A good manly resistance, the more stubborn the better, gives a pleasant zest to the task." "You may rest easy on that score," Mirindol replied, with a malicious smile; "you will find a tough customer to handle, I promise you." "So much the better," said Lampourde, "for it is a long time since I have found an adversary worth crossing swords with.

But enough of this for the present.

Good-bye to you, and let me finish my nap." But he tried in vain to compose himself to sleep again, and, after several fruitless efforts, gave it up as a bad job; then began to shake a companion, who had slept soundly on the floor under the table during the preceding discussion, and when he had succeeded in rousing him, both went off to a gaming-house, where lansquenet was in active progress.
The company was composed of thieves, cut-throats, professional bullies, ruffians of every sort, lackeys, and low fellows of various callings, and a few well-to-do, unsophisticated bourgeois, who had been enticed in there--unfortunate pigeons, destined to be thoroughly plucked.
Lampourde, who played recklessly, had soon lost all his boasted wealth, and was left with empty pockets.

He took his bad luck with the utmost philosophy.
"Ouf!" said he to his companion, when they had gone out into the street, and the cool, night air blew refreshingly upon his heated face, "here am I rid of my money, and a free man again.

It is strange that it should always make such a brute of me.