\"Nay，\"saidValenglard，inaserioustone，whichstruckmeassupremelyridiculous，\"shemustgo；herfatemustbefulfilled。\"
ThefairMdlle。Romanseemedallamazed。Iletthemtalkon，andwesatdowntodinner。
[Thenexttwoparagraphsweremisplacedintheoriginal，likelybythetypesetter，andhavebeeninsertedherewhereitseemsthattheybelong。D。W。]
IhopedIshouldbeaskedtotakethediamondtoParismyself，andIfeltinclinedtogranttherequest。Iflatteredmyselfthattheycouldnotdowithoutme，andthatIshouldgetwhatIwanted，ifnotforloveatanyratethroughgratitude；indeed，whoknewwhatmightbecomeoftheplan？Themonarchwouldbesuretobecaughtdirectly。Ihadnodoubtsonthatsubject，forwhereisthemaninlovewhodoesnotthinkthathisbelovedobjectwillwintheheartsofallothers？ForthemomentIfeltquitejealousoftheking，but，frommythoroughknowledgeofmyowninconstancy，Ifeltsurethatmyjealousywouldceasewhenmylovehadbeenrewarded，andIwasawarethatLouisXV。didnotaltogetherholdtheopinionsofaTurkinsuchconcerns。Whatgaveanalmostdivinecharactertothehoroscopewasthepredictionofasontobeborn，whowouldmakethehappinessofFrance，andcouldonlycomefromtheroyalbloodandfromasingularvesselofelection。
Acuriousfancyincreasedmydelight，namely，thethoughtofbecomingafamousastrologerinanagewhenreasonandsciencehadsojustlydemolishedastrology。Ienjoyedthethoughtofseeingmyselfsoughtoutbycrownedheads，whicharealwaysthemoreaccessibletosuperstitiousnotions。IdeterminedIwouldbeparticulartowhomIgavemyadvice。WhohasnotmadehiscastlesinSpain？IfMdlle。RomangavebirthtoadaughterinsteadofasonIshouldbeamused，andallwouldnotbelost，forasonmightcomeafterwards。
Atfirstsilencereigned，andthentheconversationranonathousandtrifles，asisusualingoodsociety，butbydegrees，asIhadthought，theyreturnedtothehoroscope。
\"Accordingtothehoroscope，\"saidtheaunt，\"thekingistofallinlovewithmynieceinhereighteenthyear；sheisnowcloseonit。Whatarewetodo？Wherearewetogetthehundredlouisnecessary？AndwhenshegetstoParisisshetogotothekingandsay，’HereIam，yourmajesty’？Andwhoisgoingtotakeherthere？Ican’t。\"
\"MyauntRomanmight，\"saidtheyounglady，blushinguptohereyesattheroaroflaughterwhichnoneofuscouldrestrain。
\"Well，\"saidMadameMorin，\"thereisMadameVarnier，oftheRuedeRichelieu；sheisanauntofyours。Shehasagoodestablishment，andknowseverybody。\"
\"See，\"saidValenglard，\"howthewaysofdestinyaremadeplain。
Youtalkofahundredlouis；twelvewillbesufficienttotakeyoutoMadameVarnier’s。Whenyougetthere，leavetheresttoyourfate，whichwillsurelyfavouryou。\"
\"IfyoudogotoParis，\"saidI，\"saynothingtoMadameRomanorMadameVarnieraboutthehoroscope。\"
\"Iwillsaynothingtoanyoneaboutit；but，afterall，itisonlyahappydream。IshallneverseeParis，stilllessLouisXV。\"
Iarose，andgoingtomycash—boxItookoutarollofahundredandfiftylouis，whichIgavetoher，sayingitwasapacketofsweetmeats。Itfeltratherheavy，andonopeningitshefoundittocontainfiftypieces—of—eight，whichshetookformedals。
\"Theyaregold，\"saidValenglard。
\"Andthegoldsmithwillgiveyouahundredandfiftylouisforthem，\"addedM。Morin。
\"Ibegyouwillkeepthem；youcangivemeabillpayableatPariswhenyoubecomerich。\"
Iknewshewouldrefusetoacceptmypresent，althoughIshouldhavebeendelightedifshehadkeptthemoney。ButIadmiredherstrengthofmindinrestraininghertears，andthatwithoutdisturbingforamomentthesmileonherface。
Wewentouttotakeaturninthegarden。ValenglardandMadameMorinbeganonthetopicofthehoroscopeanew，andIleftthem，takingMdlle。Romanwithme。
\"Iwishyouwouldtellme，\"saidshe，whenwewereoutofhearingoftheothers，\"ifthishoroscopeisnotallajoke。\"
\"No，\"Ianswered，\"itisquiteserious，butitalldependsonanif。IfyoudonotgotoParistheprophecywillneverbefulfilled。\"
\"Youmustthinkso，certainly，oryouwouldneverhaveofferedmethosefiftymedals。\"
\"Domethepleasureofacceptingthemnow；nobodywillknowanythingaboutit。\"
\"No，Icannot，thoughIammuchobligedtoyou。Butwhyshouldyouwanttogivemesuchalargesum？\"
\"Forthepleasureofcontributingtoyourhappiness，andinthehopethatyouwillallowmetoloveyou。\"
\"IfyoureallylovemetwhyshouldIopposeyourlove？Youneednotbuymyconsent；andtobehappyIdonotwanttopossesstheKingofFrance，ifyoudidbutknowtowhatmydesiresarelimited。\"
\"Tellme。\"
\"Iwouldfainfindakindhusband，richenoughforusnottolackthenecessariesoflife。\"
\"Buthowifyoudidnotlovehim？\"
\"Ifhewasagood，kindmanhowcouldIhelplovinghim？\"
\"Iseethatyoudonotknowwhatloveis。\"
\"Youareright。Idonotknowthelovethatmaddens，andIthankGodforit。\"
\"Well，Ithinkyouarewise；mayGodpreserveyoufromthatlove。\"
\"Yousay，thatassoonasthekingseesmehewillfallinlovewithme，andtotellyouthetruththatstrikesmeasvastlyimprobable；forthoughitisquitepossiblethathemaynotthinkmeplain，orhemightevenpronouncemepretty，yetIdonotthinkhewillbecomesomadlyinloveasyousay。\"
\"Youdon’t？Letussitdown。YouhaveonlygottofancythatthekingwilltakethesamelikingtoyouthatIhavedone；thatisall。\"
\"Butwhatdoyoufindinmethatyouwillnotfindinmostgirlsofmyage？Icertainlymayhavestruckyou；butthatonlyprovesthatIwasborntoexercisethisswayoveryou，andnotatallthatIamtorulethekinginlikemanner。WhyshouldIgoandlookfortheking，ifyoulovemeyourself？\"
\"BecauseIcannotgiveyouthepositionyoudeserve。\"
\"Ishouldhavethoughtyouhadplentyofmoney。\"
\"Thenthere’sanotherreason:youarenotinlovewithme。\"
\"IloveyouastenderlyasifIwereyourwife。Imightthenkissyou，thoughdutynowforbidsmydoingso。\"
\"Iammuchobligedtoyoufornotbeingangrywithmeforbeingsohappywithyou！\"
\"Onthecontrary，Iamdelightedtopleaseyou。\"
\"Thenyouwillallowmetocallonyouatanearlyhourto—morrow，andtotakecoffeeatyourbedside。\"
\"Donotdreamofsuchathing。IfIwouldIcouldnot。Isleepwithmyaunt，andIalwaysriseatthesametimeshedoes。Takeawayyourhand；youpromisednottodoitagain。InGod’sname，letmealone。\"
Alas！Ihadtostop；therewasnoovercomingher。Butwhatpleasedmeextremelywasthatinspiteofmyamorouspersecutionshedidnotlosethatsmilingcalmwhichsobecameher。AsformyselfIlookedasifIdeservedthatpardonforwhichIpleadedonmyknees，andinhereyesIreadthatshewassorrythatshecouldnotgrantwhatIrequiredofher。
Icouldnolongerstaybesideher，mysensesweretooexcitedbyherbeauty。IleftherandwenttomyroomwhereIfoundthekindManonbusyingherselfonmycuffs，andshegavemethereliefI
wanted，andwhenwewerebothsatisfiedmadeherescape。I
reflectedthatIshouldneverobtainmorethanIhadobtainedhithertofromyoungMdlle。Roman——atleast，unlessIgavethelietomyhoroscopebymarryingher，andIdecidedthatIwouldnottakeanyfurtherstepsinthematter。Ireturnedtothegarden，andgoinguptotheauntIbeggedhertowalkwithme。InvainI
urgedtheworthywomantoacceptahundredlouisforherniece’sjourneyfromme。IsworetoherbyallIheldsacredthatnooneelseshouldeverknowofthecircumstance。Allmyeloquenceandallmyprayerswereinvain。Shetoldmethatifherniece’sdestinyonlydependedonthatjourneyallwouldbewell，forshehadthoughtoveraplanwhichwould，withherhusband’sconsent，enableMdlle。RomantogotoParis。Atthesametimeshegavemehersincerestthanks，andsaidthatherniecewasveryfortunatetohavepleasedmesowell。
\"Shepleasedmesowell，\"Ireplied，\"thatIhaveresolvedtogoawayto—morrowtoavoidmakingproposalstoyouwhichwouldbringthegreatfortunethatawaitshertonought。IfitwerenotforthatIshouldhavebeenhappytohaveaskedherhandofyou。\"
\"Alas！herhappinesswould，perhaps，bebuiltonabetterfoundation。Explainyourself。\"
\"Idarenotwagewarwithfate。\"
\"Butyouarenotgoingto—morrow？\"
\"Excuseme，butIshallcalltotakeleaveattwoo’clock。\"
Thenewsofmyapproachingdeparturesaddenedthesupper—table。
MadameMorin，who，forallIknow，maybealivenow，wasamostkind—heartedwoman。AttablesheannouncedherresolvethatasI
haddecidedongoing，andasIshouldonlyleavemyhousetotakeleaveofher，shewouldnotforcemetoputmyselfouttosuchanextent，andordainedthatourfarewellsshouldbesaidthatevening。
\"Atleast，\"Isaid，\"Imayhavethehonourofescortingyoutoyourdoor？\"
\"Thatwillprotractourhappinessforsomeminutes。\"Valenglardwentawayonfoot，andthefairMdlle。Romansatonmyknee。I
daredtobeboldwithher，andcontrarytoexpectationsheshewedherselfsokindthatIwashalfsorryIwasgoing；butthediewascast。
Acarriagelyingoverturnedontheroadoutsideaninnmademycoachmanstopashortwhile，andthisaccidentwhichmadethepoordrivercurseoverwhelmedmewithjoy，forinthesefewmomentsI
obtainedallthefavoursthatshecouldpossiblygiveunderthecircumstances。
Happinessenjoyedaloneisnevercomplete。MinewasnotuntilI
assuredmyself，bylookingatmysweetheart’sfeatures，thatthepartshehadtakenhadnotbeenanentirelypassiveone；andI
escortedtheladiestotheirroom。There，withoutanyconceit，I
wascertainthatIsawsadnessandloveuponthatfaircreature’sface。Icouldseethatshewasneithercoldnorinsensible，andthattheobstaclesshehadputinmywaywereonlysuggestedbyfearandvirtue。IgaveMadameMorinafarewellkiss，andshewaskindenoughtotellherniecetogivemeasimilarmarkoffriendship，whichshedidinawaythatshewedmehowcompletelyshehadsharedmyardour。
Ileftthem，feelingamorousandsorryIhadobligedmyselftogo。
OnenteringmyroomIfoundthethreenymphstogether，whichvexedmeasIonlywantedone。IwhisperedmywishestoRoseasshecurledmyhair，butshetoldmeitwasimpossibleforhertoslipawayastheyallsleptinoneroom。IthentoldthemthatIwasgoingawaythenextday，andthatiftheywouldpassthenightwithmeIwouldgivethemapresentofsixlouiseach。Theylaughedatmyproposalandsaiditcouldn’tpossiblybedone。I
sawbythistheyhadnotmadeconfidantesofoneanother，asgirlsmostlydo，andIalsosawthattheywerejealousofeachother。I
wishedthemagoodnight，andassoonasIwasinbedthegodofdreamstookmeunderhiscare，andmademepassthenightwiththeadorableMdlle。Roman。
Irangratherlateinthemorning，andthecousincameinandsaidthatRosewouldbringmychocolate，andthatM。CharlesIvanoffwantedtospeaktome。IguessedthatthiswastheRussian，butashehadnotbeenintroducedtomeIthoughtImightdeclinetoseehim。
\"TellhimIdon’tknowhisname。\"
Rosewentout，andcameinagainsayinghewasthegentlemanwhohadhadthehonourofsuppingwithmeatMadameMorin’s。
\"Tellhimtocomein。\"
\"Sir，\"saidhe，\"Iwanttospeakwithyouinprivate。\"
\"Icannotordertheseyoungladiestoleavemyroom，sir。BekindenoughtowaitformeoutsidetillIhaveputonmydressing—gown，andthenIshallbereadytospeaktoyou。\"
\"IfIamtroublingyou，Iwillcallagainto—morrow。\"
\"Youwouldnotfindme，asIamleavingGrenobleto—day。\"
\"InthatcaseIwillwait。\"
Igotupinhasteandwentouttohim。
\"Sir，\"saidhe，\"Imustleavethisplace，andIhavenotapennytopaymylandlord。Ibegofyoutocometomyaid。Idarenothaverecoursetoanyoneelseinthetownforfearofexposingmyselftotheinsultofarefusal。\"
\"PerhapsIoughttofeelmyselfflatteredatthepreferenceyouhaveshewnme，butwithoutwishingtoinsultyouinanywayIamafraidIshallbeobligedtorefuseyourrequest。\"
\"IfyouknewwhoIamIamsureyouwouldnotrefusemesomesmallhelp。\"
\"Ifyouthinkso，tellmewhoyouare；youmaycountonmysilence。\"
\"IamCharles，secondsonofIvan，DukeofCourland，whoisinexileinSiberia。Imademyescape。\"
\"IfyougotoGenoayouwillfindyourselfbeyondthereachofpoverty；fornodoubtthebrotherofyourlady—motherwouldneverabandonyou。\"
\"HediedinSilesia。\"
\"When？\"
\"Twoyearsago，Ibelieve。\"
\"Youhavebeendeceived，forIsawhimatStuttgartscarcelysixmonthsago。HeistheBarondeTreiden。\"
Itdidnotcostmemuchtogetwindoftheadventurer，butIfeltangrythathehadhadtheimpudencetotryanddupeme。IfithadnotbeenforthatIwouldwillinglyhavegivenhimsixlouis，foritwouldhavebeenbadformonmyparttodeclarewaragainstadventurers，asIwasonemyself，andIoughttohavepardonedhisliesasnearlyalladventurersaremoreorlessimpostors。
Igaveaglanceathisdiamondbuckles，whichwereconsideredrealatGrenoble，andIsawdirectlythattheywerecounterfeitsofakindmadeinVenice，whichimitatethefacetsofthediamondsinperfection，excepttopeoplewhoareexperiencedindiamonds。
\"Youhavediamondbuckles，\"saidI。\"Whydon’tyousellthem？\"
\"It’sthelastpieceofjewelleryIpossessoutofallmymothergaveme，andIpromisedhernevertopartwiththem。\"
\"IwouldnotshewthosebucklesifIwereyou；yourpocketwouldbeabetterplaceforthem。ImaytellyoufranklythatIbelievethestonestobecounterfeit，andthatyourliedispleasesme。\"
\"Sir，Iamnotaliar。\"
\"Weshallsee。Provethatthestonesaregenuine，andIwillgiveyousixlouis。IshallbedelightedifIaminthewrong。
Farewell。\"
SeeingM。deValerlglardcominguptomydoor，hebeggedmenottotellhimofwhathadpassedbetweenus；andIpromisedthatI
wouldtellnoone。
Valenglardcametowishmeaprosperousjourney；hehimselfwasobligedtogowithM。Monteinard。Hebeggedmetocorrespondconstantlywithhim，andIhadbeenintendingtopreferthesamerequest，asItooktoogreataninterestinthefairMdlle。Romannottowishtohearofherfate，andthecorrespondencetheworthyofficerdesiredwasthebestwaypossibleformetohearabouther。Aswillbeimagined，Ipromisedwhatheaskedwithoutmakinganydifficulty。Heshedtearsasheembracedme，andIpromisedtobehisfriend。
CHAPTERII
MyDeparturefromGrenoble——Avignon——TheFountainofVaucluse——TheFalseAstrodiandtheHumpback——GaetanCosta——IArriveatMarseillesWhilethethreegirlswerehelpingLeDuctopackmymailsmylandlordentered，gavemehisbill，andfindingeverythingcorrectIpaidhim，muchtohissatisfaction。Iowedhimacompliment，too，atwhichheseemedextremelygratified。
\"Sir，\"saidI，\"Idonotwishtoleaveyourhousewithouthavingthepleasureofdiningwithyourcharminggirls，toshewthemhowIappreciatethecaretheyhavetakenofme。Letmehave，then，adelicaterepastforfour，andalsoorderposthorses，thatImaystartintheevening。\"
\"Sir，\"brokeinLeDuc，\"Ientreatyoutoorderasaddle—horsebesides；Iwasnotmadeforaseatbehindachaise。\"
Thecousinlaughedopenlyathisvainboasting，andtoavengehimselftherascaltoldherthathewasbetterthanshe。
\"Nevertheless，M。leDuc，youwillhavetowaitonherattable。\"
\"Yes，asshewaitsonyouinbed。\"
Iranformystick，buttherogue，knowingwhatwasgoingtohappen，openedthewindowandjumpedintothecourtyard。Thegirlsgaveashriekofterror，butwhenwelookedoutwesawhimjumpingaboutandperformingathousandapishtricks。
Verygladtofindthathehadnotbrokenalimb，Icalledout，\"Comeback，Iforgiveyou。\"Thegirls，andthemanhimselfwhoescapedsoreadily，wereasdelightedasI。LeDuccameininhighspirits，observingthathedidnotknowhewassuchagoodjumper。
\"Verygood，butdon’tbesoimpudentanothertime。Here，takethiswatch。\"
Sosaying，Igavehimavaluablegoldwatch，whichhereceived，saying，——
\"Iwouldjumpagainforanotherwatchlikethis。\"
SuchwasmySpaniard，whomIhadtodismisstwoyearsafterwards。
Ihaveoftenmissedhim。
ThehourswentbywithsuchspeedwhenIwasseatedattablewiththethreegirls，whomIvainlyendeavouredtointoxicate，thatI
decidedthatIwouldnotleavetillthenextday。Iwastiredofmakingmysteriesandwantedtoenjoythemalltogether，andresolvedthattheorgyshouldtakeplacethatnight。ItoldthemthatiftheywouldpassthenightinmyroomIwouldnotgotillthenextday。Thispropositionwasreceivedwithastormofexclamationsandwithlaughter，asatanimpossibility，whileI
endeavouredtoexcitethemtograntmyrequest。Inthemidstofthisthedoor—keepercamein，advisingmenottotravelbynight，buttogotoAvignonbyaboatinwhichIcouldshipmycarriage。
\"Youwillsavetimeandmoney，\"saidhe。
\"Iwilldoso，\"Ianswered，\"ifthesegirlsofyourswillkeepmecompanyallnight，asIamdeterminedIwillnotgotobed。\"
\"OLord！\"saidhewithalaugh，\"that’stheirbusiness。\"
Thisdecidedthemandtheygavein。Thedoor—keepersenttoordertheboat，andpromisedtoletmehaveadaintysupperbymidnight。
Thehourspassedbyinjestsandmerriment，andwhenwesatdowntosupperImadethechampagnecorksflytosuchanextentthatthegirlsbegantogetrathergay。Imyselffeltalittleheated，andasIheldeachone’ssecretIhadthehardihoodtotellthemthattheirscrupleswereridiculous，aseachofthemhadshewnnoreservetomeinprivate。
Atthistheygazedatoneanotherinakindofblanksurprise，asifindignantatwhatIhadsaid。Foreseeingthatfemininepridemightpromptthemtotreatmyaccusationasanidlecalumny，I
resolvednottogivethemtime，anddrawingManonontomykneeI
embracedherwithsuchardourthatshegaveinandabandonedherselftomypassion。Herexampleovercametheothers，andforfivehoursweindulgedineverykindofvoluptuousenjoyment。Attheendofthattimewewereallinneedofrest，butIhadtogo。
Iwantedtogivethemsomejewels，buttheysaidtheywouldratherIorderedglovestotheamountofthirtylouis，themoneytobepaidinadvance，andtheglovesnottobecalledfor。
Iwenttosleeponboardtheboat，anddidnotawaketillwegottoAvignon。Iwasconductedtotheinnof\"St。Omen\"andsuppedinmyroominspiteofthemarvelloustaleswhichLeDuctoldmeofayoungbeautyatthepublictable。
NextmorningmySpaniardtoldmethatthebeautyandherhusbandsleptinaroomnexttomine。Atthesametimehebroughtmeabilloftheplay，andIsawCompanyfromParis，withMdlle。
Astrodi，whowastosinganddance。Igaveacryofwonder，andexclaimed，——
\"ThefamousAstrodiatAvignon——howshewillbeastonishedtoseeme！\"
Notwantingtoliveinhermitfashion，Iwentdownstairstodineatthepublictable，andIfoundascoreofpeoplesittingdowntosuchachoicerepastthatIcouldnotconceivehowitcouldbedoneforfortysousahead。Thefairstrangerdrewalleyes，andespeciallymine，towardsher。Shewasayoungandperfectbeauty，silent，hereyesfixedonanapkin，replyinginmonosyllablestothosewhoaddressedher，andglancingatthespeakerwithlargeblueeyes，thebeautyofwhichitwouldbedifficulttodescribe。
Herhusbandwasseatedattheotherendofthetable——amanofakindthatinspirescontemptatthefirstglance。Hewasyoung，markedwiththesmall—pox，agreedyeater，aloudtalker，laughingandspeakingatrandom，andaltogetherItookhimforaservantindisguise。Feelingsurethatsuchafellowdidnotknowhowtorefuse，Isenthimaglassofchampagne，whichhedrankofftomyhealthforthwith。\"MayIhavethepleasureofsendingaglasstoyourwife？\"Hereplied，witharoaroflaughter，toaskhermyself；andwithaslightbowshetoldmethatshenevertookanythingtodrink。Whenthedessertcameinsherose，andherhusbandfollowedhertotheirroom。
Astrangerwholikemyselfhadneverseenherbefore，askedmewhoshewas。IsaidIwasanewcomeranddidnotknow，andsomebodyelsesaidthatherhusbandcalledhimselftheChevalierStuard，thathecamefromLyons，andwasgoingtoMarseilles；hecame，itappeared，toAvignonaweekago，withoutservants，andinaverypoorcarriage。
IintendedstayingatAvignononlyaslongasmightbenecessarytoseetheFountainorFallofVaucluse，andsoIhadnotgotanylettersofintroduction，andhadnotthepretextofacquaintancethatImightstayandenjoyherfineeyes。ButanItalianwhohadreadandenjoyedthedivinePetrarchwouldnaturallywishtoseetheplacemadedivinebythepoet’sloveforLaura。Iwenttothetheatre，whereIsawthevice—legateSalviati，womenoffashion，neitherfairnorfoul，andawretchedcomicopera；butIneithersawAstrodinoranyotheractorfromtheComedieItalienneatParis。
\"WhereisthefamousAstrodi？\"saidI，toayoungmansittingbyme，\"Ihavenotseenheryet。\"
\"Excuseme，shehasdancedandsangbeforeyoureyes。\"
\"ByJove，it’simpossible！Iknowherperfectly，andifshehassochangedasnottoberecognizedsheisnolongerherself。\"
Iturnedtogo，andtwominutesaftertheyoungmanIhadaddressedcameupandbeggedmetocomeback，andhewouldtakemetoAstradi’sdressing—room，asshehadrecognizedme。Ifollowedhimwithoutsayingaword，andsawaplain—lookinggirl，whothrewherarmsroundmyneckandaddressedmebymyname，thoughIcouldhaveswornIhadneverseenherbefore，butshedidnotleavemetimetospeak。ClosebyIsawamanwhogavehimselfoutasthefatherofthefamousAstrodi，whowasknowntoallParis，whohadcausedthedeathoftheComted’Egmont，oneofthemostamiablenoblemenoftheCourtofLouisXV。Ithoughtthisuglyfemalemightbehersister，soIsatdownandcomplimentedheronhertalents。SheaskedifIwouldmindherchangingherdress；andinamomentshewasrunninghereandthere，laughingandshewingaliberalitywhichpossiblymighthavebeenabsentifwhatshehadtodisplayhadbeenworthseeing。
Ilaughedinternallyatherwiles，foraftermyexperiencesatGrenobleshewouldhavefounditahardtasktoarousemydesiresifshehadbeenasprettyasshewasugly。Herthinnessandhertawnyskincouldnotdivertmyattentionfromotherstilllesspleasingfeaturesabouther。Iadmiredherconfidenceinspiteofherdisadvantages。Shemusthavecreditedmewithadiabolicappetite，butthesewomenoftencontrivetoextractcharmsoutoftheirdepravitywhichtheirdelicacywouldbeimpotenttofurnish。
Shebeggedmetosupwithher，andasshepersistedIwasobligedtorefuseherinawayIshouldnothaveallowedmyselftousewithanyotherwoman。Shethenbeggedmetotakefourticketsfortheplaythenextday，whichwastobeforherbenefit。Isawitwasonlyamatteroftwelvefrancs，anddelightedtobequitofhersocheaplyItoldhertogivemesixteen。IthoughtshewouldhavegonemadwithjoywhenIgaveheradoublelouis。ShewasnottherealAstrodi。Iwentbacktomyinnandhadadelicioussupperinmyownroom。
WhileLeDucwasdoingmyhairbeforeIwenttobed，hetoldmethatthelandlordhadpaidavisittothefairstrangerandherhusbandbeforesupper，andhadsaidincleartermsthathemustbepaidnextmorning；andifhewerenot，noplacewouldbelaidforthemattable，andtheirlinenwouldbedetained。
\"Whotoldyouthat？\"
\"Ihearditfromhere；theirroomisonlyseparatedfromthisbyawoodenpartition。Iftheywereinitnow，Iamsuretheycouldhearallwearesaying。\"
\"Wherearethey，then？\"
\"Attable，wheretheyareeatingforto—morrow，buttheladyiscrying。There’safinechanceforyou，sir。\"
\"Bequiet；Ishan’thaveanythingtodowithit。It’satrap，forawomanofanyworthwoulddieratherthanweepatapublictable。\"
\"Ah，ifyousawhowprettyshelooksintears！Iamonlyapoordevil，butIwouldwillinglygivehertwolouisifshewouldearnthem。\"
\"Goandofferherthemoney。\"
Amomentafterthegentlemanandhiswifecamebacktotheirroom，andIheardtheloudvoiceoftheoneandthesobsoftheother，butashewasspeakingWalloonIdidnotunderstandwhathesaid。
\"Gotobed，\"saidItoLeDuc，\"andnextmorningtellthelandlordtogetmeanotherroom，forawoodenpartitionistoothinabarriertokeepoffpeoplewhomdespairdrivetoextremities。\"
Iwenttobedmyself，andthesobsandmutteringdidnotdieawaytillmidnight。
Iwasshavingnextmorning，whenLeDucannouncedtheChevalierStuard。
\"SayIdon’tknowanybodyofthatname。\"
Heexecutedmyorders，andreturnedsayingthatthechevalieronhearingmyrefusaltoseehimhadstampedwithrage，goneintohischamber，andcomeoutagainwithhisswordbesidehim。
\"Iamgoingtosee，\"addedLeDuc，\"thatyourpistolsarewellprimedforthefuture。\"
Ifeltinclinedtolaugh，butnonethelessIadmiredtheforesightofmySpaniard，foramanindespairiscapableofanything。
\"Go，\"saidI，\"andaskthelandlordtogivemeanotherroom。\"
Induecoursethelandlordcamehimselfandtoldmethathecouldnotobligemeuntilthenextday。
\"Ifyoudon’tgetmeanotherroomIshallleaveyourhouseonthespot，becauseIdon’tlikehearingsobsandreproachesallnight。\"
\"Canyouhearthem，sir？\"
\"Youcanhearthemyourselfnow。Whatdoyouthinkofit？Thewomanwillkillherself，andyouwillbethecauseofherdeath。\"
\"I，sir？Ihaveonlyaskedthemtopaymemyjustdebts。\"
\"Hush！theregoesthehusband。Iamsureheistellinghiswifeinhislanguagethatyouareanunfeelingmonster。\"
\"Hemaytellherwhathelikessolongashepaysme。\"
\"Youhavecondemnedthemtodieofhunger。Howmuchdotheyoweyou？\"
\"Fiftyfrancs。\"
\"Aren’tyouashamedofmakingsucharowforawretchedsumlikethat？\"
\"Sir，Iamonlyashamedofanilldeed，andIdonotcommitsuchadeedinaskingformyown。\"
\"There’syourmoney。Goandtellthemthatyouhavebeenpaid，andthattheymayeatagain；butdon’tsaywhogaveyouthemoney。\"
\"That’swhatIcallagoodaction，\"saidthefellow；andhewentandtoldthemthattheydidnotowehimanything，butthattheywouldneverknowwhopaidthemoney。
\"Youmaydineandsup，\"headded，\"atthepublictable，butyoumustpaymedaybyday。\"
Afterhehaddeliveredthisspeechinahighvoice，sothatI
couldhearaswellasifIhadbeenintheroom，hecamebacktome。
\"Youstupidfool！\"saidI，pushinghimaway，\"theywillknoweverything。\"SosayingIshutmydoor。
LeDucstoodinfrontofme，staringstupidlybeforehim。
\"What’sthematterwithyou，idiot？\"saidI。
\"That’sfine。Isee。Iamgoingonthestage。Youwoulddowelltobecomeanactor。\"
\"Youareafool。\"
\"Notsobigafoolasyouthink。\"
\"Iamgoingforawalk；mindyoudon’tleavemyroomforamoment。\"
Ihadscarcelyshutthedoorwhenthechevalieraccostedmeandoverwhelmedmewiththanks。
\"Sir，Idon’tknowtowhatyouarereferring。\"
Hethankedmeagainandleftme，andwalkingbythebanksoftheRhone，whichgeographerssayisthemostrapidriverinEurope，I
amusedmyselfbylookingattheancientbridge。Atdinner—timeI
wentbacktotheinn，andasthelandlordknewthatIpaidsixfrancsamealhetreatedmetoanexquisiterepast。Here，I
remember，IhadsomeexceedinglychoiceHermitage。ItwassodeliciousthatIdranknothingelse。IwishedtomakeapilgrimagetoVaucluseandbeggedthelandlordtoprocuremeagoodguide，andafterIhaddressedIwenttothetheatre。
IfoundtheAstrodiatthedoor，andgivinghermysixteentickets，Isatdownneartheboxofthevice—legateSalviati，whocameinalittlelater，surroundedbyanumeroustrainofladiesandgentlemenbedizenedwithordersandgoldlace。
Theso—calledfatherofthefalseAstrodicameandwhisperedthathisdaughterbeggedmetosaythatshewasthecelebratedAstrodiIhadknownatParis。Ireplied，alsoinawhisper，thatIwouldnotruntheriskofbeingpostedasaliarbybolsteringupanimposture。Theeasewithwhicharogueinvitesagentlemantoshareinaknaveryisastonishing；hemustthinkhisconfidenceconfersanhonour。
Attheendofthefirstactascoreoflackeysintheprince’sliverytookroundicestothefrontboxes。Ithoughtitmydutytorefuse。Ayounggentleman，asfairaslove，cameuptome，andwitheasypolitenessaskedmewhyIhadrefusedanice。
\"Nothavingthehonourtoknowanyonehere，Ididnotcarethatanyoneshouldbeabletosaythathehadregaledonewhowasunknowntohim。\"
\"Butyou，sir，areamanwhoneedsnointroduction。\"
\"Youdometoomuchhonour。\"
\"Youarestayingatthe’St。Omer’！\"
\"Yes；IamonlystoppingheretoseeVaucluse，whereIthinkofgoingto—morrowifIcangetagoodguide。\"
\"Ifyouwoulddomethehonourofacceptingme，Ishouldbedelighted。MynameisDolci，Iamsonofthecaptainofthevice—
legate’sguard。\"
\"Ifeelthehonouryoudome，andIacceptyourobligingoffer。I
willputoffmystarttillyourarrival。\"
\"Iwillbewithyouatseven。\"
IwasastonishedattheeasygraceofthisyoungAdonis，whomighthavebeenaprettygirlifthetoneofhisvoicehadnotannouncedhismanhood。IlaughedatthefalseAstrodi，whoseactingwasaspoorasherface，andwhokeptstaringatmeallthetime。Whileshesangsheregardedmewithasmileandgavemesignsofanunderstanding，whichmusthavemadetheaudiencenoticeme，anddoubtlesspitymybadtaste。Thevoiceandeyesofoneactresspleasedme；shewasyoungandtall，buthunchbackedtoanextraordinarydegree。Shewastallinspiteofherenormoushumps，andifithadnotbeenforthismalformationshewouldhavebeensixfeethigh。BesidesherpleasingeyesandverytolerablevoiceIfanciedthat，likeallhunchbacks，shewasintelligent。I
foundheratthedoorwiththeuglyAstrodiwhenIwasleavingthetheatre。Thelatterwaswaitingtothankme，andtheotherwassellingticketsforherbenefit。
AftertheAstrodihadthankedme，thehunchbackedgirlturnedtowardsme，andwithasmilethatstretchedfromeartoearanddisplayedatleasttwenty—fourexquisiteteeth，shesaidthatshehopedIwouldhonourherbybeingpresentatherbenefit。
\"IfIdon’tleavebeforeitcomesoff，Iwill，\"Ireplied。
AtthistheimpudentAstrodilaughed，andinthehearingofseveralladieswaitingfortheircarriagestoldmethatherfriendmightbesureofmypresence，asshewouldnotletmegobeforethebenefitnight。\"Givehimsixteentickets，\"sheadded。Iwasashamedtorefuse，andgavehertwolouis。TheninalowervoicetheAstrodisaid，\"Aftertheshowwewillcomeandsupwithyou，butontheconditionthatyouasknobodyelse，aswewanttobealone。\"
Inspiteofafeelingofanger，Ithoughtthatsuchasupper—partywouldbeamusing，andasnooneinthetownknewmeIresolvedtostayinthehopeofenjoyingaheartylaugh。
IwashavingmysupperwhenStuardandhiswifewenttotheirroom。ThisnightIheardnosobsnorreproaches，butearlynextmorningIwassurprisedtoseethechevalierwhosaid，asifwehadbeenoldfriends，thathehadheardthatIwasgoingtoVaucluse，andthatasIhadtakenacarriagewithfourplaceshewouldbemuchobligedifIwouldallowhimandhiswife，whowantedtoseethefountain，togowithme。Iconsented。
LeDucbeggedtobeallowedtoaccompanymeonhorseback，sayingthathehadbeenatrueprophet。Infactitseemedasifthecouplehadagreedtorepaymeformyexpenditurebygivingmenewhopes。Iwasnotdispleasedwiththeexpedition，anditwasalltomyadvantage，asIhadhadrecoursetonostratagemstoobtainit。
Dolcicame，lookingashandsomeasanangel；myneighbourswereready，andthecarriageloadedwiththebestprovisionsinfoodanddrinkthatwereobtainable；andwesetoff，DolciseatedbesidetheladyandIbesidethechevalier。
Ihadthoughtthatthelady’ssadnesswouldgiveplace，ifnottogaiety，atleasttoaquietcheerfulness，butIwasmistaken；for，toallmyremarks，graveorgay，shereplied，eitherinmonosyllablesorinaseverelylaconicstyle。PoorDolci，whowasfullofwit，wasstupefied。Hethoughthimselfthecauseofhermelancholy，andwasangrywithhimselfforhavinginnocentlycastashadowonthepartyofpleasure。IrelievedhimofhisfearsbytellinghimthatwhenheofferedmehispleasantsocietyIwasnotawarethatIwastobeofservicetothefairlady。Iaddedthatwhenatday—breakIreceivedthisinformation，Iwaspleasedthathewouldhavesuchgoodcompany。Theladydidnotsayaword。
Shekeptsilentandgloomyallthetime，andgazedtorightandleftlikeonewhodoesnotseewhatisbeforehis[her]eyes。
Dolcifeltateaseaftermyexplanation，anddidhisbesttoarousethelady，butwithoutsuccess。Hetalkedonavarietyoftopicstothehusband，alwaysgivingheranopportunityofjoiningin，butherlipsremainedmotionless。ShelookedlikethestatueofPandorabeforeithadbeenquickenedbythedivineflame。
Thebeautyofherfacewasperfect；hereyeswereofabrilliantblue，hercomplexionadelicatemixtureofwhiteandred，herarmswereasroundedasaGrace’s，herhandsplumpandwellshaped，herfigurewasthatofanymph’s，givingdelightfulhintsofamagnificentbreast；herhairwasachestnutbrown，herfootsmall:
shehadallthatconstitutesabeautifulwomansavethatgiftofintellect，whichmakesbeautymorebeautiful，andgivesacharmtouglinessitself。Myvagrantfancyshewedmehernakedform，allseemedravishing，andyetIthoughtthatthoughshemightinspireapassingfancyshecouldnotarouseadurableaffection。Shemightministertoaman’spleasures，shecouldnotmakehimhappy。
Iarrivedattheisleresolvedtotroublemyselfabouthernomore；shemight，Ithought，bemad，orindespairatfindingherselfinthepowerofamanwhomshecouldnotpossiblylove。I
couldnothelppityingher，andyetIcouldnotforgiveherforconsentingtobeofapartywhichsheknewshemustspoilbyhermorosebehaviour。
Asfortheself—styledChevalierStuard，Ididnottroublemyheadwhetherhewereherhusbandorherlover。Hewasyoung，commonplace—looking，hespokeaffectedly；hismannerswerenotgood，andhisconversationbetrayedbothignoranceandstupidity。
Hewasabeggar，devoidofmoneyandwits，andIcouldnotmakeoutwhyhetookwithhimabeautywho，unlessshewereover—kind，couldaddnothingtohismeansofliving。Perhapsheexpectedtoliveattheexpenseofsimpletons，andhadcometotheconclusion，inspiteofhisignorance，thattheworldisfullofsuch；
however，experiencemusthavetaughthimthatthisplancannotbereliedon。
WhenwegottoVaucluseIletDolcilead；hehadbeenthereahundredtimes，andhismeritwasenhancedinmyeyesbythefactthathewasaloveroftheloverofLaura。WeleftthecarriageatApt，andwendedourwaytothefountainwhichwashonouredthatdaywithanumerousthrongofpilgrims。Thestreampoursforthfromavastcavern，thehandiworkofnature，inimitablebyman。
Itissituatedatthefootofarockwithasheerdescentofmorethanahundredfeet。Thecavernishardlyhalfashigh，andthewaterpoursforthfromitinsuchabundancethatitdeservesthenameofriveratitssource。ItistheSorguewhichfallsintotheRhonenearAvignon。Thereisnootherstreamaspureandclear，fortherocksoverwhichitflowsharbournodepositsofanykind。Thosewhodislikeitonaccountofitsapparentblacknessshouldrememberthattheextremedarknessofthecaverngivesitthatgloomytinge。
ChiarefrescheadolceaqueOvelebellemembraPosecoleithesolaamepaydonna。
IwishedtoascendtothatpartoftherockwherePetrarch’shousestood。Igazedontheremainswithtearsinmyeyes，likeLeoAllatiusatHomer’sgrave。SixteenyearslaterIsleptatArqua，wherePetrarchdied，andhishousestillremains。Thelikenessbetweenthetwosituationswasastonishing，forfromPetrarch’sstudyatArquaarockcanbeseensimilartothatwhichmaybeviewedatVaucluse；thiswastheresidenceofMadonnaLaura。
\"Letusgothere，\"saidI，\"itisnotfaroff。\"
IwillnotendeavourtodelineatemyfeelingsasIcontemplatedtheruinsofthehousewheredwelttheladywhomtheamorousPetrarchimmortalisedinhisverse——versemadetomoveaheartofstone:
\"Mortebellapareanelsuobelviso\"
IthrewmyselfwitharmsoutstretcheduponthegroundasifI
wouldembracetheverystones。Ikissedthem，Iwateredthemwithmytears，Istrovetobreathetheholybreaththeyoncecontained。
IbeggedMadameStuard’spardonforhavingleftherarmtodohomagetothespiritofawomanwhohadquickenedtheprofoundestsoulthateverlived。
Isaysouladvisedly，forafterallthebodyandthesenseshadnothingtodowiththeconnection。
\"Fourhundredyearshavepastandgone，\"saidItothestatueofawomanwhogazedatmeinastonishment，\"sinceLauradeSadewalkedhere；perhapsshewasnotashandsomeasyou，butshewaslively，kindly，polite，andgoodofheart。Maythisairwhichshebreathedandwhichyoubreathenowkindleinyouthesparkoffiredivine；thatfirethatcoursedthroughherveins，andmadeherheartbeatandherbosomswell。Thenyouwouldwintheworshipofallworthymen，andfromnonewouldyoureceivetheleastoffence。
Gladness，madam，isthelotofthehappy，andsadnesstheportionofsoulscondemnedtoeverlastingpains。Becheerful，then，andyouwilldosomethingtodeserveyourbeauty。\"
TheworthyDolciwaskindledbymyenthusiasm。Hethrewhimselfuponme，andkissedmeagainandagain；thefoolStuardlaughed；
andhiswife，whopossiblythoughtmemad，didnotevincetheslightestemotion。Shetookmyarm，andwewalkedslowlytowardsthehouseofMesserFrancescod’Arezzo，whereIspentaquarterofanhourincuttingmyname。Afterthatwehadourdinner。
DolcilavishedmoreattentionontheextraordinarywomanthanI
did。Stuarddidnothingbuteatanddrink，anddespisedtheSorguewater，which，saidhe，wouldspoiltheHermitage；possiblyPetrarchmayhavebeenofthesameopinion。Wedrankdeeplywithoutimpairingourreason，buttheladywasverytemperate。
WhenwereachedAvignonwebadeherfarewell，decliningtheinvitationofherfoolishhusbandtocomeandrestinhisrooms。
ItookDolci’sarmandwewalkedbesidetheRhoneasthesunwentdown。Amongotherkeenandwittyobservationstheyoungmansaid，——
\"Thatwomanisanoldhand，infatuatedwithasenseofherownmerit。Iwouldbetthatshehasonlyleftherowncountrybecausehercharms，frombeingtoofreelydisplayed，haveceasedtopleasethere。Shemustbesureofmakingherfortuneoutofanybodyshecomesacross。Isuspectthatthefellowwhopassesforherhusbandisarascal，andthatherpretendedmelancholyisputontodriveapersistentlovertodistraction。Shehasnotyetsucceededinfindingadupe，butasshewillnodoubttrytocatcharichman，itisnotimprobablethatsheishoveringoveryou。\"。
WhenayoungmanofDolci’sagereasonslikethat，heisboundtobecomeagreatmaster。IkissedhimasIbadehimgood—night，thankedhimforhiskindness，andweagreedthatwewouldseemoreofoneanother。
AsIcamebacktomyinnIwasaccostedbyafine—lookingmanofmiddleage，whogreetedmebynameandaskedwithgreatpolitenessifIhadfoundVaucluseasfineasIhadexpected。IwasdelightedtorecognizetheMarquisofGrimaldi，aGenoese，acleverandgood—naturedman，withplentyofmoney，whoalwayslivedatVenicebecausehewasmoreatlibertytoenjoyhimselftherethaninhisnativecountry；whichshewsthatthereisnolackoffreedomatVenice。
AfterIhadansweredhisquestionIfollowedhimintohisroom，wherehavingexhaustedthesubjectofthefountainheaskedmewhatIthoughtofmyfaircompanion。
\"Ididnotfindhersatisfactoryinallrespects，\"Ianswered；andnoticingthereservewithwhichIspoke，hetriedtoremoveitbythefollowingconfession:
\"TherearesomeveryprettywomeninGenoa，butnotonetocomparewithherwhomyoutooktoVaucluseto—day。Isatoppositetoherattableyesterdayevening，andIwasstruckwithherperfectbeauty。Iofferedhermyarmupthestair；ItoldherthatIwassorrytoseehersosad，andifIcoulddoanythingforhershehadonlytospeak。YouknowIwasawareshehadnomoney。Herhusband，realorpretended，thankedmeformyoffer，andafterI
hadwishedthemagoodnightIleftthem。
\"Anhouragoyouleftherandherhusbandatthedooroftheirapartment，andsoonafterwardsItookthelibertyofcalling。Shewelcomedmewithaprettybow，andherhusbandwentoutdirectly，beggingmetokeephercompanytillhisreturn。Thefaironemadenodifficultyinsittingnexttomeonacouch，andthisstruckmeasagoodomen，butwhenItookherhandshegentlydrewitaway。
Ithentold，her，inasfewwordsasIcould，thatherbeautyhadmademeinlovewithher，andthatifshewantedahundredlouistheywereatherservice，ifshewoulddrophermelancholy，andbehaveinamannersuitabletothefeelingswithwhichshehadinspiredme。Sheonlyrepliedbyamotionofthehead，whichshewedgratitude，butalsoanabsoluterefusalofmyoffer。’Iamgoingto—morrow，’saidI。Noanswer。Itookherhandagain，andshedrewitbackwithanairofdisdainwhichwoundedme。I
beggedhertoexcuseme，andIlefttheroomwithoutmoreado。
\"That’sanaccountofwhathappenedanhourago。Iamnotamorousofher，itwasonlyawhim；butknowing，asIdo，thatshehasnomoney，hermannerastonishedme。Ifanciedthatyoumighthaveplacedherinapositiontodespisemyoffer，andthiswouldexplainherconduct，inameasure；otherwiseIcan’tunderstanditatall。MayIaskyoutotellmewhetheryouaremorefortunatethanI？\"
Iwasenchantedwiththefranknessofthisnoblegentleman，anddidnothesitatetotellhimall，andwelaughedtogetheratourbadfortune:IhadtopromisetocallonhimatGenoa，andtellhimwhateverhappenedbetweenusduringthetwodaysIpurposedtoremainatAvignon。Heaskedmetosupwithhimandadmirethefairrecalcitrant。
\"Shehashadanexcellentdinner，\"saidI，\"andinallprobabilityshewillnothaveanysupper。\"
\"Ibetshewill，\"saidthemarquis；andhewasright，whichmademeseeclearlythatthewomanwasplayingapart。AcertainComtedeBussi，whohadjustcome，wasplacednexttoherattable。Hewasagood—lookingyoungmanwithafatuoussenseofhisownsuperiority，andheaffordedusanamusingscene。
Hewasgood—natured，awit，andinclinedtobroadjokes，andhismannertowardswomenborderedontheimpudent。Hehadtoleaveatmidnightandbegantomakelovetohisfairneighbourforthwith，andteasedherinathousandways；butsheremainedasdumbasastatue，whilehedidallthetalkingandlaughing，notregardingitwithintheboundsofpossibilitythatshemightbelaughingathim。
IlookedatM。Grimaldi，whofounditasdifficulttokeephiscountenanceasIdid。Theyoungrouewashurtathersilence，andcontinuedpesteringher，givingherallthebestpiecesonhisplateaftertastingthemfirst。Theladyrefusedtotakethem，andhetriedtoputthemintohermouth，whilesherepulsedhiminarage。Hesawthatnooneseemedinclinedtotakeherpart，anddeterminedtocontinuetheassault，andtakingherhandhekisseditagainandagain。Shetriedtodrawitaway，andassheroseheputhisarmroundherwaistandmadehersitdownonhisknee；butatthispointthehusbandtookherarmandledheroutoftheroom。Theattackingpartylookedrathertakenabackforamomentashefollowedherwithhiseyes，butsatdownagainandbegantoeatandlaughafresh，whileeverybodyelsekeptaprofoundsilence。Hethenturnedtothefootmanbehindhischairandaskedhimifhisswordwasupstairs。Thefootmansaidno，andthenthefatuousyoungmanturnedtoanabbewhosatnearme，andenquiredwhohadtakenawayhismistress:
\"Itwasherhusband，\"saidtheabbe。
\"Herhusband！Oh，that’sanotherthing；husbandsdon’tfight——amanofhonouralwaysapologisestothem。\"
Withthathegotup，wentupstairs，andcamedownagaindirectly，saying，——
\"Thehusband’safool。Heshutthedoorinmyface，andtoldmetosatisfymydesiressomewhereelse。Itisn’tworththetroubleofstopping，butIwishIhadmadeanendofit。\"
Hethencalledforchampagne，offereditvainlytoeverybody，badethecompanyapolitefarewellandwentuponhisway。
AsM。GrimaldiescortedmetomyroomheaskedmewhatIhadthoughtofthescenewehadjustwitnessed。ItoldhimIwouldnothavestirredafinger，evenifhehadturnedupherclothes。
\"NomorewouldI，\"saidhe，\"butifshehadacceptedmyhundredlouisitwouldhavebeendifferent。Iamcurioustoknowthefurtherhistoryofthissiren，andIrelyuponyoutotellmeallaboutitasyougothroughGenoa。\"
Hewentawayatday—breaknextmorning。
WhenIgotupIreceivedanotefromthefalseAstrodi，askingmeifIexpectedherandhergreatchumtosupper。Ihadscarcelyrepliedintheaffirmative，whentheshamDukeofCourlandIhadleftatGrenobleappearedonthescene。Heconfessedinahumblevoicethathewasthesonofclock—makeratNarva，thathisbuckleswerevalueless，andthathehadcometobeganalmsofme。
IgavehimfourLouis，andheaskedmetokeephissecret。I
repliedthatifanyoneaskedmeabouthimthatIshouldsaywhatwasabsolutelytrue，thatIknewhimnothingabouthim。\"Thankyou；IamnowgoingtoMarseilles。\"\"Ihopeyouwillhaveaprosperousjourney。\"Lateronmyreaderswillhear。howIfoundhimatGenoa。Itisagoodthingtoknowsomethingaboutpeopleofhiskind，ofwhomtherearefartoomanyintheworld。
IcalledupthelandlordandtoldhimIwantedadelicatesupperforthreeinmyownroom。
HetoldmethatIshouldhaveit，andthensaid，\"IhavejusthadarowwiththeChevalierStuard。\"
\"Whatabout？\"
\"Becausehehasnothingtopaymewith，andIamgoingtoturnthemoutimmediately，althoughtheladyisinbedinconvulsionswhicharesuffocatingher。\"
\"Takeoutyourbillinhercharms。\"
\"Ah，Idon’tcareforthatsortofthing！Iamgettingoninlife，andIdon’twantanymorescenestobringdiscreditonmyhouse。\"
\"GoandtellherthatfromhenceforthsheandherhusbandwilldineandsupintheirownroomandthatIwillpayforthemaslongasIremainhere。\"
\"Youareverygenerous，sir，butyouknowthatmealsinaprivateroomarechargeddouble。\"
\"Iknowtheyare。\"
\"Verygood。\"
Ishudderedattheideaofthewomanbeingturnedoutofdoorswithoutanyresourcesbutherbody，bywhichsherefusedtoprofit。OntheotherhandIcouldnotcondemntheinn—keeperwho，likehisfellows，wasnottroubledwithmuchgallantry。Ihadyieldedtoanimpulseofpitywithoutanyhopesofadvantageformyself。SuchweremythoughtswhenStuardcametothankme，beggingmetocomeandseehiswifeandtryandpersuadehertobehaveinadifferentmanner。
\"Shewillgivemenoanswers，andyouknowthatthatsortofthingisrathertedious。\"
\"Come，sheknowswhatyouhavedoneforher；shewilltalktoyou，forherfeelings……\"
\"Whatbusinesshaveyoutotalkaboutfeelingsafterwhathappenedyesterdayevening？\"
\"Itwaswellforthatgentlemanthathewentawayatmidnight，otherwiseIshouldhavekilledhimthismorning。\"
\"Mydearsir，allowmetotellyouthatallthatispurebraggadocio。Yesterday，notto—day，wasthetimetokillhim，ortothrowyourplateathishead，atallevents。Wewillnowgoandseeyourwife。\"
Ifoundherinbed，herfacetothewall，thecoverletrightuptoherchin，andherbodyconvulsedwithsobs。Itriedtobringhertoreason，butasusualgotnoreply。Stuardwantedtoleaveme，butItoldhimthatifhewentoutIwouldgotoo，asIcoulddonothingtoconsoleher，ashemightknowafterherrefusingtheMarquisofGrimaldi’shundredlouisforasmileandherhandtokiss。
\"AhundredLouis！\"criedthefellowwithasturdyoath；\"whatfolly！WemighthavebeenathomeatLiegebynow。Aprincessallowsonetokissherhandfornothing，andshe……AhundredLouis！Oh，damnable！\"
Hisexclamations，verynaturalunderthecircumstances，mademefeelinclinedtolaugh。Thepoordevilsworebyallhisgods，andIwasabouttoleavetheroom，whenallatoncethewretchedwomanwasseizedwithtrueorfalseconvulsions。Withonehandsheseizedawater—bottleandsentitflyingintothemiddleoftheroom，andwiththeothershetoretheclothesawayfromherbreast。Stuardtriedtoholdher，butherdisorderincreasedinviolence，andthecoverletwasdisarrangedtosuchadegreethatI
couldseethemostexquisitenakedcharmsimaginable。Atlastshegrewcalm，andhereyesclosedasifexhausted；sheremainedinthemostvoluptuouspositionthatdesireitselfcouldhaveinvented。Ibegantogetveryexcited。HowwasItolookonsuchbeautieswithoutdesiringtopossessthem？Atthispointherwretchedhusbandlefttheroom，sayinghewasgonetofetchsomewater。Isawthesnare，andmyself—respectpreventedmybeingcaughtinit。IhadanideathatthewholescenehadbeenarrangedwiththeintentthatIshoulddelivermyselfuptobrutalpleasure，whiletheproudandfoolishwomanwouldbefreetodisavowallparticipationinthefact。Iconstrainedmyself，andgentlyveiledwhatIwouldfainhaverevealedinallitsnakedbeauty。IcondemnedtodarknessthesecharmswhichthismonsterofawomanonlywishedmetoenjoythatImightbedebased。
Stuardwaslongenoughgone。Whenhecamebackwiththewater—
bottlefull，hewasnodoubtsurprisedtofindmeperfectlycalm，andinnodisorderofanykind，andafewminutesafterwardsI
wentouttocoolmyselfbythebanksoftheRhone。
Iwalkedalongrapidly，feelingenragedwithmyself，forIfeltthatthewomanhadbewitchedme。InvainItriedtobringmyselftoreason；themoreIwalkedthemoreexcitedIbecame，andI
determinedthatafterwhatIhadseentheonlycureformydisorderedfancywasenjoyment，brutalornot。IsawthatI
shouldhavetowinher，notbyanappealtosentimentbutbyhardcash，withoutcaringwhatsacrificesImade。Iregrettedmyconduct，whichthenstruckmeinthelightoffalsedelicacy，forifIhadsatisfiedmydesiresandshechosetoturnprude，Imighthavelaughedhertoscorn，andmypositionwouldhavebeenunassailable。AtlastIdeterminedontellingthehusbandthatI
wouldgivehimtwenty—fivelouisifhecouldobtainmeaninterviewinwhichIcouldsatisfymydesires。
FullofthisideaIwentbacktotheinn，andhadmydinnerinmyownroomwithouttroublingtoenquireafterher。LeDuctoldmethatshewasdininginherroomtoo，andthatthelandlordhadtoldthecompanythatshewouldnottakehermealsinpublicanymore。ThiswasinformationIpossessedalready。
AfterdinnerIcalledonthegood—naturedDolci，whointroducedmetohisfather，anexcellentman，butnotrichenoughtosatisfyhisson’sdesireoftravelling。Theyoungmanwaspossessedofconsiderabledexterity，andperformedanumberofverycleverconjuringtricks。Hehadanamiablenature，andseeingthatIwascurioustoknowabouthisloveaffairshetoldmenumerouslittlestorieswhichshewedmethathewasatthathappyagewhenone’sinexperienceisone’ssolemisfortune。
Therewasarichladyforwhomhedidnotcare，asshewantedhimtogiveherthatwhichhewouldbeashamedtogivesaveforlove，andtherewasagirlwhorequiredhimtotreatherwithrespect。
IthoughtIcouldgivehimapieceofgoodadvice，soItoldhimtogranthisfavourstotherichwoman，andtofailinrespectnowandagaintothegirl，whowouldbesuretoscoldandthenforgive。Hewasnoprofligate，andseemedratherinclinedtobecomeaProtestant。Heamusedhimselfinnocentlywithhisfriendsofhisownage，inagardennearAvignon，andasisterofthegardener’swifewaskindtohimwhentheywerealone。
IntheeveningIwentbacktotheinn，andIhadnotlongtowaitfortheAstrodiandtheLepi（sothehunchbackedgirlwasnamed）；
butwhenIsawthesetwocaricaturesofwomenIfeltstupefied。I
hadexpectedthem，ofcourse，buttherealityconfoundedme。TheAstroditriedtocounterbalanceheruglinessbyanoutrageousfreedomofmanners；whiletheLepi，whothoughahunchbackwasverytalentedandanexcellentactress，wassureofexcitingdesirebytherarebeautyofhereyesandteeth，whichlatterchallengedadmirationfromherenormousmouthbytheirregularityandwhiteness。TheAstrodirusheduptomeandgavemeanItalianembrace，towhich，willynilly，Iwasobligedtosubmit。ThequieterLepiofferedmehercheek，whichIpretendedtokiss。I
sawthattheAstrodiwasinafairwaytobecomeintolerable，soI
beggedhertomoderatehertransports，becauseasanoviceatthesepartiesIwantedtogetaccustomedtothembydegrees。Shepromisedthatshewouldbeverygood。
WhilewewerewaitingforsupperIaskedher，forthesakeofsomethingtosay，whethershehadfoundaloveratAvignon。
\"Onlythevice—legate’sauditor，\"shereplied；\"andthoughhemakesmehispathicheisgood—naturedandgenerous。Ihaveaccustomedmyselftohistasteeasilyenough，thoughIshouldhavethoughtsuchathingimpossibleayearago，asIfanciedtheexerciseaharmfulone，butIwaswrong。\"
\"Sotheauditormakesaboyofyou？\"
\"Yes。Mysisterwouldhaveadoredhim，asthatsortofloveisherpassion。\"
\"Butyoursisterhassuchfinehaunches。\"
\"SohaveI！Lookhere，feelme。\"
\"Youareright；butwaitabit，itistoosoonforthatkindofthingyet。\"
\"Wewillbewantonaftersupper。\"
\"Ithinkyouarewantonnow，\"saidtheLepi。
\"Why？\"
\"Why？Oughtyoutoshewyourpersonlikethat？\"
\"Mydeargirl，youwillbeshewingyourselfsoon。Whenoneisingoodcompany，oneisinthegoldenage。\"
\"Iwonderatyourtellingeveryonewhatsortofaconnectionyouhavewiththeauditor，\"saidI。
\"Nonsense！Idon’ttelleveryone，buteveryonetellsmeandcongratulatesmetoo。Theyknowtheworthymannevercaredforwomen，anditwouldbeabsurdtodenywhateverybodyguesses。I
usedtobeastonishedatmysister，butthebestplaninthisworldistobeastonishedatnothing。Butdon’tyoulikethat？\"
\"No，Ionlylikethis。\"
AsIspokeIlaidhandsontheLepi，onthespotwhereoneusuallyfindswhatIcalled\"this；\"buttheAstrodi，seeingthatIfoundnothing，burstintoaroaroflaughter，andtakingmyhandputitjustunderherfronthump，whereatlastIfoundwhatIwanted。
Thereaderwillguessmysurprise。Thepoorcreature，tooashamedtobeprudish，laughedtoo。Myspiritsalsobegintorise，asI
thoughtofthepleasureIshouldgetoutofthisnewdiscoveryaftersupper。
\"Haveyouneverhadalover？\"saidItotheLepi。
\"No，\"saidtheAstrodi，\"sheisstillamaid。\"
\"No，Iamnot，\"repliedtheLepi，insomeconfusion，\"IhadaloveratBordeaux，andanotheratMontpellier。\"
\"Yes，Iknow，butyouarestillasyouwereborn。\"
\"Ican’tdenyit。\"