\"Thisisveryinstructive，\"saidVizard。\"IwasnotawareIhadasister，youthful，butprofound。Letusgoinanddine。\"
Fannydemurred。ShesaidshebelievedMissMaitlandwishedtotakeoneturnroundthegroundsfirst。
MissMaitlandstared，butassentedinamechanicalway；andtheycommencedtheirpromenade。
Zoehungbackandbeckonedherbrother。\"MissMaitland!\"saidshe，withsuchanair。_\"She_wantstoshowherbluestoalltheworldandhiswife。\"
\"Verynatural，\"saidVizard。\"Sowouldyou，ifyouwereinascarletgown，withacrimsoncloak。\"
Zoelaughedheartilyatthis，andforgaveFannyhernewdress:butshehadaworsebonethanthattopickwithher。
ItwasashortbutagreeablepromenadetoZoe，fornowtheywerealone，herbrother，insteadofsneering，complimentedher。
\"Neveryoumindmyimpertinence，\"saidhe；\"thetruthis，Iamproudofyou。Youareanobserver。\"
\"Me?Oh——incolor。\"
\"Nevermind:anobserverisanobserver；andgenuineobservationisnotsocommon。Menseeandhearwiththeirprejudicesandnottheirsenses。
Nowwearegoingtothosegaming-tables。Atfirst，ofcourse，youwillplay；but，assoonaseveryouarecleanedout，observe!Letnothingescapethatwoman\'seyeofyours:andsowe\'llgetsomethingforourmoney。\"
\"Harrington，\"saidthegirlproudly，\"Iwillbealleyeandear。\"
Soonafterthistheywentintodinner。ZoecasthereyesroundforSeverne，andwasmanifestlydisappointedathisnotmeetingthemeventhere。
AsforFanny，shehadattractedwonderfulattentioninthegarden，andwaselated；herconsciencedidnotprickherintheleast，forsuchatrifleas_de\'tournementdesfonds；_andpublicadmirationdidnotimproveher:shewassprightlyandtalkativeasusual；butnowshewasalsoatriflebrazen，andpertallround。
Andsothedinnerpassed，andtheyproceededtothegaming-tables。
MissMaitlandandZoeled。FannyandHarringtonfollowed:forMissDover，elatedbytheblues——though，by-the-by，onehearsofthemasdepressing——andencouragedbyadmirationandChevet\'sviolet-perfumedSt。
Peray，tookHarrington\'sarm，reallyasifitbelongedtoher。
Theywentintothelibraryfirst，and，afteracarelessinspection，cametothegreatattractionoftheplace。Theyenteredoneofthegambling-rooms。
Thefirstimpressionwasdisappointing。Thereweretwoverylongtables，roundedoffattheends:onefor_trenteetquarante_andonefor_roulette。_Ateachtablewereseatedanumberofpersons，andothersstandingbehindthem。Amongthepersonsseatedwasthedealer，or，inroulette，thespinner。Thisofficialsatinthecenter，flankedoneachsidebycroupierswithrakes；butateachendofthetabletherewasalsoacroupierwithhisrake。
Therestwereplayersorlookers-on；mostofwhom，bywell-knowngradationsofcuriosityandweakness，todescribewhichminutelywouldbetowritealittlecomedythatothershavealreadywritten，weredrawnintoplayingatlast。Sofidgetsthemothaboutthecandlebeforehemakesupwhat，nodoubt，thepoorlittlesoulcallshismind。
Ourlittlepartystoppedfirstat_trenteetquarante，_andZoecommencedherobservations。Insteadofthewildexcitementshehadheardof，therewasasubduedair，aforcedquiet，especiallyamongtheseatedplayers。A
sternetiquettepresided，andthegamblersshroudedthemselvesinwell-bredstoicism——losingwithoutopendistressorire，winningwithoutopenexultation。Theoldhands，especially，beganplaywithapadlockonthetongueandamaskupontheface。Therearemasks，however，thatdonothidetheeye；andMissVizardcaughtsomeflashesthatescapedthemaskseventhenatthecommencementoftheplay。Still，externalstoicismprevailed，onthewhole，andhadafixedexampleinthe_tailleur_andthecroupiers。PlayingmanyhourseverydayintheyearbutGood-Friday，andalwayswithotherpeople\'smoney，thesemenhadpartedwithpassion，andalmostwithsensation；theyhadbecomeskillfulautomata，chantingastave，andrakinguporscatteringhay-cocksofgold，whichtothemwerecounters。
Itwaswiththemonotonousvoiceofanautomatontheyintoned:
\"Faiteslejeu，messieu，messieu。\"
Then，afterapauseoftenseconds:
\"Lejeuestfait，messien。\"
Then，aftertwoseconds:
\"Riennevaplus。\"
Thenmumble——mumble——mumble。
Then，\"La\'Rougeperdetcouleur，\"orwhatevermightbetheresult。
Thenthecroupiersfirstrakedintheplayers\'losseswithvastexpedition；next，thecroupiersinchargeofthefundschuckedthepreciseamountofthewinningsontoeachstakewithunerringdexterityandtheindifferenceofmachines；andthechantrecommenced，\"Faiteslejeu，messieu。\"
Pause，tenseconds。
\"Lejeuestfait，messieu。
Pause，twoseconds。
\"Riennevaplus。\"
The_tailleur_dealt，andthecroupierintoned，\"La\'!Rougegagneetcouleurperd:\"themechanicalrakinganddexterouschuckingfollowed。
This，withalowbuzzing，andthedeadenedjingleofgoldupongreencloth，andthelightgratingofthecroupiers\'rakes，wasthefirstimpressionuponZoe\'ssenses；butthemeregamedidnotmonopolizeherattentionmanyseconds。Therewereotherthingsbetterworthnoting:thegreatvarietiesofhumantypethatasinglepassionhadbroughttogetherinasmallGermantown。HerearwasregaledwithsuchapolyglotmurmurasshehadreadofinGenesis，buthadneverwitnessedbefore。
HerewerethesharpTuscanandthemellowRoman；thesibilationofEngland，thebrogueofIreland，theshibbolethoftheMinories，thetwangofcertainAmericanStates，thegutturalexpectorationofGermany，thenasalemphasisofFrance，andeventhemodulatedHindoostanee，andthesonorousSpanish，allmingling。
Thetypesoffacewereasvariousasthetongues。
Herewerethegreen-eyedTartar，theblack-eyedItalian，andthegray-eyedSaxon；facesallcheek-bones，andfacesnocheek-bones；theredArabian，thefairDane，andthedarkHindoo。
Herwoman\'seyeseizedanotherphenomenon——thehands。Notnationsonly，butvarietiesoftheanimalkingdomwererepresented。Herewerethewhitehandsoffairwomen，andtheredpawsofobeseshop-keepers，andtheyellow，bird-likeclawsofoldwitheredgamesters，allstretchedout，sidebyside，instrangecontrast，toplacethestakesorscratchinthewinnings；andoftenthewinnersputtheirpalmsorpawsontheirheapofgold，justasadogdoesonabonewhenotherdogsarenigh。
ButwhatZoe\'seyerestedonlongestwerethecostumeanddeportmentoftheladies。Afewwereingoodtaste；othersaimedatagreatervarietyofbeautifulcolorsthanthefairhave，uptothisdate，succeededincombining，withoutinflictingmorepainonthebeholdersthanabeneficentCreator——sofaraswecanjudgebyhisownsystemofcolor——intendedthecultivatedeyetosuffer。Example——astheoldwritersusedtosay——oneladyfiredtheairinprimrosesatin，withred-velvettrimming。Thismildmixturere-appearedonherheadinaprimrosehatwitharedfeather。Agoldchain，sobigthatitwouldhavedoneforafeloninsteadofafool，encircledherneck，andwasweightedwithinnumerablelockets，whichinsizeandinventivetasteresembledapoachedegg，andbetrayedtheinsulargoldsmith。Atrainthreeyardslongcompletedthisgorgeousfigure。Shehadcommencedlifeashrimp-girl，andpushedadredgebeforeher，insteadofpullingasilkenbesomafterher。
Anotherstatelyqueenwithan\"a\"heatedtheatmospherewithaburnousofthatcolortheFrenchcall_flammed\'enfer，_andcooleditwithagreenbonnet。Athirdappearedtohavebeenstruckwiththebeautyofapainter\'spalette，andtheskillwithwhichitscolorsmixbeforethebrushspoilsthem。Greenbody，violetskirts，rose-coloredtrimmings，purplesleeves，lightgreenboots，lavendergloves。Ashawlallgauzeandgold，flouncedlikeapetticoat；abonnetsosmall，andredfeathersoenormousandall-predominant，thatapeacockseemedtobesittingonahedgesparrow\'snest。
Zoesuspectedthesepolychromaticladiesataglance，andobservedtheirmanners，inamistrustfulspirit，carefully。Shewaslittlesurprised，thoughagooddealshocked，tofindthatsomeofthemseemedfamiliar，andalmostjocular，withthecroupiers；andthat，althoughtheydidnottalkloud，beingkeptinorderbythegeneraletiquette，theyrustledandfidgetedandplayedinadevil-may-caresortofmanner。Thiswasingreatmeasureaccountedforbythecircumstancethattheywerelosingotherpeople\'smoney:atallevents，theyoftenturnedtheirheadsovertheirshoulders，andappliedforfreshfundstotheirmalecompanions。
Zoeblushedatallthis，andsaidtoVizard，\"Ishouldliketoseetheotherrooms。\"ShewhisperedtoMissMaitland，\"Surelytheyarenotveryselectinthisone。\"
\"Leadon，\"saidVizard；\"thatistheway。\"
Fannyhadnotpartedwithhisarmallthistime。Astheyfollowedtheothers，hesaid，\"Butshewillfinditisallthesamething。\"
Fannylaughedinhisface。\"Don\'tyou_see?_C\'estlachasseauSevernequicommence。\"
\"Envoil\'aunse\'v\'ere，\"repliedhe。
Shewasmute。ShehadnotlearnedthatsortofFrenchinherfinishing-school。Iforgiveit。
Thenextroomwasthesamethingoveragain。
Zoestoodamomentanddrankeverythingin，thenturnedtoVizard，blushed，andsaid，\"Mayweplayalittlenow?\"
\"Why，ofcourse。\"
\"Fanny!\"
\"No；youbegin，dear。Wewillstandbyandwishyousuccess。\"
\"Youareacoward，\"saidZoe，loftily；andwenttothetablewithmorechangesofcolorthanveteranlancersbetrayincharginginfantry。Itwasthe_roulette_tableshechose。Thatseemsalawofhersex。Thetruesolutionisnotsoprofoundassomethathavebeenoffered。Itisthis:
_trenteetquarante_isnotonlyunintelligible，butuninteresting。At_roulette_thereisapictorialobjectanddramaticincident；theboard，theturningofthe_moulinet，_andtheswiftrevolutionsofanivoryball，itsloweredspeed，itsirregularbounds，anditsfinalsettlementinoneofthemanyholes，numberedandcolored。Herethefemaleunderstandingseessomethingitcangrasp，and，aboveall，thefemaleeyecatchessomethingpictorialandamusingoutsidethelossorgain；andsoshegoes，byhernature，to_roulette，_whichisagreaterswindlethantheother。
ZoestakedfivepoundsonNo。21，foranexcellentreason；shewasinhertwenty-firstyear。TheballwassoillogicalastogointoNo。3，andshelost。Shestoodbyhernumberandlostagain。Shelostthirteentimesinsuccession。
Thefourteenthtimetheballrolledinto21，andthecroupierhandedherthirty-fivetimesherstake，andalotmoreforcolor。
Hereyeflashed，andhercheekflushed，andIsupposeshewastemptedtobetmoreheavily，forshesaid，\"No。Thatwillneverhappentomeagain，Iknow；\"andsherose，thericherbyseveralnapoleons，andsaid，\"Nowletusgotoanother。\"
\"Humph!\"saidVizard。\"Whatanextraordinarygirl!Shewillgivethedevilmoretroublethanmostofyou。Here\'sprecociousprudence。\"
Fannylaughedinhisface。\"C\'estlachassequirecommence，\"saidshe。
IoughttoexplainthatwhenshewasinEnglandshedidnotinterlardherdiscoursewithFrenchscraps。Shewasnotsoill-bred。Butabroadshehadgotintoawayofit，throughbeingoftencompelledtospeakFrench。
Vizardappreciatedthesagacityoftheremark，buthedidnotliketheladyanythebetterforit。Hemeditatedinsilence。Herememberedthat，whentheywereinthegarden。Zoehadhungbehind，andinterpretedFannyill-naturedly；andherewasFannyatthesamegame，literallybackbiting，orback-nibbling，atallevents。Saidhetohimself，\"Andthesetwoarefriends!femalefriends。\"Andhenursedhismisogynyinsilence。
Theycameintoaverynobleroom，thelargestofall，withenormousmirrorsdowntotheground，andaceilingblazingwithgold，andtheairglitteringwithlusters。Twoverylargetables，andadistinguishedcompanyateach，especiallyatthe_trenteetquarante。_
Beforeourlittlepartyhadtakensixstepsintotheroom，Zoestoodlikeapointer；andFannybacked。
Shouldthesetermsseemdisrespectful，letFannybeartheblame。Itisherapplicationoftheword\"chasse\"thatdrewdownthesimile。
Yes，theresatNedSeverne，talkingfamiliarlytoJosephAshmead，andpreparingto\"putthepoton，\"ashecalledit。
NowZoewassofargonethattheverysightofSevernewasabalsamtoher。Shehadalittlebonetopickwithhim；andwhenhewasoutofsight，theboneseemedprettylarge。Butwhenshesawhisadorableface，unconscious，asitseemed，ofwrong，thebonefadedandthefaceshone。
Herownfaceclearedatthesightofhim:sheturnedbacktoFannyandVizard，archandsmiling，andputherfingertohermouth，asmuchastosay，\"Letushavesomefun。Wehavecaughtourtruant:letuswatchhim，unseen，alittle，beforeweburstonhim。\"
Vizardenjoyedthis，andencouragedherwithanod。
TheconsequencewasthatZoedroppedMissMaitland\'sarm，whotookthatopportunitytoturnuphernose，andbegantocreepuplikeayoungcatafterabird；takingastep，andthenpausing；thenanotherstep，andalongpause；andstillwithhereyefixedonSeverne。Hedidnotseeher，norhercompanions，partlybecausetheywerenotinfrontofhim，butapproachingatasharpangle，andalsobecausehewasjustthenbeginningtobetheavilyonhissystem。Bythismeans，twoprogressiveeventswentoncontemporaneously:thearchbutcat-likeadvanceofZoe，withpauses，andthebettingofSeverne，inwhichhegavehimselfthebenefitofhissystem。
_Noir_havingbeenthelasttowin，hewentagainstthealternationandputfiftypoundson_noir。_Redwon。Then，truetohissystem，hedoubledonthewinningcolor。Onehundredpoundsonred。Blackwon。Hedoubledonblack，andredwon；andtherewerefourhundredpoundsofhisfivehundredgoneinfiveminutes。
Onthisproofthatthelikeliestthingtohappen——viz。，alternationofthecolor——does_sometime_happen，Severnelostheart。
HeturnedtoAshmead，withallthesuperstitionofagambler，\"ForGod\'ssake，betforme!\"saidhe。Heclutchedhisownhairconvulsively，inastrugglewithhismania，andprevailedsofarastothrustfiftypoundsintohisownpocket，toliveon，andgaveAshmeadfivetens。
\"Well，but，\"saidAshmead，\"youmusttellmewhattodo。\"
\"No，no。Betyourownway，forme。\"Hehadhardlyutteredthesewords，whenheseemedtoglareacrossthetableatthegreatmirror，and，suddenlyputtinghishandkerchieftohismouth，hemadeaboltsidewise，plungedamidthebystanders，andemergedonlytodashintoaroomattheside。
Ashedisappeared，aladycameslowlyandpensivelyforwardfromtheouterdoor；liftedhereyesasshenearedthetable，sawavacantchair，andglidedintoit，revealingtoZoeVizardandherpartyanobleface，notsosplendidandanimatedasonthestage，foritsexpressionwasslumbering；stillitwasthefaceofInaKlosking。
Notransformationtrickwaseverdonemoreneatlyandsmoothlythanthis，inwhich，nevertheless，theperformersactedwithoutconcert。
Severnefledout，andtheKloskingcameslowlyin；yetnoonehadtimetotaketheseat，sheglidedintoitsosoonafterSevernehadvacatedit。
ZoeVizardandherfriendsstaredaftertheflyingSeverne，thenstaredatthenewcomer，andthenturnedroundandstaredateachother，inmutualamazementandinquiry。
Whatwasthemeaningofthisdoubleincident，thatresembledaconjurer\'strick?Havinglookedathercompanions，andseenonlyherownsurprisereflected，ZoeVizardfixedhereyes，likeburning-glasses，uponInaKlosking。
Thenthatladythickenedthemystery。SheseemedveryfamiliarwiththemanSevernehadbeensofamiliarwith。
Thatmancontributedhissharetothemultiplyingmystery。Hehadamuddycomplexion，hairthecolorofdirt，alongnose，ahatchetface，meanlittleeyes，andwasevidentlynotagentleman。Heworeabrownvelveteenshooting-coat，withamagentatiethatgaveZoeapainintheeye。ShehadalreadyfeltsorrytoseeherSevernewasacquaintedwithsuchaman。
Heseemedtoherthe_neplusultra_ofvulgarity；andnow，behold，theartist，thewomanshehadsoadmired，wasequallyfamiliarwiththesameobjectionableperson。
ToappreciatethehopelesspuzzleofZoeVizard，thereadermustbeonhisguardagainsthisownknowledge。HeknowsthatSeverneandAshmeadweretwoBohemians，whohadstruckupacquaintance，allinaminute，thatveryevening。ButZoehadnotthisknowledge，andshecouldnotpossiblydivineit。Thewholethingwaspresentedtohersensesthus:avulgarman，withabrownvelveteenshooting-coatandared-hottiewasamutualfriendofthegentlemanlySeverneandthedignifiedKlosking。Severneleftthemutualfriend；MademoiselleKloskingjoinedthemutualfriend；
andthereshesat，whereSevernehadsatamomentago，bythesideoftheirmutualfriend。
AllmannerofthoughtsandsurmisesthrongeduponZoeVizard；buteachwayofaccountingforthemysterycontradictedsomeplainfactorother；
soshewasdrivenatlasttoawoman\'sremedy。Shewouldwait，andwatch。
Severnewouldprobablycomeback，andsomehowfurnishthekey。MeantimehereyewasnotlikelytoleavetheKlosking，norhereartomissasyllabletheKloskingmightutter。
ShewhisperedtoVizard，inaverypeculiartone，\"Iwillplayatthistable，\"andsteppeduptoit，withtheword。
ThedurationofsuchbeautyasZoe\'sisproverbiallylimited；butthelimittoitspower，whileitdoeslast，hasnotyetbeendiscovered。Itisafactthat，assoonasshecameclosetothetabletwomalegamblerslookedup，sawher，wonderedather，andactuallyjumpedupandofferedtheirseats:shemadeacourteousinclinationofthehead，andinstalledMissMaitlandinoneseat，withoutreserve。Sheputalittlegoldonthetable，andaskedMissMaitland，inawhisper，toplayforher。SheherselfhadneithereyenorearexceptforInaKlosking。Thatladywashavingadiscussion，_sottovoce，_withAshmead；andifshehadbeenoneofyourmumblerswhosenameislegion，evenZoe\'sswiftearcouldhavecaughtlittleornothing。Butwhenavoicehasvolume，andthegreathabitofarticulationhasbeenbroughttoperfection，thewordstravelsurprisingly。
ZoeheardtheladysaytoAshmead，scarcelyaboveherbreath，\"Well，butifherequestedyoutobetforhim，howcanheblameyou?\"
ZoecouldnotcatchAshmead\'sreply，butitwasaccompaniedbyashakeofthehead；sosheunderstoodhimtoobject。
Then，afteralittlemorediscussion，InaKloskingsaid，\"Whatmoneyhaveyouofmine?\"
Ashmeadproducedsomenotes。
\"Verywell，\"saidtheKlosking。\"Now，Ishalltakemytwenty-fivepounds，andtwenty-fivepoundsofhis，andplay。Whenhereturns，weshall，atallevents，havetwenty-fivepoundssafeforhim。Itaketheresponsibility。\"
\"Oh，\"thoughtZoe；\"thenhe_is_comingback。Ah，Ishallseewhatallthismeans。\"Shefeltsickatheart。
ZoeVizardwasontheotherside，butnotoppositeMademoiselleKlosking；
shewasconsiderablytotherighthand；andasthenew-comerwasmuchoccupied，justatfirst，withAshmead，whosatonherleft，Zoehadtimetodissecther，whichshedidwithoutmercy。Well，hercostumewasbeautifullymade，andfittedonasymmetricalfigure；butastocolor，itwasneutral——awarmFrenchgray，andneithercourtedadmirationnorriskedcensure:itwasunpretending。Herlacecollarwasvaluable，butnotstriking。Herhairwasbeautiful，bothinglossandcolor，andbeautifully，butneatly，arranged。Herglovesandwristbandswereperfect。
Aseverywomanaimsatappearance，openlyorsecretly，andeveryotherwomanknowsshedoes，Zoedidnotlookatthismeekdresswithmalesimplicity，unsuspiciousofdesign，butaskedherselfwhatwastheleadingmotive；andthequestionwasnosooneraskedthananswered。\"Shehasdressedforhergoldenhairandherwhitethroat。Herhair，herdeepgrayeyes，andherskin，arejustlikeaflower:shehasdressedherselfasthemodeststalk。Sheisanartist。\"
AtthesametablewereaRussianprincess，anEnglishcountess，andaBavarianduchess——allwelldressed，uponthewhole。Buttheirdressesshowedofftheirdresses；theKlosking\'sshowedoffherself。Andtherewasanativedignity，and，aboveall，awonderfulseemliness，abouttheKloskingthatinspiredrespect。Dressanddeportmentwereallofapiece——decentanddeep。
WhileZoewaspickinghertopieces，Ina，havingsettledmatterswithAshmead，lookedup，and，ofcourse，tookineveryotherwomanwhowasinsightatasinglesweep。SherecognizedZoedirectly，withaflushofpleasure；asweet，brightexpressionbrokeoverherface，andshebowedtoherwitharespectfulcordialitythatwascaptivating。
Zoeyieldedtothecharmofmanner，andbowedandsmiledinreturn，though，tillthatmoment，shehadbeenknittingherblackbrowsatherinwonderandvaguesuspicion。
Inatrifledwiththegame，atfirst。Ashmeadwasstilltalkingtoheroftheyoungswellandhissystem。Heexplainedittoher，andhowithadfailed。\"Notbutwhat，\"saidhe，\"thereisagreatdealinitmostevenings。Butto-daytherearenoruns；itisallturnandturnabout。Ifitwouldrain，now，youwouldseeachange。\"
\"Well，\"saidIna，\"Iwillbetafewpoundsonred，thenonblack，tilltheserunsbegin。\"
Duringtheaboveconversation，ofwhichZoecaughtlittle，becauseAshmeadwasthechiefspeaker，shecasthereyesallroundthetableandsawacuriousassemblageoffigures。
TherewasasolemnTurkmeltinghispiasterswithadmirablegravity；
therewastheRussianprincess；andtherewasalady，dressedinloud，incongruouscolors，suchasoncedrewfromahorrifiedmodistethecry，\"Ah，Dieu!quelleimmoralite\'!\"andthat\'safact。TherewasaPopishpriest，lookingsheepishashestakedhissilver，andanAnglicanrector，bettingflyers，andas_nonchalant，_intheblestabsenceofhisflockandtheBaptistminister，asifhewereplayingatwhistwiththeoldBishopofNorwich，whoplayedanightlyrubberinmyfather\'sday——andaverybadone。TherewasaFrenchcount，nearlysixfeethigh，towhomtheword\"old\"wouldhavebeenunjust:hewasantique，andhadturnedintobonesandleather；butthehaironthatdilapidatedtrunkwasitsown；
andZoepreferredhimmuchtothelustyoldEnglishbeaubesidehim，withivoryteethandebonlocksthatcostaprettypenny。
Therewasafat，lividNeapolitanbettingheavily；therewasacreolelady，withafineovalface，rathersallow，andeyesandhairasblackasZoe\'sown。Indeed，thecreoleexcelledher，bytheadditionofalittleblackfringeuponherupperlipthat，prejudiceapart，becameherverywell。Herfronthairwasconfinedbytwogoldthreadsalittlewayapart，onwhichwerefixedasingularornament，thevivideyesofapeacock\'stailsetclosetogetherallround。Itwasglorious，regal。ThehussyshouldhavebeentheQueenofSheba，receivingSolomon，andshowingherpeacock\'seyesagainsthiscrown-jewels。Liketheliliesofthefield，theseproductsofnaturearebadtobeat，aswesayonYorkshireturf。
Indeedthatfrontletwassobeautifulandwellplaced，itdrewforthglancesofmarkeddisdainfromeveryladywithinsightofit，Zoeexcepted。Shewasplacable。Thiswasalessonincolor；andshemanagedtoforgivetheteacher，inconsiderationofthelesson。
Amidthegaudierbirds，therewasadove——ayounglady，welldressed，withQuaker-likesimplicity，ingraysilkdresswithnotrimmings，awhitesilkbonnetandveil。Herfacewasfullofvirtues。Meetingherelsewhere，youwouldsay\"Thatisagoodwife，agooddaughter，andthemakingofagoodmother。\"Herexpressionatthetablewasthoughtfulandalittleanxious；buteverynowandthensheturnedherheadtolookforherhusband，andgavehimsosweetasmileofconjugalsympathyandaffectionasmadeZoealmostpraytheymightwin。Thehusbandwasanofficer，aveteran，withgrizzledhairandmustache，acolonelwhohadcommandedabrigadeinaction，butcouldonlyloveandspoilhiswife。Heoughttohavebeenherfather，herfriend，hercommander，andmarchedheroutofthat\"curse-all\"tothetopofCaderIdris，ifneedwas。Insteadofthat，hestoodbehindherchairlikeherlackeyallday:forhisdovewasasdesperateagamblerasanyinEurope。Itwasnotthatshebetveryheavily，butthatshebeteverydayandallday。Shebeganintheafternoon，andplayedtillmidnightiftherewasatablegoing。Sheknewnodayofreligion——nodayofrest。Shewon，andshelost:herownfortuneandherhusband\'sstoodthemoneydrain；buthowaboutthegoldenhours?Shewaslosingheryouthandwastinghersoul。Yettheadministrationgaveherawarning；theydidnotallowtheirretrievablehourstobestolenfromherwithanoiselesshand。AtAllSouls\'College，Oxford，inthefirstquadrangle，grave，thoughtfulmenraisedtothetopstory，twohundredyearsago，agrandsundial，thelargest，perhaps，andnoblestinthekingdom。TheysetitonthefaceoftheQuad，andwroteoverthelongpointerinlargelettersofgold，thesewords，\"Pereuntetimputantur，\"whichrefertothehoursindicatedbelow，andmeanliterally，\"Theyperish，andgodowntoouraccount；\"butreallyimplyalittlemore，viz。，that\"theyarewasted，andgotoourdebit。\"Thesearetruewordsandbigwords——biggerthananyroyalcommissionerhasuttereduptodate——andreachthemindthroughthesenses，andhavewarnedthescholarsofmanyagenerationnottothrowawaytheseed-timeoftheiryouth，whichnevercancometwicetoanyman。Well，theadministrationoftheKursaalconveyedtothatlostEnglishdoveandothersanoteofwarningwhichstruckthesenses，asdoestheimmortalwarningemblazonedonthefairbrowofthatbeautifulcollege；only，intheKursaalthewarningstrucktheear，nottheeye。TheyprovidedFrenchclockswithasingularlyclearmetallicstrikingtick；theirblowsuponthelifeofTimerangsharpabovethechant，themumble，andthejingle。Theseclocksseemedtocryaloud，andsayofthehours，whosewastetheyrecorded，\"Pereunt-et-impu-tantur，pere-unt-et-imputantur。\"
Recklessofthisprotest，thewavesofplayrolledon，anderelongsuckedallourcharactersbutVizardintothevortex。Zoehazardedasovereignonred，andwon；thentwoonblack，andwon；thenfouronred，andwon。Shewaslaunched，andFannytoo。Theygotexcited，andbethigher；thecroupierspeltedthemwithgoldencoins，andtheybegantopantandflush，andtheireyestogleam。Theoldgamblers\'eyesseemtohavelostthispower——theyhavegrownfishy；buttheeyesofthesefemalenoviceswereasight。Fanny\'s，beinglightgray，gleamedlikeapanther\'swhosepreyiswithinleap。Zoe\'sdarkorbscouldnotresembleanywildbeast\'s；buttheyglowedwithunholyfire；and，indeed，alldownthetablewasnowseenthatwhichnopaintercanconvey——forhisbeautifulbutcontractedartconfineshimtoamomentoftime——andwritershavestrangelyneglectedtonotice，viz。，the_progressofthecountenance_
underplay。Manyofthemasksmelted，asiftheyhadbeenofwax，andthenaturalexpressionsforcedtheirway；somegotflushedwithtriumph，otherswildandhaggardwiththeirlosses。Oneghastly，glaringlosersatquitequiet，whenhisallwasgone，butclinchedhishandssothatthenailsranintotheflesh，andbloodtrickled:discoveringwhich，afrienddraggedhimofflikesomethingdead。Nobodyminded。
Thefatoldbeaugotworriedbyhisteethandpulledthemoutinapetandpocketedthem。
MissMaitland，whohadbegunwithhergrayhairinneatlittlecurls，derangedonesowithconvulsivehandthatitcamealldownhercheek，andlookedmostrakishandunbecoming。EvenZoeandFannyhadturnedfromlambstoleopardesses——patchesofredoneachcheek，andeyeslikered-hotcoals。
Thecolorshadbeguntorun，andatfirsttheplayerslostlargelytothebank，withoneexception。
InaKloskingdiscernedthechange，andbackedthewinningcolor，thendoubledonittwice。Shedidthissoluckilythreeorfourtimesthat，thoughhersinglestakewasatfirstonlyfortypounds，goldseemedtogrowaroundher，andevennotestoriseandmakeacushion。She，too，wasexcited，thoughnotopenly；hergloveswereoff，andherownlovelyhand，thewhitestintheroom，placedthestakes。Youmightseearedspotonhercheek-bone，andastrangeglintinherdeepeye；butshecouldnotdoanythingthatwasnotseemly。
Sheplayedcalmly，boldly，onthesystemthathadclearedoutNedSeverne，andshewonheavily，becauseshewasinluck。Itwasherhourandhervein。
BythistimeZoeandFannywerecleanedout；andlookedinamazementattheKlosking，andwonderedhowshedidit。
MissMaitland，atherlastsovereign，begantoleanonthevictoriousKlosking，andbetasshedid:herpileincreased。Thedovecaughtsightofhergame，andbackedherluck。Thecreolebackedherheavily。
Presentlytherewasanextraordinaryrunonblack。Numberswerecaught。
TheKloskingwonthreetimes，andlostthreetimes；butthebetsshewonweredoublebets，andthoseshelostweresingle。
Thencamea_refait，_andthebanksweptoffhalfherstake；butevenhereshewaslucky。Shehadonlyfortypoundson。
By-and-bycametheeventofthenight。Blackhadforsometimeappearedtoruletheroost，andthrustredoffthetable，andtheKloskinglosttwohundredpounds。
TheKloskingputtwohundredpoundsonred:itwon。Shedoubled:redwon。
Shedoubled:therewasadeadsilence。Thecreoleladyputthemaximumonred，threehundredpounds:redwon。InaKloskinglookedalittlepale；
but，drivenbysomeunaccountableimpulse，shedoubled。Sodidthecreole。Redwon。TheautomatachuckedsixteenhundredpoundstotheKlosking，andsixhundredpoundstotheotherlady。Inabetfortypoundsonblack。Redwonagain。Sheputtwohundredpoundsonblack:blackwon。
Shedoubled:blackwonagain。Shedoubled:blackwon。Doubledagain:
blackwon。
Thecreoleandothersstoodwithherinthatlastrun，andthemoneywaschucked。Butthesettlementwasfollowedbyashortwhisper，andacroupier，inavoiceasmechanicalasever，chantedthatthesumsetapartforthattablewasexhaustedforthatday。
TheKloskingandherbackershadbrokenthebank。
CHAPTERIX。
THEREwasabuzzing，andathrongingroundthevictoriousplayer。
Inarose，and，withadelicatemovementofhermilk-whitehand，turnedthemountainofgoldandcolumnofnotestowardAshmead。\"Makehaste，please，\"shewhispered；thenputonherglovesdeliberately，whileAshmeadshovedthegoldandthenotesanyhowintotheinnerpocketsofhisshooting-jacket，andbuttoneditwellup。
_\"Allons，\"_saidshe，calmly，andtookhisarm；but，asshemovedaway，shesawZoeVizardpassingontheothersideofthetable。Theireyesmet:shedroppedAshmead\'sarmandmadeherasweepingcourtesyfullofpoliteconsideration，andasortofcourteousrespectforthepersonsaluted，coupledwithacertaindignity，andthenshelookedwistfullyatheramoment。Ibelieveshewouldhavespokentoherifshehadbeenalone；butMissMaitlandandFannyDoverhad，bothofthem，atrickofputtingon_noli-me-tangere_facesamongstrangers。Itdidnotmeanmuch；
itisanunfortunateEnglishhabit。Butitrepelsforeigners:theyneitherdoitnorunderstandit。
Thosetwofaces，notdownrightforbidding，butuninviting，turnedthescale；andtheKlosking，whowasnotaforwardwoman，didnotyieldtoherinclinationandspeaktoZoe。ShetookAshmead\'sarmagainandmovedaway。
ThenZoeturnedbackandbeckonedVizard。Hejoinedher。\"Theresheis，\"
saidZoe；\"shallIspeaktoher?\"
Wouldyoubelieveit?Hethoughtamoment，andthensaid，gloomily，\"Well，no。Halfcurednow。Seentheloverintime。\"Sothatopportunitywasfritteredaway。
BeforetheEnglishpartylefttheKursaal，Zoeasked，timidly，iftheyoughtnottomakesomeinquiryaboutMr。Severne。Hehadbeentakenillagain。
\"Ay，takenill，andgonetobecuredatanothertable，\"saidVizard，ironically。\"I\'llmakethetour，andcollarhim。\"
Hewentoffinahurry；MissMaitlandfacedaglassandproceededtoarrangehercurl。
Fanny，thoughshehadofferednooppositiontoVizard\'sgoing，nowseizedZoe\'sarmwithunusualenergy，andalmostdraggedheraside。\"TheideaofsendingHarringtononthatfool\'serrand!\"saidshe，peevishly。\"Why，Zoe!whereareyoureyes?\"
Zoeshowedherbyopeningthemwide。\"What_do_youmean?\"
\"What——do——I——mean?Nomatter。Mr。Severneisnotinthisbuilding，andyouknowit。\"
\"HowcanIknow?Allissomysterious，\"falteredZoe。\"Howdo_you_
know?\"
\"Because——there——leastsaidissoonestmended。\"
\"Fanny，youareolderthanme，andeversomuchcleverer。Tellme，oryouarenotmyfriend。\"
\"Waittillyougethome，then。Hereheis。\"
Vizardtoldthemhehadbeenthroughalltherooms；theonlychancenowwasthedining-room。\"No，\"saidFanny，\"wewishtogethome；wearerathertired。\"
Theywenttotherail，andatfirstVizardwasrathertalkative，makinghiscommentsontheplayers；buttheladiesweretaciturn，andbroughthimtoastand。\"Ah，\"thoughthe，\"nothingintereststhemnow；Adonisisnothere。\"Soheretiredwithinhimself。
WhentheyreachedtheRussie，heordereda_petitsouper_inanhour，andinvitedtheladies。Meantimetheyretired——MissMaitlandtoherroom，andFanny，withZoe，tohers。BythistimeMissDoverhadlostheralacrity，andwould，Iverilybelieve，haveshunneda_te\'te-\'a-te\'te_ifshecould；buttherewasaslightpalenessinZoe\'scheek，andacompressionofthelips，whichtoldherplainlythatyoungladymeanttohaveitoutwithher。Theybothknewsowellwhatwascoming，thatZoemerelywavedhertoachairandleanedherselfagainstthebed，andsaid，\"Now，Fanny。\"SoFannywasbroughttobay。
\"Dearme，\"saidshepiteously，\"Idon\'tknowwhattodo，betweenyouandAuntMaitland。IfIsayallIthink，Isupposeyouwillhateme；andifI
don\'t，IshallbetoldI\'mwicked，anddon\'twarnanorphangirl。Sheflewatmelikeabull-dogbeforeyourbrother:shesaidIwastwenty-five，andIonlyowntotwenty-three。And，afterall，whatcouldI
say?forIdofeelIoughttogiveyouthebenefitofmyexperience，andmakemyselfasdisagreeableas_she_does。AndI_have_givenyouahint，andaprettybroadone，butyouwantsuchplainspeaking。\"
\"Ido，\"saidZoe。\"Sopleasespeakplainly，ifyoucan。\"
\"Ah，you_say_that。\"
\"AndImeanit。Nevermindconsequences；tellmethetruth。\"
\"Likeaman，eh?andgethated。\"
\"Menarewellworthimitating，insomethings。Tellmethetruth，pleasantornot，andIshallalwaysrespectyou。\"
\"Botherrespect。Iamliketherestofus；Iwanttobelovedalittlebit。Butthere——I\'minforit。Ihavesaidtoomuch，ortoolittle。I
knowthat。Well，Zoe，thelongandtheshortis——youhavearival。\"
Zoeturnedratherpale，butwasnotsomuchshakenasFannyexpected。
Shereceivedtheblowinsilence。Butafterawhileshesaid，withsomefirmness，\"MademoiselleKlosking?\"
\"Oh，youarenotquiteblind，then。\"
\"Andpraywhichdoesheprefer?\"askedZoe，alittleproudly。
\"Itisplainhelikesyouthebest。Butwhydoeshefearherso?Thisiswhereyouseemallinthedark。Heflewoutoftheopera，lestsheshouldseehim。\"
\"Oh!Absurd!\"
\"HecutyouandVizard，ratherthancalluponherwithyou。\"
\"Andsohedid。\"
\"Heflewfromthegambling-tablethemomentsheenteredtheroom。\"
\"Behindhim。Shecameinbehindhim。\"
\"Therewasalargemirrorinfrontofhim。\"
\"Oh，Fanny!oh!\"andZoeclaspedherhandspiteously。Butsherecoveredherself，andsaid，\"Afterall，appearancesaredeceitful。\"
\"Notsodeceitfulasmen，\"saidFanny，sharply。
ButZoeclungtoherstraw。\"Mightnottwothingshappentogether?Heissubjecttobleedingatthenose。Itisstrangeitshouldoccurtwiceso，butitispossible\"
\"Zoe，\"saidFanny，gravely，\"heisnotsubjecttobleedingatthenose。\"
\"Oh，_then_——buthowcanyouknowthat?Whatrighthaveyoutosaythat?\"
\"I\'llshowyou，\"saidFanny，andlefttheroom。
Shesooncameback，holdingsomethingbehindherback。Evenatthelastmomentshewashalfunwilling。However，shelookeddown，andsaid，inaverypeculiartone，\"Hereisthehandkerchiefheputbeforehisfaceattheopera；there!\"andshethrewitintoZoe\'slap。
Zoe\'snaturerevoltedagainstevidencesoobtained。Shedidnoteventakeupthehandkerchief。\"What!\"shecried；\"youtookitoutofhispocket?\"
\"No。\"
\"Thenyouhavebeeninhisroomandgotit。\"
_\"Nothingofthekind!_IsentRosa。\"
\"Mymaid!\"
\"Mine，forthatjob。Igaveherhalfacrowntoborrowitforapattern。\"
Zoeseizedthehandkerchiefandranhereyeoveritinamoment。Therewasnotraceofbloodonit，andtherewerehisinitials，\"E。S。，\"inthecorner。Herwoman\'seyefastenedinstantlyonthese。\"Silk?\"saidshe，andheldituptothelight。\"No。Hair!——goldenhair。Itis_hers!\"_Andsheflungthehandkerchieffromherasifitwereaviper，andevenwhenonthegroundeyeditwithdilatingorbsandahostilehorror。
\"La!\"saidFanny；\"fancythat!Youarenotblindnow。YouhaveseenmorethanI。Imadesureitwasyellowsilk。\"
ButthisfrivolousspeechneverevenenteredZoe\'sear。Shewastoodeeplyshocked。Shewent，feebly，andsatdowninachair，andcoveredherfacewithherhands。
Fannyeyedherwithpity。\"There!\"saidshe，almostcrying，\"InevertellthetruthbutIbitterlyrepentit。\"
Zoetooknonoticeofthisdrollapothegm。Herhandsbegantowork。\"WhatshallIdo!\"shesaid。\"WhatshallIdo!\"
\"Oh，don\'tgoonlikethat，Zoe!\"criedFanny。\"Afterall，itisyouheprefers。Heranawayfromher。\"
\"Ah，yes。Butwhy?——why?Whathashedone?\"
\"Jiltedher。Isuppose。AuntMaitlandthinksheisaftermoney；and，youknow，youhavegotmoney。\"
\"HaveInothingelse?\"saidtheproudbeauty，andliftedherbowedheadforamoment。
\"Youhaveeverything。Butyoushouldlookthingsintheface。Isthatsingeranunattractivewoman?\"
\"Oh，no。Butsheisnotpoor。Herkindoftalentispaidenormously。\"
\"Thatistrue，\"saidFanny。\"Butperhapsshewastesit。Sheisagambler，likehimself。\"
\"Lethimgotoher，\"saidZoe，wildly；\"Iwillsharenoman\'sheart。\"
\"Hewillnevergotoher，unless——well，unlesswetellhimthatshehasbrokenthebankwithhismoney。\"
\"Ifyouthinksobadlyofhim，tellhim，then，andlethimgo。Oh，Iamwretched——Iamwretched!\"Sheliftedherhandsindespair，andbegantocryandsobbitterly。
Fannywasmeltedatherdistress，andknelttoher，andcriedwithher。
Notbeingagirlofsteadyprinciple，shewentroundwiththewind。\"DearZoe，\"saidshe，\"itisdeeperthanIthought。La!ifyoulovehim，whytormentyourself?\"
\"No，\"saidZoe；\"itisdeceitandmysterythattormentme。Oh，whatshallIdo!whatshallIdo!\"
Fannyinterpretedthisvagueexclamationofsorrowasaskingadvice，andsaid，\"Idarenotadviseyou；IcanonlytellyouwhatIshoulddoinyourplace。IshouldmakeupmymindatoncewhetherIlovedtheman，oronlylikedhim。IfIonlylikedhim，Iwouldturnhimupatonce。\"
\"Turnhimup!Whatisthat?\"
\"Turnhimoff，then。IfIlovedhim，Iwouldnotletanyotherwomanhavetheleastlittlebitofachancetogethim。Forinstance，Iwouldnotlethimknowthisoldsweetheartofhishaswonthreethousandpoundsatleast，forInotedherwinnings。Diamondcutdiamond，mydear。HeisconcealingfromyousomethingorotherabouthimandthisKlosking；hideyouthisonelittlethingabouttheKloskingfromhim，tillyougetmygentlemansafetoEngland。\"
\"Andthisislove!Icallitwarfare。\"
\"Andloveiswarfare，threetimesoutoffour。Anyway，itisforyoutodecide，Zoe。Idowishyouhadneverseentheman。Heisnotwhatheseems。Heisapooradventurer，andabundleofdeceit。\"
\"Youareveryhardonhim。Youdon\'tknowall。\"
\"No，noraquarter；andyouknowless。There，dear，dryyoureyesandfightagainstit。Afterall，youknowyouaremistressofthesituation。
I\'llsettleitforyou，whichwayyoulike。\"
\"Youwill?Oh，Fanny，youareverygood!\"
\"Sayindulgent，please。I\'mnotgood，andneverwillbe，if_Icanpossiblyhelp。_Idespisegoodpeople；theyareasweakaswater。ButI
dolikeyou，ZoeVizard，betterthananyotherwomanintheworld。Thatisnotsayingverymuch；mytasteisformen。Ithinkthemgodsanddevilscomparedwithus；andIdoadmiregodsanddevils。Nomatter，dear。Kissme，andsay，\'Fanny，actforme，\'andI\'lldoit。\"
Zoekissedher，andthen，byatrulyvirginalimpulse，hidherburningfaceinherhands，andsaidnothingatall。
Fannygaveherplentyoftime，andthensaid，kindly，\"Well，dear?\"
ThenZoemurmured，scarceaudibly，\"Act——_asif_——Ilovedhim。\"
Andstillshekeptherfacecoveredwithherhands。Fannywasanythingbutsurprisedatthisconclusionofthestruggle。Shesaid，withacertainalacrity，\"Verywell，Iwill:sonowbatheyoureyesandcomeintosupper。\"
\"No，no；pleasegoandmakeanexcuseforme。\"
\"Ishalldonothingofthekind。Iwon\'tbetoldby-and-byIhavedonewrong。Iwilldoyourbusiness，butitshallbeinyourhearing。Thenyoucaninterfere，ifyouchoose。OnlyyouhadbetternotputyourwordintillyouseewhatIamdrivingat。\"
Withalittlemoreencouragement，Zoewasprevailedontospongehertearfuleyesandcomposeherself，andjoinHarringtonatsupper。
MissMaitlandsoonretired，pleadingfatigueandpacking；andshehadnotbeengonelong，whenFannygaveherfriendaglanceandbeganuponHarrington。
\"YouareveryfondofMr。Severne，areyounot?\"saidshe。
\"Iam，\"saidVizard，stoutly，preparingforbattle。\"Youarenot，perhaps。\"
Fannylaughedatthispromptpugnacity。\"Oh，yes，Iam，\"saidshe；
\"devoted。Buthehasaweakness，youmustown。Heisratherfondofgambling。\"
\"Heis，Iamsorrytosay。Itishisonefault。Mostofushavetwoorthree。\"
\"Don\'tyouthinkitwouldbeapityifheweretorefusetogowithustomorrow——weretoprefertostayhereandgamble?\"
\"Nofearofthat:hehasgivenmehiswordofhonor。\"
\"Still，Ithinkitwouldbehardlysafetotempthim。Ifyougoandtellhimthatfriendofhiswonsuchalotofmoney，hewillwanttostop；andifhedoesnotstop，hewillgoawaymiserable。Youknowtheybeganbettingwithhismoney，thoughtheywentonwiththeirown。\"
\"Oh，didthey?Whatwashisownmoney?\"
\"Howmuchwasit，Zoe?\"
\"Fiftypounds。\"