182 THE GOLD SNUFF-BOX. 



'* Well, if the devil had his own," exclaimed the irritated 

 lieutenant, " my lady L would fry." 



" Rowland," said the colonel, solemnly, " what the deuce 

 tempted you to play ? You don't understand the game, and I 

 often told you so." 



" But," said I, interrupting him, " the rubber was yours. 



Mrs. P made a scandalous revoke. How could it escape 



your observation ? The young lady, who was leaning on my 

 arm, was horrified at such barefaced cheating." 



" I remarked it," said the lieutenant ; " but I was 

 ashamed to speak. I thought we were playing half-crown 

 points !" 



" I wish I had seen it," said the colonel. " Ah, Rowly, 

 you're no wizard !" 



" Well, no matter; I have suffered enough," said the 

 subaltern, testily. " If I have a rap left, after these swind- 

 ling jades, but one solitary guinea to carry me to Conne- 

 mara !" 



" Pshaw ! beg, man, beg ! You have a face for any thing. 

 I wonder how / stand upon the night's play." 



" Nine guineas minus," said the subaltern, " unless 

 you managed to fob off a light piece, or pass a counter- 

 feit." 



" That would be impossible," remarked the colonel ; "for 

 though the crush was desperate, and I thought, and I wished, 

 that the table would be overturned, the dowager thumbed 

 every guinea over as if she had played with a pick-pocket. It 

 was just then that I managed to secure a keep-sake ;" and he 

 produced a huge snuff-box of fine gold and antique workman- 

 ship from his side-pocket. I stared with wonder, while the 

 subaltern ejaculated, " What a chance ! Ah, colonel, you are 

 the jewel ! The box will pay our losses beautifully." 



" I beg to be excused from co-partnership," said the 

 colonel, drily. " Rowly, you might have stolen for yourself. 

 I saw a pair of gold-mounted spectacles upon the table, and a 

 vinaigrette of silver device lay beside you. No, no, Rowly ! 

 rob for yourself." 



" And/' said I, " my dear colonel, might I ask what may 

 be the ultimate design which you harbour against the dowager's 

 snuff-box !" 



" Why, faith, my young friend, my plans are simple 



