Milan | Page 5

whose financial position was by no
means good; but the next day the problem was solved, for in spite of
the secrecy that had been observed we found out that it was Lord Percy
who was behind the manager. I might still bar the Englishman's way by
continuing to keep Agatha, in spite of his five hundred sequins, but I
was obliged to return to France after Easter to wait on Madame d'Urfe,
and afterwards, peace having been concluded, I thought it would be a
good opportunity for seeing England. I therefore determined to
abandon Agatha, taking care to bind her new lover to provide for her,
and I proceeded to make a friend of the nobleman.
I was curious to see how he would win Agatha's good graces, for she
did not love him, and physically he was not attractive.
In less than a week we had become intimate. We supped together every
night either at his house or mine, and Agatha and her mother were
always of the party. I concluded that his attentions would soon touch
Agatha's heart, and that finding herself so beloved she would end by
loving. This was enough to make me determine not to put any obstacles
in their way, and I resolved to leave Turin earlier than I had intended.
In consequence I spoke as follows to Lord Percy, while we were

breakfasting together:
"My lord, you know that I love Agatha, and that she loves me,
nevertheless I am your friend, and since you adore her I will do my best
to hasten your bliss. I will leave you in possession of this treasure, but
you must promise that when you abandon her you will give her two
thousand guineas."
"My dear sir," said he, "I will give them her now if you like."
"No, my lord, I do not wish her to know anything about our agreement
while you are living happily together."
"Then I will give you a bond binding myself to pay her the two
thousand guineas when we separate."
"I don't want that, the word of an Englishman is enough; but since we
cannot command the fates, and may die without having time to put our
affairs in order, I wish you to take such steps as may seem convenient
to you, whereby that sum would go to her after your death."
"I give you my word on it."
"That is enough; but I have one other condition to make."
"Say on."
"It is that you promise to say nothing to Agatha before my departure."
"I swear I will not."
"Very good; and on my part I promise to prepare her for the change:"
The same day the Englishman, whose love grew hotter and hotter,
made Agatha and her mother rich presents, which under any other
circumstances I should not have allowed them to accept.
I lost no time in preparing Agatha and her mother for the impending
change. They seemed affected, but I knew they would soon get

reconciled to the situation. Far from giving me any cause for complaint,
Agatha was more affectionate than ever. She listened attentively to my
advice as to her conduct towards her new lover and the world in general,
and promised to follow it. It was to this advice that she owed her
happiness, for Percy made her fortune. However, she did not leave the
theatre for some years, when we shall hear more of her.
I was not the man to take presents from my equals, and Percy no doubt
being aware of that succeeded in making me a handsome present in a
very singular way. I told him that I thought of paying a visit to England
and requested him to give me a letter of introduction to the duchess, his
mother, whereon he drew out a portrait of her set with magnificent
diamonds, and gave it to me, saying,--
"This is the best letter I can give you. I will write and tell her that you
will call and give her the portrait, unless, indeed, she likes to leave it in
your hands."
"I hope my lady will think me worthy of such an honour."
There are certain ideas, it seems to me, which enter no head but an
Englishman's.
I was invited by Count A---- B---- to Milan, and the countess wrote me
a charming letter, begging me to get her two pieces of sarcenet, of
which she enclosed the patterns.
After taking leave of all my friends and acquaintances I got a letter of
credit on the banker, Greppi, and started for the capital of Lombardy.
My separation from Agatha cost me many tears, but not so many as
those shed by her. Her mother wept also, for she loved me, and was
grateful for all my