So much for the inner and outer life of gamblers. And now I
shall introduce Mr Ben. Disraeli, recounting, in the happiest
vein of his younger days, a magnificent gambling scene, quite on
a par with the legend of the Hindoo epic before quoted,[12] and
which, I doubt not, will (to use the young Disraeli's own words)
make the reader 'scud along and warm up into friskiness.'

[12] Chapter II.


A curious phrase occurs in the 9th chapter of 'The Young Duke,'
in the paragraph at the beginning, after the words--'O ye
immortal gods!'

Although the scene of the drama is part of a novel, yet there can
be no doubt of its being 'founded on fact'--at any rate, I think
there never was a narrative of greater verisimilitude.

'After dinner, with the exception of Cogit, who was busied in
compounding some wonderful liquid for the future refreshment,
they sat down to Ecarte. Without having exchanged a word upon
the subject, there seemed a general understanding among all the
parties, that to-night was to be a pitched battle--and they began
at once, very briskly. Yet, in spite of their universal
determination, midnight arrived without anything very decisive.
Another hour passed over, and then Tom Cogit kept touching the
baron's elbow, and whispering in a voice which everybody could
understand. All this meant that supper was ready. It was
brought into the room.