Page:All the Year Round - Series 2 - Volume 1.djvu/201

Charles Dickens] 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 "! 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