“And if they refuse to pay?”

“Then their safety is not so sure.”

“Money does everything in Lugano, I suppose.”

“But, sir——­ "

“I understand, but let me tell you that I have no fears, and I shall consequently beg to be excused from paying anything.”

“You will forgive me, but I happen to know that you have some disputes with the Venetian Government.”

“You are making a mistake, my good fellow.”

“No, I am not.”

“If you are so sure, find someone to bet me two hundred sequins that I have reason to fear the Venetian Government; I will take the bet and deposit the amount.”

The bargello remained silent, and the landlord told him he seemed to have made some kind of mistake, so he went away, looking very disappointed.

My landlord was delighted to hear that I thought of making some stay at Lugano, and advised me to call on the high bailiff, who governed the place.

“He’s a very nice Swiss gentleman,” said he, “and his wife a clever woman, and as fair as the day.”

“I will go and see him to-morrow.”

I sent in my name to the high bailiff at noon on the day following, and what was my surprise to find myself in the presence of M. de R and his charming wife.  Beside her was a pretty boy, five or six years old.

Our mutual surprise may be imagined!

CHAPTER XI

The Punishment of Marazzani—­I Leave Lugano—­Turin—­M.  Dubois at Parma—­Leghorn—­The Duke of Orloff—­Pisa—­Stratico—­Sienna—­The Marchioness Chigi—­My Departure from Sienna With an Englishwoman

These unforeseen, haphazard meetings with old friends have always been the happiest moments of my life.

We all remained for some time dumb with delight.  M. de R. was the first to break the silence by giving me a cordial embrace.  We burst out into mutual excuses, he for having imagined that there might be other Casanovas in Italy, and I for not having ascertained his name.  He made me take pot-luck with him the same day, and we seemed as if we had never parted.  The Republic had given him this employ—­a very lucrative one—­and he was only sorry that it would expire in two years.  He told me he was delighted to be able to be of use to me, and begged me to consider he was wholly at my service.  He was delighted to hear that I should be engaged in seeing my work through the press for three or four months, and seemed vexed when I told him that I could not accept his hospitality more than once a week as my labours would be incessant.

Madame de R——­ could scarcely recover from her surprise.  It was nine years since I had seen her at Soleure, and then I thought her beauty must be at its zenith; but I was wrong, she was still more beautiful and I told her so.  She shewed me her only child, who had been born four years after my departure.  She cherished the child as the apple of her eye, and seemed likely to spoil it; but I heard, a few years ago, that this child is now an amiable and accomplished man.