Alfred de Rosann by G.W.M. Reynolds — page 197: what you’re looking at

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

168 Alfred de Rosann. ‘¢ F owe you ten sovereigns, M. De Rosann,” said Markham, a deep blush overspreading his countenance. ‘‘ Will you give me my revenge?” ‘¢ Certainly,” answered our hero; ‘‘if no one be desirous of taking your place, which, according to the laws of the game, you have forfeited.” ‘¢No—I am free to retain it, I fancy,’ returned Markbam, having glanced hastily round upon the spectators near the table : ‘Sand as I have a twenty pound note in my pocket, we will put off the settlement of gains or losses till the fate of the next rubber be known.” ‘¢ With pleasure,” said our hero. ‘I shall leave the ten sove- reigns I before staked on the board.” ‘You may advance another five for me, Markham,” cried Belle-Rose, once more thrusting forward his head, having that evening expended a shilling’s worth of Rowland’s Macassar oil on bis curis. ‘Very well, Count,” replied the toady. ‘‘ Then I have ten sovereigns engaged once more, M. De Rosann ” ‘¢T will cover them,” answered our hero calmly; and he placed the ten sovereigns he had already laid upon the table, in a heap. ‘¢’Pis bad to play on credit,” said the knight of the spectacles to his friend of the seals; for these two gentlemen had been attentive observers of the game ever since they left Mrs. Robson, the one to seek his friend Lord Walter, and the other to procure a glass of lemonade for the banker’s spouse. But the former was totally unacquainted with Lord Walter; and Mrs. Robson never saw the latter with the promised beverage. The reminiscence of their foolish ideas about the drama, which they had seen at the Hay- market and the Adelphi, were somewhat disagreeable chords to touch upon. ‘¢T hate credit: all debt is dishonest,” said Mr. Goldsmith, in answer to his friend's remark. ‘¢ And yet your tailor told me the other day that you owed him five and thirty pounds,” observed Mr. Jenkins. ‘‘The same tailor who arrested you last Christmas, was it not ?’”’ retorted he of the seals. ‘¢Three to one,” cried De Rosann; and a solemn silence ensued around the table. At the next deal our hero marked the king, and threw down his cards, having the queen, knave, and ten in his and. « Will you allow me to try my luck once more?” enquired Markham, fumbling in his pocket. ‘¢]T had rather not continue the game,” answered Alfred: “and I moreover see some one ready to take your place.” ‘‘ Let us settle accounts, then—I owe you twenty pounds—ten for myself, and ten for my friend, the Count,” said Markham, evidently disappointed at De Rosann’s refusal to retain his seat, and still fumbling in his pocket. ‘* Well—this is odd—I must have left it at home—I could have sworn that I had it about me—” ECONlNCOOOlKS.CO