"We'll not speak of that," laughed the old man.
"But we will," I said defiantly, for what with wine, and bad luck, and the irritation of the old man's presence I was beside myself. "What more would you lend on the estate?"
He named a sum.
"I'll play you for that sum, Prideaux," I cried.
"No," replied Prideaux; "no, Trevanion, you've lost enough."
"But I will!" I replied angrily.
"No," said Prideaux, "I'm not a gamester of that order. I only play for such sums as have been laid on the table."
"But you shall!" I cried with an oath; "you dare not as a gentleman refuse me. You've won five hundred guineas from me this very night. You must give me a chance of winning it back."
"Luck is against you, Trevanion," replied Prideaux. "It shall never be said of me that I won a man's homestead from him. I refuse to play."
"Prideaux has won a maid from you!" laughed old Trevisa with a drunken hiccup. "Be careful or he'll take Trevanion, too."