No one uttered a syllable. Only the cards spoke, and they spoke in
unmistakable terms. By the hazard of fortune all the cash found its way
to Casanova. In an hour he had won two thousand ducats; he had won them
from Lorenzi, though they came out of the pockets of the Marchese, who
at length sat there without a soldo.

Casanova offered him whatever gold pieces he might need. The Marchese
shook his head. "Thanks," he said, "I have had enough. The game is over
as far as I am concerned."

From the garden came the laughing voices of the girls. Casanova heard
Teresina's voice in particular, but he was sitting with his back to
the window and did not turn round. He tried once more to persuade the
Marchese to resume the game--for the sake of Lorenzi, though he hardly
knew what moved him. The Marchese refused with a yet more decisive
headshake.

Lorenzi rose, saying: "I shall have the honor, Signor Marchese, of
handing the amount I owe you to you personally, before noon to-morrow."

The Marchese laughed drily. "I am curious to know how you will manage
that, Lieutenant Lorenzi. There is not a soul, in Mantua or elsewhere,
who would lend you as much as ten ducats, not to speak of two thousand,
especially to-day. For to-morrow you will be on the march, and who can
tell whether you will ever return?"

"I give you my word of honor, Signor Marchese, that you shall have the
money at eight o'clock to-morrow morning."