Itookachairandsatdownbesideher。
Shewasnearherfiftiethyear，thoughsomemighthavedoubtedwhethershewouldeverseeitagain；hermannerwasgoodandhonest，andherfeaturesborethetracesofthebeautythattimehadruined。
AlthoughIamnotaprejudicedman，thepresenceofthetwoevil—smellingmonksannoyedmeextremely。Ithoughttheobstinatewayinwhichtheystayedlittlelessthananinsult。Truetheyweremenlikemyself，inspiteoftheirgoats’beardsanddirtyfrocks，andconsequentlywereliabletothesamedesiresasI；butforallthatIfoundthemwhollyintolerable。Icouldnotshamethemwithoutshamingthelady，andtheyknewit；monksareadeptsatsuchcalculations。
IhavetravelledalloverEurope，butFranceistheonlycountryinwhichIsawadecentandrespectableclergy。
AttheendofaquarterofanhourIcouldcontainmyselfnolonger，andtoldtheauntthatIwishedtosaysomethingtoherinprivate。I
thoughtthetwosatyrswouldhavetakenthehint，butIcountedwithoutmyhost。Theauntarose，however，andtookmeintothenextroom。
Iaskedmyquestionasdelicatelyaspossible，andshereplied，——
\"Alas！Ihaveonlytoogreataneedoftwentyducats（abouteightyfrancs）topaymyrent。\"
Igaveherthemoneyonthespot，andIsawthatshewasverygrateful，butIleftherbeforeshecouldexpressherfeelings。
HereImusttellmyreaders（ifIeverhaveany）ofaneventwhichtookplaceonthatsameday。
AsIwasdininginmyroombymyself，IwastoldthataVenetiangentlemanwhosaidheknewmewishedtospeaktome。
Iorderedhimtobeshewn。in，andthoughhisfacewasnotwhollyunknowntomeIcouldnotrecollectwhohewas。
Hewastall，thinandwretched，miseryandhungerspewingplainlyinhiseveryfeature；hisbeardwaslong，hisheadshaven，hisrobeadingybrown，andboundabouthimwithacoarsecord，whencehungarosaryandadirtyhandkerchief。Inthelefthandheboreabasket，andintherightalongstick；hisformisstillbeforeme，butIthinkofhimnotasahumblepenitent，butasabeinginthelaststateofdesperation；almostanassassin。
\"Whoareyou？\"Isaidatlength。\"IthinkIhaveseenyoubefore，andyet……\"
\"Iwillsoontellyoumynameandthestoryofmywoes；butfirstgivemesomethingtoeat，forIamdyingofhunger。Ihavehadnothingbutbadsoupforthelastfewdays。\"
\"Certainly；godownstairsandhaveyourdinner，andthencomebacktome；
youcan’teatandspeakatthesametime。\"
Mymanwentdowntogivehimhismeal，andIgaveinstructionsthatIwasnottobeleftalonewithhimasheterrifiedme。
IfeltsurethatIoughttoknowhim，andlongedtohearhisstory。
Inthreequartersofanhourhecameupagain，lookinglikesomeoneinahighfever。
\"Sitdown，\"saidI，\"andspeakfreely。\"
\"MynameisAlbergoni。\"
\"What！\"
AlbergoniwasagentlemanofPadua，andoneofmymostintimatefriendstwenty—fiveyearsbefore。Hewasprovidedwithasmallfortune，butanabundanceofwit，andhadagreatleaningtowardspleasureandtheexerciseofsatire。Helaughedatthepoliceandthecheatedhusbands，indulgedinVenusandBacchustoexcess，sacrificedtothegodofpederasty，andgamedincessantly。Hewasnowhideouslyugly，butwhenI
knewhimfirsthewasaveryAntinous。
Hetoldmethefollowingstory:
\"Aclubofyoungrakes，ofwhomIwasone，hadacasinoattheZuecca；wepassedmanyapleasanthourtherewithouthurtinganyone。Someoneimaginedthatthesemeetingswerethescenesofunlawfulpleasures，theenginesofthelawweresecretlydirectedagainstus，andthecasinowasshutup，andwewereorderedtobearrested。AllescapedexceptmyselfandamannamedBranzandi。Wehadtowaitforourunjustsentencefortwoyears，butatlastitappeared。Mywretchedfellowwascondemnedtolosehishead，andafterwardstobeburnt，whileIwassentencedtotenyears’imprisonment’incarcereduro’。In1765Iwassetfree，andwenttoPaduahopingtoliveinpeace，butmypersecutorsgavemenorest，andIwasaccusedofthesamecrime。Iwouldnotwaitforthestormtoburst，soIfledtoRome，andtwoyearsafterwardstheCouncilofTencondemnedmetoperpetualbanishment。
\"ImightbearthisifIhadthewherewithaltolive，butabrother—in—lawofminehaspossessedhimselfofallIhave，andtheunjustTribunalwinksathismisdeeds。
\"ARomanattorneymademeanofferofanannuityoftwopawlsadayontheconditionthatIshouldrenounceallclaimsonmyestate。Irefusedthisiniquitouscondition，andleftRometocomehereandturnhermit。I
havefollowedthissorrytradefortwoyears，andcanbearitnomore。\"
\"GobacktoRome；youcanliveontwopawlsaday。\"
\"Iwouldratherdie。\"
Ipitiedhimsincerely，andsaidthatthoughIwasnotarichmanhewaswelcometodineeverydayatmyexpensewhileIremainedinNaples，andI
gavehimasequin。
Twoorthreedayslatermymantoldmethatthepoorwretchhadcommittedsuicide。
Inhisroomwerefoundfivenumbers，whichhebequeathedtoMediniandmyselfoutofgratitudeforourkindnesstohim。ThesefivenumberswereveryprofitabletotheLotteryofNaples，foreveryone，myselfexcepted，rushedtogetthem。Notasingleoneprovedawinningnumber，butthepopularbeliefthatnumbersgivenbyamanbeforehecommitssuicideareinfallibleistoodeeplyrootedamongtheNeapolitanstobedestroyedbysuchamisadventure。
Iwenttoseethewretchedman’sbody，andthenenteredacafe。Someonewastalkingofthecase，andmaintainingthatdeathbystrangulationmustbemostluxuriousasthevictimalwaysexpireswithastrongerection。
Itmightbeso，buttheerectionmightalsobetheresultofanagonyofpain，andbeforeanyonecanspeakdogmaticallyonthepointhemustfirsthavehadapracticalexperience。
AsIwasleavingthecafeIhadthegoodlucktocatchahandkerchiefthiefintheact；itwasaboutthetwentiethIhadstolenfrommeinthemonthIhadspentatNaples。Suchpettythievesaboundthere，andtheirskillissomethingamazing。
Assoonashefelthimselfcaught，hebeggedmenottomakeanynoise，swearinghewouldreturnallthehandkerchiefshehadstolenfromme，which，asheconfessed，amountedtosevenoreight。
\"Youhavestolenmorethantwentyfromme。\"
\"NotI，butsomeofmymates。Ifyoucomewithme，perhapsweshallbeabletogetthemallback。\"
\"Isitfaroff？\"
\"IntheLargodelCastello。Letmego；peoplearelookingatus。\"
Thelittlerascaltookmetoanevil—lookingtavern，andshewedmeintoaroom，whereamanaskedmeifIwantedtobuyanyoldthings。AssoonasheheardIhadcomeformyhandkerchiefs，heopenedabigcupboardfullofhandkerchiefs，amongstwhichIfoundadozenofmine，andboughtthembackforatrifle。
AfewdaysafterIboughtseveralothers，thoughIknewtheywerestolen。
TheworthyNeapolitandealerseemedtothinkmetrustworthy，andthreeorfourdaysbeforeIleftNapleshetoldmethathecouldsellme，fortenortwelvethousandducats，commoditieswhichwouldfetchfourtimesthatamountatRomeorelsewhere。
\"Whatkindofcommoditiesarethey？\"
\"Watches，snuff—boxes，rings，andjewels，whichIdarenotsellhere。\"
\"Aren’tyouafraidofbeingdiscovered？\"
\"Notmuch，Idon’ttelleveryoneofmybusiness。\"
Ithankedhim，butIwouldnotlookathistrinkets，asIwasafraidthetemptationofmakingsuchaprofitwouldbetoogreat。
WhenIgotbacktomyinnIfoundsomeguestshadarrived，ofwhomafewwereknowntome。BartoldihadarrivedfromDresdenwithtwoyoungSaxons，whosetutorhewas。Theseyoungnoblemenwererichandhandsome，andlookedfondofpleasure。
Bartoldiwasanoldfriendofmine。HehadplayedHarlequinattheKingofPoland’sItalianTheatre。Onthedeathofthemonarchhehadbeenplacedattheheadoftheopera—buffabythedowagerelectress，whowaspassionatelyfondofmusic。
AmongsttheotherstrangerswereMissChudleigh，nowDuchessofKingston，withanoblemanandaknightwhosenamesIhaveforgotten。
Theduchessrecognizedmeatonce，andseemedpleasedthatIpaidmycourttoher。AnhourafterwardsMr。Hamiltoncametoseeher，andIwasdelightedtomakehisacquaintance。Wealldinedtogether。Mr。
Hamiltonwasagenius，andyetheendedbymarryingameregirl，whowascleverenoughtomakehiminlovewithher。Suchamisfortuneoftencomestoclevermenintheiroldage。Marriageisalwaysafolly；butwhenamanmarriesayoungwomanatatimeoflifewhenhisphysicalstrengthisrunninglow，heisboundtopaydearlyforhisfolly；andifhiswifeisamorousofhimshewillkillhimevenyearsagoIhadanarrowescapemyselffromthesamefate。
AfterdinnerIpresentedthetwoSaxonstotheduchess；theygavehernewsofthedowagerelectress，ofwhomshewasveryfond。Wethenwenttotheplaytogether。Aschancewouldhaveit，MadameGoudaroccupiedtheboxnexttoours，andHamiltonamusedtheduchessbytellingthestoryofthehandsomeIrishwoman，buthergracedidnotseemdesirousofmakingSara’sacquaintance。
AftersuppertheduchessarrangedagameofquinzewiththetwoEnglishmenandthetwoSaxons。Thestakesweresmall，andtheSaxonsprovedvictorious。Ihadnottakenanypartinthegame，butIresolvedtodosothenextevening。
ThefollowingdaywedinedmagnificentlywiththePrinceofFrancavilla，andintheafternoonhetookustothebathbytheseashore，wherewesawawonderfulsight。Aprieststrippedhimselfnaked，leaptintothewater，andwithoutmakingtheslightestmovementfloatedonthesurfacelikeapieceofdeal。Therewasnotrickinit，andthemarvelmustbeassignedtosomespecialqualityinhisorgansofbreathing。Afterthistheprinceamusedtheduchessstillmorepleasantly。Hemadeallhispages，ladsoffifteentoseventeen，gointothewater，andtheirvariousevolutionsaffordedusgreatpleasure。Theywereallthesweetheartsoftheprince，whopreferredGanymedetoHebe。
TheEnglishmenaskedhimififhewouldgiveusthesamespectacle，onlysubsitutingnymphsforthe’amoyini’，andhepromisedtodosothenextdayathissplendidhousenearPortici，wheretherewasamarblebasininthemidstofthegarden。
CHAPTERXIV
MyAmourswithGallimena——JourneytoSoyento——Medini——Goudar——
MissChudleigh——TheMarquisPetina——Gaetano——MadameCornelis’sSon——
AnAnecdoteofSaraGoudar——TheFlorentinesMockedbytheKing——
MyJourneytoSalerno，ReturntoNaples，andArrivalatRomeThePrinceofFrancavillawasarichEpicurean，whosemottowas’Fovetetfavet’。
HewasinfavourinSpain，butthekingallowedhimtoliveatNaples，ashewasafraidofhisinitiatingthePrinceofAsturias，hisbrothers，andperhapsthewholeCourt，intohispeculiarvices。
Thenextdayhekepthispromise，andwehadthepleasureofseeingthemarblebasinfilledwithtenortwelvebeautifulgirlswhoswamaboutinthewater。
MissChudleighandthetwootherladiespronouncedthisspectacletedious；theynodoubtpreferredthatofthepreviousday。
InspiteofthisgaycompanyIwenttoseeCallimenatwiceaday；shestillmademesighinvain。
Agathawasmyconfidante；shewouldgladlyhavehelpedmetoattainmyends，butherdignitywouldnotallowofhergivingmeanyovertassistance。ShepromisedtoaskCallimenatoaccompanyusonanexcursiontoSorento，hopingthatIshouldsucceedinmyobjectduringthenightweshouldhavetospendthere。
BeforeAgathahadmadethesearrangements，HamiltonhadmadesimilaroneswiththeDuchessofKingston，andIsucceededingettinganinvitation。
IassociatedchieflywiththetwoSaxonsandacharmingAbbeGuliani，withwhomIafterwardsmadeamoreintimateacquaintanceatRome。
WeleftNaplesatfouro’clockinthemorning，inafeluccawithtwelveoars，andatninewereachedSorrento。
Wewerefifteeninnumber，andallweredelightedwiththisearthlyparadise。
HamiltontookustoagardenbelongingtotheDukeofSerraCapriola，whochancedtobetherewithhinbeautifulPiedmontesewife，wholovedherhusbandpassionately。
Thedukehadbeensenttheretwomonthsbeforeforhavingappearedinpublicinanequipagewhichwasadjudgedtoomagnificent。TheministerTanuccicalledonthekingtopunishthisinfringementofthesumptuarylaws，andasthekinghadnotyetlearnttoresisthisministers，thedukeandhiswifewereexiledtothisearthlyparadise。Butaparadisewhichisaprisonisnoparadiseatall；theywerebothdyingofennui，andourarrivalwasbalminGileadtothem。
AcertainAbbeBettoni，whoseacquaintanceIhadmadenineyearsbeforeatthelateDukeofMatalone’s，hadcometoseethem，andwasdelightedtomeetmeagain。
TheabbewasanativeofBrescia，buthehadchosenSorentoashisresidence。Hehadthreethousandcrownsayear，andlivedwell，enjoyingallthegiftsofBacchus，Ceres，Comus，andVenus，thelatterbeinghisfavouritedivinity。Hehadonlytodesiretoattain，andnomancoulddesiregreaterpleasurethanheenjoyedatSorento。IwasvexedtoseeCountMediniwithhim；wewereenemies，andgaveeachotherthecoldestofgreetings。
Weweretwenty—twoattableandenjoyeddeliciousfare，forinthatlandeverythingisgood；theverybreadissweeterthanelsewhere。Wespenttheafternoonininspectingthevillages，whicharesurroundedbyavenuesfinerthantheavenuesleadingtothegrandestcastlesinEurope。
AbbeBettonitreatedustolemon，coffee，andchocolateices，andsomedeliciouscreamcheese。Naplesexcellsinthesedelicacies，andtheabbehadeverythingofthebest。Wewerewaitedonbyfiveorsixcountrygirlsofravishingbeauty，dressedwithexquisiteneatness。Iaskedhimwhetherthatwerehisseraglio，andherepliedthatitmightbeso，butthatjealousywasunknown，asIshouldseeformyselfifIcaredtospendaweekwithhim。
Ienviedthishappyman，andyetIpitiedhim，forhewasatleasttwelveyearsolderthanI，andIwasbynomeansyoung。Hispleasurescouldnotlastmuchlonger。
Intheeveningwereturnedtotheduke’s，andsatdowntoasuppercomposedofseveralkindsoffish。
TheairofSorentogivesanuntiringappetite，andthesuppersoondisappeared。
Aftersuppermyladyproposedagameatfaro，andBettoni，knowingMedinitobeaprofessionalgamester，askedhimtoholdthebank。Hebeggedtobeexcused，sayinghehadnotenoughmoney，soIconsentedtotakehisplace。
Thecardswerebroughtin，andIemptiedmypoorpurseonthetable。Itonlyheldfourhundredounces，butthatwasallIpossessed。
Thegamebegan；andonMediniaskingmeifIwouldallowhimashareinthebank，Ibeggedhimtoexcusemeonthescoreofinconvenience。
Iwentondealingtillmidnight，andbythattimeIhadonlyfortyouncesleft。EverybodyhadwonexceptSirRosebury，whohadpuntedinEnglishbanknotes，whichIhadputintomypocketwithoutcounting。
WhenIgottomyroomIthoughtIhadbetterlookatthebanknotes，forthedepletionofmypursedisquietedme。Mydelightmaybeimagined。I
foundIhadgotfourhundredandfiftypounds——morethandoublewhatI
hadlost。
Iwenttosleepwellpleasedwithmyday’swork，andresolvednottotellanyoneofmygoodluck。
Theduchesshadarrangedforustostartatnine，andMadamedeSerraCapriolabeggedustotakecoffeewithherbeforegoing。
AfterbreakfastMediniandBettonicamein，andtheformeraskedHamiltonwhetherhewouldmindhisreturningwithus。Ofcourse，Hamiltoncouldnotrefuse，sohecameonboard，andattwoo’clockIwasbackatmyinn。
Iwasastonishedtobegreetedinmyantechamberbyayounglady，whoaskedmesadlywhetherIrememberedher。ShewastheeldestofthefiveHanoverians，thesamethathadfledwiththeMarquisdellsPetina。
Itoldhertocomein，andordereddinnertobebroughtup。
\"Ifyouarealone，\"shesaid，\"Ishouldbegladtoshareyourrepast。\"
\"Certainly；Iwillorderdinnerfortwo。\"
Herstorywassoontold。ShehadcometoNapleswithherhusband，whomhermotherrefusedtorecognize。Thepoorwretchhadsoldallhepossessed，andtwoorthreemonthsafterhehadbeenarrestedonseveralchargesofforgery。Hispoormatehadsupportedhiminprisonforsevenyears。ShehadheardthatIwasatNaples，andwantedmetohelpher，notastheMarquisdellaPetinawished，bylendinghimmoney，butbyemployingmyinfluencewiththeDuchessofKingstontomakethatladytakehertoEnglandwithherinherservice。
\"Areyoumarriedtothemarquis？\"
\"No。\"
\"Thenhowcouldyoukeephimforsevenyears？\"
\"Alas……Youcanthinkofahundredways，andtheywouldallbetrue。\"
\"Isee。\"
\"Canyouprocuremeaninterviewwiththeduchess？\"
\"Iwilltry，butIwarnyouthatIshalltellherthesimpletruth。\"
\"Verygood。\"
\"Comeagainto—morrow。\"
Atsixo’clockIwenttoaskHamiltonhowIcouldexchangetheEnglishnotesIhadwon，andhegavemethemoneyhimself。
BeforesupperIspoketotheduchessaboutthepoorHanoverian。Myladysaidsherememberedseeingher，andthatshewouldliketohaveatalkwithherbeforecomingtoanydecision。Ibroughtthepoorcreaturetoherthenextday，andleftthemalone。TheresultoftheinterviewwasthattheduchesstookherintoherserviceintheplaceofaRomangirl，andtheHanoverianwenttoEnglandwithher。Ineverheardofheragain，butafewdaysafterPetinasenttobegmetocomeandseehiminprison，andIcouldnotrefuse。IfoundhimwithayoungmanwhomIrecognizedashisbrother，thoughhewasveryhandsomeandthemarquisveryugly；
butthedistinctionbetweenbeautyanduglinessisoftenhardtopointout。
Thisvisitprovedaverytediousone，forIhadtolistentoalongstorywhichdidnotinterestmeintheleast。
AsIwasgoingoutIwasmetbyanofficial，whosaidanotherprisonerwantedtospeaktome。
\"What’shisname？\"
\"HisnameisGaetano，andhesaysheisarelationofyours。\"
MyrelationandGaetano！Ithoughtitmightbetheabbe。
Iwentuptothefirstfloor，andfoundascoreofwretchedprisonerssittingonthegroundroaringanobscenesonginchorus。
Suchgaietyisthelastresourceofmencondemnedtoimprisonmentonthegalleys；itisnaturegivingherchildrensomerelief。
Oneoftheprisonerscameuptomeandgreetedmeas\"gossip。\"Hewouldhaveembracedme，butIsteppedback。Hetoldmehisname，andI
recognizedinhimthatGaetanowhohadmarriedaprettywomanundermyauspicesashergodfather。ThereadermayrememberthatIafterwardshelpedhertoescapefromhim。
\"Iamsorrytoseeyouhere，butwhatcanIdoforyou？\"
\"Youcanpaymethehundredcrownsyouoweme，forthegoodssuppliedtoyouatParisbyme。\"
Thiswasalie，soIturnedmybackonhim，sayingIsupposedimprisonmenthaddrivenhimmad。
AsIwentawayIaskedanofficialwhyhehadbeenimprisoned，andwastolditwasforforgery，andthathewouldhavebeenhangedifithadnotbeenforalegalflaw。Hewassentencedtoimprisonmentforlife。
Idismissedhimfrommymind，butintheafternoonIhadavisitfromanadvocatewhodemandedahundredcrownsonGaetano’sbehalf，supportinghisclaimbytheproductionofanimmenseledger，wheremynameappearedasdebtoronseveralpages。
\"Sir，\"saidI，\"themanismad；Idon’towehimanything，andtheevidenceofthisbookisutterlyworthless。
\"Youmakeamistake，sir，\"hereplied；\"thisledgerisgoodevidence，andourlawsdealveryfavorablywithimprisonedcreditors。Iamretainedforthem，andifyoudonotsettlethematterbyto—morrowIshallserveyouwithasummons。\"
Irestrainedmyindignationandaskedhimpolitelyforhisnameandaddress。Hewroteitdowndirectly，feelingquitecertainthathisaffairwasasgoodassettled。
IcalledonAgatha，andherhusbandwasmuchamusedwhenItoldmystory。
Hemademesignapowerofattorney，empoweringhimtoactforme，andhethenadvisedtheotheradvocatethatallcommunicationsinthecasemustbemadetohimalone。
The’paglietti’whoaboundinNaplesonlylivebycheating，andespeciallybyimposingonstrangers。
SirRoseburyremainedatNaples，andIfoundmyselfacquaintedwithalltheEnglishvisitors。Theyalllodgedat\"Crocielles，\"fortheEnglisharelikeaflockofsheep；theyfolloweachotherabout，alwaysgotothecameplace，andnevercaretoshewanyoriginality。WeoftenarrangedlittletripsinwhichthetwoSaxonsjoined，andIfoundthetimepassverypleasantly。Nevertheless，IshouldhaveleftNaplesafterthefairifmyloveforCallimenahadnotrestrainedme。Isawhereverydayandmadeherpresents，butsheonlygrantedmetheslightestoffavours。
Thefairwasnearlyover，andAgathawasmakingherpreparationsforgoingtoSorentoashadbeenarranged。ShebeggedherhusbandtoinvitealadywhomhehadlovedbeforemarryingherwhilesheinvitedPascalLatillaforherself，andCallimenaforme。
Therewerethusthreecouples，andthethreegentlemenweretodefrayallexpenses。
Agatha’shusbandtookthedirectionofeverything。
AfewdaysbeforethepartyIsaw，tomysurprise，Joseph，sonofMadameCornelisandbrotherofmydearSophie。
\"HowdidyoucometoNaples？Whomareyouwith？\"
\"Iambymyself。IwantedtoseeItaly，andmymothergavemethispleasure。IhaveseenTurin，Milan，Genoa，Florence，Venice，andRome；
andafterIhavedoneItalyIshallseeSwitzerlandandGermany，andthenreturntoEnglandbywayofHolland。\"
\"Howlongisthisexpeditiontotake？\"
\"Sixmonths。\"
\"IsupposeyouwillbeabletogiveafullaccountofeverythingwhenyougobacktoLondon？\"
\"Ihopetoconvincemymotherthatthemoneyshespentwasnotwasted。\"
\"Howmuchdoyouthinkitwillcostyou？\"
\"Thefivehundredguineasshegaveme，nomore。\"
\"Doyoumeantosayyouareonlygoingtospendfivehundredguineasinsixmonths？Ican’tbelieveit。\"
\"Economyworkswonders。\"
\"Isupposeso。Howhaveyoudoneastolettersofintroductioninallthesecountriesofwhichyounowknowsomuch？\"
\"Ihavehadnointroductions。IcarryanEnglishpassport，andletpeoplethinkthatIamEnglish。\"
\"Aren’tyouafraidofgettingintobadcompany？\"
\"Idon’tgivemyselfthechance。Idon’tspeaktoanyone，andwhenpeopleaddressmeIreplyinmonosyllables。IalwaysstrikeabargainbeforeIeatamealortakealodging。Ionlytravelinpublicconveyances。\"
\"Verygood。Hereyouwillbeabletoeconomize；Iwillpayallyourexpenses，andgiveyouanexcellentcicerone，onewhowillcostyounothing。\"
\"Iammuchobliged，butIpromisedmymothernottoacceptanythingfromanybody。\"
\"Ithinkyoumightmakeanexceptioninmycase。\"
\"No。IhaverelationsinVenice，andIwouldnottakesomuchasasingledinnerfromthem。WhenIpromise，Iperform。\"
Knowinghisobstinacy，Ididnotinsist。Hewasnowayoungmanoftwenty—three，ofadelicateorderofprettiness，andmighteasilyhavebeentakenforagirlindisguiseifhehadnotallowedhiswhiskerstogrow。
Althoughhisgrandtourseemedanextravagantproject，Icouldnothelpadmiringhiscourageanddesiretobewellinformed。
Iaskedhimabouthismotheranddaughter，andherepliedtomyquestionswithoutreserve。
HetoldmethatMadameCorneliswasheadoverearsindebts，andspentabouthalftheyearinprison。Shewouldthengetoutbygivingfreshbillsandmakingvariousarrangementswithhercreditors，whoknewthatiftheydidnotallowhertogiveherballs，theycouldnotexpecttogettheirmoney。
Mydaughter，Iheard，wasaprettygirlofseventeen，verytalented，andpatronizedbythefirstladiesinLondon。Shegaveconcerts，buthadtobearagooddealfromhermother。
Iaskedhimtowhomshewastohavebeenmarried，whenshewastakenfromtheboardingschool。Hesaidhehadneverheardofanythingofthekind。
\"Areyouinanybusiness？\"
\"No。MymotherisalwaystalkingofbuyingacargoandsendingmewithittotheIndies，butthedayneverseemstocome，andIamafraiditneverwillcome。Tobuyacargoonemusthavesomemoney，andmymotherhasnone。\"
Inspiteofhispromise，Iinducedhimtoaccepttheservicesofmyman，whoshewedhimallthecuriositiesofNaplesinthecourseofaweek。
Icouldnotmakehimstayanotherweek。HesetoutforRome，andwrotetomefromtherethathehadleftsixshirtsandagreatcoatbehindhim。
Hebeggedmetosendthemon，butheforgottogivemehisaddress。
Hewasahare—brainedfellow，andyetwiththehelpoftwoorthreesoundmaximshemanagedtotraversehalfEuropewithoutcomingtoanygrief。
IhadanunexpectedvisitfromGoudar，whoknewthekindofcompanyI
kept，andwantedmetoaskhiswifeandhimselftodinnertomeetthetwoSaxonsandmyEnglishfriends。
Ipromisedtoobligehimontheunderstandingthattherewastobenoplayatmyhouse，asIdidnotwanttobeinvolvedinanyunpleasantness。
Hewasperfectlysatisfiedwiththisarrangement，ashefeltsurehiswifewouldattractthemtohishouse，where，ashesaid，onecouldplaywithoutbeingafraidofanything。
AsIwasgoingtoSorentothenextday，Imadeanappointmentwithhimforadayaftermyreturn。
ThistriptoSorentowasmylasthappyday。
Theadvocatetookustoahousewherewewerelodgedwithallpossiblecomfort。Wehadfourrooms；thefirstwasoccupiedbyAgathaandherhusband，thesecondbyCallimenaandtheadvocate’soldsweetheart，thethirdbyPascalLatilla，andthefourthbymyself。
Aftersupperwewentearlytobed，andrisingwiththesunwewentourseveralways；theadvocatewithhisoldsweetheart，AgathawithPascal，andIwithCallimena。Atnoonwemetagaintoenjoyadeliciousdinner，andthentheadvocatetookhissiesta，whilePascalwentforawalkwithAgathaandherhusband’ssweetheart，andIwanderedwithCallimenaundertheshadyalleyswheretheheatofthesuncouldnotpenetrate。HereitwasthatCallimenaconsentedtogratifymypassion。Shegaveherselfforlove’ssakealone，andseemedsorryshehadmademewaitsolong。
OnthefourthdaywereturnedtoNaplesinthreecarriages，astherewasastrongwind。Callimenapersuadedmetotellherauntwhathadpassedbetweenus，thatwemightbeabletomeetwithoutanyrestraintforthefuture。
Iapprovedofheridea，and，notfearingtomeetwithmuchseverityfromtheaunt，Itookherapartandtoldherallthathadpassed，makingherreasonableoffers。
Shewasasensiblewoman，andheardwhatIhadtosaywithgreatgoodhumour。ShesaidthatasIseemedinclinedtodosomethingforherniece，shewouldletmeknowassoonaspossiblewhatshewantedmost。
IremarkedthatasIshouldsoonbeleavingforRome，Ishouldliketosupwithhernieceeveryevening。Shethoughtthisaverynaturalwishonmypart，andsowewenttoCallimena，whowasdelightedtoheartheresultofourinterview。
Ilostnotime，butsuppedandpassedthatnightwithher。Imadeherallmyownbythepowerofmylove，andbybuyinghersuchthingsasshemostneeded，suchaslinen，dresses，etc。Itcostmeaboutahundredlouis，andinspiteofthesmallnessofmymeansIthoughtIhadmadeagoodbargain。Agatha，whomItoldofmygoodluck，wasdelightedtohavehelpedmetoprocureit。
TwoorthreedaysafterIgaveadinnertomyEnglishfriends，thetwoSaxons，Bartolditheirgovernor，andGoudarandhiswife。
Wewereallready，andonlywaitingforM。andMadameGoudar，whenIsawthefairIrishwomancomeinwithCountMedini。Thispieceofinsolencemadeallthebloodinmybodyrushtomyhead。However，IrestrainedmyselftillGoudarcamein，andthenIgavehimapieceofmymind。Ithadbeenagreedthathiswifeshouldcomewithhim。Therascallyfellowprevaricated，andtriedhardtoinducemetobelievethatMedinihadnotplottedthebreakingofthebank，buthiseloquencewasinvain。
Ourdinnerwasamostagreeableone，andSaracutabrilliantfigure，forshepossessedeverypleasingqualitythatcanmakeawomanattractive。
Ingoodtruth，thistaverngirlwouldhavefilledathronewithanyqueen；butFortuneisblind。
Whenthedinnerwasover，M。deButurlin，adistinguishedRussian，andagreatloverofprettywomen，paidmeavisit。HehadbeenattractedbythesweetvoiceofthefairSara，whowassingingaNeapolitanairtotheguitar。Ishoneonlywithaborrowedlight，butIwasfarfrombeingoffended。ButurlinfellinlovewithSaraonthespot，andafewmonthsafterIlefthegotherforfivehundredLouis，whichGoudarrequiredtocarryouttheorderhehadreceived，namely，toleaveNaplesinthreedays。
Thisstrokecamefromthequeen，whofoundoutthatthekingmetMadameGoudarsecretlyatProcida。Shefoundherroyalhusbandlaughingheartilyataletterwhichhewouldnotshewher。
Thequeen’scuriositywasexcited，andatlastthekinggavein，andhermajestyreadthefollowing:
\"Tiaspetteronelmedesimoluogo，edallastessaora，coll’impazienzamedesimachehaunavaccachedesideral’avvicinamentodeltoro。\"
\"Chiinfamia！\"criedthequeen，andhermajestygavethecow’shusbandtounderstandthatinthreedayshewouldhavetoleaveNaples，andlookforbullsinothercountries。
Iftheseeventshadnottakenplace，M。deButurlinwouldnothavemadesogoodabargain。
Aftermydinner，Goudaraskedallthecompanytosupwithhimthenextevening。Therepastwasamagnificentone，butwhenMedinisatdownattheendofalongtablebehindaheapofgoldandapackofcards，nopunterscameforward。MadameGoudartriedinvaintomakethegentlementakeahand。TheEnglishmenandtheSaxonssaidpolitelythattheyshouldbedelightedtoplayifsheorIwouldtakethebank，buttheyfearedthecount’sextraordinaryfortune。
ThereuponGoudarhadtheimpudencetoaskmetodealforafourthshare。
\"Iwillnotdealunderahalfshare，\"Ireplied，\"thoughIhavenoconfidenceinmyluck。\"
GoudarspoketoMedini，whogotup，tookawayhisshare，andleftmetheplace。
Ihadonlytwohundredouncesinmypurse。IplacedthembesideGoudar’stwohundred，andintwohoursmybankwasbroken，andIwenttoconsolemyselfwithmyCallimena。
FindingmyselfpennilessIdecidedtoyieldtothepressureofAgatha’shusband，whocontinuedtobegmetotakebackthejewelryIhadgivenhiswife。ItoldAgathaIwouldneverhaveconsentediffortunehadbeenkindertome。Shetoldherhusband，andtheworthymancameoutofhisclosetandembracedmeasifIhadjustmadehisfortune。
ItoldhimIshouldliketohavethevalueofthejewels，andthenextdayIfoundmyselfoncemoreinpossessionoffifteenthousandfrancs。
>FromthatmomentIdecidedtogotoRome，intendingtostopthereforeightmonths；butbeforemydeparturetheadvocatesaidhemustgivemeadinneratacasinowhichhehadatPortici。
IhadplentyoffoodforthoughtwhenIfoundmyselfinthehousewhereI
hadmadeasmallfortunebymytrickwiththemercuryfive—and—twentyyearsago。
ThekingwasthenatPorticiwithhisCourt，andourcuriosityattractinguswewerewitnessesofamostsingularspectacle。
Thekingwasonlynineteenandlovedallkindsoffrolics。Heconceivedadesiretobetossedinablanket！ProbablyfewcrownedheadshavewishedtoimitateSanchoPanzainthismanner。
Hismajestywastossedtohisheart’scontent；butafterhisaerialjourneyshewishedtolaughatthosewhomhehadamused。Hebeganbyproposingthatthequeenshouldtakepartinthegame；onherreplyingbyshrieksoflaughter，hismajestydidnotinsist。
Theoldcourtiersmadetheirescape，greatlytomyregret，forIshouldhavelikedtoseethemcuttingcapersintheair，speciallyPrincePaulNicander，whohadbeentheking’stutor，andhadfilledhimwithallhisownprejudices。
Whenthekingsawthathisoldfollowershadfled，hewasreducedtoaskingtheyoungnoblespresenttoplaytheirpart。
Iwasnotafraidformyself，asIwasunknown，andnotofsufficientranktomeritsuchanhonour。
Afterthreeorfouryoungnoblemenhadbeentossed，muchtotheamusementofthequeenandherladies，thekingcasthiseyesontwoyoungFlorentinenobleswhohadlatelyarrivedatNaples。Theywerewiththeirtutor，andallthreehadbeenlaughingheartilyatthedisportofthekingandhiscourtiers。
Themonarchcameupandaccostedthemverypleasantly，proposingthattheyshouldtakepartinthegame。
ThewretchedTuscanshadbeenbakedinabadoven；theywereundersized，ugly，andhumpbacked。
Hismajesty’sproposalseemedtoputthemonthorns。Everybodylistenedfortheeffectsoftheking’seloquence；hewasurgingthemtoundress，andsayingthatitwouldbeunmannerlytorefuse；therecouldbenohumiliationinit，hesaid，ashehimselfhadbeenthefirsttosubmit。
Thetutorfeltthatitwouldnotdotogivethekingarefusal，andtoldthemthattheymustgivein，andthereuponthetwoFlorentinestookofftheirclothes。
Whenthecompanysawtheirfiguresanddolefulexpressions，thelaughterbecamegeneral。Thekingtookoneofthembythehand，observinginanencouragingmannerthattherewouldbenodanger；andasaspecialhonourheheldoneofthecornersoftheblankethimself。But，forallthat，bigtearsrolleddownthewretchedyoungman’scheeks。
Afterthreeorfourvisitstotheceiling，andamusingeveryonebythedisplayofhislongthinlegs，hewasreleased，andtheyoungerbrotherwenttothetorturesmilingly，forwhichhewasrewardedbyapplause。
Thegovernor，suspectingthathismajestydestinedhimforthesamefate，hadslippedout；andthekinglaughedmerrilywhenheheardofhisdeparture。
Suchwastheextraordinaryspectacleweenjoyed——aspectacleineverywayunique。
DonPascalLatilla，whohadbeenluckyenoughtoavoidhismajesty’snotice，toldusanumberofpleasantanecdotesabouttheking；allshewedhimintheamiablelightofafriendofmirthandanenemytoallpompandstateliness，bywhichkingsarehedgedingenerally。Heassuredusthatnoonecouldhelplikinghim，becausehealwayspreferredtobetreatedasafriendratherthanamonarch。
\"Heisnevermoregrieved，\"saidPascal，\"thanwhenhisministerTanuccishewshimthathemustbesevere，andhisgreatestjoyistograntafavour。\"
Ferdinandhadnottheleasttinctureofletters，butashewasamanofgoodsensehehonouredletteredmenmosthighly，indeedanyoneofmeritwassureofhispatronage。HereveredtheministerMarco，hehadthegreatestrespectforthememoryofLelioCaraffa，andoftheDukesofMatalone，andhehadprovidedhandsomelyforanephewofthefamousmanoflettersGenovesi，inconsiderationofhisuncle’smerits。
Gamesofchancewereforbidden；andonedayhesurprisedanumberoftheofficersofhisguardplayingatfaro。Theyoungmenwereterrifiedatthesightoftheking，andwouldhavehiddentheircardsandmoney。
\"Don’tputyourselvesout，\"saidthekindlymonarch，\"takecarethatTanuccidoesn’tcatchyou，butdon’tmindme。\"
HisfatherwasextremelyfondofhimuptothetimewhenhewasobligedtoresistthepaternalordersindeferencetoStatereasons。
FerdinandknewthatthoughhewastheKingofSpain’sson，hewasnonethelesskingofthetwoSicilies，andhisdutiesaskinghadtheprerogativeoverhisdutiesasson。
SomemonthsafterthesuppressionoftheJesuits，hewrotehisfatheraletter，beginning:
\"Therearefourthingswhichastonishmeverymuch。ThefirstisthatthoughtheJesuitsweresaidtobesorich，notapennywasfounduponthematthesuppression；thesecond，thatthoughtheScrivaniofNaplesaresupposedtotakenofees，yettheirwealthisimmense；thethird，thatwhilealltheotheryoungcoupleshavechildrensoonerorlater，wehavenone；andthefourth，thatallmendieatlast，exceptTanucci，who，Ibelieve，willliveonin’saeculasaeculorum’。\"
TheKingofSpainshewedthislettertoalltheministersandambassadors，thattheymightseethathissonwasacleverman，andhewasright；foramanwhocanwritesuchalettermustbeclever。
Twoorthreedayslater，theChevalierdeMorosini，thenephewoftheprocurator，andsoleheiroftheillustrioushouseofMorosini，cametoNaplesaccompaniedbyhistutorStratico，theprofessorofmathematicsatPadua，andthesamethathadgivenmealetterforhisbrother，thePisanprofessor。Hestayedatthe\"Crocielles，\"andweweredelightedtoseeoneanotheragain。
Morosini，ayoungmanofnineteen，wastravellingtocompletehiseducation。HehadspentthreeyearsatTurinacademy，andwasnowunderthesuperintendenceofamanwhocouldhaveintroducedhimtothewholerangeoflearning，butunhappilythewillwaswantinginthepupil。TheyoungVenetianlovedwomentoexcess，frequentedthesocietyofyoungrakes，andyawnedingoodcompany。Hewasaswornfoetostudy，andspenthismoneyinalavishmanner，lessfromgenerositythanfromadesiretoberevengedonhisuncle’seconomies。Hecomplainedofbeingstillkeptintutelage；hehadcalculatedthathecouldspendeighthundredsequinsamonth，andthoughthisallowanceoftwohundredsequinsamonthaninsult。Withthisnotion，hesethimselftosowdebtsbroadcast，andonlylaughedathistutorwhenhemildlyreproachedhimforhisextravagance，andpointedoutthatifheweresavingforthepresent，hewouldbeabletobeallthemoremagnificentonhisreturntoVenice。Hisunclehadmadeanexcellentmatchforhim；hewastomarryagirlwhowasextremelypretty，andalsotheheiressofthehouseofGrimanideServi。
Theonlyredeemingfeatureintheyoungman’scharacterwasthathehadamortalhatredofallkindsofplay。
SincemybankhadbeenbrokenIhadbeenatGoudar’s，butIwouldnotlistentohisproposalthatIshouldjointhemagain。Medinihadbecomeaswornfoeofmine。AssoonasIcame，hewouldgoaway，butI
pretendednottonoticehim。HewasatGoudar’swhenIintroducedMorosiniandhismentor，andthinkingtheyoungmangoodgamehebecameveryintimatewithhim。WhenhefoundoutthatMorosiniwouldnothearofgaming，hishatredofmeincreased，forhewascertainthatIhadwarnedtherichVenetianagainsthim。
MorosiniwasmuchtakenwithSara’scharms，andonlythoughtofhowhecouldpossessher。Hewasstillayoungman，fullofromanticnotions，andshewouldhavebecomeodiousinhiseyesifhecouldhaveguessedthatshewouldhavetobeboughtwithaheavyprice。
Hetoldmeseveraltimesthatifawomanproposedpaymentforherfavours，hisdisgustwouldexpelhisloveinamoment。Ashesaid，andrightly，hewasasgoodamanasMadameGoudarwasawoman。
Thiswasdistinctlyagoodpointinhischaracter；nowomanwhogaveherfavoursinexchangeforpresentsreceivedcouldhopetodupehim。Sara’smaximswerediametricallyopposedtohis；shelookedonherloveasabillofexchange。
Straticowasdelightedtoseehimengagedinthisintrigue，forthechiefpointindealingwithhimwastokeephimoccupied。Ifhehadnodistractionshetookrefugeinbadcompanyorfuriousriding。Hewouldsometimesridetenortwelvestagesatfullgallop，utterlyruiningthehorses。Hewasonlytoogladtomakehisunclepayforthem，ashesworehewasanoldmiser。
AfterIhadmadeupmymindtoleaveNaples，IhadavisitfromDonPascalLatilla，whobroughtwithhimtheAbbeGaliani，whomIhadknownatParis。
ItmayberememberedthatIhadknownhisbrotheratSt。Agatha’s，whereIhadstayedwithhim，andlefthimDonnaLucreziaCastelli。
ItoldhimthatIhadintendedtovisithim，andaskedifLucreziawerestillwithhim。
\"ShelivesatSalerno，\"saidhe，\"withherdaughtertheMarchionessC————。\"
Iwasdelightedtohearthenews；ifithadnotbeenfortheabbe’svisit，Ishouldneverhaveheardwhathadbecomeoftheseladies。
IaskedhimifheknewtheMarchionessC————。
\"Ionlyknowthemarquis，\"hereplied，\"heisoldandveryrich。\"
Thatwasenoughforme。
AcoupleofdaysafterwardsMorosiniinvitedSara，Goudar，twoyounggamesters，andMedini，todinner。Thelatterhadnotyetgivenuphopesofcheatingthechevalierinonewayoranother。
TowardstheendofdinnerithappenedthatMedinidifferedinopinionfromme，andexpressedhisviewsinsuchaperemptorymannerthatI
remarkedthatagentlemanwouldberathermorechoiceinhisexpressions。
\"Maybe，\"hereplied，\"butIamnotgoingtolearnmannersfromyou。\"
Iconstrainedmyself，andsaidnothing，butIwasgettingtiredofhisinsolence；andashemightimaginethatmyresentmentwascausedbyfear，Ideterminedondisabusinghim。
Ashewastakinghiscoffeeonthebalconyoverlookingthesea，Icameuptohimwithmycupinmyhand，andsaidthatIwastiredoftherudenesswithwhichhetreatedmeincompany。
\"Youwouldfindmeruderstill，\"hereplied，\"ifwecouldmeetwithoutcompany。\"
\"IthinkIcouldconvinceyouofyourmistakeifwecouldhaveaprivatemeeting。\"
\"Ishouldverymuchliketoseeyoudoit。\"
\"Whenyouseemegoout，followme，anddon’tsayawordtoanyone。\"
\"Iwillnotfail。\"
Irejoinedthecompany，andwalkedslowlytowardsPausilippo。Ilookedbackandsawhimfollowingme；andashewasabravefellow，andwebothhadourswords，Ifeltsurethethingwouldsoonbesettled。
AssoonasIfoundmyselfintheopencountry，whereweshouldnotbeinterrupted，Istoppedshort。
AshedrewnearIattemptedaparley，thinkingthatwemightcometoamoreamicablesettlement；butthefellowrushedonmewithhisswordinonehandandhishatintheother。
Ilungedoutathim，andinsteadofattemptingtoparryherepliedinquart。Theresultwasthatourbladeswerecaughtineachother’ssleeves；butIhadslithisarm，whilehispointhadonlypiercedthestuffofmycoat。
Iputmyselfonguardagaintogoon，butIcouldseehewastooweaktodefendhimself，soIsaidifhelikedIwouldgivehimquarter。
Hemadenoreply，soIpressedonhim，struckhimtotheground，andtrampledonhisbody。
Hefoamedwithrage，andtoldmethatitwasmyturnthistime，butthathehopedIwouldgivehimhisrevenge。
\"Withpleasure，atRome，andIhopethethirdlessonwillbemoreeffectualthanthetwoIhavealreadygivenyou。\"
Hewaslosingagooddealofblood，soIsheathedhisswordforhimandadvisedhimtogotoGoudar’shouse，whichwascloseathand，andhavehiswoundattendedto。
Iwentbackto\"Crocielles\"asifnothinghadhappened。ThechevalierwasmakinglovetoSara，andtherestwereplayingcards。
Ileftthecompanyanhourafterwardswithouthavingsaidawordaboutmyduel，andforthelasttimeIsuppedwithCallimena。SixyearslaterI
sawheratVenice，displayingherbeautyandhertalentsontheboardsofSt。Benedict’sTheatre。
Ispentadeliciousnightwithher，andateighto’clockthenextdayI
wentoffinapost—chaisewithouttakingleaveofanyone。
IarrivedatSalernoattwoo’clockintheafternoon，andassoonasI
hadtakenaroomIwroteanotetoDonnaLucreziaCastelliattheMarquisC————’s。
IaskedherifIcouldpayherashortvisit，andbeggedhertosendareplywhileIwastakingmydinner。
IwassittingdowntotablewhenIhadthepleasureofseeingLucreziaherselfcomein。Shegaveacryofdelightandrushedtomyarms。
Thisexcellentwomanwasexactlymyownage，butshewouldhavebeentakenforfifteenyearsyounger。
AfterIhadtoldherhowIhadcometohearaboutherIaskedfornewsofourdaughter。
\"Sheislongingtoseeyou，andherhusbandtoo；heisaworthyoldman，andwillbesogladtoknowyou。\"
\"Howdoesheknowofmyexistence？\"
\"Leonildahasmentionedyournameathousandtimesduringthefiveyearstheyhavebeenmarried。Heisawarethatyougaveherfivethousandducats。Weshallsuptogether。\"
\"Letusgodirectly；IcannotresttillIhaveseenmyLeonildaandthegoodhusbandGodhasgivenher。Havetheyanychildren？\"
\"No，unluckilyforher，asafterhisdeaththepropertypassestohisrelations。ButLeonildawillbearichwomanforallthat；shewillhaveahundredthousandducatsofherown。\"
\"Youhavenevermarried。\"
\"No。\"
\"Youareasprettyasyouweretwenty—sixyearsago，andifithadnotbeenfortheAbbeGalianiIshouldhaveleftNapleswithoutseeingyou。\"
IfoundLeonildahaddevelopedintoaperfectbeauty。Shewasatthattimetwenty—threeyearsold。
Herhusband’spresencewasnoconstraintuponher；shereceivedmewithopenarms，andputmecompletelyatmyease。
Nodoubtshewasmydaughter，butinspiteofourrelationshipandmyadvancingyearsIstillfeltwithinmybreastthesymptomsofthetenderestpassionforher。
Shepresentedmetoherhusband，whosuffereddreadfullyfromgout，andcouldnotstirfromhisarm—chair。
Hereceivedmewithsmilingfaceandopenarms，saying，——
\"Mydearfriend，embraceme。\"
Iembracedhimaffectionately，andinourgreetingIdiscoveredthathewasabrothermason。Themarquishadexpectedasmuch，butIhadnot；
foranoblemanofsixtywhocouldboastthathehadbeenenlightenedwasa’raraavis’inthedomainsofhisSicilianmajestythirtyyearsago。
Isatdownbesidehimandweembracedeachotheragain，whiletheladieslookedonamazed，wonderingtoseeussofriendlytoeachother。
DonnaLeonildafanciedthatwemustbeoldfriends，andtoldherhusbandhowdelightedshewas。Theoldmanburstoutlaughing，andLucreziasuspectingthetruthbitherlipsandsaidnothing。Thefairmarchionessreservedhercuriosityforanotherreason。
ThemarquishadseenthewholeofEurope。Hehadonlythoughtofmarryingonthedeathofhisfather，whohadattainedtheageofninety。
Findinghimselfintheenjoymentofthirtythousandducatsayearheimaginedthathemightyethavechildreninspiteofhisadvancedage。
HesawLeonilda，andinafewdayshemadeherhiswife，givingheradowryofahundredthousandducats。DonnaLucreziawenttolivewithherdaughter。Thoughthemarquislivedmagnificently，hefounditdifficulttospendmorethanhalfhisincome。
Helodgedallhisrelationsinhisimmensepalace；therewerethreefamiliesinall，andeachlivedapart。
Althoughtheywerecomfortablyofftheywereawaitingwithimpatiencethedeathoftheheadofthefamily，astheywouldthensharehisriches。
Themarquishadonlymarriedinthehopeofhavinganheir；andthesehopeshecouldnolongerentertain。However，helovedhiswifenonetheless，whileshemadehimhappybyhercharmingdisposition。
Themarquiswasamanofliberalviewslikehiswife，butthiswasagreatsecret，asfreethoughtwasnotappreciatedatSalerno。
Consequently，anyoutsiderwouldhavetakenthehouseholdforatrulyChristianone，andthemarquistookcaretoadoptinappearancealltheprejudicesofhisfellow—countrymen。
DonnaLucreziatoldmeallthisthreehoursafteraswewalkedinabeautifulgarden，whereherhusbandhadsentusafteralongconversationonsubjectswhichcouldnothavebeenofanyinteresttotheladies。
Nevertheless，theydidnotleaveusforamoment，sodelightedweretheytofindthatthemarquishadmetacongenialspirit。
Aboutsixo’clockthemarquisbeggedDonnaLucreziatotakemetothegardenandamusemetilltheevening。Hiswifeheaskedtostay，ashehadsomethingtosaytoher。
ItwasinthemiddleofAugustandtheheatwasgreat，buttheroomonthegroundfloorwhichweoccupiedwascooledbyadeliciousbreeze。
Ilookedoutofthewindowandnoticedthattheleavesonthetreeswerestill，andthatnowindwasblowing；andIcouldnothelpsayingtothemarquisthatIwasastonishedtofindhisroomascoolasspringintheheatsofsummer。
\"Yoursweetheartwillexplainittoyou，\"saidhe。
Wewentthroughseveralapartments，andatlastreachedacloset，inonecornerofwhichwasasquareopening。
>Fromitrushedacoldandevenviolentwind。Fromtheopeningonecouldgodownastonestaircaseofatleastahundredsteps，andatthebottomwasagrottowherewasthesourceofastreamofwaterascoldasice。
DonnaLucreziatoldmeitwouldbeagreatrisktogodownthestepswithoutexcessivelywarmclothing。
Ihavenevercaredtorunrisksofthiskind。LordBaltimore，ontheotherhand，wouldhavelaughedatthedanger，andgone，maybe，tohisdeath。ItoldmyoldsweetheartthatIcouldimaginethethingverywellfromthedescription，andthatIhadnocuriositytoseewhethermyimaginationwerecorrect。
LucreziatoldmeIwasveryprudent，andtookmetothegarden。
Itwasalargeplace，andseparatedfromthegardencommontothethreeotherfamilieswhoinhabitedthecastle。Everyflowerthatcanbeimaginedwasthere，fountainsthrewtheirglitteringsprays，andgrottoesaffordedapleasingshadefromthesun。
Thealleysofthisterrestrialparadisewereformedofvines，andthebunchesofgrapesseemedalmostasnumerousastheleaves。
Lucreziaenjoyedmysurprise，andItoldherthatIwasnotastonishedatbeingmoremovedbythisthanbythevinesofTivoliandFrascati。Theimmenseratherdazzlestheeyesthanmovestheheart。
Shetoldmethatherdaughterwashappy，andthatthemarquiswasanexcellentman，andastrongmanexceptforthegout。Hisgreatgriefwasthathehadnochildren。Amongsthisdozenofnephewstherewasnotoneworthyofsucceedingtothetitle。
\"Theyareallugly，awkwardlads，morelikepeasantsthannoblemen；alltheireducationhasbeengiventhembyapackofignorantpriests；andsoitisnottobewonderedthatthemarquisdoesnotcareforthemmuch。\"
\"ButisLeonildareallyhappy？\"
\"Sheis，thoughherhusbandcannotbequitesoardentasshewouldlikeatherage。\"
\"Hedoesn’tseemtometobeaveryjealousman。\"
\"Heisentirelyfreefromjealousy，andifLeonildawouldtakealoverI
amsurehewouldbehisbestfriend。AndIfeelcertainhewouldbeonlytoogladtofindthebeautifulsoilwhichhecannotfertilehimselffertilizedbyanother。\"
\"Isitpositivelycertainthatheisincapableofbegettingachild？\"
\"No，whenheiswellhedoeshisbest；butthereseemsnolikelihoodofhisardourhavinganyhappyresults。Therewassomegroundtohopeinthefirstsixmonthsofthemarriage，butsincehehashadthegoutsobadlythereseemsreasontofearlesthisamorousecstasiesshouldhaveafataltermination。Sometimeshewartstoapproachher，butshedarenotlethim，andthispainsherverymuch。\"
IwasstruckwithalivelysenseofLucrezia’smerits，andwasjustrevealingtoherthesentimentswhichshehadre—awakenedinmybreast，whenthemarchionessappearedinthegarden，followedbyapageandayounglady。
Iaffectedgreatreverenceasshecameuptous；andasifwehadgiveneachothertheword，sheansweredmeinatoneofceremoniouspoliteness。
\"Ihavecomeonanaffairofthehighestimportance，\"shesaid，\"andifI
failIshallforeverlosethereputationofadiplomatist？\"
\"Whoistheotherdiplomatistwithwhomyouareafraidoffailing？\"
\"’Tisyourself。\"
\"Thenyourbattleisover，forIconsentbeforeIknowwhatyouask。I
onlymakeareserveononepoint。\"
\"Somuchtheworse，asthatmayturnouttobejustwhatIwantyoutodo。Tellmewhatitis。\"
\"IwasgoingtoRome，whentheAbbeGalianitoldmethatDonnaLucreziawasherewithyou。\"
\"Andcanashortdelayinterferewithyourhappiness？Areyounotyourownmaster？\"
\"Smileonmeoncemore；yourdesiresareorderswhichmustbeobeyed。I
havealwaysbeenmyownmaster，butIceasetobesofromthismoment，sinceIamyourmosthumbleservant。\"
\"Verygood。ThenIcommandyoutocomeandspendafewdayswithusatanestatewehaveatashortdistance。Myhusbandwillhavehimselftransportedhere。Youwillallowmetosendtotheinnforyourluggage？\"
\"Here，sweetmarchioness，isthekeytomyroom。Happythemortalwhomyoudeigntocommand。\"
Leonildagavethekeytothepage，aprettyboy，andtoldhimtoseethatallmybelongingswerecarefullytakentothecastle。
Herlady—in—waitingwasveryfair。IsaidsotoLeonildainFrench，notknowingthattheyoungladyunderstoodthelanguage，butshesmiledandtoldhermistressthatwewereoldacquaintances。
\"WhenhadIthepleasureofknowingyou，mademoiselle？\"
\"Nineyearago。Youhaveoftenspokentomeandteasedme。\"
\"Where，mayIask？\"
\"AttheDuchessofMatalone’s。\"
\"Thatmaybe，andIthinkIdobegintoremember，butIreallycannotrecollecthavingteasedyou。\"
Themarchionessandhermotherwerehighlyamusedatthisconversation，andpressedthegirltosayhowIhadteasedher。Sheconfinedherself，however，tosayingthatIhadplayedtricksonher。IthoughtI
rememberedhavingstolenafewkisses，butIlefttheladiestothinkwhattheyliked。
Iwasagreatstudentofthehumanheart，andfeltthatthesereproachesofAnastasia’s（suchwashername）werereallyadvances，butunskillfullymade，forifshehadwantedmoreofme，sheshouldhaveheldherpeaceandbidedhertime。
\"Itstrikesme，\"saidI，\"thatyouweremuchsmallerinthosedays。\"
\"Yes，Iwasonlytwelveorthirteen。Youhavechangedalso。\"
\"Yes，Ihaveaged。\"
WebegantalkingaboutthelateDukeofMatalone，andAnastasialeftus。
Wesatdowninacharminggrotto，andbeganstylingeachotherpapaanddaughter，andallowingourselveslibertieswhichthreatenedtoleadtodanger。
Themarchionesstriedtocalmmytransportsbytalkingofhergoodhusband。
DonnaLucreziaremarkedourmutualemotionasIheldLeonildainmyarms，andwarnedustobecareful。Shethenleftustowalkinadifferentpartofthegarden。
Herwordshadthecontraryeffecttowhatwasintended，forassoonassheleftusinsoopportuneamanner，althoughwehadnointentionofcommittingthedoublecrime，weapproachedtooneartoeachother，andanalmostinvoluntarymovementmade，theactcomplete。
Weremainedmotionless，lookingintooneanother’seyes，inmuteastonishment，asweconfessedafterwards，tofindneitherguiltnorrepentanceinourbreasts。
Werearrangedourposition，andthemarchionesssittingclosetomecalledmeherdearhusband，whileIcalledhermydearwife。
Thenewbondbetweenuswasconfirmedbyaffectionatekisses。Wewereabsorbedandsilent，andLucreziawasdelightedtofindussocalmwhenshereturned。
Wehadnoneedtowarneachothertoobservesecrecy。DonnaLucreziawasdevoidofprejudice，buttherewasnoneedtogiveherapieceofuselessinformation。
Wefeltcertainthatshehadleftusalone，soasnottobeawitnessofwhatweweregoingtodo。
AftersomefurtherconversationwewentbacktothepalacewithAnastasia，whomwefoundinthealleybyherself。
Themarquisreceivedhiswifewithjoy，congratulatingheronthesuccessofhernegotiations。Hethankedmeformycompliance，andassuredmeI
shouldhaveacomfortableapartmentinhiscountryhouse。
\"Isupposeyouwillnotmindhavingourfriendforaneighbor？\"hesaidtoLucrezia。
\"No，\"saidshe；\"butwewillbediscreet，fortheflowerofourliveshaswithered。\"
\"IshallbelieveasmuchofthatasIplease。\"
Theworthymandearlylovedajoke。
Thelongtablewaslaidforfive，andassoonasdinnerwasservedanoldpriestcameinandsatdown。Hespoketonobody，andnobodyspoketohim。
Theprettypagestoodbehindthemarchioness，andwewerewaitedonbytenortwelveservants。
Ihadonlyalittlesoupatdinner，soIatelikeanogre，forIwasveryhungry，andthemarquis’sFrenchcookwasathoroughartist。
ThemarquisexclaimedwithdelightasIdevouredonedishafteranother。
Hetoldmethattheonlyfaultinhiswifethatshewasaverypooreaterlikehermother。Atdessertthewinebegantotakeeffect，andourconversation，whichwasconductedinFrench，becamesomewhatfree。Theoldpriesttooknonotice，asheonlyunderstoodItalian，andhefinallyleftusaftersayingthe’agimus’。
Themarquistoldmethatthisecclesiastichadbeenaconfessortothepalaceforthelasttwentyyears，buthadneverconfessedanybody。HewarnedmetotakecarewhatIsaidbeforehimifIspokeItalian，buthedidnotknowawordofFrench。
Mirthwastheorderoftheday，andIkeptthecompanyattabletillanhouraftermidnight。
Beforewepartedforthenightthemarquistoldmethatwewouldstartintheafternoon，andthatheshouldarriveanhourbeforeus。Heassuredhiswifethathewasquitewell，andthathehopedtoconvinceherthatIhadmadehimtenyearsyounger。Leonildaembracedhimtenderly，begginghimtobecarefulofhishealth。
\"Yes，yes，\"saidhe，\"butgetreadytoreceiveme。\"
Iwishedthemagoodnight，andalittlemarquisatninemonthsfromdate。
\"Drawthebill，\"saidhetome，\"andto—morrowIwillacceptit。\"
\"Ipromiseyou，\"saidLucrezia，\"todomybesttoensureyourmeetingyourobligations。\"
DonnaLucreziatookmetomyroom，whereshehandedmeovertothechargeofanimposing—lookingservant，andwishedmeagoodnight。
Isleptforeighthoursinamostcomfortablebed，andwhenIwasdressedLucreziatookmetobreakfastwiththemarchioness，whowasathertoilette。
\"DoyouthinkImaydrawmybillatninemonths？\"saidI。
\"Itwillveryprobablybemet，\"saidshe。