"Yes，miss；andseentoitallhisself:leastways，Ifoundthethingsproperlymuddled。'Twastobeseenamanhadbeenat'em。"
　　Rosaretired，leavingZoe'sfaceapicture。
　　JustthenVizardputhisheadcautiouslyinatthewindow，andsaid，inacomicwhisper，"Isshegone?"
　　"Yes，sheisgone，"criedZoe，"andyouarewantedinherplace。"Sherantomeethim。"Whoorderedafireinmyroom，andmuddledallmythings?"
　　saidshe，severely。
　　"Idid。Whatofthat?"
　　"Oh，nothing。OnlynowIknowwhoismyfriend。Youngpeople，here'salessonforyou。Whenaladyisoutintherain，don'tpreparealectureforher，likeAuntMaitland，butlightherfire，likethisdearoldduckofawoman-hatingimpostor。Kissme!"violently。
　　"There——pest!"
　　"Thatisnotenough，norhalf。There，andthere，andthere，andthere，andthere，andthere。"
　　"Nowlookhere，myyoungfriend，"saidVizard，holdingherlovelyheadbybothears，"youareexcitingyourselfaboutnothing，andthatwillendinoneofyourheadaches。So，justtakeyourcandle，andgotobed，likeagoodlittlegirl。"
　　"MustI?Well，then，Iwill。Goodby，tyrantdear。Oh，howIloveyou!
　　Come，Fanny。"
　　ShegaveherhandshylytoSeverne，andsoontheywerebothinZoe'sroom。
　　Rosawasdismissed，andtheyhadtheirchat；butitwasnearlyallononeside。Fannyhadplentytosay，butdidnotsayit。Shehadnotthehearttocloudthatbeamingfaceagainsosoon；shetemporized:Zoepressedherwithquestionstoo；butsheslurredthings，ZoeaskedherwhyMissMaitlandwassobitteragainstMr。Severne。Fannysaid，inanoff-handway，"Oh，itisonlyonyouraccountsheobjectstohim。"
　　"Andwhatareherobjections?"
　　"Oh，onlygrammaticalones，dear。Shesayshis_antecedents_areobscure，andhis_relatives_unknown，ha!ha!ha!"Fannylaughed，butZoedidnotseethefun。ThenFannystrokedherdown。
　　"Nevermindthatoldwoman。Ishallinterfereproperly，ifIseeyouindanger。Itwasmonstroushermakingan_esclandre_attheverydinner-table，andspoilingyourhappyday。"
　　"Butshehasn't!"criedZoe，eagerly。"'All'swellthatendswell。'Iamhappy——oh，sohappy!Youloveme。Harringtonlovesme。_He_lovesme。
　　Whatmorecananywomanaskforthantobe_ambatabene?"_
　　ThiswasthelastwordbetweenZoeandFannyuponSt。Brooch'sday。
　　AsFannywenttoherownroom，thevigilantMaitlandopenedherdoorthatlookeduponthecorridorandbeckonedherin。"Well，"saidshe，"didyouspeaktoZoe?"
　　"Justawordbeforedinner。Aunt，shecameinwet，totheskin，andinhigherspiritsthanRosaeverknewher。"
　　Auntgroaned。
　　"Andwhatdoyouthink?Herspoileddress，sheorderedittobeironedandputby。_Itisacase。"_
　　Nextdaytheyallmetatalatebreakfast，andgoodhumorwastheorderoftheday。ThisencouragedZoetothrowoutafeeleraboutthegambling-tables。ThenFannysaiditmustbenicetogamble，becauseitwassonaughty。"Inalongexperience，"saidMissDover，withasigh，"I
　　havefoundthatwhateverisniceisnaughty，andwhateverisnaughtyisnice。"
　　"There'sashortcodeofmorals，"observedVizard，"fortheuseofseminaries。NowletushearSeverne；heknowsallthedefensesofgamblinglunacyhasdiscovered。"
　　Severne，thusappealedto，saidplaywaslikeotherthings，badonlywhencarriedtoexcess。"AtHomburg，wheretheplayisfair，whatharmcantherebeindevotingtwoorthreehoursofalongdayto_trenteetquarante?_Theplayexercisesmemory，judgment，_sangfroid，_andothergoodqualitiesofthemind。Aboveall，itisonthesquare。Now，buyingandsellingshareswithoutdelivery，bulling，andbearing，andrigging，andStockExchangespeculationsingeneral，arejustasmuchgambling；
　　butwithcardsallmarked，anddiceloaded，andthefairplayerhasnochance。Theworld，"saidthisyouthfulphilosopher，"istakeninbywords。Thetruthis，thatgamblingwithcardsisfair，andgamblingwithoutcardsaswindle。"
　　"HeishardupontheCity，"saidtheVizard；"butnomatter。Proceed，youngman。Developyourcodeofmoralsfortheamusementofmankind，whiledullerspiritsinflictinstruction。"
　　"Youhavegotmyopinion，"saidSeverne。"Obligeuswithyours。"
　　"No；minewouldnotbepopularjustnow:Ireserveittillwearethere，andcanseethelunaticsatwork。"
　　"Oh，thenwearetogo，"criedFanny。"Oh，bejoyful!"
　　"ThatdependsonMissMaitland。Itisnotinmydepartment。"
　　InstantlyfourbrighteyeswereturnedpiteouslyontheawfulMaitland。
　　"Oh，aunt，"saidZoe，pleadingly，"doyouthinktherewouldbeanygreatharminour——justforonceinaway?"
　　"Mydear，"saidMissMaitland，solemnly，"IcannotsaythatIapproveofpublicgamblingingeneral。ButatHomburgthecompanyisselect。IhaveseenaGermanprince，aRussianprince，andtwoEnglishcountesses，thevery_e'lite_ofLondonsociety，seatedatthesametableintheKursaal。
　　Ithink，therefore，therecanbenoharminyourgoing，undertheconductofolderpersons——myself，forexample，andyourbrother。"
　　"Codethree，"suggestedVizard——"thechaperoniancode。"
　　"Andaverygoodone，too，"saidZoe。"But，aunt，mustwelookon，ormayweplayjustalittle，little?"
　　"Mydear，therecanbenogreatharminplayingalittle，in_goodcompany_——ifyouplaywithyourownmoney。"ShemusthaveonedigatSeverne。
　　"Ishan'tplayverydeep，then，"saidFanny；"forIhavegotnomoneyhardly。"
　　Vizardcametothefront，likeaman。"NomoreshouldI，"saidhe，"butforHerries&Co。Asitis，IamaCroesus，andIshallstandonehundredpounds，whichyouthreeladiesmustdivide；andbetweenyou，nodoubt，youwillbreakthebank。"
　　Acclamationsgreetedthispieceofmisogyny。Whentheyhadsubsided，Severnewascalledontoexplainthegame，andshowtheyoungladieshowtowinafortunewiththirty-threepoundssixshillingsandeightpence。
　　Thetablewaspartlycleared，twopacksofcardssentfor，andtheprofessorlectured。
　　"This，"saidhe，"isthecreamofthegame。Sixpacksareproperlyshuffled，andproperlycut；theplayersputtheirmoneyonblackorred，whichisthemainevent，andissettledthus:Thedealerdealsthecardsintworows。Hedealsthe_first_rowforblack，andstopsthemomentthecardspassthirty。Thatdealdetermineshownear_noir_cangettothirty-one。"
　　Severnethendealtfor_noir，_andthecardscameasfollows:
　　Queenofhearts——fourofclubs——tenofspades——nineofdiamonds:total，thirty-three。"
　　Hethendealtforred:
　　Knaveofclubs——aceofdiamonds——twoofspades——kingofspades——nineofhearts:total，thirty-two。
　　"Redwins，becausethecardsdealtforredcomenearerthirty-one。
　　Besidesthat，"saidhe，"youcanbetonthecolor，oragainstit。Theactualcolorofthefirstcardtheplayerturnsupontheblacklinemustbeblackorred。Whicheverhappenstobeitiscalled'thecolor。'Sayitisred；then，iftheblacklineofcardswins，colorloses。Now，Iwilldealagainforbothevents。
　　"Idealfor_noir。"_
　　"Nineofdiamonds。Red，then，istheactualcolorturnedupontheblackline。Doyoubetforit，oragainstit?"
　　"Ibetforit，"criedZoe。"It'smyfavoritecolor。"
　　"Andwhatdoyousayonthemainevent?"
　　"Oh，redonthattoo。"
　　"Verygood。Igoondealingfor_noir。_Queenofdiamonds，threeofspades，knaveofhearts——nineofspades:thirty-two。Thatlooksuglyforyourtwoevents，blackcomingsonearasthirty-two。Nowforred。Fourofhearts，knaveofspades，sevenofdiamonds，queenofclubs——thirty-one，byJove!_Rougegagne，etcouleur。_Thereisnothinglikecourage。Youhavewonbothevents。"
　　"Oh，whatanicegame!"criedZoe。
　　Hethencontinuedtodeal，andtheyallbetonthemaineventandthecolor，stakingfabuloussums，tillatlastbothnumberscameupthirty-one。
　　ThereuponSeverneinformedthemthathalfthestakesbelongedtohim。
　　Thatwasthetriflingadvantageaccordedtothebank。
　　"Whichtriflingadvantage，"saidVizard，"hasenrichedtheman-eatingcompany，andtheirprince，andbuilttheKursaal，andwillcleanyouallout，ifyouplaylongenough。"
　　"That，"saidSeverne，"Ideny。Itismorethanbalancedbytherighttheplayershaveofdoubling，tilltheygain，andbythematurityofthechances:Iwillexplainthistotheladies。Youseeexperienceprovesthatneitherrednorblackcancomeupmorethanninetimesrunning。
　　When，therefore，eithercolorhascomeupfourtimes，youcanputamoderatestakeontheothercolor，anddoubleonittillit_must_come，bythelawsofnature。Sayredhasturnedfourtimes。Youputanapoleononblack；redgains。Youloseanapoleon。Youdon'tremoveit，butdoubleonit。Thechancesarenowfivetooneyougain:butifyoulose，youdoubleonthesame，and，whenyouhavegottosixteennapoleons，thecolormustchange；uniformityhasreacheditsphysicallimit。Thatiscalledthematurityofthechances。Beginasunluckilyaspossiblewithfivefrancs，andlose。Ifyouhavetodoubleeighttimesbeforeyouwin，itonlycomestotwelvehundredandeightyfrancs。Given，therefore，amantowhomfiftynapoleonsarenomorethanfivefrancstous，hecanneverloseifhedoubles，likeaTrojan，tillthechancesaremature。
　　Thisiscalled'theMartingale:'but，observe，itonlysecuresagainstloss。Heavygainsaremadebydoublingjudiciouslyonthe_winning_
　　color，orbysimplybettingonshortrunsofit。Whenredcomesup，backred，anddoubletwiceonit。Thusyouprofitbytheremarkableandobservedfactthatcolorsdonot，asarule，alternate，butreachultimateequalitybyavoidingalternation，andmakingshortruns，withoccasionallongruns；thelatterarerare，andmustbewatchedwithaviewtothebalancingrunoftheothercolor。Thisismysystem。"
　　"Andyoureallythinkyouhaveinventedit?"askedVizard。
　　"Iamnotsoconceited。Mysystemwascommunicatedtome，intheKursaalitself——byanoldgentleman。"
　　_"An_oldgentleman，or_the_——?"
　　"Oh，Harrington，"criedZoe，"fie!"
　　"Mywitisappreciatedatitsvalue。Proceed，Ned。"
　　Severnetoldhim，alittledefiantly，itwasanoldgentleman，withanoblehead，asilverybeard，andthemostbenevolentcountenanceheeversaw。
　　"Curiousplaceforhisreverencetobein，"hazardedVizard。
　　"Hesawmebetting，firstontheblack，thenonthered，tillIwascleanedout，andthenhebeckonedme。"
　　"Notamanofprematureadviceanyway。"
　　"Hetoldmehehadobservedmyplay。Ihadbeenrelyingonthealternationsofthecolors，whichalternationchancepersistentlyavoids，andarrivesatequalitybyruns。Hethengavemeabettersystem。"
　　"And，havingexpoundedhissystem，heillustratedit?Tellthetruthnow；
　　hesatdownandlostthecoatoffhisback?Itfollowedhisfamilyacres。"
　　"Youarequitewrongagain。Heneverplays。Hehasheart-disease，andhisphysicianhasforbiddenhimallexcitement。"
　　"Hisnation?"
　　"Humph!French。"
　　"Ah!thenationthatproduced_'Lephilosophesanslesavoir。'_Andnowithasadded，_'Lephilosophesanslevouloir，'_andyouhavestumbledonhim。Whatalifeforanagedman!_Fortunatusillesenexquiludicolavivit。_Tantalushandcuffedandgloweringoveragambling-table；ahellinahell。"
　　"Oh，Harrington!——"
　　"Exclamationsnotallowedinsoberargument，Zoe。"
　　"Come，Ned，itisnotheart-disease，itispursedisease。Justdomeafavor。Herearefivesovereigns；givethosetotheoldbeggar，andlethimriskthem。"
　　"Icouldhardlytakesuchalibertywithanoldgentlemanofhisageandappearance——amanofhonortoo，andhighsentiments。Why，I'dbetseventofourheisoneofNapoleon'soldsoldiers。"
　　TheladiessidedunanimouslywithSeverne。"What!offera_vieuxdel'Empire_fivepounds?Oh，fie!"
　　"Fiddle-dee-dee!"saidtheindomitableVizard。"Besides，hewilldoitwithhisusualgrace。HewillapproachthesonofMarswiththatfeignedhumilitywhichsitssowellonyouth，andaskhim，asapersonalfavor，toinvestfivepoundsforhimat_rouge-et-noir。_Theoldsoldierwillstiffenintodoubledignityatfirst，thengivehimalowwink，andendbysittingdownandgambling。Hewillbecautiousatstarting，asonewhoopenstrenchesforthesiegeofMammon；butsoontheveteranwillgetheated，andgivebattle；hewillfancyhimselfatJena，sincethecroupiersarePrussians。Ifheloses，youcuthimdead，beingahumdrumEnglishman；andifhewins，hecutsyou，andpocketsthecash，beingaFrenchmanthattalkssentiment。"
　　Thissallyprovokedalaugh，inwhichSevernejoined，andsaid，"Really，foralandedproprietor，youknowathingortwo。"Heconsentedatlast，withsomereluctance，totakethemoney；andnoneofthepersonspresentdoubtedthathewouldexecutethecommissionwithagraceanddelicacyallhisown。Nevertheless，torunforwardalittlewiththenarrative，I
　　musttellyouthatheneverdidhandthatfivepoundtothevenerablesire；alittlethingpreventedhim——theoldmanwasn'tbornyet。
　　"Andnow，"saidVizard，"itisourlastdayinHomburg。Youareallgoingtogratifyyourmania——lunacyiscontagious。SupposeIgratifymine。"
　　"Dodear，"saidZoe；"andwhatisit?"
　　"Ilikeyouraskingthat；whenitwaspubliclyannouncedlastnight，andIfleddiscomfitedtomybalcony，and，inmyconfusion，lightedacigar。
　　Mymaniais——theKlosking。"
　　"Thatisnotamania；itisgoodtaste。Sheisadmirable。"
　　"Yes，inanopera；butIwanttoknowhowshelooksandtalksinaroom；
　　andthatisinsaneofme。"
　　"Thensoyou_shall，_insaneornot。Iwillcallonherthismorning，andtakeyouinmyhand。"
　　"Whatanamplepalm!andwhatjuvenileaudacity!Zoe，youtakemybreathaway。"
　　"Noaudacityatall。Iamsureofmywelcome。HowoftenmustItellyouthatwehavemesmerizedeachother，thatladyandI，andonlywaitinganopportunitytorushintoeachother'sarms。Itbeganwithhersinglingmeoutattheopera。ButIdaresaythatwasowing，_atfirst，_onlytomybeinginfulldress。
　　"No，no；toyourbeing，likeAgamemnon，aheadtallerthanalltheotherGreeks。"
　　"Harrington!IamnotaGreek。IamathoroughEnglishgirlatheart，thoughIamasblackasacoal。"
　　"Noapologyneededinourpresentframe。Youareallthemoreliketheaceofspades。"
　　"DoyouwantmetotakeyoutotheKlosking，sir?Thenyouhadbetternotmakefunofme。Itellyoushesungto_me，_andsmiledon_me，_andcourtesiedto_me；_and，nowyouhaveputitintomyhead，Imeantocalluponher，andIwilltakeyouwithme。WhatIshalldo，Ishallsendinmycard。Ishallbeadmitted，andyouwillwaitoutside。Assoonassheseesme，shewillruntomewithbothhandsout，andsay，inexcellent_French，_Ihope，_'How，_mademoiselle!youhavedeignedtorememberme，andtohonormewithavisit。'ThenIshallsay，inschool-French，'Yes，madame；excusetheintrusion，butIwassocharmedwithyourperformance。
　　WeleaveHomburgto-morrow，andas，unfortunatelyformyself，Icannothavethepleasureofseeingyouagainuponthestage——'thenIshallstop，forhertointerruptme。Thenshewillinterruptme，andsaycharmingthings，asonlyforeignerscan；andthenIshallsay，stillinschool-French，'Madame，Iamnotalone。Ihavemybrotherwithme。Headoresmusic，andwasasfascinatedwithyourSiebelasmyself。MayI
　　presenthim?'Thenshewillsay，'Oh，yes，byallmeans；'andIshallintroduceyou。Thenyoucanmakelovetoher。Thatwillbedroll。Fanny，I'lltellyoueverywordhesays。"
　　"Makelovetoher!"criedVizard。"Isthisyourestimateofabrother'smotives。Myobjectinvisitingthisladyis，nottofeedmymania，buttocureit。Ihaveseenheronthestage，lookingliketheincarnationofapoet'sdream。Iam_extasie'_withher。Nowletmecatchher_ende'shabille，_withherporterononeside，andherloverontheother:
　　andsotoDevonshire，relievedofafatalillusion。"
　　"Ifthatisyourview，I'llgobymyself；forIknowsheisanoblewoman，andasmuchaladyoffthestageasonit。MyonlyfearisshewilltalkthatdreadfulgutturalGerman，withits'oches'andits'aches，'andthenwhereshallweallbe?WemustaskMr。Severnetogowithus。"
　　"Agoodidea。No——avileone。Heisabominablyhandsome，andhasthegiftofthegab——inGerman，andotherlanguages。Heissuretocutmeout，thevillain!Lookhimup，somebody，tillwecomeback。"
　　"Now，Harrington，don'tbeabsurd。Hemust，andshall，beoftheparty。I
　　havemyreasons。Mr。Severne，"saidshe，turningonhimwithablushandadivinesmile，"youwillobligeme，Iamsure。"
　　Severne'sfaceturnedasblankasadoll's，andhesaidnothing，onewayorother。
　　ItwassettledthattheyshouldallmeetattheKursaalatfour，todineandplay。ButZoeandherpartywouldgoonaheadbytheone-o'clocktrain；andsosheretiredtoputonherbonnet——atechnicalexpression，whichimpliesagooddeal。
　　Fannywentwithher，and，aseventsmoreexcitingthantheusualroutineoftheiryoungliveswereahead，theirtongueswentararepace。Buttheonlythingworthpresentingtothereadercameattheend，afterthesaidbusinessofthetoilethadbeendispatched。
　　Zoesaid，"Imustgonow，orIshallkeepthemwaiting。"
　　"Onlyone，dear，"saidFannydryly。
　　"Whyonlyone?"
　　"Mr。Severnewillnotgo。"
　　"Thathewill:Imadeapointofit。"
　　"Youdid，dear?butstillhewillnotgo。"
　　Therewassomethinginthis，andinFanny'stone，thatstartledZoe，andpuzzledhersorely。Sheturnedrounduponherwithflashingeye，andsaid，"Nomysteries，please，dear。Whywon'thegowithmewhereverIaskhimtogo?or，rather，whatmakesyouthinkhewon't?"
　　SaidFanny，thoughtfully:"Icouldnottellyou，allinamoment，whyI
　　feelsopositive。Oneputslittlethingstogetherthatarenothingapart:
　　oneobservesfaces；Ido，atleast。Youdon'tseem，tome，tobesoquickatthatasmostgirls。But，Zoedear，youknowverywelloneoftenknowsathingforcertain，yetonedoesn'tknowexactlywhatmakesoneknowit。"
　　NowZoe's_amourpropre_waswoundedbyFanny'ssuggestionthatSevernewouldnotgotoHomburg，or，indeed，totheworld'sendwithher；soshedrewherselfupinhergrandway，andfoldedherarmsandsaid，alittlehaughtily，"Thentellmewhatisityouknowabout_him_andme，withoutknowinghowonearthyouknowit。"
　　ThesupercilioustoneandgrandmannernettledFanny，anditwasn't"broochday；"shestooduptoherloftycousinlikealittlegame-cock。
　　"Iknowthis，"saidshe，withheightenedcheek，andflashingeyesandavoiceofsteel，"youwillnevergetMr。EdwardSeverneintooneroomwithZoeVizardandInaKlosking。"
　　ZoeVizardturnedverypale，buthereyesflasheddefianceonherfriend。
　　"ThatI'llknow!"saidshe，inadeepvoice，withalittlegasp，butaworldofprideandresolution。
　　CHAPTERVII。
　　THEladieswentdowntogether，andfoundVizardready。Mr。Severnewasnotintheroom。Zoeinquiredafterhim。
　　"Gonetogetasun-shade，"saidVizard。
　　"There!"saidZoetoFanny，inatriumphantwhisper。"Whatisthatforbuttogowithus?"
　　Fannymadenoreply。
　　TheywaitedsometimeforSeverneandhissun-shade。
　　AtlastVizardlookedathiswatch，andsaidtheyhadonlyfiveminutestospare。"Comedown，andlookafterhim。He_must_besomewhereabout。"
　　TheywentdownandlookedforhimalloverthePlatz。Hewasnottobeseen。AtlastVizardtookouthiswatch，andsaid，"Itissomemisunderstanding:wecan'twaitanylonger。"
　　SoheandZoewenttothetrain。NeithersaidmuchonthewaytoHomburg；
　　fortheywerebothbrooding。Vizard'sgoodsenseandrightfeelingwerebeginningtostinghimalittleforcallingontheKloskingatall，andagreatdealforusingtheenthusiasmofaninexperiencedgirltoobtainanintroductiontoapublicsinger。Hesatmoodyinhiscorner，takinghimselftotask。Zoe'sthoughtsraninquiteanotherchannel；butshewasnoeasierinhermind。ItreallyseemedasifSevernehadgivenhertheslip。Probablyhewouldexplainhisconduct；but，then，thatFannyshouldforetellhewouldavoidhercompany，ratherthancallonMademoiselleKlosking，andthatFannyshouldberight——thismadethethingserious，andgalledZoetothequick:shewasangrywithFannyforprophesyingtruly；shewasratherangrywithSevernefornotcoming，andmoreangrywithhimformakinggoodFanny'sprediction。
　　ZoeVizardwasagoodgirlandagenerousgirl，butshewasnotahumblegirl:shehadagreatdealofpride，andhershareofvanity，andherebothweregalled。Besidesthat，itseemedtohermoststrangeanddishearteningthatFanny，whodidnotloveSeverne，shouldbeabletoforetellhisconductbetterthanshe，whodidlovehim:suchforesightlookedlikegreaterinsight。Allthishumiliatedandalsopuzzledherstrangely；andsoshesatbroodingasdeeplyasherbrother。
　　AsforVizard，bythetimetheygottoHomburghehadmadeuphismind。
　　Astheygotoutofthetrain，hesaid，"Lookhere，Iamashamedofmyself。Ihavearighttoplaythefoolalone；butIhavenobusinesstodragmysisterintoit。Wewillgosomewhereelse。Therearelotsofthingstosee。IgiveuptheKlosking。"
　　Zoestaredathimamoment，andthenanswered，withcolddecision，"No，dear；youmustallowmetocallonher，nowIamhere。Shewon'tbite_me。"_
　　"Well，butitisastrangethingtodo。"
　　"Whatdoesthatmatter?Weareabroad。"
　　"Come，Zoe，Iammuchobligedtoyou；butgiveitup。"
　　"No，dear。"
　　Harringtonsmiledatherprettyperemptoriness，andmisunderstoodit。
　　"Thisiscarryingsisterlylovealongway，"saidhe。"Imusttryandrisetoyourlevel。Iwon'tgowithyou。"
　　"ThenIshallgoalone。"
　　"WhatifIforbidyou，miss?"
　　Shetappedhimonthecheekwithherfingers。"Don'taffectthetyrant，dear；youcan'tmanageit。Fannysaidsomethingthathasmortifiedme。I
　　shallgo。Youcandoasyoulike。But，stop；wheredoesshelive?"
　　"SupposeIdeclinetotellyou?Iamseizedwithavirtuousfit——aregularparoxysm。"
　　"ThenIshallgototheoperaandinquire，dear。But"coaxingly"youwilltellme，dear。"
　　"There，"saidHarrington，"youwicked，temptinggirl，myshamvirtuehasoozedaway，andmyrealmaniatriumphs。Shelivesat'TheGoldenStar。'I
　　wasweakenoughtosendHarrisinlastnighttolearn。"Zoesmiled。
　　Hehailedaconveyance；andtheystartedatoncefor"TheGoldenStar。"
　　"Zoe，"saidHarringtongravely，"somethingtellsmeIamgoingtomeetmyfate。"
　　"Allthebetter，"saidZoe。"Iwishyoutomeetyourfate。Myloveformybrotherisnotselfish。Iamsuresheisagoodwoman。PerhapsImayfindoutsomething。"
　　"Aboutwhat?"
　　"Oh，nevermind。"
　　CHAPTERVIII。
　　ALLthistimeInaKloskingwasrehearsingatthetheater，quiteunconsciousoftheimpendingvisit。Aroyalpersonagehadcommanded"IlBarbiere，"thepartofRosinatoberestoredtotheoriginalkey。Itwaswrittenforacontralto，buttransposedbytheinfluenceofGrisi。
　　Havingnoperformancethatnight，theybegantorehearseratherlaterthanusual，anddidnotleaveofftillaquartertofouro'clock。Ina，whosufferedagooddealatrehearsalsfromtheinaccuracyandapathyofthepeople，wenthomefagged，andwithherthroatparched——sodoesabadrehearsalaffectallgoodandearnestartists。
　　Sheorderedacutlet，withpotatochips，andlaydownonthesofa。Whileshewasreposing，cameJosephAshmead，tocheerher，withgoodphotographsofher，takenthedaybefore。Shesmiledgratefullyathiszeal。HealsoremindedherthathehadorderstotakehertotheKursaal:
　　hesaidthetableswouldbewellfilledfromfiveo'clocktillquitelate，therebeingnootherentertainmentonfootthatevening。
　　Inathankedhim，andsaidshewouldnotmissgoingonanyaccount；butshewasratherfatiguedandfaint。
　　"Oh，I'llwaitforyouaslongasyoulike，"saidAshmead，kindly。
　　"No，mygoodcomrade，"saidIna。"Iwillaskyoutogotothemanagerandgetmealittlemoney，andthentotheKursaalandsecuremeaplaceatthetableinthelargestroom。ThereIwilljoinyou。If_he_isnotthere——andIamnotsomadastothinkhewillbethere——Ishallriskafewpiecesmyself，tobenearerhiminmind。"
　　ThisamazedAshmead；itwassounlikeher。"Youarejoking，"saidhe。
　　"Why，ifyoulosefivenapoleonsatplay，itwillbeyourdeath；youwillgrizzleso。"
　　"Yes；butIshallnotlose。Iamtoounluckyinlovetoloseatcards。I
　　meantoplaythisafternoon；andneveragaininallmylife。Sir，Iamresolved。"
　　"Oh，ifyouareresolved，thereisnomoretobesaid。Iwon'trunmyheadagainstabrickwall。"
　　Ina，beinghalfaforeigner，thoughtthisratherbrusk。Shelookedathimaskant，andsaid，quietly，"Others，besidesme，canbestubborn，andgettheirownway，whilespeakingthelanguageofsubmission。NotIinventedvolition。"
　　Withthisfleainhisear，thefaithfulJosephwentoff，chuckling，andobtainedanadvancefromthemanager，andthenproceededtotheprincipalgaming-table，and，afterwaitingsometime，securedachair，whichhekeptforhischief。
　　Anhourwentby；anhourandahalf。Hewasobliged，forveryshame，tobet。Thishedid，fivefrancsatatime；andhisriskwassosmall，andhislucksoeven，thatbydegreeshewasdrawnintoconversationwithhisneighbor，ayoungswell，whowaswatchingtherunofthecolors，andbettinginsilver，andprickingacard，preparatorytogoinginforagreat_coup。_MeantimehefavoredMr。Ashmeadwithhistheoryofchances，andAshmeadlistenedverypolitelytoeveryword；becausehewasratherproudoftheother'snotice:hewassohandsome，welldressed，andwellspoken。
　　MeantimeInaKloskingsnatchedafewminutes'sleep，asmostartistscanintheafternoon，andwasawakenedbytheservantbringinginherfrugalrepast，acutletandapintofBordeaux。
　　Onherplatehebroughtheralargecard，onwhichwasprinted"MissZoeVizard。"Thisledtoinquiries，andhetoldheraladyofsuperlativebeautyhadcalledandleftthatcard。Inaaskedforadescription。
　　"Ah，madame，"saidKarl，"donotexpectdetailsfromme。Iwastoodazzled，andstruckbylightning，tomakeaninventoryofhercharms。"
　　"Atleastyoucantellmewasshedarkorfair。"
　　"Madame，shewasdarkasnight；butgloriousasthesun。HerearthlyabodeistheRussie，atFrankfort；blesthotel!"
　　"Didshetellyouso?"
　　"Indirectly。ShewroteonthecardwiththesmallestpencilIhavehithertowitnessed:thelettersarefaint，thepencilbeinginferiortothecase，whichwasgolden。Nevertheless，asoneisnaturallycurioustolearnwhenceabrightvisionhasemerged，Ipermittedmyselftodecipher。"
　　"Yourcuriositywasnatural，"saidIna，dryly。"Iwilldetainyouwithnomorequestions。"
　　Sheputthecardcarefullyaway，andeathermodestrepast。Thenshemadeherafternoontoilet，andwalked，slowlyandpensively，totheKursaal。
　　Nothingtherewasnewtoher，excepttobegoingtothetablewithoutthemanonwhomitwashermisfortunetohavewastedherheartofgold。
　　Ithink，therefore，itwouldbebetterformetoentertheplaceincompanywithournovices；and，indeed，wemust，orweshallderangethetrueorderoftimeandsequenceofincidents；for，pleaseobserve，alltheEnglishladiesofourstorymetattheKursaalwhileInawasreposingonhersofa。
　　Thefirst-comerswereZoeandHarrington。Theyenteredthenoblehall，inscribedtheirnames，and，bythatsimpleceremony，weremembersofaclub，comparedwithwhichthegreatestclubsinLondonarepettythings:
　　aclubwithspaciousdining-rooms，ball-rooms，concert-rooms，gambling-rooms，theater，anddeliciousgardens。Thebuilding，thatcombinedsomanyrichtreats，wascolossalinsize，andgloriouswithrichcolorsandgoldlaidonwithOrientalprofusion，andsometimeswithOrientaltaste。
　　Harringtontookhissisterthroughthedrawing-roomsfirst；andsheadmiredtheunusualloftinessoftherooms，theblazeofwhiteandgold，andof_ce'ladon_andgold，andthegreatRussianlusters，andthemightymirrors。Butwhentheygottothedining-roomshewasenchanted。Thatloftyandmagnificent_salon，_withitsdaringmixtureofredandblack，andgreenandblue，allmeltedintoharmonybytheriversofgoldthatranboldlyamongthem，wenttoherveryheart。AGreekishalfanOriental；andZoehadwhatmaybecalledthecourageofcolor。
　　"Glorious!"shecried，andclaspedherhands。"Andsee!whatabackgroundtotheemeraldgrassoutsideandtherubyflowers。Theyseemtocomeintotheroomthroughthosemonsterwindows。"
　　"Splendid!"saidHarrington，towhomallthiswasliterallyGreek。"I'msoexcited，I'llorderdinner。"
　　"Dinner!"saidZoe，disdainfully；andsatdownandeyedtheMoresquewallsaroundher，andthebeautiesofnatureoutside，andbroughtthemtogetherinonepicture。
　　HarringtonwasalongtimeinconclavewithM。Chevet。ThenZoebecameimpatient。
　　"Oh，doleaveofforderingdinner，"saidshe，"andtakemeouttothatotherparadise。"
　　TheChevetshruggedhisshoulderswithpity。Vizardshruggedhistoo，tosoothehim；and，afterafewmorehurriedwords，tooktheloverofcolorintothegarden。Itwasdelicious，withgreenslopes，andrichfoliage，andflowers，andenlivenedbybrightsilkdresses，sparklingfitfullyamongthegreenleaves，orflamingoutboldlyinthesun；and，asluckwouldhaveit，beforeZoehadtakentenstepsuponthegreensward，thebandoffiftymusiciansstruckup，andplayedasfiftymenrarelyplaytogetheroutofGermany。
　　Zoewasenchanted。Shewalkedonair，andbeamedasbrightasanyflowerintheplace。
　　Afterherfirstejaculationatthesuddenmusic，shedidnotspeakforagoodwhile；hercontentwassogreat。Atlastshesaid，"Anddotheyleavethisparadisetogambleinaroom?"
　　"Leaveit?Theyshunit。Thegamblersdespisetheflowers。"
　　"Howperversepeopleare!Excitement!Whowantsanymorethanthis?"
　　"Zoe，"saidVizard，"innocentexcitementcannevercompetewithvicious。"
　　"What，isitreallywickedtoplay?"
　　"Idon'tknowaboutwicked；yougirlsalwaysruntothebiggestword。
　　But，ifavariceisavice，gamblingcannotbevirtuous；fortherootofgamblingismereavarice，weakavarice。Come，myyoungfriend，_aswe'requitealone，_I'lldropThersites，andtalksensetoyou，foronce。
　　Child，therearetworoadstowealth；oneisbythewayofindustry，skill，vigilance，andself-denial；andthesearevirtues，thoughsometimestheygowithtricksoftrade，hardnessofheart，andtakingadvantageofmisfortune，tobuycheapandselldear。Theotherroadtowealthisbyboldspeculation，withriskofproportionateloss；inshort，bygamblingwithcards，orwithoutthem。Now，lookintothemindofthegambler——hewantstomakemoney，contrarytonature，andunjustly。Hewantstoberewardedwithoutmerit，tomakeafortuneinamoment，andwithoutindustry，vigilance，trueskill，orself-denial。'
　　Apennysavedisapennygained'doesnotenterhiscreed。Stripthethingofitsdisguise，itisavarice，sordidavarice；andIcallitweakavarice，becausethegamblerreliesonchancealone，yetacceptsunevenchances，andhopesthatFortunewillbeasmuchinlovewithhimasheiswithhimself。Whatsillyegotism!YouadmiretheKursaal，andyouareright；
　　thendojustaskyourselfwhyistherenothingtopayforsomanyexpensiveenjoyments:andverylittletopayforconcertsandballs；lowpricesattheopera，whichneverpaysitsownexpenses；evenChevet'sdinnersarereasonable，ifyouavoidhisshamJohannisberg。Allthesecheapdelights，thegold，thecolors，thegarden，themusic，thelights，arepaidforbythelossesoffeeble-mindedAvarice。But，there——IsaidallthistoNedSeverne，andImightaswellhavepreachedsensetothewind。"
　　"Harrington，Iwillnotplay。Iammuchhappierwalkingwithmygoodbrother——"
　　"Fautedemieux。"
　　Zoeblushed，butwouldnothear——"Anditissogoodofyoutomakeafriendofme，andtalksense。Oh!see——aladywithtwoblues!Comeandlookather。"
　　Beforetheyhadtakenfivesteps，Zoestoppedshortandsaid，"ItisFannyDover，Ideclare。Shehasnotseenusyet。Sheisshort-sighted。
　　Comehere。"Andtheimpetuousmaiddraggedhimoffbehindatuftoffoliage。
　　Whenshehadgothimthereshesaidhotlythatitwastoobad。
　　"Oh，isit?"saidhe，verycalmly。"What?"
　　"Why，don'tyouseewhatshehasdone?You，sosensible，tobesoslowaboutwomen'sways；andyouarealwayspretendingtoknowthem。Why，shehasgoneandboughtthatcostumewiththemoneyyougavehertoplaywith。"
　　"Sensiblegirl!"
　　"Dishonestgirl，_I_callher。"
　　"Thereyougotoyourbigwords。No，no。Alittlemoneywasgivenherforabadpurpose。Shehasuseditforafrivolousone。Thatis'astepintherightdirection'——jargonoftheday。"
　　"Buttoreceivemoneyforonepurpose，andapplyittoanother，is——whatdoyoucallit——_chose?——de'tournementdesfonds_——whatistheEnglishword?I'vebeenabroadtillI'veforgottenEnglish。Oh，I
　　know——embezzlement。"
　　"Well，thatisabigwordforasmalltransaction；youhavenotduginthemineofthevernacularfornothing。"
　　"Harrington，ifyoudon'tmind，Ido；sopleasecome。I'lltalktoher。"
　　"Stopamoment，"saidVizard，verygravely。"Youwillnotsayonewordtoher。"
　　"Andwhynot，pray?"
　　"Becauseitwouldbeunworthyofus，andcrueltoher；barbarouslycruel。
　　What!callhertoaccountbeforethatoldwomanandme?"
　　"Whynot?Sheisflauntingherbluesbeforeyoutwo，andplentymore。"
　　"Femininelogic，Zoe。Thepointisthis——sheispoor。Youmustknowthat。
　　Thiscomesofpovertyandloveofdress；notofdishonestyandloveofdress；andjustaskyourself，isthereacreaturethatoughttobepitiedmoreandhandledmoredelicatelythana_poorlady?_Why，youwouldmakeherwrithewithshameanddistress!Well，Idothinkthereisnotasinglewildanimalsocrueltoanotherwildanimalasawomanistoawoman。Youarecrueltooneanotherbyinstinct。ButIappealtoyourreason——ifyouhaveany。"
　　Zoe'seyesfilled。"Youareright，"saidshe，humbly。"Thankyouforthinkingforme。Iwillnotsayawordtoherbefore_you。"_
　　"Thatisagoodgirl。But，comenow，whysayawordatall?"
　　"Oh，itisnouseyourdemandingimpossibilities，dear。IcouldnomorehelpspeakingtoherthanIcouldfly；anddon'tgofancyingshewillcareapinwhatIsay，ifIdon'tsayitbefore_agentleman。"_
　　Havinggivenhimthispieceofinformation，sheleftherambush，andproceededtomeettheall-unconsciousbluegirl；but，evenastheywent，Vizardreturnedtohisnormalcondition，anddoledout，ratherindolently，thattheywereoutonpleasure，andmightpossiblymisstheobjectoftheexcursioniftheyweretoencourageahabitofgettingintoragesaboutnothing。
　　Zoewasbetterthanherword。ShemetFannywithopenadmiration:tobesure，sheknewthatapathy，oreventranquillity，onfirstmeetingtheblues，wouldbeinstantlysetdowntoenvy。
　　"Andwheredidyougetit，dear?"
　　"Atquiteasmallshop。"
　　"French?"
　　"Oh，no；IthinkshewasanAustrian。ThisisnotaFrenchmixture:loud，discordantcolors，thatistheFrenchtaste。"
　　"Hereisheresy，"saidVizard。"Why，IthoughttheFrenchbeattheworldindress。"
　　"Yes，dear，"saidZoe，"informandpattern。ButFannyisright；theymakemistakesincolor。Theyareterriblyafraidofscarlet；buttheyareafraidofnothingelse:andmanyoftheirmixturesareasdiscordanttotheeyeasWagner'smusictotheear。Now，afterall，scarletisthekingofcolors；andthereisnoharminKingScarlet，ifyoutreathimwithrespectandputamodestsubjectnexttohim。"
　　"Gypsylocks，forinstance，"suggestedFanny，slyly。
　　MissMaitlandownedherselfpuzzled。"Inmyday，"saidshe，"nooneeverthoughtofputtingblueuponblue；butreally，somehow，itlookswell。"
　　"MayItellyouwhy，aunt?——becausethedress-makerhadarealeye，andhaschosentherighttintsofblue。Itisallnonsenseaboutonecolornotgoingwithanother。Naturedefiesthat；andhow?bychoosingtheverytintsofeachcolorthatwillgotogether。ThesweetestroomIeversawwaspaintedbyagreatartist；and，doyouknow，hehadcoloredtheceilingblueandthewallsgreen:andIassureyoutheeffectwasheavenly:but，then，hehadchosentheexacttintsofgreenandbluethatwouldgotogether。Thedraperieswerebetweencrimsonandmaroon。Butthere'sanotherthinginFanny'sdress；itisvelvet。Now，bluevelvetisbluetothemind；butitisnotbluetotheeye。Youtryandpaintbluevelvet；youwillbesurprisedhowmuchwhiteyoumustlayon。Thehighlightsofallvelvetsarewhite。Thiswhitehelpstoblendthetwotintsofblue。"