y be fancied as
likely to result from play in jest. Chevalier won a great deal of money
from that peer, 'who lost most of his estate at gaming before he died,
and which ought to be a warning to all noblemen.'

Chevalier was a skilful sharper, and thoroughly up in the art and
mystery of loading dice with quicksilver; but having been sometimes
detected in his sharping tricks, he was obliged 'to look on the point
of the sword, with which being often wounded, latterly he declined
fighting, if there were any way of escape.' Having once 'choused,' or
cheated, a Mr Levingstone, page of honour to King James II., out of 50
guineas, the latter gave the captain a challenge to fight him next day
behind Montague House--a locality long used for the purpose of
duelling. Chevalier seemingly accepted the challenge, and next morning,
Levingstone going to Chevalier's lodging, whom he found in bed, put him
in mind of what he was come about. Chevalier, with the greatest air
of courage imaginable, rose, and having dressed himself, said to
Levingstone--'Me must beg de favour of you to stay a few minutes, sir,
while I step into my closet dere, for as me be going about one desperate
piece of work, it is very requisite for me to say a small prayer or
two.' Accordingly Mr Levingstone consented to wait whilst Chevalier
retired to his closet to pray; but hearing the conclusion of his prayer
to end with these words--'Me verily believe spilling man's blood is
one ver' great sin, wherefore I hope all de saints will interced vid
de Virgin for my once killing Monsieur de Blotieres at Rochelle,--my
killing Chevalier de Cominge at Brest,--killing Major de Tierceville
at Lyons,--killing Lieutenant du Marche Falliere at Paris, with half a
dozen other men in France; so, being also sure of killing him I'm now
going to fight, me hope his forcing me to shed his blood will not be
laid to my charge;'--quoth Levingstone to himself--'And are you then so
sure of me? But I'll engage you shan't--for if you are such a devil at
killing men, you shall go and fight yourself and be ----.' Whereupon he
made what haste he could away, and shortly Chevalier coming out of the
closet and finding Levingstone not in the room, was very glad of his
absence.'

Some time after, Chevalier was called to account by another gentleman.
They met at the appointed hour in Chelsea Fields, when Chevalier said
to his adversary--'Pray, sir, for what do we fight?' The gentleman
replied--'For hon