第16章

Oneeveningaftersupper，M。D————R—————havingretired，M。F————

usednoceremony，and，althoughIwaspresent，toldhiswifethatheintendedtopayheravisitafterwritingtwoletterswhichhehadtodispatchearlythenextmorning。Themomenthehadlefttheroomwelookedateachother，andwithoneaccordfellintoeachother’sarms。Atorrentofdelightsrushedthroughoursoulswithoutrestraint，withoutreserve，butwhenthefirstardourhadbeenappeased，withoutgivingmetimetothinkortoenjoythemostcomplete，themostdeliciousvictory，shedrewback，repulsedme，andthrewherself，panting，distracted，uponachairnearherbed。

Rootedtothespot，astonished，almostmad，Itremblinglylookedather，tryingtounderstandwhathadcausedsuchanextraordinaryaction。Sheturnedroundtowardsmeandsaid，hereyesflashingwiththefireoflove，"Mydarling，wewereonthebrinkoftheprecipice。"

"Theprecipice！Ah！cruelwoman，youhavekilledme，Ifeelmyselfdying，andperhapsyouwillneverseemeagain。"

Ileftherinastateoffrenzy，andrushedout，towardstheesplanade，tocoolmyself，forIwaschoking。AnymanwhohasnotexperiencedthecrueltyofanactionlikethatofMadameF————，andespeciallyinthesituationIfoundmyselfinatthatmoment，mentallyandbodily，canhardlyrealizewhatIsuffered，and，althoughIhavefeltthatsuffering，Icouldnotgiveanideaofit。

Iwasinthatfearfulstate，whenIheardmynamecalledfromawindow，andunfortunatelyIcondescendedtoanswer。Iwentnearthewindow，andIsaw，thankstothemoonlight，thefamousMelullastandingonherbalcony。

"Whatareyoudoingthereatthistimeofnight？"Ienquired。

"Iamenjoyingthecooleveningbreeze。Comeupforalittlewhile。"

ThisMelulla，offatalmemory，wasacourtezanfromZamte，ofrarebeauty，whoforthelastfourmonthshadbeenthedelightandtherageofalltheyoungmeninCorfu。Thosewhohadknownheragreedinextollinghercharms:shewasthetalkofallthecity。Ihadseenheroften，but，althoughshewasverybeautiful，IwasveryfarfromthinkingheraslovelyasMadameF————，puttingmyaffectionforthelatterononeside。IrecollectseeinginDresden，intheyear1790，averyhandsomewomanwhowastheimageofMelulla。

Iwentupstairsmechanically，andshetookmetoavoluptuousboudoir；shecomplainedofmybeingtheonlyonewhohadneverpaidheravisit，whenIwasthemanshewouldhavepreferredtoallothers，andIhadtheinfamytogiveway……Ibecamethemostcriminalofmen。

Itwasneitherdesire，norimagination，northemeritofthewomanwhichcausedmetoyield，forMelullawasinnowayworthyofme；no，itwasweakness，indolence，andthestateofbodilyandmentalirritationinwhichIthenfoundmyself:itwasasortofspite，becausetheangelwhomIadoredhaddispleasedmebyacaprice，which，hadInotbeenunworthyofher，wouldonlyhavecausedmetobestillmoreattachedtoher。

Melulla，highlypleasedwithhersuccess，refusedthegoldIwantedtogiveher，andallowedmetogoafterIhadspenttwohourswithher。

WhenIrecoveredmycomposure，Ihadbutonefeeling—hatredformyselfandforthecontemptiblecreaturewhohadalluredmetobeguiltyofsovileaninsulttotheloveliestofhersex。Iwenthomethepreytofearfulremorse，andwenttobed，butsleepneverclosedmyeyesthroughoutthatcruelnight。

Inthemorning，wornoutwithfatigueandsorrow，Igotup，andassoonasIwasdressedIwenttoM。F————，whohadsentformetogivemesomeorders。AfterIhadreturned，andhadgivenhimanaccountofmymission，IcalleduponMadameF————，andfindingherathertoiletIwishedhergoodmorning，observingthatherlovelyfacewasbreathingthecheerfulnessandthecalmofhappiness；but，suddenly，hereyesmeetingmine，Isawhercountenancechange，andanexpressionofsadnessreplaceherlooksofsatisfaction。Shecasthereyesdownasifshewasdeepinthought，raisedthemagainasiftoreadmyverysoul，andbreakingourpainfulsilence，assoonasshehaddismissedhermaid，shesaidtome，withanaccentfulloftendernessandofsolemnity，"Dearone，lettherebenoconcealmenteitheronmypartoronyours。

IfeltdeeplygrievedwhenIsawyouleavemelastnight，andalittleconsiderationmademeunderstandalltheevilwhichmightaccruetoyouinconsequenceofwhatIhaddone。Withanaturelikeyours，suchscenesmightcauseverydangerousdisorders，andIhaveresolvednottodoagainanythingbyhalves。Ithoughtthatyouwentouttobreathethefreshair，andIhopeditwoulddoyougood。I

placedmyselfatmywindow，whereIremainedmorethananhourwithoutseeingalightinyourroom。SorryforwhatIhaddone，lovingyoumorethanever，Iwascompelled，whenmyhusbandcametomyroom，togotobedwiththesadconvictionthatyouhadnotcomehome。Thismorning，M。F。sentanofficertotellyouthathewantedtoseeyou，andIheardthemessengerinformhimthatyouwerenotyetup，andthatyouhadcomehomeverylate。Ifeltmyheartswellwithsorrow。Iamnotjealous，dearest，forIknowthatyoucannotloveanyonebutme；Ionlyfeltafraidofsomemisfortune。Atlast，thismorning，whenIheardyoucoming，Iwashappy，becauseIwasreadytoskewmyrepentance，butIlookedatyou，andyouseemedadifferentman。Now，Iamstilllookingatyou，and，inspiteofmyself，mysoulreadsuponyourcountenancethatyouareguilty，thatyouhaveoutragedmylove。Tellmeatonce，dearest，ifIammistaken；ifyouhavedeceivedme，saysoopenly。Donotbeunfaithfultoloveandtotruth。KnowingthatIwasthecauseofit，Ishouldneverforgivemyself，butthereisanexcuseforyouinmyheart，inmywholebeing。"

Morethanonce，inthecourseofmylife，IhavefoundmyselfunderthepainfulnecessityoftellingfalsehoodstothewomanIloved；butinthiscase，aftersotrue，sotouchinganappeal，howcouldIbeotherwisethansincere？Ifeltmyselfsufficientlydebasedbymycrime，andIcouldnotdegrademyselfstillmorebyfalsehood。IwassofarfrombeingdisposedtosuchalineofconductthatIcouldnotspeak，andIburstoutcrying。

"What，mydarling！youareweeping！Yourtearsmakememiserable。

Yououghtnottohaveshedanywithmebuttearsofhappinessandlove。Quick，mybeloved，tellmewhetheryouhavemademewretched。

Tellmewhatfearfulrevengeyouhavetakenonme，whowouldratherdiethanoffendyou。IfIhavecausedyouanysorrow，ithasbeenintheinnocenceofalovinganddevotedheart。"

"Myowndarlingangel，Ineverthoughtofrevenge，formyheart，whichcanneverceasetoadoreyou，couldneverconceivesuchadreadfulidea。Itisagainstmyownheartthatmycowardlyweaknesshasalluredmetothecommissionofacrimewhich，fortheremainderofmylife，makesmeunworthyofyou。"

"Haveyou，then，givenyourselftosomewretchedwoman？"

"Yes，Ihavespenttwohoursinthevilestdebauchery，andmysoulwaspresentonlytobethewitnessofmysadness，ofmyremorse，ofmyunworthiness。"

"Sadnessandremorse！Oh，mypoorfriend！Ibelieveit。Butitismyfault；Ialoneoughttosuffer；itisIwhomustbegyoutoforgiveme。"

Hertearsmademineflowagain。

"Divinesoul，"Isaid，"thereproachesyouareaddressingtoyourselfincreasetwofoldthegravityofmycrime。YouwouldneverhavebeenguiltyofanywrongagainstmeifIhadbeenreallyworthyofyourlove。"

Ifeltdeeplythetruthofmywords。

Wespenttheremainderofthedayapparentlyquietandcomposed，concealingoursadnessinthedepthsofourhearts。Shewascurioustoknowallthecircumstancesofmymiserableadventure，and，acceptingitasanexpiation，Irelatedthemtoher。Fullofkindness，sheassuredmethatwewereboundtoascribethataccidenttofate，andthatthesamethingmighthavehappenedtothebestofmen。SheaddedthatIwasmoretobepitiedthancondemned，andthatshedidnotlovemeless。Webothwerecertainthatwewouldseizethefirstfavourableopportunity，sheofobtainingherpardon，Iofatoningformycrime，bygivingeachothernewandcompleteproofsofourmutualardour。ButHeaveninitsjusticehadordereddifferently，andIwascruellypunishedformydisgustingdebauchery。

Onthethirdday，asIgotupinthemorning，anawfulprickingannouncedthehorridstateintowhichthewretchedMelullahadthrownme。Iwasthunderstruck！AndwhenIcametothinkofthemiserywhichImighthavecausedif，duringthelastthreedays，Ihadobtainedsomenewfavourfrommylovelymistress，Iwasonthepointofgoingmad。WhatwouldhavebeenherfeelingsifIhadmadeherunhappyfortheremainderofherlife！Wouldanyone，then，knowingthewholecase，havecondemnedmeifIhaddestroyedmyownlifeinordertodelivermyselffromeverlastingremorse？No，forthemanwhokillshimselffromsheerdespair，thusperforminguponhimselftheexecutionofthesentencehewouldhavedeservedatthehandsofjusticecannotbeblamedeitherbyavirtuousphilosopherorbyatolerantChristian。ButofonethingIamquitecertain:ifsuchamisfortunehadhappened，Ishouldhavecommittedsuicide。

OverwhelmedwithgriefbythediscoveryIhadjustmade，butthinkingthatIshouldgetridoftheinconvenienceasIhaddonethreetimesbefore，Ipreparedmyselfforastrictdiet，whichwouldrestoremyhealthinsixweekswithoutanyonehavinganysuspicionofmyillness，butIsoonfoundoutthatIhadnotseentheendofmytroubles；Melullahadcommunicatedtomysystemallthepoisonswhichcorruptthesourceoflife。Iwasacquaintedwithanelderlydoctorofgreatexperienceinthosematters；Iconsultedhim，andhepromisedtosetmetorightsintwomonths；heprovedasgoodashisword。AtthebeginningofSeptemberIfoundmyselfingoodhealth，anditwasaboutthattimethatIreturnedtoVenice。

ThefirstthingIresolvedon，assoonasIdiscoveredthestateI

wasin，wastoconfesseverythingtoMadameF————。Ididnotwishtowaitforthetimewhenacompulsoryconfessionwouldhavemadeherblushforherweakness，andgivenhercausetothinkofthefearfulconsequenceswhichmighthavebeentheresultofherpassionforme。

Heraffectionwastoodeartometoruntheriskoflosingitthroughawantofconfidenceinher。Knowingherheart，hercandour，andthegenerositywhichhadpromptedhertosaythatIwasmoretobepitiedthanblamed，IthoughtmyselfboundtoprovebymysinceritythatI

deservedheresteem。

ItoldhercandidlymypositionandthestateIhadbeenthrownin，whenIthoughtofthedreadfulconsequencesitmighthavehadforher。Isawhershudderandtremble，andsheturnedpalewithfearwhenIaddedthatIwouldhaveavengedherbykillingmyself。

"Villainous，infamousMelulla！"sheexclaimed。

AndIrepeatedthosewords，butturningthemagainstmyselfwhenI

realizedallIhadsacrificedthroughthemostdisgustingweakness。

EveryoneinCorfuknewofmyvisittothewretchedMelulla，andeveryoneseemedsurprisedtoseetheappearanceofhealthonmycountenance；formanywerethevictimsthatshehadtreatedlikeme。

Myillnesswasnotmyonlysorrow；Ihadotherswhich，althoughofadifferentnature，werenotlessserious。ItwaswritteninthebookoffatethatIshouldreturntoVeniceasimpleensignaswhenI

left:thegeneraldidnotkeephisword，andthebastardsonofanoblemanwaspromotedtothelieutenancyinsteadofmyself。Fromthatmomentthemilitaryprofession，theonemostsubjecttoarbitrarydespotism，inspiredmewithdisgust，andIdeterminedtogiveitup。ButIhadanotherstillmoreimportantmotiveforsorrowintheficklenessoffortunewhichhadcompletelyturnedagainstme。

Iremarkedthat，fromthetimeofmydegradationwithMelulla，everykindofmisfortunebefellme。Thegreatestofall——thatwhichIfeltmost，butwhichIhadthegoodsensetotryandconsiderafavour——

wasthataweekbeforethedepartureofthearmyM。D————R—————tookmeagainforhisadjutant，andM。F————hadtoengageanotherinmyplace。OntheoccasionofthatchangeMadameFtoldme，withanappearanceofregret，thatinVenicewecouldnot，formanyreasons，continueourintimacy。Ibeggedhertosparemethereasons，asI

foresawthattheywouldonlythrowhumiliationuponme。IbegantodiscoverthatthegoddessIhadworshippedwas，afterall，apoorhumanbeinglikeallotherwomen，andtothinkthatIshouldhavebeenveryfoolishtogiveupmylifeforher。Iprobedinonedaytherealworthofherheart，forshetoldme，Icannotrecollectinreferencetowhat，thatIexcitedherpity。Isawclearlythatshenolongerlovedme；pityisadebasingfeelingwhichcannotfindahomeinaheartfulloflove，forthatdrearysentimentistooneararelativeofcontempt。SincethattimeIneverfoundmyselfalonewithMadameF————。Ilovedherstill；Icouldeasilyhavemadeherblush，butIdidnotdoit。

AssoonaswereachedVeniceshebecameattachedtoM。F————R—————，whomsheloveduntildeathtookhimfromher。Shewasunhappyenoughtolosehersighttwentyyearsafter。Ibelievesheisstillalive。

DuringthelasttwomonthsofmystayinCorfu，Ilearnedthemostbitterandimportantlessons。InafteryearsIoftenderivedusefulhintsfromtheexperienceIacquiredatthattime。

BeforemyadventurewiththeworthlessMelulla，Ienjoyedgoodhealth，Iwasrich，luckyatplay，likedbyeverybody，belovedbythemostlovelywomanofCorfu。WhenIspoke，everybodywouldlistenandadmiremywit；mywordsweretakenfororacles，andeveryonecoincidedwithmeineverything。AftermyfatalmeetingwiththecourtezanIrapidlylostmyhealth，mymoney，mycredit；

cheerfulness，consideration，wit，everything，eventhefacultyofeloquencevanishedwithfortune。Iwouldtalk，butpeopleknewthatIwasunfortunate，andInolongerinterestedorconvincedmyhearers。TheinfluenceIhadoverMadameF————fadedawaylittlebylittle，and，almostwithoutherknowingit，thelovelywomanbecamecompletelyindifferenttome。

IleftCorfuwithoutmoney，althoughIhadsoldorpledgedeverythingIhadofanyvalue。TwiceIhadreachedCorfurichandhappy，twiceIleftitpoorandmiserable。ButthistimeIhadcontracteddebtswhichIhaveneverpaid，notthroughwantofwillbutthroughcarelessness。

Richandingoodhealth，everyonereceivedmewithopenarms；poorandlookingsick，nooneshewedmeanyconsideration。Withafullpurseandthetoneofaconqueror，Iwasthoughtwitty，amusing；withanemptypurseandamodestair，allIsaidappeareddullandinsipid。IfIhadbecomerichagain，howsoonIwouldhavebeenagainaccountedtheeighthwonderoftheworld！Oh，men！oh，fortune！Everyoneavoidedmeasiftheillluckwhichcrushedmedownwasinfectious。

WeleftCorfutowardstheendofSeptember，withfivegalleys，twogaleasses，andseveralsmallervessels，underthecommandofM。

Renier。WesailedalongtheshoresoftheAdriatic，towardsthenorthofthegulf，wherethereareagreatmanyharbours，andweputinoneofthemeverynight。IsawMadameF————everyevening；shealwayscamewithherhusbandtotakesupperonboardourgaleass。Wehadafortunatevoyage，andcastanchorintheharbourofVeniceonthe14thofOctober，1745，andafterhavingperformedquarantineonboardourships，welandedonthe25thofNovember。Twomonthsafterwards，thegaleassesweresetasidealtogether。Theuseofthesevesselscouldbetracedveryfarbackinancienttimes；theirmaintenancewasveryexpensive，andtheywereuseless。Agaleasshadtheframeofafrigatewiththerowingapparatusofthegalley，andwhentherewasnowind，fivehundredslaveshadtorow。

Beforesimplegoodsensemanagedtoprevailandtoenforcethesuppressionoftheseuselesscarcasses，therewerelongdiscussionsinthesenate，andthosewhoopposedthemeasuretooktheirprincipalgroundofoppositioninthenecessityofrespectingandconservingalltheinstitutionsofoldentimes。Thatisthediseaseofpersonswhocanneveridentifythemselveswiththesuccessiveimprovementsbornofreasonandexperience；worthypersonswhooughttobesenttoChina，ortothedominionsoftheGrandLama，wheretheywouldcertainlybemoreathomethaninEurope。

Thatgroundofoppositiontoallimprovements，howeverabsurditmaybe，isaverypowerfuloneinarepublic，whichmusttrembleatthemereideaofnoveltyeitherinimportantorintriflingthings。

Superstitionhaslikewiseagreatparttoplayintheseconservativeviews。

ThereisonethingthattheRepublicofVenicewillneveralter:I

meanthegalleys，becausetheVenetianstrulyrequiresuchvesselstoply，inallweathersandinspiteofthefrequentcalms，inanarrowsea，andbecausetheywouldnotknowwhattodowiththemensentencedtohardlabour。

IhaveobservedasingularthinginCorfu，wherethereareoftenasmanyasthreethousandgalleyslaves；itisthatthemenwhorowonthegalleys，inconsequenceofasentencepasseduponthemforsomecrime，areheldinakindofopprobrium，whilstthosewhoaretherevoluntarilyare，tosomeextent，respected。Ihavealwaysthoughtitoughttobethereverse，becausemisfortune，whateveritmaybe，oughttoinspiresomesortofrespect；butthevilefellowwhocondemnshimselfvoluntarilyandasatradetothepositionofaslaveseemstomecontemptibleinthehighestdegree。TheconvictsoftheRepublic，however，enjoymanyprivileges，andare，ineveryway，bettertreatedthanthesoldiers。Itveryoftenoccursthatsoldiersdesertandgivethemselvesuptoa’sopracomito’tobecomegalleyslaves。Inthosecases，thecaptainwholosesasoldierhasnothingtodobuttosubmitpatiently，forhewouldclaimthemaninvain。ThereasonofitisthattheRepublichasalwaysbelievedgalleyslavesmorenecessarythansoldiers。TheVenetiansmayperhapsnow（Iamwritingtheselinesintheyear1797）begintorealizetheirmistake。

Agalleyslave，forinstance，hastheprivilegeofstealingwithimpunity。Itisconsideredthatstealingistheleastcrimetheycanbeguiltyof，andthattheyoughttobeforgivenforit。

"Keeponyourguard，"saysthemasterofthegalleyslave；"andifyoucatchhimintheactofstealing，thrashhim，butbecarefulnottocripplehim；otherwiseyoumustpaymetheonehundredducatsthemanhascostme。"

Acourtofjusticecouldnothaveagalleyslavetakenfromagalley，withoutpayingthemastertheamounthehasdisbursedfortheman。

AssoonasIhadlandedinVenice，IcalleduponMadameOrio，butI

foundthehouseempty。AneighbourtoldmethatshehadmarriedtheProcuratorRosa，andhadremovedtohishouse。IwentimmediatelytoM。Rosaandwaswellreceived。MadameOrioinformedmethatNanettehadbecomeCountessR。，andwaslivinginGuastallawithherhusband。

Twenty—fouryearsafterwards，Imethereldestson，thenadistinguishedofficerintheserviceoftheInfanteofParma。

AsforMarton，thegraceofHeavenhadtouchedher，andshehadbecomeanunintheconventatMuran。Twoyearsafterwards，I

receivedfromheraletterfullofunction，inwhichsheadjuredme，inthenameofOurSaviourandoftheHolyVirgin，nevertopresentmyselfbeforehereyes。SheaddedthatshewasboundbyChristiancharitytoforgivemeforthecrimeIhadcommittedinseducingher，andshefeltcertainoftherewardoftheelect，andsheassuredmethatshewouldeverprayearnestlyformyconversion。

Ineversawheragain，butshesawmein1754，asIwillmentionwhenwereachthatyear。

IfoundMadameManzonistillthesame。ShehadpredictedthatI

wouldnotremaininthemilitaryprofession，andwhenItoldherthatIhadmadeupmymindtogiveitup，becauseIcouldnotbereconciledtotheinjusticeIhadexperienced，sheburstoutlaughing。SheenquiredabouttheprofessionIintendedtofollowaftergivingupthearmy，andIansweredthatIwishedtobecomeanadvocate。Shelaughedagain，sayingthatitwastoolate。YetIwasonlytwentyyearsold。

WhenIcalleduponM。GrimaniIhadafriendlywelcomefromhim，but，havingenquiredaftermybrotherFrancois，hetoldmethathehadhadhimconfinedinFortSaintAndre，thesametowhichIhadbeensentbeforethearrivaloftheBishopofMartorano。

"Heworksforthemajorthere，"hesaid；"hecopiesSimonetti’sbattle—pieces，andthemajorpayshimforthem；inthatmannerheearnshisliving，andisbecomingagoodpainter。"

"Butheisnotaprisoner？"

"Well，verymuchlikeit，forhecannotleavethefort。Themajor，whosenameisSpiridion，isafriendofRazetta，whocouldnotrefusehimthepleasureoftakingcareofyourbrother。"

IfeltitadreadfulcursethatthefatalRazettashouldbethetormentorofallmyfamily，butIconcealedmyanger。

"Ismysister，"Ienquired，"stillwithhim？"

"No，shehasgonetoyourmotherinDresden。"

Thiswasgoodnews。

ItookacordialleaveoftheAbbeGrimani，andIproceededtoFortSaintAndre。Ifoundmybrotherhardatwork，neitherpleasednordispleasedwithhisposition，andenjoyinggoodhealth。Afterembracinghimaffectionately，Ienquiredwhatcrimehehadcommittedtobethusaprisoner。

"Askthemajor，"hesaid，"forIhavenotthefaintestidea。"

Themajorcameinjustthen，soIgavehimthemilitarysalute，andaskedbywhatauthorityhekeptmybrotherunderarrest。

"Iamnotaccountabletoyouformyactions。"

"Thatremainstobeseen。"

Ithentoldmybrothertotakehishat，andtocomeanddinewithme。

Themajorlaughed，andsaidthathehadnoobjectionprovidedthesentinelallowedhimtopass。

IsawthatIshouldonlywastemytimeindiscussion，andIleftthefortfullybentonobtainingjustice。

ThenextdayIwenttothewaroffice，whereIhadthepleasureofmeetingmydearMajorPelodoro，whowasthencommanderoftheFortressofChiozza。IinformedhimofthecomplaintIwantedtopreferbeforethesecretaryofwarrespectingmybrother’sarrest，andoftheresolutionIhadtakentoleavethearmy。Hepromisedmethat，assoonastheconsentofthesecretaryforwarcouldbeobtained，hewouldfindapurchaserformycommissionatthesamepriceIhadpaidforit。

Ihadnotlongtowait。Thewarsecretarycametotheoffice，andeverythingwassettledinhalfanhour。Hepromisedhisconsenttothesaleofmycommissionassoonasheascertainedtheabilitiesofthepurchaser，andMajorSpiridionhappeningtomakehisappearanceintheofficewhileIwasstillthere，thesecretaryorderedhimratherangrily，tosetmybrotheratlibertyimmediately，andcautionedhimnottobeguiltyagainofsuchreprehensibleandarbitraryacts。

Iwentatonceformybrother，andwelivedtogetherinfurnishedlodgings。

Afewdaysafterwards，havingreceivedmydischargeandonehundredsequins，Ithrewoffmyuniform，andfoundmyselfoncemoremyownmaster。

Ihadtoearnmylivinginonewayoranother，andIdecidedfortheprofessionofgamester。ButDameFortunewasnotofthesameopinion，forsherefusedtosmileuponmefromtheveryfirststepI

tookinthecareer，andinlessthanaweekIdidnotpossessagroat。Whatwastobecomeofme？Onemustlive，andIturnedfiddler。DoctorGozzihadtaughtmewellenoughtoenablemetoscrapeontheviolinintheorchestraofatheatre，andhavingmentionedmywishestoM。GrimaniheprocuredmeanengagementathisowntheatreofSaintSamuel，whereIearnedacrownaday，andsupportedmyselfwhileIawaitedbetterthings。

Fullyawareofmyrealposition，InevershewedmyselfinthefashionablecircleswhichIusedtofrequentbeforemyfortunehadsunksolow。IknewthatIwasconsideredasaworthlessfellow，butIdidnotcare。Peopledespisedme，asamatterofcourse；butI

foundcomfortintheconsciousnessthatIwasworthyofcontempt。

IfelthumiliatedbythepositiontowhichIwasreducedafterhavingplayedsobrilliantapartinsociety；butasIkeptthesecrettomyselfIwasnotdegraded，evenifIfeltsomeshame。IhadnotexchangedmylastwordwithDameFortune，andwasstillinhopeofreckoningwithhersomeday，becauseIwasyoung，andyouthisdeartoFortune。

CHAPTERXVII

ITurnOutAWorthlessFellow——MyGoodFortune——IBecomeARichNoblemanWithaneducationwhichoughttohaveensuredmeanhonourablestandingintheworld，withsomeintelligence，wit，goodliteraryandscientificknowledge，andendowedwiththoseaccidentalphysicalqualitieswhicharesuchagoodpassportintosociety，Ifoundmyself，attheageoftwenty，themeanfollowerofasublimeart，inwhich，ifgreattalentisrightlyadmired，mediocrityisasrightlydespised。Iwascompelledbypovertytobecomeamemberofamusicalband，inwhichIcouldexpectneitheresteemnorconsideration，andI

waswellawarethatIshouldbethelaughing—stockofthepersonswhohadknownmeasadoctorindivinity，asanecclesiastic，andasanofficerinthearmy，andhadwelcomedmeinthehighestsociety。

Iknewallthat，forIwasnotblindtomyposition；butcontempt，theonlythingtowhichIcouldnothaveremainedindifferent，neversheweditselfanywhereunderaformtangibleenoughformetohavenodoubtofmybeingdespised，andIsetitatdefiance，becauseIwassatisfiedthatcontemptisdueonlytocowardly，meanactions，andI

wasconsciousthatIhadneverbeenguiltyofany。Astopublicesteem，whichIhadeverbeenanxioustosecure，myambitionwasslumbering，andsatisfiedwithbeingmyownmasterIenjoyedmyindependencewithoutpuzzlingmyheadaboutthefuture。Ifeltthatinmyfirstprofession，asIwasnotblessedwiththevocationnecessarytoit，Ishouldhavesucceededonlybydintofhypocrisy，andIshouldhavebeendespicableinmyownestimation，evenifIhadseenthepurplemantleonmyshoulders，forthegreatestdignitiescannotsilenceaman’sownconscience。If，ontheotherhand，Ihadcontinuedtoseekfortuneinamilitarycareer，whichissurroundedbyahaloofglory，butisotherwisetheworstofprofessionsfortheconstantself—abnegation，forthecompletesurrenderofone’swillwhichpassiveobediencedemands，IshouldhaverequiredapatiencetowhichIcouldnotlayanyclaim，aseverykindofinjusticewasrevoltingtome，andasIcouldnotbeartofeelmyselfdependent。

Besides，Iwasofopinionthataman’sprofession，whateveritmightbe，oughttosupplyhimwithenoughmoneytosatisfyallhiswants；

andtheverypoorpayofanofficerwouldneverhavebeensufficienttocovermyexpenses，becausemyeducationhadgivenmegreaterwantsthanthoseofofficersingeneral。ByscrapingmyviolinIearnedenoughtokeepmyselfwithoutrequiringanybody’sassistance，andI

havealwaysthoughtthatthemanwhocansupporthimselfishappy。I

grantthatmyprofessionwasnotabrilliantone，butIdidnotmindit，and，callingprejudicesallthefeelingswhichroseinmybreastagainstmyself，Iwasnotlonginsharingallthehabitsofmydegradedcomrades。Whentheplaywasover，Iwentwiththemtothedrinking—booth，whichweoftenleftintoxicatedtospendthenightinhousesofill—fame。Whenwehappenedtofindthoseplacesalreadytenantedbyothermen，weforcedthembyviolencetoquitthepremises，anddefraudedthemiserablevictimsofprostitutionofthemeansalarythelawallowsthem，aftercompellingthemtoyieldtoourbrutality。Ourscandalousproceedingsoftenexposedustothegreatestdanger。

Wewouldveryoftenspendthewholenightramblingaboutthecity，inventingandcarryingintoexecutionthemostimpertinent，practicaljokes。Oneofourfavouritepleasureswastounmoorthepatricians’

gondolas，andtoletthemfloatatrandomalongthecanals，enjoyingbyanticipationallthecursesthatgondolierswouldnotfailtoindulgein。Wewouldrouseuphurriedly，inthemiddleofthenight，anhonestmidwife，tellinghertohastentoMadameSo—and—so，who，notbeingevenpregnant，wassuretotellhershewasafoolwhenshecalledatthehouse。Wedidthesamewithphysicians，whomweoftensenthalfdressedtosomenoblemanwhowasenjoyingexcellenthealth。

Thepriestsfarednobetter；wewouldsendthemtocarrythelastsacramentstomarriedmenwhowerepeacefullyslumberingneartheirwives，andnotthinkingofextremeunction。

Wewereinthehabitofcuttingthewiresofthebellsineveryhouse，andifwechancedtofindagateopenwewouldgoupthestairsinthedark，andfrightenthesleepinginmatesbytellingthemveryloudlythatthehousedoorwasnotclosed，afterwhichwewouldgodown，makingasmuchnoiseaswecould，andleavethehousewiththegatewideopen。

DuringaverydarknightweformedaplottooverturnthelargemarbletableofSt。Angelo’sSquare，onwhichitwassaidthatinthedaysoftheLeagueofCambraythecommissariesoftheRepublicwereinthehabitofpayingthebountytotherecruitswhoengagedtofightunderthestandardofSt。Mark——acircumstancewhichsecuredforthetableasortofpublicveneration。

Wheneverwecouldcontrivetogetintoachurchtowerwethoughtitgreatfuntofrightenalltheparishbyringingthealarmbell，asifsomefirehadbrokenout；butthatwasnotall，wealwayscutthebellropes，sothatinthemorningthechurchwardenshadnomeansofsummoningthefaithfultoearlymass。Sometimeswewouldcrossthecanal，eachofusinadifferentgondola，andtaketoourheelswithoutpayingassoonaswelandedontheoppositeside，inordertomakethegondoliersrunafterus。

Thecitywasalivewithcomplaints，andwelaughedattheuselesssearchmadebythepolicetofindoutthosewhodisturbedthepeaceoftheinhabitants。Wetookgoodcaretobecareful，forifwehadbeendiscoveredwestoodaveryfairchanceofbeingsenttopracticerowingattheexpenseoftheCouncilofTen。

Wewereseven，andsometimeseight，because，beingmuchattachedtomybrotherFrancois，Igavehimasharenowandtheninournocturnalorgies。Butatlastfearputastoptoourcriminaljokes，whichinthosedaysIusedtocallonlythefrolicsofyoungmen。Thisistheamusingadventurewhichclosedourexploits。

Ineveryoneoftheseventy—twoparishesofthecityofVenice，thereisalargepublic—housecalled’magazzino’。Itremainsopenallnight，andwineisretailedthereatacheaperpricethaninalltheotherdrinkinghouses。Peoplecanlikewiseeatinthe’magazzino’，buttheymustobtainwhattheywantfromtheporkbutchernearby，whohastheexclusivesaleofeatables，andlikewisekeepshisshopopenthroughoutthenight。Theporkbutcherisusuallyaverypoorcook，butasheischeap，poorpeoplearewillinglysatisfiedwithhim，andtheseresortsareconsideredveryusefultothelowerclass。

Thenobility，themerchants，evenworkmeningoodcircumstances，areneverseeninthe’magazzino’，forcleanlinessisnotexactlyworshippedinsuchplaces。Yetthereareafewprivateroomswhichcontainatablesurroundedwithbenches，inwhicharespectablefamilyorafewfriendscanenjoythemselvesinadecentway。

ItwasduringtheCarnivalof1745，aftermidnight；wewere，alltheeightofus，ramblingabouttogetherwithourmaskson，inquestofsomenewsortofmischieftoamuseus，andwewentintothemagazzinooftheparishoftheHolyCrosstogetsomethingtodrink。Wefoundthepublicroomempty，butinoneoftheprivatechamberswediscoveredthreemenquietlyconversingwithayoungandprettywoman，andenjoyingtheirwine。

Ourchief，anobleVenetianbelongingtotheBalbifamily，saidtous，"Itwouldbeagoodjoketocarryoffthosethreeblockheads，andtokeeptheprettywomaninourpossession。"Heimmediatelyexplainedhisplan，andundercoverofourmasksweenteredtheirroom，Balbiattheheadofus。Oursuddenappearancerathersurprisedthegoodpeople，butyoumayfancytheirastonishmentwhentheyheardBalbisaytothem:"Underpenaltyofdeath，andbyorderoftheCouncilofTen，Icommandyoutofollowusimmediately，withoutmakingtheslightestnoise；astoyou，mygoodwoman，youneednotbefrightened，youwillbeescortedtoyourhouse。"Whenhehadfinishedhisspeech，twoofusgotholdofthewomantotakeherwhereourchiefhadarrangedbeforehand，andtheothersseizedthethreepoorfellows，whoweretremblingallover，andhadnottheslightestideaofopposinganyresistance。

Thewaiterofthemagazzinocametobepaid，andourchiefgavehimwhatwasdue，enjoiningsilenceunderpenaltyofdeath。Wetookourthreeprisonerstoalargeboat。Balbiwenttothestern，orderedtheboatmantostandatthebow，andtoldhimthatheneednotenquirewhereweweregoing，thathewouldsteerhimselfwhicheverwayhethoughtfit。NotoneofusknewwhereBalbiwantedtotakethethreepoordevils。

Hesailsallalongthecanal，getsoutofit，takesseveralturnings，andinaquarterofanhour，wereachSaintGeorgewhereBalbilandsourprisoners，whoaredelightedtofindthemselvesatliberty。

Afterthis，theboatmanisorderedtotakeustoSaintGenevieve，whereweland，afterpayingfortheboat。

WeproceedatoncetoPalomboSquare，wheremybrotherandanotherofourbandwerewaitingforuswithourlovelyprisoner，whowascrying。

"Donotweep，mybeauty，"saysBalbitoher，"wewillnothurtyou。

WeintendonlytotakesomerefreshmentattheRialto，andthenwewilltakeyouhomeinsafety。"

"Whereismyhusband？"

"Neverfear；youshallseehimagainto—morrow。"

Comfortedbythatpromise，andasgentleasalamb，shefollowsustothe"TwoSwords。"Weorderedagoodfireinaprivateroom，and，everythingwewantedtoeatandtodrinkhavingbeenbroughtin，wesendthewaiteraway，andremainalone。Wetakeoffourmasks，andthesightofeightyoung，healthyfacesseemstopleasethebeautywehadsounceremoniouslycarriedoff。Wesoonmanagetoreconcilehertoherfatebythegallantryofourproceedings；encouragedbyagoodsupperandbythestimulusofwine，preparedbyourcomplimentsandbyafewkisses，sherealizeswhatisinstoreforher，anddoesnotseemtohaveanyunconquerableobjection。Ourchief，asamatterofright，claimstheprivilegeofopeningtheball；andbydintofsweetwordsheovercomestheverynaturalrepugnanceshefeelsatconsummatingthesacrificeinsonumerouscompany。She，doubtless，thinkstheofferingagreeable，for，whenIpresentmyselfasthepriestappointedtosacrificeasecondtimetothegodoflove，shereceivesmealmostwithgratitude，andshecannotconcealherjoywhenshefindsoutthatsheisdestinedtomakeusallhappy。MybrotherFrancoisaloneexemptedhimselffrompayingthetribute，sayingthathewasill，theonlyexcusewhichcouldrenderhisrefusalvalid，forwehadestablishedasalawthateverymemberofoursocietywasboundtodowhateverwasdonebytheothers。

Afterthatfineexploit，weputonourmasks，and，thebillbeingpaid，escortedthehappyvictimtoSaintJob，whereshelived，anddidnotleavehertillwehadseenhersafeinherhouse，andthestreetdoorclosed。

Myreadersmayimaginewhetherwefeltinclinedtolaughwhenthecharmingcreaturebadeusgoodnight，thankingusallwithperfectgoodfaith！

Twodaysafterwards，ournocturnalorgybegantobetalkedof。Theyoungwoman’shusbandwasaweaverbytrade，andsowerehistwofriends。TheyjoinedtogethertoaddressacomplainttotheCouncilofTen。Thecomplaintwascandidlywrittenandcontainednothingbutthetruth，butthecriminalportionofthetruthwasveiledbyacircumstancewhichmusthavebroughtasmileonthegravecountenancesofthejudges，andhighlyamusedthepublicatlarge:

thecomplaintsettingforththattheeightmaskedmenhadnotrenderedthemselvesguiltyofanyactdisagreeabletothewife。Itwentontosaythatthetwomenwhohadcarriedheroffhadtakenhertosuchaplace，wheretheyhad，anhourlater，beenmetbytheothersix，andthattheyhadallrepairedtothe"TwoSwords，"wheretheyhadspentanhourindrinking。Thesaidladyhavingbeenhandsomelyentertainedbytheeightmaskedmen，hadbeenescortedtoherhouse，whereshehadbeenpolitelyrequestedtoexcusethejokeperpetrateduponherhusband。ThethreeplaintiffshadnotbeenabletoleavetheislandofSaintGeorgeuntilday—break，andthehusband，onreachinghishouse，hadfoundhiswifequietlyasleepinherbed。

Shehadinformedhimofallthathadhappened；shecomplainedofnothingbutofthegreatfrightshehadexperiencedonaccountofherhusband，andonthatcountsheentreatedjusticeandthepunishmentoftheguiltyparties。

Thatcomplaintwascomicthroughout，forthethreeroguesshewedthemselvesverybraveinwriting，statingthattheywouldcertainlynothavegivenwaysoeasilyifthedreadauthorityofthecouncilhadnotbeenputforthbytheleaderoftheband。Thedocumentproducedthreedifferentresults；inthefirstplace，itamusedthetown；inthesecond，alltheidlersofVenicewenttoSaintJobtoheartheaccountoftheadventurefromthelipsoftheheroineherself，andshegotmanypresentsfromhernumerousvisitors；inthethirdplace，theCouncilofTenofferedarewardoffivehundredducatstoanypersongivingsuchinformationaswouldleadtothearrestoftheperpetratorsofthepracticaljoke，eveniftheinformerbelongedtotheband，providedhewasnottheleader。

Theofferofthatrewardwouldhavemadeustrembleifourleader，preciselytheonewhoalonehadnointerestinturninginformer，hadnotbeenapatrician。TherankofBalbiquietedmyanxietyatonce，becauseIknewthat，evensupposingoneofuswerevileenoughtobetrayoursecretforthesakeofthereward，thetribunalwouldhavedonenothinginordernottoimplicateapatrician。Therewasnocowardlytraitoramongstus，althoughwewereallpoor；butfearhaditseffect，andournocturnalprankswerenotrenewed。

ThreeorfourmonthsafterwardsthechevalierNicolasIron，thenoneoftheinquisitors，astonishedmegreatlybytellingmethewholestory，givingthenamesofalltheactors。Hedidnottellmewhetheranyoneofthebandhadbetrayedthesecret，andIdidnotcaretoknow；butIcouldclearlyseethecharacteristicspiritofthearistocracy，forwhichthe’solomihi’isthesupremelaw。

TowardsthemiddleofApriloftheyear1746M。GirolamoCornaro，theeldestsonofthefamilyCornarodelaReine，marriedadaughterofthehouseofSoranzodeSt。Pol，andIhadthehonourofbeingpresentatthewedding——asafiddler。IplayedtheviolininoneofthenumerousbandsengagedfortheballswhichweregivenforthreeconsecutivedaysintheSoranzoPalace。

Onthethirdday，towardstheendofthedancing，anhourbeforeday—

break，feelingtired，Ilefttheorchestraabruptly；andasIwasgoingdownthestairsIobservedasenator，wearinghisredrobes，onthepointofgettingintoagondola。Intakinghishandkerchiefoutofhispocketheletaletterdropontheground。Ipickeditup，andcominguptohimjustashewasgoingdownthestepsIhandedittohim。Hereceiveditwithmanythanks，andenquiredwhereIlived。

Itoldhim，andheinsisteduponmycomingwithhiminthegondolasayingthathewouldleavemeatmyhouse。Iacceptedgratefully，andsatdownnearhim。Afewminutesafterwardsheaskedmetorubhisleftarm，which，hesaid，wassobenumbedthathecouldnotfeelit。Irubbeditwithallmystrength，buthetoldmeinasortofindistinctwhisperthatthenumbnesswasspreadingallalongtheleftside，andthathewasdying。

Iwasgreatlyfrightened；Iopenedthecurtain，tookthelantern，andfoundhimalmostinsensible，andthemouthdrawnononeside。I

understoodthathewasseizedwithanapoplecticstroke，andcalledouttothegondolierstolandmeatonce，inordertoprocureasurgeontobleedthepatient。

Ijumpedoutofthegondola，andfoundmyselfontheveryspotwherethreeyearsbeforeIhadtaughtRazettasuchaforciblelesson；I

enquiredforasurgeonatthefirstcoffee—house，andrantothehousethatwaspointedouttome。IknockedashardasIcould；thedoorwasatlastopened，andImadethesurgeonfollowmeinhisdressing—gownasfarasthegondola，whichwaswaiting；hebledthesenatorwhileIwastearingmyshirttomakethecompressandthebandage。

Theoperationbeingperformed，Iorderedthegondolierstorowasfastaspossible，andwesoonreachedSt。Marina；theservantswererousedup，andtakingthesickmanoutofthegondolawecarriedhimtohisbedalmostdead。

Takingeverythinguponmyself，Iorderedaservanttohurryoutforaphysician，whocameinashorttime，andorderedthepatienttobebledagain，thusapprovingthefirstbleedingprescribedbyme。

ThinkingIhadarighttowatchthesickman，Isettledmyselfnearhisbedtogivehimeverycareherequired。

Anhourlater，twonoblemen，friendsofthesenator，camein，oneafewminutesaftertheother。Theywereindespair；theyhadenquiredabouttheaccidentfromthegondoliers，andhavingbeentoldthatI

knewmorethantheydid，theyloadedmewithquestionswhichI

answered。TheydidnotknowwhoIwas，anddidnotliketoaskme；

whilstIthoughtitbettertopreserveamodestsilence。

Thepatientdidnotmove；hisbreathingaloneshewedthathewasstillalive；fomentationswereconstantlyapplied，andthepriestwhohadbeensentfor，andwasofverylittleuseundersuchcircumstances，seemedtobethereonlytoseehimdie。Allvisitorsweresentawaybymyadvice，andthetwonoblemenandmyselfweretheonlypersonsinthesickman’sroom。Atnoonwepartooksilentlyofsomedinnerwhichwasservedinthesickroom。

IntheeveningoneofthetwofriendstoldmethatifIhadanybusinesstoattendtoIcouldgo，becausetheywouldbothpassthenightonamattressnearthepatient。

"AndI，sir，"Isaid，"willremainnearhisbedinthisarm—chair，forifIwentawaythepatientwoulddie，andhewillliveaslongasIamnearhim。"

Thissententiousanswerstruckthemwithastonishment，asIexpecteditwould，andtheylookedateachotheringreatsurprise。

Wehadsupper，andinthelittleconversationwehadIgatheredtheinformationthatthesenator，theirfriend，wasM。deBragadin，theonlybrotheroftheprocuratorofthatname。HewascelebratedinVenicenotonlyforhiseloquenceandhisgreattalentsasastatesman，butalsoforthegallantriesofhisyouth。Hehadbeenveryextravagantwithwomen，andmorethanoneofthemhadcommittedmanyfolliesforhim。Hehadgambledandlostagreatdeal，andhisbrotherwashismostbitterenemy，becausehewasinfatuatedwiththeideathathehadtriedtopoisonhim。HehadaccusedhimofthatcrimebeforetheCouncilofTen，which，afteraninvestigationofeightmonths，hadbroughtinaverdictofnotguilty:butthatjustsentence，althoughgivenunanimouslybythathightribunal，hadnothadtheeffectofdestroyinghisbrother’sprejudicesagainsthim。

M。deBragadin，whowasperfectlyinnocentofsuchacrimeandoppressedbyanunjustbrotherwhodeprivedhimofhalfofhisincome，spenthisdayslikeanamiablephilosopher，surroundedbyhisfriends，amongstwhomwerethetwonoblemenwhowerethenwatchinghim；onebelongedtotheDandolofamily，theotherwasaBarbaro，andbothwereexcellentmen。M。deBragadinwashandsome，learned，cheerful，andmostkindlydisposed；hewasthenaboutfiftyyearsold。

ThephysicianwhoattendedhimwasnamedTerro；hethought，bysomepeculiartrainofreasoning，thathecouldcurehimbyapplyingamercurialointmenttothechest，towhichnooneraisedanyobjection。Therapideffectoftheremedydelightedthetwofriends，butitfrightenedme，forinlessthantwenty—fourhoursthepatientwaslabouringundergreatexcitementofthebrain。Thephysiciansaidthathehadexpectedthateffect，butthatonthefollowingdaytheremedywouldactlessonthebrain，anddiffuseitsbeneficialactionthroughthewholeofthesystem，whichrequiredtobeinvigoratedbyaproperequilibriuminthecirculationofthefluids。

Atmidnightthepatientwasinastateofhighfever，andinafearfulstateofirritation。Iexaminedhimclosely，andfoundhimhardlyabletobreathe。Irouseduphistwofriends；anddeclaredthatinmyopinionthepatientwouldsoondieunlessthefatalointmentwasatonceremoved。Andwithoutwaitingfortheiranswer，Ibaredhischest，tookofftheplaster，washedtheskincarefullywithlukewarmwater，andinlessthanthreeminuteshebreathedfreelyandfellintoaquietsleep。Delightedwithsuchafortunateresult，welaydownagain。

Thephysiciancameveryearlyinthemorning，andwasmuchpleasedtoseehispatientsomuchbetter，butwhenM。Dandoloinformedhimofwhathadbeendone，hewasangry，saiditwasenoughtokillhispatient，andaskedwhohadbeensoaudaciousastodestroytheeffectofhisprescription。M。deBragadin，speakingforthefirsttime，saidtohim——

"Doctor，thepersonwhohasdeliveredmefromyourmercury，whichwaskillingme，isamoreskilfulphysicianthanyou；"and，sayingthesewords，hepointedtome。

Itwouldbehardtosaywhowasthemoreastonished:thedoctor，whenhesawanunknownyoungman，whomhemusthavetakenforanimpostor，declaredmorelearnedthanhimself；orI，whenIsawmyselftransformedintoaphysician，atamoment’snotice。Ikeptsilent，lookingverymodest，buthardlyabletocontrolmymirth，whilstthedoctorwasstaringatmewithamixtureofastonishmentandofspite，evidentlythinkingmesomeboldquackwhohadtriedtosupplanthim。

Atlast，turningtowardsM。deBragadin，hetoldhimcoldlythathewouldleavehiminmyhands；hewastakenathisword，hewentaway，andbehold！IhadbecomethephysicianofoneofthemostillustriousmembersoftheVenetianSenate！ImustconfessthatI

wasverygladofit，andItoldmypatientthataproperdietwasallheneeded，andthatnature，assistedbytheapproachingfineseason，woulddotherest。

Thedismissedphysicianrelatedtheaffairthroughthetown，and，asM。deBragadinwasrapidlyimproving，oneofhisrelations，whocametoseehim，toldhimthateverybodywasastonishedathishavingchosenforhisphysicianafiddlerfromthetheatre；butthesenatorputastoptohisremarksbyansweringthatafiddlercouldknowmorethanallthedoctorsinVenice，andthatheowedhislifetome。

Theworthynoblemanconsideredmeashisoracle，andhistwofriendslistenedtomewiththedeepestattention。Theirinfatuationencouragingme，Ispokelikealearnedphysician，Idogmatized，I

quotedauthorswhomIhadneverread。

M。deBragadin，whohadtheweaknesstobelieveintheoccultsciences，toldmeonedaythat，forayoungmanofmyage，hethoughtmylearningtooextensive，andthathewascertainIwasthepossessorofsomesupernaturalendowment。Heentreatedmetotellhimthetruth。

Whatextraordinarythingswillsometimesoccurfrommerechance，orfromtheforceofcircumstances！Unwillingtohurthisvanitybytellinghimthathewasmistaken，Itookthewildresolutionofinforminghim，inthepresenceofhistwofriends，thatIpossessedacertainnumeralcalculuswhichgaveanswers（alsoinnumbers），toanyquestionsIlikedtoput。

M。deBragadinsaidthatitwasSolomon’skey，vulgarlycalledcabalisticscience，andheaskedmefromwhomIlearntit。

"Fromanoldhermit，"Ianswered，""wholivesontheCarpegnaMountain，andwhoseacquaintanceImadequitebychancewhenIwasaprisonerintheSpanisharmy。"

"Thehermit，"remarkedthesenator，"haswithoutinformingyouofit，linkedaninvisiblespirittothecalculushehastaughtyou，forsimplenumberscannothavethepowerofreason。Youpossessarealtreasure，andyoumayderivegreatadvantagesfromit。"

"Idonotknow，"Isaid，"inwhatwayIcouldmakemyscienceuseful，becausetheanswersgivenbythenumericalfiguresareoftensoobscurethatIhavefeltdiscouraged，andIveryseldomtriedtomakeanyuseofmycalculus。Yet，itisverytruethat，ifIhadnotformedmypyramid，Inevershouldhavehadthehappinessofknowingyourexcellency。"

"Howso？"

"Onthesecondday，duringthefestivitiesattheSoranzoPalace，I

enquiredofmyoraclewhetherIwouldmeetattheballanyonewhomI

shouldnotcaretosee。TheanswerIobtainedwasthis:’Leavetheball—roompreciselyatfouro’clock。’Iobeyedimplicitly，andmetyourexcellency。"

Thethreefriendswereastounded。M。DandoloaskedmewhetherI

wouldansweraquestionhewouldask，theinterpretationofwhichwouldbelongonlytohim，ashewastheonlypersonacquaintedwiththesubjectofthequestion。

Ideclaredmyselfquitewilling，foritwasnecessarytobrazenitout，afterhavingventuredasfarasIhaddone。Hewrotethequestion，andgaveittome；Ireadit，Icouldnotunderstandeitherthesubjectorthemeaningofthewords，butitdidnotmatter，Ihadtogiveananswer。IfthequestionwassoobscurethatIcouldnotmakeoutthesenseofit，itwasnaturalthatIshouldnotunderstandtheanswer。Ithereforeanswered，inordinaryfigures，fourlinesofwhichhealonecouldbetheinterpreter，notcaringmuch，atleastinappearance，howtheywouldbeunderstood。M。Dandoloreadthemtwiceover，seemedastonished，saidthatitwasallveryplaintohim；itwasDivine，itwasunique，itwasagiftfromHeaven，thenumbersbeingonlythevehicle，buttheansweremanatingevidentlyfromanimmortalspirit。

M。Dandolowassowellpleasedthathistwofriendsverynaturallywantedalsotomakeanexperiment。Theyaskedquestionsonallsortsofsubjects，andmyanswers，perfectlyunintelligibletomyself，wereallheldasDivinebythem。Icongratulatedthemontheirsuccess，andcongratulatedmyselfintheirpresenceuponbeingthepossessorofathingtowhichIhaduntilthenattachednoimportancewhatever，butwhichIpromisedtocultivatecarefully，knowingthatIcouldthusbeofsomeservicetotheirexcellencies。

TheyallaskedmehowlongIwouldrequiretoteachthemtherulesofmysublimecalculus。"Notverylong，"Ianswered，"andIwillteachyouasyouwish，althoughthehermitassuredmethatIwoulddiesuddenlywithinthreedaysifIcommunicatedmysciencetoanyone，butIhavenofaithwhateverinthatprediction。"M。deBragadinwhobelievedinitmorethanIdid，toldmeinaserioustonethatIwasboundtohavefaithinit，andfromthatdaytheyneveraskedmeagaintoteachthem。Theyverylikelythoughtthat，iftheycouldattachmetothem，itwouldanswerthepurposeaswellasiftheypossessedthesciencethemselves。ThusIbecamethehierophantofthosethreeworthyandtalentedmen，who，inspiteoftheirliteraryaccomplishments，werenotwise，sincetheywereinfatuatedwithoccultandfabuloussciences，andbelievedintheexistenceofphenomenaimpossibleinthemoralaswellasinthephysicalorderofthings。Theybelievedthatthroughmetheypossessedthephilosopher’sstone，theuniversalpanacea，theintercoursewithalltheelementary，heavenly，andinfernalspirits；theyhadnodoubtwhateverthat，thankstomysublimescience，theycouldfindoutthesecretsofeverygovernmentinEurope。

Aftertheyhadassuredthemselvesoftherealityofmycabalisticsciencebyquestionsrespectingthepast，theydecidedtoturnittosomeusebyconsultingituponthepresentanduponthefuture。I

hadnodifficultyinskewingmyselfagoodguesser，becauseIalwaysgaveanswerswithadoublemeaning，oneofthemeaningsbeingcarefullyarrangedbyme，soasnottobeunderstooduntilaftertheevent；inthatmanner，mycabalisticscience，liketheoracleofDelphi，couldneverbefoundinfault。Isawhoweasyitmusthavebeenfortheancientheathenprieststoimposeuponignorant，andthereforecredulousmankind。Isawhoweasyitwillalwaysbeforimpostorstofinddupes，andIrealized，evenbetterthantheRomanorator，whytwoaugurscouldneverlookateachotherwithoutlaughing；itwasbecausetheyhadbothanequalinterestingivingimportancetothedeceittheyperpetrated，andfromwhichtheyderivedsuchimmenseprofits。ButwhatIcouldnot，andprobablynevershall，understand，wasthereasonforwhichtheFathers，whowerenotsosimpleorsoignorantasourEvangelists，didnotfeelabletodenythedivinityoforacles，and，inordertogetoutofthedifficulty，ascribedthemtothedevil。Theyneverwouldhaveentertainedsuchastrangeideaiftheyhadbeenacquaintedwithcabalisticscience。MythreeworthyfriendswereliketheholyFathers；theyhadintelligenceandwit，buttheyweresuperstitious，andnophilosophers。But，althoughbelievingfullyinmyoracles，theyweretookind—heartedtothinkthemtheworkofthedevil，anditsuitedtheirnaturalgoodnessbettertobelievemyanswersinspiredbysomeheavenlyspirit。TheywerenotonlygoodChristiansandfaithfultotheChurch，butevenrealdevoteesandfullofscruples。Theywerenotmarried，and，afterhavingrenouncedallcommercewithwomen，theyhadbecometheenemiesofthefemalesex；

perhapsastrongproofoftheweaknessoftheirminds。Theyimaginedthatchastitywasthecondition’sinequanon’exactedbythespiritsfromthosewhowishedtohaveintimatecommunicationorintercoursewiththem:theyfanciedthatspiritsexcludedwomen，and’viceversa’。

Withalltheseoddities，thethreefriendsweretrulyintelligentandevenwitty，and，atthebeginningofmyacquaintancewiththem，I

couldnotreconciletheseantagonisticpoints。Butaprejudicedmindcannotreasonwell，andthefacultyofreasoningisthemostimportantofall。IoftenlaughedwhenIheardthemtalkonreligiousmatters；theywouldridiculethosewhoseintellectualfacultiesweresolimitedthattheycouldnotunderstandthemysteriesofreligion。TheincarnationoftheWord，theywouldsay，wasatrifleforGod，andthereforeeasytounderstand，andtheresurrectionwassocomprehensiblethatitdidnotappeartothemwonderful，because，asGodcannotdie，JesusChristwasnaturallycertaintoriseagain。AsfortheEucharist，transubstantiation，therealpresence，itwasallnomysterytothem，butpalpableevidence，andyettheywerenotJesuits。Theywereinthehabitofgoingtoconfessioneveryweek，withoutfeelingtheslightesttroubleabouttheirconfessors，whoseignorancetheykindlyregretted。Theythoughtthemselvesboundtoconfessonlywhatwasasinintheirownopinion，andinthat，atleast，theyreasonedwithgoodsense。

Withthosethreeextraordinarycharacters，worthyofesteemandrespectfortheirmoralqualities，theirhonesty，theirreputation，andtheirage，aswellasfortheirnoblebirth，Ispentmydaysinaverypleasantmanner:although，intheirthirstforknowledge，theyoftenkeptmehardatworkfortenhoursrunning，allfourofusbeinglockeduptogetherinaroom，andunapproachabletoeverybody，eventofriendsorrelatives。

Icompletedtheconquestoftheirfriendshipbyrelatingtothemthewholeofmylife，onlywithsomeproperreserve，soasnottoleadthemintoanycapitalsins。IconfesscandidlythatIdeceivedthem，asthePapaDeldimopulousedtodeceivetheGreekswhoappliedtohimfortheoraclesoftheVirgin。Icertainlydidnotacttowardsthemwithatruesenseofhonesty，butifthereadertowhomIconfessmyselfisacquaintedwiththeworldandwiththespiritofsociety，I

entreathimtothinkbeforejudgingme，andperhapsImaymeetwithsomeindulgenceathishands。

ImightbetoldthatifIhadwishedtofollowtherulesofpuremoralityIoughteithertohavedeclinedintimateintercoursewiththemortohaveundeceivedthem。Icannotdenythesepremises，butI

willanswerthatIwasonlytwentyyearsofage，Iwasintelligent，talented，andhadjustbeenapoorfiddler。Ishouldhavelostmytimeintryingtocurethemoftheirweakness；Ishouldnothavesucceeded，fortheywouldhavelaughedinmyface，deploredmyignorance，andtheresultofitallwouldhavebeenmydismissal。

Besides，Ihadnomission，noright，toconstitutemyselfanapostle，andifIhadheroicallyresolvedonleavingthemassoonasIknewthemtobefoolishvisionaries，Ishouldhaveshewnmyselfamisanthrope，theenemyofthoseworthymenforwhomIcouldprocureinnocentpleasures，andmyownenemyatthesametime；because，asayoungman，Ilikedtolivewell，toenjoyallthepleasuresnaturaltoyouthandtoagoodconstitution。

ByactinginthatmannerIshouldhavefailedincommonpoliteness，I

shouldperhapshavecausedorallowedM。deBragadin’sdeath，andI

shouldhaveexposedthosethreehonestmentobecomingthevictimsofthefirstboldcheatwho，ministeringtotheirmonomania，mighthavewontheirfavour，andwouldhaveruinedthembyinducingthemtoundertakethechemicaloperationsoftheGreatWork。Thereisalsoanotherconsideration，dearreader，andasIloveyouIwilltellyouwhatitis。Aninvincibleself—lovewouldhavepreventedmefromdeclaringmyselfunworthyoftheirfriendshipeitherbymyignoranceorbymypride；andIshouldhavebeenguiltyofgreatrudenessifI

hadceasedtovisitthem。

Itook，atleastitseemstomeso，thebest，themostnatural，andthenoblestdecision，ifweconsiderthedispositionoftheirmind，whenIdecidedupontheplanofconductwhichinsuredmethenecessariesoflifeandofthosenecessarieswhocouldbeabetterjudgethanyourveryhumbleservant？

Throughthefriendshipofthosethreemen，Iwascertainofobtainingconsiderationandinfluenceinmyowncountry。Besides，Ifounditveryflatteringtomyvanitytobecomethesubjectofthespeculativechatteringofemptyfoolswho，havingnothingelsetodo，arealwaystryingtofindoutthecauseofeverymoralphenomenontheymeetwith，whichtheirnarrowintellectcannotunderstand。

PeoplerackedtheirbraininVenicetofindouthowmyintimacywiththreemenofthathighcharactercouldpossiblyexist；theywerewrappedupinheavenlyaspirations，Iwasaworld’sdevotee；theywereverystrictintheirmorals，Iwasthirstyofallpleasures！

Atthebeginningofsummer，M。deBragadinwasonce，moreabletotakehisseatinthesenate，and，thedaybeforehewentoutforthefirsttime，hespoketomethus:

"Whoeveryoumaybe，Iamindebtedtoyouformylife。Yourfirstprotectorswantedtomakeyouapriest，adoctor，anadvocate，asoldier，andendedbymakingafiddlerofyou；thosepersonsdidnotknowyou。Godhadevidentlyinstructedyourguardianangeltobringyoutome。Iknowyouandappreciateyou。Ifyouwillbemyson，youhaveonlytoacknowledgemeforyourfather，and，forthefuture，untilmydeath，Iwilltreatyouasmyownchild。Yourapartmentisready，youmaysendyourclothes:youshallhaveaservant，agondolaatyourorders，myowntable，andtensequinsamonth。ItisthesumIusedtoreceivefrommyfatherwhenIwasyourage。Youneednotthinkofthefuture；thinkonlyofenjoyingyourself，andtakemeasyouradviserineverythingthatmayhappentoyou，ineverythingyoumaywishtoundertake，andyoumaybecertainofalwaysfindingmeyourfriend。"

Ithrewmyselfathisfeettoassurehimofmygratitude，andembracedhimcallinghimmyfather。Hefoldedmeinhisarms，calledmehisdearson；Ipromisedtoloveandtoobeyhim；histwofriends，wholivedinthesamepalace，embracedmeaffectionately，andwesworeeternalfraternity。

Suchisthehistoryofmymetamorphosis，andoftheluckystrokewhich，takingmefromthevileprofessionofafiddler，raisedmetotherankofagrandee。

CHAPTERXVIII

Ileadadissolutelife——Zawoiski——Rinaldi——L’Abbadie——theyoungcountess——theCapuchinfriarZ。Steffani——Ancilla——LaRamor——ItakeagondolaatSt。JobtogotoMestra。

Fortune，whichhadtakenpleasureingivingmeaspecimenofitsdespoticcaprice，andhadinsuredmyhappinessthroughmeanswhichsageswoulddisavow，hadnotthepowertomakemeadoptasystemofmoderationandprudencewhichalonecouldestablishmyfuturewelfareonafirmbasis。

Myardentnature，myirresistibleloveofpleasure，myunconquerableindependence，wouldnotallowmetosubmittothereservewhichmynewpositioninlifedemandedfromme。Ibegantoleadalifeofcompletefreedom，caringfornothingbutwhatministeredtomytastes，andIthoughtthat，aslongasIrespectedthelaws，Icouldtrampleallprejudicesundermyfeet。IfanciedthatIcouldlivefreeandindependentinacountryruledentirelybyanaristocraticgovernment，butthiswasnotthecase，andwouldnothavebeensoeveniffortunehadraisedmetoaseatinthatsamegovernment，fortheRepublicofVenice，consideringthatitsprimarydutyistopreserveitsownintegrity，findsitselftheslaveofitsownpolicy，andisboundtosacrificeeverythingtoself—preservation，beforewhichthelawsthemselvesceasetobeinviolable。

Butletusabandonthediscussionofaprinciplenowtootrite，forhumankind，atleastinEurope，issatisfiedthatunlimitedlibertyisnowhereconsistentwithaproperly—regulatedstateofsociety。I

havetouchedlightlyonthematter，onlytogivetomyreaderssomeideaofmyconductinmyowncountry，whereIbegantotreadapathwhichwastoleadmetoastateprisonasinscrutableasitwasunconstitutional。

Withenoughmoney，endowedbynaturewithapleasingandcommandingphysicalappearance，aconfirmedgambler，atruespendthrift，agreattalker，veryfarfrommodest，intrepid，alwaysrunningafterprettywomen，supplantingmyrivals，andacknowledgingnogoodcompanybutthatwhichministeredtomyenjoyment，Iwascertaintobedisliked；

but，everreadytoexposemyselftoanydanger，andtotaketheresponsibilityofallmyactions，IthoughtIhadarighttodoanythingIpleased，forIalwaysbrokedownabruptlyeveryobstacleI

foundinmyway。

SuchconductcouldnotbutbedisagreeabletothethreeworthymenwhoseoracleIhadbecome，buttheydidnotliketocomplain。TheexcellentM。deBragadinwouldonlytellmethatIwasgivinghimarepetitionofthefoolishlifehehadhimselfledatmyage，butthatImustpreparetopaythepenaltyofmyfollies，andtofeelthepunishmentwhenIshouldreachhistimeoflife。WithoutwantingintherespectIowedhim，Iwouldturnhisterribleforebodingsintojest，andcontinuemycourseofextravagance。However，Imustmentionherethefirstproofhegavemeofhistruewisdom。

AtthehouseofMadameAvogadro，awomanfullofwitinspiteofhersixtyyears，IhadmadetheacquaintanceofayoungPolishnoblemancalledZawoiski。HewasexpectingmoneyfromPoland，butinthemeantimetheVenetianladiesdidnotlethimwantforany，beingallverymuchinlovewithhishandsomefaceandhisPolishmanners。Wesoonbecamegoodfriends，mypursewashis，but，twentyyearslater，heassistedmetoafargreaterextentinMunich。Zawoiskiwashonest，hehadonlyasmalldoseofintelligence，butitwasenoughforhishappiness。HediedinTriestefiveorsixyearsago，theambassadoroftheElectorofTreves。IwillspeakofhiminanotherpartoftheseMemoirs。

Thisamiableyoungman，whowasafavouritewitheverybodyandwasthoughtafree—thinkerbecausehefrequentedthesocietyofAngeloQueriniandLunardoVenier，presentedmeoneday，aswewereoutwalking，toanunknowncountesswhotookmyfancyverystrongly。

Wecalledonherintheevening，and，afterintroducingmetoherhusband，CountRinaldi，sheinvitedustoremainandhavesupper。

Thecountmadeafarobankinthecourseoftheevening，Ipuntedwithhiswifeasapartner，andwonsomefiftyducats。

Verymuchpleasedwithmynewacquaintance，Icalledaloneonthecountessthenextmorning。Thecount，apologizingforhiswifewhowasnotupyet，tookmetoherroom。Shereceivedmewithgracefulease，and，herhusbandhavingleftusalone，shehadthearttoletmehopeforeveryfavour，yetwithoutcommittingherself；whenItookleaveofher，sheinvitedmetosupperfortheevening。AftersupperIplayed，stillinpartnershipwithher，wonagain，andwentawayverymuchinlove。Ididnotfailtopayheranothervisitthenextmorning，butwhenIpresentedmyselfatthehouseIwastoldthatshehadgoneout。

Icalledagainintheevening，and，aftershehadexcusedherselffornothavingbeenathomeinthemorning，thefarobankbegan，andI

lostallmymoney，stillhavingthecountessformypartner。Aftersupper，andwhentheotherguestshadretired，IremainedwithZawoiski，CountRinaldihavingofferedtogiveusourrevenge。AsI

hadnomoremoney，Iplayedupontrust，andthecountthrewdownthecardsafterIhadlostfivehundredsequins。Iwentawayingreatsorrow。Iwasboundinhonourtopaythenextmorning，andIdidnotpossessagroat。Loveincreasedmydespair，forIsawmyselfonthepointoflosingtheesteemofawomanbywhomIwassmitten，andtheanxietyIfeltdidnotescapeM。deBragadinwhenwemetinthemorning。Hekindlyencouragedmetoconfessmytroublestohim。