d lost considerably. I rose from the table, resolved no longer to
tempt fortune, when I suddenly perceived Zanoni, whose acquaintance I
had before made (and who, I may say, was under some slight obligation to
me), standing by, a spectator. Ere I could express my gratification at
this unexpected recognition, he laid his hand on my arm. 'You have lost
much,' said he; 'more than you can afford. For my part, I dislike play;
yet I wish to have some interest in what is going on. Will you play this
sum for me? the risk is mine,--the half profits yours.' I was startled,
as you may suppose, at such an address; but Zanoni had an air and tone
with him it was impossible to resist; besides, I was burning to recover
my losses, and should not have risen had I had any money left about me.
I told him I would accept his offer, provided we shared the risk as well
as profits. 'As you will,' said he, smiling; 'we need have no scruple,
for you will be sure to win.' I sat down; Zanoni stood behind me; my
luck rose,--I invariably won. In fact, I rose from the table a rich
man."

"There can be no foul play at the public tables, especially when foul
play would make against the bank?" This question was put by Glyndon.

"Certainly not," replied the count. "But our good fortune was, indeed,
marvellous,--so extraordinary that a Sicilian (the Sicilians are all
ill-bred, bad-tempered fellows) grew angry and insolent. 'Sir,' said he,
turning to my new friend, 'you have no business to stand so near to
the table. I do not understand this; you have not acted fairly.' Zanoni
replied, with great composure, that he had done nothing against the
rules,--that he was very sorry that one man could not win without
another man losing; and that he could not act unfairly, even if disposed
to do so. The Sicilian took the stranger's mildness for apprehension,
and blustered more loudly. In fact, he rose from the table, and
confronted Zanoni in a manner that, to say the least of it, was
provoking to any gentleman who has some quickness of temper, or some
skill with the small-sword."

"And," interrupted Belgioso, "the most singular part of the whole to me
was, that this Zanoni, who stood opposite to where I sat, and whose face
I distinctly saw, made no remark, showed no resentment. He fixed his
eyes steadfastly on the Sicilian; never shall I forget that look! it is
impossible to describe it,--it froze the blood in my veins. The Sicilian
staggered back as if struck. I sa