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108 Howard again challenged him and demanded his stay. By a long succession of good fortune on the side of Melliphant, Sir Howard lost to a very large amount, while in the hope of recovering, he continued playing, and doubling the bets, until Melliphant, favoured as before, won every thing.

Pale, trembling, enraged, Sir Howard saw himself, in a short space of time, deprived of every pecuniary resource. The love of money held its predominating influence over his mind; so that now, with feelings of bitter disappointment, he not only bemoaned his recent loss, but the frustration also, for the present, of that nefarious act he had so deeply planned and arranged. He found himself on a sudden defeated,—and by whom? was it by Melliphant?—by himself rather, and by his own egregious folly.

Calm and unmoved, Melliphant regarded, from under his bent brows, the tumult raging within him; and, whilst maintaining the most sedate aspect, proposed his taking his revenge. With a hurried and impulsive motion, Sir Howard approached the table,—cast the dice,—which were still against him.

"I am ruined!" exclaimed he, starting up, "I am undone,—irretrievably lost! My affairs are involved, and all besides, Sir, is at your disposal."

With a profound, cool, and sullen air, Melliphant viewed him whom he had reduced from a state of comparative affluence, to one of absolute distress,—giving himself to bursts of passion, and striding the