nche gratefully as she twisted her
face into the mocking smile which usually she kept only for the benefit
of De Griers and the General. The latter looked confused, and seemed
greatly relieved when we reached the Avenue.

"How surprised Theodosia too will be!" went on the Grandmother
(thinking of the General's nursemaid). "She, like yourselves, shall
have the price of a new gown. Here, Alexis Ivanovitch! Give that beggar
something" (a crooked-backed ragamuffin had approached to stare at us).

"But perhaps he is NOT a beggar--only a rascal," I replied.

"Never mind, never mind. Give him a gulden."

I approached the beggar in question, and handed him the coin. Looking
at me in great astonishment, he silently accepted the gulden, while
from his person there proceeded a strong smell of liquor.

"Have you never tried your luck, Alexis Ivanovitch?"

"No, Madame."

"Yet just now I could see that you were burning to do so?"

"I do mean to try my luck presently."

"Then stake everything upon zero. You have seen how it ought to be
done? How much capital do you possess?"

"Two hundred gulden, Madame."

"Not very much. See here; I will lend you five hundred if you wish.
Take this purse of mine." With that she added sharply to the General:
"But YOU need not expect to receive any."

This seemed to upset him, but he said nothing, and De Griers contented
himself by scowling.

"Que diable!" he whispered to the General. "C'est une terrible vieille."

"Look! Another beggar, another beggar!" exclaimed the grandmother.
"Alexis Ivanovitch, go and give him a gulden."

As she spoke I saw approaching us a grey-headed old man with a wooden
leg--a man who was dressed in a blue frockcoat and carrying a staff. He
looked like an old soldier. As soon as I tendered him the coin he fell
back a step or two, and eyed me threateningly.

"Was ist der Teufel!" he cried, and appended thereto a round dozen of
oaths.

"The man is a perfect fool!" exclaimed the Grandmother, waving her
hand. "Move on now, for I am simply famished. When we have lunched we
will return to that place."

"What?" cried I. "You are going to play again?"

"What else do you suppose?" she retorted. "Are you going only to sit
here, and grow sour, and let me look at you?"

"Madame," said De Griers confidentially, "les chances peuvent tourner.
Une seule mauvaise chance, et vous perdrez tout--surtout avec votre
jeu. C'etait terrible!"

"Oui; vous perdrez absolument,