"No; but others will speculate upon you."
"I really cannot comprehend you. As I do not wish to increase my means, having enough, I shall neither speculate with my own nor allow people to speculate with it for me; and thus I can run no risk of losing what I possess."
The stranger gazed half incredulously upon Markham for a minute; and then his countenance expressed a species of sneer.
"You have never played?"
"Played! at——?"
"At cards; for money, I mean."
"Oh! never!"
"So much the better: never do. Unless," added the stranger, "it is entirely amongst friends and men of honour. But will you avail yourself of my humble vehicle, and take one turn round 'the Drive?'"
The stranger pointed as he spoke to a very handsome phaeton and pair at a little distance, and attended by a dapper-looking servant in light blue livery with silver lace.
"Might I have the honour of being acquainted with the name of a gentleman who exhibits so much kindness——"