"
"But don't you help them with the work a little?" asked Poulariez.
"Not I; I leave business to them that have a vocation for it.
Besides, I think Cadet, Vargin, and Penisault like to keep the inner
ring of the company to themselves." He turned to Emeric: "I hope
there will be a good dividend to-night, Emeric," said he. "I owe
you some revenge at piquet, do I not?"
"You capoted me last night at the Taverne de Menut, and I had three
aces and three kings."
"But I had a quatorze, and took the fishes," replied Des Meloises.
"Well, Chevalier, I shall win them back to-night. I hope the
dividend will be good: in that way I too may share in the 'business'
of the Grand Company."
"Good-by, Chevalier; remember me to St. Blague!" (This was a
familiar sobriquet of Bigot.) "Tis the best name going. If I had
an heir for the old chateau on the Adour, I would christen him Bigot
for luck."
The Chevalier des Meloises left the officers and proceeded down the
steep road that led to the Palace. The gardens were quiet to-day--
a few loungers might be seen in the magnificent alleys, pleached
walks, and terraces; beyond these gardens, however, stretched the
King's wharves and the magazines of the Friponne.
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