I shall call the pretty Jewess Leah, as I have good reasons for not using her real name.
While they were enjoying their meal I sat down beside her and tried to make myself as agreeable as possible, but she would not even look at me.
My supper was excellent, and my bed very comfortable.
The next day my landlord told me that I could give my linen to the maid, and that Leah could get it up for me.
I told him I had relished my supper, but that I should like the foie gras every day as I had a dispensation.
“You shall have some to-morrow, but Leah is the only one of us who eats it.”
“Then Leah must take it with me, and you can tell her that I shall give her some Cyprus wine which is perfectly pure.”
I had no wine, but I went for it the same morning to the Venetian consul, giving him M. Dandolo’s letter.
The consul was a Venetian of the old leaven. He had heard my name, and seemed delighted to make my acquaintance. He was a kind of clown without the paint, fond of a joke, a regular gourmand, and a man of great experience. He sold me some Scopolo and old Cyprus Muscat, but he began to exclaim when he heard where I was lodging, and how I had come there.
“He is rich,” he said, “but he is also a great usurer, and if you borrow money of him he will make you repent it.”
After informing the consul that I should not leave till the end of the month, I went home to dinner, which proved excellent.
The next day I gave out my linen to the maid, and Leah came to ask me how I liked my lace got up.
If Leah had examined me more closely she would have seen that the sight of her magnificent breast, unprotected by any kerchief, had had a remarkable effect on me.
I told her that I left it all to her, and that she could do what she liked with the linen.
“Then it will all come under my hands if you are in no hurry to go.”
“You can make me stay as long as you like,” said I; but she seemed not to hear this declaration.
“Everything is quite right,” I continued, “except the chocolate; I like it well frothed.”
“Then I will make it for you myself.”
“Then I will give out a double quantity, and we will take it together.”
“I don’t like chocolate.”
“I am sorry to hear that; but you like foie gras?”
“Yes, I do; and from what father tells me I am going to take some with you to-day.”
“I shall be delighted.”
“I suppose you are afraid of being poisoned?”
“Not at all; I only wish we could die together.”
She pretended not to understand, and left me burning with desire. I felt that I must either obtain possession of her or tell her father not to send her into my room any more.
The Turin Jewess had given me some valuable hints as to the conduct of amours with Jewish girls.