r: you are nothing better than a common
swindler, sir. I will not play with you any more. Do you call yourself
a whist player and make signs to your partner. I should be ashamed to
stay in the same room with you."

Several of the dancers hastened into the card-room. Mrs. Bagshaw was
standing up flushed and excited, and talking loudly and wildly. She had
overset her chair, and flung down her cards upon the table. Seeing
Porkington enter, she cried out, "Look to your wife, sir, look to your
wife. She received signals across the table. It has nothing to do with
the cards. Look at that man who is called my husband--that monster--that
bundle of lies and deceit, who has been the ruin of hundreds."

"By heavens, this is too bad!" exclaimed Colonel Bagshaw. "I declare
nothing has happened that I know of, except that my wife has forgotten to
count honours."

"It is a lie, sir, and you know it. You are trying to ruin a woman
before my very eyes. Oh, you man, you brute! Oh, help, help me, help!"
and in act to fall she steadied herself by clenching tightly the back of
her chair. Her daughter was luckily close to her, "Oh, mamma, mamma,"
whispered she, "how can you say such things? Come away, come away; you
are ill. Do come." She led her out into the hall, and hurriedly
adjusting the shawls, went home with her mother.

Porkington showed himself a man. He took Colonel Bagshaw by the hand. "I
am very sorry," said he, "that Mrs. Bagshaw should have made some
mistake. Some sudden vexation, and I am afraid some indisposition, must
be the cause of her excitement. Allow me to take her place and finish
the game. I am afraid you will find me a poor performer, Colonel."

"Oh, not at all. Let us begin. I will deal again, and the scoring
stands as it did."

Mrs. Porkington during this scene had turned pale and red alternately.
Her husband's dignity and presence of mind astonished her. She was so
excited as to be almost unable to play her cards, and her lips and eyes
betrayed very great emotion. The tutor's cheek showed some trace of
colour, and his manner was even graver than usual, but that was all; and
his wife felt the presence of a superior force to her own, and was
checked into silence. I had always felt sure that there was a reserve of
force in the timid nature of our Coach which seemed to peep forth at
times and then retire again. It was curious to mark on these rare
occasions how the more boisterous sel