\"Iamnottheonlypersonwhohasdoubtsonthesubject。YoumustgrantthepossibilityoftheCrownlosinganenormoussumatthefirstdrawing？\"
\"Certainly，sir，butbetweenpossibilityandrealityisalltheregionoftheinfinite。Indeed，ImaysaythatitwouldbeagreatpieceofgoodfortuneiftheCrownweretoloselargelyonthefirstdrawing。\"
\"Apieceofbadfortune，youmean，surely？\"
\"Abadfortunetobedesired。Youknowthatalltheinsurancecompaniesarerich。IwillundertaketoprovebeforeallthemathematiciansinEuropethatthekingisboundtogainoneinfiveinthislottery。Thatisthesecret。Youwillconfessthatthereasonoughttoyieldtoamathematicalproof？\"
\"Yes，ofcourse；buthowisitthattheCastellettocannotguaranteetheCrownacertaingain？\"
\"NeithertheCastellettonoranybodyintheworldcanguaranteeabsolutelythatthekingshallalwayswin。Whatguaranteesusagainstanysuspicionofsharppracticeisthedrawingonceamonth，asthenthepublicissurethattheholderofthelotterymaylose。\"
\"Willyoubegoodenoughtoexpressyoursentimentsonthesubjectbeforethecouncil？\"
\"Iwilldosowithmuchpleasure。\"
\"Youwillanswerallobjections？\"
\"IthinkIcanpromiseasmuch。\"
\"Willyougivemeyourplan？\"
\"Notbeforeitisaccepted，andIamguaranteedareasonableprofit。\"
\"Butyourplanmaypossiblybethesameastheonebeforeus。\"
\"Ithinknot。IseeM。deCalsabigiforthefirsttime，andashehasnotshewnmehisscheme，andIhavenotcommunicatedminetohim，itisimprobable，nottosayimpossible，thatweshouldagreeinallrespects。Besides，inmyplanIclearlyshewhowmuchprofittheCrownoughttogetperannum。\"
\"Itmight，therefore，beformedbyacompanywhowouldpaytheCrownafixedsum？\"
\"Ithinknot。\"
\"Why？\"
\"Forthisreason。Theonlythingwhichwouldmakethelotterypay，wouldbeanirresistiblecurrentofpublicopinioninitsfavour。
Ishouldnotcaretohaveanythingtodowithitintheserviceofacompany，who，thinkingtoincreasetheirprofits，mightextendtheiroperations——acoursewhichwouldentailcertainloss。\"
\"Idon’tseehow。\"
\"InathousandwayswhichIwillexplaintoyouanothertime，andwhichIamsureyoucanguessforyourself。Inshort，ifIamtohaveanyvoiceinthematter，itmustbeaGovernmentlotteryornothing。\"
\"M。deCalsabigithinksso，too。\"
\"Iamdelightedtohearit，butnotatallsurprised；for，thinkingonthesamelines，weareboundtoarriveatthesameresults。\"
\"HaveyouanybodyreadyfortheCastelletto？\"
\"Ishallonlywantintelligentmachines，ofwhomthereareplentyinFrance。\"
Iwentoutforamomentandfoundthemingroupsonmyreturn，discussingmyprojectwithgreatearnestness。
M。Calsabigiafteraskingmeafewquestionstookmyhand，whichheshookheartily，sayingheshouldliketohavesomefurtherconversationwithme；andreturningthefriendlypressure，ItoldhimthatIshouldesteemitasanhonourtobenumberedamongsthisfriends。ThereuponIleftmyaddresswithM。duVernaiandtookmyleave，satisfied，bymyinspectionofthefacesbeforeme，thattheyallhadahighopinionofmytalents。
Threedaysafter，M。deCalsabigicalledonme；andafterreceivinghiminmybeststyleIsaidthatifIhadnotcalledonhimitwasonlybecauseIdidnotwishtobetroublesome。Hetoldmethatmydecisivewayofspeakinghadmadeagreatimpression，andhewascertainthatifIcaredtomakeinterestwiththecomptrollerwecouldsetupthelotteryandmakealargeprofit。
\"Ithinkso，too，\"saidI，\"butthefinancierswillmakeamuchlargerprofit，andyettheydonotseemanxiousaboutit。Theyhavenotcommunicatedwithme，butitistheirlook—out，asIshallnotmakeitmychiefaim。\"
\"Youwillundoubtedlyhearsomethingaboutittoday，forIknowforafactthatM。deBoulognehasspokenofyoutoM。deCourteuil。\"
\"Verygood，butIassureyouIdidnotaskhimtodoso。\"
Aftersomefurtherconversationheaskedme，inthemostfriendlymannerpossible，tocomeanddinewithhim，andIacceptedhisinvitationwithagreatpleasure；andjustaswewerestartingI
receivedanotefromM。deBernis，inwhichhesaidthatifIcouldcometoVersaillesthenextdayhewouldpresentmetoMadamedePompadour，andthatIshouldhaveanopportunityofseeingM。deBoulogne。
Inhighgleeatthishappychance，lessfromvanitythanpolicyI
madeM。deCalsabigireadtheletter，andIwaspleasedtoseehimopeninghiseyesashereadit。
\"YoucanforceDuVernaihimselftoacceptthelottery，\"hesaid，\"andyourfortuneismadeifyouarenottoorichalreadytocareaboutsuchmatters。\"
\"Nobodyiseverrichenoughtodespisegoodfortune，especiallywhenitisnotduetofavour。\"
\"Verytrue。Wehavebeendoingourutmostfortwoyearstogettheplanaccepted，andhavemetwithnothingbeyondfoolishobjectionswhichyouhavecrushedtopieces。Nevertheless，ourplansmustbeverysimilar。Believemeitwillbebestforustoworkinconcert，forbyyourselfyouwouldfindinsuperabledifficultiesintheworking，andyouwillfindno’intelligentmachines’inParis。Mybrotherwilldoallthework，andyouwillbeabletoreaptheadvantagesatyourease。\"
\"Areyou，then，nottheinventoroftheschemewhichhasbeenshewnme？\"
\"No，itistheworkofmybrother。\"
\"ShallIhavethepleasureorseeinghim？\"
\"Certainly。Hisbodyisfeeble，buthismindisinallitsvigour。
Weshallseehimdirectly。\"
Thebrotherwasnotamanofaverypleasingappearance，ashewascoveredwithakindofleprosy；butthatdidnotpreventhimhavingagoodappetite，writing，andenjoyingallhisbodilyandintellectualfaculties；hetalkedwellandamusingly。Heneverwentintosociety，as，besideshispersonaldisfigurement，hewastormentedwithanirresistibleandfrequentdesireofscratchinghimself，nowinoneplace，andnowinanother；andasallscratchingisaccountedanabominablethinginParis，hepreferredtobeabletousehisfingernailstothepleasuresofsociety。Hewaspleasedtosaythat，believinginGodandHisworks，hewaspersuadedhisnailshadbeengivenhimtoprocuretheonlysolacehewascapableofinthekindoffurywithwhichhewastormented。
\"Youareabeliever，then，infinalcauses？Ithinkyouareright，butstillIbelieveyouwouldhavescratchedyourselfifGodhadforgottentogiveyouanynails。\"
Myremarksmadehimlaugh，andhethenbegantospeakofourcommonbusiness，andIsoonfoundhimtobeamanofintellect。Hewastheelderofthetwobrothers，andabachelor。Hewasexpertinallkindsofcalculations，anaccomplishedfinancier，withauniversalknowledgeofcommerce，agoodhistorian，awit，apoet，andamanofgallantry。HisbirthplacewasLeghorn，hehadbeeninaGovernmentofficeatNaples，andhadcometoPariswithM。del’Hopital。Hisbrotherwasalsoamanoflearningandtalent，butineveryrespecthisinferior。
Heshewedmethepileofpapers，onwhichhehadworkedoutalltheproblemsreferringtothelottery。
\"Ifyouthinkyoucandowithoutme，\"saidhe，\"Imustcomplimentyouonyourabilities；butIthinkyouwillfindyourselfmistaken，forifyouhavenopracticalknowledgeofthematterandnobusinessmentohelpyou，yourtheorieswillnotcarryyoufar。Whatwillyoudoafteryouhaveobtainedthedecree？Whenyouspeakbeforethecouncil，ifyoutakemyadvice，youwillfixadateafterwhichyouarenottobeheldresponsible——thatistosay，afterwhichyouwillhavenothingmoretodowithit。Unlessyoudoso，youwillbecertaintoencountertriflingandprocrastinationwhichwilldeferyourplantotheGreekKalends。Ontheotherhand，IcanassureyouthatM。duVernaiwouldbeverygladtoseeusjoinhands:\"
Verymuchinclinedtotakethesegentlemenintopartnership，forthegoodreasonthatIcouldnotdowithoutthem，buttakingcarethattheyshouldsuspectnothing，Iwentdownwiththeyoungerbrother，whointroducedmetohiswifebeforedinner。IfoundpresentanoldladywellknownatParisunderthenameofGeneralLaMothe，famousforherformerbeautyandhergout，anotherladysomewhatadvancedinyears，whowascalledBaronessBlanche，andwasstillthemistressofM。deVaux，anotherstyledthePresident’slady，andafourth，fairasthedawn，MadameRazzetti，fromPiedmont，thewifeofoneoftheviolinplayersattheopera，andsaidtobecourtedbyM。deFondpertuis，thesuperintendentoftheopera。
Wesatdowntodinner，butIwassilentandabsorbed，allmythoughtsbeingmonopolizedbythelottery。Intheevening，atSilvia’s，Iwaspronouncedabsentandpensive，andsoIwasinspiteofthesentimentwithwhichMademoiselleBalettiinspiredme——asentimentwhicheverydaygrewinstrength。
IsetoutforVersaillesnextmorningtwohoursbeforeday—break，andwaswelcomedbyM。deBernis，whosaidhewouldbetthatbutforhimIshouldneverhavediscoveredmytalentforfinance。
\"M。deBoulognetellsmeyouastonishedM。duVernai，whoisgenerallyesteemedoneoftheacutestmeninFrance。Ifyouwilltakemyadvice，Casanova，youwillkeepupthatacquaintanceandpayhimassiduouscourt。Imaytellyouthatthelotteryiscertaintobeestablished，thatitwillbeyourdoing，andthatyououghttomakesomethingconsiderableoutofit。Assoonasthekinggoesouttohunt，beathandintheprivateapartments，andIwillseizeafavourablemomentforintroducingyoutothefamousmarquise。
AfterwardsgototheOfficeforForeignAffairs，andintroduceyourselfinmynametotheAbbedelaVille。Heisthechiefofficialthere，andwillgiveyouagoodreception。\"
M。deBoulognetoldmethat，assoonasthecouncilofthemilitaryschoolhadgiventheirconsent，hewouldhavethedecreefortheestablishmentofthelotterypublished，andheurgedmetocommunicatetohimanyideaswhichImighthaveonthesubjectoffinance。
AtnoonMadamedePompadourpassedthroughtheprivateapartmentswiththePrincedeSoubise，andmypatronhastenedtopointmeouttotheillustriouslady。Shemademeagracefulcurtsy，andtoldmethatshehadbeenmuchinterestedinthesubjectofmyflight。
\"Doyougo，\"saidshe，\"toseeyourambassador？\"
\"Ishewmyrespecttohim，madam，bykeepingaway。\"
\"IhopeyoumeantosettleinFrance。\"
\"Itwouldbemydearestwishtodoso，madam，butIstandinneedofpatronage，andIknowthatinFrancepatronageisonlygiventomenoftalent，whichisformeadiscouragingcircumstance。\"
\"Onthecontrary，Ithinkyouhavereasontobehopeful，asyouhavesomegoodfriends。ImyselfshallbedelightedifIcanbeofanyassistancetoyou。\"
Asthefairmarquisemovedon，Icouldonlystammerforthmygratitude。
InextwenttotheAbbedelaVille，whoreceivedmewiththeutmostcourtesy，andtoldmethathewouldremembermeattheearliestopportunity。
Versailleswasabeautifulspot，butIhadonlycomplimentsandnotinvitationstoexpectthere，soafterleavingM。delaVilleIwenttoaninntogetsomedinner。AsIwassittingdown，anabbeofexcellentappearance，justlikedozensofotherFrenchabbes，accostedmepolitely，andaskedmeifIobjectedtoourdiningtogether。Ialwaysthoughtthecompanyofapleasantmanathingtobedesired，soIgrantedhisrequest；andassoonashesatdownhecomplimentedmeonthedistinguishedmannerinwhichIhadbeentreatedbyM。delaVille。\"Iwastherewritingaletter，\"saidhe，\"andIcouldhearalltheobligingthingstheabbesaidtoyou。MayIask，sir，howyouobtainedaccesstohim？\"
\"Ifyoureallywishtoknow，Imaybeabletotellyou。\"
\"Itispurecuriosityonmypart。\"
\"Well，then，Iwillsaynothing，frompureprudence。\"
\"Ibegyourpardon。\"
\"Certainly，withpleasure。\"
Havingthusshutthemouthofthecuriousimpertinent，heconfinedhisconversationtoordinaryandmoreagreeabletopics。Afterdinner，havingnofurtherbusinessatVersailles，Imadepreparationsforleaving，onwhichtheabbebeggedtobeofmycompany。Althoughamanwhofrequentsthesocietyofabbesisnotthoughtmuchmoreofthanonewhofrequentsthesocietyofgirls。ItoldhimthatasI
wasgoingtoParisinapublicconveyance——farfromitsbeingaquestionofpermission——Ishouldbeonlytoohappytohavethepleasureofhiscompany。OnreachingParisweparted，afterpromisingtocalloneachother，andIwenttoSilvia’sandtooksupperthere。Theagreeablemistressofthehousecomplimentedmeonmynobleacquaintances，andmademepromisetocultivatetheirsociety。
AssoonasIgotbacktomyownlodging，IfoundanotefromM。duVernai，whorequestedmetocometothemilitaryschoolateleveno’clockonthenextday，andlaterintheeveningCalsabigicametomefromhisbrother，withalargesheetofpapercontainingallthecalculationspertainingtothelottery。
Fortuneseemedtobeinmyfavour，forthistabularstatementcametomelikeablessingfromonhigh。Resolving，therefore，tofollowtheinstructionswhichIpretendedtoreceiveindifferently。Iwenttothemilitaryschool，andassoonasIarrivedtheconferencebegan。
M。d’Alemberthadbeenrequestedtobepresentasanexpertinarithmeticalcalculations。IfM。duVernaihadbeentheonlypersontobeconsulted，thisstepwouldnothavebeennecessary；butthecouncilcontainedsomeobstinateheadswhowereunwillingtogivein。
Theconferencelastedthreehours。
Aftermyspeech，whichonlylastedhalfanhour，M。deCourteuilsummedupmyarguments，andanhourwaspassedinstatingobjectionswhichIrefutedwiththegreatestease。Ifinallytoldthemthatnomanofhonourandlearningwouldvolunteertoconductthelotteryontheunderstandingthatitwastowineverytime，andthatifanyonehadtheimpudencetogivesuchanundertakingtheyshouldturnhimoutoftheroomforthwith，foritwasimpossiblethatsuchanagreementcouldbemaintainedexceptbysomeroguery。
Thishaditseffect，fornobodyreplied；andM。duVernairemarkedthatiftheworstcametotheworstthelotterycouldbesuppressed。
AtthisIknewmybusinesswasdone，andallpresent，aftersigningadocumentwhichM。duVernaigavethem，tooktheirleave，andImyselfleftdirectlyafterwardswithafriendlyleave—takingfromM。duVernal。
M。Calsabigicametoseemethenextday，bringingtheagreeablenewsthattheaffairwassettled，andthatallthatwaswantingwasthepublicationofthedecree。
\"Iamdelightedtohearit，\"Isaid，\"andIwillgotoM。deBoulogne’severyday，andgetyouappointedchiefadministratorassoonasIknowwhatIhavegotformyself。\"
Itookcarenottoleaveastoneunturnedinthisdirection，asI
knewthat，withthegreat，promisingandkeepingapromisearetwodifferentthings。Thedecreeappearedaweekafter。Calsabigiwasmadesuperintendent，withanallowanceofthreethousandfrancsforeverydrawing，ayearlypensionoffourthousandfrancsforusboth，andthechiefofthelottery。Hissharewasamuchlargeronethanmine，butIwasnotjealousasIknewhehadagreaterclaimthanI。
Isoldfiveofthesixofficesthathadbeenallottedtomefortwothousandfrancseach，andopenedthesixthwithgreatstyleintheRueSt。Denis，puttingmyvaletthereasaclerk。HewasabrightyoungItalian，whohadbeenvalettothePrincedelaCatolica，theambassadorfromNaples。
Thedayforthefirstdrawingwasfixed，andnoticewasgiventhatthewinningnumberswouldbepaidinaweekfromthetimeofdrawingatthechiefoffice。
Withtheideaofdrawingcustomtomyoffice，Igavenoticethatallwinningticketsbearingmysignaturewouldbepaidatmyofficeintwenty—fourhoursafterthedrawing。Thisdrewcrowdstomyofficeandconsiderablyincreasedmyprofits，asIhadsixpercent。onthereceipts。AnumberoftheclerksintheotherofficeswerefoolishenoughtocomplaintoCalsabigithatIhadspoilttheirgains，buthesentthemabouttheirbusinesstellingthemthattogetthebetterofmetheyhadonlytodoasIdid——iftheyhadthemoney。
Myfirsttakingamountedtofortythousandfrancs。Anhourafterthedrawingmyclerkbroughtmethenumbers，andshewedmethatwehadfromseventeentoeighteenthousandfrancstopay，forwhichIgavehimthenecessaryfunds。
WithoutmythinkingofitIthusmadethefortuneofmyclerk，foreverywinnergavehimsomething，andallthisIlethimkeepforhimself。
Thetotalreceiptsamountedtotwomillions，andtheadministrationmadeaprofitofsixhundredthousandfrancs，ofwhichParisalonehadcontributedahundredthousandfrancs。Thiswaswellenoughforafirstattempt。
OnthedayafterthedrawingIdinedwithCalsabigiatM。duVernai’s，andIhadthepleasureofhearinghimcomplainthathehadmadetoomuchmoney。Parishadeighteenortwentyternes，andalthoughtheyweresmalltheyincreasedthereputationofthelottery，anditwaseasytoseethatthereceiptsatthenextdrawingwouldbedoubled。Themockassaultsthatweremadeuponmeputmeinagoodhumour，andCalsabigisaidthatmyideahadinsuredmeanincomeofahundredthousandfrancsayear，thoughitwouldruintheotherreceivers。
\"Ihaveplayedsimilarstrokesmyself，\"saidM。duVernai，\"andhavemostlysucceeded；andasfortheotherreceiverstheyareatperfectlibertytofollowM。Casanova’sexample，anditalltendstoincreasethereputeofaninstitutionwhichweowetohimandtoyou。
Attheseconddrawingaterneoffortythousandfrancsobligedmetoborrowmoney。Myreceiptsamountedtosixtythousand，butbeingobligedtodeliverovermychestontheeveningbeforethedrawing，I
hadtopayoutofmyownfunds，andwasnotrepaidforaweek。
InallthegreathousesIwentto，andatthetheatres，assoonasI
wasseen，everybodygavememoney，askingmetolayitoutasIlikedandtosendthemthetickets，as，sofar，thelotterywasstrangetomostpeople。Ithusgotintothewayofcarryingaboutmeticketsofallsorts，orratherofallprices，whichIgavetopeopletochoosefrom，goinghomeintheeveningwithmypocketsfullofgold。Thiswasanimmenseadvantagetome，askindofprivilegewhichIenjoyedtotheexclusionoftheotherreceiverswhowerenotinsociety，anddidnotdriveacarriagelikemyself——nosmallpointinone’sfavour，inalargetownwheremenarejudgedbythestatetheykeep。IfoundIwasthusabletogointoanysociety，andtogetcrediteverywhere。
IhadhardlybeenamonthinPariswhenmybrotherFrancis，withwhomIhadpartedin1752，arrivedfromDresdenwithMadameSylvestre。
HehadbeenatDresdenforfouryears，takenupwiththepursuitofhisart，havingcopiedallthebattlepiecesintheElector’sGalley。
Wewerebothofusgladtomeetoncemore，butonmyofferingtoseewhatmygreatfriendscoulddoforhimwiththeAcademicians，herepliedwithallanartist’spridethathewasmuchobligedtome，butwouldrathernothaveanyotherpatronsthanhistalents。\"TheFrench，\"saidhe，\"haverejectedmeonce，andIamfarfrombearingthemill—willonthataccount，forIwouldrejectmyselfnowifI
werewhatIwasthen；butwiththeirloveofgeniusIreckononabetterreceptionthistime。\"
Hisconfidencepleasedme，andIcomplimentedhimuponit，forIhavealwaysbeenoftheopinionthattruemeritbeginsbydoingjusticetoitself。
Francispaintedafinepicture，whichonbeingexhibitedattheLouvre，wasreceivedwithapplause。TheAcademyboughtthepicturefortwelvethousandfrancs，mybrotherbecamefamous，andintwenty—
sixyearshemadealmostamillionofmoney；butinspiteofthat，foolishexpenditure，hisluxuriousstyleofliving，andtwobadmarriages，weretheruinofhim。
EndMEMOIRSOFJACQUESCASANOVAdeSEINGALT1725—1798
THEETERNALQUEST，Volume3a——PARISANDHOLLAND
THERAREUNABRIDGEDLONDONEDITIONOF1894TRANSLATEDBYARTHUR
MACHENTOWHICHHASBEENADDEDTHECHAPTERSDISCOVERED
BYARTHURSYMONS。
PARISANDHOLLAND
CHAPTERI
CountTirettaofTrevisaAbbeCoste——Lambertini，thePope’sNieceHerNick——NameforTirettaTheAuntandNiece——OurTalkbytheFireside——
PunishmentofDamien——Tiretta’sMistakeAngerofMadame***——TheirReconciliation——MyHappinesswithMdlle。delaMeureSilvia’sDaughter——Mdlle，delaMeureMarriesMyDespairandJealousy——A
ChangefartheBetterInthebeginningofMarch，1757，IreceivedaletterfrommyfriendMadameManzoni，whichshesenttomebyayoungmanofgoodappearance，withafrankandhigh—bornair，whomIrecognizedasaVenetianbyhisaccent。HewasyoungCountTirettadeTrevisa，recommendedtomycarebyMadameManzoni，whosaidthathewouldtellmehisstory，whichImightbesurewouldbeatrueone。ThekindwomansenttomebyhimasmallboxinwhichshetoldmeIshouldfindallmymanuscripts，asshedidnotthinkshewouldeverseemeagain。
IgaveTirettatheheartiestofwelcomes，tellinghimthathecouldnothavefoundabetterwaytomyfavourthanthroughawomantowhomIwasunderthegreatestobligations。
\"Andnow，thatyoumaybeatyoureasewithme，IshouldliketoknowinwhatmannerIcanbeofservicetoyou？\"
\"Ihaveneedofyourfriendship，perhapsofyourpurse，butatanyrateofyourprotection。\"
\"Youhavemyfriendshipandmyprotectionalready，andmypurseisatyourservice。\"
Afterexpressinghisgratitudetome，Tirettasaid，\"AyearagotheSupremeCouncilofmycountryentrustedmewithanemploymentdangeroustooneofmyyears。Iwasmade，withsomeotheryounggentlemenofmyownage，akeeperoftheMontdePiete。Thepleasuresofthecarnivalhavingputustoagooddealofexpense，wewereshortofmoney，andborrowedfromthetillhopingtobeabletomakeupthemoneybeforebalancing—day，buthopingallinvain。
\"Thefathersofmytwocompanions，richerthanmine，paidthesumstheyhadtaken，andI，notbeingabletopay，tookthepartofescapingbyflightfromtheshameandthepunishmentIshouldhaveundergone。
\"MadameManzoniadvisedmetothrowmyselfonyourmercy，andshegavemealittleboxwhichyoushallhaveto—day。IonlygottoParisyesterday，andhaveonlytwolouis，alittlelinen，andtheclothesonmyback。Iamtwenty—five，haveanironconstitution，andadeterminationtodoallinmypowertomakeanhonestliving；butI
candonothing。Ihavenotcultivatedanyonetalentinamannertomakeuseofitnow。Icanplayontheflute，butonlyasanamateur。
Ionlyknowmyownlanguage，andIhavenotasteforliterature。Sowhatcanyoumakeofme？ImustaddthatIhavenotasingleexpectation，leastofallfrommyfather，fortosavethehonourofthefamilyhewillbeobligedtosellmyportionoftheestate，towhichIshallhavetobidaneternalfarewell。\"
Ifthecount’sstoryhadsurprisedme，thesimplicitywithwhichhetoldithadgivenmepleasure；andIwasresolvedtodohonourtoMadameManzoni’sintroduction，feelingthatitwasmydutytoserveafellow—countryman，whowasreallyguiltyofnothingworsethangrossthoughtlessness。
\"Begin，\"saidI，\"bybringingyoursmallbelongingstotheroomnexttomine，andgetyourmealsthere。IwillpayforeverythingwhileI
amlookingoutforsomethingwhichmaydoforyou。
\"Wewilltalkofbusinessto—morrow，forasIneverdinehereI
rarelyifevercomehometilllate，andIdonotexpecttohavethehonourofseeingyouagaintoday。Leavemeforthepresent，asI
havegotsomeworktodo；andifyougoouttowalk，bewareofbadcompany，andwhateveryoudokeepyourowncounsel。Youarefondofgaming，Isuppose？\"
\"Ihateit，asithasbeenthecauseofhalfmytroubles。\"
\"Andtheotherhalf，I’llwager，wascausedbywomen。\"
\"Youhaveguessedaright——oh，thosewomen！\"
\"Well，don’tbeangrywiththem，butmakethempayfortheilltheyhavedoneyou。\"
\"Iwill，withthegreatestpleasure，ifIcan。\"
\"Ifyouarenottooparticularinyourgoods，youwillfindParisrichinsuchcommodities。\"
\"Whatdoyoumeanbyparticular？Iwouldneverbeaprince’spathic。\"
\"No，no，Iwasnotthinkingofthat。Imeanby’particular’amanwhocannotbeaffectionateunlessbeisinlove。Themanwho……\"
\"Iseewhatyoumean，andIcanlaynoclaimtosuchacharacter。
AnyhagwithgoldeneyeswillalwaysfindmeasaffectionateasaCeladon。\"
\"Wellsaid！Ishallsoonbeabletoarrangemattersforyou。\"
\"Ihopeyouwill。\"
\"Areyougoingtotheambassador’s？\"
\"GoodGod！——no！WhatshouldIdowhenIgotthere？Tellhimmystory？Hemightmakethingsunpleasantforme。\"
\"Notwithoutyourgoingtoseehim，butIexpectheisnotconcerninghimselfwithyourcase。\"
\"That’sallIaskhim。\"
\"Everybody，mydearcount，isinmourninginParis，sogotomytailor’sandgetyourselfablacksuit。Tellhimyoucomefromme，andsayyouwantitbytomorrow。Goodbye。\"
Iwentoutsoonafter，anddidnotcomebacktillmidnight。IfoundtheboxwhichMadameManzonihadsentmeinmyroom，andinitmymanuscriptsandmybelovedportraits，forIneverpawnedasnuff—boxwithouttakingtheportraitout。
NextdayTirettamadehisappearanceallinblack，andthankedmeforhistransformation。
\"Theyarequick，yousee，atParis。ItwouldhavetakenaweekatTrevisa。\"
\"Trevisa，mydearfellow，isnotParis。\"
AsIsaidthis，theAbbedelaCostewasannounced。Ididnotknowthename，butIgaveordersforhimtobeadmitted；andtherepresentlyappearedthesamelittlepriestwithwhomIhaddinedatVersaillesafterleavingtheAbbedelaVille。
Afterthecustomarygreetingshebeganbycomplimentingmeonthesuccessofmylottery，andthenremarkedthatIhaddistributedticketsformorethansixthousandfrancs。
\"Yes，\"Isaid，\"andIhaveticketsleftforseveralthousandsmore。\"
\"Verygood，thenIwillinvestathousandcrownsinit。\"
\"Wheneveryouplease。Ifyoucallatmyofficeyoucanchoosethenumbers。\"
\"No，Idon’tthinkI’lltroubletodoso；givemeanynumbersjustastheycome。\"
\"Verygood；hereisthelistyoucanchoosefrom。\"
Hechosenumberstotheamountofthreethousandfrancs，andthenaskedmeforapieceofpapertowriteanacknowledgment。
\"Whyso？Ican’tdobusinessthatway，asIonlydisposeofmyticketsforcash。\"
\"Butyoumaybecertainthatyouwillhavethemoneyto—morrow。\"
\"IamquitesureIshould，butyououghttobecertainthatyouwillhavetheticketsto—morrow。Theyareregisteredatmyoffice，andI
candisposeoftheminnoothermanner。\"
\"Givemesomewhicharenotregistered。\"
\"Impossible；Icouldnotdoit。\"
\"Whynot？\"
\"BecauseiftheyprovedtobewinningnumbersIshouldhavetopayoutofmyownpocketanhonourIdonotdesire。\"
\"Well，Ithinkyoumightruntherisk。\"
\"Ithinknot，ifIwishtoremainanhonestman，atallevents。\"
Theabbe，whosawhecouldgetnothingoutofme，turnedtoTiretta，andbegantospeaktohiminbadItalian，andatlastofferedtointroducehimtoMadamedeLambertini，thewidowofoneofthePope’snephews。Hername，herrelationshiptothePope，andtheabbe’sspontaneousoffer，mademecurioustoknowmore，soIsaidthatmyfriendwouldaccepthisoffer，andthatIwouldhavethehonourtobeoftheparty；whereuponwesetout。
WegotdownatthedoorofthesupposednieceoftheHolyFatherintheRueChristine，andweproceededtogoupstairs。Wesawawomanwho，despiteheryouthfulair，was，Iamsure，notadayunderforty。
Shewasratherthin，hadfineblackeyes，agoodcomplexion，livelybutgiddymanners，wasagreatlaugher，andstillcapableofexcitingapassingfancy。Isoonmademyselfathomewithher，andfoundout，whenshebegantotalk，thatshewasneitherawidownorthenieceofthePope。ShecamefromModena，andwasamereadventuress。Thisdiscoveryshewedmewhatsortofamantheabbewas。
Ithoughtfromhisexpressionthatthecounthadtakenafancytoher，andwhensheaskedustodinnerIrefusedonthepleaofanengagement；butTiretta，whotookmymeaning，accepted。SoonafterI
wentawaywiththeabbe，whomIdroppedattheQuaidelaFerraille，andIthenwenttobegadinneratCalsabigi’s。
AfterdinnerCalsabigitookmeononeside，andtoldmethatM。duVernaihadcommissionedhimtowarnmethatIcouldnotdisposeofticketsonaccount。
\"DoesM。duVernaitakemeforafooloraknave？AsIamneither，IshallcomplaintoM。deBoulogne。\"
\"Youwillbewrong；hemerelywantedtowarnyouandnotoffendyou。\"
\"Youoffendmeverymuchyourself，sir，intalkingtomeinthatfashion；andyoumaymakeupyourmindthatnooneshalltalktomethusasecondtime。\"
Calsabigididallinhispowertoquietmedown，andatlastpersuadedmetogowithhimtoM。duVernai’s。TheworthyoldgentlemanseeingtherageIwasinapologizedtomeforwhathehadsaid，andtoldmethatacertainAbbedelaCostehadinformedhimthatIdidso。AtthisIwashighlyindignant，andItoldhimwhathadhappenedthatmorning，whichletM。duVernaiknowwhatkindofamantheabbewas。Ineversawhimagain，eitherbecausehegotwindofmydiscovery，orbecauseahappychancekepthimoutofmyway；
butIheard，threeyearsafter，thathehadbeencondemnedtothehulksforsellingticketsofaTrevauxlotterywhichwasnon—
existent，andinthehulkshedied。
NextdayTirettacamein，andsaidhehadonlyjustreturned。
\"Youhavebeensleepingout，haveyou，masterprofligate？\"
\"Yes，Iwassocharmedwiththeshe—popethatIkepthercompanyallthenight。\"
\"Youwerenotafraidofbeingintheway？\"
\"Onthecontrary，Ithinkshewasthoroughlysatisfiedwithmyconversation。\"
\"AsfarasIcansee，youhadtobringintoplayallyourpowersofeloquence。\"
\"Sheissowellpleasedwithmyfluencythatshehasbeggedmetoacceptaroominherhouse，andtoallowhertointroducemeasacousintoM。leNoir，who，Isuppose，isherlover。\"
\"Youwillbeatrio，then；andhowdoyouthinkyouwillgetontogether？\"
\"That’sherbusiness。ShesaysthisgentlemanwillgivemeagoodsituationintheInlandRevenue。\"
\"Haveyouacceptedheroffer？\"
\"Ididnotrefuseit，butItoldherthatIcoulddonothingwithoutyouradvice。SheentreatedmetogetyoutocometodinnerwithheronSunday。\"
\"Ishallbehappytogo。\"
Iwentwithmyfriend，andassoonastheharebrainsawusshefellonTiretta’sneck，callinghimdearCount\"Six—times\"——anamewhichstucktohimallthetimehewasatParis。
\"Whathasgainedmyfriendsofineatitle，madam？\"
\"Hiseroticachievements。HeislordofanhonourofwhichlittleisknowninFrance，andIamdesirousofbeingthelady。\"
\"Icommendyouforsonobleanambition。\"
Aftertellingmeofhisfeatswithafreedomwhichchewedherexemptionfromvulgarprejudice，sheinformedmethatshewishedhercousintoliveinthesamehouse，andhadalreadyobtainedM。leNoir’spermission，whichwasgivenfreely。
\"M。leNoir，\"addedthefairLambertini，\"willdropinafter。
dinner，andIamdyingtointroduceCount’Sixtimes’tohim。\"
Afterdinnershekeptonspeakingofthemightydeedsofmycountryman，andbegantostirhimup，whilehe，nodoubt，pleasedtohaveawitnesstohisexploits，reducedhertosilence。IconfessthatIwitnessedthescenewithoutexcitement，butasIcouldnothelpseeingtheathleticpersonofthecount，Iconcludedthathemightfarewelleverywherewiththeladies。
Aboutthreeo’clocktwoelderlywomenarrived，towhomtheLambertinieagerlyintroducedCount\"Six—times。\"Ingreatastonishmenttheyenquiredtheoriginofhistitle，andtheheroineofthestoryhavingwhisperedittothem，myfriendbecameanobjectofinterest。
\"Ican’tbelieveit，\"saidoneoftheseladies，oglingthecount，whilehisfaceseemedtosay，\"Wouldyouliketotry？\"
Shortlyafter，acoachstoppedatthedoor，andafatwomanofmiddle—agedappearanceandaverypretty，girlwereusheredin；afterthemcameapalemaninablacksuitandalongwig。Aftergreetingtheminamannerwhichimpliedintimacy，thePope’snieceintroducedhercousinCount\"Six—strokes\"。Theelderlywomanseemedtobeastonishedatsuchaname，buttheLambertinigavenoexplanation。
Nevertheless，peopleseemedtothinkitrathercuriousthatamanwhodidnotknowawordofFrenchshouldbelivinginParis，andthatinspiteofhisignorancehecontinuedtojabberawayinaneasymanner，thoughnobodycouldunderstandwhathewastalkingabout。
Aftersomefoolishconversation，thePope’snieceproposedagameatLoo。Sheaskedmetoplaybutonmyrefusingdidnotmakeapointofit，butsheinsistedonhercousinbeingherpartner。
\"Heknowsnothingaboutcards，\"saidshe；\"butthat’snomatter，hewilllearn，andIwillundertaketoinstructhim。\"
Asthegirl，bywhosebeautyIwasstruck，didnotunderstandthegame，Iofferedheraseatbythefire，askinghertograntmethehonourofkeepinghercompany，whereupontheelderlywomanwhohadbroughtherbegantolaugh，andsaidIshouldhavesomedifficultyingettingherniecetotalkaboutanything，adding，inapolitemanner，thatshehopedIwouldbelenientwithherasshehadonlyjustleftaconvent。IassuredherthatIshouldhavenodifficultyinamusingmyselfwithonesoamiable，andthegamehavingbegunItookupmypositionneartheprettyniece。
Ihadbeennearherforseveralminutes，andsolelyoccupiedinmuteadmirationofherbeauty，whensheaskedmewhowasthathandsomegentlemanwhotalkedsooddly。
\"Heisanobleman，andafellow—countrymanofmine，whomanaffairofhonourhasbanishedfromhiscountry。\"
\"Hespeaksacuriousdialect。\"
\"Yes，butthefactisthatFrenchisverylittlespokeninItaly；hewillsoonpickitupinParis，andthenhewillbelaughedatnolonger。Iamsorrytohavebroughthimhere，forinlessthantwenty—fourhourshewasspoiled。\"
\"Howspoiled？\"
\"Idaren’ttellyouas，perhaps，yourauntwouldnotlikeit。\"
\"Idon’tthinkIshouldtellher，but，perhaps，Ishouldnothaveasked。\"
\"Oh，yes！youshould；andasyouwishtoknowIwillmakenomysteryofit。MadameLambertinitookafancytohim；theypassedthenighttogether，andintokenofthesatisfactionhegavehershehasgivenhimtheridiculousnicknameof’CountSixtimes。’That’sall。Iamvexedaboutit，asmyfriendwasnoprofligate。\"
Astonishment——andveryreasonableastonishment——willbeexpressedthatIdaredtotalkinthiswaytoagirlfreshfromaconvent；butIshouldhavebeenastonishedmyselfatthebareideaofanyrespectablegirlcomingtoLambertini’shouse。Ifixedmygazeonmyfaircompanion，andsawtheblushofshamemountingoverherprettyface；butIthoughtthatmighthavemorethanonemeaning。
Judgeofmysurprisewhen，twominutesafterwards，Iheardthisquestion:
\"Butwhathas’Sixtimes’gottodowithsleepingwithMadameLambertini？\"
\"Mydearyounglady，theexplanationisperfectlysimple:myfriendinasinglenightdidwhatahusbandoftentakessixweekstodo。\"
\"Andyouthinkmesillyenoughtotellmyauntofwhatwehavebeentalking？Don’tbelieveit。\"
\"Butthere’sanotherthingIamsorryabout。\"
\"Youshalltellmewhatthatisdirectly。\"
Thereasonwhichobligedthecharmingniecetoretireforafewminutesmaybeguessedwithoutourgoingintoexplanations。Whenshecamebackshewentbehindheraunt’schair，hereyesfixedonTiretta，andthencameuptome，andtakingherseatagain，said:
\"Now，whatelseisitthatyouaresorryabout？\"hereyessparklingassheaskedthequestion。
\"MayItellyou，doyouthink？\"
\"Youhavesaidsomuchalready，thatIdon’tthinkyouneedhaveanyscruplesintellingmetherest。\"
\"Verygood:youmustknow，then，thatthisverydayandinmypresencehe——————her。\"
\"Ifthatdispleasedyou，youmustbejealous。\"
\"Possibly，butthefactisthatIwashumbledbyacircumstanceI
darenottellyou。\"
\"Ithinkyouarelaughingatmewithyour’darenottellyou。’\"
\"Godforbid，mademoiselle！Iwillconfess，then，thatIwashumbledbecauseMadameLambertinimademeseethatmyfriendwastallerthanmyselfbytwoinches。\"
\"Thensheimposedonyou，foryouaretallerthanyourfriend。\"
\"Iamnotspeakingofthatkindoftallness，butanother；youknowwhatImean，andtheremyfriendisreallymonstrous。\"
\"Monstrous！thenwhathaveyoutobesorryabout？Isn’titbetternottobemonstrous？\"
\"Certainly；butinthearticlewearediscussing，somewomen，unlikeyou，prefermonstrosity。\"
\"Ithinkthat’sabsurdofthem，orrathermad；orperhaps，Ihavenotsufficientlyclearideasonthesubjecttoimaginewhatsizeitwouldbetobecalledmonstrous；andIthinkitisoddthatsuchathingshouldhumbleyou。\"
\"Youwouldnothavethoughtitofme，toseeme？\"
\"Certainlynot，forwhenIcameintotheroomIthoughtyoulookedawell—proportionedman，butifyouarenotIamsorryforyou。\"
\"Iwon’tleaveyouindoubtonthesubject；lookforyourself，andtellmewhatyouthink。\"
\"Why，it’syouwhoarethemonster！Ideclareyoumakemefeelquiteafraid。\"
Atthisshebegantoperspireviolently，andwentbehindheraunt’schair。Ididnotstir，asIwassureshewouldsooncomeback，puttingherdowninmyownmindasveryfarremovedfromsillinessorinnocenceeither。Isupposedshewishedtoaffectwhatshedidnotpossess。Iwas，moreover，delightedathavingtakentheopportunitysowell。Ihadpunishedherforhavingtriedtoimposeonme；andasIhadtakenagreatfancytoher，Iwaspleasedthatsheseemedtolikeherpunishment。Asforherpossessionofwit，therecouldbenodoubtonthatpoint，foritwasshewhohadsustainedthechiefpartinourdialogue，andmysayingsanddoingswereallpromptedbyherquestions，andtheperseveringwayinwhichshekepttothesubject。
Shehadnotbeenbehindheraunt’schairforfiveminuteswhenthelatterwaslooed。She，notknowingwhomtoattack，turnedonhernieceandsaid，\"Getyougone，littlesilly，youarebringingmebadluck！Besides，itisbadmannerstoleavethegentlemanwhosokindlyofferedtokeepyoucompanyallbyhimself。\"
Theamiableniecemadenotanswer，andcamebacktomesmiling。\"Ifmyauntknew，\"saidshe，\"whatyouhaddonetome，shewouldnothaveaccusedmeofbadmanners。\"
\"Ican’ttellyouhowsorryIam。Iwantyoutohavesomeevidenceofmyrepentance，butallthatIcandoistogo。WillyoubeoffendedifIdo？\"
\"Ifyouleaveme，myauntwillcallmeadreadfulstupid，andwillsaythatIhavetiredyouout。\"
\"Wouldyoulikemetostay，then？\"
\"Youcan’tgo。\"
\"HadyounoideawhatIshewedyouwasliketilljustnow？\"
\"Myideasonthesubjectwereinaccurate。Myauntonlytookmeoutoftheconventamonthago，andIhadbeentheresinceIwasseven。\"
\"Howoldareyounow？\"
\"Seventeen。Theytriedtomakemetaketheveil，butnothavinganyrelishforthefooleriesofthecloisterIrefused。\"
\"Areyouvexedwithme？\"
\"Ioughttobeveryangrywithyou，butIknowitwasmyfault，soI
willonlyaskyoutobediscreet。\"
\"Don’tbeafraid，ifIwereindiscreetIshouldbethefirsttosuffer。\"
\"Youhavegivenmealessonwhichwillcomeinuseful。Stop！stop！
orIwillgoaway。\"
\"No，keepquiet；it’sdonenow。\"
Ihadtakenherprettyhand，withwhichsheletmedoasIliked，andatlastwhenshedrewitbackshewasastonishedtofinditwantedwiping。
\"Whatisthat？\"
\"Themostpleasantofsubstances，whichrenovatestheworld。\"
\"Iseeyouareanexcellentmaster。Yourpupilsmakerapidprogress，andyougiveyourlessonswithsuchalearnedair。\"
\"Nowdon’tbeangrywithmeforwhathashappened。Ishouldneverhavedaredtogosofarifyourbeautyhadnotinspiredme。\"
\"AmItotakethatspeechasadeclarationoflove？\"
\"Yes，itisbold，sweetheart，butitissincere。Ifitwerenot，I
shouldbeunworthybothofyouandofmyself。\"
\"CanIbelieveyou？\"
\"Yes，withallyourheart。ButtellmeifImayhopeforyourlove？\"
\"Idon’tknow。AllIknowatpresentisthatIoughttohateyou，forinthespaceofaquarterofanhouryouhavetaughtmewhatI
thoughtIshouldneverknowtillIwasmarried。\"
\"Areyousorry？\"
\"Ioughttobe，althoughIfeelthatIhavenothingmoretolearnonamatterwhichIneverdaredtothinkabout。Buthowisitthatyouhavegotsoquiet？\"
\"Becausewearetalkingreasonablyandaftertheraptureloverequiressomerepose。Butlookatthis！\"
\"What！again？Isthattherestofthelesson？\"
\"Itisthenaturalresultofit。\"
\"Howisitthatyoudon’tfrightenmenow？\"
\"Thesoldiergetsusedtofire。\"
\"Iseeourfireisgoingout。\"
Withthesewordsshetookupasticktopokethefire，andasshewasstoopingdowninafavourablepositionmyrashhanddaredtoapproachtheporchofthetemple，andfoundthedoorclosedinsuchsortthatitwouldbenecessarytobreakitopenifonewishedtoenterthesanctuary。Shegotupinadignifiedway，andtoldmeinapoliteandfeelingmannerthatshewasawell—borngirlandworthyofrespect。PretendingtobeconfusedImadeathousandexcuses，andI
soonsawtheamiableexpressionreturntothefacewhichitbecamesowell。IsaidthatinspiteofmyrepentanceIwasgladtoknowthatshehadnevermadeanothermanhappy。
\"Believeme，\"shesaid，\"thatifImakeanyonehappyitwillbemyhusband，towhomIhavegivenmyhandandheart。\"
Itookherhand，whichsheabandonedtomyrapturouskisses。IhadreachedthispleasantstageintheproceedingswhenM。leNoirwasannounced，hehavingcometoenquirewhatthePope’sniecehadtosaytohim。
M。leNoir，amanofacertainageandofasimpleappearance，beggedthecompanytoremainseated。TheLambertiniintroducedmetohim，andheaskedifIweretheartist；butonbeinginformedthatIwashiselderbrother，hecongratulatedmeonmylotteryandtheesteeminwhichM。duVernaiheldme。ButwhatinterestedhimmostwasthecousinwhomthefairnieceofthePopeintroducedtohimunderhisrealnameofTiretta，thinking，doubtless，thathisnewtitlewouldnotcarrymuchweightwithM。leNoir。Takingupthediscourse，I
toldhimthatthecountwascommandedtomebyaladywhomIgreatlyesteemed，andthathehadbeenobligedtoleavehiscountryforthepresentonaccountofanaffairofhonour。TheLambertiniaddedthatshewishedtoaccommodatehim，buthadnotlikedtodosotillshehadconsultedM。leNoir。\"Madam，\"saidtheworthyman，\"youhavesovereignpowerinyourhouse，andIshallbedelightedtoseethecountinyoursociety。\"
AsM。leNoirspokeItalianverywell，Tirettaleftthetable，andwesatdownallfourofusbythefire，wheremyfreshconquesthadanopportunityofshewingherwit。M。leNoirwasamanofmuchintelligenceandgreatexperience。Hemadehertalkoftheconventwhereshehadbeen，andassoonasheknewhernamehebegantospeakofherfather，withwhomhehadbeenwellacquainted。HewasacouncilloroftheParliamentofRouen，andhadenjoyedagreatreputationduringhislifetime。
Mysweetheartwasabovetheordinaryheight，herhairwasafinegoldencolour，andherregularfeatures，despitethebrillianceofhereyes，expressedcandourandmodesty。Herdressallowedmetofollowallthelinesofherfigure，andtheeyesdweltpleasantlyonthebeautyofherform，andonthetwosphereswhichseemedtolamenttheirtoocloseconfinement。AlthoughM。leNoirsaidnothingofallthis，itwaseasytoseethatinhisownwayheadmiredherperfectionsnolessthanI。Heleftusateighto’clock，andhalfanhourafterwardsthefatauntwentawayfollowedbyhercharmingnieceandthepalemanwhohadcomewiththem。IlostnotimeintakingleavewithTiretta，whopromisedthePope’sniecetojoinheronthemorrow，whichhedid。
ThreeorfourdayslaterIreceivedatmyofficealetterfromMdlle。
delaMeure——theprettyniece。Itranasfollows:\"Madame，myaunt，mylatemother’ssister，isadevotee，fondofgaming，rich，stingy，andunjust。Shedoesnotlikeme，andnothavingsucceededinpersuadingmetotaketheveil，shewantstomarrymetoawealthyDunkirkmerchant，whomIdonotknow，but（markthis）whomshedoesnotknowanymorethanIdo。Thematrimonialagenthaspraisedhimverymuch，andverynaturally，asamanmustpraisehisowngoods。
Thisgentlemanissatisfiedwithanincomeoftwelvehundredfrancsperannum，buthepromisestoleavemeinhiswillnolessthanahundredandfiftythousandfrancs。Youmustknowthatbymymother’swillmyauntisobligedtopaymeonmyweddingdaytwenty—fivethousandcrowns。
\"Ifwhathastakenplacebetweenushasnotmademecontemptibleinyoursight，Iofferyoumyhandandheartwithsixty—fivethousandfrancs，andasmuchmoreonmyaunt’sdeath。
\"Don’tsendmeanyanswer，asIdon’tknowhoworbywhomtoreceiveyourletter。YoucananswermeinyourownpersonnextSundayatMadameLambertini’s。Youwillthushavefourdayswhereontoconsiderthismostimportantquestion。IdonotexactlyknowwhetherIloveyou，butIamquitesurethatIpreferyoutoanyotherman。
Iknowthateachofushasstilltogaintheother’sesteem，butIamsureyouwouldmakemylifeahappyone，andthatIshouldbeafaithfulwife。IfyouthinkthatthehappinessIseekcanaddtoyourown，Imustwarnyouthatyouwillneedtheaidofalawyer，asmyauntismiserly，andwillstickattrifles。
\"IfyoudecideintheaffirmativeyoumustfindaconventformetotakerefugeinbeforeIcommitmyselftoanything，asotherwiseI
shouldbeexposedtotheharshtreatmentIwishtoavoid。If，ontheotherhand，myproposaldoesnotmeetyourviews，Ihaveonefavourtoaskbygrantingwhichyouwillearnmyeverlastinggratitude。
Thisisthatyouwillendeavourtoseemenomore，andwilltakecarenottobepresentinanycompanyinwhichyouthinkIamtobefound。
Thusyouwillhelpmetoforgetyou，andthisistheleastyoucandoforme。YoumayguessthatIshallneverbehappytillIhavebecomeyourwifeorhaveforgottenyou。Farewell！IreckonuponseeingyouonSunday。\"
Thisletteraffectedme。Ifeltthatitwasdictatedbyprudent，virtuous，andhonourablefeelings，andIfoundevenmoremeritintheintellectualendowmentsofthegirlthaninherbeauty。Iblushedathavinginamannerledherastray，andIshouldhavethoughtmyselfworthyofpunishmentifIhadbeencapableofrefusingthehandofferedtomewithsomuchnobilityoffeeling。AndasecondbutstillapowerfulconsiderationmademelookcomplacentlyuponafortunelargerthanIcouldreasonablyexpecttowin。Nevertheless，theideaofthemarriagestate，forwhichIfeltIhadnovocation，mademetremble。
IknewmyselftoowellnottobeawarethatasamarriedmanIshouldbeunhappy，and，consequently，withthebestintentionsIshouldfailinmakingthewoman’slifeahappyone。MyuncertaintyinthefourdayswhichshehadwiselyleftmeconvincedmethatIwasnotinlovewithher。Inspiteofthat，soweakwasIthatIcouldnotsummonupcouragetorejectheroffer——stilllesstotellhersofrankly，whichwouldhavemadeheresteemme。
DuringthesefourdaysIwasentirelyabsorbedinthisonesubject。
Ibitterlyrepentedofhavingoutragedhermodesty，forInowesteemedandrespectedher，butyetIcouldnotmakeupmymindtorepairthewrongIhaddoneher。Icouldnotbeartoincurherdislike，buttheideaoftyingmyselfdownwasdreadfultome；andsuchistheconditionofamanwhohastochoosebetweentwoalternatives，andcannotmakeuphismind。
Fearinglestmyevilgeniusshouldtakemetotheoperaorelsewhere，andinspiteofmyselfmakememissmyappointment，IresolvedtodinewiththeLambertiniwithouthavingcometoanydecision。ThepiousnieceofthePopewasatmasswhenIreachedherhouse。I
foundTirettaengagedinplayingontheflute，butassoonashesawmehedroppedtheinstrument，ranuptome，embracedme，andgavemebackthemoneyhissuithadcostme。
\"Iseeyouareincash，oldfellow；Icongratulateyou。\"
\"It’sagrievouspieceoflucktome，forthemoneyisstolen，andI
amsorryIhavegotitthoughIwasanaccompliceinthetheft。\"
\"What！themoneyisstolen？\"
\"Yes，sharpingisdonehere，andIhavebeentaughttohelp。Ishareintheirill—gottengainsbecauseIhavenotthestrengthofmindtorefuse。Mylandladyandtwoorthreewomenofthesamesortpluckthepigeons。Thebusinessdoesnotsuitme，andIamthinkingofleavingit。SoonerorlaterIshallkillorbekilled，andeithereventwillbethedeathofme，soIamthinkingofleavingthiscutthroatplaceassoonaspossible。\"
\"Iadviseyou——nay，Ibidyoudosobyallmeans，andIshouldthinkyouhadbetterbegoneto—daythanto—morrow。\"
\"Idon’twanttodoanythingsuddenly，asM。leNoirisagentlemanandmyfriend，andhethinksmeacousintothiswretchedwoman。Asheknowsnothingoftheinfamoustradeshecarrieson，hewouldsuspectsomething，andperhapswouldleaveherafterlearningthereasonofmydeparture。Ishallfindsomeexcuseorotherinthecourseofthenextfiveorsixdays，andthenIwillmakehasteandreturntoyou。\"
TheLambertinithankedmeforcomingtodinnerinafriendlymanner，andtoldmethatweshouldhavethecompanyofMdlle。delaMeureandheraunt。Iaskedherifshewasstillsatisfiedwithmyfriend\"Sixtimes，\"andshetoldmethatthoughthecountdidnotalwaysresideonhismanor，shewasforallthatdelightedwithhim；andsaidshe，\"Iamtoogoodamonarchtoasktoomuchofmyvassals。\"
Icongratulatedher，andwecontinuedtojesttillthearrivalofthetwootherguests。
AssoonasMdlle。delaMeuresawmeshecouldscarcelyconcealherpleasure。Shewasinhalfmourning，andlookedsoprettyinthiscostume，whichthrewupthewhitenessofherskin，thatIstillwonderwhythatinstantdidnotdeterminemyfate。
Tiretta，whohadbeenmakinghistoilette，rejoinedus，andasnothingpreventedmefromshewingthelikingIhadtakenfortheamiablegirlIpaidherallpossibleattention。ItoldtheauntthatIfoundherniecesoprettythatIwouldrenouncemybachelorhoodifIcouldfindsuchamate。
\"Mynieceisavirtuousandsweet—tempered’girl，sir，butsheisutterlydevoideitherofintelligenceorpiety。\"
\"Nevermindtheintelligence，\"saidtheniece，\"butIwasneverfoundwantinginpietyattheconvent。\"
\"Idaresaythenunsareofthejesuiticalparty。\"
\"Whathasthatgottodowithit，aunt？\"
\"Verymuch，child；theJesuitsandtheiradherentsarewellknowntohavenovitalreligion。Butletustalkofsomethingelse。AllthatIwantyoutodoistoknowhowtopleaseyourfuturehusband。\"
\"Ismademoiselleabouttomarry，then？\"
\"Herintendedwillprobablyarriveatthebeginningofnextmonth。\"
\"Ishealawyer？\"
\"No，sir；heisawell—to—domerchant。\"
\"M。leNoirtoldmethatyourniecewasthedaughterofacouncillor，andIdidnotimaginethatyouwouldsanctionhermarryingbeneathher。\"
\"Therewillbenoquestionofsuchathinginthisinstance，sir；
and，afterall，whatismarryingbeneathone？Myniece’sintendedisanhonest，andthereforeanoble，man，andIamsureitwillbeherfaultifshedoesnotleadalifeofperfecthappinesswithhim\"
\"Quiteso，supposingsheloveshim。\"
\"Oh！loveandallthatkindofthingwillcomeingoodtime，youknow。\"
Astheseremarkscouldonlygivepaintotheyounglady，wholistenedinsilence，IchangedtheconversationtotheenormouscrowdwhichwouldbepresentattheexecutionofDamien，andfindingthemextremelydesirousofwitnessingthishorriblesightIofferedthemalargewindowwithanexcellentview。Theladiesacceptedwithgreatpleasure，andIpromisedtoescortthemingoodtime。
Ihadnosuchthingasawindow，butIknewthatinParis，aseverywhere，moneywillprocureanything。AfterdinnerIwentoutonthepleaofbusiness，and，takingthefirstcoachIcameacross，inaquarterofanhourIsucceededinrentingafirstfloorwindowinexcellentpositionforthreelouis。Ipaidinadvance，takingcaretohaveareceipt。
Mybusinessover，Ihastenedtorejointhecompany，andfoundthemengagedinpiquet。Mdlle。delaMeure，whoknewnothingaboutit，wastiredoflookingon。Icameuptoher，andhavingsomethingtosaywewenttotheotherendoftheroom。
\"Yourletter，dearest，hasmademethehappiestofmen。Youhavedisplayedinitsuchintelligenceandsuchadmirablecharacteristicsaswouldwinyoutheferventadorationofeverymanofgoodsense。\"
\"Ionlywantoneman’slove。Iwillbecontentwiththeesteemoftherest。\"
\"Myangel，Iwillmakeyoumywife，andIshallblesstillmylatestbreaththeluckyaudacitytowhichIowemybeingchosenbeforeothermenwhowouldnothaverefusedyourhand，evenwithoutthefiftythousandcrowns，whicharenothingincomparisonwithyourbeautyandyourwit。\"
\"Iamverygladyoulikemesomuch。\"
\"CouldIdootherwise？Andnowthatyouknowmyheart，donothinghastily，buttrustinme。\"
\"YouwillnotforgethowIamplaced。\"
\"Iwillbearitinmind。Letmehavetimetotakeahouse，tofurnishitandtoputmyselfinapositioninwhichIshallbeworthyofyourhand。YoumustrememberthatIamonlyinfurnishedapartments；thatyouarewellconnected，andthatIshouldnotliketoberegardedasafortune—hunter。\"
\"Youknowthatmyintendedhusbandwillsoonarrive？\"
\"Yes，Iwilltakecareofthat。\"
\"Whenhedoescome，youknow，matterswillbepushedonrapidly。\"
\"Nottoorapidlyformetobeabletosetyoufreeintwenty—fourhours，andwithoutlettingyourauntknowthattheblowcomesfromme。Youmayrestassured，dearest，thattheministerforforeignaffairs，onbeingassuredthatyouwishtomarryme，andmeonly，willgetyouaninviolableasyluminthebestconventinParis。Hewillalsoretaincounselonyourbehalf，andifyourmother’swillisproperlydrawnoutyourauntwillsoonbeobligedtohandoveryourdowry，andtogivesecurityfortherestoftheproperty。Donottroubleyourselfaboutthematter，butlettheDunkirkmerchantcomewhenhelikes。Atallhazards，youmayreckonuponme，andyoumaybesureyouwillnotbeinyouraunt’shouseonthedayfixedforthewedding。\"