With
those that remained my wager had soon faded into insignificance, as
their minds became engrossed in the fluctuations of their own
fortunes.
I did not play myself; I was not in the mood, and for one night, at
least, of sufficient weight already I thought the game upon which I
was launched.
I was out on the balcony as the first lines of dawn were scoring the
east, and in a moody, thoughtful condition I had riveted my eyes
upon the palace of the Luxembourg, which loomed a black pile against
the lightening sky, when Mironsac came out to join me. A gentle,
lovable lad was Mironsac, not twenty years of age, and with the face
and manners of a woman. That he was attached to me I knew.
"Monsieur le Marquis," said he softly, "I am desolated at this wager
into which they have forced you."
"Forced me?" I echoed. "No, no; they did not force me. And yet,"
I reflected, with a sigh, "perhaps they did."
"I have been thinking, monsieur, that if the King were to hear of
it the evil might be mended."
"But the King must not hear of it, Armand," I answered quickly.
"Even if he did, matters would be no better - much worse, possibly."
"But, monsieur, this thing done in the heat of wine--"
"Is none the less done, Armand," I concluded. "And I for one do
not wish it undone."
"But have you no thought for the lady?" he cried.
I laughed at him. "Were I still eighteen, boy, the thought might
trouble me. Had I my illusions, I might imagine that my wife must
be some woman of whom I should be enamoured.
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