Thereadingwascontinued，andIthoughtmytimehadcomewhenshereadtheverses:
Iosenzascaleinsularoocasalto，Etostendardopiantovidibotto，Elanemicamiamicacciosotto**
**Iscaledtherockwithoutaladder，Iplantedmystandardsuddenly，andheldmyenemybeneathme。
Iwantedtogiveherapracticalillustrationofthelines，butwiththatsensibilitysonaturaltowomen，andwhichtheycanusesowellasagoadtopassion，shesaid，——
\"Dearest，youmightmakeyourselfworse；letuswaittillyoursprainiscured。\"
\"ArewetowaittillIamcuredfortheconsummationofourmarriage？\"
\"Isupposeso，forifIamnotmistakenthethingcan’tbedonewithoutacertainmovement。\"
\"Youarewrong，dearPauline，butitwouldmakenodifferencetomeevenifitwereso。YoumaybesureIwouldnotputitofftillto—
morrow，evenifitcostmemyleg。Besides，youshallseethattherearewaysandmeansofsatisfyingourpassionswithoutdoingmeanyharm。Isthatenoughforyou？\"
\"Well，well，asitiswrittenthatawifeshouldobeyherhusband，youwillfindmedocile。\"
\"When？\"
\"Aftersupper。\"
\"Thenwewillhavenosupper。Weshalldinewithallthebetterappetiteto—morrow。Letusbeginnow。\"
\"No，forthesuspicionsoftheservantsmightbearoused。Lovehasitsrulesofdecencylikeeverythingelse。\"
\"YoutalkaswiselyasCato，andIamobligedtoconfessthatyouarerightinallyousay。\"
Supperwasservedasusual；itwasdelicateenough，butthethoughtofapproachingblisshadtakenawayourappetites，andweateonlyforform’ssake。Atteno’clockwewereatliberty，andcouldindulgeourpassionwithoutanyfearofbeingdisturbed。
Butthisdelightfulwoman，whohadsoplainlytoldmeafewhoursbeforethatwhenIwascuredwewouldlivetogetherasmanandwife，wasnowashamedtoundressbeforeme。Shecouldnotmakeuphermind，andtoldmeso，laughingatherself。FromthiscircumstanceI
gatheredthatthedecencyofthebodyismoretenaciousinitsgraspthanthepurityofthesoul。
\"But，sweetheart，\"saidI，\"youdressedandundressedforafortnightbeforeyourbetrothed。\"
\"Yes，buthewasalwayslyinginhishammockwithhisbacktowardsmeatnight，andinthemorningheneverturnedroundandwishedmegooddaytillheknewIwasdressed。\"
\"What，heneverturned？\"
\"Ineverlethimtakeanyliberties。\"
\"Suchvirtueisincomprehensibletome。\"
\"Youseethecountwastobemyhusband，andIwastobehiswife，andinsuchcasesayoungwomaniscareful。Besides，Ibelievethatifonewillbutrefrainfromtakingthefirststep，continenceiseasy。Thenthecountwasnaturallytimid，andwouldneverhavetakenanylibertieswithoutmyencouraginghim，whichItookcarenottodo。Forthisonce，youwillallowmetosleepwithyouinmyclothes。\"
\"Certainly，ifyouwishmetobedressedalso，otherwiseitwouldbeunbearableforbothofus。\"
\"Youareverycruel。\"
\"But，dearest，areyounotashamedofthesefoolishscruples？\"
\"Well，well，putoutthecandles，andinaminuteIwillbebesideyou。\"
\"Verygood；thoughthewantoflightwilldeprivemeofagreatpleasure。Quick，outwiththem！\"
MycharmingPortuguesedidnotreflectthatthemoonshonefullintotheroom，andthatthemuslincurtainswouldnotpreventmyseeingherexquisitefigure，whichshewedtogreateradvantageinthepositionshehappenedtotake。IfPaulinehadbeenacoquetteI
shouldhaveconsideredherscruplesasmereartificecalculatedtoincreasemyardour；butshehadnoneedtousesuchstratagems。Atlastshewaswithinmyarms，andweclaspedeachothercloselyandinsilencethatwasonlybrokenbythemurmurofourkisses。Soonourunionbecamecloser，andhersighsandtheardourofhersurrendershewedmethatherpassionwasmoreinneedofreliefthanmine。I
wassufficientlymasterofmyselftorememberthatImusthaveacareforherhonour，greatlytoherastonishment，forsheconfessedshehadneverthoughtofsuchathing，andhadgivenherselfupfreely，resolvedtobravetheconsequenceswhichshebelievedtobeinevitable。Iexplainedthemysteryandmadeherhappy。
Tillthismomentlovealonehadswayedme，butnowthatthebloodysacrificewasoverIfeltfullofrespectandgratitude。ItoldhereffusivelythatIknewhowgreatwasmyhappiness，andthatIwasreadytosacrificemylifetohertoprovemylove。
ThethoughtthatourembraceswouldhavenodangerousresulthadputPaulineatherease，andshehavereinstoherardenttemperament，whileIdidvaliantservice，tillatlastwewereexhaustedandthelastsacrificewasnotentirelyconsummated。Weabandonedourselvestoaprofoundandpeacefulsleep。Iwasthefirsttoawake；thesunwasshininginthroughthewindow，andIgazedonPauline。AsI
lookedatthiswoman，thefirstbeautyinPortugal，theonlychildofanillustriousfamily，whohadgivenherselftomeallforlove，andwhomIshouldpossessforsoshortatime，Icouldnotrestrainaprofoundsigh。
Paulineawoke，andhergaze，asbrightastherisingsuninspringtime，fixeditselfonmetruthfullyandlovingly。
\"Whatareyouthinkingof，dearest？\"
\"Iamtryingtoconvincemyselfthatmyhappinessisnotadream，andifitberealIwantittolastforever。Iamthehappymortaltowhomyouhavegivenupyourgreattreasure，ofwhichIamunworthy，thoughIloveyoutenderly。\"
\"Sweetheart，youareworthyofallmydevotionandaffection，ifyouhavenotceasedtorespectme。\"
\"Canyoudoubtit，Pauline？\"
\"No，dearest，Ithinkyouloveme，andthatIshallneverrepenthavingtrustedinyou。\"
Thesweetsacrificewasofferedagain，andPaulineroseandlaughedtofindthatshewasnolongerashamedofhernakednessbeforeme。
Then，passingfromjesttoearnest，shesaid，——
\"Ifthelossofshameistheresultofknowledge，howwasitthatourfirstparentswerenotashamedtilltheyhadacquiredknowledge？\"
\"Idon’tknow，dearest，buttellme，didyoueveraskyourlearnedItalianmasterthatsamequestion？\"
\"Yes，Idid。\"
\"Whatdidhesay？\"
\"Thattheirshamearosenotfromtheirenjoyment，butfromdisobedience；andthatincoveringthepartswhichhadseducedthem，theydiscovered，asitwere，thesintheyhadcommitted。Whatevermaybesaidonthesubject，IshallalwaysthinkthatAdamwasmuchmoretoblamethanEve。\"
\"Howisthat？\"
\"BecauseAdamhadreceivedtheprohibitionfromGod，whileEvehadonlyreceiveditfromAdam。\"
\"IthoughtthatbothofthemreceivedtheprohibitiondirectlyfromGod。\"
\"YouhavenotreadGenesis，then。\"
\"Youarelaughingatme。\"
\"Thenyouhavereaditcarelessly，becauseitisdistinctlystatedthatGodmadeEveafterhehadforbiddenAdamtoeatofthefruit。\"
\"Iwonderthatpointhasnotbeenremarkedbyourcommentators；itseemsaveryimportantonetome。\"
\"Theyareapackofknaves，allswornenemiesofwomen。\"
\"No，no，theygiveproofsofquiteanotherfeelingonlytoooften。\"
\"Wewon’tsayanythingmoreaboutit。Myteacherwasanhonestman。\"
\"WasheaJesuit？\"
\"Yes，butoftheshortrobe。\"
\"Whatdoyoumean？\"
\"Wewilldiscussthequestionanothertime。\"
\"Verygood；IshouldliketohaveitprovedtomethatamancanbeaJesuitandhonestatthesametime。\"
\"Thereareexceptionstoallrules。\"
MyPaulinewasaprofoundthinker，andstronglyattachedtoherreligion。IshouldneverhavediscoveredthatshepossessedthismeritifIhadnotsleptwithher。Ihaveknownseveralwomenofthesamestamp；ifyouwishtoknowtheelevationoftheirsouls，youmustbeginbydamningthem。Whenthisisdone，oneenjoystheirconfidence，fortheyhavenosecretsforthehappyvictor。Thisisthereasonwhythecharmingthoughfeeblesexlovesthebraveanddespisesthecowardly。Sometimestheyappeartolovecowards，butalwaysfortheirphysicalbeauty。Womenamusethemselveswithsuchfellows，butarethefirsttolaughiftheygetcaned。
AfterthemostdeliciousnightIhadeverpassed，IresolvednottoleavemyhousetillPaulinehadtoreturntoPortugal。Shedidnotleavemeforamoment，savetohearmassonSundays。Ishutmydoortoeverybody，eventothedoctor，formyspraindisappearedofitself。IdidnotfailtoinformMissChudleighofmyrapidcure；
shehadsenttwiceadayeversincetheaccidenttolearnhowIwas。
Paulinewenttoherroomafterouramorousconflict，andIdidnotseeheragaintilldinner—time；butwhenIdidseeherIthoughtheranangel。Herfacehadcaughtthehuesofthelilyandtherose，andhadanairofhappinessIcouldnothelpadmiring。
Aswebothwantedtohaveourportraitstaken，IaskedMartinellitosendmethebestminiature—painterinLondon。HesentaJew，whosucceededadmirably。IhadmyminiaturemountedinaringandgaveittoPauline；andthiswastheonlypresentshewouldacceptfromme，whowouldhavethoughtmyselfallthericherifshehadacceptedallIhad。
Wespentthreeweeksinahappydreamwhichnopencandescribe。I
wasquitewellagain，andwetastedallthesweetsoflovetogether。
Alldayandallnightweweretogether，ourdesiresweresatisfiedonlytoberenewed；weenjoyedtheextremestbliss。Inaword，itisdifficulttoformajustideaofthestateoftwoindividualswhoenjoyalltherangeofphysicalandmentalpleasurestogether，whoselifeisforthepresentwithoutthoughtofthefuture；whosejoysaremutualandcontinual；such，nevertheless，wasthepositionofmyselfandmydivinePauline。
EverydayIdiscoveredinhersomefreshperfectionwhichmademelovehermore；hernaturewasinexhaustibleinitstreasures，forhermentalqualitiesevensurpassedherphysicalbeauties，andanexcellenteducationhadwonderfullyincreasedthepowersofherintelligence。Withallthebeautyandgraceofawomanshehadthatexaltedcharacterwhichisthelotofthebestofmen。Shebegantoflatterherselfthatthefatalletterwouldnevercome，andthecountwaslittlemorethanadreamofthepast。Sometimesshewouldsaythatshecouldnotunderstandhowaprettyfacecouldexercisesuchastronginfluenceoverusinspiteofourreason。
\"Ihavefoundouttoolate，\"sheadded，\"thatchancealonecanmakeamarriage，contractedforsuchphysicalreasons，happy。\"
The1stofAugustwasafataldayforbothofus。PaulinereceivedaletterfromLisbon，whichsummonedherhomewithoutdelay，andIhadaletterfromParisannouncingthedeathofMadamed’Urfe。MadameduRumaintoldmethatontheevidenceofhermaidthedoctorshadpronouncedherdeathtobeduetoanoverdoseoftheliquidshecalled\"ThePanacea。\"Sheaddedthatawillhadbeenfoundwhichsavouredofalunaticasylum，forshehadleftallherwealthtothesonordaughterthatshouldbebornofher，declaringthatshewaswithchild。Iwastobethegovernoroftheinfant；thisvexedmeexceedingly，asIknewIshouldbethelaughing—stockofParisforaweekatleast。Herdaughter，theComtessedeChatelet，hadtakenpossessionofallherrealestateandofherpocket—book，whichcontained，tomysurprise，fourhundredthousandfrancs。Itwasagreatshockforme，butthecontentsofthetwolettersPaulinehadreceivedwasagreaterblow。Onewasfromheraunt，andtheotherfromOeiras，whobeggedhertoreturntoLisbonassoonaspossible，andassuredherthatsheshouldbeputinpossessionofherpropertyonherarrival，andwouldbeatlibertytomarryCountAl————inthesightofalltheworld。Hesentherachequefortwentymillionreis。Iwasnotawareofthesmallvalueofthecoin，andwasinanecstasy；butPaulinelaughed，andsaiditonlycametotwothousandpounds，whichwasasufficientsum，however，toallowhertotravelinthestyleofaduchess。Theministerwantedhertocomebysea，andallshehadtodowastocommunicatewiththePortugueseambassador，whohadorderstogiveherapassageonaPortuguesefrigatewhichhappenedtoberidinginanEnglishport。Paulinewouldnothearofthevoyage，orofapplyingtotheambassador，forshedidnotwantanyonetothinkthatshehadbeenobligedtoreturn。
Shewasangrywiththeministerforhavingsentheracheque，thinkingthathemustbeawarethatshehadbeeninneed，butIsoonbroughthertoseereasononthispoint，tellingherthatitwasaverythoughtfulanddelicateproceedingonthepartofOeiras，andthathehadmerelylent—herthemoney，andnotgivenittoher。
Paulinewasrich，andshewasahigh—mindedwoman。Hergenerositymaybeestimatedbyhergivingmeherringwhenshewasinwant，andshecertainlynevercountedonmypurse，thoughshemayhavefeltsurethatIwouldnotabandonher。Iamsureshebelievedmetobeveryrich，andmyconductwascertainlycalculatedtofavourthatidea。
Thedayandeventhenightpassedsadly。ThenextdayPaulineaddressedmeasfollows:
\"Wemustpart，dearfriend，andtrytoforgetoneanother，formyhonourobligesmetobecomethewifeofthecountassoonasIarriveinLisbon。Thefirstfancyofmyheart，whichyouhavealmosteffaced，willregainallitsoldforcewhenIseeyounolonger，andIamsureIshalllovemyhusband，forheisagoodhearted，honest，andpleasantyoungman；thatmuchIknowfromthefewdayswelivedtogether。
\"NowIhaveafavourtoaskofyou，whichIamsureyouwillgrant。
PromisemenevertocometoLisbonwithoutmypermission。Ihopeyouwillnotseektoknowmyreasons；youwouldnot，Iamsure，cometotroublemypeace，forifIsinnedIshouldbeunhappy，andyouwouldnotdesirethatforme。Ihavedreamedwehavelivedtogetherasmanandwife，andnowwearepartedIshallfancymyselfawidowabouttoundertakeanothermarriage。\"
Iburstintotears，andpressinghertomybreastpromisedIwoulddoasshewished。
PaulinewrotetoherauntandOeirasthatshewouldbeinLisboninOctober，andthattheyshouldhavefurthernewsofherwhenshereachedSpain。Shehadplentyofmoney，andboughtacarriageandengagedamaid，andthesearrangementstookuphertimeduringthelastweekshespentwithme。ImadeherpromisemetoletClairmontaccompanyherasfarasMadrid。ShewastosendmebackmyfaithfulservantwhenshereachedtheSpanishcapital，butfatehaddecreedthatIshouldseehisfacenomore。
Thelastfewdayswerespentpartlyinsorrowandpartlyindelight。
Welookedateachotherwithoutspeaking，andspokewithoutknowingwhatwesaid。Weforgottoeat，andwenttobedhopingthatloveandanguishwouldkeepusawake，butourexhaustedbodiesfellintoaheavysleep，andwhenweawokewecouldonlysighandkissagain。
PaulineallowedmetoescortherasfarasCalais，andwestartedonthe10thofAugust，onlystoppingatDovertoembarkthecarriageonthepacket，andfourhoursafterwardswedisembarkedatCalais，andPauline，consideringherwidowhoodhadbegun，beggedmetosleepinanotherroom。Shestartedonthe12thofAugust，precededbymypoorClairmont，andresolvedonlytotravelbydaytime。
TheanalogybetweenmypartingwithPaulineandmypartingwithHenriettefifteenyearsbefore，wasexceedinglystriking；thetwowomenwereofverysimilarcharacter，andbothwereequallybeautiful，thoughtheirbeautywasofadifferentkind。ThusIfellasmadlyinlovewiththesecondaswiththefirst，bothbeingequallyintelligent。Thefactthatonehadmoretalentandlessprejudicesthantheothermusthavebeenaneffectoftheirdifferenteducations。Paulinehadthefineprideofhernation，hermindwasaseriouscast，andherreligionwasmoreanaffairoftheheartthantheunderstanding。ShewasalsoafarmoreardentmistressthanHenriette。IwassuccessfulwithbothofthembecauseIwasrich；ifIhadbeenapoormanIshouldneverhaveknowneitherofthem。I
havehalfforgottenthem，aseverythingisforgottenintime，butwhenIrecallthemtomymemoryIfindthatHenriettemadetheprofounderimpressiononme，nodoubtbecauseIwastwenty—fivewhenIknewher，whileIwasthirty—seveninLondon。
TheolderIgetthemoreIfeelthedestructiveeffectsofoldage；
andIregretbitterlythatIcouldnotdiscoverthesecretofremainingyoungandhappyforever。Vainregrets！wemustfinishaswebegan，helplessanddevoidofsense。
IwentbacktoEnglandthesameday，andhadatroublesomepassage。
Nevertheless，IdidnotrestatDover；andassoonasIgottoLondonIshutmyselfupwithatrulyEnglishattackofthespleen，whileI
thoughtofPaulineandstrovetoforgether。Jarbeputmetobed，andinthemorning，whenhecameintomyroom，hemademeshudderwithaspeechatwhichIlaughedafterwards。
\"Sir，\"saidhe，\"theoldwomanwantstoknowwhethersheistoputupthenoticeagain。\"
\"Theoldhag！Doesshewantmetochokeher？\"
\"Goodheavens—no，sir！Sheisveryfondofyou，seeingyouseemedsosad，shethought……\"
\"Goandtellhernevertothinksuchthingsagain，andasforyou……\"
\"Iwilldoasyouwish，sir。\"
\"Thenleaveme。\"
EndTheEnglishByJacquesCasanovaTHEMEMOIRSOFJACQUESCASANOVADESEINGALT
THERAREUNABRIDGEDLONDONEDITIONOF1894TRANSLATEDBYARTHUR
MACHENTOWHICHHASBEENADDEDTHECHAPTERSDISCOVEREDBYARTHUR
SYMONS。
MEMOIRSOFJACQUESCASANOVAdeSEINGALT1725—1798
INLONDONANDMOSCOW，Volume5c——THEENGLISH
THEENGLISH
CHAPTERX
EccentricityoftheEnglish——CastelbajacCountSchwerin——SophieatSchool——MyReceptionattheBettingClub——TheCharpillonIpassedanightwhichseemedlikeanever—endingnightmare，andI
gotupsadandsavage，feelingasifIcouldkillamanonthesmallestprovocation。Itseemedasifthehouse，whichIhadhithertothoughtsobeautiful，waslikeamillstoneaboutmyneck。
Iwentoutinmytravellingclothes，andwalkedintoacoffee—house，whereIsawascoreofpeoplereadingthepapers。
Isatdown，and，notunderstandingEnglish，passedmytimeingazingatthegoersandcomers。IhadbeentheresometimewhenmyattentionwasattractedbythevoiceofamanspeakingasfollowsinFrench:
\"Tommyhascommittedsuicide，andhewaswise，forhewasinsuchastatethathecouldonlyexpectunhappinessfortherestofhislife。\"
\"Youarequitemistaken，\"saidtheother，withthegreatestcomposure。\"Iwasoneofhiscreditorsmyself，andonmakinganinventoryofhiseffectsIfeelsatisfiedthathehasdoneaveryfoolishandaverychildishthing；hemighthavelivedoncomfortably，andnotkilledhimselfforfullysixmonths。\"
Atanyothertimethiscalculationwouldhavemademelaugh，and，asitwas，Ifeltasiftheincidenthaddonemegood。
Ileftthecoffee—housewithouthavingsaidawordorspentapenny，andIwenttowardstheExchangetogetsomemoney。BosanquetgavemewhatIwanteddirectly，andasIwalkedoutwithhimInoticedacurious—lookingindividual，whosenameIasked。
\"He’sworthahundredthousand，\"saidthebanker。
\"Andwhoisthatothermanoverthere？\"
\"He’snotworthaten—poundnote。\"
\"ButIdon’twanttohearwhattheyareworth；it’stheirnamesI
want。\"
\"Ireallydon’tknow。\"
\"Howcanyoutellhowmuchtheyareworth，notknowingtheirnames？\"
\"Namesdon’tgoforanythinghere。Whatwewanttoknowaboutamanishowmuchhehasgot？Besides；what’sinaname？Askmeforathousandpoundsandgivemeaproperreceipt，andyoucandoitunderthenameofSocratesorAttila，forallIcare。YouwillpaymebackmymoneyasSocratesorAttila，andnotasSeingalt；thatisall。\"
\"Buthowaboutsigningbillsofexchange？\"
\"That’sanotherthing；Imustusethenamewhichthedrawergivesme。\"
\"Idon’tunderstandthat。\"
\"Well，yousee，youarenotEnglish，norareyouabusinessman。\"
OnleavinghimIwalkedtowardsthepark，butwishingtochangeatwenty—poundnotebeforegoinginIwenttoafatmerchant，anepicurewhoseacquaintanceIhadmadeatthetavern，andputdownthenoteonhiscounter，begginghimtocashitforme。
\"Comeagaininanhour，\"saidhe，\"Ihavenomoneybymejustnow。\"
\"Verygood；IwillcallagainwhenIcomefromthepark。\"
\"Takebackyournote；youshallgiveittomewhenIhandyouthemoney。\"
\"Nevermind；keepit。Idon’tdoubtyourhonesty。\"
\"Don’tbesofoolish。IfyouleftmethenoteIshouldcertainlydeclinetohandoverthemoney，ifonlyforthesakeofgivingyoualesson。\"
\"Idon’tbelieveyouarecapableofsuchdishonesty。\"
\"NoramI，butwhenitcomestosuchasimplethingasputtingabanknoteinyourpocket，themosthonestmanintheworldwouldneverdreamofhavingsuchathinginhispossessionwithouthavingpaidthemoneyforit，andtheleastslipofmemorymightleadtoadisputeinwhichyouwouldinfalliblycomeoffsecondbest。\"
\"Ifeeltheforceofyourarguments，especiallyinatownwheresomuchbusinessiscarriedon。\"
WhenIgotintotheparkImetMartinelliandthankedhimforsendingmeacopyoftheDecameron，whilehecongratulatedmeonmyre—
appearanceinsociety，andontheyoungladyofwhomIhadbeenthehappypossessorandnodoubttheslave。
\"MyLordPembrokehasseenher，\"saidhe，\"andthoughthercharming。\"
\"What？Wherecouldhehaveseenher？\"
\"InacarriagewithyoudrivingfastalongtheRochesterroad。Itisthreeorfourdaysago。\"
\"ThenImaytellyouthatIwastakinghertoCalais；Ishallneverseeherfaceagain。\"
\"Willyoulettheroomagaininthesameway？\"
\"No，neveragain，thoughthegodoflovehasbeenpropitioustome。
Ishallbegladtoseeyouatmyhousewheneveryouliketocome。\"
\"ShallIsendyouanotetowarnyou？\"
\"Notatall。\"
Wewalkedontalkingaboutliterature，manners，andsoforth，inanaimlessway。Allatonce，asweapproachedBuckinghamHouse，Isawfiveorsixpersons，relievingnatureamidstthebushes，withtheirhinderpartsfacingthepassers—by。Ithoughtthisadisgustingpieceofindecency，andsaidasmuchtoMartinelli，addingthattheimpudentrascalsmightatleastturntheirfacestowardsthepath。
\"Notatall，\"heexclaimed，\"forthentheymightberecognized；
whereasinexposingtheirposteriorstheyrunnosuchrisk；besidesthesightmakessqueamishpersonsturnaway。\"
\"Youareright，butyouwillconfessthatthewholethingstrikesastrangerasveryrevolting。\"
\"Yes，thereisnothingsoineradicableasnationalprejudice。YoumayhavenoticedthatwhenanEnglishmanwantstoeasehissluicesinthestreet，hedoesn’trunupanalleyorturntothewalllikewedo。\"
\"Yes，Ihavenoticedthemturningtowardsthemiddleofthestreet，butiftheythusescapethenoticeofthepeopleintheshopsandonthepavementtheyareseenbyeverybodywhoisdrivinginacarriage，andthatisasbad。\"
\"Thepeopleinthecarriagesneednotlook。\"
\"Thatistrue\"
WewalkedontotheGreenPark，andmetLordPembrokeonhorseback。
Hestoppedandburstintoexclamationsonseeingme。AsIguessedthecauseofhissurprise，IhastenedtotellhimthatIwasafreemanoncemore，tomysorrow，andfeltlonelyamidstmysplendour。
\"Ifeelrathercuriousaboutit，andperhapsImaycomeandkeepyoucompanyto—day。\"
Weparted，andreckoningonseeinghimatdinnerI，wentbacktotellmycookthatdinnerwastobeservedinthelargeroom。Martinellihadanengagementandcouldnotcometodinner，butheledmeoutoftheparkbyadoorwithwhichIwasnotacquainted，andsentmeonmyway。
Asweweregoingalongwesawacrowdofpeoplewhoseemedtobestaringatsomething。Martinelliwentuptothecrowd，andthenreturnedtome，saying，——
\"That’sacurioussightforyou；youcanenteritamidstyourremarksonEnglishmanners。\"
\"Whatisit？\"
\"Amanatthepointofdeathfromablowhehasreceivedinboxingwithanothersturdyfellow。\"
\"Cannotanythingbedone？\"
\"Thereisasurgeontherewhowouldbleedhim，ifhewereallowed。\"
\"Whocouldpreventhim？\"
\"That’sthecuriouspartofit。Twomenhavebettedonhisdeathorrecovery。Onesays，’I’llbettwentyguineashedies，’andtheothersays，’Done。’Numberonewillnotallowthesurgeontobleedhim，forifthemanrecoveredhistwentyguineaswouldbegone。\"
\"Poorman！whatpitilessbetters！\"
\"TheEnglishareverystrangeintheirbettingproclivities；theybetabouteverything。ThereisaBettingClubtowhichIwillintroduceyou，ifyoulike。\"
\"DotheyspeakFrenchthere？\"
\"Mostcertainly，foritiscomposedofmenofwitandmark。\"
\"Whatdotheydo？\"
\"Theytalkandargue，andifonemanbringsforwardapropositionwhichanotherdenies，andonebackshisopinion，theotherhastobettoo，onpainofafinewhichgoestothecommonfund。\"
\"Introducemetothisdelightfulclub，byallmeans；itwillmakemyfortune，forIshallalwaystakecaretobeontherightside。\"
\"Youhadbetterbecareful；theyarewarybirds。\"
\"Buttoreturntothedyingman；whatwillbedonetohisantagonist？\"
\"Hishandwillbeexamined，andifitisfoundtobejustthesameasyoursormineitwillbemarked，andhewillbeletgo。\"
\"Idon’tunderstandthat，sokindlyexplain。Howdotheyrecognizeadangeroushand？\"
\"Ifitisfoundtobemarkedalready，itisaproofthathehaskilledhismanbeforeandhasbeenmarkedforit，withthewarning，’Takecarenottokillanyoneelse，forifyoudoyouwillbehanged。’\"
\"Butsupposingsuchamanisattacked？\"
\"Heoughttoshewhishand，andthenhisadversarywouldlethimalone。\"
\"Butifnot？\"
\"Thenheisdefendinghimself；andifhekillshismanheisacquitted，providedhecanbringwitnessestoswearthathewasobligedtofight。\"
\"Sincefightingwiththefistmaycausedeath，Iwonderitisallowed。\"
\"Itisonlyallowedforawager。Ifthecombatantsdonotputoneormorepiecesofmoneyonthegroundbeforethefight，andthereisadeath，themanishanged。\"
\"Whatlaws！Whatmanners！\"
InsuchwaysIlearntmuchconcerningthemannerandcustomsofthisproudnation，atoncesogreatandsolittle。
Thenoblelordcametodinner，andItreatedhiminamannertomakehimwishtocomeagain。Althoughtherewereonlythetwoofus，themeallastedalongtime，asIwasanxiousforadditionalinformationonwhatIhadheardinthemorning，especiallyontheBettingClub。
TheworthyPembrokeadvisedmenottohaveanythingtodowithit，unlessImadeupmymindtokeepperfectsilenceforfourorfiveweeks。
\"Butsupposingtheyaskmeaquestion？\"
\"Evadeit。\"
\"Certainly，ifIamnotinapositiontogivemyopinion；butifI
haveanopinion，thepowersofSatancouldnotshutmymouth。\"
\"Alltheworseforyou。\"
\"Arethemembersknaves？\"
\"Certainlynot。Theyarenoblemen，philosophers，andepicures；buttheyarepitilesswhereabetisconcerned。\"
\"Istheclubtreasuryrich？\"
\"Farfromit；theyareallashamedtopayafine，andprefertobet。
Whowillintroduceyou？\"
\"Martinelli。\"
\"Quiteso；throughLordSpencer，whoisamember。Iwouldnotbecomeone。\"
\"Whynot？\"
\"BecauseIdon’tlikeargument。\"
\"Mytasterunstheotherway，soIshalltrytogetin。\"
\"Bytheway，M。deSeingalt，doyouknowthatyouareaveryextraordinaryman？\"
\"Forwhatreason，mylord？\"
\"YoushutyourselfupforawholemonthwithawomanwhospentfourteenmonthsinLondonwithoutanybodymakingheracquaintanceorevendiscoveringhernationality。Alltheamateurshavetakenalivelyinterestintheaffair。\"
\"HowdidyoufindoutthatshespentfourteenmonthsinLondon？\"
\"Becauseseveralpersonssawherinthehouseofaworthywidowwhereshespentthefirstmonth。Shewouldneverhaveanythingtosaytoanyadvances，butthebillinyourwindowworkedwonders。\"
\"Yes，andalltheworseforme，forIfeelasifIcouldneverloveanotherwoman。\"
\"Oh，that’schildishindeed！Youwillloveanotherwomaninaweek—
nay，perhapsto—morrow，ifyouwillcomeanddinewithmeatmycountryhouse。AperfectFrenchbeautyhasaskedmetodinewithher。Ihavetoldsomeofmyfriendswhoarefondofgaming。\"
\"DoesthecharmingFrenchwomanlikegaming？\"
\"No，butherhusbanddoes。\"
\"What’shisname？\"
\"HecallshimselfCountdeCastelbajac。\"
\"Ah！Castelbajac？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"HeisaGascon？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Tall，thin，anddark，andmarkedwiththesmallpox？
\"Exactly！Iamdelightedtofindyouknowhim。Youwillagreewithmethathiswifeisverypretty？\"
\"Ireallycan’tsay。IknewCastelbajac，ashecallshimself，sixyearsago，andIneverheardhewasmarried。Ishallbedelightedtojoinyou，however。Imustwarnyounottosayanythingifheseemsnottoknowme；hemaypossiblyhavegoodreasonsforactinginthatmanner。BeforelongIwilltellyouastorywhichdoesnotrepresenthiminaveryadvantageousmanner。Ididnotknowheplayed。I
shalltakecaretobeonmyguardattheBettingClub，andIadviseyou，mylord，tobeonyourguardinthesocietyofCastelbajac。\"
\"Iwillnotforgetthewarning。\"
WhenPembrokehadleftmeIwenttoseeMadameCornelis，whohadwrittenaweekbeforetotellmemydaughterwasill，andexplainedthatshehadbeenturnedfrommydoorsontwooccasionsthoughshefeltcertainIwasin。TothisIrepliedthatIwasinlove，andsohappywithinmyownhousethatIhadexcludedallstrangers，andwiththatshehadtobecontented，butthestateinwhichIfoundlittleSophiefrightenedme。Shewaslyinginbedwithhighfever，shehadgrownmuchthinner，andhereyesseemedtosaythatshewasdyingofgrief。Hermotherwasindespair，forshewaspassionatelyfondofthechild，andIthoughtshewouldhavetornmyeyesoutwhenItoldherthatifSophiediedshewouldonlyhaveherselftoreproach。
Sophie，whowasverygood—hearted，criedout，\"No，no！papadear；\"
andquietedhermotherbyhercaresses。
Nevertheless，Itookthemotheraside，andtoldherthatthediseasewassolelycausedbySophie’sdreadofherseverity。
\"Inspiteofyouraffection，\"saidI，\"youtreatherwithinsufferabletyranny。Sendhertoaboardingschoolforacoupleofyears，andletherassociatewithgirlsofgoodfamily。Tellherthiseveningthatsheistogotoschool，andseeifshedoesnotgetbetter。\"
\"Yes，\"saidshe，\"butagoodboarding—schoolcostsahundredguineasayear，includingmasters。\"
\"IfIapproveoftheschoolyouselectIwillpayayearinadvance。\"
Onmymakingthisofferthewoman，whoseemedtobelivingsoluxuriously，butwasinrealitypoverty—stricken，embracedmewiththeutmostgratitude。
\"Comeandtellthenewstoyourdaughternow，\"saidshe，\"Ishouldliketowatchherfacewhenshehearsit。\"
\"Certainly。\"
\"MydearSophie，\"Isaid，\"yourmotheragreeswithmethatifyouhadachangeofairyouwouldgetbetter，andifyouwouldliketospendayearortwoinagoodschoolIwillpaythefirstyearinadvance。\"
\"Ofcourse，Iwillobeymydearmother，\"saidSophie。
\"Thereisnoquestionofobedience。Wouldyouliketogotoschool？
Tellmetruly。\"
\"Butwouldmymotherlikemetogo？\"
\"Yes，mychild，ifitwouldpleaseyou。\"
\"Then，mamma，Ishouldliketogoverymuch。\"
Herfaceflushedasshespoke，andIknewthatmydiagnosishadbeencorrect。IlefthersayingIshouldhopetohearfromhersoon。
Atteno’clockthenextdayJarbecametoaskifIhadforgottenmyengagement。
\"No，\"saidI，\"butitisonlyteno’clock。\"
\"Yes，butwehavetwentymilestogo。\"
\"Twentymiles？\"
\"Certainly，thehouseisatSt。Albans。\"
\"It’sverystrangePembrokenevertoldme；howdidyoufindouttheaddress？\"
\"Heleftitwhenhewentaway:\"
\"JustlikeanEnglishman。\"
Itookapost—chaise，andinthreehoursIhadreachedmydestination。TheEnglishroadsareexcellent，andthecountryoffersasmilingprospectoneveryside。Thevineislacking，forthoughtheEnglishsoilisfertileitwillnotbeargrapes。
LordPembroke’shousewasnotaparticularlylargeone，buttwentymastersandtheirservantscouldeasilybeaccommodatedinit。
Theladyhadnotyetarrived，somylordshewedmehisgardens，hisfountains，andhismagnificenthot—houses；alsoacockchainedbytheleg，andofatrulyferociousaspect。
\"Whathavewehere，mylord？\"
\"Acock。\"
\"Iseeitis，butwhydoyouchainit？\"
\"Becauseitissavage。Itisveryamorous，andifitwerelooseitwouldgoafterthehens，andkillallthecocksonthecountry—side。\"
\"Butwhydoyoucondemnhimtocelibacy？\"
\"Tomakehimfiercer。Here，thisisthelistofhisconquests。\"
Hegavemealistofhiscock’svictories，inwhichhehadkilledtheotherbird；thishadhappenedmorethanthirtytimes。Hethenshewedmethesteelspurs，atthesightofwhichthecockbegantoruffleandcrow。Icouldnothelplaughingtoseesuchamartialspiritinsosmallananimal。Heseemedpossessedbythedemonofstrife，andliftednowonefootandnowtheother，asiftobegthathisarmsmightbeputon。
Pembrokethenexhibitedthehelmet，alsoofsteel。
\"Butwithsucharms，\"saidI，\"heissureofconquest。\"
\"No；forwhenheisarmedcap—a—piehewillnotfightwithadefencelesscock。\"
\"Ican’tbelieveit，mylord。\"
\"It’sawell—knownfact。Here，readthis。\"
Hethengavemeapieceofpaperwiththisremarkablebiped’spedigree。Hecouldprovehisthirty—twoquartersmoreeasilythanagoodmanynoblemen，onthefather’sside，beitunderstood，forifhecouldhaveprovedpurebloodonthemother’ssideaswell，LordPembrokewouldhavedecoratedhimwiththeOrderoftheGoldenFleeceatleast。
\"Thebirdcostmeahundredguineas，\"saidhe，\"butIwouldnotsellhimforathousand。\"
\"Hasheanyoffspring？\"
\"Hetrieshisbest，buttherearedifficulties。\"
IdonotrememberwhetherLordPembrokeexplainedwhatthesedifficultieswere。CertainlytheEnglishoffermorepeculiaritiestotheattentiveobserverthananyothernation。
Atlastacarriagecontainingaladyandtwogentlemendroveuptothedoor。OneofthegentlemenwastherascallyCastelbajacandtheotherwasintroducedasCountSchwerin，nephewofthefamousmarshalofthatnamewhofellonwhatiscommonlycalledthefieldofglory。
GeneralBekw————anEnglishmanwhowasintheserviceoftheKingofPrussia，andwasoneofPembroke’sguests，receivedSchwerinpolitely，sayingthathehadseenhisuncledie；atthisthemodestnephewdrewtheOrderoftheBlackEaglefromhisbreast，andshewedittousallcoveredwithblood。
\"Myuncleworeitonthedayofhisdeath，andtheKingofPrussiaallowedmetokeepitasanoblememorialofmykinsman。\"
\"Yes，\"saidanEnglishmanwhowaspresent，\"butthecoat—pocketisnottheplaceforathinglikethat。\"
Schwerinmadeasifhedidnotunderstand，andthisenabledmetotakehismeasure。
LordPembroketookpossessionofthelady，whomIdidnotthinkworthyofbeingcomparedtoPauline。Shewaspalerandshorter，andutterlydeficientinPauline’snobleair；besides，whenshesmileditspoiledherface，andthisisadefectinawoman，towhomlaughtershouldalwaysbebecoming。
LordPembrokeintroducedusalltoeachother，andwhenhecametomeCastelbajacsaidhewasdelightedtoseemeagain，althoughhemighteasilyhavepretendednottoknowmeundermynameofSeingalt。
WehadagoodEnglishdinner，andafterwardstheladyproposedagameoffaro。Mylordneverplayed，sothegeneralconsentedtoamusethecompanybyholdingthebank，andplacedahundredguineasandseveralbanknotesonthetable。Theremightbeathousandguineasinall。
Hethengavetwentycounterstoeachpunter，sayingthateverycounterwasworthtenshillings。AsIonlystakedgoldagainstgoldIwouldnotacceptthem。BythethirddealSchwerinhadlosthistwentycountersandaskedfortwentymore；butthebankertoldhimhemustpayforthem，andtheself—styledfield—marshal’snephewlapsedintosilenceandplayednomore。
AtthefollowingdealCastelbajacwasinthesamepositionashisfriend，andbeingonmysidehebeggedtobeallowedtotaketenpieces。
\"Youwillbringmeill—luck，\"Isaid，coldly，wardingoffhishand；
andhewentouttothegarden，nodoubttoswallowtheaffronthehadreceived。Theladysaidherhusbandhadforgottenhispocketbook。
Anhourafterwardsthegamecametoanend，andItookmyleave，afterinvitingLordPembrokeandtherestofthecompanytodinewithmethenextday。
Igothomeateleveno’clockwithoutmeetinganyhighwaymenasIhadexpected，indeedIhadputupsixguineasinasmallpursefortheirspecialuseandbenefit。IwokeupmycooktotellhimthatthenextdayIshouldhavetwelvepeopletodinner，andthatIhopedhewoulddomehonour。IfoundaletterfromMadameCornelisonmytabletellingmethatsheandherdaughterwoulddrivewithmeonthefollowingSunday，andthatwecouldgoandseetheboarding—schoolshehadselected。
NextdayLordPembrokeandthefairFrenchwomanwerethefirsttoarrive。Theydroveinacarriagewithtworatheruncomfortableseats，butthisdiscomfortisfavourabletolove。TheGasconandthePrussianwerethelasttocome。
Wesatdowntotableattwoandleftitatfour，ailofuswellpleasedwiththecook，andstillmoresowiththewinemerchant；forthoughwehademptiedfortybottlesofwine，notoneofuswasatallintoxicated。
Aftercoffeehadbeenservedthegeneralinvitedusalltosupwithhim，andMadameCastelbajacbeggedmetoholdabank。Ididnotwaittobepressedbutplacedathousandguineasonthetable，andasI
hadnocountersofanykindIwarnedthecompanythatIwouldonlyplaygoldagainstgold，andthatIshouldstopplayingwheneverI
thoughtfit。
Beforethegamebeganthetwocountspaidtheirlossesofthedaybeforetothegeneralinbanknotes，whichhebeggedmetochange。I
alsochangedtwoothernotespresentedtomebythesamegentleman，andputthemallundermysnuff—box。Playbegan。Ihadnocroupier，soIwasobligedtodealslowlyandkeepaneyeonthetwocounts，whosemethodofplaywasveryquestionable。Atlastbothofthemweredriedup，andCastelbajacgavemeabillofexchangefortwohundredguineas，beggingmetodiscountitforhim。
\"Iknownothingaboutbusiness，\"Ireplied。
AnEnglishmantookthebill，andafteracarefulexaminationsaidheneitherknewthedrawer，theaccepter，northebacker。
\"Iamthebacker，\"saidCastelbajac，\"andthatoughttobeenough，I
think。\"
Everybodylaughed，besidesmyself，andIgaveithimbackcourteously，sayingpolitelythathecouldgetitdiscountedon’Changethenextday。Hegotupinabadtemper，andlefttheroom，murmuringsomeinsolentexpressions。Schweringfollowedhim。
Afterthesetwoworthygentlemenhadleftus，Iwentondealingtillthenightwasfaradvanced，andthenleftoff，thoughIwasataloss。However，thegeneralhadarunofluck，andIthoughtitbesttostop。BeforeleavinghetookmeandLordPembrokeaside，andbeggedmetocontrivethatthetwoknavesshouldnotcometohishousethefollowifigday。\"For，\"saidhe，\"ifthatGasconweretobehalfasinsolenttomeashewastoyou，Ishouldshewhimoutbythewindow。\"
Pembrokesaidhewouldtelltheladyofthegeneral’swishes。
\"Doyouthink，\"saidI，\"thatthosefournotesoftheirscanbeforgeries？\"
\"It’sverypossible。\"
\"Whatwouldyouadvisemydoingtoclearthematterup？\"
\"Iwouldsendthemtothebank。\"
\"Andiftheyshouldbeforgeries？\"
\"Iwouldhavepatience，orIwouldarresttherascals。\"
ThenextdayIwenttothebankmyself，andthepersontowhomIgavethenotesgavemethemback，saying，coldly，——
\"Thesenotesarebad，sir。\"
\"Bekindenoughtoexaminethemclosely。\"
\"It’snogood，theyareevidentforgeries。Returnthemtothepersonfromwhomyougotthem，andhewillbeonlytoogladtocashthem。\"
IwasperfectlyawarethatIcouldputthetwoknavesunderlockandkey，butIdidnotwanttodoso。IwenttoLordPembroketofindouttheiraddress，buthewasstillinbed，andoneofhisservantstookmetothem。Theyweresurprisedtoseeme。Itoldthemcoollyenoughthatthefournoteswereforged，andthatIshouldfeelmuchobligediftheywouldgivemefortyguineasandtaketheirnotesback。
\"Ihaven’tgotanymoney，\"saidCastelbajac，\"andwhatyousayastonishesmeverymuch。Icanonlyreturnthemtothepersonswhogavethemtome，ifthearereallythesamenotesthatwegaveyouyesterday。\"
Atthissuggestionthebloodrushedtomyface，andwithawitheringglanceandanindignantapostropheIleftthem。LordPembroke’sservanttookmetoamagistratewho，havingheardmystatementonoath，gavemeapaperauthorizingmetoarresttwocounts。Igavethedocumenttoanalderman，whosaidhewouldseeitwascarriedout，andIwenthomeillpleasedwiththewholebusiness。
Martinelliwaswaitingforme；hehadcometoaskmetogivehimadinner。Itoldhimmystory，withoutaddingthattheknavesweretobearrested，andhisadvicedeliveredwithphilosophiccalmwastomakeanautoda—feofthefournotes。Itwasverygoodadvice，butI
didnottakeit。
TheworthyMartinelli，thinkingtoobligeme，toldmethathehadarrangedwithLordSpencerthedayonwhichIwastobeintroducedtotheclub，butIansweredthatmyfancyforgoingtherewasover。I
oughttohavetreatedthislearnedanddistinguishedmanwithmorepoliteness，butwhocansoundhumanweaknesstoitsdepths？Oneoftengoestoawisemanforadvicewhichonehasnotthecouragetofollow。
IntheeveningIwenttothegeneral’s，andfoundtheself—styledCountessCastelbajacseatedonLordPembroke’sknees。Thesupperwasagoodone，andpassedoffpleasantly；thetworascalswerenotthere，andtheirabsencewasnotremarked。Whenweleftthetablewewentintoanotherroom，andplayedtillday—break。Ilefttheboardwithalossoftwoorthreehundredguineas。
Ididnotwaketilllatethenextmorning，andwhenIdidmymantoldmethatapersonwantedtospeaktome。Ihadhimshewnin，andasheonlyspokeEnglishthenegrohadtobeourinterpreter。Hewasthechiefofthepolice，andtoldmethatifIwouldpayforthejourneyhewouldarrestCastelbajacatDover，forwhichtownhehadstartedatnoon。Astotheotherhewassureofhavinghiminthecourseofthenight。Igavehimaguinea，andtoldhimitwouldbeenoughtocatchtheone，andthattheothercouldgowhereheliked。
ThenextdaywasSunday，theonlydayonwhichMadameCorneliscouldgoabroadwithoutfearofthebailiff。Shecametodinewithme，andbroughtherdaughter，whomtheprospectofleavinghermotherhadquitecured。TheschoolwhichMadameCornelishadchosenwasatHarwich，andwewentthereafterdinner。
Thehead—mistresswasaCatholic，andthoughshemusthavebeensixty，shelookedkeen，witty，andasifsheknewthewaysoftheworld。ShehadreceivedanintroductionfromLadyHarrington，andsowelcomedtheyoungladyinthemostcordialmanner。Shehadaboutfifteenyoungboardersofthirteenorfourteenyearsofage。WhenshepresentedSophietothemasanewcompanion，theycrowdedroundherandcoveredherwithcaresses。Fiveorsixwereperfectangelsofbeauty，andtwoorthreewerehideouslyugly；andsuchextremesaremorecommoninEnglandthananywhereelse。Mydaughterwasthesmallestofthemall，butasfarasbeautywentshehadnothingtofearbycomparison，andhertalentsplacedheronaparwiththeeldest，whilesherespondedtotheircaresseswiththateasewhichlaterinlifeisonlyacquiredwithgreatdifficulty。
Wewentoverthehouse，andallthegirlsfollowedus，andthosewhocouldspeakFrenchorItalianspoketome，sayinghowmuchtheywouldlovemydaughter，whilethosewhocouldnotspeaksufficientlywellheldoffasifashamedoftheirignorance。Wesawthebedrooms，thedining—room，thedrawing—room，theharpsandthepianos——infact，everything，andIdecidedthatSophiecouldnotbebetterplacid。Wewentintothehead—mistress’sprivateroom，andMadameCornelispaidherahundredguineasinadvance，andobtainedareceipt。WethenagreedthatSophieshouldbereceivedasaboarderassoonasshelikedtocome，thatshewastobringherbedwithher，andallthenecessarylinen。MadameCornelismadethefinalarrangementsontheensuingSunday。
NextdaythealdermantoldmethatCountSchwerinwasaprisoner，andwantedtospeaktome。Ideclinedatfirst，butasthealderman’smessengertoldme，throughJarbe，thatthepoordevilhadnotafarthinginhispocket，Iwasmovedwithcompassion。AshewaschargedwithutteringforgednoteshehadbeentakentoNewgate，andwasindangerofbeinghanged。
Ifollowedthemagistrate’smessenger，andcannotsayhowthewoefulaspect，thetearsandsupplicationsformercyofthepoorwretch，movedmyheart。HesworethatCastelbajachadgivenhimthenotes，butheaddedthatheknewwheretheycamefromoriginally，andwouldtellmeifIwouldreleasehim。
Alittlebitternessstillremainedinmybreast，soItoldhimthatifheknewwhoforgedthenoteshecouldcertainlyescapethegallows，butthatIshouldkeephimprisonertillIgotmymoneyback。Atthisthreathistearsandsupplicationsbeganoveragainandwithrenewedforce，andtellingmethathewasinutterpovertyheemptiedhispocketsoneaftertheothertoshewmethathehadnomoney，andatlastofferedmethebloodstainedbadgeofhisuncle。I
wasdelightedtobeabletorelievehimwithoutanyappearanceofweakness，andacceptedthebaubleasapledge，tellinghimthatheshouldhaveitbackonpaymentoffortypounds。
Iwroteoutaformalrelease，andinhispresenceandinthatofthealdermanIburntthefournotesandsethimfree。
Twodaysafterwardstheso—calledcountesscametomyhouse，sayingthatnowCastelbajacandSchewirinweregone，sheknewnotwheretolayherhead。ShecomplainedbitterlyofLordPembroke，whodesertedheraftermakinghergivehimtheclearestproofsofheraffection。
BywayofconsolationItoldherthatitwouldbeveryfoolishofhimtohaveabandonedherbeforeinsteadofafter。
TogetridofherIwasobligedtogiveherthemoneytopayherjourneytoCalais。ShetoldmeshedidnotwanttorejointheGascon，whowasnotreallyherhusband。Weshallhearmoreofthesepersonsinthecourseofthreeyears。
TwoorthreedayslateranItaliancalledonme，andgavemealetterfrommyfriendBaletti，whichrecommendedthebearer，Constantini，anativeofVicenza，tomygoodoffices。HehadcometoLondononamatterofimportanceinwhichIcouldhelphim。
IassuredM。ConstantinithatIwasonlytoohappytodoanythingtojustifytheconfidenceplacedinmybyoneofmybestfriends，andhesaidthatthelongjourneyhadalmostexhaustedhispurse；butheadded，——
\"Iknowthatmywifeliveshere，andthatsheisrich。Ishalleasilyfindoutwhereshelives，andyouknowthatasIamherhusbandallthatishersismine。\"
\"Iwasnotawareofthat。\"
\"Thenyoudon’tknowthelawsofthiscountry？\"
\"Notatall。\"
\"Iamsorrytohearit，butsuchisthecase。1amgoingtoherhouse，andIshallturnheroutofdoorswithnothingelsethanthedressonherback，forthefurniture，clothes，jewels，linen—infact，allherpossessions，belongtome。MayIaskyoutobewithmewhenIperformthisexploit？\"
Iwasastonished。IaskedhimifhehadtoldBalettiwhatheintendedtodo。
\"YouarethefirstpersontowhomIhavedisclosedmyintentions。\"
Icouldnottreathimasamadman，forhedidnotlooklikeone，and，concludingthattherereallymightbethelawhehadalleged，I
repliedthatIdidnotfeelinclinedtojoinhiminhisenterprise，ofwhichIdisapprovedverystrongly，unlesshiswifehadactuallyrobbedhimofwhatshepossessed。
\"Shehasonlyrobbedmeofmyhonour，sir，andsheleftme，takinghertalentswithher。Shemusthavemadeagreatfortunehere，andhaveInotarighttotakeitfromher，wereitonlyforvengeancesake？\"
\"Thatmaybe，butIaskyouwhatyouwouldthinkofmeifIagreedtojoinyouinanundertakingwhichseemsacruelonetome，howevergoodyourreasonsmaybe。BesidesImayknowyourwife，shemayevenbeafriendofmine。\"
\"Iwilltellyouhername。\"
\"No，Ibegofyounottodoso，althoughIdonotknowanyMadameConstantini。\"
\"ShehaschangedhernametoCalori，andshesingsatthe’Haymarket。’\"
\"Iknowwhosheisnow。Iamsorryyouhavetoldme。\"
\"Ihavenodoubtyouwillkeepmysecret，andIamnowgoingtofindoutwhereshelives；forthatistheprincipalthing。\"
Heleftmeweeping，andIpitiedhim，butatthesametimeIwassorrythathehadmademethedepositaryofhissecret。AfewhoursafterIcalledonMadameBinetti，andshetoldmethehistoriesofalltheartistesinLondon。WhenshecametotheCalorishetoldmethatshehadhadseveralloversoutofwhomshehadmadeagreatdeal，butatpresentshehadnolover，unlessitweretheviolinistGiardini，withwhomshewasinloveinearnest。
\"Wheredoesshecomefrom？\"
\"FromVicenza。\"
\"Isshemarried？\"
\"Idon’tthinkso。\"
Ithoughtnomoreofthiswretchedbusiness，butthreeorfourdayslaterIhadaletterfromKing’sBenchPrison。ItwasfromConstantini。ThepoorwretchsaidIwastheonlyfriendhehadinLondon，andthathehopedIwouldcomeandseehim，wereitonlytogivehimsomeadvice。
Ithoughtitmydutytoaccedetohisrequest，andIwenttotheprison，whereIfoundthepoormaninawretchedstate，withanoldEnglishattorney，whospokealittlebadItalian，andwasknowntome。
Constantinihadbeenarrestedthedaybeforeonaccountofseveralbillsdrawnbyhiswifewhichhadnotbeentakenup。Bythesebillssheappearedindebttotheamountofathousandguineas。Theattorneyhadgotthefivebills，andhewastryingtomakesomearrangementswiththehusband。
Isawatoncethatthewholethingwasascandalousswindle，forMadameBinettihadtoldmethattheCaloriwasveryrich。Ibeggedtheattorneytoleavemealonewiththeprisoner，asIwantedtohavesomeprivateconversationwithhim。
\"Theyhavearrestedmeformywife’sdebts，\"saidhe，\"andtheytellmeImustpaythembecauseIamherhusband。\"
\"It’satrickyourwifehasplayedonyou；shemusthavefoundoutyouwereinLondon。\"
\"Shesawmethroughthewindow。\"
\"Whydidyoudelayputtingyourprojectintoexecution？\"
\"Imeanttocarryitoutthismorning，buthowwasItoknowthatshehaddebts？\"
\"Norhassheanydebts；thesebillsareshams。Theymusthavebeenante—dated，fortheywerereallyexecutedyesterday。It’sabadbusiness，andshemayhavetopaydearlyforit。\"
\"ButinthemeanwhileIaminprison。\"
\"Nevermind，trusttome，Iwillseeyouagaintomorrow。\"
Thisscurvytrickhadmademeangry，andImadeupmymindtotakeupthepoorman’scause。IwenttoBosanquet，whotoldmethatthedevicewasaverycommononeinLondon，butthatpeoplehadfoundoutthewaytodefeatit。Finally，hesaidthatiftheprisonerinterestedmehewouldputthecaseintothehandsofabarristerwhowouldextricatehimfromhisdifficulty，andmakethewifeandthelover，whohadprobablyhelpedher，repentoftheirday’swork。I
beggedhimtoactasifmyinterestswereatstake，andpromisedtoguaranteeallexpenses。
\"That’senough，\"saidhe；\"don’ttroubleyourselfanymoreaboutit。\"
SamedaysafterMr。BosanquetcametotellmethatConstantinihadlefttheprisonandEnglandaswell，accordingtowhatthebarristerwhohadchargeofthecasetoldhim。
\"Impossible！\"
\"Notatall。Theloverofhiswife，foreseeingthestormthatwasabouttoburstovertheirheads，gotroundthefellow，andmadehimleavethecountrybymeansofasummoreorlesslarge。\"
Theaffairwasover，butitwassooninallthenewspapers，garnishedwithallthewitimaginable，andGiardiniwaswarmlypraisedfortheactionhehadtaken。
AsformeIwasgladenoughtohavethematterover，butIfeltvexedwithConstantiniforhavingfledwithoutgivingtheloversalesson。
IwroteanaccountofthecircumstancestoBaletti，andIheardfromMadameBinettithattheCalorihadgivenherhusbandahundredguineastoleavethecountry。SomeyearslaterIsawtheCaloriatPrague。
AFlemishofficer，themanwhomIhadhelpedatAix—la—Chapelle，hadcalledonmeseveraltimes，andhadevendinedthreeorfourtimeswithme。Ireproachedmyselffornothavingbeenpoliteenoughtoreturnhiscall，andwhenwemetinthestreet，andhereproachedmefornothavingbeentoseehim，Iwasobligedtoblush。Hehadhiswifeanddaughterwithhim，andsomefeelingofshameandagooddealofcuriositymademecallonhim。
Whenhesawmehethrewhisarmsaboutmyneck，callingmehispreserver。Iwasobligedtoreceiveallthecomplimentswhichknavesmaketohonestmenwhentheyhopetotakethemin。Afewmomentsafter，anoldwomanandagirlcamein，andIwasintroducedastheChevalierdeSeingalt，ofwhomhehadspokensooften。Thegirl，affectingsurprise，saidshehadknownaM。Casanova，whowasverylikeme。IansweredthatCasanovawasmynameaswellasSeingalt，butthatIhadnotthehappinessofrecollectingher。
\"MynamewasAnspergherwhenIsawyou，\"shereplied，\"butnowitisCharpillon；andconsideringthatweonlymetonce，andthatIwasonlythirteenatthetime，Idonotwonderatyournotrecollectingme。IhavebeeninLondonwithmymotherandauntsforthelastfouryears。\"
\"ButwherehadIthepleasureofspeakingtoyou？\"
\"AtParis。\"
\"InwhatpartofParis？\"
\"IntheBazaar。Youwerewithacharminglady，andyougavemethesebuckles\"（sheshewedmethemonhershoes），\"andyoualsodidmethehonourtokissme。\"
Irecollectedthecircumstance，andthereaderwillrememberthatI
waswithMadameBaret，thefairstocking—seller。
\"NowIrememberyou，\"saidI；\"butIdonotrecognizeyouraunt。\"
\"Thisisthesisteroftheoneyousaw，butifyouwilltaketeawithusyouwillseeher。\"
\"Wheredoyoulive？\"
\"InDenmarkStreet，Soho。\"
CHAPTERXI
TheCharpillon——DreadfulConsequencesofMyAcquaintanceWithHerThenameCharpillonremindedmethatIwasthebearerofaletterforher，anddrawingitfrommypocket—bookIgaveither，sayingthatthedocumentoughttocementouracquaintance。
\"What！\"sheexclaimed，\"aletterfromthedearambassadorMorosini。
HowdelightedIamtohaveit！AndyouhaveactuallybeenallthesemonthsinLondonwithoutgivingitme？\"
\"IconfessIamtoblame，but，asyousee，thenotehasnoaddressonit。Iamgratefulforthechancewhichhasenabledmetodischargemycommissionto—day。\"
\"Comeanddinewithusto—morrow。\"
\"Icannotdoso，asIamexpectingLordPembroketodinner。\"
\"Willyoubealone？\"
\"Iexpectso。\"
\"Iamgladtohearit；youwillseemyauntandmyselfappearingonthescene。\"
\"Hereismyaddress；andIshallbedelightedifyouwillcomeandseeme。\"
Shetooktheaddress，andIwassurprisedtoseehersmileasshereadit。
\"ThenyouaretheItalian，\"shesaid，\"whoputupthatnoticethatamusedallthetown？\"
\"Iam。\"
\"Theysaythejokecostyoudear。\"
\"Quitethereverse；itresultedinthegreatesthappiness。\"
\"Butnowthatthebelovedobjecthasleftyou，Isupposeyouareunhappy？\"
\"Iam；buttherearesorrowssosweetthattheyarealmostjoys。\"
\"Nobodyknowswhoshewas，butIsupposeyoudo？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Doyoumakeamysteryofit？\"
\"Surely，andIwouldratherdiethanrevealit。\"
\"AskmyauntifImaytakesomeroomsinyourhouse；butIamafraidmymotherwouldnotletme。\"
\"Whydoyouwanttolodgecheaply？\"
\"Idon’twanttolodgecheaply，butIshouldliketopunishtheaudaciousauthorofthatnotice。\"
\"Howwouldyoupunishme？\"
\"Bymakingyoufallinlovewithme，andthentormentingyou。Itwouldhaveamusedmeimmensely。\"
\"Thenyouthinkthatyoucaninspiremewithlove，andatthesametimeformthedreadfulplanoftyrannisingoverthevictimofyourcharms。Suchaprojectismonstrous，andunhappilyforuspoormen，youdonotlookamonster。Nevertheless，Iamobligedtoyouforyourfrankness，andIshallbeonmyguard。\"
\"Thenyoumusttakecarenevertoseeme，orelseallyoureffortswillbeinvain。\"
AstheCharpillonhadlaughedmerrilythroughthewholeofthisdialogue，Itookitallasajest，butIcouldnothelpadmiringhermanner，whichseemedmadeforthesubjugationofmen。ButthoughI
knewitnot，thedayImadethatwoman’sacquaintancewasalucklessoneforme，asmyreaderswillsee。
ItwastowardstheendofthemonthofSeptember，1763，whenImettheCharpillon，andfromthatdayIbegantodie。Ifthelinesofascentanddeclinationareequal，now，onthefirstdayofNovember，1797，Ihaveaboutfourmoreyearsoflifetoreckonon，whichwillpassbyswiftly，accordingtotheaxiom’Motusinfinevelocior’。
TheCharpillon，whowaswellknowninLondon，andIbelieveisstillalive，wasoneofthosebeautiesinwhomitisdifficulttofindanypositivefault。Herhairwaschestnutcoloured，andastonishinglylongandthick，herblueeyeswereatoncelanguorousandbrilliant，herskin，faintlytingedwitharosyhue，wasofadazzlingwhiteness；shewastallforherage，andseemedlikelytobecomeastallasPauline。Herbreastwasperhapsalittlesmall，butperfectlyshaped，herhandswerewhiteandplump，herfeetsmall，andhergaithadsomethingnobleandgracious。Herfeatureswereofthatexquisitesensibilitywhichgivessomuchcharmtothefairsex，butnaturehadgivenherabeautifulbodyandadeformedsoul。Thissirenhadformedadesigntowreckmyhappinessevenbeforesheknewme，andasiftoaddtohertriumphshetoldmeasmuch。
IleftMalingan’shousenotlikeamanwho，fondofthefairsex，isgladtohavemadetheacquaintanceofabeautifulwoman，butinastateofstupefactionthattheimageofPauline，whichwasalwaysbeforeme，wasnotstrongenoughtoovercometheinfluenceofacreatureliketheCharpillon，whominmyheartIcouldnothelpdespising。
Icalmedmyselfbysayingthatthisstrongimpressionwasduetonovelty，andbyhopingthatIshouldsoonbedisenchanted。
\"Shewillhavenocharm，\"saidI，\"whenIhaveoncepossessedher，andthatwillnotbelongincoming。\"PerhapsthereaderwillthinkthatIwastoopresumptuous，butwhyshouldIsupposethattherewouldbeanydifficulty？Shehadaskedmetodinnerherself，shehadsurrenderedherselfentirelytoMorosini，whowasnotthemantosighforlongatanywoman’sfeet，andmusthavepaidher，forhewasnotyoungenoughnorhandsomeenoughtoinspireherwithafancyforhim。
Withoutcountingmyphysicalattractions，Ihadplentyofmoney，andIwasnotafraidofspendingit；andsoIthoughtIcouldcountonaneasyvictory。
PembrokehadbecomeanintimatefriendofminesincemyproceedingswithregardtoSchwerin。Headmiredmyconductinnotmakinganyclaimonthegeneralforhalfmyloss。Hehadsaidwewouldmakeapleasantdayofittogether，andwhenhesawthatmytablewaslaidforfourheaskedwhotheotherguestsweretobe。HewasextremelysurprisedwhenheheardthattheyweretheCharpillonandheraunt，andthatthegirlhadinvitedherselfwhensheheardhewastodinewithme。
\"Ioncetookaviolentfancyforthelittlehussy，\"saidhe。\"ItwasoneeveningwhenIwasatVauxhall，andIofferedhertwentyguineasifshewouldcomeandtakealittlewalkwithmeinadarkalley。
ShesaidshewouldcomeifIgaveherthemoneyinadvance，whichI
wasfoolenoughtodo。Shewentwithme，butassoonaswewerealonesheranaway，andIcouldnotcatchheragain，thoughIlookedforheralltheevening。\"
\"Yououghttohaveboxedherearsbeforeeverybody。\"
\"Ishouldhavegotintotrouble，andpeoplewouldhavelaughedatmebesides。Ipreferredtodespiseherandthemoneytoo。Areyouinlovewithher？\"
\"No；butIamcurious，asyouwere。\"
\"Takecare！shewilldoallinherpowertoentrapyou。\"
Shecameinandwentuptomylordwiththemostperfectcoolness，andbegantochatterawaytohimwithouttakinganynoticeofme。
Shelaughed，joked，andreproachedhimfornothavingpursuedheratVauxhall。Herstratagem，shesaid，wasonlymeanttoexcitehimthemore。
\"Anothertime，\"sheadded，\"Ishallnotescapeyou。\"
\"Perhapsnot，mydear，foranothertimeIshalltakecarenottopayinadvance。\"
\"Oh，fie！youdegradeyourselfbytalkingaboutpaying。\"
\"IsupposeIhonouryou。\"
\"Wenevertalkofsuchthings。\"
LordPembrokelaughedatherimpertinences，whileshemadeavigorousassaultonhim，forhiscoolnessandindifferencepiquedher。
Sheleftussoonafterdinner，makingmepromisetodinewithherthedayafternext。
IpassedthenextdaywiththeamiablenoblemanwhoinitiatedmeintothemysteriesoftheEnglishbagnio，anentertainmentwhichIshallnotdescribe，foritiswellknowntoallwhocaretospendsixguineas。
Onthedayappointed，myevildestinymademegototheCharpillon’s；
thegirlintroducedmetohermother，whomIatoncerecollected，althoughshehadagedandalteredsinceIhadseenher。
Intheyear1759aGenevannamedBolomehadpersuadedmetosellherjewelstotheextentofsixthousandfrancs，andshehadpaidmeinbillsdrawnbyherandhertwosistersonthisBolome，buttheywerethenknownasAnspergher。TheGenevanbecamebankruptbeforethebillsweredue，andthethreesistersdisappeared。Asmaybeimagined，IwassurprisedtofindtheminEngland，andespeciallytobeintroducedtothembytheCharpillon，who，knowingnothingoftheaffairofthejewels，hadnottoldthemthatSeingaltwasthesameasCasanova，whomtheyhadcheatedofsixthousandfrancs。
\"Iamdelightedtoseeyouagain，\"werethefirstwordsIaddressedtoher。
\"Irecollectyou，sir；thatrascalBolome……\"
\"Wewilldiscussthatsubjectanothertime。Iseeyouareill。\"
\"Ihavebeenatdeath’sdoor，butIambetternow。Mydaughterdidnottellmeyourpropername。\"
\"Yes，shedid。MynameisSeingaltaswellasCasanova。IwasknownbythelatternameatPariswhenImadeyourdaughter’sacquaintance，thoughIdidnotknowthenthatshewasyourdaughter。\"
Justthenthegrandmother，whosenamewasalsoAnspergher，cameinwiththetwoaunts，andaquarterofanhourlaterthreemenarrived，oneofwhomwastheChevalierGoudar，whomIhadmetatParis。IdidnotknowtheotherswhowereintroducedtomeunderthenamesofRostaingandCaumon。Theywerethreefriendsofthehousehold，whosebusinessitwastobringindupes。