The next point was how to introduce myself in my other apparel.
This required some reflection, as it would be but occasionally that I
could make my appearance. After some reflection, I determined that the
niece should assist me, for I knew that even if I succeeded in my plans,
she would be a participator in the property which I wished to secure.
Often left in her company, I took opportunities of talking of a young
friend whom I highly extolled. When I had raised her curiosity, I
mentioned in a laughing manner, that I suspected he was very much
smitten with her charms, as I had often found him watching at the house
opposite. An admirer is always a source of gratification to a young
girl; her vanity was flattered, and she asked me many particulars. I
answered them so as to inflame her curiosity, describing his person in a
very favourable manner, and extolling his good qualities. I also
minutely described his dress. After the music lesson was over, I
returned to my lodgings, arrayed myself in my best suit, and putting on
my curling ringlets, walked up and down before the window of the house.
The niece soon recognised me as the person whose dress and appearance I
had so minutely described, one moment showing herself at the window, at
another darting away with all the coquetry of her sex. I perceived that
she was flattered with her conquest; and, after parading myself for a
short time, I disappeared.
When I called the next day in my monastic costume, I had a billet-doux
ready in my pocket.
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