bell together there might
yet be found in the easiness of the prey some consolation for the
slowness of the play.

They cut the cards, and Miss Ruff found herself sitting opposite
to Lady Ruth Revoke. It was a pity that she should not have been
photographed. "And now, Mr. Fuzzybell," said Mrs. King Garded,
triumphantly.

But we must for awhile go to other parts of the room. Lady Longspade,
Mrs. Fuzzybell, and Miss Finesse soon followed the daring example of
Miss Ruff, and seated themselves with some worthy fourth compatriot.

"Did you see Miss Ruff?" said Lady Longspade, whose ears had caught
the scornful highty-tighty of the rejected lady. "She wanted to get
me at her table. But no, I thank you. I like my rubber too, and can
play it as well as some other people. But it may cost too dear, eh,
Mrs. Fuzzybell? I have no idea of being scolded by Miss Ruff."

"No, nor I," said Mrs. Fuzzybell. "I hate that continual scolding.
We are playing only for amusement; and why not play in good
temper?"--nevertheless Mrs. Fuzzybell had a rough side to her own
tongue. "It is you and I, Miss Finesse. Shillings, I suppose, and--"
and then there was a little whispering and a little grinning between
Lady Longspade and Mrs. Fuzzybell, the meaning of which was, that as
the occasion was rather a special one, they would indulge themselves
with half-a-crown on the rubber and sixpence each hand on the odd
trick. And so the second table went to work.

And then there was a third, and a fourth, and a fifth. Miss Ruff's
example was more potent than Mr. O'Callaghan's presence in that
assembly. That gentleman began to feel unhappy as there was no longer
round him a crowd of listening ladies sufficient to screen from his
now uninquiring eyes the delinquencies of the more eager of the
sinners. The snorting of the war-horse and the sound of the trumpet
had enticed away every martial bosom, and Mr. O'Callaghan was left
alone in converse with Mrs. Flounce.

He turned to Miss Todd, who was now seated near enough to the door
to do honour to any late arriving guest, but near enough also to the
table to help herself easily to cake. His soul burned within him to
utter one anathema against the things that he saw. Miss Todd was
still not playing. He might opine that she objected to the practice.
Sir Lionel was still at her back; he also might be a brand that had
been rescued from the burning. At a little distance sat Miss Baker;
he knew that she at any ra