Two days before the intended fête, the count happened to fall out with the duke over a game at billiards in a coffee-house of the metropolis. The count left him abruptly, with a kind of challenge, and thinking his honor wounded resolved to come to an entire rupture with him. Returning home, my friend immediately acquainted me with what had happened, and very little was wanting for him to have also quarrelled with me. Seeing his countenance flushed with anger I could not help laughing at his complaints, and when he asked me why I did so, I replied, "you may thank Heaven for this occurrence. If you will be ruled by my advice, you will find it one of the happiest of your life."
I now communicated a plan to Selami, which after some hesitation he consented to adopt. That same hour we went to the duke, who feigned not to recollect the least part of what had happened; I offered my mediation, effected a perfect reconciliation, and they both went immediately after to one of the principal taverns, to celebrate the restoration of their good understanding. The next morning the
