of the fountain of
chivalry without being engaged occasionally in affairs of honour, all of which
were terminated in a manner that would not have disgraced the chevalier Bayard
himself. In Italy the young men of rank divide themselves into two classes,
those who adhere to the pure principles of ancient gallantry, and those who,
being actuated by the same acute sense of injury and insult, accustom themselves
to the employment of hired bravoes as their instruments of vengeance. The whole
difference indeed consists in the precarious application of a generally received
distinction. The most generous Italian conceives that there are certain persons
whom it would be contamination for him to call into the open field. He
nevertheless believes that an indignity cannot be expiated but with blood, and
is persuaded that the life of a man is a trifling consideration in comparison of
the indemnification to be made to his injured honour. There is therefore
scarcely any Italian that would upon some occasions scruple assassination. Men
of spirit among them, notwithstanding the prejudices of their education, cannot
fail to have a secret conviction of its baseness, and will be desirous of
extending as far as possible the cartel of honour. Real or affected arrogance
teaches others to regard almost the whole species as their inferiors, and of
consequence incites them to gratify their vengeance without danger to their
persons. Mr. Falkland met with some of these. But his undaunted spirit and
resolute temper gave him a decisive advantage even in such perilous rencounters.
One instance among many of his manner of conducting himself among this proud and
high spirited people, it may be proper to relate. Mr. Falkland is the principal
agent in my history; and Mr. Falkland, in the autumn and decay of his vigour
such as I found him, cannot be completely understood without a knowledge of his
previous character as it was in all the gloss of youth, yet unassailed by
adversity, and unbroken in upon by anguish or remorse.
    At Rome he was received with particular distinction at the house of marquis
Pisani, who had an only daughter, the heir of his immense fortune, and the
admiration of all the young nobility of that metropolis. Lady Lucretia Pisani
was tall, of a dignified form and uncommonly beautiful. She was not deficient in
amiable qualities, but her soul was haughty, and her carriage not unfrequently
contemptuous. Her pride was nourished by the consciousness of her charms, by her
elevated rank and the universal adoration she was accustomed to receive.
    Among her numerous lovers count Malvesi was the individual most favoured by
her father, nor did his addresses seem indifferent to her. The count was a man
of considerable accomplishments, and of