I passed the whole day in these torments, thinking it would never come to an end, and in the evening I put a letter in my pocket, and went to my post at the hour agreed upon.

Fortunately, Murray kept the appointment exactly.

“Is the nun there?” said I, as soon as he was near me.

“Yes, my dear fellow.  We will go, if you like, to the parlour; but you will find that we shall be told she is ill or engaged.  If you like, the bet shall be off.”

“God forbid, my dear fellow!  I cling to that hundred ducats.  Let us be gone.”

We presented ourselves at the wicket, and I asked for M——­ M——­, and the doorkeeper made me breathe again by saying that I was expected.  I entered the parlour with my English friend, and saw that it was lighted by four candles.  I cannot recall these moments without being in love with life.  I take note not only of my noble mistress’s innocence, but also of the quickness of her wit.  Murray remained serious, without a smile on his face.  Full of grace and beauty, M——­ M——­ came into the room with a lay-sister, each of them holding a candlestick.  She paid me a compliment in good French; I gave her the letter, and looking at the address and the seal she put it in her pocket.  After thanking me and saying she would reply in due course, she turned towards my companion: 

“I shall, perhaps, make you lose the first act of the opera,” said she.

“The pleasure of seeing you, madam, is worth all the operas in the world.”

“You are English, I think?”

“Yes, madam.”

“The English are now the greatest people in the world, because they are free and powerful.  Gentlemen, I wish you a very good evening.”

I had never seen M——­ M——­ looking so beautiful as then, and I went out of the parlour ablaze with love, and glad as I had never been before.  I walked with long strides towards my casino, without taking notice of the ambassador, who did not hurry himself in following me; I waited for him at my door.

“Well,” said I, “are you convinced now that you have been cheated?”

“Be quiet, we have time enough to talk about that.  Let us go upstairs.”

“Shall I come?”

“Do.  What do you think I could do by myself for four hours with that creature who is waiting for me?  We will amuse ourselves with her.”

“Had we not better turn her out?”

“No; her master is coming for her at two o’clock in the morning.  She would go and warn him, and he would escape my vengeance.  We will throw them both out of the window.”

“Be moderate, for M——­ M——­ s honour depends on the secrecy we observe.  Let us go upstairs.  We shall have some fun.  I should like to see the hussy.”

Murray was the first to enter the room.  As soon as the girl saw me, she threw her handkerchief over her face, and told the ambassador that such behaviour was unworthy of him.  He made no answer.  She was not so tall as M——­ M——­, and she spoke bad French.