第58章

Ithendrewfrommypocket—bookalittlearticleoftransparentskin，abouteightincheslong，withoneopening，whichwasornamentedwitharedrosette。Igaveherthispreventivesheath，andshelooked，admired，andlaughedloudly，askingmeifIhadusedsucharticleswithherVenetiansister。"Iwillputitonmyself；youdon’tknowhowIshallenjoyit。Whydidn’tyouuseonelastnight？Howcouldyouhaveforgottenit？Well，Ishallbeverywretchedifanythingcomesofit。WhatshallIdoinfourorfivemonths，whenmyconditionbecomespastdoubt？"

"Dearest，theonlythingtodoisnottothinkofit，forifthedamageisdone，thereisnocureforit；butfrommyexperienceandknowledgeofthelawsofnatureIexpectthatoursweetcombatsoflastnightwillprobablyhavenotroublesomeconsequences。Ithasbeenstatedthatafterchild—birthawomancannotconceiveafreshwithouthavingseensomethingwhichIexpectyouhavenotseen。"

"No，Godbethanked！"

"Good。Thenletusnotgiveanythoughttothedismalfuturelestweloseourpresentbliss。"

"Iamquitecomforted；butIcan’tunderstandwhyyouareafraidto—

dayofwhatyouwerenotafraidyesterday；mystateisthesame。"

"Theeventhassometimesgiventhelietothemosteminentphysicians。Nature，wiserthanthey，hasexceptionstoherrules，letusnotdefythemforthefuture，butletusnottroubleourselvesifwehavedefiedthereinthepast。"

"Iliketohearyoutalksosagely。Yes，wewillbeprudentwhateveritcosts。Thereyouare，hoodedlikeamotherabbess，butinspiteofthefinenessofthesheathIlikethelittlefellowbetterquitenaked。Ithinkthatthiscoveringdegradesusboth。"

"Youareright，itdoes。Butletusnotdwellontheseideaswhichwillonlyspoilourpleasure。"

"Wewillenjoyourpleasuredirectly；letmebereasonablenow，forI

haveneverthoughtofthesemattersbefore。Lovemusthaveinventedtheselittlesheaths，butitmustfirsthavelistenedtothevoiceofprudence，andIdonotliketoseeloveandprudenceallied。"

"Thecorrectnessofyourargumentssurprisesme，butwewillphilosophizeanothertime。"

"Waitaminute。Ihaveneverseenamanbefore，andIhaveneverwishedtoenjoythesightasmuchasnow。TenmonthsagoIshouldhavecalledthatarticleaninventionofthedevil；butnowIlookupontheinventorasabenefactor，forifmywretchedhump—backhadprovidedhimselfwithsuchasheathhewouldnothaveexposedmetothedangeroflosingmyhonourandmylife。But，tellme，howisthatthemakersofthesethingsremainunmolested；Iwondertheyarenotfoundout，excommunicated，orheavilyfined，orevenpunishedcorporeally，iftheyareJewsasIexpect。Dearme，themakerofthisonemusthavemeasuredyoubadly！Look！itistoolargehere，andtoosmallthere；itmakesyouintoaregularcurve。Whatastupidthefellowmustbe，hecan’tknowhisowntrade！Butwhatisthat？"

"Youmakemelaugh；it’sallyourfault。Youhavebeenfeelingandfondling，andyouseethenaturalconsequence。Iknewitwouldbeso。"

"Andyoucouldn’tkeepitbackaminute。Itisgoingonnow。Iamsosorry；itisadreadfulpity。"

"Thereisnotmuchharmdone，soconsoleyourself。"

"HowcanI？youarequitedead。Howcanyoulaugh？"

"Atyourcharmingsimplicity。YoushallseeinamomentthatyourcharmswillgivemenewlifewhichIshallnotlosesoeasily。"

"Wonderful！Icouldn’thavebelievedit！"

Itookoffthesheath，andgaveheranother，whichpleasedherbetter，asitseemedtofitmebetter，andshelaughedforjoyassheputiton。Sheknewnothingofthesewonders。Herthoughtshadbeenboundinchains，andshecouldnotdiscoverthetruthbeforesheknewme；butthoughshewasscarcelyoutofEgyptsheshewedalltheeagernessofanenquiringandnewlyemancipatedspirit。"Buthowiftherubbingmakesthesheathfalloff？"saidshe。Iexplainedtoherthatsuchanaccidentcouldscarcelyhappen，andalsotoldherofwhatmaterialtheEnglishmadethesearticles。

Afterallthistalking，ofwhichmyardourbegantoweary，weabandonedourselvestolove，thentosleep，thentoloveagain，andsoonalternatelytillday—break。AsIwasleaving，thewomanofthehousetoldusthatthepainterhadaskedfourlouis，andthatshehadgivetwolouistoherfoster—son。Igavehertwelve，andwenthome，whereIslepttillmorn，withoutthinkingofbreakfastingwiththeMarquisdePrie，butIthinkIshouldhavegivenhimsomenoticeofmyinabilitytocome。Hismistresssulkedwithmealldinner—time，butsoftenedwhenIallowedmyselftobepersuadedintomakingabank。However，Ifoundshewasplayingforheavystakes，andIhadtocheckheronceortwice，whichmadehersocrossthatshewenttohideherill—temperinacornerofthehall。However，themarquiswon，andIwaslosing，whenthetaciturnDukeofRosebury，histutorSmith，andtwoofhisfellow—countrymen，arrivedfromGeneva。Hecameuptomeandsaid，"Howdoyoudo？"andwithoutanotherwordbegantoplay，invitinghiscompanionstofollowhisexample。

SeeingmybankinthelastagonyIsentLeDuctomyroomforthecash—box，whenceIdrewoutfiverollsofahundredlouiseach。TheMarquisdePriesaid，coolly，thathewouldn’tmindbeingmypartner，andinthesametoneIbeggedtobeexcused。HecontinuedpuntingwithoutseemingtobeoffendedatmyrefusalandwhenIputdownthecardsandrosefromthetablehehadwontwohundredlouis；butalltheothershadlost，especiallyoneoftheEnglishmen，sothatIhadmadeaprofitofathousandlouis。ThemarquisaskedmeifIwouldgivehimchocolateinmyroomnextmorning，andIrepliedthatI

shouldbegladtoseehim。Ireplacedmycash—boxinmyroom，andproceededtothecottage，pleasedwiththeday’sworkandfeelinginclinedtocrownitwithlove。

Ifoundmyfairfriendlookingsomewhatsad，andonmyenquiringthereasonshetoldmethatanephewofthecountry—woman’s，whohadcomefromChamberithatmorning，hadtoldherthathehadheardfromalay—sisterofthesameconvent，whomheknew，thattwosisterswouldstartatday—breakintwodays’timetofetchher；thissadnews，shesaid，hadmadehertearsflowfast。

"Buttheabbesssaidthesisterscouldnotstartbeforetendayshadexpired。"

"Shemusthavechangedhermind。"

"Sorrowintrudesintoourhappystate。Willyoubemywife？WillyoufollowmetoRomeandreceiveabsolutionfromyourvows。YoumaybesurethatIshallhaveacareforyourhappiness。"

"Nay，Ihavelivedlongenough；letmereturntomytomb。"

AftersupperItoldthegoodwomanthatifshecouldrelyonhernephew，shewoulddowelltosendhimatoncetoChamberiwithorderstoreturndirectlythelay—sistersstarted，andtoendeavourtoreachAixtwohoursbeforethem。ShetoldmethatImightreckonontheyoungman’ssilence，andonhiscarryingoutmyorders。Iquietedinthiswaythecharmingnun’salarm，andgotintobedwithher，feelingsadthoughamorous；andonthepretextthatsherequiredrestIleftheratmidnight，asIwantedtobeathomeinthemorningsinceIhadanengagementwiththemarquis。Induecoursehearrivedwithhismistress，twootherladies，andtheirhusbandsorlovers。

Ididnotlimitmyselftogivingthemchocolate；mybreakfastconsistedofalltheluxuriestheplaceafforded。WhenIhadgotridofmytroublesomecompany，ItoldLeDuctoshutmydoor，andtotelleverybodythatIwasillinbedandcouldnotseeanyvisitors。I

alsowarnedhimthatIshouldbeawayfortwodays，andthathemustnotleavemyroomamomenttillIcameback。Havingmadethesearrangements，Islippedawayunperceivedandwenttomymistress，resolvednottoleavehertillhalfanhourbeforethearrivalofthelay—sisters。

WhenshesawmeandheardthatIwasnotgoingtoleavehertillshewentaway，shejumpedforjoy；andweconceivedtheideaofnothavinganydinnerthatwemightenjoyoursupperthebetter。

"Wewillgotobedaftersupper，"saidshe，"andwillnotgetuptillthemessengerbringsthefatalnewsthatthelay—sistershavestarted。"

Ithoughttheideaanexcellentone，andIcalledthe，womanofthehousetotellherofourarrangements，andshepromisedtoseethatwewerenotdisturbed。

Wedidnotfindthetimelong，fortwopassionateloversfindplentytotalkaboutsincetheirtalkisofthemselves。Andbesidesourcaresses，renewedagainandagain，therewassomethingsomysteriousandsolemninoursituationthatoursoulsandoursenseswereengagedthewholetime。

AfterasupperwhichwouldhavepleasedaLucullus，wespenttwelvehoursingivingeachotherproofs，ofourpassionatelove，sleepingafterouramorousstruggles，andwakingonlytorenewthefight。Thenextdaywerosetorefreshourselves，andafteragooddinner，masheddownbysomeexcellentBurgundy，wewenttobedagain；butatfourthecountry—womancametotellusthatthelay—sisterswouldarriveaboutsix。Wehadnothingnowtolookforinthefuture，thediewascast，andwebeganourfarewellcaresses。Isealedthelastwithmyblood。MyfirstM————M————hadseenit，andmysecondrightlysawitalso。Shewasfrightened，butIcalmedherfears。I

thenrose，andtakingarollcontainingfiftylouisIbeggedhertokeepthemforme，promisingtocomeforthemintwoyears，andtakethemfromherhandsthroughthegratingofherterribleprison。Shespentthelastquarterofanhourintears，andminewereonlyrestrainedlestIshouldaddtohergrief。Icutoffapieceofherfleeceandalockofherbeautifulhair，promisingheralwaystobearthemnextmyheart。

Ilefther，tellingthecountry—womanthatsheshouldseemeagainthenextday，andIwenttobedassoonasIgothome。NextmorningIwasonthewaytoChamberi。Ataquarterofaleague’sdistancefromAixIsawmyangelslowlywalkingalong。Assoonasthelay—

sisterswerenearenoughtheyaskedanalmsinthenameofGod。I

gavethemaLouis，butmysaintdidnotlookatme。

WithabrokenheartIwenttothegoodcountrywoman，whotoldmethatM————M————hadgoneatday—break，biddinghertoremindmeoftheconventgrating。IkissedtheWorthywoman，andIgavehernephewalltheloosesilverIhadaboutme，andreturningtotheinnIhadmyluggageputontothecarriage，andwouldhavestartedthatmomentifIhadhadanyhorses。ButIhadtwohourstowait，andIwentandbadethemarquisfarewell。Hewasout，buthismistresswasintheroombyherself。Onmytellingherofmydeparture，shesaid，"Don’tgo，staywithmeacoupleofdayslonger。"

"Ifeelthehonouryouareconferringonme，butbusinessofthegreatestimportanceobligesmetobegoneforthwith。"

"Impossible，"saidthelady，asshewenttoaglassthebettertolaceherself，shewingmeasuperbbreast。Isawherdesign，butI

determinedtobaulkher。Shethenputonefootuponacouchtoretiehergarter，andwhensheputuptheotherfootIsawbeautiesmoreenticingthanEve’sapple。Itwasnearlyallupwithme，whenthemarquiscamein。Heproposedalittlegameofquinze，andhismistressaskedmetobeherpartner。Icouldnotescape；shesatnexttome，andIhadlostfortyLouisbydinner—time。

"Ioweyoutwenty，"saidthelady，asweweregoingdown。

AtdessertLeDuccametotellmethatmycarriagewasatthedoor，andIgotup，butunderthepretenceofpayingmethetwentylouisthemarquis’smistressmademecomewithhertoherroom。

Whenweweretheresheaddressedmeinaseriousandsupplicatingvoice，tellingmethatifIwentshewouldbedishonoured，aseverybodyknewthatshehadengagedtomakemestay。

"DoIlookworthyofcontempt？"saidshe，makingmesitdownuponthesofa。

ThenwitharepetitionofhertacticsinthemorningshecontrivedthatIshouldseeeverything。ExcitedbyhercharmsIpraisedherbeauties，Ikissed，Itouched；sheletherselffallonme，andlookedradiantwhenhervagranthandfoundpalpableproofofherpowersofattraction。

"Ipromisetobeyoursto—morrow，waittillthen。"

Notknowinghowtorefuse，IsaidIwouldkeephertoherword，andwouldhavemyhorsestakenout。Justthenthemarquiscamein，sayinghewouldgivememyrevengeandwithoutansweringIwentdownstairsasiftocomebackagain，butIranoutoftheinn，gotintomycarriage，anddroveoff，promisingagoodfeetothepostillionifhewouldputhishorsesatagallop。

EndMEMOIRSOFJACQUESCASANOVAdeSEINGALT1725—1798

ADVENTURESINTHESOUTH，Volume4a——DEPARTSWITZERLAND

THERAREUNABRIDGEDLONDONEDITIONOF1894TRANSLATEDBYARTHUR

MACHENTOWHICHHASBEENADDEDTHECHAPTERSDISCOVERED

BYARTHURSYMONS。

DEPARTSWITZERLAND

CHAPTERI

TheDoor——Keeper’sDaughters——TheHoroscopes——Mdlle。RomanTheideaofthesorryplightinwhichIhadlefttheMarquisdePrie，hismistress，andperhapsallthecompany，whohadundoubtedlycovetedthecontentsofmycash—box，amusedmetillI

reachedChamberi，whereIonlystoppedtochangehorses。WhenI

reachedGrenoble，whereIintendedtostayaweek，Ididnotfindmylodgingtomyliking，andwentinmycarriagetothepost—office，whereIfoundseveralletters，amongstothers，onefromMadamed’Urfe，enclosingaletterofintroductiontoanofficernamedValenglard，who，shetoldme，wasalearnedman，andwouldpresentmeatallthebesthousesinthetown。

Icalledonthisofficerandreceivedacordialwelcome。AfterreadingMadamed’Urfe’sletterhesaidhewasreadytobeusefultomeinanythingIpleased。

Hewasanamiable，middleagedman，andfifteenyearsbeforehadbeenMadamed’Urfe’sfriend，andinamuchmoreintimatedegreethefriendofherdaughter，thePrincessdeToudeville。ItoldhimthatIwasuncomfortableattheinn，andthatthefirstserviceIwouldaskofhimwouldbetoprocuremeacomfortablelodging。Herubbedhishead，andsaid，——

"IthinkIcangetyouroomsinabeautifulhouse，butitisoutsidethetownwalls。Thedoor—keeperisanexcellentcook，andforthesakeofdoingyourcookingIamsurehewilllodgeyoufornothing。"

"Idon’twishthat，"saidI。

"Don’tbeafraid，"saidthebaron，"hewillmakeitupbymeansofhisdishes；andbesides，thehouseisforsaleandcostshimnothing。Comeandseeit。"

Itookasuiteofthreeroomsandorderedsupperfortwo，warningthemanthatIwasdainty，likedgoodthings，anddidnotcareforthecost。IalsobeggedM。deValenglardtosupwithme。ThedoorkeepersaidthatifIwasnotpleasedwithhiscookingIhadonlytosayso，andinthatcaseIshouldhavenothingtopay。I

sentformycarriage，andfeltthatIhadestablishedmyselfinmynewabode。OnthegroundfloorIsawthreecharminggirlsandthedoor—keeper’swife，whoallbowedprofoundly。M。deValenglardtookmetoaconcertwiththeideaofintroducingmetoeverybody，butIbeggedhimnottodoso，asIwishedtoseetheladiesbeforedecidingwhichofthemIshouldliketoknow。

Thecompanywasanumerousone，especiallywherewomenwereconcerned，buttheonlyonetoattractmyattentionwasaprettyandmodest—lookingbrunette，whosefinefigurewasdressedwithgreatsimplicity。Hercharmingeyes，afterhavingthrownoneglanceinmydirection，obstinatelyrefusedtolookatmeagain。

Myvanitymademeconcludeatoncethatshebehavedthusonlytoincreasemydesireofknowingher，andtogivemeplentyoftimetoexamineherside—faceandherfigure，theproportionsofwhichwerenotconcealedbyhersimpleattire。Successbegetsassurance，andthewishisfathertothethought。Icastahungrygazeonthisyoungladywithoutmoreado，justasifallthewomeninEuropewereonlyaseragliokeptformypleasures。ItoldthebaronIshouldliketoknowher。

"Sheisagoodgirl，"saidhe，"whoseesnocompany，andisquitepoor。"

"Thosearethreereasonswhichmakemethemoreanxioustoknowher。"

"Youwillreallyfindnothingtodointhatquarter。"

"Verygood。"

"Thereisheraunt，Iwillintroduceyoutoherasweleavetheconcert—room。"

Afterdoingmethisservice，hecametosupwithme。Thedoor—keeperandcookstruckmeasbeingverylikeLebel。Hemadehistwoprettydaughterswaitonme，andIsawthatValenglardwasdelightedathavinglodgedmetomysatisfaction，buthegrumbledwhenhesawfifteendishes。

"Heismakingafoolofyouandme，"hesaid。

"Onthecontrary，hehasguessedmytastes。Don’tyouthinkeverythingwasverygood？"

"Idon’tdenyit，but……"

"Don’tbeafraid；Ilovespendingmymoney。"

"Ibegyourpardon，Ionlywantyoutobepleased。"

Wehadexquisitewines，andatdessertsomeratafiasuperiortotheTurkish’visnat’IhadtastedseventeenyearsbeforeatYussufAli’s。Whenmylandlordcameupattheendofsupper，ItoldhimthatheoughttobeLouisXV。’sheadcook。

"Goonasyouhavebegun，anddobetterifyoucan；butletmehaveyourbilleverymorning。"

"Youarequiteright；withsuchanarrangementonecantellhowoneisgettingon。"

"Ishouldlikeyoualwaystogivemeices，andyoumustletmehavetwomorelights。But，unlessIammistaken，thosearecandlesthatIsee。IamaVenetian，andaccustomedtowaxlights。"

"Thatisyourservant’sfault，sir。"

"Howisthat？"

"Because，aftereatingagoodsupper，hewenttobed，sayinghewasill。ThusIheardnothingastohowyoulikedthingsdone。"

"Verygood，youshalllearnfrommyownlips。"

"Heaskedmywifetomakechocolateforyoutomorrowmorning；hegaveherthechocolate，Iwillmakeitmyself。"

WhenhehadlefttheroomM。deValenglardsaid，inamannerthatwasatthesametimepleasedandsurprised，thatMadamed’Urfehadbeenapparentlyjokingintellinghimtosparemeallexpense。

"It’shergoodnessofheart。Iamobligedtoherallthesame。

Sheisanexcellentwoman。"

Westayedattabletilleleveno’clock，discussinginnumerablepleasanttopics，andanimatingourtalkwiththatchoiceliqueurmadeatGrenoble，ofwhichwedrankabottle。Itiscomposedofthejuiceofcherries，brandy，sugar，andcinnamon，andcannotbesurpassed，Iamsure，bythenectarofOlympus。

Isenthomethebaroninmycarriage，afterthankinghimforhisservices，andbegginghimtobemycompanionearlyandlatewhileIstayedatGrenoble——arequestwhichhegrantedexceptingforthosedaysonwhichhewasonduty。Atsupper