingmygenerosityhemademeapresentofsixbeautifulbotargoes。

IhappenedduringourconversationtopraisethewineofXante，whichhecalledgeneroydes，andhetoldmethatifIwouldaccompanyhimtoVenicehewouldgivemeabottleofthatwineeverydayincludingthequarantine。Alwayssuperstitious，Iwasonthepointofaccepting，andthatforthemostfoolishreason—namely，thattherewouldbenopremeditationinthatstrangeresolution，anditmightbetheimpulseoffate。Suchwasmynatureinthosedays；alas；itisverydifferentnow。Theysaythatitisbecausewisdomcomeswitholdage，butIcannotreconcilemyselftocherishtheeffectofamostunpleasantcause。

JustasIwasgoingtoaccepthisofferheproposestosellmeaveryfinegunfortensequins，sayingthatinCorfuanyonewouldbegladofitfortwelve。ThewordCorfuupsetsallmyideasonthespot！I

fancyIhearthevoiceofmygeniustellingmetogobacktothatcity。Ipurchasethegunforthetensequins，andmyhonestCephalonian，admiringmyfairdealing，givesme，overandaboveourbargain，abeautifulTurkishpouchwellfilledwithpowderandshot。

Carryingmygun，withagoodwarmcloakovermyuniformandwithalargebagcontainingallmypurchases，ItakeleaveoftheworthyGreek，andamlandedontheshore，determinedonobtainingalodgingfromthecheatingpapa，byfairmeansorfoul。ThegoodwineofmyfriendtheCephalonianhadexcitedmejustenoughtomakemecarrymydeterminationintoimmediateexecution。Ihadinmypocketsfourorfivehundredcoppergazzette，whichwereveryheavy，butwhichIhadprocuredfromtheGreek，foreseeingthatImightwantthemduringmystayontheisland。

IstoremybagawayinthebarnandIproceed，guninhand，towardsthehouseofthepriest；thechurchwasclosed。

ImustgivemyreaderssomeideaofthestateIwasinatthatmoment。Iwasquietlyhopeless。ThethreeorfourhundredsequinsI

hadwithmedidnotpreventmefromthinkingthatIwasnotinverygreatsecurityontheisland；Icouldnotremainlong，Iwouldsoonbefoundout，and，beingguiltyofdesertion，Ishouldbetreatedaccordingly。Ididnotknowwhattodo，andthatisalwaysanunpleasantpredicament。ItwouldbeabsurdformetoreturntoCorfuofmyownaccord；myflightwouldthenbeuseless，andIshouldbethoughtafool，formyreturnwouldbeaproofofcowardiceorstupidity；yetIdidnotfeelthecouragetodesertaltogether。ThechiefcauseofmydecisionwasnotthatIhadathousandsequinsinthehandsofthefarobanker，ormywell—stockedwardrobe，orthefearofnotgettingalivingsomewhereelse，buttheunpleasantrecollectionthatIshouldleavebehindmeawomanwhomIlovedtoadoration，andfromwhomIhadnotyetobtainedanyfavour，noteventhatofkissingherhand。InsuchdistressofmindIcouldnotdoanythingelsebutabandonmyselftochance，whatevertheresultmightbe，andthemostessentialthingforthepresentwastosecurealodgingandmydailyfood。

Iknockatthedoorofthepriest’sdwelling。Helooksoutofawindowandshutsitwithoutlisteningtome，Iknockagain，Iswear，Icalloutloudly，allinvain，Givingwaytomyrage，Itakeaimatapoorsheepgrazingwithseveralothersatashortdistance，andkillit。Theherdsmanbeginstoscream，thepapashowshimselfatthewindow，callingout，"Thieves！Murder！"andordersthealarm—

belltoberung。Threebellsareimmediatelysetinmotion，I

foreseeageneralgathering:whatisgoingtohappen？Idonotknow，buthappenwhatwill，Iloadmygunandawaitcomingevents。

Inlessthaneightortenminutes，Iseeacrowdofpeasantscomingdownthehills，armedwithguns，pitchforks，orcudgels:Iwithdrawinsideofthebarn，butwithouttheslightestfear，forIcannotsupposethat，seeingmealone，thesemenwillmurdermewithoutlisteningtome。

Thefirsttenortwelvepeasantscomeforward，guninhandandreadytofire:Istopthembythrowingdownmygazzette，whichtheylosenotimeinpickingupfromtheground，andIkeeponthrowingmoneydownasthemencomeforward，untilIhadnomoreleft。Theclownswerelookingateachotheringreatastonishment，notknowingwhattomakeoutofawell—dressedyoungman，lookingverypeaceful，andthrowinghismoneytothemwithsuchgenerosity。Icouldnotspeaktothemuntilthedeafeningnoiseofthebellsshouldcease。Iquietlysitdownonmylargebag，andkeepstill，butassoonasIcanbeheardI

begintoaddressthemen。Thepriest，however，assistedbyhisbeadleandbytheherdsman，interruptsme，andallthemoreeasilythatIwasspeakingItalian。Mythreeenemies，whotalkedallatonce，weretryingtoexcitethecrowdagainstme。

Oneofthepeasants，anelderlyandreasonable—lookingman，comesuptomeandasksmeinItalianwhyIhavekilledthesheep。

"Toeatit，mygoodfellow，butnotbeforeIhavepaidforit。"

"Buthisholiness，thepapa，mightchoosetochargeonesequinforit。"

"Hereisonesequin。"

Thepriesttakesthemoneyandgoesaway:warisover。Thepeasanttellsmethathehasservedinthecampaignof1716，andthathewasatthedefenceofCorfu。Icomplimenthim，andaskhimtofindmealodgingandamanabletopreparemymeals。Heanswersthathewillprocuremeawholehouse，thathewillbemycookhimself，butImustgoupthehill。Nomatter！Hecallstwostoutfellows，onetakesmybag，theothershouldersmysheep，andforward！Aswearewalkingalong，Itellhim，——

"Mygoodman，Iwouldliketohaveinmyservicetwenty—fourfellowsliketheseundermilitarydiscipline。Iwouldgiveeachmantwentygazzetteaday，andyouwouldhavefortyasmylieutenant。"

"Iwill，"saystheoldsoldier，"raiseforyouthisverydayabody—

guardofwhichyouwillbeproud。"

Wereachaveryconvenienthouse，containingonthegroundfloorthreeroomsandastable，whichIimmediatelyturnedintoaguard—

room。

MylieutenantwenttogetwhatIwanted，andparticularlyaneedlewomantomakemesomeshirts。InthecourseofthedayIhadfurniture，bedding，kitchenutensils，agooddinner，twenty—fourwell—equippedsoldiers，asuper—annuatedsempstressandseveralyounggirlstomakemyshirts。Aftersupper，Ifoundmypositionhighlypleasant，beingsurroundedwithsomethirtypersonswholookeduponmeastheirsovereign，althoughtheycouldnotmakeoutwhathadbroughtmetotheirisland。TheonlythingwhichstruckmeasdisagreeablewasthattheyounggirlscouldnotspeakItalian，andI

didnotknowGreekenoughtoenablemetomakelovetothem。

Thenextmorningmylieutenanthadtheguardrelieved，andIcouldnothelpburstingintoamerrylaugh。Theywerelikeaflockofsheep:allfinemen，well—madeandstrong；butwithoutuniformandwithoutdisciplinethefinestbandisbutaherd。However，theyquicklylearnedhowtopresentarmsandtoobeytheordersoftheirofficer。Icausedthreesentinelstobeplaced，onebeforetheguardroom，oneatmydoor，andthethirdwherehecouldhaveagoodviewofthesea。Thissentinelwastogivemewarningoftheapproachofanyarmedboatorvessel。ForthefirsttwoorthreedaysIconsideredallthisasmereamusement，but，thinkingthatI

mightreallywantthementorepelforcebyforce，Ihadsomeideaofmakingmyarmytakeanoathofallegiance。Ididnotdoso，however，althoughmylieutenantassuredmethatIhadonlytoexpressmywishes，formygenerosityhadcaptivatedtheloveofalltheislanders。

Mysempstress，whohadprocuredsomeyoungneedlewomentosewmyshirts，hadexpectedthatIwouldfallinlovewithoneandnotwithall，butmyamorouszealoversteppedherhopes，andalltheprettyoneshadtheirturn；theywereallwellsatisfiedwithme，andthesempstresswasrewardedforhergoodoffices。Iwasleadingadelightfullife，formytablewassuppliedwithexcellentdishes，juicymutton，andsnipesodeliciousthatIhavenevertastedtheirlikeexceptinSt。Petersburg。IdrankscopolowineorthebestmuscateloftheArchipelago。Mylieutenantwasmyonlytablecompanion。Inevertookawalkwithouthimandtwoofmybody—guard，inordertodefendmyselfagainsttheattacksofafewyoungmenwhohadaspiteagainstmebecausetheyfancied，notwithoutsomereason，thatmyneedlewomen，theirmistresses，hadleftthemonmyaccount。

IoftenthoughtwhileIwasramblingabouttheisland，thatwithoutmoneyIshouldhavebeenunhappy，andthatIwasindebtedtomygoldforallthehappinessIwasenjoying；butitwasrighttosupposeatthesametimethat，ifIhadnotfeltmypurseprettyheavy，IwouldnothavebeenlikelytoleaveCorfu。

Ihadthusbeenplayingthepettykingwithsuccessforaweekortendays，when，towardsteno’clockatnightIheardthesentinel’schallenge。Mylieutenantwentout，andreturnedannouncingthatanhonest—lookingman，whospokeItalian，wishedtoseemeonimportantbusiness。Ihadhimbroughtin，and，inthepresenceofmylieutenant，hetoldmeinItalian:

"NextSunday，thePapaDeldimopulowillfulminateagainstyouthe’cataramonachia’。Ifyoudonotpreventhim，aslowfeverwillsendyouintothenextworldinsixweeks。"

"Ihaveneverheardofsuchadrug。"

"Itisnotadrug。ItisacursepronouncedbyapriestwiththeHostinhishands，anditissuretobefulfilled。"

"Whatreasoncanthatpriesthavetomurderme？"

"Youdisturbthepeaceanddisciplineofhisparish。Youhaveseducedseveralyounggirls，andnowtheirloversrefusetomarrythem。"

Imadehimdrink，andthankinghimheartily，wishedhimgoodnight。

Hiswarningstruckmeasdeservingmyattention，for，ifIhadnofearofthe’cataramonachia’，inwhichIhadnottheslightestfaith，Ifearedcertainpoisonswhichmightbebyfarmoreefficient。I

passedaveryquietnight，butatday—breakIgotup，andwithoutsayinganythingtomylieutenant，IwentstraighttothechurchwhereIfoundthepriest，andaddressedhiminthefollowingwords，utteredinatonelikelytoenforceconviction:

"Onthefirstsymptomoffever，Iwillshootyoulikeadog。Throwovermeacursewhichwillkillmeinstantly，ormakeyourwill。

Farewell！"

Havingthuswarnedhim，Ireturnedtomyroyalpalace。EarlyonthefollowingMonday，thepapacalledonme。Ihadaslightheadache；heenquiredaftermyhealth，andwhenItoldhimthatmyheadfeltratherheavy，hemademelaughbytheairofanxietywithwhichheassuredmethatitcouldbecausedbynothingelsethantheheavyatmosphereoftheislandofCasopo。

Threedaysafterhisvisit，theadvancedsentinelgavethewar—cry。

Thelieutenantwentouttoreconnoitre，andafterashortabsencehegavemenoticethatthelongboatofanarmedvesselhadjustlandedanofficer。Dangerwasathand。

Igooutmyself，Icallmymentoarms，and，advancingafewsteps，I

seeanofficer，accompaniedbyaguide，whowaswalkingtowardsmydwelling。Ashewasalone，Ihadnothingtofear。Ireturntomyroom，givingorderstomylieutenanttoreceivehimwithallmilitaryhonoursandtointroducehim。Then，girdingmysword，Iwaitformyvisitor。

Inafewminutes，AdjutantMinolto，thesamewhohadbroughtmetheordertoputmyselfunderarrest，makeshisappearance。

"Youarealone，"Isaytohim，"andthereforeyoucomeasafriend。

Letusembrace。"

"Imustcomeasafriend，for，asanenemy，Ishouldnothaveenoughmen。ButwhatIseeseemsadream。"

"Takeaseat，anddinewithme。Iwilltreatyousplendidly。"

"Mostwillingly，andafterdinnerwewillleavetheislandtogether。"

"Youmaygoalone，ifyoulike；butIwillnotleavethisplaceuntilIhavethecertainty，notonlythatIshallnotbesenttothe’bastarda’，butalsothatIshallhaveeverysatisfactionfromtheknavewhomthegeneraloughttosendtothegalleys。"

"Bereasonable，andcomewithmeofyourownaccord。Myordersaretotakeyoubyforce，butasIhavenotenoughmentodoso，Ishallmakemyreport，andthegeneralwill，ofcourse，sendaforcesufficienttoarrestyou。"

"Never；Iwillnotbetakenalive。"

"Youmustbemad；believeme，youareinthewrong。YouhavedisobeyedtheorderIbroughtyoutogotothe’bastarda；inthatyouhaveactedwrongly，andinthatalone，forineveryotherrespectyouwereperfectlyright，thegeneralhimselfsaysso。"

"ThenIoughttohaveputmyselfunderarrest？"

"Certainly；obedienceisnecessaryinourprofession。"

"Wouldyouhaveobeyed，ifyouhadbeeninmyplace？"

"IcannotandwillnottellyouwhatIwouldhavedone，butIknowthatifIhaddisobeyedordersIshouldhavebeenguiltyofacrime:"

"ButifIsurrenderednowIshouldbetreatedlikeacriminal，andmuchmoreseverelythanifIhadobeyedthatunjustorder。"

"Ithinknot。Comewithme，andyouwillknoweverything。"

"What！Gowithoutknowingwhatfatemaybeinstoreforme？Donotexpectit。Letushavedinner。IfIamguiltyofsuchadreadfulcrimethatviolencemustbeusedagainstme，Iwillsurrenderonlytoirresistibleforce。Icannotbeworseoff，buttheremaybebloodspilled。"

"Youaremistaken，suchconductwouldonlymakeyoumoreguilty。ButIsaylikeyou，letushavedinner。Agoodmealwillverylikelyrenderyoumoredisposedtolistentoreason。"

Ourdinnerwasnearlyover，whenweheardsomenoiseoutside。Thelieutenantcamein，andinformedmethatthepeasantsweregatheringintheneighbourhoodofmyhousetodefendme，becausearumourhadspreadthroughtheislandthatthefeluccahadbeensentwithorderstoarrestmeandtakemetoCorfu。Itoldhimtoundeceivethegoodfellows，andtosendthemaway，buttogivethemfirstabarrelofwine。

Thepeasantswentawaysatisfied，but，toshewtheirdevotiontome，theyallfiredtheirguns。

"Itisallveryamusing，"saidtheadjutant，"butitwillturnoutveryseriousifyouletmegoawayalone，formydutycompelsmetogiveanexactaccountofallIhavewitnessed。"

"Iwillfollowyou，ifyouwillgivemeyourwordofhonourtolandmefreeinCorfu。"

"IhaveorderstodeliveryourpersontoM。Foscari，onboardthebastarda。"

"Well，youshallnotexecuteyourordersthistime。"

"Ifyoudonotobeythecommandsofthegeneral，hishonourwillcompelhimtouseviolenceagainstyou，andofcoursehecandoit。

Buttellme，whatwouldyoudoifthegeneralshouldleaveyouinthisislandforthesakeofthejoke？Thereisnofearofthat，however，and，afterthereportwhichImustgive，thegeneralwillcertainlymakeuphismindtostoptheaffairwithoutsheddingblood。"

"Withoutafightitwillbedifficulttoarrestme，forwithfivehundredpeasantsinsuchaplaceasthisIwouldnotbeafraidofthreethousandmen。"

"Onemanwillproveenough；youwillbetreatedasaleaderofrebels。Allthesepeasantsmaybedevotedtoyou，buttheycannotprotectyouagainstonemanwhowillshootyouforthesakeofearningafewpiecesofgold。Icantellyoumorethanthat:amongstallthosemenwhosurroundyouthereisnotonewhowouldnotmurderyoufortwentysequins。Believeme，gowithme。CometoenjoythetriumphwhichisawaitingyouinCorfu。Youwillbecourtedandapplauded。Youwillnarrateyourselfallyourmadfrolics，peoplewilllaugh，andatthesametimewilladmireyouforhavinglistenedtoreasonthemomentIcamehere。Everybodyfeelsesteemforyou，andM。D————R—————thinksagreatdealofyou。Hepraisesveryhighlythecommandyouhaveshewnoveryourpassioninrefrainingfromthrustingyourswordthroughthatinsolentfool，inordernottoforgettherespectyouowedtohishouse。Thegeneralhimselfmustesteemyou，forhecannotforgetwhatyoutoldhimofthatknave。"

"Whathasbecomeofhim？"

"FourdaysagoMajorSardina’sfrigatearrivedwithdispatches，inwhichthegeneralmusthavefoundalltheproofoftheimposture，forhehascausedthefalsedukeorprincetodisappearverysuddenly。

Nobodyknowswherehehasbeensentto，andnobodyventurestomentionthefellowbeforethegeneral，forhemadethemostegregiousblunderrespectinghim。"

"ButwasthemanreceivedinsocietyafterthethrashingIgavehim？"

"Godforbid！Doyounotrecollectthatheworeasword？Fromthatmomentnoonewouldreceivehim。Hisarmwasbrokenandhisjawshatteredtopieces。

Butinspiteofthestatehewasin，inspiteofwhathemusthavesuffered，hisexcellencyhadhimremovedaweekafteryouhadtreatedhimsoseverely。Butyourflightiswhateveryonehasbeenwonderingover。ItwasthoughtforthreedaysthatM。D————R—————hadconcealedyouinhishouse，andhewasopenlyblamedfordoingso。

Hehadtodeclareloudlyatthegeneral’stablethathewasinthemostcompleteignoranceofyourwhereabouts。Hisexcellencyevenexpressedhisanxietyaboutyourescape，anditwasonlyyesterdaythatyourplaceofrefugewasmadeknownbyaletteraddressedbythepriestofthisislandtotheProto—PapaBulgari，inwhichhecomplainedthatanItalianofficerhadinvadedtheislandofCasopoaweekbefore，andhadcommittedunheard—ofviolence。Heaccusedyouofseducingallthegirls，andofthreateningtoshoothimifhedaredtopronounce’cataramonachia’againstyou。Thisletter，whichwasreadpubliclyattheeveningreception，madethegenerallaugh，butheorderedmetoarrestyouallthesame。"

"MadameSagredoisthecauseofitall。"

"True，butsheiswellpunishedforit。Yououghttocalluponherwithmeto—morrow。"

"To—morrow？AreyouthencertainthatIshallnotbeplacedunderarrest？"

"Yes，forIknowthatthegeneralisamanofhonour。"

"Iamofthesameopinion。Well，letusgoonboardyourfelucca。

Wewillembarktogetheraftermidnight。"

"Whynotnow？"

"BecauseIwillnotruntheriskofspendingthenightonboardM。

Foscari’sbastarda。IwanttoreachCorfubydaylight，soastomakeyourvictorymorebrilliant。"

"Butwhatshallwedoforthenexteighthours？"

"WewillpayavisittosomebeautiesofaspeciesunknowninCorfu，andhaveagoodsupper。"

Iorderedmylieutenanttosendplentytoeatandtodrinktothemenonboardthefelucca，toprepareasplendidsupper，andtosparenothing，asIshouldleavetheislandatmidnight。Imadehimapresentofallmyprovisions，exceptsuchasIwantedtotakewithme；theseIsentonboard。Myjanissaries，towhomIgaveaweek’spay，insisteduponescortingme，fullyequipped，asfarastheboat，whichmadetheadjutantlaughalltheway。

WereachedCorfubyeighto’clockinthemorning，andwewentalongsidethe’bastarda。TheadjutantconsignedmetoM。Foscari，assuringmethathewouldimmediatelygivenoticeofmyarrivaltoM。D————R—————，sendmyluggagetohishouse，andreportthesuccessofhisexpeditiontothegeneral。

M。Foscari，thecommanderofthebastarda，treatedmeverybadly。Ifhehadbeenblessedwithanydelicacyoffeeling，hewouldnothavebeeninsuchahurrytohavemeputinirons。Hemighthavetalkedtome，andhavethusdelayedforaquarterofanhourthatoperationwhichgreatlyvexedme。But，withoututteringasingleword，hesentmetothe’capodiscalo’whomademesitdown，andtoldmetoputmyfootforwardtoreceivetheirons，which，however，donotdishonouranyoneinthatcountry，noteventhegalleyslaves，fortheyarebettertreatedthansoldiers。

Myrightlegwasalreadyinirons，andtheleftonewasinthehandsofthemanforthecompletionofthatunpleasantceremony，whentheadjutantofhisexcellencycametotelltheexecutionertosetmeatlibertyandtoreturnmemysword。IwantedtopresentmycomplimentstothenobleM。Foscari，buttheadjutant，ratherashamed，assuredmethathisexcellencydidnotexpectmetodoso。

ThefirstthingIdidwastopaymyrespectstothegeneral，withoutsayingonewordtohim，buthetoldmewithaseriouscountenancetobemoreprudentforthefuture，andtolearnthatasoldier’sfirstdutywastoobey，andabovealltobemodestanddiscreet。I

understoodperfectlythemeaningofthetwolastwords，andactedaccordingly。

WhenImademyappearanceatM。D————R—————’s，Icouldseepleasureoneverybody’sface。ThosemomentshavealwaysbeensodeartomethatIhaveneverforgottenthem，theyhaveaffordedmeconsolationinthetimeofadversity。Ifyouwouldrelishpleasureyoumustendurepain，anddelightsareinproportiontotheprivationswehavesuffered。M。D————R—————wassogladtoseemethathecameuptomeandwarmlyembracedme。Hepresentedmewithabeautifulringwhichhetookfromhisownfinger，andtoldmethatIhadactedquiterightlyinnotlettinganyone，andparticularlyhimself，knowwhereI

hadtakenrefuge。

"Youcan’tthink，"headded，frankly，"howinterestedMadameF————

wasinyourfate。Shewouldbereallydelightedifyoucalledonherimmediately。"

Howdelightfultoreceivesuchadvicefromhisownlips！Buttheword"immediately"annoyedme，because，havingpassedthenightonboardthefelucca，Iwasafraidthatthedisorderofmytoiletmightinjuremeinhereyes。YetIcouldneitherrefuseM。D————R—————，nortellhimthereasonofmyrefusal，andIbethoughtmyselfthatI

couldmakeameritofitintheeyesofMadameF————

Ithereforewentatoncetoherhouse；thegoddesswasnotyetvisible，butherattendanttoldmetocomein，assuringmethathermistress’sbellwouldsoonbeheard，andthatshewouldbeverysorryifIdidnotwaittoseeher。Ispenthalfanhourwiththatyoungandindiscreetperson，whowasaverycharminggirl，andlearnedfromhermanythingswhichcausedmegreatpleasure，andparticularlyallthathadbeensaidrespectingmyescape。Ifoundthatthroughouttheaffairmyconducthadmetwithgeneralapprobation。

AssoonasMadameF————hadseenhermaid，shedesiredmetobeshewnin。Thecurtainsweredrawnaside，andIthoughtIsawAurorasurroundedwiththerosesandthepearlsofmorning。Itoldherthat，ifithadnotbeenfortheorderIreceivedfromM。D————R————

Iwouldnothavepresumedtopresentmyselfbeforeherinmytravellingcostume；andinthemostfriendlytonesheansweredthatM。D————R—————，knowingalltheinterestshefeltinme，hadbeenquiterighttotellmetocome，andsheassuredmethatM。D————

R—————hadthegreatestesteemforme。

"Idonotknow，madam，howIhavedeservedsuchgreathappiness，forallIdaredaimatwastoleration。"

"Wealladmiredthecontrolyoukeptoveryourfeelingswhenyourefrainedfromkillingthatinsolentmadmanonthespot；hewouldhavebeenthrownoutofthewindowifhehadnotbeatahurriedretreat。"

"Ishouldcertainlyhavekilledhim，madam，ifyouhadnotbeenpresent。"

"Averyprettycompliment，butIcanhardlybelievethatyouthoughtofmeinsuchamoment。"

Ididnotanswer，butcastmyeyesdown，andgaveadeepsigh。Sheobservedmynewring，andinordertochangethesubjectofconversationshepraisedM。D————R—————veryhighly，assoonasI

hadtoldherhowhehadofferedittome。Shedesiredmetogiveheranaccountofmylifeontheisland，andIdidso，butallowedmyprettyneedlewomentoremainunderaveil，forIhadalreadylearntthatinthisworldthetruthmustoftenremainuntold。

Allmyadventuresamusedhermuch，andshegreatlyadmiredmyconduct。

"Wouldyouhavethecourage，"shesaid，"torepeatallyouhavejusttoldme，andexactlyinthesameterms，beforetheproveditore—

generale？"

"Mostcertainly，madam，providedheaskedmehimself。"

"Well，then，preparetoredeemyourpromise。Iwantourexcellentgeneraltoloveyouandtobecomeyourwarmestprotector，soastoshieldyouagainsteveryinjusticeandtopromoteyouradvancement。

Leaveitalltome。"

Herreceptionfairlyoverwhelmedmewithhappiness，andonleavingherhouseIwenttoMajorMarolitofindoutthestateofmyfinances。Iwasgladtohearthataftermyescapehehadnolongerconsideredmeapartnerinthefarobank。Itookfourhundredsequinsfromthecashier，reservingtherighttobecomeagainapartner，shouldcircumstancesproveatanytimefavourable。

IntheeveningImadeacarefultoilet，andcalledfortheAdjutantMinoltoinordertopaywithhimavisittoMadameSagredo，thegeneral’sfavourite。WiththeexceptionofMadameF————shewasthegreatestbeautyofCorfu。Myvisitsurprisedher，because，asshehadbeenthecauseofallthathadhappened，shewasveryfarfromexpectingit。SheimaginedthatIhadaspiteagainsther。I

undeceivedher，speakingtoherverycandidly，andshetreatedmemostkindly，invitingmetocomenowandthentospendtheeveningatherhouse。

ButIneitheracceptednorrefusedheramiableinvitation，knowingthatMadameF————dislikedher；andhowcouldIbeafrequentguestatherhousewithsuchaknowledge！Besides，MadameSagredowasveryfondofgambling，and，topleaseher，itwasnecessaryeithertoloseormakeherwin，buttoacceptsuchconditionsonemustbeinlovewiththeladyorwishtomakeherconquest，andIhadnottheslightestideaofeither。TheAdjutantMinoltoneverplayed，buthehadcaptivatedthelady’sgoodgracesbyhisservicesinthecharacterofMercury。

WhenIreturnedtothepalaceIfoundMadameF————alone，M。D————

R—————beingengagedwithhiscorrespondence。Sheaskedmetositnearher，andtotellherallmyadventuresinConstantinople。Ididso，andIhadnooccasiontorepentit。MymeetingwithYusuf’swifepleasedherextremely，butthebathingscenebymoonlightmadeherblushwithexcitement。IveiledasmuchasIcouldthetoobrilliantcoloursofmypicture，but，ifshedidnotfindmeclear，shewouldobligemetobemoreexplicit，andifImademyselfbetterunderstoodbygivingtomyrecitalatouchofvoluptuousnesswhichIborrowedfromherlooksmorethanfrommyrecollection，shewouldscoldmeandtellmethatImighthavedisguisedalittlemore。Ifeltthatthewayshewastalkingwouldgiveheralikingforme，andIwassatisfiedthatthemanwhocangivebirthtoamorousdesiresiseasilycalledupontogratifythemitwastherewardIwasardentlylongingfor，andIdaredtohopeitwouldbemine，althoughIcouldseeitonlyloominginthedistance。

Ithappenedthat，onthatday，M。D————R—————hadinvitedalargecompanytosupper。Ihad，asamatterofcourse，toengrossallconversation，andtogivethefullestparticularsofallthathadtakenplacefromthemomentIreceivedtheordertoplacemyselfunderarrestuptothetimeofmyreleasefromthe’bastarda’。

M。Foscariwasseatednexttome，andthelastpartofmynarrativewasnot，Isuppose，particularlyagreeabletohim。

TheaccountIgaveofmyadventurespleasedeverybody，anditwasdecidedthattheproveditore—generalemusthavethepleasureofhearingmytalefrommyownlips。ImentionedthathaywasveryplentifulinCasopo，andasthatarticlewasveryscarceinCorfu，M。D————R—————toldmethatIoughttoseizetheopportunityofmakingmyselfagreeabletothegeneralbyinforminghimofthatcircumstancewithoutdelay。Ifollowedhisadvicetheverynextday，andwasverywellreceived，forhisexcellencyimmediatelyorderedasquadofmentogototheislandandbringlargequantitiesofhaytoCorfu。

AfewdayslatertheAdjutantMinoltocametomeinthecoffee—house，andtoldmethatthegeneralwishedtoseeme:thistimeIpromptlyobeyedhiscommands。

CHAPTERXV

ProgressofMyAmour——MyJourneytoOtranto——IEntertheServiceofMadameF。——AFortunateExcoriationTheroomIenteredwasfullofpeople。Hisexcellency，seeingme，smiledanddrewuponmetheattentionofallhisguestsbysayingaloud，"Herecomestheyoungmanwhoisagoodjudgeofprinces。"

"Mylord，Ihavebecomeajudgeofnobilitybyfrequentingthesocietyofmenlikeyou。"

"TheladiesarecurioustoknowallyouhavedonefromthetimeofyourescapefromCorfuuptoyourreturn。"

"Thenyousentenceme，monsignor，tomakeapublicconfession？"

"Exactly；but，asitistobeaconfession，becarefulnottoomitthemostinsignificantcircumstance，andsupposethatIamnotintheroom。"

"Onthecontrary，Iwishtoreceiveabsolutiononlyfromyourexcellency。Butmyhistorywillbealongone。"

"Ifsuchisthecase，yourconfessorgivesyoupermissiontobeseated。"

Igavealltheparticularsofmyadventures，withtheexceptionofmydalliancewiththenymphsoftheisland。

"Yourstoryisaveryinstructiveone，"observedthegeneral。

"Yes，mylord，fortheadventuresshewthatayoungmanisneversonearhisutterruinthanwhen，excitedbysomegreatpassion，hefindshimselfabletoministertoit，thankstothegoldinhispurse。"

Iwaspreparingtotakemyleave，whenthemajordomocametoinformmethathisexcellencydesiredmetoremaintosupper。Ihadthereforethehonourofaseatathistable，butnotthepleasureofeating，forIwasobligedtoanswerthequestionsaddressedtomefromallquarters，andIcouldnotcontrivetoswallowasinglemouthful。IwasseatednexttotheProto—PapaBulgari，andI

entreatedhispardonforhavingridiculedDeldimopulo’soracle。"Itisnothingelsebutregularcheating，"hesaid，"butitisverydifficulttoputastoptoit；itisanoldcustom。"

Ashorttimeafterwards，MadameF————whisperedafewwordstothegeneral，whoturnedtomeandsaidthathewouldbegladtohearmerelatewhathadoccurredtomeinConstantinoplewiththewifeoftheTurkYusuf，andatanotherfriend’shouse，whereIhadseenbathingbymoonlight。Iwasrathersurprisedatsuchaninvitation，andtoldhimthatsuchfrolicswerenotworthlisteningto，andthegeneralnotpressingmenomorewassaidaboutit。ButIwasastonishedatMadameF————’sindiscretion；shehadnobusinesstomakemyconfidencespublic。Iwantedhertobejealousofherowndignity，whichIlovedevenmorethanherperson。

Twoorthreedayslater，shesaidtome，"WhydidyourefusetotellyouradventuresinConstantinoplebeforethegeneral？"

"BecauseIdonotwisheverybodytoknowthatyouallowmetotellyousuchthings。WhatImaydare，madam，tosaytoyouwhenwearealone，Iwouldcertainlynotsaytoyouinpublic。"

"Andwhynot？Itseemstome，onthecontrary，thatifyouaresilentinpublicoutofrespectforme，yououghttobeallthemoresilentwhenwearealone。"

"Iwantedtoamuseyou，andhaveexposedmyselftothedangerofdispleasingyou，butIcanassureyou，madam，thatIwillnotrunsuchariskagain。"

"Ihavenowishtopryintoyourintentions，butitstrikesmethatifyourwishwastopleaseme，yououghtnottohaveruntheriskofobtainingtheoppositeresult。Wetakesupperwiththegeneralthisevening，andM。D————R—————hasbeenaskedtobringyou。IfeelcertainthatthegeneralwillaskyouagainforyouradventuresinConstantinople，andthistimeyoucannotrefusehim。"

M。D————R—————cameinandwewenttothegeneral’s。Ithoughtasweweredrivingalongthat，althoughMadameF————seemedtohaveintendedtohumiliateme，Ioughttoacceptitallasafavouroffortune，because，bycompellingmetoexplainmyrefusaltothegeneral；MadameF————had，atthesametime，compelledmetoadeclarationofmyfeelings，whichwasnotwithoutimportance。

The’proveditore—generale’gavemeafriendlywelcome，andkindlyhandedmealetterwhichhadcomewiththeofficialdispatchesfromConstantinople。Ibowedmythanks，andputtheletterinmypocket:

buthetoldmethathewashimselfagreatloverofnews，andthatI

couldreadmyletter。Iopenedit；itwasfromYusuf，whoannouncedthedeathofCountdeBonneval。HearingthenameoftheworthyYusuf，thegeneralaskedmetotellhimmyadventurewithhiswife。

Icouldnotnowrefuse，andIbeganastorywhichamusedandinterestedthegeneralandhisfriendsforanhourorso，butwhichwasfrombeginningtoendtheworkofmyimagination。

ThusIcontinuedtorespecttheprivacyofYusuf，toavoidimplicatingthegoodfameofMadameF————，andtoshewmyselfinalightwhichwastolerablyadvantageoustome。Mystory，whichwasfullofsentiment，didmeagreatdealofhonour，andIfeltveryhappywhenIsawfromtheexpressionofMadameF————’sfacethatshewaspleasedwithme，althoughsomewhatsurprised。

Whenwefoundourselvesagaininherhouseshetoldme，inthepresenceofM。D————R—————，thatthestoryIhadrelatedtothegeneralwascertainlyverypretty，althoughpurelyimaginary，thatshewasnotangrywithme，becauseIhadamusedher，butthatshecouldnothelpremarkingmyobstinacyinrefusingcompliancewithherwishes。Then，turningtoM。D————R—————，shesaid，"M。CasanovapretendsthatifhehadgivenanaccountofhismeetingwithYusuf’swifewithoutchanginganythingeverybodywouldthinkthatIallowedhimtoentertainmewithindecentstories。Iwantyoutogiveyouropinionaboutit。Willyou，"sheadded，speakingtome，"besogoodastorelateimmediatelytheadventureinthesamewordswhichyouhaveusedwhenyoutoldmeofit？"

"Yes，madam，ifyouwishmetodoso。"

Stungtothequickbyanindiscretionwhich，asIdidnotyetknowwomenthoroughly，seemedtomewithoutexample，Icastallfearsofdispleasingtothewinds，relatedtheadventurewithallthewarmthofanimpassionedpoet，andwithoutdisguisingorattenuatingintheleastthedesireswhichthecharmsoftheGreekbeautyhadinspiredmewith。

"Doyouthink，"saidM。D————R—————toMadameF—————，"thatheoughttohaverelatedthatadventurebeforeallourfriendsashehasjustrelatedittous？"

"Ifitbewrongforhimtotellitinpublic，itisalsowrongtotellittomeinprivate。"

"Youaretheonlyjudgeofthat:yes，ifhehasdispleasedyou；no，ifhehasamusedyou。Asformyownopinion，hereitis:Hehasjustnowamusedmeverymuch，buthewouldhavegreatlydispleasedmeifhehadrelatedthesameadventureinpublic。"

"Then，"exclaimedMadameF————，"Imustrequestyounevertotellmeinprivateanythingthatyoucannotrepeatinpublic。"

"Ipromise，madam，toactalwaysaccordingtoyourwishes。"

"Itbeingunderstood，"addedM。D————R—————，smiling，"thatmadamreservesallrightsofrepealingthatorderwhenevershemaythinkfit。"

Iwasvexed，butIcontrivednottoshowit。Afewminutesmore，andwetookleaveofMadameF————

Iwasbeginningtounderstandthatcharmingwoman，andtodreadtheordealtowhichshewouldsubjectme。Butlovewasstrongerthanfear，and，fortifiedwithhope，Ihadthecouragetoendurethethorns，soastogathertheroseattheendofmysufferings。IwasparticularlypleasedtofindthatM。D————R—————wasnotjealousofme，evenwhensheseemedtodarehimtoit。Thiswasapointofthegreatestimportance。

Afewdaysafterwards，asIwasentertainingheronvarioussubjects，sheremarkedhowunfortunateithadbeenformetoenterthelazzarettoatAnconawithoutanymoney。

"Inspiteofmydistress，"Isaid，"IfellinlovewithayoungandbeautifulGreekslave，whoverynearlycontrivedtomakemebreakthroughallthesanitarylaws。"

"Howso？"

"Youarealone，madam，andIhavenotforgottenyourorders。"

"Isitaveryimproperstory？"

"No:yetIwouldnotrelateittoyouinpublic。"

"Well，"shesaid，laughing，"Irepealmyorder，asM。D————R—————

saidIwould。Tellmeallaboutit。"

Itoldmystory，and，seeingthatshewaspensive，IexaggeratedthemiseryIhadfeltatnotbeingabletocompletemyconquest。

"Whatdoyoumeanbyyourmisery？Ithinkthatthepoorgirlwasmoretobepitiedthanyou。Youhaveneverseenhersince？"

"Ibegyourpardon，madam；Imetheragain，butIdarenottellyouwhenorhow。"

"Nowyoumustgoon；itisallnonsenseforyoutostop。Tellmeall；Iexpectyouhavebeenguiltyofsomeblackdeed。"

"Veryfarfromit，madam，foritwasaverysweet，althoughincomplete，enjoyment。"

"Goon！Butdonotcallthingsexactlybytheirnames。Itisnotnecessarytogointodetails。"

Emboldenedbytherenewalofherorder，Itoldher，withoutlookingherintheface，ofmymeetingwiththeGreekslaveinthepresenceofBellino，andoftheactwhichwascutshortbytheappearanceofhermaster。WhenIhadfinishedmystory，MadameF————remainedsilent，andIturnedtheconversationintoadifferentchannel，forthoughIfeltmyselfonanexcellentfootingwithher，IknewlikewisethatIhadtoproceedwithgreatprudence。Shewastooyoungtohaveloweredherselfbefore，andshewouldcertainlylookuponaconnectionwithmeasaloweringofherdignity。

Fortunewhichhadalwayssmileduponmeinthemosthopelesscases，didnotintendtoill—treatmeonthisoccasion，andprocuredme，onthatverysameday，afavourofaverypeculiarnature。Mycharmingladylovehavingprickedherfingerratherseverely，screamedloudly，andstretchedherhandtowardsme，entreatingmetosuckthebloodflowingfromthewound。Youmayjudge，dearreader，whetherIwaslonginseizingthatbeautifulhand，andifyouare，orifyouhaveeverbeeninlove，youwilleasilyguessthemannerinwhichI

performedmydelightfulwork。Whatisakiss？Isitnotanardentdesiretoinhaleaportionofthebeingwelove？WasnotthebloodI

wassuckingfromthatcharmingwoundaportionofthewomanI

worshipped？WhenIhadcompletedmywork，shethankedmeaffectionately，andtoldmetospitoutthebloodIhadsucked。

"Itishere，"Isaid，placingmyhandonmyheart，"andGodaloneknowswhathappinessithasgivenme。"

"Youhavedrunkmybloodwithhappiness！Areyouthenacannibal？"

"Ibelievenot，madam；butitwouldhavebeensacrilegeinmyeyesifIhadsufferedonesingledropofyourbloodtobelost。"

Oneevening，therewasanunusuallylargeattendanceatM。D————

R—————’sassembly，andweweretalkingofthecarnivalwhichwasnearathand。Everybodywasregrettingthelackofactors，andtheimpossibilityofenjoyingthepleasuresofthetheatre。I

immediatelyofferedtoprocureagoodcompanyatmyexpense，iftheboxeswereatoncesubscribedfor，andthemonopolyofthefarobankgrantedtome。Notimewastobelost，forthecarnivalwasapproaching，andIhadtogotoOtrantotoengageatroop。Myproposalwasacceptedwithgreatjoy，andtheproveditore—generaleplacedafeluccaatmydisposal。Theboxeswerealltakeninthreedays，andaJewtookthepit，twonightsaweekexcepted，whichI

reservedformyownprofit。

Thecarnivalbeingverylongthatyear，Ihadeverychanceofsuccess。Itissaidgenerallythattheprofessionoftheatricalmanagerisdifficult，but，ifthatisthecase，Ihavenotfounditsobyexperience，andamboundtoaffirmthecontrary。