“They serve me my chocolate pretty regularly,” said my father, negligently, and he arose and strolled out of the room. As he went, he slipped his arm within mine, and said, in a half-whisper, “I suppose it will come to this,--I shall have to change my friends or my household. Which would you advise?” “I 'd say the friends, sir.” “So should I, but that they would not easily find another place. There, go and see is the billiard-room lighted. I want to see you play a game with Cleremont.” Cleremont was evidently sulking under the sarcasm passed on him, and took up his cue to play with a bad grace. “Who will have five francs on the party?” said my father. “I 'm going to back the boy.” “Make it pounds, Norcott,” said Hotham. “I'll give you six to five, in tens,” said Cleremont to my father. “Will you take it?” I was growing white and red by turns all this time. I was terrified at the thought that money was to be staked on my play, and frightened by the mere presence of my father at the table. “The youngster is too nervous to play. Don't let him, Norcott,” said Hotham, with a kindness I had not given him credit for. “Give me the cue, Digby; I 'll take your place,” said my father; and Cleremont and Hotham both drew nigh, and talked to him in a low tone. “Eight and the stroke then be it,” said my father, “and the bet in fifties.” The others nodded, and Cleremont began the game. I could not have believed I could have suffered the amount of intense anxiety that game cost me. Had my life been on the issue, I do not think I could have gone through greater alternations of hope and fear than now succeeded in my heart Cleremont started with eight points odds, and made thirty-two off the balls before my father began to play. He now took his place, and by the first stroke displayed a perfect mastery of the game. There was a sort of languid grace, an indolent elegance about all he did, that when the stroke required vigor or power made me tremble for the result; but somehow he imparted the exact amount of force needed, and the balls moved about here and there as though obedient to some subtle instinct of which the cue gave a mere sign. He scored forty-two points in a few minutes, and then drawing himself up, said, “There 's an eight-stroke now on the table. I 'll give any one three hundred Naps to two that I do it.” None spoke. “Or I 'll tell you what I 'll do. I 'll take fifty from each of you and draw the game!” Another as complete silence ensued. “Or here 's a third proposition, Give me fifty between you, and I 'll hand over the cue to the boy; he shall finish the game.” “Oh, no, sir! I beg you--I entreat--” I began; but already, “Done,” had been loudly uttered by both together, and the bet was ratified.