He left the notes lying by George Godolphin--by hesitating George--with the fierce passion to use them that was burning within him. Mr. Verrall could not have taken a more efficient way of inducing him to play again, than to affect this easy indifference, and to leave the money under his eyes, touching his fingers, fevering his brain. George took up the notes. "You are sure you will let me pay you interest, Verrall?" "Of course I will." And George walked off to the gaming-table. He went home later that night than he had gone at all, wiping the perspiration from his brow, lifting his face to the quiet stars, and gasping to catch a breath of air. Mr. Verrall found it rather cool, than not; shrugged his shoulders, and said he could do with an overcoat; but George felt stifled. The roll had _gone_; and more to it had gone; and George Godolphin was Mr. Verrall's debtor to a heavy amount. "Thank goodness the day has already dawned!" involuntarily broke from George. Mr. Verrall looked at him for an explanation. He did not understand what particular cause for thankfulness there should be in that. "We shall get away from the place to-day," said George. "If I stopped in it I should come to the dogs." "Nothing of the sort," cried Mr. Verrall. "Luck is safe to turn some time. It's like the tide, it has its time for flowing in, and its time for flowing out; once let it turn, and it comes rushing in all one way. But, what do you mean about going? Your wife is not well enough to travel yet." "Yes she is," was George's answer. "Quite well enough." "Of course you know best. I think you should consider----" "Verrall, I should consider my wife's health and safety before any earthly thing," interrupted George. "We might have started to-day, had we liked: I speak of the day that has gone: the doctor said yesterday that she was well enough to travel." "I was not aware of that. I shall remain here a week longer." "And I shall be away before to-morrow night." "Not you," cried Mr. Verrall. "I shall: if I keep in the mind I am in now." Mr. Verrall smiled. He knew George was not famous for keeping his resolutions. In the morning, when his smarting should be over, he would stay on, fast enough. They wished each other good night, and George turned into his hotel. To his great surprise, Margery met him on the stairs. "Are you walking the house as the ghosts do?" cried he, with a renewal of his good-humour. Nothing pleased George better than to give old Margery a joking or a teasing word. "Why are you not in bed?" "There's enough ghosts in the world, it's my belief, without my personating them, sir," was Margery's answer. "I'm not in bed yet, because my mistress is not in bed." "Your mistress not in bed!" repeated George. "But that is very wrong."