“Really, marchioness, you astonish me.  I was never so clearly convinced that I have done a foolish thing.  And what is still more surprising, is that I was aware of all you have told me.  But you have made me lose my head.  I hope you will not punish me too severely?”

“Pray inform me how it lies in my power to punish you.”

“By not loving me.”

“Ah! loving and not loving; that is out of one’s power.  Of a sudden we know that we are in love, and our fate is sealed.”

I interpreted these last words to my own advantage, and turned the conversation.  I asked her if she was going to the ball.

“No.”

“Perhaps you are going incognito?”

“We should like to, but it is an impossibility; there is always someone who knows us.”

“If you would take me into your service, I would wager anything that you would not be recognized.”

“You would not care to trouble yourself about us.”

“I like you to be a little sceptical, but put me to the proof.  If you could manage to slip out unobserved, I would engage to disguise you in such a manner that no one would know you.”

“We could leave the house with my brother and a young lady with whom he is in love.  I am sure he would keep our counsel.”

“I shall be delighted, but it must be for the ball on Sunday.  I will talk it over with your brother.  Kindly warn him not to let Barbaro know anything about it.  You will be able to put on your disguise in a place I know of.  However, we can settle about that again.  I shall carry the matter through, you may be sure, with great secrecy.  Permit me to kiss your hand.”

She gave it me, and after imprinting a gentle kiss I held it to my heart, and had the happiness of feeling a soft pressure.  I had no particular disguise in my head, but feeling sure of hitting on something I put off the consideration of it till the next day; the present belonged to Irene.  I put on my domino, and went to the “Three Kings,” where I found Irene waiting for me at the door.  She had run down as soon as she had seen my carriage, and I was flattered by this mark of her eagerness.  We went to my rooms, and I ordered the confectioner to get me a choice supper by midnight.  We had six hours before us, but the reader will excuse my describing the manner in which they were spent.  The opening was made with the usual fracture, which Irene bore with a smile, for she was naturally voluptuous.  We got up at midnight, pleasantly surprised to find ourselves famishing with hunger, and a delicious supper waiting for us.

Irene told me that her father had taught her to deal in such a manner that she could not lose.  I was curious to see how it was done, and on my giving her a pack of cards she proceeded to distract my attention by talking to me, and in a few minutes the thing was done.  I gave her the hundred sequins I had promised her, and told her to go on with her play.