Alfred de Rosann — page 91: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

S82 ALFRED DE ROSANN. sums ; and his success at this rubber appeared certain. Fortune, however, decided against him, and Markham gained the last point with an air of triumph. The other instantly left his seat, according to the general usage of the game, and made way for any one who was adventurous enough to occupy it. A sudden fancy seized hold of De Rosann’s mind; and he instantly assumed the forsaken chair. No sooner had he thus rashly sate down to play with a stranger, than he heartily repented, and would have given much to be able to retire with decency ; for Belle-Rose drew near the table at the same time, and, thrusting forward his head, desired Markham to bet fiv sovereigns for him. | “ Very well, my dear Count,’’ cried his friend : I hope I shall not be the cause of you losing them,”’ ‘“ Never fear,’? returned Belle-Rose ; and he placed himself at the back of Markham’s chair to assist him with his advice. — De Rosann laid ten pounds upon the cloth, and © turned up the king the first deal, besides making two. points in addition to the one thussecured. Markham appeared uneasy, particularly as he had himself volunteered to cover half of the cash which our hero had wagered, and he had not yet produced a shilling. “ Why do you not lay down your money?” inquired Belle-Rose: “five sovereigns for yourself—and as much forme. If, you refuse to take up M. De Ro- sann’s stakes, suffer some one else to have the option, or not, as he chooses ?”’ “There is no_hurry,’”’ said Markham, evidently embarrassed: ‘* J am good for a paltry ten-pound note, I hope,’’ he added with a faint smile, while one or two gentlemen, that were looking on, exchanged suspi- cious glances with each other. De Rosann did not say a word, but pursued the game in a calm and quiet manner. Five minutes decided it in his favour. | YT owe you ten sovereigns, M. De Rosann,”’ said Gomichbooks., com