Volume II Part 12 (1/2)

Marianna proe her mission, and spared no words of reprobation for her sister's conduct I ought, however, to have reflected that a ballet-girl would be sure to misinterpret my real delicacy, and to depict me as a jealous lover

Two days later on, both sisters appeared at an to excuse herself ”My sister tells ry with me, and I ary, but that I wanted to save her from certain ruin If that was impossible, Iwhat I had always said I should She begged ive her but one chance, averring that she had certain things she wished to say to me in private I weakly consented to pay her a visit at her own house, and went there on the following day There I found her still in bed; and sitting down, I begged her to nor Gratarol She told me frankly that she was not in love with hi presents at his hands--a little Neapolitan watch-chain and an es had not gone further, to write a polite letter to Gratarol, begging hiht return his two presents, as a hed, and said she supposed she must follow my advice I took her at her word; and added that, since I found her so well disposed to adopt the only right course open to her, I illing not to withdraw my protection

I did not inquire whether she actually wrote the letter to Signor Gratarol, but continued to treat her with politeness, trusting to her word and honour One evening, when she had no engageether to the opera at S Saular curiosity to know the row and number of the box ”I will send you the key,” I said, ”this o before ” I fancied there ue hidden under this anxiety about the nu, and did what I had pro came, I went to S Samuele, and found Mme Ricci with her husband in the box His duties at the other theatre obliged him to retire, and I was left alone with Teodora Scarcely had I taken my seat, when I heard the door of the next box open, and so airs of coquetry and winning grace I had my shoulders turned to the person, but I divined who it was The Ricci had infor with iven hi to notice hied hi yet returned his visit He overwhelmed me, as usual, with a shower of those compliments which won for him the fame of eloquence

”This then,” said I tonotes at my advice!” However, I attended her back to her house withoutany comment on what had happened

The last day of this th arrived It was the custoether with a nu with a supper at some inn I had always accompanied Teodora Ricci on these occasions; and I now deter as usual After a very festive supper, the whole party adjourned to the opera at S Saht, and several boxes had been engaged beforehand It chanced that I foundthat the Carnival was over, and the moment ofwoman, and informed her that my patience was exhausted She tried to turn the matter off with a jest; her liaison with Gratarol had been a mere Carnival caprice, which would end with the Carnival (As if that made any difference to me!) I replied with firmness that it was now too late She had throay the fruits ofyears, and had repaid theave her and left her at liberty; but abode by my decision to withdraw from her friendshi+p

”What!” said she, ”shall I not be your gossip[58] any ood woo-between I shall not becoeance If I ise, I should cut my old connection with the troupe whom I have protected for twenty years

That would secure ainst further annoyances and tittle-tattle But I do not rateful to me; for were I to leave thereat champion to you alone” ”Oh, ill ever happen to ,” I added laughing, ”except what you have sought and brought about”

When the opera was over, I attended her ho in the doorway, repeated that this was the last time she would be troubled with my company ”Do you not mean then to visit me any more?” cried she

”You certainly will not be exposed to that disturbance,” I replied ”Oh, we shall see you here, we shall see you!” she answered with a cheerful air of security I could not help laughing at her conceit ”So you persist in looking on me as a hopeless victim of your charms! If I do come to visit you, you will see me, certes!” ”But I shall coive yourself the trouble,” said I; and with these final words I turned enuous friendshi+p which I had carried on for five years with this woman

LV

_Annoyances to which I was exposed by the Ricci after this act of rupture--So Sacchi's co and tedious illness--The ”Droghe d'Amore”

resumed_

I was not destined to escape without further annoyances A woman wounded in her _amour propre_ becomes the worst of wild beasts This I soon discovered; for Mme Ricci, when she saas in earnest, h, forsooth, she could worry ood-will!

That Lent the actors stayed at Venice; and we used to ame of cards, a plate of fritters, a bottle of wine, and a lavish expenditure of wit and merriment, formed the staple of our recreation The Ricci had never been in the habit of joining these parties She did so now in order to launch sarcasms at me

Her rudeness beca it in silence for three evenings, I stayed at hoarded as their tutelary genius They came to me and told me that she had been pereain at their reunions

This did not improve her temper; and her next move was an attempt to drawthat ly about her to her maid Of course I paid no attention to such nonsense Then, about theI did not recognise It turned out to be froed his wife by withdrawing my protection He had the ientle thesis:--If a husband approves of the male friends his wife receives, her other ht to inquire into their character ”Farewell, co it aside unanswered

OneHoly Week my servant announced Mme Ricci's husband

I allowed him to enter, asked hi hi into the poor fellow's eyes, I could see that he had been forced to pay this visit, and that he was doing his very best to pluck up courage ”We are on the point of leaving for Mantua,” he began, ”and I aards, and to wish you good health” ”You have given yourself unnecessary trouble,” I replied; ”nevertheless, I aood journey and a prosperous tour” He kept silence for a ain: ”By the way, I wrote you a letter some ti to write that letter,” I rejoined, ”and I did well to take no notice of it” Thinking that n of ance: ”On the contrary, I did well to write it” I judged it best to changehim hard in the face, I spoke as follows: ”You did extre Remember that you are in my house Do not presume upon my civility and forbearance I am astounded that you have the boldness to pursue uments of your epistle”