e Gamblers

I. Madame Eugenie Leblanche, veuve, age 62 years.
II. Mlle. Nina and Mlle. Fifi.
III. Mrs. Henry B. Gording and Mrs. Wm. H. Lane.
IV. Mme. Borte and Mme. Lautre.

I

_The Baccarat Table in the Villa des Fleurs, Aix-les-Bains._

MADAME EUGENIE LEBLANCHE, _veuve_.

(_A large, stout lady in black satin and brocade, violet-colored
face-powder, and a reddish blonde display underneath a questionable
bonnet. She wears a somewhat profuse and miscellaneous display of
jewels, principally diamonds dull as the eyes of dissipation. She holds
her chips in large loose white cotton gloves that reach to her elbow.
Her lips, compressed together, move constantly, with a sort of excited
switch-back motion._)

(_To herself._) I wonder who has the cards. Oh, it's that monsieur
there, I see. Not good! I will only place two louis. (_She asks the
gentleman in front of her to place them for her. He does so._) No, I am
wrong, I will put three. (_She asks the gentleman to place a third
louis for her. In doing so the chip rolls from his fingers; he
immediately recaptures it and places it properly._) Monsieur, monsieur,
if you please. Return me my louis, if you please! I never play a louis
that has rolled on the table. That would bring us bad fortune, you
would see! Thank you, thank you very much. (_To herself again._) I am
sorry I did not ask him to hand me back two. We are going to lose! Good
heavens! it is sure we lose! Ah, the cards! Bad, that's sure! O, what
emotion! O good heavens! Seven! But the bank! No, we gain! O---- O good
heavens! Good heavens! what emotion! We gain! What a misfortune I
didn't leave the extra louis! It is disgusting! I regret it now. O, I
regret it very much! But it is always like that with me! Are we going
to be paid? I don't think so! No, we won't be paid! It is always like
that; when one loses one is taken, and when one wins one is never paid!
O good heavens! Now he will pay our side. After all there ought to be
enough money. O yes, yes, we will be paid! All the better! Two louis
for me if you please, thank you. Monsieur, I am sorry to trouble you to
give me my four louis! No, no, you haven't given me enough! I put down
two louis. O yes, you are right. Pardon me, I didn't understand; yes, I
have four. Thank you very much. You are very kind. (_To herself
again._) I am paid! After all, I am paid! So much the better! What
emotion! I will play two louis again; no, three; no, two; no, one mu