Myself, (offering some snuff in the hope of changing the conversation.) "Come my friend, take a pinch, you will find it very good."
Raoul, (taking a hearty pinch.) "Not so bad; (he sneezes several times;) this is notice to quit, is it not M. Jules?"
Myself. "I fear you may, indeed, look upon it as such."
At this moment Raoul opened the box, which he had taken into his own hands, looked at it attentively, and offering it to Court, inquired his opinion of it. "It is a fine thing of the sort, is it not. Court? tell me of what material it is composed?"
Court, (turning away and shuddering.) "It is gold."
Raoul. "You are right to avert your eyes from the sight of that fatal metal, which has caused the ruin of man since its first introduction; alas! we are melancholy instances of the pernicious effects it has produced."
Court. "To say that for such trash we should draw down so much trouble and suffering upon ourselves; how much better had we devoted our time to honest labour. We had both of us excellent parents; what are we now but a disgrace to them and our families?"
Raoul. "That is not my greatest grief at this awful moment. Think of the gentlemen whose weasands we have cut! the unfortunate beings! my heart bitterly reproaches me for their sufferings."
Court, (embracing him.) "But you sincerely repent of your past offences, and are about to pay with your own life for those lives you have taken.—'He who sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed.' I think that was what the worthy father here was read-to me as M. Jules entered."
Court's confessor. "Come, my children, time is hastening on."
Raoul. "'Tis all in vain; the Supreme Being (if there really be one) can never pardon such guilty wretches as we are."
