\"Youhavebeenlosing，then？\"
\"Yes，butmybrotherhaswonsomething，\"saidtheamiableQ————。
\"Ihopeluckwilldeclareitselfonyoursidealso。\"
\"No，wearenotlucky。\"
Whentheirauntlefttheroom，theyaskedmeifthelieutenanthadtoldmethataladyfriendoftheirswascomingtotheballwiththem。
\"Iknowall，\"Ianswered，\"andIhopeyouwillenjoyyourselves，butyouwillnotdosomorethanI。Iwanttospeaktothegallantlieutenantto—morrowmorning。\"
\"Tellusaboutourdisguises。\"
\"Youwillbedisguisedinsuchamannerthatnobodywillrecognizeyou。\"
\"Buthowshallwebedressed？\"
\"Veryhandsomely。\"
\"Butwhatcostumehaveyougivenus？\"
\"Thatismysecret，ladies。HowevermuchIshouldliketopleaseyou，Ishallsaynothingtillthetimeforyoutodresscomesround。Don’taskmeanythingmore，asIhavepromisedmyselftheenjoymentofyoursurprise。Iamveryfondofdramaticsituations。Youshallknowallaftersupper。\"
\"Arewetohavesupper，then？\"
\"Certainly，ifyouwouldlikeit。IamagreateatermyselfandI
hopeyouwillnotletmeeatalone。\"
\"Thenwewillhavesomesuppertopleaseyou。Wewilltakecarenottoeatmuchdinner，soastobeabletoviewithyouintheevening。TheonlythingIamsorryabout，\"addedMdlle。Q————，\"isthatyoushouldbeputtosuchexpense。\"
\"Itisapleasure；andwhenIleaveMilanIshallconsolemyselfwiththethoughtthatIhavesuppedwiththetwohandsomestladiesinthetown。\"
\"Howisfortunetreatingyou？\"
\"Cananowinstwohundredsequinsfrommeeveryday。\"
\"Butyouwontwothousandfromhiminonenight。\"
\"YouwillbreakhisbankonSunday。Wewillbringyouluck。\"
\"Wouldyouliketolookon？\"
\"Weshouldbedelighted，butmybrothersaysyoudon’twanttogowithus。\"
\"Quiteso，thereasonisthatIshouldberecognized。ButI
believethegentlemanwhowillaccompanyyouisofthesamefigureasmyself。\"
\"Exactlythesame，\"saidthecousin；\"exceptthatheisfair。\"
\"Allthebetter，\"saidI，\"thefairalwaysconquerthedarkwithease。\"
\"Notalways，\"saidtheother。\"Buttellus，atanyrate，whetherwearetowearmen’sdresses。\"
\"Fie！fie！IshouldbeangrywithmyselfifIhadentertainedsuchathought。\"
\"That’scurious；whyso？\"
\"I’lltellyou。IfthedisguiseiscompleteIamdisgusted，fortheshapeofawomanismuchmoremarkedthanthatofaman，andconsequentlyawomaninman’sdress，wholookslikeaman，cannothaveagoodfigure。\"
\"Butwhenawomanskewshershapewell？\"
\"ThenIamangrywithherforskewingtoomuch，forIliketoseethefaceandthegeneraloutlinesoftheformandtoguesstherest。\"
\"Buttheimaginationisoftendeceptive！\"
\"Yes，butitiswiththefacethatIalwaysfallinlove，andthatneverdeceivesmeasfarasitisconcerned。ThenifIhavethegoodfortunetoseeanythingmoreIamalwaysinalenientmoodanddisposedtopassoversmallfaults。Youarelaughing？\"
\"Iamsmilingatyourimpassionedarguments。\"
\"Wouldyouliketobedressedlikeaman？\"
\"Iwasexpectingsomethingofthekind，butafteryouhavesaidwecanmakenomoreobjections。\"
\"Icanimaginewhatyouwouldsay；Ishouldcertainlynottakeyouformen，butIwillsaynomore。\"
Theylookedateachother，andblushedandsmiledastheysawmygazefixedontwopre—eminenceswhichonewouldneverexpecttoseeinanyman。Webegantotalkofotherthings，andfortwohoursIenjoyedtheirlivelyandculturedconversation。
WhenIleftthemIwentofftomyapartments，thentotheopera，whereIlosttwohundredsequins，andfinallysuppedwiththecountess，whohadbecomequiteamiable。However，shesoonfellbackintoheroldwayswhenshefoundthatmypolitenesswasmerelyexternal，andthatIhadnointentionswhateveroftroublingherinherbedroomagain。
OntheSaturdaymorningtheyoungofficercametoseeme，andI
toldhimthattherewasonlyonethingthatIwantedhimtodo，butthatitmustbedoneexactlyaccordingtomyinstructions。Hepromisedtofollowthemtotheletter，andIproceeded，——
\"Youmustgetacarriageandfour，andassoonasthefiveofyouareinittellthecoachmantodriveasfastashishorsescangallopoutofMilan，andtobringyoubackagainbyanotherroadtothehouse。Thereyoumustgetdown，sendthecarriageaway，afterenjoiningsilenceonthecoachman，andcomein。Aftertheballyouwillundressinthesamehouse，andthengohomeinsedan—chairs。Thusweshallbeabletobaffletheinquisitive，whowillbeprettynumerous，Iwarnyou。\"
\"Myfriendthemarquiswillseetoallthat，\"saidhe，\"andI
promiseyouhewilldoitwell，forheislongingtomakeyouracquaintance。\"
\"Ishallexpectyou，then，atseveno’clockto—morrow。
Warnyourfriendthatitisimportantthecoachmanshouldnotbeknown，anddonotletanybodybringaservant。\"
Allthesearrangementsbeingmade，IdeterminedtodisguisemyselfasPierrot。There’snodisguisemoreperfect；for，besidesconcealingthefeaturesandtheshapeofthebody，itdoesnotevenletthecolouroftheskinremainrecognizable。Myreadersmayrememberwhathappenedtomeinthisdisguisetenyearsbefore。ImadethetailorgetmeanewPierrotcostume，whichI
placedwiththeothers，andwithtwonewpurses，ineachofwhichIplacedfivehundredsequins，Irepairedtothepastrycook’sbeforeseveno’clock。Ifoundthetablespread，andthesupperready。IshutupZenobiaintheroomwheretheladiesweretomaketheirtoilette，andatfiveminutespastseventhejoyouscompanyarrived。
Themarquiswasdelightedtomakemyacquaintance，andIwelcomedhimashedeserved。Hewasaperfectgentlemanineveryrespect，handsome，rich，andyoung，verymuchinlovewiththeprettycousinwhomhetreatedwithgreatrespect。Thelieutenant’smistresswasadelightfullittleladyandmadlyfondofherlover。
AstheywereallawarethatIdidnotwantthemtoknowtheircostumestillaftersupper，nothingwassaidaboutit，andwesatdowntotable。Thesupperwasexcellent；Ihadordereditinaccordancewithmyowntastes；thatistosay，everythingwasofthebest，andtherewasplentyofeverything。Whenwehadeatenanddrunkwell，Isaid，——
\"AsIamnotgoingtoappearwithyou，Imayaswelltellyouthepartsyouaretoplay。Youaretobefivebeggars，twomenandthreewomen，allragsandtatters。\"
Thelongfacestheypulledatthisannouncementwereapleasantsighttosee。
\"Youwilleachcarryaplateinyourhandstosolicitalms，andyoumustwalktogetherabouttheball—roomasabandofmendicants。Butnowfollowmeandtakepossessionofyourraggedrobes。\"
AlthoughIhadmuchadotorefrainfromlaughingatthevexationanddisappointmentwhichappearedonalltheirfaces，Isucceededinpreservingmyseriousair。Theydidnotseeminanykindofhurrytogettheirclothes，andIwasobligedtotellthemthattheywerekeepingmewaiting。TheyrosefromthetableandI
threwthedooropen，andallwerestruckwithZenobia’sbeautyasshestoodupbythetableonwhichtherichthoughtatteredrobesweredisplayed，bowingtothecompanywithmuchgrace。
\"Here，ladies，\"saidItothecousins，\"areyourdresses，andhereisyours，mademoiselle——alittlesmaller。Hereareyourshifts，yourhandkerchiefsandyourstockings，andIthinkyouwillfindeverythingyourequireonthistable。Herearemasks，thefacesofwhichshewsopoorlybesideyourown，andherearethreeplatestocravealms。Ifanybodylooksashighasyourgarters，theywillseehowwretchedyouare，andtheholesinthestockingswillletpeopleknowthatyouhavenotthewherewithaltobuysilktomendthem。Thispackthreadmustserveyouforbuckles，andwemusttakecarethatthereareholesinyourshoesandalsoinyourgloves，andaseverythingmustmatch，assoonasyouhaveputonyourchemisesyoumusttearthelaceroundtheneck。\"
WhileIwasgoingthroughthisexplanationIsawsurpriseanddelighteffacethedisappointmentandvexationwhichhadbeenthereamomentbefore。TheysawwhatarichdisguiseIhadprovidedforthem，andtheycouldnotfinditintheirheartstosay，\"Whatapity！\"
\"Here，gentlemen，areyourbeggar—clothes。Iforgottolacerateyourbeaverhats，butthatissoondone。Well，whatdoyouthinkofthecostume？\"
\"Now，ladies，wemustleaveyou；shutthedoorfast，foritisacaseofchangingyourshifts。Now，gentlemen，leavetheroom。\"
Themarquiswasenthusiastic。
\"Whatasensationweshallcreate！\"saidhe，\"nothingcouldbebetter。\"
Inhalfanhourwewereready。Thestockingsinholes，theworn—
outshoes，thelaceinrags，thestragglinghair，thesadmasks，thenotchedplates——allmadeapictureofsumptuousmiseryhardtobedescribed。
Theladiestookmoretimeonaccountoftheirhair，whichfloatedontheirshouldersinfinedisorder。Mdlle。Q————’shairwasespeciallyfine，itextendedalmosttoherknees。
Whentheywerereadythedoorwasopened，andwesaweverythingwhichcouldexcitedesirewithoutwoundingdecency。IadmiredZenobia’sadroitness。Therentsindressesandchemisesdisclosedpartsoftheirshoulders，theirbreasts，andtheirarms，andtheirwhitelegsshonethroughtheholesinthestockings。
Ishewedthemhowtowalk，andtoswaytheirheadstoandfro，toexcitecompassion，andyetbegraceful，andhowtousetheirhandkerchiefstoshewpeoplethetearsinthemandthefinenessofthelace。Theyweredelighted，andlongedtobeattheball，butIwantedtobetherefirsttohavethepleasureofseeingthemcomein。Iputonmymask，toldZenobiatogotobed，aswewouldnotbebacktilldaybreak，andsetoutonmyway。
Ienteredtheball—room，andastherewereascoreofPierrotsnobodynoticedme。Fiveminutesaftertherewasarushtoseesomemaskerswhowerecomingin，andIstoodsoastohaveagoodview。Themarquiscameinfirstbetweenthetwocousins。Theirslow，pitifulstepmatchedthepartwonderfully。Mdlle。Q————
withherflame—coloureddress，hersplendidhair，andherfineshape，drewalleyestowardsher。Theastonishedandinquisitivecrowdkeptsilenceforaquarterofanhouraftertheyhadcomein，andthenIheardoneveryside，\"Whatadisguise！\"\"It’swonderful！\"\"Whoarethey？\"\"Whocantheybe？\"\"Idon’tknow。\"
\"I’llfindout。\"
Ienjoyedtheresultsofmyinventiveness。
Themusicstruckup，andthreefinedominoswentuptothethreebeggar—girlstoaskthemtodanceaminuet，buttheyexcusedthemselvesbypointingtotheirdilapidatedshoes。Iwasdelighted；itshewedthattheyhadenteredintothespiritofthepart。
Ifollowedthemaboutforaquarterofanhour，andthecuriosityaboutthemonlyincreased，andthenIpaidavisittoCanano’stable，whereplaywasrunninghigh。AmasquerdressedintheVenetianstylewaspuntingonasinglecard，goingfiftysequinsparoliandpaixdeparoli，inmyfashion。Helostthreehundredsequins，andashewasamanofaboutthesamesizeasmyselfpeoplesaiditwasCasanova，butCananowouldnotagree。InorderthatImightbeabletostayatthetable，Itookupthecardsandpuntedthreeorfourducatslikeabeginner。ThenextdealtheVenetianmasquerhadarunofluck，andgoingparoli，paixdeparoliandtheva，wonbackallthemoneyhehadlost。
Thenextdealwasalsoinhisfavour，andhecollectedhiswinningsandleftthetable。
Isatdowninthechairhehadoccupied，andaladysaid，——
\"That’stheChevalierdeSeingalt。\"
\"No，\"saidanother。\"Isawhimalittlewhileagointheball—
roomdisguisedasabeggar，withfourothermasquerswhomnobodyknows。\"
\"Howdoyoumean，dressedasabeggar？\"saidCanano。
\"Why，inrags，andthefourothers，too；butinspiteofthatthedressesaresplendidandtheeffectisverygood。Theyareaskingforalms。\"
\"Theyoughttobeturnedout，\"saidanother。
Iwasdelightedtohaveattainedmyobject，fortherecognitionofmewasamereguess。Ibeganputtingsequinsononecard，andI
lostfiveorsixtimesrunning。Cananostudiedme，butIsawhecouldnotmakemeout。Iheardwhispersrunningroundthetable。
\"Itisn’tSeingalt；hedoesn’tplaylikethat；besides，heisattheball。\"
Theluckturned；threedealswereinmyfavour，andbroughtmebackmorethanIhadlost。Icontinuedplayingwithaheapofgoldbeforeme，andonmyputtingafistfullofsequinsonacarditcameout，andIwentparoliandpairdeparoli。Iwonagain，andseeingthatthebankwasatalowebbIstoppedplaying。
Cananopaidme，andtoldhiscashiertogetathousandsequins，andashewasshufflingthecardsIheardacryof，\"Herecomethebeggars。\"
Thebeggarscameinandstoodbythetable，andCanano，catchingthemarquis’seye，askedhimforapinchofsnuff。MydelightmaybeimaginedwhenIsawhimmodestlypresentingacommonhornsnuffboxtothebanker。Ihadnotthoughtofthisdetail，whichmadeeverybodylaughimmensely。Mdlle。Q————stretchedoutherplatetoaskanalmsofCanano，whosaid，——
\"Idon’tpityyouwiththatfinehairofyours，andifyouliketoputitonacardIwillallowyouathousandsequinsforit。\"
Shegavenoanswertothispolitespeech，andheldoutherplatetome，andIputahandfulofsequinsonit，treatingtheotherbeggarsinthesameway。
\"Pierrotseemstolikebeggars，\"saidCanano，withasmile。
Thethreemendicantsbowedgratefullytomeandlefttheroom。
TheMarquisTriulziwhosatnearCanano，said，——
\"Thebeggarinthestraw—coloureddressiscertainlyCasanova。\"
\"Irecognizedhimdirectly，\"repliedthebanker，\"butwhoaretheothers？\"
\"Weshallfindoutinduetime。\"
\"Adearercostumecouldnotbeimagined；allthedressesarequitenew。\"
Thethousandsequinscamein，andIcarriedthemalloffintwodeals。
\"Wouldyouliketogoonplaying？\"saidCanano。
Ishookmyhead，andindicatingwithasignofmyhandthatI
wouldtakeacheque，heweighedmywinningsandgavemeachequefortwenty—ninepoundsofgold，amountingtotwothousand，fivehundredsequins。Iputawaythecheque，andaftershakinghimbythehand，IgotupandrolledawayintruePierrotfashion，andaftermakingthetouroftheball—roomIwenttoaboxonthethirdtierofwhichIhadgiventhekeytotheyoungofficer，andthereIfoundmybeggars。
Wetookoffourmasksandcongratulatedeachotheronoursuccess，andtoldouradventures。Wehadnothingtofearfrominquisitiveeyes，fortheboxesoneachsideofuswereempty。Ihadtakenthemmyself，andthekeyswereinmypocket。
ThefairbeggarstalkedofreturningmethealmsIhadgiventhem，butIrepliedinsuchawaythattheysaidnomoreaboutit。
\"Iamtakenforyou，sir，\"saidthemarquis，\"anditmaycausesomeannoyancetoourfairfriendshere。\"
\"Ihaveforeseenthat，\"Ireplied，\"andIshallunmaskbeforetheendoftheball。Thiswillfalsifyallsuppositions，andnobodywillsucceedinidentifyingyou。\"
\"Ourpocketsarefullofsweetmeats，\"saidMdlle。Q————。
\"Everybodywantedtofillourplates。\"
\"Yes，\"saidthecousin，\"everybodyadmiredus；theladiescamedownfromtheirboxestohaveacloserviewofus，andeveryonesaidthatnoricherdisguisecouldbeimagined。\"
\"Youhaveenjoyedyourselves，then？\"
\"Yes，indeed。\"
\"AndItoo。Ifeelquiteboastfulathavinginventedacostumewhichhasdrawnalleyesuponyou，andyethasconcealedyouridentity。\"
\"Youhavemadeusallhappy，\"saidthelieutenant’slittlemistress。\"IneverthoughtIshouldhavesuchapleasantevening。\"
\"Finiscoronatopus，\"Ireplied，\"andIhopetheendwillbeevenbetterthanthebeginning。\"
SosayingIgavemysweetheart’shandagentlepressure，andwhethersheunderstoodmeornotIfeltherhandtrembleinmine。
\"Wewillgodownnow，\"saidshe。
\"SowillI，forIwanttodance，andIamsureIshallmakeyoulaughasPierrot。\"
\"Doyouknowhowmuchmoneyyougaveeachofus？\"
\"Icannotsayprecisely，butIbelieveIgaveeachanequalshare。\"
\"Thatisso。Ithinkitiswonderfulhowyoucoulddoit。\"
\"Ihavedoneitathousandtimes。WhenIloseaparolioftensequinsIputthreefingersintomypurse，andamcertaintobringupthirtysequins。IwouldbetIgaveyoueachfromthirty—eighttofortysequins。\"
\"Fortyexactly。It’swonderful。Weshallrememberthismasquedball。\"
\"Idon’tthinkanybodywillimitateus，\"saidthemarquis。
\"No，\"saidthecousin，\"andwewouldnotdaretowearthesamedressesagain。\"
Weputonourmasks，andIwasthefirsttogoout。Afternumerouslittlejocularitieswiththeharlequins，especiallythefemaleones，IrecognizedThereseinadomino，andwalkinguptoherasawkwardlyasIcouldIaskedhertodancewithme。
\"YouarethePierrotwhobrokethebank？\"shesaid。
Iansweredthequestionintheaffirmativebyanod。
Idancedlikeamadman，alwaysonthepointoffallingtothegroundandneveractuallydoingso。
Whenthedancewasover，Iofferedhermyarmandtookherbacktoherbox，whereGreppiwassittingbyhimself。Sheletmecomein，andtheirsurprisewasgreatwhenItookoffmymask。TheyhadthoughtIwasoneofthebeggars。IgaveM。GreppiCanano’scheque，andassoonashehadhandedmeanacknowledgmentIwentdowntotheball—roomagainwithmymaskoff，muchtotheastonishmentoftheinquisitive，whohadmadesurethatthemarquiswasI。
TowardstheendoftheballIwentawayinasedan—chair，whichI
stoppednearthedoorofanhotel，andalittlefurtheronItookanotherwhichbroughtmetothedoorofthepastry—cook’s。I
foundZenobiainbed。ShesaidshewassureIwouldcomebackbymyself。IundressedasquicklyasIcould，andgotintobedwiththisVenusofawoman。Shewasabsoluteperfection。IamsurethatifPraxiteleshadhadherforamodel，hewouldnothaverequiredseveralGreekbeautiesfromwhichtocomposehisVenus。
Whatapitythatsuchanexquisitefigureshouldbethepropertyofasorrytailor。
Istrippedhernaked，andafterduecontemplationImadeherfeelhowmuchIlovedher。Shewaspleasedwithmyadmiration，andgavemebackasmuchasshegot。Ihadherentirelytomyselfforthefirsttime。Whenweheardthetrotoffourhorsesweroseandputonourclothesinatwinkling。
Whenthecharmingbeggarscamein，ItoldthemthatIshouldbeabletohelpintheirtoiletteastheyhadnottochangetheirchemises，andtheydidnotmakemanyobjections。
MygazewasfixedallthewhileonMdlle。Q————。Iadmiredhercharms，andIwasdelightedtoseethatshewasnotmiserlyintheirdisplay。AfterZenobiahaddoneherhairshelefthertome，andwenttoattendontheothers。Sheallowedmetoputonherdress，anddidnotforbidmyeyeswanderingtowardsalargerentinherchemise，whichletmeseealmostthewholeofoneofherbeautifulbreasts。
\"Whatareyougoingtodowiththischemise？\"
\"Youwilllaughatoursilliness。Wehavedeterminedtokeepeverythingasamemorialofthesplendideveningwehavehad。Mybrotherwillbringitalltothehouse。Areyoucomingtoseeusthisevening？\"
\"IfIwerewiseIshouldavoidyou。\"
\"AndifIwerewiseIshouldn’taskyoutocome。\"
\"Thatisfairlyanswered！OfcourseIwillcome；butbeforewepartmayIaskonekiss？\"
\"Saytwo。\"
Herbrotherandthemarquislefttheroom，andtwosedan—chairsI
hadsummonedtookoffthecousins。
Assoonasthemarquiswasalonewithmeheaskedmeverypolitelytolethimshareintheexpenses。
\"Iguessedyouweregoingtohumiliateme。\"
\"Suchwasnotmyintention，andIdonotinsist；butthenyouknowIshallbehumiliated。\"
\"Notatall；Ireckononyourgoodsense。Itreallycostsmenothing。Besides，Igiveyoumywordtoletyoupayforallthepartiesofpleasureweenjoytogetherduringthecarnival。Wewillsupherewhenyoulike；youshallinvitethecompany，andI
willleaveyoutopaythebill。\"
\"Thatarrangementwillsuitmeadmirably。Wemustbefriends。I
leaveyouwiththischarmingattendant。IdidnotthinkthatsuchabeautycouldexistinMilanunknowntoallbutyou。\"
\"Sheisatownswoman，whoknowshowtokeepasecret。Doyounot？\"
\"IwouldratherdiethantellanyonethatthisgentlemanistheMarquisofF————。\"
\"That’sright；alwayskeepyourword，andtakethistrifleasasouvenirofme。\"
Itwasaprettyring，whichZenobiareceivedwithmuchgrace；itmightbeworthaboutfiftysequins。
Whenthemarquiswasgone，Zenobiaundressedmeanddidmyhairforthenight，andasIgotintobedIgavehertwenty—foursequins，andtoldhershemightgoandcomfortherhusband。
\"Hewon’tbeuneasy，\"saidshe，\"heisaphilosopher。\"
\"Heneedbewithsuchaprettywife。Kissmeagain，Zenobia，andthenwemustpart。\"
Shethrewherselfuponme，coveringmewithkisses，andcallingmeherhappinessandherprovidence。Herfierykissesproducedtheirnaturaleffect，andafterIhadgivenherafreshproofofthepowerofhercharms，sheleftmeandIwenttosleep。
Itwastwoo’clockwhenIawokeravenouslyhungry。Ihadanexcellentdinner，andthenIdressedtocallonthecharmingMdlle。Q————，whomIdidnotexpecttofindtoohardonme，afterwhatshehadsaid。Everybodywasplayingcardswiththeexceptionofherself。Shewasstandingbyawindowreadingsoattentivelythatshedidnothearmecomeintotheroom，butwhenshesawmenearher，sheblushed，shutupthebook，andputitinherpocket。
\"Iwillnotbetrayyou，\"saidI，\"ortellanyonethatIsurprisedyoureadingaprayer—book。\"
\"No，don’t；formyreputationwouldbegoneifIwerethoughttobeadevotee。\"
\"Hastherebeenanytalkofthemasquedballorofthemysteriousmasquers？\"
\"Peopletalkofnothingelse，andcondolewithusfornothavingbeentotheball，butnoonecanguesswhothebeggarswere。Itseemsthatanunknowncarriageandfourthatspedlikethewindtookthemasfarasthefirststage，andwheretheywentnextGodaloneknows！Itissaidthatmyhairwasfalse，andIhavelongedtoletitdownandthusgivethemthelie。Itisalsosaidthatyoumustknowwhothebeggarswere，asyouloadedthemwithducats。\"
\"Onemustletpeoplesayandbelievewhattheylikeandnotbetrayourselves。\"
\"Youareright；andafterallwehadadelightfulevening。Ifyouacquityourselfofallcommissionsinthesameway，youmustbeawonderfulman。\"
\"Butitisonlyyouwhocouldgivemesuchacommission。\"
\"Ito—day，andanotherto—morrow。\"
\"IseeyouthinkIaminconstant，butbelievemeifIfindfavourinyoureyesyourfacewilleverdwellinmymemory。\"
\"Iamcertainyouhavetoldathousandgirlsthesamestory，andaftertheyhaveadmittedyoutotheirfavouryouhavedespisedthem。\"
\"Praydonotusetheword’despise，’orIshallsupposeyouthinkmeamonster。Beautyseducesme。Iaspiretoitspossession，anditisonlywhenitisgivenmefromothermotivesthanlovethatI
despiseit。HowshouldIdespiseonewholovedme？Ishouldfirstbecompelledtodespisemyself。YouarebeautifulandI
worshipyou，butyouaremistakenifyouthinkthatIshouldbecontentforyoutosurrenderyourselftomeoutofmerekindness。\"
\"Ah！Iseeitismyheartyouwant。\"
\"Exactly。\"
\"Tomakemewretchedattheendofafortnight。\"
\"Toloveyoutilldeath，andtoobeyyourslightestwishes。\"
\"Myslightestwishes？\"
\"Yes，fortometheywouldbeinviolablelaws。\"
\"WouldyousettleinMilan？\"
\"Certainly，ifyoumadethataconditionofmyhappiness。\"
\"Whatamusesmeinallthisisthatyouaredeceivingmewithoutknowingit，ifindeedyoureallyloveme。\"
\"Deceivingyouwithoutknowingit！Thatissomethingnew。IfI
amnotawareofit，Iaminnocentofdeceit。\"
\"Iamwillingtoadmityourinnocency，butyouaredeceivingmenonetheless，forafteryouhadceasedtolovemenopowerofyourscouldbringlovebackagain。\"
\"That，ofcourse，mighthappen，butIdon’tchoosetoentertainsuchunpleasantthoughts；Iprefertothinkofmyselfaslovingyoutoalleternity。ItiscertainatalleventsthatnootherwomaninMilanhasattractedme。\"
\"Nottheprettygirlwhowaitedonus，andwhosearmsyouhavepossiblyleftanhouror，twoago？\"
\"Whatareyousaying？Sheisthewifeofthetailorwhomadeyourclothes。Sheleftdirectlyafteryou，andherhusbandwouldnothaveallowedhertocomeatallifhewasnotawarethatshewouldbewantedtowaitontheladieswhosedresseshehadmade。\"
\"Sheiswonderfullypretty。Isitpossiblethatyouarenotinlovewithher？\"
\"Howcouldoneloveawomanwhoisatthedisposalofalow，uglyfellow？Theonlypleasureshegavemewasbytalkingofyouthismorning。\"
\"Ofme？\"
\"Yes。YouwillexcusemeifIconfesstohavingaskedherwhichoftheladiesshewaitedonlookedhandsomestwithoutherchemise。\"
\"Thatwasalibertine’squestion。Well，whatdidshesay？\"
\"Thattheladywiththebeautifulhairwasperfectineveryrespect。\"
\"Idon’tbelieveawordofit。Ihavelearnthowtochangemychemisewithdecency，andsoasnottoshewanythingImightnotshewaman。Sheonlywishedtoflatteryourimpertinentcuriosity。IfIhadamaidlikethat，sheshouldsoongoaboutherbusiness。\"
\"Youareangrywithme。\"
\"No。\"
\"It’snogoodsayingno，yoursoulflashedforthinyourdenunciation。Iamsorrytohavespoken。\"
\"Oh！it’sofnoconsequence。Iknowmenaskchambermaidsquestionsofthatkind，andtheyallgiveanswerslikeyoursweetheart，whoperhapswantedtomakeyoucuriousaboutherself。\"
\"Buthowcouldshehopetodothatbyextollingyourcharmsabovethoseoftheotherladies？And，howcouldsheknowthatI
preferredyou？\"
\"Ifshedidnotknowit，Ihavemadeamistake；butforallthat，sheliedtoyou。\"
\"Shemayhaveinventedthetale，butIdonotthinkshelied。Youaresmilingagain！Iamdelighted。\"
\"Iliketoletyoubelievewhatpleasesyou。\"
\"Thenyouwillallowmetobelievethatyoudonothateme。\"
\"Hateyou？Whatanuglyword！IfIhatedyou，shouldIseeyouatall？Butlet’stalkofsomethingelse。Iwantyoutodomeafavour。Herearetwosequins；Iwantyoutoputthemonan’ambe’
inthelottery。Youcanbringmetheticketwhenyoucallagain，orstillbetter，youcansenditme，butdon’ttellanybody。\"
\"Youshallhavetheticketwithoutfail，butwhyshouldInotbringit？\"
\"Because，perhaps，youaretiredofcomingtoseeme。\"
\"DoIlooklikethat？IfsoIamveryunfortunate。Butwhatnumberswillyouhave？\"
\"Threeandforty；yougavethemmeyourself。\"
\"HowdidIgivethemyou？\"
\"Youputyourhandthreetimesontheboard，andtookupfortysequinseachtime。Iamsuperstitious，andyouwilllaughatme，Idaresay，butitseemstomethatyoumusthavecometoMilantomakemehappy。\"
\"Nowyoumakemehappyindeed。Yousayyouaresuperstitious，butifthesenumbersdon’twinyoumustn’tdrawtheconclusionthatI
don’tloveyou；thatwouldbeadreadfulfallacy。\"
\"Iamnotsuperstitiousasallthat，norsovilealogician。\"
\"DoyoubelieveIloveyou？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"MayItellyousoahundredtimes？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Andproveitineveryway？\"
\"ImustenquireintoyourmethodsbeforeIconsenttothat，foritispossiblethatwhatyouwouldcallaveryefficaciousmethodmightstrikemeasquiteuseless。\"
\"Iseeyouaregoingtomakemesighafteryouforalongtime。\"
\"AslongasIcan。\"
\"Andwhenyouhavenostrengthleft？\"
\"Iwillsurrender。Doesthatsatisfyyou？\"
\"Certainly，butIshallexertallmystrengthtoabateyours。\"
\"Doso；Ishalllikeit。\"
\"Andwillyouhelpmetosucceed？\"
\"Perhaps。\"
\"Ah，dearmarchioness；youneedonlyspeaktomakeamanhappy。
Youhavemademereallyso，andIamleavingyoufullofardour。\"
OnleavingthischarmingconversationalistIwenttothetheatreandthentothefaro—table，whereIsawthemasquerwhohadwonthreehundredsequinstheeveningbefore。Thisnighthewasveryunlucky。Hehadlosttwothousandsequins，andinthecourseofthenexthourhislosseshaddoubled。Cananothrewdownhiscardsandrose，saying，\"Thatwilldo。\"Themasquerleftthetable。HewasaGenoesenamedSpinola。
\"Thebankisprosperous，\"IremarkedtoCanano。
\"Yes，\"hereplied，\"butitisnotalwaysso。Pierrotwasveryluckytheothernight。\"
\"Youdidnotrecognizemeintheleast？\"
\"No，Iwassofirmlypersuadedthatthebeggarwasyou。Youknowwhoheis？\"
\"Ihaven’tanidea。Ineversawhimbeforethatday。\"InthislastparticularIdidnotlie。
\"ItissaidthattheyareVenetians，andthattheywenttoBergamo。\"
\"Itmaybeso，butIknownothingaboutthem。Ilefttheballbeforetheydid。\"
IntheeveningIsuppedwiththecountess，herhusband，andTriulzi。TheywereofthesameopinionasCanano。TriulzisaidthatIhadletthecatoutofthebagbygivingthebeggarshandfulsofsequins。
\"Thatisamistake，\"Ianswered。\"WhentheluckisinmyfavourI
neverrefuseanyonewhoasksmeformoney，forIhaveasuperstitionthatIshouldloseifIdid。Ihadwonthirtypoundsweightofgold，andIcouldaffordtoletfoolstalk。\"
ThenextdayIgotthelotteryticketandtookittothemarchioness。IfeltmadlyinlovewithherbecauseIknewshewasinlovewithme。Neitherofthemwereplaying，andIspenttwohoursintheircompany，talkingofloveallthewhileandenjoyingtheirconversationimmensely，fortheywereexceedinglyintelligent。Ileftthemwiththeconvictionthatifthecousin，andnotMdlle。Q————，hadbeenthrowninmyway，Ishouldhavefalleninlovewithherinjustthesamemanner。
AlthoughthecarnivalisfourdayslongeratMilanthanatanyothertown，itwasnowdrawingtoaclose。Therewerethreemoreballs。Iplayedeveryday，andeverydayIlosttwoorthreehundredsequins。Myprudencecausedevenmoresurprisethanmybadfortune。Iwenteverydaytothefaircousinsandmadelove，butIwasstillatthesamepoint；Ihoped，butcouldgetnothingtangible。Thefairmarchionesssometimesgavemeakiss，butthiswasnotenoughforme。ItistruethatsofarIhadnotdaredtoaskhertomeetmealone。AsitwasIfeltmylovemightdieforwantoffood，andthreedaysbeforetheballIaskedherifshe，hertwofriends，themarquis，andthelieutenant，wouldcomeandsupwithme。
\"Mybrother，\"shesaid，\"willcallonyouto—morrowtoseewhatcanbearranged。\"
Thiswasagoodomen。Thenextdaythelieutenantcame。Ihadjustreceivedthedrawingsatthelottery，andwhatwasmysurpriseanddelighttoseethetwonumbersthreeandforty。I
saidnothingtotheyoungmarquis，ashissisterhadforbiddenme，butIforesawthatthiseventwouldbefavourabletomysuit。
\"TheMarquisofF————，\"saidtheworthyambassador，\"asksyoutosupperinyourownroomswithallthebandofbeggars。Hewishestogiveusasurprise，andwouldbeobligedifyouwouldlendhimtheroomtohaveasetofdisguisesmade，andtoensuresecrecyhewantsyoutolethavethesamewaiting—maid。\"
\"Withpleasure；tellthemarquisthatallshallbeaccordingtohispleasure。\"
\"Getthegirltocomethereatthreeo’clockto—day，andletthepastry—cookknowthatthemarquishasfullpowerstodowhathelikesintheplace。\"
\"Everythingshallbedoneasyousuggest。\"
IguessedatoncethatthemarquiswantedtohaveatasteofZenobia；butthisseemedtomesonaturalthat，farfrombeingangry，Ifeltdisposedtodoallinmypowertofavourhisplans。
Liveandletlivehasalwaysbeenmymaxim，anditwillbesotomydyingday，thoughnowIdobutlivealifeofmemories。
AssoonasIwasdressedIwentout，andhavingtoldthepastrycooktoconsiderthegentlemanwhowascomingasmyself，I
calledonthetailor，whowasdelightedatmygettinghiswifework。Heknewbyexperiencethatshewasnonetheworsefortheselittleabsences。
\"Idon’twantyou，\"saidItothetailor，\"asitisonlywomen’sdressesthathavetobedone。Mygoodgossipherewillbesufficient。\"
\"Atthreeo’clockshemaygo，andIshallnotexpecttoseeheragainforthreedays。\"
AfterIhaddinedIcalledasusualonthefairmarchioness，andfoundherinatransportofdelight。Herlotterytickethadgotherfivehundredsequins。
\"Andthatmakesyouhappy，doesit？\"saidI。
\"Itdoes，notbecauseofthegaininmoney，thoughIambynomeansrich，butforthebeautyoftheideaandforthethoughtthatIoweitalltoyou。Thesetwothingsspeakvolumesinyourfavour。\"
\"Whatdotheysay？\"
\"Thatyoudeservetobeloved。\"
\"Andalsothatyouloveme？\"
\"No，butmyhearttellsmeasmuch。\"
\"Youmakemehappy，butdoesnotyourheartalsotellyouthatyoushouldproveyourlove？\"
\"Dearest，canyoudoubtit？\"
Withthesewordsshegavemeherhandtokissforthefirsttime。
\"Myfirstidea，\"sheadded，\"wastoputthewholefortysequinsonthe’ambe’。\"
\"Youhadn’tsufficientcourage？\"
\"Itwasn’tthat，Ifeltashamedtodoit。Iwasafraidthatyoumighthaveathoughtyouwouldnottellmeof——namely，thatifI
gaveyouthefortysequinstoriskonthelottery，youwouldthinkIdespisedyourpresent。Thiswouldhavebeenwrong，andifyouhadencouragedmeIshouldhaveriskedallthemoney。\"
\"Iamsosorrynottohavethoughtofit。Youwouldhavehadtenthousandsequins，andIshouldbeahappyman。\"
\"Wewillsaynomoreaboutit。\"
\"Yourbrothertellsmethatwearegoingtothemasquedballunderthedirectionofthemarquis，andIleaveyoutoimaginehowgladIfeelatthethoughtofspendingawholenightwithyou。Butonethoughttroublesme。\"
\"Whatisthat？\"
\"Iamafraiditwillnotgooffsowellasbefore。\"
\"Don’tbeafraid，themarquisisamanofmuchingenuity，andlovesmycousin’shonourasherself。Heissuretogetusdisguisesinwhichweshallnotberecognized。\"
\"Ihopeso。Hewantstopayforeverything，includingthesupper。\"
\"Hecannotdobetterthanimitateyourexampleinthatrespect。\"
OntheeveningoftheballIwentatanearlyhourtothepastry—
cook’s，whereIfoundthemarquiswellpleasedwiththeprogressthathadbeenmade。Thedressingroomwasshut。IaskedhiminasuggestivemannerifhewassatisfiedwithZenobia。
\"Yes，withherwork，\"heanswered；\"Ididnotaskhertodoanythingelseforme。\"
\"Oh！ofcourseIbelieveit，butIamafraidyoursweetheartwillberathersceptical。\"
\"SheknowsthatIcannotloveanyonebesidesherself。\"
\"Well，well，wewillsaynomoreaboutit。\"
Whentheguestscamethemarquissaidthatasthecostumeswouldamuseuswehadbetterputthemonbeforesupper。
Wefollowedhimintothenextroom，andhepointedouttwothickbundles。
\"Here，ladies，areyourdisguises，\"saidhe；\"andhereisyourmaidwhowillhelpyouwhilewedressinanotherroom。\"
Hetookthelargerofthetwobundles，andwhenwewereshutupinourroomheundidthestring，andgaveusourdresses，saying，——
\"Letusbeasquickaswecan。\"
Weburstoutlaughingtoseeasetofwomen’sclothes。Nothingwaswanting，chemises，embroideredshoeswithhighheels，superbgarters，and，torelieveusofthetroubleofhavingourhairdone，exquisitecapswithrichlacecomingovertheforehead。I
wassurprisedtofindthatmyshoesfittedmeperfectly，butI
heardafterwardsthatheemployedthesamebootmakerasIdid。
Corsets，petticoats，gowns，kerchief，fans，work—bags，rouge—
boxes，masks，gloves—allwerethere。Weonlyhelpedeachotherwithourhair，butwhenitwasdonewelookedintenselystupid，withtheexceptionoftheyoungofficer，whoreallymighthavebeentakenforaprettywoman；hehadconcealedhisdeficiencyinfemininecharacteristicsbyfalsebreastsandabustleWetookoffourbreechesoneaftertheother。
\"Yourfinegarters，\"saidI，tothemarquis，\"makemewanttowearsometoo。\"
\"Exactly，\"saidthemarquis；\"buttheworstofitisnobodywilltakethetroubletofindoutwhetherwehavegartersornot，fortwoyoungladiesfivefeetteninheightwillnotinspireveryardentdesires。\"
Ihadguessedthatthegirlswouldbedressedlikemen，andIwasnotmistaken。Theywerereadybeforeus，andwhenweopenedthedoorwesawthemstandingwiththeirbackstothefireplace。
Theylookedthreeyoungpagesminustheirimpudence，forthoughtheyendeavouredtoseemquiteattheireasetheywereratherconfused。
Weadvancedwiththemodestyofthefairsex，andimitatingtheairofshyreservewhichthepartdemanded。Thegirlsofcoursethoughtthemselvesobligedtomimictheairsofmen，andtheydidnotaccostuslikeyoungmenaccustomedtobehaverespectfullytoladies。Theyweredressedasrunningfootmen，withtightbreeches，well—fittingwaistcoats，openthroats，garterswithasilverfringe，lacedwaistbands，andprettycapstrimmedwithsilverlace，andacoatofarmsemblazonedingold。TheirlaceshirtswereornamentedwithanimmensefrillofAlenconpoint。Inthisdress，whichdisplayedtheirbeautifulshapesunderaveilwhichwasalmosttransparent，theywouldhavestirredthesenseofaparalytic，andwehadnosymptomsofthatdisease。However，welovedthemtoowelltofrightenthem。
Afterthesillyremarksusualonsuchoccasionshadbeenpassed，webegantotalknaturallywhilewewerewaitingforsupper。Theladiessaidthatasthiswasthefirsttimetheyhaddressedasmentheywereafraidofbeingrecognized。
\"Supposingsomebodyknewus，\"criedthecousin，\"weshouldbeundone！\"
Theywereright；butourpartwastoreassurethem，thoughIatanyratewouldhavepreferredtostaywherewewere。
Wesatdowntosupper，eachnexttohissweetheart，andtomysurprisethelieutenant’smistresswasthefirsttobeginthefun。
Thinkingthatshecouldnotpretendtobeamanwithoutbeingimpudent，shebegantotoywiththelady—lieutenant，whodefendedhimselflikeaprudishmiss。Thetwocousins，nottobeoutdone，begantocaressusinamannerthatwasratherfree。Zenobia，whowaswaitingonusattablecouldnothelplaughingwhenMdlle。Q——
——reproachedherforhavingmademydresstootightintheneck。
Shestretchedoutherhandasiftotoywithme，whereuponIgaveheraslightboxontheear，andimitatingthemannerofarepentantcavaliershekissedmyhandandbeggedmypardon。
Themarquissaidhefeltcold，andhismistressaskedhimifhehadhisbreecheson，andputherhandunderhisdresstosee，butshespeedilydrewitbackwithablush。Weallburstoutlaughing，andshejoinedin，andproceededwithherpartofhardylover。
Thesupperwasadmirable；everythingwaschoiceandabundant。
Warmwithloveandwine，werosefromthetableatwhichwehadbeenfortwohours，butaswegotupsadnessdisfiguredthefacesofthetwoprettycousins。Theydidnotdaretogototheballinacostumethatwouldputthematthemercyofallthelibertinesthere。ThemarquisandIfeltthattheywereright。
\"Wemustmakeupourminds，\"saidthelieutenant，\"shallwegototheballorgohome？\"
\"Neither，\"saidthemarquis，\"wewilldancehere。\"
\"Wherearetheviolins\"askedhismistress，\"youcouldnotgetthemto—nightfortheirweightingold。\"
\"Well，\"saidI，\"wewilldowithoutthem。Wewillhavesomepunch，laugh，andbemerry，andweshallenjoyourselvesbetterthanattheball，andwhenwearetiredwecangotosleep。Wehavethreebedshere。\"
\"Twowouldbeenough，\"saidthecousin。
\"True，butwecan’thavetoomuchofagoodthing。\"
Zenobiahadgonetosupwiththepastrycook’swife，butshewasreadytocomeupagainwhensheshouldbesummoned。
Aftertwohoursspentinamoroustrifling，thelieutenant’smistress，feelingalittledizzy，wentintoanadjoiningroomandlaydownonthebed。Herloverwassoonbesideher。
Mdlle。Q————，whowasinthesamecase，toldmethatshewouldliketorest，soItookherintoaroomwhereshecouldsleepthenight，andadvisedhertodoso。
\"Idon’tthinkIneedfearitsgoinganyfarther，\"Isaid，\"wewillleavethemarquiswithyourcousinthen，andIwillwatchoveryouwhileyousleep。\"
\"No，no，youshallsleeptoo。\"Sosaying，shewentintothedressing—room，andaskedmetogethercloak。Ibroughtittoher，andwhenshecameinshesaid，——
\"Ibreatheagain。Thosedreadfultrousersweretootight；theyhurtme。\"Shethrewherselfonthebed，withnothingonbesideshercloak。
\"Wheredidthebreecheshurtyou？\"saidI。
\"Ican’ttellyou，butIshouldthinkyoumustfindthemdreadfullyuncomfortable。\"
\"But，dearest，ouranatomyisdifferent，andbreechesdonottroubleusatallwheretheyhurtyou。\"
AsIspokeIheldhertomybreastandletmyselffallgentlybesideheronthebed。Weremainedthusaquarterofanhourwithoutspeaking，ourlipsgluedtogetherinonelongkiss。I
leftheramomentbyherself，andwhenIreturnedshewasbetweenthesheets。Shesaidshehadundressedtobeabletosleepbetter，and，shuttinghereyes，turnedaway。Iknewthatthehappyhourhadcome，andtakingoffmywoman’sclothesinatwinkling，Igentlyglidedintothebedbesideher，forthelaststrugglesofmodestymustbetenderlyrespected。Iclaspedherinmyarmsandagentlepressuresoonarousedherpassions，andturningtowardsmeshesurrenderedtomeallhercharms。
AfterthefirstsacrificeIproposedawash，forthoughIcouldnotexactlyflattermyselfthatIhadbeenthefirsttobreakopenthelock，thevictimhadleftsometracesonthebed，whichlookedasifitwereso。Theofferwasreceivedwithdelight，andwhentheoperationwasoversheallowedmetogazeonallhercharms，whichIcoveredwithkisses。Growingbolder，shemademegrantherthesameprivilege。
\"Whatadifferencethereis，\"saidshe，\"betweennatureandart！\"
\"Butofcourseyouthinkthatartisthebetter？\"
\"No，certainlynot。\"
\"Buttheremaybeimperfectionsinnature，whereasartisperfect。\"
\"IdonotknowwhethertherebeanyimperfectioninwhatIbehold，butIdoknowthatIhaveneverseenanythingsobeautiful。\"
Infactshehadtheinstrumentoflovebeforehereyesinallitsmajesty，andIsoonmadeherfeelitspower。Shedidnotremainstillamoment，andIhaveknownfewwomensoardentandflexibleintheirmovements。
\"Ifwewerewise，\"saidshe，\"insteadofgoingtotheballagainwewouldcomehereandenjoyourselves。\"
IkissedthemouthwhichtoldmesoplainlythatIwastobehappy，andIconvincedherbymytransportsthatnomancouldloveherasardentlyasIdid。Ihadnoneedtokeepherawake，sheshewednoinclinationforsleep。Wewereeitherinactionorcontemplation，orengagedinamorousdiscourse，thewholetime。I
cheatedhernowandthen，buttoherownadvantage，forayoungwomanisalwaysmorevigorousthanaman，andwedidnotstoptillthedaybegantobreak。Therewasnoneedforconcealment，foreachhadenjoyedhissweetheartinpeaceandhappiness，anditwasonlymodestywhichsilencedourcongratulations。Bythissilencewedidnotproclaimourhappiness，butneitherdidwedenyit。
WhenwewerereadyIthankedthemarquis，andaskedhimtosupperforthenextballnightwithoutanypretenceofourgoingtothemasquerade，iftheladieshadnoobjection。Thelieutenantansweredforthemintheaffirmative，andhismistressthrewherarmsroundhisneck，reproachinghimforhavingsleptallnight。
Themarquisconfessedtothesamefault，andIrepeatedthewordslikeanarticleoffaith，whiletheladieskissedus，andthankedusforourkindnesstothem。Wepartedinthesamewayasbefore，exceptthatthistimethemarquisremainedwithZenobia。
IwenttobedassoonasIgothome，andslepttillthreeo’clock。
WhenIgotupIfoundthehousewasempty，soIwenttodineatthepastry—cook’s，whereIfoundZenobiaandherhusband，whohadcometoenjoytheleavingsofoursupper。HetoldmethatIhadmadehisfortune，asthemarquishadgivenhiswifetwenty—foursequinsandthewoman’sdresshehadworn。Igavehermineaswell。ItoldmygossipthatIshouldlikesomedinner，andthetailorwentawayinagratefulmood。
AssoonasIwasalonewithZenobiaIaskedherifsheweresatisfiedwiththemarquis。
\"Hepaidmewell，\"sheanswered，aslightblushmountingonhercheeks。
\"Thatisenough，\"saidI，\"noonecanseeyouwithoutlovingyou，orloveyouwithoutdesiringtopossessyourcharms。\"
\"Themarquisdidnotgosofarasthat。\"
\"Itmaybeso，butIamsurprisedtohearit。\"
WhenIhaddined，Ihastenedtocallonthefairmarchioness，whomIlovedmorethaneverafterthedeliciousnightshehadgivenme。
Iwantedtoseewhateffectshewouldhaveonme，aftermakingmesohappy。Shelookedprettierthanever。Shereceivedmeinawaybecominginamistresswhoisgladtohaveacquiredsomerightsoverherlover。
\"Iwassure，\"saidshe，\"thatyouwouldcomeandseeme；\"andthoughhercousinwasthereshekissedmesooftenandsoardentlythattherewasnoroomfordoubtastothemannerinwhichwehadspentournighttogether。Ipassedfivehourswithher，whichwentbyalltooquickly，forwetalkedoflove，andloveisaninexhaustiblesubject。Thisfivehours’visitonthedayafterourbridalshewedmethatIwasmadlyinlovewithmynewconquest，whileitmusthaveconvincedherthatIwasworthyofheraffection。
CountessA————B————hadsentmeanoteaskingmetosupwithher，herhusband，andtheMarquisTriulzi，andotherfriends。ThisengagementpreventedmypayingavisittoCanano，whohadwonathousandsequinsofmesincemygreatvictoryasPierrot。Iknewthatheboastedthathewassureofme，butinmyownmindIhaddeterminedtogainthemastery。Atsupperthecountesswagedwaronme。Isleptoutatnight。Iwasrarelyvisible。Shetriedhardtostealmysecretfromme，andtogetsomeinformationastomyamorousadventures。ItwasknownthatIsometimessuppedatTherese’swithGreppi，whowaslaughedatbecausehehadbeensillyenoughtosaythathehadnothingtodreadfrommypower。
Thebettertoconcealmygame，Isaidhewasquiteright。
ThenextdayBarbaro，whowasashonestasmostprofessionalsharpersare，broughtmethetwohundredsequinsIhadlenthim，withaprofitoftwohundredmore。Hetoldmethathehadhadaslightdifferencewiththelieutenant，andwasnotgoingtoplayanymore。Ithankedhimforhavingpresentedmetothefairmarchioness，tellinghimthatIwasquiteinlovewithherandinhopesofovercomingherscruples。Hesmiled，andpraisedmydiscretion，lettingmeunderstandthatIdidnottakehimin；butitwasenoughformenottoconfesstoanything。
Aboutthreeo’clockIcalledonmysweetheart，andspentfivehourswithherasbefore。AsBarbarowasnotplaying，theservantshadbeenorderedtosaythatnoonewasathome。AsI
wasthedeclaredloverofthemarchioness，hercousintreatedmeasanintimatefriend。ShebeggedmetostayatMilanaslongaspossible，notonlytomakehercousinhappy，butforhersakeaswell，sincewithoutmeshecouldnotenjoythemarquis’ssocietyinprivate，andwhileherfatherwasalivehewouldneverdaretocomeopenlytothehouse。Shethoughtshewouldcertainlybecomehiswifeassoonasheroldfatherwasdead，butshehopedvainly，forsoonafterthemarquisfellintoevilwaysandwasruined。
Nexteveningweallassembledatsupper，andinsteadofgoingtotheballgaveourselvesuptopleasure。Wespentadeliciousnight，butitwassaddenedbythereflectionthatthecarnivalwasdrawingtoaclose，andwithitourmutualpleasureswouldbeover。
OntheeveofShroveTuesdayastherewasnoballIsatdowntoplay，andnotbeingableoncetohitonthreewinningcards，I
lostallthegoldIhadaboutme。Ishouldhaveleftthetableasusualifawomandisguisedasamanhadnotgivenmeacard，andurgedmebysignstoplayit。Iriskedahundredsequinsonit，givingmywordforthepayment。Ilost，andinmyendeavourstogetbackmymoneyIlostathousandsequins，whichIpaidthenextday。
Iwasjustgoingouttoconsolemyselfwiththecompanyofmydearmarchioness，whenIsawtheevil—omenedmasquerapproaching，accompaniedbyaman，alsoindisguise，whoshookmebythehandandbeggedmetocomeatteno’clocktothe\"ThreeKings\"atsuchanumber，ifthehonourofanoldfriendwasdeartome。
\"Whatfriendisthat？\"
\"Myself。\"
\"Whatisyourname？\"
\"Icannottellyou。\"
\"Thenyouneednottellmetocome，forifyouwereatruefriendofmineyouwouldtellmeyourname。\"
Iwentoutandhefollowedme，beggingmetocomewithhimtotheendofthearcades。Whenwegottherehetookoffhismask，andI
recognizedCroce，whommyreadersmayremember。
IknewhewasbanishedfromMilan，andunderstoodwhyhedidnotcaretogivehisnameinpublic，butIwasexceedinglygladIhadrefusedtogotohisinn。
\"Iamsurprisedtoseeyouhere，\"saidI。
\"Idaresayyourare。Ihavecomehereinthiscarnivalseason，whenonecanwearamask，tocompelmyrelationstogivemewhattheyoweme；buttheyputmeofffromonedaytoanother，astheyaresureIshallbeobligedtogowhenLentbegins。\"
\"Andwillyoudoso？\"
\"Ishallbeobligedto，butasyouwillnotcomeandseeme，givemetwentysequins，whichwillenablemetoleaveMilan。Mycousinowesmetenthousandlivres，andwillnotpaymeatentheven。I
willkillhimbeforeIgo。\"
\"Ihaven’tafarthing，andthatmaskofyourshasmademeloseathousandsequins，whichIdonotknowhowtopay。
\"Iknow。Iamanunluckyman，andbringbadlucktoallmyfriends。ItwasIwhotoldhertogiveyouacard，inthehopethatitwouldchangetherunagainstyou。\"
\"IssheaMilanesegirl？\"
\"No，shecomesfromMarseilles，andisthedaughterofarichagent。Ifellinlovewithher，seducedher，andcarriedherofftoherunhappiness。Ihadplentyofmoneythen，but，wretchthatIam，IlostitallatGenoa，whereIhadtosellallmypossessionstoenablemetocomehere。IhavebeenaweekinMilan。Praygivemethewherewithaltoescape。\"
Iwastouchedwithcompassion，andIborrowedtwentysequinsfromCanano，andgavethemtothepoorwretch，tellinghimtowritetome。
Thisalms—givingdidmegood；itmademeforgetmylosses，andI
spentadelightfuleveningwiththemarchioness。
Thenextdaywesuppedtogetheratmyrooms，andspenttherestofthenightinamorouspleasures。ItwastheSaturday，thelastdayofthecarnivalatMilan，andIspentthewholeoftheSundayinbed，forthemarchionesshadexhaustedme，andIknewthatalongsleepwouldrestoremystrength。
EarlyonMondaymorningClairmontbroughtmealetterwhichhadbeenleftbyaservant。Ithadnosignature，andranasfollows:
\"Havecompassion，sir，onthemostwretchedcreaturebreathing。
M。delaCroixhasgoneawayindespair。Hehasleftmehereintheinn，wherehehaspaidfornothing。GoodGod！whatwillbecomeofme？Iconjureyoutocomeandseeme，beitonlytogivemeyouradvice。\"
Ididnothesitateforamoment，anditwasnotfromanyimpulsesofloveorprofligacythatIwent，butfrompurecompassion。I
putonmygreatcoat，andinthesameroominwhichIhadseenIreneIsawayoungandprettygirl，aboutwhosefacetherewassomethingpeculiarlynobleandattractive。Isawinherinnocenceandmodestyoppressedandpersecuted。AssoonasIcameinshehumblyapologizedforhavingdaredtotroubleme，andsheaskedmetotellawomanwhowasintheroomtoleaveit，asshedidnotspeakItalian。
\"Shehasbeentiringmeformorethananhour。Icannotunderstandwhatshesays，butIcanmakeoutthatshewantstodomeaservice。However，Idonotfeelinclinedtoacceptherassistance。\"
\"Whotoldyoutocomeandseethisyounglady？\"saidI，tothewoman。
\"Oneoftheservantsoftheinntoldmethatayoungladyfromforeignpartshadbeenleftalonehere，andthatshewasmuchtobepitied。MyfeelingsofhumanitymademecomeandseeifI
couldbeusefultoher；butIseesheisingoodhands，andIamverygladofitforhersake，poordear！\"
Isawthatthewomanwasaprocuress，andIonlyrepliedwithasmileofcontempt。
ThepoorgirlthentoldmebrieflywhatIhadalreadyheard，andaddedthatCroce，whocalledhimselfDeSt。Croix，hadgonetothegaming—tableassoonashehadgotmytwentysequins，andthathehadthentakenherbacktotheinn，wherehehadspentthenextdayinastateofdespair，ashedidnotdaretoshewhimselfabroadinthedaytime。Intheeveningheputonhismaskandwentout，notreturningtillthenextmorning。
\"Soonafterheputonhisgreatcoatandgotreadytogoout，tellingmethatifhedidnotreturnhewouldcommunicatewithmebyyou，atthesametimegivingmeyouraddress，ofwhichIhavemadeuseasyouknow。Hehasnotcomeback，andifyouhavenotseenhimIamsurehehasgoneoffonfootwithoutapennyinhispocket。Thelandlordwantstobepaid，andbysellingallIhaveIcouldsatisfyhisclaims；but，goodGod！whatistobecomeofme，then？\"
\"Dareyoureturntoyourfather？\"
\"Yes，sir，Idarereturntohim。HewillforgivemewhenonmykneesandwithtearsinmyeyesItellhimthatIamreadytoburymyselfinanunnery。\"
\"Verygood！thenIwilltakeyoutoMarseillesmyself，andinthemeanwhileIwillfindyoualodgingwithsomehonestpeople。Tillthen，shutyourselfupinyourroom，donotadmitanyonetoseeyou，andbesureIwillhaveacareforyou。\"
Isummonedthelandlordandpaidthebill，whichwasaverysmallone，andItoldhimtotakecareoftheladytillmyreturn。Thepoorgirlwasdumbwithsurpriseandgratitude。Isaidgood—byekindlyandleftherwithouteventakingherhand。Itwasnotaltogetheracaseofthedevilturningmonk；Ialwayshadarespectfordistress。
IhadalreadythoughtofZenobiainconnectionwiththepoorgirl’slodging，andIwenttoseeheronthespot。Inherhusband’spresenceItoldherwhatIwanted，andaskedifshecouldfindacornerformynewfriend。
\"Sheshallhavemyplace，\"criedtheworthytailor，\"ifshewon’tmindsleepingwithmywife。Iwillhireasmallroomhardbye，andwillsleepthereaslongastheyoungladystays。\"
\"That’sagoodidea，gossip，butyourwifewilllosebytheexchange。\"
\"Notmuch，\"saidZenobia；andthetailorburstoutlaughing。
\"Asforhermeals，\"headded，\"shemustarrangethatherself。\"
\"That’saverysimplematter，\"saidI，\"ZenobiawillgetthemandIwillpayforthem。\"
Iwrotethegirlashortnote，tellingherofthearrangementsI
hadmade，andchargedZenobiatotakehertheletter。ThenextdayIfoundherinthepoorlodgingwiththeseworthyfolks，lookingpleasedandravishinglypretty。IfeltthatIcouldbehavewellforthepresent，butIsighedatthethoughtofthejourney。Ishouldhavetoputastrongrestraintonmyself。
IhadnothingmoretodoatMilan，butthecounthadmademepromisetospendafortnightatSt。Angelo。Thiswasanestatebelongingtohim，fifteenmilesfromMilan，andthecountspokemostenthusiasticallyofit。IfIhadgoneawaywithoutseeingSt。Angelo，hewouldhavebeenexceedinglymortified。Amarriedbrotherofhislivedthere，andthecountoftensaidthathisbrotherwaslongingtoknowme。Whenwereturnedhewouldnodoubtletmedepartinpeace。
Ihadmadeupmymindtoshewmygratitudetotheworthymanforhishospitality，soonthefourthdayofLentItookleaveofTherese，Greppi，andtheaffectionatemarchioness，fortwoweeks，andwesetoutonourway。
Tomygreatdelightthecountessdidnotcaretocome。ShemuchpreferredstayinginMilanwithTriulzi，whodidnotletherlackforanything。
WegottoSt。Angeloatthreeo’clock，andfoundthatwewereexpectedtodinner。