Chevalier de Seingult[1] had a saying that an affair consisted of four acts.
The first act was like the entrée or solicitation, the second act was like a further hors d’oeuvre in anticipation of the primo and the secondo. Of course, these culinary metaphors were not always appropriate.
In the case of Signorina Teresa Imer, things had never gone beyond the second act, and those appetizing hors d’oeuvres. The Chevalier had been called away from Venice for a number of years, but on his return to the city of his birth, he had the good fortune to be reacquainted with his former patron; which is why he was now wending his way, via gondola, to a masked ball at the invitation of Signor Malipiero.
“All good things come to he who waits,” declared the masked knight.
“If you think I am such an easy catch, you will have to wait a little longer.”
So saying, the Signorina Teresa Imer managed to give the Chevalier the slip between the embonpoints of two overlaid galleys.
If the Chevalier was obliged to dally during the intermezzo; he need not have worried. When, a little while later, he came across his little boat giggling behind the curtains in one of the upper rooms, he seized her in his embrace.
“Aspetti, Signor,” she said, “You would not wish to ruin my dress.”
They were in one of those rooms that are often kept shut during the winter months, and there was dust everywhere.
By now feeling both gallant and impetuous, the Chevalier pulled on one of the drapes and laid it on the floor for Signorina Teresa Imer to lie on.
The Chevalier lifted the Signorina’s sail and undid his own small pocket. With his customary detachment mingled with ardour, he was able to observe the climax to this most surprising of third acts.
The sighs of the Signorina were reaching a crescendo when there came a false note.
The Signorina exploded with a huge sneeze. “I’m sorry,” she said. “These drapes are full of dust!”
[1]One of Casanova’s many aliases.