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The Memoirs of Jacques Casanova de Seingalt Novel Chapters
List of most recent chapters published for the The Memoirs of Jacques Casanova de Seingalt novel. A total of 566 chapters have been translated and the release date of the last chapter is Apr 02, 2024
Latest Release: Chapter 1 : The Memoirs of Jacques Casanova de Seingalt.Vol. I."Venetian Years"by Jacques
The Memoirs of Jacques Casanova de Seingalt.Vol. I."Venetian Years"by Jacques Casanova de Seingalt.CASANOVA AT DUX An Unpublished Chapter of History, By Arthur Symons I The Memoirs of Casanova, though they have enjoyed the popularity of a bad re
- 301 "Alas! that may not be, for, trust me, you are already spied upon.Everybody here is sure that we knew each other at Aix. Let us forget all, and thus spare ourselves the torments of vain desires.""Give me your hand.""No. All is ove
- 302 "No, indeed I should not, because you are a man and would see me.""You don't want a man to see you, then?""No.""Do you think you are so ugly, then?"At this she turned to M---- M---- and said, with evident vexat
- 303 "Are you sure of her discretion?""Perfectly, but I hope you won't do anything in my presence. When I see the time coming I will leave the room.""You are an angel, dearest, but you might be something better than that if you wo
- 304 "The Arab was sent to you by an enemy of Anael's, the genius of Mercury.""It must have been so; it was a great misfortune.""On the contrary, it rendered you more fit for transformation."We were walking towards the carria
- 305 "Why did you not make the trial before you married?""Was it for me to propose such a thing? How should I suppose that such a fine man was impotent? But I will tell you how it all happened. As you know, I was a dancer at the Comedie Italienn
- 306 Santis followed me to the back of the inn, and then a.s.suming a pleasant smile he told me that he had put the ring into his friend's pocket for a joke, but that I should have it back at Paris."That's an idle tale," I exclaimed, "
- 307 I had enough of Cephalides, and Dr. Algardi prepared in my presence eighty-six pills containing eighteen grains of manna. I took one of these pills every morning, drinking a large gla.s.s of curds after it, and in the evening I had another pill with barle
- 308 When the supper and the wine had sufficiently raised my spirits, I devoted my attention to Ba.s.si's daughter, who let me do what I liked, while her father and mother only laughed, and the silly Harlequin fretted and fumed at not being able to take t
- 309 It was notorious that numerous officers in the army and young barristers had undertaken the operation unsuccessfully, and all of them had paid a louis apiece.This singular case was enough to whet my curiosity. I was not long before I called on Raton, but
- 310 "We shall see each other again."The rascally Frenchman cooled down, and said to me, "Now, you see, we are quits.""Very much quits.""That's all very well; but, by G.o.d! you might have prevented the insult which has
- 311 She received the order to write to the moon with the greater delight as she knew what ceremonies were to be observed in addressing that planet; but she could not dispense with the a.s.sistance of an adept, and I knew she would reckon on me. I told her I s
- 312 "You do know me, though," she replied, and taking me to the corner of a neighbouring street she shewed me her face. What was my surprise to see the fair Stuart of Avignon, the statue of the Fountain of Vaucluse. I was very glad to meet her.In my
- 313 "I made a silly bet, but you have given me a lesson which will last me all my days, and I am much obliged to you for it.""I am delighted to hear it, provided that your health has not suffered.""No, I am quite well, but we will pla
- 314 When I got back to the inn I wrote to the Chevalier Raiberti, sending him a bill of exchange. I warned him that in three or four days after the receipt of my letter he would be accosted by a Bolognese dancer and her mother, bearing a letter of commendatio
- 315 Hedvig looked as red as fire.The pastor and the other guests looked at each other, while I gazed fixedly at the young theologian, who was reflecting. M. d'Harcourt said that we should have to send for Voltaire to settle a question so difficult, but a
- 316 "Yes, I do confess it, and I beg your pardon. But tell me how I should set to work to ask the pastor to dinner.""There will be no difficulty. Just call on him and ask him to come, and if you wish me to be of the party beg him to ask my moth
- 317 "I have never wished to do so.""Why not? It is good to know everything.""Well, Hedvig, your theologian meant to say that a G.o.d was not capable of this.""What is that?""Give me your hand.""I can feel
- 318 "I do not think so, because it could only be a symbol of s.e.xual union, and it is clear that such did not take place between Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.""The learned differ on this point.""All the worse for them, madam, t
- 319 "There's a great hazard. All the rest is of no consequence; but no matter, I will risk all for the sake of so great happiness."In the morning I paid the mother a visit, and as Helen was escorting me out she shewed me a door between the two
- 320 The next day I set out in the early morning, and on the following day I reached Lyons. Madame d'Urfe was not there, she had gone to an estate of hers at Bresse. I found a letter in which she said that she would be delighted to see me, and I waited on
- 321 "I should have thought," said I, "that a virtuous person like you would have been delighted.""I thank G.o.d for it every morning and night.""You infernal old hypocrite!" said I, looking contemptuously at her."U
- 322 "You, madam! I should not have thought it possible.""I was very young when she was born.""I should think so. Where do you come from?""I am from Lucca, and what is more-a poor widow.""How can you be poor, when y
- 323 Madame de Chauvelin asked me to dance a minuet with Agatha, and my partner executed the dance with wonderful grace. When it was over Madame de Chauvelin thanked me, and told me that she should always remember our dancing together at Soleure, and that she
- 324 Everybody applauded, and I read in the girl's eyes that I should have no cause to regret my generosity.We then fell to speaking of the affair of Ville-Follet and the Corticelli, and of the efforts that had been made to compel me to retain her. The Ch
- 325 "If you love me, dearest Agatha, you will prove it by refusing all engagements for a year. You know I will let you want for nothing."I will get you the best masters, and in that time you can perfect your dancing, and will be able to ask for a fi
- 326 At the second ballet at the opera an actress dressed in a tippet held out her cap to the bones as if to beg an alms, while she was dancing a pas de deux. I was in the Marchioness of Corti's box, and when the girl held out her cap to me I was moved by
- 327 "No," said I, "but I hope to find someone at Milan who will be worthy of such presents." I added, "I know the Prince Triulzi, at Venice; I suppose he is of your family?""He says he is, and it may be so; but I am certainl
- 328 "You are sharp enough yourself, anyhow. But why does he put off the wedding?""Because he hasn't got any money, and wants to have a fine wedding for his relations to come to. I should like it myself.""I think you are right; bu
- 329 "I know that, but I think he loves his money better than he loves me.""I understand. You will make him happy if he loves you well enough to ruin himself.""That is it, but it will never come to pa.s.s. But here we are, together aga
- 330 I slept four or five hours, and then rose and went out in my great coat to call on Greppi, for I had no more money. I took a thousand sequins, begging him not to tell my affairs to anyone. He replied that my affairs were his own, and that I could count on
- 331 "I would gladly buy that dress.""I did not buy it to sell again," said the countess, sharply."Excuse me," replied the marchioness, "I thought it was for sale, and I am sorry it is not."The marquis, who was no lover
- 332 "I fell asleep lying on my bed, and when I awoke I decided on keeping you company if you will be as good and gentle as you are pretty.""If you behave well to me, you will always find me so."And will you love me?""That depends
- 333 I was quite out of breath. When it was finished, she came up to me and whispered my name in my ear. I was astonished, and feeling the charm of the situation demanded her name."You shall know," said she, in Venetian, "if you will come to the
- 334 When Irene had left the room, I said to the mother,-- "I like your daughter, but I won't be long sighing for her, and you mustn't take me for a dupe.""Speak to my husband about it. We are very poor, and we want to go to Cremona.&q
- 335 "Then you would have the advantage.""If you can prove that I will pay you a hundred sequins. Indeed, I would bet anything you like that the game would still be to the advantage of the banker.""Can you prove it?""Yes; and
- 336 "Come here," said she, "I am beginning to bleed too."There we were, bleeding into the same basin, facing each other in the most ridiculous position. After about thirty drops had fallen from each of us, the bleeding ceased. She was laug
- 337 He came in, and I was at once impressed by his grave and reverend appearance. I made him a profound bow and offered him a seat, but he remained standing, and said, "Sir, listen attentively to what I am about to tell you, and beware of despising my ad
- 338 I wanted someone on whom I could rely, and above all, a tailor. It may be imagined that my worthy gossip was the tailor I immediately thought of. Zen.o.bia would be as serviceable as her husband; she could do some of the work, and wait on the young ladies
- 339 "Fie! fie! I should be angry with myself if I had entertained such a thought.""That's curious; why so?""I'll tell you. If the disguise is complete I am disgusted, for the shape of a woman is much more marked than that of
- 340 The beggars came in and stood by the table, and Canano, catching the marquis's eye, asked him for a pinch of snuff. My delight may be imagined when I saw him modestly presenting a common horn snuffbox to the banker. I had not thought of this detail,
- 341 Her brother and the marquis left the room, and two sedan-chairs I had summoned took off the cousins.As soon as the marquis was alone with me he asked me very politely to let him share in the expenses."I guessed you were going to humiliate me."&q
- 342 "It's no good saying no, your soul flashed forth in your denunciation. I am sorry to have spoken.""Oh! it's of no consequence. I know men ask chambermaids questions of that kind, and they all give answers like your sweetheart, who
- 343 "Everything shall be done as you suggest."I guessed at once that the marquis wanted to have a taste of Zen.o.bia; but this seemed to me so natural that, far from being angry, I felt disposed to do all in my power to favour his plans. Live and le
- 344 "Neither," said the marquis, "we will dance here.""Where are the violins" asked his mistress, "you could not get them to-night for their weight in gold.""Well," said I, "we will do without them. We wi
- 345 "And will you do so?""I shall be obliged to, but as you will not come and see me, give me twenty sequins, which will enable me to leave Milan. My cousin owes me ten thousand livres, and will not pay me a tenth even. I will kill him before I
- 346 At last I was taken to my apartment and left there. The windows were glazed and curtained as in the diningroom, but Clairmont came and told me that he could not unpack my trunks as there were no locks to anything and should not care to take the responsibi
- 347 My friend the count, who was surprised, I suppose, to see me contemplating the prospect for such a long time, came up to me and asked me if I wanted anything."I am thinking some matter over," said I, "and I must go and write one or two lett
- 348 "Nevertheless, it is a misfortune, and you will know it to have been so on the day in which you love.""And if I become unhappy through love, shall I not p.r.o.nounce my emptiness of heart to have been happiness.""I confess you wou
- 349 "But my dear Clementine," said the countess, "what do you think my husband could have done with an old man of eighty whose sole accomplishments are weighing the wind, writing verses, and talking mythology?""He would have been usef
- 350 "That's a good distinction. I will read it this evening. Now I am going to dress."She put on her clothes in seeming oblivion that I was a man, but without shewing any sights that could be called indecent. Nevertheless it struck me that if s
- 351 "I will do the same for you at the first opportunity," said I.She blushed and answered, "It's not nearly so far from you to me as it is from me to you.""Divine Hebe, that is beyond my understanding. You speak like the c.u.mae
- 352 "Sardini told me that Jupiter drove Hebe away, and now I ought to drive Jupiter away out of revenge.""Yes; but, my angel, I am Iolas, and not Jupiter. I adore you, and I seek to quench the desires which torture me.""This is a tric
- 353 When the company broke up I offered my hand to Hebe, and escorted her and her sister to their room. We had begun to read Fontenelle's "Plurality of Worlds," and I had thought we should finish it that night; but Clementine said that as she h
- 354 "That is a very kindly compliment.""Say, rather, a very true one.""I am happy to hear you say so, but it would be both foolish and presumptuous for me to say so myself."Thus we made merry on our way, above all at the expense
- 355 "I don't see much difference."What reply could I make? There was reason in what Clementine said, though she was deceived, but her mistakes were due to her love. My love was so ardent as to be blind to possible--nay, certain, infidelities.Th
- 356 "Alas! you can do what you like. If liberty is a precious thing, it is most precious of all in love.""There is no need for this disobedience. You have inspired me with a tender pa.s.sion, but if you don't share my feelings my love for
- 357 The Memoirs of Jacques Casanova de Seingalt.Vol. V."In London and Moscow"by Jacques Casanova de Seingalt.VOLUME 5 -- IN LONDON AND MOSCOW EPISODE 21 -- SOUTH OF FRANCE CHAPTER I I Find Rosalie Happy--The Signora Isola-Bella--The Cook-- Biribi--I
- 358 I went to Rosalie's for my breakfast, which she was delighted to give me: and I asked her and her husband to dinner on the following day, telling her to bring any four persons she liked."Your decision," said I, "will decide the fate of
- 359 The piece of money I had given him was a gold coin worth a hundred Genoese livres, which the Government had struck for internal commerce; there were also pieces of fifty and twenty-five livres.I was going on with my calculations when Clairmont brought me
- 360 "Then they can hang the biribanti! That won't hurt me much.""No, that won't do; it would compromise Madame Isola-Bella, as biribi is strictly forbidden. Leave it all to me, I will speak to the State Inquisitors about it. Tell Poss
- 361 I felt at once that I must take charge of her, and put an end to this ill-a.s.sorted match. I imagined that I should not have much difficulty in sending her back to Venice, which she might never have quitted if it had not been for her trust in me, founded
- 362 "How is Marcoline?" said he, as soon as he saw me."Very well, and you needn't trouble yourself any more about her. She is well lodged, well dressed, and well fed, and sleeps with my niece's maid.""I didn't know I ha
- 363 "Then I won't play," said I, to the keeper of the rooms."You are right; bring the scales."The banker then said that when play was over he would give four crowns of six livres for every louis that the company had won, and the matte
- 364 "This is a fine jest! You are joking, surely?""Your company will be very pleasant on the journey.""Pardieu! put me ash.o.r.e, for with your leave, ladies, I cannot go to Antibes.""Put the gentleman ash.o.r.e," said
- 365 CHAPTER III My Arrival at Ma.r.s.eilles--Madame d'Urfe--My Niece Is Welcomed by Madame Audibert I Get Rid of My Brother and Possano--Regeneration--Departure of Madame d'Urfe--Marcoline Remains Constant My niece, now my mistress, grew more dear t
- 366 The rascal had never talked in this style before. I thought it best to conceal my anger, and went up to my brother who was in a corner of the room."What do you mean by pestering Marcoline at the theatre yesterday?""I went to remind her of h
- 367 I received a note from Madame Audibert which made me call on her before paying my visit to Marcoline. As soon as I came in she told me joyously that my niece's father had just received a letter from the father of the Genoese, asking the hand of his daugh
- 368 Next morning, before summoning Clairmont, I gave her her breakfast, and then replaced her in the cupboard. Later on, I gave her her instructions over again, telling her to do everything with calm precision, a cheerful face, and, above all, silence."Don'
- 369 Thereupon the marchioness began to argue in the most sensible manner, but unfortunately the foundation of her argument was wholly chimerical."Marry me," said she; "you will then be able to be governor of the child, who will be your son. In this manner
- 370 CHAPTER IV I Leave Ma.r.s.eilles--Henriette at Aix--Irene at Avignon-- Treachery of Possano--Madame d'Urfe Leaves Lyon The wedding only interested me because of the bride. The plentiful rather than choice repast, the numerous and noisy company, the empty
- 371 "But I may as well tell you that I was well enough paid for the pleasure I gave by the pleasure I received.""That's right; I am delighted to see you happy.""If you want to make me really happy, take me to England with you. My uncle will be there, an
- 372 "Well, it is strange; but how did you find out that the countess knew me?""She told me as much twenty times over in the night, but she made me promise to say nothing about it till I had given you the letter.""What did she say to you about me?""She
- 373 This stung her; and urging Irene to follow her example, she took up a position in my bed by force; and as there was not enough room for three, Marcoline got on top of Irene, calling her her wife.I was virtuous enough to remain a wholly pa.s.sive spectator
- 374 "I will give you the address of one of the best; but reflect before you do anything. The affair will make a noise.""As I don't know where he lives, I have really no choice in the matter."If I had known where he lived I could have had Possano expelled
- 375 I spent the next day in going from shop to shop, making fresh purchases for Marcoline, and we supped merrily at Madame Pernon's.The day after, M. Bono came to see me at an early hour with a smile of content on his face."Let us go and breakfast at a coff
- 376 "'Con grandissimo piacere'! We shall speak Venetian, shall we not?""Certainly.""'E viva'! I cannot learn French.""M. Querini is in the same position," said M. Memmo.After half an hour's agreeable conversation he left us, and Marcoline embrace
- 377 "All the time, and with an air of the greatest astonishment. I avoided catching his eye, which roved from you to me continually.""I should like to know what the good man thinks! You will see him again to-morrow. I am sure he will have told M. Querini t
- 378 "Well," said I, laughing, "let us know each other, cousin, and be good friends. Marcoline, I congratulate you on having such an honest man for an uncle.""That is really very fine," said M. Querini; and everybody exclaimed, "Very affecting, very aff
- 379 "You, want to give me your carriage," said Marcoline. "You are too good to me."I could made no reply, my emotion was so great. I turned aside and wiped, away my tears. Returning to the company, I found that Marcoline had vanished and M. Morosini, who,
- 380 "You shall pay nothing at all; it would be a shame if I received any money from you. You have told me you are poor, and poverty is no dishonour; well, I may tell you that I am rich, and riches are no honour save when they are used in doing good. Therefor
- 381 "Unbecoming?""Yes, what would you have said if I had come down in petticoats this morning? You would have p.r.o.nounced them unbecoming. You are laughing.""Forgive me, but I never heard anything so amusing. But your comparison will not stand; everyon
- 382 I Drive My Brother The Abbe From Paris--Madame du Rumain Recovers Her Voice Through My Cabala--A Bad Joke--The Corticelli--I Take d'Aranda to London My Arrival At Calais As usual, Madame d'Urfe received me with open arms, but I was surprised at hearing
- 383 "My dear M. Casanova, how is it that the oracle has deceived us? M. du Rumain is still alive, and he ought to have died six months ago. It is true that he is not well, but we will not go into all that again. The really important question is this: You kno
- 384 At nine o'clock I placed her legs in a bath of lukewarm water, and taught her how to suffumigate. Her legs were moulded by the hand of the Graces and I wiped them amorously, laughing within myself at her expression of grat.i.tude, and I then laid her in
- 385 "If you don't get him back I will ruin you with law-suits; you had no business to let him have a horse without my orders.""I will capture the little rascal, sir, before he has got to Amiens."He called a smart-looking postillion, who laughed when he h
- 386 I still kept on my mask, and returned to the room of the young gentleman who seemed to be considered as my master. I found him listening with a foolish stare to Madame Rancour, who was telling him of the splendid position his mother occupied, her great en
- 392 "But even if I did they wouldn't have come, for they are not at the orders of the procurers. If you will promise to pay them as I do, I will give you some tickets which will make them come.""Can I have them here?""Just as you like.""That will be m
- 393 "All the better. Nothing is the worse for being a little odd."It happened just as the old woman had foretold; as soon as the notice was up, everybody stopped to read it, made various comments, and pa.s.sed on. On the second day after it was up, my Negro
- 394 "I shall be delighted to dine and sup with you; sir, whenever you are alone and you like to send for me. Nevertheless, I am not sure that my society will amuse you.""Very good, I am grateful to you, and I promise you you shall never repent of your kind
- 395 "I could not do that, my dear; it would be insulting her in her affliction. Do you understand that?""Yes, quite well.""You may tell her that whenever she sends you to dine or sup with me, she will please me very much.""But you can write that down w
- 396 After Madame Cornelis had gone, I asked Pauline if she would like to take a walk with Sophie and myself in the suburbs, where n.o.body would know her."In prudence," said she, "I cannot go out unless I am alone.""Then shall we stay here?""We could n
- 387 "Propriety is often far from proper."The woman told her son that she was working hard to leave him a fortune when she died, and that she had been obliged to summon him to England as he was old enough to help her in her business."And how am I to help yo
- 388 I visited the theatres of Covent Garden and Drury Lane, but I could not extract much enjoyment out of the performances as I did not know a word of English. I dined at all the taverns, high and low, to get some insight into the peculiar manners of the Engl
- 389 "They all rob me," said she, "but I have to put up with it. What I want is a sharp man to help me and watch over my interests; if I had such an one I should make an immense fortune in a comparatively short time; for when it is a question of pleasure, t
- 390 "Is he not dishonoured by the execution of his relative?""Dishonoured! Certainly not; even his brother was not dishonoured.He broke the law, but he paid for it with his life, and owed society nothing more. He's a man of honour, who played high and los
- 391 She sat down, making me sit on one side and Sophie on the other.Madame Cornelis then made her appearance, and everyone asked her the same questions, and made the same remarks about me. She said bravely that I was her best and her oldest friend, and that t
- 397 Pauline's Story--I Am Happy--Pauline Leaves Me I am the only daughter of the unfortunate Count X---- o, whom Carvailho Oeiras killed in prison on suspicion of being concerned in the attempt on the king's life, in which the Jesuits were supposed to have
- 398 "As crafty as I was simple, the woman answered that to be sure he had not dared to come again, fearing that I had found out his disguise."'Certainly,' I replied, 'I found it out directly, but I was astonished to hear that you knew this lace-seller wa
- 399 "'Certainly, but in my presence.'"My heart was broken; nevertheless, I had to put a good face on the losing game I was playing. I went to the count, and addressing him as my dear wife communicated the order which was to part us."I was afraid he would
- 400 "I cannot refuse you anything, dearest Pauline, but what then?""Then you shall find me grateful to you, you will have a good appet.i.te, and will sleep well.""A horse, a horse! Quick! My boots!" I kissed her hand--for I had not got any farther than