“I have not the smallest objection; I rather like it.” “It is better than scandal, infinitely,--eh, Miss Somerton?” said Mr. Tallant, lighting a Cabana. “Much,” said Amy. “What do you think now,” said Richard, “they have been saying about me?” “I seldom go to London,” said Amy. “Why, a fellow told me that some scandal-monger or other was setting it about that I am very fast, that I gamble.” “Oh! that is dreadful,” said Miss Somerton, quickly. “That you are a gambler?” “Yes--fact, ’pon my life,” said Richard. “They could not say anything worse about you than that, Mr. Tallant. A gambler, I think, is the most despicable creature.” “Of course,” said Richard, looking at Miss Somerton with a curious expression of face. “Since we have had one quotation, perhaps you will pardon another that has direct reference to this point--a line from Talfourd. I have been reading about gaming lately.” Miss Somerton looked earnestly at Mr. Tallant, for now she was sure he had heard what she had said in the summer-house. “Indeed! Pray enlighten us,” said Mr. Tallant. “Gaming, sir, for its own sake, will destroy the noblest nature, and ruin the wealthiest. ‘What meaner vice Crawls there than that which no affections urge, And no delights refine?’ It ‘Changes enterprise To squalid greediness, makes heaven-born hope A shivering fever, and in vile collapse Leaves the exhausted heart without one fibre Impell’d by generous passion.’” “Really, ’pon my honour--why, you two fair ladies must have been studying elocution and all that sort of thing lately,” said Richard, flicking off the top of a young ash-plant with his cane. “I’m glad you condemn those scandalous aspersions of my character, Miss Somerton; though, you see, all that pretty poetry is not much good, for everybody gambles one way or another in turn. You should see the big guns who do it in the City--real out-and-outers--members of Parliament, and swells of the first water--I mean in buying and selling shares, and what they call rigging the market, and all that sort of thing. Why, the governor himself has done a little in that way in his time. But let me see, where were we? Oh, about what people say. Well, I was told the other day that young Hammerton was fond of cards; but, bless us, there is always lots of scandalous things said about young fellows of position; indeed, I heard something of Hammerton the other day which is hardly proper to mention before ladies, and yet he’s as good a fellow as there is going--don’t you think so, Miss Somerton?” “That I certainly do,” said Amy, fully prepared for the sly attack; “but many a good man has been led astray by ill-chosen companionship.” “‘My son, if sinners tempt thee,’ &c.,--I see, yes,” said Richard, with a slight sneer.