Mademoiselle, que je voudrais n'avoir jamais vu ce pays-ci! Had one left me in de service of de States General, should I be now at least colonel. But here always to remain capitaine, and now also a discharged capitaine.
MIN.
That is ill luck.
RIC.
Oui, Mademoiselle, me voila reforme, et par la mis sur le pave!
MIN.
I am very sorry for you.
RIC.
Vous etes bien bonne, Mademoiselle. . . . No, merit have no reward here. Reformer a man, like me! A man who also have ruin himself in dis service! I have lost in it so much as twenty thousand livres. What have I now? Tranchons le mot; je n'ai pas le sou, et me voila exactement vis-a-vis de rien.
MIN.
I am exceedingly sorry.
RIC.
Vous etes bien bonne, Mademoiselle, But as one say--misfortune never come alone! qu'un malheur ne vient jamais seul: so it arrive with me.
What ressource rests for an honnete homme of my extraction, but play?
Now, I always played with luck, so long I not need her. Now I very much need her, je joue avec un guignon, Mademoiselle, que surpasse toute croyance. For fifteen days, not one is passed, dat I always am broke. Yesterday, I was broke dree times. Je sais bien, qu'il y avait quelque chose de plus que le jeu. Car parmi mes pontes se trouvaient certaines dames. I will not speak more. One must be very galant to les dames. Dey have invite me again to-day, to give me revanche; mais--vous m'entendez, Mademoiselle,--one must first have to live, before one can have to play.
MIN.
I hope, sir
RIC.
Vous etes bien bonne, Mademoiselle.
MIN. (Takes Franziska aside.)
Franziska, I really feel for the man. Would he take it ill, if I offer him something?
FRAN.
He does not look to me like a man who would.
MIN.
Very well! Sir, I perceive that--you play, that you keep the bank;doubtless in places where something is to be won. I must also confess that I . . . am very fond of play.
RIC.
Tant mieux, Mademoiselle, tant mieux! Tous les gens d'esprit aiment le jeu a la fureur.
MIN.
That I am very fond of winning; that I like to trust my money to a man, who--knows how to play. Are you inclined, sir, to let me join you? To let me have a share in your bank?
RIC.
Comment, Mademoiselle, vous voulez etre de moitie avec moi? De tout mon coeur.
MIN.
At first, only with a trifle.
(Opens her desk and takes out some money.)RIC.
Ah! Mademoiselle, que vous etes charmante!
MIN.
Here is what I won a short time back; only ten pistoles. I am ashamed, so little--RIC.
Donnez toujours, Mademoiselle, donnez.
(Takes it.)
MIN.
Without doubt, your bank, sir, is very considerable.
RIC.
Oh! yes, vary considerable. Ten pistoles! You shall have, Madame, an interest in my bank for one third, pour le tiers. Yes, one third part it shall be--something more. With a beautiful lady one must not be too exac. I rejoice myself, to make by that a liaison with Madame, et de ce moment je recommence a bien augurer de ma fortune.
MIN.
But I cannot be present, sir, when you play.
RIC.
For why it necessaire dat you be present? We other players are honourable people between us.
MIN.
If we are fortunate, sir, you will of course bring me my share. If we are unfortunate--RIC.
I come to bring recruits, n'est pas, Madame?
MIN.
In time recruits might fail. Manage our money well, sir.
RIC.
What does Madame think me? A ******ton, a stupid devil?
MIN.
I beg your pardon.
RIC.
Je suis des bons, Mademoiselle. Savez vous ce que cela veut dire? I am of the quite practised--MIN.
But still, sir,
RIC.
Je sais monter un coup
MIN. (amazed).
Could you?
RIC.
Je file la carte avec une adresse.
MIN.
Never!
RIC.
Je fais sauter la coupe avec une dexterite.
MIN.
You surely would not, sir!
RIC.
What not, Madame; what not? Donnes moi un pigeonneau a plumer, et--MIN.
Play false! Cheat!
RIC.
Comment, Mademoiselle? Vous appelez cela cheat? Corriger la fortune, l'enchainer sous ses doigts, etre sur de son fait, dat you call cheat?
Cheat! Oh! what a poor tongue is your tongue! what an awkward tongue!
MIN.
No, sir, if you think so
RIC.
Laissez-moi faire, Mademoiselle, and be tranquille! What matter to you how I play! Enough! to-morrow, Madame, you see me again or with hundred pistol, or you see no more. Votre tres-humble, Mademoiselle, votre tres humble.
(Exit quickly.)
MIN. (looking after him with astonishment and displeasure).
I hope the latter, sir.
