\"Weshallbepleasedtoheartheendofthestorywithoutanyonebeinginformedofourinnocentcuriosity。\"
Withthesewords，alongbenedictiondeliveredwithmuchunctioninformedmethatmyaudiencewasatanend。
AsIwasleavingHisHoliness’spalace，Iwasaccostedbyanoldabbe，whoaskedmerespectfullyifIwerenottheM。CasanovawhohadescapedfromTheLeads。
\"Yes，\"saidI，\"Iamtheman。\"
\"Heavenbepraised，worthysir，thatIseeyouagaininsuchgoodestate！\"
\"ButwhomhaveIthehonourofaddressing？\"
\"Don’tyourecollectme？IamMomolo，formerlygondolieratVenice。\"
\"Haveyouenteredholyorders，then？\"
\"Notatall，buthereeveryonewearsthecassock。Iamthefirstscopatore（sweeper）ofHisHolinessthePope。\"
\"Icongratulateyouonyourappointment，butyoumustn’tmindmelaughing。\"
\"Laughasmuchasyoulike。MywifeanddaughterslaughwhenI
putonthecassockandbands，andIlaughmyself，butherethedressgainsonerespect。Comeandseeus。\"
\"Wheredoyoulive？\"
\"BehindtheTrinityofMonti；here’smyaddress。\"
\"Iwillcometo—night。\"
Iwenthomedelightedwiththismeeting，anddeterminedtoenjoytheeveningwithmyVenetianboatman。Igotmybrothertocomewithme，andItoldhimhowthePopehadreceivedme。
TheAbbeWinckelmanncameintheafternoonandinformedmethatI
wasfortunateenoughtobehighinfavourwithhiscardinal，andthatthebookIhadsenthimwasveryvaluable；itwasararework，andinmuchbetterconditionthantheVaticancopy。
\"Iamcommissionedtopayyouforit。\"
\"Ihavetoldhiseminencethatitwasapresent。\"
\"Heneveracceptsbooksaspresents，andhewantsyoursforhisownlibrary；andasheislibrarianoftheVaticanLibraryheisafraidlestpeoplemightsayunpleasantthings。\"
\"That’sverywell，butIamnotabookseller；andasthisbookonlycostmethetroubleofacceptingit，Iamdeterminedonlytosellitatthesameprice。Prayaskthecardinaltohonourmebyacceptingit。\"
\"Heissuretosenditbacktoyou。\"
\"Hecanifhelikes，butIwillsendbackhisfuneraloration，asIamnotgoingtobeunderanobligationtoanyonewhorefusestotakeapresentfromme。\"
NextmorningtheeccentriccardinalreturnedmemyPandects，andI
immediatelyreturnedhisfuneraloration，withaletterinwhichI
pronounceditamasterpieceofcomposition，thoughIlaidbarelyglancedoveritinreality。MybrothertoldmeIwaswrong，butI
didnottroublewhathesaid，notcaringtoguidemyselfbyhisrulings。
IntheeveningmybrotherandIwenttothe’scopatoresantissimo’，whowasexpectingme，andhadannouncedmetohisfamilyasaprodigyofaman。Iintroducedmybrother，andproceededtoaclosescrutinyofthefamily。Isawanelderlywoman，fourgirls，ofwhomtheeldestwastwenty—four，twosmallboys，andabovealluniversalugliness。Itwasnotinvitingforamanofvoluptuoustastes，butIwasthere，andthebestthingwastoputagoodfaceonit；soIstayedandenjoyedmyself。Besidesthegeneralugliness，thehouseholdpresentedthepictureofmisery，forthe’scopatoresantissimo’andhisnumerousfamilywereobligedtoliveontwohundredRomancrownsayear，andastherearenoperquisitesattachedtotheofficeofapostolicsweeper，hewascompelledtofurnishallneedsoutofthisslendersum。InspiteofthatMomolowasamostgenerousman。Assoonashesawmeseatedhetoldmeheshouldhavelikedtogivemeagoodsupper，buttherewasonlyporkchopsandapolenta。
\"Theyareverynice，\"saidI；\"butwillyouallowmetosendforhalfadozenflasksofOrvietofrommylodging？\"
\"Youaremasterhere。\"
IwroteanotetoCosta，tellinghimtobringthesixflasksdirectly，withacookedham。Hecameinhalfanhour，andthefourgirlscriedwhentheysawhim，\"Whatafinefellow！\"IsawCostawasdelightedwiththisreception，andsaidtoMomolo，\"IfyoulikehimaswellasyourgirlsIwilllethimstay。\"
Costawascharmedwithsuchhonourbeingshewnhim，andafterthankingmewentintothekitchentohelpthemotherwiththepolenta。
Thelargetablewascoveredwithacleancloth，andsoonaftertheybroughtintwohugedishesofpolentaandanenormouspanfullofchops。Wewerejustgoingtobeginwhenaknockingonthestreetdoorwasheard。
\"’TisSignoraMariaandhermother，\"saidoneoftheboys。
AtthisannouncementIsawthefourgirlspullingawryface。
\"Whoaskedthem？\"saidone。\"Whatdotheywant？\"saidanother。
\"Whattroublesomepeopletheyare！\"saidathird。\"Theymighthavestayedathome，\"saidthefourth。Butthegood，kindlyfathersaid，\"Mychildren，theyarehungry，andtheyshallsharewhatProvidencehasgivenus。\"
Iwasdeeplytouchedwiththeworthyman’skindness。IsawthattrueChristiancharityismoreoftentobefoundinthebreastsofthepoorthantherich，whoaresowellprovidedforthattheycannotfeelforthewantsofothers。
WhileIwasmakingthesewholesomereflectionsthetwohungryonescamein。Onewasayoungwomanofamodestandpleasantaspect，andtheotherhermother，whoseemedveryhumbleandasifashamedoftheirpoverty。Thedaughtersalutedthecompanywiththatnaturalgracewhichisagiftofnature，apologizinginsomeconfusionforherpresence，andsayingthatshewouldnothavetakenthelibertytocomeifshehadknowntherewascompany。TheworthyMomolowastheonlyonewhoansweredher，andhesaid，kindly，thatshehaddonequiterighttocome，andputherachairbetweenmybrotherandmyself。Ilookedatherandthoughtheraperfectbeauty。
Thentheeatingbeganandtherewasnomoretalking。Thepolentawasexcellent，thechopsdelicious，andthehamperfect，andinlessthananhourtheboardwasasbareasiftherehadbeennothingonit；buttheOrvietokeptthecompanyingoodspirts。
Theybegantotalkofthelotterywhichwastobedrawnthedayafternext，andallthegirlsmentionedthenumbersonwhichtheyhadriskedafewbajocchi。
\"IfIcouldbesureofonenumber，\"saidI，\"Iwouldstakesomethingonit。\"
MariucciatoldmethatifIwantedanumbershecouldgivemeone。
Ilaughedatthisoffer，butinthegravestwayshenamedmethenumber27。
\"Isthelotterystillopen？\"IaskedtheAbbeMomolo。
\"Tillmidnight，\"hereplied，\"andifyoulikeIwillgoandgetthenumberforyou。\"
\"Herearefiftycrowns，\"saidI，\"puttwenty—fivecrownson27—
thisforthesefiveyoungladies；andtheothertwenty—fiveon27
comingoutthefifthnumber，andthisIwillkeepformyself。\"
Hewentoutdirectlyandreturnedwiththetwotickets。
Myprettyneighbourthankedmeandsaidshewassureofwinning，butthatshedidnotthinkIshouldsucceedasitwasnotprobablethat27wouldcomeoutfifth。
\"Iamsureofit，\"Ianswered，\"foryouarethefifthyoungladyI
sawinthishouse。\"Thismadeeverybodylaugh。Momolo’swifetoldmeIwouldhavedonemuchbetterifIhadgiventhemoneytothepoor，butherhusbandtoldhertobequiet，asshedidnotknowmyintent。Mybrotherlaughed，andtoldmeIhaddoneafoolishthing。\"Ido，sometimes，\"saidI，\"butweshallseehowitturnsout，andwhenoneplaysoneisobligedeithertowinorlose。\"
Imanagedtosqueezemyfairneighbour’shand，andshereturnedthepressurewithallherstrength。FromthattimeIknewthatmyfatewithMariucciawassealed。Ileftthematmidnight，beggingtheworthyMomolotoaskmeagainintwodays’time，thatwemightrejoicetogetheroverourgains。OnourwayhomemybrothersaidIhadeitherbecomeasrichasCroesusorhadgonemad。Itoldhimthatbothsuppositionswereincorrect，butthatMariucciawasashandsomeasanangel，andheagreed。
NextdayMengsreturnedtoRome，andIsuppedwithhimandhisfamily。Hehadanexceedinglyuglysister，whoforallthat，wasagoodandtalentedwoman。Shehadfallendeeplyinlovewithmybrother，anditwaseasytoseethattheflamewasnotyetextinguished，butwhenevershespoketohim，whichshedidwhenevershecouldgetanopportunity，helookedanotherway。
Shewasanexquisitepainterofminiatures，andacapitalhandatcatchingalikeness。TothebestofmybeliefsheisstilllivingatRomewithMaroniherhusband。Sheoftenusedtospeakofmybrothertome，andonedayshesaidthathemustbethemostthanklessofmenorhewouldnotdespiseherso。Iwasnotcuriousenoughtoenquirewhatclaimshehadtohisgratitude。
Mengs’swifewasagoodandprettywoman，attentivetoherhouseholddutiesandverysubmissivetoherhusband，thoughshecouldnothavelovedhim，forhewasanythingbutamiable。Hewasobstinateandfierceinhismanner，andwhenhedinedathomehemadeapointofnotleavingthetablebeforehewasdrunk；outofhisownhousehewastemperatetotheextentofnotdrinkinganythingbutwater。Hiswifecarriedherobediencesofarastoserveashismodelforallthenudefigureshepainted。Ispoketoheronedayaboutthisunpleasantobligation，andshesaidthatherconfessorhadchargedhertofulfilit，\"for，\"saidhe，\"ifyourhusbandhasanotherwomanforamodelhewillbesuretoenjoyherbeforepaintingher，andthatsinwouldbelaidtoyourcharge。\"
Aftersupper，Winckelmann，whowasasfargoneasalltheothermaleguests，playedwithMengs’schildren。Therewasnothingofthepedantaboutthisphilosopher；helovedchildrenandyoungpeople，andhischeerfuldispositionmadehimdelightinallkindsofenjoyment。
Nextday，asIwasgoingtopaymycourttothePope，IsawMomolointhefirstante—chamber，andItookcaretoremindhimofthepolentafortheevening。
AssoonasthePopesawme，hesaid，——
\"TheVenetianambassadorhasinformedusthatifyouwishtoreturntoyournativeland，youmustgoandpresentyourselfbeforethesecretaryoftheTribunal。\"
\"MostHolyFather，Iamquitereadytotakethisstep，ifYourHolinesswillgrantmealetterofcommendationwrittenwithyourownhand。WithoutthispowerfulprotectionIshouldneverdreamofexposingmyselftotheriskofbeingagainshutupinaplacefromwhichIescapedbyamiracleandthehelpoftheAlmighty。\"
\"Youaregailydressed；youdonotlookasifyouweregoingtochurch。\"
\"True，mostHolyFather，butneitheramIgoingtoaball。\"
\"Wehaveheardallaboutthepresentsbeingsentback。Confessthatyoudidsotogratifyyourpride。\"
\"Yes，butalsotolowerapridegreaterthanmine。\"
ThpPopesmiledatthisreply，andIkneltdownandbeggedhimtopermitmetopresentthevolumeofPandectstotheVaticanLibrary。Bywayofreplyhegavemehisblessing，whichsignifies，inpapallanguage，\"Rise；yourrequestisgranted。\"
\"Wewillsendyou，\"saidhe，\"amarkofoursingularaffectionforyouwithoutyourhavingtopayanyfees。\"
Asecondblessingbidmebegone。Ihaveoftenfeltwhatagoodthingitwouldbeifthiskindofdismissalcouldbeemployedingeneralsocietytosendawayimportunatepetitioners，towhomonedoesnotdaresay，\"Begone。\"
IwasextremelycurioustoknowwhatthePopehadmeantby\"amarkofoursingularaffection。\"Iwasafraidthatitwouldbeablessedrosary，withwhichIshouldnothaveknownwhattodo。
WhenIgothomeIsentthebookbyCostatotheVatican，andthenIwenttodinewithMengs。Whilewewereeatingthesoupthewinningnumbersfromthelotterywerebroughtin。Mybrotherglancedatthemandlookedatmewithastonishment。Iwasnotthinkingofthesubjectatthatmoment，andhisgazesurprisedme。
\"Twenty—seven，\"hecried，\"cameoutfifth。\"
\"Allthebetter，\"saidI，\"weshallhavesomeamusementoutofit。\"
ItoldthestorytoMengs，whosaid，——
\"It’saluckyfollyforyouthistime；butitalwaysisafolly。\"
Hewasquiteright，andItoldhimthatIagreedwithhim；butI
addedthattomakeaworthyuseofthefifteenhundredromancrownswhichfortunehadgivenme，IshouldgoandspendfifteendaysatNaples。
\"Iwillcometoo，\"saidtheAbbeAlfani。\"Iwillpassforyoursecretary。\"
\"Withallmyheart，\"Ianswered，\"Ishallkeepyoutoyourword。\"
IaskedWinckelmanntocomeandeatpolentawiththescopatoresantissimo，andtoldmybrothertoshewhimtheway；andIthencalledontheMarquisBelloni，mybanker，tolookintomyaccounts，andtogetaletterofcreditonthefirmatNaples，whowerehisagents。Istillhadtwohundredthousandfrancs:Ihadjewelleryworththirtythousandfrancs，andfiftythousandflorinsatAmsterdam。
IgottoMomolo’sintheduskoftheevening，andIfoundWinckelmannandmybrotheralreadythere；butinsteadofmirthreigningroundtheboardIsawsadfacesonallsides。
\"What’sthematterwiththegirls？\"IaskedMomolo。
\"Theyarevexedthatyoudidnotstakefortheminthesamewayasyoudidforyourself。\"
\"Peopleareneversatisfied。IfIhadstakedforthemasIdidformyself，andthenumberhadcomeoutfirstinsteadoffifth，，theywouldhavegotnothing，andtheywouldhavebeenvexedthen。
Twodaysagotheyhadnothing，andnowthattheyhavetwenty—sevenpoundsapiecetheyoughttobecontented。\"
\"That’sjustwhatItelltheir，butallwomenarethesame。\"
\"Andmentoo，dearcountryman，unlesstheyarephilosophers。Golddoesnotspellhappiness，andmirthcanonlybefoundinheartsdevoidofcare。Letussaynomoreaboutit，butbehappy。\"
Costaplacedabasketcontainingtenpacketsofsweets，uponthetable。
\"Iwilldistributethem，\"saidI，\"wheneverybodyishere。\"
Onthis，Momolo’sseconddaughtertoldmethatMariucciaandhermotherwerenotcoming，butthattheywouldsendthemthesweets。
\"Whyaretheynotcoming？\"
\"Theyhadaquarrelyesterday，\"saidthefather，\"andMariuccia，whowasintheright，wentawaysayingthatshewouldnevercomehereagain。\"
\"Youungratefulgirls！\"saidI，tomyhost’sdaughters，\"don’tyouknowthatitistoherthatyouoweyourwinnings，forshegavemethenumbertwenty—seven，whichIshouldneverhavethoughtof。
Quick！thinkofsomewaytomakehercome，orIwillgoawayandtakeallthesweetswithme。\"
\"Youarequiteright，\"saidMomolo。
Themortifiedgirlslookedatoneanotherandbeggedtheirfathertofetchher。
\"Ira，\"saidhe，\"thatwon’tdo；youmadehersaythatshewouldnevercomehereagain，andyoumustmakeupthequarrel。\"
Theyheldashortconsultation，andthen，askingCostatogowiththem，theywenttofetchher。
Inhalfanhourtheyreturnedintriumph，andCostawasquiteproudoftheparthehadtakeninthereconciliation。Ithendistributedthesweets，takingcaretogivethetwobestpacketstothefairMary。
Anoblepolentawasplacedupontheboard，flankedbytwolargedishesofporkchops。ButMomolo，whoknewmytastes，andwhomI
hadmaderichinthepersonofhisdaughters，addedtothefeastsomedelicatedishesandsomeexcellentwine。Mariucciawassimplydressed，buthereleganceandbeautyandthemodestyofherdemeanourcompletelyseducedme。
Wecouldonlyexpressourmutualflamesbysqueezingeachother’shands；andshedidthissofeelinglythatIcouldnotdoubtherlove。AsweweregoingoutItookcaretogodownstairsbesideherandaskedifIcouldnotmeetherbyherself，towhichsherepliedbymakinganappointmentwithmefarthenextdayateighto’clockattheTrinityofMonti。
Mariucciawastall:andshapely，aperfectpicture，asfairasawhiterose，andcalculatedtoinspirevoluptuousdesires。Shehadbeautifullightbrownhair，darkblueeyes，andexquisitelyarchedeyelids。Hermouth，thevermilionofherlips，andherivoryteethwereallperfect。Herwell—shapedforeheadgaveheranairapproachingthemajestic。Kindnessandgaietysparkledinhereyes；whileherplumpwhitehands，herroundedfinger—tips，herpinknails，herbreast，whichthecorsetseemedscarcelyabletorestrain，herdaintyfeet，andherprominenthips，madeherworthyofthechiselofPraxiteles。Shewasjustonhereighteenthyear，andsofarhadescapedtheconnoisseurs。ByaluckychanceIcameacrossherinapoorandwretchedstreet，andIwasfortunateenoughtoinsureherhappiness。
ItmayeasilybebelievedthatIdidnotfailtokeeptheappointment，andwhenshewassureIhadseenhershewentoutofthechurch。Ifollowedherataconsiderabledistance:sheenteredaruinedbuilding，andIafterher。Sheclimbedaflightofstepswhichseemedtobebuiltinair，andwhenshehadreachedthetopsheturned。
\"Noonewillcomeandlookformehere，\"saidshe，\"sowecantalkfreelytogether。\"
Isatbesideheronastone，andIthendeclaredmypassionateloveforher。
\"Tellme，\"Iadded，\"whatIcandotomakeyouhappy；forIwishtopossessyou，butfirsttoshewmydeserts。\"
\"Makemehappy，andIwillyieldtoyourdesires，forIloveyou。\"
\"TellmewhatIcando。\"
\"Youcandrawmeoutofthepovertyandmiserywhichoverwhelmme。
Ilivewithmymother，whoisagoodwoman，butdevouttothepointofsuperstition；shewilldamnmysoulinhereffortstosaveit。Shefindsfaultwithmykeepingmyselfclean，becauseIhavetotouchmyselfwhenIwash，andthatmightgiverisetoevildesires。
Ifyouhadgivenmethemoneyyoumademewininthelotteryasasimplealmsshewouldhavemademerefuseit，becauseyoumighthavehadintentions。Sheallowsmetogobymyselftomassbecauseourconfessortoldhershemightdoso；butIdarenotstayawayaminutebeyondthetime，exceptonfeastdays，whenI
amallowedtoprayinthechurchfortwoorthreehours。Wecanonlymeethere，butifyouwishtosoftenmylotinlifeyoucandosoasfollows:
\"Afineyoungman，whoisahairdresser，andbearsanexcellentcharacter，sawmeatMomolo’safortnightago，andmetmeatthechurchdoornextdayandgavemealetter。Hedeclaredhimselfmylover，andsaidthatifIcouldbringhimadowryoffourhundredcrowns，hecouldopenashop，furnishit，andmarryme。
\"’Iampoor，’Ianswered，’andIhaveonlyahundredcrownsincharitytickets，whichmyconfessorkeepsforme。’NowIhavetwohundredcrowns，forifImarry，mymotherwillwillinglygivemehershareofthemoneyyoumadeusgain。Youcanthereforemakemehappybygettingmeticketstotheamountoftwohundredcrownsmore。Taketheticketstomyconfessor，whoisaverygoodmanandfondofme；hewillnotsayanythingtomymotheraboutit。\"
\"Ineedn’tgoaboutseekingforcharitytickets，myangel。Iwilltaketwohundredpiastrestoyourconfessorto—morrow，andyoumustmanagetherestyourself。Tellmehisname，andto—morrowI
willtellyouwhatIhavedone，butnothere，asthewindandthecoldwouldbethedeathofme。Youcanleavemetofindoutaroomwhereweshallbeatourease，andwithoutanydangerofpeople。suspectingthatwehavespentanhourtogether。Iwillmeetyouatthechurchto—morrowatthesamehourandwhenyouseemefollowme。\"
Mariucciatoldmeherconfessor’sname，andallowedmeallthe。
caressespossibleinouruncomfortableposition。Thekissesshegavemeinreturnformineleftnodoubtinmymind，astoherloveforme。Asnineo’clockstruckIlefther，perishingwithcold，butburningwithdesire；myonlythoughtbeingwheretofindaroominwhichImightpossessmyselfofthetreasurethenextday。
Onleavingtheruinedpalace，insteadofreturningtothePiazzadiSpagnaIturnedtotheleftandpassedalonganarrowanddirtystreetonlyinhabitedbypeopleofthelowestsort。AsIslowlywalkedalong，awomancameoutofherhouseandaskedmepolitelyifIwerelookingforanybody。
\"Iamlookingforaroomtolet。\"
\"Therearenonehere，sir，but，youwillfindahundredinthesquare。\"
\"Iknowit，butIwanttheroomtobehere，notforthesakeoftheexpense，butthatImaybesureofbeingabletospendanhourorsoofamorningwithapersoninwhomIaminterested。Iamreadytopayanything。\"
\"Iunderstandwhatyoumean，andyoushouldhavearoominmyhouseifIhadonetospare，butaneighbourofminehasoneonthegroundfloor，andifyouwillwaitamomentIwillgoandspeaktoher。\"
\"Youwillobligemeverymuch。\"
\"Kindlystepinhere。\"
Ienteredapoorroom，whereallseemedwretchedness，andIsawtwochildrendoingtheirlessons。Soonafter，thegoodwomancamebackandaskedmetofollowher。Itookseveralpiecesofmoneyfrommypocket，andputthemdownontheonlytablewhichthispoorplacecontained。Imusthaveseemedverygenerous，forthepoormothercameandkissedmyhandwiththeutmostgratitude。Sopleasantisittodogood，thatnowwhenIhavenothinglefttheremembranceofthehappinessIhavegiventoothersatsmallcostisalmosttheonlypleasureIenjoy。
Iwenttoaneighbouringhousewhereawomanreceivedmeinanemptyroom，whichshetoldmeshewouldletcheaplyifIwouldpaythreemonthsinadvance，andbringinmyownfurniture。
\"Whatdoyouaskforthethreemonths’rent？\"
\"ThreeRomancrowns。\"
\"IfyouwillseetothefurnishingoftheroomthisverydayI
willgiveyoutwelvecrowns。\"
\"Twelvecrowns！Whatfurnituredoyouwant？\"
\"Agoodcleanbed，asmalltablecoveredwithacleancloth，fourgoodchairs，andalargebrazierwithplentyoffireinit，forI
amnearlyperishingofcoldhere。Ishallonlycomeoccasionallyinthemorning，andIshallleavebynoonatthelatest。\"
\"Comeatthreeo’clock，then，to—day，andyouwillfindeverythingtoyoursatisfaction。\"
>FromthereIwenttotheconfessor。HewasaFrenchmonk，aboutsixty，afineandbenevolent—lookingman，whowonone’srespectandconfidence。
\"Reverendfather，\"Ibegan，\"IsawatthehouseofAbbeMomolo，’scoptoresantissimo’，ayounggirlnamedMary，whoseconfessoryouare。Ifellinlovewithher，andofferedhermoneytotryandseduceher。SherepliedthatinsteadoftryingtoleadherintosinIwoulddobettertogethersomecharityticketsthatshemightbeabletomarryayoungmanwholovedher，andwouldmakeherhappy。Iwastouchedbywhatshesaid，butmypassionstillremained。Ispoketoheragain，andsaidthatIwouldgivehertwohundredcrownsfornothing，andthathermothershouldkeepthem。
\"’Thatwouldbemyruin，’saidshe；’mymotherwouldthinkthemoneywasthepriceofsin，andwouldnotacceptit。Ifyouarereallygoingtobesogenerous，takethemoneytomyconfessor，andaskhimtodowhathecanformymarriage。’\"
\"Here，then，reverendfather，isthesumofmoneyforthegoodgirl；bekindenoughtotakechargeofit，andIwilltroublehernomore。IamgoingtoNaplesthedayafterto—morrow，andIhopewhenIcomebackshewillbemarried。\"
Thegoodconfessortookthehundredsequinsandgavemeareceipt，tellingmethatininterestingmyselfonbehalfofMariucciaIwasmakinghappyamostpureandinnocentdove，whomhehadconfessedsinceshewasfiveyearsold，andthathehadoftentoldherthatshemightcommunicatewithoutmakingherconfessionbecauseheknewshewasincapableofmortalsin。
\"Hermother，\"headded，\"isasaintedwoman，andassoonasIhaveenquiredintothecharacterofthefuturehusbandIwillsoonbringthemarriageabout。Nooneshalleverknowfromwhomthisgenerousgiftcomes。\"
AfterputtingthismatterinorderIdinedwiththeChevalierMengs，andIwillinglyconsentedtogowiththewholefamilytotheAlibertiTheatrethatevening。Ididnotforget，however，togoandinspecttheroomIhadtaken。Ifoundallmyordersexecuted，andIgavetwelvecrownstothelandladyandtookthekey，tellinghertolightthefireatseveneverymorning。
SoimpatientdidIfeelforthenextdaytocomethatIthoughttheoperadetestable，andthenightformewasasleeplessone。
NextmorningIwenttothechurchbeforethetime，andwhenMariucciacame，feelingsurethatshehadseenme，Iwentout。
Shefollowedmeatadistance，andwhenIgottothedoorofthelodgingIturnedforhertobesurethatitwasI，andthenwentinandfoundtheroomwellwarmed。SoonafterMariucciacamein，lookingtimid，confused，andasifsheweredoubtfulofthepathshewastreading。Iclaspedhertomyarms，andreassuredherbymytenderembraces；andhercouragerosewhenIshewedhertheconfessor’sreceipt，andtoldherthattheworthymanhadpromisedtocareforhermarriage。Shekissedmyhandinatransportofdelight，assuringmethatshewouldneverforgetmykindness。
Then，asIurgedhertomakemeahappyman，shesaid，——
\"Wehavethreehoursbeforeus，asItoldmymotherIwasgoingtogivethankstoGodforhavingmademeawinnerinthelottery。\"
Thisreassuredme，andItookmytime，undressingherbydegrees，andunveilinghercharmsonebyone，tomydelight，withouttheslightestattemptatresistanceonherpart。Allthetimeshekepthereyesfixedonmine，asiftosoothehermodesty；butwhenIbeheldandfeltallhercharmsIwasinanecstasy。Whatabody；whatbeauties！Nowherewastheretheslightestimperfection。ShewaslikeVenusrisingfromthefoamofthesea。
Icarriedhergentlytothebed，andwhileshestrovetohideheralabasterbreastsandthesofthairwhichmarkedtheentrancetothesanctuary，Iundressedinhaste，andconsummatedthesweetestofsacrifices，withouttherebeingtheslightestdoubtinmymindofthepurityofthevictim。Inthefirstsacrificenodoubttheyoungpriestessfeltsomepain，butsheassuredmeoutofdelicacythatshehadnotbeenhurt，andatthesecondassaultsheshewedthatshesharedmyflames。Iwasgoingtoimmolatethevictimforthethirdtimewhentheclockstruckten。Shebegantoberestless，andhurriedlyputonourclothes。IhadtogotoNaples，butIassuredherthatthedesireofembracingheroncemorebeforehermarriagewouldhastenmyreturntoRome。I
promisedtotakeanotherhundredcrownstoherconfessor，advisinghertospendthemoneyshehadwoninthelotteryonhertrousseau。
\"IshallbeatMonolo’sto—night，dearest，andyoumustcome，too；
butwemustappearindifferenttoeachother，thoughourheartsbefullofjoy，lestthosemaliciousgirlssuspectourmutualunderstanding。\"
\"Itisallthemorenecessarytobecautious，\"shereplied，\"asI
havenoticedthattheysuspectthatweloveeachother。\"
BeforewepartedshethankedmeforwhatIhaddoneforher，andbeggedmetobelievethat，herpovertynotwithstanding，shehadgivenherselfforlovealone。
Iwasthelasttoleavethehouse，andItoldmylandladythatI
shouldbeawayfortenortwelvedays。IthenwenttotheconfessortogivehimthehundredcrownsIhadpromisedmymistress。WhenthegoodoldFrenchmanheardthatIhadmadethisfreshsacrificethatMariucciamightbeabletospendherlotterywinningsonherclothes，hetoldmethathewouldcallonthemotherthatverydayandurgehertoconsenttoherdaughter’smarriage，andalsolearnwheretheyoungmanlived。OnmyreturnfromNaplesIheardthathehadfaithfullycarriedouthispromise。
IwassittingattablewithMengswhenachamberlainoftheHolyFathercalled。WhenhecameinheaskedM。MengsifIlivedthere，andonthatgentlemanpointingmeout，hegaveme，fromhisholymaster，theCrossoftheOrderoftheGoldenSpurwiththediploma，andapatentunderthepontificalseal，which，inmyqualityasdoctoroflaws，mademeaprothonotary—apostolic’extraurbem’。
IfeltthatIhadbeenhighlyhonoured，andtoldthebearerthatI
wouldgoandthankmynewsovereignandaskhisblessingthenextday。TheChevalierMengsembracedmeasabrother，butIhadtheadvantageoverhiminnotbeingobligedtopayanything，whereasthegreatartisthadtodisbursetwenty—fiveRomancrownstohavehisdiplomamadeout。ThereisasayingatRome，’Sineefusionesanguinisnonfitremissio’，whichmaybeinterpreted，Nothingwithoutmoney；andasamatteroffact，onecandoanythingwithmoneyintheHolyCity。
FeelinghighlyflatteredatthefavourtheHolyFatherhadshewnme，Iputonthecrosswhichdependedfromabroadredribbon—redbeingthecolourwornbytheKnightsofSt。JohnoftheLateran，thecompanionsofthepalace，’comitespalatini’，orcount—
palatins。AboutthesametimepoorCahusac，authoroftheoperaofZoroaster，wentmadforjoyonthereceiptofthesameorder。
Iwasnotsobadasthat，butIconfess，tomyshame，thatIwassoproudofmydecorationthatIaskedWinckelmannwhetherI
shouldbeallowedtohavethecrosssetwithdiamondsandrubies。
HesaidIcouldifIliked，andifIwantedsuchacrosshecouldgetmeonecheap。Iwasdelighted，andboughtittomakeashowatNaples，butIhadnotthefacetowearitinRome。WhenIwenttothankthePopeIworethecrossinmybutton—holeoutofmodesty。FiveyearsafterwardswhenIwasatWarsaw，Czartoryski，aRussianprince—palatine，mademeleaveitoffbysaying，——
\"Whatareyoudoingwiththatwretchedbauble？It’sadruginthemarket，andnoonebutanimpostorwouldwearitnow。\"
ThePopesknewthisquitewell，buttheycontinuedtogivethecrosstoambassadorswhiletheyalsogaveittotheir’valetsdechambre’。OnehastowinkatagoodmanythingsinRome。
IntheeveningMomologavemeasupperbywayofcelebratingmynewdignity。Irecoupedhimfortheexpensebyholdingabankatfaro，atwhichIwasdexterousenoughtolosefortycrownstothefamily，withouthavingtheslightestpartialitytoMariucciawhowonliketherest。Shefoundtheopportunitytotellmethatherconfessorhadcalledonher，thatshehadtoldhimwhereherfuturehusbandlived，andthattheworthymonkhadobtainedhermother’sconsenttothehundredcrownsbeingspentonhertrousseau。
InoticedthatMomolo’sseconddaughterhadtakenafancytoCosta，andItoldMomolothatIwasgoingtoNaples，butthatI
wouldleavemymaninRome，andthatifIfoundamarriagehadbeenarrangedonmyreturnIwouldgladlypaytheexpensesofthewedding。
Costalikedthegirl，buthedidnotmarryherthenforfearofmyclaimingthefirst—fruits。Hewasafoolofapeculiarkind，thoughfoolsofallsortsarecommonenough。Hemarriedherayearlaterafterrobbingme，butIshallspeakofthatagain。
Nextday，afterIhadbreakfastedanddulyembracedmybrother，I
setoutinanicecarriagewiththeAbbeAlfani，LeDucprecedingmeonhorseback，andIreachedNaplesatatimewheneverybodywasinastateofexcitementbecauseaneruptionofVesuviusseemedimminent。Atthelaststagetheinn—keepermademereadthewillofhisfatherwhohaddiedduringtheeruptionof1754。Hesaidthatintheyear1761GodwouldoverwhelmthesinfultownofNaples，andtheworthyhostconsequentlyadvisedmetoreturntoRome。Alfanitookthethingseriously，andsaidthatweshoulddowelltobewarnedbysoevidentanindicationofthewillofGod。
Theeventwaspredicted，thereforeithadtohappen。Thusagoodmanypeoplereason，butasIwasnotofthenumberIproceededonmyway。
CHAPTERIX
MyShortButHappyStayatNaples——TheDukedeMataloneMyDaughter——DonnaLucrezia——MyDepartureIshallnot，dearreader，attempttheimpossible，howevermuchI
shouldliketodescribethejoy，thehappiness，Imaysaytheecstasy，whichIexperiencedinreturningtoNaples，ofwhichI
hadsuchpleasantmemories，andwhere，eighteenyearsago，IhadmademyfirstfortuneinreturningfromMataro。AsIhadcomethereforthesecondtimetokeepapromiseIhadmadetotheDukedeMatalonetocomeandseehimatNaples，Ioughttohavevisitedthisnoblemanatonce；butforeseeingthatfromthetimeIdidsoIshouldhavelittlelibertyleftme，Ibeganbyenquiringafterallmyoldfriends。
IwalkedoutearlyinthemorningandcalledonBelloni’sagent。
Hecashedmyletterofcreditandgavemeasmanybank—notesasI
liked，promisingthatnobodyshouldknowthatwedidbusinesstogether。FromthebankersIwenttoseeAntonioCasanova，buttheytoldmehelivednearSalerno，onanestatehehadboughtwhichgavehimthetitleofmarquis。Iwasvexed，butIhadnorighttoexpecttofindNaplesinthestatuquoIleftit。Polowasdead，andhissonlivedatSt。Luciawithhiswifeandchildren；hewasaboywhenIsawhimlast，andthoughIshouldhavemuchlikedtoseehimagainIhadnotimetodoso。
ItmaybeimaginedthatIdidnotforgettheadvocate，Castelli，husbandofmydearLucrezia，whomIhadlovedsowellatRomeandTivoli。Ilongedtoseeherfaceoncemore，andIthoughtofthejoywithwhichweshouldrecalloldtimesthatIcouldneverforget。ButCastellihadbeendeadforsomeyears，andhiswidowlivedatadistanceoftwentymilesfromNaples。IresolvednottoreturntoRomewithoutembracingher。AstoLelioCaraffa，hewasstillaliveandresidingattheMatalonePalace。
Ireturned，feelingtiredwithmyresearches，dressedwithcare，anddrovetotheMatalonePalace，wheretheytoldmethatthedukewasattable。Ididnotcareforthatbuthadmynamesentin，andthedukecameoutanddidmethehonourofembracingmeandthouingme，andthenpresentedmetohiswife，adaughteroftheDukedeBovino，andtothenumerouscompanyattable。ItoldhimIhadonlycometoNaplesinfulfillmentofthepromiseIhadmadehimatParis。
\"Then，\"saidhe，\"youmuststaywithme；\"and，withoutwaitingformyanswer，orderedmyluggagetobebroughtfromtheinn，andmycarriagetobeplacedinhiscoach—house。Iacceptedhisinvitation。
Oneoftheguests，afine—lookingman，onhearingmynameannounced，saidgaily，——
\"Ifyoubearmyname，youmustbeoneofmyfather’sbastards。\"
\"No，\"saidI，directly，\"oneofyourmother’s。\"
Thisreparteemadeeverybodylaugh，andthegentlemanwhohadaddressedmecameandembracedme，notintheleastoffended。Thejokewasexplainedtome。HisnamewasCasalnovo，notCasanova，andhewasdukeandlordofthefiefofthatname。
\"Didyouknow，\"saidtheDukedeMatalone，\"thatIhadason？\"
\"Iwastoldso，butdidnotbelieveit，butnowImustdopenanceformyincredulity，forIseebeforemeanangelcapableofworkingthismiracle。\"
Theduchessblushed，butdidnotrewardmycomplimentwithsomuchasaglance；butallthecompanyapplaudedwhatIhadsaid，asitwasnotoriousthatthedukehadbeenimpotentbeforehismarriage。
Thedukesentforhisson，Iadmiredhim，andtoldthefatherthatthelikenesswasperfect。Amerrymonk，whosatattherighthandoftheduchess，said，moretruthfully，thattherewasnolikenessatall。Hehadscarcelyutteredthewordswhentheduchesscoollygavehimaboxontheear，whichthemonkreceivedwiththebestgraceimaginable。
Italkedawaytothebestofmyability，andinhalfanhour’stimeIhadwoneverybody’sgoodgraces，withtheexceptionoftheduchess，whoremainedinflexible。Itriedtomakehertalkfortwodayswithoutsuccess；soasIdidnotcaremuchaboutherI
lefthertoherpride。
AsthedukewastakingmetomyroomhenoticedmySpaniard，andaskedwheremysecretarywas，andwhenhesawthatitwastheAbbeAlfani，whohadtakenthetitlesoastoescapethenoticeoftheNeapolitans，hesaid，——
\"Theabbeisverywise，forhehasdeceivedsomanypeoplewithhisfalseantiquesthathemighthavegotintotrouble。\"
Hetookmetohisstableswherehehadsomesuperbhorses，Arabs，English，andAndalusians；andthentohisgallery，averyfineone；tohislargeandchoicelibrary；andatlasttohisstudy，wherehehadafinecollectionofprohibitedbooks。
Iwasreadingtitlesandturningoverleaves，whenthedukesaid，——
\"PromisetokeepthemostabsolutesecrecyonwhatIamgoingtoshewyou。\"
Ipromised，withoutmakinganydifficulty，butIexpectedasurpriseofsomesort。HethenshewedmeasatirewhichIcouldnotunderstand，butwhichwasmeanttoturnthewholeCourtintoridicule。Neverwasthereasecretsoeasilykept。
\"YoumustcometotheSt。CharlesTheatre，\"saidhe，\"andIwillpresentyoutothehandsomestladiesinNaples，andafterwardsyoucangowhenyoulike，asmyboxisalwaysopentomyfriends。I
willalsointroduceyoutomymistress，andshe，Iamsure，willalwaysbegladtoseeyou。\"
\"What！youhaveamistress，haveyou？\"
\"Yes，butonlyforform’ssake，asIamveryfondofmywife。Allthesame，Iamsupposedtobedeeplyinlovewithher，andevenjealous，asIneverintroduceanyonetoher，anddonotallowhertoreceiveanyvisitors。\"
\"Butdoesnotyouryoungandhandsomeduchessobjecttoyourkeepingamistress？\"
\"Mywifecouldnotpossiblybejealous，assheknowsthatIamimpotent——except，ofcourse，withher。\"
\"Isee，butitsemsstrange；canonebesaidtohaveamistresswhomonedoesnotlove？\"
\"IdidnotsayIlovedhernot；onthecontrary，Iamveryfondofher；shehasakeenandpleasantwit，butsheinterestsmyheadratherthanmyheart。\"
\"Isee；butIsupposesheisugly？\"
\"Ugly？Youshallseeherto—night，andyoucantellmewhatyouthinkofherafterwards。Sheisahandsomeandwell—educatedgirlofseventeen。\"
\"CanshespeakFrench？\"
\"AswellasaFrenchwoman。\"
\"Iamlongingtoseeher。\"
WhenwegottothetheatreIwasintroducedtoseveralladies，butnoneofthempleasedme。Theking，amereboy，satinhisboxinthemiddleofthetheatre，surroundedbyhiscourtiers，richlybuttastefullydressed。Thepitwasfullandtheboxesalso。Thelatterwereornamentedwithmirrors，andonthatoccasionwereallilluminatedforsomereasonorother。Itwasamagnificentscene，butallthisglitterandlightputthestageintothebackground。
Afterwehadgazedforsometimeatthescene，whichisalmostpeculiartoNaples，theduketookmetohisprivateboxandintroducedmetohisfriends，whoconsistedofallthewitsinthetown。
Ihaveoftenlaughedonhearingphilosophersdeclarethattheintelligenceofanationisnotsomuchtheresultoftheclimateasofeducation。SuchsagesshouldbesenttoNaplesandthentoSt。Petersburg，andbetoldtoreflect，orsimplytolookbeforethem。IfthegreatBoerhaavehadlivedatNapleshewouldhavelearntmoreaboutthenatureofsulphurbyobservingitseffectsonvegetables，andstillmoreonanimals。InNaples，andNaplesalone，water，andnothingbutwater，willcurediseaseswhicharefatalelsewhere，despitethedoctors’efforts。
Theduke，whohadleftmetothewitsforashorttime，returnedandtookmetotheboxofhismistress，whowasaccompaniedbyanoldladyofrespectableappearance。Ashewentinhesaid，\"’Leonildamia，tipresentoilcavalierDonGiacomoCasanova，Veneziano，amicomio’。\"
Shereceivedmekindlyandmodestly，andstoppedlisteningtothemusictotalktome。
Whenawomanispretty，onerecognizeshercharmsinstantaneously；
ifonehastoexamineherclosely，herbeautyisdoubtful。
Leonildawasstrikinglybeautiful。Ismiledandlookedattheduke，whohadtoldmethathelovedherlikeadaughter，andthatheonlykeptherforform’ssake。Heunderstoodtheglance，andsaid，——
\"Youmaybelieveme。\"
\"It’scredible，\"Ireplied。
Leonildanodoubtunderstoodwhatwemeant，andsaid，withashysmile，——
\"Whateverispossibleiscredible。\"
\"Quiteso，\"saidI，\"butonemaybelieve，ornotbelieve，accordingtothevariousdegreesofpossibility。\"
\"Ithinkit’seasiertobelievethantodisbelieve。YoucametoNaplesyesterday；that’strueandyetincredible。\"
\"Whyincredible？\"
\"WouldanymansupposethatastrangerwouldcometoNaplesatatimewhentheinhabitantsarewishingthemselvesaway？\"
\"Indeed，Ihavefeltafraidtillthismoment，butnowIfeelquiteatmyease，since，youbeinghere，St。JanuariuswillsurelyprotectNaples。\"
\"Why？\"
\"BecauseIamsurehelovesyou；butyouarelaughingatme。\"
\"Itissuchafunnyidea。IamafraidthatifIhadaloverlikeSt。JanuariusIshouldnotgranthimmanyfavours。\"
\"Isheveryugly，then？\"
\"Ifhisportraitisagoodlikeness，youcanseeforyourselfbyexamininghisstatue。\"
Gaietyleadstofreedom，andfreedomtofriendship。Mentalgracesaresuperiortobodilycharms。
Leonilda’sfranknessinspiredmyconfidence，andIledtheconversationtolove，onwhichshetalkedlikeapastmistress。
\"Love，\"saidshe，\"unlessitleadstothepossessionofthebelovedobject，isameretorment；ifboundsareplacedtopassion，lovemustdie。\"
\"Youareright；andtheenjoymentofabeautifulobjectisnotatruepleasureunlessitbeprecededbylove。\"
\"Nodoubtifloveprecedesitaccompanies，butIdonotthinkitnecessarilyfollows，enjoyment。\"
\"True，itoftenmakeslovetocease。\"
\"Sheisaselfishdaughter，then，tokillherfather；andifafterenjoymentlovestillcontinueintheheartofone，itisworsethanmurder，forthepartyinwhichlovestillsurvivesmustneedsbewretched。\"
\"Youareright；andfromyourstrictlylogicalargumentsI
conjecturethatyouwouldhavethesenseskeptinsubjection:thatistoohard！\"
\"IwouldhavenothingtodowiththatPlatonicaffectiondevoidoflove，butIleaveyoutoguesswhatmymaximwouldbe。\"
\"Toloveandenjoy；toenjoyandlove。Turnandturnabout。\"
\"Youhavehitthemark。\"
WiththisLeonildaburstoutlaughing，andthedukekissedherhand。Hergoverness，notunderstandingFrench，wasattendingtotheopera，butIwasinflames。
Leonildawasonlyseventeen，andwasasprettyagirlastheheartcoulddesire。
ThedukerepeatedalivelyepigramofLafontaine’son\"Enjoyment，\"
whichisonlyfoundinthefirsteditionofhisworks。Itbeginsasfollows:——
\"LajouissanceetlesdesirsSontcequel’hommeadeplusrare；
MaiscenesonspasvraisplaisirsDeslemomentqu’onlessepare。\"
IhavetranslatedthisepigramintoItalianandLatin；inthelatterlanguageIwasalmostabletorenderLafontainelineforline；butIhadtousetwentylinesofItaliantotranslatethefirsttenlinesoftheFrench。Ofcoursethisarguesnothingastothesuperiorityoftheonelanguageovertheother。
InthebestsocietyatNaplesoneaddressesanewcomerinthesecondpersonsingularasapeculiarmarkofdistinction。Thisputsbothpartiesattheireasewithoutdiminishingtheirmutualrespectforoneanother。
Leonildahadalreadyturnedmyfirstfeelingofadmirationintosomethingmuchwarmer，andtheopera，whichlastedforfivehours，seemedoverinamoment。
Afterthetwoladieshadgonethedukesaid，\"Nowwemustpart，unlessyouarefondofgamesofchance。\"
\"Idon’tobjecttothemwhenIamtoplaywithgoodhands。\"
\"Thenfollowme；tenortwelveofmyfriendswillplayfaro，andthensitdowntoacoldcollation，butIwarnyouitisasecret，asgamingisforbidden。Iwillanswerforyoukeepingyourowncounsel，however。\"
\"Youmaydoso。\"
HetookmetotheDukedeMonteLeone’s。Wewentuptothethirdfloor，passedthroughadozenrooms，andatlastreachedthegamester’schamber。Apolite—lookingbanker，withabankofaboutfourhundredsequins，hadthecardsinhishands。Thedukeintroducedmeashisfriend，andmademesitbesidehim。Iwasgoingtodrawoutmypurse，butIwastoldthatdebtswerenotpaidfortwenty—fourhoursaftertheyweredue。Thebankergavemeapackofcards，withalittlebasketcontainingathousandcounters。ItoldthecompanythatIshouldconsidereachcounterasaNaplesducat。Inlessthantwohoursmybasketwasempty。I
stoppedplayingandproceededtoenjoymysupper。ItwasarrangedintheNeapolitanstyle，andconsistedofanenormousdishofmacaroniandtenortwelvedifferentkindsofshellfishwhichareplentifulontheNeapolitancoasts。WhenweleftItookcarenottogivetheduke。timetocondolewithmeonmyloss，butbegantotalktohimabouthisdeliciousLeonilda。
EarlynextdayhesentapagetomyroomtotellmethatifI
wantedtocomewithhimandkisstheking’shandImustputonmygaladress。Iputonasuitofrose—colouredvelvet，withgoldspangles，andIhadthegreathonourofkissingasmallhand，coveredwithchilblains，belongingtoaboyofnine。ThePrincedeSt。Nicanderbroughtuptheyoungkingtothebestofhisability，buthewasnaturallyakindly，just，andgenerousmonarch；ifhehadhadmoredignityhewouldhavebeenanidealking；buthewastoounceremonious，andthat，Ithink，isadefectinonedestinedtoruleothers。
Ihadthehonourofsittingnexttheduchessatdinner，andshedeignedtosaythatshehadneverseenafinerdress。\"That’smyway，\"Isaid，\"ofdistractingattentionfrommyfaceandfigure。\"
Shesmiled，andherpolitenesstomeduringmystaywerealmostlimitedtothesefewwords。
Whenweleftthetabletheduketookmetotheapartmentoccupiedbyhisuncle，DonLelio，whorecognizedmedirectly。Ikissedthevenerableoldman’shand，andbeggedhimtopardonmeforthefreaksofmyyouth。\"It’seighteenyearsago，\"saidhe，\"sinceI
choseM。Casanovaasthecompanionofyourstudies\"IdelightedhimbygivinghimabriefaccountofmyadventuresinRomewithCardinalAcquaviva。Aswewentout，hebeggedmetocomeandseehimoften。
Towardstheeveningthedukesaid，——
\"IfyougototheOperaBuffayouwillpleaseLeonilda。\"
Hegavemethenumberofherbox，andadded，——
\"Iwillcomeforyoutowardstheclose，andwewillsuptogetherasbefore。\"
Ihadnoneedtoordermyhorsestobeputin，astherewasalwaysacarriagereadyformeinthecourtyard。
WhenIgottothetheatretheoperahadbegun。IpresentedmyselftoLeonilda，whoreceivedmewiththepleasantwords，\"CaroDonGiacomo，Iamsopleasedtoseeyouagain。\"
Nodoubtshedidnotliketothoume，buttheexpressionofhereyesandthetoneofhervoiceweremuchbetterthanthetowhichisoftenusedlavishlyatNaples。
Theseductivefeaturesofthischarminggirlwerenotaltogetherunknowntome，butIcouldnotrecollectofwhatwomansheremindedme。Leonildawascertainlyabeauty，andsomethingsuperiortoabeauty，ifpossible。Shehadsplendidlightchestnuthair，andherblackandbrillianteyes，shadedbythicklashes，seemedtohearandspeakatthesametime。Butwhatravishedmestillmorewasherexpression，andtheexquisiteappropriatenessofthegestureswithwhichsheaccompaniedwhatshewassaying。Itseemedasifhertonguecouldnotgivespeechtothethoughtswhichcrowdedherbrain。Shewasnaturallyquick—
witted，andherintellecthadbeendevelopedbyanexcellenteducation。
TheconversationturneduponLafontaine’sepigram，ofwhichIhadonlyrecitedthefirsttenverses，astherestistoolicentious；
andshesaid，——
\"ButIsupposeitisonlyapoet’sfancy，atwhichonecouldbutsmile。\"
\"Possibly，butIdidnotcaretowoundyourears。\"
\"Youareverygood，\"saidshe，usingthepleasanttu，\"butallthesame，Iamnotsothin—skinned，asIhaveaclosetwhichthedukehashadpaintedoverwithcouplesinvariousamorousattitudes。
Wegotheresometimes，andIassureyouthatIdonotexperiencetheslightestsensation。\"
\"Thatmaybethroughadefectoftemperament，forwheneverIseewell—paintedvoluptuouspicturesIfeelmyselfonfire。Iwonderthatwhileyouandthedukelookatthem，youdonottrytoputsomeofthemintopractice。\"
\"Wehaveonlyfriendshipforoneanother。\"
\"Lethimbelieveitwhowill。\"
\"Iamsureheisaman，butIamunabletosaywhetherheisabletogiveawomananyrealproofsofhislove。\"
\"Yethehasason。\"
\"Yes，hehasachildwhocallshimfather；buthehimselfconfessesthatheisonlyabletoshewhismanlypowerswithhiswife。\"
\"That’sallnonsense，foryouaremadetogivebirthtoamorousdesires，andamanwhocouldlivewithyouwithoutbeingabletopossessyououghttoceasetolive。\"
\"Doyoureallythinkso？\"
\"DearLeonilda，ifIwereintheduke’splaceIwouldshewyouwhatamanwhoreallylovescando。\"
\"CaroDonGiacomo，Iamdelightedtohearyouloveme，butyouwillsoonforgetme，asyouareleavingNaples。\"
\"Cursedbethegaming—table，forwithoutitwemightspendsomedelightfulhourtogether。\"
\"Theduketoldmethatyoulostathousandducatsyesterdayeveninglikeaperfectgentleman。Youmustbeveryunlucky。\"
\"Notalways，butwhenIplayonadayinwhichIhavefalleninloveIamsuretolose。\"
\"Youwillwinbackyourmoneythisevening。\"
\"Thisisthedeclarationday；Ishallloseagain。\"
\"Thendon’tplay。\"
\"PeoplewouldsayIwasafraid，orthatallmymoneywasgone。\"
\"Ihopeatalleventsthatyouwillwinsometimes，andthatyouwilltellmeofyourgoodluck。Comeandseemeto—morrowwiththeduke。\"
Thedukecameinatthatmoment，andaskedmeifIhadlikedtheopera。Leonildaansweredforme，\"Wehavebeentalkingaboutloveallthetime，sowedon’tknowwhathasbeengoingonthestage。\"
\"Youhavedonewell。\"
\"ItrustyouwillbringM。Casanovatoseemetomorrowmorning，asIhopehewillbringmenewsthathehaswon。\"
\"It’smyturntodealthisevening，dearest，butwhetherhewinsorlosesyoushallseehimto—morrow。Youmustgiveussomebreakfast。\"
\"Ishallbedelighted。\"
Wekissedherhand，andwenttothesameplaceasthenightbefore。Thecompanywaswaitingfortheduke。Thereweretwelvemembersoftheclub，andtheyallheldthebankinturn。Theysaidthatthismadethechancesmoreequal；butIlaughedatthisopinion，asthereisnothingmoredifficulttoestablishthanequalitybetweenplayers。
TheDukedeMatalonesatdown，drewouthispurseandhispocket—
book，andputtwothousandducatsinthebank，beggingpardonoftheothersfordoublingtheusualsuminfavourofthestranger。
Thebankneverexceededathousandducats。
\"Then，\"saidI，\"Iwillhazardtwothousandducatsalsoandnotmore，fortheysayatVenicethataprudentplayerneverrisksmorethanhecanwin。Eachofmycounterswillbeequivalenttotwoducats。\"Sosaying，Itooktennotesofahundredducatseachfrommypocket，andgavethemtothelastevening’sbankerwhohadwonthemfromme。
Playbegan；andthoughIwasprudent，andonlyriskedmymoneyonasinglecard，inlessthanthreehoursmycounterswereallgone。
Istoppedplaying，thoughIhadstilltwenty—fivethousandducats；
butIhadsaidthatIwouldnotriskmorethantwothousand，andI
wasashamedtogobackfrommyword。
ThoughIhavealwaysfeltlosingmymoney，noonehaseverseenmeputout，mynaturalgaietywasheightenedbyartonsuchoccasions，andseemedtobemorebrilliantthanever。Ihavealwaysfounditagreatadvantagetobeabletolosepleasantly。
Imadeanexcellentsupper，andmyhighspiritsfurnishedmewithsuchafundofamusingconversationthatallthetablewasinaroar。IevensucceededindissipatingthemelancholyoftheDukedeMatalone，whowasindespairathavingwonsuchasumfromhisfriendandguest。Hewasafraidhehadhalfruinedme，andalsothatpeoplemightsayhehadonlywelcomedmeforthesakeofmymoney。
Aswereturnedtothepalacetheconversationwasaffectionateonhissideandjovialonmine，butIcouldseehewasinsometrouble，andguessedwhatwasthematter。HewantedtosaythatI
couldpaythemoneyIowedhimwheneverIliked，butwasafraidofwoundingmyfeelings；butassoonashegotinhewrotemeafriendlynotetotheeffectthatifIwantedmoneyhisbankerwouldletmehaveasmuchasIrequired。IreplieddirectlythatIfeltthegenerosityofhisoffer，andifIwasinneedoffundsIwouldavailmyselfofit。
EarlynextmorningIwenttohisroom，andafteranaffectionateembraceItoldhimnottoforgetthatweweregoingtobreakfastwithhisfairmistress。WebothputongreatcoatsandwenttoLeonilda’sprettyhouse。
Wefoundhersittingupinbed，negligentlybutdecentlydressed，withadimitycorsettiedwithredribbons。Shelookedbeautiful，andhergracefulpostureaddedtohercharms。ShewasreadingCrebillon’sSopha。Thedukesatdownatthebottomofthebed，andIstoodstaringatherinspeechlessadmiration，endeavouringtorecalltomymemorywhereIhadseensuchanotherfaceashers。
ItseemedtomethatIhadlovedawomanlikeher。ThiswasthefirsttimeIhadseenherwithoutthedeceitfulglitterofcandles。Shelaughedatmyabsent—mindedness，andtoldmetositdownonachairbyherbedside。
TheduketoldherthatIwasquitepleasedathavinglosttwothousandducatstohisbank，asthelossmademesureshelovedme。
\"CaromioDonGiacomo，Iamsorrytohearthat！Youwouldhavedonebetternottoplay，forIshouldhavelovedyouallthesame，andyouwouldhavebeentwothousandducatsbetteroff。\"
\"AndItwothousandducatsworseoff，\"saidtheduke，laughing。
\"Nevermind，dearLeonilda，Ishallwinthiseveningifyougrantmesomefavourto—day。Ifyoudonotdoso，Ishallloseheart，andyouwillmournatmygravebeforelong。\"
\"Think，Leonilda，whatyoucandoformyfriend。\"
\"Idon’tseethatIcandoanything。\"
Theduketoldhertodress，thatwemightgoandbreakfastinthepaintedcloset。Shebeganatonce，andpreservedajustmeaninwhatsheletusseeandwhatsheconcealed，andthussetmeinflames，thoughIwasalreadycaptivatedbyherface，herwit，andhercharmingmanners。Icastanindiscreetglancetowardsherbeautifulbreast，andthusaddedfueltothefire。IconfessthatIonlyobtainedthissatisfactionbyaspeciesoflarceny，butI
couldnothavesucceededifshehadnotbeenwelldisposedtowardsme。Ipretendedtohaveseennothing。
Whiledressingshemaintainedwithmuchingenuitythatawisegirlwillbemuchmorecharyofherfavourstowardsamanshelovesthantowardsamanshedoesnotlove，becauseshewouldbeafraidtolosethefirst，whereasshedoesnotcareaboutthesecond。
\"Itwillnotbesowithme，charmingLeonilda，\"saidI。
\"Youmakeamistake，Iamsure。\"
Thepictureswithwhichtheclosetwherewebreakfastedwasadornedwereadmirablemorefromthecolouringandthedesignthanfromtheamorouscombatstheyrepresented。
\"Theydon’tmakeanyimpressiononme，\"saidtheduke，andheshewedusthatitwasso。