The game was rouge et noir.  I threw a large sum on the red.  I won, left the stake, doubled, and won again.  The heap of gold had increased to a large size, and still remained to abide the chance of the card.  Again, again, and again, it was doubled.  Seven times had the red card been turned up; and seven times had my gold been doubled.  Talbot, who stood behind me, implored and begged me earnestly to leave off.

“What may be the consequence of one card against you?  Trust no more to fortune; be content with what you have got.”

“That,” muttered I, “Talbot, is of no use; I must have more.”

Again came up the red, to the astonishment of the bystanders; and to their still greater astonishment, my gold, which had increased to an enormous heap, still remained on the table.  Talbot again entreated me not to tempt fortune foolishly.

“Folly,” said I, “Talbot, has already been committed; and one more card will do the business.  It must be done.”

The bankers knowing, after eight red cards had been turned up, how great the chance was of regaining all their losses by a double or quits, agreed to the ninth card.  Talbot trembled like a leaf.  The card was turned; it came up red, and the bank was broke.

Here all play ceased for that night.  The losers, of course, vented their feelings in the most blasphemous execrations; while I quietly collected all my winnings, and returned home in a fiacre, with Talbot, who took the precaution of requesting the attendance of two gens d’armes.  These were each rewarded with a Napoleon.

“Now, Talbot,” said I, “I solemnly swear, as I hope to go to heaven, never to play again.”  And this promise I have most religiously kept.  My good fortune was one instance in ten thousand, among those who have been ruined in that house.  The next morning I refunded all I had drawn upon Eugenia, and all my father had supplied me with, and there still remained a considerable residue.

Determined not to continue in this vortex of dissipation any longer, where my resolution was hourly put to the test, Talbot and myself agreed to travel down to Brest, an arsenal we were both desirous of seeing.

Chapter XXVIII

    Pal.  Thou art a traitor, Arcite, and a fellow
  False as thy title to her.  Friendship, blood,
  And all the ties between us, I disclaim.
    Arc.  You are mad.
    Pal.  I must be,
  Till thou art worthy, Arcite; it concerns me! 
  And, in this madness, if I hazard thee
  And take thy life, I deal but truly.
    Arc.  Fie, Sir!

  Two Noble Kimmen.

We quitted Paris two days after; and a journey of three days, through an uninteresting country, brought us to the little town of Granville, on the sea-coast, in the channel.  We remained at this delightful place some days; and our letters being regularly forwarded to us, brought us intelligence from England.  My father expressed his astonishment at my returning the money drawn for; and trusted, unaccountable as the restitution appeared, that I was not offended, and would consider him my banker, as far as his expenditure and style of living would permit him to advance.