He clasped her passionately to his heart, sobbing, "I wish for nothing on earth but your love, the love which will follow me even to the scaffold!"
"Pshaw!" exclaimed Arabella, "what an ugly word to whisper to these beautiful rooms! Look here, Carl, the diamonds we own in common are worth half a million. We must do a good business to-night. When the emperor has retired, the hostess will have a right to preside over the faro table, and you know that my cards never betray me."
"I know it, my enchantress," cried Carl, kissing her. "Let us make haste and grow rich. I would go anywhere with you, were it even to Switzerland."
"But not as a peasant, Carl. First, however, we must have our millions.
Now, be reasonable to-night, and don't play the Italian lover. Colonel
Szekuly is desperately enamored of me, and he will be sure to sit next
to me at the faro-table. The place he covets shall cost him a fortune."
At that moment the steward entered the room.
"A message from the emperor, my lady."
"What can it be?"
"His majesty regrets that he cannot keep his engagement this evening with Count Podstadsky."
"This is a disappointment. What else?" asked the countess, as the servant still stood there.
"Several other excuses, my lady. The two Princesses Lichtenstein,
Countess Thun, and Princess Esterhazy also have sent apologies."