I would not get up till late, and that I would dine in my bed without any
foie gras. I slept ten hours, and when I awoke I felt hungry and rang my
bell.

The maid answered and said that she would have the honour of waiting on
me, as Leah had a violent headache.

I made no answer, thanking Providence for delivering me from this
impudent and dangerous woman.

Having found my dinner rather spare I told the cook to get me a good
supper.

The weather was dreadful. The Venetian consul had heard of my return, and
not having seen me concluded I was ill, and paid me a two hours' visit.
He assured me the storm would last for a week at least. I was very sorry
to hear it; in the first place, because I did not want to see any more of
Leah, and in the second, because I had not got any money. Luckily I had
got valuable effects, so this second consideration did not trouble me
much.

As I did not see Leah at supper-time I imagined that she was feigning
illness to avoid meeting me, and I felt very much obliged to her on this
account. As it appeared, however, I was entirely mistaken in my
conjectures.

The next day she came to ask for chocolate in her usual way, but she no
longer bore upon her features her old tranquillity of expression.

"I will take coffee, mademoiselle," I observed; "and as I do not want