Page:The genius - Carl Grosse tr Joseph Trapp 1796.djvu/427

 place, and, seizing a large tumbler of water which stood on Chlorinda's night-stand, I dashed it with loud force on the floor.

Chlorinda understood the meaning of this signal. Bur despairing of getting rid of her guest, she rung the servant and bid him go into the alcove and see if her lap-dog had done no mischief. She would have gone herself, but was afraid lest the dutchess should follow her step by step.

The servant came to me with a lighted candle, when pressing some gold into his hand, I requested him in a low tone of voice, to hasten to the door of the house, and should Count Selami come, to desire him on my part, for his life, to go home immediately. "The servant now took with him the little lap-dog which actually laid on Chlorinda's bed and was fast asleep, and turning him into the other apartment, said, "Signora, little Franciulla has broken a porcelain bason and stand!"

At these words, our ill fate decreed, that the count should bounce into the room, footing a cotillion step, whistling a favorite tune, and in as high spirits as I ever saw him in my