ul regimen, to
keep me from excess in this, which is, I may say, my last dissipation. I
have tried them all, sir," he went on, laying his hand on Geraldine's
arm, "all, without exception, and I declare to you, upon my honour,
there is not one of them that has not been grossly and untruthfully
overrated. People trifle with love. Now, I deny that love is a strong
passion. Fear is the strong passion; it is with fear that you must
trifle if you wish to taste the intensest joys of living. Envy me--envy
me, sir," he added with a chuckle, "I am a coward!"

Geraldine could scarcely repress a movement of repulsion for this
deplorable wretch; but he commanded himself with an effort, and
continued his inquiries.

"How, sir," he asked, "is the excitement so artfully prolonged? and
where is there any element of uncertainty?"

"I must tell you how the victim for every evening is selected," returned
Mr. Malthus; "and not only the victim, but another member, who is to be
the instrument in the club's hands, and death's high priest for that
occasion."

"Good God!" said the Colonel, "do they then kill each other?"

"The trouble of suicide is removed in that way," returned Malthus with a
nod.

"Merciful heavens!" ejaculated the Colonel, "and may you--may I--may
the--my friend, I mean--may any of us be pitched upon this evening as
the slayer of another man's body and immortal spirit? Can such things be
possible among men born of women? Oh! infamy of infamies!"

He was about to rise in his horror, when he caught the Prince's eye. It
was fixed upon him from across the room with a frowning and angry stare.
And in a moment Geraldine recovered his composure.

"After all," he added, "why not? and since you say the game is
interesting, _vogue la galere_--I follow the club!"

Mr. Malthus had keenly enjoyed the Colonel's amazement and disgust. He
had the vanity of wickedness; and it pleased him to see another man give
way to a generous movement, while he felt himself, in his entire
corruption, superior to such emotions.

"You now, after your first moment of surprise," said he, "are in a
position to appreciate the delights of our society. You can see how it
combines the excitement of a gaming-table, a duel, and a Roman
amphitheatre. The Pagans did well enough; I cordially admire the
refinement of their minds; but it has been reserved for a Christian
country to attain this extreme, this quintessence, this absolute of
poignancy. You will u