"While the time, sir? What say you? A game or two? I can stake my
pistoles--that is, sir, so far as a fourpenny bit goes. If ignorant of
this French game, sir, cribbage or all fours?"

"No," said Losely, mournfully; "there is nothing to be got out of you;
otherwise"--he stopped and sighed. "But I have seen you under other
circumstances. What has become of your Theatrical Exhibition? Gambled
it away? Yet, from what I see of your play, I think you ought not to
have lost, Mr. Rugge."

The ex-manager started.

"What! You knew me before the Storm?--before the lightning struck me,
as I may say, sir--and falling into difficulties, I became-a wreck? You
knew me?--not of the Company?--a spectator?"

"As you say--a spectator. You had once in your employ an actor--clever
old fellow. Waife, I think, he was called."

"Ah! hold! At that name, sir, my wounds bleed afresh. From that
execrable name, sir, there hangs a tale!"

"Indeed! Then it will be a relief to you to tell it," said Losely,
resettling his feet on the hob, and snatching at any diversion from his
own reflections.

"Sir, when a gentleman, who is a gentleman, asks as a favour a specimen
of my powers of recital, not professionally, and has before him the
sparkling goblet, which he does not invite me to share, he insults my
fallen fortunes. Sir, I am poor--I own it; I have fallen into the sere