‘No, I never saw him before.’
‘I ‘m sorry for it,’ said he in a whisper; ‘he has just lost seventy thousand francs, and is going the readiest way to treble the sum by his play. I ‘m certain he is English by his look and appearance, and it is a cruel thing, a very cruel thing, not to give him a word of caution here.’
The words, spoken with a tone of feeling, interested me much in the speaker, and already I was angry with myself for having conceived a dislike to his appearance and a prejudice against his style of dress.
‘I see,’ continued he, after a few seconds’ pause—‘I see you agree with me. Let us try if we can’t find some one who may know him. If Wycherley is here—you know Sir Harry, I suppose?’
‘I have not that honour.’
‘Capital fellow—the best in the world. He’s in the Blues, and always about Windsor or St. James’s. He knows everybody; and if that young fellow be anybody, he’s sure to know him. Ah, how d’ye do, my lord?’ continued he, with an easy nod, as Lord Colebrook passed.
‘Eh, Crotty, how goes it?’ was the reply.
‘You don’t happen to know that gentleman yonder, my lord, do you?’
‘Not I; who is he?’
‘This gentleman and I were both anxious to learn who he is; he is losing a deal of money.’