“Is this from the marchioness?”
“No, it is from me.”
“But where are the three dresses she said she would give me?”
“You know very well on what conditions you were to have them, so let us say no more about it.”
She unfolded the silk which she liked very much, but she said she must have some trimmings. The Pacienza offered her services, and said she would send for a dressmaker who lived close by. I acquiesced with a nod, and as soon as she had left the room the Signora Laura said she was very sorry only to be able to receive me in the presence of the landlady.
“I should have thought,” said I, “that a virtuous person like you would have been delighted.”
“I thank God for it every morning and night.”
“You infernal old hypocrite!” said I, looking contemptuously at her.
“Upon my word, anybody who didn’t know you would be taken in.”
In a few minutes Victorine and another girl came in with their band-boxes.