“I promise you another gold quadruple, madam,” I said, “if you will confide in me entirely. Confess that Bellino is a pretty woman in disguise.”
“I can assure you it is not so, although he has the appearance of a woman.”
“Not only the appearance, madam, but the tone, the manners; I am a good judge.”
“Nevertheless, he is a boy, for he has had to be examined before he could sing on the stage here.”
“And who examined him?”
“My lord bishop’s chaplain.”
“A chaplain?”
“Yes, and you may satisfy yourself by enquiring from him.”
“The only way to clear my doubts would be to examine him myself.”
“You may, if he has no objection, but truly I cannot interfere, as I do not know what your intentions are.”