eave it with regret.

As for Cashel, for the first time in his life he wished to play. No
desire for money-getting, no mean passion for gain, suggested the wish,
it was simply a piqued vanity at being beaten; a sense of indignity that
his inferiority should seem to be implied, even in so trifling a matter,
urged him on, and he was one of the first to vote for a return to
ecarte.

Except Linton, there was not probably one who could be called a good
player in the party; but luck, which has more than the mastery over
skill, supplied the place of knowledge, and Cashel was the only heavy
loser of the whole assembly. Stung by continued failure, too, he betted
madly and foolishly, so that as the day was breaking, and the stir in
the barrack-yard announced the approaching parade, his losses reached
more than double what they had been in the morning.

"I say, lads!" said the major, as they all arose from the table, "one
word before you go." So saying, he turned the key in the door, and stood
with his back against it. "Before any one leaves the room, each must
promise on his honor not to mention a syllable of this night's business.
We all know that we have been playing far higher stakes than ever we've
been in the habit of. The report, if it get abroad, would ruin the
regiment."

"Oh, we all promise not a word shall be said about it," cried out
several voices together. "There's the second trumpet!" So saying,
they hastened pell-mell to dress for the parade, while Cashel, taking
Linton's arm, set out homewards.

"I say, Tom!" said Roland, after they had walked on for some time in
silence, "I am somewhat ashamed of this exploit of mine, and would not
for a great deal that Kennyfeck should know it. Is there no way of
getting this money by loan?--for if I draw now--"

"Make your mind quite easy; I'll arrange that for you. Don't worry
yourself about it. It's a bore, of course, to lose a round sum like
that; but you can afford it, my boy, that's one comfort. If it had been
me, by Jove, the half of it would have drained the well!" This said, he
hastily changed the topic, and they walked along chatting of everything
save the late party.

CHAPTER XVI. WHAT ROLAND OVERHEARD AT THE MONEY LENDER'S

The money that "at play" is spent
Must oft be raised at "cent per cent."

The Mode.

"Good night, or rather good morrow," said Linton, as he stood with
Cashel on the steps of his newly taken residence.

Cashel m