resolutely for him, "yesterday I got an order for five
hundred more."

And he handed me the paper. I must own that the figures startled me. I
laid it down with a fine show of indifference.

"And so you wish me to stop drawing? Very good, Mr. Dix."

He must have seen some threat implied, though I meant none. He was my
very humble servant at once, and declared he had called only to let me
know where I stood. Then he bowed himself out, wishing me luck with the
horse he had heard of, and I lighted my pipe with his accompt.

CHAPTER XXXVII. THE SERPENTINE

Whether it was Mr. Dix. that started me reflecting, or my Lord
Carlisle's warning, or a few discreet words from young Lady Carlisle
herself, I know not. At all events, I made a resolution to stop
high play, and confine myself to whist and quinze and picquet. For
I conceived a notion, enlarged by Mr. Fox, that I had more than once
fallen into the tender clutches of the hounds. I was so reflecting
the morning following Lord Carlisle's dinner, when Banks announced a
footman.

"Mr. Manners's man, sir," he added significantly, and handed me a little
note. I seized it, and, to hide my emotion, told him to give the man his
beer.

The writing was Dorothy's, and some time passed after I had torn off the
wrapper before I could compose myself to read it.

"So, Sir, the Moment I am too ill to watch you you must needs lapse into
Wilde & Flity Doings, for thus y'rs are call'd even in London. Never
Mind how y'r Extravigancies are come to my Ears Sir. One Matter I have
herd that I am Most Concerned about, & I pray you, my Dear Richard do
not allow y'r Recklessness & Contemt for Danger to betray you into a
Stil more Amazing Follie or I shall be very Miserable Indeed. I have
Hopes that the Report is at Best a Rumour & you must sit down & write me
that it is Sir that my Minde may be set at Rest. I fear for you Vastly
& I beg you not Riske y'r Life Foolishly & this for the Sake of one who
subscribes herself y'r Old Playmate & Well-Wisher Dolly.

"P.S. I have writ Sir Jon Fielding to put you in the Marshallsee or New
Gate until Mr. Carvel can be tolde. I am Better & hope soon to see you
agen & have been informed of y'r Dayly Visitts & y'r Flowers are beside
me. D. M."

In about an hour and a half, Mr. Marmaduke's footman was on his way back
to Arlington Street in a condition not to be lightly spoken of. During
that period I had committed an hundred silly acts, and incident