ArmellineandEmiliehadbothbeautifulbreasts，andknewit；theywerethereforeastonishedatmyindifference，perhapsthoughtthatIhadneverseenafinebreast。AsamatteroffactafinefigureismuchmorescarceatRomethanaprettyface。
Thus，inspiteoftheirmodesty，theirvanityimpelledthemtoshewmethatmyindifferencewasill—placed，butitwasmyparttoputthemattheirease，andtomakethemflingshametothewinds。
TheywereenchantedwhenItoldthemtotrytheirhandsatabowlofpunch，andtheysimplydancedforjoywhenIpronounceditbetterthanmyownbrew。
Thencametheoyster—game，andIscoldedArmellineforhavingswallowedtheliquidasIwastakingtheoysterfromherlips。Iagreedthatitwasveryhardtoavoiddoingso，butIofferedtoshewthemhowitcouldbedonebyplacingthetongueintheway。Thisgavemeanopportunityofteachingthemthegameoftongues，whichIshallnotexplainbecauseitiswellknowntoalltruelovers。ArmellineplayedherpartwithsuchevidentrelishthatIcouldseesheenjoyeditaswellasI，thoughsheagreeditwasaveryinnocentamusement。
ItsochancedthatafineoysterslippedfromitsshellasIwasplacingitbetweenEmilie’slips。Itfellontoherbreast，andshewouldhaverecovereditwithherfingers；butIclaimedtherightofregainingitmyself，andshehadtounlaceherbodicetoletmedoso。Igotholdoftheoysterwithmylips，butdidsoinsuchamannerastopreventhersuspectingthatIhadtakenanyextraordinarypleasureintheact。
Armellinelookedonwithoutlaughing；shewasevidentlysurprisedatthelittleinterestIhadtakeninwhatwasbeforemyeye。Emilielaughedandrelacedherbodice。
Theopportunitywastoogoodtobelost，sotakingArmellineonmykneeI
gaveheranoysterandletitslipasEmilie’shadslipped，muchtothedelightoftheelder，whowantedtoseehowheryoungcompanionwouldgothroughtheordeal。
Armellinewasreallyasmuchdelightedherself，thoughshetriedtoconcealherpleasure。
\"Iwantmyoyster，\"saidI。
\"Takeit，then。\"
Therewasnoneedtotellmetwice。Iunlacedhercorsetinsuchawayastomakeitfallstilllower，bewailingthenecessityofhavingtosearchforitwithmyhands。
Whatamartyrdomforanamorousmantohavetoconcealhisblissatsuchamoment！
IdidnotletArmellinehaveanyoccasiontoaccusemeoftakingtoomuchlicence，forIonlytouchedheralabasterspheressomuchaswasabsolutelynecessary。
WhenIhadgottheoysteragainIcouldrestrainmyselfnomore，andaffixingmylipstooneoftheblossomsofherbreastIsuckeditwithavoluptuouspleasurewhichisbeyondalldescription。
Shewasastonished，butevidentlymoved，andIdidnotleavehertillmyenjoymentwascomplete。
Whenshemarkedmydreamylangourousgaze，sheaskedmeitithadgivenmemuchpleasuretoplaythepartofaninfant。
\"Yes，dearest，\"Ireplied，\"butit’sonlyaninnocentjest。\"
\"Idon’tthinkso；andIhopeyouwillsaynothingaboutittothesuperioress。Itmaybeinnocentforyou，butitisnotforme，asI
experiencedsensationswhichmustpartakeofthenatureofsin。Wewillpickupnomoreoysters。\"
\"Thesearemeretrifles，\"saidEmilie，\"thestainofwhichwilleasilybewipedoutwithalittleholywater。Atalleventswecanswearthattherehasbeennokissingbetweenus。\"
Theywentintothenextroomforamoment，Ididthesame，andwethensatonthesofabeforethefire。AsIsatbetweenthemIobservedthatourlegswereperfectlyalike，andthatIcouldnotimaginewhywomenstucksoobstinatelytotheirpetticoats。
WhileItalkedItouchedtheirlegs，sayingitwasjustasifIweretotouchmyown。
TheydidnotinterruptthisexaminationwhichIcarrieduptotheknee，andItoldEmiliethatalltherewardIwouldaskformyserviceswasthatImightseeherthighs，tocomparethemwithArmelline’s。
\"ShewillbebiggerthanI，\"saidArmelline，\"thoughIamthetaller。\"
\"Well，therewouldbenoharminlettingmesee。\"
\"Ithinktherewould。\"
\"Well，Iwillfeelwithmyhands。\"
\"No，youwouldlookatthesametime。\"
\"IswearIwillnot。\"
\"Letmebandageyoureyes。\"
\"Certainly；butIwill:bandageyourstoo。\"
\"Yes；wewillplay，atblindman’sbuff。\"
BeforethebandagingbeganItookcaretomakethemswallowagooddoseofpunch，and，thenweproceededtoplay。Thetwogirlsletmespantheirthighsseveraltimes，laughingandfallingovermewhenevermyhandswenttoohigh。
Iliftedthebandageandsaweverything，buttheypretendednottosuspectanything。
Theytreatedmeinthesameway，nodoubttoseewhatitwasthattheyfeltwhentheyfelluponme。
Thisdelightfulgamewenton；tillexhausted，naturewouldnotallowmetoplayitanymore。Iputmyselfinastateofdecency，andthentoldthemtotakeofftheirbandages。
Theydidsoandsatbesideme，thinking，perhaps，thattheywouldbeableto，disavoweverythingonthescoreofthebandage。
ItseemedtomethatEmiliehadhadalover，thoughItookgoodcarenottotellherso；butArmellinewasapurevirgin。Shewasmeekerthanherfriend，andhergreateyesshoneasvoluptuouslybutmoremodestly。
Iwouldhavesnatchedakissfromherprettymouth，butsheturnedawayherhead，thoughshesqueezedmyhandstenderly。IwasastonishedatthisrefusalafterthelibertiesIhadtakenwithher。
Wehadtalkedaboutballs，andtheywerebothextremelyanxioustoseeone。
ThepublicballwastheragewithalltheyoungRomans。FortenlongyearsthePopeRezzonicohaddeprivedthemofthispleasure。
AlthoughRezzonicoforbadedancing，heallowedgamingofeverydescription。Ganganelli，hissuccessor，hadotherviews，andforbadegamingbutalloweddancing。
Somuchforpapalinfallibility；whatonecondemnstheotherapproves。
Ganganellithoughtitbettertolethissubjectsskipthantogivethemtheopportunityofruiningthemselves，ofcommittingsuicide，orofbecomingbrigands；butRezzonicodidnotseethematterinthatlight。
IpromisedthegirlsIwouldtakethemtotheballassoonasIcoulddiscoveronewhereIwasnotlikelytoberecognized。
Threeo’clockstruck，andItookthembacktotheconvent，wellenoughpleasedwiththeprogressIhadmade，thoughIhadonlyincreasedmypassion。IwassurerthaneverthatArmellinewasborntoexerciseanirresistibleswayovereverymanwhoowedfealtytobeauty。
Iwasamongstherliegemen，andamsostill，buttheincenseisallgoneandthecenserofnovalue。
Icouldnothelpreflectingonthesortofglamourwhichmademefallinlovewithonewhoseemedallnewtome，whileIlovedherinexactlythesamemannerasIhadlovedherpredecessor。Butinrealitytherewasnorealnovelty；thepiecewasthesame，thoughthetitlemightbealtered。
ButwhenIhadwonwhatIcoveted，didIrealizethatIwasgoingoveroldground？DidIcomplain？DidIthinkmyselfdeceived？
Notonewhit；anddoubtlessforthisreason，thatwhilstIenjoyedthepieceIkeptmyeyesfixedonthetitlewhichhadsotakenmyfancy。
Ifthisbeso，ofwhatuseistitleatall？Thetitleofabook，thenameofadish，thenameofatown——ofwhatconsequenceareallthesewhenwhatonewantsistoreadthebook，toeatthedish，andtoseethetown。
Thecomparisonisasophism。Manbecomesamorousthroughthesenses，which，touchexcepted，allresideinthehead。Inloveabeautifulfaceisamatterofthegreatestmoment。
Abeautifulfemalebodymightwellexciteamantocarnalindulgence，eventhoughtheheadwerecovered，butnevertoreallove。Ifatthemomentofphysicaldelightthecoveringweretakenaway，andafaceofhideous，revoltinguglinessdisclosed，onewouldflyinhorror，inspiteofthebeautiesofthewoman’sbody。
Butthecontrarydoesnotholdgood。Ifamanhasfalleninlovewithasweet，enchantingface，andsucceedsinliftingtheveilofthesanctuaryonlytofinddeformitiesthere，stillthefacewinstheday，atonesforall，andthesacrificeisconsummated。
Thefaceisthusparamount，andhenceithascometobeagreedthatwomen’sbodiesshallbecoveredandtheirfacesdisclosed；whilemen’sclothesarearrangedinsuchawaythatwomencaneasilyguessatwhattheycannotsee。
Thisarrangementisundoubtedlytotheadvantageofwomen；artcanconcealtheimperfectionsoftheface，andevenmakeitappearbeautiful，butnocosmeticcandissembleanuglybreast，stomach，oranyotherpartofthemanbody。
Inspiteofthis，IconfessthatthephenomeridesofSpartawereintheright，likeallwomenwho，thoughtheypossessafinefigure，havearepulsiveface；inspiteofthebeautyofthepiece，thetitledrivesspectatorsaway。Stillaninterestingfaceisaninseparableaccidentoflove。
Thricehappyaretheywho，likeArmelline，havebeautybothinthefaceandbody。
WhenIgothomeIwassofortunateastofindMargaritainadeepsleep。
Itookcarenottoawakeher，andwenttobedwithaslittlenoiseaspossible。Iwasinwantofrest，forInolongerenjoyedthevigourofyouth，andIslepttilltwelve。
WhenIawoke，Margaritatoldmethatahandsomeyoungmanhadcalledonmeatteno’clock，andthatshehadamusedhimtilleleven，notdaringtoawakeme。
\"Imadehimsomecoffee，\"saidshe，\"andhewaspleasedtopronounceitexcellent。Hewouldnottellmehisname，buthewillcomeagaintomorrow。Hegavemeapieceofmoney，butIhopeyouwillnotmind。
Idon’tknowhowmuchitisworth。\"
IguessedthatitwastheFlorentine。Thepiecewasoftwoounces。I
onlylaughed，fornotlovingMargaritaIwasnotjealousofher。Itoldhershehaddonequiterighttoamusehimandtoacceptthepiece，whichwasworthforty—eightpauls。
Shekissedmeaffectionately，andthankstothisincidentIheardnothingaboutmyhavingcomehomesolate。
IfeltcurioustolearnmoreaboutthisgenerousTuscan，soIproceededtoreadLeonilda’sletter。
Hisname，itappeared，wasM————。HewasarichmerchantestablishedinLondon，andhadbeencommendedtoherhusbandbyaKnightofMalta。
Leonildasaidhewasgenerous，good—hearted，andpolished，andassuredmethatIshouldlikehim。
Aftertellingmethefamilynews，Leonildaconcludedbysayingthatshewasinafairwaytobecomeamother，andthatshewouldbeperfectlyhappyifshegavebirthtoason。Shebeggedmetocongratulatethemarquis。
Whetherfromanaturalinstinctortheeffectsofprejudice，thisnewsmademeshudder。Iansweredherletterinafewdays，enclosingitinalettertothemarquis，inwhichItoldhimthatthegraceofGodwasnevertoolate，andthatIhadneverbeensomuchpleasedbyanynewsasathearinghewaslikelytohaveanheir。
InthefollowingMayLeonildagavebirthtoason，whomIsawatPrague，ontheoccasionofthecoronationofLeopold。HecalledhimselfMarquisC————，likehisfather，orperhapswehadbettersaylikehismother’shusband，whoattainedtheageofeighty。
Thoughtheyoungmarquisdidnotknowmyname，Igotintroducedtohim，andhadthepleasureofmeetinghimasecondtimeatthetheatre。Hewasaccompaniedbyapriest，whowascalledhisgovernor，butsuchanofficewasasuperfluityforhim，whowaswiserattwentythanmostmenareatsixty。
Iwasdelightedtoseethattheyoungmanwasthelivingimageoftheoldmarquis。IshedtearsofjoyasIthoughthowthislikenessmusthavepleasedtheoldmanandhiswife，andIadmiredthischancewhichseemedtohaveabettednatureinherdeceit。
IwrotetomydearLeonilda，placingtheletterinthehandsofherson。
ShedidnotgetittilltheCarnivalof1792，whentheyoungmarquisreturnedtoNaples；andashorttimeafterIreceivedananswerinvitingmetoherson’smarriageandbeggingmetospendtheremainderofmydayswithher。
\"Whoknows？Imayeventuallydoso。
IcalledonthePrincessSantaCroceatthreeo’clock，andfoundherinbed，withthecardinalreadingtoher。
Thefirstquestionsheaskedwas，whyIhadlefttheoperaattheendofthesecondact。
\"Princess，Icantellyouaninterestinghistoryofmysixhoursofadventure，butyoumustgivemeafreehand，forsomeoftheepisodesmustbetoldstrictlyafternature。\"
\"IsitanythinginthestyleofSisterM————M————？\"askedthecardinal。
\"Yes，mylord，somethingofthekind。\"
\"Princess，willyoubedeaf？\"saidhiseminence，\"OfcourseIwill，\"shereplied。
IthentoldmytalealmostasIhavewrittenit。Theslippingoystersandthegameofblindman’sbuffmadetheprincessburstwithlaughing，inspiteofherdeafness。SheagreedwiththecardinalthatIhadactedwithgreatdiscretion，andtoldmethatIshouldbesuretosucceedonthenextattempt。
\"Inthreeorfourdays，\"saidthecardinal，\"youwillhavethedispensation，andthenEmiliecanmarrywhomshelikes。\"
ThenextmorningtheFlorentinecametoseemeatnineo’clock，andI
foundhimtoanswertothemarchioness’sdescription；butIhadabonetopickwithhim，andIwasnonethebetterpleasedwhenhebeganaskingmeabouttheyoungpersoninmyboxatthetheatre；hewantedtoknowwhethersheweremarriedorengaged，ifshehadfather，mother，oranyotherrelations。
Ismiledsardonically，andbeggedtobeexcusedgivinghimtherequiredinformation，astheyoungladywasmaskedwhenhesawher。
Heblushed，andbeggedmypardon。
IthankedhimfordoingMargaritathehonourofacceptingacupofcoffeefromherhands，andbeggedhimtotakeonewithme，sayingIwouldbreakfastwithhimnextmorning。HelivedwithRoland，oppositeSt。
Charles，whereMadameGabrieli，thefamoussinger，nicknamedlaCoghetta，lived。
AssoonastheFlorentinewasgone，IwenttoSt。Paul’sinhothaste，forIlongedtoseewhatreceptionIshouldhavefromthetwovestalsI
hadinitiatedsowell。
WhentheyappearedInoticedagreatchange。Emiliehadbecomegay，whileArmellinelookedsad。
Itoldtheformerthatsheshouldhaveherdispensationinthreedays，andherwarrantforfourhundredcrownsinaweek。
\"Atthesametime，\"Iadded，\"youshallhaveyourgrantoftwohundredcrowns。\"
Atthishappytidingssherantotellthesuperioressofhergoodfortune。
AssoonasIwasalonewithArmellineItookherhandsandcoveredthemwithkisses，begginghertoresumeherwontedgaiety。
\"WhatshallIdo，\"saidshe，\"withoutEmilie？WhatshallIdowhenyouaregone？Iamunhappy。Ilovemyselfnolonger。\"
Sheshedtearswhichpiercedmetotheheart。IsworeIwouldnotleaveRometillIhadseenhermarriedwithadowryofathousandcrowns。
\"Idon’twantathousandcrowns，butIhopeyouwillseememarriedasyousay；ifyoudonotkeepyourpromiseitwillkillme。\"
\"Iwoulddieratherthandeceiveyou；butyouonyoursidemustforgivemylove，which，perhaps，mademegotoofartheotherevening。\"
\"Iforgiveyoueverythingifyouwillremainmyfriend。\"
\"Iwill；andnowletmekissyourbeautifullips。\"
Afterthisfirstkiss，whichItookasapledgeofcertainvictory，shewipedawayhertears；andsoonafterEmiliereappeared，accompaniedbythesuperioress，whotreatedmewithgreatcordiality。
\"IwantyoutodoasmuchforArmelline’snewfriendasyouhavedoneforEmilie，\"saidshe。
\"Iwilldoeverythinginmypower，\"Ireplied；\"andinreturnIhopeyouwillallowmetotaketheseyoungladiestothetheatrethisevening。\"
\"Youwillfindthemready；howcouldIrefuseyouanything？\"
WhenIwasalonewiththetwofriendsIapologisedforhavingdisposedofthemwithouttheirconsent。
\"Ourconsent！\"saidEmilie:\"weshouldbeungratefulindeedifwerefusedyouanythingafterallyouhavedoneforus。\"
\"Andyou，Armelline，willyouwithstandmylove？\"
\"No；solongasitkeepswithinduebounds。Nomoreblindman’sbuff！\"
\"Anditissuchanicegame！Youreallygrieveme。\"
\"Well，inventanothergame，\"saidEmilie。
Emiliewasbecomingardent，somewhattomyannoyance，forIwasafraidArmellinewouldgetjealous。Imustnotbechargedwithfoppishnessonthisaccount。Iknewthehumanheart。
WhenIleftthemIwenttotheTordinonaTheatreandtookabox，andthenorderedagoodsupperatthesameinn，notforgettingtheoysters，thoughIfeltsureIshouldnotrequiretheiraid。
Ithencalledonamusician，whomIrequestedtogetmethreeticketsforaball，wherenoonewouldbelikelytoknowme。
Iwenthomewiththeideaofdiningbymyself，butIfoundanotefromtheMarchionessd’Aout，reproachingmeinafriendlymannerfornothavingbrokenbreadwithher，andinvitingmetodinner。Iresolvedtoaccepttheinvitation，andwhenIgottothehouseIfoundtheyoungFlorentinealreadythere。
ItwasatthisdinnerthatIfoundoutmanyofhisgoodqualities，andI
sawthatDonnaLeonildahadnotsaidtoomuchinhisfavour。
TowardstheendofthemealthemarchionessaskedwhyIhadnotstayedtilltheendoftheopera。
\"Becausetheyoungladiesweregettingtired。\"
\"IhavefoundoutthattheydonotbelongtotheVenetianambassador’shousehold。
\"Youareright，andIhopeyouwillpardonmysmallfiction。\"
\"Itwasanimpromptuefforttoavoidtellingmewhotheyare，buttheyareknown。\"
\"ThenIcongratulatethecurious。\"
\"TheoneIaddresseddeservestoexcitegeneralcuriosity；butifIwereinyourplaceIshouldmakeherusealittlepowder。\"
\"Ihavenottheauthoritytodoso，andifIhad，Iwouldnottroubleherfortheworld。\"
IwaspleasedwiththeFlorentine，wholistenedtoallthiswithoutsayingaword。IgothimtotalkofEnglandandofhisbusiness。HetoldmethathewasgoingtoFlorencetotakepossessionofhisinheritance，andtogetawifetotakebackwithhimtoLondon。AsI
left，ItoldhimthatIcouldnothavethepleasureofcallingonhimtillthedayafternext，asIwaspreventedbyimportantbusiness。HetoldmeImustcomeatdinnertime，andIpromisedtodoso。
Fullofloveandhope，Iwentformytwofriends，whoenjoyedthewholeplaywithoutanyinterruption。
WhenwealightedattheinnItoldthecoachmantocallformeattwo，andwethenwentuptothethirdfloor，wherewesatbeforethefirewhiletheoysterswerebeingopened。Theydidnotinterestusastheyhaddonebefore。
Emiliehadanimportantair；shewasabouttomakeagoodmarriage。
Armellinewasmeek，smiling，andaffectionate，andremindedmeofthepromiseIhadgivenher。Irepliedbyardentkisseswhichreassuredher，whiletheywarnedherthatIwouldfainincreasetheresponsibilityIhadalreadycontractedtowardsher。However，sheseemedresigned，andIsatdowntotableinahappyframeofmind。
AsEmiliewasontheeveofherwedding，shenodoubtputdownmyneglectofhertomyrespectforthesacramentofmatrimony。
WhensupperwasoverIgotonthesofawithArmelline，andspentthreehourswhichmighthavebeendeliciousifIhadnotobstinatelyendeavouredtoobtaintheutmostfavour。Shewouldnotgivein；allmysupplicationsandentreatiescouldnotmoveher；shewassweet，butfirm。
Shelaybetweenmyarms，butwouldnotgrantwhatIwanted，thoughshegavemenoharshorpositiverefusal。
Itseemsapuzzle，butinrealityitisquitesimple。
Sheleftmyarmsavirgin，sorry，perhaps，thathersenseofdutyhadnotallowedhertomakemecompletelyhappy。
Atlastnaturebademecease，inspiteofmylove，andIbeggedhertoforgiveme。MyinstincttoldmethatthiswastheonlywaybywhichI
mightobtainherconsentanothertime。
Halfmerryandhalfsad，weawokeEmiliewhowasinadeepsleep，andthenwestarted。Iwenthomeandgotintobed，nottroublingmyselfaboutthestormofabusewithwhichMargaritagreetedme。
TheFlorentinegavemeadeliciousdinner，overwhelmedmewithprotestationsoffriendship，andofferedmehispurseifIneededit。
HehadseenArmelline，andhadbeenpleasedwithher。Ihadansweredhimsharplywhenhequestionedmeabouther，andeversincehehadnevermentionedhername。
Ifeltgratefultohim，andasifImustmakehimsomereturn。
Iaskedhimtodinner，andhadMargaritatodinewithus。NotcaringforherIshouldhavebeengladifhehadfalleninlovewithher；therewouldhavebeennodifficulty，Ibelieve，onherpart，andcertainlynotonmine；butnothingcameofit。Sheadmiredatrinketwhichhungfromhiswatch—chain，andhebeggedmypermissiontogiveither。Itoldhimtodosobyallmeans，andthatshouldhavebeenenough；buttheaffairwentnofarther。
InaweekallthearrangementsforEmilie’smarriagehadbeenmade。I
gaveherhergrant，andthesamedayshewasmarriedandwentawaywithherhusbandtoCivitaVecchia。Menicuccio，whosenameIhavenotmentionedforsometime，waswellpleasedwithmyrelationswithhissister，foreseeingadvantagesforhimself，andstillbetterpleasedwiththeturnhisownaffairsweretaking，forthreedaysafterEmilie’sweddinghemarriedhismistress，andsetupinasatisfactorymanner。
WhenEmiliewasgonethesuperioressgaveArmellineanewcompanion。Shewasonlyafewyearsolderthanmysweetheart，andverypretty；butshedidnotarouseastronginterestinmybreast。Whenviolentlyinlovenootherwomanhaseverhadmuchpoweroverme。
ThesuperioresstoldmethathernamewasScholastica，andthatshewaswellworthyofmyesteem，being，asshesaid，asgoodasEmilie。SheexpressedahopethatIwoulddomybesttohelpScholasticatomarryamanwhomsheknewandwhowasinagoodposition。
ThismanwasthesonofacousinofScholastica’s。Shecalledhimhernephew，thoughhewasolderthanshe。Thedispensationcouldeasilybegotformoney，butifitwastobehadfornothingIshouldhavetomakeinterestwiththeHolyFather。IpromisedIwoulddomybestinthematter。
Thecarnivalwasdrawingtoaclose，andScholasticahadneverseenanoperaoraplay。Armellinewantedtoseeaball，andIhadatlastsucceededinfindingonewhereitseemedunlikelythatIshouldberecognized。However，itwouldhavetobecarefullymanaged，asseriousconsequencesmightensue；soIaskedthetwofriendsiftheywouldwearmen’sclothes，towhichtheyagreedveryheartily。
IhadtakenaboxattheAlibertiTheatreforthedayaftertheball，soItoldthetwogirlstoobtainthenecessarypermissionfromthesuperioress。
ThoughArmelline’sresistanceandthepresenceofhernewfrienddiscouragedme，Iprocuredeverythingrequisitetotransformthemintotwohandsomelads。
AsArmellinegotintothecarriageshegavemethebadnewsthatScholasticaknewnothingaboutourrelations，andthatwemustbecarefulwhatwedidbeforeher。Ihadnotimetoreply，forScholasticagotin，andwedroveofftotheinn。Whenwewereseatedinfrontofagoodfire，ItoldthemthatiftheylikedIwouldgointothenextroominspiteofthecold。
Sosaying，Ishewedthemtheirdisguises，andArmellinesaiditwoulddoifIturnedmyback，appealingtoScholasticstoconfirmher。
\"Iwilldoasyoulike，\"saidshe，\"butIamverysorrytobeintheway。
Youareinlovewitheachother，andhereamIpreventingyoufromgivingoneanothermarksofyouraffection。Whydon’tyoutreatmewithconfidence？Iamnotachild，andIamyourfriend。\"
Theseremarksshewedthatshehadplentyofcommonsense，andIbreathedagain。
\"Youareright，fairScholastics，\"Isaid，\"IdoloveArmelline，butshedoesnotloveme，andrefusestomakemehappyononepretenceoranother。\"
WiththesewordsIlefttheroom，andaftershuttingthedoorbehindmeproceededtomakeupafireinthesecondapartment。
InaquarterofanhourArmellineknockedatthedoor，andbeggedmetoopenit。Shewasinherbreeches，andsaidtheyneededmyassistanceastheirshoesweresosmalltheycouldnotgetthemon。
Iwasinratherasulkyhumour，soshethrewherarmsroundmyneckandcoveredmyfacewithkisseswhichsoonrestoredmetomyself。
WhileIwasexplainingthereasonofmyilltemper，andkissingwhateverIcouldsee，Scholasticaburstoutlaughing。
\"IwassurethatIwasintheway，\"saidshe；\"andifyoudonottrustme，IwarnyouthatIwillnotgowithyoutotheoperato—morrow。\"
\"Well，then，embracehim，\"saidArmelline。
\"Withallmyheart。\"
IdidnotmuchcareforArmelline’sgenerosity，butIembracedScholasticaaswarmlyasshedeserved。IndeedIwouldhavedonesoifshehadbeenlesspretty，forsuchkindlyconsiderationdeservedareward。IevenkissedhermoreardentlythanIneedhavedone，withtheideaofpunishingArmelline，butImadeamistake。Shewasdelighted，andkissedherfriendaffectionatelyasifingratitude。
Imadethemsitdown，andtriedtopullontheirshoes，butIsoonfoundthattheyweremuchtoosmall，andthatwemustgetsomemore。
Icalledthewaiterwhoattendedtous，andtoldhimtogoandfetchabootmakerwithanassortmentofshoes。
InthemeanwhileIwouldnotbecontentedwithmerelykissingArmelline。
Sheneitherdaredtograntnortorefuse；andasiftorelieveherselfofanyresponsibility，madeScholasticasubmittoallthecaressesI
lavishedonher。ThelattersecondedmyeffortswithanardourthatwouldhavepleasedmeexceedinglyifIhadbeeninlovewithher。
Shewasexceedinglybeautiful，andherfeatureswereasperfectlychiselledasArmelline’s，butArmellinewaspossessedofadelicateandsubtlecharmoffeaturepeculiartoherself。
Ilikedtheamusementwellenough，buttherewasadropofbitternessinallmyenjoyment。IthoughtitwasplainthatArmellinedidnotloveme，andthatScholasticaonlyencouragedmetoencourageherfriend。
AtlastIcametotheconclusionthatIshoulddowelltoattachmyselftotheonewhoseemedlikelytogivemethecompletestsatisfaction。
AssoonasIconceivedthisideaIfeltcurioustoseewhetherArmellinewoulddiscoveranyjealousyifIshewedmyselfreallyinlovewithScholastica，andifthelatterpronouncedmetobetoodaring，forhithertomyhandshadnotcrossedtheRubiconoftheirwaistbands。Iwasjustgoingtoworkwhentheshoemakerarrived，andinafewminutesthegirlswerewellfitted。
Theyputontheircoats，andIsawtwohandsomeyoungmenbeforeme，whiletheirfigureshintedtheirsexsufficientlytomakeathirdpersonjealousofmygoodfortune。
Igaveordersforsuppertobereadyatmidnight，andwewenttotheball。Iwouldhavewageredahundredtoonethatnoonewouldrecognizemethere，asthemanwhogottheticketshadassuredmethatitwasagatheringofsmalltradesmen。Butwhocantrusttofateorchance？
Wewentintothehall，andthefirstpersonIsawwastheMarchionessd’Aout，withherhusbandandherinseparableabbe。
NodoubtIturnedathousandcolours，butitwasnogoodgoingback，forthemarchionesshadrecognizedme，soIcomposedmyselfandwentuptoher。Weexchangedtheusualcomplimentsofpolitesociety，towhichsheaddedsomegood—naturedthoughironicalremarksonmytwoyoungfriends。
Notbeingaccustomedtocompany，theyremainedconfusedandspeechless。
Buttheworstofallwastocome。AtallyoungladywhohadjustfinishedaminuetcameuptoArmelline，droppedacurtsy，andaskedhertodance。
InthisyoungladyIrecognizedtheFlorentinewhohaddisguisedhimselfasagirl，andlookedaverybeautifulone。
Armellinethoughtshewouldnotappearadupe，andsaidsherecognizedhim。
\"Youaremakingamistake，\"saidhe，calmly。\"Ihaveabrotherwhoisverylikeme，justasyouhaveasisterwhoisyourlivingportrait。MybrotherhadthepleasureofexchangingafewwordswithherattheCapronica。\"TheFlorentine’sclevernessmadethemarchionesslaugh，andIhadtojoininhermirth，thoughIfeltlittleinclinationtodoso。
Armellinebeggedtobeexcuseddancing，sothemarchionessmadehersitbetweenthehandsomeFlorentineandherself。ThemarquistookpossessionofScholastica，andIhadtobeattentivetothemarchionesswithoutseemingtobeawareoftheexistenceofArmelline，towhomtheFlorentinewastalkingearnestly。
Ifeltasjealousasatiger；andhavingtoconcealmyrageunderanairofperfectsatisfaction，thereadermayimaginehowwellIenjoyedtheball。
However，therewasmoreanxietyinstoreforme；forpresentlyInoticedScholasticaleavethemarquis，andgoapartwithamiddle—agedman，withwhomsheconversedinanintimatemanner。
Theminuetsover，thesquaredancesbegan，andIthoughtIwasdreamingwhenIsawArmellineandtheFlorentinetakingtheirplaces。
Icameuptocongratulatethem，andaskedArmelline，gently，ifshewassureofthesteps。
\"ThisgentlemansaysIhaveonlytoimitatehim，andthatIcannotpossiblymakeanymistakes。\"
Ihadnothingtosaytothis，soIwenttowardsScholastica，feelingverycurioustoknowwhowashercompanion。
Assoonasshesawmesheintroducedmetohim，sayingtimidlythatthiswasthenephewofwhomshehadspoken，thesamethatwishedtomarryher。
Iwassurprised，butIdidnotletitappear。Itoldhimthatthesuperioresshadspokenofhimtome，andthatIwasthinkingoverthewaysandmeansofobtainingadispensationwithoutanycosts。
Hewasanhonest—lookingman，andthankedmeheartily，commendinghimselftomygoodoffices，ashesaidhewasfarfromrich。
Ileftthemtogether，andonturningtoviewthedanceIwasastonishedtoseethatArmellinewasdancingadmirably，andexecutingallthefigures。TheFlorentineseemedafinisheddancer，andtheybothlookedveryhappy。
Iwasfarfrompleased，butIcongratulatedthembothontheirperformance。TheFlorentinehaddisguisedhimselfsoadmirablythatnoonewouldhavetakenhimforaman。ItwastheMarchionessd’Aoutwhohadbeenhisdresser。
AsIwastoojealoustoleaveArmellinetoherowndevices，Irefusedtodance，preferringtowatchher。
IwasnotatalluneasyaboutScholastica，whowaswithherbetrothed。
Abouthalf—pasteleventheMarchionessd’Aout，whowasdelightedwithArmelline，andpossiblyhadherprotege’shappinessinview，askedme，inatonethatamountedtoacommand，tosupwithherincompanywithmytwocompanions。
\"Icannothavethehonour，\"Ireplied，\"andmytwocompanionsknowthereason。\"
\"Thatisasmuchastosay，\"saidthemarchioness，\"thathewilldoasyouplease，\"turningtoArmellineasshespoke。
IaddressedmyselftoArmelline，andobservedsmilinglythatsheknewperfectlywellthatshemustbehomebyhalf—pasttwelveatlatest。
\"True，\"shereplied，\"butyoucandoasyouplease。\"
IrepliedsomewhatsadlythatIdidnotfeelmyselfatlibertytobreakmyword，butthatshecouldmakemedoeventhatifshechose。
Thereuponthemarchioness，herhusband，theabbe，andtheFlorentine，urgedhertouseherpowertomakemebreakmysupposedword，andArmellineactuallybegantopresumetodoso。
Iwasburstingwithrage；butmakingupmymindtodoanythingratherthanappearjealous，IsaidsimplythatIwouldgladlyconsentifherfriendwouldconsentalso。
\"Verywell，\"saidshe，withapleasedairthatcutmetothequick，\"goandaskher。\"
Thatwasenoughforme。IwenttoScholasticaandtoldherthecircumstancesinthepresenceofherlover，begginghertorefusewithoutcompromisingme。
HerloversaidIwasperfectlyright，butScholasticarequirednopersuasion，tellingmethatshehadquitemadeuphermindnottosupwithanyone。
Shecamewithme，andItoldhertospeaktoArmellineapartbeforesayinganythingtotheothers。
IledScholasticabeforethemarchioness，bewailingmywantofsuccess。
ScholasticatoldArmellinethatshewantedtosayafewwordstoheraside，andafterashortconversationtheycamebacklookingsorry，andArmellinetoldthemarchionessthatshefounditwouldbeimpossibleforthemtocome。Theladydidnotpressusanylonger，sowewentaway。
ItoldScholastica’sintendedtokeepwhathadpassedtohimself，andaskedhimtodinewithmeonthedayafterAshWednesday。
Thenightwasdark，andwewalkedtotheplacewhereIhadorderedthecarriagetobeinwaiting。
TomeitwasasifIhadcomeoutofhell，andonthewaytotheinnI
didnotspeakaword，notevenansweringthequestionswhichthetoo—
simpleArmellineaddressedtomeinavoicethatwouldhavesoftenedaheartofstone。Scholasticaavengedmebyreproachingherforhavingobligedmetoappeareitherrudeorjealous，orabreakerofmyword。
WhenwegottotheinnArmellinechangedmyjealousrageintopity；hereyesswamwithtears，whichScholastica’shometruthshaddrawnforth。
Thesupperwasready，sotheyhadnotimetochangetheirdress。Iwassadenough，butIcouldnotbeartoseeArmellinesadalso。Iresolvedtodomybesttodriveawayhermelancholy，eventhoughIsuspectedthatitarosefromloveoftheFlorentine。
Thesupperwasexcellent，andScholasticadidhonourtoit，whileArmelline，contrarytoherwont，scarcelytouchedathing。Scholasticawascharming。Sheembracedherfriend，andtoldhertobemerrywithher，asIhadbecomethefriendofherbetrothed，andshewassureI
woulddoasmuchforherasIhaddoneforEmilie。Sheblessedtheballandthechancewhichhadbroughthimthere。Inshort，shedidherbesttoshewArmellinethatwithmyloveshehadnoreasontobesad。
Armellinedarednotdisclosethetruecauseofhersadness。Thefactwas，thatshewantedtogetmarried，andthehandsomeFlorentinewasthemantoherliking。
Oursuppercametoanend，andstillArmellinewasgloomy。Sheonlydrankoneglassofpunch，andasshehadeatensolittleIwouldnottryandmakeherdrinkmoreforfearlestitshoulddoherharm。
Scholastica，ontheotherhand，tooksuchafancytothisagreeablefluid，whichshetastedforthefirsttime，thatshedrankdeeply，andwasamazedtofinditmountingtoherheadinsteadofdescendingtoherstomach。Inthispleasantstate，shefeltitwasherdutytoreconcileArmellineandmyself，andtoassureusthatwemightbeastenderaswelikedwithoutmindingherpresence。
Gettingupfromtableandstandingwithsomedifficulty，shecarriedherfriendtothesofa，andcaressedherinsuchawaythatArmellinecouldnothelplaughing，despitehersadness。Thenshecalledmeandplacedherinmyarms。Icaressedher，andArmelline，thoughshedidnotrepulseme，didnotrespondasScholasticahadhoped。Iwasnotdisappointed；IdidnotthinkitlikelyshewouldgrantnowwhatshehadrefusedtograntwhenIhadheldherinmyarmsforthosehourswhilstEmiliewasfastasleep。
However，Scholasticabegantoreproachmewithmycoldness，thoughI
deservednoblameatallonthisscore。
Itoldthemtotakeofftheirmen’sclothes，andtodressthemselvesaswomen。
IhelpedScholasticatotakeoffhercoatandwaistcoat，andthenaidedArmellineinasimilarmanner。
WhenIbroughtthemtheirchemises，Armellinetoldmetogoandstandbythefire，andIdidso。
Beforelonganoiseofkissingmademeturnround，andIsawScholastica，onwhomthepunchhadtakeneffect，devouringArmelline’sbreastwithkisses。Atlastthistreatmenthadthedesiredresult；Armellinebecamegay，andgaveasgoodasshegot。
Atthissightthebloodboiledinmyveins，andrunningtothemIfoundScholasticwasnotillpleasedthatIshoulddojusticetoherbeautifulspheres，whileforthenonceItransformedherintoanurse。
Armellinewasashamedtoappearlessgenerousthanherfriend，andScholasticawastriumphantwhenshesawthepeculiarusetowhich（forthefirsttime）IputArmelline’shands。
Armellinecalledtoherfriendtohelp，andshewasnotbackward；butinspiteofhertwentyyearsherastonishmentatthecatastrophewasgreat。
AfteritwasoverIputontheirchemisesandtookofftheirbreecheswithallthedecencyimaginable，andafterspendingafewminutesinthenextroomtheycameandsatdownonmykneeoftheirownaccord。
Scholastica，insteadofbeingannoyedatmygivingthepreferencetothehiddencharmsofArmelline，seemeddelighted，watchingwhatIdid，andhowArmellinetookit，withtheclosestattention。Shenodoubtlongedtoseemeperformthemagnumopus，butthegentleArmellinewouldnotallowmetogosofar。
AfterIhadfinishedwithArmellineIrecollectedIhaddutiestowardsScholastica，andIproceededtoinspecthercharms。
Itwasdifficulttodecidewhichofthetwodeservedtocarryofftheapple。Scholastica，perhaps，wasstrictlyspeakingthemorebeautifulofthetwo，butIlovedArmelline，andlovecastsaglamouroverthebelovedobject。ScholasticaappearedtometobeaspureavirginasArmelline，andIsawthatImightdowhatIlikedwithher。ButIwouldnotabusemyliberty，notcaringtoconfesshowpowerfulanallythepunchhadbeen。
However，Ididallinmypowertogiveherpleasurewithoutgivingherthegreatestpleasureofall。Scholastica，wasgluttedwithvoluptuousenjoyment，andwascertainthatIhadonlyeludedherdesiresfrommotivesofdelicacy。
Itookthembacktotheconvent，assuringthemthatIwouldtakethemtotheoperaonthefollowingevening。
Iwenttobed，doubtfulwhetherIhadgainedavictoryorsustainedadefeat；anditwasnottillIawokethatIwasinapositiontogiveadecidedopinion。
[Thereishereaconsiderablehiatusintheauthorsmanuscript。]
EndFlorencetoTriesteByJacquesCasanovaMEMOIRSOFJACQUESCASANOVAdeSEINGALT1725—1798
SPANISHPASSIONS，Volume6d——FLORENCETOTRIESTE
THEMEMOIRSOFJACQUESCASANOVADESEINGALT
THERAREUNABRIDGEDLONDONEDITIONOF1894TRANSLATEDBYARTHURMACHENTO
WHICHHASBEENADDEDTHECHAPTERSDISCOVEREDBYARTHURSYMONS。
FLORENCEtoTRIESTE
CHAPTERXVIII
MadameDenis——Dedini——Zanovitch——Zen——IAmObligedtoLeave——IArriveatBologna——GeneralAlbergatiWithoutspeakingatanylengthIaskedtheyounggrandduketogivemeanasyluminhisdominionsforaslongasImightcaretostay。I
anticipatedanyquestionshemighthaveaskedbytellinghimthereasonswhichhadmademeanexilefrommynativeland。
\"Astomynecessities，\"Iadded，\"Ishallaskforhelpofnoone；Ihavesufficientfundstoensuremyindependence。Ithinkofdevotingthewholeofmytimetostudy。\"
\"Solongasyourconductisgood，\"hereplied，\"thelawsguaranteeyourfreedom；butIamgladyouhaveappliedtome。WhomdoyouknowinFlorence？\"
\"Tenyearsago，mylord，Ihadsomedistinuishedacquaintanceshere；butnowIproposetoliveinretirement，anddonotintendrenewinganyoldfriendships。\"
Suchwasmyconversationwiththeyoungsovereign，andafterhisassurancesIconcludedthatnoonewouldmolestme。
MyadventuresinTuscanytheyearsbeforewereinallprobabilityforgotten，oralmostforgotten，asthenewGovernmenthadnothingincommonwiththeold。
AftermyinterviewwiththegranddukeIwenttoabookseller’sshopandorderedsomebooks。Agentlemanintheshop，hearingmemakingenquiriesaboutGreekworks，accostedme，andwegotonwelltogether。ItoldhimIwasworkingatatranslationofthe\"Iliad，\"andinreturnheinformedmethathewasmakingacollectionofGreekepigrams，whichhewishedtopublishinGreekandItalian。ItoldhimIshouldliketoseethiswork，whereuponheaskedmewhereIlived。Itoldhim，learnthisnameandaddress，andcalledonhimthenextday。Hereturnedthevisit，andwebecamefastfriends，thoughwenevereitherwalkedoratetogether。
ThisworthyFlorentinewasnamed（orisnamed，ifhebestillalive）
EverarddeMedici。
IwasverycomfortablewithAllegranti；Ihadthequietsonecessarytoliterarylabours，butneverthelessImadeupmymindtochangemylodging。Magdalena，mylandlord’sniece，wassocleverandcharming，thoughbutachild，thatshecontinuallydisturbedmystudies。Shecameintomyroom，wishedmegoodday，askedmewhatkindofanightIhadspent，ifIwantedanything，andthesightofhergraceandbeautyandthesoundofhervoicesoravishedme，thatIdeterminedtoseeksafetyinflight。
AfewyearslaterMagdalenabecameafamousmusician。
AfterleavingAllegrantiItookroomsinatradesman’shouse；hiswifewasugly，andhehadnoprettydaughtersorseductivenieces。ThereI
livedforthreeweekslikeLafontaine’srat，verydiscreetly。
Aboutthesametime，CountStraticoarrivedatFlorencewithhispupil，theChevalierMorosini，whowastheneighteen。IcouldnotavoidcallingonStratico。Hehadbrokenhislegsometimebeforeandwasstillunabletogooutwithhispupil，whohadallthevicesandnoneofthevirtuesofyouth。Consequently，Straticowasalwaysafraidofsomethinghappeningtohim，andhebeggedmetomakemyselfhiscompanion，andeventosharehispleasures，sothathemightnotgointobadcompanyanddangeroushousesaloneandundefended。
Thusmydaysofcalmstudyvanishedaway。Ihadtopartakeinthedebaucheryofayoungrake，andalloutofpuresensibility。
TheChevalierMorosiniwasathorough—pacedprofligate。Hehatedliterature，goodsociety，andthecompanyofsensiblepeople。Hisdailypleasureswerefuriousriding，harddrinking，andharddissipationwithprostitutes，whomhesometimesalmostkilled。
Thisyoungnoblemanpaidamanforthesoleserviceofgettinghimawomanoragirleveryday。
DuringthetwomonthswhichhepassedinFlorenceIsavedhislifeascoreoftimes。Igotverytiredofmyduty，butIfeltboundtopersevere。
Hewasliberaltothevergeofrecklessness，andwouldneverallowmetopayforanything。Evenhere，however，disputesoftenarosebetweenus；
ashepaid，hewantedmetoeat，drink，anddissipateinthesamemeasuresashimself。However，Ihadmyownwayonmostoccasions，onlygivinginwhenitsuitedmetodoso。
WewenttoseetheoperaatLucca，anddroughttwoofthedancershometosupper。Asthechevalierwasdrunkasusual，hetreatedthewomanhehadchosen——asuperbcreature——veryindifferently。Theotherwasprettyenough，butIhaddonenothingseriouswithher，soIproceededtoavengethebeauty。Shetookmeforthechevalier’sfather，andadvisedmetogivehimabettereducation。
AfterthechevalierwasgoneIbetookmyselftomystudiesagain，butI
suppedeverynightwithMadameDenis，whohadformerlybeenadancerintheKingofPrussia’sservice，andhadretiredtoFlorence。
Shewasaboutmyage，andthereforenotyoung，butstillshehadsufficientremainsofherbeautytoinspireatenderpassion；shedidnotlookmorethanthirty。Shewasasfreshasayounggirl，hadexcellentmanners，andwasextremelyintelligent。Besidesalltheseadvantages，shehadacomfortableapartmentonthefirstfloorofoneofthelargestcafesinFlorence。Infrontofherroomwasabalconywhereitwasdelicioustositandenjoythecooloftheevening。
ThereadermayrememberhowIhadbecomeherfriendatBerlinin1764，andwhenwemetagainatFlorenceouroldflameswererekindled。
ThechiefboarderinthehousewhereshelivedwasMadameBrigonzi，whomIhadmetatMemel。Thislady，whopretendedthatshehadbeenmymistresstwenty—fiveyearsbefore，oftencameintoMadameDenis’sroomswithanoldloverofhersnamedMarquisCapponi。
Hewasanagreeableandwell—educatedman；andnoticingthatheseemedtoenjoymyconversationIcalledonhim，andhecalledonme，leavinghiscardasIwasnotathome。
Ireturnedthevisit，andheintroducedmetohisfamilyandinvitedmetodinner。ForthefirsttimesinceIhadcometoFlorenceIdressedmyselfwitheleganceandworemyjewels。
AttheMarquisCapponi’sImadetheacquaintanceofCorilla’slover，theMarquisGennori，whotookmetoahousewhereImetmyfate。IfellinlovewithMadameayoungwidow，whohadbeenspendingafewmonthsinParis。Thisvisithadaddedtoherotherattractionsthecharmofagoodmanner，whichalwayscountsforsomuch。
ThisunhappylovemadethethreemonthslongerwhichIspentinFlorencepainfultome。
ItwasatthebeginningofOctober，andaboutthattimeCountMediniarrivedatFlorencewithoutapennyinhispocket，andwithoutbeingabletopayhisvetturino，whohadarrestedhim。
Thewretchedman，whoseemedtofollowmewhereverIwent，hadtakenuphisabodeinthehouseofapoorIrishman。
IdonotknowhowMedinifoundoutthatIwasatFlorence，buthewrotemealetterbeggingmetocomeanddeliverhimfromthepolice，whobesiegedhisroomandtalkedoftakinghimtoprison。Hesaidheonlywantedmetogobailforhim，andprotestedthatIshouldnotrunanyrisk，ashewassureofbeingabletopayinafewdays。
MyreaderswillbeawarethatIhadgoodreasonfornotlikingMedini，butinspiteofourquarrelIcouldnotdespisehisentreaty。Ievenfeltinclinedtobecomehissurety，ifhecouldprovehiscapabilityofpayingthesumforwhichhehadbeenarrested。Iimaginedthatthesummustbeasmallone，andcouldnotunderstandwhythelandlorddidnotanswerforhim。Mysurpriseceased，however，whenIenteredhisroom。
AssoonasIappearedherantoembraceme，beggingmetoforgetthepast，andtoextracthimfromthepainfulpositioninwhichhefoundhimself。
Icastarapidglanceovertheroom，andsawthreetrunksalmostempty，theircontentsbeingscatteredaboutthefloor。Therewashismistress，whomIknew，andwhohadherreasonsfornotlikingme；heryoungsister，whowept；andhermother，whoswore，andcalledMediniarogue，sayingthatshewouldcomplainofhimtothemagistrate，andthatshewasnotgoingtoallowherdressesandherdaughter’sdressestobeseizedforhisdebts。
Iaskedthelandlordwhyhedidnotgobail，ashehadthesepersonsandtheireffectsassecurity。
\"Thewholelot，\"heanswered，\"won’tpaythevetturino，andthesoonertheyareoutofmyhousethebetterIshallbepleased。\"
Iwasastonished，andcouldnotunderstandhowthebillcouldamounttomorethanthevalueofalltheclothesIsawonthefloor，soIaskedthevetturinototellmetheextentofthedebt。
HegavemeapaperwithMedini’ssignature；theamountwastwohundredandfortycrowns。
\"Howintheworld，\"Iexclaimed，\"couldhecontractthisenormousdebt？\"
Iwonderednolongerwhenthevetturinotoldmethathehadservedthemforthelastsixweeks，havingconductedthecountandthethreewomenfromRometoLeghorn，andfromLeghorntoPisa，andfromPisatoFlorence，payingfortheirboardalltheway。
\"Thevetturinowillnevertakemeasbailforsuchanamount，\"IsaidtoMedini，\"andevenifhewouldIshouldneverbesofoolishastocontractsuchadebt。\"
\"Letmehaveawordwithyouinthenextroom，\"saidhe；\"Iwillputthematterclearlybeforeyou。\"
\"Certainly。\"
Twoofthepolicewouldhavepreventedhisgoingintothenextroom，onthepleathathemightescapethroughthewindow，butIsaidIwouldbeanswerableforhim。
Justthenthepoorvetturinocameinandkissedmyhand，sayingthatifI
wouldgobailforthecounthewouldletmehavethreemonthswhereintofindthemoney。
AsithappeneditwasthesamemanwhohadtakenmetoRomewiththeEnglishwomanwhohadbeenseducedbytheactorl’Etoile。Itoldhimtowaitamoment。
Mediniwhowasagreattalkerandadreadfulliarthoughttopersuademebyshewingmeanumberofopenletters，commendinghiminpompoustermstothebesthousesinFlorence。Ireadtheletters，butIfoundnomentionofmoneyinthem，andItoldhimasmuch。
\"Iknow，\"saidhe，\"butthereisplaygoingoninthesehouses，andIamsureofgainingimmensesums。\"
\"YoumaybeawarethatIhavenoconfidenceinyourgoodluck。\"
\"ThenIhaveanotherresource。\"
\"Whatisthat？\"
Heshewedmeabundleofmanuscript，whichIfoundtobeanexcellenttranslationofVoltaire’s\"Henriade\"intoItalianverse。Tassohimselfcouldnothavedoneitbetter。HesaidhehopedtofinishthepoematFlorence，andtopresentittothegrandduke，whowouldbesuretomakehimamagnificentpresent，andtoconstitutehimhisfavourite。
Iwouldnotundeceivehim，butIlaughedtomyself，knowingthatthegranddukeonlymadeapretenceoflovingliterature。AcertainAbbeFontaine，acleverman，amusedhimwithalittlenaturalhistory，theonlyscienceinwhichhetookanyinterest。Hepreferredtheworstprosetothebestverse，nothavingsufficientintellecttoenjoythesubtlecharmsofpoetry。Inrealityhehadonlytwopassions——womenandmoney。
AfterspendingtwowearisomehourswithMedini，whosewitwasgreatandhisjudgmentsmall，afterheartilyrepentingofhavingyieldedtomycuriosityandhavingpaidhimavisit，IsaidshortlythatIcoulddonothingforhim。Despairdrivesmencrazy；asIwasmakingforthedoor，heseizedmebythecollar。
Hedidnotreflectinhisdireextremitythathehadnoarms，thatIwasstrongerthanhe，thatIhadtwicedrawnhisblood，andthatthepolice，thelandlord，thevetturirco，andtheservants，wereinthenextroom。I
wasnotcowardenoughtocallforhelp；Icaughtholdofhisneckwithbothhandsandsqueezedhimtillhewasnearlychoked。Hehadtoletgoatlast，andthenItookholdofhiscollarandaskedhimifhehadgonemad。
Isenthimagainstthewall，andopenedthedoorandthepolicecamein。
ItoldthevetturinothatIwouldonnoaccountbeMedini’ssurety，orbeanswerableforhiminanyway。
JustasIwasgoingout，heleaptforwardcryingthatImustnotabandonhim。
Ihadopenedthedoor，andthepolice，fearinghewouldescape，ranforwardtogetholdofhim。Thenbegananinterestingbattle。Medini，whohadnoarms，andwasonlyinhisdressing—gown，proceededtodistributekicks，cuffs，andblowsamongstthefourcowards，whohadtheirswordsattheirsides，whilstIheldthedoortopreventtheIrishmangoingoutandcallingforassistance。
Medini，whosenosewasbleedingandhisdressalltorn，persistedinfightingtillthefourpolicemenlethimalone。Ilikedhiscourage，andpitiedhim。
Therewasamoment’ssilence，andIaskedhistwoliveriedservantswhowerestandingbymewhytheyhadnothelpedtheirmaster。Onesaidheowedhimsixmonths’wages，andtheothersaidhewantedtoarresthimonhisownaccount。
AsMediniwasendeavouringtostaunchthebloodinabasinofwater，thevetturinotoldhimthatasIrefusedtobehissuretyhemustgotoprison。
IwasmovedbythescenethatIhadwitnessed，andsaidtothevetturino，\"Givehimafortnight’srespite，andifheescapesbeforetheexpirationofthattermIwillpayyou。\"
Hethoughtitoverforafewmoments，andthensaid，——
\"Verygood，sir，butIamnotgoingtopayanylegalexpenses。\"
Ienquiredhowmuchthecostsamountedto，andpaidthem，laughingatthepolicemen’sclaimofdamagesforblowstheyhadreceived。
ThenthetworascallyservantssaidthatifIwouldnotbesuretyinthesamemannerontheiraccount，theywouldhaveMediniarrested。However，Medinicalledouttometopaynoattentiontothemwhatever。
WhenIhadgiventhevetturinohisacknowledgmentandpaidthefourorfivecrownschargedbythepolice，Medinitoldmethathehadmoretosaytome；butIturnedmybackonhim，andwenthometodinner。
TwohourslateroneofhisservantscametomeandpromisedifIwouldgivehimsixsequinstowarnmeifhismastermadeanypreparationsforflight。
Itoldhimdrilythathiszealwasuselesstome，asIwasquitesurethatthecountwouldpayallhisdebtswithintheterm；andthenextmorningIwrotetoMediniinforminghimofthestephisservanthadtaken。Herepliedwithalongletterfullofthanks，inwhichheexertedallhiseloquencetopersuademetorepairhisfortunes。Ididnotanswer。
However，hisgoodgenius，whostillprotectedhim，broughtapersontoFlorencewhodrewhimoutofthedifficulty。ThispersonwasPremislasZanovitch，whoafterwardsbecameasfamousashisbrotherwhocheatedtheAmsterdammerchants，andadoptedthestyleofPrinceScanderbeck。I
shallspeakofhimlateron。Boththesefinishedcheatscametoabadend。
PremislasZanovitchwasthenatthehappyageoftwenty—five；hewasthesonofagentlemanofBudua，atownonthebordersofAlbaniaandDalmatia，formerlysubjecttotheVenetianRepublicandnowtotheGrandTurk。InclassictimesitwasknownasEpirus。
Premislaswasayoungmanofgreatintelligence，andafterhavingstudiedatVenice，andcontractedaVenetiantasteforpleasuresandenjoymentsofallsorts，hecouldnotmakeuphismindtoreturntoBudua，wherehisonlyassociateswouldbedullSclavs——uneducated，unintellectual，coarse，andbrutish。Consequently，whenPremislasandhisstillmoretalentedbrotherStephenwereorderedbytheCouncilofTentoenjoythevastsumstheyhadgainedatplayintheirowncountry，theyresolvedtobecomeadventurers。OnetookthenorthandtheotherthesouthofEurope，andbothcheatedanddupedwhenevertheopportunityfordoingsopresenteditself。
IhadseenPremislaswhenhewasachild，andhadalreadyheardreportsofanotableachievementofhis。AtNapleshehadcheatedtheChevalierdeMorosinibypersuadinghimtobecomehissuretytotheextentofsixthousandducats，andnowhearrivedinFlorenceinahandsomecarriage，bringinghismistresswithhim，andhavingtwotalllackeysandavaletinhisservice。
Hetookgoodapartments，hiredacarriage，rentedaboxattheopera，hadaskilledcook，andgavehismistressalady—in—waiting。Hethenshewedhimselfatthebestclub，richlydressed，andcoveredwithjewellery。HeintroducedhimselfunderthenameofCountPremislasZanovitch。
ThereisaclubinFlorencedevotedtotheuseofthenobility。Anystrangercangotherewithoutbeingintroduced，butsomuchtheworseforhimifhisappearancefailstoindicatehisrighttobepresent。TheFlorentinesareicetowardshim，leavehimalone，andbehaveinsuchamannerthatthevisitisseldomrepeated。Theclubisatoncedecentandlicentious，thepapersaretobereadthere，gamesofallkindsareplayed，foodanddrinkmaybehad，andevenloveisavailable，forladiesfrequenttheclub。
Zanovitchdidnotwaittobespokento，butmadehimselfagreeabletoeveryone，andcongratulatedhimselfonmixinginsuchdistinguishedcompany，talkedaboutNapleswhichhehadjustleft，broughtinhisownnamewithgreatadroitness，playedhigh，lostmerrily，paidafterpretendingtoforgetallabouthisdebts，andinshortpleasedeveryone。
IheardallthisthenextdayfromtheMarquisCapponi，whosaidthatsomeonehadaskedhimifheknewme，whereatheansweredthatwhenIleftVenicehewasatcollege，butthathehadoftenheardhisfatherspeakofmeinveryhighterms。HeknewboththeChevalierMorosiniandCountMedini，andhadagooddealtosayinpraiseofthelatter。ThemarquisaskedmeifIknewhim，andIrepliedintheaffirmative，withoutfeelingitmydutytodisclosecertaincircumstanceswhichmightnothavebeenadvantageoustohim；andasMadameDenisseemedcurioustomakehisacquaintancetheChevalierPuzzipromisedtobringhimtoseeher，whichhedidinthecourseofafewdays。
IhappenedtobewithMadameDeniswhenPuzzipresentedZanovitch，andI
sawbeforemeafine—lookingyoungmen，whoseemedbyhisconfidentmannertobesureofsuccessinallhisundertakings。Hewasnotexactlyhandsome，buthehadaperfectmannerandanairofgaietywhichseemedinfectious，withathoroughknowledgeofthelawsofgoodsociety。Hewasbynomeansanegotist，andseemedneveratalossforsomethingtotalkabout。Iledtheconversationtothesubjectofhiscountry，andhegavemeanamusingdescriptionofit，talkingofhisfief—partofwhichwaswithinthedomainsofthesultan—asaplacewheregaietywasunknown，andwherethemostdeterminedmisanthropewoulddieofmelancholy。
Assoonasheheardmynamehebeganspeakingtomeinatoneofthemostdelicateflattery。Isawthemakingsofagreatadventurerinhim，butI
thoughthisluxurywouldprovetheweakpointinhiscuirass。IthoughthimsomethinglikewhatIhadbeenfifteenyearsago，butasitseemedunlikelythathehadmyresourcesIcouldnothelppityinghim。
Zanovitchpaidmeavisit，andtoldmethatMedini’spositionhadexcitedhispity，andthathehadthereforepaidhisdebts。
Iapplaudedhisgenerosity，butIformedtheconclusionthattheyhadlaidsomeplotbetweenthem，andthatIshouldsoonhearoftheresultsofthisnewalliance。
IreturnedZanovitch’scallthenextday。Hewasattablewithhismistress，whomIshouldnothaverecognizedifshehadnotpronouncedmynamedirectlyshesawme。
AsshehadaddressedmeasDonGiacomo，IcalledherDonnaIppolita，butinavoicewhichindicatedthatIwasnotcertainofheridentity。ShetoldmeIwasquiteright。
IhadsuppedwithheratNaplesincompanywithLordBaltimore，andshewasveryprettythen。
Zanovitchaskedmetodinewithhimthefollowingday，andIshouldhavethankedhimandbeggedtobeexcusedifDonnaIppolitahadnotpressedmetocome。SheassuredmethatIshouldfindgoodcompanythere，andthatthecookwouldexcelhimself。
Ifeltrathercurioustoseethecompany，andwiththeideaofshewingZanovitchthatIwasnotlikelytobecomeachargeonhispurse，I
dressedmyselfmagnificentlyoncemore。