Page:Precaution; a novel by Cooper, James Fenimore.djvu/74

62 John Moseley was the first person on whom she undertook to try the effect of her invention; and after comfortably seating the parties, she withdrew to a little distance to watch the effect.

"Check to your king, Miss Chatterton," cried John, early in the game—and the young lady thrust out her foot.

"Check to your king, Mr. Moseley," echoed the damsel, and John's eyes wandered from hand to foot and foot to hand.

"Check king and queen, sir."

"Check-mate."

"Did you speak?" said John. Looking up he caught the eye of the dowager fixed on him in triumph. "Oh, ho," said the young man, internally, "Mother Chatterton, are you playing too?" and coolly taking up his hat, he walked off, nor could they ever get him seated at the game again.

"You beat me too easily. Miss Chatterton," he would say when pressed to play, "before I have time to look up it's check-mate—excuse me."

The dowager next settled down into a more covert attack through Grace; but here she had two to contend with: her own forces rebelled, and the war had been protracted to the present hour, with varied success, and at least without any material captures, on one side.

Colonel Egerton entered on the duties of his dangerous undertaking with the indifference of foolhardiness. The game was played with tolerable ability by both parties but no emotions, no absence of mind could be discovered on the part of the gentleman. Feet and hands were in motion; still the colonel played as well as usual; he had answers for all Jane's questions, and smiles for his partner; but no check-mate could she obtain, until willfully throwing away an advantage, he suffered the lady to win the game. The dowager was satisfied nothing could be done with the colonel.