"To my dearest and always appreciated friend, I submit myself--
"DEAR SIR:
"I sent you last night an offering by the bearer of this note, and you
returned me a letter which I translated.
"Be it known to you, sir, that I am giving this waltz away in the best
society, and therefore to your honoured self. Therefore it is
beholden to you to recognise the attention, I mean by a tangible
return, as this composition was made by myself. You will therefore
send by your humble servant, the bearer, any offering, however minute,
that you may be prompted to make. Send it under cover of an envelope.
The bearer may be trusted.
"I did not indulge in the pleasure of visiting your honourable self
this morning, as I find my body not to be enjoying the normal exercise
of its functions.
"As regards the skins from the mountain, you shall be waited on by a
small boy at seven o'clock at night with ten skins from which you may
select those which most satisfy your aspirations.
"In the hope that you will look upon this in the same light as myself,
I beg to be allowed to remain,
"Your most faithful servant,
"CAPTAIN ERNESTO BECUCCI."