And he handed me his key, which I had not the courage to refuse.  After that he left us.  I went away myself a few minutes afterwards, having previously agreed with C——­ C——­ that we would go to the Zuecca Garden on the following day.

I was punctual, and love exciting me to the highest degree I foresaw what would happen on that day.  I had engaged a box at the opera, and we went to our garden until the evening.  As it was a holiday there were several small parties of friends sitting at various tables, and being unwilling to mix with other people we made up our minds to remain in the apartment which was given to us, and to go to the opera only towards the end of the performance.  I therefore ordered a good supper.  We had seven hours to spend together, and my charming young friend remarked that the time would certainly not seem long to us.  She threw off her disguise and sat on my knees, telling me that I had completed the conquest of her heart by my reserve towards her during the supper with her brother; but all our conversation was accompanied by kisses which, little by little, were becoming more and more ardent.

“Did you see,” she said to me, “what my brother did to Madame C——­ when she placed herself astride on his knees?  I only saw it in the looking-glass, but I could guess what it was.”

“Were you not afraid of my treating you in the same manner?”

“No, I can assure you.  How could I possibly fear such a thing, knowing how much you love me?  You would have humiliated me so deeply that I should no longer have loved you.  We will wait until we are married, will we not, dear?  You cannot realize the extent of the joy I felt when I heard you speak to my mother as you did!  We will love each other for ever.  But will you explain to me, dearest, the meaning of the words embroidered upon my garters?”

“Is there any motto upon them?  I was not aware of it.”

“Oh, yes! it is in French; pray read it.”

Seated on my knees, she took off one of her garters while I was unclasping the other, and here are the two lines which I found embroidered on them, and which I ought to have read before offering them to her: 

  ’En voyant chaque jour le bijou de ma belle,
   Vous lui direz qu’Amour veut qu’il lui soit fidele.’

Those verses, rather free I must confess, struck me as very comic.  I burst out laughing, and my mirth increased when, to please her, I had to translate their meaning.  As it was an idea entirely new to her, I found it necessary to enter into particulars which lighted an ardent fire in our veins.

“Now,” she observed, “I shall not dare to shew my garters to anybody, and I am very sorry for it.”

As I was rather thoughtful, she added,

“Tell me what you are thinking of?”

“I am thinking that those lucky garters have a privilege which perhaps I shall never enjoy.  How I wish myself in their place:  I may die of that wish, and die miserable.”