IleftCorfuintheevening，andhavingagoodbreezeinmyfavour，I
reachedOtrantobyday—breakthefollowingmorning，withouttheoarsmenhavinghadtorowastroke。ThedistancefromCorfutoOtrantoisonlyaboutfifteenleagues。
Ihadnoideaoflanding，owingtothequarantinewhichisalwaysenforcedforanyshiporboatcomingtoItalyfromtheeast。Ionlywenttotheparlourofthelazaretto，where，placedbehindagrating，youcanspeaktoanypersonwhocalls，andwhomuststandbehindanothergratingplacedopposite，atadistanceofsixfeet。
AssoonasIannouncedthatIhadcomeforthepurposeofengagingatroupeofactorstoperforminCorfu，themanagersofthetwocompaniestheninOtrantocametotheparlourtospeaktome。ItoldthematoncethatIwishedtoseealltheperformers，onecompanyatatime。
Thetworivalmanagersgavemethenaverycomicscene，eachmanagerwantingtheothertobringhistroupefirst。Theharbour—mastertoldmethattheonlywaytosettlethematterwastosaymyselfwhichofthetwocompaniesIwouldseefirst:onewasfromNaples，theotherfromSicily。NotknowingeitherIgavethepreferencetothefirst。
DonFastidio，themanager，wasveryvexed，whileBattipaglia，thedirectorofthesecond，wasdelightedbecausehehopedthat，afterseeingtheNeapolitantroupe，Iwouldengagehisown。
Anhourafterwards，Fastidioreturnedwithallhisperformers，andmysurprisemaybeimaginedwhenamongstthemIrecognizedPetronioandhissisterMarina，who，themomentshesawme，screamedforjoy，jumpedoverthegrating，andthrewherselfinmyarms。Aterriblehubbubfollowed，andhighwordspassedbetweenFastidioandtheharbour—master。MarinabeingintheserviceofFastidio，thecaptaincompelledhimtoconfinehertothelazaretto，whereshewouldhavetoperformquarantineathisexpense。Thepoorgirlcriedbitterly，butIcouldnotremedyherimprudence。
IputastoptothequarrelbytellingFastidiotoshewmeallhispeople，oneaftertheother。Petroniobelongedtohiscompany，andperformedthelovers。HetoldmethathehadaletterformefromTherese。IwasalsogladtoseeaVenetianofmyacquaintancewhoplayedthepantalooninthepantomime，threetolerablyprettyactresses，apulcinella，andascaramouch。Altogether，thetroupewasadecentone。
ItoldFastidiotonamethelowestsalaryhewantedforallhiscompany，assuringhimthatIwouldgivethepreferencetohisrival，ifheshouldaskmetoomuch。
\"Sir，\"heanswered，\"wearetwenty，andshallrequiresixroomswithtenbeds，onesitting—roomforallofus，andthirtyNeapolitanducatsaday，alltravellingexpensespaid。Hereismystockofplays，andwewillperformthosethatyoumaychoose。\"
ThinkingofpoorMarinawhowouldhavetoremaininthelazarettobeforeshecouldreappearonthestageatOtranto，ItoldFastidiotogetthecontractready，asIwantedtogoawayimmediately。
Ihadscarcelypronouncedthesewordsthanwarbrokeoutagainbetweenthemanager—electandhisunfortunatecompetitor。
Battipaglia，inhisrage，calledMarinaaharlot，andsaidthatshehadarrangedbeforehandwithFastidiotoviolatetherulesofthelazarettoinordertocompelmetochoosetheirtroupe。Petronio，takinghissister’spart，joinedFastidio，andtheunluckyBattipagliawasdraggedoutsideandtreatedtoagenerousdoseofblowsandfisticuffs，whichwasnotexactlythethingtoconsolehimforalostengagement。
Soonafterwards，PetroniobroughtmeTherese’sletter。Shewasruiningtheduke，gettingrichaccordingly，andwaitingformeinNaples。
Everythingbeingreadytowardsevening，IleftOtrantowithtwentyactors，andsixlargetrunkscontainingtheircompletewardrobes。A
lightbreezewhichwasblowingfromthesouthmighthavecarriedustoCorfuintenhours，butwhenwehadsailedaboutonehourmycayabouchiriinformedmethathecouldseebythemoonlightashipwhichmightprovetobeacorsair，andgetholdofus。Iwasunwillingtoriskanything，soIorderedthemtolowerthesailsandreturntoOtranto。Atday—breakwesailedagainwithagoodwesterlywind，whichwouldalsohavetakenustoCorfu；butafterwehadgonetwoorthreehours，thecaptainpointedouttomeabrigantine，evidentlyapirate，forshewasshapinghercoursesoastogettowindwardofus。Itoldhimtochangethecourse，andtogobystarboard，toseeifthebrigantinewouldfollowus，butsheimmediatelyimitatedourmanoeuvre。IcouldnotgobacktoOtranto，andIhadnowishtogotoAfrica，soIorderedthementoshapeourcourse，soastolandonthecoastofCalabria，byhardrowingandatthenearestpoint。Thesailors，whowerefrightenedtodeath，communicatedtheirfearstomycomedians，andsoonIheardnothingbutweepingandsobbing。Everyoneofthemwascallingearnestlyuponsomesaint，butnotonesingleprayertoGoddidIhear。Thebewailingsofscaramouch，thedullandspiritlessdespairofFastidio，offeredapicturewhichwouldhavemademelaughheartilyifthedangerhadbeenimaginaryandnotreal。Marinaalonewascheerfulandhappy，becauseshedidnotrealizethedangerwewererunning，andshelaughedattheterrorofthecrewandofhercompanions。
Astrongbreezespranguptowardsevening，soIorderedthemtoclaponallsailandscudbeforethewind，evenifitshouldgetstronger。
Inordertoescapethepirate，Ihadmadeupmymindtocrossthegulf。Wetookthewindthroughthenight，andinthemorningwewereeightymilesfromCorfu，whichIdeterminedtoreachbyrowing。Wewereinthemiddleofthegulf，andthesailorswerewornoutwithfatigue，butIhadnolongeranyfear。Agalebegantoblowfromthenorth，andinlessthananhouritwasblowingsohardthatwewerecompelledtosailclosetothewindinafearfulmanner。Thefeluccalookedeverymomentasifitmustcapsize。Everyonelookedterrifiedbutkeptcompletesilence，forIhadenjoineditonpenaltyofdeath。Inspiteofourdangerousposition，IcouldnothelplaughingwhenIheardthesobsofthecowardlyscaramouch。Thehelmsmanwasamanofgreatnerve，andthegalebeingsteadyIfeltwewouldreachCorfuwithoutmishap。Atday—breakwesightedthetown，andatnineinthemorningwelandedatMandrachia。Everybodywassurprisedtoseeusarrivethatway。
Assoonasmycompanywaslanded，theyoungofficersnaturallycametoinspecttheactresses，buttheydidnotfindthemverydesirable，withtheexceptionofMarina，whoreceiveduncomplaininglythenewsthatIcouldnotrenewmyacquaintancewithher。Ifeltcertainthatshewouldnotlackadmirers。Butmyactresses，whohadappeareduglyatthelanding，producedaverydifferenteffectonthestage，andparticularlythepantaloon’swife。M。Duodo，commanderofaman—of—
war，calleduponher，and，findingmasterpantaloonintolerantonthesubjectofhisbetter—half，gavehimafewblowswithhiscane。
Fastidioinformedmethenextdaythatthepantaloonandhiswiferefusedtoperformanymore，butImadethemaltertheirmindbygivingthemabenefitnight。
Thepantaloon’swifewasmuchapplauded，butshefeltinsultedbecause，inthemidstoftheapplause，thepitcalledout，\"Bravo，Duodo！\"Shepresentedherselftothegeneralinhisownbox，inwhichIwasgenerally，andcomplainedofthemannerinwhichshewastreated。Thegeneralpromisedher，inmyname，anotherbenefitnightforthecloseofthecarnival，andIwasofcoursecompelledtoratifyhispromise。Thefactis，that，tosatisfythegreedyactors，Iabandonedtomycomedians，onebyone，theseventeennightsIhadreservedformyself。ThebenefitIgavetoMarinawasatthespecialrequestofMadameF————，whohadtakenherintogreatfavoursinceshehadhadthehonourofbreakfastingalonewithM。D————R————inavillaoutsideofthecity。
Mygenerositycostmefourhundredsequins，butthefarobankbroughtmeathousandandmore，althoughIneverheldthecards，mymanagementofthetheatretakingupallmytime。Mymannerwiththeactressesgainedmegreatkindness；itwasclearlyseenthatI
carriedonnointriguewithanyofthem，althoughIhadeveryfacilityfordoingso。MadameF————complimentedme，sayingthatshehadnotentertainedsuchagoodopinionofmydiscretion。Iwastoobusythroughthecarnivaltothinkoflove，evenofthepassionwhichfilledmyheart。ItwasonlyatthebeginningofLent，andafterthedepartureofthecomedians，thatIcouldgivereintomyfeelings。
OnemorningMadameF————sent，amessengerwho，summonedmetoherpresence。Itwaseleveno’clock；Iimmediatelywenttoher，andenquiredwhatIcoulddoforherservice。
\"Iwantedtoseeyou，\"shesaid，\"toreturnthetwohundredsequinswhichyoulentmesonobly。Heretheyare；begoodenoughtogivemebackmynoteofhand。\"
\"Yournoteofhand，madam，isnolongerinmypossession。Ihavedepositeditinasealedenvelopewiththenotarywho，accordingtothisreceiptofhis，canreturnitonlytoyou。\"
\"Whydidyounotkeepityourself？\"
\"BecauseIwasafraidoflosingit，orofhavingitstolen。AndintheeventofmydeathIdidnotwantsuchadocumenttofallintoanyotherhandsbutyours。\"
\"Agreatproofofyourextremedelicacy，certainly，butIthinkyououghttohavereservedtherightoftakingitoutofthenotary’scustodyyourself。\"
\"Ididnotforseethepossibilityofcallingforitmyself。\"
\"Yetitwasaverylikelything。ThenIcansendwordtothenotarytotransmitittome？\"
\"Certainly，madam；youalonecanclaimit。\"
Shesenttothenotary，whobroughtthehimself。
Shetoretheenvelopeopen，andfoundonlyapieceofpaperbesmearedwithink，quiteillegible，exceptherownname，whichhadnotbeentouched。
\"Youhaveacted，\"shesaid，\"mostnobly；butyoumustagreewithmethatIcannotbecertainthatthispieceofpaperisreallymynoteofhand，althoughIseemynameonit。\"
\"True，madam；andifyouarenotcertainofit，Iconfessmyselfinthewrong。\"
\"Imustbecertainofit，andIamso；butyoumustgrantthatI
couldnotsweartoit。\"
\"Granted，madam。\"
Duringthefollowingdaysitstruckmethathermannertowardsmewassingularlyaltered。Sheneverreceivedmeinherdishabille，andI
hadtowaitwithgreatpatienceuntilhermaidhadentirelydressedherbeforebeingadmittedintoherpresence。
IfIrelatedanystory，anyadventure，shepretenednottounderstand，andaffectednottoseethepointofananecdoteorajest；veryoftenshewouldpurposelynotlookatme，andthenIwassuretorelatebadly。IfM。D————R—————laughedatsomethingIhadjustsaid，shewouldaskwhathewaslaughingfor，andwhenhehadtoldher，shewouldsayitwasinsipidordull。Ifoneofherbraceletsbecameunfastened，Iofferedtofastenitagain，buteithershewouldnotgivemesomuchtrouble，orIdidnotunderstandthefastening，andthemaidwascalledtodoit。Icouldnothelpshewingmyvexation，butshedidnotseemtotaketheslightestnoticeofit。IfM。D————R—————excitedmetosaysomethingamusingorwitty，andIdidnotspeakimmediately，shewouldsaythatmybudgetwasempty，laughing，andaddingthatthewitofpoorM。Casanovawaswornout。Fullofrage，Iwouldpleadguiltybymysilencetohertauntingaccusation，butIwasthoroughlymiserable，forIdidnotseeanycauseforthatextraordinarychangeinherfeelings，beingconsciousthatIhadnotgivenheranymotiveforit。
Iwantedtoshewheropenlymyindifferenceandcontempt，butwheneveranopportunityoffered，mycouragewouldforsakeme，andI
wouldletitescape。
OneeveningM。D————R—————askingmewhetherIhadoftenbeeninlove，Ianswered，\"Threetimes，mylord。\"
\"Andalwayshappily，ofcourse。\"
\"Alwaysunhappily。Thefirsttime，perhaps，because，beinganecclesiastic，Idurstnotspeakopenlyofmylove。Thesecond，becauseacruel，unexpectedeventcompelledmetoleavethewomanI
lovedattheverymomentinwhichmyhappinesswouldhavebeencomplete。Thethirdtime，becausethefeelingofpity，withwhichI
inspiredthebelovedobject，inducedhertocuremeofmypassion，insteadofcrowningmyfelicity。\"
\"Butwhatspecificremediesdidsheusetoeffectyourcure？\"
\"Shehasceasedtobekind。\"
\"Iunderstandshehastreatedyoucruelly，andyoucallthatpity，doyou？Youaremistaken。\"
\"Certainly，\"saidMadameF————，\"awomanmaypitythemansheloves，butshewouldnotthinkofill—treatinghimtocurehimofhispassion。Thatwomanhasneverfeltanyloveforyou。\"
\"Icannot，Iwillnotbelieveit，madam。\"
\"Butareyoucured？\"
\"Oh！thoroughly；forwhenIhappentothinkofher，Ifeelnothingbutindifferenceandcoldness。Butmyrecoverywaslong。\"
\"Yourconvalescencelasted，Isuppose，untilyoufellinlovewithanother。\"
\"Withanother，madam？IthoughtIhadjusttoldyouthatthethirdtimeIlovedwasthelast。\"
Afewdaysafterthatconversation，M。D————R—————toldmethatMadameF————wasnotwell，thathecouldnotkeephercompany，andthatIoughttogotoher，ashewassureshewouldbegladtoseeme。Iobeyed，andtoldMadameF————whatM。D————R—————hadsaid。
Shewaslyingonasofa。Withoutlookingatme，shetoldmeshewasfeverish，andwouldnotaskmetoremainwithher，becauseIwouldfeelweary。
\"Icouldnotexperienceanywearinessinyoursociety，madam；atallevents，Icanleaveyouonlybyyourexpresscommand，and，inthatcase，Imustspendthenextfourhoursinyourante—room，forM。D———
R—————hastoldmetowaitforhimhere。\"
\"Ifso，youmaytakeaseat。\"
Hercoldanddistantmannerrepelledme，butIlovedher，andIhadneverseenhersobeautiful，aslightfeveranimatinghercomplexionwhichwasthentrulydazzlinginitsbeauty。IkeptwhereIwas，dumbandasmotionlessasastatue，foraquarterofanhour。Thensherangforhermaid，andaskedmetoleaveheraloneforamoment。
Iwascalledbacksoonafter，andshesaidtome，\"Whathasbecomeofyourcheerfulness？\"
\"Ifithasdisappeared，madam，itcanonlybebyyourwill。Callitback，andyouwillseeitreturninfullforce。\"
\"WhatmustIdotoobtainthatresult？\"
\"OnlybetowardsmeasyouwerewhenIreturnedfromCasopo。Ihavebeendisagreeabletoyouforthelastfourmonths，andasIdonotknowwhy，Ifeeldeeplygrieved。\"
\"Iamalwaysthesame:inwhatdoyoufindmechanged？\"
\"Goodheavens！Ineverything，exceptinbeauty。ButIhavetakenmydecision。\"
\"Andwhatisit？\"
\"Tosufferinsilence，withoutallowinganycircumstancetoalterthefeelingswithwhichyouhaveinspiredme；towishardentlytoconvinceyouofmyperfectobediencetoyourcommands；tobeeverreadytogiveyoufreshproofsofmydevotion。\"
\"Ithankyou，butIcannotimaginewhatyoucanhavetosufferinsilenceonmyaccount。Itakeaninterestinyou，andIalwayslistenwithpleasuretoyouradventures。Asaproofofit，Iamextremelycurioustohearthehistoryofyourthreeloves。\"
Iinventedonthespotthreepurelyimaginarystories，makingagreatdisplayoftendersentimentsandofardentlove，butwithoutalludingtoamorousenjoyment，particularlywhensheseemedtoexpectmetodoso。Sometimesdelicacy，sometimesrespectorduty，interferedtopreventthecrowningpleasure，andItookcaretoobserve，atsuchmomentsofdisappointment，thatatrueloverdoesnotrequirethatallimportantitemtofeelperfectlyhappy。Icouldeasilyseethatherimaginationwastravellingfartherthanmynarrative，andthatmyreservewasagreeabletoher。IbelievedIknewhernaturewellenoughtobecertainthatIwastakingthebestroadtoinducehertofollowmewhereIwishedtoleadher。Sheexpressedasentimentwhichmovedmedeeply，butIwascarefulnottoshewit。Weweretalkingofmythirdlove，ofthewomanwho，outofpity，hadundertakentocureme，andsheremarked，\"Ifshetrulylovedyou，shemayhavewishednottocureyou，buttocureherself。\"
Onthedayfollowingthispartialreconciliation，M。F————，herhusband，beggedmycommandingofficer，D————R—————，toletmegowithhimtoButintroforanexcursionofthreedays，hisownadjutantbeingseriouslyill。
ButintroissevenmilesfromCorfu，almostoppositetothatcity；itisthenearestpointtotheislandfromthemainland。Itisnotafortress，butonlyasmallvillageofEpirus，orAlbania，asitisnowcalled，andbelongingtotheVenetians。Actingonthepoliticalaxiomthat\"neglectedrightislostright，\"theRepublicsendseveryyearfourgalleystoButintrowithagangofgalleyslavestofelltrees，cutthem，andloadthemonthegalleys，whilethemilitarykeepasharplook—outtopreventthemfromescapingtoTurkeyandbecomingMussulmans。OneofthefourgalleyswascommandedbyM。
F————who，wantinganadjutantfortheoccasion，choseme。
Iwentwithhim，andonthefourthdaywecamebacktoCorfuwithalargeprovisionofwood。IfoundM。D————R————aloneontheterraceofhispalace。ItwasGoodFriday。Heseemedthoughtful，and，afterasilenceofafewminutes，hespokethefollowingwords，whichIcanneverforget:
\"M。F—————，whoseadjutantdiedyesterday，hasjustbeenentreatingmetogiveyoutohimuntilhecanfindanotherofficer。IhavetoldhimthatIhadnorighttodisposeofyourperson，andthathe，oughttoapplytoyou，assuringhimthat，ifyouaskedmeleavetogowithhim，Iwouldnotraiseanyobjection，althoughIrequiretwoadjutants。Hashenotmentionedthemattertoyou？\"
\"No，monsignor，hehasonlytenderedmehisthanksforhavingaccompaniedhimtoButintro，nothingelse。\"
\"Heissuretospeaktoyouaboutit。Whatdoyouintendtosay？\"
\"SimplythatIwillneverleavetheserviceofyourexcellencywithoutyourexpresscommandtodoso。\"
\"Ineverwillgiveyousuchanorder。\"
AsM。D————R————wassayingthelastword，M。andMadameF————camein。Knowingthattheconversationwouldmostlikelyturnuponthesubjectwhichhadjustbeenbroached，Ihurriedoutoftheroom。InlessthanaquarterofanhourIwassentfor，andM。F————saidtome，confidentially，\"Well，M。Casanova，wouldyounotbewillingtolivewithmeasmyadjutant？\"
\"Doeshisexcellencydismissmefromhisservice？\"
\"Notatall，\"observedM。D————R————，\"butIleaveyouthechoice。\"
\"Mylord，Icouldnotbeguiltyofingratitude。\"
AndIremainedtherestanding，uneasy，keepingmyeyesontheground，notevenstrivingtoconcealmymortification，whichwas，afterall，verynaturalinsuchaposition。IdreadedlookingatMadameF————，forIknewthatshecouldeasilyguessallmyfeelings。Aninstantafter，herfoolishhusbandcoldlyremarkedthatIshouldcertainlyhaveamorefatiguingservicewithhimthanwithM。D————R————，andthat，ofcourse，itwasmorehonourabletoservethegeneralgovernorofthegaleazzethanasimplesopra—committo。Iwasonthepointofanswering，whenMadameF————said，inagracefulandeasymanner，\"M。Casanovaisright，\"andshechangedthesubject。Ilefttheroom，revolvinginmymindallthathadjusttakenplace。
MyconclusionwasthatM。F————hadaskedM。D————R————toletmegowithhimatthesuggestionofhiswife，or，atleastwithherconsent，anditwashighlyflatteringtomyloveandtomyvanity。
ButIwasboundinhonournottoacceptthepost，unlessIhadaperfectassurancethatitwouldnotbedisagreeabletomypresentpatron。\"Iwillaccept，\"Isaidtomyself，\"ifM。D————R—————tellsmepositivelythatIshallpleasehimbydoingso。ItisforM。Ftomakehimsayit。\"
OnthesamenightIhadthehonourofofferingmyarmtoMadameF———
duringtheprocessionwhichtakesplaceincommemorationofthedeathofourLordandSaviour，whichwasthenattendedonfootbyallthenobility。Iexpectedshewouldmentionthematter，butshedidnot。
Mylovewasindespair，andthroughthenightIcouldnotclosemyeyes。Ifearedshehadbeenoffendedbymyrefusal，andwasoverwhelmedwithgrief。Ipassedthewholeofthenextdaywithoutbreakingmyfast，anddidnotutterasinglewordduringtheeveningreception。Ifeltveryunwell，andIhadanattackoffeverwhichkeptmeinbedonEasterSunday。IwasveryweakontheMonday，andintendedtoremaininmyroom，whenamessengerfromMadameF————
cametoinformmethatshewishedtoseeme。Itoldthemessengernottosaythathehadfoundmeinbed，anddressingmyselfrapidlyI
hurriedtoherhouse。Ienteredherroom，pale，lookingveryill:
yetshedidnotenquireaftermyhealth，andkeptsilentaminuteortwo，asifshehadbeentryingtorecollectwhatshehadtosaytome。
\"Ah！yes，youareawarethatouradjutantisdead，andthatwewanttoreplacehim。Myhusband，whohasagreatesteemforyou，andfeelsthatM。D————R—————leavesyouperfectlyfreetomakeyourchoice，hastakenthesingularfancythatyouwillcome，ifIaskyoumyselftodousthatpleasure。Ishemistaken？Ifyouwouldcometous，youwouldhavethatroom。\"
Shewaspointingtoaroomadjoiningthechamberinwhichsheslept，andsosituatedthat，toseeherineverypartofherroom，Ishouldnotevenrequiretoplacemyselfatthewindow。
\"M。D————R—————，\"shecontinued，\"willnotloveyouless，andashewillseeyouhereevery，day，hewillnotbelikelytoforgethisinterestinyourwelfare。Now，tellme，willyoucomeornot？\"
\"IwishIcould，madam，butindeedIcannot。\"
\"Youcannot？Thatissingular。Takeaseat，andtellmewhatthereistopreventyou，when，inacceptingmyoffer，youaresuretopleaseM。D————R—————aswellasus。\"
\"IfIwerecertainofit，Iwouldacceptimmediately；butallIhaveheardfromhislipswasthatheleftmefreetomakeachoice。\"
\"Thenyouareafraidtogrievehim，ifyoucometous？\"
\"Itmightbe，andfornothingonearth……\"
\"Iamcertainofthecontrary。\"
\"Willyoubesogoodastoobtainthathesayssotomehimself？\"
\"Andthenyouwillcome？\"
\"Oh，madam！thatveryminute！\"
Butthewarmthofmyexclamationmightmeanagreatdeal，andI
turnedmyheadroundsoasnottoembarrassher。Sheaskedmetogiveherhermantletogotochurch，andwewentout。Asweweregoingdownthestairs，sheplacedherunglovedhanduponmine。Itwasthefirsttimethatshehadgrantedmesuchafavour，anditseemedtomeagoodomen。Shetookoffherhand，askingmewhetherI
wasfeverish。\"Yourhand，\"shesaid，\"isburning。\"
Whenweleftthechurch，M。D————R—————’scarriagehappenedtopass，andIassistedhertogetin，andassoonasshehadgone，hurriedtomyroominordertobreathefreelyandtoenjoyallthefelicitywhichfilledmysoul；forInolongerdoubtedherloveforme，andI
knewthat，inthiscase，M。D————R—————wasnotlikelytorefuseheranything。
Whatislove？Ihavereadplentyofancientverbiageonthatsubject，Ihavereadlikewisemostofwhathasbeensaidbymodernwriters，butneitherallthathasbeensaid，norwhatIhavethoughtaboutit，whenIwasyoungandnowthatIamnolongerso，nothing，infact，canmakemeagreethatloveisatriflingvanity。Itisasortofmadness，Igrantthat，butamadnessoverwhichphilosophyisentirelypowerless；itisadiseasetowhichmanisexposedatalltimes，nomatteratwhatage，andwhichcannotbecured，ifheisattackedbyitinhisoldage。Lovebeingsentimentwhichcannotbeexplained！Godofallnature！——bitterandsweetfeeling！Love！——
charmingmonsterwhichcannotbefathomed！Godwho，inthemidstofallthethornswithwhichthouplaguestus，strewestsomanyrosesonourpaththat，withoutthee，existenceanddeathwouldbeunitedandblendedtogether！
Twodaysafterwards，M。D————R—————，toldmetogoandtakeordersfromM。F————onboardhisgalley，whichwasreadyforafiveorsixdays’voyage。Iquicklypackedafewthings，andcalledformynewpatronwhoreceivedmewithgreatjoy。Wetookourdeparturewithoutseeingmadam，whowasnotyetvisible。Wereturnedonthesixthday，andIwenttoestablishmyselfinmynewhome，for，asIwaspreparingtogotoM。D————R—————，totakehisorders，afterourlanding，hecamehimself，andafteraskingM。F————andmewhetherwewerepleasedwitheachother，hesaidtome，\"Casanova，asyousuiteachothersowell，youmaybecertainthatyouwillgreatlypleasemebyremainingintheserviceofM。F。\"
Iobeyedrespectfully，andinlessthanonehourIhadtakenpossessionofmynewquarters。MadameF————toldmehowdelightedshewastoseethatgreataffairendedaccordingtoherwishes，andI
answeredwithadeepreverence。
Ifoundmyselflikethesalamander，intheveryheartofthefireforwhichIhadbeenlongingsoardently。
AlmostconstantlyinthepresenceofMadameF————，diningoftenalonewithher，accompanyingherinherwalks，evenwhenM。D————R—————
wasnotwithus，seeingherfrommyroom，orconversingwithherinherchamber，alwaysreservedandattentivewithoutpretension，thefirstnightpassedbywithoutanychangebeingbroughtaboutbythatconstantintercourse。YetIwasfullofhope，andtokeepupmycourageIimaginedthatlovewasnotyetpowerfulenoughtoconquerherpride。Iexpectedeverythingfromsomeluckychance，whichI
promisedmyselftoimproveassoonasitshouldpresentitself，forI
waspersuadedthataloverislostifhedoesnotcatchfortunebytheforelock。
Buttherewasonecircumstancewhichannoyedme。Inpublic，sheseizedeveryopportunityoftreatingmewithdistinction，while，whenwewerealone，itwasexactlythereverse。IntheeyesoftheworldIhadalltheappearanceofahappylover，butIwouldratherhavehadlessoftheappearanceofhappinessandmoreofthereality。Myloveforherwasdisinterested；vanityhadnoshareinmyfeelings。
Oneday，beingalonewithme，shesaid，\"Youhaveenemies，butIsilencedthemlastnight。\"
\"Theyareenvious，madam，andtheywouldpitymeiftheycouldreadthesecretpagesofmyheart。Youcouldeasilydelivermefromthoseenemies。\"
\"Howcanyoubeanobjectofpityforthem，andhowcouldIdeliveryoufromthem？\"
\"Theybelievemehappy，andIammiserable；youwoulddelivermefromthembyill—treatingmeintheirpresence。\"
\"Thenyouwouldfeelmybadtreatmentlessthantheenvyofthewicked？\"
\"Yes，madam，providedyourbadtreatmentinpublicwerecompensatedbyyourkindnesswhenwearealone，forthereisnovanityinthehappinessIfeelinbelongingtoyou。Letotherspityme，Iwillbehappyonconditionthatothersaremistaken。\"
\"That’sapartthatIcanneverplay。\"
Iwouldoftenbeindiscreetenoughtoremainbehindthecurtainofthewindowinmyroom，lookingatherwhenshethoughtherselfperfectlycertainthatnobodysawher；butthelibertyIwasthusguiltyofneverprovedofgreatadvantagetome。Whetheritwasbecauseshedoubtedmydiscretionorfromhabitualreserve，shewassoparticularthat，evenwhenIsawherinbed，mylongingeyesnevercouldobtainasightofanythingbutherhead。
Oneday，beingpresentinherroomwhilehermaidwascuttingoffthepointsofherlongandbeautifulhair，Iamusedmyselfinpickingupallthoseprettybits，andputthemall，oneaftertheother，onhertoilettable，withtheexceptionofonesmalllockwhichIslippedintomypocket，thinkingthatshehadnottakenanynoticeofmykeepingit；butthemomentwewerealoneshetoldmequietly，butrathertooseriously，totakeoutofmypocketthehairIhadpickedupfromthefloor。Thinkingshewasgoingtoofar，andsuchrigourappearingtomeascruelasitwasunjustandabsurd，Iobeyed，butthrewthehaironthetoilet—tablewithanairofsupremecontempt。
\"Sir，youforgetyourself。\"
\"No，madam，Idonot，foryoumighthavefeignednottohaveobservedsuchaninnocenttheft。\"
\"Feigningistiresome。\"
\"Wassuchpettylarcenyaverygreatcrime？\"
\"Nocrime，butitwasanindicationoffeelingswhichyouhavenorighttoentertainforme。\"
\"Feelingswhichyouareatlibertynottoreturn，madam，butwhichhatredorpridecanaloneforbidmyhearttoexperience。Ifyouhadaheartyouwouldnotbethevictimofeitherofthosetwofearfulpassions，butyouhaveonlyhead，anditmustbeaverywickedhead，judgingbythecareittakestoheaphumiliationuponme。Youhavesurprisedmysecret，madam，youmayuseitasyouthinkproper，butinthemeantimeIhavelearnedtoknowyouthoroughly。Thatknowledgewillprovemoreusefulthanyourdiscovery，forperhapsitwillhelpmetobecomewiser。\"
AfterthisviolenttiradeIlefther，andasshedidnotcallmebackretiredtomyroom。Inthehopethatsleepwouldbringcalm，I
undressedandwenttobed。Insuchmomentsaloverhatestheobjectofhislove，andhisheartdistilsonlycontemptandhatred。Icouldnotgotosleep，andwhenIwassentforatsupper—timeIansweredthatIwasill。Thenightpassedoffwithoutmyeyesbeingvisitedbysleep，andfeelingweakandlowIthoughtIwouldwaittoseewhatailedme，andrefusedtohavemydinner，sendingwordthatIwasstillveryunwell。TowardseveningIfeltmyheartleapforjoywhenIheardmybeautifullady—loveentermyroom。Anxiety，wantoffoodandsleep，gavemetrulytheappearanceofbeingill，andIwasdelightedthatitshouldbeso。Isentherawayverysoon，bytellingherwithperfectindifferencethatitwasnothingbutabadheadache，towhichIwassubject，andthatreposeanddietwouldeffectaspeedycure。
Butateleveno’clockshecamebackwithherfriend，M。D————R—————，andcomingtomybedshesaid，affectionately，\"Whatailsyou，mypoorCasanova？\"
\"Averybadheadache，madam，whichwillbecuredto—morrow。\"
\"Whyshouldyouwaituntilto—morrow？Youmustgetbetteratonce。
Ihaveorderedabasinofbrothandtwonew—laideggsforyou。\"
\"Nothing，madam；completeabstinencecanalonecureme。\"
\"Heisright，\"saidM。D————R—————，\"Iknowthoseattacks。\"
Ishookmyheadslightly。M。D————R—————havingjustthenturnedroundtoexamineanengraving，shetookmyhand，sayingthatshewouldlikemetodrinksomebroth，andIfeltthatshewasgivingmeasmallparcel。ShewenttolookattheengravingwithM。D————
R—————。
Iopenedtheparcel，butfeelingthatitcontainedhair，Ihurriedlyconcealeditunderthebed—clothes:atthesamemomentthebloodrushedtomyheadwithsuchviolencethatitactuallyfrightenedme。
Ibeggedforsomewater，shecametome，withM。D————R—————，andthenwerebothfrightenedtoseemesored，whentheyhadseenmepaleandweakonlyoneminutebefore。
MadameF————gavemeaglassofwaterinwhichsheputsomeEaudescarmeswhichinstantlyactedasaviolentemetic。TwoorthreeminutesafterIfeltbetter，andaskedforsomethingtoeat。MadameF————smiled。Theservantcameinwiththebrothandtheeggs，andwhileIwaseatingItoldthehistoryofPandolfin。M。D————R—————
thoughtitwasallamiracle，andIcouldread，onthecountenanceofthecharmingwoman，love，affection，andrepentance。IfM。D————
R—————hadnotbeenpresent，itwouldhavebeenthemomentofmyhappiness，butIfeltcertainthatIshouldnothavelongtowait。
M。D————R—————toldMadameF————that，ifhehadnotseenmesosick，hewouldhavebelievedmyillnesstobeallsham，forhedidnotthinkitpossibleforanyonetorallysorapidly。
\"ItisallowingtomyEaudescarmes，\"saidMadameF—————，lookingatme，\"andIwillleaveyoumybottle。\"
\"No，madam，bekindenoughtotakeitwithyou，forthewaterwouldhavenovirtuewithoutyourpresence。\"
\"Iamsureofthat，\"saidM。D————R—————，\"soIwillleaveyouherewithyourpatient。\"
\"No，no，hemustgotosleepnow。\"
Isleptallnight，butinmyhappydreamsIwaswithher，andtherealityitselfwouldhardlyhaveprocuredmegreaterenjoymentthanI
hadduringmyhappyslumbers。IsawIhadtakenaverylongstrideforward，fortwenty—fourhoursofabstinencegavemetherighttospeaktoheropenlyofmylove，andthegiftofherhairwasanirrefutableconfessionofherownfeelings。
Onthefollowingday，afterpresentingmyselfbeforeM。F————，Iwenttohavealittlechatwiththemaid，towaituntilhermistresswasvisible，whichwasnotlong，andIhadthepleasureofhearingherlaughwhenthemaidtoldherIwasthere。AssoonasIwentin，withoutgivingmetimetosayasingleword，shetoldmehowdelightedshewastoseemelookingsowell，andadvisedmetocalluponM。D————R—————。
Itisnotonlyintheeyesofalover，butalsointhoseofeverymanoftaste，thatawomanisathousandtimesmorelovelyatthemomentshecomesoutofthearmsofMorpheusthanwhenshehascompletedhertoilet。AroundMadameF————morebrilliantbeamswereblazingthanaroundthesunwhenheleavestheembraceofAurora。Yetthemostbeautifulwomanthinksasmuchofhertoiletastheonewhocannotdowithoutit——，verylikelybecausemorehumancreaturespossessthemoretheywant。
IntheordergiventomebyMadameF————tocallonM。D————R—————，Isawanotherreasontobecertainofapproachinghappiness，forI
thoughtthat，bydismissingmesoquickly，shehadonlytriedtopostponetheconsummationwhichImighthavepresseduponher，andwhichshecouldnothaverefused。
Richinthepossessionofherhair，IheldaconsultationwithmylovetodecidewhatIoughttodowithit，forMadameF————，verylikelyinherwishtoatoneforthemiserlysentimentwhichhadrefusedmeasmallbit，hadgivenmeasplendidlock，fullayardandahalflong。Havingthoughtitover，IcalleduponaJewishconfectionerwhosedaughterwasaskilfulembroiderer，andImadeherembroiderbeforeme，onabraceletofgreensatin，thefourinitiallettersofournames，andmakeaverythinchainwiththeremainder。
Ihadapieceofblackribbonaddedtooneendofthechain，intheshapeofaslidingnoose，withwhichIcouldeasilystranglemyselfifeverloveshouldreducemetodespair，andIpasseditroundmyneck。AsIdidnotwanttoloseeventhesmallestparticleofsopreciousatreasure，Icutwithapairofscissorsallthesmallbitswhichwereleft，anddevoutlygatheredthemtogether。ThenIreducedthemintoafinepowder，andorderedtheJewishconfectionertomixthepowderinmypresencewithapastemadeofamber，sugar，vanilla，angelica，alkermesandstorax，andIwaiteduntilthecomfitspreparedwiththatmixturewereready。Ihadsomemoremadewiththesamecomposition，butwithoutanyhair；Iputthefirstinabeautifulsweetmeatboxoffinecrystal，andthesecondinatortoise—shellbox。
>Fromthedaywhen，bygivingmeherhair，MadameF————hadbetrayedthesecretfeelingsofherheart，Inolongerlostmytimeinrelatingstoriesoradventures。；Ionlyspoketoherofmycove，ofmyardentdesires；Itoldherthatshemusteitherbanishmefromherpresence，orcrownmyhappiness，butthecruel，charmingwomanwouldnotacceptthatalternative。Sheansweredthathappinesscouldnotbeobtainedbyoffendingeverymorallaw，andbyswervingfromourduties。IfIthrewmyselfatherfeettoobtainbyanticipationherforgivenessforthelovingviolenceIintendedtouseagainsther，shewouldrepulsememorepowerfullythanifshehadhadthestrengthofafemaleHercules，forshewouldsay，inavoicefullofsweetnessandaffection，\"Myfriend，Idonotentreatyoutorespectmyweakness，butbegenerousenoughtosparemeforthesakeofalltheloveIfeelforyou。\"
\"What！youloveme，andyourefusetomakemehappy！Itisimpossible！itisunnatural。Youcompelmetobelievethatyoudonotloveme。Onlyallowmetopressmylipsonemomentuponyourlips，andIasknomore。\"
\"No，dearest，no；itwouldonlyexcitetheardourofyourdesires，shakemyresolution，andweshouldthenfindourselvesmoremiserablethanwearenow。\"
Thusdidsheeverydayplungemeindespair，andyetshecomplainedthatmywitwasnolongerbrilliantinsociety，thatIhadlostthatelasticityofspiritswhichhadpleasedhersomuchaftermyarrivalfromConstantinople。M。D————R—————，whooftenjestinglywagedwaragainstme，usedtosaythatIwasgettingthinnerandthinnereveryday。MadameF————toldmeonedaythatmysicklylookswereverydisagreeabletoher，becausewickedtongueswouldnotfailtosaythatshetreatedmewithcruelty。Strange，almostunnaturalthought！
OnitIcomposedanidyllwhichIcannotread，evennow，withoutfeelingtearsinmyeyes。
\"What！\"Ianswered，\"youacknowledgeyourcrueltytowardsme？Youareafraidoftheworldguessingallyourheartlessrigour，andyetyoucontinuetoenjoyit！YoucondemnmeunmercifullytothetormentsofTantalus！Youwouldbedelightedtoseemegay，cheerful，happy，evenattheexpenseofajudgmentbywhichtheworldwouldfindyouguiltyofasupposedbutfalsekindnesstowardsme，andyetyourefusemeeventheslightestfavours！\"
\"Idonotmindpeoplebelievinganything，provideditisnottrue。\"
\"Whatacontrast！Woulditbepossibleformenottoloveyou，foryoutofeelnothingforme？Suchcontradictionsstrikemeasunnatural。Butyouaregrowingthinneryourself，andIamdying。Itmustbeso；weshallbothdiebeforelong，youofconsumption，Iofexhaustingdecline；forIamnowreducedtoenjoyingyourshadowduringtheday，duringthenight，always，everywhere，exceptwhenI
aminyourpresence。\"
Atthatpassionatedeclaration，deliveredwithalltheardourofanexcitedlover，shewassurprised，deeplymoved，andIthoughtthatthehappyhourhadstruck。Ifoldedherinmyarms，andwasalreadytastingthefirstfruitsofenjoyment……Thesentinelknockedtwice！……Oh！fatalmischance！Irecoveredmycomposureandstoodinfrontofher……M。D————R—————madehisappearance，andthistimehefoundmeinsocheerfulamoodthatheremainedwithusuntiloneo’clockinthemorning。
Mycomfitswerebeginningtobethetalkofoursociety。M。D————
R—————，MadameF————，andIweretheonlyoneswhohadaboxfullofthem。Iwasstingywiththem，andnoonedurstbeganyfromme，becauseIhadsaidthattheywereveryexpensive，andthatinallCorfutherewasnoconfectionerwhocouldmakeorphysicianwhocouldanalysethem。Inevergaveoneoutofmycrystalbox，andMadameF。
remarkedit。Icertainlydidnotbelievethemtobeamorousphiltre，andIwasveryfarfromsupposingthattheadditionofthehairmadethemtastemoredelicious；butasuperstition，theoffspringofmylove，causedmetocherishthem，anditmademehappytothinkthatasmallportionofthewomanIworshippedwasthusbecomingapartofmybeing。
Influencedperhapsbysomesecretsympathy，MadameF。wasexceedinglyfondofthecomfits。Sheassertedbeforeallherfriendsthattheyweretheuniversalpanacea，andknowingherselfperfectmistressoftheinventor，shedidnotenquireafterthesecretofthecomposition。ButhavingobservedthatIgaveawayonlythecomfitswhichIkeptinmytortoise—shellbox，andthatInevereatanybutthosefromthecrystalbox，sheonedayaskedmewhatreasonIhadforthat。Withouttakingtimetothink，ItoldherthatinthoseI
keptformyselftherewasacertainingredientwhichmadethepartakerloveher。
\"Idonotbelieveit，\"sheanswered；\"butaretheydifferentfromthoseIeatmyself？\"
\"Theyareexactlythesame，withtheexceptionoftheingredientI
havejustmentioned，whichhasbeenputonlyinmine。\"
\"Tellmewhattheingredientis。\"
\"ItisasecretwhichIcannotrevealtoyou。\"
\"ThenIwillnevereatanyofyourcomfits。\"
Sayingwhich，sherose，emptiedherbox，andfilleditagainwithchocolatedrops；andforthenextfewdaysshewasangrywithme，andavoidedmycompany。Ifeltgrieved，Ibecamelow—spirited，butI
couldnotmakeupmymindtotellherthatIwaseatingherhair！
SheenquiredwhyIlookedsosad。
\"Becauseyourefusetotakemycomfits。\"
\"Youaremasterofyoursecret，andIammistressofmydiet。\"
\"Thatismyrewardforhavingtakenyouintomyconfidence。\"
AndIopenedmybox，emptieditscontentsinmyhand，andswallowedthewholeofthem，saying，\"Twomoredoseslikethis，andIshalldiemadwithloveforyou。Thenyouwillberevengedformyreserve。
Farewell，madam。\"
Shecalledmeback，mademetakeaseatnearher，andtoldmenottocommitfollieswhichwouldmakeherunhappy；thatIknewhowmuchshelovedme，andthatitwasnotowingtotheeffectofanydrug。\"Toprovetoyou，\"sheadded，\"thatyoudonotrequireanythingofthesorttobeloved，hereisatokenofmyaffection。\"Andsheofferedmeherlovelylips，anduponthemmineremainedpresseduntilIwascompelledtodrawabreath。Ithrewmyselfatherfeet，withtearsofloveandgratitudeblindingmyeyes，andtoldherthatIwouldconfessmycrime，ifshewouldpromisetoforgiveme。
\"Yourcrime！Youfrightenme。Yes，Iforgiveyou，butspeakquickly，andtellmeall。\"
\"Yes，everything。Mycomfitscontainyourhairreducedtoapowder。
Hereonmyarm，seethisbraceletonwhichournamesarewrittenwithyourhair，androundmyneckthischainofthesamematerial，whichwillhelpmetodestroymyownlifewhenyourlovefailsme。Suchismycrime，butIwouldnothavebeenguiltyofit，ifIhadnotlovedyou。\"
Shesmiled，and，biddingmerisefrommykneelingposition，shetoldmethatIwasindeedthemostcriminalofmen，andshewipedawaymytears，assuringmethatIshouldneverhaveanyreasontostranglemyselfwiththechain。
Afterthatconversation，inwhichIhadenjoyedthesweetnectarofmydivinity’sfirstkiss，Ihadthecouragetobehaveinaverydifferentmanner。Shecouldseetheardourwhichconsumedme；
perhapsthesamefireburnedinherveins，butIabstainedfromanyattack。
\"Whatgivesyou，\"shesaidoneday，\"thestrengthtocontrolyourself？\"
\"Afterthekisswhichyougrantedtomeofyourownaccord，IfeltthatIoughtnottowishanyfavourunlessyourheartgaveitasfreely。Youcannotimaginethehappinessthatkisshasgivenme。\"
\"Inotimagineit，youungratefulman！Whichofushasgiventhathappiness？\"
\"NeitheryounorI，angelofmysoul！Thatkisssotender，sosweet，wasthechildoflove！\"
\"Yes，dearest，oflove，thetreasuresofwhichareinexhaustible。\"
Thewordswerescarcelyspoken，whenourlipswereengagedinhappyconcert。SheheldmesotightagainstherbosomthatIcouldnotusemyhandstosecureotherpleasures，butIfeltmyselfperfectlyhappy。Afterthatdelightfulskirmish，Iaskedherwhetherwewerenevertogoanyfurther。
\"Never，dearestfriend，never。Loveisachildwhichmustbeamusedwithtrifles；toosubstantialfoodwouldkillit。\"
\"Iknowlovebetterthanyou；itrequiresthatsubstantialfood，andunlessitcanobtainit，lovediesofexhaustion。Donotrefusemetheconsolationofhope。\"
\"Hopeasmuchasyouplease，ifitmakesyouhappy。\"
\"WhatshouldIdo，ifIhadnohope？Ihope，becauseIknowyouhaveaheart。\"
\"Ah！yes。Doyourecollecttheday，when，inyouranger，youtoldmethatIhadonlyahead，butnoheart，thinkingyouwereinsultingmegrossly！\"
\"Oh！yes，Irecollectit。\"
\"HowheartilyIlaughed，whenIhadtimetothink！Yes，dearest，I
haveaheart，orIshouldnotfeelashappyasIfeelnow。Letuskeepourhappiness，andbesatisfiedwithit，asitis，withoutwishingforanythingmore。\"
Obedienttoherwishes，buteverydaymoredeeplyenamoured，Iwasinhopethatnatureatlastwouldprovestrongerthanprejudice，andwouldcauseafortunatecrisis。But，besidesnature，fortunewasmyfriend，andIowedmyhappinesstoanaccident。
MadameF。waswalkingonedayinthegarden，leaningonM。D————
R—————’sarm，andwascaughtbyalargerose—bush，andthepricklythornsleftadeepcutonherleg。M。D————R—————bandagedthewoundwithhishandkerchief，soastostopthebloodwhichwasflowingabundantly，andshehadtobecarriedhomeinapalanquin。
InCorfu，woundsonthelegsaredangerouswhentheyarenotwellattendedto，andveryoftenthewoundedarecompelledtoleavethecitytobecured。
MadameF—————wasconfinedtoherbed，andmyluckypositioninthehousecondemnedmetoremainconstantlyatherorders。Isawhereveryminute；but，duringthefirstthreedays，visitorssucceededeachotherwithoutintermission，andIneverwasalonewithher。Intheevening，aftereverybodyhadgone，andherhusbandhadretiredtohisownapartment，M。D————R—————remainedanotherhour，andforthesakeofproprietyIhadtotakemyleaveatthesametimethathedid。Ihadmuchmorelibertybeforetheaccident，andItoldhersohalfseriously，halfjestingly。Thenextday，tomakeupformydisappointment，shecontrivedamomentofhappinessforme。
Anelderlysurgeoncameeverymorningtodressherwound，duringwhichoperationhermaidonlywaspresent，butIusedtogo，inmymorningdishabille，tothegirl’sroom，andtowaitthere，soastobethefirsttohearhowmydearonewas。
Thatmorning，thegirlcametotellmetogoinasthesurgeonwasdressingthewound。
\"See，whethermylegislessinflamed。\"
\"Togiveanopinion，madam，Ioughttohaveseenityesterday。\"
\"True。Ifeelgreatpain，andIamafraidoferysipelas。\"
\"Donotbeafraid，madam，\"saidthesurgeon，\"keepyourbed，andI
answerforyourcompleterecovery。\"
Thesurgeonbeingbusypreparingapoulticeattheotherendoftheroom，andthemaidout，Ienquiredwhethershefeltanyhardnessinthecalfoftheleg，andwhethertheinflammationwentupthelimb；
andnaturally，myeyesandmyhandskeptpacewithmyquestions……
Isawnoinflammation，Ifeltnohardness，but……andthelovelypatienthurriedlyletthecurtainfall，smiling，andallowingmetotakeasweetkiss，theperfumeofwhichIhadnotenjoyedformanydays。Itwasasweetmoment；adeliciousecstacy。Fromhermouthmylipsdescendedtoherwound，andsatisfiedinthatmomentthatmykisseswerethebestofmedicines，Iwouldhavekeptmylipsthere，ifthenoisemadebythemaidcomingbackhadnotcompelledmetogiveupmydelightfuloccupation。
Whenwewereleftalone，burningwithintensedesires，Ientreatedhertogranthappinessatleasttomyeyes。
\"Ifeelhumiliated，\"Isaidtoher，\"bythethoughtthatthefelicityIhavejustenjoyedwasonlyatheft。\"
\"Butsupposingyouweremistaken？\"
ThenextdayIwasagainpresentatthedressingofthewound，andassoonasthesurgeonhadleft，sheaskedmetoarrangeherpillows，whichIdidatonce。Asiftomakethatpleasantofficeeasier，sheraisedthebedclothestosupportherself，andshethusgavemeasightofbeautieswhichintoxicatedmyeyes，andIprotractedtheeasyoperationwithouthercomplainingofmybeingtooslow。
WhenIhaddoneIwasinafearfulstate，andIthrewmyselfinanarm—chairoppositeherbed，halfdead，inasortoftrance。Iwaslookingatthatlovelybeingwho，almostartless，wascontinuallygrantingmegreaterandstillgreaterfavours，andyetneverallowedmetoreachthegoalforwhichIwassoardentlylonging。
\"Whatareyouthinkingof？\"shesaid。
\"OfthesupremefelicityIhavejustbeenenjoying。\"
\"Youareacruelman。\"
\"No，Iamnotcruel，for，ifyouloveme，youmustnotblushforyourindulgence。Youmustknow，too，that，lovingyoupassionately，I
mustnotsupposethatitistobeasurprisethatIamindebtedformyhappinessintheenjoymentofthemostravishingsights，forifI
oweditonlytomerechanceIshouldbecompelledtobelievethatanyothermaninmypositionmighthavehadthesamehappiness，andsuchanideawouldbemiserytome。LetmebeindebtedtoyouforhavingprovedtomethismorninghowmuchenjoymentIcanderivefromoneofmysenses。Canyoubeangrywithmyeyes？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Theybelongtoyou；tearthemout。\"
Thenextday，themomentthedoctorhadgone，shesenthermaidouttomakesomepurchases。
\"Ah！\"shesaidafewminutesafter，\"mymaidhasforgottentochangemychemise。\"
\"Allowmetotakeherplace。\"
\"Verywell，butrecollectthatIgivepermissiononlytoyoureyestotakeashareintheproceedings。\"
\"Agreed！\"
Sheunlacedherself，tookoffherstaysandherchemise，andtoldmetobequickandputonthecleanone，butIwasnotspeedyenough，beingtoomuchengagedbyallIcouldsee。
\"Givememychemise，\"sheexclaimed；\"itisthereonthatsmalltable。\"
\"Where？\"
\"There，nearthebed。Well，Iwilltakeitmyself。\"
Sheleanedovertowardsthetable，andexposedalmosteverythingI
waslongingfor，and，turningslowlyround，shehandedmethechemisewhichIcouldhardlyhold，tremblingalloverwithfearfulexcitement。Shetookpityonme，myhandssharedthehappinessofmyeyes；Ifellinherarms，ourlipsfastenedtogether，and，inavoluptuous，ardentpressure，weenjoyedanamorousexhaustionnotsufficienttoallayourdesires，butdelightfulenoughtodeceivethemforthemoment。
Withgreatercontroloverherselfthanwomenhavegenerallyundersimilarcircumstances，shetookcaretoletmereachonlytheporchofthetemple，withoutgrantingmeyetafreeentrancetothesanctuary。
EndMEMOIRSOFJACQUESCASANOVAdeSEINGALT1725—1798
VENETIANYEARS，Volume1d——RETURNTOVENICE
THERAREUNABRIDGEDLONDONEDITIONOF1894TRANSLATEDBYARTHUR
MACHENTOWHICHHASBEENADDEDTHECHAPTERSDISCOVERED
BYARTHURSYMONS。
RETURNTOVENICE
CHAPTERXVI
AFearfulMisfortuneBefallsMe——LoveCoolsDown——LeaveCorfuandReturntoVenice——GiveUptheArmyandBecomeaFiddlerThewoundwasrapidlyhealingup，andIsawnearathandthemomentwhenMadameF————wouldleaveherbed，andresumeherusualavocations。
ThegovernorofthegaleasseshavingissuedordersforageneralreviewatGouyn，M。F————，leftforthatplaceinhisgalley，tellingmetojoinhimthereearlyonthefollowingdaywiththefelucca。I
tooksupperalonewithMadameF————，andItoldherhowunhappyitmademetoremainonedayawayfromher。
\"Letusmakeupto—nightforto—morrow’sdisappointment，\"shesaid，\"andletusspendittogetherinconversation。Herearethekeys；
whenyouknowthatmymaidhasleftme，cometomethroughmyhusband’sroom。\"
Ididnotfailtofollowherinstructionstotheletter，andwefoundourselvesalonewithfivehoursbeforeus。ItwasthemonthofJune，andtheheatwasintense。Shehadgonetobed；Ifoldedherinmyarms，shepressedmetoherbosom，but，condemningherselftothemostcrueltorture，shethoughtIhadnorighttocomplain，ifIwassubjectedtothesameprivationwhichsheimposeduponherself。Myremonstrances，myprayers，myentreatieswereofnoavail。
\"Love，\"shesaid，\"mustbekeptincheckwithatighthand，andwecanlaughathim，since，inspiteofthetyrannywhichweforcehimtoobey，wesucceedallthesameingratifyingourdesires。\"
Afterthefirstecstacy，oureyesandlipsunclosedtogether，andalittleapartfromeachotherwetakedelightinseeingthemutualsatisfactionbeamingonourfeatures。
Ourdesiresrevive；shecastsalookuponmystateofinnocenceentirelyexposedtohersight。Sheseemsvexedatmywantofexcitement，and，throwingoffeverythingwhichmakestheheatunpleasantandinterfereswithourpleasure，sheboundsuponme。Itismorethanamorousfury，itisdesperatelust。Ishareherfrenzy，Ihugherwithasortofdelirium，Ienjoyafelicitywhichisonthepointofcarryingmetotheregionsofbliss……but，attheverymomentofcompletingtheoffering，shefailsme，movesoff，slipsaway，andcomesbacktoworkoffmyexcitementwithahandwhichstrikesmeascoldasice。
\"Ah，thoucruel，belovedwoman！Thouartburningwiththefireoflove，andthoudeprivestthyselfoftheonlyremedywhichcouldbringcalmtothysenses！Thylovelyhandismorehumanethanthouart，butthouhasnotenjoyedthefelicitythatthyhandhasgivenme。Myhandmustowenothingtothine。Come，darlinglightofmyheart，come！LovedoublesmyexistenceinthehopethatIwilldieagain，butonlyinthatcharmingretreatfromwhichyouhaveejectedmeintheverymomentofmygreatestenjoyment。\"
WhileIwasspeakingthus，herverysoulwasbreathingforththemosttendersighsofhappiness，andasshepressedmetightlyinherarmsIfeltthatshewaswelteringinanoceanofbliss。
Silencelastedratheralongtime，butthatunnaturalfelicitywasimperfect，andincreasedmyexcitement。
\"Howcanstthoucomplain，\"shesaidtenderly，\"whenitistothatveryimperfectionofourenjoymentthatweareindebtedforitscontinuance？Ilovedtheeafewminutessince，nowIlovetheeathousandtimesmore，andperhapsIshouldlovetheelessifthouhadstcarriedmyenjoymenttoitshighestlimit。\"
\"Oh！howmuchartthoumistaken，lovelyone！Howgreatisthyerror！
Thouartfeedinguponsophisms，andthouleavestrealityaside；I
meannaturewhichalonecangiverealfelicity。Desiresconstantlyrenewedandneverfullysatisfiedaremoreterriblethanthetormentsofhell。\"
\"Butarenotthesedesireshappinesswhentheyarealwaysaccompaniedbyhope？\"
\"No，ifthathopeisalwaysdisappointed。Itbecomeshellitself，becausethereisnohope，andhopemustdiewhenitiskilledbyconstantdeception。\"
\"Dearest，ifhopedoesnotexistinhell，desirescannotbefoundthereeither；fortoimaginedesireswithouthopeswouldbemorethanmadness。\"
\"Well，answerme。Ifyoudesiretobemineentirely，andifyoufeelthehopeofit，which，accordingtoyourwayofreasoning，isanaturalconsequence，whydoyoualwaysraiseanimpedimenttoyourownhope？Cease，dearest，ceasetodeceiveyourselfbyabsurdsophisms。Letusbeashappyasitisinnaturetobe，andbequitecertainthattherealityofhappinesswillincreaseourlove，andthatlovewillfindanewlifeinourveryenjoyment。\"
\"WhatIseeprovesthecontrary；youarealivewithexcitementnow，butifyourdesireshadbeenentirelysatisfied，youwouldbedead，benumbed，motionless。Iknowitbyexperience:ifyouhadbreathedthefullecstacyofenjoyment，asyoudesired，youwouldhavefoundaweakardouronlyatlongintervals。\"
\"Ah！charmingcreature，yourexperienceisbutverysmall；donottrusttoit。Iseethatyouhaveneverknownlove。Thatwhichyoucalllove’sgraveisthesanctuaryinwhichitreceiveslife，theabodewhichmakesitimmortal。Givewaytomyprayers，mylovelyfriend，andthenyoushallknowthedifferencebetweenLoveandHymen。Youshallseethat，ifHymenlikestodieinordertogetridoflife，Loveonthecontraryexpiresonlytospringupagainintoexistence，andhastenstorevive，soastosavournewenjoyment。Letmeundeceiveyou，andbelievemewhenIsaythatthefullgratificationofdesirescanonlyincreaseahundredfoldthemutualardouroftwobeingswhoadoreeachother。\"
\"Well，Imustbelieveyou；butletuswait。Inthemeantimeletusenjoyallthetrifles，allthesweetpreliminariesoflove。Devourthymistress，dearest，butabandontomeallthybeing。Ifthisnightistooshortwemustconsoleourselvesto—morrowbymakingarrangementsforanotherone。\"
\"Andifourintercourseshouldbediscovered？\"
\"Dowemakeamysteryofit？Everybodycanseethatweloveeachother，andthosewhothinkthatwedonotenjoythehappinessofloversarepreciselytheonlypersonswehavetofear。Wemustonlybecarefultoguardagainstbeingsurprisedintheveryactofprovingourlove。Heavenandnaturemustprotectouraffection，forthereisnocrimewhentwoheartsareblendedintruelove。SinceI
havebeenconsciousofmyownexistence，Lovehasalwaysseemedtomethegodofmybeing，foreverytimeIsawamanIwasdelighted；I
thoughtthatIwaslookinguponone—halfofmyself，becauseIfeltI
wasmadeforhimandheforme。Ilongedtobemarried。Itwasthatuncertainlongingoftheheartwhichoccupiesexclusivelyayounggirloffifteen。Ihadnoconceptionoflove，butIfanciedthatitnaturallyaccompaniedmarriage。Youcanthereforeimaginemysurprisewhenmyhusband，intheveryactofmakingawomanofme，gavemeagreatdealofpainwithoutgivingmetheslightestideaofpleasure！MyimaginationintheconventwasmuchbetterthantherealityIhadbeencondemnedtobymyhusband！Theresulthasnaturallybeenthatwehavebecomeverygoodfriends，butaveryindifferenthusbandandwife，withoutanydesiresforeachother。Hehaseveryreasontobepleasedwithme，forIalwaysshewmyselfdociletohiswishes，butenjoymentnotbeinginthosecasesseasonedbylove，hemustfinditwithoutflavour，andheseldomcomestomeforit。
\"WhenIfoundoutthatyouwereinlovewithme，Ifeltdelighted，andgaveyoueveryopportunityofbecomingeverydaymoredeeplyenamouredofme，thinkingmyselfcertainofneverlovingyoumyself。
AssoonasIfeltthatlovehadlikewiseattackedmyheart，Iill—
treatedyoutopunishyouforhavingmademyheartsensible。Yourpatienceandconstancyhaveastonishedme，andhavecausedmetobeguilty，forafterthefirstkissIgaveyouIhadnolongeranycontrolovermyself。IwasindeedastoundedwhenIsawthehavocmadebyonesinglekiss，andIfeltthatmyhappinesswaswrappedupinyours。Thatdiscoveryflatteredanddelightedme，andIhavefoundout，particularlyto—night，thatIcannotbehappyunlessyouaresoyourself。\"
\"Thatis，mybeloved，themostrefinedofallsentimentsexperiencedbylove，butitisimpossibleforyoutorendermecompletelyhappywithoutfollowingineverythingthelawsandthewishesofnature。\"
Thenightwasspentintenderdiscussionsandinexquisitevoluptuousness，anditwasnotwithoutsomegriefthatatday—breakI
toremyselffromherarmstogotoGouyn。SheweptforjoywhenshesawthatIleftherwithouthavinglostaparticleofmyvigour，forshedidnotimaginesuchathingpossible。
Afterthatnight，sorichindelights，tenortwelvedayspassedwithoutgivingusanyopportunityofquenchingevenasmallparticleoftheamorousthirstwhichdevouredus，anditwasthenthatafearfulmisfortunebefellme。