Ibeggedhertodomyhair，intendingtodismissherdirectlyafter，butwhenshehadfinishedIaskedhertogivemetheointment。
\"Whatdoyouwantitfor？\"
\"FortheblistersthatcursedsaddleonwhichIrodesixmilesgaveme。\"
\"Doestheointmentdothemgood？\"
\"Certainly；ittakesawaythesmart，andbyto—morrowIshallbecured，butyoumustsendCostatome，asIcannotputitonmyself。\"
\"Can’tIdoit？\"
\"Yes，butIamafraidthatwouldbeanabuseofyourkindness。\"
\"Iguesswhy；butasIamshort—sighted，howshallIseetheblisters？\"
\"Ifyouwanttodoitforme，Iwillplacemyselfsothatitwillbeeasierforyou。Stay，putthecandleonthistable。\"
\"Thereyouare，butdon’tletCostaputitonagainto—morrow，orhewillguessthatIormysisterdiditto—night。\"
\"Youwilldomethesameservice，then，to—morrow？\"
\"Iormysister，forshewillgetupearly。\"
\"Yoursister！No，mydear；shewouldbeafraidofgivingmetoomuchpleasurebytouchingmesonear。\"
\"AndIamonlyafraidofhurtingyou。Isthatright？Goodheavens！whatastateyourskinisin！\"
\"Youhavenotfinishedyet。\"
\"Iamsoshort—sighted；turnround。\"
\"Withpleasure。HereIam。\"
Thelittlewantoncouldnotresistlaughingatwhatshesaw，doubtless，forthefirsttime。Shewasobligedtotouchittocontinuerubbingtheointmentin，andIsawthatshelikedit，asshetoucheditwhenshehadnoneed，andnotbeingabletostanditanylongerItookholdofherhandandmadeherstopherworkinfavourofapleasanteremployment。
WhenshehadfinishedIburstoutlaughingtohearherask，inthemostseriousway，thepotofointmentstillinherlefthand，\"DidIdoitright！\"
\"Oh，admirably，dearAnnette！Youareanangel，andIamsureyouknowwhatpleasureyougaveme。Canyoucomeandspendanhourwithme？\"
\"Waitabit。\"
Shewentoutandshutthedoor，andIwaitedforhertoreturn；
butmypatiencebeingexhaustedIopenedthedoorslightly，andsawherundressingandgettingintobedwithhersister。Iwentbacktomyroomandtobedagain，withoutlosingallhope。Iwasnotdisappointed，forinfiveminutesbackshecame，cladinherchemiseandwalkingontip—toe。
\"Cometomyarms，mylove；itisverycold。\"
\"HereIam。Mysisterisasleepandsuspectsnothing；andevenifsheawokethebedissolargethatshewouldnotnoticemyabsence。\"
\"Youareadivinecreature，andIloveyouwithallmyheart。\"
\"Somuchthebetter。Igivemyselfuptoyou；dowhatyoulikewithme，ontheconditionthatyouthinkofmysisternomore。\"
\"Thatwillnotcostmemuch。IpromisethatIwillnotthinkofher。\"
IfoundAnnetteaperfectneophyte，andthoughIsawnobloodonthealtaroflovenextmorningIdidnotsuspectheronthataccount。Ihaveoftenseensuchcases，andIknowbyexperiencethattheeffusionofbloodoritsabsenceprovesnothing。Asageneralruleagirlcannotbeconvictedofhavinghadaloverunlessshebewithchild。
Ispenttwohoursofdelightwiththisprettybaby，forshewassosmall，sodelicate，andsodaintilyshapedallover，thatIcanfindnobetternameforher。Herdocilitydidnotdetractfromthepiquancyofthepleasure，forshewasvoluptuouslyinclined。
WhenIroseinthemorningshecametomyroomwithVeronique，andIwasgladtoseethatwhiletheyoungersisterwasradiantwithhappinesstheelderlookedpleasantandasifshedesiredtomakeherselfagreeable。Iaskedherhowshewas，andshetoldmethatdietandsleephadcompletelycuredher。\"Ihavealwaysfoundthemthebestremedyforaheadache。\"AnnettehadalsocuredmeofthecuriosityIhadfeltabouther。Icongratulatedmyselfonmyachievement。
IwasinsuchhighspiritsatsupperthatM。deGrimaldithoughtI
hadwoneverythingfromVeronique，andIlethimthinkso。I
promisedtodinewithhimthenextday，andIkeptmyword。AfterdinnerIgavehimalongletterforRosalie，whomIdidnotexpecttoseeagainexceptasMadamePetri，thoughItookcarenottoletthemarquisknowwhatIthought。
IntheeveningIsuppedwiththetwosisters，andImademyselfequallyagreeabletobothofthem。WhenVeroniquewasalonewithme，puttingmyhairintocurl—papers，shesaidthatshelovedmemuchmorenowthatIbehaveddiscreetly。
\"Mydiscretion，\"Ireplied，\"onlymeansthatIhavegivenupthehopeofwinningyou。Iknowhowtotakemypart。\"
\"Yourlovewasnotverygreat，then？\"
\"Itsprangupquickly，andyou，Veronique，couldhavemadeitincreasetoagiganticsize。\"
Shesaidnothing，butbitherlip，wishedmegoodnightandlefttheroom。IwenttobedexpectingavisitfromAnnette，butI
waitedinvain。WhenIrangthenextmorningthedeargirlappearedlookingrathersad。Iaskedherthereason。
\"Becausemysisterisill，andspentthewholenightinwriting，\"
saidshe。
ThusIlearntthereasonofhernothavingpaidmeavisit。
\"Doyouknowwhatshewaswritingabout？\"
\"Oh，no！Shedoesnottellmethatkindofthing，buthereisaletterforyou。\"
Ireadthroughthelongandwell—composedletter，butasitboremarksofcraftanddissimulationitmademelaugh。Afterseveralremarksofnoconsequenceshesaidthatshehadrepulsedmebecauseshelovedmesomuchandthatshewasafraidthatifshesatisfiedmyfancyshemightloseme。
\"Iwillbewhollyyours，\"sheadded，\"ifyouwillgivemethepositionwhichRosalieenjoyed。Iwilltravelinyourcompany，butyoumustgivemeadocument，whichM。deGrimaldiwillsignasawitness，inwhichyoumustengagetomarrymeinayear，andtogivemeaportionoffiftythousandfrancs；andifattheendofayearyoudonotwishtomarryme，thatsumtobeatmyabsolutedisposal。\"
Shestipulatedalsothatifshebecameamotherinthecourseofayearthechildshouldbehersintheeventofourseparating。Ontheseconditionsshewouldbecomemymistress，andwouldhaveformeallpossibleloveandkindness。
Thisproposal，cleverlyconceived，butfoolishlycommunicatedtome，shewedmethatVeroniquehadnotthetalentofdupingothers。
IsawdirectlythatM。deGrimaldihadnothingtodowithit，andIfeltsurethathewouldlaughwhenItoldhimthestory。
Annettesooncamebackwiththechocolate，andtoldmethathersisterhopedIwouldanswerherletter。
\"Yes，dear，\"saidI，\"IwillanswerherwhenIgetup。\"
Itookmychocolate，putonmydressing—gown，andwenttoVeronique’sroom。Ifoundhersittingupinbedinanegligentattirethatmighthaveattractedmeifherletterhadnotdeprivedherofmygoodopinion。Isatonthebed，gaveherbacktheletter，andsaid，——
\"Whywrite，whenwecantalkthematterover？\"
\"Becauseoneisoftenmoreateaseinwritingthaninspeaking。\"
\"Indiplomacyandbusinessthatwillpass，butnotinlove。Lovemakesnoconditions。Letushavenodocuments，nosafeguards，butgiveyourselfuptomeasRosaliedid，andbeginto—nightwithoutmypromisinganything。Ifyoutrustinlove，youwillmakehimyourprisoner。Thatwaywillhonourusandourpleasures，andifyoulikeIwillconsultM。deGrimaldionthesubject。Astoyourplan，ifitdoesnotinjureyourhonour，itdoessmalljusticetoyourcommonsense，andnoonebutafoolwouldagreetoit。Youcouldnotpossiblylovethemantowhomyoumakesuchaproposal，andastoM。deGrimaldi，farfromhavinganythingtodowithit，Iamsurehewouldbeindignantattheveryidea。\"
ThisdiscoursedidnotputVeroniqueoutofcountenance。Shesaidshedidnotlovemewellenoughtogiveherselftomeunconditionally；towhichIrepliedthatIwasnotsufficientlytakenwithhercharmstobuythematthepriceshefixed，andsoI
lefther。
IcalledCosta，andtoldhimtogoandwarnthemasterofthefeluccathatIwasgoingthenextday，andwiththisideaIwenttobidgood—byetothemarquis，whoinformedmethathehadjustbeentakingPetritoseeRosalie，whohadreceivedhimwellenough。ItoldhimIwasgladtohearit，andsaidthatI
commendedtohimthecareofherhappiness，butsuchcommendationswerethrownaway。
Itisoneofthemostcuriouscircumstancesofmyhistory，thatinoneyeartwowomenwhomIsincerelylovedandwhomImighthavemarriedweretakenfrommebytwooldmen，whoseaffectionsIhadfosteredwithoutwishingtodoso。Happilythesegentlemenmademymistresses’fortunes，butontheotherhandtheydidmeastillgreaterserviceinrelievingmeofatiewhichIshouldhavefoundverytroublesomeincourseoftime。Nodoubttheybothsawthatmyfortune，thoughgreatinoutwardshow，restedonnosolidbasis，which，asthereaderwillsee，wasunhappilytootrue。I
shouldbehappyifIthoughtthatmyerrorsorratherfollieswouldserveasawarningtothereadersoftheseMemoirs。
IspentthedayinwatchingthecarewithwhichVeroniqueandAnnettepackedupmytrunks，forIwouldnotletmytwoservantshelpinanyway。Veroniquewasneithersadnorgay。Shelookedasifshehadmadeuphermind，andasiftherehadneverbeenanydifferencesbetweenus。Iwasveryglad，forasInolongercaredforherIshouldhavebeenannoyedtofindthatshestillcaredforme。
Wesuppedinourusualmanner，discussingonlycommonplacetopics，butjustasIwasgoingtobedAnnetteshookmyhandinawaythattoldmetoprepareforavisitfromher。Iadmiredthenaturalacutenessofyounggirls，whotaketheirdegreesintheartoflovewithsomucheaseandatsuchanearlyage。Annette，almostachild，knewmorethanayoungmanoftwenty。IdecidedongivingherfiftysequinswithoutlettingVeroniqueseeme，asI
didnotintendtobesoliberaltowardsher。Itookarollofducatsandgavethemtoherassoonasshecame。
Shelaydownbesideme，andafteramomentdevotedtoloveshesaidthatVeroniquewasasleep，adding，——
\"Iheardallyousaidtomysister，andIamsureyouloveher。\"
\"IfIdid，dearAnnette，Ishouldnothavemademyproposalinsuchplainterms。\"
\"Ishouldliketobelievethat，butwhatwouldyouhavedoneifshehadacceptedyouroffer？Youwouldbeinonebedbythis，I
suppose？\"
\"Iwasmorethancertain，dearest，thatherpridewouldhinderherreceivingme。\"
WehadreachedthispointinourconversationwhenweweresurprisedbythesuddenappearanceofVeroniquewithalightedcandle，andwearingonlyherchemise。Shelaughedathersistertoencourageher，andIjoinedinthelaughter，keepingafirmholdonthelittleoneforfearofherescaping。Veroniquelookedravishinginherscantyattire，andasshelaughedIcouldnotbeangrywithher。However，Isaid，——
\"Youhaveinterruptedourenjoyment，andhurtyoursister’sfeelings；perhapsyouwilldespiseherforthefuture？\"
\"Onthecontrary，Ishallalwaysloveher。\"
\"Herfeelingsovercameher，andshesurrenderedtomewithoutmakinganyterms。\"
\"ShehasmoresensethanI\"
\"Doyoumeanthat？\"
\"Ido，really。\"
\"Iamastonishedanddelightedtohearit；butasitisso，kissyoursister。\"
AtthisinvitationVeroniqueputdownthecandle，andcoveredAnnette’sbeautifulbodywithkisses。Thescenemademefeelveryhappy。
\"Come，Veronique，\"saidI，\"youwilldieofcold；comeandliedown。\"
Imaderoomforher，andsoontherewerethreeofusunderthesamesheet。Iwasinanecstasyatthisgroup，worthyofAretin’spencil。
\"Dearestones，\"saidI，\"youhaveplayedmeaprettytrick；wasitpremeditated？AndwasVeroniquefalsethismorning，orisshefalsenow？\"
\"Wedidnotpremeditateanything，Iwastruethismorning，andI
amtruenow。IfeelthatIandmyplanwereverysilly，andI
hopeyouwillforgiveme，sinceIhaverepentedandhavehadmypunishment。NowIthinkIaminmyrightsenses，asIhaveyieldedtothefeelingswithwhichyouinspiredmewhenIsawyoufirst，andagainstwhichIhavefoughttoolong。\"
\"Whatyousaypleasesmeextremely。\"
\"Well，forgivemeandfinishmypunishmentbyshewingthatyouarenotangrywithme。\"
\"HowamItodothat？\"
\"Bytellingmethatyouarevexednolonger，andbycontinuingtogivemysisterproofsofyourlove。\"
\"IsweartoyouthatsofarfrombeingangrywithyouIamveryfondofyou；butwouldyoulikeustobefondinyourpresence？\"
\"Yes，ifyoudon’tmindme。\"
Feelingexcitedbyvoluptuousemotions，Isawthatmypartcouldnolongerbeapassiveone。
\"Whatdoyousay，\"saidItomyblonde，\"willyouallowyourheroicsistertoremainamerelooker—onatoursweetstruggles？
Areyounotgenerousenoughtoletmemakeheranactressinthedrama？\"
\"No；IconfessIdonotfeelasifIcouldbesogenerousto—
night，butnextnight，ifyouwillplaythesamepart，wewillchange。VeroniqueshallactandIwilllookon。\"
\"Thatwoulddobeautifully，\"saidVeronique，withsomevexationinhermanner，\"ifthegentlemanwasnotgoingto—morrowmorning。\"
\"Iwillstay，dearVeronique，ifonlytoprovehowmuchIloveyou，\"
Icouldnothavewishedforplainerspeechonherpart，andI
shouldhavelikedtoshewherhowgratefulIfeltonthespot；butthatwouldhavebeenatAnnette’sexpense，asIhadnorighttomakeanyalterationinthepieceofwhichshewastheauthorandhadarighttoexpectalltheprofits。WheneverIrecallthispleasantsceneIfeelmyheartbeatwithvoluptuouspleasure，andevennow，withthehandofoldageuponme，Icannotrecallitwithoutdelight。
Veroniqueresignedherselftothepassivepartwhichheryoungersisterimposedonher，andturningasidesheleantherheadonherhand，disclosingabreastwhichwouldhaveexcitedthecoldestofmen，andbademebeginmyattackonAnnette。Itwasnohardtaskshelaiduponme，forIwasallonfire，andIwascertainofpleasingheraslongasshelookedatme。AsAnnettewasshort—
sighted，shecouldnotdistinguishintheheatoftheactionwhichwayIwaslooking，andIsucceededingettingmyrighthandfree，withouthernoticingme，andIwasthusenabledtocommunicateapleasureasrealthoughnotasacuteasthatenjoyedbyhersister。Whenthecoverletwasdisarranged，Veroniquetookthetroubletoreplaceit，andthusofferedme，asifbyaccident，anewspectacle。ShesawhowIenjoyedthesightofhercharms，andhereyebrightened。Atlast，fullofunsatisfieddesire，sheshewedmeallthetreasureswhichnaturehadgivenher，justasI
hadfinishedwithAnnetteforthefourthtime。ShemightwellthinkthatIwasonlyrehearsingforthefollowingnight，andherfancymusthavepaintedhercomingjoysinthebrightestcolours。
Suchatalleventsweremythoughts，butthefatesdeterminedotherwise。Iwasinthemiddleoftheseventhact，alwaysslowerandmorepleasantfortheactressthanthefirsttwoorthree，whenCostacameknockingloudlyatmydoor，callingoutthatthefeluccawasready。Iwasvexedatthisuntowardincident，gotupinarage，andaftertellinghimtopaythemasterfortheday，asIwasnotgoingtillthemorrow，Iwentbacktobed，nolonger，however，inastatetocontinuetheworkIbegun。Mytwosweetheartsweredelightedwithme，butweallwantedrest，thoughthepieceshouldnothavefinishedwithaninterruption。Iwantedtogetsomeamusementoutoftheinterval，andproposedanablution，whichmadeAnnettelaughandwhichVeroniquepronouncedtobeabsolutelynecessary。Ifounditadelicioushorsd’oeuvretothebanquetIhadenjoyed。Thetwosistersrenderedeachothervariousservices，standinginthemostlasciviouspostures，andI
foundmysituationaslooker—onanenviableone。
Whenthewashingandthelaughteritgaverisetowereover，wereturnedtothestagewherethelastactshouldhavebeenperformed。Ilongedtobeginagain，andIamsureIshouldhavesucceededifIhadbeenwellbackedupbymypartner；butAnnette，whowasyoungandtiredoutwiththetoilsofthenight，forgotherpart，andyieldedtosleepasshehadyieldedtolove。
Veroniquebegantolaughwhenshesawherasleep，andIhadtodothesame，whenIsawthatshewasasstillasacorpse。
\"Whatapity！\"saidVeronique’seyes；butshesaiditwithhereyesalone，whileIwaswaitingforthesewordstoissuefromherlips。Wewerebothofuswrong:shefornotspeaking，andIforwaitingforhertospeak。Itwasafavourablemoment，butweletitpassby，andlovepunishedus。Ihad，itistrue，anotherreasonforabstaining。Iwishedtoreservemyselfforthenight。
Veroniquewenttoherownbedtoquietherexcitedfeelings，andI
stayedinbedwithmysleepingbeautytillnoon，whenIwishedhergoodmorningbyafreshassaultwhichwascompletedneitheronhersidenoronminetothebestofmybelief。
Thedaywasspentintalkingaboutourselves，anddeterminedtoeatonlyonemeal，wedidnotsitdowntotabletillnightbegantofall。Wespenttwohoursintheconsumptionofdelicatedishes，andindefyingBacchustomakeusfeelhispower。WeroseaswesawAnnettefallingasleep，butwewerenotmuchannoyedatthethoughtthatshewouldnotseethepleasureswepromisedeachother。IthoughtthatIshouldhaveenoughtodotocontemplatethecharmsoftheonenymphwithoutlookingatAnnette’sbeauties。
Wewenttobed，ourarmsinterlaced，ourbodiestighttogether，andlippressedonlip，butthatwasall。Veroniquesawwhatpreventedmegoinganyfurther，andshewastoopoliteandmodesttocomplain。Shedissembledherfeelingsandcontinuedtocaressme，whileIwasinafrenzyofrage。Ihadneverhadsuchamisfortune，unlessastheresultofcompleteexhaustion，orfromastrongmentalimpressioncapableofdestroyingmynaturalfaculties。LetmyreadersimaginewhatIsuffered；intheflowerofmyage，withastrongconstitution，holdingthebodyofawomanIhadardentlydesiredinmyarms，whileshetenderlycaressedme，andyetIcoulddonothingforher。Iwasindespair；onecannotofferagreaterinsulttoawoman。
Atlastwehadtoacceptthefactsandspeakreasonably，andIwasthefirsttobewailmymisfortune。
\"Youtiredyourselftoomuchyesterday，\"saidshe，\"andyouwerenotsufficientlytemperateatsupper。Donotletittroubleyou，dearest，Iamsureyouloveme。Donottrytoforcenature，youwillonlyweakenyourselfmore。Ithinkagentlesleepwouldrestoreyourmanlypowersbetterthananything。Ican’tsleepmyself，butdon’tmindme。Sleep，wewillmakelovetogetherafterwards。\"
Afterthoseexcellentandreasonablesuggestions，VeroniqueturnedherbacktomeandIfollowedherexample，butinvaindidI
endeavourtoobtainarefreshingslumber；naturewhichwouldnotgivemethepowerofmakingher，theloveliestcreature，happy，enviedmethepowerofreposeaswell。Myamorousardourandmyrageforbadeallthoughtsofrest，andmyexcitedpassionsconspiredagainstthatwhichwouldenablethemtosatisfytheirdesires。Naturepunishedmeforhavingdistrustedher，andbecauseIhadtakenstimulantsfitonlyfortheweak。IfIhadfasted，Ishouldhavedonegreatthings，butnowtherewasaconflictbetweenthestimulantsandnature，andbymydesireforenjoymentIhaddeprivedmyselfofthepowertoenjoy。Thusnature，wiselikeitsDivineAuthor，punishestheignoranceandpresumptionofpoorweakmortals。
Throughoutthisterribleandsleeplessnightmymindroamedabroad，andamidstthereproacheswithwhichIoverwhelmedmyselfIfoundacertainsatisfactioninthethoughtthattheywerenotwhollyundeserved。ThisisthesoleenjoymentIstillhavewhenI
meditateonmypastlifeanditsvariedadventures。Ifeelthatnomisfortunehasbefallenmesavebymyownfault，whilstI
attributetonaturalcausestheblessings，ofwhichIhaveenjoyedmany。IthinkIshouldgomadifinmysoliloquiesIcameacrossanymisfortunewhichIcouldnottracetomyownfault，forI
shouldnotknowwheretoplacethereason，andthatwoulddegrademetotherankofcreaturesgovernedbyinstinctalone。IfeelthatIamsomewhatmorethanabeast。Abeast，intruth，isafoolishneighbourofmine，whotriestoarguethatthebrutesreasonbetterthanwedo。
\"Iwillgrant，\"Isaid，\"thattheyreasonbetterthanyou，butI
cangonofarther；andIthinkeveryreasonablemanwouldsayasmuch。\"
Thisreplyhasmademeanenemy，althoughheadmitsthefirstpartofthethesis。
HappierthanI，Veroniquesleptforthreehours；butshewasdisagreeablysurprisedonmytellingherthatIhadnotbeenabletocloseaneye，andonfindingmeinthesamestateofimpotenceasbefore。ShebegantogetangrywhenItriedtoconvinceherrathertooforciblythatmymisfortunewasnotduetomywantofwill，andthensheblamedherselfasthecauseofmyimpotence；
andmortifiedbytheidea，sheendeavouredtodestroythespellbyallthemeanswhichpassionsuggested，andwhichIhadhithertothoughtinfallible；buthereffortsandminewereallthrownaway。
Mydespairwasasgreatasherswhenatlast，wearied，ashamed，anddegradedinherowneyes，shediscontinuedherefforts，hereyesfulloftears。Shewentawaywithoutaword，andleftmealoneforthetwoorthreehourswhichhadstilltoelapsebeforethedawnappeared。
Atday—breakCostacameandtoldmethattheseabeingroughandacontrarywindblowing，thefeluccawouldbeindangerofperishing。
\"Wewillgoassoonastheweatherimproves，\"saidI；\"inthemeantimelightmeafire\"
Iarose，andproceededtowritedownthesadhistoryofthenight。
Thisoccupationsoothedme，andfeelinginclinedtosleepIlaydownagainandsleptforeighthours。WhenIawokeIfeltbetter，butstillrathersad。Thetwosistersweredelightedtoseemeingoodhealth，butIthoughtIsawonVeronique’sfeaturesanunpleasantexpressionofcontempt。However，Ihaddeservedit，andIdidnottakethetroubleofchangingheropinion，thoughifshehadbeenmorecaressingshemighteasilyhaveputmeinastatetorepairtheinvoluntarywrongsIhaddoneherinthenight。BeforewesatdowntotableIgaveherapresentofahundredsequins，whichmadeherlookalittlemorecheerful。I
gaveanequalpresenttomydearAnnette，whohadnotexpectedanything，thinkingherselfamplyrecompensedbymyfirstgiftandbythepleasureIhadaffordedher。
Atmidnightthemasterofthefeluccacametotellmethatthewindhadchanged，andItookleaveofthesisters。Veroniqueshedtears，butIknewtowhattoattributethem。Annettekissedmeaffectionately；thuseachplayedherownpart。IsailedforLerici，whereIarrivedthenextday，andthenpostedtoLeghorn。
BeforeIspeakofthistownIthinkIshallinterestmyreadersbynarratingacircumstancenotunworthyoftheseMemoirs。
CHAPTERVI
ACleverCheat——Passano——Pisa——Corilla——MyOpinionofSquintingEyes——Florence—ISeeThereseAgain——MySon——CorticelliIwasstandingatsomedistancefrommycarriageintowhichtheywereputtingfourhorses，whenamanaccostedmeandaskedmeifI
wouldpayinadvanceoratthenextstage。WithouttroublingtolookathimIsaidIwouldpayinadvance，andgavehimacoinrequestinghimtobringmethechange。
\"Directly，sir，\"saidhe，andwiththathewentintotheinn。
Afewminutesafter，justasIwasgoingtolookaftermychange，thepost—mastercameupandaskedmetopayforthestage。
\"Ihavepaidalready，andIamwaitingformychange。DidInotgivethemoneytoyou？\"
\"Certainlynot，sir。\"
\"WhomdidIgiveitto，then？\"
\"Ireallycan’tsay；butyouwillbeabletorecognizetheman，doubtless。\"
\"Itmusthavebeenyouoroneofyourpeople。\"
Iwasspeakingloud，andallthemencameaboutme。
\"Theseareallthemeninmyemploy，\"saidthemaster，andheaskedifanyofthemhadreceivedthemoneyfromme。
Theyalldeniedthefactwithanairofsinceritywhichleftnoroomforsuspicion。Icursedandswore，buttheyletmecurseandswearasmuchasIliked。AtlastIdiscoveredthattherewasnohelpforit，andIpaidasecondtime，laughingatthecleverrascalwhohadtakenmeinsothoroughly。Sucharethelessonsoflife；alwaysfullofnewexperiences，andyetoneneverknowsenough。FromthatdayIhavealwaystakencarenottopayforpostingexcepttotheproperpersons。
InnocountryareknavessocunningasinItaly，Greeceancientandmodernexcepted。
WhenIgottothebestinnatLeghorntheytoldmethattherewasatheatre，andmyluckmademegoandseetheplay。Iwasrecognizedbyanactorwhoaccostedme，andintroducedmetooneofhiscomrades，aself—styledpoet，andagreatenemyoftheAbbeChiari，whomIdidnotlike，ashehadwrittenabitingsatireagainstme，andIhadneversucceededinavengingmyselfonhim。
Iaskedthemtocomeandsupwithme——awindfallwhichthesepeoplearenotgiventorefusing。ThepretendedpoetwasaGenoese，andcalledhimselfGiacomoPassano。Heinformedmethathehadwrittenthreehundredsonnetsagainsttheabbe，whowouldburstwithrageiftheywereeverprinted。AsIcouldnotrestrainasmileatthegoodopinionthepoethadofhisworks，heofferedtoreadmeafewsonnets。Hehadthemanuscriptabouthim，andIcouldnotescapethepenance。Hereadadozenorso，whichIthoughtmediocre，andamediocresonnetisnecessarilyabadsonnet，asthisformofpoetrydemandssublimity；andthusamongstthemyriadsofsonnetstowhichItalygivesbirthveryfewcanbecalledgood。
IfIhadgivenmyselftimetoexaminetheman’sfeatures，I
should，nodoubt，havefoundhimtobearogue；butIwasblindedbypassion，andtheideaofthreehundredsonnetsagainsttheAbbeChiarifascinatedme。
Icastmyeyesoverthetitleofthemanuscript，andread，\"LaChiareidediAscanioPogomas。\"
\"That’sananagramofmyChristiannameandmysurname；isitnotahappycombination？\"
Thisfollymademesmileagain。Eachofthesonnetswasadulldiatribeendingwith\"l’abbateChiarieuncoglione。\"Hedidnotprovethathewasone，buthesaidsooverandoveragain，makinguseofthepoet’sprivilegetoexaggerateandlie。Whathewantedtodowastoannoytheabbe，whowasbynomeanswhatPassanocalledhim，butonthecontrary，awitandapoet；andifhehadbeenacquaintedwiththerequirementsofthestagehewouldhavewrittenbetterplaysthanGoldoni，ashehadagreatercommandoflanguage。
ItoldPassano，forcivility’ssake，thatheoughttogethisChiareideprinted。
\"Iwoulddoso，\"saidhe，\"ifIcouldfindapublisher，forIamnotrichenoughtopaytheexpenses，andthepublishersareapackofignorantbeggars。Besides，thepressisnotfree，andthecensorwouldnotlettheepithetIgivetomyheropass。IfI
couldgotoSwitzerlandIamsureitcouldbemanaged；butImusthavesixsequinstowalktoSwitzerland，andIhavenotgotthem。\"
\"AndwhenyougottoSwitzerland，wheretherearenotheatres，whatwouldyoudoforaliving？\"
\"Iwouldpaintinminiature。Lookatthose。\"
Hegavemeanumberofsmallivorytablets，representingobscenesubjects，badlydrawnandbadlypainted。
\"IwillgiveyouanintroductiontoagentlemanatBerne，\"Isaid；
andaftersupperIgavehimaletterandsixsequins。Hewantedtoforcesomeofhisproductionsonme，butIwouldnothavethem。
IwasfoolishenoughtogivehimalettertoprettySara’sfather，andItoldhimtowritetomeatRome，undercoverofthebankerBelloni。
IsetoutfromLeghornthenextdayandwenttoPisa，whereI
stoppedtwodays。ThereImadetheacquaintanceofanEnglishman，ofwhomIboughtatravellingcarriage。HetookmetoseeCorilla，thecelebratedpoetess。Shereceivedmewithgreatpoliteness，andwaskindenoughtoimproviseonseveralsubjectswhichIsuggested。Iwasenchanted，notsomuchwithhergraceandbeauty，asbyherwitandperfectelocution。Howsweetalanguagesoundswhenitisspokenwellandtheexpressionsarewellchosen。Alanguagebadlyspokenisintolerableevenfromaprettymouth，andIhavealwaysadmiredthewisdomoftheGreekswhomadetheirnursesteachthechildrenfromthecradletospeakcorrectlyandpleasantly。Wearefarfromfollowingtheirgoodexample；witnessthefearfulaccentsonehearsinwhatiscalled，oftenincorrectly，goodsociety。
Corillawas’straba’，likeVenusaspaintedbytheancients——why，Icannotthink，forhoweverfairasquint—eyedwomanmaybeotherwise，Ialwayslookuponherfaceasdistorted。IamsurethatifVenushadbeenintruthagoddess，shewouldhavemadetheeccentricGreek，whofirstdaredtopainthercross—eyed，feeltheweightofheranger。IwastoldthatwhenCorillasang，shehadonlytofixhersquintingeyesonamanandtheconquestwascomplete；but，praisedbeGod！shedidnotfixthemonme。
AtFlorenceIlodgedatthe\"HotelCarrajo，\"keptbyDr。Vannini，whodelightedtoconfesshimselfanunworthymemberoftheAcademyDellaCrusca。ItookasuiteofroomswhichlookedoutonthebankoftheArno。Ialsotookacarriageandafootman，whom，aswellasacoachman，Icladinblueandredlivery。ThiswasM。
deBragadin’slivery，andIthoughtImightusehiscolours，notwiththeintentionofdeceivinganyone，butmerelytocutadash。
ThemorningaftermyarrivalIputonmygreatcoattoescapeobservation，andproceededtowalkaboutFlorence。IntheeveningIwenttothetheatretoseethefamousharlequin，Rossi，butI
consideredhisreputationwasgreaterthanhedeserved。IpassedthesamejudgmentontheboastedFlorentineelocution；Ididnotcareforitatall。IenjoyedseeingPertici；havingbecomeold，andnotbeingabletosinganymore，heacted，and，strangetosay，actedwell；for，asarule，allsingers，menandwomen，trusttotheirvoiceandcarenothingforacting，sothatanordinarycoldentirelydisablesthemforthetimebeing。
NextdayIcalledonthebanker，SassoSassi，onwhomIhadagoodletterofcredit，andafteranexcellentdinnerIdressedandwenttotheoperaanviadellaPergola，takingastagebox，notsomuchforthemusic，ofwhichIwasnevermuchofanadmirer，asbecauseIwantedtolookattheactress。
ThereadermayguessmydelightandsurprisewhenIrecognisedintheprimadonnaTherese，thefalseBellino，whomIhadleftatRiminiintheyear1744；thatcharmingTheresewhomIshouldcertainlyhavemarriedifM。deGageshadnotputmeunderarrest。
Ihadnotseenherforseventeenyears，butshelookedasbeautifulandravishingaseverasshecameforwardonthestage。
Itseemedimpossible。Icouldnotbelievemyeyes，thinkingtheresemblancemustbeacoincidence，when，aftersinginganair，shefixedhereyesonmineandkeptthemthere。Icouldnolongerdoubtthatitwasshe；sheplainlyrecognizedme。Assheleftthestageshestoppedatthewingsandmadeasigntomewithherfantocomeandspeaktoher。
Iwentoutwithabeatingheart，thoughIcouldnotexplainmyperturbation，forIdidnotfeelguiltyinanywaytowardsTherese，saveinthatIhadnotansweredthelastlettershehadwrittenmefromNaples，thirteenyearsago。Iwentroundthetheatre，feelingagreatercuriosityastotheresultsofourinterviewthantoknowwhathadbefallenherduringtheseventeenyearswhichseemedanagetome。
Icametothestage—door，andIsawTheresestandingatthetopofthestair。Shetoldthedoor—keepertoletmepass；Iwentupandwestoodfacetoface。DumbwithsurpriseItookherhandandpresseditagainstmyheart。
\"Knowfromthatbeatingheart，\"saidI，\"allthatIfeel。\"
\"Ican’tfollowyourexample，\"saidshe，\"butwhenIsawyouI
thoughtIshouldhavefainted。UnfortunatelyIamengagedtosupper。Ishallnotshutmyeyesallnight。Ishallexpectyouateighto’clockto—morrowmorning。Whereareyoustaying？\"
\"AtDr。Vannini’s。\"
\"Underwhatname？\"
\"Myown。\"
\"Howlonghaveyoubeenhere？\"
\"Sinceyesterday。\"
\"AreyoustoppinglonginFlorence？\"
\"Aslongasyoulike。\"
\"Areyoumarried？\"
\"No。\"
\"Cursedbethatsupper！Whatanevent！Youmustleavemenow，Ihavetogoon。Good—byetillseveno’clockto—morrow。\"
Shehadsaideightatfirst，butanhoursoonerwasnoharm。
Ireturnedtothetheatre，andrecollectedthatIhadneitheraskedhernameoraddress，butIcouldfindoutallthateasily。ShewasplayingMandane，andhersingingandactingwereadmirable。
Iaskedawell—dressedyoungmanbesidemewhatthatadmirableactress’snamewas。
\"YouhaveonlycometoFlorenceto—day，sir？\"
\"Iarrivedyesterday。\"
\"Ah！well，thenit’sexcusable。ThatactresshasthesamenameasIhave。Sheismywife，andIamCirilloPalesi，atyourservice。\"
Ibowedandwassilentwithsurprise。Idarednotaskwhereshelived，lesthemightthinkmycuriosityimpertinent。Theresemarriedtothishandsomeyoungman，ofwhom，ofallothers，Ihadmadeenquiriesabouther！Itwaslikeasceneinaplay。
Icouldbearitnolonger。Ilongedtobealoneandtoponderoverthisstrangeadventureatmyease，andtothinkaboutmyvisittoThereseatseveno’clockthenextmorning。Ifeltthemostintensecuriositytoseewhatthehusbandwoulddowhenherecognizedme，andhewascertaintodoso，forhehadlookedatmeattentivelyashespoke。IfeltthatmyoldflameforTheresewasrekindledinmyheart，andIdidnotknowwhetherIwasgladorsorryatherbeingmarried。
Ilefttheopera—houseandtoldmyfootmantocallmycarriage。
\"Youcan’thaveittillnineo’clock，sir；itwassocoldthecoachmansentthehorsesbacktothestable。\"
\"Wewillreturnonfoot，then。\"
\"Youwillcatchacold。\"
\"Whatistheprimadonna’sname？\"
\"Whenshecamehere，shecalledherselfLanti，butforthelasttwomonthsshehasbeenMadamePalesi。Shemarriedahandsomeyoungmanwithnopropertyandnoprofession，butsheisrich，sohetakeshiseaseanddoesnothing。\"
\"Wheredoesshelive？\"
\"Attheendofthisstreet。There’sherhouse，sir；shelodgesonthefirstfloor。\"
ThiswasallIwantedtoknow，soIsaidnomore，buttooknoteofthevariousturnings，thatImightbeabletofindmywayalonethenextday。Iatealightsupper，andtoldLeDuctocallmeatsixo’clock。
\"Butitisnotlighttillseven。\"
\"Iknowthat。\"
\"Verygood\"
Atthedawnofday，IwasatthedoorofthewomanIhadlovedsopassionately。Iwenttothefirstfloor，rangthebell，andanoldwomancameoutandaskedmeifIwereM。Casanova。ItoldherthatIwas，whereuponshesaidthattheladyhadinformedherI
wasnotcomingtilleight。
\"Shesaidseven。\"
\"Well，well，it’sofnoconsequence。Kindlywalkinhere。Iwillgoandawakeher。\"
Infiveminutes，theyounghusbandinhisnight—capanddressing—
gowncamein，andsaidthathiswifewouldnotbelong。Thenlookingatmeattentivelywithanastoundedstare，hesaid，\"Areyounotthegentlemanwhoaskedmemywife’snamelastnight？\"
\"Youareright，Idid。Ihavenotseenyourwifeformanyyears，butIthoughtIrecognizedher。Mygoodfortunemademeenquireofherhusband，andthefriendshipwhichformerlyattachedmetoherwillhenceforthattachmetoyou。\"
AsIutteredthisprettycomplimentTherese，asfairaslove，rushedintotheroomwithopenarms。Itookhertomybosominatransportofdelight，andthusweremainedfortwominutes，twofriends，twolovers，happytoseeoneanotherafteralongandsadparting。Wekissedeachotheragainandagain，andthenbiddingherhusbandsitdownshedrewmetoacouchandgavefullcoursetohertears。Iwepttoo，andmytearswerehappyones。Atlastwewipedoureyes，andglancedtowardsthehusbandwhomwehadcompletelyforgotten。Hestoodinanattitudeofcompleteastonishment，andweburstoutlaughing。Therewassomethingsocomicinhissurprisethatitwouldhavetaxedallthetalentsofthepoetandthecaricaturisttodepicthisexpressionofamazement。Therese，whoknewhowtomanagehim，criedinapatheticanaffectionatevoice，——
\"MydearPalesi，youseebeforeyoumyfather——nay，morethanafather，forthisismygenerousfriendtowhomIoweall。Oh，happymomentforwhichmyhearthaslongedforthesetenyearspast。\"
Attheword\"father\"theunhappyhusbandfixedhisgazeonme，butIrestrainedmylaughterwithconsiderabledifficulty。AlthoughTheresewasyoungforherage，shewasonlytwoyearsyoungerthanI；butfriendshipgivesanewmeaningtothesweetnameoffather。
\"Yes，sir，\"saidI，\"yourThereseismydaughter，mysister，mycherishedfriend；sheisanangel，andthistreasureisyourwife。\"
\"Ididnotreplytoyourlastletter，\"saidI，notgivinghimtimetocometohimself。
\"Iknowall，\"shereplied。\"Youfellinlovewithanun。YouwereimprisonedundertheLeads，andIheardofyouralmostmiraculousflightatVienna。IhadafalsepresentimentthatI
shouldseeyouinthattown。AfterwardsIheardofyouinParisandHolland，butafteryouleftParisnobodycouldtellmeanymoreaboutyou。YouwillhearsomefinetaleswhenItellyouallthathashappenedtomeduringthepasttenyears。NowIamhappy。IhavemydearPalesihere，whocomesfromRome。I
marriedhimacoupleofmonthsago。Weareveryfondofeachother，andIhopeyouwillbeasmuchhisfriendasmine。\"
AtthisIaroseandembracedthehusband，whocutsuchanextraordinaryfigure。Hemetmewithopenarms，butinsomeconfusion；hewas，nodoubt，notyetquitesatisfiedastotheindividualwhowashiswife’sfather，brother，friend，andperhapslover，allatonce。Theresesawthisfeelinginhiseyes，andafterIhaddoneshecameandkissedhimmostaffectionately，whichconfusedmeinmyturn，forIfeltallmyoldloveforherrenewed，andasardentasitwaswhenDonSancioPicointroducedmetoheratAncona。
Reassuredbymyembraceandhiswife’scaress，M。PalesiaskedmeifIwouldtakeacupofchocolatewiththem，whichhehimselfwouldmake。Iansweredthatchocolatewasmyfavouritebreakfast—
dish，andallthemoresowhenitwasmadebyafriend。Hewentawaytoseetoit。Ourtimehadcome。
AssoonaswewerealoneTheresethrewherselfintomyarms，herfaceshiningwithsuchloveasnopencandescribe。
\"Oh，mylove！whomIshallloveallmylife，claspmetoyourbreast！Letusgiveeachotherahundredembracesonthishappyday，butnotagain，sincemyfatehasmademeanother’sbride。
To—morrowwewillbelikebrotherandsister；to—dayletusbelovers。\"
Shehadnotfinishedthisspeechbeforemyblisswascrowned。Ourtransportsweremutual，andwerenewedthemagainandagainduringthehalfhourinwhichwehadnofearofaninterruption。Hernegligentmorningdressandmygreatcoatwerehighlyconvenientunderthecircumstances。
Afterwehadsatiatedinpartouramorousardourwebreathedagainandsatdown。Therewasashortpause，andthenshesaid，\"YoumustknowthatIaminlovewithmyhusbandanddeterminednottodeceivehim。WhatIhavejustdonewasadebtIhadtopaytotheremembranceofmyfirstlove。IhadtopayittoprovehowmuchIloveyou；butletusforgetitnow。Youmustbecontentedwiththethoughtofmygreataffectionforyou——ofwhichyoucanhavenodoubt——andletmestillthinkthatyouloveme；buthenceforthdonotletusbealonetogether，asIshouldgiveway，andthatwouldvexme。Whatmakesyoulooksosad？\"
\"Ifindyoubound，whileIamfree。Ithoughtwehadmetnevertopartagain；youhadkindledtheoldfires。IamthesametoyouasIwasatAncona。Ihaveprovedasmuch，andyoucanguesshowsadIfeelatyourdecreethatIamtoenjoyyounomore。Ifindthatyouarenotonlymarriedbutinlovewithyourhusband。
Alas！Ihavecometoolate，butifIhadnotstayedatGenoaI
shouldnothavebeenmorefortunate。Youshallknowallinduetime，andinthemeanwhileIwillbeguidedbyyouineverything。
Isupposeyourhusbandknowsnothingofourconnection，andmybestplanwillbetobereserved，willitnot？\"
\"Yes，dearest，forheknowsnothingofmyaffairs，andIamgladtosayheshewsnocuriosityrespectingthem。Likeeverybodyelse，heknowsImademyfortuneatNaples；ItoldhimIwenttherewhenIwastenyearsold。Thatwasaninnocentliewhichhurtsnobody；
andinmypositionIfindthatinconvenienttruthshavetogivewaytolies。Igivemyselfoutasonlytwenty—four，howdoyouthinkIlook？\"
\"Youlookasifyouweretellingthetruth，thoughIknowyoumustbethirty—two。\"
\"Youmeanthirty—one，forwhenIknewyouIcouldn’thavebeenmorethanfourteen。\"
\"Ithoughtyouwerefifteenatleast。\"
\"Well，Imightadmitthatbetweenourselves；buttellmeifIlookmorethantwenty—four。\"
\"Isweartoyouyoudon’tlookasold，butatNaples……\"
\"AtNaplessomepeoplemightbeabletocontradictme，butnobodywouldmindthem。ButIamwaitingforwhatoughttobethesweetestmomentofyourlife。\"
\"Whatisthat，pray？\"
\"Allowmetokeepmyowncounsel，Iwanttoenjoyyoursurprise。
Howareyouoff？Ifyouwantmoney，Icangiveyoubackallyougaveme，andwithcompoundinterest。AllIhavebelongstome；myhusbandisnotmasterofanything。IhavefiftythousandducatsatNaples，andanequalsumindiamonds。Tellmehowmuchyouwant——quick！thechocolateiscoming。\"
SuchawomanwasTherese。Iwasdeeplymoved，andwasabouttothrowmyarmsaboutherneckwithoutansweringwhenthechocolatecame。Herhusbandwasfollowedbyagirlofexquisitebeauty，whocarriedthreecupsofchocolateonasilver—giltdish。WhilewedrankitPalesiamusedusbytellinguswithmuchhumourhowsurprisedhewaswhenherecognizedthemanwhomadehimriseatsuchanearlyhourasthesamewhohadaskedhimhiswife’snamethenightbefore。ThereseandIlaughedtilloursidesached，thestorywastoldsowittilyandpleasantly。ThisRomandispleasedmelessthanIexpected；hisjealousyseemedonlyputonforform’ssake。
\"Atteno’clock，\"saidTheresa，\"Ihavearehearsalhereofthenewopera。Youcanstayandlistenifyoulike。Ihopeyouwilldinewithuseveryday，anditwillgivemegreatpleasureifyouwilllookuponmyhouseasyours。\"
\"To—day，\"saidI，\"Iwillstaywithyoutillaftersupper，andthenIwillleaveyouwithyourfortunatehusband。\"
AsIpronouncedthesewordsM。Palesiembracedmewitheffusion，asiftothankmefornotobjectingtohisenjoyinghisrightsasahusband。
Hewasbetweentheagesoftwentyandtwenty—two，ofafaircomplexion，andwell—made，buttooprettyforaman。IdidnotwonderatTheresebeinginlovewithhim，forIknewtoowellthepowerofahandsomeface；butIthoughtthatshehadmadeamistakeinmarryinghim，forahusbandacquirescertainrightswhichmaybecometroublesome。
Therese’sprettymaidcametotellmethatmycarriagewasatthedoor。
\"Willyouallowme，\"saidItoher，\"tohavemyfootmanin？\"
\"Rascal，\"saidI，assoonashecamein，\"whotoldyoutocomeherewithmycarriage？\"
\"Nobody，sir，butIknowmyduty。\"
\"WhotoldyouthatIwashere？\"
\"Iguessedasmuch。\"
\"GoandfetchLeDuc，andcomebackwithhim。\"
WhentheyarrivedItoldLeDuctopaytheimpertinentfellowthreedays’wages，tostriphimofhislivery，andtoaskDr。
Vanninitogetmeaservantofthesamebuild，notgiftedwiththefacultyofdivination，butwhoknewhowtoobeyhismaster’sorders。Therascalwasmuchperturbedattheresultofhisofficiousness，andaskedTheresetopleadforhim；but，likeasensiblewoman，shetoldhimthathismasterwasthebestjudgeofthevalueofhisservices。
Atteno’clockalltheactorsandactressesarrived，bringingwiththemamobofamateurswhocrowdedthehall。Theresereceivedtheirgreetingsgraciously，andIcouldseesheenjoyedagreatreputation。Therehearsallastedthreehours，andweariedmeextremely。TorelievemyboredomItalkedtoPalesi，whomIlikedfornotaskingmeanyparticularsofmyacquaintancewithhiswife。Isawthatheknewhowtobehaveinthepositioninwhichhewasplaced。
AgirlfromParma，namedRedegonde，whoplayedaman’spartandsangverywell，stayedtodinner。TheresehadalsoaskedayoungBolognese，namedCorticelli。Iwasstruckwiththebuddingcharmsofthisprettydancer，butasIwasjustthenfullofTherese，I
didnotpaymuchattentiontoher。SoonafterwesatdownIsawaplumpabbecominginwithmeasuredsteps。HelookedtomearegularTartuffe，afternothingbutTherese。Hecameuptoherassoonashesawher，andgoingononekneeinthePortuguesefashion，kissedherhandtenderlyandrespectfully。Theresereceivedhimwithsmilingcourtesyandputhimatherrighthand；
Iwasattheirleft。Hisvoice，manner，andallabouthimtoldmethatIhadknownhim，andinfactIsoonrecognizedhimastheAbbeGama，whomIhadleftatRomeseventeenyearsbeforewithCardinalAcquaviva；butIpretendednottorecognizehim，andindeedhehadagedgreatly。ThisgallantpriesthadeyesfornoonebutTherese，andhewastoobusywithsayingathousandsoftnothingstohertotakenoticeofanybodyelseinthecompany。I
hopedthatinhisturnhewouldeithernotrecognizemeorpretendnottodoso，soIwascontinuingmytriflingtalkwiththeCorticelli，whenTheresetoldmethattheabbewantedtoknowwhetherIdidnotrecollecthim。Ilookedathisfaceattentively，andwiththeairofamanwhoistryingtorecollectsomething，andthenIroseandaskedifhewerenottheAbbeGama，withwhoseacquaintanceIwashonoured。
\"Thesame，\"saidhe，rising，andplacinghisarmsroundmyneckhekissedmeagainandagain。Thiswasinperfectagreementwithhiscraftycharacter；thereaderwillnothaveforgottentheportraitofhimcontainedinthefirstvolumeoftheseMemoirs。
Aftertheicehadbeenthusbrokenitwillbeimaginedthatwehadalongconversation。HespokeofBarbaruccia，ofthefairMarchionessG————，ofCardinalS————C————，andtoldmehowhehadpassedfromtheSpanishtothePortugueseservice，inwhichhestillcontinued。Iwasenjoyinghistalkaboutnumeroussubjectswhichhadinterestedmeinmyearlyyouth，whenanunexpectedsightabsorbedallmythinkingfaculties。Ayoungmanoffifteenorsixteen，aswellgrownasItaliansusuallyareatthatage，cameintotheroom，salutedthecompanywitheasygrace，andkissedTherese。Iwastheonlypersonwhodidnotknowhim，butI
wasnottheonlyonewholookedsurprised。ThedaringThereseintroducedhimtomewithperfectcoolnesswiththewords:——
\"Thatismybrother。\"
IgreetedhimaswarmlyasIcould，butmymannerwasslightlyconfused，asIhadnothadtimetorecovermycomposure。Thisso—
calledbrotherofTheresewasmylivingimage，thoughhiscomplexionwasratherclearerthanmine。Isawatoncethathewasmyson；naturehadneverbeensoindiscreetasintheamazinglikenessbetweenus。This，then，wasthesurpriseofwhichTheresehadspoken；shehaddevisedthepleasureofseeingmeatonceastoundedanddelighted，forsheknewthatmyheartwouldbetouchedatthethoughtofhavinglefthersuchapledgeofourmutuallove。Ihadnottheslightestforeknowledgeinthematter，forTheresehadneveralludedtoherbeingwithchildinherletters。Ithought，however，thatsheshouldnothavebroughtaboutthismeetinginthepresenceofathirdparty，foreveryonehaseyesintheirhead，andanyonewitheyesmusthaveseenthattheyoungmanwaseithermysonormybrother。Iglancedather，butsheavoidedmeetingmyeye，whilethepretendedbrotherwaslookingatmesoattentivelythathedidnothearwhatwassaidtohim。Astotheothers，theydidnothingbutlookfirstatmeandthenathim，andiftheycametotheconclusionthathewasmysontheywouldbeobligedtosupposethatIhadbeentheloverofTherese’smother，ifshewerereallyhissister，fortakingintoconsiderationtheageshelookedandgaveherselfouttobeshecouldnotpossiblybehismother。ItwasequallyimpossiblethatIcouldbeTherese’sfather，asIdidnotlookanyolderthanshedid。
MysonspoketheNeapolitandialectperfectly，buthealsospokeItalianverywell，andinwhateverhesaidIwasgladtorecognizetaste，goodsense，andintelligence。Hewaswell—informed，thoughhehadbeenbroughtupatNaples，andhismannerswereverydistinguished。Hismothermadehimsitbetweenusattable。
\"Hisfavouriteamusement，\"shesaidtome，\"ismusic。Youmusthearhimontheclavier，andthoughIameightyearsolderIshallnotbesurprisedifyoupronouncehimthebetterperformer。\"
Onlyawoman’sdelicateinstinctcouldhavesuggestedthisremark；
menhardlyeverapproachwomeninthisrespect。
Whetherfromnaturalimpulsesorself—esteem，IrosefromthetablesodelightedwithmysonthatIembracedhimwiththeutmosttenderness，andwasapplaudedbythecompany。Iaskedeverybodytodinewithmethenextday，andmyinvitationwasjoyfullyaccepted；buttheCorticellisaid，withtheutmostsimplicity，\"MayIcome，too？\"
\"Certainty；youtoo。\"
AfterdinnertheAbbeGamaaskedmetobreakfastwithhim，ortohavehimtobreakfastthenextmorning，asbewaslongingforagoodtalkwithme。
\"Comeandbreakfastwithme，\"saidI，\"Ishallbedelightedtoseeyou。\"
WhentheguestshadgoneDonCesarino，asthepretendedbrotherofTheresewascalled，askedmeifIwouldwalkwithhim。Ikissedhim，andrepliedthatmycarriagewasathisservice，andthatheandhisbrother—in—lawcoulddriveinit，butthatIhadresolvednottoleavehissisterthatday。Palesiseemedquitesatisfiedwiththearrangement，andtheybothwentaway。
Whenwewerealone，IgaveThereseanardentembrace，andcongratulatedheronhavingsuchabrother。
\"Mydear，heisthefruitofouramours；heisyourson。Hemakesmehappy，andishappyhimself，andindeedhehaseverythingtomakehimso。\"
\"AndI，too，amhappy，dearTherese。YoumusthaveseenthatI
recognizedhimatonce。\"
\"Butdoyouwanttogivehimabrother？Howardentyouare！\"
\"Remember，belovedone，thatto—morrowwearetobefriends，andnothingmore。\"
Bythismyeffortswerecrownedwithsuccess，butthethoughtthatitwasthelasttimewasabitterdropinthecupofhappiness。
Whenwehadregainedourcomposure，Theresesaid，——
\"ThedukewhotookmefromRiminibroughtupourchild；assoonasIknewthatIwaspregnantIconfidedmysecrettohim。Nooneknewofmydelivery，andthechildwassenttonurseatSorrento，andthedukehadhimbaptizedunderthenameofCaesarPhilipLand。HeremainedatSorrentotillhewasnine，andthenhewasboardedwithaworthyman，whosuperintendedhiseducationandtaughthimmusic。Fromhisearliestchildhoodhehasknownmeashissister，andyoucannotthinkhowhappyIwaswhenIsawhimgrowingsolikeyou。Ihavealwaysconsideredhimasasurepledgeofourfinalunion。Iwaseverthinkingwhatwouldhappenwhenwemet，forIknewthathewouldhavethesameinfluenceoveryouashehasoverme。Iwassureyouwouldmarrymeandmakehimlegitimate。\"
\"Andyouhaverenderedallthis，whichwouldhavemademehappy，animpossibility。\"
\"Thefatesdecidedso；wewillsaynomoreaboutit。OnthedeathofthedukeIleftNaples，leavingCesarinoatthesameboardingschool，undertheprotectionofthePrincedelaRiccia，whohasalwayslookeduponhimasabrother。Yourson，thoughhedoesnotknowit，possessesthesumoftwentythousandducats，ofwhichI
receivetheinterest，butyoumayimaginethatIlethimwantfornothing。MyonlyregretisthatIcannottellhimIamhismother，asIthinkhewouldlovemestillmoreifheknewthatheowedhisbeingtome。YoucannotthinkhowgladIwastoseeyoursurpriseto—day，andhowsoonyougottolovehim。\"
\"Heiswonderfullylikeme。\"
\"Thatdelightsme。Peoplemustthinkthatyouweremymother’slover。Myhusbandthinksthatourfriendshipisduetotheconnectionbetweenyouandmymother。HetoldmeyesterdaythatCesarinomightbemybrotheronthemother’sside，butnotonmyfather’s；ashehadseenhisfatherinthetheatre，butthathecouldnotpossiblybemyfather，too。IfIhavechildrenbyPalesiallIhavewillgotothem，butifnotCesarinowillbemyheir。Mypropertyiswellsecured，evenifthePrincedeRicciaweretodie。\"
\"Come，\"saidshe，drawingmeinthedirectionofherbed—room。
Sheopenedalargeboxwhichcontainedherjewelsanddiamonds，andsharestotheamountoffiftythousandducats。Besidesthatshehadalargeamountofplate，andhertalentswhichassuredherthefirstplaceinalltheItaliantheatres。
\"DoyouknowwhetherourdearCesarinohasbeeninloveyet？\"saidI。
\"Idon’tthinkso，butIfancymyprettymaidisinlovewithhim。
Ishallkeepmyeyesopen。\"
\"Youmustn’tbetoostrict。\"
\"No，butitisn’tagoodthingforayoungmantoengagetoosooninthatpleasurewhichmakesoneneglecteverythingelse。\"
\"Letmehavehim，Iwillteachhimhowtolive。\"
\"Askall，butleavememyson。YoumustknowthatIneverkisshimforfearofmygivingwaytoexcessiveemotion。Iwishyouknewhowgoodandpureheis，andhowwellhelovesme，Icouldnotrefusehimanything。
WhatwillpeoplesayinVenicewhentheyseeCasanovaagain，whoescapedfromTheLeadsandhasbecometwentyyearsyounger？\"
\"YouaregoingtoVenice，then，fortheAscensa？\"
\"Yes，andyouaregoingtoRome？\"
\"AndtoNaples，toseemyfriendtheDukedeMatalone。\"
\"Iknowhimwell。HehasalreadyhadasonbythedaughteroftheDukedeBovino，whomhemarried。Shemustbeacharmingwomantohavemadeamanofhim，forallNaplesknewthathewasimpotent。\"
\"Probably，sheonlyknewthesecretofmakinghimafather。\"
\"Well，itispossible。\"
WespentthetimebytalkingwithinterestonvarioustopicstillCesarinoandthehusbandcameback。Thedearchildfinishedhisconquestofmeatsupper；hehadamerryrandomwit，andalltheNeapolitanvivacity。Hesatdownattheclavier，andafterplayingseveralpieceswiththeutmostskillhebegantosingNeapolitansongswhichmadeusalllaugh。Thereseonlylookedathimandme，butnowandagainsheembracedherhusband，saying，thatinlovealonelieshappiness。
Ithoughtthen，andIthinknow，thatthisdaywasoneofthehappiestIhaveeverspent。
CHAPTERVII
TheCorticelli——TheJewManagerBeaten——TheFalseCharlesIvanoffandtheTrickHePlayedMe——IAmOrderedtoLeaveTuscany——IArriveatRome——MyBrotherJeanAtnineo’clockthenextmorning，theAbbeGamawasannounced。
Thefirstthinghedidwastoshedtearsofjoy（ashesaid）atseeingmesowellandprosperousaftersomanyyears。Thereaderwillguessthattheabbeaddressedmeinthemostflatteringterms，andperhapshemayknowthatonemaybeclever，experiencedinthewaysoftheworld，andevendistrustfulofflattery，butyetone’sself—love，everonthewatch，listenstotheflatterer，andthinkshimpleasant。Thispoliteandpleasantabbe，whohadbecomeextremelycraftyfromhavinglivedallhisdaysamongstthehighdignitariesatthecourtofthe’ServusServorumDei’（thebestschoolofstrategy），wasnotaltogetheranill—disposedman，butbothhisdispositionandhisprofessionconspiredtomakehiminquisitive；infine，suchasIhavedepictedhiminthefirstvolumeoftheseMemoirs。Hewantedtohearmyadventures，anddidnotwaitformetoaskhimtotellhisstory。Hetoldmeatgreatlengththevariousincidentsinhislifefortheseventeenyearsinwhichwehadnotseenoneanother。HehadlefttheserviceoftheKingofSpainforthatoftheKingofPortugal，hewassecretaryofembassytotheCommanderAlmada，andbehadbeenobligedtoleaveRomebecausethePopeRezzonicowouldnotallowtheKingofPortugaltopunishcertainworthyJesuitassassins，whohadonlybrokenhisarmasithappened，butwhohadnonethelessmeanttotakehislife。Thus，GamawasstayinginItalycorrespondingwithAlmadaandthefamousCarvalho，waitingforthedisputetobefinishedbeforehereturnedtoRome。Inpointoffactthiswastheonlysubstantialincidentintheabbe’sstory，butheworkedinsomanyepisodesofnoconsequencethatitlastedforanhour。Nodoubthewishedmetoshewmygratitudebytellinghimallmyadventureswithoutreserve；buttheupshotofitwasthatwebothshewedourselvestruediplomatists，heinlengtheninghisstory，Iinshorteningmine，whileIcouldnothelpfeelingsomeenjoymentinbulkingthecuriosityofmycassockedfriend。