To these considerations was added a sort of
charm, not easily explained, and by no means justifiable, produced by
the very temerity and hazardness accompanying this attempt. I thought,
with scornful emotions, on the bars and hinderances which pride, and
caprice, and delusive maxims of decorum, raise in the way of human
intercourse. I spurned at these semblances and substitutes of honesty,
and delighted to shake such fetters into air and trample such
impediments to dust. I wanted to see a human being, in order to promote
her happiness. It was doubtful whether she was within twenty paces of
the spot where I stood. The doubt was to be solved. How? By examining
the space. I forthwith proceeded to examine it. I reached the second
story. I approached a door that was closed. I knocked. After a pause, a
soft voice said, "Who is there?" The accents were as musical as those of Clemenza, but were in other
respects different. I had no topic to discuss with this person. I
answered not, yet hesitated to withdraw. Presently the same voice was
again heard:--"What is it you want? Why don't you answer? Come in!" I
complied with the command, and entered the room. It was deliberation and foresight that led me hither, and not chance or
caprice. Hence, instead of being disconcerted or vanquished by the
objects that I saw, I was tranquil and firm. My curiosity, however, made
me a vigilant observer. Two females, arrayed with voluptuous negligence,
in a manner adapted to the utmost seclusion, and seated in a careless
attitude on a sofa, were now discovered. Both darted glances at the door. One, who appeared to be the youngest,
no sooner saw me, than she shrieked, and, starting from her seat,
betrayed in the looks which she successively cast upon me, on herself,
and on the chamber, whose apparatus was in no less confusion than that
of the apartment below, her consciousness of the unseasonableness of
this meeting. The other shrieked likewise, but in her it seemed to be the token of
surprise rather than that of terror. There was, probably, somewhat in my
aspect and garb that suggested an apology for this intrusion, as arising
from simplicity and mistake. She thought proper, however, to assume the
air of one offended, and, looking sternly,--"How now, fellow," said she,
"what is this? Why come you hither?" This questioner was of mature age, but had not passed the period of
attractiveness and grace. All the beauty that nature had bestowed was
still retained, but the portion had never been great. What she possessed
was so modelled and embellished by such a carriage and dress as to give
it most power over the senses of the gazer. In proportion, however, as
it was intended and adapted to captivate those who know none but
physical pleasures, it was qualified to breed distaste and aversion in
me. I am sensible how much error may have lurked in this decision. I had
brought with me the belief of their being unchaste; and seized, perhaps
with too much avidity, any appearance that coincided with my
prepossessions. Yet the younger by no means inspired the same disgust;
though I had no reason to suppose her more unblemished than the elder. Her modesty seemed unaffected, and was by no means satisfied, like that
of the elder, with defeating future curiosity. The consciousness of what
had already been exposed filled her with confusion, and she would have
flown away, if her companion had not detained her by some degree of
force. "What ails the girl? There's nothing to be frightened at. Fellow!" she repeated, "what brings you here?" I advanced and stood before them. I looked steadfastly, but, I believe,
with neither effrontery nor anger, on the one who addressed me. I spoke
in a tone serious and emphatical. "I come for the sake of speaking to a
woman who formerly resided in this house, and probably resides here
still. Her name is Clemenza Lodi. If she be here, I request you to
conduct me to her instantly." Methought I perceived some inquietude, a less imperious and more
inquisitive air, in this woman, on hearing the name of Clemenza. It was
momentary, and gave way to peremptory looks. "What is your business with
her? And why did you adopt this mode of inquiry? A very extraordinary
intrusion! Be good enough to leave the chamber. Any questions proper to
be answered will be answered below." "I meant not to intrude or offend. It was not an idle or impertinent
motive that led me hither. I waited below for some time after soliciting
an audience of you through the servant. She assured me you were absent,
and laid me under the necessity of searching for Clemenza Lodi myself,
and without a guide. I am anxious to withdraw, and request merely to be
directed to the room which she occupies." "I direct you," replied she, in a more resolute tone, "to quit the room
and the house." "Impossible, madam," I replied, still looking at her earnestly; "leave
the house without seeing her! You might as well enjoin me to pull the
Andes on my head!--to walk barefoot to Pekin! Impossible!" Some solicitude was now mingled with her anger. "This is strange
insolence! unaccountable behaviour!--begone from my room! will you
compel me to call the gentlemen?" "Be not alarmed," said I, with augmented mildness. There was, indeed,
compassion and sorrow at my heart, and these must have somewhat
influenced my looks. "Be not alarmed. I came to confer a benefit, not to
perpetrate an injury. I came not to censure or expostulate with you,
but merely to counsel and aid a being that needs both; all I want is to
see her. In this chamber I sought not you, but her. Only lead me to her,
or tell me where she is. I will then rid you of my presence." "Will you compel me to call those who will punish this insolence as it
deserves?" "Dearest madam! I compel you to nothing. I merely supplicate. I would
ask you to lead me to these gentlemen, if I did not know that there are
none but females in the house. It is you who must receive and comply
with my petition. Allow me a moment's interview with Clemenza Lodi. Compliance will harm you not, but will benefit her. What is your
objection?" "This is the strangest proceeding! the most singular conduct! Is this a
place fit to parley with you? I warn you of the consequence of staying a
moment longer. Depend upon it, you will sorely repent it." "You are obdurate," said I, and turned towards the younger, who listened
to this discourse in tremors and panic. I took her hand with an air of
humility and reverence. "Here," said I, "there seems to be purity,
innocence, and condescension. I took this house to be the temple of
voluptuousness. Females I expected to find in it, but such only as
traded in licentious pleasures; specious, perhaps not destitute of
talents, beauty, and address, but dissolute and wanton, sensual and
avaricious; yet in this countenance and carriage there are tokens of
virtue. I am born to be deceived, and the semblance of modesty is
readily assumed.