Thelandladycameinwithourbreakfast，andaskedmynieceifshewouldliketobuyafinesilkshawlmadeintheGenoesefashion。I
didnotletherbeconfusedbyhavingtoanswer，buttoldthelandladytoletusseeit。Soonafterthemillinercamein，butbythattimeIhadgivenmyyoungfriendtwentyGenoesesequins，tellingherthatshemightusethemforherprivatewants。Shetookthemoney，thankingmewithmuchgrace，andlettingmeimprintadeliciouskissonherlovelylips。
Ihadsentawaythemillinerafterhavingboughttheshawl，whenPossanotookituponhimselftoremonstratewithmeinthematterofthecook。
\"Iengagedthemanbyyourorders，\"saidhe，\"forthewholetimeyoustayedatGenoa，atfourfrancsaday，withboardandlodging。\"
\"Whereismyletter？\"
\"Hereitis:’Getmeagoodcook；IwillkeephimwhileIstayinGenoa。’\"
\"Perhapsyoudidnotremarktheexpression，dgoodcook？Well，thisfellowisaverybadcook；and，atallevents，Iamthebestjudgewhetherheisgoodorbad。\"
\"Youarewrong，forthemanwillprovehisskill。Hewillciteyouinthelawcourts，andwinhiscase。\"
\"Thenyouhavemadeaformalagreementwithhim？\"
\"Certainly；andyourletterauthorizedmetodoso。\"
\"Tellhimtocomeup；Iwanttospeaktohim。\"
WhilePossanowasdownstairsItoldClairmonttogoandfetchmeanadvocate。Thecookcameupstairs，Ireadtheagreement，andIsawthatitwaswordedinsuchamannerthatIshouldbeinthewronglegally；butIdidnotchangemymindforallthat。
\"Sir，\"saidthecook，\"Iamskilledinmybusiness，andIcangetfourthousandGenoesetoswearasmuch。\"
\"Thatdoesn’tsaymuchfortheirgoodtaste；butwhatevertheymay—
say，theexecrablesupperyougavemelastnightprovesthatyouareonlyfittokeepaloweating—house。\"
Asthereisnothingmoreirritablethanthefeelingsofaculinaryartist，Iwasexpectingasharpanswer；butjustthentheadvocatecamein。Hehadheardtheendofourdialogue，andtoldmethatnotonlywouldthemanfindplentyofwitnessestohisskill，butthatI
shouldfindaverygreatdifficultyingettinganybodyatalltosweartohiswantofskill。
\"Thatmaybe，\"Ireplied，\"butasIsticktomyownopinion，andthinkhiscookinghorrible，hemustgo，forIwanttogetanother，andIwillpaythatfellowasifhehadservedmethewholetime。\"
\"Thatwon’tdo，\"saidthecook；\"Iwillsummonyoubeforethejudgeanddemanddamagesfordefamationofcharacter。\"
Atthismybileoverpoweredme，andIwasgoingtoseizehimantithrowhimoutofthewindow，whenDonAntonioGrimaldicamein。Whenheheardwhatwasthematter，helaughedandsaid，withashrugofhisshoulders，\"Mydearsir，youhadbetternotgointocourt，oryouwillbecastincosts，fortheevidenceisagainstyou。Probablythismanmakesaslightmistakeinbelievinghimselftobeanexcellentcook，butthechiefmistakeisintheagreement，whichoughttohavestipulatedthatheshouldcookatrialdinner。Thepersonwhodrewuptheagreementiseitheragreatknaveoragreatfool。\"
AtthisPossanostruckininhisrudeway，andtoldthenoblemanthathewasneitherknavenorfool。
\"Butyouarecousintothecook，\"saidthelandlady。
Thistimelyremarksolvedthemystery。Ipaidanddismissedtheadvocate，andhavingsentthecookoutoftheroomIsaid，\"DoIoweyouanymoney，Possano？\"
\"Onthecontrary，youpaidmeamonthinadvance，andtherearetenmoredaysofthemonthtorun。\"
\"Iwillmakeyouapresentofthetendaysandsendyouawaythisverymoment，unlessyourcousindoesnotleavemyhouseto—day，andgiveyouthefoolishengagementwhichyousignedinmyname。\"
\"That’swhatIcallcuttingtheGordianknot，\"saidM。Grimaldi。
Hethenbeggedmetointroducehimtotheladyhehadseenwithme，andIdidso，tellinghimshewasmyniece。
\"SignoraIsola—Bellawillbedelightedtoseeher。\"
\"Asthemarquisdidnotmentionherinhisletter，Ididnottakethelibertyofbringingher。\"
Themarquisleftafewmomentsafterwards，andsoonafterAnnettecameinwithhermother。ThegirlhaddevelopedinanincrediblemannerwhileIwasaway。Hercheeksblossomedliketherose，herteethwerewhiteaspearls，andherbreasts，thoughmodestlyconcealedfromview，wereexquisitelyrounded。Ipresentedhertohermistress，whoseastonishmentamusedme。
Annette，wholookedpleasedtobeinmyserviceagain，wenttodresshernewmistress；and，aftergivingafewsequinstothemotherI
sentheraway，andproceededtomakemytoilette。
Towardsnoon，justasIwasgoingoutwithmyniecetodineatRosalie’s，mylandladybroughtmetheagreementPossanohadmade，andintroducedthenewcook。Iorderedthenextday’sdinner，andwentawaymuchpleasedwithmycomicvictory。
AbrilliantcompanyawaitedusattheParetti’s，butIwasagreeablysurprisedonintroducingmyniecetoRosalietoseethemrecognizeeachother。Theycalledeachotherbytheirrespectivenames，andindulgedinanaffectionateembrace。Afterthistheyretiredtoanotherroomforaquarterofanhour，andreturnedlookingveryhappy。JustthenParettientered，andonRosalieintroducinghimtomynieceunderhertruenamehewelcomedherinthemostcordialmanner。Herfatherwasacorrespondentofhis，anddrawingaletterhehadjustreceivedfromhimfromhispocket，hegaveittohertoread。Myniecereaditeagerly，withtearsinhereyes，andgavethesignaturearespectfulpressurewithherlips。Thisexpressionoffiliallove，whichdisplayedallthefeelingsofherheart，movedmetosuchanextentthatIburstintotears。ThentakingRosalieaside，Ibeggedhertoaskherhusbandnottomentionthefacttohiscorrespondentthathehadseenhisdaughter。
Thedinnerwasexcellent，andRosaliedidthehonourswiththatgracewhichwasnaturaltoher。However，theguestsdidnotbyanymeanspayheralltheirattentions，thegreaterportionofwhichwasdivertedinthedirectionofmysupposedniece。Herfather，aprosperousmerchantofMarseilles，waswellknowninthecommercialcirclesofGenoa，andbesidesthisherwitandbeautycaptivatedeverybody，andoneyounggentlemanfellmadlyinlovewithher。Hewasanextremelygoodmatch，andprovedtobethehusbandwhomHeavenhaddestinedformycharmingfriend。WhatahappythoughtitwasformethatIhadbeenthemeansofrescuingherfromthegulfofshame，misery，anddespair，andplacingheronthehighroadtohappiness。
IownthatIhavealwaysfeltakeenerpleasureindoinggoodthaninanythingelse，though，perhaps，Imaynotalwayshavedonegoodfromstrictlydisinterestedmotives。
Whenwerosefromthetableinexcellenthumourwithourselvesandoursurroundings，cardswereproposed，andRosalie，whoknewmylikings，saiditmustbetrente—quarante。Thiswasagreedto，andweplayedtillsupper，nobodyeitherwinningorlosingtoanyextent。
Wedidnotgotillmidnight，afterhavingspentaveryhappyday。
WhenwewereinourroomIaskedmyniecehowshehadknownRosalie。
\"Iknewherathome；sheandhermotherusedtobringlinenfromthewash。Ialwayslikedher。\"
\"Youmustbenearlythesameage。\"
\"SheistwoyearsolderthanIam。Irecognizedherdirectly。\"
\"Whatdidshetellyou？\"
\"ThatitwasyouwhobroughtherfromMarseillesandmadeherfortune。\"
\"Shehasnotmadeyouthedepositaryofanyotherconfidences？\"
\"No，buttherearesomethingswhichdon’tneedtelling。\"
\"Youareright。Andwhatdidyoutellher？\"
\"Onlywhatshecouldhaveguessedforherself。Itoldherthatyouwerenotmyuncle，andifshethoughtyouweremyloverIwasnotsorry。YoudonotknowhowIhaveenjoyedmyselfto—day，youmusthavebeenborntomakemehappy。\"
\"ButhowaboutLaCroix？\"
\"Forheaven’ssakesaynothingabouthim。\"
Thisconversationincreasedmyardour。ShecalledAnnette，andI
wenttomyroom。
AsIhadexpected，Annettecametomeassoonashermistresswasinbed。
\"Iftheladyisreallyyourniece，\"saidshe，\"mayIhopethatyoustillloveme？\"
\"Assuredly，dearAnnette，Ishallalwaysloveyou。Undress，andletushavealittletalk。\"
Ihadnotlongtowait，andinthecourseoftwovoluptuoushoursI
quenchedtheflamesthatanotherwomanhadkindledinmybreast。
NextmorningPossanocametotellmethathehadarrangedmatterswiththecookwiththehelpofsixsequins。Igavehimthemoney，andtoldhimtobemorecarefulforthefuture。
IwenttoRosalie’sformybreakfast，whichshewasdelightedtogiveme:andIaskedherandherhusbandtodinneronthefollowingday，tellinghertobringanyfourpersonssheliked。
\"Yourdecision，\"saidI，\"willdecidethefateofmycook；itwillbehistrialdinner。\"
Shepromisedtocome，andthenpressedmetotellherthehistoryofmyamourswithherfaircountry—woman。
\"Alas！\"Isaid，\"youmaynotbelieveme，butIassureyouIamonlybeginningwithher。\"
\"Ishallcertainlybelieveyou，ifyoutellmeso，thoughitseemsverystrange。\"
\"Strangebuttrue。Youmustunderstand，however，thatIhaveonlyknownherforaveryshorttime；and，again，Iwouldnotbemadehappysavethroughlove，meresubmissionwouldkillme。\"
\"Good！butwhatdidshesayofme？\"
IgaveherareportofthewholeconversationIhadhadwithmyniecethenightbefore，andshewasdelighted。\"
\"Asyouhavenotyetgonefarwithyourniece，wouldyouobjectiftheyoungmanwhoshewedhersomuchattentionyesterdaywereofthepartyto—morrow？\"
\"Whoishe？Ishouldliketoknowhim。\"
\"M。N————，theonlysonofarichmerchant。\"
\"Certainly，bringhimwithyou。\"
WhenIgothomeIwenttomyniece，whowasstillinbed，andtoldherthatherfellow—countrymanwoulddinewithusto—morrow。I
comfortedherwiththeassurancethatM。ParettiwouldnottellherfatherthatshewasinGenoa。Shehadbeenagooddealtormentedwiththeideathatthemerchantwouldinformherfatherofall。
AsIwasgoingouttosupperItoldherthatshecouldgoandsupwithRosalie，ortakesupperathomeifshepreferredit。
\"Youaretookindtome，mydearuncle。IwillgotoRosalie’s。\"
\"Verygood。AreyousatisfiedwithAnnette？\"
\"Oh！bytheway，shetoldmethatyouspentlastnightwithher，andthatyouhadbeenherloverandhersister’satthesametime。\"
\"Itistrue，butsheisveryindiscreettosayanythingaboutit。\"
\"Wemustforgiveher，though。ShetoldmethatsheonlyconsentedtosleepwithyouontheassurancethatIwasreallyyourniece。Iamsuresheonlymadethisconfessionoutofvanity，andinthehopeofgainingmyfavour，whichwouldbenaturallybestowedonawomanyoulove。\"
\"Iwishyouhadtherighttobejealousofher；andIswearthatifshedoesnotcomportherselfwiththeutmostobediencetoyouineveryrespect，Iwillsendherpacking，indespiteofourrelations。
Asforyou，youmaynotbeabletoloveme，andIhavenorighttocomplain；butIwillnothaveyoudegradeyourselfbybecomingmysubmissivevictim。\"
IwasnotsorryformyniecetoknowthatImadeuseofAnnette，butmyvanitywaswoundedatthewayshetookit。Itwasplainthatshewasnotatallinlovewithme，andthatshewasgladthattherewasasafeguardinthepersonofhermaid，andthatthuswecouldbetogetherwithoutdanger，forshecouldnotignorethepowerofhercharms。
Wedinedtogether，andauguredwelloftheskillofthenewcook。
M。Parettihadpromisedtogetmeagoodman，andhepresentedhimselfjustaswewerefinishingdinner，andImadeapresentofhimtomyniece。Wewentforadrivetogether，andIleftmynieceatRosalie’s，andIthenrepairedtoIsola—Bella’s，whereIfoundanumerousandbrilliantcompanyhadassembledconsistingofallthebestpeopleinGenoa。
Justthenallthegreatladiesweremadover’biribi’，aregularcheatinggame。ItwasstrictlyforbiddenatGenoa，butthisonlymadeitmorepopular，andbesides，theprohibitionhadnoforceinprivatehouses，whichareoutsideofthejurisdictionoftheGovernment；inshort，IfoundthegameinfullswingattheSignoraIsola—Bella’s。Theprofessionalgamesterswhokeptthebankwentfromhousetohouse，andtheamateurswereadvisedoftheirpresenceatsuchahouseandatsuchatime。
AlthoughIdetestedthegame，Ibegantoplay——todoastheothersdid。
Intheroomtherewasaportraitofthemistressofthehouseinharlequincostume，andtherehappenedtobethesamepictureononeofthedivisionsofthebiribi—table:Ichosethisoneoutofpoliteness，anddidnotplayonanyother。Iriskedasequineachtime。Theboardhadthirty—sixcompartments，andifonelost，onepaidthirty—twotinestheamountofthestake；this，ofcourse，wasanenormousadvantageforthebank。
Eachplayerdrewthreenumbersinsuccession，andtherewerethreeprofessionals；onekeptthebag，anotherthebank，andthethirdtheboard，andthelasttookcaretogatherinthewinningsassoonastheresultwasknown，andthebankamountedtotwothousandsequinsorthereabouts。Thetable，thecloth，andfoursilvercandlesticksbelongedtotheplayers。
IsatattheleftofMadameIsola—Bella，whobegantoplay，andastherewerefifteenorsixteenofusIhadlostaboutfiftysequinswhenmyturncame，formyharlequinhadnotappearedonce。Everybodypitiedme，orpretendedtodoso，forselfishnessisthepredominantpassionofgamesters。
Myturncameatlast。Idrewmyharlequinandreceivedthirty—twosequins。Ileftthemonthesamefigure，andgotathousandsequins。
Ileftfiftystillontheboard，andtheharlequincameoutforthethirdtime。Thebankwasbroken，andthetable，thecloth，thecandlesticks，andtheboardallbelongedtome。Everyonecongratulatedme，andthewretchedbankruptgamesterswerehissed，hooted，andturnedoutofdoors。
Afterthefirsttransportswereover，Isawthattheladieswereindistress；forastherecouldbenomoregamingtheydidnotknowwhattodo。IconsoledthembydeclaringthatIwouldbebanker，butwithequalstakes，andthatIwouldpaywinningcardsthirty—sixtimesthestakeinsteadofthirty—two。Thiswaspronouncedcharmingofme，andIamusedeverybodytillsupper—time，withoutanygreatlossesorgainsoneitherside。BydintofentreatyImadetheladyofthehouseacceptthewholeconcernasapresent，andaveryhandsomeoneitwas。
Thesupperwaspleasantenough，andmysuccessatplaywasthechieftopicofconversation。BeforeleavingIaskedSignoraIsola—Bellaandhermarquistodinewithme，andtheyeagerlyacceptedtheinvitation。WhenIgothomeIwenttoseemyniece，whotoldmeshehadspentadelightfulevening。
\"Averypleasantyoungman，\"saidshe，\"whoiscomingtodinewithusto—morrow，paidmegreatattention。\"
\"Thesame，Isuppose，thatdidsoyesterday？\"
\"Yes。AmongstotherprettythingshetoldmethatifIlikedhewouldgotoMarseillesandaskmyhandofmyfather。Isaidnothing，butIthoughttomyselfthatifthepooryoungmangavehimselfallthistroublehewouldbewoefullymisled，ashewouldnotseeme。\"
\"Whynot？\"
\"BecauseIshouldbeinanunnery。Mykindgoodfatherwillforgiveme，butImustpunishmyself。\"
\"Thatisasaddesign，whichIhopeyouwillabandon。Youhaveallthatwouldmakethehappinessofaworthyhusband。ThemoreIthinkitover，themoreIamconvincedofthetruthofwhatIsay。\"
Wesaidnomorejustthen，forsheneededrest。Annettecametoundressher，andIwasgladtoseethegoodnessofmyniecetowardsher，butthecoolnesswithwhichthegirlbehavedtohermistressdidnotescapemynotice。AssoonasshecametosleepwithmeIgentlyremonstratedwithher，biddinghertodoherdutybetterforthefuture。Insteadofansweringwithacaress，assheoughttohavedone，shebegantocry。
\"Mydearchild，\"saidI，\"yourtearswearyme。Youareonlyheretoamuseme，andifyoucan’tdothat，youhadbettergo。\"
Thishurtherfoolishfeelingsofvanity，andshegotupandwentawaywithoutaword，leavingmetogotosleepinaverybadtemper。
InthemorningItoldher，inasternvoice，thatifsheplayedmesuchatrickagainIwouldsendheraway。Insteadoftryingtosoothemewithakissthelittlerebelburstoutcryingagain。I
sentheroutoftheroomimpatiently，andproceededtocountmygains。
Ithoughtnomoreaboutit，butpresentlymyniececameinandaskedmewhyIhadvexedpoorAnnette。
\"Mydearniece，\"saidI，\"tellhertobehavebetterorelseIwillsendherbacktohermother’s。\"
Shegavemenoreply，buttookahandfulofsilverandfled。Ihadnottimetoreflectonthissingularconduct，forAnnettecameinrattlinghercrownsinherpocket，andpromised，withakiss，nottomakemeangryanymore。
Suchwasmyniece。SheknewIadoredher，andshelovedme；butshedidnotwantmetobeherlover，thoughshemadeuseoftheascendancywhichmypassiongaveher。Inthecodeoffemininecoquetrysuchcasesarenumerous。
Possanocameuninvitedtoseeme，andcongratulatedmeonmyvictoryoftheeveningbefore。
\"Whotoldyouaboutit？\"
\"Ihavejustbeenatthecoffee—house，whereeverybodyistalkingofit。Itwasawonderfulvictory，forthosebiribantiareknavesofthefirstwater。Youradventureismakingagreatnoise，foreveryonesaysthatyoucouldnothavebrokentheirbankunlessyouhadmadeanagreementwiththemanthatkeptthebag。\"
\"Mydearfellow，Iamtiredofyou。Here，takethispieceofmoneyforyourwifeandbeoff。\"
ThepieceofmoneyIhadgivenhimwasagoldcoinworthahundredGenoeselivres，whichtheGovernmenthadstruckforinternalcommerce；therewerealsopiecesoffiftyandtwenty—fivelivres。
IwasgoingonwithmycalculationswhenClairmontbroughtmeanote。
ItwasfromIrene，andcontainedatenderinvitationtobreakfastwithher。IdidnotknowthatshewasinGenoa，andthenewsgavemeverygreatpleasure。Ilockedupmymoney，dressedinhaste，andstartedouttoseeher。Ifoundheringoodandwell—furnishedrooms，andheroldfather，CountRinaldi，embracedmewithtearsofjoy。
Aftertheordinarycomplimentshadbeenpassed，theoldmanproceededtocongratulatemeonmywinningsofthenightbefore。
\"Threethousandsequins！\"heexclaimed，\"thatisagrandhaulindeed。\"
\"Quiteso。\"
\"Thefunnypartofitisthatthemanwhokeepsthebagisinthepayoftheothers。\"
\"Whatstrikesyouasfunnyinthat？\"
\"Why，hegainedhalfwithoutanyrisk，otherwisehewouldnothavebeenlikelytohaveenteredintoanagreementwithyou。\"
\"Youthink，then，thatitwasacaseofconnivance？\"
\"Everybodysaysso；indeedwhatelsecoulditbe？Therascalhasmadehisfortunewithoutrunninganyrisk。AlltheGreeksinGenoaareapplaudinghimandyou。\"
\"Asthegreaterrascalofthetwo？\"
\"Theydon’tcallyouarascal；theysayyou’reagreatgenius；youarepraisedandenvied。\"
\"IamsureIoughttobeobligedtothem。\"
\"Ihearditallfromagentlemanwhowasthere。Hesaysthatthesecondandthethirdtimethemanwiththebaggaveyoutheoffice。\"
\"Andyoubelievethis？\"
\"Iamsureofit。Nomanofhonourinyourpositioncouldhaveactedotherwise。However，whenyoucometosettleupwiththefellowI
adviseyoutobeverycareful，fortherewillbespiesonyourtracks。Ifyoulike，Iwilldothebusinessforyou。\"
Ihadenoughself—restrainttorepresstheindignationandrageI
felt。WithoutawordItookmyhatandmarchedoutoftheroom，sternlyrepulsingIrenewhotriedtopreventmefromgoingasshehaddoneoncebefore。Iresolvednottohaveanythingmoretodowiththewretchedoldcount。
Thiscalumniousreportvexedmeextremely，althoughIknewthatmostgamesterswouldconsideritanhonour。PossanoandRinaldihadsaidenoughtoshewmethatallthetownwastalkingoverit，andIwasnotsurprisedthateveryonebelievedit；butformypartIdidnotcaretobetakenforaroguewhenIhadactedhonourably。
Ifelttheneedofunbosomingmyselftosomeone，andwalkedtowardstheStradaBalbitocallontheMarquisGrimaldi，anddiscussthematterwithhim。Iwastoldhewasgonetothecourts，soIfollowedhimthereandwasusheredintovasthall，wherehewaitedonme。I
toldhimmystory，andhesaid，\"Mydearchevalier，yououghttolaughatit，andIshouldnotadviseyoutotakethetroubletorefutethecalumny。\"
\"ThenyouadvisemetoconfessopenlythatIamarogue？\"
\"No，foronlyfoolswillthinkthatofyou。Despisethem，unlesstheytellyouyouarearoguetoyourface。\"
\"Ishouldliketoknowthenameofthenoblemanwhowaspresentandsentthisreportaboutthetown。\"
\"Idonotknowwhoitis。Hewaswrongtosayanything，butyouwouldbeequallywrongintakinganystepsagainsthim，forIamsurehedidnottellthestorywithanyintentionofgivingoffence；quitethecontrary。\"
\"Iamlostinwonderathiscourseofreasoning。Letussupposethatthefactswereashetoldthem，doyouthinktheyaretomyhonour？\"
\"Neithertoyourhonournorshame。Sucharethemoralsandsuchthemaximsofgamesters。Thestorywillbelaughedat，yourskillwillbeapplauded，andyouwillbeadmired，foreachonewillsaythatinyourplacehewouldhavedonelikewise！\"
\"Wouldyou？\"
\"Certainly。IfIhadbeensurethattheballwouldhavegonetotheharlequin，Iwouldhavebrokentherascal’sbank，asyoudid。IwillsayhonestlythatIdonotknowwhetheryouwonbyluckorskill，butthemostprobablehypothesis，tomymind，isthatyouknewthedirectionoftheball。Youmustconfessthatthereissomethingtobesaidinfavourofthesupposition。\"
\"Iconfessthatthereis，butitisnonethelessadishonourableimputationonme，andyouinyourturnmustconfessthatthosewhothinkthatIwonbysleightofhand，orbyanagreementwitharascal，insultmegrievously。\"
\"Thatdependsonthewayyoulookatit。Iconfesstheyinsultyou，ifyouthinkyourselfinsulted；buttheyarenotawareofthat，andtheirintentionbeingquitedifferentthereisnoinsultatallinthematter。Ipromiseyounoonewilltellyoutoyourfacethatyoucheated，buthowareyougoingtopreventthemthinkingso？\"
\"Well，letthemthinkwhattheylike，butletthemtakecarenottotellmetheirthoughts。\"
IwenthomeangrywithGrimaldi，Rinaldi，andeveryoneelse。Myangervexedme，Ishouldproperlyhaveonlylaughed，forinthestateofmoralsatGenoa，theaccusation，whethertrueorfalse，couldnotinjuremyhonour。OnthecontraryIgainedbyitareputationforbeingagenius，atermwhichtheGenoeseprefertothatMethodisticalword，\"arogue，\"thoughthemeaningisthesame。FinallyIwasastonishedtofindmyselfreflectingthatIshouldhavehadnoscrupleinbreakingthebankinthewaysuggested，ifithadonlybeenforthesakeofmakingthecompanylaugh。WhatvexedmemostwasthatIwascreditedwithanexploitIhadnotperformed。
Whendinner—timedrewnearIendeavouredtoovercomemyilltemperforthesakeofthecompanyIwasgoingtoreceive。Myniecewasadornedonlywithhernativecharms，fortherascalCrocehadsoldallherjewels；butshewaselegantlydressed，andherbeautifulhairwasmorepreciousthanacrownofrubies。
Rosaliecameinrichlydressedandlookingverylovely。Herhusband，heruncle，andherauntwerewithher，andalsotwofriends，oneofwhomwastheaspirantforthehandofmyniece。
MadameIsola—Bellaandhershadow，M。Grimaldi，camelate，likegreatpeople。Justasweweregoingtositdown，Clairmonttoldmethatamanwantedtospeaktome。
\"Shewhimin。\"
AssoonasheappearedM。Grimaldiexclaimed:
\"Themanwiththebag！\"
\"Whatdoyouwant？\"Isaid，dryly。
\"Sir，Iamcometoaskyoutohelpme。Iamafamilyman，anditisthoughtthat……\"
Ididnotlethimfinish。
\"Ihaveneverrefusedtoaidtheunfortunate，\"saidI。\"Clairmont，givehimtensequins。Leavetheroom。\"
Thisincidentspokeinmyfavour，andmademeinabettertemper。
Wesatdowntotable，andaletterwashandedtome。IrecognizedPossano’swriting，andputitinmypocketwithoutreadingit。
Thedinnerwasdelicious，andmycookwaspronouncedtohavewonhisspurs。ThoughherexaltedrankandthebrillianceofherattiregaveSignoraIsoia—Bellathefirstplaceofright，shewasneverthelesseclipsedbymytwonieces。TheyoungGenoesewasallattentionforthefairMarseillaise，andIcouldseethatshewasnotdispleased。
Isincerelywishedtoseeherinlovewithsomeone，andIlikedhertoowelltobeartheideaofherburyingherselfinaconvent。Shecouldneverbehappytillshefoundsomeonewhowouldmakeherforgettherascalwhohadbroughthertothebrinkofruin。
Iseizedtheopportunity，whenallmyguestswereengagedwitheachother，toopenPossano’sletter。Itranasfollows:
\"Iwenttothebanktochangethepieceofgoldyougaveme。Itwasweighed，andfoundtobetencaratsunderweight。IwastoldtonamethepersonfromwhomIgotit，butofcourseIdidnotdoso。Ithenhadtogotoprison，andifyoudonotgetmeoutofthescrapeI
shallbeprosecuted，thoughofcourseIamnotgoingtogetmyselfhangedforanybody。\"
IgavethelettertoGrimaldi，andwhenwehadleftthetablehetookmeaside，andsaid，——
\"Thisisaveryseriousmatter，foritmayendinthegallowsforthemanwhoclippedthecoin。\"
\"Thentheycanhangthebiribanti！Thatwon’thurtmemuch。\"
\"No，thatwon’tdo；itwouldcompromiseMadameIsola—Bella，asbiribiisstrictlyforbidden。Leaveitalltome，IwillspeaktotheStateInquisitorsaboutit。TellPossanotopersevereinhissilence，andthatyouwillseehimsafelythrough。Thelawsagainstcoinersandclippersareonlyseverewithregardtotheseparticularcoins，astheGovernmenthasspecialreasonsfornotwishingthemtobedepreciated。\"
IwrotetoPossano，andsentforapairofscales。WeweighedthegoldIhadwonatbiribi，andeverysinglepiecehadbeenclipped。
M。Grimaldisaidhewouldhavethemdefacedandsoldtoajeweller。
Whenwegotbacktothedining—roomwefoundeverybodyatplay。
M。GrimaldiproposedthatIshouldplayatquinzewithhim。I
detestedthegame，butashewasmyguestIfeltitwouldbeimpolitetorefuse，andinfourhoursIhadlostfivehundredsequins。
NextmorningthemarquistoldmethatPossanowasoutofprison，andthathehadbeengiventhevalueofthecoin。Hebroughtmethirteenhundredsequinswhichhadresultedfromthesaleofthegold。WeagreedthatIwastocallonMadameIsola—Bellathenextday，whenhewouldgivememyrevengeatquinze。
Ikepttheappointment，andlostthreethousandsequins。Ipaidhimathousandthenextday，andgavehimtwobillsofexchange，payablebymyself，fortheothertwothousand。WhenthesebillswerepresentedIwasinEngland，andbeingbadlyoffIhadtohavethemprotested。Fiveyearslater，whenIwasatBarcelona，M。deGrimaldiwasurgedbyatraitortohavemeimprisoned，butheknewenoughofmetobesurethatifIdidnotmeetthebillsitwasfromsheerinabilitytodoso。Heevenwrotemeaverypoliteletter，inwhichhegavethenameofmyenemy，assuringmethathewouldnevertakeanystepstocompelmetopaythemoney。ThisenemywasPossano，whowasalsoatBarcelona，thoughIwasnotawareofhispresence。I
willspeakofthecircumstanceinduetime，butIcannothelpremarkingthatallwhoaidedmeinmyprankswithMadamed’Urfeprovedtraitors，withtheexceptionofaVenetiangirl，whoseacquaintancethereaderwillmakeinthefollowingchapter。
InspiteofmylossesIenjoyedmyself，andhadplentyofmoney，forafterallIhadonlylostwhatIhadwonatbiribi。Rosalieoftendinedwithus，eitheraloneorwithherhusband，andIsuppedregularlyatherhomewithmyniece，whoseloveaffairseemedquitepromising。Icongratulatedheruponthecircumstance，butshepersistedinherdeterminationtotakerefugefromtheworldinacloister。Womenoftendothemostidioticthingsoutofsheerobstinacy；possiblytheydeceiveeventhemselves，andactingoodfaith；butunfortunately，whentheveilfallsfrombeforetheireyes，theyseebuttheprofoundabyssintowhichtheirfollyhadplungedthem。
Inthemeanwhile，myniecehadbecomesofriendlyandfamiliarthatshewouldoftencomeandsitonmybedinthemorningwhenAnnettewasstillinmyarms。Herpresenceincreasedmyardour，andI
quenchedthefiresontheblondewhichthebrunettewaskindling。Mynieceseemedtoenjoythesight，andIcouldseethathersenseswerebeingpleasantlytortured。Annettewasshort—sighted，andsodidnotperceivemydistractions，whilemyfairniececaressedmeslightly，knowingthatitwouldaddtomypleasures。WhenshethoughtIwasexhaustedshetoldAnnettetogetupandleavemealonewithher，asshewantedtotellmesomething。Shethenbegantojestandtoy，andthoughherdresswasextremelydisorderedsheseemedtothinkthathercharmswouldexercisenopoweroverme。Shewasquitemistaken，butIwascarefulnottoundeceiveherforfearoflosingherconfidence。Iwatchedthegamecarefully，andnotinghowlittlebylittleherfamiliarityincreased，Ifeltsurethatshewouldhavetosurrenderatlast，ifnotatGenoa，certainlyonthejourney，whenwewouldbethrownconstantlyineachother’ssocietywithnobodytospyuponouractions，andwithnothingelsetodobuttomakelove。Itisthewearinessofajourney，theconstantmonotony，thatmakesonedosomethingtomakesureofone’sexistence；andwhenitcomestothereckoningthereisusuallymorejoythanrepentance。
ButthestoryofmyjourneyfromGenoatoMarseilleswaswritteninthebookoffate，andcouldnotbereadbyme。AllIknewwasthatI
mustsoongoasMadamed’UrfewaswaitingformeatMarseilles。I
knewnotthatinthisjourneywouldbeinvolvedthefateofaVenetiangirlofwhomIhadneverheard，whohadneverseenme，butwhomIwasdestinedtorenderhappy。MyfateseemedtohavemademestopatGenoatowaitforher。
Isettledmyaccountswiththebanker，towhomIhadbeenaccredited，andItookaletterofcreditonMarseilles，where，however，Iwasnotlikelytowantforfunds，asmyhightreasurer，Madamed’Urfewasthere。ItookleaveofMadameIsola—BellaandhercirclethatI
mightbeabletodevoteallmytimetoRosalieandherfriends。
CHAPTERII
DisgracefulBehaviourofMyBrother，theAbbe，IRelieveHimofHisMistress——DeparturefromGenoa——ThePrinceofMonaco——MyNieceOvercome——OurArrivalatAntibesOntheTuesdayinHolyWeekIwasjustgettingup，whenClairmontcametotellmethatapriestwhowouldnotgivehisnamewantedtospeaktome。Iwentoutinmynight—cap，andtherascallypriestrushedatmeandnearlychokedmewithhisembraces。Ididnotlikesomuchaffection，andasIhadnotrecognizedhimatfirstonaccountofthedarknessoftheroom，Itookhimbythearmandledhimtothewindow。Itwasmyyoungestbrother，agood—for—nothingfellow，whomIhadalwaysdisliked。Ihadnotseenhimfortenyears，butIcaredsolittleabouthimthatIhadnotevenenquiredwhetherhewerealiveordeadinthecorrespondenceImaintainedwithM。deBragadin，Dandolo，andBarbaro。
Assoonashissillyembraceswereover，IcoldlyaskedhimwhatchancehadbroughthimtoGenoainthisdisgustingstateofdirt，rags，andtatters。Hewasonlytwenty—nine，hiscomplexionwasfreshandhealthy，andhehadasplendidheadofhair。Hewasaposthumousson，bornlikeMahomet，threemonthsafterthedeathofhisfather。
\"Thestoryofmymisfortuneswouldbeonlytoolong。Takemeintoyourroom，andIwillsitdownandtellyouthewholestory。\"
\"Firstofall，answermyquestions。Howlonghaveyoubeenhere？\"
\"Sinceyesterday。\"
\"WhotoldyouthatIwashere？\"
\"CountB————，atMilan。\"
\"Whotoldyouthatthecountknewme？\"
\"Ifoundoutbychance。IwasatM。deBragadin’samonthago，andonhistableIsawaletterfromthecounttoyou。\"
\"Didyoutellhimyouweremybrother？\"
\"IhadtowhenhesaidhowmuchIresembledyou。\"
\"Hemadeamistake，foryouareablockhead。\"
\"Hedidnotthinkso，atallevents，forheaskedmetodinner。\"
\"Youmusthavecutaprettyfigure，ifyouwereinyourpresentstate。\"
\"Hegavemefoursequinstocomehere；otherwise，Ishouldneverhavebeenabletodothejourney。\"
\"Thenhedidaveryfoolishthing。You’reamerebeggar，then；youtakealms。WhydidyouleaveVenice？Whatdoyouwantwithme？
Icandonothingforyou。\"
\"Ah！donotmakemedespair，orIshallkillmyself。\"
\"That’stheverybestthingyoucoulddo；butyouaretoogreatacoward。IaskagainwhyyouleftVenice，whereyoucouldsaymass，andpreach，andmakeanhonestliving，likemanypriestsmuchbetterthanyou？\"
\"Thatisthekernelofthewholematter。LetusgoinandIwilltellyou。\"
\"No；waitformehere。Wewillgosomewherewhereyoucantellmeyourstory，ifIhavepatiencetolistentoit。Butdon’ttellanyofmypeoplethatyouaremybrother，forIamashamedtohavesucharelation。Come，takemetotheplacewhereyouarestaying。\"
\"ImusttellyouthatatmyinnIamnotalone，andIwanttohaveaprivateinterviewwithyou。\"
\"Whoiswithyou？\"
\"Iwilltellyoupresently，butletusgointoacoffeehouse。\"
\"Areyouincompanywithabandofbrigands？Whatareyousighingat？\"
\"Imustconfessit，howeverpainfulitmaybetomyfeelings。Iamwithawoman。\"
\"Awoman！andyouapriest！\"
\"Forgiveme。Iwasblindedbylove，andseducedbymysensesandherbeauty，soIseducedherunderapromisetomarryheratGeneva。I
cannevergobacktoVenice，forItookherawayfromherfather’shouse。\"
\"WhatcouldyoudoatGeneva？Theywouldexpelyouafteryouhadbeentherethreeorfourdays。Come，wewillgototheinnandseethewomanyouhavedeceived。Iwillspeaktoyouafterwards。\"
Ibegantotracemystepsinthedirectionhehadpointedout，andhewasobligedtofollowme。Assoonaswegottotheinn，hewentoninfront，andafterclimbingthreeflightsofstairsIenteredawretcheddenwhereIsawatallyounggirl，asweetbrunette，wholookedproudandnotintheleastconfused。AssoonasImademyappearanceshesaid，withoutanygreeting，——
\"Areyouthebrotherofthisliarandmonsterwhohasdeceivedmesoabominably？\"
\"Yes，\"saidI。\"Ihavethehonour。\"
\"Afinehonour，truly。Well，havethekindnesstosendmebacktoVenice，forIwon’tstopanylongerwiththisrascalwhomIlistenedtolikethefoolIwas，whoturnedmyheadwithhislyingtales。HewasgoingtomeetyouatMilan，andyouweretogiveusenoughmoneytogotoGeneva，andthereweweretoturnProtestantsandgetmarried。HesworeyouwereexpectinghimatMilan，butyouwerenotthereatall，andhecontrivedtogetmoneyinsomewayoranother，andbroughtmeheremiserablyenough。IthankHeavenhehasfoundyouatlast，forifhehadnotIshouldhavestartedoffbymyselfandbeggedmyway。Ihavenotasinglethingleft；thewretchsoldallIpossessedatBergamoandVerona。Idon’tknowhowIkeptmysensesthroughitall。Tohearhimtalk，theworldwasaparadiseoutsideVenice，butIhavefoundtomycostthatthereisnoplacelikehome。IcursethehourwhenIfirstsawthemiserablewretch。
He’sabeggarlyknave；alwayswhining。HewantedtoenjoyhisrightsasmyhusbandwhenwegottoPadua，butIamthankfultosayIgavehimnothing。Hereisthewritinghegaveme；takeit，anddowhatyoulikewithit。Butifyouhaveanyheart，sendmebacktoVeniceorIwilltrampthereonfoot。\"
Ihadlistenedtothislongtiradewithoutinterruptingher。Shemighthavespokenatmuchgreaterlength，sofarasIwasconcerned；
myastonishmenttookmybreathaway。Herdiscoursehadallthefireofeloquence，andwasheightenedbyherexpressivefaceandtheflamingglancessheshotfromhereyes。
Mybrother，sittingdownwithhisheadbetweenhishands，andobligedtolisteninsilencetothislongcatalogueofwell—deservedreproaches，gavesomethingofacomicelementtothescene。Inspiteofthat，however，Iwasmuchtouchedbythesadaspectsofthegirl’sstory。IfeltatoncethatImusttakechargeofher，andputanendtothisill—assortedmatch。IimaginedthatIshouldnothavemuchdifficultyinsendingherbacktoVenice，whichshemightneverhavequittedifithadnotbeenforhertrustinme，foundedonthefallaciouspromisesofherseducer。
ThetrueVenetiancharacterofthegirlstruckmeevenmorethanherbeauty。Hercourage，frankindignation，andthenobilityofheraspectmademeresolvenottoabandonher。Icouldnotdoubtthatshehadtoldatruetale，asmybrothercontinuedtoobserveaguiltysilence。
Iwatchedhersilentlyforsometime，and，mymindbeingmadeup，said，——
\"IpromisetosendyoubacktoVenicewitharespectablewomantolookafteryou；butyouwillbeunfortunateifyoucarrybackwithyoutheresultsofyouramours。\"
\"Whatresults？DidInottellyouthatweweregoingtobemarriedatGeneva？\"
\"Yes，butinspiteofthat……\"
\"Iunderstandyou，sir，butIamquiteateaseonthatpoint，asIamhappytosaythatIdidnotyieldtoanyofthewretch’sdesires。\"
\"Remember，\"saidtheabbe，inaplaintivevoice，\"theoathyoutooktobemineforever。Yousworeituponthecrucifix。\"
Sosayinghegotupandapproachedherwithasupplicatinggesture，butassoonashewaswithinreachshegavehimagoodheartyboxontheear。Iexpectedtoseeafight，inwhichIshouldnothaveinterfered，butnothingofthekind。Thehumbleabbegentlyturnedawaytothewindow，andcastinghiseyestoheavenbegantoweep。
\"Youaretoomalicious，mydear，\"Isaid；\"thepoordevilisonlyunhappybecauseyouhavemadehiminlovewithyou。\"
\"Ifheisit’shisownfault，Ishouldneverhavethoughtofhimbutforhiscomingtomeandfoolingme，Ishallneverforgivehimtillheisoutofmysight。That’snotthefirstblowIhavegivenhim；
IhadtobeginatPadua。\"
\"Yes，\"saidtheabbe，\"butyouareexcommunicated，forIamapriest。\"
\"It’slittleIcarefortheexcommunicationofascoundrellikeyou，andifyousayanotherwordIwillgiveyousomemore。\"
\"Calmyourself，mychild，\"saidI；\"youhavecausetobeangry，butyoushouldnotbeathim。Takeupyourthingsandfollowme。\"
\"Whereareyougoingtotakeher？\"saidthefoolishpriest。
\"Tomyownhouse，andIshouldadviseyoutoholdyourtongue。Here，takethesetwentysequinsandbuyyourselfsomecleanclothesandlinen，andgivethoseragsofyourstothebeggars。Iwillcomeandtalktoyouto—morrow，andyoumaythankyourstarsthatyoufoundmehere。Asforyou，mademoiselle，Iwillhaveyouconductedtomylodging，forGenoamustnotseeyouinmycompanyafterarrivingherewithapriest。Wemustnothaveanyscandal。Ishallplaceyouunderthechargeofmylandlady，butwhateveryoudodon’ttellherthissadstory。Iwillseethatyouareproperlydressed，andthatyouwantfornothing。\"
\"MayHeavenrewardyou！\"
Mybrother，astonishedatthesightofthetwentysequins，letmegoawaywithoutaword。IhadthefairVenetiantakentomylodginginasedan—chair，andputtingherunderthechargeofmylandladyItoldthelattertoseethatshewasproperlydressed。Iwantedtoseehowshewouldlookindecentclothes，forherpresentragsandtattersdetractedfromherappearance。IwarnedAnnettethatagirlwhohadbeenplacedinmycarewouldeatandsleepwithher，andthenhavingtoentertainanumerouscompanyofguestsIproceededtomakemytoilette。
Althoughmyniecehadnorightsoverme，Ivaluedheresteem，andthoughtitbesttotellherthewholestorylestsheshouldpassanunfavourablejudgmentonme。Shelistenedattentivelyandthankedmeformyconfidenceinher，andsaidsheshouldverymuchliketoseethegirlandtheabbetoo，whomshepitied，thoughsheadmittedhewastobeblamedforwhathehaddone。Ihadgotheradresstowearatdinner，whichbecameherexquisitely。Ifeltonlytoohappytobeabletopleaseherinanyway，forherconducttowardsmyselfandthewayshetreatedherardentlovercommandedmyadmiration。ShesawhimeverydayeitheratmyhouseoratRosalie’s。Theyoungmanhadreceivedanexcellenteducation，thoughhewasofthemercantileclass，andwrotetoherinabusiness—likemanner，that，astheywerewellsuitedtoeachotherineveryway，therewasnothingagainsthisgoingtoMarseillesandobtainingherfather’sconsenttothematch，unlessitwereafeelingofaversiononherside。Hefinishedbyrequestinghertogivehimananswer。Sheshewedmetheletter，andIcongratulatedher，andadvisedhertoaccept，iftherewasnothingabouttheyoungmanwhichdispleasedher。
\"Thereisnothingofthekind，\"shesaid，\"andRosaliethinkswithyou。\"
\"Thentellhimbywordofmouththatyougiveyourconsent，andwillexpecttoseehimatMarseilles。\"
\"Verygood；asyouthinkso，Iwilltellhimtomorrow。\"
WhendinnerwasoverafeelingofcuriositymademegointotheroomwhereAnnettewasdiningwiththeVenetiangirl，whosenamewasMarcoline。Iwasstruckwithastonishmentonseeingher，forshewascompletelychanged，notsomuchbytheprettydressshehadonasbythecontentedexpressionofherface，whichmadeherlookquiteanotherperson。Goodhumourhadvanquishedunbecomingrage，andthegentlenessbornofhappinessmadeherfeaturesbreatheforthlove。
Icouldscarcelybelievethatthischarmingcreaturebeforemewasthesamewhohaddealtsuchavigorousblowtomybrother，apriest，andasacredbeingintheeyesofthecommonpeople。Theywereeating，andlaughingatnotbeingabletounderstandeachother，forMarcolineonlyspokeVenetian，andAnnetteGenoese，andthelatterdialectdoesnotresembletheformeranymorethanBohemianresemblesDutch。
IspoketoMarcolineinhernativetongue，whichwasminetoo，andshesaid，——
\"IseemtohavesuddenlypassedfromhelltoParadise。\"
\"Indeed，youlooklikeanangel。\"
\"Youcalledmealittledevilthismorning。Buthereisafairangel，\"saidshe，pointingtoAnnette；\"wedon’tseesuchinVenice。\"
\"Sheismytreasure。\"
Shortlyaftermyniececamein，andseeingmetalkingandlaughingwiththetwogirlsbegantoexaminethenew—comer。ShetoldmeinFrenchthatshethoughtherperfectlybeautiful，andrepeatingheropiniontothegirlinItaliangaveherakiss。MarcolineaskedherplainlyintheVenetianmannerwhoshewas。
\"Iamthisgentleman’sniece，andheistakingmebacktoMarseilles，wheremyhomeis。\"
\"Thenyouwouldhavebeenmyniecetoo，ifIhadmarriedhisbrother。
IwishIhadsuchaprettyniece。\"
ThispleasantrejoinderwasfollowedbyastormofkissesgivenandreturnedwithardourwhichonemightpronouncetrulyVenetian，ifitwerenotthatthiswouldwoundthefeelingsofthealmostequallyardentProvencals。
Itookmynieceforasailinthebay，andafterwehadenjoyedoneofthosedeliciouseveningswhichIthinkcanbefoundnowhereelse——
sailingonamirrorsilveredbythemoon，overwhichfloattheodoursofthejasmine，theorange—blossom，thepomegranates，thealoes，andallthescentedflowerswhichgrowalongthecoasts——wereturnedtoourlodging，andIaskedAnnettewhathadbecomeofMarcoline。Shetoldmethatshehadgonetobedearly，andIwentgentlyintoherroom，withnootherintentionthantoseeherasleep。Thelightofthecandleawokeher，andshedidnotseematallfrightenedatseeingme。Isatbythebed，andfelltomakinglovetoher，andatlastmadeasifIwouldkissher，butsheresisted，andwewentontalking。
WhenAnnettehadputhermistresstobed，shecameinandfoundustogether。
\"Gotobed，mydear，\"saidI。\"Iwillcometoyoudirectly。\"
Proudofbeingmymistress，shegavemeafierykissandwentawaywithoutaword。
Ibegantotalkaboutmybrother，andpassingfromhimtomyselfI
toldheroftheinterestIfeltforher，sayingthatIwouldeitherhavehertakentoVenice，orbringherwithmewhenIwenttoFrance。
\"Doyouwanttomarryme？\"
\"No，Iammarriedalready。\"
\"That’salie，Iknow，butitdoesn’tmatter。SendmebacktoVenice，andthesoonerthebetter。Idon’twanttobeanybody’sconcubine。\"
\"Iadmireyoursentiments，mydear，theydoyouhonour。\"
ContinuingmypraiseIbecamepressing，notusinganyforce，butthosegentlecaresseswhicharesomuchharderforawomantoresistthanaviolentattack。Marcolinelaughed，butseeingthatI
persistedinspiteofherresistance，shesuddenlyglidedoutofthebedandtookrefugeinmyniece’sroomandlockedthedoorafterher。
Iwasnotdispleased；thethingwasdonesoeasilyandgracefully。I
wenttobedwithAnnette，wholostnothingbytheardourwithwhichMarcolinehadinspiredme。Itoldherhowshehadescapedfrommyhands，andAnnettewasloudinherpraises。
InthemorningIgotupearlyandwentintomyniece’sroomtoenjoythesightofthecompanionIhadinvoluntarilygivenher，andthetwogirlswerecertainlyaverypleasantsight。Assoonasmyniecesawme，sheexclaimed，——
\"Mydearuncle，wouldyoubelieveit？ThisslyVenetianhasviolatedme。\"
Marcolineunderstoodher，andfarfromdenyingthefactproceededtogivemyniecefreshmarksofheraffection，whichwerewellreceived，andfromthemovementsofthesheetswhichcoveredthemIcouldmakeaprettygoodguessastothenatureoftheiramusement。
\"Thisisarudeshocktotherespectwhichyourunclehashadforyourprejudices，\"saidI。
\"ThesportsoftwogirlscannottemptamanwhohasjustleftthearmsofAnnette。\"
\"Youarewrong，andperhapsyouknowit，forIammorethantempted。\"
WiththesewordsIliftedthesheetsofthebed。Marcolineshriekedbutdidnotmove，butmynieceearnestlybeggedmetoreplacethebed—clothes。However，thepicturebeforemewastoocharmingtobeconcealed。
AtthispointAnnettecamein，andinobediencetohermistressreplacedthecoverletoverthetwoBacchantes。IfeltangrywithAnnette，andseizingherthrewheronthebed，andthenandtheregavethetwosweetheartssuchaninterestingspectaclethattheylefttheirownplaytowatchus。WhenIhadfinished，Annette，whowasinhighglee；saidIwasquiterighttoavengemyselfontheirprudery。
IfeltsatisfiedwithwhatIhaddone，andwenttobreakfast。Ithendressed，andvisitedmybrother。
\"HowisMarcoline？\"saidhe，assoonashesawme。
\"Verywell，andyouneedn’ttroubleyourselfanymoreabouther。Sheiswelllodged，welldressed，andwellfed，andsleepswithmyniece’smaid。\"
\"Ididn’tknowIhadaniece。\"
\"Therearemanythingsyoudon’tknow。InthreeorfourdaysshewillreturntoVenice。\"
\"Ihope，dearbrother，thatyouwillaskmetodinewithyouto—day。\"
\"Notatall，dearbrother。Iforbidyoutosetfootinmyhouse，whereyourpresencewouldbeoffensivetoMarcoline，whomyoumustnotseeanymore。\"
\"Yes，Iwill；IwillreturntoVenice，ifIhavetohangforit。\"
\"Whatgoodwouldthatbe？Shewon’thaveyou。\"
\"Shelovesme。\"
\"Shebeatsyou。\"
\"Shebeatsmebecauseshelovesme。Shewillbeasgentleasalambwhensheseesmesowelldressed。YoudonotknowhowIsuffer。\"
\"Icanpartlyguess，butIdonotpityyou，foryouareanimpiousandcruelfool。Youhavebrokenyourvows，andhavenothesitatedtomakeayounggirlenduremiseryanddegradationtosatisfyyourcaprice。Whatwouldyouhavedone，Ishouldliketoknow，ifIhadgivenyouthecoldshoulderinsteadofhelpingyou？\"
\"Ishouldhavegoneintothestreet，andbeggedformylivingwithher。\"
\"Shewouldhavebeatenyou，andwouldprobablyhaveappealedtothelawtogetridofyou。\"
\"Butwhatwillyoudoforme，ifIlethergobacktoVenicewithoutfollowingher。\"
\"IwilltakeyoutoFrance，andtrytogetyouemployedbysomebishop。\"
\"Employed！IwasmeantbynaturetobeemployedbynonebutGod。\"
\"Youproudfool！Marcolinerightlycalledyouawhiner。WhoisyourGod？HowdoyouserveHim？Youareeitherahypocriteoranidiot。
Doyouthinkthatyou，apriest，serveGodbydecoyinganinnocentgirlawayfromherhome？DoyouserveHimbyprofaningthereligionyoudonotevenunderstand？Unhappyfool！doyouthinkthatwithnotalent，notheologicallearning，andnoeloquence，youcanbeaProtestantminister。Takecarenevertocometomyhouse，orIwillhaveyouexpelledfromGenoa。\"
\"Well，well，takemetoParis，andIwillseewhatmybrotherFranciscandoforme；hisheartisnotsohardasyours。\"
\"Verygood！youshallgotoParis，andwewillstartfromhereinthreeorfourdays。Eatanddrinktoyourheart’scontent，butremainindoors；Iwillletyouknowwhenwearegoing。Ishallhavemyniece，mysecretary，andmyvaletwithme。Weshalltravelbysea。\"
\"Theseamakesmesick。\"
\"Thatwillpurgeawaysomeofyourbadhumours。\"
WhenIgothomeItoldMarcolinewhathadpassedbetweenus。
\"Ihatehim！\"saidshe；\"butIforgivehim，sinceitisthroughhimI
knowyou。\"
\"AndIforgivehim，too，becauseunlessithadbeenforhimIshouldneverhaveseenyou。ButIloveyou，andIshalldieunlessyousatisfymydesires。\"
\"Never；forIknowIshouldbemadlyinlovewithyou，andthenyouwouldleaveme，andIshouldbemiserableagain。\"
\"Iwillneverleaveyou。\"
\"Ifyouwillswearthat，takemeintoFranceandmakemeallyourown。HereyoumustcontinuelivingwithAnnette；besides，Ihavegotyourniecetomakeloveto。\"
Thepleasantpartoftheaffairwasthatmyniecewasequallytakenwithher，andhadbeggedmetolethertakemealswithusandsleepwithher。AsIhadaprospectofbeingattheirlasciviousplay，I
willinglyconsented，andhenceforthshewasalwayspresentatthetable。Weenjoyedhercompanyimmensely，forshetoldusside—
splittingtaleswhichkeptusattabletillitwastimetogotoRosalie’s，wheremyniece’sadorerwascertaintobeawaitingus。
Thenextday，whichwasHolyThursday，Rosaliecamewithustoseetheprocessions。IhadRosalieandMarcolinewithme，oneoneacharm，veiledintheirmezzaros，andmyniecewasunderthechargeofherlover。ThedayafterwewenttoseetheprocessioncalledatGenoaCaracce，andMarcolinepointedoutmybrotherwhokepthoveringroundus，thoughhepretendednottoseeus。Hewasmostcarefullydressed，andthestupidfopseemedtothinkhewassuretofindfavourinMarcoline’seyes，andmakeherregrethavingdespisedhim；
buthewaswoefullydeceived，forMarcolineknewhowtomanagehermezzarosowellthat，thoughhewasbothseenandlaughedat，thepoordevilcouldnotbecertainthatshehadnoticedhimatall，andinadditiontheslygirlheldmesocloselybythearmthathemusthaveconcludedwewereveryintimate。
MynieceandMarcolinethoughtthemselvesthebestfriendsintheworld，andcouldnotbearmytellingthemthattheiramoroussportsweretheonlyreasonfortheirattachment。TheythereforeagreedtoabandonthemassoonasweleftGenoa，andpromisedthatIshouldsleepbetweentheminthefelucca，allofustokeepourclotheson。
IsaidIshouldholdthemtotheirword，andIfixedourdepartureforThursday。Iorderedthefeluccatobeinreadinessandsummonedmybrothertogoonboard。
ItwasacruelmomentwhenIleftAnnettewithhermother。Sheweptsobitterlythatallofushadtoshedtears。MyniecegaveherahandsomedressandIthirtysequins，promisingtocomeandseeheragainonmyreturnfromEngland。Possanowastoldtogoonboardwiththeabbe；Ihadprovisionedtheboatforthreedays。TheyoungmerchantpromisedtobeatMarseilles，tellingmyniecethatbythetimehecameeverythingwouldbesettled。Iwasdelightedtohearit；itassuredmethatherfatherwouldgiveherakindreception。
Ourfriendsdidnotleaveustillthemomentwewentonboard。
Thefeluccawasveryconvenientlyarranged，andwaspropelledbythetwelveoarsmen。Onthedecktherewerealsotwenty—fourmuskets，sothatweshouldhavebeenabletodefendourselvesagainstapirate。
Clairmonthadarrangedmycarriageandmytrunkssocleverly，thatbystretchingfivemattressesoverthemwehadanexcellentbed，wherewecouldsleepandundressourselvesinperfectcomfort；wehadgoodpillowsandplentyofsheets。Alongawningcoveredthedeck，andtwolanternswerehungup，oneateachend。IntheeveningtheywerelightedandClairmontbroughtinsupper。Ihadwarnedmybrotherthatattheslightestpresumptiononhispartheshouldbeflungintothesea，soIallowedhimandPossanotosupwithus。
Isatbetweenmytwonymphsandservedthecompanymerrily，firstmyniece，thenMarcoline，thenmybrother，andfinallyPossano。Nowaterwasdrunkattable，soweeachemptiedabottleofexcellentBurgundy，andwhenwehadfinishedsuppertherowersrestedontheiroars，althoughthewindwasverylight。Ihadthelampsputoutandwenttobedwithmytwosweethearts，oneoneachsideofme。
Thelightofdawnawokeme，andIfoundmydarlingsstillsleepinginthesameposition。Icouldkissneitherofthem，sinceonepassedformyniece，andmysenseofhumanitywouldnotallowmetotreatMarcolineasmymistressinthepresenceofanunfortunatebrotherwhoadoredher，andhadneverobtainedtheleastfavourfromher。Hewaslyingnearathand，overwhelmedwithgriefandseasickness，andwatchingandlisteningwithallhismightfortheamorousencounterhesuspectedusofengagingin。Ididnotwanttohaveanyunpleasantness，soIcontentedmyselfwithgazingonthemtillthetworosesawokeandopenedtheireyes。
Whenthisdelicioussightwasover，IgotupandfoundthatwewereonlyoppositeFinal，andIproceededtoreprimandthemaster。
\"ThewindfelldeadatSavona，sir\"；andalltheseamenchorusedhisexcuse。
\"Thenyoushouldhaverowedinsteadofidling。\"
\"Wewereafraidofwakingyou。YoushallbeatAntibesbytomorrow。\"
Afterpassingthetimebyeatingaheartymeal，wetookafancytogoonshoreatSt。Remo。Everybodywasdelighted。Itookmytwonymphsonland，andafterforbiddinganyoftheotherstodisembarkI
conductedtheladiestoaninn，whereIorderedcoffee。Amanaccostedus，andinvitedustocomeandplaybiribiathishouse。
\"IthoughtthegamewasforbiddeninGenoa，\"saidI。IfeltcertainthattheplayersweretherascalswhosebankIhadbrokenatGenoa，soIacceptedtheinvitation。MyniecehadfiftyLouisinherpurse，andIgavefifteentoMarcoline。Wefoundalargeassemblage，roomwasmadeforus，andIrecognizedtheknavesofGenoa。Assoonastheysawmetheyturnedpaleandtrembled。Ishouldsaythatthemanwiththebagwasnotthepoordevilwhohadservedmesowellwithoutwantingto。
\"Iplayharlequin，\"saidI。
\"Thereisn’tone。\"
\"What’sthebank？\"
\"Thereitis。Weplayforsmallstakeshere，andthosetwohundredlouisarequitesufficient。Youcanbetaslowasyoulike，andthehigheststakeisofalouis。\"
\"That’sallverywell，butmylouisisfullweight。\"
\"Ithinkoursare，too。\"
\"Areyousure？\"
\"No。\"
\"ThenIwon’tplay，\"saidI，tothekeeperoftherooms。
\"Youareright；bringthescales。\"
Thebankerthensaidthatwhenplaywasoverhewouldgivefourcrownsofsixlivresforeverylouisthatthecompanyhadwon，andthematterwassettled。Inamomenttheboardwascoveredwithstakes。
Weeachpuntedalouisatatime，andIandmyniecelosttwentyLouis，butMarcoline，whohadneverpossessedtwosequinsinherlifebefore，wontwohundredandfortyLouis。Sheplayedonthefigureofanabbewhichcameoutfifthtwentytimes。Shewasgivenabagfullofcrownpieces，andwereturnedtothefelucca。
Thewindwascontrary，andwehadtorowallnight，andinthemorningtheseawassoroughthatwehadtoputinatMentone。Mytwosweetheartswereverysick，asalsomybrotherandPossano，butI
wasperfectlywell。Itookthetwoinvalidstotheinn，andallowedmybrotherandPossanotolandandrefreshthemselves。TheinnkeepertoldmethatthePrinceandPrincessofMonacowereatMentone，soI
resolvedtopaythemavisit。ItwasthirteenyearssinceIhadseentheprinceatParis，whereIhadamusedhimandhismistressCarolineatsupper。ItwasthisprincewhohadtakenmetoseethehorribleDuchessofRufec；thenhewasunmarried，andnowImethimagaininhisprincipalitywithhiswife，ofwhomhehadalreadytwosons。TheprincesshadbeenaDuchessdeBorgnoli，agreatheiress，andadelightfulandprettywoman。Ihadheardallabouther，andIwascurioustoverifythefactsformyself。
Icalledontheprince，wasannounced，andafteralongwaittheyintroducedmetohispresence。Igavehimhistitleofhighness，whichIhadneverdoneatParis，wherehewasnotknownunderhisfullstyleandtitle。Hereceivedmepolitely，butwiththatcoolnesswhichletsoneknowthatoneisnotanover—welcomevisitor。
\"Youhaveputinonaccountofthebadweather，Isuppose？\"saidhe。
\"Yes，prince，andifyourhighnesswillallowmeIwillspendthewholedayinyourdeliciousvilla。\"（Itisfarfrombeingdelicious。）
\"Asyouplease。TheprincessaswellasmyselflikesitbetterthanourplaceatMonaco，soweliveherebypreference。\"
\"Ishouldbegratefulifyourhighnesswouldpresentmetotheprincess。\"
Withoutmentioningmynameheorderedapageinwaitingtopresentmetotheprincess。
Thepageopenedthedoorofahandsomeroomandsaid，\"ThePrincess，\"
andleftme。Shewassingingatthepiano，butassoonasshesawmesheroseandcametomeetme。Iwasobligedtointroducemyself，amostunpleasantthing，andnodoubttheprincessfelttheposition，forshepretendednottonoticeit，andaddressedmewiththeutmostkindnessandpoliteness，andinawaythatshewedthatshewaslearnedinthemaximsofgoodsociety。Iimmediatelybecameverymuchatmyease，andproceededinalordlymannertoentertainherwithpleasanttalk，thoughIsaidnothingaboutmytwoladyfriends。
Theprincesswashandsome，clever，andgood—natured。Hermother，whoknewthatamanliketheprincewouldnevermakeherdaughterhappy，opposedthemarriage，buttheyoungmarchionesswasinfatuated，andthemotherhadtogiveinwhenthegirlsaid，——
\"OMonacoOmonaca。\"（EitherMonacooraconvent。）
Wewerestilloccupiedinthetrifleswhichkeepupanordinaryconversation，whentheprincecameinrunningafterawaiting—maid，whowasmakingherescape，laughing。Theprincesspretendednottoseehim，andwentonwithwhatshewassaying。Thescenedispleasedme，andItookleaveoftheprincess，whowishedmeapleasantjourney。ImettheprinceasIwasgoingout，andheinvitedmetocomeandseehimwheneverIpassedthatway。
\"Certainly，\"saidI；andmademyescapewithoutsayinganymore。
Iwentbacktotheinnandorderedagooddinnerforthree。