s have their
Jesuitism, the chevalier and the baron, those wily politicians, had
found a means of eluding this charter. When all the players but one were
anxious to continue an exciting game, the daring sailor, du Halga, one
of those rich fellows prodigal of costs they do not pay, would offer
ten counters to Mademoiselle Zephirine or Mademoiselle Jacqueline, when
either of them, or both of them, had lost their five sous, on condition
of reimbursement in case they won. An old bachelor could allow himself
such gallantries to the sex. The baron also offered ten counters to
the old maids, but under the honest pretext of continuing the game. The
miserly maidens accepted, not, however, without some pressing, as is the
use and wont of maidens. But, before giving way to this vast prodigality
the baron and the chevalier were required to have won; otherwise the
offer would have been taken as an insult.

_Mouche_ became a brilliant affair when a Demoiselle de Kergarouet was
in transit with her aunt. We use the single name, for the
Kergarouets had never been able to induce any one to call them
Kergarouet-Pen-Hoel,--not even their servants, although the latter had
strict orders so to do. At these times the aunt held out to the niece as
a signal treat the _mouche_ at the du Guenics. The girl was ordered
to look amiable, an easy thing to do in the presence of the beautiful
Calyste, whom the four Kergarouet young ladies all adored. Brought up in
the midst of modern civilization, these young persons cared little for
five sous a game, and on such occasions the stakes went higher. Those
were evenings of great emotion to the old blind sister. The baroness
would give her sundry hints by pressing her foot a certain number of
times, according to the size of the stake it was safe to play. To play
or not to play, if the basket were full, involved an inward struggle,
where cupidity fought with fear. If Charlotte de Kergarouet, who was
usually called giddy, was lucky in her bold throws, her aunt on
their return home (if she had not won herself), would be cold and
disapproving, and lecture the girl: she had too much decision in her
character; a young person should never assert herself in presence of
her betters; her manner of taking the basket and beginning to play was
really insolent; the proper behavior of a young girl demanded much more
reserve and greater modesty; etc.

It can easily be imagined that these games, carried on nightly for
twent