"I am always ready!" replied this tranquil gentleman, and dealing the cards, he said—"Diamonds are trumps. It is your turn to play, Mr. Stuart."
CHAPTER IV
IN WHICH PHILEAS FOGG SURPRISES PASSEPARTOUT, HIS SERVANT, BEYOND MEASURE
At twenty-five minutes after seven, Phileas Fogg having gained twenty guineas at whist, took leave of his honorable colleagues, and left the Reform Club. At ten minutes of eight, he opened the door of his house and entered.
Passepartout, who had conscientiously studied his programme, was quite surprised at seeing Mr. Fogg guilty of the inexactness of appearing at this unusual hour. According to the notice, the occupant of Saville Row ought not to return before midnight, precisely.
Phileas Fogg first went to his bed-room. Then he called "Passepartout!"
Passepartout could not reply, for this call could not be addressed to him, as it was not the hour.
"Passepartout," Mr. Fogg called again without raising his voice much.
Passepartout presented himself.
"It is the second time that I have called you," said Mr. Fogg.
"But it is not midnight," replied Passepartout.
"I know it," continued Phileas Fogg, "and I do not find fault with you. We leave in ten minutes for Dover and Calais."
A sort of faint grimace appeared on the round face of the Frenchman. It was evident that he had not fully understood. "Monsieur is going to leave home?" he asked.
"Yes," replied Phileas Fogg. "We are going to make the tour of the world."
Passepartout, with his eyes wide open, his eyebrows raised, his arms extended, and his body collapsed, presented all the symptoms of an astonishment amounting to stupor.
"The tour of the world!" he murmured.
"In eighty days," replied Mr. Fogg. "So we have not a moment to lose."
