now lay as an
alcoholic cinder in the nearest churchyard. Among the cups on the
long table before the sitters lay an open parcel of light drapery--the
gown-piece, as it was called--which was to be raffled for. Wildeve
was standing with his back to the fireplace smoking a cigar; and the
promoter of the raffle, a packman from a distant town, was expatiating
upon the value of the fabric as material for a summer dress.

"Now, gentlemen," he continued, as the newcomers drew up to the table,
"there's five have entered, and we want four more to make up the
number. I think, by the faces of those gentlemen who have just come
in, that they are shrewd enough to take advantage of this rare
opportunity of beautifying their ladies at a very trifling expense."

Fairway, Sam, and another placed their shillings on the table, and the
man turned to Christian.

"No, sir," said Christian, drawing back, with a quick gaze of
misgiving. "I am only a poor chap come to look on, an it please ye,
sir. I don't so much as know how you do it. If so be I was sure of
getting it I would put down the shilling; but I couldn't otherwise."

"I think you might almost be sure," said the pedlar. "In fact, now I
look into your face, even if I can't say you are sure to win, I can
say that I never saw anything look more like winning in my life."

"You'll anyhow have the same chance as the rest of us," said Sam.

"And the extra luck of being the last comer," said another.

"And I was born wi' a caul, and perhaps can be no more ruined than
drowned?" Christian added, beginning to give way.

Ultimately Christian laid down his shilling, the raffle began, and
the dice went round. When it came to Christian's turn he took the box
with a trembling hand, shook it fearfully, and threw a pair-royal.
Three of the others had thrown common low pairs, and all the rest mere
points.

"The gentleman looked like winning, as I said," observed the chapman
blandly. "Take it, sir; the article is yours."

"Haw-haw-haw!" said Fairway. "I'm damned if this isn't the quarest
start that ever I knowed!"

"Mine?" asked Christian, with a vacant stare from his target eyes.
"I--I haven't got neither maid, wife, nor widder belonging to me at
all, and I'm afeard it will make me laughed at to ha'e it, Master
Traveller. What with being curious to join in I never thought of that!
What shall I do wi' a woman's clothes in my bedroom, and not lose my
decency!"

"Keep 'em, to be sure," said