e, but he has lost that and more: his wretched
estate is eaten up with mortgages. He has been at all sorts of schemes
to raise money:--my dear, he has been so desperate at times, that I did
not think my diamonds were safe with him; and have travelled to and from
Castlewood without them. Terrible, isn't it, to speak so of one's own
nephew? But you are my nephew, too, and not spoiled by the world yet,
and I wish to warn you of its wickedness. I heard of your play-doings
with Will and the chaplain, but they could do you no harm,--nay, I am
told you had the better of them. Had you played with Castlewood, you
would have had no such luck: and you would have played, had not an old
aunt of yours warned my Lord Castlewood to keep his hands off you."

"What, ma'am, did you interfere to preserve me?"

"I kept his clutches off from you: be thankful that you are come out of
that ogre's den with any flesh on your bones! My dear, it has been the
rage and passion of all our family. My poor silly brother played; both
his wives played, especially the last one, who has little else to live
upon now but her nightly assemblies in London, and the money for the
cards. I would not trust her at Castlewood alone with you: the passion
is too strong for them, and they would fall upon you, and fleece you;
and then fall upon each other, and fight for the plunder. But for his
place about the Court my poor nephew hath nothing, and that is Will's
fortune, too, sir, and Maria's and her sister's."

"And are they, too, fond of the cards?"

"No; to do poor Molly justice, gaming is not her passion: but when she
is amongst them in London, little Fanny will bet her eyes out of her
head. I know what the passion is, sir: do not look so astonished; I have
had it, as I had the measles when I was a child. I am not cured quite.
For a poor old woman there is nothing left but that. You will see some
high play at my card-tables to-night. Hush! my dear. It was that I
wanted, and without which I moped so at Castlewood! I could not win of
my nieces or their mother. They would not pay if they lost. 'Tis best to
warn you, my dear, in time, lest you should be shocked by the discovery.
I can't live without the cards, there's the truth!"

A few days before, and while staying with his Castlewood relatives,
Harry, who loved cards, and cock-fighting, and betting, and every
conceivable sport himself, would have laughed very likely at this
confession. Amongst that family into w