Volume VI Part 97 (1/2)
”Well; well, let the by it”
I heard footsteps approaching, and went out, closing the door behindthem in, as there was a contraband commodity in my room
”Only tell me that it is not my maid,” said Strasoldo, in a pitiable voice ”We are sure she is here, as the sentinel at the gate saw her coht, the fair Leuzica is at this iven her my word of honour that no violence shall be used, and you may be sure I shall keep my word”
”I shall certainly not attempt any violence, but I am sure she would come of her own free will if I could speak to her”
”I will ask her if she wishes to see you Wait ato our conversation, and when I opened the door she told me that I could let them in
As soon as Strasoldo appeared she asked hiations to hi from him, and if she was not perfectly free to leave him when she liked
The poor count replied mildly that on the contrary it was he ed her a year's wages and had her box in his possession, but that she should not have left hi any reason
”The only reason is that I don't want to go to Vienna,” she replied ”I told you so a week ago If you are an honest es you can send theot any money now”
I pitied Strasoldo from the bottom of my heart; he prayed and entreated, and finally wept like a child However, Pittoni roused ht to drive the slut out of ht and what I ought not to do,” I replied, ”and after I have received her in ht tothat I stood on hed, and asked me if I had fallen in love with her in so short a ti he was sure she had not slept with me
”That's where you are mistaken,” said she, ”for there's only one bed, and I did not sleep on the floor”
They found prayers and reproaches alike useless and left us at noon
Leuzica was profuse in her expressions of gratitude to er any mystery, so I boldly ordered dinner for two, and promised that she should remain with me till the count had left Trieste
At three o'clock the Venetian consul caood offices with me to persuade me to deliver up the fair Leuzica
”You irl herself,” I replied; ”she came here and stays here of her own free will”
When the worthythat we had the right on our side
In the evening a porter brought her trunk, and at this she seemed touched but not repentant
Leuzica supped with ain shared my couch The count left Trieste at day-break
As soon as I was sure that he was gone, I took a carriage and escorted the fair Leuzica two stages on her way to Laibach We dined together, and I left her in the care of a friend of hers