"Yes，sire，butIhaveforgotteneverythingnow。IthoughtthatI
　　shouldnotbeawedbythemajestyofaking，butIwasmistaken。Mylord—marshalshouldhavewarnedme。"
　　"Thenheknowsyou？Letuswalk。Whatisitthatyouwant？Whatdoyouthinkofmygarden？"
　　Hisenquiriesaftermyneedsandofhisgardenweresimultaneous。ToanyotherpersonIshouldhaveansweredthatIdidnotknowanythingaboutgardening，butthiswouldhavebeenequivalenttorefusingtoanswerthequestion；andnomonarch，evenifhebeaphilosopher，couldendurethat。IthereforerepliedthatIthoughtthegardensuperb。
　　"But，"hesaid，"thegardensofVersaillesaremuchfiner。"
　　"Yes，sire，butthatischieflyonaccountofthefountains。"
　　"True，butitisnotmyfault；thereisnowaterhere。Ihavespentmorethanthreehundredthousandcrownstogetwater，butunsuccessfully。"
　　"Threehundredthousandcrowns，sire！Ifyourmajestyhadspentthemallatonce，thefountainsshouldbehere。"
　　"Oh，oh！Iseeyouareacquaintedwithhydraulics。"
　　Icouldnotsaythathewasmistaken，forfearofoffendinghim，soI
　　simplybentmyhead，whichmightmeaneitheryesorno。ThankGodthekingdidnottroubletotestmyknowledgeofthescienceofhydraulics，withwhichIwastotallyunacquainted。
　　Hekeptonthemoveallthetime，andasheturnedhisheadfromonesidetotheotherhurriedlyaskedmewhatforcesVenicecouldputintothefieldinwartime。
　　"Twentymen—of—war，sire，andanumberofgalleys。"
　　"Whatarethelandforces？"
　　"Seventythousandmen，sire；allofwhomaresubjectsoftheRepublic，andassessingeachvillageatoneman。"
　　"Thatisnottrue；nodoubtyouwishtoamusemebytellingmethesefables。Givemeyouropinionsontaxation。"
　　ThiswasthefirstconversationIhadeverhadwithamonarch。I
　　madearapidreviewofthesituation，andfoundmyselfmuchinthesamepositionasanactoroftheimprovisedcomedyoftheItalians，whoisgreetedbythehissesofthegodsifhestopsshortamoment。
　　IthereforerepliedwithalltheairsofadoctoroffinancethatI
　　couldsaysomethingaboutthetheoryoftaxation。
　　"That’swhatIwant，"hereplied，"forthepracticeisnobusinessofyours。"
　　"Therearethreekindsoftaxes，consideredastotheireffects。Thefirstisruinous，thesecondanecessaryevil，andthethirdinvariablybeneficial"
　　"Good！Goon。"
　　"Theruinousimpostistheroyaltax，thenecessaryisthemilitary，andthebeneficialisthepopular。"
　　AsIhadnotgiventhesubjectanythoughtIwasinadisagreeableposition，forIwasobligedtogoonspeaking，andyetnottotalknonsense。
　　"Theroyaltax，sire，isthatwhichdeplenishesthepursesofthesubjecttofillthecoffersoftheking。"
　　"Andthatkindoftaxisalwaysruinous，youthink。"
　　"Always，sire；itpreventsthecirculationofmoney——thesoulofcommerceandthemainstayofthestate。"
　　"Butifthetaxbeleviedtokeepupthestrengthofthearmy，yousayitisanecessaryevil。"
　　"Yes，itisnecessaryandyetevil，forwarisanevil。"
　　"Quiteso；andnowaboutthepopulartax。"
　　"Thisisalwaysabenefit，forthemonarchtakeswithonehandandgiveswiththeother；heimprovestownsandroads，foundsschools，protectsthesciences，cherishesthearts；infine，hedirectsthistaxtowardsimprovingtheconditionandincreasingthehappinessofhispeople。"
　　"Thereisagooddealoftruthinthat。IsupposeyouknowCalsabigi？"
　　"Ioughtto，yourmajesty，asheandIestablishedtheGenoaLotteryatParissevenyearsago。"
　　"Inwhatclasswouldyouputthistaxation，foryouwillagreethatitistaxationofakind？"
　　"Certainly，sire，andnottheleastimportant。Itisbeneficialwhenthemonarchspendshisprofitsforthegoodofthepeople。"
　　"Butthemonarchmaylose？"
　　"Onceinfifty。"
　　"Isthatconclusiontheresultofamathematicalcalculation？"
　　"Yes，sire。"
　　"Suchcalculationsoftenprovedeceptive。"
　　"Notso，mayitpleaseyourmajesty，whenGodremainsneutral。"
　　"WhathasGodgottodowithit？"
　　"Well，sire，wewillcallitdestinyorchance。"
　　"Good！Imaypossiblybeofyouropinionastothecalculation，butIdon’tlikeyourGenoeseLottery。Itseemstomeanelaborateswindle，andIwouldhavenothingmoretodowithit，evenifitwerepositivelycertainthatIshouldneverlose。"
　　"Yourmajestyisright，fortheconfidencewhichmakesthepeoplerisktheirmoneyinalotteryisperfectlyfallacious。"
　　Thiswastheendofourstrangedialogue，andstoppingbeforeabuildinghelookedmeover，andthen，afterashortsilence，observed，——
　　"Doyouknowthatyouareafineman？"
　　"Isitpossiblethat，afterthescientificconversationwehavehad，yourmajestyshouldselecttheleastofthequalitieswhichadornyourlifeguardsmenforremark？"
　　Thekingsmiledkindly，andsaid，——
　　"AsyouknowMarshalKeith，Iwillspeaktohimofyou。"
　　Withthathetookoffhishat，andbademefarewell。Iretiredwithaprofoundbow。
　　ThreeorfourdaysafterthemarshalgavemetheagreeablenewsthatIhadfoundfavourintheking’seyes，andthathismajestythoughtofemployingme。
　　Iwascurioustolearnthenatureofthisemployment，andbeinginnokindofhurryIresolvedtoawaiteventsinBerlin。Thetimepassedpleasantlyenough，forIwaseitherwithCalsabigi，BaronTreidel，ormylandlady，andwhentheseresourcesfailedme，Iusedtowalkinthepark，musingovertheeventsofmylife。
　　Calsabigihadnodifficultyinobtainingpermissiontocontinuethelotteryonhisownaccount，andheboldlyannouncedthathenceforwardhewouldconductthelotteryonhisownrisk。Hisaudacitywascrownedwithsuccess，andheobtainedaprofitofahundredthousandcrowns。Withthishepaidmostofhisdebts，andgavehismistresstenthousandcrowns，shereturningthedocumententitlinghertothatamount。Afterthisluckydrawingitwaseasytofindguarantors，andthelotterywentonsuccessfullyfortwoorthreeyears。
　　NeverthelessCalsabigiendedbybecomingbankruptanddiedpoorenoughinItaly。HemightbecomparedtotheDanaides；themorehegotthemorehespent。HismistresseventuallymadearespectablemarriageandreturnedtoParis，whereshelivedincomfort。
　　AttheperiodofwhichIamspeaking，theDuchessofBrunswick，theking’ssister，cametopayhimavisit。ShewasaccompaniedbyherdaughterwhomarriedtheCrownPrinceofPrussiainthefollowingyear。Isawthekinginasuitoflustringtrimmedwithgoldlace，andblacksilkstockingsonhislegs。Helookedtrulycomic，andmorelikeatheatricalheavyfatherthanagreatking。Hecameintothehallwithhissisteronhisarmandattracteduniversalattention，foronlyveryoldmencouldrememberseeinghimwithouthisuniformandtop—boots。
　　IwasnotawarethatthefamousMadameDeniswasatBerlin，anditwasthereforeanagreeablesurprisetometoseeherintheballetoneevening，dancingapasseulinanexquisitemanner。Wewereoldfriends，andIresolvedtopayheravisitthenextday。
　　Imusttellthereader（supposingIeverhaveone），thatwhenIwasabouttwelveyearsoldIwenttothetheatrewithmymotherandsaw，notwithoutmuchheart—beating，agirlofeightwhodancedaminuetinsoravishingamannerthatthewholehouseapplaudedloudly。Thisyoungdancer，whowasthepantaloon’sdaughter，charmedmetosuchadegreethatIcouldnotresistgoingtoherdressing—roomtocomplimentheronherperformance。Iworethecassockinthosedays，andshewasastonishedwhensheheardherfatherorderhertogetupandkissme。Shekissedme，nevertheless，withmuchgrace，andthoughIreceivedthecomplimentwithagooddealofawkwardnessI
　　wassodelighted，thatIcouldnothelpbuyingheralittleringfromatoymerchantinthetheatre。Shekissedmeagainwithgreatgratitudeandenthusiasm。
　　ThepleasantestpartaboutthiswasthatthesequinIhadgivenfortheringbelongedtoDr。Gozzi，andsowhenIwentbacktohimIwasinapitiablestate，forIhadnotonlyspentmoneywhichdidnotbelongtome，butIhadspentitforsosmallafavourasakiss。
　　IknewthatthenextdayIshouldhavetogiveanaccountofthemoneyhehadentrustedtome，andnothavingtheleastideaastowhatIshouldsay，Ihadabadnightofit。Thenextmorningeverythingcameout，andmymothermadeupthesequintothedoctor。
　　IlaughnowwhenIthinkofthischildishpieceofgallantry，whichwasanomenoftheextenttowhichmyheartwastobeswayedbythefairsex。
　　Thetoy—womanwhohadsoldmetheringcamethenextdayatdinner—
　　timetoourhouse，andafterproducingseveralringsandtrinketswhichwerejudgedtoodear，shebegantopraisemygenerosity，andsaidthatIhadnotthoughttheringIhadgiventoprettyJeannettetoodear。Thisdidmybusiness；andIhadtoconfessthewhole，layingmyfaulttotheaccountoflove，andpromisingnottodosuchathingagain。ButwhenIutteredthewordlove，everybodyroaredwithlaughter，andbegantomakecruelgameofme。Iwishedmyselfamileaway，andregisteredaninteriorresolvenevertoconfessmyfaultsagain。ThereaderknowshowwellIkeptmypromise。
　　Thepantaloon’slittledaughterwasmymother’sgoddaughter，andmythoughtswerefullofher。Mymother，wholovedmeandsawmypain，askedmeifIwouldlikethelittlegirltobeaskedtosupper。Mygrandmother，however，opposedtheidea，andIwasobligedtoher。
　　ThedayafterthisburlesquesceneIreturnedtoPadua，whereBettinasoonmademeforgetthelittleballet—girl。IsawheragainatCharlottenbourg，andthatwasnowseventeenyearsago。
　　Ilongedtohaveatalkwithher，andtoseewhethershewouldrememberme，thoughIdidnotexpecthertodoso。IaskedifherhusbandDeniswaswithher，andtheytoldmethatthekinghadbanishedhimbecauseheill—treatedher。
　　Icalledonherthedayaftertheperformance，andwaspolitelyreceived，butshesaidshedidnotthinkshehadhadthepleasureofseeingmebefore。
　　BydegreesItoldheroftheeventsofherchildhood，andhowsheenchantedallVenicebythegracewithwhichshedancedtheminuet。
　　Sheinterruptedmebysayingthatatthattimeshewasonlysixyearsold。
　　"Youcouldnotbemore，"Ireplied，"forIwasonlyten；andnevertheless，Ifellinlovewithyou，andneverhaveIforgottenthekissyougavemebyyourfather’sorderinreturnforsometriflingpresentImadeyou。"
　　"Bequiet；yougavemeabeautifulring，andIkissedyouofmyownfreewill。Youworethecassockthen。Ihaveneverforgottenyou。
　　Butcanitreallybeyou？"
　　"Itisindeed。"
　　"Iam。delightedtoseeyouagain。ButIcouldneverhaverecognizedyou，andIsupposeyouwouldnothaverecognizedme。"
　　"No，Ishouldnothaveknownyou，unlessIhadheardyournamementioned。"
　　"Onealtersintwentyyears，youknow。"
　　"Yes，onecannotexpecttohavethesamefaceasatsix。"
　　"YoucanbearwitnessthatIamnotmorethantwenty—six，thoughsomeevilspeakersgivemetenyearsmore。"
　　"Youshouldnottakeanynoticeofsuchcalumnies，mydear。Youareintheflowerofyourage，andmadefortheserviceoflove。Formypart，Icongratulatemyselfonbeingabletotellyouthatyouarethefirstwomanthatinspiredmewitharealpassion。"
　　Wecouldnothelpbecomingaffectionateifwecontinuedtokeepuptheconversationinthisstyle，butexperiencehadtaughtusthatitwaswelltoremainaswewereforthepresent。
　　MadameDeniswasstillfreshandyouthfullooking，thoughshepersistedinabbreviatingheragebytenyears。Ofcourseshecouldnotdeceiveme，andshemusthaveknownit，nevertheless，shelikedmetobearoutwardtestimonytoheryouthfulness。ShewouldhavedetestedmeifIhadattemptedtoprovetoherwhatsheknewperfectlywell，butdidnotcaretoconfess。Nodoubtshecaredlittleformythoughtsonthesubject，andshemayhaveimaginedthatIowedhergratitudefordiminishingherage，asitenabledmetodiminishmyowntomakeourtalesagree。However，Ididnottroublemyselfmuchaboutit，foritisalmostadutyinanactresstodisguiseherage，asinspiteoftalentthepublicwillnotforgiveawomanforhavingbeenborntoosoon。
　　Ithoughtherbehaviourauguredwell，andIhopedshewouldnotmakemelanguishlong。Sheshewedmeherhouse，whichwasalleleganceandgoodtaste。Iaskedherifshehadalover，andsherepliedwithasmilethatallBerlinthoughtso，butthatitwasneverthelessdeceivedontheprincipalpoint，astheindividualinquestionwasmoreofafatherthanalover。
　　"Butyoudeservetohaveareallover；Icannotconceivehowyoucandowithoutone。"
　　"IassureyouIdon’ttroublemyselfaboutit。Iamsubjecttoconvulsions，whicharetheplagueofmylife。IwanttotrytheTeplitzwaters，whicharesaidtobeexcellentforallnervousaffections；butthekinghasrefusedhispermission，whichI，nevertheless，hopetoobtainnextyear。"
　　Ifeltardentlydisposed，andIthoughtshewaspleasedwiththerestraintIputuponmyself。
　　"Willyoubeannoyed，"saidI，"ifIcalluponyoufrequently？"
　　"Ifyoudon’tmindIwillcallmyselfyourniece，oryourcousin，andthenwecanseeeachother。"
　　"Doyouknowthatthatmaypossiblybetrue？Iwouldnotswearthatyouwerenotmysister。"
　　Thissallymadeustalkofthefriendshipthathadsubsistedbetweenherfatherandmymother，andweallowedourselvesthosecaresseswhicharepermittedtonearrelations；butfeelingthatthingsweregoingtoofarweceased。Asshebademefarewell，sheaskedmetodinewithherthenextday，andIaccepted。
　　AsIwentbacktomyinnIreflectedonthestrangecombinationswhichmademylifeonecontinuouschainofevents，andIfeltitmydutytogivethankstoeternalProvidence，forIfeltthatIhadbeenbornunderahappystar。
　　Thenextday，whenIwenttodinewithMadameDenis，Ifoundanumerouscompanyassembled。ThefirstpersonwhogreetedmewiththewarmthofanoldfriendwasayoungdancernamedAubri，whomIhadknownatParisandatVenice。HewasfamousforhavingbeentheloverofoneofthemostexaltedVenetianladies，andatthesametimeherhusband’spathic。ItwassaidthatthisscandalousintimacywasofsuchanaturethatAubriusedtosleepbetweenthehusbandandwife。AtthebeginningofLenttheStateInquisitorssenthimtoTrieste。Heintroducedmetohiswife，whodancedlikehimselfandwascalledLaPanting。HehadmarriedheratSt。Petersburg，fromwhichcityhehadjustcome，andtheyweregoingtospendthewinterinParis。Thenextpersonwhoadvancedtogreetmewasafatman，whoheldouthishandandsaidwehadbeenfriendstwenty—fiveyearsago，butthatweweresoyoungthenthatitwouldbenowonderifwedidnotknoweachother。"WekneweachotheratPadua，atDr。
　　Gozzi’s，"headded；"mynameisJosephdaLoglio。"
　　"Irememberyou，"Ireplied，"inthosedaysyouwerevioloncelloattheRussianchapel。"
　　"Exactly；andnowIamreturningtomynativelandtoleaveitnomore。Ihavethehonourtointroduceyoutomywife，whowasbornatSt。Petersburg，butisadaughterofModonistheviolinist，whosereputationisEuropean。InaweekIshallbeatDresden，whereI
　　hopetohavethehonourofseeingMadameCasanova，yourmother。"
　　Iwasdelightedtofindmyselfinsuchcongenialsociety，butIcouldseethatMadameDenisdidnotrelishtheserecollectionsextendingoveraquarterofacentury，andIturnedtheconversationtotheeventsatSt。PetersburgwhichhadresultedinCatherinetheGreatascendingthethrone。DaLogliotoldusthathehadtakenasmallpartinthisconspiracy，andhadthoughtitprudenttogetoutoftheway。"Fortunately，"headded，"thiswasacontingencyIhadlongprovidedagainst，andIaminapositiontospendtherestofmydaysincomfortinItaly。"
　　MadameDenisthenobserved:
　　"AweekagoaPiedmontese，namedAudar，wasintroducedtome。Hehadbeenachiefmoverintheconspiracy，andtheempressgavehimapresentofahundredthousandroublesandanordertoleaveRussiaimmediately。"
　　IheardafterwardsthatthisAudarboughtanestateinPiedmontonwhichhebuiltafinemansion。Intwoorthreeyearsitwasstruckbyathunder—bolt，andtheunfortunatemanwaskilledintheruinsofhisownhouse。IfthiswasablowfromanAlmightyhand，itcouldnot，atallevents，havebeendirectedbythegeniusofRussia，foriftheunfortunatePeterIII。hadlived，hewouldhaveretardedRussiancivilizationbyahundredyears。
　　TheEmpressCatherinerewardedalltheforeignerswhohadassistedherinherplotsmostmagnificently，andshewedherselfgratefultotheRussianswhohadhelpedhertomountthethrone；while，likeacraftypolitician，shesentsuchnoblesasshesuspectedtobeaversetorevolutionoutofthecountry。
　　ItwasDaLoglioandhisprettywifewhodeterminedmetobetakemyselftoRussiaincasetheKingofPrussiadidnotgivemeanyemployment。IwasassuredthatIshouldmakemyfortunethere，andDaLogliopromisedtogivemegoodinstructions。
　　AssoonasthisworthymanleftBerlinmyintimacywithMadameDeniscommenced。OnenightwhenIwassuppingwithhershewasseizedwithconvulsionswhichlastedallthenight。Ididnotleaveherforamoment，andinthemorning，feelingquiterecovered，hergratitudefinishedwhatmylovehadbeguntwenty—sixyearsbefore，andouramorouscommercelastedwhileIstayedatBerlin。WeshallhearofheragainatFlorencesixyearslater。
　　SomedaysafterMadameDenistookmetoPotsdamtoshewmeallthesightsofthetown。Ourintimacyoffendednoone，forshewasgenerallybelievedtobemyniece，andthegeneralwhokepthereitherbelievedthereport，orlikeamanofsensepretendedtobelieveit。
　　AmongstothernotablethingsIsawatPotsdamwasthesightofthekingcommandingthefirstbattalionofhisgrenadiers，allpickedmen，theflowerofthePrussianarmy。
　　Theroomwhichweoccupiedattheinnfacedawalkbywhichthekingpassedwhenhecamefromthecastle。Theshutterswereallclosed，andourlandladytoldusthatononeoccasionwhenaprettydancercalledLaReggianawassleepinginthesameroom，thekinghadseenherin’purisnaturalibus’。Thiswastoomuchforhismodesty，andhehadorderedtheshutterstobeclosed，andclosedtheyhadremained，thoughthiseventwasfouryearsold。Thekinghadsomecausetofear，forhehadbeenseverelytreatedbyLaBarbarina。Intheking’sbedroomwesawherportrait，thatofLaCochois，sistertotheactresswhobecameMarchionessd’Argens，andthatofMarieTheresa，withwhomFrederickhadbeeninlove，orratherhehadbeeninlovewiththeideaofbecomingemperor。
　　Afterwehadadmiredthebeautyandeleganceofthecastle，wecouldnothelpadmiringthewayinwhichthemasterofthecastlewaslodged。Hehadameanroom，andsleptonalittlebedwithascreenaroundit。Therewasnodressing—gownandnoslippers。Thevaletshewedusanoldcapwhichthekingputonwhenhehadacold；itlookedasifitmustbeveryuncomfortable。Hismajesty’sbureauwasatablecoveredwithpens，paper，half—burntmanuscripts，andanink—
　　pot；besideitwasasofa。ThevalettoldusthatthesemanuscriptscontainedthehistoryofthelastPrussianwar，andthekinghadbeensoannoyedbytheiraccidentallygettingburntthathehadresolvedtohavenomoretodowiththework。Heprobablychangedhismind，forthebook，whichislittleesteemed，waspublishedshortlyafterhisdeath。
　　Fiveorsixweeksaftermycuriousconversationwiththemonarch，MarshalKeithtoldmethathismajestyhadbeenpleasedtocreatemeatutortothenewcorpsofPomeraniancadetswhichhewasjustestablishing。Thereweretobefifteencadetsandfivetutors，sothateachshouldhavethecareofthreepupils。Thesalarywassixhundredcrownsandboardfound。Thedutyofthetutorswastofolloworaccompanythecadetswherevertheywent，Courtincluded。Ihadtobequickinmakingupmymind，forthefourotherswerealreadyinstalled，andhismajestydidnotliketobekeptwaiting。IaskedLordKeithwherethecollegewas，andIpromisedtogivehimareplybythenextday。
　　Ihadtosummonallmypowersofself—restrainttomyassistancewhenIheardthisextravagantproposalascomingfromamanwhowassodiscreetinmostthings，butmyastonishmentwasincreasedwhenIsawtheabodeofthesefifteenyoungnoblemenofrichPomerania。Itconsistedofthreeorfourgreatroomsalmostdevoidoffurniture，severalwhitewashedbedrooms，containingawretchedbed，adealtable，andtwodealchairs。Theyoungcadets，boysoftwelveorthirteen，alllookeddirtyanduntidy，andwereboxedupinawretcheduniformwhichmatchedadmirablytheirrudeandrusticfaces。
　　Theywereincompanywiththeirfourgovernors，whomItookfortheirservants，andwholookedatmeinastupefiedmanner，notdaringtothinkthatIwastobetheirfuturecolleague。
　　JustasIwasgoingtobidaneternalfarewelltothisabodeofmisery，oneofthegovernorsputhisheadoutofthewindowandexclaimed，——
　　"Thekingisridingup。"
　　Icouldnotavoidmeetinghim，andbesides，Iwasgladenoughtoseehimagain，especiallyinsuchaplace。
　　HismajestycameupwithhisfriendIcilius，examinedeverything，andsawme，butdidnothonourmewithaword。Iwaselegantlydressed，andworemycrosssetwithbrilliants。ButIhadtobitemylipssoasnottoburstoutlaughingwhenFredericktheGreatgotinatoweringrageatachamberutensilwhichstoodbesideoneofthebeds，andwhichdidnotappeartobeinaverycleanlycondition。
　　"Whosebedisthis？"criedthemonarch。
　　"Mine，sire，"answeredatremblingcadet。
　　"Good！butitisnotyouIamangrywith；whereisyourgovernor？"
　　Thefortunategovernorpresentedhimself，andthemonarch，afterhonouringhimwiththetitleofblockhead，proceededtoscoldhimroundly。However，heendedbysayingthattherewasaservant，andthatthegovernoroughttoseethathedidhisworkproperly。
　　Thisdisgustingscenewasenoughforme，andIhastenedtocallonMarshalKeithtoannouncemydetermination。TheoldsoldierlaughedatthedescriptionIgavehimoftheacademy，andsaidIwasquiterighttodespisesuchanoffice；butthatIought，nevertheless，togoandthankthekingbeforeIleftBerlin。IsaidIdidnotfeelinclinedforanotherinterviewwithsuchaman，andheagreedtopresentmythanksandexcusesinmystead。
　　ImadeupmymindtogotoRussia，andbeganmypreparationsingoodearnest。BaronTreidelsupportedmyresolvebyofferingtogivemealetterofintroductiontohissister，theDuchessofCourland。I
　　wrotetoM。deBragadinto’givemealetterforabankeratSt。
　　Petersburg，andtoremitmethroughhimeverymonthasumwhichwouldkeepmeincomfort。
　　Icouldnottravelwithoutaservant，andchancekindlyprovidedmewithone。IwassittingwithMadameRufin，whenayoungLorrainercamein；likeBias，heboreallhisfortunewithhim，but，inhiscase，itwascarriedunderhisarm。Heintroducedhimselfthus:
　　"Madam，mynameisLambert，IcomefromLorraine，andIwishtolodgehere。"
　　"Verygood，sir，butyoumustpayforyourboardandlodgingeveryday。"
　　"That，madam，isoutofthequestion，forIhavenotgotafarthing，butIshallhavesomemoneywhenIdiscoverwhoIam。"
　　"IamafraidIcannotputyouuponthoseconditions，sir。"
　　Hewasgoingawaywithamortifiedair，whenmyheartwastouched，andIcalledhimback。
　　"Stay，"saidI，"Iwillpayforyouto—day。"
　　Happinessbeamedoverhisface。
　　"Whathaveyougotinthatlittlebundle？"saidI。
　　"Twoshirts，ascoreofmathematicalbooks，andsomeothertrifles。"
　　Itookhimtomyroom，andfindinghimtolerablywelleducated，I
　　askedhimhowhecametobeinsuchastateofdestitution。
　　"IcomefromStrasburg，"hereplied，"andacadetofaregimentstationedtherehavinggivenmeablowinacoffee—houseIpaidhimavisitthenextdayinhisownroomandstabbedhimthere。
　　"AfterthisIwenthome，madeupmybundle，andleftthetown。I
　　walkedallthewayandlivedsoberly，sothatmymoneylastedtillthismorning。To—morrowIshallwritetomymother，wholivesatLuneville，andIamsureshewillsendmesomemoney。"
　　"Andwhatdoyouthinkofdoing？"
　　"Iwanttobecomeamilitaryengineer，butifneedsmustIamreadytoenlistasaprivatesoldier。"
　　"Icangiveyouboardandlodgingtillyouhearfromyourmother。"
　　"Heavenhassentyouinmyway，"saidhe，kissingmyhandgratefully。
　　Ididnotsuspecthimofdeceivingme，thoughhestumbledsomewhatinhisnarrative。HowevermycuriosityledmetowritetoM。
　　Schauenbourg，whowasthenatStrasburg，toenquireifthetaleweretrue。
　　ThenextdayIhappenedtomeetanofficerofengineers，whotoldmethatyoungmenofeducationweresoplentifulthattheydidnotreceivethemintotheserviceunlesstheywerewillingtoserveascommonsoldiers。Iwassorryfortheyoungmantobereducedsolowasthat。Ibegantospendsometimewithhimeverydayinmathematicalcalculations，andIconceivedtheideaoftakinghimwithmetoSt。Petersburg，andbroachedthesubjecttohim。
　　"Itwouldbeapieceofgoodfortuneforme，"hereplied，"andtoshewmygratitudeIwillgladlywaitonyouasaservantduringthejourney。"
　　HespokeFrenchbadly，butashewasaLorrainerIwasnotastonishedatthat。NeverthelessIwassurprisedtofindthathedidnotknowawordofLatin，andthathisspellingwasofthewildestdescription。
　　Hesawmelaughing，butdidnotseemintheleastashamed。Indeedhesaidthathehadonlygonetoschooltolearnmathematics，andthathewasverygladthathehadescapedtheinflictionoflearninggrammar。Indeed，oneverysubjectbesidesmathematics，hewasprofoundlyignorant。Hehadnomannerswhatever；infact，hewasamerepeasant。
　　TenortwelvedayslaterIreceivedaletterfromM。deSchauenbourg，sayingthatthenameofLambertwasunknowninStrasburg，andthatnocadethadbeenkilledorwounded。
　　WhenIshewedLambertthisletterhesaidthatashewishedtoenterthearmyhethoughtitwouldbeofservicetohimtoshewthathewasbrave，addingthatasthisliehadnotbeentoldwiththeideaofimposingonmeIshouldforgiveit。
　　"Poverty，"saidhe，"isarascallyteacher，thatgivesamansomebadlessons。Iamnotaliarbydisposition，butIhaveneverthelesstoldyoualieonanotherandamoreimportantmatter。Idon’texpectanymoneywhateverfrommypoormother，whoratherneedsthatIshouldsendmoneytoher。Soforgiveme，andbesureIshallbeafaithfulservanttoyou。"
　　Iwasalwaysreadytoforgiveothermen’speccadilloes，andnotwithoutcause。IlikedLambert’slineofargument，andtoldhimthatwewouldsetoutinfiveorsixdays。
　　BaronBodisson，aVenetianwhowantedtosellthekingapicturebyAndreadelSarto，askedmetocomewithhimtoPotsdamandthedesireofseeingthemonarchonceagainmademeaccepttheinvitation。WhenIreachedPotsdamIwenttoseetheparadeatwhichFrederickwasnearlyalwaystobefound。WhenhesawmehecameupandaskedmeinafamiliarmannerwhenIwasgoingtostartforSt。Petersburg。
　　"Infiveorsixdays，ifyourmajestyhasnoobjection。"
　　"Iwishyouapleasantjourney；butwhatdoyouhopetodointhatland？"
　　"WhatIhopedtodointhisland，namely，topleasethesovereign。"
　　"Haveyougotanintroductiontotheempress？"
　　"No，butIhaveanintroductiontoabanker。"
　　"Ah！that’smuchbetter。IfyoupassthroughPrussiaonyourreturnIshallbedelightedtohearofyouradventuresinRussia。"
　　"Farewell，sire。"
　　SuchwasthesecondinterviewIhadwiththisgreatking，whomI
　　neversawagain。
　　AfterIhadtakenleaveofallmyfriendsIappliedtoBaronTreidel，whogavemealetterforM。deKaiserling，lord—chancelloratMitau，andanotherletterforhissister，theDuchessofCourland，andI
　　spentthelastnightwiththecharmingMadameDenis。Sheboughtmypost—chaise，andIstartedwithtwohundredducatsinmypurse。ThiswouldhavebeenampleforthewholejourneyifIhadnotbeensofoolishastoreduceitbyhalfatapartyofpleasurewithsomeyoungmerchantsatDantzic。IwasthusunabletostayafewdaysatKoenigsberg，thoughIhadalettertoField—MarshalvonLewald，whowasthegovernoroftheplace。Icouldonlystayonedaytodinewiththispleasantoldsoldier，whogavemealetterforhisfriendGeneralWoiakoff，theGovernorofRiga。
　　IfoundIwasrichenoughtoarriveatMitauinstate，andI
　　thereforetookacarriageandsix，andreachedmydestinationinthreedays。AttheinnwhereIputupIfoundaFlorentineartistenamedBregonei，whooverwhelmedmewithcaresses，tellingmethatI
　　hadlovedherwhenIwasaboyandworethecassock。IsawhersixyearslateratFlorence，whereshewaslivingwithMadameDenis。
　　ThedayaftermydeparturefromMemel，IwasaccostedintheopencountrybyamanwhomIrecognizedasaJew。HeinformedmethatI
　　wasonPolishterritory，andthatImustpaydutyonwhatevermerchandiseIhadwithme。
　　"Iamnomerchant，"saidI，"andyouwillgetnothingoutofme。"
　　"Ihavetherighttoexamineyoureffects，"repliedtheIsraelite，"andImeantomakeuseofit。"
　　"Youareamadman，"Iexclaimed，andIorderedthepostilliontowhiphimoff。
　　ButtheJewranandseizedtheforehorsesbythebridleandstoppedus，andthepostillion，insteadofwhippinghim，waitedwithTeutoniccalmformetocomeandsendtheJewaway。Iwasinafuriousrage，andleapingoutwithmycaneinonehandandapistolintheotherI
　　soonputtheJewtoflightafterapplyingaboutadozengoodsoundblowstohisback。Inoticedthatduringthecombatmyfellow—
　　traveller，myArchimedes—in—ordinary，whohadbeenasleepalltheway，didnotoffertostir。Ireproachedhimforhiscowardice；buthetoldmethathedidnotwanttheJewtosaythatwehadsetonhimtwotoone。
　　IarrivedatMitautwodaysafterthisburlesqueadventureandgotdownattheinnfacingthecastle。Ihadonlythreeducatsleft。
　　ThenextmorningIcalledonM。deKaiserling，whoreadtheBarondeTreidel’sletter，andintroducedmetohiswife，andleftmewithhertotakethebaron’slettertohissister。
　　MadamedeKaiserlingorderedacupofchocolatetobebroughtmebyabeautifulyoungPolishgirl，whostoodbeforemewithloweredeyesasifshewishedtogivemetheopportunityofexaminingheratease。
　　AsIlookedatherawhimcameintomyhead，and，asthereaderisaware，Ihaveneverresistedanyofmywhims。However，thiswasacuriousone。AsIhavesaid，Ihadonlythreeducatsleft，butafterIhademptiedthecupofchocolateIputitbackontheplateandthethreeducatswithit。
　　Thechancellorcamebackandtoldmethattheduchesscouldnotseemejustthen，butthatsheinvitedmetoasupperandballshewasgivingthatevening。Iacceptedthesupperandrefusedtheball，onthepretextthatIhadonlysummerclothesandablacksuit。ItwasinthebeginningofOctober，andthecoldwasalreadycommencingtomakeitselffelt。ThechancellorreturnedtotheCourt，andItomyinn。
　　Halfanhourlaterachamberlaincametobringmeherhighness’scompliments，andtoinformmethattheballwouldbeamaskedone，andthatIcouldappearindomino。
　　"YoucaneasilygetonefromtheJews，"headded。Hefurtherinformedmethattheballwastohavebeenafull—dressone，butthattheduchesshadsentwordtoallthegueststhatitwouldbemasked，asastrangerwhowastobepresenthadsentonhistrunks。
　　"Iamsorrytohavecausedsomuchtrouble，"saidI。
　　"Notatall，"hereplied，"themaskedballwillbemuchmorerelishedbythepeople。"
　　Hementionedthetimeitwastobegin，andleftme。
　　NodoubtthereaderwillthinkthatIfoundmyselfinanawkwardpredicament，andIwillbehonestandconfessIwasfarfrombeingatmyease。However，mygoodluckcametomyassistance。
　　AsPrussianmoney（whichistheworstinGermany）isnotcurrentinRussia，aJewcameandaskedmeifIhadanyfriedrichsd’or，offeringtoexchangethemagainstducatswithoutputtingmetoanyloss。
　　"Ihaveonlyducats，"Ireplied，"andthereforeIcannotprofitbyyouroffer。"
　　"Iknowitsir，andyougivethemawayverycheaply。"
　　Notunderstandingwhathemeant，Isimplygazedathim，andhewentontosaythathewouldbegladtoletmehavetwohundredducatsifIwouldkindlygivehimabillonSt。Petersburgforroublestothatamount。
　　Iwassomewhatsurprisedatthefellow’strustfulness，butafterpretendingtothinkthematteroverIsaidthatIwasnotinwantofducats，butthatIwouldtakeahundredtoobligehim。Hecountedoutthemoneygratefully，andIgavehimabillonthebanker，DemetrioPapanelopoulo，forwhomDaLogliohadgivenmealetter。
　　TheJewwenthisway，thankingme，andsayingthathewouldsendmesomebeautifuldominostochoosefrom。JustthenIrememberedthatI
　　wantedsilkstockings，andIsentLambertaftertheJewtotellhimtosendsome。WhenhecamebackhetoldmethatthelandlordhadstoppedhimtosaythatIscatteredmyducatsbroadcast，astheJewhadinformedhimthatIhadgiventhreeducatstoMadamedeKaiserling’smaid。
　　This，then，wasthekeytothemystery，anditmademelosemyselfinwonderatthestrangenessofthedecreesoffortune。IshouldnothavebeenabletogetasinglecrownatMitauifithadnotbeenforthewayinwhichIscatteredmythreeremainingducats。Nodoubttheastonishedgirlhadpublishedmygenerosityalloverthetown，andtheJew，intentonmoney—making，hadhastenedtoofferhisducatstotherichnoblemanwhothoughtsolittleofhismoney。
　　IrepairedtoCourtatthetimeappointed，andM。deKaiserlingimmediatelypresentedmetotheduchess，andshetotheduke，whowasthecelebratedBiron，orBirlen，theformerfavouriteofAnnaIvanovna。Hewassixfeetinheight，andstillpreservedsometracesofhavingbeenafineman，butoldagehadlaiditsheavyhandonhim。Ihadalongtalkwithhimthedayaftertheball。
　　Aquarterofanhouraftermyarrival，theballbeganwithapolonaise。Iwasastrangerwithintroductions，sotheduchessaskedmetoopentheballwithher。Ididnotknowthedance，butI
　　managedtoacquitmyselfhonourablyinit，asthestepsaresimpleandlendthemselvestothefancyofthedancer。
　　Afterthepolonaisewedancedminuets，andasomewhatelderlyladyaskedmeifIcoulddancethe"KingConqueror，"soIproceededtoexecuteitwithher。IthadgoneoutoffashionsincethetimeoftheRegency，butmycompanionmayhaveshoneinitinthosedays。
　　Alltheyoungerladiesstoodroundandwatcheduswithadmiration。
　　Afterasquaredance，inwhichIhadaspartnerMdlle。deManteufel，theprettiestoftheduchess’smaidsofhonour，herhighnesstoldmethatsupperwasready。Icameuptoherandofferedmyarm，andpresentlyfoundmyselfseatedbesideheratatablelaidfortwelvewhereIwastheonlygentleman。However，thereaderneednotenvyme；theladieswereallelderlydowagers，whohadlonglostthepowerofturningmen’sheads。Theduchesstookthegreatestcareofmycomforts，andattheendoftherepastgavemewithherownhandsaglassofliqueur，whichItookforTokayandpraisedaccordingly，butitturnedouttobeonlyoldEnglishale。Itookherbacktotheballwhenwerosefromtable。Theyoungchamberlainwhohadinvitedmetoldmethenamesofalltheladiespresent，butIhadnotimetopaymycourttoanyofthem。
　　ThenextdayIdinedwithM。deKaiserling，andhandedLambertovertoaJewtobeclothedproperly。
　　ThedayafterIdinedwiththedukewithapartyconsistingonlyofmen。Theoldprincemademedomostofthetalking，andtowardstheendofthedinnertheconversationfellupontheresourcesofthecountrywhichwasrichinmineralsandsemi—minerals。Itookitintomyheadtosaythattheseresourcesoughttobedeveloped，andthattheywouldbecomepreciousifthatweredone。TojustifythisremarkIhadtospeakuponthematterasifIhadmadeitmyprincipalstudy。Anoldchamberlain，whohadthecontrolofthemines，afterallowingmetoexhaustmyenthusiasm，begantodiscussthequestionhimself，madediversobjections，butseemedtoapproveofmanyofmyremarks。
　　IfIhadreflectedwhenIbegantospeakinthismannerthatIshouldhavetoactuptomywords，Ishouldcertainlyhavesaidmuchless；
　　butasitwas，thedukefanciedthatIknewmuchmorethanIcaredtosay。Theresultwasthat，whenthecompanyhadrisenfromthetable，heaskedmeifIcouldsparehimafortnightonmywaytoSt。
　　Petersburg。IsaidIshouldbegladtoobligehim，andhetookmetohisclosetandsaidthatthechamberlainwhohadspokentomewouldconductmeoveralltheminesandmanufactoriesinhisduchies，andthathewouldbemuchobligedifIwouldwritedownanyobservationsthatstruckme。Iagreedtohisproposal，andsaidIwouldstartthenextday。
　　Thedukewasdelightedwithmycompliance，andgavethechamberlainthenecessaryorders，anditwasagreedthatheshouldcallformeatday—breakwithacarriageandsix。
　　WhenIgothomeImademypreparations，andtoldLamberttobereadytoaccompanymewithhiscaseofinstruments。Itheninformedhimoftheobjectofthejourney，andhepromisedtoassistmetothebestofhisability，thoughheknewnothingaboutmines，andstilllessofthescienceofadministration。
　　Westartedatday—break，withaservantonthebox，andtwoothersprecedingusonhorseback，armedtotheteeth。Wechangedhorseseverytwoorthreehours，andthechamberlainhavingbroughtplentyofwinewerefreshedourselvesnowandagain。
　　Thetourlastedafortnight，andwestoppedatfiveironandcoppermanufactories。IfounditwasnotnecessarytohavemuchtechnicalknowledgetomakenotesonwhatIsaw；allIrequiredwasalittlesoundargument，especiallyinthematterofeconomy，whichwastheduke’smainobject。InoneplaceIadvisedreforms，andinanotherI
　　counselledtheemploymentofmorehandsaslikelytobenefittherevenue。InoneminewherethirtyconvictswereemployedIorderedtheconstructionofashortcanal，bywhichthreewheelscouldbeturnedandtwentymensaved。UndermydirectionLambertdrewtheplans，andmadethemeasurementswithperfectaccuracy。BymeansofothercanalsIproposedtodrainwholevalleys，withaviewtoobtainthesulphurwithwhichthesoilwaspermeated。
　　IreturnedtoMitauquitedelightedathavingmademyselfuseful，andathavingdiscoveredinmyselfatalentwhichIhadneversuspected。
　　Ispentthefollowingdayinmakingafaircopyofmyreportandinhavingtheplansdoneonalargerscale。ThedayafterItookthewholetotheduke，whoseemedwellpleased；andasIwastakingleaveofhimatthesametimehesaidhewouldhavemedrivetoRigainoneofhiscarriages，andhegavemealetterforhisson，PrinceCharles，whowasingarrisonthere。
　　TheworthyoldmantoldmetosayplainlywhetherIshouldpreferajewelorasumofmoneyofequivalentvalue。
　　"Fromaphilosopherlikeyourhighness，"Ireplied，"Iamnotafraidtotakemoney，foritmaybemoreusefultomethanjewels。"
　　Withoutmoreadohegavemeadraftforfourhundredalbertsthalers，whichIgotcashedimmediately，thealbertsthalerbeingworthhalfaducat。Ibadefarewelltotheduchess，anddinedasecondtimewithM。deKaiserling。
　　Thenextdaytheyoungchamberlaincametobringmetheduke’sletter，towishmeapleasantjourney，andtotellmethattheCourtcarriagewasatmydoor。IsetoutwellpleasedwiththeassistancethestutteringLamberthadgivenme，andbynoonIwasatRiga。ThefirstthingIdidwastodelivermyletterofintroductiontoPrinceCharles。
　　EndRussiaandPolandByJacquesCasanovaTHEMEMOIRSOFJACQUESCASANOVADESEINGALT
　　THERAREUNABRIDGEDLONDONEDITIONOF1894TRANSLATEDBYARTHUR
　　MACHENTOWHICHHASBEENADDEDTHECHAPTERSDISCOVEREDBYARTHUR
　　SYMONS。
　　MEMOIRSOFJACQUESCASANOVAdeSEINGALT1725—1798
　　INLONDONANDMOSCOW，Volume5e——RUSSIAANDPOLAND
　　RUSSIAANDPOLAND
　　CHAPTERXIX
　　MyStayatRiga——CampioniSt。Heleine——D’Asagon——ArrivaloftheEmpress——ILeaveRigaandGotoSt。Petersburg——ISeeSociety——IBuyZairaPrinceCharlesdeBiron，theyoungersonoftheDukeofCourland，Major—GeneralintheRussianservice，KnightoftheOrderofSt。
　　AlexanderNewski，gavemeadistinguishedreceptionafterreadinghisfather’sletter。Hewasthirty—sixyearsofage，pleasant—lookingwithoutbeinghandsome，andpoliteandwell—mannered，andhespokeFrenchextremelywell。InafewsentencesheletmeknowwhathecoulddoformeifIintendedtospendsometimeatRiga。Histable，hisfriends，hispleasures，hishorses，hisadvice，andhispurse，allthesewereatmyservice，andheofferedthemwiththefranknessofthesoldierandthegenialityoftheprince。
　　"Icannotofferyoualodging，"hesaid，"becauseIhavehardlyenoughroomformyself，butIwillseethatyougetacomfortableapartmentsomewhere。"
　　Theapartmentwassoonfound，andIwastakentoitbyoneoftheprince’saides—de—camp。Iwasscarcelyestablishedwhentheprincecametoseeme，andmademedinewithhimjustasIwas。Itwasanunceremoniousdinner，andIwaspleasedtomeetCampioni，ofwhomI
　　havespokenseveraltimesintheseMemoirs。Hewasadancer，butverysuperiortohisfellows，andfitforthebestcompanypolite，witty，intelligent，andalibertineinagentlemanlyway。Hewasdevoidofprejudices，andfondofwomen，goodcheer，andheavyplay，andknewhowtokeepanevenmindbothingoodandevilfortune。Weweremutuallypleasedtoseeeachotheragain。
　　Anotherguest，acertainBarondeSt。HeleinefromSavoy，hadaprettybutveryinsignificantwife。Thebaron，afatman，wasagamester，agourmand，andaloverofwine；addthathewasapastmasterintheartofgettingintodebtandlullinghiscreditorsintoastateoffalsesecurity，andyouhaveallhiscapacities，forinallotherrespectshewasafoolinthefullestsenseoftheword。
　　Anaide—decampandtheprince’smistressalsodinedwithus。Thismistress，whowaspale，thin，anddreamy—looking，butalsopretty，mightbetwentyyearsold。Shehardlyateanything，sayingthatshewasillanddidnotlikeanythingonthetable。Discontentsheweditselfonhereveryfeature。Theprinceendeavoured，butallinvain，tomakehereatanddrink，sherefusedeverythingdisdainfully。
　　Theprincelaughedgood—humouredlyatherinsuchamannerasnottowoundherfeelings。
　　Wespenttwohourspleasantlyenoughattable，andaftercoffeehadbeenserved，theprince，whohadbusiness，shookmebythehandandleftmewithCampioni，tellingmealwaystoregardhistableasmylastresource。
　　Thisoldfriendandfellow—countrymantookmetohishousetointroducemetohiswifeandfamily。Ididnotknowthathehadmarriedasecondtime。Ifoundtheso—calledwifetobeanEnglishwoman，thin，butfullofintelligence。Shehadadaughterofeleven，whomighteasilyhavebeentakenforfifteen；she，too，wasmarvellouslyintelligent，anddanced，sang，andplayedonthepianoandgavesuchglancesthatshewedthatnaturehadbeenswifterthanheryears。Shemadeaconquestofme，andherfathercongratulatedmetomydelight，buthermotheroffendedherdreadfullybycallingherbaby。
　　IwentforawalkwithCampioni，whogavemeagooddealofinformation，beginningwithhimself。
　　"Ihavelivedfortenyears，"hesaid，"withthatwoman。Betty，whomyouadmiredsomuch，isnotmydaughter，theothersaremychildrenbymyEnglishwoman。IhaveleftSt。Petersburgfortwoyears，andI
　　liveherewellenough，andhavepupilswhodomecredit。Iplaywiththeprince，sometimeswinningandsometimeslosing，butIneverwinenoughtoenablemetosatisfyawretchedcreditorIleftatSt。
　　Petersburg，whopersecutesmeonaccountofabillofexchange。Hemayputmeinprisonanyday，andIamalwaysexpectinghimtodoso。"
　　"Isthebillforalargesum？"
　　"Fivehundredroubles。"
　　"Thatisonlytwothousandfrancs。"
　　"Yes，butunfortunatelyIhavenotgotit。"
　　"Yououghttoannulthedebtbypayingsmallsumsonaccount。"
　　"Therascalwon’tletme。"
　　"Thenwhatdoyouproposedoing？"
　　"Winaheavysum，ifIcan，andescapeintoPoland。
　　"TheBarondeSt。Heleinewillrunaway，tooifhecan，forheonlylivesoncredit。Theprinceisveryusefultous，asweareabletoplayathishouse；butifwegetintodifficultyhecouldnotextricateus，asheisheavilyindebthimself。Healwayslosesatplay。Hismistressisexpensive，andgiveshimagreatdealoftroublebyherill—humour。"
　　"Whyisshesosour？"
　　"Shewantshimtokeephisword，forhepromisedtogethermarriedattheendoftwoyears；andonthestrengthofthispromiseshelethimgivehertwochildren。Thetwoyearshavepassedbyandthechildrenarethere，andshewillnolongerallowhimtohaveanythingtodowithherforfearofhavingathirdchild。"
　　"Can’ttheprincefindherahusband？"
　　"Hedidfindheralieutenant，butshewon’thearofanybodyundertherankofmajor。"
　　TheprincegaveastatedinnertoGeneralWoyakoff（forwhomIhadaletter），BaronessKorf，MadameIttinoff，andtoayoungladywhowasgoingtomarryBaronBudberg，whomIhadknownatFlorence，Turin，andAugsburg，andwhomImaypossiblyhaveforgottentomention。
　　Allthesefriendsmademespendthreeweeksverypleasantly，andI
　　wasespeciallypleasedwitholdGeneralWoyakoff。ThisworthymanhadbeenatVenicefiftyyearsbefore，whentheRussianswerestillcalledMuscovites，andthefounderofSt。Petersburgwasstillalive。
　　Hehadgrownoldlikeanoak，withoutchanginghishorizons。Hethoughttheworldwasjustthesameasithadbeenwhenhewasyoung，andwaseloquentinhispraiseoftheVenetianGovernment，imaginingittobestillthesameashehadleftit。
　　AtRigaanEnglishmerchantnamedCollinstoldmethattheso—calledBarondeStenau，whohadgivenmetheforgedbillofexchange，hadbeenhangedinPortugal。This"baron"wasapoorclerk，andthesonofasmalltradesman，andhadlefthisdeskinsearchofadventure，andthushehadended。MayGodhavemercyuponhissoul！
　　OneeveningaRussian，onhiswayfromPoland，wherehehadbeenexecutingsomecommissionfortheRussianCourt，calledontheprince，played，andlosttwentythousandroublesonhiswordofhonour。Campioniwasthedealer。TheRussiangavebillsofexchangeinpaymentofhisdebts；butassoonashegottoSt。Petersburghedishonouredhisownbills，anddeclaredthemworthless，notcaringforhishonourorgoodfaith。Theresultofthispieceofknaverywasnotonlythathiscreditorsweredefrauded，butgamingwashenceforthstrictlyforbiddenintheofficers’quarters。
　　ThisRussianwasthesamethatbetrayedthesecretsofElizabethPetrovna，whenshewasatwarwithPrussia。HecommunicatedtoPeter，theempress’snephewandheir—presumptive，alltheordersshesenttohergenerals，andPeterinhisturnpassedontheinformationtothePrussiankingwhomheworshipped。
　　OnthedeathofElizabeth，Peterputthistraitorattheheadofthedepartmentforcommerce，andthefellowactuallymadeknown，withtheCzar’ssanction，theserviceforwhichhehadreceivedsuchareward，andthus，insteadoflookinguponhisconductasdisgraceful，hegloriedoverit。Petercouldnothavebeenawareofthefactthat，thoughitissometimesnecessarytorewardtreachery，thetraitorhimselfisalwaysabhorredanddespised。
　　IhaveremarkedthatitwasCampioniwhodealt，buthedealtfortheprincewhoheldthebank。Ihadcertainclaims，butasIremarkedthatIexpectednothingandwouldgladlysellmyexpectationsforahundredroubles，theprincetookmeatmywordandgavemetheamountimmediately。ThusIwastheonlypersonwhomadeanymoneybyournight’splay。
　　CatherineII，wishingtoshewherselftohernewsubjects，overwhomshewasinrealitysupreme，thoughshehadputtheghostofakinginthepersonofStanislasPoniatowski，herformerfavourite，onthethroneofPoland，cametoRiga，anditwasthenIsawthisgreatsovereignforthefirsttime。IwasawitnessofthekindnessandaffabilitywithwhichshetreatedtheLivoniannobility，andofthewayinwhichshekissedtheyoungladies，whohadcometokissherhand，uponthemouth。ShewassurroundedbytheOrloffsandbyothernobleswhohadassistedinplacingheronthethrone。Forthecomfortandpleasureofherloyalsubjectstheempressgraciouslyexpressedherintentionofholdingabankatfarooftenthousandroubles。
　　Instantlythetableandthecardswerebroughtforward，andthepilesofgoldplacedinorder。Shetookthecards，pretendedtoshufflethem，andgavethemtothefirstcomertocut。Shehadthepleasureofseeingherbankbrokenatthefirstdeal，andindeedthisresultwastobeexpected，asanybodynotanabsoluteidiotcouldseehowthecardsweregoing。ThenextdaytheempresssetoutforMitau，wheretriumphalarcheswereerectedinherhonour。Theyweremadeofwood，asstoneisscarceinPoland，andindeedtherewouldnothavebeentimetobuildstonearches。
　　Thedayafterherarrivalgreatalarmprevailed，fornewscamethatarevolutionwasreadytoburstoutatSt。Petersburg，andsomeevensaidthatithadbegun。TherebelswishedtohaveforthfromhisprisonthehaplessIvanIvanovitz，whohadbeenproclaimedemperorinhiscradle，anddethronedbyElizabethPetrovna。Twoofficerstowhomtheguardianshipoftheprincehadbeenconfidedhadkilledthepoorinnocentmonarchwhentheysawthattheywouldbeoverpowered。
　　TheassassinationoftheinnocentprincecreatedsuchasensationthatthewaryPanin，fearingfortheresults，sentcourieraftercouriertotheempressurginghertoreturntoSt。Petersburgandshewherselftothepeople。
　　CatherinewasthusobligedtoleaveMitautwenty—fourhoursaftershehadenteredit，andafterhasteningbacktothecapitalshearrivedonlytofindthattheexcitementhadentirelysubsided。ForpoliticreasonstheassassinsofthewretchedIvanwererewarded，andtheboldmanwhohadendeavouredtorisebyherfallwasbeheaded。
　　ThereportranthatCatherinehadconcertedthewholeaffairwiththeassassins，butthiswasspeedilysetdownasacalumny。Theczarinawasstrong—minded，butneithercruelnorperfidious。WhenIsawheratRigashewasthirty—five，andhadreignedtwoyears。Shewasnotpreciselyhandsome，butneverthelessherappearancewaspleasing，herexpressionkindly，andtherewasaboutheranairofcalmandtranquillitywhichneverlefther。
　　AtaboutthesametimeafriendofBarondeSt。HeleinearrivedfromSt。PetersburgonhiswaytoWarsaw。HisnamewasMarquisDragon，buthecalledhimselfd’Aragon。HecamefromNaples，wasagreatgamester，askilledswordsman，andwasalwaysreadytoextracthimselffromadifficultybyaduel。HehadleftSt。PetersburgbecausetheOrloffshadpersuadedtheempresstoprohibitgamesofchance。ItwasthoughtstrangethattheprohibitionshouldcomefromtheOrloffs，asgaminghadbeentheirprincipalmeansofgainingalivelihoodbeforetheyenteredonthemoredangerousandcertainlynotmorehonourableprofessionofconspiracy。However，thismeasurewasreallyasensibleone。Havingbeengamestersthemselvestheyknewthatgamestersaremostlyknaves，andalwaysreadytoenterintoanyintrigueorconspiracyprovideditassuresthemsomesmallgain；
　　therecouldnothavebeenbetterjudgesofgaminganditsconsequencesthantheywere。
　　Butthoughagamestermaybearoguehemaystillhaveagoodheart，anditisonlyjusttosaythatthiswasthecasewiththeOrloffs。
　　Alexisgainedtheslashwhichadornshisfaceinatavern，andthemanwhogavetheblowhadjustlosttohimalargesumofmoney，andconsideredhisopponent’ssuccesstoberathertheresultofdexteritythanfortune。WhenAlexisbecamerichandpowerful，insteadofrevenginghimself，hehastenedtomakehisenemy’sfortune。Thiswasnoblydone。
　　Dragon，whosefirstprinciplewasalwaystoturnupthebestcard，andwhosesecondprinciplewasnevertoshirkaduel，hadgonetoSt。
　　Petersburgin1759withtheBarondeSt。Heleine。Elizabethwasstillonthethrone，butPeter，DukeofHolstein，theheir—
　　presumptive，hadalreadybeguntoloomlargeonthehorizon。Dragonusedtofrequentthefencingschoolwheretheprincewasafrequentvisitor，andthereencounteredallcomerssuccessfully。Thedukegotangry，andonedayhetookupafoilanddefiedtheNeapolitanmarquistoacombat。Dragonacceptedandwasthoroughlybeaten，whilethedukewentoffintriumph，forhemightsayfromhenceforththathewasthebestfencerinSt。Petersburg。
　　Whentheprincehadgone，Dragoncouldnotwithstandthetemptationofsayingthathehadonlylethimselfbebeatenforfearofoffendinghisantagonist；andthisboastsoongottothegrand—duke’sears。Thegreatmanwasterriblyenraged，andsworehewouldhavehimbanishedfromSt。Petersburgifhedidnotuseallhisskill，andatthesametimehesentanordertoDragontobeatthefencingschoolthenextday。
　　Theimpatientdukewasthefirsttoarrive，andd’Aragonwasnotlongincoming。Theprincebeganreproachinghimforwhathehadsaidthedaybefore，buttheNeapolitan，farfromdenyingthefact，expressedhimselfthathehadfelthimselfobligedtoshewhisrespectforhisprincebylettinghimraphimaboutforupwardsoftwohours。
　　"Verygood，"saidtheduke，"butnowitisyourturn；andifyoudon’tdoyourbestIwilldriveyoufromSt。Petersburg。"
　　"Mylord，yourhighnessshallbeobeyed。Ishallnotallowyoutotouchmeonce，butIhopeyouwilldeigntotakemeunderyourprotection。"
　　Thetwochampionspassedthewholemorningwiththefoils，andthedukewashitahundredtimeswithoutbeingabletotouchhisantagonist。Atlast，convincedofDragon’ssuperiority，hethrewdownhisfoilandshookhimbythehand，andmadehimhisfencer—in—
　　ordinary，withtherankofmajorinhisregimentofHolsteiners。
　　Shortlyafter，D’Aragonhavingwonthegoodgracesofthedukeobtainedleavetoholdabankatfaroinhiscourt，andinthreeorfouryearsheamassedafortuneofahundredthousandroubles，whichhetookwithhimtotheCourtofKingStanislas，wheregamesofallsortswereallowed。WhenhepassedthroughRiga，St。HeleineintroducedhimtoPrinceCharles，whobeggedhimtocallonhimthenextday，andtoshewhisskillwiththefoilsagainsthimselfandsomeofhisfriends。Ihadthehonourtobeofthenumber；andthoroughlywellhebeatus，forhisskillwasthatofademon。Iwasvainenoughtobecomeangryatbeinghitateverypass，andtoldhimthatIshouldnotbeafraidtomeethimatagameofsharps。Hewascalmer，andrepliedbytakingmyhand，andsaying，——
　　"WiththenakedswordIfenceinquiteanotherstyle，andyouarequiterightnottofearanyone，foryoufenceverywell。"
　　D’AragonsetoutforWarsawthenextday，butheunfortunatelyfoundtheplaceoccupiedbymorecunningGreeksthanhimself。Insixmonthstheyhadrelievedhimofhishundredthousandroubles，butsuchisthelotofgamesters；nocraftcanbemorewretchedthantheirs。
　　AweekbeforeIleftRiga（whereIstayedtwomonths）CampionifledbyfavourofthegoodPrinceCharles，andinafewdaystheBarondeSt。Heleinefollowedhimwithouttakingleaveofanoblearmyofcreditors。HeonlywrotealettertotheEnglishmanCollins，towhomheowedathousandcrowns，tellinghimthatlikeanhonestmanhehadlefthisdebtswherehehadcontractedthem。Weshallhearmoreofthesethreepersonsinthecourseoftwoyears。
　　Campionileftmehistravellingcarriage，whichobligedmetousesixhorsesonmyjourneytoSt。Petersburg。IwassorrytoleaveBetty，andIkeptupanepistolarycorrespondencewithhermotherthroughoutthewholeofmystayatSt。Petersburg。
　　IleftRigawiththethermometerindicatingfifteendegreesoffrost，butthoughItravelleddayandnight，notleavingthecarriageforthesixtyhoursforwhichmyjourneylasted，Ididnotfeelthecoldintheleast。Ihadtakencaretopayallthestagesinadvance，andMarshalBraun，GovernorofLivonia，hadgivenmetheproperpassport。
　　OntheboxseatwasaFrenchservantwhohadbeggedmetoallowhimtowaitonmeforthejourneyinreturnforaseatbesidethecoachman。Hekepthiswordandservedmewell，andthoughhewasbutillcladheborethehorriblecoldfortwodaysandthreenightswithoutappearingtofeelit。ItisonlyaFrenchmanwhocanbearsuchtrials；aRussianinsimilarattirewouldhavebeenfrozentodeathintwenty—fourhours，despiteplentifuldosesofcornbrandy。
　　IlostsightofthisindividualwhenIarrivedatSt。Petersburg，butImethimagainthreemonthsafter，richlydressed，andoccupyingaseatbesidemineatthetableofM。deCzernitscheff。Hewastheuchiteloftheyoungcount，whosatbesidehim。ButIshallhaveoccasiontospeakmoreatlengthoftheofficeofuchitel，ortutor，inRussia。
　　AsforLambert，whowasbesidemeinthecarriage，hedidnothingbuteat，drink，andsleepthewholeway；seldomspeaking，forhestammered，andcouldonlytalkaboutmathematicalproblems，onwhichIwasnotalwaysinthehumourtoconverse。Hewasneveramusing，neverhadanysensibleobservationtomakeonthevariedscenesthroughwhichwepassed；inshort，hewasafool，andwearisometoallsavehimself。
　　Iwasonlystoppedonce，andthatwasatNawa，wheretheauthoritiesdemandedapassport，whichIdidnotpossess。ItoldthegovernorthatasIwasaVenetian，andonlytravelledforpleasure，Ididnotconceiveapassportwouldbenecessary，myRepublicnotbeingatwarwithanyotherpower，andRussiahavingnoembassyatVenice。
　　"Nevertheless，"Iadded，"ifyourexcellencywillsitIwillturnback；butIshallcomplaintoMarshalBraun，whogavemethepassportforposting，knowingthatIhadnotthepoliticalpassport。"
　　Afterrubbinghisforeheadforaminute，thegovernorgavemeapass，whichIstillpossess，andwhichbroughtmeintoSt。Petersburg，withoutmyhavingtoallowthecustom—houseofficerstoinspectmytrunks。