\"Youknownotwhatsheislike。Thehonourofthefamilywouldobligehertogetmeoutoftheway，butbeforethatshewouldmakemesuffertormentstowhichdeathispreferablebyfar。Butwhyhaveyousaidnomoreaboutthearoph？Isitnotallajest？Itwouldbeaverycruelone。\"
\"Onthecontrary，Ibelieveittobeinfallible，thoughIhaveneverbeenawitnessofitseffects；butwhatgoodisitformetospeaktoyou？Youcanguessthatadelicacyoffeelinghasmademekeepsilence。Confideinyourlover，whoisatVenice；writehimaletter，andIwilltakecarethatitisgivenintohishands，infiveorsixdays，byasuremessenger。IfheisnotwelloffIwillgiveyouwhatevermoneymaybeneededforhimtocomewithoutdelay，andsaveyourhonourandlifebygivingyouthearoph。\"
\"Thisideaisagoodoneandtheoffergenerousonyourpart，butitisnotfeasible，asyouwouldseeifyouknewmoreaboutmycircumstances。Donotthinkanymoreofmylover；butsupposingI
madeupmymindtoreceivethearophfromanother，tellmehowitcouldbedone。EvenifmyloverwereinParis，howcouldhespendanentireweekwithme，ashewouldhaveto？Andhowcouldhegivemethedosefiveorsixtimesadayforaweek？Youseeyourselfthatthisremedyisoutofthequestion。\"
\"Soyouwouldgiveyourselftoanother，ifyouthoughtthatwouldsaveyourhonour？\"
\"Certainly，ifIweresurethatthethingwouldbekeptsecret。ButwhereshallIfindsuchaperson？Doyouthinkhewouldbeeasytofind，orthatIcangoandlookforhim？\"
Ididnotknowwhattomakeofthisspeech；forsheknewIlovedher，andIdidnotseewhysheshouldputherselftothetroubleofgoingfarwhenwhatshewantedwastoherhand。Iwasinclinedtothinkthatshewantedmetoaskhertomakechoiceofmyselfastheadministratoroftheremedy，eithertosparehermodesty，ortohavethemeritofyieldingtomyloveandthusobligingmetobegrateful；
butImightbewrong，andIdidnotcaretoexposemyselftothehumiliationofarefusal。OntheotherhandIcouldhardlythinkshewantedtoinsultme。Notknowingwhattosayorwhichwaytoturn，，andwantingtodrawanexplanationfromher，Isighedprofoundly，tookupmyhat，andmadeasifIweregoing，exclaiming，\"Cruelgirl，mylotismorewretchedthanyours。\"
Sheraisedherselfinthebedandbeggedmewithtearsinhereyestoremain，andaskedmehowIcouldcallmyselfmorewretchedthanher。
Pretendingtobeannoyedandyetfullofloveforher，Itoldherthatthecontemptinwhichsheheldmehadaffectedmedeeply，sinceinhernecessityshepreferredtheofficesofonewhowasunknowntoherratherthanmakeuseofme。
\"Youarecruelandunjust，\"shesaid，weeping。\"Isee，formypart，thatyoulovemenolongersinceyouwishtotakeadvantageofmycruelnecessitytogainatriumphoverme。Thisisanactofrevengenotworthyofamanoffeeling。\"
Hertearssoftenedme，andIfellonmykneesbeforeher。
\"Sinceyouknow，dearest，thatIworshipyou，howcanyouthinkmecapableofrevengingmyselfonyou？DoyouthinkthatIcanbeartohearyousaythatsinceyourlovercannothelpyouyoudonotknowwheretolookforhelp？\"
\"Butafterrefusingyoumyfavours，couldIaskthisofficeofyouwithanydecency？HaveInotgoodreasontobeafraidthatasI
refusedtotakepityonyourlovesoyouwouldrefusetotakepityonmynecessity？\"
\"Doyouthinkthatapassionateloverceasestoloveonaccountofarefusalwhichmaybedictatedbyvirtue？LetmetellyouallI
think。IconfessIoncethoughtyoudidnotloveme，butnowIamsureofthecontrary；andthatyourheartwouldhaveledyoutosatisfymylove，evenifyouhadnotbeenthussituated。Imayaddthatyounodoubtfeelvexedatmyhavinganydoubtsofyourlove。\"
\"Youhaveinterpretedmyfeelingsadmirably。Buthowwearetobetogetherwiththenecessaryfreedomfromobservationremainstobeseen。\"
\"Donotbeafraid。NowIamsureofyourconsent，itwillnotbelongbeforeIcontrivesomeplan。InthemeanwhileIwillgoandmakethearoph。\"
IhadresolvedthatifeverIsucceededinpersuadingMdlle。X。C。V。
tomakeuseofmyspecificIwouldusenothingbuthoney，sothecompositionofthearophwouldnotbeaverycomplicatedprocess。
Butifonepointwasthenplainandsimple，anotherremainedtobesolved，anditssolutiongavemesomedifficulty。Ishouldhavetopassseveralnightsincontinualtoils。IfearedIhadpromisedmorethanIcouldperform，andIshouldnotbeabletomakeanyabatementwithouthazarding，notthesuccessofthearoph，buttheblissIhadtakensuchpainstowin。Again，asheryoungersistersleptinthesameroomwithherandclosetoher，theoperationcouldnotbeperformedthere。Atlastchance——adivinitywhichoftenhelpslovers——cametomyaid。
Iwasobligedtoclimbuptothefourthfloorandmetthesculliononmyway，whoguessedwhereIwasgoing，andbeggedmenottogoanyfartherastheplacewastaken。
\"But，\"saidI，\"youhavejustcomeoutofit。\"
\"Yes，butIonlywentinandcameoutagain。\"
\"ThenIwillwaittillthecoastisclear。\"
\"Forgoodness’sake，sir，donotwait！\"
\"Ah，yourascal！Iseewhatisgoingon。WellIwillsaynothingaboutit，butImustseeher。\"
\"Shewon’tcomeout，forsheheardyourstepsandshutherselfin。\"
\"Sheknowsme，doesshe？\"
\"Yes，andyouknowher。\"
\"Allright，getalongwithyou！Iwon’tsayanythingaboutit。\"
Hewentdown，andtheideaimmediatelystruckmethattheadventuremightbeusefultome。Iwentuptothetop，andthroughachinkI
sawMadelaine，Mdlle。X。C。V。’smaid。Ireassuredher，andpromisedtokeepthesecret，whereonsheopenedthedoor，andafterIhadgivenheralouis，fledinsomeconfusion。Soonafter，Icamedown，andthescullionwhowaswaitingformeonthelandingbeggedmetomakeMadelainegivehimhalfthelouis。
\"Iwillgiveyouonealltoyourself，\"saidI，\"ifyouwilltellmethestory\"——anofferwhichpleasedtheroguewellenough。Hetoldmethetaleofhisloves，andsaidhealwaysspentthenightwithherinthegarret，butthatforthreedaystheyhadbeendeprivedoftheirpleasures，asmadamhadlockedthedoorandtakenawaythekey。I
madehimshewmetheplace，andlookingthroughthekeyholeIsawthattherewasplentyofroomforamattress。IgavethescullionaLouis，andwentawaytoripenmyplans。
Itseemedtomethattherewasnoreasonwhythemistressshouldnotsleepinthegarretaswellasthemaid。Igotapicklockandseveralskeletonkeys，Iputinatinboxseveraldosesofthearoph—
thatis，somehoneymixedwithpoundedstag’shorntomakeitthickenough，andthenextmorningIwenttothe\"HoteldeBretagne，\"andimmediatelytriedmypicklock。Icouldhavedonewithoutit，asthefirstskeletonkeyItriedopenedthewornoutlock。
Proudofmyidea，IwentdowntoseeMdlle。X。C。V。，andinafewwordstoldhertheplan。
\"But，\"saidshe，\"IshouldhavetogothroughMadelaine’sroomtogettothegarret。\"
\"Inthatcase，dearest，wemustwinthegirlover。\"
\"Tellhermysecret？\"
\"Justso。\"
\"Oh，Icouldn’t！\"
\"Iwillseetoit；thegoldenkeyopensalldoors。\"
ThegirlconsentedtoallIaskedher，butthesculliontroubledme，forifhefoundusouthemightbedangerous。Ithought，however，thatImighttrusttoMadelaine，whowasagirlofwit，tolookafterhim。
BeforegoingItoldthegirlthatIwantedtodiscusssomeimportantmatterswithher，andItoldhertomeetmeinthecloistersoftheAugustinianChurch。ShecameattheappointedtimeandIexplainedtoherthewholeplaninallitsdetails。Shesoonunderstoodme，andaftertellingmethatshewouldtakecaretoputherownbedinthenewkindofboudoir，sheaddedthat，tobequitesafe，wemustmakesureofthescullion。
\"Heisasharplad，\"saidMadelaine，\"andIthinkIcananswerforhim。However，youmayleavethattome。\"
Igaveherthekeyandsixlouis，biddingherinformhermistressofwhatwehadagreedupon，andgetthegarretreadytoreceiveus。Shewentawayquitemerry。Amaidwhoisinloveisneversohappyaswhenshecanmakehermistressprotectherintrigues。
Nextmorningthescullioncalledonmeatmyhouse。ThefirstthingItoldhimwastotakecarenottobetrayhimselftomyservants，andnevertocomeandseemeexceptinacaseofnecessity。Hepromiseddiscretion，andassuredmeofhisdevotiontomyservice。Hegavemethekeyofthegarretandtoldmethathehadgotanother。Iadmiredhisforethought，andgavehimapresentofsixlouis，whichhadmoreeffectonhimthanthefinestwords。
NextmorningIonlysawMdlle。X。C。V。foramomenttowarnherthatIshouldbeattheappointedplaceattenthatevening。Iwentthereearlywithoutbeingseenbyanybody。Iwasinacloak，andcarriedinmypocketthearoph，flintandsteel，andacandle。Ifoundagoodbed，pillows，andathickcoverlet——averyusefulprovision，asthenightswerecold，andweshouldrequiresomesleepintheintervalsoftheoperation。
Atelevenaslightnoisemademyheartbegintobeat——alwaysagoodsign。Iwentout，andfoundmymistressbyfeelingforher，andreassuredherbyatenderkiss。Ibroughtherin，barricadedthedoor，andtookcaretocoverupthekeyholetobafflethecurious，and，iftheworsehappened，toavoidasurprise。
Onmylightingthecandlesheseemeduneasy，andsaidthatthelightmightdiscoverusifanybodycameuptothefourthfloor。
\"That’snotlikely，\"Isaid；\"andbesides，wecan’tdowithoutit，forhowamItogiveyouthearophinthedark？\"
\"Verygood，\"shereplied，\"wecanputitoutafterwards。\"
Withoutstayingforthosepreliminarydallyingswhicharesosweetwhenoneisatease，weundressedourselves，andbeganwithallseriousnesstoplayourpart，whichwedidtoperfection。Welookedlikeamedicalstudentabouttoperformanoperation，andshelikeapatient，withthisdifferencethatitwasthepatientwhoarrangedthedressing。Whenshewasready——thatis，whenshehadplacedthearophasneatlyasaskull—capfitsaparson——sheputherselfintheproperpositionforthepreparationtomixwiththesemen。
Themostlaughablepartofitallwasthatwewerebothasseriousastwodoctorsofdivinity。
Whentheintroductionofthearophwasperfectthetimidladyputoutthecandle，butafewminutesafterithadtobelightedagain。I
toldherpolitelythatIwasdelightedtobeginagain，andthevoiceinwhichIpaidherthiscomplimentmadeusbothburstintolaughter。
Ididn’ttakesoshortatimeovermysecondoperationasmyfirst，andmysweetheart，whohadbeenalittleputout，wasnowquiteatherease。
Hermodestyhadnowbeenreplacedbyconfidence，andasshewaslookingatthearophfittedinitsplace，sheshewedmewithherprettyfingerveryevidentsignsofherco—operationinthework。
Thenwithanaffectionateair，sheaskedmeifIwouldnotliketorest，aswehadstillagooddealtodobeforeourworkwasatanend。
\"Yousee，\"saidI，\"thatIdonotneedrest，andIthinkwehadbettersettoagain。\"
Nodoubtshefoundmyreasonagoodone，for，withoutsayinganything，sheputherselfreadytobeginagain，andafterwardswetookagoodlongsleep。WhenIwokeup，feelingasfreshasever，I
askedhertotryanotheroperation；andaftercarryingthisthroughsuccessfully，Ideterminedtobeguidedbyherandtakecareofmyself，forwehadtoreserveourenergiesforthefollowingnights。
So，aboutfouro’clockinthemorningsheleftme，andsoftlymadeherwaytoherroom，andatdaybreakIleftthehotelundertheprotectionofthescullion，whotookmebyaprivatedoorIdidnotknowof。
Aboutnoon，aftertakinganaromaticbath，IwenttocallonMdlle。
X。C。V。，whomIfoundsittingupinbedasusual，elegantlyattired，andwithahappysmileonherlips。Shespokeatsuchlengthonhergratitude，andthankedmesooften，that，believingmyself，andwithgoodcause，tobeherdebtor，Ibegantogetimpatient。
\"Isitpossible，\"Isaid，\"thatyoudonotseehowdegradingyourthanksaretome？Theyprovethatyoudonotloveme，orthatifyouloveme，youthinkmylovelessstrongthanyours。\"
Ourconversationthentookatenderturn，andwewereabouttosealourmutualardourswithouttroublingaboutthearoph，whenprudencebadeusbeware。Itwouldnothavebeensafe，andwehadplentyoftimebeforeus。Wecontentedourselveswithatenderembracetillthenightshouldcome。
Mysituationwasapeculiarone，forthoughIwasinlovewiththischarminggirlIdidnotfeelintheleastashamedofhavingdeceivedher，especiallyaswhatIdidcouldhavenoeffect，theplacebeingtaken。Itwasmyself—esteemwhichmademecongratulatemyselfonthesharppracticewhichhadprocuredmesuchpleasures。ShetoldmethatshewassorryshehaddeniedmewhenIhadaskedherbefore，andsaidthatshefeltnowthatIhadgoodreasontosuspecttherealityofherlove。Ididmybesttoreassureher，andindeedallsuspicionsonmypartwouldhavebeenbutidlethoughts，asIhadsucceededbeyondallexpectation。However，thereisonepointuponwhichIcongratulatemyselftothisday——namely，thatduringthosenightlytoilsofmine，whichdidsolittletowardstheobjectofherdesires，Isucceededininspiringherwithsuchafeelingofresignationthatshepromised，ofherownaccord，nottodespairanymore，buttotrustinandbeguidedbyme。Sheoftentoldmeduringournocturnalconversationsthatshewashappyandwouldcontinuetobeso，eventhoughthearophhadnoeffect。Notthatshehadceasedtobelieveinit，forshecontinuedtheapplicationoftheharmlesspreparationtillourlastassaults，inwhichwewantedinthosesweetcombatstoexhaustallthegiftsofpleasure。
\"Sweetheart，\"saidshe，justbeforewepartedfinally，\"itseemstomethatwhatwehavebeenaboutismuchmorelikelytocreatethantodestroy，andiftheaperturehadnotbeenhermeticallyclosedweshoulddoubtlesshavegiventhelittleprisoneracompanion。\"
AdoctoroftheSorbonnecouldnothavereasonedbetter。
ThreeorfourdaysafterwardsIfoundherthoughtfulbutquiet。Shetoldmethatshehadlostallhopeofgettingridofherburdenbeforethepropertime。Allthewhile，however，hermotherpersecutedher，andshewouldhavetochooseinafewdaysbetweenmakingadeclarationastoherstateandsigningthemarriagecontract。Shewouldacceptneitherofthesealternatives，andhaddecidedonescapingfromherhome，andaskedmetohelpherindoingso。
Ihaddeterminedtohelpher，butIdesiredtosavemyreputation，foritmighthavebeentroublesomeifithadbeenabsolutelyknownthatIhadcarriedherofforfurnishedherwiththemeanstoescape。
Andasforanyotheralternative，neitherofushadanyideaofmatrimony。
IleftherandwenttotheTuileries，whereasacredconcertwasbeinggiven。ThepiecewasamotetcomposedbyMoudonville，thewordsbytheAbbedeVoisenon，whomIhadfurnishedwiththeidea，\"TheIsraelitesonMountHoreb。\"
AsIwasgettingoutofmycarriage，IsawMadameduRemaindescendingalonefromhers。Iranup。toher，andreceivedaheartywelcome。\"Iamdelighted，\"saidshe，\"tofindyouhere，itisquiteapieceofluck。Iamgoingtohearthisnovelcomposition，andhavetworeservedseats。Willyoudomethehonourofacceptingone？\"
AlthoughIhadmyticketinmypocketIcouldnotrefusesohonourableanoffer，so，givinghermyarm，wewalkeduptotwoofthebestplacesinthehouse。
AtParisnotalkingisallowedduringtheperformanceofsacredmusic，especiallywhenthepieceisheardforthefirsttime；soMadameduRemaincoulddrawnoconclusionsfrommysilencethroughouttheperformance，butsheguessedthatsomethingwasthematterfromthetroubledandabsentexpressionofmyface，whichwasbynomeansnaturaltome。
\"M。Casanova，\"saidshe，\"begoodenoughtogivemeyourcompanyforanhour。Iwanttoaskyou—twoorthreequestionswhichcanonlybesolvedbyyourcabala。Ihopeyouwillobligeme，asIam，veryanxioustoknowtheanswers，butwemustbequickasIhaveanengagementtosupinParis。\"
ItmaybeimaginedthatIdidnotwaittobeaskedtwice，andassoonaswegottoherhouseIwenttoworkonthequestions，andsolvedthemallinlessthanhalfanhour。
WhenIhadfinished，\"M。Casanova；\"saidshe，inthekindestmannerpossible，\"whatisthematterwithyou？Youarenotinyourusualstateofequanimity，andifIamnotmistakenyouaredreadingsomedireevent。Orperhapsyouareontheeveoftakingsomeimportantresolution？Iamnotinquisitive，butifIcanbeofanyservicetoyouatCourt，makeuseofme，andbesurethatIwilldomybest。Ifnecessary，IwillgotoVersaillesto—morrowmorning。Iknowalltheministers。Confideinmeyourtroubles，ifIcannotlightenthemI
canatleastsharethem，andbesureIwillkeepyourcounsel。
Herwordsseemedtomeavoicefromheaven，awarningfrommygoodgeniustoopenmyhearttothislady，whohadalmostreadmythoughts，andhadsoplainlyexpressedherinterestinmywelfare。
Aftergazingatherforsomesecondswithoutspeaking，butwithamannerthatshewedherhowgratefulIwas，\"Yesmadam，\"Isaid，\"Iamindeedcriticallysituated，maybeonthesergeofruin，butyourkindnesshascalmedmysoulandmademeoncemoreacquaintedwithhope。YoushallhearhowIamplaced。Iamgoingtotrustyouwithasecretofthemostdelicatedescription，butIcanrelyonyourbeingasdiscreetasyouaregood。Andifafterhearingmystoryyoudeigntogivemeyouradvice，Ipromisetofollowitandnevertodivulgeitsauthor。\"
Afterthisbeginning，whichgainedhercloseattention，Itoldherallthecircumstancesofthecase，neitherconcealingtheyounglady’snamenoranyofthecircumstanceswhichmadeitmydutytowatchoverherwelfare。AllthesameIsaidnothingaboutthearophortheshareIhadtakeninitsexhibition。Theincidentappearedtometoofarcicalforaseriousdrama，butIconfessedthatIhadprocuredthegirldrugsinthehopeofrelievingherofherburden。
AfterthisweightycommunicationIstopped，andMadameduRumainremainedsilent，asiflostinthought，fornearlyaquarterofanhour。Atlastsherose，saying，\"IamexpectedatMadamedelaMarque’s，andImustgo，asIamtomeettheBishopofMontrouge，towhomIwanttospeak，butIhopeI
shalleventuallybeabletohelpyou。Comeherethedayaftertomorrow，youwillfindmealone；aboveall，donothingbeforeyouseeme。Farewell。\"
Ileftherfullofhope，andresolvedtofollowheradviceandhersonlyinthetroublesomeaffairinwhichIwasinvolved。
TheBishopofMontrougewhomshewasgoingtoaddressonanimportantmatter，thenatureofwhichwaswellknowntome，wastheAbbedeVoisenon，whowasthusnamedbecauseheoftenwentthere。MontrougeisanestatenearParis，belongingtotheDucdelaValiere。
IsawMdlle。X。C。V。thefollowingday，andcontentedmyselfwithtellingherthatinacoupleofdaysIhopetogivehersomegoodnews。Iwaspleasedwithhermanner，whichwasfullofresignationandtrustinmyendeavours。
Thedayafter，IwenttoMadameduRumain’spunctuallyateight。TheportertoldmethatIshouldfindthedoctorwithmylady，butIwentupstairsallthesame，andassoonasthedoctorsawmehetookhisleave。HisnamewasHerrenschwand，andalltheladiesinParisranafterhim。PoorPoinsinetputhiminalittleone—actplaycalledLeCercle，which，thoughofveryordinarymerit，wasagreatsuccess。
\"Mydearsir，\"saidMadameduRumain，assoonaswewerealone，\"I
havesucceededinmyendeavoursonyourbehalf，anditisnowforyoutokeepsecretmyshareinthematter。AfterIhadponderedoverthecaseofconscienceyousubmittedtome，IwenttotheconventofC———
wheretheabbessisafriendofmine，andIentrustedherwiththesecret，relyingonherdiscretion。Weagreedthatsheshouldreceivetheyoungladyinherconvent，andgiveheragoodlay—sistertonurseherthroughherconfinement。Nowyouwillnotdeny，\"saidshe，withasmile，\"thatthecloistersareofsomeuse。Youryoungfriendmustgobyherselftotheconventwithaletterfortheabbess，whichIwillgiveher，andwhichshemustdelivertotheporter。Shewillthenbeadmittedandlodgedinasuitablechamber。Shewillreceivenovisitorsnoranylettersthathavenotpassedthroughmyhands。
Theabbesswillbringheranswerstome，andIwillpassthemontoyou。Youmustseethatheronlycorrespondentmustbeyourself，andyoumustreceivenewsofherwelfareonlythroughme。Onyourhandinwritingtoheryoumustleavetheaddresstobefilledinbyme。
Ihadtotelltheabbessthelady’sname，butnotyoursasshedidnotrequireit。
\"Tellyouryoungfriendallaboutourplans，andwhensheisreadycomeandtellme，andIwillgiveyouthelettertotheabbess。Tellhertobringnothingbutwhatisstrictlynecessary，aboveallnodiamondsortrinketsofanyvalue。Youmayassureherthattheabbesswillbefriendly，willcomeandseehereverynowandthen，willgiveherproperbooks——inaword，thatshewillbewelllookedafter。Warnhernottoconfideinthelaysisterwhowillattendonher。Ihavenodoubtsheisanexcellentwoman，butsheisanun，andthesecretmightleakout。Aftersheissafelydelivered，shemustgotoconfessionandperformherEasterduties，andtheabbesswillgiveheracertificateofgoodbehaviour；andshecanthenreturntohermother，whowillbetoohappytoseehertosayanythingmoreaboutthemarriage，which，ofcourse，sheoughttogiveasherreasonofherleavinghome。\"
Aftermanyexpressionsofmygratitudetoher，andofmyadmirationofherplan，Ibeggedhertogivemetheletteronthespot，astherewasnotimetobelost。Shewasgoodenoughtogoatoncetoherdesk，whereshewroteasfollows:
\"Mydearabbess，——Theyoungladywhowillgiveyouthisletteristhesameofwhomwehavespoken。Shewishestospendthreeoffourmonthsunderyourprotection，torecoverherpeaceofmind，toperformherdevotions，andtomakesurethatwhenshereturnstohermothernothingmorewillbesaidaboutthemarriage，whichispartlythecauseofhertemporaryseparationfromherfamily。\"
Afterreadingittome，sheputitintomyhandsunsealedthatMdlle。
X。C。V。mightbeabletoreadit。Theabbessinquestionwasaprincess，andherconventwasconsequentlyaplaceaboveallsuspicion。AsMadameduRumaingavemetheletter，IfeltsuchanimpulseofgratitudethatIfellonmykneesbeforeher。Thisgenerouswomanwasusefultomeonanotheroccasion，ofwhichIshallspeaklateron。
AfterleavingMadameduRumainIwentstraighttothe\"HoteldeBretagne，\"whereIsawMdlle。X。C。V。，whohadonlytimetotellmethatshewasengagedfortherestoftheday，butthatshewouldcometothegarretateleveno’clockthatnight，andthatthenwecouldtalkmattersover。Iwasoverjoyedatthisarrangement，asIforesawthatafterthiswouldcometheawakeningfromahappydream，andthatIshouldbealonewithhernomore。
BeforeleavingthehotelIgavethewordtoMadelaine，whointurngotthesculliontohaveeverythinginreadiness。
Ikepttheappointment，andhadnotlongtowaitformymistress。
AftermakingherreadtheletterwrittenbyMadameduRumain（whosenameIwithheldfromherwithouthertakingoffencethereat）Iputoutthecandle，andwithouttroublingaboutthearoph，wesetourselvestothepleasanttaskofprovingthatwetrulylovedeachother。
Inthemorning，beforeweseparated，IgaveheralltheinstructionsIhadreceivedfromMadameduRumain；andweagreedthatsheshouldleavethehouseateighto’clockwithsuchthingsassheabsolutelyrequired，thatsheshouldtakeacoachtothePlaceMaubert，thensenditaway，andtakeanothertothePlaceAntoine，andagain，fartheron，athirdcoach，inwhichshewastogototheconventnamed。Ibeggedhernottoforgettoburnallthelettersshehadreceivedfromme，andtowritetomefromtheconventasoftenasshecould，tosealherlettersbuttoleavetheaddressblank。Shepromisedtocarryoutmyinstructions，andIthenmadeheracceptapacketoftwohundredlouis，ofwhichshemightchancetobeinneed。
Shewept，moreformysituationthanherown，butIconsoledherbysayingthatIhadplentyofmoneyandpowerfulpatrons。
\"Iwillsetout，\"saidshe，\"thedayafterto—morrow，atthehouragreedon。\"Andthereupon，Ihavingpromisedtocometothehousethedayafterherdeparture，asifIknewnothingaboutit，andtoletherknowwhatpassed，weembracedeachothertenderly，andIlefther。
Iwastroubledinthinkingaboutherfate。Shehadwitandcourage，butwhenexperienceiswantingwitoftenleadsmentocommitactsofgreatfolly。
ThedayafterthemorrowItookacoach，andpostedmyselfinacornerofthestreetbywhichshehadtopass。Isawhercome，getoutofthecoach，paythecoachman，godownanarrowstreet，andafewminutesafterreappearagain，veiledandhooded，carryingasmallparcelinherhand。Shethentookanotherconveyancewhichwentoffinthedirectionwehadagreedupon。
ThedayfollowingbeingLowSunday，IfeltthatImustpresentmyselfatthe\"HoteldeBretagne，\"forasIwentthereeverydaybeforethedaughter’sflightIcouldnotstopgoingtherewithoutstrengtheninganysuspicionswhichmightbeentertainedaboutme。Butitwasapainfultask。IhadtoappearatmyeaseandcheerfulinaplacewhereIwasquitesureallwouldbesadnessandconfusion。Imustsaythatitwasanaffairrequiringhigherpowersofimpudencethanfalltothelotofmostmen。
Ichoseatimewhenallthefamilywouldbetogetherattable，andI
walkedstraightintothedining—room。Ienteredwithmyusualcheerfulmanner，andsatdownbymadame，alittlebehindher，pretendingnottoseehersurprise，which，however，wasplainlytobeseen，herwholefacebeingflushedwithrageandastonishment。IhadnotbeenlongintheroombeforeIaskedwhereherdaughterwas。Sheturnedround，lookedmethroughandthrough，andsaidnotaword。
\"Issheill？\"saidI。
\"Iknownothingabouther。\"
Thisremark，whichwaspronouncedinadrymanner，putmeatmyease，asInowfeltatlibertytolookconcerned。Isatthereforaquarterofanhour，playingthepartofgraveandastonishedsilence，andthen，rising，IaskedifIcoulddoanything，forwhichallmyrewardwasacoldexpressionofthanks。IthenlefttheroomandwenttoMdlle。X。C。V。’schamberasifIhadthoughtshewasthere，butfoundonlyMadelaine。Iaskedherwithameaninglookwherehermistresswas。Sherepliedbybeggingmetotellher，ifIknew。
\"Hasshegonebyherself？\"
\"Iknownothingatallaboutit，sir，buttheysayyouknowall。I
begofyoutoleaveme。\"
Pretendingtobeinthegreatestastonishment，Islowlywalkedawayandtookacoach，gladtohaveaccomplishedthispainfulduty。AfterthereceptionIhadmetwithIcouldwithoutaffectationposeasoffended，andvisitthefamilynomore，forwhetherIwereguiltyorinnocent，MadameX。C。V。mustseethathermannerhadbeenplainenoughformetoknowwhatitmeant。
Iwaslookingoutofmywindowatanearlyhourtwoorthreedaysafterwards，whenacoachstoppedbeforemydoor，andMadameXCV—，escortedbyM。Farsettigotout。Imadehastetomeetthemonthestair，andwelcomedthem，sayingIwasgladtheyhaddonemethehonourtocomeandtakebreakfastwithme，pretendingnottoknowofanyotherreason。Iaskedthemtositdownbeforethefire，andenquiredafterthelady’shealth；butwithoutnoticingmyquestionshesaidthatshehadnotcometotakebreakfast，buttohavesomeseriousconversation。
\"Madam，\"saidI，\"Iamyourhumbleservant；butfirstofallpraybeseated。\"
Shesatdown，whileFarsetticontinuedstanding。Ididnotpresshim，butturningtowardstheladybeggedhertocommandme。
\"Iamcomehere，\"shesaid，\"toaskyoutogivememydaughterifshebeinyourpower，ortotellmewheresheis。\"
\"Yourdaughter，madam？Iknownothingabouther！Doyouthinkmecapableofacrime？\"
\"Idonotaccuseyouofabductingher；Ihavenotcomeheretoreproachyounortoutterthreats，Ihaveonlycometoaskyoutoshewyourselfmyfriend。Helpmetogetmydaughteragainthisveryday；youwillgivememylife。Iamcertainthatyouknowall。Youwereheronlyconfidantandheronlyfriend；youpassedhourswithhereveryday；shemusthavetoldyouofhersecret。Pityabereavedmother！Sofarnooneknowsofthefacts；giveherbacktomeandallshallbeforgotten，andherhonoursaved。\"
\"Madam，Ifeelforyouacutely，butIrepeatthatIknownothingofyourdaughter。\"
Thepoorwoman，whosegrieftouchedme，fellatmyfeetandburstintotears。Iwasgoingtoliftherfromtheground，whenFarsettitoldher，inavoicefullofindignation，thatsheshouldblushtohumbleherselfinsuchamannerbeforeamanofmydescription。I
drewmyselfup，andlookingathimscornfullysaid，\"Youinsolentscoundrel！Whatdoyoumeanbytalkingofmelikethat？\"
\"Everybodyiscertainthatyouknowallaboutit。\"
\"Thentheyareimpudentfools，likeyou。Getoutofmyhousethisinstantandwaitforme，Iwillbewithyouinaquarterofanhour。\"
Sosaying，Itookthepoorchevalierbytheshoulders，andgivinghimsundryshakesIturnedhimoutoftheroom。Hecamebackandcalledtotheladytocome，too，butsheroseandtriedtoquietme。
\"Yououghttobemoreconsideratetowardsalover，\"saidshe，\"forhewouldmarrymydaughternow，evenafterwhatshehasdone。\"
\"Iamawareofthefact，madam，andIhavenodoubtthathiscourtshipwasoneofthechiefreasonswhichmadeyourdaughterresolvetoleaveherhome，forshehatedhimevenmorethanshehatedthefermier—general。\"
\"Shehasbehavedverybadly，butIpromisenottosayanythingmoreaboutmarryingher。ButIamsureyouknowallaboutit，asyougaveherfiftylouis，withoutwhichshecouldnothavedoneanything。\"
\"Nay，notso。\"
\"Donotdenyit，sir；hereistheevidence——asmallpieceofyourlettertoher。\"
ShegavemeascrapoftheletterIhadsentthedaughter，withthefiftylouisforherbrother。Itcontainedthefollowinglines，\"IhopethatthesewretchedlouiswillconvinceyouthatIamreadytosacrificeeverything，mylifeifneedbe，toassureyouofmyaffection。\"
\"Iamfarfromdisavowingthisevidenceofmyesteemforyourdaughter，buttojustifymyselfIamobligedtotellyouafactwhichIshouldhaveotherwisekeptsecret——namely，thatIfurnishedyourdaughterwiththissumtoenablehertopayyourson’sdebts，forwhichhethankedmeinaletterwhichIcanshewyou。\"
\"Myson？\"
\"Yourson，madam。\"
\"Iwillmakeyouanampleatonementformysuspicions。\"
BeforeIhadtimetomakeanyobjection，sherandowntofetchFarsetti，whowaswaitinginthecourtyard，andmadehimcomeupandhearwhatIhadjusttoldher。
\"That’snotalikelytale，\"saidtheinsolentfellow。
Ilookedathimcontemptuously，andtoldhimhewasnotworthconvincing，butthatIwouldbegtheladytoaskhersonandseewhetherItoldthetruth。
\"Iassureyou，\"Iadded，\"thatIalwaysurgedyourdaughtertomarryM。delaPopeliniere。\"
\"Howcanyouhavethefacetosaythat，\"saidFarsetti，\"whenyoutalkintheletterofyouraffection？\"
\"Idonotdenyit，\"saidI。\"Ilovedher，andIwasproudofmyaffectionforher。Thisaffection，ofwhateversortitmayhavebeen（andthatisnotthisgentleman’sbusiness），wastheordinarytopicofconversationbetweenus。Ifshehadtoldmethatshewasgoingtoleaveherhome，Ishouldeitherhavedissuadedherorgonewithher，forIlovedherasIdoatthismoment；butIwouldneverhavegivenhermoneytogoalone。\"
\"MydearCasanova，\"saidthemother，\"ifyouwillhelpmetofindherIshallbelieveinyourinnocence。\"
\"Ishallbedelightedtoaidyou，andIpromisetocommencethequestto—day。\"
\"Assoonasyouhaveanynews，comeandtellme。\"
\"Youmaytrustmetodoso，\"saidI，andweparted。
Ihadtoplaymypartcarefully；especiallyitwasessentialthatI
shouldbehaveinpublicinamannerconsistentwithmyprofessions。
Accordingly，thenextdayIwenttoM。Chaban，firstcommissaryofpolice，requestinghimtoinstituteenquiriesrespectingtheflightofMdlle。X。C。V。IwassurethatinthiswaytherealpartIhadtakeninthematterwouldbethebetterconcealed；butthecommissary，whohadthetruespiritofhisprofession，andhadlikedmewhenhefirstsawmesixyearsbefore，begantolaughwhenheheardwhatIwantedhimtodo。
\"Doyoureallywantthepolicetodiscover，\"saidhe，\"wheretheprettyEnglishwomanistobefound？\"
\"Certainly。\"
Itthenstruckmethathewastryingtomakemetalkandtocatchmetripping，andIhadnodoubtofitwhenImetFarsettigoinginasI
wascomingout。
NextdayIwenttoacquaintMadameX。C。V。withthestepsIhadtaken，thoughasyetmyeffortshadnotbeencrownedwithsuccess。
\"Ihavebeenmorefortunatethanyou，\"saidshe，\"andifyouwillcomewithmetotheplacewheremydaughterhasgone，andwilljoinmeinpersuadinghertoreturn，allwillbewell。\"
\"Certainly，\"saidI，\"Ishallbemosthappytoaccompanyyou。\"
Takingmeatmyword，sheputonhercloak，andleaningonmyarmwalkedalongtillwecametoacoach。Shethengavemeaslipofpaper，beggingmetotellthecoachmantodriveustotheaddressthereon。
Iwasonthorns，andmyheartbeatfast，forIthoughtIshouldhavetoreadouttheaddressoftheconvent。IdonotknowwhatIshouldhavedoneifmyfearshadbeenwellgrounded，butIshouldcertainlynothavegonetotheconvent。AtlastIreadwhatwaswritten；itwas\"PlaceMaubert，\"andIgrewcalmoncemore。
ItoldthecoachmantodriveustothePlaceMaubert。Wesetoff，andinashorttimestoppedattheopeningofanobscurebackstreetbeforeadirty—lookinghouse，whichdidnotgiveoneahighideaofthecharacterofitsoccupants。IgaveMadameX。C。V。myarm，andshehadthesatisfactionoflookingintoeveryroominthefivefloorsofthehouse，butwhatshesoughtforwasnotthere，andI
expectedtoseeheroverwhelmedwithgrief。Iwasmistaken，however。
Shelookeddistressedbutsatisfied，andhereyesseemedtoaskpardonofme。Shehadfoundoutfromthecoachman，whohadtakenherdaughteronthefirststageofherjourney，thatshehadalightedinfrontofthehouseinquestion，andhadgonedownthebackstreet。
Shetoldmethatthescullionhadconfessedthathehadtakenmeletterstwicefromhisyoungmistress，andthatMadelainesaidallthetimethatshewassurehermistressandIwereinlovewitheachother。Theyplayedtheirpartswell。
AssoonasIhadseenMadameX。C。V。safelyhome，IwenttoMadameduRumaintotellherwhathadhappened；andIthenwrotetomyfairrecluse，tellingherwhathadgoneonintheworldsinceherdisappearance。
Threeorfourdaysafterthisdate，MadameduRumaingavemethefirstletterIreceivedfromMdlle。X。C。V。Shespokeinitofthequietlifeshewasleading，andhergratitudetome，praisedtheabbessandthelay—sister，andgavemethetitlesofthebookstheylenther，whichshelikedreading。Shealsoinformedmewhatmoneyshehadspent，andsaidshewashappyineverything，almostinbeingforbiddentoleaveherroom。
Iwasdelightedwithherletter，butmuchmorewiththeabbess’sepistletoMadameduRumain。Shewasevidentlyfondofthegirl，andcouldnotsaytoomuchinherpraise，sayinghowsweet—tempered，clever，andlady—likeshewas；windingupbyassuringherfriendthatshewenttoseehereveryday。
IwascharmedtoseethepleasurethisletteraffordedMadameduRumain——pleasurewhichwasincreasedbytheperusaloftheletterI
hadreceived。Theonlypersonswhoweredispleasedwerethepoormother，thefrightfulFarsetti，andtheoldfermier，whosemisfortunewastalkedaboutintheclubs，thePalais—Royal，andthecoffee—
houses。Everybodyputmedownforsomeshareinthebusiness，butI
laughedattheirgossip，believingthatIwasquitesafe。
Allthesame，laPopelinieretooktheadventurephilosophicallyandmadeaone—actplayoutofit，whichhehadactedathislittletheatreinParis。Threemonthsafterwardshegotmarriedtoaveryprettygirl，thedaughterofaBordeauxalderman。Hediedinthecourseoftwoyears，leavinghiswidowpregnantwithason，whocameintotheworldsixmonthsafterthefather’sdeath。Theunworthyheirtotherichmanhadthefacetoaccusethewidowofadultery，andgotthechilddeclaredillegitimatetotheeternalshameofthecourtwhichgavethisiniquitousjudgmentandtothegriefofeveryhonestFrenchman。Theiniquitousnatureofthejudgmentwasafterwardsmoreclearlydemonstrated——puttingasidethefactthatnothingcouldbesaidagainstthemother’scharacter——bythesamecourthavingthe，facetodeclareachildbornelevenmonthsafterthefather’sdeathlegitimate。
IcontinuedfortendaystocalluponMadameX。C。V。，butfindingmyselfcoldlywelcomed，decidedtogotherenomore。
CHAPTERVIII
FreshAdventures——J。J。Rousseau——IsetUpABusiness——Castel——Bajac——ALawsuitisCommencedAgainstMe——M。deSartineMdlle。X。C。V。hadnowbeenintheconventforamonth，andheraffairhadceasedtobeacommontopicofconversation。IthoughtI
shouldhearnomoreofit，butIwasmistaken。Icontinued，however，toamusemyself，andmypleasureinspendingfreelyquitepreventedmefromthinkingaboutthefuture。TheAbbedeBernis，whomIwenttoseeregularlyonceaweek，toldmeonedaythatthecomptroller—
generaloftenenquiredhowIwasgettingon。\"Youarewrong，\"saidtheabbe，\"toneglecthim。\"Headvisedmetosaynomoreaboutmyclaims，buttocommunicatetohimthemeansIhadspokenofforincreasingtherevenuesofthestate。Ilaidtoogreatstorebytheadviceofthemanwhohadmademyfortunenottofollowit。Iwenttothecomptroller，andtrustinginhisprobityIexplainedmyschemetohim。Thiswastopassalawbywhicheveryestate，exceptthatleftbyfathertoson，shouldfurnishthetreasurywithoneyear’sincome；everydeedofgiftformallydrawnupbeingsubjecttothesameprovision。Itseemedtomethatthelawcouldnotgiveoffencetoanyone；theheirhadonlytoimaginethathehadinheritedayearlaterthanwasactuallythecase。Theministerwasofthesameopinionasmyself，toldmethattherewouldnotbetheslightestdifficultyinvolved，andassuredmethatmyfortunewasmade。InaweekafterwardshisplacewastakenbyM。deSilhouette，andwhenI
calledonthenewministerhetoldmecoldlythatwhenmyschemebecamelawhewouldtellme。Itbecamelawtwoyearsafterwards，andwhen，astheoriginatorofthescheme，Iattemptedtogetmyjustreward，theylaughedinmyface。
Shortlyafter，thePopedied，andhewassucceededbytheVenetianRezzonico，whocreatedmypatron，theAbbydeBernis，acardinal。
However，hehadtogointoexilebyorderofthekingtwodaysafterhisgraciousmajestyhadpresentedhimwiththeredcap:sogoodathingitistobethefriendofkings！
Thedisgraceofmydelightfulabbeleftmewithoutapatron，butI
hadplentyofmoney，andsowasenabledtobearthismisfortunewithresignation。
ForhavingundonealltheworkofCardinalRichelieu，forhavingchangedtheoldenmitybetweenFranceandAustriaintofriendship，fordeliveringItalyfromthehorrorsofwarwhichbefellherwheneverthesecountrieshadabonetopick，althoughhewasthefirstcardinalmadebyapopewhohadhadplentyofopportunitiesfordiscoveringhischaracter，merelybecause，onbeingasked，hehadgivenitashisopinionthatthePrincedeSoubisewasnotafitpersontocommandtheFrencharmies，thisgreatecclesiasticwasdrivenintoexile。ThemomentthePompadourheardofthisopinionofhis，shedecreedhisbanishment——asentencewhichwasunpopularwithallclassesofsociety；buttheyconsoledthemselveswithepigrams，andthenewcardinalwassoonforgotten。SuchisthecharacteroftheFrenchpeople；itcaresneitherforitsownmisfortunesnorforthoseofothers，ifonlyitcanextractlaughterfromthem。
Inmytimeepigrammatistsandpoetasterswhoassailedministersoreventheking’smistressesweresenttotheBastille，butthewitsstillpersistedinbeingamusing，andthereweresomewhoconsideredajestincompletethatwasnotfollowedbyaprosecution。AmanwhosenameIhaveforgotten——agreatloverofnotoriety——appropriatedthefollowingversesbytheyoungerCrebellonandwenttotheBastilleratherthandisownthem。
\"Alltheworld’supsidedown！
Jupiterhasdonnedthegown——theKing。
Venusmountsthecouncilstair——thePompadour。
Plutustrifleswiththefair——M。deBoulogne。
Mercuryinmailisdrest——MarechaldeRichelieu。
MightyMarshasturnedapriest——theDucdeClermont，abbeofSt。Germain—des—pres。\"
Crebillon，whowasnotthesortofmantoconcealhiswritings，toldtheDucdeChoiseulthathehadwrittensomeversesexactlylikethese，butthatitwaspossibletheprisonerhadbeeninspiredwithpreciselythesameideas。Thisjestwasapplauded，andtheauthorof\"TheSofa\"wasletalone。
CardinaldeBernispassedtenyearsinexile，’proculnegotiis’，buthewasnothappy，ashetoldmehimselfwhenIknewhiminRomefifteenyearsafterwards。Itissaidthatitisbettertobeaministerthanaking——an，opinionwhichseemsridiculouswhenitisanalyzed。Thequestionis，whichisthebetter，independenceoritscontrary。Theaxiommaypossiblybeverifiedinadespoticgovernmentunderanabsurd，weak，orcarelesskingwhoservesasameremaskforhismastertheminister；butinallothercasesitisanabsurdity。
CardinaldeBerniswasneverrecalled；thereisnoinstanceofLouisXV。havingeverrecalledaministerwhomhehaddisgraced；butonthedeathofRezzonicohehadtogotoRometobepresentattheconclave，andthereheremainedasFrenchambassador。
AboutthistimeMadamed’UrfeconceivedawishtomaketheacquaintanceofJ。J。Rousseau，andwewenttocalluponhimatMontmorenci，onthepretextofgivinghimmusictocopy——anoccupationinwhichhewasveryskilled。Hewaspaidtwicethesumgiventoanyothercopyist，butheguaranteedthattheworkshouldbefaultlesslydone。Atthatperiodofhislifecopyingmusicwasthegreatwriter’ssolemeansofsubsistence。
Wefoundhimtobeamanofasimpleandmodestdemeanour，whotalkedwell，butwhowasnototherwisedistinguishedeitherintellectuallyorphysically。Wedidnotthinkhimwhatwouldbecalledagood—
naturedman，andashewasfarfromhavingthemannersofgoodsocietyMadamed’Urfedidnothesitatetopronouncehimvulgar。Wesawthewomanwithwhomhelived，andofwhomwehadheard，butshescarcelylookedatus。OnourwayhomeweamusedourselvesbytalkingaboutRousseau’seccentrichabits。
IwillherenotedownthevisitofthePrinceofConti（fatherofthegentlemanwhoisnowknownastheComtedelaMarch）toRousseau。
Theprince——agood—naturedman—wentbyhimselftoMontmorenci，onpurposetospendadayinconversationwiththephilosopher，whowaseventhenfamous。Hefoundhiminthepark，accostedhim，andsaidthathehadcometodinewithhimandtotalkwithoutrestraint。
\"Yourhighnesswillfarebutbadly，\"saidRousseau:\"however，Iwilltellthemtolayanotherknifeandfork。\"
Thephilosophergavehisinstructions，andcameoutandrejoinedtheprince，withwhomhewalkedupanddownfortwoorthreehours。Whenitwasdinner—timehetooktheprinceintohisdining—room，wherethetablewaslaidforthree。
\"Whoisgoingtodinewithus？\"saidtheprince。\"Ithoughtweweretobealone。\"
\"Thethirdparty，\"saidRousseau，\"ismyotherself——abeingwhoisneithermywife，normymistress，normyservant—maid，normymother，normydaughter，butyetpersonatesallthesecharactersatonce。\"
\"Idaresay，mydearfellow，Idaresay；butasIcametodinewithyoualone，Iwillnotdinewithyour——otherself，butwillleaveyouwithalltherestofyoutokeepyourcompany。\"
Sosayingtheprincebadehimfarewellandwentout。Rousseaudidnottrytokeephim。
AboutthistimeIwitnessedthefailureofaplaycalled’Aristides’
Daughter’，writtenbytheingeniousMadamedeGraffini，whodiedofvexationfivedaysafterherplaywasdamned。TheAbbedeVoisenonwashorrified，ashehadadvisedtheladytoproduceit，andwasthoughttohavehadsomehandinitscomposition，aswellasinthatofthe’LettresPeruviennes’and’Cenie’。Byacuriouscoincidence，justaboutthesamedate，Rezzonico’smotherdiedofjoybecausehersonhadbecomepope。Griefandjoykillmanymorewomenthanmen，whichprovesthatifwomenhavemerefeelingthanmentheyhavealsolessstrength。
WhenMadamed’UrfethoughtthatmyadoptedsonwascomfortablysettledinViar’shouse，shemademegowithherandpayhimavisit。
Ifoundhimlodgedlikeaprince，welldressed，mademuchof，andalmostlookedupto。Iwasastonished，forthiswasmorethanIhadbargainedfor。Madamed’Urfehadgivenhimmastersofallsorts，andaprettylittleponyforhimtolearnridingon。HewasstyledM。
leComted’Aranda。Agirlofsixteen，Viar’sdaughter，afine—
lookingyoungwoman，wasappointedtolookafterhim，andshewasquiteproudtocallherselfmylord’sgoverness。SheassuredMadamed’Urfethatshetookspecialcareofhim；thatassoonashewokeshebroughthimhisbreakfastinbed；thatshethendressedhim，anddidnotleavehissidethewholeday。Madamed’Urfeapprovedofeverything，toldthegirltotakeevengreatercareofthecount，andpromisedthatsheshouldnotgounrewarded。Asfortheyounggentleman，hewasevidentlyquitehappy，ashetoldmehimselfagainandagain，butIsuspectedamysterysomewhere，anddeterminedthatI
wouldgoandseehimbymyselfanothertimeandsolveit。
OnourjourneyhomeItoldMadamed’UrfehowgratefulIwasforallhergoodnesstotheboy，andthatIapprovedofallthearrangementsthathadbeenmadewiththeexceptionofthenameAranda，\"which，\"
saidI，\"maysomedayproveathorninhisside。\"Sheansweredthattheladhadsaidenoughtoconvinceherthathehadarighttobearthatname。\"Ihad，\"shesaid，\"inmydeskasealwiththearmsofthehouseofAranda，andhappeningtotakeitupIshewedithimasweshewtrinketstochildrentoamusethem，butassoonashesawitheburstout，\"’Howcameyoutohavemyarms？’
\"Yourarms！\"Ianswered。\"IgotthissealfromtheComted’Aranda；
howcanyouprovethatyouareascionofthatrace？\"
\"’Donotaskme，madam；mybirthisasecretIcanrevealtonoone。’\"
Theimpositionandabovealltheimpudenceoftheyoungknaveastoundedme。Ishouldnothavethoughthimcapableofit，andaweekafterIwenttoseehimbymyselftogetatthebottomofallthismystery。
IfoundmyyoungcountwithViar，who，judgingbytheawethechildshewedofme，musthavethoughthebelongedtome。Hewasunsparinginhispraisesofhispupil，sayingthatheplayedtheflutecapitally，dancedandfencedadmirably，rodewell，andwroteagoodhand。Heshewedmethepenshehadcuthimselfwiththree，five，andevenninepoints，andbeggedtobeexaminedonheraldry，which，asthemasterobserved，wassonecessaryascienceforayoungnobleman。
Theyounggentlemanthencommencedinthejargonofheraldrytoblazonhisownpretendedarms，andIfeltmuchinclinedtoburstintolaughter，partlybecauseIdidnotunderstandawordhesaid，andpartlybecauseheseemedtothinkthematterasimportantaswouldacountrysquirewithhisthirty—twoquarters。However，Iwasdelightedtoseehisdexterityinpenmanship，whichwasundoubtedlyverygreat，andIexpressedmysatisfactiontoViar，whosoonleftustoourselves。Weproceededintothegarden。
\"Willyoukindlyinformme，\"Isaid，\"howyoucanbesofoolishastocallyourselftheComted’Aranda？\"
Hereplied，withtheutmostcalmness，\"Iknowitisfoolish，butleavememytitle；itisofservicetomehereandgainsmerespect。\"
\"ItisanimpositionIcannotwinkat，asitmaybefraughtwithseriousresults，andmaydoharmtobothofus。Ishouldnothavethoughtthatatyourageyouwouldbecapableofsuchaknavishtrick。Iknowyoudiditoutofstupidity，butafteracertainlimitstupiditybecomescriminal；andIcannotseehowIamtoremedyyourfaultwithoutdisgracingyouintheeyesofMadamed’Urfe。\"
Ikeptonscoldinghimtillheburstintotears，saying，\"IhadrathertheshameofbeingsentbacktomymotherthantheshameofconfessingtoMadamed’UrfethatIhadimposedonher；andI
couldnotbeartostayhereifIhadtogiveupmyname。\"
SeeingthatIcoulddonothingwithhim，unless，indeed，IsenthimtosomeplacefarremovedfromParisunderhispropername，ItoldhimtotakecomfortasIwouldtryanddothebestIcouldforbothofus。
\"Andnowtellme——andtakecaretotellthetruth——whatsortoffeelingsdoesViar’sdaughterentertainforyou？\"
\"Ithink，papa，thatthisisacaseinwhichthereservecommendedbyyourself，aswellasbymother，wouldbeappropriate。\"
\"Yes，thatsortofanswertellsmeagooddeal，butIthinkyouarerathertooknowingforyourage。Andyoumayaswellobservethatwhenyouarecalleduponforaconfession，reserveisoutofplace，andit’saconfessionIrequirefromyou。\"
\"Well，papa，Viar’sdaughterisveryfondofme，andsheshewsherloveinallsortsofways。\"
\"Anddoyouloveher？\"
\"Oh，yes！\"
\"Isshemuchwithyouinthemorning？\"
\"Sheiswithmethewholeday。\"
\"Sheispresentwhenyougotobed？\"
\"Yes，shehelpsmetoundress。\"
\"Nothingelse？\"
\"Idonotcaretotellyou。\"
Iwasastonishedatthemeasuredwayinwhichheansweredme，andasIhadheardenoughtoguessthattheboyandgirlwereverygoodfriendsindeed，Icontentedmyselfwithwarninghimtotakecareofhishealth，andwiththisIlefthim。
Sometimeafter，mythoughtswereoccupiedwithabusinessspeculationwhichallmycalculationsassuredmewouldbeextremelyprofitable。Theplanwastoproduceonsilks，bymeansofprinting，theexquisitedesignswhichareproducedatLyonsbythetediousprocessofweaving，andthustogivecustomersexcellentvalueatmuchlowerprices。Ihadtherequisiteknowledgeofchemistry，andenoughcapitaltomakethethingasuccess。Iobtainedtheassistanceofamanwiththenecessarytechnicalskillandknowledge，intendingtomakehimmymanager。
ItoldmyplantothePrincedeConti，whoencouragedmetopersevere，promisingmehispatronage，andalltheprivilegesIcouldwishfor。Thatdecidedmetobegin。
IrentedaverylargehouseneartheTempleforathousandcrownsperannum。Thehousecontainedaspacioushall，inwhichImeanttoputmyworkmen；anotherhallwhichwastobetheshop；numerousroomsformyworkpeopletolivein；andaniceroomformyselfincaseIcaredtoliveonthepremises。
Imadetheschemeintoacompanywiththirtyshares，ofwhichIgavefivetomydesigner，keepingtheremainingtwenty—fivetodistributetothosewhowereinclinedtojointhecompany。Igaveonetoadoctorwho，ongivingsurety，becamethestorekeeper，andcametoliveinthehousewithhiswholefamily；andIengagedfourservants，awaiting—maid，andaporter。Ihadtogiveanothersharetoanaccountant，whofurnishedmewithtwoclerks，whoalsotookuptheirabodeinthehouse。Thecarpenters，blacksmiths，andpaintersworkedhardfrommorningtonight，andinlessthanthreeweekstheplacewasready。Itoldthemanagertoengagetwentygirlstopaint，whoweretobepaideverySaturday。Istockedthewarehousewiththreehundredpiecesofsarcenetandcamletofdifferentshadesandcolourstoreceivethedesigns，andIpaidforeverythinginreadymoney。
IhadmadeanapproximatecalculationwithmymanagerthatIshouldhavetospendthreehundredthousandfrancs，andthatwouldnotbreakme。IftheworsthappenedIcouldfallbackonmyshares，whichproducedagoodincome，butIhopedIshouldnotbecompelledtodoso，asIwantedtohaveanincomeoftwohundredthousandfrancsayear。
AllthewhileIdidnotconcealfrommyselfthatthespeculationmightbemyruin，ifcustomdidnotcomein，butonlookingatmybeautifulmaterialsthesefearsweredispelled，especiallyasIheardeverybodysayingthatIsoldthemmuchtoocheap。
TosetupthebusinessIspentinthecourseofamonthaboutsixtythousandfrancs，andmyweeklyexpensesamountedtotwelvehundredfrancs。
AsforMadamed’Urfeshelaughedeverytimeshesawme，forshewasquitecertainthatthisbusinesswasonlymeanttoputthecuriousoffthescentandtopreservemyincognito:sopersuadedwassheofmyomnipotence。
Thesightoftwentygirls，allmoreorlesspretty，theeldestofwhomwasnottwenty—five，farfrommakingmetrembleasitought，delightedme。Ifanciedmyselfinthemidstofaseraglio，andI
amusedmyselfbywatchingtheirmeekandmodestlooksastheydidtheirworkunderthedirectionoftheforeman。Thebestpaiddidnotgetmorethantwenty—foursousaday，andallofthemhadexcellentreputations，fortheyhadbeenselectedatherownrequestbythemanager’swife，adevoutwomanofripeage，whomIhopedtofindobligingifthefancyseizedmetotestherchoice。ManonBalettididnotsharemysatisfactioninthem。Shetrembledtoseemetheownerofaharem，wellknowingthatsoonerorlaterthebarqueofmyvirtuewouldrunontherocks。Shescoldedmewellaboutthesegirls，thoughIassuredherthatnoneofthemsleptinthehouse。
Thisbusinessincreasedmyownideasofmyimportance；partlyfromthethoughtthatIwasonthehighroadtofortune，andpartlybecauseIfurnishedsomanypeoplewiththemeansofsubsistence。
Alas！Iwastoofortunate；andmyevilgeniussooncrossedmycareer。
ItwasnowthreemonthssinceMdlle。X。C。V。hadgoneintotheconvent，andthetimeofherdeliverydrewnear。Wewrotetoeachothertwiceaweek，andIconsideredthematterhappilysettled；M。
delaPopelinierehadmarried，andwhenMdlle。X。C。V。returnedtohermothertherewouldbenothingmoretobesaidButjustatthisperiod，whenmyhappinessseemedassured，thehiddenfireleaptforthandthreatenedtoconsumeme；how，thereaderwillsee。
OnedayafterleavingMadamed’Urfe’sIwenttowalkintheTuileries。IhadtakenacoupleofturnsinthechiefwalkwhenI
sawthatanoldwoman，accompaniedbyamandressedinblack，waslookingatmecloselyandcommunicatingherobservationstohercompanion。Therewasnothingveryastonishinginthisinapublicplace，andIcontinuedmywalk，andonturningagainsawthesamecouplestillwatchingme。InmyturnIlookedatthem，andrememberedseeingthemaninagaming—house，wherehewasknownbythenameofCastel—Bajac。Onscrutinizingthefeaturesofthehag，I
atlastsucceededinrecollectingwhoshewas；shewasthewomantowhomIhadtakenMdlle。X。C。V。Ifeltcertainthatshehadrecognizedme，butnottroublingmyselfaboutthematterIleftthegardenstowalkelsewhere。Thedayafternext，justasIwasgoingtogetintomycarriage，amanofevilaspectgavemeapaperandaskedmetoreadit。Iopenedit，butfindingitcoveredwithanillegiblescrawlIgaveithimback，tellinghimtoreadithimself。
Hedidso，andIfoundmyselfsummonedtoappearbeforethecommissaryofpolicetoanswertothepleawhichthemidwife（whosenameIforget）broughtagainstme。
AlthoughIcouldguesswhatthechargewouldbe，andwascertainthatthemidwifecouldfurnishnoproofsofheraccusation，IwenttoanattorneyIknewandtoldhimtoappearforme。IinstructedhimthatIdidnotknowanymidwifeinPariswhatsoever。Theattorneywaitedonthecommissary，andonthedayafterbroughtmeacopyofthepleas。
ThemidwifesaidthatIcametoheronenight，accompaniedbyayoungladyaboutfivemonthswithchild，andthat，holdingapistolinonehandandapacketoffiftyLouisintheother，Imadeherpromisetoprocureabortion。Webothofus（soshesaid）hadmaskson，thus。
shewingthatwehadbeenattheoperaball。Fear，saidshe，hadpreventedherfromflatlyrefusingtograntmyrequest；butshehadenoughpresenceofmindtosaythatthenecessarydrugswerenotready，thatshewouldhaveallinorderbythenextnight；whereuponweleft，promisingtoreturn。Inthebeliefthatwewouldnotfailtokeeptheappointment，shewentintoM。Castel—Bajactoaskhimtohideinthenextroomthatshemightbeprotectedfrommyfury，andthathemightbeawitnessofwhatIsaid，butshehadnotseenmeagain。SheaddedthatshewouldhavegiveninformationthedayaftertheeventifshehadknownwhoIwas，butsinceM。Castel—BajachadtoldhermynameonherrecognizingmeintheTuileries，shehadthoughtitherboundendutytodelivermetothelawthatshemightbecompensatedfortheviolenceIhadusedtoher。AndthisdocumentwassignedbythesaidCastel—Bajacasawitness。
\"Thisisanevidentcaseoflibel，\"saidmyattorney，\"atleast，ifshecan’tprovethetruthofherallegations。Myadvicetoyouistotakethematterbeforethecriminallieutenant，whowillbeabletogiveyouthesatisfactionyourequire。\"
Iauthorizedhimtodowhathethoughtadvisable，andthreeorfourdaysafterhetoldmethatthelieutenantwishedtospeaktomeinprivate，andwouldexpectmethesamedayatthreeo’clockintheafternoon。
Aswillbeexpected，Iwaspunctualtotheappointment。Ifoundthemagistratetobeapoliteandgood—heartedgentleman。Hewas，infact，thewell—knownM。deSartine，whowasthechiefofpolicetwoyearslater。Hisofficeofcriminallieutenantwassaleable，andM。
deSartinesolditwhenhewasappointedheadofthepolice。
AssoonasIhadmademybow，heaskedmetositdownbyhim，andaddressedmeasfollows:
\"Ihaveaskedyoutocalluponmeintheinterestsofbothofus，asinyourpositionourinterestsareinseparable。Ifyouareinnocentofthechargewhichhasbeenbroughtagainstyou，youarequiterighttoappealtome；butbeforeproceedingsbegin，youshouldtellmethewholetruth。Iamreadytoforgetmypositionasjudge，andtogiveyoumyhelp，butyoumustseeyourselfthattoprovetheothersideguiltyofslander，youmustproveyourselfinnocent。WhatIwantfromyouisaninformalandstrictlyconfidentialdeclaration，forthecaseagainstyouisaseriousone，andofsuchakindastorequireallyoureffortstowipeoffthisblotuponyourhonour。
Yourenemieswillnotrespectyourdelicacyoffeeling。Theywillpressyousohardthatyouwilleitherbeobligedtosubmittoashamefulsentence，ortowoundyourfeelingsofhonourinprovingyourinnocence。YouseeIamconfidinginyou，forincertaincaseshonourseemssopreciousathingtomethatIamreadytodefenditwithallthepowerofthelaw。Paymeback，then，inthesamecoin，trustinmeentirely，tellmethewholestorywithoutanyreserves，andyoumayrelyuponmygoodoffices。Allwillbewellifyouareinnocent，forIshallnotbethelessajudgebecauseIamyourfriend；butifyouareguiltyIamsorryforyou，forIwarnyouthatIshallbejust。\"
Afterdoingmybesttoexpressmygratitudetohim，Isaidthatmypositiondidnotobligemetomakeanyreservationsonaccountofhonour，andthatIhad，consequently，noinformalstatementtomakehim。