observe it, for he was but an indifferent player, or if he
did observe it, had the politeness not to say anything, the Major now
played very badly. He lost three rubbers one after another, and, with
bets and stakes, they amounted to one hundred and forty pounds. At the
end of the last rubber he threw up the cards, exclaiming against his
luck, and declaring that he would play no more. "How are we now, sir?"
said he to my partner.

"You owed me, I think, eighteen pounds."

"Eighteen from one hundred and forty, leaves one hundred and twenty-two
pounds, which I now owe you. You must, I'm afraid, allow me to be your
debtor," continued the Major, in a most insinuating manner. "I did not
come here with the intention of playing. I presume I shall find you here
to-morrow night."

The gentleman bowed, and appeared quite satisfied. Major Carbonnell's
partner paid me one hundred and forty pounds, which I put in my
pocket-book, and we quitted the club.

Chapter XXV

We fund our winnings, and consider to refund, a work of
supererogation--In looking after my father, I obey the old adage,
"Follow your nose."

As soon as we were in the street, I commenced an inquiry as to the
Major's motives. "Not one word, my dear fellow, until we are at home,"
replied he. As soon as we arrived, he threw himself in a chair, and
crossing his legs, commenced: "You observe, Newland, that I am very
careful that you should do nothing to injure your character. As for my
own, all the honesty in the world will not redeem it; nothing but a
peerage will ever set me right again in this world, and a coronet will
cover a multitude of sins. I have thought it my duty to add something to
our finances, and intend to add very considerably to them before we
leave Cheltenham. You have won one hundred and twenty-eight pounds."

"Yes," replied I; "but you have lost it."

"Granted; but, as in most cases, I never mean _to pay_ my losses, you
see that it must be a winning speculation as long as we play against
each other."

"I perceive," replied I; "but am not I a confederate?"

"No; you paid when you lost, and took your money when you won. Leave me
to settle my own debts of honour."

"But you will meet him again to-morrow night."

"Yes, and I will tell you why. I never thought it possible that we could
have met two such bad players at the club. We must now play against
them, and we must win in the long run: by which means I shall pay off