Produced by David Widger
MEMOIRS OF JACQUES CASANOVA de SEINGALT 1725-1798
ADVENTURES IN THE SOUTH, Volume 4a—DEPART SWITZERLAND
THE RARE UNABRIDGED LONDON EDITION OF 1894 TRANSLATED BY ARTHUR MACHEN TOWHICH HAS BEEN ADDED THE CHAPTERS DISCOVERED BY ARTHUR SYMONS.
DEPART SWITZERLAND
CHAPTER I
The Door—Keeper's Daughters—The Horoscopes—Mdlle. Roman
The idea of the sorry plight in which I had left the Marquis de Prie, hismistress, and perhaps all the company, who had undoubtedly coveted thecontents of my cash-box, amused me till I reached Chamberi, where I onlystopped to change horses. When I reached Grenoble, where I intended tostay a week, I did not find my lodging to my liking, and went in mycarriage to the post-office, where I found several letters, amongstothers, one from Madame d'Urfe, enclosing a letter of introduction to anofficer named Valenglard, who, she told me, was a learned man, and wouldpresent me at all the best houses in the town.
I called on this officer and received a cordial welcome. After readingMadame d'Urfe's letter he said he was ready to be useful to me inanything I pleased.
He was an amiable, middle aged man, and fifteen years before had beenMadame d'Urfe's friend, and in a much more intimate degree the friend ofher daughter, the Princess de Toudeville. I told him that I wasuncomfortable at the inn, and that the first service I would ask of himwould be to procure me a comfortable lodging. He rubbed his head, andsaid,—
"I think I can get you rooms in a beautiful house, but it is outside thetown walls. The door-keeper is an excellent cook, and for the sake ofdoing your cooking I am sure he will lodge you for nothing."
"I don't wish that," said I.
"Don't be afraid," said the baron, "he will make it up by means of hisdishes; and besides, the house is for sale and costs him nothing. Comeand see it."
I took a suite of three rooms and ordered supper for two, warning the manthat I was dainty, liked good things, and did not care for the cost. Ialso begged M. de Valenglard to sup with me. The doorkeeper said that ifI was not pleased with his cooking I had only to say so, and in that caseI should have nothing to pay. I sent for my carriage, and felt that I hadestablished myself in my new abode. On the ground floor I saw threecharming girls and the door-keeper's wife, who all bowed profoundly. M.de Valenglard took me to a concert with the idea of introducing me toeverybody, but I begged him not to do so, as I wished to see the ladiesbefore deciding which of them I should like to know.
The company was a numerous one, especially where women were concerned,but the only one to attract my attention was a pretty and modest-lookingbrunette, whose fine figure was dressed with great simplicity. Hercharming eyes, after having thrown one glance in my direction,obstinately refused to look at me again. My vanity made me conclude atonce that she behaved thus only to increase my desire of knowing her, andto give me plenty of time to examine her side-face and her figure, theproportions of which were not concealed by her simple attire. Successbegets assurance, and the wish is father to the thought. I cast a hungrygaze on this young lady without more ado, just as if all the women inEurope were only a seraglio kept for my pleasures. I told the baron Ishould like to know her.
"She is a good girl," said he, "who sees no company, and is quite poor."
"Those are three reasons which make me the more anxious