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not be displeased at
my undertaking this good work. Of course I shall do nothing without
your consent."
"I respect the decrees of fate when they are promulgated by such a man
as you. If your excellency can induce Marcoline to leave me, I will
make no objection; but I warn you that she must be won mildly. She is
intelligent, she loves me, and she knows that she is independent;
besides she reckons on me, and she has cause to do so. Speak to her
to-day by herself; my presence would only be in your way. Wait till
dinner is over; the interview might last some time."
"My dear Casanova, you are an honest man. I am delighted to have
made your acquaintance."
"You do me too much honour. I may say that Marcoline will hear
nothing of all this."
When I got back to the inn, I gave Marcoline an exact account of the
whole conversation, warning her that she would be supposed to know
nothing about it.

"You must execute a masterly stroke, dearest," said I, "to persuade M.
Querini that I did not lie in saying that you had not seen your uncle. As
soon as you see him, you must give a shout of surprise, exclaim, 'My
dear uncle!' and rush to his arms. This would be a splendid and
dramatic situation, which would do you honour in the eyes of all the
company."
"You may be sure that I shall play the part very well, although my heart
be sad."
At the time appointed we waited on the ambassadors, and found that all
the other guests had assembled. Marcoline, as blithe and smiling as
before, first accosted M. Querini, and then did the polite to all the
company. A few minutes before dinner Mattio brought in his master's
spectacles on a silver tray. Marcoline, who was sitting next to M.
Querini, stopped short in something she was saying, and staring at the
man, exclaimed in a questioning voice,--
"My uncle?"
"Yes, my dear niece."
Marcoline flung herself into his arms, and there was a moving scene,
which excited the admiration of all.
"I knew you had left Venice, dear uncle, but I did not know you were in
his excellency's service. I am so glad to see you again! You will tell my
father and mother about me? You see I am happy. Where were you
yesterday?"
"Here."
"And you didn't see me?"
"Yes; but your uncle there . . ."
"Well," said I, laughing, "let us know each other, cousin, and be good
friends. Marcoline, I congratulate you on having such an honest man

for an uncle."
"That is really very fine," said M. Querini; and everybody exclaimed,
"Very affecting, very affecting indeed!"
The newly-found uncle departed, and we sat down to dinner, but in
spirits which differed from those of yesterday. Marcoline bore traces of
those mingled emotions of happiness and regret which move loyal
hearts when they call to mind ther native land. M. Querini looked at her
admiringly, and seemed to have all the confidence of success which a
good action gives to the mind. M. Morosini sat a pleased spectator. The
others were attentive and curious as to what would come next. They
listened to what was said, and hung on Marcoline's lips.
After the first course there was greater unison in the company, and M.
Morosini told Marcoline that if she would return to Venice she would
be sure of finding a husband worthy of her.
"I must be the judge of that," said she.
"Yes, but it is a good thing to have recourse to the advice of discreet
persons who are interested in the happiness of both parties."
"Excuse me, but I do not think so. If I ever marry, my husband will
have to please me first."
"Who has taught you this maxim?" said Querini.
"My uncle, Casanova, who has, I verily believe, taught me everything
that can be learnt in the two months I have been happy enough to live
with him."
"I congratulate the master and the pupil, but you are both too young to
have learnt all the range of science. Moral science cannot be learnt in
two months."
"What his excellency has just said," said I, turning to Marcoline, "is
perfectly correct. In affairs of marriage both parties should rely to a

great extent on the advice of friends, for mere marriages of inclination
are often unhappy."
"That is a really philosophical remark, my dear Marcoline," said
Querini; "but tell me the qualities which in your opinion are desirable
in a husband."
"I should be puzzled to name them, but they would all become manifest
in the man that pleased me."
"And supposing he were a worthless fellow?"
"He would certainly not please me,