Volume V Part 71 (2/2)

When we ca any dinner, and seeing nothing of the three sisters till they had ot up directly before they left, so as not to see the mother in my own room, and I saw her in hers just as she was about to be taken down into e, which was in readiness at the door The iive her so that I was not likely to bleed, she observed, with involuntary sincerity, that her purse contained the suiven to her daughters; and these daughters of hers were present, and sobbed bitterly

When they were gone I closed my doors to everyone, and spent three days in theup my accounts In the month I had spent with the Hanoverians I had dissipated the whole of the su from the sale of the precious stones, and I found that I was in debt to the ao to Lisbon by sea, and sold old snuff-boxes (after rereat trunks full of clothes I then discharged ood, this being what remained of the fine fortune I had squandered away like a fool or a philosopher, or, perhaps, a little like both I left my fine house where I had lived so pleasantly, and took a little rooro, as I had every reason to believe hi thesehia penny to anyone, and under obligations to no e from Venice When it came I resolved to bid farewell to all my friends and to try my fortune in Lisbon, but such was not the fate which the fickle Goddess had assigned to ht after the departure of the Hanoverians (it was the end of February in the year 1764), o to the ”Canon Tavern,” where I usually dined in a roo to sit dohen Baron Stenau caht into the next roo

”I thank you,” said I, ”for the solitary lish woman I had enerous She spoke Italian, and was attractive in many ways, so I ell pleased to find myself opposite to her, and we had a pleasant dinner

After a fortnight's abstinence it was not surprising that she inspired me with desires, but I concealed them nevertheless, for her lover seemed to respect her I only allowed ht him the happiest of irl noticed three dice on the er of a guinea, and spend it on oysters and cha lost called the waiter and gave hiested that we should throw again to see which should pay for the dinner

We did so and she lost

I did not like uineas I offered to throw against the baron He accepted, and to ain

”I don't want to win your e up to a hundred guineas”

He see, and in less than half an hour he owed o on,” said he

”My dear baron, the luck's against you; you e suh”

Without heeding ainst the favour I see his hat and cane, went out, saying,--

”I will pay you when I coirl said:

”I a uessed that, you will also have guessed that I think you charry with me?”

”Not in the least”

”You shall have the fifty guineas as soon as he has paidabout it”

”Of course not”

The bargain was scarcely struck before I began to shew her how ratulatea welcoht when all looked dark around me We had to make haste, however, as the door was only shut with a catch I had barely time to ascertain her address and the hour at which she could see me, and whether I should have to be careful with her lover She replied that the baron's fidelity was not of a character toI put the address in ht with her

The baron caain, and said,--

”I have been to a h it is drawn on one of the best house in Cadiz, andto do with it”