nkind. The
seated visitors here seemed to be quite at home, some picking up their
Napoleons and five franc pieces, and others recording the issues of the
game, and illustrating the doctrine of chances by pricking holes in
cards. A death-like stillness prevailed, interrupted only by the
monotonous result of the deal of the cards, and the bewitching, though
not frequent chink of gold and silver. The success of the winners was as
silent as the disappointment of the losers; neither joy nor grief
displaying itself otherwise than in an almost unvaried _tristesse_ on
the countenances of the seated players--in some measure produced by ill
health and intense anxiety so as to conceal better feelings. I took my
station at one end of the table beside a middle-aged Frenchman, and by
way of _forfeit-money_ (for _mere_ lookers on are not very acceptable
company) threw a few five-franc pieces, one by one, on the same colour
with his stakes, each of which varied from one to ten Napoleons. After
twelve chances I had lost about thirty francs, but the Frenchman
continued playing, and within twenty minutes rose a winner of three
hundred Napoleons, which the banker changing for paper, he coolly put
into his waistcoat pocket, and walked off. A slight emotion was visible
around the table, but there was no other expression. I had now time to
look around me, and enjoy a little reflection for my foolish risk. It
would be difficult to say whether more anxiety was displayed among the
sitters, or the company at their backs. The attractive _foci_ of all
eyes were the everlasting varieties of red and black, though not
accompanied by the usual grotesque mob of kings, queens, and _knaves_,
the latter being probably excluded by the jealousy of their living
fraternity around the table. A strong and steady light spread over the
faces of all present, and in some few showed the quiverings and workings
of the most intense passion; but the same stare or tip-toe of hope and
fear pervaded the whole assemblage. Some counted their money with
apparent caution, and seemed to divide their winnings from their store
with affected precision, probably with an idea of the winnings being
unfit company for other coin; whilst others listlessly played with their
cash, or in a vulgar phrase, handled it like dirt, the distinguishing
feature of the cold and calculating gamester, to whom money is an object
of secondary concern compared with that of play. In the standing groupe
I r