As she spoke these delightful words the duke came in.
"Don Giacomo and I are talking of marrying," said she.
"Marriage, mia carissima," he replied, "ought to be well considered beforehand."
"Yes, when one has time; but my dear Giacomo cannot wait, and we shall have plenty of time to think it over afterwards."
"As you are going to marry," said the duke, "you can put off your departure, or return after the wedding."
"I can neither put it off nor return, my dear duke. We have made up our minds, and if we repent we have plenty of time before us."
He laughed and said we would talk it over next day. I gave my future bride a kiss which she returned with ardour, and the duke and I went to the club, where we found the Duke de Monte Leone dealing.
"My lord," said I, "I am unlucky playing on my word of honour, so I hope you will allow me to stake money."
"Just as you please; it comes to the same thing, but don't trouble yourself. I have made a bank of four thousand ducats that you may be able to recoup yourself for your losses."
"Thanks, I promise to break it or to lose as much."