Meeting Casanova in the entry, he gave him precedence with mock politeness.
Casanova accepted the precedence without a word of thanks.
The Marchese was the first banker.

Olivo, the brothers Ricardi, and the Abbate staked such trifling amounts that to Casanova--even to-day when his whole worldly wealth consisted of no more than a few ducats--the game seemed ludicrous.

All the more was this the case since the Marchese raked in his winnings and paid out his losses with a ceremonious air, as if he were handling enormous sums.

Suddenly Lorenzi, who had hitherto taken no part in the game, staked a ducat, won, let the doubled stake stand; won again and again, and continued to have the same luck with but occasional interruptions.

The other men, however, went on staking petty coins, and the two Ricardis in particular seemed quite annoyed if the Marchese failed to give them as much attention as he gave to Lieutenant Lorenzi.