Volume VI Part 15 (2/2)

I spent the night on a narrow bench without a back, restingManucci caed hiive me soranted, and as I told s I had my hair done by a barber

Manucci told me that my letters would be delivered in the course of the day, and observed, sly, that my epistle to the ambassador was rather severe I shewed him copies of the three others I had written, and the inexperienced young entleness was the best way to obtain favours He did not know that there are circuall He told me confidentially that the ambassador dined with Aranda that day, and would speak inthat he was afraid ainst me

”All I ask of you,” said I, ”is not to tell the ambassador that you have seen the letter I wrote to the Count of Aranda”

He promised he would keep the secret

An hour after his departure I saw Donna Ignazia and her father co in, accompanied by the officer who had treated me with such consideration Their visit cut rateful, for it shewed o's heart and the love of the fair devotee

I gave therateful for the honour they had done nazia did not speak, she only wept in silence; but Don Diego gave me clearly to understand that he would never have come to see me unless he had felt certain that my accusation was a mistake or an infamous calumny He told me he was sure I should be set free, and that proper satisfaction would be given me

”I hope so,” I replied, ”for I areatly touched when the worthyme it contained twelve quadruples, which I could repay at my convenience

It was more than a thousand francs, and my hair stood on end I pressed his hand warmly, and whispered to him that I had fifty in my pocket, which I was afraid to shew hiht rob me He put back his rouleau, and bade me farewell in tears, and I promised to come and see him as soon as I should be set at liberty

He had not sent in his name, and as he was very well dressed he was taken for a ether exceptional in heroic Spain; it is a land of extres's servant came with a dinner that was choicer than before, but not so plentiful This was just what I liked He waited formy heartiest thanks to his master

At one o'clock an individual came up to me and bade me follow him He took me to a small room, where I saw my carbine and pistols In front of me was the Alcalde Messa, seated at a table covered with documents, and a policeman stood on each side of him The alcalde told ht be put tome that my replies would be taken down

”I do not understand Spanish well, and I shall only give written answers to any questions that may be asked of me, in Italian, French, or Latin”

This reply, which I uttered in a firm and determined voice, seemed to astonish him He spoke to ot one reply:

”I don't understand what you say Get a judge who understands one of the languages I have named, and I rite down ed, but I did not let his ill-huave me a pen, and told me to write my name, profession, and business in Spain in Italian I could not refuse him this pleasure, so I wrote as follows:

”My name is Jacques Casanova; I am a subject of the Republic of Venice, by profession a ht of the Golden Spur

I have sufficient means, and I travel for my pleasure I am known to the Venetian ambassador, the Count of Aranda, the Prince de la Catolica, the Marquis of Moras, and the Duke of Lossada I have offended in no ainst the laws of his Catholic majesty, but in spite of my innocence I have been cast into a den of thieves and assassins by reater punished the laws, his Catholic ht over me, and that is to order me to leave his realms, which order I am ready to obey My arms, which I see before me, have travelled with ainst highwaymen

They were seen when my effects were examined at the Gate of Alcala, and were not confiscated; which makes it plain that they have served merely as a pretext for the infamous treatment to which I have been subjected”

After I had written out this docuave it to the alcalde, who called for an interpreter When he had had it read to hia me Dios! You shall suffer for your insolence”

With this threat he went away, ordering that I should be taken back to prison