"Yes," replied I; "but you have lost it."
"Granted; but, as in most cases, I never mean to pay my losses, you see that it must be a winning speculation as long as we play against each other."
"I perceive," replied I; "but am not I a confederate?"
"No; you paid when you lost, and took your money when you won. Leave me to settle my own debts of honour."
"But you will meet him again to-morrow night."
"Yes, and I will tell you why. I never thought it possible that we could have met two such bad players at the club. We must now play against them, and we must win in the long run: by which means I shall pay off the debt I owe him, and you will win and pocket money."
"Ah," replied I, "if you mean to allow him a chance for his money, I have no objection—that will be all fair."
"Depend upon it, Newland, when I know that people play as badly as they do, I will not refuse them; but when we sit down with others, it must be as it was before—we must play against each other, and I shall owe the money. I told the fellow that I never would pay him."
"Yes; but he thought you were only joking."
"That is his fault—I was in earnest. I could not have managed this had it not been that you are known to be a young man of ten thousand pounds per annum, and supposed to be my dupe. I tell you so candidly; and now good-night."