Shortly before my departure from London, I asked her jokingly if it would not be possible that I could brag in Germany about having tasted the favors of England's most beautiful woman and that I had embraced one whose charms would pale those of the famous Lais of Corinth.
“Sir,” she answered, “if you knew Lais of Corinth as well as I do, then you should be the first one to know that you have said too much. I am a poor girl. I do not even possess her tenderness, let alone her other qualities. But if you believe that you can find pleasure with me, you are invited for tomorrow night.”
That next night my mistress guided me into the sacred halls of love, a room that breathed voluptuousness and passion. Everything one saw or felt was designed to stir even greater passions. Soon she stood before me like Venus arising out of the sea. I looked at her with surprised delight and closed her into my arms. And in her embrace I found the female created to love and experienced everything which a mortal could possibly experience in love's intimate embrace.
21. A SMALL ANECDOTE
I had seen in the home in which I lived one of the most beautiful females, one who seemed to have everything a beautiful Roman girl should have. One night when I was in bed, thinking about this gorgeous female, I suddenly heard an incredible noise downstairs. I rushed out of my bed, opened the door and a half dead girl flung herself into my arms. I quickly closed the door again and carried my unconscious beauty to the bed. It was she! I dressed, saw to it that I could properly defend myself, left my room, locking the door from the outside, and ran downstairs.
“She has escaped,” the landlord said. “Your trouble is in vain.”
A young man, his eyes burning, grabbed me by the arm. “Get my sister back to me immediately, or else…”
The noise started all over again, and I could make neither head nor tail out of the whole affair. Suddenly someone walked up to the furious young man, whispered something into his ear, and everybody suddenly fled out of the front door.
I asked the landlord for clarification.
“A young girl who has lived here for several days now is being followed by them. I don't know why. But it seems she has escaped.”
I ran back to my room. The girl had come to herself, but she turned snow-white when she saw that I was armed.
“Be quiet, beautiful lady,” I said. “You are safe. Command me what you want me to do next.”
She told me that she was the daughter of a Florentine merchant, that she had been abducted from her home which she had left to go to the theater, that she had finally succeeded in fleeing from her abductors, but to her horror she had been discovered again by them.
“And who is the foul robber?”
She gave me the name of a well-known Marquis.
A strange story, but being in Italy, it could very well endanger my life. Meanwhile I had decided to restore the daughter to her parents.
“But, my beautiful girl, even though you are safe now, I doubt whether it is wise to stay in this house.”
“Save me, in whichever way you think best.”
“I will be honored to do that. However, dearest girl, you need to rest and, unfortunately, I have only one bed.”
“There are chairs.”
“Oh, no, I want to be very sure that you are safe, even when sleeping.”
I kissed her and she cast down her eyes in shame.
“I was very foolish, dear sir, to seek safety in your chambers. But yesterday I decided to tell you about my troubles, because you gave me confidence. Could it be possible that my judgment has made so serious a mistake?”
“No, no, my beauty. But when I tell you that I have loved you from the moment I laid eyes on you, what is your answer then?”
(Shrugging her shoulders): “I am at your mercy.”
“Beautiful and gracious darling… ask your heart. It must be out of free will that you consent to happiness in my embraces. If not, I swear to you upon my honor that I will not touch you except for a few harmless kisses.”
“Could you do that? I mean, you would be a saving angel.”
I promised her, and after a long talk I managed to get her to bed. I helped undress her and assured her that it was incredibly hard for me to know so many charms were near me without the possibility of enjoying them.
I made a bed out of clothes and laundry on the floor for myself, lay down upon it, covering myself with an overcoat, and soon I slept peacefully.
It was almost noon when I woke up. I went into the bedroom and stood near the bed. What a beautiful sight! Her face looked like that of an angel. I sat down, not daring to kiss her rosebud lips lest I awaken and frighten her.
She woke up and a pink blush reddened her face; her beautiful eyes looked at me fondly. I took her hand and kissed her cheek. A deep shudder went through me when she returned the kiss.
“Oh, noble man,” she sighed, “I was so apprehensive when I went to sleep, and I feel so secure now that I am awakening.”
“And I will do whatever is in my power so that you may awaken every day as safely as you did today.”
She finally allowed me to be present while she was dressing and making her toilette, and she even accepted my assistance.
We decided that she would travel to Florence in men's clothing, and with the help of my servant, we succeeded in getting everything in order by the next day. I have never traveled more pleasantly than with this 'signer.' A true Adonis whom I could never kiss and caress too much.
The moment we arrived in Florence, I went to Signor Battioli's home. The family was still mourning about the loss of their daughter. After a few banalities had been exchanged, I mentioned offhandedly that I had just contracted the services of a young Italian manservant who had told me something about a young signorina being abducted from Florence.
They instantly begged me to summon this young man, and I wrote a hasty note. My beautiful traveling companion arrived soon thereafter, but 'he' was too weak to play 'his' role well; the moment 'he' entered, 'he' fell into 'his' mother's arms.
22. THE REMAINDER IN ONE CHAPTER
From my own experience I would say that Italian women are very lascivious. Their temperaments are passionate, hot, and very often insatiable. Their entire bodies seem to have one purpose only, namely the pursuit of voluptuous pleasures. I am sure that such debauchery exists nowhere else in Europe.
It is not at all difficult to make conquests but it is far more demanding to satisfy them and one has to be extremely careful with the breaking of a relationship without any dangerous results.
The Battioli family insisted on a prolonged stay in Florence and their hospitality knew no bounds. Her father had always refused her permission to marry but in the joy of having found his daughter safe and unharmed he now granted her deepest wish. Young Vargendo practically smothered me amidst thousands of thank-yous and other praises, because thanks to me he could lead his bride to the altar while she was still a virgin.
The newlywed Madame Vargendo came to my room one afternoon. She looked as lovely as the dawn and she wore a simple white dress.
“Beautiful Madame Vargendo, your visit is an honor to me.”
“I came here to thank you, though I deserve your scorn; can you please forgive me?”
“My scorn? And why?”
“My husband has thanked you. I must tell you that he considers you a demigod for having delivered me to him untouched. He was very apprehensive when we went into the bridal bed and…”
“Why do you hesitate, my dear?”
“My husband is right when he says I would not entrust him with a woman.”
“Maybe he is wrong.”
“No, he is not. I would not want to make another trip with you.”