This man of probity was no other than himself, who, notwithstanding that he hoped to obtain a good benefice for nothing, rejoiced at the opportunity of depriving the goldsmith of this little profit. I failed not to assure this good cousin that he would much oblige me by getting it done for me. “Not that I am in great distress for money,” said I, “as you may see. At the same time I drew from my pocket two large purses full of pistoles, which I showed to him. It is merely by way of precaution that I wish to put my chain in pledge; for as we shall play very high at the wedding of my friend the colonel, I do not like to be at all short of money.” My cousin assured me, “that in two hours at furthest, the six hundred crowns should be at my service.” Then taking the casket out of Sayavedra’s hand, I opened it for an instant, just that my cousin might see that the chain was in it, and after having shut it again, delivered it to his servant, who returned in about an hour with the six hundred crowns.
Unfortunately for my worthy cousin, my major-domo, in bringing the casket back from the goldsmith’s under his cloak, had dexterously drawn out the gold chain, and substituted a brass one in its stead.
Favello came to sup with me at night. He told me it was time for me to strike my blow, for that I must sleep on board the next night, as the galleys were to sail before day-break the following morning. “’Tis well,” answered I; “my business shall be settled in less than four and twenty hours’ time, and I will not fail to be on board by to-morrow evening. If you will assist me by sending some of your people about midnight for my boxes, my departure will be more secret.” The captain promised this, and took his leave of me shortly after. We passed almost the whole of the next day in getting every thing in readiness for our departure. We packed up our best effects in our two largest boxes, and filled with rags the counterparts of those which my honoured uncle kept in his closet for me with such pious care. A quarter of an hour before midnight, four of captain Favello’s men conveyed our two largest boxes on board, leaving our two others to satisfy my landlord, whom I desired Sayavedra to tell not to be anxious on my account, for that I was going to sup at a friend’s, where I might very likely pass the whole night at play. We at length got safe on board our captain’s galley. He had been rather uneasy at my being so late, and asked me the first thing, how my affair of honour had terminated. “My revenge is satisfied to my heart’s content,” replied I. “I rejoice at it extremely,” said he; “for I must acknowledge that I was beginning to be a little anxious for your safety, the result of such an enterprise being always uncertain.”