"Play that," said Pierrette to the colonel, pointing to a heart in his hand.
The colonel began a sequence in hearts; the hearts all lay between himself and Sylvie; the colonel won her ace, though it was protected by five small hearts.
"That's not fair!" she cried. "Pierrette saw my hand, and the colonel took her advice."
"But, mademoiselle," said Celeste, "it was the colonel's game to play hearts after you began them."
The scene made Monsieur Desfondrilles smile; his was a keen mind, which found much amusement in watching the play of all the self-interests in Provins.
"Yes, it was certainly the colonel's game," said Cournant the notary, not knowing what the question was.
Sylvie threw a look at Mademoiselle Habert,—one of those glances which pass from old maid to old maid, feline and cruel.
"Pierrette, you did see my hand," said Sylvie fixing her eyes on the girl.
"No, cousin."
"I was looking at you all," said the deputy-judge, "and I can swear that Pierrette saw no one's hand but the colonel's."