It was not possible to have made a better beginning: I continued as successfully. Captain Favello returned at night to the inn; he told me that he regretted the precipitate departure of the galleys, which would so soon deprive him of my agreeable society. “It is by no means certain,” said I, “that we shall so soon separate. We may possibly be longer together than you imagine.” He reflected a moment on what I said, and then asked me if I had really any idea of returning to Spain. “Yes,” answered I; “for know, that it was not so much the pleasure of seeing my relations that brought me to Genoa as the desire to be revenged for an affront offered me by a Genoese who was my rival at Rome. This I tell you,” added I, “having found you to be a man of prudence and discretion, in whom I may confide.” Nothing further was necessary to engage Favello in my service. “Tell me the name,” said he, with enthusiasm, “of the rascal who has insulted you, and I ask but four and twenty hours to fully satisfy your vengeance.” “Captain,” replied I, “I am much indebted to you for taking up my cause so warmly; and were I in want of an avenger I could not have a better champion than yourself. But you judge ill of me if you think that I want either strength or courage to avenge myself. I know where my gentleman lodges, and my blow is sure. All that I have to request of you is, to allow my baggage to be conveyed privately on board your galley, on the eve previous to her sailing. I have more reasons than one for wishing that even my relations may be ignorant of my departure, and entreat you therefore to keep it secret.”
“As to that,” replied the officer, “depend upon me.” Then alluding again to my affair of honour, “you cannot imagine,” continued he, “how mortified I feel, that my services should be refused in the only opportunity that I may have of testifying my zeal for you!” He said this with such apparent concern, that I embraced and endeavoured to console him by saying, “that he would have many opportunities in the course of our voyage of manifesting his friendship towards me.” With similar mutual expressions of friendship towards each other, we parted. The first thing I did the next morning was, to send back all the plate to the goldsmiths by my men, who brought me in return my pistoles which were there in pledge. Scarcely had I deposited them in safety again, when one of my cousins called upon me to say that my uncle Don Bertrand expected me to dine with him the next day. I did not fail to accept of this invitation, and found the whole family assembled when I arrived at his house. We sat down to table in good spirits, and our conversation was lively. Before dinner was over, my major-domo, as I had previously desired him, entered the parlour, and coming up to me with a note in his hand, “Colonel Don Antonio,” said he, “has just been to inquire for you at the inn, and not finding you there, has charged me to deliver this letter.” I opened it without ceremony, and took great pains to read it so loud that my uncle, who sat very near me, might hear every word. It ran thus: