The two brothers played together upon the same hazard.

Beads of perspiration formed upon the brow of the elder, who handled the cards.
The younger, standing behind his brother, talked unceasingly, with the air of giving infallible counsel.

When the silent brother won, the loquacious brother's eyes gleamed; but at a loss, he raised despairing eyes heavenward.

The Abbate, impassive for the most part, occasionally enunciated some scrap of proverbial wisdom.

For instance: "Luck and women cannot be constrained." Or, "The earth is round, and heaven is far away." At times he looked at Casanova with an air of sly encouragement, his eyes moving on from Casanova to rest upon Amalia where she sat beside her husband.