Page:The genius - Carl Grosse tr Joseph Trapp 1796.djvu/414

 favor of his friend. The chess-board being placed before the sopha on which the dutchess was fitting, the count hastily took place in a chair facing her, and both shammed to be quite absorbed in the depth of gambling.

This was by far the best expedient they could recur to. The dutchess burst out in a loud laugh respecting this clever contrivance to extricate themselves from the awkward predicament in which they stood. The count imitated her mirth, loudly exclaiming, "What a strange position of the game!" when the duke just entered the apartment, and perfectly caught the illusion.

Neither of them in their affected attention to the game feigned to perceive his entrance. The dutchess now made a move, and I cried out, "Bravo! a masterly move!" The duke beckoned his spouse who now seemed to have perceived him to be quiet, and stole on his toes behind the count's chair to overlook his play. The latter, who at the alarm of his grace's arrival had had presence of mind enough to put on his sword, sat gravely meditating how to retrieve the fortune of the