Fairway, "if it is only for luck.
Perhaps 'twill tempt some woman that thy poor carcase had no power
over when standing empty-handed."

"Keep it, certainly," said Wildeve, who had idly watched the scene
from a distance.

The table was then cleared of the articles, and the men began to
drink.

"Well, to be sure!" said Christian, half to himself. "To think I
should have been born so lucky as this, and not have found it out
until now! What curious creatures these dice be--powerful rulers of
us all, and yet at my command! I am sure I never need be afeared of
anything after this." He handled the dice fondly one by one. "Why,
sir," he said in a confidential whisper to Wildeve, who was near his
left hand, "if I could only use this power that's in me of multiplying
money I might do some good to a near relation of yours, seeing what
I've got about me of hers--eh?" He tapped one of his money-laden boots
upon the floor.

"What do you mean?" said Wildeve.

"That's a secret. Well, I must be going now." He looked anxiously
towards Fairway.

"Where are you going?" Wildeve asked.

"To Mistover Knap. I have to see Mrs. Thomasin there--that's all."

"I am going there, too, to fetch Mrs. Wildeve. We can walk together."

Wildeve became lost in thought, and a look of inward illumination came
into his eyes. It was money for his wife that Mrs. Yeobright could
not trust him with. "Yet she could trust this fellow," he said to
himself. "Why doesn't that which belongs to the wife belong to the
husband too?"

He called to the pot-boy to bring him his hat, and said, "Now,
Christian, I am ready."

"Mr. Wildeve," said Christian timidly, as he turned to leave the room,
"would you mind lending me them wonderful little things that carry my
luck inside 'em, that I might practise a bit by myself, you know?" He
looked wistfully at the dice and box lying on the mantlepiece.

"Certainly," said Wildeve carelessly. "They were only cut out by some
lad with his knife, and are worth nothing." And Christian went back
and privately pocketed them.

Wildeve opened the door and looked out. The night was warm and
cloudy. "By Gad! 'tis dark," he continued. "But I suppose we shall
find our way."

"If we should lose the path it might be awkward," said Christian. "A
lantern is the only shield that will make it safe for us."

"Let's have a lantern by all means." The stable lantern was fetched
and lighted. Christian took up his gownpiece, and the two se