The Gambler

Returning from a two-week absence, the narrator finds his patrons in Roulettenberg, but their reception is unexpectedly cold. The General's haughty demeanor and his sister Maria's detached conversation hint at underlying tensions, likely linked to a recent influx of money. As the day unfolds, preparations for a lavish banquet reveal the complexities of their relationships, particularly with Polina Alexandrovna, whose abrupt departure raises questions that the narrator feels compelled to investigate.