“You probably will, monsieur, for I lose at it all the time, which does not prevent my being very fond of it; but we always become attached to ingrates!”
Edmond seated himself at a card-table opposite Croque, who continued:
“I like to play rather high.”
“So do I.”
“Then we have the same tastes. Twenty francs—does that frighten you? these little gold pieces are so convenient!”
“Twenty francs it is.”
The game began, and although the soi-disant baron declared that he always lost at it, he won the first game and the next and all the rest, and the yellow boys flowed in his direction.
Edmond had lost more than a hundred francs; but he tried to recoup by increasing his stake, which suited his opponent perfectly.
“Monsieur,” he replied to every such suggestion, “I am a bold player! I never refuse a man his revenge, and I cover whatever stake is proposed.”
Thélénie passed through the card-room several times to see what was going on; finally she came again, but with several ladies. She had Madame Droguet on her arm; Mesdames Remplumé and Jarnouillard, with others, came behind. They all seated themselves near the table at which Croque and Edmond were playing écarté.