human
Ah! Monsieur T, I hope madame is better. Madame Tagliabue did nothing but cry all last night when she heard the very bad news about de debt, and all dat.
gpt
Very much obliged to Madame, replied Turnbull, gruffly;
human
Ah! Monsieur Turnbull, I feel very much for you; but suppose a gentleman no lose his _honour_, what matter de money? (Mr Turnbull stared.)
gpt
You see, Monsieur Turnbull, honour be everything to a gentleman. If a gentleman owe money to one rascally tradesfellow, and not pay him, dat no great matter; but he always pay de debt of honour. Every gentleman pay dat. Here, Monsieur Turnbull, (and the little Frenchman pulled out a piece of paper from his pocket),
human
Now, Monsieur Tagliabue, said he,
gpt
(Monsieur T, who presumed that Mrs Turnbull had made him acquainted with the fact, answered in the affirmative.)
human
And I think that two months ago she never knew what _ecarte_ was.
gpt
Dat is true; but the ladies are very quick to learn.
human
Well, but now, do you think that, as she knew nothing about the game, and you and your wife are well acquainted with it, it was honourable on your part to allow her to lose so much money!
gpt
Ah! Monsieur, when a lady say she will play _comment faire_, what can you do?
human
But why did you never play at this house, Monsieur?
gpt
Ah! Monsieur Turnbull, it is for de lady of de house to propose de game.
human
Very true, replied Mr Turnbull, writing a cheque for the two hundred pounds;
gpt
Vat you say, sir! _Swind-lare_! God dam! Sar, I will have satisfaction.
human
You've got your money--is that sufficient, or do you want anything else?
gpt
Yes, sar, I do want more--I will have more.
human
So you shall, then,
gpt
Monsieur Turnbull, I will have de satisfaction, de terrible satisfaction, for this. You shall pay. By God, sar, you shall pay--de money for this.
human
Who are you, monsieur?
gpt
Sar, I am a gentleman.
human
What profession are you of, sir?
gpt
Sar, a gentleman has no profession.
human
But how do you live, Monsieur Tagliabue?
gpt
As a gentleman always does, sar.
human
You mentioned Lord Scrope just now as your particular friend, I think?
gpt
Yes, sar, me very intimate with Lord Scrope; me spend three months at Scrope Castle with mi Lady Scrope; mi Lady Scrope very fond of Madame Tagliabue.
human
Very well, Monsieur Tagliabue; we must proceed with another case until Mr Turnbull's bail arrives. Sit down for a little while, if you please.
gpt
Now, M. Tagliabue, you have said that you were intimate with Lord Scrope.
human
Yes, sar, very intimate.
gpt
Well, Lord Scrope I have the pleasure of knowing: and, as he is in town, I wrote a note to him and here is his answer. I will read it.
human
DEAR SIR--A fellow of the name you mention came from Russia with me as my valet. I discharged him with dishonesty; after he left, Lady Scrope's attendant, who it appeared was, unknown to us, married to him, left also, and then I discovered the peculations to have been so extensive that had we known where to have laid hold of him, I should certainly have brought them before you. Now the affair is forgotten; but a greater scoundrel never existed;--Yours, SCROPE.
gpt
Now, sir, what have you to say for yourself? continued the magistrate in a severe tone. M. Tagliabue fell on his knees and begged for mercy from the magistrate, from Lord Scrope, and lastly, from Mr Turnbull, to whom he proffered the draft for 200 pounds. The magistrate, seeing that Mr Turnbull did not take it, said to him,
human
Make no ceremony of taking your money back again, Mr Turnbull; the very offer of it proves that he has gained it dishonestly; and 600 pounds is quite enough to have lost.