Mr Fisker made an allusion to poker as a desirable pastime, but Lord Nidderdale, remembering his poetry, shook his head.

'Oh! bother,' he said, 'let's have some game that Christians play.' Mr Fisker declared himself ready for any game,--irrespective of religious prejudices.
It must be explained that the gambling at the Beargarden had gone on with very little interruption, and that on the whole Sir Felix Carbury kept his luck.

There had of course been vicissitudes, but his star had been in the ascendant.

For some nights together this had been so continual that Mr Miles Grendall had suggested to his friend Lord Grasslough that there must be foul play.

Lord Grasslough, who had not many good gifts, was, at least, not suspicious, and repudiated the idea.