When it is a question of an affair of the heart, of the passions, or of pleasure, a woman’s fancy moves much faster than a man’s.  When Zenobia knew that these dresses were meant for three beautiful women, whom I wished to make a centre of attraction to the whole assembly, she improved on my cuts and slashes, and arranged the rents in such a manner that they would inspire passion without wounding modesty.  The dresses were slashed especially at the breast, the shoulders, and the sleeves; so that the lace shift could be seen, and in its turn the shift was cut open here and there, and the sleeves were so arranged that half the arms could be seen.  I saw sure that she understood what I wanted, and that she would keep her husband right; and I left them, encouraging them to work their best and quickest.  But I looked in three or four times in the day, and was more satisfied every time with my idea and their execution.

The work was not finished till the Saturday afternoon.  I gave the tailor six sequins and dismissed him, but I kept Zenobia to attend on the ladies.  I took care to place powder, pomade, combs, pins, and everything that a lady needs, on the table, not forgetting ribbons and pack-thread.

The next day I found play going on in a very spirited manner, but the two cousins were not at the tables, so I went after them.  They told me they had given up playing as Barbaro always won.

“You have been losing, then?”

“Yes, but my brother has won something,” said the amiable Q——.

“I hope luck will declare itself on your side also.”

“No, we are not lucky.”

When their aunt left the room, they asked me if the lieutenant had told me that a lady friend of theirs was coming to the ball with them.

“I know all,” I answered, “and I hope you will enjoy yourselves, but you will not do so more than I. I want to speak to the gallant lieutenant to-morrow morning.”

“Tell us about our disguises.”

“You will be disguised in such a manner that nobody will recognize you.”

“But how shall we be dressed?”

“Very handsomely.”

“But what costume have you given us?”

“That is my secret, ladies.  However much I should like to please you, I shall say nothing till the time for you to dress comes round.  Don’t ask me anything more, as I have promised myself the enjoyment of your surprise.  I am very fond of dramatic situations.  You shall know all after supper.”

“Are we to have supper, then?”

“Certainly, if you would like it.  I am a great eater myself and I hope you will not let me eat alone.”

“Then we will have some supper to please you.  We will take care not to eat much dinner, so as to be able to vie with you in the evening.  The only thing I am sorry about,” added Mdlle.  Q——­, “is that you should be put to such expense.”

“It is a pleasure; and when I leave Milan I shall console myself with the thought that I have supped with the two handsomest ladies in the town.”