FeelingmoreateaseIgavesixsequinstoLaura，onetoeachofherdaughters，andatesomethingformysupper:Ithenlaidmyselfdownononeofthewretchedbedsintheroom。Assoonasthetwoyoungersisterssawmeinbed，theyundressedthemselveswithoutceremony，andtookpossessionofthesecondbedwhichwasclosebymine。Theirinnocentconfidencepleasedme。Theeldestsister，whomostlikelyhadmorepracticalexperience，retiredtotheadjoiningroom；shehadalovertowhomshewassoontobemarried。Thistime，however，I
wasnotpossessedwiththeevilspiritofconcupiscence，andI
allowedinnocencetosleeppeacefullywithoutattemptinganythingagainstit。
EarlythenextmorningLaurawasthebearerofgoodnews。Shecameinwithacheerfulairtoannouncethatthebelovedpatienthadsleptwell，andthatshewasgoingbacksoontogivehersomesoup。Ifeltanalmostmaddeningjoyinlisteningtoher，andIthoughttheoracleofAEsculapiusathousandtimesmorereliablethanthatofApollo。
Butitwasnotyettimetoexultinourvictory，formypoorlittlefriendhadtorecoverherstrengthandtomakeupforallthebloodshehadlost；thatcouldbedoneonlybytimeandcarefulnursing。I
remainedanotherweekatLaura’shouse，whichIleftonlyaftermydearC————C————hadrequestedmetodosoinaletteroffourpages。
Laura，whenIleft，weptforjoyinseeingherselfrewardedbythegiftofallthefinelinenIhadboughtformyC————C————，andherdaughterswereweepinglikewise，mostprobablybecause，duringthetendaysIhadspentnearthem，theyhadnotobtainedasinglekissfromme。
AftermyreturntoVenice，Iresumedmyusualhabits；butwithanaturelikeminehowcouldIpossiblyremainsatisfiedwithoutpositivelove？MyonlypleasurewastoreceivealetterfrommydearrecluseeveryWednesday，whoadvisedmetowaitpatientlyratherthantoattemptcarryingheroff。Lauraassuredmethatshehadbecomemorelovelythanever，andIlongedtoseeher。Anopportunityofgratifyingmywishessoonoffereditself，andIdidnotallowittoescape。Therewastobeatakingoftheveil——aceremonywhichalwaysattractsalargenumberofpersons。Onthoseoccasionsthenunsalwaysreceivedagreatmanyvisitors，andIthoughtthattheboarderswerelikelytobeintheparlouronsuchanoccasion。Irannoriskofbeingremarkedanymorethananyotherperson，forIwouldminglewiththecrowd。IthereforewentwithoutsayinganythingaboutittoLaura，andwithoutacquaintingmydearlittlewifeofmyintentions。IthoughtIwouldfall，sogreatwasmyemotion，whenI
sawherwithinfouryardsfromme，andlookingatmeasifshehadbeeninanecstaticstate。Ithoughthertallerandmorewomanly，andshecertainlyseemedtomemorebeautifulthanbefore。Isawnoonebuther；shenevertookhereyesoffme，andIwasthelasttoleavethatplacewhichonthatdaystruckmeasbeingthetempleofhappiness。
ThreedaysafterwardsIreceivedaletterfromher。Shepaintedwithsuchvividcoloursthehappinessshehadfeltinseeingme，thatI
madeupmymindtogiveherthatpleasureasoftenasIcould。
IansweredatoncethatIwouldattendmasseverySundayatthechurchofherconvent。Itcostmenothing:Icouldnotseeher，butIknewthatshesawmeherself，andherhappinessmademeperfectlyhappy。Ihadnothingtofear，foritwasalmostimpossiblethatanyonecouldrecognizemeinthechurchwhichwasattendedonlybythepeopleofMuran。
Afterhearingtwoorthreemasses，Iusedtotakeagondola，thegondolierofwhichcouldnotfeelanycuriosityaboutme。YetIkeptonmyguard，forIknewthatthefatherofC————C————wantedhertoforgetme，andIhadnodoubthewouldhavetakenheraway，Godknewwhereifhehadhadtheslightestsuspicionofmybeingacquaintedwiththeplacewherehehadconfinedher。
ThusIwasreasoninginmyfeartoloseallopportunityofcorrespondingwithmydearC————C————，butIdidnotyetknowthedispositionandtheshrewdnessofthesainteddaughtersoftheLord。
Ididnotsupposethattherewasanythingremarkableinmyperson，atleastfortheinmatesofaconvent；butIwasyetanovicerespectingthecuriosityofwomen，andparticularlyofunoccupiedhearts；Ihadsoonoccasiontobeconvinced。
IhadexecutedmySundaymanoeuveringonlyforamonthorfiveweeks，whenmydearC————C————wrotemejestinglythatIhadbecomealivingenigmaforalltheconvent，boardersandnuns，notevenexceptingtheoldones。Theyallexpectedmeanxiously；theywarnedeachotherofmyarrival，andwatchedmetakingtheholywater。TheyremarkedthatInevercastaglancetowardthegrating，behindwhichwerealltheinmatesoftheconvent；thatIneverlookedatanyofthewomencominginorgoingoutofthechurch。TheoldnunssaidthatIwascertainlylabouringundersomedeepsorrow，ofwhichIhadnohopetobecuredexceptthroughtheprotectionoftheHolyVirgin，andtheyoungonesassertedthatIwaseithermelancholyormisanthropic。
Mydearwife，whoknewbetterthantheothers，andhadnooccasiontoloseherselfinsuppositions，wasmuchamused，andsheentertainedmebysendingmeafaithfulreportofitall。Iwrotetoherthat，ifshehadanyfearofmybeingrecognizedIwouldceasemySundayvisitstothechurch。SheansweredthatIcouldnotimposeuponheramorecruelprivation，andsheentreatedmetocontinuemyvisits。
Ithoughtitwouldbeprudent，however，toabstainfromcallingatLaura’shouse，forfearofthechatteringnunscontrivingtoknowit，anddiscoveringinthatmanneragreatdealmorethanIwishedthemtofindout。Butthatexistencewasliterallyconsumingmebyslowdegrees，andcouldnotlastlong。Besides，Iwasmadetohaveamistress，andtolivehappilywithher。Notknowingwhattodowithmyself，Iwouldgamble，andIalmostinvariablywon；but，inspiteofthat，wearinesshadgotholdofmeandIwasgettingthinnereveryday。
WiththefivethousandsequinswhichmypartnerCrocehadwonformeinPaduaIhadfollowedM。Bragadin’sadvice。IhadhiredacasinowhereIheldafarobankinpartnershipwithamatador，whosecuredmeagainstthefraudsofcertainnoblemen——tyrants，withwhomaprivatecitizenisalwayssuretobeinthewronginmydearcountry。
OnAllSaints’Day，intheyear1753，justas，afterhearingmass，I
wasgoingtostepintoagondolatoreturntoVenice，Isawawoman，somewhatinLaura’sstylewho，passingnearme，lookedatmeanddroppedaletter。Ipickeditup，andthewoman，seeingmeinpossessionoftheepistle，quietlywenton。Theletterhadnoaddress，andthesealrepresentedarunningknot。Isteppedhurriedlyintothegondola，andassoonaswewereintheoffingI
broketheseal。Ireadthefollowingwords。
\"Anun，whoforthelasttwomonthsandahalfhasseenyoueverySundayinthechurchofherconvent，wishestobecomeacquaintedwithyou。Apamphletwhichyouhavelost，andwhichchancehasthrownintoherhands，makesherbelievethatyouspeakFrench；but，ifyoulikeitbetter，youcananswerinItalian，becausewhatshewantsaboveallisaclearandpreciseanswer。Shedoesnotinviteyoutocallforherattheparlouroftheconvent，because，beforeyouplaceyourselfunderthenecessityofspeakingtoher，shewishesyoutoseeher，andforthatpurposeshewillnamealadywhomyoucanaccompanytotheparlour。Thatladyshallnotknowyouandneednotthereforeintroduceyou，incaseyoushouldnotwishtobeknown。
\"Shouldyounotapproveofthatwaytobecomeacquainted，thenunwillappointacertaincasinoinMuran，inwhichyouwillfindheralone，intheevening，anynightyoumaychoose。Youwillthenbeatlibertyeithertosupwithher，ortoretireafteraninterviewofaquarterofanhour，ifyouhaveanyotherengagements。
\"WouldyouratherofferherasupperinVenice？Namethenight，thehour，theplaceofappointment，andyouwillseehercomeoutofagondola。Onlybecarefultobetherealone，maskedandwithalantern。
\"Ifeelcertainthatyouwillanswerme，andthatyouwillguesshowimpatientlyIamwaitingforyourletter。Ientreatyou，therefore，togiveitto—morrowtothesamewomanthroughwhomyouwillreceivemine！youwillfindheronehourbeforenooninthechurchofSt。
Cancian，nearthefirstaltarontheright。
Recollectthat，ifIdidnotsupposeyouendowedwithanoblesoulandahighmind，Icouldneverhaveresolvedontakingastepwhichmightgiveyouanunfavorableopinionofmycharacter\"
Thetoneofthatletter，whichIhavecopiedwordbyword，surprisedmeevenmorethantheofferitcontained。Ihadbusinesstoattendto，butIgaveupallengagementstolockmyselfinmyroominordertoanswerit。Suchanapplicationbetokenedanextravagantmind，buttherewasinitacertaindignity，asingularity，whichattractedme。
IhadanideathatthewritermightbethesamenunwhotaughtFrenchtoC————C————。Shehadrepresentedherfriendinherlettersashandsome，rich，gallant，andgenerous。Mydearwifehad，perhaps，beenguiltyofsomeindiscretion。Athousandfancieswhirledthroughmybrain，butIwouldentertainonlythosewhichwerefavourabletoaschemehighlypleasingtome。Besides，myyoungfriendhadinformedmethatthenunwhohadgivenherFrenchlessonswasnottheonlyoneintheconventwhospokethatlanguage。Ihadnoreasontosupposethat，ifC————C————hadmadeaconfidanteofherfriend，shewouldhavemadeamysteryofittome。But，forallthat，thenunwhohadwrittentomemightbethebeautifulfriendofmydearlittlewife，andshemightalsoturnouttobeadifferentperson；Ifeltsomewhatpuzzled。Hereis，however，theletterwhichIthoughtIcouldwritewithoutimplicatingmyself:
\"IanswerinFrench，madam，inthehopethatmyletterwillhavetheclearnessandtheprecisionofwhichyougivemetheexampleinyours。
\"Thesubjectishighlyinterestingandofthehighestimportance，consideringallthecircumstances。AsImustanswerwithoutknowingthepersontowhomIamwriting，youmustfeel，madam，that，unlessI
shouldpossessalargedoseofvanity，Imustfearsomemystification，andmyhonourrequiresthatIshouldkeeponmyguard。
\"Ifitistruethatthepersonwhohaspennedthatletterisarespectablewoman，whorendersmejusticeinsupposingmeendowedwithfeelingasnobleasherown，shewillfind，Itrust，thatI
couldnotanswerinanyotherwaythanIamdoingnow。
\"Ifyouhavejudgedmeworthy，madam，ofthehonourwhichyoudomebyofferingmeyouracquaintance，althoughyourgoodopinioncanhavebeenformedonlyfrommypersonalappearance，Ifeelitmydutytoobeyyou，eveniftheresultbetoundeceiveyoubyprovingthatI
hadunwittinglyledyouintoamistakenappreciationofmyperson。
\"Ofthethreeproposalswhichyousokindlymadeinyourletter，I
darenotacceptanybutthefirst，withtherestrictionsuggestedbyyourpenetratingmind。IwillaccompanytotheparlourofyourconventaladywhoshallnotknowwhoIam，and，consequently，shallhavenooccasiontointroduceme。
\"Donotjudgetooseverely，madam，thespeciousreasonswhichcompelmenottogiveyoumyname，andreceivemywordofhonourthatI
shalllearnyoursonlytorenderyouhomage。Ifyouchoosetospeaktome，Iwillanswerwiththemostprofoundrespect。Permitmetohopethatyouwillcometotheparlouralone。ImaymentionthatI
amaVenetian，andperfectlyfree。
Theonlyreasonwhichpreventsmefromchoosingoneofthetwootherarrangementsproposedbyyou，eitherofwhichwouldhavesuitedmebetterbecausetheygreatlyhonourme，is，allowmetorepeatit，afearofbeingthevictimofamystification；butthesemodesofmeetingwillnotbelostwhenyouknowmeandwhenIhaveseenyou。
Ientreatyoutohavefaithinmyhonour，andtomeasuremypatiencebyyourown。Tomorrow，atthesameplaceandatthesamehour，I
shallbeanxiouslyexpectingyouranswer。\"
Iwenttotheplaceappointed，andhavingmetthefemaleMercuryI
gavehermyletterwithasequin，andItoldherthatIwouldcomethenextdayfortheanswer。Wewerebothpunctual。Assoonasshesawme，shehandedmebackthesequinwhichIhadgivenherthedaybefore，andaletter，requestingmetoreaditandtoletherknowwhethershewastowaitforananswer。Hereistheexactcopyoftheletter:
\"Ibelieve，sir，thatIhavenotbeenmistakeninanything。Likeyou，Idetestuntruthwhenitcanleadtoimportantconsequences，butIthinkitameretriflewhenitcandonoinjurytoanyone。Ofmythreeproposalsyouhavechosentheonewhichdoesthegreatesthonourtoyourintelligence，and，respectingthereasonswhichinduceyoutokeepyourincognito，IhavewrittentheenclosedtotheCountessofS————，whichIrequestyoutoread。Bekindenoughtosealitbeforedeliveryofittoher。Youmaycalluponherwheneverconvenienttoyourself。Shewillnameherownhour，andyouwillaccompanyherhereinhergondola。Thecountesswillnotaskyouanyquestions，andyouneednotgiveheranyexplanation。Therewillbenopresentation；butasyouwillbemadeacquaintedwithmyname，youcanafterwardscallonmehere，masked，wheneveryouplease，andbyusingthenameofthecountess。Inthatwayweshallbecomeacquaintedwithoutthenecessityofdisturbingyou，orofyourlosingatnightsomehourswhichmaybeprecioustoyou。Ihaveinstructedmyservanttowaitforyouranswerincaseyoushouldbeknowntothecountessandobjecttoher。IfyouapproveofthechoiceIhavemadeofher，tellthemessengerthatthereisnoanswer。\"
AsIwasanentirestrangertothecountess，ItoldthewomanthatI
hadnoanswertogive，andsheleftme。
Herearethecontentsofthenoteaddressedbythenuntothecountess，andwhichIhadtodelivertoher:
\"Ibegofyou，mydearfriend，topaymeavisitwhenyouareatleisure，andtoletthemaskedgentleman—bearerofthisnoteknowthehour，sothathecanaccompanyyou。Hewillbepunctual。Farewell。
Youwillmuchobligeyourfriend。\"
Thatletterseemedtomeinformedbyasublimespiritofintrigue；
therewasinitanappearanceofdignitywhichcaptivatedme，althoughIfeltconsciousthatIwasplayingthecharacterofamanonwhomafavourseemedtobebestowed。
Inherlastletter，mynun，pretendingnottobeanxioustoknowwhoIwas，approvedofmychoice，andfeignedindifferencefornocturnalmeetings；butsheseemedcertainthatafterseeingherIwouldvisither。Iknewverywellwhattothinkofitall，fortheintriguewassuretohaveanamorousissue。Nevertheless，herassurance，orratherconfidence，increasedmycuriosity，andIfeltthatshehadeveryreasontohope，ifshewereyoungandhandsome。Imightverywellhavedelayedtheaffairforafewdays，andhavelearnedfromC—
———C————whothatnuncouldbe；but，besidesthebasenessofsuchaproceeding，Iwasafraidofspoilingthegameandrepentingitafterwards。Iwastoldtocallonthecountessatmyconvenience，butitwasbecausethedignityofmynunwouldnotallowhertoshewherselftooimpatient；andshecertainlythoughtthatIwouldmyselfhastentheadventure。Sheseemedtometoodeeplylearnedingallantrytoadmitthepossibilityofherbeinganinexperiencednovice，andIwasafraidofwastingmytime；butImadeupmymindtolaughatmyownexpenseifIhappenedtomeetasuperannuatedfemale。
ItisverycertainthatifIhadnotbeenactuatedbycuriosityI
shouldnothavegoneonestepfurther，butIwantedtoseethecountenanceofanunwhohadofferedtocometoVenicetosupwithme。Besides，Iwasmuchsurprisedatthelibertyenjoyedbythosesaintedvirgins，andatthefacilitywithwhichtheycouldescapeoutoftheirwalls。
Atthreeo’clockIpresentedmyselfbeforethecountessanddeliveredthenote，andsheexpressedawishtoseemethenextdayatthesamehour。Wedroppedabeautifulreverencetooneanother，andparted。
Shewasasuperiorwoman，alreadygoingdownthehill，butstillveryhandsome。
Thenextmorning，beingSunday，IneednotsaythatItookcaretoattendmassattheconvent，elegantlydressed，andalreadyunfaithful——atleastinidea——tomydearC————C————，forIwasthinkingofbeingseenbythenun，youngorold，ratherthanofshewingmyselftomycharmingwife。
IntheafternoonImaskedmyselfagain，andattheappointedtimeI
repairedtothehouseofthecountesswhowaswaitingforme。Wewentinatwo—oaredgondola，andreachedtheconventwithouthavingspokenofanythingbuttheweather。Whenwearrivedatthegate，thecountessaskedforM————M————。Iwassurprisedbythatname，forthewomantowhomitbelongedwascelebrated。Wewereshewnintoasmallparlour，andafewminutesafterwardsanuncamein，wentstraighttothegrating，touchedaspring，andmadefoursquaresofthegratingrevolve，whichleftanopeningsufficientlylargetoenablethetwofriendstoembracetheingeniouswindowwasafterwardscarefullyclosed。Theopeningwasatleasteighteenincheswide，andamanofmysizecouldeasilyhavegotthroughit。
Thecountesssatoppositethenun，andItookmyseatalittleononesidesoastobeabletoobservequietlyandatmyeaseoneofthemostbeautifulwomenthatitwaspossibletosee。IhadnodoubtwhateverofherbeingthepersonmentionedbymydearC————C————asteachingherFrench。Admirationkeptmeinasortofecstacy，andI
neverheardonewordoftheirconversation；thebeautifulnun，farfromspeakingtome，didnotevencondescendtohonourmewithonelook。Shewasabouttwenty—twoortwenty—threeyearsofage，andtheshapeofherfacewasmostbeautiful。Herfigurewasmuchabovetheordinaryheight，hercomplexionratherpale，herappearancenoble，fullofenergy，butatthesametimereservedandmodest；hereyes，largeandfull，wereofalovelyblue；hercountenancewassoftandcheerful；herfinelipsseemedtobreathethemostheavenlyvoluptuousness，andherteethweretworowsofthemostbrilliantenamel。Herhead—dressdidnotallowmetoseeherhair，butifshehadanyIknewbythecolourofhereyebrowsthatitwasofabeautifullightbrown。Herhandandherarm，whichIcouldseeasfarastheelbow，weremagnificent；thechiselofPraxitelesnevercarvedanythingmoregracefullyroundedandplump，Iwasnotsorrytohaverefusedthetworendezvouswhichhadbeenofferedtomebythebeauty，forIwassureofpossessingherinafewdays，anditwasapleasureformetolaymydesiresatherfeet。Ilongedtofindmyselfalonewithhernearthatgrating，andIwouldhaveconsidereditaninsulttoherif，theverynextday，IhadnotcometotellherhowfullyIrenderedtohercharmsthejusticetheydeserved。Shewasfaithfultoherdeterminationnottolookatmeonce，butafterallIwaspleasedwithherreserve。Allatoncethetwofriendsloweredtheirvoices，andoutofdelicacyIwithdrewfurther。Theirprivateconversationlastedaboutaquarterofanhour，duringwhichIpretendedtobeintentlylookingatapainting；
thentheykissedoneanotheragainbythesameprocessasatthebeginningoftheinterview；thenunclosedtheopening，turnedherbackonus，anddisappearedwithoutcastingoneglanceinmydirection。
AswewereonourwaybacktoVenice，thecountess，tiredperhapsofoursilence，saidtome，withasmile，\"M————M————isbeautifulandverywitty。\"
\"Ihaveseenherbeauty，andIbelieveinherwit。\"
\"Shedidnotaddressonewordtoyou。\"
\"Ihadrefusedtobeintroducedtoher，andshepunishedmebypretendingnottoknowthatIwaspresent。\"
Thecountessmadenoanswer，andwereachedherhousewithoutexchanginganotherword。Atherdooraveryceremoniouscurtesy，withthesewords，\"Adieu，sir！\"warnedmethatIwasnottogoanyfurther。Ihadnowishtodoso，andwentawaydreamingandwonderingatthesingularityoftheadventure，theendofwhichI
longedtosee。
EndMEMOIRSOFJACQUESCASANOVAdeSEINGALT1725—1798
TOPARISANDPRISON，Volume2c——ConventAffairsTHERAREUNABRIDGEDLONDONEDITIONOF1894TRANSLATEDBYARTHUR
MACHENTOWHICHHASBEENADDEDTHECHAPTERSDISCOVERED
BYARTHURSYMONS。
CONVENTAFFAIRS
CHAPTERXVI
CountessCoronini——ALover’sPique——Reconciliation——TheFirstMeeting——APhilosophicalParenthesisMybeautifulnunhadnotspokentome，andIwasgladofit，forI
wassoastonished，socompletelyunderthespellofherbeauty，thatImighthavegivenheraverypooropinionofmyintelligencebytheramblinganswerswhichIshouldverylikelyhavegiventoherquestions。Iknewhertobecertainthatshehadnottofearthehumiliationofarefusalfromme，butIadmiredhercourageinrunningtheriskofitinherposition。Icouldhardlyunderstandherboldness，andIcouldnotconceivehowshecontrivedtoenjoysomuchliberty。AcasinoatMuran！thepossibilityofgoingtoVenicetosupwithayoungman！Itwasallverysurprising，andIdecidedinmyownmindthatshehadanacknowledgedloverwhosepleasureitwastomakeherhappybysatisfyinghercaprices。Itistruethatsuchathoughtwasratherunpleasanttomypride，buttherewastoomuchpiquancyintheadventure，theheroineofitwastooattractive，formetobestoppedbyanyconsiderations。IsawverywellthatI
wastakingthehighroadtobecomeunfaithfultomydearC————C————，orratherthatIwasalreadysointhoughtandwill，butImustconfessthat，inspiteofallmyloveforthatcharmingchild，Ifeltnoqualmsofconscience。Itseemedtomethataninfidelityofthatsort，ifsheeverheardofit，wouldnotdispleaseher，forthatshortexcursiononstrangegroundwouldonlykeepmealiveandingoodconditionforher，becauseitwouldsavemefromthewearinesswhichwassurelykillingme。
IhadbeenpresentedtothecelebratedCountessCoroninibyanun，arelativeofM。Dandolo。Thatcountess，whohadbeenveryhandsomeandwasverywitty，havingmadeuphermindtorenouncethepoliticalintrigueswhichhadbeenthestudyofherwholelife，hadsoughtaretreatintheConventofSt。Justine，inthehopeoffindinginthatrefugethecalmwhichshewanted，andwhichherdisgustofsocietyhadrenderednecessarytoher。Asshehadenjoyedaverygreatreputation，shewasstillvisitedattheconventbyalltheforeignambassadorsandbythefirstnoblemenofVenice；insideofthewallsofherconventthecountesswasacquaintedwitheverythingthathappenedinthecity。Shealwaysreceivedmeverykindly，and，treatingmeasayoungman，shetookpleasureingivingme，everytimeIcalledonher，veryagreeablelessonsinmorals。Beingquitecertaintofindoutfromher，withalittlemanoeuvering，somethingconcerningM————M————，IdecidedonpayingheravisitthedayafterIhadseenthebeautifulnun。
Thecountessgavemeherusualwelcome，and，afterthethousandnothingswhichitisthecustomtoutterinsocietybeforeanythingworthsayingisspoken，IledtheconversationuptotheconventsofVenice。WespokeofthewitandinfluenceofanuncalledCelsi，who，althoughugly，hadanimmensecrediteverywhereandineverything。WementionedafterwardstheyoungandlovelySisterMichali，whohadtakentheveiltoprovetohermotherthatshewassuperiortoherinintelligenceandwit。Afterspeakingofseveralothernunswhohadthereputationofbeingaddictedtogallantry，I
namedM————M————，remarkingthatmostlikelyshedeservedthatreputationlikewise，butthatshewasanenigma。Thecountessansweredwithasmilethatshewasnotanenigmaforeverybody，althoughshewasnecessarilysoformostpeople。
\"Whatisincomprehensible，\"shesaid，\"isthecapricethatshetooksuddenlytobecomeanun，beinghandsome，rich，free，well—educated，fullofwit，and，tomyknowledge，aFree—thinker。Shetooktheveilwithoutanyreason，physicalormoral；itwasamerecaprice。\"
\"Doyoubelievehertobehappy，madam？\"
\"Yes，unlessshehasrepentedherdecision，orifshedoesnotrepentitsomeday。Butifevershedoes，Ithinkshewillbewiseenoughnevertosaysotoanyone。\"
SatisfiedbythemysteriousairofthecountessthatM————M————hadalover，Imadeupmymindnottotroublemyselfaboutit，andhavingputonmymaskIwenttoMuranintheafternoon。WhenIreachedthegateoftheconventIrangthebell，andwithananxiousheartI
askedforM————M————inthenameofMadamedeS————。Thesmallparlourbeingclosed，theattendantpointedouttometheoneinwhichIhadtogo。Iwentin，tookoffmymask，andsatdownwaitingformydivinity。
Myheartwasbeatingfuriously；Iwaswaitingwithgreatimpatience；
yetthatexpectationwasnotwithoutcharm，forIdreadedthebeginningoftheinterview。Anhourpassedprettyrapidly，butI
beganthentofindthetimeratherlong，andthinkingthat，perhaps，theattendanthadnotrightlyunderstoodme，Irangthebell，andenquiredwhethernoticeofmyvisithadbeinggiventoSisterM————
M————。Avoiceansweredaffirmatively。Itookmyseatagain，andafewminutesafterwardsanold，toothlessnuncameinandinformedmethatSisterM————M————wasengagedforthewholeday。Withoutgivingmetimetoutterasingleword，thewomanlefttheparlour。
Thiswasoneofthoseterriblemomentstowhichthemanwhoworshipsattheshrineofthegodofloveisexposed！Theyareindeedcruelmoments；theybringfearfulsorrow，theymaycausedeath。
Feelingmyselfdisgraced，myfirstsensationwasuttercontemptformyself，aninwarddespairwhichwasakintorage；thesecondwasdisdainfulindignationagainstthenun，uponwhomIpassedtheseverejudgmentwhichIthoughtshedeserved，andwhichwastheonlywayI
hadtosoothemygrief。Suchbehaviourproclaimedhertobethemostimpudentofwomen，andentirelywantingingoodsense；forthetwolettersshehadwrittentomewerequiteenoughtoruinhercharacterifIhadwishedtorevengemyself，andsheevidentlycouldnotexpectanythingelsefromme。Shemusthavebeenmadtosetatdefiancemyrevengefulfeelings，andIshouldcertainlyhavethoughtthatshewasinsaneifIhadnotheardherconversewiththecountess。
Time，theysay，bringsgoodcounsel；itcertainlybringscalm，andcoolreflectiongivesluciditytothemind。AtlastIpersuadedmyselfthatwhathadoccurredwasafterallinnowayextraordinary，andthatIwouldcertainlyhaveconsidereditatfirstaverycommonoccurrenceifIhadnotbeendazzledbythewonderfulbeautyofthenun，andblindedbymyownvanity。AsaverynaturalresultIfeltthatIwasatlibertytolaughatmymishap，andthatnobodycouldpossiblyguesswhethermymirthwasgenuineoronlycounterfeit。
Sophismissoofficious！
But，inspiteofallmyfinearguments，Istillcherishedthethoughtofrevenge；nodebasingelement，however，wastoformpartofit，andbeingdeterminednottoleavethepersonwhohadbeenguiltyofsuchabadpracticaljoketheslightestcauseoftriumph，Ihadthecouragenottoshewanyvexation。Shehadsentwordtomethatshewasengaged；nothingmorenatural；thepartIhadtoplaywastoappearindifferent。\"Mostlikelyshewillnotbeengagedanothertime，\"Isaidtomyself，\"butIdefyhertocatchmeinthesnareagain。ImeantoshewherthatIonlylaughatheruncivilbehaviour。\"OfcourseIintendedtosendbackherletters，butnotwithouttheaccompanimentofabillet—doux，thegallantryofwhichwasnot，likelytopleaseher。
Theworsepartoftheaffairformewastobecompelledtogotoherchurch；because，supposinghernottobeawareofmygoingthereforC————C————，shemightimaginethattheonlyobjectofmyvisitswastogivehertheopportunityofapologizingforherconductandofappointinganewmeeting。Iwantedhertoentertainnodoubtofmyuttercontemptforherperson，andIfeltcertainthatshehadproposedtheothermeetingsinVeniceandatthecasinoofMuranonlytodeceivememoreeasily。
Iwenttobedwithagreatthirstforrevenge，Ifellasleepthinkingofit，andIawokewiththeresolutionofquenchingit。Ibegantowrite，but，asIwishedparticularlythatmylettershouldnotshowthepiqueofthedisappointedlover，Ileftitonmytablewiththeintentionofreadingitagainthenextday。Itprovedausefulprecaution，forwhenIreaditover，twenty—fourhoursafterwards，I
founditunworthyofme，andtoreittopieces。Itcontainedsomesentenceswhichsavouredtoomuchofmyweakness，mylove，andmyspite，andwhich，farfromhumiliatingher，wouldonlyhavegivenheroccasiontolaughatme。
OntheWednesdayafterIhadwrittentoC————C————thatveryseriousreasonscompelledmetogiveupmyvisitstothechurchofherconvent，Iwroteanotherlettertothenun，butonThursdayithadthesamefateasthefirst，becauseuponasecondperusalIfoundthesamedeficiencies。ItseemedtomethatIhadlostthefacultyofwriting。TendaysafterwardsIfoundoutthatIwastoodeeplyinlovetohavethepowerofexpressingmyselfinanyotherwaythanthroughthefeelingsofmyheart。
’Sinceriumestnisivas，quodcunqueinfundisacescit。’
ThefaceofM————M————hadmadetoodeepanimpressiononme；
nothingcouldpossiblyobliterateitexcepttheall—powerfulinfluenceoftime。
InmyridiculouspositionIwassorelytemptedtocomplaintoCountessS————；butIamhappytosayIwasprudentenoughnottocrossthethresholdofherdoor。AtlastIbethoughtmyselfthatthegiddynunwascertainlylabouringunderconstantdread，knowingthatIhadinmypossessionhertwoletters，withwhichIcouldruinherreputationandcausethegreatestinjurytotheconvent，andIsentthembacktoherwiththefollowingnote，afterIhadkeptthemtendays:
\"Icanassureyou，madam，thatitwasowingonlytoforgetfulnessthatIdidnotreturnyourtwoletterswhichyouwillfindenclosed。
Ihaveneverthoughtofbelyingmyownnaturebytakingacowardlyrevengeuponyou，andIforgiveyoumostwillinglythetwogiddyactsofwhichyouhavebeenguilty，whethertheywerecommittedthoughtlesslyorbecauseyouwantedtoenjoyajokeatmyexpense。
Nevertheless，youwillallowmetoadviseyounottotreatanyothermaninthesameway，foryoumightmeetwithoneendowedwithlessdelicacy。Iknowyourname，Iknowwhoyouare，butyouneednotbeanxious；itisexactlyasifIdidnotknowit。Youmay，perhaps，carebutlittleformydiscretion，butifitshouldbesoIshouldgreatlypityyou。
\"YoumaybeawarethatIshallnotshewmyselfagainatyourchurch；
butletmeassureyouthatitisnotasacrificeonmypart，andthatIcanattendmassanywhereelse。YetImusttellyouwhyIshallabstainfromfrequentingthechurchofyourconvent。Itisverynaturalformetosupposethattothetwothoughtlessactsofwhichyouhavebeenguilty，youhaveaddedanothernotlessserious，namely，thatofhavingboastedofyourexploitswiththeothernuns，andIdonotwanttobethebuttofyourjokesincellorparlour。
Donotthinkmetooridiculousif，inspiteofbeingfiveorsixyearsolderthanyou，Ihavenotthrownoffallfeelingsofself—respect，ortroddenunder，myfeetallreserveandpropriety；inoneword，ifIhavekeptsomeprejudices，thereareafewwhichinmyopinionoughtnevertobeforgotten。Donotdisdain，madam，thelessonwhichItakethelibertytoteachyou，asIreceiveinthekindestspirittheonewhichyouhavegivenme，mostlikelyonlyforthesakeoffun，butbywhichIpromiseyoutoprofitaslongasI
live。\"
Ithoughtthat，consideringallcircumstances，myletterwasaverygenialone；Imadeupmyparcel，putonmymask，andlookedoutforaporterwhocouldhavenoknowledgeofme；Igavehimhalfasequin，andIpromisedhimasmuchmorewhenhecouldassuremethathehadfaithfullydeliveredmyletterattheconventofMuran。Igavehimallthenecessaryinstructions，andcautionedhimtogoawaytheverymomenthehaddeliveredtheletteratthegateoftheconvent，evenifheweretoldtowait。ImustsayherethatmymessengerwasamanfromForli，andthattheForlanesewerethenthemosttrustworthymeninVenice；foroneofthemtobeguiltyofabreachoftrustwasanunheard—ofthing。SuchmenwereformerlytheSavoyards，inParis；
buteverythingisgettingworseinthisworld。
Iwasbeginningtoforgettheadventure，probablybecauseIthought，rightlyorwrongly，thatIhadputaninsurmountablebarrierbetweenthenunandmyself，when，tendaysafterIhadsentmyletter，asI
wascomingoutoftheopera，Imetmymessenger，lanterninhand。
Icalledhim，andwithouttakingoffmymaskIaskedhimwhetherheknewme。Helookedatme，eyedmefromheadtofoot，andfinallyansweredthathedidnot。
\"DidyoufaithfullycarrythemessagetoMuran？\"
\"Ah，sir！Godbepraised！Iamveryhappytoseeyouagain，forI
haveanimportantcommunicationtomaketoyou。Itookyourletter，delivereditaccordingtoyourinstructions，andIwentawayassoonasitwasinthehandsoftheattendant，althoughsherequestedmetowait。WhenIreturnedfromMuranIdidnotseeyou，butthatdidnotmatter。Onthefollowingday，oneofmycompanions，whohappenedtobeatthegateoftheconventwhenIdeliveredyourletter，cameearlyinthemorningtotellmetogotoMuran，becausetheattendantwantedparticularlytospeaktome。Iwentthere，andafterwaitingforafewminutesIwasshewnintotheparlour，whereIwaskeptformorethananhourbyanunasbeautifulasthelightofday，whoaskedmeathousandquestionsforthepurposeofascertaining，ifnotwhoyouare，atleastwhereIshouldbelikelytofindyou。YouknowthatIcouldnotgiveheranysatisfactoryinformation。Shethenlefttheparlour，orderingmetowait，andattheendoftwohoursshecamebackwithaletterwhichsheentrustedtomyhands，tellingmethat，ifIsucceededinfindingyououtandinbringingherananswer，shewouldgivemetwosequins。InthemeantimeIwastocallattheconventeveryday，shewhertheletter，andreceivefortysonseverytime。UntilnowIhaveearnedtwentycrowns，butIamafraidtheladywillgettiredofit，andyoucanmakemeearntwosequinsbyansweringaline。\"
\"Whereistheletter？\"
\"Inmyroomunderlockandkey，forIamalwaysafraidoflosingit。\"
\"ThenhowcanIanswer？\"
\"Ifyouwillwaitformehere，youshallhavetheletterinlessthanaquarterofanhour。\"
\"Iwillnotwait，becauseIdonotcareabouttheletter。Buttellmehowyoucouldflatterthenunwiththehopeoffindingmeout？
Youarearogue，foritisnotlikelythatshewouldhavetrustedyouwiththeletterifyouhadnotpromisedhertofindme。\"
\"Iamnotarogue，forIhavedonefaithfullywhatyoutoldme；butitistruethatIgaveheradescriptionofyourcoat，yourbuckles，andyourfigure，andIcanassureyouthatforthelasttendaysI
haveexaminedallthemaskswhoareaboutyoursize，butinvain。
NowIrecognizeyourbuckles，butIdonotthinkyouhavethesamecoat。Alas，sir！itwillnotcostyoumuchtowriteonlyoneline。
Bekindenoughtowaitformeinthecoffee—housecloseby。\"
Icouldnotresistmycuriosityanylonger，andImadeupmymindnottowaitforhimbuttoaccompanyhimasfarashishouse。Ihadonlytowrite，\"Ihavereceivedtheletter，\"andmycuriositywasgratifiedandtheForlaneseearnedhistwosequins。Icouldafterwardschangemybucklesandmymask，andthussetallenquiriesatdefiance。
Ithereforefollowedhimtohisdoor；hewentinandbroughtmetheletter。Itookhimtoaninn，whereIaskedforaroomwithagoodfire，andItoldmymantowait。Ibrokethesealoftheparcel——aratherlargeone，andthefirstpapersthatIsawwerethetwoletterswhichIhadsentbacktoherinordertoallayheranxietyastothepossibleconsequencesofhergiddiness。
ThesightoftheseletterscausedmesuchapalpitationoftheheartthatIwascompelledtositdown:itwasamostevidentsignofmydefeat。BesidesthesetwolettersIfoundathirdonesigned\"S。\"
andaddressedtoM————M————。Ireadthefollowinglines:
\"Themaskwhoaccompaniedmebacktomyhousewouldnot，Ibelieve，haveutteredasingleword，ifIhadnottoldhimthatthecharmsofyourwittymindwereevenmorebewitchingthanthoseofyourperson；
andhisanswerwas，’Ihaveseentheone，andIbelieveintheother。’IaddedthatIdidnotunderstandwhyyouhadnotspokentohim，andhesaid，withasmile，’Irefusedtobepresentedtoher，andshepunishedmeforitbynotappearingtoknowthatIwaspresent。’Thesefewwordswereallourdialogue。Iintendedtosendyouthisnotethismorning，butfounditimpossible。Adieu。\"
Afterreadingthisnote，whichstatedtheexacttruth，andwhichcouldbeconsideredasproof，myheartbegantobeatlessquickly。
Delightedatseeingmyselfonthepointofbeingconvictedofinjustice，Itookcourage，andIreadthefollowingletter:
\"Owingtoanexcusableweakness，feelingcurioustoknowwhatyouwouldsayaboutmetothecountessafteryouhadseenme，Itookanopportunityofaskinghertoletmeknowallyousaidtoheronthefollowingdayatlatest，forIforesawthatyouwouldpaymeavisitintheafternoon。Herletter，whichIenclose，andwhichIbegyoutoread，didnotreachmetillhalfanhourafteryouhadlefttheconvent。
\"Thiswasthefirstfatality。
\"Nothavingreceivedthatletterwhenyoucalled，Ihadnotthecouragetoseeyou。Thisabsurdweaknessonmypartwasthesecondfatality，buttheweaknessyouwill；Ihope；forgive。Igaveorderstothelay—sistertotellyouthatIwasillforthewholeday；averylegitimateexcuse；whethertrueorfalse，foritwasanofficiousuntruth，thecorrectionofwhich，wastobefoundinthewords:forthewholeday。Youhadalreadylefttheconvent，andI
couldnotpossiblysendanyonetorunafteryou，whentheoldfoolinformedmeofherhavingtoldyouthatIwasengaged。
\"Thiswasthethirdfatality。
\"YoucannotimaginewhatIhadamindtodoandtosaytothatfoolishsister；buthereonemustsayordonothing；onemustbepatientanddissemble，thankingGodwhenmistakesaretheresultofignoranceandnotofwickedness——averycommonthinginconvents。
Iforesawatonce，atleastpartly；whatwouldhappen；andwhathasactually，happened；fornoreasonablebeingcould，Ibelieve，haveforeseenitall。Iguessedthat，thinkingyourselfthevictimofajoke，youwouldbeincensed，andIfeltmiserable，forIdidnotseeanywayoflettingyouknowthetruthbeforethefollowingSunday。
Myheartlonged—ardentlyforthatday。CouldIpossiblyimaginethatyou，wouldtakearesolutionnottocomeagaintoourchurch！
ItriedtobepatientuntilthatSunday；butwhenIfoundmyselfdisappointedinmyhope，mymiserybecameunbearable，anditwillcausemydeathifyourefusetolistentomyjustification。Yourletterhasmademecompletelyunhappy，andIshallnotresistmydespairifyoupersistinthecruelresolveexpressedbyyourunfeelingletter。Youhaveconsideredyourselftrifledwith；thatisallyoucansay；butwillthisletterconvinceyouofyourerror？
Andevenbelievingyourselfdeceivedinthemostscandalousmanner，youmustadmitthattowritesuchanawfulletteryoumusthavesupposedmeanabominablewretch——amonster，suchasawomanofnoblebirthandofrefinededucationcannotpossiblybe。Ienclosethetwolettersyousentbacktome，withtheideaofallayingmyfearswhichyoucruellysupposedverydifferenttowhattheyareinreality。
Iamabetterphysiognomistthanyou，andyoumustbequitecertainthatIhavenotactedthoughtlessly，forIneverthoughtyoucapable，Iwillnotsayofcrime，butevenofanindelicateaction。Youmusthavereadonmyfeaturesthesignsonlyofgiddyimpudence，andthatisnotmynature。Youmaybethecauseofmydeath，youwillcertainlymakememiserablefortheremainderofmylife，ifyoudonotjustifyyourself；onmysideIthinkthejustificationiscomplete。
\"Ihopethat，evenifyoufeelnointerestinmylife，youwillthinkthatyouareboundinhonourtocomeandspeaktome。Comeyourselftorecallallyouhavewritten；itisyourduty，andIdeserveit。
Ifyoudonotrealizethefataleffectproduceduponmebyyourletter，Imustindeedpityyou，inspiteofmymisery，foritprovesthatyouhavenottheslightestknowledgeofthehumanheart。ButI
feelcertainthatyouwillcomeback，providedthemantowhomI
trustthislettercontrivestofindyou。Adieu！Iexpectlifeordeathfromyou。\"
Ididnotrequiretoreadthatlettertwice；Iwasashamedandindespair。M————M————wasright。IcalledtheForlanese，enquiredfromhimwhetherhehadspokentoherinthemorning，andwhethershelookedill。Heansweredthathehadfoundherlookingmoreunhappyeveryday，andthathereyeswereredfromweeping。
\"Godownagainandwait，\"Isaidtohim。
Ibegantowrite，andIhadnotconcludedmylongscreedbeforethedawnofday；hereare，wordbyword，thecontentsoftheletterwhichIwrotetothenoblestofwomen，whominmyunreasonablespiteIhadjudgedsowrongly。
\"Ipleadguilty，madam；Icannotpossiblyjustifymyself，andIamperfectlyconvincedofyourinnocence。IshouldbedisconsolateifI
didnothopetoobtainpardon，andyouwillnotrefusetoforgivemeifyouarekindenoughtorecollectthecauseofmyguilt。Isawyou；Iwasdazzled，andIcouldnotrealizeahappinesswhichseemedtomeadream；Ithoughtmyselfthepreyofoneofthosedelightfulillusionswhichvanishwhenwewakeup。ThedoubtunderwhichIwaslabouringcouldnotbeclearedupfortwenty—fourhours，andhowcouldIexpressmyfeverishimpatienceasIwaslongingforthathappymoment！Itcameatlast！andmyheart，throbbingwithdesireandhope，wasflyingtowardsyouwhileIwasintheparlourcountingtheminutes！Yetanhourpassedalmostrapidly，andnotunnaturally，consideringmyimpatienceandthedeepimpressionIfeltattheideaofseeingyou。Butthen，preciselyattheverymomentwhenI
believedmyselfcertainthatIwasgoingtogazeuponthebelovedfeatureswhichhadbeeninoneinterviewindeliblyengraveduponmyheart，Isawthemostdisagreeablefaceappear，andacreatureannouncedthatyouwereengagedforthewholeday，andwithoutgivingmetimetoutteronewordshedisappeared！Youmayimaginemyastonishmentand……therest。Thelightningwouldnothaveproduceduponmeamorerapid，amoreterribleeffect！Ifyouhadsentmealinebythatsister——alinefromyourhand——Iwouldhavegoneaway，ifnotpleased，atleastsubmissiveandresigned。
\"Butthatwasafourthfatalitywhichyouhaveforgottentoaddtoyourdelightfulandwittyjustification。Thinkingmyselfscoffedat，myself—loverebelled，andindignationforthemomentsilencedlove。
Shameoverwhelmedme！Ithoughtthateverybodycouldreadonmyfaceallthehorrorinmyheart，andIsawinyou，undertheoutwardappearanceofanangel，nothingbutafearfuldaughterofthePrinceofDarkness。Mymindwasthoroughlyupset，andattheendofelevendaysIlostthesmallportionofgoodsensethatwasleftinme——atleastImustsupposeso，asitisthenthatIwrotetoyoutheletterofwhichyouhavesogoodarighttocomplain，andwhichatthattimeseemedtomeamasterpieceofmoderation。
\"ButIhopeitisallovernow，andthisverydayateleveno’clockyouwillseemeatyourfeet——tender，submissiveandrepentant。Youwillforgiveme，divinewoman，orIwillmyselfavengeyoufortheinsultIhavehurledatyou。TheonlythingwhichIdaretoaskfromyouasagreatfavouristoburnmyfirstletter，andnevertomentionitagain。IsentitonlyafterIhadwrittenfour，whichI
destroyedoneaftertheother:youmaythereforeimaginethestateofmyheart。
\"Ihavegivenorderstomymessengertogotoyourconventatonce，sothatmylettercanbedeliveredtoyouassoonasyouwakeinthemorning。Hewouldneverhavediscoveredme，ifmygoodangelhadnotmademegouptohimatthedooroftheopera—house。ButIshallnotrequirehisservicesanymore；donotanswerme，andreceiveallthedevotionofaheartwhichadoresyou。\"
Whenmyletterwasfinished，IcalledmyForlanese，gavehimonesequin，andImadehimpromisemetogotoMuranimmediately，andtodelivermyletteronlytothenunherself。AssoonashehadgoneI
threwmyselfonmybed，butanxietyandburningimpatiencewouldnotallowmetosleep。
IneednottellthereaderwhoknowsthestateofexcitementunderwhichIwaslabouring，thatIwaspunctualinpresentingmyselfattheconvent。IwasshewnintothesmallparlourwhereIhadseenherforthefirsttime，andshealmostimmediatelymadeherentrance。
AssoonasIsawhernearthegratingIfellonmyknees，butsheentreatedmetoriseatonceasImightbeseen。Herfacewasflushedwithexcitement，andherlooksseemedtomeheavenly。Shesatdown，andItookaseatoppositetoher。Weremainedseveralminutesmotionless，gazingateachotherwithoutspeaking，butI
brokethesilencebyaskingher，inavoicefullofloveandanxiety，whetherIcouldhopetoobtainmypardon。Shegavemeherbeautifulhandthroughthegrating，andIcovereditwithtearsandkisses。
\"Ouracquaintance，\"shesaid，\"hasbegunwithaviolentstorm；letushopethatweshallnowenjoyitlonginperfectandlastingcalm。
Thisisthefirsttimethatwespeaktooneanother，butwhathasoccurredmustbeenoughtogiveusathoroughknowledgeofeachother。Itrustthatourintimacywillbeastenderassincere，andthatweshallknowhowtohaveamutualindulgenceforourfaults。\"
\"Cansuchanangelasyouhaveany？\"
\"Ah，myfriend！whoiswithoutthem？\"
\"WhenshallIhavethehappinessofconvincingyouofmydevotionwithcompletefreedomandinallthejoyofmyheart？\"
\"Wewilltakesuppertogetheratmycasinowheneveryouplease，providedyougivemenoticetwodaysbeforehand；orIwillgoandsupwithyouinVenice，ifitwillnotdisturbyourarrangements。\"
\"Itwouldonlyincreasemyhappiness。IthinkitrighttotellyouthatIaminveryeasycircumstances，andthat，farfromfearingexpense，Idelightinit:allIpossessbelongstothewomanIlove。\"
\"Thatconfidence，mydearfriend，isveryagreeabletome，themoresothatIhavelikewisetotellyouthatIamveryrich，andthatI
couldnotrefuseanythingtomylover。\"
\"Butyoumusthavealover？\"
\"Yes；itisthroughhimthatIamrich，andheisentirelymymaster。
Ineverconcealanythingfromhim。Thedayafterto—morrow，whenI
amalonewithyou，Iwilltellyoumore。\"
\"ButIhopethatyourlover……\"
\"Willnotbethere？Certainlynot。Haveyouamistress？\"
\"Ihadone，but，alas！shehasbeentakenfrommebyviolentmeans，andforthelastsixmonthsIhaveledalifeofcompletecelibacy。\"
\"Doyouloveherstill？\"
\"Icannotthinkofherwithoutlovingher。Shehasalmostasgreatcharms，asgreatbeauty，asyouhave；butIforeseethatyouwillmakemeforgether。\"
\"Ifyourhappinesswithherwascomplete，Ipityyou。Shehasbeenviolentlytakenfromyou，andyoushunsocietyinordertofeedyoursorrow。Ihaveguessedright，haveInot？ButifIhappentotakepossessionofherplaceinyourheart，noone，mysweetfriend，shallturnmeoutofit。\"
\"Butwhatwillyourloversay？\"
\"Hewillbedelightedtoseemehappywithsuchaloverasyou。Itisinhisnature。\"
\"Whatanadmirablenature！Suchheroismisquitebeyondme！\"
\"WhatsortofalifedoyouleadinVenice？\"
\"Iliveatthetheatres，insociety，inthecasinos，whereIfightagainstfortunesometimeswithgoodsometimeswithbadsuccess。\"
\"Doyouvisittheforeignambassadors？\"
\"No，becauseIamtoomuchacquaintedwiththenobility；butIknowthemall。\"
\"Howcanyouknowthemifyoudonotseethem？\"
\"Ihaveknownthemabroad。InParmatheDukedeMontalegre，theSpanishambassador；inViennaIknewCountRosemberg；inParis，abouttwoyearsago，theFrenchambassador。\"
\"Itisneartwelveo’clock，mydearfriend；itistimeforustopart。Comeatthesamehourthedayaftertomorrow，andIwillgiveyoualltheinstructionswhichyouwillrequiretoenableyoutocomeandsupwithme。\"
\"Alone？\"
\"Ofcourse。\"
\"MayIventuretoaskyouforapledge？Thehappinesswhichyoupromisemeissoimmense！\"
\"Whatpledgedoyouwant？\"
\"ToseeyoustandingbeforethatsmallwindowinthegratingwithpermissionformetooccupythesameplaceasMadamedeS————。\"
Sheroseatonce，and，withthemostgracioussmile，touchedthespring；afteramostexpressivekiss，Itookleaveofher。Shefollowedmewithhereyesasfarasthedoor，andherlovinggazewouldhaverootedmetothespotifshehadnotlefttheroom。
Ispentthetwodaysofexpectationinawhirlofimpatientjoy，whichpreventedmefromeatingandsleeping；foritseemedtomethatnootherlovehadevergivenmesuchhappiness，orratherthatIwasgoingtobehappyforthefirsttime。
Irrespectiveofbirth，beauty，andwit，whichwastheprincipalmeritofmynewconquest，prejudicewastheretoenhanceahundredfoldmyfelicity，forshewasavestal:itwasforbiddenfruit，andwhodoesnotknowthat，fromEvedowntoourdays，itwasthatfruitwhichhasalwaysappearedthemostdelicious！Iwasonthepointofencroachingupontherightsofanall—powerfulhusband；inmyeyesM————M————wasaboveallthequeensoftheearth。
Ifmyreasonhadnotbeentheslaveofpassion，IshouldhaveknownthatmynuncouldnotbeadifferentcreaturefromalltheprettywomenwhomIhadlovedforthethirteenyearsthatIhadbeenlabouringinthefieldsoflove。Butwhereisthemaninlovewhocanharboursuchathought？Ifitpresentsitselftoooftentohismind，heexpelsitdisdainfully！M————M————couldnotbyanymeansbeotherwisethansuperiortoallotherwomeninthewideworld。
Animalnature，whichchemistscalltheanimalkingdom，obtainsthroughinstinctthethreevariousmeansnecessaryfortheperpetuationofitsspecies。
Therearethreerealwantswhichnaturehasimplantedinallhumancreatures。Theymustfeedthemselves，andtopreventthattaskfrombeinginsipidandtedioustheyhavetheagreeablesensationofappetite，whichtheyfeelpleasureinsatisfying。Theymustpropagatetheirrespectivespecies；anabsolutenecessitywhichprovesthewisdomoftheCreator，sincewithoutreproductionallwould，beannihilated——bytheconstantlawofdegradation，decayanddeath。And，whateverSt。Augustinemaysay，humancreatureswouldnotperformtheworkofgenerationiftheydidnotfindpleasureinit，andiftherewasnotinthatgreatworkanirresistibleattractionforthem。Inthethirdplace，allcreatureshaveadeterminedandinvinciblepropensitytodestroytheirenemies；anditiscertainlyaverywiseordination，forthatfeelingofself—
preservationmakesitadutyforthemtodotheirbestforthedestructionofwhatevercaninjurethem。
Eachspeciesobeystheselawsinitsownway。Thethreesensations:
hunger，desire，andhatred——areinanimalsthesatisfactionofhabitualinstinct，andcannotbecalledpleasures，fortheycanbesoonlyinproportiontotheintelligenceoftheindividual。Manaloneisgiftedwiththeperfectorganswhichrenderrealpleasurepeculiartohim；because，being，endowedwiththesublimefacultyofreason，heforeseesenjoyment，looksforit，composes，improves，andincreasesitbythoughtandrecollection。Ientreatyou，dearreader，nottogetwearyoffollowingmeinmyramblings；fornowthatIambuttheshadowoftheoncebrilliantCasanova，Ilovetochatter；andifyouweretogivemetheslip，youwouldbeneitherpolitenorobliging。
Mancomesdowntothelevelofbeastswheneverhegiveshimselfuptothethreenaturalpropensitieswithoutcallingreasonandjudgmenttohisassistance；butwhenthemindgivesperfectequilibriumtothosepropensities，thesensationsderivedfromthembecometrueenjoyment，anunaccountablefeelingwhichgivesuswhatiscalledhappiness，andwhichweexperiencewithoutbeingabletodescribeit。
Thevoluptuousmanwhoreasons，disdainsgreediness，rejectswithcontemptlustandlewdness，andspurnsthebrutalrevengewhichiscausedbyafirstmovementofanger:butheisdainty，andsatisfieshisappetiteonlyinamannerinharmonywithhisnatureandhistastes；heisamorous，butheenjoyshimselfwiththeobjectofhisloveonlywhenheiscertainthatshewillsharehisenjoyment，whichcanneverbethecaseunlesstheirloveismutual；ifheisoffended，hedoesnotcareforrevengeuntilhehascalmlyconsideredthebestmeanstoenjoyitfully。Ifheissometimesmorecruelthannecessary，heconsoleshimselfwiththeideathathehasactedundertheempireofreason；andhisrevengeissometimessonoblethathefindsitinforgiveness。Thosethreeoperationsaretheworkofthesoulwhich，toprocureenjoymentforitself，becomestheagentofourpassions。Wesometimessufferfromhungerinordertoenjoybetterthefoodwhichwillallayit；wedelaytheamorousenjoymentforthesakeofmakingitmoreintense，andweputoffthemomentofourrevengeinordertomikeitmorecertain。Itistrue，however，thatonemaydiefromindigestion，thatweallowourselvestobeoftendeceivedinlove，andthatthecreaturewewanttoannihilateoftenescapesourrevenge；butperfectioncannotbeattainedinanything，andthoseareriskswhichwerunmostwillingly。
CHAPTERXVII
ContinuationoftheLastChapter——MyFirstAssignationWithM。M。
——LetterFromC。C。——MySecondMeetingWiththeNunAtMySplendidCasinoInVeniceIAmHappyThereisnothing，therecanbenothing，dearertoathinkingbeingthanlife；yetthevoluptuousmen，thosewhotrytoenjoyitinthebestmanner，arethemenwhopractisewiththegreatestperfectionthedifficultartofshorteninglife，ofdrivingitfast。Theydonotmeantomakeitshorter，fortheywouldliketoperpetuateitinthemidstofpleasure，buttheywishenjoymenttorenderitscourseinsensible；andtheyareright，providedtheydonotfailinfulfillingtheirduties。Manmustnot，however，imaginethathehasnootherdutiesbutthosewhichgratifyhissenses；hewouldbegreatlymistaken，andhemightfallthevictimofhisownerror。I
thinkthatmyfriendHoracemadeamistakewhenhesaidtoFlorus:
’Necmetuamquiddemejudicetheres，Quodnonpluradatisinveniet。’
Thehappiestmanistheonewhoknowshowtoobtainthegreatestsumofhappinesswithouteverfailinginthedischargeofhisduties，andthemostunhappyisthemanwhohasadoptedaprofessioninwhichhefindshimselfconstantlyunderthesadnecessityofforeseeingthefuture。
PerfectlycertainthatM————M————wouldkeepherword，Iwenttotheconventatteno’clockinthemorning，andshejoinedmeintheparlourassoonasIwasannounced。
\"Goodheavens！\"sheexclaimed，\"areyouill？\"
\"No，butImaywelllookso，fortheexpectationofhappinesswearsmeout。Ihavelostsleepandappetite，andifmyfelicityweretobedeferredmylifewouldbetheforfeit。\"
\"Thereshallbenodelay，dearest；buthowimpatientyouare！Letussitdown。Hereisthekeyofmycasino。Youwillfindsomepersonsinit，becausewemustbeserved；butnobodywillspeaktoyou，andyouneednotspeaktoanyone。Youmustbemasked，andyoumustnotgotheretilltwohoursaftersunset；mind，notbefore。Thengoupthestairsoppositethestreet—door，andatthetopofthosestairsyouwillsee，bythelightofalamp，agreendoorwhichyouwillopentoentertheapartmentwhichyouwillfindlighted。Youwillfindmeinthesecondroom，andincaseIshouldnotbethereyouwillwaitformeafewminutes；youmayrelyuponmybeingpunctual。
Youcantakeoffyourmaskinthatroom，andmakeyourselfcomfortable；youwillfindsomebooksandagoodfire。\"
Thedescriptioncouldnotbeclearer；Ikissedthehandwhichwasgivingmethekeyofthatmysterioustemple，andIenquiredfromthecharmingwomanwhetherIshouldseeherinherconventualgarb。
\"Ialwaysleavetheconventwithit，\"shesaid，\"butIhaveatthecasinoacompletewardrobetotransformmyselfintoanelegantwomanoftheworld，andeventodisguisemyself。\"
\"Ihopeyouwilldomethefavourtoremaininthedressofanun。\"
\"Whyso，Ibeg？\"
\"Ilovetoseeyouinthatdress。\"
\"Ah！ah！Iunderstand。Youfancythatmyheadisshaved，andyouareafraid。Butcomfortyourself，dearfriend，mywigissobeautifullymadethatitdefiesdetection；itisnatureitself。\"
\"Oh，dear！whatareyousaying？Theverynameofwigisawful。Butno，youmaybecertainthatIwillfindyoulovelyunderallcircumstances。Ionlyentreatyounottoputonthatcruelwiginmypresence。DoIoffendyou？Forgiveme；Iamverysorrytohavementionedthatsubject。Areyousurethatnoonecanseeyouleavetheconvent？\"
\"Youwillbesureofityourselfwhenyouhavegoneroundtheislandandseenthesmalldoorontheshore。Ihavethekeyofaroomopeningontheshore，andIhaveeveryconfidenceinthesisterwhoservesme。\"
\"Andthegondola？\"
\"Myloverhimselfanswersforthefidelityofthegondoliers。\"
\"Whatamanthatloveris！Ifancyhemustbeanoldman。\"
\"Youaremistaken；ifhewereold，Ishouldbeashamed。Heisnotforty，andhehaseverythingnecessarytobeloved——beauty，wit，sweettemper，andnoblebehaviour。\"
\"Andheforgivesyouramorouscaprices？\"
\"Whatdoyoumeanbycaprices？Ayearagoheobtainedpossessionofme，andbeforehimIhadneverbelongedtoaman；youarethefirstwhoinspiredmewithafancy。WhenIconfessedittohimhewasrathersurprised，thenhelaughed，andreadmeashortlectureupontheriskIwasrunningintrustingamanwhomightproveindiscreet。
Hewantedmetoknowatleastwhoyouwerebeforegoinganyfurther，butitwastoolate。Iansweredforyourdiscretion，andofcourseI
madehimlaughbymybeingsopositivelytheguaranteeofamanwhomIdidnotknow。\"
\"Whendidyouconfideinhim？\"
\"Thedaybeforeyesterday，andwithoutconcealinganythingfromhim。
Ihaveshewnhimmylettersandyours；hethinksyouareaFrenchman，althoughyourepresentyourselfasaVenetian。Heisverycurioustoknowwhoyouare，butyouneednotbeafraid；Ipromiseyoufaithfullynevertotakeanystepstofinditoutmyself。\"
\"AndIpromiseyoulikewisenottotrytofindoutwhoisthiswonderfulmanaswonderfulasyouareyourself。IamverymiserablewhenIthinkofthesorrowIhavecausedyou。\"
\"Donotmentionthatsubjectanymore；whenIconsiderthematter，I
seethatonlyaconceitedmanwouldhaveacteddifferently。\"
Beforeleavingher，shegrantedmeanothertokenofheraffectionthroughthelittlewindow，andhergazefollowedmeasfarasthedoor。
Intheevening，atthetimenamedbyher，Irepairedtothecasino，andobeyingallherinstructionsIreachedasitting—roominwhichI
foundmynewconquestdressedinamostelegantcostume。Theroomwaslightedupbygirandoles，whichwerereflectedbythelooking—
glasses，andbyfoursplendidcandlesticksplacedonatablecoveredwithbooks。M————M————struckmeasentirelydifferentinherbeautytowhatshehadseemedinthegarbofanun。Sheworenocap，andherhairwasfastenedbehindinathicktwist；butIpassedrapidlyoverthatpartofherperson，becauseIcouldnotbeartheideaofawig，andIcouldnotcomplimentheraboutit。Ithrewmyselfatherfeettoshewhermydeepgratitude，andIkissedwithraptureherbeautifulhands，waitingimpatientlyfortheamorouscontestwhichIwaslongingfor；butM————M————thoughtfittoopposesomeresistance。Oh，howsweettheyare！thosedenialsofalovingmistress，whodelaysthehappymomentonlyforthesakeofenjoyingitsdelightsbetter！Asaloverrespectful，tender，butbold，enterprising，certainofvictory，Iblendeddelicatelythegentlenessofmyproceedingswiththeardentfirewhichwasconsumingme；andstealingthemostvoluptuouskissesfromthemostbeautifulmouthIfeltasifmysoulwouldburstfrommybody。Wespenttwohoursinthepreliminarycontest，attheendofwhichwecongratulatedoneanother，onherpartforhavingcontrivedtoresist，onmineforhavingcontrolledmyimpatience。