I was welcomed in a very friendly manner, and the lady, entreating me to exert in her behalf my influence with M.de Malipiero, entrusted me with all the papers which I might require to succeed.

I undertook to do my utmost, and I took care to address only a few words to Angela, but I directed all my gallant attentions to Nanette, who treated me as coolly as could be.

Finally, I won the friendship of the old procurator Rosa, who, in after years, was of some service to me.
I had so much at stake in the success of Madame Orio's petition, that I thought of nothing else, and knowing all the power of the beautiful Therese Imer over our amorous senator, who would be but too happy to please her in anything, I determined to call upon her the next day, and I went straight to her room without being announced.

I found her alone with the physician Doro, who, feigning to be on a professional visit, wrote a prescription, felt her pulse, and went off.

This Doro was suspected of being in love with Therese; M.de Malipiero, who was jealous, had forbidden Therese to receive his visits, and she had promised to obey him.