The Baron recognised it as a warning from Heaven, that Chevalier Menars had been led across his path to save him just as he was approaching the brink of the precipice; he vowed that he would withstand all the seductions of the gambler's deceptive luck.
Up till now he has faithfully kept his word.
FOOTNOTES TO "GAMBLER'S LUCK":
Footnote [1] In faro the keeper of the bank plays against all the rest of the players (who are called punters). He has a full pack; they have but a single complete suit. The punters may stake what they please upon any card they please, except in so far as rules may have been made to the contrary by the banker. After the cards have been cut, the banker proceeds to take off the two top cards one after the other, placing the first at his right hand, and the second at his left, each with the face uppermost. Any punter who has staked a card which bears exactly the same number of "peeps" as the card turned up on the banker's right hand loses the stake to the latter; but if it bears the same number of "peeps" as the card on the banker's left, it is the banker who has to pay the punter a sum equal to the value of his stake. The twenty-six drawings which a full pack allows the banker to make are called a taille.
This general sketch will help to make the text intelligible for the most part without going into minor technicalities of the game.]
Footnote [2] The words "win," "lose," with which the banker places the two cards on the table, the first to his right for himself, the second on his left for the punter.]
Footnote [3] The new Louis d'or were worth somewhat less than the old coins of the time of Louis XIV. and Louis XV. ([See note, page 175].)]
Footnote [4] The banker's assistants, who shuffle cards for him, change cheques, notes, and make themselves generally useful.]
Footnote [5] Malmaison is a chateau and park situated about six miles W. of Paris. It once belonged to Richelieu; and there the Empress Josephine lived, and there she died on the 13th May, 1814.]
Footnote [6] "Va bout" or "Va banque" meant a challenge to the bank to the full amount of the highest limit of play, and if the punter won he virtually broke the bank.]