While Sans-Cravate left the restaurant, singing at the top of his voice, Albert returned to his place at the table.
"Give me something to drink!" he cried; "champagne! let us play cards and get drunk! I am in the mood now to do whatever you choose."
"It seems that all the replies are favorable," said Mouillot.
"Oh! very favorable!" rejoined Albert; "I make no secret of the fact that there was a woman who was inclined to play the prude with me, and with whom, of course, I was more in love than ever. But I have obtained an assignation—a tête-à-tête, at last."
"Oho! it's all settled, then."
"An assignation for this evening?" queried Célestin, with an indifferent air.
"No, not until to-morrow. So I can pass the evening, and the night too, with you. I am entirely at your service."
"So much the better; we will have a hot game."
"I shall win, for I am in a lucky vein."
"That's not certain; lucky in love doesn't mean lucky at cards; the proverb says just the opposite."