Ayearbeforethisspeechwouldhaveastonishedmebeyondmeasure，butnowIwasnotsurprised，forIhadacquiredsomeknowledgeofSpanishmanners。ImightadmiretheSenordelaCerda’sprodigality，butIcouldnothelpdeploringsuchostentationonthepartofaPrinceoftheChurchabouttoparticipateinsuchasolemnfunction。
WhatIhadheardhimsaymademecurioustoseehim，andIkeptonthewatchforthemomentofhisdeparture。Whataman！Hewasnotonlyillmade，shortandsun—burnt；buthisfacewassouglyandsolowthatI
concludedthatAEsophimselfmusthavebeenalittleLovebesidehiseminence。Iunderstoodnowwhyhewassoprofuseinhisgenerosityanddecorations，forotherwisehemightwellhavebeentakenforastableboy。
Iftheconclavetooktheeccentricwhimofmakinghimpope，Christwouldneverhaveanugliervicar。
IenquiredabouttheMarquisd’Argenssoonafterthedepartureofhiseminence，andwastoldthathewasinthecountrywithhisbrother，theMarquisd’Eguille，PresidentoftheParliament，soIwentthere。
Thismarquis，famousforhisfriendshipforFrederickII。ratherthanforhiswritings（whicharenolongerread），wasanoldmanwhenIsawhim。
Hewasaworthyman，fondofpleasure，athorough—pacedEpicurean，andhadmarriedanactressnamedCochois，whohadprovedworthyofthehonourhehadlaidonher。HewasdeeplylearnedandhadathoroughknowledgeofLatin，Greek，andHebrewliterature。Hismemorywasprodigious。
Hereceivedmeverywell，andrecalledwhathisfriendthemarshalhadwrittenaboutme。Heintroducedmetohiswifeandtohisbrother，adistinguishedjurist，amanofletters，andastrictlymoralmanbytemperamentasmuchasreligion。Thoughahighlyintellectualman，hewasdeeplyandsincerelyreligious。
Hewasveryfondofhisbrother，andgrievedforhisirreligion，buthopedthatgracewouldeventuallybringhimbacktothefoldoftheChurch。Hisbrotherencouragedhiminhishopes，whilelaughingattheminprivate，butastheywerebothsensiblementheyneverdiscussedreligiontogether。
Iwasintroducedtoanumerouscompanyofbothsexes，chieflyconsistingofrelations。Allwereamiableandhighlypolished，likealltheProvencalnobility。
Playswereperformedontheminiaturestage，goodcheerprevailed，andatintervalswewalkedinthegarden，inspiteoftheweather。InProvince，however，thewinterisonlyseverewhenthewindblowsfromthenorth，whichunfortunatelyoftenhappens。
AmongthecompanywereaBerlinlady（widowofthemarquis’snephew）andherbrother。Thisyounggentleman，whowasgayandfreefromcare，enjoyedallthepleasuresofthehousewithoutpayinganyattentiontothereligiousserviceswhichwereheldeveryday。Ifhethoughtonthematteratall，hewasaheretic；andwhentheJesuitchaplainwassayingmassheamusedhimselfbyplayingontheflute；helaughedateverything。
Hewasunlikehissister，whohadnotonlybecomeaCatholic，butwasaverydevoutone。Shewasonlytwenty—two。
Herbrothertoldmethatherhusband，whohaddiedofconsumption，andwhosemindwasperfectlycleartothelast，asisusuallythecaseinphthisis，hadtoldherthathecouldnotentertainanyhopesofseeingherintheotherworldunlessshebecameaCatholic。
Thesewordswereengravedonherheart；shehadadoredherhusband，andsheresolvedtoleaveBerlintolivewithhisrelations。Nooneventuredtoopposethisdesign，herbrotheraccompanyingher，andshewaswelcomedjoyfullybyallherhusband’skinsfolk。
Thisbuddingsaintwasdecidedlyplain。
Herbrother，findingmelessstrictthantheothers，soonconstitutedhimselfmyfriend。HecameovertoAixeveryday，andtookmetothehousesofallthebestpeople。
Wewereatleastthirtyattableeveryday，thedishesweredelicatewithoutundueprofusion，theconversationgayandanimatedwithoutanyimproprieties。InoticedthatwhenevertheMarquisd’Argenschancedtoletslipanyequivocalexpressions，alltheladiesmadewryfaces，andthechaplainhastenedtoturntheconversation。Thischaplainhadnothingjesuiticalinhisappearance；hedressedinthecostumeofanordinarypriest，andIshouldneverhadknownhimiftheMarquisd’Argenshadnotwarnedme。However，Ididnotallowhispresencetoactasawetblanket。
Itold，inthemostdecentmannerpossible，thestoryofthepictureoftheVirginsucklingherDivineChild，andhowtheSpaniardsdesertedthechapelafterastupidpriesthadcoveredthebeautifulbreastwithakerchief。Idonotknowhowitwas，butalltheladiesbegantolaugh。
ThediscipleofLoyolawassodispleasedattheirmirth，thathetookuponhimselftotellmethatitwasunbecomingtotellsuchequivocalstoriesinpublic。Ithankedhimbyaninclinationofthehead，andtheMarquisd’Argens，bywayofturningtheconversation，askedmewhatwastheItalianforasplendiddishofstewedveal，whichMadamed’Argenswashelping。
\"Unacrostata，\"Ireplied，\"butIreallydonotknowtheItalianforthe’beatilles’withwhichitisstuffed。\"
These’beatilles’wereballsofrice，veal，champignons，artichoke，foiegras，etc。
TheJesuitdeclaredthatincallingthem’beatilles’Iwasmakingamockofthegloriesofhereafter。
Icouldnothelproaringwithlaughteratthis，andtheMarquisd’Eguilletookmypart，andsaidthat’beatilles’wastheproperFrenchfortheseballs。
Afterthisdaringdifferenceofopinionwithhisdirector，theworthymanthoughtitwouldbebesttotalkofsomethingelse。Unhappily，however，hefelloutofthefrying—panintothefirebyaskingmemyopinionastotheelectionofthenextpope。
\"IbelieveitwillbeGanganelli，\"Ireplied，\"asheistheonlymonkintheconclave。\"
\"Whyshoulditbenecessarytochooseamonk？\"
\"BecausenonebutamonkwoulddaretocommittheexcesswhichtheSpaniardswilldemandofthenewpope。\"
\"YoumeanthesuppressionoftheJesuits。\"
\"Exactly。\"
\"Theywillneverobtainsuchademand。\"
\"Ihopenot，fortheJesuitsweremymasters，andIlovethemaccordingly。ButallthesameGanganelliwillbeelected，foranamusingandyetaweightyreason。\"
\"Tellusthereason。\"
\"Heistheonlycardinalwhodoesnotwearawig；andyoumustconsiderthatsincethefoundationoftheHolySeethePopehasneverbeenbewigged。\"
Thisreasoncreatedagreatdealofamusement；buttheconversationwasbroughtbacktothesuppressionoftheJesuits，andwhenItoldthecompanythatIhadheardfromtheAbbePinziIsawtheJesuitturnpale。
\"ThePopecouldneversuppresstheorder，\"hesaid。
\"ItseemsthatyouhaveneverbeenataJesuitseminary，\"Ireplied，\"forthedogmaoftheorderisthatthePopecandoeverything，’etaliquidpluris’。\"
ThisanswermadeeverybodysupposemetobeunawarethatIwasspeakingtoaJesuit，andashegavemenoanswerthetopicwasabandoned。
AfterdinnerIwasaskedtostayandsee’Polieucte’played；butI
excusedmyself，andreturnedtoAixwiththeyoungBerliner，whotoldmethestoryofhissister，andmademeacquaintedwiththecharacterofthesocietytowhichtheMarquisd’Eguillewaschieflyaddicted。IfeltthatIcouldneveradaptmyselftotheirprejudices，andifithadnotbeenformyyoungfriend，whointroducedmetosomecharmingpeople，IshouldhavegoneontoMarseilles。
Whatwithassemblies，balls，suppers，andthesocietyofthehandsomeProvenqalladies，ImanagedtospendthewholeofthecarnivalandapartofLentatAix。
Ihadmadeapresentofacopyofthe\"Iliad\"tothelearnedMarquisd’Argens；tohisdaughter，whowasalsoagoodscholar，IgaveaLatintragedy。
The\"Iliad\"hadPorphyry’scomment；itwasacopyofarareedition，andwasrichlybound。
AsthemarquiscametoAixtothankme，Ihadtopayanothervisittothecountryhouse。
IntheeveningIdrovebackinanopencarriage。Ihadnocloak，andacoldnorthwindwasblowing；Iwasperishingwithcold，butinsteadofgoingtobedatonceIaccompaniedtheBerlinertothehouseofawomanwhohadadaughteroftheutmostbeauty。Thoughthegirlwasonlyfourteen，shehadalltheindicationsofthemarriageableage，andyetnoneoftheProvencalamateurshadsucceededinmakingherseedaylight。
Myfriendhadalreadymadeseveralunsuccessfulefforts。Ilaughedathim，asIknewitwasallacheat，andIfollowedhimtothehousewiththeideaofmakingtheyoungimposterdismountfromherhighhorse，asI
haddoneinsimilarcasesinEnglandandMetz。
Wesettowork；and，farfromresisting，thegirlsaidshewouldbeonlytoogladtogetridofthetroublesomeburden。
Isawthatthedifficultyonlyproceededfromthewaysheheldherself，andIoughttohavewhippedher，asIhaddoneinVenicetwenty—fiveyearsago，butIwasfoolishenoughtotrytotakethecitadelbystorm。
Butmyageofmiracleswasgone。
Iweariedmyselftonopurposeforacoupleofhours，andthenwenttomyinn，leavingtheyoungPrussiantodohisbest。
Iwenttobedwithapaininmyside，andaftersixhours’sleepawokefeelingthoroughlyill。Ihadpleurisy。Mylandlordcalledinanolddoctor，whorefusedtoletmeblood。Aseverecoughcameon，andthenextdayIbegantospitblood。InsixorsevendaysthemaladybecamesoseriousthatIwasconfessedandreceivedthelastsacraments。
Onthetenthday，thediseasehavingabatedforthreedays，mycleverolddoctoransweredformylife，butIcontinuedtospitbloodtilltheeighteenthday。
Myconvalescencelastedforthreeweeks，andIfounditmoretryingthantheactualillness，foramaninpainhasnotimetogrowweary。
ThroughoutthewholecaseIwastendeddayandnightbyastrangewoman，ofwhomIknewnothing。Shenursedmewiththetenderestcare，andI
awaitedmyrecoverytogivehermysincerethanks。
Shewasnotanoldwoman，neitherwassheattractivelooking。Shehadsleptinmyroomallthetime。AfterEastertide，feelingIwaswellenoughtoventureout，Ithankedhertothebestofmyability，andaskedwhohadsenthertome。Shetoldmeitwasthedoctor，andsobademefarewell。
AfewdayslaterIwasthankingmyolddoctorforhavingprocuredmesuchacapitalnurse，buthestaredatmeandsaidheknewnothingaboutthewoman。
Iwaspuzzled，andaskedmylandlordifshecouldthrowanylightonthestrangenurse’sidentity；butsheknewnothing，andherignoranceseemeduniversal。Icouldnotdiscoverwhenceorhowshecametoattendme。
AftermyconvalescenceItookcaretogetalltheletterswhichhadbeenawaitingme，andamongstthemwasaletterfrommybrotherinParis，inanswertotheepistleIwrotehimfromPerpignan。Heacknowledgedmyletter，andtoldmehowdelightedhehadbeentoreceiveit，afterhearingthedreadfulnewsthatIhadbeenassassinatedonthebordersofCataloniaatthebeginningofJanuary。
\"Thepersonwhogavemethenews，\"mybrotheradded，\"wasoneofyourbestfriends，CountManucci，anattacheattheVenetianembassy。Hesaidtherecouldbenodoubtastothetruthofthereport。\"
Thisletterwaslikeaflashoflightningtome。Thisfriendofminehadpushedhisvengeancesofarastopayassassinstodeprivemeofmylife。
Manuccihadgonealittletoofar。
Hemusthavebeenprettywellqualifiedtoprophesy，ashewassocertainofmydeath。Hemighthaveknownthatinthusproclaiminginadvancethemannerofmydeath，hewasalsoproclaiminghimselfasmymurderer。
ImethimatRome，twoyearslater，andwhenIwouldhavemadehimconfesshisguilt，hedeniedeverything，sayinghehadreceivedthenewsfromBarcelona；however，wewillspeakofthisinitsproperplace。
Idinedandsuppedeverydayatthetabled’hote，andonedayIheardthecompanytalkingofamaleandfemalepilgrimwhohadrecentlyarrived。
TheywereItalians，andwerereturningfromSt。JamesofCompostella。
Theyweresaidtobehigh—bornfolks，astheyhaddistributedlargealmsontheirentryintothetown。
Itwassaidthatthefemalepilgrim，whohadgonetobedonherarrival，wascharming。TheywerestayingatthesameinnasIwas，andweallgotverycuriousaboutthem。
AsanItalian，Iputmyselfattheheadofthebandwhoproceededtocallonthepilgrims，who，inmyopinion，musteitherbefanaticsorrogues。
Wefoundtheladysittinginanarm—chair，lookingverytired。Shewasyoung，beautiful，andmelancholy—looking，andinherhandssheheldabrasscrucifixsomesixincheslong。Shelaiditdownwhenwecamein，andgotupandreceivedusmostgraciously。Hercompanion，whowasarrangingcockle—shellsonhisblackmantle，didnotstir；heseemedtosay，byglancingathiswife，thatwemustconfineourattentionstoher。
Heseemedamanoftwenty—fourortwenty—fiveyearsofage。Hewasshortandbadlyhung，andhisfaceborealltheindicationsofdaring，impudence，scarcasm，andimposture。Hiswife，ontheotherhand，wasallmeeknessandsimplicity，andhadthatmodestywhichaddssomuchtothecharmoffemininebeauty。TheyonlyspokejustenoughFrenchtomakethemselvesunderstoodontheirjourney，andwhentheyheardmeaddressingtheminItaliantheyseemedmuchrelieved。
TheladytoldmeshewasaRoman，butIcouldhaveguessedasmuchfromheraccent。IjudgedthemantobeaNeapolitanorSicilian。Theirpassport，datedRome，calledhimBalsamo，whilesheborethenamesofSerafinaFeliciani，whichshestillretains。TenyearslaterweshallhearmoreofthiscoupleunderthenameofCagliostro。
\"WearegoingbacktoRome，\"saidshe，\"wellpleasedwithourdevotionstoSt。JamesofCompostellaandtoOurLadydelPilar。Wehavewalkedthewholewayonfoot，livingonalms，soastomoresurelywinthemercyoftheGodwhomIhaveoffendedsogrievously。Wehavehadsilver，andevengoldmoneygivenus，andineverytownwecametowegavewhatremainedtothepoor，soasnottooffendGodbylackoffaith。
\"Myhusbandisstrong，andhasnotsufferedmuch，butIhavefoundsomuchwalkingveryfatiguing。Wehavesleptonstraworbadbeds，alwayswithourclotheson，toavoidcontractingdiseasesitwouldbehardtoridone’sselfof。\"
Itseemedtomethatthislastcircumstancewasaddedtomakeuswishtofindoutwhethertherestofherbodycouldcomparewithherhandsandarmsinwhiteness。
\"Doyouthinkofmakinganystay？\"
\"Mywearinesswillobligeustostayhereforthreedays；thenweshallgotoRomebythewayofTurin，whereweshallpayourdevotiontotheHolySudary。\"
\"Youknow，ofcourse，thatthereareseveraloftheminEurope。\"
\"Sowehaveheard，butweareassuredthattheSudaryofTurinisthetrueone。ItisthekerchiefwithwhichSt。VeronicawipedthefaceofOurLord，wholefttheimprintofHisdivinefaceuponit。\"
Weleftthem，wellpleasedwiththeappearanceandmannersoftheladypilgrim，butplacingverylittletrustinherdevotion。Iwasstillweakfrommyillness，andsheinspiredmewithnodesires，buttherestwouldhavegladlysuppedwithheriftheyhadthoughttherewasanythingtofollow。
NextdayherhusbandaskedmeifIwouldcomeupandbreakfastwiththem，oriftheyshouldcomedownandbreakfastwithme。Itwouldhavebeenimpolitetohaverepliedneither，soIsaidthatIshouldbedelightedtoseetheminmyroom。
AtbreakfastIaskedthepilgrimwhathedid，andherepliedthathewasanartist。
Hecouldnotdesignapicture，buthecouldcopyit，andheassuredmethathecouldcopyanengravingsoexactlythatnonecouldtellthecopyfromtheoriginal。
\"Icongratulateyou。Ifyouarenotarichman，youare，atleast，certainofearningalivingwiththistalent。\"
\"Everybodysaysthesame，butitisamistake。IhavepursuedthiscraftatRomeandatNaples，andfoundIhadtoworkalldaytomakehalfatester，andthat’snotenoughtoliveon。\"
Hethenshewedmesomefanshehaddone，andIthoughtthemmostbeautiful。Theyweredoneinpenandink，andthefinestcopper—platecouldnothavesurpassedthem。
NextheshowedmeacopyfromaRembrandt，whichifanything，wasfinerthantheoriginal。Inspiteofallhesworethattheworkhegotbarelysupportedhim，butIdidnotbelievewhathesaid。Hewasaweakgeniuswhopreferredavagabondlifetomethodicallabour。
IofferedaLouisforoneofhisfans，butherefusedtotakeit，beggingmetoacceptthefanasagift，andtomakeacollectionforhimatthetabled’hote，ashewantedtostartthedayafternext。
Iacceptedthepresentandpromisedtodoashedesired，andsucceededinmakingupapurseoftwohundredfrancsforthem。
Thewomanhadthemostvirtuousair。Shewasaskedtowritehernameonalotteryticket，butrefused，sayingthatnohonestgirlsweretaughttowriteatRome。
Everybodylaughedatthisexcuseexceptmyself，andIpitiedher，asI
couldseethatshewasofveryloworigin。
NextdayshecameandaskedmetogiveheraletterofintroductionforAvignon。Iwroteherouttwo；onetoM。Audifretthebanker，andtheothertothelandladyoftheinn。Intheeveningshereturnedmethelettertothebanker，sayingthatitwasnotnecessaryfortheirpurposes。Atthesametimesheaskedmetoexaminetheletterclosely，toseeifitwasreallythesamedocumentIhadgivenher。Ididso，andsaidIwassureitwasmyletter。
Shelaughed，andtoldmeIwasmistakenasitwasonlyacopy。
\"Impossible！\"
Shecalledherhusband，whocamewiththeletterinhishand。
Icoulddoubtnolonger，andsaidtohim，——
\"Youareamanoftalents，foritismuchhardertoimitateahandwritingthananengraving。Yououghttomakethistalentserveyouingoodstead；butbecareful，oritmaycostyouyourlife。\"
ThenextdaythecoupleleftAix。IntenyearsIsawthemagainunderthenameofCountandCountessPellegrini。
Atthepresentperiodheisinaprisonwhichhewillprobablyneverleave，andhiswifeishappy，maybe，inaconvent。
CHAPTERX
MyDeparture——LetterfromHenriette——Marsellies——HistoryofNina——Nice——
Turin——Lugano——MadameDe****
AssoonasIhadregainedmyusualstrength，IwenttotakeleaveoftheMarquisd’Argensandhisbrother。Idinedwiththem，pretendingnottoobservethepresenceoftheJesuit，andIthenspentthreedelightfulhoursinconversationwiththelearnedandamiableMarquisd’Argens。HetoldmeanumberofinterestinganecdotesabouttheprivatelifeofFrederickII。Nodoubtthereaderwouldliketohavethem，butIlacktheenergytosetthemdown。PerhapssomeotherdaywhenthemistsaboutDuxhavedispersed，andsomeraysofthesunshineinuponme，Ishallcommitalltheseanecdotestopaper，butnowIhavenotthecouragetodoso。
Frederickhadhisgoodandhisbadqualities，likeallgreatmen，butwheneverydeductiononthescoreofhisfailingshasbeenmade，hestillremainsthenoblestfigureintheeighteenthcentury。
TheKingofSweden，whohasbeenassassinated，lovedtoexcitehatredthathemighthavethegloryofdefyingittodoitsworst。Hewasadespotatheart，andhecametoadespot’send。Hemighthaveforeseenaviolentdeath，forthroughouthislifehewasalwaysprovokingmentothepointofdespair。TherecanbenocomparisonbetweenhimandFrederick。
TheMarquisd’Argensmademeapresentofallhisworks，andonmyaskinghimifIcouldcongratulatemyselfonpossessingthewholenumber，hesaidyes，withtheexceptionofafragmentofautobiographywhichhehadwritteninhisyouth，andwhichhehadafterwardssuppressed。
\"Whyso？\"Iasked。
\"BecauseIwasfoolishenoughtowritethetruth。Nevergivewaytothistemptation，ifitassailsyou。Ifyouoncebeginonthisplanyouarenotonlycompelledtorecordallyourvicesandfollies，buttotreatthemintheseveretoneofaphilosophicalhistorian。Youmustnot，ofcourse，omitthegoodyoumayhavedone；andsopraiseandblameismingledoneverypage。Alltheevilyousayofyourselfwillbeheldforgospel，yourpeccadilloeswillbemadeintocrimes，andyourgooddeedswillnotonlybereceivedwithincredulity，butyouwillbetaxedwithprideandvanityforhavingrecordedthem。Besides，ifyouwriteyourmemoirs，youmakeanenemyineverychapterifyouoncebegintotellthetruth。Amanshouldneithertalkofhimselfnorwriteofhimself，unlessitbetorefutesomecalumnyorlibel。\"
Iwasconvinced，andpromisednevertobeguiltyofsuchafolly，butinspiteofthatIhavebeenwritingmemoirsforthelastsevenyears，andthoughIrepentofhavingbegun，Ihavesworntogoontotheend。
However，IwriteinthehopethatmyMemoirsmayneverseethelightofday；inthefirstplacethecensurewouldnotallowthemtobeprinted，andinthesecondIhopeIshallbestrong—mindedenough，whenmylastillnesscomes，tohaveallmypapersburntbeforemyeyes。IfthatbenotthecaseIcountontheindulgenceofmyreaders，whoshouldrememberthatIhaveonlywrittenmystorytopreventmygoingmadinthemidstofallthepettyinsultsanddisagreeableswhichIhavetobeardaybydayfromtheenviousrascalswholivewithmeinthiscastleofCountWaldstein，orWallenstein，atDux。
Iwritetenortwelvehoursaday，andsokeepblackmelancholyatbay。
Myreadersshallhearmoreofmysufferingslateron，ifIdonotdiebeforeIwritethemdown。
ThedayafterCorpusChristiIleftAixforMarseilles。ButhereImustsetdownacircumstancethatIhadforgotten；ImeantheprocessionofCorpusChristi。
EveryoneknowsthatthisfestivaliscelebratedwithgreatceremonyalloverChristendom；butatAixtheseceremoniesareofsuchanaturethateverymanofsensemustbeshockedatmyrecital。
ItiswellknownthatthisprocessioninhonouroftheBeingofbeings，representedunderthesacramentalforms，isfollowedbyallthereligiousconfraternities，andthisisdulydoneatAix；butthescandalouspartoftheceremonyisthefollyandthebuffoonerywhichisallowedinaritewhichshouldbedesignedtostiruptheheartsofmentoaweandreverencetheirCreator。
Insteadofthat，thedevil，death，andthesevendeadlysins，areimpersonatedintheprocession。Theyarecladinthemostabsurdcostumes，andmakehideouscontortions，beatingandabusingeachotherintheirsupposedvexationathavingtojoinintheCreator’spraises。Thepeoplehootandhissthem，thelowerclassessingsongsinderisionofthem，andplaythemallmanneroftricks，andthewholesceneisoneofincrediblenoise，uproar，andconfusion，moreworthyofsomepaganbacchanaliathanaprocessionofChristianpeople。Allthecountry—folkfromfiveorsixleaguesaroundAixpourintothetownonthatdaytodohonourtoGod。Itistheonlyoccasionofthekind，andtheclergy，eitherknavishorignorant，encourageallthisshamefulriot。Thelowerorderstakeitallingoodfaith，andanyonewhoraisedanyobjectionwouldrunsomerisk，forthebishopgoesinfrontofthesaturnalia，andconsequentlyitisallholy。
Iexpressedmydisapprovalofthewholeaffair，aslikelytobringdiscreditonreligion，toacouncillorofparliament，M。deSt。Marc；buthetoldmegravelythatitwasanexcellentthing，asitbroughtnolessthanahundredthousandfrancsintothetownonthesingleday。
Icouldfindnoreplytothisveryweightyreason。
EverydayIspentatAixIthoughtofHenriette。Iknewherrealname，andrememberingthemessageshehadsentmebyMarcolineIhopedtomeetherinsomeassembly，beingreadytoadaptmyconducttohers。Ihadoftenheardhernamementioned，butIneverallowedmyselftoaskanyquestion，notwishingouroldfriendshiptobesuspected。Believinghertobeathercountryhouse，Ihadresolvedonpayingheravisit，andhadonlystayedonatAixsoastorecovermyhealthbeforeseeingher。InduecourseIleftAixwithaletterinmypocketforher，resolvingtosenditin，andtoremaininmycarriagetillsheaskedmetogetdown。
Wearrivedatherresidenceateleveno’clock。Amancametothedoor，tookmyletter，andsaidmadamshouldhaveitwithoutfail。
\"Thensheisnothere。\"
\"No，sir；sheisatAix。\"
\"Sincewhen？\"
\"Forthelastsixmonths。\"
\"Wheredoesshelive？\"
\"Inhertownhouse。Shewillbecominghereinthreeweekstospendthesummerasusual。\"
\"Willyouletmewritealetter？\"
\"Ifyouwillgetdownyouwillfindallthenecessarymaterialsinmadam’sroom。\"
Iwentintothehouse，andtomyextremesurprisefoundmyselffacetofacewithmynurse。
\"Youlivehere，then。\"
\"Yes，sir。\"
\"Sincewhen？\"
\"Forthelasttenyears。\"
\"Howdidyoucometonurseme？\"
\"IfyouwillstepupstairsIwilltellyou。\"
Herstorywasasfollows:
\"Madamsentformeinhaste，andtoldmetogoandattendtoyouasifitwereherself。Shetoldmetosaythatthedoctorhadsentmeifyouaskedanyquestions。\"
\"Thedoctorsaidhedidn’tknowyou。\"
\"Perhapshewasspeakingthetruth，butmostlikelyhehadreceivedordersfrommadam。That’sallIknow，butIwonderyouhaven’tseenheratAix。\"
\"Shecannotseeanycompany，forIhavebeeneverywhere。\"
\"Shedoesnotseeanycompanyatherownhouse，butshegoeseverywhere。\"
\"It’sverystrange。Imusthaveseenher，andyetIdonotthinkIcouldhavepassedherbyunrecognized。Youhavebeenwithhertenyears？\"
\"Yes，sir，asIhadthehonourofinformingyou。\"
\"Hasshechanged？Hasshehadanysickness？Hassheaged？\"
\"Notatall。Shehasbecomeratherstout，butIassureyouyouwouldtakeherforawomanofthirty。\"
\"Imustbeblind，orIcannothaveseenher。Iamgoingtowritetohernow。\"
Thewomanwentout，leavingmeinastonishment，attheextraordinarysituationinwhichIwasplaced。
\"OughtItoreturntoAiximmediately？\"Iaskedmyself。Shehasatownhouse，butdoesnotseecompany，butshemightsurelyseeme:Shelovesmestill。Shecaredformeallthroughmyillness，andshewouldnothavedonesoifshehadbecomeindifferenttome。Shewillbehurtatmynotrecognizingher。ShemustknowthatIhaveleftAix，andwillnodoubtguessthatIamherenow。ShallIgotoherorshallIwrite？
Iresolvedtowrite，andItoldherinmyletterthatIshouldawaitherreplyatMarseilles。Igavethelettertomylatenurse，withsomemoneytoinsureitsbeingdispatchedatonce，anddroveontoMarseilleswhereIalightedatanobscureinn，notwishingtoberecognized。IhadscarcelygotoutofmycarriagewhenIsawMadameSchizza，Nina’ssister。
ShehadleftBarcelonawithherhusband。TheyhadbeenatMarseillesthreeorfourdaysandweregoingtoLeghorn。
MadameSchizzawasaloneatthemoment，herhusbandhavinggoneout；andasIwasfullofcuriosityIbeggedhertocomeuptomyroomwhilemydinnerwasgettingready。
\"Whatisyoursisterdoing？IsshestillatBarcelona？\"
\"Yes；butshewillnotbetherelong，forthebishopwillnothaveherinthetownorthediocese，andthebishopisstrongerthantheviceroy。
SheonlyreturnedtoBarcelonaonthepleathatshewishedtopassthroughCataloniaofherwayhome，butshedoesnotneedtostaytherefornineortenmonthsonthataccount。Shewillhavetoleaveinamonthforcertain，butsheisnotmuchputout，astheviceroyissuretokeepherwherevershegoes，andshemayeventuallysucceedinruininghim。Inthemeanwhilesheisrevellinginthebadreputeshehasgainedforherlover。\"
\"Iknowsomethingofherpeculiarities；butshecannotdislikeamanwhohasmadeherrich。\"
\"Rich！Shehasonlygotherdiamonds。Doyouimaginethismonstercapableofanyfeelingsofgratitude？Sheisnotahumanbeing，andnooneknowsherasIdo。ShehasmadethecountcommitahundredactsofinjusticesothatallSpainmaytalkofher，andknowthatshehasmadeherselfmistressofhisbodyandsoul，andallhehas。Theworsehisactionsare，themorecertainshefeelsthatpeoplewilltalkofher，andthatisallshewants。Herobligationstomearebeyondcounting，forsheowesmeall，eventoherexistence，andinsteadofcontinuingmyhusbandinherserviceshehassenthimabouthisbusiness。\"
\"ThenIwonderhowshecametotreatmesogenerously。\"
\"Ifyouknewall，youwouldnotfeelgratefultoher。\"
\"Tellmeall，then。\"
\"Sheonlypaidforyourkeepattheinnandinprisontomakepeoplebelieveyouwereherlover，andtoshamethecount。AllBarcelonaknowsthatyouwereassassinatedatherdoor，andthatyouwerefortunateenoughtorunthefellowthrough。\"
\"Butshecannothavebeentheinstigatorof，oreventheaccomplicein，theplotformyassassination。That’sagainstnature。\"
\"Idaresay，buteverythinginNinaisagainstnature。WhatItellyouisthebaretruth，forIwasawitnessofitall。Whenevertheviceroyvisitedhersheweariedhimwithpraiseofyourgallantry，yourwit，yournobleactions，comparingyouwiththeSpaniards，greatlytotheirdisadvantage。
\"Thecountgotimpatientandtoldhertotalkofsomethingelse，butshewouldnot；andatlasthewentaway，cursingyourname。Twodaysbeforeyoucametogriefhelefther，saying，——
\"’ValgameDios！Iwillgiveyouapleasureyoudonotexpect。’
\"Iassureyouthatwhenweheardthepistol—shotafteryouhadgone，sheremarked，withoutevincingtheslightestemotion，thattheshotwasthepleasureherrascallySpaniardhadpromisedher。
\"Isaidthatyoumightbekilled。
\"’Alltheworseforthecount，’shereplied，’forhisturnwillcomealso。’
\"Thenshebeganlaughinglikeamadcap；shewasthinkingoftheexcitementyourdeathwouldcauseinBarcelona。
\"Ateighto’clockthefollowingday，yourmancameandtoldherthatyouhadbeentakentothecitadel；andIwillsayittohercredit，sheseemedrelievedtohearyouwerealive。\"
\"Myman——Ididnotknowthathewasincorrespondencewithher。\"
\"No，Isupposenot；butIassureyoutheworthymanwasverymuchattachedtoyou。\"
\"Iamsurehewas。Goon。\"
\"Ninathenwroteanotetoyourlandlord。Shedidnotshewitme，butitnodoubtcontainedinstructionstosupplyyouwitheverything。
\"Themantoldusthathehadseenyourswordallredwithblood，andthatyourcloakhadabulletholethroughit。Shewasdelighted，butdonotthinkitwasbecauseshelovedyou；shewasgladyouhadescapedthatyoumighttakeyourrevenge。However，shewastroubledbythepretextonwhichthecounthadhadyouarrested。
\"Ricladidnotcometoseeherthatday，buthecamethenextdayateighto’clock，andtheinfamouscreaturereceivedhimwithasmilingface。Shetoldhimshehadheardhehadimprisonedyou，andthatshewasobligedtohim，ashehad，ofcourse，donesotoprotectyoufromanyfreshattemptsonyourlife。
\"Heanswered，dryly，thatyourarresthadnothingtodowithanythingthatmighthavehappenedthenightbefore。Headdedthatyouhadonlybeenseizedpendingtheexaminationofyourpapers，andthatiftheywerefoundtobeingoodform，youwouldbesetatlibertyinthecourseofafewdays。
\"Ninaaskedhimwhowasthemanthatyouhadwounded。Herepliedthatthepolicewereenquiringintothematter，butthatsofartheyhadneitherfoundadeadmannorawoundedman，noranytracesofblood。AllthathadbeenfoundwasCasanova’shat，andthishadbeenreturnedtohim。
\"Ileftthemalonetogethertillmidnight，soIcannotsaywhatfurtherconversetheymayhavehadonthesubject，butthreeorfourdayslatereverybodyknewthatyouwereimprisonedinthetower。
\"Ninaaskedthecountthereasonofthisseverityintheevening，andherepliedthatyourpassportswerethoughttobeforgeries，becauseyouwereindisgracewiththeStateInquisitors，andthereforewouldnotbeinapositiontogetapassportfromtheVenetianambassador。Onthissuppositionhesaidyouhadbeenplacedinthetower，andifitprovedtobeatrueone，youwouldbestillmoreseverelypunished。
\"Thisnewsdisturbedus，andwhenweheardthatPogomashadbeenarrestedwefeltcertainhehaddenouncedyouinrevengeforyourhavingprocuredhisdismissalfromNina’shouse。WhenweheardthathehadbeenletoutandsenttoGenoa，weexpectedtohearofyourbeingsetatliberty，astheauthoritiesmusthavebeensatisfiedofthegenuinecharacterofyourpassports；butyouwerestillshutup，andNinadidnotknowwhattothink，andthecountwouldnotanswerherwhenshemadeenquiriesaboutyou。Shehadmadeuphermindtosaynomoreaboutit，whenatlastweheardyouhadbeensetfreeandthatyourpassportshadbeendeclaredgenuine。
\"Ninathoughttoseeyouinthepitoftheopera—house，andmadepreparationsforatriumphinherbox；butshewasindespairwhensheheardnoperformancewastobegiven。Intheeveningthecounttoldherthatyourpassportshadbeenreturnedwiththeordertoleaveinthreedays。Thefalsecreaturepraisedherlover’sprudencetohisface，butshecursedhiminherheart。
\"Sheknewyouwouldnotdaretoseeher，andwhenyouleftwithoutwritingheranote，shesaidyouhadreceivedsecretordersnottoholdanyfurthercommunicationswithher。Shewasfuriouswiththeviceroy。
\"’IfCasanovahadhadthecouragetoaskmetogowithhim，Iwouldhavegone，’saidshe。
\"Yourmantoldherofyourfortunateescapefromthreeassassins。IntheeveningshecongratulatedRiclaonthecircumstance，buthesworeheknewnothingaboutit。Ninadidnotbelievehim。YoumaythankGodfromthebottomofyourheartthatyoueverleftSpainaliveafterknowingNina。
Shewouldhavecostyouyourlifeatlast，andshepunishesmeforhavinggivenherlife。\"
\"What！Areyouhermother？\"
\"Yes；Nina，thathorriblewoman，ismydaughter。\"
\"Really？Everybodysaysyouarehersister。\"
\"Thatisthehorriblepartofit，everybodyisright。\"
\"Explainyourself\"
\"Yes，thoughitistomyshame。Sheismysisterandmydaughter，forsheisthedaughterofmyfather。\"
\"What！yourfatherlovedyou？\"
\"Idonotknowwhetherthescoundrellovedme，buthetreatedmeashiswife。Iwassixteenthen。Sheisthedaughterofthecrime，andGodknowssheissufficientpunishmentforit。Myfatherdiedtoescapehervengeance；mayhealsoescapethevengeanceofGod。Ishouldhavestrangledherinhercradle，butmaybeIshallstrangleheryet。IfIdonot，shewillkillme。\"
Iremaineddumbattheconclusionofthisdreadfulstory，whichboreallthemarksoftruth。
\"DoesNinaknowthatyouarehermother？\"
\"Herownfathertoldherthesecretwhenshewastwelve，afterhehadinitiatedherintothelifeshehasbeenlivingeversince。Hewouldhavemadeheramotherinherturnifhehadnotkilledhimselfthesameyear，maybetoescapethegallows。\"
\"HowdidtheContedeRiclafallinlovewithher？\"
\"Itisashortstoryandacuriousone。TwoyearsagoshecametoBarcelonafromPortugal，andwasplacedinoneoftheballetsforthesakeofherprettyface，forastotalentsshehadnone，andcouldonlydotherebaltade（asortofskipandpirouette）properly。
Thefirsteveningshedancedshewasloudlyapplaudedbythepit，forasshedidtherebaltadesheshewedherdrawersuptoherwaist。InSpainanyactresswhoshewsherdrawersonthestageisliabletoafineofacrown。Ninaknewnothingaboutthis，and，hearingtheapplause，treatedtheaudiencetoanotherskipofthesamekind，butattheendoftheballetshewastoldtopaytwocrownsforherimmodesty。Ninacursedandswore，butshehadtogivein。Whatdoyouthinkshedidtoeludethelaw，andatthesametimeavengeherself？\"
\"Dancedbadly，perhaps。\"
\"Shedancedwithoutanydrawersatall，anddidherrebdltadeasbefore，whichcausedsuchaneffervescenceofhighspiritsinthehouseashadneverbeenknownatBarcelona。
\"TheContedeRiclahadseenherfromhisbox，andwasdividedbetweenhorrorandadmiration，andsentfortheinspectortotellhimthatthisimpudentcreaturemustbepunished。
\"’Inthemeantime，’saidhe，’bringherbeforeme。’
\"PresentlyNinaappearedintheviceroy’sbox，andaskedhim，impudently，whathewantedwithher。
\"’Youareanimmodestwoman，andhavefailedinyourdutytothepublic。’
\"’WhathaveIdone？
\"’Youperformedthesameskipasbefore。’
\"’Yes，butIhaven’tbrokenyourlaw，fornoonecanhaveseenmydrawersasItooktheprecautionnottoputanyon。WhatmorecanIdoforyourcursedlaw，whichhascostmetwocrownsalready？Justtellme。’
\"Theviceroyandthegreatpersonagesaroundhimhadmuchadotorefrainfromlaughter，forNinawasreallyintheright，andaseriousdiscussionoftheviolatedlawwouldhavebeenridiculous。
\"Theviceroyfelthewasinafalseposition，andmerelysaidthatifsheeverdancedwithoutdrawersagainsheshouldhaveamonth’simprisonmentonbreadandwater。
\"Aweekafteroneofmyhusband’sballetswasgiven。Itwassowellreceivedthattheaudienceencoreditwithenthusiasm。Riclagaveordersthatthepublicshouldbesatisfied，andallthedancersweretoldtheywouldhavetoreappear。
\"Nina，whowasalmostundressed，toldmyhusbandtodoasbesthecould，asshewasnotgoingtodanceagain。Asshehadthechiefpartmyhusbandcouldnotdowithouther，andsentthemanagertoherdressing—
room。Shepushedthepoormanoutwithsomuchviolencethathefellagainstthewallofthepassage，headforemost。
\"Themanagertoldhispiteoustaletotheviceroy，whoorderedtwosoldierstobringherbeforehim。Thiswashisruin；forNinaisabeautifulwoman，andinherthenstateofundressshewouldhaveseducedthecoldestofmen。
\"Thecountreprovedher，buthisvoiceandhismannerwereill—assured，andgrowingbolderasshewatchedhisembarrassment，Ninarepliedthathemighthavehertorntopiecesifheliked，butshewouldnotdanceagainstherwill，andnowhereinheragreementwasitstipulatedthatsheshoulddancetwiceinthesameevening，whetherforhispleasureoranyoneelse’s。Shealsoexpressedherangeratmakingherappearbeforehiminastateofsemi—nudity，andsworeshewouldneverforgivehisbarbarousanddespoticconduct。
\"’Iwilldancenomorebeforeyouoryourpeople。
Letmegoaway，orkillmeifyoulike；doyourworstonme，andyoushallfindthatIamaVenetianandafreewoman！’
\"Theviceroysatastonished，andsaidshemustbemad。Hethensummonedmyhusbandandtoldhimshewasnolongerinhisservice。Ninawastoldshewasfree，andcouldgowhereshewould。
\"Shewentbacktoherdressing—roomandcametous，whereshewasliving。
\"Theballetwentonwithouther，andthepoorviceroysatinadream，forthepoisonhadenteredintohisveins。
\"NextdayawretchedsingernamedMolinaricalledonNinaandtoldherthattheviceroywasanxioustoknowwhethershewerereallymadornot，andwouldliketoseeherinacountryhouse，thenameofwhichhementioned:thiswasjustwhatthewretchedwomanwanted。
\"’Tellhishighness，’shesaidtoMolinari，\"thatIwillcome，andthathewillfindmeasgentleasalambandasgoodasanangel。’
\"Thisisthewayinwhichtheconnectionbegan，andshefathomedhischaractersoastutelythatshemaintainedherconquestasmuchwithill—
treatmentandseverityaswithherfavours。\"
SuchwasthetaleofthehaplessMadameSchizza。ItwastoldwithallthepassionofanItaliandividedbetweenrepentanceforthepastandthedesireofvengeance。
Thenextday，asIhadexpected，IreceivedaletterfromHenriette。Itranasfollows:
\"MyDearOldFriend，——Nothingcouldbemoreromanticthanourmeetingatmycountryhousesixyearsago，andnowagain，afterapartingofsomanyyears。Naturallywehavebothgrownolder，andthoughIloveyoustillI
amgladyoudidnotrecognizeme。NotthatIhavebecomeugly，butIamstout，andthisgivesmeanotherlook。Iamawidow，andwellenoughofftotellyouthatifyoulackmoneyyouwillfindsomereadyforyouinHenriette’spurse。DonotcomebacktoAixtoseeme，asyourreturnmightgiverisetogossip；butifyouchancetocomehereagainaftersometime，wemaymeet，thoughnotasoldacquaintances。IamhappytothinkthatIhaveperhapsprolongedyourdaysbygivingyouanurseforwhosetrustworthinessIwouldanswer。IfyouwouldliketocorrespondwithmeIshouldbehappytodomypart。IamverycurioustoknowwhathappenedtoyouafteryourflightfromTheLeads，andaftertheproofsyouhavegivenmeofyourdiscretionIthinkIshallbeabletotellyouhowwecametomeetatCesena，andhowIreturnedtomycountry。Thefirstpartisasecretforeveryone；onlyM。d’Antoineisacquaintedwithaportionofthestory。Iamgratefulforthereticenceyouhaveobserved，thoughMarcolinemusthavedeliveredthemessageIgaveher。
Tellmewhathasbecomeofthatbeautifulgirl。Farewell！\"
Ireplied，acceptingheroffertocorrespond，andItoldherthewholestoryofmyadventures。FromherIreceivedfortyletters，inwhichthehistoryofherlifeisgiven。Ifshediebeforeme，IshalladdtheseletterstomyMemoirs，butatpresentsheisaliveandhappy，thoughadvancedinyears。
ThedayafterIwenttocallonMadameAudibert，andwewenttogethertoseeMadameN————N————，whowasalreadythemotherofthreechildren。
Herhusbandadoredher，andshewasveryhappy。IgavehergoodnewsofMarcoline，andtoldthestoryofCroceandCharlotte’sdeath，whichaffectedhertotears。
InturnshetoldmeaboutRosalie，whowasquitearichwoman。Ihadnohopesofseeingheragain，forshelivedatGenoa，andIshouldnothavecaredtofaceM。Grimaldi。
Myniece（asIoncecalledher）mortifiedmeunintentionally；shesaidI
wasageing。Thoughamancaneasilymakeajestofhisadvancingyears，aspeechlikethisisnotpleasantwhenonehasnotabandonedthepursuitofpleasure。Shegavemeacapitaldinner，andherhusbandmademeofferswhichIwasashamedtoaccept。IhadfiftyLouis，and，intendingtogoontoTurin，Ididnotfeeluneasyaboutthefuture。
AtMarseillesImettheDucdeVilardi，whowaskeptalivebytheartofTronchin。Thisnobleman，whowasGovernorofProvence，askedmetosupper，andIwassurprisedtomeetathishousetheself—styledMarquisd’Aragon；hewasengagedinholdingthebank。Istakedafewcoinsandlost，andthemarquisaskedmetodinewithhimandhiswife，anelderlyEnglishwoman，whohadbroughthimadowryoffortythousandguineasabsolutely，withtwentythousandguineaswhichwouldultimatelygotohersoninLondon。IwasnotashamedtoborrowfiftyLouisfromthisluckyrascal，thoughIfeltalmostcertainthatIshouldneverreturnthemoney。
IleftMarseillesbymyself，andaftercrossingtheAlpsarrivedatTurin。
ThereIhadawarmwelcomefromtheChevalierRaibertiandtheComtedelaPerouse。Bothofthempronouncedmetobelookingolder，butI
consoledmyselfwiththethoughtthat，afterall，Iwasonlyforty—four。
IbecameanintimatefriendoftheEnglishambassador，SirN————，arich，accomplishedandculturedman，whokeptthechoicestoftables。
Everybodylovedhim，andamongstothersthisfeelingwaswarmlysharedbyaParmesegirl，namedCampioni，whowaswonderfullybeautiful。
AssoonasIhadtoldmyfriendsthatIintendedtogointoSwitzerlandtoprintatmyownexpensearefutationinItalianofthe\"HistoryoftheVenetianGovernment，\"byAmelotdelaHoussaye，theyalldidtheirbestbysubscribingandobtainingsubscriptions。ThemostgenerousofallwastheComtedelaPerouse，whogavemetwohundredandfiftyfrancsforfiftycopies。IleftTurininaweekwithtwothousandlireinmypurse。
WiththisIshouldbeabletoprintthebookIhadcomposedinmyprison；
butIshouldhavetorewriteit’abinitio’，withthevolumetomyhand，asalsothe\"HistoryofVenice，\"byNani。
WhenIhadgottheseworksIsetoutwiththeintentionofhavingmybookprintedatLugano，astherewasagoodpressthereandnocensure。I
alsoknewthattheheadofthepresswasawell—readman，andthattheplaceaboundedingoodcheerandgoodsociety。
LuganoisnearMilan，Como，andLakeMaggiore，andIwaswellpleasedwiththesituation。Iwenttothebestinn，whichwaskeptbyamannamedTagoretti，whogavemethebestroominthehouse。
ThedayaftermyarrivalIcalledonDr。Agnelli，whowasatonceprinter，priest，theologian，andanhonestman。Imadearegularagreementwithhim，heengagingtoprintattherateoffoursheetsaweek，andonmysideIpromisedtopayhimeveryweek。Hereservedtherightofcensorship，expressingahopethatouropinionsmightcoincide。
Igavehimtheprefaceandthepreliminarymatteratonce，andchosethepaperandthesize，largeoctavo。
WhenIgotbacktomyinnthelandlordtoldmethatthebargello，orchiefconstable，wantedtoseeme。
AlthoughLuganoisinSwitzerland，itsmunicipalgovernmentismodelledafterthatoftheItaliantowns。
Iwascurioustohearwhatthisill—omenedpersonagecouldhavetosaytome，soItoldhimtoshewhimin。Aftergivingmeaprofoundbow，withhishatinhishand，SignorBargellotoldmethathehadcometooffermehisservices，andtoassuremethatIshouldenjoycompletetranquillityandsafetyinLugano，whetherfromanyenemieswithintheStateorfromtheVenetianGovernment，incaseIhadanydisputewithit。
\"Ithankyou，signor，\"Ireplied，\"andIamsurethatyouaretellingmethetruth，asIaminSwitzerland。\"
\"Imusttakethelibertyoftellingyou，sir，thatitiscustomaryforstrangerswhotakeuptheirresidenceinLugano，topaysometriflingsum，eitherbytheweek，themonth，ortheyear。\"
\"Andiftheyrefusetopay？\"
\"Thentheirsafetyisnotsosure。\"
\"MoneydoeseverythinginLugano，Isuppose。\"
\"But，sir————\"
\"Iunderstand，butletmetellyouthatIhavenofears，andIshallconsequentlybegtobeexcusedfrompayinganything。\"
\"Youwillforgiveme，butIhappentoknowthatyouhavesomedisputeswiththeVenetianGovernment。\"
\"Youaremakingamistake，mygoodfellow。\"
\"No，Iamnot。\"
\"Ifyouaresosure，findsomeonetobetmetwohundredsequinsthatI
havereasontofeartheVenetianGovernment；Iwilltakethebetanddeposittheamount。\"
Thebargelloremainedsilent，andthelandlordtoldhimheseemedtohavemadesomekindofmistake，sohewentaway，lookingverydisappointed。
MylandlordwasdelightedtohearthatIthoughtofmakingsomestayatLugano，andadvisedmetocallonthehighbailiff，whogovernedtheplace。
\"He’saveryniceSwissgentleman，\"saidhe，\"andhiswifeacleverwoman，andasfairastheday。\"
\"Iwillgoandseehimto—morrow。\"
Isentinmynametothehighbailiffatnoononthedayfollowing，andwhatwasmysurprisetofindmyselfinthepresenceofM。deRandhischarmingwife。Besideherwasaprettyboy，fiveorsixyearsold。
Ourmutualsurprisemaybeimagined！
CHAPTERXI
ThePunishmentofMarazzani——ILeaveLugano——Turin——M。DuboisatParma——
Leghorn——TheDukeofOrloff——Pisa——Stratico——Sienna——TheMarchionessChigi——MyDeparturefromSiennaWithanEnglishwomanTheseunforeseen，haphazardmeetingswitholdfriendshavealwaysbeenthehappiestmomentsofmylife。
Weallremainedforsometimedumbwithdelight。M。deR。wasthefirsttobreakthesilencebygivingmeacordialembrace。Weburstoutintomutualexcuses，heforhavingimaginedthattheremightbeotherCasanovasinItaly，andIfornothavingascertainedhisname。Hemademetakepot—luckwithhimthesameday，andweseemedasifwehadneverparted。TheRepublichadgivenhimthisemploy——averylucrativeone——
andhewasonlysorrythatitwouldexpireintwoyears。Hetoldmehewasdelightedtobeabletobeofusetome，andbeggedmetoconsiderhewaswhollyatmyservice。HewasdelightedtohearthatIshouldbeengagedinseeingmyworkthroughthepressforthreeorfourmonths，andseemedvexedwhenItoldhimthatIcouldnotaccepthishospitalitymorethanonceaweekasmylabourswouldbeincessant。
MadamedeR————couldscarcelyrecoverfromhersurprise。ItwasnineyearssinceIhadseenheratSoleure，andthenIthoughtherbeautymustbeatitszenith；butIwaswrong，shewasstillmorebeautifulandI
toldherso。Sheshewedmeheronlychild，whohadbeenbornfouryearsaftermydeparture。Shecherishedthechildastheappleofhereye，andseemedlikelytospoilit；butIheard，afewyearsago，thatthischildisnowanamiableandaccomplishedman。
InaquarterofanhourMadamedeR————informedmeofallthathadhappenedatSoleuresincemydeparture。LebelhadgonetoBesancon，wherehelivedhappilywithhischarmingwife。
ShehappenedtoobserveinacasualwaythatInolongerlookedasyoungasIhaddoneatSoleure，andthismademeregulatemyconductinamannerImightnototherwisehavedone。Ididnotletherbeautycarrymeaway；Iresistedtheeffectofhercharms，andIwascontenttoenjoyherfriendship，andtobeworthyofthefriendshipofhergoodhusband。
TheworkonwhichIwasengageddemandedallmycareandattention，andaloveaffairwouldhavewastedmostofmytime。
Ibeganworkthenextmorning，andsaveforanhour’svisitfromM。deR————Iwroteontillnightfall。ThenextdayIhadthefirstproof—
sheetwithwhichIwaswellenoughpleased。
Ispentthewholeofthenextmonthinmyroom，workingassiduously，andonlygoingouttomassonfeastdays，todinewithM。deR————，andtowalkwithhiswifeandherchild。
Attheendofamonthmyfirstvolumewasprintedandstitched，andthemanuscriptofthesecondvolumewasreadyforthepress。TowardstheendofOctobertheprintersentintheentireworkinthreevolumes，andinlessthanayeartheeditionwassoldout。
MyobjectwasnotsomuchtomakemoneyastoappeasethewrathoftheVenetianInquisitors；IhadgonealloverEurope，andexperiencedaviolentdesiretoseemynativelandoncemore。
AmelotdelaHoussayehadwrittenhisbookfromthepointofviewofanenemyofVenice。Hishistorywasratherasatire，containinglearnedandslanderousobservationsmingledtogether。Ithadbeenpublishedforseventyyears，buthithertonoonehadtakenthetroubletorefuteit。
IfaVenetianhadattemptedtodosohewouldnothaveobtainedpermissionfromhisGovernmenttoprintitintheStatesofVenice，fortheStatepolicyistoallownoonetodiscusstheactionsoftheauthorities，whetherinpraiseorblame；consequentlynowriterhadattemptedtorefutetheFrenchhistory，asitwaswellknownthattherefutationwouldbevisitedwithpunishmentandnotwithreward。
Mypositionwasanexceptionalone。IhadbeenpersecutedbytheVenetianGovernment，sonoonecouldaccusemeofbeingpartial；andbymyexposingthecalumniesofAmelotbeforeallEuropeIhopedtogainareward，whichafterallwouldonlybeanactofjustice。
Ihadbeenanexileforfourteenyears，andIthoughttheInquisitorswouldbegladtorepairtheirinjusticeonthepretextofrewardingmypatriotism。
Myreaderswillseethatmyhopeswerefulfilled，butIhadtowaitforfivemoreyearsinsteadofreceivingpermissiontoreturnatonce。
M。deBragadinwasdead，andDandoloandBarbaroweretheonlyfriendsI
hadleftatVenice；andwiththeiraidIcontrivedtosubscribefiftycopiesofmybookinmynativetown。
ThroughoutmystayatLuganoIonlyfrequentedthehouseofM。deR—————，whereIsawtheAbbeRiva，alearnedanddiscreetman，towhomIhadbeencommendedbyM。Querini，hisrelation。Theabbeenjoyedsuchareputationforwisdomamongsthisfellow—countrymenthathewasakindofarbiterinalldisputes，andthustheexpensesofthelawweresaved。
Itwasnowonderthatthegentlemenofthelongrobehatedhimmostcordially。Hisnephew，JeanBaptisteRiva，wasafriendoftheMuses，ofBacchus，andofVenus；hewasalsoafriendofmine，thoughIcouldnotmatchhimwiththebottles。Helentmeallthenymphshehadinitiatedintothemysteries，andtheylikedhimallthebetter，asImadethemsomesmallpresents。WithhimandhistwoprettysistersIwenttotheBorromeanIsles。IknewthatCountBorromeo，whohadhonouredmewithhisfriendshipatTurin，wasthere，andfromhimIfeltcertainofawarmwelcome。OneofthetwosistershadtopassforRiva’swife，andtheotherforhissister—in—law。
Althoughthecountwasaruinedmanhelivedinhisisleslikeaprince。
ItwouldbeimpossibletodescribetheseIslandsoftheBlest；theymustbeseentobeimagined。Theinhabitantsenjoyaneverlastingspring；
thereisneitherheatnorcold。
Thecountregaleduschoicely，andamusedthetwogirlsbygivingthemrodsandlinesandlettingthemfish。Althoughhewasugly，old，andruined，hestillpossessedtheartofpleasing。
OnthewaybacktoLugano，asIwasmakingplaceforacarriageinanarrowroad，myhorseslippedandfelldownaslopetenfeethigh。Myheadwentagainstalargestone，andIthoughtmylasthourwascomeasthebloodpouredoutofthewound。However，Iwaswellagaininafewdays。Thiswasmylastrideonhorseback。
DuringmystayatLuganotheinspectorsoftheSwisscantonscamethereinitsturn。Thepeopledignifiedthemwiththemagnificenttitleofambassadors，butM。deR————wascontenttocallthemavoyers。
Thesegentlemenstayedatmyinn，andIhadmymealswiththemthroughouttheirstay。
TheavoyerofBernegavemesomenewsofmypoorfriendM。F————。HischarmingdaughterSarahadbecomethewifeofM，deV————，andwashappy。
Afewdaysafterthesepleasantandculturedmenhadleft，IwasstartledonemorningbythesuddenappearanceofthewretchedMarazzaniinmyroom。Iseizedhimbyhiscollar，threwhimout，andbeforehehadtimetousehiscaneorhissword，Ihadkicked，beaten，andboxedhimmostsoundly。Hedefendedhimselftothebestofhisability，andthelandlordandhismenranupatthenoise，andhadsomedifficultyinseparatingus。
\"Don’tlethimgo！\"Icried，\"sendforthebargelloandhavehimawaytoprison。\"
Idressedmyselfhastily，andasIwasgoingouttoseeM。deR————，thebargellometme，andaskedmeonwhatchargeIgavethemanintocustody。
\"YouwillhearthatatM。deR————’s，whereIshallawaityou。\"
Imustnowexplainmyanger。Youmayremember，reader，thatIleftthewretchedfellowintheprisonofBuenRetiro。IheardafterwardsthattheKingofSpain，Jerusalem，andtheCanaryIslands，hadgivenhimasmallpostinagalleyoffthecoastofAfrica。
Hehaddonemenoharm，andIpitiedhim；butnotbeinghisintimatefriend，andhavingnopowertomitigatethehardshipofhislot，Ihadwell—nighforgottenhim。
Eightmonthsafter，ImetatBarcelonaMadameBellucci，aVenetiandancer，withwhomIhadhadasmallintrigue。Shegaveanexclamationofdelightonseeingme，andsaidshewasgladtoseemedeliveredfromthehardfatetowhichatyrannousGovernmenthadcondemnedme。
\"Whatfateisthat？\"Iasked，\"IhaveseenagooddealofmisfortunesinceIleftyou。\"
\"Imeanthepresidio。\"
\"Butthathasneverbeenmylot，thankGod！Whotoldyousuchastory？\"
\"ACountMarazzani，whowasherethreeweeksago，andtoldmehehadbeenluckierthanyou，ashehadmadehisescape。\"
\"He’saliarandascoundrel；andifeverImeethimagainheshallpaymedearly。\"
>FromthatmomentIneverthoughtoftherascalwithoutfeelingalivelydesiretogivehimathrashing，butIneverthoughtthatchancewouldbringaboutsoearlyameeting。
UnderthecircumstancesIthinkmybehaviourwillbethoughtonlynatural。Ihadbeatenhim，butthatwasnotenoughforme。Iseemedtohavedonenothing，andindeed，IhadgotasgoodasIgave。
Inthemeantimehewasinprison，andIwenttoM。deR————toseewhathecoulddoforme。
AssoonasM。deRheardmystatementhesaidhecouldneitherkeephiminprisonnordrivehimoutofthetownunlessIlaidapleabeforehim，cravingprotectionagainstthisman，whomIbelievedtohavecometoLuganowiththepurposeofassassinatingme。
\"Youcanmakethedocumentmoreeffective，\"headded，\"byplacingyouractualgrievanceinastronglight，andlayingstressonhissuddenappearanceinyourroomwithoutsendinginhisname。That’swhatyouhadbetterdo，anditremainstobeseenhowIshallansweryourplea。I
shallaskhimforhispassportanddelaythecase，andorderhimtobeseverelytreated；butintheendIshallonlybeabletodrivehimoutofthetown，unlesshecanfindgoodbail。\"
Icouldasknomore。Isentinmyplea，andthenextdayIhadthepleasureofseeinghimbroughtintothecourtboundhandandfoot。
M。deRbegantoexaminehim，andMarazzanisworehehadnoevilintentionsincallingonme。Astothecalumny，heprotestedhehadonlyrepeatedcommonrumour，andprofessedhisjoyatfindingithadbeenmistaken。
Thisoughttohavebeenenoughforme，butIcontinuedobdurate。
M。deR————saidthefactofmybeingsenttothegalleyshavingbeenrumouredwasnojustificationforhisrepeatingit。
\"Andfurthermore，\"heproceeded，\"M。Casanova’ssuspicionthatyouweregoingtoassassinatehimisjustifiedbyyourgivingafalsename，fortheplaintiffmaintainsthatyouarenotCountMarazzaniatall。Heofferstofurnishsuretyonthisbehalf，andifM。Casanovadoesyouwrong，hisbailwillescheattoyouasdamages。Inthemeantimeyouwillremaininprisontillwehavefurtherinformationaboutyourrealstatus。\"
Hewastakenback，andasthepoordevilhadnotapennyinhispocketitwouldhavebeensuperfluoustotellthebargedlototreathimseverely。
M。deRwrotetotheSwissagentatParmatoobtainthenecessaryinformation；butastherascalknewthiswouldbeagainsthim，hewrotemeahumbleletter，inwhichheconfessedthathewasthesonofapoorshopkeeperofBobbio，andalthoughhisnamewasreallyMarazzani，hehadnothingtodowiththeMarazzanisofPlaisance。Hebeggedmetosethimatliberty。
IshewedthelettertoM。deR————，wholethimoutofprisonwithorderstoleaveLuganointwenty—fourhours。
IthoughtIhadbeenrathertooharshwithhim，andgavethepoordevilsomemoneytotakehimtoAugsburg，andalsoaletterforM。deSellentin，whowasrecruitingthereforthePrussianking。WeshallhearofMarazzaniagain。