Itis，yousee，themagiccycleofZoroaster，inwhichSaturnandMarsareomitted。\"
\"AndhowwouldyouhaveproceededifyouhadgonetoworkinthehouroftheMoon？\"
\"IshouldhavebegunwithJupiter，passedtotheSun，thentoAraelorVenus，andIshouldhavefinishedatMercury。\"
\"Iseesir，thatyouaremostaptinthecalculationoftheplanetaryhours。\"
\"Withoutitonecandonothinginmagic，asonewouldhavenoproperdata；however，itisaneasymattertolearn。Anyonecouldpickitupinamonth’stime。Thepracticaluse，however，ismuchmoredifficultthanthetheory；this，indeed，isacomplicatedaffair。I
neverleavemyhousewithoutascertainingtheexactnumberofminutesintheday，andtakecarethatmywatchisexacttothetime，foraminutemoreorlesswouldmakeallthedifferenceintheworld\"
\"Wouldyouhavethegoodnesstoexplainthetheorytome。\"
\"YouwillfinditinArtephiusandmoreclearlyinSandivogius。\"
\"Ihavebothworks，buttheyareinLatin。\"
\"Iwillmakeyouatranslationofthem。\"
\"Youareverykind；Ishallbeextremelyobligedtoyou。\"
\"Ihaveseensuchthingshere，madam，thatIcouldnotrefuse，forreasonswhichImay，perhaps，tellyouto—morrow。\"
\"Whynotto—day？\"
\"BecauseIoughttoknowthenameofyourfamiliarspiritbeforeI
tellyou。\"
\"Youknow，then，thatIhaveafamiliar？Youshouldhaveone，ifitistruethatyoupossessthepowderofprojection。\"
\"Ihaveone。\"
\"Givemetheoathoftheorder。\"
\"Idarenot，andyouknowwhy。\"
\"PerhapsIshallbeabletoremoveyourfearsbytomorrow。\"
ThisabsurdoathwasnoneotherthanthatoftheprincesoftheRosyCross，whoneverpronounceitwithoutbeingcertainthateachpartyisaRosicrucian，soMadamed’Urfewasquiterightinhercaution，andasformeIhadtopretendtobeafraidmyself。ThefactisI
wantedtogaintime，forIknewperfectlywellthenatureoftheoath。Itmaybegivenbetweenmenwithoutanyindecency，butawomanlikeMadamed’Urfewouldprobablynotrelishgivingittoamanwhomshesawforthefirsttime。
\"WhenwefindthisoathalludedtointheHolyScriptures，\"shesaid，\"itisindicatedbythewords’hesworetohimbylayinghishandonhisthigh。’\"
\"Butthethighisnotreallywhatismeant；andconsequentlyweneverfindanynoticeofamantakingthisoathtoawoman，asawomanhasno’verbum’。\"
TheCountdelaTourd’Auvergnecamebackatnineo’clockintheevening，andheskewednolittleastonishmentatseeingmestillwithhisaunt。Hetoldusthathiscousin’sfeverhadincreased，andthatsmall—poxhaddeclareditself；\"andIamgoingtotakeleaveofyou，mydearaunt，atleastforamonth，asIintendtoshutmyselfupwiththesickman。\"
Madamed’Urfepraisedhiszeal，andgavehimalittlebagonhispromisingtoreturnittoherafterthecureoftheprince。
\"Hangitroundhisneckandtheeruptionwillcomeoutwell，andhewillbeperfectlycured。\"
Hepromisedtodoso，andhavingwishedusgoodeveninghewentout。
\"Idonotknow，madam，whatyourbagcontains，butifithaveaughttodowithmagic，Ihavenoconfidenceinitsefficacy，asyouhaveneglectedtoobservetheplanetaryhour。\"
\"Itisanelectrum，andmagicandtheobservanceofthehourhavenothingtodowithit。\"
\"Ibegyourpardon。\"
Shethensaidthatshethoughtmydesireforprivacypraiseworthy，butshewassureIshouldnotbeillpleasedwithhersmallcircle，ifIwouldbutenterit。
\"Iwillintroduceyoutoallmyfriends，\"saidshe，\"byaskingthemoneatatime，andyouwillthenbeabletoenjoythecompanyofthemall。\"
Iacceptedherproposition。
InconsequenceofthisarrangementIdinedthenextdaywithM。Grinandhisniece，butneitherofthemtookmyfancy。Thedayafter，I
dinedwithanIrishmannamedMacartney，aphysicianoftheoldschool，whoboredmeterribly。Thenextdaytheguestwasamonkwhotalkedliterature，andspokeathousandfolliesagainstVoltaire，whomIthenmuchadmired，andagainstthe\"EspritdesLois，\"afavouriteworkofmine，whichthecowledidiotrefusedtoattributetoMontesquieu，maintainingithadbeenwrittenbyamonk。HemightaswellhavesaidthataCapuchincreatedtheheavensandtheearth。
OnthedayfollowingMadamed’UrfeaskedmetodinewiththeChevalierd’Arzigny，amanupwardsofeighty，vain，foppish，andconsequentlyridiculous，knownas\"TheLastoftheBeaus。\"However，ashehadmovedinthecourtofLouisXIV。，hewasinterestingenough，speakingwithallthecourtesyoftheschool，andhavingafundofanecdoterelatingtotheCourtofthatdespoticandluxuriousmonarch。
Hisfolliesamusedmegreatly。Heusedrouge，hisclotheswerecutinthestylewhichobtainedinthedaysofMadamedeSevigne，heprofessedhimselfstillthedevotedloverofhismistress，withwhomhesuppedeverynightinthecompanyofhisladyfriends，whowereallyoungandalldelightful，andpreferredhissocietytoallothers；however，inspiteoftheseseductions，heremainedfaithfultohismistress。
TheChevalierd’Arzignyhadanamiabilityofcharacterwhichgavewhateverhesaidanappearanceoftruth，althoughinhiscapacityofcourtiertruthwasprobablyquiteunknowntohim。Healwaysworeabouquetofthemoststrongly—smellingflowers，suchastuberoses，jonquils，andSpanishjasmine；hiswigwasplastereddownwithamber—
scentedpomade，histeethweremadeofivory，andhiseyebrowsdyedandperfumed，andhiswholepersonexhaledanodourtowhichMadamed’Urfedidnotobject，butwhichIcouldscarcelybear。IfithadnotbeenforthisdrawbackIshouldprobablyhavecultivatedhissociety。HewasaprofessedEpicurean，andcarriedoutthesystemwithanamazingtranquillity。Hesaidthathewouldundertaketoreceivetwenty—fourblowswiththestickeverymorningontheconditionthatheshouldnotdiewithinthetwenty—fourhours，andthattheolderhegrewthemoreblowshewouldgladlysubmitto。
Thiswasbeinginlovewithlifewithavengeance。
AnotherdayIdinedwithM。Charon，whowasacounsellor，andinchargeofasuitbetweenMadamed’UrfeandherdaughterMadameduChatelet，whomshedislikedheartily。Theoldcounsellorhadbeenthefavouredloverofthemarchionessfortyyearsbefore，andhethoughthimselfboundbytheremembranceoftheirlove—passagestosupportthecauseofhisoldsweetheart。InthosedaysFrenchmagistratesthoughttheyhadarighttotakethesideoftheirfriends，orofpersonsinwhomtheyhadaninterest，sometimesforfriendship’ssake，andsometimesforamonetaryconsideration；theythought，infact，thattheywerejustifiedinsellingjustice。
M。Charonboredmeliketheothers，aswasnatural，consideringwehadnotwotastesincommon。
ThescenewaschangedthenextdaywhenIwasamusedwiththecompanyofM。deViarme，ayoungcounsellor，anephewofMadamed’Urfe’s，andhisprettyandcharmingwife。Hewastheauthorofthe\"RemonstrancestotheKing，\"aworkwhichgothimagreatreputation，andhadbeenreadeagerlybythewholetown。Hetoldmethatthebusinessofacounsellorwastoopposeeverythingdonebythecrown，goodandbad。Hisreasonsforthistheorywerethosegivenbyallminorities，andIdonotthinkIneedtroublemyreaderswiththem。
ThemostenjoyabledinnerIhadwaswithMadamedeGergi，whocamewiththefamousadventurer，knownbythenameoftheCountdeSt。
Germain。Thisindividual，insteadofeating，talkedfromthebeginningofthemealtotheend，andIfollowedhisexampleinonerespectasIdidnoteat，butlistenedtohimwiththegreatestattention。Itmaysafelybesaidthatasaconversationalisthewasunequalled。
St。Germaingavehimselfoutforamarvelandalwaysaimedatexcitingamazement，whichheoftensucceededindoing。Hewasscholar，linguist，musician，andchemist，good—looking，andaperfectladies’man。Forawhilehegavethempaintsandcosmetics；heflatteredthem，notthathewouldmakethemyoungagain（whichhemodestlyconfessedwasbeyondhim）butthattheirbeautywouldbepreservedbymeansofawashwhich，hesaid，costhimalotofmoney，butwhichhegaveawayfreely。
HehadcontrivedtogainthefavourofMadamedePompadour，whohadspokenabouthimtotheking，forwhomhehadmadealaboratory，inwhichthemonarch——amartyrtoboredom——triedtofindalittlepleasureordistraction，atallevents，bymakingdyes。ThekinghadgivenhimasuiteofroomsatChambord，andahundredthousandfrancsfortheconstructionofalaboratory，andaccordingtoSt。GermainthedyesdiscoveredbythekingwouldhaveamateriallybeneficialinfluenceonthequalityofFrenchfabrics。
Thisextraordinaryman，intendedbynaturetobethekingofimpostorsandquacks，wouldsayinaneasy，assuredmannerthathewasthreehundredyearsold，thatheknewthesecretoftheUniversalMedicine，thathepossessedamasteryovernature，thathecouldmeltdiamonds，professinghimselfcapableofforming，outoftenortwelvesmalldiamonds，onelargeoneofthefinestwaterwithoutanylossofweight。Allthis，hesaid，wasameretrifletohim。
Notwithstandinghisboastings，hisbare—facedlies，andhismanifoldeccentricities，IcannotsayIthoughthimoffensive。Inspiteofmyknowledgeofwhathewasandinspiteofmyownfeelings，Ithoughthimanastonishingmanashewasalwaysastonishingme。Ishallhavesomethingmoretosayofthischaracterfurtheron。
WhenMadamed’Urfehadintroducedmetoallherfriends，ItoldherthatIwoulddinewithherwhenevershewished，butthatwiththeexceptionofherrelationsandSt。Germain，whosewildtalkamusedme，Ishouldpreferhertoinvitenocompany。St。Germainoftendinedwiththebestsocietyinthecapital，butheneverateanything，sayingthathewaskeptalivebymysteriousfoodknownonlytohimself。Onesoongotusedtohiseccentricities，butnottohiswonderfulflowofwordswhichmadehimthesoulofwhatevercompanyhewasin。
BythistimeIhadfathomedallthedepthsofMadamed’Urfe’scharacter。Shefirmlybelievedmetobeanadeptofthefirstorder，makinguseofanothernameforpurposesofmyown；andfiveorsixweekslatershewasconfirmedinthiswildideaonheraskingmeifI
haddicipheredthemanuscriptwhichpretendedtoexplaintheMagnumOpus。
\"Yes，\"saidI，\"Ihavedecipheredit，andconsequentlyreadit，andI
nowbegtoreturnityouwithmywordofhonourthatIhavenotmadeacopy；infact，IfoundnothinginitthatIdidnotknowbefore。\"
\"Withoutthekeyyoumean，butofcourseyoucouldneverfindoutthat。\"
\"ShallItellyouthekey？\"
\"Praydoso。\"
Igavehertheword，whichbelongedtonolanguagethatIknowof，andthemarchionesswasquitethunderstruck。
\"Thisistooamazing，\"saidshe；\"Ithoughtmyselfthesolepossessorofthatmysteriousword——forIhadneverwrittenitdown，layingitupinmymemory——andIamsureIhavenevertoldanyoneofit。\"
Imighthaveinformedherthatthecalculationwhichenabledmetodecipherthemanuscriptfurnishedmealsowiththekey，butthewhimtookmetotellherthataspirithadrevealedittome。Thisfoolishtalecompletedmymasteryoverthistrulylearnedandsensiblewomanoneverythingbutherhobby。ThisfalseconfidencegavemeanimmenseascendancyoverMadamed’Urfe，andIoftenabusedmypoweroverher。NowthatIamnolongerthevictimofthoseillusionswhichpursuedmethroughoutmylife，Iblushattheremembranceofmyconduct，andthepenanceIimposeonmyselfistotellthewholetruth，andtoextenuatenothingintheseMemoirs。
Thewildestnotioninthegoodmarchioness’sbrainwasafirmbeliefinthepossibilityofcommunicationbetweenmortalsandelementaryspirits。Shewouldhavegivenallhergoodstoattaintosuchcommunication，andshehadseveraltimesbeendeceivedbyimpostorswhomadeherbelievethatsheattainedheraim。
\"Ididnotthink，\"saidshe，sadly，\"thatyourspiritwouldhavebeenabletoforceminetorevealmysecrets。\"
\"Therewasnoneedtoforceyourspirit，madam，asmineknowsallthingsofhisownpower。\"
\"Doesheknowtheinmostsecretsofmysoul？\"
\"Certainly，andifIaskhimheisforcedtodisclosealltome。\"
\"Canyouaskhimwhenyoulike？\"
\"Oh，yes！providedIhavepaperandink。Icanevenaskhimquestionsthroughyoubytellingyouhisname。\"
\"Andwillyoutellitme？\"
\"IcandowhatIsay；and，toconvinceyou，hisnameisParalis。Askhimasimplequestioninwriting，asyouwouldaskacommonmortal。
Askhim，forinstance，howIdecipheredyourmanuscript，andyoushallseeIwillcompelhimtoansweryou。\"
Tremblingwithjoy，Madamed’Urfeputherquestion，expresseditinnumbers，thenfollowingmymethodinpyramidshape；andImadeherextracttheanswer，whichshewrotedowninletters。Atfirstsheonlyobtainedconsonants，butbyasecondprocesswhichsuppliedthevowelsshereceivedaclearandsufficientanswer。Hereveryfeatureexpressedastonishment，forshehaddrawnfromthepyramidthewordwhichwasthekeytohermanuscript。Ilefther，carryingwithmeherheart，hersoul，hermind，andallthecommonsensewhichshehadleft。
CHAPTERIV
AbsurdIdeasofMadameD’UrfeonMySupernaturalPowers——MarriageofMyBrother——IConceiveaPlanonHisWeddingDay——IGotoHollandonaFinancialMission——TheJewBoazGivesMeaLesson——M。d’Afri——
Esther——AnotherCasanova——IFindThereseImerAgainBythetimethatthePrinceduTurennehadrecoveredfromthesmall—
poxandtheCountdelaTourd’Auvergnehadlefthim，thelatter，knowinghisaunt’stastefortheoccultsciences，wasnotsurprisedtofindmebecomeherconfidentandmostintimatefriend。
Iwasgladsoseehimandalltherelationsofthemarchionessatdinner，asIwasdelightedwiththecourtesywithwhichtheytreatedme。IamreferringmoreespeciallytoherbrothersMM。dePont—CarreanddeViarmewhohadlatelybeenchosenheadofthetradecompanies，andhisson。IhavealreadyspokenofMadameduChatelet，themarchioness’sdaughter，butanunluckylawsuitseparatedthem，andshenolongerformedoneofthefamilycircle。
DelaTourd’AuvergnehavingbeenobligedtorejoinhisregimentwhichwasingarrisoninBrittany，themarchionessandIdinedtogetheralmosteverydayandpeoplelookeduponmeasherhusband，anddespitetheimprobabilityofthesuppositionthiswastheonlywayinwhichtheycouldaccountforthelonghourswespenttogether。
Madamed’UrfethoughtthatIwasrichandlookeduponmypositionatthelotteryasameredeviceforpreservingmyincognito。
Iwasthepossessorinherestimation，notonlyofthephilosopher’sstone，butalsoofthepowerofspeakingwiththewholehostofelementaryspirits；fromwhichpremisesshedrewtheverylogicaldeductionthatIcouldturntheworldupsidedownifIliked，andbetheblessingortheplagueofFrance；andshethoughtmyobjectinremainingincognitowastoguardmyselffromarrestandimprisonment；
whichaccordingtoherwouldbetheinevitableresultoftheminister’sdiscoveringmyrealcharacter。Thesewildnotionswerethefruitofthenocturnalrevelationsofhergenius，thatis，ofthedreamsofherdisorderedspirit，whichseemedtoherrealities。ShedidnotseemtothinkthatifIwasendowedasshesupposednoonewouldhavebeenabletoarrestme，inthefirstplace，becauseI
shouldhavehadforeknowledgeoftheattempt，andinthesecondplacebecausemypowerwouldhavebeentoostrongforallboltsandbars。
Allthiswasclearenough，butstrongpassionandprejudicecannotreason。
Oneday，inthecourseofconversation，shesaid，withtheutmostseriousness，thathergeniushadadvisedherthatnotevenIhadpowertogiveherspeechwiththespirits，sinceshewasawoman，andthegeniionlycommunicatedwithmen，whosenatureismoreperfect。
Nevertheless，byaprocesswhichwaswellknowntome，Imightmakehersoulpassintothebodyofamalechildbornofthemysticconnectionbetweenamortalandanimmortal，or，inotherwords，betweenanordinarymanandawomanofadivinenature。
IfIhadthoughtitpossibletoleadbackMadamed’UrfetotherightuseofhersensesIwouldhavemadetheattempt，butIfeltsurethatherdiseasewaswithoutremedy，andtheonlycoursebeforemeseemedtoabetherinherravingsandtoprofitbythem。
IfIhadspokenoutlikeanhonestmanandtoldherthathertheorieswerenonsensical，shewouldnothavebelievedme；shewouldhavethoughtmejealousofherknowledge，andIshouldhavelostherfavourwithoutanygaintoherortomyself。Ithusletthingstaketheircourse，andtospeakthetruthIwasflatteredtoseemyselftreatedasoneofthemostprofoundbrothersoftheRosyCross，asthemostpowerfulofmenbysodistinguishedalady，whowasinhighreputeforherlearning，whoentertainedandwasrelatedtothefirstfamiliesofFrance，andhadanincomeofeightythousandfrancs，asplendidestate，andseveralmagnificenthousesinParis。Iwasquitesurethatshewouldrefusemenothing，andthoughIhadnodefiniteplanofprofitingbyherwealthIexperiencedacertainpleasureatthethoughtthatIcoulddosoifIwould。
Inspiteofherimmensefortuneandherbeliefinherabilitytomakegold，Madamed’Urfewasmiserlyinherhabits，forsheneverspentmorethanthirtythousandfrancsinayear，andsheinvestedhersavingsintheexchange，andinthiswayhadnearlydoubledthem。A
brotherusedtobuyherinGovernmentsecuritiesattheirlowestrateandsellattheirrise，andinthismanner，beingabletowaitfortheirrise，andfall，shehadamassedaconsiderablesum。
Shehadtoldmemorethanoncethatshewouldgiveallshepossessedtobecomeaman，andthatsheknewIcoulddothisforherifI
would。Oneday，asshewasspeakingtomeonthissubjectinatoneofpersuasionalmostirresistible，ItoldherthatImustconfessI
hadthepowertodowhatshewanted，butthatIcouldnotmakeupmymindtoperformtheoperationuponherasIshouldhavetokillherfirst。Ithoughtthiswouldeffectuallycheckherwishtogoanyfurther，butwhatwasmysurprisetohearhersay，\"Iknowthat，andwhatismoreIknowthedeathIshallhavetodie；
butforallthatIamready。\"
\"What，then，isthatdeath，madam？\"
\"ItisbythesamepoisonwhichkilledParacelsus。\"
\"DoyouthinkthatParacelsusobtainedthehypostasis？\"
\"No，butIknowthereasonofhisnotdoingso。\"
\"Whatisthereason？\"
\"Itisthathewasneithermanorwoman，andacompositenatureisincapableofthehypostasis，toobtainwhichonemustbeeithertheoneortheother。\"
\"Verytrue，butdoyouknowhowtomakethepoison，andthatthethingisimpossiblewithouttheaidofasalamander？\"
\"Thatmayormaynotbe！IbeseechyoutoenquireoftheoraclewhethertherebeanyoneinParisinpossessionofthispotion。\"
Itwaseasytoseethatshethoughtherselfinpossessionofit，soI
hadnohesitationinextractinghernamefromtheoracularpyramid。
Ipretendedtobeastonishedattheanswer，butshesaidboastfully，\"Youseethatallwewantisamalechildbornofanimmortal。This，Iamadvised，willbeprovidedbyyou；andIdonotthinkyouwillbefoundwantingoutofafoolishpityforthispooroldbodyofmine。\"
AtthesewordsIroseandwenttothewindow，whereIstayedformorethanaquarterofanhourreflectingonherinfatuation。WhenI
returnedtothetablewhereshewasseatedshescannedmyfeaturesattentively，andsaid，withmuchemotion，\"Canitbedone，mydearfriend？Iseethatyouhavebeenweeping。\"
Ididnottrytoundeceiveher，and，takingmyswordandhat，Itookleaveofhersadly。Hercarriage，whichwasalwaysatmydisposal，wasatthedoor，andIdrovetotheBoulevards，whereIwalkedtilltheevening，wonderingallthewhileattheextraordinaryfantasiesofthemarchioness。
MybrotherhadbeenmadeamemberoftheAcademy，ontheexhibitionofabattlepiecewhichhadtakenallthecriticsbystorm。ThepicturewaspurchasedbytheAcademyforfivehundredlouis。
HehadfalleninlovewithCaroline，andwouldhavemarriedherbutforapieceofinfidelityonherpart，whichsoenragedhimthatinaweekafterhemarriedanItaliandancer。M。deSanci，theecclesiasticalcommissioner，gavetheweddingparty。Hewasfondofthegirl，andoutofgratitudetomybrotherformarryingherhegothimnumerousordersamonghisfriends，whichpavedthewaytothelargefortuneandhighreputewhichmybrotherafterwardsattained。
M。Corneman，thebanker，whowasatmybrother’swedding，spoketomeatconsiderablelengthonthegreatdearthofmoney，andaskedmetodiscussthematterwiththecomptroller—general。
HetoldmethatonemightdisposeofGovernmentsecuritiestoanassociationofbrokersatAmsterdam，andtakeinexchangethesecuritiesofanyothercountrywhosecreditwashigherthanthatofFrance，andthatthesesecuritiescouldeasilyberealized。Ibeggedhimtosaynomoreaboutit，andpromisedtoseewhatIcoulddo。
Theplanpleasedme，andIturneditoverallnight；andthenextdayIwenttothePalaisBourbontodiscussthequestionwithM。deBernis。Hethoughtthewholeideaanexcellentone，andadvisedmetogotoHollandwithaletterfromM。deChoiseulforM。d’Afri，theambassadorattheHague。HethoughtthatthefirstpersonIshouldconsultwithM。deBoulogne，withwhomhewarnedmetoappearasifI
wassureofmyground。
\"Asyoudonotrequiremoneyinadvance，\"saidhe，\"youwillbeabletogetasmanylettersofrecommendationasyoulike。\"
ThesamedayIwenttothecomptroller—general，whoapprovedofmyplan，andtoldmethatM。leDucdeChoiseulwouldbeattheInvalidesthenextday，andthatIshouldspeaktohimatonce，andtakealetterhewouldwriteforme。
\"Formypart，\"saidhe，\"Iwillcreditourambassadorwithtwentymillions，andif，contrarytomyhopes，youdonotsucceed，thepapercanbesentbacktoFrance。\"
Iansweredthattherewouldbenoquestionofthepaperbeingreturned，iftheywouldbecontentwithafairprice。
\"Themarginwillbeasmallone；however，youwillhearaboutthatfromtheambassador，whowillhavefullinstructions。\"
IfeltsoflatteredbythismissionthatIpassedthenightinthinkingitover。ThenextdayIwenttotheInvalides，andM。deChoiseul，sofamousfortakingdecisiveaction，hadnosoonerreadM。deBoulogne’sletterandspokenafewwordstomeonthesubject，thanhegotmetowritealetterforM。d’Afri，whichhesigned，sealed，returnedtome，andwishedmeaprosperousjourney。
IimmediatelygotapassportfromM。deBerkenrode，andthesamedaytookleaveofMadameBalettiandallmyfriendsexceptMadamed’Urfe，withwhomIwastospendthewholeofthenextday。Igavemyclerkatthelotteryofficefullauthoritytosignalltickets。
Aboutamonthbefore，agirlfromBrussels，asexcellentasshewaspretty，hadbeenmarriedundermyauspicestoanItaliannamedGaetan，bytradeabroker。Thisfellow，inhisfitofjealousy，usedtoill—treathershamefully；Ihadreconciledthemseveraltimesalready，andtheyregardedmeasakindofgo—between。TheycametoseemeonthedayonwhichIwasmakingmypreparationsforgoingtoHolland。MybrotherandTirettawerewithme，andasIwasstilllivinginfurnishedapartmentsItookthemalltoLaudel’s，wheretheygaveoneanexcellentdinner。Tiretta，drovehiscoach—and—
four；hewasruininghisex—methodist，whowasstilldesperatelyinlovewithhim。
InthecourseofdinnerTiretta，whowasalwaysinhighspiritsandlovedajest，begantoflirtwiththegirl，whomhesawforthefirsttime。She，whoneithermeantnorsuspectedanyill，wasquiteatherease，andweshouldhaveenjoyedthejoke，andeverythingwouldhavegoneonpleasantly，ifherhusbandhadpossessedsomemodicumofmannersandcommonsense，buthebegantogetintoaperfectfuryofjealousy。Heatenothing，changedcolourtentimesinaminute，andlookeddaggersathiswife，asmuchastosayhedidnotseethejoke。Tocrownall，Tirettabegantocrackjestsatthepoorwretch’sexpense，andI，foreseeingunpleasantness，endeavoured，thoughallinvain，tomoderatehishighspiritsandhissallies。AnoysterchancedtofallonMadameGaetan’sbeautifulbreast；andTiretta，whowassittingnearher，tookitupwithhislipsasquickaslightning。Gaetanwasmadwithrageandgavehiswifesuchafuriousboxontheearthathishandpassedonfromhercheektothatofherneighbour。TirettanowasenragedasGaetantookhimbyhismiddleandthrewhimdown，where，havingnoarms，hedefendedhimselfwithkicksandfisticuffs，tillthewaitercame，andweputhimoutoftheroom。
Thepoorwifeintears，and，likeTiretta，bleedingatthenose，besoughtmetotakeherawaysomewhere，asshefearedherhusbandwouldkillherifshereturnedtohim。So，leavingTirettawithmybrother，IgotintoacarriagewithherandItookher，accordingtoherrequest，toherkinsman，anoldattorneywholivedinthefourthstoryofahouseintheQuaideGevres。Hereceiveduspolitely，andafterhavingheardthetale，hesaid，\"Iamapoorman，andIcandonothingforthisunfortunategirl；
whileifIhadahundredcrownsIcoulddoeverything。\"
\"Don’tletthatstandinyourway，\"saidI，anddrawingthreehundredfrancsfrommypocketsIgavehimthemoney。
\"Now，sir，\"saidhe，\"Iwillbetheruinofherhusband，whoshallneverknowwherehiswifeis。\"
ShethankedmeandIleftherthere；thereadershallhearwhatbecameofherwhenIreturnfrommyjourney。
OnmyinformingMadamed’UrfethatIwasgoingtoHollandforthegoodofFrance，andthatIshouldbecomingbackatthebeginningofFebruary，shebeggedmetotakechargeofsomesharesofhersandtosellthemforher。Theyamountedinvaluetosixtythousandfrancs，butshecouldnotdisposeofthemontheParisExchangeowingtothetightnessinthemoneymarket。Inaddition，shecouldnotobtaintheinterestduetoher，whichhadmountedupconsiderably，asshehadnothadadividendforthreeyears。
Iagreedtosellthesharesforher，butitwasnecessaryformetobeconstituteddepositaryandownerofthepropertybyadeed，whichwasexecutedthesamedaybeforeanotary，towhoseofficewebothwent。
OnreturningtoherhouseIwishedtogiveheranIOUforthemoneys，butshewouldnothearofsuchathing，andIletherremainsatisfiedofmyhonesty。
IcalledonM。CornemanwhogavemeabillofexchangeforthreehundredflorinsonM。Boaz，aJewishbankerattheHague，andIthensetoutonmyjourney。IreachedAnversintwodays，andfindingayachtreadytostartIgotonboardandarrivedatRotterdamthenextday。IgottotheHagueonthedayfollowing，andafterdepositingmyeffectsatthe\"Hoteld’Angleterre\"IproceededtoM。d’Afri’s，andfoundhimreadingM。deChoiseul’sletter，whichinformedhimofmybusiness。HeaskedmetodineinhiscompanyandinthatoftheambassadoroftheKingofPoland，whoencouragedmetoproceedinmyundertakingthoughhehadnotmuchopinionofmychancesofsuccess。
LeavingtheambassadorIwenttoseeBoaz，whomIfoundattableinthemidstofanumerousanduglyfamily。HereadmyletterandtoldmehehadjustreceivedaletterfromM。CornemaninwhichIwashighlycommendedtohim。BywayofajokehesaidthatasitwasChristmasEvehesupposedIshouldbegoingtorocktheinfantJesusasleep，butIansweredthatIwascometokeeptheFeastoftheMaccabeeswithhim——areplywhichgainedmetheapplauseofthewholefamilyandaninvitationtostaywiththem。Iacceptedtheofferwithouthesitation，andItoldmyservanttofetchmybaggagefromthehotel。BeforeleavingthebankerIaskedhimtoshewmesomewayofmakingtwentythousandflorinsintheshorttimeIwasgoingtostayinHolland。
Takingmequiteseriouslyherepliedthatthethingmighteasilybedoneandthathewouldthinkitover。
Thenextmorningafterbreakfast，Boazsaid，\"Ihavesolvedyourproblem，sir；comeinhereandIwilltellyouaboutit\"
Hetookmeintohisprivateoffice，and，aftercountingoutthreethousandflorinsinnotesandgold，hetoldmethatifIlikedI
couldundoubtedlymakethetwentythousandflorinsIhadspokenof。
MuchsurprisedattheeasewithwhichmoneymaybegotinHolland，asIhadbeenmerelyjestingintheremarksIhadmade，Ithankedhimforhiskindness，andlistenedtohisexplanation。
\"Lookatthisnote，\"saidhe，\"whichIreceivedthismorningfromtheMint。Itinformsmethatanissueoffourhundredthousandducatsisabouttobemadewhichwillbedisposedofatthecurrentrateofgold，whichisfortunatelynothighjustnow。Eachducatwillfetchfiveflorins，twostiversandthree—fifths。ThisistherateofexchangewithFrankfort。Buyinfourhundredthousandducats；takethemorsendthemtoFrankfort，withbillsofexchangeonAmsterdam，andyourbusinessisdone。Oneveryducatyouwillmakeastiverandone—ninth，whichcomestotwenty—twothousand，twohundredandtwenty—twoofourflorins。Getholdofthegoldto—day，andinaweekyouwillhaveyourclearprofit。That’smyidea。\"
\"But，\"saidI，\"willtheclerksoftheMinttrustmewithsuchasum？\"
\"Certainlynot，unlessyoupaythemincurrentmoneyoringoodpaper。\"
\"Mydearsir，Ihaveneithermoneynorcredittothatamount。\"
\"Thenyouwillcertainlynevermaketwentythousandflorinsinaweek。BythewayyoutalkedyesterdayItookyouforamillionaire。\"
\"Iamverysorryyouweresomistaken。\"
\"Ishallgetoneofmysonstotransactthebusinessto—day。\"
Aftergivingmethisrathersharplesson，M。Boazwentintohisoffice，andIwenttodress。
M。d’Afrihadpaidhiscallonmeatthe\"Hoteld’Angleterre，\"andnotfindingmetherehehadwrittenmealetteraskingmetocomeandseehim。Ididso，andhekeptmetodinner，shewingmealetterhehadreceivedfromM。deBoulogne，inwhichhewasinstructednottoletmedisposeofthetwentymillionsatagreaterlossthaneightpercent。，aspeacewasimminent。WebothofuslaughedatthiscalmconfidenceoftheParisianminister，whilewewhowereinacountrywherepeoplesawdeeperintoaffairsknewthatthetruthwasquiteotherwise。
OnM。d’Afri’shearingthatIwasstayingwithaJew，headvisedmetokeepmyowncounselwhenwithJews，\"because，\"saidhe，\"inbusiness，mosthonestandleastknavishmeanprettymuchthesamething。Ifyoulike，\"headded，\"IwillgiveyoualetterofintroductiontoM。Pels，ofAmsterdam。\"Iacceptedhisofferwithgratitude，andinthehopeofbeingusefultomeinthematterofmyforeignsharesheintroducedmetotheSwedishambassador，whosentmetoM。d’O————。
WantingtobepresentatagreatfestivalofFreemasonsonSt。
John’sDay，IremainedattheHaguetillthedayafterthecelebration。TheComtedeTot，brotherofthebaron，wholostallhismoneyattheseraglio，andwhomIhadmetagainattheHague，introducedme。IwasnotsorrytobeincompanywithallthebestsocietyinHolland。
M。d’Afriintroducedmetothemotherofthestadtholder，whowasonlytwelve，andwhomIthoughttoograveforhisyears。Hismotherwasaworthy，patientkindofwoman，whofellasleepeveryminute，evenwhileshewasspeaking。Shediedshortlyafter，anditwasdiscoveredatthepostmortemexaminationthatshehadadiseaseofthebrainwhichcausedherextremepropensitytosleep。BesideherI
sawCountPhilipdeZinzendorf，whowaslookingfortwelvemillionsfortheempress——ataskwhichwasnotverydifficult，asheofferedfivepercent。interest。
AttheplayIfoundmyselfsittingnexttotheTurkishminister，andIthoughthewoulddiewithlaughterbeforemyeyes。Ithappenedthus:
TheywereplayingIphigenia，thatmasterpieceofRacine’s。ThestatueofDianastoodinthemidstofthestage，andattheendofoneactIphigeniaandhertrainofpriestesses，whilepassingbeforeit，allmadeaprofoundbowtothegoddess。Thecandlesnuffer，whoperhapsmayhavebeenabadwit，crossedthestagejustafterwards，andlikewisebowedtothegoddess。Thisputpitandboxesinagoodhumour，andpealsoflaughtersoundedfromallpartsofthehouse。
AllthishadtobeexplainedtotheTurk，andhefellintosuchafitoflaughterthatIthoughthewouldburst。Atlasthewascarriedtohisinnstilllaughingbutalmostsenseless。
TohavetakennonoticeoftheDutchman’sheavywitwouldhavebeen，Iconfess，amarkofstupidity，butnoonebutaTurkcouldhavelaughedlikethat。ItmaybesaidthatagreatGreekphilosopherdiedoflaughteratseeingatoothlessoldwomantryingtoeatfigs。
ButthereisagreatdifferencebetweenaTurkandaGreek，especiallyanancientGreek。
Thosewholaughagooddealaremorefortunatethanthosewhodonotlaughatall，aslaughterisgoodforthedigestion；butthereisajustmeanineverything。
WhenIhadgonetwoleaguesfromAmsterdaminmyposting—chaiseontwowheels，myservantsittingbesideme，Imetacarriageonfourwheels，drawnlikeminebytwohorses，andcontainingafine—lookingyoungmanandhisservant。Hiscoachmancalledouttominetomakewayforhim。Mycoachmanansweredthatifhedidhemightturnmeintotheditch，buttheotherinsistedonit。Ispoketothemaster，begginghimtotellhiscoachmantomakewayforme。
\"Iamposting，sir，\"saidI；\"and，moreover，Iamaforeigner。\"
\"Sir，\"answeredhe，\"inHollandwetakenonoticeofpostingornotposting；andifyouareforeigner，asyousay，youmustconfessthatyouhavefewerrightsthanIwhoaminmyowncountry。\"
Thebloodrushedtomyface。Iflungopenthedoorwithonehandandtookmyswordwiththeother；andleapingintothesnow，whichwasuptomyknees，Idrewmysword，andsummonedtheDutchmantogivewayordefendhimself。HewascoolerthanI，andreplied，smiling，thathewasnotgoingtofightforsofoolishacause，andthatImightgetintomycarriageagain，ashewouldmakewayforme。Iwassomewhatinterestedinhiscoolbutpleasantmanner。Igotbackintomychaise，andthenextnightreachedAmsterdam。
Iputupattheexcellentinn\"L’Etoiled’Orient，\"andinthemorningIwenton’ChangeandfoundM。Pels。Hetoldmehewouldthinkmybusinessover，andfindingM，d’O————directlyafterwardsheofferedtodomemysixtybillsandgivemetwelvepercent。M。Pelstoldmetowait，ashesaidhecouldgetmefifteenpercent。Heaskedmetodinner，and，onmyadmiringhisCapewine，hetoldmewithalaughthathehadmadeithimselfbymixingBordeauxandMalaga。
M。d’O————askedmetodinneronthedayfollowing；andoncallingI
foundhimwithhisdaughterEsther，ayoungladyoffourteen，welldevelopedforherage，andexquisiteinallrespectsexceptherteeth，whichweresomewhatirregular。M。d’Owasawidower，andhadthisonlychild；consequently，Estherwasheiresstoalargefortune。
Herexcellentfatherlovedherblindly，andshedeservedhislove。
Herskinwassnowwhite，delicatelytintedwithred；herhairwasblackasebony，andshehadthemostbeautifuleyesIhaveeverseen。
Shemadeanimpressiononme。Herfatherhadgivenheranexcellenteducation；shespokeFrenchperfectly，playedthepianoadmirably，andwaspassionatelyfondofreading。
AfterdinnerM。d’O————shewedmetheuninhabitedpartofthehouse，forsincethedeathofhiswife，whosememorywasdeartohim，helivedonthegroundflooronly。Heshewedmeasetofroomswherehekeptatreasureinthewayofoldpottery。Thewallsandwindowswerecoveredwithplatesofmarble，eachroomadifferentcolour，andthefloorswereofmosaic，withPersiancarpets。Thedining—hallwascasedinalabaster，andthetableandthecupboardswereofcedarwood。Thewholehouselookedlikeablockofsolidmarble，foritwascoveredwithmarblewithoutaswellaswithin，andmusthavecostimmensesums。EverySaturdayhalf—a—dozenservantgirls，perchedonladders，washeddownthesesplendidwalls。Thesegirlsworewidehoops，beingobligedtoputonbreeches，asotherwisetheywouldhaveinterestedthepassersbyinanunseemlymanner。Afterlookingatthehousewewentdownagain，andM。d’O————leftmealonewithEstherintheantechamber，whereheworkedwithhisclerks。AsitwasNewYear’sDaytherewasnotbusinessgoingon。
Afterplayingasonata，Mdlle。d’O————askedmeifIwouldgotoaconcert。Irepliedthat，beinginhercompany，nothingcouldmakemestir。\"Butwouldyou，mademoiselle，liketogo？\"
\"Yes，Ishouldliketogoverywell，butIcannotgobymyself。\"
\"IfImightpresumetooffertoescortyou……butIdarenotthinkyouwouldaccept。\"
\"Ishouldbedelighted，andifyouweretoaskmyfatherIamsurehewouldnotrefusehispermission。\"
\"Areyousureofthat？\"
\"Quitesure，forotherwisehewouldbeguiltyofimpoliteness，andmyfatherwouldnotdosuchathing。ButIseeyoudon’tknowthemannersofthecountry。\"
\"IconfessIdonot:\"
\"Youngladiesenjoygreatlibertyhere——libertywhichtheyloseonlybymarrying。Goandask，andyouwillsee:\"
IwenttoM。d’O————andmademyrequest，tremblinglestIshouldmeetwitharefusal。
\"Haveyouacarriage？\"
\"Yes，sir。\"
\"ThenIneednotgiveorderstogetmineready。Esther！\"
\"Yes，father。\"
\"Goanddress，mydear；M。Casanovahasbeenkindenoughtooffertotakeyoutotheconcert。\"
\"Howgoodofhim！Thankyou，papa，forlettingmego。
Shethrewherarmsaroundhisneck，rantodress，andreappearedanhourafter，asfairasthejoywhichwasexpressedonhereveryfeature。Icouldhavewishedshehadusedalittlepowder，butEstherwasjealousofherebontresses，whichdisplayedthewhitenessofherskintoadmiration。Thechiefaimofwomeninmakingtheirtoiletteistopleasemen，buthowpooristhejudgmentofmostmeninsuchmatterscomparedtotheunerringinstinctofthegeneralityofwomen！
Abeautifullacekerchiefveiledherbosom，whosegloriesmademyheartbeatfaster。
Wewentdownthestair，Ihelpedherintothecarriage，andstopped，thinkingshewouldbeaccompaniedbyoneofherwomen；butseeingnobodyIgotinmyself。Thedoorwasshut，andwewereoff。Iwasoverwhelmedwithastonishment。AtreasurelikethisinmykeepingI
couldhardlythink。IaskedmyselfwhetherIwastorememberthatI
wasafree—lanceoflove，orwhetherhonourbademeforgetit。
Esther，inthehighestspirits，toldmethatweweregoingtohearanItaliansingerwhosevoicewasexquisite，andnoticingmyconfusionsheaskedwhatwasthematter。Ididnotknowwhattosay，andbegantostammeroutsomething，butatlastsucceededinsayingthatshewasatreasureofwhomIwasnotworthytobethekeeper。
\"Iknowthatinothercountriesayounggirlwouldnotbetrustedalonewithagentleman，butheretheyteachusdiscretionandhowtolookafterourselves。\"
\"Happythemanwhoischargedwithyourwelfare，andhappierstillheonwhomyourchoicehasfallen！\"
\"Thatchoiceisnotformetomake；’tismyfather’sbusiness。\"
\"Butsupposingyourfather’schoiceisnotpleasingtoyou，orsupposingyouloveanother？\"
\"Wearenotallowedtoloveamanuntilweknowheistobeourhusband。\"
\"Thenyouarenotinlovewithanyone？\"
\"No，andIhaveneverfeltthedesiretolove。\"
\"ThenImaykissyourhand？\"
\"Whyshouldyoukissmyhand？\"
Shedrewawayherhandandofferedmeherlovelylips。Itookakiss，whichshegavemodestlyenough，butwhichwenttomyheart。MydelightwasalittlealloyedwhenshesaidthatshewouldgivemeanotherkissbeforeherfatherwheneverIliked。
Wereachedtheconcert—room，whereEstherfoundmanyofheryoungfriends——alldaughtersofrichmerchants，somepretty，someplain，andallcurioustoknowwhoIwas。ThefairEsther，whoknewnomorethanmyname，couldnotsatisfythem。Allatonceseeingafairyounggirlalittlewayoffshepointedherouttomeandaskedmemyopinionofher。NaturallyenoughIrepliedthatIdidnotcareforfairgirls。
\"Allthesame，Imustintroduceyoutoher，forshemaybearelationofyours。Hernameisthesame；thatisherfatheroverthere:\"
\"M。Casanova，\"saidshe，speakingtoagentleman，\"IbegtointroducetoyouM。Casanova，afriendofmyfather’s。\"
\"Really？Thesamename；Iwish，sir，youweremyfriend，asweare，perhaps，related。IbelongtotheNaplesbranch。\"
\"Thenwearerelated，thoughdistantly，asmyfathercamefromParma。
Haveyouyourpedigree？\"
\"Ioughttohavesuchathing，buttotellyouthetruth，Idon’tthinkmuchofsuchmatters。Besantsd’orandsuchheraldicmoneysarenotcurrencyinamercantilerepublic。\"
\"Pedigree—huntingiscertainlyasomewhatfoolishpursuit；butitmayneverthelessaffordusafewminutes’amusementwithoutourmakinganyparadeofourancestry。\"
\"Withallmyheart。\"
\"Ishallhavethehonourofcallingonyouto—morrow，andIwillbringmyfamily—treewithme。Willyoubevexedifyoufindtherootofyourfamilyalso？\"
\"Notatall；Ishallbedelighted。Iwillcallonyoumyselfto—
morrow。MayIaskifyouareabusinessman？\"
\"No，IamafinancialagentintheemployoftheFrenchministry。I
amstayingwithM。Pels。\"
M。Casanovamadeasigntohisdaughterandintroducedmetoher。
ShewasEsther’sdearestfriend，andIsatdownbetweenthem，andtheconcertbegan。
Afterafinesymphony，aconcertofortheviolin，anotherforthehautbois，theItaliansingerwhosereputewassogreatandwhowasstyledMadameTrendmadeherappearance。WhatwasmysurprisewhenI
recognizedinherThereseImer，wifeofthedancerPompeati，whosenamethereadermayremember。Ihadmadeheracquaintanceeighteenyearsago，whentheoldsenatorMalipierohadstruckmebecausewewereplayingtogether。IhadseenheragainatVenicein1753，andthenourpastimehadbeenofamoreseriousnature。ShehadgonetoBayreuth，whereshehadbeenthemargrave’smistress。Ihadpromisedtogoandseeher，butC————C————andmyfairnunM————M————hadleftmeneitherthetimenorthewishtodoso。SoonafterIwasputundertheLeads，andthenIhadotherthingstothinkabout。Iwassufficientlyself—controllednottoshewmyastonishment，andlistenedtoanariawhichshewassinging，withherexquisitevoice，beginning\"Eccotigiuntaalfin，donnainfelice，\"wordswhichseemedmadeforthecase。
Theapplauseseemedasifitwouldnevercometoanend。Esthertoldmethatitwasnotknownwhoshewas，butthatshewassaidtobeawomanwithahistory，andtobeverybadlyoff。\"Shegoesfromonetowntoanother，singingatallthepublicconcerts，andallshereceivesiswhatthosepresentchoosetogiveheronaplatewhichshetakesround。\"
\"Doesshefindthatpay？\"
\"Ishouldsuspectnot，aseveryonehaspaidalreadyatcomingin。
Shecannotgetmorethanthirtyorfortyflorins。Thedayafterto—
morrowshewillgototheHague，thentoRotterdam，thenbackhereagain。Shehadbeenperformingforsixmonths，andsheisalwayswellreceived。\"
\"Hasshealover？\"
\"Sheissaidtohaveloversineverytown，butinsteadofenrichinghertheymakeherpoorer。Shealwayswearsblack，notonlybecausesheisawidow，butalsoonaccountofagreatgriefsheisreportedtohavegonethrough。Shewillsoonbecominground。\"Itookoutmypurse；andcountedouttwelveducats，whichIwrappedinpaper；myheartbeatingallthewhileinaridiculousmanner，forIhadreallynothingtobeexcitedabout。
WhenTheresewasgoingalongtheseatsinfrontofme，Iglancedatherforaninstant，andIsawthatshelookedsurprised。IturnedmyheadtospeaktoEsther，andwhenshewasdirectlyinfrontofmeI
putmylittlepacketontheplatewithoutlookingather，andshepassedon。Alittlegirl，fourorfiveyearsold，followedher，andwhenshegottotheendofthebenchshecamebacktokissmyhand。
Icouldnothelprecognizinginherafacsimileofmyself，butI
concealedmyemotion。Thechildstoodstill，andgazedatmefixedly，tomynosmallconfusion。\"Wouldyoulikesomesweets，mydear？\"saidI，givinghermybox，whichIshouldhavebeengladtoturnintogold。Thelittlegirltookitsmilingly，mademeacurtsy，andwenton。
\"Doesitstrikeyou，M。Casanova，\"saidEsther，withalaugh，\"thatyouandthatlittlegirlareaslikeeachotherastwopeas？\"
\"Yes，indeed，\"addedMdlle。Casanova，\"thereisastrikinglikeness。\"
\"Theseresemblancesareoftentheworkofchance。\"
\"Justso，\"saidEsther，withawickedsmile，\"butyouadmitalikeness，don’tyou？\"
\"IconfessIwasstruckwithit，thoughofcourseIcannotjudgesowellasyou。\"
AftertheconcertM。d’O————arrived，andgivingbackhisdaughtertohiscareIbetookmyselftomylodging。Iwasjustsittingdowntoadishofoysters，beforegoingtobed，whenTheresemadeherappearance，holdingherchildbythehand。AlthoughIhadnotexpectedhertovisitmethatevening，Iwasneverthelessnotmuchsurprisedtoseeher。I，ofcourse，rosetogreether，whenallatonceshefellfaintingonthesofa，thoughwhetherthefaintingfitwasrealorassumedIcannotsay。ThinkingthatshemightbereallyillIplayedmypartproperly，andbroughthertoherselfbysprinklingherwithcoldwaterandputtingmyvinaigrettetohernose。Assoonasshecametoherselfshebegantogazeatmewithoutsayingaword。Atlast，tiredofhersilence，Iaskedherifshewouldtakeanysupper；andonherreplyingintheaffirmative，Irangthebellandorderedagoodsupperforthree，whichkeptusatthetabletillseveno’clockinthemorning，talkingoverourvariousfortunesandmisfortunes。Shewasalreadyacquaintedwithmostofmyrecentadventures，butIknewnothingatallabouthers，andsheentertainedmewitharecitalofthemforfiveorsixhours。
Sophie，thelittlegirl，sleptinmybedtillday，andhermother，keepingthebestofhertaletothelast，toldmethatshewasmydaughter，andshewedmeherbaptismalcertificate。ThebirthofthechildfellinwiththeperiodatwhichIhadbeenintimatewithTherese，andherperfectlikenesstomyselfleftnoroomfordoubt。
Ithereforeraisednoobjections，buttoldthemotherthatIwaspersuadedofmypaternity，andthat，beinginapositiontogivethechildagoodeducation，Iwasreadytobeafathertoher。
\"Sheistoopreciousatreasureinmysight；ifwewereseparatedI
shoulddie。\"
\"Youarewrong；forifItookchargeofthelittlegirlIshouldseethatshewaswellprovidedfor。\"
\"IhaveasonoftwelvetowhomIcannotgiveapropereducation；
takechargeofhiminsteadofSophie。\"
\"Whereishe？\"
\"Heisboarding，orratherinpawn，atRotterdam。\"
\"Whatdoyoumeanbyinpawn？\"
\"ImeanthathewillnotbereturnedtomeuntilIpaythepersonwhohasgothimallmydebts。\"
\"Howmuchdoyouowe？\"
\"Eightyflorins。Youhavealreadygivenmesixty—two，givemefourducatsmore；youcanthentakemyson，andIshallbethehappiestofmothers。IwillsendmysontoyouattheHaguenextweek，asI
thinkyouwillbethere。\"
\"Yes，mydearTherese；andinsteadoffourducats，herearetwenty。\"
\"WeshallseeeachotheragainattheHague。\"
Shewasgratefultoexcess，butIonlyfeltpityforherandasortoffriendlyinterest，andkeptquitecool，despitetheardourofherembraces。Seeingthathertroublewasofnoavail，shesighed，shedsometears，and，takingherdaughter，shebidmeadieu，promisingoncemoretosendmeherson。
TheresewastwoyearsolderthanI。Shewasstillpretty，andevenhandsome，buthercharmsnolongerretainedtheirfirstbeauty，andmypassionforher，havingbeenamerelyphysicalone，itwasnowonderthatshehadnolongeranyattractionforme。HeradventuresduringthesixyearsinwhichIhadlostherwouldcertainlyinterestmyreaders，andformapleasingepisodeinmybook，andIwouldtellthetaleifitwereatrueone；butnotbeingaromancewriter，Iamanxiousthatthisworkshallcontainthetruthandnothingbutthetruth。Convictedbyheramorousandjealousmargarveofinfidelity，shehadbeensentaboutherbusiness。ShewasseparatedfromherhusbandPompeati，hadfollowedanewlovertoBrussels，andtherehadcaughtthefancyofPrinceCharlesdeLorraine，whohadobtainedherthedirectionofallthetheatresintheAustrianLowCountries。Shehadthenundertakenthisvastresponsibility，entailingheavyexpenditure，tillatlast，aftersellingallherdiamondsandlace，shehadfledtoHollandtoavoidarrest。HerhusbandkilledhimselfatViennainaparoxysmcausedbyinternalpain——hehadcutopenhisstomachwitharazor，anddiedtearingathisentrails。
Mybusinessleftmenotimeforsleep。M。Casanovacameandaskedmetodinner，tellingmetomeethimontheExchange——aplacewellworthseeing。Millionairesareasplentifulasblackberries，andanyonewhoisnotworthmorethanahundredthousandflorinsisconsideredapoorman。IfoundM。d’O————there，andwasaskedbyhimtodinnerthefollowingdayatasmallhousehehadontheAmstel。M。Casanovatreatedmewiththegreatestcourtesy。Afterreadingmypedigreehewentforhisown，andfounditexactlythesame；buthemerelylaughed，andseemedtocarelittleaboutit，differinginthatrespectfromDonAntonioofNaples，whosetsuchstorebymypedigree，andtreatedmewithsuchpolitenessonthataccount。
Nevertheless，hebadememakeuseofhiminanythingrelatingtobusinessifIdidanythinginthatway。Ithoughthisdaughterpretty，butneitherhercharmsnorherwitmadeanyimpressiononme。
MythoughtsweretakenupwithEsther，andItalkedsomuchaboutheratdinnerthatatlastmycousindeclaredthatshedidnotconsiderherpretty。Oh，youwomen！beautyistheonlyunpardonableoffenceinyoureyes。Mdlle。CasanovawasEsther’sfriend，andyetshecouldnotbeartohearherpraised。
OnmyseeingM。d’O————againafterdinner，hetoldmethatifI
caredtotakefifteenpercent。onmyshares，hewouldtakethemfrommeandsavebroker’sexpenses。Ithoughttheofferagoodone，andI
acceptedit，takingabillofexchangeonTourton&Baur。AttherateofexchangeatHamburgIfoundIshouldhaveseventy—twothousandfrancs，althoughatfivepercent。Ihadonlyexpectedsixty—ninethousand。ThistransactionwonmehighfavourwithMadamed’Urfe，who，perhaps，hadnotexpectedmetobesohonest。
IntheeveningIwentwithM。PelstoZaandam，inaboatplacedonasleighandimpelledbyasail。Itwasanextraordinary，butatthesametimeanamusingandagreeable，modeoftravelling。Thewindwasstrong，andwedidfifteenmilesanhour；weseemedtopassthroughtheairasswiftlyasanarrow。Asaferandmoreconvenientmethodoftravellingcannotbeimagined；itwouldbeanidealwayofjourneyingroundtheworldifthereweresuchathingasafrozenseaallround。Thewind，however，mustbebehind，asonecannotsailonasidewind，therebeingnorudder。Iwaspleasedandastonishedattheskillofourtwosailorsinloweringsailexactlyatthepropertime；forthesleighranagoodway，fromtheimpetusithadalreadyreceived，andwestoppedjustatthebankoftheriver，whereasifthesailhadbeenloweredamomentlaterthesleighmighthavebeenbrokentopieces。Wehadsomeexcellentperchfordinner，butthestrengthofthewindpreventedusfromwalkingabout。Iwentthereagain，butasZaandamiswellknownasthehauntofthemillionairemerchantswhoretireandenjoylifethereintheirownway，Iwillsaynomoreaboutit。Wereturnedinafinesleighdrawnbytwohorses，belongingtoM。Pels，andhekeptmetosupper。Thisworthyman，whosefaceborewitnesstohisentirehonesty，toldmethatasI
wasnowthefriendofM。d’O————andhimself，IshouldhavenothingwhatevertodowiththeJews，butshouldaddressmyselftothemalone。Iwaspleasedwiththisproposal，whichmadeagoodmanyofmydifficultiesdisappear，andthereaderwillseetheresultsofthiscourse。
Nextdaysnowfellinlargeflakes，andIwentearlytoM。d’O————’s，whereIfoundEstherinthehighestofspirits。Shegavemeawarmwelcome，andbegantorallymeonhavingspentthewholenightwithMadameTrenti。
Imightpossiblyhaveshewnsomeslightconfusion，butherfathersaidanhonestmanhadnothingtobeashamedofinadmiringtalent。
Then，turningtome，hesaid，\"Tellme，M。Casanova，whothiswomanis？\"
\"SheisaVenetianwhosehusbanddiedrecently；IknewherwhenIwasalad，anditwassixyearssinceIhadseenherlast。\"
\"Youwereagreeablysurprised，then，toseeyourdaughter？\"saidEsther。
\"Whydoyouthinkthechildismydaughter？MadameTrentiwasmarriedthen。\"
\"Thelikenessisreallytoostrong。AndhowaboutyourfallingasleepyesterdaywhenyouweresuppingwithM。Pels？\"
\"ItwasnowonderthatIwentasleep，asIhadnotclosedaneyethenightbefore。\"
\"Iamenviousofanyonewhopossessesthesecretofgettingagoodsleep，forIhavealwaystowaitlonghoursbeforesleepcomestome，andwhenIawake，insteadofbeingrefreshed，Ifeelheavyandlanguidfromfatigue。\"
\"Trypassingthenightinlisteningtooneinwhomyoutakeaninterest，tellingthestoryofherlife，andIpromiseyouthatyouwillsleepwellthenightafter。\"
\"Thereisnosuchpersonforme。\"
\"No，becauseyouhaveasyetonlyseenfourteensummers；butafterwardstherewillbesomeone。\"
\"Maybe，butwhatIwantjustnowisbooks，andthehelpofsomeonewhowillguidemyreading。\"
\"Thatwouldbeaneasymatterforanyonewhoknewyourtastes。\"
\"Ilikehistoryandtravels，butforabooktopleasemeitmustbealltrue，asIlayitdownattheslightestsuspicionofitsveracity。\"
\"NowIthinkImayventuretooffermyservices，andifyouwillacceptthemIbelieveIshallbeabletogivesatisfaction。\"
\"Iacceptyouroffer，andshallkeepyoutoyourword。\"
\"Youneednotbeafraidofmybreakingit，andbeforeIleavefortheHagueIwillprovethatIamreliable。\"
ShethenbegantorallymeonthepleasureIshouldhaveattheHague，whereIshouldseeMadameTrentiagain。Herfreedom，mirth，andextremebeautysetmybloodonfire，andM。d’O————laughedheartilyatthewarhischarmingdaughterwagedonme。Ateleveno’clockwegotintoawell—appointedsleighandwesetoutforhissmallhouse，whereshetoldmeIshouldfindMdlle。Casanovaandherbetrothed。
\"Nevertheless，\"saidI，\"youwillcontinuetobemyonlyattraction。\"
Shemadenoanswer，butitwaseasytoperceivethatmyavowalhadnotdispleasedher。
Whenwehadgonesomedistancewesawthelovers，whohadcomeout，inspiteofthesnow，tomeetus。Wegotdown，andaftertakingoffourfursweenteredthehouse。Igazedattheyounggentleman，wholookedatmeamomentinreturnandthenwhisperedinMdlle。
Casanova’sear。ShesmiledandwhisperedsomethingtoEsther。
Esthersteppeduptoherfatherandsaidafewwordstohiminalowvoice，andeverybodybegantolaughatonce。TheyalllookedatmeandIfeltcertainthatIwassomehowthepointofthejoke，butI
putonanindifferentair。
\"Theremaybeamistake，\"saidM。d’O————；\"atanyrateweshouldascertainthetruthofthematter。\"
\"M。Casanova，hadyouanyadventuresonyourjourneyfromtheHaguetoAmsterdam？\"
AtthisIlookedagainattheyounggentleman，andIguessedwhattheyweretalkingabout。
\"Noadventuretospeakof，\"Ianswered，\"exceptameetingwithafinefellowwhodesiredtoseemycarriageturnupsidedownintotheditch，andwhoIthinkispresentnow。\"
Atthesewordsthelaughterbrokeoutafresh，andthegentlemanandI
embracedeachother；butafterhehadgiventhetrueaccountoftheadventurehismistresspretendedtobeangry，andtoldhimthatheoughttohavefought。Estherobservedthathehadshewnmoretruecourageinlisteningtoreason，andM。d’O————saidhewasstronglyofhisdaughter’sopinion；however，Mdlle。Casanova，afterairingherhigh—flownideas，begantosulkwithherlover。
Torestorethegeneralmirth，Esthersaid，gaily，\"Come，come，letusputonourskates，andtrytheAmstel，forIamafraidthatunlesswegoforthwiththeicewillhavemelted。\"Iwasashamedtoaskhertoletmeoff，thoughIwouldgladlyhavedoneso！butwhatwillnotlovedo！M。d’O————leftustoourowndevices。Mdlle。Casanova’sintendedputonmyskates，andtheladiesputontheirshortpetticoatswithblackvelvetdrawerstoguardagainstcertainaccidents。Wereachedtheriver，andasIwasaperfectneophyteinthissportthefigureIcutmaybeimagined。However，Iresolutelydeterminedtoconquermyawkwardness，andtwentytimes，totheperilofmyspine，didIfalldownupontheice。Ishouldhavebeenwisertohaveleftoff，butIwasashamedtodoso，andIdidnotstoptill，tomyhugedelight，weweresummonedintodinner。ButIpaiddearformyobstinacy，forwhenItriedtorisefromthetableIfeltasifIhadlosttheuseofmylimbs。Estherpitiedme，andsaidshewouldcureme。Therewasagooddealoflaughteratmyexpense，andIletthemlaugh，asIfeltcertainthatthewholethinghadbeencontrivedtoturnmeintoderision，andwishingtomakeEstherlovemeIthoughtitbesttostimulateagoodtemper。IpassedtheafternoonwithM。d’O————，lettingtheyoungpeoplegobythemselvesontheAmstel，wheretheystoppedtilldusk。
NextmorningwhenIawokeIthoughtIwasalostman。Isufferedamartyrdomofpain。Thelastofmyvertebralbones，calledbydoctorstheossacrum，feltasifithadbeencrushedtoatoms，althoughI
hadusedalmostthewholeofapotofointmentwhichEstherhadgivenmeforthatpurpose。InspiteofmytormentsIdidnotforgetmypromise，andIhadmyselftakentoabookseller’swhereIboughtallthebooksIthoughtlikelytointeresther。Shewasverygrateful，andtoldmetocomeandembraceherbeforeIstartedifIwantedaprettypresent。
ItwasnotlikelythatIwasgoingtorefusesuchaninvitationasthat，soIwentearlyinthemorning，leavingmypost—chaiseatthedoorHergovernesstookmetoherbed，whereshewaslyingasfairandgayasVenusherself。