“Why has he gone?” asked a third, “he said he was going to stay here for another week.” At this there was some whispering, but the departure of an abbé had nothing interesting in it for me, and I continued eating and talking. I told Le Duc, who was standing behind my chair, to get me some champagne. I offered the lady some, she accepted, and everyone began to call for champagne. Seeing my neighbour’s spirits rising, I proceeded to make love to her, and asked her if she were always as ready to defy those who paid their court to her.
“So many of them,” she answered, “are not worthy the trouble.”
She was pretty and quick-witted, and I took a fancy to her, and wished for some pretext on which I could put off my departure, and chance came to my aid.
“The place next to you was conveniently empty,” said a lady to my neighbour who was drinking with me.
“Very conveniently, for my neighbour wearied me.”
“Had he no appetite?” said I.
“Gamesters only have an appetite for money.”
“Usually, but your power is extraordinary; for I have never made two dinners on one day before now.”
“Only out of pride; as I am sure you will eat no supper.”
“Let us make a bet on it.”