Memoirs of Casanova — Volume 18: Return to Naples by Giacomo Casanova
page 75 of 154 (48%)
page 75 of 154 (48%)
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"On Sunday, the eve of my wedding, we shall be able to spend four hours together." "Delightful! I promise you that when you leave me you will be in such a state that the caresses of your husband won't hurt you." She smiled and departed, and I threw myself on the bed where I rested for a good hour. As I was going home I met a carriage and four going at a great speed. A footman rode in front of the carriage, and within it I saw a young nobleman. My attention was arrested by the blue ribbon on his breast. I gazed at him, and he called out my name and had the carriage stopped. I was extremely surprised when I found it was Lord O'Callaghan, whom I had known at Paris at his mother's, the Countess of Lismore, who was separated from her husband, and was the kept mistress of M. de St. Aubin, the unworthy successor of the good and virtuous Fenelon in the archbishopric of Cambrai. However, the archbishop owed his promotion to the fact that he was a bastard of the Duc d'Orleans, the French Regent. Lord O'Callaghan was a fine-looking young man, with wit and talent, but the slave of his unbridled passions and of every species of vice. I knew that if he were lord in name he was not so in fortune, and I was astonished to see him driving such a handsome carriage, and still more so at his blue ribbon. In a few words he told me that he was going to dine with the Pretender, but that he would sup at home. He invited me to come to supper, and I accepted. After dinner I took a short walk, and then went to enliven myself at the |
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