ThedayafterIaccompaniedM。ZaguritoGorice，wherehestayedthreedaystoenjoythehospitalityofthenobility。Iwasincludedinalltheirinvitations，andIsawthatastrangercouldliveverypleasantlyatGorice。
ImetthereacertainCountCobenzl，whomaybealivenow——amanofwisdom，generosity，andthevastestlearning，andyetwithoutanykindofpretention。HegaveaStatedinnertoM。Zaguri，andIhadthepleasureofmeetingtherethreeorfourmostcharmingladies。IalsometCountTomes，aSpaniardwhosefatherwasinintheAustrianservice。Hehadmarriedatsixty，andhadfivechildrenallasuglyashimself。Hisdaughterwasacharminggirlinspiteofherplainness；sheevidentlygothercharacterfromthemother’sside。Theeldestson，whowasuglyandsquinted，wasakindofpleasantmadman，buthewasalsoaliar，aprofligate，aboaster，andtotallydevoidofdiscretion。Inspiteofthesedefectshewasmuchsoughtafterinsocietyashetoldagoodtaleandmadepeoplelaugh。Ifhehadbeenastudent，hewouldhavebeenadistinguishedscholar，ashismemorywasprodigious。HeitwaswhovainlyguaranteedtheagreementImadewithValerioValeriforprintingmy\"HistoryofPoland。\"IalsometatGoriceaCountCoronini，whowasknowninlearnedcirclesastheauthorofsomeLatintreatisesondiplomacy。Nobodyreadhisbooks，buteverybodyagreedthathewasaverylearnedman。
IalsometayoungmannamedMorelli，whohadwrittenahistoryoftheplaceandwasonthepointofpublishingthefirstvolume。HegavemehisMS。beggingmetomakeanycorrectionsthatstruckmeasdesirable。
Isucceededinpleasinghim，asIgavehimbackhisworkwithoutasinglenoteoralterationofanykind，andthushebecamemyfriend。
IbecameagreatfriendofCountFrancisCharlesCoronini，whowasamanoftalents。HehadmarriedaBelgianlady，butnotbeingabletoagreetheyhadseparatedandhepassedhistimeintriflingintrigues，hunting，andreadingthepapers，literaryandpolitical。Helaughedatthosesageswhodeclaredthattherewasnotonereallyhappypersonintheworld，andhesupportedhisdenialbytheunanswerabledictum:
\"Imyselfamperfectlyhappy。\"
However，ashediedofatumorintheheadattheageofthirty—five，heprobablyacknowledgedhismistakeintheagoniesofdeath。
Thereisnosuchthingasaperfectlyhappyorperfectlyunhappymanintheworld。Onehasmorehappinessinhislifeandanothermoreunhappiness，andthesamecircumstancemayproducewidelydifferenteffectsonindividualsofdifferenttemperaments。
Itisnotafactthatvirtueensureshappinessfortheexerciseofsomevirtuesimpliessuffering，andsufferingisincompatiblewithhappiness。
MyreadersmaybeawarethatIamnotinclinedtomakementalpleasurepre—eminentandallsufficing。Itmaybeafinethingtohaveaclearconscience，butIcannotseethatitwouldatallrelievethepangsofhunger。
BaronPittoniandmyselfescortedZaguritotheVenetianborder，andwethenreturnedtoTriestetogether。
InthreeorfourdaysPittonitookmeeverywhere，includingtheclubwherenonebutpersonsofdistinctionwereadmitted。ThisclubwasheldattheinnwhereIwasstaying。
Amongsttheladies，themostnoteworthywasthewifeofthemerchant，DavidRiguelin，whowasaSwabianbybirth。
Pittoniwasinlovewithherandcontinuedsotillherdeath。Hissuitlastedfortwelveyears，andlikePetrarch，hestillsighed，stillhoped，butneversucceeded。HernamewasZanetta，andbesidesherbeautyshehadthecharmofbeinganexquisitesingerandapolishedhostess。Stillmorenoteworthy，however，wastheunvaryingsweetnessandequabilityofherdisposition。
Ididnotwanttoknowherlongbeforerecognizingthatshewasabsolutelyimpregnable。ItoldPittoniso，butallinvain；hestillfedonemptyhope。
Zanettahadverypoorhealth，thoughnoonewouldhavejudgedsofromherappearance，butitwaswellknowntobethecase。Shediedatanearlyage。
AfewdaysafterM。Zaguri’sdeparture，IhadanotefromtheconsulinformingmethattheProcuratorMorosiniwasstoppinginmyinn，andadvisingmetocallonhimifIknewhim。
Iwasinfinitelyobligedforthisadvice，forM。Morosiniwasapersonageofthegreatestimportance。Hehadknownmefromchildhood，andthereadermayrememberthathehadpresentedmetoMarshalRichelieu，atFontainebleau，in1750。
IdressedmyselfasifIhadbeenabouttospeaktoamonarch，andsentinanotetohisroom。
Ihadnotlongtowait；hecameoutandwelcomedmemostgraciously，tellingmehowdelightedhewastoseemeagain。
WhenheheardthereasonofmybeingatTrieste，andhowIdesiredtoreturntomycountry，heassuredmehewoulddoallinhispowertoobtainmemywish。HethankedmeforthecareIhadtakenofhisnephewatFlorence，andkeptmeallthedaywhileItoldhimmyprincipaladventures。
HewasgladtohearthatM。Zaguriwasworkingforme，andsaidthattheymustconcertthematertogether。Hecommendedmewarmlytotheconsul，whowasdelightedtobeabletoinformtheTribunaloftheconsiderationwithwhichM。Morosinitreatedme。
AftertheprocuratorhadgoneIbegantoenjoylifeatTrieste，butinstrictmoderationandwithdueregardforeconomy，forIhadonlyfifteensequinsamonth。Iabjuredplayaltogether。
EverydayIdinedwithoneofthecircleofmyfriends，whoweretheVenetianconsul，theFrenchconsul（aneccentricbutworthymanwhokeptagoodcook），Pittoni，whokeptanexcellenttable，thankstohismanwhoknewwhatwastohisowninterests，andseveralothers。
AsforthepleasuresofloveIenjoyedtheminmoderation，takingcareofmypurseandofmyhealth。
TowardstheendofthecarnivalIwenttoamaskedballatthetheatre，andinthecourseoftheeveningaharlequincameupandpresentedhiscolumbinetome。Theybothbegantoplaytricksonme。Iwaspleasedwiththecolumbine，andfeltastrongdesiretobeacquaintedwithher。
AftersomevainresearchestheFrenchconsul，M。deSt。Sauveur，toldmethattheharlequinwasayoungladyofrank，andthatthecolumbinewasahandsomeyoungman。
\"Ifyoulike，\"headded，\"Iwillintroduceyoutotheharlequin’sfamily，andIamsureyouwillappreciatehercharmswhenyouseeherasagirl。\"
AstheypersistedintheirjokesIwasable，withoutwoundingdecencyovermuch，toconvincemyselfthattheconsulwasrightonthequestionofsex；andwhentheballwasoverIsaidIshouldbeobligedbyhisintroducingmeashehadpromised。HepromisedtodosothedayafterAshWednesday。
ThusImadetheacquaintanceofMadameLeo，whowasstillprettyandagreeable，thoughshehadlivedveryfreelyinheryoungerdays。Therewasherhusband，ason，andsixdaughters，allhandsome，butespeciallytheharlequinwithwhomIwasmuchtaken。NaturallyIfellinlovewithher，butasIwasherseniorbythirtyyears，andhadbegunmyaddressesinatoneoffatherlyaffection，afeelingofshamepreventedmydisclosingtohertherealstateofmyheart。Fouryearslatershetoldmeherselfthatshehadguessedmyrealfeelings，andhadbeenamusedbymyfoolishrestraint。
Ayounggirllearnsdeeperlessonsfromnaturethanwemencanacquirewithallourexperience。
AttheEasterof1773CountAuersperg，theGovernorofTrieste，wasrecalledtoVienna，andCountWagensbergtookhisplace。Hiseldestdaughter，theCountessLantieri，whowasagreatbeauty，inspiredmewithapassionwhichwouldhavemademeunhappyifIhadnotsucceededinhidingitunderaveiloftheprofoundestrespect。
IcelebratedtheaccessionofthenewgovernorbysomeverseswhichIhadprinted，andinwhich，whilelaudingthefather，Ipaidconspicuoushomagetothecharmsofthedaughter。
Mytributepleasedthem，andIbecameanintimatefriendofthecount’s。
Heplacedconfidenceinmewiththeideaofmyusingittomyownadvantage，forthoughhedidnotsaysoopenlyIdivinedhisintention。
TheVenetianconsulhadtoldmethathehadbeenvainlyendeavouringforthelastfouryearstogettheGovernmentofTriestetoarrangefortheweeklydiligencefromTriestetoMestretopassbyUdine，thecapitaloftheVenetianFriuli。
\"Thisalteration，\"hehadsaid，\"wouldgreatlybenefitthecommerceofthetwostates；buttheMunicipalCouncilofTriesteopposesitforaplausiblebutridiculousreason。\"
Thesecouncillors，inthedepthoftheirwisdom，saidthatiftheVenetianRepublicdesiredthealterationitwouldevidentlybetotheiradvantage，andconsequentlytothedisadvantageofTrieste。
TheconsulassuredmethatifIcouldinanywayobtaintheconcessionitwouldweighstronglyinmyfavourwiththeStateInquisitors，andevenintheeventofmynon—successhewouldrepresentmyexertionsinthemostfavourablelight。
IpromisedIwouldthinkthematterover。
Findingmyselfhighinthegovernor’sfavour，Itooktheopportunityofaddressingmyselftohimonthesubject。Hehadheardaboutthematter，andthoughttheobjectionoftheTownCouncilabsurdandevenmonstrous；
butheprofessedhisinabilitytodoanythinghimself。
\"CouncillorRizzi，\"saidhe，\"isthemostobstinateofthemall，andhasledastraytherestwithhissophisms。ButdoyousendmeinamemorandumshewingthatthealterationwillhaveamuchbettereffectonthelargecommerceofTriestethanonthecomparativelytriflingtradeofUdine。IshallsenditintotheCouncilwithoutdisclosingtheauthorship，butbackingitwithmyauthority，andchallengingtheoppositiontorefuteyourarguments。Finally，iftheydonotdecidereasonablyIshallproclaimbeforethemallmyintentiontosendthememoirtoViennawithmyopiniononit。\"
Ifeltconfidentofsuccess，andwroteoutamemoirfullofincontrovertiblereasonsinfavouroftheproposedchange。
Myargumentsgainedthevictory；theCouncilwerepersuaded，andCountWagensberghandedmethedecree，whichIimmediatelylaidbeforetheVenetianconsul。Followinghisadvice，IwrotetothesecretaryoftheTribunaltotheeffectthatIwashappytohavegiventheGovernmentaproofofmyzeal，andanearnestofmydesiretobeusefultomycountryandtobeworthyofbeingrecalled。
Outofregardformethecountdelayedthepromulgationofthedecreeforaweek，sothatthepeopleofUdineheardthenewsfromVenicebeforeithadreachedTrieste，andeverybodythoughtthattheVenetianGovernmenthadachieveditsendsbybribery。ThesecretaryoftheTribunaldidnotanswermyletter，buthewrotetotheconsulorderinghimtogivemeahundredducats，andtoinformmethatthispresentwastoencouragemetoservetheRepublic。HeaddedthatImighthopegreatthingsfromthemercyoftheInquisitorsifIsucceededinnegotiatingtheArmeniandifficulty。
Theconsulgavemetherequisiteinformation，andmyimpressionwasthatmyeffortswouldbeinvain；however，Iresolvedtomaketheattempt。
FourArmenianmonkshadlefttheConventofSt。LazarusatVenice，havingfoundtheabbot’styrannyunbearable。TheyhadwealthyrelationsatConstantinople，andlaughedtheexcommunicationoftheirlatetyranttoscorn。TheysoughtasylumatVienna，promisingtomakethemselvesusefultotheStatebyestablishinganArmenianpresstofurnishalltheArmenianconventswithbooks。TheyengagedtosinkacapitalofamillionflorinsiftheywereallowedtosettleinAustria，tofoundtheirpress，andtobuyorbuildaconvent，wheretheyproposedtoliveincommunitybutwithoutanyabbot。
AsmightbeexpectedtheAustrianGovernmentdidnothesitatetogranttheirrequest；itdidmore，itgavethemspecialprivileges。
TheeffectofthisarrangementwouldbetodepriveVeniceofalucrativetrade，andtoplaceitintheemperor’sdominions。ConsequentlytheVienneseCourtsentthemtoTriestewithastrongrecommendationtothegovernor，andtheyhadbeenthereforthepastsixmonths。
TheVenetianGovernment，ofcourse，wishedtoenticethembacktoVenice。
Theyhadvainlyinducedtheirlateabbottomakehandsomeofferstothem，andtheythenproceededbyindirectmeans，endeavoringtostirupobstaclesintheirway，andtodisgustthemwithTrieste。
Theconsultoldmeplainlythathehadnottouchedthematter，thinkingsuccesstobeoutofthequestion；andhepredictedthatifIattempteditIshouldfindmyselfinthedilemmaofhavingtosolvetheinsoluble。
Ifelttheforceoftheconsul’sremarkwhenIreflectedthatIcouldnotrelyonthegovernor’sassistance，orevenspeaktohimonthesubject。
IsawthatImustnotlethimsuspectmydesign，forbesideshisdutytohisGovernmenthewasadevotedfriendtotheinterestsofTrieste，andforthisreasonagreatpatronofthemonks。
InspiteoftheseobstaclesmynostalgiamadememakeacquaintancewiththesemonksunderpretenceofinspectingtheirArmeniantypes，whichtheywerealreadycasting。InaweekortendaysIbecamequiteintimatewiththem。OnedayIsaidthattheywereboundinhonourtoreturntotheobedienceoftheirabbot，ifonlytoannulhissentenceofexcommunication。
Themostobstinateofthemtoldmethattheabbothadbehavedmorelikeadespotthanafather，andhadthusabsolvedthemfromtheirobedience。
\"Besides，\"hesaid，\"norascallypriesthasanyrighttocutoffgoodChristiansfromcommunionwiththeSaviour，andwearesurethatourpatriarchwillgiveusabsolutionandsendussomemoremonks。\"
Icouldmakenoobjectiontothesearguments；however，IaskedonanotheroccasiononwhatconditionstheywouldreturntoVenice。
ThemostsensibleofthemsaidthatinthefirstplacetheabbotmustwithdrawthefourhundredthousandducatswhichhehadentrustedtotheMarquisSerposatfourpercent。
ThissumwasthecapitalfromwhichtheincomeoftheConventofSt。
Lazaruswasderived。Theabbothadnorightwhatevertodisposeofit，evenwiththeconsentofamajorityamongthemonks。Ifthemarquisbecamebankrupttheconventwouldbeutterlydestitute。ThemarquiswasanArmeniandiamondmerchant，andagreatfriendoftheabbot’s。
Ithenaskedthemonkswhatweretheotherconditions，andtheyrepliedthattheseweresomemattersofdisciplinewhichmighteasilybesettled；
theywouldgivemeawrittenstatementoftheirgrievancesassoonasI
couldassurethemthattheMarquisSerposwasnolongerinpossessionoftheirfunds。
Iembodiedmynegotiationsinwriting，andsentthedocumenttotheInquisitorsbytheconsul。InsixweeksIreceivedananswertotheeffectthattheabbotsawhiswaytoarrangingthemoneydifficulty，butthathemustseeastatementofthereformsdemandedbeforedoingso。
Thisdecidedmetohavenothingtodowiththeaffair，butafewwordsfromCountWagensbergmademethrowitupwithoutfurtherdelay。Hegavemetounderstandthatheknewofmyattemptstoreconcilethefourmonkswiththeirabbot，andhetoldmethathehadbeensorrytohearthereport，asmysuccesswoulddoharmtoacountrywhereIlivedandwhereIwastreatedasafriend。
Iimmediatelytoldhimthewholestory，assuringhimthatIwouldneverhavebegunthenegotiationifIhadnotbeencertainoffailure，forI
heardonundoubtedauthoritythatSerposcouldnotpossiblyrestorethefourhundredthousandducats。
Thisexplanationthoroughlydissipatedanycloudthatmighthavearisenbetweenus。
TheArmeniansboughtCouncillorRizzi’shouseforthirtythousandflorins。Heretheyestablishedthemselves，andIvisitedthemfromtimetotimewithoutsayinganythingmoreaboutVenice。
CountWagensberggavemeanotherproofofhisfriendship。Unhappilyformehediedduringtheautumnofthesameyear，attheageoffifty。
Onemorninghesummonedme，andIfoundhimperusingadocumenthehadjustreceivedfromVienna。HetoldmehewassorryIdidnotreadGerman，butthathewouldtellmethecontentsofthepaper。
\"Here，\"hecontinued，\"youwillbeabletoserveyourcountrywithoutinanywayinjuringAustria。
\"IamgoingtoconfideinyouaStatesecret（itbeingunderstoodofcoursethatmynameisnevertobementioned）whichoughttobegreatlytoyouradvantage，whetheryousucceedorfail；atallhazardsyourpatriotism，yourpromptaction，andyourclevernessinobtainingsuchinformationwillbemademanifest。Rememberyoumustneverdivulgeyoursourcesofinformation；onlytellyourGovernmentthatyouareperfectlysureoftheauthenticityofthestatementyoumake。
\"Youmustknow，\"hecontinued，\"thatallthecommoditiesweexporttoLombardypassthroughVenicewheretheyhavetopayduty。Suchhaslongbeenthecustom，anditmaystillbesoiftheVenetianGovernmentwillconsenttoreducethedutyoffourpercenttotwopercent。
\"AplanhasbeenbroughtbeforethenoticeoftheAustrianCourt，andithasbeeneagerlyaccepted。Ihavereceivedcertainordersonthematter，whichIshallputintoexecutionwithoutgivinganywarningtotheVenetianGovernment。
\"InfutureallgoodsforLombardywillbeembarkedhereanddisembarkedatMezzolawithouttroublingtheRepublic。MezzolaisintheterritoriesoftheDukeofModem；ashipcancrossthegulfinthenight，andourgoodswillbeplacedinstorehouses，whichwillbeerected。
\"Inthiswayweshallshortenthejourneyanddecreasethefreights，andtheModeneseGovernmentwillbesatisfiedwithatriflingsum，barelyequivalenttoafourthofwhatwepaytoVenice。
\"Inspiteofallthis，IfeelsurethatiftheVenetianGovernmentwrotetotheAustrianCouncilofCommerceexpressingtheirwillingnesstotaketwopercenthenceforth，theproposalwouldbeaccepted，forweAustriansdislikenovelties。
\"IshallnotlaythematterbeforetheTownCouncilforfourorfivedays，asthereisnohurryforus；butyouhadbettermakehaste，thatyoumaybethefirsttoinformyourGovernmentofthematter。
\"IfeverythinggoesasIshouldwishIhopetoreceiveanorderfromViennasuspendingthedecreejustasIamabouttomakeitpublic。\"
Nextmorningthegovernorwasdelightedtohearthateverythinghadbeenfinishedbeforemidnight。HeassuredmethattheconsulshouldnothaveofficialinformationbeforeSaturday。Inthemeanwhiletheconsul’suneasystateofmindwasquiteatroubletome，forIcouldnotdoanythingtosethismindatease。
SaturdaycameandCouncillorRizzitoldmethenewsattheclub。Heseemedinhighspiritsoverit，andsaidthatthelossofVenicewasthegainofTrieste。Theconsulcameinjustthen，andsaidthatthelosswouldbeameretrifleforVenice，whilethefirst—shipwreckwouldcostmoretoTriestethantenyears’duty。Theconsulseemedtoenjoythewholething，butthatwastheparthehadtoplay。InallsmalltradingtownslikeTrieste，peoplemakeagreataccountoftrifles。
Iwenttodinewiththeconsul，whoprivatelyconfessedhisdoubtsandfearsonthematter。
IaskedhimhowtheVenetianswouldparrytheblow，andhereplied，——
\"Theywillhaveanumberofverylearnedconsultations，andthentheywilldonothingatall，andtheAustrianswillsendtheirgoodswherevertheyplease。\"
\"ButtheGovernmentissuchawiseone。\"
\"Orratherhasthereputationofwisdom。\"
\"Thenyouthinkitlivesonitsreputation？\"
\"Yes；likeallyourmouldyinstitutions，theycontinuetobesimplybecausetheyhavebeen。OldGovernmentsarelikethoseancientdykeswhicharerottenatthebase，andonlystayinpositionbytheirweightandbulk。\"
Theconsulwasintheright。Hewrotetohischiefthesameday，andinthecourseofthenextweekheheardthattheirexcellencieshadreceivedinformationofthemattersometimeagobyextraordinarychannels。
Forthepresenthisdutieswouldbeconfinedtosendinginanyadditionalinformationonthesamesubject。
\"Itoldyouso，\"saidtheconsul；\"now，whatdoyouthinkofthewisdomofoursages？\"
\"IthinkBedlamofCharentonweretheirbestlodging。\"
Inthreeweekstheconsulreceivedorderstogivemeanothergrantofahundredducats，andtoallowmetensequinsamonth，toencouragemetodeservewelloftheState。
>FromthattimeIfeltsureIshouldbeallowedtoreturninthecourseoftheyear，butIwasmistaken，forIhadtowaittilltheyearfollowing。
Thisnewpresent，andthemonthlypaymentoftensequinsputmeatmyease，forIhadexpensivetastesofwhichIcouldnotcuremyself。I
feltpleasedatthethoughtthatIwasnowinthepayoftheTribunalwhichhadpunishedme，andwhichIhaddefied。Itseemedtomeatriumph，andIdeterminedtodoallinmypowerfortheRepublic。
HereImustrelateanamusingincident，whichdelightedeveryoneinTrieste。
Itwasinthebeginningofsummer。Ihadbeeneatingsardinesbythesea—shore，andwhenIcamehomeatteno’clockatnightIwasastonishedtobegreetedbyagirlwhomIrecognizedasCountStrasoldo’smaid。
Thecountwasahandsomeyoungman，butpoorlikemostofthatname；hewasfondofexpensivepleasures，andwasconsequentlyheavilyindebt。
Hehadasmallappointmentwhichbroughthiminanincomeofsixhundredflorins，andhehadnottheslightestdifficultyinspendingayear’spayinthreemonths。Hehadagreeablemannersandagenerousdisposition，andIhadsuppedwithhimincompanywithBaronPittoniseveraltimes。
Hehadagirlinhisservicewhowasexquisitelypretty，butnoneofthecount’sfriendsattemptedherashewasveryjealous。Liketherest，I
hadseenandadmiredher，Ihadcongratulatedthecountonthepossessionofsuchatreasureinherpresence，butIhadneveraddressedawordtoher。
StrasoldohadjustbeensummonedtoViennabyCountAuerspergwholikedhim，andhadpromisedtodowhathecouldforhim。HehadgotanemploymentinPoland，hisfurniturehadbeensold，hehadtakenleaveofeveryone，andnobodydoubtedthathewouldtakehisprettymaidwithhim。
Ithoughtsotoo，forIhadbeentowishhimapleasantjourneythatmorning，andmyastonishmentatfindingthegirlinmyroommaybeimagined。
\"Whatdoyouwant，mydear？\"Iasked。
\"Forgiveme，sir，butIdon’twanttogowithStrasoldo，andIthoughtyouwouldprotectme。NobodywillbeabletoguesswhereIam，andStrasoldowillbeobligedtogobyhimself。Youwillnotbesocruelastodrivemeaway？\"
\"No，dearest。\"
\"IpromiseyouIwillgoawayto—morrow，forStrasoldoisgoingtoleaveatday—break。\"
\"MylovelyLeuzica（thiswashername），noonewouldrefuseyouanasylum，Ileastofall。Youaresafehere，andnobodyshallcomeinwithoutyourleave。Iamonlytoohappythatyoucametome，butifitistruethatthecountisyourloveryoumaybesurehewillnotgosoeasily。Hewillstaythewholeofto—morrowatleast，inthehopeoffindingyouagain。\"
\"Nodoubthewilllookformeeverywherebuthere。WillyoupromisenottomakemegowithhimevenifbeguessesthatIamwithyou？\"
\"IswearIwillnot。\"
\"ThenIamsatisfied。\"
\"Butyouwillhavetosharemybed。\"
\"IfIshallnotinconvenienceyou，Iagreewithallmyheart。\"
\"Youshallseewhetheryouinconveniencemeornot。Undress，quick！Butwhereareyourthings？\"
\"AllthatIhaveisinasmalltrunkbehindthecount’scarriage，butI
don’ttroublemyselfaboutit。\"
\"Thepoorcountmustberagingatthisverymoment。\"
\"No，forhewillnotcomehometillmidnight。HeissuppingwithMadameBissolotti，whoisinlovewithhim。\"
InthemeantimeLeuzicahadundressedandgotintobed。InamomentI
wasbesideher，andafterthesevereregimenofthelasteightmonthsI
spentadeliciousnightinherarms，foroflatemypleasureshadbeenfew。
Leuzicawasaperfectbeauty，andworthytobeaking’smistress；andifIhadbeenrichIwouldhavesetupahouseholdthatImightretainherinmyservice。
Wedidnotawaketillseveno’clock。Shegotup，andonlookingoutofthewindowsawStrasoldo’scarriagewaitingatthedoor。
Iconfrontedherbysayingthataslongasshelikedtostaywithmenoonecouldforceheraway。
IwasvexedthatIhadnoclosetinmyroom，asIcouldnothideherfromthewaiterwhowouldbringuscoffee。Weaccordinglydispensedwithbreakfast，butIhadtofindoutsomewayoffeedingher。IthoughtI
hadplentyoftimebeforeme，butIwaswrong。
Atteno’clockIsawStrasoldoandhisfriendPittonicomingintotheinn。Theyspoketothelandlord，andseemedtobesearchingthewholeplace，passingfromoneroomtoanother。
Ilaughed，andtoldLeuzicathattheywerelookingforher，andthatourturnwoulddoubtlesscomebeforelong。
\"Rememberyourpromise，\"saidshe。
\"Youmaybesureofthat。\"
Thetoneinwhichthisremarkwasdeliveredcomfortedher，andsheexclaimed，——
\"Well；well，letthemcome；theywillgetnothingbyit。\"
Iheardfootstepsapproaching，andwentout，closingthedoorbehindme，andbeggingthemtoexcusemynotaskingthemin，astherewasacontrabandcommodityinmyroom。
\"Onlytellmethatitisnotmymaid，\"saidStrasoldo，inapitiablevoice。\"Wearesuresheishere，asthesentinelatthegatesawhercomeinatteno’clock。\"
\"Youareright，thefairLeuzicaisatthismomentinmyroom。Ihavegivenhermywordofhonourthatnoviolenceshallbeused，andyoumaybesureIshallkeepmyword。\"
\"Ishallcertainlynotattemptanyviolence，butIamsureshewouldcomeofherownfreewillifIcouldspeaktoher。\"
\"Iwillaskherifshewishestoseeyou。Waitamoment。\"
Leuzicahadbeenlisteningtoourconversation，andwhenIopenedthedoorshetoldmethatIcouldletthemin。
AssoonasStrasoldoappearedsheaskedhimproudlyifshewasunderanyobligationstohim，ifshehadstolenanythingfromhim，andifshewasnotperfectlyfreetoleavehimwhensheliked。
Thepoorcountrepliedmildlythatonthecontraryitwashewhoowedherayear’swagesandhadherboxinhispossession，butthatsheshouldnothavelefthimwithoutgivinganyreason。
\"TheonlyreasonisthatIdon’twanttogotoVienna，\"shereplied。
\"Itoldyousoaweekago。Ifyouareanhonestmanyouwillleavememytrunk，andastomywagesyoucansendthemtomeatmyaunt’satLaibachifyouhaven’tgotanymoneynow。\"
IpitiedStrasoldofromthebottomofmyheart；heprayedandentreated，andfinallyweptlikeachild。However，PittonirousedmycholerbysayingthatIoughttodrivetheslutoutofmyroom。
\"YouarenotthemantotellmewhatIoughtandwhatIoughtnottodo，\"
Ireplied，\"andafterIhavereceivedherinmyapartmentsyououghttomoderateyourexpressions。\"
SeeingthatIstoodonmydignityhelaughed，andaskedmeifIhadfalleninlovewithherinsoshortatime。
Strasoldoherebrokeinbysayinghewassureshehadnotsleptwithme。
\"That’swhereyouaremistaken，\"saidshe，\"forthere’sonlyonebed，andIdidnotsleeponthefloor。\"
Theyfoundprayersandreproachesalikeuselessandleftusatnoon。
Leuzicawasprofuseinherexpressionsofgratitudetome。
Therewasnolongeranymystery，soIboldlyordereddinnerfortwo，andpromisedthatsheshouldremainwithmetillthecounthadleftTrieste。
Atthreeo’clocktheVenetianconsulcame，sayingthatCountStrasoldohadbeggedhimtousehisgoodofficeswithmetopersuademetodeliverupthefairLeuzica。
\"Youmustspeaktothegirlherself，\"Ireplied；\"shecamehereandstayshereofherownfreewill。\"
Whentheworthymanhadheardthegirl’sstoryhewentaway，sayingthatwehadtherightonourside。
Intheeveningaporterbroughthertrunk，andatthissheseemedtouchedbutnotrepentant。
Leuzicasuppedwithmeandagainsharedmycouch。ThecountleftTriesteatday—break。
AssoonasIwassurethathewasgone，ItookacarriageandescortedthefairLeuzicatwostagesonherwaytoLaibach。Wedinedtogether，andIleftherinthecareofafriendofhers。
EverybodysaidIhadactedproperly，andevenPittoniconfessedthatinmyplacehewouldhavedonethesame。
PoorStrasoldocametoabadend。Hegotintodebt，committedpeculation，andhadtoescapeintoTurkeyandembraceIslamtoavoidthepenaltyofdeath。
AboutthistimetheVenetiangeneral，Palmanova，accompaniedbytheprocuratorErizzo，cametoTriestetovisitthegovernor，CountWagensberg。IntheafternoonthecountpresentedmetothepatricianswhoseemedastonishedtoseemeatTrieste。
TheprocuratoraskedmeifIamusedmyselfaswellasIhaddoneatParissixteenyearsago，andItoldhimthatsixteenyearsmore，andahundredthousandfrancsless，forcedmetoliveinadifferentfashion。
Whileweweretalking，theconsulcameintoannouncethatthefeluccawasready。MadamedeLantieriaswellasherfatherpressedmetojointheparty。
Igaveabow，whichmightmeaneithernooryes，andaskedtheconsulwhatthepartywas。HetoldmethattheyweregoingtoseeaVenetianman—of—waratanchorintheharbor；hisexcellencetherebeingthecaptainIimmediatelyturnedtothecountessandsmilinglyprofessedmyregretthatIwasunabletosetfootonVenetiansoil。
Everybodyexclaimedatme，——
\"Youhavenothingtofear。Youarewithhonestpeople。Yoursuspicionisquiteoffensive。\"
\"Thatisallveryfine，ladiesandgentlemen，andIwillcomewithallmyheart，ifyourexcellenceswillassuremethatmyjoiningthislittlepartywillnotbeknowntotheStateInquisitorspossiblybyto—morrow。\"
Thiswasenough。Everybodylookedatmeinsilence，andnoobjectionscouldbefoundtomyargument。
Thecaptainofthevessel，whodidnotknowme，spokeafewwhisperedwordstotheothers，andthentheyleft。
Thenextdaytheconsultoldmethatthecaptainhadpraisedmyprudenceindecliningtogoonboard，asifanyonehadchancedtotellhimmynameandmycasewhilstIwasonhisship，itwouldhavebeenhisdutytodetainme。
WhenItoldthegovernorofthisremarkherepliedgravelythatheshouldnothaveallowedtheshiptoleavetheharbour。
IsawtheprocuratorErizzothesameevening，andhecongratulatedmeonmydiscretion，tellingmehewouldtakecaretolettheTribunalknowhowIrespecteditsdecisions。
AboutthistimeIhadthepleasureofseeingabeautifulVenetian，whovisitedTriestewithseveralofheradmirers。ShewasofthenoblefamilyofBon，andhadmarriedCountRomilideBergamo，wholeftherfreetodowhateversheliked。Shedrewbehindhertriumphalchariotanoldgeneral，CountBourghausen，afamousrakewhohaddesertedMarsforthepasttenyearsinordertodevotehisremainingdaystotheserviceofVenus。Hewasadelightfulman，andwebecamefriends。Tenyearslaterhewasofservicetome，asmyreaderswillfindinthenextvolume，whichmayperhapsbethelast。
CHAPTERXXII
SomeAdventuresatTrieste——IAmofServicetotheVenetianGovernment——
MyExpeditiontoGoriceandMyReturntoTrieste——IFindIreneasanActressandExpertGamesterSomeoftheladiesofTriestethoughttheywouldliketoactaFrenchplay，andIwasmadestagemanager。Ihadnotonlytochoosethepieces，buttodistributetheparts，thelatterbeingadutyofinfiniteirksomeness。
Alltheactresseswerenewtotheboards，andIhadimmensetroubleinhearingthemrepeattheirparts，whichtheyseemedunabletolearnbyheart。Itisawell—knownfactthattherevolutionwhichisreallywantedinItalyisinfemaleeducation。Theverybestfamilieswithfewexceptionsaresatisfiedwithshuttinguptheirdaughtersinaconventforseveralyearstillthetimecomesforthemtomarrysomemanwhomtheyneverseetilltheeveorthedayoftheirmarriage。Asaconsequencewehavethe’cicisbeo’，andinItalyasinFrancetheideathatournoblesarethesonsoftheirnominalfathersisapurelyconventionalone。
Whatdogirlslearninconvents，especiallyinItalianconvents？Afewmechanicalactsofdevotionandoutwardforms，verylittlerealreligion，agooddealofdeceit，oftenprofligatehabits，alittlereadingandwriting，manyuselessaccomplishments，smallmusicandlessdrawing，nohistory，nogeographyormythology，hardlyanymathematics，andnothingtomakeagirlagoodwifeandagoodmother。
Asforforeignlanguages，theyareunheardof；ourownItalianissosoftthatanyothertongueishardtoacquire，andthe’dolcefarniente’
habitisanobstacletoallassiduousstudy。
Iwritedownthesetruthsinspiteofmypatriotism。Iknowthatifanyofmyfellow—countrywomencometoreadmetheywillbeveryangry；butI
shallbebeyondthereachofallanger。
Toreturntoourtheatricals。AsIcouldnotmakemyactressesgettheirpartsletterperfect，Ibecametheirprompter，andfoundoutbyexperiencealltheungratefulnessoftheposition。
Theactorsneveracknowledgedtheirdebttotheprompter，andputdowntohisaccountallthemistakestheymake。
ASpanishdoctorisalmostasbadlyoff；ifhispatientrecovers，thecureissetdowntothecreditofonesaintoranother；butifhedies，thephysicianisblamedforhisunskilfultreatment。
Ahandsomenegress，whoservedtheprettiestofmyactressestowhomI
shewedgreatattentions，saidtomeoneday，——
\"Ican’tmakeouthowyoucanbesomuchinlovewithmymistress，whoisaswhiteasthedevil。\"
\"Haveyouneverlovedawhiteman？\"Iasked。
\"Yes，\"saidshe，\"butonlybecauseIhadnonegro，towhomIshouldcertainlyhavegiventhepreference。\"
Soonafterthenegressbecamemine，andIfoundoutthefalsityoftheaxiom，’Sublatalucernanullumdiscrimeninterfeminas’，foreveninthedarknessamanwouldknowablackwomanfromawhiteone。
Ifeelquitesuremyselfthatthenegroesareadistinctspeciesfromourselves。Thereisoneessentialdifference，leavingthecolouroutofaccount——namely，thatanAfricanwomancaneitherconceiveornot，andcanconceiveaboyoragirl。Nodoubtmyreaderswilldisbelievethisassertion，buttheirincredulitywouldceaseifIinstructedtheminthemysteriousscienceofthenegresses。
CountRosenberg，grandchamberlainoftheemperor，cameonavisittoTriesteincompanywithanAbbeCasti，whoseacquaintanceIwishedtomakeonaccountofsomeextremelyblasphemouspoemshehadwritten。
However，Iwasdisappointed；andinsteadofamanofparts，Ifoundtheabbetobeanimpudentworthlessfellow，whoseonlymeritwasaknackofversification。
CountRosenbergtooktheabbewithhim，becausehewasusefulinthecapacitiesofafoolandapimp—occupationswellsuitedtohismorals，thoughbynomeansagreeabletohisecclesiasticalstatus。Inthosedayssyphilishadnotcompletelydestroyedhisuvula。
Iheardthatthisshamelessprofligate，thispaltrypoetaster，hadbeennamedpoettotheemperor。WhatadishonourtothememoryofthegreatMetastasio，amanfreefromallvices，adornedwithallvirtues，andofthemostsingularability。
Castihadneitherafinestyle，noraknowledgeofdramaticrequirements，asappearsfromtwoorthreecomicoperascomposedbyhim，inwhichthereaderwillfindnothingbutfoolishbuffooneriesbadlyputtogether。InoneofthesecomicoperashemakesuseofslanderagainstKingTheodoreandtheVenetianRepublic，whichheturnsintoridiculebymeansofpitifullies。
InanotherpiececalledTheCaveofTrophonius，Castimadehimselfthelaughing—stockoftheliteraryworldbymakingadisplayofuselesslearningwhichcontributesnothingtowardstheplot。
AmongthepersonsofqualitywhocametoGorice，ImetacertainCountTorriano，whopersuadedmetospendtheautumnwithhimatacountryhouseofhissixmilesfromGorice。
IfIhadlistenedtothevoiceofmygoodgeniusIshouldcertainlyneverhavegone。
Thecountwasunderthirty，andwasnotmarried。Hecouldnotexactlybecalleduglyinspiteofhishangdogcountenance，inwhichIsawtheoutwardsignsofcruelty，disloyalty，treason，pride，brutalsensuality，hatred，andjealousy。ThemixtureofbadqualitieswassuchanappallingonethatIthoughthisphysiognomywasatfault，andthegoodsbetterthanthesign。HeaskedmetocomeandseehimsograciouslythatIconcludedthatthemangavethelietohisface。
Iaskedabouthimbeforeacceptingtheinvitation，andIheardnothingbutgood。Peoplecertainlysaidhewasfondofthefairsex，andwasafierceavengerofanywrongdonetohim，butnotthinkingeitherofthesecharacteristicsunworthyofagentlemanIacceptedhisinvitation。
HetoldmethathewouldexpectmetomeethimatGoriceonthefirstdayofSeptember，andthatthenextdaywewouldleaveforhisestate。
InconsequenceofTorriano’sinvitationItookleaveofeverybody，especiallyofCountWagensberg，whohadaseriousattackofthatmaladywhichyieldssoeasilytomercurywhenitisadministeredbyaskilledhand，butwhichkillstheunfortunatewhofallsamongstquacks。Suchwasthefateofthepoorcount；hediedamonthafterIhadleftTrieste。
IleftTriesteinthemorning，dinedatProseco，andreachedGoriceingoodtime。IcalledatCountLouisTorriano’smansion，butwastoldhewasout。However，theyallowedmetodepositwhatlittleluggageIhadwhenIinformedthemthatthecounthadinvitedme。IthenwenttoseeCountTorres，andstayedwithhimtillsupper—time。
WhenIgotbacktothecount’sIwastoldhewasinthecountry，andwouldnotbebacktillthenextday，andthatinthemeantimemytrunkshadbeentakentotheinnwherearoomandsupperhadbeenordered。
Iwasextremelyastonished，andwenttotheinn，whereIwasservedwithabadsupperinanuncomfortableroom；however，Isupposedthatthecounthadbeenunabletoaccommodatemeinhishouse，andIexcusedhimthoughIwishedhehadforewarnedme。Icouldnotunderstandhowagentlemanwhohasahouseandinvitesafriendcanbewithoutaroomwhereintolodgehim。
NextmorningCountTorrianocametoseeme，thankedmeformypunctuality，congratulatedhimselfonthepleasureheexpectedtoderivefrommysociety，andtoldmehewasverysorrywecouldnotstartfortwodays，asasuitwastobeheardthenextdaybetweenhimselfandarascallyoldfarmerwhowastryingtocheathim。
\"Well，well，\"saidI，\"Iwillgoandhearthepleadings；itwillbeanamusementforme。\"
Soonafterhetookhisleave，withoutaskingmewhereIintendeddining，orapologizingfornothavingaccommodatedmehimself。
Icouldnotmakehimout；Ithoughthemighthavetakenoffenceatmydescendingathisdoorswithouthavinggivenhimanywarning。
\"Come，come，Casanova，\"Isaidtomyself，\"youmaybeallabroad。
Knowledgeofcharacterisanunfathomablegulf。Wethoughtwehadstudieditdeeply，butthereisstillmoretolearn；weshallsee。Hemayhavesaidnothingoutofdelicacy。Ishouldbesorrytobefoundwantinginpoliteness，thoughindeedIampuzzledtoknowwhatIhavedoneamiss。\"
Idinedbymyself，madecallsintheafternoon，andsuppedwithCountTomes。ItoldhimthatIpromisedmyselfthepleasureofhearingtheeloquenceofthebarofGoricethenextday。
\"Ishallbethere，too，\"saidhe，\"asIamcurioustoseewhatsortofafaceTorrianowillputonit，ifthecountrymanwins。Iknowsomethingaboutthecase，\"hecontinued，\"andTorrianoissureofvictory，unlessthedocumentsattestingthefarmer’sindebtednesshappentobeforgeries。Ontheotherhand，thefarmeroughttowinunlessitcanbeshewnthatthereceiptssignedbyTorrianoareforgeries。Thefarmerhaslostinthefirstcourtandinthesecondcourt，buthehaspaidthecostsandappealedfromboth，thoughheisapoorman。Ifhelosesto—
morrowhewillnotonlybearuinedman，butbesentencedtopenalservitude，whileifhewins，Torrianoshouldbesenttothegalleys，togetherwithhiscounsel，whohasdeservedthisfatemanytimesbefore。\"
IknewCountTomespassedforsomewhatofascandal—monger，sohisremarksmadelittleimpressiononmebeyondwhettingmycuriosity。ThenextdayIwasoneofthefirsttoappearinthecourt，whereIfoundthebench，plaintiffanddefendant，andthebarristers，alreadyassembled。Thefarmer’scounselwasanoldmanwholookedhonest，whilethecount’shadalltheimpudenceofapractisedknave。Thecountsatbesidehim，smilingdisdainfully，asifhewasloweringhimselftostrivewithamiserablepeasantwhomhehadalreadytwicevanquished。
Thefarmersatbyhiswife，hisson，andtwodaughters，andhadthatairofmodestassurancewhichindicatesresignationandagoodconscience。
Iwonderedhowsuchhonestpeoplecouldhavelostintwocourts；Iwassuretheircausemustbeajustone。
Theywereallpoorlyclad，andfromtheirdowncasteyesandtheirhumblelooksIguessedthemtobethevictimsofoppression。
Eachbarristercouldspeakfortwohours。
Thefarmer’sadvocatespokeforthirtyminutes，whichheoccupiedbyputtinginthevariousreceiptsbearingthecount’ssignatureuptothetimewhenhehaddismissedthefarmer，becausehewouldnotprostitutehisdaughterstohim。Hethencontinued，speakingwithcalmprecision，topointouttheanachronismsandcontradictionsinthecount’sbooks（whichmadehisclientadebtor），andstatedthathisclientwasinapositiontoprosecutethetwoforgerswhohadbeenemployedtocompasstheruinofanhonestfamily，whoseonlycrimewaspoverty。Heendedhisspeechbyanappealforcostsinallthesuits，andforcompensationforlossoftimeanddefamationofcharacter。
Theharangueofthecount’sadvocatewouldhavelastedmorethantwohoursifthecourthadnotsilencedhim。Heindulgedinatorrentofabuseagainsttheotherbarrister，theexpertsinhand—writing，andthepeasant，whomhethreatenedwithaspeedyconsignmenttothegalleys。
ThepleadingswouldhaveweariedmeifIhadbeenablindman，butasitwasIamusedmyselfbyascrutinyofthevariousphysiognomiesbeforeme。Myhost’sfaceremainedsmilingandimpudentthroughitall。
Thepleadingsover，thecourtwascleared，andweawaitedthesentenceintheadjoiningroom。
Thepeasantandhisfamilysatinacornerapart，sad，sorry，andcomfortless，withnofriendtospeakaconsolingword，whilethecountwassurroundedbyacourtlythrong，whoassuredhimthatwithsuchacasehecouldnotpossiblylose；butthatifthejudgesdiddeliverjudgmentagainsthimheshouldpaythepeasant，andforcehimtoprovetheallegedforgery。
Ilistenedinprofoundsilence，sympathisingwiththecountrymanratherthanmyhost，whomIbelievedtobeathorough—pacedscoundrel，thoughI
tookcarenottosayso。
CountTorres，whowasadeadlyfoetoallprudenceanddiscretion，askedmemyopinionofthecase，andIwhisperedthatIthoughtthecountshouldlose，evenifhewereintheright，onaccountoftheinfamousapostrophesofhiscounsel，whodeservedtohavehisearscutoffortostandinthepilloryforsixmonths。
\"Andtheclienttoo，\"saidTomesaloud；butnobodyhadheardwhatIhadsaid。
Afterwehadwaitedforanhourtheclerkofthecourtcameinwithtwopapers，oneofwhichhegavetothepeasant’scounselandtheothertoTorriano’s。Torrianoreadittohimself，burstintoaloudlaugh，andthenreaditaloud。
Thecourtcondemnedthecounttorecognizethepeasantashiscreditor，topayallcosts，andtogivehimayear’swagesasdamages；thepeasant’srighttoappealadminimumonaccountofanyothercomplaintshemighthavebeingreserved。
Theadvocatelookeddowncast，butTorrianoconsoledhimbyafeeofsixsequins，andeverybodywentaway。
Iremainedwiththedefendant，andaskedhimifhemeanttoappealtoVienna。
\"Ishallappealinanothersort，\"saidhe；butIdidnotaskhimwhathemeant。
WeleftGoricethenextmorning。
Mylandlordgavemethebill，andtoldmehehadreceivedinstructionsnottoinsistonmypayingitifImadeanydifficulty，asinthatcasethecountwouldpayhimself。
Thisstruckmeassomewhateccentric，butIonlylaughed。However，thespecimensIhadseenofhischaractermademeimaginethatIwasgoingtospendsixweekswithadangerousoriginal。
IntwohourswewereatSpessa，andalightedatalargehouse，withnothingdistinguishedaboutitfromanarchitecturalpointofview。Wewentuptothecount’sroom，whichwastolerablyfurnished，andaftershewingmeoverthehousehetookmetomyownroom。Itwasonthegroundfloor，stuffy，dark，andillfurnished。
\"Ah！\"saidhe，\"thisistheroommypooroldfatherusedtolovetositin；likeyou，hewasveryfondofstudy。Youmaybesureofenjoyingperfectlibertyhere，foryouwillseenoone。\"
Wedinedlate，andconsequentlynosupperwasserved。Theeatingandthewineweretolerable，andsowasthecompanyofapriest，whoheldthepositionofthecount’ssteward；butIwasdisgustedathearingthecount，whoateravenously，reproachmewitheatingtooslowly。
Whenwerosefromtablehetoldmehehadalottodo，andthatweshouldseeeachotherthenextday。
Iwenttomyroomtoputthingsinorder，andtogetoutmypapers。I
wasthenworkingatthesecondvolumeofthePolishtroubles。
IntheeveningIaskedforalightasitwasgrowingdark，andpresentlyaservantcamewithonecandle。Iwasindignant；theyoughttohavegivenmewaxlightsoralampatleast。However，Imadenocomplaint，merelyaskingoneoftheservantsifIwastorelyontheservicesofanyamongstthem。
\"Ourmasterhasgivenusnoinstructionsonthesubject，butofcoursewewillwaitonyouwheneveryoucallus。\"
Thiswouldhavebeenatroublesometask，astherewasnobell，andI
shouldhavebeenobligedtowanderalloverthehouse，tosearchthecourtyard，andperhapstheroad，wheneverIwantedaservant。
\"Andwhowilldomyroom？\"Iasked。
\"Themaid。\"
\"Thenshehasakeyofherown？\"
\"Thereisnoneedforakey，asyourdoorhasnolock，butyoucanboltyourselfinatnight。\"
Icouldonlylaugh，whetherfromillhumouroramusementIreallycannotsay。However，Imadenoremarktotheman。
Ibeganmytask，butinhalfanhourIwassounfortunateastoputoutthecandlewhilstsnuffingit。Icouldnotroamaboutthehouseinthedarksearchingforalight，asIdidnotknowmyway，soIwenttobedinthedarkmoreinclinedtoswearthantolaugh。
Fortunatelythebedwasagoodone，andasIhadexpectedittobeuncomfortableIwenttosleepinamoretranquilhumour。
Inthemorningnobodycametoattendonme，soIgotup，andafterputtingawaymypapersIwenttosaygoodmorningtomyhostindressing—gownandnightcap。Ifoundhimunderthehandofoneofhismenwhoservedhimasavalet。ItoldhimIhadsleptwell，andhadcometobreakfastwithhim；buthesaidhenevertookbreakfast，andaskedme，politelyenough，nottotroubletocomeandseehiminthemorningashewasalwaysengagedwithhistenants，whowereapackofthieves。HethenaddedthatasItookbreakfasthewouldgiveorderstothecooktosendmeupcoffeewheneverIliked。
\"Youwillalsobekindenoughtotellyourmantogivemeatouchwithhiscombafterhehasdonewithyou。\"
\"Iwonderyoudidnotbringaservant。\"
\"IfIhadguessedthatIshouldbetroublingyou，Ishouldcertainlyhavebroughtone。\"
\"Itwillnottroublemebutyou，foryouwillbekeptwaiting。\"
\"Notatall。AnotherthingIwantisalocktomydoor，forIhaveimportantpapersforwhichIamresponsible，andIcannotlockthemupinmytrunkwheneverIleavemyroom。\"
\"Everythingissafeinmyhouse。\"
\"Ofcourse，butyouseehowabsurditwouldbeforyoutobeanswerableincaseanyofmypapersweremissing。Imightbeinthegreatestdistress，andyetIshouldnevertellyouofit。\"
Heremainedsilentforsometime，andthenorderedhismantotellthepriesttoputalockonmydoorandgivemethekey。
Whilehewasthinking，Inoticedataperandabookonthetablebesidehisbed。Iwentuptoit，andaskedpolitelyifImightseewhatkindofreadinghadbeguiledhimtosleep。Herepliedaspolitely，requestingmenottotouchit。Iwithdrewimmediately，tellinghimwithasmilethatIfeltsurethatitwasabookofprayers，butthatIwouldneverrevealhissecret。
\"Youhaveguessedwhatitis，\"hesaid，laughing。
Ilefthimwithacourteousbow，begginghimtosendmehismanandacupofcoffee，chocolate，orbroth，itmatterednotwhich。
Iwentbacktomyroommeditatingseriouslyonhisstrangebehaviour，andespeciallyonthewretchedtallowcandlewhichwasgivenme，whilehehadawaxtaper。Myfirstideawastoleavethehouseimmediately，forthoughIhadonlyfiftyducatsinmypossessionmyspiritwasashighaswhenIwasarichman；butonsecondthoughtsIdeterminednottoputmyselfinthewrongbyaffrontinghiminsuchasignalmanner。
Thetallowcandlewasthemostgrievouswrong，soIresolvedtoaskthemanwhetherhehadnotbeentoldtogivemewaxlights。Thiswasimportant，asitmightbeonlyapieceofknaveryorstupidityonthepartoftheservant。
Themancameinanhourwithacupofcoffee，sugaredaccordingtohistasteorthatofthecook。Thisdisgustedme，soIletitstayonthetable，tellinghim，withaburstoflaughter（ifIhadnotlaughedI
musthavethrownthecoffeeinhisface），thatthatwasnotthewaytoservebreakfast。Ithengotreadytohavemyhairdone。
Iaskedhimwhyhehadbroughtmeawretchedtallowcandleinsteadoftwowaxlights。
\"Sir，\"theworthymanreplied，humbly，\"Icouldonlygiveyouwhatthepriestgaveme；Ireceivedawaxtaperformymasterandacandleforyou。\"
Iwassorrytohavevexedthepoorfellow，andsaidnomore，thinkingthepriestmighthavetakenafancytoeconomiseforthecount’sprofitorhisown。Ideterminedtoquestionhimonthesubject。
AssoonasIwasdressedIwentouttowalkoffmybadhumour。Imetthepriest—steward，whohadbeentothelocksmith。Hetoldmethatthemanhadnoready—madelocks，buthewasgoingtofitmydoorwithapadlock，ofwhichIshouldhavethekey。
\"ProvidedIcanlockmydoor，\"Isaid，\"Icarenothowit’sdone。\"
Ireturnedtothehousetoseethepadlockfitted，andwhilethelocksmithwashammeringawayIaskedthepriestwhyhehadgivenatallowcandleinsteadofoneortwowaxtapers。
\"Ishouldneverdaretogiveyoutapers，sir，withoutexpressordersfromthecount。\"
\"Ishouldhavethoughtsuchathingwouldgowithoutsaying。\"
\"Yes，inotherhouses，butherenothinggoeswithoutsaying。Ihavetobuythetapersandhepaysme，andeverytimehehasoneitisnoteddown。\"
\"ThenyoucangivemeapoundofwaxlightsifIpayyouforthem？\"
\"Ofcourse，butIthinkImusttellthecount，foryouknow……\"
\"Yes，Iknowallaboutit，butIdon’tcare:\"
Igavehimthepriceofapoundofwaxlights，andwentforawalk，ashetoldmedinnerwasatone。Iwassomewhatastonishedoncomingbacktothehouseathalf—pasttwelvetobetoldthatthecounthadbeenhalfanhourattable。
Ididnotknowwhattomakeofalltheseactsofrudeness；however，I
moderatedmypassiononcemore，andcameinremarkingthattheabbehadtoldmedinnerwasatone。
\"Itisusually，\"repliedthecount，\"butto—dayIwantedtopaysomecallsandtakeyouwithme，soIdecidedondiningatnoon。Youwillhaveplentyoftime。\"
Hethengaveordersforallthedishesthathadbeentakenawaytobebroughtback。
Imadenoanswer，andsatdowntotable，andfeigninggoodhumouratewhatwasonthetable，refusingtotouchthosedisheswhichhadbeentakenaway。Hevainlyaskedmetotrythesoup，thebeef，theentrees；
ItoldhimthatIalwayspunishedmyselfthuswhenIcameinlateforanobleman’sdinner。
Stilldissemblingmyillhumour，Igotintohiscarriagetoaccompanyhimonhisroundofvisits。HetookmetoBarondelMestre，whospentthewholeoftheyearinthecountrywithhisfamily，keepingupagoodestablishment。
Thecountspentthewholeofthedaywiththebaron，puttingofftheothervisitstoafuturetime。IntheeveningwereturnedtoSpessa。
SoonafterwearrivedthepriestreturnedthemoneyIhadgivenhimforthecandles，tellingmethatthecounthadforgottentoinformhimthatIwastobetreatedashimself。
Itookthisacknowledgementforwhatitwasworth。
Supperwasserved，andIatewiththeappetiteoffour，whilethecounthardlyateatall。
TheservantwhoescortedmetomyroomaskedmeatwhattimeIshouldlikebreakfast。Itoldhim，andhewaspunctual；andthistimethecoffeewasbroughtinthecoffee—potandthesugarinthesugarbasin。
Thevaletdidmyhair，andthemaiddidmyroom，everythingwaschanged，andIimaginedthatIhadgiventhecountalittlelesson，andthatI
shouldhavenomoretroublewithhim。Here，however，Iwasmistaken，asthereaderwilldiscover。
Threeorfourdayslaterthepriestcametomeonemorning，toaskwhenIwouldlikedinner，asIwastodineinmyroom。
\"Whyso？\"Iasked。
\"BecausethecountleftyesterdayforGorice，tellingmehedidnotknowwhenheshouldcomeback。Heorderedmetogiveyouyourmealsinyourroom。\"
\"Verygood。Iwilldineatone。\"
Noonecouldbemoreinfavouroflibertyandindependencethanmyself，butIcouldnothelpfeelingthatmyroughhostshouldhavetoldmehewasgoingtoGorice。Hestayedaweek，andIshouldhavediedofwearinessifithadnotbeenformydailyvisitstotheBarondelMestre。Otherwisetherewasnocompany，thepriestwasanuneducatedman，andtherewerenoprettycountrygirls。IfeltasifIcouldnotbearanotherfourweeksofsuchadolefulexile。
Whenthecountcameback，Ispoketohimplainly。
\"IcametoSpessa，\"Isaid，\"tokeepyoucompanyandtoamusemyself；
butIseethatIamintheway，soIhopeyouwilltakemebacktoGoriceandleavemethere。YoumustknowthatIlikesocietyasmuchasyoudo，andIdonotfeelinclinedtodieofsolitarywearinessinyourhouse。\"
Heassuredmethatitshouldnothappenagain，thathehadgonetoGoricetomeetanactress，whohadcometherepurposelytoseehim，andthathehadalsoprofitedbytheopportunitytosignacontractofmarriagewithaVenetianlady。
Theseexcusesandtheapparentlypolitetoneinwhichtheywereutteredinducedmetoprolongmystaywiththeextraordinarycount。
Hedrewthewholeofhisincomefromvineyards，whichproducedanexcellentwhitewineandarevenueofathousandsequinsayear。
However，asthecountdidhisbesttospenddoublethatamount，hewasrapidlyruininghimself。Hehadafixedimpressionthatallthetenantsrobbedhim，sowheneverhefoundabunchofgrapesinacottageheproceededtobeattheoccupantsunlesstheycouldprovethatthegrapesdidnotcomefromhisvineyards。Thepeasantsmightkneeldownandbegpardon，buttheywerethrashedallthesame。
Ihadbeenanunwillingwitnessofseveralofthesearbitraryandcruelactions，whenonedayIhadthepleasureofseeingthecountsoundlybeatenbytwopeasants。Hehadstruckthefirstblowhimself，butwhenhefoundthathewasgettingtheworstofitheprudentlytooktohisheels。
Hewasmuchoffendedwithmeforremainingamerespectatorofthefray；
butItoldhimverycoollythat，beingtheaggressor，hewasinthewrong，andinthesecondplaceIwasnotgoingtoexposemyselftobebeatentoajellybytwolustypeasantsinanotherman’squarrel。
Theseargumentsdidnotsatisfyhim，andinhisragehedaredtotellmethatIwasascurvycowardnottoknowthatitwasmydutytodefendafriendtothedeath。
InspiteoftheseoffensiveremarksImerelyrepliedwithaglanceofcontempt，whichhedoubtlessunderstood。
Beforelongthewholevillagehadheardwhathadhappened，andthejoywasuniversal，forthecounthadthesingularprivilegeofbeingfearedbyallandlovedbynone。Thetworebelliouspeasantshadtakentotheirheels。Butwhenitbecameknownthathislordshiphadannouncedhisresolutiontocarrypistolswithhiminallfuturevisits，everybodywasalarmed，andtwospokesmenweresenttothecountinforminghimthatallhistenantswouldquittheestateinaweek’stimeunlesshegavethemapromisetoleavetheminpeaceintheirhumbleabodes。
Therudeeloquenceofthetwopeasantsstruckmeassublime，butthecountpronouncedthemtobeimpertinentandridiculous。
\"Wehaveasgoodarighttotastethevineswhichwehavewateredwiththesweatofourbrow，\"saidthey，\"asyourcookhastotastethedishesbeforetheyareservedonyourtable。\"
Thethreatofdesertingjustatthevintageseasonfrightenedthecount，andhehadtogivein，andtheembassywentitswayinhighgleeatitssuccess。
NextSundaywewenttothechapeltohearmass，andwhenwecameinthepriestwasatthealtarfinishingtheCredo。Thecountlookedfurious，andaftermasshetookmewithhimtothesacristy，andbeguntoabuseandbeatthepoorpriest，inspiteofthesurplicewhichhewasstillwearing。Itwasreallyashockingsight。
Thepriestspatinhisfaceandcriedhelp，thatbeingtheonlyrevengeinhispower。
Severalpersonsranin，soweleftthesacristy。Iwasscandalised，andItoldthecountthatthepriestwouldbecertaintogotoUdine，andthatitmightturnoutaveryawkwardbusiness。