of six persons who adore you and give you every attention; that she costs
you all you have, so that you cannot send me even a sou . . . . I am
pained to hear you say that you will never return to Venice, and yet I
hope to see you again. . . ."

The "young girl" referred to in Francesca's letter was Anna-Dorothea
Kleer, daughter of the porter of the castle. This young girl became
pregnant in 1786 and Casanova was accused of seducing her. The guilty
one, however, was a painter named Schottner who married the unfortunate
girl in January 1787.

9th August 1786.

"My only true friend,

"It is two days since I received your dear letter; I was very happy to
see your writing .... You have reason to mortify me and reproach me in
recalling all the troubles I caused you, and especially that which you
call treachery, the sale of your books, of which in part I was not guilty
. . . . Forgive me, my dear friend, me and my foolish mother who, despite
all my objections, absolutely insisted on selling them. Regarding that
which you write me that you know that my mother, last year, told about
that you had been my ruin, this may unhappily be true, since you already
know the evil thoughts of my mother, who even says that you are still at
Venice . . . . When have I not been always sincere with you, and when
have I not at least listened to your good advices and offers? I am in a
desperate situation, abandoned by all, almost in the streets, almost
about to be homeless . . . . Where are all the pleasures which formerly
you procured me? Where are the theatres, the comedies which we once saw
together? . . ."