"Iamquitesure，"saidshe，"thatyouwouldnothavecomeatallunlessIhadaskedyoutocomeandembraceme。"
　　Atthismylipswerefastenedonhermouth，hereyes，andoneveryspotofherlovelyface。Butseeingmyeyesstrayingtowardsherbosom，andguessingthatIshouldmakemyselfmasterofit，shestoppedlaughingandputherselfonthedefensive。
　　"Goaway，"saidshe，slyly，"goawayandenjoyyourselfattheHaguewiththefairTrenti，whopossessessoprettyatokenofyourlove。"
　　"MydearEsther，IamgoingtotheHaguetotalkbusinesswiththeambassador，andfornootherreason，andinsixdaysatlatestyouwillseemebackagain，asmuchyourloverasbefore，anddesiringnothingbetterthantopleaseyou。"
　　"Irelyuponyourwordofhonour，butmindyoudonotdeceiveme。"
　　WiththesewordssheputuphermouthandgavemesotenderandpassionateakissthatIwentawayfeelingcertainofmyblissbeingcrownedonmyreturn。Thatevening，atsupper—time，IreachedBoaz’shouse。
　　EndMEMOIRSOFJACQUESCASANOVAdeSEINGALT1725—1798
　　THEETERNALQUEST，Volume3b——RETURNTOPARIS
　　THERAREUNABRIDGEDLONDONEDITIONOF1894TRANSLATEDBYARTHUR
　　MACHENTOWHICHHASBEENADDEDTHECHAPTERSDISCOVERED
　　BYARTHURSYMONS。
　　THEETERNALQUEST
　　RETURNTOPARIS
　　CHAPTERV
　　MyFortuneinHolland——MyReturntoPariswithYoungPompeatiAmongsttheletterswhichwerewaitingformewasonefromthecomptroller—general，whichadvisedmethattwentymillionsinGovernmentsecuritieshadbeenplacedinthehandsofM。d’Afri，whowasnottogobeyondalossofeightpercent。；andanotherletterfrommygoodpatron，M。deBernis，tellingmetodothebestIcould，andtobeassuredthattheambassadorwouldbeinstructedtoconsenttowhateverbargainmightbemade，providedtheratewasnotmoredisadvantageousthanthatoftheexchangeatParis。Boaz，whowasastonishedatthebargainIhadmadewithmyshares，wantedtodiscounttheGovernmentsecuritiesforme，andIshouldverylikelyhaveagreedtohistermsifhehadnotrequiredmetogivehimthreemonths，andthepromisethattheagreementshouldholdeveninthecaseofpeacebeingconcludedinthemeanwhile。ItwasnotlongbeforeIsawthatIshoulddowelltogetbacktoAmsterdam，butI
　　didnotcaretobreakmywordtoTherese，whomIhadpromisedtomeetattheHague。IreceivedaletterfromherwhileIwasattheplay，andtheservantwhobroughtittoldmehewaswaitingtoconductmetoher。Isentmyownservanthome，andsetoutonmyquest。
　　Myguidemademeclimbtothefourthfloorofasomewhatwretchedhouse，andthereIfoundthisstrangewomaninasmallroom，attendedbyhersonanddaughter。Thetablestoodinthemidstoftheroom，andwascoveredwithablackcloth，andthetwocandlesstandinguponitmadeitlooklikesomesortofsepulchralaltar。TheHaguewasaCourttown。Iwasrichlydressed；myelaborateattiremadethesaddestpossiblecontrastwiththegloomofmysurroundings。
　　Therese，dressedinblackandseatedbetweenherchildrenatthatblacktable，remindedmeofMedea。Toseethesetwofairyoungcreaturesvowedtoalotofmiseryanddisgracewasasadandtouchingsight。Itooktheboybetweenmyarms，andpressinghimtomybreastcalledhimmyson。Hismothertoldhimtolookuponmeashisfatherfromhenceforth。Theladrecognizedme；heremembered，muchtomydelight，seeingmeintheMayof1753，inVenice，atMadameManzoni’s。Hewasslightbutstrong；hislimbswerewellproportioned，andhisfeaturesintellectual。Hewasthirteenyearsold。
　　Hissistersatperfectlystill，apparentlywaitingforherturntocome。Itookheronmyknee，andasIembracedher，natureherselfseemedtotellmethatshewasmydaughter。Shetookmykissesinsilence，butitwaseasytoseethatshethoughtherselfpreferredtoherbrother，andwascharmedwiththeidea。Allherclothingwasaslightfrock，andIwasabletofeeleverylimbandtokissherprettylittlebodyallover，delightedthatsosweetabeingowedherexistencetome。
　　"Mamma，dear，"saidshe，"isnotthisfinegentlemanthesamewesawatAmsterdam，andwhowastakenformypapabecauseIamlikehim？
　　Butthatcannotbe，formypapaisdead。"
　　"Soheis，sweetheart；butImaybeyourdearfriend，mayn’tI？
　　Wouldyouliketohavemeforafriend？"
　　"Yes，yes！"shecried，andthrowingherarmsaboutmyneckgavemeathousandkisses，whichIreturnedwithdelight。
　　Afterwehadtalkedandlaughedtogetherwesatdownattable，andtheheroineTheresegavemeadelicatesupperaccompaniedbyexquisitewines。"Ihavenevergiventhemargravebetterfare，"saidshe，"atthosenicelittlesuppersweusedtotaketogether。"
　　Wishingtoprobethedispositionofherson，whomIhadengagedtotakeawaywithme，Iaddressedseveralremarkstohim，andsoondiscoveredthathewasofafalseanddeceitfulnature，alwaysonhisguard，takingcareofwhathesaid，andconsequentlyspeakingonlyfromhisheadandnotfromhisheart。Everywordwasdeliveredwithaquietpolitenesswhich，nodoubt，wasintendedtopleaseme。
　　Itoldhimthatthissortofthingwasallverywellonoccasion；butthatthereweretimeswhenaman’shappinessdependedonhisfreedomfromconstraint；thenandonlythenwashisamiability，ifhehadany，displayed。Hismother，thinkingtopraisehim，toldmethatreservewashischiefcharacteristic，thatshehadtrainedhimtokeephiscounselatalltimesandplaces，andthatshewasthususedtohisbeingreservedwithheraswitheveryoneelse。
　　"AllIcansayis，"saidI，"yoursystemisanabominableone。Youmayhavestrangledintheirinfancyallthefinerqualitieswithwhichnaturehasendowedyourson，andhavefairlysethimonthewaytobecomeamonsterinsteadofanangel。Idon’tseehowthemostdevotedfathercanpossiblyhaveanyaffectionforasonwhokeepsallhisemotionsunderlockandkey。"
　　Thisoutburst，whichproceededfromthetendernessIwouldfainhavefeltfortheboy，seemedtostrikehismotherdumb。
　　"Tellme，mydear，ifyoufeelyourselfcapableofshewingmethatconfidencewhichafatherhasarighttoexpectofagoodson，andifyoucanpromisetobeperfectlyopenandunreservedtowardsme？"
　　"IpromisethatIwilldieratherthantellyouafalsehood。"
　　"That’sjustlikehim，"saidthemother。"Ihavesucceededininspiringhimwiththeutmosthorrorofuntruthfulness。"
　　"That’sallverywell，mydearmadam，butyoumighthavepursuedastillbettercourse，andonewhichwouldhavebeenstillmoreconducivetohishappiness。"
　　"Whatisthat？"
　　"Iwilltellyou。Itwasnecessarytomakehimdetestalie；youshouldhaveratherendeavouredtomakehimaloverofthetruthbydisplayingittohiminallitsnativebeauty。Thisistheonlywaytomakehimlovable，andloveisthesolebestowerofhappinessinthisworld。"
　　"Butisn’titthesamethingnottolieandtotellthetruth，"saidtheboy，withasmilewhichcharmedhismotheranddispleasedme。
　　"Certainlynot；thereisagreatdifference——fortoavoidlyingyouhaveonlytoholdyourtongue；anddoyouthinkthatcomestothesamethingasspeakingthetruth？Youmustopenyourmindtome，myson，andtellmeallyourthoughts，evenifyoublushintherecital。
　　Iwillteachyouhowtoblush，andsoonyouwillhavenothingtofearinlayingopenallyourthoughtsanddeeds。Whenweknoweachotheralittlelongerweshallseehowweagreetogether。YoumustunderstandthatIcannotlookuponyouasmysonuntilIseecausetoloveyou，andIcannothaveyoucallmefathertillyoutreatmeasthebestfriendyouhave。YoumaybequitesurethatIshallfindawaytodiscoveryourthoughts，howevercleverlyyoutrytohidethem。
　　IfIfindyoudeceitfulandsuspiciousIshallcertainlyentertainnoregardforyou。AssoonasIhavefinishedmybusinessatAmsterdamwewillsetoutforParis。IamleavingtheHagueto—morrow，andonmyreturnIhopetofindyouinstructedbyyourmotherinasystemofmoralitymoreconsonantwithmyviews，andmorelikelytoleadtoyourhappiness。"
　　Onglancingatmylittledaughter，whohadbeenlisteningtomewiththegreatestattention，Isawthathereyeswereswimmingwithtears，whichshecouldhardlyretain。
　　"Whyareyoucrying？"saidthemother；"itissillytocry。"Andwiththatthechildrantohermotherandthrewherarmsroundherneck。
　　"WouldyouliketocometoParis，too？"saidItoher。
　　"Oh，yes！Butmammamustcometoo，asshewoulddiewithoutme。"
　　"WhatwouldyoudoifItoldyoutogo？"saidthemother。
　　"Iwouldobeyyou，mamma，buthowcouldIexistawayfromyou？"
　　Thereuponmylittledaughterpretendedtocry。Isaypretended，asitwasquiteevidentthatthechilddidnotmeanwhatshesaid，andI
　　amsurethathermotherknewitaswellasI。
　　Itwasreallyamelancholythingtoseetheeffectsofabadeducationonthisyoungchild，towhomnaturehadgivenintelligenceandfeeling。Itookthemotherononeside，andsaidthatifshehadintendedtomakeactorsofherchildrenshehadsucceededtoadmiration；butifshewishedthemtobecomeusefulmembersofsocietyhersystemhadfailedlamentably，astheywereinafairwaytobecomemonstersofdeceit。Icontinuedmakingherthemostpointedremonstrancesuntil，inspiteofhereffortstocontrolherself，sheburstintotears。However，shesoonrecoveredhercomposure，andbeggedmetostayattheHagueadaylonger，butI
　　toldheritwasoutofthequestion，andlefttheroom。Icameinagainafewminutesafter，andSophiecameuptomeandsaid，inalovinglittlevoice，"Ifyouarereallymyfriend，youwillgivemesomeproofofyourfriendship。"
　　"Andwhatproofdoyouwant，mydear？"
　　"Iwantyoutocomeandsupwithmeto—morrow。"
　　"Ican’t，Sophiedear，forIhavejustsaidnotoyourmother，andshewouldbeoffendedifIgrantedyouwhatIhadrefusedher。"
　　"Oh，no！shewouldn’t；itwasshewhotoldmetoaskyoujustnow。"
　　Inaturallybegantolaugh，butonhermothercallingthegirlalittlefool，andthebrotheraddingthathehadnevercommittedsuchanindiscretion，thepoorchildbegantotrembleallover，andlookedabashed。IreassuredherasbestIcould，notcaringwhetherwhatI
　　saiddispleasedhermotherornot，andIendeavouredtoinstillintoherprinciplesofaverydifferentnaturetothoseinwhichshehadbeenreared，whileshelistenedwithaneagernesswhichprovedthatherheartwasstillreadytolearntherightway。Littlebylittleherfacecleared，andIsawthatIhadmadeanimpression，andthoughIcouldnotflattermyselfthatanygoodImightdoherwouldbelastinginitseffectsaslongassheremainedunderthebadinfluenceofhermother，Ipromisedtocomeandsupwithhernextevening，"butonthecondition，"Isaid，"thatyougivemeaplainmeal，andonebottleofchambertinonly，foryouarenottoowelloff。"
　　"Iknowthat，butmammasaysthatyoupayforeverything。"
　　Thisreplymademegooffintoaroaroflaughter；andinspiteofhervexationthemotherwasobligedtofollowmyexample。Thepoorwoman，hardenedbythelifesheled，tookthechild’ssimplicityforstupidity，butIsawinheraroughdiamondwhichonlywantedpolishing。
　　Theresetoldmethatthewinedidnotcostheranything，asthesonoftheRotterdamburgomasterfurnishedherwithit，andthathewouldsupwithusthenextdayifIwouldallowhimtobepresent。I
　　answeredsmilinglythatIshouldbedelightedtoseehim，andIwentawayaftergivingmydaughter，ofwhomIfeltfond，atenderembrace。
　　Iwouldhavedoneanythingtobeentrustedwithher，butIsawitwouldbenogoodtryingtogetpossessionofher，asthemotherwasevidentlykeepingherasaresourceforheroldage。Thisisacommonwayforadventuressestolookupontheirdaughters，andTheresewasanadventuressinthewidestacceptationoftheterm。I
　　gavehertwentyducatstogetclothesformyadoptedsonandSophie，who，withspontaneousgratitude，andhereyesfilledwithtears，cameandgavemeakiss。Josephwasgoingtokissmyhand，butItoldhimthatitwasdegradingforonemantokissanother’shand，andthatforthefuturehewastoshewhisgratitudebyembracingmeasasonembraceshisfather。
　　JustasIwasleaving，Theresetookmetotheclosetwherethetwochildrenweresleeping。Iknewwhatshewasthinkingof；butallthatwasoverlongago；IcouldthinkofnoonebutEsther。
　　ThenextdayIfoundtheburgomaster’ssonatmyactress’shouse。Hewasafineyoungfellowoftwentyortwenty—one，buttotallydevoidofmanner。HewasTherese’slover，butheshouldhaveregulatedhisbehaviourinmypresence。Therese，seeingthathewasposingasmasterofthefield，andthathismannersdisgustedme，begantosnubhim，muchtohisdispleasure，andaftersneeringatthepoornessofthedishes，andpraisingthewinewhichhehadsupplied，hewentoutleavingustofinishourdessertbyourselves。Ileftmyselfateleven，tellingTheresethatIshouldseeheragainbeforeIwentaway。ThePrincessedeGalitzin，aCantimirbybirth，hadaskedmetodinner，andthismademeloseanotherday。
　　NextdayIheardfromMadamed’Urfe，whoenclosedabillofexchangeonBoazfortwelvethousandfrancs。Shesaidthatshehadboughthersharesforsixtythousand，thatshedidnotwishtomakeanythingofthem，andthatshehopedIwouldaccepttheoverplusasmybroker’sfee。Shewordedherofferwithtoomuchcourtesyformetorefuseit。Theremainderoftheletterwasdevotedtothewildestfancies。
　　ShesaidthathergeniushadrevealedtoherthatIshouldbringbacktoParisaboybornoftheMysticalMarriage，andshehopedIwouldtakepityonher。Itwasastrangecoincidence，andseemedlikelytoattachthewomanstillmorecloselytohervisionarytheories。I
　　laughedwhenIthoughhowshewouldbeimpressedbyTherese’sson，whowascertainlynotbornoftheMysticalMarriage。
　　Boazpaidmemytwelvethousandfrancsinducats，andImadehimmyfriend，ashethankedmeforreceivingthemoneysinducats，andhedoubtlessmadeaprofitonthetransaction，goldbeingacommodityinHolland，andallpaymentsbeingmadeinsilverorpapermoney。
　　Atthattimegoldwasatalowrate，andnobodywouldtakeducats。
　　AfterhavinganexcellentdinnerwiththePrincessedeGalitzin，I
　　putonmycloakandwenttothecaf？Ifoundtheretheburgomaster’sson，whowasjustbeginningagameofbilliards。HewhisperedtomethatImightbackhimwithadvantage，andthinkinghewassureofhisstrokeIthankedhimandfollowedhisadvice。
　　However，afterlosingthreegamesoneaftertheother，Itookhismeasureandbegantolayagainsthimwithouthisknowledge。Afterplayingforthreehoursandlosingallthetime，hestoppedplayandcametocondolewithmeonmyheavyloss。ItisimpossibletodescribehisamazedexpressionwhenIshewedhimahandfulofducats，andassuredhimthatIhadspentaveryprofitableeveninginlayingagainsthim。Everybodyintheroombegantolaughathim，buthewasthesortofyoungmanwhodoesn’tunderstandajoke，andhewentoutinarage。SoonafterIleftthebilliard—roommyself，and，accordingtomypromisewenttoseeTherese，asIwasleavingforAmsterdamthenextday。
　　Theresewaswaitingforheryoungwinemerchant，butonmyrecountinghisadventuressheexpectedhimnolonger。Itookmylittledaughteronmykneeandlavishedmycaressesonher，andsoleftthem，tellingthemthatweshouldseeeachotheragaininthecourseofthreeweeksoramonthatlatest。
　　AsIwasgoinghomeinthemoonlightbymyself，myswordundermyarm，Iwasencounteredallofasuddenbythepoordupeofaburgomaster’sson。
　　"Iwanttoknow，"saidhe，"ifyourswordhasassharpapointasyourtongue。"
　　Itriedtoquiethimbyspeakingcommonsense，andIkeptmyswordwrappedinmycloak，thoughhiswasbaredanddirectedagainstme。
　　"Youarewrongtotakemyjestsinsuchbadpart，"saidI；"however，Iapologizetoyou。"
　　"Noapologies；looktoyourself。"
　　"Waittillto—morrow，youwillbecoolerthen，butifyoustillwishitIwillgiveyousatisfactioninthemidstofthebilliard—room。"
　　"Theonlysatisfactionyoucangivemeistofight；Iwanttokillyou。"
　　Asevidenceofhisdetermination，andtoprovokemebeyondrecall，hestruckmewiththeflatofhissword，thefirstandlasttimeinmylifeinwhichIhavereceivedsuchandinsult。Idrewmysword，butstillhopingtobringhimtohissensesIkeptstrictlyonthedefensiveandendeavouredtomakehimleaveoff。ThisconducttheDutchmanmistookforfear，andpushedhardonme，lunginginamannerthatmademelooktomyself。Hisswordpassedthroughmynecktie；aquarterofaninchfartherinwouldhavedonemybusiness。
　　Ileapttooneside，and，mydangernolongeradmittingofmyfightingonthedefensive，Ilungedoutandwoundedhiminthechest。
　　Ithoughtthiswouldhavebeenenoughforhim，soIproposedweshouldterminateourengagement。
　　"I’mnotdeadyet，"saidhe；"Iwanttokillyou。"
　　Thiswashiswatchword；and，asheleaptonmeinaparoxysmofrage，morelikeamadmanthanasensiblebeing，Ihithimfourtimes。Atthefourthwoundhesteppedback，and，sayinghehadhadenough，beggedmetoleavehim。
　　IwentoffasfastasIcould，andwasverygladtoseefromthelookofmyswordthathiswoundswereslight。IfoundBoazstillup，andonhearingwhathadtakenplaceheadvisedmetogotoAmsterdamatonce，thoughIassuredhimthatthewoundswerenotmortal。Igaveintohisadvice，andasmycarriagewasatthesaddler’shelentmehis，andIsetout，biddingmyservanttocomeonthenextdaywithmyluggage，andtorejoinmeatthe"OldBible，"inAmsterdam。I
　　reachedAmsterdamatnoonandmymanarrivedintheevening。
　　Iwascurioustohearifmyduelhadmadeanynoise，butasmyservanthadleftatanearlyhourhehadheardnothingaboutit。
　　FortunatelyformenothingwhateverwasknownaboutitatAmsterdamforaweekafter；otherwise，thingsmightnothavegonewellwithme，asthereputationofbeingaduellistisnotarecommendationtofinancierswithwhomoneisabouttotransactbusinessofimportance。
　　ThereaderwillnotbesurprisedwhenItellhimthatmyfirstcallwasonM。d’O，orratheronhischarmingdaughterEsther，forsheitwasonwhomIwaited。Itwillberememberedthatthewayinwhichweparteddidagooddealtowardsaugmentingthewarmthofmyaffectionforher。OnenteringtheroomIfoundEstherwritingatatable。
　　"WhatareyoudoingEsther，dear？"
　　"Anarithmeticalproblem。"
　　"Doyoulikeproblems？"
　　"Iampassionatelyfondofanythingwhichcontainsdifficultiesandofferscuriousresults。"
　　"Iwillgiveyousomethingwhichwillpleaseyou。"
　　Imadeher，bywayofjest，twomagicsquares，whichdelightedher。
　　Inreturn，shespewedmesometrifleswithwhichIwaswellacquainted，butwhichIpretendedtothinkveryastonishing。Mygoodgeniustheninspiredmewiththeideaoftryingdivinationbythecabala。Itoldhertoaskaquestioninwriting，andassuredherthatbyacertainkindofcalculationasatisfactoryanswerwouldbeobtained。Shesmiled，andaskedwhyIhadreturnedtoAmsterdamsosoon。Ishewedherhowtomakethepyramidwiththepropernumbersandtheotherceremonies，thenImadeherextracttheanswerinnumbers，translatingitintoFrench，andgreatlywasshesurprisedtofindthatthecausewhichhadmademereturntoAmsterdamsosoonwas——love。
　　Quiteconfounded，shesaiditwasverywonderful，eventhoughtheanswermightnotbetrue，andshewishedtoknowwhatmasterscouldteachthismodeofcalculation。
　　"Thosewhoknowitcannotteachittoanyone。"
　　"Howdidyoulearnit，then？"
　　"FromapreciousmanuscriptIinheritedfrommyfather。"
　　"Sellitme。"
　　"Ihaveburntit；andIamnotempoweredtocommunicatethesecrettoanyonebeforeIreachtheageoffifty。"
　　"Whyfifty？"
　　"Idon’tknow；butIdoknowthatifIcommunicatedittoanyonebeforethatageIshouldruntheriskoflosingitmyself。Theelementaryspiritwhoisattachedtotheoraclewouldleaveit。"
　　"Howdoyouknowthat？"
　　"IsawitsostatedinthemanuscriptIhavespokenof。"
　　"Thenyouareabletodiscoverallsecrets？"
　　"Yes，orIshouldbeifthereplieswerenotsometimestooobscuretobeunderstood。"
　　"Asitdoesnottakemuchtime，willyoubekindenoughtogetmeananswertoanotherquestion？"
　　"Withpleasure；youcancommandmeinanythingnotforbiddenbymyfamiliarspirit。"
　　Sheaskedwhatherdestinywouldbe，andtheoraclerepliedthatshehadnotyettakenthefirststeptowardsit。Estherwasastonishedandcalledhergovernesstoseethetwoanswers，butthegoodwomansawnothingwonderfulinthemwhatever。Estherimpatientlycalledherablockhead，andentreatedmetoletheraskanotherquestion。I
　　beggedhertodoso，andsheasked，"WholovesmemostinAmsterdam？"Theoraclerepliedthatnoonelovedheraswellashewhohadgivenherbeing:PoorEstherthentoldmethatIhadmadehermiserable，andthatshewoulddieofgriefifshecouldnotsucceedinlearningthemethodofcalculation。
　　Igavenoanswer，andpretendedtofeelsadatheart。Shebegantowritedownanotherquestion，puttingherhandinfrontsoastoscreenthepaper。Iroseasiftogetoutofherway，butwhileshewasarrangingthepyramidIcastmyeyesonthepaperwhilstwalkingupanddowntheroom，andreadherquestion。AftershehadgoneasfarasIhadtaughther，sheaskedmetoextracttheanswer，sayingthatIcoulddosowithoutreadingthequestion。Iagreedtodosoontheconditionthatshewouldnotaskasecondtime。
　　AsIhadseenherquestion，itwaseasyformetoanswerit。Shehadaskedtheoracleifshemightshewthequestionsshehadpropoundedtoherfather，andtheanswerwasthatshewouldbehappyaslongasshehadnosecretsfromherfather。
　　Whenshereadthesewordsshegaveacryofsurprise，andcouldfindnowordswherewithtoexpresshergratitudetome。IleftherfortheExchange，whereIhadalongbusinessconversationwithM。Pels。
　　NextmorningahandsomeandgentlemanlymancamewithaletterofintroductionfromTherese，whotoldmethathewouldbeusefulincaseIwantedanyassistanceinbusiness。HisnamewasRigerboos。
　　Sheinformedmethattheburgomaster’ssonwasonlyslightlywounded，andthatIhadnothingtofearasthematterwasnotgenerallyknown，andthatifIhadbusinessattheHagueImightreturnthereinperfectsafety。ShesaidthatmylittleSophietalkedofmeallday，andthatIshouldfindmysonmuchimprovedonmyreturn。IaskedM。
　　Rigerboostogivemehisaddress，assuringhimthatatthepropertimeIshouldrelyonhisservices。
　　AmomentafterRigerbooshadgone，IgotashortnotefromEsther，whobeggedme，inherfather’sname，tospendthedaywithher——atleast，ifIhadnoimportantengagement。Iansweredthat，exceptingacertainmatterofwhichherfatherknew，IhadnochieferaimthantoconvinceherthatIdesiredaplaceinherheart，andthatshemightbequitesurethatIwouldnotrefuseherinvitation。
　　IwenttoM。d’O————atdinnertime。IfoundEstherandherfatherpuzzlingoverthemethodwhichdrewreasonableanswersoutofapyramidofnumbers。Assoonasherfathersawme，heembracedme，sayinghowhappyhewastopossessadaughtercapableofattractingme。
　　"Shewillattractanymanwhohassufficientsensetoappreciateher。"
　　"Youappreciateher，then？"
　　"Iworshipher。"
　　"Thenembraceher。"
　　Estheropenedherarms，andwithacryofdelightthrewthemroundmyneck，andgavethebackallmycaresses，kissforkiss。
　　"Ihavegotthroughallmybusiness，"saidM。d’O————，"andtherestofmydayisatyourdisposal。Ihaveknownfrommychildhoodthatthereissuchascienceastheoneyouprofess，andIwasacquaintedwithaJewwhobyitsaidmadeanimmensefortune。He，likeyou，saidthat，underpainoflosingthesecret，itcouldonlybecommunicatedtooneperson，butheputoffdoingsosolongthatatlastitwastoolate，forahighfevercarriedhimoffinafewdays。
　　IhopeyouwillnotdoastheJewdid；butinthemeanwhileallowmetosaythatifYoudonotdrawaprofitfromthistreasure，youdonotknowwhatitreallyis。"
　　"Youcallthisknowledgeofmineatreasure，andyetyoupossessonefarmoreexcellent，"lookingatEstherasIspoke。
　　"Wewilldiscussthatagain。Yes，sir，Icallyourscienceatreasure。"
　　"Buttheanswersoftheoracleareoftenveryobscure。"
　　"Obscure！Theanswersmydaughterreceivedareasclearasday。"
　　"Apparently，sheisfortunateinthewaysheframesherquestions；
　　foronthisthereplydepends。"
　　"AfterdinnerwewilltryifIamsofortunate——atleast，ifyouwillbesokindastohelpme。"
　　"Icanrefuseyounothing，asIconsiderfatheranddaughterasonebeing。"
　　Attablewediscussedothersubjects，asthechiefclerkswerepresent——notablythemanager，avulgar—lookingfellow，whohadveryevidentaspirationsinthedirectionofmyfairEsther。AfterdinnerwewentintoM。d’O’sprivatecloset，andthereuponhedrewtwolongquestionsoutofhispocket。InthefirsthedesiredtoknowhowtoobtainafavourabledecisionfromtheStates—Generalinanimportantmatter，thedetailsofwhichheexplained。Irepliedinterms，theobscurityofwhichwouldhavedonecredittoaprofessedPythoness，andIleftEsthertotranslatetheanswerintocommonsense，andfindameaninginit。
　　WithregardtothesecondanswerIactedinadifferentmanner；Iwasimpelledtoanswerclearly，anddidso。M。d’OaskedwhathadbecomeofavesselbelongingtotheIndiaCompanyofwhichnothinghadbeenheard。Itwasknowntohavestartedonthereturnvoyage，andshouldhavearrivedtwomonthsago，andthisdelaygaverisetothesuppositionthatithadgonedown。M。d’O————wishedtoknowifitwerestillabovewater，orwhetheritwerelost，etc。Asnotidingsofithadcometohand，thecompanywereonthelook—outforsomeonetoinsureit，andofferedtenpercent。，butnobodycaredtorunsogreatarisk，especiallyasaletterhadbeenreceivedfromanEnglishseacaptainwhosaidhehadseenhersink。
　　Imayconfesstomyreaders，thoughIdidnotdosotoM。d’O————。
　　thatwithinexplicablefollyIcomposedananswerthatleftnodoubtastothesafetyofthevessel，pronouncingitsafeandsound，andthatweshouldhearofitinafewdays。NodoubtIfelttheneedofexaltingmyoracle，butthismethodwaslikelytodestroyitscreditforever。Intruth，ifIhadguessedM。d’O————’sdesign，Iwouldhavecurbedmyvanity，forIhadnowishtomakehimlosealargesumwithoutprofitingmyself。
　　Theanswermadehimturnpale，andtremblewithjoy。Hetoldusthatsecrecyinthematterwasofthelastimportance，ashehaddeterminedtoinsurethevesselanddriveagoodbargain。Atthis，dreadingtheconsequences，IhastenedtotellhimthatforallIknewtheremightnotbeawordoftruthintheoracle’sreply，andthatI
　　shoulddieofgriefifIweretheinvoluntarycauseofhislosinganenormoussumofmoneythroughrelyingonanoracle，thehiddensenseofwhichmightbecompletelyopposedtotheliteraltranslation。
　　"Haveyoueverbeendeceivedbyit？"
　　"Often。"
　　Seeingmydistress，Estherbeggedherfathertotakenofurtherstepsinthematter。Forsomemomentsnobodyspoke。
　　M。d’O————lookedthoughtfulandfulloftheprojectwhichhisfancyhadpaintedinsuchgaycolours。Hesaidagooddealaboutit，dwellingonthemysticvirtuesofnumbers，andtoldhisdaughtertoreadoutallthequestionsshehadaddressedtotheoraclewiththeanswersshehadreceived。Thereweresixorsevenofthem，allbrieflyworded，somedirectandsomeequivocal。Esther，whohadconstructedthepyramids，hadshone，withmypotentassistance，inextractingtheanswers，whichIhadreallyinvented，andherfather，inthejoyofhisheart，seeinghersoclever，imaginedthatshewouldbecomeanadeptinthesciencebytheforceofintelligence。
　　ThelovelyEsther，whowasmuchtakenwiththetrifle；wasquitereadytobeofthesameopinion。
　　Afterpassingseveralhoursinthediscussionoftheanswers，whichmyhostthoughtdivine，wehadsupper，andatpartingM。d’O————saidthatasSundaywasadayforpleasureandnotbusinesshehopedI
　　wouldhonourthembypassingthedayattheirprettyhouseontheAmstel，andtheyweredelightedatmyacceptingtheirinvitation。
　　Icouldnothelpponderingoverthemysteriesofthecommercialmind，whichnarrowsitselfdowntoconsiderationsofprofitandloss。
　　M。d’O————wasdecidedlyanhonestman；butalthoughhewasrich，hewasbynomeansdevoidofthegreedincidenttohisprofession。I
　　askedmyselfthequestion，howaman，whowouldconsideritdishonourabletostealaducat，ortopickoneupinthestreetandkeepit，knowingtowhomitbelonged，couldreconcileitwithhisconsciencetomakeanenormousprofitbyinsuringavesselofthesafetyofwhichhewasperfectlycertain，ashebelievedtheoracleinfallible。Suchatransactionwascertainlyfraudulent，asitisdishonesttoplaywhenoneiscertainofwinning。
　　AsIwasgoinghomeIpassedatea—garden，andseeingagoodmanypeoplegoinginandcomingoutIwentincurioustoknowhowtheseplacesweremanagedinHolland。Greatheavens！Ifoundmyselfthewitnessofanorgy，thesceneasortofcellar，aperfectcesspoolofviceanddebauchery。Thediscordantnoiseofthetwoorthreeinstrumentswhichformedtheorchestrastruckgloomtothesoulandaddedtothehorrorsofthecavern。Theairwasdensewiththefumesofbadtobacco，andvapoursreekingofbeerandgarlicissuedfromeverymouth。Thecompanyconsistedofsailors，menofthelowest—
　　class，andanumberofvilewomen。Thesailorsandthedregsofthepeoplethoughtthisdenagardenofdelight，andconsidereditspleasurescompensationforthetoilsoftheseaandthemiseriesofdailylabour。Therewasnotasinglewomantherewhoseaspecthadanythingredeemingaboutit。Iwaslookingattherepulsivesightinsilence，whenagreathulkingfellow，whoseappearancesuggestedtheblacksmith，andhisvoicetheblackguard，cameuptomeandaskedmeinbadItalianifIwouldliketodance。Iansweredinthenegative，butbeforeleavingmehepointedoutaVenetianwomanwho，hesaid，wouldobligemeifIgavehersomedrink。
　　WishingtodiscoverifshewasanyoneIknewIlookedatherattentively，andseemedtorecollectherfeatures，althoughIcouldnotdecidewhoshecouldbe。FeelingrathercuriousonthesubjectI
　　satdownnexttoher，andaskedifshecamefromVenice，andifshehadleftthatcountrysometimeago。
　　"Nearlyeighteenyears，"shereplied。
　　Iorderedabottleofwine，andaskedifshewouldtakeany；shesaidyes，andadded，ifIliked，shewouldobligeme。
　　"Ihaven’ttime，"Isaid；andIgavethepoorwretchthechangeI
　　receivedfromthewaiter。Shewasfullofgratitude，andwouldhaveembracedmeifIhadallowedher。
　　"DoyoulikebeingatAmsterdambetterthanVenice？"Iasked。
　　"Alas，no！forifIwereinmyowncountryIshouldnotbefollowingthisdreadfultrade。"
　　"HowoldwereyouwhenyouleftVenice。"
　　"Iwasonlyfourteenandlivedhappilywithmyfatherandmother，whonowmayhavediedofgrief。"
　　"Whoseducedyou？"
　　"Arascallyfootman。"
　　"InwhatpartofVenicedidyoulive？"
　　"IdidnotliveinVenice，butatFriuli，notfaroff。"
　　Friuli……eighteenyearsago……afootman……Ifeltmoved，andlookingatthewretchedwomanmorecloselyIsoonrecognizedinherLucieofPasean。Icannotdescribemysorrow，whichIconcealedasbestIcould，andtriedhardtokeepupmyindifferentair。Alifeofdebaucheryratherthantheflightoftimehadtarnishedherbeauty，andruinedtheonceexquisiteoutlinesofherform。Lucie，thatinnocentandprettymaiden，grownugly，vile，acommonprostitute！Itwasadreadfulthought。Shedranklikeasailor，withoutlookingatme，andwithoutcaringwhoIwas。Itookafewducatsfrommypurse，andslippedthemintoherhand，andwithoutwaitingforhertofindouthowmuchIhadgivenherIleftthathorribleden。
　　Iwenttobedfullofsaddeningthoughts。NotevenundertheLeadsdidIpasssowretchedaday。IthoughtImusthaverisenundersomeunhappystar！Iloathedmyself。WithregardtoLucieIfeltthestingofremorse，butatthethoughtofM。d’O————Ihatedmyself。
　　IconsideredthatIshouldcausehimalossofthreeorfourhundredthousandflorins；andthethoughtwasabitterdropinthecupofmyaffectionforEsther。Ifancied，she，aswellasherfather，wouldbecomemyimplacablefoe；andlovethatisnotreturnedisnoloveatall。
　　Ispentadreadfulnight。Lucie，Esther，herfather，theirhatredofme，andmyhatredofmyself，werethegroundworkofmydreams。IsawEstherandherfather，ifnotruined，atalleventsimpoverishedbymyfault，andLucieonlythirty—twoyearsold，andalreadydeepintheabyssofvice，withaninfiniteprospectofmiseryandshamebeforeher。Thedawnwaswelcomeindeed，forwithitsappearanceacalmcametomyspirit；itis，thedarknesswhichisterribletoaheartfullofremorse。
　　Igotupanddressedmyselfinmybest，andwentinacoachtodomysuittothePrincessedeGalitzin，who，wasstayingatthe"Etoiled’Orient。"Ifoundherout；shehadgonetotheAdmiralty。Iwentthere，andfoundheraccompaniedbyM。deReissakandtheCountdeTot，whohadjustreceivednewsofmyfriendPesselier，atwhosehouseImadehisacquaintance，andwhowasdangerouslyillwhenI
　　leftParis。
　　IsentawaymycoachandbegantowalktowardsM。d’O————’shouseontheAmsel。TheextremeeleganceofmycostumewasdispleasingintheeyesoftheDutchpopulace，andtheyhissedandhootedme，afterthemannerofthemoballtheworldover，Esthersawmecomingfromthewindow，drewtherope，andopenedthedoor。Iranin，shutthedoorbehindme，andasIwasgoingupthewoodenstaircase，onthefourthorfifthstepmyfootstruckagainstsomeyieldingsubstance。I
　　lookeddownandsawagreenpocket—book。Istoopeddowntopickitup，butwasawkwardenoughtosenditthroughanopeninginthestairs，whichhadbeendoubtlessmadeforthepurposeofgivinglighttoastairbelow。Ididnotstop，butwentupthestepsandwasreceivedwiththeusualhospitality，andontheirexpressingsomewonderastotheunusualbrillianceofmyattireIexplainedthecircumstancesofthecase。EsthersmiledandsaidIlookedquiteanotherperson，butIsawthatbothfatheranddaughterweresadatheart。Esther’sgovernesscameinandsaidsomethingtoherinDutch，atwhich，inevidentdistress，sheranandembracedherfather。
　　"Isee，myfriends，thatsomethinghashappenedtoyou。Ifmypresenceisarestraint，treatmewithoutceremony，andbidmego。"
　　"It’snotsogreatanill—hapafterall；Ihaveenoughmoneylefttobearthelosspatiently"
　　"IfImayaskthequestion，whatisthenatureofyourloss？"
　　"Ihavelostagreenpocket—bookcontainingagooddealofmoney，whichifIhadbeenwiseIwouldhaveleftbehind，asIdidnotrequireittillto—morrow。"
　　"Andyoudon’tknowwhereyoulostit？"
　　"Itmusthavebeeninthestreet，butIcan’timaginehowitcanhavehappened。Itcontainedbillsofexchangeforlargeamounts，andofcoursetheydon’tmatter，asIcanstoppaymentofthem，buttherewerealsonotesoftheBankofEnglandforheavysums，andtheyaregone，astheyarepayabletothebearer。LetusgivethankstoGod，mydearchild，thatitisnoworse，andpraytoHimtopreservetouswhatremains，andabovealltokeepusingoodhealth。Ihavehadmuchheavierlossesthanthis，andIhavebeenenablednotonlytobearthemisfortunebuttomakeuptheloss。Letussaynomoreaboutthematter。"
　　Whilehewasspeakingmyheartwasfullofjoy，butIkeptupthesadnessbefittingthescene。Ihadnottheslightestdoubtthatthepocket—bookinquestionwastheoneIhadunluckilysentthroughthestaircase，butwhichcouldnotbelostirretrievably。Myfirstpointwashowtomakecapitalofmygranddiscoveryintheinterestsofmycabalisticscience。Itwastoofineanopportunitytobelost，especiallyasIstillfeltthestingofhavingbeenthecauseofanenormouslosstotheworthyman。Iwouldgivethemagrandproofoftheinfallibilityofmyoracle:howmanymiraclesaredoneinthesameway！Thethoughtputmeintoagoodhumour。Ibegantocrackjokes，andmyjestsdrewpealsoflaughterfromEsther。
　　Wehadanexcellentdinnerandchoicewine。AfterwehadtakencoffeeIsaidthatiftheylikedwewouldhaveagameofcards，butEsthersaidthatthiswouldbeawasteoftime，asshewouldmuchprefermakingtheoracularpyramids。ThiswasexactlywhatIwanted。
　　"Withallmyheart，"Isaid。
　　"Wewilldoasyousuggest。"
　　"ShallIaskwheremyfatherlosthispocket—book？"
　　"Whynot？It’saplainquestion:writeitdown。"
　　Shemadethepyramid，andthereplywasthatthepocket—bookhadnotbeenfoundbyanyone。Sheleaptupfromherseat，dancedforjoy，andthrewherarmsroundherfather’sneck，saying，"Weshallfindit，weshallfindit，papa！"
　　"Ihopeso，too，mydear，thatanswerisreallyveryconsoling。"
　　WherewithEsthergaveherfatheronekissafteranother。
　　"Yes，"saidI，"thereiscertainlygroundforhope，buttheoraclewillbedumbtoallquestions。"
　　"Dumb！Why？"
　　"Iwasgoingtosayitwillbedumbifyoudonotgivemeasmanykissesasyouhavegivenyourfather。"
　　"Oh，thenIwillsoonmakeitspeak！"saidshe，laughing；andthrowingherarmsaboutmyneckshebegantokissme，andItogiveherkissesinreturn。
　　Ah！whathappydaystheyseemwhenIrecallthem；andstillIlikedwellingonthesedaysdespitemysadoldage，thefoeoflove。WhenIrecalltheseeventsIgrowyoungagainandfeeloncemorethedelightsofyouth，despitethelongyearswhichseparatemefromthathappytime。
　　AtlastEsthersatdownagain，andasked，"Whereisthepocket—book？"
　　Andthepyramidtoldherthatthepocket—bookhadfallenthroughtheopeninginthefifthstepofthestaircase。
　　M。d’O————saidtohisdaughter，"Come，mydearEsther，letusgoandtestthetruthoftheoracle。"
　　Andfullofjoyandhopetheywenttothestaircase，Ifollowingthem，andM。d’Oshewedhertheholethroughwhichthepocket—bookmusthavefallen。Helightedacandleandwewentdowntothecellar，andbeforelonghepickedupthebook，whichhadfallenintosomewater。Wewentupagaininhighspirits，andtherewetalkedforoveranhourasseriouslyasyoupleaseonthedivinepowersoftheoracle，which，accordingtothem，shouldrenderitspossessorthehappiestofmortals。
　　Heopenedthepocket—bookandshewedusthefourthousandpoundnotes。Hegavetwotohisdaughter，andmademetakethetworemaining；butItookthemwithonehandandwiththeothergavethemtoEstherbegginghertokeepthemforme；butbeforeshewouldagreetodosoIhadtothreatenherwiththestoppageofthefamouscabalisticoracle。ItoldM。d’OthatallIaskedwashisfriendship，andthereonheembracedme，andsworetobemyfriendtothedeath。
　　BymakingthefairEstherthedepositaryofmytwothousandpounds，I
　　wassureofwinningheraffectionbyanappeal，nottoherinterest，buttohertruthfulness。ThischarminggirlhadabouthersopowerfulanattractionthatIfeltasifmylifewaswoundupwithhers。
　　ItoldM。d’Othatmychiefobjectwastonegotiatethetwentymillionsatasmallloss。
　　"Ihopetobeofservicetoyouinthematter，"hesaid，"butasI。
　　shalloftenwanttospeaktoyou，youmustcomeandliveinourhouse，whichyoumustlookuponasyourown。"
　　"Mypresencewillbearestraintonyou。Ishallbeatrouble。"
　　"AskEsther。"
　　Estherjoinedherentreatiestoherfather’sandIgavein，takinggoodcarenottoletthemseehowpleasedIwas。Icontentedmyselfwithexpressingmygratitude，towhichtheyansweredthatitwasI
　　whoconferredafavour。
　　M。d’Owentintohiscloset，andassoonasIfoundmyselfalonewithEstherIkissedhertenderly，sayingthatIshouldnotbehappytillIhadwonherheart。
　　"Doyouloveme？"
　　"Dearly，andIwilldoallinmypowertoshewhowwellIloveyou，ifyouwilllovemeinreturn。"
　　Shegavemeherhand，whichIcoveredwithkisses，andshewentontosay，"Assoonasyoucomeandlivewithus，youmustlookoutforagoodopportunityforaskingmyhandofmyfather。Youneednotbeafraidhewillrefuseyou，butthefirstthingforyoutodoistomoveintoourhouse。"
　　"Mydearlittlewife！Iwillcometo—morrow。"
　　Wesaidmanysweetthingstooneanother，talkedaboutthefuture，andtoldeachotherourinmostthoughts；andIwasundoubtedlytrulyinlove，fornotasingleimproperfancyroseinmymindinthepresenceofmydearwholovedmesowell。
　　ThefirstthingthatM。d’Osaidonhisreturnwas，thattherewouldbeapieceofnewsontheExchangethenextday。
　　"Whatisthat，papadear？"
　　"Ihavedecidedtotakethewholerisk——amountingtothreehundredthousandflorins—oftheshipwhichisthoughttohavegonedown。
　　Theywillcallmemad，buttheythemselveswillbethemadmen；whichiswhatIshouldbeif，aftertheproofwehavehad，Idoubtedtheoracleanymore。"
　　"Mydearsir，youmakemefrightened。IhavetoldyouthatIhavebeenoftendeceivedbytheoracle。"
　　"Thatmusthavebeen，mydearfellow，whenthereplywasobscure，andyoudidnotgetattherealsenseofit；butinthepresentcasethereisnoroom，fordoubt。Ishallmakethreemillionflorins，or，iftheworstcomestotheworse，mylosswon’truinme。"
　　Esther，whomthefindingofthepocket—bookhadmadeenthusiastic，toldherfathertolosenotime。Asforme，IcouldnotrecallwhatIhaddone，butIwasagainoverwhelmedwithsadness。M。d’O————sawit，andtakingmyhandsaid，"Iftheoracledoesliethistime，I
　　shallbenonethelessyourfriend。"
　　"Iamgladtohearit，"Ianswered；"butasthisisamatteroftheutmostimportance，letmeconsulttheoracleasecondtimebeforeyouriskyourthreehundredthousandflorins。"Thispropositionpleasedthefatheranddaughterhighly；theycouldnotexpresstheirgratitudetomeforbeingsocarefuloftheirinterests。
　　Whatfollowedwastrulysurprising——enoughtomakeonebelieveinfatality。Myreadersprobablywillnotbelieveit；butastheseMemoirswillnotbepublishedtillIhaveleftthisworld，itwouldbeofnouseformetodisguisethetruthinanyway，especiallyasthewritingofthemisonlytheamusementofmyleisurehours。Well，lethimwhowillbelieveit；thisisabsolutelywhathappened。I
　　wrotedownthequestionmyself，erectedthepyramid，andcarriedoutallthemagicalceremonieswithoutlettingEstherhaveahandinit。
　　Iwasdelightedtobeabletocheckanactofextremeimprudence，andIwasdeterminedtodoso。Adoublemeaning，whichIknewhowtoget，wouldabateM。d’O————’scourageandannihilatehisplans。I
　　hadthoughtoverwhatIwantedtosay，andIthoughtIhadexpresseditproperlyinthenumbers。Withthatidea，asEstherknewthealphabetperfectlywell，Iletherextracttheanswer，andtransferitintoletters。WhatwasmysurprisewhenIheardherreadthesewords:
　　"Inamatterofthiskindneitherfearnorhesitate。Yourrepentancewouldbetoohardforyoutobear。"
　　Thatwasenough。Fatheranddaughterrantoembraceme，andM。d’O—
　　saidthatwhenthevesselwassightedatitheoftheprofitsshouldbemine。Mysurprisepreventedmegivinganyanswer；Ihadintendedtowritetrustandhazard，andIhadwrittenfearandhesitate。Butthankstohisprejudice，M。d’O————onlysawinmysilenceconfirmationoftheinfallibilityoftheoracle。Inshort，Icoulddonothingmore，andItookmyleaveleavingeverythingtothecareofchance，whosometimesiskindtousinspiteofourselves。
　　ThenextmorningItookupmyabodeinasplendidsuiteofroomsinEsther’shouse，andthedayafterItookhertoaconcert，whereshejokedwithmeonthegriefIshouldendureonaccountoftheabsenceofMadameTrendandmydaughter。Estherwastheonlymistressofmysoul。Ilivedbuttoadoreher，andIshouldhavesatisfiedmylovehadnotEstherbeenagirlofgoodprinciples。Icouldnotgainpossessionofher，andwasfulloflonginganddesire。
　　Fourorfivedaysaftermyinstallationinmynewquarters，M。d’O———
　　communicatedtometheresultofaconferencewhichhehadhadwithM。Pelsandsixotherbankersonthetwentymillions。Theyofferedtenmillionsinhardcashandsevenmillionsinpapermoney，bearinginterestatfiveorsixpercent。withadeductionofonepercent。
　　brokerage。Furthermore，theywouldforgiveasumoftwelvehundredthousandflorinsowedbytheFrenchIndiaCompanytotheDutchCompany。
　　WithsuchconditionsIcouldnotventuretodecideonmyownresponsibility，although，personally，Ithoughtthemreasonableenough，theimpoverishedstateoftheFrenchtreasurybeingtakenintoconsideration。IsentcopiesoftheproposaltoM。deBoulogneandM。d’Afri，beggingfromthemanimmediatereply。AttheendofaweekIreceivedananswerinthewritingofM。deCourteil，actingforM。deBoulogne，instructingmetorefuseabsolutelyanysuchproposal，andtoreportmyselfatParisifIsawnochanceofmakingabetterbargain。Iwasagaininformedthatpeacewasimminent，thoughtheDutchwerequiteofanotheropinion。
　　InallprobabilityIshouldhaveimmediatelyleftforParis，butforacircumstancewhichastonishednobodybutmyselfinthefamilyofwhichIhadbecomeamember。TheconfidenceofM。d’O————increasedeveryday，andasifchancewasdeterminedtomakemeaprophetinspiteofmyself，newswasreceivedoftheshipwhichwasbelievedtobelost，andwhich，onthefaithofmyoracle，M。d’Ohadboughtforthreehundredthousandflorins。ThevesselwasatMadeira。ThejoyofEsther，andstillmoremyown，maybeimaginedwhenwesawtheworthymanenterthehousetriumphantlywithconfirmationofthegoodnews。
　　"IhaveinsuredthevesselfromMadeiratothemouthoftheTexelforatrifle，"saidhe，"andso，"turningtome，"youmaycountfromthismomentonthetenthpartoftheprofit，whichIoweentirelytoyou。"
　　Thereadermayimaginemydelight；butthereisonethinghewillnotimagine，unlessheknowsmycharacterbetterthanIdomyself，theconfusionintowhichIwasthrownbythefollowingremarks:
　　"Youarenowrichenough，"saidM。d’O————，"tosetupforyourselfamongstus，andyouarepositivelycertaintomakeanenormousfortuneinashorttimemerelybymakinguseofyourcabala。Iwillbeyouragent；letuslivetogether，andifyoulikemydaughterasshelikesyou，youcancallyourselfmysonassoonasyouplease。"
　　InEsther’sfaceshoneforthjoyandhappiness，andinmine，thoughI
　　adoredher，therewastobeseen，alas！nothingbutsurprise。IwasstupidwithhappinessandtheconstraintinwhichIheldmyself。I
　　didnotanalyzemyfeelings，but，thoughIknewitnot，therecanbenodoubtthatmyinsuperableobjectiontothemarriagetiewasworkingwithinmysoul。Alongsilencefollowed；andlast，recoveringmypowersofspeech，Isucceeded，withaneffort，inspeakingtothemofmygratitude，myhappiness，mylove，andIendedbysayingthat，inspiteofmyaffectionforEsther，Imust，beforesettlinginHolland，returntoParis，anddischargetheconfidentialandresponsibledutywhichtheGovernmenthadplacedinmyhands。I
　　wouldthenreturntoAmsterdamperfectlyindependent。
　　Thislongperorationwontheirapproval。Estherwasquitepleased，andwespenttherestofthedayingoodspirits。NextdayM。d’O———
　　gaveasplendiddinnertoseveralofhisfriends，whocongratulatedhimonhisgoodfortune，beingpersuadedthathiscourageousactionwastobeexplainedbyhishavinghadsecretinformationofthesafetyofthevessel，thoughnoneofthemcouldseefromwhatsourcehe，andheonly，hadobtainedit。
　　Aweekafterthisluckyeventhegavemeanultimatumonthematterofthetwentymillions，inwhichheguaranteedthatFranceshouldnotlosemorethanninepercent。inthetransaction。
　　IimmediatelysentacopyofhisproposaltoM。d’Afri，begginghimtobeaspromptaspossible，andanothercopytothecomptroller—
　　general，withaletterinwhichIwarnedhimthatthethingwouldcertainlyfallthroughifhedelayedasingledayinsendingfullpowerstoM。d’Afritogivemethenecessaryauthoritytoact。
　　IwrotetothesameeffecttoM。deCourteilandtheDucdeChoiseul，tellingthemthatIwastoreceivenobrokerage；butthatIshouldallthesameacceptaproposalwhichIthoughtaprofitableone，andsayingthatIhadnodoubtofobtainingmyexpensesfromtheFrenchGovernment。
　　Asitwasatimeofrejoicingwithus，M。d’O————thoughtitwouldbeagoodplantogiveaball。AllthemostdistinguishedpeopleinAmsterdamwereinvitedtoit。Theballandsupperwereofthemostsplendiddescription，andEsther，whowasablazeofdiamonds，dancedallthequadrilleswithme，andcharmedeverybeholderbyhergraceandbeauty。
　　IspentallmytimewithEsther，andeverydaywegrewmoreandmoreinlove，andmoreunhappy，forweweretormentedbyabstinence，whichirritatedwhileitincreasedourdesires。
　　Estherwasanaffectionatemistress，butdiscreetratherbytrainingthandispositionthefavourssheaccordedmewereofthemostinsignificantdescription。Shewaslavishofnothingbutherkisses，butkissesareratherirritatingthansoothing。Iusedtobenearlywildwithlove。Shetoldme，likeothervirtuouswomen，thatifsheagreedtomakemehappyshewassureIwouldnotmarryher，andthatassoonasImadehermywifeshewouldbemineandmineonly。ShedidnotthinkIwasmarried，forIhadgivenhertoomanyassurancestothecontrary，butshethoughtIhadastrongattachmenttosomeoneinParis。Iconfessedthatshewasright，andsaidthatIwasgoingtheretoputanendtoitthatImightbeboundtoheralone。Alas！
　　IliedwhenIsaidso，forEstherwasinseparablefromherfather，amanofforty，andIcouldnotmakeupmymindtopasstheremainderofmydaysinHolland。
　　Tenortwelvedaysaftersendingtheultimatum，IreceivedaletterfromM。deBoulogneinformingmethatM。d’Afrihadallnecessaryinstructionsforeffectingtheexchangeofthetwentymillions，andanotherletterfromtheambassadorwastothesameeffect。Hewarnedmetotakecarethateverythingwasright，asheshouldnotpartwiththesecuritiesbeforereceiving18，200，000francsincurrentmoney。
　　Thesadtimeofpartingatlastdrewnear，amidmanyregretsandtearsfromallofus。EsthergavemethetwothousandpoundsIhadwonsoeasily，andherfatheratmyrequestgavemebillsofexchangetotheamountofahundredthousandflorins，withanoteoftwohundredthousandflorinsauthorizingmetodrawuponhimtillthewholesumwasexhausted。JustasIwasgoing，Esthergavemefiftyshirtsandfiftyhandkerchiefsofthefinestquality。
　　ItwasnotmyloveforManonBaletti，butafoolishvanityandadesiretocutafigureintheluxuriouscityofParis，whichmademeleaveHolland。ButsuchwasthedispositionthatMotherNaturehadgivenmethatfifteenmonthsunderTheLeadshadnotbeenenoughtocurethismentalmaladyofmine。ButwhenIreflectuponaftereventsofmylifeIamnotastonishedthatTheLeadsprovedineffectual，forthenumberlessvicissitudeswhichIhavegonethroughsincehavenotcuredme——mydisorder，indeed，beingoftheincurablekind。Thereisnosuchthingasdestiny。Weourselvesshapeourlives，notwithstandingthatsayingoftheStoics，’Volentemducit，nolentemtrahit’。
　　AfterpromisingEsthertoreturnbeforetheendoftheyear，IsetoutwithaclerkofthecompanywhohadbroughttheFrenchsecurities，andIreachedtheHague，whereBoazreceivedmewithamingledairofwonderandadmiration。HetoldmethatIhadworkedamiracle；"but，"headded，"tosucceedthusyoumusthavepersuadedthemthatpeacewasonthepointofbeingconcluded。"
　　"Bynomeans，"Ianswered；"sofarfrommypersuadingthem，theyareoftheoppositeopinion；butallthesameImaytellyouthatpeaceisreallyimminent。"
　　"Ifyouliketogivemethatassuranceinwriting，"saidhe，"Iwillmakeyouapresentoffiftythousandflorins’worthofdiamonds。"
　　"Well，"Ianswered，"theFrenchambassadorisofthesameopinionasmyself；butIdon’tthinkthecertaintyissufficientlygreatasyetforyoutoriskyourdiamondsuponit。"
　　NextdayIfinishedmybusinesswiththeambassador，andtheclerkreturnedtoAmsterdam。
　　IwenttosupperatTherese’s，andfoundherchildrenverywelldressed。ItoldhertogoontoRotterdamthenextdayandwaitformetherewithherson，asIhadnowishtogivescandalattheHague。
　　AtRotterdam，TheresetoldmethatsheknewIhadwonhalfamillionatAmsterdam，andthatherfortunewouldbemadeifshecouldleaveHollandforLondon。ShehadinstructedSophietotellmethatmygoodluckwastheeffectoftheprayersshehadaddressedtoHeavenonmybehalf。Isawwherethelandlay，andIenjoyedagoodlaughatthemother’scraftandthechild’spiety，andgaveherahundredducats，tellingherthatsheshouldhaveanotherhundredwhenshewrotetomefromLondon。Itwasveryevidentthatshethoughtthesumaverymoderateone，butIwouldnotgiveheranymore。ShewaitedforthemomentwhenIwasgettingintomycarriagetobegmetogiveheranotherhundredducats，andIsaid，inalowtone，thatsheshouldhaveathousandifshewouldgivemeherdaughter。Shethoughtitoverforaminute，andthensaidthatshecouldnotpartwithher。
　　"Iknowverywellwhy，"Ianswered；anddrawingawatchfrommyfobI
　　gaveittoSophie，embracedher，andwentonmyway。IarrivedatParisonFebruary10th，andtooksumptuousapartmentsneartheRueMontorgueil。
　　CHAPTERVI
　　IMeetWithaFlatteringReceptionFromMyPatron——MadameD’Urfe’sInfatuation——MadameX。C。V。AndHerFamily——MadameduRumainDuringmyjourneyfromtheHaguetoParis，shortasitwas，Ihadplentyofopportunitiesforseeingthatthementalqualitiesofmyadoptedsonwerebynomeansequaltohisphysicalones。
　　AsIhadsaid，thechiefpointwhichhismotherhadimpressedonhimwasreserve，whichshehadinstilledintohimoutofregardforherowninterests。MyreaderswillunderstandwhatImean，butthechild，infollowinghismother’sinstructions，hadgonebeyondtheboundsofmoderation；hepossessedreserve，itistrue，buthewasalsofullofdissimulation，suspicion，andhypocrisy——afinetrioofdeceitinonewhowasstillaboy。Henotonlyconcealedwhatheknew，buthepretendedtoknowthatwhichhedidnot。Hisideaoftheonequalitynecessarytosuccessinlifewasanimpenetrablereserve，andtoobtainthishehadaccustomedhimselftosilencethedictatesofhisheart，andtosaynowordthathadnotbeencarefullyweighed。Givingotherpeoplewrongimpressionspassedwithhimfordiscretion，andhissoulbeingincapableofagenerousthought，heseemedlikelytopassthroughlifewithoutknowingwhatfriendshipmeant。
　　KnowingthatMadamed’Urfecountedontheboyfortheaccomplishmentofherabsurdhypostasis，andthatthemoremysteryImadeofhisbirththemoreextravagantwouldbeherfanciesaboutit，ItoldtheladthatifIintroducedhimtoaladywhoquestionedhimbyhimselfabouthisbirth，hewastobeperfectlyopenwithher。
　　OnmyarrivalatParismyfirstvisitwastomypatron，whomIfoundingrandcompanyamongstwhomIrecognizedtheVenetianambassador，whopretendednottoknowme。
　　"HowlonghaveyoubeeninParis？"saidtheminister，takingmebythehand。
　　"Ihaveonlyjuststeppedoutofmychaise。"
　　"ThengotoVersailles。YouwillfindtheDucdeChoiseulandthecomptroller—generalthere。Youhavebeenwonderfullysuccessful，goandgetyourmeedofpraiseandcomeandseemeafterwards。TellthedukethatVoltaire’sappointmenttobeagentleman—in—ordinarytothekingisready。"
　　IwasnotgoingtostartforVersaillesatmidday，butministersinParisarealwaystalkinginthisstyle，asifVersailleswereattheendofthestreet。Insteadofgoingthere，IwenttoseeMadamed’Urfe。
　　ShereceivedmewiththewordsthathergeniushadinformedherthatIshouldcometo—day，andthatshewasdelightedwiththefulfilmentoftheprophecy。
　　"CornemantellsmethatyouhavebeendoingwondersinHolland；butI
　　seemoreinthematterthanhedoes，asIamquitecertainthatyouhavetakenoverthetwentymillionsyourself。Thefundshaverisen，andahundredmillionsatleastwillbeincirculationinthecourseofthenextweek。Youmustnotbeoffendedatmyshabbypresent，for，ofcourse，twelvethousandfrancsarenothingtoyou。Youmustlookuponthemasalittletokenoffriendship。"
　　"Iamgoingtotellmyservantstocloseallthedoors，forIamtoogladtoseeyounottowanttohaveyoualltomyself。"
　　AprofoundbowwastheonlyreplyImadetothisflatteringspeech，andIsawhertremblewithjoywhenItoldherthatIhadbroughtaladoftwelvewithme，whomIintendedtoplaceinthebestschoolI
　　couldfindthathemighthaveagoodeducation。
　　"IwillsendhimmyselftoViar，wheremynephewsare。Whatishisname？Whereishe？Iknowwellwhatthisboyis，Ilongtoseehim。Whydidyounotalightfromyourjourneyatmyhouse？"
　　Herquestionsandrepliesfollowedoneanotherinrapidsuccession。
　　Ishouldhavefounditimpossibletogetinawordedgeways，evenifIhadwantedto，butIwasverygladtoletherexpendherenthusiasm，andtookgoodcarenottointerrupther。Onthefirstopportunity，ItoldherthatIshouldhavethepleasureofpresentingtheyounggentlemantoherthedayaftertomorrow，asonthemorrowI
　　hadanengagementatVersailles。
　　"DoesthedearladspeakFrench？WhileIamarrangingforhisgoingtoschoolyoumustreallylethimcomeandlivewithme。"
　　"Wewilldiscussthatquestiononthedayaftertomorrow，madam。"
　　"Oh，howIwishthedayafterto—morrowwashere！"
　　OnleavingMadamed’UrfeIwenttomylotteryofficeandfoundeverythinginperfectorder。IthenwenttotheItalianplay，andfoundSilviaandherdaughterintheirdressing—room。
　　"Mydearfriend，"saidshewhenshesawme，"IknowthatyouhaveachievedawonderfulsuccessinHolland，andIcongratulateyou。"
　　"IgaveheranagreeablesurprisebysayingthatIhadbeenworkingforherdaughter，andMarionherselfblushed，andloweredhereyesinaverysuggestivemanner。"Iwillbewithyouatsupper，"Iadded，"andthenwecantalkatourease。"OnleavingthemIwenttotheamphitheatre，andwhatwasmysurprisetosee’inoneofthefirstboxesMadameX————C————V————，withallherfamily。Myreaderswillbegladtoheartheirhistory。
　　MadameX————C————V————，bybirthaGreek，wasthewidowofanEnglishman，bywhomshehadsixchildren，fourofwhomweregirls。