■8 The ADVENTURES of
ridicule they met with from the world ; for fome of the afclors and a dire flies were giddy with applaufe: and, confidering themfelves as objects of admiration, thought they bellowed a favour on the public when they deigned to play. I was (hocked at their faults, but, unhappily, too well pleafed with their way of life, fo that I plunged into debauchery. How could it be otherwife ? Their converfation was pernicious to youth, and all I faw •contributed to corrupt my morals : had I been ignorant of w hat palfed at the houfes -of Cafilda, Conltancia, and the other players, that •of Arfenia alone was but too capable of undoing me; for, bolides the old noblemen I mentioned, there came thither beaus, young heirs, whom ufurers enabled to fpcr.d money, and fometimes alfo farmers of the revenue were admitted, who, far from being gratified for their prefence, as they are in their own af- femblies, were obliged to pay through the nofe for their reception.
Florimonda, who lived hard by, dined and fupped •every day with my millrefs; and people were fur- prized at the friend/hip that feemed to unite them. It -olrorded matter of aftonifhmcnt to fee coquettes live together in fuch good intelligence; and everybody imagined that, form or late, they would quarrel about fb-mc gallant. But the world was very much miftaken iu thefe perfect friends, who were joined by the molt folid aflcdlion. Iriftcad of being jealous of one another. like other women, they lived in common ; and chofe rather to (bare the fpoils, than foolilhly difpute •about the inclinations of the men-
Laura, by the examples of thefe illuflrious aflbei- atrs. made the belt of her youth too : and it was not •without reafon (he had told me that I (bould fee itrange things : however, I affe&ed to be quite eafy : becaufc I had promifed to adopt the unconcern of a player on fuch occafions : and thus I diflemhled for fome days, contenting thyfelf with afking the names •i the men with whom I found her particularly en-