Volume VI Part 70 (1/2)
”My husband set up at Frascati eight years ago, and we have lived there very happily ever since”
”I alad to hear it Have you any children?”
”Four; and the eldest, who is nine years old, is very like you”
”Do you love her?”
”I adore her, but I love the other three as well”
As I wanted to go to breakfast with Ararita to keep Mariuccia company till my return
Mariuccia dined withto renew our more tender relationshi+p We had plenty to talk about, and she told me that Costa, my old servant, had come back to Rome in a splendid coach, three years after I had left, and that he had hters
”He's a rascal; he robbed ood He left his wife two years after their e, and no one knohat has beco miserably in Roo and see the poor wo for her, and I could not have helped saying that if I caught her husband I would do ed Such was indeed ate at Vienna He was then Count Erdich's man, and e come to that period the reader shall hear what I did
I promised Mariuccia to come and see her in the course of Lent
The Princess Santa Croce and the worthy Cardinal Bernis pitied s to their sy ears
The cardinal told the princess that she could very well obtain permission from Cardinal Orsini to take Armelline to the theatre, and that if I cared to join the party I ht find her less cruel
”The cardinal will make no objection,” said he, ”as Armelline has taken no vows; but as youyour request, you have only to tell the cardinal that you would like to see the interior of the house”
”Do you think he will give me leave?”
”Certainly; the ino with you”
”You will cohtful party indeed”
”Ask for leave, and ill arrange the day”
This plan seeallant cardinal was curious to see Armelline, but I was not afraid as I kneas a constant lover Besides I felt sure that if he took an interest in the fair recluse he would be certain to find her a husband
In three or four days the princess summoned me to her box in the Alberti Theatre, and shewedher and her friends to see the interior of the house
”To-morrow afternoon,” said she, ”ill fix the day and the hour for the visit”
Next day I paid my usual visit to the recluses, and the superioress came to tell me that the cardinal had told her that the Princess Santa Croce was co to visit the house with so with her”