WhenwewereatMontefiasconeshesaid，——
\"Youseemyloverisonlywithoutmoneybychance；hehasabillofexchangeforalargeamount。\"
\"Ibelieveittobeaforgery。\"
\"Youarereallytoocruel。\"
\"Notatall；IonlywishIweremistaken，butIamsureofthecontrary。
TwentyyearsagoIshouldhavetakenitforagoodone，butnowit’sanotherthing，andifthebillisagoodone，whydidhenotnegotiateitatSienna，Florence，orLeghorn？\"
\"Itmaybethatbehadnotthetime；hewasinsuchahurrytobegone。
Ah！ifyouknewall！\"
\"Ionlywanttoknowwhatyouliketotellme，butIwarnyouagainthatwhatIsayisnovaguesuspicionbuthardfact。\"
\"Thenyoupersistintheideathathedoesnotloveme。\"
\"Nay，helovesyou，butinsuchafashionastodeservehatredinreturn。\"
\"Howdoyoumean？\"
\"Wouldyounothateamanwholovedyouonlytotrafficinyourcharms？\"
\"Ishouldbesorryforyoutothinkthatofhim。\"
\"Ifyoulike，IwillconvinceyouofwhatIsaythisevening。\"
\"Youwillobligeme；butImusthavesomepositiveproof。Itwouldbeasorepaintome，butalsoatrueservice。\"
\"Andwhenyouareconvinced，willyouceasetolovehim？\"
\"Certainly；ifyouprovehimtobedishonest，mylovewillvanishaway。\"
\"Youaremistaken；youwillstilllovehim，evenwhenyouhavehadproofpositiveofhiswickedness。Hehasevidentlyfascinatedyouinadeadlymanner，oryouwouldseehischaracterinitstruelightbeforethis。\"
\"Allthismaybetrue；butdoyougivemeyourproofs，andleavetomethecareofshewingthatIdespisehim。\"
\"Iwillprovemyassertionsthisevening；buttellmehowlongyouhaveknownhim？\"
\"Aboutamonth；butwehaveonlybeentogetherforfivedays。\"
\"Andbeforethattimeyouneveraccordedhimanyfavours？\"
\"Notasinglekiss。Hewasalwaysundermywindows，andIhadreasontobelievethathelovedmefondly。\"
\"Oh，yes！helovesyou，whowouldnot？buthisloveisnotthatofamanofhonour，butthatofanimpudentprofligate。\"
\"Buthowcanyoususpectamanofwhomyouknownothing？\"
\"WouldthatIdidnotknowhim！Ifeelsurethatnotbeingabletovisityou，hemadeyouvisithim，andthenpersuadedyoutoflywithhim。\"
\"Yes，hedid。Hewrotemealetter，whichIwillshewyou。HepromisestomarrymeatRome。\"
\"Andwhoistoanswerforhisconstancy？\"
\"Hisloveismysurety。\"
\"Doyoufearpursuit？\"
\"No。\"
\"Didhetakeyoufromafather，alover，orabrother？\"
\"Fromalover，whowillnotbebackatLeghornforaweekortendays。\"
\"Wherehashegone？\"
\"ToLondononbusiness；Iwasunderthechargeofawomanwhomhetrusted。\"
\"That’senough；Ipityyou，mypoorBetty。TellmeifyouloveyourEnglishman，andifheisworthyofyourlove。\"
\"Alas！IlovedhimdearlytillIsawthisFrenchman，whomademeunfaithfultoamanIadored。Hewillbeindespairatnotfindingmewhenhereturns。\"
\"Isherich？\"
\"Notvery；heisabusinessman，andiscomfortablyoff。\"
\"Isheyoung？\"
\"No。Heisamanofyourage，andathoroughlykindandhonestperson。
Hewaswaitingforhiscomsumptivewifetodietomarryme。\"
\"Poorman！Haveyoupresentedhimwithachild？\"
\"No。IamsureGoddidnotmeanmeforhim，forthecounthasconqueredmecompletely。\"
\"Everyonewhomloveleadsastraysaysthesamething。\"
\"Nowyouhaveheardeverything，andIamgladItoldyou，forIamsureyouaremyfriend。\"
\"Iwillbeabetterfriendtoyou，dearBetty，inthefuturethaninthepast。Youwillneedmyservices，andIpromisenottoabandonyou。I
loveyou，asIhavesaid；butsolongasyoucontinuetolovetheFrenchmanIshallonlyaskyoutoconsidermeasyourfriend。\"
\"Iacceptyourpromise，andinreturnIpromisenottohideanythingfromyou。\"
\"Tellmewhyyouhavenoluggage。\"
\"Iescapedonhorseback，butmytrunk，whichisfulloflinenandothereffects，willbeatRometwodaysafterus。Isentitoffthedaybeforemyescape，andthemanwhoreceiveditwassentbythecount。\"
\"Thengood—byetoyourtrunk！\"
\"Why，youforeseenothingbutmisfortune！\"
\"Well，dearBetty，Ionlywishmypropheciesmaynotbeaccomplished。
AlthoughyouescapedonhorsebackIthinkyoushouldhavebroughtacloakandacarpetbagwithsomelinen。\"
\"Allthatisinthesmalltrunk；Ishallhaveittakenintomyroomtonight。\"
WereachedViterboatseveno’clock，andfoundthecountverycheerful。
InaccordancewiththeplotIhadlaidagainstthecount，IbeganbyshewingmyselfdemonstrativelyfondofBetty，envyingthefortunatelover，praisinghisheroicbehaviourinleavinghertome，andsoforth。
Thesillyfellowproceededtobackmeupinmyextravagantadmiration。
Heboastedthatjealousywasutterlyforeigntohischaracter，andmaintainedthatthetrueloverwouldaccustomhimselftoseehismistressinspiredesiresinothermen。
Heproceededtomakealongdissertationonthistheme，andIlethimgoon，forIwaswaitingtillaftersuppertocometotheconclusivepoint。
DuringthemealImadehimdrink，andapplaudedhisfreedomfromvulgarprejudices。Atdessertheenlargedonthedutyofreciprocitybetweenlovers。
\"Thus，\"heremarked，\"BettyoughttoprocuremetheenjoymentofFanny，ifshehasreasontothinkIhavetakenafancytoher；andpercontra，asIadoreBetty，ifIfoundthatshelovedyouIshouldprocureherthepleasureofsleepingwithyou。\"
Bettylistenedtoallthisnonsenseinsilentastonishment。
\"Iconfess，mydearcount，\"Ireplied，\"that，theoreticallyspeaking，yoursystemstrikesmeassublime，andcalculatedtobringaboutthereturnoftheGoldenAge；butIamafraiditwouldproveabsurdinpractice。Nodoubtyouareamanofcourage，butIamsureyouwouldneverletyourmistressbeenjoyedbyanotherman。Herearetwenty—fivesequins。Iwillwagerthatamountthatyouwillnotallowmetosleepwithyourwife。\"
\"Ha！ha！Youaremistakeninme，Iassureyou。I’llbetfiftysequinsthatIwillremainintheroomacalmspectatorofyourexploits。MydearBetty，wemustpunishthissceptic；gotobedwithhim。\"
\"Youarejoking。\"
\"Notatall；tobedwithyou，Ishallloveyouallthemore。\"
\"Youmustbecrazy，Ishalldonothingofthekind。\"
Thecounttookherinhisarms，andcaressingherinthetenderestmannerbeggedhertodohimthisfavour，notsomuchforthetwenty—fiveLouis，astoconvincemethathewasabovevulgarprejudices。Hiscaressesbecameratherfree，butBettyrepulsedhimgentlythoughfirmly，sayingthatshewouldneverconsent，andthathehadalreadywonthebet，whichwasthecase；infinethepoorgirlbesoughthimtokillherratherthanobligehertodoadeedwhichshethoughtinfamous。
Herwords，andthepatheticvoicewithwhichtheywereuttered，shouldhaveshamedhim，buttheyonlyputhimintoafuriousrage。Herepulsedher，callingherthevilestnames，andfinallytellingherthatshewasahypocrite，andhefeltcertainshehadalreadygrantedmeallaworthlessgirlcouldgrant。
Bettygrewpaleasdeath，andfuriousinmyturn，Iranformysword。I
shouldprobablyhaverunhimthrough，iftheinfamousscoundrelhadnotfledintothenextroom，wherehelockedhimselfin。
IwasindespairatseeingBetty’sdistress，ofwhichIhadbeentheinnocentcause，andIdidmybesttosootheher。
Shewasinanalarmingstate。Herbreathcamewithdifficulty，hereyesseemedreadytostartoutofherhead，herlipswerebloodlessandtrembling，andherteethshuttighttogether。Everyoneintheinnwasasleep。Icouldnotcallforhelp，andallIcoulddowastodashwaterinherface，andspeaksoothingwords。
Atlastshefellasleep，andIremainedbesideherformorethantwohours，attentivetoherleastmovements，andhopingthatshewouldawakestrengthenedandrefreshed。
Atday—breakIheardl’Etoilegoingoff，andIwasgladofit。Thepeopleoftheinnknockedatourdoor，andthenBettyawoke。
\"Areyoureadytogo，mydearBetty？\"
\"Iammuchbetter，butIshouldsolikeacupoftea。\"
TheItalianscannotmaketea，soItookwhatshegaveme，andwenttoprepareitmyself。
WhenIcamebackIfoundherinhalingthefreshmorningairatthewindow。Sheseemedcalm，andIhopedIhadcuredher。Shedrankafewcupsoftea（ofwhichbeveragetheEnglishareveryfond），andsoonregainedhergoodlooks。
Sheheardsomepeopleintheroomwherewehadsupped，andaskedmeifI
hadtakenupthepursewhichIhadplacedonthetable。Ihadforgottenitcompletely。
Ifoundmypurseandapieceofpaperbearingthewords，\"billofexchangeforthreethousandcrowns。\"Theimpostorhadtakenitoutofhispocketinmakinghisbet，andhadforgottenit。ItwasdatedatBordeaux，drawnonawinemerchantatParistol’Etoile’sorder。Itwaspayableatsight，andwasforsixmonths。Thewholethingwasutterlyirregular。
ItookittoBetty，whotoldmesheknewnothingaboutbills，andbeggedmetosaynothingmoreaboutthatinfamousfellow。Shethensaid，inavoiceofwhichIcangivenoidea，——
\"Forpity’ssakedonotabandonapoorgirl，moreworthyofcompassionthanblame！\"
Ipromisedheragaintohaveallafather’scareforher，andsoonafterweproceededonourjourney。
Thepoorgirlfellasleep，andIfollowedherexample。Wewereawokebythevetturinowhoinformedus，greatlytoourastonishment，thatwewereatMonterosi。Wehadsleptforsixhours，andhaddoneeighteenmiles。
WehadtostayatMonterositillfouro’clock，andweweregladofit，forweneededtimeforreflection。
InthefirstplaceIaskedaboutthewretcheddeceiver，andwastoldthathehadmadeaslightmeal，paidforit，andsaidhewasgoingtospendthenightatLaStorta。
Wemadeagooddinner，andBettypluckingupaspiritsaidwemustconsiderthecaseofherinfamousbetrayer，butforthelasttime。
\"Beafathertome，\"saidshe；\"donotadvisebutcommand；youmayreckononmyobedience。Ihavenoneedtogiveyouanyfurtherparticulars，foryouhaveguessedallexceptthehorrorwithwhichthethoughtofmybetrayernowinspiresme。Ifithadnotbeenforyou，hewouldhaveplungedmeintoanabyssofshameandmisery。\"
\"CanyoureckonontheEnglishmanforgivingyou？\"
\"Ithinkso。\"
\"ThenwemustgobacktoLeghorn。Areyoustrongenoughtofollowthiscounsel？Iwarnyouthatifyouapproveofit，itmustbeputintoexecutionatonce。Young，pretty，andvirtuousasyouare，youneednotimaginethatIshallallowyoutogobyyourself，orinthecompanyofstrangers。IfyouthinkIloveyou，andfindmeworthyofyouresteem，thatissufficientregardforme。Iwilllivewithyoulikeafather，ifyouarenotinapositiontogivememarksofamoreardentaffection。
BesureIwillkeepfaithwithyou，forIwanttoredeemyouropinionofmen，andtoshewyouthattherearemenashonourableasyourseducerwasvile。\"
Bettyremainedforaquarterofanhourinprofoundsilence，herheadrestingonherelbows，andhereyesfixedonmine。Shedidnotseemeitherangryorastonished，butasfarasIcouldjudgewaslostinthought。Iwasgladtoseeherreflective，forthusshewouldbeabletogivemeadecidedanswer:Atlastshesaid:
\"Youneednotthink，mydearfriend，thatmysilenceproceedsfromirresolution。IfmymindwerenotmadeupalreadyIshoulddespisemyself。Iamwiseenoughatanyratetoappreciatethewisdomofyourgenerouscounsels。IthankProvidencethatIhavefallenintothehandsofsuchamanwhowilltreatmeasifIwerehisdaughter。\"
\"ThenwewillgobacktoLeghorn，andstartimmediately。\"
\"MyonlydoubtishowtomanagemyreconcilliationwithSirB————M————。
Ihavenodoubthewillpardonmeeventually；butthoughheistenderandgood—heartedheisdelicatewhereapointofhonourisconcerned，andSubjecttosuddenfitsofviolence。ThisiswhatIwanttoavoid；forhemightpossiblykillme，andthenIshouldbethecauseofhisruin。\"
\"Youmustconsideritontheway，andtellmeanyplansyoumaythinkof。\"
\"Heisanintelligentman，anditwouldbehopelesstoendeavourtodupehimbyalie。Imustmakeafullconfessioninwritingwithouthidingasinglecircumstance；forifhethoughthewasbeingdupedhisfurywouldbeterrible。Ifyouwillwritetohimyoumustnotsaythatyouthinkmeworthyofforgiveness；youmusttellhimthefactsandleavehimtojudgeforhimself。HewillbeconvincedofmyrepentancewhenhereadstheletterIshallbedewwithmytears，buthemustnotknowofmywhereaboutstillhehaspromisedtoforgiveme。Heisaslavetohiswordofhonour，andweshalllivetogetherallourdayswithoutmyeverhearingofthisslip。IamonlysorrythatIhavebehavedsofoolishly。\"
\"YoumustnotbeoffendedifIaskyouwhetheryouhaveevergivenhimlikecauseforcomplaintbefore。\"
\"Never。\"
\"Whatishishistory？\"
\"Helivedveryunhappilywithhisfirstwife；andhewasdivorcedfromhissecondwifeforsufficientreasons。TwoyearsagohecametoourschoolwithNancy’sfather，andmademyacquaintance。Myfatherdied，hiscreditorsseizedeverything，andIhadtoleavetheschool，muchtoNancy’sdistressandthatoftheotherpupils。AtthisperiodSirB————
M————tookchargeofme，andgavemeasumwhichplacedmebeyondthereachof，wantfortherestofmydays。Iwasgrateful，andbeggedhimtotakemewithhimwhenhetoldmehewasleavingEngland。Hewasastonished；and，likeamanofhonour，saidhelovedmetoowelltoflatterhimselfthatwecouldtraveltogetherwithouthisentertainingmoreardentfeelingsformethanthoseofafather。Hethoughtitoutofthequestionformetolovehim，saveasadaughter。
\"Thisdeclaration，asyoumayimagine，pavedthewayforafullagreement。\"
\"’Howeveryouloveme，’Isaid，’Ishallbewellpleased，andifIcandoanythingforyouIshallbeallthehappier。’
\"Hethengavemeofhisownfreewillawrittenpromisetomarrymeonthedeathofhiswife。Westartedonourtravels，andtillmylateunhappyconnectionInevergavehimtheslightestcauseforcomplaint。\"
\"Dryyoureyes，dearBetty，heissuretoforgiveyou。IhavefriendsatLeghorn，andnooneshallfindoutthatwehavemadeacquaintance。I
willputyouingoodhands，andIshallnotleavethetowntillIhearyouarebackwithSirB————M—————。IfheproveinexorableIpromisenevertoabandonyou，andtotakeyoubacktoEnglandifyoulike。\"
\"Buthowcanyousparethetime？\"
\"Iwilltellyouthetruth，mydearBetty。IhavenothingparticulartodoatRome，oranywhereelse。LondonandRomearealiketome。\"
\"HowcanIshewmygratitudetoyou？\"
Isummonedthevetturino，andtoldhimwemustreturntoViterbo。Heobjected，butIconvincedhimwithacoupleofpiastres，andbyagreeingtousetheposthorsesandtosparehisownanimals。
WegottoViterbobyseveno’clock，andaskedanxiouslyifnoonehadfoundapocket—bookwhichIpretendedIhadlost。Iwastoldnosuchthinghadbeenfound，soIorderedsupperwithcalmness，althoughbewailingmyloss。ItoldBettythatIactedinthissorttoobviateanydifficultieswhichthevetturinomightmakeabouttakingusbacktoSienna，ashemightfeelithisdutytoplaceherinthehandsofhersupposedhusband。Ihadupthesmalltrunk，andafterwehadforcedthelockBettytookouthercloakandthefeweffectsshehadinit，andwetheninspectedtheadventurer’sproperties，mostlikelyallhepossessedintheworld。Afewtatteredshirts，twoorthreepairsofmendedsilkstockings，apairofbreeches，ahare’sfoot，apotofgrease，andascoreoflittlebooks—playsorcomicoperas，andlastlyapacketofletters；suchwerethecontentsofthetrunk。
Weproceededtoreadtheletters，andthefirstthingwenotedwastheaddress:\"ToM。L’Etoile，Actor，atMarseilles，Bordeaux，Bayonne，Montpellier，etc。\"
IpitiedBetty。Shesawherselfthedupeofavileactor，andherindignationandshameweregreat。
\"Wewillreaditallto—morrow，\"saidI；\"to—daywehavesomethingelsetodo。\"
Thepoorgirlseemedtobreatheagain。
Wegotoveroursupperhastily，andthenBettybeggedmetoleaveheraloneforafewmomentsforhertochangeherlinenandgotobed。
\"Ifyoulike，\"saidI，\"Iwillhaveabedmadeupformeinthenextroom。\"
\"No，dearfriend，oughtInottoloveyoursociety？Whatwouldhavebecomeofmewithoutyou？\"
Iwentoutforafewminutes，andwhenIreturnedandcametoherbedsidetowishhergoodnight，shegavemesuchawarmembracethatIknewmyhourwascome。
Reader，youmusttaketherestforgranted。Iwashappy，andIhadreasontobelievethatBettywashappyalso。
Inthemorning，wehadjustfallenasleep，whenthevettuyinoknockedatthedoor。
Idressedmyselfhastilytoseehim。
\"Listen，\"Isaid，\"itisabsolutelynecessaryformetorecovermypocket—book，andIhopetofinditatAcquapendente。\"
\"Verygood，sir，verygood，\"saidtherogue，atrueItalian，\"paymeasifIhadtakenyoutoRome，andasequinadayforthefuture，andifyoulike，IwilltakeyoutoEnglandonthoseterms。\"
Thevetturinowasevidentlywhatiscalledwideawake。Igavehimhismoney，andwemadeanewagreement。Atseveno’clockwestoppedatMontefiasconetowritetoSirB————M————，sheinEnglish，andIinFrench。
BettyhadnowanairofsatisfactionandassurancewhichIfoundcharming。Shesaidshewasfullofhope，andseemedhighlyamusedatthethoughtofthefigurewhichtheactorwouldcutwhenhearrivedatRomebyhimself。Shehopedthatweshouldcomeacrossthemaninchargeofhertrunk，andthatweshouldhavenodifficultyingettingitback。
\"Hemightpursueus。\"
\"Hedarenotdoso。\"
\"Iexpectnot，butifhedoesIwillgivehimawarmwelcome。IfhedoesnottakehimselfoffIwillblowouthisbrains。\"
BeforeIbeganmylettertoSirB————M————。Bettyagainwarnedmetoconcealnothingfromhim。
\"Noteventherewardyougaveme？\"
\"Oh，yes！Thatisalittlesecretbetweenourselves。\"
Inlessthanthreehourstheletterswerecomposedandwritten。Bettywassatisfiedwithmyletter；andherown，whichshetranslatedformybenefit，wasaperfectmasterpieceofsensibility，whichseemedtomecertainofsuccess。
IthoughtofpostingfromSienna，toensureherbeinginaplaceofsafetybeforethearrivalofherlover。
Theonlythingthattroubledmewasthebillofexchangeleftbehindbyl’Etoile，forwhetheritweretrueorfalse，Ifeltboundtodealwithitinsomeway，butIcouldnotseehowitwastobedone。
Wesetoutagainafterdinnerinspiteoftheheat，andarrivedatAcquapendenteintheeveningandspentthenightinthedelightsofmutuallove。
AsIwasgettingupinthemorningIsawacarriageinfrontoftheinn，juststartingforRome。IimaginedthatamidstthebaggageBetty’strunkmightbediscovered，andItoldhertogetup，andseeifitwerethere。
Wewentdown，andBettyrecognizedthetrunkshehadconfidedtoherseducer。
Webeggedthevetturinotorestoreittous，buthewasinflexible；andashewasintherightwehadtosubmit。TheonlythinghecoulddowastohaveanembargolaidonthetrunkatRome，thesaidembargotolastforamonth。Anotarywascalled，andourclaimproperlydrawnup。Thevetturino，whoseemedanhonestandintelligentfellow，assuredushehadreceivednothingelsebelongingtotheComtedel’Etoile，sowewereassuredthattheactorwasamerebeggaronthelookoutforpickings，andthattheragsinthesmalltrunkwereallhispossessions。
AfterthisbusinesshadbeendispatchedBettybrightenedupamazingly。
\"Heaven，\"sheexclaimed，\"isarrangingeverything。Mymistakewillserveasawarningtomeforthefuture，forthelessonhasbeenasevereone，andmighthavebeenmuchworseifIhadnothadthegoodfortuneofmeetingyou。\"
\"Icongratulateyou，\"Ireplied，\"onhavingcuredyourselfsoquicklyofapassionthathaddeprivedyouofyourreason。\"
\"Ah！awoman’sreasonisafragilething。IshudderwhenIthinkofthemonster；butIverilybelievethatIshouldnothaveregainedmysensesifhehadnotcalledmeahypocrite，andsaidthathewascertainIhadalreadygrantedyoumyfavours。Theseinfamouswordsopenedmyeyes，andmademeseemyshame。IbelieveIwouldhavehelpedyoutopiercehimtotheheartifthecowardhadnotrunaway。ButIamgladhedidrunaway，notforhissakebutforours，forweshouldhavebeeninanunpleasantpositionifhehadbeenkilled。\"
\"Youareright；heescapedmyswordbecauseheisdestinedfortherope。\"
\"Lethimlooktothathimself，butIamsurehewillneverdaretoshewhisfacebeforeyouormeagain。\"
WereachedRadicofaniatteno’clock，andproceededtowritepostscriptstoourletterstoSirB————M————Weweresittingatthesametable，BettyoppositetothedoorandIclosetoit，sothatanyonecomingincouldnothaveseenmewithoutturninground。
Bettywasdressedwithalldecencyandneatness，butIhadtakenoffmycoatonaccountofthesuffocatingheat。Nevertheless，thoughIwasinshirtsleeves，IshouldnothavebeenashamedofmyattirebeforethemostrespectablewomaninItaly。
AllatonceIheardarapidstepcomingalongthepassage，andthedoorwasdashedopen。Afurious—lookingmancamein，and，seeingBetty，criedout，——
\"Ah！thereyouare。\"
Ididnotgivehimtimetoturnroundandseeme，butleaptuponhimandseizedhimbytheshoulders。IfIhadnotdonesohewouldhaveshotmedeadonthespot。
AsIleaptuponhimIhadinvoluntarilyclosedthedoor，andashecried，\"Letmego，traitor！\"Bettyfellonherkneesbeforehim，exclaiming，\"No，no！heismypreserver。\"
SirB————M————wastoomadwithragetopayanyattentiontoher，andkepton，———
\"Letmego，traitors\"
Asmaybeimagined，Ididnotpaymuchattentiontothisrequestsolongastheloadedpistolwasinhishand。
InourstrugglesheatlastfelltothegroundandIontopofhim。
Thelandlordandhispeoplehadheardtheuproar，andweretryingtogetin；butaswehadfallenagainstthedoortheycouldnotdoso。
Bettyhadthepresenceofmindtosnatchthepistolfromhishand，andI
thenlethimgo，calmlyobserving，\"Sir，youarelabouringunderadelusion。\"
AgainBettythrewherselfonherknees，begginghimtocalmhimself，asI
washerpreservernotherbetrayer。
\"Whatdoyoumeanby’preserver’？\"saidB————M————
Bettygavehimtheletter，saying，——
\"Readthat。\"
TheEnglishmanreadtheletterthroughwithoutrisingfromtheground，andasIwascertainofitseffectIopenedthedoorandtoldthelandlordtosendhispeopleaway，andtogetdinnerforthree，aseverythinghadbeensettled。
EndRomebyJacquesCasanovaMEMOIRSOFJACQUESCASANOVAdeSEINGALT1725—1798
SPANISHPASSIONS，Volume6c——ROME
THEMEMOIRSOFJACQUESCASANOVADESEINGALT
THERAREUNABRIDGEDLONDONEDITIONOF1894TRANSLATEDBYARTHURMACHENTO
WHICHHASBEENADDEDTHECHAPTERSDISCOVEREDBYARTHURSYMONS。
RETURNTOROME
CHAPTERXIII
Rome——TheActor’sPunishment——LordBaltimore——Naples——SaraGoudar——
DepartureofBetty——Agatha——Medina——Albergoni——MissChudleigh——ThePrinceofFrancavilla——TheSwimmersAsIfellovertheEnglishmanIhadstruckmyhandagainstanail，andthefourthfingerofmylefthandwasbleedingasifaveinhadbeenopened。Bettyhelpedmetotieahandkerchiefaroundthewound，whileSirB————M————readtheletterwithgreatattention。IwasmuchpleasedwithBetty’saction，itshewedshewasconfident，andsureofherlover’sforgiveness。
Itookupmycoatandcarpet—bag，andwentintothenextroomtochangemylinen，anddressfordinner。AnydistressattheterminationofmyintriguewithBettywasamplycompensatedforbymyjoyatthehappyendingofatroublesomeaffairwhichmighthaveprovedfatalforme。
Idressedmyself，andthenwaitedforhalfanhour，asIheardBettyandSirB————M————speakinginEnglishcalmlyenough，andIdidnotcaretointerruptthem。AtlasttheEnglishmanknockedatmydoor，andcameinlookinghumbleandmortified。HesaidhewassureIhadnotonlysavedBetty，buthadeffectuallycuredherofherfolly。
\"Youmustforgivemyconduct，sir，\"saidhe，\"forIcouldnotguessthatthemanIfoundwithherwashersaviourandnotherbetrayer。IthankHeavenwhichinspiredyouwiththeideaofcatchingholdofmefrombehind，asIshouldcertainlyhavekilledyouthemomentIseteyesonyou，andatthismomentIshouldbethemostwretchedofmen。Youmustforgiveme，sir，andbecomemyfriend。\"
Iembracedhimcordially，tellinghimthatifIhadbeeninhisplaceI
shouldhaveactedinapreciselysimilarmanner。
Wereturnedtotheroom，andfoundBettyleaningagainstthebed，andweepingbitterly。
Thebloodcontinuingtoflawfrommywound，Isentforasurgeonwhosaidthataveinhadbeenopened，andthataproperligaturewasnecessary。
Bettystillwept，soItoldSirB————M————thatinmyopinionshedeservedhisforgiveness。
\"Forgiveness？\"saidhe，\"youmaybesureIhavealreadyforgivenher，andshewelldeservesit。PoorBettyrepenteddirectlyyoushewedherthepathshewastreading，andthetearssheissheddingnowaretearsofsorrowathermistake。Iamsuresherecognizesherfolly，andwillneverbeguiltyofsuchaslipagain。
Emotionisinfectious。Bettywept，SirB————M————wept，andIwepttokeepthemcompany。Atlastnaturecalledattruce，andbydegreesoursobsandtearsceasedandwebecamecalmer。
SirB————M————，whowasevidentlyamanofthemostgenerouscharacter，begantolaughandjest，andhiscaresseshadgreateffectincalmingBetty。Wemadeagooddinner，andthechoiceMuscatputusallinthebestofspirits。
SirB————M————saidwehadbetterrestforadayortwo；hehadjourneyedfifteenstagesinhothaste，andfeltinneedofrepose。
HetoldusthatonarrivingatLeghorn，andfindingnoBettythere，hehaddiscoveredthathertrunkhadbeenbookedtoRome，andthattheofficertowhomitbelongedhadhiredahorse，leavingawatchasapledgeforit。SirB————M————recognizedBetty’swatch，andfeelingcertainthatshewaseitheronhorsebackwithherseducerorinthewagonwithhertrunk，heimmediatelyresolvedtopursue。
\"Iprovidedmyself，\"headded，\"withtwogoodpistols，notwiththeideaofusingoneagainsther，formyfirstthoughtaboutherwaspity，andmysecondforgiveness；butIdeterminedtoblowoutthescoundrel’sbrains，andImeantodoityet。WewillstartforRometo—morrow。\"
SirB————M————’sconcludingwordsfilledBettywithjoy，andIbelieveshewouldhavepiercedherperfidiouslovertotheheartifhehadbeenbroughtbeforeheratthatmoment。
\"WeshallfindhimatRoland’s，\"saidI。
SirB————M————tookBettyinhisarms，andgazedatmewithanairofcontent，asifhewouldhaveshewnmethegreatnessofanEnglishheart——
agreatnesswhichmorethanatonesforitsweakness。
\"Iunderstandyourpurpose，\"Isaid，\"butyoushallnotexecuteyourplanswithoutme。Letmehavethechargeofseeingthatjusticeisdoneyou。Ifyouwillnotagree，IshallstartforRomedirectly，Ishallgettherebeforeyou，andshallgivethewretchedactorwarningofyourapproach。IfyouhadkilledhimbeforeIshouldhavesaidnothing，butatRomeitisdifferent，andyouwouldhavereasontorepentofhavingindulgedyourrighteousindignation。Youdon’tknowRomeandpriestlyjustice。Come，givemeyourhandandyourwordtodonothingwithoutmyconsent，orelseIshallleaveyoudirectly。\"
SirB————M————wasamanofmyownheightbutsomewhatthinner，andfiveorsixyearsolder；thereaderwillunderstandhischaracterwithoutmydescribingit。
Myspeechmusthaveratherastonishedhim，butheknewthatmydispositionwasbenevolent，andhecouldnothelpgivingmehishandandhispledge。
\"Yes，dearest，\"saidBetty，\"leavevengeancetothefriendwhomHeavenhassentus。\"
\"Iconsenttodoso，providedeverythingisdoneinconcertbetweenus。\"
Afterthisweparted，andSirB————M————，beinginneedofrest，IwenttotellthevetturinothatweshouldstartforRomeagainonthefollowingday。
\"ForRome！Thenyouhavefoundyourpocketbook？Itseemstome，mygoodsir，thatyouwouldhavebeenwisernottosearchforit。\"
Theworthyman，seeingmyhanddoneupinlint，imaginedIhadfoughtaduel，andindeedeverybodyelsecametothesameconclusion。
SirB————M————hadgonetobed，andIspenttherestofthedayinthecompanyofBetty，whowasoverflowingwiththegratitude。Shesaidwemustforgetwhathadpassedbetweenus，andbethebestoffriendsfortherestofourdays，withoutathoughtofanyfurtheramorousrelations。
Ihadnotmuchdifficultyinassentingtothiscondition。
Sheburnedwiththedesireforvengeanceonthescoundrellyactorwhohaddeceivedher；butIpointedoutthatherdutywastomoderateSirB————
M————’spassions，asifheattemptedanyviolenceinRomeitmightproveaveryseriousmatterforhim，besidesitsbeingtothedisadvantageofhisreputationtohavetheaffairtalkedof。
\"Ipromiseyou，\"Iadded，\"tohavetherogueimprisonedassoonaswereachRome，andthatoughttobesufficientvengeanceforyou。Insteadoftheadvantagesheproposedforhimself，hewillreceiveonlyshameandallthemiseryofaprison。\"
SirB————M————sleptsevenoreighthours，androsetofindthatagooddealofhisragehadevaporated。Heconsentedtoabidebymyarrangements，ifhecouldhavethepleasureofpayingthefellowavisit，ashewantedtoknowhim。
AfterthissensibledecisionandagoodsupperIwenttomylonelycouchwithoutanyregret，forIwashappyintheconsciousnessofhavingdoneagoodaction。
Westartedatday—breakthenextmorning，andwhenwereachedAcquapendenteweresolvedtoposttoRome。Bythepostthejourneytooktwelvehours，otherwiseweshouldhavebeenthreedaysontheroad。
AssoonaswereachedRomeIwenttothecustomhouseandputinthedocumentrelatingtoBetty’strunk。ThenextdayitwasdulybroughttoourinnandhandedovertoBetty。
AsSirB————M————hadplacedthecaseinmyhandsIwenttothebargello，animportantpersonatRome，andanexpeditiousofficerwhenheseesacaseclearlyandfeelssurethattheplaintiffsdonotmindspendingtheirmoney。Thebargelloisrich，andliveswell；hehasanalmostfreeaccesstothecardinal—vicar，thegovernor，andeventheHolyFatherhimself。
Hegavemeaprivateinterviewdirectly，andItoldhimthewholestory，finallysayingthatallweaskedforwasthattherogueshouldbeimprisonedandafterwardsexpelledfromRome。
\"Yousee，\"Iadded，\"thatourdemandisaverymoderateone，andwecouldgetallwewantbytheordinarychannelsofthelaw；butweareinahurry，andIwantyoutotakechargeofthewholeaffair。Ifyoucaretodosoweshallbepreparedtodefraylegalexpensestotheextentoffiftycrowns。\"
Thebargelloaskedmetogivehimthebillofexchangeandalltheeffectsoftheadventurer，includingtheletters。
Ihadthebillinmypocketandgaveithimonthespot，takingareceiptinexchange。Itoldhimtosendtotheinnfortherest。
\"AssoonasIhavemadehimconfessthefactsyouallegeagainsthim，\"
saidthebargello，\"weshallbeabletodosomething。IhavealreadyheardthatheisatRoland’s，andhasbeentryingtogettheEnglishwoman’strunk。Ifyoulikedtospendahundredcrownsinsteadoffiftywecouldsendhimtothegalleysforacoupleofyears。\"
\"Wewillseeaboutthat，\"saidI，\"forthepresentwewillhavehimintoprison。\"
Hewasdelightedtohearthatthehorsewasnotl’Etoile’sproperty，andsaidthatifIlikedtocallatnineo’clockhewouldhavefurthernewsforme。
IsaidIwouldcome。IreallyhadagooddealtodoatRome。IwantedtoseeCardinalBernisinthefirstplace，butIpostponedeverythingtotheaffairofthemoment。
Iwentbacktotheinnandwastoldbyavaletdeplace，whomSirB————
M————hadhired，thattheEnglishmanhadgonetobed。
Wewereinneedofacarriage，soIsummonedthelandlordandwasastonishedtofindmyselfconfrontedbyRolandinperson。
\"How’sthis？\"Isaid。\"IthoughtyouwerestillatthePlaced’Espagne。\"
\"IhavegivenmyoldhousetomydaughterwhohasmarriedaprosperousFrenchman，whileIhavetakenthispalacewheretherearesomemagnificentrooms。\"
\"Hasyourdaughtermanyforeignersstayingatherhousenow？\"
\"OnlyoneFrenchman，theComtedel’Etoile，whoiswaitingforhisequipagetocomeon。Hehasanexcellenthorse，andIamthinkingofbuyingitfromhim。\"
\"Iadviseyoutowaittillto—morrow，andtosaynothingabouttheadviceIhavegivenyou。\"
\"WhyshouldIwait？\"
\"Ican’tsayanymorejustnow。\"
ThisRolandwasthefatheroftheTheresewhomIhadlovednineyearsbefore，andwhommybrotherJeanhadmarriedin1762，ayearaftermydeparture。RolandtoldmethatmybrotherwasinRomewithPrinceBeloselski，theRussianambassadortotheCourtofSaxony。
\"IunderstoodthatmybrothercouldnotcometoRome。\"
\"Hecamewithasafe—conductwhichtheDowagerElectressofSaxonyobtainedforhimfromtheHolyFather。Hewantshiscasetobere—tried，andtherehemakesamistake，forifitwereheardahundredtimesthesentencewouldcontinuethesame。Noonewillseehim，everyoneavoidshim，evenMengswillhavenothingtosaytohim。\"
\"Mengsishere，ishe？IthoughhehadbeenatMadrid。\"
\"Hehasgotleaveofabsenceforayear，buthisfamilyremainsinSpain。\"
Afterhearingallthisnewswhichwasfarfrompleasanttome，asIdidnotwishtoseeMengsormybrother，Iwenttobed，leavingordersthatIwastoberousedintimefordinner。
Inanhour’stimeIwasawakenedbythetidingsthatsomeonewaswaitingtogivemeanote。Itwasoneofthebargello’smen，whohadcometotakeoverl’Etoile’seffects。
AtdinnerItoldSirB————M————whatIhaddone，andweagreedthatheshouldaccompanymetothebargello’sintheevening。
Intheafternoonwevisitedsomeoftheprincipalpalaces，andaftertakingBettybacktotheinnwewenttothebargello，whotoldusourmanwasalreadyinprison，andthatitwouldcostverylittletosendhimtothegalleys。
\"BeforemakingupmymindIshouldliketospeaktohim，\"saidSirB————
M————。\"
\"Youcandosoto—morrow。Heconfessedeverythingwithoutanytrouble，andmadeajestofit，sayinghewasnotafraidofanyconsequences，astheyoungladyhadgonewithhimofherownfreewill。Ishewedhimthebillofexchange，butheevincednoemotionwhatever。Hetoldmethathewasanactorbyprofession，butalsoamanofrank。Astothehorse，hesaidhewasatperfectlibertytosellit，asthewatchhehadleftinpledgewasworthmorethanthebeast。\"
IhadforgottentoinformthebargellothatthewatchaforesaidbelongedtoBetty。
Wegavetheworthyofficialfiftycrowns，andsuppedwithBetty，whohad，asIhaveremarked，recoveredhertrunk，andhadbeenbusyingherselfinputtingherthingstorights。
Shewasgladtohearthattherascalwasinprison，butshedidnotseemtowishtopayhimavisit。
Wewenttoseehimintheafternoonofthenextday。
Thebargellohadassignedusanadvocate，whomadeoutadocumentdemandingpaymentbytheprisoneroftheexpensesofthejourney，andofhisarrest，togetherwithacertainsumascompensationtothepersonwhomhehaddeceived，unlesshecouldprovehisrighttothetitleofcountinthecourseofsixweeks。
Wefoundl’Etoilewiththisdocumentinhishand；someonewastranslatingitforhimintoFrench。
Assoonastherascalsawme，hesaid，withalaugh，thatIowedhimtwenty—fiveLouisashehadleftBettytosleepwithme。
TheEnglishmantoldhimhelied；itwashethathadsleptwithher。
\"AreyouBetty’slover？\"askedl’Etoile。
\"Yes，andifIhadcaughtyouwithherIshouldhaveblownoutyourbrains，foryouhavedeceivedherdoubly；you’reonlyabeggarlyactor。\"
\"Ihavethreethousandcrowns。\"
\"Iwillpaysixthousandifthebillprovestobeagoodone。Inthemeanwhileyouwillstayhere，andifitbefalse，asIexpectitis，youwillgotothegalleys。\"
\"Verygood。\"
\"Ishallspeaktomycounsel。\"
Wewentoutandcalledontheadvocate，forSirB————M————hadalivelydesiretosendtheimpudentrascaltothegalleys。However，itcouldnotbedone，forl’Etoilesaidhewasquitereadytogiveupthebill，butthatheexpectedSirB————M————topayacrownadayforhiskeepwhileheremainedinprison。
SirB————M————thoughthewouldliketoseesomethingofRome，ashewasthere，andwasobligedtobuyalmosteverythingashehadlefthisbelongingsbehindhim，whileBettywaswellprovidedforashertrunkwasofimmensecapacity。Iwentwiththemeverywhere；itwasnotexactlythelifeIliked，buttherewouldbetimeformetopleasemyselfaftertheyhadgone。IlovedBettywithoutdesiringher，andIhadtakenalikingtotheEnglishmanwhohadanexcellentheart。AtfirsthewantedtostayafortnightatRome，andthentoreturntoLeghorn；buthisfriendLordBaltimore，whohadcometoRomeinthemeanwhile，persuadedhimtopayashortvisittoNaples。
Thisnobleman，whohadwithhimaveryprettyFrenchwomanandtwoservants，saidhewouldseetothejourney，andthatImustjointheparty。IhadmadehisacquaintanceatLondon。
IwasgladtohavetheopportunityofseeingNaplesagain。Welodgedatthe\"Crocielles\"atChiaggia，orChiaja，astheNeapolitanscallit。
ThefirstnewsIheardwasthedeathoftheDukeofMataloneandthemarriageofhiswidowwithPrinceCaramanica。
Thiscircumstanceputanendtosomeofmyhopes，andIonlythoughtofamusingmyselfwithmyfriends，asifIhadneverbeenatNaplesbefore。
LordBaltimorehadbeenthereseveraltimes，buthismistress，Betty，andSirB————M————，werestrangers，andwantedtoseeeverything。I
accordinglyactedascicerone，forwhichpartIandmylord，too，weremuchbetterqualifiedthanthetediousandignorantfellowswhohadanofficialrighttothattitle。
ThedayafterourarrivalIwasunpleasantlysurprisedtoseethenotoriousChevalierGoudar，whomIhadknownatLondon。HecalledonLordBaltimore。
ThisfamousrouthadahouseatPausilippo，andhiswifewasnoneotherthantheprettyIrishgirlSara，formerlyadrawerinaLondontavern。
Thereaderhasbeenalreadyintroducedtoher。GoudarknewIhadmether，sohetoldmewhoshewas，invitingusalltodinewithhimthenextday。
Saraskewednosurprisenorconfusionatthesightofme，butIwaspetrified。Shewasdressedwiththeutmostelegance，receivedcompanyadmirably，spokeItalianwithperfectcorrectness，talkedsensibly，andwasexquisitelybeautiful；Iwasstupefied；themetamorphosiswassogreat。
Inaquarterofanhourfiveorsixladiesofthehighestrankarrived，withtenortwelvedukes，princes，andmarquises，tosaynothingofahostofdistinguishedstrangers。
Thetablewaslaidforthirty，butbeforedinnerMadameGoudarseatedherselfatthepiano，andsangafewairswiththevoiceofasiren，andwithaconfidencethatdidnotastonishtheotherguestsastheyknewher，butwhichastonishedmeextremely，forhersingingwasreallyadmirable。
Goudarhadworkedthismiracle。Hehadbeeneducatinghertobehiswifeforsixorsevenyears。
AftermarryingherhehadtakenhertoParis，Vienna，Venice，Florence，Rome，etc。，everywhereseekingfortune，butinvain。FinallyhehadcometoNaples，wherehehadbroughthiswifeintothefashionofobliginghertorenounceinpublictheerrorsoftheAnglicanheresy。ShehadbeenreceivedintotheCatholicChurchundertheauspicesoftheQueenofNaples。TheamusingpartinallthiswasthatSara，beinganIrishwoman，hadbeenbornaCatholic，andhadneverceasedtobeone。
Allthenobility，eventotheCourt，wenttoseeSara，whileshewentnowhere，fornooneinvitedher。Thiskindofthingisacharacteristicofnobilityalltheworldover。
Goudartoldmealltheseparticulars，andconfessedthatheonlymadehislivingbygaming。Faroandbiribiweretheonlypillarsofhishouse；
buttheymusthavebeenstrongones，forhelivedingreatstyle。
Heaskedmetojoinwithhim，andIdidnotcaretorefuse；mypursewasfastapproachingtotaldepletion，andifitwerenotforthisresourceI
couldnotcontinuelivinginthestyletowhichIhadbeenaccustomed。
HavingtakenthisresolutionIdeclinedreturningtoRomewithBettyandSirB————M—————，whowantedtorepaymeallIhadspentonheraccount。
Iwasnotinapositiontobeostentatious，soIacceptedhisgenerousoffer。
TwomonthslaterIheardthatl’EtoilehadbeenliberatedbytheinfluenceofCardinalBernis，andhadleftRome。NextyearIheardatFlorencethatSirB————M—————hadreturnedtoEngland，wherenodoubthemarriedBettyassoonashebecameawidower。
AsforthefamousLordBaltimoreheleftNaplesafewdaysaftermyfriends，andtravelledaboutItalyinhisusualway。ThreeyearslaterhepaidforhisBritishbravadowithhislife。HecommittedthewildimprudenceoftraversingtheMaremmainAugust，andwaskilledbythepoisonousexhalations。
Istoppedat\"Crocielles，\"asalltherichforeignerscametolivethere。
Iwasthusenabledtomaketheiracquaintance，andputtheminthewayoflosingtheirmoneyatGoudar’s。Ididnotlikemytask，butcircumstancesweretoostrongforme。
FiveorsixdaysafterBettyhadleftIchancedtomeettheAbbyGama，whohadagedagooddeal，butwasstillasgayandactiveasever。Afterwehadtoldeachotherouradventuresheinformedmethat，asallthedifferencesbetweentheHolySeeandtheCourtofNapleshadbeenadjusted，hewasgoingbacktoRome。
Beforehewent，however，hesaidheshouldliketopresentmetoaladywhomhewassureIshouldbeverygladtoseeagain。
ThefirstpersonsIthoughtofwereDonnaLeonilda，orDonnaLucrezia，hermother；butwhatwasmysurprisetoseeAgatha，thedancerwithwhomIhadbeeninloveatTurinafterabandoningtheCorticelli。
Ourdelightwasmutual，andweproceededtotelleachothertheincidentsofourlivessincewehadparted。
Mytaleonlylastedaquarterofanhour，butAgatha’shistorywasalongone。
ShehadonlydancedayearatNaples。Anadvocatehadfalleninlovewithher，andsheshewedmefourprettychildrenshehadgivenhim。Thehusbandcameinatsupper—time，andasshehadoftentalkedtohimaboutmeherushedtoembracemeassoonasheheardmyname。Hewasanintelligentman，likemostofthepaglettiofNaples。Wesuppedtogetherlikeoldfriends，andtheAbbeGamagoingsoonaftersupperIstayedwiththemtillmidnight，promisingtojointhematdinnerthenextday。
AlthoughAgathawasintheveryflowerofherbeauty，theoldfireswerenotrekindledinme。Iwastenyearsolder。Mycoolnesspleasedme，forIshouldnothavelikedtotroublethepeaceofahappyhome。
AfterleavingAgathaIproceededtoGoudar’s，inwhosebankItookastronginterest。Ifoundadozengamestersroundthetable，butwhatwasmysurprisetorecognizeintheholderofthebankCountMedini。
ThreeorfourdaysbeforethisMedinihadbeenexpelledfromthehouseofM。deChoiseul，theFrenchambassador；hehadbeencaughtcheatingatcards。Ihadalsomyreasontobeincensedagainsthim；and，asthereadermayremember，wehadfoughtaduel。
OnglancingatthebankIsawthatitwasatthelastgasp。Itoughttohaveheldsixhundredounces，andtherewerescarcelyahundred。Iwasinterestedtotheextentofathird。
OnexaminingthefaceofthepunterwhohadmadetheseravagesIguessedthegame。ItwasthefirsttimeIhadseentherascalatGoudar’s。
AttheendofthedealGoudartoldmethatthispunterwasarichFrenchmanwhohadbeenintroducedbyMedini。HetoldmeIshouldnotmindhiswinningthatevening，ashewouldbesuretoloseitallandagooddealmoreanothertime。
\"Idon’tcarewhothepunteris，\"saidI，\"itisnotoftheslightestconsequencetome，asItellyouplainlythataslongasMediniisthebankerIwillhavenothingtodowithit。\"
\"IhavetoldMediniaboutitandwantedtotakeathirdawayfromthebank，butheseemedoffendedandsaidhewouldmakeupanylosstoyou，butthathecouldnothavethebanktouched。\"
\"Verygood，butifhedoesnotbringmemymoneybyto—morrowmorningtherewillbetrouble。Indeed，theresponsibilitylieswithyou，forI
havetoldyouthataslongasMedinidealsIwillhavenothingtodowithit。\"
\"Ofcourseyouhaveaclaimonmefortwohundredounces，butIhopeyouwillbereasonable；itwouldberatherhardformetolosetwo—thirds。\"
KnowingGoudartobeagreaterrascalthanMedini，Ididnotbelieveawordhesaid；andIwaitedimpatientlyfortheendofthegame。
Atoneo’clockitwasallover。Theluckypunterwentoffwithhispocketsfullofgold，andMedini，affectinghighspirits，whichwereverymuchoutofplace，sworehisvictoryshouldcosthimdear。
\"Willyoukindlygivememytwohundredounces，\"saidI，\"for，ofcourse，GondartoldyouthatIwasoutofit？\"
\"Iconfessmyselfindebtedtoyouforthatamount，asyouabsolutelyinsist，butpraytellmewhyyourefusetobeinterestedinthebankwhenIamdealing。\"
\"BecauseIhavenoconfidenceinyourluck。\"
\"Youmustseethatyourwordsarecapableofaveryunpleasantinterpretation。\"
\"Ican’tpreventyourinterpretingmywordsasyouplease，butIhavearighttomyownopinion。Iwantmytwohundredounces，andIamquitewillingtoleaveyouanymoneysyouproposetomakeoutoftheconquerorofto—night。YoumustmakeyourarrangementswithM。Goudar，andbynoonto—morrow，you，M。Goudar，willbringmethatsum。\"
\"Ican’tremityouthemoneytillthecountgivesitme，forIhaven’tgotanymoney。\"
\"Iamsureyouwillhavesomemoneybytwelveo’clockto—morrowmorning。
Goodnight。\"
Iwouldnotlistentoanyoftheirswindlingarguments，andwenthomewithouttheslightestdoubtthattheyweretryingtocheatme。I
resolvedtowashmyhandsofthewholegangassoonasIhadgotmymoneybackbyfairmeansorfoul。
AtninethenextmorningIreceivedanotefromMedini，beggingmetocallonhimandsettlethematter。IrepliedthathemustmakehisarrangementswithGoudar，andIbeggedtobeexcusedcallingonhim。
Inthecourseofanhourhepaidmeavisit，andexertedallhiseloquencetopersuademetotakeabillfortwohundredounces，payableinaweek。Igavehimasharprefusal，sayingthatmybusinesswaswithGoudarandGondaronly，andthatunlessIreceivedthemoneybynoonI
shouldproceedtoextremities。Mediniraisedhisvoice，andtoldmethatmylanguagewasoffensive；andforthwithItookupapistolandplaceditagainsthischeek，orderinghimtoleavetheroom。Heturnedpale，andwentawaywithoutaword。
AtnoonIwenttoGondar’swithoutmysword，butwithtwogoodpistolsinmypocket。Mediniwasthere，andbeganbyreproachingmewithattemptingtoassassinatehiminmyownhouse。
Itooknonoticeofthis，buttoldGondartogivememytwohundredounces。
GoudaraskedMedinitogivehimthemoney。
Therewouldundoubtedlyhavebeenaquarrel，ifIhadnotbeenprudentenoughtoleavetheroom，threateningGondarwithruinifhedidnotsendonthemoneydirectly。
JustasIwasleavingthehouse，thefairSaraputherheadoutofthewindow，andbeggedmetocomeupbythebackstairsandspeaktoher。
Ibeggedtobeexcused，soshesaidshewouldcomedown，andinamomentshestoodbesideme。
\"Youareintherightaboutyourmoney，\"shesaid，\"butjustatpresentmyhusbandhasnotgotany；youreallymustwaittwoorthreedays，I
willguaranteethepayment。\"
\"Iamreallysorry，\"Ireplied，\"nottobeabletoobligesuchacharmingwoman，buttheonlythingthatwillpacifymeismymoney，andtillI
havehadit，youwillseemenomoreinyourhouse，againstwhichI
declarewar。\"
Thereuponshedrewfromherfingeradiamondring，worthatleastfourhundredounces，andbeggedmetoacceptitasapledge。
Itookit，andleftheraftermakingmybow。Shewasdoubtlessastonishedatmybehaviour，forinherstateofdeshabilleshecouldnothavecountedonmydisplayingsuchfirmness。
Iwasverywellsatisfiedwithmyvictory，andwenttodinewiththeadvocate，Agatha’shusband。Itoldhimthestory，begginghimtofindsomeonewhowouldgivemetwohundredouncesonthering。
\"Iwilldoitmyself，\"saidhe；andhegavemeanacknowledgmentandtwohundredouncesonthespot。HethenwroteinmynamealettertoGoudar，informinghimthathewasthedepositaryofthering。
Thisdone，Irecoveredmygoodtemper。
BeforedinnerAgathatookmeintoherboudoirandshewedmeallthesplendidjewelsIhadgivenherwhenIwasrichandinlove。
\"NowIamarichwoman，\"saidshe，\"andmygoodfortuneisallyourmaking；sotakebackwhatyougaveme。Don’tbeoffended；Iamsogratefultoyou，andmygoodhusbandandIagreedonthisplanthismorning。\"
TotakeawayanyscruplesImighthave，sheshewedmethediamondsherhusbandhadgivenher；theyhadbelongedtohisfirstwifeandwereworthaconsiderablesum。
Mygratitudewastoogreatforwords，Icouldonlypressherhand，andletmyeyesspeakthefeelingsofmyheart。Justthenherhusbandcamein。
Ithadevidentlybeenconcertedbetweenthem，fortheworthymanembracedme，andbeggedmetoaccedetohiswife’srequest。
Wethenjoinedthecompanywhichconsistedofadozenorsooftheirfriends，buttheonlypersonwhoattractedmyattentionwasaveryyoungman，whomIsetdownatonceasinlovewithAgatha。HisnamewasDonPascalLatilla；andIcouldwellbelievethathewouldbesuccessfulinlove，forhewasintelligent，handsome，andwell—mannered。Webecamefriendsinthecourseofthemeal。
AmongsttheladiesIwasgreatlypleasedwithoneyounggirl。Shewasonlyfourteen，butshelookedeighteen。Agathatoldmeshewasstudyingsinging，intendingtogoonthestageasshewassopoor。
\"Sopretty，andyetpoor？\"
\"Yes，forshewillhaveallornothing；andloversofthatkindarerareinNaples。\"
\"Butshemusthavesomelover？\"
\"Ifshehas，noonehasheardofhim。Youhadbettermakeheracquaintanceandgoandseeher。Youwillsoonbefriends。\"
\"What’shername？\"
\"Callimena。Theladywhoisspeakingtoherisheraunt，andIexpecttheyaretalkingaboutyou。\"
Wesatdowntotheenjoymentofadelicateandabundantmeal。Agatha，I
couldsee，washappy，anddelightedtoshewmehowhappyshewas。TheoldAbbeGamacongratulatedhimselfonhavingpresentedme。DonPascalLatillacouldnotbejealousoftheattentionspaidmebyhisidol，forI
wasastranger，andtheyweremydue；whileherhusbandpridedhimselfonhisfreedomfromthosevulgarprejudicestowhichsomanyNeapolitansaresubject。
InthemidstofallthisgaietyIcouldnothelpstealingmanyafurtiveglancetowardsCallimena。Iaddressedheragainandagain，andsheansweredmepolitelybutsobrieflyastogivemenoopportunityofdisplayingmypowersinthewayofpersiflage。
Iaskedifhernamewasherfamilynameorapseudonym。
\"Itismybaptismalname。\"
\"ItisGreek；but，ofcourse，youknowwhatitmeans？\"
\"No。\"
\"Madbeauty，orfairmoon。\"
\"IamgladtosaythatIhavenothingincommonwithmyname。\"
\"Haveyouanybrothersorsisters？\"
\"Ihaveonlyonemarriedsister，withwhomyoumaypossiblybeacquainted。\"
\"Whatishername，andwhoisherhusband？\"
\"HerhusbandisaPiedmontese，butshedoesnotlivewithhim。\"
\"IsshetheMadameSlopiswhotravelswithAston？\"
\"Exactly。\"
\"Icangiveyougoodnewsofher。\"
AfterdinnerIaskedAgathahowshecametoknowCallimena。
\"Myhusbandishergodfather。\"
\"Whatisherexactage？\"
\"Fourteen。\"
\"She’sasimpleprodigy！Whatloveliness！\"
\"Hersisterisstillhandsomer。\"
\"Ihaveneverseenher。\"
AservantcameinandsaidM。Goudarwouldliketohavealittleprivateconversationwiththeadvocate。
Theadvocatecamebackinaquarterofanhour，andinformedmethatGoudarhadgivenhimthetwohundredounces，andthathehadreturnedhimthering。
\"Thenthat’sallsettled，andIamverygladofit。Ihavecertainlymadeaneternalenemyofhim，butthatdoesn’ttroublememuch。\"
Webeganplaying，andAgathamademeplaywithCallimena，thefreshnessandsimplicityofwhosecharacterdelightedme。
ItoldherallIknewabouthersister，andpromisedIwouldwritetoTurintoenquirewhethershewerestillthere。ItoldherthatIlovedher，andthatifshewouldallowme，Iwouldcomeandseeher。Herreplywasextremelysatisfactory。
ThenextmorningIwenttowishhergoodday。Shewastakingamusiclessonfromhermaster。Hertalentswerereallyofamoderateorder，butlovemademepronounceherperformancetobeexquisite。
Whenthemasterhadgone，Iremainedalonewithher。Thepoorgirloverwhelmedmewithapologiesforherdress，herwretchedfurniture，andforherinabilitytogivemeaproperbreakfast。
\"Allthatmakeyoumoredesirableinmyeyes，andIamonlysorrythatI
cannotofferyouafortune。\"
AsIpraisedherbeauty，sheallowedmetokissherardently，butshestoppedmyfurtherprogressbygivingmeakissasiftosatisfyme。
Imadeanefforttorestrainmyardour，andtoldhertotellmetrulywhethershehadalover。
\"Notone。\"
\"Andhaveyouneverhadone？\"
\"Never。\"
\"Notevenafancyforanyone？\"
\"No，never。\"
\"What，withyourbeautyandsensibility，istherenomaninNapleswhohassucceededininspiringyouwithdesire？\"
\"Noonehasevertriedtodoso。Noonehasspokentomeasyouhave，andthatistheplaintruth。\"
\"Ibelieveyou，andIseethatImustmakehastetoleaveNaples，ifI
wouldnotbethemostunhappyofmen。\"
\"Whatdoyoumean？\"
\"Ishouldloveyouwithoutthehopeofpossessingyou，andthusIshouldbemostunhappy。\"
\"Lovemethen，andstay。Tryandmakemeloveyou。Onlyyoumustmoderateyourecstacies，forIcannotloveamanwhocannotexerciseself—restraint。\"
\"Asjustnow，forinstance？\"
\"Yes。IfyoucalmyourselfIshallthinkyoudosoformysake，andthuslovewilltreadcloseontheheelsofgratitude。\"
ThiswasasmuchastotellmethatthoughshedidnotlovemeyetIhadonlytowaitpatiently，andIresolvedtofollowheradvice。Ihadreachedanagewhichknowsnothingoftheimpatientdesiresofyouth。
Igaveheratenderembrace，andasIwasgettinguptogoIaskedherifshewereinneedofmoney。
Thisquestionmaleherblush，andshesaidIhadbetteraskheraunt，whowasinthenextroom。
Iwentin，andwassomewhatastonishedtofindtheauntseatedbetweentwoworthyCapuchins，whoweretalkingsmalltalktoherwhilesheworkedatherneedle。Atalittledistancethreeyounggirlssatsewing。
Theauntwouldhaverisentowelcomeme，butIpreventedher，askedherhowshedid，andsmilinglycongratulatedheronhercompany。Shesmiledback，buttheCapuchinssatasfirmastwostocks，withouthonouringmewithasmuchasaglance。