"Meanwhile, will you assist me to play a cruel practical joke on him?"
"Yes."
"Will you write to him and give him an assignation?"
"Yes, provided that I do not keep it."
"That is understood. Here is a sketch of the note you must write him:"
"I know that you have found your wife again and that you love her. I did not want you yesterday, you seemed too easy a conquest; to-day it seems to me that it will be interesting to make you unfaithful; moreover, I am anxious to know if your frantic desire to possess me makes you capable of everything, as you boast. I know that you are to give a concert on the water this evening; I will be in a gondola and will follow you. You know my gondolier, Cristofano; be near the rail of your boat and leap into my gondola as soon as you see it. I will keep you an hour, after which I shall have had enough of you forever, perhaps. I want none of your presents; I want only this proof of your love. This evening or never."
La Misana thought the note very singular in tone and copied it laughingly.
"What will you do with him when you have him in the gondola?"
"Set him ashore on the bank of the Lido and let him pass a long, cool night there."
"I would gladly kiss you to show my gratitude," said the courtesan; "but I have a lover whom I propose to love all the week. Adieu."