IhadknowninRome，atCardinalAcquaviva’s，theAbbedeLiancourt，great—grandsonofCharles，whosesister，GabrielleduPlessis，hadbeenthewifeofFrancoisV。，butthatdatedfromthebeginningofthelastcentury。IhadmadeacopyfromtherecordsofthecardinaloftheaccountofcertaincircumstanceswhichtheAbbedeLiancourtwantedtocommunicatetothecourtofSpain，andinwhichtherewereagreatmanyparticularsrespectingthehouseofDuPlessis。I
thoughtatthesametimethatthesingularimpostureofLaValeur（suchwasthenamebywhichmysoldiergenerallywent）wasabsurdandwithoutamotive，sinceitwastobeknownonlyafterhisdeath，andcouldnotthereforeproveofanyadvantagetohim。
Halfanhourafterwards，asIwasopeningafreshpackofcards，theAdjutantSanzoniocamein，andtoldtheimportantnewsinthemostseriousmanner。Hehadjustcomefromtheofficeoftheproveditore，whereCaptainCamporesehadrunintheutmosthurrytodepositinthehandsofhisexcellencythesealandthepapersofthedeceasedprince。Hisexcellencyhadimmediatelyissuedhisordersfortheburialoftheprinceinavaultwithallthehonoursduetohisexaltedrank。Anotherhalfhourpassed，andM。Minolto，adjutantoftheproveditore—generale，cametoinformmethathisexcellencywantedtoseeme。IpassedthecardstoMajorMaroli，andwenttohisexcellency’shouse。Ifoundhimatsupperwithseveralladies，threeorfournavalcommanders，MadameF————，andM。D————
R—————。
\"So，yourservantwasaprince！\"saidtheoldgeneraltome。
\"Yourexcellency，Ineverwouldhavesuspectedit，andevennowthatheisdeadIdonotbelieveit。\"
\"Why？Heisdead，buthewasnotinsane。Youhaveseenhisarmorialbearings，hiscertificateofbaptism，aswellaswhathewrotewithhisownhand。Whenamanissoneardeath，hedoesnotfancypracticaljokes。\"
\"Ifyourexcellencyissatisfiedofthetruthofthestory，mydutyistoremainsilent。\"
\"Thestorycannotbeanythingbuttrue，andyourdoubtssurpriseme。\"
\"Idoubt，monsignor，becauseIhappentohavepositiveinformationrespectingthefamiliesofLaRochefoucaultandDuPlessis。Besides，Ihaveseentoomuchoftheman。Hewasnotamadman，buthecertainlywasanextravagantjester。Ihaveneverseenhimwrite，andhehastoldmehimselfascoreoftimesthathehadneverlearned。\"
\"Thepaperhehaswrittenprovesthecontrary。Hisarmshavetheducalbearings；butperhapsyouarenotawarethatM。delaRochefoucaultisadukeandpeeroftheFrenchrealm？\"
\"Ibegyoureminence’spardon；Iknowallaboutit；Iknowevenmore，forIknowthatFrancoisVI。marriedadaughterofthehouseofVivonne。\"
\"Youknownothing。\"
WhenIheardthisremark，asfoolishasitwasrude，Iresolvedonremainingsilent，anditwaswithsomepleasurethatIobservedthejoyfeltbyallthemaleguestsatwhattheythoughtaninsultandablowtomyvanity。Anofficerremarkedthatthedeceasedwasafineman，awittyman，andhadshewnwonderfulclevernessinkeepinguphisassumedcharactersowellthatnooneeverhadthefaintestsuspicionofwhathereallywas。Aladysaidthat，ifshehadknownhim，shewouldhavebeencertaintofindhimout。Anotherflatterer，belongingtothatmean，contemptibleracealwaystobefoundnearthegreatandwealthyoftheearth，assuredusthatthelateprincehadalwaysshewnhimselfcheerful，amiable，obliging，devoidofhaughtinesstowardshiscomrades，andthatheusedtosingbeautifully。\"Hewasonlytwenty—fiveyearsofage，\"saidMadameSagredo，lookingmefullintheface，\"andifhewasendowedwithallthosequalities，youmusthavediscoveredthem。\"
\"Icanonlygiveyou，madam，atruelikenessoftheman，suchasI
haveseenhim。Alwaysgay，ofteneventofolly，forhecouldthrowasomersaultbeautifully；singingsongsofaveryerotickind，fullofstoriesandofpopulartalesofmagic，miracles，andghosts，andathousandmarvellousfeatswhichcommon—senserefusedtobelieve，andwhich，forthatveryreason，provokedthemirthofhishearers。Hisfaultswerethathewasdrunken，dirty，quarrelsome，dissolute，andsomewhatofacheat。Iputupwithallhisdeficiences，becausehedressedmyhairtomytaste，andhisconstantchatteringofferedmetheopportunityofpractisingthecolloquialFrenchwhichcannotbeacquiredfrombooks。HehasalwaysassuredmethathewasborninPicardy，thesonofacommonpeasant，andthathehaddesertedfromtheFrencharmy。Hemayhavedeceivedmewhenhesaidthathecouldnotwrite。\"
JustthenCamporeserushedintotheroom，andannouncedthatLaVeleurwasyetbreathing。Thegeneral，lookingatmesignificantly，saidthathewouldbedelightedifthemancouldbesaved。
\"AndIlikewise，monsignor，buthisconfessorwillcertainlykillhimto—night。\"
\"Whyshouldthefatherconfessorkillhim？\"
\"Toescapethegalleystowhichyourexcellencywouldnotfailtosendhimforhavingviolatedthesecrecyoftheconfessional。\"
Everybodyburstoutlaughing，butthefoolisholdgeneralknittedhisbrows。Theguestsretiredsoonafterwards，andMadameF—————，whomIhadprecededtothecarriage，M。D————R—————havingofferedherhisarm，invitedmetogetinwithher，sayingthatitwasraining。
Itwasthefirsttimethatshehadbestowedsuchanhonouruponme。
\"Iamofyouropinionaboutthatprince，\"shesaid，\"butyouhaveincurredthedispleasureoftheproveditore。\"
\"Iamverysorry，madam，butitcouldnothavebeenavoided，forI
cannothelpspeakingthetruthopenly。\"
\"Youmighthavesparedhim，\"remarkedM。D————R—————，\"thecuttingjestoftheconfessorkillingthefalseprince。\"
\"Youareright，sir，butIthoughtitwouldmakehimlaughaswellasitmademadamandyourexcellency。Inconversationpeoplegenerallydonotobjecttoawittyjestcausingmerrimentandlaughter。\"
\"True；onlythosewhohavenotwitenoughtolaughdonotlikethejest。\"
\"Ibetahundredsequinsthatthemadmanwillrecover，andthat，havingthegeneralonhisside，hewillreapalltheadvantagesofhisimposture。Ilongtoseehimtreatedasaprince，andmakinglovetoMadameSagredo\"
Hearingthelastwords，MadameF—————，whodidnotlikeMadameSagredo，laughedheartily，and，asweweregettingoutofthecarriage，M。D————R—————invitedmetoaccompanythemupstairs。Hewasinthehabitofspendinghalfanhouralonewithheratherownhousewhentheyhadtakensuppertogetherwiththegeneral，forherhusbandnevershewedhimself。Itwasthefirsttimethatthehappycoupleadmittedathirdpersontotheirtete—a—tete。Ifeltveryproudofthecomplimentthuspaidtome，andIthoughtitmighthaveimportantresultsforme。Mysatisfaction，whichIconcealedaswellasIcould，didnotpreventmefrombeingverygayandfromgivingacomicturntoeverysubjectbroughtforwardbytheladyorbyherlord。
Wekeptupourpleasanttrioforfourhours；andreturnedtothemansionofM。D————R—————onlyattwoo’clockinthemorning。ItwasduringthatnightthatMadameF————andM。D————R—————reallymademyacquaintance。MadameF————toldhimthatshehadneverlaughedsomuch，andthatshehadneverimaginedthataconversation，inappearancesosimple，couldaffordsomuchpleasureandmerriment。
Onmyside，Idiscoveredinhersomuchwitandcheerfulness，thatI
becamedeeplyenamoured，andwenttobedfullysatisfiedthat，inthefuture，IcouldnotkeepuptheshowofindifferencewhichIhadsofarassumedtowardsher。
WhenIwokeupthenextmorning，IheardfromthenewsoldierwhoservedmethatLaValeurwasbetter，andhadbeenpronouncedoutofdangerbythephysician。Atdinnertheconversationfelluponhim，butIdidnotopenmylips。Twodaysafterwards，thegeneralgaveorderstohavehimremovedtoacomfortableapartment，senthimaservant，clothedhim，andtheover—credulousproveditorehavingpaidhimavisit，allthenavalcommandersandofficersthoughtittheirdutytoimitatehim，andtofollowhisexample:thegeneralcuriositywasexcited，therewasarushtoseethenewprince。M。D————R—————
followedhisleaders，andMadameSagredo，havingsettheladiesinmotion，theyallcalleduponhim，withtheexceptionofMadameF————，whotoldmelaughinglythatshewouldnotpayhimavisitunlessI
wouldconsenttointroduceher。Ibeggedtobeexcused。Theknavewascalledyourhighness，andthewonderfulprincestyledMadameSagredohisprincess。M。D————R—————triedtopersuademetocallupontherogue，butItoldhimthatIhadsaidtoomuch，andthatI
wasneithercourageousnormeanenoughtoretractmywords。Thewholeimposturewouldsoonhavebeendiscoveredifanyonehadpossessedapeerage，butitjusthappenedthattherewasnotacopyinCorfu，andtheFrenchconsul，afatblockhead，likemanyotherconsuls，knewnothingoffamilytrees。ThemadcapLaValeurbegantowalkoutaweekafterhismetamorphosisintoaprince。Hedinedandhadsuppereverydaywiththegeneral，andeveryeveninghewaspresentatthereception，duringwhich，owingtohisintemperance，healwayswentfastasleep。Yet，thereweretworeasonswhichkeptupthebeliefofhisbeingaprince:thefirstwasthathedidnotseemafraidofthenewsexpectedfromVenice，wheretheproveditorehadwrittenimmediatelyafterthediscovery；thesecondwasthathesolicitedfromthebishopthepunishmentofthepriestwhohadbetrayedhissecretbyviolatingthesealofconfession。Thepoorpriesthadalreadybeensenttoprison，andtheproveditorehadnotthecouragetodefendhim。Thenewprincehadbeeninvitedtodinnerbyallthenavalofficers，butM。D————R—————hadnotmadeuphismindtoimitatethemsofar，becauseMadameF————hadclearlywarnedhimthatshewoulddineatherownhouseonthedayhewasinvited。
Ihadlikewiserespectfullyintimatedthat，onthesameoccasion，I
wouldtakethelibertyofdiningsomewhereelse。
ImettheprinceonedayasIwascomingoutoftheoldfortressleadingtotheesplanade。Hestopped，andreproachedmefornothavingcalleduponhim。Ilaughed，andadvisedhimtothinkofhissafetybeforethearrivalofthenewswhichwouldexposealltheimposture，inwhichcasetheproveditorewascertaintotreathimveryseverely。IofferedtohelphiminhisflightfromCorfu，andtogetaNeapolitancaptain，whoseshipwasreadytosail，toconcealhimonboard；butthefool，insteadofacceptingmyoffer，loadedmewithinsults。
HewascourtingMadameSagredo，whotreatedhimverywell，feelingproudthataFrenchprinceshouldhavegivenherthepreferenceoveralltheotherladies。OnedaythatshewasdiningingreatceremonyatM。D————R—————’shouse，sheaskedmewhyIhadadvisedtheprincetorunaway。
\"Ihaveitfromhisownlips，\"sheadded，\"andhecannotmakeoutyourobstinacyinbelievinghimanimpostor。\"
\"Ihavegivenhimthatadvice，madam，becausemyheartisgood，andmyjudgmentsane。\"
\"Thenweareallofusasmanyfools，theproveditoreincluded？\"
\"Thatdeductionwouldnotberight，madam。Anopinioncontrarytothatofanotherdoesnotnecessarilymakeafoolofthepersonwhoentertainsit。Itmightpossiblyturnout，intenortwelvedays，thatIhavebeenentirelymistakenmyself，butIshouldnotconsidermyselfafoolinconsequence。Inthemeantime，aladyofyourintelligencemusthavediscoveredwhetherthatmanisapeasantoraprincebyhiseducationandmanners。Forinstance，doeshedancewell？\"
\"Hedoesnotknowonestep，butheisthefirsttolaughaboutit；hesaysheneverwouldlearndancing。\"
\"Doeshebehavewellattable？\"
\"Well，hedoesn’tstandonceremony。Hedoesnotwanthisplatetobechanged，hehelpshimselfwithhisspoonoutofthedishes；hedoesnotknowhowtocheckaneructationorayawn，andifhefeelstiredheleavesthetable。Itisevidentthathehasbeenverybadlybroughtup。\"
\"Andyetheisverypleasant，Isuppose。Ishecleanandneat？\"
\"No，butthenheisnotyetwellprovidedwithlinen。\"
\"Iamtoldthatheisverysober。\"
\"Youarejoking。Heleavesthetableintoxicatedtwiceaday，butheoughttobepitied，forhecannotdrinkwineandkeephisheadclear。
Thenheswearslikeatrooper，andwealllaugh，buthenevertakesoffence。\"
\"Ishewitty？\"
\"Hehasawonderfulmemory，forhetellsusnewstorieseveryday。\"
\"Doeshespeakofhisfamily？\"
\"Veryoftenofhismother，whomhelovedtenderly。ShewasaDuPlessis。\"
\"Ifhismotherisstillaliveshemustbeahundredandfiftyyearsold。\"
\"Whatnonsense！\"
\"Notatall；shewasmarriedinthedaysofMariedeMedicis。\"
\"Butthecertificateofbaptismnamestheprince’smother，andhisseal——\"
\"Doesheknowwhatarmorialbearingshehasonthatseal？\"
\"Doyoudoubtit？\"
\"Verystrongly，orratherIamcertainthatheknowsnothingaboutit。\"
Weleftthetable，andtheprincewasannounced。Hecamein，andMadameSagredolostnotimeinsayingtohim，\"Prince，hereisM。
Casanova；hepretendsthatyoudonotknowyourownarmorialbearings。\"Hearingthesewords，hecameuptome，sneering，calledmeacoward，andgavemeasmackonthefacewhichalmoststunnedme。I
lefttheroomveryslowly，notforgettingmyhatandmycane，andwentdownstairs，whileM。D————R—————wasloudlyorderingtheservantstothrowthemadmanoutofthewindow。
Ileftthepalaceandwenttotheesplanadeinordertowaitforhim。
ThemomentIsawhim，Irantomeethim，andIbeathimsoviolentlywithmycanethatoneblowaloneoughttohavekilledhim。Hedrewback，andfoundhimselfbroughttoastandbetweentwowalls，where，toavoidbeingbeatentodeath，hisonlyresourcewastodrawhissword，butthecowardlyscoundreldidnoteventhinkofhisweapon，andIlefthim，ontheground，coveredwithblood。Thecrowdformedalineformetopass，andIwenttothecoffee—house，whereIdrankaglassoflemonade，withoutsugartoprecipitatethebittersalivawhichragehadbroughtupfrommystomach。Inafewminutes，Ifoundmyselfsurroundedbyalltheyoungofficersofthegarrison，whojoinedinthegeneralopinionthatIoughttohavekilledhim，andtheyatlastannoyedme，foritwasnotmyfaultifIhadnotdoneso，andIwouldcertainlyhavetakenhislifeifhehaddrawnhissword。
Ihadbeeninthecoffee—houseforhalfanhourwhenthegeneral’sadjutantcametotellmethathisexcellencyorderedmetoputmyselfunderarrestonboardthebastarda，agalleyonwhichtheprisonershadtheirlegsinironslikegalleyslaves。Thedosewasrathertoostrongtobeswallowed，andIdidnotfeeldisposedtosubmittoit。
\"Verygood，adjutant，\"Ireplied，\"itshallbedone。\"Hewentaway，andIleftthecoffee—houseamomentafterhim，butwhenIreachedtheendofthestreet，insteadofgoingtowardstheesplanade，I
proceededquicklytowardsthesea。Iwalkedalongthebeachforaquarterofanhour，andfindingaboatempty，butwithapairofoars，Igotinher，andunfasteningher，IrowedashardasIcouldtowardsalargecaicco，sailingagainstthewindwithsixoars。AssoonasIhadcomeuptoher，Iwentonboardandaskedthecarabouchiritosailbeforethewindandtotakemetoalargewherrywhichcouldbeseenatsomedistance，goingtowardsVidoRock。I
abandonedtherow—boat，and，afterpayingthemasterofthecaiccogenerously，Igotintothewherry，madeabargainwiththeskipperwhounfurledthreesails，andinlessthantwohourswewerefifteenmilesawayfromCorfu。Thewindhavingdiedaway，Imadethemenrowagainstthecurrent，buttowardsmidnighttheytoldmethattheycouldnotrowanylonger，theywerewornoutwithfatigue。Theyadvisedmetosleepuntilday—break，butIrefusedtodoso，andforatrifleIgotthemtoputmeonshore，withoutaskingwhereIwas，inordernottoraisetheirsuspicions。ItwasenoughformetoknowthatIwasatadistanceoftwentymilesfromCorfu，andinaplacewherenobodycouldimaginemetobe。Themoonwasshining，andIsawachurchwithahouseadjoining，alongbarnopenedonbothsides，aplainofaboutonehundredyardsconfinedbyhills，andnothingmore。
Ifoundsomestrawinthebarn，andlayingmyselfdown，Isleptuntilday—breakinspiteofthecold。Itwasthe1stofDecember，andalthoughtheclimateisverymildinCorfuIfeltbenumbedwhenI
awoke，asIhadnocloakovermythinuniform。
Thebellsbegintotoll，andIproceedtowardsthechurch。Thelong—
beardedpapa，surprisedatmysuddenapparition，enquireswhetherI
amRomeo（aGreek）；ItellhimthatIamFragico（Italian），butheturnshisbackuponmeandgoesintohishouse，thedoorofwhichheshutswithoutcondescendingtolistentome。
Ithenturnedtowardsthesea，andsawaboatleavingatartanlyingatanchorwithinonehundredyardsoftheisland；theboathadfouroarsandlandedherpassengers。Icomeuptothemandmeetagood—
lookingGreek，awomanandayoungboytenortwelveyearsold。
AddressingmyselftotheGreek，Iaskhimwhetherhehashadapleasantpassage，andwherehecomesfrom。HeanswersinItalianthathehassailedfromCephaloniawithhiswifeandhisson，andthatheisboundforVenice；hehadlandedtohearmassattheChurchofOurLadyofCasopo，inordertoascertainwhetherhisfather—in—
lawwasstillalive，andwhetherhewouldpaytheamounthehadpromisedhimforthedowryofhiswife。
\"Buthowcanyoufinditout？\"
\"ThePapaDeldimopulowilltellme；hewillcommunicatefaithfullytheoracleoftheHolyVirgin。\"Isaynothingandfollowhimintothechurch；hespeakstothepriest，andgiveshimsomemoney。Thepapasaysthemass，entersthesanctumsanctorum，comesoutagaininaquarterofanhour，ascendsthestepsofthealtar，turnstowardshisaudience，and，aftermeditatingforaminuteandstrokinghislongbeard，hedelivershisoracleinadozenwords。TheGreekofCephalonia，whocertainlycouldnotboastofbeingaswiseasUlysses，appearsverywellpleased，andgivesmoremoneytotheimpostor。Weleavethechurch，andIaskhimwhetherhefeelssatisfied）withtheoracle。
\"Oh！quitesatisfied。Iknownowthatmyfather—in—lawisalive，andthathewillpaymethedowry，ifIconsenttoleavemychildwithhim。IamawarethatitishisfancyandIwillgivehimtheboy。\"
\"Doesthepapaknowyou？\"
\"No；heisnotevenacquaintedwithmyname。\"
\"Haveyouanyfinegoodsonboardyourtartan？\"
\"Yes；comeandbreakfastwithme；youcanseeallIhave。\"
\"Verywillingly。\"
Delightedathearingthatoracleswerenotyetdefunct，andsatisfiedthattheywillendureaslongasthereareinthisworldsimple—
mindedmenanddeceitful，cunningpriests，Ifollowthegoodman，whotookmetohistartanandtreatedmetoanexcellentbreakfast。Hiscargoconsistedofcotton，linen，currants，oil，andexcellentwines。
Hehadalsoastockofnight—caps，stockings，cloaksintheEasternfashion，umbrellas，andseabiscuits，ofwhichIwasveryfond；inthosedaysIhadthirtyteeth，anditwouldhavebeendifficulttofindafinerset。Alas！Ihavebuttwoleftnow，theothertwenty—
eightaregonewithothertoolsquiteasprecious；but’dumvitasuperest，beneest。’Iboughtasmallstockofeverythinghehadexceptcotton，forwhichIhadnouse，andwithoutdiscussinghispriceIpaidhimthethirty—fiveorfortysequinshedemanded，andseeingmygenerosityhemademeapresentofsixbeautifulbotargoes。
IhappenedduringourconversationtopraisethewineofXante，whichhecalledgeneroydes，andhetoldmethatifIwouldaccompanyhimtoVenicehewouldgivemeabottleofthatwineeverydayincludingthequarantine。Alwayssuperstitious，Iwasonthepointofaccepting，andthatforthemostfoolishreason—namely，thattherewouldbenopremeditationinthatstrangeresolution，anditmightbetheimpulseoffate。Suchwasmynatureinthosedays；alas；itisverydifferentnow。Theysaythatitisbecausewisdomcomeswitholdage，butIcannotreconcilemyselftocherishtheeffectofamostunpleasantcause。
JustasIwasgoingtoaccepthisofferheproposestosellmeaveryfinegunfortensequins，sayingthatinCorfuanyonewouldbegladofitfortwelve。ThewordCorfuupsetsallmyideasonthespot！I
fancyIhearthevoiceofmygeniustellingmetogobacktothatcity。Ipurchasethegunforthetensequins，andmyhonestCephalonian，admiringmyfairdealing，givesme，overandaboveourbargain，abeautifulTurkishpouchwellfilledwithpowderandshot。
Carryingmygun，withagoodwarmcloakovermyuniformandwithalargebagcontainingallmypurchases，ItakeleaveoftheworthyGreek，andamlandedontheshore，determinedonobtainingalodgingfromthecheatingpapa，byfairmeansorfoul。ThegoodwineofmyfriendtheCephalonianhadexcitedmejustenoughtomakemecarrymydeterminationintoimmediateexecution。Ihadinmypocketsfourorfivehundredcoppergazzette，whichwereveryheavy，butwhichIhadprocuredfromtheGreek，foreseeingthatImightwantthemduringmystayontheisland。
IstoremybagawayinthebarnandIproceed，guninhand，towardsthehouseofthepriest；thechurchwasclosed。
ImustgivemyreaderssomeideaofthestateIwasinatthatmoment。Iwasquietlyhopeless。ThethreeorfourhundredsequinsI
hadwithmedidnotpreventmefromthinkingthatIwasnotinverygreatsecurityontheisland；Icouldnotremainlong，Iwouldsoonbefoundout，and，beingguiltyofdesertion，Ishouldbetreatedaccordingly。Ididnotknowwhattodo，andthatisalwaysanunpleasantpredicament。ItwouldbeabsurdformetoreturntoCorfuofmyownaccord；myflightwouldthenbeuseless，andIshouldbethoughtafool，formyreturnwouldbeaproofofcowardiceorstupidity；yetIdidnotfeelthecouragetodesertaltogether。ThechiefcauseofmydecisionwasnotthatIhadathousandsequinsinthehandsofthefarobanker，ormywell—stockedwardrobe，orthefearofnotgettingalivingsomewhereelse，buttheunpleasantrecollectionthatIshouldleavebehindmeawomanwhomIlovedtoadoration，andfromwhomIhadnotyetobtainedanyfavour，noteventhatofkissingherhand。InsuchdistressofmindIcouldnotdoanythingelsebutabandonmyselftochance，whatevertheresultmightbe，andthemostessentialthingforthepresentwastosecurealodgingandmydailyfood。
Iknockatthedoorofthepriest’sdwelling。Helooksoutofawindowandshutsitwithoutlisteningtome，Iknockagain，Iswear，Icalloutloudly，allinvain，Givingwaytomyrage，Itakeaimatapoorsheepgrazingwithseveralothersatashortdistance，andkillit。Theherdsmanbeginstoscream，thepapashowshimselfatthewindow，callingout，\"Thieves！Murder！\"andordersthealarm—
belltoberung。Threebellsareimmediatelysetinmotion，I
foreseeageneralgathering:whatisgoingtohappen？Idonotknow，buthappenwhatwill，Iloadmygunandawaitcomingevents。
Inlessthaneightortenminutes，Iseeacrowdofpeasantscomingdownthehills，armedwithguns，pitchforks，orcudgels:Iwithdrawinsideofthebarn，butwithouttheslightestfear，forIcannotsupposethat，seeingmealone，thesemenwillmurdermewithoutlisteningtome。
Thefirsttenortwelvepeasantscomeforward，guninhandandreadytofire:Istopthembythrowingdownmygazzette，whichtheylosenotimeinpickingupfromtheground，andIkeeponthrowingmoneydownasthemencomeforward，untilIhadnomoreleft。Theclownswerelookingateachotheringreatastonishment，notknowingwhattomakeoutofawell—dressedyoungman，lookingverypeaceful，andthrowinghismoneytothemwithsuchgenerosity。Icouldnotspeaktothemuntilthedeafeningnoiseofthebellsshouldcease。Iquietlysitdownonmylargebag，andkeepstill，butassoonasIcanbeheardI
begintoaddressthemen。Thepriest，however，assistedbyhisbeadleandbytheherdsman，interruptsme，andallthemoreeasilythatIwasspeakingItalian。Mythreeenemies，whotalkedallatonce，weretryingtoexcitethecrowdagainstme。
Oneofthepeasants，anelderlyandreasonable—lookingman，comesuptomeandasksmeinItalianwhyIhavekilledthesheep。
\"Toeatit，mygoodfellow，butnotbeforeIhavepaidforit。\"
\"Buthisholiness，thepapa，mightchoosetochargeonesequinforit。\"
\"Hereisonesequin。\"
Thepriesttakesthemoneyandgoesaway:warisover。Thepeasanttellsmethathehasservedinthecampaignof1716，andthathewasatthedefenceofCorfu。Icomplimenthim，andaskhimtofindmealodgingandamanabletopreparemymeals。Heanswersthathewillprocuremeawholehouse，thathewillbemycookhimself，butImustgoupthehill。Nomatter！Hecallstwostoutfellows，onetakesmybag，theothershouldersmysheep，andforward！Aswearewalkingalong，Itellhim，——
\"Mygoodman，Iwouldliketohaveinmyservicetwenty—fourfellowsliketheseundermilitarydiscipline。Iwouldgiveeachmantwentygazzetteaday，andyouwouldhavefortyasmylieutenant。\"
\"Iwill，\"saystheoldsoldier，\"raiseforyouthisverydayabody—
guardofwhichyouwillbeproud。\"
Wereachaveryconvenienthouse，containingonthegroundfloorthreeroomsandastable，whichIimmediatelyturnedintoaguard—
room。
MylieutenantwenttogetwhatIwanted，andparticularlyaneedlewomantomakemesomeshirts。InthecourseofthedayIhadfurniture，bedding，kitchenutensils，agooddinner，twenty—fourwell—equippedsoldiers，asuper—annuatedsempstressandseveralyounggirlstomakemyshirts。Aftersupper，Ifoundmypositionhighlypleasant，beingsurroundedwithsomethirtypersonswholookeduponmeastheirsovereign，althoughtheycouldnotmakeoutwhathadbroughtmetotheirisland。TheonlythingwhichstruckmeasdisagreeablewasthattheyounggirlscouldnotspeakItalian，andI
didnotknowGreekenoughtoenablemetomakelovetothem。
Thenextmorningmylieutenanthadtheguardrelieved，andIcouldnothelpburstingintoamerrylaugh。Theywerelikeaflockofsheep:allfinemen，well—madeandstrong；butwithoutuniformandwithoutdisciplinethefinestbandisbutaherd。However，theyquicklylearnedhowtopresentarmsandtoobeytheordersoftheirofficer。Icausedthreesentinelstobeplaced，onebeforetheguardroom，oneatmydoor，andthethirdwherehecouldhaveagoodviewofthesea。Thissentinelwastogivemewarningoftheapproachofanyarmedboatorvessel。ForthefirsttwoorthreedaysIconsideredallthisasmereamusement，but，thinkingthatI
mightreallywantthementorepelforcebyforce，Ihadsomeideaofmakingmyarmytakeanoathofallegiance。Ididnotdoso，however，althoughmylieutenantassuredmethatIhadonlytoexpressmywishes，formygenerosityhadcaptivatedtheloveofalltheislanders。
Mysempstress，whohadprocuredsomeyoungneedlewomentosewmyshirts，hadexpectedthatIwouldfallinlovewithoneandnotwithall，butmyamorouszealoversteppedherhopes，andalltheprettyoneshadtheirturn；theywereallwellsatisfiedwithme，andthesempstresswasrewardedforhergoodoffices。Iwasleadingadelightfullife，formytablewassuppliedwithexcellentdishes，juicymutton，andsnipesodeliciousthatIhavenevertastedtheirlikeexceptinSt。Petersburg。IdrankscopolowineorthebestmuscateloftheArchipelago。Mylieutenantwasmyonlytablecompanion。Inevertookawalkwithouthimandtwoofmybody—guard，inordertodefendmyselfagainsttheattacksofafewyoungmenwhohadaspiteagainstmebecausetheyfancied，notwithoutsomereason，thatmyneedlewomen，theirmistresses，hadleftthemonmyaccount。
IoftenthoughtwhileIwasramblingabouttheisland，thatwithoutmoneyIshouldhavebeenunhappy，andthatIwasindebtedtomygoldforallthehappinessIwasenjoying；butitwasrighttosupposeatthesametimethat，ifIhadnotfeltmypurseprettyheavy，IwouldnothavebeenlikelytoleaveCorfu。
Ihadthusbeenplayingthepettykingwithsuccessforaweekortendays，when，towardsteno’clockatnightIheardthesentinel’schallenge。Mylieutenantwentout，andreturnedannouncingthatanhonest—lookingman，whospokeItalian，wishedtoseemeonimportantbusiness。Ihadhimbroughtin，and，inthepresenceofmylieutenant，hetoldmeinItalian:
\"NextSunday，thePapaDeldimopulowillfulminateagainstyouthe’cataramonachia’。Ifyoudonotpreventhim，aslowfeverwillsendyouintothenextworldinsixweeks。\"
\"Ihaveneverheardofsuchadrug。\"
\"Itisnotadrug。ItisacursepronouncedbyapriestwiththeHostinhishands，anditissuretobefulfilled。\"
\"Whatreasoncanthatpriesthavetomurderme？\"
\"Youdisturbthepeaceanddisciplineofhisparish。Youhaveseducedseveralyounggirls，andnowtheirloversrefusetomarrythem。\"
Imadehimdrink，andthankinghimheartily，wishedhimgoodnight。
Hiswarningstruckmeasdeservingmyattention，for，ifIhadnofearofthe’cataramonachia’，inwhichIhadnottheslightestfaith，Ifearedcertainpoisonswhichmightbebyfarmoreefficient。I
passedaveryquietnight，butatday—breakIgotup，andwithoutsayinganythingtomylieutenant，IwentstraighttothechurchwhereIfoundthepriest，andaddressedhiminthefollowingwords，utteredinatonelikelytoenforceconviction:
\"Onthefirstsymptomoffever，Iwillshootyoulikeadog。Throwovermeacursewhichwillkillmeinstantly，ormakeyourwill。
Farewell！\"
Havingthuswarnedhim，Ireturnedtomyroyalpalace。EarlyonthefollowingMonday，thepapacalledonme。Ihadaslightheadache；heenquiredaftermyhealth，andwhenItoldhimthatmyheadfeltratherheavy，hemademelaughbytheairofanxietywithwhichheassuredmethatitcouldbecausedbynothingelsethantheheavyatmosphereoftheislandofCasopo。
Threedaysafterhisvisit，theadvancedsentinelgavethewar—cry。
Thelieutenantwentouttoreconnoitre，andafterashortabsencehegavemenoticethatthelongboatofanarmedvesselhadjustlandedanofficer。Dangerwasathand。
Igooutmyself，Icallmymentoarms，and，advancingafewsteps，I
seeanofficer，accompaniedbyaguide，whowaswalkingtowardsmydwelling。Ashewasalone，Ihadnothingtofear。Ireturntomyroom，givingorderstomylieutenanttoreceivehimwithallmilitaryhonoursandtointroducehim。Then，girdingmysword，Iwaitformyvisitor。
Inafewminutes，AdjutantMinolto，thesamewhohadbroughtmetheordertoputmyselfunderarrest，makeshisappearance。
\"Youarealone，\"Isaytohim，\"andthereforeyoucomeasafriend。
Letusembrace。\"
\"Imustcomeasafriend，for，asanenemy，Ishouldnothaveenoughmen。ButwhatIseeseemsadream。\"
\"Takeaseat，anddinewithme。Iwilltreatyousplendidly。\"
\"Mostwillingly，andafterdinnerwewillleavetheislandtogether。\"
\"Youmaygoalone，ifyoulike；butIwillnotleavethisplaceuntilIhavethecertainty，notonlythatIshallnotbesenttothe’bastarda’，butalsothatIshallhaveeverysatisfactionfromtheknavewhomthegeneraloughttosendtothegalleys。\"
\"Bereasonable，andcomewithmeofyourownaccord。Myordersaretotakeyoubyforce，butasIhavenotenoughmentodoso，Ishallmakemyreport，andthegeneralwill，ofcourse，sendaforcesufficienttoarrestyou。\"
\"Never；Iwillnotbetakenalive。\"
\"Youmustbemad；believeme，youareinthewrong。YouhavedisobeyedtheorderIbroughtyoutogotothe’bastarda；inthatyouhaveactedwrongly，andinthatalone，forineveryotherrespectyouwereperfectlyright，thegeneralhimselfsaysso。\"
\"ThenIoughttohaveputmyselfunderarrest？\"
\"Certainly；obedienceisnecessaryinourprofession。\"
\"Wouldyouhaveobeyed，ifyouhadbeeninmyplace？\"
\"IcannotandwillnottellyouwhatIwouldhavedone，butIknowthatifIhaddisobeyedordersIshouldhavebeenguiltyofacrime:\"
\"ButifIsurrenderednowIshouldbetreatedlikeacriminal，andmuchmoreseverelythanifIhadobeyedthatunjustorder。\"
\"Ithinknot。Comewithme，andyouwillknoweverything。\"
\"What！Gowithoutknowingwhatfatemaybeinstoreforme？Donotexpectit。Letushavedinner。IfIamguiltyofsuchadreadfulcrimethatviolencemustbeusedagainstme，Iwillsurrenderonlytoirresistibleforce。Icannotbeworseoff，buttheremaybebloodspilled。\"
\"Youaremistaken，suchconductwouldonlymakeyoumoreguilty。ButIsaylikeyou，letushavedinner。Agoodmealwillverylikelyrenderyoumoredisposedtolistentoreason。\"
Ourdinnerwasnearlyover，whenweheardsomenoiseoutside。Thelieutenantcamein，andinformedmethatthepeasantsweregatheringintheneighbourhoodofmyhousetodefendme，becausearumourhadspreadthroughtheislandthatthefeluccahadbeensentwithorderstoarrestmeandtakemetoCorfu。Itoldhimtoundeceivethegoodfellows，andtosendthemaway，buttogivethemfirstabarrelofwine。
Thepeasantswentawaysatisfied，but，toshewtheirdevotiontome，theyallfiredtheirguns。
\"Itisallveryamusing，\"saidtheadjutant，\"butitwillturnoutveryseriousifyouletmegoawayalone，formydutycompelsmetogiveanexactaccountofallIhavewitnessed。\"
\"Iwillfollowyou，ifyouwillgivemeyourwordofhonourtolandmefreeinCorfu。\"
\"IhaveorderstodeliveryourpersontoM。Foscari，onboardthebastarda。\"
\"Well，youshallnotexecuteyourordersthistime。\"
\"Ifyoudonotobeythecommandsofthegeneral，hishonourwillcompelhimtouseviolenceagainstyou，andofcoursehecandoit。
Buttellme，whatwouldyoudoifthegeneralshouldleaveyouinthisislandforthesakeofthejoke？Thereisnofearofthat，however，and，afterthereportwhichImustgive，thegeneralwillcertainlymakeuphismindtostoptheaffairwithoutsheddingblood。\"
\"Withoutafightitwillbedifficulttoarrestme，forwithfivehundredpeasantsinsuchaplaceasthisIwouldnotbeafraidofthreethousandmen。\"
\"Onemanwillproveenough；youwillbetreatedasaleaderofrebels。Allthesepeasantsmaybedevotedtoyou，buttheycannotprotectyouagainstonemanwhowillshootyouforthesakeofearningafewpiecesofgold。Icantellyoumorethanthat:amongstallthosemenwhosurroundyouthereisnotonewhowouldnotmurderyoufortwentysequins。Believeme，gowithme。CometoenjoythetriumphwhichisawaitingyouinCorfu。Youwillbecourtedandapplauded。Youwillnarrateyourselfallyourmadfrolics，peoplewilllaugh，andatthesametimewilladmireyouforhavinglistenedtoreasonthemomentIcamehere。Everybodyfeelsesteemforyou，andM。D————R—————thinksagreatdealofyou。Hepraisesveryhighlythecommandyouhaveshewnoveryourpassioninrefrainingfromthrustingyourswordthroughthatinsolentfool，inordernottoforgettherespectyouowedtohishouse。Thegeneralhimselfmustesteemyou，forhecannotforgetwhatyoutoldhimofthatknave。\"
\"Whathasbecomeofhim？\"
\"FourdaysagoMajorSardina’sfrigatearrivedwithdispatches，inwhichthegeneralmusthavefoundalltheproofoftheimposture，forhehascausedthefalsedukeorprincetodisappearverysuddenly。
Nobodyknowswherehehasbeensentto，andnobodyventurestomentionthefellowbeforethegeneral，forhemadethemostegregiousblunderrespectinghim。\"
\"ButwasthemanreceivedinsocietyafterthethrashingIgavehim？\"
\"Godforbid！Doyounotrecollectthatheworeasword？Fromthatmomentnoonewouldreceivehim。Hisarmwasbrokenandhisjawshatteredtopieces。
Butinspiteofthestatehewasin，inspiteofwhathemusthavesuffered，hisexcellencyhadhimremovedaweekafteryouhadtreatedhimsoseverely。Butyourflightiswhateveryonehasbeenwonderingover。ItwasthoughtforthreedaysthatM。D————R—————hadconcealedyouinhishouse，andhewasopenlyblamedfordoingso。
Hehadtodeclareloudlyatthegeneral’stablethathewasinthemostcompleteignoranceofyourwhereabouts。Hisexcellencyevenexpressedhisanxietyaboutyourescape，anditwasonlyyesterdaythatyourplaceofrefugewasmadeknownbyaletteraddressedbythepriestofthisislandtotheProto—PapaBulgari，inwhichhecomplainedthatanItalianofficerhadinvadedtheislandofCasopoaweekbefore，andhadcommittedunheard—ofviolence。Heaccusedyouofseducingallthegirls，andofthreateningtoshoothimifhedaredtopronounce’cataramonachia’againstyou。Thisletter，whichwasreadpubliclyattheeveningreception，madethegenerallaugh，butheorderedmetoarrestyouallthesame。\"
\"MadameSagredoisthecauseofitall。\"
\"True，butsheiswellpunishedforit。Yououghttocalluponherwithmeto—morrow。\"
\"To—morrow？AreyouthencertainthatIshallnotbeplacedunderarrest？\"
\"Yes，forIknowthatthegeneralisamanofhonour。\"
\"Iamofthesameopinion。Well，letusgoonboardyourfelucca。
Wewillembarktogetheraftermidnight。\"
\"Whynotnow？\"
\"BecauseIwillnotruntheriskofspendingthenightonboardM。
Foscari’sbastarda。IwanttoreachCorfubydaylight，soastomakeyourvictorymorebrilliant。\"
\"Butwhatshallwedoforthenexteighthours？\"
\"WewillpayavisittosomebeautiesofaspeciesunknowninCorfu，andhaveagoodsupper。\"
Iorderedmylieutenanttosendplentytoeatandtodrinktothemenonboardthefelucca，toprepareasplendidsupper，andtosparenothing，asIshouldleavetheislandatmidnight。Imadehimapresentofallmyprovisions，exceptsuchasIwantedtotakewithme；theseIsentonboard。Myjanissaries，towhomIgaveaweek’spay，insisteduponescortingme，fullyequipped，asfarastheboat，whichmadetheadjutantlaughalltheway。
WereachedCorfubyeighto’clockinthemorning，andwewentalongsidethe’bastarda。TheadjutantconsignedmetoM。Foscari，assuringmethathewouldimmediatelygivenoticeofmyarrivaltoM。D————R—————，sendmyluggagetohishouse，andreportthesuccessofhisexpeditiontothegeneral。
M。Foscari，thecommanderofthebastarda，treatedmeverybadly。Ifhehadbeenblessedwithanydelicacyoffeeling，hewouldnothavebeeninsuchahurrytohavemeputinirons。Hemighthavetalkedtome，andhavethusdelayedforaquarterofanhourthatoperationwhichgreatlyvexedme。But，withoututteringasingleword，hesentmetothe’capodiscalo’whomademesitdown，andtoldmetoputmyfootforwardtoreceivetheirons，which，however，donotdishonouranyoneinthatcountry，noteventhegalleyslaves，fortheyarebettertreatedthansoldiers。
Myrightlegwasalreadyinirons，andtheleftonewasinthehandsofthemanforthecompletionofthatunpleasantceremony，whentheadjutantofhisexcellencycametotelltheexecutionertosetmeatlibertyandtoreturnmemysword。IwantedtopresentmycomplimentstothenobleM。Foscari，buttheadjutant，ratherashamed，assuredmethathisexcellencydidnotexpectmetodoso。
ThefirstthingIdidwastopaymyrespectstothegeneral，withoutsayingonewordtohim，buthetoldmewithaseriouscountenancetobemoreprudentforthefuture，andtolearnthatasoldier’sfirstdutywastoobey，andabovealltobemodestanddiscreet。I
understoodperfectlythemeaningofthetwolastwords，andactedaccordingly。
WhenImademyappearanceatM。D————R—————’s，Icouldseepleasureoneverybody’sface。ThosemomentshavealwaysbeensodeartomethatIhaveneverforgottenthem，theyhaveaffordedmeconsolationinthetimeofadversity。Ifyouwouldrelishpleasureyoumustendurepain，anddelightsareinproportiontotheprivationswehavesuffered。M。D————R—————wassogladtoseemethathecameuptomeandwarmlyembracedme。Hepresentedmewithabeautifulringwhichhetookfromhisownfinger，andtoldmethatIhadactedquiterightlyinnotlettinganyone，andparticularlyhimself，knowwhereI
hadtakenrefuge。
\"Youcan’tthink，\"headded，frankly，\"howinterestedMadameF————
wasinyourfate。Shewouldbereallydelightedifyoucalledonherimmediately。\"
Howdelightfultoreceivesuchadvicefromhisownlips！Buttheword\"immediately\"annoyedme，because，havingpassedthenightonboardthefelucca，Iwasafraidthatthedisorderofmytoiletmightinjuremeinhereyes。YetIcouldneitherrefuseM。D————R—————，nortellhimthereasonofmyrefusal，andIbethoughtmyselfthatI
couldmakeameritofitintheeyesofMadameF————
Ithereforewentatoncetoherhouse；thegoddesswasnotyetvisible，butherattendanttoldmetocomein，assuringmethathermistress’sbellwouldsoonbeheard，andthatshewouldbeverysorryifIdidnotwaittoseeher。Ispenthalfanhourwiththatyoungandindiscreetperson，whowasaverycharminggirl，andlearnedfromhermanythingswhichcausedmegreatpleasure，andparticularlyallthathadbeensaidrespectingmyescape。Ifoundthatthroughouttheaffairmyconducthadmetwithgeneralapprobation。
AssoonasMadameF————hadseenhermaid，shedesiredmetobeshewnin。Thecurtainsweredrawnaside，andIthoughtIsawAurorasurroundedwiththerosesandthepearlsofmorning。Itoldherthat，ifithadnotbeenfortheorderIreceivedfromM。D————R————
Iwouldnothavepresumedtopresentmyselfbeforeherinmytravellingcostume；andinthemostfriendlytonesheansweredthatM。D————R—————，knowingalltheinterestshefeltinme，hadbeenquiterighttotellmetocome，andsheassuredmethatM。D————
R—————hadthegreatestesteemforme。
\"Idonotknow，madam，howIhavedeservedsuchgreathappiness，forallIdaredaimatwastoleration。\"
\"Wealladmiredthecontrolyoukeptoveryourfeelingswhenyourefrainedfromkillingthatinsolentmadmanonthespot；hewouldhavebeenthrownoutofthewindowifhehadnotbeatahurriedretreat。\"
\"Ishouldcertainlyhavekilledhim，madam，ifyouhadnotbeenpresent。\"
\"Averyprettycompliment，butIcanhardlybelievethatyouthoughtofmeinsuchamoment。\"
Ididnotanswer，butcastmyeyesdown，andgaveadeepsigh。Sheobservedmynewring，andinordertochangethesubjectofconversationshepraisedM。D————R—————veryhighly，assoonasI
hadtoldherhowhehadofferedittome。Shedesiredmetogiveheranaccountofmylifeontheisland，andIdidso，butallowedmyprettyneedlewomentoremainunderaveil，forIhadalreadylearntthatinthisworldthetruthmustoftenremainuntold。
Allmyadventuresamusedhermuch，andshegreatlyadmiredmyconduct。
\"Wouldyouhavethecourage，\"shesaid，\"torepeatallyouhavejusttoldme，andexactlyinthesameterms，beforetheproveditore—
generale？\"
\"Mostcertainly，madam，providedheaskedmehimself。\"
\"Well，then，preparetoredeemyourpromise。Iwantourexcellentgeneraltoloveyouandtobecomeyourwarmestprotector，soastoshieldyouagainsteveryinjusticeandtopromoteyouradvancement。
Leaveitalltome。\"
Herreceptionfairlyoverwhelmedmewithhappiness，andonleavingherhouseIwenttoMajorMarolitofindoutthestateofmyfinances。Iwasgladtohearthataftermyescapehehadnolongerconsideredmeapartnerinthefarobank。Itookfourhundredsequinsfromthecashier，reservingtherighttobecomeagainapartner，shouldcircumstancesproveatanytimefavourable。
IntheeveningImadeacarefultoilet，andcalledfortheAdjutantMinoltoinordertopaywithhimavisittoMadameSagredo，thegeneral’sfavourite。WiththeexceptionofMadameF————shewasthegreatestbeautyofCorfu。Myvisitsurprisedher，because，asshehadbeenthecauseofallthathadhappened，shewasveryfarfromexpectingit。SheimaginedthatIhadaspiteagainsther。I
undeceivedher，speakingtoherverycandidly，andshetreatedmemostkindly，invitingmetocomenowandthentospendtheeveningatherhouse。
ButIneitheracceptednorrefusedheramiableinvitation，knowingthatMadameF————dislikedher；andhowcouldIbeafrequentguestatherhousewithsuchaknowledge！Besides，MadameSagredowasveryfondofgambling，and，topleaseher，itwasnecessaryeithertoloseormakeherwin，buttoacceptsuchconditionsonemustbeinlovewiththeladyorwishtomakeherconquest，andIhadnottheslightestideaofeither。TheAdjutantMinoltoneverplayed，buthehadcaptivatedthelady’sgoodgracesbyhisservicesinthecharacterofMercury。
WhenIreturnedtothepalaceIfoundMadameF————alone，M。D————
R—————beingengagedwithhiscorrespondence。Sheaskedmetositnearher，andtotellherallmyadventuresinConstantinople。Ididso，andIhadnooccasiontorepentit。MymeetingwithYusuf’swifepleasedherextremely，butthebathingscenebymoonlightmadeherblushwithexcitement。IveiledasmuchasIcouldthetoobrilliantcoloursofmypicture，but，ifshedidnotfindmeclear，shewouldobligemetobemoreexplicit，andifImademyselfbetterunderstoodbygivingtomyrecitalatouchofvoluptuousnesswhichIborrowedfromherlooksmorethanfrommyrecollection，shewouldscoldmeandtellmethatImighthavedisguisedalittlemore。Ifeltthatthewayshewastalkingwouldgiveheralikingforme，andIwassatisfiedthatthemanwhocangivebirthtoamorousdesiresiseasilycalledupontogratifythemitwastherewardIwasardentlylongingfor，andIdaredtohopeitwouldbemine，althoughIcouldseeitonlyloominginthedistance。
Ithappenedthat，onthatday，M。D————R—————hadinvitedalargecompanytosupper。Ihad，asamatterofcourse，toengrossallconversation，andtogivethefullestparticularsofallthathadtakenplacefromthemomentIreceivedtheordertoplacemyselfunderarrestuptothetimeofmyreleasefromthe’bastarda’。
M。Foscariwasseatednexttome，andthelastpartofmynarrativewasnot，Isuppose，particularlyagreeabletohim。
TheaccountIgaveofmyadventurespleasedeverybody，anditwasdecidedthattheproveditore—generalemusthavethepleasureofhearingmytalefrommyownlips。ImentionedthathaywasveryplentifulinCasopo，andasthatarticlewasveryscarceinCorfu，M。D————R—————toldmethatIoughttoseizetheopportunityofmakingmyselfagreeabletothegeneralbyinforminghimofthatcircumstancewithoutdelay。Ifollowedhisadvicetheverynextday，andwasverywellreceived，forhisexcellencyimmediatelyorderedasquadofmentogototheislandandbringlargequantitiesofhaytoCorfu。
AfewdayslatertheAdjutantMinoltocametomeinthecoffee—house，andtoldmethatthegeneralwishedtoseeme:thistimeIpromptlyobeyedhiscommands。
CHAPTERXV
ProgressofMyAmour——MyJourneytoOtranto——IEntertheServiceofMadameF。——AFortunateExcoriationTheroomIenteredwasfullofpeople。Hisexcellency，seeingme，smiledanddrewuponmetheattentionofallhisguestsbysayingaloud，\"Herecomestheyoungmanwhoisagoodjudgeofprinces。\"
\"Mylord，Ihavebecomeajudgeofnobilitybyfrequentingthesocietyofmenlikeyou。\"
\"TheladiesarecurioustoknowallyouhavedonefromthetimeofyourescapefromCorfuuptoyourreturn。\"
\"Thenyousentenceme，monsignor，tomakeapublicconfession？\"
\"Exactly；but，asitistobeaconfession，becarefulnottoomitthemostinsignificantcircumstance，andsupposethatIamnotintheroom。\"
\"Onthecontrary，Iwishtoreceiveabsolutiononlyfromyourexcellency。Butmyhistorywillbealongone。\"
\"Ifsuchisthecase，yourconfessorgivesyoupermissiontobeseated。\"
Igavealltheparticularsofmyadventures，withtheexceptionofmydalliancewiththenymphsoftheisland。
\"Yourstoryisaveryinstructiveone，\"observedthegeneral。
\"Yes，mylord，fortheadventuresshewthatayoungmanisneversonearhisutterruinthanwhen，excitedbysomegreatpassion，hefindshimselfabletoministertoit，thankstothegoldinhispurse。\"
Iwaspreparingtotakemyleave，whenthemajordomocametoinformmethathisexcellencydesiredmetoremaintosupper。Ihadthereforethehonourofaseatathistable，butnotthepleasureofeating，forIwasobligedtoanswerthequestionsaddressedtomefromallquarters，andIcouldnotcontrivetoswallowasinglemouthful。IwasseatednexttotheProto—PapaBulgari，andI
entreatedhispardonforhavingridiculedDeldimopulo’soracle。\"Itisnothingelsebutregularcheating，\"hesaid，\"butitisverydifficulttoputastoptoit；itisanoldcustom。\"
Ashorttimeafterwards，MadameF————whisperedafewwordstothegeneral，whoturnedtomeandsaidthathewouldbegladtohearmerelatewhathadoccurredtomeinConstantinoplewiththewifeoftheTurkYusuf，andatanotherfriend’shouse，whereIhadseenbathingbymoonlight。Iwasrathersurprisedatsuchaninvitation，andtoldhimthatsuchfrolicswerenotworthlisteningto，andthegeneralnotpressingmenomorewassaidaboutit。ButIwasastonishedatMadameF————’sindiscretion；shehadnobusinesstomakemyconfidencespublic。Iwantedhertobejealousofherowndignity，whichIlovedevenmorethanherperson。
Twoorthreedayslater，shesaidtome，\"WhydidyourefusetotellyouradventuresinConstantinoplebeforethegeneral？\"
\"BecauseIdonotwisheverybodytoknowthatyouallowmetotellyousuchthings。WhatImaydare，madam，tosaytoyouwhenwearealone，Iwouldcertainlynotsaytoyouinpublic。\"
\"Andwhynot？Itseemstome，onthecontrary，thatifyouaresilentinpublicoutofrespectforme，yououghttobeallthemoresilentwhenwearealone。\"
\"Iwantedtoamuseyou，andhaveexposedmyselftothedangerofdispleasingyou，butIcanassureyou，madam，thatIwillnotrunsuchariskagain。\"
\"Ihavenowishtopryintoyourintentions，butitstrikesmethatifyourwishwastopleaseme，yououghtnottohaveruntheriskofobtainingtheoppositeresult。Wetakesupperwiththegeneralthisevening，andM。D————R—————hasbeenaskedtobringyou。IfeelcertainthatthegeneralwillaskyouagainforyouradventuresinConstantinople，andthistimeyoucannotrefusehim。\"
M。D————R—————cameinandwewenttothegeneral’s。Ithoughtasweweredrivingalongthat，althoughMadameF————seemedtohaveintendedtohumiliateme，Ioughttoacceptitallasafavouroffortune，because，bycompellingmetoexplainmyrefusaltothegeneral；MadameF————had，atthesametime，compelledmetoadeclarationofmyfeelings，whichwasnotwithoutimportance。
The’proveditore—generale’gavemeafriendlywelcome，andkindlyhandedmealetterwhichhadcomewiththeofficialdispatchesfromConstantinople。Ibowedmythanks，andputtheletterinmypocket:
buthetoldmethathewashimselfagreatloverofnews，andthatI
couldreadmyletter。Iopenedit；itwasfromYusuf，whoannouncedthedeathofCountdeBonneval。HearingthenameoftheworthyYusuf，thegeneralaskedmetotellhimmyadventurewithhiswife。
Icouldnotnowrefuse，andIbeganastorywhichamusedandinterestedthegeneralandhisfriendsforanhourorso，butwhichwasfrombeginningtoendtheworkofmyimagination。
ThusIcontinuedtorespecttheprivacyofYusuf，toavoidimplicatingthegoodfameofMadameF————，andtoshewmyselfinalightwhichwastolerablyadvantageoustome。Mystory，whichwasfullofsentiment，didmeagreatdealofhonour，andIfeltveryhappywhenIsawfromtheexpressionofMadameF————’sfacethatshewaspleasedwithme，althoughsomewhatsurprised。
Whenwefoundourselvesagaininherhouseshetoldme，inthepresenceofM。D————R—————，thatthestoryIhadrelatedtothegeneralwascertainlyverypretty，althoughpurelyimaginary，thatshewasnotangrywithme，becauseIhadamusedher，butthatshecouldnothelpremarkingmyobstinacyinrefusingcompliancewithherwishes。Then，turningtoM。D————R—————，shesaid，\"M。CasanovapretendsthatifhehadgivenanaccountofhismeetingwithYusuf’swifewithoutchanginganythingeverybodywouldthinkthatIallowedhimtoentertainmewithindecentstories。Iwantyoutogiveyouropinionaboutit。Willyou，\"sheadded，speakingtome，\"besogoodastorelateimmediatelytheadventureinthesamewordswhichyouhaveusedwhenyoutoldmeofit？\"
\"Yes，madam，ifyouwishmetodoso。\"
Stungtothequickbyanindiscretionwhich，asIdidnotyetknowwomenthoroughly，seemedtomewithoutexample，Icastallfearsofdispleasingtothewinds，relatedtheadventurewithallthewarmthofanimpassionedpoet，andwithoutdisguisingorattenuatingintheleastthedesireswhichthecharmsoftheGreekbeautyhadinspiredmewith。
\"Doyouthink，\"saidM。D————R—————toMadameF—————，\"thatheoughttohaverelatedthatadventurebeforeallourfriendsashehasjustrelatedittous？\"
\"Ifitbewrongforhimtotellitinpublic，itisalsowrongtotellittomeinprivate。\"
\"Youaretheonlyjudgeofthat:yes，ifhehasdispleasedyou；no，ifhehasamusedyou。Asformyownopinion，hereitis:Hehasjustnowamusedmeverymuch，buthewouldhavegreatlydispleasedmeifhehadrelatedthesameadventureinpublic。\"
\"Then，\"exclaimedMadameF————，\"Imustrequestyounevertotellmeinprivateanythingthatyoucannotrepeatinpublic。\"
\"Ipromise，madam，toactalwaysaccordingtoyourwishes。\"
\"Itbeingunderstood，\"addedM。D————R—————，smiling，\"thatmadamreservesallrightsofrepealingthatorderwhenevershemaythinkfit。\"
Iwasvexed，butIcontrivednottoshowit。Afewminutesmore，andwetookleaveofMadameF————
Iwasbeginningtounderstandthatcharmingwoman，andtodreadtheordealtowhichshewouldsubjectme。Butlovewasstrongerthanfear，and，fortifiedwithhope，Ihadthecouragetoendurethethorns，soastogathertheroseattheendofmysufferings。IwasparticularlypleasedtofindthatM。D————R—————wasnotjealousofme，evenwhensheseemedtodarehimtoit。Thiswasapointofthegreatestimportance。
Afewdaysafterwards，asIwasentertainingheronvarioussubjects，sheremarkedhowunfortunateithadbeenformetoenterthelazzarettoatAnconawithoutanymoney。
\"Inspiteofmydistress，\"Isaid，\"IfellinlovewithayoungandbeautifulGreekslave，whoverynearlycontrivedtomakemebreakthroughallthesanitarylaws。\"
\"Howso？\"
\"Youarealone，madam，andIhavenotforgottenyourorders。\"
\"Isitaveryimproperstory？\"
\"No:yetIwouldnotrelateittoyouinpublic。\"
\"Well，\"shesaid，laughing，\"Irepealmyorder，asM。D————R—————
saidIwould。Tellmeallaboutit。\"
Itoldmystory，and，seeingthatshewaspensive，IexaggeratedthemiseryIhadfeltatnotbeingabletocompletemyconquest。
\"Whatdoyoumeanbyyourmisery？Ithinkthatthepoorgirlwasmoretobepitiedthanyou。Youhaveneverseenhersince？\"
\"Ibegyourpardon，madam；Imetheragain，butIdarenottellyouwhenorhow。\"
\"Nowyoumustgoon；itisallnonsenseforyoutostop。Tellmeall；Iexpectyouhavebeenguiltyofsomeblackdeed。\"
\"Veryfarfromit，madam，foritwasaverysweet，althoughincomplete，enjoyment。\"
\"Goon！Butdonotcallthingsexactlybytheirnames。Itisnotnecessarytogointodetails。\"
Emboldenedbytherenewalofherorder，Itoldher，withoutlookingherintheface，ofmymeetingwiththeGreekslaveinthepresenceofBellino，andoftheactwhichwascutshortbytheappearanceofhermaster。WhenIhadfinishedmystory，MadameF————remainedsilent，andIturnedtheconversationintoadifferentchannel，forthoughIfeltmyselfonanexcellentfootingwithher，IknewlikewisethatIhadtoproceedwithgreatprudence。Shewastooyoungtohaveloweredherselfbefore，andshewouldcertainlylookuponaconnectionwithmeasaloweringofherdignity。
Fortunewhichhadalwayssmileduponmeinthemosthopelesscases，didnotintendtoill—treatmeonthisoccasion，andprocuredme，onthatverysameday，afavourofaverypeculiarnature。Mycharmingladylovehavingprickedherfingerratherseverely，screamedloudly，andstretchedherhandtowardsme，entreatingmetosuckthebloodflowingfromthewound。Youmayjudge，dearreader，whetherIwaslonginseizingthatbeautifulhand，andifyouare，orifyouhaveeverbeeninlove，youwilleasilyguessthemannerinwhichI
performedmydelightfulwork。Whatisakiss？Isitnotanardentdesiretoinhaleaportionofthebeingwelove？WasnotthebloodI
wassuckingfromthatcharmingwoundaportionofthewomanI
worshipped？WhenIhadcompletedmywork，shethankedmeaffectionately，andtoldmetospitoutthebloodIhadsucked。
\"Itishere，\"Isaid，placingmyhandonmyheart，\"andGodaloneknowswhathappinessithasgivenme。\"
\"Youhavedrunkmybloodwithhappiness！Areyouthenacannibal？\"
\"Ibelievenot，madam；butitwouldhavebeensacrilegeinmyeyesifIhadsufferedonesingledropofyourbloodtobelost。\"
Oneevening，therewasanunusuallylargeattendanceatM。D————
R—————’sassembly，andweweretalkingofthecarnivalwhichwasnearathand。Everybodywasregrettingthelackofactors，andtheimpossibilityofenjoyingthepleasuresofthetheatre。I
immediatelyofferedtoprocureagoodcompanyatmyexpense，iftheboxeswereatoncesubscribedfor，andthemonopolyofthefarobankgrantedtome。Notimewastobelost，forthecarnivalwasapproaching，andIhadtogotoOtrantotoengageatroop。Myproposalwasacceptedwithgreatjoy，andtheproveditore—generaleplacedafeluccaatmydisposal。Theboxeswerealltakeninthreedays，andaJewtookthepit，twonightsaweekexcepted，whichI
reservedformyownprofit。
Thecarnivalbeingverylongthatyear，Ihadeverychanceofsuccess。Itissaidgenerallythattheprofessionoftheatricalmanagerisdifficult，but，ifthatisthecase，Ihavenotfounditsobyexperience，andamboundtoaffirmthecontrary。