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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/23058-h.zip b/23058-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..70487d0 --- /dev/null +++ b/23058-h.zip diff --git a/23058-h/23058-h.htm b/23058-h/23058-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..7c35081 --- /dev/null +++ b/23058-h/23058-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,1031 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="us-ascii"?> + +<!DOCTYPE html + PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd" > + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en"> + <head> + <title> + The Queen of Spades, by Alexander Sergeievitch Poushkin + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + div.middle { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size: 70%; font-style:normal; + margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%; + text-align: right;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + +Project Gutenberg's The Queen Of Spades, by Alexander Sergeievitch Poushkin + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Queen Of Spades + 1901 + +Author: Alexander Sergeievitch Poushkin + +Translator: H. Twitchell + +Release Date: October 17, 2007 [EBook #23058] +Last Updated: February 7, 2013 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE QUEEN OF SPADES *** + + + + +Produced by David Widger + + + + + +</pre> + <div style="height: 8em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h1> + THE QUEEN OF SPADES + </h1> + <h2> + By Alexander Sergeievitch Poushkin + </h2> + <h4> + Translated by H. Twitchell <br /> <br /> Copyright, 1901, by The Current + Literature Publishing Company + </h4> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <p> + AT the house of Naroumov, a cavalry officer, the long winter night had + been passed in gambling. At five in the morning breakfast was served to + the weary players. The winners ate with relish; the losers, on the + contrary, pushed back their plates and sat brooding gloomily. Under the + influence of the good wine, however, the conversation then became general. + </p> + <p> + "Well, Sourine?" said the host inquiringly. + </p> + <p> + "Oh, I lost as usual. My luck is abominable. No matter how cool I keep, I + never win." + </p> + <p> + "How is it, Herman, that you never touch a card?" remarked one of the men, + addressing a young officer of the Engineering Corps. "Here you are with + the rest of us at five o'clock in the morning, and you have neither played + nor bet all night." + </p> + <p> + "Play interests me greatly," replied the person addressed, "but I hardly + care to sacrifice the necessaries of life for uncertain superfluities." + </p> + <p> + "Herman is a German, therefore economical; that explains it," said Tomsky. + "But the person I can't quite understand is my grandmother, the Countess + Anna Fedorovna." + </p> + <p> + "Why?" inquired a chorus of voices. + </p> + <p> + "I can't understand why my grandmother never gambles." + </p> + <p> + "I don't see anything very striking in the fact that a woman of eighty + refuses to gamble," objected Naroumov. + </p> + <p> + "Have you never heard her story?" + </p> + <p> + "No—" + </p> + <p> + "Well, then, listen to it. To begin with, sixty years ago my grandmother + went to Paris, where she was all the fashion. People crowded each other in + the streets to get a chance to see the 'Muscovite Venus,' as she was + called. All the great ladies played faro, then. On one occasion, while + playing with the Duke of Orleans, she lost an enormous sum. She told her + husband of the debt, but he refused outright to pay it. Nothing could + induce him to change his mind on the subject, and grandmother was at her + wits' ends. Finally, she remembered a friend of hers, Count Saint-Germain. + You must have heard of him, as many wonderful stories have been told about + him. He is said to have discovered the elixir of life, the philosopher's + stone, and many other equally marvelous things. He had money at his + disposal, and my grandmother knew it. She sent him a note asking him to + come to see her. He obeyed her summons and found her in great distress. + She painted the cruelty of her husband in the darkest colors, and ended by + telling the Count that she depended upon his friendship and generosity. + </p> + <p> + "'I could lend you the money,' replied the Count, after a moment of + thoughtfulness, 'but I know that you would not enjoy a moment's rest until + you had returned it; it would only add to your embarrassment. There is + another way of freeing yourself.' + </p> + <p> + "'But I have no money at all,' insisted my grandmother. + </p> + <p> + "'There is no need of money. Listen to me.' + </p> + <p> + "The Count then told her a secret which any of us would give a good deal + to know." + </p> + <p> + The young gamesters were all attention. Tomsky lit his pipe, took a few + whiffs, then continued: + </p> + <p> + "The next evening, grandmother appeared at Versailles at the Queen's + gaming-table. The Duke of Orleans was the dealer. Grandmother made some + excuse for not having brought any money, and began to punt. She chose + three cards in succession, again and again, winning every time, and was + soon out of debt." + </p> + <p> + "A fable," remarked Herman; "perhaps the cards were marked." + </p> + <p> + "I hardly think so," replied Tomsky, with an air of importance. + </p> + <p> + "So you have a grandmother who knows three winning cards, and you haven't + found out the magic secret." + </p> + <p> + "I must say I have not. She had four sons, one of them being my father, + all of whom are devoted to play; she never told the secret to one of them. + But my uncle told me this much, on his word of honor. Tchaplitzky, who + died in poverty after having squandered millions, lost at one time, at + play, nearly three hundred thousand rubles. He was desperate and + grandmother took pity on him. She told him the three cards, making him + swear never to use them again. He returned to the game, staked fifty + thousand rubles on each card, and came out ahead, after paying his debts." + </p> + <p> + As day was dawning the party now broke up, each one draining his glass and + taking his leave. + </p> + <p> + The Countess Anna Fedorovna was seated before her mirror in her + dressing-room. Three women were assisting at her toilet. The old Countess + no longer made the slightest pretensions to beauty, but she still clung to + all the habits of her youth, and spent as much time at her toilet as she + had done sixty years before. At the window a young girl, her ward, sat at + her needlework. + </p> + <p> + "Good afternoon, grandmother," cried a young officer, who had just entered + the room. "I have come to ask a favor of you." + </p> + <p> + "What, Pavel?" + </p> + <p> + "I want to be allowed to present one of my friends to you, and to take you + to the ball on Tuesday night." + </p> + <p> + "Take me to the ball and present him to me there." + </p> + <p> + After a few more remarks the officer walked up to the window where + Lisaveta Ivanovna sat. + </p> + <p> + "Whom do you wish to present?" asked the girl. + </p> + <p> + "Naroumov; do you know him?" + </p> + <p> + "No; is he a soldier?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes." + </p> + <p> + "An engineer?" + </p> + <p> + "No; why do you ask?" + </p> + <p> + The girl smiled and made no reply. + </p> + <p> + Pavel Tomsky took his leave, and, left to herself, Lisaveta glanced out of + the window. Soon, a young officer appeared at the corner of the street; + the girl blushed and bent her head low over her canvas. + </p> + <p> + This appearance of the officer had become a daily occurrence. The man was + totally unknown to her, and as she was not accustomed to coquetting with + the soldiers she saw on the street, she hardly knew how to explain his + presence. His persistence finally roused an interest entirely strange to + her. One day, she even ventured to smile upon her admirer, for such he + seemed to be. + </p> + <p> + The reader need hardly be told that the officer was no other than Herman, + the would-be gambler, whose imagination had been strongly excited by the + story told by Tomsky of the three magic cards. + </p> + <p> + "Ah," he thought, "if the old Countess would only reveal the secret to me. + Why not try to win her good-will and appeal to her sympathy?" + </p> + <p> + With this idea in mind, he took up his daily station before the house, + watching the pretty face at the window, and trusting to fate to bring + about the desired acquaintance. + </p> + <p> + One day, as Lisaveta was standing on the pavement about to enter the + carriage after the Countess, she felt herself jostled and a note was + thrust into her hand. Turning, she saw the young officer at her elbow. As + quick as thought, she put the note in her glove and entered the carriage. + On her return from the drive, she hastened to her chamber to read the + missive, in a state of excitement mingled with fear. It was a tender and + respectful declaration of affection, copied word for word from a German + novel. Of this fact, Lisa was, of course, ignorant. + </p> + <p> + The young girl was much impressed by the missive, but she felt that the + writer must not be encouraged. She therefore wrote a few lines of + explanation and, at the first opportunity, dropped it, with the letter, + out of the window. The officer hastily crossed the street, picked up the + papers and entered a shop to read them. + </p> + <p> + In no wise daunted by this rebuff, he found the opportunity to send her + another note in a few days. He received no reply, but, evidently + understanding the female heart, he presevered, begging for an interview. + He was rewarded at last by the following: + </p> + <p> + "To-night we go to the ambassador's ball. We shall remain until two + o'clock. I can arrange for a meeting in this way. After our departure, the + servants will probably all go out, or go to sleep. At half-past eleven + enter the vestibule boldly, and if you see any one, inquire for the + Countess; if not, ascend the stairs, turn to the left and go on until you + come to a door, which opens into her bedchamber. Enter this room and + behind a screen you will find another door leading to a corridor; from + this a spiral staircase leads to my sitting-room. I shall expect to find + you there on my return." + </p> + <p> + Herman trembled like a leaf as the appointed hour drew near. He obeyed + instructions fully, and, as he met no one, he reached the old lady's + bedchamber without difficulty. Instead of going out of the small door + behind the screen, however, he concealed himself in a closet to await the + return of the old Countess. + </p> + <p> + The hours dragged slowly by; at last he heard the sound of wheels. + Immediately lamps were lighted and servants began moving about. Finally + the old woman tottered into the room, completely exhausted. Her women + removed her wraps and proceeded to get her in readiness for the night. + Herman watched the proceedings with a curiosity not unmingled with + superstitious fear. When at last she was attired in cap and gown, the old + woman looked less uncanny than when she wore her ball-dress of blue + brocade. + </p> + <p> + She sat down in an easy chair beside a table, as she was in the habit of + doing before retiring, and her women withdrew. As the old lady sat swaying + to and fro, seemingly oblivious to her surroundings, Herman crept out of + his hiding-place. + </p> + <p> + At the slight noise the old woman opened her eyes, and gazed at the + intruder with a half-dazed expression. + </p> + <p> + "Have no fear, I beg of you," said Herman, in a calm voice. "I have not + come to harm you, but to ask a favor of you instead." + </p> + <p> + The Countess looked at him in silence, seemingly without comprehending + him. Herman thought she might be deaf, so he put his lips close to her ear + and repeated his remark. The listener remained perfectly mute. + </p> + <p> + "You could make my fortune without its costing you anything," pleaded the + young man; "only tell me the three cards which are sure to win, and—" + </p> + <p> + Herman paused as the old woman opened her lips as if about to speak. + </p> + <p> + "It was only a jest; I swear to you, it was only a jest," came from the + withered lips. + </p> + <p> + "There was no jesting about it. Remember Tchaplitzky, who, thanks to you, + was able to pay his debts." + </p> + <p> + An expression of interior agitation passed over the face of the old woman; + then she relapsed into her former apathy. + </p> + <p> + "Will you tell me the names of the magic cards, or not?" asked Herman + after a pause. + </p> + <p> + There was no reply. + </p> + <p> + The young man then drew a pistol from his pocket, exclaiming: "You old + witch, I'll force you to tell me!" + </p> + <p> + At the sight of the weapon the Countess gave a second sign of life. She + threw back her head and put out her hands as if to protect herself; then + they dropped and she sat motionless. + </p> + <p> + Herman grasped her arm roughly, and was about to renew his threats, when + he saw that she was dead! + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + Seated in her room, still in her ball-dress, Lisaveta gave herself up to + her reflections. She had expected to find the young officer there, but she + felt relieved to see that he was not. + </p> + <p> + Strangely enough, that very night at the ball, Tomsky had rallied her + about her preference for the young officer, assuring her that he knew more + than she supposed he did. + </p> + <p> + "Of whom are you speaking?" she had asked in alarm, fearing her adventure + had been discovered. + </p> + <p> + "Of the remarkable man," was the reply. "His name is Herman." + </p> + <p> + Lisa made no reply. + </p> + <p> + "This Herman," continued Tomsky, "is a romantic character; he has the + profile of a Napoleon and the heart of a Mephistopheles. It is said he has + at least three crimes on his conscience. But how pale you are." + </p> + <p> + "It is only a slight headache. But why do you talk to me of this Herman?" + </p> + <p> + "Because I believe he has serious intentions concerning you." + </p> + <p> + "Where has he seen me?" + </p> + <p> + "At church, perhaps, or on the street." + </p> + <p> + The conversation was interrupted at this point, to the great regret of the + young girl. The words of Tomsky made a deep impression upon her, and she + realized how imprudently she had acted. She was thinking of all this and a + great deal more when the door of her apartment suddenly opened, and Herman + stood before her. She drew back at sight of him, trembling violently. + </p> + <p> + "Where have you been?" she asked in a frightened whisper. + </p> + <p> + "In the bedchamber of the Countess. She is dead," was the calm reply. + </p> + <p> + "My God! What are you saying?" cried the girl. + </p> + <p> + "Furthermore, I believe that I was the cause of her death." + </p> + <p> + The words of Tomsky flashed through Lisa's mind. + </p> + <p> + Herman sat down and told her all. She listened with a feeling of terror + and disgust. So those passionate letters, that audacious pursuit were not + the result of tenderness and love. It was money that he desired. The poor + girl felt that she had in a sense been an accomplice in the death of her + benefactress. She began to weep bitterly. Herman regarded her in silence. + </p> + <p> + "You are a monster!" exclaimed Lisa, drying her eyes. + </p> + <p> + "I didn't intend to kill her; the pistol was not even loaded. + </p> + <p> + "How are you going to get out of the house?" inquired Lisa. "It is nearly + daylight. I intended to show you the way to a secret staircase, while the + Countess was asleep, as we would have to cross her chamber. Now I am + afraid to do so." + </p> + <p> + "Direct me, and I will find the way alone," replied Herman. + </p> + <p> + She gave him minute instructions and a key with which to open the street + door. The young man pressed the cold, inert hand, then went out. + </p> + <p> + The death of the Countess had surprised no one, as it had long been + expected. Her funeral was attended by every one of note in the vicinity. + Herman mingled with the throng without attracting any especial attention. + After all the friends had taken their last look at the dead face, the + young man approached the bier. He prostrated himself on the cold floor, + and remained motionless for a long time. He rose at last with a face + almost as pale as that of the corpse itself, and went up the steps to look + into the casket. As he looked down it seemed to him that the rigid face + returned his glance mockingly, closing one eye. He turned abruptly away, + made a false step, and fell to the floor. He was picked up, and, at the + same moment, Lisaveta was carried out in a faint. + </p> + <p> + Herman did not recover his usual composure during the entire day. He dined + alone at an out-of-the-way restaurant, and drank a great deal, in the hope + of stifling his emotion. The wine only served to stimulate his + imagination. He returned home and threw himself down on his bed without + undressing. + </p> + <p> + During the night he awoke with a start; the moon shone into his chamber, + making everything plainly visible. Some one looked in at the window, then + quickly disappeared. He paid no attention to this, but soon he heard the + vestibule door open. He thought it was his orderly, returning late, drunk + as usual. The step was an unfamiliar one, and he heard the shuffling sound + of loose slippers. + </p> + <p> + The door of his room opened, and a woman in white entered. She came close + to the bed, and the terrified man recognized the Countess. + </p> + <p> + "I have come to you against my will," she said abruptly; "but I was + commanded to grant your request. The tray, seven, and ace in succession + are the magic cards. Twenty-four hours must elapse between the use of each + card, and after the three have been used you must never play again." + </p> + <p> + The fantom then turned and walked away. Herman heard the outside door + close, and again saw the form pass the window. + </p> + <p> + He rose and went out into the hall, where his orderly lay asleep on the + floor. The door was closed. Finding no trace of a visitor, he returned to + his room, lit his candle, and wrote down what he had just heard. + </p> + <p> + Two fixed ideas cannot exist in the brain at the same time any more than + two bodies can occupy the same point in space. The tray, seven, and ace + soon chased away the thoughts of the dead woman, and all other thoughts + from the brain of the young officer. All his ideas merged into a single + one: how to turn to advantage the secret paid for so dearly. He even + thought of resigning his commission and going to Paris to force a fortune + from conquered fate. Chance rescued him from his embarrassment. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + Tchekalinsky, a man who had passed his whole life at cards, opened a club + at St. Petersburg. His long experience secured for him the confidence of + his companions, and his hospitality and genial humor conciliated society. + </p> + <p> + The gilded youth flocked around him, neglecting society, preferring the + charms of faro to those of their sweethearts. Naroumov invited Herman to + accompany him to the club, and the young man accepted the invitation only + too willingly. + </p> + <p> + The two officers found the apartments full. Generals and statesmen played + whist; young men lounged on sofas, eating ices or smoking. In the + principal salon stood a long table, at which about twenty men sat playing + faro, the host of the establishment being the banker. + </p> + <p> + He was a man of about sixty, gray-haired and respectable. His ruddy face + shone with genial humor; his eyes sparkled and a constant smile hovered + around his lips. + </p> + <p> + Naroumov presented Herman. The host gave him a cordial handshake, begged + him not to stand upon ceremony, and returned, to his dealing. More than + thirty cards were already on the table. Tchekalinsky paused after each + coup, to allow the punters time to recognize their gains or losses, + politely answering all questions and constantly smiling. + </p> + <p> + After the deal was over, the cards were shuffled and the game began again. + </p> + <p> + "Permit me to choose a card," said Herman, stretching out his hand over + the head of a portly gentleman, to reach a livret. The banker bowed + without replying. + </p> + <p> + Herman chose a card, and wrote the amount of his stake upon it with a + piece of chalk. + </p> + <p> + "How much is that?" asked the banker; "excuse me, sir, but I do not see + well." + </p> + <p> + "Forty thousand rubles," said Herman coolly. + </p> + <p> + All eyes were instantly turned upon the speaker. + </p> + <p> + "He has lost his wits," thought Naroumov. + </p> + <p> + "Allow me to observe," said Tchekalinsky, with his eternal smile, "that + your stake is excessive." + </p> + <p> + "What of it?" replied Herman, nettled. "Do you accept it or not?" + </p> + <p> + The banker nodded in assent. "I have only to remind you that the cash will + be necessary; of course your word is good, but in order to keep the + confidence of my patrons, I prefer the ready money." + </p> + <p> + Herman took a bank-check from his pocket and handed it to his host. The + latter examined it attentively, then laid it on the card chosen. + </p> + <p> + He began dealing: to the right, a nine; to the left, a tray. + </p> + <p> + "The tray wins," said Herman, showing the card he held—a tray. + </p> + <p> + A murmur ran through the crowd. Tchekalinsky frowned for a second only, + then his smile returned. He took a roll of bank-bills from his pocket and + counted out the required sum. Herman received it and at once left the + table. + </p> + <p> + The next evening saw him at the place again. Every one eyed him curiously, + and Tchekalinsky greeted him cordially. + </p> + <p> + He selected his card and placed upon it his fresh stake. The banker began + dealing: to the right, a nine; to the left, a seven. + </p> + <p> + Herman then showed his card—a seven spot. The onlookers exclaimed, + and the host was visibly disturbed. He counted out ninety-four-thousand + rubles and passed them to Herman, who accepted them without showing the + least surprise, and at once withdrew. + </p> + <p> + The following evening he went again. His appearance was the signal for the + cessation of all occupation, every one being eager to watch the + developments of events. He selected his card—an ace. + </p> + <p> + The dealing began: to the right, a queen; to the left, an ace. + </p> + <p> + "The ace wins," remarked Herman, turning up his card without glancing at + it. + </p> + <p> + "Your queen is killed," remarked Tchekalinsky quietly. + </p> + <p> + Herman trembled; looking down, he saw, not the ace he had selected, but + the queen of spades. He could scarcely believe his eyes. It seemed + impossible that he could have made such a mistake. As he stared at the + card it seemed to him that the queen winked one eye at him mockingly. + </p> + <p> + "The old woman!" he exclaimed involuntarily. + </p> + <p> + The croupier raked in the money while he looked on in stupid terror. When + he left the table, all made way for him to pass; the cards were shuffled, + and the gambling went on. + </p> + <p> + Herman became a lunatic. He was confined at the hospital at Oboukov, where + he spoke to no one, but kept constantly murmuring in a monotonous tone: + "The tray, seven, ace! The tray, seven, queen!" + </p> + <div style="height: 6em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Queen Of Spades, by +Alexander Sergeievitch Poushkin + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE QUEEN OF SPADES *** + +***** This file should be named 23058-h.htm or 23058-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/2/3/0/5/23058/ + +Produced by David Widger + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Queen Of Spades + 1901 + +Author: Alexander Sergeievitch Poushkin + +Translator: H. Twitchell + +Release Date: October 17, 2007 [EBook #23058] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE QUEEN OF SPADES *** + + + + +Produced by David Widger + + + + + +THE QUEEN OF SPADES + +By Alexander Sergeievitch Poushkin + +Translated by H. Twitchell + +Copyright, 1901, by The Current Literature Publishing Company + + +AT the house of Naroumov, a cavalry officer, the long winter night had +been passed in gambling. At five in the morning breakfast was served +to the weary players. The winners ate with relish; the losers, on the +contrary, pushed back their plates and sat brooding gloomily. Under +the influence of the good wine, however, the conversation then became +general. + +"Well, Sourine?" said the host inquiringly. + +"Oh, I lost as usual. My luck is abominable. No matter how cool I keep, +I never win." + +"How is it, Herman, that you never touch a card?" remarked one of the +men, addressing a young officer of the Engineering Corps. "Here you are +with the rest of us at five o'clock in the morning, and you have neither +played nor bet all night." + +"Play interests me greatly," replied the person addressed, "but I hardly +care to sacrifice the necessaries of life for uncertain superfluities." + +"Herman is a German, therefore economical; that explains it," said +Tomsky. "But the person I can't quite understand is my grandmother, the +Countess Anna Fedorovna." + +"Why?" inquired a chorus of voices. + +"I can't understand why my grandmother never gambles." + +"I don't see anything very striking in the fact that a woman of eighty +refuses to gamble," objected Naroumov. + +"Have you never heard her story?" + +"No--" + +"Well, then, listen to it. To begin with, sixty years ago my grandmother +went to Paris, where she was all the fashion. People crowded each other +in the streets to get a chance to see the 'Muscovite Venus,' as she was +called. All the great ladies played faro, then. On one occasion, while +playing with the Duke of Orleans, she lost an enormous sum. She told her +husband of the debt, but he refused outright to pay it. Nothing could +induce him to change his mind on the subject, and grandmother was at +her wits' ends. Finally, she remembered a friend of hers, Count +Saint-Germain. You must have heard of him, as many wonderful stories +have been told about him. He is said to have discovered the elixir of +life, the philosopher's stone, and many other equally marvelous things. +He had money at his disposal, and my grandmother knew it. She sent him a +note asking him to come to see her. He obeyed her summons and found her +in great distress. She painted the cruelty of her husband in the darkest +colors, and ended by telling the Count that she depended upon his +friendship and generosity. + +"'I could lend you the money,' replied the Count, after a moment of +thoughtfulness, 'but I know that you would not enjoy a moment's rest +until you had returned it; it would only add to your embarrassment. +There is another way of freeing yourself.' + +"'But I have no money at all,' insisted my grandmother. + +"'There is no need of money. Listen to me.' + +"The Count then told her a secret which any of us would give a good deal +to know." + +The young gamesters were all attention. Tomsky lit his pipe, took a few +whiffs, then continued: + +"The next evening, grandmother appeared at Versailles at the Queen's +gaming-table. The Duke of Orleans was the dealer. Grandmother made some +excuse for not having brought any money, and began to punt. She chose +three cards in succession, again and again, winning every time, and was +soon out of debt." + +"A fable," remarked Herman; "perhaps the cards were marked." + +"I hardly think so," replied Tomsky, with an air of importance. + +"So you have a grandmother who knows three winning cards, and you +haven't found out the magic secret." + +"I must say I have not. She had four sons, one of them being my father, +all of whom are devoted to play; she never told the secret to one of +them. But my uncle told me this much, on his word of honor. Tchaplitzky, +who died in poverty after having squandered millions, lost at one time, +at play, nearly three hundred thousand rubles. He was desperate and +grandmother took pity on him. She told him the three cards, making him +swear never to use them again. He returned to the game, staked fifty +thousand rubles on each card, and came out ahead, after paying his +debts." + +As day was dawning the party now broke up, each one draining his glass +and taking his leave. + +The Countess Anna Fedorovna was seated before her mirror in her +dressing-room. Three women were assisting at her toilet. The old +Countess no longer made the slightest pretensions to beauty, but she +still clung to all the habits of her youth, and spent as much time at +her toilet as she had done sixty years before. At the window a young +girl, her ward, sat at her needlework. + +"Good afternoon, grandmother," cried a young officer, who had just +entered the room. "I have come to ask a favor of you." + +"What, Pavel?" + +"I want to be allowed to present one of my friends to you, and to take +you to the ball on Tuesday night." + +"Take me to the ball and present him to me there." + +After a few more remarks the officer walked up to the window where +Lisaveta Ivanovna sat. + +"Whom do you wish to present?" asked the girl. + +"Naroumov; do you know him?" + +"No; is he a soldier?" + +"Yes." + +"An engineer?" + +"No; why do you ask?" + +The girl smiled and made no reply. + +Pavel Tomsky took his leave, and, left to herself, Lisaveta glanced +out of the window. Soon, a young officer appeared at the corner of the +street; the girl blushed and bent her head low over her canvas. + +This appearance of the officer had become a daily occurrence. The man +was totally unknown to her, and as she was not accustomed to coquetting +with the soldiers she saw on the street, she hardly knew how to explain +his presence. His persistence finally roused an interest entirely +strange to her. One day, she even ventured to smile upon her admirer, +for such he seemed to be. + +The reader need hardly be told that the officer was no other than +Herman, the would-be gambler, whose imagination had been strongly +excited by the story told by Tomsky of the three magic cards. + +"Ah," he thought, "if the old Countess would only reveal the secret to +me. Why not try to win her good-will and appeal to her sympathy?" + +With this idea in mind, he took up his daily station before the house, +watching the pretty face at the window, and trusting to fate to bring +about the desired acquaintance. + +One day, as Lisaveta was standing on the pavement about to enter the +carriage after the Countess, she felt herself jostled and a note was +thrust into her hand. Turning, she saw the young officer at her elbow. +As quick as thought, she put the note in her glove and entered the +carriage. On her return from the drive, she hastened to her chamber to +read the missive, in a state of excitement mingled with fear. It was +a tender and respectful declaration of affection, copied word for word +from a German novel. Of this fact, Lisa was, of course, ignorant. + +The young girl was much impressed by the missive, but she felt that +the writer must not be encouraged. She therefore wrote a few lines of +explanation and, at the first opportunity, dropped it, with the letter, +out of the window. The officer hastily crossed the street, picked up the +papers and entered a shop to read them. + +In no wise daunted by this rebuff, he found the opportunity to send +her another note in a few days. He received no reply, but, evidently +understanding the female heart, he presevered, begging for an interview. +He was rewarded at last by the following: + +"To-night we go to the ambassador's ball. We shall remain until two +o'clock. I can arrange for a meeting in this way. After our departure, +the servants will probably all go out, or go to sleep. At half-past +eleven enter the vestibule boldly, and if you see any one, inquire for +the Countess; if not, ascend the stairs, turn to the left and go on +until you come to a door, which opens into her bedchamber. Enter +this room and behind a screen you will find another door leading to a +corridor; from this a spiral staircase leads to my sitting-room. I shall +expect to find you there on my return." + +Herman trembled like a leaf as the appointed hour drew near. He obeyed +instructions fully, and, as he met no one, he reached the old lady's +bedchamber without difficulty. Instead of going out of the small door +behind the screen, however, he concealed himself in a closet to await +the return of the old Countess. + +The hours dragged slowly by; at last he heard the sound of wheels. +Immediately lamps were lighted and servants began moving about. Finally +the old woman tottered into the room, completely exhausted. Her women +removed her wraps and proceeded to get her in readiness for the night. +Herman watched the proceedings with a curiosity not unmingled with +superstitious fear. When at last she was attired in cap and gown, the +old woman looked less uncanny than when she wore her ball-dress of blue +brocade. + +She sat down in an easy chair beside a table, as she was in the habit +of doing before retiring, and her women withdrew. As the old lady sat +swaying to and fro, seemingly oblivious to her surroundings, Herman +crept out of his hiding-place. + +At the slight noise the old woman opened her eyes, and gazed at the +intruder with a half-dazed expression. + +"Have no fear, I beg of you," said Herman, in a calm voice. "I have not +come to harm you, but to ask a favor of you instead." + +The Countess looked at him in silence, seemingly without comprehending +him. Herman thought she might be deaf, so he put his lips close to her +ear and repeated his remark. The listener remained perfectly mute. + +"You could make my fortune without its costing you anything," pleaded +the young man; "only tell me the three cards which are sure to win, +and--" + +Herman paused as the old woman opened her lips as if about to speak. + +"It was only a jest; I swear to you, it was only a jest," came from the +withered lips. + +"There was no jesting about it. Remember Tchaplitzky, who, thanks to +you, was able to pay his debts." + +An expression of interior agitation passed over the face of the old +woman; then she relapsed into her former apathy. + +"Will you tell me the names of the magic cards, or not?" asked Herman +after a pause. + +There was no reply. + +The young man then drew a pistol from his pocket, exclaiming: "You old +witch, I'll force you to tell me!" + +At the sight of the weapon the Countess gave a second sign of life. She +threw back her head and put out her hands as if to protect herself; then +they dropped and she sat motionless. + +Herman grasped her arm roughly, and was about to renew his threats, when +he saw that she was dead! + +***** + +Seated in her room, still in her ball-dress, Lisaveta gave herself up to +her reflections. She had expected to find the young officer there, but +she felt relieved to see that he was not. + +Strangely enough, that very night at the ball, Tomsky had rallied her +about her preference for the young officer, assuring her that he knew +more than she supposed he did. + +"Of whom are you speaking?" she had asked in alarm, fearing her +adventure had been discovered. + +"Of the remarkable man," was the reply. "His name is Herman." + +Lisa made no reply. + +"This Herman," continued Tomsky, "is a romantic character; he has the +profile of a Napoleon and the heart of a Mephistopheles. It is said he +has at least three crimes on his conscience. But how pale you are." + +"It is only a slight headache. But why do you talk to me of this +Herman?" + +"Because I believe he has serious intentions concerning you." + +"Where has he seen me?" + +"At church, perhaps, or on the street." + +The conversation was interrupted at this point, to the great regret of +the young girl. The words of Tomsky made a deep impression upon her, and +she realized how imprudently she had acted. She was thinking of all this +and a great deal more when the door of her apartment suddenly opened, +and Herman stood before her. She drew back at sight of him, trembling +violently. + +"Where have you been?" she asked in a frightened whisper. + +"In the bedchamber of the Countess. She is dead," was the calm reply. + +"My God! What are you saying?" cried the girl. + +"Furthermore, I believe that I was the cause of her death." + +The words of Tomsky flashed through Lisa's mind. + +Herman sat down and told her all. She listened with a feeling of terror +and disgust. So those passionate letters, that audacious pursuit were +not the result of tenderness and love. It was money that he desired. The +poor girl felt that she had in a sense been an accomplice in the death +of her benefactress. She began to weep bitterly. Herman regarded her in +silence. + +"You are a monster!" exclaimed Lisa, drying her eyes. + +"I didn't intend to kill her; the pistol was not even loaded. + +"How are you going to get out of the house?" inquired Lisa. "It is +nearly daylight. I intended to show you the way to a secret staircase, +while the Countess was asleep, as we would have to cross her chamber. +Now I am afraid to do so." + +"Direct me, and I will find the way alone," replied Herman. + +She gave him minute instructions and a key with which to open the street +door. The young man pressed the cold, inert hand, then went out. + +The death of the Countess had surprised no one, as it had long been +expected. Her funeral was attended by every one of note in the +vicinity. Herman mingled with the throng without attracting any especial +attention. After all the friends had taken their last look at the dead +face, the young man approached the bier. He prostrated himself on the +cold floor, and remained motionless for a long time. He rose at last +with a face almost as pale as that of the corpse itself, and went up the +steps to look into the casket. As he looked down it seemed to him that +the rigid face returned his glance mockingly, closing one eye. He turned +abruptly away, made a false step, and fell to the floor. He was picked +up, and, at the same moment, Lisaveta was carried out in a faint. + +Herman did not recover his usual composure during the entire day. He +dined alone at an out-of-the-way restaurant, and drank a great deal, in +the hope of stifling his emotion. The wine only served to stimulate his +imagination. He returned home and threw himself down on his bed without +undressing. + +During the night he awoke with a start; the moon shone into his chamber, +making everything plainly visible. Some one looked in at the window, +then quickly disappeared. He paid no attention to this, but soon he +heard the vestibule door open. He thought it was his orderly, returning +late, drunk as usual. The step was an unfamiliar one, and he heard the +shuffling sound of loose slippers. + +The door of his room opened, and a woman in white entered. She came +close to the bed, and the terrified man recognized the Countess. + +"I have come to you against my will," she said abruptly; "but I was +commanded to grant your request. The tray, seven, and ace in succession +are the magic cards. Twenty-four hours must elapse between the use +of each card, and after the three have been used you must never play +again." + +The fantom then turned and walked away. Herman heard the outside door +close, and again saw the form pass the window. + +He rose and went out into the hall, where his orderly lay asleep on the +floor. The door was closed. Finding no trace of a visitor, he returned +to his room, lit his candle, and wrote down what he had just heard. + +Two fixed ideas cannot exist in the brain at the same time any more than +two bodies can occupy the same point in space. The tray, seven, and ace +soon chased away the thoughts of the dead woman, and all other thoughts +from the brain of the young officer. All his ideas merged into a single +one: how to turn to advantage the secret paid for so dearly. He even +thought of resigning his commission and going to Paris to force a +fortune from conquered fate. Chance rescued him from his embarrassment. + +***** + +Tchekalinsky, a man who had passed his whole life at cards, opened +a club at St. Petersburg. His long experience secured for him the +confidence of his companions, and his hospitality and genial humor +conciliated society. + +The gilded youth flocked around him, neglecting society, preferring the +charms of faro to those of their sweethearts. Naroumov invited Herman +to accompany him to the club, and the young man accepted the invitation +only too willingly. + +The two officers found the apartments full. Generals and statesmen +played whist; young men lounged on sofas, eating ices or smoking. In +the principal salon stood a long table, at which about twenty men sat +playing faro, the host of the establishment being the banker. + +He was a man of about sixty, gray-haired and respectable. His ruddy face +shone with genial humor; his eyes sparkled and a constant smile hovered +around his lips. + +Naroumov presented Herman. The host gave him a cordial handshake, begged +him not to stand upon ceremony, and returned, to his dealing. More than +thirty cards were already on the table. Tchekalinsky paused after each +coup, to allow the punters time to recognize their gains or losses, +politely answering all questions and constantly smiling. + +After the deal was over, the cards were shuffled and the game began +again. + +"Permit me to choose a card," said Herman, stretching out his hand over +the head of a portly gentleman, to reach a livret. The banker bowed +without replying. + +Herman chose a card, and wrote the amount of his stake upon it with a +piece of chalk. + +"How much is that?" asked the banker; "excuse me, sir, but I do not see +well." + +"Forty thousand rubles," said Herman coolly. + +All eyes were instantly turned upon the speaker. + +"He has lost his wits," thought Naroumov. + +"Allow me to observe," said Tchekalinsky, with his eternal smile, "that +your stake is excessive." + +"What of it?" replied Herman, nettled. "Do you accept it or not?" + +The banker nodded in assent. "I have only to remind you that the cash +will be necessary; of course your word is good, but in order to keep the +confidence of my patrons, I prefer the ready money." + +Herman took a bank-check from his pocket and handed it to his host. The +latter examined it attentively, then laid it on the card chosen. + +He began dealing: to the right, a nine; to the left, a tray. + +"The tray wins," said Herman, showing the card he held--a tray. + +A murmur ran through the crowd. Tchekalinsky frowned for a second only, +then his smile returned. He took a roll of bank-bills from his pocket +and counted out the required sum. Herman received it and at once left +the table. + +The next evening saw him at the place again. Every one eyed him +curiously, and Tchekalinsky greeted him cordially. + +He selected his card and placed upon it his fresh stake. The banker +began dealing: to the right, a nine; to the left, a seven. + +Herman then showed his card--a seven spot. The onlookers exclaimed, +and the host was visibly disturbed. He counted out ninety-four-thousand +rubles and passed them to Herman, who accepted them without showing the +least surprise, and at once withdrew. + +The following evening he went again. His appearance was the signal for +the cessation of all occupation, every one being eager to watch the +developments of events. He selected his card--an ace. + +The dealing began: to the right, a queen; to the left, an ace. + +"The ace wins," remarked Herman, turning up his card without glancing at +it. + +"Your queen is killed," remarked Tchekalinsky quietly. + +Herman trembled; looking down, he saw, not the ace he had selected, +but the queen of spades. He could scarcely believe his eyes. It seemed +impossible that he could have made such a mistake. As he stared at the +card it seemed to him that the queen winked one eye at him mockingly. + +"The old woman!" he exclaimed involuntarily. + +The croupier raked in the money while he looked on in stupid terror. +When he left the table, all made way for him to pass; the cards were +shuffled, and the gambling went on. + +Herman became a lunatic. He was confined at the hospital at Oboukov, +where he spoke to no one, but kept constantly murmuring in a monotonous +tone: "The tray, seven, ace! The tray, seven, queen!" + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Queen Of Spades, by +Alexander Sergeievitch Poushkin + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE QUEEN OF SPADES *** + +***** This file should be named 23058.txt or 23058.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/2/3/0/5/23058/ + +Produced by David Widger + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. 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