“Do you vouch for him?” asked Grace, playfully.
“Of course I do,” replied the lad.
“Can he afford to pay. If he loses, will you pay his losses, if he cannot?” asked the most experienced gambler in our set—a man who generally won.
This time Adolph looked at Grace; she returned his look with a smile, which seemed to say, “Well? Do you not know your lesson?” But only by me was this smile properly understood.
“I am answerable for him,” cried Adolph.
“Enough said!” exclaimed Sydney. “Tell your cousin to bring plenty of money with him. I have lost a fortune, and must get it back from some one. Who will take the bank at roulette? I have a system which will win me at least a thou. to-night.”
But Sydney’s system failed somehow, and instead of winning a thousand, he lost two.
The next night Adolph’s cousin was introduced. His name was Pelham. I cannot say what impression he produced upon others; I can only speak of the impression he produced upon me. I looked at him and said mentally, “This man is no gentleman;” and then again, “Of all the men I have ever met, this man is the one I would be the least disposed to trust.” But he was cordially welcomed, because he was Adolph’s friend and cousin. Our hostess paid him but slight attention, and this increased my suspicion of him.
The following incidents occurred on this night. We were assembled round the roulette table. Mr. Pelham was the only one among us who was not backing a colour, or a number, or paire or impaire, or manque or passe.
“Do you not play?” I asked. I was sitting next to him.