“There she is,” said the aunt, “and she is not so bad looking after all, but it is a pity she is so stupid.  You were very right to give this gentleman a supper.  I am much obliged to you for doing so.  I have been playing all night, and when one is playing one only thinks of the game.  I have determined on taking young Tiretta to board with us.  He is an excellent and clever young man, and I am sure he will learn to speak French before long.  Get dressed, my dear, as we must begin to pack.  We shall set out this afternoon for Villette, and shall spend there the whole of the spring.  There is no need, you know, to say anything about this to my sister:” 

“I, aunt?  Certainly not.  Did I ever tell her anything on the other occasions?”

“Other occasions!  You see what a silly girl it is.  Do you mean by ’other occasions,’ that I have been circumstanced like this before?”

“No, aunt.  I only meant to say that I had never told her anything of what you did.”

“That’s right, my dear, but you must learn to express yourself properly.  We dine at two, and I hope to have the pleasure of M. Casanova’s company at dinner; we will start immediately after the meal.  Tiretta promised to bring his small portmanteau with him, and it will go with our luggage.”

After promising to dine with them, I bade the ladies good-bye; and I went home as fast as I could walk, for I was as curious as a woman to know what arrangements had been made.

“Well,” said I to Tiretta, “I find you have got a place.  Tell me all about it”

“My dear fellow, I have sold myself for a year.  My pay is to be twenty-five louis a month, a good table, good lodging, etc., etc.”

“I congratulate you.”

“Do you think it is worth the trouble?”

“There’s no rose without a thorn.  She told me you were something more than mortal.”

“I worked hard all night to prove it to her; but I am quite sure your time was better employed than mine.”

“I slept like a king.  Dress yourself, as I am coming to dinner, and I want to see you set out for Villette.  I shall come and see you there now and then, as your sweetheart has told me that a room shall be set apart for my convenience.”

We arrived at two o’clock.  Madame dressed in a girlish style presented a singular appearance, but Mdlle. de la Meure’s beauty shone like a star.  Love and pleasure had given her a new life, a new being.  We had a capital dinner, as the good lady had made the repast dainty like herself; but in the dishes there was nothing absurd, while her whole appearance was comic in the highest degree.  At four they all set out, and I spent my evening at the Italian comedy.

I was in love with Mdlle. de la Meure, but Silvia’s daughter, whose company at supper was all I had of her, weakened a love which now left nothing more to desire.