the side of Mortimer amounted to upwards of sixteen thousand louis, the dealers having waived the law of the table restricting the stake to twelve thousand francs. They now paused; and fully expected that Monsieur l'étranger would remove his gains. And he would have done so but for the intoxicating flattery of his guide, who (though we cannot applaud his judgment in so doing) actually enjoined and persuaded the young adventurer to risk another chance. "You will have double," said he with a most persuasive emphasis.

"Quel sot!" said a Frenchman, observing the invincible mountain of money.

"Fou, fou, fou!" muttered another, who saw sufficient on the board to make any man comfortable for life. Meanwhile the dealers persuaded themselves that the play must change.

"Allons, Messieurs, le jeu est prêt. Il n'y a rien plus.. Un!"

"Oh!" exclaimed Mortimer, who knew that it was a chance of nine to one against him. The officer was silent. A dead pause ensued while the cards were counting for noir.

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Après," said the dealer, and a burst of intense feeling broke forth amongst the bystanders, whilst the dealer gathered the stakes on the board into a corner, it being the rule, that if the cards tell thirty-one both for rouge and noir, the table has another chance, and the players must continue their original risk. Mortimer was reprieved.

"Quarante," He was overjoyed.

Après,'

"Ah!"-but his friend checked the rising exclamation of impatience.

دو

"Messieurs, le jeu est fait. Sept-Deux, rouge gagne, et le couleur. And Mortimer was master of nearly 33,000 louis.

"J'ai une petite proposition à faire, mon ami," said the obstinate and dauntless officer.

"Il n'y a que quinze fois. On sait que la rouge a gagné seize, dix-sept, oui, vingt fois; vous gagnerez un palais. Ne manquez vous la fortune Monsieur. Elle ne vous manque pas."

"Messieurs, le jeu est fait," said the dealer,

"" Un."

"Now, Sir, you have ruined me most cruelly," ejaculated the wretched Mortimer.

"said the

"Attendez, Monsieur, attendez, le cou est fini." "Huit. Il y a un autre carte là, Monsieur, officer to the dealer.

“Ah! oui. Je vous demande mille pardons, Monsieur.” A card had accidentally fallen to the ground, and as it was proved to have slipped down during the last cou, or deal, the last play was of course rescinded. And now Mortimer might have regained his wealth, but he was not aware of his power to do so, and the inflexible old Colonel was irretrievably determined to try another hazard. Intense was the gaze of at least one hundred spectators.

"Cing." "Quarante." "Oh, demande pardon encore, Messieurs, ce n'st pas ca.'

"The immense stake has perplexed the officers of the table," said Mortimer's friend.

66

vous

"Quatre et sept, ce fait quarante un. Voila, ah, Monsieur," said the dealer looking towards Mortimer, avez la bonheur. Cinq. Quatre. Rouge gagne, et le couleur perd."

"Messieurs, le jeu est fait," continued he rather hastily; but Mortimer with extreme agitation had cleared the board of nearly 50,000 pounds, and in spite of the remonstrances of the Colonel, who urged that this was but the sixteenth rouge, rushed out of the house in a far more formidable and phrensied state of excitement than when he entered it. His friend followed, and saw him safely sheltered at his lodgings, after receiving liberal offers of money, which were declined, and boundless profusions of thanks, which the good officer accepted with a full and feeling heart.

CHAPTER VI.

A GENERAL ELECTION.

"God bless the King!"-SHAKESPEARE.

THE first reflections of Mortimer on a sleepless pillow were, that he could now redeem his estate and claim his bride. His friend, the Colonel, even recommended him, at parting, to quit Paris. He aided in

procuring the necessary passport, and in converting the immense treasure of the gaming-table to the best advantage; and having, according to his way of thinking, (and indeed successfully,) acted the good Samaritan towards the Englishman, bade the latter an affectionate farewell. And now we might have passed over all mention of the voyage and the land journeys which lay between this gentleman and his home, and have settled him safely at his Bedfordshire estate, but for an adventure which occurred in the steamer, and which materially affected his coming prospects. Naturally reserved, and at present a little proud, perhaps, of the good fortune which had been lavished upon him, Mortimer conversed sparingly with his fellow-voyagers. But although slightly regardful himself of the people around him, he did not escape the notice of a comfortably-looking, portly, powdered personage, who watched every event and paid to all the respect of observation. He was one of those highly-favoured men, who, without connexion or property, had contrived to possess himself of a considerable portion of both. Having, at length, gained the confidence of sundry wealthy persons who preferred the superintendence of an agent in the management of their concerns to a painfully personal attention on their own parts, he had derived such large emoluments as amply to warrant his indulging in all the elegances and luxuries of a tour. Returning at this time full of the pleasing_recollections of France, Switzerland, Germany, and Italy, he thought he beheld in Mortimer a person to whom he might be of service and who might in return be serviceable to him. Availing himself, therefore, of the polished bow and courteous air which had attracted so many clients and friends, and which continental manners had rendered still more imposing, he soon convinced the object of his attentions, that, let the rest of the passengers be whom they might, his acquaintance was at least worth the short trial.

We have said, that Mortimer was not very ably tutored in the world's great courses, and almost blush for his inexperience in acquainting this stranger, after a brief courtship, with his luck in the Palais Royal, and, indeed, with the exultation which he felt at the certainty of redeeming his estate. But Mr. Soland, although he had not met, in the course of his practice, with so

many instances of the recovery of property, as, alas! of its irredeemable departure, was yet no knave, as the world expound that word. Here was a fine young man just emancipated from the deepest distress, on his way home in the tide of glee and gaiety, without a friend to advise him as to the disposition of his gains, or the mode of disencumbering his domain. At least, such was the deduction of Mr. Soland from a very assiduous observation.

"And how will you proceed towards the liquidation of this burthen upon Byrdwood Hall, dear Sir?” inquired the latter with an earnestness at once respectful and insinuating.

"My father was accustomed to consult a solicitor, Sir, in the latter period of his life," replied Mortimer, "and I must find him out immediately on my return.

"Would it be an impertinent inquiry to ask, dear Sir, the amount of your incumbrances, and the stage of the proceedings against you?" asked again Mr. Soland, a little disconcerted at the mention of another solicitor. "Fifteen thousand pounds.

Then, thought the agent, he will have five-and-thirty thousand left, perhaps less by a thousand or two after the payment of Chancery Bills.

"You will have, good Sir, a large sum at command," continued Mr. Soland, "with which, if you apply it well, you may hold up your head as high as any man in Bedfordshire."

"How do you mean? how apply it well?"

"Well now, there is an approaching election-you may be returned, considering all things, at a small expense.

The phrase, considering all things, was significant, but perfectly unintelligible to Mortimer. Mr. Soland needed not have thrown away a valuable hint on one who could not profit by it. But the idea of becoming a Member of the House of Commons had now been presented for the first time to Mortimer, and he professed great obligations for the suggestion.

"I shall be happy to avail myself of your hint, Mr. Soland, and of your services also," said the gratified young man. "However," added he, "it must be inconvenient for you to leave London, for such a purpose.

Supposing, now, that I were to request your attendance at a contest, for instance-"

"Make yourself easy, dear Sir, on that score," observed Soland. "I know of nothing at this dull season to detain me in London; and although the rules of my profession forbid me from tendering my services, yet, if you are so kind as to call for them, I can assure you that I should be ungrateful, if I were to hesitate for a moment."

And thus Mortimer was provided with a lawyer of eminence, to pave the way for his entrance into the House, and with a parliamentary agent to maintain his seat, when elected. The parties to this conversation separated with expressions of much civility, and feelings of mutual approbation.

The long-expected marriage-day between Priminheere and Jane Hamilton, had at length arrived. On that same day Mortimer left town for Bedfordshire, having apprised his mother and sister, who were still living at Byrdwood, of his approach. The ambition of Priminheere was now on the point of being amply gratified: he was within a few hours to be master of a lovely girl with fifty thousand pounds; he was, within a fortnight, to be put in possession of Byrdwood Hall; and was currently spoken of as a candidate for the county, at the ensuing election. Merrily did the bells ring on the morning of the wedding; it was considered to be an auspicious day for the neighbourhood to witness the union of a wealthy couple, who were destined to reside amongst the peasantry. The family at Alderbury Park rose much earlier than usual; the adornments of the bride, her abundant presents and costly jewels, arranged the evening before with great precision, were displayed for the last time before the ceremony. The high prospects of her son-in-law had delighted Mrs. Hamilton, and she entered the breakfastroom with an air of unfeigned good humour. All parties appeared to have coalesced, and cheerfulness assumed her pleasing dominion far and wide. Even the bride, in general the most anxious companion of the groupe, showed less emotion, than is usually seen upon such solemnities. Priminheere-the gloomy Priminheere, rose from his bed at the earliest peep of the light, and a fugitive gleam of joy stole over his dark countenance, as he thought on the worldly goods which were so speedi