Servigny, who was standing opposite him, exclaimed in his insolent way: "PARBLEU! he is cheating!"
The Russian put his hand on his heart and held out the gold piece to his rival, saying: "Toss it yourself, my dear Duke."
Servigny took it and spinning it up, said: "Head." It was tail.
He bowed and pointing to the pillar of the balcony said: "Climb up, Prince." But the Prince looked about him with a disturbed air.
"What are you looking for?" asked the Chevalier.
"Well,—I—would—like—a ladder." A general laugh followed.
Saval, advancing, said: "We will help you."
He lifted him in his arms, as strong as those of Hercules, telling him:
"Now climb to that balcony."
The Prince immediately clung to it, and, Saval letting him go, he swung there, suspended in the air, moving his legs in empty space.