Page:Hoffmann's Strange Stories - Hoffman - 1855.djvu/392

 "Let it be so," answered Menars, without turning his head, and he continued the deal. "The queen!" exclaimed the usurer. The queen loses. Vertua staggered like a drunken man, and leaned against the wall, cold and immovable as a statue. Nobody paid any farther attention to him. When the hour for closing the gambling room had arrived, Vertua revived, and dragging himself with faltering footsteps towards the banker, "Mr. Menars," said he to him, "I have a word more to say to you."

"Do it quickly, I am in a hurry," answered Menars in a disdainful tone, drawing the key from his safe and putting it in his pocket. "Sir," continued the old man, "my whole fortune has passed into your hands; I have nothing left; I do not know where I shall lay my head to-morrow, nor how I shall procure a morsel of bread. Well, it is to you that I have recourse. Lend me the tenth part of the sum which you have won from me this last week, so that I can be able to begin business again and try and earn my poor living."

"Are you mad?" interrupted Menars. "Do you imagine that a banker ever lends money to gamblers whom he has broken?"

"You are right," replied the old man; "but the money that I ask of you is not for the purpose of playing against you."

"What matters it!" said Menars, "I do not lend."

"Well then, my worthy sir," continued the old man, whose paleness became more livid, "well then do not lend to me; give me alms."

"Alms! go and ask of those whom your infamous usury has reduced to misery and want."

At these words old Vertua hid his face in his hands, and fell on his knees weeping bitterly. Chevalier Menars had his safe in which was secured his golden gains, carried to his carriage, he then said coldly to the usurer:—"When do you intend, signer Vertua, to give me possession of your house, your plate and jewels?"