‘But that Blodget is really a most terrible fellow,’ said Kay. ‘Every stratagem, every scheme of rascality, I do believe, that that rascal of rascals is up to.’ ‘Positively every scheme,’ said Maretzo, ‘but this is a dry subject, and I must have another glass of wine.’ ‘I feel to want one myself, too,’ observed Kay, filling his glass from the decanter: ‘Well, here’s wishing that Blodget may soon be here.’ ‘And Inez restored to her lover and friends,’ exclaimed Maretzo. ‘Quite safe.’ ‘Quite safe,’ repeated Kay. ‘And yet I am afraid there is not much chance of that.’ ‘Nor I.’ ‘Leave that consummate scoundrel, Blodget, alone for that.’ ‘Ay, ay.’ ‘He would not fail to enforce his wishes.’ ‘To be sure he would not.’ ‘And what resistance could she make?’ ‘None at all.’ ‘She is so completely in his power.’ ‘Completely.’ ‘Without a friend at hand to fly to her rescue.’ ‘Not a friend; and besides no one knows, or can form the least conjecture whither he has taken her.’ ‘Not the least shadow of an idea,’ said Kay. ‘Any person would positively imagine that the fellow had some dealings with the devil,’ added Maretzo, ‘and that she was conveyed away by magic.’ ‘That they certainly would,’ observed Kay. ‘I would not mind a hundred dollars to know where the fellow is.’ ‘Why, that would be rather awkward, I imagine, Maretzo,’ returned Kay, with an expressive grin. ‘Ha! ha!’ laughed Maretzo, clapping his hand significantly to his pocket; ‘finances rather queer, you think? Ha! ha! ha! I understand!’ ‘Funds low.’ ‘Ha! ha! ha!’ ‘It is not a very laughable matter though.’ ‘Very unpleasant.’ ‘To be straightened for a few hundreds.’ ‘Very disagreeable.’ ‘And people have no faith in the word and honor of gentlemen, now-a-days.’ ‘But we must do something to raise the wind.’ ‘That is very evident.’ ‘Quite certain.’ ‘Quite.’ ‘We must make good use of these boobies,’ said Kay. ‘To be sure. Leave us alone for that,’ replied Maretzo. ‘Oh, yes, I am certain of that.’ ‘They are very easy.’ ‘Poor devils.’ ‘Fit sport for us.’ ‘Just the sort of game we like to hunt,’ returned Maretzo. ‘They have got a few thousands, which they seem bent upon wasting.’ ‘And we might as well reap the benefit as any other persons.’ ‘To be sure.’ ‘And we will too.’ ‘Oh, there is not the least doubt of that; ha! ha! ha!’ ‘By the by, we ought not to feel much obliged to Blodget for that affair—’ ‘No, that was a d—d bore.’ ‘Remarkably unpleasant.’ ‘A few hundreds out of our way.’ ‘Yes.’ ‘We have mingled in some strange scenes together.’ ‘You may say that.’ ‘We have been in luck together.’ ‘In debt together.’ ‘In prison together.’ ‘Damme! we have shared all the smiles and frowns of fortune, and may we soon be on more friendly terms with her than ever.’ ‘Bravo!’