She gave it me, and after imprinting a gentle kiss I held it to my heart, and had the happiness of feeling a soft pressure.  I had no particular disguise in my head, but feeling sure of hitting on something I put off the consideration of it till the next day; the present belonged to Irene.  I put on my domino, and went to the “Three Kings,” where I found Irene waiting for me at the door.  She had run down as soon as she had seen my carriage, and I was flattered by this mark of her eagerness.  We went to my rooms, and I ordered the confectioner to get me a choice supper by midnight.  We had six hours before us, but the reader will excuse my describing the manner in which they were spent.  The opening was made with the usual fracture, which Irene bore with a smile, for she was naturally voluptuous.  We got up at midnight, pleasantly surprised to find ourselves famishing with hunger, and a delicious supper waiting for us.

Irene told me that her father had taught her to deal in such a manner that she could not lose.  I was curious to see how it was done, and on my giving her a pack of cards she proceeded to distract my attention by talking to me, and in a few minutes the thing was done.  I gave her the hundred sequins I had promised her, and told her to go on with her play.

“If you only play on a single card,” said she, “you are sure to lose.”

“Never mind; go ahead.”

She did so, and I was forced to confess that if I had not been warned I should never have detected the trick.  I saw what a treasure she must be to the old rascal Rinaldi.  With her air of innocence and gaiety, she would have imposed on the most experienced sharpers.  She said in a mortified manner that she never had any opportunity of turning her talents to account, as their associates were always a beggarly lot.  She added tenderly that if I would take her with me she would leave her parents there and win treasures for me.

“When I am not playing against sharpers,” she said, “I can also punt very well.”

“Then you can come to Canano’s bank and risk the hundred sequins I have given you.  Put twenty sequins on a card, and if you win go paroli, seven, and the va, and leave the game when they turn up.  If you can’t make the three cards come out second, you will lose, but I will reimburse you.”

At this she embraced me, and asked if I would take half the profits.

“No,” said I, “you shall have it all.”

I thought she would have gone mad with joy.

We went off in sedan-chairs, and the ball not having commenced we went to the assembly-rooms.  Canano had not yet done anything, and he opened a pack of cards and pretended not to recognize me, but he smiled to see the pretty masker, my companion, sit down and play instead of me.  Irene made him a profound bow as he made room for her by his side, and putting the hundred sequins before her she began by winning a hundred and twenty-five, as instead of going seven and the va, she only went the paix de paroli.  I was pleased to see her thus careful, and I let her go on.  In the following deal she lost on three cards in succession, and then won another paix de paroli.  She then bowed to the banker, pocketed her winnings, and left the table, but just as we were going out I heard somebody sobbing, and on my turning to her she said,