"With pleasure, I prefer it so!" cried the chevalier, seizing the dicebox and resuming his seat. Thereupon he rattled the dice in the box in his turn, and, having raised his hand above his head, threw them on the table; the throw was fourteen. A joyful cry escaped from Passedix's lips and he looked about with a triumphant air, saying: "That is what I call throwing! that is how we throw dice at court! Fourteen! what do you say to that, _compère_?" "That's a good throw," replied his adversary; "but I may equal it." And having picked up the three dice and put them in his box, he played, and threw only five. Passedix was radiant; his face lighted up, and he began to laugh uproariously, opening his enormous mouth and showing his sharp fangs. "I have lost," said the shopkeeper; "well, we are just where we started.--I think it's time to go home, _compère_." But at that moment the odor of cooked eggs reached their nostrils. Poussinet appeared, carrying in both hands a pewter platter upon which was the enormous omelet; under one arm he had a jug of wine, and under the other a round loaf. The waiter gazed admiringly at the omelet, but he walked with slow and measured steps, like a person who expects a catastrophe, or one who is marching to the sacrifice. The odor of the dish so eagerly coveted dilated the chevalier's nostrils; he seized the shopkeeper by his doublet as he was about to leave the table, and said: "Well! are we to stop at that? Don't you know that among gentlemen, when each wins a game, the rubber is always played?" "The rubber! the rubber! But it is late, and I ought to be at home." "You will be there a few minutes late! What a misfortune! But we cannot afford to play like children, with no result; everyone would laugh at us! Come! it will take but a minute!" And Passedix retained his hold on the tradesman's doublet, which he was very careful not to release, for Poussinet had already said twice: "Here's the omelet _au lard_, the wine, and the bread--total, two livres eight sous six deniers, which you must pay me now, or I shall take it all away." "'Tis well! 'tis well! Sandis! Wait a moment, Poussinet; as you see, I am just finishing a game with monsieur. Let us finish!" Tired of being detained by his doublet, the shopkeeper decided to resume his seat. "Well, monsieur," he exclaimed; "since I absolutely must do it to satisfy you, let us play this rubber, which, however, I should be justified in refusing, for, after all, I do not know you! You interfered in the game of dice I was playing with my friend, not with you."