“‘Your little hussar amuses me,’ he had said to her; ‘you are a fool if you do not profit by it. Men like that are born with their boots full of gold pieces. It is a pity if they do not drop some of them where they walk. Hang him on your chatelaine like you would hang a purse. That is my advice to you.’
“She heard him rather with contempt than with scorn. The compact between them was quite simple now—he came to her when he had need of her.
“‘Is that another way of asking me for money?’ she said, going to her cabinet and taking a roll of notes from it.
“‘Exactly, Christina mia. You know how much it costs to live here. And the husband of Mademoiselle Zlarin must not have holes in his boots. What would your little hussar say to that?’
“She gave no heed to the insult, but began to count the notes—an operation which he watched with greedy eyes.
“‘Diavolo, Christine,’ continued he, ‘you have your freedom cheaply: fifty guldens a week to keep me from Vienna! My price will be higher by-and-bye, when you sing at the Opera. And I shall go away only for a month this time. What! there are tears in your eyes that I leave you? How we love each other, anima mia!’
“Again she was silent; and when he had put the money into a scented pocket-book, and had helped himself to the wine which stood upon her sideboard, he took his leave again.
“‘Addio, little one,’ cried he; ‘do not forget that your hussar is the son of a banker. Look into his eyes well, carina, for you will see the colour of his gold there. It is good to have friends like that—but the other—your devil of the mountains—God steady my hand when I draw my knife to him.’
“He did not wait for her answer, but went singing from the place, leaving her with hate and shame rushing to her cheeks. Coward that he was, she believed that this was a threat which he would have the courage to make good. Concentration upon a single hate is often the strength of little minds. In all his debaucheries, in all his new pleasures begotten of his wife’s earnings, the remembrance of the Count of Jézero was ever with him.
“‘I will kill him if he comes here; I swear it on the Sacrament,’ he said; and that word he meant.