nything would
make me a Legitimist, it is my disgust at those confounded narratives
about Kleber and Desaix; the Emperor himself does not despise the time
of the Revolution more heartily than I do. Come, there's _bouillotte_
yonder; let us go and win some pieces. I feel I'm in vein; and even
to lose would be better than listen to these people. It was only a few
minutes ago I was hunted, away from Madame de Muraire by old Berthollet,
who is persuading her that her diamonds are but charcoal, and that a
necklace is only fit to roast an ortolan. This comes of letting savants
into society; decidedly, they had much better taste in the time of the
Monarchy."

It was with some difficulty we succeeded in approaching the _bouillotte_
table, where, to judge from the stakes, very high play was going
forward. Duchesne was quickly recognized among the players, who made
place for him among them. I soon saw that he was not mistaken in
supposing he was in luck; every _coup_ was successful, and, while he
continued to win time after time, the heap of gold grew greater, till it
covered the part of the table before him.

"Most certainly, Burke," said he, in a whisper, "this is a strong turn
of Fortune, who, being a woman, won't long be of the same mind. Five
thousand francs," cried he, throwing the _billet de banque_ carelessly
before him, while he turned to resume what he was saying to me. "Were I
in action now, I 'd win the _baton de marechal_. I feel it; there's an
innate sense of luck when it means to be steady."

"The Chevalier Duchesne! the Chevalier Duchesne!" was repeated from
voice to voice, outside the circle; "Mademoiselle de Lacostellerie is
waiting to waltz with you."

"A thousand pardons," said he, rising. "Burke, continue my game, while
I try if I can't push fortune the whole way." So saying, and without
listening to my excuses about ignorance of play, he pressed me into his
seat, and pushed his way through the crowd to join the dancers.

It was only when the players asked me if I intended to go on that I was
aware of the position in which I found myself. I knew little more of the
game than I had learned in looking over the table; but I was aware of
the strict etiquette in all the play of society, which enjoins a revenge
to every loser, so that I continued to bet and stake for Duchesne as
I had seen him do already,--not, however, with such fortune. He had
scarcely left the table when luck changed; and now I saw his riche