AMESTRESSES AT BADEN-BADEN.

Mrs Trollope has described two specimens of the modern gamestresses
at the German watering-places, one of whom seems to have specially
attracted her notice:--

'There was one of this set,' she says, 'whom I watched, day after day,
during the whole period of our stay, with more interest than, I believe,
was reasonable; for had I studied any other as attentively I might have
found less to lament.

'She was young--certainly not more than twenty-five--and, though not
regularly nor brilliantly handsome, most singularly winning both in
person and demeanour. Her dress was elegant, but peculiarly plain and
simple,--a close white silk bonnet and gauze veil; a quiet-coloured silk
gown, with less of flourish and frill, by half, than any other person;
a delicate little hand which, when ungloved, displayed some handsome
rings; a jewelled watch, of peculiar splendour; and a countenance
expressive of anxious thoughtfulness--must be remembered by many who
were at Baden in August, 1833. They must remember, too, that, enter the
rooms when they would, morning, noon, or night, still they found her
nearly at the same place at the _Rouge et Noir_ table.

'Her husband, who had as unquestionably the air of a gentleman as she
had of a lady, though not always close to her, was never very distant.
He did not play himself, and I fancied, as he hovered near her, that
his countenance expressed anxiety. But he returned her sweet smile, with
which she always met his eye, with an answering smile; and I saw not the
slightest indication that he wished to withdraw her from the table.

'There was an expression in the upper part of her face that my
blundering science would have construed into something very foreign to
the propensity she showed; but there she sat, hour after hour, day after
day, not even allowing the blessed sabbath, that gives rest to all, to
bring it to her;--there she sat, constantly throwing down handfuls of
five-franc pieces, and sometimes drawing them back again, till her young
face grew rigid from weariness, and all the lustre of her eye faded into
a glare of vexed inanity. Alas! alas! is that fair woman a mother? God
forbid!

'Another figure at the gaming table, which daily drew our attention,
was a pale, anxious old woman, who seemed no longer to have strength to
conceal her eager agitation under the air of callous indifference,
which all practised players endeavour to assume. She trembled, till