Volume V Part 19 (1/2)

I spent the next day in going fro fresh purchases for Marcoline, and we supped merrily at Madame Pernon's

The day after, M Bono came to see me at an early hour with a so and breakfast at a coffee-house,” said he; ”ill have so he shewed me a letter written by Possano, in which the rascal said that he was ready to abandon proceedings provided that M de Seingalt gave him a hundred louis, on receipt of which he proreat fool,” said I, ”if I gave the knave o if he likes, I won't prevent hi He will have a writ out against hirievously; let him prove what he says, or be dishonoured before all s,” said M Bono, ”would into prove his charges, and you would do well to prefer it to a trial which would do your reputation no good, even if you were co in comparison with the costs of such a trial”

”M Bono, I value your advice very highly, and still s which prompt you, but you must allow me to follow my own opinion in this case”

I went to my counsel and told him of the fresh proposal that Possano hadhim to take measures for the arrest of the villain who had vowedI had Madame Pernon and M Bono, as her lover, to sup with e of Italian Marcoline was able to take part in the merriment of the company

The next day Bono wrote to tell me that Possano had left Lyons never to return, and that he had signed a full and satisfactory retraction I was not surprised to hear of his flight, but the other circumstance I could not understand I therefore hastened to call on Bono, who showed h

”Will that do?” said he

”So well that I forgive him, but I wonder he did not insist on the hundred Louis”

”My dear sir, I gave him the money with pleasure, to prevent a scandalous affair which would have done us all har, you couldn't have taken any steps in the ed to repair theabout it, if you had said that you were not satisfied I alad to have been enabled to skewservice We will say nohim, ”ill say no ratitude”

I confess I feltfreed from this troublesome business

EPISODE 22 -- TO LONDON

CHAPTER V

I Meet the Venetian Ambassadors at Lyons, and also Marcoline's Uncle--I Part from Marcoline and Set Out for Paris--An Amorous Journey

Thus freed from the cares which the dreadful slanders of Possano had caused aveall in my power to increase her happiness, as if I had had a premonition that we should soon be separated froave to Madaether, and in the box opposite to us I saw M Querini, the procurator, Morosini, M Memmo, and Count Stratico, a Professor of the University of Padua I knew all these gentleh Lyons on their return to Venice

”Farewell, fair Marcoline!” I said toquite broken-hearted, but I re to her She did not notice them as she was absorbed in her conversation with M Bono, and besides, she did not know the the procurator of my presence, and as I knew the latter very well I felt bound to pay them my respects then and there

Querini received me very politely for a devotee, as also did Morosini, while Memmo seemed moved; but no doubt he remembered that it was chiefly due to his ratulated the gentleland, on their return to their native land, and for forood offices to enablethe richness of eneral appearance of prosperity, said that while I had to stay away he had to return, and that he considered me the luckier man

”Your excellency is well aware,” said I, ”that nothing is sweeter than forbidden fruit”

He smiled, and asked me whither I went and whence I came

”I come from Rome,” I answered, ”where I had some converse with the Holy Father, whoh Paris on my way to London

”Call on ive you”