The countess, who had seen me lose, asked me if I would sell my beautiful dress.
“They say it’s worth a thousand sequins,” said she.
“Yes, that is so; but I would sell everything I possess before parting with any of the articles which I intend for the fair sex.”
“Marquis Triulzi wants it badly to present to someone.”
“I am very sorry, but I cannot sell it to him.”
She went away without a word, but I could see that she was exceedingly vexed at my refusal.
As I was leaving the opera-house I saw Thérèse getting into her sedan-chair. I went up to her, and told her that I was sure she was going to sup with her lover. She whispered in my ear that she was going to sup by herself, and that I might come if I dared. I gave her an agreeable surprise by accepting the invitation.
“I will expect you, then,” she said.
I asked the count to ride home in my carriage, and taking a chair I reached Thérèse’s house just as she was going in.
What a happy evening we had! We laughed heartily when we told each other our thoughts.