Memoirs of Casanova — Volume 29: Florence to Trieste by Giacomo Casanova
page 41 of 150 (27%)
page 41 of 150 (27%)
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that her mother sent her away, fearing he would carry her off.
Du Barri offered her a hundred thousand francs for the girl, but she refused the offer. I saw Adelaide five years later on the boards of a Venetian theatre. When I went to congratulate her, she said,-- "My mother brought me into the world, and I think she will send me out of it; this dancing is killing me." In point of fact this delicate flower faded and died after seven years of the severe life to which her mother had exposed her. Madame Soavi who had not taken the precaution to settle the six thousand francs on herself, lost all in losing Adelaide, and died miserably after having rolled in riches. But, alas! I am not the man to reproach anyone on the score of imprudence. At Bologna I met the famous Afflisio, who had been discharged from the imperial service and had turned manager. He went from bad to worse, and five or six years later committed forgery, was sent to the galleys, and there died. I was also impressed by the example of a man of a good family, who had once been rich. This was Count Filomarino. He was living in great misery, deprived of the use of all his limbs by a succession of venereal complaints. I often went to see him to give him a few pieces of money, and to listen to his malevolent talk, for his tongue was the only member that continued active. He was a scoundrel and a slanderer, and writhed |
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