Page:All the Year Round - Series 2 - Volume 1.djvu/151

Charles Dickens] and a pin. It is a duty, surely, to give a lesson now and again to the foolish. It is serving the world and society.

"Now," I said, coolly, "what if I tell you how he ought to play to win? What will you say to my common sense then?"

"What will I say? Your common sense! I am sure I can't tell."

"You shall be told, then; and you be witness, Grainger."

Red had come up three times. "Now," I said, "let him put on black."

"No," said Grainger. "Don't you see—he is going for the run."

"Well, what do you say?" I said to D'Eyncourt.

"Nothing," he answered; "why should I?"

The player did "go for the run," with, his "maximum," and away it fluttered to the green leather tomb of the capulets, the slab of which shut down on it with a fatal click. I said nothing. The player then waited until two deals had intervened.

"Now," I said, "let him put on red, and he will win."

He almost seemed to have heard me. Down went his maximum, pushed across with trembling fingers; and in a few seconds was heard the chant, "Rouge gagne, et couleur."

I will not dwell on this, for fear of tiring my pet; but I will tell the whole scene to her later. But "suffice it to say," as the novelists are fond of repeating, I really foretold nearly every successful colour, and, by some mysterious rapport, the count seemed to follow or anticipate every prophecy of mine.

"By G—," said Grainger, in a strange excitement, "it's devilry or magic! For Heaven's sake lend me, do, some one, three naps—only three—one, then—one! Well, then a double florin; you won't refuse that?"

"Recollect your promise," I whispered to him—"your resolution, your solemn resolution."

"Folly!" he said; "you are robbing me at this moment; it is cruel of you."

I was watching D'Eyncourt. He was biting his lips with vexation. I could not resist.

"You won't admit my common sense," I said; "it is not to be expected."

"It is easy to play a game with a pin and a card; back your opinion with money, and I'll do the same."

"I never play," I said, coldly, "and never shall. There are some whom it is hopeless to convince of the difference of a mere mathematical study and a pursuit so dangerous and deadly to both soul and body."

"Caution, religion, and the theological virtues. Good. Now, there go my five louis on red."

"If you wait, about twice more," I said, calmly, "you would have a better chance. I hardly think red could come up now."

"Rouge perd, et couleur" came before he could actually answer me. I went on.

"I dare say there might be a chance for you now, if you would risk it."

"I shall go on black," he said, putting down ten louis.

Again, "Rouge gagne, et couleur!"

So it went on, I, with a most extraordinary success in my guess, being astray not more than three or four times; and when I showed the card, the pin-holes all certainly fell into the shape I had predicted. Mr. D'Eyncourt, however, had lost over fifty louis.

"This comes," he said, "of playing with people talking about you, pestering you with systems and cards and pins. There, Manby—there's a gentleman here turned prophet. He'll tell you something about the Derby."

Before I could reply he was gone, and I turned to Grainger.

"He is inclined to be insolent," I said, "and I am not inclined to put up with it. Like any one who cannot bear to be told they are in the wrong, he wishes to give vent to his own spleen and malice."

Grainger was hardly attending.

"Why didn't you let me? I might have been rich this moment; I'd have made three hundred louis in the wake of that fellow. I might have been free from him, and, but for my slavery, I might have paid my bill at the lodgings."

"Is it so much?" I asked.

"Two hundred florins—a wretched sum. But he is insolent enough for its being ten thousand."

"Is that all?" I said. "We are very poor, as you know, Grainger; but if a hundred florins will help, I can let you have that much, but you must solemnly swear; not a florin goes down on that green cloth. An oath on your Bible, mind."

"I'll swear anything," he said. "You are noble, and have always treated me nobly, whatever I may have said. Still," he added, suddenly, "you know it is not so heavy an obligation. You admit that? Only a few pounds, you know."