“That was under very different circumstances,” continued Sparkle; “in defence of a woman I would risk my life at any time, but I would by no means incur the imputation of being a gambler--it is a character I abhor. I have before said I would never venture into those dens again, to herd with swindlers of all descriptions.” “They all seem gay fellows, too,” said Bob. “Yes,” replied Sparkle; “but the character and conduct of a young man has ere now been altered in one night: the evil effects produced by initiation to those Hells are incalculable.” “Moralizing at midnight,” said Tom; “an excellent title for a volume _sparkling_ contemplations.” ~202~~“To be written by the Hon. Tom Dashall, or the Merry Devil of Piccadilly,” was the reply. “Huzza!” said Merrywell, “if this is the case, our time will not be lost in this excursion. Did you hear that Lord ---- has been compelled to put down his establishment in consequence of his losses at play? pray don't forget to mention that in the work.” “Tis no new thing,” continued Sparkle, “for Lords of the present day, since I believe there are few of the nobility who are not either Greeks or Pigeons; indeed, the list of visitors to these places contains names of many persons who should set better examples to the humbler classes of the community; for the unfortunate results of this too fatal propensity to parents and society have been severely felt. Among many instances on record, a very interesting one is related of a young Subaltern in a regiment of cavalry, who, by successive losses, was reduced to such a state of distress, as to form the desperate resolution of trying the road. In a moment of agony, he accidentally met with an opportunity which seemed to favour his design, having learned that a certain Baronet, recently returned from India with abundance of wealth, had laid it out on landed estates in England, and that he would on a certain day cross the country with a large sum of money, after collecting his rents.