of the croupiers had
said a word, as though calling his attention to the game, but he had
merely shaken his head. But when the fate of the next turn had been
decided, he again roused himself, and on this occasion, as far as
Alice could see, pushed his whole stock forward with the rake. There
was a little mass of gold, and, from his manner of placing it, all
might see that he left its position to chance. One piece had got
beyond its boundary, and the croupier pushed it back with some
half-expressed inquiry as to his correctness. "All right," said a
voice in English. Then Lady Glencora started and clutched Alice's arm
with her hand. Mr Palliser was explaining to Mr Grey, behind them,
something about German finance as connected with gambling-tables, and
did not hear the voice, or see his wife's motion. I need hardly tell
the reader that the gambler was Burgo Fitzgerald.

But Lady Glencora said not a word,--not as yet. She looked forward
very gently, but still with eager eyes, till she could just see
the face she knew so well. His hat was now pushed back, and his
countenance had lost its listlessness. He watched narrowly the face
of the man as he told out the amount of the cards as they were dealt.
He did not try to hide his anxiety, and when, after the telling of
some six or seven cards, he heard a certain number named, and a
certain colour called, he made some exclamation which even Glencora
could not hear. And then another croupier put down, close to Burgo's
money, certain rolls of gold done up in paper, and also certain loose
napoleons.

"Why doesn't he take it?" said Lady Glencora.

"He is taking it," said Alice, not at all knowing the cause of her
cousin's anxiety.

Burgo had paused a moment, and then prepared to rake the money to
him; but as he did so, he changed his mind, and pushed it all back
again,--now, on this occasion, being very careful to place it on its
former spot. Both Alice and Glencora could see that a man at his
elbow was dissuading him,--had even attempted to stop the arm which
held the rake. But Burgo shook him off, speaking to him some word
roughly, and then again he steadied the rolls upon their appointed
place. The croupier who had paused for a moment now went on quickly
with his cards, and in two minutes the fate of Burgo's wealth was
decided. It was all drawn back by the croupier's unimpassioned rake,
and the rolls of gold were restored to the tray from whence they had
been taken.

Burg