The Gambler — Chapter XIV

Alexis is shocked to find Polina in his room. She presents De Griers’ farewell letter, in which De Griers blames circumstances, claims honorable conduct, salvages his remaining funds, and arranges mortgage maneuvers that might let Polina recover money from the General. Polina admits she long despised him and would have cast him off if an inheritance had arrived.

Alexis rages and proposes a duel, but Polina dismisses the idea and refuses humiliation or dependence. When Alexis suggests turning to Mr. Astley for money, Polina scornfully asks if he wants her to leave him, revealing to Alexis that she has turned to him instead. Gripped by a sudden plan, Alexis begs her to wait an hour and rushes out.

At the Casino near midnight, Alexis plays feverishly, staking at random. He quickly wins large sums at roulette, repeatedly risking everything and surviving wild swings. Twice he forces the bank to close after reaching the table limit. Amid the tumult he secretly gives a pale woman a 500-gulden note and ignores warnings from bystanders to quit while ahead.

He then joins trente et quarante, rides a long run on red, and, when told he has won one hundred thousand florins, gathers his bulging haul. Exhilarated by power and success, he hurries back through the dark, imagining showing everything to Polina.

Returning to the hotel room, Alexis finds Polina waiting as before. Without a word, he pours his heap of bank-notes and gold onto the table before her, signaling a dramatic reversal of fortune and a new leverage in their relationship.