I had therefore to keep myself in readiness, and, as I was anxious to be out of his hands, I approved all his arrangements.

As soon as I had notice of the day on which the suite of the ambassador would embark, I went to pay my last farewell to all my acquaintances.

I left my brother Francois in the school of M.Joli, a celebrated decorative painter.

As the peotta in which I was to sail would not leave before daybreak, I spent the short night in the arms of the two sisters, who, this time, entertained no hope of ever seeing me again.

On my side I could not forsee what would happen, for I was abandoning myself to fate, and I thought it would be useless to think of the future.