There are a great many mothers of that kind in the world, and very often they are women who have led a virtuous life; they do not suppose that deceit can exist, because their own nature understands only what is upright and true; but they are almost always the victims of their good faith, and of their trust in those who seem to them to be patterns of honesty.  What I had told the mother surprised the daughter, but her astonishment was much greater when she heard of what I had said to her brother.  After one moment of consideration, she told him that, with any other man but me, she would have been ruined; and that, if she had been in the place of Madame C——­, she would never have forgiven him, because the way he had treated her was as debasing for her as for himself.  P——­ C——­ was weeping, but the traitor could command tears whenever he pleased.

It was Whit Sunday, and as the theatres were closed he told me that, if I would be at the same place of Appointment as before, the next day, he would leave his sister with me, and go by himself with Madame C——­, whom he could not honourably leave alone.

“I will give you my key,” he added, “and you can bring back my sister here as soon as you have supper together wherever you like.”

And he handed me his key, which I had not the courage to refuse.  After that he left us.  I went away myself a few minutes afterwards, having previously agreed with C——­ C——­ that we would go to the Zuecca Garden on the following day.

I was punctual, and love exciting me to the highest degree I foresaw what would happen on that day.  I had engaged a box at the opera, and we went to our garden until the evening.  As it was a holiday there were several small parties of friends sitting at various tables, and being unwilling to mix with other people we made up our minds to remain in the apartment which was given to us, and to go to the opera only towards the end of the performance.  I therefore ordered a good supper.  We had seven hours to spend together, and my charming young friend remarked that the time would certainly not seem long to us.  She threw off her disguise and sat on my knees, telling me that I had completed the conquest of her heart by my reserve towards her during the supper with her brother; but all our conversation was accompanied by kisses which, little by little, were becoming more and more ardent.

“Did you see,” she said to me, “what my brother did to Madame C——­ when she placed herself astride on his knees?  I only saw it in the looking-glass, but I could guess what it was.”

“Were you not afraid of my treating you in the same manner?”

“No, I can assure you.  How could I possibly fear such a thing, knowing how much you love me?  You would have humiliated me so deeply that I should no longer have loved you.  We will wait until we are married, will we not, dear?  You cannot realize the extent of the joy I felt when I heard you speak to my mother as you did!  We will love each other for ever.  But will you explain to me, dearest, the meaning of the words embroidered upon my garters?”