\"Iamquitesure，\"saidshe，\"thatyouwouldnothavecomeatallunlessIhadaskedyoutocomeandembraceme。\"
Atthismylipswerefastenedonhermouth，hereyes，andoneveryspotofherlovelyface。Butseeingmyeyesstrayingtowardsherbosom，andguessingthatIshouldmakemyselfmasterofit，shestoppedlaughingandputherselfonthedefensive。
\"Goaway，\"saidshe，slyly，\"goawayandenjoyyourselfattheHaguewiththefairTrenti，whopossessessoprettyatokenofyourlove。\"
\"MydearEsther，IamgoingtotheHaguetotalkbusinesswiththeambassador，andfornootherreason，andinsixdaysatlatestyouwillseemebackagain，asmuchyourloverasbefore，anddesiringnothingbetterthantopleaseyou。\"
\"Irelyuponyourwordofhonour，butmindyoudonotdeceiveme。\"
WiththesewordssheputuphermouthandgavemesotenderandpassionateakissthatIwentawayfeelingcertainofmyblissbeingcrownedonmyreturn。Thatevening，atsupper—time，IreachedBoaz’shouse。
EndMEMOIRSOFJACQUESCASANOVAdeSEINGALT1725—1798
THEETERNALQUEST，Volume3b——RETURNTOPARIS
THERAREUNABRIDGEDLONDONEDITIONOF1894TRANSLATEDBYARTHUR
MACHENTOWHICHHASBEENADDEDTHECHAPTERSDISCOVERED
BYARTHURSYMONS。
THEETERNALQUEST
RETURNTOPARIS
CHAPTERV
MyFortuneinHolland——MyReturntoPariswithYoungPompeatiAmongsttheletterswhichwerewaitingformewasonefromthecomptroller—general，whichadvisedmethattwentymillionsinGovernmentsecuritieshadbeenplacedinthehandsofM。d’Afri，whowasnottogobeyondalossofeightpercent。；andanotherletterfrommygoodpatron，M。deBernis，tellingmetodothebestIcould，andtobeassuredthattheambassadorwouldbeinstructedtoconsenttowhateverbargainmightbemade，providedtheratewasnotmoredisadvantageousthanthatoftheexchangeatParis。Boaz，whowasastonishedatthebargainIhadmadewithmyshares，wantedtodiscounttheGovernmentsecuritiesforme，andIshouldverylikelyhaveagreedtohistermsifhehadnotrequiredmetogivehimthreemonths，andthepromisethattheagreementshouldholdeveninthecaseofpeacebeingconcludedinthemeanwhile。ItwasnotlongbeforeIsawthatIshoulddowelltogetbacktoAmsterdam，butI
didnotcaretobreakmywordtoTherese，whomIhadpromisedtomeetattheHague。IreceivedaletterfromherwhileIwasattheplay，andtheservantwhobroughtittoldmehewaswaitingtoconductmetoher。Isentmyownservanthome，andsetoutonmyquest。
Myguidemademeclimbtothefourthfloorofasomewhatwretchedhouse，andthereIfoundthisstrangewomaninasmallroom，attendedbyhersonanddaughter。Thetablestoodinthemidstoftheroom，andwascoveredwithablackcloth，andthetwocandlesstandinguponitmadeitlooklikesomesortofsepulchralaltar。TheHaguewasaCourttown。Iwasrichlydressed；myelaborateattiremadethesaddestpossiblecontrastwiththegloomofmysurroundings。
Therese，dressedinblackandseatedbetweenherchildrenatthatblacktable，remindedmeofMedea。Toseethesetwofairyoungcreaturesvowedtoalotofmiseryanddisgracewasasadandtouchingsight。Itooktheboybetweenmyarms，andpressinghimtomybreastcalledhimmyson。Hismothertoldhimtolookuponmeashisfatherfromhenceforth。Theladrecognizedme；heremembered，muchtomydelight，seeingmeintheMayof1753，inVenice，atMadameManzoni’s。Hewasslightbutstrong；hislimbswerewellproportioned，andhisfeaturesintellectual。Hewasthirteenyearsold。
Hissistersatperfectlystill，apparentlywaitingforherturntocome。Itookheronmyknee，andasIembracedher，natureherselfseemedtotellmethatshewasmydaughter。Shetookmykissesinsilence，butitwaseasytoseethatshethoughtherselfpreferredtoherbrother，andwascharmedwiththeidea。Allherclothingwasaslightfrock，andIwasabletofeeleverylimbandtokissherprettylittlebodyallover，delightedthatsosweetabeingowedherexistencetome。
\"Mamma，dear，\"saidshe，\"isnotthisfinegentlemanthesamewesawatAmsterdam，andwhowastakenformypapabecauseIamlikehim？
Butthatcannotbe，formypapaisdead。\"
\"Soheis，sweetheart；butImaybeyourdearfriend，mayn’tI？
Wouldyouliketohavemeforafriend？\"
\"Yes，yes！\"shecried，andthrowingherarmsaboutmyneckgavemeathousandkisses，whichIreturnedwithdelight。
Afterwehadtalkedandlaughedtogetherwesatdownattable，andtheheroineTheresegavemeadelicatesupperaccompaniedbyexquisitewines。\"Ihavenevergiventhemargravebetterfare，\"saidshe，\"atthosenicelittlesuppersweusedtotaketogether。\"
Wishingtoprobethedispositionofherson，whomIhadengagedtotakeawaywithme，Iaddressedseveralremarkstohim，andsoondiscoveredthathewasofafalseanddeceitfulnature，alwaysonhisguard，takingcareofwhathesaid，andconsequentlyspeakingonlyfromhisheadandnotfromhisheart。Everywordwasdeliveredwithaquietpolitenesswhich，nodoubt，wasintendedtopleaseme。
Itoldhimthatthissortofthingwasallverywellonoccasion；butthatthereweretimeswhenaman’shappinessdependedonhisfreedomfromconstraint；thenandonlythenwashisamiability，ifhehadany，displayed。Hismother，thinkingtopraisehim，toldmethatreservewashischiefcharacteristic，thatshehadtrainedhimtokeephiscounselatalltimesandplaces，andthatshewasthususedtohisbeingreservedwithheraswitheveryoneelse。
\"AllIcansayis，\"saidI，\"yoursystemisanabominableone。Youmayhavestrangledintheirinfancyallthefinerqualitieswithwhichnaturehasendowedyourson，andhavefairlysethimonthewaytobecomeamonsterinsteadofanangel。Idon’tseehowthemostdevotedfathercanpossiblyhaveanyaffectionforasonwhokeepsallhisemotionsunderlockandkey。\"
Thisoutburst，whichproceededfromthetendernessIwouldfainhavefeltfortheboy，seemedtostrikehismotherdumb。
\"Tellme，mydear，ifyoufeelyourselfcapableofshewingmethatconfidencewhichafatherhasarighttoexpectofagoodson，andifyoucanpromisetobeperfectlyopenandunreservedtowardsme？\"
\"IpromisethatIwilldieratherthantellyouafalsehood。\"
\"That’sjustlikehim，\"saidthemother。\"Ihavesucceededininspiringhimwiththeutmosthorrorofuntruthfulness。\"
\"That’sallverywell，mydearmadam，butyoumighthavepursuedastillbettercourse，andonewhichwouldhavebeenstillmoreconducivetohishappiness。\"
\"Whatisthat？\"
\"Iwilltellyou。Itwasnecessarytomakehimdetestalie；youshouldhaveratherendeavouredtomakehimaloverofthetruthbydisplayingittohiminallitsnativebeauty。Thisistheonlywaytomakehimlovable，andloveisthesolebestowerofhappinessinthisworld。\"
\"Butisn’titthesamethingnottolieandtotellthetruth，\"saidtheboy，withasmilewhichcharmedhismotheranddispleasedme。
\"Certainlynot；thereisagreatdifference——fortoavoidlyingyouhaveonlytoholdyourtongue；anddoyouthinkthatcomestothesamethingasspeakingthetruth？Youmustopenyourmindtome，myson，andtellmeallyourthoughts，evenifyoublushintherecital。
Iwillteachyouhowtoblush，andsoonyouwillhavenothingtofearinlayingopenallyourthoughtsanddeeds。Whenweknoweachotheralittlelongerweshallseehowweagreetogether。YoumustunderstandthatIcannotlookuponyouasmysonuntilIseecausetoloveyou，andIcannothaveyoucallmefathertillyoutreatmeasthebestfriendyouhave。YoumaybequitesurethatIshallfindawaytodiscoveryourthoughts，howevercleverlyyoutrytohidethem。
IfIfindyoudeceitfulandsuspiciousIshallcertainlyentertainnoregardforyou。AssoonasIhavefinishedmybusinessatAmsterdamwewillsetoutforParis。IamleavingtheHagueto—morrow，andonmyreturnIhopetofindyouinstructedbyyourmotherinasystemofmoralitymoreconsonantwithmyviews，andmorelikelytoleadtoyourhappiness。\"
Onglancingatmylittledaughter，whohadbeenlisteningtomewiththegreatestattention，Isawthathereyeswereswimmingwithtears，whichshecouldhardlyretain。
\"Whyareyoucrying？\"saidthemother；\"itissillytocry。\"Andwiththatthechildrantohermotherandthrewherarmsroundherneck。
\"WouldyouliketocometoParis，too？\"saidItoher。
\"Oh，yes！Butmammamustcometoo，asshewoulddiewithoutme。\"
\"WhatwouldyoudoifItoldyoutogo？\"saidthemother。
\"Iwouldobeyyou，mamma，buthowcouldIexistawayfromyou？\"
Thereuponmylittledaughterpretendedtocry。Isaypretended，asitwasquiteevidentthatthechilddidnotmeanwhatshesaid，andI
amsurethathermotherknewitaswellasI。
Itwasreallyamelancholythingtoseetheeffectsofabadeducationonthisyoungchild，towhomnaturehadgivenintelligenceandfeeling。Itookthemotherononeside，andsaidthatifshehadintendedtomakeactorsofherchildrenshehadsucceededtoadmiration；butifshewishedthemtobecomeusefulmembersofsocietyhersystemhadfailedlamentably，astheywereinafairwaytobecomemonstersofdeceit。Icontinuedmakingherthemostpointedremonstrancesuntil，inspiteofhereffortstocontrolherself，sheburstintotears。However，shesoonrecoveredhercomposure，andbeggedmetostayattheHagueadaylonger，butI
toldheritwasoutofthequestion，andlefttheroom。Icameinagainafewminutesafter，andSophiecameuptomeandsaid，inalovinglittlevoice，\"Ifyouarereallymyfriend，youwillgivemesomeproofofyourfriendship。\"
\"Andwhatproofdoyouwant，mydear？\"
\"Iwantyoutocomeandsupwithmeto—morrow。\"
\"Ican’t，Sophiedear，forIhavejustsaidnotoyourmother，andshewouldbeoffendedifIgrantedyouwhatIhadrefusedher。\"
\"Oh，no！shewouldn’t；itwasshewhotoldmetoaskyoujustnow。\"
Inaturallybegantolaugh，butonhermothercallingthegirlalittlefool，andthebrotheraddingthathehadnevercommittedsuchanindiscretion，thepoorchildbegantotrembleallover，andlookedabashed。IreassuredherasbestIcould，notcaringwhetherwhatI
saiddispleasedhermotherornot，andIendeavouredtoinstillintoherprinciplesofaverydifferentnaturetothoseinwhichshehadbeenreared，whileshelistenedwithaneagernesswhichprovedthatherheartwasstillreadytolearntherightway。Littlebylittleherfacecleared，andIsawthatIhadmadeanimpression，andthoughIcouldnotflattermyselfthatanygoodImightdoherwouldbelastinginitseffectsaslongassheremainedunderthebadinfluenceofhermother，Ipromisedtocomeandsupwithhernextevening，\"butonthecondition，\"Isaid，\"thatyougivemeaplainmeal，andonebottleofchambertinonly，foryouarenottoowelloff。\"
\"Iknowthat，butmammasaysthatyoupayforeverything。\"
Thisreplymademegooffintoaroaroflaughter；andinspiteofhervexationthemotherwasobligedtofollowmyexample。Thepoorwoman，hardenedbythelifesheled，tookthechild’ssimplicityforstupidity，butIsawinheraroughdiamondwhichonlywantedpolishing。
Theresetoldmethatthewinedidnotcostheranything，asthesonoftheRotterdamburgomasterfurnishedherwithit，andthathewouldsupwithusthenextdayifIwouldallowhimtobepresent。I
answeredsmilinglythatIshouldbedelightedtoseehim，andIwentawayaftergivingmydaughter，ofwhomIfeltfond，atenderembrace。
Iwouldhavedoneanythingtobeentrustedwithher，butIsawitwouldbenogoodtryingtogetpossessionofher，asthemotherwasevidentlykeepingherasaresourceforheroldage。Thisisacommonwayforadventuressestolookupontheirdaughters，andTheresewasanadventuressinthewidestacceptationoftheterm。I
gavehertwentyducatstogetclothesformyadoptedsonandSophie，who，withspontaneousgratitude，andhereyesfilledwithtears，cameandgavemeakiss。Josephwasgoingtokissmyhand，butItoldhimthatitwasdegradingforonemantokissanother’shand，andthatforthefuturehewastoshewhisgratitudebyembracingmeasasonembraceshisfather。
JustasIwasleaving，Theresetookmetotheclosetwherethetwochildrenweresleeping。Iknewwhatshewasthinkingof；butallthatwasoverlongago；IcouldthinkofnoonebutEsther。
ThenextdayIfoundtheburgomaster’ssonatmyactress’shouse。Hewasafineyoungfellowoftwentyortwenty—one，buttotallydevoidofmanner。HewasTherese’slover，butheshouldhaveregulatedhisbehaviourinmypresence。Therese，seeingthathewasposingasmasterofthefield，andthathismannersdisgustedme，begantosnubhim，muchtohisdispleasure，andaftersneeringatthepoornessofthedishes，andpraisingthewinewhichhehadsupplied，hewentoutleavingustofinishourdessertbyourselves。Ileftmyselfateleven，tellingTheresethatIshouldseeheragainbeforeIwentaway。ThePrincessedeGalitzin，aCantimirbybirth，hadaskedmetodinner，andthismademeloseanotherday。
NextdayIheardfromMadamed’Urfe，whoenclosedabillofexchangeonBoazfortwelvethousandfrancs。Shesaidthatshehadboughthersharesforsixtythousand，thatshedidnotwishtomakeanythingofthem，andthatshehopedIwouldaccepttheoverplusasmybroker’sfee。Shewordedherofferwithtoomuchcourtesyformetorefuseit。Theremainderoftheletterwasdevotedtothewildestfancies。
ShesaidthathergeniushadrevealedtoherthatIshouldbringbacktoParisaboybornoftheMysticalMarriage，andshehopedIwouldtakepityonher。Itwasastrangecoincidence，andseemedlikelytoattachthewomanstillmorecloselytohervisionarytheories。I
laughedwhenIthoughhowshewouldbeimpressedbyTherese’sson，whowascertainlynotbornoftheMysticalMarriage。
Boazpaidmemytwelvethousandfrancsinducats，andImadehimmyfriend，ashethankedmeforreceivingthemoneysinducats，andhedoubtlessmadeaprofitonthetransaction，goldbeingacommodityinHolland，andallpaymentsbeingmadeinsilverorpapermoney。
Atthattimegoldwasatalowrate，andnobodywouldtakeducats。
AfterhavinganexcellentdinnerwiththePrincessedeGalitzin，I
putonmycloakandwenttothecaf？Ifoundtheretheburgomaster’sson，whowasjustbeginningagameofbilliards。HewhisperedtomethatImightbackhimwithadvantage，andthinkinghewassureofhisstrokeIthankedhimandfollowedhisadvice。
However，afterlosingthreegamesoneaftertheother，Itookhismeasureandbegantolayagainsthimwithouthisknowledge。Afterplayingforthreehoursandlosingallthetime，hestoppedplayandcametocondolewithmeonmyheavyloss。ItisimpossibletodescribehisamazedexpressionwhenIshewedhimahandfulofducats，andassuredhimthatIhadspentaveryprofitableeveninginlayingagainsthim。Everybodyintheroombegantolaughathim，buthewasthesortofyoungmanwhodoesn’tunderstandajoke，andhewentoutinarage。SoonafterIleftthebilliard—roommyself，and，accordingtomypromisewenttoseeTherese，asIwasleavingforAmsterdamthenextday。
Theresewaswaitingforheryoungwinemerchant，butonmyrecountinghisadventuressheexpectedhimnolonger。Itookmylittledaughteronmykneeandlavishedmycaressesonher，andsoleftthem，tellingthemthatweshouldseeeachotheragaininthecourseofthreeweeksoramonthatlatest。
AsIwasgoinghomeinthemoonlightbymyself，myswordundermyarm，Iwasencounteredallofasuddenbythepoordupeofaburgomaster’sson。
\"Iwanttoknow，\"saidhe，\"ifyourswordhasassharpapointasyourtongue。\"
Itriedtoquiethimbyspeakingcommonsense，andIkeptmyswordwrappedinmycloak，thoughhiswasbaredanddirectedagainstme。
\"Youarewrongtotakemyjestsinsuchbadpart，\"saidI；\"however，Iapologizetoyou。\"
\"Noapologies；looktoyourself。\"
\"Waittillto—morrow，youwillbecoolerthen，butifyoustillwishitIwillgiveyousatisfactioninthemidstofthebilliard—room。\"
\"Theonlysatisfactionyoucangivemeistofight；Iwanttokillyou。\"
Asevidenceofhisdetermination，andtoprovokemebeyondrecall，hestruckmewiththeflatofhissword，thefirstandlasttimeinmylifeinwhichIhavereceivedsuchandinsult。Idrewmysword，butstillhopingtobringhimtohissensesIkeptstrictlyonthedefensiveandendeavouredtomakehimleaveoff。ThisconducttheDutchmanmistookforfear，andpushedhardonme，lunginginamannerthatmademelooktomyself。Hisswordpassedthroughmynecktie；aquarterofaninchfartherinwouldhavedonemybusiness。
Ileapttooneside，and，mydangernolongeradmittingofmyfightingonthedefensive，Ilungedoutandwoundedhiminthechest。
Ithoughtthiswouldhavebeenenoughforhim，soIproposedweshouldterminateourengagement。
\"I’mnotdeadyet，\"saidhe；\"Iwanttokillyou。\"
Thiswashiswatchword；and，asheleaptonmeinaparoxysmofrage，morelikeamadmanthanasensiblebeing，Ihithimfourtimes。Atthefourthwoundhesteppedback，and，sayinghehadhadenough，beggedmetoleavehim。
IwentoffasfastasIcould，andwasverygladtoseefromthelookofmyswordthathiswoundswereslight。IfoundBoazstillup，andonhearingwhathadtakenplaceheadvisedmetogotoAmsterdamatonce，thoughIassuredhimthatthewoundswerenotmortal。Igaveintohisadvice，andasmycarriagewasatthesaddler’shelentmehis，andIsetout，biddingmyservanttocomeonthenextdaywithmyluggage，andtorejoinmeatthe\"OldBible，\"inAmsterdam。I
reachedAmsterdamatnoonandmymanarrivedintheevening。
Iwascurioustohearifmyduelhadmadeanynoise，butasmyservanthadleftatanearlyhourhehadheardnothingaboutit。
FortunatelyformenothingwhateverwasknownaboutitatAmsterdamforaweekafter；otherwise，thingsmightnothavegonewellwithme，asthereputationofbeingaduellistisnotarecommendationtofinancierswithwhomoneisabouttotransactbusinessofimportance。
ThereaderwillnotbesurprisedwhenItellhimthatmyfirstcallwasonM。d’O，orratheronhischarmingdaughterEsther，forsheitwasonwhomIwaited。Itwillberememberedthatthewayinwhichweparteddidagooddealtowardsaugmentingthewarmthofmyaffectionforher。OnenteringtheroomIfoundEstherwritingatatable。
\"WhatareyoudoingEsther，dear？\"
\"Anarithmeticalproblem。\"
\"Doyoulikeproblems？\"
\"Iampassionatelyfondofanythingwhichcontainsdifficultiesandofferscuriousresults。\"
\"Iwillgiveyousomethingwhichwillpleaseyou。\"
Imadeher，bywayofjest，twomagicsquares，whichdelightedher。
Inreturn，shespewedmesometrifleswithwhichIwaswellacquainted，butwhichIpretendedtothinkveryastonishing。Mygoodgeniustheninspiredmewiththeideaoftryingdivinationbythecabala。Itoldhertoaskaquestioninwriting，andassuredherthatbyacertainkindofcalculationasatisfactoryanswerwouldbeobtained。Shesmiled，andaskedwhyIhadreturnedtoAmsterdamsosoon。Ishewedherhowtomakethepyramidwiththepropernumbersandtheotherceremonies，thenImadeherextracttheanswerinnumbers，translatingitintoFrench，andgreatlywasshesurprisedtofindthatthecausewhichhadmademereturntoAmsterdamsosoonwas——love。
Quiteconfounded，shesaiditwasverywonderful，eventhoughtheanswermightnotbetrue，andshewishedtoknowwhatmasterscouldteachthismodeofcalculation。
\"Thosewhoknowitcannotteachittoanyone。\"
\"Howdidyoulearnit，then？\"
\"FromapreciousmanuscriptIinheritedfrommyfather。\"
\"Sellitme。\"
\"Ihaveburntit；andIamnotempoweredtocommunicatethesecrettoanyonebeforeIreachtheageoffifty。\"
\"Whyfifty？\"
\"Idon’tknow；butIdoknowthatifIcommunicatedittoanyonebeforethatageIshouldruntheriskoflosingitmyself。Theelementaryspiritwhoisattachedtotheoraclewouldleaveit。\"
\"Howdoyouknowthat？\"
\"IsawitsostatedinthemanuscriptIhavespokenof。\"
\"Thenyouareabletodiscoverallsecrets？\"
\"Yes，orIshouldbeifthereplieswerenotsometimestooobscuretobeunderstood。\"
\"Asitdoesnottakemuchtime，willyoubekindenoughtogetmeananswertoanotherquestion？\"
\"Withpleasure；youcancommandmeinanythingnotforbiddenbymyfamiliarspirit。\"
Sheaskedwhatherdestinywouldbe，andtheoraclerepliedthatshehadnotyettakenthefirststeptowardsit。Estherwasastonishedandcalledhergovernesstoseethetwoanswers，butthegoodwomansawnothingwonderfulinthemwhatever。Estherimpatientlycalledherablockhead，andentreatedmetoletheraskanotherquestion。I
beggedhertodoso，andsheasked，\"WholovesmemostinAmsterdam？\"Theoraclerepliedthatnoonelovedheraswellashewhohadgivenherbeing:PoorEstherthentoldmethatIhadmadehermiserable，andthatshewoulddieofgriefifshecouldnotsucceedinlearningthemethodofcalculation。
Igavenoanswer，andpretendedtofeelsadatheart。Shebegantowritedownanotherquestion，puttingherhandinfrontsoastoscreenthepaper。Iroseasiftogetoutofherway，butwhileshewasarrangingthepyramidIcastmyeyesonthepaperwhilstwalkingupanddowntheroom，andreadherquestion。AftershehadgoneasfarasIhadtaughther，sheaskedmetoextracttheanswer，sayingthatIcoulddosowithoutreadingthequestion。Iagreedtodosoontheconditionthatshewouldnotaskasecondtime。
AsIhadseenherquestion，itwaseasyformetoanswerit。Shehadaskedtheoracleifshemightshewthequestionsshehadpropoundedtoherfather，andtheanswerwasthatshewouldbehappyaslongasshehadnosecretsfromherfather。
Whenshereadthesewordsshegaveacryofsurprise，andcouldfindnowordswherewithtoexpresshergratitudetome。IleftherfortheExchange，whereIhadalongbusinessconversationwithM。Pels。
NextmorningahandsomeandgentlemanlymancamewithaletterofintroductionfromTherese，whotoldmethathewouldbeusefulincaseIwantedanyassistanceinbusiness。HisnamewasRigerboos。
Sheinformedmethattheburgomaster’ssonwasonlyslightlywounded，andthatIhadnothingtofearasthematterwasnotgenerallyknown，andthatifIhadbusinessattheHagueImightreturnthereinperfectsafety。ShesaidthatmylittleSophietalkedofmeallday，andthatIshouldfindmysonmuchimprovedonmyreturn。IaskedM。
Rigerboostogivemehisaddress，assuringhimthatatthepropertimeIshouldrelyonhisservices。
AmomentafterRigerbooshadgone，IgotashortnotefromEsther，whobeggedme，inherfather’sname，tospendthedaywithher——atleast，ifIhadnoimportantengagement。Iansweredthat，exceptingacertainmatterofwhichherfatherknew，IhadnochieferaimthantoconvinceherthatIdesiredaplaceinherheart，andthatshemightbequitesurethatIwouldnotrefuseherinvitation。
IwenttoM。d’O————atdinnertime。IfoundEstherandherfatherpuzzlingoverthemethodwhichdrewreasonableanswersoutofapyramidofnumbers。Assoonasherfathersawme，heembracedme，sayinghowhappyhewastopossessadaughtercapableofattractingme。
\"Shewillattractanymanwhohassufficientsensetoappreciateher。\"
\"Youappreciateher，then？\"
\"Iworshipher。\"
\"Thenembraceher。\"
Estheropenedherarms，andwithacryofdelightthrewthemroundmyneck，andgavethebackallmycaresses，kissforkiss。
\"Ihavegotthroughallmybusiness，\"saidM。d’O————，\"andtherestofmydayisatyourdisposal。Ihaveknownfrommychildhoodthatthereissuchascienceastheoneyouprofess，andIwasacquaintedwithaJewwhobyitsaidmadeanimmensefortune。He，likeyou，saidthat，underpainoflosingthesecret，itcouldonlybecommunicatedtooneperson，butheputoffdoingsosolongthatatlastitwastoolate，forahighfevercarriedhimoffinafewdays。
IhopeyouwillnotdoastheJewdid；butinthemeanwhileallowmetosaythatifYoudonotdrawaprofitfromthistreasure，youdonotknowwhatitreallyis。\"
\"Youcallthisknowledgeofmineatreasure，andyetyoupossessonefarmoreexcellent，\"lookingatEstherasIspoke。
\"Wewilldiscussthatagain。Yes，sir，Icallyourscienceatreasure。\"
\"Buttheanswersoftheoracleareoftenveryobscure。\"
\"Obscure！Theanswersmydaughterreceivedareasclearasday。\"
\"Apparently，sheisfortunateinthewaysheframesherquestions；
foronthisthereplydepends。\"
\"AfterdinnerwewilltryifIamsofortunate——atleast，ifyouwillbesokindastohelpme。\"
\"Icanrefuseyounothing，asIconsiderfatheranddaughterasonebeing。\"
Attablewediscussedothersubjects，asthechiefclerkswerepresent——notablythemanager，avulgar—lookingfellow，whohadveryevidentaspirationsinthedirectionofmyfairEsther。AfterdinnerwewentintoM。d’O’sprivatecloset，andthereuponhedrewtwolongquestionsoutofhispocket。InthefirsthedesiredtoknowhowtoobtainafavourabledecisionfromtheStates—Generalinanimportantmatter，thedetailsofwhichheexplained。Irepliedinterms，theobscurityofwhichwouldhavedonecredittoaprofessedPythoness，andIleftEsthertotranslatetheanswerintocommonsense，andfindameaninginit。
WithregardtothesecondanswerIactedinadifferentmanner；Iwasimpelledtoanswerclearly，anddidso。M。d’OaskedwhathadbecomeofavesselbelongingtotheIndiaCompanyofwhichnothinghadbeenheard。Itwasknowntohavestartedonthereturnvoyage，andshouldhavearrivedtwomonthsago，andthisdelaygaverisetothesuppositionthatithadgonedown。M。d’O————wishedtoknowifitwerestillabovewater，orwhetheritwerelost，etc。Asnotidingsofithadcometohand，thecompanywereonthelook—outforsomeonetoinsureit，andofferedtenpercent。，butnobodycaredtorunsogreatarisk，especiallyasaletterhadbeenreceivedfromanEnglishseacaptainwhosaidhehadseenhersink。
Imayconfesstomyreaders，thoughIdidnotdosotoM。d’O————。
thatwithinexplicablefollyIcomposedananswerthatleftnodoubtastothesafetyofthevessel，pronouncingitsafeandsound，andthatweshouldhearofitinafewdays。NodoubtIfelttheneedofexaltingmyoracle，butthismethodwaslikelytodestroyitscreditforever。Intruth，ifIhadguessedM。d’O————’sdesign，Iwouldhavecurbedmyvanity，forIhadnowishtomakehimlosealargesumwithoutprofitingmyself。
Theanswermadehimturnpale，andtremblewithjoy。Hetoldusthatsecrecyinthematterwasofthelastimportance，ashehaddeterminedtoinsurethevesselanddriveagoodbargain。Atthis，dreadingtheconsequences，IhastenedtotellhimthatforallIknewtheremightnotbeawordoftruthintheoracle’sreply，andthatI
shoulddieofgriefifIweretheinvoluntarycauseofhislosinganenormoussumofmoneythroughrelyingonanoracle，thehiddensenseofwhichmightbecompletelyopposedtotheliteraltranslation。
\"Haveyoueverbeendeceivedbyit？\"
\"Often。\"
Seeingmydistress，Estherbeggedherfathertotakenofurtherstepsinthematter。Forsomemomentsnobodyspoke。
M。d’O————lookedthoughtfulandfulloftheprojectwhichhisfancyhadpaintedinsuchgaycolours。Hesaidagooddealaboutit，dwellingonthemysticvirtuesofnumbers，andtoldhisdaughtertoreadoutallthequestionsshehadaddressedtotheoraclewiththeanswersshehadreceived。Thereweresixorsevenofthem，allbrieflyworded，somedirectandsomeequivocal。Esther，whohadconstructedthepyramids，hadshone，withmypotentassistance，inextractingtheanswers，whichIhadreallyinvented，andherfather，inthejoyofhisheart，seeinghersoclever，imaginedthatshewouldbecomeanadeptinthesciencebytheforceofintelligence。
ThelovelyEsther，whowasmuchtakenwiththetrifle；wasquitereadytobeofthesameopinion。
Afterpassingseveralhoursinthediscussionoftheanswers，whichmyhostthoughtdivine，wehadsupper，andatpartingM。d’O————saidthatasSundaywasadayforpleasureandnotbusinesshehopedI
wouldhonourthembypassingthedayattheirprettyhouseontheAmstel，andtheyweredelightedatmyacceptingtheirinvitation。
Icouldnothelpponderingoverthemysteriesofthecommercialmind，whichnarrowsitselfdowntoconsiderationsofprofitandloss。
M。d’O————wasdecidedlyanhonestman；butalthoughhewasrich，hewasbynomeansdevoidofthegreedincidenttohisprofession。I
askedmyselfthequestion，howaman，whowouldconsideritdishonourabletostealaducat，ortopickoneupinthestreetandkeepit，knowingtowhomitbelonged，couldreconcileitwithhisconsciencetomakeanenormousprofitbyinsuringavesselofthesafetyofwhichhewasperfectlycertain，ashebelievedtheoracleinfallible。Suchatransactionwascertainlyfraudulent，asitisdishonesttoplaywhenoneiscertainofwinning。
AsIwasgoinghomeIpassedatea—garden，andseeingagoodmanypeoplegoinginandcomingoutIwentincurioustoknowhowtheseplacesweremanagedinHolland。Greatheavens！Ifoundmyselfthewitnessofanorgy，thesceneasortofcellar，aperfectcesspoolofviceanddebauchery。Thediscordantnoiseofthetwoorthreeinstrumentswhichformedtheorchestrastruckgloomtothesoulandaddedtothehorrorsofthecavern。Theairwasdensewiththefumesofbadtobacco，andvapoursreekingofbeerandgarlicissuedfromeverymouth。Thecompanyconsistedofsailors，menofthelowest—
class，andanumberofvilewomen。Thesailorsandthedregsofthepeoplethoughtthisdenagardenofdelight，andconsidereditspleasurescompensationforthetoilsoftheseaandthemiseriesofdailylabour。Therewasnotasinglewomantherewhoseaspecthadanythingredeemingaboutit。Iwaslookingattherepulsivesightinsilence，whenagreathulkingfellow，whoseappearancesuggestedtheblacksmith，andhisvoicetheblackguard，cameuptomeandaskedmeinbadItalianifIwouldliketodance。Iansweredinthenegative，butbeforeleavingmehepointedoutaVenetianwomanwho，hesaid，wouldobligemeifIgavehersomedrink。
WishingtodiscoverifshewasanyoneIknewIlookedatherattentively，andseemedtorecollectherfeatures，althoughIcouldnotdecidewhoshecouldbe。FeelingrathercuriousonthesubjectI
satdownnexttoher，andaskedifshecamefromVenice，andifshehadleftthatcountrysometimeago。
\"Nearlyeighteenyears，\"shereplied。
Iorderedabottleofwine，andaskedifshewouldtakeany；shesaidyes，andadded，ifIliked，shewouldobligeme。
\"Ihaven’ttime，\"Isaid；andIgavethepoorwretchthechangeI
receivedfromthewaiter。Shewasfullofgratitude，andwouldhaveembracedmeifIhadallowedher。
\"DoyoulikebeingatAmsterdambetterthanVenice？\"Iasked。
\"Alas，no！forifIwereinmyowncountryIshouldnotbefollowingthisdreadfultrade。\"
\"HowoldwereyouwhenyouleftVenice。\"
\"Iwasonlyfourteenandlivedhappilywithmyfatherandmother，whonowmayhavediedofgrief。\"
\"Whoseducedyou？\"
\"Arascallyfootman。\"
\"InwhatpartofVenicedidyoulive？\"
\"IdidnotliveinVenice，butatFriuli，notfaroff。\"
Friuli……eighteenyearsago……afootman……Ifeltmoved，andlookingatthewretchedwomanmorecloselyIsoonrecognizedinherLucieofPasean。Icannotdescribemysorrow，whichIconcealedasbestIcould，andtriedhardtokeepupmyindifferentair。Alifeofdebaucheryratherthantheflightoftimehadtarnishedherbeauty，andruinedtheonceexquisiteoutlinesofherform。Lucie，thatinnocentandprettymaiden，grownugly，vile，acommonprostitute！Itwasadreadfulthought。Shedranklikeasailor，withoutlookingatme，andwithoutcaringwhoIwas。Itookafewducatsfrommypurse，andslippedthemintoherhand，andwithoutwaitingforhertofindouthowmuchIhadgivenherIleftthathorribleden。
Iwenttobedfullofsaddeningthoughts。NotevenundertheLeadsdidIpasssowretchedaday。IthoughtImusthaverisenundersomeunhappystar！Iloathedmyself。WithregardtoLucieIfeltthestingofremorse，butatthethoughtofM。d’O————Ihatedmyself。
IconsideredthatIshouldcausehimalossofthreeorfourhundredthousandflorins；andthethoughtwasabitterdropinthecupofmyaffectionforEsther。Ifancied，she，aswellasherfather，wouldbecomemyimplacablefoe；andlovethatisnotreturnedisnoloveatall。
Ispentadreadfulnight。Lucie，Esther，herfather，theirhatredofme，andmyhatredofmyself，werethegroundworkofmydreams。IsawEstherandherfather，ifnotruined，atalleventsimpoverishedbymyfault，andLucieonlythirty—twoyearsold，andalreadydeepintheabyssofvice，withaninfiniteprospectofmiseryandshamebeforeher。Thedawnwaswelcomeindeed，forwithitsappearanceacalmcametomyspirit；itis，thedarknesswhichisterribletoaheartfullofremorse。
Igotupanddressedmyselfinmybest，andwentinacoachtodomysuittothePrincessedeGalitzin，who，wasstayingatthe\"Etoiled’Orient。\"Ifoundherout；shehadgonetotheAdmiralty。Iwentthere，andfoundheraccompaniedbyM。deReissakandtheCountdeTot，whohadjustreceivednewsofmyfriendPesselier，atwhosehouseImadehisacquaintance，andwhowasdangerouslyillwhenI
leftParis。
IsentawaymycoachandbegantowalktowardsM。d’O————’shouseontheAmsel。TheextremeeleganceofmycostumewasdispleasingintheeyesoftheDutchpopulace，andtheyhissedandhootedme，afterthemannerofthemoballtheworldover，Esthersawmecomingfromthewindow，drewtherope，andopenedthedoor。Iranin，shutthedoorbehindme，andasIwasgoingupthewoodenstaircase，onthefourthorfifthstepmyfootstruckagainstsomeyieldingsubstance。I
lookeddownandsawagreenpocket—book。Istoopeddowntopickitup，butwasawkwardenoughtosenditthroughanopeninginthestairs，whichhadbeendoubtlessmadeforthepurposeofgivinglighttoastairbelow。Ididnotstop，butwentupthestepsandwasreceivedwiththeusualhospitality，andontheirexpressingsomewonderastotheunusualbrillianceofmyattireIexplainedthecircumstancesofthecase。EsthersmiledandsaidIlookedquiteanotherperson，butIsawthatbothfatheranddaughterweresadatheart。Esther’sgovernesscameinandsaidsomethingtoherinDutch，atwhich，inevidentdistress，sheranandembracedherfather。
\"Isee，myfriends，thatsomethinghashappenedtoyou。Ifmypresenceisarestraint，treatmewithoutceremony，andbidmego。\"
\"It’snotsogreatanill—hapafterall；Ihaveenoughmoneylefttobearthelosspatiently\"
\"IfImayaskthequestion，whatisthenatureofyourloss？\"
\"Ihavelostagreenpocket—bookcontainingagooddealofmoney，whichifIhadbeenwiseIwouldhaveleftbehind，asIdidnotrequireittillto—morrow。\"
\"Andyoudon’tknowwhereyoulostit？\"
\"Itmusthavebeeninthestreet，butIcan’timaginehowitcanhavehappened。Itcontainedbillsofexchangeforlargeamounts，andofcoursetheydon’tmatter，asIcanstoppaymentofthem，buttherewerealsonotesoftheBankofEnglandforheavysums，andtheyaregone，astheyarepayabletothebearer。LetusgivethankstoGod，mydearchild，thatitisnoworse，andpraytoHimtopreservetouswhatremains，andabovealltokeepusingoodhealth。Ihavehadmuchheavierlossesthanthis，andIhavebeenenablednotonlytobearthemisfortunebuttomakeuptheloss。Letussaynomoreaboutthematter。\"
Whilehewasspeakingmyheartwasfullofjoy，butIkeptupthesadnessbefittingthescene。Ihadnottheslightestdoubtthatthepocket—bookinquestionwastheoneIhadunluckilysentthroughthestaircase，butwhichcouldnotbelostirretrievably。Myfirstpointwashowtomakecapitalofmygranddiscoveryintheinterestsofmycabalisticscience。Itwastoofineanopportunitytobelost，especiallyasIstillfeltthestingofhavingbeenthecauseofanenormouslosstotheworthyman。Iwouldgivethemagrandproofoftheinfallibilityofmyoracle:howmanymiraclesaredoneinthesameway！Thethoughtputmeintoagoodhumour。Ibegantocrackjokes，andmyjestsdrewpealsoflaughterfromEsther。
Wehadanexcellentdinnerandchoicewine。AfterwehadtakencoffeeIsaidthatiftheylikedwewouldhaveagameofcards，butEsthersaidthatthiswouldbeawasteoftime，asshewouldmuchprefermakingtheoracularpyramids。ThiswasexactlywhatIwanted。
\"Withallmyheart，\"Isaid。
\"Wewilldoasyousuggest。\"
\"ShallIaskwheremyfatherlosthispocket—book？\"
\"Whynot？It’saplainquestion:writeitdown。\"
Shemadethepyramid，andthereplywasthatthepocket—bookhadnotbeenfoundbyanyone。Sheleaptupfromherseat，dancedforjoy，andthrewherarmsroundherfather’sneck，saying，\"Weshallfindit，weshallfindit，papa！\"
\"Ihopeso，too，mydear，thatanswerisreallyveryconsoling。\"
WherewithEsthergaveherfatheronekissafteranother。
\"Yes，\"saidI，\"thereiscertainlygroundforhope，buttheoraclewillbedumbtoallquestions。\"
\"Dumb！Why？\"
\"Iwasgoingtosayitwillbedumbifyoudonotgivemeasmanykissesasyouhavegivenyourfather。\"
\"Oh，thenIwillsoonmakeitspeak！\"saidshe，laughing；andthrowingherarmsaboutmyneckshebegantokissme，andItogiveherkissesinreturn。
Ah！whathappydaystheyseemwhenIrecallthem；andstillIlikedwellingonthesedaysdespitemysadoldage，thefoeoflove。WhenIrecalltheseeventsIgrowyoungagainandfeeloncemorethedelightsofyouth，despitethelongyearswhichseparatemefromthathappytime。
AtlastEsthersatdownagain，andasked，\"Whereisthepocket—book？\"
Andthepyramidtoldherthatthepocket—bookhadfallenthroughtheopeninginthefifthstepofthestaircase。
M。d’O————saidtohisdaughter，\"Come，mydearEsther，letusgoandtestthetruthoftheoracle。\"
Andfullofjoyandhopetheywenttothestaircase，Ifollowingthem，andM。d’Oshewedhertheholethroughwhichthepocket—bookmusthavefallen。Helightedacandleandwewentdowntothecellar，andbeforelonghepickedupthebook，whichhadfallenintosomewater。Wewentupagaininhighspirits，andtherewetalkedforoveranhourasseriouslyasyoupleaseonthedivinepowersoftheoracle，which，accordingtothem，shouldrenderitspossessorthehappiestofmortals。
Heopenedthepocket—bookandshewedusthefourthousandpoundnotes。Hegavetwotohisdaughter，andmademetakethetworemaining；butItookthemwithonehandandwiththeothergavethemtoEstherbegginghertokeepthemforme；butbeforeshewouldagreetodosoIhadtothreatenherwiththestoppageofthefamouscabalisticoracle。ItoldM。d’OthatallIaskedwashisfriendship，andthereonheembracedme，andsworetobemyfriendtothedeath。
BymakingthefairEstherthedepositaryofmytwothousandpounds，I
wassureofwinningheraffectionbyanappeal，nottoherinterest，buttohertruthfulness。ThischarminggirlhadabouthersopowerfulanattractionthatIfeltasifmylifewaswoundupwithhers。
ItoldM。d’Othatmychiefobjectwastonegotiatethetwentymillionsatasmallloss。
\"Ihopetobeofservicetoyouinthematter，\"hesaid，\"butasI。
shalloftenwanttospeaktoyou，youmustcomeandliveinourhouse，whichyoumustlookuponasyourown。\"
\"Mypresencewillbearestraintonyou。Ishallbeatrouble。\"
\"AskEsther。\"
Estherjoinedherentreatiestoherfather’sandIgavein，takinggoodcarenottoletthemseehowpleasedIwas。Icontentedmyselfwithexpressingmygratitude，towhichtheyansweredthatitwasI
whoconferredafavour。
M。d’Owentintohiscloset，andassoonasIfoundmyselfalonewithEstherIkissedhertenderly，sayingthatIshouldnotbehappytillIhadwonherheart。
\"Doyouloveme？\"
\"Dearly，andIwilldoallinmypowertoshewhowwellIloveyou，ifyouwilllovemeinreturn。\"
Shegavemeherhand，whichIcoveredwithkisses，andshewentontosay，\"Assoonasyoucomeandlivewithus，youmustlookoutforagoodopportunityforaskingmyhandofmyfather。Youneednotbeafraidhewillrefuseyou，butthefirstthingforyoutodoistomoveintoourhouse。\"
\"Mydearlittlewife！Iwillcometo—morrow。\"
Wesaidmanysweetthingstooneanother，talkedaboutthefuture，andtoldeachotherourinmostthoughts；andIwasundoubtedlytrulyinlove，fornotasingleimproperfancyroseinmymindinthepresenceofmydearwholovedmesowell。
ThefirstthingthatM。d’Osaidonhisreturnwas，thattherewouldbeapieceofnewsontheExchangethenextday。
\"Whatisthat，papadear？\"
\"Ihavedecidedtotakethewholerisk——amountingtothreehundredthousandflorins—oftheshipwhichisthoughttohavegonedown。
Theywillcallmemad，buttheythemselveswillbethemadmen；whichiswhatIshouldbeif，aftertheproofwehavehad，Idoubtedtheoracleanymore。\"
\"Mydearsir，youmakemefrightened。IhavetoldyouthatIhavebeenoftendeceivedbytheoracle。\"
\"Thatmusthavebeen，mydearfellow，whenthereplywasobscure，andyoudidnotgetattherealsenseofit；butinthepresentcasethereisnoroom，fordoubt。Ishallmakethreemillionflorins，or，iftheworstcomestotheworse，mylosswon’truinme。\"
Esther，whomthefindingofthepocket—bookhadmadeenthusiastic，toldherfathertolosenotime。Asforme，IcouldnotrecallwhatIhaddone，butIwasagainoverwhelmedwithsadness。M。d’O————sawit，andtakingmyhandsaid，\"Iftheoracledoesliethistime，I
shallbenonethelessyourfriend。\"
\"Iamgladtohearit，\"Ianswered；\"butasthisisamatteroftheutmostimportance，letmeconsulttheoracleasecondtimebeforeyouriskyourthreehundredthousandflorins。\"Thispropositionpleasedthefatheranddaughterhighly；theycouldnotexpresstheirgratitudetomeforbeingsocarefuloftheirinterests。
Whatfollowedwastrulysurprising——enoughtomakeonebelieveinfatality。Myreadersprobablywillnotbelieveit；butastheseMemoirswillnotbepublishedtillIhaveleftthisworld，itwouldbeofnouseformetodisguisethetruthinanyway，especiallyasthewritingofthemisonlytheamusementofmyleisurehours。Well，lethimwhowillbelieveit；thisisabsolutelywhathappened。I
wrotedownthequestionmyself，erectedthepyramid，andcarriedoutallthemagicalceremonieswithoutlettingEstherhaveahandinit。
Iwasdelightedtobeabletocheckanactofextremeimprudence，andIwasdeterminedtodoso。Adoublemeaning，whichIknewhowtoget，wouldabateM。d’O————’scourageandannihilatehisplans。I
hadthoughtoverwhatIwantedtosay，andIthoughtIhadexpresseditproperlyinthenumbers。Withthatidea，asEstherknewthealphabetperfectlywell，Iletherextracttheanswer，andtransferitintoletters。WhatwasmysurprisewhenIheardherreadthesewords:
\"Inamatterofthiskindneitherfearnorhesitate。Yourrepentancewouldbetoohardforyoutobear。\"
Thatwasenough。Fatheranddaughterrantoembraceme，andM。d’O—
saidthatwhenthevesselwassightedatitheoftheprofitsshouldbemine。Mysurprisepreventedmegivinganyanswer；Ihadintendedtowritetrustandhazard，andIhadwrittenfearandhesitate。Butthankstohisprejudice，M。d’O————onlysawinmysilenceconfirmationoftheinfallibilityoftheoracle。Inshort，Icoulddonothingmore，andItookmyleaveleavingeverythingtothecareofchance，whosometimesiskindtousinspiteofourselves。
ThenextmorningItookupmyabodeinasplendidsuiteofroomsinEsther’shouse，andthedayafterItookhertoaconcert，whereshejokedwithmeonthegriefIshouldendureonaccountoftheabsenceofMadameTrendandmydaughter。Estherwastheonlymistressofmysoul。Ilivedbuttoadoreher，andIshouldhavesatisfiedmylovehadnotEstherbeenagirlofgoodprinciples。Icouldnotgainpossessionofher，andwasfulloflonginganddesire。
Fourorfivedaysaftermyinstallationinmynewquarters，M。d’O———
communicatedtometheresultofaconferencewhichhehadhadwithM。Pelsandsixotherbankersonthetwentymillions。Theyofferedtenmillionsinhardcashandsevenmillionsinpapermoney，bearinginterestatfiveorsixpercent。withadeductionofonepercent。
brokerage。Furthermore，theywouldforgiveasumoftwelvehundredthousandflorinsowedbytheFrenchIndiaCompanytotheDutchCompany。
WithsuchconditionsIcouldnotventuretodecideonmyownresponsibility，although，personally，Ithoughtthemreasonableenough，theimpoverishedstateoftheFrenchtreasurybeingtakenintoconsideration。IsentcopiesoftheproposaltoM。deBoulogneandM。d’Afri，beggingfromthemanimmediatereply。AttheendofaweekIreceivedananswerinthewritingofM。deCourteil，actingforM。deBoulogne，instructingmetorefuseabsolutelyanysuchproposal，andtoreportmyselfatParisifIsawnochanceofmakingabetterbargain。Iwasagaininformedthatpeacewasimminent，thoughtheDutchwerequiteofanotheropinion。
InallprobabilityIshouldhaveimmediatelyleftforParis，butforacircumstancewhichastonishednobodybutmyselfinthefamilyofwhichIhadbecomeamember。TheconfidenceofM。d’O————increasedeveryday，andasifchancewasdeterminedtomakemeaprophetinspiteofmyself，newswasreceivedoftheshipwhichwasbelievedtobelost，andwhich，onthefaithofmyoracle，M。d’Ohadboughtforthreehundredthousandflorins。ThevesselwasatMadeira。ThejoyofEsther，andstillmoremyown，maybeimaginedwhenwesawtheworthymanenterthehousetriumphantlywithconfirmationofthegoodnews。
\"IhaveinsuredthevesselfromMadeiratothemouthoftheTexelforatrifle，\"saidhe，\"andso，\"turningtome，\"youmaycountfromthismomentonthetenthpartoftheprofit，whichIoweentirelytoyou。\"
Thereadermayimaginemydelight；butthereisonethinghewillnotimagine，unlessheknowsmycharacterbetterthanIdomyself，theconfusionintowhichIwasthrownbythefollowingremarks:
\"Youarenowrichenough，\"saidM。d’O————，\"tosetupforyourselfamongstus，andyouarepositivelycertaintomakeanenormousfortuneinashorttimemerelybymakinguseofyourcabala。Iwillbeyouragent；letuslivetogether，andifyoulikemydaughterasshelikesyou，youcancallyourselfmysonassoonasyouplease。\"
InEsther’sfaceshoneforthjoyandhappiness，andinmine，thoughI
adoredher，therewastobeseen，alas！nothingbutsurprise。IwasstupidwithhappinessandtheconstraintinwhichIheldmyself。I
didnotanalyzemyfeelings，but，thoughIknewitnot，therecanbenodoubtthatmyinsuperableobjectiontothemarriagetiewasworkingwithinmysoul。Alongsilencefollowed；andlast，recoveringmypowersofspeech，Isucceeded，withaneffort，inspeakingtothemofmygratitude，myhappiness，mylove，andIendedbysayingthat，inspiteofmyaffectionforEsther，Imust，beforesettlinginHolland，returntoParis，anddischargetheconfidentialandresponsibledutywhichtheGovernmenthadplacedinmyhands。I
wouldthenreturntoAmsterdamperfectlyindependent。
Thislongperorationwontheirapproval。Estherwasquitepleased，andwespenttherestofthedayingoodspirits。NextdayM。d’O———
gaveasplendiddinnertoseveralofhisfriends，whocongratulatedhimonhisgoodfortune，beingpersuadedthathiscourageousactionwastobeexplainedbyhishavinghadsecretinformationofthesafetyofthevessel，thoughnoneofthemcouldseefromwhatsourcehe，andheonly，hadobtainedit。
Aweekafterthisluckyeventhegavemeanultimatumonthematterofthetwentymillions，inwhichheguaranteedthatFranceshouldnotlosemorethanninepercent。inthetransaction。
IimmediatelysentacopyofhisproposaltoM。d’Afri，begginghimtobeaspromptaspossible，andanothercopytothecomptroller—
general，withaletterinwhichIwarnedhimthatthethingwouldcertainlyfallthroughifhedelayedasingledayinsendingfullpowerstoM。d’Afritogivemethenecessaryauthoritytoact。
IwrotetothesameeffecttoM。deCourteilandtheDucdeChoiseul，tellingthemthatIwastoreceivenobrokerage；butthatIshouldallthesameacceptaproposalwhichIthoughtaprofitableone，andsayingthatIhadnodoubtofobtainingmyexpensesfromtheFrenchGovernment。
Asitwasatimeofrejoicingwithus，M。d’O————thoughtitwouldbeagoodplantogiveaball。AllthemostdistinguishedpeopleinAmsterdamwereinvitedtoit。Theballandsupperwereofthemostsplendiddescription，andEsther，whowasablazeofdiamonds，dancedallthequadrilleswithme，andcharmedeverybeholderbyhergraceandbeauty。
IspentallmytimewithEsther，andeverydaywegrewmoreandmoreinlove，andmoreunhappy，forweweretormentedbyabstinence，whichirritatedwhileitincreasedourdesires。
Estherwasanaffectionatemistress，butdiscreetratherbytrainingthandispositionthefavourssheaccordedmewereofthemostinsignificantdescription。Shewaslavishofnothingbutherkisses，butkissesareratherirritatingthansoothing。Iusedtobenearlywildwithlove。Shetoldme，likeothervirtuouswomen，thatifsheagreedtomakemehappyshewassureIwouldnotmarryher，andthatassoonasImadehermywifeshewouldbemineandmineonly。ShedidnotthinkIwasmarried，forIhadgivenhertoomanyassurancestothecontrary，butshethoughtIhadastrongattachmenttosomeoneinParis。Iconfessedthatshewasright，andsaidthatIwasgoingtheretoputanendtoitthatImightbeboundtoheralone。Alas！
IliedwhenIsaidso，forEstherwasinseparablefromherfather，amanofforty，andIcouldnotmakeupmymindtopasstheremainderofmydaysinHolland。
Tenortwelvedaysaftersendingtheultimatum，IreceivedaletterfromM。deBoulogneinformingmethatM。d’Afrihadallnecessaryinstructionsforeffectingtheexchangeofthetwentymillions，andanotherletterfromtheambassadorwastothesameeffect。Hewarnedmetotakecarethateverythingwasright，asheshouldnotpartwiththesecuritiesbeforereceiving18，200，000francsincurrentmoney。
Thesadtimeofpartingatlastdrewnear，amidmanyregretsandtearsfromallofus。EsthergavemethetwothousandpoundsIhadwonsoeasily，andherfatheratmyrequestgavemebillsofexchangetotheamountofahundredthousandflorins，withanoteoftwohundredthousandflorinsauthorizingmetodrawuponhimtillthewholesumwasexhausted。JustasIwasgoing，Esthergavemefiftyshirtsandfiftyhandkerchiefsofthefinestquality。
ItwasnotmyloveforManonBaletti，butafoolishvanityandadesiretocutafigureintheluxuriouscityofParis，whichmademeleaveHolland。ButsuchwasthedispositionthatMotherNaturehadgivenmethatfifteenmonthsunderTheLeadshadnotbeenenoughtocurethismentalmaladyofmine。ButwhenIreflectuponaftereventsofmylifeIamnotastonishedthatTheLeadsprovedineffectual，forthenumberlessvicissitudeswhichIhavegonethroughsincehavenotcuredme——mydisorder，indeed，beingoftheincurablekind。Thereisnosuchthingasdestiny。Weourselvesshapeourlives，notwithstandingthatsayingoftheStoics，’Volentemducit，nolentemtrahit’。
AfterpromisingEsthertoreturnbeforetheendoftheyear，IsetoutwithaclerkofthecompanywhohadbroughttheFrenchsecurities，andIreachedtheHague，whereBoazreceivedmewithamingledairofwonderandadmiration。HetoldmethatIhadworkedamiracle；\"but，\"headded，\"tosucceedthusyoumusthavepersuadedthemthatpeacewasonthepointofbeingconcluded。\"
\"Bynomeans，\"Ianswered；\"sofarfrommypersuadingthem，theyareoftheoppositeopinion；butallthesameImaytellyouthatpeaceisreallyimminent。\"
\"Ifyouliketogivemethatassuranceinwriting，\"saidhe，\"Iwillmakeyouapresentoffiftythousandflorins’worthofdiamonds。\"
\"Well，\"Ianswered，\"theFrenchambassadorisofthesameopinionasmyself；butIdon’tthinkthecertaintyissufficientlygreatasyetforyoutoriskyourdiamondsuponit。\"
NextdayIfinishedmybusinesswiththeambassador，andtheclerkreturnedtoAmsterdam。
IwenttosupperatTherese’s，andfoundherchildrenverywelldressed。ItoldhertogoontoRotterdamthenextdayandwaitformetherewithherson，asIhadnowishtogivescandalattheHague。
AtRotterdam，TheresetoldmethatsheknewIhadwonhalfamillionatAmsterdam，andthatherfortunewouldbemadeifshecouldleaveHollandforLondon。ShehadinstructedSophietotellmethatmygoodluckwastheeffectoftheprayersshehadaddressedtoHeavenonmybehalf。Isawwherethelandlay，andIenjoyedagoodlaughatthemother’scraftandthechild’spiety，andgaveherahundredducats，tellingherthatsheshouldhaveanotherhundredwhenshewrotetomefromLondon。Itwasveryevidentthatshethoughtthesumaverymoderateone，butIwouldnotgiveheranymore。ShewaitedforthemomentwhenIwasgettingintomycarriagetobegmetogiveheranotherhundredducats，andIsaid，inalowtone，thatsheshouldhaveathousandifshewouldgivemeherdaughter。Shethoughtitoverforaminute，andthensaidthatshecouldnotpartwithher。
\"Iknowverywellwhy，\"Ianswered；anddrawingawatchfrommyfobI
gaveittoSophie，embracedher，andwentonmyway。IarrivedatParisonFebruary10th，andtooksumptuousapartmentsneartheRueMontorgueil。
CHAPTERVI
IMeetWithaFlatteringReceptionFromMyPatron——MadameD’Urfe’sInfatuation——MadameX。C。V。AndHerFamily——MadameduRumainDuringmyjourneyfromtheHaguetoParis，shortasitwas，Ihadplentyofopportunitiesforseeingthatthementalqualitiesofmyadoptedsonwerebynomeansequaltohisphysicalones。
AsIhadsaid，thechiefpointwhichhismotherhadimpressedonhimwasreserve，whichshehadinstilledintohimoutofregardforherowninterests。MyreaderswillunderstandwhatImean，butthechild，infollowinghismother’sinstructions，hadgonebeyondtheboundsofmoderation；hepossessedreserve，itistrue，buthewasalsofullofdissimulation，suspicion，andhypocrisy——afinetrioofdeceitinonewhowasstillaboy。Henotonlyconcealedwhatheknew，buthepretendedtoknowthatwhichhedidnot。Hisideaoftheonequalitynecessarytosuccessinlifewasanimpenetrablereserve，andtoobtainthishehadaccustomedhimselftosilencethedictatesofhisheart，andtosaynowordthathadnotbeencarefullyweighed。Givingotherpeoplewrongimpressionspassedwithhimfordiscretion，andhissoulbeingincapableofagenerousthought，heseemedlikelytopassthroughlifewithoutknowingwhatfriendshipmeant。
KnowingthatMadamed’Urfecountedontheboyfortheaccomplishmentofherabsurdhypostasis，andthatthemoremysteryImadeofhisbirththemoreextravagantwouldbeherfanciesaboutit，ItoldtheladthatifIintroducedhimtoaladywhoquestionedhimbyhimselfabouthisbirth，hewastobeperfectlyopenwithher。
OnmyarrivalatParismyfirstvisitwastomypatron，whomIfoundingrandcompanyamongstwhomIrecognizedtheVenetianambassador，whopretendednottoknowme。
\"HowlonghaveyoubeeninParis？\"saidtheminister，takingmebythehand。
\"Ihaveonlyjuststeppedoutofmychaise。\"
\"ThengotoVersailles。YouwillfindtheDucdeChoiseulandthecomptroller—generalthere。Youhavebeenwonderfullysuccessful，goandgetyourmeedofpraiseandcomeandseemeafterwards。TellthedukethatVoltaire’sappointmenttobeagentleman—in—ordinarytothekingisready。\"
IwasnotgoingtostartforVersaillesatmidday，butministersinParisarealwaystalkinginthisstyle，asifVersailleswereattheendofthestreet。Insteadofgoingthere，IwenttoseeMadamed’Urfe。
ShereceivedmewiththewordsthathergeniushadinformedherthatIshouldcometo—day，andthatshewasdelightedwiththefulfilmentoftheprophecy。
\"CornemantellsmethatyouhavebeendoingwondersinHolland；butI
seemoreinthematterthanhedoes，asIamquitecertainthatyouhavetakenoverthetwentymillionsyourself。Thefundshaverisen，andahundredmillionsatleastwillbeincirculationinthecourseofthenextweek。Youmustnotbeoffendedatmyshabbypresent，for，ofcourse，twelvethousandfrancsarenothingtoyou。Youmustlookuponthemasalittletokenoffriendship。\"
\"Iamgoingtotellmyservantstocloseallthedoors，forIamtoogladtoseeyounottowanttohaveyoualltomyself。\"
AprofoundbowwastheonlyreplyImadetothisflatteringspeech，andIsawhertremblewithjoywhenItoldherthatIhadbroughtaladoftwelvewithme，whomIintendedtoplaceinthebestschoolI
couldfindthathemighthaveagoodeducation。
\"IwillsendhimmyselftoViar，wheremynephewsare。Whatishisname？Whereishe？Iknowwellwhatthisboyis，Ilongtoseehim。Whydidyounotalightfromyourjourneyatmyhouse？\"
Herquestionsandrepliesfollowedoneanotherinrapidsuccession。
Ishouldhavefounditimpossibletogetinawordedgeways，evenifIhadwantedto，butIwasverygladtoletherexpendherenthusiasm，andtookgoodcarenottointerrupther。Onthefirstopportunity，ItoldherthatIshouldhavethepleasureofpresentingtheyounggentlemantoherthedayaftertomorrow，asonthemorrowI
hadanengagementatVersailles。
\"DoesthedearladspeakFrench？WhileIamarrangingforhisgoingtoschoolyoumustreallylethimcomeandlivewithme。\"
\"Wewilldiscussthatquestiononthedayaftertomorrow，madam。\"
\"Oh，howIwishthedayafterto—morrowwashere！\"
OnleavingMadamed’UrfeIwenttomylotteryofficeandfoundeverythinginperfectorder。IthenwenttotheItalianplay，andfoundSilviaandherdaughterintheirdressing—room。
\"Mydearfriend，\"saidshewhenshesawme，\"IknowthatyouhaveachievedawonderfulsuccessinHolland，andIcongratulateyou。\"
\"IgaveheranagreeablesurprisebysayingthatIhadbeenworkingforherdaughter，andMarionherselfblushed，andloweredhereyesinaverysuggestivemanner。\"Iwillbewithyouatsupper，\"Iadded，\"andthenwecantalkatourease。\"OnleavingthemIwenttotheamphitheatre，andwhatwasmysurprisetosee’inoneofthefirstboxesMadameX————C————V————，withallherfamily。Myreaderswillbegladtoheartheirhistory。
MadameX————C————V————，bybirthaGreek，wasthewidowofanEnglishman，bywhomshehadsixchildren，fourofwhomweregirls。