_Mr. C._ Well, look here, I'm going to put on a five-franc piece this
time--so be careful what you advise.

_Miss D._ Oh, I really couldn't undertake such a responsibility.

_Mr. C._ I shall follow this man then, and back five. (_He does; the
horses spin round, and the race is won by a horse with a tricoloured
flag labelled No._ 5.) There, I've done it without you, you see.
(_The Croupier pushes a heap of ivory counters towards him, which
he takes up with trembling hands._) I say, I scooped in thirty-five
francs over that! Not bad, is it? I'm glad I waited!

_Miss D._ Yes, it's better fun than dancing, isn't it?

_Mr. C._ Oh, lots--at least I didn't mean _that_ quite--

_Miss D._ Didn't you? _I_ did. What are you going to back next?

_Mr. C._ Well, I must just have one more turn, and then we'll go and
get that dance over. I'm going to plunge this time. (_He spreads his
counters about the board._) There, I've put five francs on each colour
and ten each on 8 and 9. You see, by hedging like that, you're bound
to pull off _something_!

_Miss D._ (_as the horses spin round_). All the yellow flags are out
of it.

_Mr. C._ Doesn't matter, 9's red, and he's going first-rate--nothing
to beat him!