Page:Duty and Inclination. Volume 3.pdf/82

80 Melliphant had attentively listened to the conversation which had passed between his coadjutor, Mrs. Belmour, and Rosilia, notwithstanding he had been endeavouring to divert the attention of Mrs. De Brooke by an exhibition of the contents of his Indian cabinet; and emotion flushed his face, rage flashed from his eyes! upon finding himself again defeated. The tea, however, intervened, and, master of himself, he did the honours, assisted by Rosilia, with perfect decorum. Conversation decreasing, he next, for the amusement of the elder ladies, proposed a game at cards; and there being but four in number, though no employment was more irksome to Rosilia, she was obliged to comply.

To do himself credit, Melliphant betted high against Mrs. Belmour, who was his antagonist, and lost at every game, paying his debts with the spirit of one indifferent as to the amount. Rosilia, who was his partner, feared that such repeated ill-luck to him, arose from her deficiency in play, and solicited the permission to lay down her cards; but Melliphant, throbbing with a dawning hope, on beholding himself an object of her sympathy, linked by association in her thoughts, either winning or losing as she won or lost, was sensible of a delight too great to yield to her request.

A few more games, however, were scarcely played, when Mrs. De Brooke rose to depart, though prevailed upon first to take some refreshment; various wines being displayed, neatly set out, with a small choice collation.