Volume IV Part 105 (1/2)

”That is a very kindly compliment”

”Say, rather, a very true one”

”I am happy to hear you say so, but it would be both foolish and presumptuous for me to say so myself”

Thus we made merry on our way, above all at the expense of the canon, who had been begging the countess to intercede with ive him leave to absent himself half an hour

”I want to call on a lady,” said he; ”I should lose her favour forever if she ca her a visit”

”You must submit to the conditions,” replied the amiable countess, ”so don't count on ot to Milan exactly at noon, and stepped out at the pastry-cook's door The landlady begged the countess to confide her child to her care, and shewed her a bosom which proved her fruitfulness This offer was made at the foot of the stairs, and the countess accepted it with charhtful episode, which chance had willed should adorn the entertainment I had invented Everybody seemed happy, but I was the happiest of all Happiness is purely a creature of the iination If you wish to be happy fancy that you are so, though I confess that circumstances favourable to this state are often beyond our control On the other hand, unfavourable circumstances are mostly the result of our own mistakes

The countess took my arm, and we led the way into my room which I found exquisitely neat and clean As I had expected, Zenobia was there, but I was surprised to see Croce'svery pretty; however, I pretended not to know her She ell dressed, and her face, free from the sadness it had borne before, was so seductive in its beauty, that I felt vexed at her appearance at that particular irls,” said the countess ”Who are you, pray?”

”We are the chevalier's humble servants,” said Zenobia, ”and we are here only to wait on you”

Zenobia had taken it on herself to bring her lodger, who began to speak Italian, and looked atthat I was displeased at her presence I had to reassure her by saying I was very glad she had come with Zenobia These words were as balain, and became more beautiful than ever I felt certain that she would not re; it was i excited in her favour A bill signed by the Graces can never be protested; anyone with eyes and a heart honours it at sight

My humble servants took the ladies' cloaks and followed them into the bedroom, where the three dresses were laid out on a table I only knew the white satin and lace, for that was the only one I had designed The countess, alked before her sisters, was the first to notice it, and exclai, M de Seingalt? You ought to know”

”Certainly It belongs to your husband who can do what he likes with it, and I hope, if he gives it you, you will take it Take it, count; it is yours; and if you refuse I will positively kill myself”

”We love you too well to drive you to an act of despair The idea is worthy of your nobility of heart I take your beautiful present with one hand, and with the other I deliver it to her to whos”

”What, dear husband! is this beautiful dress really mine? Whom am I to thank? I thank you both, and I must put it on for dinner”

The two others were not made of such rich hted to see Cleaze fixed upon the one I had intended for her Eleanore in her turn admired the dress that had been made for her The first was in shot satin, and ornamented with lovely wreaths of flowers; the second was sky-blue satin, with a thousand flowers scattered all over it Zenobia took upon herself to say that the first was for Cleer, and you are taller than your sister”

”That is true It is reallyto n to accept it”

”Surely, dear Iolas, and I will put it on directly”

Eleanore maintained that her dress was the prettier, and said she was dying to put it on

”Very good, very good!” I exclailee, ”ill leave you to dress, and here are your maids”

I went out with the two brothers and the canon, and I remarked that they looked quite confused No doubt they were pondering the prodigality of gahts, for I loved to astonish people I confess it was a feeling of vanity which raised me above h for hed at, but I daresay it was only the truth

I was in the highest spirits, and they soon proved infectious I e his pardon for having presumed to make the family a few s introduced iven ive you soratitude”

The fair countesses soon appeared, bedecked with say attire

”You must have contrived to take our ine how you did it”