stow on me
yourself."

With that she flung away, leaving me sore distressed and amazed. But
though this speech removed somewhat of my blindness, yet the love I
had for her was no whit lessened, but rather increased in vehemence.
And seeing that I had but little money of my own to procure her such
toys as she spoke of, I forthwith betook me to dicing and gambling,
which hitherto I had refrained from, in the hopes of bettering my
estate.

The luck I had in this was very various, so that at one time guineas
seemed to be dropping out of my pockets, whereas at others I might
ransack them through without finding so much as a silver penny. And
according to the state of my fortunes, so did I prosper in Marian's
regard; and in this ill-state of my affairs I grew reckless, and drank
to drive away better thoughts, and so came on rapidly to the evil hour
which was to end it all.

For, as it happened, I was one night throwing the dice with my cousin
Rupert, and he had won of me, and as I went on, drinking in between
whiles, I lost what little coolness I had started with, and finally
staked my last penny on the last throw, and lost that too. Then I
flung myself back from the table with an oath.

"Fair and softly, cousin," said Rupert, picking up the money I had
thrown before him. "It does not much matter who wins, seeing that it
all goes into the same pocket afterwards."

"What do you mean?" I cried sharply. For nothing angered me more than
to have him say anything which glanced at our rivalry for Marian, in
which business I had too much reason to suspect he was more fortunate
than myself. That very day, moreover, I had found them together, and
they had looked ill-pleased at being disturbed.

"Faith, I think you must know my meaning well enough by this time,"
answered Rupert, with an insulting smile. "Before you try to play the
gallant you must line your pocket better."

"Hold your tongue!" I said fiercely. "I am not used to buy favours,
like some who have nothing but their purse to commend them."

"Then you should go where favours are not sold," he sneered, with an
evil smile.

"Those words in your teeth!" I shouted, starting up and clapping my
hand on my sword, which I had bought two days before of a Jew.

By this time the noise of our quarrel had aroused the whole room, and
the company were crowding round us, the men of the _Fair Maid_ in the
front. Rupert bit his lip as he saw where he stood.

"Peace, youngster," h