CHAPTERVII
MyBlundersintheFrenchLanguage，MySuccess，MyNumerousAcquaintances——LouisXV。——MyBrotherArrivesinParis。
AlltheItalianactorsinParisinsisteduponentertainingme，inordertoshewmetheirmagnificence，andtheyalldiditinasumptuousstyle。CarlinBertinazziwhoplayedHarlequin，andwasagreatfavouriteoftheParisians，remindedmethathehadalreadyseenmethirteenyearsbeforeinPadua，atthetimeofhisreturnfromSt。Petersburgwithmymother。HeofferedmeanexcellentdinneratthehouseofMadamedelaCaillerie，wherehelodged。Thatladywasinlovewithhim。IcomplimentedheruponfourcharmingchildrenwhomIsawinthehouse。Herhusband，whowaspresent，saidtome；
\"TheyareM。Carlin’schildren。\"
\"Thatmaybe，sir，butyoutakecareofthem，andastheygobyyourname，ofcoursetheywillacknowledgeyouastheirfather。\"
\"Yes，Ishouldbesolegally；butM。CarlinistoohonestamannottoassumethecareofhischildrenwheneverImaywishtogetridofthem。Heiswellawarethattheybelongtohim，andmywifewouldbethefirsttocomplainifheeverdeniedit。\"
Themanwasnotwhatiscalledagood，easyfellow，farfromit；buthetookthematterinaphilosophicalway，andspokeofitwithcalm，andevenwithasortofdignity。HewasattachedtoCarlinbyawarmfriendship，andsuchthingswerethenverycommoninParisamongstpeopleofacertainclass。Twonoblemen，BoufflersandLuxembourg，hadmadeafriendlyexchangeofeachother’swives，andeachhadchildrenbytheother’swife。TheyoungBoufflerswerecalledLuxembourg，andtheyoungLuxembourgwerecalledBoufflers。ThedescendantsofthosetierceletsareevennowknowninFranceunderthosenames。Well，thosewhowereinthesecretofthatdomesticcomedylaughed，asamatterofcourse，anditdidnotpreventtheearthfrommovingaccordingtothelawsofgravitation。
ThemostwealthyoftheItaliancomediansinPariswasPantaloon，thefatherofCoralineandCamille，andawell—knownusurer。Healsoinvitedmetodinewithhisfamily，andIwasdelightedwithhistwodaughters。Theeldest，Coraline，waskeptbythePrinceofMonaco，sonoftheDukeofValentinois，whowasstillalive；andCamillewasenamouredoftheCountofMelfort，thefavouriteoftheDuchessofChartres，whohadjustbecomeDuchessofOrleansbythedeathofherfather—in—law。
CoralinewasnotsosprightlyasCamille，butshewasprettier。I
begantomakelovetoherasayoungmanofnoconsequence，andathourswhichIthoughtwouldnotattractattention:butallhoursbelongbyrighttotheestablishedlover，andIthereforefoundmyselfsometimeswithherwhenthePrinceofMonacocalledtoseeher。AtfirstIwouldbowtotheprinceandwithdraw，butafterwardsIwasaskedtoremain，forasageneralthingprincesfindatete—a—
tetewiththeirmistressesratherwearisome。Thereforeweusedtosuptogether，andtheybothlistened，whileitwasmyprovincetoeat，andtorelatestories。
Ibethoughtmyselfofpayingmycourttotheprince，andhereceivedmyadvancesverywell。Onemorning，asIcalledonCoraline，hesaidtome，\"Ah！Iamverygladtoseeyou，forIhavepromisedtheDuchessofRufetopresentyoutoher，andwecangotoherimmediately。\"
Againaduchess！Mystarisdecidedlyintheascendant。Well，letusgo！Wegotintoa’diable’，asortofvehiclethenveryfashionable，andateleveno’clockinthemorningwewereintroducedtotheduchess。
Dearreader，ifIweretopaintitwithafaithfulpen，myportraitofthatlustfulvixenwouldfrightenyou。Imaginesixtywintersheapeduponafaceplasteredwithrouge，ablotchedandpimpledcomplexion，emaciatedandgauntfeatures，alltheuglinessoflibertinismstampeduponthecountenanceofthatcreaturerelininguponthesofa。Assoonassheseesme，sheexclaimswithrapidjoy，\"Ah！thisisagood—lookingman！Prince，itisveryamiableonyourparttobringhimtome。Comeandsitnearme，myfinefellow！\"
Iobeyedrespectfully，butanoxioussmellofmusk，whichseemedtomealmostcorpse—like，nearlyupsetme。Theinfamousduchesshadraisedherselfonthesofaandexposedallthenakednessofthemostdisgustingbosom，whichwouldhavecausedthemostcourageousmantodrawback。Theprince，pretendingtohavesomeengagement，leftus，sayingthathewouldsendhiscarriageformeinashorttime。
Assoonaswewerealone，theplasteredskeletonthrustitsarmsforward，and，withoutgivingmetimetoknowwhatIwasabout，thecreaturegavemeahorriblekiss，andthenoneofherhandsbegantostraywiththemostbare—facedindecency。
\"Letmesee，myfinecock，\"shesaid，\"ifyouhaveafine……\"
Iwasshuddering，andresistedtheattempt。
\"Well，well！Whatababyyouare！\"saidthedisgustingMessaline；
\"areyousuchanovice？\"
\"No，madam；but……\"
\"Butwhat？\"
\"Ihave……\"
\"Oh，thevillain！\"sheexclaimed，loosingherhold；\"whatwasIgoingtoexposemyselfto！\"
Iavailedmyselfoftheopportunity，snatchedmyhat，andtooktomyheels，afraidlestthedoor—keepershouldstopme。
ItookacoachanddrovetoCoraline’s，whereIrelatedtheadventure。Shelaughedheartily，andagreedwithmethattheprincehadplayedmeanastytrick。ShepraisedthepresenceofmindwithwhichIhadinventedanimpediment，butshedidnotgivemeanopportunityofprovingtoherthatIhaddeceivedtheduchess。
YetIwasnotwithouthope，andsuspectedthatshedidnotthinkmesufficientlyenamouredofher。
Threeorfourdaysafterwards，however，aswehadsuppertogetherandalone，Itoldhersomanythings，andIaskedhersoclearlytomakemehappyorelsetodismissme，thatshegavemeanappointmentforthenextday。
\"To—morrow，\"shesaid，\"theprincegoestoVersailles，andhewillnotreturnuntilthedayafter；wewillgotogethertothewarrentohuntferrets，andhavenodoubtweshallcomebacktoParispleasedwithoneanother。\"
\"Thatisright。\"
Thenextdayatteno’clockwetookacoach，butaswewerenearingthegateofthecityavis—a—vis，withservantsinaforeignliverycametiptous，andthepersonwhowasinitcalledout，\"Stop！
Stop！\"
ThepersonwastheChevalierdeWurtemburg，who，withoutdeigningtocastevenoneglanceonme，begantosaysweetwordstoCoraline，andthrustinghisheadentirelyoutofhiscarriagehewhisperedtoher。
Sheansweredhimlikewiseinawhisper；thentakingmyhand，shesaidtome，laughingly，\"Ihavesomeimportantbusinesswiththisprince；gotothewarrenalone，mydearfriend，enjoythehunt，andcometometo—morrow。\"
Andsayingthosewordsshegotout，tookherseatinthevis—a—vis，andIfoundmyselfverymuchinthepositionofLot’swife，butnotmotionless。
Dearreader，ifyouhaveeverbeeninsuchapredicamentyouwilleasilyrealizetheragewithwhichIwaspossessed:ifyouhaveneverbeenservedinthatway，somuchthebetterforyou，butitisuselessformetotrytogiveyouanideaofmyanger；youwouldnotunderstandme。
Iwasdisgustedwiththecoach，andIjumpedoutofit，tellingthedrivertogotothedevil。Itookthefirsthackwhichhappenedtopass，anddrovestraighttoPatu’shouse，towhomIrelatedmyadventure，almostfoamingwithrage。Butveryfarfrompityingmeorsharingmyanger，Patu，muchwiser，laughedandsaid，\"Iwishwithallmyheartthatthesamethingmighthappentome；foryouarecertainofpossessingourbeautifulCoralinetheveryfirsttimeyouarewithher。\"
\"Iwouldnothaveher，fornowIdespiseherheartily。\"\"Yourcontemptoughttohavecomesooner。But，nowthatistoolatetodiscussthematter，Iofferyou，asacompensation，adinnerattheHotelduRoule。\"
\"Mostdecidedlyyes；itisanexcellentidea。Letusgo。\"
TheHotelduRoulewasfamousinParis，andIhadnotbeenthereyet。
Thewomanwhokeptithadfurnishedtheplacewithgreatelegance，andshealwayshadtwelveorfourteenwell—chosennymphs，withalltheconveniencesthatcouldbedesired。Goodcooking，goodbeds，cleanliness，solitaryandbeautifulgroves。Hercookwasanartist，andherwine—cellarexcellent。HernamewasMadameParis；probablyanassumedname，butitwasgoodenoughforthepurpose。Protectedbythepolice，shewasfarenoughfromParistobecertainthatthosewhovisitedherliberallyappointedestablishmentwereabovethemiddleclass。Everythingwasstrictlyregulatedinherhouseandeverypleasurewastaxedatareasonabletariff。Thepricesweresixfrancsforabreakfastwithanymph，twelvefordinner，andtwicethatsumtospendawholenight。Ifoundthehouseevenbetterthanitsreputation，andbyfarsuperiortothewarren。
Wetookacoach，andPatusaidtothedriver，\"ToChaillot。\"
\"Iunderstand，yourhonour。\"
Afteradriveofhalfanhour，westoppedbeforeagateonwhichcouldberead，\"HotelduRoule。\"
Thegatewasclosed。Aporter，sportinglongmustachioes，cameoutthroughaside—doorandgravelyexaminedus。Hewasmostlikelypleasedwithourappearance，forthegatewasopenedandwewentin。
Awoman，blindofoneeye，aboutfortyyearsold，butwitharemnantofbeauty，cameup，saluteduspolitely，andenquiredwhetherwewishedtohavedinner。Ouranswerbeingaffirmative，shetookustoafineroominwhichwefoundfourteenyoungwomen，allveryhandsome，anddressedalikeinmuslin。Asweenteredtheroom，theyroseandmadeusagracefulreverence；theywereallaboutthesameage，somewithlighthair，somewithdark；everytastecouldbesatisfied。Wepassedtheminreview，addressingafewwordstoeach，andmadeourchoice。Thetwowechosescreamedforjoy，kisseduswithavoluptuousnesswhichanovicemighthavemistakenforlove，andtookustothegardenuntildinnerwouldbeready。Thatgardenwasverylargeandartisticallyarrangedtoministertothepleasuresoflove。MadameParissaidtous，\"Go，gentlemen，enjoythefreshairwithperfectsecurityineveryway；myhouseisthetempleofpeaceandofgoodhealth。\"
ThegirlIhadchosenwassomethinglikeCoraline，andthatmademefindherdelightful。Butinthemidstofouramorousoccupationswewerecalledtodinner。Wewerewellserved，andthedinnerhadgivenusnewstrength，whenoursingle—eyedhostesscame，watchinhand，toannouncethattimewasup。Pleasureatthe\"HotelduRoule\"wasmeasuredbythehour。
IwhisperedtoPatu，and，afterafewphilosophicalconsiderations，addressinghimselftomadamelagouvernante，hesaidtoher，\"Wewillhaveadoubledose，andofcoursepaydouble。\"
\"Youarequitewelcome，gentlemen。\"
Wewentupstairs，andafterwehadmadeourchoiceasecondtime，werenewedourpromenadeinthegarden。Butoncemoreweweredisagreeablysurprisedbythestrictpunctualityoftheladyofthehouse。\"Indeed！thisistoomuchofagoodthing，madam。\"
\"Letusgoupforthethirdtime，makeathirdchoice，andpassthewholenighthere。\"
\"AdelightfulideawhichIacceptwithallmyheart。\"
\"DoesMadameParisapproveourplan？\"
\"Icouldnothavedevisedabetterone，gentlemen；itisamasterpiece。\"
Whenwewereintheroom，andafterwehadmadeanewchoice，thegirlslaughedatthefirstoneswhohadnotcontrivedtocaptivateus，andbywayofrevengethesegirlstoldtheircompanionsthatwewerelankyfellows。
ThistimeIwasindeedastonishedatmyownchoice。IhadtakenatrueAspasia，andIthankedmystarsthatIhadpassedherbythefirsttwotimes，asIhadnowthecertaintyofpossessingherforfourteenhours。Thatbeauty’snamewasSaintHilaire；andunderthatnameshebecamefamousinEngland，whereshefollowedarichlordtheyearafter。Atfirst，vexedbecauseIhadnotremarkedherbefore，shewasproudanddisdainful；butIsoonprovedtoherthatitwasfortunatethatmyfirstorsecondchoicehadnotfallenonher，asshewouldnowremainlongerwithme。Shethenbegantolaugh，andshewedherselfveryagreeable。
Thatgirlhadwit，educationandtalent—everything，infact，thatisneedfultosucceedintheprofessionshehadadopted。DuringthesupperPatutoldmeinItalianthathewasonthepointoftakingherattheverymomentIchoseher，andthenextmorningheinformedmethathehadsleptquietlyallnight。TheSaintHilairewashighlypleasedwithme，andsheboastedofitbeforehercompanions。ShewasthecauseofmypayingseveralvisitstotheHotelduRoule，andallforher；shewasveryproudofmyconstancy。
ThosevisitsverynaturallycooledmyardourforCoraline。AsingerfromVenice，calledGuadani，handsome，athoroughmusician，andverywitty，contrivedtocaptivateheraffectionsthreeweeksaftermyquarrelwithher。Thehandsomefellow，whowasamanonlyinappearance，inflamedherwithcuriosityifnotwithlove，andcausedarupturewiththeprince，whocaughtherintheveryact。ButCoralinemanagedtocoaxhimback，and，ashorttimeafter，areconciliationtookplacebetweenthem，andsuchagoodone，thatababewastheconsequenceofit；agirl，whomtheprincenamedAdelaide，andtowhomhegaveadowry。Afterthedeathofhisfather，theDukeofValentinois，theprinceleftheraltogetherandmarriedMlle。deBrignole，fromGenoa。CoralinebecamethemistressofCountdelaMarche，nowPrincedeConti。Coralineisnowdead，aswellasasonwhomshehadbythecount，andwhomhisfathernamedCountdeMonreal。
MadamelaDauphinewasdeliveredofaprincess，whoreceivedthetitleofMadamedeFrance。
InthemonthofAugusttheRoyalAcademyhadanexhibitionattheLouvre，andastherewasnotasinglebattlepieceIconceivedtheideaofsummoningmybrothertoParis。HewastheninVenice，andhehadgreattalentinthatparticularstyle。Passorelli，theonlypainterofbattlesknowninFrance，wasdead，andIthoughtthatFrancoismightsucceedandmakeafortune。IthereforewrotetoM。
Grimaniandtomybrother；Ipersuadedthemboth，butFrancoisdidnotcometoParistillthebeginningofthefollowingyear。
LouisXV。，whowaspassionatelyfondofhunting，wasinthehabitofspendingsixweekseveryyearattheChateauofFontainebleau。HealwaysreturnedtoVersaillestowardsthemiddleofNovember。Thattripcosthim，orrathercostFrance，fivemillionsoffrancs。Healwaystookwithhimallthatcouldcontributetotheamusementoftheforeignambassadorsandofhisnumerouscourt。HewasfollowedbytheFrenchandtheItaliancomedians，andbytheactorsandactressesoftheopera。
DuringthosesixweeksFontainebleauwasmorebrilliantthanVersailles；nevertheless，theartistsattachedtothetheatresweresonumerousthattheOpera，theFrenchandItalianComedies，remainedopeninParis。
Baletti’sfather，whohadrecoveredhishealth，wastogotoFontainebleauwithSilviaandallhisfamily。Theyinvitedmetoaccompanythem，andtoacceptalodginginahousehiredbythem。
Itwasasplendidopportunity；theyweremyfriends，andIaccepted，forIcouldnothavemetwithabetteroccasiontoseethecourtandalltheforeignministers。IpresentedmyselftoM。deMorosini，nowProcuratoratSt。Mark’s，andthenambassadorfromtheRepublictotheFrenchcourt。
Thefirstnightoftheoperahegavemepermissiontoaccompanyhim；
themusicwasbyLulli。IhadaseatinthepitpreciselyundertheprivateboxofMadamedePompadour，whomIdidnotknow。DuringthefirstscenethecelebratedLeMaurgaveascreamsoshrillandsounexpectedthatIthoughtshehadgonemad。Iburstintoagenuinelaugh，notsupposingthatanyonecouldpossiblyfindfaultwithit。
ButaknightoftheOrderoftheHolyGhost，whowasneartheMarquisedePompadour，drylyaskedmewhatcountryIcamefrom。I
answered，inthesametone，\"FromVenice。\"
\"Ihavebeenthere，andhavelaughedheartilyattherecitativeinyouroperas。\"
\"Ibelieveyou，sir，andIfeelcertainthatnooneeverthoughtofobjectingtoyourlaughing。\"
Myanswer，ratherasharpone，madeMadamedePompadourlaugh，andsheaskedmewhetherItrulycamefromdownthere。
\"Whatdoyoumeanbydownthere？\"
\"ImeanVenice。\"
\"Venice，madam，isnotdownthere，butupthere。\"
Thatanswerwasfoundmoresingularthanthefirst，andeverybodyintheboxheldaconsultationinordertoascertainwhetherVenicewasdownorup。MostlikelytheythoughtIwasright，forIwasleftalone。Nevertheless，Ilistenedtotheoperawithoutlaughing；butasIhadaverybadcoldIblewmynoseoften。Thesamegentlemanaddressinghimselfagaintome，remarkedthatverylikelythewindowsofmyroomdidnotclosewell。Thatgentleman，whowasunknowntomewastheMarechaldeRichelieu。Itoldhimhewasmistaken，formywindowswerewell’calfoutrees’。Everyoneintheboxburstintoaloudlaugh，andIfeltmortified，forIknewmymistake；Ioughttohavesaid’calfeutrees’。Butthese’eus’and’ous’causediremiserytoallforeigners。
HalfanhourafterwardsM。deRichelieuaskedmewhichofthetwoactressespleasedmemostbyherbeauty。
\"Thatone，sir。\"
\"Butshehasuglylegs。\"
\"Theyarenotseen，sir；besides，wheneverIexaminethebeautyofawoman，’lapremierechosequej’ecarte，cesontlesjambes’。\"
Thatwordsaidquitebychance，andthedoublemeaningofwhichIdidnotunderstand，madeatonceanimportantpersonageofme，andeverybodyintheboxofMadamedePompadourwascurioustoknowme。
ThemarshallearnedwhoIwasfromM。deMorosini，whotoldmethatthedukewouldbehappytoreceiveme。My’jeudemots’becamecelebrated，andthemarshalhonouredmewithaverygraciouswelcome。
Amongtheforeignministers，theonetowhomIattachedmyselfmostwasLordKeith，MarshalofScotlandandambassadoroftheKingofPrussia。Ishallhaveoccasiontospeakofhim。
ThedayaftermyarrivalinFontainebleauIwentalonetothecourt，andIsawLouisXV。，thehandsomeking，gotothechapelwiththeroyalfamilyandalltheladiesofthecourt，whosurprisedmebytheiruglinessasmuchastheladiesofthecourtofTurinhadastonishedmebytheirbeauty。YetinthemidstofsomanyuglyonesIfoundoutaregularbeauty。Ienquiredwhoshewas。
\"Sheis，\"answeredoneofmyneighbours，\"MadamedeBrionne，moreremarkablebyhervirtueeventhanbyherbeauty。Notonlyistherenoscandalousstorytoldabouther，butshehasnevergivenanyopportunitytoscandal—mongersofinventinganyadventureofwhichshewastheheroine。\"
\"Perhapsheradventuresarenotknown。\"
\"Ah，monsieur！atthecourteverythingisknown。\"
Iwentaboutalone，saunteringthroughtheapartments，whensuddenlyImetadozenuglyladieswhoseemedtoberunningratherthanwalking；theywerestandingsobadlyupontheirlegsthattheyappearedasiftheywouldfallforwardontheirfaces。Somegentlemanhappenedtobenearme，curiosityimpelledmetoenquirewheretheywerecomingfrom，andwheretheyweregoinginsuchhaste。
\"Theyarecomingfromtheapartmentofthequeenwhoisgoingtodine，andthereasonwhytheywalksobadlyisthattheirshoeshaveheelssixincheshigh，whichcompelthemtowalkontheirtoesandwithbentkneesinordertoavoidfallingontheirfaces。\"
\"Butwhydotheynotwearlowerheels？\"
\"Itisthefashion。\"
\"Whatastupidfashion！\"
Itookagalleryatrandom，andsawthekingpassingalong，leaningwithonearmontheshoulderofM。d’Argenson。\"Oh，baseservility！\"
Ithoughttomyself。\"Howcanamanmakeuphismindthustobeartheyoke，andhowcanamanbelievehimselfsomuchaboveallothersastotakesuchunwarrantableliberties！\"
LouisXV。hadthemostmagnificentheaditwaspossibletosee，andhecarrieditwithasmuchgraceasmajesty。Neverdideventhemostskilfulpaintersucceedinrenderingjusticetotheexpressionofthatbeautifulhead，whenthekingturneditononesidetolookwithkindnessatanyone。Hisbeautyandgracecompelledloveatonce。AsIsawhim，IthoughtIhadfoundtheidealmajestywhichIhadbeensosurprisednottofindinthekingofSardinia，andIcouldnotentertainadoubtofMadamedePompadourhavingbeeninlovewiththekingwhenshesuedforhisroyalattention。Iwasgreatlymistaken，perhaps，butsuchathoughtwasnaturalinlookingatthecountenanceofLouisXV。
IreachedasplendidroominwhichIsawseveralcourtierswalkingabout，andatablelargeenoughfortwelvepersons，butlaidoutonlyforone。
\"Forwhomisthistable？\"
\"Forthequeen。Hermajestyisnowcomingin。\"
ItwasthequeenofFrance，withoutrouge，andverysimplydressed；
herheadwascoveredwithalargecap；shelookedoldanddevout。
Whenshewasnearthetable，shegraciouslythankedtwonunswhowereplacingaplatewithfreshbutteronit。Shesatdown，andimmediatelythecourtiersformedasemicirclewithinfiveyardsofthetable；Iremainednearthem，imitatingtheirrespectfulsilence。
Hermajestybegantoeatwithoutlookingatanyone，keepinghereyesonherplate。Oneofthedishesbeingtohertaste，shedesiredtobehelpedtoitasecondtime，andshethencasthereyesroundthecircleofcourtiers，probablyinordertoseeifamongthemtherewasanyonetowhomsheowedanaccountofherdaintiness。Shefoundthatperson，Isuppose，forshesaid，\"MonsieurdeLowendal！\"
Atthatname，afine—lookingmancameforwardwithrespectfulinclination，andsaid，\"Yourmajesty？\"
\"Ibelievethisisafricasseeofchickens。\"
\"Iamofthesameopinion，madam。\"
Afterthisanswer，giveninthemostserioustone，thequeencontinuedeating，andthemarshalretreatedbackwardtohisoriginalplace。Thequeenfinishedherdinnerwithoututteringasingleword，andretiredtoherapartmentsthesamewayasshehadcome。I
thoughtthatifsuchwasthewaythequeenofFrancetookallhermeals，Iwouldnotsueforthehonourofbeingherguest。
IwasdelightedtohaveseenthefamouscaptainwhohadconqueredBergen—op—Zoom，butIregrettedthatsuchamanshouldbecompelledtogiveanansweraboutafricasseeofchickensintheserioustoneofajudgepronouncingasentenceofdeath。
ImadegooduseofthisanecdoteattheexcellentdinnerSilviagavetotheeliteofpoliteandagreeablesociety。
Afewdaysafterwards，asIwasformingalinewithacrowdofcourtierstoenjoytheevernewpleasureofseeingthekinggotomass，apleasuretowhichmustbeaddedtheadvantageoflookingatthenakedandentirelyexposedarmsandbosomsofMesdamesdeFrance，hisdaughters，IsuddenlyperceivedtheCavamacchia，whomIhadleftinCesenaunderthenameofMadameQuerini。IfIwasastonishedtoseeher，shewasasmuchsoinmeetingmeinsuchaplace。TheMarquisofSaintSimon，premier’gentilhomme’ofthePrincedeConde，escortedher。
\"MadameQueriniinFontainebleau？\"
\"Youhere？ItremindsmeofQueenElizabethsaying，\"’Pauperubiquefacet。’\"
\"Anexcellentcomparison，madam。\"
\"Iamonlyjoking，mydearfriend；Iamheretoseetheking，whodoesnotknowme；butto—morrowtheambassadorwillpresentmetohismajesty。\"
Sheplacedherselfinthelinewithinayardortwofromme，besidethedoorbywhichthekingwastocome。HismajestyenteredthegallerywithM。deRichelieu，andlookedattheso—calledMadameQuerini。Butsheverylikelydidnottakehisfancy，for，continuingtowalkon，headdressedtothemarshaltheseremarkablewords，whichJuliettemusthaveoverheard，\"Wehavehandsomerwomenhere。\"
IntheafternoonIcalledupontheVenetianambassador。Ifoundhiminnumerouscompany，withMadameQuerinisittingonhisright。Sheaddressedmeinthemostflatteringandfriendlymanner；itwasextraordinaryconductonthepartofagiddywomanwhohadnocausetolikeme，forshewasawarethatIknewherthoroughly，andthatI
hadmasteredhervanity；butasIunderstoodhermanoeuvringImadeupmymindnottodisobligeher，andeventorenderherallthegoodofficesIcould；itwasanoblerevenge。
AsshewasspeakingofM。Querini，theambassadorcongratulatedheruponhermarriagewithhim，sayingthathewasgladM。Querinihadrenderedjusticetohermerit，andadding，\"Iwasnotawareofyourmarriage。\"
\"Yetittookplacemorethantwoyearssince，\"saidJuliette。
\"Iknowitforafact，\"Isaid，inmyturn；\"for，twoyearsago，theladywasintroducedasMadameQueriniandwiththetitleofexcellencybyGeneralSpadatoallthenobilityinCesena，whereI
wasatthattime。\"
\"Ihavenodoubtofit，\"answeredtheambassador，fixinghiseyesuponme，\"forQuerinihashimselfwrittentomeonthesubject。\"
Afewminutesafterwards，asIwaspreparingtotakemyleave，theambassador，underpretenseofsomelettersthecontentsofwhichhewishedtocommunicatetome，invitedmetocomeintohisprivateroom，andheaskedmewhatpeoplegenerallythoughtofthemarriageinVenice。
\"Nobodyknowsit，anditisevenrumouredthattheheirofthehouseofQueriniisonthepointofmarryingadaughteroftheGrimanifamily；butIshallcertainlysendthenewstoVenice。\"
\"Whatnews？\"
\"ThatJulietteistrulyMadameQuerini，sinceyourexcellencywillpresentherassuchtoLouisXV。\"
\"Whotoldyouso？\"
\"Shedid。\"
\"Perhapsshehasalteredhermind。\"
IrepeatedtotheambassadorthewordswhichthekinghadsaidtoM。deRichelieuafterlookingatJuliette。
\"ThenIcanguess，\"remarkedtheambassador，\"whyJuliettedoesnotwishtobepresentedtotheking。\"
IwasinformedsometimeafterwardsthatM。deSaintQuentin，theking’sconfidentialminister，hadcalledaftermassonthehandsomeVenetian，andhadtoldherthatthekingofFrancehadmostcertainlyverybadtaste，becausehehadnotthoughtherbeautysuperiortothatofseveralladiesofhiscourt。JulietteleftFontainebleauthenextmorning。
InthefirstpartofmyMemoirsIhavespokenofJuliette’sbeauty；
shehadawonderfulcharminhercountenance，butshehadalreadyusedheradvantagestoolong，andherbeautywasbeginningtofadewhenshearrivedinFontainebleau。
ImetheragaininParisattheambassador’s，andshetoldmewithalaughthatshehadonlybeeninjestwhenshecalledherselfMadameQuerini，andthatIshouldobligeherifforthefutureIwouldcallherbyherrealnameofCountessPreati。SheinvitedmetovisitherattheHoteldeLuxembourg，whereshewasstaying。Ioftencalledonher，forherintriguesamusedme，butIwaswiseenoughnottomeddlewiththem。
SheremainedinParisfourmonths，andcontrivedtoinfatuateM。
Ranchi，secretaryoftheVenetianEmbassy，anamiableandlearnedman。Hewassodeeplyinlovethathehadmadeuphismindtomarryher；butthroughacapricewhichshe，perhaps，regrettedafterwards，sheill—treatedhim，andthefooldiedofgrief。CountdeCanes。
ambassadorofMariaTheresa，hadsomeinclinationforher，aswellastheCountofZinzendorf。Thepersonwhoarrangedthesetransientandshort—livedintrigueswasacertainGuasco，anabbenotover—favouredwiththegiftsofPlutus。Hewasparticularlyugly，andhadtopurchasesmallfavourswithgreatservices。
ButthemanwhomshereallywishedtomarrywasCountSaintSimon。
Hewouldhavemarriedherifshehadnotgivenhimfalseaddressestomakeenquiriesrespectingherbirth。ThePreatifamilyofVeronadeniedallknowledgeofher，asamatterofcourse，andM。deSaintSimon，who，inspiteofallhislove，hadnotentirelylosthissenses，hadthecouragetoabandonher。Altogether，Parisdidnotprovean’eldorado’formyhandsomecountrywoman，forshewasobligedtopledgeherdiamonds，andtoleavethembehindher。AfterherreturntoVeniceshemarriedthesonoftheUccelli，whosixteenyearsbeforehadtakenheroutofherpoverty。Shediedtenyearsago。
IwasstilltakingmyFrenchlessonswithmygoodoldCrebillon；yetmystyle，whichwasfullofItalianisms，oftenexpressedtheveryreverseofwhatImeanttosay。Butgenerallymy’quidproquos’
onlyresultedincuriousjokeswhichmademyfortune；andthebestofitisthatmygibberishdidmenoharmonthescoreofwit:onthecontrary，itprocuredmefineacquaintances。
SeveralladiesofthebestsocietybeggedmetoteachthemItalian，sayingthatitwouldaffordthemtheopportunityofteachingmeFrench；insuchanexchangeIalwayswonmorethantheydid。
MadamePreodot，whowasoneofmypupils，receivedmeonemorning；
shewasstillinbed，andtoldmethatshedidnotfeeldisposedtohavealesson，becauseshehadtakenmedicinethenightprevious。
FoolishlytranslatinganItalianidiom，Iaskedher，withanairofdeepinterest，whethershehadwell’decharge’？
\"Sir，whataquestion！Youareunbearable。\"
Irepeatedmyquestion；shebrokeoutangrilyagain。
\"Neverutterthatdreadfulword。\"
\"Youarewrongingettingangry；itistheproperword。\"
\"Averydirtyword，sir，butenoughaboutit。Willyouhavesomebreakfast？\"
\"No，Ithankyou。Ihavetakena’caf？andtwo’Savoyards’。\"
\"Dearme！Whataferociousbreakfast！Pray，explainyourself。\"
\"IsaythatIhavedrunkacaf？andeatentwoSavoyardssoakedinit，andthatiswhatIdoeverymorning。\"
\"Youarestupid，mygoodfriend。Acaf？istheestablishmentinwhichcoffeeissold，andyououghttosaythatyouhavedrunk’usetassedecaf？\"
\"Goodindeed！Doyoudrinkthecup？InItalywesaya’caffs’，andwearenotfoolishenoughtosupposethatitmeansthecoffee—house。\"
\"Hewillhavethebestofit！Andthetwo’Savoyards’，howdidyouswallowthem？\"
\"Soakedinmycoffee，fortheywerenotlargerthantheseonyourtable。\"
\"Andyoucallthese’Savoyards’？Saybiscuits。\"
\"InItaly，wecallthem’Savoyards’becausetheywerefirstinventedinSavoy；anditisnotmyfaultifyouimaginedthatIhadswallowedtwooftheporterstobefoundatthecornerofthestreets——bigfellowswhomyoucallinParisSavoyards，althoughveryoftentheyhaveneverbeeninSavoy。\"
Herhusbandcameinatthatmoment，andshelostnotimeinrelatingthewholeofourconversation。Helaughedheartily，buthesaidI
wasright。Herniecearrivedafewminutesafter；shewasayounggirlaboutfourteenyearsofage，reserved，modest，andveryintelligent。IhadgivenherfiveorsixlessonsinItalian，andasshewasveryfondofthatlanguageandstudieddiligentlyshewasbeginningtospeak。
WishingtopaymehercomplimentsinItalian，shesaidtome，\"’Signore，sonoincantatadiviVaderinbonasalute’。\"
\"Ithankyou，mademoiselle；buttotranslate’Iamenchanted’，youmustsay’hopacer’，andfortoseeyou，youmustsay’divedervi’。\"
\"Ithought，sir，thatthe’vi’wastobeplacedbefore。\"
\"No，mademoiselle，wealwaysputitbehind。\"
MonsieurandMadamePreodotweredyingwithlaughter；theyoungladywasconfused，andIindespairathavingutteredsuchagrossabsurdity；butitcouldnotbehelped。Itookabooksulkily，inthehopeofputtingastoptotheirmirth，butitwasofnouse:itlastedaweek。ThatuncouthblundersoongotknownthroughoutParis，andgavemeasortofreputationwhichIlostlittlebylittle，butonlywhenIunderstoodthedoublemeaningsofwordsbetter。
Crebillonwasmuchamusedwithmyblunder，andhetoldmethatI
oughttohavesaidafterinsteadofbehind。Ah！whyhavenotalllanguagesthesamegenius！ButiftheFrenchlaughedatmymistakesinspeakingtheirlanguage，Itookmyrevengeamplybyturningsomeoftheiridiomsintoridicule。
\"Sir，\"Ioncesaidtoagentleman，\"howisyourwife？\"
\"Youdohergreathonour，sir。\"
\"Praytellme，sir，whatherhonourhastodowithherhealth？\"
ImeetintheBoisdeBoulogneayoungmanridingahorsewhichhecannotmaster，andatlastheisthrown。Istopthehorse，runtotheassistanceoftheyoungmanandhelphimup。
\"Didyouhurtyourself，sir？\"
\"Oh，manythanks，sir，aucontraire。\"
\"Whyaucontraire！Thedeuce！Ithasdoneyougood？Thenbeginagain，sir。\"
Andathousandsimilarexpressionsentirelythereverseofgoodsense。Butitisthegeniusofthelanguage。
IwasonedaypayingmyfirstvisittothewifeofPresidentdeN————，whenhernephew，abrilliantbutterfly，camein，andsheintroducedmetohim，mentioningmynameandmycountry。
\"Indeed，sir，youareItalian？\"saidtheyoungman。\"Uponmyword，youpresentyourselfsogracefullythatIwouldhavebettedyouwereFrench。\"
\"Sir，whenIsawyou，Iwasnearmakingthesamemistake；IwouldhavebettedyouwereItalian。\"
Anothertime，IwasdiningatLadyLambert’sinnumerousandbrilliantcompany。SomeoneremarkedonmyfingeracornelianringonwhichwasengravedverybeautifullytheheadofLouisXV。Myringwentroundthetable，andeverybodythoughtthatthelikenesswasstriking。
Ayoungmarquise，whohadthereputationofbeingagreatwit，saidtomeinthemostserioustone，\"Itistrulyanantique？\"
\"Thestone，madam，undoubtedly。\"
Everyonelaughedexceptthethoughtlessyoungbeauty，whodidnottakeanynoticeofit。Towardstheendofthedinner，someonespokeoftherhinoceros，whichwasthenshewnfortwenty—foursousattheSt。Germain’sFair。
\"Letusgoandseeit！\"wasthecry。
Wegotintothecarriages，andreachedthefair。Wetookseveralturnsbeforewecouldfindtheplace。Iwastheonlygentleman；I
wastakingcareoftwoladiesinthemidstofthecrowd，andthewittymarquisewaswalkinginfrontofus。Attheendofthealleywherewehadbeentoldthatwewouldfindtheanimal，therewasamanplacedtoreceivethemoneyofthevisitors。Itistruethattheman，dressedintheAfricanfashion，wasverydarkandenormouslystout，yethehadahumanandverymasculineform，andthebeautifulmarquisehadnobusinesstomakeamistake。Nevertheless，thethoughtlessyoungcreaturewentupstraighttohimandsaid，\"Areyoutherhinoceros，sir？\"
\"Goin，madam，goin。\"
Weweredyingwithlaughing；andthemarquise，whenshehadseentheanimal，thoughtherselfboundtoapologizetothemaster；assuringhimthatshehadneverseenarhinocerosinherlife，andthereforehecouldnotfeeloffendedifshehadmadeamistake。
OneeveningIwasinthefoyeroftheItalianComedy，wherebetweentheactsthehighestnoblemenwereinthehabitofcoming，inordertoconverseandjokewiththeactresseswhousedtosittherewaitingfortheirturntoappearonthestage，andIwasseatednearCamille，Coraline’ssister，whomIamusedbymakinglovetoher。Ayoungcouncillor，whoobjectedtomyoccupyingCamille’sattention，beingaveryconceitedfellow，attackedmeuponsomeremarkImaderespectinganItalianplay，andtookthelibertyofshewinghisbadtemperbycriticizingmynativecountry。Iwasansweringhiminanindirectway，lookingallthetimeatCamille，whowaslaughing。Everybodyhadcongregatedaroundusandwasattentivetothediscussion，which，beingcarriedonasanassaultofwit，hadnothingtomakeitunpleasant。
Butitseemedtotakeaseriousturnwhentheyoungfop，turningtheconversationonthepoliceofthecity，saidthatforsometimeithadbeendangeroustowalkaloneatnightthroughthestreetsofParis。
\"Duringthelastmonth，\"headded，\"thePlacedeGrevehasseenthehangingofsevenmen，amongwhomtherewerefiveItalians。Anextraordinarycircumstance。\"
\"Nothingextraordinaryinthat，\"Ianswered；\"honestmengenerallycontrivetobehungfarawayfromtheirnativecountry；andasaproofofit，sixtyFrenchmenhavebeenhunginthecourseoflastyearbetweenNaples，Rome，andVenice。Fivetimestwelvearesixty；
soyouseethatitisonlyafairexchange。\"
Thelaughterwasallonmyside，andthefinecouncillorwentawayrathercrestfallen。Oneofthegentlemenpresentatthediscussion，findingmyanswertohistaste，cameuptoCamille，andaskedherinawhisperwhoIwas。Wegotacquaintedatonce。
ItwasM。deMarigni，whomIwasdelightedtoknowforthesakeofmybrotherwhosearrivalinParisIwasexpectingeveryday。M。deMarigniwassuperintendentoftheroyalbuildings，andtheAcademyofPaintingwasunderhisjurisdiction。Imentionedmybrothertohim，andhegraciouslypromisedtoprotecthim。Anotheryoungnobleman，whoconversedwithme，invitedmetovisithim。ItwastheDukedeMatalona。
ItoldhimthatIhadseenhim，thenonlyachild，eightyearsbeforeinNaples，andthatIwasundergreatobligationstohisuncle，DonLelio。Theyoungdukewasdelighted，andwebecameintimatefriends。
MybrotherarrivedinParisinthespringof1751，andhelodgedwithmeatMadameQuinson’s。Hebeganatoncetoworkwithsuccessforprivateindividuals；buthismainideabeingtocomposeapicturetobesubmittedtothejudgmentoftheAcademy，IintroducedhimtoM。
deMarigni，whoreceivedhimwithgreatdistinction，andencouragedhimbyassuringhimofhisprotection。Heimmediatelysettoworkwithgreatdiligence。
M。deMorosinihadbeenrecalled，andM。deMocenigohadsucceededhimasambassadoroftheRepublic。M。deBragadinhadrecommendedmetohim，andhetenderedafriendlywelcomebothtomeandtomybrother，inwhosefavourhefeltinterestedasaVenetian，andasayoungartistseekingtobuildupapositionbyhistalent。
M。deMocenigowasofaverypleasantnature；helikedgamblingalthoughhewasalwaysunluckyatcards；helovedwomen，andhewasnotmorefortunatewiththembecausehedidnotknowhowtomanagethem。TwoyearsafterhisarrivalinParishefellinlovewithMadamedeColande，and，findingitimpossibletowinheraffections，hekilledhimself。
MadamelaDauphinewasdeliveredofaprince，theDukeofBurgundy，andtherejoicingsindulgedinatthebirthofthatchildseemtomeincrediblenow，whenIseewhatthesamenationisdoingagainsttheking。Thepeoplewanttobefree；itisanobleambition，formankindarenotmadetobetheslavesofoneman；butwithanationpopulous，great，witty，andgiddy，whatwillbetheendofthatrevolution？Timealonecantellus。
TheDukedeMatalonaprocuredmetheacquaintanceofthetwoprinces，DonMarcAntoineandDonJeanBaptisteBorghese，fromRome，whowereenjoyingthemselvesinParis，yetlivingwithoutdisplay。IhadoccasiontoremarkthatwhenthoseRomanprinceswerepresentedatthecourtofFrancetheywereonlystyled\"marquis:\"ItwasthesamewiththeRussianprinces，towhomthetitleofprincewasrefusedwhentheywantedtobepresented；theywerecalled\"knees，\"buttheydidnotmindit，becausethatwordmeantprince。ThecourtofFrancehasalwaysbeenfoolishlyparticularonthequestionoftitles，andisevennowsparingofthetitleofmonsieur，althoughitiscommonenougheverywhereeverymanwhowasnottitledwascalledSieur。I
haveremarkedthatthekingneveraddressedhisbishopsotherwisethanasabbes，althoughtheyweregenerallyveryproudoftheirtitles。Thekinglikewiseaffectedtoknowanoblemanonlywhenhisnamewasinscribedamongstthosewhoservedhim。
YetthehaughtinessofLouisXV。hadbeeninnoculatedintohimbyeducation；itwasnotinhisnature。Whenanambassadorpresentedsomeonetohim，thepersonthuspresentedwithdrewwiththecertaintyofhavingbeenseenbytheking，butthatwasall。Nevertheless，LouisXV。wasverypolite，particularlywithladies，evenwithhismistresses，wheninpublic。Whoeverfailedinrespecttowardsthemintheslightestmannerwassureofdisgrace，andnokingeverpossessedtoagreaterextentthegrandroyalvirtuewhichiscalleddissimulation。Hekeptasecretfaithfully，andhewasdelightedwhenheknewthatnoonebuthimselfpossessedit。
TheChevalierd’Eonisaproofofthis，forthekingaloneknewandhadalwaysknownthatthechevalierwasawoman，andallthelongdiscussionswhichthefalsechevalierhadwiththeofficeforforeignaffairswasacomedywhichthekingallowedtogoon，onlybecauseitamusedhim。
LouisXV。wasgreatinallthings，andhewouldhavehadnofaultsifflatteryhadnotforcedthemuponhim。Buthowcouldhepossiblyhavesupposedhimselffaultyinanythingwheneveryonearoundhimrepeatedconstantlythathewasthebestofkings？Aking，intheopinionofwhichhewasimbuedrespectinghisownperson，wasabeingofanaturebyfartoosuperiortoordinarymenforhimnottohavetherighttoconsiderhimselfakintoagod。Saddestinyofkings！
Vileflatterersareconstantlydoingeverythingnecessarytoreducethembelowtheconditionofman。
ThePrincessofArdorewasdeliveredaboutthattimeofayoungprince。Herhusband，theNeapolitanambassador，entreatedLouisXV。
tobegod—fathertothechild；thekingconsentedandpresentedhisgod—sonwitharegiment；butthemother，whodidnotlikethemilitarycareerforherson，refusedit。TheMarshaldeRichelieutoldmethathehadneverknownthekinglaughsoheartilyaswhenheheardofthatsingularrefusal。
AttheDuchessdeFulvie’sImadetheacquaintanceofMdlle。
Gaussin，whowascalledLolotte。ShewasthemistressofLordAlbemarle，theEnglishambassador，awittyandverygenerousnobleman。Oneeveninghecomplainedofhismistresspraisingthebeautyofthestarswhichwereshiningbrightlyoverherhead，sayingthatsheoughttoknowhecouldnotgivethemtoher。IfLordAlbemarlehadbeenambassadortothecourtofFranceatthetimeoftherupturebetweenFranceandEngland，hewouldhavearrangedalldifficultiesamicably，andtheunfortunatewarbywhichFrancelostCanadawouldnothavetakenplace。Thereisnodoubtthattheharmonybetweentwonationsdependsveryoftenupontheirrespectiveambassadors，whenthereisanydangerofarupture。
Astothenoblelord’smistress，therewasbutoneopinionrespectingher。Shewasfitineverywaytobecomehiswife，andthehighestfamiliesofFrancedidnotthinkthatsheneededthetitleofLadyAlbemarletobereceivedwithdistinction；noladyconsidereditdebasingtositnearher，althoughshewaswellknownasthemistressoftheEnglishlord。Shehadpassedfromhermother’sarmstothoseofLordAlbemarleattheageofthirteen，andherconductwasalwaysofthehighestrespectability。Sheborechildrenwhomtheambassadoracknowledgedlegally，andshediedCountessd’Erouville。IshallhavetomentionheragaininmyMemoirs。
IhadlikewiseoccasiontobecomeacquaintedattheVenetianEmbassywithaladyfromVenice，thewidowofanEnglishbaronetnamedWynne。
ShewasthencomingfromLondonwithherchildren，whereshehadbeencompelledtogoinordertoinsurethemtheinheritanceoftheirlatefather，whichtheywouldhavelostiftheyhadnotdeclaredthemselvesmembersoftheChurchofEngland。ShewasonherwaybacktoVenice，muchpleasedwithherjourney。Shewasaccompaniedbyhereldestdaughter——ayounggirloftwelveyears，who，notwithstandingheryouth，carriedonherbeautifulfaceallthesignsofperfection。
SheisnowlivinginVenice，thewidowofCountdeRosenberg，whodiedinVeniceambassadoroftheEmpress—QueenMariaTheresa。Sheissurroundedbythebrillianthaloofherexcellentconductandofallhersocialvirtues。Noonecanaccuseherofanyfault，exceptthatofbeingpoor，butshefeelsitonlybecauseitdoesnotallowhertobeascharitableasshemightwish。
ThereaderwillseeinthenextchapterhowImanagedtoembroilmyselfwiththeFrenchpolice。
CHAPTERVIII
MyBroilWithParisianJustice——Mdlle。VesianTheyoungestdaughterofmylandlady，Mdlle。Quinson，ayounggirlbetweenfifteenandsixteenyearsofage，wasinthehabitofoftencomingtomyroomwithoutbeingcalled。ItwasnotlongbeforeI
discoveredthatshewasinlovewithme，andIshouldhavethoughtmyselfridiculousifIhadbeencrueltoayoungbrunettewhowaspiquant，lively，amiable，andhadamostdelightfulvoice。
Duringthefirstfourorfivemonthsnothingbutchildishtriflestookplacebetweenus；butonenight，cominghomeverylateandfindingherfastasleeponmybed，Ididnotseethenecessityofwakingherup，andundressingmyselfIlaydownbesideher……Sheleftmeatdaybreak。
Mimihadnotbeengonethreehourswhenamillinercamewithacharmingyounggirl，toinviteherselfandherfriendtobreakfast；I
thoughttheyounggirlwellworthabreakfast，butIwastiredandwantedrest，andIbeggedthembothtowithdraw。Soonaftertheyhadleftme，MadameQuinsoncamewithherdaughtertomakemybed。Iputmydressing—gownon，andbegantowrite。
\"Ah！thenastyhussies！\"exclaimsthemother。
\"Whatisthematter，madam？\"
\"Theriddleisclearenough，sir；thesesheetsarespoiled。\"
\"Iamverysorry，mydearmadam，butchangethem，andtheevilwillberemediedatonce。\"
Shewentoutoftheroom，threateningandgrumbling，\"Letthemcomeagain，andseeifIdon’ttakecareofthem！\"
Mimiremainedalonewithme，andIaddressedhersomereproachesforherimprudence。Butshelaughed，andansweredthatLovehadsentthosewomenonpurposetoprotectInnocence！Afterthat，Mimiwasnolongerunderanyrestraint，shewouldcomeandsharemybedwhenevershehadafancytodoso，unlessIsentherbacktoherownroom，andinthemorningshealwaysleftmeingoodtime。Butattheendoffourmonthsmybeautyinformedmethatoursecretwouldsoonbediscovered。
\"Iamverysorry，\"Isaidtoher，\"butIcannothelpit。\"
\"Weoughttothinkofsomething。\"
\"Well，doso。\"
\"WhatcanIthinkof？Well，comewhatwill；thebestthingIcandoisnottothinkofit。\"
Towardsthesixthmonthshehadbecomesolarge，thathermother，nolongerdoubtingthetruth，gotintoaviolentpassion，andbydintofblowscompelledhertonamethefather。MimisaidIwastheguiltyswain，andperhapsitwasnotanuntruth。
WiththatgreatdiscoveryMadameQuinsonburstintomyroominhighdudgeon。Shethrewherselfonachair，andwhenshehadrecoveredherbreathsheloadedmewithinsultingwords，andendedbytellingmethatImustmarryherdaughter。Atthisintimation，understandingherobjectandwishingtocutthemattershort，ItoldherthatIwasalreadymarriedinItaly。
\"Thenwhydidyoucomehereandgetmydaughterwithchild？\"
\"IcanassureyouthatIdidnotmeantodoso。Besides，howdoyouknowthatIamthefatherofthechild？\"
\"Mimisaysso，andsheiscertainofit。\"
\"Icongratulateher；butIwarnyou，madam，thatIamreadytoswearthatIhavenotanycertaintyaboutit。\"
\"Whatthen？\"
\"Thennothing。Ifsheispregnant，shewillbeconfined。\"
Shewentdownstairs，utteringcursesandthreats:thenextdayIwassummonedbeforethecommissaryofthedistrict。Iobeyedthesummons，andfoundMadameQuinsonfullyequippedforthebattle。Thecommissary，afterthepreliminaryquestionsusualinalllegalcases，askedmewhetherIadmittedmyselfguiltytowardsthegirlQuinsonoftheinjuryofwhichthemother，therepresentpersonally，complained。
\"MonsieurleCommissaire，IbegofyoutowritewordbywordtheanswerwhichIamgoingtogiveyou。\"
\"Verywell。\"
\"IhavecausednoinjurywhatevertoMimi，theplaintiff’sdaughter，andIreferyoutothegirlherself，whohasalwayshadasmuchfriendshipformeasIhavehadforher。\"
\"Butshedeclaresthatsheispregnantfromyourdoings。\"
\"Thatmaybe，butitisnotcertain。\"
\"Shesaysitiscertain，andsheswearsthatshehasneverknownanyotherman。\"
\"Ifitisso，sheisunfortunate；forinsuchaquestionamancannottrustanywomanbuthisownwife。\"
\"Whatdidyougiveherinordertoseduceher？\"
\"Nothing；forveryfarfromhavingseducedher，shehasseducedme，andweagreedperfectlyinonemoment；aprettywomandoesnotfinditveryhardtoseduceme。\"
\"Wassheavirgin？\"
\"Ineverfeltanycuriosityaboutiteitherbeforeorafter；
therefore，sir，Idonotknow。\"
\"Hermotherclaimsreparation，andthelawisagainstyou。\"
\"Icangivenoreparationtothemother；andasforthelawIwillobeyitwhenithasbeenexplainedtome，andwhenIamconvincedthatIhavebeenguiltyagainstit。\"
\"Youarealreadyconvinced。Doyouimaginethatamanwhogetsanhonestgirlwithchildinahouseofwhichheisaninmatedoesnottransgressthelawsofsociety？\"
\"Iadmitthattobethecasewhenthemotherisdeceived；butwhenthatsamemothersendsherdaughtertotheroomofayoungman，arewenotrightinsupposingthatsheisdisposedtoacceptpeacefullyalltheaccidentswhichmayresultfromsuchconduct？\"
\"Shesentherdaughtertoyourroomonlytowaitonyou。\"
\"AndshehaswaitedonmeasIhavewaitedonherifshesendshertomyroomthisevening，andifitisagreeabletoMimi，IwillcertainlyserveheraswellasIcan；butIwillhavenothingtodowithheragainstherwilloroutofmyroom，therentofwhichIhavealwayspaidpunctually。\"
\"Youmaysaywhatyoulike，butyoumustpaythefine。\"
\"IwillsaywhatIbelievetobejust，andIwillpaynothing；fortherecanbenofinewherethereisnolawtransgressed。IfIamsentencedtopayIshallappealeventothelastjurisdictionanduntilIobtainjustice，forbelieveme，sir，IknowthatIamnotsuchanawkwardandcowardlyfellowastorefusemycaressestoaprettywomanwhopleasesme，andcomestoprovoketheminmyownroom，especiallywhenIfeelmyselfcertainofthemother’sagreement。\"
IsignedtheinterrogatoryafterIhadreaditcarefully，andwentaway。Thenextdaythelieutenantofpolicesentforme，andafterhehadheardme，aswellasthemotherandthedaughter，heacquittedmeandcondemnedMadameQuinsonincosts。ButIcouldnotafterallresistthetearsofMimi，andherentreatiesformetodefraytheexpensesofherconfinement。Shewasdeliveredofaboy，whowassenttotheHotelDieutobebroughtupatthenation’sexpense。
SoonafterwardsMimiranawayfromhermother’shouse，andsheappearedonthestageatSt。Laurent’sFair。Beingunknown，shehadnodifficultyinfindingaloverwhotookherforamaiden。Ifoundherveryprettyonthestage。
\"Ididnotknow，\"Isaidtoher，\"thatyouwereamusician。\"
\"Iamamusicianaboutasmuchasallmycompanions，notoneofwhomknowsanoteofmusic。Thegirlsattheoperaarenotmuchmoreclever，andinspiteofthat，withagoodvoiceandsometaste，onecansingdelightfully。\"
IadvisedhertoinvitePatutosupper，andhewascharmedwithher。
Sometimeafterwards，however，shecametoabadend，anddisappeared。
TheItaliancomediansobtainedatthattimepermissiontoperformparodiesofoperasandoftragedies。ImadetheacquaintanceatthattheatreofthecelebratedChantilly，whohadbeenthemistressoftheMarechaldeSaxe，andwascalledFavartbecausethepoetofthatnamehadmarriedher。Shesangintheparodyof’ThetisetPelee’，byM。
deFontelle，thepartofTonton，amidstdeafeningapplause。Hergraceandtalentwontheloveofamanofthegreatestmerit，theAbbedeVoisenon，withwhomIwasasintimateaswithCrebillon。AlltheplaysperformedattheItalianComedy，underthenameofMadameFavart，werewrittenbytheabbe，whobecamememberoftheAcademieaftermydeparturefromParis。IcultivatedanacquaintancethevalueofwhichIcouldappreciate，andhehonouredmewithhisfriendship。ItwasatmysuggestionsthattheAbbedeVoisenonconceivedtheideaofcomposingoratoriosinpoetry；theyweresungforthefirsttimeattheTuileries，whenthetheatreswereclosedinconsequenceofsomereligiousfestival。Thatamiableabbe，whohadwrittenseveralcomediesinsecret，hadverypoorhealthandaverysmallbody；hewasallwitandgracefulness，famousforhisshrewdreparteeswhich，althoughverycutting，neveroffendedanyone。Itwasimpossibleforhimtohaveanyenemies，forhiscriticismonlygrazedtheskinandneverwoundeddeeply。Oneday，ashewasreturningfromVersailles，Iaskedhimthenewsofthecourt。
\"Thekingisyawning，\"heanswered，\"becausehemustcometotheparliamentto—morrowtoholdabedofjustice。\"
\"Whyisitcalledabedofjustice？\"
\"Idonotknow，unlessitisbecausejusticeisasleepduringtheproceedings。\"
IafterwardsmetinPraguethelivingportraitofthateminentwriterinCountFrancoisHardig，nowplenipotentiaryoftheemperoratthecourtofSaxony。
TheAbbedeVoisenonintroducedmetoFontenelle，whowasthenninety—threeyearsofage。Afinewit，anamiableandlearnedman，celebratedforhisquickrepartees，Fontenellecouldnotpayacomplimentwithoutthrowingkindnessandwitintoit。ItoldhimthatIhadcomefromItalyonpurposetoseehim。
\"Confess，sir，\"hesaidtome，\"thatyouhavekeptmewaitingaverylongtime。\"
Thisreparteewasobligingandcriticalatthesametime，andpointedoutinadelicateandwittymannertheuntruthofmycompliment。Hemademeapresentofhisworks，andaskedmeifIlikedtheFrenchplays；ItoldhimthatIhadseen’ThetisetPelee’attheopera。
Thatplaywashisowncomposition，andwhenIhadpraisedit，hetoldmethatitwasa’tetepelee’。
\"IwasattheTheatreFrancaislastnight，\"Isaid，\"andsawAthalie。\"
\"ItisthemasterpieceofRacine；Voltaire，hasbeenwronginaccusingmeofhavingcriticizedthattragedy，andinattributingtomeanepigram，theauthorofwhichhasneverbeenknown，andwhichendswithtwoverypoorlines:
Pouravoirfaitpisqu’Esther，Commentdiableas—topufaire\"
IhavebeentoldthatM。deFontenellehadbeenthetenderfriendofMadameduTencin，thatM。d’Alembertwastheoffspringoftheirintimacy，andthatLeRondhadonlybeenhisfoster—father。Iknewd’AlembertatMadamedeGraffigny’s。Thatgreatphilosopherhadthetalentofneverappearingtobealearnedmanwhenhewasinthecompanyofamiablepersonswhohadnopretensiontolearningorthesciences，andhealwaysseemedtoendowwithintelligencethosewhoconversedwithhim。
WhenIwenttoParisforthesecondtime，aftermyescapefromTheLeadsofVenice，Iwasdelightedattheideaofseeingagaintheamiable，venerableFontenelle，buthediedafortnightaftermyarrival，atthebeginningoftheyear1757。
WhenIpaidmythirdvisittoPariswiththeintentionofendingmydaysinthatcapital，IreckoneduponthefriendshipofM。d’Alembert，buthedied，likeFontenelle，afortnightaftermyarrival，towardstheendof1783。NowIfeelthatIhaveseenParisandFranceforthelasttime。Thepopulareffervescencehasdisgustedme，andIamtoooldtohopetoseetheendofit。
CountdeLooz，PolishambassadorattheFrenchcourt，invitedmein1751totranslateintoItalianaFrenchoperasusceptibleofgreattransformations，andofhavingagrandballetannexedtothesubjectoftheoperaitself。Ichose’Zoroastre’，byM。deCahusac。Ihadtoadaptwordstothemusicofthechoruses，alwaysadifficulttask。
Themusicremainedverybeautiful，ofcourse，butmyItalianpoetrywasverypoor。Inspiteofthatthegeneroussovereignsentmeasplendidgoldsnuff—box，andIthuscontrivedatthesametimetopleasemymotherveryhighly。
ItwasaboutthattimethatMdlle。VesianarrivedinPariswithherbrother。Shewasquiteyoung，welleducated，beautiful，mostamiable，andanovice；herbrotheraccompaniedher。Herfather，formerlyanofficerintheFrencharmy，haddiedatParma，hisnativecity。Leftanorphanwithoutanymeansofsupport，shefollowedtheadvicegivenbyherfriends；shesoldthefurnitureleftbyherfather，withtheintentionofgoingtoVersaillestoobtainfromthejusticeandfromthegenerosityofthekingasmallpensiontoenablehertolive。Asshegotoutofthediligence，shetookacoach，anddesiredtobetakentosomehotelclosebytheItalianTheatre；bythegreatestchanceshewasbroughttotheHoteldeBourgogne，whereIwasthenstayingmyself。
InthemorningIwastoldthatthereweretwoyoungItalians，brotherandsister，whodidnotappearverywealthy，inthenextroomtomine。Italians，young，poorandnewlyarrived，mycuriositywasexcited。Iwenttothedooroftheirroom，Iknocked，andayoungmancametoopenitinhisshirt。
\"Ibegyoutoexcuseme，sir，\"hesaidtome，\"ifIreceiveyouinsuchastate。\"
\"Ihavetoaskyourpardonmyself。Ionlycometoofferyoumyservices，asacountrymanandasaneighbour。\"
Amattressonthefloortoldmewheretheyoungmanhadslept；abedstandinginarecessandhidbycurtainsmademeguesswherethesisterwas。IbeggedofhertoexcusemeifIhadpresentedmyselfwithoutenquiringwhethershewasup。
Sheansweredwithoutseeingme，thatthejourneyhavinggreatlytriedhershehadsleptalittlelaterthanusual，butthatshewouldgetupimmediatelyifIwouldexcuseherforashorttime。
\"Iamgoingtomyroom，mademoiselle，andIwillcomebackwhenyousendforme；myroomisnextdoortoyourown。\"
Aquarterofanhourafter，insteadofbeingsentfor，Isawayoungandbeautifulpersonentermyroom；shemadeamodestbow，sayingthatshehadcomeherselftoreturnmyvisit，andthatherbrotherwouldfollowherimmediately。