The things we do!

I
had it once, as you already know, and had recovered. All that
prevented a daily relapse was my fair, sweet antidote, Jane, whose
image rested in my heart, a lasting safeguard.
"I wonder if your prodigy plays cards; that is, such as we ladies
play?" asked Mary. "You say he has lived much in France, where the
game was invented, but I have no doubt he would scorn to waste his
time at so frivolous a pursuit, when he might be slaughtering armies
single-handed and alone."
"I do not know as to his dancing and card-playing, but I dare venture
a wager he does both," I replied, not liking her tone of sarcasm. She
had yet to learn who Brandon was.
"I will hazard ten crowns," said Mary quickly, for she loved a wager
and was a born gambler.
"Taken," said I.
"We will try him on both to-morrow night in my drawing-room," she
continued. "You bring him up, but tell no one. I will have Jane there
with her lute, which will not frighten you away, I know, and we will
try his step. I will have cards, too, and we shall see what he can do
at triumph.


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