- While hosting a game of cards one night, Narumov tells his friends a story about his grandmother, a Countess. As a young woman, she had once incurred an enormous gambling debt, which she was able to erase by learning a secret that guaranteed that she could win by playing her cards in a certain order. One of Narumov's friends, German, has never gambled, but he is intrigued by the story about the Countess and her secret. He soon becomes obsessed with learning this secret from her, and he starts by courting her young ward Lizaveta, hoping to use her to gain access to the Countess.—Snow Leopard
- Herman, a young officer in the Russian army, is a frequent visitor at fashionable assemblage and gay parties merely as a spectator. He had only been left a small income by his father, so consequently could not afford to gamble. Fascinated one night by a story told by Prince Tomsky about his aged grandmother, Countess Fedotovna, Herman becomes obsessed with the idea of learning the secret of the three cards which brought her a massive fortune. No way possible to see the Countess, Her- man watches the house, with a hope of gaining admittance through flirtation with the beautiful ward of the aged Countess. Falling deeply in love with Herman, and inexperienced in the ways of the world, Lizaveta secretly invites him to meet her in her room the night of the big ball at Versailles. With no other thought, except wealth, Herman steals into the house and conceals himself. Later that night the Countess is brought to her room. Prepared for bed, she orders to be placed in her armchair, then orders her maids to leave. Suddenly she becomes frightened; as she turns she sees an unknown man. Herman speaks, "I have no desire to harm you. I want you to tell me those three cards." The Countess refuses. Drawing his gun he commands her for the last time. At the sight of the gun the Countess rolls over and remains silent. Herman enters Lizaveta's room and relates what happened, accusing himself of being the cause of the death of the Countess. She then realizes that it was not love that brought him there, but the desire for wealth. Disheartened, she orders him to leave the home. Conscience-stricken, Herman returns home. Early that morning the Countess appears to him. She speaks: "Against my wishes I have been ordered to grant your demand. Play the trey, seven and ace in succession, and you will win. I forgive you on the condition that you marry my ward." So saying she disappears. Learning from one of his friends that Chekalinsky, a high gambler, is at the club, Herman goes to win his fortune. Playing the trey the first night he is successful. The second night he again wins with the seven, and recovers $94,000. The next night he again plays Chekalinsky. Herman places all his money up, sure that he will win. Believing that he has the ace, he turns up the card. Astounded, he draws back. Instead of the ace it is the Queen of Spades. He lost. Herman goes insane, while Lizaveta marries a fine young man with a large income. She at last finds true happiness.
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