"I certainly will give up playing whist!"
"Do you know my favorite game?" said Monsieur Gerbault; "it's bézique."
"Fie, fie! a messroom game!"
"I don't know anything about that; but piquet is a messroom game, too, which doesn't prevent its being a very fine game. I've heard people say of lansquenet: 'It's a footman's game!' the same thing has been said of écarté—but that doesn't prevent those games from being played in the salons. For my part, I believe in playing the game that amuses us, without disturbing ourselves about its origin."
"I am wild over bézique, too," cried Monsieur de la Bérinière; "and, if you will allow me, Monsieur Gerbault, I shall take great pleasure in playing a game with you."
"Whenever you choose, monsieur le comte, you will be welcome."
"That's a game I am very fond of, too," said Monsieur Batonnin.
"I am not thure whether I know it, but I think not."
"Very well, messieurs," said Fanny; "the next time, we'll have a bézique table for those who like it.—How is it with you, Auguste; do you play it?"
"I? What? what game is that?" replied Monléard, who had not listened to the conversation.