two louis "rendus," and such soliloquising;
but I notice this is not of rigour.
At night there is yet greater excitement,
and a kind of pleasant enjoyment
abroad. The bank seems to be losing, and
every one to be winning. The room is
brilliant and every one seemed in good
humour. There is a vast rush to the tables,
so that it was with difficulty I could carry
out my little calculations, now become the
regular amusement of the night. It was
amazing, I say again—the fashion in which
my theory was supported. I declare solemnly
that I must have won fifty pounds during
the half-hour I was watching. An easy
way to make a livelihood, indeed.

I have spoken of a charming family I met
at the table d'hôte, and who seemed to take a
deep interest in what they believed was
my history. Two more innocent and
engaging girls it would be impossible to
conceive, so naïve, so good-natured, so
engaging. Their remarks were delightful,
and their father seemed to dote on them.
They were well brought up, good and
pious, yet very gay, and with some esprit.
They knew my pet perfectly from what I
had said, and are just the girls she would
love. I had not met them for two or
three days, when, to my surprise, I saw
them entering the gambling-rooms, with
that air of delighted mystery which
always attends the first visit. I say I was
surprised, for they had always spoken with
a sort of dread of the place; and their
father had said: "No, my dear girls,
draw on papa for any money you like, but
don't let us get it in that way." Behind
them, however, was a face which explained
it all—- that of D'Eyncourt. I saw it bent
down between the two gentle faces, pouring
in some whispered platitude—- this
sham pasha, and he promises to be soon
as bloated as that despot of Egypt. It
gave me a sort of chill to see this evil
influence commenced. The sow-like eyes
blinked at me with a sort of suspicion and
dislike. He did not relish my acquaintance
with these charming girls. No man,
indeed, I have remarked, does relish the
introduction of another man upon his little
stage, or to his actresses.

"Papa," said one, who I think is
Constance, "has given us a Frederick to play
with, and we wish so much to win. Mr.
D'Eyncourt says he will play for us."

"But if you lose," I said, "you will be
disappointed and put out. If I was you I
would go to those little booths at the
Brunnen, and buy some of the agates or
onyxes, and then you will have a little
souvenir of the place."

He spoke. " What a goody, goody
arrangement! Dear me! This is dropping
the word. Now what shall we go on first?
The roulettes. Let us try the colour.
There, monsieur, s'il vous plait. The way
those stupid idlers block up the place is
unpardonable. There are two double florins
down, and my own louis beside it."

Such is the malaria, as I may call it, of
this dreadful game, that over those gentle
faces suddenly spread a sort of anxiety
and trouble, with a questioning eagerness,
which I believe firmly was only instinctive,
but which made me quite shudder. Without
reflection almost I said:

"Don't, I conjure you! Take it up
again. You will be sorry if you don't.
You won't even win— though that is the
next misfortune to losing."

They looked irresolute, but click! the
silence and the proclamation followed.
Again the gentle, almost rustic, faces
were turned with a painful wistfulness.
Their hearts, I know, were fluttering.
But the verdict, a prolonged "DOOZE!
Rouge-pairymank!" They knew their
fate from his impatient look. The mortification
and disappointment could not be
described.

"Never mind," he said, feeling in his
pockets, "we shall beat them yet. I shall
put down for you now on the same thing."

"You will only lose," I said; "if you do
play, play with some method."

"I know how to play pretty well," he
said, angrily. "'Pon my word, it is only
these croakings that are bringing us ill
luck. I wish to Heaven you would leave
the young ladies alone!"

"O no," said Constance, warmly; "we
didn't mean———Here, if Mr. Austen
will only put down for me— and Kate, you
will follow Mr. D'Eyncourt's advice."

I looked at her irresolutely. "I must
tell you," I said, "I don't play, and have
determined not to play."

"And yet you come here and affect to
study the system, and tell people to put on
that and on that. That is consistent!"

I did not answer him; but said quietly
to her: "If you must do it, then wait a
little. Let two or three go by, for it begins
to look like a run."

Down came the double click and the
stillness. Manque again.

"Confound it!" said D'Eyncourt, again
plunging at his pocket, the first intuitive
motion with every loser. "It is all this