Volume V Part 20 (2/2)

”And we are delighted to have our poor repast ani person”

”You will find her worthy of your coot back to the inn I told Marcoline that if anything was said at dinner about her return to Venice, she was to reply that no one could make her return except M Querini, but that if she could have his protection she would gladly go back with him

”I will draw you out of the difficulty,” said I; and she promised to carry out ard to her toilette, and looked brilliant in all respects; and I, wishi+ng to shi+ne in the eyes of the proud Venetian nobles, had dressed rey velvet, triold and silver lace; my point lace shi+rt orth at least fifty louis; and lish steel, my snuff-box set with brilliants, my cross set with diaether worth h puerile in itself, yet had a purpose, for I wished M de Bragadin to know that I did not cut a bad figure in the world; and I wished the proud istrates who had , and could laugh at their severity

In this gorgeous style we drove to the ambassador's dinner at half-past one

All present were Venetians, and they welcomed Marcoline enthusiastically She as born with the instinct of good nity of a French princess; and as soon as she was seated between two grave and reverend signors, she began by saying that she was delighted to find herself the only representative of her sex in this distinguished company, and also that there were no Frenchmen present

”Then you don't like the French,” said M Meh so far as I know them, but I am only acquainted with their exterior, as I don't speak or understand the language”

After this everybody kne to take her, and the gaiety becaeneral

She answered all questions to the point, and entertained the company with her remarks on French manners, so different to Venetian customs

In the course of dinner M Querini asked how she had known him, and she replied that she had often seen hireatly flattered M Morosini, pretending not to know that she was to return to Venice, told her that unless she e, she would find London very tedious, as the Italian language was very little known there

”I hope,” she replied, ”that M de Seingalt will not bring e ideas I know I shall never be able to learn French”

When we had left the table the aed lad to oblige them My story lasted for thole hours; and as it was noticed that Marcoline's eyes becaer She was rallied upon the circumstance, and told that nieces were not usually so eh I do not see why a niece should not love her uncle But I have never loved anyone else but the hero of the tale, and I cannot see what difference there can be between one kind of love and another”

”There are five kinds of love known to hbour, the love of God, which is beyond cohest of all, love matrimonial, the love of house and hoht to coh many place it in the first rank”

The nobleman commented briefly on these diverse kinds of love, but when he careatly astonished to see Marcoline shedding tears, which she wiped away hastily as if to hide theht of the worthy oldto be enthusiastic, Marcoline took his hand and kissed it, while he in his vain exaltation drew her towards hi, ”Poveretta, you are an angel!”

At this incident, in which there was hbour than love of God, we all bit our lips to prevent ourselves bursting out laughing, and the sly little puss pretended to be extremely moved

I never knew Marcoline's capacities till then, for she confessed that her ened to win the old races; and that if she had followed her own inclinations she would have laughed heartily She was designed to act a part either upon the stage or on a throne Chance had ordained that she should be born of the people, and her education had been neglected; but if she had been properly tutored she would have been fit for anything

Before returning home armly invited to dinner the next day

As anted to be together, we did not go to the theatre that day and e got home I did not wait for Marcoline to undress to cover her with kisses

”Dear heart,” said I, ”you have not shewn me all your perfections till noe are about to part; youback to Venice Today you won all hearts”

”Keep me then, with you, and I will ever be as I have been to-day By the way, did you see my uncle?”

”I think so Was it not he as in continual attendance?”

”Yes I recognized hi Did he look, at me?”