Volume VI Part 5 (1/2)
This news about the niece was a surprise to er than the bed which it contained; it was, in fact, a mere alcove, without any
I must note that e, were perfect liness
”It's not within the limits of possibility,” I said to lier than they, but if they allow her to sleep thus in the saainst all ten, and did not ask to see the niece for fear of offense, and I went out without opening my trunk I told them as I went out that I should not be back till after supper, and gave thehts
I went to see the princess hoood fortune in finding a lodging I went to the concert, to the bank at faro, and to the other gaon, as playing at piquet with an old count of the Holy Roman Empire I was told about the duel he had had three weeks before with a Frenchman who had picked a quarrel with him; the Frenchman had been wounded in the chest, and was still ill
Nevertheless, he was only waiting for his cure to be coe, which he had demanded as he was taken off the field Such is the way of the French when a duel is fought for a trifling ht the duel over and over again In Italy, on the other hand, duels are fought to the death Our blood burns to fire when our adversary's sword opens a vein Thus stabbing is common in Italy and rare in France; while duels are common in France, and rare in Italy
Of all the company at Spa, I was most pleased to see the Marquis Caraccioli, whoiven hi it at Spa He was brimful of wit and the milk of human kindness, compassionate for the weaknesses of others, and devoted to youth, no matter of what sex, but he kneell the virtue oftheamester and despised all dupes The worthythe fortune of the so-called Marquis d'Aragon by becolishof fifty, who had taken a fancy to hiht hi No doubt the as taken with the gigantic foron (as his nas, which I suppose he kept well covered, bore disgusting marks of the libertine life he had led I saw the marquis some time afterwards at Marseilles, and a few years later he purchased two estates at Modena
His wife died in due course, and according to the English law he inherited the whole of her property
I returned tothe niece, as fast asleep I aited on by the ugly aunt, who begged me not to take a servant while I remained in her house, for by her account all servants were thieves
When I awoke in the o to the Wells, and warnedwith them The room I occupied was the only place in which they could take their meals, and I was astonished when they caone out, so I had to put my curiosity aside When I was out my acquaintances pointed out to me the chief beauties who then haunted the Wells The nu the season is so incredible, and they all hope to o away as naked as they careat freedoamesters, shop-keepers, money-lenders, and courtezans The -table has three issues: the first and se; the second and larger portion, to the numerous aest of all to the coffers of twelve sharpers, who keep the tables and are authorized by the sovereign
Thus goes the money It comes fros at Spa!
The Wells are aThere are a few honest people who go for amusement, and a few for rest and relaxation after the toils of business
Living is cheap enough at Spa The table d'hote is excellent, and only costs a s for the like su won a score of louis I went into the shop, intending to go toa handsoreat black eyes, voluptuous lips, and shi+ning teeth,out ribbon on the counter This, then, was the niece, wholy I concealed aze at her and endeavour to make her acquaintance But she hardly seeht inclination of the head Her aunt came down to say that dinner was ready, and I went upstairs and found the table laid for four The servant brought in the soup, and then asked ive her some money if I wanted any wine, as her hted with her freedoundy
The old repeater with a chain also of gold by a well-known modern maker He wanted to kno much it orth
”Forty louis at the least”
”A gentleive him twenty louis for it, on the condition that I return it to-s me twenty-two”
”Then I advise you to accept his offer”
”I haven't got the ave him the twenty Louis, and placed the watch in my jewel-casket At table the niece sat opposite to me, but I took care not to look at her, and she, like a h theof soup, boiled beef, an entree, and a roast The mistress of the house told me that the roast was in my honour, ”for,” she said, ”we are not rich people, and we only allow ourselves this Luxury on a Sunday” I admired her delicacy, and the evident sincerity hich she spoke I begged my entertainers to helpthey only wished they were rich enough to be able to drink half a bottle a day
”I thought trade was good with you”
”The stuff is not ours, and we have debts; besides, the expenses are very great We have sold very little up to now”
”Do you only sell hats?”
”No, we have silk handkerchiefs, Paris stockings, and lace ruffs, but they say everything is too dear”
”I will buy sos for you, and will send all my friends here
Leave it to me; I will see what I can do for you”
”Mercy, fetch down one or two packets of those handkerchiefs and so”