“Speak to her, and if she consents I will not oppose it. She herself will tell you what property she has.” I then went to dress for dinner. I found the duchess in the midst of a large circle, and she told me kindly that she was very sorry to hear of my losses. “Fortune is the most fickle of beings, but I don’t complain of my loss--nay, when you speak thus I love it, and I even think that you will make me win this evening.” “I hope so, but I am afraid not; you will have to contend against Monte Leone, who is usually very lucky.” In considering the matter after dinner, I determined for the future to play with ready money and not on my word of honour, lest I should at any time be carried away by the excitement of play and induced to stake more than I possessed. I thought, too, that the banker might have his doubts after the two heavy losses I had sustained, and I confess that I was also actuated by the gambler’s superstition that by making a change of any kind one changes the luck. I spent four hours at the theatre in Leonilda’s box, where I found her more gay and charming than I had seen her before. “Dear Leonilda,” I said, “the love I feel for you will suffer no delay and no rivals, not even the slightest inconstancy. I have told the duke that I am ready to marry you, and that I will give you a dower of five thousand ducats.” “What did he say?” “That I must ask you, and that he would offer no opposition.” “Then we should leave Naples together.” “Directly, dearest, and thenceforth death alone would part us.” “We will talk of it to-morrow, dear Don Giacomo, and if I can make you happy I am sure you will do the same by me.” As she spoke these delightful words the duke came in. “Don Giacomo and I are talking of marrying,” said she. “Marriage, mia carissima,” he replied, “ought to be well considered beforehand.” “Yes, when one has time; but my dear Giacomo cannot wait, and we shall have plenty of time to think it over afterwards.” “As you are going to marry,” said the duke, “you can put off your departure, or return after the wedding.” “I can neither put it off nor return, my dear duke. We have made up our minds, and if we repent we have plenty of time before us.” He laughed and said we would talk it over next day. I gave my future bride a kiss which she returned with ardour, and the duke and I went to the club, where we found the Duke de Monte Leone dealing. “My lord,” said I, “I am unlucky playing on my word of honour, so I hope you will allow me to stake money.” “Just as you please; it comes to the same thing, but don’t trouble yourself. I have made a bank of four thousand ducats that you may be able to recoup yourself for your losses.” “Thanks, I promise to break it or to lose as much.”