He had just left the dinner-table as I entered, and he had company.

I observed amongst the guests an officer wearing the Spanish uniform, but I was not put out of countenance.

I told the Abbe Grimani that I was only passing through Venice, and that I had felt it a duty and a pleasure to pay my respects to him.
"I did not expect to see you in such a costume." "I have resolved to throw off the garb which could not procure me a fortune likely to satisfy my ambition." "Where are you going ?" "To Constantinople; and I hope to find a quick passage to Corfu, as I have dispatches from Cardinal Acquaviva." "Where do you come from now ?" "From the Spanish army, which I left ten days ago." These words were hardly spoken, when I heard the voice of a young nobleman exclaiming; "That is not true." "The profession to which I belong," I said to him with great animation, "does not permit me to let anyone give me the lie." And upon that, bowing all round, I went away, without taking any notice of those who were calling me back.
I wore an uniform; it seemed to me that I was right in showing that sensitive and haughty pride which forms one of the characteristics of military men.

I was no longer a priest: I could not bear being given the lie, especially when it had been given to me in so public a manner.
I called upon Madame Manzoni, whom I was longing to see.

She was very happy to see me, and did not fail to remind me of her prediction.