Volume III Part 47 (1/2)
”Is the count right,” said she, pleasantly, ”in attributing such power to me?”
”I think so, indeed,” I answered, ”but heyou care to exercise it”
”Very good! We must catch him, then, if only as the punishment of his indiscretion Stay”
I was so astonished at this speech that I looked quite foolish and had to collect ht the word indiscretion subli ad hiht it would be aon an expression of resignation and gratitude I lowered my lips and kissed her hand with a mixture of respect and sentis for her, let her know that they ht be softened without much difficulty
”Then you will stay, sir! It is really very kind of you, for if you went off to-ht say that you only caives a ball, and I hope you will be one of the party”
”Can I hope to dance with you all the evening?”
”I proet tired of h all the ball”
”Where did you get that pomade which perfumes the air? I smelt it as soon as you came into the box”
”It came from Florence, and if you do not like it you shall not be troubled with it any more”
”Oh! but I do like it I should like some of it myself”
”And I shall be only too happy if you will permit me to send you a little to-morrow”
Just then the door of the box opened and the entrance of the general prevented her fro, when the count said:
”I am sure madame has prevailed on you to stay, and to come to my ball and supper to-morrow?”
”She has led me to anticipate that you would do me that honour, and she promises to dance the quadrilles with me How can one resist entreaty froed to her for having kept you with us I hope to see you to-morrow”
I went out of the box in love, and almost happy in anticipation The pomade was a present from Esther, and it was the first time I had used it The box contained twenty-four pots of beautiful china The next day I put twelve into an elegant casket, which I wrapped up in oil-cloth and sent to her without a note
I spent the uide; I visited all the hed with all , ridden by the four sons of Aimon, or Amone, father of Bradamante the Invincible, and Ricciardetto the Fortunate
I dined with M de Castries, and everybody was surprised that the general had asked me himself to the ball, as his jealousy was knohile the lady was supposed only to suffer his attentions through a feeling of vanity The dear general ell advanced in years, far fro, and as his mental qualities by no means compensated for his lack of physical ones he was by no means an object to inspire love
In spite of his jealousy, he had to appear pleased that I sat next the fair at supper, and that I spent the night in dancing with her or talking to her It was a happy night forCologne In a moment of ecstasy, emboldened by the turn the conversation had taken, I had dared to tell her that if she would ne till the end of the carnival ”And ould you say,” she asked, ”if I give my promise, and do not keep it?”
”I should be you; I should say to myself that you had found it iood; you must stay with us”
The day after the ball I went to pay her my first visit She made me welcoh neither young nor handsoood-hearted After I had been there an hour, we heard the general's carriage co, and she said toto the Elector's ball at Bonn, say yes!”
The general came in, and after the usual compliments had been passed I withdrew