on till they made my eyes wink.

So did pore Dawkinses, as he put out his hand, all trembling, and drew
them in.

"Let me say," added master, "let me say (and I've had some little
experience), that you are the very best ecarte player with whom I ever
sat down."

Dawkinses eyes glissened as he put the money up, and said, "Law,
Deuceace, you flatter me."

Flatter him! I should think he did. It was the very thing which
master ment.

"But mind you, Dawkins," continyoud he, "I must have my revenge; for
I'm ruined--positively ruined--by your luck."

"Well, well," says Mr. Thomas Smith Dawkins, as pleased as if he had
gained a millium, "shall it be to-morrow? Blewitt, what say you!"

Mr. Blewitt agread, in course. My master, after a little demurring,
consented too. "We'll meet," says he, "at your chambers. But mind, my
dear fello, not too much wine: I can't stand it at any time, especially
when I have to play ecarte with you."

Pore Dawkins left our rooms as happy as a prins. "Here, Charles," says
he, and flung me a sovring. Pore fellow! pore fellow! I know what was
a comin!

* * * * *

But the best of it was, that these 13 sovrings which Dawkins won,
master had borrowed them from Mr. Blewitt! I brought 'em, with 7 more,
from that young genlmn's chambers that very morning: for, since his
interview with master, Blewitt had nothing to refuse him.

* * * * *

Well, shall I continue the tail? If Mr. Dawkins had been the least bit
wiser, it would have taken him six months befoar he lost his money; as
it was, he was such a confounded ninny, that it took him a very short
time to part with it.

Nex day (it was Thursday, and master's acquaintance with Mr. Dawkins
had only commenced on Tuesday), Mr. Dawkins, as I said, gev his
party,--dinner at 7. Mr. Blewitt and the two Mr. D.'s as befoar. Play
begins at 11. This time I knew the bisniss was pretty serious, for we
suvvants was packed off to bed at 2 o'clock. On Friday, I went to
chambers--no master--he kem in for 5 minutes at about 12, made a little
toilit, ordered more dewles and soda-water, and back again he went to
Mr. Dawkins's.

They had dinner there at 7 again, but nobody seamed to eat, for all the
vittles came out to us genlmn: they had in more wine though, and must
have drunk at least two dozen in the 36 hours.

At ten o'clock, however, on Friday night, back my master came to his
chambers. I