"You are giving me eight."
"I give you four ounces because I owe them to you, and I add four others, because, before parting with you, I wish to give a proof of my satisfaction of the manner in which you have done your duty."
A second time the mameluco hesitated, but exercising great control over himself, and stepping back, as if to wish to escape the fascination exercised over him by the sight of the metal, he placed, although with an evident repugnance, four of the pieces of gold on a chest, answering with a voice stifled with emotion—
"I am very grateful to you, my lord, but I cannot accept so rich a present."
"Why not, if it pleases me to make it, Malco? Am I not the master, to dispose of what belongs to me?"
"Yes, my lord, you are free to do that; but I repeat that I shall not accept the money."
"At least you will give me an explanation of this enigma, for if I do not deceive myself, you love gold."
"Yes, my lord, when it is honourably gained, but I am not a beggar to accept a remuneration to which I consider I have no right."
"These sentiments do you honour," answered the young man, with a biting raillery.
He then took the four pieces of gold, chinked them in his hand, and then put them again into his purse.