Laura having informed me that there was to be on a certain day a ball in the large parlour of the convent, I made up my mind to attend it in such a disguise that my two friends could not recognize me.  I decided upon the costume of a Pierrot, because it conceals the form and the gait better than any other.  I was certain that my two friends would be behind the grating, and that it would afford me the pleasant opportunity of seeing them together and of comparing them.  In Venice, during the carnival, that innocent pleasure is allowed in convents.  The guests dance in the parlour, and the sisters remain behind the grating, enjoying the sight of the ball, which is over by sunset.  Then all the guests retire, and the poor nuns are for a long time happy in the recollection of the pleasure enjoyed by their eyes.  The ball was to take place in the afternoon of the day appointed for my meeting with M——­ M——­, in the evening at the casino of Muran, but that could not prevent me from going to the ball; besides, I wanted to see my dear C——­ C——.

I have said before that the dress of a Pierrot is the costume which disguises the figure and the gait most completely.  It has also the advantage, through a large cap, of concealing the hair, and the white gauze which covers the face does not allow the colour of the eyes or of the eyebrows to be seen, but in order to prevent the costume from hindering the movements of the mask, he must not wear anything underneath, and in winter a dress made of light calico is not particularly agreeable.  I did not, however, pay any attention to that, and taking only a plate of soup I went to Muran in a gondola.  I had no cloak, and—­in my pockets I had nothing but my handkerchief, my purse, and the key of the casino.

I went at once to the convent.  The parlour was full, but thanks to my costume of Pierrot, which was seen in Venice but very seldom, everybody made room for me.  I walked on, assuming the gait of a booby, the true characteristic of my costume, and I stopped near the dancers.  After I had examined the Pantaloons, Punches, Harlequins, and Merry Andrews, I went near the grating, where I saw all the nuns and boarders, some seated, some standing, and, without appearing to, notice any of them in particular, I remarked my two friends together, and very intent upon the dancers.  I then walked round the room, eyeing everybody from head to foot, and calling the general attention upon myself.

I chose for my partner in the minuet a pretty girl dressed as a Columbine, and I took her hand in so awkward a manner and with such an air of stupidity that everybody laughed and made room for us.  My partner danced very well according to her costume, and I kept my character with such perfection that the laughter was general.  After the minuet I danced twelve forlanas with the greatest vigour.  Out of breath, I threw myself on a sofa, pretending to go to sleep, and the moment I began to snore everybody