"We were playing shilling points, you will remember," said Frank.
"General Hosham," said The Chobb, "I merely appeal to you. What points were we playing?"
"Does the other party refer it to me?" said the general, blandly smiling; "you may both depend on my unbiased decision."
"Certainly, sir," said Frank; "there can't be a doubt upon the point."
"You were certainly playing guinea points," said the general, "as I am a gentleman and a man of honour; but I think I know the origin of your mistake. You saw that I and my step-son George were playing shilling points; though I did most distinctly see you receive at the rate of guinea points from my friend and step-son, Colonel Chobb."
Frank paid the money, and would have given ten times the amount, rather than forego the chance of seeing Alice.
"And now good-night, my excellent friend and tenant," said the colonel; "and, by the by, will you allow me to borrow the ten-pound note of you I saw you take from your pocket? I wish to settle with the landlord as I go down stairs—I hate running up a bill at an inn; and besides, we can consider it a first instalment of your rent."
Frank gave him the ten-pound note; and the colonel, whose attentions to wine and brandy-and-water had been unremitted, stuffed it into his waistcoat pocket, and staggered out of the room. The general took leave with the most stately courtesy, and soon followed.
"Now, then," said Frank, "one day will decide my fate. Time, money, and temper will not have been wasted, if I get only half an hour's talk with Alice Elstree."