DEPART SWITZERLAND - Chapter III
Rosalie--Toulon--Nice--I Arrive at Genoa--M. Grimaldi--Veronique
and Her Sister
I noticed that the four principal boxes on both sides of the
proscenium were adorned with pretty women, but not a single
gentleman. In the interval between the first and second acts I
saw gentlemen of all classes paying their devoirs to these ladies.
Suddenly I heard a Knight of Malta say to a girl, who was the sole
occupant of a box next to me,
"I will breakfast with you to-morrow."
This was enough for me. I looked at her more closely and finding
her to be a dainty morsel I said, as soon as the knight had gone,-
"Will you give me my supper?"
"With pleasure; but I have been taken in so often that I shan't
expect you without an earnest."
"How can I give you an earnest? I don't understand."
"You must be a new-comer here."
"Just arrived."
She laughed, called the knight, and said,--
"Be pleased to explain to this gentleman, who has just asked me
for supper, the meaning of the word 'earnest.'"
The good-natured knight explained, with a smile, that the lady,
fearing lest my memory should prove defective, wanted me to pay
for my supper in advance. I thanked him, and asked her if a louis
would be enough; and on her replying in the affirmative, I gave
her the Louis and asked for her address. The knight told me
politely that he would take me there himself after the theatre,
adding,--
"She's the wantonest wench in all Marseilles."
He then asked me if I knew the town, and when I told him that I
had only come that day he said he was glad to be the first to make
my acquaintance. We went to the middle of, the amphitheatre and
he pointed out a score of girls to right and left, all of them
ready to treat the first comer to supper. They are all on the
free list, and the manager finds they serve his ends as
respectable women will not sit in their boxes, and they draw
people to the theatre. I noticed five or six of a better type
than the one I had engaged, but I resolved to stick to her for the
evening, and to make the acquaintance of the others another time.
"Is your favourite amongst them?" I said to the knight.
"No, I keep a ballet-girl, and I will introduce you to her, as I
am glad to say that I am free from all jealousy."
When the play came to an end he took me to my nymph's lodging, and
we parted with the understanding that we were to see more of one
another.
I found the lady in undress--a circumstance which went against
her, for what I saw did not please me. She gave me a capital
supper, and enlivened me by some witty and wanton sallies which
made me regard her in a more favourable light. When we had supper
she got into bed, and asked me to follow her example; but I told
her that I never slept out. She then offered me the English
article which brings peace to the soul, but I did not accept the
one she offered as I thought it looked of a common make.
"I have finer ones, but they are three francs each, and the maker
only sells them by the dozen," she said. "I will take a dozen if
they are really good," I replied.
She rang the bell, and a young, charming, and modest-looking girl
came in. I was struck with her.
"You have got a nice maid," I remarked, when the girl had gone for
the protective sheaths.
"She is only fifteen," she said, "and won't do anything, as she is
new to it."
"Will you allow me to see for myself?"
"You may ask her if you like, but I don't think she will consent."
The girl came back with the packet, and putting myself in a proper
position I told her to try one on. She proceeded to do so with a
sulky air and with a kind of repugnance which made me feel
interested in her. Number one would not go on, so she had to try
on a second, and the result was that I besprinkled her
plentifully. The mistress laughed, but she was indignant, threw
the whole packet in my face, and ran away in a rage. I wanted
nothing more after this, so I put the packet in my pocket, gave
the woman two Louis, and left the room. The girl I had treated so
cavalierly came to light me downstairs, and thinking I owed her an
apology I gave her a Louis and begged her pardon. The poor girl
was astonished, kissed my hand, and begged me to say nothing to
her mistress.
"I will not, my dear, but tell me truly whether you are still a
'virgo intacta'."
"Certainly, sir!"
"Wonderful! but tell me why you wouldn't let me see for myself?"
"Because it revolted me."
"Nevertheless you will have to do so, for otherwise, in spite of
your prettiness, people will not know what to make of you. Would
you like to let me try?"
"Yes, but not in this horrible house."
"Where, then?"
"Go to my mother's to-morrow, I will be there. Your guide knows
where she lives."
When I got outside, I asked the man if he knew her. He replied in
the affirmative, and said he believed her to be an honest girl.
"You will take me to-morrow to see her mother," I said.
Next morning he took me to the end of the town, to a poor house,
where I found a poor woman and poor children living on the ground
floor, and eating hard black bread.
"What do you want?" said she.
"Is you daughter here?"
"No, and what if she were? I am not her bawd."
"No, of course not, my good woman."
Just then the girl came in, and the enraged mother flung an old
pot which came handy, at her head. Luckily it missed, but she
would not have escaped her mother's talons if I had not flung
myself between them. However, the old woman set up a dismal
shriek, the children imitated her, and the poor girl began to cry.
This hubbub made my man come in.
"You hussy!" screamed the mother, "you are bringing disgrace on
me; get out of my house. You are no longer my daughter!"
I was in a difficult position. The man begged her not to make
such a noise, as it would draw all the neighbours about the house;
but the enraged woman answered only by abuse. I drew six francs
from my pocket and gave them to her, but she flung them in my
face. At last I went out with the daughter, whose hair she
attempted to pull out by the roots, which project was defeated by
the aid of my man. As soon as we got outside, the mob which the
uproar had attracted hooted me and followed me, and no doubt I
should have been torn to pieces if I had not escaped into a
church, which I left by another door a quarter of an hour later.
My fright saved me, for I knew the ferocity of the Provencals, and
I took care not to reply a word to the storm of abuse which poured
on me. I believe that I was never in greater danger than on that
day.
Before I got back to my inn I was rejoined by the servant and the
girl.
"How could you lead me into such a dangerous position?" said I.
"You must have known your mother was savage."
"I hoped she would behave respectfully to you."
"Be calm; don't weep any more. Tell me how I can serve you."
"Rather than return to that horrible house I was in yesterday I
would throw myself into the sea."
"Do you know of any respectable house where I can keep her?" said
I to the man.
He told me he did know a respectable individual who let furnished
apartments.
"Take me to it, then."
The man was of an advanced age, and he had rooms to let on all the
floors.
"I only want a little nook," said the girl; and the old man took
us to the highest story, and opened the door of a garret, saying,-
"This closet is six francs a month, a month's rent to be paid in
advance, and I may tell you that my door is always shut at ten
o'clock, and that nobody can come and pass the night with you."
The room held a bed with coarse sheets, two chairs, a little
table, and a chest of drawers.
"How much will you board this young woman for?" said I.
He asked twenty sous, and two sous for the maid who would bring
her meals and do her room.
"That will do," said the girl, and she paid the month's rent and
the day's board. I left her telling her I would come back again.
As I went down the stairs I asked the old man to shew me a room
for myself. He skewed me a very nice one at a Louis a month, and
I paid in advance. He then gave me a latch-key, that I might go
and come when I liked.
"If you wish to board here," said he, "I think I could give
satisfaction."
Having done this good work, I had my dinner by myself, and then
went to a coffee-house where I found the amiable Knight of Malta
who was playing. He left the game as soon as he saw me, put the
fistfull of gold he had won into his pocket, accosted me with the
politeness natural to a Frenchman, and asked me how I had liked
the lady who had given me my supper. I told him what had
happened, at which he laughed, and asked me to come and see his
ballet-girl. We found her under the hairdresser's hands, and she
received me with the playful familiarity with which one greets an
old acquaintance. I did not think much of her, but I pretended to
be immensely struck, with the idea of pleasing the good-natured
knight.
When the hairdresser left her, it was time for her to get ready
for the theatre, and she dressed herself, without caring who was
present. The knight helped her to change her chemise, which she
allowed him to do as a matter of course, though indeed she begged
me to excuse her.
As I owed her a compliment, I could think of nothing better than
to tell her that though she had not offended me she had made me
feel very uncomfortable.
"I don't believe you," said she.
"It's true all the same."
She came up to me to verify the fact, and finding I had deceived
her, she said half crossly,
"You are a bad fellow."
The women of Marseilles are undoubtedly the most profligate in
France. They not only pride themselves on never refusing, but
also on being the first to propose. This girl skewed me a
repeater, for which she had got up a lottery at twelve francs a
ticket. She had ten tickets left; I took them all, and so
delighted was she to touch my five Louis that she came and kissed
me, and told the knight that her unfaithfulness to him rested only
with me.
"I am charmed to hear it," said the Maltese. He asked me to sup
with her, and I accepted the invitation, but the sole pleasure I
had was looking at the knight at work. He was far inferior to
Dolci!
I wished them good night, and went to the house where I had placed
the poor girl. The maid skewed me to my room, and I asked her if
I might go to the garret. She took the light, I followed her up,
and Rosalie, as the poor girl was named, heard my voice and opened
the door. I told the maid to wait for me in my room, and I went
in and sat down on the bed.
"Are you contented, dear?" I said.
"I am quite happy."
"Then I hope you will be kind, and find room for me in your bed."
"You may come if you like, but I must tell you that you will not
find me a maid, as I have had one lover."
"You told me a lie, then?"
"Forgive me, I could not guess you would be my lover."
"I forgive you willingly; all the more so as I am no great
stickler for maidenheads."
She was as gentle as a lamb, and allowed me to gaze on all those
charms of which my hands and my lips disputed the possession; and
the notion that I was master of all these treasures put fire in
all my veins, but her submissive air distressed me.
"How is it you do not partake my desires?" said I.
"I dare not, lest you take me for a pretender."
Artifice or studied coquetry might have prompted such an answer,
but the real timidity and the frankness with which these words
were uttered could not have been assumed. Impatient to gain
possession of her I took off my clothes, and on getting into bed
to her I was astonished to find her a maid.
"Why did you tell me you had a lover?" said I. "I never heard of
a girl telling a lie of that sort before."
"All the same I did not tell a lie, but I am very glad that I seem
as if I had done so."
"Tell me all about it."
"Certainly I ,will, for I want to win your confidence. This is
the story:
"Two years ago my mother, though she was hot-tempered, still loved
me. I was a needle-woman, and earned from twenty to thirty sous a
day. Whatever I earned I gave my mother. I had never had a
lover, never thought of such a thing, and when my goodness was
praised I felt inclined to laugh. I had been brought up from a
child never to look at young men when I met them in the street,
and never to reply to them when they addressed any impudence to
me.
"Two months ago a fine enough looking young man, a native of
Genoa, and a merchant in a small way, came to my mother to get her
to wash some very fine cotton stockings which the sea-water had
stained. When he saw me he was very complimentary, but in an
honest way. I liked him, and, no doubt seeing it, he came and
came again every evening. My mother was always present at our
interviews, and he looked at me and talked to me, but did not so
much as ask to kiss my hand. My mother was very pleased to notice
that the young man liked me, and often scolded me because I was
not polite enough to him. In time he had to go to Genoa in a
small ship which belonged to him, and which was laden with goods.
He assured us that he would return again the next spring and
declare his intentions. He said he hoped he should find me as
good as ever, and still without any lover. This was enough; my
mother looked upon him as my betrothed, and let us talk together
at the door till midnight. When he went I would shut the door and
lie down beside my mother, who was always asleep.
"Four or five days before his departure, he took my arm and got me
to go with him to a place about fifty paces from the house to
drink a glass of Muscat at a Greek's, who kept his tavern open all
night. We were only away for half an hour, and then it was that
he first kissed me. When I got home I found my mother awake, and
told her all; it seemed so harmless to me.
"Next day, excited by the recollection of what had happened the
night before, I went with him again, and love began to gain
ground. We indulged in caresses which were no longer innocent, as
we well knew. However, we forgave each other, as we had abstained
from the chief liberty.
"The day after, my lover--as he had to journey in the night--took
leave of my mother, and as soon as she was in bed I was not longer
in granting what I desired as much as he. We went to the Greek's,
ate and drank, and our heated senses gained love's cause; we
forgot our duty, and fancied our misdemeanour a triumph.
"Afterwards we fell asleep, and when we awoke we saw our fault in
the clear, cold light of day. We parted sorrowful rather than
rejoicing, and the reception my mother gave me was like that you
witnessed this morning. I assured her that marriage would take
away the shame of my sin, and with this she took up a stick and
would have done for me, if I had not taken to my heels, more from
instinct than from any idea of what I was doing.
"Once in the street I knew not where to turn, and taking refuge in
a church I stayed there like one in a dream till noon. Think of
my position. I was hungry, I had no refuge, nothing but the
clothes I wore, nothing that would get me a morsel of bread. A
woman accosted me in the street. I knew her and I also knew that
she kept a servants' agency. I asked her forthwith if she could
get me a place.
"'I had enquiries about a maid this morning,' said she, 'but it is
for a gay woman, and you are pretty. You would have a good deal
of difficulty in remaining virtuous.'
"'I can keep off the infection,' I answered, 'and in the position
I am in I cannot pick and choose.'
"She thereupon took me to the lady, who was delighted to see me,
and still more delighted when I told her that I had never had
anything to do with a man. I have repented of this lie bitterly
enough, for in the week I spent at that profligate woman's house I
have had to endure the most humiliating insults that an honest
girl ever suffered. No sooner did the men who came to the house
hear that I was a maid than they longed to slake their brutal lust
upon me, offering me gold if I would submit to their caresses. I
refused and was reviled, but that was not all. Five or six times
every day I was obliged to remain a witness of the disgusting
scenes enacted between my mistress and her customers, who, when I
was compelled to light them about the house at night, overwhelmed
me with insults, because I would not do them a disgusting service
for a twelve-sous piece. I could not bear this sort of life much
longer, and I was thinking of drowning myself. When you came you
treated me so ignominiously that my resolve to die was
strengthened, but you were so kind and polite as you went away
that I fell in love with you directly, thinking that Providence
must have sent you to snatch me away from the abyss. I thought
your fine presence might calm my mother and persuade her to take
me back till my lover came to marry me. I was undeceived, and I
saw that she took me for a prostitute. Now, if you like, I am
altogether yours, and I renounce my lover of whom I am no longer
worthy. Take me as your maid, I will love you and you only; I
will submit myself to you and do whatever you bid me."
Whether it were weakness or virtue on my part, this tale of woe
and a mother's too great severity drew tears from my eyes, and
when she saw my emotion she wept profusely, for her heart was in
need of some relief.
"I think, my poor Rosalie, you have only one chemise."
"Alas! that is all."
Comfort yourself, my dear; all your wants shall be supplied
tomorrow, and in the evening you shall sup with me in my room on
the second floor. I will take care of you."
"You pity me, then?"
"I fancy there is more love than pity in it."
"Would to God it were so!"
This "would to God," which came from the very depths of her soul,
sent me away in a merry mood. The servant who had been waiting
for me for two hours, and was looking rather glum, relaxed when
she saw the colour of a crown which I gave her by way of
atonement.
"Tell your master," said I, "that Rosalie will sup with me to-
morrow; let us have a fasting dinner, but let it be a good one."
I returned to my inn quite in love with Rosalie, and I
congratulated myself on having at last heard a true tale from a
pretty mouth. She appeared to me so well disposed that her small
failing seemed to make her shine the more. I resolved never to
abandon her, and I did so in all sincerity; was I not in love?
After I had had my chocolate next morning I went out with a guide
to the shops, where I got the necessary articles, paying a good
but not an excessive price. Rosalie was only fifteen, but with
her figure, her well-formed breasts, and her rounded arms, she
would have been taken for twenty. Her shape was so imprinted on
my brain that everything I got for her fitted as if she had been
measured for it. This shopping took up all the morning, and in
the afternoon the man took her a small trunk containing two
dresses, chemises, petticoats, handkerchiefs, stockings, gloves,
caps, a pair of slippers, a fan, a work-bag, and a mantle. I was
pleased at giving her such a delightful surprise, and I longed for
suppertime that I might enjoy the sight of her pleasure.
The Knight of Malta came to dine with me without ceremony, and I
was charmed to see him. After we had dined he persuaded me to go
to the theatre, as in consequence of the suspense of the
subscription arrangements the boxes would be filled with all the
quality in Marseilles.
"There will be no loose women in the amphitheatre," said he, "as
everybody has to pay."
That decided me and I went. He presented me to a lady with an
excellent connection, who asked me to come and see her. I excused
myself on the plea that I was leaving so shortly. Nevertheless
she was very useful to me on my second visit to Marseilles. Her
name was Madame Audibert.
I did not wait for the play to end, but went where love called me.
I had a delightful surprise when I saw Rosalie; I should not have
known her. But I cannot resist the pleasure of recalling her
picture as she stood before me then, despite the years that have
rolled by since that happy moment.
Rosalie was an enticing-looking brunette, above the middle height.
Her face was a perfect oval, and exquisitely proportioned. Two
fine black eyes shed a soft and ravishing light around. Her
eyebrows were arched, and she had a wealth of hair, black and
shining as ebony; her skin was while and lightly tinged with
colour. On her chin was a dimple, and her slightest smile
summoned into being two other dimples, one on each cheek. Her
mouth was small, disclosing two rows of fairest orient pearls, and
from her red lips flowed forth an indefinable sweetness. The
lower lip projected ever so lightly, and seemed designed to hold a
kiss. I have spoken of her arms, her breast, and her figure,
which left nothing to be desired, but I must add to this catalogue
of her charms, that her hand was exquisitely shaped, and that her
foot was the smallest I have ever seen. As to her other beauties,
I will content myself with saying that they were in harmony with
those I have described.
To see her at her best, one had to see her smiling; and hitherto
she had been sad or vexed--states of mind which detract from a
woman's appearance. But now sadness was gone, and gratitude and
pleasure had taken its place. I examined her closely, and felt
proud, as I saw what a transformation I had effected; but I
concealed my surprise, lest she should think I had formed an
unfavourable impression of her. I proceeded, therefore, to tell
her that I should expose myself to ridicule if I attempted to keep
a beauty like herself for a servant.
"You shall be my mistress," I said, "and my servants shall respect
you as if you were my wife."
At this Rosalie, as if I had given her another being, began to try
and express her gratitude for what I had done. Her words, which
passion made confused, increased my joy; here was no art nor
deceit, but simple nature.
There was no mirror in her garret, so she had dressed by her sense
of touch, and I could see that she was afraid to stand up and look
at herself in the mirror in my room. I knew the weak spot in all
women's hearts (which men are very wrong in considering as matter
for reproach), and I encouraged her to admire herself, whereupon
she could not restrain a smile of satisfaction.
"I think I must be in disguise," said she, "for I have never seen
myself so decked out before."
She praised the tasteful simplicity of the dress I had chosen, but
was vexed at the thought that her mother would still be
displeased.
"Think no more of your mother, dearest one. You look like a lady
of quality, and I shall be quite proud when the people at Genoa
ask me if you are my daughter."
"At Genoa?"
"Yes, at Genoa. Why do you blush?"
"From surprise; perhaps I may see there one whom I have not yet
forgotten."
"Would you like to stay here better?"
"No, no! Love me and be sure that I love you and for your own
sake, not from any thought of my own interests."
"You are moved, my angel; let me wipe away your tears with
kisses."
She fell into my arms, and she relieved the various feelings of
which her heart was full by weeping for some time. I did not try
to console her, for she had not grief; she wept as tender souls,
and women, more especially, often will. We had a delicious supper
to which I did honour for two, for she ate nothing. I asked her
if she was so unfortunate as not to care for good food.
"I have as good an appetite as anyone," she replied, "and an
excellent digestion. You shall see for yourself when I grow more
accustomed to my sudden happiness."
"At least you can drink; this wine is admirable. If you prefer
Greek muscat I will send for some. It will remind you of your
lover."
"If you love me at all, I beg you will spare me that
mortification."
"You shall have no more mortification from me, I promise you. It
was only a joke, and I beg your pardon for it."
"As I look upon you I feel in despair at not having known you
first."
"That feeling of yours, which wells forth from the depths of your
open soul, is grand. You are beautiful and good, for you only
yielded to the voice of love with the prospect of becoming his
wife; and when I think what you are to me I am in despair at not
being sure you love me. An evil genius whispers in my ear that
you only bear with me because I had the happiness of helping you."
"Indeed, that is an evil genius. To be sure, if I had met you in
the street I should not have fallen head over ears in love with
you, like a wanton, but you would certainly have pleased me. I am
sure I love you, and not for what you have done for me; for if I
were rich and you were poor, I would do anything in the world for
you. But I don't want it to be like that, for I had rather be
your debtor than for you to be mine. These are my real feelings,
and you can guess the rest."
We were still talking on the same subject when midnight struck,
and my old landlord came and asked me if I were pleased.
"I must thank you," I replied, "I am delighted. Who cooked this
delicious supper?"
"My daughter."
"She understands her craft; tell her I thought it excellent."
"Yes, sir, but it is dear."
"Not too dear for me. You shall be pleased with me as I with you,
and take care to have as good a supper to-morrow evening, as I
hope the lady will be well enough to do justice to the products of
your daughter's culinary skill."
"Bed is a capital place to get an appetite. Ah! it is sixty years
since I have had anything to do with that sort of thing. What are
you laughing at, mademoiselle?"
"At the delight with which you must recollect it."
"You are right, it is a pleasant recollection; and thus I am
always ready to forgive young folks the peccadilloes that love
makes them commit."
"You are a wise old man," said I, "everyone should sympathise with
the tenderest of all our mortal follies."
"If the old man is wise," said Rosalie, when he had left the room,
"my mother must be very foolish."
"Would you like me to take you to the play to-morrow?"
"Pray do not. I will come if you like, but it will vex me very
much. I don't want to walk out with you or to go to the theatre
with you here. Good heavens ! What would people say. No,
neither at Marseilles; but elsewhere, anything you please and with
all my heart."
"Very good, my dear, just as you please. But look at your room;
no more garret for you; and in three days we will start."
"So soon?"
"Yes; tell me to-morrow what you require for the journey, for I
don't want you to lack for anything, and if you leave it all to me
I might forget something which would vex me."
"Well, I should like another cloak, a cloak with a lining, some
boots, a night-cap, and a prayer-book."
"You know how to read, do you?"
"Certainly; and I can write fairly well."
"I am glad to hear it. Your asking me so freely for what you want
is a true proof of your love; where confidence dwells not there is
no love. I will not forget anything, but your feet are so small
that I should advise you to get your boots yourself."
Our talk was so pleasant, and I experienced such delight in
studying her disposition, that we did not go to bed till five
o'clock. In the arms of love and sleep we spent seven delicious
hours, and when we rose at noon we were fast lovers. She called
me thou, talked of love and not of gratitude, and, grown more
familiar with her new estate, laughed at her troubles. She kissed
me at every opportunity, called me her darling boy, her joy, and
as the present moment is the only real thing in this life, I
enjoyed her love, I was pleased with her caresses, and put away
all ideas of the dreadful future, which has only one certainty--
death, 'ultima linea rerum'.
The second night was far sweeter than the first; she had made a
good supper, and drunk well, though moderately; thus she was
disposed to refine on her pleasure, and to deliver herself with
greater ardour to all the voluptuous enjoyments which love
inspires.
I gave her a pretty watch and a gold shuttle for her to amuse
herself with.
"I wanted it," said she, "but I should never have dared to ask for
it."
I told her that this fear of my displeasure made me doubt once
more whether she really loved me. She threw herself into my arms,
and promised that henceforth she would shew me the utmost
confidence.
I was pleased to educate this young girl, and I felt that when her
mind had been developed she would be perfect.
On the fourth day I warned her to hold herself in readiness to
start at a moment's notice. I had said nothing about my plans to
Costa or Le Duc, but Rosalie knew that I had two servants, and I
told her that I should often make them talk on the journey for the
sake of the laughter their folly would afford me.
"You, my dear," I had said to her, "must be very reserved with
them, and not allow them to take the slightest liberty. Give them
your orders as a mistress, but without pride, and you will be
obeyed and respected. If they forget themselves in the slightest
particular, tell me at once."
I started from the hotel of the "Treize Cantons" with four post-
horses, Le Duc and Costa sitting on the coachman's seat. The
guide, whom I had paid well for his services, took us to Rosalie's
door. I got out of the carriage, and after thanking the kindly
old landlord, who was sorry to lose so good a boarder, I made her
get in, sat down beside her, and ordered the postillions to go to
Toulon, as I wished to see that fine port before returning to
Italy. We got to Toulon at five o'clock.
My Rosalie behaved herself at supper like the mistress of a house
accustomed to the best society. I noticed that Le Duc as head man
made Costa wait upon her, but I got over him by telling my
sweetheart that he would have the honour of doing her hair, as he
could do it as well as the best barber in Paris. He swallowed the
golden pill, and gave in with a good grace, and said, with a
profound bow, that he hoped to give madam satisfaction.
We went out next morning to see the port, and were shewn over the
place by the commandant, whose acquaintance we made by a lucky
chance. He offered his arm to Rosalie, and treated her with the
consideration she deserved for her appearance and the good sense
of her questions. The commandant accepted my invitation to
dinner, at which Rosalie spoke to the point though not to excess,
and received the polite compliments of our worthy guest with much
grace. In the afternoon he took us over the arsenal, and after
having him to dinner could not refuse his invitation to supper.
There was no difficulty about Rosalie; the commandant introduced
her immediately to his wife, his daughter, and his son. I was
delighted to see that her manner with ladies even surpassed her
manner with gentlemen. She was one of Nature's own ladies. The
commandant's wife and daughter caressed her again and again, and
she received their attentions with that modest sensibility which
is the seal of a good education.
They asked me to dinner the next day, but I was satisfied with
what I had seen, so I took leave, intending to start on the
morrow.
When we got back to the inn I told her how pleased I was with her,
and she threw her arms round my neck for joy.
"I am always afraid," said she, "of being asked who I am."
"You needn't be afraid, dearest; in France no gentleman or lady
would think of asking such a question."
"But if they did, what ought I to do?"
"You should make use of an evasion."
"What's an evasion?"
"A way of escaping from a difficulty without satisfying
impertinent curiosity."
"Give me an example."
"Well, if such a question were asked you, you might say, 'You had
better ask this gentleman.'"
"I see, the question is avoided; but is not that impolite?"
"Yes; but not so impolite as to ask an embarrassing question."
"And what would you say if the question was passed on to you?"
"Well, my answer would vary in a ratio with the respect in which I
held the questioner. I would not tell the truth, but I should say
something. And I am glad to see you attentive to my lessons.
Always ask questions, and you will always find me ready to answer,
for I want to teach you. And now let us to bed; we have to start
for Antibes at an early hour, and love will reward you for the
pleasure you have given me to-day."
At Antibes I hired a felucca to take me to Genoa, and as I
intended to return by the same route I had my carriage warehoused
for a small monthly payment. We started early with a good wind,
but the sea becoming rough, and Rosalie being mortally afraid, I
had the felucca rowed into Villafranca, where I engaged a carriage
to take me to Nice. The weather kept us back for three days, and
I felt obliged to call on the commandant, an old officer named
Peterson.
He gave me an excellent reception, and after the usual compliments
had passed, said,--
"Do you know a Russian who calls himself Charles Ivanoff?"
"I saw him once at Grenoble."
"It is said that he has escaped from Siberia, and that he is the
younger son of the Duke of Courland."
"So I have heard, but I know no proof of his claim to the title."
"He is at Genoa, where it is said a banker is to give him twenty
thousand crowns. In spite of that, no one would give him a sou
here, so I sent him to Genoa at my own expense, to rid the place
of him."
I felt very glad that the Russian had gone away before my arrival.
An officer named Ramini, who was staying at the same inn as
myself, asked if I would mind taking charge of a packet which
M. de St. Pierre, the Spanish consul, had to send to the Marquis
Grimaldi, at Genoa. It was the nobleman I had just seen at Avignon,
and I was pleased to execute the commission. The same officer
asked me whether I had ever seen a certain Madame Stuard.
"She came here a fortnight ago with a man who calls himself her
husband. The poor devils hadn't a penny, and she, a great beauty,
enchanted everybody, but would give no one a smile or a word."
"I have both seen and know her," I answered. "I furnished her
with the means to come here. How could she leave Nice without any
money?"
"That's just what no one can understand. She went off in a
carriage, and the landlord's bill was paid. I was interested in
the woman. The Marquis Grimaldi told me that she had refused a
hundred louis he offered her, and that a Venetian of his
acquaintance had fared just as badly. Perhaps that is you?"
"It is, and I gave her some money despite my treatment."
M. Peterson came to see me, and was enchanted with Rosalie's
amiable manner. This was another conquest for her, and I duly
complimented her upon it.
Nice is a terribly dull place, and strangers are tormented by the
midges, who prefer them to the inhabitants. However, I amused
myself at a small bank at faro, which was held at a coffee-house,
and at which Rosalie, whose play I directed, won a score of
Piedmontese pistoles. She put her little earnings into a purse,
and told me she liked to have some money of her own. I scolded
her for not having told me so before, and reminded her of her
promise.
"I don't really want it," said she, "it's only my
thoughtlessness."
We soon made up our little quarrel.
In such ways did I make this girl my own, in the hope that for the
remnant of my days she would be mine, and so I should not be
forced to fly from one lady to another. But inexorable fate
ordained it otherwise.
The weather grew fine again, and we got on board once more, and
the next day arrived at Genoa, which I had never seen before. I
put up at "St. Martin's Inn," and for decency's sake took two
rooms, but they were adjoining one another. The following day I
sent the packet to M. Grimaldi, and a little later I left my card
at his palace.
My guide took me to a linen-draper's, and I bought some stuff for
Rosalie, who was in want of linen. She was very pleased with it.
We were still at table when the Marquis Grimaldi was announced; he
kissed me and thanked me for bringing the parcel. His next remark
referred to Madame Stuard. I told him what had happened, and he
laughed, saying that he was not quite sure what he would have done
under the circumstances.
I saw him looking at Rosalie attentively, and I told him she was
as good as she was beautiful.
"I want to find her a maid," I said, "a good seamstress, who could
go out with her, and above all who could talk Italian to her, for
I want her to learn the language that I may take her into society
at Florence, Rome and Naples."
"Don't deprive Genoa of the pleasure of entertaining her," said
the marquis. "I will introduce her under whatever name she
pleases, and in my own house to begin with."
"She has good reasons for preserving her incognito here."
"Ah, I see!--Do you think of staying here long?"
"A month, or thereabouts, and our pleasures will be limited to
seeing the town and its surroundings and going to the theatre. We
shall also enjoy the pleasures of the table. I hope to eat
champignons every day, they are better here than anywhere else"
"An excellent plan. I couldn't suggest a better. I am going to
see what I can do in the way of getting you a maid, mademoiselle."
"You sir? How can I deserve such great kindness?"
"My interest in you is the greater, as I think you come from
Marseilles."
Rosalie blushed. She was not aware that she lisped, and that this
betrayed her. I extricated her from her confusion by telling the
marquis his conjecture was well founded.
I asked him how I could get the Journal de Savans, the Mercure de
France, and other papers of the same description. He promised to
send me a man who would get me all that kind of thing. He added
that if I would allow him to send me some of his excellent
chocolate he would come and breakfast with us. I said that both
gift and guest were vastly agreeable to me.
As soon as he had gone Rosalie asked me to take her to a
milliner's.
"I want ribbons and other little things," said she, "but I should
like to bargain for them and pay for them out of my own money,
without your having anything to do with it."
"Do whatever you like, my dear, and afterwards we will go to the
play."
The milliner to whom we went proved to be a Frenchwoman. It was a
charming sight to see Rosalie shopping. She put on an important
air, seemed to know all about it, ordered bonnets in the latest
fashion, bargained, and contrived to spend five or six louis with
great grandeur. As we left the shop I told her that I had been
taken for her footman, and I meant to be revenged. So saying, I
made her come into a jeweller's, where I bought her a necklace,
ear-rings, and brooches in imitation diamonds, and without letting
her say a word I paid the price and left the shop.
"You have bought me some beautiful things," said she, "but you are
too lavish with your money; if you had bargained you might have
saved four louis at least."
"Very likely, dearest, but I never was any hand at a bargain."
I took her to the play, but as she did not understand the language
she got dreadfully tired, and asked me to take her home at the end
of the first act, which I did very willingly. When we got in I
found a box waiting for me from M. Grimaldi. It proved to contain
twenty-four pounds of chocolate. Costa, who had boasted of his
skill in making chocolate in the Spanish fashion, received orders
to make us three cups in the morning.
At nine o'clock the marquis arrived with a tradesman, who sold me
some beautiful oriental materials. I gave them to Rosalie to make
two 'mezzaro' for herself. The 'mezzaro' is a kind of hooded
cloak worn by the Genoese women, as the 'cendal' is worn at
Venice, and the 'mantilla' at Madrid.
I thanked M. Grimaldi for the chocolate, which was excellent;
Costa was quite proud of the praise the marquis gave him. Le Duc
came in to announce a woman, whose name I did not know.
"It's the mother of the maid I have engaged," said M. Grimaldi.
She came in, and I saw before me a well-dressed woman, followed by
a girl from twenty to twenty-four years old, who pleased me at the
first glance. The mother thanked the marquis, and presented her
daughter to Rosalie, enumerating her good qualities, and telling
her that she would serve her well, and walk with her when she
wished to go out.
"My daughter," she added, "speaks French, and you will find her a
good, faithful, and obliging girl."
She ended by saying that her daughter had been in service lately
with a lady, and that she would be obliged if she could have her
meals by herself.
The girl was named Veronique. Rosalie told her that she was a
good girl, and that the only way to be respected was to be
respectable. Veronique kissed her hand, the mother went away, and
Rosalie took the girl into her room to begin her work.
I did not forget to thank the marquis, for he had evidently chosen
a maid more with a view to my likings than to those of my
sweetheart. I told him that I should not fail to call on him, and
he replied that he would be happy to see me at any hour, and that
I should easily find him at his casino at St. Pierre d'Arena,
where he often spent the night.
