“I know Casanova,” said the count, “and if he be at Bonn the Elector shall hear of it, and he shan’t go off without my seeing him.” I saw that I might easily be discovered after the ball, but I defied the keenest eyes to penetrate beneath my present disguise. I should have, no doubt, remained unknown, but when the quadrilles were being arranged I took my place in one, without reflecting that I should have to take off my mask.
As soon as my mistress saw me she told me she had been deceived, as she would have wagered that I was the masker who broke Count Verita’s bank. I told her I had only just come.
At the end of the dance the count spied me out and said, “My dear fellow-countryman, I am sure you are the man who broke my bank; I congratulate you.”
“I should congratulate myself if I were the fortunate individual.”
“I am sure that it was you.”
I left him laughing, and after having taken some refreshments I continued dancing. Two hours afterwards the count saw me again and said,—
“You changed your domino in such a room, in such a house. The Elector knows all about it, and as a punishment for this deceit he has ordered me to tell you that you are not to leave Bonn to-morrow.”
“Is he going to arrest me, then?”
“Why not, if you refuse his invitation to dinner tomorrow?”
“Tell his highness that his commands shall be obeyed. Will you present me to him now?”