Several games of écarté were begun. The chevalier proposed a game of _creps_ for the ladies; whereupon Dubourg said to himself: "It seems that the ladies of the best society have tastes very different from their sisters of the bourgeoisie; perhaps madame la marquise is fond of _biribi_ too." Monsieur de Potoski found himself at an écarté table with the count, whose lace cuffs did not prevent his dealing the cards with rare skill. The game soon became animated. A tall, thin gentleman, who stood near Dubourg, bet rolls of twenty-five louis on his game, which he placed on the table without unrolling them, and which passed rapidly into the count's pockets, the tall man, whose threadbare costume might have led one to take him for an unfortunate petitioner for alms, seeming to pay no heed whatever to his loss. "These men play a very noble game," said Dubourg to himself; and, not choosing to be outdone by the person who was betting on him, he doubled his stakes, and his money passed into the hands with the lace cuffs. But the punch circulated freely; to please Madame de Grandcourt, it had been made much stronger; the company began to get excited and the game became animated. Madame de Versac seated herself beside Dubourg. "I mean to bring Monsieur de Potoski good luck," she said, sitting close against him, and showing a row of teeth set like a wild boar's tusks. "I trust that you will change the luck, madame!" observed Dubourg, who had already lost more than a thousand francs, which he was determined to win back. Madame la marquise made no other reply than to place her foot lovingly on his. With each game that Dubourg lost, she bore down a little heavier, and tried to make him forget his bad luck by saying sweet things to him; but Dubourg did not listen. "I hope to see you often, Monsieur de Potoski." "Yes, madame.--Ten louis more, this time." "I am a bold player," said the count; "I'll take whatever you bet." "Yes, of course, monsieur le comte will give you your revenge," said the marchioness, "if you lose to-night." "If I lose!" muttered Dubourg; "I should say so! almost two thousand francs! What a breach in my cash-box!" "You must come to my country house on the Rhône, my dear Potoski. I insist on your coming." "Yes, madame la marquise; yes, most certainly.--The king is always in the other hand! it's the most extraordinary thing!" "We will walk in my park." "Beaten again!" "We will enjoy the fresh, cool breezes in the evening." "It's stifling here!" "Pray take something." "I should be glad to take back just what I have lost." "Do you remain long in Lyon?" "The devil take me if I know!" And Dubourg, who had lost three thousand francs, and was tired of feeling madame la marquise's foot on his, rose abruptly and walked about the room.