IspentanextremelypleasantfourmonthsatAugsburg，suppingtwiceorthriceaweekatCountLamberg’s。AtthesesuppersImadetheacquaintanceofaveryremarkableman——CountThuraandValsamina，thenapageintheprince—bishop’shousehold，nowDeanofRatisbon。Hewasalwaysatthecount’s，aswasalsoDr。Algardi，ofBologna，theprince’sphysicianandadelightfulman。
　　IoftensawatthesamehouseacertainBaronSellenthin，aPrussianofficer，whowasalwaysrecruitingforhismasteratAugsburg。Hewasapleasantman，somewhatintheGasconstyle，soft—spoken，andanexpertgamester。FiveorsixyearsagoIhadaletterfromhimdatedDresden，inwhichhesaidthatthoughhewasold，andhadmarriedarichwife，herepentedofhavingmarriedatall。IshouldsaythesameifIhadeverchancedtomarry。
　　DuringmystayatAugsburgseveralPoles，whohadlefttheircountryonaccountofthetroubles，cametoseeme。AmongstotherswasRzewuski，theroyalProthonotary，whomIhadknownatSt。PetersburgastheloverofpoorMadameLanglade。
　　"Whatadiet！Whatplots！Whatcounterplots！Whatmisfortunes！"saidthishonestPole，tome。"Happyaretheywhohavenothingtodowithit！"
　　HewasgoingtoSpa，andheassuredmethatifIfollowedhimIshouldfindPrinceAdam’ssister，Tomatis，andMadameCatai，whohadbecomethemanager’swife。IdeterminedtogotoSpa，andtotakemeasuressothatImightgotherewiththreeorfourhundredducatsinmypurse。TothisintentIwrotetoPrinceCharlesofCourland，whowasatVenice，tosendmeahundredducats，andinmyletterIgavehimaninfalliblereceiptforthephilosopher’sstone。Thelettercontainingthisvastsecretwasnotincypher，soIadvisedhimtoburnitafterhehadreadit，assuringhimthatIpossessedacopy。Hedidnotdoso，anditwastakentoPariswithhisorderpaperswhenhewassenttotheBastile。
　　IfithadnotbeenfortheRevolutionmyletterwouldneverhaveseenthelight。WhentheBastillewasdestroyed，myletterwasfoundandprintedwithothercuriouscompositions，whichwereafterwardstranslatedintoGermanandEnglish。TheignorantfoolsthataboundinthelandwheremyfatewillsthatIshouldwritedownthechiefeventsofmylongandtroublouslife——thesefools，Isay，whoarenaturallymyswornfoes（fortheassliesnotdownwiththehorse），makethisletteranarticleofaccusationagainstme，andthinktheycanstopmymouthbytellingmethattheletterhasbeentranslatedintoGerman，andremainstomyeternalshame。TheignorantBohemiansareastonishedwhenItellthemthatIregardtheletterasredoundingtomyglory，andthatiftheirearswerenotquitesolongtheirblamewouldbeturnedintopraise。
　　Idonotknowwhethermyletterhasbeencorrectlytranslated，butsinceithasbecomepublicpropertyIshallsetitdownhereinhomagetotruth，theonlygodIadore。IhavebeforemeanexactcopyoftheoriginalwritteninAugsburgintheyear1767，andwearenowintheyear1798。
　　Itrunsasfollows:
　　"MYLORD，——Ihopeyourhighnesswilleitherburnthisletterafterreadingit，orelsepreserveitwiththegreatestcare。Itwillbebetter，however，tomakeacopyincypher，andtoburntheoriginal。Myattachmenttoyouisnotmyonlymotiveinwriting；Iconfessmyinterestisequallyconcerned。AllowmetosaythatIdonotwishyourhighnesstoesteemmealoneforanyqualitiesyoumayhaveobservedinme；IwishyoutobecomemydebtorbytheinestimablesecretIamgoingtoconfidetoyou。Thissecretrelatestothemakingofgold，theonlythingofwhichyourhighnessstandsinneed。Ifyouhadbeenmiserlybynatureyouwouldberichnow；butyouaregenerous，andwillbepoorallyourdaysifyoudonotmakeuseofmysecret。
　　"YourhighnesstoldmeatRigathatyouwouldlikemetogiveyouthesecretbywhichItransmutedironintocopper；Ineverdidso，butnowI
　　shallteachyouhowtomakeamuchmoremarvelloustransmutation。I
　　shouldpointouttoyou，however，thatyouarenotatpresentinasuitableplacefortheoperation，althoughallthematerialsareeasilyprocurable。Theoperationnecessitatesmypresencefortheconstructionofafurnace，andforthegreatcarenecessary，fartheleastmistakewillspoilall。ThetransmutationofMarsisaneasyandmerelymechanicalprocess，butthatofgoldisphilosophicalinthehighestdegree。ThegoldproducedwillbeequaltothatusedintheVenetiansequins。Youmustreflect，mylord，thatIamgivingyouinformationwhichwillpermityoutodispensewithme，andyoumustalsoreflectthatIamconfidingtoyoumylifeandmyliberty。
　　"ThestepIamtakingshouldinsureyourlife—longprotection，andshouldraiseyouabovethatprejudicewhichisentertainedagainstthegeneralmassofalchemists。Myvanitywouldbewoundedifyourefusetodistinguishmefromthecommonherdofoperators。AllIaskyouisthatyouwillwaittillwemeetbeforeundertakingtheprocess。Youcannotdoitbyyourself，andifyouemployanyotherpersonbutmyself，youwillbetraythesecret。Imusttellyouthat，usingthesamematerials，andbytheadditionofmercuryandnitre，ImadethetreeofprojectionfortheMarchionessd’UrfeandthePrincessofAnhalt。Zerbstcalculatedtheprofitasfiftypercent。Myfortunewouldhavebeenmadelongago，ifI
　　hadfoundaprincewiththecontrolofamintwhomIcouldtrust。Yourcharacterenablesmetoconfideinyou。However，wewillcometothepoint。
　　"Youmusttakefourouncesofgoodsilver，dissolveinaquafortis，precipitatesecundumartemwithcopper，thenwashinlukewarmwatertoseparatetheacids；dry，mixwithhalfanounceofsalammoniac，andplaceinasuitablevessel。Afterwardsyoumusttakeapoundofalum，apoundofHungarycrystals，fourouncesofverdigris，fourouncesofcinnabar，andtwoouncesofsulphur。Pulveriseandmix，andplaceinaretortofsuchsizethattheabovematterswillonlyhalffillit。Thisretortmustbeplacedoverafurnacewithfourdraughts，fortheheatmustberaisedtothefourthdegree。Atfirstyourfiremustbeslowsoastoextractthegrossphlegmofthematter，andwhenthespiritbeginstoappear，placethereceiverundertheretort，andLunawiththeammoniacsaltswillappearinit。AllthejoiningsmustbelutedwiththePhilosophicalLuting，andasthespiritcomes，soregulateyourfurnace，butdonotletitpassthethirddegreeofheat。
　　"Sosoonasthesublimationbeginsthenboldlyopenyourforthvent，buttakeheedthatthatwhichissublimedpassnotintothereceiverwhereisyourLuna，andsoyoumustshut，themouthoftheretortclosely，andkeepitsofortwenty—fourhours，andthentakeoffyourfastenings，andallowthedistillationtogoon。Thenyoumustincreaseyourfiresothatthespiritsmaypass，over，untilthematterintheretortisquitedesiccated。Afterthisoperationhasbeenperformedthreetimes，thenyoushallsee，thegoldappearintheretort。Thendrawitforthandmeltit，addingyourcorpusperfectum。Meltwithittwoouncesofgold，thenlayitinwater，andyoushallfindfourouncesofpuregold。
　　"Suchmylord，isthegoldmineforyourmintofMitau，bywhich，withtheassistanceofamanagerandfourmen，youcanassureyourselfarevenueofathousandducatsaweek，anddouble，andquadruplethatsum，ifyourhighnesschoosestoincreasethemenandthefurnaces。Iaskyourhighnesstomakemeyourmanager。ButrememberitmustbeaStatesecret，soburnthisletter，andifyourhighnesswouldgivemeanyrewardinadvance，Ionlyaskyoutogivemeyouraffectionandesteem。
　　IshallbehappyifIhavereasontobelievethatmymasterwillalsobemyfriend。Mylife，whichthisletterplacesinyourpower，iseveratyourservice，andIknownotwhatIshalldoifIeverhavecausetorepenthavingdisclosedmysecret。Ihavethehonourtobe，etc。"
　　Inwhateverlanguagethislettermayhavebeentranslated，ifitssenserunnotasabove，itisnotmyletter，andIamreadytogivethelietoalltheMirabeausintheworld。Ihavebeencalledanexile，butwrongfully，foramanwhohastoleaveacountrybyvirtueofa’lettredecachet’isnoexile。Heisforcedtoobeyadespoticmonarchwholooksuponhiskingdomashishouse，andturnsoutofdoorsanyonewhomeetswithhisdispleasure。
　　Assoonasmypurseswelledtoarespectablesize，IleftAugsburg，ThedateofmydeparturewasJune14th，1767。IwasatUlmwhenacourieroftheDukeofWurtemburg’spassedthroughthetownwiththenewsthathishighnesswouldarrivefromVeniceinthecourseoffiveorsixdays。
　　Thiscourierhadaletterforme。IthadbeenentrustedtohimbyPrinceCharlesofCourland，whohadtoldthecourierthathewouldfindmeatthe"HotelduRaisin，"inAugsburg。Asithappened，Ihadleftthedaybefore，butknowingthewaybywhichIhadgonehecaughtmeupatUlm。
　　HegavemetheletterandaskedmeifIwerethesameCasanovawhohadbeenplacedunderarrestandhadescaped，onaccountofsomegamblingdisputewiththreeofficers。AsIwasneveranadeptinconcealingthetruth，Irepliedintheaffirmative。AWurtemburgofficerwhowasstandingbesideusobservedtomeinafriendlymannerthathewasatStuttgartatthetime，andthatmostpeopleconcurredinblamingthethreeofficersfortheirconductinthematter。
　　WithoutmakinganyreplyIreadtheletter，whichreferredtoourprivateaffairs，butasIwasreadingitIresolvedtotellalittlelie——oneofthoselieswhichdonobodyanyharm。
　　"Well，sir，"Isaidtotheofficer，"hishighness，yoursovereign，haslistenedtoreasonatlast，andthisletterinformsmeofareparationwhichisineverywaysatisfactory。Thedukehascreatedmehisprivatesecretary，withasalaryoftwelvehundredayear。ButIhavewaitedforitalongtime。Godknowswhathasbecomeofthethreeofficers！"
　　"TheyareallatLouisburg，and——————isnowacolonel。"
　　"Well，theywillbesurprisedtohearmynews，andtheywillhearitto—morrow，forIamleavingthisplaceinanhour。IftheyareatLouisburg，Ishallhaveatriumph；butIamsorrynottobeabletoaccompanyyou，howeverweshallseeeachotherthedayaftertomorrow。"
　　Ihadanexcellentnight，andawokewiththebeautifulideaofgoingtoLouisburg，nottofightthethreeofficersbuttofrightenthem，triumphoverthem，andtoenjoyapleasantvengeancefortheinjurytheyhaddoneme。Ishouldatthesametimeseeagoodmanyoldfriends；therewasMadameToscani，theduke’smistress；Baletti，andVestri，whohadmarriedaformermistressoftheduke’s。Ihadsoundedthedepthsofthehumanheart，andknewIhadnothingtofear。Thedukewasonthepointofreturning，andnobodywoulddreamofimpugningthetruthofmystory。
　　Whenheactuallydidarrivehewouldnotfindme，forassoonasthecourierannouncedhisapproachIshouldgoaway，tellingeverybodythatI
　　hadorderstoprecedehishighness，andeverybodywouldbeduped。
　　Ineverhadsopleasantanideabefore。Iwasquiteproudofit，andI
　　shouldhavedespisedmyselfifIhadfailedtocarryitintoeffect。Itwouldbemyvengeanceontheduke，whocouldnothaveforgottentheterribleletterIhadwrittenhim；forprincesdonotforgetsmallinjuriesastheyforgetgreatservices。
　　Isleptbadlythefollowingnight，myanxietywassogreat，andIreachedLouisburgandgavemynameatthetowngates，withouttheadditionofmypretendedoffice，formyjestmustbematuredbydegrees。Iwenttostayattheposting—inn，andjustasIwasaskingfortheaddressofMadameToscani，sheandherhusbandappearedonthescene。Theybothflungtheirarmsaroundmyneck，andoverwhelmedmewithcomplimentsonmywoundedarmandthevictoryIhadachieved。
　　"Whatvictory？"
　　"Yourappearanceherehasfilledtheheartsofallyourfriendswithjoy。"
　　"Well，Icertainlyamintheduke’sservice，buthowdidyoufinditout？"
　　"It’sthecommontalk。Thecourierwhogaveyoutheletterhasspreaditallabroad，andtheofficerwhowaspresentandarrivedhereyesterdaymorningconfirmedit。Butyoucannotimaginetheconsternationofyourthreefoes。However，weareafraidthatyouwillhavesometroublewiththem，astheyhavekeptyourletterofdefiancegivenfromFurstenberg。"
　　"Whydidn’ttheymeetme，then？"
　　"Twoofthemcouldnotgo，andthethirdarrivedtoolate。"
　　"Verygood。IfthedukehasnoobjectionIshallbehappytomeetthemoneafteranother，notthreeallatonce。Ofcourse，theduelmustbewithpistols；aswordduelisoutofthequestionwithmyarminasling。"
　　"Wewillspeakofthatagain。Mydaughterwantstomakepeacebeforethedukecomes，andyouhadbetterconsenttoarrangements，fortherearethreeofthem，anditisn’tlikelythatyoucouldkillthewholethreeoneaftertheother。"
　　"Yourdaughtermusthavegrownintoabeauty。"
　　"Youmuststopwithusthisevening；youwillseeher，forsheisnolongertheduke’smistress。Sheisgoingtogetmarried。"
　　"IfyourdaughtercanbringaboutanarrangementIwouldgladlyfallinwithit，provideditisanhonourableoneforme。"
　　"Howisitthatyouarewearingtheslingafterallthesemonths？"
　　"Iamquitecured，andyetmyarmswellsassoonasIletitswingloose。
　　Youshallseeitafterdinner，foryoumustdinewithmeifyouwantmetosupwithyou。"
　　NextcameVestri，whomIdidnotknow，accompainedbymybelovedBaletti。
　　WiththemwasanofficerwhowasinlovewithMadameToscani’sseconddaughter，andanotheroftheircircle，withwhomIwasalsounacquainted。
　　Theyallcametocongratulatemeonmyhonourablepositionintheduke’sservice。Balettiwasquiteovercomewithdelight。ThereaderwillrecollectthathewasmychiefassistantinmyescapefromStuttgart，andthatIwasoncegoingtomarryhissister。Balettiwasafinefellow，andthedukewasveryfondofhim。Hehadalittlecountryhouse，withaspareroom，whichhebeggedmetoaccept，ashesaidhewasonlytooproudthatthedukeshouldknowhimasmybestfriend。Whenhishighnesscame，ofcourseIwouldhaveanapartmentinthepalace。Iaccepted；andasitwasstillearly，weallwenttoseetheyoungToscani。IhadlovedherinParisbeforeherbeautyhadreacheditszenith，andshewasnaturallyproudtoshewmehowbeautifulshehadbecome。Sheshewedmeherhouseandherjewels，toldmethestoryofheramourswiththeduke，ofherbreakingwithhimonaccountofhisperpetualinfidelities，andofhermarriagewithamanshedespised，butwhowasforcedonherbyherposition。
　　Atdinner—timeweallwenttotheinn，wherewemettheoffendingcolonel；hewasthefirsttotakeoffhishat，wereturnedthesalute，andhepassedonhisway。
　　Thedinnerwasapleasantone，andwhenitwasoverIproceededtotakeupmyquarterswithBaletti。IntheeveningwewenttoMadameToscani’s，whereIsawtwogirlsofravishingbeauty，MadameToscani’sdaughterandVestri’swife，ofwhomthedukehadhadtwochildren。MadameVestriwasahandsomewoman，butherwitandthecharmofhermannerenchantedmestillmore。Shehadonlyonefault——shelisped。
　　TherewasacertainreserveaboutthemannerofMdlle。Toscani，soI
　　chieflyaddressedmyselftoMadameVestri，whosehusbandwasnotjealous，forheneithercaredforhernorsheforhim。Onthedayofmyarrivalthemanagerhaddistributedthepartsofalittleplaywhichwastobegiveninhonouroftheduke’sarrival。Ithadbeenwrittenbyalocalauthor，inhopesofitsobtainingthefavouroftheCourtforhim。
　　Aftersupperthelittlepiecewasdiscussed。MadameVestriplayedtheprincipalpart，whichshewasprevailedupontorecite。
　　"Yourelocutionisadmirable，andyourexpressionfullofspirit，"I
　　observed；"butwhatapityitisthatyoudonotpronouncethedentals。"
　　Thewholetablescoutedmyopinion。
　　"It’sabeauty，notadefect，"saidthey。"Itmakesheractingsoftanddelicate；otheractressesenvyhertheprivilegeofwhatyoucalladefect。"
　　Imadenoanswer，butlookedatMadameVestri。
　　"DoyouthinkIamtakeninbyallthat？"saidshe。
　　"Ithinkyouaremuchtoosensibletobelievesuchnonsense。"
　　"Ipreferamantosayhonestly，’whatapity，’thantohearallthatfoolishflattery。ButIamsorrytosaythatthereisnoremedyforthedefect。"
　　"Noremedy？"
　　"No。"
　　"Pardonme，Ihaveaninfallibleremedyforyourcomplaint。YoushallgivemeagoodheartyblowifIdonotmakeyoureadthepartperfectlybyto—morrow，butifIsucceedinmakingyoureaditasyourhusband，forexample’ssake，mightreadityoushallpermitmetogiveyouatenderembrace。"
　　"Verygood；butwhatmustIdo？"
　　"Youmustletmeweaveaspelloveryourpart，thatisall。Giveittome。To—morrowmorningatnineo’clockIwillbringittoyoutogetmyblowormykiss，ifyourhusbandhasnoobjection。"
　　"Nonewhatever；butwedonotbelieveinspells。"
　　"Youareright，inageneralway；butminewillnotfail。"
　　"Verygood。"
　　MadameVestrileftmethepart，andtheconversationturnedonothersubjects。Iwascondoledwithonmyswollenhand，andItoldthestoryofmyduel。Everybodyseemedtodelightinentertainingmeandfeastingme，andIwentbacktoBaletti’sinlovewithalltheladies，butespeciallywithMadameVestriandMdlle。Toscani。
　　Balettihadabeautifullittlegirlofthreeyearsold。
　　"Howdidyougetthatangel？"Iasked。
　　"There’shermother；and，asaproofofmyhospitality，sheshallsleepwithyouto—night。"
　　"Iacceptyourgenerousoffer；butletitbeto—morrownight。"
　　"Andwhynotto—night？"
　　"BecauseIshallbeengagedallnightinweavingmyspell。"
　　"Whatdoyoumean？Ithoughtthatwasajoke。"
　　"No，Iamquiteserious。"
　　"Areyoualittlecrazy？"
　　"Youshallsee。Doyougotobed，andleavemealightandwritingmaterials。"
　　Ispentsixhoursincopyingoutthepart，onlyalteringcertainphrases。
　　ForallwordsinwhichtheletterrappearedIsubstitutedanother。Itwasatiresometask，butIlongedtoembraceMadameVestribeforeherhusband。Isetaboutmytaskinthefollowingmanner:
　　Thetextran:
　　"Lesprocedesdecethommem’outragentetmedeseparent，jedoispenseramedebarrasser。"
　　ForthisIsubstituted:
　　"Cethommeadesfaconsquim’offensentetmedesolent，ilfautquejem’endefasse；"andsoonthroughoutthepiece。
　　WhenIhadfinishedIsleptforthreehours，andthenroseanddressed。
　　Balettisawmyspell，andsaidIhadearnedthecursesoftheyoungauthor，asMadameVestriwouldnodoubtmakehimwriteallpartsforherwithoutusingtheletter’r’；and，indeed，thatwasjustwhatshedid。
　　Icalledontheactressandfoundhergettingup。Igaveherthepart，andassoonasshesawwhatIhaddonesheburstoutintoexclamationsofdelight；andcallingherhusbandshewedhimmycontrivance，andsaidshewouldneverplayapartwithan’r’initagain。Ipromisedtocopythemallout，andaddedthatIhadspentthewholenightinamendingthepresentpart。"Thewholenight！Comeandtakeyourreward，foryouareclevererthananysorcerer。Wemusthavetheauthortodinner，andI
　　shallmakehimpromisetowriteallmypartswithoutthe’r’，orthedukewillnotemployhim。Indeed，Idon’twonderthedukehasmadeyouhissecretary。Ineverthoughtitwouldbepossibletodowhatyouhavedone；butIsupposeitwasverydifficult？"
　　"Notatall。IfIwereaprettywomanwiththelikedefectIshouldtakecaretoavoidallwordswithan’r；inthem。"
　　"Oh，thatwouldbetoomuchtrouble。"
　　"Letusbetagain，foraboxorakiss，thatyoucanspendawholedaywithoutusingan’r’。Letusbeginnow。"
　　"Allingoodtime，"saidshe，"butwewon’thaveanystake，asIthinkyouaretoogreedy。"
　　Theauthorcametodinner，andwasdulyattackedbyMadameVestri。Shebeganbysayingthatitwasanauthor’sdutytobepolitetoactresses，andifanyofthemspokewithalisptheleasthecoulddowastowritetheirpartswithoutthefatalletter。
　　Theyoungauthorlaughed，andsaiditcouldnotbedonewithoutspoilingthestyle。ThereuponMadameVestrigavehimmyversionofherpart，tellinghimtoreadit，andtosayonhisconsciencewhetherthestylehadsuffered。Hehadtoconfessthatmyalterationswerepositiveimprovements，duetothegreatrichnessoftheFrenchlanguage。Andhewasright，forthereisnolanguageintheworldthatcancompareincopiousnessofexpressionwiththeFrench。
　　Thistriflingsubjectkeptusmerry，butMadameVestriexpressedadevoutwishthatallauthorswoulddoforherwhatIhaddone。AtParis，whereIheardherplayingwellandlispingterribly，shedidnotfindtheauthorssoobliging，butshepleasedthepeople。SheaskedmeifIwouldundertaketorecomposeZaire，leavingoutther’s。
　　"Ah！"saidI，"consideringthatitwouldhavetobeinverse，andinVoltaireanverse，Iwouldrathernotundertakethetask。"
　　WithaviewtopleasingtheactresstheyoungauthoraskedmehowIwouldtellherthatshewascharmingwithoutusingan’r’。
　　"Ishouldsaythatsheenchantedme，mademeinanecstasy，thatsheisunique。"
　　Shewrotemealetter，whichIstillkeep，inwhichthe’r’doesnotappear。IfIcouldhavestayedatStuttgart，thisdeviceofminemighthavewonmeherfavours；butafteraweekoffeastingandtriumphthecouriercameonemorningatteno’clockandannouncedthathishighness，theduke，wouldarriveatfour。
　　AssoonasIheardthenewsItoldBalettiwiththeutmostcoolnessthatIthoughtitwouldbeonlypolitetomeetmylord，andswellhistrainonhisentryintoLouisburg；andasIwishedtomeethimatadistanceoftwostagesIshouldhavetogoatonce。Hethoughtmyideaanexcellentone，andwenttoorderpost—horsesimmediately；butwhenhesawmepackingupallmybelongingsintomytrunk，heguessedthetruthandapplaudedthejest。Iembracedhimandconfessedmyhardihood。Hewassorrytoloseme，buthelaughedwhenhethoughtofthefeelingsofthedukeandofthethreeofficerswhentheyfoundoutthetrick。HepromisedtowritetomeatMannheim，whereIhaddecidedonspendingaweektoseemybelovedAlgardi，whowasintheserviceoftheElector。I
　　hadalsolettersforM。deSickirigenandBaronBecker，oneoftheElector’sministers。
　　WhenthehorseswereputinIembracedBaletti，hislittlegirl，andhisprettyhousekeeper，andorderedthepostilliontodrivetoMannheim。
　　WhenwereachedMannheimIheardthattheCourtwasatSchwetzingen，andIbadethepostilliondriveon。IfoundeveryoneIhadexpectedtosee。
　　Algardihadgotmarried，M。deSickingenwassolicitingthepositionofambassadortoParis，andBaronBeckerintroducedmetotheElector。FiveorsixdaysaftermyarrivaldiedPrinceFredericdesDeuxPonts，andI
　　willhererelateananecdoteIheardthedaybeforehedied。
　　Dr。Algardihadattendedontheprinceduringhislastillness。IwassuppingwithVeraci，thepoet—laureate，ontheeveoftheprince’sdeath，andinthecourseofsupperAlgardicamein。
　　"Howistheprince？"saidI。
　　"Thepoorprince——hecannotpossiblylivemorethantwenty—fourhours。"
　　"Doesheknowit？"
　　"No，hestillhopes。Hegrievedmetotheheartbybiddingmetellhimthewholetruth；heevenbademegivemywordofhonourthatIwasspeakingthetruth。Thenheaskedmeifhewerepositivelyindangerofdeath。"
　　"Andyoutoldhimthetruth？"
　　"Certainlynot。Itoldhimhissicknesswasundoubtedlyamortalone，butthatwiththehelpofnatureandartwondersmightbeworked。"
　　"Thenyoudeceivedhim，andtoldalie？"
　　"Ididnotdeceivehim；hisrecoverycomesunderthecategoryofthepossible。Ididnotwanttoleavehimindespair，fordespairwouldmostcertainlykillhim。"
　　"Yes，yes；butyouwillconfessthatyoutoldhimalieandbrokeyourwordofhonour。"
　　"Itoldnolie，forIknowthathemaypossiblybecured。"
　　"Thenyouliedjustnow？"
　　"Notatall，forliewilldieto—morrow。"
　　"ItseemstomethatyourreasoningisalittleJesuitical。"
　　"No，itisnot。Mydutywastoprolongmypatient’slifeandtosparehimasentencewhichwouldmostcertainlyhaveshortenedit，possiblybyseveralhours；besides，itisnotanabsoluteimpossibilitythatheshouldrecover，thereforeIdidnotliewhenItoldhimthathemightrecover，nordidIliejustnowwhenIgaveitasmyopinion（theresultofmyexperience）thathewoulddieto—morrow。Iwouldcertainlywageramilliontoonethathewilldieto—morrow，butIwouldnotwagermylife。"
　　"Youareright，andyetforallthatyoudeceivedthepoorman；forhisintentioninaskingyouthequestionwasnottobetoldacommonplacewhichheknewaswellasyou，buttolearnyourtrueopinionastohislifeordeath。ButagainIagreewithyouthatashisphysicianyouwerequiterightnottoshortenhisfewremaininghoursbytellinghimtheterribletruth。"
　　AfterafortnightIleftSchwetzingen，leavingsomeofmybelongingsunderthecareofVeracithepoet，tellinghimIwouldcallforthemsomeday；butInevercame，andafteralapseofthirty—oneyearsVeracikeepsthemstill。HewasoneofthestrangestpoetsIhaveevermet。Heaffectedeccentricitytomakehimselfnotorious，andopposedthegreatMetastasioineverything，writingunwieldyverseswhichhesaidgavemorescopeforthepersonwhosetthemtomusic。HehadgotthisextravagantnotionfromJumelli。
　　ItraveledtoMayenceandthenceIsailedtoCologne，whereIlookedforwardtothepleasureofmeetingwiththeburgomaster’swifewhodislikedGeneralKettler，andhadtreatedmesowellsevenyearsago。
　　Butthatwasnottheonlyreasonwhichimpelledmetovisitthatodioustown。WhenIwasatDresdenIhadreadinanumberoftheCologneGazettethat"MasterCasanovahasreturnedtoWarsawonlytobesentabouthisbusinessagain。Thekinghasheardsomestoriesofthisfamousadventurer，whichcompelhimtoforbidhimhisCourt。"
　　Icouldnotstomachlanguageofthiskind，andIresolvedtopayJacquet，theeditor，avisit，andnowmytimehadcome。
　　Imadeahastydinnerandthencalledontheburgomaster，whomIfoundsittingattablewithhisfairMimi。Theywelcomedmewarmly，andfortwohoursItoldthemthestoryofmyadventuresduringthelastsevenyears。Mimihadtogoout，andIwasaskedtodinewiththemthenextday。
　　Ithoughtshelookedprettierthanever，andmyimaginationpromisedmesomedeliciousmomentswithher。Ispentananxiousandimpatientnight，andcalledonmyAmphitryonatanearlyhourtohaveanopportunityofspeakingtohisdearcompanion。Ifoundheralone，andbeganwithanardentcaresswhichshegentlyrepelled，butherfacefrozemypassioninitscourse。
　　"Timeisanexcellentdoctor，"saidshe，"andithascuredmeofapassionwhichleftbehinditthestingofremorse。"
　　"What！Theconfessional……"
　　"Shouldonlyserveasaplacewhereintoconfessoursinsofthepast，andtoimploregracetosinnomore。"
　　"MaytheLordsavemefromrepentance，theonlysourceofwhichisaprejudice！IshallleaveCologneto—morrow。"
　　"Idonottellyoutogo。"
　　"Ifthereisnohope，itisnoplaceforme。MayIhope？"
　　"Never。"
　　"Shewasdelightfulattable，butIwasgloomyanddistracted。Atseveno’clocknextdayIsetout，andassoonasIhadpassedtheAixlaChapelleGate，Itoldthepostilliontostopandwaitforme。IthenwalkedtoJacquet’s，armedwithapistolandacane，thoughIonlymeanttobeathim。
　　Theservantshewedmeintotheroomwherehewasworkingbyhimself。Itwasonthegroundfloor，andthedoorwasopenforcoolness’sake。
　　Heheardmecominginandaskedwhathecoulddoforme。
　　"Youscoundrellyjournalist。"Ireplied，"IamtheadventurerCasanovawhomyouslanderedinyourmiserablesheetfourmonthsago。"
　　SosayingIdirectedmypistolathishead，withmylefthand，andliftedmycanewithmyright。ButthewretchedscribblerfellonhiskneesbeforemewithclaspedhandsandofferedtoshewmethesignedletterhehadreceivedfromWarsaw，whichcontainedthestatementshehadinsertedinhispaper。
　　"Whereisthisletter？"
　　"Youshallhaveitinamoment。"
　　Imadewayforhimtosearch，butIlockedandboltedthedoortopreventhisescaping。ThemantrembledlikealeafandbegantolookfortheletteramongsthisWarsawcorrespondence，whichwasinadisgracefulstateofconfusion。Ishewedhimthedateofthearticleinthepaper，butthelettercouldnotbefound；andattheendofanhourhefelldownagainonhisknees，andtoldmetodowhatIwouldtohim。Igavehimakickandtoldhimtogetupandfollowme。Hemadenoreply，andfollowedmebareheadedtillhesawmegetintomychaiseanddriveoff，andIhavenodoubthegavethankstoGodforhislightescape。Intheevening，IreachedAix—la—Chapelle，whereIfoundPrincessLubomirska，GeneralRoniker，severalotherdistinguishedPoles，Tomatisandhiswife，andmanyEnglishmenofmyacquaintance。
　　CHAPTERII
　　MyStayatSpa——TheBlow——TheSword——DellaCroce——Charlotte；HerLying—inandDeath——ALettredeCachetObligesMetoLeaveParisintheCourseofTwenty—fourHoursAllmyfriendsseemeddelightedtoseeme，andIwaswellpleasedtofindmyselfinsuchgoodcompany。PeoplewereonthepointofleavingAixforSpa。Nearlyeveryonewent，andthosewhostayedonlydidsobecauselodgingswerenottobehadatSpa。Everybodyassuredmethatthiswasthecase，andmanyhadreturnedafterseekinginvainforameregarret。
　　Ipaidnoattentiontoallthis，andtoldtheprincessthatifshewouldcomewithmeIwouldfindsomelodging，wereitonlyinmycarriage。Weaccordinglysetoutthenextday，andgottoSpaingoodtime，ourcompanyconsistingoftheprincess，theprothonotary，Roniker，andtheTomatis。Everyoneexceptmyselfhadtakenroomsinadvance，Ialoneknewnotwheretoturn。Igotoutandpreparedforthesearch，butbeforegoingalongthestreetsIwentintoashopandboughtahat，havinglostmineontheway。Iexplainedmysituationtotheshopwoman，whoseemedtotakeaninterestinme，andbeganspeakingtoherhusbandinFlemishorWalloon，andfinallyinformedmethatifitwereonlyforafewdayssheandherhusbandwouldsleepintheshopandgiveuptheirroomtome。
　　Butshesaidthatshehadabsolutelynoroomwhateverformyman。
　　"Ihaven’tgotone。"
　　"Allthebetter。Sendawayyourcarriage。"
　　"WhereshallIsendit？"
　　"Iwillseethatitishousedsafely。"
　　"HowmuchamItopay？"
　　"Nothing；andifyouarenottooparticular，weshouldlikeyoutoshareourmeals。"
　　"Iacceptyourofferthankfully。"
　　Iwentupanarrowstaircase，andfoundmyselfinaprettylittleroomwithacloset，agoodbed，suitablefurniture，andeverythingperfectlyneatandclean。Ithoughtmyselfverylucky，andaskedthegoodpeoplewhytheywouldnotsleepintheclosetratherthantheshop，andtheyrepliedwithonebreaththattheywouldbeinmyway，whiletheirniecewouldnotinterferewithme。
　　Thisnewsabouttheniecewasasurprisetome。Theclosethadnodoor，andwasnotmuchbiggerthanthebedwhichitcontained；itwas，infact，amerealcove，withoutanywindow。
　　Imustnotethatmyhostessandherhusband，bothofthemfromLiege，wereperfectmodelsofugliness。
　　"It’snotwithinthelimitsofpossibility，"Isaidtomyself，"fortheniecetobeuglierthanthey，butiftheyallowhertosleepthusinthesameroomwiththefirstcomer，shemustbeproofagainstalltemptation。"
　　However，Igavenosign，anddidnotasktoseethenieceforfearofoffense，andIwentoutwithoutopeningmytrunk。ItoldthemasIwentoutthatIshouldnotbebacktillaftersupper，andgavethemsomemoneytobuywaxcandlesandnightlights。
　　IwenttoseetheprincesswithwhomIwastosup。Allthecompanycongratulatedmeonmygoodfortuneinfindingalodging。Iwenttotheconcert，tothebankatfaro，andtotheothergamingsaloons，andthereIsawtheso—calledMarquisd’Aragon，whowasplayingatpiquetwithanoldcountoftheHolyRomanEmpire。IwastoldabouttheduelhehadhadthreeweeksbeforewithaFrenchmanwhohadpickedaquarrelwithhim；
　　theFrenchmanhadbeenwoundedinthechest，andwasstillill。
　　Nevertheless，hewasonlywaitingforhiscuretobecompletedtohavehisrevenge，whichhehaddemandedashewastakenoffthefield。SuchisthewayoftheFrenchwhenaduelisfoughtforatriflingmatter。
　　Theystopatthefirstblood，andfightthedueloverandoveragain。InItaly，ontheotherhand，duelsarefoughttothedeath。Ourbloodburnstofirewhenouradversary’sswordopensavein。ThusstabbingiscommoninItalyandrareinFrance；whileduelsarecommoninFrance，andrareinItaly。
　　OfallthecompanyatSpa，IwasmostpleasedtoseetheMarquisCaraccioli，whomIhadleftinLondon。HisCourthadgivenhimleaveofabsence，andhewasspendingitatSpa。Hewasbrimfulofwitandthemilkofhumankindness，compassionatefortheweaknessesofothers，anddevotedtoyouth，nomatterofwhatsex，butheknewwellthevirtueofmoderation，andusedallthingswithoutabusingthem。Heneverplayed，buthelovedagoodgamesteranddespisedalldupes。Theworthymarquiswasthemeansofmakingthefortuneoftheso—calledMarquisd’AragonbybecomingsuretyforhisnobilityandbonafidestoawealthyEnglishwidowoffifty，whohadtakenafancytohim，andbroughthimherfortuneofsixtythousandpoundssterling。Nodoubtthewidowwastakenwiththegiganticformandthebeautifultitleofd’Aragon，forDragon（ashisnamereallywas）wasdevoidofwitandmanners，andhislegs，whichI
　　supposehekeptwellcovered，boredisgustingmarksofthelibertinelifehehadled。IsawthemarquissometimeafterwardsatMarseilles，andafewyearslaterhepurchasedtwoestatesatModena。Hiswifediedinduecourse，andaccordingtotheEnglishlawheinheritedthewholeofherproperty。
　　Ireturnedtomylodgingingoodtime，andwenttobedwithoutseeingtheniece，whowasfastasleep。Iwaswaitedonbytheuglyaunt，whobeggedmenottotakeaservantwhileIremainedinherhouse，forbyheraccountallservantswerethieves。
　　WhenIawokeinthemorningtheniecehadgotupandgonedown。I
　　dressedtogototheWells，andwarnedmyhostandhostessthatIshouldhavethepleasureofdiningwiththem。TheroomIoccupiedwastheonlyplaceinwhichtheycouldtaketheirmeals，andIwasastonishedwhentheycameandaskedmypermissiontodoso。Theniecehadgoneout，soI
　　hadtoputmycuriosityaside。WhenIwasoutmyacquaintancespointedouttomethechiefbeautieswhothenhauntedtheWells。ThenumberofadventurerswhoflocktoSpaduringtheseasonissomethingincredible，andtheyallhopetomaketheirfortunes；and，asmaybesupposed，mostofthemgoawayasnakedastheycame，ifnotmoreso。Moneycirculateswithgreatfreedom，butprincipallyamongstthegamesters，shop—keepers，money—lenders，andcourtezans。Themoneywhichproceedsfromthegaming—tablehasthreeissues:thefirstandsmallestsharegoestothePrince—BishopofLiege；thesecondandlargerportion，tothenumerousamateurcheatswhofrequenttheplace；andbyfarthelargestofalltothecoffersoftwelvesharpers，whokeepthetablesandareauthorizedbythesovereign。
　　Thusgoesthemoney。Itcomesfromthepocketsofthedupes——poormothswhoburntheirwingsatSpa！
　　TheWellsareamerepretextforgaming，intriguing，andfortune—hunting。
　　Thereareafewhonestpeoplewhogoforamusement，andafewforrestandrelaxationafterthetoilsofbusiness。
　　LivingischeapenoughatSpa。Thetabled’hoteisexcellent，andonlycostsasmallFrenchcrown，andonecangetgoodlodgingforthelikesum。
　　Icamehomeatnoonhavingwonascoreoflouis。Iwentintotheshop，intendingtogotomyroom，butIwasstoppedshortbyseeingahandsomebrunette，ofnineteenortwenty，withgreatblackeyes，voluptuouslips，andshiningteeth，measuringoutribbononthecounter。This，then，wastheniece，whomIhadimaginedassougly。Iconcealedmysurpriseandsatdownintheshoptogazeatherandendeavourtomakeheracquaintance。Butshehardlyseemedtoseeme，andonlyacknowledgedmypresencebyaslightinclinationofthehead。Herauntcamedowntosaythatdinnerwasready，andIwentupstairsandfoundthetablelaidforfour。Theservantbroughtinthesoup，andthenaskedmeveryplainlytogivehersomemoneyifIwantedanywine，ashermasterandmistressonlydrankbeer。Iwasdelightedwithherfreedom，andgavehermoneytobuytwobottlesofBurgundy。
　　Themastercameupandshewedmeagoldrepeaterwithachainalsoofgoldbyawell—knownmodernmaker。Hewantedtoknowhowmuchitwasworth。
　　"Fortylouisattheleast。"
　　"Agentlemanwantsmetogivehimtwentylouisforit，ontheconditionthatIreturnitto—morrowifhebringsmetwenty—two。"
　　"ThenIadviseyoutoaccepthisoffer。"
　　"Ihaven’tgotthemoney。"
　　"Iwilllendityouwithpleasure。"
　　IgavehimthetwentyLouis，andplacedthewatchinmyjewel—casket。Attabletheniecesatoppositetome，butItookcarenottolookather，andshe，likeamodestgirl，didnotsayascoreofwordsallthroughthemeal。Themealwasanexcellentone，consistingofsoup，boiledbeef，anentree，andaroast。Themistressofthehousetoldmethattheroastwasinmyhonour，"for，"shesaid，"wearenotrichpeople，andweonlyallowourselvesthisLuxuryonaSunday。"Iadmiredherdelicacy，andtheevidentsinceritywithwhichshespoke。Ibeggedmyentertainerstohelpmewithmywine，andtheyacceptedtheoffer，sayingtheyonlywishedtheywererichenoughtobeabletodrinkhalfabottleaday。
　　"Ithoughttradewasgoodwithyou。"
　　"Thestuffisnotours，andwehavedebts；besides，theexpensesareverygreat。Wehavesoldverylittleuptonow。"
　　"Doyouonlysellhats？"
　　"No，wehavesilkhandkerchiefs，Parisstockings，andlaceruffs，buttheysayeverythingistoodear。"
　　"Iwillbuysomethingsforyou，andwillsendallmyfriendshere。
　　Leaveittome；IwillseewhatIcandoforyou。"
　　"Mercy，fetchdownoneortwopacketsofthosehandkerchiefsandsomestockings，largesize，forthegentlemanhasabigleg。"
　　Mercy，astheniecewascalled，obeyed。Ipronouncedthehandkerchiefssuperbandthestockingsexcellent。Iboughtadozen，andIpromisedthemthattheyshouldsellouttheirwholestock。Theyoverwhelmedmewiththanks，andpromisedtoputthemselvesentirelyinmyhands。
　　Aftercoffee，which，liketheroast，wasinmyhonour，theaunttoldherniecetotakecaretoawakemeinthemorningwhenshegotup。Shesaidshewouldnotfail，butIbeggedhernottotaketoomuchtroubleoverme，asIwasaveryheavysleeper。
　　IntheafternoonIwenttoanarmourer’stobuyabraceofpistols，andaskedthemanifheknewthetradesmanwithwhomIwasstaying。
　　"Wearecousins—german，"hereplied。
　　"Isherich？"
　　"Yes，indebts。"
　　Why？"
　　"Becauseheisunfortunate，likemosthonestpeople。"
　　"Howabouthiswife？"
　　"Hercarefuleconomykeepshimabovewater。"
　　"Doyouknowtheniece？"
　　"Yes；she’sagoodgirl，butverypious。Hersillyscrupleskeepcustomersawayfromtheshop。"
　　"Whatdoyouthinksheshoulddotoattractcustomers？"
　　"Sheshouldbemorepolite，andnotplaytheprudewhenanyonewantstogiveherakiss。"
　　"Sheislikethat，isshe？"
　　"Tryheryourselfandyouwillsee。Lastweekshegaveanofficeraboxontheear。Mycousinscoldedher，andshewantedtogobacktoLiege；
　　however，thewifesoothedheragain。Sheisprettyenough，don’tyouthinkso？"
　　"CertainlyIdo，butifsheisascross—grainedasyousay，thebestthingwillbetoleaveheralone。"
　　AfterwhatIhadheardImadeupmymindtochangemyroom，forMercyhadpleasedmeinsuchawaythatIwassureIshouldbeobligedtopayheracallbeforelong，andIdetestedPamelasasheartilyasCharpillons。
　　IntheafternoonItookRzewuskiandRonikertotheshop，andtheyboughtfiftyducats’worthofgoodstoobligeme。ThenextdaytheprincessandMadameTomatisboughtallthehandkerchiefs。
　　Icamehomeatteno’clock，andfoundMercyinbedasIhaddonethenightbefore。Nextmorningthewatchwasredeemed，andthehatterreturnedmetwenty—twolouis。Imadehimapresentofthetwolouis，andsaidIshouldalwaysbegladtolendhimmoneyinthatway——theprofitstobehis。Heleftmefullofgratitude。
　　IwasaskedtodinewithMadameTomatis，soItoldmyhoststhatIwouldhavethepleasureofsuppingwiththem，thecoststobebornebyme。ThesupperwasgoodandtheBurgundyexcellent，butMercyrefusedtotasteit。Shehappenedtoleavetheroomforamomentatthecloseofthemeal，andIobservedtotheauntthatherniecewascharming，butitwasapityshewassosad。
　　"Shewillhavetochangeherways，orIwillkeephernolonger。"
　　"Isshethesamewithallmen？"
　　"Withall。"
　　"Thenshehasneverbeeninlove。"
　　"Shesaysshehasnot，butIdon’tbelieveher。"
　　"Iwondershecansleepsocomfortablywithamanatafewfeetdistant。"
　　"Sheisnotafraid。"
　　Mercycamein，badeusgoodnight，andsaidshewouldgotobed。ImadeasifIwouldgiveherakiss，butsheturnedherbackonme，andplacedachairinfrontofherclosetsothatImightnotseehertakingoffherchemise。Myhostandhostessthenwenttobed，andsodidI，puzzlingmyheadoverthegirl’sbehaviourwhichstruckmeasmostextraordinaryandunaccountable。However，Isleptpeacefully，andwhenIawokethebirdhadleftthenest。Ifeltinclinedtohavealittlequietargumentwiththegirl，andtoseewhatIcouldmakeofher；butIsawnochanceofmygettinganopportunity。Thehatteravailedhimselfofmyofferofpursetolendmoneyonpledges，wherebyhemadeagoodprofit。Therewasnoriskformeinthematter，andheandhiswifedeclaredthattheyblessedthedayonwhichIhadcometolivewiththem。
　　OnthefifthorsixthdayIawokebeforeMercy，andonlyputtingonmydressing—gownIcametowardsherbed。Shehadaquickearandwokeup，andnosoonerdidsheseemecomingtowardsherthansheaskedmewhatI
　　wanted。IsatdownonherbedandsaidgentlythatIonlywantedtowishheragooddayandtohavealittletalk。Itwashotweather，andshewasonlycoveredbyasinglesheet；andstretchingoutonearmIdrewhertowardsme，andbeggedhertoletmegiveherakiss。Herresistancemademeangry；andpassinganaudacioushandunderthesheetIdiscoveredthatshewasmadelikeotherwomen；butjustasmyhandwasonthespot，Ireceivedafisticuffonthenosethatmademeseeathousandstars，andquiteextinguishedthefireofmyconcupiscence。ThebloodstreamedfrommynoseandstainedthebedofthefuriousMercy。Ikeptmypresenceofmindandleftheronthespot，astheblowshehadgivenmewasbutasampleofwhatImightexpectifIattemptedreprisals。Iwashedmyfaceincoldwater，andasIwasdoingsoMercydressedherselfandlefttheroom。
　　Atlastmybloodceasedtoflow，andIsawtomygreatannoyancethatmynosewasswolleninsuchamannerthatmyfacewassimplyhideous。I
　　covereditupwithahandkerchiefandsentforthehairdressertodomyhair，andwhenthiswasdonemylandladybroughtmeupsomefinetrout，ofwhichIapproved；butasIwasgivingherthemoneyshesawmyfaceandutteredacryofhorror。Itoldherthewholestory，freelyacknowledgingthatIwasinthewrong，andbegginghertosaynothingtoherniece。ThenheedingnotherexcusesIwentoutwithmyhandkerchiefbeforemyface，andvisitedahousewhichtheDuchessofRichmondhadleftthedaybefore。
　　HalfofthesuiteshehadabandonedhadbeentakeninadvancebyanItalianmarquis；Itooktheotherhalf，hiredaservant，andhadmyeffectstransportedtherefrommyoldlodgings。Thetearsandsupplicationsofmylandladyhadnoeffectwhateveruponme，IfeltI
　　couldnotbearthesightofMercyanylonger。
　　InthehouseintowhichIhadmovedIfoundanEnglishmanwhosaidhewouldbringdownthebruiseinonehour，andmakethediscolorationofthefleshdisappearintwenty—four。Ilethimdowhathelikedandhekepthisword。Herubbedtheplacewithspiritsofwineandsomedrugwhichisunknowntome；butbeingashamedtoappearinpublicinthestateIwasin，Ikeptindoorsfortherestoftheday。Atnoonthedistressedauntbroughtmemytrout，andsaidthatMercywascuttothehearttohaveusedmeso，andthatifIwouldcomebackIcoulddowhatI
　　likedwithher。
　　"Youmustfeel，"Ireplied，"thatifIcompliedwithyourrequesttheadventurewouldbecomepublictothedamageofmyhonourandyourbusiness，andyourniecewouldnotbeabletopassforadevoteeanylonger。"
　　Imadesomereflectionsontheblowshehadgiventheofficer，muchtotheaunt’ssurprise，forshecouldnotthinkhowIhadheardofit；andI
　　shewedherthat，afterhavingexposedmetoherniece’sbrutality，herrequestwasextremelyoutofplace。IconcludedbysayingthatIcouldbelievehertobeanaccompliceinthefactwithoutanygreatstretchofimagination。Thismadeherburstintotears，andIhadtoapologizeandtopromisetocontinueforwardingherbusinessbywayofconsolation，andsosheleftmeinacalmermood。Halfanhourafterwardsherhusbandcamewithtwenty—fiveLouisIhadlenthimonagoldsnuff—boxsetwithdiamonds，andproposedthatIshouldlendtwohundredLouisonaringworthfourhundred。
　　"Itwillbeyours，"hesaid，"iftheownerdoesnotbringmetwohundredandtwentyLouisinaweek’stime。"
　　Ihadthemoneyandproceededtoexaminethestonewhichseemedtobeagooddiamond，andwouldprobablyweighsixcaratsastheownerdeclared。
　　Thesettingwasingold。
　　"Iconsenttogivethesumrequirediftheownerisreadytogivemeareceipt。"
　　"Iwilldosomyselfinthepresenceofwitnesses。"
　　"Verygood。Youshallhavethemoneyinthecourseofanhour；Iamgoingtohavethestonetakenoutfirst。Thatwillmakenodifferencetotheowner，asIshallhaveitresetatmyownexpense。Ifheredeemsit，thetwentyLouisshallbeyours。"
　　"Imustaskhimwhetherhehasanyobjectiontothestonebeingtakenout。"
　　"Verygood，butyoucantellhimthatifhewillnotallowittobedonehewillgetnothingforit。"
　　Hereturnedbeforelongwithajewellerwhosaidhewouldguaranteethestonetobeatleasttwograinsoverthesixcarats。
　　"Haveyouweighedit？"
　　"No，butIamquitesureitweighsoversixcarats。"
　　"Thenyoucanlendthemoneyonit？"
　　"Icannotcommandsuchasum。"
　　"Canyoutellmewhytheownerobjectstothestonebeingtakenoutandputinatmyexpense？"
　　"No，Ican’t；buthedoesobject。"
　　"Thenhemaytakehisringsomewhereelse。"
　　Theywentaway，leavingmewellpleasedatmyrefusal，foritwasplainthatthestonewaseitherfalseorhadafalsebottom。
　　Ispenttherestofthedayinwritinglettersandmakingagoodsupper，InthemorningIwasawokebysomeoneknockingatmydoor，andonmygettinguptoopenit，whatwasmyastonishmenttofindMercy！
　　Iletherin，andwentbacktobed，andaskedherwhatshewantedwithmesoearlyinthemorning。Shesatdownonthebed，andbegantooverwhelmmewithapologies。Irepliedbyaskingherwhy，ifitwasherprincipletoflyatherloverslikeatiger，shehadsleptalmostinthesameroomasmyself。
　　"Insleepinginthecloset，"saidshe，"Iobeyedmyaunt’sorders，andinstrikingyou（forwhichIamverysorry）Iwasbutdefendingmyhonour；
　　andIcannotadmitthateverymanwhoseesmeisatlibertytolosehisreason。Ithinkyouwillallowthatyourdutyistorespect，andminetodefend，myhonour。"
　　"Ifthatisyourlineofargument，Iacknowledgethatyouareright；butyouhadnothingtocomplainof，forIboreyourblowinsilence，andbymyleavingthehouseyoumightknowthatitwasmyintentiontorespectyouforthefuture。Didyoucometohearmesaythis？Ifso，youaresatisfied。ButyouwillnotbeoffendedifIlaughatyourexcuses，forafterwhatyouhavesaidIcannothelpthinkingthemverylaughable。"
　　"WhathaveIsaid？"
　　"Thatyouonlydidyourdutyinflatteningmynose。Ifso，doyouthinkitisnecessarytoapologizefortheperformanceofduty？"
　　"Ioughttohavedefendedmyselfmoregently。Butforgeteverythingandforgiveme；Iwilldefendmyselfnomoreinanyway。IamyoursandI
　　loveyou，andIamreadytoprovemylove。"
　　Shecouldnothavespokenmoreplainly，andasshespokethelastwordsshefellonmewithherfaceclosetomine，whichshebedewedwithhertears。Iwasashamedofsuchaneasyconquest，andIgentlywithdrewfromherembrace，tellinghertoreturnafterthebruiseonmyfacehaddisappeared。Sheleftmedeeplymortified。
　　TheItalian，whohadtakenhalfthesuiteofrooms，hadarrivedinthecourseofthenight。Iaskedhisname，andwasgivenacardbearingthenameofTheMarquisDonAntoniodellaCroce。
　　WasittheCroceIknew？
　　Itwasverypossible。
　　Iaskedwhatkindofanestablishmenthehad，andwasinformedthatthemarchionesshadalady’smaid，andthemarquisasecretaryandtwoservants。Ilongedtoseethenoblemaninquestion。
　　Ihadnotlongtowait，forassoonasheheardthatIwashisneighbour，hecametoseeme，andwespenttwohoursintellingeachotherouradventuressincewehadpartedinMilan。HehadheardthatIhadmadethefortuneofthegirlhehadabandoned，andinthesixyearsthathadelapsedhehadbeentravellingalloverEurope，engagedinaconstantstrifewithfortune。AtParisandBrusselshehadmadeagooddealofmoney，andinthelattertownhehadfalleninlovewithayoungladyofrank，whomherfatherhadshutupinaconvent。Hehadtakenheraway，andsheitwaswhomhecalledtheMarchionessdellaCroce，nowsixmonthswithchild。
　　Hemadeherpassforhiswife，because，ashesaid，hemeanttomarryhereventually。
　　"Ihavefiftythousandfrancsingold，"saidhe，"andasmuchagaininjewelleryandvariouspossessions。Itismyintentiontogivesuppershereandholdabank，butifIplaywithoutcorrectingthefreaksoffortuneIamsuretolose。"HeintendedgoingtoWarsaw，thinkingI
　　wouldgivehimintroductionstoallmyfriendsthere；buthemadeamistake，andIdidnotevenintroducehimtomyPolishfriendsatSpa。I
　　toldhimhecouldeasilymaketheiracquaintancebyhimself，andthatI
　　wouldneithermakenormarwithhim。
　　Iacceptedhisinvitationtodinnerforthesameday。Hissecretary，ashecalledhim，wasmerelyhisconfederate。HewasacleverVeronesenamedConti，andhiswifewasanessentialaccompliceinCroce’sdesigns。
　　Atnoonmyfriendthehattercameagainwiththering，followedbytheowner，wholookedlikeabravo。Theywereaccompaniedbythejewellerandanotherindividual。Theowneraskedmeoncemoretolendhimtwohundredlouisonthering。
　　Mypropercoursewouldhavebeentobegtobeexcused，thenIshouldhavehadnomoretroubleinthematter；butitwasnottobe。Iwantedtomakehimseethattheobjectionhemadetohavingthestonetakenoutwasaninsuperableobstacletomylendinghimthemoney。
　　"Whenthestoneisremoved，"saidI，"weshallseewhatitreallyis。
　　Listentomyproposal:ifitweighstwenty—sixgrains，Iwillgiveyou，nottwobutthreehundredlouis，butinitspresentconditionIshallgivenothingatall。"
　　"Youhavenobusinesstodoubtmyword；youinsultmebydoingso。"
　　"Notatall，Ihavenointentionsofthekind。Isimplyproposeawagertoyou。Ifthestonebefoundtoweightwenty—sixgrains，IshalllosetwohundredLouis，ifitweighsmuchlessyouwilllosethering。"
　　"That’sascandalousproposal；it’sasmuchastotellmethatIamaliar。"
　　Ididnotlikethetonewithwhichthesewordswerespoken，andIwentuptothechestofdrawerswhereIkeptmypistols，andbadehimgoandleavemeinpeace。
　　JustthenGeneralRonikercamein，andtheowneroftheringtoldhimofthedisputebetweenus。Thegenerallookedatthering，andsaidtohim，——
　　"IfanyoneweretogivemetheringIshouldnothavethestonetakenout，becauseoneshouldnotlookagifthorseinthemouth；butifitcametoaquestionofbuyingorlendingIwouldnotgiveacrownforit，weretheowneranemperor，beforethestonewastakenout；andIamverymuchsurprisedatyourrefusingtoletthisbedone。"
　　Withoutawordtheknavemadeforthedoor，andtheringremainedinthehandsofmylatehost。
　　"Whydidn’tyougivehimhisring？"saidI。
　　"BecauseIhaveadvancedhimfiftyLouisonit；butifhedoesnotredeemitto—morrowIwillhavethestonetakenoutbeforeajudge，andafterwardsIshallsellitbyauction。"
　　"Idon’tliketheman’smanners，andIhopeyouwillneverbringanyonetomyroomsagain。"
　　Theaffaircametothefollowingconclusion:Theimpostordidnotredeemthering，andtheLiegetradesmanhadthesettingremoved。Thediamondwasfoundtobeplacedonabedofrockcrystal，whichformedtwo—thirdsofthewholebulk。However，thediamondwasworthfiftyLouis，andanEnglishmanboughtit。AweekafterwardstheknavemetmeasIwaswalkingbymyself，andbeggedmetofollowhimtoplacewhereweshouldbefreefromobservation，ashisswordhadsomewhattosaytomine。
　　CuriouslyenoughIhappenedtobewearingmyswordatthetime。
　　"Iwillnotfollowyou，"Ireplied；"themattercanbesettledhere？"
　　"Weareobserved。"
　　"Allthebetter。Makehasteanddrawyourswordfirst。"
　　"Theadvantageiswithyou。"
　　"Iknowit，andsoitoughttobe。IfyoudonotdrawIwillproclaimyoutobethecowardIamsureyouare。"
　　Atthishedrewhisswordrapidlyandcameon，butIwasreadytoreceivehim。Hebegantofencetotrymymettle，butIlungedrightathischest，andgavehimthreeinchesofcoldsteel。Ishouldhavekilledhimonthespotifhehadnotloweredhissword，sayinghewouldtakehisrevengeatanothertime。Withthishewentoff，holdinghishandtothewound。
　　Ascoreofpeoplewerecloseby，butnoonetroubledhimselfaboutthewoundedman，ashewasknowntohavebeentheaggressor。Theduelhadnofurtherconsequencesforme。WhenIleftSpathemanwasstillinthesurgeon’shands。Hewassomethingworsethananadventurer，andalltheFrenchatSpadisownedhim。
　　ButtoreturntoCroceandhisdinner。
　　Themarchioness，hiswifeso—called，wasayoungladyofsixteenorseventeen，fair—complexionedandtall，withallthemannersoftheBelgiannobility。Thehistoryofherescapeiswellknowntoherbrothersandsisters，andasherfamilyarestillinexistencemyreaderswillbeobligedtomeforconcealinghername。
　　Herhusbandhadtoldheraboutme，andshereceivedmeinthemostgraciousmannerpossible。Sheshewednosignsofsadnessorofrepentanceforthestepsshehadtaken。Shewaswithchildforsomemonths，andseemedtobenearherterm，owingtotheslimnessofherfigure。Neverthelessshehadtheaspectofperfecthealth。Hercountenanceexpressedcandourandfranknessofdispositioninaremarkabledegree。Hereyeswerelargeandblue，hercomplexionaroseatehue，hersmallsweetmouth，herperfectteethmadeherabeautyworthyofthebrushofAlbano。
　　Ithoughtmyselfskilledinphysiognomy，andconcludedthatshewasnotonlyperfectlyhappy，butalsothecauseofhappiness。Buthereletmesayhowvainathingitisforanyonetopronounceamanorwomantobehappyorunhappyfromamerelycursoryinspection。
　　Theyoungmarchionesshadbeautifulear—rings，andtworings，whichgavemeapretextforadmiringthebeautyofherhands。
　　Conti’swifedidnotcutanyfigureatall，andIwasalleyesforthemarchioness，whosenamewasCharlotte。IwasprofoundlyimpressedbyherthatIwasquiteabstractedduringdinner。
　　IsoughtinvaintodiscoverbywhatmeritsCrocehadbeenabletoseducetwosuchsuperiorwomen。Hewasnotafine—lookingman，hewasnotwelleducated，hismannersweredoubtful，andhiswayofspeakingbynomeansseductive；infine，Isawnothingcaptivatingabouthim，andyetIcouldbeawitnesstohishavingmadetwogirlsleavetheirhomestofollowhim。Ilostmyselfinconjecture；butIhadnopremonitionofwhatwastohappeninthecourseofafewweeks。
　　WhendinnerwasoverItookCroceapart，andtalkedseriouslytohim。I
　　impressedonhimthenecessityofcircumspectconduct，asinmyopinionhewouldbeforeverinfamousifthebeautifulwomanwhomhehadseducedwastobecomewretchedbyhisfault。
　　"ForthefutureImeantotrusttomyskillinplay，andthusIamsureofacomfortableliving。"
　　"Doessheknow，thatyourrevenueisfedsolelybythepursesofdupes？"
　　"SheknowsthatIamagamester；andassheadoresme，herwillisasmine。IamthinkingofmarryingheratWarsawbeforesheisconfined。
　　Ifyouareinanywantofmoney，lookuponmypurseasyourown。"
　　Ithankedhim，andoncemorepressedonhimthedutyofexercisingextremeprudence。