Claude heard, flushed, and turned again to Rohan: "Chevalier, will you dice?"
"With pleasure."
Cups were produced, and the rest began betting among themselves on the outcome of the first throws. Odds were not in Rohan's favor.
"A thousand louis, Chevalier, that my number is less than yours."
This was an unusual stake. Rohan's eyebrows twitched up once, but he took the wager calmly. Deborah's reputed fortune went up another hundred thousand francs, and advanced still further when Claude won his throw; for they only win who do not need to do so. De Rohan made an effort to retrieve himself, but failed. Then the stakes diminished, for Claude had had his revenge for an impertinent question, and did not desire to gain a new reputation for wealth. However, he was three thousand louis to the good when Richelieu came over and touched him on the shoulder.
"Enough, Claude, enough for the time. Come with me. I need you now. M. Berkley will be always here to welcome you. I—well, I shall not be here every day. Come."
Claude rose, good-naturedly. "Certainly I will come, du Plessis. Au revoir, gentlemen."
"Au revoir! Au revoir! When do you present us to madame?"
"We shall be delighted to see you as soon as Mme. de Mirepoix has bestowed a card upon us."
A few further good-byes, and de Mailly and his old-time friend left the house together and moved slowly down the street, the Duke leading. Claude did not speak, for it was for his companion to open conversation. This Richelieu seemed in no haste to do. They had proceeded for some distance before he remarked, suddenly: