Surely, as a gentleman, you cannot
ask a lady to do more than repay you your twenty-five pounds."
Severne was a little cowed by Zoe' s interference. He stood his ground;
but sullenly, instead of violently.
"Miss Vizard, if I were weak enough to trust a lady with my money at a
gambling table, I should expect foul play; for I never knew a lady yet
who would not cheat _at cards,_ if she could. I trusted my money to a
tradesman to bet with. If he takes a female partner, that is no business
of mine; he is responsible all the same, and I'll have my money."
He jumped up at the word, and looked out at the window; he even fumbled
with the door, and tried to open it.
"You had better jump out," said Fanny.
"And then they would keep my money for good. No;" said he, "I'll wait for
the nearest station." He sunk back into his seat, looking unutterable
things.
Fanny looked rather rueful at first; then she said, spitefully, "You must
be very sure of your influence with your old sweetheart. You forget she
has got another now--a tradesman, too. He will stick to the money, and
make her stick to it. Their sending the fifty pounds shows that.
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