nvitation to the gamester, who, imagining that
the soldier would turn out a most beneficial prize, assured him, that
he would not fail to be there next forenoon, in order to give him his
revenge.

Gauntlet went home to his lodgings, fully certified of his own
superiority, and took his measures with Peregrine, touching the
prosecution of their scheme; while his opponent made a report of his
success to the brethren of the gang, who resolved to be present at the
decision of the match, with a view of taking advantage of the stranger's
passionate disposition.

Affairs being thus concerted on both sides, the players met, according
to appointment, and the room was immediately filled with spectators,
who either came thither by accident, curiosity, or design. The match
was fixed for one hundred pounds a game, the principals chose their
instruments, and laid aside their coats, and one of the knights of the
order proffered to lay another hundred on the head of his associate.
Godfrey took him upon the instant. A second worthy of the same class,
seeing him so eager, challenged him to treble the sum; and his proposal
met with the same reception, to the astonishment of the company, whose
expectation was raised to a very interesting pitch. The game was begun,
and the soldier having lost the first hazard, the odds were offered by
the confederacy with great vociferation; but nobody would run such a
risk in favour of a person who was utterly unknown. The sharper having
gained the second also, the noise increased to a surprising clamour, not
only of the gang, but likewise of almost all the spectators, who desired
to lay two to one against the brother of Emilia.

Peregrine, who was present, perceiving the cupidity of the association
sufficiently inflamed, all of a sudden opened his mouth, and answered
their bets, to the amount of twelve hundred pounds; which were
immediately deposited, on both sides, in money and notes; so that this
was, perhaps, the most important game that ever was played at billiards.
Gauntlet seeing the agreement settled, struck his antagonist's ball
into the pocket in a twinkling, though it was in one of those situations
which are supposed to be against the striker. The betters were a little
discomposed at this event, for which, however, they consoled themselves
by imputing the success to accident; but when, at the very next
stroke, he sprung it over the table, their countenances underwent an
instantaneous distracti