Volume IV Part 39 (1/2)
”You make a mistake, I am sure”
The pictures hich the closet where we breakfasted was adorned were adn than from the amorous combats they represented
”They don't make any impression on me,” said the duke, and he shewed us that it was so
Leonilda looked away, and I felt shocked, but concealed s
”I am in the same state as you,” said I, ”but I will not take the trouble of convincing you”
”That can't be,” said he; and passing his hand rapidly over ,” he cried; ”you must be as impotent as I alance into Leonilda's eyes would be enough”
”Look at him, dearest Leonilda, that I may be convinced”
Leonilda looked tenderly at lance produced the result I had expected
”Give me your hand,” said I, to the poor duke, and he did so
”I was in the wrong,” he exclai object to light I resisted He persisted in his endeavours, and I determined to play on him a trick I took Leonilda's hand and pressed ht he had triuhter He laughed too, and went to get a napkin
The girl could see nothing of all this, as it went on under the table; and whilelips rested on her hand, led This close contact had enabled me to baptise the duke, but when she took in the joke we htful breakfast, though we passed certain bounds which decency ought to have proscribed to us, but Leonilda onderfully innocent considering her position We ended the scene bylips from Leonilda's I felt consumed with a fire which I could not conceal
When we left I told the duke that I would see histhat I would ive her a dower of five thousand ducats
”Speak to her, and if she consents I will not oppose it She herself will tell you what property she has”
I then went to dress for dinner I found the duchess in the e circle, and she told me kindly that she was very sorry to hear of s, but I don't complain of my loss--nay, when you speak thus I love it, and I even think that you will ”
”I hope so, but I aainst Monte Leone, who is usually very lucky”
In considering the matter after dinner, I determined for the future to play with ready money and not on my word of honour, lest I should at any time be carried away by the excitement of play and induced to stake ht have his doubts after the two heavy losses I had sustained, and I confess that I was also actuated by the gae of any kind one changes the luck
I spent four hours at the theatre in Leonilda's box, where I found herthan I had seen her before
”Dear Leonilda,” I said, ”the love I feel for you will suffer no delay and no rivals, not even the slightest inconstancy I have told the duke that I aive you a dower of five thousand ducats”