South of France | Page 7

Her father, a prosperous merchant
of Marseilles, was well known in the commercial circles of Genoa, and
besides this her wit and beauty captivated everybody, and one young
gentleman fell madly in love with her. He was an extremely good
match, and proved to be the husband whom Heaven had destined for
my charming friend. What a happy thought it was for me that I had
been the means of rescuing her from the gulf of shame, misery, and
despair, and placing her on the high road to happiness. I own that I
have always felt a keener pleasure in doing good than in anything else,
though, perhaps, I may not always have done good from strictly
disinterested motives.
When we rose from the table in excellent humour with ourselves and
our surroundings, cards were proposed, and Rosalie, who knew my
likings, said it must be trente-quarante. This was agreed to, and we
played till supper, nobody either winning or losing to any extent. We
did not go till midnight, after having spent a very happy day.
When we were in our room I asked my niece how she had known
Rosalie.
"I knew her at home; she and her mother used to bring linen from the
wash. I always liked her."
"You must be nearly the same age."
"She is two years older than I am. I recognized her directly."

"What did she tell you?"
"That it was you who brought her from Marseilles and made her
fortune."
"She has not made you the depositary of any other confidences?"
"No, but there are some things which don't need telling."
"You are right. And what did you tell her?"
"Only what she could have guessed for herself. I told her that you were
not my uncle, and if she thought you were my lover I was not sorry.
You do not know how I have enjoyed myself to-day, you must have
been born to make me happy."
"But how about La Croix?"
"For heaven's sake say nothing about him."
This conversation increased my ardour. She called Annette, and I went
to my room.
As I had expected, Annette came to me as soon as her mistress was in
bed.
"If the lady is really your niece," said she, "may I hope that you still
love me?"
"Assuredly, dear Annette, I shall always love you. Undress, and let us
have a little talk."
I had not long to wait, and in the course of two voluptuous hours I
quenched the flames that another woman had kindled in my breast.
Next morning Possano came to tell me that he had arranged matters
with the cook with the help of six sequins. I gave him the money, and
told him to be more careful for the future.

I went to Rosalie's for my breakfast, which she was delighted to give
me: and I asked her and her husband to dinner on the following day,
telling her to bring any four persons she liked.
"Your decision," said I, "will decide the fate of my cook; it will be his
trial dinner."
She promised to come, and then pressed me to tell her the history of my
amours with her fair country-woman.
"Alas!" I said, "you may not believe me, but I assure you I am only
beginning with her."
"I shall certainly believe you, if you tell me so, though it seems very
strange."
"Strange but true. You must understand, however, that I have only
known her for a very short time; and, again, I would not be made happy
save through love, mere submission would kill me."
"Good! but what did she say of me?"
I gave her a report of the whole conversation I had had with my niece
the night before, and she was delighted."
"As you have not yet gone far with your niece, would you object if the
young man who shewed her so much attention yesterday were of the
party to-morrow?"
"Who is he? I should like to know him."
"M. N----, the only son of a rich merchant."
"Certainly, bring him with you."
When I got home I went to my niece, who was still in bed, and told her
that her fellow-countryman would dine with us to-morrow. I comforted
her with the assurance that M. Paretti would not tell her father that she
was in Genoa. She had been a good deal tormented with the idea that

the merchant would inform her father of all.
As I was going out to supper I told her that she could go and sup with
Rosalie, or take supper at home if she preferred it.
"You are too kind to me, my dear uncle. I will go to Rosalie's."
"Very good. Are you satisfied with Annette?"
"Oh! by the way, she told