“That has nothing to do with it. He told me to bet for him. I didn't; and I shall take him back his fifty pounds and say so. I know where to find him.” “Where?” “That is my business. Don't you go mad now, and break my heart.” “Well, my friend, we will talk of it tomorrow morning. It certainly is not very clear; and perhaps, after I have prayed and slept, I may see more plainly what is right.” Ashmead observed she was pale, and asked her, with concern, if she was ill. “No, not ill,” said she, “but worn out. My friend, I knew not at the time how great was my excitement; but now I am conscious that this afternoon I have lived a week. My very knees give way under me.” Upon this admission, Ashmead hurried her to bed. She slept soundly for some hours; but, having once awakened, she fell into a half-sleepless state, and was full of dreams and fancies. These preyed on her so, that she rose and dispatched a servant to Ashmead, with a line in pencil begging him to take an early breakfast with her, at nine o'clock. As soon as ever he came she began upon the topic of last night. She had thought it over, and said, frankly, she was not without hopes the gentleman, if he was really a gentleman, might be contented with something less than half. But she really did not see how she could refuse him some share of her winnings, should he demand it. “Think of it,” said she. “The poor man loses--four hundred pounds, I think you said. Then he says, 'Bet you for me,' and goes away, trusting to your honor. His luck changes in my hands. Is he to lose all when he loses, and win nothing when he wins, merely because I am so fortunate as to win much? However, we shall hear what _he_ says. You gave him your address.” “I said I was at 'The Golden Star,'” growled Ashmead, in a tone that plainly showed he was vexed with himself for being so communicative. “Then he will pay us a visit as soon as he hears: so I need give myself no further trouble.” “Why should you? Wait till he comes,” said crafty Ashmead. Ina Klosking colored. She felt her friend was tempting her, and felt she was not quite beyond the power of temptation. “What was he like?” said she, to turn the conversation. “The handsomest young fellow I ever saw.” “Young, of course?” “Yes, quite a boy. At least, he looked a boy. To be sure, his talk was not like a boy's; very precocious, I should say.” “What a pity, to begin gambling so young!” “Oh, he is all right. If he loses every farthing of his own, he will marry money. Any woman would have him. You never saw such a curled darling.” “Dark or fair?” “Fair. Pink-and-white, like a girl; a hand like a lady.” “Indeed. Fine eyes?” “Splendid!” “What color?” “I don't know. Lord bless you, a man does not examine another man's eyes, like you ladies. However, now I think of it, there was one curious thing I should know him by anywhere.” “And what was that?”