Paris | Page 5

to
translate to the captain what she had expressed respecting her
resolution, knowing that he could neither oppose that resolution nor
continue to live with her, and that, as she had taken care not to include
me in the prayer which she had addressed to him through me, she had
thought it impossible that I should fail to ask whether I could be of
some service to her, waiting to take a decision until she could have
ascertained the nature of my feelings towards her. She concluded by
telling me that if she had fallen it was the fault of her husband and of
her father-in-law, both of whom she characterized as monsters rather
than men.
When we reached Parma, I gave the police the name of Farusi, the
same that I had assumed in Cesena; it was the family name of my
mother; while Henriette wrote down, "Anne D'Arci, from France."
While we were answering the questions of the officer, a young
Frenchman, smart and intelligent-looking, offered me his services, and
advised me not to put up at the posting-inn, but to take lodgings at
D'Andremorit's. hotel, where I should find good apartments, French
cooking, and the best French wines.
Seeing that Henriette was pleased with the proposal, I told the young
man to take us there, and we were soon very comfortably lodged. I
engaged the Frenchman by the day, and carefully settled all my
arrangements with D'Andremont. After that I attended to the housing of
my carriage.
Coming in again for a few minutes, I told Henriette that I would return

in time for dinner, and, ordering the servant to remain in the ante-room,
I went out alone.
Parma was then groaning under a new government. I had every reason
to suppose that there were spies everywhere and under every form. I
therefore did not want to have at my heels a valet who might have
injured rather than served me. Though I was in my father's native city, I
had no acquaintances there, but I knew that I should soon find my way.
When I found myself in the streets, I scarcely could believe that I was
in Italy, for everything had a tramontane appearance. I heard nothing
but French and Spanish, and those who did not speak one of those
languages seemed to be whispering to one another. I was going about at
random, looking for a hosier, yet unwilling to enquire where I could
find one; at last I saw what I wanted.
I entered the shop, and addressing myself to a stout, good-looking
woman seated behind the counter, I said,
"Madam, I wish to make some purchases."
"Sir, shall I send for someone speaking French?"
"You need not do so, I am an Italian."
"God be praised! Italians are scarce in these days."
"Why scarce?"
"Do you not know that Don Philip has arrived, and that his wife,
Madame de France, is on the road?"
"I congratulate you, for it must make trade very good. I suppose that
money is plentiful, and that there is abundance of all commodities."
"That is true, but everything is high in price, and we cannot get
reconciled to these new fashions. They are a bad mixture of French
freedom and Spanish haughtiness which addles our brains. But, sir,
what sort of linen do you require?"

"In the first place, I must tell you that I never try to drive a hard bargain,
therefore be careful. If you charge me too much, I shall not come again.
I want some fine linen for twenty-four chemises, some dimity for stays
and petticoats, some muslin, some cambric for pocket-handkerchiefs,
and many other articles which I should be very glad to find in your
shop, for I am a stranger here, and God knows in what hands I am
going to trust myself!"
"You will be in honest ones, if you will give me your confidence."
"I am sure that you deserve it, and I abandon my interests to you. I
want likewise to find some needlewomen willing to work in the lady's
room, because she requires everything to be made very rapidly."
"And dresses?"
"Yes, dresses, caps, mantles-in fact, everything, for she is naked."
"With money she will soon have all she wants. Is she young?"
"She is four years younger than I. She is my wife."
"Ah! may God bless you! Any children?"
"Not yet, my good lady; but they will come, for we do all that is
necessary to have them."
"I have no doubt of it. How pleased I am! Well, sir, I shall send for the
very phoenix of all dressmakers. In the mean time, choose what you
require, it will amuse you."
I took the best of everything and paid, and the dressmaker making her
appearance at