In 1786, Casanova renewed his correspondence with Francesca, who wrote:
1st July 1786. "After a silence of a year and a half, I received from you
yesterday a good letter which has consoled me in informing me that you
are in perfect health. But, on the other hand, I was much pained to see
that in your letter you did not call me Friend, but Madame . . . . You
have reason to chide me and to reproach me for having rented a house
without surety or means of paying the rent. As to the advice you give me
that if some honest person would pay me my rent, or at least a part of
it, I should have no scruples about taking it because a little more, or a
little less, would be of little importance . . . . I declare to you that
I have been disconsolated at receiving from you such a reproach which is
absolutely unjustified . . . . You tell me that you have near you a young
girl who merits all your solicitations and your love, she and her family
of six persons who adore you and give you every attention; that she costs
you all you have, so that you cannot send me even a sou . . . . I am
pained to hear you say that you will never return to Venice, and yet I
hope to see you again. . . ."
The "young girl" referred to in Francesca's letter was Anna-Dorothea
Kleer, daughter of the porter of the castle. This young girl became
pregnant in 1786 and Casanova was accused of seducing her. The guilty
one, however, was a painter named Schottner who married the unfortunate
girl in January 1787.
9th August 1786.
"My only true friend,
"It is two days since I received your dear letter; I was very happy to
see your writing .... You have reason to mortify me and reproach me in
recalling all the troubles I caused you, and especially that which you
call treachery, the sale of your books, of which in part I was not guilty
. . . . Forgive me, my dear friend, me and my foolish mother who, despite
all my objections, absolutely insisted on selling them. Regarding that
which you write me that you know that my mother, last year, told about
that you had been my ruin, this may unhappily be true, since you already
know the evil thoughts of my mother, who even says that you are still at
Venice . . . . When have I not been always sincere with you, and when
have I not at least listened to your good advices and offers? I am in a
desperate situation, abandoned by all, almost in the streets, almost
about to be homeless . . . . Where are all the pleasures which formerly
you procured me? Where are the theatres, the comedies which we once saw
together? . . ."
5th January 1787.
"The first of the year I received your dear letter with the bill of
exchange for one hundred and twenty-five lires which you sent me so
generously . . . . You say you have forgiven me for all the troubles I
have caused you. Forget all, then, and do not accuse me any more of
things which are but too true and of which the remembrance alone cuts me
to the heart . . . . You write me that you have been forgotten by a
person of whom you were very fond, that she is married and that you have
not seen her for more than a month."
The "person" referred to was Anna Kleer.
5th October 1787.
. . . . "Until the other day, I had been waiting for your arrival, hoping
that you would come to assist at the entry of the Procurator Memmo . . . .
I see by your good letter that you were not able to get away, since your
presence is nearly always necessary in the great castle . . . . I learn
of the visit you have received from the Emperor who wished to see your
library of forty-thousand volumes! . . . You say that you detest the
chase and that you are unhappy when politeness obliges you to go . . . .
I am pleased to know that you are in good health, that you are stout and
that you have a good appetite and sleep well . . . . I hope that the
printing of your book [Histoire de ma fuite] is going according to your
wishes. If you go to Dresden for the marriage of your niece, enjoy
yourself for me . . . . Forget not to write to me; this gives me such
pleasure! Remember me. Full of confidence in your friendship, I am, and
always will be, your true and sincere friend,
"Francesca Buschina."