I found the count a very polite man.  He thanked me in a paternal manner for my kindness to his daughter, and begged me to do him the honour of dining with him on the following day, telling me that he would introduce me to his wife.  I accepted his invitation with pleasure, for I was fond of dramatic situations, and my meeting with the countess promised to be an exciting one.  This invitation bespoke the courteous gentleman, and I charmed my pretty pupil by singing his praises after he had gone.

“My god-father,” said she, “is in possession of all the necessary documents for withdrawing from the house of Persico our family fortune, which amounts to forty thousand crowns.  A quarter of this sum belongs to me, and my mother has promised my sister and myself to share her dowry between us.”

I concluded from this that she would bring her husband fifteen thousand Venetian ducats.

I guessed that she was appealing to me with her fortune, and wished to make me in love with her by shewing herself chary of her favours; for whenever I allowed myself any small liberties, she checked me with words, of remonstrance to which I could find no answer.  I determined to make her pursue another course.

Next day I took her with me to her god-father’s without telling her that I knew the countess.  I fancied the lady would pretend not to know me, but I was wrong, as she welcomed me in the handsomest manner as if I were an old friend.  This, no doubt, was a surprise for the count, but he was too much a man of the world to, shew any astonishment.  He asked her when she had made my acquaintance, and she, like a woman of experience, answered without the slightest hesitation that we had seen each other two years ago at Mira.  The matter was settled, and we spent a very pleasant day.

Towards evening I took the young lady in my gondola back to the house, but wishing to shorten the journey I allowed myself to indulge in a few caresses.  I was hurt at being responded to by reproaches, and for that reason, as soon as she had set foot on her own doorstep, instead of getting out I went to Tonine’s house, and spent nearly the whole night there with the ambassador, who came a little after me.  Next day, as I did not get up till quite late, there was no dancing lesson, and when I excused myself she told me not to trouble any more about it.  In the evening I sat on the balcony far into the night, but she did not come.  Vexed at this air of indifference I rose early in the morning and went out, not returning till nightfall.  She was on the balcony, but as she kept me at a respectful distance I only talked to her on commonplace subjects.  In the morning I was roused by a tremendous noise.  I got up, and hurriedly putting on my dressing-gown ran into her room to see what was the matter, only to find her dying.  I had no need to feign an interest in her, for I felt the most tender concern.  As it was at the beginning of July it was extremely hot,