lay.
They
raised
him
—
they
bore
him
into
the
hall
;
but
the
moment
the
light
of
the
lamps
fell
upon
him
,
they
perceived
that
all
human
aid
was
unavailing
.
His
skull
was
literally
beaten
in
,
and
his
hair
was
covered
with
his
blood
and
brains
!
Thus
did
he
meet
the
fate
which
he
had
all
along
intended
for
his
infant
nephew
.
Terrible
suicide
—
but
just
retribution
!
Half
an
hour
after
this
dread
event
a
travelling
carriage
rolled
rapidly
away
from
Ravensworth
Hall
.
In
it
were
seated
Adeline
,
with
her
child
upon
her
lap
,
her
lady's-maid
,
and
the
nurse
.
The
faithful
Quentin
,
who
had
been
induced
by
the
persuasion
of
Eliza
Sydney
to
remain
in
the
service
of
Lady
Ravensworth
,
occupied
the
dickey
behind
the
vehicle
.
Adeline
was
now
on
her
way
to
Dover
,
whence
she
purposed
to
pass
to
the
continent
;
her
intention
being
,
in
pursuance
of
the
advice
of
Eliza
,
to
seek
some
retired
spot
in
the
south
of
France
,
where
she
might
at
least
find
tranquillity
and
repose
,
if
not
happiness
,
after
the
rude
storms
to
which
she
had
lately
been
so
fearfully
exposed
.
Not
that
this
self-expatriation
was
compulsory
on
account
of
Lady
Ravensworth
's
one
dread
crime
:
it
was
nevertheless
the
project
to
which
we
have
before
alluded
,
and
by
which
means
Eliza
had
planned
that
Adeline
should
escape
from
the
consequences
of
any
revelation
that
might
be
made
by
the
Resurrection
Man
in
respect
to
the
murdered
Lydia
Hutchinson
.
But
no
such
revelation
was
made
,
inasmuch
as
Tidkins
had
disappeared
from
the
mansion
ere
Quentin
received
the
order
to
secure
him
.
For
the
instant
the
cry
of
"
Saved
!
saved
!
"
fell
upon
the
ears
of
the
Resurrection
Man
and
conveyed
to
him
the
stunning
fact
that
the
scheme
had
failed
—
that
the
child
had
escaped
,
in
some
marvellous
manner
,
the
fate
intended
for
it
,
—
then
did
he
know
full
well
that
Ravensworth
Hall
was
no
longer
the
place
for
him
.
Reckless
of
what
might
become
of
Vernon
,
and
unnoticed
by
the
servants
amidst
the
confusion
which
prevailed
immediately
after
the
fall
of
the
child
from
the
balcony
,
Tidkins
slipped
out
of
the
mansion
by
the
back
way
,
and
was
speedily
beyond
the
reach
of
danger
.
Thus
terminated
that
terrible
series
of
incidents
which
constitute
so
strange
an
episode
in
the
annals
of
the
family
of
Ravensworth
.
But
ere
Adeline
took
her
departure
from
the
mansion
of
that
noble
race
whose
name
she
bore
,
she
had
learnt
,
with
surprise
and
joy
,
that
the
excellent
friend
whom
heaven
had
sent
her
,
and
by
whose
touching
language
and
admirable
example
her
own
heart
had
been
brought
to
a
state
of
sincere
and
profound
penitence
,
—
she
had
learnt
,
we
say
,
that
this
noble-hearted
woman
was
one
whose
brow
a
diadem
had
lately
graced
!
We
may
also
observe
that
Morcar
refused
the
liberal
recompense
which
both
Adeline
and
Eliza
proffered
him
for
the
most
important
service
which
he
had
rendered
in
defeating
Vernon
's
plan
at
a
moment
when
,
in
spite
of
all
the
precautions
and
the
various
measures
adopted
by
Eliza
,
it
seemed
to
touch
upon
the
verge
of
a
success
fatal
to
the
existence
of
the
infant
heir
.
Satisfied
with
the
approval
of
his
own
conscience
,
and
attended
by
the
blessings
of
a
mother
whose
child
he
had
saved
,
Morcar
returned
with
the
jugglers
to
the
Three
Kings
,
where
he
completely
satisfied
them
for
the
disappointment
they
had
experienced
in
respect
to
the
wondrous
properties
of
his
net
;
and
on
the
ensuing
morning
he
parted
from
them
,
to
pursue
his
own
way
.
Eliza
Sydney
passed
the
night
at
Ravensworth
Hall
;
and
,
after
the
Coroner
's
Inquest
had
sate
next
day
upon
the
body
of
the
suicide
Vernon
,
she
returned
to
her
peaceful
villa
at
Clapton
.
CHAPTER
CCXXXIX
.
THE
RESURRECTION
MAN
'S
RETURN
HOME
.
As
the
Resurrection
Man
hurried
through
the
fields
,
amidst
the
darkness
of
the
night
,
he
vented
in
horrible
imprecations
the
rage
he
experienced
at
the
failure
of
a
scheme
to
which
he
had
devoted
so
much
time
and
trouble
.
He
knew
that
the
blank
acceptance
which
he
had
extorted
from
Vernon
,
and
which
he
had
looked
upon
as
the
safe
guarantee
of
the
speedy
acquisition
of
three
thousand
pounds
,
was
now
but
a
valueless
slip
of
paper
;
and
he
cursed
himself
for
having
been
foolish
enough
to
advance
some
two
or
three
hundred
guineas
of
his
own
money
to
furnish
his
late
employer
with
the
supplies
necessary
for
his
purposes
.
But
as
a
set-off
against
these
disappointments
he
had
one
consolation
—
a
consolation
which
to
a
less
avaricious
mind
would
have
been
more
than
commensurate
with
the
losses
that
Tidkins
deplored
.
He
was
possessed
of
Lady
Ravensworth
's
valuable
casket
of
jewels
,
which
he
had
removed
,
a
few
days
after
he
had
obtained
it
in
the
manner
already
described
,
to
his
house
in
Globe
Town
.
And
it
was
to
this
den
that
he
was
now
repairing
.
He
was
as
yet
unacquainted
with
the
fate
of
Gilbert
Vernon
;
but
,
supposing
it
probable
that
justice
might
already
have
that
individual
in
his
grasp
,
he
at
once
determined
to
provide
for
his
own
safety
.
Abandoning
,
therefore
,
all
his
long-nourished
schemes
of
vengeance
against
the
Prince
of
Montoni
,
the
Rattlesnake
,
and
Crankey
Jem
,
Tidkins
was
now
intent
only
on
securing
his
treasure
,
and
taking
his
departure
for
America
with
the
least
possible
delay
.
It
was
about
two
o'clock
in
the
morning
when
the
Resurrection
Man
,
sinking
with
the
fatigues
of
his
long
and
circuitous
journey
round
all
the
northern
outskirts
of
London
,
arrived
at
his
own
house
.
Wearied
as
he
was
,
he
wasted
no
time
in
snatching
a
temporary
repose
:
a
glass
of
spirits
recruited
his
strength
and
invigorated
his
energies
;
and
,
with
his
bunch
of
keys
in
his
hand
,
he
repaired
from
his
own
chamber
to
the
rooms
on
the
ground-floor
.
It
will
be
remembered
that
on
a
former
occasion
,
—
on
his
return
home
,
in
the
middle
of
the
month
of
March
,
after
his
escape
from
the
Middlesex
House
of
Correction
,
—
the
Resurrection
Man
had
perceived
certain
indications
which
led
him
to
imagine
that
the
step
of
an
intruder
had
visited
the
ground-floor
and
the
subterranean
part
of
his
house
.
His
suspicions
had
fallen
upon
Banks
;
but
an
interview
with
this
individual
convinced
him
that
those
suspicions
were
unfounded
;
for
although
he
did
not
question
him
point-blank
upon
the
subject
,
yet
his
penetration
was
such
,
that
he
could
judge
of
the
real
truth
by
the
undertaker
's
manner
.
Since
that
period
Tidkins
had
visited
his
house
in
Globe
Town
on
several
occasions
—
indeed
,
as
often
as
he
could
possibly
get
away
from
Ravensworth
Hall
for
the
greater
portion
of
a
day
;
and
,
perceiving
no
farther
indications
of
the
intrusion
of
a
stranger
,
he
became
confirmed
in
the
belief
which
had
succeeded
his
first
suspicions
,
and
which
was
that
he
had
been
influenced
by
groundless
alarms
.
But
now
,
the
moment
he
put
the
key
into
the
lock
of
the
door
in
the
alley
,
he
uttered
a
terrible
imprecation
—
for
the
key
would
not
turn
,
and
there
was
evidently
something
in
the
lock
!
Hastily
picking
the
lock
with
one
of
those
wire-instruments
which
are
used
for
the
purpose
by
burglars
,
he
extracted
from
it
a
piece
of
a
key
which
had
broken
in
the
wards
.
Fearful
was
now
the
rage
of
the
Resurrection
Man
;
and
when
he
had
succeeded
in
opening
the
door
,
he
precipitated
himself
madly
into
that
department
of
his
abode
.
But
what
pen
can
describe
his
savage
fury
,
when
,
upon
lighting
a
lantern
,
he
saw
the
trap
raised
,
and
the
brick
removed
from
the
place
in
the
chimney
where
it
covered
the
secret
means
of
raising
the
hearth-stone
?
Plunging
desperately
down
into
the
subterranean
,
at
the
risk
of
breaking
his
neck
,
Tidkins
felt
like
one
on
whose
eyes
a
hideous
spectre
suddenly
bursts
,
when
he
beheld
the
door
of
a
cell
—
the
very
cell
in
which
his
treasure
was
concealed
—
standing
wide
open
!
Staggering
now
,
as
a
drunken
man
—
and
no
longer
rushing
wildly
along
,
—
but
dragging
himself
painfully
,
—
Tidkins
reached
that
cell
.
His
worst
fears
were
confirmed
:
the
stone
in
the
centre
was
removed
from
its
place
;
—
and
his
treasure
was
gone
!
Yes
:
—
money-bags
and
jewel-casket
—
the
produce
of
heaven
only
knows
how
much
atrocity
and
blackest
crime
—
had
disappeared
.
This
was
the
second
time
that
his
hoarded
wealth
was
snatched
from
him
.
Then
did
that
man
—
so
energetic
in
the
ways
of
turpitude
,
so
strong
in
the
stormy
paths
of
guilt
,
—
then
did
he
sink
down
,
with
a
hollow
groan
,
upon
the
cold
floor
of
the
cell
.
For
a
few
minutes
he
lay
like
one
deprived
of
sense
and
feeling
,
the
only
indications
of
life
being
the
violent
clenching
of
his
fists
,
and
the
demoniac
workings
of
his
cadaverous
countenance
.
Cadaverous
!
—
never
did
the
face
of
a
wretched
being
in
the
agonies
of
strangulation
by
hanging
,
present
so
appalling
—
so
hideous
an
appearance
!
But
in
a
short
time
the
Resurrection
Man
started
up
with
a
savage
howl
and
a
terrible
imprecation
:
his
energies
—
prostrated
for
a
period
—
revived
;
and
his
first
idea
,
when
arousing
from
that
torpor
,
was
vengeance
—
a
fearful
vengeance
upon
the
plunderer
.
But
who
was
that
plunderer
?
whose
hand
had
suddenly
beggared
him
?
His
suspicions
instantly
fixed
themselves
upon
two
persons
—
the
only
two
of
his
accomplices
who
were
acquainted
with
the
mysteries
of
the
subterranean
.
These
were
Banks
and
the
Buffer
.
He
was
about
to
turn
from
the
cell
,
and
repair
forthwith
—
even
at
that
hour
—
to
the
dwelling
of
the
undertaker
,
when
his
eyes
suddenly
fell
upon
some
letters
scrawled
in
chalk
upon
the
pavement
,
and
which
the
position
of
the
lantern
had
hitherto
prevented
him
from
observing
.
He
stooped
down
,
and
read
the
words
—
"
James
Cuffin
.
"
The
mystery
was
solved
:
his
mortal
enemy
,
Crankey
Jem
,
had
robbed
him
of
his
treasure
!
Dark
—
terribly
ominous
and
foreboding
—
was
now
the
cloud
which
overspread
the
countenance
of
the
Resurrection
Man
.
"
Had
I
ten
times
the
wealth
I
have
lost
,
"
he
muttered
to
himself
,
with
a
hyena-like
growl
,
"
I
would
not
quit
this
country
till
I
had
wreaked
my
vengeance
upon
that
man
!
But
this
is
now
no
place
for
me
:
he
has
tracked
me
here
—
he
may
set
the
traps
upon
me
.
Let
us
see
if
the
Bully
Grand
cannot
discover
his
lurking
hole
.
"
With
these
words
,
—
and
now
displaying
that
outward
calmness
which
often
covers
the
most
intensely
concentrated
rage
,
—
the
Resurrection
Man
quitted
the
subterranean
,
carefully
securing
the
doors
behind
him
.
He
purposely
broke
a
key
in
the
lock
of
the
door
leading
into
the
dark
alley
,
so
as
to
prevent
the
intrusion
of
any
of
the
neighbours
,
should
their
curiosity
tempt
them
to
visit
the
place
;
for
he
made
up
his
mind
not
to
return
thither
again
so
long
as
Jem
Cuffin
was
alive
and
able
to
betray
him
.
Having
provided
himself
with
a
few
necessaries
,
he
closed
the
up-stairs
rooms
,
and
then
took
his
departure
.
He
bent
his
steps
towards
the
house
of
the
undertaker
in
Globe
Lane
;
and
,
knocking
him
up
,
obtained
admittance
and
a
bed
.
When
he
awoke
from
a
sound
sleep
,
into
which
sheer
fatigue
plunged
him
in
spite
of
the
unpleasant
nature
of
his
thoughts
,
it
was
broad-day-light
.
He
immediately
rose
and
despatched
one
of
Banks
's
boys
for
the
morning
newspaper
;
and
from
its
columns
he
learnt
the
fate
of
the
Honourable
Gilbert
Vernon
.
"
Better
so
than
that
he
should
have
remained
alive
perhaps
to
repent
,
as
these
sentimental
humbugs
in
high
life
usually
do
,
and
then
blab
against
me
,
"
murmured
Tidkins
to
himself
.
"
The
whole
business
at
the
Hall
is
evidently
wrapped
in
considerable
mystery
;
and
there
I
hope
it
will
remain
.
But
now
let
me
devote
myself
heart
and
soul
to
my
search
after
that
scoundrel
Crankey
Jem
.
"
CHAPTER
CCXL
.
A
NEW
EPOCH
.
Twenty
months
had
elapsed
since
the
events
just
related
.
It
was
now
the
end
of
January
,
1843.
Haply
the
reader
may
begin
to
imagine
that
our
subject
is
well-nigh
exhausted
—
that
the
mysteries
of
London
are
nearly
all
unveiled
?
He
errs
;
for
London
is
a
city
containing
such
a
variety
of
strange
institutions
,
private
as
well
as
public
,
and
presenting
so
many
remarkable
phases
to
the
contemplation
of
the
acute
observer
,
that
the
writer
who
is
resolved
to
avail
himself
fully
of
the
heterogeneous
materials
thus
supplied
him
,
cannot
readily
lack
food
for
comment
and
narrative
.
The
dwellers
in
the
country
,
and
even
the
inhabitants
of
the
great
provincial
cities
and
manufacturing
towns
,
can
form
no
just
estimate
of
the
wondrous
features
of
the
sovereign
metropolis
by
the
local
scenes
with
which
they
are
familiar
.
Who
can
judge
of
the
splendour
of
the
West
End
of
London
by
even
the
most
fashionable
quarters
of
Edinburgh
or
Dublin
?
Who
can
conceive
the
amount
of
revolting
squalor
and
hideous
penury
existing
in
the
poor
districts
of
London
,
by
a
knowledge
of
the
worst
portions
of
Liverpool
or
Manchester
?
Who
can
form
a
conjecture
of
the
dreadful
immorality
and
shocking
vice
of
the
low
neighbourhoods
of
London
,
judging
by
the
scenes
presented
to
view
in
the
great
mining
or
manufacturing
counties
?
No
:
—
for
all
that
is
most
gorgeous
and
beautiful
,
as
well
as
all
that
is
most
filthy
and
revolting
,
—
all
that
is
best
of
talent
,
or
most
degraded
of
ignorance
,
—
all
that
is
most
admirable
for
virtue
,
or
most
detestable
for
crime
,
—
all
that
is
most
refined
in
elegance
,
or
most
strange
in
barbarism
,
—
all
,
all
these
wondrous
phases
are
to
be
found
,
greatest
in
glory
,
or
lowest
in
infamy
,
in
the
imperial
city
of
the
British
Isles
!
And
shall
we
be
charged
with
vanity
,
if
we
declare
that
never
until
now
has
the
veil
been
so
rudely
torn
aside
,
nor
the
corruptions
of
London
been
so
boldly
laid
bare
?
But
,
in
undertaking
this
work
,
we
were
determined
at
the
outset
to
be
daunted
by
no
fear
of
offending
the
high
and
the
powerful
:
we
were
resolved
to
misrepresent
nothing
for
the
purpose
of
securing
to
ourselves
the
favour
of
those
whom
so
many
sycophants
delight
to
bespatter
with
their
sickly
praises
.
In
the
same
independent
spirit
do
we
now
pursue
our
narrative
.
On
the
left-hand
side
of
Brydges
Street
,
as
you
proceed
from
the
Strand
towards
Russell
Street
,
Covent
Garden
,
you
may
perceive
a
lamp
projecting
over
the
door
of
an
establishment
which
,
viewed
externally
,
appears
to
be
a
modest
eating-house
;
but
which
in
reality
is
one
of
the
most
remarkable
places
of
nocturnal
entertainment
in
London
.
Upon
the
lamp
alluded
to
are
painted
these
words
—
—
"
The
Paradise
.
"
It
was
past
midnight
,
towards
the
end
of
January
,
1843
,
when
two
gentlemen
,
wearing
fashionable
Taglioni
coats
over
their
elegant
attire
,
and
impregnating
the
fine
frosty
air
with
the
vapour
of
their
cigars
,
strolled
into
this
establishment
.
Proceeding
down
a
passage
,
they
pushed
open
a
door
with
a
painted
ground-glass
window
,
and
entered
a
spacious
supper-room
.
This
apartment
was
lofty
,
handsomely
fitted
up
,
well
furnished
,
and
provided
with
boxes
containing
little
tables
,
like
the
coffee-room
of
an
hotel
.
A
cheerful
fire
burnt
in
the
grate
,
and
the
numerous
lights
suspended
around
the
apartment
were
reflected
in
a
handsome
mirror
over
the
mantel-piece
.
Above
the
door
leading
into
the
room
was
a
species
of
gallery
,
forming
a
grotto-like
opening
into
a
suite
of
upper
apartments
,
which
were
reached
by
a
flight
of
stairs
leading
from
the
passage
just
now
mentioned
.
All
was
gaiety
and
bustle
both
in
the
coffee-room
below
and
the
chambers
above
.
Numerous
suppers
were
in
progress
,
the
partakers
thereof
consisting
of
gentlemen
of
various
descriptions
and
gay
ladies
of
only
one
particular
class
.
Oysters
,
lobsters
,
cold
fowls
,
ham
,
and
kidneys
,
constituted
the
principal
edibles
;
while
liquor
flowed
copiously
and
in
all
gradations
of
luxury
,
from
humble
porter
in
pewter
pots
to
sparkling
champagne
in
green
bottles
.
The
male
portion
of
the
guests
was
composed
of
those
various
specimens
of
"
gentlemen
"
who
either
turn
night
into
day
,
or
who
make
up
for
the
toils
of
the
day
by
the
dissipated
enjoyments
of
the
night
.
There
was
an
attorney
's
clerk
,
who
,
having
picked
up
a
stray
guinea
in
a
manner
for
which
he
would
not
perhaps
have
liked
to
account
,
was
doing
the
liberal
,
in
the
shape
of
oysters
,
stout
,
and
hot
brandy-and-water
,
to
some
fair
Cyprian
whom
he
had
never
seen
before
,
and
whom
he
would
perhaps
never
see
again
,
but
with
whom
he
was
on
the
very
best
possible
terms
for
the
time
being
;
the
only
trifling
damper
to
his
enjoyment
being
her
constant
anxiety
lest
"
her
friend
"
should
happen
to
come
in
and
catch
her
at
supper
with
the
said
attorney
's
clerk
.
There
was
a
notorious
black-leg
,
who
was
regaling
a
couple
of
frail
ones
with
champagne
and
looking
out
for
flats
as
well
;
while
his
accomplice
was
doing
precisely
the
same
in
the
next
box
,
—
both
these
respectable
gentlemen
affecting
to
be
total
strangers
to
each
other
.
There
also
was
a
handsome
young
man
,
who
,
having
just
come
of
age
,
and
stepped
into
the
possession
of
a
good
property
,
was
commencing
his
career
of
waste
and
extravagance
at
the
Paradise
.
Proud
of
the
nauseating
flattery
of
the
three
or
four
abandoned
women
who
had
him
in
tow
,
he
was
literally
throwing
about
his
money
in
all
directions
,
and
staring
around
him
with
the
vacant
air
of
semi-intoxication
,
as
much
as
to
say
,
"
Do
n't
you
think
me
a
very
fine
dashing
fellow
indeed
?
"
In
another
box
was
an
old
man
,
who
had
reached
the
wrong
side
of
sixty
,
but
who
was
endeavouring
to
make
a
young
girl
of
seventeen
believe
that
he
was
but
forty-four
last
birth-day
,
—
a
tale
which
she
had
too
much
tact
to
appear
to
doubt
for
a
moment
,
as
the
antiquated
beau
supplied
her
with
copious
draughts
of
champagne
to
enable
her
to
swallow
the
lie
the
more
easily
.
A
little
farther
on
was
a
dandified
,
stiff-necked
,
coxcomical
individual
of
about
six-and-twenty
,
sipping
sherry
with
a
fair
friend
,
and
endeavouring
to
render
himself
as
polite
and
agreeable
as
possible
.
But
,
at
every
word
he
spoke
,
he
drew
out
the
edge
of
the
table-cloth
to
precisely
the
extent
of
a
yard
between
his
fore-fingers
and
thumbs
;
—
whereby
it
was
easy
to
perceive
that
,
although
he
assured
his
companion
he
was
a
captain
in
the
Guards
,
he
in
reality
exercised
the
less
conspicuous
but
more
active
employment
of
a
linen-draper
's
assistant
.
Crowding
near
the
fire
were
several
Cyprians
,
who
had
not
as
yet
obtained
cavaliers
,
and
were
therefore
hovering
between
the
alternatives
of
"
supper
"
or
"
no
supper
,
"
the
odds
being
,
to
all
appearances
,
in
favour
of
the
latter
.
They
did
not
,
however
,
seem
very
unhappy
while
their
fate
,
as
to
oysters
and
stout
,
was
pending
in
the
balance
of
suspense
;
but
laughed
,
chattered
,
and
larked
amongst
themselves
;
and
then
,
by
way
of
avoiding
any
thing
like
monotony
or
sameness
in
their
recreation
,
two
of
them
got
up
a
pleasant
little
quarrel
which
terminated
in
a
brisk
exchange
of
blows
and
scratches
.
Leaning
over
the
side
of
the
grotto-like
gallery
before
referred
to
,
were
two
individuals
,
whose
appearance
was
something
between
that
of
dissipated
actors
and
broken
down
tradesmen
;
and
who
were
so
disguised
in
liquor
that
their
own
mothers
could
scarcely
have
recognised
them
.
Being
most
probably
wearied
of
their
own
conversation
,
they
diverted
themselves
by
addressing
their
remarks
to
the
people
in
the
coffee-room
below
,
whom
they
invited
in
the
most
condescending
manner
possible
to
"
flare
up
,
"
"
mind
their
eyes
,
"
"
form
a
union
,
"
and
enact
various
other
little
social
civilities
of
the
same
ambiguous
nature
.
Within
the
upper
rooms
were
several
gay
ladies
and
jovially
disposed
gentlemen
,
all
mainly
intent
upon
the
pleasures
of
eating
or
drinking
,
which
occupations
were
however
relieved
by
boisterous
shouts
of
laughter
and
practical
jokes
of
all
kinds
.
In
justice
to
the
proprietor
of
this
establishment
it
must
be
observed
that
he
conducted
it
upon
as
orderly
a
system
as
could
be
possibly
maintained
when
the
characters
of
his
patrons
and
patronesses
are
taken
into
consideration
;
and
the
moment
a
disturbance
occurred
,
either
himself
or
his
waiters
adopted
the
most
efficient
means
of
putting
an
end
to
it
,
by
bundling
the
offenders
neck-and-crop
into
the
street
.
The
two
gentlemen
who
lounged
,
as
before
stated
,
into
this
celebrated
night-house
on
the
occasion
alluded
to
,
took
possession
of
a
vacant
box
,
and
throwing
down
their
cigars
,
summoned
the
waiter
.
"
Yes
,
sir
—
coming
,
sir
—
di
-rectly
,
sir
,
"
cried
the
chief
functionary
thus
adjured
,
and
who
was
busy
at
the
moment
in
disputing
the
items
of
the
score
with
the
linen-draper
's
assistant
:
—
but
,
when
that
little
matter
was
duly
settled
to
the
satisfaction
of
the
waiter
and
the
discomfiture
of
the
assistant
aforesaid
,
he
hurried
up
to
the
table
occupied
by
the
new
comers
.
"
Well
,
what
shall
we
have
,
Harborough
?
"
asked
one
of
the
gentlemen
,
appealing
to
his
companion
.
"
'
Pon
my
honour
,
I
do
n't
care
a
rap
,
"
was
the
reply
.
"
Order
what
you
like
,
old
fellow
.
"
Thus
encouraged
,
Mr.
Chichester
(
for
it
was
he
)
desired
the
waiter
to
bring
"
no
end
of
oysters
,
"
and
to
follow
with
a
cold
fowl
.
"
Yes
,
sir
—
certainly
,
sir
,
"
said
the
domestic
,
hastily
transferring
a
pepper-box
from
one
side
of
the
table
to
the
other
,
and
smoothing
down
the
cloth
:
"
please
to
order
any
thing
to
drink
,
gentlemen
?
"
"
A
bottle
of
champagne
,
"
returned
Mr.
Chichester
;
"
and
make
haste
about
it
.
"
"
Yes
,
sir
—
this
minute
,
sir
:
"
—
and
the
waiter
glided
away
with
that
kind
of
shuffling
,
shambling
motion
which
no
living
beings
save
waiters
can
ever
accomplish
.
When
the
provender
was
duly
supplied
,
and
the
first
glass
of
champagne
was
quaffed
,
Chichester
leant
across
the
table
,
and
said
to
the
baronet
in
a
low
tone
of
chuckling
triumph
,
"
Well
,
old
chap
,
I
do
n't
think
we
can
complain
of
Fortune
during
the
last
three
or
four
months
?
"
"
No
—
far
from
it
,
"
returned
Sir
Rupert
Harborough
.
"
But
we
mus
n't
be
idle
because
we
happen
to
have
a
few
five
pound
notes
in
our
pocket
.
However
,
things
will
turn
up
,
I
dare
say
.
"
"
Yes
—
if
we
look
out
for
them
,
"
said
Chichester
;
"
but
not
unless
.
By
the
bye
,
who
do
you
think
I
met
this
afternoon
,
as
I
was
strolling
along
the
Strand
?
"
"
Ca
n't
say
at
all
,
"
replied
the
baronet
.
"
Who
?
"
"
Greenwood
,
"
added
Chichester
.
"
The
deuce
you
did
!
And
how
was
he
looking
?
"
"
Not
so
slap-up
as
he
used
to
be
:
—
no
jewellery
—
toggery
not
quite
new
—
hat
showing
marks
of
the
late
rain
—
boots
patched
at
the
sides
—
and
cotton
gloves
.
"
"
The
scoundrel
!
Do
you
remember
how
he
served
me
about
that
bill
which
I
accepted
in
Lord
Tremordyn
's
name
?
Ah
!
should
n't
I
like
to
pay
him
out
for
it
!
"
said
the
baronet
.
"
But
how
he
has
fallen
within
the
last
two
years
!
Turned
out
of
his
seat
for
Rottenborough
at
the
last
election
—
obliged
to
give
up
his
splendid
house
in
Spring
Gardens
—
—
"
"
Well
,
well
—
we
know
all
about
that
,
"
interrupted
Chichester
,
impatiently
.
"
Do
n't
speak
so
loud
;
but
look
into
the
next
box
—
the
one
behind
me
,
I
mean
—
and
tell
me
if
you
think
that
young
fellow
who
is
treating
those
girls
to
champagne
would
prove
a
flat
or
not
.
"
The
baronet
glanced
in
the
direction
indicated
;
and
immediately
afterwards
gave
an
affirmative
nod
of
the
head
to
his
companion
:
then
,
leaning
across
the
table
he
whispered
,
"
To
be
sure
he
would
;
and
I
know
who
he
is
.
It
's
young
Egerton
—
the
son
of
the
great
outfitter
,
who
died
a
few
years
ago
,
leaving
a
large
fortune
in
trust
for
this
lad
.
I
'll
be
bound
to
say
he
has
just
come
of
age
,
and
is
launching
out
.
"
"
Does
he
know
you
?
"
inquired
Chichester
,
also
speaking
in
a
subdued
tone
.
"
I
am
almost
certain
he
does
not
,
"
replied
the
baronet
.
"
But
sit
up
—
we
will
soon
see
what
he
is
made
of
.
I
will
touch
him
on
the
cross
that
we
have
got
up
together
.
"
The
two
friends
resumed
the
discussion
of
their
supper
,
and
in
a
few
minutes
began
to
converse
with
each
other
in
a
tone
loud
enough
to
be
heard
—
and
intended
also
to
be
so
heard
—
in
the
next
box
.
"
And
so
you
really
think
the
Haggerstone
Pet
will
beat
the
Birmingham
Bruiser
,
Mr.
Chichester
?
"
observed
the
baronet
,
in
a
tone
of
mere
friendly
courtesy
.
"
I
am
convinced
of
it
,
Sir
Rupert
,
in
spite
of
the
odds
,
"
was
the
answer
,
delivered
in
the
same
punctilious
manner
.
"
Will
you
take
my
four
ponies
upon
the
Haggerstone
Pet
to
five
?
"
"
Done
,
Mr.
Chichester
!
"
cried
the
baronet
:
then
drawing
out
a
betting-book
from
the
breast-pocket
of
his
coat
,
he
proceeded
to
enter
the
wager
,
saying
aloud
and
in
a
measured
tone
as
he
did
so
,
"
Back
Birmingham
Bruiser
against
Haggerstone
Pet
—
five
ponies
to
four
—
Honourable
—
Arthur
—
Chichester
.
There
it
is
!
"
This
ceremony
was
followed
on
the
part
of
Mr.
Chichester
,
who
,
having
produced
his
book
,
wrote
down
the
wager
,
saying
,
"
Back
Haggerstone
Pet
against
Birmingham
Bruiser
—
four
ponies
to
five
—
Sir
—
Rupert
—
Harborough
—
baronet
.
"
"
And
now
,
"
exclaimed
the
baronet
,
"
before
we
put
up
our
books
,
I
'll
give
you
another
chance
.
Will
you
take
three
hundred
to
one
that
the
favourites
for
the
fight
and
the
Derby
do
n't
both
win
?
"
"
Stop
,
Sir
Rupert
!
"
cried
Chichester
.
"
Let
me
first
see
how
I
stand
for
the
Derby
:
"
—
then
,
as
if
speaking
to
himself
,
he
continued
,
"
Taken
even
five
hundred
,
four
horses
against
the
field
,
from
Lord
Dunstable
;
—
seven
hundred
to
one
against
Eagle-wing
,
from
the
Honourable
Colonel
Cholmondeley
;
—
betted
even
five
hundred
,
Skyscraper
to
Moonraker
,
with
the
Honourable
Augustus
Smicksmack
.
Well
,
Sir
Rupert
,
"
he
exclaimed
,
raising
his
head
from
the
contemplation
of
the
leaf
on
which
these
sham
bets
were
entered
,
"
I
do
n't
mind
if
I
take
you
.
"
"
It
's
a
bargain
,
"
said
the
baronet
;
and
the
wager
was
accordingly
inscribed
in
the
little
books
.
The
two
gentlemen
then
refreshed
themselves
each
with
another
draught
of
champagne
;
and
Sir
Rupert
Harborough
,
as
he
drank
,
glanced
over
the
edge
of
the
glass
into
the
next
box
,
to
ascertain
the
effect
produced
upon
Mr.
Egerton
by
the
previous
little
display
of
sporting
spirit
.
That
effect
was
precisely
the
one
which
had
been
anticipated
.
Mr.
Egerton
was
not
so
tipsy
but
that
he
was
struck
with
the
aristocratic
names
of
the
two
gentlemen
in
the
next
box
;
and
he
raised
his
head
from
the
bosom
of
a
Cyprian
to
take
a
view
of
Sir
Rupert
Harborough
,
Bart
.
,
and
the
Honourable
Arthur
Chichester
.
So
satisfactory
was
the
result
of
the
survey
—
at
least
to
himself
—
that
he
determined
not
only
to
show
off
a
little
of
his
own
"
dashing
spirit
,
"
but
also
,
if
possible
,
form
the
acquaintance
of
the
two
gentlemen
;
for
,
like
many
young
fellows
similarly
circumstanced
,
he
was
foolish
enough
to
believe
that
the
possession
of
money
must
prove
a
passport
to
the
best
society
,
if
he
could
only
obtain
an
opening
.
Therefore
,
having
greedily
devoured
every
word
of
the
dialogue
just
detailed
,
and
taking
it
for
granted
that
nothing
in
this
world
was
ever
more
sincere
than
the
betting
of
Sir
Rupert
Harborough
,
Bart
.
,
and
the
Honourable
Arthur
Chichester
,
Mr.
Egerton
exclaimed
,
"
Beg
pardon
,
gentlemen
,
for
intruding
upon
you
;
but
I
think
I
heard
you
staking
some
heavy
sums
on
the
coming
fight
?
"
"
Really
,
sir
,
"
said
the
baronet
,
gravely
,
"
I
was
not
aware
that
any
thing
which
took
place
between
me
and
this
gentleman
could
be
overheard
;
—
and
yet
,
after
all
,
"
he
added
with
a
gracious
smile
,
"
I
do
not
know
that
there
is
the
least
harm
in
a
little
quiet
bet
.
"
"
Harm
,
no
—
and
be
damned
to
it
!
"
ejaculated
Mr.
Egerton
.
"
All
I
can
say
is
,
that
I
admire
sporting
men
—
I
honour
them
:
they
're
an
ornament
to
the
country
.
What
would
Old
England
—
hic
—
be
without
her
Turf
—
her
hunting
—
her
prize-fighting
?
For
my
part
,
I
have
a
great
idea
of
this
fight
—
a
very
great
—
hic
—
idea
.
But
I
back
the
Birmingham
Bruiser
—
I
do
.
"
"
So
do
I
,
sir
,
"
answered
the
baronet
"
My
friend
here
,
however
—
the
Honourable
Mr.
Chichester
—
fancies
the
Haggerstone
Pet
.
"
"
I
heard
him
say
so
,
"
returned
the
young
man
.
"
But
,
if
he
has
n't
made
up
his
book
,
I
do
n't
mind
betting
him
five
hundred
pounds
—
hic
—
to
his
four
—
that
's
the
odds
,
I
believe
—
—
"
"
Yes
—
those
are
the
odds
,
"
observed
Mr.
Chichester
,
carelessly
:
then
,
taking
out
his
book
,
he
said
,
"
But
I
am
already
so
deep
in
this
fight
,
that
I
really
am
afraid
—
—
however
,
if
you
wish
it
,
I
do
n't
mind
—
—
"
"
Is
it
a
bet
,
then
,
sir
?
"
asked
the
young
gentleman
,
looking
round
the
room
with
an
air
of
importance
,
as
if
he
were
quite
accustomed
to
the
thing
,
although
it
was
in
reality
the
first
wager
he
had
ever
laid
in
his
life
.
"
It
shall
be
so
,
if
you
choose
,
sir
,
"
returned
Chichester
:
then
,
glancing
in
an
inquiring
manner
towards
his
new
acquaintance
,
he
said
with
a
bland
smile
,
"
I
really
beg
your
pardon
—
but
I
have
not
the
pleasure
—
—
"
"
Oh
!
truly
—
you
do
n't
know
me
from
Adam
!
"
interrupted
the
other
.
"
But
you
shall
know
me
,
sir
—
and
I
hope
we
shall
know
each
other
better
too
—
hic
.
"
He
then
produced
his
card
;
and
Mr.
Chichester
,
of
course
,
affected
not
to
have
been
previously
aware
of
the
young
gentleman
's
name
.
The
bet
between
them
was
duly
recorded
—
by
Mr.
Chichester
in
his
little
book
,
and
by
Mr.
Albert
Egerton
on
the
back
of
a
love-letter
.
The
latter
gentleman
then
called
for
his
bill
,
and
having
glanced
at
the
amount
,
paid
it
without
a
murmur
,
adding
a
munificent
donation
for
the
waiter
.
Having
effected
this
arrangement
,
by
means
of
which
he
got
rid
of
the
women
who
had
fastened
themselves
on
him
,
he
coolly
passed
round
to
the
table
at
which
his
new
acquaintances
were
seated
,
and
called
for
another
bottle
of
champagne
.
When
it
was
brought
,
he
was
about
to
pay
for
it
;
but
Sir
Rupert
interrupted
him
,
saying
,
"
No
—
that
would
be
too
bad
.
If
you
sit
at
our
table
,
you
are
our
guest
;
—
and
here
's
to
a
better
acquaintance
.
"
The
bottle
went
round
rapidly
;
and
Mr.
Egerton
became
quite
enchanted
with
the
agreeable
manners
of
Sir
Rupert
Harborough
,
Bart
.
,
and
the
off-hand
pleasant
conversation
of
the
Honourable
Arthur
Chichester
.
It
was
now
past
one
o'clock
;
and
the
baronet
proposed
to
depart
.
"
Which
way
do
you
—
hic
—
go
?
"
inquired
Egerton
.
"
Oh
!
westward
,
of
course
,
"
returned
Harborough
,
in
a
tone
of
gentle
remonstrance
,
as
much
as
to
say
that
there
could
have
been
no
doubt
upon
the
subject
.
"
Will
you
walk
with
us
?
"
"
Certainly
,
"
was
the
answer
:
"
and
we
will
smoke
a
—
hic
—
cigar
as
we
go
along
.
"
The
baronet
called
for
the
bill
,
paid
it
,
and
led
the
way
from
the
room
,
followed
by
Egerton
and
Chichester
,
the
former
of
whom
insisted
upon
stopping
at
the
bar
to
take
some
soda
water
,
as
he
declared
himself
to
be
"
half-seas
—
hic
—
over
.
"
While
the
three
gentlemen
were
engaged
in
partaking
each
of
a
bottle
of
the
refreshing
beverage
,
Sir
Rupert
felt
his
coat-sleeve
gently
pulled
from
behind
;
and
,
turning
round
,
he
perceived
a
man
whom
he
had
noticed
in
the
coffee-room
.
Indeed
,
this
was
one
of
the
black-legs
already
alluded
to
as
having
been
engaged
in
treating
Cyprians
to
supper
and
champagne
.
The
baronet
instantly
comprehended
the
nature
of
the
business
which
this
individual
had
to
address
him
upon
;
and
making
him
a
significant
sign
,
he
said
to
Chichester
,
"
Do
you
and
Mr.
Egerton
go
very
slowly
along
the
Strand
;
and
I
will
follow
you
in
a
few
minutes
.
I
have
a
word
to
say
to
this
gentleman
.
"
Gentleman
,
indeed
!
—
one
of
the
most
astounding
knaves
in
London
!
But
vice
and
roguery
compel
the
haughty
aristocrat
to
address
the
lowest
ruffian
as
an
equal
.
Chichester
took
Egerton
's
arm
,
and
sauntered
out
of
the
house
,
attended
to
the
door
by
the
obsequious
master
of
the
establishment
—
an
honour
shown
only
to
those
who
drink
champagne
or
claret
.
"
Well
,
sir
,
what
is
it
?
"
asked
the
baronet
,
taking
the
black-leg
aside
,
and
speaking
to
him
in
a
whisper
.
"
Only
this
,
Sir
Rupert
,
"
returned
the
man
:
"
you
've
got
that
youngster
in
tow
,
and
he
'll
turn
out
profitable
,
no
doubt
.
Me
and
my
pal
,
which
is
inside
the
room
there
,
meant
to
have
had
him
somehow
or
another
;
and
we
planted
our
vimen
on
him
to-night
:
—
but
we
thought
he
was
n't
drunk
enough
;
and
then
you
come
in
and
take
him
from
us
.
Your
friend
has
nailed
him
for
a
bet
of
five
hundred
,
which
he
's
safe
to
pay
;
so
you
must
stand
someot
for
my
disappointment
.
"
"
I
understand
you
,
sir
,
"
said
the
baronet
.
"
Here
are
twenty
pounds
:
and
if
the
bet
be
paid
,
you
shall
have
thirty
more
.
Will
that
do
?
"
"
Thank'ee
for
the
twenty
,
which
is
ready
,
"
answered
the
black-leg
,
consigning
the
notes
to
his
pocket
.
"
Now
never
mind
the
other
thirty
;
but
make
the
best
you
can
out
of
that
young
chap
;
and
all
I
ask
in
return
is
just
a
word
or
two
about
the
mill
that
's
coming
off
.
"
"
I
do
n't
understand
you
,
"
said
the
baronet
,
colouring
.
"
Come
,
come
—
that
wo
n't
do
,
"
continued
the
man
.
"
But
do
n't
be
afeard
—
it
's
all
in
the
way
of
business
that
I
'm
speaking
.
I
see
you
and
Mr.
Chichester
at
a
public
about
three
weeks
ago
along
with
the
Birmingham
Bruiser
;
and
therefore
I
knowed
you
was
the
friends
which
deposited
the
money
for
him
,
but
which
kept
in
the
back-ground
.
So
all
I
want
is
the
office
—
just
a
single
word
:
is
the
Bruiser
to
win
or
to
make
a
cross
of
it
?
"
"
Really
,
my
good
fellow
—
—
"
stammered
the
baronet
.
"
Only
just
one
word
,
so
that
I
may
know
how
to
lay
my
money
,
"
persisted
the
black-leg
,
"
and
your
secret
is
safe
with
me
.
For
my
own
interest
it
will
be
so
,
if
you
tell
me
which
way
it
is
to
be
.
"
"
Can
I
rely
on
you
?
"
said
Sir
Rupert
.
"
But
of
course
I
may
,
if
you
really
mean
to
bet
.
Now
keep
the
thing
dark
—
and
you
may
win
plenty
of
money
.
The
Bruiser
is
to
lose
:
the
odds
are
five
to
four
on
him
now
—
and
they
will
be
seven
to
four
in
his
favour
before
the
fight
comes
off
.
No
one
suspects
that
it
is
to
be
a
cross
;
and
the
reports
of
the
Bruiser
's
training
are
glorious
.
"
"
Enough
—
and
as
mum
as
a
dead
man
,
Sir
Rupert
,
"
whispered
the
black-leg
.
He
then
returned
to
the
supper-room
;
and
the
baronet
hastened
after
his
friends
.
CHAPTER
CCXLI
.
CROCKFORD
'S
.
Sir
Rupert
Harborough
,
Mr.
Albert
Egerton
,
and
Mr.
Arthur
Chichester
were
walking
arm-in-arm
,
and
smoking
cigars
,
along
the
West
Strand
,
about
ten
minutes
after
the
little
incident
which
closed
the
preceding
chapter
,
when
they
were
met
by
two
tall
and
fashionable-looking
gentlemen
,
who
immediately
recognised
the
baronet
and
Chichester
.
Both
parties
stopped
;
and
the
two
gentlemen
were
in
due
course
introduced
to
Mr.
Egerton
as
Lord
Dunstable
and
the
Honourable
Colonel
Cholmondeley
.
By
the
significant
tone
and
manner
of
the
baronet
,
—
a
sort
of
freemasonry
known
only
to
the
initiated
,
—
both
Dunstable
and
the
Colonel
were
given
to
understand
that
a
flat
had
been
caught
in
the
person
of
Mr.
Albert
Egerton
;
and
they
immediately
received
their
cue
as
completely
as
if
they
had
been
prompted
by
half
an
hour
's
explanation
.
"
What
have
you
been
doing
with
yourselves
,
gentlemen
,
this
evening
?
"
inquired
Dunstable
,
as
they
all
now
proceeded
together
through
Trafalgar
Square
.
"
My
friends
and
myself
have
been
supping
at
the
Paradise
,
"
answered
the
baronet
,
carelessly
.
Mr.
Egerton
drew
himself
up
an
inch
higher
immediately
,
although
somewhat
top-heavy
with
the
champagne
and
cigars
;
—
but
he
felt
quite
proud
—
quite
another
man
,
indeed
—
at
being
numbered
amongst
Sir
Rupert
Harborough
's
friends
,
and
at
walking
familiarly
in
the
company
of
a
real
lord
.
"
Cholmondeley
and
I
were
thinking
of
looking
in
at
Crockford
's
before
we
encountered
you
,
"
observed
Dunstable
,
forgetting
at
the
moment
that
himself
and
friend
were
proceeding
in
quite
a
contrary
direction
when
the
meeting
alluded
to
took
place
.
"
What
say
you
?
shall
we
all
go
to
Crockford
's
?
"
Egerton
noticed
not
the
little
oversight
.
The
word
"
Crockford
's
"
perfectly
electrified
him
.
He
had
often
passed
by
the
great
pandemonium
in
St.
James
's
Street
,
and
looked
with
wistful
eyes
at
its
portals
—
marvelling
whether
they
would
ever
unfold
to
give
admission
to
him
;
and
now
that
there
seemed
a
scintillation
of
a
chance
of
that
golden
wish
,
which
he
had
so
often
shadowed
forth
,
being
substantially
gratified
,
he
could
scarcely
believe
that
he
was
in
truth
Albert
Egerton
,
the
son
of
an
outfitter
,
and
having
a
very
respectable
widowed
aunt
engaged
in
the
haberdashery
line
on
Finsbury
Pavement
;
—
but
it
appeared
as
if
he
had
suddenly
received
a
transfusion
of
that
aristocracy
in
whose
company
he
found
himself
.
Already
did
he
make
up
his
mind
to
cut
the
good
old
aunt
and
the
half-dozen
of
fair
cousins
—
her
daughters
—
for
ever
:
—
already
did
he
vow
never
to
be
seen
east
of
Temple
Bar
again
.
But
then
he
thought
how
pleasant
it
would
be
to
drop
in
at
Finsbury
Pavement
on
some
Sunday
—
just
at
the
hour
of
dinner
,
which
he
could
make
his
lunch
—
and
then
astound
his
relatives
with
the
mention
of
his
aristocratic
acquaintances
,
—
no
,
his
friends
,
—
Lord
Dunstable
,
Sir
Rupert
Harborough
,
the
Honourable
Colonel
Cholmondeley
,
and
the
Honourable
Arthur
Chichester
!
And
what
glorious
names
,
too
:
—
nothing
plebeian
about
them
—
nothing
lower
than
an
Honourable
!
Had
he
known
how
cheaply
Mr.
Chichester
held
his
titular
decoration
,
Albert
Egerton
would
have
perhaps
assumed
one
himself
:
but
he
did
not
entertain
the
least
suspicion
concerning
the
matter
,
and
therefore
envied
the
pawnbroker
's
son
almost
as
much
as
either
of
the
others
.
But
to
return
.
Lord
Dunstable
had
said
,
"
Shall
we
all
go
to
Crockford
's
?
"
Deep
was
the
suspense
of
Mr.
Egerton
until
Sir
Rupert
Harborough
replied
,
"
With
much
pleasure
.
It
would
be
the
very
thing
to
teach
our
young
friend
Egerton
here
a
little
of
life
.
"
"
But
I
am
not
a
member
"
he
murmured
,
in
a
disconsolate
tone
.
"
We
are
all
members
,
however
,
"
said
Lord
Dunstable
;
"
and
can
pass
you
in
with
ease
.
Let
me
and
Harborough
take
charge
of
you
.
"
This
arrangement
was
rendered
necessary
by
the
fact
that
Mr.
Chichester
was
not
a
member
of
Crockford
's
,
and
would
,
therefore
,
require
to
be
introduced
by
Colonel
Cholmondeley
.
Dunstable
,
Harborough
,
and
Egerton
accordingly
walked
on
together
;
while
the
Colonel
and
Chichester
followed
at
some
little
distance
,
as
it
was
not
thought
worth
while
to
allow
the
young
flat
to
perceive
that
the
Honourable
Arthur
Chichester
must
be
smuggled
in
,
as
it
were
,
as
well
as
himself
.
In
this
manner
the
two
parties
repaired
to
the
celebrated
—
or
rather
notorious
—
Saint
James
's
Club
;
and
Egerton
's
wildest
dream
was
realized
—
the
acmé
of
his
ambition
was
reached
—
the
portals
of
Crockford
's
were
darkened
by
his
plebeian
shadow
!
Although
excited
by
wine
and
by
the
novelty
of
his
situation
,
he
nevertheless
maintained
his
self-possession
so
far
as
to
avoid
any
display
of
vulgar
wonderment
at
the
brilliant
scene
upon
which
he
now
entered
.
Leaning
on
the
arms
of
Lord
Dunstable
and
Sir
Rupert
Harborough
,
he
passed
through
the
marble
hall
,
and
was
conducted
to
the
coffee-room
on
the
right-hand
side
.
There
they
waited
for
a
few
minutes
until
Cholmondeley
and
Chichester
joined
them
;
and
Egerton
had
leisure
to
admire
the
superb
pier-glasses
,
the
magnificent
chandeliers
,
the
handsome
side-boards
,
the
costly
plate
,
and
the
other
features
of
that
gorgeous
apartment
.
When
the
Colonel
and
Chichester
made
their
appearance
,
the
party
proceeded
to
the
supper-room
.
There
Egerton
's
eyes
were
completely
dazzled
by
the
brilliant
looking-glasses
,
all
set
in
splendid
frames
with
curious
designs
—
the
crystal
chandeliers
—
the
elegant
sconces
—
the
superb
mouldings
—
the
massive
plate
—
and
the
immense
quantities
of
cut
glasses
and
decanters
.
The
curtains
were
of
the
richest
damask
silk
;
the
walls
were
hung
with
choice
pictures
;
and
the
whole
magic
scene
was
brilliantly
lighted
up
with
innumerable
wax
candles
,
the
lustre
of
which
was
reflected
in
the
immense
mirrors
.
In
a
word
,
the
voluptuousness
and
luxury
of
that
apartment
surpassed
any
thing
of
the
kind
that
young
Egerton
had
ever
before
witnessed
.
Seated
near
one
of
the
fire-places
in
conversation
with
an
elderly
gentleman
,
was
an
old
man
,
somewhat
inclined
to
stoutness
,
and
very
slovenly
in
his
costume
.
His
clothes
were
good
;
but
they
appeared
to
have
been
tossed
upon
him
with
a
pitch-fork
.
His
coat
hung
in
large
loose
wrinkles
over
his
rounded
shoulders
:
his
trousers
appeared
to
hitch
up
about
the
thighs
,
as
if
through
some
defect
in
their
cut
;
two
or
three
of
his
waistcoat
buttons
had
escaped
from
their
holes
,
or
else
had
not
been
fastened
in
them
at
all
;
his
cravat
was
limp
;
and
his
shirt-frill
was
tumbled
.
His
countenance
was
pale
and
sickly
,
and
totally
inexpressive
of
that
natural
astuteness
and
sharpness
which
had
raised
him
from
the
most
obscure
position
to
be
the
companion
of
the
noblest
peers
in
the
realm
.
His
eyes
were
of
that
lack-lustre
species
which
usually
predicate
mental
dullness
and
moral
feebleness
,
but
which
was
at
variance
with
the
general
rule
in
this
instance
.
In
a
word
,
his
entire
appearance
bespoke
an
individual
whose
health
was
wasted
by
long
vigils
and
the
want
of
needful
repose
and
rest
.
When
Lord
Dunstable
's
party
entered
the
room
,
there
were
already
three
or
four
groups
occupying
supper-tables
,
on
which
the
French
dishes
,
prepared
in
Ude
's
best
style
steamed
,
with
delicious
odour
.
"
Will
you
take
supper
,
Mr.
Egerton
?
"
inquired
Lord
Dunstable
.
"
No
,
I
thank
you
,
my
lord
,
"
was
the
reply
.
"
I
believe
Sir
Rupert
Harborough
informed
you
that
we
had
already
been
feeding
together
.
"
It
was
not
true
that
Egerton
had
supped
with
the
baronet
and
Chichester
,
as
the
reader
knows
;
but
Sir
Rupert
had
already
said
so
of
his
own
accord
,
and
Mr.
Egerton
was
not
the
young
man
to
contradict
a
statement
which
seemed
to
place
him
upon
a
certain
degree
of
intimacy
with
the
aforesaid
baronet
.
"
Vot
,
no
supper
,
my
lord
?
"
cried
the
stout
gentleman
,
rising
from
his
seat
near
the
fire
,
and
accosting
Dunstable
.
"
Yes
—
your
lordship
and
your
lordship
's
friends
vill
do
that
honour
to
Mosseer
Ude
's
good
things
.
"
"
No
,
I
thank
you
,
"
said
Dunstable
,
coolly
:
"
we
shall
not
take
any
supper
.
We
mean
to
step
into
the
next
room
and
amuse
ourselves
for
an
hour
or
so
—
eh
,
Mr.
Egerton
?
"
And
a
significant
glance
,
rapid
as
lightning
,
from
Lord
Dunstable
's
eyes
,
conveyed
his
meaning
to
the
stout
elderly
gentleman
with
the
sickly
face
.
"
Wery
good
,
my
lord
.
I
'll
send
some
nice
cool
claret
in
;
and
the
groom-porters
is
there
.
Valk
that
vay
,
my
lord
:
valk
that
vay
,
gentlemen
;
—
valk
that
vay
,
sir
.
"
These
last
words
were
addressed
to
Egerton
,
and
were
accompanied
by
a
very
low
bow
.
Dunstable
took
the
young
man
's
arm
,
and
led
him
into
the
next
apartment
,
where
there
was
a
French
hazard
table
.
"
Who
is
the
good-natured
old
gentleman
that
spoke
so
very
politely
,
my
lord
?
"
inquired
Egerton
,
in
a
whisper
,
when
they
had
passed
from
the
supper-room
.
"
That
good-natured
old
gentleman
!
"
cried
Dunstable
,
aloud
,
and
bursting
out
into
a
fit
of
laughter
so
hearty
that
the
tears
ran
down
his
cheeks
:
"
why
—
that
's
Crockford
!
"
"
Crockford
!
"
repeated
Egerton
,
in
astonishment
;
for
,
although
he
had
denominated
the
presiding
genius
of
the
place
"
a
good-natured
old
gentleman
,
"
he
had
not
failed
to
observe
the
execrable
English
which
he
spoke
,
and
was
overwhelmed
with
surprise
to
learn
that
the
friend
of
nobles
was
at
such
open
hostilities
with
grammar
.
"
Yes
—
that
is
no
other
than
the
great
Crockford
,
"
continued
Lord
Dunstable
,
in
an
under
tone
.
"
He
once
kept
a
small
fishmonger
's
shop
near
Temple
Bar
;
and
he
is
now
rich
enough
to
buy
up
all
the
fishmongers
'
shops
in
London
,
Billingsgate
to
boot
.
But
let
us
see
what
is
going
on
here
.
"
There
were
only
three
or
four
persons
lounging
about
in
the
Hazard-Room
,
previously
to
the
entrance
of
Dunstable
,
Egerton
,
Harborough
,
Cholmondeley
,
and
Chichester
;
and
no
play
was
going
on
.
The
moment
,
however
,
those
gentlemen
made
their
appearance
,
the
loungers
to
whom
we
have
just
alluded
,
and
who
were
decoy-ducks
connected
with
the
establishment
,
repaired
to
the
table
and
called
for
dice
,
while
his
croupiers
took
their
seats
,
and
the
groom-porter
instantly
mounted
upon
his
stool
.
"
What
does
he
get
up
there
for
?
"
asked
Egerton
,
in
a
whisper
.
"
To
announce
the
main
and
chance
,
"
replied
Lord
Dunstable
.
"
But
do
n't
you
play
hazard
?
"
"
No
,
no
—
that
is
,
not
often
—
not
very
often
,
"
said
the
foolish
young
man
,
afraid
of
being
deemed
unfashionable
in
the
eyes
of
his
new
acquaintances
if
he
admitted
that
he
never
yet
handled
a
dice-box
in
his
life
.
"
Oh
!
no
—
not
often
—
of
course
not
!
"
exclaimed
Dunstable
,
who
saw
through
the
artifice
:
"
neither
do
I
.
But
here
comes
Crockey
with
the
bank
.
"
And
,
as
he
spoke
,
Mr.
Crockford
made
his
appearance
,
holding
in
his
hands
an
elegant
rosewood
case
,
which
he
placed
upon
the
table
,
and
behind
which
he
immediately
seated
himself
.
The
dice-box
was
now
taken
by
Lord
Dunstable
,
who
set
ten
sovereigns
,
called
"
five
"
as
a
main
,
and
threw
seven
.
"
Seven
to
five
!
"
exclaimed
the
groom-porter
.
"
Three
to
two
are
the
odds
,
"
said
Sir
Rupert
Harborough
to
Egerton
:
"
I
'll
take
them
of
you
in
fifties
?
"
"
Done
,
"
cried
Egerton
;
and
in
another
moment
he
had
the
pleasure
of
handing
over
his
money
to
the
baronet
.
After
Lord
Dunstable
had
thrown
out
,
Mr.
Chichester
took
the
box
,
and
Cholmondeley
in
his
turn
ensnared
Egerton
into
a
private
bet
,
which
the
young
man
of
course
lost
.
But
he
parted
from
his
bank-notes
with
a
very
good
grace
;
for
,
although
considerably
sobered
by
the
soda-water
which
he
had
drunk
at
the
Paradise
,
yet
what
with
the
wine
and
the
idea
of
being
at
that
moment
beneath
Crockford
's
roof
,
he
was
sufficiently
intoxicated
to
be
totally
reckless
of
his
financial
affairs
.
Thus
,
after
having
lost
a
bet
to
each
of
his
friends
,
he
was
easily
persuaded
to
take
the
box
,
and
dispense
a
little
more
of
his
cash
for
the
especial
benefit
of
Mr.
Crockford
.
"
I
'll
set
a
hundred
pounds
,
"
cried
Egerton
,
"
and
call
five
the
main
.
"
He
then
threw
ten
.
"
Ten
to
five
!
"
cried
the
groom-porter
.
"
Put
down
three
fifties
,
"
said
Dunstable
;
"
and
you
have
four
fifties
to
three
.
That
's
right
.
Now
go
on
.
"
Egerton
threw
.
"
Five
—
trois
,
deuce
—
out
!
"
cried
the
groom-porter
.
And
the
young
man
's
money
was
swept
towards
the
bank
in
a
moment
.
"
Try
a
back
,
Egerton
,
"
exclaimed
Chichester
.
"
Well
—
I
do
n't
mind
,
"
was
the
reply
—
for
the
waiter
had
just
handed
round
goblets
of
the
most
delicious
claret
,
and
the
lights
began
to
dance
somewhat
confusedly
before
the
young
victim
's
eyes
.
"
I
'll
set
myself
again
in
two
hundred
;
and
five
's
the
main
.
"
"
Five
's
the
main
,
"
cried
the
groom-porter
:
"
deuce
,
ace
—
out
.
"
And
away
went
the
bank-notes
to
the
rosewood
case
at
the
head
of
the
table
.
Colonel
Cholmondeley
now
took
the
box
.
"
Will
you
set
me
a
pony
,
Egerton
?
"
he
said
.
"
I
should
not
mind
,
"
was
the
reply
,
given
with
a
stammer
and
a
blush
;
"
but
—
to
tell
you
the
truth
—
I
have
no
more
money
about
me
.
If
my
cheque
will
do
—
—
"
Dunstable
nodded
significantly
to
Crockford
.
"
Oh
!
my
dear
sir
,
"
said
the
old
hell-keeper
,
rising
from
his
seat
and
shuffling
towards
Egerton
,
whom
he
drew
partially
aside
;
"
I
means
no
offence
,
but
if
you
vants
monies
,
I
shall
be
werry
'
appy
to
lend
you
a
thousand
or
two
,
I
'm
sure
.
"
"
Take
a
thousand
,
Egerton
,
"
whispered
Lord
Dunstable
.
"
You
'll
have
better
luck
,
perhaps
,
with
old
Crockey
's
money
—
there
's
a
spell
about
it
.
"
"
I
—
I
,
"
hesitated
the
young
man
for
a
moment
,
as
the
thought
of
his
previous
losses
flashed
to
his
mind
,
even
amidst
the
dazzling
influence
of
Crockford
's
club
and
his
aristocratic
acquaintances
:
"
I
—
—
"
"
Glass
of
claret
,
sir
?
"
said
the
waiter
,
approaching
him
with
a
massive
silver
salver
on
which
stood
the
crystal
goblets
of
ruby
wine
.
"
Thank
you
;
"
—
and
Egerton
quaffed
the
aromatic
juice
to
drown
the
unpleasant
ideas
which
had
just
intruded
themselves
upon
him
:
then
,
as
he
replaced
the
glass
upon
the
salver
,
he
said
,
"
Well
,
give
me
a
thousand
—
and
I
'll
have
another
throw
.
"
Sir
Rupert
Harborough
took
the
box
,
set
himself
in
ten
pounds
,
and
cried
,
"
Nine
's
the
main
.
"
He
then
threw
.
"
Six
to
nine
!
"
exclaimed
the
groom-porter
.
"
Five
to
four
in
favour
of
the
caster
,
"
observed
Colonel
Cholmondeley
.
"
I
'll
bet
the
odds
,
"
cried
Egerton
.
"
'
Gainst
the
rules
,
sir
,
"
said
the
pompous
groom-porter
:
"
you
're
not
a
setter
this
time
.
"
"
Pooh
,
pooh
!
"
cried
Crockford
,
affecting
a
jocular
chuckle
.
"
The
gentleman
has
lost
—
let
the
gentleman
have
a
chance
of
recovering
his-self
.
Take
the
hodds
of
the
gentleman
.
"
"
Then
I
bet
five
hundred
to
four
in
favour
of
the
caster
,
"
said
Egerton
,
now
growing
interested
in
the
play
as
he
began
to
understand
it
better
.
Sir
Rupert
threw
a
few
times
,
and
at
last
turned
up
six
and
three
.
"
Nine
—
six
,
trois
—
out
!
"
cried
the
groom-porter
.
Egerton
now
insisted
upon
taking
the
box
again
;
and
in
a
few
minutes
he
had
not
a
fraction
left
of
the
thousand
pounds
which
he
had
borrowed
.
He
turned
away
from
the
table
and
sighed
deeply
.
"
Glass
of
claret
,
sir
?
"
said
the
waiter
,
as
composedly
as
if
he
were
offering
the
wine
through
civility
and
not
for
the
systematic
purpose
of
washing
away
a
remorse
.
Egerton
greedily
swallowed
the
contents
of
a
goblet
;
and
when
he
looked
again
towards
the
table
,
he
was
astounded
to
find
another
bundle
of
Bank
notes
thrust
into
his
hand
by
the
obliging
Mr.
Crockford
,
who
said
in
his
blandest
tones
,
"
I
think
you
vas
vaiting
,
sir
,
for
more
monies
.
"
"
Take
