Her
fainting fit startled me a little. But it was a mere trifle. She
has quite recovered already, and you may rely upon her applauding
your victory at Vincennes to-day. She has I don't know how many
hundred louis staked upon your horses."
The marquis's countenance assumed an expression of cordial regret.
"I am very sorry, upon my word!" he exclaimed. "But I sha'n't
take part in the races at Vincennes. I have withdrawn my horses.
And, in future, I shall have nothing to do with racing."
"Nonsense!"
"It is the truth, however. I have been led to this determination
by the infamous slander which has been circulated respecting me."
This answer was a mere trifle, but it somewhat shook Baron
Trigault's confidence. "You have been slandered!" he muttered.
"Abominably. Last Sunday the best horse in my stables, Domingo,
came in third. He was the favorite in the ring. You can
understand the rest. I have been accused of manoeuvering to have
my own horse beaten. People have declared that it was my interest
he should be beaten, and that I had an understanding with my
jockey to that effect. This is an every-day occurrence, I know
very well; but, as regards myself, it is none the less an infamous
lie!"
"Who has dared to circulate such a report?"
"Oh, how can I tell? It is a fact, however, that the story has
been circulated everywhere, but in such a cautious manner that
there is no way of calling the authors to account.
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