The Gambler (Dostoevsky)/Chapter 7

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Fyodor Dostoevsky

The Gambler. Chapter 7

Polina’s Command Halts the Challenge

1866

Summary of a Chapter
from the Collection “The Gambler”

The original takes about 16 minutes to read

Microsummary

De Griers tried to stop Alexei from confronting the Baron, first with promises and threats, then with Polina’s note. Alexei obeyed her but suspected that De Griers held her through her debt.

Chapter Summary

Alexei arranged for the hotel to send his bill directly to him. He still possessed 160 gülden and, although he had not yet won any money, felt certain that gambling would soon make him rich.

He prepared to visit Mr. Astley at the Hôtel de l’Angleterre. Before he could leave, De Griers unexpectedly entered his room and approached him with unusual politeness despite the mutual hostility that had long existed between them.

De Griers explained that the General had sent him as an intermediary. He asked Alexei to abandon his plan to confront the Baron, warning that the Baron would refuse to receive him and could easily prevent further trouble.

The General offered to restore Alexei to the household at a favorable opportunity and to credit him with his salary in the meantime. Alexei rejected the proposal and accused De Griers of visiting chiefly to discover how far he intended to carry the dispute.

Alexei maintained that the Baron had insulted him by complaining to the General instead of addressing him directly. He proposed that the Baron should first declare that no insult had been intended, after which Alexei would freely apologize to the Baron and Baroness for his own conduct.

De Griers suspected that Alexei merely wanted to annoy the General. He revealed that the General feared scandal because he loved Mlle. Blanche de Cominges and hoped to marry her, although the marriage depended on expected news and financial business from Russia.

When appeals to gratitude and loyalty failed, De Griers threatened to involve the police and have Alexei expelled. Alexei calmly answered that Mr. Astley could serve as his second and approach the Baron with the social authority of an English lord’s nephew.

The possibility that Astley might turn a refusal into a wider dispute alarmed De Griers, who again urged Alexei to stop. Only then did he produce a sealed note written by Polina, saying that she needed Alexei and ordering him to abandon his foolish course.

Polina’s words immediately overcame Alexei’s resistance. Pale and trembling, he agreed to stop, but angrily questioned why De Griers had withheld the note until his other arguments and threats had failed.

After De Griers departed, Alexei vowed that they would settle accounts later. As he recovered outside, he wondered why his reckless threats had frightened everyone and concluded that De Griers possessed some hidden power over Polina, despite her previously expressed dislike and contempt for him.

Characters

Alexei Ivanovich — narrator, a young Russian man and recently dismissed tutor who is proud, reckless, fascinated by gambling, devoted to Polina, and determined to defend his dignity.

Marquis de Griers — adult French businessman connected to the General, a polished but arrogant intermediary who alternates between persuasion, intimidation, and concealed mockery.

Polina Alexandrovna — young Russian woman connected to the General’s family, the object of Alexei’s devotion, whose written command instantly persuades him to abandon the confrontation.

The General — middle-aged Russian military officer and head of the household, financially anxious, eager to marry Blanche, and desperate to prevent a public scandal.

The Baron — adult Prussian aristocrat whose complaint caused Alexei’s dismissal and whose rank, temper, and possible response to a challenge drive the dispute.

Quotes

It was a curious fact, that, though I had not yet won anything at play, I nevertheless acted, thought, and felt as though I were sure, before long, to become wealthy—since I could not imagine myself otherwise.

I hear that you are thinking of going on with this affair. You have lost your temper now, and are beginning to play the fool! Certain circumstances, however, I may explain to you later.

Of course, the relations between the pair had, from the first, been a riddle to me—they had been so ever since I had first made their acquaintance. ... he must be holding her as in a vice.

This summary is based on the translation by C. J. Hogarth, first published in Poor Folk; The Gambler (London: J. M. Dent & Sons; New York: E. P. Dutton, 1915). Illustrations were created using AI.