“Sixteen months ago I saw M. Morosini walking about Vauxhall by himself.  He had just come to England to congratulate the king on his accession to the throne, on behalf of the Republic of Venice.  I saw how enchanted he was with the London beauties, and I went up to him and told him that all these beauties were at his service.  This made him laugh, and on my repeating that it was not a jest he pointed out one of the girls, and asked if she would be at his service.  I did not know her, so I asked him to wait awhile, and I would bring him the information he required.  There was no time to be lost, and I could see that the girl was not a vestal virgin, so I went up to her and told her that the Venetian ambassador was amorous of her, and that I would take her to him if she would receive his visits.  The aunt said that a nobleman of such an exalted rank could only bring honour to her niece.  I took their address, and on my way back to the ambassador I met a friend of mine who is learned in such commodities, and after I had shewed him the address he told me it was the Charpillon.”

“And it was she?”

“It was.  My friend told me she was a young Swiss girl who was not yet in the general market, but who would soon be there, as she was not rich, and had a numerous train to support.

“I rejoined the Venetian, and told him that his business was done, and asked him at what time I should introduce him the next day, warning him that as she had a mother and aunts she would not be alone.

“‘I am glad to hear it,’ said he, ’and also that she is not a common woman.’  He gave me an appointment for the next day, and we parted.

“I told the ladies at what hour I should have the pleasure of introducing the great man to them, and after warning them that they must appear not to know him I went home.

“The following day I called on M. de Morosini, and took him to Denmark Street incognito.  We spent an hour in conversation, and then went away without anything being settled.  On the way back the ambassador told me that he should like to have the girl on conditions which he would give me in writing at his residence.

“These conditions were that she should live in a furnished house free of rent, without any companion, and without receiving any visitors.  His excellency would give her fifty guineas a month, and pay for supper whenever he came and spent the night with her.  He told me to get the house if his conditions were received.  The mother was to sign the agreement.

“The ambassador was in a hurry, and in three days the agreement was signed; but I obtained a document from the mother promising to let me have the girl for one night as soon as the Venetian had gone; it was known he was only stopping in London for a year.”

Goudar extracted the document in question from his pocket, and gave it to me.  I read it and re-read it with as much surprise as pleasure, and he then proceeded with his story.