Volume I Part 29 (2/2)
With a deep reverence, which expressed my thanks, I left the room quietly and returned to my apartment, very isoan to think antic stride I hadat the cardinal's assembly The Marchioness de G had shewn in the most open way the interest she felt in randeur, had not hesitated to co advances But ould have thought of disapproving? A young abbe like me, without any ih protection! True, but she was precisely the wo themselves unworthy of it, dared not shew any pretensions to her patronage On that head, my modesty must be evident to everyone, and the marchioness would certainly have insulted me had she supposed me capable of sufficient vanity to fancy that she felt the slightest inclination for me No, such a piece of self-conceit was not in accordance with my nature Her cardinal himself had invited me to dinner Would he have done so if he had ad anything for ave me an invitation to dine with him only because he had understood, from the very words of the lady, that I was just the sort of person hom they could converse for a few hours without any risk; to be sure, without any risk whatever
Oh, Master Casanova! do you really think so?
Well, why should I put on a mask before my readers? They may think me conceited if they please, but the fact of theratulated myself because she had taken the first, most difficult, and most important step Had she not done so, I should never have dared-to lay siege to her even in the most approved fashi+on; I should never have even ventured to dreaht she , full of wit and talent; she was fond of literary pursuits, and very powerful in Roood policy to appear ignorant of her inclination for me, and to let her suppose from the very next day that I was in love with her, but that my love appeared to me hopeless
I knew that such a plan was infallible, because it saved her dignity
It seei hi, and I had rereat satisfaction that Cardinal Acquaviva had expressed his delight at Cardinal S C's invitation--an honour which he had never yet bestowed on ht have very important results for me
I read the , and ritten It was co of Prussia, who had just conquered Silesia by ait, the idea struck me to personify Silesia, and to make her, in answer to the sonnet, bewail that Love (supposed to be the author of the sonnet of the marchioness) could applaud the man who had conquered her, when that conqueror was the sworn enemy of Love
It is impossible for a man accustomed to write poetry to abstain when a happy subject sination If he atteh his veins it would consu the sainal, and, well pleased withthe Abbe Ga my sonnet, and said he would breakfast with me He complimented me upon the honour conferred on me by the invitation of Cardinal S C
”But be prudent,” he added, ”for his e jealous:”
I thanked hi care to assure hihtest inclination for the handsoreat kindness nity, toupon me
”What do you think,” he enquired, ”of the sonnet?”
”Monsignor, it is perfectly written, and, what iscomposition Allow me to return it to you with my thanks”
”She has much talent I wish to shew you ten stanzas of her composition, my dear abbe, but you must promise to be very discreet about it”
”Your eht forth the stanzas of which he was the subject I read them, found them ritten, but devoid of enthusiasm; they were the work of a poet, and expressed love in the words of passion, but were not pervaded by that peculiar feeling by which true love is so easily discovered The worthy cardinal was doubtless guilty of a very great indiscretion, but self-love is the cause of so many injudicious steps! I asked his eminence whether he had answered the stanzas
”No,” he replied, ”I have not; but would you feel disposed to lend me your poetical pen, always under the seal of secrecy?”
”As to secrecy, nor, I promise it faithfully; but I am afraid the marchioness will remark the difference between your style andof my composition,” said the cardinal; ”I do not think she supposes me a fine poet, and for that reason your stanzas must be written in such a manner that she will not esteem them above nor, and your eh to be worthy of you, they need not be given to the marchioness”
”That is well said Will you write thenor? It is not like prose”
”Well, well! try to let me have them to-morrow”
We dined alone, and his eminence complimented ood as his own; but I was beginning to understand my eccentric host, and, to flatter him, I answered that he praised me more than I deserved, and that ular cohted him, and I saw all the use I could make of his eminence
Towards the end of the dinner, as ere conversing, the marchionessannounced Her looks threw ht her a perfect beauty She did not give the cardinal time to , according to etiquette
Without appearing to notice me, the marchioness ran wittily over various topics until coffee was brought in Then, addressing herself tocharity upon me
”By-the-by, abbe,” she said, a minute after, ”have you read my sonnet?”