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168 his account two of these gentlemen set out suddenly from Wiesbaden, and will not return hither in a hurry.”—“Their presence may well be dispensed with,” said another of the party. “By us, no doubt,” replied Florentine; “but not by our master of ceremonies, Mons. le proprieteur, who has forbidden gaming, indeed, only that it may be carried on with greater perseverance.”—“The Marquis, however, should avoid such conduct,” said a certain chevalier in a mysterious tone. These gamesters are revengeful, and generally are well-connected in the world. If that be true, which is now whispered in various quarters, that the Marquis is involved in dangerous political schemes”“But, after all,” said the Countess interrupting him; “what injury has he committed against the pharo bankers?”—“Nothing more, indeed,” answered the chevalier, “but that he stakes on cards which never once fail to win. And it is strange enough that he seems not to take advantage of this to benefit his own fortune, for he always confines himself to the lowest possible risk. But, of course, the other players do not neglect to follow his lead—they stake