"Yes, I remember him very well," he replied.

"He has not for very many years, been in this country.
He died abroad, some years since.

I presume you mean Mr.Parish of New York--he is the only one I recall of that name at least.

Yes; I knew such a man." "That was very long ago ?" "It was when I was much younger, my dear Countess." "You knew him very well, then ?" "I may say that I did, Madam." "And you'll tell me; then--tell me, was it true that once, as a wild rumor had it, a rumor that I have heard--that once you two played at cards--" "Was that a crime ?" he smiled.
"But with him, at cards with him, Mr.John Parish, a certain game of cards with him--one day,--a certain winter day years ago, when you both were younger--when the train was snowbound in the North?
And you played then, for what?
What were the stakes then, in that particular game with Mr.John Parish?
Do you chance to recall ?" "Madam, you credit me with frankness.

I will not claim even so much.