Out of inner pockets, he drew bulky pocket-books, took banknote after banknote and put them side by side on a table. And when there was no room for them to lie singly he set them three and four deep, till a fortune lay there, in the evening sunlight.
"Look at them! Count them!" he cried in triumph. "Where are my debts now?"
They gazed at the money in silent wonder. Never had they seen so big a harvest from turf or green table. The Countess smiled across at Ian; he said something in a careless undertone. He would not let even her see what was on his mind.
"It's a haul," admitted Joseph. "You must have broken the bank."
"Luck. Six weeks of it. And now I've done with gambling forever."
He crammed the notes away carelessly, as men treat money lightly won. He paced the room, talking.
"I was afraid of it," he admitted. "I wanted to win. But it grew so huge that it became a menace. Luck at play, no luck in love. And now..." he swung round to his brother: "I meet you here."
"It's unfortunate," remarked Joseph.
"Unfortunate? It's Destiny! Oh, you'll have the family on your side; I don't blame 'em. You're a deuced-good match, well off, sober, economical. I'm not. I don't pretend to be." He measured the room with his long stride, and hurled at Joseph: "But I've something you haven't!"
"You?" This with a sneer. Ian felt inclined to punch his head, as in years gone by.