“Tell me, M. Casanova, who this woman is?”
“She is a Venetian whose husband died recently; I knew her when I was a lad, and it was six years since I had seen her last.”
“You were agreeably surprised, then, to see your daughter?” said Esther.
“Why do you think the child is my daughter? Madame Trenti was married then.”
“The likeness is really too strong. And how about your falling asleep yesterday when you were supping with M. Pels?”
“It was no wonder that I went asleep, as I had not closed an eye the night before.”
“I am envious of anyone who possesses the secret of getting a good sleep, for I have always to wait long hours before sleep comes to me, and when I awake, instead of being refreshed, I feel heavy and languid from fatigue.”
“Try passing the night in listening to one in whom you take an interest, telling the story of her life, and I promise you that you will sleep well the night after.”
“There is no such person for me.”
“No, because you have as yet only seen fourteen summers; but afterwards there will be someone.”