Memoirs of Casanova — Volume 04: Return to Venice by Giacomo Casanova
page 49 of 125 (39%)
page 49 of 125 (39%)
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I called upon L'Abbadie on the following day, and after a short exchange
of compliments I told him the service I expected from his friendship. He excused himself in a very polite manner, drowning his refusal in that sea of commonplaces which people are sure to repeat when they cannot or will not oblige a friend. Zawoiski came in as he was still apologizing, and I left them together. I hurried at once to M. de Bragadin, and told him my want of success. He merely remarked that the Frenchman was deficient in intelligence. It just happened that it was the very day on which the appointment of the inspectorship was to be brought before the senate. I went out to attend to my business (I ought to say to my pleasure), and as I did not return home till after midnight I went to bed without seeing my father. In the morning I said in his presence that I intended to call upon L'Abbadie to congratulate him upon his appointment. "You may spare yourself that trouble; the senate has rejected his nomination." "How so? Three days ago L'Abbadie felt sure of his success." "He was right then, for he would have been appointed if I had not made up my mind to speak against him. I have proved to the senate that a right policy forbade the government to trust such an important post to a foreigner." "I am much surprised, for your excellency was not of that opinion the day before yesterday." "Very true, but then I did not know M. de l'Abbadie. I found out only |
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