noir, gentlemen, the finest in all the world.
Black wins; it's yours, sir--twenty ducats, and you've doubled it.
Make your game--black or red."

"Try your fortune, Ernest," said the captain. Ernest mechanically put
down a few ducats on the red.

"Red wins," said the banker, in the same monotonous tone. "Make your
game, gentlemen, while the ball rolls."

Why need we follow the fortunes of Ernest on this fatal evening, as he
yielded, step by step, to the seduction to which he was now exposed
for the first time in his life? Long after Steinfort left the gambling
house, he continued to play. His luck turned. He had soon lost all his
winnings, and the money set apart for his bridal presents. Still the
ball rolled, and he continued to stake. He had broken the package of
bank notes, the money he had received from his father for the
purchase of his commission; and though he saw bill after bill swept
away before his eyes, he continued to play, in the desperate hope of
winning back his losses. At length his last ducat was gone. He rose
and left the room, the last words ringing in his ears being,--

"Make your game, gentlemen, while the ball rolls."

Despairing and heart-stricken, the young man sought his hotel and his
chamber. On the staircase he encountered Madame Von Berlingen, but he
saw her not. His eyes were glazed. He did not notice or return her
salutation. He threw himself upon his bed without undressing, and
towards morning fell into an unrefreshing and dream-peopled slumber.

When he arose, late the next day, he looked at himself in the glass,
but scarcely recognized his own face, so changed was he by the mental
agonies he had undergone. When he had paid some little attention to
his toilet, he received a message from Madame Von Berlingen,
requesting the favor of an interview in her apartments. He
mechanically obeyed the summons, though ill fitted to sustain a
conversation with a lady.

The widow requested him to be seated.

"Mr. Walstein," said she, with a smile, "you are growing very
ungallant. I met you last night upon the staircase; but though I spoke
to you, you had not a word or a nod for me."

"Last night, madam," answered the unfortunate young man, "I was beside
myself. O madam, if you knew all!"

"I do know all," replied the lady.

"What! that I had been gambling--that I had thrown away--yes, those
are the words--every ducat of the money my poor father furnished me
with to purchase my commission?"