the pricked card that lay before him. He had staked the few pieces of gold that yet remained to him on the red; an après was dealt, and half his stake was forfeited; another moment, and he had lost all! My attention was suddenly called elsewhere, and when I again looked at his place it was empty.

What was my astonishment, an hour afterwards, to find him conversing, in an animated tone, with B, a young Irishman of my acquaintance: they had evidently been arranging some party of pleasure; for, as I approached, Adolphe gaily withdrew, waving his hand, and saying “a demain !”

This was at three o'clock, and at a quarter before five the report of a pistol was heard at a little distance behind the Conversation Haus. B, among others, hastened to the spot, and discovered, lying at the entrance of the wood, a corpse, the features of which were so blackened with powder as to be scarcely recognisable—it was the body of Adolphe !

Whether his losses at play, or jealousy at hearing of the marriage of her to whom he was attached, excited him to commit self-destruction, must remain a mystery: the probability of the former supposition is lessened by the fact that, notwithstanding his previous ill-luck, two thousand francs in gold were found upon his person.