"The Comte de Montgommery rose and advanced to greet the new-comers with the hospitable and courtly manner which became him so well.
"'Welcome, my friends!' said he to the three, as he shook hands with them.
"At a sign from him I came forward to take their cloaks, and all of them sat down.
"'What good fortune brings you to my poor quarters?' the count asked.
"'A threefold bet,' replied Monsieur de Boutières; 'and your presence here, my dear Count, wins mine for me on the spot.'
"'As for mine,' said Monsieur de Langeais, 'it was won before we came here.'
"'And mine,' said the Comte de Sancerre, 'I shall win in a moment, as you will see.'
"'What were your bets, pray, gentlemen?' said Montgommery.
"'Well,' said Monsieur de Boutières, 'Langeais here made a bet with D'Enghien that the Dauphin would not be at the Louvre this evening. We have been there, and have duly decided that D'Enghien has lost.'
"'As for De Boutières,' said the Comte de Sancerre, 'he bet with Monsieur de Montejan that you would be at home this evening, my dear Count; and you see that he has won.'