He nodded, and I paid ten crowns, feeling at this rate that my purse would soon be empty; but I saw that the fever was taking hold of him, and offered to double the stakes and won. From that moment luck favoured me, and at the end of half an hour's play the cavaliere had lost all his ready money, about sixty crowns, and owed me five hundred besides. He did not take his losses well, all the restrained self-command which he first exhibited, gave place to a wild excitement, and his hands shook as he shuffled the cards, his white face paling whiter than ever.
"Curse the cards!" he said, "I have no luck."
The moment had come for which I had been watching. Time after time I felt inclined to strike a sudden blow; but held myself in.
"No more to-day, cavaliere," I said, filling my glass, "I have business and must away."
A red flush came to his forehead, "I cannot pay you at once," he said in a low tone.
"Tush!" I replied, "the word of Baglioni is enough--but if you want a last try for your revenge, I will cut you----"
"No, cavaliere," and I dropped the words out slowly, "the five hundred against a five minutes' interview with the Lady Angiola."
He leaned back in his chair in amaze, and I went on, "Listen to me, I only want five minutes' speech with her--in your presence if you will--come, shall I cut or will you?"
"_Diavolo!_" he muttered, "if Carlo hears of this--well, yes--I will cut first--the ten--a bad card to beat."
I cut carelessly, and faced my card. It was a king.
"Hell and Furies!" he burst out. "You have won. Come, sir," and rising he advanced towards the bear.
"A moment, cavaliere. I said in _your_ presence. I did not include Messer Pluto there in the interview."
He gave me an unpleasant look; but stopped short.
"Very well," he said, and taking a large key from his girdle, went on before me.
It cost me a great effort to keep cool, up to now my luck had been so great that every moment there was a temptation to put all to the hazard of one stroke. I smiled, under my beard, as I thought of the imposing fool Count Carlo had placed in charge of his prize, and when I saw the huge shaking hand clutching the key, I could not help thinking that nerves like that would never hold a sword straight, and that for all his size and courage, the cavaliere was not a very formidable foe.