“At ten o’clock,” said Theresa, “I have a rehearsal here of the new opera.  You can stay and listen if you like.  I hope you will dine with us every day, and it will give me great pleasure if you will look upon my house as yours.”

“To-day,” said I, “I will stay with you till after supper, and then I will leave you with your fortunate husband.”

As I pronounced these words M. Palesi embraced me with effusion, as if to thank me for not objecting to his enjoying his rights as a husband.

He was between the ages of twenty and twenty-two, of a fair complexion, and well-made, but too pretty for a man.  I did not wonder at Therese being in love with him, for I knew too well the power of a handsome face; but I thought that she had made a mistake in marrying him, for a husband acquires certain rights which may become troublesome.

Therese’s pretty maid came to tell me that my carriage was at the door.

“Will you allow me,” said I to her, “to have my footman in?”

“Rascal,” said I, as soon as he came in, “who told you to come here with my carriage?”

“Nobody, sir, but I know my duty.”

“Who told you that I was here?”

“I guessed as much.”

“Go and fetch Le Duc, and come back with him.”

When they arrived I told Le Duc to pay the impertinent fellow three days’ wages, to strip him of his livery, and to ask Dr. Vannini to get me a servant of the same build, not gifted with the faculty of divination, but who knew how to obey his master’s orders.  The rascal was much perturbed at the result of his officiousness, and asked Therese to plead for him; but, like a sensible woman, she told him that his master was the best judge of the value of his services.

At ten o’clock all the actors and actresses arrived, bringing with them a mob of amateurs who crowded the hall.  Therese received their greetings graciously, and I could see she enjoyed a great reputation.  The rehearsal lasted three hours, and wearied me extremely.  To relieve my boredom I talked to Palesi, whom I liked for not asking me any particulars of my acquaintance with his wife.  I saw that he knew how to behave in the position in which he was placed.

A girl from Parma, named Redegonde, who played a man’s part and sang very well, stayed to dinner.  Therese had also asked a young Bolognese, named Corticelli.  I was struck with the budding charms of this pretty dancer, but as I was just then full of Therese, I did not pay much attention to her.  Soon after we sat down I saw a plump abbe coming in with measured steps.  He looked to me a regular Tartuffe, after nothing but Therese.  He came up to her as soon as he saw her, and going on one knee in the Portuguese fashion, kissed her hand tenderly and respectfully.  Therese received him with smiling courtesy and put him at her right hand; I was at their left.  His voice, manner, and all about him told me that I had