se this doubt
of a meeting that occupied the coteries for a month, as it had been a
victory of the powers! Signor Gradenigo, it was a pleasure to call him
countryman at that time; for I do assure thee, a sprightlier or more
gallant gentleman did not walk the terrace."

"Thou tellest me of what my own eyes have been a witness. Did I not
arrive when men's voices spoke of nothing else? A beautiful court and a
pleasant capital were those of France in our day, Signori."

"None pleasanter or of greater freedom of intercourse. St. Mark aid me
with his prayers! The many pleasant hours that I have passed between the
Marais and the Chateau! Didst ever meet La Comtesse de Mignon in the
gardens?"

"Zitto, thou growest loquacious, caro; nay, she wanted not for grace and
affability, that I will say. In what a manner they played in the houses
of resort at that time!"

"I know it to my cost. Will you lend me your belief, dear friends? I
arose from the table of La Belle Duchesse de------, the loser of a
thousand sequins, and to this hour it seemeth but a moment that I was
occupied."

"I remember the evening. Thou wert seated between the wife of the
Spanish ambassador and a miladi of England. Thou wert playing at
rouge-et-noir in more ways than one; for thy eyes were on thy neighbors,
instead of thy cards. Giulio, I would have paid half the loss, to have
read the next epistle of the worthy senator thy father!"

"He never knew it--he never knew it. We had our friends on the Rialto,
and the account was settled a few years later. Thou wast well with
Ninon, Enrico?"

"A companion of her leisure, and one who basked in the sunshine of her
wit."

"Nay, they said thou wert of more favor--"

"Mere gossip of the saloons. I do protest, gentlemen--not that others
were better received--but idle tongues will have their discourse!"

"Wert thou of the party, Alessandro, that went in a fit of gaiety from
country to country till it numbered ten courts at which it appeared in
as many weeks?"

"Was I not its mover? What a memory art thou getting! 'Twas for a
hundred golden louis, and it was bravely won by an hour. A postponement
of the reception by the elector of Bavaria went near to defeat us; but
we bribed the groom of the chambers, as thou mayest remember, and got
into the presence as it were by accident."

"Was that held to be sufficient?"

"That was it--for our terms mentioned the condition of holding discourse
with ten sovereigns in