“Sir,” he said, “I beg your pardon for the liberty I take.  I have two hundred louis in my pocket and I am dying either to lose them or win more.  Could you not point out to me some respectable place where such things are done?”

At this rather strange speech the young man burst out laughing.

“Upon my word, sir!” answered he, “if you are seeking any such wicked place you have but to follow me, for that is just where I am going.”

Croisilles followed him, and a few steps farther they both entered a house of very attractive appearance, where they were received hospitably by an old gentleman of the highest breeding.

Several young men were already seated round a green cloth.  Croisilles modestly took a place there, and in less than an hour his two hundred louis were gone.

He came out as sad as a lover can be who thinks himself beloved.  He had not enough to dine with, but that did not cause him any anxiety.

“What can I do now,” he asked himself, “to get money?  To whom shall I address myself in this town?  Who will lend me even a hundred louis on this house that I can not sell?”

While he was in this quandary, he met his Jewish broker.  He did not hesitate to address him, and, featherhead as he was, did not fail to tell him the plight he was in.

The Jew did not much want to buy the house; he had come to see it only through curiosity, or, to speak more exactly, for the satisfaction of his own conscience, as a passing dog goes into a kitchen, the door of which stands open, to see if there is anything to steal.  But when he saw Croisilles so despondent, so sad, so bereft of all resources, he could not resist the temptation to put himself to some inconvenience, even, in order to pay for the house.  He therefore offered him about one-fourth of its value.  Croisilles fell upon his neck, called him his friend and saviour, blindly signed a bargain that would have made one’s hair stand on end, and, on the very next day, the possessor of four hundred new louis, he once more turned his steps toward the gambling-house where he had been so politely and speedily ruined the night before.

On his way, he passed by the wharf.  A vessel was about leaving; the wind was gentle, the ocean tranquil.  On all sides, merchants, sailors, officers in uniform were coming and going.  Porters were carrying enormous bales of merchandise.  Passengers and their friends were exchanging farewells, small boats were rowing about in all directions; on every face could be read fear, impatience, or hope; and, amidst all the agitation which surrounded it, the majestic vessel swayed gently to and fro under the wind that swelled her proud sails.