The things we do!

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Besides roulette and trente-et-quarante, a number of amusing games are
played at Baden, which are not performed, so to speak, sur table. These
little diversions and jeux de societe can go on anywhere; in an alley in
the park; in a picnic to this old schloss, or that pretty hunting-lodge;
at a tea-table in a lodging-house or hotel; in a ball at the Redoute; in
the play-rooms behind the backs of the gamblers, whose eyes are only cast
upon rakes and rouleaux, and red and black; or on the broad walk in front
of the conversation rooms, where thousands of people are drinking and
chattering, lounging and smoking, whilst the Austrian brass band, in the
little music pavilion, plays the most delightful mazurkas and waltzes.
Here the widow plays her black suit and sets her bright eyes against the
rich bachelor, elderly or young as may be. Here the artful practitioner,
who has dealt in a thousand such games, engages the young simpleton with
more money than wit; and knowing his weakness and her skill, we may
safely take the odds, and back rouge et couleur to win.


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