\"Yes，miss；andseentoitallhisself:leastways，Ifoundthethingsproperlymuddled。\'Twastobeseenamanhadbeenat\'em。\"
Rosaretired，leavingZoe\'sfaceapicture。
JustthenVizardputhisheadcautiouslyinatthewindow，andsaid，inacomicwhisper，\"Isshegone?\"
\"Yes，sheisgone，\"criedZoe，\"andyouarewantedinherplace。\"Sherantomeethim。\"Whoorderedafireinmyroom，andmuddledallmythings?\"
saidshe，severely。
\"Idid。Whatofthat?\"
\"Oh，nothing。OnlynowIknowwhoismyfriend。Youngpeople，here\'salessonforyou。Whenaladyisoutintherain，don\'tpreparealectureforher，likeAuntMaitland，butlightherfire，likethisdearoldduckofawoman-hatingimpostor。Kissme!\"violently。
\"There——pest!\"
\"Thatisnotenough，norhalf。There，andthere，andthere，andthere，andthere，andthere。\"
\"Nowlookhere，myyoungfriend，\"saidVizard，holdingherlovelyheadbybothears，\"youareexcitingyourselfaboutnothing，andthatwillendinoneofyourheadaches。So，justtakeyourcandle，andgotobed，likeagoodlittlegirl。\"
\"MustI?Well，then，Iwill。Goodby，tyrantdear。Oh，howIloveyou!
Come，Fanny。\"
ShegaveherhandshylytoSeverne，andsoontheywerebothinZoe\'sroom。
Rosawasdismissed，andtheyhadtheirchat；butitwasnearlyallononeside。Fannyhadplentytosay，butdidnotsayit。Shehadnotthehearttocloudthatbeamingfaceagainsosoon；shetemporized:Zoepressedherwithquestionstoo；butsheslurredthings，ZoeaskedherwhyMissMaitlandwassobitteragainstMr。Severne。Fannysaid，inanoff-handway，\"Oh，itisonlyonyouraccountsheobjectstohim。\"
\"Andwhatareherobjections?\"
\"Oh，onlygrammaticalones，dear。Shesayshis_antecedents_areobscure，andhis_relatives_unknown，ha!ha!ha!\"Fannylaughed，butZoedidnotseethefun。ThenFannystrokedherdown。
\"Nevermindthatoldwoman。Ishallinterfereproperly，ifIseeyouindanger。Itwasmonstroushermakingan_esclandre_attheverydinner-table，andspoilingyourhappyday。\"
\"Butshehasn\'t!\"criedZoe，eagerly。\"\'All\'swellthatendswell。\'Iamhappy——oh，sohappy!Youloveme。Harringtonlovesme。_He_lovesme。
Whatmorecananywomanaskforthantobe_ambatabene?\"_
ThiswasthelastwordbetweenZoeandFannyuponSt。Brooch\'sday。
AsFannywenttoherownroom，thevigilantMaitlandopenedherdoorthatlookeduponthecorridorandbeckonedherin。\"Well，\"saidshe，\"didyouspeaktoZoe?\"
\"Justawordbeforedinner。Aunt，shecameinwet，totheskin，andinhigherspiritsthanRosaeverknewher。\"
Auntgroaned。
\"Andwhatdoyouthink?Herspoileddress，sheorderedittobeironedandputby。_Itisacase。\"_
Nextdaytheyallmetatalatebreakfast，andgoodhumorwastheorderoftheday。ThisencouragedZoetothrowoutafeeleraboutthegambling-tables。ThenFannysaiditmustbenicetogamble，becauseitwassonaughty。\"Inalongexperience，\"saidMissDover，withasigh，\"I
havefoundthatwhateverisniceisnaughty，andwhateverisnaughtyisnice。\"
\"There\'sashortcodeofmorals，\"observedVizard，\"fortheuseofseminaries。NowletushearSeverne；heknowsallthedefensesofgamblinglunacyhasdiscovered。\"
Severne，thusappealedto，saidplaywaslikeotherthings，badonlywhencarriedtoexcess。\"AtHomburg，wheretheplayisfair，whatharmcantherebeindevotingtwoorthreehoursofalongdayto_trenteetquarante?_Theplayexercisesmemory，judgment，_sangfroid，_andothergoodqualitiesofthemind。Aboveall，itisonthesquare。Now，buyingandsellingshareswithoutdelivery，bulling，andbearing，andrigging，andStockExchangespeculationsingeneral，arejustasmuchgambling；
butwithcardsallmarked，anddiceloaded，andthefairplayerhasnochance。Theworld，\"saidthisyouthfulphilosopher，\"istakeninbywords。Thetruthis，thatgamblingwithcardsisfair，andgamblingwithoutcardsaswindle。\"
\"HeishardupontheCity，\"saidtheVizard；\"butnomatter。Proceed，youngman。Developyourcodeofmoralsfortheamusementofmankind，whiledullerspiritsinflictinstruction。\"
\"Youhavegotmyopinion，\"saidSeverne。\"Obligeuswithyours。\"
\"No；minewouldnotbepopularjustnow:Ireserveittillwearethere，andcanseethelunaticsatwork。\"
\"Oh，thenwearetogo，\"criedFanny。\"Oh，bejoyful!\"
\"ThatdependsonMissMaitland。Itisnotinmydepartment。\"
InstantlyfourbrighteyeswereturnedpiteouslyontheawfulMaitland。
\"Oh，aunt，\"saidZoe，pleadingly，\"doyouthinktherewouldbeanygreatharminour——justforonceinaway?\"
\"Mydear，\"saidMissMaitland，solemnly，\"IcannotsaythatIapproveofpublicgamblingingeneral。ButatHomburgthecompanyisselect。IhaveseenaGermanprince，aRussianprince，andtwoEnglishcountesses，thevery_e\'lite_ofLondonsociety，seatedatthesametableintheKursaal。
Ithink，therefore，therecanbenoharminyourgoing，undertheconductofolderpersons——myself，forexample，andyourbrother。\"
\"Codethree，\"suggestedVizard——\"thechaperoniancode。\"
\"Andaverygoodone，too，\"saidZoe。\"But，aunt，mustwelookon，ormayweplayjustalittle，little?\"
\"Mydear，therecanbenogreatharminplayingalittle，in_goodcompany_——ifyouplaywithyourownmoney。\"ShemusthaveonedigatSeverne。
\"Ishan\'tplayverydeep，then，\"saidFanny；\"forIhavegotnomoneyhardly。\"
Vizardcametothefront，likeaman。\"NomoreshouldI，\"saidhe，\"butforHerries&Co。Asitis，IamaCroesus，andIshallstandonehundredpounds，whichyouthreeladiesmustdivide；andbetweenyou，nodoubt，youwillbreakthebank。\"
Acclamationsgreetedthispieceofmisogyny。Whentheyhadsubsided，Severnewascalledontoexplainthegame，andshowtheyoungladieshowtowinafortunewiththirty-threepoundssixshillingsandeightpence。
Thetablewaspartlycleared，twopacksofcardssentfor，andtheprofessorlectured。
\"This，\"saidhe，\"isthecreamofthegame。Sixpacksareproperlyshuffled，andproperlycut；theplayersputtheirmoneyonblackorred，whichisthemainevent，andissettledthus:Thedealerdealsthecardsintworows。Hedealsthe_first_rowforblack，andstopsthemomentthecardspassthirty。Thatdealdetermineshownear_noir_cangettothirty-one。\"
Severnethendealtfor_noir，_andthecardscameasfollows:
Queenofhearts——fourofclubs——tenofspades——nineofdiamonds:total，thirty-three。\"
Hethendealtforred:
Knaveofclubs——aceofdiamonds——twoofspades——kingofspades——nineofhearts:total，thirty-two。
\"Redwins，becausethecardsdealtforredcomenearerthirty-one。
Besidesthat，\"saidhe，\"youcanbetonthecolor，oragainstit。Theactualcolorofthefirstcardtheplayerturnsupontheblacklinemustbeblackorred。Whicheverhappenstobeitiscalled\'thecolor。\'Sayitisred；then，iftheblacklineofcardswins，colorloses。Now，Iwilldealagainforbothevents。
\"Idealfor_noir。\"_
\"Nineofdiamonds。Red，then，istheactualcolorturnedupontheblackline。Doyoubetforit，oragainstit?\"
\"Ibetforit，\"criedZoe。\"It\'smyfavoritecolor。\"
\"Andwhatdoyousayonthemainevent?\"
\"Oh，redonthattoo。\"
\"Verygood。Igoondealingfor_noir。_Queenofdiamonds，threeofspades，knaveofhearts——nineofspades:thirty-two。Thatlooksuglyforyourtwoevents，blackcomingsonearasthirty-two。Nowforred。Fourofhearts，knaveofspades，sevenofdiamonds，queenofclubs——thirty-one，byJove!_Rougegagne，etcouleur。_Thereisnothinglikecourage。Youhavewonbothevents。\"
\"Oh，whatanicegame!\"criedZoe。
Hethencontinuedtodeal，andtheyallbetonthemaineventandthecolor，stakingfabuloussums，tillatlastbothnumberscameupthirty-one。
ThereuponSeverneinformedthemthathalfthestakesbelongedtohim。
Thatwasthetriflingadvantageaccordedtothebank。
\"Whichtriflingadvantage，\"saidVizard，\"hasenrichedtheman-eatingcompany，andtheirprince，andbuilttheKursaal，andwillcleanyouallout，ifyouplaylongenough。\"
\"That，\"saidSeverne，\"Ideny。Itismorethanbalancedbytherighttheplayershaveofdoubling，tilltheygain，andbythematurityofthechances:Iwillexplainthistotheladies。Youseeexperienceprovesthatneitherrednorblackcancomeupmorethanninetimesrunning。
When，therefore，eithercolorhascomeupfourtimes，youcanputamoderatestakeontheothercolor，anddoubleonittillit_must_come，bythelawsofnature。Sayredhasturnedfourtimes。Youputanapoleononblack；redgains。Youloseanapoleon。Youdon\'tremoveit，butdoubleonit。Thechancesarenowfivetooneyougain:butifyoulose，youdoubleonthesame，and，whenyouhavegottosixteennapoleons，thecolormustchange；uniformityhasreacheditsphysicallimit。Thatiscalledthematurityofthechances。Beginasunluckilyaspossiblewithfivefrancs，andlose。Ifyouhavetodoubleeighttimesbeforeyouwin，itonlycomestotwelvehundredandeightyfrancs。Given，therefore，amantowhomfiftynapoleonsarenomorethanfivefrancstous，hecanneverloseifhedoubles，likeaTrojan，tillthechancesaremature。
Thisiscalled\'theMartingale:\'but，observe，itonlysecuresagainstloss。Heavygainsaremadebydoublingjudiciouslyonthe_winning_
color，orbysimplybettingonshortrunsofit。Whenredcomesup，backred，anddoubletwiceonit。Thusyouprofitbytheremarkableandobservedfactthatcolorsdonot，asarule，alternate，butreachultimateequalitybyavoidingalternation，andmakingshortruns，withoccasionallongruns；thelatterarerare，andmustbewatchedwithaviewtothebalancingrunoftheothercolor。Thisismysystem。\"
\"Andyoureallythinkyouhaveinventedit?\"askedVizard。
\"Iamnotsoconceited。Mysystemwascommunicatedtome，intheKursaalitself——byanoldgentleman。\"
_\"An_oldgentleman，or_the_——?\"
\"Oh，Harrington，\"criedZoe，\"fie!\"
\"Mywitisappreciatedatitsvalue。Proceed，Ned。\"
Severnetoldhim，alittledefiantly，itwasanoldgentleman，withanoblehead，asilverybeard，andthemostbenevolentcountenanceheeversaw。
\"Curiousplaceforhisreverencetobein，\"hazardedVizard。
\"Hesawmebetting，firstontheblack，thenonthered，tillIwascleanedout，andthenhebeckonedme。\"
\"Notamanofprematureadviceanyway。\"
\"Hetoldmehehadobservedmyplay。Ihadbeenrelyingonthealternationsofthecolors，whichalternationchancepersistentlyavoids，andarrivesatequalitybyruns。Hethengavemeabettersystem。\"
\"And，havingexpoundedhissystem，heillustratedit?Tellthetruthnow；
hesatdownandlostthecoatoffhisback?Itfollowedhisfamilyacres。\"
\"Youarequitewrongagain。Heneverplays。Hehasheart-disease，andhisphysicianhasforbiddenhimallexcitement。\"
\"Hisnation?\"
\"Humph!French。\"
\"Ah!thenationthatproduced_\'Lephilosophesanslesavoir。\'_Andnowithasadded，_\'Lephilosophesanslevouloir，\'_andyouhavestumbledonhim。Whatalifeforanagedman!_Fortunatusillesenexquiludicolavivit。_Tantalushandcuffedandgloweringoveragambling-table；ahellinahell。\"
\"Oh，Harrington!——\"
\"Exclamationsnotallowedinsoberargument，Zoe。\"
\"Come，Ned，itisnotheart-disease，itispursedisease。Justdomeafavor。Herearefivesovereigns；givethosetotheoldbeggar，andlethimriskthem。\"
\"Icouldhardlytakesuchalibertywithanoldgentlemanofhisageandappearance——amanofhonortoo，andhighsentiments。Why，I\'dbetseventofourheisoneofNapoleon\'soldsoldiers。\"
TheladiessidedunanimouslywithSeverne。\"What!offera_vieuxdel\'Empire_fivepounds?Oh，fie!\"
\"Fiddle-dee-dee!\"saidtheindomitableVizard。\"Besides，hewilldoitwithhisusualgrace。HewillapproachthesonofMarswiththatfeignedhumilitywhichsitssowellonyouth，andaskhim，asapersonalfavor，toinvestfivepoundsforhimat_rouge-et-noir。_Theoldsoldierwillstiffenintodoubledignityatfirst，thengivehimalowwink，andendbysittingdownandgambling。Hewillbecautiousatstarting，asonewhoopenstrenchesforthesiegeofMammon；butsoontheveteranwillgetheated，andgivebattle；hewillfancyhimselfatJena，sincethecroupiersarePrussians。Ifheloses，youcuthimdead，beingahumdrumEnglishman；andifhewins，hecutsyou，andpocketsthecash，beingaFrenchmanthattalkssentiment。\"
Thissallyprovokedalaugh，inwhichSevernejoined，andsaid，\"Really，foralandedproprietor，youknowathingortwo。\"Heconsentedatlast，withsomereluctance，totakethemoney；andnoneofthepersonspresentdoubtedthathewouldexecutethecommissionwithagraceanddelicacyallhisown。Nevertheless，torunforwardalittlewiththenarrative，I
musttellyouthatheneverdidhandthatfivepoundtothevenerablesire；alittlethingpreventedhim——theoldmanwasn\'tbornyet。
\"Andnow，\"saidVizard，\"itisourlastdayinHomburg。Youareallgoingtogratifyyourmania——lunacyiscontagious。SupposeIgratifymine。\"
\"Dodear，\"saidZoe；\"andwhatisit?\"
\"Ilikeyouraskingthat；whenitwaspubliclyannouncedlastnight，andIfleddiscomfitedtomybalcony，and，inmyconfusion，lightedacigar。
Mymaniais——theKlosking。\"
\"Thatisnotamania；itisgoodtaste。Sheisadmirable。\"
\"Yes，inanopera；butIwanttoknowhowshelooksandtalksinaroom；
andthatisinsaneofme。\"
\"Thensoyou_shall，_insaneornot。Iwillcallonherthismorning，andtakeyouinmyhand。\"
\"Whatanamplepalm!andwhatjuvenileaudacity!Zoe，youtakemybreathaway。\"
\"Noaudacityatall。Iamsureofmywelcome。HowoftenmustItellyouthatwehavemesmerizedeachother，thatladyandI，andonlywaitinganopportunitytorushintoeachother\'sarms。Itbeganwithhersinglingmeoutattheopera。ButIdaresaythatwasowing，_atfirst，_onlytomybeinginfulldress。
\"No，no；toyourbeing，likeAgamemnon，aheadtallerthanalltheotherGreeks。\"
\"Harrington!IamnotaGreek。IamathoroughEnglishgirlatheart，thoughIamasblackasacoal。\"
\"Noapologyneededinourpresentframe。Youareallthemoreliketheaceofspades。\"
\"DoyouwantmetotakeyoutotheKlosking，sir?Thenyouhadbetternotmakefunofme。Itellyoushesungto_me，_andsmiledon_me，_andcourtesiedto_me；_and，nowyouhaveputitintomyhead，Imeantocalluponher，andIwilltakeyouwithme。WhatIshalldo，Ishallsendinmycard。Ishallbeadmitted，andyouwillwaitoutside。Assoonassheseesme，shewillruntomewithbothhandsout，andsay，inexcellent_French，_Ihope，_\'How，_mademoiselle!youhavedeignedtorememberme，andtohonormewithavisit。\'ThenIshallsay，inschool-French，\'Yes，madame；excusetheintrusion，butIwassocharmedwithyourperformance。
WeleaveHomburgto-morrow，andas，unfortunatelyformyself，Icannothavethepleasureofseeingyouagainuponthestage——\'thenIshallstop，forhertointerruptme。Thenshewillinterruptme，andsaycharmingthings，asonlyforeignerscan；andthenIshallsay，stillinschool-French，\'Madame，Iamnotalone。Ihavemybrotherwithme。Headoresmusic，andwasasfascinatedwithyourSiebelasmyself。MayI
presenthim?\'Thenshewillsay，\'Oh，yes，byallmeans；\'andIshallintroduceyou。Thenyoucanmakelovetoher。Thatwillbedroll。Fanny，I\'lltellyoueverywordhesays。\"
\"Makelovetoher!\"criedVizard。\"Isthisyourestimateofabrother\'smotives。Myobjectinvisitingthisladyis，nottofeedmymania，buttocureit。Ihaveseenheronthestage，lookingliketheincarnationofapoet\'sdream。Iam_extasie\'_withher。Nowletmecatchher_ende\'shabille，_withherporterononeside，andherloverontheother:
andsotoDevonshire，relievedofafatalillusion。\"
\"Ifthatisyourview，I\'llgobymyself；forIknowsheisanoblewoman，andasmuchaladyoffthestageasonit。MyonlyfearisshewilltalkthatdreadfulgutturalGerman，withits\'oches\'andits\'aches，\'andthenwhereshallweallbe?WemustaskMr。Severnetogowithus。\"
\"Agoodidea。No——avileone。Heisabominablyhandsome，andhasthegiftofthegab——inGerman，andotherlanguages。Heissuretocutmeout，thevillain!Lookhimup，somebody，tillwecomeback。\"
\"Now，Harrington，don\'tbeabsurd。Hemust，andshall，beoftheparty。I
havemyreasons。Mr。Severne，\"saidshe，turningonhimwithablushandadivinesmile，\"youwillobligeme，Iamsure。\"
Severne\'sfaceturnedasblankasadoll\'s，andhesaidnothing，onewayorother。
ItwassettledthattheyshouldallmeetattheKursaalatfour，todineandplay。ButZoeandherpartywouldgoonaheadbytheone-o\'clocktrain；andsosheretiredtoputonherbonnet——atechnicalexpression，whichimpliesagooddeal。
Fannywentwithher，and，aseventsmoreexcitingthantheusualroutineoftheiryoungliveswereahead，theirtongueswentararepace。Buttheonlythingworthpresentingtothereadercameattheend，afterthesaidbusinessofthetoilethadbeendispatched。
Zoesaid，\"Imustgonow，orIshallkeepthemwaiting。\"
\"Onlyone，dear，\"saidFannydryly。
\"Whyonlyone?\"
\"Mr。Severnewillnotgo。\"
\"Thathewill:Imadeapointofit。\"
\"Youdid，dear?butstillhewillnotgo。\"
Therewassomethinginthis，andinFanny\'stone，thatstartledZoe，andpuzzledhersorely。Sheturnedrounduponherwithflashingeye，andsaid，\"Nomysteries，please，dear。Whywon\'thegowithmewhereverIaskhimtogo?or，rather，whatmakesyouthinkhewon\'t?\"
SaidFanny，thoughtfully:\"Icouldnottellyou，allinamoment，whyI
feelsopositive。Oneputslittlethingstogetherthatarenothingapart:
oneobservesfaces；Ido，atleast。Youdon\'tseem，tome，tobesoquickatthatasmostgirls。But，Zoedear，youknowverywelloneoftenknowsathingforcertain，yetonedoesn\'tknowexactlywhatmakesoneknowit。\"
NowZoe\'s_amourpropre_waswoundedbyFanny\'ssuggestionthatSevernewouldnotgotoHomburg，or，indeed，totheworld\'sendwithher；soshedrewherselfupinhergrandway，andfoldedherarmsandsaid，alittlehaughtily，\"Thentellmewhatisityouknowabout_him_andme，withoutknowinghowonearthyouknowit。\"
ThesupercilioustoneandgrandmannernettledFanny，anditwasn\'t\"broochday；\"shestooduptoherloftycousinlikealittlegame-cock。
\"Iknowthis，\"saidshe，withheightenedcheek，andflashingeyesandavoiceofsteel，\"youwillnevergetMr。EdwardSeverneintooneroomwithZoeVizardandInaKlosking。\"
ZoeVizardturnedverypale，buthereyesflasheddefianceonherfriend。
\"ThatI\'llknow!\"saidshe，inadeepvoice，withalittlegasp，butaworldofprideandresolution。
CHAPTERVII。
THEladieswentdowntogether，andfoundVizardready。Mr。Severnewasnotintheroom。Zoeinquiredafterhim。
\"Gonetogetasun-shade，\"saidVizard。
\"There!\"saidZoetoFanny，inatriumphantwhisper。\"Whatisthatforbuttogowithus?\"
Fannymadenoreply。
TheywaitedsometimeforSeverneandhissun-shade。
AtlastVizardlookedathiswatch，andsaidtheyhadonlyfiveminutestospare。\"Comedown，andlookafterhim。He_must_besomewhereabout。\"
TheywentdownandlookedforhimalloverthePlatz。Hewasnottobeseen。AtlastVizardtookouthiswatch，andsaid，\"Itissomemisunderstanding:wecan\'twaitanylonger。\"
SoheandZoewenttothetrain。NeithersaidmuchonthewaytoHomburg；
fortheywerebothbrooding。Vizard\'sgoodsenseandrightfeelingwerebeginningtostinghimalittleforcallingontheKloskingatall，andagreatdealforusingtheenthusiasmofaninexperiencedgirltoobtainanintroductiontoapublicsinger。Hesatmoodyinhiscorner，takinghimselftotask。Zoe\'sthoughtsraninquiteanotherchannel；butshewasnoeasierinhermind。ItreallyseemedasifSevernehadgivenhertheslip。Probablyhewouldexplainhisconduct；but，then，thatFannyshouldforetellhewouldavoidhercompany，ratherthancallonMademoiselleKlosking，andthatFannyshouldberight——thismadethethingserious，andgalledZoetothequick:shewasangrywithFannyforprophesyingtruly；shewasratherangrywithSevernefornotcoming，andmoreangrywithhimformakinggoodFanny\'sprediction。
ZoeVizardwasagoodgirlandagenerousgirl，butshewasnotahumblegirl:shehadagreatdealofpride，andhershareofvanity，andherebothweregalled。Besidesthat，itseemedtohermoststrangeanddishearteningthatFanny，whodidnotloveSeverne，shouldbeabletoforetellhisconductbetterthanshe，whodidlovehim:suchforesightlookedlikegreaterinsight。Allthishumiliatedandalsopuzzledherstrangely；andsoshesatbroodingasdeeplyasherbrother。
AsforVizard，bythetimetheygottoHomburghehadmadeuphismind。
Astheygotoutofthetrain，hesaid，\"Lookhere，Iamashamedofmyself。Ihavearighttoplaythefoolalone；butIhavenobusinesstodragmysisterintoit。Wewillgosomewhereelse。Therearelotsofthingstosee。IgiveuptheKlosking。\"
Zoestaredathimamoment，andthenanswered，withcolddecision，\"No，dear；youmustallowmetocallonher，nowIamhere。Shewon\'tbite_me。\"_
\"Well，butitisastrangethingtodo。\"
\"Whatdoesthatmatter?Weareabroad。\"
\"Come，Zoe，Iammuchobligedtoyou；butgiveitup。\"
\"No，dear。\"
Harringtonsmiledatherprettyperemptoriness，andmisunderstoodit。
\"Thisiscarryingsisterlylovealongway，\"saidhe。\"Imusttryandrisetoyourlevel。Iwon\'tgowithyou。\"
\"ThenIshallgoalone。\"
\"WhatifIforbidyou，miss?\"
Shetappedhimonthecheekwithherfingers。\"Don\'taffectthetyrant，dear；youcan\'tmanageit。Fannysaidsomethingthathasmortifiedme。I
shallgo。Youcandoasyoulike。But，stop；wheredoesshelive?\"
\"SupposeIdeclinetotellyou?Iamseizedwithavirtuousfit——aregularparoxysm。\"
\"ThenIshallgototheoperaandinquire，dear。But\"coaxingly\"youwilltellme，dear。\"
\"There，\"saidHarrington，\"youwicked，temptinggirl，myshamvirtuehasoozedaway，andmyrealmaniatriumphs。Shelivesat\'TheGoldenStar。\'I
wasweakenoughtosendHarrisinlastnighttolearn。\"Zoesmiled。
Hehailedaconveyance；andtheystartedatoncefor\"TheGoldenStar。\"
\"Zoe，\"saidHarringtongravely，\"somethingtellsmeIamgoingtomeetmyfate。\"
\"Allthebetter，\"saidZoe。\"Iwishyoutomeetyourfate。Myloveformybrotherisnotselfish。Iamsuresheisagoodwoman。PerhapsImayfindoutsomething。\"
\"Aboutwhat?\"
\"Oh，nevermind。\"
CHAPTERVIII。
ALLthistimeInaKloskingwasrehearsingatthetheater，quiteunconsciousoftheimpendingvisit。Aroyalpersonagehadcommanded\"IlBarbiere，\"thepartofRosinatoberestoredtotheoriginalkey。Itwaswrittenforacontralto，buttransposedbytheinfluenceofGrisi。
Havingnoperformancethatnight，theybegantorehearseratherlaterthanusual，anddidnotleaveofftillaquartertofouro\'clock。Ina，whosufferedagooddealatrehearsalsfromtheinaccuracyandapathyofthepeople，wenthomefagged，andwithherthroatparched——sodoesabadrehearsalaffectallgoodandearnestartists。
Sheorderedacutlet，withpotatochips，andlaydownonthesofa。Whileshewasreposing，cameJosephAshmead，tocheerher，withgoodphotographsofher，takenthedaybefore。Shesmiledgratefullyathiszeal。HealsoremindedherthathehadorderstotakehertotheKursaal:
hesaidthetableswouldbewellfilledfromfiveo\'clocktillquitelate，therebeingnootherentertainmentonfootthatevening。
Inathankedhim，andsaidshewouldnotmissgoingonanyaccount；butshewasratherfatiguedandfaint。
\"Oh，I\'llwaitforyouaslongasyoulike，\"saidAshmead，kindly。
\"No，mygoodcomrade，\"saidIna。\"Iwillaskyoutogotothemanagerandgetmealittlemoney，andthentotheKursaalandsecuremeaplaceatthetableinthelargestroom。ThereIwilljoinyou。If_he_isnotthere——andIamnotsomadastothinkhewillbethere——Ishallriskafewpiecesmyself，tobenearerhiminmind。\"
ThisamazedAshmead；itwassounlikeher。\"Youarejoking，\"saidhe。
\"Why，ifyoulosefivenapoleonsatplay，itwillbeyourdeath；youwillgrizzleso。\"
\"Yes；butIshallnotlose。Iamtoounluckyinlovetoloseatcards。I
meantoplaythisafternoon；andneveragaininallmylife。Sir，Iamresolved。\"
\"Oh，ifyouareresolved，thereisnomoretobesaid。Iwon\'trunmyheadagainstabrickwall。\"
Ina，beinghalfaforeigner，thoughtthisratherbrusk。Shelookedathimaskant，andsaid，quietly，\"Others，besidesme，canbestubborn，andgettheirownway，whilespeakingthelanguageofsubmission。NotIinventedvolition。\"
Withthisfleainhisear，thefaithfulJosephwentoff，chuckling，andobtainedanadvancefromthemanager，andthenproceededtotheprincipalgaming-table，and，afterwaitingsometime，securedachair，whichhekeptforhischief。
Anhourwentby；anhourandahalf。Hewasobliged，forveryshame，tobet。Thishedid，fivefrancsatatime；andhisriskwassosmall，andhislucksoeven，thatbydegreeshewasdrawnintoconversationwithhisneighbor，ayoungswell，whowaswatchingtherunofthecolors，andbettinginsilver，andprickingacard，preparatorytogoinginforagreat_coup。_MeantimehefavoredMr。Ashmeadwithhistheoryofchances，andAshmeadlistenedverypolitelytoeveryword；becausehewasratherproudoftheother\'snotice:hewassohandsome，welldressed，andwellspoken。
MeantimeInaKloskingsnatchedafewminutes\'sleep，asmostartistscanintheafternoon，andwasawakenedbytheservantbringinginherfrugalrepast，acutletandapintofBordeaux。
Onherplatehebroughtheralargecard，onwhichwasprinted\"MissZoeVizard。\"Thisledtoinquiries，andhetoldheraladyofsuperlativebeautyhadcalledandleftthatcard。Inaaskedforadescription。
\"Ah，madame，\"saidKarl，\"donotexpectdetailsfromme。Iwastoodazzled，andstruckbylightning，tomakeaninventoryofhercharms。\"
\"Atleastyoucantellmewasshedarkorfair。\"
\"Madame，shewasdarkasnight；butgloriousasthesun。HerearthlyabodeistheRussie，atFrankfort；blesthotel!\"
\"Didshetellyouso?\"
\"Indirectly。ShewroteonthecardwiththesmallestpencilIhavehithertowitnessed:thelettersarefaint，thepencilbeinginferiortothecase，whichwasgolden。Nevertheless，asoneisnaturallycurioustolearnwhenceabrightvisionhasemerged，Ipermittedmyselftodecipher。\"
\"Yourcuriositywasnatural，\"saidIna，dryly。\"Iwilldetainyouwithnomorequestions。\"
Sheputthecardcarefullyaway，andeathermodestrepast。Thenshemadeherafternoontoilet，andwalked，slowlyandpensively，totheKursaal。
Nothingtherewasnewtoher，excepttobegoingtothetablewithoutthemanonwhomitwashermisfortunetohavewastedherheartofgold。
Ithink，therefore，itwouldbebetterformetoentertheplaceincompanywithournovices；and，indeed，wemust，orweshallderangethetrueorderoftimeandsequenceofincidents；for，pleaseobserve，alltheEnglishladiesofourstorymetattheKursaalwhileInawasreposingonhersofa。
Thefirst-comerswereZoeandHarrington。Theyenteredthenoblehall，inscribedtheirnames，and，bythatsimpleceremony，weremembersofaclub，comparedwithwhichthegreatestclubsinLondonarepettythings:
aclubwithspaciousdining-rooms，ball-rooms，concert-rooms，gambling-rooms，theater，anddeliciousgardens。Thebuilding，thatcombinedsomanyrichtreats，wascolossalinsize，andgloriouswithrichcolorsandgoldlaidonwithOrientalprofusion，andsometimeswithOrientaltaste。
Harringtontookhissisterthroughthedrawing-roomsfirst；andsheadmiredtheunusualloftinessoftherooms，theblazeofwhiteandgold，andof_ce\'ladon_andgold，andthegreatRussianlusters，andthemightymirrors。Butwhentheygottothedining-roomshewasenchanted。Thatloftyandmagnificent_salon，_withitsdaringmixtureofredandblack，andgreenandblue，allmeltedintoharmonybytheriversofgoldthatranboldlyamongthem，wenttoherveryheart。AGreekishalfanOriental；andZoehadwhatmaybecalledthecourageofcolor。
\"Glorious!\"shecried，andclaspedherhands。\"Andsee!whatabackgroundtotheemeraldgrassoutsideandtherubyflowers。Theyseemtocomeintotheroomthroughthosemonsterwindows。\"
\"Splendid!\"saidHarrington，towhomallthiswasliterallyGreek。\"I\'msoexcited，I\'llorderdinner。\"
\"Dinner!\"saidZoe，disdainfully；andsatdownandeyedtheMoresquewallsaroundher，andthebeautiesofnatureoutside，andbroughtthemtogetherinonepicture。
HarringtonwasalongtimeinconclavewithM。Chevet。ThenZoebecameimpatient。
\"Oh，doleaveofforderingdinner，\"saidshe，\"andtakemeouttothatotherparadise。\"
TheChevetshruggedhisshoulderswithpity。Vizardshruggedhistoo，tosoothehim；and，afterafewmorehurriedwords，tooktheloverofcolorintothegarden。Itwasdelicious，withgreenslopes，andrichfoliage，andflowers，andenlivenedbybrightsilkdresses，sparklingfitfullyamongthegreenleaves，orflamingoutboldlyinthesun；and，asluckwouldhaveit，beforeZoehadtakentenstepsuponthegreensward，thebandoffiftymusiciansstruckup，andplayedasfiftymenrarelyplaytogetheroutofGermany。
Zoewasenchanted。Shewalkedonair，andbeamedasbrightasanyflowerintheplace。
Afterherfirstejaculationatthesuddenmusic，shedidnotspeakforagoodwhile；hercontentwassogreat。Atlastshesaid，\"Anddotheyleavethisparadisetogambleinaroom?\"
\"Leaveit?Theyshunit。Thegamblersdespisetheflowers。\"
\"Howperversepeopleare!Excitement!Whowantsanymorethanthis?\"
\"Zoe，\"saidVizard，\"innocentexcitementcannevercompetewithvicious。\"
\"What，isitreallywickedtoplay?\"
\"Idon\'tknowaboutwicked；yougirlsalwaysruntothebiggestword。
But，ifavariceisavice，gamblingcannotbevirtuous；fortherootofgamblingismereavarice，weakavarice。Come，myyoungfriend，_aswe\'requitealone，_I\'lldropThersites，andtalksensetoyou，foronce。
Child，therearetworoadstowealth；oneisbythewayofindustry，skill，vigilance，andself-denial；andthesearevirtues，thoughsometimestheygowithtricksoftrade，hardnessofheart，andtakingadvantageofmisfortune，tobuycheapandselldear。Theotherroadtowealthisbyboldspeculation，withriskofproportionateloss；inshort，bygamblingwithcards，orwithoutthem。Now，lookintothemindofthegambler——hewantstomakemoney，contrarytonature，andunjustly。Hewantstoberewardedwithoutmerit，tomakeafortuneinamoment，andwithoutindustry，vigilance，trueskill，orself-denial。\'
Apennysavedisapennygained\'doesnotenterhiscreed。Stripthethingofitsdisguise，itisavarice，sordidavarice；andIcallitweakavarice，becausethegamblerreliesonchancealone，yetacceptsunevenchances，andhopesthatFortunewillbeasmuchinlovewithhimasheiswithhimself。Whatsillyegotism!YouadmiretheKursaal，andyouareright；
thendojustaskyourselfwhyistherenothingtopayforsomanyexpensiveenjoyments:andverylittletopayforconcertsandballs；lowpricesattheopera，whichneverpaysitsownexpenses；evenChevet\'sdinnersarereasonable，ifyouavoidhisshamJohannisberg。Allthesecheapdelights，thegold，thecolors，thegarden，themusic，thelights，arepaidforbythelossesoffeeble-mindedAvarice。But，there——IsaidallthistoNedSeverne，andImightaswellhavepreachedsensetothewind。\"
\"Harrington，Iwillnotplay。Iammuchhappierwalkingwithmygoodbrother——\"
\"Fautedemieux。\"
Zoeblushed，butwouldnothear——\"Anditissogoodofyoutomakeafriendofme，andtalksense。Oh!see——aladywithtwoblues!Comeandlookather。\"
Beforetheyhadtakenfivesteps，Zoestoppedshortandsaid，\"ItisFannyDover，Ideclare。Shehasnotseenusyet。Sheisshort-sighted。
Comehere。\"Andtheimpetuousmaiddraggedhimoffbehindatuftoffoliage。
Whenshehadgothimthereshesaidhotlythatitwastoobad。
\"Oh，isit?\"saidhe，verycalmly。\"What?\"
\"Why，don\'tyouseewhatshehasdone?You，sosensible，tobesoslowaboutwomen\'sways；andyouarealwayspretendingtoknowthem。Why，shehasgoneandboughtthatcostumewiththemoneyyougavehertoplaywith。\"
\"Sensiblegirl!\"
\"Dishonestgirl，_I_callher。\"
\"Thereyougotoyourbigwords。No，no。Alittlemoneywasgivenherforabadpurpose。Shehasuseditforafrivolousone。Thatis\'astepintherightdirection\'——jargonoftheday。\"
\"Buttoreceivemoneyforonepurpose，andapplyittoanother，is——whatdoyoucallit——_chose?——de\'tournementdesfonds_——whatistheEnglishword?I\'vebeenabroadtillI\'veforgottenEnglish。Oh，I
know——embezzlement。\"
\"Well，thatisabigwordforasmalltransaction；youhavenotduginthemineofthevernacularfornothing。\"
\"Harrington，ifyoudon\'tmind，Ido；sopleasecome。I\'lltalktoher。\"
\"Stopamoment，\"saidVizard，verygravely。\"Youwillnotsayonewordtoher。\"
\"Andwhynot，pray?\"
\"Becauseitwouldbeunworthyofus，andcrueltoher；barbarouslycruel。
What!callhertoaccountbeforethatoldwomanandme?\"
\"Whynot?Sheisflauntingherbluesbeforeyoutwo，andplentymore。\"
\"Femininelogic，Zoe。Thepointisthis——sheispoor。Youmustknowthat。
Thiscomesofpovertyandloveofdress；notofdishonestyandloveofdress；andjustaskyourself，isthereacreaturethatoughttobepitiedmoreandhandledmoredelicatelythana_poorlady?_Why，youwouldmakeherwrithewithshameanddistress!Well，Idothinkthereisnotasinglewildanimalsocrueltoanotherwildanimalasawomanistoawoman。Youarecrueltooneanotherbyinstinct。ButIappealtoyourreason——ifyouhaveany。\"
Zoe\'seyesfilled。\"Youareright，\"saidshe，humbly。\"Thankyouforthinkingforme。Iwillnotsayawordtoherbefore_you。\"_
\"Thatisagoodgirl。But，comenow，whysayawordatall?\"
\"Oh，itisnouseyourdemandingimpossibilities，dear。IcouldnomorehelpspeakingtoherthanIcouldfly；anddon\'tgofancyingshewillcareapinwhatIsay，ifIdon\'tsayitbefore_agentleman。\"_
Havinggivenhimthispieceofinformation，sheleftherambush，andproceededtomeettheall-unconsciousbluegirl；but，evenastheywent，Vizardreturnedtohisnormalcondition，anddoledout，ratherindolently，thattheywereoutonpleasure，andmightpossiblymisstheobjectoftheexcursioniftheyweretoencourageahabitofgettingintoragesaboutnothing。
Zoewasbetterthanherword。ShemetFannywithopenadmiration:tobesure，sheknewthatapathy，oreventranquillity，onfirstmeetingtheblues，wouldbeinstantlysetdowntoenvy。
\"Andwheredidyougetit，dear?\"
\"Atquiteasmallshop。\"
\"French?\"
\"Oh，no；IthinkshewasanAustrian。ThisisnotaFrenchmixture:loud，discordantcolors，thatistheFrenchtaste。\"
\"Hereisheresy，\"saidVizard。\"Why，IthoughttheFrenchbeattheworldindress。\"
\"Yes，dear，\"saidZoe，\"informandpattern。ButFannyisright；theymakemistakesincolor。Theyareterriblyafraidofscarlet；buttheyareafraidofnothingelse:andmanyoftheirmixturesareasdiscordanttotheeyeasWagner\'smusictotheear。Now，afterall，scarletisthekingofcolors；andthereisnoharminKingScarlet，ifyoutreathimwithrespectandputamodestsubjectnexttohim。\"
\"Gypsylocks，forinstance，\"suggestedFanny，slyly。
MissMaitlandownedherselfpuzzled。\"Inmyday，\"saidshe，\"nooneeverthoughtofputtingblueuponblue；butreally，somehow，itlookswell。\"
\"MayItellyouwhy，aunt?——becausethedress-makerhadarealeye，andhaschosentherighttintsofblue。Itisallnonsenseaboutonecolornotgoingwithanother。Naturedefiesthat；andhow?bychoosingtheverytintsofeachcolorthatwillgotogether。ThesweetestroomIeversawwaspaintedbyagreatartist；and，doyouknow，hehadcoloredtheceilingblueandthewallsgreen:andIassureyoutheeffectwasheavenly:but，then，hehadchosentheexacttintsofgreenandbluethatwouldgotogether。Thedraperieswerebetweencrimsonandmaroon。Butthere\'sanotherthinginFanny\'sdress；itisvelvet。Now，bluevelvetisbluetothemind；butitisnotbluetotheeye。Youtryandpaintbluevelvet；youwillbesurprisedhowmuchwhiteyoumustlayon。Thehighlightsofallvelvetsarewhite。Thiswhitehelpstoblendthetwotintsofblue。\"