Papafava，whowashergod—father，wouldbegladtoseeme。Icalledatherhouseearlythenextmorning，andIfoundherinbedwithherson，who，thankstotheprinciplesinwhichhehadbeeneducated，gotupandlefttheroomassoonashesawmeseatednearhismother’sbed。Ispentthreehourswithher，andIrecollectthatthelastwasdelightful；thereaderwillknowtheconsequenceofthatpleasanthourlater。IsawherasecondtimeduringthefortnightshepassedinVenice，andwhensheleftIpromisedtopayheravisitinBayreuth，butIneverkeptmypromise。
Ihadatthattimetoattendtotheaffairsofmyposthumousbrother，whohad，ashesaid，acallfromHeaventothepriesthood，buthewantedapatrimony。Althoughhewasignorantanddevoidofanymeritsaveahandsomeface，hethoughtthatanecclesiasticalcareerwouldinsurehishappiness，andhedependedagreatdealuponhispreaching，forwhich，accordingtotheopinionofthewomenwithwhomhewasacquainted，hehadadecidedtalent。Itookeverythingintomyhands，andIsucceededinobtainingforhimapatrimonyfromM。
Grimani，whostillowedusthevalueofthefurnitureinmyfather’shouse，ofwhichhehadneverrenderedanyaccount。Hetransferredtohimalife—interestinahouseinVenice，andtwoyearsafterwardsmybrotherwasordained。Butthepatrimonywasonlyfictitious，thehousebeingalreadymortgaged；theAbbeGrimaniwas，however，akindJesuit，andthosesaintedservantsofGodthinkthatalliswellthatendswellandprofitablytothemselves。Ishallspeakagainofmyunhappybrotherwhosedestinybecameinvolvedwithmine。
TwodayshadpassedsinceIhadpaidmyvisittoP————C————，whenI
methiminthestreet。Hetoldmethathissisterwasconstantlyspeakingofme，thatshequotedagreatmanythingswhichIhadtoldher，andthathismotherwasmuchpleasedatherdaughterhavingmademyacquaintance。\"Shewouldbeagoodmatchforyou，\"headded，\"forshewillhaveadowryoftenthousandducats。Ifyouwillcallonmeto—morrow，wewilltakecoffeewithmymotherandsister。\"
Ihadpromisedmyselfneveragaintoenterhishouse，butIbrokemyword。Itiseasyenoughforamantoforgethispromisesundersuchcircumstances。
IspentthreehoursinconversationwiththecharminggirlandwhenI
leftherIwasdeeplyinlove。AsIwentaway，ItoldherthatI
enviedthedestinyofthemanwhowouldhaveherforhiswife，andmycompliment，thefirstshehadeverreceived，madeherblush。
AfterIhadleftherIbegantoexaminethenatureofmyfeelingstowardsher，andtheyfrightenedme，forIcouldneitherbehavetowardsMdlle。C————C————asanhonestmannorasalibertine。
Icouldnothopetoobtainherhand，andIalmostfanciedIwouldstabanyonewhoadvisedmetoseduceher。IfeltthatIwantedsomediversion:Iwenttothegaming—table。Playingissometimesanexcellentlenitivetocalmthemind，andtosmothertheardentfireoflove。Iplayedwithwonderfulluck，andIwasgoinghomewithplentyofgold，wheninasolitarynarrowstreetImetamanbentdownlessbyagethanbytheheavyweightofmisery。AsIcamenearhimIrecognizedCountBonafede，thesightofwhommovedmewithpity。Herecognizedmelikewise。Wetalkedforsometime，andatlasthetoldmethestateofabjectpovertytowhichhewasreduced，andthegreatdifficultyhehadtokeephisnumerousfamily。\"Idonotblush，\"headded，\"inbeggingfromyouonesequinwhichwillkeepusaliveforfiveorsixdays。\"Iimmediatelygavehimten，tryingtopreventhimfromloweringhimselfinhisanxietytoexpresshisgratitude，butIcouldnotpreventhimfromsheddingtears。Asweparted，hetoldmethatwhatmadehimmostmiserablewastoseethepositionofhisdaughter，whohadbecomeagreatbeauty，andwouldratherdiethanmakeasacrificeofhervirtue。\"Icanneithersupportherinthosefeelings，\"hesaid，withasigh，\"norrewardherforthem。\"
ThinkingthatIunderstoodthewisheswithwhichmiseryhadinspiredhim，Itookhisaddress，andpromisedtopayhimavisit。IwascurioustoseewhathadbecomeofavirtueofwhichIdidnotentertainaveryhighopinion。Icalledthenextday。Ifoundahousealmostbareoffurniture，andthedaughteralone——
acircumstancewhichdidnotastonishme。Theyoungcountesshadseenmearrive，andreceivedmeonthestairsinthemostamiablemanner。Shewasprettywelldressed，andIthoughtherhandsome，agreeable，andlively，asshehadbeenwhenImadeheracquaintanceinFortSt。Andre。Herfatherhavingannouncedmyvisit，shewasinhighspirits，andshekissedmewithasmuchtendernessasifIhadbeenabelovedlover。Shetookmetoherownroom，andaftershehadinformedmethathermotherwasillinbedandunabletoseeme，shegavewayagaintothetransportofjoywhich，asshesaid，shefeltinseeingmeagain。Theardourofourmutualkisses，givenatfirstundertheauspicesoffriendship，wasnotlonginexcitingoursensestosuchanextentthatinlessthanaquarterofanhourIhadnothingmoretodesire。Whenitwasallover，itbecameusboth，ofcourse，tobe，oratleasttoappeartobe，surprisedatwhathadtakenplace，andIcouldnothonestlyhesitatetoassurethepoorcountessthatitwasonlythefirsttokenofaconstantandtruelove。Shebelievedit，orshefeignedtobelieveit，andperhapsI
myselffancieditwastrue——forthemoment。Whenwehadbecomecalmagain，shetoldmethefearfulstatetowhichtheywerereduced，herbrotherswalkingbarefootedinthestreets，andherfatherhavingpositivelynobreadtogivethem。
\"Thenyouhavenotanylover？\"
\"What？alover！WherecouldIfindamancourageousenoughtobemyloverinsuchahouseasthis？AmIawomantosellmyselftothefirstcomerforthesumofthirtysous？ThereisnotamaninVenicewhowouldthinkmeworthmorethanthat，seeingmeinsuchaplaceasthis。Besides，Iwasnotbornforprostitution。\"
Suchaconversationwasnotverycheerful；shewasweeping，andthespectacleofhersadness，joinedtothepictureofmiserywhichsurroundedme，wasnotatallthethingtoexcitelove。Ileftherwithapromisetocallagain，andIputtwelvesequinsinherhand。
Shewassurprisedattheamount；shehadneverknownherselfsorichbefore。IhavealwaysregrettedIdidnotgivehertwiceasmuch。
ThenextdayP————C————calledonme，andsaidcheerfullythathismotherhadgivenpermissiontoherdaughtertogototheoperawithhim，thattheyounggirlwasdelightedbecauseshehadneverbeentherebefore，andthat，ifIliked，Icouldwaitforthematsomeplacewheretheywouldmeetme。
\"Butdoesyoursisterknowthatyouintendmetojoinyou？\"
\"Sheconsidersitagreatpleasure。\"
\"Doesyourmotherknowit？\"
\"No；butwhensheknowsitshewillnotbeangry，forshehasagreatesteemforyou。\"
\"InthatcaseIwilltrytofindaprivatebox。\"
\"Verywell；waitforusatsuchaplace。\"
Thescoundreldidnotspeakofhislettersofexchangeagain，andashesawthatIwasnolongerpayingmyattentionstohismistress，andthatIwasinlovewithhissister，hehadformedthefineprojectofsellinghertome。Ipitiedthemotherandthedaughterwhohadconfidenceinsuchaman；butIhadnotthecouragetoresistthetemptation。IevenwentsofarastopersuademyselfthatasIlovedheritwasmydutytoaccepttheoffer，inordertosaveherfromothersnares；forifIhaddeclinedherbrothermighthavefoundsomeothermanlessscrupulous，andIcouldnotbeartheidea。Ithoughtthatinmycompanyherinnocencerannorisk。
ItookaboxattheSt。SamuelOpera，andIwaswaitingforthemattheappointedplacelongbeforethetime。Theycameatlast，andthesightofmyyoungfrienddelightedme。Shewaselegantlymasked，andherbrotherworehisuniform。Inordernottoexposethelovelygirltobeingrecognizedonaccountofherbrother，Imadethemgetintomygondola。Heinsisteduponbeinglandednearthehouseofhismistress，whowasill，hesaid，andheaddedthathewouldsoonjoinusinourbox。IwasastonishedthatC————C————didnotshewanysurpriseorrepugnanceatremainingalonewithmeinthegondola；butIdidnotthinktheconductofherbrotherextraordinary，foritwasevidentthatitwasallarrangedbeforehandinhismind。
ItoldC————C————thatwewouldremaininthegondolauntiltheopeningofthetheatre，andthatastheheatwasintenseshewoulddowelltotakeoffhermask，whichshedidatonce。ThelawIhadlaiduponmyselftorespecther，thenobleconfidencewhichwasbeamingonhercountenanceandinherlooks，herinnocentjoy——everythingincreasedtheardourofmylove。
Notknowingwhattosaytoher，forIcouldspeaktoherofnothingbutlove——anditwasadelicatesubject——Ikeptlookingathercharmingface，notdaringtoletmyeyesrestupontwobuddingglobesshapedbytheGraces，forfearofgivingthealarmtohermodesty。
\"Speaktome，\"shesaidatlast；\"youonlylookatmewithoututteringasingleword。Youhavesacrificedyourselfforme，becausemybrotherwouldhavetakenyouwithhimtohislady—love，who，tojudgefromwhathesays，mustbeasbeautifulasanangel。\"
\"Ihaveseenthatlady。\"
\"Isupposesheisverywitty。\"
\"Shemaybeso；butIhavenoopportunityofknowing，forIhavenevervisitedher，andIdonotintendevertocalluponher。Donotthereforeimagine，beautifulC————C————，thatIhavemadetheslightestsacrificeforyoursake。\"
\"Iwasafraidyouhad，becauseasyoudidnotspeakIthoughtyouweresad。\"
\"IfIdonotspeaktoyouitisbecauseIamtoodeeplymovedbyyourangelicconfidenceinme。\"
\"Iamverygladitisso；buthowcouldInottrustyou？Ifeelmuchmorefree，muchmoreconfidentwithyouthanwithmybrotherhimself。
Mymothersaysitisimpossibletobemistaken，andthatyouarecertainlyanhonestman。Besides，youarenotmarried；thatisthefirstthingIaskedmybrother。Doyourecollecttellingmethatyouenviedthefateofthemanwhowouldhavemeforhiswife？Well，atthatverymomentIwasthinkingthatyourwifewouldbethehappiestwomaninVenice。\"
Thesewords，utteredwiththemostcandidartlessness，andwiththattoneofsinceritywhichcomesfromtheheart，haduponmeaneffectwhichitwouldbedifficulttodescribe；IsufferedbecauseIcouldnotimprintthemostlovingkissuponthesweetlipswhichhadjustpronouncedthem，butatthesametimeitcausedmethemostdeliciousfelicitytoseethatsuchanangellovedme。
\"Withsuchconformityoffeelings，\"Isaid，\"wewould，lovelyC————，beperfectlyhappy，ifwecouldbeunitedforever。ButIamoldenoughtobeyourfather。\"
\"Youmyfather？Youarejoking！DoyouknowthatIamfourteen？\"
\"DoyouknowthatIamtwenty—eight？\"
\"Well，wherecanyouseeamanofyouragehavingadaughterofmine？
Ifmyfatherwerelikeyou，hewouldcertainlyneverfrightenme；I
couldnotkeepanythingfromhim。\"
Thehourtogotothetheatrehadcome；welanded，andtheperformanceengrossedallherattention。Herbrotherjoinedusonlywhenitwasnearlyover；ithadcertainlybeenapartofhiscalculation。Itookthemtoaninnforsupper，andthepleasureI
experiencedinseeingthecharminggirleatwithagoodappetitemademeforgetthatIhadhadnodinner。Ihardlyspokeduringthesupper，forlovemademesick，andIwasinastateofexcitementwhichcouldnotlastlong。Inordertoexcusemysilence，Ifeignedtobesufferingfromthetoothache。
Aftersupper，P————C————toldhissisterthatIwasinlovewithher，andthatIshouldcertainlyfeelbetterifshewouldallowmetokissher。Theonlyansweroftheinnocentgirlwastooffermeherlaughinglips，whichseemedtocallforkisses。Iwasburning；butmyrespectforthatinnocentandnaiveyoungcreaturewassuchthatI
onlykissedhercheek，andeventhatinamannerverycoldinappearance。
\"Whatakiss！\"exclaimedP————C————。\"Come，come，agoodlover’skiss！\"
Ididnotmove；theimpudentfellowannoyedme；buthissister，turningherheadasidesadly，said，\"Donotpresshim；Iamnotsohappyastopleasehim。\"
Thatremarkgavethealarmtomylove；Icouldnolongermastermyfeelings。
\"What！\"Iexclaimedwarmly，\"what！beautifulC————，youdonotcondescendtoascribemyreservetothefeelingwhichyouhaveinspiredmewith？Yousupposethatyoudonotpleaseme？Ifakissisallthatisneededtoprovethecontrarytoyou，oh！receiveitnowwithallthesentimentthatisburninginmyheart！\"
Thenfoldingherinmyarms，andpressingherlovinglyagainstmybreast，IimprintedonhermouththelongandardentkisswhichIhadsomuchwishedtogiveher；butthenatureofthatkissmadethetimiddovefeelthatshehadfallenintothevulture’sclaws。Sheescapedfrommyarms，amazedathavingdiscoveredmyloveinsuchamanner。Herbrotherexpressedhisapproval，whileshereplacedhermaskoverherface，inordertoconcealherconfusion。Iaskedherwhethershehadanylongeranydoubtsastomylove。
\"Youhaveconvincedme，\"sheanswered，\"but，becauseyouhaveundeceivedme，youmustnotpunishme。\"
Ithoughtthatthiswasaverydelicateanswer，dictatedbytruesentiment；butherbrotherwasnotpleasedwithit，andsaiditwasfoolish。
Weputonourmasks，lefttheinn，andafterIhadescortedthemtotheirhouseIwenthomedeeplyinlove，happyinmyinmostsoul，yetverysad。
ThereaderwilllearninthefollowingchapterstheprogressofmyloveandtheadventuresinwhichIfoundmyselfengaged。
CHAPTERXII
ProgressofMyIntriguewiththeBeautifulC。C。
ThenextmorningP————C————calledonmewithanairoftriumph；hetoldmethathissisterhadconfessedtohermotherthatwelovedoneanother，andthatifshewasevertobemarriedshewouldbeunhappywithanyotherhusband。
\"Iadoreyoursister，\"Isaidtohim；\"butdoyouthinkthatyourfatherwillbewillingtogivehertome？\"
\"Ithinknot；butheisold。Inthemeantime，loveoneanother。Mymotherhasgivenherpermissiontogototheoperathiseveningwithus。\"
\"Verywell，mydearfriend，wemustgo。\"
\"Ifindmyselfunderthenecessityofclaimingaslightserviceatyourhands。\"
\"Disposeofme。\"
\"ThereissomeexcellentCypruswinetobesoldverycheap，andIcanobtainacaskofitagainstmybillatsixmonths。Iamcertainofsellingitagainimmediatelywithagoodprofit；butthemerchantrequiresaguarantee，andheisdisposedtoacceptyours，ifyouwillgiveit。Willyoubekindenoughtoendorsemynoteofhand？\"
\"Withpleasure。\"
Isignedmynamewithouthesitation，forwhereisthemaninlovewhoinsuchacasewouldhaverefusedthatservicetoapersonwhotorevengehimselfmighthavemadehimmiserable？Wemadeanappointmentfortheevening，andpartedhighlypleasedwitheachother。
AfterIhaddressedmyself，Iwentoutandboughtadozenpairsofgloves，asmanypairsofsilkstockings，andapairofgartersembroideredingoldandwithgoldclasps，promisingmyselfmuchpleasureinofferingthatfirstpresenttomyyoungfriend。
IneednotsaythatIwasexactinreachingtheappointedplace，buttheyweretherealready，waitingforme。HadInotsuspectedtheintentionsofP————C————，theircomingsoearlywouldhavebeenveryflatteringtomyvanity。ThemomentIhadjoinedthem，P————C————
toldmethat，havingotherengagementstofulfil，hewouldleavehissisterwithme，andmeetusatthetheatreintheevening。Whenhehadgone，ItoldC————C————thatwewouldsailinagondolauntiltheopeningofthetheatre。
\"No，\"sheanswered，\"letusrathergototheZueccaGarden。\"
\"Withallmyheart。\"
IhiredagondolaandwewenttoSt。Blaze，whereIknewaveryprettygardenwhich，foronesequin，wasplacedatmydisposalfortheremainderoftheday，withtheexpressconditionthatnooneelsewouldbeallowedadmittance。Wehadnothadanydinner，andafterI
hadorderedagoodmealwewentuptoaroomwherewetookoffourdisguisesandmasks，afterwhichwewenttothegarden。
MylovelyC————C————hadnothingonbutabodicemadeoflightsilkandaskirtofthesamedescription，butshewascharminginthatsimplecostume！Myamorouslookswentthroughthoselightveils，andinmyimaginationIsawherentirelynaked！Isighedwithburningdesires，withamixtureofdiscreetreserveandvoluptuouslove。
Themomentwehadreachedthelongavenue，myyoungcompanion，aslivelyasafawn，findingherselfatlibertyonthegreensward，andenjoyingthathappyfreedomforthefirsttimeinherlife，begantorunaboutandtogivewaytothespiritofcheerfulnesswhichwasnaturaltoher。Whenshewascompelledtostopforwantofbreath，sheburstoutlaughingatseeingmegazingatherinasortofecstaticsilence。Shethenchallengedmetorunarace；thegamewasveryagreeabletome。Iaccepted，butIproposedtomakeitinterestingbyawager。
\"Whoeverlosestherace，\"Isaid，\"shallhavetodowhateverthewinnerasks。\"
\"Agreed！\"
Wemarkedthewinning—post，andmadeafairstart。Iwascertaintowin，butIlostonpurpose，soastoseewhatshewouldaskmetodo。
AtfirstsheranwithallhermightwhileIreservedmystrength，andshewasthefirsttoreachthegoal。Asshewastryingtorecoverherbreath，shethoughtofsentencingmetoagoodpenance:shehidherselfbehindatreeandtoldme，aminuteafterwards，thatIhadtofindherring。Shehadconcealeditabouther，andthatwasputtingmeinpossessionofallherperson。Ithoughtitwasadelightfulforfeit，forIcouldeasilyseethatshehadchosenitwithintentionalmischief；butIfeltthatIoughtnottotaketoomuchadvantageofher，becauseherartlessconfidencerequiredtobeencouraged。Wesatonthegrass，Ivisitedherpockets，thefoldsofherstays，ofherpetticoat；thenIlookedinhershoes，andevenathergarterswhichwerefastenedbelowtheknees。Notfindinganything，Ikeptonmysearch，andastheringwasabouther，Iwasofcourseboundtodiscoverit。MyreaderhasmostlikelyguessedthatIhadsomesuspicionofthecharminghiding—placeinwhichtheyoungbeautyhadconcealedthering，butbeforecomingtoitIwantedtoenjoymyself。Theringwasatlastfoundbetweenthetwomostbeautifulkeepersthatnaturehadeverrounded，butIfeltsuchemotionasIdrewitoutthatmyhandwastrembling。
\"Whatareyoutremblingfor？\"sheasked。
\"Onlyforjoyathavingfoundthering；youhadconcealeditsowell！
Butyouowemearevenge，andthistimeyoushallnotbeatme。\"
\"Weshallsee。\"
Webegananewrace，andseeingthatshewasnotrunningveryfast，I
thoughtIcouldeasilydistanceherwheneverIliked。Iwasmistaken。Shehadhusbandedherstrength，andwhenwehadrunabouttwo—thirdsoftheraceshesuddenlysprangforwardatfullspeed，leftmebehind，andIsawthatIhadlost。Ithenthoughtofatrick，theeffectofwhichneverfails；Ifeignedaheavyfall，andI
utteredashriekofpain。Thepoorchildstoppedatonce，ranbacktomeingreatfright，and，pityingme，sheassistedmetoraisemyselffromtheground。ThemomentIwasonmyfeetagain，Ilaughedheartilyand，takingaspringforward，Ihadreachedthegoallongbeforeher。
Thecharmingrunner，thoroughlyamazed，saidtome，\"Thenyoudidnothurtyourself？\"
\"No，forIfellpurposely。\"
\"Purposely？Oh，todeceiveme！Iwouldneverhavebelievedyoucapableofthat。Itisnotfairtowinbyfraud；thereforeIhavenotlosttherace。\"
\"Oh！yes，youhave，forIreachedthegoalbeforeyou。
Trickfortrick；confessthatyoutriedtodeceivemeatthestart。\"
\"Butthatisfair，andyourtrickisaverydifferentthing。\"
\"Yetithasgivenmethevictory，andVincasiperfortundoperingano，Ilvincersemprefulaudabilcosa\"……
\"Ihaveoftenheardthosewordsfrommybrother，butneverfrommyfather。Well，nevermind，Ihavelost。Giveyourjudgmentnow，I
willobey。\"
\"Waitalittle。Letmesee。Ah！mysentenceisthatyoushallexchangeyourgartersformine。\"
\"Exchangeourgarters！Butyouhaveseenmine，theyareuglyandworthnothing。\"
\"Nevermind。TwiceeverydayIshallthinkofthepersonIlove，andasnearlyaspossibleatthesamehoursyouwillhavetothinkofme。\"
\"Itisaveryprettyidea，andIlikeit。NowIforgiveyouforhavingdeceivedme。Herearemyuglygarters！Ah！mydeardeceiver，howbeautifulyoursare！Whatahandsomepresent！Howtheywillpleasemymother！Theymustbeapresentwhichyouhavejustreceived，fortheyarequitenew。\"
\"No，theyhavenotbeengiventome。Iboughtthemforyou，andI
havebeenrackingmybraintofindhowIcouldmakeyouacceptthem。
Lovesuggestedtometheideaofmakingthemtheprizeoftherace。
YoumaynowimaginemysorrowwhenIsawthatyouwouldwin。
Vexationinspiredmewithadeceitfulstratagemwhicharosefromafeelingyouhadcausedyourself，andwhichturnedentirelytoyourhonour，foryoumustadmitthatyouwouldhaveshewnaveryhardheartifyouhadnotcometomyassistance。\"
\"AndIfeelcertainthatyouwouldnothavehadrecoursetothatstratagem，ifyoucouldhaveguessedhowdeeplyitwouldpainme。\"
\"Doyouthenfeelmuchinterestinme？\"
\"Iwoulddoanythingintheworldtoconvinceyouofit。Ilikemyprettygartersexceedingly；Iwillneverhaveanotherpair，andI
promiseyouthatmybrothershallnotstealthemfromme。\"
\"Canyousupposehimcapableofsuchanaction？\"
\"Oh！certainly，especiallyifthefasteningsareingold。\"
\"Yes，theyareingold；butlethimbelievethattheyareingiltbrass。\"
\"Willyouteachmehowtofastenmybeautifulgarters？\"
\"OfcourseIwill。\"
Wewentupstairs，andafterourdinnerwhichwebothenjoyedwithagoodappetite，shebecamemorelivelyandImoreexcitedbylove，butatthesametimemoretobepitiedinconsequenceoftherestrainttowhichIhadcondemnedmyself。Veryanxioustotryhergarters，shebeggedmetohelpher，andthatrequestwasmadeingoodfaith，withoutmischievouscoquetry。Aninnocentyounggirl，who，inspiteofherfifteenyears，hasnotlovedyet，whohasnotfrequentedthesocietyofothergirls，doesnotknowtheviolenceofamorousdesiresorwhatislikelytoexcitethem。Shehasnoideaofthedangerofatete—a—tete。Whenanaturalinstinctmakesherloveforthefirsttime，shebelievestheobjectofherloveworthyofherconfidence，andshethinksthattobelovedherselfshemustshewthemostboundlesstrust。
Seeingthatherstockingsweretooshorttofastenthegarterabovetheknee，shetoldmethatshewouldinfutureuselongerones，andI
immediatelyofferedherthosethatIhadpurchased。Fullofgratitudeshesatonmyknees，andintheeffusionofhersatisfactionshebestoweduponmeallthekissesthatshewouldhavegiventoherfatherifhehadmadehersuchapresent。Ireturnedherkisses，forciblykeepingdowntheviolenceofmyfeelings。I
onlytoldherthatoneofherkisseswasworthakingdom。MycharmingC————C————tookoffhershoesandstockings，andputononeofthepairsIhadgivenher，whichwenthalfwayupherthigh。ThemoreinnocentIfoundhertobe，thelessIcouldmakeupmymindtopossessmyselfofthatravishingprey。
Wereturnedtothegarden，andafterwalkingaboutuntiltheeveningwewenttotheopera，takingcaretokeeponourmasks，because，thetheatrebeingsmall，wemighteasilyhavebeenrecognized，andmylovelyfriendwascertainthatherfatherwouldnotallowhertocomeoutagain，ifhefoundoutthatshehadgonetotheopera。
Wewererathersurprisednottoseeherbrother。OnourleftwehadtheMarquisofMontalegre，theSpanishambassador，withhisacknowledgedmistress，Mdlle。Bola，andintheboxonourrightamanandawomanwhohadnottakenofftheirmasks。Thosetwopersonskepttheireyesconstantlyfixeduponus，butmyyoungfrienddidnotremarkitasherbackwasturnedtowardsthem。Duringtheballet，C————C————havingleftthelibrettooftheoperaontheledgeofthebox，themanwiththemaskstretchedforthhishandandtookit。
Thatprovedtomethatwewereknowntohim，andIsaidsotomycompanion，whoturnedroundandrecognizedherbrother。TheladywhowaswithhimcouldbenootherthanMadameC————。AsP————C————
knewthenumberofourbox，hehadtakenthenextone；hecouldnothavedonesowithoutsomeintention，andIforesawthathemeanttomakehissisterhavesupperwiththatwoman。Iwasmuchannoyed，butIcouldnotpreventitwithoutbreakingoffwithhim，altogether，andIwasinlove。
Afterthesecondballet，hecameintoourboxwithhislady，andaftertheusualexchangeofcomplimentstheacquaintancewasmade，andwehadtoacceptsupperathiscasino。Assoonasthetwoladieshadthrownofftheirmasks，theyembracedoneanother，andthemistressofP————C————overwhelmedmyyoungfriendwithcomplimentsandattentions。Attablesheaffectedtotreatherwithextremeaffability，andC————C————nothavinganyexperienceoftheworldbehavedtowardsherwiththegreatestrespect。Icould，however，seethatC————，inspiteofallherart，couldhardlyhidethevexationshefeltatthesightofthesuperiorbeautywhichIhadpreferredtoherowncharms。P————C————，whowasofanextravagantgaiety，launchedforthinstupidjokesatwhichhismistressalonelaughed；
inmyanger，Ishruggedmyshoulders，andhissister，notunderstandinghisjests，tooknonoticeofthem。Altogetherour’partiecaree’wasnotformedofcongenialspirits，andwasratheradullaffair。
Asthedessertwasplacedonthetable，P————C————，somewhatexcitedbythewinehehaddrunk，kissedhislady—love，andchallengedmetofollowhisexamplewithhissister。ItoldhimthatIlovedMdlle。
C————C————truly，andthatIwouldnottakesuchlibertieswithheruntilIshouldhaveacquiredalegalrighttoherfavours。P————
C————begantoscoffatwhatIhadsaid，butC————stoppedhim。
Gratefulforthatmarkofpropriety，ItookoutofmypocketthetwelvepairsofgloveswhichIhadboughtinthemorning，andafterI
hadbeggedheracceptanceofhalfadozenpairsIgavetheothersixtomyyoungfriend。P————C————rosefromthetablewithasneer，draggingalongwithhimhismistress，whohadlikewisedrunkratherfreely，andhethrewhimselfonasofawithher。Thescenetakingalewdturn，Iplacedmyselfinsuchamannerastohidethemfromtheviewofmyyoungfriend，whomIledintotherecessofawindow。ButIhadnotbeenabletopreventC————C————fromseeinginalooking—
glassthepositionofthetwoimpudentwretches，andherfacewassuffusedwithblushes；I，however，spoketoherquietlyofindifferentthings，andrecoveringhercomposuresheansweredme，speakingofhergloves，whichshewasfoldingonthepier—table。
Afterhisbrutalexploit，P————C————cameimpudentlytomeandembracedme；hisdissolutecompanion，imitatinghisexample，kissedmyyoungfriend，sayingshewascertainthatshehadseennothing。
C————C————answeredmodestlythatshedidnotknowwhatshecouldhaveseen，butthelookshecasttowardsmemademeunderstandallshefelt。Ifthereaderhasanyknowledgeofthehumanheart，hemustguesswhatmyfeelingswere。HowwasitpossibletoenduresuchascenegoingoninthepresenceofaninnocentgirlwhomIadored，whenIhadtofighthardmyselfwithmyownburningdesiressoasnottoabuseherinnocence！Iwasonabedofthorns！Angerandindignation，restrainedbythereserveIwascompelledtoadoptforfearoflosingtheobjectofmyardentlove，mademetrembleallover。Theinventorsofhellwouldnothavefailedtoplacethatsufferingamongitstorments，iftheyhadknownit。ThelustfulP———
C————hadthoughtofgivingmeagreatproofofhisfriendshipbythedisgustingactionhehadbeenguiltyof，andhehadreckonedasnothingthedishonourofhismistress，andthedelicacyofhissisterwhomhehadthusexposedtoprostitution。IdonotknowhowI
contrivednottostranglehim。Thenextday，whenhecalledonme，Ioverwhelmedhimwiththemostbitterreproaches，andhetriedtoexcusehimselfbysayingthatheneverwouldhaveactedinthatmannerifhehadnotfeltsatisfiedthatIhadalreadytreatedhissisterinthetete—a—teteinthesamewaythathetreatedhismistressbeforeus。
MyloveforC————C————becameeveryinstantmoreintense，andIhadmadeupmymindtoundertakeeverythingnecessarytosaveherfromthefearfulpositioninwhichherunworthybrothermightthrowherbysellingherforhisownprofittosomemanlessscrupulousthanI
was。Itseemedtomeurgent。Whatadisgustingstateofthings！
Whatanunheard—ofspeciesofseduction！Whatastrangewaytogainmyfriendship！AndIfoundmyselfunderthedirenecessityofdissemblingwiththemanwhomIdespisedmostintheworld！Ihadbeentoldthathewasdeeplyindebt，thathehadbeenabankruptinVienna，wherehehadawifeandafamilyofchildren，thatinVenicehehadcompromisedhisfatherwhohadbeenobligedtoturnhimoutofhishouse，andwho，outofpity，pretendednottoknowthathehadkepthisroominit。Hehadseducedhiswife，orratherhismistress，whohadbeendrivenawaybyherhusband，andafterhehadsquanderedeverythingshepossessed，andhefoundhimselfattheendofhiswits，hehadtriedtoturnherprostitutiontoadvantage。Hispoormotherwhoidolizedhimhadgivenhimeverythingshehad，evenherownclothes，andIexpectedhimtoplaguemeagainforsomeloanorsecurity，butIwasfirmlyresolvedonrefusing。IcouldnotbeartheideaofC————C————beingtheinnocentcauseofmyruin，andusedasatoolbyherbrothertokeepuphisdisgustinglife。
Movedbyanirresistiblefeeling，bywhatiscalledperfectlove，I
calleduponP————C————onthefollowingday，and，afterIhadtoldhimthatIadoredhissisterwiththemosthonourableintentions，I
triedtomakehimrealizehowdeeplyhehadgrievedmebyforgettingallrespect，andthatmodestywhichthemostinveteratelibertineoughtnevertoinsultifhehasanypretensiontobeworthyofrespectablesociety。
\"EvenifIhadtogiveup，\"Iadded，\"thepleasureofseeingyourangelicsister，Ihavetakenthefirmresolutionofnotkeepingcompanywithyou；butIcandidlywarnyouthatIwilldoeverythinginmypowertopreventherfromgoingoutwithyou，andfrombeingthevictimofsomeinfamousbargaininyourhands。\"
Heexcusedhimselfagainbysayingthathehaddrunktoomuch，andthathedidnotbelievethatmyloveforhissisterwassuchastodespisethegratificationofmysenses。Hebeggedmypardon，heembracedmewithtearsinhiseyes，andIwould，perhapshavegivenwaytomyownemotion，whenhismotherandsisterenteredtheroom。
Theyofferedmetheirheart—feltthanksforthehandsomepresentI
hadgiventotheyounglady。ItoldthemotherthatIlovedherdaughter，andthatmyfondesthopewastoobtainherformywife。
\"Inthehopeofsecuringthathappiness，madam，\"Iadded，\"IshallgetafriendtospeaktoyourhusbandassoonasIshallhavesecuredapositiongivingmesufficientmeanstokeephercomfortably，andtoassureherhappiness。\"
SosayingIkissedherhand，andIfeltsodeeplymovedthatthetearsrandownmycheeks。Thosetearsweresympathetic，andtheexcellentwomanwassooncryinglikeme。Shethankedmeaffectionately，andleftmewithherdaughterandherson，wholookedasifhehadbeenchangedintoastatue。
Thereareagreatmanymothersofthatkindintheworld，andveryoftentheyarewomenwhohaveledavirtuouslife；theydonotsupposethatdeceitcanexist，becausetheirownnatureunderstandsonlywhatisuprightandtrue；buttheyarealmostalwaysthevictimsoftheirgoodfaith，andoftheirtrustinthosewhoseemtothemtobepatternsofhonesty。WhatIhadtoldthemothersurprisedthedaughter，butherastonishmentwasmuchgreaterwhensheheardofwhatIhadsaidtoherbrother。Afteronemomentofconsideration，shetoldhimthat，withanyothermanbutme，shewouldhavebeenruined；andthat，ifshehadbeenintheplaceofMadameC————，shewouldneverhaveforgivenhim，becausethewayhehadtreatedherwasasdebasingforherasforhimself。P————C————wasweeping，butthetraitorcouldcommandtearswheneverhepleased。
ItwasWhitSunday，andasthetheatreswereclosedhetoldmethat，ifIwouldbeatthesameplaceofAppointmentasbefore，thenextday，hewouldleavehissisterwithme，andgobyhimselfwithMadameC————，whomhecouldnothonourablyleavealone。
\"Iwillgiveyoumykey，\"headded，\"andyoucanbringbackmysisterhereassoonasyouhavesuppertogetherwhereveryoulike。\"
Andhehandedmehiskey，whichIhadnotthecouragetorefuse。
Afterthatheleftus。Iwentawaymyselfafewminutesafterwards，havingpreviouslyagreedwithC————C————thatwewouldgototheZueccaGardenonthefollowingday。
Iwaspunctual，andloveexcitingmetothehighestdegreeIforesawwhatwouldhappenonthatday。Ihadengagedaboxattheopera，andwewenttoourgardenuntiltheevening。Asitwasaholidaytherewereseveralsmallpartiesoffriendssittingatvarioustables，andbeingunwillingtomixwithotherpeoplewemadeupourmindstoremainintheapartmentwhichwasgiventous，andtogototheoperaonlytowardstheendoftheperformance。Ithereforeorderedagoodsupper。Wehadsevenhourstospendtogether，andmycharmingyoungfriendremarkedthatthetimewouldcertainlynotseemlongtous。
Shethrewoffherdisguiseandsatonmyknees，tellingmethatIhadcompletedtheconquestofherheartbymyreservetowardsherduringthesupperwithherbrother；butallourconversationwasaccompaniedbykisseswhich，littlebylittle，werebecomingmoreandmoreardent。
\"Didyousee，\"shesaidtome，\"whatmybrotherdidtoMadameC————
whensheplacedherselfastrideonhisknees？Ionlysawitinthelooking—glass，butIcouldguesswhatitwas。\"
\"Wereyounotafraidofmytreatingyouinthesamemanner？\"
\"No，Icanassureyou。HowcouldIpossiblyfearsuchathing，knowinghowmuchyouloveme？YouwouldhavehumiliatedmesodeeplythatIshouldnolongerhavelovedyou。Wewillwaituntilwearemarried，willwenot，dear？YoucannotrealizetheextentofthejoyIfeltwhenIheardyouspeaktomymotherasyoudid！Wewillloveeachotherforever。Butwillyouexplaintome，dearest，themeaningofthewordsembroidereduponmygarters？\"
\"Isthereanymottouponthem？Iwasnotawareofit。\"
\"Oh，yes！itisinFrench；prayreadit。\"
Seatedonmyknees，shetookoffoneofhergarterswhileIwasunclaspingtheother，andherearethetwolineswhichIfoundembroideredonthem，andwhichIoughttohavereadbeforeofferingthemtoher:
’Envoyantchaquejourlebijoudemabelle，Vousluidirezqu’Amourveutqu’illuisoitfidele。’
Thoseverses，ratherfreeImustconfess，struckmeasverycomic。
Iburstoutlaughing，andmymirthincreasedwhen，topleaseher，I
hadtotranslatetheirmeaning。Asitwasanideaentirelynewtoher，Ifounditnecessarytoenterintoparticularswhichlightedanardentfireinourveins。
\"Now，\"sheobserved，\"Ishallnotdaretoshewmygarterstoanybody，andIamverysorryforit。\"
AsIwasratherthoughtful，sheadded，\"Tellmewhatyouarethinkingof？\"
\"IamthinkingthatthoseluckygartershaveaprivilegewhichperhapsIshallneverenjoy。HowIwishmyselfintheirplace:Imaydieofthatwish，anddiemiserable。\"
\"No，dearest，forIaminthesamepositionasyou，andIamcertaintolive。Besides，wecanhastenourmarriage。AsfarasIamconcerned，Iamreadytobecomeyourwifeto—morrowifyouwishit。
Wearebothfree，andmyfathercannotrefusehisconsent。\"
\"Youareright，forhewouldbeboundtoconsentforthesakeofhishonour。ButIwishtogivehimamarkofmyrespectbyaskingforyourhand，andafterthateverythingwillsoonbeready。Itmightbeinaweekortendays。\"
\"Sosoon？YouwillseethatmyfatherwillsaythatIamtooyoung。\"
\"Perhapsheisright。\"
\"No；Iamyoung，butnottooyoung，andIamcertainthatIcanbeyourwife。\"
Iwasonburningcoals，andIfeltthatitwasimpossibleformetoresistanylongertheardentfirewhichwasconsumingme。
\"Oh，mybestbeloved！\"Iexclaimed，\"doyoufeelcertainofmylove？
Doyouthinkmecapableofdeceivingyou？Areyousurethatyouwillneverrepentbeingmywife？\"
\"Morethancertain，darling；foryoucouldnotwishtomakemeunhappy。\"
\"Well，then，letourmarriagetakeplacenow。LetGodalonereceiveourmutualpledges；wecannothaveabetterwitness，forHeknowsthepurityofourintentions。Letusmutuallyengageourfaith，letusuniteourdestiniesandbehappy。Wewillafterwardslegalizeourtenderlovewithyourfather’sconsentandwiththeceremoniesoftheChurch；inthemeantimebemine，entirelymine。\"
\"Disposeofme，dearest。IpromisetoGod，Ipromisetoyouthat，fromthisverymomentandforever，Iwillbeyourfaithfulwife；I
willsaythesametomyfather，tothepriestwhowillblessourunion——infact，toeverybody。\"
\"Itakethesameoathtowardsyou，darling，andIcanassureyouthatwearenowtrulymarried。Cometomyarms！Oh，dearest，completemyfelicity！\"
\"Oh，dear！amIindeedsonearhappiness！\"
Afterkissinghertenderly，Iwentdowntotellthemistressofthehousenottodisturbus，andnottobringupourdinneruntilwecalledforit。Duringmyshortabsence，mycharmingC————C————hadthrownherselfdressedonthebed，butItoldherthatthegodoflovedisapprovedofunnecessaryveils，andinlessthanaminuteI
madeofheranewEve，beautifulinhernakednessasifshehadjustcomeoutofthehandsoftheSupremeArtist。Herskin，assoftassatin，wasdazzlinglywhite，andseemedstillmoresobesidehersplendidblackhairwhichIhadspreadoverheralabastershoulders。
Herslenderfigure，herprominenthips，herbeautifully—modelledbosom，herlargeeyes，fromwhichflashedthesparkleofamorousdesire，everythingaboutherwasstrikinglybeautiful，andpresentedtomyhungrylookstheperfectionofthemotheroflove，adornedbyallthecharmswhichmodestythrowsovertheattractionsofalovelywoman。
Besidemyself，Ialmostfearedlestmyfelicityshouldnotprovereal，orlestitshouldnotbemadeperfectbycompleteenjoyment，whenmischievouslovecontrived，insoseriousamoment，tosupplymewithareasonformirth。
\"Istherebyanychancealawtopreventthehusbandfromundressinghimself？\"enquiredbeautifulC————C————。
\"No，darlingangel，no；andevenifthereweresuchabarbarouslaw，Iwouldnotsubmittoit。\"
Inoneinstant，Ihadthrownoffallmygarments，andmymistress，inherturn，gaveherselfuptoalltheimpulseofnaturalinstinctandcuriosity，foreverypartofmybodywasanentirelynewthingtoher。Atlast，asifshehadhadenoughofthepleasurehereyeswereenjoying，shepressedmeagainstherbosom，andexclaimed，\"Oh！dearest，whatadifferencebetweenyouandmypillow！\"
\"Yourpillow，darling？Youarelaughing；whatdoyoumean？\"
\"Oh！itisnothingbutachildishfancy；Iamafraidyouwillbeangry。\"
\"Angry！HowcouldIbeangrywithyou，mylove，inthehappiestmomentofmylife？\"
\"Well，forseveraldayspast，Icouldnotgotosleepwithoutholdingmypillowinmyarms；Icaressedit，Icalleditmydearhusband；I
fancieditwasyou，andwhenadelightfulenjoymenthadleftmewithoutmovement，Iwouldgotosleep，andinthemorningfindmypillowstillbetweenmyarms。\"
MydearC————C————becamemywifewiththecourageofatrueheroine，forherintenselovecausedhertodelighteveninbodilypain。Afterthreehoursspentindeliciousenjoyment，Igotupandcalledforoursupper。Therepastwassimple，butverygood。Welookedatoneanotherwithoutspeaking，forhowcouldwefindwordstoexpressourfeelings？Wethoughtthatourfelicitywasextreme，andweenjoyeditwiththecertaintythatwecouldrenewitatwill。
Thehostesscameuptoenquirewhetherwewantedanything，andsheaskedifwewerenotgoingtotheopera，whicheverybodysaidwassobeautiful。
\"Haveyouneverbeentotheopera？\"
\"Never，becauseitistoodearforpeopleinourposition。Mydaughterhassuchawishtogo，that，Godforgivemeforsayingit！
shewouldgiveherself，Itrulybelieve，tothemanwhowouldtakeherthereonce。\"
\"Thatwouldbepayingverydearforit，\"saidmylittlewife，laughing。\"Dearest，wecouldmakeherhappyatlesscost，forthathurtsverymuch。\"
\"Iwasthinkingofit，mylove。Hereisthekeyofthebox，youcanmakethemapresentofit。\"
\"HereisthekeyofaboxattheSt。MosesTheatre，\"shesaidtothehostess；\"itcoststwosequins；goinsteadofus，andtellyourdaughtertokeepherrose—budforsomethingbetter。\"
\"Toenableyoutoamuseyourself，mygoodwoman；takethesetwosequins，\"Iadded。\"Letyourdaughterenjoyherselfwell。\"
Thegoodhostess，thoroughlyamazedatthegenerosityofherguests，raninagreathurrytoherdaughter，whileweweredelightedathavinglaidourselvesunderthepleasantnecessityofagaingoingtobed。Shecameupwithherdaughter，ahandsome，temptingblonde，whoinsisteduponkissingthehandsofherbenefactors。
\"Sheisgoingthisminutewithherlover，\"saidthemother。\"Heiswaitingforher；butIwillnotlethergoalonewithhim，forheisnottobetrusted；Iamgoingwiththem。\"
\"Thatisright，mygoodwoman；butwhenyoucomebackthisevening，letthegondolawaitforus；itwilltakeustoVenice。\"
\"What！Doyoumeantoremainhereuntilwereturn？\"
\"Yes，forthisisourwedding—day。\"
\"To—day？Godblessyou！\"
Shethenwenttothebed，toputittorights，andseeingthemarksofmywife’svirginityshecametomydearC————C————and，inherjoy，kissedher，andimmediatelybeganasermonforthespecialbenefitofherdaughter，shewingherthosemarkswhich，inheropinion，didinfinitehonourtotheyoungbride:respectablemarks，shesaid，whichinourdaysthegodofHymenseesbutseldomonhisaltar。
Thedaughter，castingdownherbeautifulblueeyes，answeredthatthesamewouldcertainlybeseenonherwedding—day。
\"Iamcertainofit，\"saidthemother，\"forIneverlosesightofthee。Goandgetsomewaterinthisbasin，andbringithere。Thischarmingbridemustbeinneedofit。\"
Thegirlobeyed。Thetwowomenhavingleftus，wewenttobed，andfourhoursofecstaticdelightspassedoffwithwonderfulrapidity。
Ourlastengagementwouldhavelastedlonger，ifmycharmingsweethearthadnottakenafancytotakemyplaceandtoreversetheposition。Wornoutwithhappinessandenjoyment，weweregoingtosleep，whenthehostesscametotellusthatthegondolawaswaitingforus。Iimmediatelygotuptoopenthedoor，inthehopethatshewouldamuseuswithherdescriptionoftheopera；butsheleftthattasktoherdaughter，whohadcomeupwithher，andshewentdownagaintopreparesomecoffeeforus。Theyounggirlassistedmysweethearttodress，butnowandthenshewouldwinkatmeinamannerwhichmademethinkthatshehadmoreexperiencethanhermotherimagined。
Nothingcouldbemoreindiscreetthantheeyesofmybelovedmistress；theyworetheirrefutablemarksofherfirstexploits。Itistruethatshehadjustbeenfightingabattlewhichhadpositivelymadeheradifferentbeingtowhatshewasbeforetheengagement。
Wetooksomehotcoffee，andItoldourhostesstogetusanicedinnerforthenextday；wethenleftinthegondola。ThedawnofdaywasbreakingwhenwelandedatSt。Sophia’sSquare，inordertosetthecuriosityofthegondoliersatfault，andwepartedhappy，delighted，andcertainthatwewerethoroughlymarried。Iwenttobed，havingmadeupmymindtocompelM。deBragadin，throughthepoweroftheoracle，toobtainlegallyformethehandofmybelovedC————C————。Iremainedinbeduntilnoon，andspenttherestofthedayinplayingwithillluck，asifDameFortunehadwishedtowarnmethatshedidnotapproveofmylove。
CHAPTERXIII
ContinuationofMyIntrigueswithC。C。——M。deBragadinAskstheHandofThatYoungPersonforMe——HerFatherRefuses，andSendsHertoaConvent——DelaHaye—ILoseAllmyMoneyattheFaso—table——MyPartnershipwithCroceReplenishesMyPurse——VariousIncidentsThehappinessderivedfrommylovehadpreventedmefromattachinganyimportancetomylosses，andbeingentirelyengrossedwiththethoughtofmysweetheartmyminddidnotseemtocareforwhateverdidnotrelatetoher。
Iwasthinkingofherthenextmorningwhenherbrothercalledonmewithabeamingcountenance，andsaid，\"Iamcertainthatyouhavesleptwithmysister，andIamverygladofit。Shedoesnotconfessasmuch，butherconfessionisnotnecessary。Iwillbringhertoyouto—day。\"
\"Youwillobligeme，forIadoreher，andIwillgetafriendofminetoaskherinmarriagefromyourfatherinsuchamannerthathewillnotbeabletorefuse。\"
\"Iwishitmaybeso，butIdoubtit。Inthemeantime，Ifindmyselfcompelledtobeganotherservicefromyourkindness。Icanobtain，againstanoteofhandpayableinsixmonths，aringofthevalueoftwohundredsequins，andIamcertaintosellitagainthisverydayforthesameamount。Thatsum，isverynecessarytomejustnow，butthejeweller，whoknowsyou，willnotletmehaveitwithoutyoursecurity。Willyouobligemeinthisinstance？Iknowthatyoulostagreatdeallastnight；ifyouwantsomemoneyIwillgiveyouonehundredsequins，whichyouwillreturnwhenthenoteofhandfallsdue。\"
HowcouldIrefusehim？IknewverywellthatIwouldbeduped，butIlovedhissistersomuch:
\"Iamready，\"saidItohim，\"tosignthenoteofhand，butyouarewronginabusingmyloveforyoursisterinsuchamanner。\"
Wewentout，andthejewellerhavingacceptedmysecuritythebargainwascompleted。Themerchant，whoknewmeonlybyname，thinkingofpayingmeagreatcompliment，toldP————C————thatwithmyguaranteeallhisgoodswereathisservice。Ididnotfeelflatteredbythecompliment，butIthoughtIcouldseeinittheknaveryofP————
C————，whowascleverenoughtofindout，outofahundred，thefoolwhowithoutanyreasonplacedconfidenceinmewhenIpossessednothing。ItwasthusthatmyangelicC————C————，whoseemedmadetoinsuremyhappiness，wastheinnocentcauseofmyruin。
AtnoonP————C————broughthissister；andwishingmostlikelytoproveitshonesty——foracheatalwaystrieshardtodothat——hegavemebacktheletterofexchangewhichIhadendorsedfortheCypruswine，assuringmelikewisethatatournextmeetinghewouldhandmetheonehundredsequinswhichhehadpromisedme。
ItookmymistressasusualtoZuecca；Iagreedforthegardentobekeptclosed，andwedinedunderavine—arbour。MydearC————C————
seemedtomemorebeautifulsinceshewasmine，and，friendshipbeingunitedtolovewefeltadelightfulsensationofhappinesswhichshoneonourfeatures。Thehostess，whohadfoundmegenerous，gaveussomeexcellentgameandsomeveryfinefish；herdaughterservedus。Shealsocametoundressmylittlewifeassoonaswehadgoneupstairstogiveourselvesuptothesweetpleasuresnaturaltoayoungmarriedcouple。
Whenwewerealonemylovedaskedmewhatwasthemeaningoftheonehundredsequinswhichherbrotherhadpromisedtobringme，andI
toldherallthathadtakenplacebetweenhimandme。
\"Ientreatyou，darling，\"shesaidtome，\"torefuseallthedemandsofmybrotherinfuture；heis，unfortunately，insuchdifficultiesthathewouldattheenddragyoudowntotheabyssintowhichhemustfall\"
Thistimeourenjoymentseemedtousmoresubstantial；werelisheditwithamorerefineddelight，and，sotospeak，wereasonedoverit。
\"Oh，mybestbeloved！\"shesaidtome，\"doallinyourpowertorendermepregnant；forinthatcasemyfathercouldnolongerrefusehisconsenttomymarriage，underthepretextofmybeingtooyoung。\"
ItwaswithgreatdifficultythatImadeherunderstandthatthefulfilmentofthatwish，howevermuchIshareditmyself，wasnotentirelyinourpower；butthat，underthecircumstances，itwouldmostprobablybefulfilledsoonerorlater。
Afterworkingwithallourmightatthecompletionofthatgreatundertaking，wegaveseveralhourstoaprofoundanddelightfulrepose。AssoonaswewereawakeIcalledforcandlesandcoffee，andwesettoworkagaininthehopeofobtainingthemutualharmonyofecstaticenjoymentwhichwasnecessarytoinsureourfuturehappiness。Itwasinthemidstofourlovingsportthatthetooearlydawnsurprisedus，andwehurriedbacktoVenicetoavoidinquisitiveeyes。
WerenewedourpleasuresontheFriday，but，whateverdelightImayfeelnowintheremembranceofthosehappymoments，Iwillsparemyreadersthedescriptionofmynewenjoyment，becausetheymightnotfeelinterestedinsuchrepetitions。Imustthereforeonlysaythat，beforepartingonthatday，wefixedforthefollowingMonday，thelastdayofthecarnival，ourlastmeetingintheGardenofZuecca。
Deathalonecouldhavehinderedmefromkeepingthatappointment，foritwastobethelastopportunityofenjoyingouramoroussport。
OntheMondaymorningIsawP————C————，whoconfirmedtheappointmentforthesamehour，andattheplacepreviouslyagreedupon，andIwasthereingoodtime。Inspiteoftheimpatienceofalover，thefirsthourofexpectationpassesrapidly，butthesecondismortallylong。Yetthethirdandthefourthpassedwithoutmyseeingmybelovedmistress。Iwasinastateoffearfulanxiety；I
imaginedthemostterribledisasters。ItseemedtomethatifC———
C————hadbeenunabletogooutherbrotheroughttohavecometoletmeknowit。
Butsomeunexpectedmishapmighthavedetainedhim，andIcouldnotgoandfetchhermyselfatherhouse，evenifIhadfearednothingelsethantomissthemontheroad。Atlast，asthechurchbellsweretollingtheAngelus，C————C————camealone，andmasked。
\"Iwascertain，\"shesaid，\"thatyouwerehere，andhereIaminspiteofallmymothercouldsay。Youmustbestarving。Mybrotherhasnotputinanappearancethroughthewholeofthisday。Letusgoquicklytoourgarden，forIamveryhungrytoo，andlovewillconsoleusforallwehavesufferedtoday。\"
Shehadspokenveryrapidly，andwithoutgivingmetimetoutterasingleword；Ihadnothingmoretoaskher。Wewentoff，andtookagondolatoourgarden。Thewindwasveryhigh，itblewalmostahurricane，andthegondolahavingonlyonerowerthedangerwasgreat。C————C————，whohadnoideaofit，wasplayingwithmetomakeupfortherestraintunderwhichshehadbeenallday；buthermovementsexposedthegondoliertodanger；ifhehadfallenintothewater，nothingcouldhavesavedus，andwewouldhavefounddeathonourwaytopleasure。Itoldhertokeepquiet，but，beinganxiousnottofrightenher，Idarednotacquaintherwiththedangerwewererunning。Thegondolier，however，hadnotthesamereasonsforsparingherfeelings，andhecalledouttousinastentorianvoicethat，ifwedidnotkeepquiet，wewerealllost。Histhreathadthedesiredeffect，andwereachedthelandingwithoutmishap。Ipaidthemangenerously，andhelaughedforjoywhenhesawthemoneyforwhichhewasindebtedtothebadweather。
Wespentsixdelightfulhoursinourcasino；thistimesleepwasnotallowedtovisitus。Theonlythoughtwhichthrewacloudoverourfelicitywasthat，thecarnivalbeingover，wedidnotknowhowtocontriveourfuturemeetings。Weagreed，however，thatonthefollowingWednesdaymorningIshouldpayavisittoherbrother，andthatshewouldcometohisroomasusual。
Wetookleaveofourworthyhostess，who，entertainingnohopeofseeingusagain，expressedhersorrowandoverwhelmeduswithblessings。Iescortedmydarling，withoutanyaccident，asfarasthedoorofherhouse，andwenthome。
Ihadjustrisenatnoon，whentomygreatsurpriseIhadavisitfromDelaHayewithhispupilCalvi，ahandsomeyoungman，buttheverycopyofhismasterineverything。Hewalked，spoke，laughedexactlylikehim；itwasthesamelanguageasthatoftheJesuitscorrectbutratherharshFrench。Ithoughtthatexcessofimitationperfectlyscandalous，andIcouldnothelptellingDelaHayethatheoughttochangehispupil’sdeportment，becausesuchservilemimicrywouldonlyexposehimtobitterraillery。AsIwasgivinghimmyopiniononthatsubject，Bavoismadehisappearance，andwhenhehadspentanhourinthecompanyoftheyoungmanhewasentirelyofthesamemind。Calvidiedtwoorthreeyearslater。DelaHaye，whowasbentuponformingpupils，became，twoorthreemonthsafterCalvi’sdeath，thetutoroftheyoungChevalierdeMorosini，thenephewofthenoblemantowhomBavoiswasindebtedforhisrapidfortune，whowasthentheCommissioneroftheRepublictosettleitsboundarieswiththeAustrianGovernmentrepresentedbyCountChristiani。
Iwasinlovebeyondallmeasure，andIwouldnotpostponeanapplicationonwhichmyhappinessdependedanylonger。Afterdinner，andassoonaseverybodyhadretired，IbeggedM。deBragadinandhistwofriendstograntmeanaudienceoftwohoursintheroominwhichwewerealwaysinaccessible。There，withoutanypreamble，ItoldthemthatIwasinlovewithC————C————，anddeterminedoncarryingheroffiftheycouldnotcontrivetoobtainherfromherfatherformywife。\"Thequestionatissue，\"IsaidtoM。deBragadin，\"ishowtogivemearespectableposition，andtoguaranteeadowryoftenthousandducatswhichtheyoungladywouldbringme。\"Theyansweredthat，ifParalisgavethemthenecessaryinstructions，theywerereadytofulfilthem。ThatwasallIwanted。Ispenttwohoursinformingallthepyramidstheywished，andtheresultwasthatM。deBragadinhimselfwoulddemandinmynamethehandoftheyounglady；
theoracleexplainingthereasonofthatchoicebystatingthatitmustbethesamepersonwhowouldguaranteethedowrywithhisownfortune。Thefatherofmymistressbeingthenathiscountry—house，Itoldmyfriendsthattheywouldhaveduenoticeofhisreturn，andthattheyweretobeallthreetogetherwhenM。deBragadindemandedtheyounglady’shand。
WellpleasedwithwhatIhaddone，IcalledonP————C————thenextmorning。Anoldwoman，whoopenedthedoorforme，toldmethathewasnotathome，butthathismotherwouldseeme。Shecameimmediatelywithherdaughter，andtheybothlookedverysad，whichatoncestruckmeasabadsign。C————C————toldmethatherbrotherwasinprisonfordebt，andthatitwouldbedifficulttogethimoutofitbecausehisdebtsamountedtoaverylargesum。Themother，cryingbitterly，toldmehowdeeplygrievedshewasatnotbeingabletosupporthimintheprison，andsheshewedmetheletterhehadwrittentoher，inwhichherequestedhertodeliveranenclosuretohissister。IaskedC————C—————whetherIcouldreadit；shehandedittome，andIsawthathebeggedhertospeaktomeinhisbehalf。AsIreturnedittoher，ItoldhertowritetohimthatIwasnotinapositiontodoanythingforhim，butIentreatedthemothertoaccepttwenty—fivesequins，whichwouldenablehertoassisthimbysendinghimoneortwoatatime。Shemadeuphermindtotakethemonlywhenherdaughterjoinedherentreatiestomine。
AfterthispainfulsceneIgavethemanaccountofwhatIhaddoneinordertoobtainthehandofmyyoungsweetheart。MadameC———thankedme，expressedherappreciationofmyhonourableconduct，butshetoldmenottoentertainanyhope，becauseherhusband，whowasverystubborninhisideas，haddecidedthathisdaughtershouldmarryamerchant，andnotbeforetheageofeighteen。Hewasexpectedhomethatveryday。AsIwastakingleaveofthem，mymistresscontrivedtoslipinmyhandaletterinwhichshetoldmethatIcouldsafelymakeuseofthekeywhichIhadinmypossession，toenterthehouseatmidnight，andthatIwouldfindherinherbrother’sroom。Thisnewsmademeveryhappy，for，notwithstandingallthedoubtsofhermother，Ihopedforsuccessinobtainingherhand。
WhenIreturnedhome，ItoldM。deBragadinoftheexpectedarrivalofthefatherofmycharmingC————C————，andthekindoldmanwrotetohimimmediatelyinmypresence。Herequestedhimtonameatwhattimehemightcallonhimonimportantbusiness。IaskedM。deBragadinnottosendhisletteruntilthefollowingday。
ThereadercanverywellguessthatC————C————hadnottowaitformelongaftermidnight。Igainedadmittancewithoutanydifficulty，andIfoundmydarling，whoreceivedmewithopenarms。
\"Youhavenothingtofear，\"shesaidtome；\"myfatherhasarrivedinexcellenthealth，andeveryoneinthehouseisfastasleep。\"
\"ExceptLove，\"Ianswered，\"whichisnowinvitingustoenjoyourselves。Lovewillprotectus，dearest，andto—morrowyourfatherwillreceivealetterfrommyworthyprotector。\"
AtthosewordsC————C————shuddered。Itwasapresentimentofthefuture。
Shesaidtome，\"MyfatherthinksofmenowasifIwerenothingbutachild；buthiseyesaregoingtobeopenedrespectingme；hewillexaminemyconduct，andGodknowswhatwillhappen！Now，wearehappy，evenmorethanwewereduringourvisitstoZuecca，forwecanseeeachothereverynightwithoutrestraint。ButwhatwillmyfatherdowhenhehearsthatIhavealover？\"
\"Whatcanhedo？Ifherefusesmeyourhand，Iwillcarryyouoff，andthepatriarchwouldcertainlymarryus。Weshallbeoneanother’sforlife\"
\"Itismymostardentwish，andtorealizeitIamreadytodoanything；but，dearest，Iknowmyfather。\"
Weremainedtwohourstogether，thinkinglessofourpleasuresthanofoursorrow；Iwentawaypromisingtoseeheragainthenextnight。
Thewholeofthemorningpassedoffveryheavilyforme，andatnoonM。deBragadininformedmethathehadsenthislettertothefather，whohadansweredthathewouldcallhimselfonthefollowingdaytoascertainM。deBragadin’swishes。AtmidnightIsawmybelovedmistressagain，andIgaveheranaccountofallthathadtranspired。
C————C————toldmethatthemessageofthesenatorhadgreatlypuzzledherfather，because，ashehadneverhadanyintercoursewiththatnobleman，hecouldnotimaginewhathewantedwithhim。
Uncertainty，asortofanxiousdread，andaconfusedhope，renderedourenjoymentmuchlesslivelyduringthetwohourswhichwespenttogether。IhadnodoubtthatM。Ch。C————thefatherofmyyoungfriend，would’gohomeimmediatelyafterhisinterviewwithM。deBragadin，thathewouldaskhisdaughteragreatmanyquestions，andIfearedlestC————C————，inhertroubleandconfusion，shouldbetrayherself。Shefeltherselfthatitmightbeso，andIcouldseehowpainfullyanxiousshewas。Iwasextremelyuneasymyself，andIsufferedmuchbecause，notknowinghowherfatherwouldlookatthematter，Icouldnotgiveheranyadvice。Asamatterofcourse，itwasnecessaryforhertoconcealcertaincircumstanceswhichwouldhaveprejudicedhismindagainstus；yetitwasurgenttotellhimthetruthandtoshewherselfentirelysubmissivetohiswill。I
foundmyselfplacedinastrangeposition，andaboveall，Iregrettedhavingmadetheall—importantapplication，preciselybecauseitwascertaintohavetoodecisivearesult。IlongedtogetoutofthestateofindecisioninwhichIwas，andIwassurprisedtoseemyyoungmistresslessanxiousthanIwas。Wepartedwithheavyhearts，butwiththehopethatthenextnightwouldagainbringustogether，forthecontrarydidnotseemtouspossible。
Thenextday，afterdinner，M。Ch。C————calleduponM。deBragadin，butIdidnotshewmyself。Heremainedacoupleofhourswithmythreefriends，andassoonashehadgoneIheardthathisanswerhadbeenwhatthemotherhadtoldme，butwiththeadditionofacircumstancemostpainfultome——namely，thathisdaughterwouldpassthefouryearswhichweretoelapse，beforeshecouldthinkofmarriage，inaconvent。Asapalliativetohisrefusalhehadadded，that，ifbythattimeIhadawell—establishedpositionintheworld，hemightconsenttoourwedding。
Thatanswerstruckmeasmostcruel，andinthedespairinwhichitthrewmeIwasnotastonishedwhenthesamenightIfoundthedoorbywhichIusedtogainadmittancetoC————C————closedandlockedinside。
Ireturnedhomemoredeadthanalive，andlosttwenty—fourhoursinthatfearfulperplexityinwhichamanisoftenthrownwhenhefeelshimselfboundtotakeadecisionwithoutknowingwhattodecide。I
thoughtofcarryingheroff，butathousanddifficultiescombinedtopreventtheexecutionofthatscheme，andherbrotherwasinprison。
Isawhowdifficultitwouldbetocontriveacorrespondencewithmywife，forIconsideredC————C————assuch，muchmorethanifourmarriagehadreceivedthesanctionofthepriest’sblessingorofthenotary’slegalcontract。
Torturedbyathousanddistressingideas，ImadeupmymindatlasttopayavisittoMadameC————。Aservantopenedthedoor，andinformedmethatmadamehadgonetothecountry；shecouldnottellmewhenshewasexpectedtoreturntoVenice。Thisnewswasaterriblethunder—bolttome；Iremainedasmotionlessasastatue；
fornowthatIhadlostthatlastresourceIhadnomeansofprocuringtheslightestinformation。
Itriedtolookcalminthepresenceofmythreefriends，butinrealityIwasinastatetrulyworthyofpity，andthereaderwillperhapsrealizeitifItellhimthatinmydespairImadeupmymindtocallonP————C————inhisprison，inthehopethathemightgivemesomeinformation。