Volume II Part 59 (2/2)

But when I said so about it to the hussy, she told me they were allowed to keep their hair under their caps, and I eak enough to believe her”

I knew that on this particular Murray had not been deceived, but I did not feel compelled to tell hiiven me in my hand, and compared it with the face before me In the portrait the breast was bare, and as I was re that painters did those parts as best they could, the impudent wench seized the opportunity to shew me that the miniature was faithful to nature I turned my back upon her with an expression of contempt which would have mortified her, if these creatures were ever capable of sha at the axio are equal to one another, for the miniature was like M M and like the courtezan, and yet the toreed with me, and we spent an hour in a philosophical discussion on the matter As the false M M was nareed with her profession, and how the knave had induced her to play the part she had taken; and she told us the following story:

”I have known Count Capsucefalo for two years, and have found hiiven h the people he has introduced to me About the end of last autumn he came to me one day, and said that if I could et lishman, I should be the better by five hundred sequins 'You need not be afraid of anything,' said he, 'as I myself will take you to the casino where the dupe will be awaiting you, and I will coinary convent towards the end of the night He shewed me how I must behave, and told me what to reply if my lover asked any questions about the discipline of the convent

”I liked the plot, gentlemen, and I told him I was ready to carry it out And be pleased to consider that there are not many woetting five hundred sequins Finding the schereeable and profitable, I proain was struck, and he gave ue He told lishht have had; that on the latter point I was to cut hih that I did not knohat he was talking about, and even to tell him that I was a nun in appearance only, and that in the course of toying I ht let him see my hair 'That,' said Capsucefalo, 'won't prevent hi you a nun--yes! and the very nun he is amorous of, for he will have made up histhe point of the jest, I did not take the trouble to find out the name of the nun I was to represent, nor the convent whence I was to co in my head was the five hundred sequins

So little have I troubled about aught else that, though I passed a delicious night with you, and found you rather worthy of being paid for than paying, I have not ascertained who and what you are, and I don't know at this ht I had; I have told you it was delicious, and I was happy in the idea that I was going to have another You have found everything out I a, since I can put on any disguise I like, and can't preventme for a saint if they like to do so

You have found weapons in my possession, but everyone is allowed to bear aruilty on all counts”

”Do you knowunder e”

The way in which the woman told her yarn convinced us that she was an adept in the science of prostitution, but we thought Capsucefalo, in spite of the count, worthy of the pillory The girl was about ten years older than M M, she was pretty, but light-complexioned, while my beautiful nun had fine dark brown hair and was at least three inches taller

After twelve o'clock we sat down to supper, and did honour to the excellent meal which h to leave the poor wretch without offering her so ht it our duty

While ere talking, the jolly Englisherness to convince him that he had not enjoyed M M's favours

”I can't believe,” said he, ”that you have shewn soin love with the divine nun”

I answered by saying that if I were her lover I was o to the parlour, and no farther

”I would gladly give a hundred guineas aher at the grating”

So saying he gaveme on my success, and I slipped them forthwith intowe heard a soft knock on the street door

”Here is our friend,” I said, ”be discreet, and you will see that he will make a full confession”

He came in and saw Murray and the lady, but did not discover that a third party was present till he heard the ante-roo locked

He turned round and sawcountenance:

”Ah, you are here; you know, of course, that the secret hed and calmly asked him to be seated, and he enquired, with the lady's pistols in his hands, where he was going to take her before day-break

”Home”

”I think you may be mistaken, as it is very possible that when you leave this place you will both of you be provided with a bed in prison”

”No, I a would h would not be on your side Come,” said he to his mate, ”put on your cloak and let us be off”