Page:Tales of the Dead.djvu/139

 entertaining stories, the relation of which proved an excellent antidote to ennui: the only drawback against them was, that in general they required rather too great a share of credulity on the part of his auditors.

The party had one day just risen from table, and found themselves but ill inclined for gaiety. They were still too much fatigued from the ball of the preceding evening to enjoy the recreation of walking, although invited so to do by the bright light of the moon. They were even unable to keep up any conversation; therefore it is not to be wondered at, that they were more than usually anxious for the marquis to arrive.

“Where can he be?” exclaimed the countess in an impatient tone.

“Doubtless still at the faro-table, to the no small grief of the bankers,” replied Florentine. “This very morning he has occasioned the sudden departure of two of these gentlemen.”

“No great loss,” answered another.

“To us,” replied Florentine; “but it is to the proprietor of the baths, who only prohibited gambling, that it might be pursued with greater avidity.”

“The marquis ought to abstain from such achievements,” said the chevalier with an air of mystery. “Gamblers are revengeful, and have ge-