"Take the money.

I play no more to-night.

My luck is out." "Ha! ha!" laughed Lord Dogwood, with a third oath, "your mind is not on the cards.

Who is the latest young beauty, pray, who so absorbs you?
I hear a whisper in town of a certain misadventure of yours----" "Dogwood," said Wynchgate, clenching his fist, "have a care, man, or you shall measure the length of my sword." Both noblemen faced each other, their hands upon their swords.
"My lords, my lords!" pleaded a distinguished-looking man of more advanced years, who sat at one side of the table, and in whose features the habitues of diplomatic circles would have recognized the handsome lineaments of the Marquis of Frogwater, British Ambassador to Siam, "let us have no quarrelling.

Come, Wynchgate, come, Dogwood," he continued, with a mild oath, "put up your swords.