“The only reason which prevents me from choosing one of the two other arrangements proposed by you, either of which would have suited me better because they greatly honour me, is, allow me to repeat it, a fear of being the victim of a mystification; but these modes of meeting will not be lost when you know me and when I have seen you.  I entreat you to have faith in my honour, and to measure my patience by your own.  Tomorrow, at the same place and at the same hour, I shall be anxiously expecting your answer.”

I went to the place appointed, and having met the female Mercury I gave her my letter with a sequin, and I told her that I would come the next day for the answer.  We were both punctual.  As soon as she saw me, she handed me back the sequin which I had given her the day before, and a letter, requesting me to read it and to let her know whether she was to wait for an answer.  Here is the exact copy of the letter: 

“I believe, sir, that I have not been mistaken in anything.  Like you, I detest untruth when it can lead to important consequences, but I think it a mere trifle when it can do no injury to anyone.  Of my three proposals you have chosen the one which does the greatest honour to your intelligence, and, respecting the reasons which induce you to keep your incognito, I have written the enclosed to the Countess of S——­, which I request you to read.  Be kind enough to seal it before delivery of it to her.  You may call upon her whenever convenient to yourself.  She will name her own hour, and you will accompany her here in her gondola.  The countess will not ask you any questions, and you need not give her any explanation.  There will be no presentation; but as you will be made acquainted with my name, you can afterwards call on me here, masked, whenever you please, and by using the name of the countess.  In that way we shall become acquainted without the necessity of disturbing you, or of your losing at night some hours which may be precious to you.  I have instructed my servant to wait for your answer in case you should be known to the countess and object to her.  If you approve of the choice I have made of her, tell the messenger that there is no answer.”

As I was an entire stranger to the countess, I told the woman that I had no answer to give, and she left me.

Here are the contents of the note addressed by the nun to the countess, and which I had to deliver to her: 

“I beg of you, my dear friend, to pay me a visit when you are at leisure, and to let the masked gentleman-bearer of this note know the hour, so that he can accompany you.  He will be punctual.  Farewell.  You will much oblige your friend.”

That letter seemed to me informed by a sublime spirit of intrigue; there was in it an appearance of dignity which captivated me, although I felt conscious that I was playing the character of a man on whom a favour seemed to be bestowed.