RODERICK (V.O.)
I could judge a horse as well as any dealer in Germany. I could not spell, but I could speak German and French cleverly.
Roderick being fitted for clothes.
RODERICK (V.O.)
I had at least twelve suits of clothes; three richly embroidered with gold, two laced with silver; one of French grey, silver-laced and lined with chinchilla. I had damask morning robes, to which a peacock's tail is as sober as a Quaker's drab skirt.
Action as voice over.
RODERICK (V.O.)
I took lessons on the guitar, and sang French catches exquisitely. Where, in fact, was there a more accomplished gentleman than Roderick James?
Action as per voice over.
RODERICK (V.O.)
How have we had the best blood, and the brightest eyes, too, of Europe throbbing round the table as I and the Chevalier have held the cards and the bank against some terrible player, who was matching some thousands out of his millions against our all which was there on the baize!
Roderick dealing a faro bank.
RODERICK (V.O.)
Our principles were: play grandly, honorably. Be not, of course, cast down at losing; but, above all, be not eager at winning, as mean souls are.
Action as voice over.
RODERICK (V.O.)
When the Duke of Courland brought fourteen lackeys each with bags of florins, and challenged our bank to play against the sealed bags, what did we ask?
CHEVALIER
Sir, we have but eighty thousand florins in bank, or two hundred thousand at three months; if your highness' bags do not contain more than eight thousand, we will meet you.
Playing.
RODERICK (V.O.)
And we did, and after eleven hours play, in which our bank was at one time reduced to two hundred and three ducats, we won seventeen thousand florins off him.
Four crowned heads look on at the game, and an imperial princess, when Roderick turns up the ace of hearts, bursts into tears.
Roderick and a girl.
RODERICK (V.O.)
Nor need I mention my successes among the fairer portion of the creation. One of the most accomplished, the tallest, the most athletic, and the handsomest gentleman in Europe, as I was then, a young fellow of my figure could not fail of having advantages, which a person of my spirit knew very well how to us.
Making love to a masked lady.
RODERICK (V.O.)
Charming Schuvaloff.
RODERICK (V.O.)
Black-eyed Sczortarska.
RODERICK (V.O.)
Dark Valdez.
RODERICK
Do you expect me to believe that your lover brought you here tonight?
VALDEZ
Yes. He brought me in his carriage, and he will call for me at midnight.
RODERICK
And he doesn't care about me?
VALDEZ
He is only curious to know who you are.
RODERICK
If his love were like mine, he would not permit you to come here.
VALDEZ
He loves me, as I love you.
RODERICK
Will he wish to know the details of this night?
VALDEZ
He will believe that it will please me if he asks about it, and I shall tell him everything except some circumstances which might humiliate him.