“No, Mr. Astley. After all that has been said I⁠—”

“ Take care of them!” repeated my friend. “I am certain you are still a gentleman, and therefore I give you the money as one gentleman may give money to another. Also, if I could be certain that you would leave both Homburg and the gaming-tables, and return to your own country, I would give you a thousand pounds down to start life afresh; but, I give you ten louis d’or instead of a thousand pounds for the reason that at the present time a thousand pounds and ten louis d’or will be all the same to you⁠—you will lose the one as readily as you will the other. Take the money, therefore, and goodbye.”

“Yes, I will take it if at the same time you will embrace me.”

“With pleasure.”