第105章

TheworthyPopedidnotstopthere。Heorderedarigidscrutinyoftheaccountstobemade，andreducedthenumberfromahundredtofifty，doublingthedower。Healsoorderedthatallgirlswhoreachedtheageoftwenty—fivewithoutgettingmarriedshouldbesentawaywiththeirfourhundredcrownsapiece；thattwelvediscreetmatronsshouldhavechargeoftheyoungergirls，andthattwelveservantsshouldbepaidtodothehardworkofthehouse。

CHAPTERXVI

ISupattheInnWithArmellineandEmilieTheseinnovationsweretheworkofsomesixmonths。Thefirstreformwastheabolitionoftheprohibitiononenteringthelargeparlourandeventheinterioroftheconvent；forastheinmateshadtakennovowsandwerenotcloisterednuns，thesuperiorshouldhavebeenatlibertytoactaccordingtoherdiscretion。Menicucciohadlearntthisfromanotehissisterwrotehim，andwhichhebroughttomeinhighglee，askingmetocomewithhimtotheconvent，accordingtohissister’srequest，whosaidmypresencewouldbeacceptabletohergoverness。Iwastoaskforthegoverness。

Iwasonlytoogladtolendmyselftothispleasantarrangement，andfeltcurioustoseethefacesofthethreerecluses，aswellastohearwhattheyhadtosayonthesegreatchanges。

WhenwegotintothelargeparlourIsawtwogrates，oneoccupiedbytheAbbeGuasco，whomIhadknowninParisin1751，theotherbyaRussiannobleman，IvanIvanovitchSchuvaloff，andbyFatherJacquier，afriarminimoftheTrinitadeiMonti，andalearnedastronomer。BehindthegrateIsawthreeveryprettygirls。

Whenourfriendscamedownwebeganaveryinterestingconversation，whichhadtobeconductedinalowtoneforfearofourbeingoverheard。

Wecouldnottalkatoureasetilltheothervisitorshadtakentheirleave。Myyoungfriend’smistresswasaveryprettygirl，buthissisterwasaravishingbeauty。Shehadjustenteredonhersixteenthyear，butshewastallandherfigurewelldeveloped；inshort，sheenchantedme。IthoughtIhadneverseenawhiterskinorblackerhairandeyebrowsandeyes，butstillmorecharmingwasthesweetnessofhervoiceandexpression，andthenaivesimplicityofherexpressions。Hergovernesswhowastenortwelveyearsolderthanshewas，wasawomanofanextremelyinterestingexpression；shewaspaleandmelancholylooking，nodoubtfromthefireswhichshehadbeenforcedtoquenchwithinher。

Shedelightedmebytellingmeoftheconfusionwhichthenewregulationshadcausedinthehouse。

"Themother—superioriswellpleased，"shesaid，"andallmyyoungcompanionsareoverjoyed；buttheolderoneswhomcircumstancehasmadeintobigotsarescandalizedateverything。Thesuperiorhasalreadygivenordersforwindowstobemadeinthedarkparlours，thoughtheoldwomensaythatshecannotgobeyondtheconcessionsshehasalreadyreceived。Tothisthesuperioransweredthatasfreecommunicationhadbeenallowed，itwouldbeabsurdtoretainthedarkness。Shehasalsogivenordersforthealterationofthedoublegrating，astherewasonlyasingleoneinthelargeparlour。"

Ithoughtthesuperiormustbeawomanofintelligence，andexpressedadesiretoseeher。Emilieobtainedthispleasureformethefollowingday。

EmiliewasthefriendofArmelline，Menicuccio’ssister。Thisfirstvisitlastedtwohours，andseemedalltooshort。Menicucciospoketohiswell—belovedattheothergrating。

Iwentaway，afterhavinggiventhemtenRomancrownsasbefore。I

kissedArmelline’sfairhands，andasshefeltthecontactofmylipsherfacewassuffusedbyavividblush。Neverhadthelipsofmantouchedmoredaintyhandsbefore，andshelookedquiteastoundedattheardourwithwhichIkissedthem。

Iwenthomefullofloveforher，andwithoutheedingtheobstaclesinmypathIgavereinstomypassion，whichseemedtomethemostardentIhadeverexperienced。

Myyoungfriendwasinanoceanofbliss。Hehaddeclaredhislove，andthegirlhadsaidthatshewouldgladlybecomehiswifeifhecouldgetthecardinal’sconsent。Asthisconsentonlydependedonhisabilitytokeephimself，Ipromisedtogivehimahundredcrownsandmypatronage。

Hehadservedhistimeasatailor’sapprentice，andwasinapositiontoopenashopofhisown。

"Ienvyyourlot，"saidI，"foryourhappinessisassured，whileI，thoughIloveyoursister，despairofpossessingher。"

"Areyoumarriedthen？"heasked。

"Alas，yes！Keepmycounsel，forIproposevisitinghereveryday，andifitwereknownthatIwasmarried，myvisitswouldbereceivedwithsuspicion。"

Iwasobligedtotellthislietoavoidthetemptationofmarryingher，andtopreventArmellinethinkingthatIwascourtingherwiththatintention。

Ifoundthesuperioressapoliteandcleverwoman，whollyfreefromprejudices。Aftercomingdowntothegratetoobligeme，shesometimescameforherownpleasure。SheknewthatIwastheauthorofthehappyreformintheinstitution，andshetoldmethatsheconsideredherselfundergreatobligationstome。Inlessthansixweeksthreeofhergirlsmadeexcellentmarriages，andsixhundredcrownshadbeenaddedtotheyearlyincomeofthehouse。

Shetoldmethatshewasillpleasedwithoneoftheirconfessors。HewasaDominican，andmadeitarulethathispenitentsshouldapproachtheholytableeverySundayandfeastday；hekeptthemforhoursintheconfessional，andimposedpenancesandfastingswhichwerelikelytoinjurethehealthofyounggirls。

"Allthis，"saidshe，"cannotimprovethemfromamortalpointofview，andtakesupalotoftheirtime，sothattheyhavenoneleftfortheirwork，bythesaleofwhichtheyprocuresomesmallcomfortsforthemselves。

"Howmanyconfessorshaveyou？"

"Four。"

"Areyousatisfiedwiththeotherthree？"

"Yes，theyaresensiblemen，anddonotasktoomuchofpoorhumannature。"

"Iwillcarryyourjustcomplainttothecardinal；willyouwriteoutyourpetition？"

"Kindlygivemeamodel。"

Igaveheraroughdraft，whichshecopiedoutandsigned，andIlaiditbeforehiseminence。AfewdaysaftertheDominicanwasremoved，andhispenitentsdividedamongstthethreeremainingconfessors。Theyoungermembersofthecommunityowedmeagreatdebtofgratitudeonaccountofthischange。

Menicucciowenttoseehissweethearteveryholiday，whileI，inmyamorousardour，visitedhissistereverymorningatnineo’clock。I

breakfastedwithherandEmilie，andremainedintheparlourtilleleven。

AstherewasonlyonegratingIcouldlockthedoorbehindme，butwecouldbeseenfromtheinterioroftheconvent，asthedoorwasleftopentoadmitlight，therebeingnowindow。Thiswasagreatannoyanceforme；recluses，youngorold，werecontinuallypassingby，andnoneofthemfailedtogiveaglanceinthedirectionofthegrate；thusmyfairArmellinecouldnotstretchoutherhandtoreceivemyamorouskisses。

TowardstheendofDecemberthecoldbecameintense，andIbeggedthesuperiortoallowmetoplaceascreeninfrontofthedoor，asIfearedIshouldcatchcoldotherwise。Theworthywomangrantedmyrequestwithoutanydifficulty，andwewereatoureaseforthefuture，thoughthedesireswithwhichArmellineinspiredmehadbecomedreadfultorment。

Onthe1stdayofJanuary，1771，Ipresentedeachofthemwithagoodwinterdress，andsentthesuperioraquantityofchocolate，sugar，andcoffee，allofwhichwereextremelywelcome。

Emilieoftencamebyherselftothegrating，asArmellinewasnotready，andinthesamewayArmellinewouldcomebyherselfwhenhergovernesshappenedtobebusy。Itwasinthesequartersofanhourthatshesucceededincaptivatingme，heartandsoul。

EmilieandArmellineweregreatfriends，buttheirprejudicesonthesubjectofsensualenjoymentweresostrongthatIcouldnevergetthemtolistentolicentioustalk，toallowcertainsmalllibertieswhichI

wouldgladlyhavetaken，ortoaffordmethosepleasuresoftheeyesthatweacceptindefaultofbetterthings。

Onedaytheywerepetrifiedbymyaskingthemwhethertheydidnotsometimessleepinthesamebed，soastogiveeachotherproofsofthetendernessoftheirmutualaffection。

HowtheyblushedEmilieaskedmewiththemostperfectinnocencewhattherewasincommonbetweenaffectionandtheinconvenienceofsleepingtwoinanarrowbed。

Itookcarenottoexplainmyself，forIsawthatIhadfrightenedthem。

NodoubttheywereofthesamefleshandbloodasI，butoureducatorshaddifferedwidely。Theyhadevidentlyneverconfidedtheirlittlesecretstooneanother，possiblynoteventotheirconfessor，eitherthroughshame，orwiththeideathatthelibertiestheyindulgedinalonewerenosin。

Imadethemapresentofsomesilkstockings，linedwithplushtokeepoutthecold，andvainlyendeavouredtomakethemtrythestockingsonbeforeme。ImightsayasoftenasIpleasedthattherewasnorealdifferencebetweenaman’slegsandawoman’s，andthattheirconfessorwouldlaughatthemiftheyconfessedtoshewingtheirlegs。Theyonlyansweredthatgirlswerenotallowedtotakesuchaliberty，astheyworepetticoatsonpurposetoconcealtheirlegs。

ThemannerinwhichEmiliespoke，alwayswithArmelline’sapprobation，convincedmethattheirmodestywasgenuine。Ipenetratedheridea；shethoughtthatinaccedingtomyrequestshewouldbeloweringherselfinmyeyes，andthatIshoulddespisehereverafter。NeverthelessEmiliewasawomanoftwenty—seven，andbynomeansadevotee。

AsforArmelline，IcouldseethatshetookEmilieforhermodel，andwouldhavebeenashamedofappearinglessprecisethanherfriend。I

thoughtshelovedme，andthat，contrarytothegeneralrule，shewouldbemoreeasilywonbyherselfthanincompanywithherfriend。

Imadethetrialonemorningwhensheappearedatthegratingbyherself，tellingmethathergovernesswasbusy。IsaidthatIadoredherandwasthemosthaplessofmen，forbeingamarriedmanIhadnohopeofeverbeingabletoclasphertomyarmsandcoverherwithkisses。

"CanIcontinuetolive，dearArmelline，withnootherconsolationthanthatofkissingyourfairhands？"

Atthesewords，pronouncedwithsomuchpassion，shefixedhergazeonme，andafterafewmoments’reflectionshebegantokissmyhandsasardentlyasIhadkissedhers。

IbeggedhertoputhermouthsothatImightkissit。Sheblushedaridlookeddown，anddidnothing。Ibewailedmyfatebitterly，butinvain。

ShewasdeafanddumbtillEmiliecameandaskeduswhyweweresodull。

Aboutthistime，thebeginningof1771，IwasvisitedbyMariuccia，whomIhadmarriedtenyearsbeforetoayounghairdresser。MyreadersmayrememberhowImetheratAbbeMomolo’s。DuringthethreemonthsIhadbeeninRomeIhadenquiredinvainastowhathadbecomeofher；sothatIwasdelightedwhenshemadeherappearance。

"IsawyouatSt。Peter’s，"saidshe，"atthemidnightmassonChristmasEve，butnotdaringtoapproachyoubecauseofthepeoplewithwhomI

was，Itoldafriendofminetofollowyouandfindoutwhereyoulived。"

"HowisitthatIhavetriedtofindyououtinvainforthelastthreemonths？"

"MyhusbandsetupatFrascatieightyearsago，andwehavelivedthereveryhappilyeversince。"

"Iamverygladtohearit。Haveyouanychildren？"

"Four；andtheeldest，whoisnineyearsold，isverylikeyou。"

"Doyouloveher？"

"Iadoreher，butIlovetheotherthreeaswell。"

AsIwantedtogotobreakfastwithArmellineIbeggedMargaritatokeepMariucciacompanytillmyreturn。

Mariucciadinedwithme，andwespentapleasantdaytogetherwithoutattemptingtorenewourmoretenderrelationship。Wehadplentytotalkabout，andshetoldmethatCosta，myoldservant，hadcomebacktoRomeinasplendidcoach，threeyearsafterIhadleft，andthathehadmarriedoneofMomolo’sdaughters。

"He’sarascal；herobbedme。"

"Iguessedasmuch；histheftdidhimnogood。Helefthiswifetwoyearsaftertheirmarriage，andnooneknowswhathasbecomeofhim。"

"Howabouthiswife？"

"SheislivingmiserablyinRome。Herfatherisdead。"

Ididnotcaretogoandseethepoorwoman，forIcouldnotdoanythingforher，andIcouldnothavehelpedsayingthatifIcaughtherhusbandIwoulddomybesttohavehimhanged。Suchwasindeedmyintentionuptotheyear1785，whenIfoundthisrunagateatVienna。HewasthenCountErdich’sman，andwhenwecometothatperiodthereadershallhearwhatIdid。

IpromisedMariucciatocomeandseeherinthecourseofLent。

ThePrincessSantaCroceandtheworthyCardinalBernispitiedmeformyhaplesslove；Ioftenconfidedmysufferingstotheirsympathizingears。

ThecardinaltoldtheprincessthatshecouldverywellobtainpermissionfromCardinalOrsinitotakeArmellinetothetheatre，andthatifI

caredtojointhepartyImightfindherlesscruel。

"Thecardinalwillmakenoobjection，"saidhe，"asArmellinehastakennovows；butasyoumustknowourfriend’smistressbeforemakingyourrequest，youhaveonlytotellthecardinalthatyouwouldliketoseetheinteriorofthehouse。"

"Doyouthinkhewillgivemeleave？"

"Certainly；theinmatesarenotcloisterednuns。Wewillgowithyou。"

"Youwillcometoo？thatwillbeadelightfulpartyindeed。"

"Askforleave，andwewillarrangetheday。"

Thisplanseemedtomeadeliciousdream。IguessedthatthegallantcardinalwascurioustoseeArmelline，butIwasnotafraidasIknewhewasaconstantlover。BesidesIfeltsurethatifhetookaninterestinthefairreclusehewouldbecertaintofindherahusband。

InthreeorfourdaystheprincesssummonedmetoherboxintheAlbertiTheatre，andshewedmeCardinalOrsini’snote，allowingherandherfriendstoseetheinteriorofthehouse。

"To—morrowafternoon，"saidshe，"wewillfixthedayandthehourforthevisit。"

NextdayIpaidmyusualvisittotherecluses，andthesuperioresscametotellmethatthecardinalhadtoldherthatthePrincessSantaCrocewascomingtovisitthehousewithsomefriends。

"Iknowit，"saidI；"Iamcomingwithher。"

"Whenisshecoming？"

"Idon’tknowyet，butIwillinformyoulateron。"

"Thisnoveltyhasturnedthehouseupsidedown。Thedevoteesscarcelyknowwhethertheyareawakeordreaming，forwiththeexceptionofafewpriests，thedoctor，andthesurgeon，noonehaseverenteredthehousesinceitsfoundation。"

"Alltheserestrictionsarenowremoved，andyouneednotaskthecardinal’spermissiontoreceivevisitsfromyourfriends。"

"Iknowthat，butIdon’tliketogosofar。"

Thetimeforthevisitwasfixedfortheafternoonofthenextday，andI

letthesuperioressknowearlythenextmorning。TheDuchessofFianohadaskedtojoinus；thecardinalcame，ofcourse，dressedasasimplepriest，withnoindicationofhisexaltedrank。HeknewArmellinedirectlyfrommydescription，andcongratulatedheronhavingmademyacquaintance。

Thepoorgirlblushedtotherootsofherhair；andIthoughtshewouldhavefaintedwhentheprincess，aftertellinghershewastheprettiestgirlinthehouse，gavehertwoaffectionatekisses，amarkoffriendshipstrictlyforbiddenbytherules。

Afterthesecaresses，theprincessproceededtocomplimentthesuperioress。ShesaidthatIhaddonewelltopraiseherparts，asshecouldjudgeofthembytheorderandneatnesswhichreignedeverywhere。

"IshallmentionyournametoCardinalOrsini，"sheadded，"andyoumaybesureIshalldoyouallthejusticeyoudeserve。"

Whenwehadseenalltherooms，whichcontainednothingworthseeing，I

presentedEmilietotheprincess，whoreceivedherwithgreatcordiality。

"Ihaveheardofyoursadness，"shesaid，"butIknowthereasonofit。

Youareagoodgirl，andprettytoo，andIshallgetyouahusbandwhowillcureyouofyourmelancholy。"

Thesuperioressgaveasmileofapprobation，butIsawadozenageddevoteespullingwryfaces。

Emiliedarednotreply，butshetooktheprincess’shandandkissedit，asiftosummonhertokeepherpromise。

Asforme，Iwasdelightedtoseethatthoughallthegirlswerereallypretty，myArmellineeclipsedthemall，asthelightofthesunobscuresthestars。

Whenwecamedowntotheparlour，theprincesstoldArmellinethatshemeanttoaskleaveofthecardinaltotakehertwoorthreetimestothetheatrebeforeLentbegan。Thisobservationseemedtopetrifyeveryoneexceptthesuperioress，whosaidthathiseminencehadnowaperfectrighttorelaxanyoralloftherulesoftheestablishment。

PoorArmellinewassooverwhelmedbetweenjoyandconfusionthatshecouldnotspeak。Sheseemedunabletofindwordswhereintothanktheprincess，whocommendedherandherfriendEmilietothesuperioressbeforesheleftthehouse，andgaveherasmallpresenttobuynecessariesforthem。

Nottobeoutdone，theDuchessofFianotoldthesuperioressthatshewouldmakemethealmonerofherbountytowardsArmellineandEmilie。

Myexpressionsofgratitudetotheprincesswhenwewerebackinthecarriagemaybeimagined。

IhadnoneedtoexcuseArmelline，fortheprincessandthecardinalhadgaugedhercapacities。Herconfusionhadpreventedhershewinghercleverness，butherfaceshewedhertopossessit。Besides，theinfluenceoftheeducationshehadreceivedhadtobetakenintoaccount。

Theprincesswasimpatienttotakehertothetheatre，andafterwardstosupperataninn，accordingtotheRomancustom。

ShewrotethenamesofArmellineandEmilieuponhertablets，soastorememberthemoneveryoccasion。

IdidnotforgetthemistressofmypoorfriendMenicuccio，butthetimewasnotopportuneformentioninghername。Thenextday，however，Igotthecardinal’sear，andtoldhimthatIwasanxioustodosomethingfortheyoungman。Thecardinalsawhim，andMenicucciopleasedhimsowellthatthemarriagetookplacebeforetheendofthecarnival，thebridehavingadowryoffivehundredcrowns。WiththissumandthehundredcrownsIgavehim，hewasinapositiontoopenashopforhimself。

Thedayaftertheprincess’svisitwasatriumphantoneforme。AssoonasIappearedatthegratingthesuperioresswassentfor，andwehadaninterview。

Theprincesshadgivenherfiftycrowns，whichshewasgoingtolayoutonlinenforArmellineandEmilie。

TherecluseswerestupefiedwhenI