But we will draw up the papers and sign them now, if you please." Some jests unfit for repetition were uttered by the creditor, to which the unhappy debtor made no reply.

When he called Tom to bring paper and ink, the observing servant noticed that he was very pale, though but a few moments before his face had been flushed.
That night, he tried to drown recollection in desperate gambling and frequent draughts of wine.

Between one and two o'clock in the morning, his roisterous companions were led off by their servants, and he was put into bed by Tom, where he immediately dropped into a perfectly senseless sleep.
As soon as there was sufficient light, Tom started for the house of the Signor; judging that he was safe from his master for three hours at least.

Notwithstanding the earliness of the hour, Madame made her appearance in a very few moments after her servant informed her who was in waiting, and the Signor soon followed.

In the course of the next hour and a half an incredible amount of talking was done in negro "lingo" and broken English.