quite satisfied I intended to stay and drink with the girl.
She was evidently a great favorite with the habitues of the place. He
looked at me less frequently than at the door, and I guessed he
expected Yvard's return.

Now I grew certain. Yvard had merely gone down the stair to see if he
had dropped the papers in the fight. As soon as he found they were not
there I felt morally certain he would come and demand them of me. I
had begun the game, and must play out the hand. So I reached across
the table, filled the glasses for myself and Florine, raising mine high
as if I would propose a toast. I tapped her banteringly on the cheek,
for the benefit of him who watched, and said in a low tone, trying to
maintain my nonchalant manner.

"Listen to me a minute, and I beseech you smile, do not look so
serious. You brought me here, and now I trust you to get me out alive.
Is there any other way than that I came?"

She looked about her apprehensively, so I cautioned her again.

"For heaven's sake smile; I am closely watched, and you must laugh and
be merry as if I drank with you and made love."

She comprehended, and well did she play her part. The tones of her
voice were light and playful; she lifted the glass to her lips, tasting
as a connoisseur, and said between her sips:

"Yes, Monsieur, there is--another way leading out--on an alley--in the
rear."

"How do you reach it?"

"The door behind the table--where they play for highest stakes--leads
to the passage. Do but cast--your eyes that way--and you will see."

"Then let us--"

"Wait, Monsieur, not yet. If Monsieur would go and seat himself at
that table, as if he desired to play, I will slip around and make ready
the door for him. Monsieur was kind to me, and Florine is grateful.
Even we women here respect a gentleman."

I pitied the woman from the bottom of my heart. I took out my purse,
paid the reckoning, and together we wandered aimlessly toward that
table, laughing and looking on at the various games. The fellow
watched us as we went, but was pleased, and seemed satisfied the woman
but carried out the purposes of her employment.

I took a seat at the table, laid a wager or two and made myself intent
upon the game. Florine stood behind my chair for awhile, watched my
play, then disappeared. After a little she returned and again took her
place behind me. Directly she laughed out merrily, and in a tone loud
enough to be heard by the man who l