“‘Macché, Lieutenant,’ said he, ‘I am not the one to quarrel with you about little Christine. All said and done, you have been a good friend to her. What if people talk—is it anything to me? I am a poor man, and come here to serve her interests. She does not love me. I know that. But she has a duty to perform towards me. It is right that I should have money. I do not ask much. You will admit that I cannot starve?’
“Zol regarded him with unutterable contempt.
“‘I admit nothing of the sort,’ said he; ‘a little fasting would do you good. Begin with the brandy, for instance.’
“The Italian swore a heavy oath.
“‘Accidente!’ cried he, ‘say that again——’
“‘A hundred times if you wish it—begin with the brandy.’
“‘Cospetto, you have courage! It is lucky for you that I keep my temper.’
“For a moment he appeared ready to strike the boy, who never moved from his seat nor withdrew his hands from their place before the stove. Presently, however, he remembered that the Lieutenant was the son of Gerold, the banker.
“‘Why should we quarrel?’ he asked, swaying drunkenly in his chair; ‘why should we not understand one another? You are the friend of my wife; very well, be my friend too. You think that I have eyes? Very well. Do not forget at the same time that I can close them. I liked you from the first. I said always, she will come to no harm with him. This was my regard for you. There is no other man in Vienna I would so trust. But I cannot forget that she is a wife to me; I cannot go naked, Herr Lieutenant, because you put fine notions into her head. You understand that. You will not ask me to sleep in the attic when she is supping on the first floor? Oh, no; you are too wise for that. You know well what things are. When a pretty woman laughs, as we say in Italian, a purse complains. I want to see Christine laugh all day. Do you hear that? She shall laugh and my purse shall not complain—hein! Oh, I am an honest man. Per Baccho, Herr Gerold, I look forward to the day when I shall have a nice little store to bank with your father. You will help me to that? I may count upon you?’
“He bent forward with an effort, trying to assume the air of one who has asked a question and means to be answered.