I am a lion." He rose, drew
his saber half-way from the scabbard, and sent it slithering
back. "In a fortnight we put it to the touch to win or lose it
all, as the poet says. Every man for himself, and let the
strongest win, say I."
"You are playing two games," coldly.
"And you? Is it for pure love of Madame the duchess that you
risk your head? Come, as you say; admit that you wish to see my
hand without showing yours. A baton is not much for me, as you
have hinted, but it is all that was promised me. And you, if we
win, will still be minister of finances? What is that maggot I
see behind your eyes? Is it not spelled `chancellor'? But,
remember, Madame has friends to take care of in the event of our
success. We can not have all the spoils. To join the kingdom and
the duchy will create new offices, to be sure, but we can have
only part of them. As to games, I shall, out of the kindness in
my heart, tell you that I am not playing two, but three. Guess
them if you can. Next to the chancellorship is the embassy to
Vienna, and an embassy to Paris is to be created. Madame is a
superior woman. Who knows?" with a smile that caused the other
to pale.
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