Hermann stopped.  The Countess appeared now to understand what he wanted; she seemed as if seeking for words to reply.

“It was a joke,” she replied at last:  “I assure you it was only a joke.”

“There is no joking about the matter,” replied Hermann angrily.  “Remember Chaplitzky, whom you helped to win.”

The Countess became visibly uneasy.  Her features expressed strong emotion, but they quickly resumed their former immobility.

“Can you not name me these three winning cards?” continued Hermann.

The Countess remained silent; Hermann continued: 

“For whom are you preserving your secret?  For your grandsons?  They are rich enough without it; they do not know the worth of money.  Your cards would be of no use to a spendthrift.  He who cannot preserve his paternal inheritance, will die in want, even though he had a demon at his service.  I am not a man of that sort; I know the value of money.  Your three cards will not be thrown away upon me.  Come!"...

He paused and tremblingly awaited her reply.  The Countess remained silent; Hermann fell upon his knees.

“If your heart has ever known the feeling of love,” said he, “if you remember its rapture, if you have ever smiled at the cry of your new-born child, if any human feeling has ever entered into your breast, I entreat you by the feelings of a wife, a lover, a mother, by all that is most sacred in life, not to reject my prayer.  Reveal to me your secret.  Of what use is it to you?...  May be it is connected with some terrible sin with the loss of eternal salvation, with some bargain with the devil...  Reflect,—­you are old; you have not long to live—­I am ready to take your sins upon my soul.  Only reveal to me your secret.  Remember that the happiness of a man is in your hands, that not only I, but my children, and grandchildren will bless your memory and reverence you as a saint...”

The old Countess answered not a word.

Hermann rose to his feet.

“You old hag!” he exclaimed, grinding his teeth, “then I will make you answer!”

With these words he drew a pistol from his pocket.

At the sight of the pistol, the Countess for the second time exhibited strong emotion.  She shook her head and raised her hands as if to protect herself from the shot... then she fell backwards and remained motionless.

“Come, an end to this childish nonsense!” said Hermann, taking hold of her hand.  “I ask you for the last time:  will you tell me the names of your three cards, or will you not?”

The Countess made no reply.  Hermann perceived that she was dead!

IV