The beautiful face smiled.
“Why, you are amusing.”
Luc laughed out loud.
“I never was thought to be so before,” he answered.
The gorgeous stranger moved the pink screen behind him and revealed a small gilt table covered with cards.
“Do you play?” he asked.
“I never had the time or the money,” said the Marquis simply. “You do?”
“I was the finest gambler in France, they say, before I was ten years old,” was the listless reply; as he spoke he took the white chair before the card table.
“Why, those who brought you up have something to answer for,” smiled Luc. He took off his hat and seated himself on the corner of the sofa, an elegant dark figure in his deep blue velvet against the light background.
The other man was silent a moment, then he said in an even voice—