The English general wrote me a note asking me to sup with him, telling me that some Italians would be present, and this decided me to stay on, but I had to promise the doctor to observe strict temperance.
My surprise may be imagined when I saw the Redegonde and her abominable mother. The mother did not recognize me at first, but Redegonde knew me directly, and said,—
“Good Heavens! how thin you have become!”
I complimented her on her beauty, and indeed she had improved wonderfully.
“I have just recovered from a dangerous illness,” said I, “and I am starting for Brunswick at day-break tomorrow.”
“So are we,” she exclaimed, looking at her mother.
The general, delighted to find that we knew each other, said we could travel together.
“Hardly, I think,” I replied, “unless the lady-mother has changed her principles since I knew her.”
“I am always the same,” she said, dryly enough; but I only replied with a glance of contempt.
The general held a bank at faro at a small table. There were several other ladies and some officers, and the stakes were small. He offered me a place, but I excused myself, saying that I never played while on a journey.