“He never knew it—­he never knew it.  We had our friends on the Rialto, and the account was settled a few years later.  Thou wast well with Ninon, Enrico?”

“A companion of her leisure, and one who basked in the sunshine of her wit.”

“Nay, they said thou wert of more favor—­”

“Mere gossip of the saloons.  I do protest, gentlemen—­not that others were better received—­but idle tongues will have their discourse!”

“Wert thou of the party, Alessandro, that went in a fit of gaiety from country to country till it numbered ten courts at which it appeared in as many weeks?”

“Was I not its mover?  What a memory art thou getting!  ’Twas for a hundred golden louis, and it was bravely won by an hour.  A postponement of the reception by the elector of Bavaria went near to defeat us; but we bribed the groom of the chambers, as thou mayest remember, and got into the presence as it were by accident.”

“Was that held to be sufficient?”

“That was it—­for our terms mentioned the condition of holding discourse with ten sovereigns in as many weeks, in their own palaces.  Oh! it was fairly won, and I believe I may say that it was as gaily expended!”

“For the latter will I vouch, since I never quitted thee while a piece of it all remained.  There are divers means of dispensing gold in those northern capitals, and the task was quickly accomplished.  They are pleasant countries for a few years of youth and idleness!”

“It is a pity that their climates are so rude.”

A slight and general shudder expressed their Italian sympathy, but the discourse did not the less proceed.

“They might have a better sun and a clearer sky, but there is excellent cheer, and no want of hospitality,” observed the Signor Gradenigo, who maintained his full share of the dialogue, though we have not found it necessary to separate sentiments that were so common among the different speakers.  “I have seen pleasant hours even with the Genoese, though their town hath a cast of reflection and sobriety that is not always suited to the dispositions of youth.”

“Nay, Stockholm and Copenhagen have their pleasures too, I do assure thee.  I passed a season between them.  Your Dane is a good joker and a hearty bottle companion.”

“In that the Englishman surpasseth all!  If I were to relate their powers of living in this manner, dear friends, ye would discredit me.  That which I have seen often, seemeth impossible even to myself.  ’Tis a gloomy abode, and one that we of Italy little like, in common.”

“Name it not in comparison with Holland—­wert ever in Holland, friends? didst ever enjoy the fashion of Amsterdam and the Hague?  I remember to have heard a young Roman urge a friend to pass a winter there; for the witty rogue termed it the beau-ideal of the land of petticoats!”