Roving Jack, The Pirate Hunter — page 242: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

<i> 262 ROVING JACK, THE PIRATE HUNTER. - a ey — + ee Sighing, the speaker put out the tell-tale candles, doffed his robe de chambre, and in morning dishabille, received his betrothed. Violet Tremaine made her appearance with a freshly-gathered bouqtiet in her hand, ‘‘ Many happy returns, Sir John, of this day.” In Surprise, he replied, ‘This day, my birth day, dearest girl? I really had forgotton it—thanks for the sweet remem- brance.” Planting a fervent kiss on the brow of Violet, our héro in return accepted the bunch of flowers she preseated to him. ; As he regarded the gift, he cast-a glance askance at the giver, “Pure emblem of yourself, I warrant me they come from—”’ * From your own castle in Devonshire—near your native place—from the rustic bower where you and I have so often sat to contemplate the delights of a country life.” : : “Yes, Violet, they stirpass the pleasures of the clittermg town. Here, each joy has its heart ache— every sweet its bitter.” ; “Come, come,” you are too severe,” replied Violet. ‘‘Though I admire the country, like a swallow I would fly from it in winter,” — She continued then to say, ‘“ But I have a favour to ask of you, Sir John, This day you must atleast be mine. I have planned a littlefairy tale for the amusement of the company invited on your natal day.” This announcement seemed to confuse our hero, who, in haste, exclaimed, “My dear Violet, what you ask of me is impos- sible. I have promised an engagement with—”’ “ Your near friend, Sir Maurice Lacy,” ‘“Yes,’’ replied the party addressed, who séemed somewhat abashed at the avowal. ‘“‘ Really, of late, Sir John,’ cried Violet, not a little provoked, “ your every thought seems his. He surely can spare you on this o¢écasion, or I shall think him unkind,”’ “Spare me—by heaven, he must, he shall!” ex- claithed our hero, petulantly. ‘Violet, you lave bound afiection’s chain around my neck, and shall lead me where you will. J will break this worthless engagement, I must be from home—or—”’ Here his notice was attracted at a yoice behind him, It was that of Sir Maurice Lacy, He had stood at the open door of the apartment contemplating the lovers with a keen eye. At his appes rance, Violet at once excused herself and quitted his presence, leaving the gambler and his dupe alone » ‘“ How, Sir John Warbold,” remarked the former, ‘‘ not at home to me?” “Tam at home to no one,” replied the other, with acrimony. ‘' I have promised myself this day to Violet.” ‘You forget, perhaps, that last night also you pledged yourself to me and two, others to give us at the tables of D’Osyndars* our revenge this evening,” ‘Did I give my word?” ‘Decidedly so, Recollect, too, you left off winner,” “ Ha, ha! I—a trifling sum,” ‘““Have you tried over the calculation. by the cards as I instructed ?” inquired Sir Maurice Lacy. ‘All the night long I tried it,’ was our hero’s answer. * D’Osyndars. A noted gambling house of the last century, em em te Cw a ee eee er ere -* You succeeded ?” wells: “‘Then our losses are repaid.” “T wish it were with honour.” “ Pshaw ! we but jeunes sis sneer xk * We must now picture to the reader a view of the celebrated ‘hell,’ or gambling house, known as D'Osyndars. It is night, and its spacious rooms are brilliantly lighted up. ‘ Tables for cards and dice are set out at every corner. “et Coffee is served as their occupants are sitting down to basset, or engaged in the exciting game of hazard, . | Ever and anon delicious wifes went round in flowing bumpers, 4 circumstatice which contributed greatly td increase the spirits of the company— losers as well as winners, On arriving at this dén of itiqtity our hero and Sir Maurice Lacy ascended the stairs and entered the room where hazard was always played, for it was agreed upon by the wily sharper that fortune, in the first instance, should bé tempted at this ame, ae 5 His victim, with “lucky dice" provided by his destroyer, turned to play. In a few minutes he had swept a off the board. “Did I not tell you how you would succeed 2?” whispered Sir Maurice, “ Stake your all, and good fortune will still attend you.” Our hero obeyed the injunction. s Thé cubes rattled in the box and seemed as if by magic to fall precisely as he wished them to fall. He was surprised at his run of luck. He seemed to get back what money he pleased, and trembled with excitement to find himself in half an hour worth at least two thousand pounds, ~ His exulting look goaded now another adversary to play. This adversary was no other than Sir Maurice Lacy himself, . Thinking that his supposed friend had some object in this, he unhesitatingly accepted the chal-. lenge. He was somewhat piqued the next moment to find that the total amount of his gains had been named as the stake, Abashed, confused, and not knowing what to make of the proposition, he was so placed that he could*not but accede to it. A sudden idea seemed to calm him when he re- membered by what unfair means he had won his money. ‘‘T have still the loaded dice,’ he muttered to. himself ; “the blind goddess will attend me in this venture,” ‘“Come, Sir John,’ said his opponent, “as you cle hold the box you may as well give the first throw.” | litindred pounds ‘‘] have no choice,” yesponded Roving Jack, ‘therefore let it be as you desire,” | As he was about to throw, a sudden faintness seemed to seize him. His sight grew dim, and his arm paralysed. This gave his opponent the chance he had pre- meditated, | Nat Rose, the highwayman, who had now entered as his accomplice, seeing the embarrassment of our hero, took the opportunity as he put down the box of exchanging the dice in if. , ~ After 4 minute the latter had recovered himself, and played with extreme caution, EOMIEHOOKS |||