[Note: There are two Chapter XVIs.

In the table of contents, this one has an asterisk but no explanation.] THE WAGER.
It might have been about six weeks after the events detailed in my last chapter had occurred, that Curzon broke suddenly into my room one morning before I had risen, and throwing a precautionary glance around, as if to assure himself that we were alone, seized my hand with a most unusual earnestness, and, steadfastly looking at me, said-- "Harry Lorrequer, will you stand by me ?" So sudden and unexpected was his appearance at the moment, that I really felt but half awake, and kept puzzling myself for an explanation of the scene, rather than thinking of a reply to his question; perceiving which, and auguring but badly from my silence, he continued-- "Am I then, really deceived in what I believed to be an old and tried friend ?" "Why, what the devil's the matter ?" I cried out.

"If you are in a scrape, why of course you know I'm your man; but, still, it's only fair to let one know something of the matter in the meanwhile." "In a scrape!" said he, with a long-drawn sigh, intended to beat the whole Minerva press in its romantic cadence.
"Well, but get on a bit," said I, rather impatiently; "who is the fellow you've got the row with?
Not one of ours, I trust ?" "Ah, my dear Hal," said he, in the same melting tone as before--"How your imagination does run upon rows, and broils, and duelling rencontres," (he, the speaker, be it known to the reader, was the fire-eater of the regiment,) "as if life had nothing better to offer than the excitement of a challenge, or the mock heroism of a meeting." As he made a dead pause here, after which he showed no disposition to continue, I merely added-- "Well, at this rate of proceeding we shall get at the matter in hand, on our way out to Corfu, for I hear we are the next regiment for the Mediterranean." The observation seemed to have some effect in rousing him from his lethargy, and he added-- "If you only knew the nature of the attachment, and how completely all my future hopes are concerned upon the issue--" "Ho!" said I, "so it's a money affair, is it?
and is it old Watson has issued the writ?
I'll bet a hundred." "Well, upon my soul, Lorrequer," said he, jumping from his chair, and speaking with more energy than he had before evinced, "you are, without exception, the most worldly-minded, cold-blooded fellow I ever met.

What have I said that could have led you to suppose I had either a duel or a law-suit upon my hands this morning?
Learn, once and for all, man, that I am in love--desperately and over head and ears in love." "Et puis," said I coolly.
"And intend to marry immediately." "Oh, very well," said I; "the fighting and debt will come later, that's all.

But to return--now for the lady." "Come, you must make a guess." "Why, then, I really must confess my utter inability; for your attentions have been so generally and impartially distributed since our arrival here, that it may be any fair one, from your venerable partner at whist last evening, to Mrs.Henderson, the pastry-cook inclusive, for whose macaroni and cherry-brandy your feelings have been as warm as they are constant." "Come, no more quizzing, Hal.