The play, too, was much higher than usual. This was owing to the fact
that at one end of the table there stood a little group of five young men
in evening dress. They talked and laughed as they flung their money on
the green cloth, and seemed to enjoy the fact that they were the centre
of attraction.
"One of them," whispered Madame Wachner eagerly, "had already lost eight
thousand francs when I went downstairs to look for you! See, they are
still losing. Our friend has the devil's own luck to-night! I have
forbidden L'Ami Fritz to play at all. Nothing can stand against her. She
sweeps the money up every time. If Fritz likes, he can go downstairs to
the lower room and play."
But before doing so L'Ami Fritz lingered awhile, watching Madame Wolsky's
wonderful run of luck with an expression of painful envy and greed on his
wolfish countenance.
Sylvia went round to a point where she could watch Anna's face. To a
stranger Madame Wolsky might have appeared almost indifferent; but there
had come two spots of red on her cheeks, and the hand with which she
raked up the money trembled.
Pages:
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183