You have a radiance that is wonderful." "Oh, Mr.Lynde! How you talk! Does gambling always affect you this way ?" "No, you do.

Always, apparently!" And he stared hard into her upturned eyes.

Still playing ostensibly for Aileen's benefit, he now doubled the cash deposit on his system, laying down a thousand in gold.

Aileen urged him to play for himself and let her watch.

"I'll just put a little money on these odd numbers here and there, and you play any system you want.