do. But, by
Jove! you are always in good humour, Mirabel, when you lose.'

'Fancy a man ever being in low spirits,' said the Count Mirabel. 'Life
is too short for such _betises_. The most unfortunate wretch alive
calculates unconsciously that it is better to live than to die. Well,
then, he has something in his favour. Existence is a pleasure, and the
greatest. The world cannot rob us of that; and if it is better to live
than to die, it is better to live in a good humour than a bad one. If a
man be convinced that existence is the greatest pleasure, his happiness
may be increased by good fortune, but it will be essentially independent
of it. He who feels that the greatest source of pleasure always remains
to him ought never to be miserable. The sun shines on all: every man can
go to sleep: if you cannot ride a fine horse, it is something to look
upon one; if you have not a fine dinner, there is some amusement in a
crust of bread and Gruyere. Feel slightly, think little, never plan,
never brood. Everything depends upon the circulation; take care of it.
Take the world as you find it; enjoy everything. _Vive la bagatelle!_'

Here the gentlemen rose, took their coffee, and ordered their carriages.

'Come with us,' said Count Mirabel to Ferdinand.

Our hero accepted the offer of his agreeable acquaintance. There was a
great prancing and rushing of cabs and _vis-a-vis_ at Mr. Bond
Sharpe's door, and in a few minutes the whole party were dashing up
St. James'-street, where they stopped before a splendid building,
resplendent with lights and illuminated curtains.

'Come, we will make you an honorary member, _mon cher_ Captain Armine,'
said the Count; 'and do not say _Lasciate ogni speranza_ when you enter
here.'

They ascended a magnificent staircase, and entered a sumptuous and
crowded saloon, in which the entrance of Count Mirabel and his friends
made no little sensation. Mr. Bond Sharpe glided along, dropping
oracular sentences, without condescending to stop to speak to those whom
he addressed. Charley Doricourt and Mr. Blandford walked away together,
towards a further apartment. Lord Castlefyshe and Lord Catchimwhocan
were soon busied with ecarte.

'Well, Faneville, good general, how do you do?' said Count Mirabel.
'Where have you dined to-day? at the Balcombes'? You are a very brave
man, mon general! Ah! Stock, good Stock, excellent Stock!' he continued,
addressing Mr. Million de Stockville, 'that Burgundy you sent m