In about an hour the concert was interrupted by a magnificent collation by way of interlude. I took this opportunity to return to my divinity, to whom I now publicly paid the most marked attention, in preference to the other ladies present; and my rivals now no longer doubted that I was the favoured lover. Whatever malice, however, they might on this account nourish against me, they none of them dared think of being revenged on me, which they were well convinced the Duke would make them repent of. For my part I cared so little for their displeasure, that I thought of nothing but of completing the conquest of my charmer. And love seemed willing to furnish me with opportunity; for just at this moment, a musician passing close by us, I called to him, and asked if he knew the two or three new airs that had lately been so popular at Rome. “I received them only this day,” answered he, “so that I have not yet had leisure to study them.” The ladies then asked me if I knew them. I replied in the affirmative; and no sooner did they signify that they should like to hear them, than, without waiting like a professional man to be further pressed, I began to hum them in a very faint voice, pretending that I did not wish all the company to hear me. No sooner had I begun, however, than I was surrounded by all the ladies and gentlemen near me. My notes were not so very inaudible but that they reached the Duchess’s ear, who, advancing towards me, requested particularly that I would give my voice full scope. I must not forget one circumstance. Her Highness made signs to my widow and some other ladies of rank near her, to join the party to partake of the pleasure she anticipated. They advanced towards her directly; and the Duchess, either out of malice or goodness, placed them in such a manner that my mistress stared me full in the face. After which she whispered to me with a smile: “You see I am willing to pay you in advance for the favour you are about to grant me.” At these words I bowed most obsequiously, and least she should continue thus to tantalize me, I hastened to begin my song.