Here what might have terminated in a stormy conversation was interrupted by my old and esteemed friend, Folbrizzio, who happened to be coming, accompanied by a lady, from the opposite direction. I was anxious to see him, so we conversed for some time, then formed an appointment to meet later on. In the meantime, the ladies were discussing, though not with a gravity becoming their subject, the merits and demerits of the members of the stronger sex whom they met at the ball; for I regret to relate that even the young ladies of Neuroomia possess this weakness, though not to the extent that it prevails elsewhere. The conversation, however, must have been of an edifying character, for if it did not elevate, it at least gave a more cheerful tone to the thoughts of Louva, and we walked on through the splendid avenues till we came to one leading back to the ballroom. This we took. Louva now appeared to advantage, and I thought her more beautiful than ever.
In reply to a jocular remark, she said that she loved none. This raised my hopes, for I now began to discover the truth, sweet or bitter, that I loved her much, yet I felt uncertain if my passion were returned. I conducted her to the ballroom, and there we parted, as the hour at which I had
