x! But don't put those propositions to Milbanke; put
them to yourself when you've reached his age. If you can't tell at
fifty-five why poor human creatures play and kill and make fools of
themselves, you'll have been a very lucky woman."

For an instant his voice dropped, the despondency, the restless ennui
that Milbanke had previously noticed falling like a brief shadow over
his anger. But the lapse was brief. With another laugh and a shrug of
the shoulders, he turned suddenly, and, crossing the room, opened the
door.

"Burke!" he called loudly across the hall. "Burke, bring more candles
and another bottle of port--and the cards!"

At the words Clodagh rose.

"Father!" she exclaimed below her breath. Then her voice faltered. The
involuntary note of protest and appeal was checked by some other
emotion. With a swift movement she crossed the hearth, picked up her
whip and cap, and, without another glance or word, walked out of the
room, followed noiselessly by Nance.

Asshlin continued to stand by the door until the figures of his
children had disappeared; then he turned back into the room.

"James," he said suddenly, "perhaps you don't think it, but one hair of
that child's head is more precious to me than life. She's an Asshlin to
the tips of her fingers. She's the whole race of us in one. The very
way she repudiates us is proof enough for any man. I tell you the whole
lot of us--lock, stock, and barrel--are looking at you out of her
eyes."

Again he paused; then again he shook off his passing seriousness with
nervous excitability, reseating himself at the table, as Burke entered.

"Ah, here we are!" he cried. "Here we are! Come along, Burke, and show
the light of heaven to us. Now, James, for any stakes you like--and at
any game! What shall it be? Piquet? Or will we say Euchre, for the sake
of the days that are dead and gone? Very well. Euchre let it be--for
any stakes you like. It's the land of beggars, but, by Gad, you'll,
find us game? Pass me your glass for another taste of port."

CHAPTER IV

The unpleasant sensation of moving in the dark remained with Milbanke
while Asshlin, still noisily excited, arranged the stakes, cut for the
deal, and, having won the cut, distributed the cards. By nature he was
lethargic and placid; by habit he was precise, methodical, and
commonplace. The advent into this new atmosphere, with its inexplicable
suggestions and volcanic outbursts, left him distressed and il