ndship, noble prince. And
now I will tell you the object of my visit. I find, Excellency, that,
unconsciously perhaps, we are rivals. Can we not accommodate out
pretensions!"

"Ah!" said the prince, carelessly, "you, then, were the cavalier who
robbed me of the reward of my chase. All stratagems fair in love, as in
war. Reconcile our pretensions! Well, here is the dice-box; let us throw
for her. He who casts the lowest shall resign his claim."

"Is this a decision by which you will promise to be bound?"

"Yes, on my faith."

"And for him who breaks his word so plighted, what shall be the
forfeit?"

"The sword lies next to the dice-box, Signor Zanoni. Let him who stands
not by his honour fall by the sword."

"And you invoke that sentence if either of us fail his word? Be it so;
let Signor Mascari cast for us."

"Well said!--Mascari, the dice!"

The prince threw himself back in his chair; and, world-hardened as he
was, could not suppress the glow of triumph and satisfaction that spread
itself over his features. Mascari took up the three dice, and rattled
them noisily in the box. Zanoni, leaning his cheek on his hand, and
bending over the table, fixed his eyes steadfastly on the parasite;
Mascari in vain struggled to extricate from that searching gaze; he grew
pale, and trembled, he put down the box.

"I give the first throw to your Excellency. Signor Mascari, be pleased
to terminate our suspense."

Again Mascari took up the box; again his hand shook so that the dice
rattled within. He threw; the numbers were sixteen.

"It is a high throw," said Zanoni, calmly; "nevertheless, Signor
Mascari, I do not despond."

Mascari gathered up the dice, shook the box, and rolled the contents
once more on the table: the number was the highest that can be
thrown,--eighteen.

The prince darted a glance of fire at his minion, who stood with gaping
mouth, staring at the dice, and trembling from head to foot.

"I have won, you see," said Zanoni; "may we be friends still?"

"Signor," said the prince, obviously struggling with anger and
confusion, "the victory is yours. But pardon me, you have spoken lightly
of this young girl,--will anything tempt you to yield your claim?"

"Ah, do not think so ill of my gallantry; and," resumed Zanoni, with a
stern meaning in his voice, "forget not the forfeit your own lips have
named."

The prince knit his brow, but constrained the haughty answer that was
his first impulse.

"Enough