He himself was in a delicate position in the matter, as he was the winner, and once or twice the taunt had risen to the young man's lips, accusing the holder of the bank of the wish to retire on a competence before the break in his luck.
"Mr.Aaron Cohen, smoking the best of Havanas, had finally shrugged his shoulders and said: 'As you please!' "But at half-past one he had had enough of the player, who always lost and never paid--never could pay, so Mr.Cohen probably believed.

He therefore at that hour refused to accept Mr.John Ashley's 'promissory' stakes any longer.

A very few heated words ensued, quickly checked by the management, who are ever on the alert to avoid the least suspicion of scandal.
"In the meanwhile Mr.Hatherell, with great good sense, persuaded young Ashley to leave the Club and all its temptations and go home; if possible to bed.
"The friendship of the two young men, which was very well known in society, consisted chiefly, it appears, in Walter Hatherell being the willing companion and helpmeet of John Ashley in his mad and extravagant pranks.

But to-night the latter, apparently tardily sobered by his terrible and heavy losses, allowed himself to be led away by his friend from the scene of his disasters.

It was then about twenty minutes to two.
"Here the situation becomes interesting," continued the man in the corner in his nervous way.