Should any guests drop in at times of an evening, the Chevalier need not put himself about--unless, indeed, after the labors of the day, cheerful conversation or a game of cards might offer welcome distraction.
Directly Casanova heard of the niece, he decided he would like to make her acquaintance, and after a show of further reluctance he yielded to Olivo's solicitation, declaring, however, that on no account would he be able to leave Mantua for more than a day or two.

He begged the hostess to forward promptly by messenger any letters that should arrive during his absence, since they might be of the first importance.
Matters having thus been arranged to Olivo's complete satisfaction, Casanova went to his room, made ready for the journey, and returned to the parlor in a quarter of an hour.

Olivo, meanwhile, had been having a lively business talk with the hostess.

He now rose, drank off his glass of wine, and with a significant wink promised to bring the Chevalier back, not perhaps to-morrow or the day after, but in any case in good order and condition.

Casanova, however, had suddenly grown distrait and irritable.