d gleam of the gold as
it passed to and fro, the harsh voice of the man with the shovel
calling at intervals, "Put on your money, gentlemen," the mechanical
progress of the play, confused and staggered my senses. I forgot
Tom, forgot the reason of our coming, forgot even where I was, so
absorbed was I, and craned forward over the hurrying wheel, as intent
as the veriest gambler present.

I was aroused from my stupor by a muttered curse, as the grey-headed
man before me staggered up from his chair, and left the table with
desperate eyes and stupid gait. As he rose the jewelled fingers made
a slight motion, and I dropped into the vacant seat.

The bank was still winning. At our hostess' left hand rose a
swelling pile of gold and silver that time after time absorbed all
the smaller heaps upon the black and red spaces. Meanwhile the woman
had scarcely spoken, but as the needle went round once more,
slackened and stopped--this time amid deep and desperate
execrations--she turned to me and said--

"Now is your time to break the bank if you wish. Play boldly; I
should like to lose to so proper a man."

I looked back at Tom, who merely nodded, and put my first half-crown
upon the red space marked 19. My neighbour, without seeming to
notice the smallness of the sum, bent over the table and sent the
wheel spinning on its errand. I, too, bent forward to watch, and as
the wheel halted, saw the coin swept, with many more valuable, into
the great pile.

"A bad beginning," said the sweet voice beside me. "Try again."

I tried again, and a third time, and two more half-crowns went to
join their fellow.

There was one more chance. White with desperation I drew out my last
half-crown, and laid it on the black. A flash, and my neighbour's
hand sent the needle whirling. Round and round it went, as though it
would never cease; round and round, then slackened, slackened,
hesitated and stopped--where?

Where but over the red square opposite me?

For a moment all things seemed to whirl and dance before me.
The candles shot out a million glancing rays, the table heaved, the
rings upon the woman's fingers glittered and sparkled, while opposite
me the devilish finger of Fortune pointed at the ruin of my hopes,
and as it pointed past them and at me, called me very fool.

I clutched the table's green border and sank back in my seat.
As I did so I heard a low curse from Tom behind me. The overwhelming
truth broke in upon my