Volume III Part 19 (2/2)
”She is a Venetian whose husband died recently; I knew her when I was a lad, and it was six years since I had seen her last”
”You were agreeably surprised, then, to see your daughter?” said Esther
”Why do you think the child is hter? Madame Trenti wasAnd how about your falling asleep yesterday when you were supping with M Pels?”
”It was no wonder that I went asleep, as I had not closed an eye the night before”
”I aood sleep, for I have always to wait long hours before sleep co refreshed, I feel heavy and languid fro to one in who the story of her life, and I proht after”
”There is no such person for me”
”No, because you have as yet only seen fourteen summers; but afterwards there will be someone”
”Maybe, but what I want just now is books, and the help of so”
”That would be an easy matter for anyone who knew your tastes”
”I like history and travels, but for a book to please htest suspicion of its veracity”
”Now I think I may venture to offer my services, and if you will accept theive satisfaction”
”I accept your offer, and shall keep you to your word”
”You need not be afraid of ue I will prove that I aan to rally ue, where I should see Madaain Her freedom, mirth, and extrehed heartily at the war his charot into a well-appointed sleigh and we set out for his small house, where she told me I should find Mdlle Casanova and her betrothed
”Nevertheless,” said I, ”you will continue to be my only attraction”
She made no answer, but it was easy to perceive that one some distancethe lovers, who had coot down, and after taking off our furs we entered the house I gazed at the young gentleman, who looked at me a moment in return and then whispered in Mdlle Casanova's ear
She s to Esther Esther stepped up to her father and said a feords to hih at once They all looked at me and I felt certain that I was somehow the point of the joke, but I put on an indifferent air
”There may be a mistake,” said M d'O----; ”at any rate we should ascertain the truth of the matter”
”M Casanova, had you any adventures on your journey froain at the young gentle about
”No adventure to speak of,” I answered, ”except a e turn upside down into the ditch, and who I think is present now”
At these words the laughter broke out afresh, and the gentleiven the true account of the adventure his ht to have fought Esther observed that he had shewnto reason, and M d'O---- said he was strongly of his daughter's opinion; however, Mdlle Casanova, after airing her high-flown ideas, began to sulk with her lover
To restore the general aily, ”Come, come, let us put on our skates, and try the Ao forthwith the ice will have h I would gladly have done so! but ill not love do! M