“There are as good taverns at Lyons as at Paris; but my soldier, according to custom, carried me to a friend of his own, whose house he extolled as having the best accommodations, and the greatest resort of good company, in the whole town.  The master of this hotel was as big as a hogshead, his name Cerise; a Swiss by birth, a poisoner by profession, and a thief by custom.  He showed me into a tolerably neat room, and desired to know whether I pleased to sup by myself or at the ordinary.  I chose the latter, on account of the beau monde which the soldier had boasted of.

“Brinon, who was quite out of temper at the many questions which the governor had asked him, returned more surly than an old ape; and seeing that I was dressing my hair, in order to go downstairs:  ’What are you about now, sir?’ said he.  ’Are you going to tramp about the town?  No, no; have we not had tramping enough ever since the morning?  Eat a bit of supper, and go to bed betimes, that you may get on horseback by day-break.’  ‘Mr. Comptroller,’ said I, ’I shall neither tramp about the town, nor eat alone, nor go to bed early.  I intend to sup with the company below.’  ‘At the ordinary!’ cried he; ’I beseech you, sir, do not think of it!  Devil take me, if there be not a dozen brawling fellows playing at cards and dice, who make noise enough to drown the loudest thunder!’

“I was grown insolent since I had seized the money; and being desirous to shake off the yoke of a governor, ‘Do you know, Mr. Brinon,’ said I, ’that I don’t like a blockhead to set up for a reasoner?  Do you go to supper, if you please; but take care that I have post-horses ready before daybreak.’  The moment he mentioned cards and dice, I felt the money burn in my pocket.  I was somewhat surprised, however, to find the room where the ordinary was served filled with odd-looking creatures.  My host, after presenting me to the company, assured me that there were but eighteen or twenty of those gentlemen who would have the honour to sup with me.  I approached one of the tables where they were playing, and thought I should have died with laughing:  I expected to have seen good company and deep play; but I only met with two Germans playing at backgammon.  Never did two country boobies play like them; but their figures beggared all description.  The fellow near whom I stood was short, thick, and fat, and as round as a ball, with a ruff, and prodigious high crowned hat.  Any one, at a moderate distance, would have taken him for the dome of a church, with the steeple on the top of it.  I inquired of the host who he was.  ‘A merchant from Basle,’ said he, ’who comes hither to sell horses; but from the method he pursues, I think he will not dispose of many; for he does nothing but play.’  ’Does he play deep?’ said I.  ‘Not now,’ said he; ’they are only playing for their reckoning, while supper is getting ready; but he has no objection to play as deep as any one.’  ‘Has he money?’ said I.  ‘As for that,’