The King's Stratagem, and Other Stories

The King's Stratagem and Other Stories by Stanley John Weyman is about Vicomte de Lanthenon and a British captain playing an innocent game of dice. The Vicomte loses the town of Lusigny to the captain in the name of King Henry, but when he returns to his king to deliver the bad news, the two devise a mischievous plan. Excerpt: "He rose as the last word passed his lips, and held out his hand. The Vicomte fell on one knee, and kissed it reverently, then sprang to his feet again. «Sire,» he said, standing erect, his eyes shining, «you have punished me heavily, more heavily than was needful. There is only one way in which I can show my gratitude, and that is by ridding you of a servant who can never again look your enemies in the face.»