Memoirs of Casanova — Volume 25: Russia and Poland by Giacomo Casanova
page 106 of 158 (67%)
page 106 of 158 (67%)
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Just then an officer of the palatin's came to me with a note from his
master, which ran as follows: "Read what the king says to me, and sleep well." The king's note was thus conceived: "Branicki, my dear uncle, is dangerous wounded. My surgeons are doing all they can for him, but I have not forgotten Casanova. You may assure him that he is pardoned, even if Branicki should die." I kissed the letter gratefully, and shewed it to my visitors, who lauded this generous man truly worthy of being a king. After this pleasant news I felt in need of rest, and my lords left me. As soon as they were gone, Campioni, who had come in before and had stood in the background, came up to me and gave me back the packet of papers, and with tears of joy congratulated me on the happy issue of the duel. Next day I had shoals of visitors, and many of the chiefs of the party opposed to Branicki sent me purses full of gold. The persons who brought the money on behalf of such a lord or lady, said that being a foreigner I might be in need of money, and that was their excuse for the liberty they had taken. I thanked and refused them all, and sent back at least four thousand ducats, and was very proud of having done so. Campioni thought it was absurd, and he was right, for I repented afterwards of what I had done. The only present I accepted was a dinner for four persons, which Prince Adam Czartoryski sent me in every day, though the doctor would not let me enjoy it, he being a great believer in diet. |
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