The magnet attracting a waif amid forces

particularly new and rich in appearance. The coat lapels stood out with that 
medium stiffness which excellent cloth possesses. The vest was of a rich 
Scotch plaid, set with a double row of round mother-of-pearl buttons. His 
cravat was a shiny combination of silken threads, not loud, not 
inconspicuous. What he wore did not strike the eye so forcibly as that which 
Drouet had on, but Carrie could see the elegance of the material. 
Hurstwood's shoes were of soft, black calf, polished only to a dull shine. 
Drouet wore patent leather, but Carrie could not help feeling that there was 
a distinction in favour of the soft leather, where all else was so rich. She 
noticed these things almost unconsciously. They were things which would 
naturally flow from the situation. She was used to Drouet's appearance. 
"Suppose we have a little game of euchre?" suggested Hurstwood, after a 
light round of conversation. He was rather dexterous in avoiding everything 
that would suggest that he knew anything of Carrie's past. He kept away 
from personalities altogether, and confined himself to those things which did 
not concern individuals at all. By his manner, he put Carrie at her ease, and 
by his deference and pleasantries he amused her. He pretended to be 
seriously interested in all she said. 
"I don't know how to play," said Carrie. 
"Charlie, you are neglecting a part of your duty," he observed to Drouet most 
affably. "Between us, though," he went on, "we can show you." 

---

By his tact he made Drouet feel that he admired his choice. There was 
something in his manner that showed that he was pleased to be there. 
Drouet felt really closer to him than ever before. It gave him more respect for 
Carrie. Her appearance came into a new light, under Hurstwood's 
appreciation. The situation livened considerably. 
"Now, let me see," said Hurstwood, looking over Carrie's shoulder very 
deferentially. "What have you?" He studied for a moment. "That's rather 
good," he said. 
"You're lucky. Now, I'll show you how to trounce your husband. You take my 
advice." 
"Here," said Drouet, "if you two are going to scheme together, I won't stand a 
ghost of a show. Hurstwood's a regular sharp." 
"No, it's your wife. She brings me luck. Why shouldn't she win?" 
Carrie looked gratefully at Hurstwood, and smiled at Drouet. The former 
took the air of a mere friend. He was simply there to enjoy himself. Anything 
that Carrie did was pleasing to him, nothing more. 
"There," he said, holding back one of his own good cards, and giving Carrie a 
chance to take a trick. "I count that clever playing for a beginner." 
The latter laughed gleefully as she saw the hand coming her way. It was as if 
she were invincible when Hurstwood helped her. 
He did not look at her often. When he did, it was with a mild light in his eye. 
Not a shade was there of anything save geniality and kindness. He took back 
the shifty, clever gleam, and replaced it with one of innocence. Carrie could 
not guess but that it was pleasure with him in the immediate thing. She felt 
that he considered she was doing a great deal. 
"It's unfair to let such playing go without earning something," he said after a 
time, slipping his finger into the little coin pocket of his coat. "Let's play for 
dimes." 
"All right," said Drouet, fishing for bills. 
Hurstwood was quicker. His fingers were full of new ten-cent pieces. "Here 
we are," he said, supplying each one with a little stack. 
"Oh, this is gambling," smiled Carrie. "It's bad." 
"No," said Drouet, "only fun. If you never play for more than that, you will go 
to Heaven." 
"Don't you moralise," said Hurstwood to Carrie gently, "until you see what 
becomes of the money." 
Drouet smiled. 

---

"If your husband gets them, he'll tell you how bad it is." 
Drouet laughed loud. 
There was such an ingratiating tone about Hurstwood's voice, the 
insinuation was so perceptible that even Carrie got the humour of it. 
"When do you leave?" said Hurstwood to Drouet. 
"On Wednesday," he replied. 
"It's rather hard to have your husband running about like that, isn't it?" 
said Hurstwood, addressing Carrie. 
"She's going along with me this time," said Drouet. 
"You must both go with me to the theatre before you go." 
"Certainly," said Drouet. "Eh, Carrie?" 
"I'd like it ever so much," she replied. 
Hurstwood did his best to see that Carrie won the money. He rejoiced in her 
success, kept counting her winnings, and finally gathered and put them in 
her extended hand. They spread a little lunch, at which he served the wine, 
and afterwards he used fine tact in going. 
"Now," he said, addressing first Carrie and then Drouet with his eyes, "you 
must be ready at 7.30. I'll come and get you." 
They went with him to the door and there was his cab waiting, its red lamps 
gleaming cheerfully in the shadow. 
"Now," he observed to Drouet, with a tone of good-fellowship, "when you 
leave your wife alone, you must let me show her around a little. It will break 
up her loneliness." 
"Sure," said Drouet, quite pleased at the attention shown. 
"You're so kind," observed Carrie. 
"Not at all," said Hurstwood, "I would want your husband to do as much for 
me." 
He smiled and went lightly away. Carrie was thoroughly impressed. She had 
never come in contact with such grace. As for Drouet, he was equally 
pleased. 
"There's a nice man," he remarked to Carrie, as they returned to their cosey 
chamber. "A good friend of mine, too." 
"He seems to be," said Carrie.