I had no sooner paid and sent away the Tailor, than my host came up and informed me that the Grand Duke had sent me, while I slept, a present of wine, fruits, and sweetmeats. This was a compliment that this Prince was in the habit of making to the illustrious foreigners who visited his court. The landlord added that he would not disturb my repose to acquaint me with it. I was not sorry that I had not seen the gentleman whom the Duke had sent with this present, as I must have paid pretty roundly for the carriage; and I could not be too frugal, considering how much I should need money to enable me to make any appearance at Court. I thought then that I should escape this expense, in which I was a little mistaken. Scarcely had my host ordered the Prince’s fruit and wine to be brought into my chamber, when his Highness’s gentleman was announced to me. I was obliged to endure a common place harangue, which ended in informing me that the Duchess hoped to see me in the afternoon. I made upon that an abundance of compliments to this gentleman, and Sayavedra, like a well-bred valet, attended him to the door to slip a few crowns into his hand. I amused myself then by trying on the rest of our purchases: such as silk stockings, a superfine hat, ribbons, gay shoes, linen, gloves, and every other necessary article of dress. Seeing that nothing was wanting, I began by shaving, combing, cleaning, and powdering myself; then being dressed, and looking at myself continually in a glass, I turned towards my confidant, to ask him if he thought there was any thing wanting. He answered, that I looked so well, that he was much mistaken if I did not that day distract all the men with jealousy and all the women with love. I did not fail then to put on my elegant gold chain, and fasten below it with a ribbon a miniature portrait of my dear master which he had given me the day before my departure.
I was like another Narcissus, enchanted with myself; I wished myself already at the palace, so desirous was I of showing myself off. I think I should have gone without any refreshment, if Sayavedra had not represented to me that it was necessary to take care of the inside, on which the outside depended; and that starvation was not very likely to improve my complexion. Though I had but little appetite, for I was puffed out with my dress, and my stomach might be said to be as full of wind as my head was; I suffered myself to be prevailed upon to eat a little of what my confidant ordered into my chamber. I was so fearful of soiling myself in eating, that I was quite uneasy until dinner was finished. I tasted the Duke’s fruit, and drank a few glasses of verdee which had accompanied the fruits. I found this wine most excellent, and I did not doubt but it would enliven my conversation, if taken in moderation. After this slight repast, I walked up and down my room strutting about; I did nothing but question my squire as to my appearance, and he assured me that I was a very mirror of cavaliers. Satisfied with this testimony, to which my self-love very readily assented, I repaired to the palace, attended by Sayavedra, who, to do me credit, had also made a few purchases for himself at the expense of my purse, which began now to look rather foolish after such copious bleeding.