The letter of C——­ C——­ inspired me with the deepest esteem for her, but it caused me great anxiety, because, although I felt every confidence in my dear little wife, the small crack in the wall might expose M——­ M——­ and myself to the inquisitive looks of other persons.  Besides, I found myself compelled to deceive that amiable, trusting friend, and to tell a falsehood, for delicacy and honour forbade me to tell her the truth.  I wrote to her immediately that her friendship for M——­ M——­ made it her duty to warn her friend at once that she had seen her in the parlour with a masked gentleman.  I added that, having heard a great deal of M——­ M——­’s merit, and wishing to make her acquaintance, I had called on her under an assumed name; that I entreated her not to tell her friend who I was, but she might say that she had recognized in me the gentleman who attended their church.  I assured her with barefaced impudence that there was no love between M——­ M——­ and me, but without concealing that I thought her a superior woman.

On St. Catherine’s Day, the patroness of my dear C——­ C——­, I bethought myself of affording that lovely prisoner the pleasure of seeing me.  As I was leaving the church after mass, and just as I was going to take a gondola, I observed that a man was following me.  It looked suspicious, and I determined to ascertain whether I was right.  The man took a gondola and followed mine.  It might have been purely accidental; but, keeping on my guard for fear of surprise, I alighted in Venice at the Morosini Palace; the fellow alighted at the same place; his intentions were evident.  I left the palace, and turning towards the Flanders Gate I stopped in a narrow street, took my knife in my hand, waited for the spy, seized him by the collar, and pushing him against the wall with the knife at his throat I commanded him to tell me what business he had with me.  Trembling all over he would have confessed everything, but unluckily someone entered the street.  The spy escaped and I was no wiser, but I had no doubt that for the future that fellow at least would keep at a respectful distance.  It shewed me how easy it would be for an obstinate spy to discover my identity, and I made up my mind never to go to Muran but with a mask, or at night.

The next day I had to see my beautiful nun in order to ascertain which day she would sup with me in Venice, and I went early to the convent.  She did not keep me waiting, and her face was radiant with joy.  She complimented me upon my having resumed my attendance at their church; all the nuns had been delighted to see me again after an absence of three weeks.

“The abbess,” she said, “told me how glad she was to see you, and that she was certain to find out who you are.”

I then related to her the adventure of the spy, and we both thought that it was most likely the means taken by the sainted woman to gratify her curiosity about me.

“I have resolved not to attend your church any more.”