ll Russians resemble you, or are
inclined to do so. If it is not roulette, then it is something else.
The exceptions are very rare. Nor are you the first to learn what a
taskmaster is yours. For roulette is not exclusively a Russian game.
Hitherto, you have honourably preferred to serve as a lacquey rather
than to act as a thief; but what the future may have in store for you I
tremble to think. Now good-bye. You are in want of money, I suppose?
Then take these ten louis d'or. More I shall not give you, for you
would only gamble it away. Take care of these coins, and farewell. Once
more, TAKE CARE of them."

"No, Mr. Astley. After all that has been said I--"

"TAKE CARE of them!" repeated my friend. "I am certain you are still a
gentleman, and therefore I give you the money as one gentleman may give
money to another. Also, if I could be certain that you would leave both
Homburg and the gaming-tables, and return to your own country, I would
give you a thousand pounds down to start life afresh; but, I give you
ten louis d'or instead of a thousand pounds for the reason that at the
present time a thousand pounds and ten louis d'or will be all the same
to you--you will lose the one as readily as you will the other. Take
the money, therefore, and good-bye."

"Yes, I WILL take it if at the same time you will embrace me."

"With pleasure."

So we parted--on terms of sincere affection.

* * * * *

But he was wrong. If I was hard and undiscerning as regards Polina and
De Griers, HE was hard and undiscerning as regards Russian people
generally. Of myself I say nothing. Yet--yet words are only words. I
need to ACT. Above all things I need to think of Switzerland. Tomorrow,
tomorrow--Ah, but if only I could set things right tomorrow, and be
born again, and rise again from the dead! But no--I cannot. Yet I must
show her what I can do. Even if she should do no more than learn that I
can still play the man, it would be worth it. Today it is too late, but
TOMORROW...

Yet I have a presentiment that things can never be otherwise. I have
got fifteen louis d'or in my possession, although I began with fifteen
gulden. If I were to play carefully at the start--But no, no! Surely I
am not such a fool as that? Yet WHY should I not rise from the dead? I
should require at first but to go cautiously and patiently and the rest
would follow. I should require but to put a check upon my nature for
one hour, and my fo