"Married, eh?" he remarked.
"Yes, sir."
"Pretty wife?"
"The most divine creature you ever saw. I suppose I am a partial judge, and that my opinion is not to be relied on; but I assure you, sir, that no artist or poet ever conceived so lovely a specimen of womanhood as my darling Elise."
"Humph! How long have you been married?"
"Three years."
"And in love still?"
"Yes, indeed; more than ever."
"Odd way of showing your love, coming to a gambling-house. Any children?"
"One little girl. But allow me to explain. I came here with my month's salary to try and make money enough to pay off Markham, who has been my ruin. Now I have not a dollar to go home with, and how we are to live I do not know."