At the end of the deal the general returned to the charge, and said,—
“Really, chevalier, this maxim of yours is anti-social; you must play.”
So saying he drew several English bank notes from his pocket-book, telling me they were the same I had given him in London six months ago.
“Take your revenge,” he added; “there are four hundred pounds here.”
“I don’t want to lose as much as that,” I replied, “but I will risk fifty pounds to amuse you.”
With this I took out the bill of exchange that Madame du Rumain had sent me.
The general went on dealing, and at the third deal I found I was fifty guineas to the good, and with that I was satisfied. Directly afterwards supper was announced, and we went into the dining-room.
Redegonde, who had learnt French admirably, kept everybody amused. She had been engaged by the Duke of Brunswick as second singer, and she had come from Brussels. She bemoaned her journey in the uncomfortable post-chaise, and expressed a fear that she would be ill by the time she got to her journey’s end.
“Why, there’s the Chevalier Seingalt all alone in a most comfortable carriage,” said the general.
Redegonde smiled.