Warming to his theme, the old man recovered much of the wit and liveliness of earlier days.
He told Casanova many remarkable details concerning the unfortunate tendencies which had recently begun to affect some of the Venetian youth, and concerning the dangerous intrigues of which infallible signs were now becoming manifest.
Casanova was thus well posted for his work.

He spent the day in the gloomy chamber at the inn; and, simply as a means to secure calm after the recent excitements, he passed the hours in arranging his papers, and in burning those of which he wished to be rid.

When evening fell, he made his way to the Cafe Quadri in the Square of St.Mark, since this was supposed to be the chief haunt of the freethinkers and revolutionists.

Here he was promptly recognized by an elderly musician who had at one time been conductor of the orchestra in the San Samueli Theatre, where Casanova had been a violinist thirty years before.

By this old acquaintance, and without any advances on his own part, he was introduced to the company.