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