"Simply because I won't have them, and there is an end."
"What a curious fellow you are; it would seem it is quite impossible to live on friendly terms with you, as is customary among good comrades, you are such an obstinate fellow! It is evident you are a deceitful man!"
"But for what do you take me, surely not for a fool? just reflect for a moment: why should I make the acquisition of such things as are of no earthly use whatever to me?"
"Pray don't talk. I know you now perfectly well. You are a regular box of antiquities! However, listen to me, will you play faro? I'll stake all my dead serfs on a card, and my organ in the bargain."
"Well, to venture a game, means to expose one-self to uncertainties," spoke Tchichikoff, and meanwhile he kept glancing stealthily at the pack of cards which Nosdrieff had taken in his hands again. The cards seemed to him to be of an artificial make, and the corners looked very suspicious.
"What do you mean by uncertainties?" demanded Nosdrieff. "There cannot be the least uncertainty, provided only fortune smiles on you, you may win enormously. Look here! what luck! said he," as he commenced the game of faro, in the hope of exciting a gambling passion in his guest. "What a chance! what luck! look here: thus you might win in reality! there is the confounded nine, upon which I lost all. I had a presentiment, that this card would sell my luck, and closing my eyes, I thought to myself: I am sold if that confounded card turns up."
As Nosdrieff spoke thus, Porphir entered with a fresh bottle.
But Tchichikoff positively refused either to play or to drink.
"But why won't you play at least?" demanded Nosdrieff.
"Because I am not in the humour. And besides, I must confess I am not partial to gambling."