anger, now that he has been a little imprudent."

"Well, what is it?" said the count; "I hope it is no duel, for that
would make me extremely angry."

"It is nothing of that kind. His imprudence is of another sort, He
is in want of money."

"Money!" said the count, in amazement; "why, barely a month ago, I
sent him six hundred thousand thalers. That, and what he took with
him, three months ago, is quite a large sum, for it amounts to more
than a million of thalers."

"But, my dear husband, in England every thing is so dear! and there,
to move amongst and impress those rich lords, he must really have
more. It seems that our Charles Joseph has fallen in love with a
lady whom all Loudon worships for her surpassing beauty. But she,
having a cold heart, will listen to no one. She laughs at those who
flatter her, and will receive no presents. She seemed an invincible
fortress, but our son, thanks to stratagem, has taken it."

"I am curious to know how," said the count, laughing.

"He played a game of ecarte with her. He played for notes to the
amount of ten pounds, and, at first, Charles won, much to the
displeasure of the proud lady, who did not relish being beaten, even
in a game of cards. Charles, perceiving this, played badly. The lady
won from him eighty thousand pounds."

"Eighty thousand pounds," cried the count, "why, that is a half a