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 Pembroke, your horse is at the door. It's going to be a mighty bad night though—there's a cloud coming up. You'd better stay and join them gentlemen in their game."

"No, I thank you," replied Pembroke, and turning to Ahlberg. "Of course, after what has passed, it is out of the question that I should fight you. Good God! I'd just as soon think of fighting a jail bird! Don't take too long to get out of this county. Good night, Mr. Hibbs—good night—good night."

Hibbs accompanied him out, and stood by him while he mounted.

"Mr. Pembroke," he said, holding his hat in his hand, "I'm very much obliged for what you have done for me, and what you have promised. I promise you I'll never touch a card for money again as long as I live."

"And don't touch a card at all with such an infernal rascal as Ahlberg," answered Pembroke, altogether forgetting sundry agreeable games he had enjoyed with Ahlberg in Paris, and even in that very county—but it had been a good while ago, and Ahlberg had not tried any tricks on him.

This relieved Pembroke of a load of care—the folly of that quarrel was luckily escaped. But he debated seriously with himself whether he ought not to tell Madame Koller of Ahlberg's behavior, that she might be on her guard against him. In a day or two he heard, what did not surprise him, that Ahlberg was about to leave the country—but