The Gambler (Dostoevsky)/Chapter 8

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Fyodor Dostoevsky

The Gambler. Chapter 8

Astley’s revelations and a shocking arrival

1866

Summary of a Chapter
from the Collection “The Gambler”

The original takes about 18 minutes to read

Microsummary

Astley exposed Blanche’s scandalous gambling past and the household’s financial motives. As Alexei raged about Polina and De Griers, a mysterious Russian woman arrived by train and summoned him.

Chapter Summary

Alexei Ivanovitch met Mr. Astley on the Chestnut Avenue. Astley already knew that Alexei had left the General’s employment, though he would not explain how he had learned it. The two men went to the Casino Café for coffee and conversation.

Alexei declared that he intended to remain in Roulettenberg. Although he had previously avoided discussing his love for Polina, Astley’s steady attention prompted him to describe the entire attachment. He spoke with increasing passion, partly because his intensity visibly unsettled the reserved Englishman.

When Alexei made personal accusations against De Griers, Astley rebuked him. He emphasized that Alexei possessed no certain knowledge about the relationship between Polina and the Frenchman and therefore had no right to present his suspicions as facts.

Alexei then recounted Polina’s strange command involving the Baron, his confrontation with the Baron, his dismissal, the General’s panic, and De Griers’s visit. He also showed Astley Polina’s note. Astley shared Alexei’s hostility toward De Griers but suggested that necessity might force Polina to associate with someone she disliked.

Alexei suspected that Astley had already heard the story from Polina. Astley refused to answer and denied Alexei’s right to question him. This response made Alexei recognize how little was definite or ordinary in his relationship with Polina, which had remained uncertain, fantastic, and emotionally unstable.

Seeking an explanation for the household’s fear of scandal, Alexei asked why his encounter with the Baron had alarmed the General and De Griers. Astley replied that the true issue centered on Mlle. Blanche, who had a special reason to avoid attracting the attention of the Baron and Baroness.

Astley revealed that Blanche had visited Roulettenberg three years earlier under the names Madame Barberini and Mlle. Zelma. After an Italian prince abandoned her with unpaid expenses, she attached herself to a Polish count and continued gambling. When he also disappeared, she lost her remaining money and asked Baron Burmergelm to stake ten louis for her.

The Baroness complained, and the authorities ordered Blanche to leave the Casino. Astley believed Blanche now wanted to marry the General so that social rank would protect her from such humiliations. He also suspected that she lent money to gamblers and that the General, and perhaps De Griers, owed her money.

Alexei condemned Astley for keeping silent, but Astley answered that a warning would have changed nothing. The General probably knew Blanche’s history and remained devoted to her. Astley added that Polina stayed because the General neglected his younger children and endangered their inheritance, leaving her responsible for protecting them.

The men concluded that the family’s plans depended on the expected death of the General’s wealthy mother in Moscow. Alexei insisted that De Griers also expected Polina’s dowry and would gain her love once she inherited it. Near the hotel, a newly arrived Russian-speaking woman repeatedly called Alexei by name from the verandah. Surrounded by servants and luggage, she left him frozen in astonishment.

Characters

Alexei Ivanovitch — narrator, impulsive young Russian man and recently dismissed tutor who obsessively loved Polina, resented De Griers, and reacted passionately to Astley’s revelations.

Mr. Astley — reserved young English gentleman, Alexei’s perceptive friend and Polina’s admirer, whose calm manner concealed extensive knowledge of Blanche and the General’s household.

Polina Alexandrovna — proud young Russian woman, the General’s stepdaughter and Alexei’s beloved, who remained connected to De Griers and protected her neglected younger siblings’ interests.

Mlle. Blanche de Cominges (Mlle. Zelma) — young French adventuress and former gambler, once expelled from the Casino, who sought marriage to the General for wealth, rank, and protection from scandal.

The General — middle-aged Russian general, Polina’s stepfather and Blanche’s infatuated suitor, whose debts, neglected children, and dependence on an expected inheritance left him vulnerable.

Quotes

“Your eyes look very fiery,” he said with a return of his former calm, “and in them I can read suspicion. ... I absolutely refuse to answer your questions.”

Now, mark you, Mlle. wants to become Madame General, in order that, in future, she may be spared the receipt of such invitations from Casino authorities as she received three years ago.

“Alexis Ivanovitch, Alexis Ivanovitch! Good heavens, what a stupid fellow!” came in a despairing wail from the verandah. ... my feet glued themselves to the pavement!

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.