Just San Teodoro, forgive me! But thou canst remember the time, my friends, when the penance of the church was not without service on thine own fickle tastes and truant practices." "The Signore Gradenigo was a gallant in his time," observed the third, "as all well know who travelled in his company.

Thou wert much spoken of at Versailles and at Vienna; nay, thou canst not deny thy vogue to one who, if he hath no other merit, hath a memory." "I protest against these false recollections," rejoined the accused, a withered smile lighting his faded countenance; "we have been young, Signori, but among us all, I never knew a Venetian of more general fashion and of better report, especially with the dames of France, than he who has just spoken." "Account it not--account it not--'twas the weakness of youth and the use of the times!--I remember to have seen thee, Enrico, at Madrid, and a gayer or more accomplished gentleman was not known at the Spanish court." "Thy friendship blinded thee.

I was a boy and full of spirits; no more, I may assure thee.

Didst hear of my affair with the mousquetaire when at Paris ?" "Did I hear of the general war?
Thou art too modest to raise this doubt of a meeting that occupied the coteries for a month, as it had been a victory of the powers! Signor Gradenigo, it was a pleasure to call him countryman at that time; for I do assure thee, a sprightlier or more gallant gentleman did not walk the terrace." "Thou tellest me of what my own eyes have been a witness.

Did I not arrive when men's voices spoke of nothing else?
A beautiful court and a pleasant capital were those of France in our day, Signori." "None pleasanter or of greater freedom of intercourse.