Volume II Part 57 (1/2)
Towards the end of April I saw M M at the grating, looking thin and er I therefore returned to Venice In s tomyself in such wise that she could not possibly detect the change which a new love had worked in my heart I shall be, I trust, easily believed when I say that I was not iiven up the idea of escaping with her, upon which she counted ain, if I took this hope away from her I kept my casino, which cost me little, and as I went to see M M twice a week I slept there on those occasions, andkeptwith thehelini to the parlour of the Vierges to see the taking of the veil
The Convent of the Vierges is within the jurisdiction of the Doge, who to the first fa the beauty of Mother M---- E---- to Dr Righelini, he whispered to et her me for a money payment, if I were curious in the o-betas the price fixed on He assuredmy surprise, he added that there was not a nun who for her: that Murray had the courage to disburse five hundred sequins for a nun of Muran--a rare beauty, as afterwards the h my passion for M---- M---- was on the wane, I felt reatest difficulty that I , I took the story for an atrocious calumny, but yet theit to light at the earliest opportunity I therefore replied to Righelini in the calht be had for money, but that it could happen very rarely on account of the difficulties in most convents
”As for the nun of Muran, justly famous for her beauty, if she be M---- M----, nun of the convent, I not only disbelieve that Murray ever had her, but I am sure she was never the French ambassador's rating, where I really cannot say what happens”
Righelini, as an honourable and spirited lish ambassador was a man of his word, and that he had the story from his own lips
”If Mr Murray,” he continued, ”had not told it me under the seal of secrecy I would ed if you will take care that he never knows I told you of it”
”Youat Murray's casino with Righelini, having thebeforeto an to speak with enthusiases
Here the a the ball on the hop:
”Between friends,” said he, ”you can get yourself the enjoy to sacrifice a sum of money--not too much, either, but you must have the key”
”Do you think you have it?”
”No, I aht suppose”
”If you are sure; I congratulate you, and doubt no more I envy your fortune, for I don't believe a more perfect beauty could be found in all the convents of Venice”
”There you are wrong Mother M---- M----, at---- in Muran, is certainly handsomer”
”I have heard her talked of and I have seen her once, but I do not think it possible that she can be procured for , ”and when I think I ood reasons”
”You surpriseyou are deceived”
”You would lose As you have only seen her once, I suppose you would not recognize her portrait?”
”I should, indeed, as her face left a strong iot up from the table, went out, and returned a ht or ten miniatures, all in the same style, namely, with hair in disorder and bare necks
”These,” said I, ”are rare charms, hich you have doubtless a near acquaintance?”
”Yes, and if you recognize any of them be discreet”
”You need not be afraid Here are three I recognize, and this looks like M---- M----; but confess that you may have been deceived--at least, that you did not have her in the convent or here, for there are women like her”
”Why do you think I have been deceived? I have had her here in her religious habit, and I have spent a whole night with her; and it was to her individually that I sent a purse containing five hundred sequins I gave fifty to the good procurer”
”You have, I suppose, visited her in the parlour, after having her here?”