So I did at last the thing I should have done
at first; - I stood stock-still, and the Marquisina had no more
difficulty. I had no power to go into the room, till I had made
her so much reparation as to wait and follow her with my eye to the
end of the passage. She look'd back twice, and walk'd along it
rather sideways, as if she would make room for any one coming up
stairs to pass her. - No, said I - that's a vile translation: the
Marquisina has a right to the best apology I can make her, and that
opening is left for me to do it in; - so I ran and begg'd pardon for
the embarrassment I had given her, saying it was my intention to
have made her way. She answered, she was guided by the same
intention towards me; - so we reciprocally thank'd each other. She
was at the top of the stairs; and seeing no cicisbeo near her, I
begg'd to hand her to her coach; - so we went down the stairs,
stopping at every third step to talk of the concert and the
adventure. - Upon my word, Madame, said I, when I had handed her in,
I made six different efforts to let you go out. - And I made six
efforts, replied she, to let you enter. - I wish to heaven you would
make a seventh, said I. - With all my heart, said she, making room.-
-Life is too short to be long about the forms of it, - so I
instantly stepp'd in, and she carried me home with her.
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