第7章

"Thisisveryinstructive，"saidVizard。"IwasnotawareIhadasister，youthful，butprofound。Letusgoinanddine。"

Fannydemurred。ShesaidshebelievedMissMaitlandwishedtotakeoneturnroundthegroundsfirst。

MissMaitlandstared，butassentedinamechanicalway；andtheycommencedtheirpromenade。

Zoehungbackandbeckonedherbrother。"MissMaitland!"saidshe，withsuchanair。_"She_wantstoshowherbluestoalltheworldandhiswife。"

"Verynatural，"saidVizard。"Sowouldyou，ifyouwereinascarletgown，withacrimsoncloak。"

Zoelaughedheartilyatthis，andforgaveFannyhernewdress:butshehadaworsebonethanthattopickwithher。

ItwasashortbutagreeablepromenadetoZoe，fornowtheywerealone，herbrother，insteadofsneering，complimentedher。

"Neveryoumindmyimpertinence，"saidhe；"thetruthis，Iamproudofyou。Youareanobserver。"

"Me?Oh——incolor。"

"Nevermind:anobserverisanobserver；andgenuineobservationisnotsocommon。Menseeandhearwiththeirprejudicesandnottheirsenses。

Nowwearegoingtothosegaming-tables。Atfirst，ofcourse，youwillplay；but，assoonaseveryouarecleanedout，observe!Letnothingescapethatwoman"seyeofyours:andsowe"llgetsomethingforourmoney。"

"Harrington，"saidthegirlproudly，"Iwillbealleyeandear。"

Soonafterthistheywentintodinner。ZoecasthereyesroundforSeverne，andwasmanifestlydisappointedathisnotmeetingthemeventhere。

AsforFanny，shehadattractedwonderfulattentioninthegarden，andwaselated；herconsciencedidnotprickherintheleast，forsuchatrifleas_de"tournementdesfonds；_andpublicadmirationdidnotimproveher:shewassprightlyandtalkativeasusual；butnowshewasalsoatriflebrazen，andpertallround。

Andsothedinnerpassed，andtheyproceededtothegaming-tables。

MissMaitlandandZoeled。FannyandHarringtonfollowed:forMissDover，elatedbytheblues——though，by-the-by，onehearsofthemasdepressing——andencouragedbyadmirationandChevet"sviolet-perfumedSt。

Peray，tookHarrington"sarm，reallyasifitbelongedtoher。

Theywentintothelibraryfirst，and，afteracarelessinspection，cametothegreatattractionoftheplace。Theyenteredoneofthegambling-rooms。

Thefirstimpressionwasdisappointing。Thereweretwoverylongtables，roundedoffattheends:onefor_trenteetquarante_andonefor_roulette。_Ateachtablewereseatedanumberofpersons，andothersstandingbehindthem。Amongthepersonsseatedwasthedealer，or，inroulette，thespinner。Thisofficialsatinthecenter，flankedoneachsidebycroupierswithrakes；butateachendofthetabletherewasalsoacroupierwithhisrake。

Therestwereplayersorlookers-on；mostofwhom，bywell-knowngradationsofcuriosityandweakness，todescribewhichminutelywouldbetowritealittlecomedythatothershavealreadywritten，weredrawnintoplayingatlast。Sofidgetsthemothaboutthecandlebeforehemakesupwhat，nodoubt，thepoorlittlesoulcallshismind。

Ourlittlepartystoppedfirstat_trenteetquarante，_andZoecommencedherobservations。Insteadofthewildexcitementshehadheardof，therewasasubduedair，aforcedquiet，especiallyamongtheseatedplayers。A

sternetiquettepresided，andthegamblersshroudedthemselvesinwell-bredstoicism——losingwithoutopendistressorire，winningwithoutopenexultation。Theoldhands，especially，beganplaywithapadlockonthetongueandamaskupontheface。Therearemasks，however，thatdonothidetheeye；andMissVizardcaughtsomeflashesthatescapedthemaskseventhenatthecommencementoftheplay。Still，externalstoicismprevailed，onthewhole，andhadafixedexampleinthe_tailleur_andthecroupiers。PlayingmanyhourseverydayintheyearbutGood-Friday，andalwayswithotherpeople"smoney，thesemenhadpartedwithpassion，andalmostwithsensation；theyhadbecomeskillfulautomata，chantingastave，andrakinguporscatteringhay-cocksofgold，whichtothemwerecounters。

Itwaswiththemonotonousvoiceofanautomatontheyintoned:

"Faiteslejeu，messieu，messieu。"

Then，afterapauseoftenseconds:

"Lejeuestfait，messien。"

Then，aftertwoseconds:

"Riennevaplus。"

Thenmumble——mumble——mumble。

Then，"La"Rougeperdetcouleur，"orwhatevermightbetheresult。

Thenthecroupiersfirstrakedintheplayers"losseswithvastexpedition；next，thecroupiersinchargeofthefundschuckedthepreciseamountofthewinningsontoeachstakewithunerringdexterityandtheindifferenceofmachines；andthechantrecommenced，"Faiteslejeu，messieu。"

Pause，tenseconds。

"Lejeuestfait，messieu。

Pause，twoseconds。

"Riennevaplus。"

The_tailleur_dealt，andthecroupierintoned，"La"!Rougegagneetcouleurperd:"themechanicalrakinganddexterouschuckingfollowed。

This，withalowbuzzing，andthedeadenedjingleofgoldupongreencloth，andthelightgratingofthecroupiers"rakes，wasthefirstimpressionuponZoe"ssenses；butthemeregamedidnotmonopolizeherattentionmanyseconds。Therewereotherthingsbetterworthnoting:thegreatvarietiesofhumantypethatasinglepassionhadbroughttogetherinasmallGermantown。HerearwasregaledwithsuchapolyglotmurmurasshehadreadofinGenesis，buthadneverwitnessedbefore。

HerewerethesharpTuscanandthemellowRoman；thesibilationofEngland，thebrogueofIreland，theshibbolethoftheMinories，thetwangofcertainAmericanStates，thegutturalexpectorationofGermany，thenasalemphasisofFrance，andeventhemodulatedHindoostanee，andthesonorousSpanish，allmingling。

Thetypesoffacewereasvariousasthetongues。

Herewerethegreen-eyedTartar，theblack-eyedItalian，andthegray-eyedSaxon；facesallcheek-bones，andfacesnocheek-bones；theredArabian，thefairDane，andthedarkHindoo。

Herwoman"seyeseizedanotherphenomenon——thehands。Notnationsonly，butvarietiesoftheanimalkingdomwererepresented。Herewerethewhitehandsoffairwomen，andtheredpawsofobeseshop-keepers，andtheyellow，bird-likeclawsofoldwitheredgamesters，allstretchedout，sidebyside，instrangecontrast，toplacethestakesorscratchinthewinnings；andoftenthewinnersputtheirpalmsorpawsontheirheapofgold，justasadogdoesonabonewhenotherdogsarenigh。

ButwhatZoe"seyerestedonlongestwerethecostumeanddeportmentoftheladies。Afewwereingoodtaste；othersaimedatagreatervarietyofbeautifulcolorsthanthefairhave，uptothisdate，succeededincombining，withoutinflictingmorepainonthebeholdersthanabeneficentCreator——sofaraswecanjudgebyhisownsystemofcolor——intendedthecultivatedeyetosuffer。Example——astheoldwritersusedtosay——oneladyfiredtheairinprimrosesatin，withred-velvettrimming。Thismildmixturere-appearedonherheadinaprimrosehatwitharedfeather。Agoldchain，sobigthatitwouldhavedoneforafeloninsteadofafool，encircledherneck，andwasweightedwithinnumerablelockets，whichinsizeandinventivetasteresembledapoachedegg，andbetrayedtheinsulargoldsmith。Atrainthreeyardslongcompletedthisgorgeousfigure。Shehadcommencedlifeashrimp-girl，andpushedadredgebeforeher，insteadofpullingasilkenbesomafterher。

Anotherstatelyqueen(withan"a")heatedtheatmospherewithaburnousofthatcolortheFrenchcall_flammed"enfer，_andcooleditwithagreenbonnet。Athirdappearedtohavebeenstruckwiththebeautyofapainter"spalette，andtheskillwithwhichitscolorsmixbeforethebrushspoilsthem。Greenbody，violetskirts，rose-coloredtrimmings，purplesleeves，lightgreenboots，lavendergloves。Ashawlallgauzeandgold，flouncedlikeapetticoat；abonnetsosmall，andredfeathersoenormousandall-predominant，thatapeacockseemedtobesittingonahedgesparrow"snest。

Zoesuspectedthesepolychromaticladiesataglance，andobservedtheirmanners，inamistrustfulspirit，carefully。Shewaslittlesurprised，thoughagooddealshocked，tofindthatsomeofthemseemedfamiliar，andalmostjocular，withthecroupiers；andthat，althoughtheydidnottalkloud，beingkeptinorderbythegeneraletiquette，theyrustledandfidgetedandplayedinadevil-may-caresortofmanner。Thiswasingreatmeasureaccountedforbythecircumstancethattheywerelosingotherpeople"smoney:atallevents，theyoftenturnedtheirheadsovertheirshoulders，andappliedforfreshfundstotheirmalecompanions。

Zoeblushedatallthis，andsaidtoVizard，"Ishouldliketoseetheotherrooms。"ShewhisperedtoMissMaitland，"Surelytheyarenotveryselectinthisone。"

"Leadon，"saidVizard；"thatistheway。"

Fannyhadnotpartedwithhisarmallthistime。Astheyfollowedtheothers，hesaid，"Butshewillfinditisallthesamething。"

Fannylaughedinhisface。"Don"tyou_see?_C"estlachasseauSevernequicommence。"

"Envoil"aunse"v"ere，"repliedhe。

Shewasmute。ShehadnotlearnedthatsortofFrenchinherfinishing-school。Iforgiveit。

Thenextroomwasthesamethingoveragain。

Zoestoodamomentanddrankeverythingin，thenturnedtoVizard，blushed，andsaid，"Mayweplayalittlenow?"

"Why，ofcourse。"

"Fanny!"

"No；youbegin，dear。Wewillstandbyandwishyousuccess。"

"Youareacoward，"saidZoe，loftily；andwenttothetablewithmorechangesofcolorthanveteranlancersbetrayincharginginfantry。Itwasthe_roulette_tableshechose。Thatseemsalawofhersex。Thetruesolutionisnotsoprofoundassomethathavebeenoffered。Itisthis:

_trenteetquarante_isnotonlyunintelligible，butuninteresting。At_roulette_thereisapictorialobjectanddramaticincident；theboard，theturningofthe_moulinet，_andtheswiftrevolutionsofanivoryball，itsloweredspeed，itsirregularbounds，anditsfinalsettlementinoneofthemanyholes，numberedandcolored。Herethefemaleunderstandingseessomethingitcangrasp，and，aboveall，thefemaleeyecatchessomethingpictorialandamusingoutsidethelossorgain；andsoshegoes，byhernature，to_roulette，_whichisagreaterswindlethantheother。

ZoestakedfivepoundsonNo。21，foranexcellentreason；shewasinhertwenty-firstyear。TheballwassoillogicalastogointoNo。3，andshelost。Shestoodbyhernumberandlostagain。Shelostthirteentimesinsuccession。

Thefourteenthtimetheballrolledinto21，andthecroupierhandedherthirty-fivetimesherstake，andalotmoreforcolor。

Hereyeflashed，andhercheekflushed，andIsupposeshewastemptedtobetmoreheavily，forshesaid，"No。Thatwillneverhappentomeagain，Iknow；"andsherose，thericherbyseveralnapoleons，andsaid，"Nowletusgotoanother。"

"Humph!"saidVizard。"Whatanextraordinarygirl!Shewillgivethedevilmoretroublethanmostofyou。Here"sprecociousprudence。"

Fannylaughedinhisface。"C"estlachassequirecommence，"saidshe。

IoughttoexplainthatwhenshewasinEnglandshedidnotinterlardherdiscoursewithFrenchscraps。Shewasnotsoill-bred。Butabroadshehadgotintoawayofit，throughbeingoftencompelledtospeakFrench。

Vizardappreciatedthesagacityoftheremark，buthedidnotliketheladyanythebetterforit。Hemeditatedinsilence。Herememberedthat，whentheywereinthegarden。Zoehadhungbehind，andinterpretedFannyill-naturedly；andherewasFannyatthesamegame，literallybackbiting，orback-nibbling，atallevents。Saidhetohimself，"Andthesetwoarefriends!femalefriends。"Andhenursedhismisogynyinsilence。

Theycameintoaverynobleroom，thelargestofall，withenormousmirrorsdowntotheground，andaceilingblazingwithgold，andtheairglitteringwithlusters。Twoverylargetables，andadistinguishedcompanyateach，especiallyatthe_trenteetquarante。_

Beforeourlittlepartyhadtakensixstepsintotheroom，Zoestoodlikeapointer；andFannybacked。

Shouldthesetermsseemdisrespectful，letFannybeartheblame。Itisherapplicationoftheword"chasse"thatdrewdownthesimile。

Yes，theresatNedSeverne，talkingfamiliarlytoJosephAshmead，andpreparingto"putthepoton，"ashecalledit。

NowZoewassofargonethattheverysightofSevernewasabalsamtoher。Shehadalittlebonetopickwithhim；andwhenhewasoutofsight，theboneseemedprettylarge。Butwhenshesawhisadorableface，unconscious，asitseemed，ofwrong，thebonefadedandthefaceshone。

Herownfaceclearedatthesightofhim:sheturnedbacktoFannyandVizard，archandsmiling，andputherfingertohermouth，asmuchastosay，"Letushavesomefun。Wehavecaughtourtruant:letuswatchhim，unseen，alittle，beforeweburstonhim。"

Vizardenjoyedthis，andencouragedherwithanod。

TheconsequencewasthatZoedroppedMissMaitland"sarm，whotookthatopportunitytoturnuphernose，andbegantocreepuplikeayoungcatafterabird；takingastep，andthenpausing；thenanotherstep，andalongpause；andstillwithhereyefixedonSeverne。Hedidnotseeher，norhercompanions，partlybecausetheywerenotinfrontofhim，butapproachingatasharpangle，andalsobecausehewasjustthenbeginningtobetheavilyonhissystem。Bythismeans，twoprogressiveeventswentoncontemporaneously:thearchbutcat-likeadvanceofZoe，withpauses，andthebettingofSeverne，inwhichhegavehimselfthebenefitofhissystem。

_Noir_havingbeenthelasttowin，hewentagainstthealternationandputfiftypoundson_noir。_Redwon。Then，truetohissystem，hedoubledonthewinningcolor。Onehundredpoundsonred。Blackwon。Hedoubledonblack，andredwon；andtherewerefourhundredpoundsofhisfivehundredgoneinfiveminutes。

Onthisproofthatthelikeliestthingtohappen——viz。，alternationofthecolor——does_sometime_happen，Severnelostheart。

HeturnedtoAshmead，withallthesuperstitionofagambler，"ForGod"ssake，betforme!"saidhe。Heclutchedhisownhairconvulsively，inastrugglewithhismania，andprevailedsofarastothrustfiftypoundsintohisownpocket，toliveon，andgaveAshmeadfivetens。

"Well，but，"saidAshmead，"youmusttellmewhattodo。"

"No，no。Betyourownway，forme。"Hehadhardlyutteredthesewords，whenheseemedtoglareacrossthetableatthegreatmirror，and，suddenlyputtinghishandkerchieftohismouth，hemadeaboltsidewise，plungedamidthebystanders，andemergedonlytodashintoaroomattheside。

Ashedisappeared，aladycameslowlyandpensivelyforwardfromtheouterdoor；liftedhereyesasshenearedthetable，sawavacantchair，andglidedintoit，revealingtoZoeVizardandherpartyanobleface，notsosplendidandanimatedasonthestage，foritsexpressionwasslumbering；stillitwasthefaceofInaKlosking。

Notransformationtrickwaseverdonemoreneatlyandsmoothlythanthis，inwhich，nevertheless，theperformersactedwithoutconcert。

Severnefledout，andtheKloskingcameslowlyin；yetnoonehadtimetotaketheseat，sheglidedintoitsosoonafterSevernehadvacatedit。

ZoeVizardandherfriendsstaredaftertheflyingSeverne，thenstaredatthenewcomer，andthenturnedroundandstaredateachother，inmutualamazementandinquiry。

Whatwasthemeaningofthisdoubleincident，thatresembledaconjurer"strick?Havinglookedathercompanions，andseenonlyherownsurprisereflected，ZoeVizardfixedhereyes，likeburning-glasses，uponInaKlosking。

Thenthatladythickenedthemystery。SheseemedveryfamiliarwiththemanSevernehadbeensofamiliarwith。

Thatmancontributedhissharetothemultiplyingmystery。Hehadamuddycomplexion，hairthecolorofdirt，alongnose，ahatchetface，meanlittleeyes，andwasevidentlynotagentleman。Heworeabrownvelveteenshooting-coat，withamagentatiethatgaveZoeapainintheeye。ShehadalreadyfeltsorrytoseeherSevernewasacquaintedwithsuchaman。

Heseemedtoherthe_neplusultra_ofvulgarity；andnow，behold，theartist，thewomanshehadsoadmired，wasequallyfamiliarwiththesameobjectionableperson。

ToappreciatethehopelesspuzzleofZoeVizard，thereadermustbeonhisguardagainsthisownknowledge。HeknowsthatSeverneandAshmeadweretwoBohemians，whohadstruckupacquaintance，allinaminute，thatveryevening。ButZoehadnotthisknowledge，andshecouldnotpossiblydivineit。Thewholethingwaspresentedtohersensesthus:avulgarman，withabrownvelveteenshooting-coatandared-hottiewasamutualfriendofthegentlemanlySeverneandthedignifiedKlosking。Severneleftthemutualfriend；MademoiselleKloskingjoinedthemutualfriend；

andthereshesat，whereSevernehadsatamomentago，bythesideoftheirmutualfriend。

AllmannerofthoughtsandsurmisesthrongeduponZoeVizard；buteachwayofaccountingforthemysterycontradictedsomeplainfactorother；

soshewasdrivenatlasttoawoman"sremedy。Shewouldwait，andwatch。

Severnewouldprobablycomeback，andsomehowfurnishthekey。MeantimehereyewasnotlikelytoleavetheKlosking，norhereartomissasyllabletheKloskingmightutter。

ShewhisperedtoVizard，inaverypeculiartone，"Iwillplayatthistable，"andsteppeduptoit，withtheword。

ThedurationofsuchbeautyasZoe"sisproverbiallylimited；butthelimittoitspower，whileitdoeslast，hasnotyetbeendiscovered。Itisafactthat，assoonasshecameclosetothetabletwomalegamblerslookedup，sawher，wonderedather，andactuallyjumpedupandofferedtheirseats:shemadeacourteousinclinationofthehead，andinstalledMissMaitlandinoneseat，withoutreserve。Sheputalittlegoldonthetable，andaskedMissMaitland，inawhisper，toplayforher。SheherselfhadneithereyenorearexceptforInaKlosking。Thatladywashavingadiscussion，_sottovoce，_withAshmead；andifshehadbeenoneofyourmumblerswhosenameislegion，evenZoe"sswiftearcouldhavecaughtlittleornothing。Butwhenavoicehasvolume，andthegreathabitofarticulationhasbeenbroughttoperfection，thewordstravelsurprisingly。

ZoeheardtheladysaytoAshmead，scarcelyaboveherbreath，"Well，butifherequestedyoutobetforhim，howcanheblameyou?"

ZoecouldnotcatchAshmead"sreply，butitwasaccompaniedbyashakeofthehead；sosheunderstoodhimtoobject。

Then，afteralittlemorediscussion，InaKloskingsaid，"Whatmoneyhaveyouofmine?"

Ashmeadproducedsomenotes。

"Verywell，"saidtheKlosking。"Now，Ishalltakemytwenty-fivepounds，andtwenty-fivepoundsofhis，andplay。Whenhereturns，weshall，atallevents，havetwenty-fivepoundssafeforhim。Itaketheresponsibility。"

"Oh，"thoughtZoe；"thenhe_is_comingback。Ah，Ishallseewhatallthismeans。"Shefeltsickatheart。

ZoeVizardwasontheotherside，butnotoppositeMademoiselleKlosking；

shewasconsiderablytotherighthand；andasthenew-comerwasmuchoccupied，justatfirst，withAshmead，whosatonherleft，Zoehadtimetodissecther，whichshedidwithoutmercy。Well，hercostumewasbeautifullymade，andfittedonasymmetricalfigure；butastocolor，itwasneutral——awarmFrenchgray，andneithercourtedadmirationnorriskedcensure:itwasunpretending。Herlacecollarwasvaluable，butnotstriking。Herhairwasbeautiful，bothinglossandcolor，andbeautifully，butneatly，arranged。Herglovesandwristbandswereperfect。

Aseverywomanaimsatappearance，openlyorsecretly，andeveryotherwomanknowsshedoes，Zoedidnotlookatthismeekdresswithmalesimplicity，unsuspiciousofdesign，butaskedherselfwhatwastheleadingmotive；andthequestionwasnosooneraskedthananswered。"Shehasdressedforhergoldenhairandherwhitethroat。Herhair，herdeepgrayeyes，andherskin，arejustlikeaflower:shehasdressedherselfasthemodeststalk。Sheisanartist。"

AtthesametablewereaRussianprincess，anEnglishcountess，andaBavarianduchess——allwelldressed，uponthewhole。Buttheirdressesshowedofftheirdresses；theKlosking"sshowedoffherself。Andtherewasanativedignity，and，aboveall，awonderfulseemliness，abouttheKloskingthatinspiredrespect。Dressanddeportmentwereallofapiece——decentanddeep。

WhileZoewaspickinghertopieces，Ina，havingsettledmatterswithAshmead，lookedup，and，ofcourse，tookineveryotherwomanwhowasinsightatasinglesweep。SherecognizedZoedirectly，withaflushofpleasure；asweet，brightexpressionbrokeoverherface，andshebowedtoherwitharespectfulcordialitythatwascaptivating。

Zoeyieldedtothecharmofmanner，andbowedandsmiledinreturn，though，tillthatmoment，shehadbeenknittingherblackbrowsatherinwonderandvaguesuspicion。

Inatrifledwiththegame，atfirst。Ashmeadwasstilltalkingtoheroftheyoungswellandhissystem。Heexplainedittoher，andhowithadfailed。"Notbutwhat，"saidhe，"thereisagreatdealinitmostevenings。Butto-daytherearenoruns；itisallturnandturnabout。Ifitwouldrain，now，youwouldseeachange。"

"Well，"saidIna，"Iwillbetafewpoundsonred，thenonblack，tilltheserunsbegin。"

Duringtheaboveconversation，ofwhichZoecaughtlittle，becauseAshmeadwasthechiefspeaker，shecasthereyesallroundthetableandsawacuriousassemblageoffigures。

TherewasasolemnTurkmeltinghispiasterswithadmirablegravity；

therewastheRussianprincess；andtherewasalady，dressedinloud，incongruouscolors，suchasoncedrewfromahorrifiedmodistethecry，"Ah，Dieu!quelleimmoralite"!"andthat"safact。TherewasaPopishpriest，lookingsheepishashestakedhissilver，andanAnglicanrector，bettingflyers，andas_nonchalant，_intheblestabsenceofhisflockandtheBaptistminister，asifhewereplayingatwhistwiththeoldBishopofNorwich，whoplayedanightlyrubberinmyfather"sday——andaverybadone。TherewasaFrenchcount，nearlysixfeethigh，towhomtheword"old"wouldhavebeenunjust:hewasantique，andhadturnedintobonesandleather；butthehaironthatdilapidatedtrunkwasitsown；

andZoepreferredhimmuchtothelustyoldEnglishbeaubesidehim，withivoryteethandebonlocksthatcostaprettypenny。

Therewasafat，lividNeapolitanbettingheavily；therewasacreolelady，withafineovalface，rathersallow，andeyesandhairasblackasZoe"sown。Indeed，thecreoleexcelledher，bytheadditionofalittleblackfringeuponherupperlipthat，prejudiceapart，becameherverywell。Herfronthairwasconfinedbytwogoldthreadsalittlewayapart，onwhichwerefixedasingularornament，thevivideyesofapeacock"stailsetclosetogetherallround。Itwasglorious，regal。ThehussyshouldhavebeentheQueenofSheba，receivingSolomon，andshowingherpeacock"seyesagainsthiscrown-jewels。Liketheliliesofthefield，theseproductsofnaturearebadtobeat，aswesayonYorkshireturf。

Indeedthatfrontletwassobeautifulandwellplaced，itdrewforthglancesofmarkeddisdainfromeveryladywithinsightofit，Zoeexcepted。Shewasplacable。Thiswasalessonincolor；andshemanagedtoforgivetheteacher，inconsiderationofthelesson。

Amidthegaudierbirds，therewasadove——ayounglady，welldressed，withQuaker-likesimplicity，ingraysilkdresswithnotrimmings，awhitesilkbonnetandveil。Herfacewasfullofvirtues。Meetingherelsewhere，youwouldsay"Thatisagoodwife，agooddaughter，andthemakingofagoodmother。"Herexpressionatthetablewasthoughtfulandalittleanxious；buteverynowandthensheturnedherheadtolookforherhusband，andgavehimsosweetasmileofconjugalsympathyandaffectionasmadeZoealmostpraytheymightwin。Thehusbandwasanofficer，aveteran，withgrizzledhairandmustache，acolonelwhohadcommandedabrigadeinaction，butcouldonlyloveandspoilhiswife。Heoughttohavebeenherfather，herfriend，hercommander，andmarchedheroutofthat"curse-all"tothetopofCaderIdris，ifneedwas。Insteadofthat，hestoodbehindherchairlikeherlackeyallday:forhisdovewasasdesperateagamblerasanyinEurope。Itwasnotthatshebetveryheavily，butthatshebeteverydayandallday。Shebeganintheafternoon，andplayedtillmidnightiftherewasatablegoing。Sheknewnodayofreligion——nodayofrest。Shewon，andshelost:herownfortuneandherhusband"sstoodthemoneydrain；buthowaboutthegoldenhours?Shewaslosingheryouthandwastinghersoul。Yettheadministrationgaveherawarning；theydidnotallowtheirretrievablehourstobestolenfromherwithanoiselesshand。AtAllSouls"College，Oxford，inthefirstquadrangle，grave，thoughtfulmenraisedtothetopstory，twohundredyearsago，agrandsundial，thelargest，perhaps，andnoblestinthekingdom。TheysetitonthefaceoftheQuad，andwroteoverthelongpointerinlargelettersofgold，thesewords，"Pereuntetimputantur，"whichrefertothehoursindicatedbelow，andmeanliterally，"Theyperish，andgodowntoouraccount；"butreallyimplyalittlemore，viz。，that"theyarewasted，andgotoourdebit。"Thesearetruewordsandbigwords——biggerthananyroyalcommissionerhasuttereduptodate——andreachthemindthroughthesenses，andhavewarnedthescholarsofmanyagenerationnottothrowawaytheseed-timeoftheiryouth，whichnevercancometwicetoanyman。Well，theadministrationoftheKursaalconveyedtothatlostEnglishdoveandothersanoteofwarningwhichstruckthesenses，asdoestheimmortalwarningemblazonedonthefairbrowofthatbeautifulcollege；only，intheKursaalthewarningstrucktheear，nottheeye。TheyprovidedFrenchclockswithasingularlyclearmetallicstrikingtick；theirblowsuponthelifeofTimerangsharpabovethechant，themumble，andthejingle。Theseclocksseemedtocryaloud，andsayofthehours，whosewastetheyrecorded，"Pereunt-et-impu-tantur，pere-unt-et-imputantur。"

Recklessofthisprotest，thewavesofplayrolledon，anderelongsuckedallourcharactersbutVizardintothevortex。Zoehazardedasovereignonred，andwon；thentwoonblack，andwon；thenfouronred，andwon。Shewaslaunched，andFannytoo。Theygotexcited，andbethigher；thecroupierspeltedthemwithgoldencoins，andtheybegantopantandflush，andtheireyestogleam。Theoldgamblers"eyesseemtohavelostthispower——theyhavegrownfishy；buttheeyesofthesefemalenoviceswereasight。Fanny"s，beinglightgray，gleamedlikeapanther"swhosepreyiswithinleap。Zoe"sdarkorbscouldnotresembleanywildbeast"s；buttheyglowedwithunholyfire；and，indeed，alldownthetablewasnowseenthatwhichnopaintercanconvey——forhisbeautifulbutcontractedartconfineshimtoamomentoftime——andwritershavestrangelyneglectedtonotice，viz。，the_progressofthecountenance_

underplay。Manyofthemasksmelted，asiftheyhadbeenofwax，andthenaturalexpressionsforcedtheirway；somegotflushedwithtriumph，otherswildandhaggardwiththeirlosses。Oneghastly，glaringlosersatquitequiet，whenhisallwasgone，butclinchedhishandssothatthenailsranintotheflesh，andbloodtrickled:discoveringwhich，afrienddraggedhimofflikesomethingdead。Nobodyminded。

Thefatoldbeaugotworriedbyhisteethandpulledthemoutinapetandpocketedthem。

MissMaitland，whohadbegunwithhergrayhairinneatlittlecurls，derangedonesowithconvulsivehandthatitcamealldownhercheek，andlookedmostrakishandunbecoming。EvenZoeandFannyhadturnedfromlambstoleopardesses——patchesofredoneachcheek，andeyeslikered-hotcoals。

Thecolorshadbeguntorun，andatfirsttheplayerslostlargelytothebank，withoneexception。

InaKloskingdiscernedthechange，andbackedthewinningcolor，thendoubledonittwice。Shedidthissoluckilythreeorfourtimesthat，thoughhersinglestakewasatfirstonlyfortypounds，goldseemedtogrowaroundher，andevennotestoriseandmakeacushion。She，too，wasexcited，thoughnotopenly；hergloveswereoff，andherownlovelyhand，thewhitestintheroom，placedthestakes。Youmightseearedspotonhercheek-bone，andastrangeglintinherdeepeye；butshecouldnotdoanythingthatwasnotseemly。

Sheplayedcalmly，boldly，onthesystemthathadclearedoutNedSeverne，andshewonheavily，becauseshewasinluck。Itwasherhourandhervein。

BythistimeZoeandFannywerecleanedout；andlookedinamazementattheKlosking，andwonderedhowshedidit。

MissMaitland，atherlastsovereign，begantoleanonthevictoriousKlosking，andbetasshedid:herpileincreased。Thedovecaughtsightofhergame，andbackedherluck。Thecreolebackedherheavily。

Presentlytherewasanextraordinaryrunonblack。Numberswerecaught。

TheKloskingwonthreetimes，andlostthreetimes；butthebetsshewonweredoublebets，andthoseshelostweresingle。

Thencamea_refait，_andthebanksweptoffhalfherstake；butevenhereshewaslucky。Shehadonlyfortypoundson。

By-and-bycametheeventofthenight。Blackhadforsometimeappearedtoruletheroost，andthrustredoffthetable，andtheKloskinglosttwohundredpounds。

TheKloskingputtwohundredpoundsonred:itwon。Shedoubled:redwon。

Shedoubled:therewasadeadsilence。Thecreoleladyputthemaximumonred，threehundredpounds:redwon。InaKloskinglookedalittlepale；

but，drivenbysomeunaccountableimpulse，shedoubled。Sodidthecreole。Redwon。TheautomatachuckedsixteenhundredpoundstotheKlosking，andsixhundredpoundstotheotherlady。Inabetfortypoundsonblack。Redwonagain。Sheputtwohundredpoundsonblack:blackwon。

Shedoubled:blackwonagain。Shedoubled:blackwon。Doubledagain:

blackwon。

Thecreoleandothersstoodwithherinthatlastrun，andthemoneywaschucked。Butthesettlementwasfollowedbyashortwhisper，andacroupier，inavoiceasmechanicalasever，chantedthatthesumsetapartforthattablewasexhaustedforthatday。

TheKloskingandherbackershadbrokenthebank。

CHAPTERIX。

THEREwasabuzzing，andathrongingroundthevictoriousplayer。

Inarose，and，withadelicatemovementofhermilk-whitehand，turnedthemountainofgoldandcolumnofnotestowardAshmead。"Makehaste，please，"shewhispered；thenputonherglovesdeliberately，whileAshmeadshovedthegoldandthenotesanyhowintotheinnerpocketsofhisshooting-jacket，andbuttoneditwellup。

_"Allons，"_saidshe，calmly，andtookhisarm；but，asshemovedaway，shesawZoeVizardpassingontheothersideofthetable。Theireyesmet:shedroppedAshmead"sarmandmadeherasweepingcourtesyfullofpoliteconsideration，andasortofcourteousrespectforthepersonsaluted，coupledwithacertaindignity，andthenshelookedwistfullyatheramoment。Ibelieveshewouldhavespokentoherifshehadbeenalone；butMissMaitlandandFannyDoverhad，bothofthem，atrickofputtingon_noli-me-tangere_facesamongstrangers。Itdidnotmeanmuch；

itisanunfortunateEnglishhabit。Butitrepelsforeigners:theyneitherdoitnorunderstandit。

Thosetwofaces，notdownrightforbidding，butuninviting，turnedthescale；andtheKlosking，whowasnotaforwardwoman，didnotyieldtoherinclinationandspeaktoZoe。ShetookAshmead"sarmagainandmovedaway。

ThenZoeturnedbackandbeckonedVizard。Hejoinedher。"Theresheis，"

saidZoe；"shallIspeaktoher?"

Wouldyoubelieveit?Hethoughtamoment，andthensaid，gloomily，"Well，no。Halfcurednow。Seentheloverintime。"Sothatopportunitywasfritteredaway。

BeforetheEnglishpartylefttheKursaal，Zoeasked，timidly，iftheyoughtnottomakesomeinquiryaboutMr。Severne。Hehadbeentakenillagain。

"Ay，takenill，andgonetobecuredatanothertable，"saidVizard，ironically。"I"llmakethetour，andcollarhim。"

Hewentoffinahurry；MissMaitlandfacedaglassandproceededtoarrangehercurl。

Fanny，thoughshehadofferednooppositiontoVizard"sgoing，nowseizedZoe"sarmwithunusualenergy，andalmostdraggedheraside。"TheideaofsendingHarringtononthatfool"serrand!"saidshe，peevishly。"Why，Zoe!whereareyoureyes?"

Zoeshowedherbyopeningthemwide。"What_do_youmean?"

"What——do——I——mean?Nomatter。Mr。Severneisnotinthisbuilding，andyouknowit。"

"HowcanIknow?Allissomysterious，"falteredZoe。"Howdo_you_

know?"

"Because——there——leastsaidissoonestmended。"

"Fanny，youareolderthanme，andeversomuchcleverer。Tellme，oryouarenotmyfriend。"

"Waittillyougethome，then。Hereheis。"

Vizardtoldthemhehadbeenthroughalltherooms；theonlychancenowwasthedining-room。"No，"saidFanny，"wewishtogethome；wearerathertired。"

Theywenttotherail，andatfirstVizardwasrathertalkative，makinghiscommentsontheplayers；buttheladiesweretaciturn，andbroughthimtoastand。"Ah，"thoughthe，"nothingintereststhemnow；Adonisisnothere。"Soheretiredwithinhimself。

WhentheyreachedtheRussie，heordereda_petitsouper_inanhour，andinvitedtheladies。Meantimetheyretired——MissMaitlandtoherroom，andFanny，withZoe，tohers。BythistimeMissDoverhadlostheralacrity，andwould，Iverilybelieve，haveshunneda_te"te-"a-te"te_ifshecould；buttherewasaslightpalenessinZoe"scheek，andacompressionofthelips，whichtoldherplainlythatyoungladymeanttohaveitoutwithher。Theybothknewsowellwhatwascoming，thatZoemerelywavedhertoachairandleanedherselfagainstthebed，andsaid，"Now，Fanny。"SoFannywasbroughttobay。

"Dearme，"saidshepiteously，"Idon"tknowwhattodo，betweenyouandAuntMaitland。IfIsayallIthink，Isupposeyouwillhateme；andifI

don"t，IshallbetoldI"mwicked，anddon"twarnanorphangirl。Sheflewatmelikeabull-dogbeforeyourbrother:shesaidIwastwenty-five，andIonlyowntotwenty-three。And，afterall，whatcouldI

say?forIdofeelIoughttogiveyouthebenefitofmyexperience，andmakemyselfasdisagreeableas_she_does。AndI_have_givenyouahint，andaprettybroadone，butyouwantsuchplainspeaking。"

"Ido，"saidZoe。"Sopleasespeakplainly，ifyoucan。"

"Ah，you_say_that。"

"AndImeanit。Nevermindconsequences；tellmethetruth。"

"Likeaman，eh?andgethated。"

"Menarewellworthimitating，insomethings。Tellmethetruth，pleasantornot，andIshallalwaysrespectyou。"

"Botherrespect。Iamliketherestofus；Iwanttobelovedalittlebit。Butthere——I"minforit。Ihavesaidtoomuch，ortoolittle。I

knowthat。Well，Zoe，thelongandtheshortis——youhavearival。"

Zoeturnedratherpale，butwasnotsomuchshakenasFannyexpected。

Shereceivedtheblowinsilence。Butafterawhileshesaid，withsomefirmness，"MademoiselleKlosking?"

"Oh，youarenotquiteblind，then。"

"Andpraywhichdoesheprefer?"askedZoe，alittleproudly。

"Itisplainhelikesyouthebest。Butwhydoeshefearherso?Thisiswhereyouseemallinthedark。Heflewoutoftheopera，lestsheshouldseehim。"

"Oh!Absurd!"

"HecutyouandVizard，ratherthancalluponherwithyou。"

"Andsohedid。"

"Heflewfromthegambling-tablethemomentsheenteredtheroom。"

"Behindhim。Shecameinbehindhim。"

"Therewasalargemirrorinfrontofhim。"

"Oh，Fanny!oh!"andZoeclaspedherhandspiteously。Butsherecoveredherself，andsaid，"Afterall，appearancesaredeceitful。"

"Notsodeceitfulasmen，"saidFanny，sharply。

ButZoeclungtoherstraw。"Mightnottwothingshappentogether?Heissubjecttobleedingatthenose。Itisstrangeitshouldoccurtwiceso，butitispossible"

"Zoe，"saidFanny，gravely，"heisnotsubjecttobleedingatthenose。"

"Oh，_then_——buthowcanyouknowthat?Whatrighthaveyoutosaythat?"

"I"llshowyou，"saidFanny，andlefttheroom。

Shesooncameback，holdingsomethingbehindherback。Evenatthelastmomentshewashalfunwilling。However，shelookeddown，andsaid，inaverypeculiartone，"Hereisthehandkerchiefheputbeforehisfaceattheopera；there!"andshethrewitintoZoe"slap。

Zoe"snaturerevoltedagainstevidencesoobtained。Shedidnoteventakeupthehandkerchief。"What!"shecried；"youtookitoutofhispocket?"

"No。"

"Thenyouhavebeeninhisroomandgotit。"

_"Nothingofthekind!_IsentRosa。"

"Mymaid!"

"Mine，forthatjob。Igaveherhalfacrowntoborrowitforapattern。"

Zoeseizedthehandkerchiefandranhereyeoveritinamoment。Therewasnotraceofbloodonit，andtherewerehisinitials，"E。S。，"inthecorner。Herwoman"seyefastenedinstantlyonthese。"Silk?"saidshe，andheldituptothelight。"No。Hair!——goldenhair。Itis_hers!"_Andsheflungthehandkerchieffromherasifitwereaviper，andevenwhenonthegroundeyeditwithdilatingorbsandahostilehorror。

"La!"saidFanny；"fancythat!Youarenotblindnow。YouhaveseenmorethanI。Imadesureitwasyellowsilk。"

ButthisfrivolousspeechneverevenenteredZoe"sear。Shewastoodeeplyshocked。Shewent，feebly，andsatdowninachair，andcoveredherfacewithherhands。

Fannyeyedherwithpity。"There!"saidshe，almostcrying，"InevertellthetruthbutIbitterlyrepentit。"

Zoetooknonoticeofthisdrollapothegm。Herhandsbegantowork。"WhatshallIdo!"shesaid。"WhatshallIdo!"

"Oh，don"tgoonlikethat，Zoe!"criedFanny。"Afterall，itisyouheprefers。Heranawayfromher。"

"Ah，yes。Butwhy?——why?Whathashedone?"

"Jiltedher。Isuppose。AuntMaitlandthinksheisaftermoney；and，youknow，youhavegotmoney。"

"HaveInothingelse?"saidtheproudbeauty，andliftedherbowedheadforamoment。

"Youhaveeverything。Butyoushouldlookthingsintheface。Isthatsingeranunattractivewoman?"

"Oh，no。Butsheisnotpoor。Herkindoftalentispaidenormously。"

"Thatistrue，"saidFanny。"Butperhapsshewastesit。Sheisagambler，likehimself。"

"Lethimgotoher，"saidZoe，wildly；"Iwillsharenoman"sheart。"

"Hewillnevergotoher，unless——well，unlesswetellhimthatshehasbrokenthebankwithhismoney。"

"Ifyouthinksobadlyofhim，tellhim，then，andlethimgo。Oh，Iamwretched——Iamwretched!"Sheliftedherhandsindespair，andbegantocryandsobbitterly。

Fannywasmeltedatherdistress，andknelttoher，andcriedwithher。

Notbeingagirlofsteadyprinciple，shewentroundwiththewind。"DearZoe，"saidshe，"itisdeeperthanIthought。La!ifyoulovehim，whytormentyourself?"

"No，"saidZoe；"itisdeceitandmysterythattormentme。Oh，whatshallIdo!whatshallIdo!"

Fannyinterpretedthisvagueexclamationofsorrowasaskingadvice，andsaid，"Idarenotadviseyou；IcanonlytellyouwhatIshoulddoinyourplace。IshouldmakeupmymindatoncewhetherIlovedtheman，oronlylikedhim。IfIonlylikedhim，Iwouldturnhimupatonce。"

"Turnhimup!Whatisthat?"

"Turnhimoff，then。IfIlovedhim，Iwouldnotletanyotherwomanhavetheleastlittlebitofachancetogethim。Forinstance，Iwouldnotlethimknowthisoldsweetheartofhishaswonthreethousandpoundsatleast，forInotedherwinnings。Diamondcutdiamond，mydear。HeisconcealingfromyousomethingorotherabouthimandthisKlosking；hideyouthisonelittlethingabouttheKloskingfromhim，tillyougetmygentlemansafetoEngland。"

"Andthisislove!Icallitwarfare。"

"Andloveiswarfare，threetimesoutoffour。Anyway，itisforyoutodecide，Zoe。Idowishyouhadneverseentheman。Heisnotwhatheseems。Heisapooradventurer，andabundleofdeceit。"

"Youareveryhardonhim。Youdon"tknowall。"

"No，noraquarter；andyouknowless。There，dear，dryyoureyesandfightagainstit。Afterall，youknowyouaremistressofthesituation。

I"llsettleitforyou，whichwayyoulike。"

"Youwill?Oh，Fanny，youareverygood!"

"Sayindulgent，please。I"mnotgood，andneverwillbe，if_Icanpossiblyhelp。_Idespisegoodpeople；theyareasweakaswater。ButI

dolikeyou，ZoeVizard，betterthananyotherwomanintheworld。Thatisnotsayingverymuch；mytasteisformen。Ithinkthemgodsanddevilscomparedwithus；andIdoadmiregodsanddevils。Nomatter，dear。Kissme，andsay，"Fanny，actforme，"andI"lldoit。"

Zoekissedher，andthen，byatrulyvirginalimpulse，hidherburningfaceinherhands，andsaidnothingatall。

Fannygaveherplentyoftime，andthensaid，kindly，"Well，dear?"

ThenZoemurmured，scarceaudibly，"Act——_asif_——Ilovedhim。"

Andstillshekeptherfacecoveredwithherhands。Fannywasanythingbutsurprisedatthisconclusionofthestruggle。Shesaid，withacertainalacrity，"Verywell，Iwill:sonowbatheyoureyesandcomeintosupper。"

"No，no；pleasegoandmakeanexcuseforme。"

"Ishalldonothingofthekind。Iwon"tbetoldby-and-byIhavedonewrong。Iwilldoyourbusiness，butitshallbeinyourhearing。Thenyoucaninterfere，ifyouchoose。OnlyyouhadbetternotputyourwordintillyouseewhatIamdrivingat。"

Withalittlemoreencouragement，Zoewasprevailedontospongehertearfuleyesandcomposeherself，andjoinHarringtonatsupper。

MissMaitlandsoonretired，pleadingfatigueandpacking；andshehadnotbeengonelong，whenFannygaveherfriendaglanceandbeganuponHarrington。

"YouareveryfondofMr。Severne，areyounot?"saidshe。

"Iam，"saidVizard，stoutly，preparingforbattle。"Youarenot，perhaps。"

Fannylaughedatthispromptpugnacity。"Oh，yes，Iam，"saidshe；

"devoted。Buthehasaweakness，youmustown。Heisratherfondofgambling。"

"Heis，Iamsorrytosay。Itishisonefault。Mostofushavetwoorthree。"

"Don"tyouthinkitwouldbeapityifheweretorefusetogowithustomorrow——weretoprefertostayhereandgamble?"

"Nofearofthat:hehasgivenmehiswordofhonor。"

"Still，Ithinkitwouldbehardlysafetotempthim。Ifyougoandtellhimthatfriendofhiswonsuchalotofmoney，hewillwanttostop；andifhedoesnotstop，hewillgoawaymiserable。Youknowtheybeganbettingwithhismoney，thoughtheywentonwiththeirown。"

"Oh，didthey?Whatwashisownmoney?"

"Howmuchwasit，Zoe?"

"Fiftypounds。"