第68章

"No，Ipromisemyselfthepleasureofseeinghersurprise。"

"Iammuchobligedtoyoufornotwishingtoenjoymysurpriseaswell。Weshallseeeachotheragain，butnotto—day，soImustbidyoufarewell；forasIamamanofhonourIhopenevertobeunderthesameroofasMadameBlondelagain。"

WiththisIlefttheroom，leavingeverybodyinastonishment，andnotknowingwheretogoItookacoachandwenttosupwithmysister—in—law，whowasextremelygladtoseeme。Butallthroughsupper—timethischarmingwomandidnothingbutcomplainofherhusband，sayingthathehadnobusinesstomarryher，knowingthathecouldnotshewhimselfaman。

"Whydidyounotmakethetrialbeforeyoumarried？"

"Wasitformetoproposesuchathing？HowshouldIsupposethatsuchafinemanwasimpotent？ButIwilltellyouhowitallhappened。Asyouknow，IwasadancerattheComedieItalienne，andIwasthemistressofM。deSauci，theecclesiasticalcommissioner。Hebroughtyourbrothertomyhouse，Ilikedhim，andbeforelongIsawthathelovedme。Myloveradvisedmethatitwasanopportunityforgettingmarriedandmakingmyfortune。

WiththisideaIconceivedtheplanofnotgrantinghimanyfavours。Heusedtocomeandseemeinthemorning，andoftenfoundmeinbed；wetalkedtogether，andhispassionsseemedtobearoused，butitallendedinkissing。Onmypart，Iwaswaitingforaformaldeclarationandaproposalofmarriage。Atthatperiod，M。deSaucisettledanannuityofathousandcrownsonmeontheconditionthatIleftthestage。

"InthespringM。deSauciinvitedyourbrothertospendamonthinhiscountryhouse。Iwasoftheparty，butforpropriety’ssakeitwasagreedthatIshouldpassasyourbrother’swife。

Casanovaenjoyedtheidea，lookinguponitasajest，andnotthinkingoftheconsequences。Iwasthereforeintroducedashiswifetomylover’sfamily，asalsotohisrelations，whowerejudges，officers，andmenabouttown，andtotheirwives，whowereallwomenoffashion。Yourbrotherwasinhighgleethattoplayourpartsproperlywewereobligedtosleeptogether。Formypart，Iwasfarfromdislikingtheidea，oratalleventsIlookeduponitasashortcuttothemarriageIdesired。

"ButhowcanItellyou？Thoughtenderandaffectionateineverything，yourbrothersleptwithmeforamonthwithoutourattainingwhatseemedthenaturalresultunderthecircumstances。"

"Youmighthaveconcluded，then，thathewasimpotent；forunlessheweremadeofstone，orhadtakenavowofchastity，hisconductwasinexplicable。"

"Thefactis，thatIhadnomeansofknowingwhetherhewascapableorincapableofgivingmesubstantialproofofhislove。"

"Whydidyounotascertainhisconditionforyourself？"

"Afeelingoffoolishpridepreventedmefromputtinghimtothetest。Ididnotsuspectthetruth，butimaginedreasonsflatteringtomyself。IthoughtthathelovedmesotrulythathewouldnotdoanythingbeforeIwashiswife。Thatideapreventedmehumiliatingmyselfbymakinghimgivemesomepositiveproofofhispowers。"

"Thatsuppositionwouldhavebeentenable，thoughhighlyimprobable，ifyouhadbeenaninnocentyoungmaid，butheknewperfectlywellthatyournovitiatewaslongover。"

"Verytrue；butwhatcanyouexpectofawomanimpelledbyloveandvanity？"

"Yourreasoningisexcellent，butitcomesratherlate。""Well，atlastwewentbacktoParis，yourbrothertohishouse，andItomine，whilehecontinuedhiscourtship，andIcouldnotunderstandwhathemeantbysuchstrangebehaviour。M。deSauci，whoknewthatnothingserioushadtakenplacebetweenus，triedinvaintosolvetheenigma。’Nodoubtheisafraidofgettingyouwithchild，’hesaid，’andofthusbeingobligedtomarryyou。’Ibegantobeofthesameopinion，butIthoughtitastrangelineforamaninlovetotake。

"M。deNesle，anofficerintheFrenchGuards，whohadaprettywifeIhadmetinthecountry，wenttoyourbrother’stocallonme。Notfindingmethereheaskedwhywedidnotlivetogether。

Yourbrotherrepliedopenlythatourmarriagehadbeenamerejest。M。deNeslethencametometoenquireifthiswerethetruth，andwhenheheardthatitwasheaskedmehowIwouldlikehimtomakeCasanovamarryme。IansweredthatIshouldbedelighted，andthatwasenoughforhim。Hewentagaintoyourbrother，andtoldhimthathiswifewouldneverhaveassociatedwithmeonequaltermsifIhadnotbeenintroducedtoherasamarriedwoman；thatthedeceitwasaninsulttoallthecompanyatthecountry—house，whichmustbewipedoutbyhismarryingmewithintheweekorbyfightingaduel。M。deNesleaddedthatifhefellhewouldbeavengedbyallthegentlemenwhohadbeenoffendedinthesameway。Casanovareplied，laughing，thatsofarfromfightingtoescapemarryingme，hewasreadytobreakalancetogetme。’Iloveher，’hesaid，’andifshelovesmeIamquitereadytogivehermyhand。Bekindenough，’headded，’topreparethewayforme，andIwillmarryherwheneveryoulike。’

"M。deNesleembracedhim，andpromisedtoseetoeverything；hebroughtmethejoyfulnews，andinaweekallwasover。M。deNeslegaveusasplendidsupperonourwedding—day，andsincethenIhavehadthetitleofhiswife。Itisanemptytitle，however，for，despitetheceremonyandthefatalyes，Iamnowife，foryourbrotheriscompletelyimpotent。Iamanunhappywretch，anditisallhisfault，forheoughttohaveknownhisowncondition。

Hehasdeceivedmehorribly。"

"Buthewasobligedtoactashedid；heismoretobepitiedthantobeblamed。Ialsopityyou，butIthinkyouareinthewrong，forafterhissleepingwithyouforamonthwithoutgivinganyproofofhismanhoodyoumighthaveguessedthetruth。Evenifyouhadbeenaperfectnovice，M。deSaucioughttohaveknownwhatwasthematter；hemustbeawarethatitisbeyondthepowerofmantosleepbesideaprettywoman，andtopresshernakedbodytohisbreastwithoutbecoming，inspiteofhimself，inastatewhichwouldadmitofnoconcealment；thatis，incasehewerenotimpotent。"

"Allthatseemsveryreasonable，butneverthelessneitherofusthoughtofit；yourbrotherlookssuchaHercules。"

"Therearetworemediesopentoyou；youcaneitherhaveyourmarriageannulled，oryoucantakealover；andIamsurethatmybrotheristooreasonableamantoofferanyoppositiontothelattercourse。"

"Iamperfectlyfree，butIcanneitheravailmyselfofadivorcenorofalover；forthewretchtreatsmesokindlythatIlovehimmoreandmore，whichdoubtlessmakesmymisfortunehardertobear。"

ThepoorwomanwassounhappythatIshouldhavebeendelightedtoconsoleher，butitwasoutofthequestion。However，themeretellingofherstoryhadaffordedhersomesolace，andafterkissingherinsuchawayastoconvinceherthatIwasnotlikemybrother，Iwishedhergoodnight。

ThenextdayIcalledonMadameVanloo，whoinformedmethatMadameBlondelhadchargedhertothankmeforhavinggoneaway，whileherhusbandwishedmetoknowthathewassorrynottohaveseenmetoexpresshisgratitude。

"Heseemstohavefoundhiswifeamaid，butthat’snofaultofmine；andManonBalettiistheonlypersonheoughttobegratefulto。Theytellmethathehasaprettybaby，andthathelivesattheLouvre，whileshehasanotherhouseintheRueNeuve—des—

Petits—Champs。"

"Yes，buthehassupperwithhereveryevening。"

"It’sanoddwayofliving。"

"Iassureyouitanswerscapitally。Blondelregardshiswifeashismistress。Hesaysthatthatkeepstheflameoflovealight，andthatasheneverhadamistressworthyofbeingawife，heisdelightedtohaveawifeworthyofbeingamistress。"

ThenextdayIdevotedentirelytoMadamedeRumain，andwewereoccupiedwithknottyquestionstilltheevening。Ileftherwellpleased。Themarriageofherdaughter，Mdlle。Cotenfau，withM。

dePolignac，whichtookplacefiveorsixyearslater，wastheresultofourcabalisticcalculations。

Thefairstocking—selleroftheRuedesProuveres，whomIhadlovedsowell，wasnolongerinParis。ShehadgoneoffwithaM。

deLanglade，andherhusbandwasinconsolable。Camillewasill。

CorallinehadbecomethetitularymistressoftheComtedelaMarche，sonofthePrinceofConti，andtheissueofthisunionwasason，whomIknewtwentyyearslater。HecalledhimselftheChevalierdeMontreal，andworethecrossoftheKnightsofMalta。

SeveralothergirlsIhadknownwerewidowedandinthecountry，orhadbecomeinaccessibleinotherways。

SuchwastheParisofmyday。Theactorsonitsstagechangedasrapidlyasthefashions。

IdevotedawholedaytomyoldfriendBaletti，whohadleftthetheatreandmarriedaprettyballet—girlonthedeathofhisfather；hewasmakingexperimentswithaviewtofindingthephilosopher’sstone。

IwasagreeablysurprisedatmeetingthepoetPoinsinetattheComedicFrancaise。Heembracedmeagainandagain，andtoldmethatM。duTillothadoverwhelmedhimwithkindnessatParma。

"Hewouldnotgetmeanythingtodo，"saidPoinsinet，"becauseaFrenchpoetisratheratadiscountinItaly。"

"HaveyouheardanythingofLordLismore？"

"Yes，hewrotetohismotherfromLeghorn，tellingherthathewasgoingtotheIndies，andthatifyouhadnotbeengoodenoughtogivehimathousandLouishewouldhavebeenaprisoneratRome。"

"Hisfateinterestsmeextremely，andIshouldbegladtocallonhislady—motherwithyou。"

"IwilltellherthatyouareinParis，andIamsurethatshewillinviteyoutosupper，forshehasthegreatestdesiretotalktoyou。"

"Howareyougettingonhere？AreyoustillcontenttoserveApollo？"

"Heisnotthegodofwealthbyanymeans。Ihavenomoneyandnoroom，andIshallbegladofasupper，ifyouwillaskme。Iwillreadyoumyplay，the’Cercle’，whichhasbeenaccepted。Iamsureitwillbesuccessful？"

The’Cercle’wasashortproseplay，inwhichthepoetsatirisedthejargonofDr。Herrenschwand，brotherofthedoctorIhadconsultedatSoleure。Theplayprovedtobeagreatsuccess。

ItookPoinsinethometosupper，andthepoornurslingofthemusesateforfour。InthemorninghecametotellmethattheCountessofLismoreexpectedmetosupper。

Ifoundthelady，stillpretty，incompanywithheragedlover，M。

deSt。Albin，ArchbishopofCambrai，whospentalltherevenuesofhisseeonher。ThisworthyprelatewasoneoftheillegitimatechildrenoftheDucd’Orleans，thefamousRegent，byanactress。

Hesuppedwithus，butheonlyopenedhismouthtoeat，andhismistressonlyspokeofherson，whosetalentsshelaudedtotheskies，thoughhewasinrealityamerescamp；butIfeltindutyboundtoechowhatshesaid。Itwouldhavebeencrueltocontradicther。IpromisedtoletherknowifIsawanythingmoreofhim。

Poinsinet，whowashearthlessandhomeless，astheysay，spentthenightinmyroom，andinthemorningIgavehimtwocupsofchocolateandsomemoneywherewithtogetalodging。Ineversawhimagain，andafewyearsafterhewasdrowned，notinthefountainofHippocrene，butintheGuadalquivir。HetoldmethathehadspentaweekwithM。deVoltaire，andthathehadhastenedhisreturntoParistoobtainthereleaseoftheAbbeMorelletfromtheBastile。

IhadnothingmoretodoatParis，andIwasonlywaitingforsomeclothestobemadeandforacrossoftheorder，withwhichtheHolyFatherhaddecoratedme，tobesetwithdiamondsandrubies。

Ihadwaitedforfiveorsixdayswhenanunfortunateincidentobligedmetotakeahastydeparture。Iamlothtowritewhatfollows，foritwasallmyownfaultthatIwasnearlylosingmylifeandmyhonour。Ipitythosesimpletonswhoblamefortuneandnotthemselvesfortheirmisfortunes。

IwaswalkingintheTuileriesatteno’clockinthemorning，whenIwasunluckyenoughtomeettheDangenancourandanothergirl。

ThisDangenancourwasadancerattheopera—house，whomIhaddesiredtomeetpreviouslytomylastdeparturefromParis。I

congratulatedmyselfontheluckychancewhichthrewherinmyway，andaccostedher，andhadnotmuchtroubleininducinghertodinewithmeatChoisi。

WewalkedtowardsthePont—Royal，wherewetookacoach。Afterdinnerhadbeenorderedweweretakingaturninthegarden，whenIsawacarriagestopandtwoadventurerswhomIknewgettingoutofit，withtwogirls，friendsoftheonesIhadwithme。Thewretchedlandlady，whowasstandingatthedoor，saidthatifwelikedtositdowntogethershecouldgiveusanexcellentdinner，andIsaidnothing，orratherIassentedtotheyesofmytwonymphs。Thedinnerwasexcellent，andafterthebillwaspaid，andwewereonthepointofreturningtoParis，Inoticedthataring，whichIhadtakenofftoshewtooneoftheadventurersnamedSantis，wasstillmissing。Itwasanexceedinglyprettyminiature，andthediamondsettinghadcostmetwenty—fiveLouis。

IpolitelybeggedSantistoreturnmethering，andherepliedwiththeutmostcoolnessthathehaddonesoalready。

"Ifyouhadreturnedit，"saidI，"itwouldbeonmyfinger，andyouseethatitisnot。"

Hepersistedinhisassertion；thegirlssaidnothing，butSantis’sfriend，aPortuguese，namedXavier，daredtotellmethathehadseentheringreturned。

"You’realiar，"Iexclaimed；andwithoutmoreadoItookholdofSantisbythecollar，andsworeIwouldrotlethimgotillhereturnedmemyring。ThePortugueserosetocometohisfriend’srescue，whileIsteppedbackanddrewmysword，repeatingmydeterminationnottoletthemgo。Thelandladycameonthesceneandbegantoshriek，andSantisaskedmetogivehimafewwordsapart。Ithoughtinallgoodfaiththathewasashamedtorestoretheringbeforecompany，butthathewouldgiveitmeassoonaswewerealone。Isheathedmysword，andtoldhimtocomewithme。

Xaviergotintothecarriagewiththefourgirls，andtheyallwentbacktoParis。

Santisfollowedmetothebackoftheinn，andthenassumingapleasantsmilehetoldmethathehadputtheringintohisfriend’spocketforajoke，butthatIshouldhaveitbackatParis。

"That’sanidletale，"Iexclaimed，"yourfriendsaidthathesawyoureturnit，andnowhehasescapedme。DoyouthinkthatIamgreenenoughtobetakeninbythissortofthing？You’reacoupleofrobbers。"

Sosaying，Istretchedoutmyhandforhiswatch—chain，buthesteppedbackanddrewhissword。Idrewmine，andwehadscarcelycrossedswordswhenhethrust，andIparryingrushedinandranhimthroughandthrough。Hefelltothegroundcalling，"Help！"I

sheathedmysword，and，withouttroublingmyselfabouthim，gotintomycoachanddrovebacktoParis。

IgotdowninthePlaceMaubert，andwalkedbyacircuitouswaytomyhotel。Iwassurethatnoonecouldhavecomeaftermethere，asmylandlorddidnotevenknowmyname。

Ispenttherestofthedayinpackingupmytrunks，andaftertellingCostatoplacethemonmycarriageIwenttoMadamed’Urfe。AfterIhadtoldherofwhathadhappened，Ibeggedher，assoonasthatwhichshehadformewasready，tosendittomeatAugsburgbyCosta。Ishouldhavetoldhertoentrustittooneofherownservants，butmygoodgeniushadleftmethatday。

BesidesIdidnotlookuponCostaasathief。

WhenIgotbacktothehotelIgavetherascalhisinstructions，tellinghimtobequickandtokeephisowncounsel，andthenI

gavehimmoneyforthejourney。

IleftParisinmycarriage，drawnbyfourhiredhorses，whichtookmeasfarasthesecondpost，andIdidnotstoptillIgottoStrasburg，whereIfoundDesarmoisesandmySpaniard。

TherewasnothingtokeepmeinStrasburg，soIwantedtocrosstheRhineimmediately；butDesarmoisespersuadedmetocomewithhimtoseeanextremelyprettywomanwhohadonlydelayedherdepartureforAugsburginthehopethatwemightjourneytheretogether。

"Youknowthelady，"saidthefalsemarquis，"butshemademegivemywordofhonourthatIwouldnottellyou。Shehasonlyhermaidwithher，andIamsureyouwillbepleasedtoseeher。"

Mycuriositymademegivein。IfollowedDesarmoises，andcameintoaroomwhereIsawanice—lookingwomanwhomIdidnotrecognizeatfirst。Icollectedmythoughts，andtheladyturnedouttobeadancerwhomIhadadmiredontheDresdenboardseightyearsbefore。ShewasthenmistresstoCountBruhl，butIhadnotevenattemptedtowinherfavour。Shehadanexcellentcarriage，andasshewasreadytogotoAugsburgIimmediatelyconcludedthatwecouldmakethejourneytogetherverypleasantly。

Aftertheusualcomplimentshadpassed，wedecidedonleavingforAugsburgthefollowingmorning。TheladywasgoingtoMunich，butasIhadnobusinessthereweagreedthatsheshouldgobyherself。

"Iamquitesure，"shesaid，afterwards，"thatyouwillcometoo，fortheambassadorsdonotassembleatAugsburgtillnextSeptember。"

Wesuppedtogether，andnextmorningwestartedonourway；sheinhercarriagewithhermaid，andIinminewithDesarmoises，precededbyLeDuconhorseback。AtRastadt，however，wemadeachange，theRenaud（asshewascalled）thinkingthatshewouldgivelessopportunityforcurioussurmisesbyridingwithmewhileDesarmoiseswentwiththeservant。Wesoonbecameintimate。Shetoldmeaboutherself，orpretendedto，andItoldherallthatI

didnotwanttoconceal。IinformedherthatIwasanagentoftheCourtofLisbon，andshebelievedme，while，formypart，I

believedthatshewasonlygoingtoMunichandAugsburgtosellherdiamonds。

WebegantotalkaboutDesarmoises，andshesaidthatitwaswellenoughformetoassociatewithhim，butIshouldnotcountenancehisstylinghimselfmarquis。

"But，"saidI，"heisthesonoftheMarquisDesarmoises，ofNancy。"

"No，heisn’t；heisonlyaretiredmessenger，withasmallpensionfromthedepartmentofforeignaffairs。IknowtheMarquisDesarmoises；helivesatNancy，andisnotsooldasourfriend。"

"Thenonecan’tseehowhecanbeDesarmoises’sfather。"

"ThelandlordoftheinnatStrasburgknewhimwhenhewasamessenger。"

"Howdidyoumakehisacquaintance？"

"Wemetatthetabled’hote。Afterdinnerhecameuptomyroom，andtoldmehewaswaitingforagentlemanwhowasgoingtoAugsburg，andthatwemightmakethejourneytogether。Hetoldmethename，andafterquestioninghimIconcludedthatthegentlemanwasyourself，sohereweare，andIamverygladofit。Butlistentome；Iadviseyoutodropallfalsestylesandtitles。

WhydoyoucallyourselfSeingalt？"

"Becauseit’smyname，butthatdoesn’tpreventmyoldfriendscallingmeCasanova，forIamboth。Youunderstand？"

"Oh，yes！Iunderstand。YourmotherisatPrague，andasshedoesn’tgetherpensiononaccountofthewar，Iamafraidshemustberatherindifficulties。"

"Iknowit，butIdonotforgetmyfilialduties。Ihavesenthersomemoney。"

"That’sright。WhereareyougoingtostayatAugsburg？"

"Ishalltakeahouse，andifyoulikeyoushallbethemistressanddothehonours。"

"Thatwouldbedelightful！Wewillgivelittlesuppers，andplaycardsallnight。"

"Yourprogrammeisanexcellentone。"

"Iwillseethatyougetagoodcook；alltheBavariancooksaregood。Weshallcutafinefigure，andpeoplewillsayweloveeachothermadly。"

"Youmustknow，dearest，thatIdonotunderstandjokesattheexpenseoffidelity。"

"Youmaytrustmeforthat。YouknowhowIlivedatDresden。"

"Iwilltrustyou，butnotblindly，Ipromiseyou。Andnowletusaddresseachotherinthesameway；youmustcallmetu。Youmustrememberwearelovers。"

"Kissme！"

ThefairRenauddidnotliketravelingbynight；shepreferredtoeatagoodsupper，todrinkheavily，andtogotobedjustasherheadbegantowhirl。TheheatofthewinemadeherintoaBacchante，hardtoappease；butwhenIcoulddonomoreItoldhertoleavemealone，andshehadtoobey。

WhenwereachedAugsburgwealightedatthe"ThreeMoors，"butthelandlordtoldusthatthoughhecouldgiveusagooddinnerhecouldnotputusup，asthewholeofthehotelhadbeenengagedbytheFrenchambassador。IcalledonM。Corti，thebankertowhomI

wasaccredited，andhesoongotmeafurnishedhousewithagarden，whichItookforsixmonths。TheRenaudlikeditimmensely。

NoonehadyetarrivedatAugsburg。TheRenaudcontrivedtomakemefeelthatIshouldbelonelyatAugsburgwithouther，andsucceededinp