The Gambler

Des Grieux visits Alexey in his room as a mediator on behalf of the general and asks Alexey to call off his threat of seeing the baron for two reasons. First, argues des Grieux, the baron won’t see him anyway, and second, the general is willing to take Alexey back into his household as a tutor and pay his salary. In response, Alexey says that he will not only go to see the baron, but will also ask for an apology from him for treating him “as if I were the general’s servant” (168) and causing the loss of his post. Des Grieux then tries to further persuade Alexey by telling him that the general intends to marry Mlle Blanche and that his confronting the baron would cause a scandal at this delicate time. Des Grieux also threatens Alexey, saying that he will call the police if he proceeds. Alexey responds by suggesting that he will ask the baron for a duel, with Mr. Astley as his second. Finally, as none of his other strategies have worked, des Grieux gives Alexey a letter from Polina asking him to call off his plan to see the baron, and if necessary, ordering him to.