Produced by David Widger
THE MEMOIRS OF JACQUES CASANOVA DE SEINGALT
THE RARE UNABRIDGED LONDON EDITION OF 1894 TRANSLATED BY ARTHUR MACHEN TOWHICH HAS BEEN ADDED THE CHAPTERS DISCOVERED BY ARTHUR SYMONS.
MEMOIRS OF JACQUES CASANOVA de SEINGALT 1725-1798 IN LONDON AND MOSCOW,
Volume 5a—SOUTH OF FRANCE
SOUTH OF FRANCE
CHAPTER I
I Find Rosalie Happy—The Signora Isola-Bella—The
Cook—Biribi—Irene—Possano in Prison—My Niece Proves to be an Old
Friend of Rosalie's
At Genoa, where he was known to all, Pogomas called himself Possano. Heintroduced me to his wife and daughter, but they were so ugly anddisgusting in every respect that I left them on some trifling pretext,and went to dine with my new niece. Afterwards I went to see the MarquisGrimaldi, for I longed to know what had become of Rosalie. The marquiswas away in Venice, and was not expected back till the end of April; butone of his servants took me to Rosalie, who had become Madame Paretti sixmonths after my departure.
My heart beat fast as I entered the abode of this woman, of whom I hadsuch pleasant recollections. I first went to M. Paretti in his shop, andhe received me with a joyful smile, which shewed me how happy he was. Hetook me to his wife directly, who cried out with delight, and ran toembrace me.
M. Paretti was busy, and begged me to excuse him, saying his wife wouldentertain me.
Rosalie shewed me a pretty little girl of six months old, telling me thatshe was happy, that she loved her husband, and was loved by him, that hewas industrious and active in business, and under the patronage of theMarquis Grimaldi had prospered exceedingly.
The peaceful happiness of marriage had improved her wonderfully; she hadbecome a perfect beauty in every sense of the word.
"My dear friend," she said, "you are very good to call on me directly youarrive, and I hope you will dine with us to-morrow. I owe all myhappiness to you, and that is even a sweeter thought than therecollection of the passionate hours we have spent together. Let us kiss,but no more; my duty as an honest wife forbids me from going any further,so do not disturb the happiness you have given."
I pressed her hand tenderly, to skew that I assented to the conditionsshe laid down.
"Oh! by the way," she suddenly exclaimed, "I have a pleasant surprise foryou."
She went out, and a moment afterward returned with Veronique, who hadbecome her maid. I was glad to see her and embraced her affectionately,asking after Annette. She said her sister was well, and was working withher mother.
"I want her to come and wait on my niece while we are here," said I.
At this Rosalie burst out laughing.
"What! another niece? You have a great many relations! But as she is yourniece, I hope you will bring her with you to-morrow."
"Certainly, and all the more willingly as she is from Marseilles."
"From Marseilles? Why, we might know each other. Not that that wouldmatter, for all your nieces are discreet young persons. What is hername?"
"Crosin."
"I don't know it."
"I daresay you don't. She is the daughter of a cousin of mine who livedat Marseilles."
"Tell that to someone else; but, after all, what does it matter? Youchoose well, amuse yourself, and make them happy. It may be wisdom afterall, and at any rate I congrat