“But, my dear husband, in England every thing is so dear! and there, to move amongst and impress those rich lords, he must really have more. It seems that our Charles Joseph has fallen in love with a lady whom all Loudon worships for her surpassing beauty. But she, having a cold heart, will listen to no one. She laughs at those who flatter her, and will receive no presents. She seemed an invincible fortress, but our son, thanks to stratagem, has taken it.”
“I am curious to know how,” said the count, laughing.
“He played a game of ecarte with her. He played for notes to the amount of ten pounds, and, at first, Charles won, much to the displeasure of the proud lady, who did not relish being beaten, even in a game of cards. Charles, perceiving this, played badly. The lady won from him eighty thousand pounds.”
“Eighty thousand pounds,” cried the count, “why, that is a half a million of thalers!”
“And do you mean to say,” said the countess, angrily, “that that is too much to gain the favor of a beautiful lady?”
“No! it is not too much; but it is certainly enough. I hope, at least, it was not in vain.”
“No, no! and Loudon is now raving about the intellectual, genial and generous son of Count Bruhl. I trust, count, that you instantly sent him a check.”
“Yes,” said the count, shrugging his shoulders. “But, countess, if the king were to hear this story, it would cause much evil; for you know that he believes in economy; luckily for me, he believes me to be an economical man. Those enemies who would not dare to accuse us, would have no fears of saying evil of our son; he will certainly hear this eighty-thousand-pound story.”
“We will tell him ourselves, but say that the story is much exaggerated.”
“What a wonderful woman you are, Antonia!” said her husband; “your counsel is wise; we will follow it.”