Volume I Part 11 (1/2)
Whenever I caught anyone it always turned out to be Nanette or Marton, who at once discovered theo! Love and prejudice blinded me, I could not see how ridiculous I ith my respectful reserve I had not yet read the anecdotes of Louis XIII, king of France, but I had read Boccacio I kept on seeking in vain, reproaching her with her cruelty, and entreating her to let me catch her; but she would only answer that the difficulty of e, and I was enraged at my want of success
Tired and still more vexed, I sat down, and for the next hour I told the history of Roger, when Angelica disappears through the power of the iven her:
'Cosi dicendo, intorno a la fortuna Brancolando n'andava come cieco
O quante volte abbraccio l'aria vana Speyando la donzella abbracciar seco'
Angela had not read Ariosto, but Nanette had done so several tielica, and blaer, who, if he had been wise, would never have trusted the ring to a coquette I was delighted with Nanette, but I was yet too much of a novice to apply her remarks to myself
Only one more hour remained, and I was to leave before the break of day, for Madaive way to the te that hour I spoke to Angela, trying to convince her that she ought to coradation of hope and despair, and the reader cannot possibly realize it unless he has been placed in a siuments; then I had recourse to prayers, and even to tears; but, seeing all was useless, I gave way to that feeling of noble indignation which lends dignity to anger Had I not been in the dark, I ht, I truly believe, have struck the proud irl, who had thus for five hours conde I poured out all the abuse, all the insulting words that despised love can suggest to an infuriated mind; I loaded her with the deepest curses; I swore that my love had entirely turned into hatred, and, as a finale, I advised her to be careful, as I would kill her the moment I would set my eyes on her
My invectives came to an end with the darkness At the first break of day, and as soon as I heard the noise made by the bolt and the key of the street door, which Madaht seek in the church the repose of which her pious soul was in need, I got myself ready and looked for my cloak and for my hat But how can I ever portray the consternation in which I was throhen, casting a sly glance upon the young friends, I found the three bathed in tears!
Insuicide, and sitting down again, I recollectedwantonly caused the; at last tears ca which relieved me Nanette then remarked that her aunt would soon return hoela or at her friends, I ran aithout uttering a word, and threw myself on my bed, where sleep would not visitthe change into unburden my heart, I told hih at ed to console e He was in the same predica way to his rief, eat with increased appetite; I had gone without ht before; he complimented me upon my happy constitution
I was determined never to visit Madau of e had only an abstract idea, could only exist abstractedly, and I was right; but it was a very easy task to give to ed to recant A few days afterwards I went to Padua, where I took ree of doctor 'utroque jure'
When I returned to Venice, I received a note from M Rosa, who entreated me to call upon Mada certain of not raceful sisters were so kind, so pleasant, that they scattered to the winds the shaht I had passed in their roomy examination were of course sufficient excuses for Mada reave ela, the contents of which ran as follows:
”If you are not afraid of passing another night with me you shall have no reason to complain of me, for I love you, and I wish to hear from your own lips whether you would still have loved me if I had consented to become contemptible in your eyes”
This is the letter of Nanette, who alone had her wits about her:
”M Rosa having undertaken to bring you back to our house, I prepare these few lines to let you know that Angela is in despair at having lost you I confess that the night you spent with us was a cruel one, but I do not think that you did rightly in giving up your visits to Madaela, I advise you to take your chances once ht; she may vindicate herself, and you will be happy Believe me; coratification, for I had it in ela the coldest conte Sunday I went to Madaue and a couple of bottles of Cyprus wine; but to reat surprise my cruel mistress was not there Nanette told , and that she would not be able to co to that promise I declined Madam Orio's invitation, and before the family sat down to supper I left the room as I had done on the fored to represent the character I had prepared ela, even if she should prove less cruel, would only grant nificant favours, I despised theed
After waiting three quarters of an hour the street door was locked, and a moment later Nanette and Marton entered the rooela?” I enquired
”She e Yet she knows you are here”
”She thinks she has made a fool of me; but I suspected she would act in this way You know her now She is trifling within her triumph She has made use of you to allure me in the snare, and it is all the better for her; had she cohed at her”
”Ah! you must allow me to have my doubts as to that”
”Doubtto spend without her must convince you”
”That is to say that, as a man of sense, you can accept us as a makeshi+ft; but you can sleep here, and my sister can lie with me on the sofa in the next rooreat unkindness on your part At all events, I do not intend to go to bed”
”What! you would have the courage to spend seven hours alone with us?
Why, I am certain that in a short time you will be at a loss what to say, and you will fall asleep”
”Well, we shall see In the mean-time here are provisions You will not be so cruel as to let et any bread?”