"At first, we lived pleasantly; but pleasures with such men are short-lived, and must be often changed. If successful in business--that is what they call their nefarious employment--they are all smiles and affection to wife and children; but if 'luck is against them,' they are the most unhappy men in the world, and make everybody else unhappy around them. As for enduring conjugal affection, I believe the excitement of a gambler's life renders them incapable of feeling its influence. I can scarcely tell how the months passed which I lived with that man, for I drank wine to excess every day. Not to become intoxicated; only just fashionably excited. We lived in the best style of hotel life, often at the expense of the proprietors. "A little before Sis was born, De Vrai met with 'a run of luck,' and we took a cottage out of town, and lived very comfortably for a year, upon the proceeds of that 'windfall.' "What that run of luck was, may be guessed at from the following extract from a morning paper:-- "SUICIDE.--An American gentleman was found dead in his bed, at his lodgings, this morning, and it is supposed he died from poison, administered by himself, in consequence of immense losses at the gaming table, not only of his own money, but a sum which he had received in trust for a widow and orphans, in America. It is said, that he owes his losses to the wretched practice of drinking to intoxication, and that he was fairly robbed while in this condition, by a companion of his, one who made great pretence of friendship. He leaves a beautiful young wife, 'quite destitute,' 'tis said." "I did not know then that this companion of his was my husband. I found that out afterwards, and that he was more than robbed. "Soon after that event, De Vrai brought the widow of his victim to live in our house. I was the wife--she the mistress. I was blind at first, but I soon had my eyes opened. Opened not only to that fact, but that that wife had stood behind her husband's chair while he played with the villain who robbed him, and gave the signal of what cards he held; and afterwards, when he became sober enough to realize his ruin, she proposed that they should take poison, and die together. "The result need not be told, only that he died and she lived. "When I made these discoveries from an overheard conversation, I ordered the vile woman from my house. "'My house, my house, ha, ha, you poor simpleton. Every article in this house and every cent of money that you or your husband has on earth belongs to me, and these are the papers. "'Now if you behave yourself you can stay here, if not, you will have to tramp, both of you.'