I told Father Georgi that I had been invited to dinner by M.Vivaldi, and he advised me to cultivate his acquaintance.
I proceeded to the Villa Negroni; the moment he saw me the cardinal stopped to receive my letter, allowing two persons who accompanied him to walk forward.

He put the letter in his pocket without reading it, examined me for one or two minutes, and enquired whether I felt any taste for politics.

I answered that, until now, I had not felt in me any but frivolous tastes, but that I would make bold to answer for my readiness to execute all the orders which his eminence might be pleased to lay upon me, if he should judge me worthy of entering his service.
"Come to my office to-morrow morning," said the cardinal, "and ask for the Abbe Gama, to whom I will give my instructions.

You must apply yourself diligently to the study of the French language; it is indispensable." He then enquired after Don Leilo's health, and after kissing his hand I took my leave.
I hastened to the house of M.Gaspar Vivaldi, where I dined amongst a well-chosen party of guests.

M.Vivaldi was not married; literature was his only passion.