most repulsive form, and I turned with abhorrence from the
table.

My mind agitated by a number of emotions, and my heart now swelling with
triumphant vengeance, now filled with pity for the sake of him who had
ruined my fortunes for ever, I sat in one of the small boxes I have
mentioned, which, dimly lighted, had not yet been sought by any of the
players to sup in. A closely drawn curtain separated the little place
I occupied from the adjoining one, where from time to time I heard the
clink of glasses and the noise of champagne corks. At first I supposed
that some other solitary individual had established himself there to
enjoy his winnings or brood over his losses, when at last I could hear
the low muttering of voices, which ere long I recognised as belonging to
Burke and De Vere.

Burke, who evidently from his tone and manner possessed the mastery over
his companion, no longer employed the insulting accents I had witnessed
at the table; on the contrary, he condescended to flatter--affected
to be delighted with De Vere's wit and sharpness, and more than once
insinuated that with such an associate he cared little what tricks
fortune played them, as, to use his own phrase, 'they were sure to come
round.'

De Vere's voice, which I could only hear at rare intervals, told that
he had drunk deeply, and that between wine and his losses a kind of
reckless desperation had seized him, which gave to his manner and words
a semblance of boldness which his real character lacked completely.

When I knew that Burke and De Vere were the persons near me, I rose
to leave the spot; the fear of playing the eavesdropper forbade my
remaining. But as I stood up, the mention of my name, uttered in a tone
of vengeance by Burke, startled me, and I listened.

'Yes,' said he, striking his hand upon the table, and confirming his
assertion with a horrible oath. 'Yes; for him and through him my uncle
left me a beggar. But already I have had my revenge; though it shan't
end there.'

'You don't mean to have him out again? Confound him, he's a devilish
good shot; winged you already--eh?'

Burke, unmindful of the interruption, continued--

'It was I that told my uncle how this fellow was the nephew of the man
who seduced his own wife. I worked upon the old man so that he
left house and home, and wandered through the country, till mental
irritation, acting on a broken frame, became fever, and then death.'

'Died--eh? Glorious nephew you are,