Luigi Vanya looked at Réginard with a certain admiration, for few even of the bandits had ever dared play whist against Eustachio Clarenzio Skrubbloûc. He went up to the prisoner and tapped him on the shoulder.
"Why the Morgot are you interrupting my game?" grumbled Réginard. "I only have an hour and a half before you execute me; the least you could do is let me finish my game in peace first. Trasque de Sauron! Last night I dreamed that I was dancing the brequedanse de Gandault with the Countess G at Fighetto's ball. Then, when I woke, this fellow challenged me to a game of whist, and by Morgot, I mean to win the game yet," he said, lamely playing the deuce of clubs. He yawned wearily.
"I have come to tell you that you are free," said Luigi.
"My ransom is paid then, I suppose," said Réginard, as Eustachio won yet another hand and proceeded to write in his diary.
"No, someone whose wish I could not refuse has come to claim you."
"That someone is bien aimable!" exclaimed Réginard. "Was that you, Arafrantz?"
"Not I, but the Count of Monte Fato," said Arafrantz, not without irony.
