“Take him, I say; the risk is mine,” whispered Linton, whose impatience at the other's caution became each moment stronger.
“Do you accept, Monsieur de Rica?” said the Duke, pushing back his chair from the table, as though about to rise, “or is there to be an armistice for the present?”
“It would be ungenerous, my Lord Duke, to refuse you anything in my power to grant,” said Rica, obsequiously. “As a high-spirited but unfortunate player—”
“Let not this weigh with you, sir,” said the Duke, proudly; “the chances are that I leave my estate behind me on this table. That is the only consideration for you to entertain.”
“Take him at once; it will be too late soon,” whispered Linton again.
“I agree, my Lord,” said Rica, with a slight sigh, as if yielding in opposition to his inclination. “When is the money to be forthcoming?”
“Now, sir. Here, upon this spot; here, where, before I rise, I am determined to have my revenge.”
“The bank always closes at daybreak,” said Rica, gravely.
“Upon this occasion it will not,” said the Duke, with an air of command.
“Be it so, my Lord Duke; you shall have everything as you wish it. I only call these gentlemen to witness that this proceeding is contrary to my desire, and must form no precedent for the future.”