The Lady of Spades

Chapter I

The long winter night passed swiftly in the hall of Narumov's house, an officer of the Cavalry. Totally involved in card games, the guests were surprised when the meal was served, around five in the morning. Those who had won were HUNGRY. Already the losers barely touched the food. They simply stared at the empty plates. It was only when the waiters began to open bottles of champagne that the conversation was won. "And how did you do it, Surine?" Asked the HOST. "Oh, I lost, as always. I must be the most unlucky fellow in the world. Even though I'm struggling and keeping my concentration, I can not win. "And you still do not think about dropping the GREEN CARPET, right?" Surine, your perseverance thrills me! "But what do you think of Hermann?" Said another guest, pointing to a young engineer. "He never put a letter in his hands, never bet a penny, and yet he comes here, sits down and stays until five in the morning watching our games. Surprised to be QUOTED, Hermann said, "I am very interested in games," said the engineer, "but I can not afford to sacrifice what is necessary in the hope of winning the SUPÉRFLUO." "Hermann is German, so it's economical and there's nothing wrong with that. But if there is one person I do not really understand is my grandmother, Countess Ana Fedotovna - commented Tomsky. - And why not? One of the guests asked. "I do not understand why she does not play for money. "It seems quite normal to me that an eighty-year-old lady does not want to bet her money," Narumov said.
"It turns out she's not some old lady." Do not tell me you do not know the story? Asked Tomsky, measuring his companions with an investigative look. - I have no idea. What are you talking about? Asked the host while the other guests were anxiously silent, waiting for the answer. "Then listen well. I'll tell you.

The group of players settled into their chairs, and some even tilted the TORSO a little so that their heads and ears would come closer to Tomsky who was beginning to speak: "A long time ago, about sixty years ago, my grandmother went to Paris, where caused a great sensation. People followed her through the streets to glimpse the "VENUS MOSCOVITA". RICHELIEU fell in love with her and my grandmother tells him that he almost killed himself because of the indifferent way she treated him. Back then, women used to play for more money than they do nowadays. My grandmother loved to play card games in Paris high society. My grandfather, in the beginning, BANCAVA this pleasure of her, but as my grandmother often lost, he started to complain about the expenses. So, in order to continue playing without annoying him, she asked for a large sum of money from the Duke of Orleans. My grandmother had a PRESSURE that she would win. With the gambling money, he would pay his debt to the Duke of Orleans and use the rest to play without depending on my grandfather. - Wow! Your grandmother was very modern, eh, Tomsky? One of the guests joked. "Yes," said the grandson proudly. "But so what?" Did your grandmother win the game and the money? Hermann wanted to know. Tomsky smiled proudly at his face and said, "She lost everything the same night. Failed in all rounds of card.

Capa feita por =@Liliane_gustin