'No.'
'Well, then, have you got it?'
'No. I—I cannot get it off the finger of this devil of a Venus.'
'Indeed! you did not pull hard enough.'
'Yes I did; but the Venus—she has shut her finger!'
He looked fixedly at me with a haggard expression, and leaned against the casement for support.
'What a story is this!' said I: 'you have pushed the ring on too far. To-morrow you can get it off with pincers; but you must be careful not to injure the statue.'
'No! no! I tell you, the finger of the Venus is bent, closed; she shuts her hand; do you understand me? She is my wife, doubtless, since I have given her my ring. She will not give it back.'
For an instant, I experienced a sudden chill, and my flesh seemed to creep upon me. But a long-drawn sigh, which he gave, sent a puff of wine into my face, and all emotion vanished. 'The miserable wretch,' thought I, 'is completely drunk.'