"The only thing needful," said I, "is a fine physique and plenty of money, and those ladies who despised their friend were either ridiculously proud or abominably envious. I have not the slightest doubt that if they could find any more Gieppis they would be willing enough to lower themselves." She would doubtless have made a sharp reply, for what I had said had angered her; but the Marquis Triulzi arriving, she went out with him, while her husband and myself went to a place where there was a bank at faro, the banker only having a hundred sequins before him. I took a card and staked small sums like the rest of the company. After losing twenty ducats I left the place. As we were going to the opera the poor count told me I had made him lose ten ducats on his word of honour, and that he did not know how he could pay it by the next day. I pitied him, and gave him the money without a word; for misery has always appealed strongly to me. Afterwards I lost two hundred ducats at the same bank to which I had lost money the evening before. The count was in the greatest distress. He did not know that Greppi, whom his proud wife considered so worthless, had a hundred thousand francs of my money, and that I possessed jewellery to an even greater amount. The countess, who had seen me lose, asked me if I would sell my beautiful dress. "They say it's worth a thousand sequins," said she. "Yes, that is so; but I would sell everything I possess before parting with any of the articles which I intend for the fair sex." "Marquis Triulzi wants it badly to present to someone." "I am very sorry, but I cannot sell it to him." She went away without a word, but I could see that she was exceedingly vexed at my refusal. As I was leaving the opera-house I saw Therese getting into her sedan-chair. I went up to her, and told her that I was sure she was going to sup with her lover. She whispered in my ear that she was going to sup by herself, and that I might come if I dared. I gave her an agreeable surprise by accepting the invitation. "I will expect you, then," she said. I asked the count to ride home in my carriage, and taking a chair I reached Therese's house just as she was going in. What a happy evening we had! We laughed heartily when we told each other our thoughts. "I know you were in love with Countess A---- B----," said she, "and I felt sure you would not dare to come to supper with me." "And I thought I should confound you by accepting your invitation, as I knew Greppi was your lover." "He is my friend," she replied. "If he loves me in any other way than that of friendship, I pity him, for as yet he has not discovered the secret of seduction." "Do you think he ever will?" "No, I don't. I am rich." "Yes, but he is richer than you." "I know that, but I think he loves his money better than he loves me." "I understand. You will make him happy if he loves you well enough to ruin himself."