Volume VI Part 1 (1/2)

The Mealt

Vol VI ”Spanish Passions”

by Jacques Casanova de Seingalt

VOLUME 6 -- SPANISH PassIONS,

EPISODE 26 -- SPAIN

CHAPTER I

I Am Ordered to Leave Vienna--The Empress Moderates but Does Not Annul the Order--Zavoiski at Munich--My Stay at Augsburg--Gasconnade at Louisburg--The Cologne Newspaper-- My Arrival at Aix-la-Chapelle

The greatest mistake a ue alive, for he is certain to take vengeance If I had had my sword in the den of thieves, I should no doubt have defended ainst one, and I should probably have been cut to pieces, while the ht o'clock Campioni came to see me inhian to think hoe could get back my purse; but we came to the conclusion that it would be i more than my mere assertion to prove the case In spite of that, however, I wrote out the whole story, beginning with the girl who recited the Latin verses

I intended to bring the document before the police; however, I had not ti down to dinner, when an agent of the police cao and speak to Count Schrotembach, the Statthalter

I told hi at the door, and that I would follow him shortly

When I called on the Statthalter, I found hi up, and surrounded by men who seemed ready to execute his orders When he saw me, he shewed me a watch, and requested me to note the hour

”I see it”

”If you are at Vienna at that time to-morrow I shall have you expelled froive me such an unjust order?”

”In the first place, I aive you accounts or reasons for my actions However, I ames of chance, which are forbidden by the laws under pain of the galleys Do you recognize that purse and these cards?”

I did not know the cards, but I knew the purse which had been stolen froe, and I only replied by presenting the istrate with the truthful narrative of what had happened to h that I ell known to be a man of parts, that my character was known, that I had been expelled froed it to be a pack of lies, since in his opinion it was altogether void of probability

”In fine,” he added, ”you will obey my order to leave the town, and you ”

”I will tell you that when I have o”

”What? You dare to tell me that you will not obey?”

”You yourself have said that if I do not go I shall be reood I have heard you have a strong will, but here it will be of no use to you I advise you to go quietly, and so avoid harsh measures”

”I request you to return one!”

This was one of the most terrible moments of my life I shudder still when I think of it It was only a cowardly love of life that hindered h the body of the Statthalter, who had treated e