"I only just happened in en passant. I just hazarded a couple of sovereigns; seven times, one after another, I won. I had deuced good-luck; red always turned up. And I left off playing while the vein was on."
"And you come to tell me the good news?"
"Oh no! On the contrary, I come to bring you the latest. Only fancy! the celebrated harpist, Chamberlin, has arrived from Paris, and is going to give some concerts."
"I never knew you to be so devoted to the harp."
"Oh, I rave about it."
"And I can't abide it," put in Sujukin, in full agreement with the father.
"His Majesty the Czar, to do honor to the harpist, has commanded a state concert to-night at the Winter Palace."
"Oh, I delight in the harp!" hastily threw in Sujukin, in order to amend his former speech.
"The invitations are already issued. It will be a particularly brilliant assemblage. I just saw your invitation delivered to your groom of the chambers. I have already received mine."