Dolly Longestaffe owed him now a considerable sum of money, and Lord Grasslough was also in his debt.

He was sure that Grasslough would go to the club after the ball, and he was determined that they should not think that he had submitted to be carried home by his mother and sister.

So he argued with himself; but in truth the devil of gambling was hot within his bosom; and though he feared that in losing he might lose real money, and that if he won it would be long before he was paid, yet he could not keep himself from the card-table.
Neither mother or daughter said a word till they reached home and had got upstairs.

Then the elder spoke of the trouble that was nearest to her heart at the moment.

'Do you think he gambles ?' 'He has got no money, mamma.' 'I fear that might not hinder him.