The Gambler by Fyodor Dostoyevsky (classic literature list txt) 📕

o go to such lengths, and I also hate you and stillmore--because you are so necessary to me. For the time being Iwant you, so I must keep you."

Then she made a movement to rise. Her tone had sounded veryangry. Indeed, of late her talks with me had invariably ended ona note of temper and irritation--yes, of real temper.

"May I ask you who is this Mlle. Blanche?" I inquired (since Idid not wish Polina to depart without an explanation).

"You KNOW who she is--just Mlle. Blanche. Nothing further hastranspired. Probably she will soon be Madame General--that is tosay, if the rumours that Grandmamma is nearing her end shouldprove true. Mlle. Blanche, with her mother and her cousin, theMarquis, know very well that, as things now stand, we areruined."

"And is the General at last in love?"

"That has nothing to do with it. Listen to me. Take these 700florins, and go and play roulette with them. Win as much for meas you can, for I am badly in need of money.

So saying, she called Nadia back to