IspentanextremelypleasantfourmonthsatAugsburg，suppingtwiceorthriceaweekatCountLamberg’s。AtthesesuppersImadetheacquaintanceofaveryremarkableman——CountThuraandValsamina，thenapageintheprince—bishop’shousehold，nowDeanofRatisbon。Hewasalwaysatthecount’s，aswasalsoDr。Algardi，ofBologna，theprince’sphysicianandadelightfulman。
IoftensawatthesamehouseacertainBaronSellenthin，aPrussianofficer，whowasalwaysrecruitingforhismasteratAugsburg。Hewasapleasantman，somewhatintheGasconstyle，soft—spoken，andanexpertgamester。FiveorsixyearsagoIhadaletterfromhimdatedDresden，inwhichhesaidthatthoughhewasold，andhadmarriedarichwife，herepentedofhavingmarriedatall。IshouldsaythesameifIhadeverchancedtomarry。
DuringmystayatAugsburgseveralPoles，whohadlefttheircountryonaccountofthetroubles，cametoseeme。AmongstotherswasRzewuski，theroyalProthonotary，whomIhadknownatSt。PetersburgastheloverofpoorMadameLanglade。
\"Whatadiet！Whatplots！Whatcounterplots！Whatmisfortunes！\"saidthishonestPole，tome。\"Happyaretheywhohavenothingtodowithit！\"
HewasgoingtoSpa，andheassuredmethatifIfollowedhimIshouldfindPrinceAdam’ssister，Tomatis，andMadameCatai，whohadbecomethemanager’swife。IdeterminedtogotoSpa，andtotakemeasuressothatImightgotherewiththreeorfourhundredducatsinmypurse。TothisintentIwrotetoPrinceCharlesofCourland，whowasatVenice，tosendmeahundredducats，andinmyletterIgavehimaninfalliblereceiptforthephilosopher’sstone。Thelettercontainingthisvastsecretwasnotincypher，soIadvisedhimtoburnitafterhehadreadit，assuringhimthatIpossessedacopy。Hedidnotdoso，anditwastakentoPariswithhisorderpaperswhenhewassenttotheBastile。
IfithadnotbeenfortheRevolutionmyletterwouldneverhaveseenthelight。WhentheBastillewasdestroyed，myletterwasfoundandprintedwithothercuriouscompositions，whichwereafterwardstranslatedintoGermanandEnglish。TheignorantfoolsthataboundinthelandwheremyfatewillsthatIshouldwritedownthechiefeventsofmylongandtroublouslife——thesefools，Isay，whoarenaturallymyswornfoes（fortheassliesnotdownwiththehorse），makethisletteranarticleofaccusationagainstme，andthinktheycanstopmymouthbytellingmethattheletterhasbeentranslatedintoGerman，andremainstomyeternalshame。TheignorantBohemiansareastonishedwhenItellthemthatIregardtheletterasredoundingtomyglory，andthatiftheirearswerenotquitesolongtheirblamewouldbeturnedintopraise。
Idonotknowwhethermyletterhasbeencorrectlytranslated，butsinceithasbecomepublicpropertyIshallsetitdownhereinhomagetotruth，theonlygodIadore。IhavebeforemeanexactcopyoftheoriginalwritteninAugsburgintheyear1767，andwearenowintheyear1798。
Itrunsasfollows:
\"MYLORD，——Ihopeyourhighnesswilleitherburnthisletterafterreadingit，orelsepreserveitwiththegreatestcare。Itwillbebetter，however，tomakeacopyincypher，andtoburntheoriginal。Myattachmenttoyouisnotmyonlymotiveinwriting；Iconfessmyinterestisequallyconcerned。AllowmetosaythatIdonotwishyourhighnesstoesteemmealoneforanyqualitiesyoumayhaveobservedinme；IwishyoutobecomemydebtorbytheinestimablesecretIamgoingtoconfidetoyou。Thissecretrelatestothemakingofgold，theonlythingofwhichyourhighnessstandsinneed。Ifyouhadbeenmiserlybynatureyouwouldberichnow；butyouaregenerous，andwillbepoorallyourdaysifyoudonotmakeuseofmysecret。
\"YourhighnesstoldmeatRigathatyouwouldlikemetogiveyouthesecretbywhichItransmutedironintocopper；Ineverdidso，butnowI
shallteachyouhowtomakeamuchmoremarvelloustransmutation。I
shouldpointouttoyou，however，thatyouarenotatpresentinasuitableplacefortheoperation，althoughallthematerialsareeasilyprocurable。Theoperationnecessitatesmypresencefortheconstructionofafurnace，andforthegreatcarenecessary，fartheleastmistakewillspoilall。ThetransmutationofMarsisaneasyandmerelymechanicalprocess，butthatofgoldisphilosophicalinthehighestdegree。ThegoldproducedwillbeequaltothatusedintheVenetiansequins。Youmustreflect，mylord，thatIamgivingyouinformationwhichwillpermityoutodispensewithme，andyoumustalsoreflectthatIamconfidingtoyoumylifeandmyliberty。
\"ThestepIamtakingshouldinsureyourlife—longprotection，andshouldraiseyouabovethatprejudicewhichisentertainedagainstthegeneralmassofalchemists。Myvanitywouldbewoundedifyourefusetodistinguishmefromthecommonherdofoperators。AllIaskyouisthatyouwillwaittillwemeetbeforeundertakingtheprocess。Youcannotdoitbyyourself，andifyouemployanyotherpersonbutmyself，youwillbetraythesecret。Imusttellyouthat，usingthesamematerials，andbytheadditionofmercuryandnitre，ImadethetreeofprojectionfortheMarchionessd’UrfeandthePrincessofAnhalt。Zerbstcalculatedtheprofitasfiftypercent。Myfortunewouldhavebeenmadelongago，ifI
hadfoundaprincewiththecontrolofamintwhomIcouldtrust。Yourcharacterenablesmetoconfideinyou。However，wewillcometothepoint。
\"Youmusttakefourouncesofgoodsilver，dissolveinaquafortis，precipitatesecundumartemwithcopper，thenwashinlukewarmwatertoseparatetheacids；dry，mixwithhalfanounceofsalammoniac，andplaceinasuitablevessel。Afterwardsyoumusttakeapoundofalum，apoundofHungarycrystals，fourouncesofverdigris，fourouncesofcinnabar，andtwoouncesofsulphur。Pulveriseandmix，andplaceinaretortofsuchsizethattheabovematterswillonlyhalffillit。Thisretortmustbeplacedoverafurnacewithfourdraughts，fortheheatmustberaisedtothefourthdegree。Atfirstyourfiremustbeslowsoastoextractthegrossphlegmofthematter，andwhenthespiritbeginstoappear，placethereceiverundertheretort，andLunawiththeammoniacsaltswillappearinit。AllthejoiningsmustbelutedwiththePhilosophicalLuting，andasthespiritcomes，soregulateyourfurnace，butdonotletitpassthethirddegreeofheat。
\"Sosoonasthesublimationbeginsthenboldlyopenyourforthvent，buttakeheedthatthatwhichissublimedpassnotintothereceiverwhereisyourLuna，andsoyoumustshut，themouthoftheretortclosely，andkeepitsofortwenty—fourhours，andthentakeoffyourfastenings，andallowthedistillationtogoon。Thenyoumustincreaseyourfiresothatthespiritsmaypass，over，untilthematterintheretortisquitedesiccated。Afterthisoperationhasbeenperformedthreetimes，thenyoushallsee，thegoldappearintheretort。Thendrawitforthandmeltit，addingyourcorpusperfectum。Meltwithittwoouncesofgold，thenlayitinwater，andyoushallfindfourouncesofpuregold。
\"Suchmylord，isthegoldmineforyourmintofMitau，bywhich，withtheassistanceofamanagerandfourmen，youcanassureyourselfarevenueofathousandducatsaweek，anddouble，andquadruplethatsum，ifyourhighnesschoosestoincreasethemenandthefurnaces。Iaskyourhighnesstomakemeyourmanager。ButrememberitmustbeaStatesecret，soburnthisletter，andifyourhighnesswouldgivemeanyrewardinadvance，Ionlyaskyoutogivemeyouraffectionandesteem。
IshallbehappyifIhavereasontobelievethatmymasterwillalsobemyfriend。Mylife，whichthisletterplacesinyourpower，iseveratyourservice，andIknownotwhatIshalldoifIeverhavecausetorepenthavingdisclosedmysecret。Ihavethehonourtobe，etc。\"
Inwhateverlanguagethislettermayhavebeentranslated，ifitssenserunnotasabove，itisnotmyletter，andIamreadytogivethelietoalltheMirabeausintheworld。Ihavebeencalledanexile，butwrongfully，foramanwhohastoleaveacountrybyvirtueofa’lettredecachet’isnoexile。Heisforcedtoobeyadespoticmonarchwholooksuponhiskingdomashishouse，andturnsoutofdoorsanyonewhomeetswithhisdispleasure。
Assoonasmypurseswelledtoarespectablesize，IleftAugsburg，ThedateofmydeparturewasJune14th，1767。IwasatUlmwhenacourieroftheDukeofWurtemburg’spassedthroughthetownwiththenewsthathishighnesswouldarrivefromVeniceinthecourseoffiveorsixdays。
Thiscourierhadaletterforme。IthadbeenentrustedtohimbyPrinceCharlesofCourland，whohadtoldthecourierthathewouldfindmeatthe\"HotelduRaisin，\"inAugsburg。Asithappened，Ihadleftthedaybefore，butknowingthewaybywhichIhadgonehecaughtmeupatUlm。
HegavemetheletterandaskedmeifIwerethesameCasanovawhohadbeenplacedunderarrestandhadescaped，onaccountofsomegamblingdisputewiththreeofficers。AsIwasneveranadeptinconcealingthetruth，Irepliedintheaffirmative。AWurtemburgofficerwhowasstandingbesideusobservedtomeinafriendlymannerthathewasatStuttgartatthetime，andthatmostpeopleconcurredinblamingthethreeofficersfortheirconductinthematter。
WithoutmakinganyreplyIreadtheletter，whichreferredtoourprivateaffairs，butasIwasreadingitIresolvedtotellalittlelie——oneofthoselieswhichdonobodyanyharm。
\"Well，sir，\"Isaidtotheofficer，\"hishighness，yoursovereign，haslistenedtoreasonatlast，andthisletterinformsmeofareparationwhichisineverywaysatisfactory。Thedukehascreatedmehisprivatesecretary，withasalaryoftwelvehundredayear。ButIhavewaitedforitalongtime。Godknowswhathasbecomeofthethreeofficers！\"
\"TheyareallatLouisburg，and——————isnowacolonel。\"
\"Well，theywillbesurprisedtohearmynews，andtheywillhearitto—morrow，forIamleavingthisplaceinanhour。IftheyareatLouisburg，Ishallhaveatriumph；butIamsorrynottobeabletoaccompanyyou，howeverweshallseeeachotherthedayaftertomorrow。\"
Ihadanexcellentnight，andawokewiththebeautifulideaofgoingtoLouisburg，nottofightthethreeofficersbuttofrightenthem，triumphoverthem，andtoenjoyapleasantvengeancefortheinjurytheyhaddoneme。Ishouldatthesametimeseeagoodmanyoldfriends；therewasMadameToscani，theduke’smistress；Baletti，andVestri，whohadmarriedaformermistressoftheduke’s。Ihadsoundedthedepthsofthehumanheart，andknewIhadnothingtofear。Thedukewasonthepointofreturning，andnobodywoulddreamofimpugningthetruthofmystory。
Whenheactuallydidarrivehewouldnotfindme，forassoonasthecourierannouncedhisapproachIshouldgoaway，tellingeverybodythatI
hadorderstoprecedehishighness，andeverybodywouldbeduped。
Ineverhadsopleasantanideabefore。Iwasquiteproudofit，andI
shouldhavedespisedmyselfifIhadfailedtocarryitintoeffect。Itwouldbemyvengeanceontheduke，whocouldnothaveforgottentheterribleletterIhadwrittenhim；forprincesdonotforgetsmallinjuriesastheyforgetgreatservices。
Isleptbadlythefollowingnight，myanxietywassogreat，andIreachedLouisburgandgavemynameatthetowngates，withouttheadditionofmypretendedoffice，formyjestmustbematuredbydegrees。Iwenttostayattheposting—inn，andjustasIwasaskingfortheaddressofMadameToscani，sheandherhusbandappearedonthescene。Theybothflungtheirarmsaroundmyneck，andoverwhelmedmewithcomplimentsonmywoundedarmandthevictoryIhadachieved。
\"Whatvictory？\"
\"Yourappearanceherehasfilledtheheartsofallyourfriendswithjoy。\"
\"Well，Icertainlyamintheduke’sservice，buthowdidyoufinditout？\"
\"It’sthecommontalk。Thecourierwhogaveyoutheletterhasspreaditallabroad，andtheofficerwhowaspresentandarrivedhereyesterdaymorningconfirmedit。Butyoucannotimaginetheconsternationofyourthreefoes。However，weareafraidthatyouwillhavesometroublewiththem，astheyhavekeptyourletterofdefiancegivenfromFurstenberg。\"
\"Whydidn’ttheymeetme，then？\"
\"Twoofthemcouldnotgo，andthethirdarrivedtoolate。\"
\"Verygood。IfthedukehasnoobjectionIshallbehappytomeetthemoneafteranother，notthreeallatonce。Ofcourse，theduelmustbewithpistols；aswordduelisoutofthequestionwithmyarminasling。\"
\"Wewillspeakofthatagain。Mydaughterwantstomakepeacebeforethedukecomes，andyouhadbetterconsenttoarrangements，fortherearethreeofthem，anditisn’tlikelythatyoucouldkillthewholethreeoneaftertheother。\"
\"Yourdaughtermusthavegrownintoabeauty。\"
\"Youmuststopwithusthisevening；youwillseeher，forsheisnolongertheduke’smistress。Sheisgoingtogetmarried。\"
\"IfyourdaughtercanbringaboutanarrangementIwouldgladlyfallinwithit，provideditisanhonourableoneforme。\"
\"Howisitthatyouarewearingtheslingafterallthesemonths？\"
\"Iamquitecured，andyetmyarmswellsassoonasIletitswingloose。
Youshallseeitafterdinner，foryoumustdinewithmeifyouwantmetosupwithyou。\"
NextcameVestri，whomIdidnotknow，accompainedbymybelovedBaletti。
WiththemwasanofficerwhowasinlovewithMadameToscani’sseconddaughter，andanotheroftheircircle，withwhomIwasalsounacquainted。
Theyallcametocongratulatemeonmyhonourablepositionintheduke’sservice。Balettiwasquiteovercomewithdelight。ThereaderwillrecollectthathewasmychiefassistantinmyescapefromStuttgart，andthatIwasoncegoingtomarryhissister。Balettiwasafinefellow，andthedukewasveryfondofhim。Hehadalittlecountryhouse，withaspareroom，whichhebeggedmetoaccept，ashesaidhewasonlytooproudthatthedukeshouldknowhimasmybestfriend。Whenhishighnesscame，ofcourseIwouldhaveanapartmentinthepalace。Iaccepted；andasitwasstillearly，weallwenttoseetheyoungToscani。IhadlovedherinParisbeforeherbeautyhadreacheditszenith，andshewasnaturallyproudtoshewmehowbeautifulshehadbecome。Sheshewedmeherhouseandherjewels，toldmethestoryofheramourswiththeduke，ofherbreakingwithhimonaccountofhisperpetualinfidelities，andofhermarriagewithamanshedespised，butwhowasforcedonherbyherposition。
Atdinner—timeweallwenttotheinn，wherewemettheoffendingcolonel；hewasthefirsttotakeoffhishat，wereturnedthesalute，andhepassedonhisway。
Thedinnerwasapleasantone，andwhenitwasoverIproceededtotakeupmyquarterswithBaletti。IntheeveningwewenttoMadameToscani’s，whereIsawtwogirlsofravishingbeauty，MadameToscani’sdaughterandVestri’swife，ofwhomthedukehadhadtwochildren。MadameVestriwasahandsomewoman，butherwitandthecharmofhermannerenchantedmestillmore。Shehadonlyonefault——shelisped。
TherewasacertainreserveaboutthemannerofMdlle。Toscani，soI
chieflyaddressedmyselftoMadameVestri，whosehusbandwasnotjealous，forheneithercaredforhernorsheforhim。Onthedayofmyarrivalthemanagerhaddistributedthepartsofalittleplaywhichwastobegiveninhonouroftheduke’sarrival。Ithadbeenwrittenbyalocalauthor，inhopesofitsobtainingthefavouroftheCourtforhim。
Aftersupperthelittlepiecewasdiscussed。MadameVestriplayedtheprincipalpart，whichshewasprevailedupontorecite。
\"Yourelocutionisadmirable，andyourexpressionfullofspirit，\"I
observed；\"butwhatapityitisthatyoudonotpronouncethedentals。\"
Thewholetablescoutedmyopinion。
\"It’sabeauty，notadefect，\"saidthey。\"Itmakesheractingsoftanddelicate；otheractressesenvyhertheprivilegeofwhatyoucalladefect。\"
Imadenoanswer，butlookedatMadameVestri。
\"DoyouthinkIamtakeninbyallthat？\"saidshe。
\"Ithinkyouaremuchtoosensibletobelievesuchnonsense。\"
\"Ipreferamantosayhonestly，’whatapity，’thantohearallthatfoolishflattery。ButIamsorrytosaythatthereisnoremedyforthedefect。\"
\"Noremedy？\"
\"No。\"
\"Pardonme，Ihaveaninfallibleremedyforyourcomplaint。YoushallgivemeagoodheartyblowifIdonotmakeyoureadthepartperfectlybyto—morrow，butifIsucceedinmakingyoureaditasyourhusband，forexample’ssake，mightreadityoushallpermitmetogiveyouatenderembrace。\"
\"Verygood；butwhatmustIdo？\"
\"Youmustletmeweaveaspelloveryourpart，thatisall。Giveittome。To—morrowmorningatnineo’clockIwillbringittoyoutogetmyblowormykiss，ifyourhusbandhasnoobjection。\"
\"Nonewhatever；butwedonotbelieveinspells。\"
\"Youareright，inageneralway；butminewillnotfail。\"
\"Verygood。\"
MadameVestrileftmethepart，andtheconversationturnedonothersubjects。Iwascondoledwithonmyswollenhand，andItoldthestoryofmyduel。Everybodyseemedtodelightinentertainingmeandfeastingme，andIwentbacktoBaletti’sinlovewithalltheladies，butespeciallywithMadameVestriandMdlle。Toscani。
Balettihadabeautifullittlegirlofthreeyearsold。
\"Howdidyougetthatangel？\"Iasked。
\"There’shermother；and，asaproofofmyhospitality，sheshallsleepwithyouto—night。\"
\"Iacceptyourgenerousoffer；butletitbeto—morrownight。\"
\"Andwhynotto—night？\"
\"BecauseIshallbeengagedallnightinweavingmyspell。\"
\"Whatdoyoumean？Ithoughtthatwasajoke。\"
\"No，Iamquiteserious。\"
\"Areyoualittlecrazy？\"
\"Youshallsee。Doyougotobed，andleavemealightandwritingmaterials。\"
Ispentsixhoursincopyingoutthepart，onlyalteringcertainphrases。
ForallwordsinwhichtheletterrappearedIsubstitutedanother。Itwasatiresometask，butIlongedtoembraceMadameVestribeforeherhusband。Isetaboutmytaskinthefollowingmanner:
Thetextran:
\"Lesprocedesdecethommem’outragentetmedeseparent，jedoispenseramedebarrasser。\"
ForthisIsubstituted:
\"Cethommeadesfaconsquim’offensentetmedesolent，ilfautquejem’endefasse；\"andsoonthroughoutthepiece。
WhenIhadfinishedIsleptforthreehours，andthenroseanddressed。
Balettisawmyspell，andsaidIhadearnedthecursesoftheyoungauthor，asMadameVestriwouldnodoubtmakehimwriteallpartsforherwithoutusingtheletter’r’；and，indeed，thatwasjustwhatshedid。
Icalledontheactressandfoundhergettingup。Igaveherthepart，andassoonasshesawwhatIhaddonesheburstoutintoexclamationsofdelight；andcallingherhusbandshewedhimmycontrivance，andsaidshewouldneverplayapartwithan’r’initagain。Ipromisedtocopythemallout，andaddedthatIhadspentthewholenightinamendingthepresentpart。\"Thewholenight！Comeandtakeyourreward，foryouareclevererthananysorcerer。Wemusthavetheauthortodinner，andI
shallmakehimpromisetowriteallmypartswithoutthe’r’，orthedukewillnotemployhim。Indeed，Idon’twonderthedukehasmadeyouhissecretary。Ineverthoughtitwouldbepossibletodowhatyouhavedone；butIsupposeitwasverydifficult？\"
\"Notatall。IfIwereaprettywomanwiththelikedefectIshouldtakecaretoavoidallwordswithan’r；inthem。\"
\"Oh，thatwouldbetoomuchtrouble。\"
\"Letusbetagain，foraboxorakiss，thatyoucanspendawholedaywithoutusingan’r’。Letusbeginnow。\"
\"Allingoodtime，\"saidshe，\"butwewon’thaveanystake，asIthinkyouaretoogreedy。\"
Theauthorcametodinner，andwasdulyattackedbyMadameVestri。Shebeganbysayingthatitwasanauthor’sdutytobepolitetoactresses，andifanyofthemspokewithalisptheleasthecoulddowastowritetheirpartswithoutthefatalletter。
Theyoungauthorlaughed，andsaiditcouldnotbedonewithoutspoilingthestyle。ThereuponMadameVestrigavehimmyversionofherpart，tellinghimtoreadit，andtosayonhisconsciencewhetherthestylehadsuffered。Hehadtoconfessthatmyalterationswerepositiveimprovements，duetothegreatrichnessoftheFrenchlanguage。Andhewasright，forthereisnolanguageintheworldthatcancompareincopiousnessofexpressionwiththeFrench。
Thistriflingsubjectkeptusmerry，butMadameVestriexpressedadevoutwishthatallauthorswoulddoforherwhatIhaddone。AtParis，whereIheardherplayingwellandlispingterribly，shedidnotfindtheauthorssoobliging，butshepleasedthepeople。SheaskedmeifIwouldundertaketorecomposeZaire，leavingoutther’s。
\"Ah！\"saidI，\"consideringthatitwouldhavetobeinverse，andinVoltaireanverse，Iwouldrathernotundertakethetask。\"
WithaviewtopleasingtheactresstheyoungauthoraskedmehowIwouldtellherthatshewascharmingwithoutusingan’r’。
\"Ishouldsaythatsheenchantedme，mademeinanecstasy，thatsheisunique。\"
Shewrotemealetter，whichIstillkeep，inwhichthe’r’doesnotappear。IfIcouldhavestayedatStuttgart，thisdeviceofminemighthavewonmeherfavours；butafteraweekoffeastingandtriumphthecouriercameonemorningatteno’clockandannouncedthathishighness，theduke，wouldarriveatfour。
AssoonasIheardthenewsItoldBalettiwiththeutmostcoolnessthatIthoughtitwouldbeonlypolitetomeetmylord，andswellhistrainonhisentryintoLouisburg；andasIwishedtomeethimatadistanceoftwostagesIshouldhavetogoatonce。Hethoughtmyideaanexcellentone，andwenttoorderpost—horsesimmediately；butwhenhesawmepackingupallmybelongingsintomytrunk，heguessedthetruthandapplaudedthejest。Iembracedhimandconfessedmyhardihood。Hewassorrytoloseme，buthelaughedwhenhethoughtofthefeelingsofthedukeandofthethreeofficerswhentheyfoundoutthetrick。HepromisedtowritetomeatMannheim，whereIhaddecidedonspendingaweektoseemybelovedAlgardi，whowasintheserviceoftheElector。I
hadalsolettersforM。deSickirigenandBaronBecker，oneoftheElector’sministers。
WhenthehorseswereputinIembracedBaletti，hislittlegirl，andhisprettyhousekeeper，andorderedthepostilliontodrivetoMannheim。
WhenwereachedMannheimIheardthattheCourtwasatSchwetzingen，andIbadethepostilliondriveon。IfoundeveryoneIhadexpectedtosee。
Algardihadgotmarried，M。deSickingenwassolicitingthepositionofambassadortoParis，andBaronBeckerintroducedmetotheElector。FiveorsixdaysaftermyarrivaldiedPrinceFredericdesDeuxPonts，andI
willhererelateananecdoteIheardthedaybeforehedied。
Dr。Algardihadattendedontheprinceduringhislastillness。IwassuppingwithVeraci，thepoet—laureate，ontheeveoftheprince’sdeath，andinthecourseofsupperAlgardicamein。
\"Howistheprince？\"saidI。
\"Thepoorprince——hecannotpossiblylivemorethantwenty—fourhours。\"
\"Doesheknowit？\"
\"No，hestillhopes。Hegrievedmetotheheartbybiddingmetellhimthewholetruth；heevenbademegivemywordofhonourthatIwasspeakingthetruth。Thenheaskedmeifhewerepositivelyindangerofdeath。\"
\"Andyoutoldhimthetruth？\"
\"Certainlynot。Itoldhimhissicknesswasundoubtedlyamortalone，butthatwiththehelpofnatureandartwondersmightbeworked。\"
\"Thenyoudeceivedhim，andtoldalie？\"
\"Ididnotdeceivehim；hisrecoverycomesunderthecategoryofthepossible。Ididnotwanttoleavehimindespair，fordespairwouldmostcertainlykillhim。\"
\"Yes，yes；butyouwillconfessthatyoutoldhimalieandbrokeyourwordofhonour。\"
\"Itoldnolie，forIknowthathemaypossiblybecured。\"
\"Thenyouliedjustnow？\"
\"Notatall，forliewilldieto—morrow。\"
\"ItseemstomethatyourreasoningisalittleJesuitical。\"
\"No，itisnot。Mydutywastoprolongmypatient’slifeandtosparehimasentencewhichwouldmostcertainlyhaveshortenedit，possiblybyseveralhours；besides，itisnotanabsoluteimpossibilitythatheshouldrecover，thereforeIdidnotliewhenItoldhimthathemightrecover，nordidIliejustnowwhenIgaveitasmyopinion（theresultofmyexperience）thathewoulddieto—morrow。Iwouldcertainlywageramilliontoonethathewilldieto—morrow，butIwouldnotwagermylife。\"
\"Youareright，andyetforallthatyoudeceivedthepoorman；forhisintentioninaskingyouthequestionwasnottobetoldacommonplacewhichheknewaswellasyou，buttolearnyourtrueopinionastohislifeordeath。ButagainIagreewithyouthatashisphysicianyouwerequiterightnottoshortenhisfewremaininghoursbytellinghimtheterribletruth。\"
AfterafortnightIleftSchwetzingen，leavingsomeofmybelongingsunderthecareofVeracithepoet，tellinghimIwouldcallforthemsomeday；butInevercame，andafteralapseofthirty—oneyearsVeracikeepsthemstill。HewasoneofthestrangestpoetsIhaveevermet。Heaffectedeccentricitytomakehimselfnotorious，andopposedthegreatMetastasioineverything，writingunwieldyverseswhichhesaidgavemorescopeforthepersonwhosetthemtomusic。HehadgotthisextravagantnotionfromJumelli。
ItraveledtoMayenceandthenceIsailedtoCologne，whereIlookedforwardtothepleasureofmeetingwiththeburgomaster’swifewhodislikedGeneralKettler，andhadtreatedmesowellsevenyearsago。
Butthatwasnottheonlyreasonwhichimpelledmetovisitthatodioustown。WhenIwasatDresdenIhadreadinanumberoftheCologneGazettethat\"MasterCasanovahasreturnedtoWarsawonlytobesentabouthisbusinessagain。Thekinghasheardsomestoriesofthisfamousadventurer，whichcompelhimtoforbidhimhisCourt。\"
Icouldnotstomachlanguageofthiskind，andIresolvedtopayJacquet，theeditor，avisit，andnowmytimehadcome。
Imadeahastydinnerandthencalledontheburgomaster，whomIfoundsittingattablewithhisfairMimi。Theywelcomedmewarmly，andfortwohoursItoldthemthestoryofmyadventuresduringthelastsevenyears。Mimihadtogoout，andIwasaskedtodinewiththemthenextday。
Ithoughtshelookedprettierthanever，andmyimaginationpromisedmesomedeliciousmomentswithher。Ispentananxiousandimpatientnight，andcalledonmyAmphitryonatanearlyhourtohaveanopportunityofspeakingtohisdearcompanion。Ifoundheralone，andbeganwithanardentcaresswhichshegentlyrepelled，butherfacefrozemypassioninitscourse。
\"Timeisanexcellentdoctor，\"saidshe，\"andithascuredmeofapassionwhichleftbehinditthestingofremorse。\"
\"What！Theconfessional……\"
\"Shouldonlyserveasaplacewhereintoconfessoursinsofthepast，andtoimploregracetosinnomore。\"
\"MaytheLordsavemefromrepentance，theonlysourceofwhichisaprejudice！IshallleaveCologneto—morrow。\"
\"Idonottellyoutogo。\"
\"Ifthereisnohope，itisnoplaceforme。MayIhope？\"
\"Never。\"
\"Shewasdelightfulattable，butIwasgloomyanddistracted。Atseveno’clocknextdayIsetout，andassoonasIhadpassedtheAixlaChapelleGate，Itoldthepostilliontostopandwaitforme。IthenwalkedtoJacquet’s，armedwithapistolandacane，thoughIonlymeanttobeathim。
Theservantshewedmeintotheroomwherehewasworkingbyhimself。Itwasonthegroundfloor，andthedoorwasopenforcoolness’sake。
Heheardmecominginandaskedwhathecoulddoforme。
\"Youscoundrellyjournalist。\"Ireplied，\"IamtheadventurerCasanovawhomyouslanderedinyourmiserablesheetfourmonthsago。\"
SosayingIdirectedmypistolathishead，withmylefthand，andliftedmycanewithmyright。ButthewretchedscribblerfellonhiskneesbeforemewithclaspedhandsandofferedtoshewmethesignedletterhehadreceivedfromWarsaw，whichcontainedthestatementshehadinsertedinhispaper。
\"Whereisthisletter？\"
\"Youshallhaveitinamoment。\"
Imadewayforhimtosearch，butIlockedandboltedthedoortopreventhisescaping。ThemantrembledlikealeafandbegantolookfortheletteramongsthisWarsawcorrespondence，whichwasinadisgracefulstateofconfusion。Ishewedhimthedateofthearticleinthepaper，butthelettercouldnotbefound；andattheendofanhourhefelldownagainonhisknees，andtoldmetodowhatIwouldtohim。Igavehimakickandtoldhimtogetupandfollowme。Hemadenoreply，andfollowedmebareheadedtillhesawmegetintomychaiseanddriveoff，andIhavenodoubthegavethankstoGodforhislightescape。Intheevening，IreachedAix—la—Chapelle，whereIfoundPrincessLubomirska，GeneralRoniker，severalotherdistinguishedPoles，Tomatisandhiswife，andmanyEnglishmenofmyacquaintance。
CHAPTERII
MyStayatSpa——TheBlow——TheSword——DellaCroce——Charlotte；HerLying—inandDeath——ALettredeCachetObligesMetoLeaveParisintheCourseofTwenty—fourHoursAllmyfriendsseemeddelightedtoseeme，andIwaswellpleasedtofindmyselfinsuchgoodcompany。PeoplewereonthepointofleavingAixforSpa。Nearlyeveryonewent，andthosewhostayedonlydidsobecauselodgingswerenottobehadatSpa。Everybodyassuredmethatthiswasthecase，andmanyhadreturnedafterseekinginvainforameregarret。
Ipaidnoattentiontoallthis，andtoldtheprincessthatifshewouldcomewithmeIwouldfindsomelodging，wereitonlyinmycarriage。Weaccordinglysetoutthenextday，andgottoSpaingoodtime，ourcompanyconsistingoftheprincess，theprothonotary，Roniker，andtheTomatis。Everyoneexceptmyselfhadtakenroomsinadvance，Ialoneknewnotwheretoturn。Igotoutandpreparedforthesearch，butbeforegoingalongthestreetsIwentintoashopandboughtahat，havinglostmineontheway。Iexplainedmysituationtotheshopwoman，whoseemedtotakeaninterestinme，andbeganspeakingtoherhusbandinFlemishorWalloon，andfinallyinformedmethatifitwereonlyforafewdayssheandherhusbandwouldsleepintheshopandgiveuptheirroomtome。
Butshesaidthatshehadabsolutelynoroomwhateverformyman。
\"Ihaven’tgotone。\"
\"Allthebetter。Sendawayyourcarriage。\"
\"WhereshallIsendit？\"
\"Iwillseethatitishousedsafely。\"
\"HowmuchamItopay？\"
\"Nothing；andifyouarenottooparticular，weshouldlikeyoutoshareourmeals。\"
\"Iacceptyourofferthankfully。\"
Iwentupanarrowstaircase，andfoundmyselfinaprettylittleroomwithacloset，agoodbed，suitablefurniture，andeverythingperfectlyneatandclean。Ithoughtmyselfverylucky，andaskedthegoodpeoplewhytheywouldnotsleepintheclosetratherthantheshop，andtheyrepliedwithonebreaththattheywouldbeinmyway，whiletheirniecewouldnotinterferewithme。
Thisnewsabouttheniecewasasurprisetome。Theclosethadnodoor，andwasnotmuchbiggerthanthebedwhichitcontained；itwas，infact，amerealcove，withoutanywindow。
Imustnotethatmyhostessandherhusband，bothofthemfromLiege，wereperfectmodelsofugliness。
\"It’snotwithinthelimitsofpossibility，\"Isaidtomyself，\"fortheniecetobeuglierthanthey，butiftheyallowhertosleepthusinthesameroomwiththefirstcomer，shemustbeproofagainstalltemptation。\"
However，Igavenosign，anddidnotasktoseethenieceforfearofoffense，andIwentoutwithoutopeningmytrunk。ItoldthemasIwentoutthatIshouldnotbebacktillaftersupper，andgavethemsomemoneytobuywaxcandlesandnightlights。
IwenttoseetheprincesswithwhomIwastosup。Allthecompanycongratulatedmeonmygoodfortuneinfindingalodging。Iwenttotheconcert，tothebankatfaro，andtotheothergamingsaloons，andthereIsawtheso—calledMarquisd’Aragon，whowasplayingatpiquetwithanoldcountoftheHolyRomanEmpire。IwastoldabouttheduelhehadhadthreeweeksbeforewithaFrenchmanwhohadpickedaquarrelwithhim；
theFrenchmanhadbeenwoundedinthechest，andwasstillill。
Nevertheless，hewasonlywaitingforhiscuretobecompletedtohavehisrevenge，whichhehaddemandedashewastakenoffthefield。SuchisthewayoftheFrenchwhenaduelisfoughtforatriflingmatter。
Theystopatthefirstblood，andfightthedueloverandoveragain。InItaly，ontheotherhand，duelsarefoughttothedeath。Ourbloodburnstofirewhenouradversary’sswordopensavein。ThusstabbingiscommoninItalyandrareinFrance；whileduelsarecommoninFrance，andrareinItaly。
OfallthecompanyatSpa，IwasmostpleasedtoseetheMarquisCaraccioli，whomIhadleftinLondon。HisCourthadgivenhimleaveofabsence，andhewasspendingitatSpa。Hewasbrimfulofwitandthemilkofhumankindness，compassionatefortheweaknessesofothers，anddevotedtoyouth，nomatterofwhatsex，butheknewwellthevirtueofmoderation，andusedallthingswithoutabusingthem。Heneverplayed，buthelovedagoodgamesteranddespisedalldupes。Theworthymarquiswasthemeansofmakingthefortuneoftheso—calledMarquisd’AragonbybecomingsuretyforhisnobilityandbonafidestoawealthyEnglishwidowoffifty，whohadtakenafancytohim，andbroughthimherfortuneofsixtythousandpoundssterling。Nodoubtthewidowwastakenwiththegiganticformandthebeautifultitleofd’Aragon，forDragon（ashisnamereallywas）wasdevoidofwitandmanners，andhislegs，whichI
supposehekeptwellcovered，boredisgustingmarksofthelibertinelifehehadled。IsawthemarquissometimeafterwardsatMarseilles，andafewyearslaterhepurchasedtwoestatesatModena。Hiswifediedinduecourse，andaccordingtotheEnglishlawheinheritedthewholeofherproperty。
Ireturnedtomylodgingingoodtime，andwenttobedwithoutseeingtheniece，whowasfastasleep。Iwaswaitedonbytheuglyaunt，whobeggedmenottotakeaservantwhileIremainedinherhouse，forbyheraccountallservantswerethieves。
WhenIawokeinthemorningtheniecehadgotupandgonedown。I
dressedtogototheWells，andwarnedmyhostandhostessthatIshouldhavethepleasureofdiningwiththem。TheroomIoccupiedwastheonlyplaceinwhichtheycouldtaketheirmeals，andIwasastonishedwhentheycameandaskedmypermissiontodoso。Theniecehadgoneout，soI
hadtoputmycuriosityaside。WhenIwasoutmyacquaintancespointedouttomethechiefbeautieswhothenhauntedtheWells。ThenumberofadventurerswhoflocktoSpaduringtheseasonissomethingincredible，andtheyallhopetomaketheirfortunes；and，asmaybesupposed，mostofthemgoawayasnakedastheycame，ifnotmoreso。Moneycirculateswithgreatfreedom，butprincipallyamongstthegamesters，shop—keepers，money—lenders，andcourtezans。Themoneywhichproceedsfromthegaming—tablehasthreeissues:thefirstandsmallestsharegoestothePrince—BishopofLiege；thesecondandlargerportion，tothenumerousamateurcheatswhofrequenttheplace；andbyfarthelargestofalltothecoffersoftwelvesharpers，whokeepthetablesandareauthorizedbythesovereign。
Thusgoesthemoney。Itcomesfromthepocketsofthedupes——poormothswhoburntheirwingsatSpa！
TheWellsareamerepretextforgaming，intriguing，andfortune—hunting。
Thereareafewhonestpeoplewhogoforamusement，andafewforrestandrelaxationafterthetoilsofbusiness。
LivingischeapenoughatSpa。Thetabled’hoteisexcellent，andonlycostsasmallFrenchcrown，andonecangetgoodlodgingforthelikesum。
Icamehomeatnoonhavingwonascoreoflouis。Iwentintotheshop，intendingtogotomyroom，butIwasstoppedshortbyseeingahandsomebrunette，ofnineteenortwenty，withgreatblackeyes，voluptuouslips，andshiningteeth，measuringoutribbononthecounter。This，then，wastheniece，whomIhadimaginedassougly。Iconcealedmysurpriseandsatdownintheshoptogazeatherandendeavourtomakeheracquaintance。Butshehardlyseemedtoseeme，andonlyacknowledgedmypresencebyaslightinclinationofthehead。Herauntcamedowntosaythatdinnerwasready，andIwentupstairsandfoundthetablelaidforfour。Theservantbroughtinthesoup，andthenaskedmeveryplainlytogivehersomemoneyifIwantedanywine，ashermasterandmistressonlydrankbeer。Iwasdelightedwithherfreedom，andgavehermoneytobuytwobottlesofBurgundy。
Themastercameupandshewedmeagoldrepeaterwithachainalsoofgoldbyawell—knownmodernmaker。Hewantedtoknowhowmuchitwasworth。
\"Fortylouisattheleast。\"
\"Agentlemanwantsmetogivehimtwentylouisforit，ontheconditionthatIreturnitto—morrowifhebringsmetwenty—two。\"
\"ThenIadviseyoutoaccepthisoffer。\"
\"Ihaven’tgotthemoney。\"
\"Iwilllendityouwithpleasure。\"
IgavehimthetwentyLouis，andplacedthewatchinmyjewel—casket。Attabletheniecesatoppositetome，butItookcarenottolookather，andshe，likeamodestgirl，didnotsayascoreofwordsallthroughthemeal。Themealwasanexcellentone，consistingofsoup，boiledbeef，anentree，andaroast。Themistressofthehousetoldmethattheroastwasinmyhonour，\"for，\"shesaid，\"wearenotrichpeople，andweonlyallowourselvesthisLuxuryonaSunday。\"Iadmiredherdelicacy，andtheevidentsinceritywithwhichshespoke。Ibeggedmyentertainerstohelpmewithmywine，andtheyacceptedtheoffer，sayingtheyonlywishedtheywererichenoughtobeabletodrinkhalfabottleaday。
\"Ithoughttradewasgoodwithyou。\"
\"Thestuffisnotours，andwehavedebts；besides，theexpensesareverygreat。Wehavesoldverylittleuptonow。\"
\"Doyouonlysellhats？\"
\"No，wehavesilkhandkerchiefs，Parisstockings，andlaceruffs，buttheysayeverythingistoodear。\"
\"Iwillbuysomethingsforyou，andwillsendallmyfriendshere。
Leaveittome；IwillseewhatIcandoforyou。\"
\"Mercy，fetchdownoneortwopacketsofthosehandkerchiefsandsomestockings，largesize，forthegentlemanhasabigleg。\"
Mercy，astheniecewascalled，obeyed。Ipronouncedthehandkerchiefssuperbandthestockingsexcellent。Iboughtadozen，andIpromisedthemthattheyshouldsellouttheirwholestock。Theyoverwhelmedmewiththanks，andpromisedtoputthemselvesentirelyinmyhands。
Aftercoffee，which，liketheroast，wasinmyhonour，theaunttoldherniecetotakecaretoawakemeinthemorningwhenshegotup。Shesaidshewouldnotfail，butIbeggedhernottotaketoomuchtroubleoverme，asIwasaveryheavysleeper。
IntheafternoonIwenttoanarmourer’stobuyabraceofpistols，andaskedthemanifheknewthetradesmanwithwhomIwasstaying。
\"Wearecousins—german，\"hereplied。
\"Isherich？\"
\"Yes，indebts。\"
Why？\"
\"Becauseheisunfortunate，likemosthonestpeople。\"
\"Howabouthiswife？\"
\"Hercarefuleconomykeepshimabovewater。\"
\"Doyouknowtheniece？\"
\"Yes；she’sagoodgirl，butverypious。Hersillyscrupleskeepcustomersawayfromtheshop。\"
\"Whatdoyouthinksheshoulddotoattractcustomers？\"
\"Sheshouldbemorepolite，andnotplaytheprudewhenanyonewantstogiveherakiss。\"
\"Sheislikethat，isshe？\"
\"Tryheryourselfandyouwillsee。Lastweekshegaveanofficeraboxontheear。Mycousinscoldedher，andshewantedtogobacktoLiege；
however，thewifesoothedheragain。Sheisprettyenough，don’tyouthinkso？\"
\"CertainlyIdo，butifsheisascross—grainedasyousay，thebestthingwillbetoleaveheralone。\"
AfterwhatIhadheardImadeupmymindtochangemyroom，forMercyhadpleasedmeinsuchawaythatIwassureIshouldbeobligedtopayheracallbeforelong，andIdetestedPamelasasheartilyasCharpillons。
IntheafternoonItookRzewuskiandRonikertotheshop，andtheyboughtfiftyducats’worthofgoodstoobligeme。ThenextdaytheprincessandMadameTomatisboughtallthehandkerchiefs。
Icamehomeatteno’clock，andfoundMercyinbedasIhaddonethenightbefore。Nextmorningthewatchwasredeemed，andthehatterreturnedmetwenty—twolouis。Imadehimapresentofthetwolouis，andsaidIshouldalwaysbegladtolendhimmoneyinthatway——theprofitstobehis。Heleftmefullofgratitude。
IwasaskedtodinewithMadameTomatis，soItoldmyhoststhatIwouldhavethepleasureofsuppingwiththem，thecoststobebornebyme。ThesupperwasgoodandtheBurgundyexcellent，butMercyrefusedtotasteit。Shehappenedtoleavetheroomforamomentatthecloseofthemeal，andIobservedtotheauntthatherniecewascharming，butitwasapityshewassosad。
\"Shewillhavetochangeherways，orIwillkeephernolonger。\"
\"Isshethesamewithallmen？\"
\"Withall。\"
\"Thenshehasneverbeeninlove。\"
\"Shesaysshehasnot，butIdon’tbelieveher。\"
\"Iwondershecansleepsocomfortablywithamanatafewfeetdistant。\"
\"Sheisnotafraid。\"
Mercycamein，badeusgoodnight，andsaidshewouldgotobed。ImadeasifIwouldgiveherakiss，butsheturnedherbackonme，andplacedachairinfrontofherclosetsothatImightnotseehertakingoffherchemise。Myhostandhostessthenwenttobed，andsodidI，puzzlingmyheadoverthegirl’sbehaviourwhichstruckmeasmostextraordinaryandunaccountable。However，Isleptpeacefully，andwhenIawokethebirdhadleftthenest。Ifeltinclinedtohavealittlequietargumentwiththegirl，andtoseewhatIcouldmakeofher；butIsawnochanceofmygettinganopportunity。Thehatteravailedhimselfofmyofferofpursetolendmoneyonpledges，wherebyhemadeagoodprofit。Therewasnoriskformeinthematter，andheandhiswifedeclaredthattheyblessedthedayonwhichIhadcometolivewiththem。
OnthefifthorsixthdayIawokebeforeMercy，andonlyputtingonmydressing—gownIcametowardsherbed。Shehadaquickearandwokeup，andnosoonerdidsheseemecomingtowardsherthansheaskedmewhatI
wanted。IsatdownonherbedandsaidgentlythatIonlywantedtowishheragooddayandtohavealittletalk。Itwashotweather，andshewasonlycoveredbyasinglesheet；andstretchingoutonearmIdrewhertowardsme，andbeggedhertoletmegiveherakiss。Herresistancemademeangry；andpassinganaudacioushandunderthesheetIdiscoveredthatshewasmadelikeotherwomen；butjustasmyhandwasonthespot，Ireceivedafisticuffonthenosethatmademeseeathousandstars，andquiteextinguishedthefireofmyconcupiscence。ThebloodstreamedfrommynoseandstainedthebedofthefuriousMercy。Ikeptmypresenceofmindandleftheronthespot，astheblowshehadgivenmewasbutasampleofwhatImightexpectifIattemptedreprisals。Iwashedmyfaceincoldwater，andasIwasdoingsoMercydressedherselfandlefttheroom。
Atlastmybloodceasedtoflow，andIsawtomygreatannoyancethatmynosewasswolleninsuchamannerthatmyfacewassimplyhideous。I
covereditupwithahandkerchiefandsentforthehairdressertodomyhair，andwhenthiswasdonemylandladybroughtmeupsomefinetrout，ofwhichIapproved；butasIwasgivingherthemoneyshesawmyfaceandutteredacryofhorror。Itoldherthewholestory，freelyacknowledgingthatIwasinthewrong，andbegginghertosaynothingtoherniece。ThenheedingnotherexcusesIwentoutwithmyhandkerchiefbeforemyface，andvisitedahousewhichtheDuchessofRichmondhadleftthedaybefore。
HalfofthesuiteshehadabandonedhadbeentakeninadvancebyanItalianmarquis；Itooktheotherhalf，hiredaservant，andhadmyeffectstransportedtherefrommyoldlodgings。Thetearsandsupplicationsofmylandladyhadnoeffectwhateveruponme，IfeltI
couldnotbearthesightofMercyanylonger。
InthehouseintowhichIhadmovedIfoundanEnglishmanwhosaidhewouldbringdownthebruiseinonehour，andmakethediscolorationofthefleshdisappearintwenty—four。Ilethimdowhathelikedandhekepthisword。Herubbedtheplacewithspiritsofwineandsomedrugwhichisunknowntome；butbeingashamedtoappearinpublicinthestateIwasin，Ikeptindoorsfortherestoftheday。Atnoonthedistressedauntbroughtmemytrout，andsaidthatMercywascuttothehearttohaveusedmeso，andthatifIwouldcomebackIcoulddowhatI
likedwithher。
\"Youmustfeel，\"Ireplied，\"thatifIcompliedwithyourrequesttheadventurewouldbecomepublictothedamageofmyhonourandyourbusiness，andyourniecewouldnotbeabletopassforadevoteeanylonger。\"
Imadesomereflectionsontheblowshehadgiventheofficer，muchtotheaunt’ssurprise，forshecouldnotthinkhowIhadheardofit；andI
shewedherthat，afterhavingexposedmetoherniece’sbrutality，herrequestwasextremelyoutofplace。IconcludedbysayingthatIcouldbelievehertobeanaccompliceinthefactwithoutanygreatstretchofimagination。Thismadeherburstintotears，andIhadtoapologizeandtopromisetocontinueforwardingherbusinessbywayofconsolation，andsosheleftmeinacalmermood。Halfanhourafterwardsherhusbandcamewithtwenty—fiveLouisIhadlenthimonagoldsnuff—boxsetwithdiamonds，andproposedthatIshouldlendtwohundredLouisonaringworthfourhundred。
\"Itwillbeyours，\"hesaid，\"iftheownerdoesnotbringmetwohundredandtwentyLouisinaweek’stime。\"
Ihadthemoneyandproceededtoexaminethestonewhichseemedtobeagooddiamond，andwouldprobablyweighsixcaratsastheownerdeclared。
Thesettingwasingold。
\"Iconsenttogivethesumrequirediftheownerisreadytogivemeareceipt。\"
\"Iwilldosomyselfinthepresenceofwitnesses。\"
\"Verygood。Youshallhavethemoneyinthecourseofanhour；Iamgoingtohavethestonetakenoutfirst。Thatwillmakenodifferencetotheowner，asIshallhaveitresetatmyownexpense。Ifheredeemsit，thetwentyLouisshallbeyours。\"
\"Imustaskhimwhetherhehasanyobjectiontothestonebeingtakenout。\"
\"Verygood，butyoucantellhimthatifhewillnotallowittobedonehewillgetnothingforit。\"
Hereturnedbeforelongwithajewellerwhosaidhewouldguaranteethestonetobeatleasttwograinsoverthesixcarats。
\"Haveyouweighedit？\"
\"No，butIamquitesureitweighsoversixcarats。\"
\"Thenyoucanlendthemoneyonit？\"
\"Icannotcommandsuchasum。\"
\"Canyoutellmewhytheownerobjectstothestonebeingtakenoutandputinatmyexpense？\"
\"No，Ican’t；buthedoesobject。\"
\"Thenhemaytakehisringsomewhereelse。\"
Theywentaway，leavingmewellpleasedatmyrefusal，foritwasplainthatthestonewaseitherfalseorhadafalsebottom。
Ispenttherestofthedayinwritinglettersandmakingagoodsupper，InthemorningIwasawokebysomeoneknockingatmydoor，andonmygettinguptoopenit，whatwasmyastonishmenttofindMercy！
Iletherin，andwentbacktobed，andaskedherwhatshewantedwithmesoearlyinthemorning。Shesatdownonthebed，andbegantooverwhelmmewithapologies。Irepliedbyaskingherwhy，ifitwasherprincipletoflyatherloverslikeatiger，shehadsleptalmostinthesameroomasmyself。
\"Insleepinginthecloset，\"saidshe，\"Iobeyedmyaunt’sorders，andinstrikingyou（forwhichIamverysorry）Iwasbutdefendingmyhonour；
andIcannotadmitthateverymanwhoseesmeisatlibertytolosehisreason。Ithinkyouwillallowthatyourdutyistorespect，andminetodefend，myhonour。\"
\"Ifthatisyourlineofargument，Iacknowledgethatyouareright；butyouhadnothingtocomplainof，forIboreyourblowinsilence，andbymyleavingthehouseyoumightknowthatitwasmyintentiontorespectyouforthefuture。Didyoucometohearmesaythis？Ifso，youaresatisfied。ButyouwillnotbeoffendedifIlaughatyourexcuses，forafterwhatyouhavesaidIcannothelpthinkingthemverylaughable。\"
\"WhathaveIsaid？\"
\"Thatyouonlydidyourdutyinflatteningmynose。Ifso，doyouthinkitisnecessarytoapologizefortheperformanceofduty？\"
\"Ioughttohavedefendedmyselfmoregently。Butforgeteverythingandforgiveme；Iwilldefendmyselfnomoreinanyway。IamyoursandI
loveyou，andIamreadytoprovemylove。\"
Shecouldnothavespokenmoreplainly，andasshespokethelastwordsshefellonmewithherfaceclosetomine，whichshebedewedwithhertears。Iwasashamedofsuchaneasyconquest，andIgentlywithdrewfromherembrace，tellinghertoreturnafterthebruiseonmyfacehaddisappeared。Sheleftmedeeplymortified。
TheItalian，whohadtakenhalfthesuiteofrooms，hadarrivedinthecourseofthenight。Iaskedhisname，andwasgivenacardbearingthenameofTheMarquisDonAntoniodellaCroce。
WasittheCroceIknew？
Itwasverypossible。
Iaskedwhatkindofanestablishmenthehad，andwasinformedthatthemarchionesshadalady’smaid，andthemarquisasecretaryandtwoservants。Ilongedtoseethenoblemaninquestion。
Ihadnotlongtowait，forassoonasheheardthatIwashisneighbour，hecametoseeme，andwespenttwohoursintellingeachotherouradventuressincewehadpartedinMilan。HehadheardthatIhadmadethefortuneofthegirlhehadabandoned，andinthesixyearsthathadelapsedhehadbeentravellingalloverEurope，engagedinaconstantstrifewithfortune。AtParisandBrusselshehadmadeagooddealofmoney，andinthelattertownhehadfalleninlovewithayoungladyofrank，whomherfatherhadshutupinaconvent。Hehadtakenheraway，andsheitwaswhomhecalledtheMarchionessdellaCroce，nowsixmonthswithchild。
Hemadeherpassforhiswife，because，ashesaid，hemeanttomarryhereventually。
\"Ihavefiftythousandfrancsingold，\"saidhe，\"andasmuchagaininjewelleryandvariouspossessions。Itismyintentiontogivesuppershereandholdabank，butifIplaywithoutcorrectingthefreaksoffortuneIamsuretolose。\"HeintendedgoingtoWarsaw，thinkingI
wouldgivehimintroductionstoallmyfriendsthere；buthemadeamistake，andIdidnotevenintroducehimtomyPolishfriendsatSpa。I
toldhimhecouldeasilymaketheiracquaintancebyhimself，andthatI
wouldneithermakenormarwithhim。
Iacceptedhisinvitationtodinnerforthesameday。Hissecretary，ashecalledhim，wasmerelyhisconfederate。HewasacleverVeronesenamedConti，andhiswifewasanessentialaccompliceinCroce’sdesigns。
Atnoonmyfriendthehattercameagainwiththering，followedbytheowner，wholookedlikeabravo。Theywereaccompaniedbythejewellerandanotherindividual。Theowneraskedmeoncemoretolendhimtwohundredlouisonthering。
Mypropercoursewouldhavebeentobegtobeexcused，thenIshouldhavehadnomoretroubleinthematter；butitwasnottobe。Iwantedtomakehimseethattheobjectionhemadetohavingthestonetakenoutwasaninsuperableobstacletomylendinghimthemoney。
\"Whenthestoneisremoved，\"saidI，\"weshallseewhatitreallyis。
Listentomyproposal:ifitweighstwenty—sixgrains，Iwillgiveyou，nottwobutthreehundredlouis，butinitspresentconditionIshallgivenothingatall。\"
\"Youhavenobusinesstodoubtmyword；youinsultmebydoingso。\"
\"Notatall，Ihavenointentionsofthekind。Isimplyproposeawagertoyou。Ifthestonebefoundtoweightwenty—sixgrains，IshalllosetwohundredLouis，ifitweighsmuchlessyouwilllosethering。\"
\"That’sascandalousproposal；it’sasmuchastotellmethatIamaliar。\"
Ididnotlikethetonewithwhichthesewordswerespoken，andIwentuptothechestofdrawerswhereIkeptmypistols，andbadehimgoandleavemeinpeace。
JustthenGeneralRonikercamein，andtheowneroftheringtoldhimofthedisputebetweenus。Thegenerallookedatthering，andsaidtohim，——
\"IfanyoneweretogivemetheringIshouldnothavethestonetakenout，becauseoneshouldnotlookagifthorseinthemouth；butifitcametoaquestionofbuyingorlendingIwouldnotgiveacrownforit，weretheowneranemperor，beforethestonewastakenout；andIamverymuchsurprisedatyourrefusingtoletthisbedone。\"
Withoutawordtheknavemadeforthedoor，andtheringremainedinthehandsofmylatehost。
\"Whydidn’tyougivehimhisring？\"saidI。
\"BecauseIhaveadvancedhimfiftyLouisonit；butifhedoesnotredeemitto—morrowIwillhavethestonetakenoutbeforeajudge，andafterwardsIshallsellitbyauction。\"
\"Idon’tliketheman’smanners，andIhopeyouwillneverbringanyonetomyroomsagain。\"
Theaffaircametothefollowingconclusion:Theimpostordidnotredeemthering，andtheLiegetradesmanhadthesettingremoved。Thediamondwasfoundtobeplacedonabedofrockcrystal，whichformedtwo—thirdsofthewholebulk。However，thediamondwasworthfiftyLouis，andanEnglishmanboughtit。AweekafterwardstheknavemetmeasIwaswalkingbymyself，andbeggedmetofollowhimtoplacewhereweshouldbefreefromobservation，ashisswordhadsomewhattosaytomine。
CuriouslyenoughIhappenedtobewearingmyswordatthetime。
\"Iwillnotfollowyou，\"Ireplied；\"themattercanbesettledhere？\"
\"Weareobserved。\"
\"Allthebetter。Makehasteanddrawyourswordfirst。\"
\"Theadvantageiswithyou。\"
\"Iknowit，andsoitoughttobe。IfyoudonotdrawIwillproclaimyoutobethecowardIamsureyouare。\"
Atthishedrewhisswordrapidlyandcameon，butIwasreadytoreceivehim。Hebegantofencetotrymymettle，butIlungedrightathischest，andgavehimthreeinchesofcoldsteel。Ishouldhavekilledhimonthespotifhehadnotloweredhissword，sayinghewouldtakehisrevengeatanothertime。Withthishewentoff，holdinghishandtothewound。
Ascoreofpeoplewerecloseby，butnoonetroubledhimselfaboutthewoundedman，ashewasknowntohavebeentheaggressor。Theduelhadnofurtherconsequencesforme。WhenIleftSpathemanwasstillinthesurgeon’shands。Hewassomethingworsethananadventurer，andalltheFrenchatSpadisownedhim。
ButtoreturntoCroceandhisdinner。
Themarchioness，hiswifeso—called，wasayoungladyofsixteenorseventeen，fair—complexionedandtall，withallthemannersoftheBelgiannobility。Thehistoryofherescapeiswellknowntoherbrothersandsisters，andasherfamilyarestillinexistencemyreaderswillbeobligedtomeforconcealinghername。
Herhusbandhadtoldheraboutme，andshereceivedmeinthemostgraciousmannerpossible。Sheshewednosignsofsadnessorofrepentanceforthestepsshehadtaken。Shewaswithchildforsomemonths，andseemedtobenearherterm，owingtotheslimnessofherfigure。Neverthelessshehadtheaspectofperfecthealth。Hercountenanceexpressedcandourandfranknessofdispositioninaremarkabledegree。Hereyeswerelargeandblue，hercomplexionaroseatehue，hersmallsweetmouth，herperfectteethmadeherabeautyworthyofthebrushofAlbano。
Ithoughtmyselfskilledinphysiognomy，andconcludedthatshewasnotonlyperfectlyhappy，butalsothecauseofhappiness。Buthereletmesayhowvainathingitisforanyonetopronounceamanorwomantobehappyorunhappyfromamerelycursoryinspection。
Theyoungmarchionesshadbeautifulear—rings，andtworings，whichgavemeapretextforadmiringthebeautyofherhands。
Conti’swifedidnotcutanyfigureatall，andIwasalleyesforthemarchioness，whosenamewasCharlotte。IwasprofoundlyimpressedbyherthatIwasquiteabstractedduringdinner。
IsoughtinvaintodiscoverbywhatmeritsCrocehadbeenabletoseducetwosuchsuperiorwomen。Hewasnotafine—lookingman，hewasnotwelleducated，hismannersweredoubtful，andhiswayofspeakingbynomeansseductive；infine，Isawnothingcaptivatingabouthim，andyetIcouldbeawitnesstohishavingmadetwogirlsleavetheirhomestofollowhim。Ilostmyselfinconjecture；butIhadnopremonitionofwhatwastohappeninthecourseofafewweeks。
WhendinnerwasoverItookCroceapart，andtalkedseriouslytohim。I
impressedonhimthenecessityofcircumspectconduct，asinmyopinionhewouldbeforeverinfamousifthebeautifulwomanwhomhehadseducedwastobecomewretchedbyhisfault。
\"ForthefutureImeantotrusttomyskillinplay，andthusIamsureofacomfortableliving。\"
\"Doessheknow，thatyourrevenueisfedsolelybythepursesofdupes？\"
\"SheknowsthatIamagamester；andassheadoresme，herwillisasmine。IamthinkingofmarryingheratWarsawbeforesheisconfined。
Ifyouareinanywantofmoney，lookuponmypurseasyourown。\"
Ithankedhim，andoncemorepressedonhimthedutyofexercisingextremeprudence。