登陆注册
4606300000771

第771章

I knew that I possessed her heart, and consequently Lord Percy's attempts neither made me angry or jealous--nay, they flattered my self-esteem, for his slighted love made my own happiness stand out in greater relief. Everybody knew that Agatha remained faithful to me, and at last Lord Percy was so convinced of the hopelessness of the attempt that he resolved on making a friend of me, and winning me over to his interests.

With the true Englishman's boldness and coolness he came to me one morning, and asked me to give him breakfast. I welcomed him in the French manner, that is, with combined cordiality and politeness, and he was soon completely at his ease.

With insular directness he went straight to the point at the first interview, declared his love for Agatha, and proposed an exchange, which amused, but did not offend me, as I knew that such bargains were common in England.

"I know," said he, "that you are in love with Redegonde, and have long tried vainly to obtain her; now I am willing to exchange her for Agatha, and all I want to know is what sum of money you want over and above?"

"You are very good, my dear lord, but to determine the excess of value would require a good mathematician. Redegonde is all very well, and inspires me with curiosity, but what is she compared to Agatha?"

"I know, I know, and I therefore offer you any sum you like to mention."

Percy was very rich, and very passionate. I am sure that if I had named twenty-five thousand guineas as overplus, or rather as exchange--for I did not care for Redegonde--he would have said done. However, I did not, and I am glad of it. Even now, when a hundred thousand francs would be a fortune to me, I never repent of my delicacy.

After we had breakfasted merrily together, I told him that I liked him well, but that in the first place it would be well to ascertain whether the two commodities would consent to change masters.

"I am sure of Redegonde's consent," said Lord Percy.

"But I am not at all sure of Agatha's," said I.

"Why not?"

"I have very strong grounds for supposing that she would not consent to the arrangement. What reasons have you for the contrary opinion?"

"She will shew her sense."

"But she loves me."

"Well, Redegonde loves me."

"I dare say; but does she love me?"

"I am sure I don't know, but she will love you."

"Have you consulted her upon the point?"

"No, but it is all the same. What I want to know now is whether you approve of my plan, and how much you want for the exchange, for your Agatha is worth much more than my Redegonde."

"I am delighted to hear you do my mistress justice. As for the money question, we will speak of that later. In the first place I

will take Agatha's opinion, and will let you know the result to-

morrow morning."

The plan amused me, and though I was passionately attached to Agatha I knew my inconstant nature well enough to be aware that another woman, may be not so fair as she, would soon make me forget her. I therefore resolved to push the matter through if I

could do so in a manner that would be advantageous for her.

What surprised me was that the young nobleman had gained possession of Redegonde, whose mother appeared so intractable, but I knew what an influence caprice has on woman, and this explained the enigma.

Agatha came to supper as usual, and laughed heartily when I told her of Lord Percy's proposal.

"Tell me," said I, "if you would agree to the change?"

"I will do just as you like," said she; "and if the money he offers be acceptable to you, I advise you to close with him."

I could see by the tone of her voice that she was jesting, but her reply did not please me. I should have liked to have my vanity flattered by a peremptory refusal, and consequently I felt angry.

My face grew grave, and Agatha became melancholy.

"We will see," said I, "how it all ends."

Next day I went to breakfast with the Englishman, and told him Agatha was willing, but that I must first hear what Redegonde had to say.

"Quite right," he observed.

"I should require to know how we are to live together."

"The four of us had better go masked to the first ball at the Carignan Theatre. We will sup at a house which belongs to me, and there the bargain can be struck."

The party took place according to agreement, and at the given signal we all left the ball-room. My lord's carriage was in waiting, and we all drove away and got down at a house I seemed to know. We entered the hall, and the first thing I saw was the Corticelli. This roused my choler, and taking Percy aside I told him that such a trick was unworthy of a gentleman. He laughed, and said he thought I should like her to be thrown in, and that two pretty women were surely worth as much as Agatha. This amusing answer made me less angry; but, calling him a madman, I

took Agatha by the arm and went out without staying for any explanations. I would not make use of his carriage, and instead of returning to the ball we went home in sedan-chairs, and spent a delicious night in each other's arms.

End MEMOIRS OF JACQUES CASANOVA de SEINGALT 1725-1798

同类推荐
  • 涅槃经本有今无偈论

    涅槃经本有今无偈论

    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。
  • 净土简要录

    净土简要录

    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。
  • 华严游意

    华严游意

    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。
  • 嘉兴退庵断愚智禅师语录

    嘉兴退庵断愚智禅师语录

    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。
  • 太乙元真保命长生经

    太乙元真保命长生经

    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。
热门推荐
  • 异世仙旅

    异世仙旅

    修真境界分为筑基旋照开光融合心动金丹元婴出窍分神合体大乘度劫飞升。旋照开光融合心动为身动之境;金丹,元婴为意动之境;出窍,分神,合体为神动之境;大乘为不动之动的境界。山村教师意外落入修真古洞,走上修真之路。传送阵的失控让其跨越空间落入异世,种种际遇,挑战接踵而至,他将如何面对?
  • 侯门嫡秀

    侯门嫡秀

    萧怀素一脚跌进了古代,都市女白领转眼便成三岁小女娃,母亲过世,父亲嫌弃,更有寡居的县主迫不及待地要当她继母。萧怀素瘪了瘪嘴,表示很不屑。渣爹靠不住,带着娘的嫁妆住到外祖家,这里人人把她宠上天。萧怀素左算右算,如今身份有了,嫁妆有了,是不是也该选个如意郎君合伙过日子?她的要求其实很简单,家底不用太厚,够用就好,长相不用太帅,耐看就好,前途不必光明,可靠就好。渣爹继母想插手她的婚事?没门!她的婚事她做主。那个…她没那么势利,不想当世子夫人好吗?********************推荐月的种田完结文《名门嫡秀》:《药窕嫡女》:《高门嫡女之再嫁》:
  • 女人,非婚不可

    女人,非婚不可

    一组照片流传,宣声哗然,年纪轻轻的女市长竟是地产商的入幕之宾!她的这个市长之位当的风雨飘摇,水深火热,受尽讥嘲和讽刺!他慵懒的坐在她的办公桌前,淡淡说道:“那晚为什么没来?”“我们早就没有关系了,你让我来,我就来?你当我程书敏是应召女吗?”她拍着桌子,火大的对他怒吼!“没关系,我能扶你起来,也能踩你下去,照片看了吗?我是不是该来几个特写?让人瞧瞧我们的女市长最神密的地方?”他无耻的笑起来,冷峻的脸上夹着冰冷的威胁。“你、敢!”她咬紧牙关,才能不拿椅子拍死这货。“怎么就不敢?”他探身过来,附在她的耳边暧昧的笑问。“如果你敢,我也让人瞧瞧博宛地产凌总的命根长什么样子!”她狞声笑着,毫不示弱。冷俊的脸瞬间阴沉,单手狠掐着她细小的脖子,怒色道:“程书敏,别逼我毁了你!”“是吗?要毁我,就不该来招惹我!”她无惧无畏,仰声笑着,她的人性,早就被他毁的一干二净了,别TM的跟她谈条件,你不配!
  • 媚世(kitsch)和堪鄙(camp)

    媚世(kitsch)和堪鄙(camp)

    媚世和堪鄙是西方当代新出现的两个美学类型,对原有的美学类型体系(以美丑为核心的体系和以美、悲、喜为核心的体系)产生了一种新冲击,形成了以先锋和媚世为核心的体系,同时产生了媚世之美与先锋之丑之间的换位。同时,媚世与堪鄙是西方对大众文化中的美的一种把握,提出了看大众文化的一种新的视点,因此,媚世与堪鄙,对世界美学中的审美类型理论提出了新的挑战与思考。
  • 慎行论

    慎行论

    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。
  • 搭讪心理学

    搭讪心理学

    一本专为患有搭讪恐惧症、社交障碍症和语言不畅者准备的一看就懂、一学就会的“勾搭”宝典。作者通过运用经典的事例和分析,让你成功地找到搭讪的突破口,从搭讪开场白、加强好感、引发共鸣到搭讪语言的运用,再到高级“搭讪犯”的进阶,逐步成为陌生人眼里的“开朗派”,一开口就自信满满、脸不红心不跳,进而让你与陌生人的聊天越来越尽兴,甚至成为“骨灰级”搭讪玩家、社交达人,轻轻松松实现搭讪的最终目的。本书能从根本上帮你把搭讪这门技术活练得炉火纯青,让你轻轻松松结识你想认识的人。
  • 哦嘿!秋香香点唐小虎

    哦嘿!秋香香点唐小虎

    F,也许是FOUR,也许是FIVE?外表冷酷功夫了得的女主角秋香香,带着某种目的来到明阳学院,并迅速与三大校草连在了一起。四个人一边打闹一边管闲事,竟在不知不觉中帮助了很多人,办了很多件风光的案子,而他们的代号F也变得异常响亮。经过生死事情之后,秋香香却带着神秘的身世不告而别……情节虚构,切勿模仿
  • 伊人似明月

    伊人似明月

    她本是一国公主,天之骄女,却因少不经事,被表妹设计,让渣男骗的团团转,终是落得国破家亡,含恨而死。老天开眼,重活一世,她誓要改变一切。
  • 妃常穿越之天才宝贝刁悍妃

    妃常穿越之天才宝贝刁悍妃

    简介:那一夜,她被迫受一箭,与他缠绵缱锩一夜,谁知接下来的日子……穿越前,她,丁汀,是空军女上校,只是会一点点的贪财,一点点的性格急躁易怒,会一点点的武功,老天不用这么耍她吧!意外穿越到一个历史上没记载的朝代,不懂历史也就罢了,也不懂吟诗弄月,穿越有什么好?聪慧的翩翩美少年,浪漫的帝王爱,错!错!错!大错特错!要不谁来解释一穿越,莫名其妙被射一箭,差点小命不保!再次醒来却无缘无故被人吃干摸尽,倒霉的事还不知道那个妖孽男是谁?更倒霉的事还留下……原本想扑蝶赏花,无忧无虑的了此余生,不想……穿越后,沦落风尘,占山为王。“妈咪,宝宝的爹是谁啊?”“什么爹不爹的,宝宝闪一边去。”“妈咪,宝宝真的很乖噢!”“呀的,欠抽啊!是不是皮又痒了。”“不是啊,妈咪,你别生气,这次宝宝为自己找了个爹,喏,你看,长的很像我吧!”所谓龙生龙,凤生凤,山寨养出来的宝宝岂是善良的主!【宝贝自序】话说我很小的时候就充分利用自己的美色,这一点我很以为傲,可是聪明伶俐,长的美丽,却遭嫉妒,所以每次当俺遭嫉妒时,总会有惨无人道的追杀,看看俺的小胳膊小腿的,哪里跑的快啊!!只能回头说:“妈咪,妈咪,宝宝错了,你大人不计小人过,不要用鞭子抽我的脸啊,抽哪都行!!”汗,长的漂亮又不是俺的错,干嘛每次都抽脸啊!!【妖孽男感慨】想我堂堂英俊潇洒,天上地下独一无二盖世无双俊逸绝伦的美男。为啥老天这样对待本王,本王发誓要找到那个杀千刀的,一夜温存将他吃干抹尽之后,居然拍拍屁股消失得无影无踪,还把最贵重的东西给偷走了。可是等到在相见却是七年后,当他咬牙切齿的说一句这是谁的种,却换来一鞭子,“你是谁啊?”很好,很好,嫁人了是吧!有孩子了是吧!本王看上眼的女人,管你有没有成亲,照样劫回王府。【片段一】“女人,因为你给了我生平一大耻辱,我会让你付出代价的……”他怒喝,全然没有往日的温润如玉,和煦笑靥,转而冷血,漠然,血色的眸子暴突着,发丝披散,殷红的唇开始颤抖。【片段二】
  • 三千有门颂略解

    三千有门颂略解

    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。