while on his way to town. He staked a diamond, a stone of worth. I must
say, his like was never seen at cards."

"He hath strange quality."

"That you may say. Now read me some farther riddles of this same young
man. He managed to win from me a little shoe of an American savage,
which I had bought at a good price but the day before. It came to idle
talk of ladies' shoes, and wagers--well, no matter; and so Mr. Law
brought on a sudden quarrel with Beau Wilson. Then, though he seemed not
wanting courage, he half declined to face Wilson on the field. Sudden
to change as ever, this very morning he sent word to Wilson by Mr.
Castleton that he was ready to meet him at four this afternoon. God save
us! what a haste was there! And now, to cap it all, he hath taken my
horse from me and ridden off to keep an appointment which he says he
never made! Gad! These he odd ways enough, and almost too keen for me to
credit. Why, 'twould not surprise me to hear that he had been here to
make love to the Lady Catharine Knollys, and to offer her the proceeds
of his luck at faro. And, strike me! if that same luck holds, he'll
have all the money in London in another fortnight! I wish him joy of
Wilson."

"He may be hurt!" exclaimed the Lady Catharine, starting up.

"Who? Beau Wilson?" exclaimed Sir Arthur. "Take no fear. He carries a
good blade."

"Sir Arthur," said the girl, "is there no way to stop this foolish
matter? Is there not yet time?"