They were pointed out to me at Monte Carlo one year, in the Casino, where the Duchess seemed to be enjoying herself hugely, though the Duke had the air of being dragged in against his will." "No doubt he had been--or else he was there to fetch her out.

Poor dear, she's a dreadful gambler.

It's in her blood! I She lost, I don't know how much, at Monte Carlo on an 'infallible system' she had.

She's afraid of her husband, though she loves him immensely; and lately a craze she's had for Bridge has cost her so much that she daren't tell the Duke, who hates her gambling.

She confessed to Raoul, and begged him to help her--not with money, for he has none, but by taking a famous and wonderful diamond necklace of hers to Amsterdam, selling the stones for her there, and having them replaced with paste.