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at the sight of this freshness of youth； that but for her imperial
dignity she would have kissed the good cheeks which shone like little
apples。
Now take note of this； that so called modest women； and ladies whose
skirts bear their armorial bearings； are thoroughly ignorant of the
nature of man； because they keep to one alone； like the Queen of
France who believed all men had ulcers in the nose because the king
had； but a great courtesan； like Madame Imperia； knew man to his core；
because she had handled a great many。 In her retreat； everyone came
out in his true colours； and concealed nothing； thinking to himself
that he would not be long with her。 Having often deplored this
subjection； sometimes she would remark that she suffered from pleasure
more than she suffered from pain。 There was the dark shadow of her
life。 You may be sure that a lover was often compelled to part with a
nice little heap of crowns in order to pass the night with her； and
was reduced to desperation by a refusal。 Now for her it was a joyful
thing to feel a youthful desire； like that she had for the little
priest； whose story commences this collection； but because she was
older than in those merry days； love was more fully established in
her； and she soon perceived that it was of a fiery nature when it
began to make itself felt； indeed； she suffered in her skin like a cat
that is being scorched； and so much so that she had an intense longing
to spring upon this gentleman； and bear him in triumph to her nest； as
a kite does its prey； but with great difficulty she restrained
herself。 When he came and bowed to her； she threw back her head； and
assumed a most dignified attitude； as do those who have a love
infatuation in their hearts。 The gravity of her demeanour to the young
ambassador caused many to think that she had work in store for him；
equivocating on the word； after the custom of the time。
L'Ile Adam； knowing himself to be dearly loved by his mistress；
troubled himself but little about Madame Imperia； grave or gay； and
frisked about like a goat let loose。 The courtesan； terribly annoyed
at this； changed her tone； from being sulky became gay and lively；
came to him； softened her voice； sharpened her glance； gracefully
inclined her head； rubbed against him with her sleeve； and called him
Monsiegneur； embraced him with the loving words； trifled with his
hand； and finished by smiling at him most affably。 He； not imagining
that so unprofitable a lover would suit her； for he was as poor as a
church mouse； and did not know that his beauty was the equal in her
eyes to all the treasures of the world； was not taken in her trap； but
continued to ride the high horse with his hand on his hips。 This
disdain of her passion irritated Madame to the heart； which by this
spark was set in flame。 If you doubt this； it is because you know
nothing of the profession of the Madame Imperia； who by reason of it
might be compared to a chimney； in which a great number of fires have
been lighted； which had filled it with soot； in this state a match was
sufficient to burn everything there； where a hundred fagots has smoked
comfortably。 She burned within from top to toe in a horrible manner；
and could not be extinguished save with the water of love。 The cadet
of l'Ile Adam left the room without noticing this ardour。
Madame； disconsolate at his departure； lost her senses from her head
to her feet； and so thoroughly that she sent a messenger to him on the
galleries； begging him to pass the night with her。 On no other
occasion of her life had she had this cowardice； either for king；
pope； or emperor； since the high price of her favours came from the
bondage in which she held her admirers； whom the more she humbled the
more she raised herself。 The disdainful hero of this history was
informed by the head chamber…women； who was a clever jade； that in all
probability a great treat awaited him； for most certainly Madame would
regale him with her most delicate inventions of love。 L'Ile Adam
returned to the salons； delighted at this lucky chance。 Directly the
envoy of France reappeared； as everyone had seen Imperia turn pale at
his departure； the general joy knew no bounds； because everyone was
delighted to see her return to her old life of love。 An English
cardinal； who had drained more than one big…bellied flagon； and wished
to taste Imperia； went to l'Ile Adam and whispered to him； 〃Hold her
fast； so that she shall never again escape us。〃
The story of this remark was told to the pope at his levee； and caused
him to remark； /Laetamini； gentes； quoniam surrexit Dominus/。 A
quotation which the old cardinals abominated as a profanation of
sacred texts。 Seeing which； the pope reprimanded them severely； and
took occasion to lecture them； telling them that if they were good
Christians they were bad politicians。 Indeed； he relied upon the fair
Imperia to reclaim the emperor； and with this idea he syringed her
well with flattery。
The lights of the palace being extinguished； the golden flagons on the
floor； and the servants drunk and stretched about on the carpets；
Madame entered her bedchamber； leading by the hand her dear lover…
elect； and she was well pleased； and has since confessed that so
strongly was she bitten with love； she could hardly restrain herself
from rolling at his feet like a beast of the field； begging him to
crush her beneath him if he could。 L'Ile Adam slipped off his
garments； and tumbled into bed as if he were in his own house。 Seeing
which； Madame hastened her preparations； and sprang into her lover's
arms with a frenzy that astonished her women； who knew her to be
ordinarily one of the most modest of women on these occasions。 The
astonishment became general throughout the country； for the pair
remained in bed for nine days； eating； drinking； and embracing in a
marvellous and most masterly manner。 Madame told her women that at
last she had placed her hand on a phoenix of love； since he revived
from every attack。 Nothing was talked of in Rome and Italy but the
victory that had been gained over Imperia； who had boasted that she
would yield to no man； and spat upon all of them； even the dukes。 As
to the aforesaid margraves and burgraves； she gave them the tail of
her dress to hold； and said that if she did not tread them under foot；
they would trample upon her。 Madame confessed to her servants that；
differently to all other men she had had to put up with； the more she
fondled this child of love； the more she desired to do so； and that
she would never be able to part with him； nor his splendid eyes； which
blinded her； nor his branch of coral； that she always hungered after。
She further declared that if such were his desire； she would let him
suck her blood； eat her breastswhich were the most lovely in the
worldand cut her tresses； of which she had only given a single one
to the Emperor of the Romans； who kept it in his breast； like a
precious relic； final