With joy and gratitude he accepted the pardon of the Council.

He would expect the remittance by return of post, so that with all possible speed he might present himself before his patrons, and above all before the honored old family friend, Bragadino.
When he was in the act of sealing the letter, someone knocked gently at the door.

At the word, Olivo's eldest daughter, the thirteen-year-old Teresina, entered, to tell him that the whole company was assembled below, and that the Chevalier was impatiently awaited at the card table.

Her eyes gleamed strangely; her cheeks were flushed; her thick, black hair lay loose upon her temples; her little mouth was half open.
"Have you been drinking wine, Teresina ?" asked Casanova striding towards her.
"Yes.

How did you know ?" She blushed deeper, and in her embarrassment she moistened her lips with her tongue.
Casanova seized her by the shoulders, and, breathing in her face, drew her to the bed.