Volume VI Part 62 (2/2)

We rearranged our position, and theclose to me called me her dear husband, while I called her my dear wife

The new bond between us was confirmed by affectionate kisses We were absorbed and silent, and Lucrezia was delighted to find us so calm when she returned

We had no need to warn each other to observe secrecy Donna Lucrezia was devoid of prejudice, but there was no need to give her a piece of useless information

We felt certain that she had left us alone, so as not to be a witness of ere going to do

After some further conversation ent back to the palace with Anastasia, e found in the alley by herself

Theher on the success of her negotiations He thanked me for my compliance, and assured me I should have a comfortable apartment in his country house

”I suppose you will not hbor?” he said to Lucrezia

”No,” said she; ”but ill be discreet, for the flower of our lives has withered”

”I shall believe as much of that as I please”

The worthytable was laid for five, and as soon as dinner was served an old priest came in and sat down He spoke to nobody, and nobody spoke to hie stood behind the marchioness, and aited on by ten or twelve servants

I had only a little soup at dinner, so I ate like an ogre, for I was very hungry, and the h artist

The ht as I devoured one dish after another

He told me that the only fault in his wife that she was a very poor eater like her an to take effect, and our conversation, which was conducted in French, became somewhat free The old priest took no notice, as he only understood Italian, and he finally left us after saying the 'agimus'

The marquis told me that this ecclesiastic had been a confessor to the palace for the last twenty years, but had never confessed anybody He warned me to take care what I said before him if I spoke Italian, but he did not knoord of French

Mirth was the order of the day, and I kept the coht

Before we parted for the night the marquis told me that ould start in the afternoon, and that he should arrive an hour before us He assured his wife that he was quite well, and that he hoped to convince her that I had er Leonilda e him to be careful of his health

”Yes, yes,” said he, ”but get ready to receive ht, and a little marquis at nine months from date

”Draw the bill,” said he to me, ”and to-morroill accept it”

”I promise you,” said Lucrezia, ”to do ations”

Donna Lucrezia took e of an iht

I slept for eight hours in a most comfortable bed, and when I was dressed Lucrezia took me to breakfast with the marchioness, as at her toilette