Belle Rose: A Romance of the Cloak and Sword — page 154: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

142 DICE AND CARDS. CHAPTER XX. DICE AND CARDS. Monsieur de Villebrais had scarcely entered the camp when the noise of his arrival spread. The staffs of the divers regiments which composed the army were stirred up by it, and several officers who were acquainted with his conduct in respect to Belle-Rose and the murder of Monsieur d’Assonville, loudly expressed their indignation. So much audacity astonished them. But Monsieur de Villebrais was not a man to grow frightened at these rumors, and knowing himself supported at court by a relative who had some credit, he thought he could brave with impunity the opinion of his fellows. He was one of those men—and the number of them is greater than one would think—who have a cowardly heart and a bold mind. The evening, then, of his a: rival, he went in uniform toan inn where the officers who were not onduty gathered to- gether to talk, drink, and play games. A numerous com- pany was assembled there when he entered. Belle-Rose, introduced by Monsieur de Naucrais, received everywhere a welcome which proved at the same time the esteem which was entertained for his person and for that of the colonel. Monsieur de Villebrais passed between the group without appearing to see his rival, and advancing toward a table where seven or eight officers were playing lansque- net, he threw some gold pieces upon the board. The man who held the cards raised his eyes and recognized Mon- sieur de Villebrais. He was an old captain of artillery who was known throughout the regiment for his bravery. ‘‘T stake ten louis,’’ said Monsieur de Villebrais. ‘‘Messieurs, I stake nothing,’’ rejoined the captain, and throwing the cards upon the table, he withdrew. ‘‘Monsieur!’’ exclaimed the lieutenant, drunk with anger and his hand upon the guard of his sword. The old captain stopped a minute, eyed Monsieur de Villebrais from head to foot, with a scornful smile, and passed on without making any reply. A young musketeer picked up the cards and shuffled them. ‘*Play, messieurs,’’ said he. But, before drawing a card, he pushed back the gold pieces of Monsieur de Villebrais, and taking with affecta- tion the glove which had touched them, he threw itinte