Volume IV Part 34 (1/2)

Then the eating began and there was noThe polenta was excellent, the chops delicious, and the ham perfect, and in less than an hour the board was as bare as if there had been nothing on it; but the Orvieto kept the coan to talk of the lottery which was to be drawn the day after next, and all the girls mentioned the numbers on which they had risked a few bajocchi

”If I could be sure of one nu on it”

Mariuccia told hed at this offer, but in the gravest way she named me the number 27

”Is the lottery still open?” I asked the Abbe Moht,” he replied, ”and if you like I will go and get the number for you”

”Here are fifty crowns,” said I, ”put twenty-five crowns on 27-this for these five young ladies; and the other twenty-five on 27 co out the fifth number, and this I will keep for myself”

He went out directly and returned with the two tickets

My pretty neighbour thanked , but that she did not think I should succeed as it was not probable that 27 would come out fifth

”I a lady I saw in this house” This h Moiven the money to the poor, but her husband told her to be quiet, as she did not know hed, and told”I do, sometimes,” said I, ”but we shall see how it turns out, and when one plays one is obliged either to win or lose”

I hbour's hand, and she returned the pressure with all her strength From that time I knew that ht, begging the worthy Moht rejoice together over our gains On our way home my brother said I had either becoone mad I told him that both suppositions were incorrect, but that Mariuccia was as handsos returned to Rome, and I supped with hily sister, who for all that, was a good and talented woman She had fallen deeply in love with my brother, and it was easy to see that the flauished, but whenever she spoke to hiet an opportunity, he looked another way

She was an exquisite painter ofa likeness To the best ofat Rome with Maroni her husband She often used to speak of my brother to me, and one day she said that he must be the most thankless of h to enquire what claiood and pretty woman, attentive to her household duties and very subh she could not have loved hi but amiable He was obstinate and fierce in his manner, and when he dined at ho the table before he was drunk; out of his own house he was te but water His wife carried her obedience so far as to serve as his ures he painted I spoke to her one day about this unpleasant obligation, and she said that her confessor had charged her to fulfil it, ”for,” said he, ”if your husband has another wo her, and that sin would be laid to your charge”

After supper, Winckeluests, played with Mengs's children There was nothing of the pedant about this philosopher; he loved children and young people, and his cheerful disposition ht in all kinds of enjoy to pay my court to the Pope, I saw Momolo in the first ante-chamber, and I took care to re

As soon as the Pope saw me, he said,--

”The Venetian ambassador has informed us that if you wish to return to your native land, you o and present yourself before the secretary of the Tribunal”

”Most Holy Father, I arant me a letter of commendation written with your own hand

Without this powerful protection I should never dreaain shut up in a place frohty”

”You are gaily dressed; you do not look as if you were going to church”

”True,to a ball”

”We have heard all about the presents being sent back Confess that you did so to gratify your pride”

”Yes, but also to lower a pride greater than mine”

The Pope sed him to permit me to present the voluave e, ”Rise; your request is granted”