"Je suis un président sans phrases. Messieurs, faites vos jeux!"
One of the men playing—the Pole—rose from his seat with a disturbed look—
"Merci, monsieurs, c'en était assez!"
Another, Jakuskin, drying the sweat from his brow, struck his hand on the table—
"J'ai tout perdu!"
All as if it were a real roulette-table.
The others continued cold-bloodedly to lay their parcels of gold on the numbers, seeming unaware of the new-comer's arrival.
The hostess only advanced quickly to greet him.
"I was certain that you would find out our den; I kept this seat for you."
"You honor me too much, diva. I ought to have good luck in play to-night, as I have just had the opposite fate in love."