South of France | Page 4

Happy--The Signora Isola-Bella--The Cook--Biribi

--Irene--Possano in Prison--My Niece Proves to be an Old Friend of
Rosalie's
At Genoa, where he was known to all, Pogomas called himself Possano.
He introduced me to his wife and daughter, but they were so ugly and
disgusting in every respect that I left them on some trifling pretext, and
went to dine with my new niece. Afterwards I went to see the Marquis
Grimaldi, for I longed to know what had become of Rosalie. The
marquis was away in Venice, and was not expected back till the end of
April; but one of his servants took me to Rosalie, who had become
Madame Paretti six months after my departure.
My heart beat fast as I entered the abode of this woman, of whom I had
such pleasant recollections. I first went to M. Paretti in his shop, and he
received me with a joyful smile, which shewed me how happy he was.
He took me to his wife directly, who cried out with delight, and ran to
embrace me.
M. Paretti was busy, and begged me to excuse him, saying his wife
would entertain me.
Rosalie shewed me a pretty little girl of six months old, telling me that
she was happy, that she loved her husband, and was loved by him, that
he was industrious and active in business, and under the patronage of
the Marquis Grimaldi had prospered exceedingly.
The peaceful happiness of marriage had improved her wonderfully; she
had become a perfect beauty in every sense of the word.
"My dear friend," she said, "you are very good to call on me directly
you arrive, and I hope you will dine with us to-morrow. I owe all my
happiness to you, and that is even a sweeter thought than the
recollection of the passionate hours we have spent together. Let us kiss,
but no more; my duty as an honest wife forbids me from going any
further, so do not disturb the happiness you have given."
I pressed her hand tenderly, to skew that I assented to the conditions
she laid down.

"Oh! by the way," she suddenly exclaimed, "I have a pleasant surprise
for you."
She went out, and a moment afterward returned with Veronique, who
had become her maid. I was glad to see her and embraced her
affectionately, asking after Annette. She said her sister was well, and
was working with her mother.
"I want her to come and wait on my niece while we are here," said I.
At this Rosalie burst out laughing.
"What! another niece? You have a great many relations! But as she is
your niece, I hope you will bring her with you to-morrow."
"Certainly, and all the more willingly as she is from Marseilles."
"From Marseilles? Why, we might know each other. Not that that
would matter, for all your nieces are discreet young persons. What is
her name?"
"Crosin."
"I don't know it."
"I daresay you don't. She is the daughter of a cousin of mine who lived
at Marseilles."
"Tell that to someone else; but, after all, what does it matter? You
choose well, amuse yourself, and make them happy. It may be wisdom
after all, and at any rate I congratulate you. I shall be delighted to see
your niece, but if she knows me you must see that she knows her part
as well."
On leaving Madame Paretti I called on the Signora Isola-Bella, and
gave her the Marquis Triulzi's letter. Soon after she came into the room
and welcomed me, saying that she had been expecting me, as Triulzi
had written to her on the subject. She introduced me to the Marquis
Augustino Grimaldi delta Pietra, her 'cicisbeoin-chief' during the long

absence of her husband, who lived at Lisbon.
The signora's apartments were very elegant. She was pretty with small
though regular features, her manner was pleasant, her voice sweet, and
her figure well shaped, though too thin. She was nearly thirty. I say
nothing of her complexion, for her face was plastered with white and
red, and so coarsely, that these patches of paint were the first things that
caught my attention. I was disgusted at this, in spite of her fine
expressive eyes. After an hour spent in question and reply, in which
both parties were feeling their way, I accepted her invitation to come to
supper on the following day. When I got back I complimented my
niece on the way in which she had arranged her room, which was only
separated from mine by a small closet which I intended for her maid,
who, I told her, was coming the next day. She was highly pleased with
this attention, and it paved the way for my success. I also told her that
the next day she