The Chink in the Armour · Chapter
XXII explained
Sylvia spends two dull days with Bill Chester, missing the excitement of the Casino and thinking of Count Paul in Brittany.
What happens
Sylvia spends two dull days with Bill Chester, missing the excitement of the Casino and thinking of Count Paul in Brittany. She dines with the Wachners and is persuaded to go to the Casino, where she wins ninety pounds from Count Paul, who has returned. The Count loses heavily, and Sylvia feels miserable about it. Madame Wachner and Fritz quarrel over his gambling, and Chester announces he is leaving for Switzerland.
Themes in this chapter
Gambling and Risk
The chapter focuses on the high stakes of baccarat, with Sylvia winning ninety pounds and the Count losing a significant portion of his inheritance. Fritz's obsession with his 'system' and his quarrel with his wife highlight the compulsive nature of gambling.
Superstition and Fate
Sylvia feels that her winning is tied to the Count's bad luck, and Madame Wachner believes the Count brings Fritz bad luck. The crowd's murmurs about luck leaving with Sylvia also underscore the superstitious beliefs surrounding gambling.
Characters to notice
- Sylvia Bailey
Feels ill at ease with Bill Chester, misses the Casino, and is preoccupied with thoughts of Count Paul. Wins ninety pounds at baccarat and feels miserable about contributing to the Count's losses.
- William Chester
Spends time with Sylvia, is sarcastic about her gambling, and announces he is leaving for Switzerland the day after tomorrow.
- Madame Wolsky
Dines with Sylvia and Chester, is cheerful, and tries to persuade Chester to go to the Casino. Later, she quarrels with Fritz about his gambling and worries about his losses.
- Comte Paul de Virieu
Returns to Lacville and holds the bank at baccarat, losing a large sum of money to Sylvia and others. He looks worn and tired after his journey from Brittany.
- L'Ami Fritz
Dines with the group, insists on staying at the Casino to try his new system, and loses money, blaming his wife for distracting him.
Key passages
“The two following days dragged themselves uneventfully away.”
The next two days passed slowly and without any notable events.
Sets the tone of boredom and anticipation for Sylvia.
“Her heart was far away, in Brittany; in imagination she was standing by a grave surrounded by a shadowy group of men and women, mourning the old Marquise who had left Count Paul the means to become once more a self-respecting and respected member of the world to which he belonged by right of birth.”
Sylvia's thoughts were elsewhere, picturing the funeral of the Marquise in Brittany, which had given Count Paul the financial means to regain his social standing.
Reveals Sylvia's emotional state and the source of the Count's new fortune.
“I always left off playing when I had lost ten pounds. That is the one advantage the player has over the banker—he can stop playing when he has lost a small sum.”
Sylvia explains her disciplined approach to gambling, contrasting it with the banker's inability to stop.
Highlights Sylvia's self-control in contrast to other gamblers.
“I do not believe ’e will keep it, for, though you bring ’im luck, my dear”—she turned to Sylvia—“that Count always brings ’im bad luck.”
Madame Wachner expresses her belief that Fritz will lose his winnings because the Count brings him bad luck, even though Sylvia brings him good luck.
Shows the superstitious beliefs of the characters regarding luck and gambling.