"Oh, do you think that anyone may kill the Prince of Cochin-China like a little shopkeeper of the Marais. My situation is alarming. Give me some pasty, I beg of you." "Did you satisfy yourself that your man was dead?" "If you had heard the cry he uttered as he fell, you would not doubt it yourself. It's a cursed day's work; that thief of a water-carrier brought this ill luck upon me!" "A water-carrier?" "Yes, one with whom I fought this morning." "Are you always fighting?" "Well, by jingo, I can't take twenty steps without fighting; the government should give me a pension to remain at home. What, another stroke of ill luck? Good God! it seems to me I hear a great deal of noise outside." "What does it matter to us, it's only some pages, lackeys, or students who are amusing themselves by fighting; oh, I'm accustomed to all that." "It's more likely they're coming to arrest me." "Nothing of the kind, I tell you." "Well, Marcel, you're very fortunate in not being a man of the sword." "A stick serves just as well to defend me; but I don't seek a quarrel with anyone." "You're very right; I envy your gentle urbanity. But I believe I hear nothing more. Give me something to drink. I feel calmer." "Have you done eating?" "Yes, I can now wait till supper. Marcel, it was here we wagered on the flies." "I remember it." "Will you take part in a game to pass the time?" "Much obliged; but I didn't like the game." "Oh, it wasn't that one I was about to propose; but I believe I happen to have some cards in my pocket. Come, a hand at piquet?" "No, I don't care to play." "Why, by jingo! it's only to pass a few hours; we shan't ruin ourselves; I haven't more than two pieces of gold about me; and when I shall have lost that, to the devil with me if I continue." Marcel yielded to Chaudoreille's solicitations, who immediately set out the table and drew a pack of cards from his pocket, looking at them tenderly as he placed them between himself and Marcel, saying,-- "We'll play for a crown on each side." "It's too much." "Pooh! one lost, another gained; it's only between the pair of us." "Yes, but if one wins all." "Nonsense, we are equally good players." "But you haven't laid your money down." "I've told you I've nothing but gold, I'll change it when I've lost some hundreds." They commenced to play. Chaudoreille's face was animated, his eyes were shining, and seemed as if they would leave their orbits to look at his adversary's play. "These cards are not new," said Marcel, "they are all stained or marked." "That's because they've been so much used apparently. I leave it to you," said Chaudoreille, looking carefully at the backs of the cards which were at the bottom of the pack. "Hang it! you've made me a pretty present; there, these are the seven and the eight."