GAIN. 299 



throw a half-crown on the table the 

 lowest sum the rules of the room admit- 

 ted. The game was made, and the cards 

 were dealt. I scarcely regarded the issue, 

 my eyes wandering round the crowded 

 room, and my mind wrapt in contem- 

 plating so novel a scene, consequently I 

 did not take any money up. The game 

 was made time after time, till the spot 

 where I had deposited my half-crown was 

 covered with notes the venerable gen- 

 tleman looking at me very hard every 

 time he doubled the heap. All eyes 

 were turned on me, till the dealer stopt 

 and asked whose money that was, as the 

 stake, as they termed it, exceeded their 

 limit, that is 100/., when my friend 

 Monops exclaimed, " Why don't you take 

 your money up, young man ? " Not a 

 little disconcerted by this polite admo- 

 nition, at the same time flushed with joy 

 at so unexpected an acquisition of fortune, 



