Volume V Part 53 (1/2)

”Yes, she did My naalt as well as Casanova I was known by the latter nah I did not know then that she was your daughter”

Just then the grandher, came in with the two aunts, and a quarter of an hour later three men arrived, one of as the Chevalier Goudar, whom I had met at Paris I did not know the others ere introduced toand Caumon They were three friends of the household, whose business it was to bring in dupes

Such was the infah I took its measure directly, yet I did not ain I was fascinated; I thought I would be on hter I looked on all else as of little ht thatwhich annoyedmade me sit down to such a poor dinner, invited herself and all the company to sup with me on any day I liked to ed her to name the day herself, and she did so, after a consultation with her worthy friends

After coffee had been served we played four rubbers of whist, at which I lost, and at ht I went away ill pleased with myself, but with no purpose of aot th ofher for two days, and on the third, which was the day appointed for the cursed supper, she and her aunt paid

”I have come to breakfast with you, and to discuss a certain question,”

said she, in themanner

”Will you tell me your business now, or after breakfast?”

”After breakfast; for we must be alone”

We had our breakfast, and then the aunt went into another roo the monetary situation of the family, told me that it would be uineas

”What would she do with the money?”

”She would make the Balm of Life, of which she possesses the secret, and no doubt she would an to dilate on the marvellous properties of the balm, on its probable success in a town like London, and on the benefits which would accrue to myself, for of course I should share in the profits She added that her ive me a written promise to repay the ive you a decided answer after supper”

I then began to caress her, and to make assaults in the style of an ah I succeeded in stretching her on a large sofa She made her escape, however, and ran to her aunt, while I followed her, feeling obliged to laugh as she did She gave ”

When they were gone, I reflected over what had passed and thought this first scene of no bad augury I saw that I should get nothing out of her without spending a hundred guineas, and I deterain, but I would let her understand that she ame was in my hands, and all I had to do was to take care not to be duped

In the evening the coirl asked me to hold a bank till supper was ready; but I declined, with a burst of laughter that seeame of whist,” said she

”It seems to me,” I answered, ”that you don't feel very anxious to hear my reply”