came. On our return we searched every part of the house from top to bottom, but with as little success as our servants had done before us.
The count began to think, that this incident would not as much prejudice him in the dutchess's affections, as serve to render her cautious for the future. And he well knew, that a woman that can coolly reflect on her passion, is already half-way of getting the better of it entirely. But no such disposition was in that lady's heart. She concealed her pain, applied plaisters to the wounded parts, and afterwards was more imprudent and rasher than ever. Impatient desire sparkled in her eyes, and had not illness prevented her husband, he could not but have perceived the change of her conduct.
The duke soon recovered, and was determined, before the commencement of the Lent season to give a brilliant fete to the count at his villa in the environs of Venice. Most of the nobles were invited, and the best musicians engaged.
