Feeling more at ease I gave six sequins to Laura, one to each of her daughters, and ate something for my supper:  I then laid myself down on one of the wretched beds in the room.  As soon as the two younger sisters saw me in bed, they undressed themselves without ceremony, and took possession of the second bed which was close by mine.  Their innocent confidence pleased me.  The eldest sister, who most likely had more practical experience, retired to the adjoining room; she had a lover to whom she was soon to be married.  This time, however, I was not possessed with the evil spirit of concupiscence, and I allowed innocence to sleep peacefully without attempting anything against it.

Early the next morning Laura was the bearer of good news.  She came in with a cheerful air to announce that the beloved patient had slept well, and that she was going back soon to give her some soup.  I felt an almost maddening joy in listening to her, and I thought the oracle of AEsculapius a thousand times more reliable than that of Apollo.  But it was not yet time to exult in our victory, for my poor little friend had to recover her strength and to make up for all the blood she had lost; that could be done only by time and careful nursing.  I remained another week at Laura’s house, which I left only after my dear C——­ C——­ had requested me to do so in a letter of four pages.  Laura, when I left, wept for joy in seeing herself rewarded by the gift of all the fine linen I had bought for my C——­ C——­, and her daughters were weeping likewise, most probably because, during the ten days I had spent near them, they had not obtained a single kiss from me.

After my return to Venice, I resumed my usual habits; but with a nature like mine how could I possibly remain satisfied without positive love?  My only pleasure was to receive a letter from my dear recluse every Wednesday, who advised me to wait patiently rather than to attempt carrying her off.  Laura assured me that she had become more lovely than ever, and I longed to see her.  An opportunity of gratifying my wishes soon offered itself, and I did not allow it to escape.  There was to be a taking of the veil—­a ceremony which always attracts a large number of persons.  On those occasions the nuns always received a great many visitors, and I thought that the boarders were likely to be in the parlour on such an occasion.  I ran no risk of being remarked any more than any other person, for I would mingle with the crowd.  I therefore went without saying anything about it to Laura, and without acquainting my dear little wife of my intentions.  I thought I would fall, so great was my emotion, when I saw her within four yards from me, and looking at me as if she had been in an ecstatic state.  I thought her taller and more womanly, and she certainly seemed to me more beautiful than before.  I saw no one but her; she never took her eyes off me, and I was the last to leave that place which on that day struck me as being the temple of happiness.