A hundred curious glances went after him.

One old woman, whose gay attire suggested a false youthfulness, begged him in French to stake a five-franc piece for her.

She offered him the coin.

He took it, and gave her a hundred-franc note in exchange.

She clutched the crisp rustling paper, and with hysterical haste scuttled back to her own table.
At the second table there was a considerable air of excitement.