“Tell that to someone else; but, after all, what does it matter?  You choose well, amuse yourself, and make them happy.  It may be wisdom after all, and at any rate I congratulate you.  I shall be delighted to see your niece, but if she knows me you must see that she knows her part as well.”

On leaving Madame Paretti I called on the Signora Isola-Bella, and gave her the Marquis Triulzi’s letter.  Soon after she came into the room and welcomed me, saying that she had been expecting me, as Triulzi had written to her on the subject.  She introduced me to the Marquis Augustino Grimaldi delta Pietra, her ‘cicisbeoin-chief’ during the long absence of her husband, who lived at Lisbon.

The signora’s apartments were very elegant.  She was pretty with small though regular features, her manner was pleasant, her voice sweet, and her figure well shaped, though too thin.  She was nearly thirty.  I say nothing of her complexion, for her face was plastered with white and red, and so coarsely, that these patches of paint were the first things that caught my attention.  I was disgusted at this, in spite of her fine expressive eyes.  After an hour spent in question and reply, in which both parties were feeling their way, I accepted her invitation to come to supper on the following day.  When I got back I complimented my niece on the way in which she had arranged her room, which was only separated from mine by a small closet which I intended for her maid, who, I told her, was coming the next day.  She was highly pleased with this attention, and it paved the way for my success.  I also told her that the next day she was to dine with me at a substantial merchant’s as my niece, and this piece of news made her quite happy.

This girl whom Croce had infatuated and deprived of her senses was exquisitely beautiful, but more charming than all her physical beauties were the nobleness of her presence and the sweetness of her disposition.  I was already madly in love with her, and I repented not having taken possession of her on the first day of our journey.  If I had taken her at her word I should have been a steadfast lover, and I do not think it would have taken me long to make her forget her former admirer.

I had made but a small dinner, so I sat down to supper famishing with hunger; and as my niece had an excellent appetite we prepared ourselves for enjoyment, but instead of the dishes being delicate, as we had expected, they were detestable.  I told Clairmont to send for the landlady, and she said that she could not help it, as everything had been done by my own cook.

“My cook?” I repeated.

“Yes, sir, the one your secretary, M. Possano, engaged for you.  I could have got a much better one and a much cheaper one myself.”

“Get one to-morrow.”

“Certainly; but you must rid yourself and me of the present cook, for he has taken up his position here with his wife and children.  Tell Possano to send for him.”