“I am sure it is my father weeping for joy.”

She had three hundred and sixty sequins which she took to him after amusing herself for a few hours.  I only danced one minuet with her, for my amorous exploits and the heavy supper I had taken had tired me, and I longed for rest.  I let Irene dance with whom she liked, and going into a corner fell asleep.  I woke up with a start and saw Irene standing before me.  I had been asleep for three hours.  I took her back to the “Three Kings,” and left her in the charge of her father and mother.  The poor man was quite alarmed to see so much gold on the table, and told me to wish him a pleasant journey, as he was starting in a few hours.  I could make no opposition and I did not wish to do so, but Irene was furious.

“I won’t go,” she cried; “I want to stay with my lover.  You are the ruin of my life.  Whenever anybody takes a liking to me, you snatch me away.  I belong to this gentleman, and I won’t leave him.”

However, she saw that I did not back her up, and began to weep, then kissed me again and again, and just as she was going to sit down, worn out with fatigue and despair, I went off, wishing them a pleasant journey, and telling Irene we should meet again.  The reader will learn in due time when and how I saw them again.  After all the fatigue I had gone through I was glad to go to bed.

It was eight o’clock when the young lieutenant awoke me.

“My sister has told me about the masquerade,” said he, “but I have a great secret to confide in you.”

“Say on, and count on my keeping your secret.”

“One of the finest noblemen of the town, my friend and my cousin’s lover, who has to be very careful of his actions on account of his exalted position, would like to be of the party if you have no objection.  My sister and my cousin would like him to come very much.”

“Of course he shall.  I have been making my calculations for a party of five, and now it will be a party of six, that is all.”

“You really are a splendid fellow.”

“On Sunday evening you must be at a certain place, of which I will tell you.  First of all we will have supper, then put on our disguises, and then go to the ball.  To-morrow at five o’clock we shall meet at your sister’s.  All I want to know is what is the height of your mistress and of the young nobleman.”

“My sweetheart is two inches shorter than my sister, and a little thinner; my friend is just about the same make as you are, and if you were dressed alike you would be mistaken for each other.”

“That will do.  Let me think it over, and leave me alone now; there’s a Capuchin waiting for me, and I am curious to learn his business.”

A Capuchin had called on me and I had told Clairmont to give him an alms, but he had said he wanted to speak to me in private.  I was puzzled, for what could a Capuchin have to say to me?

He came in, and I was at once impressed by his grave and reverend appearance.  I made him a profound bow and offered him a seat, but he remained standing, and said,