m those who would not scruple to plunder others;
and I now entreat you not to return to that place--and am sorry, very
sorry, that ever I took you there. To me, the excitement is nothing--to
you it is overpowering. You are a gamester, or rather, you have it in
your disposition. Take, therefore, the advice of a friend, if I may so
call myself, and do not go there again. I hope you are not seriously
inconvenienced by what you have lost to-night."

"Not the least," replied I. "It was ready money. I thank you for your
advice, and will follow it. I have been a fool to-night, and one folly
is sufficient."

Atkinson then left me. I had lost about two hundred and fifty pounds,
which included my winnings of the night before. I was annoyed at it,
but I thought of Harcourt's safety, and felt indifferent. The reader
may recollect that I had three thousand pounds, which Mr Masterton had
offered to put out at mortgage for me, but until he could find an
opportunity, by his advice I had bought stock in the three per cents.
Since that time he had not succeeded, as mortgages in general are for
larger sums, and it had therefore remained. My rents were not yet due,
and I was obliged to have recourse to this money. I therefore went into
the city, and ordered the broker to sell out two hundred pounds,
intending to replace it as soon as I could--for I would not have liked
that Mr Masterton should have known that I had lost money by gambling.
When I returned from the city, I found Captain Atkinson in my
apartments, waiting for me.

"Harcourt is doing well, and you are not doing badly, I have let all the
world know that you intend to call out whoever presumes to treat you
with indifference."

"The devil you have! but that is a threat which may easier be made than
followed up by deeds."

"Shoot two or three more," replied Atkinson, coolly, "and then, depend
upon it, you'll have it all your own way. As it is, I acknowledge there
has been some show of resistance, and they talk of making a resolution
not to meet you, on the score of your being an impostor."

"And a very plausible reason, too," replied I; "nor do I think I have
any right--I am sure I have no intention of doing as you propose.
Surely, people have a right to choose their acquaintance, and to cut me,
if they think I have done wrong. I am afraid, Captain Atkinson, you
have mistaken me; I have punished Harcourt for his conduct towards me--
he deserved punishment. I