The work of the last half-hour had not been very successful, but he had got a clue from Giuliana Parenzo which was better than nothing at all, for he had already made up his mind as to the course Schmidt must have taken when he found himself in difficulties.
He soon recovered his self-possession, and presently he strolled into the officers’ club. It was almost deserted at that hour, for there was then no regular kitchen connected with it. He went straight to the writing-room, meaning to write a note to his colonel, for he knew that in such a case it would be best to lay the matter before him and a council of officers at once, and, in spite of his great anxiety for Maria, it was absolutely necessary to give precedence to the affair of honour. The reputation of the regiment was at stake.
A young subaltern of another regiment was sitting at one of the tables with a sheet of paper before him, on which he had written a few words, but he had apparently not been able to get any further, and was glowering at the opposite wall, the picture of despair. He rose hastily on seeing a superior officer enter, and Castiglione nodded to him familiarly and sat down not far away. But he, too, had some difficulty in composing his note, and as he looked round in search of a word, he met the young lieutenant’s eyes gazing at him with an imploring expression. The boy was the son of a former colonel of the Piedmont Lancers who had been promoted, but had lost most of his fortune nearly at the same time. The youth’s allowance was small, therefore, and it was known that he played too high. Castiglione had a sudden inspiration.
‘What is the matter?’ he asked kindly. ‘You seem to be in trouble. Can I help you?’
The young fellow flushed and sat up straight.
‘Oh, no, Captain! Thank you very much indeed, but I should not dare——’
‘Have you lost money again?’ asked Castiglione, in the same friendly tone.
‘Only five hundred. But you know how it is—we young ones in the regiment never have any cash, you see——’
‘I will help you this time,’ said the elder man. ‘But only on one condition.’
The lieutenant was overwhelmed with gratitude.