Volume IV Part 3 (2/2)
”Yes, if they are not imitation stones, for it seems to ot home Rose came by herself to attend on me, but she continued to sulk I tried to rouse her up, but as I had no success I ordered her to go and tell her father that I was going to give a ball next day in the rooarden, and that supper was to be laid for twenty
When the door-keeper ca, I told hiirls to dance if he didn't ood omen Just as she went out with her father, Manon ca entle as a la as a dove The affair was happily consuht by Rose, who ca that he would behave hilad that everybody should enjoy theot hiwith her to the ball two ladies of her acquaintance and their daughters I replied that I should be delighted for her to invite not only as entlemen as she pleased, as I had ordered supper for twenty people She ca busy dressing and her husband being engaged till the evening She assured uests
The fair Mdlle Ro Standing by ht about her horoscope
I took her hand, made her sit on my knee, and promised that she should have it on thebreasts withfiery kisses on her lips, which she only opened to beg me to calm myself She was h she defended herself successfully she did not lose countenance for a aze she did not turn her face away I calmed myself with an effort, and her eyes expressed the satisfaction of one who has vanquished a generous enemy by the force of reason By , in whose destiny I only had a part by one of those caprices of chance which philosophy seeks to explain in vain
Madame Morin cahter's horoscope She then told me that if I wanted to have four beauties at my ball she had only to write a couple of notes
”I shall only see one beauty,” said I, looking at her niece
”God alone knows,” said Valenglard, ”what people will say in Grenoble!”
”They will say it is your wedding ball,” said Madame Morin to her niece
”Yes, and they will doubtless talk of nificent dress, my lace, and my diamonds,” said the niece, pleasantly
”They will talk of your beauty, your wit, and your goodness,” I replied, passionately, ”goodness which will make your husband a happy ht I was alluding toof the sort I should have been glad to give five hundred louis for her, but I did not see how the contract was to be drawn up, and I was not going to throw my money away
We went toherself with looking at the jewellry on lard examined the books on the table byclosely at so she held in her hand I remembered I had left out the portrait of the fair nun I ran to her and begged her to give me the indecent picture I had so foolishly left about
”I don't mind the indecency of it,” she said, ”but what strikes , and I shuddered at the carelessness of which I had been guilty
”Madam,” I said, ”that is the portrait of a Venetian, lady, of whom I was very found”
”I daresay, but it's very curious These two M's, these cast-off robes sacrificed to love, everything reater”
”She is a nun and named M---- M----”
”And a Welsh niece of s to the same order Nay, et cured of an illness”
”And this portrait is like her?”
”As one drop of water is like another”
”If you go to Chamberi call on her and say you come from me; you will be welcome and you will be as much surprised as I am”
”I will do so, after I have been in Italy However, I will not shew her this portrait, which would scandalize her; I will put it away carefully”
”I beg you not to shew it to anyone”