第20章

"Thatis，"Isaid，"atorrentwhichwasonceariver:"

Theyconsultedadictionary，andfoundthattheRubiconflowedthroughCesena。Theywereamazed，and，asIwishedthemtohavefullscopeforwrongreasoning，Ileftthem。

Ihadtakenafancy，nottopurloinfivehundredsequinsfromthosepoorfools，buttogoandunearththeamountattheirexpenseinthehouseofanotherfool，andtolaughatthemallintothebargain。I

longedtoplaythepartofamagician。Withthatidea，whenIleftthehouseoftheridiculousantiquarian，Iproceededtothepubliclibrary，where，withtheassistanceofadictionary，Iwrotethefollowingspecimenoffacetiouserudition:

"Thetreasureisburiedintheearthatadepthofseventeenandahalffathoms，andhasbeenthereforsixcenturies。Itsvalueamountstotwomillionsofsequins，enclosedinacasket，thesamewhichwastakenbyGodfreydeBouillonfromMathilda，CountessofTuscany，intheyear1081，whenheendeavouredtoassistHenryIV，againstthatprincess。Heburiedtheboxhimselfintheveryspotwhereitnowis，beforehewenttolaysiegetoJerusalem。GregoryVII，whowasagreatmagician，havingbeeninformedoftheplacewhereithadbeenhidden，hadresolvedongettingpossessionofithimself，butdeathpreventedhimfromcarryingouthisintentions。

AfterthedeathoftheCountessMathilda，intheyear1116，thegeniuspresidingoverallhiddentreasuresappointedsevenspiritstoguardthebox。Duringanightwithafullmoon，alearnedmagiciancanraisethetreasuretothesurfaceoftheearthbyplacinghimselfinthemiddleofthemagicalringcalledmaximus:"

Iexpectedtoseethefatherandson，andtheycameearlyinthemorning。Aftersomeramblingconversation，IgavethemwhatIhadcomposedatthelibrary，namely，thehistoryofthetreasuretakenfromtheCountessMathilda。

ItoldthemthatIhadmadeupmymindtorecoverthetreasure，andI

promisedthemthefourthpartofit，providedtheywouldpurchasethesheath；Iconcludedbythreateningagaintopossessmyselfoftheirknife。

"Icannotdecide，"saidthecommissary，"beforeIhaveseenthesheath。"

"Ipledgemywordtoshewittoyouto—morrow，"Ianswered。

Wepartedcompany，highlypleasedwitheachother。

Inordertomanufactureasheath，suchasthewonderfulkniferequired，itwasnecessarytocombinethemostwhimsicalideawiththeoddestshape。Irecollectedverywelltheformoftheblade，and，asIwasrevolvinginmymindthebestwaytoproducesomethingveryextravagantbutwelladaptedtothepurposeIhadinview，I

spiedintheyardofthehotelanoldpieceofleather，theremnantofwhathadbeenafinegentleman’sboot；itwasexactlywhatI

wanted。

Itookthatoldsole，boiledit，andmadeinitaslitinwhichIwascertainthattheknifewouldgoeasily。ThenIpareditcarefullyonallsidestopreventthepossibilityofitsformerusebeingfoundout；Irubbeditwithpumicestone，sand，andochre，andfinallyI

succeededinimpartingtomyproductionsuchaqueer，old—fashionedshapethatIcouldnothelplaughinginlookingatmywork。

WhenIpresentedittothecommissary，andhehadfounditanexactfitfortheknife，thegoodmanremainedastounded。Wedinedtogether，andafterdinneritwasdecidedthathissonshouldaccompanyme，andintroducemetothemasterofthehouseinwhichthetreasurewasburied，thatIwastoreceivealetterofexchangeforonethousandRomancrowns，drawnbythesononBologna，whichwouldbemadepayabletomynameonlyafterIshouldhavefoundthetreasure，andthattheknifewiththesheathwouldbedeliveredintomyhandsonlywhenIshouldrequireitforthegreatoperation；untilthenthesonwastoretainpossessionofit。

Thoseconditionshavingbeenagreedupon，wemadeanagreementinwriting，bindinguponallparties，andourdeparturewasfixedforthedayafterthemorrow。

AsweleftMantua，thefatherpronouncedaferventblessingoverhisson’shead，andtoldmethathewascountpalatine，shewingmethediplomawhichhehadreceivedfromthePope。Iembracedhim，givinghimhistitleofcount，andpocketedhisletterofexchange。

AfterbiddingadieutoMarina，whowasthentheacknowledgedmistressofCountArcorati，andtoBalettiwhomIwassureofmeetingagaininVenicebeforetheendoftheyear，IwenttosupwithmyfriendO’Neilan。

Westartedearlyinthemorning，travelledthroughFerraraandBologna，andreachedCesena，whereweputupattheposting—house。

WegotupearlythenextdayandwalkedquietlytothehouseofGeorgeFranzia，awealthypeasant，whowasownerofthetreasure。Itwasonlyaquarterofamilefromthecity，andthegoodmanwasagreeablysurprisedbyourarrival。HeembracedCapitani，whomheknewalready，andleavingmewithhisfamilyhewentoutwithmycompaniontotalkbusiness。

Observantasusual，Ipassedthefamilyinreview，andfixedmychoiceupontheeldestdaughter。Theyoungestgirlwasugly，andthesonlookedaregularfool。Themotherseemedtobetherealmasterofthehousehold，andtherewerethreeorfourservantsgoingaboutthepremises。

TheeldestdaughterwascalledGenevieve，orJavotte，averycommonnameamongthegirlsofCesena。ItoldherthatIthoughthereighteen；butsheanswered，inatonehalfserious，halfvexed，thatIwasverymuchmistaken，forshehadonlyjustcompletedherfourteenthyear。

"Iamverygladitisso，myprettychild。"

Thesewordsbroughtbackhersmile。

Thehousewaswellsituated，andtherewasnotanotherdwellingarounditforatleastfourhundredyards。IwasgladtoseethatI

shouldhavecomfortablequarters，butIwasannoyedbyaveryunpleasantstinkwhichtaintedtheair，andwhichcouldcertainlynotbeagreeabletothespiritsIhadtoevoke。

"MadameFranzia，"saidI，tothemistressofthehouse，"whatisthecauseofthatbadsmell？"

"Sir，itarisesfromthehempwhichwearemacerating。"

Iconcludedthatifthecausewereremoved，Ishouldgetridoftheeffect。

"Whatisthathempworth，madam？"Ienquired。

"Aboutfortycrowns。"

"Heretheyare；thehempbelongstomenow，andImustbegyourhusbandtohaveitremovedimmediately。"

Capitanicalledme，andIjoinedhim。Franziashewedmealltherespectduetoagreatmagician，althoughIhadnotmuchtheappearanceofone。

Weagreedthatheshouldreceiveone—fourthofthetreasure，Capitanianotherfourth，andthattheremaindershouldbelongtome。WecertainlydidnotshewmuchrespectfortherightsofSaintPeter。

ItoldFranziathatIshouldrequirearoomwithtwobedsformyselfalone，andanante—roomwithbathingapparatus。Capitani’sroomwastobeinadifferentpartofthehouse，andmyroomwastobeprovidedwiththreetables，twoofthemsmallandonelarge。Iaddedthathemustatonceprocuremeasewing—girlbetweentheagesoffourteenandeighteen，shewastobeavirgin，anditwasnecessarythatsheshould，aswellaseverypersoninthehouse，keepthesecretfaithfully，inorderthatnosuspicionofourproceedingsshouldreachtheInquisition，orallwouldbelost。

"Iintendtotakeupmyquartershereto—morrow，"Iadded；"Irequiretwomealseveryday，andtheonlywineIcandrinkisjevese。FormybreakfastIdrinkapeculiarkindofchocolatewhichImakemyself，andwhichIhavebroughtwithme。Ipromisetopaymyownexpensesincasewedonotsucceed。Pleaseremovethehemptoaplacesufficientlydistantfromthehouse，sothatitsbadsmellmaynotannoythespiritstobeevokedbyme，andlettheairbepurifiedbythedischargeofgunpowder。Besides，youmustsendatrustyservantto—morrowtoconveyourluggagefromthehotelhere，andkeepconstantlyinthehouseandatmydisposalonehundrednewwaxcandlesandthreetorches。"

AfterIhadgiventhoseinstructionstoFranzia，Ilefthim，andwenttowardsCesenawithCapitani，butwehadnotgoneahundredyardswhenweheardthegoodmanrunningafterus。

"Sir，"hesaidtome，"bekindenoughtotakebackthefortycrownswhichyoupaidtomywifeforthehemp。"

"No，Iwillnotdoanythingofthesort，forIdonotwantyoutosustainanyloss。"

"Takethemback，Ibeg。Icansellthehempinthecourseofthedayforfortycrownswithoutdifficulty"

"InthatcaseIwill，forIhaveconfidenceinwhatyousay。"

Suchproceedingsonmypartimpressedtheexcellentmanveryfavourably，andheentertainedthedeepestvenerationforme，whichwasincreased，when，againstCapitani’sadvice，Iresolutelyrefusedonehundredsequinswhichhewantedtoforceuponmeformytravellingexpenses。Ithrewhimintorapturesbytellinghimthatontheeveofpossessinganimmensetreasure，itwasunnecessarytothinkofsuchtrifles。

Thenextmorningourluggagewassentfor，andwefoundourselvescomfortablylocatedinthehouseofthewealthyandsimpleFranzia。

Hegaveusagooddinner，butwithtoomanydishes，andItoldhimtobemoreeconomical，andtogiveonlysomegoodfishforoursupper，whichhedid。Aftersupperhetoldmethat，asfarastheyoungmaidenwasconcerned，hethoughthecouldrecommendhisdaughterJavotte，ashehadconsultedhiswife，andhadfoundIcouldrelyuponthegirlbeingavirgin。

"Verygood，"Isaid；"nowtellmewhatgroundsyouhaveforsupposingthatthereisatreasureinyourhouse？"

"Inthefirstplace，theoraltraditiontransmittedfromfathertosonforthelasteightgenerations；inthesecond，theheavysoundswhichareheardundergroundduringthenight。Besides，thedoorofthecellaropensandshutsofitselfeverythreeorfourminutes；

whichmustcertainlybetheworkofthedevilsseeneverynightwanderingthroughthecountryintheshapeofpyramidalflames。"

"Ifitisasyousay，itisevidentthatyouhaveatreasurehiddensomewhereinyourhouse；itisascertainasthefactthattwoandtwoarefour。Beverycarefulnottoputalocktothedoorofthecellartopreventitsopeningandshuttingofitself；otherwiseyouwouldhaveanearthquake，whichwoulddestroyeverythinghere。

Spiritswillenjoyperfectfreedom，andtheybreakthrougheveryobstacleraisedagainstthem。"

"Godbepraisedforhavingsenthere，fortyyearsago，alearnedmanwhotoldmyfatherexactlythesamething！ThatgreatmagicianrequiredonlythreedaysmoretounearththetreasurewhenmyfatherheardthattheInquisitionhadgivenorderstoarresthim，andhelostnotimeininsuringhisescape。CanyoutellmehowitisthatmagiciansarenotmorepowerfulthantheInquisitors？"

"Becausethemonkshaveagreaternumberofdevilsundertheircommandthanwehave。ButIfeelcertainthatyourfatherhadalreadyexpendedagreatdealofmoneywiththatlearnedman。"

"Abouttwothousandcrowns。"

"Oh！more，more。"

ItoldFranziatofollowme，and，inordertoaccomplishsomethinginthemagicline，Idippedatowelinsomewater，andutteringfearfulwordswhichbelongedtonohumanlanguage，Iwashedtheeyes，thetemples，andthechestofeverypersoninthefamily，includingJavotte，whomighthaveobjectedtoitifIhadnotbegunwithherfather，mother，andbrother。Imadethemswearuponmypocket—bookthattheywerenotlabouringunderanyimpuredisease，andI

concludedtheceremonybycompellingJavottetoswearlikewisethatshehadhermaidenhood。AsIsawthatshewasblushingtotheveryrootsofherhairintakingtheoath，Iwascruelenoughtoexplaintoherwhatitmeant；Ithenaskedhertoswearagain，butsheansweredthattherewasnoneedofitnowthatsheknewwhatitwas。

Iorderedallthefamilytokissme，andfindingthatJavottehadeatengarlicIforbadetheuseofitentirely，whichorderFranziapromisedshouldbecompliedwith。

Genevievewasnotabeautyasfarasherfeatureswereconcerned；hercomplexionwastoomuchsunburnt，andhermouthwastoolarge，butherteethweresplendid，andherunderlipprojectedslightlyasifithadbeenformedtoreceivekisses。Herbosomwaswellmadeandasfirmasarock，butherhairwastoolight，andherhandstoofleshy。

Thedefects，however，hadtobeoverlooked，andaltogethershewasnotanunpleasantmorsel。Ididnotpurposetomakeherfallinlovewithme；withapeasantgirlthattaskmighthavebeenalongone；

allIwantedwastotrainhertoperfectobedience，which，indefaultoflove，hasalwaysappearedtometheessentialpoint。Truethatinsuchacaseonedoesnotenjoytheecstaticrapturesoflove，butonefindsacompensationinthecompletecontrolobtainedoverthewoman。

Igavenoticetothefather，toCapitani，andtoJavotte，thateachwould，inturnandintheorderoftheirage，takesupperwithme，andthatJavottewouldsleepeverynightinmyante—room，wherewastobeplacedabathinwhichIwouldbathemyguestonehalfhourbeforesittingdowntosupper，andtheguestwasnottohavebrokenhisfastthroughouttheday。

IpreparedalistofallthearticlesofwhichIpretendedtobeinneed，andgivingittoFranziaItoldhimtogotoCesenahimselfthenextday，andtopurchaseeverythingwithoutbargainingtoobtainalowerprice。Amongotherthings，Iorderedapiece，fromtwentytothirtyyardslong，ofwhitelinen，thread，scissors，needles，storax，myrrh，sulphur，oliveoil，camphor，onereamofpaper，pensandink，twelvesheetsofparchment，brushes，andabranchofolivetreetomakeastickofeighteeninchesinlength。

AfterIhadgivenallmyordersveryseriouslyandwithoutanywishtolaugh，Iwenttobedhighlypleasedwithmypersonificationofamagician，inwhichIwasastonishedtofindmyselfsocompletelysuccessful。

Thenextmorning，assoonasIwasdressed，IsentforCapitani，andcommandedhimtoproceedeverydaytoCesena，togotothebestcoffee—house，tolearncarefullyeverypieceofnewsandeveryrumour，andtoreportthemtome。

Franzia，whohadfaithfullyobeyedmyorders，returnedbeforenoonfromthecitywithallthearticlesIhadaskedfor。

"Ihavenotbargainedforanything，"hesaidtome，"andthemerchantsmust，Ihavenodoubt，havetakenmeforafool，forIhavecertainlypaidone—thirdmorethanthethingsareworth。"

"Somuchtheworseforthemiftheyhavedeceivedyou，butyouwouldhavespoilteverythingifyouhadbeatenthemdownintheirprice。

Now，sendmeyourdaughterandletmebealonewithher。"

AssoonasJavottewasinmyroom，Imadehercutthelineninsevenpieces，fouroffivefeetlong，twooftwofeet，andoneoftwofeetandahalf；thelastonewasintendedtoformthehoodoftherobeI

wastowearforthegreatoperation。ThenIsaidtoJavotte:

"Sitdownnearmybedandbeginsewing。Youwilldinehereandremainatworkuntiltheevening。Whenyourfathercomes，youmustletusbealone，butassoonasheleavesme，comebackandgotobed。"

Shedinedinmyroom，wherehermotherwaitedonherwithoutspeaking，andgavehernothingtodrinkexceptSt。Jevesewine。

Towardseveningherfathercame，andsheleftus。

Ihadthepatiencetowashthegoodmanwhilehewasinthebath，afterwhichhehadsupperwithme；heatevoraciously，tellingmethatitwasthefirsttimeinhislifethathehadremainedtwenty—

fourhourswithoutbreakinghisfast。IntoxicatedwiththeSt。

Jevesewinehehaddrunk，hewenttobedandsleptsoundlyuntilmorning，whenhiswifebroughtmemychocolate。Javottewaskeptsewingasonthedaybefore；shelefttheroomintheeveningwhenCapitanicamein，andItreatedhiminthesamemannerasFranzia；onthethirdday，itwasJavotte’sturn，andthathadbeentheobjectI

hadkeptinviewallthetime。

Whenthehourcame，Isaidtoher，"Go，Javotte，getintothebathandcallmewhenyouareready，forI

mustpurifyyouasIhavepurifiedyourfatherandCapitani。"

Sheobeyed，andwithinaquarterofanhourshecalledme。I

performedagreatmanyablutionsoneverypartofherbody，makingherassumeallsortsofpositions，forshewasperfectlydocile，but，asIwasafraidofbetrayingmyself，Ifeltmoresufferingthanenjoyment，andmyindiscreethands，runningovereverypartofherperson，andremaininglongerandmorewillinglyonacertainspot，thesensitivenessofwhichisextreme，thepoorgirlwasexcitedbyanardentfirewhichwasatlastquenchedbythenaturalresultofthatexcitement。Imadehergetoutofthebathsoonafterthat，andasIwasdryingherIwasverynearforgettingmagictofollowtheimpulseofnature，but，quickerthanI，naturerelieveditself，andI

wasthusenabledtoreachtheendofthescenewithoutanticipatingthedenouement。ItoldJavottetodressherself，andtocomebacktomeassoonasshewasready。

Shehadbeenfastingallday，andhertoiletdidnottakealongtime。Sheatewithaferociousappetite，andtheSt。Jevesewine，whichshedranklikewater，impartedsomuchanimationtohercomplexionthatitwasnolongerpossibletoseehowsunburntshewas。Beingalonewithheraftersupper，Isaidtoher，"MydearJavotte，haveyoubeendispleasedatallIhavecompelledyoutosubmittothisevening？"

"Notatall；Ilikeditverymuch。"

"ThenIhopethatyouwillhavenoobjectiontogetinthebathwithmeto—morrow，andtowashmeasIhavewashedyou。"

"Mostwillingly，butshallIknowhowtodoitwell？"

"Iwillteachyou，andforthefutureIwishyoutosleepeverynightinmyroom，becauseImusthaveacompletecertaintythatonthenightofthegreatoperationIshallfindyousuchasyououghttobe。"

>FromthattimeJavottewasathereasewithme，allherrestraintdisappeared，shewouldlookatmeandsmilewithentireconfidence。

Naturehadoperated，andthemindofayounggirlsoonenlargesitsspherewhenpleasureisherteacher。Shewenttobed，andassheknewthatshehadnolongeranythingtoconcealfromme，hermodestywasnotalarmedwhensheundressedherselfinmypresence。Itwasverywarm，anykindofcoveringisunpleasantinthehotweather，soshestrippedtotheskinandsoonfellasleep。Ididthesame，butI

couldnothelpfeelingsomeregretathavingengagedmyselfnottotakeadvantageofthepositionbeforethenightofthegreatincantation。Iknewthattheoperationtounearththetreasurewouldbeacompletefailure，butIknewlikewisethatitwouldnotfailbecauseJavotte’svirginitywasgone。

Atday—breakthegirlroseandbegansewing。Assoonasshehadfinishedtherobe，Itoldhertomakeacrownofparchmentwithsevenlongpoints，onwhichIpaintedsomefearfulfiguresandhieroglyphs。

Intheevening，onehourbeforesupper，Igotintothebath，andJavottejoinedmeassoonasIcalledher。SheperformeduponmewithgreatzealthesameceremoniesthatIhaddoneforherthedaybefore，andshewasasgentleanddocileaspossible。Ispentadelicioushourinthatbath，enjoyingeverything，butrespectingtheessentialpoint。

Mykissesmakingherhappy，andseeingthatIhadnoobjectiontohercaresses，sheloadedmewiththem。Iwassopleasedatalltheamorousenjoymenthersenseswereevidentlyexperiencing，thatImadehereasybytellingherthatthesuccessofthegreatmagicoperationdependedupontheamountofpleasuresheenjoyed。Shethenmadeextraordinaryeffortstopersuademethatshewashappy，andwithoutoversteppingthelimitswhereIhadmadeupmymindtostop，wegotoutofthebathhighlypleasedwitheachother。

Aswewereonthepointofgoingtobed，shesaidtome，"Woulditinjurethesuccessofyouroperationifweweretosleeptogether？"

"No，mydeargirl；providedyouareavirginonthedayofthegreatincantation，itisallIrequire。"

Shethrewherselfinmyarms，andwespentadelightfulnight，duringwhichIhadfullopportunityofadmiringthestrengthofherconstitutionaswellasmyownrestraint，forIhadsufficientcontrolovermyselfnottobreakthroughthelastobstacle。

IpassedagreatpartofthefollowingnightwithFranziaandCapitaniinordertoseewithmyowneyesthewonderfulthingswhichtheworthypeasanthadmentionedtome。Standingintheyard，I

hearddistinctlyheavyblowsstruckunderthegroundatintervalsofthreeorfourminutes。Itwaslikethenoisewhichwouldbemadebyaheavypestlefallinginalargecoppermortar。Itookmypistolsandplacedmyselfneartheself—movingdoorofthecellar，holdingadarklanterninmyhand。Isawthedooropenslowly，andinaboutthirtysecondsclosingwithviolence。Iopenedandcloseditmyselfseveraltimes，and，unabletodiscoveranyhiddenphysicalcauseforthephenomenon，Ifeltsatisfiedthattherewassomeunknownrogueryatwork，butIdidnotcaremuchtofinditout。

Wewentupstairsagain，and，placingmyselfonthebalcony，Isawintheyardseveralshadowsmovingabout。Theywereevidentlycausedbytheheavyanddampatmosphere，andastothepyramidalflameswhichI

couldseehoveringoverthefields，itwasaphenomenonwellknowntome。ButIallowedmytwocompanionstoremainpersuadedthattheywerethespiritskeepingwatchoverthetreasure。

ThatphenomenonisverycommonthroughoutsouthernItalywherethecountryisoftenatnightilluminatedbythosemeteorswhichthepeoplebelievetobedevils，andignorancehascallednightspirits，orwill—o’—the—wisps。

Dearreader，thenextchapterwilltellyouhowmymagicundertakingended，andperhapsyouwillenjoyagoodlaughatmyexpense，butyouneednotbeafraidofhurtingmyfeelings。

CHAPTERXXII

TheIncantation——ATerribleStorm——MyFright——Javotte’sVirginityIsSaved——IGiveUptheUndertaking，andSelltheSheathtoCapitani——I

MeetJulietteandCountAlfani，AliasCountCeli——IMakeUpMyMindtoGotoNaples——WhyITakeaDifferentRoadMygreatoperationhadtobeperformedonthefollowingday；

otherwise，accordingtoallestablishedrules，Iwouldhavehadtowaituntilthenextfullmoon。Ihadtomakethegnomesraisethetreasuretothesurfaceoftheearthattheveryspotonwhichmyincantationswouldbeperformed。Ofcourse，IknewwellenoughthatIshouldnotsucceed，butIknewlikewisethatIcouldeasilyreconcileFranziaandCapitanitoafailure，byinventingsomeexcellentreasonsforourwantofsuccess。InthemeantimeIhadtoplaymypartofamagician，inwhichItookarealdelight。IkeptJavotteatworkallday，sewingtogether，intheshapeofaring，somethirtysheetsofpaperonwhichIpaintedthemostwonderfuldesigns。Thatring，whichIcalledmaximus，hadadiameterofthreegeometricpaces。IhadmanufacturedasortofsceptreormagicwandwiththebranchofolivebroughtbyFranziafromCesena。Thusprepared，ItoldJavottethat，attwelveo’clockatnight，whenI

cameoutofthemagicring，shewastobereadyforeverything。Theorderdidnotseemrepugnanttoher；shelongedtogivemethatproofofherobedience，and，onmyside，consideringmyselfasherdebtor，Iwasinahurrytopaymydebtandtogivehereverysatisfaction。

Thehourhavingstruck，IorderedFranziaandCapitanitostandonthebalcony，soastobereadytocometomeifIcalledforthem，andalsotopreventanyoneinthehouseseeingmyproceedings。I

thenthrewoffallprofanegarments。Iclothemyselfinthelongwhiterobe，theworkofavirgin’sinnocenthands。Iallowmylonghairtofallloosely。Iplacetheextraordinarycrownonmyhead，thecirclemaximusonmyshoulders，and，seizingthesceptrewithonehand，thewonderfulknifewiththeother，Igodownintotheyard。

ThereIspreadmycircleontheground，utteringthemostbarbarouswords，andaftergoingrounditthreetimesIjumpintothemiddle。

Squattingdownthere，Iremainafewminutesmotionless，thenIrise，andIfixmyeyesuponaheavy，darkcloudcomingfromthewest，whilstfromthesamequarterthethunderisrumblingloudly。WhatasublimegeniusIshouldhaveappearedintheeyesofmytwofools，if，havingashorttimebeforetakennoticeoftheskyinthatpartofthehorizon，Ihadannouncedtothemthatmyoperationwouldbeattendedbythatphenomenon。

Thecloudspreadswithfearfulrapidity，andsoontheskyseemscoveredwithafuneralpall，onwhichthemostvividflashesoflightningkeepblazingeverymoment。

Suchastormwasaverynaturaloccurrence，andIhadnoreasontobeastonishedatit，butsomehow，fearwasbeginningtocreepintome，andIwishedmyselfinmyroom。Myfrightsoonincreasedatthesightofthelightning，andonhearingtheclapsofthunderwhichsucceededeachotherwithfearfulrapidityandseemedtoroarovermyveryhead。Ithenrealizedwhatextraordinaryeffectfearcanhaveonthemind，forIfanciedthat，ifIwasnotannihilatedbythefiresofheavenwhichwereflashingallaroundme，itwasonlybecausetheycouldnotentermymagicring。ThuswasIadmiringmyowndeceitfulwork！Thatfoolishreasonpreventedmefromleavingthecircleinspiteofthefearwhichcausedmetoshudder。Ifithadnotbeenforthatbelief，theresultofacowardlyfright，I

wouldnothaveremainedoneminutewhereIwas，andmyhurriedflightwouldnodoubthaveopenedtheeyesofmytwodupes，whocouldnothavefailedtoseethat，farfrombeingamagician，Iwasonlyapoltroon。Theviolenceofthewind，theclapsofthunder，thepiercingcold，andaboveall，fear，mademetremblealloverlikeanaspenleaf。Mysystem，whichIthoughtproofagainsteveryaccident，hadvanished:IacknowledgedanavengingGodwhohadwaitedforthisopportunityofpunishingmeatoneblowforallmysins，andofannihilatingme，inordertoputanendtomywantoffaith。Thecompleteimmobilitywhichparalyzedallmylimbsseemedtomeaproofoftheuselessnessofmyrepentance，andthatconvictiononlyincreasedmyconsternation。

Buttheroaringofthethunderdiesaway，therainbeginstofallheavily，dangervanishes，andIfeelmycouragereviving。Suchisman！oratallevents，suchwasIatthatmoment。Itwasrainingsofastthat，ifithadcontinuedpouringwiththesameviolenceforaquarterofanhour，thecountrywouldhavebeeninundated。Assoonastherainhadceased，thewindabated，thecloudsweredispersed，andthemoonshoneinallitssplendour，likesilverinthepure，bluesky。Itakeupmymagicring，andtellingthetwofriendstoretiretotheirbedswithoutspeakingtome，Ihurrytomyroom。I

stillfeltrathershaken，and，castingmyeyesonJavotte，IthoughthersoprettythatIfeltpositivelyfrightened。Iallowedhertodryme，andafterthatnecessaryoperationItoldherpiteouslytogotobed。Thenextmorningshetoldmethat，whenshesawmecomein，shakingalloverinspiteoftheheat，shehadherselfshudderedwithfear。

AftereighthoursofsoundsleepIfeltallright，butIhadhadenoughofthecomedy，andtomygreatsurprisethesightofGenevievedidnotmovemeinanyway。TheobedientJavottehadcertainlynotchanged，butIwasnotthesame。Iwasforthefirsttimeinmylifereducedtoastateofapathy，andinconsequenceofthesuperstitiousideaswhichhadcrowdedinmymindthepreviousnightIimaginedthattheinnocenceofthatyounggirlwasunderthespecialprotectionofHeaven，andthatifIhaddaredtorobherofhervirginitythemostrapidandterribledeathwouldhavebeenmypunishment。

Atallevents，thankstomyyouthandmyexaltedideas，Ifanciedthatthroughmyself—denyingresolutionsthefatherwouldnotbesogreatadupe，andthedaughternotsounhappy，unlesstheresultshouldproveasunfortunateforherasithadbeenforpoorLucy，ofPasean。

ThemomentthatJavottebecameinmyeyesanobjectofholyhorror，mydeparturewasdecided。TheresolutionwasallthemoreirrevocablebecauseIfanciedsomeoldpeasantmighthavewitnessedallmytricksinthemiddleofthemagicring，inwhichcasethemostHoly，or，ifyoulike，themostinfernal，Inquisition，receivinginformationfromhim，mightverywellhavecaughtmeandenhancedmyfamebysomesplendid’auto—da—fe’inwhichIhadnottheslightestwishtobetheprincipalactor。ItstruckmeassoentirelywithinthelimitsofprobabilitythatIsentatonceforFranziaandCapitani，andinthepresenceoftheunpollutedvirginItoldthemthatIhadobtainedfromthesevenspiritswatchingoverthetreasureallthenecessaryparticulars，butthatIhadbeencompelledtoenterintoanagreementwiththemtodelaytheextractionofthetreasureplacedundertheirguardianship。ItoldFranziathatIwouldhandtohiminwritingalltheinformationwhichIhadcompelledthespiritstogiveme。Iproduced，inreality，afewminutesafterwards，adocumentsimilartotheoneIhadconcoctedatthepubliclibraryinMantua，addingthatthetreasureconsistedofdiamonds，rubies，emeralds，andonehundredthousandpoundsofgolddust。Imadehimtakeanoathonmypocket—booktowaitforme，andnottohavefaithinanymagicianunlesshegavehimanaccountofthetreasureineverywaysimilartotheonewhich，asagreatfavor，Iwasleavinginhishands。Iorderedhimtoburnthecrownandthering，buttokeeptheotherthingscarefullyuntilmyreturn。

"Asforyou，Capitani，"Isaidtomycompanion，"proceedatoncetoCesena，andremainattheinnuntilourluggagehasbeenbroughtbythemanwhomFranziaisgoingtosendwithit。"

SeeingthatpoorJavottelookedmiserable，Iwentuptoher，and，speakingtoherverytenderly，Ipromisedtoseeheragainbeforelong。Itoldheratthesametimethat，thegreatoperationhavingbeenperformedsuccessfully，hervirginitywasnolongernecessary，andthatshewasatlibertytomarryassoonasshepleased，orwheneveragoodopportunityoffereditself。

Iatoncereturnedtothecity，whereIfoundCapitanimakinghispreparationstogotothefairofLugo，andthentoMantua。Hetoldme，cryinglikeachild，thathisfatherwouldbeindespairwhenhesawhimcomebackwithouttheknifeofSaintPeter。

"Youmayhaveit，"Isaid，"withthesheath，ifyouwillletmehavetheonethousandRomancrowns，theamountoftheletterofexchange:"

Hethoughtitanexcellentbargain，andaccepteditjoyfully。Igavehimbacktheletterofexchange，andmadehimsignapaperbywhichheundertooktoreturnthesheathwheneverIbroughtthesameamount，butheisstillwaitingforit。

Ididnotknowwhattodowiththewonderfulsheath，andIwasnotinwantofmoney，butIshouldhaveconsideredmyselfdishonouredifI

hadgivenittohimfornothing；besides，IthoughtitagoodjoketolevyacontributionupontheignorantcredulityofacountpalatinecreatedbythegraceofthePope。Inafterdays，however，Iwouldwillinglyhaverefundedhismoney，but，asfatewouldhaveit，wedidnotseeeachotherforalongtime，andwhenImethimagainIwasnotinapositiontoreturntheamount。Itis，therefore，onlytochancethatIwasindebtedforthesum，andcertainlyCapitanineverdreamedofcomplaining，forbeingthepossessorof’gladiumcumvagina’hetrulybelievedhimselfthemasterofeverytreasureconcealedinthePapalStates。

Capitanitookleaveofmeonthefollowingday，andIintendedtoproceedatoncetoNaples，butIwasagainprevented；thisishowithappened。

AsIreturnedtotheinnafterashortwalk，minehosthandedmethebilloftheplayannouncingfourperformancesoftheDidoneofMetastasioattheSpada。Seeingnoacquaintanceofmineamongtheactorsoractresses，Imadeupmymindtogototheplayintheevening，andtostartearlythenextdaywithpost—horses。AremnantofmyfearoftheInquisitionurgedmeon，andIcouldnothelpfancyingthatspieswereatmyheels。

BeforeenteringthehouseIwentintotheactressesdressing—room，andtheleadingladystruckmeasrathergood—looking。HernamewasNarici，andshewasfromBologna。Ibowedtoher，andafterthecommon—placeconversationusualinsuchcases，Iaskedherwhethershewasfree。

"Iamonlyengagedwiththemanager，"sheanswered。

"Haveyouanylover？"

"No。"

"Ioffermyselfforthepost，ifyouhavenoobjection"

Shesmiledjeeringly，andsaid，"Willyoutakefourticketsforthefourperformances？"

Itooktwosequinsoutofmypurse，takingcaretoletherseethatitwaswellfilled，andwhenshegavemethefourtickets，presentedthemtothemaidwhowasdressingherandwasprettierthanthemistress，andsolefttheroomwithoututteringasingleword。Shecalledmeback；Ipretendednottohearher，andtookaticketforthepit。Afterthefirstballet，findingthewholeperformanceverypoor，Iwasthinkingofgoingaway，when，happeningtolooktowardsthechiefbox，Isawtomy，astonishmentthatitwastenantedbytheVenetianManzoniandthecelebratedJuliette。ThereaderwilldoubtlessremembertheballshegaveatmyhouseinVenice，andthesmackwithwhichshesalutedmycheekonthatoccasion。

Theyhadnotyetnoticedme，andIenquiredfromthepersonseatednexttomewhowasthatbeautifulladywearingsomanydiamonds。HetoldmethatshewasMadameQuerini，fromVenice，whomCountSpada，theownerofthetheatre，whowassittingnearher，hadbroughtwithhimfromFaenza。IwasgladtohearthatM。Querinihadmarriedheratlast，butIdidnotthinkofrenewingtheacquaintance，forreasonswhichmyreadercannothaveforgottenifherecollectsourquarrelwhenIhadtodressherasanabbe。Iwasonthepointofgoingawaywhenshehappenedtoseemeandcalledme。Iwentuptoher，and，notwishingtobeknownbyanyone，IwhisperedtoherthatmynamewasFarusi。ManzoniinformedmethatIwasspeakingtoherexcellency，MadameQuerini。"Iknowit，"Isaid，"throughaletterwhichIhavereceivedfromVenice，andIbegtooffermymostsincerecongratulationstoMadame。"SheheardmeandintroducedmetoCountSpada，creatingmeabarononthespot。Heinvitedmemostkindlytocometohisbox，askedmewhereIcamefrom，whereIwasgoingto，etc。，andbeggedthepleasureofmycompanyatsupperforthesameevening。

Tenyearsbefore，hehadbeenJuliette’sfriendinVienna，whenMariaTheresa，havingbeeninformedoftheperniciousinfluenceofherbeauty，gavehernoticetoquitthecity。ShehadrenewedheracquaintancewithhiminVenice，andhadcontrivedtomakehimtakehertoBolognaonapleasuretrip。M。Manzoni，heroldfollower，whogavemeallthisinformation，accompaniedherinordertobearwitnessofhergoodconductbeforeM。Querini。ImustsaythatManzoniwasnotawell—chosenchaperon。

InVeniceshewantedeverybodytobelievethatQuerinihadmarriedhersecretly，butatadistanceoffiftyleaguesshedidnotthinksuchaformalitynecessary，andshehadalreadybeenpresentedbythegeneraltoallthenobilityofCesenaasMadameQueriniPapozzes。

M。Queriniwouldhavebeenwronginbeingjealousofthecount，forhewasanoldacquaintancewhowoulddonoharm。Besides，itisadmittedamongstcertainwomenthatthereigningloverwhoisjealousofanoldacquaintanceisnothingbutafool，andoughttobetreatedassuch。Juliette，mostlikelyafraidofmybeingindiscreet，hadlostnotimeinmakingthefirstadvances，but，seeingthatIhadlikewisesomereasontofearherwantofdiscretion，shefeltreassured。FromthefirstmomentItreatedherpolitely，andwitheveryconsiderationduetoherposition。

Ifoundnumerouscompanyatthegeneral’s，andsomeprettywomen。

NotseeingJuliette，IenquiredforherfromM。Manzoni，whotoldmethatshewasatthefarotable，losinghermoney。Isawherseatednexttothebanker，whoturnedpaleatthesightofmyface。Hewasnootherthantheso—calledCountCeli。Heofferedmeacard，whichIrefusedpolitely，butIacceptedJuliette’soffertobeherpartner。Shehadaboutfiftysequins，Ihandedherthesamesum，andtookaseatnearher。Afterthefirstround，sheaskedmeifIknewthebanker；Celihadheardthequestion；Ianswerednegatively。A

ladyonmylefttoldmethatthebankerwasCountAlfani。Halfanhourlater，MadameQueriniwentsevenandlost，sheincreasedherstakeoftensequins；itwasthelastdealofthegame，andthereforethedecisiveone。Irosefrommychair，andfixedmyeyesonthebanker’shands。Butinspiteofthat，hecheatedbeforeme，andMadamelost。

Justatthatmomentthegeneralofferedherhisarmtogotosupper；

shelefttheremainderofhergoldonthetable，andaftersupper，havingplayedagain，shelosteverysequin。

Ienlivenedthesupperbymystoriesandwittyjests。Icaptivatedeverybody’sfriendship，andparticularlythegeneral’s，who，havingheardmesaythatIwasgoingtoNaplesonlytogratifyanamorousfancy，entreatedmetospendamonthwithhimandtosacrificemywhim。Butitwasallinvain。Myheartwasunoccupied；IlongedtoseeLucreziaandTherese，whosecharmsafterfiveyearsIcouldscarcelyrecollect。IonlyconsentedtoremaininCesenathefourdaysduringwhichthegeneralintendedtostay。

ThenextmorningasIwasdressingIhadacallfromthecowardlyAlfani—Celi；Ireceivedhimwithajeeringsmile，sayingthatIhadexpectedhim。

Thehair—dresserbeingintheroomCelididnotanswer，butassoonaswewerealonehesaid，"Howcouldyoupossiblyexpectmyvisit？"

"Iwilltellyoumyreasonassoonasyouhavehandedmeonehundredsequins，andyouaregoingtodosoatonce。’

"HerearefiftywhichIbroughtforyou；youcannotdemandmorefromme。"

"Thankyou，Itakethemonaccount，butasIamgood—naturedIadviseyounottoshewyourselfthiseveninginCountSpada’sdrawing—rooms，foryouwouldnotbeadmitted，anditwouldbeowingtome。"

"Ihopethatyouwillthinktwicebeforeyouareguiltyofsuchanungenerousact。"

"Ihavemadeupmymind；butnowleaveme。"

Therewasaknockatmydoor，andtheself—styledCountAlfaniwentawaywithoutgivingmethetroubleofrepeatingmyorder。Mynewvisitorprovedtobethefirstcastratoofthetheatre，whobroughtaninvitationtodinnerfromNarici。Theinvitationwascurious，andIaccepteditwithasmile。ThecastratowasnamedNicolasPeritti；

hepretendedtobethegrandsonofanaturalchildofSixtusV。；itmighthavebeensoIshallhavetomentionhimagaininfifteenyears。

WhenImademyappearanceatNarici’shouseIsawCountAlfani，whocertainlydidnotexpectme，andmusthavetakenmeforhisevilgenius。Hebowedtomewithgreatpoliteness，andbeggedthatI

wouldlistentoafewwordsinprivate。

"Herearefiftysequinsmore，"hesaid；"butasanhonestmanyoucantakethemonlytogivethemtoMadameQuerini。Buthowcanyouhandtheamounttoherwithoutlettingherknowthatyouhaveforcedmetorefundit？Youunderstandwhatconsequencessuchaconfessionmighthaveforme。"

"Ishallgiveherthemoneyonlywhenyouhaveleftthisplace；inthemeantimeIpromisetobediscreet，butbecarefulnottoassistfortuneinmypresence，orImustactinamannerthatwillnotbeagreeabletoyou。"

"Doublethecapitalofmybank，andwecanbepartners。"

"Yourproposalisaninsult。"

Hegavemefiftysequins，andIpromisedtokeephissecret。

TherewasanumerousattendanceinNarici’srooms，especiallyofyoungmen，whoafterdinnerlostalltheirmoney。Ididnotplay，anditwasadisappointmentformyprettyhostess，whohadinvitedmeonlybecauseshehadjudgedmeassimpleastheothers。Iremainedanindifferentwitnessoftheplay，anditgavemeanopportunityofrealizinghowwiseMahomethadbeeninforbiddingallgamesofchance。

IntheeveningaftertheoperaCountCelihadthefarobank，andI

losetwohundredsequins，butIcouldonlyaccuseillluck。MadameQueriniwon。ThenextdaybeforesupperIbrokethebank，andaftersupper，feelingtiredandwellpleasedwithwhatIhadwon，I

returnedtotheinn。

Thefollowingmorning，whichwasthethirdday，andthereforethelastbutoneofmystayinCesena，Icalledatthegeneral’s。I

heardthathisadjutanthadthrownthecardsinAlfani’sface，andthatameetinghadbeenarrangedbetweenthemfortwelveo’clock。

Iwenttotheadjutant’sroomandofferedtobehissecond，assuringhimthattherewouldbenobloodspilt。Hedeclinedmyofferwithmanythanks，andatdinner—timehetoldmethatIhadguessedrightly，forCountAlfanihadleftforRome。

"Inthatcase，"Isaidtotheguests，"Iwilltakethebanktonight。"

Afterdinner，beingalonewithMadameQuerini，ItoldherallaboutAlfani，aliasCeli，andhandedherthefiftysequinsofwhichIwasthedepositary。

"Isuppose，"shesaid，"thatbymeansofthisfableyouhopetomakemeacceptfiftysequins，butIthankyou，Iamnotinwantofmoney。"

"IgiveyoumywordthatIhavecompelledthethieftorefundthismoney，togetherwiththefiftysequinsofwhichhehadlikewisecheatedme。"

"Thatmaybe，butIdonotwishtobelieveyou。IbegtoinformyouthatIamnotsimpleenoughtoallowmyselftobeduped，and，whatisworse，cheatedinsuchamanner。"

Philosophyforbidsamantofeelrepentanceforagooddeed，buthemustcertainlyhavearighttoregretsuchadeedwhenitismalevolentlymisconstrued，andturnedagainsthimasareproach。

Intheevening，aftertheperformance，whichwastobethelast，I

tookthebankaccordingtomypromise:Ilostafewsequins，butwascaressedbyeverybody，andthatismuchmorepleasantthanwinning，whenwearenotlabouringunderthehardnecessityofmakingmoney。

CountSpada，whohadgotquitefondofme，wantedmetoaccompanyhimtoBrisighetta，butIresistedhisentreatiesbecauseIhadfirmlyresolvedongoingtoNaples。

ThenextmorningIwasawokebyaterriblenoiseinthepassage，almostatthedoorofmyroom。

Gettingoutofmybed，Iopenmydoortoascertainthecauseoftheuproar。Iseeatroopof’sbirri’atthedoorofachamber，andinthatchamber，sittingupinbed，afine—lookingmanwhowasmakinghimselfhoarsebyscreaminginLatinagainstthatrabble，theplagueofItaly，andagainsttheinn—keeperwhohadbeenrascallyenoughtoopenthedoor。

Ienquireoftheinn—keeperwhatitallmeans。

"Thisgentleman，"answersthescoundrel，"who，itappears，canonlyspeakLatin，isinbedwithagirl，andthe’sbirri’ofthebishophavebeensenttoknowwhethersheistrulyhiswife；allperfectlyregular。Ifsheishiswife，hehasonlytoconvincethembyshewingacertificateofmarriage，butifsheisnot，ofcoursehemustgotoprisonwithher。Yetitneednothappen，forIundertaketoarrangeeverythinginafriendlymannerforafewsequins。Ihaveonlytoexchangeafewwordswiththechiefofthe’sbirri’，andtheywillallgoaway。IfyoucanspeakLatin，youhadbettergoin，andmakehimlistentoreason。"

"Whohasbrokenopenthedoorofhisroom？"

"Nobody；Ihaveopeneditmyselfwiththekey，asismyduty。"

"Yes，thedutyofahighwayrobber，butnotofanhonestinn—keeper。"

Suchinfamousdealingarousedmyindignation，andImadeupmymindtointerfere。Ientertheroom，althoughIhadstillmynightcapon，andinformthegentlemanofthecauseofthedisturbance。Heanswerswithalaughthat，inthefirstplace，itwasimpossibletosaywhetherthepersonwhowasinbedwithhimwasawoman，forthatpersonhadonlybeenseeninthecostumeofamilitaryofficer，andthat，inthesecondplace，hedidnotthinkthatanyhumanbeinghadarighttocompelhimtosaywhetherhisbed—fellowwashiswifeorhismistress，evensupposingthathiscompanionwastrulyawoman。

"Atallevents，"headded，"Iamdeterminednottogiveonecrowntoarrangetheaffair，andtoremaininbeduntilmydoorisshut。ThemomentIamdressed，Iwilltreatyoutoanamusingdenouementofthecomedy。Iwilldriveawayallthosescoundrelsatthepointofmysword。"

Ithenseeinacornerabroadsword，andaHungariancostumelookinglikeamilitaryuniform。Iaskwhetherheisanofficer。

"Ihavewrittenmynameandprofession，"heanswers，"inthehotelbook。"

Astonishedattheabsurdityoftheinn—keeper，Iaskhimwhetheritisso；heconfessesit，butaddsthattheclergyhavetherighttopreventscandal。

"Theinsultyouhaveofferedtothatofficer，Mr。Landlord，willcostyouverydear。"

Hisonlyansweristolaughinmyface。Highlyenragedatseeingsuchascoundrellaughatme，Itakeuptheofficer’squarrelwarmly，andaskedhimtoentrusthispassporttomeforafewminutes。

"Ihavetwo，"hesays；"thereforeIcanletyouhaveone。"Andtakingthedocumentoutofhispocket—book，hehandsittome。ThepassportwassignedbyCardinalAlbani。TheofficerwasacaptaininaHungarianregimentbelongingtotheempressandqueen。HewasfromRome，onhiswaytoParmawithdispatchesfromCardinalAlbaniAlexandertoM。Dutillot，primeministeroftheInfanteofParma。

Atthesamemoment，amanburstintotheroom，speakingveryloudly，andaskedmetotelltheofficerthattheaffairmustbesettledatonce，becausehewantedtoleaveCesenaimmediately。

"Whoareyou？"Iaskedtheman。

Heansweredthathewasthe’vetturino’whomthecaptainhadengaged。

Isawthatitwasaregularput—upthing，andbeggedthecaptaintoletmeattendtothebusiness，assuringhimthatIwouldsettleittohishonourandadvantage。

"Doexactlyasyouplease，"hesaid。

Thenturningtowardsthe’vetturino’，Iorderedhimtobringupthecaptain’sluggage，sayingthathewouldbepaidatonce。Whenhehaddoneso，Ihandedhimeightsequinsoutofmyownpurse，andmadehimgivemeareceiptinthenameofthecaptain，whocouldonlyspeakGerman，Hungarian，andLatin。Thevetturinowentaway，andthe’sbirri’followedhiminthegreatestconsternation，excepttwowhoremained。

"Captain，"IsaidtotheHungarian，"keepyourbeduntilIreturn。I

amgoingnowtothebishoptogivehimanaccountoftheseproceedings，andmakehimunderstandthatheowesyousomereparation。Besides，GeneralSpadaishere，and……"

"Iknowhim，"interruptedthecaptain，"andifIhadbeenawareofhisbeinginCesena，Iwouldhaveshotthelandlordwhenheopenedmydoortothosescoundrels。"

Ihurriedovermytoilet，andwithoutwaitingformyhairtobedressedIproceededtothebishop’spalace，andmakingagreatdealofnoiseIalmostcompelledtheservantstotakemetohisroom。A

lackeywhowasatthedoorinformedmethathislordshipwasstillinbed。

"Nevermind，Icannotwait。"

Ipushedhimasideandenteredtheroom。Irelatedthewholeaffairtothebishop，exaggeratingtheuproar，makingmuchoftheinjusticeofsuchproceedings，andrailingatavexatiouspolicedaringtomolesttravellersandtoinsultthesacredrightsofindividualsandnations。

Thebishopwithoutansweringmereferredmetohischancellor，towhomIrepeatedallIhadsaidtothebishop，butwithwordscalculatedtoirritateratherthantosoften，andcertainlynotlikelytoobtainthereleaseofthecaptain。Ievenwentsofarastothreaten，andIsaidthatifIwereintheplaceoftheofficerI

woulddemandapublicreparation。Thepriestlaughedatmythreats；

itwasjustwhatIwanted，andafteraskingmewhetherIhadtakenleaveofmysenses，thechancellortoldmetoapplytothecaptainofthe’sbirri’。

"Ishallgotosomebodyelse，"Isaid，"reverendsir，besidesthecaptainofthe’sbirri’。"

Delightedathavingmademattersworse，IlefthimandproceededstraighttothehouseofGeneralSpada，butbeingtoldthathecouldnotbeseenbeforeeighto’clock，Ireturnedtotheinn。

ThestateofexcitementinwhichIwas，theardourwithwhichIhadmadetheaffairmine，mighthaveledanyonetosupposethatmyindignationhadbeenrousedonlybydisgustatseeinganodiouspersecutionperpetrateduponastrangerbyanunrestrained，immoral，andvexatiouspolice；butwhyshouldIdeceivethekindreader，towhomIhavepromisedtotellthetruth；Imustthereforesaythatmyindignationwasreal，butmyardourwasexcitedbyanotherfeelingofamorepersonalnature。Ifanciedthatthewomanconcealedunderthebed—clotheswasabeauty。Ilongedtoseeherface，whichshame，mostlikely，hadpreventedherfromshewing。Shehadheardmespeak，andthegoodopinionthatIhadofmyselfdidnotleavetheshadowofadoubtinmymindthatshewouldprefermetohercaptain。

Thedooroftheroombeingstillopen，IwentinandrelatedtothecaptainallIhaddone，assuringhimthatinthecourseofthedayhewouldbeatlibertytocontinuehisjourneyatthebishop’sexpense，forthegeneralwouldnotfailtoobtaincompletesatisfactionforhim。Hethankedmewarmly，gavebacktheeightducatsIhadpaidforhim，andsaidthathewouldnotleavethecitytillthenextday。

"Fromwhatcountry，"Iaskedhim，"isyourtravellingcompanion？"

"FromFrance，andheonlyspeakshisnativelanguage。"

"ThenyouspeakFrench？"

"Notoneword。"

"Thatisamusing！Thenyouconverseinpantomime？"

"Exactly。"

"Ipityyou，foritisadifficultlanguage。"

"Yes，toexpressthevariousshadesofthought，butinthematerialpartofourintercourseweunderstandeachotherquitewell。"

"MayIinvitemyselftobreakfastwithyou？"

"Askmyfriendwhetherhehasanyobjection。"

"Amiablecompanionofthecaptain，"IsaidinFrench，"willyoukindlyacceptmeasathirdguestatthebreakfast—table？"

AtthesewordsIsawcomingoutofthebed—clothesalovelyhead，withdishevelledhair，andablooming，laughingfacewhich，althoughitwascrownedwithaman’scap，leftnodoubtthatthecaptain’sfriendbelongedtothatsexwithoutwhichmanwouldbethemostmiserableanimalonearth。

Delightedwiththegracefulcreature，ItoldherthatIhadbeenhappyenoughtofeelinterestedinherevenbeforeIhadseenher，andthatnowthatIhadthepleasureofseeingher，Icouldbutrenewwithgreaterzealallmyeffortstoserveher。

Sheansweredmewiththegraceandtheanimationwhicharetheexclusiveprivilegeofhernativecountry，andretortedmyargumentinthemostwittymanner；Iwasalreadyunderthecharm。Myrequestwasgranted；Iwentouttoorderbreakfast，andtogivethemanopportunityofmakingthemselvescomfortableinbed，fortheyweredeterminednottogetupuntilthedooroftheirroomwasclosedagain。

Thewaitercame，andIwentinwithhim。IfoundmylovelyFrenchwomanwearingabluefrock—coat，withherhairbadlyarrangedlikeaman’s，butverycharmingeveninthatstrangecostume。I

longedtoseeherup。Sheateherbreakfastwithoutonceinterruptingtheofficerspeakingtome，buttowhomIwasnotlistening，orlisteningwithverylittleattention，forIwasinasortofecstatictrance。

Immediatelyafterbreakfast，Icalledonthegeneral，andrelatedtheaffairtohim，enlarginguponitinsuchamannerastopiquehismartialpride。Itoldhimthat，unlesshesettledthematterhimself，theHungariancaptainwasdeterminedtosendanexpresstothecardinalimmediately。Butmyeloquencewasunnecessary，forthegenerallikedtoseepriestsattendtothebusinessofHeaven，buthecouldnotbearthemtomeddleintemporalaffairs。

"Ishall，"hesaid，"immediatelyputastoptothisridiculouscomedy，andtreatitinaveryseriousmanner。"

"Goatoncetotheinn，"hesaidtohisaide—de—camp，"invitethatofficerandhiscompaniontodinewithmeto—day，andrepairafterwardstothebishop’spalace。Givehimnoticethattheofficerwhohasbeensogrosslyinsultedbyhis’sbirri’shallnotleavethecitybeforehehasreceivedacompleteapology，andwhateversumofmoneyhemayclaimasdamages。Tellhimthatthenoticecomesfromme，andthatalltheexpensesincurredbytheofficershallbepaidbyhim。"

Whatpleasureitwasformetolistentothesewords！Inmyvanity，IfanciedIhadalmostpromptedthemtothegeneral。Iaccompaniedtheaide—de—camp，andintroducedhimtothecaptainwhoreceivedhimwiththejoyofasoldiermeetingacomrade。Theadjutantgavehimthegeneral’sinvitationforhimandhiscompanion，andaskedhimtowritedownwhatsatisfactionhewanted，aswellastheamountofdamagesheclaimed。Atthesightofthegeneral’sadjutant，the’sbirri’hadquicklyvanished。Ihandedtothecaptainpen，paperandink，andhewrotehisclaiminprettygoodLatinforanativeofHungary。Theexcellentfellowabsolutelyrefusedtoaskformorethanthirtysequins，inspiteofallIsaidtomakehimclaimonehundred。Hewaslikewiseagreatdealtooeasyastothesatisfactionhedemanded，forallheaskedwastoseethelandlordandthe’sbirri’beghispardonontheirkneesinthepresenceofthegeneral’sadjutant。HethreatenedthebishoptosendanexpresstoRometoCardinalAlexander，unlesshisdemandswerecompliedwithwithintwohours，andtoremaininCesenaattherateoftensequinsadayatthebishop’sexpense。

Theofficerleftus，andamomentafterwardsthelandlordcameinrespectfully，toinformthecaptainthathewasfree，butthecaptainhavingbeggedmetotellthescoundrelthatheowedhimasoundthrashing，helostnotimeingainingthedoor。

Ileftmyfriendsalonetogetdressed，andtoattendtomyowntoilet，asIdinedwiththematthegeneral’s。AnhourafterwardsI

foundthemreadyintheirmilitarycostumes。TheuniformoftheFrenchwomanwasofcourseafancyone，butveryelegant。ThemomentIsawher，IgaveupallideaofNaples，anddecideduponaccompanyingthetwofriendstoParma。ThebeautyofthelovelyFrenchwomanhadalreadycaptivatedme。Thecaptainwascertainlyonthethresholdofsixty，and，asamatterofcourse，Ithoughtsuchaunionverybadlyassorted。IimaginedthattheaffairwhichIwasalreadyconcoctinginmybraincouldbearrangedamicably。

Theadjutantcamebackwithapriestsentbythebishop，whotoldthecaptainthatheshouldhavethesatisfactionaswellasthedamageshehadclaimed，butthathemustbecontentwithfifteensequins。

"Thirtyornothing，"drylyansweredtheHungarian。

Theywereatlastgiventohim，andthusthematterended。Thevictorywasduetomyexertions，andIhadwonthefriendshipofthecaptainandhislovelycompanion。

Inordertoguess，evenatfirstsight，thatthefriendoftheworthycaptainwasnotaman，itwasenoughtolookatthehips。Shewastoowellmadeasawomanevertopassforaman，andthewomenwhodisguisethemselvesinmaleattire，andboastofbeinglikemen，areverywrong，forbysuchaboasttheyconfessthemselvesdeficientinoneofthegreatestperfectionsappertainingtowoman。

Alittlebeforedinner—timewerepairedtoGeneralSpada’smansion，andthegeneralpresentedthetwoofficerstoalltheladies。Notoneofthemwasdeceivedintheyoungofficer，but，beingalreadyacquaintedwiththeadventure，theywerealldelightedtodinewiththeheroofthecomedy，andtreatedthehandsomeofficerexactlyasifhehadtrulybeenaman，butIamboundtoconfessthatthemaleguestsofferedtheFrenchwomanhomagesmoreworthyofhersex。

MadameQuerinialonedidnotseempleased，becausethelovelystrangermonopolizedthegeneralattention，anditwasablowtohervanitytoseeherselfneglected。Sheneverspoketoher，excepttoshewoffherFrench，whichshecouldspeakwell。Thepoorcaptainscarcelyopenedhislips，fornoonecaredtospeakLatin，andthegeneralhadnotmuchtosayinGerman。

Anelderlypriest，whowasoneoftheguests，triedtojustifytheconductofthebishopbyassuringusthattheinn—keeperandthe’sbirri’hadactedonlyundertheordersoftheHolyOffice。

"Thatisthereason，"hesaid，"forwhichnoboltsareallowedintheroomsofthehotels，sothatstrangersmaynotshutthemselvesupintheirchambers。TheHolyInquisitiondoesnotallowamantosleepwithanywomanbuthiswife。"

TwentyyearslaterIfoundallthedoorsinSpainwithaboltoutside，sothattravellerswere，asiftheyhadbeeninprison，exposedtotheoutrageousmolestationofnocturnalvisitsfromthepolice。ThatdiseaseissochronicinSpainthatitthreatenstooverthrowthemonarchysomeday，andIshouldnotbeastonishedifonefinemorningtheGrandInquisitorwastohavethekingshaved，andtotakehisplace。

CHAPTERXXIII

IPurchaseaHandsomeCarriage，andProceedtoParmaWiththeOldCaptainandtheYoungFrenchwoman——IPayaVisittoJavotte，andPresentHerWithaBeautifulPairofGoldBracelets——MyPerplexitiesRespectingMyLovelyTravellingCompanion——AMonologue——ConversationwiththeCaptain——Tete—a—TetewithHenrietteTheconversationwasanimated，andtheyoungfemaleofficerwasentertainingeverybody，evenMadameQuerini，althoughshehardlytookthetroubleofconcealingherspleen。

"Itseemsstrange，"sheremarked，"thatyouandthecaptainshouldlivetogetherwithouteverspeakingtoeachother。"

"Why，madam？Weunderstandoneanotherperfectly，forspeechisofverylittleconsequenceinthekindofbusinesswedotogether。"

Thatanswer，givenwithgracefulliveliness，madeeverybodylaugh，exceptMadameQuerini—Juliette，who，foolishlyassumingtheairofaprude，thoughtthatitsmeaningwastooclearlyexpressed。

"Idonotknowanykindofbusiness，"shesaid，"thatcanbetransactedwithouttheassistanceofthevoiceorthepen。"

"Excuseme，madam，therearesome:playingatcards，forinstance，isabusinessofthatsort。"

"Areyoualwaysplaying？"

"Wedonothingelse。WeplaythegameofthePharaoh（faro），andI

holdthebank。"

Everybody，understandingtheshrewdnessofthisevasiveanswer，laughedagain，andJulietteherselfcouldnothelpjoininginthegeneralmerriment。

"Buttellme，"saidCountSpada，"doesthebankreceivemuch？"

"Asforthedeposits，theyareofsolittleimportance，thattheyarehardlyworthmentioning。"

Nooneventuredupontranslatingthatsentenceforthebenefitoftheworthycaptain。Theconversationcontinuedinthesameamusingstyle，andalltheguestsweredelightedwiththegracefulwitofthecharmingofficer。

LateintheeveningItookleaveofthegeneral，andwishedhimapleasantjourney。

"Adieu，"hesaid，"IwishyouapleasantjourneytoNaples，andhopeyouwillenjoyyourselfthere"

"Well，general，IamnotgoingtoNaplesimmediately；IhavechangedmymindandintendtoproceedtoParma，whereIwishtoseetheInfante。IalsowishtoconstitutemyselftheinterpreterofthesetwoofficerswhoknownothingofItalian:"

"Ah，youngman！opportunitymakesathief，doesitnot？Well，ifI

wereinyourplace，Iwoulddothesame。"

IalsobadefarewelltoMadameQuerini，whoaskedmetowritetoherfromBologna。Igaveherapromisetodoso，butwithoutmeaningtofulfilit。

IhadfeltinterestedintheyoungFrenchwomanwhenshewashidingunderthebed—clothes:shehadtakenmyfancythemomentshehadshewnherfeatures，andstillmorewhenIhadseenherdressed。Shecompletedherconquestatthedinner—tablebythedisplayofawitwhichIgreatlyadmired。ItisrareinItaly，andseemstobelonggenerallytothedaughtersofFrance。Ididnotthinkitwouldbeverydifficulttowinherlove，andIresolvedontrying。Puttingmyself—esteemononeside，IfanciedIwouldsuithermuchbetterthantheoldHungarian，averypleasantmanforhisage，butwho，afterall，carriedhissixtyyearsonhisface，whilemytwenty—threewerebloomingonmycountenance。Itseemedtomethatthecaptainhimselfwouldnotraiseanygreatobjection，forheseemedoneofthosemenwho，treatingloveasamatterofpurefancy，acceptallcircumstanceseasily，andgivewaygood—naturedlytoallthefreaksoffortune。Bybecomingthetravellingcompanionofthisill—matchedcouple，Ishouldprobablysucceedinmyaims。Ineverdreamedofexperiencingarefusalattheirhands，mycompanywouldcertainlybeagreeabletothem，astheycouldnotexchangeasinglewordbythemselves。

WiththisideaIaskedthecaptain，aswereachedourinn，whetherheintendedtoproceedtoParmabythepubliccoachorotherwise。

"AsIhavenocarriageofmyown，"heanswered，"weshallhavetotakethecoach。"

"Ihaveaverycomfortablecarriage，andIofferyouthetwobackseatsifyouhavenoobjectiontomysociety。"

"Thatisapieceofgoodfortune。BekindenoughtoproposeittoHenriette。"

"Willyou，madam，grantmethefavourofaccompanyingyoutoParma？"