He tried, but failed, to find some joke with which to reply to Dolokhov's words.

But before he had thought of anything, Dolokhov, looking straight in his face, said slowly and deliberately so that everyone could hear: "Do you remember we had a talk about cards... 'He's a fool who trusts to luck, one should make certain,' and I want to try.

" "To try his luck or the certainty?" Rostov asked himself.

"Well, you'd better not play," Dolokhov added, and springing a new pack of cards said: "Bank, gentlemen!" Moving the money forward he prepared to deal.

Rostov sat down by his side and at first did not play.