Volume IV Part 86 (2/2)
As I took leave of her father, he askedMilan
”To Marseilles, then to Paris, and then to London, at which place I intend stopping a year”
”Your flight from The Leads onderfully lucky”
”Yes, but I risked ood fortune”
”Do you think so? I have only used my fortune--in subservience to ular mistress:”
”The reason is, that I like to be my own master A mistress at my coat-tails would be more troublesome than a wife; she would be an obstacle to the numerous pleasant adventures I encounter at every town For example, if I had aIrene to the ball to-h my wisdo I went to the opera, and should no doubt have gone to the card-table if I had not seen Cesarino in the pit I spent two delightful hours with hied et her consent to his going to sea, for which he had a great longing He said that heAfter a temperate supper withofficer, the Marchioness of Q----'s brother, caive him a breakfast He said he had communicated my proposal to his sister, and that she had replied that Ia fool of him, as it was not likely that a
”I did not tell you that I aspired to the honour ofaboutat”
”I ood idea; principals are always the best in these affairs
Coot to speak to her cousin you will be at liberty to say what you like”
This arrangement suited me exactly I noticed that ht-table, so I begged him to accept it as a souvenir of our friendshi+p He e he would keep it till his dying day
”You mean till the day when it advances your suit with a lady,” said I
I was sure of having a good supper with Irene, so I resolved to take no dinner As the count had gone to St Angelo, fifteen ed to wait on the countess in her roo her to excuse my presence at dinner She was very polite, and told me by noto i so successfully
In my character of dupe I told her that in Lent I wouldmy court to her ”Happily,” I added, ”Lent is not far off”
”I hope it will be so,” said the deceitful wo smile, of which only a woman with poison in her heart is capable With these words she took a pinch of snuff, and offered me her box
”But what is this, my dear countess, it isn't snuff?”
”No,” she replied, ”itfor the head-ache”
I was sorry that I had taken it, but said with a laugh, that I had not got a head-ache, and did not like my nose to bleed
”It won't bleed much,” said she, with a smile, ”and it is really beneficial”
As she spoke, we both began to sneeze, and I should have felt very angry if I had not seen her s powders, I did not think we should bleed, but I was mistaken Directly after, I felt a drop of blood, and she took a silver basin froht-table