She ran to him, took the handkerchief from his hand, and saw his tears; then she led him into a boudoir alone.
"What is it, my child ?" she said.
At the tone and accent of that voice Oscar recognized a motherly kindness which is often found in women of her kind, and he answered openly:-- "I have lost five hundred francs which my employer gave me to obtain a document to-morrow morning; there's nothing for me but to fling myself into the river; I am dishonored." "How silly you are!" she said.

"Stay where you are; I'll get you a thousand francs and you can win back what you've lost; but don't risk more than five hundred, so that you may be sure of your master's money.
Georges plays a fine game at ecarte; bet on him." Oscar, frightened by his position, accepted the offer of the mistress of the house.
"Ah!" he thought, "it is only women of rank who are capable of such kindness.

Beautiful, noble, rich! how lucky Georges is!" He received the thousand francs from Florentine and returned to bet on his hoaxer.

Georges had just passed for the fourth time when Oscar sat down beside him.

The other players saw with satisfaction the arrival of a new better; for all, with the instinct of gamblers, took the side of Giroudeau, the old officer of the Empire.
"Messieurs," said Georges, "you'll be punished for deserting me; I feel in the vein.