t all you hear
for a minute was the fat Monsieur Varin breathe like a hog, and the
rattle of a spur as some one slide a foot on the floor.

"The Intendant look blank; then he nod his head for answer, and each
write on a piece of paper. As they begin, M'sieu' Doltaire take out his
watch and lay it on the table, and the Intendant do the same, and they
both look at the time. The watch of the Intendant is all jewels.
'Will you not add the watches to the stake?' say M'sieu' Doltaire. The
Intendant look, and shrug a shoulder, and shake his head for no, and
M'sieu' Doltaire smile in a sly way, so that the Intendant's teeth show
at his lips and his eyes almost close, he is so angry.

"Just this minute I hear a low noise behind me, and then some one give
a little cry. I turn quick and Madame Cournal. She stretch her hand, and
touch my lips, and motion me not to stir. I look down again, and I see
that M'sieu' Doltaire look up to the where I am, for he hear that sound,
I think--I not know sure. But he say once more, 'The watch, the watch,
your Excellency! I have a fancy for yours!' I feel madame breathe hard
beside me, but I not like to look at her. I am not afraid of men, but a
woman that way--ah, it make me shiver! She will betray me, I think. All
at once I feel her hand at my belt, then at my pocket, to see if I have
a weapon; for the thought come to her that I am there to kill Bigot.
But I raise my hands and say, 'No,' ver' quiet, and she nod her head all
right.

"The Intendant wave his hand at M'sieu' Doltaire to say he would not
stake the watch, for I know it is one madame give him; and then they
begin to play. No one stir. The cards go out flip, flip, on the table,
and with a little soft scrape in the hands, and I hear Bigot's hound
much a bone. All at once M'sieu' Doltaire throw down his cards, and say,
'Mine, Bigot! Three hunder' thousan' francs, and the time is up!' The
other get from his chair, and say, 'How would you have pay if you had
lost, Doltaire?' And m'sieu' answer, 'From the coffers of the King, like
you, Bigot' His tone is odd. I feel madame's breath go hard. Bigot turn
round and say to the others, 'Will you take your way to the great hall,
messieurs, and M'sieu' Doltaire and I will follow. We have some private
conf'rence.' They all turn away, all but M'sieu' Cournal, and leave the
room, whispering. 'I will join you soon, Cournal,' say his Excellency.
M'sieu' Cournal not go, for he have been drinking, and so