"Why," replied La Mole, "I saw you draw from your pocket a purse which appeared not only full, but I should say bloated."
"Ah," said Coconnas, "that is to defray an old debt which I am compelled to pay to an old friend of my father, whom I suspect to be, like yourself, somewhat of a Huguenot. Yes, there are here a hundred rose nobles," he added, slapping his pocket, "but these hundred rose nobles belong to Maître Mercandon. My personal patrimony, as I tell you, is limited to six crowns."
"How, then, can you play?"
"Why, it is because of that I wished to play. Besides, an idea occurs to me."
"What is it?"
"We both came to Paris on the same errand."
"Yes."
"Each of us has a powerful protector."
"Yes."
"You rely on yours, as I rely on mine."