Belle Rose: A Romance of the Cloak and Sword — page 161: what you’re looking at

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

DICE AND CARDS. | 147 ‘It is there, behind that clump of sycamores. They serve in the Duke of Ascot’s corps.’’ The officer hastened on. ‘‘Look, monsieur,’’ said he, stopping behind the syca- mores, and with his finger he pointed out to him a line of tents where, in spite of the advanced hour of the night, was to be heard a confused noise of song's and cries. Around some tents, lit up by candles stuck in the ends of guns, were to be seen a great number of soldiers who were playing dice upon the skin of their drums; others were sleeping here and there, others were drinking, and still others were quarreling. The empty bottles were being smashed, the gamblers were swearing; the most irascible sustained their opinion pistol in hand, the women went and came, stopping at the places where the money was circulating; in one corner there was a soldier gasping for breath, and near him two others who were emptying his purse. ‘‘There are men here from every country,’’ said the officer to Monsieur de Villebrais; ‘‘not one of them but what has deserted at least five times; I imagine that they will readily take to you.’’ Monsieur de Villebrais threw a cold glance at the Spaniard. ““[ shall see whether they do or not,’’ said he, and. he advanced toward the first group. Five or six soldiers squatting upon the ground were shaking an old dice-box blackened by use; the dice sounded as they rolled upon the drum. One of them, who had lost, was twisting his mustache with one hand and fumbling in his pocket with the other. ‘Here are five ducats,’’ said the man who had won, ‘‘who wishes them?’’ | **T will give my saber for five ducats,’’ said the one who had lost, and, unclasping his belt, he threw it upon the drum. ‘Your saber! it is scarcely worth two; the blade is of iron and the handle of copper.”’ ‘Well, here are my pistols,’’ said the soldier; ‘‘pistols which have killed ten Catholics and ten Huguenots.”’ Monsieur de Villebrais’ hand was placed upon the shoul- der of the bettor. **T take the saber for ten ducats, and I give ten more for 3) the arm which holds it,’’ said he. ** Agreed !’’ exclaimed the soldier, on seeing the money shine upon the drum, ‘Eh! Conrad! play, will you?” 3 ~ comicboo