登陆注册
4606300000450

第450章

Count Tiretta of Trevisa Abbe Coste--Lambertini, the Pope's Niece Her Nick--Name for Tiretta The Aunt and Niece--Our Talk by the Fireside--

Punishment of Damien--Tiretta's Mistake Anger of Madame*** --Their Reconciliation--My Happiness with Mdlle. de la Meure Silvia's Daughter--Mdlle, de la Meure Marries My Despair and Jealousy--A

Change far the Better In the beginning of March, 1757, I received a letter from my friend Madame Manzoni, which she sent to me by a young man of good appearance, with a frank and high-born air, whom I recognized as a Venetian by his accent. He was young Count Tiretta de Trevisa, recommended to my care by Madame Manzoni, who said that he would tell me his story, which I might be sure would be a true one. The kind woman sent to me by him a small box in which she told me I should find all my manuscripts, as she did not think she would ever see me again.

I gave Tiretta the heartiest of welcomes, telling him that he could not have found a better way to my favour than through a woman to whom I was under the greatest obligations.

"And now, that you may be at your ease with me, I should like to know in what manner I can be of service to you?"

"I have need of your friendship, perhaps of your purse, but at any rate of your protection."

"You have my friendship and my protection already, and my purse is at your service."

After expressing his gratitude to me, Tiretta said, "A year ago the Supreme Council of my country entrusted me with an employment dangerous to one of my years. I was made, with some other young gentlemen of my own age, a keeper of the Mont de Piete. The pleasures of the carnival having put us to a good deal of expense, we were short of money, and borrowed from the till hoping to be able to make up the money before balancing-day, but hoping all in vain.

"The fathers of my two companions, richer than mine, paid the sums they had taken, and I, not being able to pay, took the part of escaping by flight from the shame and the punishment I should have undergone.

"Madame Manzoni advised me to throw myself on your mercy, and she gave me a little box which you shall have to-day. I only got to Paris yesterday, and have only two louis, a little linen, and the clothes on my back. I am twenty-five, have an iron constitution, and a determination to do all in my power to make an honest living; but I

can do nothing. I have not cultivated any one talent in a manner to make use of it now. I can play on the flute, but only as an amateur.

I only know my own language, and I have no taste for literature. So what can you make of me? I must add that I have not a single expectation, least of all from my father, for to save the honour of the family he will be obliged to sell my portion of the estate, to which I shall have to bid an eternal farewell."

If the count's story had surprised me, the simplicity with which he told it had given me pleasure; and I was resolved to do honour to Madame Manzoni's introduction, feeling that it was my duty to serve a fellow-countryman, who was really guilty of nothing worse than gross thoughtlessness.

"Begin," said I, "by bringing your small belongings to the room next to mine, and get your meals there. I will pay for everything while I

am looking out for something which may do for you.

"We will talk of business to-morrow, for as I never dine here I

rarely if ever come home till late, and I do not expect to have the honour of seeing you again today. Leave me for the present, as I

have got some work to do; and if you go out to walk, beware of bad company, and whatever you do keep your own counsel. You are fond of gaming, I suppose?"

"I hate it, as it has been the cause of half my troubles."

"And the other half, I'll wager, was caused by women."

"You have guessed aright--oh, those women!"

"Well, don't be angry with them, but make them pay for the ill they have done you."

"I will, with the greatest pleasure, if I can."

"If you are not too particular in your goods, you will find Paris rich in such commodities."

"What do you mean by particular? I would never be a prince's pathic."

"No, no, I was not thinking of that. I mean by 'particular' a man who cannot be affectionate unless be is in love. The man who...."

"I see what you mean, and I can lay no claim to such a character.

Any hag with golden eyes will always find me as affectionate as a Celadon."

"Well said! I shall soon be able to arrange matters for you."

"I hope you will."

"Are you going to the ambassador's?"

"Good God!--no! What should I do when I got there? Tell him my story? He might make things unpleasant for me."

"Not without your going to see him, but I expect he is not concerning himself with your case."

"That's all I ask him."

"Everybody, my dear count, is in mourning in Paris, so go to my tailor's and get yourself a black suit. Tell him you come from me, and say you want it by tomorrow. Good bye."

I went out soon after, and did not come back till midnight. I found the box which Madame Manzoni had sent me in my room, and in it my manuscripts and my beloved portraits, for I never pawned a snuff-box without taking the portrait out.

Next day Tiretta made his appearance all in black, and thanked me for his transformation.

"They are quick, you see, at Paris. It would have taken a week at Trevisa."

"Trevisa, my dear fellow, is not Paris."

As I said this, the Abbe de la Coste was announced. I did not know the name, but I gave orders for him to be admitted; and there presently appeared the same little priest with whom I had dined at Versailles after leaving the Abbe de la Ville.

After the customary greetings he began by complimenting me on the success of my lottery, and then remarked that I had distributed tickets for more than six thousand francs.

"Yes," I said, "and I have tickets left for several thousands more."

"Very good, then I will invest a thousand crowns in it."

"Whenever you please. If you call at my office you can choose the numbers."

"No, I don't think I'll trouble to do so; give me any numbers just as they come."

"Very good; here is the list you can choose from."

同类推荐
  • 华严经合论简要

    华严经合论简要

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 东西汉演义

    东西汉演义

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 太上洞玄灵宝诚业本行上品妙经

    太上洞玄灵宝诚业本行上品妙经

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 耳门

    耳门

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 乐邦文类

    乐邦文类

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
热门推荐
  • 心理学与微表情

    心理学与微表情

    在生活中,我们每天都在运用身体语言,挥挥手,露出微笑,皱下眉头,这些都是基本的身体语言。当你与熟悉的人交流,或者与陌生人擦肩而过的时候,都会下意识地留意对方的身体语言——表情、身体姿势、手势、腿脚动作等,这是我们获取信息的可靠渠道。当你能够轻松地看懂身体语言,娴熟地运用身体语言的时候,就可以向别人展现一个更丰富、更有魅力的自我,同时更加准确和透彻地理解对方的心理,减少工作和生活中的摩擦和误解,提高人际交往的效率。一个身体语言高手自然也是一个沟通的能手,掌握并熟练运用身体语言会让你事半功倍,游刃有余。
  • 缘生论

    缘生论

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • D叔一家的探秘之旅

    D叔一家的探秘之旅

    紧紧围绕“生活在锦绣科学小镇上的D叔一家”探寻生命进化奥秘,寻找“十二生肖秘钥”,守护龙城安危神奇惊险的旅程展开。生命进化场景重现,各人物在远古—现代—未来时空穿行,探索见证生命进化历程;与远古物种相见,揭开生物种起源奥秘,成功获得未来生命之树种子,最终保护了“龙城”,延续了“龙城”一片绿色生机、欣欣向荣的景象。
  • 行星与恒星(自然瞭望书坊)

    行星与恒星(自然瞭望书坊)

    人类是宇宙演化的杰作,宇宙是神秘莫测的存在。当宇宙的精灵与莫测的神秘结合在一起时,便碰撞出无数精彩的篇章。人类对宇宙的解读和探秘跨越了千年,宇宙的面貌也越来越清晰地展现在人类面前。
  • 7天让你读懂经商心理学

    7天让你读懂经商心理学

    心理学是帮助人们了解自我、洞察人生、解释行为的一门实用科学。人的心理千变万化,这也使得人的心理现象成为一个极为复杂和奇妙的领域。但通过大量的试验以及经验的总结证明,人类的心理活动仍然是有一定规律的,人们对心理现象事实上都很熟悉,只不过由于缺乏科学的理解,因此觉得神秘罢了。然而,从普通大众看来,严谨深奥的心理学的确是晦涩难懂的,一些专业的名词术语在日常生活中总是难以被理解。所以,迫切需要一条合适的纽带将心理学的科学性运用到我们的现实生活与工作中。《7天让你读懂心理学》系列丛书无疑就是这样一条及时出现的纽带。本书为丛书之《7天让你读懂经商心理学》分册。
  • 某种回忆

    某种回忆

    我打开录音机,挑选了巴赫的《圣母颂》,在交错盘旋的声音中,一刹那间,我的曾经穿着褴褛衣服的父母、我的兄弟,村庄、沟壑里我家小小的土屋、我踯躅在解放路上的某个黄昏,等等所有的景象突然滑过我眼前,使我震惊,等最后出现那个放满花盆的阳台、安仪不断微笑着向我挥手的情景时,我顿时觉得这挥手凭借月光下的教堂那奇瑰的一刻,向我显现了奇迹,此刻,《圣母颂》的旋律像越来越神秘的花朵盛开在我心中,使我的心不断颤栗,我的眼泪流了出来,我喃喃地说:不管怎样,明天,我一定向她说我爱她……
  • 超凡地球

    超凡地球

    异界入侵,武道盛兴,地球进入超凡的时代。微末少年,凭着一张神秘卡片,生于安乐,努力不死于忧患,一步步走向超凡的故事。
  • 萌狐休夫记

    萌狐休夫记

    云汐被亲生母亲和情敌害的快死的时候,被一个神秘人救了,还被迫签了卖身契,成了他的契约道侣。夫君很穷,好吧,她替他还债抵救命之恩。可他人品糟糕,整日里除了欺负她,就是欺负她。不行,这日子没法过了,她要休夫,休夫,休夫……
  • 怦然

    怦然

    周勋万万没想到,他会那么早就遇上命中注定的怦然。他眼睁睁看着她做错了一道选择题,于是他划掉正确答案,写上错误答案,果然跟她考进同一所学校。幼稚地在桌上划三八线不许她越界,当众起哄她,就喜欢看她一脸尴尬的小模样;敏锐地察觉她无法诉诸于口的秘密,悄悄地帮她,就喜欢她无措又感激的小表情;假装自己数学成绩超差,让她辅导。结果嫉妒她竟是因为另外一个人才故意考差,抢了全校第一,暴露了,糟糕了,只好承认“我就是欺负你啊”。从陌生人,到朋友;从朋友,到好朋友。他用了近4年时光,终于从好朋友走到了恋人。青梅竹马,从校园到婚纱,暖萌互宠高智商傻白甜少女与放荡不羁温柔学霸的青春小时光。
  • 裁决武神

    裁决武神

    一个叫做无痕的乞儿,因一场偶然间的奇遇。经过各种坎坷,最终站在世界巅峰裁决众生!