He turned, quite involuntarily, in appeal to the Prince of Wales and the
other gentlemen present.
But the Englishman of those days was a born gambler. He lived with the
dice-box in one pocket and a pack of cards in the other. The Prince
himself was no exception to this rule, and the first gentleman in England
was the most avowed worshipper of Hazard in the land.
"Chance, by all means," quoth His Highness gaily.
"Chance! Chance!" repeated the others eagerly.
In the midst of so hostile a crowd, Chauvelin felt it unwise to resist.
Moreover, one second's reflection had already assured him that this
throwing of the dice could not seriously interfere with the success of his
plans. If the meeting took place at all--and Sir Percy now had gone too
far to draw back--then of necessity it would have to take place in France.
The question of time and conditions of the fight, which at best would be
only a farce--only a means to an end--could not be of paramount
importance.
Therefore he shrugged his shoulders with well-marked indifference, and
said lightly:
"As you please.
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