readily assented; but, alas, the twenty thousand francs of which
he made sure was won by his adversary.

Forty thousand francs went in like manner. Olivier, breathless,
utterly prostrate, knew not what to do. All his manoeuvres were
practised in vain; he could give himself none but small cards.
His opponent had his hands full of trumps, and HE dealt them to
him! In his despair he consulted Chauvignac by a look, and the
latter made a sign to him to go on. The wretched young man went
on, and lost again. Bewildered, beside himself, he staked
fabulous sums to try and make up for his losses, and very soon
found, in his turn, that he owed his adversary one hundred
thousand francs(L4166)!

At this point the horrible denouement commenced. The pretended
count stopped, and crossing his arms on his breast, said
sternly--'Monsieur Olivier de ----, you must be very rich to
stake so glibly such enormous sums. Of course you know your
fortune and can square yourself with it; but, however rich you
may be, you ought to know that it is not sufficient to lose a
hundred thousand francs, but that you must pay it. Besides, I
have given you the example. Begin, therefore, by putting down
the sum I have won from you; after which we can go on.' . . .

'Nothing can be more proper, sir,' stammered out young Olivier,
'I am ready to satisfy you; but, after all, you know that . . . .

gaming debts . . . . my word . . . .'

'The d--l! sir,' said the pretended count, giving the table a