"
"Then, at least, I may thank you for your selfishness," I sneered.
He smiled; then turned and looked at the clock on the mantel behind him.
"Come, Armand," he said, "I must be going. Will you condescend to
answer?"
I arose.
"You won't? Well, it's not really necessary--but, have you a dice box
handy?"
"I have not."
"A pack of cards, then?"
"No."
He shrugged his shoulders. "Take my advice and get them--you are far,
very far, out of the fashion, cousin mine. However, this will serve,
though it's rather low class," and he took out a gold coin and rang it
on the table. "You were an American officer and, I understand, they
are as game a lot of men as wear swords. Will you bear that out and
try a toss with me?"
"And the wager?" I asked.
He slowly drew the chair backward; but, instead of dropping it with a
crash, he leaned far over it toward me and said, very slowly.
"Two tosses and two wagers. The first, for the Princess; the second,
for the Crown."
I waited a moment until I could control my voice.
"It will give me the most intense pleasure, my dear Duke," said I, "to
toss you--not with yonder coin but out of yonder window. I fancy a
second toss would not be necessary; but, if it were, I could do it with
as much pleasure as the first.
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