"You shall have the money this evening, before nightfall," said Lorenzi. "I shall be in Mantua in an hour."
"Your horse may break its neck," replied the Marchese. "You too; intentionally, perhaps."
"Anyhow," said the Abbate indignantly, "the Lieutenant cannot get the money here by magic."
The two Ricardis laughed; but instantly restrained their mirth.
Olivo once more addressed the Marchese. "It is plain that you must grant Lieutenant Lorenzi leave to depart."
"Yes, if he gives me a pledge," exclaimed the Marchese with flashing eyes, as if this idea gave him peculiar delight.
"That seems rather a good plan," said Casanova, a little absent-mindedly, for his scheme was ripening.
Lorenzi drew a ring from his finger and flicked it across the table.
The Marchese took it up, saying: "That is good for a thousand."
"What about this one?" Lorenzi threw down another ring in front of the Marchese.
The latter nodded, saying: "That is good for the same amount."
"Are you satisfied now, Signor Marchese?" enquired Lorenzi, moving as if to go.
"I am satisfied," answered the Marchese, with an evil chuckle; "all the more, seeing that the rings are stolen."
Lorenzi turned sharply, clenching his fist as if about to strike the Marchese. Olivo and the Abbate seized Lorenzi's arm.
"I know both the stones, though they have been reset," said the Marchese without moving from his place. "Look, gentlemen, the emerald is slightly flawed, or it would be worth ten times the amount. The ruby is flawless, but it is not a large one. Both the stones come from a set of jewels which I once gave my wife. And, since it is quite impossible for me to suppose that the Marchesa had them reset in rings for Lieutenant Lorenzi, it is obvious that they have been stolen--that the whole set has been stolen. Well, well, the pledge suffices, Signor Lieutenant, for the nonce."
"Lorenzi!" cried Olivo, "we all give you our word that no one shall ever hear a syllable from us about what has just happened."
"And whatever Signor Lorenzi may have done," said Casanova, "you, Signor Marchese, are the greater rascal of the two."
"I hope so," replied the Marchese. "When anyone is as old as we are, Chevalier de Seingalt, assuredly he should not need lessons in rascality. Good-evening, gentlemen."