Volume IV Part 88 (1/2)
He carave and reverend appearance I made him a profound bow and offered hi, and said,
”Sir, listen attentively to what I a ht cost you your life You would repent when it was too late After hearing me, follow my advice immediately; but ask no questions, for I can answer none You uess, perhaps, that what silences me is a reason incumbent on all Christians--the sacred seal of the confessional You may be sure that my word is above suspicion; I have no interests ofin obedience to an inspiration; I think itwith my voice God will not abandon you to the malice of your enemies Tell me if I have touched your heart, and if you feel disposed to follow the counsels I aive you”
”I have listened to you, father, with attention and respect Speak freely and advise me; what you have said has not only htened ainst honour or the light of reason”
”Very good A feeling of charity will prevent your doing anything to compromise me, whatever may be the end of the affair You will not speak of me to anyone, or say either that you know me or do not know me?”
”I swear to you I will not onpreface has o by yourself to---- Square, No---, on the second floor, and ring at the bell on your left Tell the person who opens the door that you want to speak to Madame You will be taken to her room without any difficulty; I aive an i her to hear you, and ask her for her secret, and to inspire confidence put a sequin or two in her hand She is poor, and I aenerosity will make her your friend She will shut her door, and tell you to say on
”Youto leave her house before she gives you the little bottle that a servant brought her yesterday with a note If she resists, remain firm, but make no noise; do not let her leave the rooive her double theyou the bottle and all that depends on it Remember these words: and all that depends on it She will do whatever you want It will not cost you much, but even if it did, your life is worth old of Peru
I can say no o, promise me that you will follow my advice”
”Yes, reverend father, I will follow the inspiration of the angel who led you here”
”May God give you His blessing”
When the good priest went out I did not feel at all disposed to laugh Reason, certainly, bade , butfor reason Besides, I liked the Capuchin
He looked like a good iven him He had persuaded ainst his persuasion; in fine, I had made up my mind I took the piece of paper on which I had written the words I had to use, I put a pair of pistols in my pocket, and I told Clairht, was a precaution that could do no harood Capuchin had said The awful old creature took courage at the sight of the two sequins, and bolted her door She began by laughing and saying that she kneas amorous, and that it was my fault if I were not happy, but that she would do my business for me I saw by these words that I had to do with a pretended sorceress The famous Mother Bontemps had spoken in the saoing to leave the rooot the mysterious bottle, and all that depended on it, her face became fearful; she trembled, and would have escaped from the room; but I stood before her with an open knife, and would not suffer her to pass But on ive her double the sum she was to be paid for her witchcraft, and that thus she would be the gainer and not a loser in co with my demands, she became calm once more
”I shall lose six sequins,” said she, ”but you will gladly pay double when I shew you what I have got; I knoho you are”
”Who am I?”
”Giacomo Casanova, the Venetian”
It was then I drew the ten sequins froht of the ht, certainly, but I would have made you amorous and wretched”
”Explain what you mean”
”Follow reatly a numerous articles about whichThere were phials of all shapes and sizes, stones of different colours,nails and ses, and the like
”Here is the bottle,” said the old woman
”What does it contain?”
”Your blood and the countess's, as you will see in this letter”
I understood everything then, and noonder I did not burst out laughing But as a matter of fact my hair stood on end, as I reflected on the aickedness of which the Spaniard was capable A cold sweat burst out all over my body