He found himself in very comfortable quarters, and being received with distinction by his worthy host, who was already greatly prejudiced in his favour, the young baron embraced me warmly, pouring out all his gratitude, and assuring me that he felt deeply all I had done for him without knowing him, as De la Haye had informed him of all that had occurred.

I pretended not to understand what he was alluding to, and to change the subject of conversation I asked him how he intended to occupy his time in Venice until his military appointment gave him serious duties to perform.

"I trust," he answered, "that we shall enjoy ourselves in an agreeable way, for I have no doubt that our inclinations are the same." Mercury and De la Haye had so completely besotted me that I should have found some difficulty in understanding these words, however intelligible they were; but if I did not go any further than the outward signification of his answer, I could not help remarking that he had already taken the fancy of the two daughters of the house.

They were neither pretty nor ugly, but he shewed himself gracious towards them like a man who understands his business.

I had, however, already made such great progress in my mystical education, that I considered the compliments he addressed to the girls as mere forms of politeness.
For the first day, I took my young baron only to the St.Mark's Square and to the cafe, where we remained until supper-time, as it had been arranged that he would take his meals with us.