Produced by David Widger
MEMOIRS OF JACQUES CASANOVA de SEINGALT 1725-1798
THE ETERNAL QUEST, Volume 2a—PARIS AND HOLLAND
THE RARE UNABRIDGED LONDON EDITION OF 1894 TRANSLATED BY ARTHUR MACHEN TOWHICH HAS BEEN ADDED THE CHAPTERS DISCOVERED BY ARTHUR SYMONS.
PARIS AND HOLLAND
CHAPTER I
Count Tiretta of Trevisa Abbe Coste—Lambertini, the Pope's Niece Her
Nick—Name for Tiretta The Aunt and Niece—Our Talk by the
Fireside—Punishment of Damien—Tiretta's Mistake Anger of
Madame***—Their Reconciliation—My Happiness with Mdlle. de la Meure
Silvia's Daughter—Mdlle, de la Meure Marries My Despair and Jealousy—A
Change far the Better
In the beginning of March, 1757, I received a letter from my friendMadame Manzoni, which she sent to me by a young man of good appearance,with a frank and high-born air, whom I recognized as a Venetian by hisaccent. He was young Count Tiretta de Trevisa, recommended to my care byMadame Manzoni, who said that he would tell me his story, which I mightbe sure would be a true one. The kind woman sent to me by him a small boxin which she told me I should find all my manuscripts, as she did notthink she would ever see me again.
I gave Tiretta the heartiest of welcomes, telling him that he could nothave found a better way to my favour than through a woman to whom I wasunder the greatest obligations.
"And now, that you may be at your ease with me, I should like to know inwhat manner I can be of service to you?"
"I have need of your friendship, perhaps of your purse, but at any rateof your protection."
"You have my friendship and my protection already, and my purse is atyour service."
After expressing his gratitude to me, Tiretta said,
"A year ago the Supreme Council of my country entrusted me with anemployment dangerous to one of my years. I was made, with some otheryoung gentlemen of my own age, a keeper of the Mont de Piete. Thepleasures of the carnival having put us to a good deal of expense, wewere short of money, and borrowed from the till hoping to be able to makeup the money before balancing-day, but hoping all in vain.
"The fathers of my two companions, richer than mine, paid the sums theyhad taken, and I, not being able to pay, took the part of escaping byflight from the shame and the punishment I should have undergone.
"Madame Manzoni advised me to throw myself on your mercy, and she gave mea little box which you shall have to-day. I only got to Paris yesterday,and have only two louis, a little linen, and the clothes on my back. I amtwenty-five, have an iron constitution, and a determination to do all inmy power to make an honest living; but I can do nothing. I have notcultivated any one talent in a manner to make use of it now. I can playon the flute, but only as an amateur. I only know my own language, and Ihave no taste for literature. So what can you make of me? I must addthat I have not a single expectation, least of all from my father, for tosave the honour of the family he will be obliged to sell my portion ofthe estate, to which I shall have to bid an eternal farewell."
If the count's story had surprised me, the simplicity with which he toldit had given me pleasure; and I was resolved to do honour to MadameManzoni's introduction, feeling that it was my duty to serve afellow-countryman, who was really guilty of nothing worse than grossthoughtlessness.
"Begin," said I, "by bringing your small belongings to the room ne