It was something already, but it was not enough. I saw the hold which I
had upon this woman, and I took a cowardly advantage of it.
When I think that she is dead now, I ask myself if God will ever forgive
me for the wrong I did her.
After the supper, which was noisy as could be, there was gambling. I sat
by the side of Olympe and put down my money so recklessly that she could
not but notice me. In an instant I had gained one hundred and fifty or
two hundred louis, which I spread out before me on the table, and on
which she fastened her eyes greedily.
I was the only one not completely absorbed by the game, and able to pay
her some attention. All the rest of the night I gained, and it was I
who gave her money to play, for she had lost all she had before her and
probably all she had in the house.
At five in the morning, the guests departed. I had gained three hundred
louis.
All the players were already on their way downstairs; I was the only
one who had remained behind, and as I did not know any of them, no one
noticed it. Olympe herself was lighting the way, and I was going to
follow the others, when, turning back, I said to her: "I must speak to you."
"To-morrow," she said.
"No, now."
"What have you to say?"
"You will see."
And I went back into the room.
"You have lost," I said.
"Yes.
"All that you had in the house?"
She hesitated.
"Be frank."
"Well, it is true."
"I have won three hundred louis. Here they are, if you will let me stay
here to-night."
And I threw the gold on the table.
"And why this proposition?"
"Because I am in love with you, of course."
"No, but because you love Marguerite, and you want to have your revenge
upon her by becoming my lover. You don't deceive a woman like me, my
dear friend; unluckily, I am still too young and too good-looking to
accept the part that you offer me."
"So you refuse?"
"Yes.
"Would you rather take me for nothing? It is I who wouldn't accept then.
Think it over, my dear Olympe; if I had sent some one to offer you these
three hundred louis on my behalf, on the conditions I attach to them,
you would have accepted. I preferred to speak to you myself. Accept
without inquiring into my reasons; say to yourself that you are
beautiful, and that there is nothing surprising in my being in love with
you."