But he said no more about ghosts--perhaps an explanation of the phenomenon had occurred to him; at any rate he decided to leave the subject alone.
After the dinner they gambled, and this evening the stakes began where those of the previous night left off.

For the first hour Dirk lost, then the luck turned and he won heavily, but always from Montalvo.
"My friend," said the captain at last, throwing down his cards, "certainly you are fated to be unfortunate in your matrimonial adventures, for the devil lives in your dice-box, and his highness does not give everything.

I pass," and he rose from the table.
"I pass also," said Dirk following him into the window place, for he wished to take no more money.

"You have been very unlucky, Count," he said.
"Very, indeed, my young friend," answered Montalvo, yawning, "in fact, for the next six months I must live on--well--well, nothing, except the recollection of your excellent dinner." "I am sorry," muttered Dirk, confusedly, "I did not wish to take your money; it was the turn of those accursed dice.

See here, let us say no more about it." "Sir," said Montalvo, with a sudden sternness, "an officer and a gentleman cannot treat a debt of honour thus; but," he added with a little laugh, "if another gentleman chances to be good enough to charge a debt of honour for a debt of honour, the affair is different.