"Why did you not tell us sooner, Lorenzi ?" "The matter did not seem of such supreme importance." "It is of no great importance to me," said the Marchese.

"But don't you think it is of considerable importance to my wife ?" He laughed raucously.

"As a matter of fact, I have some interest in the matter myself.

You won four hundred ducats from me yesterday, and there is not much time left in which to win them back." "The Lieutenant won money from us too," said the younger Ricardi.

The elder, silent as usual, looked over his shoulder at his brother, who stood behind the elder's chair as on the previous day.
"Luck and women....." began the Abbate.
The Marchese finished the sentence for him: ".....cannot be constrained." Lorenzi carelessly scattered his gold on the table.