Volume IV Part 30 (1/2)
Her destiny was a strange one; it depended on the liking I had taken to her and e, for it lay in my power to have married the handsomest woman in France, and in that case it is not likely that she would have becoe whim could have madeto Paris; for even if there were such a science as astrology I was no astrologer; in fine, her destiny depended on my absurd fancy And in history, what a number of extraordinary events would never have happened if they had not been predicted!
In the evening I went to the theatre, and found irls looked attaken; while the proud favourite caressed me with an air of triu I found a good supper awaiting e brazier on the hearth, and a wars her daughter had bought, and coot any clothes for her brother Iher a few louis
When I went to bed I did not find my mistress in any amorous transports, but in a wanton and h, and as she let ave her a watch when I left her, and proht She was to have danced the pas de deux, and I went to see her do it, but to irls
When I went to supper I found her in despair She wept and said that Ithe fault on so to quiet her, and after spending several hours in her coive the Jew a bad quarter of an hour NextI sent Costa to ask him to call on , and if the Corticelli did not like his theatre she nant, but I knew that I hed
Nevertheless, I had pronounced his dooe himself on his enemy; he knows it is the pleasure of the Gods
As soon as Costa had left the roo that if I did not take vengeance I should be dishonoured, and that it was only he who could procure the scoundrel a good thrashi+ng for daring to insult me
”But you know, Le Duc, the affair must be kept secret”
”I only want twenty-four hours to give you an answer”
I knehat heLe Duc toldthe Jew's abode and habits, without asking anybody any questions
”To-day I will not let hiht I shall find out at what hour he returns home, and to-morrow you shall know the results”
”Be discreet,” said I, ”and don't let anybody into your plans”
”Not I!”
Next day, he told me that if the Jew came home at the same time and by the saot to bed
”Whom have you chosen for this expedition?”
”Myself These affairs ought to be kept secret, and a secret oughtn't to be known towill turn out well, but when you are satisfied that the ass's hide has been well tanned, will there be anything to be picked up?”
”Twenty-five sequins”
”That will do nicely When I have done the trick I shall put on ain and return by the back door If necessary Costa himself will be able to swear that I did not leave the house, and that therefore I cannot have committed the assault However, I shall put my pistols in my pocket in case of accidents, and if anybody tries to arresthe ca-gown, and ere alone he said,--
”The thing's done Instead of the Jew's running ahen he received the first blow he threw hiround Then I tanned his skin for hi up I ran off I don't knohether I did for hiave him two sturdy blows on the head
I should be sorry if he were killed, as then he could not see about the dance”
This jest did not arouse my mirth; the matter promised to be too serious
Therese had asked me to dine with the Abbe Gama and M Sassi, a worthy man, if onewhom cruelty has separated from the rest of humanity; he was the first castrato of the opera Of course the Jew's mishap was discussed
”I ah he is a rascally fellow”
”I am not at all sorry for him myself,” said Sassi, ”he's a knave”