"I heard papa say it was quite by chance
he had lost all that money to you, for you did not understand
the first principles of the game."
"Ah! he said that? But it is lucky for us other poor devils
that we have these chances sometimes! You will at least admit
that, Mademoiselle?"
"Papa plays better than anyone," says Madelon, retreating from
argument to the safer ground of assertion, and still standing
in the middle of the room in her defiant attitude, with her
hands clasped behind her.
"Without a doubt, Mademoiselle; but then, as he says, we also
have our chances. Well, I cannot wait for mine this evening,
for it is nearly midnight, and I have another appointment.
These gentlemen will wonder what has become of me.
Mademoiselle, I have the honour to wish you good evening."
He made a profound bow, and left the room.
Madelon gave a great sigh, and then came out into the passage
again where Horace was standing. He had been a somewhat
bewildered spectator of this queer little interview, but the
child evidently saw nothing out of the way in it, for she made
no remark upon it, and only said rather piteously,
"I cannot imagine where papa can be; I do wish he would come
back.
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