Volume I Part 38 (2/2)

”You are welcoood fellow, ”but I would advise you not to get on the ate on foot as if you were one of the drivers”

It was exactly what I wanted Petronio accoave hiot out of the city without the slightest difficulty, and left the na

I found out that I could not obtain a passport, for the simple reason that the authorities of the city persisted that it was not necessary; but I knew better, and it was not for me to tell them why I resolved to write to the French officer who had treated ed him to enquire at the war office whether my passport had arrived from Rome, and, if so, to forward it to me I also asked him to find out the owner of the horse who had run aithto pay for it I na, and I infor her to write very often The reader will soon know the new resolution I took on the very same day

EPISODE 3 -- MILITARY CAREER

CHAPTER XIII

I Renounce the Clerical Profession, and Enter the Military Service--Therese Leaves for Naples, and I Go to Venice--I An in the Army of My Native Country--I Embark for Corfu, and Land at Orsera to Take a Walk

I had been careful, on na, to take up my quarters at a small inn, so as not to attract any notice, and as soon as I had dispatched ht of purchasing soet my trunk I deemed it expedient to order so, when it suddenly struck me that I was not likely now to succeed in the Church, but feeling great uncertainty as to the profession I ought to adopt, I took a fancy to transform myself into an officer, as it was evident that I had not to account to anyone for e, for I had just passed through two ararb but to the military uniform, and I did not see why I should not causeof returning to Venice, and felt great delight at the idea of shewing arb of honour, for I had been rather ill-treated in that of religion

I enquired for a good tailor: death was brought to me, for the tailor sent to me was named Morte I explained to him hoanted my uniform made, I chose the cloth, he took my measure, and the next day I was transfor sword, and with my fine cane in hand, with a well-brushed hat ornatail, I sallied forth and walked all over the city

I bethoughtrequired a better andthan the one I had secured on my arrival, and I moved to the best inn I like even now to recollect the pleasing ith in a large ht myself made by nature to wear and to honour the h the most fortunate impulse Certain that nobody knew me, I enjoyed by anticipation all the conjectures which people would indulge in respecting me, when I made my first appearance in the most fashi+onable cafe of the town

My uniforold and silver shoulder-knot, and a sword-knot of the sarand appearance, I went to the coffee-rooan to read the newspapers, quite at hted to see that everybody was puzzled A bold individual, in the hope of getting me into conversation, came to me and addressed me; I answered him with a monosyllable, and I observed that everyone was at a loss what to make of me When I had sufficiently enjoyed public admiration in the coffee-roohfares of the city, and returned to the inn, where I had dinner by myself

I had just concluded my repast when my landlord presented hiister my name

”Casanova”

”Your profession, if you please, sir?”

”Officer”

”In which service?”

”None”