The Marchioness and her sister could not help laughing at this equivoque which added to the confusion of Matilda.
"Come, come, (cried the Countess, her friend) none of your pleasantry my Lord; the Count shall tell his own story to the ladies another time, and I will assist him where he fails to do himself justice."
The Count bowed; "You are very good to me, madam; I am only afraid I shall have occasion for troubling you and the Marchioness to prove your partiality for me, at the expense of your judgement." "Very well, Count, (said the Marquis) I am thrown out, I see. Faith, you are in the right; a young handsome fellow seldom fails of engaging the ladies, whilst no such dust is thrown in our eyes, to blind our judgement, or obtain a partial testimony." "Be quiet, Marquis, (said his sister;) you are really malicious."
