ment when the latter left the card-table to go to Chauvignac,
the pretended millionnaire changed the pack of cards they had been using
for two other packs.

Supper went off very pleasantly. They drank very moderately, for the
head had to be kept cool for what had to follow. They soon sat down
again at the card-table. 'Now,' said the Parisian card-shaper, on
resuming his seat, 'I should like to end the matter quickly: I will
stake the twenty thousand francs in a lump.'

Olivier, confident of success after his previous achievement, readily
assented; but, alas, the twenty thousand francs of which he made sure
was won by his adversary.

Forty thousand francs went in like manner. Olivier, breathless, utterly
prostrate, knew not what to do. All his manoeuvres were practised in
vain; he could give himself none but small cards. His opponent had
his hands full of trumps, and HE dealt them to him! In his despair he
consulted Chauvignac by a look, and the latter made a sign to him to go
on. The wretched young man went on, and lost again. Bewildered, beside
himself, he staked fabulous sums to try and make up for his losses, and
very soon found, in his turn, that he owed his adversary one hundred
thousand francs(L4166)!

At this point the horrible denouement commenced. The pretended count
stopped, and crossing his arms on his breast, said sternly--'Monsieur
Olivier de ----, you must be very rich to stake so glibly such enormous
sums. Of course you know your fortune and can square yourself with
it; but, however rich you may be, you ought to know that it is not
sufficient to lose a hundred thousand francs, but that you must pay it.
Besides, I have given you the example. Begin, therefore, by putting down
the sum I have won from you; after which we can go on.' . . .

'Nothing can be more proper, sir,' stammered out young Olivier, 'I am
ready to satisfy you; but, after all, you know that . . . .

gaming debts . . . . my word . . . .'

'The d--l! sir,' said the pretended count, giving the table a violent
blow with his fist--'Why do you talk to me about your WORD. Gad! You are
well entitled to appeal to the engagements of honour! Well! We have
now to play another game on this table, and we must speak out plainly.
Monsieur Olivier de ----, you are a rogue . . . Yes, a rogue! The cards
we have been using are biseautees and YOU brought them hither.'

'Sir! . . You insult me!' said Olivier.

'Indeed? Well, sir, that astonishes me!' r