After the first transports were over, I saw that the ladies were in distress; for as there could be no more gaming they did not know what to do.  I consoled them by declaring that I would be banker, but with equal stakes, and that I would pay winning cards thirty-six times the stake instead of thirty-two.  This was pronounced charming of me, and I amused everybody till supper-time, without any great losses or gains on either side.  By dint of entreaty I made the lady of the house accept the whole concern as a present, and a very handsome one it was.

The supper was pleasant enough, and my success at play was the chief topic of conversation.  Before leaving I asked Signora Isola-Bella and her marquis to dine with me, and they eagerly accepted the invitation.  When I got home I went to see my niece, who told me she had spent a delightful evening.

“A very pleasant young man,” said she, “who is coming to dine with us to-morrow, paid me great attention.”

“The same, I suppose, that did so yesterday?”

“Yes.  Amongst other pretty things he told me that if I liked he would go to Marseilles and ask my hand of my father.  I said nothing, but I thought to myself that if the poor young man gave himself all this trouble he would be woefully misled, as he would not see me.”

“Why not?”

“Because I should be in a nunnery.  My kind good father will forgive me, but I must punish myself.”

“That is a sad design, which I hope you will abandon.  You have all that would make the happiness of a worthy husband.  The more I think it over, the more I am convinced of the truth of what I say.”

We said no more just then, for she needed rest.  Annette came to undress her, and I was glad to see the goodness of my niece towards her, but the coolness with which the girl behaved to her mistress did not escape my notice.  As soon as she came to sleep with me I gently remonstrated with her, bidding her to do her duty better for the future.  Instead of answering with a caress, as she ought to have done, she began to cry.

“My dear child,” said I, “your tears weary me.  You are only here to amuse me, and if you can’t do that, you had better go.”

This hurt her foolish feelings of vanity, and she got up and went away without a word, leaving me to go to sleep in a very bad temper.

In the morning I told her, in a stern voice, that if she played me such a trick again I would send her away.  Instead of trying to soothe me with a kiss the little rebel burst out crying again.  I sent her out of the room impatiently, and proceeded to count my gains.

I thought no more about it, but presently my niece came in and asked me why I had vexed poor Annette.

“My dear niece,” said I, “tell her to behave better or else I will send her back to her mother’s.”

She gave me no reply, but took a handful of silver and fled.  I had not time to reflect on this singular conduct, for Annette came in rattling her crowns in her pocket, and promised, with a kiss, not to make me angry any more.