an should not refuse
a fair challenge from other gentlemen, if his means allowed him: and he
never would play beyond his means. After winning considerably at first,
he could afford to play large stakes, for he was playing with other
people's money. Play, he thought, was fair,--it certainly was pleasant.
Why, did not all England, except the Methodists, play? Had he not seen
the best company at the Wells over the cards--his aunt amongst them?

Mr. Wolfe made no immediate comment upon Harry's opinion as to the
persons who formed the best company at the Wells, but he frankly talked
with the young man, whose own frankness had won him, and warned him that
the life he was leading might be the pleasantest, but surely was not the
most profitable of lives. "It can't be, sir," said the Colonel, "that
a man is to pass his days at horse-racing and tennis, and his nights
carousing or at cards. Sure, every man was made to do some work: and a
gentleman, if he has none, must make some. Do you know the laws of your
country, Mr. Warrington? Being a great proprietor, you will doubtless
one day be a magistrate at home. Have you travelled over the country,
and made yourself acquainted with its trades and manufactures? These
are fit things for a gentleman to study, and may occupy him as well as
a cock-fight or a cricket-match. Do you know anything of our profession?
That, at least, you will allow, is a noble one; and, believe me, there
is plenty in it to learn, and suited, I should think, to you. I speak of
it rather than of books and the learned professions, because, as far as
I can judge, your genius does not lie that way. But honour is the aim of
life," cried Mr. Wolfe, "and every man can serve his country one way or
the other. Be sure, sir, that idle bread is the most dangerous of all
that is eaten; that cards and pleasure may be taken by way of pastime
after work, but not instead of work, and all day. And do you know, Mr.
Warrington, instead of being the Fortunate Youth, as all the world calls
you, I think you are rather Warrington the Unlucky, for you are followed
by daily idleness, daily flattery, daily temptation, and the Lord, I
say, send you a good, deliverance out of your good fortune."

But Harry did not like to tell his aunt that afternoon why it was he
looked so grave. He thought he would not drink, but there were some
jolly fellows at the ordinary who passed the bottle round; and he meant
not to play in the evening, but a fourt