that most of them
were sharpers from their youth: but, as he depended a good deal upon his
own penetration and address, he gratified the stranger's desire; and a
party was instantly formed of the painter, the physician, the proposer,
and himself, the other officer having professed himself utterly ignorant
of the game; in the course of the play, he took his station at the back
of Pickle's chair, which was opposite to his friend, on pretence of
amusing himself with seeing his manner of conducting the cards. The
youth was not such a novice but that he perceived the design of this
palpable piece of behaviour, which, notwithstanding, he overlooked for
the present, with a view of flattering their hopes in the beginning,
that they might be the more effectually punished by their disappointment
in the end.

The game was scarce begun, when, by the reflection of a glass, he
discerned the officer at his back making signs to his companion, who,
by preconcerted gestures, was perfectly informed of the contents of
Peregrine's hand, and, of consequence, fortunate in the course of play.
Thus they were allowed to enjoy the fruits of their dexterity, until
their money amounted to some louis; when our young gentleman, thinking
it high time to do himself justice, signified in very polite terms to
the gentleman who stood behind him, that he could never play with ease
and deliberation when he was overlooked by any bystander, and begged
that he would have the goodness to be seated.

As this was a remonstrance which the stranger could not, with my show
of breeding, resist, he asked pardon, and retired to the chair of the
physician, who frankly told him, that it was not the fashion of his
country for one to submit his hand to the perusal of a spectator; and
when, in consequence of this rebuff, he wanted to quarter himself upon
the painter, he was refused by a wave of the hand, and shake of the
head, with an exclamation of pardonnez moi; which was repeated with such
emphasis, as discomposed this effrontery; and he found himself obliged
to sit down in a state of mortification.

The odds being thus removed, fortune proceeded in her usual channel;
and though the Frenchman, deprived of his ally, endeavoured to practise
divers strokes of finesse, the rest of the company observed him with
such vigilance and caution, as baffled all his attempts, and in a very
little time he was compelled to part with his winning: but, having
engaged in the match with