Готель з привидами

           Hissisterhasnextsuppliedhimwiththesmallfortuneatherdisposal:reservingonlythefamilyjewels,placedinthechargeofherbankerandfriendatFrankfort.TheCountess’sfortunealsobeingswallowedup,theBaronhasinafatalmomentsoughtfornewsuppliesatthegamingtable.Heproves,atstartingonhisperilouscareer,tobeafavouriteoffortune;winslargely,and,alas!profaneshisnobleenthusiasmforsciencebyyieldinghissoultotheall-debasingpassionofthegamester.

           ’AttheperiodofthePlay,theBaron’sgoodfortunehasdesertedhim.Heseeshiswaytoacrowningexperimentinthefatalsearchafterthesecretoftransmutingthebaserelementsintogold.Buthowishetopaythepreliminaryexpenses?Destiny,likeamockingecho,answers,How?

           ’Willhissister’swinnings(withmyLord’smoney)provelargeenoughtohelphim?Eagerforthisresult,hegivestheCountesshisadvicehowtoplay.Fromthatdisastrousmomenttheinfectionofhisownadversefortunespreadstohissister.Shelosesagain,andagain—losestothelastfarthing.

           ’TheamiableandwealthyLordoffersathirdloan;butthescrupulousCountesspositivelyrefusestotakeit.Onleavingthetable,shepresentsherbrothertomyLord.Thegentlemenfallintopleasanttalk.MyLordasksleavetopayhisrespectstotheCountess,thenextmorning,atherhotel.TheBaronhospitablyinviteshimtobreakfast.MyLordaccepts,withalastadmiringglanceattheCountesswhichdoesnotescapeherbrother’sobservation,andtakeshisleaveforthenight.

           ’Alonewithhissister,theBaronspeaksoutplainly.