Page:Hoffmann's Strange Stories - Hoffman - 1855.djvu/389

 be such. If he would bet for me, I would break the bank immediately."

It was in vain that the chevalier refused, he was obliged to yield to the wishes of the colonel, and take his place at the green table. Unspeakable chance guided his play, so that in a short time he had won a considerable sum for the colonel. But instead of taking pleasure himself in the emotions of the game, he felt his antipathy for this diversion increase from day to day, and he took the resolution never to set foot in any gaming house again. The colonel, who was always unlucky, made useless efforts to induce him to return to his assistance; and it was necessary, to put an end to the importunities of this mad gamester, that the chevalier Menars should formally announce that he would rather fight a thousand duels than to touch another card during his life.

A year from that time the arrival of the miserable sum of money which provided poorly for the subsistence of poor Menars, having been retarded by some accident, he fell into the most cruel penury, and, in spite of the stragglings of self-esteem, he found himself obliged to call upon a friend's purse, who, at least on this occasion, did not hesitate to assist him, only reproaching him with not knowing how to use the resources that his luck at play might create for him. This remark, made by chance, and at a time when poverty so closely pressed upon him, made chevalier Menars reflect; and every night he heard buzzed in his ears the accursed words used in gaming houses, and especially in the pharo banks. The sound of gold pieces vibrated about him everywhere; it was a diabolical temptation. Honest Menars reasoned with himself;—"One single night," said he to himself, "might withdraw me from misery and make the fortune of my whole life; instead of depending upon my friends, I could myself sometimes come to their aid; and then I should be considered, respected, honored! For all this it is only necessary to abandon myself to destiny, to chance."

The lending friend, who heard him speak in this manner 33