Tom Burke Of "Ours", Volume II. Lever Charles James

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      It was with some difficulty we succeeded in approaching the bouillotte table, where, to judge from the stakes, very high play was going forward. Duchesne was quickly recognized among the players, who made place for him among them. I soon saw that he was not mistaken in supposing he was in luck; every coup was successful, and, while he continued to win time after time, the heap of gold grew greater, till it covered the part of the table before him.

      “Most certainly, Burke,” said he, in a whisper, “this is a strong turn of Fortune, who, being a woman, won’t long be of the same mind. Five thousand francs,” cried he, throwing the billet de banque carelessly before him, while he turned to resume what he was saying to me. “Were I in action now, I ‘d win the bâton de maréchal. I feel it; there’s an innate sense of luck when it means to be steady.”

      “The Chevalier Duchesne! the Chevalier Duchesne!” was repeated from voice to voice, outside the circle; “Mademoiselle de Lacostellerie is waiting to waltz with you.”