A certain M.de la Combe, who was seated near me, shook his head in token of disapprobation, but Henriette did not try to elude the question.
"What can I say about the Italians," she answered, "I know only one?
If I am to judge them all from that one my judgment must certainly be most favourable to them, but one single example is not sufficient to establish the rule." It was impossible to give a better answer, but as my readers may well imagine, I did not appear to have heard it, and being anxious to prevent any more indiscreet questions from Dubois I turned the conversation into a different channel.
The subject of music was discussed, and a Spaniard asked Henriette whether she could play any other instrument besides the violoncello.
"No," she answered, "I never felt any inclination for any other.

I learned the violoncello at the convent to please my mother, who can play it pretty well, and without an order from my father, sanctioned by the bishop, the abbess would never have given me permission to practise it." "What objection could the abbess make ?" "That devout spouse of our Lord pretended that I could not play that instrument without assuming an indecent position." At this the Spanish guests bit their lips, but the Frenchmen laughed heartily, and did not spare their epigrams against the over-particular abbess.
After a short silence, Henriette rose, and we all followed her example.
It was the signal for breaking up the party, and we soon took our leave.
I longed to find myself alone with the idol of my soul.

I asked her a hundred questions without waiting for the answers.
"Ah! you were right, my own Henriette, when you refused to go to that concert, for you knew that you would raise many enemies against me.

I am certain that all those men hate me, but what do I care?
You are my universe! Cruel darling, you almost killed me with your violoncello, because, having no idea of your being a musician, I thought you had gone mad, and when I heard you I was compelled to leave the room in order to weep undisturbed.

My tears relieved my fearful oppression.