ered in the tone of felicitation, a very
tall man stretched his arm towards the table, and began to gather in the
gold, saying, in a pleasant but hurried voice: "A thousand pardons. I
hope you 'll excuse me; would n't inconvenience you for worlds. I
think you said"--this was to the banker--"I think you said thirty-eight
thousand francs in all; thank you, extremely obliged; a very great run
of luck, indeed,--never saw the like before. Would you kindly exchange
that note, it is a Frankfort one; quite distressed to give you the
trouble; infinitely grateful;" and, bashfully sweeping the glittering
coins into his hat, as if ashamed to have interrupted the game,
he retired to a side table to count over his winnings. He had just
completed a little avenue of gold columns, muttering to himself little
congratulations, interspersed with "What fun!" when Beecher, stepping
up, accosted him. "The old story, Twining! I never heard nor read of a
fellow with such luck as yours!"

[Illustration: 311]

"Oh, very good luck, capital luck!" cried Twining, rubbing his lean
hands, and then slapping them against his leaner legs. "As your
Lordship observes, I do occasionally win; not always, not always,
but occasionally. Charmed to see you here,--delighted,--what fun!
Late,--somewhat late in the season,--but still lovely weather. Your
Lordship only just arrived, I suppose?"

"I see you don't remember me, Twining," said Beecher, smiling, and
rather amused to mark how completely his good fortune had absorbed his
attention.

"Impossible, my Lord-!--never forget a face,--never!"

"Pardon me if I must correct you this once; but it is quite clear you
_have_ forgotten me. Come, for whom do you take me?"

"Take you, my Lord,--take you? Quite shocked if I could make a blunder;
but really, I feel certain I am speaking with Lord Lackington."

"There, I knew it!" cried Beecher, laughing out "I knew it, though, by
Jove! I was not quite prepared to hear that I looked so old. You know
he's about eighteen years my senior."

"So he was, my Lord,--so he was," said Twining, gathering up his gold.
"And for a moment, I own, I was disposed to distrust my eyes, not seeing
your Lordship in mourning."

"In mourning? and for whom?"

"For the late Viscount, your Lordship's brother!"

"Lackington! Is Lackington dead?"

"Why, it's not possible your Lordship hasn't heard it? It cannot be
that your letters have not brought you the tidings? It happened six--ay,