“Excuse me, captain,” said the other, gently fencing off the hand, “we are only playing at Supposes.”
“Yes, but through suppositions one arrives at the fact,” responded the cardplayer, whose eyes glowed like burning coals.
“Have we reached this point?”
Beausire hesitated; let us hasten to say that it was not honor, fidelity to plighted word, or a pricked conscience which caused the wavering. Did our readers know Beausire, they would not want this denial. It was the simple fear that the count would not keep his word.
“I see what you are passing through,” said the tempter.
“Ay, my lord, I shrink from betraying the trust a gentleman puts in me,” replied the adventurer. “It is very hard,” he seemed to say as he raised his eyes heavenward.
“Nay, it is not that, and this is another proof of the old saw that ‘No man knows himself',” said the count. “You are afraid that I will not pay you the sum stated. The objection is quite natural; but I shall give security.”
“My lord certainly need not.”
“Personal security, Madam Legay.”
“Oh, if the count promises, it is as good as done,” said the lady.