who, to the merit of serving him well, could join the baseness of being the toad-eater of his gentlemen, without honor, merit, or principles.  He wished to retain, and humble me, by keeping me far from my country, and his own, without money to return to either, and in which he would, perhaps, had succeeded, had he began with more moderation:  but Vitali, who had other views, and wished to force me to extremities, carried his point.  The moment I perceived, I lost all my trouble, that the ambassador imputed to me my services as so many crimes, instead of being satisfied with them; that with him I had nothing to expect, but things disagreeable at home, and injustice abroad; and that, in the general disesteem into which he was fallen, his ill offices might be prejudicial to me, without the possibility of my being served by his good ones; I took my resolution, and asked him for my dismission, leaving him sufficient time to provide himself with another secretary.  Without answering yes or no, he continued to treat me in the same manner, as if nothing had been said.  Perceiving things to remain in the same state, and that he took no measures to procure himself a new secretary, I wrote to his brother, and, explaining to him my motives, begged he would obtain my dismission from his excellency, adding that whether I received it or not, I could not possibly remain with him.  I waited a long time without any answer, and began to be embarrassed:  but at length the ambassador received a letter from his brother, which must have remonstrated with him in very plain terms; for although he was extremely subject to ferocious rage, I never saw him so violent as on this occasion.  After torrents of unsufferable reproaches, not knowing what more to say, he accused me of having sold his ciphers.  I burst into a loud laughter, and asked him, in a sneering manner, if he thought there was in Venice a man who would be fool enough to give half a crown for them all.  He threatened to call his servants to throw me out of the window.  Until then I had been very composed; but on this threat, anger and indignation seized me in my turn.  I sprang to the door, and after having turned a button which fastened it within:  “No, count,” said I, returning to him with a grave step, “Your servants shall have nothing to do with this affair; please to let it be settled between ourselves.”  My action and manner instantly made him calm; fear and surprise were marked in his countenance.  The moment I saw his fury abated, I bid him adieu in a very few words, and without waiting for his answer, went to the door, opened it, and passed slowly across the antechamber, through the midst of his people, who rose according to custom, and who, I am of opinion, would rather have lent their assistance against him than me.  Without going back to my apartment, I descended the stairs, and immediately went out of the palace never more to enter it.