When I was alone with Sayavedra: “My friend,” said I, “my joy overpowers me, I must ease my heart.” At the same time I recounted to him all that had happened at the ball, where I had been so much distinguished, the infinite praise bestowed on me by the Duchess, and my flattering reception from the Duke. My confident cared for nothing but what was solidly advantageous. Praises he looked on as smoke; but the account of the widow charmed him. His eyes sparkled with joy when I mentioned her to him, “Think nothing of the rest,” said he; “this may turn out to your advantage, if you know how to profit by the favourable impression you have made on that lady.” Sayavedra and I employed half the night in building castles in the air on this subject, and in deliberating what course we ought to take to bring the affair to a happy issue. It was resolved in council that on the ensuing day we should procure the large trunk we had spoken of before, and that I should purchase as splendid a suit as my purse would afford, to enable me to sustain at Court the character I had already assumed. This resolution was followed by my giving strict orders to Sayavedra to be in the field early the next morning to put our plans in practice: after which I went to bed. Not that I could close my eyes during the whole night, for it was already day, when, by rocking myself so incessantly with chimeras, I fell asleep for a short time. Sayavedra, who had returned from executing his commissions, came into my room and awoke me. He was followed by a Tailor, at whose shop he had found a suit ready made, which had never been worn. The Tailor told me, that it had been ordered by a young Nobleman, who had suddenly disappeared from Court, after having lost a large sum of money by gaming, and that he desired nothing better than to get rid of it at a fair price. I got up directly and tried it on, and most fortunately it fitted me as well as if it had been made for me. Nothing was wanting but to fix the price: which we agreed on, after a dispute which would have lasted longer, if the Tailor had not wanted money, and if I had not had an earnest longing for the suit; to which he added some gold lace to correspond: which completed it in the fashion of dress at Rome.