Volume V Part 3 (2/2)
”Neither to your honour nor shaahed at, your skill will be applauded, and you will be admired, for each one will say that in your place he would have done likewise!”
”Would you?”
”Certainly If I had been sure that the ball would have gone to the harlequin, I would have broken the rascal's bank, as you did I will say honestly that I do not knohether you won by luck or skill, but the most probable hypothesis, to my mind, is that you knew the direction of the ball Youto be said in favour of the supposition”
”I confess that there is, but it is none the less a dishonourable imputation on me, and you in your turn ht of hand, or by an agreerievously”
”That depends on the way you look at it I confess they insult you, if you think yourself insulted; but they are not aware of that, and their intention being quite different there is no insult at all in the matter
I promise you no one will tell you to your face that you cheated, but how are you going to prevent the so?”
”Well, let them think what they like, but let thehts”
I went hoer vexed hed, for in the state of morals at Genoa, the accusation, whether true or false, could not injure ained by it a reputation for being a genius, a terue,” though theis the sa that I should have had no scruple in breaking the bank in the way suggested, if it had only been for the sake of h What vexed me most was that I was credited with an exploit I had not performed
When dinner-time drew near I endeavoured to overco to receive My niece was adorned only with her native charms, for the rascal Croce had sold all her jewels; but she was elegantly dressed, and her beautiful hair was more precious than a crown of rubies
Rosalie ca very lovely Her husband, her uncle, and her aunt ith her, and also two friends, one of as the aspirant for the hand of my niece
Madareat people Just as ere going to sit down, Clairmont told me that a man wanted to speak to me
”Shew him in”
As soon as he appeared M Gri!”
”What do you want?” I said, dryly
”Sir, I am coht that ”
I did not let him finish
”I have never refused to aid the unfortunate,” said I ”Clairive him ten sequins Leave the room”
This incident spoke in my favour, and made me in a better temper
We sat down to table, and a letter was handed to , and put it init
The dinner was delicious, and h her exalted rank and the brilliance of her attire gave Signora Isoia-Bella the first place of right, she was nevertheless eclipsed byGenoese was all attention for the fair Marseillaise, and I could see that she was not displeased I sincerely wished to see her in love with someone, and I liked her too well to bear the idea of her burying herself in a convent She could never be happy till she found soht her to the brink of ruin
I seized the opportunity, when all ed with each other, to open Possano's letter It ran as follows:
”I went to the bank to change the piece of gold you gave ht I was told to naot it, but of course I did not do so I then had to go to prison, and if you do not get h of course I aave the letter to Grimaldi, and e had left the table he took me aside, and said,--
”This is a very serious allows for the man who clipped the coin”