第19章

"Hercheerfulspirits，"sheadded，"herartlesssimplicity，hernaturalwit，arelikeherbeauty，theymustbedressedintheVenetianfashion。Wearehighlypleasedwithmynephew’schoice，andhehasincurredeverlastingobligationstowardsyou。Ihopethatforthefutureyouwillconsiderourhouseasyourown。"

Theinvitationwaspolite，perhapsitwassincere，yetIdidnotavailmyselfofit，andtheyweregladofit。AttheendofoneyearChristinepresentedherhusbandwithalivingtokenoftheirmutuallove，andthatcircumstanceincreasedtheirconjugalfelicity。

Weallfoundcomfortablequartersinthecount’shouseinTreviso，where，afterpartakingofsomerefreshments，theguestsretiredtorest。

ThenextmorningIwaswithCountAlgarottiandmytwofriendswhenCharlescamein，handsome，bright，andradiant。Whilehewasansweringwithmuchwitsomejokesofthecount，Ikeptlookingathimwithsomeanxiety，buthecameuptomeandembracedmewarmly。

Iconfessthatakissnevermademehappier。

Peoplewonderatthedevoutscoundrelswhocallupontheirsaintwhentheythinkthemselvesinneedofheavenlyassistance，orwhothankhimwhentheyimaginethattheyhaveobtainedsomefavourfromhim，butpeoplearewrong，foritisagoodandrightfeeling，whichpreachesagainstAtheism。

AttheinvitationofCharles，hisauntandhissisterhadgonetopayamorningvisittotheyoungwife，andtheyreturnedwithher。

Happinessnevershoneonamorelovelyface！

M。Algarotti，goingtowardsher，enquiredfromheraffectionatelywhethershehadhadagoodnight。Heronlyanswerwastorushtoherhusband’sarms。Itwasthemostartless，andatthesametimethemosteloquent，answershecouldpossiblegive。Thenturningherbeautifuleyestowardsme，andofferingmeherhand，shesaid，"M。Casanova，Iamhappy，andIlovetobeindebtedtoyouformyhappiness。"

Thetearswhichwereflowingfrommyeyes，asIkissedherhand，toldherbetterthanwordshowtrulyhappyIwasmyself。

Thedinnerpassedoffdelightfully。WethenleftforMestraandVenice。Weescortedthemarriedcoupletotheirhouse，andreturnedhometoamuseM。Bragadinwiththerelationofourexpedition。Thisworthyandparticularlylearnedmansaidathousandthingsaboutthemarriage，someofgreatprofundityandothersofgreatabsurdity。

Ilaughedinwardly。Iwastheonlyonewhohadthekeytothemystery，andcouldrealizethesecretofthecomedy。

EndMEMOIRSOFJACQUESCASANOVAdeSEINGALT1725—1798

VENETIANYEARS，Volume1e——MILANANDMANTUA

THERAREUNABRIDGEDLONDONEDITIONOF1894TRANSLATEDBYARTHUR

MACHENTOWHICHHASBEENADDEDTHECHAPTERSDISCOVERED

BYARTHURSYMONS。

MILANANDMANTUA

CHAPTERXX

SlightMisfortunesCompelMetoLeaveVenice——MyAdventuresinMilanandMantuaOnLowSundayCharlespaidusavisitwithhislovelywife，whoseemedtotallyindifferenttowhatChristineusedtobe。Herhairdressedwithpowderdidnotpleasemeaswellastheravenblackofherbeautifullocks，andherfashionabletownattiredidnot，inmyeyes，suitheraswellasherrichcountrydress。Butthecountenancesofhusbandandwifeborethestampofhappiness。

CharlesreproachedmeinafriendlymannerbecauseIhadnotcalledonceuponthem，and，inordertoatoneformyapparentnegligence，I

wenttoseethemthenextdaywithM。Dandolo。Charlestoldmethathiswifewasidolizedbyhisauntandhissisterwhohadbecomeherbosomfriend；thatshewaskind，affectionate，unassuming，andofadispositionwhichenforcedaffection。IwasnolesspleasedwiththisfavourablestateofthingsthanwiththefacilitywithwhichChristinewaslearningtheVenetiandialect。

WhenM。DandoloandIcalledattheirhouse，Charleswasnotathome；

Christinewasalonewithhistworelatives。Themostfriendlywelcomewasprofferedtous，andinthecourseofconversationtheauntpraisedtheprogressmadebyChristineinherwritingveryhighly，andaskedhertoletmeseehercopy—book。Ifollowedhertothenextroom，whereshetoldmethatshewasveryhappy；thateverydayshediscoverednewvirtuesinherhusband。Hehadtoldher，withouttheslightestappearanceofsuspicionofdispleasure，thatheknewthatwehadspenttwodaystogetherinTreviso，andthathehadlaughedatthewell—meaningfoolwhohadgivenhimthatpieceofinformationinthehopeofraisingacloudintheheavenoftheirfelicity。

Charleswastrulyendowedwithallthevirtues，withallthenoblequalitiesofanhonestanddistinguishedman。Twenty—sixyearsafterwardsIhappenedtorequiretheassistanceofhispurse，andfoundhimmytruefriend。Ineverwasafrequentvisitorathishouse，andheappreciatedmydelicacy。HediedafewmonthsbeforemylastdeparturefromVenice，leavinghiswidowineasycircumstances，andthreewell—educatedsons，allwithgoodpositions，whomay，forwhatIknow，bestilllivingwiththeirmother。

InJuneIwenttothefairatPadua，andmadetheacquaintanceofayoungmanofmyownage，whowasthenstudyingmathematicsunderthecelebratedProfessorSucci。HisnamewasTognolo，butthinkingitdidnotsoundwell，hechangeditforthatofFabris。Hebecame，inafteryears，ComtedeFabris，lieutenant—generalunderJosephII。，anddiedGovernorofTransylvania。Thisman，whoowedhishighfortunetohistalents，would，perhaps，havelivedanddiedunknownifhehadkepthisnameofTognolo，atrulyvulgarone。HewasfromUderzo，alargevillageoftheVenetianFriuli。HehadabrotherintheChurch，amanofparts，andagreatgamester，who，havingadeepknowledgeoftheworld，hadtakenthenameofFabris，andtheyoungerbrotherhadtoassumeitlikewise。Soonafterwardsheboughtanestatewiththetitleofcount，becameaVenetiannobleman，andhisoriginasacountrybumpkinwasforgotten。IfhehadkepthisnameofTognoloitwouldhaveinjuredhim，forhecouldnothavepronounceditwithoutremindinghishearersofwhatiscalled，bythemostcontemptibleofprejudices，lowextraction，andtheprivilegedclass，throughanabsurderror，doesnotadmitthepossibilityofapeasanthavingtalentorgenius。Nodoubtatimewillcomewhensociety，moreenlightened，andthereforemorereasonable，willacknowledgethatnoblefeelings，honour，andheroismcanbefoundineveryconditionoflifeaseasilyasinaclass，thebloodofwhichisnotalwaysexemptfromthetaintofamisalliance。

Thenewcount，whileheallowedotherstoforgethisorigin，wastoowisetoforgetithimself，andinlegaldocumentshealwayssignedhisfamilynameaswellastheonehehadadopted。Hisbrotherhadofferedhimtwowaystowinfortuneintheworld，leavinghimperfectlyfreeinhischoice。Bothrequiredanexpenditureofonethousandsequins，buttheabbehadputtheamountasideforthatpurpose。MyfriendhadtochoosebetweentheswordofMarsandthebirdofMinerva。TheabbeknewthathecouldpurchaseforhisbrotheracompanyinthearmyofhisImperialandApostolicMajesty，orobtainforhimaprofessorshipattheUniversityofPadua；formoneycandoeverything。Butmyfriend，whowasgiftedwithnoblefeelingsandgoodsense，knewthatineitherprofessiontalentsandknowledgewereessentials，andbeforemakingachoicehewasapplyinghimselfwithgreatsuccesstothestudyofmathematics。Heutlimatelydecideduponthemilitaryprofession，thusimitatingAchilles，whopreferredtheswordtothedistaff，andhepaidforitwithhislifelikethesonofPeleus；thoughnotsoyoung，andnotthroughawoundinflictedbyanarrow，butfromtheplague，whichhecaughtintheunhappycountryinwhichtheindolenceofEuropeallowstheTurkstoperpetuatethatfearfuldisease。

Thedistinguishedappearance，thenoblesentiments，thegreatknowledge，andthetalentsofFabriswouldhavebeenturnedintoridiculeinamancalledTognolo，forsuchistheforceofprejudices，particularlyofthosewhichhavenogroundtorestupon，thatanill—soundingnameisdegradinginthisourstupidsociety。

Myopinionisthatmenwhohaveanill—soundingname，oronewhichpresentsanindecentorridiculousidea，arerightinchangingitiftheyintendtowinhonour，fame，andfortuneeitherinartsorsciences。Noonecanreasonablydenythemthatright，providedthenametheyassumebelongstonobody。Thealphabetisgeneralproperty，andeveryonehastherighttouseitforthecreationofawordforminganappellativesound。Buthemusttrulycreateit。

Voltaire，inspiteofhisgenius，wouldnotperhapshavereachedposterityunderhisnameofArouet，especiallyamongsttheFrench，whoalwaysgivewaysoeasilytotheirkeensenseofridiculeandequivocation。Howcouldtheyhaveimaginedthatawriter’arouet’

couldbeamanofgenius？AndD’Alembert，wouldhehaveattainedhishighfame，hisuniversalreputation，ifhehadbeensatisfiedwithhisnameofM。LeRond，orMr。Allround？WhatwouldhavebecomeofMetastasiounderhistruenameofTrapasso？WhatimpressionwouldMelanchthonhavemadewithhisnameofSchwarzerd？Wouldhethenhavedaredtoraisethevoiceofamoralistphilosopher，ofareformeroftheEucharist，andsomanyotherholythings？WouldnotM。deBeauharnaishavecausedsomepersonstolaughandotherstoblushifhehadkepthisnameofBeauvit，evenifthefirstfounderofhisfamilyhadbeenindebtedforhisfortunetothefinequalityexpressedbythatname？

WouldtheBourbeuxhavemadeasgoodafigureonthethroneastheBourbons？IthinkthatKingPoniatowskioughttohaveabdicatedthenameofAugustus，whichhehadtakenatthetimeofhisaccessiontothethrone，whenheabdicatedroyalty。TheColeoniofBergamo，however，wouldfinditratherdifficulttochangetheirname，becausetheywouldbecompelledatthesametimetochangetheircoatofarms（thetwogenerativeglands），andthustoannihilatethegloryoftheirancestor，theheroBartholomeo。

TowardstheendofautumnmyfriendFabrisintroducedmetoafamilyinthemidstofwhichthemindandtheheartcouldfinddeliciousfood。ThatfamilyresidedinthecountryontheroadtoZero。Card—

playing，lovemaking，andpracticaljokesweretheorderoftheday。

Someofthosejokeswererathersevereones，buttheorderofthedaywasnevertogetangryandtolaughateverything，foronewastotakeeveryjestpleasantlyorbethoughtabore。Bedsteadswouldatnighttumbledownundertheiroccupants，ghostswerepersonated，diureticpillsorsugar—plumsweregiventoyoungladies，aswellascomfitswhoproducedcertainwindsrisingfromthenetherlands，andimpossibletokeepundercontrol。Thesejokeswouldsometimesgorathertoofar，butsuchwasthespiritanimatingallthemembersofthatcircle；theywouldlaugh。Iwasnotlessinuredthantheotherstothewarofoffenceanddefence，butatlasttherewassuchabitterjokeplayeduponmethatitsuggestedtomeanother，thefatalconsequencesofwhichputastoptothemaniabywhichwewereallpossessed。

Wewereinthehabitofwalkingtoafarmwhichwasabouthalfaleaguedistantbytheroad，butthedistancecouldbereducedbyhalfbygoingoveradeepandmiryditchacrosswhichanarrowplankwasthrown，andIalwaysinsistedupongoingthatway，inspiteofthefrightoftheladieswhoalwaystrembledonthenarrowbridge，althoughIneverfailedtocrossthefirst，andtooffermyhandtohelpthemover。Onefineday，Icrossedfirstsoastogivethemcourage，butsuddenly，whenIreachedthemiddleoftheplank，itgavewayunderme，andthereIwasintheditch，uptothechininstinkingmud，and，inspiteofmyinwardrage，obliged，accordingtothegeneralunderstanding，tojoininthemerrylaughterofallmycompanions。Butthemerrimentdidnotlastlong，forthejokewastoobad，andeveryonedeclaredittobeso。Somepeasantswerecalledtotherescue，andwithmuchdifficultytheydraggedmeoutinthemostawfulstate。Anentirelynewdress，embroideredwithspangles，mysilkstockings，mylace，everything，wasofcoursespoiled，butnotmindingit，Ilaughedmoreheartilythatanybodyelse，althoughIhadalreadymadeaninwardvowtohavethemostcruelrevenge。InordertoknowtheauthorofthatbitterjokeIhadonlytoappearcalmandindifferentaboutit。Itwasevidentthattheplankhadbeenpurposelysawn。Iwastakenbacktothehouse，ashirt，acoat，acompletecostume，werelentme，forIhadcomethattimeonlyfortwenty—fourhours，andhadnotbroughtanythingwithme。Iwenttothecitythenextmorning，andtowardstheeveningI

returnedtothegaycompany。Fabris，whohadbeenasangryasmyself，observedtomethattheperpetratorofthejokeevidentlyfelthisguilt，becausehetookgoodcarenottodiscoverhimself。

ButIunveiledthemysterybypromisingonesequintoapeasantwomanifshecouldfindoutwhohadsawntheplank。Shecontrivedtodiscovertheyoungmanwhohaddonethework。Icalledonhim，andtheofferofasequin，togetherwithmythreats，compelledhimtoconfessthathehadbeenpaidforhisworkbySignorDemetrio，aGreek，dealerinspices，agoodandamiablemanofbetweenforty—fiveandfiftyyears，onwhomIneverplayedanytrick，exceptinthecaseofapretty，youngservantgirlwhomhewascourting，andwhomIhadjuggledfromhim。

Satisfiedwithmydiscovery，Iwasrackingmybraintoinventagoodpracticaljoke，buttoobtaincompleterevengeitwasnecessarythatmytrickshouldproveworsethantheonehehadplayeduponme。

Unfortunatelymyimaginationwasatbay。Icouldnotfindanything。

Afuneralputanendtomydifficulties。

Armedwithmyhunting—knife，Iwentalonetothecemeteryalittleaftermidnight，andopeningthegraveofthedeadmanwhohadbeenburiedthatveryday，Icutoffoneofthearmsneartheshoulder，notwithoutsometrouble，andafterIhadre—buriedthecorpse，I

returnedtomyroomwiththearmofthedefunct。Thenextday，whensupperwasover，IleftthetableandretiredtomychamberasifI

intendedtogotobed，buttakingthearmwithmeIhidmyselfunderDemetrio’sbed。Ashorttimeafter，theGreekcomesin，undresseshimself，puthislightout，andliesdown。Igivehimtimetofallnearlyasleep；then，placingmyselfatthefootofthebed，Ipullawaytheclotheslittlebylittleuntilheishalfnaked。Helaughsandcallsout，"Whoeveryoumaybe，goawayandletmesleepquietly，forIdonotbelieveinghosts；"hecovershimselfagainandcomposeshimselftosleep。

Iwaitfiveorsixminutes，andpullagainatthebedclothes；butwhenhetriestodrawupthesheet，sayingthathedoesnotcareforghosts，Iopposesomeresistance。Hesitsupsoastocatchthehandwhichispullingattheclothes，andItakecarethatheshouldgetholdofthedeadhand。Confidentthathehascaughtthemanorthewomanwhowasplayingthetrick，hepullsittowardshim，laughingallthetime；Ikeeptightholdofthearmforafewinstants，andthenletitgosuddenly；theGreekfallsbackonhispillowwithoututteringasingleword。

Thetrickwasplayed，Ileavetheroomwithoutanynoise，and，reachingmychamber，gotobed。

Iwasfastasleep，whentowardsmorningIwasawokebypersonsgoingabout，andnotunderstandingwhytheyshouldbeupsoearly，Igotup。ThefirstpersonImet——themistressofthehouse——toldmethatIhadplayedanabominablejoke。

"I？WhathaveIdone？"

"M。Demetrioisdying。"

"HaveIkilledhim？"

Shewentawaywithoutansweringme。Idressedmyself，ratherfrightened，Iconfess，butdetermineduponpleadingcompleteignoranceofeverything，andIproceededtoDemetrio’sroom；andI

wasconfrontedwithhorror—strickencountenancesandbitterreproaches。Ifoundalltheguestsaroundhim。Iprotestedmyinnocence，buteveryonesmiled。Thearchpriestandthebeadle，whohadjustarrived，wouldnotburythearmwhichwaslyingthere，andtheytoldmethatIhadbeenguiltyofagreatcrime。

"Iamastonished，reverendsir，"Isaidtothepriest，"atthehastyjudgmentwhichisthuspasseduponme，whenthereisnoprooftocondemnme。"

"Youhavedoneit，"exclaimedalltheguests，"youalonearecapableofsuchanabomination；itisjustlikeyou。Noonebutyouwouldhavedaredtodosuchathing！"

"Iamcompelled，"saidthearchpriest，"todrawupanofficialreport。"

"Asyouplease，Ihavenottheslightestobjection，"Ianswered，"I

havenothingtofear。"

AndIlefttheroom。

Icontinuedtotakeitcoolly，andatthedinner—tableIwasinformedthatM。Demetriohadbeenbled，thathehadrecoveredtheuseofhiseyes，butnotofhistongueorofhislimbs。Thenextdayhecouldspeak，andIheard，afterIhadtakenleaveofthefamily，thathewasstupidandspasmodic。Thepoormanremainedinthatpainfulstatefortherestofhislife。Ifeltdeeplygrieved，butIhadnotintendedtoinjurehimsobadly。Ithoughtthatthetrickhehadplayeduponmemighthavecostmylife，andIcouldnothelpderivingconsolationfromthatidea。

Onthesameday，thearchpriestmadeuphismindtohavethearmburied，andtosendaformaldenunciation。againstmetotheepiscopalchancellorshipofTreviso。

AnnoyedatthereproacheswhichIreceivedonallsides，IreturnedtoVenice。AfortnightafterwardsIwassummonedtoappearbeforethe’magistratoallablasfemia’。IbeggedM。Barbarotoenquirethecauseoftheaforesaidsummons，foritwasaformidablecourt。Iwassurprisedattheproceedingsbeingtakenagainstme，asiftherehadbeenacertaintyofmyhavingdesecratedagrave，whilsttherecouldbenothingbutsuspicion。ButIwasmistaken，thesummonswasnotrelatingtothataffair。M。Barbaroinformedmeintheeveningthatawomanhadbroughtacomplaintagainstmeforhavingviolatedherdaughter。Shestatedinhercomplaintthat，havingdecoyedherchildtotheZuecca，Ihadabusedherbyviolence，andsheadducedasaproofthatherdaughterwasconfinedtoherbed，owingtothebadtreatmentshehadreceivedfrommeinmyendeavourstoravishher。

Itwasoneofthosecomplaintswhichareoftenmade，inordertogivetroubleandtocauseexpense，evenagainstinnocentpersons。Iwasinnocentofviolation，butitwasquitetruethatIhadgiventhegirlasoundthrashing。Ipreparedmydefence，andbeggedM。

Barbarotodeliverittothemagistrate’ssecretary。

DECLARATION

Iherebydeclarethat，onsuchaday，havingmetthewomanwithherdaughter，Iaccostedthemandofferedtogivethemsomerefreshmentsatacoffee—housenearby；thatthedaughterrefusedtoacceptmycaresses，andthatthemothersaidtome，——

"Mydaughterisyetavirgin，andsheisquiterightnottolosehermaidenhoodwithoutmakingagoodprofitbyit。"

"Ifso，"Ianswered，"Iwillgiveyoutensequinsforhervirginity。"

"Youmayjudgeforyourself，"saidthemother。

Havingassuredmyselfofthefactbytheassistanceofthesenseoffeeling，andhavingascertainedthatitmightbetrue，ItoldthemothertobringthegirlintheafternoontotheZuecca，andthatI

wouldgiveherthetensequins。Myofferwasjoyfullyaccepted，themotherbroughtherdaughtertome，shereceivedthemoney，andleavingustogetherintheGardenoftheCross，shewentaway。

WhenItriedtoavailmyselfoftherightforwhichIhadpaid，thegirl，mostlikelytrainedtothebusinessbyhermother，contrivedtopreventme。Atfirstthegameamusedme，butatlast，beingtiredofit，Itoldhertohavedone。SheansweredquietlythatitwasnotherfaultifIwasnotabletodowhatIwanted。Vexedandannoyed，Iplacedherinsuchapositionthatshefoundherselfatbay，but，makingaviolenteffort，shemanagedtochangeherpositionanddebarredmefrommakinganyfurtherattempts。

"Why，"Isaidtoher，"didyoumove？"

"BecauseIwouldnothaveitinthatposition。"

"Youwouldnot？"

"No。"

Withoutmoreado，Igotholdofabroomstick，andgaveheragoodlesson，inordertogetsomethingforthetensequinswhichIhadbeenfoolishenoughtopayinadvance。ButIhavebrokennoneofherlimbs，andItookcaretoapplymyblowsonlyonherposteriors，onwhichspotIhavenodoubtthatallthemarksmaybeseen。IntheeveningImadeherdressherselfagain，andsentherbackinaboatwhichchancedtopass，andshewaslandedinsafety。Themotherreceivedtensequins，thedaughterhaskeptherhatefulmaidenhood，and，ifIamguiltyofanything，itisonlyofhavinggivenathrashingtoaninfamousgirl，thepupilofastillmoreinfamousmother。

Mydeclarationhadnoeffect。Themagistratewasacquaintedwiththegirl，andthemotherlaughedathavingdupedmesoeasily。Iwassummoned，butdidnotappearbeforethecourt，andawritwasonthepointofbeingissuedagainstmybody，whenthecomplaintoftheprofanationofagravewasfiledagainstmebeforethesamemagistrate。ItwouldhavebeenlessseriousformeifthesecondaffairhadbeencarriedbeforetheCouncilofTen，becauseonecourtmighthavesavedmefromtheother。

Thesecondcrime，which，afterall，wasonlyajoke，washighfelonyintheeyesoftheclergy，andagreatdealwasmadeofit。Iwassummonedtoappearwithintwenty—fourhours，anditwasevidentthatIwouldbearrestedimmediatelyafterwards。M。deBragadin，whoalwaysgavegoodadvice，toldmethatthebestwaytoavoidthethreateningstormwastorunaway。Theadvicewascertainlywise，andIlostnotimeingettingready。

IhaveneverleftVenicewithsomuchregretasIdidthen，forIhadsomepleasantintriguesonhand，andIwasveryluckyatcards。Mythreefriendsassuredmethat，withinoneyearatthefurthest，thecasesagainstmewouldbeforgotten，andinVenice，whenpublicopinionhasforgottenanything，itcanbeeasilyarranged。

IleftVeniceintheeveningandthenextdayIsleptatVerona。TwodaysafterwardsIreachedMantua。Iwasalone，withplentyofclothesandjewels，withoutlettersofintroduction，butwithawell—

filledpurse，enjoyingexcellenthealthandmytwenty—threeyears。

InMantuaIorderedanexcellentdinner，theveryfirstthingoneoughttodoatalargehotel，andafterdinnerIwentoutforawalk。

Intheevening，afterIhadseenthecoffee—housesandtheplacesofresort，Iwenttothetheatre，andIwasdelightedtoseeMarinaappearonthestageasacomicdancer，amidthegreatestapplause，whichshedeserved，forshedancedbeautifully。Shewastall，handsome，verywellmadeandverygraceful。Iimmediatelyresolvedonrenewingmyacquaintancewithher，ifshehappenedtobefree，andaftertheoperaIengagedaboytotakemetoherhouse。Shehadjustsatdowntosupperwithsomeone，butthemomentshesawmeshethrewhernapkindownandflewtomyarms。Ireturnedherkisses，judgingbyherwarmththatherguestwasamanofnoconsequence。

Theservant，withoutwaitingfororders，hadalreadylaidaplateforme，andMarinainvitedmetositdownnearher。Ifeltvexed，becausetheaforesaidindividualhadnotrisentosaluteme，andbeforeIacceptedMarina’sinvitationIaskedherwhothegentlemanwas，begginghertointroduceme。

"Thisgentleman，"shesaid，"isCountCeli，ofRome；heismylover。"

"Icongratulateyou，"Isaidtoher，andturningtowardstheso—

calledcount，"Sir，"Iadded，"donotbeangryatourmutualaffection，Marinaismydaughter。"

"Sheisaprostitute。"

"True，"saidMarina，"andyoucanbelievethecount，forheismyprocurer。"

Atthosewords，thebrutethrewhisknifeatherface，butsheavoideditbyrunningaway。Thescoundrelfollowedher，butIdrewmysword，andsaid，"Stop，oryouareadeadman。"

IimmediatelyaskedMarinatoorderherservanttolightmeout，butshehastilyputacloakon，andtakingmyarmsheentreatedmetotakeherwithme。

"Withpleasure，"Isaid。

Thecounttheninvitedmetomeethimalone，onthefollowingday，attheCasinoofPomi，tohearwhathehadtosay。

"Verywell，sir，atfourintheafternoon，"Ianswered。

ItookMarinatomyinn，whereIlodgedherintheroomadjoiningmine，andwesatdowntosupper。

Marina，seeingthatIwasthoughtful，said，"Areyousorrytohavesavedmefromtherageofthatbrute？"

"No，Iamgladtohavedoneso，buttellmetrulywhoandwhatheis。"

"Heisagamblerbyprofession，andgiveshimselfoutasCountCeli。

Imadehisacquaintancehere。Hecourtedme，invitedmetosupper，playedaftersupper，and，havingwonalargesumfromanEnglishmanwhomhehaddecoyedtohissupperbytellinghimthatIwouldbepresent，hegavemefiftyguineas，sayingthathehadgivenmeaninterestinhisbank。AssoonasIhadbecomehismistress，heinsisteduponmybeingcompliantwithallthemenhewantedtomakehisdupes，andatlasthetookuphisquartersatmylodgings。ThewelcomeIgaveyouverylikelyvexedhim，andyouknowtherest。

HereIam，andhereIwillremainuntilmydepartureforMantuawhereIhaveanengagementasfirstdancer。MyservantwillbringmeallI

needforto—night，andIwillgivehimorderstomoveallmyluggageto—morrow。Iwillnotseethatscoundrelanymore。Iwillbeonlyyours，ifyouarefreeasinCorfu，andifyoulovemestill。"

"Yes，mydearMarina，Idoloveyou，butifyouwishtobemymistress，youmustbeonlymine。"

"Oh！ofcourse。Ihavethreehundredsequins，andIwillgivethemtoyouto—morrowifyouwilltakemeasyourmistress。"

"Idonotwantanymoney；allIwantisyourself。Well，itisallarranged；to—morroweveningweshallfeelmorecomfortable。"

"Perhapsyouarethinkingofaduelforto—morrow？。Butdonotimaginesuchathing，dearest。Iknowthatman；heisanarrantcoward。"

"Imustkeepmyengagementwithhim。"

"Iknowthat，buthewillnotkeephis，andIamverygladofit。"

Changingtheconversationandspeakingofouroldacquaintances，sheinformedmethatshehadquarreledwithherbrotherPetronio，thathersisterwasprimadonnainGenoa，andthatBellinoTheresewasstillinNaples，whereshecontinuedtoruindukes。Sheconcludedbysaying；

"Iamthemostunhappyofthefamily。"

"Howso？Youarebeautiful，andyouhavebecomeanexcellentdancer。

Donotbesoprodigalofyourfavours，andyoucannotfailtomeetwithamanwhowilltakecareofyourfortune。"

"Tobesparingofmyfavoursisverydifficult；whenIlove，Iamnolongermine，butwhenIdonotlove，Icannotbeamiable。Well，dearest，Icouldbeveryhappywithyou。"

"DearMarina，Iamnotwealthy，andmyhonourwouldnotallowme……"

"Holdyourtongue；Iunderstandyou。"

"Whyhaveyounotalady’smaidwithyouinsteadofamaleservant？"

"Youareright。Amaidwouldlookmorerespectable，butmyservantissocleverandsofaithful！"

"Icanguessallhisqualities，butheisnotafitservantforyou。"

ThenextdayafterdinnerIleftMarinagettingreadyforthetheatre，andhavingputeverythingofvalueIpossessedinmypocket，ItookacarriageandproceededtotheCasinoofPomi。Ifeltconfidentofdisablingthefalsecount，andsentthecarriageaway。

Iwasconsciousofbeingguiltyofgreatfollyinexposingmylifewithsuchanadversary。Imighthavebrokenmyengagementwithhimwithoutimplicatingmyhonour，but，thefactisthatIfeltwelldisposedforafight，andasIwascertainlyintherightIthoughttheprospectofaduelverydelightful。Avisittoadancer，abruteprofessingtobeanobleman，whoinsultsherinmypresence，whowantstokillher，whoallowshertobecarriedoffinhisveryteeth，andwhoseonlyoppositionistogivemeanappointment！ItseemedtomethatifIhadfailedtocome，Ishouldhavegivenhimtherighttocallmeacoward。

Thecounthadnotyetarrived。Ienteredthecoffee—roomtowaitforhim。Imetagood—lookingFrenchmanthere，andIaddressedhim。

Beingpleasedwithhisconversation，ItoldhimthatIexpectedthearrivalofaman，andthatasmyhonourrequiredthatheshouldfindmealoneIwouldfeelgratefulifhewouldgoawayassoonasIsawthemanapproaching。AshorttimeafterwardsIsawmyadversarycomingalong，butwithasecond。IthentoldtheFrenchmanthathewouldobligemebyremaining，andheacceptedasreadilyasifIhadinvitedhimtoapartyofpleasure。Thecountcameinwithhisfollower，whowassportingaswordatleastfortyincheslong，andhadallthelookofacut—throat。Iadvancedtowardsthecount，andsaidtohimdryly，——

"Youtoldmethatyouwouldcomealone。"

"Myfriendwillnotbeintheway，asIonlywanttospeaktoyou。"

"IfIhadknownthat，Iwouldnothavegoneoutofmyway。Butdonotletusbenoisy，andletusgotosomeplacewherewecanexchangeafewwordswithoutbeingseen。Followme。"

Ileftthecoffee—roomwiththeyoungFrenchman，who，beingwellacquaintedwiththeplace，tookmetothemostfavourablespot，andwewaitedthereforthetwootherchampions，whowerewalkingslowlyandtalkingtogether。WhentheywerewithintenpacesIdrewmyswordandcalleduponmyadversarytogetready。MyFrenchmanhadalreadytakenouthissword，buthekeptitunderhisarm。

"Twotoone！"exclaimedCeli。

"Sendyourfriendaway，andthisgentlemanwillgolikewise；atallevents，yourfriendwearsasword，thereforewearetwoagainsttwo。"

"Yes，"saidtheFrenchman，"letushaveafour—handedgame。"

"Idonotcrossswordswithadancer，"saidthecutthroat。

Hehadscarcelyutteredthosewordswhenmyfriend，goinguptohim，toldhimthatadancerwascertainlyasgoodasablackleg，andgavehimaviolentbowwiththeflatofhisswordontheface。IfollowedhisexamplewithCeli，whobegantobeataretreat，andsaidthatheonlywantedtotellmesomething，andthathewouldfightafterwards。

"Well，speak。"

"YouknowmeandIdonotknowyou。Tellmewhoyouare。"

Myonlyanswerwastoresumelayingmysworduponthescoundrel，whiletheFrenchmanwasshewingthesamedexterityuponthebackofhiscompanion，butthetwocowardstooktotheirheels，andtherewasnothingforustodobuttosheatheourweapons。ThusdidtheduelendinamannerevenmoreamusingthanMarinaherselfhadanticipated。

MybraveFrenchmanwasexpectingsomeoneatthecasino。Ilefthimafterinvitinghimtosupperforthateveningaftertheopera。I

gavehim；thenamewhichIhadassumedformyjourneyandtheaddressofmyhotel。

IgaveMarinaafulldescriptionoftheadventure。

"Iwill，"shesaid，"amuseeverybodyatthetheatrethiseveningwiththestoryofyourmeeting。Butthatwhichpleasesmemostisthat，ifyoursecondisreallyadancer，hecanbenootherthanM。

Baletti，whoisengagedwithmefortheMantuaTheatre。"

Istoredallmyvaluablesinmytrunkagain，andwenttotheopera，whereIsawBaletti，whorecognizedme，andpointedmeouttoallhisfriends，towhomhewasrelatingtheadventure。Hejoinedmeaftertheperformance，andaccompaniedmetotheinn。Marina，whohadalreadyreturned，cametomyroomassoonassheheardmyvoice，andIwasamusedatthesurpriseoftheamiableFrenchman，whenhesawtheyoungartistwithwhomhehadengagedtodancethecomicparts。

Marina，althoughanexcellentdancer，didnotliketheseriousstyle。

ThosetwohandsomeadeptsofTerpsichorehadnevermetbefore，andtheybegananamorouswarfarewhichmademeenjoymysupperimmensely，because，ashewasafellowartist，MarinaassumedtowardsBalettiatonewelladaptedtothecircumstances，andverydifferenttoherusualmannerwithothermen。Sheshonewithwitandbeautythatevening，andwasinanexcellenttemper，forshehadbeenmuchapplaudedbythepublic，thetrueversionoftheCelibusinessbeingalreadywellknown。

Thetheatrewastobeopenonlyfortenmorenights，andasMarinawishedtoleaveMilanimmediatelyafterthelastperformance，wedecidedontravellingtogether。Inthemeantime，IinvitedBaletti（itwasanItaliannamewhichhehadadoptedforthestage）tobeourguestduringtheremainderofourstayinMilan。Thefriendshipbetweenushadagreatinfluenceuponallthesubsequenteventsofmylife，asthereaderwillseeintheseMemoirs。Hehadgreattalentasadancer，butthatwastheleastofhisexcellentqualities。Hewashonest，hisfeelingswerenoble，hehadstudiedmuch，andhehadreceivedthebesteducationthatcouldbegiveninthosedaysinFrancetoanobleman。

OnthethirddayIsawplainlythatMarinawishedtomakeaconquestofhercolleague，andfeelingwhatgreatadvantagemightaccruetoherfromitIresolvedonhelpingher。Shehadapost—chaisefortwopersons，andIeasilypersuadedhertotakeBalettiwithher，sayingthatIwishedtoarrivealoneinMantuaforseveralreasonswhichI

couldnotconfidetoher。ThefactwasthatifIhadarrivedwithher，peoplewouldhavenaturallysupposedthatIwasherlover，andI

wishedtoavoidthat。Balettiwasdelightedwiththeproposal；heinsisteduponpayinghisshareoftheexpenses，butMarinawouldnothearofit。Thereasonsallegedbytheyoungmanforpayinghisownexpenseswereexcellentones，anditwaswithgreatdifficultythatI

prevaileduponhimtoacceptMarina’soffer，butIultimatelysucceeded。Ipromisedtowaitforthemontheroad，soastotakedinnerandsuppertogether，andonthedayappointedforourdepartureIleftMilanonehourbeforethem。

ReachingthecityofCremonaveryearly，whereweintendedtosleep，Itookawalkaboutthestreets，and，findingacoffee—house，Iwentin。ImadetheretheacquaintanceofaFrenchofficer，andweleftthecoffee—roomtogethertotakeashortramble。Averyprettywomanhappenedtopassinacarriage，andmycompanionstoppedhertosayafewwords。Theirconversationwassoonover，andtheofficerjoinedmeagain。

"Whoisthatlovelylady？"Ienquired。

"Sheisatrulycharmingwoman，andIcantellyouananecdoteaboutherworthyofbeingtransmittedtoposterity。YouneednotsupposethatIamgoingtoexaggerate，fortheadventureisknowntoeverybodyinCremona。Thecharmingwomanwhomyouhavejustseenisgiftedwithwitgreatereventhanherbeauty，andhereisaspecimenofit。Ayoungofficer，oneamongstmanymilitarymenwhowerecourtingher，whenMarshaldeRichelieuwascommandinginGenoa，boastedofbeingtreatedbyherwithmorefavourthanalltheothers，andoneday，intheverycoffee—roomwherewemet，headvisedabrotherofficernottolosehistimeincourtingher，becausehehadnochancewhateverofobtaininganyfavour。

"’Mydearfellow，’saidtheotherofficer，’Ihaveamuchbetterrighttogiveyouthatpieceofadvice；forIhavealreadyobtainedfromhereverythingwhichcanbegrantedtoalover。’

"’Iamcertainthatyouaretellingalie，’exclaimedtheyoungman，’andIrequestyoutofollowmeout。’

"’Mostwillingly，’saidtheindiscreetswain，’butwhatisthegoodofascertainingthetruththroughaduelandofcuttingourthroats，whenIcanmaketheladyherselfcertifythefactinyourpresence。’

"’Ibettwenty—fivelouisthatitisalluntrue，’saidtheincredulousofficer。

"’Iacceptyourbet。Letusgo。’

"Thetwocontendingpartiesproceededtogethertowardsthedwellingoftheladywhomyousawjustnow，whowastonamethewinnerofthetwenty—fivelouis。

"Theyfoundherinherdressing—room。’Wellgentlemen，’shesaid，’whatluckywindhasbroughtyouheretogetheratthishour？

"’Itisabet，madam，’answeredtheunbelievingofficer，’andyoualonecanbetheumpireinourquarrel。Thisgentlemanhasbeenboastingofhavingobtainedfromyoueverythingawomancangranttothemostfavouredlover。Ihavegivenhimthelieinthemostimpressivemanner，andaduelwastoensue，whenheofferedtohavethetruthofhisboastcertifiedbyyou。Ihavebettwenty—fiveLouisthatyouwouldnotadmitit，andhehastakenmybet。Now，madam，youcansaywhichofustwoisright。’

"Youhavelost，sir，"shesaidtohim；’butnowIbegbothofyoutoquitmyhouse，andIgiveyoufairwarningthatifyoueverdaretoshewyourfaceshereagain，youwillbesorryforit。’

"Thetwoheedlessfellowswentawaydreadfullymortified。Theunbelieverpaidthebet，buthewasdeeplyvexed，calledtheotheracoxcomb，andaweekafterwardskilledhiminaduel。

"Sincethattimetheladygoestothecasino，andcontinuestomixinsociety，butdoesnotseecompanyatherownhouse，andlivesinperfectaccordwithherhusband。"

"Howdidthehusbandtakeitall？"

"Quitewell，andlikeanintelligent，sensibleman。Hesaidthat，ifhiswifehadacteddifferently，hewouldhaveappliedforadivorce，becauseinthatcasenoonewouldhaveentertainedadoubtofherbeingguilty。"

"Thathusbandisindeedasensiblefellow。Itiscertainthat，ifhiswifehadgiventhelietotheindiscreetofficer，hewouldhavepaidthebet，buthewouldhavestoodbywhathehadsaid，andeverybodywouldhavebelievedhim。Bydeclaringhimthewinnerofthebetshehascutthemattershort，andshehasavoidedajudgmentbywhichshewouldhavebeendishonoured。Theinconsiderateboasterwasguiltyofadoublemistakeforwhichhepaidthepenaltyofhislife，buthisadversarywasasmuchwantingindelicacy，forinsuchmattersrightly—mindedmendonotventureuponbetting。Iftheonewhosaysyesisimprudent，theonewhosaysnoisadupe。Ilikethelady’spresenceofmind。"

"Butwhatsentencewouldyoupassonher。Guiltyornotguilty？"

"Notguilty。"

"Iamofthesameopinion，andithasbeentheverdictofthepubliclikewise，forshehassincebeentreatedevenbetterthanbeforetheaffair。Youwillsee，ifyougotothecasino，andIshallbehappytointroduceyoutoher"

Iinvitedtheofficertosupwithus，andwespentaverypleasantevening。Afterhehadgone，IremarkedwithpleasurethatMarinawascapableofobservingtherulesofpropriety。Shehadtakenabedroomtoherself，soasnottohurtthefeelingsofherrespectablefellow—

dancer。

WhenIarrivedinMantua，IputupatSt。Mark’shotel。Marina，towhomIhadgivenanoticethatmyintentionwastocallonherbutseldom，tookupherabodeinthehouseassignedtoherbythetheatricalmanager。

Intheafternoonofthesameday，asIwaswalkingabout，Iwentintoabookseller’sshoptoascertainwhethertherewasanynewworkout。

Iremainedtherewithoutperceivingthatthenighthadcome，andonbeingtoldthattheshopwasgoingtobeclosed，Iwentout。IhadonlygoneafewyardswhenIwasarrestedbyapatrol，theofficerofwhichtoldmethat，asIhadnolanternandaseighto’clockhadstruck，hisdutywastotakemetotheguardhouse。ItwasinvainthatIobservedthat，havingarrivedonlyintheafternoon，Icouldnotknowthatorderofthepolice。Iwascompelledtofollowhim。

Whenwereachedtheguardhouse，theofficerofthepatrolintroducedmetohiscaptain，atall，fine—lookingyoungmanwhoreceivedmeinthemostcheerfulmanner。IbeggedhimtoletmereturntomyhotelasIneededrestaftermyjourney。Helaughedandanswered，"No，indeed，Iwantyoutospendajoyousnightwithme，andingoodcompany。"Hetoldtheofficertogivemebackmysword，and，addressingmeagain，hesaid，"Ionlyconsideryou，mydearsir，asmyfriendandguest。"

Icouldnothelpbeingamusedatsuchanovelmodeofinvitation，andIacceptedit。HegavesomeorderstoaGermansoldier，andsoonafterwardsthetablewaslaidoutforfourpersons。Thetwootherofficersjoinedus，andwehadaverygaysupper。Whenthedeserthadbeenservedthecompanywasincreasedbythearrivaloftwodisgusting，dissolutefemales。Agreenclothwasspreadoverthetable，andoneoftheofficersbeganafarobank。Ipuntedsoasnottoappearunwillingtojointhegame，andafterlosingafewsequinsIwentouttobreathethefreshair，forwehaddrunkfreely。Oneofthetwofemalesfollowedme，teasedme，andfinallycontrived，inspiteofmyself，tomakemeapresentwhichcondemnedmetoaregimenofsixweeks。Afterthatfineexploit，Iwentinagain。

Ayoungandpleasantofficer，whohadlostsomefifteenortwentysequins，wasswearinglikeatrooperbecausethebankerhadpocketedhismoneyandwasgoing。Theyoungofficerhadagreatdealofgoldbeforehimonthetable，andhecontendedthatthebankeroughttohavewarnedhimthatitwouldbethelastgame。

"Sir，"Isaidtohim，politely，"youareinthewrong，forfaroisthefreestofgames。Whydoyounottakethebankyourself？"

"Itwouldbetoomuchtrouble，andthesegentlemendonotpunthighenoughforme，butifthatsortofthingamusesyou，takethebankandIwillpunt。"

"Captain，"Isaid，"willyoutakeafourthshareinmybank？"

"Willingly。"

"Gentlemen，IbegyoutogivenoticethatIwilllaythecardsdownaftersixgames。"

Iaskedfornewpacksofcards，andputthreehundredsequinsonthetable。Thecaptainwroteonthebackofacard，"Goodforahundredsequins，O’Neilan，"andplacingitwithmygoldIbeganmybank。

Theyoungofficerwasdelighted，andsaidtome，"Yourbankmightbedefunctbeforetheendofthesixthgame。"

Ididnotanswer，andtheplaywenton。

Atthebeginningofthefifthgame，mybankwasinthepangsofdeath；theyoungofficerwasinhighglee。IratherastonishedhimbytellinghimthatIwasgladtolose，forIthoughthimamuchmoreagreeablecompanionwhenhewaswinning。

Therearesomecivilitieswhichverylikelyproveunluckyforthosetowhomtheyareaddressed，anditturnedoutsointhiscase，formycomplimentturnedhisbrain。Duringthefifthgame，arunofadversecardsmadehimloseallhehadwon，andashetriedtodoviolencetoDameFortuneinthesixthround，helosteverysequinhehad。

"Sir，"hesaidtome，"youhavebeenverylucky，butIhopeyouwillgivememyrevengeto—morrow。"

"Itwouldbewiththegreatestpleasure，sir，butIneverplayexceptwhenIamunderarrest。"

Icountedmymoney，andfoundthatIhadwantwohundredandfiftysequins，besidesadebtoffiftysequinsduebyanofficerwhoplayedontrustwhichCaptainO’Neilantookonhisownaccount。Icompletedhisshare，andatday—breakheallowedmetogoaway。

AssoonasIgottomyhotel，Iwenttobed，andwhenIawoke，IhadavisitfromCaptainLaurent，theofficerwhohadplayedontrust。

Thinkingthathisobjectwastopaymewhathehadlost，ItoldhimthatO’Neilanhadtakenhisdebtonhimself，butheansweredthanhehadonlycalledforthepurposeofbeggingofmealoanofsixsequinsonhisnoteofhand，bywhichhewouldpledgehishonourtorepaymewithinoneweek。Igavehimthemoney，andhebeggedthatthematter，mightremainbetweenus。

"Ipromiseit，"Isaidtohim，"butdonotbreakyourword。"

ThenextdayIwasill，andthereaderisawareofthenatureofmyillness。Iimmediatelyplacedmyselfunderapropercourseofdiet，howeverunpleasantitwasatmyage；butIkepttomysystem，anditcuredmerapidly。

ThreeorfourdaysafterwardsCaptainO’Neilancalledonme，andwhenItoldhimthenatureofmysicknesshelaughed，muchtomysurprise。

"Thenyouwereallrightbeforethatnight？"heenquired。

"Yes，myhealthwasexcellent。"

"Iamsorrythatyoushouldhavelostyourhealthinsuchanuglyplace。IwouldhavewarnedyouifIhadthoughtyouhadanyintentionsinthatquarter。"

"Didyouknowofthewomanhaving……？"

"Zounds！DidInot？ItisonlyaweeksinceIpaidavisittotheverysameplacemyself，andIbelievethecreaturewasallrightbeforemyvisit。"

"ThenIhavetothankyouforthepresentshehasbestoweduponme。"

"Mostlikely；butitisonlyatrifle，andyoucaneasilygetcuredifyoucaretotakethetrouble。"

"What！Doyounottrytocureyourself？"

"Faith，no。Itwouldbetoomuchtroubletofollowaregulardiet，andwhatistheuseofcuringsuchatriflinginconveniencewhenIamcertainofgettingitagaininafortnight。TentimesinmylifeI

havehadthatpatience，butIgottiredofit，andforthelasttwoyearsIhaveresignedmyself，andnowIputupwithit。"

"Ipityyou，foramanlikeyouwouldhavegreatsuccessinlove。"

"Idonotcareafigforlove；itrequirescareswhichwouldbothermemuchmorethantheslightinconveniencetowhichwewerealluding，andtowhichIamusednow。"

"Iamnotofyouropinion，fortheamorouspleasureisinsipidwhenlovedoesnotthrowalittlespiceinit。Doyouthink，forinstance，thattheuglywretchImetattheguard—roomisworthwhatInowsufferonheraccount？"

"Ofcoursenot，andthatiswhyIamsorryforyou。IfIhadknown，Icouldhaveintroducedyoutosomethingbetter。"

"Theverybestinthatlineisnotworthmyhealth，andhealthoughttobesacrificedonlyforlove。"

"Oh！youwantwomenworthyoflove？Thereareafewhere；stopwithusforsometime，andwhenyouarecuredthereisnothingtopreventyoufrommakingconquests。"

O’Neilanwasonlytwenty—threeyearsold；hisfather，whowasdead，hadbeenageneral，andthebeautifulCountessBorsatiwashissister。HepresentedmetotheCountessZanardiNerli，stillmorelovelythanhissister，butIwasprudentenoughnottoburnmyincensebeforeeitherofthem，foritseemedtomethateverybodycouldguessthestateofmyhealth。

IhavenevermetayoungmanmoreaddictedtodebaucherythanO’Neilan。Ihaveoftenspentthenightramblingaboutwithhim，andIwasamazedathiscynicalboldnessandimpudence。Yethewasnoble，generous，brave，andhonourable。Ifinthosedaysyoungofficerswereoftenguiltyofsomuchimmorality，ofsomanyvileactions，itwasnotsomuchtheirfaultasthefaultoftheprivilegeswhichtheyenjoyedthroughcustom，indulgence，orpartyspirit。Hereisanexample:

OnedayO’Neilan，havingdrunkratherfreely，ridesthroughthecityatfullspeed。Apooroldwomanwhowascrossingthestreethasnotimetoavoidhim，shefalls，andherheadiscutopenbythehorse’sfeet。O’Neilanplaceshimselfunderarrest，butthenextdayheissetatliberty。Hehad，onlytopleadthatitwasanaccident。

TheofficerLaurentnothavingcalleduponmetoredeemhispromisorynoteofsixsequinsduringtheweek，ItoldhiminthestreetthatI

wouldnolongerconsidermyselfboundtokeeptheaffairsecret。

Insteadofexcusinghimself，hesaid，"Idonotcare！"

Theanswerwasinsulting，andIintendedtocompelhimtogivemereparation，butthenextdayO’NeilantoldmethatCaptainLaurenthadgonemadandhadbeenlockedupinamad—house。Hesubsequentlyrecoveredhisreason，buthisconductwassoinfamousthathewascashiered。

O’Neilan，whowasasbraveasBayard，waskilledafewyearsafterwardsatthebattleofPrague。AmanofhiscomplexionwascertaintofallthevictimofMarsorofVenus。Hemightbealivenowifhehadbeenendowedonlywiththecourageofthefox，buthehadthecourageofthelion。Itisavirtueinasoldier，butalmostafaultinanofficer。Thosewhobravedangerwithafullknowledgeofitareworthyofpraise，butthosewhodonotrealizeitescapeonlybyamiracle，andwithoutanymeritattachingitselftothem。

Yetwemustrespectthosegreatwarriors，fortheirunconquerablecourageistheoffspringofastrongsoul，ofavirtuewhichplacesthemaboveordinarymortals。

WheneverIthinkofPrinceCharlesdeLigneIcannotrestrainmytears。HewasasbraveasAchilles，butAchilleswasinvulnerable。

Hewouldbealivenowifhehadrememberedduringthefightthathewasmortal。Whoaretheythat，havingknownhim，havenotshedtearsinhismemory？Hewashandsome，kind，polished，learned，aloverofthearts，cheerful，wittyinhisconversation，apleasantcompanion，andamanofperfectequability。Fatal，terriblerevolution！A

cannonballtookhimfromhisfriends，fromhisfamily，fromthehappinesswhichsurroundedhim。

ThePrincedeWaldeckhasalsopaidthepenaltyofhisintrepiditywiththelossofonearm。Itissaidthatheconsoleshimselfforthatlosswiththeconsciousnessthatwiththeremainingonehecanyetcommandanarmy。

Oyouwhodespiselife，tellmewhetherthatcontemptofliferendersyouworthyofit？

TheoperaopenedimmediatelyafterEaster，andIwaspresentateveryperformance。Iwasthenentirelycured，andhadresumedmyusuallife。IwaspleasedtoseethatBalettishewedoffMarinatothebestadvantage。Inevervisitedher，butBalettiwasinthehabitofbreakfastingwithmealmosteverymorning。

Hehadoftenmentionedanoldactresswhohadleftthestageformorethantwentyyears，andpretendedtohavebeenmyfather’sfriend。

OnedayItookafancytocalluponher，andheaccompaniedmetoherhouse。

Isawanold，broken—downcronewhosetoiletastonishedmeasmuchasherperson。Inspiteofherwrinkles，herfacewasplasteredwithredandwhite，andhereyebrowswereindebtedtoIndiainkfortheirblackappearance。Sheexposedone—halfofherflabby，disgustingbosom，andtherecouldbenodoubtastoherfalsesetofteeth。Sheworeawigwhichfittedverybadly，andallowedtheintrusionofafewgrayhairswhichhadsurvivedthehavocoftime。Hershakinghandsmademinequiverwhenshepressedthem。Shediffusedaperfumeofamberatadistanceoftwentyyards，andheraffected，mincingmanneramusedandsickenedmeatthesametime。Herdressmightpossiblyhavebeenthefashiontwentyyearsbefore。Iwaslookingwithdreadatthefearfulhavocofoldageuponafacewhich，beforemercilesstimehadblightedit，hadevidentlybeenhandsome，butwhatamazedmewasthechildisheffronterywithwhichthistime—witheredspecimenofwomankindwasstillwagingwarwiththehelpofherblastedcharms。

Baletti，whofearedlestmytoovisibleastonishmentshouldvexher，toldherthatIwasamazedatthefactthatthebeautifulstrawberrywhichbloomeduponherchesthadnotbeenwitheredbythehandofTime。Itwasabirth—markwhichwasreallyverymuchlikeastrawberry。"Itisthatmark，"saidtheoldwoman，simpering，"whichgavemethenameof’LaFragoletta。’"

Thosewordsmademeshudder。

Ihadbeforemyeyesthefatalphantomwhichwasthecauseofmyexistence。Isawthewomanwhohadthirtyyearsbefore，seducedmyfather:ifithadnotbeenforher，hewouldneverhavethoughtofleavinghisfather’shouse，andwouldneverhaveengenderedmeinthewombofaVenetianwoman。Ihaveneverbeenoftheopinionoftheoldauthorwhosays，’Nemovitamvelletsidareturscientibus’。

SeeinghowthoughtfulIwas，shepolitelyenquiredmynamefromBaletti，forhehadpresentedmeonlyasafriend，andwithouthavinggivenhernoticeofmyvisit。WhenhetoldherthatmynamewasCasanova，shewasextremelysurprised。

"Yes，madam，"Isaid，"IamthesonofGaetanCasanova，ofParma。"

"Heavensandearth！whatisthis？Ah！myfriend，Iadoredyourfather！Hewasjealouswithoutcause，andabandonedme。Hadhenotdoneso，youwouldhavebeenmyson！Allowmetoembraceyouwiththefeelingsofalovingmother。"

Iexpectedasmuch，and，forfearsheshouldfall，Iwenttoher，receivedherkiss，andabandonedmyselftohertenderrecollections。

Stillanactress，shepressedherhandkerchieftohereyes，pretendingtoweep，andassuringmethatIwasnottodoubtthetruthofwhatshesaid。

"Although，"sheadded，"Idonotlookanoldwomanyet。"

"Theonlyfaultofyourdearfather，"shecontinued，"wasawantofgratitude"

Ihavenodoubtthatshepassedthesamesentenceupontheson，for，inspiteofherkindinvitation，Ineverpaidheranothervisit。

Mypursewaswellfilled，andasIdidnotcareforMantua，I

resolvedongoingtoNaples，toseeagainmydearTherese，DonnaLucrezia，Palofatherandson，DonAntonioCasanova，andallmyformeracquaintances。However，mygoodgeniusdidnotapproveofthatdecision，forIwasnotallowedtocarryitintoexecution。I

shouldhaveleftMantuathreedayslater，hadInotgonetotheoperathatnight。

Ilivedlikeananchoriteduringmytwomonths’stayinMantua，owingtothefolly。Icommittedonthenightofmyarrival。Iplayedonlythattime，andthenIhadbeenlucky。Myslighteroticinconvenience，bycompellingmetofollowthedietnecessarytomycure，mostlikelysavedmefromgreatermisfortuneswhich，perhaps，Ishouldnothavebeenabletoavoid。

CHAPTERXXI

MyJourneytoCesenainSearchofTreasure——ITakeUpMyQuartersinFranzia’sHouse——HisDaughterJavotteTheoperawasnearlyoverwhenIwasaccostedbyayoungmanwho，abruptly，andwithoutanyintroduction，toldmethatasastranger——

IhadbeenverywronginspendingtwomonthsinMantuawithoutpayingavisittothenaturalhistorycollectionbelongingtohisfather，DonAntonioCapitani，commissaryandprebendalpresident。

"Sir，"Ianswered，"Ihavebeenguiltyonlythroughignorance，andifyouwouldbesogoodastocallformeatmyhotelto—morrowmorning，beforetheeveningIshallhaveatonedformyerror，andyouwillnolongerhavetherighttoaddressmethesamereproach"

Thesonoftheprebendalcommissarycalledforme，andIfoundinhisfatheramosteccentric，whimsicalsortofman。Thecuriositiesofhiscollectionconsistedofhisfamilytree，ofbooksofmagic，relics，coinswhichhebelievedtobeantediluvian，amodelofthearktakenfromnatureatthetimewhenNoaharrivedinthatextraordinaryharbour，MountArarat，inArmenia。Heloadseveralmedals，oneofSesostris，anotherofSemiramis，andanoldknifeofaqueershape，coveredwithrust。Besidesallthosewonderfultreasures，hepossessed，butunderlockandkey，alltheparaphernaliaoffreemasonry。

"Pray，tellme，"Isaidtohim，"whatrelationthereisbetweenthiscollectionandnaturalhistory？Iseenothinghererepresentingthethreekingdoms。"

"What！Youdonotseetheantediluviankingdom，thatofSesostrisandthatofSemiramis？Arenotthosethethreekingdoms？"

WhenIheardthatanswerIembracedhimwithanexclamationofdelight，whichwassarcasticinitsintent，butwhichhetookforadmiration，andheatonceunfoldedallthetreasuresofhiswhimsicalknowledgerespectinghispossessions，endingwiththerustybladewhichhesaidwastheveryknifewithwhichSaintPetercutofftheearofMalek。

"What！"Iexclaimed，"youarethepossessorofthisknife，andyouarenotasrichasCroesus？"

"HowcouldIbesothroughthepossessionoftheknife？"

"Intwoways。Inthefirstplace，youcouldobtainpossessionofallthetreasureshiddenundergroundintheStatesoftheChurch。"

"Yes，thatisanaturalconsequence，becauseSt。Peterhasthekeys。"

"Inthesecondplace，youmightselltheknifetothePope，ifyouhappentopossessproofofitsauthenticity。"

"Youmeantheparchment。OfcourseIhaveit；doyouthinkIwouldhaveboughtonewithouttheother？"

"Allright，then。Inordertogetpossessionofthatknife，thePopewould，Ihavenodoubt，makeacardinalofyourson，butyoumusthavethesheathtoo。"

"Ihavenotgotit，butitisunnecessary。AtalleventsIcanhaveonemade。"

"Thatwouldnotdo，youmusthavetheveryoneinwhichSaintPeterhimselfsheathedtheknifewhenGodsaid，’Mittegladiumtuuminvaginam’。Thatverysheathdoesexist，anditisnowinthehandsofapersonwhomightsellittoyouatareasonableprice，oryoumightsellhimyourknife，forthesheathwithouttheknifeisofnousetohim，justastheknifeisuselesstoyouwithoutthesheath。"

"Howmuchwoulditcostme？"

"Onethousandsequins。"

"Andhowmuchwouldthatpersongivemefortheknife？"

"Onethousandsequins，foronehasasmuchvalueastheother。"

Thecommissary，greatlyastonished，lookedathisson，andsaid，withthevoiceofajudgeonthebench，"Well，son，wouldyoueverhavethoughtthatIwouldbeofferedonethousandsequinsforthisknife？"

Hethenopenedadrawerandtookoutofitanoldpieceofpaper，whichheplacedbeforeme。ItwaswritteninHebrew，andafacsimileoftheknifewasdrawnonit。Ipretendedtobelostinadmiration，andadvisedhimverystronglytopurchasethesheath。

"Itisnotnecessaryformetobuyit，orforyourfriendtopurchasetheknife。Wecanfindoutanddigupthetreasurestogether。"

"Notatall。Therubricsaysinthemostforciblemannerthattheowneroftheblade，’invaginam’，shallbeone。IfthePopewereinpossessionofithewouldbeable，throughamagicaloperationknowntome，tocutoffoneoftheearsofeveryChristiankingwhomightbethinkingofencroachingupontherightsoftheChurch。"

"Wonderful，indeed！Butitisverytrue，foritissaidintheGospelthatSaintPeterdidcutofftheearofsomebody。"

"Yes，ofaking。"

"Oh，no！notofaking。"

"Ofaking，Itellyou。EnquirewhetherMalekorMelekdoesnotmeanking。"

"Well！incaseIshouldmakeupmymindtoselltheknife，whowouldgivemethethousandsequins？"

"Iwould；onehalfto—morrow，cashdown；thebalanceoffivehundredinaletterofexchangepayableonemonthafterdate。"

"Ah！thatislikebusiness。Begoodenough，toacceptadishofmacaroniwithusto—morrow，andunderasolemnpledgeofsecrecywewilldiscussthisimportantaffair。"

Iacceptedandtookmyleave，firmlyresolvedonkeepingupthejoke。

Icamebackonthefollowingday，andtheveryfirstthinghetoldmewasthat，tohiscertainknowledge，therewasanimmensetreasurehiddensomewhereinthePapalStates，andthathewouldmakeuphismindtopurchasethesheath。Thissatisfiedmethattherewasnofearofhistakingmeatmyword，soIproducedapursefullofgold，sayingIwasquitereadytocompleteourbargainforthepurchaseoftheknife。

"TheTreasure，"hesaid，"isworthmillions；butletushavedinner。

Youarenotgoingtobeservedinsilverplatesanddishes，butinrealRaphaelmosaic。"

"Mydearcommissary，yourmagnificenceastonishesme；mosaicis，indeed，byfarsuperiortosilverplate，althoughanignorantfoolwouldonlyconsiderituglyearthenware。"

Thecomplimentdelightedhim。

Afterdinner，hespokeasfollows:

"Amaninverygoodcircumstances，residinginthePapalStates，andownerofthecountryhouseinwhichheliveswithallhisfamily，iscertainthatthereisatreasureinhiscellar。Hehaswrittentomyson，declaringhimselfreadytoundertakeallexpensesnecessarytopossesshimselfofthattreasure，ifwecouldprocureamagicianpowerfulenoughtounearthit。"

Thesonthentookaletteroutofhispocket，readmesomepassages，andbeggedmetoexcusehimif，inconsequenceofhishavingpledgedhimselftokeepthesecret，hecouldnotcommunicateallthecontentsoftheletter；butIhad，unperceivedbyhim，readthewordCesena，thenameofthevillage，andthatwasenoughforme。

"Thereforeallthatisnecessaryistogivemethepossibilityofpurchasingthesheathoncredit，forIhavenoreadycashatpresent。

Youneednotbeafraidofendorsingmylettersofexchange，andifyoushouldknowthemagicianyoumightgohalveswithhim。"

"Themagicianisready；itisI，butunlessyougivemefivehundredsequinscashdownwecannotagree。"

"Ihavenomoney。"

"Thensellmetheknife:"

"No。"

"Youarewrong，fornowthatIhaveseenitIcaneasilytakeitfromyou。ButIamhonestenoughnottowishtoplaysuchatrickuponyou。"

"Youcouldtakemyknifefromme？Ishouldliketobeconvincedofthat，butIdonotbelieveit。"

"Youdonot？Verywell，to—morrowtheknifewillbeinmypossession，butwhenitisonceinmyhandsyouneednothopetoseeitagain。Aspiritwhichisundermyorderswillbringittomeatmidnight，andthesamespiritwilltellmewherethetreasureisburied:"

"Letthespirittellyouthat，andIshallbeconvinced。"

"Givemeapen，inkandpaper。"

Iaskedaquestionfrommyoracle，andtheanswerIhadwasthatthetreasurewastobefoundnotfarfromtheRubicon。