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Lowndes, Marie Adelaide Belloc, 1868-1947

"The Chink in the Armour"

"Madame Wolsky
is making such a sensation! Come quick--quick!" and she hurried the
unresisting Sylvia towards the Club rooms. "I come downstairs to see if
I could find you," went on Madame Wachner breathlessly.
What could be happening? Sylvia felt the other's excitement to be
contagious. As she entered the gambling room she saw that a large crowd
was gathered round the centre Baccarat table.
"A party of young men out from Paris," explained Madame Wachner in a low
tone, "are throwing about their money. It might have been terrible. But
no, it is a great piece of good fortune for Madame Wolsky!"
And still Sylvia did not understand.
They walked together up to the table, and then, with amazement and a
curious feeling of fear clutching at her heart, Sylvia Bailey saw that
Anna Wolsky was holding the Bank.
It was the first time she had ever seen a lady in the Banker's seat.
A thick bundle of notes, on which were arranged symmetrical piles of gold
lay in front of Madame Wolsky, and as was always the case when she was
really excited, Anna's face had become very pale, and her eyes glistened
feverishly.


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