Whenshehadexhaustedheramorousfuryshethrewherselfintoabath，thencameback，drankabottleofMalmseyMadeira，andfinallymadeherbrutalloverdrinktillhefellontothefloor。
Ifledintothenextroom，notbeingabletobearitanylonger，butshefollowedme。Shewasstillnaked，andseatingherselfbesidemeonanottomansheaskedmehowIhadenjoyedthespectacle。
Itoldherboldythatthedisgustwithwhichherwretchedcompanionhadinspiredmewassogreatthatithadutterlyannulledtheeffectofhercharms。
\"Thatmaybeso，butnowheisnothere，andyetyoudonothing。Onewouldnotthinkit，tolookatyou。\"
\"Youareright，forIhavemyfeelingslikeanyotherman，buthehasdisgustedmetoomuch。Waittilltomorrow，andletmenotseethatmonstersounworthyofenjoyingyou。\"
\"Hedoesnotenjoyme。IfIthoughthedidIwouldratherdiethanlethimhavetodowithme，forIdetesthim。\"
\"What！youdonotlovehim，andyetyoumakeuseofhiminthewayyoudo？\"
\"Yes，justasImightuseamechanicalinstrument。\"
InthiswomanIsawaninstanceofthedepthsofdegradationtowhichhumannaturemaybebrought。
Sheaskedmetosupwithheronthefollowingday，tellingmethatwewouldbealone，asMolinariwouldbeill。
\"Hewillhavegotovertheeffectsofthewine。\"
\"Itellyouhewillbeill。Cometo—morrow，andcomeeveryevening。\"
\"Iamgoingthedayafterto—morrow。\"
\"Youwillnotgoforaweek，andthenwewillgotogether。\"
\"That’simpossible。\"
\"Ifyougoyouwillinsultmebeyondbearing。\"
Iwenthomewithmymindmadeuptodepartwithouthavinganythingmoretodowithher；andthoughIwasfarfrominexperiencedinwickednessofallkinds，IcouldnothelpfeelingastonishedattheunblushingfranknessofthisMegaera，whohadtoldmewhatIalreadyknew，butinwordsthatIhadneverheardawomanusebefore。
\"Ionlyusehimtosatisfymydesires，andbecauseIamcertainthathedoesnotloveme；ifIthoughthedidIwouldratherdiethanallowhimtodoanythingwithme，forIdetesthim。\"
ThenextdayIwenttoheratseveno’clockintheevening。Shereceivedmewithanairoffeignedmelancholy，saying，——
\"Alas！weshallhavetosupalone；Molinarihasgotthecolic。\"
\"Yousaidhewouldbeill；haveyoupoisonedhim？\"
\"Iamquitecapableofdoingso，butIhopeInevershall。\"
\"Butyouhavegivenhimsomething？\"
\"Onlywhathelikeshimself；butwewilltalkofthatagain。Letussupandplaytillto—morrow，andtomorroweveningwewillbeginagain。\"
\"Iamgoingawayatseveno’clockto—morrow。\"
\"No，no，youarenot；andyourcoachmanwillhavenocauseforcomplaint，forhehasbeenpaid；hereisthereceipt。\"
Theseremarks，deliveredwithanairofamorousdespotism，flatteredmyvanity。Imadeupmymindtosubmitgaily，calledherwanton，andsaidI
wasnotworththepainsshewastakingoverme。
\"Whatastonishesme，\"saidI，\"isthatwiththisfinehouseyoudonotcaretoentertaincompany。\"
\"Everybodyisafraidtocome；theyfearRicla’sjealousy，foritiswellknownthatthatanimalwhoisnowsufferingfromthecolictellshimeverythingIdo。Heswearsthatitisnotso，butIknowhimtobealiar。Indeed，IamverygladhedoeswritetoRicla，andonlywishhehadsomethingofrealimportancetowriteabout。\"
\"HewilltellhimthatIhavesuppedalonewithyou。\"
\"Allthebetter；areyouafraid？\"
\"No；butIthinkyououghttotellmeifIhaveanythingreallytofear。\"
\"Nothingatall；itwillfallonme。\"
\"ButIshouldnotliketoinvolveyouinadisputewhichmightbeprejudicialtoyourinterests。\"
\"Notatall；themoreIprovokehim，thebetterhelovesme，andIwillmakehimpaydearlywhenheasksmetomakeitup。\"
\"Thenyoudon’tlovehim？\"
\"Yes，toruinhim；butheissorichthattheredoesn’tseemmuchhopeofmyeverdoingthat。\"
BeforemeIsawawomanasbeautifulasVenusandasdegradedasLucifer；
awomanmostsurelyborntobetheruinofanyonewhohadthemisfortunetofallinlovewithher。Ihadknownwomenofsimilarcharacter，butneveronesodangerousasshe。
IdeterminedtomakesomemoneyoutofherifIcould。
Shecalledforcards，andaskedmetoplaywithheratagamecalledprimiera。Itisagameofchance，butofsocomplicatedanaturethatthebestplayeralwayswins。InaquarterofanhourIfoundthatIwasthebetterplayer，butshehadsuchluckthatattheendofthegameI
hadlosttwentypistoles，whichIpaidonthespot。Shetookthemoney，promisingtogivememyrevenge。
Wehadsupper，andthenwecommittedallthewantonnessshewishedandI
wascapableofperforming，forwithmetheageofmiracleswaspast。
ThenextdayIcalledtoseeherearlierintheevening。Weplayedagain；andshelost，andwentonlosingeveningafterevening，tillIhadwonamatteroftwoorthreehundreddoubloons，nounwelcomeadditiontomysomewhatdepletedpurse。
Thespyrecoveredfromhiscolicandsuppedwithuseveryevening，buthispresencenolongerinterferedwithmypleasuresinceNinahadceasedtoprostituteherselftohiminmypresence。Shedidtheopposite；
givingherselftome，andtellinghimtowritetotheComtedeRiclawhateverheliked。
Thecountwroteheraletterwhichshegavemetoread。Thepoorlove—
sickviceroyinformedherthatshemightsafelyreturntoBarcelona，asthebishophadreceivedanorderfromtheCourttoregardherasmerelyauactress，whosestayinhisdiocesewouldonlybetemporary；shewouldthusbeallowedtolivethereinpeacesolongassheabstainedfromgivingcauseforscandal。ShetoldmethatwhilstshewasatBarcelonaI
couldonlyseeherafterteno’clockatnight，whenthecountalwayslefther。SheassuredmethatIshouldrunnoriskwhatever。
PossiblyIshouldnothavestayedatBarcelonaatallifNinahadnottoldmethatshewouldalwaysbereadytolendmeasmuchmoneyasI
wanted。
SheaskedmetoleaveValentiaadaybeforeher，andtoawaitheratTarragona。Ididso，andspentaverypleasantdayinthattown，whichaboundsinremainsofantiquity。
Iorderedachoicesupperaccordingtoherinstructions，andtookcarethatsheshouldhaveaseparatebedroomsoastoavoidanyscandal。
Shestartedinthemorningbeggingmetowaittilltheevening，andtotravelbynightsoastoreachBarcelonabyday—time。Shetoldmetoputupatthe\"SantaMaria，\"andnottocalltillIhadheardfromher。
Ifollowedallthedirectionsgivenmebythiscuriouswoman，andfoundmyselfcomfortablylodgedatBarcelona。MylandlordwasaSwisswhotoldmeinconfidencethathehadreceivedinstructionstotreatmewell，andthatIhadonlytoaskforwhatIwanted。
Weshallseesoonwhatwastheresultofallthis。
CHAPTERVIII
MyImprudence——Passano——IAmImprisoned——MyDeparturefromBarcelona——
MadameCastelbajacatMontpellier——Nimes——IArriveatAixAlthoughmySwisslandlordseemedanhonestandtrustworthykindofman，IcouldnothelpthinkingthatNinahadactedveryimprudentlyincommendingmetohim。Shewastheviceroy’smistress；andthoughtheviceroymightbeaveryagreeableman，hewasaSpaniard，andnotlikelytobeeasy—goinginhisloveaffairs。Ninaherselfhadtoldmethathewasardent，jealous，andsuspicious。Butthemischiefwasdone，andtherewasnohelpforit。
WhenIgotupmylandlordbroughtmeavaletdeplace，forwhosecharacterhesaidhecouldanswer，andhethensentupanexcellentdinner。Ihadslepttillthreeo’clockintheafternoon。
AfterdinnerIsummonedmyhost，andaskedhimwhetherNinahadtoldhimtogetmeaservant。Heansweredintheaffirmative，andaddedthatacarriagewasawaitingmycommandsatthedoor；ithadbeentakenbytheweek。
\"Iamastonishedtohearit，fornoonebutmyselfcansaywhatIcanaffordornot。\"
\"Sir，everythingispaidfor。\"
\"Paidfor！Iwillnothaveit！\"
\"Youcansettlethatwithher，butIshallcertainlytakenopayment。
Isawdangersahead，butasIhavenevercaredtocherishforbodingsI
dismissedtheidea。
IhadaletterofintroductionfromtheMarquisdelasMorastoDonMigueldeCevallos，andanotherfromColonelRoyastoDonDiegodelaSecada。Itookmyletters，andthenextdayDonDiegocametoseeme，andtookmetotheComtedePeralda。ThedayafterDonMiguelintroducedmetotheComtedeRicla，ViceroyofCatalonia，andtheloverofNina。
TheComtedePeraladawasayoungmanwithapleasantfacebutwithanill—proportionedbody。Hewasagreatdebaucheeandloverofbadcompany，anenemyofreligion，morality，andlaw。HewasdirectlydescendedfromtheComtedePeralada，whoservedPhilipII。sowellthatthiskingdeclaredhim\"countbythegraceofGod。\"TheoriginalpatentofnobilitywasthefirstthingIsawinhisantechamber，whereitwasframedandglazedsothatallvisitorsmightseeitinthequarterofanhourtheywerekeptwaiting。
Thecountreceivedmewithaneasyandcordialemanner，whichseemedtosaythatherenouncedallthedignitiesofhisrank。HethankedDonDiegoforintroducingme，andtalkedagooddealaboutColonelRoyas。HeaskedmeifIhadseentheEnglishgirlhewaskeepingatSaragossa，andonmyreplyingintheaffirmative，hetoldmeinawhisperthathehadsleptwithher。
Hetookmetohisstables，wherehehadsomesplendidhorses，andthenaskedmetodinewithhimthenextday。
Theviceroyreceivedmeinaverydifferentmanner；hestoodupsothathemightnothavetooffermeachair，andthoughIspokeItalian，withwhichlanguageIknewhimtobewellacquainted，heansweredmeinSpanish，stylingme’ussia’（acontractionof’vuestrasenoria’，yourlordship，andusedbyeveryoneinSpain），whileIgavehimhispropertitleofexcellence。
HetalkedagooddealaboutMadrid，andcomplainedthatM。deMocenigohadgonetoParisbyBayonneinsteadofBarcelona，ashehadpromisedhim。
Itriedtoexcusemyambassadorbysayingthatbytakingtheotherroutehehadsavedfiftyleaguesofhisjourney，buttheviceroyrepliedthat’tenirlapalabra’（keepingtoone’swords）comesbeforeallelse。
HeaskedmeifIthoughtofstayinglongatBarcelona，andseemedsurprisedwhenItoldhimthat，withhisleave，Ihopedtomakealongstay。
\"Ihopeyouwillenjoyyourself，\"hesaid，\"butImustwarnyouthatifyouindulgeinthepleasureswhichmynephewPeraladawilldoubtlessofferyou，youwillnotenjoyaverygoodreputationatBarcelona。\"
AstheComtedeRiclamadethisobservationinpublic，IthoughtmyselfjustifiedincommunicatingittoPeraladahimself。Hewasdelighted，andtoldme，withevidentvanity，thathehadgonetoMadridthreetimes，andhadbeenorderedtoreturntoCataloniaoneachoccasion。
Ithoughtmybestplanwouldbetofollowtheviceroy’sindirectadvice，soIrefusedtojoininanyofthelittlepartiesofpleasurewhichPeraladaproposed。
Onthefifthdayaftermyarrival，anofficercametoaskmetodinnerattheviceroy’s。Iacceptedtheinvitationwithmuchpleasure，forIhadbeenafraidoftheviceroy’shavingheardofmyrelationswithNina，andthoughtitpossiblethathemighthavetakenadisliketome。Hewasverypleasanttomeatdinner，oftenaddressinghisobservationstome，butalwaysinatoneofgreatgravity。
IhadbeeninBarcelonaforaweek，andwasbeginningtowonderwhyIhadnotheardfromNina；butoneeveningshewrotemeanote，beggingmetocomeonfootandalonetoherhouseatteno’clockthesamenight。
IfIhadbeenwiseIshouldnothavegone，forIwasnotinlovewiththewoman，andshouldhaverememberedtherespectduetotheviceroy；butI
wasdevoidofallwisdomandprudence。AllthemisfortunesIhaveexperiencedinmylonglifenevertaughtmethosetwomostnecessaryvirtues。
AtthehourshehadnamedIcalledonher，wearingmygreatcoat，andwithaswordformyonlyweapon。IfoundNinawithhersister，awomanofthirty—sixorthereabouts，whowasmarriedtoanItaliandancer，nicknamedSchizza，becausehehadaflatternosethananyTartar。
Ninahadjustbeensuppingwithherlover，whohadleftheratteno’clock，accordingtohisinvariablecustom。
ShesaidshewasdelightedtohearIhadbeentodinnerwithhim，asshehadherselfspokentohiminmypraise，sayinghowadmirablyIhadkepthercompanyatValentia。
\"Iamgladtohearit，butIdonotthinkyouarewiseininvitingmetoyourhouseatsuchlatehours。\"
\"Ionlydosotoavoidscandalamongstmyneighbours。\"
\"Inmyopinionmycomingsolateisonlylikelytoincreasetheprobabilityofscandal，andtomakeyourviceroyjealous。\"
\"Hewillneverhearofyourcoming。\"
\"Ithinkyouaremistaken。\"
Iwentawayatmidnight，afteraconversationofthemostdecentcharacter。Hersisterdidnotleaveusforamoment，andNinagavehernocausetosuspecttheintimacyofourrelations。
Iwenttoseehereveryevening，withoutencroachingonthecount’spreserves。Ithoughtmyselfsecure，butthefollowingwarningshouldhavemademedesistifIhadnotbeencarriedawaybytheforcesofdestinyandobstinacyincombination。
AnofficerintheWalloonGuardsaccostedmeonedayasIwaswalkingbymyselfjustoutsidethetown。Hebeggedmeinthemostpolitemannertoexcusehimifhespokeonamatterwhichwasindifferenttohimbutofgreatconsequencetome。
\"Speak，sir，\"Ireplied，\"Iwilltakewhateveryousayingoodpart。\"
\"Verygood。Youareastranger，sir，andmaynotbeacquaintedwithourSpanishmanners，consequentlyyouareunawareofthegreatriskyouruningoingtoseeNinaeveryeveningafterthecounthaslefther。\"
\"WhatriskdoIrun？Ihavenodoubtthatthecountknowsallaboutitanddoesnotobject。\"
\"Ihavenodoubtastohisknowingit，andhemaypossiblypretendtoknownothingbeforeher，ashefearsaswellaslovesher；butifshetellsyouthathedoesnotobject，sheeitherdeceivesherselforyou。
Hecannotloveherwithoutbeingjealous，andajealousSpaniard……
\"Followmyadvice，sir，andforgivemyfreedom。\"
\"Iamsincerelyobligedtoyouforyourkindinterestinme，butIcannotfollowyouradvice，asbydoingsoIshouldbewantinginpolitenesstoNina，wholikestoseemeandgivesmeawarmwelcome。Ishallcontinuetovisithertillsheordersmenottodoso，ortillthecountsignifiestomehisdispleasureatmyvisitstohismistress。\"
\"Thecountwillneverdosuchathing；heistoocarefulofhisdignity。\"
TheworthyofficerthennarratedtomealltheactsofinjusticewhichRiclahadcommittedsincehehadfalleninlovewiththiswoman。Hehaddismissedgentlemenfromhisserviceonthemeresuspicionthattheywereinlovewithher；somehadbeenexiled，andothersimprisonedononefrivolouspretextoranother。BeforehehadknownNinahehadbeenapatternofwisdom，justice，andvirtue，andnowhehadbecomeunjust，cruel，blindlypassionate，andineverywayascandaltothehighpositionheoccupied。
Allthisshouldhaveinfluencedme，butithadnottheslightesteffect。
Itoldhimforpoliteness’sakethatIwouldendeavourtopartfromherbydegrees，butIhadnointentionofdoingso。
WhenIaskedhimhowheknewthatIvisitedNina，helaughedandsaiditwasacommontopicofconversationalloverthetown。
ThesameeveningIcalledonherwithoutmentioningmyconversationwiththeofficer。TherewouldhavebeensomeexcuseformeifIhadbeeninlovewithher，butasitwas……Iactedlikeamadman。
Onthe14thofNovemberIwenttoseeherattheusualtime。Ifoundherwithamanwhowasshewingherminiatures。IlookedathimandfoundthathewasthescoundrelPassano，orPogomas。
Mybloodboiled；ItookNina’shandandledherintoaneighbouringroom，andtoldhertodismisstherogueatonce，orIwouldgotoreturnnomore。
\"He’sapainter。\"
\"Iamwellacquaintedwithhishistory，andwilltellyouallaboutitpresently；butsendhimaway，orIshallgo。\"
Shecalledhersister，andtoldhertoordertheGenoesetoleavethehouseandnevertoenteritagain。
Thethingwas’doneinamoment，butthesistertoldusthatashewentouthehadsaid，——
\"Senepentira\"（\"Heshallbesorryforit\"）。
IoccupiedanhourinrelatingsomeoftheinjuriesIhadreceivedfromthisscoundrellyfellow。
Thenextday（November15th），IwenttoNinaattheusualtime，andafterspendingtwohoursinpleasantconversewithherandhersisterIwentoutastheclockswerestrikingmidnight。
Thedoorofthehousewasunderanarcade，whichextendedtotheendofthestreet。Itwasadarknight；andIhadscarcelygonetwenty—fivepaceswhentwomensuddenlyrushedatme。
Isteppedback，drawingmysword，andexclaiming，\"Assassins！\"andthenwitharapidmovement，Ithrustmybladeintothebodyofthenearestassailant。Ithenleftthearcade，andbegantorundownthestreet。
Thesecondassassinfiredapistolatme，butitfortunatelymissedme。
Ifelldownanddroppedmyhatinmyrapidflight，andgotupandcontinuedmycoursewithouttroublingtopickitup。IdidnotknowwhetherIwaswoundedornot，butatlastIgottomyinn，andlaiddownthebloodyswordonthecounter，underthelandlord’snose。Iwasquiteoutofbreath。
Itoldthelandlordwhathadhappened，andontakingoffmygreatcoat，I
foundittobepiercedintwoplacesjustbelowthearmpit。
\"Iamgoingtobed，\"Isaidtothelandlord，\"andIleavemygreatcoatandtheswordinyourcharge。TomorrowmorningIshallaskyoutocomewithmebeforethemagistratetodenouncethisactofassassination，forifthemanwaskilleditmustbeshewnthatIonlyslewhimtosavemyownlife。\"
\"IthinkyourbestplanwouldbetoflyBarcelonaimmediately。\"
\"ThenyouthinkIhavenottoldyouthestricttruth？\"
\"Iamsureyouhave；butIknowwhencetheblowcomes，andGodknowswhatwillbefallyou！\"
\"Nothingatall；butifIflyIshallbeaccountedguilty。Takecareofthesword；theytriedtoassassinateme，butIthinktheassassinsgottheworstofit。\"
Iwenttobedsomewhatperturbed，butIhadtheconsolingthoughtthatifIhadkilledamanIhaddonesotoself—defence；myconsciencewasquiteclear。
Atseveno’clockthenextmorningIheardaknockingatmydoor。I
openedit，andsawmylandlord，accompaniedbyanofficer，whotoldmetogivehimallmypapers，todress，andtofollowhim，addingthatheshouldbecompelledtouseforceincaseofresistance。
\"Ihavenointentionofresisting，\"Ireplied。\"Bywhoseauthoritydoyouaskmeformypapers？\"
\"Bytheauthorityofthegovernor。Theywillbereturnedtoyouifnothingsuspiciousisfoundamongstthem。\"
\"Whereareyougoingtotakeme？\"
\"Tothecitadel。\"
Iopenedmytrunk，tookoutmylinenandmyclothes，whichIgavetomylandlord，andIsawtheofficer’sastonishmentatseeingmytrunkhalffilledwithpapers。
\"TheseareallthepapersIhave，\"Isaid。Ilockedtheboxandgavetheofficerthekey。
\"Iadviseyou，sir，\"hesaid，\"toputallnecessaryarticlesintoaportmanteau。\"Hethenorderedthelandlordtosendmeabed，andfinallyaskedmeifIhadanypapersinmypockets。
\"Onlymypassports。\"
\"That’sexactlywhatwewant，\"herejoined，withagrimsmile。
\"Mypassportsaresacred；Iwillnevergivethemtoanyonebutthegovernor—general。Reverenceyourking；hereishispassport，hereisthatoftheCountofAranda，andherethepassportoftheVenetianambassador。Youwillhavetobindmehandandfootbeforeyougetthem。\"
\"Bemoremoderate，sir。Ingivingthemtomeitisjustasifyougavethemtotheviceroy。IfyouresistIwillnotbindyouhandandfoot，butIshalltakeyoubeforetheviceroy，andthenyouwillbeforcedtogivethemupinpublic。Givethemtomewithagoodgrace，andyoushallhaveanacknowledgement。\"
TheworthylandlordtoldmeIshouldbewisertogivein，soIletmyselfbepersuaded。Theofficergavemeafullquittance，whichIputinmypocketbook（thisheletmekeepoutofhiskindness），andthenIfollowedhim。Hehadsixconstableswithhim，buttheykeptagooddistanceaway。
ComparingthiswiththecircumstancesofmyarrestatMadrid，Ithoughtmyselfwelltreated。
BeforewelefttheinntheofficertoldmethatImightorderwhatmealsIpleased，andIaskedthelandlordtoletmehavemydinnerandsupperasusual。
OnthewayItoldhimofmyadventureofthenightbefore；helistenedattentivelybutmadenocomments。
WhenwereachedthecitadelIwasdeliveredtotheofficeroftheguard，whogavemearoomonthefirstfloor。Itwasbareoffurniture，butthewindowslookedontoasquareandhadnoironbars。
Ihadscarcelybeentheretenminuteswhenmycarpetbagandanexcellentbedwerebroughtin。
AssoonasIwasaloneIbegantothinkoverthesituation。IfinishedwhereIoughttohavebegun。
\"Whatcanthisimprisonmenthavetodowithmylastnight’sadventure？\"I
reflected。
Icouldnotmakeouttheconnection。
\"Theyarebentonexaminingmypapers；theymustthinkIhavebeentamperinginsomepoliticalorreligiousintrigue；butmymindisquiteateaseonthatscore。Iamwelllodgedatpresent，andnodoubtshallbesetfreeaftermypapershavebeenexamined；theycanfindnothingagainstmethere。
\"Theaffairofmyattemptedassassinationwill，nodoubt，beconsideredseparately。
\"Eveniftherascalisdead，Idonotseewhattheycandotome。
\"Ontheotherhand，mylandlord’sadvicetoflyfromBarcelonalooksominous；whatiftheassassinsreceivedtheirordersfromsomepersonhighinauthority？
\"ItispossiblethatRiclamayhavevowedmyruin，butitdoesnotseemprobabletome。
\"Wouldithavebeenwisetofollowthelandlord’sadvice？
\"Possibly，butIdonotthinkso；myhonourwouldhavesuffered，andI
mighthavebeencaughtandlaidupinsomehorriddungeon，whereasforaprisonIamcomfortableenoughhere。
\"Inthreeorfourdaystheexaminationofmypaperswillhavebeencompleted，andasthereisnothinginthemlikelytobeoffensivetothepowersthatbe，theywillbereturnedtomewithmyliberty，whichwilltasteallthesweeterforthisshortdeprivation。
\"Asformypassportstheyallspeakinmyfavour。
\"Icannotthinkthattheall—powerfulhandoftheviceroycouldhavedirectedtheassassin’ssword；itwouldbeadishonourtohim，andifitwereso，hewouldnotbetreatingmesokindlynow。Ifitwerehisdoing，hemusthavehearddirectlythattheblowhadfailed，andinthatcaseIdonotthinkhewouldhavearrestedmethismorning。
\"ShallIwritetoNina？Willwritingbeallowedhere？\"
AsIwaspuzzlingmybrainswiththesereflections，stretchedonmybed（forIhadnochair），Iheardsomedisturbance，andonopeningmywindowIsaw，tomygreatastonishment，Passanobeingbroughtintotheprisonbyacorporalandtwosoldiers。Ashewasgoingin，therascallookedupandsawme，andbegantolaugh。
\"Alas！\"Isaidtomyself，\"hereisfreshfoodforconjecture。ThefellowtoldNina’ssisterthatIshouldbesorryforwhatIhaddone。Hemusthavedirectedsomefearfulcalumnyagainstme，andtheyareimprisoninghimsoastobesureofhisevidence。\"
Onreflection，Iwaswellpleasedattheturnaffairshadtaken。
Anexcellentdinnerwassetbeforeme，butIhadnochairortable。Thedeficiencywasremediedbythesoldierwhowasinchargeofmefortheconsiderationofaduro。
Prisonerswerenotallowedtohavepenandinkwithoutspecialpermission；butpaperandpencilswerenotincludedunderthisregulation，somyguardgotthemforme，togetherwithcandlesandcandlesticks，andIproceededtokilltimebymakinggeometricalcalculations。Imadetheobligingsoldiersupwithme，andhepromisedtocommendmetooneofhiscomradeswhowouldservemewell。Theguardwasrelievedateleven。
Onthefourthdaytheofficeroftheguardcametomewithadistressedlook，andtoldmethathehadthedisagreeabledutyofgivingmesomeverybadnews。
\"Whatisthat，sir？\"
\"Ihavereceivedorderstotransferyoutothebottomofthetower。\"
\"Totransferme？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Thentheymusthavediscoveredinmeacriminalofthedeepestdye！Letusgoatonce。\"
Ifoundmyselfinakindofroundcellar，pavedwithlargeflagstones，andlightedbyfiveorsixnarrowslitsinthewalls。TheofficertoldmeImustorderwhatfoodrequiredtobebroughtonceaday，asnoonewasallowedtocomeintothe’calabozo’，ordungeon，bynight。
\"Howaboutlights？\"
\"Youmaylaveonelampalwaysburning，andthatwillbeenough，asbooksarenotallowed。Whenyourdinnerisbrought，theofficerondutywillopenthepiesandthepoultrytoseethattheydonotcontainanydocuments；forherenolettersareallowedtocomeinorgoout。\"
\"Havetheseordersbeengivenformyespecialbenefit？\"
\"No，sir；itistheordinaryrule。Youwillbeabletoconversewiththesentinel。\"
\"Thedoorwillbeopen，then？\"
\"Notatall。\"
\"Howaboutthecleanlinessofmycell？\"
\"Asoldierwillaccompanytheofficerinchargeofyourdinner，andhewillattendtoyourwantsforatrifle。\"
\"MayIamusemyselfbymakingarchitecturalplanswiththepencil？\"
\"Asmuchasyoulike。\"
\"Thenwillyoubegoodenoughtoordersomepapertobeboughtforme？\"
\"Withpleasure。\"
Theofficerseemedtopitymeasheleftme，andboltedandbarredtheheavydoorbehindwhichIsawamanstandingsentrywithhisbayonetfixed。Thedoorwasfittedwithasmallirongrating。
WhenIgotmypaperandmydinneratnoondaytheofficercutopenafowl，andplungedaforkintheotherdishessoastomakesurethattherewerenopapersatthebottom。
Mydinnerwouldhavesufficedforsixpeople。ItoldtheofficerthatI
shouldbemuchhonouredbyhisdiningwithme，butherepliedthatitwasstrictlyforbidden。HegavemethesameanswerwhenIaskedifImighthavethenewspapers。
Itwasafestivaltimeforthesentinels，asIsharedmymealsandmygoodwinewiththem；andconsequentlythesepoorfellowswerefirmlyattachedtome。
Iwascurioustoknowwhowaspayingformygoodcheer，buttherewasnochanceofmyfindingout，forthewaiterfromtheinnwasneverallowedtoapproachmycell。
Inthisdungeon，whereIwasimprisonedforforty—twodays，Iwroteinpencilandwithoutotherreferencethanmymemory，myrefutationofAmelotdelaHoussaye’s\"HistoryoftheVenetianGovernment。\"
Iwasmostheartilyamusedduringmyimprisonment，andinthefollowingmanner:
WhileIwasatWarsawanItaliannamedTadinicametoWarsaw。HehadanintroductiontoTomatiswhocommendedhimtome。Hecalledhimselfanoculist。Tomatisusedtogivehimadinnernowandagain，butnotbeingwelloffinthosedaysIcouldonlygivehimgoodwordsandacupofcoffeewhenhechancedtocomeaboutmybreakfast—time。
Tadinitalkedtoeverybodyabouttheoperationshehadperformed，andcondemnedanoculistwhohadbeenatWarsawfortwentyyears，sayingthathedidnotunderstandhowtoextractacataract，whiletheotheroculistsaidthatTadiniwasacharlatanwhodidnotknowhowtheeyewasmade。
TadinibeggedmetospeakinhisfavourtoaladywhohadhadacataractremovedbytheWarsawoculist，onlytoreturnagainashorttimeaftertheoperation。
Theladywasblindoftheoneeye，butshecouldseewiththeother，andItoldTadinithatIdidnotcaretomeddlewithsuchadelicatematter。
\"Ihavespokentothelady，\"saidTadini，\"andIhavementionedyournameasapersonwhowillanswerforme。\"
\"Youhavedonewrong；insuchamatterIwouldnotstandsuretyforthemostlearnedofmen，andIknownothingaboutyourlearning。\"
\"ButyouknowIamanoculist。\"
\"Iknowyouwereintroducedtomeassuch，butthat’sall。Asaprofessionalman，youshouldnotneedanyone’scommendation，youshouldbeabletosay，’Operibuscredite’。Thatshouldbeyourmotto。\"
Tadiniwasvexedwithmyincredulity，andshewedmeanumberoftestimonials，whichImightpossiblyhaveread，ifthefirstwhichmetmyeyehadnotbeenfromaladywhoprotestedtoallandsingularthatM。Tadinihadcuredherofamaurosis。AtthisIlaughedinhisfaceandtoldhimtoleavemealone。
AfewdaysafterIfoundmyselfdiningwithhimatthehouseoftheladywiththecataract。Shehadalmostmadeuphermindtosubmittotheoperation，butastherascalhadmentionedmyname，shewantedmetobepresentatadisputebetweenTadiniandtheotheroculistwhocameinwiththedessert。
Idisposedmyselftolistentotheargumentsofthetworivalprofessorswithconsiderablepleasure。TheWarsawoculistwasaGerman，butspokeFrenchverywell；however，heattackedTadiniinLatin。TheItaliancheckedhimbysayingthattheirdiscoursemustbeconductedinalanguageintelligibletothelady，andIagreedwithhim。ItwasplainthatTadinididnotknowawordofLatin。
TheGermanoculistbeganbyadmittingthataftertheoperationforcataracttherewasnochanceofthediseasereturning，butthattherewasaconsiderableriskofthecrystallinehumourevaporating，andthepatientbeingleftinastateoftotalblindness。
Tadini，insteadofdenyingthisstatement（whichwasinaccurate），hadthefollytotakealittleboxoutofhispocket。Itcontainedanumberofminuteroundcrystals。
\"What’sthat？\"saidtheoldprofessor。
\"AsubstancewhichIcanplaceinthecorneatosupplythelossofthecrystallinematter。\"
TheGermanwentoffintoaroaroflaughtersolongandloudthattheladycouldnothelplaughing。Ishouldhavelikedtojointhem，butI
wasashamedtobethoughtthepatronofthisignorantfellow，soI
preservedagloomysilence。
TadininodoubtinterpretedmysilenceasamarkofdisapprovaloftheGerman’slaughter，andthoughttobettermattersbyaskingmetogivemyopinion。
\"Asyouwanttohearit，\"saidI，\"hereitis。\"
\"There’sagreatdifferencebetweenatoothandthecrystallinehumour；
andthoughyoumayhavesucceededinputtinganartificialtoothintoagum，thistreatmentwillnotdowiththeeye。\"
\"Sir，Iamnotadentist。\"
\"No，noranoculisteither。\"
Atthistheignorantrascalgotupandlefttheroom，anditwasdecidedlythebestthinghecoulddo。
Welaughedoverthisnewtreatment，andtheladypromisedtohavenothingmoretodowithhim。Theprofessorwasnotcontenttodespisehisopponentinsilence。HehadhimcitedbeforetheFacultyofMedicinetobeexaminedonhisknowledgeoftheeye，andprocuredtheinsertionofasatiricarticleinthenewsonthenewoperationforreplacingthecrystallinehumour，alludingtothewonderfulartisttheninWarsawwhocouldperformthisoperationaseasilyasadentistcouldputinafalsetooth。
ThismadeTadinifurious，andhesetupontheoldprofessorinthestreetandforcedhimtotherefugeinahouse。
Afterthishenodoubtleftthetownonfoot，forhewasseennomore。
Nowthereaderisinapositiontounderstandmysurpriseandamusement，when，onedayasIpeeredthroughthegratinginmydungeon，IsawtheoculistTadinistandingovermewithguninhand。Butheatalleventsevincednoamusementwhatever，whileIroaredandroaredagainwithlaughterforthetwohourshisdutylasted。
Igavehimagoodmealandasufficiencyofmyexcellentwine，andattheendacrown，promisingthatheshouldhavethesametreatmenteverytimehereturnedtothepost。ButIonlysawhimfourtimes，astheguardatmycellwasapositioneagerlycovetedandintriguedforbytheothersoldiers。
HeamusedmebythestoryofhismisadventuressincehehadleftWarsaw。
Hehadtravelledfarandwidewithoutmakingafortune，andatlastarrivedinBarcelona，wherehefailedtomeetwithanycourtesyorconsideration。Hehadnointroduction，nodiploma；hehadrefusedtosubmittoanexaminationintheLatintongue，because（ashesaid）therewasnoconnectionbetweenthelearnedlanguagesandthediseasesoftheeye；andtheresultwasthat，insteadofthecommonfateofbeingorderedtoleavethecountry，hewasmadeintoasoldier。Hetoldmeinconfidencethatheintendedtodesert，buthesaidheshouldtakecaretoavoidthegalleys。
\"Whathaveyoudonewithyourcrystals？\"
\"IhaverenouncedthemsinceIleftWarsaw，thoughIamsuretheywouldsucceed。\"
Ineverheardofhimagain。
OnDecember28th，sixweeksaftermyarrest，theofficeroftheguardcametomycellandtoldmetodressandfollowhim。
\"Wherearewegoing？\"
\"Iamabouttodeliveryoutoanofficeroftheviceroy，whoiswaiting。\"
Idressedhastily，andafterplacingallmybelongingsinaportmanteauI
followedhim。Wewenttotheguardroom，andthereIwasplacedunderthechargeoftheofficerwhohadarrestedme，whotookmetothepalace。
ThereaGovernmentofficialshewedmemytrunk，tellingmethatIshouldfindallmypapersintact；andhethenreturnedmemythreepassports，withtheremarkthattheyweregenuinedocuments。
\"Iknewthatallalong。\"
\"Isupposeso，butwehadreasonsfordoubtingtheirauthenticity。\"
\"Theymusthavebeenstrangereasons，for，asyounowconfess，thesereasonsweredevoidofreason。\"
\"YoumustbeawarethatIcannotreplytosuchanobjection。\"
\"Idon’taskyoutodoso。\"
\"Yourcharacterisperfectlyclear；allthesameImustrequestyoutoleaveBarcelonainthreedays，andCataloniainaweek。\"
\"OfcourseIwillobey；butitstrikesmethattheCatalonianmethodofrepairinginjusticeissomewhatpeculiar。\"
\"IfyouthinkyouhavegroundforcomplaintyouareatlibertytogotoMadridandcomplaintotheCourt。\"
\"Ihavecertainlygroundsenoughforcomplaint，sir，butIshallgotoFrance，andnottoMadrid；IhavehadenoughofSpanishjustice。Willyoupleasegivemetheordertoleaveinwriting？\"
\"That’sunnecessary；youmaytakeitforgranted。MynameisEmmanuelBadillo；Iamasecretaryofstate。Thatgentlemanwillescortyoubacktotheroomwhereyouwerearrested。Youwillfindeverythingjustasyouhaveleftit。Youareafreeman。To—morrowIwillsendyouyourpassport，signedbytheviceroyandmyself。Goodday，sir。\"
Accompaniedbytheofficerandaservantbearingmyportmanteau，I
proceededtomyoldinn。
OnmywayIsawatheatricalposter，anddecidedtogototheopera。
Thegoodlandlordwasdelightedtoseemeagain，andhastenedtolightmeafire，forabitterlycoldnorthwindwasblowing。Heassuredmethatnoonebuthimselfhadbeeninmyroom，andintheofficer’spresencehegavemebackmysword，mygreatcoat，and，tomyastonishment，thehatI
haddroppedinmyflightfromtheassassins。
TheofficeraskedmeifIhadanycomplaintstomake，andIrepliedthatIhadnone。
\"IshouldliketohearyousaythatIhaddonenothingbutmyduty，andthatpersonallyIhavenotdoneyouanyinjury。\"
Ishookhishand，andassuredhimofmyesteem。
\"Farewell，sir，\"saidhe，\"Ihopeyouwillhaveapleasantjourney。\"
ItoldmylandlordthatIwoulddineatnoon，andthatItrustedtohimtocelebratemyliberationinafittingmanner，andthenIwenttothepostofficetoseeiftherewereanylettersforme。Ifoundfiveorsixletters，withthesealsintact，muchtomyastonishment。WhatisonetomakeofaGovernmentwhichdeprivesamanofhislibertyonsometriflingpretext，and，thoughseizingallhispapers，respectstheprivacyofhisletters？ButSpain，asIhaveremarked，ispeculiarineveryway。
TheseletterswerefromParis，Venice，Warsaw，andMadrid，andIhaveneverhadanyreasontobelievethatanyotherlettershadcomeformeduringmyimprisonment。
Iwentbacktomyinn，andaskedmylandlordtobringthebill。
\"Youdonotowemeanything，sir。Hereisyourbillfortheperiodprecedingyourimprisonment，and，asyousee，ithasbeensettled。I
alsoreceivedordersfromthesamesourcetoprovideforyouduringyourimprisonment，andaslongasyoustayedatBarcelona。\"
\"DidyouknowhowlongIshouldremaininprison？\"
\"No，Iwaspaidbytheweek。\"
\"Whopaidyou？\"
\"Youknowverywell。\"
\"Haveyouhadanynoteforme？\"
\"Nothingatall。\"
\"Whathasbecomeofthevaletdeplace？\"
\"Ipaidhim，andsenthimawayimmediatelyafteryourarrest。\"
\"IshouldliketohavehimwithmeasfarasPerpignan。\"
\"Youareright，andIthinkthebestthingyoucandoistoleaveSpainaltogether，foryouwillfindnojusticeinit。\"
\"Whatdotheysayaboutmyassassination？\"
\"Why，theysayyoufiredtheshotthatpeopleheardyourself，andthatyoumadeyourownswordbloody，fornoonewasfoundthere，eitherdeadorwounded。\"
\"That’sanamusingtheory。Wheredidmyhatcomefrom？\"
\"Itwasbroughttomethreedaysafter。\"
\"Whataconfusion！ButwasitknownthatIwasimprisonedinthetower？\"
\"Everybodyknewit，andtwogoodreasonsweregiven，theoneinpublic，andtheotherinprivate。\"
\"Whatarethesereasons？\"
\"Thepublicreasonwasthatyouhadforgedyourpassports；theprivateone，whichwasonlywhisperedattheear，wasthatyouspentallyournightswithNina。\"
\"YoumighthaveswornthatIneversleptoutofyourinn。\"
\"Itoldeveryoneasmuch，butnomatter；youdidgotoherhouse，andforacertainnoblemanthat’sacrime。IamgladyoudidnotflyasI
advisedyou，forasitisyourcharacterisclearedbeforeeverybody。\"
\"Ishouldliketogototheoperathisevening；takemeabox。\"
\"Itshallbedone；butdonothaveanythingmoretodowithNina，I
entreatyou。\"
\"No，mygoodfriend，Ihavemadeupmymindtoseehernomore。\"
JustasIwassittingdowntodinner，abanker’sclerkbroughtmealetterwhichpleasedmeverymuch。ItcontainedthebillsofexchangeI
haddrawninGenoa，infavourofM。AugustinGrimaldi。Henowsentthemback，withthesewords:
\"PassanohasbeenvainlyendeavouringtopersuademetosendthesebillstoBarcelona，sothattheymaybeprotested，andyouarrested。InowsendthemtoyoutoconvinceyouthatIamnotoneofthosewhodelightintramplingdownthevictimsofbadfortune。
——Genoa，November30th，1768。\"
ForthefourthtimeaGenoesehadbehavedmostgenerouslytome。IwasalmostpersuadedthatIoughttoforgivetheinfamousPassanoforthesakeofhisfourexcellentfellow—countrymen。
Butthisvirtuewasalittlebeyondme。IconcludedthatthebestthingIcoulddowouldbetoridtheGenoesenameoftheopprobriumwhichthisrascalwasalwaysbringingonit，butIcouldneverfindanopportunity。
SomeyearsafterIheardthatthewretchdiedinmiserablepovertyinGenoa。
Iwascuriousatthetimetoknowwhathadbecomeofhim，asitwasimportantformetobeonmyguard。Iconfidedmycuriositytomylandlord，andheinstructedoneoftheservantstomakeenquiries。I
onlyheardthefollowingcircumstance:
AscanioPogomas，orPassano，hadbeenreleasedattheendofNovember，andhadthenbeenembarkedonafeluccaboundforToulon。
ThesamedayIwrotealongandgratefullettertoM。Grimaldi。Ihadindeedreasontobegrateful，forifhehadlistenedtomyenemyhemighthavereducedmetoastateofdreadfulmisery。
Mylandlordhadtakentheboxattheoperainmyname，andtwohoursafterwards，toeveryone’sgreatastonishment，thepostersannouncingtheplaysoftheeveningwerecoveredbybillsinformingthepublicthattwooftheperformershadbeentakenill，thattheplaywouldnotbegiven，andthetheatreclosedtilltheseconddayofthenewyear。
Thisorderundoubtedlycamefromtheviceroy，andeverybodyknewthereason。
IwassorrytohavedeprivedthepeopleofBarcelonaoftheonlyamusementtheyhadintheevening，andresolvedtostayindoors，thinkingthatwouldbethemostdignifiedcourseIcouldadopt。
Petrarchsays，——
’Amorchefagentileuncorvillano’。
IfhehadknowntheloverofNinahewouldhavechangedthelineinto’Amorchefavillanuncorgentile’。
InfourmonthsIshallbeabletothrowsomemorelightonthisstrangebusiness。
IshouldhaveleftBarcelonathesameday，butaslighttingeofsuperstitionmademedesiretoleaveonthelastdayoftheunhappyyearIhadspentinSpain。Ithereforespentmythreedaysofgraceinwritingletterstoallmyfriends。
DonMigueldeCevallos，DonDiegodelaSecada，andtheComtedelaPeraladacametoseeme，butseparately。DonDiegodelaSecadawastheuncleoftheCountessA————B————whomIhadmetatMilan。ThesegentlementoldmeataleasstrangeasanyofthecircumstanceswhichhadhappenedtomeatBarcelona。
Onthe26thofDecembertheAbbeMarquisio，theenvoyoftheDukeofModena，askedtheviceroy，beforeaconsiderablenumberofpeople，ifhecouldpaymeavisit，togivemealetterwhichhecouldplaceinnohandsbutmine。IfnothesaidheshouldbeobligedtotakethelettertoMadrid，forwhichtownhewasobligedtosetoutthenextday。
Thecountmadenoanswer，toeveryone’sastonishment，andtheabbeleftforMadridthenextday，theeveofmybeingsetatliberty。
Iwrotetotheabbe，whowasunknowntome，butIneversucceededinfindingoutthetruthaboutthisletter。
TherecouldbenodoubtthatIhadbeenarrestedbythedespoticviceroy，whohadbeenpersuadedbyNinathatIwasherfavouredlover。Thequestionofmypassportsmusthavebeenamerepretext，foreightortendayswouldhavesufficedtosendthemtoMadridandhavethembackagainiftheirauthenticityhadbeendoubted。PossiblyPassanomighthavetoldtheviceroythatanypassportsofminewereboundtobefalse，asI
shouldhavehadtoobtainthesignatureofmyownambassador。This，hemighthavesaid，wasoutofthequestionasIwasindisgracewiththeVenetianGovernment。Asamatteroffact，hewasmistakenifhereallysaidso，butthemistakewouldhavebeenanexcusableone。
WhenImadeupmymindattheendofAugusttoleaveMadrid，IaskedtheCountofArandaforapassport。HerepliedthatImustfirstobtainonefrommyambassador，who，headded，couldnotrefusetodomethisservice。
FortifiedwiththisopinionIcalledattheembassy。M。QueriniwasatSanIldefonsoatthetime，andItoldtheporterthatIwantedtospeaktothesecretaryofembassy。
Theservantsentinmyname，andthefopgavehimselfairs，andpretendedthathecouldnotreceiveme。InmyindignationIwrotetohimsayingthatIhadnotcalledtopaymycourttothesecretary，buttodemandapassportwhichwasmyright。Igavemynameandmydegree（doctoroflaw），andbeggedhimtoleavethepassportwiththeporter，asIshouldcallforitonthefollowingday。
Ipresentedmyselfaccordingly，andtheportertoldmethattheambassadorhadleftverbalordersthatIwasnottohaveapassport。
IwroteimmediatelytotheMarquisGrimaldiandtotheDukeofLossada，beggingthemtorequesttheambassadortosendmeapassportintheusualform，orelseIshouldpublishtheshamefulreasonsforwhichhisuncleMocenigohaddisgracedme。
IdonotknowwhetherthesegentlemenshewedmyletterstoQuerini，butI
doknowthatthesecretaryOlivierasentmemypassport。
ThereupontheCountArandafurnishedmewithapassportsignedbytheking。
OnthelastdayoftheyearIleftBarcelonawithaservantwhosatbehindmychaise，andIagreedwithmydrivertotakemetoPerpignanbyJanuary3rd，1769。
ThedriverwasaPiedmonteseandaworthyman:ThenextdayhecameintotheroomofthewaysideinnwhereIwasdining，andinthepresenceofmymanaskedmewhetherIhadanysuspicionthatIwasbeingfollowed。
\"Well，Imaybe，\"Isaid，\"butwhatmakesyouaskthatquestion？\"
\"AsyouwereleavingBarcelonayesterday，Inoticedthreeill—lookingfellowswatchingus，armedtotheteeth。Lastnighttheysleptinthestablewithmymules。Theydinedhereto—day，andtheywentonthreequartersofanhourago。Theydon’tspeaktoanyone，andIdon’tlikethelooksofthem。\"
\"Whatshallwedotoavoidassassination，orthedreadofit？\"
\"Wemuststartlate，andstopataninnIknowof，aleaguethissideoftheordinarystagewheretheywillbeawaitingus。Iftheyturnback，andsleepatthesameinnasourselves，weshallbecertain。\"
Ithoughttheideaasensibleone，andwestarted，Igoingonfootnearlythewholeway；andatfiveo’clockwehaltedatawretchedinn，butwesawnosignsofthesinistertrio。
Ateighto’clockIwasatsupper，whenmymancameinandtoldmethatthethreefellowshadcomeback，andweredrinkingwithourdriverinthestable。
Myhairstoodonend。Therecouldbenomoredoubtaboutthematter。
Atpresent，itwastrue，Ihadnothingtofear；butitwouldbegettingdarkwhenwearrivedatthefrontier，andthenmyperilwouldcome。
Itoldmyservanttoshewnosign，buttoaskthedrivertocomeandspeakwithmewhentheassassinswereasleep。
Hecameatteno’clock，andtoldmeplainlythatweshouldbeallmurderedasweapproachedtheFrenchfrontier。
\"Thenyouhavebeendrinkingwiththem？\"
\"Yes，andafterwehaddispatchedabottleatmyexpense，oneofthemaskedmewhyIhadnotgoneontotheendofthestage，whereyouwouldbebetterlodged。Irepliedthatitwaslate，andyouwerecold。I
mighthaveaskedinmyturn，whytheyhadnotstayedatthestagethemselves，andwheretheyweregoing，butItookcaretodonothingofthekind。AllIaskedwaswhethertheroadtoPerpignanwasagoodone，andtheytoldmeitwasexcellentalltheway。\"
\"Whataretheydoingnow？\"
\"Theyaresleepingbymymules，coveredwiththeircloaks。\"
\"Whatshallwedo？\"
\"Wewillstartatday—breakafterthem，ofcourse，andweshalldineattheusualstage；butafterdinner，trustme，wewilltakeadifferentroad，andatmidnightweshallbeinFrancesafeandsound。\"
IfIcouldhaveprocuredagoodarmedescortIwouldnothavetakenhisadvice，butinthesituationIwasinIhadnochoice。
Wefoundthethreescoundrelsintheplacewherethedriverhadtoldmeweshouldseethem。Igavethemasearchingglance，andthoughttheylookedliketrueSicarii，readytokillanyoneforalittlemoney。
Theystartedinaquarterofanhour，andhalfanhourlaterwesetout，withapeasanttoguideus，andsostruckintoacrossroad。Themuleswentatasharppace，andinsevenhourswehaddoneelevenleagues。Atteno’clockwestoppedataninninaFrenchvillage，andwehadnomoretofear。Igaveourguideadoubloon，withwhichhewaswellpleased，andIenjoyedoncemoreapeacefulnightinaFrenchbed，fornowherewillyoufindsuchsoftbedsorsuchdeliciouswinesasinthegoodlandofFrance。
ThenextdayIarrivedattheposting—innatPerpignanintimefordinner。Iendeavouredinvaintothinkwhocouldhavepaidmyassassins，butthereaderwillseetheexplanationwhenwegettwentydaysfarther。
AtPerpignanIdismissedmydriverandmyservant，rewardingthemaccordingtomyability。IwrotetomybrotheratParis，tellinghimI
hadhadafortunateescapefromthedaggeroftheassassin。IbeggedhimtodirecthisanswertoAix，whereIintendedtospendafortnight，inthehopeofseeingtheMarquisd’Argens。IleftPerpignanthedayaftermyarrival，andsleptatNarbonne，andthedayafteratBeziers。
ThedistancefromNarbonnetoBeziersisonlyfiveleagues，andIhadnotintendedtostop；butthegoodcheerwhichthekindestoflandladiesgavemeatdinnermademestopwithhertosupper。
Beziersisatownwhichlookspleasantevenattheworsttimeoftheyear。Aphilosopherwhowishedtorenounceallthevanitiesoftheworld，andanEpicureanwhowouldenjoygoodcheercheaply，couldfindnobetterretreatthanBeziers。
EverybodyatBeziersisintelligent，allthewomenarepretty，andthecooksareallartists；thewinesareexquisite——whatmorecouldonedesire！Mayitsrichesneverproveitsruin！
WhenIreachedMontpellier，Igotdownatthe\"WhiteHorse，\"withtheintentionofspendingaweekthere。IntheeveningIsuppedatthetabled’hote，whereIfoundanumerouscompany，andIsawtomyamusementthatforeveryguesttherewasaseparatedishbroughttotable。
NowhereistherebetterfarethanatMontpellier。’TisaveritablelandofCocagne！
ThenextdayIbreakfastedatthecafe（aninstitutionpeculiartoFrance，theonlycountrywherethescienceoflivingisreallyunderstood），andaddressedthefirstgentlemanImet，tellinghimthatI
wasastrangerandthatIwouldliketoknowsomeoftheprofessors。Heimmediatelyofferedtotakemetooneoftheprofessorswhoenjoyedagreatreputation。
HereinmaybeseenanotherofthegoodqualitiesoftheFrench，whorankaboveothernationsbysomanytitles。ToaFrenchmanaforeignerisasacredbeing；hereceivesthebestofhospitality，notmerelyinform，butindeed；andhiswelcomeisgivenwiththateasygracewhichsosoonsetsastrangerathisease。
Mynewfriendintroducedmetotheprofessor，whoreceivedmewithallthepolishedcourtesyoftheFrenchmanofletters。Hethatloveslettersshouldloveallotherloversofletters，andinFrancethatisthecase，evenmoresothanItaly。InGermanytheliterarymanhasanairofmysteriousreserve。Hethinksheisproclaimingtoalltheworldthatheatalleventsisamanofnopretension，whereashispridepeepsthrougheverymoment。Naturallythestrangerisnotencouragedbysuchamannerasthis。
AtthetimeofmyvisittherewasanexcellentcompanyofactorsatMontpellier，whomIwenttoseethesameevening。MybosomswelledatfindingmyselfintheblessedairofFranceafteralltheannoyancesI
hadgonethroughinSpain。Iseemedtohavebecomeyoungagain；butI
wasaltered，forseveralbeautifulandcleveractressesappearedonthestagewithoutarousinganydesireswithinme；andIwouldhaveitso。
IhadalivelydesiretofindMadameCastelbajac，notwithanywishtorenewmyoldrelationswithher。Iwishedtocongratulateheronherimprovedposition，butIwasafraidofcompromisingherbyaskingforherinthetown。
Iknewthatherhusbandwasanapothecary，soIresolvedtomaketheacquaintanceofalltheapothecariesintheplace。Ipretendedtobeinwantofsomeveryraredrugs，andenteredintoconversationaboutthedifferencesbetweenthetradeinFranceandinforeigncountries。IfI
spoketothemasterIhopedhewouldtalktohiswifeaboutthestrangerwhohadvisitedthecountrieswhereshehadbeen，andthatthatwouldmakehercurioustoknowme。If，ontheotherhand，Ispoketotheman，Iknewhewouldsoontellmeallheknewabouthismaster’sfamily。
Onthethirddaymystratagemsucceeded。Myoldfriendwrotemeanote，tellingmethatshehadseenmespeakingtoherhusbandinhisshop。Shebeggedmetocomeagainatacertaintime，andtotellherhusbandthatI
hadknownherunderthenameofMdlle。BlasininEngland，Spa，Leipzig，andVienna，asaselleroflace。Sheendedhernotewiththesewords:
\"Ihavenodoubtthatmyhusbandwillfinallyintroduceyoutomeashiswife。\"
Ifollowedheradvice，andthegoodmanaskedmeifIhadeverknownayounglacesellerofthenameofMdlle。Blasin，ofMontpellier。
\"Yes，Irememberherwellenough——adelightfulandmostrespectableyoungwoman；butIdidnotknowshecamefromMontpellier。Shewasveryprettyandverysensible，andIexpectshedidagoodbusiness。IhaveseenherinseveralEuropeancities，andthelasttimeatVienna，whereIwasabletobeofsomeslightservicetoher。Heradmirablebehaviourwonhertheesteemofalltheladieswithwhomshecameincontact。InEnglandImetheratthehouseofaduchess。\"
\"Doyouthinkyouwouldrecognizeherifyousawheragain？\"
\"ByJove！Ishouldthinkso！ButissheatMontpellier？Ifso，tellherthattheChevalierdeSeingaltishere。\"
\"Sir，youshallspeaktoheryourself，ifyouwilldomethehonourtofollowme。\"
Myheartleapt，butIrestrainedmyself。Theworthyapothecarywentthroughtheshop，climbedastair，and，openingadooronthefirstfloor，saidtome，——
\"Theresheis。\"
\"What，mademoiselle！Youhere？Iamdelightedtoseeyou。\"
\"Thisisnotayounglady，sir，’tismydearwife；butIhopethatwillnothinderyoufromembracingher。\"
\"Ihaveneverhadsuchanhonour；butIwillavailmyselfofyourpermissionwithpleasure。ThenyouhavegotmarriedatMontpellier。I
congratulatebothofyou，andwishyouallhealthandhappiness。Tellme，didyouhaveapleasantjourneyfromViennatoLyons？\"
MadameBlasin（forsoImustcontinuetodesignateher）answeredmyquestionaccordingtoherfancy，andfoundmeasgoodanactorasshewasanactress。
Wewereverygladtoseeeachotheragain，buttheapothecarywasdelightedatthegreatrespectwithwhichItreatedhiswife。
Forawholehourwecarriedonaconversationofaperfectlyimaginarycharacter，andwithallthesimplicityofperfecttruth。
SheaskedmeifIthoughtofspendingthecarnivalatMontpellier，andseemedquitemortifiedwhenIsaidthatIthoughtofgoingonthenextday。
Herhusbandhastenedtosaythatthatwasquiteoutofthequestion。
\"Oh，Ihopeyouwon’tgo，\"sheadded，\"youmustdomyhusbandthehonourofdiningwithus。\"
AfterthehusbandhadpressedmeforsometimeIgavein，andacceptedtheirinvitationtodinnerforthedayafternext。
InsteadofstoppingtwodaysIstoppedfour。Iwasmuchpleasedwiththehusband’smother，whowasadvancedinyearsbutextremelyintelligent。
Shehadevidentlymadeapointofforgettingeverythingunpleasantinthepasthistoryofherson’swife。
MadameBlasintoldmeinprivatethatshewasperfectlyhappy，andIhadeveryreasontobelievethatshewasspeakingthetruth。Shehadmadearuletobemostpreciseinfulfillingherwifelyduties，andrarelywentoutunlessaccompaniedbyherhusbandorhermother—in—law。
Ispentthesefourdaysintheenjoymentofpureandinnocentfriendshipwithouttherebeingtheslightestdesireoneithersidetorenewourguiltypleasures。
OnthethirddayafterIhaddinedwithherandherhusband，shetoldme，whilewewerealoneforamoment，thatifIwantedfiftylouissheknewwheretogetthemforme。Itoldhertokeepthemforanothertime，ifI
wassohappyastoseeheragain，andsounhappyastobeinwant。
IleftMontpellierfeelingcertainthatmyvisithadincreasedtheesteeminwhichherhusbandandhermother—in—lawheldher，andIcongratulatedmyselfonmyabilitytobehappywithoutcommittinganysins。
ThedayafterIhadbadethemfarewell，IsleptatNimes，whereIspentthreedaysinthecompanyofanaturalist:M。deSeguier，thefriendoftheMarquisMaffeiofVerona。InhiscabinetofnaturalhistoryIsawandadmiredtheimmensityandinfinityoftheCreator’shandiwork。
Nimesisatownwellworthyofthestranger’sobservation；itprovidesfoodforthemind，andthefairsex，whichisreallyfairthere，shouldgivetheheartthefooditlikesbest。
Iwasaskedtoaball，where，asaforeigner，Itookfirstplace——aprivilegepeculiartoFrance，forinEngland，andstillmoreinSpain，aforeignermeansanenemy。
OnleavingNimesIresolvedtospendthecarnivalatAix，wherethenobilityisofthemostdistinguishedcharacter。IbelieveIlodgedatthe\"ThreeDolphins，\"whereIfoundaSpanishcardinalonhiswaytoRometoelectasuccessortoPopeRezzonico。
CHAPTERIX
MyStayatAix；IFallIll——IamCaredforByanUnknownLady——
TheMarquisd’Argens——CagliostroMyroomwasonlyseparatedfromhisCastilianeminence’sbyalightpartition，andIcouldhearhimquiteplainlyreprimandinghischiefservantforbeingtooeconomical。
\"Mylord，Idomybest，butitisreallyimpossibletospendmore，unlessIcompeltheinn—keeperstotakedoubletheamountoftheirbills；andyoureminencewilladmitthatnothinginthewayofrichandexpensivedisheshasbeenspared。\"
\"Thatmaybe，butyououghttouseyourwitsalittle；youmightforexampleordermealswhenweshallnotrequireany。Takecarethattherearealwaysthreetables——oneforus，oneformyofficers，andthethirdfortheservants。WhyIseethatyouonlygivethepostillionsafrancoverthelegalcharge，Ireallyblushforyou；youmustgivethemacrownextraatleast。Whentheygiveyouchangeforalouis，leaveitonthetable；toputbackone’schangeinone’spocketisanactiononlyworthyofabeggar。TheywillbesayingatVersaillesandMadrid，andmaybeatRomeitself，thattheCardinaldelaCerdaisamiser。Iamnosuchthing，andIdonotwanttobethoughtone。Youmustreallyceasetodishonourme，orleavemyservice。\"