The Memoires of Casanova

land-My Return to

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t to whatever bargain might be made, provided the rate was not more disadvantageous than that of the exchange at Paris. Boaz, who was astonished at the bargain I had made with my shares, wanted to discount the Government securities for me, and I should very likely have agreed to his terms if he had not required me to give him three months, and the promise that the agreement should hold even in t

I was richly dressed; my elaborate attire made the saddest possible contrast with the gloom of my surroundings. Therese, dressed in black and seated between her children at that black table, reminded me of Medea. To see these two fair young creatures vowed to a lot of misery and disgrace was a sad and touching sight. I took the boy between my arms,

as my daughter. She took my kisses in silence, but it was easy to see that she thought herself preferred to her brother, and was charmed with the idea. All her cl

me we saw at Amsterdam, and who was taken for my papa becau

e your dear friend, mayn't I? Woul

r arms about my neck gave me a thousan

gave me a delicate supper accompanied by exquisite wines. "I have never given the mar

iscovered that he was of a false and deceitful nature, always on his guard, taking care of what he said, and consequently speaking o

nt; then and only then was his amiability, if he had any, displayed. His mother, thinking to praise him, told me that reserve was his chief characterist

es with which nature has endowed your son, and have fairly set him on the way to become a monster instead of an angel. I don

tenderness I would fain have felt for th

confidence which a father has a right to expect of a good son, and

ll die rather than t

. "I have succeeded in inspiring him wi

have pursued a still better course, and one which wo

is t

ed to make him a lover of the truth by displaying it to him in all its native beauty. This is

to tell the truth," said the boy, with a smi

ughts and deeds. When we know each other a little longer we shall see how we agree together. You must understand that I cannot look upon you as my son until I see cause to love you, and I cannot have you call me father till you treat me as the best friend you have. You may be quite sure that I shall find a way to discover your thoughts, however cleverly you try to h

g to me with the greatest attention, I saw that her eyes

silly to cry." And with that the child ran t

come to Paris, to

ust come too, as she

if I told you to go

mma, but how could I

ed, as it was quite evident that the child did not mean what

tion; but if she wished them to become useful members of society her system had failed lamentably, as they were in a fair way to become monsters of deceit. I continued making her the most pointed remonstrances until, in spite of her efforts to control herself, she b

nd, you will give me some

oof do you w

come and sup wi

no to your mother, and she would be offend

it was she who told m

ndeavoured to instill into her principles of a very different nature to those in which she had been reared, while she listened with an eagerness which proved that her heart was still ready to learn the right way. Little by little her face cleared, and I saw that I had made an impression, and though I could not fl

amma says that you

was obliged to follow my example. The poor woman, hardened by the life she led, took the ch

uld have done anything to be entrusted with her, but I saw it would be no good trying to get possession of her, as the mother was evidently keeping her as a resource for her old age. This is a common way for adventuresses to look upon their daughters, and Therese was an adventuress in the widest acceptation of the term. I gave her twenty duca

two children were sleeping. I knew what she was thinking of; bu

seeing that he was posing as master of the field, and that his manners disgusted me, began to snub him, much to his displeasure, and after sneering at the poorness of the dishes, and praising the wine which he had supplied, he went out le

broker's fee. She worded her offer with too much courtesy for me to refuse it. The remainder of the letter was devoted to the wildest fancies. She said that her genius had revealed to her that I should bring back to Paris a boy born of the Mystical Marriage, and she

me for receiving the moneys in ducats, and he doubtless made a profit on the transaction

at a low rate, and nob

losing three games one after the other, I took his measure and began to lay against him without his knowledge. After playing for three hours and losing all the time, he stopped play and came to condole with me on my heavy loss. It is impossible to describe his amazed expression when I shewed him a handful of ducats, and assured him th

m no longer. I took my little daughter on my knee and lavished my caresses on her, and so left them,

my sword under my arm, I was encountered all of

"if your sword has as sha

e, and I kept my sword wrapped in my cloak,

ts in such bad part," said I;

es; look to

, but if you still wish it I will give you sa

ou can give me is to fig

insult. I drew my sword, but still hoping to bring him to his senses I kept strictly on the defensive and endeavoured to make him leave off. This conduct the Dutchman mistook fo

e defensive, I lunged out and wounded him in the chest. I thought this would

t," said he; "I

like a madman than a sensible being, I hit him four times. At the fourth wo

ed me to go to Amsterdam at once, though I assured him that the wounds were not mortal. I gave in to his advice, and as my carriage was at the saddler's he lent me his, and I set

nately for me nothing whatever was known about it at Amsterdam for a week after; otherwise, things might not have gone well with me,

ughter Esther, for she it was on whom I waited. It will be remembered that the way in which we parted did a good

ou doing Es

hmetical

like p

thing which contains difficult

something which

ivination by the cabala. I told her to ask a question in writing, and assured her that by a certain kind of calculation a satisfactory answer would be obtained. She smiled, and asked why I had returned to Amsterdam so soon. I shewed her how to ma

though the answer might not be true, and she wished to

it cannot teac

you learn

anuscript I inheri

l it

ered to communicate the secret to an

fif

before that age I should run the risk of losing it myself. The

you kn

d in the manuscrip

able to discov

replies were not sometimes t

will you be kind enough to get m

and me in anything not forbi

astonished and called her governess to see the two answers, but the good woman saw nothing wonderful in them whatever. Esth

n. I gave no answer, and pretended to feel sad at heart. She began to write down another question, putting her hand in front so as to screen the paper. I rose as if to get out of her way, but while she was arranging the pyramid I cast my eyes on the paper whilst

racle if she might shew the questions she had propounded to her father, and the

d no words wherewith to express her gratitude to me. I left her for

that the burgomaster's son was only slightly wounded, and that I had nothing to fear as the matter was not generally known, and that if I had business at the Hague I might return there in perfect safety. She said

t least, if I had no important engagement. I answered that, excepting a certain matter of which her father knew, I had no chiefer a

d which drew reasonable answers out of a pyramid of numbers. As soon as her father saw m

an who has sufficient s

eciate he

rship

embrac

delight threw them round my neck, and ga

Jew who by its aid made an immense fortune. He, like you, said that, under pain of losing the secret, it could only be communicated to one person, but he put off doing so so long that at last it was too late, f

sure, and yet you possess one far more

gain. Yes, sir, I call

f the oracle are o

my daughter received

the way she frames her question

am so fortunate-at least, if yo

, as I consider father an

to M. d'O--'s private closet, and thereupon he drew two long questions out of his pocket. In the first he desired to know how to obtain a favourable decision from the States-General in an important matter, the

rted on the return voyage, and should have arrived two months ago, and this delay gave rise to the supposition that it had gone down. M. d'O-- wished to know if it were still above water, or whether it were lost, etc. As no tidings of it ha

pronouncing it safe and sound, and that we should hear of it in a few days. No doubt I felt the need of exalting my oracle, but this method was likely to destroy its

argain. At this, dreading the consequences, I hastened to tell him that for all I knew there might not be a word of truth in the oracle's reply, and that I should die of grief if

er been dece

ft

father to take no further steps in the

acle with the answers she had received. There were six or seven of them, all briefly worded, some direct and some equivocal. Esther, who had constructed the pyramids, had shone, with my potent assistance, in extracting the answers, which I had really i

at parting M. d'O-- said that as Sunday was a day for pleasure and not business he hoped I would honour them by

incident to his profession. I asked myself the question, how a man, who would consider it dishonourable to steal a ducat, or to pick one up in the street and keep it, knowing to whom it belonged, could reconcile it with his conscience

rs of the cavern. The air was dense with the fumes of bad tobacco, and vapours reeking of beer and garlic issued from every mouth. The company consisted of sailors, men of the lowest-class, and a number of vile women. The sailors and the dregs of the people thought this den a garden of delight, and considered its pleasures compensation for the toils of the sea and the miseries of daily labour. There was not a sing

r features, although I could not decide who she could be. Feeling rather curious on the subject I sa

teen years,"

f she would take any; she said yes, and

e change I received from the waiter. She was full of gr

t Amsterdam better t

own country I should not be f

you when you

appily with my father and mother

educed

ally fo

t of Venice

Venice, but at Fr

my indifferent air. A life of debauchery rather than the flight of time had tarnished her beauty, and ruined the once exquisite outlines of her form. Lucie, that innocent and pretty maiden, grown ugly, vile, a common prostitute! It was a dreadfu

o Lucie I felt the sting of remorse, but at the thought of M. d'O-- I hated myself. I considered that I should cause him a loss of three or four hundred thousand florins; and the th

not ruined, at all events impoverished by my fault, and Lucie only thirty-two years old, and already deep in the abyss of vice, with an infinite prospect of misery

'Orient." I found her out; she had gone to the Admiralty. I went there, and found her accompanied by M. de Reissak and the Count de Tot,

wooden staircase, on the fourth or fifth step my foot struck against some yielding substance. I looked down and saw a green pocket-book. I stooped down to pick it up, but was awkward enough to send it through an opening in the stairs, which had been doubtless made for the purpose of giving light to a stair below. I did not stop, but went up the steps and was received with the

ened to you. If my presence is a restraint,

fter all; I have enough money l

estion, what is the

eal of money, which if I had been wise I would have

t know where

also notes of the Bank of England for heavy sums, and they are gone, as they are payable to the bearer. Let us give thanks to God, my dear child, that it is no worse, and pray to Him to preserve to us what r

irretrievably. My first point was how to make capital of my grand discovery in the interests of my cabalistic science. It was too fine an opportunity to be lost, especially as I still felt the sting of having been the cause of an enormous los

y liked we would have a game of cards, but Esther said that this would be a waste of tim

my heart

do as you

e my father lost

plain question:

ad not been found by anyone. She leapt up from her seat, dance

it, we shall

ear, that answer is r

ave her father one

ly ground for hope, but the orac

b! W

b if you do not give me as many ki

ughing; and throwing her arms about my neck she be

pite my sad old age, the foe of love. When I recall these events I grow young again and feel

et-book?" And the pyramid told her that the pocket-book had

aid to his

he pocket-book must have fallen. He lighted a candle and we went down to the cellar, and before long he picked up the book, which had fallen into some water. We went up again in high sp

h one hand and with the other gave them to Esther begging her to keep them for me; but before she would agree to do so I had to threaten her with the stopp

her affection by an appeal, not to her interest, but to her truthfulness. This charming gi

object was to negotiate the tw

but as I shall often want to speak to you, you must come a

a restraint on you. I

Est

e not to let them see how pleased I was. I contented myself with expressing

myself alone with Esther I kissed her tenderly, sayi

ou lo

power to shew how well I love you

nd live with us, you must look out for a good opportunity for asking my hand of my father. You ne

wife! I will c

other our inmost thoughts; and I was undoubtedly truly in love, for not a singl

is return was, that there would be a pi

that, p

which is thought to have gone down. They will call me mad, but they themselves will be the ma

ned. I have told you that I have

at the real sense of it; but in the present case there is no room, for doubt. I shall

s for me, I could not recall what I had done, but I was again overwhelmed with sadness. M. d'O-- saw

racle a second time before you risk your three hundred thousand florins." This proposition pleased the fath

t him who will believe it; this is absolutely what happened. I wrote down the question myself, erected the pyramid, and carried out all the magical ceremonies without letting Esther have a hand in it. I was delighted to be able to check an act of extreme imprudence, and I was determined to do so. A double meaning, which I knew how to

fear nor hesitate. Your repentance

g any answer; I had intended to write trust and hazard, and I had written fear and hesitate. But thanks to his prejudice, M. d'O-- only saw in my silence confirmation of the i

the grief I should endure on account of the absence of Madame Trend and my daughter. Esther was the only mistress of my soul. I lived but to adore her,

nkers on the twenty millions. They offered ten millions in hard cash and seven millions in paper money, bearing interest at five or six per cent. with a deduct

sent copies of the proposal to M. de Boulogne and M. d'Afri, begging from them an immediate reply. At the end of a week I received an answer in the writing of M. de Courteil, acting for M. de Boulogne, instructing

ry day, and as if chance was determined to make me a prophet in spite of myself, news was received of the ship which was believed to be lost, and which, on the faith of my oracle, M. d'O-- had bought for t

a trifle," said he, "and so," turning to me, "you may count from thi

not imagine, unless he knows my character better than I do mysel

o make an enormous fortune in a short time merely by making use of your cabala. I will be your agent; let us l

here can be no doubt that my insuperable objection to the marriage tie was working within my soul. A long silence followed; and last, recovering my powers of speech, I succeeded, with an effort, in speaking to them of my gratitude, my happiness, my love, and I e

did dinner to several of his friends, who congratulated him on his good fortune, being persuaded that his courageous action was to be explained b

atter of the twenty millions, in which he guaranteed that Fran

copy to the comptroller-general, with a letter in which I warned him that the thing would certainly fall thro

o receive no brokerage; but that I should all the same accept a proposal which I thought a prof

uished people in Amsterdam were invited to it. The ball and supper were of the most splendid description, and Esther

and more in love, and more unhappy, for we were tormented by

other virtuous women, that if she agreed to make me happy she was sure I would not marry her, and that as soon as I made her my wife she would be mine and mine only. She did not think I was married, for I had given her too many assurances to the contrary, but she thought I had a strong attachment to s

structions for effecting the exchange of the twenty millions, and another letter from the ambassador was to the same effect. He warned m

her father at my request gave me bills of exchange to the amount of a hundred thousand florins, with a note of two hundred thousand florins authorizi

ths under The Leads had not been enough to cure this mental malady of mine. But when I reflect upon after events of my life I am not astonished that The Leads proved ineffectual, for the numberless vicissitudes which I have go

ecurities, and I reached the Hague, where Boaz received me with a mingled air of wonder and admiration. He told me that I had w

g them, they are of the opposite opinion; but all th

iting," said he, "I will make you a present

pinion as myself; but I don't think the certainty is suffic

ss with the ambassador, and t

ssed. I told her to go on to Rotterdam the next day and wait for me

re the land lay, and I enjoyed a good laugh at the mother's craft and the child's piety, and gave her a hundred ducats, telling her that she should have another hundred when she wrote to me from London. It was very evident that she thought the sum a very moderate one, but I would not give her

ave it to Sophie, embraced her, and went on my way. I arrived at Paris