The Memoirs of Jacques Casanova de Seingalt, Vol. IV (of VI), "Adventures In The South"

In this lively segment of Casanova’s memoirs, the famed wanderer finds himself drifting from Switzerland back into Italy, only to pause in the Alpine town of Grenoble. A chance letter from Madame d’Urfe introduces him to the cultured officer Valenglard, who promises a comfortable stay and introductions to the city’s most fashionable circles. Instead of a conventional inn, Casanova is led to an inviting house just beyond the town walls, where the door‑keeper doubles as a generous host and cook.

The new lodging quickly becomes a stage for Casanova’s characteristic blend of wit and desire. He encounters the door‑keeper’s daughters, a modest brunette who captures his attention, and a bustling social scene that promises both culinary delights and romantic intrigue. As dinner unfolds with fine wines and exotic desserts, the memoirist’s charm and vanity are on full display, setting the tone for further adventures in the South.