Volume II Part 44 (2/2)
”I have never seen either the square or the statue except in engravings; it is enough, however, and I will not fail Nothing but very stor to a rendezvous for which ”
”And if the weather were bad?”
”Then, dearest, there would be nothing lost; and you would coain in order to appoint another day”
I had no time to lose, for I had no casino I took a second rower so as to reach St Mark's Squarefor what I wanted When a races of the God Plutus, and is not crackbrained, he is pretty sure to succeed in everything: I had not to search very long before I found a casino suiting hbourhood of Venice, but, as a natural consequence, it was likewise the lish a Venice The owner let it to me until Easter for one hundred sequins, which I paid in advance on condition that he would hiht order
I had five roo seeood cheer The service of the dining-rooh a sha upon itself, and fitting theso exactly that -roolasses, crystal chandeliers, girandoles in gilt, bronze, and with a splendid pier-glass placed on a chimney of white marble; the walls were covered with s little Cupids and naked amorous couples in all sorts of positions, well calculated to excite the iant and very comfortable sofas were placed on every side Next to it was an octagonal roo, and the floor of which were entirely covered with splendid Venetian glass, arranged in such a manner as to reflect on all sides every position of the a the pleasures of love Close by was a beautiful alcove with two secret outlets; on the right, an elegant dressing-rooed by the mother of Love, with a bath in Carrara marble Everywhere the wainscots were embossed in ormolu or painted with flowers and arabesques
After I had given my orders for all the chandeliers to be filled ax candles, and the finest linen to be provided wherever necessary, I ordered a ard to expense, and especially the most exquisite wines I then took possession of the key of the principal entrance, and warned the master that I did not want to be seen by anyone when I came in or went out
I observed with pleasure that the clock in the alcove had an alaru, in spite of love, to be easily influenced by the power of sleep
Everything being arranged according to my wishes, I went, as a careful and delicate lover, to purchase the finest slippers I could find, and a cap in Alencon point
I trust my reader does not think me too particular; let him recollect that I was to receive the most accomplished of the sultanas of the master of the universe, and I told that fourth Grace that I had a casino Was I to begin by giving her a bad idea of my truthfulness? At the appointed time, that is two hours after sunset, I repaired to ine the surprise of his honour the French cook, when he saw hted-up as I had ordered, I scolded hi him notice that I did not like to repeat an order
”I shall not fail; sir, another time, to execute your commands”
”Let the supper be served”
”Your honour ordered it for two”
”Yes, for two; and, this ti ood or bad”
The supper caood order, two dishes at a tune I passed so was excellent: game, fish, oysters, truffles, wine, dessert, and the whole served in very fine Dresden china and silver-gilt plate
I told his, anchovies, and prepared vinegar to dress a salad He lifted his eyes towards heaven, as if to plead guilty, to a very heinous cri which I must certainly have won the ad me the bill He presented it to me shortly afterwards, and I found it reasonable I then dismissed him, and lay down in the splendid bed in the alcove; ht on very soon the undy and the Chaht that the following night would see me in the same place, and in possession of a lovely divinity It was broad day-light when I awoke, and after ordering the finest fruit and so I left the casino In order to shorten a day which , I went to the faro-table, and I saith pleasure that I was as great a favourite with fortune as with love Everything proceeded according tomy happy success to the influence ofone hour before the tiht was cold I did not feel it Precisely as the hour struck I sao-oared gondola reach the shore and a ondolier, and take the direction of the statue My heart was beating quickly, but seeing that it was a htround the statue, cael, as a ent towards St Mark's Square, and reached my casino, which was only one hundred yards froood order; ent upstairs and I threw off ht in walking about the roo place in which she was received Highly gratified to see race of her person, she wanted enerosity of her lover She was surprised at the alh she remained motionless, shewed her lovely person in a thousand different lasses, and the nuht a spectacle entirely new to her, and fro down on a stool I conteant person with rapture A coat of rosy velvet, eles, a vest to match, embroidered likewise in the richest fashi+on, breeches of black satin, diaer, and on the other hand a ring: such was her toilet Her black lace mask was ren To enable me to see her better she stood before old snuff-box, a sweetlass, handkerchiefs of the finest cambric, soaked rather than perfumed with the most precious essences I examined attentively the richness and the workmanshi+p of her tatches, of her chains, of her trinkets, brilliant with dialish weapon of fine steel, and of the el, is not worthy of you; yet I cannot refrain froht al ants to convince you that you are truly his mistress”
”That is what he said when I asked hi me to Venice, and to leave me 'Amuse yourself,' he said, 'and I hope that theto make happy will convince you that he is worthy of it'”
”He is indeed an extraordinary man, and I do not think there is another like hi; and I feel that I could not be like him, as deeply as I fear to be unworthy of a happiness which dazzles me”
”Allow me to leave you, and to take off these clothes alone”
”Do anything you please”
A quarter of an hour afterwards my mistress came back to me Her hair was dressed like a man's; the front locks came down her cheeks, and the black hair, fastened with a knot of blue ribbon, reached the bend of her legs; her for cut in the French style, prevented the illusion froht, and I could not realize my happiness
”No, adorable woman,” I exclaimed, ”you are not made for a mortal, and I do not believe that you will ever beyou some miracle rest you from my arms Your divine spouse, perhaps, jealous of a simple mortal, will annihilate all er exist”