“My daughter,” she added, “speaks French, and you will find her a good, faithful, and obliging girl.” She ended by saying that her daughter had been in service lately with a lady, and that she would be obliged if she could have her meals by herself. The girl was named Veronique. Rosalie told her that she was a good girl, and that the only way to be respected was to be respectable. Veronique kissed her hand, the mother went away, and Rosalie took the girl into her room to begin her work. I did not forget to thank the marquis, for he had evidently chosen a maid more with a view to my likings than to those of my sweetheart. I told him that I should not fail to call on him, and he replied that he would be happy to see me at any hour, and that I should easily find him at his casino at St. Pierre d’Arena, where he often spent the night. EPISODE 17 -- RETURN TO ITALY GENOA--TUSCANY--ROME CHAPTER IV The Play--The Russian--Petri--Rosalie at the Convent When the marquis had gone, seeing Rosalie engaged with Veronique, I set myself to translate the ‘Ecossaise’ for the actors at Genoa, who seemed pretty good ones, to play. I thought Rosalie looking sad at dinner, and said, “What is the matter, dearest? You know I do not like to see you looking melancholy.” “I am vexed at Veronique’s being prettier than I.” “I see what you mean; I like that! But console yourself, Veronique is nothing compared to you, in my eyes at all events. You are my only beauty; but to reassure you I will ask M. de Grimaldi to tell her mother to come and fetch her away, and to get me another maid as ugly as possible.” “Oh, no! pray do not do so; he will think I am jealous, and I wouldn’t have him think so for the world.” “Well, well, smile again if you do not wish to vex me.” “I shall soon do that, if, as you assure me, she will not make me lose your love. But what made the old gentleman get me a girl like that? Do you think he did it out of mischief?” “No, I don’t think so. I am sure, on the other hand, that he wanted to let you know that you need not fear being compared with anybody. Are you pleased with her in other respects?” “She works well, and she is very respectful. She does not speak four words without addressing me as signora, and she is careful to translate what she says from Italian into French. I hope that in a month I shall speak well enough for us to dispense with her services when we go to Florence. I have ordered Le Duc to clear out the room I have chosen for her, and I will send her her dinner from our own table. I will be kind to her, but I hope you will not make me wretched.” “I could not do so; and I do not see what there can be in common between the girl and myself.” “Then you will pardon my fears.” “The more readily as they shew your love.” “I thank you, but keep my secret.”