'Thanks, I prefer my own,' said Shafto, sulkily.
At last, piqued by the manner of the latter, and having been lured into drinking a little more brandy and soda than was good for him after dinner, the unsuspecting Englishman sat down to play, and though he did so carelessly, his success was wonderful, for, while not caring to win, he won greatly.
Higher and higher rose the stakes, till a very considerable sum had passed into his hands, and, handsome though Shafto's quarterly allowance from his 'grandfather,' paid duly by Mr. Kippilaw, he could not help the lengthening of his visage, and the growing pallor of it, while his shifty eyes rolled about in his anxiety and anger; and Lord Fettercairn and young Kippilaw, who were present, looked on—the former with some annoyance, and the latter with amused interest.
Quite suddenly, Kippilaw exclaimed:
'Hey—what the deuce is this? Captain Hammersley, you have dropped a card.'
And he picked one up from that officer's side, and laid it on the table.
'The ace of spades! By heaven, you have already played that card!' exclaimed Shafto, with fierce triumph.
'It is not mine!' said Hammersley, hotly.
'Whose, then?'
'How the devil should I know?' asked Hammersley, eyeing him firmly.