The man's want of ordinary morality was too revolting. Didn't he know very well that the money wasn't mine? Didn't he himself obtain my help on the express terms that I should have this money to repay the bank with? I finished putting on my garments, and then I replied: "Not a farthing, colonel; not a damned farthing! By our agreement that cash was to be mine; but for that I wouldn't have touched your revolution with a pair of tongs." He looked very savage, and muttered something under his breath. "You're carrying things with a high hand," he said. "I'm not going to steal to please you," said I. "You weren't always so scrupulous," he sneered. I took no notice of this insult, but repeated my determination. "Look here, Martin," he said, "I'll give you twenty-four hours to think it over; and let me advise you to change your mind by then. I don't want to quarrel, but I'm going to have some of that money." Clearly he had learned statecraft in his predecessor's school! "Twenty-four hours is something," thought I, and determined to try the cunning of the serpent. "All right, colonel," I said, "I'll think it over. I don't pretend to like it; but, after all, I'm in with you and we must pull together. We'll see how things look to-morrow morning." "There's another matter I wanted to speak to you about," he went on. I was now dressed, so I invited him into the breakfast-room, gave him a cup of coffee (which, to my credit, I didn't poison), and began on my own eggs and toast. "Fire away," said I briefly. "I suppose you know I'm going to be married?" he remarked. "No, I hadn't heard," I replied, feigning to be entirely occupied with a very nimble egg. "Rather a busy time for marrying, isn't it? Who is she?" He gave a heavy laugh. "You needn't pretend to be so very innocent; I expect you could give a pretty good guess." "Mme. Devarges?" I asked blandly. "Suitable match; about your age--" "I wish to the devil you wouldn't try to be funny!" he exclaimed. "You know as well as I do it's the signorina." "Really?" I replied. "Well, well! I fancied you were a little touched in that quarter. And she has consented to make you happy?" I was curious to see what he would say. I knew he was a bad liar, and, as a fact, I believe he told the truth on this occasion, for he answered: "Says she never cared a straw for anyone else." Oh, signorina! "Not even Whittingham?" I asked maliciously. "Hates the old ruffian!" said the colonel. "I once thought she had a liking for you, Martin, but she laughed at the idea. I'm glad of it, for we should have fallen out." I smiled in a somewhat sickly way, and took refuge in my cup. When I emerged, I asked: "And when is it to be?" "Next Saturday." "So soon?" "Yes," he said. "Fact is, between you and me, Martin, she's ready enough."