what my great
friends could do for him with the Academicians, he replied with all an
artist's pride that he was much obliged to me, but would rather not have
any other patrons than his talents. "The French," said he, "have rejected
me once, and I am far from bearing them ill-will on that account, for I
would reject myself now if I were what I was then; but with their love of
genius I reckon on a better reception this time."

His confidence pleased me, and I complimented him upon it, for I have
always been of the opinion that true merit begins by doing justice to
itself.

Francis painted a fine picture, which on being exhibited at the Louvre,
was received with applause. The Academy bought the picture for twelve
thousand francs, my brother became famous, and in twenty-six years he
made almost a million of money; but in spite of that, foolish
expenditure, his luxurious style of living, and two bad marriages, were
the ruin of him.

MEMOIRS OF JACQUES CASANOVA de SEINGALT 1725-1798

VOLUME 3 -- THE ETERNAL QUEST

[Illustration: Cover 3]

[Illustration: Titlepage 3]

EPISODE 11 -- PARIS AND HOLLAND

CHAPTER I

Count Tiretta of Trevisa Abbe Coste--Lambertini, the Pope's
Niece Her Nick--Name for Tiretta The Aunt and Niece--
Our Talk by the Fireside--Punishment of Damien--Tiretta's
Mistake Anger of Madame***--Their Reconciliation--
My Happiness with Mdlle. de la Meure Silvia's Daughter--Mdlle.
de la Meure Marries--My Despair and Jealousy--A Change far
the Better

In the beginning of March, 1757, I received a letter from my friend
Madame Manzoni, which she sent to me by a young man of good appearance,
with a frank and high-born air, whom I recognized as a Venetian by his
accent. He was young Count Tiretta de Trevisa, recommended to my care by
Madame Manzoni, who said that he would tell me his story, which I might
be sure would be a true one. The kind woman sent to me by him a small box
in which she told me I should find all my manuscripts, as she did not
think she would ever see me again.

I gave Tiretta the heartiest of welcomes, telling him that he could not
have found a better way to my favour than through a woman to whom I was
under the greatest obligations.

"And now, that you may be at your ease with me, I should like to know in
what manner I can be of service to you?"

"I have need of your friendship, perhaps of your purse, but at any rate
of your