my advice, and never touch them. If you have no genius for chance,
twelve months will suffice to ruin you. If you turn out a great
player, one half the genius you expend upon it will conquer a kingdom
or found an empire. If you prefer oxygen to air--gamble! If you think
_aquafortis_ healthier than water--_gamble_! If you consider fever and
fire the proper components of your blood--_gamble_! Take my advice,
and never touch a card again--your bond is ashes. Come, Tom, to bed!"

And his Excellency, laughing as good-humoredly as ever, led the way up
the broad staircase, preceded by a servant carrying a flambeau.

Sir Asinus found a magnificent apartment prepared for him--a velvet
fauteuil, silk-curtained bed, wax candles in silver candelabra; and
seeing that his guest was comfortably fixed, Governor Fauquier bade
him good night.

As for Sir Asinus, he retired without delay, and dreamed that he
ruined his Excellency at cards; won successively all his real and
personal estate; and lastly, having staked a thousand pistoles against
his commission as Governor, won that also. Then, in his dream, he rose
in his dignity, lit his pipe with the parchment, and made his
Excellency a low and generous bow.

As he did so, the day dawned.

CHAPTER VII.

JACQUES BESTOWS HIS PATERNAL ADVICE UPON A SCHOOLGIRL.

Just a week after the practical lesson given by his Excellency
Governer Fauquier to Sir Asinus, and on a bright fine morning, the
melancholy Jacques issued from the walls of his Alma Mater, and took
his way along Gloucester street toward the residence of his friend and
rival.

Jacques was dressed with unusual splendor. His coat was heavy with
embroidery--his waistcoat a blooming flower-plat, upon whose emerald
background roses, marigolds, and lilies flaunted in their satin
bravery--and his scarlet silk stockings were held up by gold-colored
garters. His narrow-edged cocked hat drooped with its feather over his
handsome features, and in his delicately gloved hand he held a slight
cane, which, from time to time he rested on the point of his
high-heeled shoes, bending the lithe twig with irreproachable
elegance.

Not far from the residence of the rebel he encountered and saluted
with melancholy courtesy a very lovely young girl of about fifteen,
who was tripping along to school, a satchel full of books upon her
arm, and, covering her bright locks, a sun-bonnet such as school-girls
wore at that time, and indeed in our