I felt highly pleased with the supper-party I had arranged with M—— M— — and I ought to have been happy. Yet I was not so; but whence came the anxiety which was a torment1 to me? Whence? From my fatal habit of gambling2. That passion was rooted in me; to live and to play were to me two identical things, and as I could not hold the bank I would go and punt at the ridotto, where I lost my money morning and night. That state of things made me miserable3. Perhaps someone will say to me:
“Why did you play, when there was no need of it, when you were in want of nothing, when you had all the money you could wish to satisfy your fancies?”
That would be a troublesome question if I had not made it a law to tell the truth. Well, then, dear inquisitive4 reader, if I played with almost the certainty of losing, although no one, perhaps, was more sensible than I was to the losses made in gambling, it is because I had in me the evil spirit of avarice5; it is because I loved prodigality6, and because my heart bled when I found myself compelled to spend any money that I had not won at the gaming-table. It is an ugly vice7, dear reader, I do not deny it. However, all I can say is that, during the four days previous to the supper, I lost all the gold won for me by M—— M——
On the anxiously-expected day I went to my casino, where at the appointed hour M—— M—— came with her friend, whom she introduced to me as soon as he had taken off his mask.
“I had an ardent9 wish, sir,” said M. de Bernis to me, “to renew acquaintance with you, since I heard from madame that we had known each other in Paris.”
With these words he looked at me attentively10, as people will do when they are trying to recollect11 a person whom they have lost sight of. I then told him that we had never spoken to one another, and that he had not seen enough of me to recollect my features now.
“I had the honour,” I added, “to dine with your excellency at M. de Mocenigo’s house, but you talked all the time with Marshal Keith, the Prussian ambassador, and I was not fortunate enough to attract your attention. As you were on the point of leaving Paris to return to Venice, you went away almost immediately after dinner, and I have never had the honour of seeing you since that time.”
“Now I recollect you,” he answered, “and I remember asking whether you were not the secretary of the embassy. But from this day we shall not forget each other again, for the mysteries which unite us are of a nature likely to establish a lasting12 intimacy13 between us.”
The amiable14 couple were not long before they felt thoroughly15 at ease, and we sat down to supper, of which, of course, I did the honours. The ambassador, a fine connoisseur16 in wines, found mine excellent, and was delighted to hear that I had them from Count Algarotti, who was reputed as having the best cellar in Venice.
My supper was delicate and abundant, and my manners towards my handsome guests were those of a private individual receiving his sovereign and his mistress. I saw that M—— M—— was charmed with the respect with which I treated her, and with my conversation, which evidently interested the ambassador highly. The serious character of a first meeting did not prevent the utterance17 of witty18 jests, for in that respect M. de Bernis was a true Frenchman. I have travelled much, I have deeply studied men, individually and in a body, but I have never met with true sociability19 except in Frenchmen; they alone know how to jest, and it is rare, delicate, refined jesting, which animates20 conversation and makes society charming.
During our delightful21 supper wit was never wanting, and the amiable M—— M—— led the conversation to the romantic combination which had given her occasion to know me. Naturally, she proceeded to speak of my passion for C—— C— — and she gave such an interesting description of that young girl that the ambassador listened with as much attention as if he had never seen the object of it. But that was his part, for he was not aware that I had been informed of his having witnessed from his hiding-place my silly interview with C—— C——. He told M—— M—— that he would have been delighted if she had brought her young friend to sup with us.
“That would be running too great a risk,” answered the cunning nun22, “but if you approve of it,” she added, looking at me, “I can make you sup with her at my casino, for we sleep in the same room.”
That offer surprised me much, but it was not the moment to shew it, so I replied:
“It is impossible, madam, to add anything to the pleasure of your society, yet I confess I should be pleased if you could contrive23 to do us that great favour:”
“Well, I will think of it.”
“But,” observed the ambassador, “if I am to be one of the party, I think it would be right to apprize the young lady of it.”
“It is not necessary, for I will write to her to agree to whatever madam may propose to her. I will do so to-morrow.”
I begged the ambassador to prepare himself with a good stock of indulgence for a girl of fifteen who had no experience of the world. In the course of the evening I related the history of O-Morphi, which greatly amused him. He entreated24 me to let him see her portrait. He informed me that she was still an inmate25 of the ‘Parc-aux-cerfs’, where she continued to be the delight of Louis XV., to whom she had given a child. My guests left me after midnight, highly pleased, and I remained alone.
The next morning, faithful to the promise I had made to my beautiful nun, I wrote to C—— C—— without informing her that there would be a fourth person at the projected supper, and having given my note to Laura I repaired to Muran, where I found the following letter from M—— M——:
“I could not sleep soundly, my love, if I did not ease my conscience of an unpleasant weight. Perhaps you did not approve of the ‘partie carree’ with our young friend, and you may not have objected out of mere26 politeness. Tell me the truth, dearest, for, should you not look forward to that meeting with pleasure, I can contrive to undo27 it without implicating28 you in any way; trust me for that. If, however, you have no objection to the party, it will take place as agreed. Believe me, I love your soul more than your heart — I mean than your person. Adieu.”
Her fear was very natural, but out of shamefacedness I did not like to retract29. M—— M—— knew me well, and as a skilful30 tactician31 she attacked my weak side.
Here is my answer:
“I expected your letter, my best beloved, and you cannot doubt it, because, as you know me thoroughly, you must be aware that I know you as well. Yes, I know your mind, and I know what idea you must entertain of mine, because I have exposed to you all my weakness and irritability32 by my sophisms. I do penance33 for it, dearest, when I think that having raised your suspicions your tenderness for me must have been weakened. Forget my visions, I beg, and be quite certain that for the future my soul will be in unison34 with yours. The supper must take place, it will be a pleasure for me, but let me confess that in accepting it I have shewn myself more grateful than polite. C—— C—— is a novice35, and I am not sorry to give her an opportunity of seeing the world. In what school could she learn better than yours? Therefore I recommend her to you, and you will please me much by continuing to shew your care and friendship towards her, and by increasing, if possible, the sum of your goodness. I fear that you may entice36 her to take the veil, and if she did I would never console myself. Your friend has quite captivated me; he is a superior man, and truly charming.”
Thus did I wittingly deprive myself of the power of drawing back, but I was able to realize the full force of the situation. I had no difficulty in guessing that the ambassador was in love with C—— C— — and that he had confessed as much to M—— M— — who, not being in a position to object to it, was compelled to shew herself compliant37, and to assist him in everything that could render his passion successful. She could certainly not do anything without my consent, and she had evidently considered the affair too delicate to venture upon proposing the party point-blank to me. They had, no doubt, put their heads together, so that by bringing the conversation on that subject I should find myself compelled, for the sake of politeness and perhaps of my inward feelings, to fall into the snare38. The ambassador, whose profession it was to carry on intrigues40 skilfully41, had succeeded well, and I had taken the bait as he wished. There was nothing left for me but to put a good face on the matter, not only so as not to shew myself a very silly being, but also in order not to prove myself shamefully42 ungrateful towards a man who had granted me unheard-of privileges. Nevertheless, the consequence of it all was likely to be some coolness in my feelings towards both my mistresses. M—— M—— had become conscious of this after she had returned to the convent, and wishing to screen herself from all responsibility she had lost no time in writing to me that she would cause the projected supper to be abandoned, in case I should disapprove43 of it, but she knew very well that I would not accept her offer. Self-love is a stronger passion even than jealousy44; it does not allow a man who has some pretension45 to wit to shew himself jealous, particularly towards a person who is not tainted46 by that base passion, and has proved it.
The next day, having gone early to the casino, I found the ambassador already there, and he welcomed me in the most friendly manner. He told me that, if he had known me in Paris he would have introduced me at the court, where I should certainly have made my fortune. Now, when I think of that, I say to myself, “That might have been the case, but of what good would it have been to me?” Perhaps I should have fallen a victim of the Revolution, like so many others. M. de Bernis himself would have been one of those victims if Fate had not allowed him to die in Rome in 1794. He died there unhappy, although wealthy, unless his feelings had undergone a complete change before his death, and I do not believe it.
I asked him whether he liked Venice, and he answered that he could not do otherwise than like that city, in which he enjoyed excellent health, and in which, with plenty of money, life could be enjoyed better than anywhere else.
“But I do not expect,” he added, “to be allowed to keep this embassy very long. Be kind enough to let that remain between us. I do not wish to make M—— M—— unhappy.”
We were conversing47 in all confidence when M—— M—— arrived with her young friend, who showed her surprise at seeing another man with me, but I encouraged her by the most tender welcome; and she recovered all her composure when she saw the delight of the stranger at being answered by her in good French. It gave us both an opportunity of paying the warmest compliments to the mistress who had taught her so well.
C—— C—— was truly charming; her looks, bright and modest at the same time, seemed to say to me, “You must belong to me:” I wished to see her shine before our friends; and I contrived48 to conquer a cowardly feeling of jealousy which, in spite of myself, was beginning to get hold of me. I took care to make her talk on such subjects as I knew to be familiar to her. I developed her natural intelligence, and had the satisfaction of seeing her admired.
Applauded, flattered, animated49 by the satisfaction she could read in my eyes, C—— C—— appeared a prodigy50 to M. de Bernis, and, oh! what a contradiction of the human heart! I was pleased, yet I trembled lest he should fall in love with her! What an enigma51! I was intent myself upon a work which would have caused me to murder any man who dared to undertake it.
During the supper, which was worthy52 of a king, the ambassador treated C—— C—— with the most delicate attentions. Wit, cheerfulness, decent manners, attended our delightful party, and did not expel the gaiety and the merry jests with which a Frenchman knows how to season every conversation.
An observing critic who, without being acquainted with us, wished to guess whether love was present at our happy party, might have suspected, perhaps, but he certainly could not have affirmed, that it was there. M—— M—— treated the ambassador as a friend. She shewed no other feeling towards me than that of deep esteem53, and she behaved to C—— C—— with the tender affection of a sister. M. de Bernis was kind, polite, and amiable with M—— M— — but he never ceased to take the greatest interest in every word uttered by C—— C— — who played her part to perfection, because she had only to follow her own nature, and, that nature being beautiful, C—— C—— could not fail to be most charming.
We had passed five delightful hours, and the ambassador seemed more pleased even than any of us. M—— M—— had the air of a person satisfied with her own work, and I was playing the part of an approving spectator. C—— C—— looked highly pleased at having secured the general approbation54, and there was, perhaps, a slight feeling of vanity in her arising from the special attention which the ambassador had bestowed55 on her. She looked at me, smiling, and I could easily understand the language of her soul, by which she wished to tell me that she felt perfectly57 well the difference between the society in which she was then, and that in which her brother had given us such a disgusting specimen58 of his depravity.
After midnight it was time to think of our departure, and M. de Bernis undertook all the complimentary59 part. Thanking M—— M—— for the most agreeable supper he had ever made in his life, he contrived to make her offer a repetition of it for two days afterwards, and he asked me, for the sake of appearance, whether I should not find as much delight in that second meeting as himself. Could he have any doubt of my answering affirmatively? I believe not, for I had placed myself under the necessity of being compliant. All being agreed, we parted company.
The next day, when I thought of that exemplary supper, I had no difficulty in guessing what the ultimate result would be. The ambassador owed his great fortune entirely60 to the fair sex, because he possessed61 to the highest degree the art of coddling love; and as his nature was eminently62 voluptuous63 he found his advantage in it, because he knew how to call desires into existence, and this procured64 him enjoyments65 worthy of his delicate taste. I saw that he was deeply in love with C—— C— — and I was far from supposing him the man to be satisfied with looking at her lovely eyes. He certainly had some plan arranged, and M—— M— — in spite of all her honesty, was the prime manager of it. I knew that she would carry it on with such delicate skill that I should not see any evidence of it. Although I did not feel disposed to shew more compliance67 than was strictly68 just, I foresaw that in the end I should be the dupe, and my poor C—— C—— the victim, of a cunningly-contrived trick. I could not make up my mind either to consent with a good grace, or to throw obstacles in the way, and, believing my dear little wife incapable69 of abandoning herself to anything likely to displease70 me, I allowed myself to be taken off my guard, and to rely upon the difficulty of seducing71 her. Stupid calculation! Self-love and shamefacedness prevented me from using my common sense. At all events, that intrigue39 kept me in a state of fever because I was afraid of its consequences, and yet curiosity mastered me to such an extent that I was longing72 for the result. I knew very well that a second edition of the supper did not imply that the same play would be performed a second time, and I foresaw that the changes would be strongly marked. But I thought myself bound in honour not to retract. I could not lead the intrigue, but I believed myself sufficiently73 skilful to baffle all their manoeuvrings.
After all those considerations, however, considerations which enabled me to assume the countenance74 of false bravery, the inexperience of C—— C— — who, in spite of all the knowledge she had lately acquired, was only a novice, caused me great anxiety. It was easy to abuse her natural wish to be polite, but that fear gave way very soon before the confidence I had in M—— M——s delicacy75. I thought that, having seen how I had spent six hours with that young girl, knowing for a certainty that I intended to marry her, M—— M—— would never be guilty of such base treason. All these thoughts, worthy only of a weak and bashful jealousy, brought no conclusive76 decision. I had to follow the current and watch events.
At the appointed time I repaired to the casino, where I found my two lovely friends sitting by the fire.
“Good evening, my two divinities, where is our charming Frenchman?”
“He has not arrived yet,” answered M—— M— — “but he will doubtless soon be here.”
I took off my mask, and sitting between them, I gave them a thousand kisses, taking good care not to shew any preference, and although I knew that they were aware of the unquestionable right I had upon both of them, I kept within the limits of the utmost decency77. I congratulated them upon the mutual78 inclination79 they felt for each other, and I saw that they were pleased not to have to blush on that account.
More than one hour was spent in gallant80 and friendly conversation, without my giving any satisfaction to my burning desires. M—— M—— attracted me more than C—— C— — but I would not for the world have offended the charming girl. M—— M—— was beginning to shew some anxiety about the absence of M. de Bernis, when the door-keeper brought her a note from him.
“A courier,” he wrote, “who arrived two hours ago, prevents my being happy to-night, for I am compelled to pass it in answering the dispatches I have received. I trust that you will forgive and pity me. May I hope that you will kindly81 grant me on Friday the pleasure of which I am so unfortunately deprived to-day? Let me know your answer by to-morrow. I wish ardently82, in that case, to find you with the same guests, to whom I beg you will present my affectionate compliments.”
“Well,” said M—— M— — “it is not his fault. We will sup without him. Will you come on Friday?”
“Yes, with the greatest pleasure. But what is the matter with you, dear C—— C——? You look sad.”
“Sad, no, unless it should be for the sake of my friend, for I have never seen a more polite and more obliging gentleman.”
“Very well, dear, I am glad he has rendered you so sensible.”
“What do you mean? Could anyone be insensible to his merit?”
“Better still, but I agree with you. Only tell me if you love him?”
“Well, even if I loved him, do you think I would go and tell him? Besides, I am certain that he loves my friend.”
So saying, she sat down on M—— M——‘s knee, calling her her own little wife, and my two beauties began to bestow56 on one another caresses83 which made me laugh heartily84. Far from troubling their sport, I excited them, in order to enjoy a spectacle with which I had long been acquainted.
M—— M—— took up a book full of the most lascivious85 engravings, and said, with a significant glance in my direction:
“Do you wish me to have a fire lighted in the alcove86?”
I understood her, and replied:
“You would oblige me, for the bed being large we can all three sleep comfortably in it.”
I guessed that she feared my suspecting the ambassador of enjoying from the mysterious closet the sight of our amorous87 trio, and she wished to destroy that suspicion by her proposal.
The table having been laid in front of the alcove, supper was served, and we all did honour to it. We were all blessed with a devouring88 appetite. While M—— M—— was teaching her friend how to mix punch, I was admiring with delight the progress made in beauty by C—— C——.
“Your bosom,” I said to her, “must have become perfect during the last nine months.”
“It is like mine,” answered M—— M— — “would you like to see for yourself?”
Of course I did not refuse. M—— M—— unlaced her friend, who made no resistance, and performing afterwards the same office upon herself, in less than two minutes I was admiring four rivals contending for the golden apple like the three goddesses, and which would have set at defiance89 the handsome Paris himself to adjudge the prize without injustice90. Need I say what an ardent fire that ravishing sight sent coursing through my veins91? I placed immediately on the table the Academie des Dames92, and pointed8 out a certain position to M—— M— — who, understanding my wishes, said to C—— C——:
“Will you, darling, represent that group with me?”
A look of compliance was C—— C——‘s only answer; she was not yet inured93 to amorous pleasures as much as her lovely teacher. While I was laughing with delight, the two friends were getting ready, and in a few minutes we were all three in bed, and in a state of nature. At first, satisfied with enjoying the sight of the barren contest of my two bacchanalians, I was amused by their efforts and by the contrast of colours, for one was dark and the other fair, but soon, excited myself, and consumed by all the fire of voluptuousness94, I threw myself upon them, and I made them, one after the other, almost faint away from the excess of love and enjoyment66.
Worn out and satiated with pleasure, I invited them to take some rest. We slept until we were awakened95 by the alarum, which I had taken care to set at four o’clock. We were certain of turning to good account the two hours we had then to spare before parting company, which we did at the dawn of day, humiliated96 at having to confess our exhaustion97, but highly pleased with each other, and longing for a renewal98 of our delightful pleasures.
The next day, however, when I came to think of that rather too lively night, during which, as is generally the case, Love had routed Reason, I felt some remorse99. M—— M—— wanted to convince me of her love, and for that purpose she had combined all the virtues100 which I attached to my own affection — namely, honour, delicacy, and truth, but her temperament101, of which her mind was the slave, carried her towards excess, and she prepared everything in order to give way to it, while she awaited the opportunity of making me her accomplice102. She was coaxing103 love to make it compliant, and to succeed in mastering it, because her heart, enslaved by her senses, never reproached her. She likewise tried to deceive herself by endeavouring to forget that I might complain of having been surprised. She knew that to utter such a complaint I would have to acknowledge myself weaker or less courageous104 than she was, and she relied upon my being ashamed to make such a confession105. I had no doubt whatever that the absence of the ambassador had been arranged and concerted beforehand. I could see still further, for it seemed evident to me that the two conspirators106 had foreseen that I would guess the artifice107, and that, feeling stung to the quick, in spite of all my regrets, I would not shew myself less generous than they had been themselves. The ambassador having first procured me a delightful night, how could I refuse to let him enjoy as pleasant a one? My friends had argued very well, for, in spite of all the objections of my mind, I saw that I could not on my side put any obstacle in their way. C—— C—— was no impediment to them. They were certain of conquering her the moment she was not hindered by my presence. It rested entirely with M—— M— — who had perfect control over her. Poor girl! I saw her on the high road to debauchery, and it was my own doing! I sighed when I thought how little I had spared them in our last orgie, and what would become of me if both of them should happen to be, by my doing, in such a position as to be compelled to run away from the convent? I could imagine both of them thrown upon my hands, and the prospect108 was not particularly agreeable. It would be an ‘embarras de richesse’. In this miserable contest between reason and prejudice, between nature and sentiment, I could not make up my mind either to go to the supper or to remain absent from it. “If I go,” said I to myself, “that night will pass with perfect decency, but I shall prove myself very ridiculous, jealous, ungrateful, and even wanting in common politeness: if I remain absent, C—— C—— is lost, at least, in my estimation, for I feel that my love will no longer exist, and then good-bye to all idea of a marriage with her.” In the perplexity of mind in which I found myself, I felt a want of something more certain than mere probabilities to base my decision upon. I put on my mask, and repaired to the mansion109 of the French ambassador. I addressed myself to the gate-keeper, saying that I had a letter for Versailles, and that I would thank him to deliver it to the courier when he went back to France with his excellency’s dispatches.
“But, sir,” answered the man, “we have not had a special courier for the last two months:”
“What? Did not a special cabinet messenger arrive here last night?”
“Then he must have come in through the garret window or down the chimney, for, on the word of an honest man, none entered through the gate.”
“But the ambassador worked all night?”
“That may be, sir, but not here, for his excellency dined with the Spanish ambassador, and did not return till very late:”
I had guessed rightly. I could no longer entertain any doubt. It was all over; I could not draw back without shame. C—— C—— must resist, if the game was distasteful to her; no violence would of course be offered to her. The die was cast!
Towards evening I went to the casino of Muran, and wrote a short note to M—— M— — requesting her to excuse me if some important business of M. de Bragadin’s prevented me from spending the night with her and with our two friends, to whom I sent my compliments as well as my apologies. After that I returned to Venice, but in rather an unpleasant mood; to divert myself I went to the gaming table, and lost all night.
Two days afterwards, being certain that a letter from M—— M—— awaited me at Muran, I went over, and the door-keeper handed me a parcel in which I found a note from my nun and a letter from C—— C— — for everything was now in common between them.
Here is C—— C——‘s letter”
“We were very sorry, dearest friend, when we heard that we should not have the happiness of seeing you. My dear M—— M——‘s friend came shortly afterwards, and when he read your note he likewise expressed his deep regret. We expected to have a very dull supper, but the witty sayings of that gentleman enlivened us and you cannot imagine of what follies110 we were guilty after partaking of some champagne111 punch. Our friend had become as gay as ourselves, and we spent the night in trios, not very fatiguing112, but very pleasant. I can assure you that that man deserves to be loved, but he must acknowledge himself inferior to you in everything. Believe me, dearest, I shall ever love you, and you must for ever remain the master of my heart.”
In spite of all my vexation, that letter made me laugh, but the note of M—— M—— was much more singular. Here are the contents of it:
“I am certain, my own beloved, that you told a story out of pure politeness, but you had guessed that I expected you to do so. You have made our friend a splendid present in exchange for the one he made you when he did not object to his M—— M—— bestowing113 her heart upon you. You possess that heart entirely, dearest, and you would possess it under all circumstances, but how sweet it is to flavour the pleasures of love with the charms of friendship! I was sorry not to see you, but I knew that if you had come we would not have had much enjoyment; for our friend, notwithstanding all his wit, is not exempt114 from some natural prejudices. As for C—— C— — her mind is now quite as free of them as our own, and I am glad she owes it to me. You must feel thankful to me for having completed her education, and for rendering115 her in every way worthy of you. I wish you had been hiding in the closet, where I am certain you would have spent some delightful hours. On Wednesday next I shall be yours, and all alone with you in your casino in Venice; let me know whether you will be at the usual hour near the statue of the hero Colleoni. In case you should be prevented, name any other day.”
I had to answer those two letters in the same spirit in which they had been written, and in spite of all the bitter feelings which were then raging in my heart, my answers were to be as sweet as honey. I was in need of great courage, but I said to myself: “George Dandin, tu las voulu!” I could not refuse to pay the penalty of my own deeds, and I have never been able to ascertain116 whether the shame I felt was what is called shamefacedness. It is a problem which I leave to others.
In my letter to C—— C—— I had the courage, or the effrontery117, to congratulate her, and to encourage her to imitate M—— M— — the best model, I said, I could propose to her.
I wrote to my nun that I would be punctual at the appointment near the statue, and amidst many false compliments, which ought to have betrayed the true state of my heart, I told her that I admired the perfect education she had given to C—— C— — but that I congratulated myself upon having escaped the torture I should have suffered in the mysterious observatory118, for I felt that I could not have borne it.
On the Wednesday I was punctual at the rendezvous119, and I had not to wait long for M—— M— — who came disguised in male attire120. “No theatre to-night,” she said to me; “let us go to the ‘ridotto’, to lose or double our money.” She had six hundred sequins. I had about one hundred. Fortune turned her back upon us, and we lost a11. I expected that we would then leave that cutthroat place, but M—— M— — having left me for a minute, came back with three hundred sequins which had been given to her by her friend, whom she knew where to find. That money given by love or by friendship brought her luck for a short time, and she soon won back all we had lost, but in our greediness or imprudence we continued to play, and finally we lost our last sequin.
When we could play no longer, M—— M—— said to me,
“Now that we need not fear thieves, let us go to our supper.”
That woman, religious and a Free-thinker, a libertine121 and gambler, was wonderful in all she did. She had just lost five hundred pounds, and she was as completely at her ease as if she had won a very large sum. It is true that the money she had just lost had not cost her much.
As soon as we were alone, she found me sad and low-spirited, although I tried hard not to appear so, but, as for her, always the same, she was handsome, brilliant, cheerful, and amorous.
She thought she would bring back my spirits by giving me the fullest particulars of the night she had passed with C—— C—— and her friend, but she ought to have guessed that she was going the wrong way. That is a very common error, it comes from the mind, because people imagine that what they feel themselves others must feel likewise.
I was on thorns, and I tried everything to avoid that subject, and to lead the conversation into a different channel, for the amorous particulars, on which she was dwelling122 with apparent delight, vexed123 me greatly, and spite causing coldness, I was afraid of not playing my part very warmly in the amorous contest which was at hand. When a lover doubts his own strength, he may almost always be sure that he will fail in his efforts.
After supper we went to bed in the alcove, where the beauty, the mental and physical charms, the grace and the ardour of my lovely nun, cast all my bad temper to the winds, and soon restored me to my usual good-spirits. The nights being shorter we spent two hours in the most delightful pleasures, and then parted, satisfied and full of love.
Before leaving, M—— M—— asked me to go to her casino, to take some money and to play, taking her for my partner. I did so. I took all the gold I found, and playing the martingale, and doubling my stakes continuously, I won every day during the remainder of the carnival124. I was fortunate enough never to lose the sixth card, and, if I had lost it, I should have been without money to play, for I had two thousand sequins on that card. I congratulated myself upon having increased the treasure of my dear mistress, who wrote to me that, for the sake of civility, we ought to have a supper ‘en partie carree’ on Shrove Monday. I consented.
That supper was the last I ever had in my life with C—— C——. She was in excellent spirits, but I had made up my mind, and as I paid all my attentions to M—— M— — C—— C—— imitated my example without difficulty, and she devoted125 herself wholly to her new lover.
Foreseeing that we would, a little later, be all of us in each other’s way, I begged M—— M—— to arrange everything so that we could be apart, and she contrived it marvellously well.
After supper, the ambassador proposed a game of faro, which our beauties did not know; he called for cards, and placed one hundred Louis on the table before him; he dealt, and took care to make C—— C—— win the whole of that sum. It was the best way to make her accept it as pin-money. The young girl, dazzled by so much gold, and not knowing what to do with it, asked her friend to take care of it for her until such time as she should leave the convent to get married.
When the game was over, M—— M—— complained of a headache, and said that she would go to bed in the alcove: she asked me to come and lull126 her to sleep. We thus left the new lovers free to be as gay as they chose. Six hours afterwards, when the alarum warned us that it was time to part, we found them asleep in each other’s embrace. I had myself passed an amorous and quiet night, pleased with M—— M— — and with out giving one thought to C—— C——.
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| n.折磨；令人痛苦的东西(人)；vt.折磨；纠缠 | |
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gambling
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| n.赌博；投机 | |
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miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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inquisitive
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| adj.求知欲强的，好奇的，好寻根究底的 | |
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avarice
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| n.贪婪；贪心 | |
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prodigality
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| n.浪费，挥霍 | |
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vice
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| n.坏事；恶习；[pl.]台钳，老虎钳；adj.副的 | |
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pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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ardent
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| adj.热情的，热烈的，强烈的，烈性的 | |
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attentively
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| adv.聚精会神地；周到地；谛；凝神 | |
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recollect
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| v.回忆，想起，记起，忆起，记得 | |
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12
lasting
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| adj.永久的，永恒的；vbl.持续，维持 | |
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13
intimacy
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| n.熟悉，亲密，密切关系，亲昵的言行 | |
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amiable
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| adj.和蔼可亲的，友善的，亲切的 | |
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thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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connoisseur
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| n.鉴赏家，行家，内行 | |
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utterance
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| n.用言语表达，话语，言语 | |
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witty
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| adj.机智的，风趣的 | |
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19
sociability
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| n.好交际，社交性，善于交际 | |
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animates
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| v.使有生气( animate的第三人称单数 )；驱动；使栩栩如生地动作；赋予…以生命 | |
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delightful
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| adj.令人高兴的，使人快乐的 | |
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nun
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| n.修女，尼姑 | |
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contrive
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| vt.谋划，策划；设法做到；设计，想出 | |
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entreated
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| 恳求，乞求( entreat的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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inmate
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| n.被收容者；(房屋等的)居住人；住院人 | |
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mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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undo
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| vt.解开，松开；取消，撤销 | |
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implicating
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| vt.牵涉，涉及（implicate的现在分词形式） | |
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29
retract
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| vt.缩回，撤回收回，取消 | |
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30
skilful
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| (=skillful)adj.灵巧的，熟练的 | |
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31
tactician
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| n. 战术家, 策士 | |
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32
irritability
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| n.易怒 | |
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penance
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| n.（赎罪的）惩罪 | |
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34
unison
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| n.步调一致，行动一致 | |
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35
novice
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| adj.新手的，生手的 | |
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36
entice
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| v.诱骗，引诱，怂恿 | |
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37
compliant
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| adj.服从的，顺从的 | |
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38
snare
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| n.陷阱，诱惑，圈套；（去除息肉或者肿瘤的）勒除器；响弦，小军鼓；vt.以陷阱捕获，诱惑 | |
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39
intrigue
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| vt.激起兴趣，迷住；vi.耍阴谋；n.阴谋，密谋 | |
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intrigues
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| n.密谋策划( intrigue的名词复数 )；神秘气氛；引人入胜的复杂情节v.搞阴谋诡计( intrigue的第三人称单数 )；激起…的好奇心 | |
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41
skilfully
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| adv. (美skillfully)熟练地 | |
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42
shamefully
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| 可耻地； 丢脸地； 不体面地； 羞耻地 | |
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43
disapprove
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| v.不赞成，不同意，不批准 | |
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44
jealousy
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| n.妒忌，嫉妒，猜忌 | |
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45
pretension
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| n.要求；自命，自称；自负 | |
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46
tainted
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| adj.腐坏的；污染的；沾污的；感染的v.使变质( taint的过去式和过去分词 )；使污染；败坏；被污染，腐坏，败坏 | |
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conversing
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| v.交谈，谈话( converse的现在分词 ) | |
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48
contrived
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| adj.不自然的，做作的；虚构的 | |
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animated
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| adj.生气勃勃的，活跃的，愉快的 | |
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50
prodigy
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| n.惊人的事物，奇迹，神童，天才，预兆 | |
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51
enigma
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| n.谜，谜一样的人或事 | |
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52
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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53
esteem
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| n.尊敬，尊重；vt.尊重，敬重；把…看作 | |
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54
approbation
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| n.称赞；认可 | |
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55
bestowed
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| 赠给，授予( bestow的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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56
bestow
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| v.把…赠与，把…授予；花费 | |
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57
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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58
specimen
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| n.样本，标本 | |
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59
complimentary
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| adj.赠送的，免费的，赞美的，恭维的 | |
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entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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61
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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62
eminently
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| adv.突出地；显著地；不寻常地 | |
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63
voluptuous
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| adj.肉欲的，骄奢淫逸的 | |
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64
procured
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| v.（努力）取得， （设法）获得( procure的过去式和过去分词 )；拉皮条 | |
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65
enjoyments
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| 愉快( enjoyment的名词复数 )； 令人愉快的事物； 享有； 享受 | |
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66
enjoyment
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| n.乐趣；享有；享用 | |
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67
compliance
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| n.顺从；服从；附和；屈从 | |
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68
strictly
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| adv.严厉地，严格地；严密地 | |
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69
incapable
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| adj.无能力的，不能做某事的 | |
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70
displease
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| vt.使不高兴，惹怒；n.不悦，不满，生气 | |
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71
seducing
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| 诱奸( seduce的现在分词 )； 勾引； 诱使堕落； 使入迷 | |
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72
longing
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| n.（for）渴望 | |
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73
sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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74
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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75
delicacy
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| n.精致，细微，微妙，精良；美味，佳肴 | |
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76
conclusive
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| adj.最后的，结论的；确凿的，消除怀疑的 | |
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77
decency
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| n.体面，得体，合宜，正派，庄重 | |
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78
mutual
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| adj.相互的，彼此的；共同的，共有的 | |
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79
inclination
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| n.倾斜；点头；弯腰；斜坡；倾度；倾向；爱好 | |
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gallant
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| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
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81
kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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82
ardently
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| adv.热心地，热烈地 | |
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83
caresses
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| 爱抚，抚摸( caress的名词复数 ) | |
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84
heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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85
lascivious
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| adj.淫荡的，好色的 | |
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86
alcove
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| n.凹室 | |
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87
amorous
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| adj.多情的；有关爱情的 | |
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88
devouring
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| 吞没( devour的现在分词 )； 耗尽； 津津有味地看； 狼吞虎咽地吃光 | |
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89
defiance
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| n.挑战，挑衅，蔑视，违抗 | |
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90
injustice
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| n.非正义，不公正，不公平，侵犯（别人的）权利 | |
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91
veins
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| n.纹理；矿脉( vein的名词复数 )；静脉；叶脉；纹理 | |
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92
dames
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| n.（在英国）夫人（一种封号），夫人（爵士妻子的称号）( dame的名词复数 )；女人 | |
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93
inured
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| adj.坚强的，习惯的 | |
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94
voluptuousness
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| n.风骚，体态丰满 | |
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95
awakened
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| v.（使）醒( awaken的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）觉醒；弄醒；（使）意识到 | |
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96
humiliated
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| 感到羞愧的 | |
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97
exhaustion
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| n.耗尽枯竭，疲惫，筋疲力尽，竭尽，详尽无遗的论述 | |
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98
renewal
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| adj.(契约)延期，续订，更新，复活，重来 | |
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99
remorse
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| n.痛恨，悔恨，自责 | |
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100
virtues
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| 美德( virtue的名词复数 )； 德行； 优点； 长处 | |
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101
temperament
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| n.气质，性格，性情 | |
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102
accomplice
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| n.从犯，帮凶，同谋 | |
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103
coaxing
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| v.哄，用好话劝说( coax的现在分词 )；巧言骗取；哄劝，劝诱；“锻炼”效应 | |
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104
courageous
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| adj.勇敢的，有胆量的 | |
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105
confession
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| n.自白，供认，承认 | |
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106
conspirators
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| n.共谋者，阴谋家( conspirator的名词复数 ) | |
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107
artifice
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| n.妙计，高明的手段；狡诈，诡计 | |
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108
prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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109
mansion
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| n.大厦，大楼；宅第 | |
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110
follies
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| 罪恶，时事讽刺剧； 愚蠢，蠢笨，愚蠢的行为、思想或做法( folly的名词复数 ) | |
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111
champagne
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| n.香槟酒；微黄色 | |
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112
fatiguing
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| a.使人劳累的 | |
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113
bestowing
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| 砖窑中砖堆上层已烧透的砖 | |
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114
exempt
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| adj.免除的；v.使免除；n.免税者，被免除义务者 | |
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115
rendering
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| n.表现，描写 | |
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116
ascertain
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| vt.发现，确定，查明，弄清 | |
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117
effrontery
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| n.厚颜无耻 | |
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118
observatory
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| n.天文台，气象台，瞭望台，观测台 | |
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119
rendezvous
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| n.约会，约会地点，汇合点；vi.汇合，集合；vt.使汇合，使在汇合地点相遇 | |
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120
attire
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| v.穿衣，装扮[同]array；n.衣着；盛装 | |
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121
libertine
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| n.淫荡者；adj.放荡的，自由思想的 | |
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122
dwelling
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| n.住宅，住所，寓所 | |
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123
vexed
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| adj.争论不休的；（指问题等）棘手的；争论不休的问题；烦恼的v.使烦恼( vex的过去式和过去分词 )；使苦恼；使生气；详细讨论 | |
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124
carnival
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| n.嘉年华会，狂欢，狂欢节，巡回表演 | |
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125
devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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126
lull
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| v.使安静，使入睡，缓和，哄骗；n.暂停，间歇 | |
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