Chapter 7

THE BANKER.

You don't play?

MLLE. NINA.

(_With a manner altogether modest, and a soft, low voice._) Oh, no; never! I have nothing to risk; besides, it doesn't amuse me very much. I never play.

THE BANKER.

Put on that hundred francs just to try your fortune.

MLLE. NINA.

(_Leaning over, takes the note from the pile._) If you wish it. (_She plays and wins; brushes his cheek and shoulder with her arm as she reaches over to take up her money._)

(_The play continues._)

MLLE. NINA.

(_Still winning._) You know you are very nice. (_She plays again with a note from the banker's pile._)

III

MRS. HENRY B. GORDING, _of Rochester, New York._

Do you play?

MRS. WM. H. LANE, _of Brooklyn_.

No, not really. I don't quite approve of it, but I just try my luck once in awhile for amusement.

MRS. HENRY B. GORDING.

Yes, that's exactly the way I feel. So long as you don't go in for it seriously I don't see any harm.

MRS. WM. H. LANE.

And if you stop as soon as you begin to lose.

MRS. HENRY B. GORDING.

Yes, indeed! Oh my! are you putting one down?

MRS. WM. H. LANE.

Yes, I think that man looks lucky over there with the glasses; besides I like him because his wife sits right by him all the evening.

MRS. HENRY B. GORDING.

(_Smiling nervously and fumbling in her glove where she has concealed the money to have it conveniently ready._) Put one down for me, too; will you? (_She smiles hysterically._) Dear me, I wonder what my husband would say if he could see me?

MRS. WM. H. LANE.

I don't know a single thing about the game; do you?

MRS. HENRY B. GORDING.

(_With two small red spots coming into her cheeks._) Not the slightest. It's finished! I wonder who's won!

MRS. WM. LANE.

(_After a long excited sigh._) I don't know. I never can tell till I see them either taking up our chips, or else paying us!

MRS. HENRY B. GORDING.

(_Breathlessly._) If I lose, I shall go.

MRS. WM. H. LANE.

So shall I! We've won!

MRS. HENRY B. GORDING.

Ah! -- -- -- --.

MRS. WM. H. LANE.

(_Looking at least ten years older than she did two minutes before._) No, we've lost!

MRS. HENRY B. GORDING.

O! -- -- -- --.

MRS. WM. H. LANE.

I'm not going. I shall try once more!

MRS. HENRY B. GORDING.

So shall I.

MRS. WM. H. LANE.

And I don't believe the woman is that man's wife after all. If she had been we wouldn't have lost our dollars!

IV

MME. BORTE.

(_Leaning over a man's right shoulder for some gold on the table._) I beg pardon; that is my two louis!

MME. LAUTRE.

(_Leaning over the man's left shoulder._) But no, madame, it is mine! I put a louis down there!

MME. BORTE.

No, no! That is where I put mine. Give me my louis!

MME. LAUTRE.

But you are wrong, madame; it is my louis, and I shall keep it!

MME. BORTE.

But no, madame!

MME. LAUTRE.

But yes----!

THREE WOMEN BESIDE MME. BORTE.

Yes, madame is right. She certainly put a louis down there.

THE SAME NUMBER OF WOMEN BESIDE MME. LAUTRE.

No, it is the other madame who put the money down there.

A MAN ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE TABLE.

Ssss----

UN MONSIEUR.

Oh, the women! the women!--always rowing!

CROUPIER.

Make your plays, gentlemen!

MME. LAUTRE AND MME. BORTE.

(_Together; each to her own coterie._) You know perfectly it is my louis; isn't it? Oh, never in my life! Never! never!

(_The game continues, and so does the discussion._)

PRINTED AT THE LAKESIDE PRESS, CHICAGO, FOR THE PUBLISHERS, HERBERT S. STONE & CO. CHICAGO, U.S.A.