I thanked him, and once more pressed on him the duty of exercising extreme prudence.

As a matter of fact, I had no need of money.  I had played with moderation, and my profits amounted to nearly four hundred louis.  When the luck turned against me I was wise enough to turn my back on the board.  Although the bruise that Mercy had given me was still apparent, I escorted the marchioness to the tables, and there she drew all eyes upon her.  She was fond of piquet, and we played together for small stakes for some time.  In the end she lost twenty crowns to me, and I was forced to take the money for fear of offending her.

When we went back we met Croce and Conti, who had both won—­Conti a score of louis at Faro, and Croce more than a hundred guineas at ‘passe dix’, which he had been playing at a club of Englishmen.  I was more lively at supper than dinner, and excited Charlotte to laughter by my wit.

Henceforth the Poles and the Tomatis only saw me at intervals.  I was in love with the fair marchioness, and everybody said it was very natural.  When a week had elapsed, Croce, finding that the pigeons would not come to be plucked, despite the suppers he gave, went to the public room, and lost continually.  He was as used to loss as to gain, and his spirits were unaltered; he was still gay, still ate well and drank better, and caressed his victim, who had no suspicions of what was going on.

I loved her, but did not dare to reveal my passion, fearing lest it should be unrequited; and I was afraid to tell her of Croce’s losses lest she should put down my action to some ulterior motive; in fine, I was afraid to lose the trust she had already begun to place in me.

At the end of three weeks Conti, who had played with prudence and success, left Croce and set out for Verona with his wife and servant.  A few days later Charlotte dismissed her maid, sending her back to Liege, her native town.

Towards the middle of September all the Polish party left the Spa for Paris, where I promised to rejoin them.  I only stayed for Charlotte’s sake; I foresaw a catastrophe, and I would not abandon her.  Every day Croce lost heavily, and at last he was obliged to sell his jewellery.  Then came Charlotte’s turn; she had to give up her watches, ear-rings, her rings, and all the jewels she had.  He lost everything, but this wonderful girl was as affectionate as ever.  To make a finish he despoiled her of her lace and her best gowns, and then selling his own wardrobe he went to his last fight with fortune, provided with two hundred Louis.  He played like a madman, without common-sense or prudence, and lost all.

His pockets were empty, and seeing me he beckoned to me, and I followed him out of the Spa.