to a tune of his own composing, and held forth upon the
music and recitative of the ancients with great erudition; while
Pallet, having found means to make the Italian acquainted with the
nature of his profession, harangued upon painting with wonderful
volubility, in a language which (it was well for his own credit)
the stranger did not understand.
At length the doctor was seized with such a qualm, that he begged
Peregrine to lead him to his chamber; and the baron, being waked,
retired with the count. Peregrine, being rendered frolicsome with
the wine he had drunk, proposed that he and Pallet should go to a
masquerade, which he recollected was to be given that night. The
painter did not want curiosity and inclination to accompany him, but
expressed his apprehension of losing him in the ball; an accident
which could not fail to be very disagreeable, as he was an utter
stranger to the language and the town. To obviate this objection,
the landlady, who was of their council, advised him to appear in
a woman's dress, which would lay his companion under the necessity
of attending him with more care, as he could not with decency detach
himself from the lady whom he should introduce; besides, such a
connection would hinder the ladies of pleasure from accosting and
employing their seducing arts upon a person already engaged.
Pages:
465
466
467
468
469
470
471
472
473
474
475
476
477
478
479
480
481
482
483
484
485
486
487
488
489