frequenters of the gaming-table and the heroes of the turf. His attachment to the lovely Geraldine leffened that dangerous propensity; and, though fhe had failed in her endeavours to infpire a love of elegant pleasures, indifference for his former pursuits had gradually increased to difguft: the lefs pernicious fports of the field, and a boyish turn of amusement, fucceeding in occupying a mind too volatile to feek pleasure out of its own refources. But fince his lordship's disgust and forbearance arofe more from the abfence of temptation than from any fixed principle, the fight of the cardtable and the rattle of the dice-box excited paffions which increased the unfubdued emotion that he had felt at the opera. He propofed to Fitzofborne to form a party. Edward pleaded a total want of skill; protefted, that he had a fixed L 6 abhor abhorrence of the gaming-table; ar declared, that he never vifited the fcenes, except to ftudy the human ch racter, and to moralize on the fa effects of the impetuous paffion of a rice. His reflections were foon finif that evening, for in a little time he F feffed himself wearied with the scene, he propofed to lord Monteith that fhould retire to a private room. T too he felt the moments drag hea and it was mutually agreed to enl them by a friendly game at picquet. + The stake first 'propofed was tri Monteith was unfuccefsful. He t ferred his latent refentment to the which he ftamped under his foot; for a new pack, and infifted doubling the fum they played for. events of the evening put fevera dreds into Fitzofborne's pocket his fuccefs might ftill have been g "of it this evening. Yet if my well"meant admonitions are but remem"bered by my friends, the difinterest"edness of my attachment will enable "me to fupport a little tranfient acri*mony." "Where else did you play the lec"turer?" inquired Monteith, carelessly. "Where I saw a little impropriety," replied Fitzosborne, with fuppreffed fig nificance. "And did you fucceed no better «‹ than you have done with me?" continued the earl, with increafing anxiety. "I don't know. The character I "had to deal with was more guarded "than you are. "" "What caused your reproof?" faid his lordship, with affected cafe, and apparently occupied in forting the cards into three divifions. <c "I believe nothing but the too great nicety of my own feelings: for on re"viewing the affair, I cannot see any thing effentially wrong; and I begin " to think thofe rules which impofe fuperior caution on perfons who are "objects of public admiration unneceffarily fevere." 66 "The fentiments of ladies," resumed Monteith," are generally more delicate "in these points than thofe of men. "Suppose you make Geraldine your "cafuift in this business? She will tell "you if you went too far in your ad"monitions." "By no means," faid Fitzofborne, fnatching the cards. "Come, enough "of one subject. Shall we have an"other. game ?" "No! I am tired; and as I love to "have every doubtful business cleared up, we will SC go home to fupper, and " I will |
