\"Shewon’tbeabletohelplaughing；besides，youaredressed。\"
Theopportunitywastootempting，andtakingoffmydressing—gown，Igentlycreptintothebed，andEleanorecoveredmeuptomyneck。Shelaughed，butmyheartwasbeatingrapidly。Icouldnotgivetheaffairtheappearanceofajoke，andIhopedClementinewouldbesometimebeforesheawokethatImighthavetimetocomposemyself。
Ihadbeeninthispositionforaboutfiveminutes，whenClementine，halfasleepandhalfawake，turnedover，andstretchingoutherarm，gavemeahastykiss，thinkingIwashersister。Shethenfellasleepagaininthesameposition。I
shouldhavestayedstilllongenough，forherwarmbreathplayedonmyface，andgavemeaforetasteofambrosia；butEleanorecouldrestrainherselfnolonger，and，burstingintoapealoflaughter，forcedClementinetoopenhereyes。Nevertheless，shedidnotdiscoverthatsheheldmeinherarmstillshesawhersisterstandinglaughingbesidethebed。
\"Thisisafinetrick，\"saidshe，\"youaretwocharmersindeed！\"
Thisquietreceptiongavemebackmyself—composure，andIwasabletoplaymypartproperly。
\"Yousee，\"saidI，\"IhavehadakissfrommysweetHebe。\"
\"IthoughtIwasgivingittomysister。’TisthekissthatAmaryllisgavetoMistillo。\"
\"Itcomestothesamething。Thekisshasproduceditseffects，andIolasisyoungagain。\"
\"DearEleanore，youhavegonetoofar，forweloveeachother，andIwasdreamingofhim。\"
\"No，no，\"saidhersister，\"Iolasisdressed。Look！\"
Sosaying，thelittlewantonwithaswiftmovementuncoveredme，butatthesametimesheuncoveredhersister，andClementinewithalittlescreamveiledthecharmswhichmyeyeshaddevouredforamoment。Ihadseenall，butasoneseeslightning。Ihadseenthecorniceandthefriezeofthealtaroflove。
Eleanorethenwentout，andIremainedgazingatthetreasureI
desiredbutdidnotdaretoseize。AtlastIbrokethesilence。
\"DearestHebe，\"saidI，\"youarecertainlyfairerthanthecupbearerofthegods。IhavejustseenwhatmusthavebeenseenwhenHebewasfalling，andifIhadbeenJupiterIshouldhavechangedmymind。\"
\"SardinitoldmethatJupiterdroveHebeaway，andnowIoughttodriveJupiterawayoutofrevenge。\"
\"Yes；but，myangel，IamIolas，andnotJupiter。Iadoreyou，andIseektoquenchthedesireswhichtortureme。\"
\"ThisisatrickbetweenyouandEleanore。\"
\"Mydearest，itwasallpurechance。IthoughtIshouldfindyoudressed，andIwentintowishyougoodday。Youwereasleepandyoursisterwasdressing。Igazedatyou，andEleanoresuggestedthatIshouldliedownbesideyoutoenjoyyourastonishmentwhenyouawoke。Ioughttobegratefultoherforapleasurewhichhasturnedoutsopleasantly。ButthebeautiesshediscoveredtomesurpassalltheideasIhadformedonthesubject。MycharmingHebewillnotrefusetopardonme。\"
\"No，sinceallistheeffectofchance。Butitiscuriousthatwhenonelovespassionatelyonealwaysfeelsinquisitiveconcerningthepersonofthebelovedobject。\"
\"Itisaverynaturalfeeling，dearest。Loveitselfisakindofcuriosity，ifitbelawfultoputcuriosityintherankofthepassions；butyouhavenotthatfeelingaboutme？\"
\"No，forfearyoumightdisappointme，forIloveyou，andIwanteverythingtospeakinyourfavour。\"
\"Iknowyoumightbedisappointed，andconsequentlyImustdoeverythinginmypowertopreserveyourgoodopinion。\"
\"Thenyouaresatisfiedwithme？\"
\"Surely。Iamagoodarchitect，andIthinkyouaregrandlybuilt。\"
\"Stay，Iolas，donottouchme；itisenoughthatyouhaveseenme。\"
\"Alas！itisbytouchingthatonerectifiesthemistakesoftheeyes；onejudgesthusofsmoothnessandsolidity。Letmekissthesetwofairsourcesoflife。IpreferthemtothehundredbreastsofCybele，andIamnotjealousofAthys。\"
\"Youarewrongthere；SardinitoldmethatitwasDianaofEphesuswhohadthehundredbreasts。\"
HowcouldIhelplaughingtohearmythologyissuingfromClementine’smouthatsuchamoment！Couldanyloverforeseesuchanincident？
Ipressedwithmyhandheralabasterbreast，andyetthedesireofknowledgesubduedloveintheheartofClementine。ButfarfrommistakingherconditionIthoughtitagoodomen。Itoldherthatshewasperfectlyright，andthatIwaswrong，andafeelingofliteraryvanitypreventedheropposingmypressingwithmylipsarosybud，whichstoodoutinreliefagainstthealabastersphere。
\"Youapplyyourlipsinvain，mydearIolas，thelandisbarren。
Butwhatareyouswallowing？\"
\"Thequintessenceofakiss。\"
\"Ithinkyoumusthaveswallowedsomethingofme，sinceyouhavegivenmeapleasurablesensationIhaveneverbeforeexperienced。\"
\"DearHebe，youmakemehappy。\"
\"Iamgladtohearit，butIthinkthekissonthelipsismuchbetter。\"
\"Certainly，becausethepleasureisreciprocal，andconsequentlygreater。\"
\"Youteachbypreceptandexampletoo。Cruelteacher！Enough，thispleasureistoosweet。Lovemustbelookingatusandlaughing。\"
\"Whyshouldwenotlethimenjoyavictorywhichwouldmakeusbothhappier？\"
\"Becausesuchhappinessisnotbuiltonasurefoundation。No，no！putyourarmsdown。Ifwecankilleachotherwithkisses，letuskisson；butletususenootherarms。\"
Afterourlipshadclungtoeachothercruellybutsweetly，shepaused，andgazingatmewitheyesfullofpassionshebeggedmetoleaveheralone。
ThesituationinwhichIfoundmyselfisimpossibletodescribe。
Ideploredtheprejudicewhichhadconstrainedme，andIweptwithrage。Icooledmyselfbymakingatoilettewhichwasextremelynecessary，andreturnedtoherroom。
Shewaswriting。
\"Iamdelightedtoseeyouback，\"saidshe，\"Iamfullofthepoeticfrenzyandproposetotellthestoryofthevictorywehavegainedinverse。\"
\"Asadvictory，abhorredbylove，hatefultonature。\"
\"Thatwilldonicely。Willeachwriteapoem；Itocelebratethevictoryandyoutodeploreit。Butyoulooksad。\"
\"Iaminpain；butasthemasculineanatomyisunknowntoyou，I
cannotexplainmatters。\"
Clementinedidnotreply，butIcouldseethatshewasaffected。
Isufferedadullpaininthatpartwhichprejudicehadmademeholdaprisonerwhileloveandnaturebademegiveitperfectfreedom。Sleepwastheonlythingwhichwouldrestorethebalanceofmyconstitution。
Wewentdowntodinner，butIcouldnoteat。IcouldnotattendtothereadingofthetranslationwhichM。Vigihadbroughtwithhim，andIevenforgottocomplimenthimuponit。Ibeggedthecounttoholdthebankforme，andaskedthecompanytoallowmetoliedown；nobodycouldtellwhatwasthematterwithme，thoughClementinemighthavehersuspicions。
Atsupper—timeClementine，accompaniedbyaservant，broughtmeadelicatecoldcollation，andtoldmethatthebankhadwon。Itwasthefirsttimeithaddoneso，forIhadalwaystakencaretoplayalosinggame。Imadeagoodsupper，butremainedstillmelancholyandsilent。WhenIhadfinishedClementinebademegoodnight，sayingthatshewasgoingtowriteherpoem。
I，too，wasinthevein:Ifinishedmypoem，andmadeafaircopyofitbeforeIwenttobed。InthemorningClementinecametoseeme，andgavemeherpiece，whichIreadwithpleasure；thoughI
suspectthatthedelightmypraisesgavewasequaltomine。
Thencametheturnofmycomposition，andbeforelongInoticedthatthepictureofmysufferingswasmakingaprofoundimpressiononher。Bigtearsrolleddownhercheeks，andfromhereyesshotforthtenderglances。WhenIhadfinished，Ihadthehappinessofhearinghersaythatifshehadknownthatpartofphysiologybetter，shewouldnothavebehavedso。
Wetookacupofchocolatetogether，andIthenbeggedhertoliedownbesidemeinbedwithoutundressing，andtotreatmeasIhadtreatedherthedaybefore，thatshemighthavesomeexperienceofthemartyrdomIhadsunginmyverses。Shesmiledandagreed，ontheconditionthat1shoulddonothingtoher。
Itwasacruelcondition，butitwasthebeginningofvictory，andIhadtosubmit。Ihadnoreasontorepentofmysubmission，forIenjoyedthedespotismsheexercisedonme，andthepainshemustbeinthatIdidnothingtoher，whilstIwouldnotletherseethecharmswhichsheheldinherhands。InvainIexcitedhertosatisfyherself，torefuseherdesiresnothing，butshepersistedinmaintainingthatshedidnotwishtogoanyfurther。
\"Yourenjoymentcannotbesogreatasmine，\"saidI。Buthersubtlewitneverleftherwithoutareply。
\"Then，\"saidshe，\"youhavenorighttoaskmetopityyou。\"
Thetest，however，wastoosharpforher。Sheleftmeinastateofgreatexcitement，givingmeakisswhichtookalldoubtsaway，andsayingthatinlovewemustbeallornothing。
Wespentthedayinreading，eating，andwalking，andinconversegraveandgay。Icouldnotsee，however，thatmysuithadprogressed，asfarastheeventsofthemorningseemedtoindicate。ShewantedtoreversethemedalofAristippus，whosaid，inspeakingofLois，\"Ipossessher，butshedoesnotpossessme。\"Shewantedtobemymistress，withoutmybeinghermaster。Iventuredtobewailmyfatealittle，butthatdidnotseemtoadvancemycause。
Threeorfourdaysafter，IaskedClementineinthepresenceofhersistertoletmelieinbedbesideher。Thisisthetestproposedtoanun，awidow，agirlafraidofconsequences，anditnearlyalwayssucceeds。ItookapacketoffineEnglishlettersandexplainedtheirusetoher。Shetookthemexaminedthemattentively，andafteraburstoflaughterdeclaredthemtobescandalous，disgusting，horribleinwhichanathemahersisterjoined。InvainItriedtopleadtheirutilityindefence，butClementinemaintainedthattherewasnotrustingthem，andpushedherfingerintoonesostronglythatitburstwithaloudcrack。
Ihadtogiveway，andputmyspecialtiesinmypocket，andherfinaldeclarationwasthatsuchthingsmadehershudder。
Iwishedthemgoodnight，andretiredinsomeconfusion。I
ponderedoverClementine’sstrangeresistance，whichcouldonlymeanthatIhadnotinspiredherwithsufficientlove。Iresolvedonovercomingherbyanalmostinfalliblemethod。Iwouldprocureherpleasuresthatwerenewtoherwithoutsparingexpense。I
couldthinkofnothingbetterthantotakethewholefamilytoMilan，andtogivethemasumptuousbanquetatmypastry—cook’s。
\"Iwilltakethemthere，\"Isaidtomyself，\"withoutsayingawordaboutourdestinationtillweareonourway，forifIweretonameMilanthecountmightfeelboundtotellhisSpanishcountess，thatshemighthaveanopportunityofmakingtheacquaintanceofhersisters—in—law，andthiswouldvexmetothelastdegree。\"Thepartywouldbeagreattreattothesisters，whohadneverbeeninMilan，andIresolvedtomaketheexpeditionassplendidasIpossiblycould。
WhenIawokethenextmorningIwrotetoZenobiatobuythreedressesofthefinestLyonssilkforthreeyoungladiesofrank。
Isentthenecessarymeasurements，andinstructionsastothetrimming。TheCountessAmbrose’sdresswastobewhitesatinwitharichborderofValencienneslace。IalsowrotetoM。Greppi，askinghimtopayforZenobia’spurchases。Itoldhertotakethethreedressestomyprivatelodgings，andlaythemuponthebed，andgivethelandlordanoteIenclosed。Thisnoteorderedhimtoprovideabanquetforeightpersons，withoutsparingexpense。Onthedayandhourappointed，Zengbiawastobeatthepastrycook’sreadytowaitonthethreeladies。IsenttheletterbyClairmont，whoreturnedbeforedinner，bearinganotefromZenobiaassuringmethatallmywishesshouldbecarriedout。AfterdessertIbroachedmyplantothecountess，tellingherthatI
wantedtogiveapartyliketheoneatLodi，butontwoconditions:thefirst，thatnoonewastoknowourdestinationtillwewereinthecarriages，andthesecond，thatafterdinnerweshouldreturntoSt。Angelo。
Outofpolitenessthecountesslookedatherhusbandbeforeacceptingtheinvitation，buthecriedout，withoutceremony，thathewasreadytogoifItookthewholefamily。
\"Verygood，\"saidI，\"wewillstartateighto’clockto—morrow，andnobodyneedbeatanytrouble，thecarriagesareordered。\"
Ifeltobligedtoincludethecanon，becausehewasagreatcourtierofthecountess，andalsobecausehelostmoneytomeeveryday，andthusitwashe，infact，whowasgoingtopayfortheexpedition。Thateveninghelostthreehundredsequins，andwasobligedtoaskmetogivehimthreeday’sgracetopaythemoney。IrepliedbyassuringhimthatallIhadwasathisservice。
WhenthecompanybrokeupIofferedmyhandtoHebe，andescortedherandhersistertotheirroom。WehadbeguntoreadFontenelle’s\"PluralityofWorlds，\"andIhadthoughtweshouldfinishitthatnight；butClementinesaidthatasshehadtogetupearly，shewouldwanttogettosleepearlyalso。
\"Youareright，dearestHebe，doyougotobed，andIwillreadtoyou。\"
Shemadenoobjection，soItooktheAriosto，andbegantoreadthehistoryoftheSpanishprincesswhofellinlovewithBradamante。IthoughtthatbythetimeIhadfinishedClementinewouldbeardent，butIwasmistaken；bothsheandhersisterseemedpensive。
\"Whatisthematterwithyou，dearest？HasRicciardettodispleasedyou？\"
\"Notatall，hehaspleasedme，andintheprincess’splaceI
shouldhavedonethesame；butweshallnotsleepallnight，anditisyourfault。\"
\"WhathaveIdone，pray？\"
\"Nothing，butyoucanmakeushappy，andgiveusagreatproofofyourfriendship。\"
\"Speak，then。Whatisityouwantofme？Iwoulddoanythingtopleaseyou。Mylifeisyours。Youshallsleepsoundly。\"
\"Well，then，telluswherewearegoingto—morrow。\"
\"HaveInotalreadysaidthatIwouldtellyoujustaswearegoing？\"
\"Yes，butthatwon’tdo。Wewanttoknownow，andifyouwon’ttellusweshan’tsleep，allnight，andweshalllookfrightfulto—morrow。\"
\"Ishouldbesosorry，butIdon’tthinkthatyoucouldlookfrightful。\"
\"Youdon’tthinkwecankeepasecret。Itisnothingveryimportant，isit？\"
\"No，itisnotveryimportant，butallthesameitisasecret。\"
\"Itwouldbedreadfulifyourefusedme。\"
\"DearestHebe！howcanIrefuseyouanything？IconfessfreelythatIhavebeenwronginkeepingyouwaitingsolong。Hereismysecret:youaretodinewithmeto—morrow。\"
\"Withyou？Where？\"
\"Milan。\"
Intheirimmoderatejoytheygotoutofbed，andwithoutcaringfortheirstateofundress，threwtheirarmsroundmyneck，coveredmewithkisses，claspedmetotheirbreasts，andfinallysatdownonmyknees。
\"WehaveneverseenMilan，\"theycried，\"andithasbeenthedreamofourlivestoseethatsplendidtown。HowoftenIhavebeenputtotheblushwhenIhavebeenforcedtoconfessthatIhaveneverbeentoMilan。\"
\"Itmakesmeveryhappy，\"saidHebe，\"butmyhappinessistroubledbytheideathatweshallseenothingofthetown，forweshallhavetoreturnafterdinner。Itiscruel！ArewetogofifteenmilestoMilanonlytodineandcomebackagain？Atleastwemustseeoursister—in—law。\"
\"Ihaveforeseenallyourobjections，andthatwasthereasonI
madeamysteryofit，butithasbeenarranged。Youdon’tlikeit？Speakandtellmeyourpleasure。\"
\"Ofcoursewelikeit，dearIolas。Thepartywillbecharming，andperhaps，ifweknewall，theveryconditionsareallforthebest。\"
\"Itmaybeso，butImaynottellyouanymorenow。\"
\"Andwewillnotpressyou。\"
Inanecstasyofjoyshebegantoembracemeagain，andEleanoresaidthatshewouldgotosleepsoastobemoreonthealertforthemorrow。Thiswasthebestthingshecouldhavedone。Iknewthefortunatehourwasathand，andexcitingClementinebymyfierykisses，anddrawingnearerandnearer，atlastIwasinfullpossessionofthetempleIhadsolongdesiredtoattain。Hebe’spleasureanddelightkepthersilent；shesharedmyecstasies，andmingledherhappytearswithmine。
Ispenttwohoursinthismanner，andthenwenttobed，impatienttorenewthecombatonthefollowingdaymoreatmyeaseandwithgreatercomfort。
Ateighto’clockwewereallassembledroundthebreakfast—table，butinspiteofmyhighspiritsIcouldnotmaketherestofthecompanysharethem。Allweresilentandpensive；curiositysheweditselfoneveryface。Clementineandhersisterpretendedtopartakethegeneralfeeling，andweresilentliketherestwhileI
lookedonandenjoyedtheirexpectancy。
Clairmont，whohadfulfilledmyinstructionstotheletter，cameinandtoldusthatthecarriageswereatthedoor。Iaskedmygueststofollowme，andtheydidsoinsilence。IputthecountessandClementineinmycarriage，thelatterholdingthebabyonherlap，hersisterandthethreegentlemenbeingseatedintheothercarriage。Icalledout，withalaugh，\"DrivetoMilan。\"
\"Milan！Milan！\"theyexclaimedwithonevoice。\"Capital！
capital！\"
Clairmontgallopedinfrontofusandwentoff。Clementinepretendedtobeastonished，buthersisterlookedasifshehadknownsomethingofourdestinationbefore。Allcare，however，haddisappeared，andthehighestspiritsprevailed。Westoppedatavillagehalf—waybetweenSt。AngeloandMilantoblowthehorses，andeverybodygotdown。
\"Whatwillmywifesay？\"askedthecount。
\"Nothing，forshewillnotknowanythingaboutit，andifshedoesIamtheonlyguiltyparty。YouaretodinewithmeinasuiteofroomswhichIhaveoccupiedincognitosinceIhavebeenatMilan；
foryouwillunderstandthatIcouldnothavemywantsattendedtoatyourhouse，wheretheplaceisalreadytaken。\"
\"AndhowaboutZenobia？\"
\"Zenobiawasaluckychance，andisaverynicegirl，butshewouldnotsufficeformydailyfare。\"
\"Youarealuckyfellow！\"
\"Itrytomakemyselfcomfortable。\"
\"Mydearhusband，\"saidtheCountessAmbrose，\"youproposedavisittoMilantwoyearsago，andthechevalierproposeditafewhoursago，andnowweareonourway。\"
\"Yes，sweetheart，butmyideawasthatweshouldspendamonththere。\"
\"Ifyouwanttodothat，\"saidI，\"Iwillseetoeverything。\"
\"Thankyou，mydearsir；youarereallyawonderfulman。\"
\"Youdometoomuchhonour，count，thereisnothingwonderfulaboutme，exceptthatIexecuteeasilyaneasytask。\"
\"Yes；butyouwillconfessthatathingmaybedifficultfromthewayinwhichweregardit，orfromthepositioninwhichwefindourselves。\"
\"Youarequiteright。\"
Whenwewereagainonourwaythecountesssaid，——
\"Youmustconfess，sir，thatyouareaveryfortunateman。\"
\"Idonotdenyit，mydearcountess，butmyhappinessisduetothecompanyIfindmyselfin；ifyouweretoexpelmefromyours，Ishouldbemiserable\"
\"Youarenotthekindofmantobeexpelledfromanysociety。\"
\"Thatisaverykindlycompliment。\"
\"Say，rather，averytrueone。\"
\"Iamhappytohearyousayso，butitwouldbebothfoolishandpresumptuousformetosaysomyself。\"
Thuswemademerryonourway，aboveallattheexpenseofthecanon，whohadbeenbeggingthecountesstointercedewithmetogivehimleavetoabsenthimselfhalfanhour。
\"Iwanttocallonalady，\"saidhe；\"IshouldloseherfavourforeverifshecametoknowthatIhadbeeninMilanwithoutpayingheravisit。\"
\"Youmustsubmittotheconditions，\"repliedtheamiablecountess，\"sodon’tcountonmyintercession。\"
WegottoMilanexactlyatnoon，andsteppedoutatthepastry—
cook’sdoor。Thelandladybeggedthecountesstoconfideherchildtohercare，andshewedherabosomwhichprovedherfruitfulness。Thisofferwasmadeatthefootofthestairs，andthecountessaccepteditwithcharminggraceanddignity。Itwasadelightfulepisode，whichchancehadwilledshouldadorntheentertainmentIhadinvented。Everybodyseemedhappy，butIwasthehappiestofall。Happinessispurelyacreatureoftheimagination。Ifyouwishtobehappyfancythatyouareso，thoughIconfessthatcircumstancesfavourabletothisstateareoftenbeyondourcontrol。Ontheotherhand，unfavourablecircumstancesaremostlytheresultofourownmistakes。
Thecountesstookmyarm，andweledthewayintomyroomwhichI
foundexquisitelyneatandclean。AsIhadexpected，Zenobiawasthere，butIwassurprisedtoseeCroce’smistress，lookingverypretty；however，Ipretendednottoknowher。Shewaswelldressed，andherface，freefromthesadnessithadbornebefore，wassoseductiveinitsbeauty，thatIfeltvexedatherappearanceatthatparticularmoment。
\"Herearetwoprettygirls，\"saidthecountess。\"Whoareyou，pray？\"
\"Wearethechevalier’shumbleservants，\"saidZenobia，\"andwearehereonlytowaitonyou。\"
Zenobiahadtakenitonherselftobringherlodger，whobegantospeakItalian，andlookedatmeindoubt，fearingthatIwasdispleasedatherpresence。IhadtoreassureherbysayingIwasverygladshehadcomewithZenobia。Thesewordswereasbalmtoherheart；shesmiledagain，andbecamemorebeautifulthanever。
Ifeltcertainthatshewouldnotremainunhappylong；itwasimpossibletobeholdherwithoutone’sinterestbeingexcitedinherfavour。AbillsignedbytheGracescanneverbeprotested；
anyonewitheyesandahearthonoursitatsight。
Myhumbleservantstooktheladies’cloaksandfollowedthemintothebedroom，wherethethreedresseswerelaidoutonatable。I
onlyknewthewhitesatinandlace，forthatwastheonlyoneI
haddesigned。Thecountess，whowalkedbeforehersisters，wasthefirsttonoticeit，andexclaimed，——
\"Whatalovelydress！Towhomdoesitbelong，M。deSeingalt？
Yououghttoknow。\"
\"Certainly。Itbelongstoyourhusbandwhocandowhathelikeswithit，andIhope，ifhegivesityou，youwilltakeit。Takeit，count；itisyours；andifyourefuseIwillpositivelykillmyself。\"
\"Weloveyoutoowelltodriveyoutoanactofdespair。Theideaisworthyofyournobilityofheart。Itakeyourbeautifulpresentwithonehand，andwiththeotherIdeliverittohertowhomitreallybelongs。\"
\"What，dearhusband！isthisbeautifuldressreallymine？WhomamItothank？Ithankyouboth，andImustputitonfordinner。\"
Thetwootherswerenotmadeofsuchrichmaterials，buttheyweremoreshowy，andIwasdelightedtoseeClementine’slonginggazefixedupontheoneIhadintendedforher。Eleanoreinherturnadmiredthedressthathadbeenmadeforher。Thefirstwasinshotsatin，andornamentedwithlovelywreathsofflowers；thesecondwassky—bluesatin，withathousandflowersscatteredalloverit。ZenobiatookuponherselftosaythatthefirstwasforClementine。
\"Howdoyouknow？\"
\"Itisthelonger，andyouaretallerthanyoursister。\"
\"Thatistrue。Itisreallymine，then？\"saidshe，turningtome。
\"IfImayhopethatyouwilldeigntoacceptit。\"
\"Surely，dearIolas，andIwillputitondirectly。\"
Eleanoremaintainedthatherdresswastheprettier，andsaidshewasdyingtoputiton。
\"Verygood，verygood！\"Iexclaimed，inhighglee，\"wewillleaveyoutodress，andhereareyourmaids。\"
Iwentoutwiththetwobrothersandthecanon，andIremarkedthattheylookedquiteconfused。Nodoubttheywereponderingtheprodigalityofgamesters；lightcome，lightgo。Ididnotinterrupttheirthoughts，forIlovedtoastonishpeople。I
confessitwasafeelingofvanitywhichraisedmeabovemyfellow—men—atleast，inmyowneyes，butthatwasenoughforme。
IshouldhavedespisedanyonewhotoldmethatIwaslaughedat，butIdaresayitwasonlythetruth。
Iwasinthehighestspirits，andtheysoonprovedinfectious。I
embracedCountAmbroseaffectionately，begginghispardonforhavingpresumedtomakethefamilyafewsmallpresents，andI
thankedhisbrotherforhavingintroducedmetothem。\"Youhaveallgivenmesuchawarmwelcome，\"Iadded，\"thatIfeltobligedtogiveyousomesmallproofofmygratitude。\"
Thefaircountessessoonappeared，bedeckedwithsmilesandtheirgayattire。
\"Youmusthavecontrivedtotakeourmeasures，\"saidthey；\"butwecannotimaginehowyoudidit。\"
\"Thefunniestthingis，\"saidtheeldest，\"thatyouhavehadmydressmadesothatitcanbeletoutwhennecessarywithoutdestroyingtheshape。Butwhatabeautifulpieceoftrimming！Itisworthfourtimesasmuchasthedressitself。\"
Clementinecouldnotkeepawayfromthelooking—glass。Shefanciedthatinthecoloursofherdress，roseandgreen，IhadindicatedthecharacteristicsoftheyouthfulHebe。Eleanorestillmaintainedthatherdresswastheprettiestofall。
Iwasdelightedwiththepleasureofmyfairguests，andwesatdowntotablewithexcellentappetites。Thedinnerwasextremelychoice；butthefinestdishofallwasadishofoysters，whichthelandlordhaddressedalamaitred’hotel。Weenjoyedthemimmensely。Wefinishedoffthreehundredofthem，fortheladiesrelishedthemextremely，andthecanonseemedtohaveaninsatiableappetite；andwewasheddownthedisheswithnumerousbottlesofchampagne。Westayedattableforthreehours，drinking，singing，andjesting，whilemyhumbleservants，whosebeautyalmostrivalledthatofmyguests，waiteduponus。
Towardstheendofthemealthepastry—cook’swifecameinwiththecountess’sbabyonherbreast。Thiswasadramaticstroke。
Themotherburstintoacryofjoy，andthewomanseemedquiteproudofhavingsuckledthescionofsoillustriousahousefornearlyfourhours。Itiswellknownthatwomen，evenmorethanmen，arewhollyundertheswayoftheimagination。Whocansaythatthiswoman，simpleandhonestlikethemajorityofthelowerclasses，didnotthinkthatherownoffspringwouldbeennobledbybeingsuckledatthebreastwhichhadnourishedayoungcount？
Suchanideais，nodoubt，foolish，butthatistheveryreasonwhyitisdeartotheheartsofthepeople。
Wespentanotherhourintakingcoffeeandpunch，andthentheladieswenttochangetheirclothesagain。Zenobiatookcarethattheirnewonesshouldbecarefullypackedincardboardboxesandplacedundertheseatofmycarriage。
Croce’sabandonedmistressfoundanopportunityoftellingmethatshewasveryhappywithZenobia。Sheaskedmewhenweweretogo。
\"YouwillbeatMarseilles，\"saidI，pressingherhand，\"afortnightafterEasteratlatest。\"
Zenobiahadtoldmethatthegirlhadanexcellentheart，behavedverydiscreetly，andthatsheshouldbeverysorrytoseehergo。
IgaveZenobiatwelvesequinsforthetroubleshehadtaken。
Iwassatisfiedwitheverythingandpaidtheworthypastry—cook’sbill。Inoticedwehademptiednolessthantwentybottlesofchampagne，thoughitistruethatwedrankverylittleofanyotherwine，astheladiespreferredit。
Ilovedandwasbeloved，myhealthwasgood，Ihadplentyofmoney，whichIspentfreely；infine，Iwashappy。Ilovedtosaysoindefianceofthosesourmoralistswhopretendthatthereisnotruehappinessonthisearth。Itistheexpressiononthisearthwhichmakesmelaugh；asifitwerepossibletogoanywhereelseinsearchofhappiness。’Morsultimalinearerumest’。Yes，deathistheendofall，forafterdeathmanhasnosenses；butI
donotsaythatthesoulsharesthefateofthebody。Nooneshoulddogmatiseonuncertainties，andafterdeatheverythingisdoubtful。
Itwasseveno’clockwhenwebeganourjourneyhome，whichwereachedatmidnight。Thejourneywassopleasantthatitseemedtousbutshort。Thechampagne，thepunch，andthepleasure，hadwarmedmytwofaircompanions，andbyfavourofthedarknessIwasabletoamusemyselfwiththem，thoughIlovedClementinetoowelltocarrymattersveryfarwithhersister。
Whenwealightedwewishedeachothergoodnight，andeverybodyretiredtohisorherroom，myselfexcepted，forIspentseveralhappyhourswithClementine，whichIcanneverforget。
\"Doyouthink，\"saidshe，\"thatIshallbehappywhenyouhaveleftmeallalone？\"
\"DearestHebe，bothofuswillbeunhappyforthefirstfewdays，butthenphilosophywillstepinandsoftenthebitternessofpartingwithoutlesseningourlove。\"
\"Softenthebitterness！Idonotthinkanyphilosophycanworksuchamiracle。Iknowthatyou，dearsophist，willsoonconsoleyourselfwithothergirls。Don’tthinkmejealous；IshouldabhormyselfifIthoughtIwascapableofsovileapassion，butIshoulddespisemyselfifIwascapableofseekingconsolationinyourway。\"
\"Ishallbeindespairifyouentertainsuchideasofme。\"
\"Theyarenatural，however。\"
\"Possibly。Whatyoucallothergirls’canneverexpelyourimagefrommybreast。Thechiefofthemisthewifeofatailor，andtheotherisarespectableyoungwoman，whomIamgoingtotakebacktoMarseilles，whenceshehasbeendecoyedbyherwretchedseducer。
>Fromhenceforthtodeath，youandyoualonewillreigninmybreast；andif，ledastraybymysenses，Ieverpressanotherinthesearms，Ishallsoonbepunishedforanactofinfidelityinwhichmymindwillhavenoshare。\"
\"Iatalleventswillneverneedtorepentinthatfashion。ButI
cannotunderstandhow，withyourloveforme，andholdingmeinyourarms，youcanevencontemplatethepossibilityofbecomingunfaithfultome。\"
\"Idon’tcontemplateit，dearest，Imerelytakeitasanhypothesis。\"
\"Idon’tseemuchdifference。\"
WhatreplycouldImake？TherewasreasoninwhatClementinesaid，thoughshewasdeceived，buthermistakeswereduetoherlove。Mylovewassoardentastobeblindtopossible——nay，certain，infidelities。Theonlycircumstancewhichmadememorecorrectinmyestimateofthefuturethanshe，wasthatthiswasbynomeansmyfirstloveaffair。Butifmyreadershavebeeninthesameposition，asIsupposemastofthemhave，theywillunderstandhowdifficultitistoanswersuchargumentscomingfromawomanonewishestorenderhappy。Thekeenestwithastoremainsilentandtotakerefugeinkisses。
\"Wouldyouliketotakemeawaywithyou？\"saidshe，\"Iamreadytofollowyou，anditwouldmakemehappy。Ifyouloveme，yououghttobeenchantedforyourownsake。Letusmakeeachotherhappy，dearest。\"
\"Icouldnotdishonouryourfamily。\"
\"Doyounotthinkmeworthyofbecomingyourwife？\"
\"Youareworthyofacrown，anditisIwhoamallunworthyofpossessingsuchawife。YoumustknowthatIhavenothingintheworldexceptmyfortune，andthatmayleavemeto—morrow。BymyselfIdonotdreadthereversesoffortune，butIshouldbewretchedif，afterlinkingyourfatewithmine，youwereforcedtoundergoanyprivation。\"
\"Ithink——Iknownotwhy——thatyoucanneverbeunfortunate，andthatyoucannotbehappywithoutme。Yourloveisnotsoardentasmine；youhavenotsogreatafaith。\"
\"Myangel，ifmyfateisweakerthanyours，thatistheresultofcruelexperiencewhichmakesmetrembleforthefuture。
Affrightedlovelosesitsstrengthbutgainsreason。\"
\"Cruelreason！Mustwe，then，preparetopart？\"
\"Wemustindeed，dearest；itisahardnecessity，butmyheartwillstillbethine。Ishallgoawayyourferventadorer，andiffortunefavoursmeinEnglandyouwillseemeagainnextyear。I
willbuyanestatewhereveryoulike，anditshallbeyoursonyourweddingday，ourchildrenandliteraturewillbeourdelights。\"
\"Whatahappyprospect！——agoldenvisionindeed！IwouldthatI
mightfallasleepdreamingthus，andwakenottillthatblessedday，orwakeonlytodieifitisnottobe。ButwhatshallIdoifyouhaveleftmewithchild？\"
\"DivineHebe，youneednotfear。Ihavemanagedthat。\"
\"Managed？Ididnotthinkofthat，butIseewhatyoumean，andI
amverymuchobligedtoyou。Alasperhapsafterallitwouldhavebeenbetterifyouhadnottakenanyprecautions，forsurelyyouarenotbornformymisfortune，andyoucouldneverhaveabandonedthemotherandthechild。\"
\"Youareright，sweetheart，andifbeforetwomonthshaveelapsedyoufindanysignsofpregnancyinspiteofmyprecautions，youhaveonlytowritetome，andwhatevermyfortunesmaybe，Iwillgiveyoumyhandandlegitimiseouroffspring。Youwouldcertainlybemarryingbeneathyourstation，butyouwouldnotbethelesshappyforthat，wouldyou？\"
\"No，no！tobearyourname，andtowinyourhandwouldbethecrowningofallmyhopes。Ishouldneverrepentofgivingmyselfwhollytoyou。\"
\"Youmakemehappy。\"
\"Allofusloveyou，allsaythatyouarehappy，andthatyoudeserveyourhappiness。Whatpraiseisthis！YoucannottellhowmyheartbeatswhenIhearyoulaudedwhenyouareaway。WhentheysayIloveyou，IanswerthatIadoreyou，andyouknowthatIdonotlie。\"
Itwaswithsuchdialoguesthatwepassedawaytheintervalbetweenouramoroustransportsonthelastfiveorsixnightsofmystay。Hersisterslept，orpretendedtosleep。WhenIleftClementineIwenttobedanddidnotrisetilllate，andthenI
spentthewholedaywithhereitherinprivateorwiththefamily。
Itwasahappytime。HowcouldI，asfreeastheair，aperfectmasterofmymovements，ofmyownfreewillputmyhappinessawayfromme？Icannotunderstanditnow。
Myluckhadmademewinalltheworthycanon’smoney，whichinturnIpassedontothefamilyatthecastle。Clementinealonewouldnotprofitbymyinattentiveplay，butthelasttwodaysI
insistedontakingherintopartnership，andasthecanon’sbadluckstillcontinuedsheprofitedtotheextentofahundredlouis。Theworthymonklostathousandsequins，ofwhichsevenhundredremainedinthefamily。ThiswaspayingwellforthehospitalityIhadreceived，andasitwasattheexpenseofthemonk，thoughaworthyone，themeritwasallthegreater。
Thelastnight，whichIspententirelywiththecountess，wasverysad；wemusthavediedofgriefifwehadnottakenrefugeinthetransportsoflove。Neverwasnightbetterspent。Tearsofgriefandtearsoflovefollowedoneanotherinrapidsuccession，andninetimesdidIofferupsacrificeonthealtarofthegod，whogavemefreshstrengthtoreplacethatwhichwasexhausted。Thesanctuarywasfullofbloodandtears，butthedesiresofthepriestandvictimstillcriedformore。Wehadatlasttomakeaneffortandpart。Eleanorehadseizedtheopportunityofoursleepingforafewmoments，andhadsoftlyrisenandleftusalone。Wefeltgratefultoher，andagreedthatshemusteitherbeveryinsensitiveorhavesufferedtormentsinlisteningtoourvoluptuouscombats。IleftClementinetoherablutions，ofwhichshestoodingreatneed，whileIwenttomyroomtomakemytoilette。
Whenweappearedatthebreakfast，tablewelookedasifwehadbeenontherack，andClementine’seyesbetrayedherfeelings，butourgriefwasrespected。Icouldnotbegayinmyusualmanner，butnooneaskedmethereason。Ipromisedtowritetothem，andcomeandseethemagainthefollowingyear。Ididwritetothem，butIleftoffdoingsoatLondon，becausethemisfortunesI
experiencedtheremademeloseallhopeofseeingthemagain。
Ineverdidseeanyofthemagain，butIhaveneverforgottenClementine。
Sixyearslater，whenIcamebackfromSpain，IheardtomygreatdelightthatshewaslivinghappilywithCountN————，whomshehadmarriedthreeyearsaftermydeparture。Shehadtwosons，theyounger，whomustnowbetwenty—seven，isintheAustrianarmy。
HowdelightedIshouldbetoseehim！WhenIheardofClementine’shappiness，itwas，asIhavesaid，onmyreturnfromSpain，andmyfortuneswereatalowebb。IwenttoseewhatI
coulddoatLeghorn，andasIwentthroughLombardyIpassedfourmilesfromtheestatewheresheandherhusbandresided，butIhadnotthecouragetogoandseeher；perhapsIwasright。ButI
mustreturntothethreadofmystory。
IfeltgratefultoEleanoreforherkindnesstous，andIhadresolvedtoleavehersomememorialofme。Itookherapartforamoment，anddrawingafinecameo，representingthegodofSilence，offmyfinger，Iplaceditonhers，andthenrejoinedthecompany，withoutgivingheranopportunitytothankme。
Thecarriagewasreadytotakemeaway，andeveryonewaswaitingtoseemeoff，butmyeyesfilledwithtears。IsoughtforClementineinvain；shehadvanished。Ipretendedtohaveforgottensomethinginmyroom，andgoingtomyHebe’schamberI
foundherinaterriblestate，chokingwithsobs。Ipressedhertomybreast，andmingledmytearswithhers；andthenlayinghergentlyinherbed，andsnatchingalastkissfromhertremblinglips，Itoremyselfawayfromaplacefullofsuchsweetandagonizingmemories。
Ithankedandembracedeveryone，thegoodcanonamongstothers，andwhisperingtoEleanoretoseetohersisterIjumpedintothecarriagebesidethecount。Weremainedperfectlysilent，andsleptnearlythewholeoftheway。WefoundtheMarquisTriulziandthecountesstogether，andtheformerimmediatelysentforadinnerforfour。IwasnotmuchastonishedtofindthatthecountesshadfoundoutaboutourbeingatMilan，andatfirstsheseemedinclinedtoletusfeeltheweightofheranger；butthecount，alwaysfertileinexpedients，toldherthatitwasdelicacyonmypartnottotellher，asIwasafraidshewouldbeputoutwithsuchanincursionofvisitors。
AtdinnerIsaidthatIshouldsoonbeleavingforGenoa，andformysorrowthemarquisgavemealetterofintroductiontothenotoriousSignoraIsola—Bella，whilethecountessgavemealettertoherkinsmantheBishopofTortona。
MyarrivalatMilanwaswell—timed；TheresewasonthepointofgoingtoPalermo，andIjustsucceededinseeingherbeforesheleft。ItalkedtoherofthewishofCesarinotogotosea，andI
didallinmypowertomakeheryieldtohisinclinations。
\"IamleavinghimatMilan，\"saidshe。\"Iknowhowhegotthisideaintohishead，butIwillnevergivemyconsent。IhopeI
shallfindhimwiserbythetimeIcomeback。\"
Shewasmistaken。Mysonneveralteredhismind，andinfifteenyearsmyreaderswillhearmoreofhim。
IsettledmyaccountswithGreppiandtooktwobillsofexchangeonMarseilles，andoneoftenthousandfrancsonGenoa，whereI
didnotthinkIwouldhavetospendmuchmoney。Inspiteofmyluckatplay，IwaspoorerbyathousandsequinswhenIleftMilanthanwhenIcamethere；butmyextravagantexpendituremustbetakenintoaccount。
IspentallmyafternoonswiththefairMarchionesssometimesaloneandsometimeswithhercousin，butwithmymindfullofgriefforClementineshenolongercharmedmeasshehaddonethreeweeksago。
IhadnoneedtomakeanymysteryabouttheyoungladyIwasgoingtotakewithme，soIsentClairmontforhersmalltrunk，andateighto’clockonthemorningofmydepartureshewaitedonmeatthecount’s。Ikissedthehandofthewomanwhohadattemptedmylife，andthankedherforherhospitality，towhichIattributedthegoodreceptionIhadhadatMilan。Ithenthankedthecount，whosaidoncemorethatheshouldneverceasetobegratefultome，andthusIleftMilanonthe20thofMarch，1763。Ineverre—
visitedthatsplendidcapital。
Theyounglady，whomoutofrespectforherandherfamilyI
calledCrosin，wascharming。Therewasanairofnobilityandhigh—bredreserveaboutherwhichborewitnesstoherexcellentupbringing。AsIsatnexttoher，Icongratulatedmyselfonmyimmunityfromloveofher，butthereaderwillguessthatIwasmistaken。ItoldClairmontthatshewastobecalledmyniece，andtobetreatedwiththeutmostrespect。
Ihadhadnoopportunityofconversingwithher，sothefirstthingIdidwastotestherintelligence，andthoughIhadnottheslightestintentionofpayingmycourttoher，IfeltthatitwouldbewelltoinspireherwithfriendshipandconfidenceasfarasIwasconcerned。
Thescarwhichmylateamourshadleftwasstillbleeding，andI
wasgladtothinkthatIshouldbeabletorestoretheyoungMarseillaisetothepaternalhearthwithoutanypainfulpartingsorvainregrets。Ienjoyedinadvancemymeritoriousaction，andIwasquitevaintoseemyself—restraintcometosuchapitchthatIwasabletoliveincloseintimacywithaprettygirlwithoutanyotherdesirethanthatofrescuingherfromtheshameintowhichshemighthavefallenifshehadtraveledalone。Shefeltmykindnesstoher，andsaid，——
\"IamsureM。delaCroixwouldnothaveabandonedmeifhehadnotmetyouatMilan。\"
\"Youareverycharitable，butIamunabletoshareinyourgoodopinion。TomymindCrocehasbehavedinarascallymanner，tosaytheleastofit，forinspiteofyourmanycharmshehadnorighttocountonmeinthematter。Iwillnotsaythatheopenlyscornedyou，sincehemighthaveactedfromdespair；butIamsurehemusthaveceasedtoloveyou，orhecouldneverhaveabandonedyouthus。\"
\"Iamsureofthecontrary。Hesawthathehadnomeansofprovidingforme，andhehadtochoosebetweenleavingmeandkillinghimself。\"
\"Notatall。HeoughttohavesoldallhehadandsentyoubacktoMarseilles。YourjourneytoGenoawouldnothavecostmuch，andthenceyoucouldhavegonetoMarseillesbysea。Crocecountedonmyhavingbeeninterestedinyourprettyface，andhewasright；butyoumustseethatheexposedyoutoagreatrisk。
YoumustnotbeoffendedifItellyoutheplaintruth。Ifyourfacehadnotinspiredmewithalivelyinterestinyou，Ishouldhaveonlyfeltordinarycompassiononreadingyourappeal，andthiswouldnothavebeenenoughtoforcemetogreatsacrificesoftimeandtrouble。ButIhavenobusinesstobeblamingCroce。
Youarehurt；Iseeyouarestillinlovewithhim。\"
\"Iconfessit，andIpityhim。Asformyself，Ionlypitymycrueldestiny。Ishallneverseehimagain，butIshallneverloveanyoneelse，formymindismadeup。Ishallgointoaconventandexpiatemysins。Myfatherwillpardonme，forheisamanofanexcellentheart。Ihavebeenthevictimoflove；mywillwasnotmyown。Theseductiveinfluenceofpassionravishedmyreasonfromme，andtheonlythingthatIblamemyselfforisfornothavingfortifiedmymindagainstit。OtherwiseIcannotseethatIhavesinneddeeply，butIconfessIhavedonewrong。\"
\"YouwouldhavegonewithCrocefromMilanifhehadaskedyou，evenonfoot。\"
\"Ofcourse；itwouldhavebeenmyduty；buthewouldnotexposemetothemiserythathesawbeforeus。\"
\"Nay，youweremiserableenoughalready。IamsurethatifyoumeethimatMarseillesyouwillgowithhimagain。\"
\"Never。Ibegintogetbackmyreason。Iamfreeoncemore，andthedaywillcomewhenIshallthankGodforhavingforgottenhim。\"
Hersinceritypleasedme，andasIknewtoowellthepowerofloveIpitiedherfrommyheart。Fortwohoursshetoldmethehistoryofherunfortunateamour，andasshetolditwellIbegantotakealikingforher。
WereachedTortonaintheevening，andwiththeintentionofsleepingthereItoldClairmonttogetusasuppertomytaste。
WhilewewereeatingitIwasastonishedatmyfalseniece’swit，andshemadeagoodmatchformeatthemeal，forshehadanexcellentappetite，anddrankaswellasanygirlofherage。Aswewereleavingthetable，shemadeajestwhichwassomuchtothepointthatIburstoutlaughing，andherconquestwascomplete。Iembracedherinthejoyofmyheart，andfindingmykissardentlyreturned，Iaskedherwithoutany，circumlocutionifshewaswillingthatweshouldcontentourselveswithonebed。
Atthisinvitationherfacefell，andshereplied，withanairofsubmissionwhichkillsdesire，——
\"Alas！youcandowhatyoulike。Iflibertyisapreciousthing，itismostpreciousofallinlove。\"
\"Thereisnoneedforthisdisobedience。Youhaveinspiredmewithatenderpassion，butifyoudon’tsharemyfeelingsmyloveforyoushallbestifledatitsbirth。Therearetwobedshere，asyousee；youcanchoosewhichoneyouwillsleepin。\"
\"ThenIwillsleepinthatone，butIshallbeverysorryifyouarenotsokindtomeinthefutureasyouhavebeeninthepast。\"
\"Don’tbeafraid。Youshallnotfindmeunworthyofyouresteem。
Goodnight；weshallbegoodfriends。\"
EarlythenextmorningIsentthecountess’slettertothebishop，andanhourafterwards，asIwasatbreakfast，anoldpriestcametoaskmeandtheladywithmetodinewithmylord。Thecountess’sletterdidnotsayanythingaboutalady，buttheprelate，whowasatrueSpaniardandverypolite，feltthatasI
couldnotleavemyrealorfalseniecealoneintheinnIshouldnothaveacceptedtheinvitationifshehadnotbeenaskedaswell。Probablymylordhadheardoftheladythroughhisfootmen，whoinItalyareasortofspies，whoentertaintheirmasterswiththescandalousgossipoftheplace。Abishopwantssomethingmorethanhisbreviarytoamusehimnowthattheapostolicvirtueshavegrownold—fashionedandoutofdate；inshort，Iacceptedtheinvitation，chargingthepriesttopresentmyrespectstohislordship。
Myniecewasdelightful，andtreatedmeasifIhadnorighttofeelanyresentmentforherhavingpreferredherownbedtomine。
Iwaspleasedwithherbehaviour，fornowthatmyheadwascoolI
feltthatshewouldhavedegradedherselfifshehadactedotherwise。Myvanitywasnotevenwounded，whichissooftenthecaseundersimilarcircumstances。Self—loveandprejudicepreventawomanyieldingtillshehasbeenassidiouslycourted，whereasI
hadaskedhertosharemybedinanoff—handmanner，asifitwereamerematterofform。However，IshouldnothavedoneitunlessithadbeenforthefumesofthechampagneandtheSomard，withwhichwehadwasheddownthedelicioussupperminehosthadsupplieduswith。Shehadbeenflatteredbythebishop’sinvitation，butshedidnotknowwhetherIhadacceptedforheraswellasmyself；andwhenItoldherthatweweregoingouttodinnertogether，shewaswildwithjoy。Shemadeacarefultoilette，lookingverywellforatraveller，andatnoonmylord’scarriagecametofetchus。
Theprelatewasatallman，twoinchestallerthanmyself；andinspiteoftheweightofhiseightyyears，helookedwellandseemedquiteactive，thoughgraveasbecameaSpanishgrandee。HereceiveduswithapolitenesswhichwasalmostFrench，andwhenmyniecewouldhavekissedhishand，accordingtocustom，heaffectionatelydrewitback，andgaveheramagnificentcrossofamethystsandbrilliantstokiss。Shekisseditwithdevotion，saying，——
\"ThisiswhatIlove。\"
Shelookedatmeasshesaidit，andthejest（whichreferredtoherloverLaCroixorCroce）surprisedme。
Wesatdowntodinner，andIfoundthebishoptobeapleasantandalearnedman。Wewerenineinall；fourpriests，andtwoyounggentlemenofthetown，whobehavedtomyniecewithgreatpoliteness，whichshereceivedwithallthemannerofgoodsociety。Inoticedthatthebishop，thoughheoftenspoketoher，neveroncelookedatherface。Mylordknewwhatdangerlurkedinthosebrighteyes，andlikeaprudentgreybeardhetookcarenottofallintothesnare。Aftercoffeehadbeenserved，wetookleave，andinfourhoursweleftTortona，intendingtolieatNovi。
Inthecourseoftheafternoonmyfairnieceamusedmewiththewitandwisdomofherconversation。WhileweweresuppingIledtheconversationuptothebishop，andthentoreligion，thatI
mightseewhatherprincipleswere。FindinghertobeagoodChristian，Iaskedherhowshecouldallowherselftomakeajestwhenshekissedtheprelate’scross。
\"Itwasamerechance，\"shesaid。\"Theequivocationwasinnocentbecauseitwasnotpremeditated，forifIhadthoughtitoverI
shouldneverhavesaidsuchathing。\"
Ipretendedtobelieveher；shemightpossiblybesincere。Shewasextremelyclever，andmyloveforherwasbecomingmoreandmoreardent，butmyvanitykeptmypassionincheck。WhenshewenttobedIdidnotkissher，butasherbedhadnoscreenasatTortona，shewaiteduntilshethoughtIwasasleeptoundressherself。WegottoGenoabynoonthenextday。
Pogomashadgotmesomeroomsandhadforwardedmetheaddress。
Ivisitedit，andfoundtheapartmenttoconsistoffourwell—
furnishedrooms，thoroughlycomfortable，astheEnglish，whounderstandhowtotaketheirease，callit。Iorderedagooddinner，andsenttotellPogomasofmyarrival。
EndSouthofFranceByJacquesCasanovaTHEMEMOIRSOFJACQUESCASANOVADESEINGALT
THERAREUNABRIDGEDLONDONEDITIONOF1894TRANSLATEDBYARTHUR
MACHENTOWHICHHASBEENADDEDTHECHAPTERSDISCOVEREDBYARTHUR
SYMONS。
MEMOIRSOFJACQUESCASANOVAdeSEINGALT1725—1798
INLONDONANDMOSCOW，Volume5a——SOUTHOFFRANCE
SOUTHOFFRANCE
CHAPTERI
IFindRosalieHappy——TheSignoraIsola—Bella——TheCook——Biribi——Irene——PossanoinPrison——MyNieceProvestobeanOldFriendofRosalie’sAtGenoa，wherehewasknowntoall，PogomascalledhimselfPossano。
Heintroducedmetohiswifeanddaughter，buttheyweresouglyanddisgustingineveryrespectthatIleftthemonsometriflingpretext，andwenttodinewithmynewniece。AfterwardsIwenttoseetheMarquisGrimaldi，forIlongedtoknowwhathadbecomeofRosalie。ThemarquiswasawayinVenice，andwasnotexpectedbacktilltheendofApril；butoneofhisservantstookmetoRosalie，whohadbecomeMadameParettisixmonthsaftermydeparture。
MyheartbeatfastasIenteredtheabodeofthiswoman，ofwhomI
hadsuchpleasantrecollections。IfirstwenttoM。Parettiinhisshop，andhereceivedmewithajoyfulsmile，whichshewedmehowhappyhewas。Hetookmetohiswifedirectly，whocriedoutwithdelight，andrantoembraceme。
M。Parettiwasbusy，andbeggedmetoexcusehim，sayinghiswifewouldentertainme。
Rosalieshewedmeaprettylittlegirlofsixmonthsold，tellingmethatshewashappy，thatshelovedherhusband，andwaslovedbyhim，thathewasindustriousandactiveinbusiness，andunderthepatronageoftheMarquisGrimaldihadprosperedexceedingly。
Thepeacefulhappinessofmarriagehadimprovedherwonderfully；shehadbecomeaperfectbeautyineverysenseoftheword。
\"Mydearfriend，\"shesaid，\"youareverygoodtocallonmedirectlyyouarrive，andIhopeyouwilldinewithusto—morrow。Ioweallmyhappinesstoyou，andthatisevenasweeterthoughtthantherecollectionofthepassionatehourswehavespenttogether。Letuskiss，butnomore；mydutyasanhonestwifeforbidsmefromgoinganyfurther，sodonotdisturbthehappinessyouhavegiven。\"
Ipressedherhandtenderly，toskewthatIassentedtotheconditionsshelaiddown。
\"Oh！bytheway，\"shesuddenlyexclaimed，\"Ihaveapleasantsurpriseforyou。\"
Shewentout，andamomentafterwardreturnedwithVeronique，whohadbecomehermaid。Iwasgladtoseeherandembracedheraffectionately，askingafterAnnette。Shesaidhersisterwaswell，andwasworkingwithhermother。
\"Iwanthertocomeandwaitonmyniecewhilewearehere，\"saidI。
AtthisRosalieburstoutlaughing。
\"What！anotherniece？Youhaveagreatmanyrelations！Butassheisyourniece，Ihopeyouwillbringherwithyouto—morrow。\"
\"Certainly，andallthemorewillinglyassheisfromMarseilles。\"
\"FromMarseilles？Why，wemightknoweachother。Notthatthatwouldmatter，forallyourniecesarediscreetyoungpersons。Whatishername？\"
\"Crosin。\"
\"Idon’tknowit。\"
\"Idaresayyoudon’t。SheisthedaughterofacousinofminewholivedatMarseilles。\"
\"Tellthattosomeoneelse；but，afterall，whatdoesitmatter？Youchoosewell，amuseyourself，andmakethemhappy。Itmaybewisdomafterall，andatanyrateIcongratulateyou。Ishallbedelightedtoseeyourniece，butifsheknowsmeyoumustseethatsheknowsherpartaswell。\"
OnleavingMadameParettiIcalledontheSignoraIsola—Bella，andgavehertheMarquisTriulzi’sletter。Soonaftershecameintotheroomandwelcomedme，sayingthatshehadbeenexpectingme，asTriulzihadwrittentoheronthesubject。SheintroducedmetotheMarquisAugustinoGrimaldideltaPietra，her’cicisbeoin—chief’
duringthelongabsenceofherhusband，wholivedatLisbon。
Thesignora’sapartmentswereveryelegant。Shewasprettywithsmallthoughregularfeatures，hermannerwaspleasant，hervoicesweet，andherfigurewellshaped，thoughtoothin。Shewasnearlythirty。Isaynothingofhercomplexion，forherfacewasplasteredwithwhiteandred，andsocoarsely，thatthesepatchesofpaintwerethefirstthingsthatcaughtmyattention。Iwasdisgustedatthis，inspiteofherfineexpressiveeyes。Afteranhourspentinquestionandreply，inwhichbothpartieswerefeelingtheirway，I
acceptedherinvitationtocometosupperonthefollowingday。WhenIgotbackIcomplimentedmynieceonthewayinwhichshehadarrangedherroom，whichwasonlyseparatedfromminebyasmallclosetwhichIintendedforhermaid，who，Itoldher，wascomingthenextday。Shewashighlypleasedwiththisattention，anditpavedthewayformysuccess。Ialsotoldherthatthenextdayshewastodinewithmeatasubstantialmerchant’sasmyniece，andthispieceofnewsmadeherquitehappy。
ThisgirlwhomCrocehadinfatuatedanddeprivedofhersenseswasexquisitelybeautiful，butmorecharmingthanallherphysicalbeautieswerethenoblenessofherpresenceandthesweetnessofherdisposition。Iwasalreadymadlyinlovewithher，andIrepentednothavingtakenpossessionofheronthefirstdayofourjourney。
IfIhadtakenheratherwordIshouldhavebeenasteadfastlover，andIdonotthinkitwouldhavetakenmelongtomakeherforgetherformeradmirer。
Ihadmadebutasmalldinner，soIsatdowntosupperfamishingwithhunger；andasmyniecehadanexcellentappetitewepreparedourselvesforenjoyment，butinsteadofthedishesbeingdelicate，aswehadexpected，theyweredetestable。ItoldClairmonttosendforthelandlady，andshesaidthatshecouldnothelpit，aseverythinghadbeendonebymyowncook。
\"Mycook？\"Irepeated。
\"Yes，sir，theoneyoursecretary，M。Possano，engagedforyou。I
couldhavegotamuchbetteroneandamuchcheaperonemyself。\"
\"Getoneto—morrow。\"
\"Certainly；butyoumustridyourselfandmeofthepresentcook，forhehastakenuphispositionherewithhiswifeandchildren。TellPossanotosendforhim。\"
\"Iwilldoso，andinthemeanwhiledoyougetmeafreshcook。I
willtryhimthedayafterto—morrow。\"
Iescortedmynieceintoherroom，andbeggedhertogotobedwithouttroublingaboutme，andsosayingItookupthepaperandbegantoreadit。WhenIhadfinished，Iwentuptobed，andsaid，\"Youmightsparemethepainofhavingtosleepbymyself。\"
Sheloweredhereyesbutsaidnothing，soIgaveherakissandlefther。
InthemorningmyfairniececameintomyroomjustasClairmontwaswashingmyfeet，andbeggedmetoletherhavesomecoffeeaschocolatemadeherhot。Itoldmymantogoandfetchsomecoffee，andassoonashewasgoneshewentdownonherkneesandwouldhavewipedmyfeet。
\"Icannotallowthat，mydearyounglady。\"
\"Whynot？itisamarkoffriendship。\"
\"Thatmaybe，butsuchmarkscannotbegiventoanyonebutyourloverwithoutyourdegradingyourself。\"
Shegotupandsatdownonachairquietly，butsayingnothing。
Clairmontcamebackagain，andIproceededwithmytoilette。