In that multifarious assemblage all were equal.

The electric light shone coldly and impartially on the just and on the unjust, on the fool and the knave, on the European and the Asiatic.

As usual, women monopolized the best places at the tables.
The scene was familiar enough to Prince Aribert, who had witnessed it frequently at Monaco, but Theodore Racksole had never before entered any European gaming palace; he had only the haziest idea of the rules of play, and he was at once interested.

For some time they watched the play at the table which happened to be nearest to them.

Racksole never moved his lips.
With his eyes glued on the table, and ears open for every remark, of the players and the croupier, he took his first lesson in roulette.