Casanova expressed his surprise that so charming a young lady should have an interest, certainly exceptional, in a dry and difficult subject.
Marcolina replied that in her view the higher mathematics was the most imaginative of all the sciences; one might even say that its nature made it akin to the divine.

When Casanova asked for further enlightenment upon a view so novel to him, Marcolina modestly declined to continue the topic, declaring that the others at table, and above all her uncle, would much rather hear some details of a newly recovered friend's travels than listen to a philosophical disquisition.
Amalia was prompt to second the proposal; and Casanova, always willing to oblige in this matter, said in easy-going fashion that during recent years he had been mainly engaged in secret diplomatic missions.

To mention only places of importance, he had continually been going to and fro between Madrid, Paris, London, Amsterdam, and St.Petersburg.

He gave an account of meetings and conversations, some grave and some gay, with men and women of all classes, and did not forget to speak of his friendly reception at the court of Catharine of Russia.

He jestingly related how Frederick the Great had nearly appointed him instructor at a cadet school for Pomeranian junkers--a danger from which he had escaped by a precipitous flight.