第34章

M————M————couldnotresistgivingtheambassadorafullaccountofouradventures，andIhadpromisedtowritetohim，andalwaystowritethewholetruth。Herepliedbycongratulatingusonourgoodfortune，butheprophesiedinevitabledisasterifwehadnottheprudencetostopourintercourse。

Mr。Murray，theEnglishambassador，awittyandhandsomeman，andagreatamateurofthefairsex，wine，andgoodcheer，thenkeptthefairAncilla，whointroducedmetohim。ThisfinefellowbecamemyfriendinmuchthesamewayasM。deBernis，theonlydifferencebeingthattheFrenchmanlikedtolookonwhiletheEnglishmanpreferredtogivetheshow。Iwasneverunwelcomeattheiramorousbattles，andthevoluptuousAncillawasdelightedtohavemeforawitness。Inevergavethemthepleasureofminglinginthestrife。

IlovedM————M————，butIshouldavowthatmyfidelitytoherwasnotentirelydependentonmylove。ThoughAncillawashandsomesheinspiredmewithrepugnance，forshewasalwayshoarse，andcomplainedofasharppaininthethroat，andthoughherloverkeptwell，Iwasafraidofher，andnotwithoutcause，forthediseasewhichendedthedaysofFrancisI。ofFrancebroughthertothegraveinthefollowingautumn。Aquarterofanhourbeforeshedied，herbraveBriton，yieldingtothelasciviousrequestsofthisnewMessalina，offeredinmypresencethelastsacrifice，inspiteofalargesoreonherfacewhichmadeherlookhideous。

Thistrulyheroicactionwasknownalloverthetown，anditwasMurrayhimselfwhomadeitknown，citingmeashiswitness。

Thisfamouscourtezan，whosebeautywasjustlycelebrated，feelingherselfeatenawaybyaninternaldisease，promisedtogiveahundredlouistoadoctornamedLucchesi，whobydintofmercuryundertooktocureher，butAncillaspecifiedontheagreementthatshewasnottopaytheaforesaidsumtillLucchesihadofferedwithheranamoroussacrifice。

Thedoctorhavingdonehisbusinessaswellashecouldwishedtobepaidwithoutsubmittingtotheconditionsofthetreaty，butAncillaheldherground，andthematterwasbroughtbeforeamagistrate。

InEngland，whereallagreementsarebinding，Ancillawouldhavewonhercase，butatVeniceshelostit。

Thejudge，ingivingsentence，saidacondition，criminalperse，notfulfilled，didnotinvalidateanagreement——asentenceaboundinginwisdom，especiallyinthisinstance。

Twomonthsbeforethiswomanhadbecomedisgusting，myfriendM。

Memmo，afterwardsprocurator，askedmetotakehimtoherhouse。Intheheightoftheconversation，whatshouldcomebutagondola，andwesawCountRosemberg，theambassadorfromVienna，gettingoutofit。M。Memmowasthunderstruck（foraVenetiannobleconversingwithaforeignambassadorbecomesguiltyoftreasontothestate），andraninhothastefromAncilla’sroom，Iafterhim，butonthestairhemettheambassador，who，seeinghisdistress，burstintoalaugh，andpassedon。IgotdirectlyintoM。Memmo’sgondola，andwewentforthwithtoM。Cavalli，secretarytotheStateInquisitors。

M。Memmocouldhavetakennobettercoursetoavoidthetroublesomeconsequenceswhichthisfatalmeetingmighthavehad，andhewasverygladthatIwaswithhimtotestifytohisinnocenceandtotheharmlessnessoftheoccurrence。

M。CavallireceivedM。Memmowithasmile，andtoldhimhedidwelltocometoconfessionwithoutwastinganytime。M。Memmo，muchastonishedatthisreception，toldhimthebriefhistoryofthemeeting，andthesecretaryrepliedwithagraveairthathehadnodoubtastothetruthofhisstory，asthecircumstanceswereinperfectcorrespondencewithwhatheknewofthematter。

Wecameawayextremelypuzzledatthesecretary’sreply，anddiscussedthesubjectforsometime，butthenwecametotheconclusionthatM。Cavallicouldhavehadnopositiveknowledgeofthematterbeforewecame，andthatheonlyspokeashedidfromtheinstinctofanInquisitor，wholikesittobeunderstoodthatnothingishidfromhimforamoment。

AfterthedeathofAncilla，Mr。Murrayremainedwithoutatitularmistress，but，flutteringaboutlikeabutterfly，hehad，oneafteranother，theprettiestgirlsinVenice。Thisgood—naturedEpicureansetoutforConstantinopletwoyearslater，andwasfortwentyyearstheambassadoroftheCourtofSt。JamesattheSublimePorte。HereturnedtoVenicein1778withtheintentionofendinghisdaysthere，farfromaffairsofstate，buthediedinthelazarettoeightdaysbeforethecompletionofhisquarantine。

Atplayfortunecontinuedtofavourme；mycommercewithM————M————

couldnotbediscoverednowthatIwasmyownwaterman；andthenunswhowereinthesecretweretoodeeplyinvolvednottokeepit。I

ledthemamerrylife，butIforesawthatassoonasM。deBernisdecidedtoletM————M————knowthathewouldnotreturntoVenice，hewouldrecallhispeople，andweshouldthenhavethecasinonolonger。Iknew，besides，thatwhentheroughseasoncameonitwouldbeimpossibleformebymyselftocontinueourvoyages。

ThefirstMondayinOctober，whenthetheatresareopenedandmasksmaybeworn，IwenttoSt。Francistogetmyboat，andthencetoMuranformymistress，afterwardsmakingforthecasino。Thenightswerenowlongenoughforustohaveampletimeforenjoyment，sowebeganbymakinganexcellentsupper，andthendevotedourselvestotheworshipofLoveandSleep。Suddenly，inthemidstofamomentofecstasy，Iheardanoiseinthedirectionofthecanal，whicharousedmysuspicions，andIrushedtothewindow。Whatwasmyastonishmentandangertoseealargeboattakingmineintow！Nevertheless，withoutgivingwaytomypassion，IshoutedtotherobbersthatI

wouldgivethemtensequinsiftheywouldbekindenoughtoreturnmemyboat。

Ashoutoflaughterwasallthereplytheymade，andnotbelievingwhatIsaidtheycontinuedtheircourse。WhatwasItodo？Idarednotcry，"Stopthief！"andnotbeingenduedwiththepowerofwalkingonthewaterdry—footed，Icouldnotgivechasetotherobbers。I

wasintheutmostdistress，andforthemomentM————M————shewedsignsofterror，forshedidnotseehowIcouldremedythisdisaster。

Idressedmyselfhastily，givingnomorethoughtstolove，myonlycomfortbeingthatIhadstilltwohourstogettheindispensableboat，shoulditcostmeahundredsequins。IshouldhavebeeninnoperplexityifIhadbeenabletotakeone，butthegondolierswouldinfalliblymakeproclamationoverthewholeofMuranthattheyhadtakenanuntosuchaconvent，andallwouldhavebeenlost。

Theonlyway，then，thatwasopentomewaseithertobuyaboatortostealone。Iputmypistolsanddaggerinmypocket，tooksomemoney，andwithanoaronmyshouldersetout。

Therobbershadfiledthechainofmyboatwithasilentfile；thisI

couldnotdo，andIcouldonlyreckononhavingthegoodlucktofindaboatmooredwithcords。

ComingtothelargebridgeIsawboatsandtospare，buttherewerepeopleonthequay，andIwouldnotrisktakingone。SeeingatavernopenattheendofthequayIranlikeamadman，andaskediftherewereanyboatmenthere；thedrawertoldmethereweretwo，butthattheyweredrunk。Icameuptothem，andsaid，"WhowilltakemetoVeniceforeightysous？"

"I，"and"I"；andtheybegantoquarrelastowhoshouldgo。I

quietedthembygivingfortysoustothemoredrunkenofthetwo，andIwentoutwiththeother。

Assoonaswewereonourway，Isaid，"Youaretoodrunktotakeme，lendmeyourboat，andIwillgiveityoubackto—morrow。"

"Idon’tknowyou。"

"Iwilldeposittensequins，butyourboatisnotworththat。Whowillbeyoursurety？"

Hetookmebacktothetavern，andthedrawerwentbailforhim。

Wellpleased，Itookmymantotheboat，andhavingfurnisheditwithasecondoarandtwopoleshewentaway，chucklingathavingmadeagoodbargain，whileIwasasgladtohavehadtheworstofit。Ihadbeenanhouraway，andonenteringthecasinofoundmydearM————

M————inanagony，butassoonasshesawmybeamingfaceallthelaughtercamebackonhers。Itookhertotheconvent，andthenwenttoSt。Francis，wherethekeeperoftheboathouselookedasifhethoughtmeafool，whenItoldhimthatIhadtruckedawaymyboatfortheoneIhadwithme。Iputonmymask，andwentforthwithtomylodgingandtobed，fortheseannoyanceshadbeentoomuchforme。

AboutthistimemydestinymademeacquaintedwithanoblemancalledMarkAntonyZorzi，amanofpartsandfamousforhisskillinwritingversesintheVenetiandialect。Zorzi，whowasveryfondoftheplay，anddesiredtoofferasacrificetoThalia，wroteacomedywhichtheaudiencetookthelibertyofhissing；buthavingpersuadedhimselfthathispieceonlyfailedthroughtheconspiraciesoftheAbbeChiari，whowrotefortheTheatreofSt。Angelo，hedeclaredopenwaragainstalltheabbe’splays。

IfeltnoreluctancewhatevertovisitM。Zorzi，forhepossessedanexcellentcookandacharmingwife。HeknewthatIdidnotcareforChiariasanauthor，andM。Zorzihadinhispaypeoplewho，withoutpity，rhyme，orreason，hissedallthecompositionsoftheecclesiasticalplaywright。Mypartwastocriticisetheminhammerverses——akindofdoggerelthenmuchinfashion，andZorzitookcaretodistributemylucubrationsfarandwide。ThesemanoeuvresmademeapowerfulenemyinthepersonofM。Condulmer，wholikedmenonethebetterforhavingalltheappearanceofbeinginhighfavourwithMadameZorzi，towhombeforemyappearancehehadpaiddiligentcourt。ThisM。Condulmerwastobeexcusedfornotcaringforme，for，havingalargeshareintheSt。AngeloTheatre，thefailureoftheabbe’spieceswasalosstohim，astheboxeshadtobeletataverylowrent，andallmenaregovernedbyinterestedmotives。

ThisM。Condulmerwassixtyyearsold，butwithallthegreennessofyouthhewasstillfondofwomen，gaming，andmoney，andhewas，infact，amoney—lender，butheknewhowtopassforasaint，ashetookcaretogotomasseverymorningatSt。Mark’s，andneveromittedtoshedtearsbeforethecrucifix。Thefollowingyearhewasmadeacouncillor，andinthatcapacityhewasforeightmonthsaStateInquisitor。Havingthusattainedthisdiabolically—eminent，oreminently—diabolical，position，hehadnotmuchdifficultyinshewinghiscolleaguesthenecessityofputtingmeunderTheLeadsasadisturberofthepeaceoftheRepublic。InthebeginningofthewintertheastoundingnewsofthetreatybetweenFranceandAustriawasdivulged——atreatybywhichthepoliticalbalancewasentirelyreadjusted，andwhichwasreceivedwithincredulitybythePowers。

ThewholeofItalyhadreasontorejoice，forthetreatyguardedthatfairlandfrombecomingthetheatreofwarontheslightestdifferencewhichmightarisebetweenthetwoPowers。Whatastonishedthemostacutewasthatthiswonderfultreatywasconceivedandcarriedoutbyayoungambassadorwhohadhithertobeenfamedonlyasawit。Thefirstfoundationshadbeenlaidin1750byMadamedePompadour，CountCanes（whowascreatedaprince），andM。1’AbbedeBernis，whowasnotknowntillthefollowingyear，whenthekingmadehimambassadortoVenice。TheHouseofBourbonandtheHouseofHapsburghadbeenfoesfortwohundredandfortyyearswhenthisfamoustreatywasconcluded，butitonlylastedforfortyyears，anditisnotlikelythatanytreatywilllastlongerbetweentwocourtssoessentiallyopposedtooneanother。

TheAbbedeBerniswascreatedministerforforeignaffairssometimeaftertheratificationofthetreaty；threeyearsafterhere—

establishedtheparliament，becameacardinal，wasdisgraced，andfinallysenttoRome，wherehedied。’Morsultimolinearerumest’。

AffairsfelloutasIhadforeseen，forninemonthsafterheleftVeniceheconveyedtoM————M————thenewsofhisrecall，thoughhediditinthemostdelicatemanner。Nevertheless，M————M————felttheblowsoseverelythatshewouldverypossiblyhavesuccumbed，hadInotbeenpreparingherforitineverywayIcouldthinkofM。deBernissentmeallinstructions。

HedirectedthatallthecontentsofthecasinoshouldbesoldandtheproceedsgiventoM————M————，withtheexceptionofthebooksandprintswhichthehousekeeperwasorderedtobringtoParis。Itwasanicebreviaryforacardinal，butwouldtoGodtheyhadnothingworse！

WhilstM————M————abandonedherselftogriefIcarriedouttheordersofM。deBernis，andbythemiddleofJanuarywehadnolongeracasino。Shekeptbyhertwothousandsequinsandherpearls，intendingtosellthemlaterontobuyherselfanannuity。

Wewerenowonlyabletoseeeachotheratthegrating；andsoon，wornwithgrief，shefelldangerouslyill，andonthe2ndofFebruaryIrecognizedinherfeaturesthesymptomsofapproachingdeath。Shesentmeherjewel—case，withallherdiamondsandnearlyallhermoney，allthescandalousbooksshepossessed，andallherletters，tellingmethatifshedidnotdieIwastoreturnherthewhole，butthatallbelongedtomeif，asshethought，sheshouldsuccumbtothedisease。ShealsotoldmethatC————C————wasawareofherstate，andaskedmetotakepityonherandwritetoher，asmyletterswereheronlycomfort，andthatshehopedtohavestrengthtoreadthemtillherlatestbreath。

Iburstintotears，forIlovedherpassionately，andIpromisedhertocomeandliveinMuranuntilsherecoveredherhealth。

Havingplacedthepropertyinagondola，IwenttotheBragadinPalacetodepositit，andthenreturnedtoMurantogetLauratofindmeafurnishedroomwhereIcouldliveasIliked。"Iknowofagoodroom，withmealsprovided，"shesaid；"youwillbequitecomfortableandwillgetitcheaply，andifyouliketopayinadvance，youneednotevensaywhoyouare。Theoldmantowhomthehousebelongslivesonthegroundfloor；hewillgiveyouallthekeysandifyoulikeyouneedseenoone。"

Shegavemetheaddress，andIwentthereonthespot，andhavingfoundeverythingtomylikingIpaidamonthinadvanceandthethingwasdone。Itwasalittlehouseattheendofablindalleyabuttingonthecanal。IreturnedtoLaura’shousetotellherthatIwantedaservanttogetmyfoodandtomakemybed，andshepromisedtogetmeonebythenextday。

Havingsetallinorderformynewlodging，IreturnedtoVeniceandpackedmymailsasifIwereabouttomakealongjourney。AftersupperItookleaveofM。deBragadinandofhistwofriends，tellingthemthatIwasgoingtobeawayforseveralweeksonimportantbusiness。

Nextday，goingtomynewroom，IwassurprisedtofindthereTonine，Laura’sdaughter，aprettygirlnotmorethanfifteenyearsold，whotoldmewithablush，butwithmorespiritthanIgavehercreditfor，thatshewouldservemeaswellashermotherwouldhavedone。

IwasintoomuchdistresstothankLauraforthisprettypresent，andIevendeterminedthatherdaughtershouldnotstayinmyservice。Weknowhowmuchsuchresolutionsarecommonlyworth。InthemeanwhileIwaskindtothegirl:"Iamsure，"Isaid，"ofyourgoodwill，butImusttalktoyourmother。Imustbealone，"Iadded，"asIhavetowriteallday，andIshallnottakeanythingtilltheevening。"Shethengavemealetter，beggingpardonfornothavinggivenitmesooner。"Youmustneverforgettodelivermessages，"

Isaid，"forifyouhadwaitedanylongerbeforebringingmethisletter，itmighthavehadthemostseriousconsequences。"Sheblushed，beggedpardon，andwentoutoftheroom。TheletterwasfromC————C————，whotoldmethatherfriendwasinbed，andthatthedoctorhadpronouncedherillnesstobefever。Ipassedtherestofthedayinputtingmyroominorder，andinwritingtoC————C————

andhersufferingfriend。

TowardseveningToninebroughtinthecandles，andtoldmethatmysupperwasready。"Followme，"Isaid。Seeingthatshehadonlylaidsupperforone——apleasingproofofhermodesty，Itoldhertogetanotherknifeandfork，asIwishedheralwaystotakehermealswithme。Icangivenoaccountofmymotives。Ionlywishedtobekindtoher，andIdideverythingingoodfaith。Byandby，reader，weshallseewhetherthisisnotoneofthedevicesbywhichthedevilcompasseshisends。

Nothavinganyappetite，Iatelittle，butIthoughteverythinggoodwiththeexceptionofthewine；butToninepromisedtogetsomebetterbythenextday，andwhensupperwasovershewenttosleepintheante—room。

Aftersealingmyletters，wishingtoknowwhethertheouterdoorwaslocked，IwentoutandsawTonineinbed，sleepingpeacefully，orpretendingtodoso。Imighthavesuspectedherthoughts，butIhadneverbeeninasimilarsituation，andImeasuredtheextremityofmygriefbytheindifferencewithwhichIlookedatthisgirl；shewaspretty，butforallthatIfeltthatneithershenorIrananyrisk。

Nextday，wakingveryearly，Icalledher，andshecameinneatlydressed。IgavehermylettertoC————C————，whichenclosedthelettertoM————M————，tellinghertotakeittohermotherandthentoreturntomakemycoffee。

"Ishalldineatnoon，Tonine，"Isaid，"takecaretogetwhatisnecessaryingoodtime。"

"Sir，Ipreparedyesterday’ssuppermyself，andifyoulikeIcancookallyourmeals。"

"Iamsatisfiedwithyourabilities，goon，andhereisasequinforexpenses。"

"Istillhaveahundredandtwentysousremainingfromtheoneyougavemeyesterday，andthatwillbeenough。"

"No，theyareforyourself，andIshallgiveyouasmucheveryday。"

HerdelightwassogreatthatIcouldnotpreventhercoveringmyhandwithkisses。Itookcaretodrawitbackandnottokissherinreturn，forIfeltasifIshouldbeobligedtolaugh，andthiswouldhavedishonouredmygrief。

Theseconddaypassedlikethefirst。ToninewasgladthatIsaidnomoreaboutspeakingtohermother，anddrewtheconclusionthatherserviceswereagreeabletome。Feelingtiredandweak，andfearingthatIshouldnotwakeearlyenoughtosendthelettertotheconvent，butnotwishingtorouseTonineifshewereasleep，Icalledhersoftly。Sheroseimmediatelyandcameintomyroomwithnothingonbutaslightpetticoat。Pretendingtoseenothing，Igavehermyletter，andtoldhertotakeittohermotherinthemorningbeforeshecameintomyroom。Shewentout，sayingthatmyinstructionsshouldbecarriedout，butassoonasshewasgoneIcouldnotresistsayingtomyselfthatshewasverypretty；andIfeltbothsadandashamedatthereflectionthatthisgirlcouldveryeasilyconsoleme。Ihuggedmygrief，andIdeterminedtoseparatemyselffromabeingwhomademeforgetit。

"Inthemorning，"Isaid，"IwilltellLauratogetmesomethinglessseducing；"butthenightbroughtcounsel，andinthemorningIputonthearmourofsophism，tellingmyselfthatmyweaknesswasnofaultofthegirl’s，andthatitwouldthereforebeunjusttopunishherforit。Weshallsee，dearreader，howallthisended。

CHAPTERXXIII

ContinuesthePrecedingChapter——M。M。Recovers——IReturntoVenice——

TonineConsolesMe——DecreaseofMyLoveForM。M。——DoctorRighelini——

CuriousConversationWithHim——HowThisConversationAffectedM。M。——

Mr。MurrayUndeceivedandAvengedTontinehadwhatiscalledtactandcommonsense，andthinkingthesequalitieswererequiredinoureconomyshebehavedwithgreatdelicacy，notgoingtobedbeforereceivingmyletters，andnevercomingintomyroomexceptinaproperdress，andallthispleasedme。ForafortnightM————M