much money was in it?  The cavalier knew it to be his own, and assured the judge he had put twenty sequins into it.  Upon that the judge called me before him; Come, young man, said he, confess the truth.  Was it you that took the gentleman’s purse from him?  Do not put yourself to the trouble of torture to extort confession.  Then I looked down with my eyes, thinking within myself, that if I denied the fact, they, finding the purse about me, would convict me of a lie; so, to avoid a double punishment, I looked up, and confessed the fact.  I had no sooner made this confession than the judge called people to witness it, and ordered my hand to be cut off.  This hard sentence was put in execution immediately upon the spot, to the great regret of all the spectators; nay, I observed by the cavalier’s countenance, that he was moved with pity as much as the rest.  The judge likewise would have ordered my foot to be cut off, but I begged the cavalier to intercede for my pardon, which he did, and obtained it.  The judge being gone, the cavalier came up to me, and holding out the purse, I see plainly, said he, that necessity put you upon an action so disgraceful, and so unworthy of such a handsome young man as you are.  Here, take that fatal purse, I freely give it you, and am heartily sorry for the misfortune you have undergone.  He then went away; and I being very weak, by reason of the loss of blood, some of the good people that lived that way had the kindness to carry me into one of their houses, and gave me a glass of wine; they likewise dressed my arm, and wrapped up the dismembered hand in a cloth.

If I had returned to the khan where I lodged, I should not have found such relief as I wanted; and to offer to go to the young lady’s was running a great hazard, it being likely she would not look upon me after such an infamous thing had befallen me.  I resolved, however, to put it to the trial; and, to tire out the crowd that followed me, I turned down several by-streets, and at last arrived at my lady’s, very weak, and so much fatigued, that I presently threw myself down upon a sofa, keeping my right arm under my coat, for I took great care to conceal my misfortune.

The lady hearing of my arrival, and that I was not well, came to me in all haste:  My dear soul, said she, what is the matter with you?  Madam, said I, I have got a violent pain in my head.  The lady seemed to be mightily afflicted with my pretended illness, and asked me to sit down, for I had got up to receive her.  Tell me, said she, how your illness came; the last time I had the pleasure of seeing you, you was very well; there must be something else that you conceal from me; pray, let me know what it is.  I stood silent, and, instead of an answer, tears trickled down my cheeks.  I cannot conceive, said she, what it is that afflicts you.  Have I given you any occasion to be uneasy? or do you come on purpose to tell me you do not love me?  It is not that, madam, said I, fetching a deep sigh; your unjust suspicion