During our delightful supper wit was never wanting, and the amiable M——­ M——­ led the conversation to the romantic combination which had given her occasion to know me.  Naturally, she proceeded to speak of my passion for C——­ C——­, and she gave such an interesting description of that young girl that the ambassador listened with as much attention as if he had never seen the object of it.  But that was his part, for he was not aware that I had been informed of his having witnessed from his hiding-place my silly interview with C——­ C——.  He told M——­ M——­ that he would have been delighted if she had brought her young friend to sup with us.

“That would be running too great a risk,” answered the cunning nun, “but if you approve of it,” she added, looking at me, “I can make you sup with her at my casino, for we sleep in the same room.”

That offer surprised me much, but it was not the moment to shew it, so I replied: 

“It is impossible, madam, to add anything to the pleasure of your society, yet I confess I should be pleased if you could contrive to do us that great favour:” 

“Well, I will think of it.”

“But,” observed the ambassador, “if I am to be one of the party, I think it would be right to apprize the young lady of it.”

“It is not necessary, for I will write to her to agree to whatever madam may propose to her.  I will do so to-morrow.”

I begged the ambassador to prepare himself with a good stock of indulgence for a girl of fifteen who had no experience of the world.  In the course of the evening I related the history of O-Morphi, which greatly amused him.  He entreated me to let him see her portrait.  He informed me that she was still an inmate of the ‘Parc-aux-cerfs’, where she continued to be the delight of Louis XV., to whom she had given a child.  My guests left me after midnight, highly pleased, and I remained alone.

The next morning, faithful to the promise I had made to my beautiful nun, I wrote to C——­ C——­ without informing her that there would be a fourth person at the projected supper, and having given my note to Laura I repaired to Muran, where I found the following letter from M——­ M——­ : 

“I could not sleep soundly, my love, if I did not ease my conscience of an unpleasant weight.  Perhaps you did not approve of the ‘partie carree’ with our young friend, and you may not have objected out of mere politeness.  Tell me the truth, dearest, for, should you not look forward to that meeting with pleasure, I can contrive to undo it without implicating you in any way; trust me for that.  If, however, you have no objection to the party, it will take place as agreed.  Believe me, I love your soul more than your heart—­I mean than your person.  Adieu.”

Her fear was very natural, but out of shamefacedness I did not like to retract.  M——­ M——­ knew me well, and as a skilful tactician she attacked my weak side.

Here is my answer: