"M. de Fontanes, I hope for my revenge."
Mdlle. de Fontanes went to his side and whispered him,--
"I asked you!"
"But I had promised. Besides, I wish to show you that écarté is one of the things in which you underrate my age."
M. de Fontanes sat down. There was a curious look upon his face.
"Mr Lintorn, you and I are old antagonists. Who was it used to win?"
"Invariably you."
"Ah, then it is your turn now!"
"Perhaps."
They played gallery. In spite of his prediction, fortune, as a rule, was with their host. The stakes were trifling, his losses small, yet it was curious to see the irritation with which Mr Lintorn saw his francs forsake him. He was playing with M. de Fontanes. The old gentleman scored the king. Suddenly Mr Lintorn, throwing his cards on the table, rose to his feet.