He returned—
“Who knows if we shall not need him shortly? As I passed by I saw the town was in the greatest commotion imaginable, and that the works were on fire. Is this accident an invention of yours?”
“I believe Hans arranged the whole affair.”
“Gay disposition, Hans! He is fond of an attractive mise en scene. But I should be glad to have a little lunch; I left Paris quite hurriedly.”
“Milona will serve you.”
They passed into the dining-room. The table was set, and Cesare took a seat.
“Come and talk to me, my beautiful Sophia. Time has weighed heavy on my hands since last I saw you. I have vainly sought for distractions.”
“What have you been doing?”
“Ah! Trying to win a little money at cards. A kind of fatality seems to pursue me, my bad luck never leaves me, and I cannot touch a card without losing.”
“You have lost much?”