interest in the countenance of one of the
spectators at the rouge et noir table. He was a man about forty years
of age; his complexion was dark and sallow; the features prominent, and
what are generally called handsome; but there was a certain sinister
expression in his eyes and mouth, which rendered the effect of his
physiognomy rather disagreeable than prepossessing. At a small distance
from him, and playing, with an air which, in its carelessness and
nonchalance, formed a remarkable contrast to the painful anxiety of the
man I have just described, sate Mr. Thornton.

At first sight, these two appeared to be the only Englishmen present
besides myself; I was more struck by seeing the former in that scene,
than I was at meeting Thornton there; for there was something distingue
in the mien of the stranger, which suited far worse with the appearance
of the place, than the bourgeois air and dress of my ci-devant second.

"What! another Englishman?" thought I, as I turned round and perceived
a thick, rough great coat, which could possibly belong to no continental
shoulders. The wearer was standing directly opposite the seat of the
swarthy stranger; his hat was slouched over his face; I moved in order
to get a clearer view of his countenance. It was the same person I had
seen with Thornton that morning. Never to this moment have I forgotten
the stern and ferocious expression with which he was gazing upon the
keen and agitated features of the gambler opposite. In the eye and
lip there was neither pleasure, hatred, nor scorn, in their simple and
unalloyed elements; but each seemed blent and mingled into one deadly
concentration of evil passions.

This man neither played, nor spoke, nor moved. He appeared utterly
insensible of every feeling in common with those around. There he stood,
wrapt in his own dark and inscrutable thoughts, never, for one instant,
taking his looks from the varying countenance which did not observe
their gaze, nor altering the withering character of their almost
demoniacal expression. I could not tear myself from the spot. I felt
chained by some mysterious and undefinable interest; my attention was
first diverted into a new channel, by a loud exclamation from the
dark visaged gambler at the table; it was the first he had uttered,
notwithstanding his anxiety; and, from the deep, thrilling tone in
which it was expressed, it conveyed a keen sympathy with the overcharged
feelings which it burst from.

Wi