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A Jew Named Mardocheus Becomes My Travelling Companion He Persuades Me to Lodge in His House I Fall in Love With His Daughter Leah After a Stay of Six Weeks I Go to Trieste Some time elapsed before I had time to examine the Marquis of Mosca's collection of Latin poets, amongst which the 'Priapeia' found no place.
She dedicated the spoil of Holofernes, which the people had given her, for a gift unto the Lord; and when she died in Bethulia, a widow of great honour, all Israel did lament. In the second year of the reign of Artaxerxes the Great, Mardocheus, who was a Jew and dwelt in the city of Susa, had a dream.
Mardocheus told his wife what we had settled, and she instructed the Christian servant to cook my supper for me. I had my effects taken upstairs, and then went with Mardocheus to the synagogue. During the short service the Jews paid no attention to me or to several other Christians who were present.
"My dear Mardocheus," I said when he came, "your daughter's appetite doubles mine, and I shall be much obliged if you will allow her to keep me company whenever we have foie gras." "It isn't to my profit to double your appetite, but if you like to pay double I shall have no objection." "Very good, that arrangement will suit me."
At dinner-time I talked only to Mardocheus, without glancing at Leah or paying any attention to the witty sallies she uttered to attract me. I only drank Orvieto. At dessert Leah filled my glass with Scopolo, saying that if I did not drink it neither would she. I replied, without looking at her, that I advised her only to drink water for the future, and that I wanted nothing at her hands.
Three days later he handed me forty gold sequins, which was ample for my needs. My stay in Ancona was costing me dear; but when I told Mardocheus that I should not be going for another month he declared he would no longer feed at my expense. Of course I did not insist. Leah still dined with me.
To offer to pay for me is an impertinence on her part. In fine, I will either dine by myself and pay you seven pawls a day, or I will pay you thirteen, and have both father and daughter to dine with me." The worthy Mardocheus went away, saying that he really could not allow me to dine by myself.
When I awoke and saw her standing by my bedside with the gentle love of the day after the wedding, the idea of my approaching departure saddened me. I told her so, and she begged me to stay on as long as I could. I repeated that we would arrange everything when we met again at night. We had a delicious dinner, for Mardocheus was bent on convincing me that he was no miser.
I went aboard the ship and took the best place, said good-bye to the consul, paid Mardocheus, and packed my trunks. Leah heard that I was going the same day, and came and told me that she could not give me back my lace and my silk stockings that day, but that I could have them by the next day.
"My dear Mardocheus," I said when he came, "your daughter's appetite doubles mine, and I shall be much obliged if you will allow her to keep me company whenever we have foie gras." "It isn't to my profit to double your appetite, but if you like to pay double I shall have no objection." "Very good, that arrangement will suit me."
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