"We can amuse ourselves with cards for an hour, as the curtain
does not rise before eight."
And he pointed to a silver basket on the centre table of carved walnut,
surmounted by a slab of variegated marble. I looked, and saw the
crowning wonder. The silver basket contained piles of gold coin and
greenbacks! Not a trace of a Confederate note was visible in the mass!
Packs of fresh cards were brought quickly by a servant, on a silver
waiter; the guests helped themselves to the coin and bank notes; in ten
minutes they were playing furiously.
As I do not play, I rose and took my leave. Mr. Blocque accompanied me
to the door, smiling sweetly to the last.
"Come again very soon, my dear colonel," he said, squeezing my hand,
"my poor house, and all in it, is at your service at all times!"
I thanked my host, shook hands, and went out into the
darkness,--determined never to return.
I had had an excellent dinner, and, physically, had never felt better.
Morally, I must say, I felt contaminated, for, unfortunately, I had
begun to think of Lee's hungry soldiers, lying in rags, in the
Petersburg trenches.
"Eight o'clock! All is well!" came from the sentinel, as I passed by
the capitol.
IV.
JOHN M. DANIEL.
On the day after this scene, a trifling matter of business led me to
call on John M.
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