第85章

SuchwastheinfamouscompanyinwhichIfoundmyself，andthoughI

tookitsmeasuredirectly，yetIdidnotmakemyescape，nordidI

resolvenevertogotothehouseagain。Iwasfascinated；IthoughtIwouldbeonmyguardandbesafe，andasIonlywantedthedaughterIlookedonallelseasoflittlemoment。

AttableIledtheconversation，andthoughtthatmypreywouldsoonbewithinmygrasp。TheonlythingwhichannoyedmewasthattheCharpillon，afterapologizingforhavingmademesitdowntosuchapoordinner，invitedherselfandallthecompanytosupwithmeonanydayIlikedtomention。Icouldmakenoopposition，soIbeggedhertonamethedayherself，andshedidso，afteraconsultationwithherworthyfriends。

Aftercoffeehadbeenservedweplayedfourrubbersofwhist，atwhichIlost，andatmidnightIwentawayillpleasedwithmyself，butwithnopurposeofamendment，forthissorceresshadgotmeinhertoils。

AllthesameIhadthestrengthofmindtorefrainfromseeingherfortwodays，andonthethird，whichwasthedayappointedforthecursedsupper，sheandherauntpaidmeacallatnineo’clockinthemorning。

"Ihavecometobreakfastwithyou，andtodiscussacertainquestion，"saidshe，inthemostengagingmanner。

"Willyoutellmeyourbusinessnow，orafterbreakfast？"

"Afterbreakfast；forwemustbealone。"

Wehadourbreakfast，andthentheauntwentintoanotherroom，andtheCharpillon，afterdescribingthemonetarysituationofthefamily，toldmethatitwouldbemuchrelievedifherauntcouldobtainahundredguineas。

"Whatwouldshedowiththemoney？"

"ShewouldmaketheBalmofLife，ofwhichshepossessesthesecret，andnodoubtshewouldmakeherfortune，too。"

Shethenbegantodilateonthemarvellouspropertiesofthebalm，onitsprobablesuccessinatownlikeLondon，andonthebenefitswhichwouldaccruetomyself，forofcourseIshouldshareintheprofits。

Sheaddedthathermotherandauntwouldgivemeawrittenpromisetorepaythemoneyinthecourseofsixyears。

"Iwillgiveyouadecidedansweraftersupper。"

Ithenbegantocaressher，andtomakeassaultsinthestyleofanamorousman，butitwasallinvain，thoughIsucceededinstretchingheronalargesofa。Shemadeherescape，however，andrantoheraunt，whileIfollowedher，feelingobligedtolaughasshedid。Shegavemeherhand，andsaid，——

"Farewell，tillthisevening。"

Whentheyweregone，Ireflectedoverwhathadpassedandthoughtthisfirstsceneofnobadaugury。IsawthatIshouldgetnothingoutofherwithoutspendingahundredguineas，andIdeterminednottoattempttobargain，butIwouldletherunderstandthatshemustmakeuphermindnottoplayprude。Thegamewasinmyhands，andallIhadtodowastotakecarenottobeduped。

Intheeveningthecompanyarrived，andthegirlaskedmetoholdabanktillsupperwasready；butIdeclined，withaburstoflaughterthatseemedtopuzzleher。

"Atleast，letushaveagameofwhist，"saidshe。

"Itseemstome，"Ianswered，"thatyoudon’tfeelveryanxioustohearmyreply。"

"Youhavemadeupyourmind，Isuppose？"

"Ihave，followme。"

Shefollowedmeintoanadjoiningroom，andaftershehadseatedherselfonasofa，Itoldherthatthehundredguineaswereatherdisposal。

"Thenpleasetogivethemoneytomyaunt，otherwisethesegentlemenmightthinkIgotitfromyoubysomeimpropermeans。"

"Iwilldoso。"

Itriedtogetpossessionofher，butinvain；andIceasedmyendeavourswhenshesaid，——

"Youwillgetnothingfrommeeitherbymoneyorviolence；butyoucanhopeforallwhenIfindyoureallyniceandquiet。"

Ire—enteredthedrawing—room，andfeelingmybloodboilingIbegantoplaytoquietmyself。Shewasasgayasever，buthergaietytiredme。AtsupperIhadheronmyrighthand，butthehundredimpertinenceswhich，underothercircumstances，wouldhaveamusedme，onlyweariedme，afterthetworebuffsIhadreceivedfromher。

Aftersupper，justastheyweregoing，shetookmeaside，andtoldmethatifIwantedtohandoverthehundredguineasshewouldtellheraunttogowithmeintothenextroom。

"Asdocumentshavetobeexecuted，"Ireplied，"itwilltakesometime；wewilltalkofitagain。

"Won’tyoufixthetime？"

Idrewoutmypursefullofgold，andshewedither，saying，——

"Thetimedependsentirelyonyou。"

Whenmyhatefulguestsweregone，Ibegantoreflect，andcametotheconclusionthatthisyoungadventuresshaddeterminedtoplundermewithoutgivingmeanythinginreturn。Ideterminedtohavenothingmoretodowithher，butIcouldnotgetherbeautyoutofmymind。

IfeltIwantedsomedistraction，somethingthatwouldgivemenewaimsandmakemeforgether。WiththisideaIwenttoseemydaughter，takingwithmeanimmensebagofsweets。

AssoonasIwasinthemidstofthelittleflock，thedelightbecamegeneral，Sophiedistributingthesweetmeatstoherfriends，whoreceivedthemgratefully。

Ispentahappyday，andforaweekortwoIpaidseveralvisitstoHarwich。Themistresstreatedmewiththeutmostpolitenessandmydaughterwithboundlessaffection，alwayscallingme"dearpapa。"

InlessthanthreeweeksIcongratulatedmyselfonhavingforgottentheCharpillon，andonhavingreplacedherbyinnocentamours，thoughoneofmydaughter’sschoolmatespleasedmerathertoomuchformypeaceofmind。

SuchwasmyconditionwhenonemorningthefavouriteauntoftheCharpillonpaidmeacall，andsaidthattheywereallmystifiedatnothavingseenmesincethesupperIhadgiventhem，especiallyherself，asherniecehadgivenhertounderstandthatIwouldfurnishherwiththemeansofmakingtheBalmofLife。

"Certainly；Iwouldhavegivenyouthehundredguineasifyourniecehadtreatedmeasafriend，butsherefusedmefavoursavestalmighthavegranted，andyoumustbeawarethatsheisbynomeansavestal。"

"Don’tmindmylaughing。Mynieceisaninnocent，giddygirl；shelovesyou，butsheisafraidyouhaveonlyapassingwhimforher。

Sheisinbednowwithabadcold，andifyouwillcomeandseeherI

amsureyouwillbesatisfied。"

Theseartfulremarks，whichhadnodoubtbeenpreparedinadvance，oughttohavearousedallmyscorn，butinsteadofthattheyawakenedthemostviolentdesires。Ilaughedinchoruswiththeoldwoman，andaskedwhatwouldbethebesttimetocall。

"Comenow，andgiveoneknock。"

"Verygood，thenyoumayexpectmeshortly。"

Icongratulatedmyselfonbeingonthevergeofsuccess，foraftertheexplanationIhadhadwiththeaunt，andhaving，asIthought，afriendinher，IdidnotdoubtthatIshouldsucceed。

Iputonmygreatcoat，andinlessthanaquarterofanhourI

knockedattheirdoor。Theauntopenedtome，andsaid，——

"Comebackinaquarterofanhour；shehasbeenorderedabath，andisjustgoingtotakeit。"

"Thisisanotherimposture。You’reasbadaliarassheis。"

"Youarecruelandunjust，andifyouwillpromisetobediscreet，I

willtakeyouuptothethirdfloorwheresheisbathing。"

"Verygood；takeme。"Shewentupstairs，Ifollowingontiptoe，andpushedmeintoaroom，andshutthedooruponme。TheCharpillonwasinahugebath，withherheadtowardsthedoor，andtheinfernalcoquette，pretendingtothinkitwasheraunt，didnotmove，andsaid，——

"Givemethetowels，aunt。"

Shewasinthemostseductiveposture，andIhadthepleasureofgazingonherexquisiteproportions，hardlyveiledbythewater。

Whenshecaughtsightofme，orratherpretendedtodoso，shegaveashriek，huddledherlimbstogether，andsaid，withaffectedanger，——

"Begone！"

"Youneedn’texertyourvoice，forIamnotgoingtobeduped。"

"Begone！"

"Notso，givemealittletimetocollectmyself。"

"Itellyou，go！"

"Calmyourself，anddon’tbeafraidofmyskewingyouanyviolence；

thatwouldsuityourgametoowell。"

"Myauntshallpaydearlyforthis。"

"Shewillfindmeherfriend。Iwon’ttouchyou，soshewmealittlemoreofyourcharms。"

"Moreofmycharms？"

"Yes；putyourselfasyouwerewhenIcamein。"

"Certainlynot。Leavetheroom。"

"IhavetoldyouIamnotgoing，andthatyouneednotfearforyour……well，foryourvirginity，wewillsay。"

Shethenshewedmeapicturemoreseductivethanthefirst，andpretendingkindliness，said，——

"Please，leaveme；Iwillnotfailtoshewmygratitude。"

Seeingthatshegotnothing，thatIrefrainedfromtouchingher，andthatthefireshehadkindledwasinafairwaytobeputout，sheturnedherbacktometogivemetounderstandthatitwasnopleasuretohertolookatme。However，mypassionswererunninghigh，andIhadtohaverecoursetoself—abusetocalmmysenses，andwasgladtofindmyselfrelieved，asthisprovedtomethatthedesirewentnodeeperthanthesenses。

TheauntcameinjustasIhadfinished，andIwentoutwithoutaword，wellpleasedtofindmyselfdespisingacharacterwhereinprofitandlossusurpedtheplaceoffeeling。

TheauntcametomeasIwasgoingoutofthehouse，andafterenquiringifIweresatisfiedbeggedmetocomeintotheparlour。

"Yes，"saidI，"Iamperfectlysatisfiedtoknowyouandyourniece。

Hereisthereward。"

WiththesewordsIdrewabank—noteforahundredpoundsfrommypocket—book，andwasfoolishenoughtogiveither，tellingherthatshecouldmakeherbalm，andneednottroubletogivemeanydocumentasIknewifwouldbeofnovalue。Ihadnotthestrengthtogoawaywithoutgivingheranything，andtheprocuresswassharpenoughtoknowit。

WhenIgothomeIreflectedonwhathadhappened，andpronouncedmyselftheconquerorwithgreattriumph。Ifeltwellatease，andfeltsurethatIshouldneversetfootinthathouseagain。Thereweresevenofthemaltogether，includingservants，andtheneedofsubsistingmadethemdoanythingforaliving；andwhentheyfoundthemselvesobligedtomakeuseofmen，theysummonedthethreerascalsIhavenamed，whowereequallydependentonthem。

Fiveorsixdaysafterwards，ImetthelittlehussyatVauxhallincompanywithGoudar。Iavoidedheratfirst，butshecameuptomereproachingmeformyrudeness。Irepliedcoollyenough，butaffectingnottonoticemymanner，sheaskedmetocomeintoanarbourwithherandtakeacupoftea。

"No，thankyou，"Ireplied，"Iprefersupper。"

"ThenIwilltakesometoo，andyouwillgiveitme，won’tyou，justtoshewthatyoubearnomalice？"

Iorderedsupperforfourandwesatdowntogetherasifwehadbeenintimatefriends。

Hercharmingconversationcombinedwithherbeautygraduallydrewmeunderhercharm，andasthedrinkbegantoexerciseitsinfluenceoverme，Iproposedaturninoneofthedarkwalks，expressingahopethatIshouldfarebetterthanLordPembroke。Shesaidgently，andwithanappearanceofsinceritythatdeceivedme，thatshewantedtobemine，butbydayandontheconditionthatIwouldcomeandseehereveryday。

"Iwilldoso，butfirstgivemeonelittleproofofyourlove。"

"Mostcertainlynot。"

Igotuptopaythebill，andthenIleftwithoutaword，refusingtotakeherhome。Iwenthomebymyselfandwenttobed。

ThefirstthoughtwhenIawokewasthatIwasgladshehadnottakenmeatmyword；Ifeltverystronglythatitwastomyinteresttobreakoffallconnectionbetweenthatcreatureandmyself。Ifeltthestrengthofherinfluenceoverme，andthatmyonlywaywastokeepawayfromher，ortorenounceallpretensiontothepossessionofhercharms。

Thelatterplanseemedtomeimpossible，soIdeterminedtoadheretothefirst；butthewretchedwomanhadresolvedtodefeatallmyplans。Themannerinwhichshesucceededmusthavebeentheresultofacouncilofthewholesociety。

AfewdaysaftertheVauxhallsupperGoudarcalledonme，andbeganbycongratulatingmeonmyresolutionnottovisittheAnsperghersanymore，"for，"saidhe，"thegirlwouldhavemadeyoumoreandmoreinlovewithher，andintheendshewouldhaveseducedyoutobeggary。"

"Youmustthinkmeagreatfool。IfIhadfoundherkindIshouldhavebeengrateful，butwithoutsquanderingallmymoney；andifshehadbeencruel，insteadofridiculous，ImighthavegivenherwhatI

havealreadygivenhereveryday，withoutreducingmyselftobeggary。"

"Icongratulateyou；itshewsthatyouarewelloff。Buthaveyoumadeupyourmindnottoseeheragain？"

"Certainly。"

"Thenyouarenotinlovewithher？"

"Ihavebeeninlove，butIamsonolonger；andinafewdaysshewillhavepassedcompletelyoutofmymemory。IhadalmostforgottenherwhenImetherwithyouatVauxhall。"

"Youarenotcured。Thewaytobecuredofanamourdoesnotlieinflight，whenthetwopartiesliveinthesametown。Meetingswillhappen，andallthetroublehastobetakenoveragain。"

"Thendoyouknowabetterway？"

"Certainly；youshouldsatiateyourself。Itisquitepossiblethatthecreatureisnotinlovewithyou，butyouarerichandshehasnothing。Youmighthavehadherforsomuch，andyoucouldhaveleftherwhenyoufoundhertobeunworthyofyourconstancy。Youmustknowwhatkindofawomansheis。"

"Ishouldhavetriedthismethodgladly，butIfoundherout。"

"Youcouldhavegotthebestofher，though，ifyouhadgonetoworkintheproperway。Youshouldneverhavepaidinadvance。Iknoweverything。"

"Whatdoyoumean？"

"Iknowshehascostyouahundredguineas，andthatyouhavenotwonsomuchasakissfromher。Why，mydearsir，youmighthavehadhercomfortablyinyourownbedforasmuch！Sheboaststhatshetookyouin，thoughyouprideyourselfonyourcraft。"

"Itwasanactofcharitytowardsheraunt。"

"Yes，tomakeherBalmofLife；butyouknowifithadnotbeenfortheniecetheauntwouldneverhavehadthemoney。"

"Perhapsnot，buthowcomeyouwhoareoftheirpartytobetalkingtomeinthisfashion？"

"IsweartoyouIonlyspeakoutoffriendshipforyou，andIwilltellyouhowIcametomaketheacquaintanceofthegirl，hermother，hergrandmotherandhertwoaunts，andthenyouwillnolongerconsidermeasoftheirparty。

"SixteenmonthsagoIsawM。MorosiniwalkingaboutVauxhallbyhimself。HehadjustcometoEnglandtocongratulatethekingonhisaccessiontothethrone，onbehalfoftheRepublicofVenice。IsawhowenchantedhewaswiththeLondonbeauties，andIwentuptohimandtoldhimthatallthesebeautieswereathisservice。Thismadehimlaugh，andonmyrepeatingthatitwasnotajesthepointedoutoneofthegirls，andaskedifshewouldbeathisservice。Ididnotknowher，soIaskedhimtowaitawhile，andIwouldbringhimtheinformationherequired。Therewasnotimetobelost，andI

couldseethatthegirlwasnotavestalvirgin，soIwentuptoherandtoldherthattheVenetianambassadorwasamorousofher，andthatIwouldtakehertohimifshewouldreceivehisvisits。Theauntsaidthatanoblemanofsuchanexaltedrankcouldonlybringhonourtoherniece。Itooktheiraddress，andonmywaybacktotheambassadorImetafriendofminewhoislearnedinsuchcommodities，andafterIhadshewedhimtheaddresshetoldmeitwastheCharpillon。"

"Anditwasshe？"

"Itwas。MyfriendtoldmeshewasayoungSwissgirlwhowasnotyetinthegeneralmarket，butwhowouldsoonbethere，asshewasnotrich，andhadanumeroustraintosupport。

"IrejoinedtheVenetian，andtoldhimthathisbusinesswasdone，andaskedhimatwhattimeIshouldintroducehimthenextday，warninghimthatasshehadamotherandauntsshewouldnotbealone。

"’Iamgladtohearit，’saidhe，’andalsothatsheisnotacommonwoman。’Hegavemeanappointmentforthenextday，andweparted。

"ItoldtheladiesatwhathourIshouldhavethepleasureofintroducingthegreatmantothem，andafterwarningthemthattheymustappearnottoknowhimIwenthome。

"ThefollowingdayIcalledonM。deMorosini，andtookhimtoDenmarkStreetincognito。Wespentanhourinconversation，andthenwentawaywithoutanythingbeingsettled。Onthewaybacktheambassadortoldmethatheshouldliketohavethegirlonconditionswhichhewouldgivemeinwritingathisresidence。

"Theseconditionswerethatsheshouldliveinafurnishedhousefreeofrent，withoutanycompanion，andwithoutreceivinganyvisitors。

Hisexcellencywouldgiveherfiftyguineasamonth，andpayforsupperwheneverhecameandspentthenightwithher。Hetoldmetogetthehouseifhisconditionswerereceived。Themotherwastosigntheagreement。

"Theambassadorwasinahurry，andinthreedaystheagreementwassigned；butIobtainedadocumentfromthemotherpromisingtoletmehavethegirlforonenightassoonastheVenetianhadgone；itwasknownhewasonlystoppinginLondonforayear。"

Goudarextractedthedocumentinquestionfromhispocket，andgaveittome。Ireaditandre—readitwithasmuchsurpriseaspleasure，andhethenproceededwithhisstory。

"Whentheambassadorhadgone，theCharpillon，findingherselfatlibertyoncemore，hadLordBaltimore，LordGrosvenor，andM。deSaa，thePortugueseambassador，inturn，butnotitularlover。Iinsistedonhavingmynightwithheraccordingtoagreement，butbothmotheranddaughterlaughedatmewhenIspokeofit。Icannotarresther，becausesheisaminor，butIwillhavethemotherimprisonedonthefirstopportunity，andyouwillseehowthetownwilllaugh。NowyouknowwhyIgototheirhouse；andIassureyouyouarewrongifyouthinkIhaveanypartintheircouncils。Nevertheless，Iknowtheyarediscussinghowtheymaycatchyou，andtheywilldosoifyoudonottakecare。"

"TellthemotherthatIhaveanotherhundredguineasatherserviceifshewillletmehaveherdaughterforasinglenight。"

"Doyoumeanthat？"

"Assuredly，butIamnotgoingtopayinadvance。"

"That’stheonlywaynottobeduped。Ishallbegladtoexecuteyourcommission。"

Ikepttheroguetodinner，thinkinghemightbeusefultome。Hekneweverythingandeverybody，andtoldmeanumberofamusingancedotes。Althoughagood—for—nothingfellow，hehadhismerits。

Hehadwrittenseveralworks，which，thoughbadlyconstructed，shewedhewasamanofsomewit。Hewasthenwritinghis"ChineseSpy，"andeverydayhewrotefiveorsixnews—lettersfromthevariouscoffee—

houseshefrequented。Iwroteoneortwolettersforhim，withwhichhewasmuchpleased。ThereaderwillseehowImethimagainatNaplessomeyearslater。

Thenextmorning，whatwasmysurprisetoseetheCharpillon，whosaidwithanairthatIshouldhavetakenformodestyinanyotherwoman，——

"Idon’twantyoutogivemeanybreakfast，Iwantanexplanation，andtointroduceMissLorenzitoyou。"

Ibowedtoherandtohercompanion，andthensaid，——

"Whatexplanationdoyourequire？"

Atthis，MissLorenzi，whomIhadneverseenbefore，thoughtpropertoleaveus，andItoldmymanthatIwasnotathometoanybody。I

orderedbreakfasttobeservedtothecompanionofthenymph，thatshemightnotfindthewaitingtedious。

"Sir，"saidtheCharpillon，"isitafactthatyouchargedtheChevalierGoudartotellmymotherthatyouwouldgiveahundredguineastospendthenightwithme？"

"No，nottospendanightwithyou，butafterIhadpassedit。Isn’tthepriceenough？"

"Nojesting，sir，ifyouplease。Thereisnoquestionofbargaining；

allIwanttoknowiswhetheryouthinkyouhavearighttoinsultme，andthatIamgoingtobearit？"

"Ifyouthinkyourselfinsulted，Imay，perhaps，confessIwaswrong；

butIconfessIdidnotthinkIshouldhavetolistentoanyreproachesfromyou。Gondarisoneofyourintimatefriends，andthisisnotthefirstproposalhehastakentoyou。Icouldnotaddressyoudirectly，asIknowyourartsonlytoowell。"

"Ishallnotpayanyattentiontoyourabuseofmyself；IwillonlyremindyouofwhatIsaid’thatneithermoneynorviolencewereofanyuse，’andthatyouronlywaywastomakemeinlovewithyoubygentlemeans。ShewmewhereIhavebrokenmyword！Itisyouthathaveforeswornyourselfincomingintomybath—room，andinsendingsuchabrutalmessagetomymother。NoonebutarascallikeGoudarwouldhavedaredtotakesuchamessage。"

"Goudararascal，ishe？Well，heisyourbestfriend。Youknowheisinlovewithyou，andthatheonlygotyoufortheambassadorinthehopeofenjoyingyouhimself。Thedocumentinhispossessionprovesthatyouhavebehavedbadlytowardshim。Youareinhisdebt，dischargeit，andthencallhimarascalifyouhavetheconsciencetodoso。Youneednottroubletoweep，forIknewthesourceofthosetears；itisdefi