g of the shoulders expressive of his inferiority, "we poor fellows
are not very valiant and our appearance is not elegant. It is all right
for you fine gentlemen to wear glittering helmets and carry keen
rapiers, and provided we mount guard strictly"--

"Aha!" said La Mole, taking his turn at shuffling the cards. "So you
mount guard, do you?"

"_Eh, mon Dieu, oui, Monsieur le Comte!_ I am sergeant in a company of
citizen militia."

After having said this while La Mole was engaged in dealing the cards,
La Huriere withdrew, putting his finger on his lips as a sign of
discretion for Coconnas, who was more amazed than ever.

This signal for caution was doubtless the reason that he lost almost as
rapidly the second time as the first.

"Well," observed La Mole, "this makes exactly your six crowns. Will you
have your revenge on your future fortune?"

"Willingly," replied Coconnas.

"But before you begin, did you not say you had an appointment with the
Duc de Guise?"

Coconnas looked toward the kitchen, and saw the great eyes of La
Huriere, who was repeating his warning.

"Yes," he replied, "but it is not yet time. But now let us talk a little
about yourself, Monsieur de la Mole."

"We should do better, I think, by talking of the game, my dear Monsieur
de Coconnas; for unless I am very much mistaken, I am in a fair way of
gaining six more crowns."

"By Heaven! that is true! I always heard that the Huguenots had good
luck at cards. Devil take me if I haven't a good mind to turn Huguenot!"

La Huriere's eyes sparkled like two coals; but Coconnas, absorbed in his
game, did not notice them. "Do so, count, do so," said La Mole, "and
though the way in which the change came about is odd, you will be well
received among us."

Coconnas scratched his ear.

"If I were sure that your good luck came from that," he said, "I would;
for I really do not stickle so overwhelmingly for the mass, and as the
King does not think so much of it either"--

"Then it is such a beautiful religion," said La Mole; "so simple, so
pure"--

"And, moreover, it is in fashion," said Coconnas; "and, moreover, it
brings good luck at cards; for the devil take me if you do not hold all
the aces, and yet I have watched you closely, and you play very fairly;
you do not cheat; it must be the religion"--

"You owe me six crowns more," said La Mole, quietly.

"Ah, how you tempt me!" said Coconnas; "and if I am not satisfied with
Monsieur de Guise to