Oneeveningaftersupper，M。D————R—————havingretired，M。F————
usednoceremony，and，althoughIwaspresent，toldhiswifethatheintendedtopayheravisitafterwritingtwoletterswhichhehadtodispatchearlythenextmorning。Themomenthehadlefttheroomwelookedateachother，andwithoneaccordfellintoeachother’sarms。Atorrentofdelightsrushedthroughoursoulswithoutrestraint，withoutreserve，butwhenthefirstardourhadbeenappeased，withoutgivingmetimetothinkortoenjoythemostcomplete，themostdeliciousvictory，shedrewback，repulsedme，andthrewherself，panting，distracted，uponachairnearherbed。
Rootedtothespot，astonished，almostmad，Itremblinglylookedather，tryingtounderstandwhathadcausedsuchanextraordinaryaction。Sheturnedroundtowardsmeandsaid，hereyesflashingwiththefireoflove，\"Mydarling，wewereonthebrinkoftheprecipice。\"
\"Theprecipice！Ah！cruelwoman，youhavekilledme，Ifeelmyselfdying，andperhapsyouwillneverseemeagain。\"
Ileftherinastateoffrenzy，andrushedout，towardstheesplanade，tocoolmyself，forIwaschoking。AnymanwhohasnotexperiencedthecrueltyofanactionlikethatofMadameF————，andespeciallyinthesituationIfoundmyselfinatthatmoment，mentallyandbodily，canhardlyrealizewhatIsuffered，and，althoughIhavefeltthatsuffering，Icouldnotgiveanideaofit。
Iwasinthatfearfulstate，whenIheardmynamecalledfromawindow，andunfortunatelyIcondescendedtoanswer。Iwentnearthewindow，andIsaw，thankstothemoonlight，thefamousMelullastandingonherbalcony。
\"Whatareyoudoingthereatthistimeofnight？\"Ienquired。
\"Iamenjoyingthecooleveningbreeze。Comeupforalittlewhile。\"
ThisMelulla，offatalmemory，wasacourtezanfromZamte，ofrarebeauty，whoforthelastfourmonthshadbeenthedelightandtherageofalltheyoungmeninCorfu。Thosewhohadknownheragreedinextollinghercharms:shewasthetalkofallthecity。Ihadseenheroften，but，althoughshewasverybeautiful，IwasveryfarfromthinkingheraslovelyasMadameF————，puttingmyaffectionforthelatterononeside。IrecollectseeinginDresden，intheyear1790，averyhandsomewomanwhowastheimageofMelulla。
Iwentupstairsmechanically，andshetookmetoavoluptuousboudoir；shecomplainedofmybeingtheonlyonewhohadneverpaidheravisit，whenIwasthemanshewouldhavepreferredtoallothers，andIhadtheinfamytogiveway……Ibecamethemostcriminalofmen。
Itwasneitherdesire，norimagination，northemeritofthewomanwhichcausedmetoyield，forMelullawasinnowayworthyofme；no，itwasweakness，indolence，andthestateofbodilyandmentalirritationinwhichIthenfoundmyself:itwasasortofspite，becausetheangelwhomIadoredhaddispleasedmebyacaprice，which，hadInotbeenunworthyofher，wouldonlyhavecausedmetobestillmoreattachedtoher。
Melulla，highlypleasedwithhersuccess，refusedthegoldIwantedtogiveher，andallowedmetogoafterIhadspenttwohourswithher。
WhenIrecoveredmycomposure，Ihadbutonefeeling—hatredformyselfandforthecontemptiblecreaturewhohadalluredmetobeguiltyofsovileaninsulttotheloveliestofhersex。Iwenthomethepreytofearfulremorse，andwenttobed，butsleepneverclosedmyeyesthroughoutthatcruelnight。
Inthemorning，wornoutwithfatigueandsorrow，Igotup，andassoonasIwasdressedIwenttoM。F————，whohadsentformetogivemesomeorders。AfterIhadreturned，andhadgivenhimanaccountofmymission，IcalleduponMadameF————，andfindingherathertoiletIwishedhergoodmorning，observingthatherlovelyfacewasbreathingthecheerfulnessandthecalmofhappiness；but，suddenly，hereyesmeetingmine，Isawhercountenancechange，andanexpressionofsadnessreplaceherlooksofsatisfaction。Shecasthereyesdownasifshewasdeepinthought，raisedthemagainasiftoreadmyverysoul，andbreakingourpainfulsilence，assoonasshehaddismissedhermaid，shesaidtome，withanaccentfulloftendernessandofsolemnity，\"Dearone，lettherebenoconcealmenteitheronmypartoronyours。
IfeltdeeplygrievedwhenIsawyouleavemelastnight，andalittleconsiderationmademeunderstandalltheevilwhichmightaccruetoyouinconsequenceofwhatIhaddone。Withanaturelikeyours，suchscenesmightcauseverydangerousdisorders，andIhaveresolvednottodoagainanythingbyhalves。Ithoughtthatyouwentouttobreathethefreshair，andIhopeditwoulddoyougood。I
placedmyselfatmywindow，whereIremainedmorethananhourwithoutseeingalightinyourroom。SorryforwhatIhaddone，lovingyoumorethanever，Iwascompelled，whenmyhusbandcametomyroom，togotobedwiththesadconvictionthatyouhadnotcomehome。Thismorning，M。F。sentanofficertotellyouthathewantedtoseeyou，andIheardthemessengerinformhimthatyouwerenotyetup，andthatyouhadcomehomeverylate。Ifeltmyheartswellwithsorrow。Iamnotjealous，dearest，forIknowthatyoucannotloveanyonebutme；Ionlyfeltafraidofsomemisfortune。Atlast，thismorning，whenIheardyoucoming，Iwashappy，becauseIwasreadytoskewmyrepentance，butIlookedatyou，andyouseemedadifferentman。Now，Iamstilllookingatyou，and，inspiteofmyself，mysoulreadsuponyourcountenancethatyouareguilty，thatyouhaveoutragedmylove。Tellmeatonce，dearest，ifIammistaken；ifyouhavedeceivedme，saysoopenly。Donotbeunfaithfultoloveandtotruth。KnowingthatIwasthecauseofit，Ishouldneverforgivemyself，butthereisanexcuseforyouinmyheart，inmywholebeing。\"
Morethanonce，inthecourseofmylife，IhavefoundmyselfunderthepainfulnecessityoftellingfalsehoodstothewomanIloved；butinthiscase，aftersotrue，sotouchinganappeal，howcouldIbeotherwisethansincere？Ifeltmyselfsufficientlydebasedbymycrime，andIcouldnotdegrademyselfstillmorebyfalsehood。IwassofarfrombeingdisposedtosuchalineofconductthatIcouldnotspeak，andIburstoutcrying。
\"What，mydarling！youareweeping！Yourtearsmakememiserable。
Yououghtnottohaveshedanywithmebuttearsofhappinessandlove。Quick，mybeloved，tellmewhetheryouhavemademewretched。
Tellmewhatfearfulrevengeyouhavetakenonme，whowouldratherdiethanoffendyou。IfIhavecausedyouanysorrow，ithasbeenintheinnocenceofalovinganddevotedheart。\"
\"Myowndarlingangel，Ineverthoughtofrevenge，formyheart，whichcanneverceasetoadoreyou，couldneverconceivesuchadreadfulidea。Itisagainstmyownheartthatmycowardlyweaknesshasalluredmetothecommissionofacrimewhich，fortheremainderofmylife，makesmeunworthyofyou。\"
\"Haveyou，then，givenyourselftosomewretchedwoman？\"
\"Yes，Ihavespenttwohoursinthevilestdebauchery，andmysoulwaspresentonlytobethewitnessofmysadness，ofmyremorse，ofmyunworthiness。\"
\"Sadnessandremorse！Oh，mypoorfriend！Ibelieveit。Butitismyfault；Ialoneoughttosuffer；itisIwhomustbegyoutoforgiveme。\"
Hertearsmademineflowagain。
\"Divinesoul，\"Isaid，\"thereproachesyouareaddressingtoyourselfincreasetwofoldthegravityofmycrime。YouwouldneverhavebeenguiltyofanywrongagainstmeifIhadbeenreallyworthyofyourlove。\"
Ifeltdeeplythetruthofmywords。
Wespenttheremainderofthedayapparentlyquietandcomposed，concealingoursadnessinthedepthsofourhearts。Shewascurioustoknowallthecircumstancesofmymiserableadventure，and，acceptingitasanexpiation，Irelatedthemtoher。Fullofkindness，sheassuredmethatwewereboundtoascribethataccidenttofate，andthatthesamethingmighthavehappenedtothebestofmen。SheaddedthatIwasmoretobepitiedthancondemned，andthatshedidnotlovemeless。Webothwerecertainthatwewouldseizethefirstfavourableopportunity，sheofobtainingherpardon，Iofatoningformycrime，bygivingeachothernewandcompleteproofsofourmutualardour。ButHeaveninitsjusticehadordereddifferently，andIwascruellypunishedformydisgustingdebauchery。
Onthethirdday，asIgotupinthemorning，anawfulprickingannouncedthehorridstateintowhichthewretchedMelullahadthrownme。Iwasthunderstruck！AndwhenIcametothinkofthemiserywhichImighthavecausedif，duringthelastthreedays，Ihadobtainedsomenewfavourfrommylovelymistress，Iwasonthepointofgoingmad。WhatwouldhavebeenherfeelingsifIhadmadeherunhappyfortheremainderofherlife！Wouldanyone，then，knowingthewholecase，havecondemnedmeifIhaddestroyedmyownlifeinordertodelivermyselffromeverlastingremorse？No，forthemanwhokillshimselffromsheerdespair，thusperforminguponhimselftheexecutionofthesentencehewouldhavedeservedatthehandsofjusticecannotbeblamedeitherbyavirtuousphilosopherorbyatolerantChristian。ButofonethingIamquitecertain:ifsuchamisfortunehadhappened，Ishouldhavecommittedsuicide。
OverwhelmedwithgriefbythediscoveryIhadjustmade，butthinkingthatIshouldgetridoftheinconvenienceasIhaddonethreetimesbefore，Ipreparedmyselfforastrictdiet，whichwouldrestoremyhealthinsixweekswithoutanyonehavinganysuspicionofmyillness，butIsoonfoundoutthatIhadnotseentheendofmytroubles；Melullahadcommunicatedtomysystemallthepoisonswhichcorruptthesourceoflife。Iwasacquaintedwithanelderlydoctorofgreatexperienceinthosematters；Iconsultedhim，andhepromisedtosetmetorightsintwomonths；heprovedasgoodashisword。AtthebeginningofSeptemberIfoundmyselfingoodhealth，anditwasaboutthattimethatIreturnedtoVenice。
ThefirstthingIresolvedon，assoonasIdiscoveredthestateI
wasin，wastoconfesseverythingtoMadameF————。Ididnotwishtowaitforthetimewhenacompulsoryconfessionwouldhavemadeherblushforherweakness，andgivenhercausetothinkofthefearfulconsequenceswhichmighthavebeentheresultofherpassionforme。
Heraffectionwastoodeartometoruntheriskoflosingitthroughawantofconfidenceinher。Knowingherheart，hercandour，andthegenerositywhichhadpromptedhertosaythatIwasmoretobepitiedthanblamed，IthoughtmyselfboundtoprovebymysinceritythatI
deservedheresteem。
ItoldhercandidlymypositionandthestateIhadbeenthrownin，whenIthoughtofthedreadfulconsequencesitmighthavehadforher。Isawhershudderandtremble，andsheturnedpalewithfearwhenIaddedthatIwouldhaveavengedherbykillingmyself。
\"Villainous，infamousMelulla！\"sheexclaimed。
AndIrepeatedthosewords，butturningthemagainstmyselfwhenI
realizedallIhadsacrificedthroughthemostdisgustingweakness。
EveryoneinCorfuknewofmyvisittothewretchedMelulla，andeveryoneseemedsurprisedtoseetheappearanceofhealthonmycountenance；formanywerethevictimsthatshehadtreatedlikeme。
Myillnesswasnotmyonlysorrow；Ihadotherswhich，althoughofadifferentnature，werenotlessserious。ItwaswritteninthebookoffatethatIshouldreturntoVeniceasimpleensignaswhenI
left:thegeneraldidnotkeephisword，andthebastardsonofanoblemanwaspromotedtothelieutenancyinsteadofmyself。Fromthatmomentthemilitaryprofession，theonemostsubjecttoarbitrarydespotism，inspiredmewithdisgust，andIdeterminedtogiveitup。ButIhadanotherstillmoreimportantmotiveforsorrowintheficklenessoffortunewhichhadcompletelyturnedagainstme。
Iremarkedthat，fromthetimeofmydegradationwithMelulla，everykindofmisfortunebefellme。Thegreatestofall——thatwhichIfeltmost，butwhichIhadthegoodsensetotryandconsiderafavour——
wasthataweekbeforethedepartureofthearmyM。D————R—————tookmeagainforhisadjutant，andM。F————hadtoengageanotherinmyplace。OntheoccasionofthatchangeMadameFtoldme，withanappearanceofregret，thatinVenicewecouldnot，formanyreasons，continueourintimacy。Ibeggedhertosparemethereasons，asI
foresawthattheywouldonlythrowhumiliationuponme。IbegantodiscoverthatthegoddessIhadworshippedwas，afterall，apoorhumanbeinglikeallotherwomen，andtothinkthatIshouldhavebeenveryfoolishtogiveupmylifeforher。Iprobedinonedaytherealworthofherheart，forshetoldme，Icannotrecollectinreferencetowhat，thatIexcitedherpity。Isawclearlythatshenolongerlovedme；pityisadebasingfeelingwhichcannotfindahomeinaheartfulloflove，forthatdrearysentimentistooneararelativeofcontempt。SincethattimeIneverfoundmyselfalonewithMadameF————。Ilovedherstill；Icouldeasilyhavemadeherblush，butIdidnotdoit。
AssoonaswereachedVeniceshebecameattachedtoM。F————R—————，whomsheloveduntildeathtookhimfromher。Shewasunhappyenoughtolosehersighttwentyyearsafter。Ibelievesheisstillalive。
DuringthelasttwomonthsofmystayinCorfu，Ilearnedthemostbitterandimportantlessons。InafteryearsIoftenderivedusefulhintsfromtheexperienceIacquiredatthattime。
BeforemyadventurewiththeworthlessMelulla，Ienjoyedgoodhealth，Iwasrich，luckyatplay，likedbyeverybody，belovedbythemostlovelywomanofCorfu。WhenIspoke，everybodywouldlistenandadmiremywit；mywordsweretakenfororacles，andeveryonecoincidedwithmeineverything。AftermyfatalmeetingwiththecourtezanIrapidlylostmyhealth，mymoney，mycredit；
cheerfulness，consideration，wit，everything，eventhefacultyofeloquencevanishedwithfortune。Iwouldtalk，butpeopleknewthatIwasunfortunate，andInolongerinterestedorconvincedmyhearers。TheinfluenceIhadoverMadameF————fadedawaylittlebylittle，and，almostwithoutherknowingit，thelovelywomanbecamecompletelyindifferenttome。
IleftCorfuwithoutmoney，althoughIhadsoldorpledgedeverythingIhadofanyvalue。TwiceIhadreachedCorfurichandhappy，twiceIleftitpoorandmiserable。ButthistimeIhadcontracteddebtswhichIhaveneverpaid，notthroughwantofwillbutthroughcarelessness。
Richandingoodhealth，everyonereceivedmewithopenarms；poorandlookingsick，nooneshewedmeanyconsideration。Withafullpurseandthetoneofaconqueror，Iwasthoughtwitty，amusing；withanemptypurseandamodestair，allIsaidappeareddullandinsipid。IfIhadbecomerichagain，howsoonIwouldhavebeenagainaccountedtheeighthwonderoftheworld！Oh，men！oh，fortune！Everyoneavoidedmeasiftheillluckwhichcrushedmedownwasinfectious。
WeleftCorfutowardstheendofSeptember，withfivegalleys，twogaleasses，andseveralsmallervessels，underthecommandofM。
Renier。WesailedalongtheshoresoftheAdriatic，towardsthenorthofthegulf，wherethereareagreatmanyharbours，andweputinoneofthemeverynight。IsawMadameF————everyevening；shealwayscamewithherhusbandtotakesupperonboardourgaleass。Wehadafortunatevoyage，andcastanchorintheharbourofVeniceonthe14thofOctober，1745，andafterhavingperformedquarantineonboardourships，welandedonthe25thofNovember。Twomonthsafterwards，thegaleassesweresetasidealtogether。Theuseofthesevesselscouldbetracedveryfarbackinancienttimes；theirmaintenancewasveryexpensive，andtheywereuseless。Agaleasshadtheframeofafrigatewiththerowingapparatusofthegalley，andwhentherewasnowind，fivehundredslaveshadtorow。
Beforesimplegoodsensemanagedtoprevailandtoenforcethesuppressionoftheseuselesscarcasses，therewerelongdiscussionsinthesenate，andthosewhoopposedthemeasuretooktheirprincipalgroundofoppositioninthenecessityofrespectingandconservingalltheinstitutionsofoldentimes。Thatisthediseaseofpersonswhocanneveridentifythemselveswiththesuccessiveimprovementsbornofreasonandexperience；worthypersonswhooughttobesenttoChina，ortothedominionsoftheGrandLama，wheretheywouldcertainlybemoreathomethaninEurope。
Thatgroundofoppositiontoallimprovements，howeverabsurditmaybe，isaverypowerfuloneinarepublic，whichmusttrembleatthemereideaofnoveltyeitherinimportantorintriflingthings。
Superstitionhaslikewiseagreatparttoplayintheseconservativeviews。
ThereisonethingthattheRepublicofVenicewillneveralter:I
meanthegalleys，becausetheVenetianstrulyrequiresuchvesselstoply，inallweathersandinspiteofthefrequentcalms，inanarrowsea，andbecausetheywouldnotknowwhattodowiththemensentencedtohardlabour。
IhaveobservedasingularthinginCorfu，wherethereareoftenasmanyasthreethousandgalleyslaves；itisthatthemenwhorowonthegalleys，inconsequenceofasentencepasseduponthemforsomecrime，areheldinakindofopprobrium，whilstthosewhoaretherevoluntarilyare，tosomeextent，respected。Ihavealwaysthoughtitoughttobethereverse，becausemisfortune，whateveritmaybe，oughttoinspiresomesortofrespect；butthevilefellowwhocondemnshimselfvoluntarilyandasatradetothepositionofaslaveseemstomecontemptibleinthehighestdegree。TheconvictsoftheRepublic，however，enjoymanyprivileges，andare，ineveryway，bettertreatedthanthesoldiers。Itveryoftenoccursthatsoldiersdesertandgivethemselvesuptoa’sopracomito’tobecomegalleyslaves。Inthosecases，thecaptainwholosesasoldierhasnothingtodobuttosubmitpatiently，forhewouldclaimthemaninvain。ThereasonofitisthattheRepublichasalwaysbelievedgalleyslavesmorenecessarythansoldiers。TheVenetiansmayperhapsnow（Iamwritingtheselinesintheyear1797）begintorealizetheirmistake。
Agalleyslave，forinstance，hastheprivilegeofstealingwithimpunity。Itisconsideredthatstealingistheleastcrimetheycanbeguiltyof，andthattheyoughttobeforgivenforit。
\"Keeponyourguard，\"saysthemasterofthegalleyslave；\"andifyoucatchhimintheactofstealing，thrashhim，butbecarefulnottocripplehim；otherwiseyoumustpaymetheonehundredducatsthemanhascostme。\"
Acourtofjusticecouldnothaveagalleyslavetakenfromagalley，withoutpayingthemastertheamounthehasdisbursedfortheman。
AssoonasIhadlandedinVenice，IcalleduponMadameOrio，butI
foundthehouseempty。AneighbourtoldmethatshehadmarriedtheProcuratorRosa，andhadremovedtohishouse。IwentimmediatelytoM。Rosaandwaswellreceived。MadameOrioinformedmethatNanettehadbecomeCountessR。，andwaslivinginGuastallawithherhusband。
Twenty—fouryearsafterwards，Imethereldestson，thenadistinguishedofficerintheserviceoftheInfanteofParma。
AsforMarton，thegraceofHeavenhadtouchedher，andshehadbecomeanunintheconventatMuran。Twoyearsafterwards，I
receivedfromheraletterfullofunction，inwhichsheadjuredme，inthenameofOurSaviourandoftheHolyVirgin，nevertopresentmyselfbeforehereyes。SheaddedthatshewasboundbyChristiancharitytoforgivemeforthecrimeIhadcommittedinseducingher，andshefeltcertainoftherewardoftheelect，andsheassuredmethatshewouldeverprayearnestlyformyconversion。
Ineversawheragain，butshesawmein1754，asIwillmentionwhenwereachthatyear。
IfoundMadameManzonistillthesame。ShehadpredictedthatI
wouldnotremaininthemilitaryprofession，andwhenItoldherthatIhadmadeupmymindtogiveitup，becauseIcouldnotbereconciledtotheinjusticeIhadexperienced，sheburstoutlaughing。SheenquiredabouttheprofessionIintendedtofollowaftergivingupthearmy，andIansweredthatIwishedtobecomeanadvocate。Shelaughedagain，sayingthatitwastoolate。YetIwasonlytwentyyearsold。
WhenIcalleduponM。GrimaniIhadafriendlywelcomefromhim，but，havingenquiredaftermybrotherFrancois，hetoldmethathehadhadhimconfinedinFortSaintAndre，thesametowhichIhadbeensentbeforethearrivaloftheBishopofMartorano。
\"Heworksforthemajorthere，\"hesaid；\"hecopiesSimonetti’sbattle—pieces，andthemajorpayshimforthem；inthatmannerheearnshisliving，andisbecomingagoodpainter。\"
\"Butheisnotaprisoner？\"
\"Well，verymuchlikeit，forhecannotleavethefort。Themajor，whosenameisSpiridion，isafriendofRazetta，whocouldnotrefusehimthepleasureoftakingcareofyourbrother。\"
IfeltitadreadfulcursethatthefatalRazettashouldbethetormentorofallmyfamily，butIconcealedmyanger。
\"Ismysister，\"Ienquired，\"stillwithhim？\"
\"No，shehasgonetoyourmotherinDresden。\"
Thiswasgoodnews。
ItookacordialleaveoftheAbbeGrimani，andIproceededtoFortSaintAndre。Ifoundmybrotherhardatwork，neitherpleasednordispleasedwithhisposition，andenjoyinggoodhealth。Afterembracinghimaffectionately，Ienquiredwhatcrimehehadcommittedtobethusaprisoner。
\"Askthemajor，\"hesaid，\"forIhavenotthefaintestidea。\"
Themajorcameinjustthen，soIgavehimthemilitarysalute，andaskedbywhatauthorityhekeptmybrotherunderarrest。
\"Iamnotaccountabletoyouformyactions。\"
\"Thatremainstobeseen。\"
Ithentoldmybrothertotakehishat，andtocomeanddinewithme。
Themajorlaughed，andsaidthathehadnoobjectionprovidedthesentinelallowedhimtopass。
IsawthatIshouldonlywastemytimeindiscussion，andIleftthefortfullybentonobtainingjustice。
ThenextdayIwenttothewaroffice，whereIhadthepleasureofmeetingmydearMajorPelodoro，whowasthencommanderoftheFortressofChiozza。IinformedhimofthecomplaintIwantedtopreferbeforethesecretaryofwarrespectingmybrother’sarrest，andoftheresolutionIhadtakentoleavethearmy。Hepromisedmethat，assoonastheconsentofthesecretaryforwarcouldbeobtained，hewouldfindapurchaserformycommissionatthesamepriceIhadpaidforit。
Ihadnotlongtowait。Thewarsecretarycametotheoffice，andeverythingwassettledinhalfanhour。Hepromisedhisconsenttothesaleofmycommissionassoonasheascertainedtheabilitiesofthepurchaser，andMajorSpiridionhappeningtomakehisappearanceintheofficewhileIwasstillthere，thesecretaryorderedhimratherangrily，tosetmybrotheratlibertyimmediately，andcautionedhimnottobeguiltyagainofsuchreprehensibleandarbitraryacts。
Iwentatonceformybrother，andwelivedtogetherinfurnishedlodgings。
Afewdaysafterwards，havingreceivedmydischargeandonehundredsequins，Ithrewoffmyuniform，andfoundmyselfoncemoremyownmaster。
Ihadtoearnmylivinginonewayoranother，andIdecidedfortheprofessionofgamester。ButDameFortunewasnotofthesameopinion，forsherefusedtosmileuponmefromtheveryfirststepI
tookinthecareer，andinlessthanaweekIdidnotpossessagroat。Whatwastobecomeofme？Onemustlive，andIturnedfiddler。DoctorGozzihadtaughtmewellenoughtoenablemetoscrapeontheviolinintheorchestraofatheatre，andhavingmentionedmywishestoM。GrimaniheprocuredmeanengagementathisowntheatreofSaintSamuel，whereIearnedacrownaday，andsupportedmyselfwhileIawaitedbetterthings。
Fullyawareofmyrealposition，InevershewedmyselfinthefashionablecircleswhichIusedtofrequentbeforemyfortunehadsunksolow。IknewthatIwasconsideredasaworthlessfellow，butIdidnotcare。Peopledespisedme，asamatterofcourse；butI
foundcomfortintheconsciousnessthatIwasworthyofcontempt。
IfelthumiliatedbythepositiontowhichIwasreducedafterhavingplayedsobrilliantapartinsociety；butasIkeptthesecrettomyselfIwasnotdegraded，evenifIfeltsomeshame。IhadnotexchangedmylastwordwithDameFortune，andwasstillinhopeofreckoningwithhersomeday，becauseIwasyoung，andyouthisdeartoFortune。
CHAPTERXVII
ITurnOutAWorthlessFellow——MyGoodFortune——IBecomeARichNoblemanWithaneducationwhichoughttohaveensuredmeanhonourablestandingintheworld，withsomeintelligence，wit，goodliteraryandscientificknowledge，andendowedwiththoseaccidentalphysicalqualitieswhicharesuchagoodpassportintosociety，Ifoundmyself，attheageoftwenty，themeanfollowerofasublimeart，inwhich，ifgreattalentisrightlyadmired，mediocrityisasrightlydespised。Iwascompelledbypovertytobecomeamemberofamusicalband，inwhichIcouldexpectneitheresteemnorconsideration，andI
waswellawarethatIshouldbethelaughing—stockofthepersonswhohadknownmeasadoctorindivinity，asanecclesiastic，andasanofficerinthearmy，andhadwelcomedmeinthehighestsociety。
Iknewallthat，forIwasnotblindtomyposition；butcontempt，theonlythingtowhichIcouldnothaveremainedindifferent，neversheweditselfanywhereunderaformtangibleenoughformetohavenodoubtofmybeingdespised，andIsetitatdefiance，becauseIwassatisfiedthatcontemptisdueonlytocowardly，meanactions，andI
wasconsciousthatIhadneverbeenguiltyofany。Astopublicesteem，whichIhadeverbeenanxioustosecure，myambitionwasslumbering，andsatisfiedwithbeingmyownmasterIenjoyedmyindependencewithoutpuzzlingmyheadaboutthefuture。Ifeltthatinmyfirstprofession，asIwasnotblessedwiththevocationnecessarytoit，Ishouldhavesucceededonlybydintofhypocrisy，andIshouldhavebeendespicableinmyownestimation，evenifIhadseenthepurplemantleonmyshoulders，forthegreatestdignitiescannotsilenceaman’sownconscience。If，ontheotherhand，Ihadcontinuedtoseekfortuneinamilitarycareer，whichissurroundedbyahaloofglory，butisotherwisetheworstofprofessionsfortheconstantself—abnegation，forthecompletesurrenderofone’swillwhichpassiveobediencedemands，IshouldhaverequiredapatiencetowhichIcouldnotlayanyclaim，aseverykindofinjusticewasrevoltingtome，andasIcouldnotbeartofeelmyselfdependent。
Besides，Iwasofopinionthataman’sprofession，whateveritmightbe，oughttosupplyhimwithenoughmoneytosatisfyallhiswants；
andtheverypoorpayofanofficerwouldneverhavebeensufficienttocovermyexpenses，becausemyeducationhadgivenmegreaterwantsthanthoseofofficersingeneral。ByscrapingmyviolinIearnedenoughtokeepmyselfwithoutrequiringanybody’sassistance，andI
havealwaysthoughtthatthemanwhocansupporthimselfishappy。I
grantthatmyprofessionwasnotabrilliantone，butIdidnotmindit，and，callingprejudicesallthefeelingswhichroseinmybreastagainstmyself，Iwasnotlonginsharingallthehabitsofmydegradedcomrades。Whentheplaywasover，Iwentwiththemtothedrinking—booth，whichweoftenleftintoxicatedtospendthenightinhousesofill—fame。Whenwehappenedtofindthoseplacesalreadytenantedbyothermen，weforcedthembyviolencetoquitthepremises，anddefraudedthemiserablevictimsofprostitutionofthemeansalarythelawallowsthem，aftercompellingthemtoyieldtoourbrutality。Ourscandalousproceedingsoftenexposedustothegreatestdanger。
Wewouldveryoftenspendthewholenightramblingaboutthecity，inventingandcarryingintoexecutionthemostimpertinent，practicaljokes。Oneofourfavouritepleasureswastounmoorthepatricians’
gondolas，andtoletthemfloatatrandomalongthecanals，enjoyingbyanticipationallthecursesthatgondolierswouldnotfailtoindulgein。Wewouldrouseuphurriedly，inthemiddleofthenight，anhonestmidwife，tellinghertohastentoMadameSo—and—so，who，notbeingevenpregnant，wassuretotellhershewasafoolwhenshecalledatthehouse。Wedidthesamewithphysicians，whomweoftensenthalfdressedtosomenoblemanwhowasenjoyingexcellenthealth。
Thepriestsfarednobetter；wewouldsendthemtocarrythelastsacramentstomarriedmenwhowerepeacefullyslumberingneartheirwives，andnotthinkingofextremeunction。
Wewereinthehabitofcuttingthewiresofthebellsineveryhouse，andifwechancedtofindagateopenwewouldgoupthestairsinthedark，andfrightenthesleepinginmatesbytellingthemveryloudlythatthehousedoorwasnotclosed，afterwhichwewouldgodown，makingasmuchnoiseaswecould，andleavethehousewiththegatewideopen。
DuringaverydarknightweformedaplottooverturnthelargemarbletableofSt。Angelo’sSquare，onwhichitwassaidthatinthedaysoftheLeagueofCambraythecommissariesoftheRepublicwereinthehabitofpayingthebountytotherecruitswhoengagedtofightunderthestandardofSt。Mark——acircumstancewhichsecuredforthetableasortofpublicveneration。
Wheneverwecouldcontrivetogetintoachurchtowerwethoughtitgreatfuntofrightenalltheparishbyringingthealarmbell，asifsomefirehadbrokenout；butthatwasnotall，wealwayscutthebellropes，sothatinthemorningthechurchwardenshadnomeansofsummoningthefaithfultoearlymass。Sometimeswewouldcrossthecanal，eachofusinadifferentgondola，andtaketoourheelswithoutpayingassoonaswelandedontheoppositeside，inordertomakethegondoliersrunafterus。
Thecitywasalivewithcomplaints，andwelaughedattheuselesssearchmadebythepolicetofindoutthosewhodisturbedthepeaceoftheinhabitants。Wetookgoodcaretobecareful，forifwehadbeendiscoveredwestoodaveryfairchanceofbeingsenttopracticerowingattheexpenseoftheCouncilofTen。
Wewereseven，andsometimeseight，because，beingmuchattachedtomybrotherFrancois，Igavehimasharenowandtheninournocturnalorgies。Butatlastfearputastoptoourcriminaljokes，whichinthosedaysIusedtocallonlythefrolicsofyoungmen。Thisistheamusingadventurewhichclosedourexploits。
Ineveryoneoftheseventy—twoparishesofthecityofVenice，thereisalargepublic—housecalled’magazzino’。Itremainsopenallnight，andwineisretailedthereatacheaperpricethaninalltheotherdrinkinghouses。Peoplecanlikewiseeatinthe’magazzino’，buttheymustobtainwhattheywantfromtheporkbutchernearby，whohastheexclusivesaleofeatables，andlikewisekeepshisshopopenthroughoutthenight。Theporkbutcherisusuallyaverypoorcook，butasheischeap，poorpeoplearewillinglysatisfiedwithhim，andtheseresortsareconsideredveryusefultothelowerclass。
Thenobility，themerchants，evenworkmeningoodcircumstances，areneverseeninthe’magazzino’，forcleanlinessisnotexactlyworshippedinsuchplaces。Yetthereareafewprivateroomswhichcontainatablesurroundedwithbenches，inwhicharespectablefamilyorafewfriendscanenjoythemselvesinadecentway。
ItwasduringtheCarnivalof1745，aftermidnight；wewere，alltheeightofus，ramblingabouttogetherwithourmaskson，inquestofsomenewsortofmischieftoamuseus，andwewentintothemagazzinooftheparishoftheHolyCrosstogetsomethingtodrink。Wefoundthepublicroomempty，butinoneoftheprivatechamberswediscoveredthreemenquietlyconversingwithayoungandprettywoman，andenjoyingtheirwine。
Ourchief，anobleVenetianbelongingtotheBalbifamily，saidtous，\"Itwouldbeagoodjoketocarryoffthosethreeblockheads，andtokeeptheprettywomaninourpossession。\"Heimmediatelyexplainedhisplan，andundercoverofourmasksweenteredtheirroom，Balbiattheheadofus。Oursuddenappearancerathersurprisedthegoodpeople，butyoumayfancytheirastonishmentwhentheyheardBalbisaytothem:\"Underpenaltyofdeath，andbyorderoftheCouncilofTen，Icommandyoutofollowusimmediately，withoutmakingtheslightestnoise；astoyou，mygoodwoman，youneednotbefrightened，youwillbeescortedtoyourhouse。\"Whenhehadfinishedhisspeech，twoofusgotholdofthewomantotakeherwhereourchiefhadarrangedbeforehand，andtheothersseizedthethreepoorfellows，whoweretremblingallover，andhadnottheslightestideaofopposinganyresistance。
Thewaiterofthemagazzinocametobepaid，andourchiefgavehimwhatwasdue，enjoiningsilenceunderpenaltyofdeath。Wetookourthreeprisonerstoalargeboat。Balbiwenttothestern，orderedtheboatmantostandatthebow，andtoldhimthatheneednotenquirewhereweweregoing，thathewouldsteerhimselfwhicheverwayhethoughtfit。NotoneofusknewwhereBalbiwantedtotakethethreepoordevils。
Hesailsallalongthecanal，getsoutofit，takesseveralturnings，andinaquarterofanhour，wereachSaintGeorgewhereBalbilandsourprisoners，whoaredelightedtofindthemselvesatliberty。
Afterthis，theboatmanisorderedtotakeustoSaintGenevieve，whereweland，afterpayingfortheboat。
WeproceedatoncetoPalomboSquare，wheremybrotherandanotherofourbandwerewaitingforuswithourlovelyprisoner，whowascrying。
\"Donotweep，mybeauty，\"saysBalbitoher，\"wewillnothurtyou。
WeintendonlytotakesomerefreshmentattheRialto，andthenwewilltakeyouhomeinsafety。\"
\"Whereismyhusband？\"
\"Neverfear；youshallseehimagainto—morrow。\"
Comfortedbythatpromise，andasgentleasalamb，shefollowsustothe\"TwoSwords。\"Weorderedagoodfireinaprivateroom，and，everythingwewantedtoeatandtodrinkhavingbeenbroughtin，wesendthewaiteraway，andremainalone。Wetakeoffourmasks，andthesightofeightyoung，healthyfacesseemstopleasethebeautywehadsounceremoniouslycarriedoff。Wesoonmanagetoreconcilehertoherfatebythegallantryofourproceedings；encouragedbyagoodsupperandbythestimulusofwine，preparedbyourcomplimentsandbyafewkisses，sherealizeswhatisinstoreforher，anddoesnotseemtohaveanyunconquerableobjection。Ourchief，asamatterofright，claimstheprivilegeofopeningtheball；andbydintofsweetwordsheovercomestheverynaturalrepugnanceshefeelsatconsummatingthesacrificeinsonumerouscompany。She，doubtless，thinkstheofferingagreeable，for，whenIpresentmyselfasthepriestappointedtosacrificeasecondtimetothegodoflove，shereceivesmealmostwithgratitude，andshecannotconcealherjoywhenshefindsoutthatsheisdestinedtomakeusallhappy。MybrotherFrancoisaloneexemptedhimselffrompayingthetribute，sayingthathewasill，theonlyexcusewhichcouldrenderhisrefusalvalid，forwehadestablishedasalawthateverymemberofoursocietywasboundtodowhateverwasdonebytheothers。
Afterthatfineexploit，weputonourmasks，and，thebillbeingpaid，escortedthehappyvictimtoSaintJob，whereshelived，anddidnotleavehertillwehadseenhersafeinherhouse，andthestreetdoorclosed。
Myreadersmayimaginewhetherwefeltinclinedtolaughwhenthecharmingcreaturebadeusgoodnight，thankingusallwithperfectgoodfaith！
Twodaysafterwards，ournocturnalorgybegantobetalkedof。Theyoungwoman’shusbandwasaweaverbytrade，andsowerehistwofriends。TheyjoinedtogethertoaddressacomplainttotheCouncilofTen。Thecomplaintwascandidlywrittenandcontainednothingbutthetruth，butthecriminalportionofthetruthwasveiledbyacircumstancewhichmusthavebroughtasmileonthegravecountenancesofthejudges，andhighlyamusedthepublicatlarge:
thecomplaintsettingforththattheeightmaskedmenhadnotrenderedthemselvesguiltyofanyactdisagreeabletothewife。Itwentontosaythatthetwomenwhohadcarriedheroffhadtakenhertosuchaplace，wheretheyhad，anhourlater，beenmetbytheothersix，andthattheyhadallrepairedtothe\"TwoSwords，\"wheretheyhadspentanhourindrinking。Thesaidladyhavingbeenhandsomelyentertainedbytheeightmaskedmen，hadbeenescortedtoherhouse，whereshehadbeenpolitelyrequestedtoexcusethejokeperpetrateduponherhusband。ThethreeplaintiffshadnotbeenabletoleavetheislandofSaintGeorgeuntilday—break，andthehusband，onreachinghishouse，hadfoundhiswifequietlyasleepinherbed。
Shehadinformedhimofallthathadhappened；shecomplainedofnothingbutofthegreatfrightshehadexperiencedonaccountofherhusband，andonthatcountsheentreatedjusticeandthepunishmentoftheguiltyparties。
Thatcomplaintwascomicthroughout，forthethreeroguesshewedthemselvesverybraveinwriting，statingthattheywouldcertainlynothavegivenwaysoeasilyifthedreadauthorityofthecouncilhadnotbeenputforthbytheleaderoftheband。Thedocumentproducedthreedifferentresults；inthefirstplace，itamusedthetown；inthesecond，alltheidlersofVenicewenttoSaintJobtoheartheaccountoftheadventurefromthelipsoftheheroineherself，andshegotmanypresentsfromhernumerousvisitors；inthethirdplace，theCouncilofTenofferedarewardoffivehundredducatstoanypersongivingsuchinformationaswouldleadtothearrestoftheperpetratorsofthepracticaljoke，eveniftheinformerbelongedtotheband，providedhewasnottheleader。
Theofferofthatrewardwouldhavemadeustrembleifourleader，preciselytheonewhoalonehadnointerestinturninginformer，hadnotbeenapatrician。TherankofBalbiquietedmyanxietyatonce，becauseIknewthat，evensupposingoneofuswerevileenoughtobetrayoursecretforthesakeofthereward，thetribunalwouldhavedonenothinginordernottoimplicateapatrician。Therewasnocowardlytraitoramongstus，althoughwewereallpoor；butfearhaditseffect，andournocturnalprankswerenotrenewed。
ThreeorfourmonthsafterwardsthechevalierNicolasIron，thenoneoftheinquisitors，astonishedmegreatlybytellingmethewholestory，givingthenamesofalltheactors。Hedidnottellmewhetheranyoneofthebandhadbetrayedthesecret，andIdidnotcaretoknow；butIcouldclearlyseethecharacteristicspiritofthearistocracy，forwhichthe’solomihi’isthesupremelaw。
TowardsthemiddleofApriloftheyear1746M。GirolamoCornaro，theeldestsonofthefamilyCornarodelaReine，marriedadaughterofthehouseofSoranzodeSt。Pol，andIhadthehonourofbeingpresentatthewedding——asafiddler。IplayedtheviolininoneofthenumerousbandsengagedfortheballswhichweregivenforthreeconsecutivedaysintheSoranzoPalace。
Onthethirdday，towardstheendofthedancing，anhourbeforeday—
break，feelingtired，Ilefttheorchestraabruptly；andasIwasgoingdownthestairsIobservedasenator，wearinghisredrobes，onthepointofgettingintoagondola。Intakinghishandkerchiefoutofhispocketheletaletterdropontheground。Ipickeditup，andcominguptohimjustashewasgoingdownthestepsIhandedittohim。Hereceiveditwithmanythanks，andenquiredwhereIlived。
Itoldhim，andheinsisteduponmycomingwithhiminthegondolasayingthathewouldleavemeatmyhouse。Iacceptedgratefully，andsatdownnearhim。Afewminutesafterwardsheaskedmetorubhisleftarm，which，hesaid，wassobenumbedthathecouldnotfeelit。Irubbeditwithallmystrength，buthetoldmeinasortofindistinctwhisperthatthenumbnesswasspreadingallalongtheleftside，andthathewasdying。
Iwasgreatlyfrightened；Iopenedthecurtain，tookthelantern，andfoundhimalmostinsensible，andthemouthdrawnononeside。I
understoodthathewasseizedwithanapoplecticstroke，andcalledouttothegondolierstolandmeatonce，inordertoprocureasurgeontobleedthepatient。
Ijumpedoutofthegondola，andfoundmyselfontheveryspotwherethreeyearsbeforeIhadtaughtRazettasuchaforciblelesson；I
enquiredforasurgeonatthefirstcoffee—house，andrantothehousethatwaspointedouttome。IknockedashardasIcould；thedoorwasatlastopened，andImadethesurgeonfollowmeinhisdressing—gownasfarasthegondola，whichwaswaiting；hebledthesenatorwhileIwastearingmyshirttomakethecompressandthebandage。
Theoperationbeingperformed，Iorderedthegondolierstorowasfastaspossible，andwesoonreachedSt。Marina；theservantswererousedup，andtakingthesickmanoutofthegondolawecarriedhimtohisbedalmostdead。
Takingeverythinguponmyself，Iorderedaservanttohurryoutforaphysician，whocameinashorttime，andorderedthepatienttobebledagain，thusapprovingthefirstbleedingprescribedbyme。
ThinkingIhadarighttowatchthesickman，Isettledmyselfnearhisbedtogivehimeverycareherequired。
Anhourlater，twonoblemen，friendsofthesenator，camein，oneafewminutesaftertheother。Theywereindespair；theyhadenquiredabouttheaccidentfromthegondoliers，andhavingbeentoldthatI
knewmorethantheydid，theyloadedmewithquestionswhichI
answered。TheydidnotknowwhoIwas，anddidnotliketoaskme；
whilstIthoughtitbettertopreserveamodestsilence。
Thepatientdidnotmove；hisbreathingaloneshewedthathewasstillalive；fomentationswereconstantlyapplied，andthepriestwhohadbeensentfor，andwasofverylittleuseundersuchcircumstances，seemedtobethereonlytoseehimdie。Allvisitorsweresentawaybymyadvice，andthetwonoblemenandmyselfweretheonlypersonsinthesickman’sroom。Atnoonwepartooksilentlyofsomedinnerwhichwasservedinthesickroom。
IntheeveningoneofthetwofriendstoldmethatifIhadanybusinesstoattendtoIcouldgo，becausetheywouldbothpassthenightonamattressnearthepatient。
\"AndI，sir，\"Isaid，\"willremainnearhisbedinthisarm—chair，forifIwentawaythepatientwoulddie，andhewillliveaslongasIamnearhim。\"
Thissententiousanswerstruckthemwithastonishment，asIexpecteditwould，andtheylookedateachotheringreatsurprise。
Wehadsupper，andinthelittleconversationwehadIgatheredtheinformationthatthesenator，theirfriend，wasM。deBragadin，theonlybrotheroftheprocuratorofthatname。HewascelebratedinVenicenotonlyforhiseloquenceandhisgreattalentsasastatesman，butalsoforthegallantriesofhisyouth。Hehadbeenveryextravagantwithwomen，andmorethanoneofthemhadcommittedmanyfolliesforhim。Hehadgambledandlostagreatdeal，andhisbrotherwashismostbitterenemy，becausehewasinfatuatedwiththeideathathehadtriedtopoisonhim。HehadaccusedhimofthatcrimebeforetheCouncilofTen，which，afteraninvestigationofeightmonths，hadbroughtinaverdictofnotguilty:butthatjustsentence，althoughgivenunanimouslybythathightribunal，hadnothadtheeffectofdestroyinghisbrother’sprejudicesagainsthim。
M。deBragadin，whowasperfectlyinnocentofsuchacrimeandoppressedbyanunjustbrotherwhodeprivedhimofhalfofhisincome，spenthisdayslikeanamiablephilosopher，surroundedbyhisfriends，amongstwhomwerethetwonoblemenwhowerethenwatchinghim；onebelongedtotheDandolofamily，theotherwasaBarbaro，andbothwereexcellentmen。M。deBragadinwashandsome，learned，cheerful，andmostkindlydisposed；hewasthenaboutfiftyyearsold。
ThephysicianwhoattendedhimwasnamedTerro；hethought，bysomepeculiartrainofreasoning，thathecouldcurehimbyapplyingamercurialointmenttothechest，towhichnooneraisedanyobjection。Therapideffectoftheremedydelightedthetwofriends，butitfrightenedme，forinlessthantwenty—fourhoursthepatientwaslabouringundergreatexcitementofthebrain。Thephysiciansaidthathehadexpectedthateffect，butthatonthefollowingdaytheremedywouldactlessonthebrain，anddiffuseitsbeneficialactionthroughthewholeofthesystem，whichrequiredtobeinvigoratedbyaproperequilibriuminthecirculationofthefluids。
Atmidnightthepatientwasinastateofhighfever，andinafearfulstateofirritation。Iexaminedhimclosely，andfoundhimhardlyabletobreathe。Irouseduphistwofriends；anddeclaredthatinmyopinionthepatientwouldsoondieunlessthefatalointmentwasatonceremoved。Andwithoutwaitingfortheiranswer，Ibaredhischest，tookofftheplaster，washedtheskincarefullywithlukewarmwater，andinlessthanthreeminuteshebreathedfreelyandfellintoaquietsleep。Delightedwithsuchafortunateresult，welaydownagain。
Thephysiciancameveryearlyinthemorning，andwasmuchpleasedtoseehispatientsomuchbetter，butwhenM。Dandoloinformedhimofwhathadbeendone，hewasangry，saiditwasenoughtokillhispatient，andaskedwhohadbeensoaudaciousastodestroytheeffectofhisprescription。M。deBragadin，speakingforthefirsttime，saidtohim——
\"Doctor，thepersonwhohasdeliveredmefromyourmercury，whichwaskillingme，isamoreskilfulphysicianthanyou；\"and，sayingthesewords，hepointedtome。
Itwouldbehardtosaywhowasthemoreastonished:thedoctor，whenhesawanunknownyoungman，whomhemusthavetakenforanimpostor，declaredmorelearnedthanhimself；orI，whenIsawmyselftransformedintoaphysician，atamoment’snotice。Ikeptsilent，lookingverymodest，buthardlyabletocontrolmymirth，whilstthedoctorwasstaringatmewithamixtureofastonishmentandofspite，evidentlythinkingmesomeboldquackwhohadtriedtosupplanthim。
Atlast，turningtowardsM。deBragadin，hetoldhimcoldlythathewouldleavehiminmyhands；hewastakenathisword，hewentaway，andbehold！IhadbecomethephysicianofoneofthemostillustriousmembersoftheVenetianSenate！ImustconfessthatI
wasverygladofit，andItoldmypatientthataproperdietwasallheneeded，andthatnature，assistedbytheapproachingfineseason，woulddotherest。
Thedismissedphysicianrelatedtheaffairthroughthetown，and，asM。deBragadinwasrapidlyimproving，oneofhisrelations，whocametoseehim，toldhimthateverybodywasastonishedathishavingchosenforhisphysicianafiddlerfromthetheatre；butthesenatorputastoptohisremarksbyansweringthatafiddlercouldknowmorethanallthedoctorsinVenice，andthatheowedhislifetome。
Theworthynoblemanconsideredmeashisoracle，andhistwofriendslistenedtomewiththedeepestattention。Theirinfatuationencouragingme，Ispokelikealearnedphysician，Idogmatized，I
quotedauthorswhomIhadneverread。
M。deBragadin，whohadtheweaknesstobelieveintheoccultsciences，toldmeonedaythat，forayoungmanofmyage，hethoughtmylearningtooextensive，andthathewascertainIwasthepossessorofsomesupernaturalendowment。Heentreatedmetotellhimthetruth。
Whatextraordinarythingswillsometimesoccurfrommerechance，orfromtheforceofcircumstances！Unwillingtohurthisvanitybytellinghimthathewasmistaken，Itookthewildresolutionofinforminghim，inthepresenceofhistwofriends，thatIpossessedacertainnumeralcalculuswhichgaveanswers（alsoinnumbers），toanyquestionsIlikedtoput。
M。deBragadinsaidthatitwasSolomon’skey，vulgarlycalledcabalisticscience，andheaskedmefromwhomIlearntit。
\"Fromanoldhermit，\"Ianswered，\"\"wholivesontheCarpegnaMountain，andwhoseacquaintanceImadequitebychancewhenIwasaprisonerintheSpanisharmy。\"
\"Thehermit，\"remarkedthesenator，\"haswithoutinformingyouofit，linkedaninvisiblespirittothecalculushehastaughtyou，forsimplenumberscannothavethepowerofreason。Youpossessarealtreasure，andyoumayderivegreatadvantagesfromit。\"
\"Idonotknow，\"Isaid，\"inwhatwayIcouldmakemyscienceuseful，becausetheanswersgivenbythenumericalfiguresareoftensoobscurethatIhavefeltdiscouraged，andIveryseldomtriedtomakeanyuseofmycalculus。Yet，itisverytruethat，ifIhadnotformedmypyramid，Inevershouldhavehadthehappinessofknowingyourexcellency。\"
\"Howso？\"
\"Onthesecondday，duringthefestivitiesattheSoranzoPalace，I
enquiredofmyoraclewhetherIwouldmeetattheballanyonewhomI
shouldnotcaretosee。TheanswerIobtainedwasthis:’Leavetheball—roompreciselyatfouro’clock。’Iobeyedimplicitly，andmetyourexcellency。\"
Thethreefriendswereastounded。M。DandoloaskedmewhetherI
wouldansweraquestionhewouldask，theinterpretationofwhichwouldbelongonlytohim，ashewastheonlypersonacquaintedwiththesubjectofthequestion。
Ideclaredmyselfquitewilling，foritwasnecessarytobrazenitout，afterhavingventuredasfarasIhaddone。Hewrotethequestion，andgaveittome；Ireadit，Icouldnotunderstandeitherthesubjectorthemeaningofthewords，butitdidnotmatter，Ihadtogiveananswer。IfthequestionwassoobscurethatIcouldnotmakeoutthesenseofit，itwasnaturalthatIshouldnotunderstandtheanswer。Ithereforeanswered，inordinaryfigures，fourlinesofwhichhealonecouldbetheinterpreter，notcaringmuch，atleastinappearance，howtheywouldbeunderstood。M。Dandoloreadthemtwiceover，seemedastonished，saidthatitwasallveryplaintohim；itwasDivine，itwasunique，itwasagiftfromHeaven，thenumbersbeingonlythevehicle，buttheansweremanatingevidentlyfromanimmortalspirit。
M。Dandolowassowellpleasedthathistwofriendsverynaturallywantedalsotomakeanexperiment。Theyaskedquestionsonallsortsofsubjects，andmyanswers，perfectlyunintelligibletomyself，wereallheldasDivinebythem。Icongratulatedthemontheirsuccess，andcongratulatedmyselfintheirpresenceuponbeingthepossessorofathingtowhichIhaduntilthenattachednoimportancewhatever，butwhichIpromisedtocultivatecarefully，knowingthatIcouldthusbeofsomeservicetotheirexcellencies。
TheyallaskedmehowlongIwouldrequiretoteachthemtherulesofmysublimecalculus。\"Notverylong，\"Ianswered，\"andIwillteachyouasyouwish，althoughthehermitassuredmethatIwoulddiesuddenlywithinthreedaysifIcommunicatedmysciencetoanyone，butIhavenofaithwhateverinthatprediction。\"M。deBragadinwhobelievedinitmorethanIdid，toldmeinaserioustonethatIwasboundtohavefaithinit，andfromthatdaytheyneveraskedmeagaintoteachthem。Theyverylikelythoughtthat，iftheycouldattachmetothem，itwouldanswerthepurposeaswellasiftheypossessedthesciencethemselves。ThusIbecamethehierophantofthosethreeworthyandtalentedmen，who，inspiteoftheirliteraryaccomplishments，werenotwise，sincetheywereinfatuatedwithoccultandfabuloussciences，andbelievedintheexistenceofphenomenaimpossibleinthemoralaswellasinthephysicalorderofthings。Theybelievedthatthroughmetheypossessedthephilosopher’sstone，theuniversalpanacea，theintercoursewithalltheelementary，heavenly，andinfernalspirits；theyhadnodoubtwhateverthat，thankstomysublimescience，theycouldfindoutthesecretsofeverygovernmentinEurope。
Aftertheyhadassuredthemselvesoftherealityofmycabalisticsciencebyquestionsrespectingthepast，theydecidedtoturnittosomeusebyconsultingituponthepresentanduponthefuture。I
hadnodifficultyinskewingmyselfagoodguesser，becauseIalwaysgaveanswerswithadoublemeaning，oneofthemeaningsbeingcarefullyarrangedbyme，soasnottobeunderstooduntilaftertheevent；inthatmanner，mycabalisticscience，liketheoracleofDelphi，couldneverbefoundinfault。Isawhoweasyitmusthavebeenfortheancientheathenprieststoimposeuponignorant，andthereforecredulousmankind。Isawhoweasyitwillalwaysbeforimpostorstofinddupes，andIrealized，evenbetterthantheRomanorator，whytwoaugurscouldneverlookateachotherwithoutlaughing；itwasbecausetheyhadbothanequalinterestingivingimportancetothedeceittheyperpetrated，andfromwhichtheyderivedsuchimmenseprofits。ButwhatIcouldnot，andprobablynevershall，understand，wasthereasonforwhichtheFathers，whowerenotsosimpleorsoignorantasourEvangelists，didnotfeelabletodenythedivinityoforacles，and，inordertogetoutofthedifficulty，ascribedthemtothedevil。Theyneverwouldhaveentertainedsuchastrangeideaiftheyhadbeenacquaintedwithcabalisticscience。MythreeworthyfriendswereliketheholyFathers；theyhadintelligenceandwit，buttheyweresuperstitious，andnophilosophers。But，althoughbelievingfullyinmyoracles，theyweretookind—heartedtothinkthemtheworkofthedevil，anditsuitedtheirnaturalgoodnessbettertobelievemyanswersinspiredbysomeheavenlyspirit。TheywerenotonlygoodChristiansandfaithfultotheChurch，butevenrealdevoteesandfullofscruples。Theywerenotmarried，and，afterhavingrenouncedallcommercewithwomen，theyhadbecometheenemiesofthefemalesex；
perhapsastrongproofoftheweaknessoftheirminds。Theyimaginedthatchastitywasthecondition’sinequanon’exactedbythespiritsfromthosewhowishedtohaveintimatecommunicationorintercoursewiththem:theyfanciedthatspiritsexcludedwomen，and’viceversa’。
Withalltheseoddities，thethreefriendsweretrulyintelligentandevenwitty，and，atthebeginningofmyacquaintancewiththem，I
couldnotreconciletheseantagonisticpoints。Butaprejudicedmindcannotreasonwell，andthefacultyofreasoningisthemostimportantofall。IoftenlaughedwhenIheardthemtalkonreligiousmatters；theywouldridiculethosewhoseintellectualfacultiesweresolimitedthattheycouldnotunderstandthemysteriesofreligion。TheincarnationoftheWord，theywouldsay，wasatrifleforGod，andthereforeeasytounderstand，andtheresurrectionwassocomprehensiblethatitdidnotappeartothemwonderful，because，asGodcannotdie，JesusChristwasnaturallycertaintoriseagain。AsfortheEucharist，transubstantiation，therealpresence，itwasallnomysterytothem，butpalpableevidence，andyettheywerenotJesuits。Theywereinthehabitofgoingtoconfessioneveryweek，withoutfeelingtheslightesttroubleabouttheirconfessors，whoseignorancetheykindlyregretted。Theythoughtthemselvesboundtoconfessonlywhatwasasinintheirownopinion，andinthat，atleast，theyreasonedwithgoodsense。
Withthosethreeextraordinarycharacters，worthyofesteemandrespectfortheirmoralqualities，theirhonesty，theirreputation，andtheirage，aswellasfortheirnoblebirth，Ispentmydaysinaverypleasantmanner:although，intheirthirstforknowledge，theyoftenkeptmehardatworkfortenhoursrunning，allfourofusbeinglockeduptogetherinaroom，andunapproachabletoeverybody，eventofriendsorrelatives。
Icompletedtheconquestoftheirfriendshipbyrelatingtothemthewholeofmylife，onlywithsomeproperreserve，soasnottoleadthemintoanycapitalsins。IconfesscandidlythatIdeceivedthem，asthePapaDeldimopulousedtodeceivetheGreekswhoappliedtohimfortheoraclesoftheVirgin。Icertainlydidnotacttowardsthemwithatruesenseofhonesty，butifthereadertowhomIconfessmyselfisacquaintedwiththeworldandwiththespiritofsociety，I
entreathimtothinkbeforejudgingme，andperhapsImaymeetwithsomeindulgenceathishands。
ImightbetoldthatifIhadwishedtofollowtherulesofpuremoralityIoughteithertohavedeclinedintimateintercoursewiththemortohaveundeceivedthem。Icannotdenythesepremises，butI
willanswerthatIwasonlytwentyyearsofage，Iwasintelligent，talented，andhadjustbeenapoorfiddler。Ishouldhavelostmytimeintryingtocurethemoftheirweakness；Ishouldnothavesucceeded，fortheywouldhavelaughedinmyface，deploredmyignorance，andtheresultofitallwouldhavebeenmydismissal。
Besides，Ihadnomission，noright，toconstitutemyselfanapostle，andifIhadheroicallyresolvedonleavingthemassoonasIknewthemtobefoolishvisionaries，Ishouldhaveshewnmyselfamisanthrope，theenemyofthoseworthymenforwhomIcouldprocureinnocentpleasures，andmyownenemyatthesametime；because，asayoungman，Ilikedtolivewell，toenjoyallthepleasuresnaturaltoyouthandtoagoodconstitution。
ByactinginthatmannerIshouldhavefailedincommonpoliteness，I
shouldperhapshavecausedorallowedM。deBragadin’sdeath，andI
shouldhaveexposedthosethreehonestmentobecomingthevictimsofthefirstboldcheatwho，ministeringtotheirmonomania，mighthavewontheirfavour，andwouldhaveruinedthembyinducingthemtoundertakethechemicaloperationsoftheGreatWork。Thereisalsoanotherconsideration，dearreader，andasIloveyouIwilltellyouwhatitis。Aninvincibleself—lovewouldhavepreventedmefromdeclaringmyselfunworthyoftheirfriendshipeitherbymyignoranceorbymypride；andIshouldhavebeenguiltyofgreatrudenessifI
hadceasedtovisitthem。
Itook，atleastitseemstomeso，thebest，themostnatural，andthenoblestdecision，ifweconsiderthedispositionoftheirmind，whenIdecidedupontheplanofconductwhichinsuredmethenecessariesoflifeandofthosenecessarieswhocouldbeabetterjudgethanyourveryhumbleservant？
Throughthefriendshipofthosethreemen，Iwascertainofobtainingconsiderationandinfluenceinmyowncountry。Besides，Ifounditveryflatteringtomyvanitytobecomethesubjectofthespeculativechatteringofemptyfoolswho，havingnothingelsetodo，arealwaystryingtofindoutthecauseofeverymoralphenomenontheymeetwith，whichtheirnarrowintellectcannotunderstand。
PeoplerackedtheirbraininVenicetofindouthowmyintimacywiththreemenofthathighcharactercouldpossiblyexist；theywerewrappedupinheavenlyaspirations，Iwasaworld’sdevotee；theywereverystrictintheirmorals，Iwasthirstyofallpleasures！
Atthebeginningofsummer，M。deBragadinwasonce，moreabletotakehisseatinthesenate，and，thedaybeforehewentoutforthefirsttime，hespoketomethus:
\"Whoeveryoumaybe，Iamindebtedtoyouformylife。Yourfirstprotectorswantedtomakeyouapriest，adoctor，anadvocate，asoldier，andendedbymakingafiddlerofyou；thosepersonsdidnotknowyou。Godhadevidentlyinstructedyourguardianangeltobringyoutome。Iknowyouandappreciateyou。Ifyouwillbemyson，youhaveonlytoacknowledgemeforyourfather，and，forthefuture，untilmydeath，Iwilltreatyouasmyownchild。Yourapartmentisready，youmaysendyourclothes:youshallhaveaservant，agondolaatyourorders，myowntable，andtensequinsamonth。ItisthesumIusedtoreceivefrommyfatherwhenIwasyourage。Youneednotthinkofthefuture；thinkonlyofenjoyingyourself，andtakemeasyouradviserineverythingthatmayhappentoyou，ineverythingyoumaywishtoundertake，andyoumaybecertainofalwaysfindingmeyourfriend。\"
Ithrewmyselfathisfeettoassurehimofmygratitude，andembracedhimcallinghimmyfather。Hefoldedmeinhisarms，calledmehisdearson；Ipromisedtoloveandtoobeyhim；histwofriends，wholivedinthesamepalace，embracedmeaffectionately，andwesworeeternalfraternity。
Suchisthehistoryofmymetamorphosis，andoftheluckystrokewhich，takingmefromthevileprofessionofafiddler，raisedmetotherankofagrandee。
CHAPTERXVIII
Ileadadissolutelife——Zawoiski——Rinaldi——L’Abbadie——theyoungcountess——theCapuchinfriarZ。Steffani——Ancilla——LaRamor——ItakeagondolaatSt。JobtogotoMestra。
Fortune，whichhadtakenpleasureingivingmeaspecimenofitsdespoticcaprice，andhadinsuredmyhappinessthroughmeanswhichsageswoulddisavow，hadnotthepowertomakemeadoptasystemofmoderationandprudencewhichalonecouldestablishmyfuturewelfareonafirmbasis。
Myardentnature，myirresistibleloveofpleasure，myunconquerableindependence，wouldnotallowmetosubmittothereservewhichmynewpositioninlifedemandedfromme。Ibegantoleadalifeofcompletefreedom，caringfornothingbutwhatministeredtomytastes，andIthoughtthat，aslongasIrespectedthelaws，Icouldtrampleallprejudicesundermyfeet。IfanciedthatIcouldlivefreeandindependentinacountryruledentirelybyanaristocraticgovernment，butthiswasnotthecase，andwouldnothavebeensoeveniffortunehadraisedmetoaseatinthatsamegovernment，fortheRepublicofVenice，consideringthatitsprimarydutyistopreserveitsownintegrity，findsitselftheslaveofitsownpolicy，andisboundtosacrificeeverythingtoself—preservation，beforewhichthelawsthemselvesceasetobeinviolable。
Butletusabandonthediscussionofaprinciplenowtootrite，forhumankind，atleastinEurope，issatisfiedthatunlimitedlibertyisnowhereconsistentwithaproperly—regulatedstateofsociety。I
havetouchedlightlyonthematter，onlytogivetomyreaderssomeideaofmyconductinmyowncountry，whereIbegantotreadapathwhichwastoleadmetoastateprisonasinscrutableasitwasunconstitutional。
Withenoughmoney，endowedbynaturewithapleasingandcommandingphysicalappearance，aconfirmedgambler，atruespendthrift，agreattalker，veryfarfrommodest，intrepid，alwaysrunningafterprettywomen，supplantingmyrivals，andacknowledgingnogoodcompanybutthatwhichministeredtomyenjoyment，Iwascertaintobedisliked；
but，everreadytoexposemyselftoanydanger，andtotaketheresponsibilityofallmyactions，IthoughtIhadarighttodoanythingIpleased，forIalwaysbrokedownabruptlyeveryobstacleI
foundinmyway。
SuchconductcouldnotbutbedisagreeabletothethreeworthymenwhoseoracleIhadbecome，buttheydidnotliketocomplain。TheexcellentM。deBragadinwouldonlytellmethatIwasgivinghimarepetitionofthefoolishlifehehadhimselfledatmyage，butthatImustpreparetopaythepenaltyofmyfollies，andtofeelthepunishmentwhenIshouldreachhistimeoflife。WithoutwantingintherespectIowedhim，Iwouldturnhisterribleforebodingsintojest，andcontinuemycourseofextravagance。However，Imustmentionherethefirstproofhegavemeofhistruewisdom。
AtthehouseofMadameAvogadro，awomanfullofwitinspiteofhersixtyyears，IhadmadetheacquaintanceofayoungPolishnoblemancalledZawoiski。HewasexpectingmoneyfromPoland，butinthemeantimetheVenetianladiesdidnotlethimwantforany，beingallverymuchinlovewithhishandsomefaceandhisPolishmanners。Wesoonbecamegoodfriends，mypursewashis，but，twentyyearslater，heassistedmetoafargreaterextentinMunich。Zawoiskiwashonest，hehadonlyasmalldoseofintelligence，butitwasenoughforhishappiness。HediedinTriestefiveorsixyearsago，theambassadoroftheElectorofTreves。IwillspeakofhiminanotherpartoftheseMemoirs。
Thisamiableyoungman，whowasafavouritewitheverybodyandwasthoughtafree—thinkerbecausehefrequentedthesocietyofAngeloQueriniandLunardoVenier，presentedmeoneday，aswewereoutwalking，toanunknowncountesswhotookmyfancyverystrongly。
Wecalledonherintheevening，and，afterintroducingmetoherhusband，CountRinaldi，sheinvitedustoremainandhavesupper。
Thecountmadeafarobankinthecourseoftheevening，Ipuntedwithhiswifeasapartner，andwonsomefiftyducats。
Verymuchpleasedwithmynewacquaintance，Icalledaloneonthecountessthenextmorning。Thecount，apologizingforhiswifewhowasnotupyet，tookmetoherroom。Shereceivedmewithgracefulease，and，herhusbandhavingleftusalone，shehadthearttoletmehopeforeveryfavour，yetwithoutcommittingherself；whenItookleaveofher，sheinvitedmetosupperfortheevening。AftersupperIplayed，stillinpartnershipwithher，wonagain，andwentawayverymuchinlove。Ididnotfailtopayheranothervisitthenextmorning，butwhenIpresentedmyselfatthehouseIwastoldthatshehadgoneout。
Icalledagainintheevening，and，aftershehadexcusedherselffornothavingbeenathomeinthemorning，thefarobankbegan，andI
lostallmymoney，stillhavingthecountessformypartner。Aftersupper，andwhentheotherguestshadretired，IremainedwithZawoiski，CountRinaldihavingofferedtogiveusourrevenge。AsI
hadnomoremoney，Iplayedupontrust，andthecountthrewdownthecardsafterIhadlostfivehundredsequins。Iwentawayingreatsorrow。Iwasboundinhonourtopaythenextmorning，andIdidnotpossessagroat。Loveincreasedmydespair，forIsawmyselfonthepointoflosingtheesteemofawomanbywhomIwassmitten，andtheanxietyIfeltdidnotescapeM。deBragadinwhenwemetinthemorning。Hekindlyencouragedmetoconfessmytroublestohim。