Volume V Part 97 (2/2)

At this period the States were assembled in Dresden, and Prince Xavier, uncle of the Elector, was regent during hisI went to the opera-house, where faro was played I played, but prudently, for hteen hundred ducats

When I caood supper, and Maton pleased me both by her appetite and amiability When we had finished I affectionately asked her if she would like to share my bed, and she replied as tenderly that she holly ht, we rose in thethe best friends in the world

I spent the whole ood many people called on me, and wanted to be presented to Maton; but my ansas that, as she was only my housekeeper, and nother In the same way I had instructed her that she was not to let anyone in when I ay She orking in her room on the linen I had provided for her, aided in her task by a seamstress Nevertheless, I did not want to make her a slave, so I occasionally took her into the pleasant suburbs of Dresden, where she was at liberty to speak to any of ht ht we stayed in Dresden wasofficers in the place, and especially for the Co denied any girl to whoreat boldness and even iive hi down to table I could not refuse him, and I could not request Maton to leave the roo to the end of the meal he showered his h he was perfectly polite the whole time Maton behaved very well; she was not prudish, nor did she forget the respect she owed to me and indeed to herself

I was accustomed to take a siesta every day after dinner, so half an hour after the conclusion of the ed hily if the lady took a siesta too, and I replied that we usually took it together This made him take up his hat and cane, and as he did so he asked us both to dine with him the next day I replied that I never took Maton out anywhere, but that he would be welcome to come and take pot-luck with us every day if he liked

This refusal exhausted his resources, and he took his leave if not angrily, at least very coldly

My mother returned to her town apartments, which were opposite toon her I noticed the erker (a sort of grating in the Spanish fashi+on) which indicated my rooms in the hotel I happened to look in that direction and I saw Maton at thestanding up and talking to M de Bellegarde, as at a neighbouringThisbelonged to a roo to it This discovery amused me I knehat I was about, and did not fear to be made a cuckold in spite of oing to allow any trespassers I was jealous, in fact; but the jealousy was of the hest spirits, and Maton was as gay as arde, and said I believed him to be in love with her

”Oh, he is like all officers with girls; but I don't think he is irl”

”Oh, but didn't he co?”

”Certainly not; and if he had come the maid would have told hi up and down 'under the s?”

”No”

This was enough forme, and I should be cheated in twenty-four hours unless I took care At e such treason should not have astonished me, but my vanity would not allow s and caressed the traitress, and then leaving the house I went to the theatre where I played with soress; it was still daylight The waiter was at the door, and I asked him whether there were any rooms besides those which I occupied on the first floor ”Yes, two roo on the street”

”Tell the landlord that I will take the”

”By who a party of friends to supper here this evening”

I said no more lest I should awaken suspicion; but I felt sure that Bellegarde could easily obtain access toto the room where Maton slept with her maid when I did not care to have her in my room The door was bolted on her side, but as she was in the plot there was not much security in this

I went upstairs softly, and finding Maton on the balcony, I said, after soe rooms

”You shall have my room,” I said, ”and I will have yours; I can read there, and see the people going by”

She thought it a very good idea, and added that it would serve us both if I would allow her to sit there when I was out

This reply shewed ive her up if I did not wish to be duped

I changed the roo, and in spite of all her craft Maton did not notice any change in me

I remained alone in arde and his merry coarde's room were drawn, as if to assure me that there was no complot However, I was not so easily deceived, and I found afterwards that Mercury had warned Jupiter that Aed his room