10/21 I beg you give me leave." The Chevalier laid his hand gently upon Wogan's shoulder, but he did not assent. He looked again doubtfully to the Cardinal, who said with his pleasant smile, "I will wager Mr.Wogan a box at the Opera on the first night that he returns, that he will return empty-handed." Wogan rose to his feet and replied good-humouredly, "It's a wager I take the more readily in that your Eminence cannot win, though you may lose. For if I return empty-handed, upon my honour I'll not return at all." The Cardinal condescended to laugh. He had good reason, for here was his Eminence in a kindly temper and the Chevalier warming out of his melancholy. |