"
"No; mine would not be popular just now: I reserve it till we are there,
and can see the lunatics at work."
"Oh, then we are to go," cried Fanny. "Oh, be joyful!"
"That depends on Miss Maitland. It is not in my department."
Instantly four bright eyes were turned piteously on the awful Maitland.
"Oh, aunt," said Zoe, pleadingly, "do you think there would be any great
harm in our--just for once in a way?"
"My dear," said Miss Maitland, solemnly, "I cannot say that I approve of
public gambling in general. But at Homburg the company is select. I have
seen a German prince, a Russian prince, and two English countesses, the
very _e'lite_ of London society, seated at the same table in the Kursaal.
I think, therefore, there can be no harm in your going, under the conduct
of older persons--myself, for example, and your brother."
"Code three," suggested Vizard--"the chaperonian code."
"And a very good one, too," said Zoe. "But, aunt, must we look on, or may
we play just a little, little?"
"My dear, there can be no great harm in playing a little, in _good
company_--if you play with your own money." She must have one dig at
Severne.
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