Page:Plays by Jacinto Benavente - Second series (IA playsbyjacintobe00bena).pdf/77

. Apparently the Prince has endured the opera to the end. We had hoped to retire early this evening ourselves.

. No, the Prince has left the theatre. I saw him at one of the tables a few moments ago.

. At one of the tables? Disgusting!

. He always becomes more animated about midnight.

. Will you lead me to him at once?

. With the greatest of pleasure.

. Again we say good night. [To the ] Do not fail to advise us so that we may set a date for the concert.

. Oh! Yes, indeed! Delighted… Do you know, it had slipped my mind for the moment?

. Whatever happens, I shall not return to the Casino again; responsibility for the future must not rest upon my shoulders. I have had enough of responsibility—yes, and of remorse. I cannot sleep; only by the use of morphine am I able to quiet my nerves, but sleep, innocent sleep, which is the balm of a quiet conscience, has fled from my eyes forever.

. I hope you do not imagine that I enjoy visiting the Casino. It did amuse me for the first few evenings; it was a novelty. I had never seen anything but those horrible functions at the Court of Suavia. I had been entertained, it is true, at one or two casinos at the deadly seaside resorts of our own country, which become more deadly than ever when a member of the Imperial family is present; but now my curiosity has been satisfied. I shall never return to the Casino again.