I saw her on the following day, and we, had a long conversation together, which I am now going to relate.
“My friend,” she said to me, “came yesterday in order to bid farewell to me until the Christmas holidays. He is going to Padua, but everything has been arranged so that we can sup at his casino whenever we wish.”
“Why not in Venice?”
“He has begged me not to go there during his absence. He is wise and prudent; I could not refuse his request.”
“You are quite right. When shall we sup together?”
“Next Sunday, if you like.”
“If I like is not the right expression, for I always like. On Sunday, then, I will go to the casino towards nightfall, and wait for you with a book. Have you told your friend that you were not very uncomfortable in my small palace?”
“He knows all about it, but, dearest, he is afraid of one thing—he fears a certain fatal plumpness....”
“On my life, I never thought of that! But, my darling, do you not run the same risk with him?”
“No, it is impossible.”