To Amalia, her generous patron seemed like a messenger from a higher world.

She showed her gratitude in the manner prompted by her own heart.

When, the evening before her wedding, she withdrew with glowing cheeks from Casanova's last embrace, she was far from thinking that she had done any wrong to her future husband, who after all owed his happiness solely to the amiability and open-handedness of this marvellous friend.

Casanova had never troubled himself as to whether Amalia had confessed to Olivo the length to which she had gone in gratitude to her benefactor; whether, perchance, Olivo had taken her sacrifice as a matter of course, and had not considered it any reason for retrospective jealousy; or whether Olivo had always remained in ignorance of the matter.

Nor did Casanova allow these questions to harass his mind to-day.
The heat continued to increase.