The young man of the cream tarts was in the room, but painfully

depressed and silent. His late companions sought in vain to lead

him into conversation.

"How bitterly I wish," he cried, "that I had never brought you to

this infamous abode! Begone, while you are clean-handed. If you

could have heard the old man scream as he fell, and the noise of

his bones upon the pavement! Wish me, if you have any kindness to

so fallen a being - wish the ace of spades for me to-night!"

A few more members dropped in as the evening went on, but the club

did not muster more than the devil's dozen when they took their

places at the table. The Prince was again conscious of a certain

joy in his alarms; but he was astonished to see Geraldine so much

more self-possessed than on the night before.

"It is extraordinary," thought the Prince, "that a will, made or

unmade, should so greatly influence a young man's spirit."

"Attention, gentlemen!" said the President, and he began to deal.

Three times the cards went all round the table, and neither of the

marked cards had yet fallen from his hand. The excitement as he

began the fourth distribution was overwhelming. There were just

cards enough to go once more entirely round. The Prince, who sat

second from the dealer's left, would receive, in the reverse mode

of dealing practised at the club, the second last card. The third

player turned up a black ace - it was the ace of clubs. The next

received a diamond, the next a heart, and so on; but the ace of

spades was still undelivered. At last, Geraldine, who sat upon the

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