Nevertheless, they made poor enough work of it. Some men let
themselves be persuaded; Steiner, for instance, ventured three louis,
for the sight of Nana stirred him. But the women refused point-blank.
"Thanks," they said; "to lose for a certainty!" Besides, they were in no
hurry to work for the benefit of a dirty wench who was overwhelming
them all with her four white horses, her postilions and her outrageous
assumption of side. Gaga and Clarisse looked exceedingly prim and asked
La Faloise whether he was jolly well making fun of them. When Georges
boldly presented himself before the Mignons' carriage Rose turned her
head away in the most marked manner and did not answer him. One must be
a pretty foul sort to let one's name be given to a horse! Mignon, on the
contrary, followed the young man's movements with a look of amusement
and declared that the women always brought luck.
"Well?" queried Nana when the young men returned after a prolonged visit
to the bookmakers.
"The odds are forty to one against you," said La Faloise.
"What's that? Forty to one!" she cried, astounded. "They were fifty to
one against me. What's happened?"
Labordette had just then reappeared. The course was being cleared,
and the pealing of a bell announced the first race.
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