Volume V Part 94 (1/2)

I can dwell no h to ed to eon in Prince Sulkowski's household took charge of the case in defiance of professional etiquette, and cured me perfectly, so I have my hand and my arm to this day

On Easter Day I went toMy cure had only lasted three weeks, but I was not able to put the hand to any active eed to congratulate eneral consent declared the surgeons grossly ignorant, while I was satisfied with thinking thereat knaves

I must here set down an incident which happened three days after the duel

I was told that a Jesuit father from the bishop of the diocese wanted to speak to me in private, and I had him shewn in, and asked him what he wanted

”I have come from my lord-bishop,” said he, ”to absolve you from the ecclesiastical censure, which you have incurred by duelling”

”I ahted to receive absolution, father, but only after I have confessedto confess; I was attacked, and I defended myself Pray thank my lord for his kindness If you like to absolve ed”

”If you do not confess, I cannot give you absolution, but you can do this: ask ht a duel”

”Certainly; I shall be glad if you will absolve htful Jesuit gave me absolution in similar terms He was like his brethren--never at a loss when a loophole of any kind is required

Three days before I left the uard After I had been to mass on Easter Day, I went to Court, and as I kissed the king's hand, he askedI said I had been suffering fro smile,--

”Take care not to catch another”

After , I called on Branicki, who had made daily enquiries after my health, and had sent me back er at least, for the wad ofit the opening had to be enlarged, which retarded his recovery The king had just appointed him chief huntsman, not so exalted an office as chaot the place because he was such a good shot; but if that were the reason I had a better claim to it, for I had proved the better shot--for one day at all events

I entered an enores, and lacqueys, all gazing at reatest astonished the door-keeper to send in hed, and went into his ed me, with a profound bow, to step in

Branicki, as dressed in a reeted htcap He was as pale as death

”I have coan, ”to offer you ret that I did not pass over a few trifling words of yours”

”You have no reason to reproach yourself, M Casanova”

”Your excellency is very kind I a with me you have done me an honour which coive me your protection for the future”

”I confess I insulted you, but you will allow that I have paid for it

As to my friends, I openly say that they are my enemies unless they treat you with respect Bininski has been cashi+ered, and his nobility taken from him; he is well served As to hly, like myself, and all men of honour

Sit doill be friends A cup of chocolate for this gentleot over your wound completely”

”Quite so, ers, and that will take soht to withstand those rascally surgeons, and you had good reason for your opinion that the fools thought to please ed ratulate you on the preservation of your hand, but I have not been able to make out howyour stoht, and the chamberlain came in and looked at me with a smile In five minutes the room was full of lords and ladies who had heard I ith Branicki, and wanted to knoere getting on I could see that they did not expect to find us on such good terreeably surprised Branicki asked the question which had been interrupted by the chocolate and the visitors over again