The affair was completed to my honour as well as to my entire satisfaction, and I returned home.
The case had made so much noise that my friends could not have remained ignorant of it; the consequence was that, when they saw me, they shewed their surprise and sorrow.

De la Haye embraced me with an air of profound grief, but it was a feigned feeling--a harlequin's dress, which he had the talent of assuming with the greatest facility.

M.de Bragadin alone laughed heartily, saying to the others that they did not understand the affair, and that it was the forerunner of something great which was known only to heavenly spirits.

On my side, being ignorant of the opinion they entertained of the matter, and certain that they were not informed of all the circumstances, I laughed like M.de Bragadin, but said nothing.

I had nothing to fear, and I wanted to amuse myself with all that would be said.
We sat down to table, and M.Barbaro was the first to tell me in a friendly manner that he hoped at least that this was not the day after my wedding.
"Then people say that I am married ?" "It is said everywhere and by everybody.