Theonlylivingthingthatenterednowwasasparrow；
　　andseeingnomovementstocausealarm，hehoppedboldlyroundtheroom，endeavouredtogooutbythewindow，andflutteredamongthepot—flowers。Thisrousedthelonelysitter，whogotup，releasedthebird，andwenttothedoor。
　　ShewasexpectingThomasin，whohadwrittenthenightbeforetostatethatthetimehadcomewhenshewouldwishtohavethemoneyandthatshewouldifpossiblecallthisday。
　　YetThomasinoccupiedMrs。Yeobright’sthoughtsbutslightlyasshelookedupthevalleyoftheheath，alivewithbutterflies，andwithgrasshopperswhosehuskynoisesoneverysideformedawhisperedchorus。
　　Adomesticdrama，forwhichthepreparationswerenowbeingmadeamileortwooff，wasbutlittlelessvividlypresenttohereyesthanifenactedbeforeher。Shetriedtodismissthevision，andwalkedaboutthegardenplot；
　　buthereyeseverandanonsoughtoutthedirectionoftheparishchurchtowhichMistoverbelonged，andherexcitedfancyclovethehillswhichdividedthebuildingfromhereyes。
　　Themorningworeaway。Eleveno’clockstruck——coulditbethattheweddingwastheninprogress？Itmustbeso。Shewentonimaginingthesceneatthechurch，whichhehadbythistimeapproachedwithhisbride。
　　Shepicturedthelittlegroupofchildrenbythegateastheponycarriagedroveupinwhich，asThomasinhadlearnt，theyweregoingtoperformtheshortjourney。
　　Thenshesawthementerandproceedtothechancelandkneel；
　　andtheserviceseemedtogoon。
　　Shecoveredherfacewithherhands。"O，itisamistake！"
　　shegroaned。"Andhewillrueitsomeday，andthinkofme！"
　　Whilesheremainedthus，overcomebyherforebodings，theoldclockindoorswhizzedforthtwelvestrokes。
　　Soonafter，faintsoundsfloatedtoherearfromafaroverthehills。Thebreezecamefromthatquarter，andithadbroughtwithitthenotesofdistantbells，gailystartingoffinapeal：one，two，three，four，five。
　　TheringersatEastEgdonwereannouncingthenuptialsofEustaciaandherson。
　　"Thenitisover，"shemurmured。"Well，well！andlifetoowillbeoversoon。AndwhyshouldIgoonscaldingmyfacelikethis？Cryaboutonethinginlife，cryaboutall；
　　onethreadrunsthroughthewholepiece。Andyetwesay，’atimetolaugh！’"
　　TowardseveningWildevecame。SinceThomasin’smarriageMrs。Yeobrighthadshownhimthatgrimfriendlinesswhichatlastarisesinallsuchcasesofundesiredaffinity。
　　Thevisionofwhatoughttohavebeenisthrownasideinsheerweariness，andbrowbeatenhumanendeavourlistlesslymakesthebestofthefactthatis。Wildeve，todohimjustice，hadbehavedverycourteouslytohiswife’saunt；
　　anditwaswithnosurprisethatshesawhimenternow。
　　"Thomasinhasnotbeenabletocome，asshepromisedtodo，"
　　herepliedtoherinquiry，whichhadbeenanxious，forsheknewthatherniecewasbadlyinwantofmoney。
　　"Thecaptaincamedownlastnightandpersonallypressedhertojointhemtoday。So，nottobeunpleasant，shedeterminedtogo。Theyfetchedherinthepony—chaise，andaregoingtobringherback。"
　　"Thenitisdone，"saidMrs。Yeobright。"Havetheygonetotheirnewhome？"
　　"Idon’tknow。IhavehadnonewsfromMistoversinceThomasinlefttogo。"
　　"Youdidnotgowithher？"saidshe，asiftheremightbegoodreasonswhy。
　　"Icouldnot，"saidWildeve，reddeningslightly。
　　"Wecouldnotbothleavethehouse；itwasratherabusymorning，onaccountofAngleburyGreatMarket。
　　IbelieveyouhavesomethingtogivetoThomasin？Ifyoulike，Iwilltakeit。"
　　Mrs。Yeobrighthesitated，andwonderedifWildeveknewwhatthesomethingwas。"Didshetellyouofthis？"
　　sheinquired。
　　"Notparticularly。Shecasuallydroppedaremarkabouthavingarrangedtofetchsomearticleorother。"
　　"Itishardlynecessarytosendit。Shecanhaveitwhenevershechoosestocome。"
　　"Thatwon’tbeyet。Inthepresentstateofherhealthshemustnotgoonwalkingsomuchasshehasdone。"
　　Headded，withafainttwangofsarcasm，"WhatwonderfulthingisitthatIcannotbetrustedtotake？"
　　"Nothingworthtroublingyouwith。"
　　"Onewouldthinkyoudoubtedmyhonesty，"hesaid，withalaugh，thoughhiscolourroseinaquickresentfulnessfrequentwithhim。
　　"Youneedthinknosuchthing，"saidshedrily。
　　"ItissimplythatI，incommonwiththerestoftheworld，feelthattherearecertainthingswhichhadbetterbedonebycertainpeoplethanbyothers。"
　　"Asyoulike，asyoulike，"saidWildevelaconically。
　　"Itisnotwortharguingabout。Well，IthinkImustturnhomewardagain，astheinnmustnotbeleftlonginchargeoftheladandthemaidonly。"
　　Hewenthisway，hisfarewellbeingscarcelysocourteousashisgreeting。ButMrs。Yeobrightknewhimthoroughlybythistime，andtooklittlenoticeofhismanner，goodorbad。
　　WhenWildevewasgoneMrs。Yeobrightstoodandconsideredwhatwouldbethebestcoursetoadoptwithregardtotheguineas，whichshehadnotlikedtoentrusttoWildeve。
　　ItwashardlycrediblethatThomasinhadtoldhimtoaskforthem，whenthenecessityforthemhadarisenfromthedifficultyofobtainingmoneyathishands。
　　AtthesametimeThomasinreallywantedthem，andmightbeunabletocometoBlooms—Endforanotherweekatleast。
　　Totakeorsendthemoneytoherattheinnwouldbeimpolite，sinceWildevewouldprettysurelybepresent，orwoulddiscoverthetransaction；andif，asherauntsuspected，hetreatedherlesskindlythanshedeservedtobetreated，hemightthengetthewholesumoutofhergentlehands。
　　ButonthisparticulareveningThomasinwasatMistover，andanythingmightbeconveyedtohertherewithouttheknowledgeofherhusband。Uponthewholetheopportunitywasworthtakingadvantageof。
　　Herson，too，wasthere，andwasnowmarried。
　　Therecouldbenomorepropermomenttorenderhimhisshareofthemoneythanthepresent。Andthechancethatwouldbeaffordedher，bysendinghimthisgift，ofshowinghowfarshewasfrombearinghimill—will，cheeredthesadmother’sheart。
　　Shewentupstairsandtookfromalockeddraweralittlebox，outofwhichshepouredahoardofbroadunwornguineasthathadlaintheremanyayear。Therewereahundredinall，andshedividedthemintotwoheaps，fiftyineach。
　　Tyinguptheseinsmallcanvasbags，shewentdowntothegardenandcalledtoChristianCantle，whowasloiteringaboutinhopeofasupperwhichwasnotreallyowedhim。
　　Mrs。Yeobrightgavehimthemoneybags，chargedhimtogotoMistover，andonnoaccounttodeliverthemintoanyone’shandssaveherson’sandThomasin’s。OnfurtherthoughtshedeemeditadvisabletotellChristianpreciselywhatthetwobagscontained，thathemightbefullyimpressedwiththeirimportance。Christianpocketedthemoneybags，promisedthegreatestcarefulness，andsetoutonhisway。
　　"Youneednothurry，"saidMrs。Yeobright。"Itwillbebetternottogettheretillafterdusk，andthennobodywillnoticeyou。Comebackheretosupper，ifitisnottoolate。"
　　Itwasnearlynineo’clockwhenhebegantoascendthevaletowardsMistover；butthelongdaysofsummerbeingattheirclimax，thefirstobscurityofeveninghadonlyjustbeguntotanthelandscape。AtthispointofhisjourneyChristianheardvoices，andfoundthattheyproceededfromacompanyofmenandwomenwhoweretraversingahollowaheadofhim，thetopsonlyoftheirheadsbeingvisible。
　　Hepausedandthoughtofthemoneyhecarried。ItwasalmosttooearlyevenforChristianseriouslytofearrobbery；
　　neverthelesshetookaprecautionwhicheversincehisboyhoodhehadadoptedwheneverhecarriedmorethantwoorthreeshillingsuponhisperson——aprecautionsomewhatlikethatoftheownerofthePittDiamondwhenfilledwithsimilarmisgivings。Hetookoffhisboots，untiedtheguineas，andemptiedthecontentsofonelittlebagintotherightboot，andoftheotherintotheleft，spreadingthemasflatlyaspossibleoverthebottomofeach，whichwasreallyaspaciouscofferbynomeanslimitedtothesizeofthefoot。Pullingthemonagainandlacingthemtotheverytop，heproceededonhisway，moreeasyinhisheadthanunderhissoles。
　　Hispathconvergedtowardsthatofthenoisycompany，andoncomingnearerhefoundtohisreliefthattheywereseveralEgdonpeoplewhomheknewverywell，whilewiththemwalkedFairway，ofBlooms—End。
　　"What！Christiangoingtoo？"saidFairwayassoonasherecognizedthenewcomer。"You’vegotnoyoungwomannorwifetoyournametogieagown—pieceto，I’msure。"
　　"Whatd’yemean？"saidChristian。
　　"Why，theraffle。Theonewegotoeveryyear。
　　Goingtotheraffleaswellasourselves？"
　　"Neverknewawordo’t。Isitlikecudgelplayingorothersportfulformsofbloodshed？Idon’twanttogo，thankyou，MisterFairway，andnooffence。"
　　"Christiandon’tknowthefuno’t，and’twouldbeafinesightforhim，"saidabuxomwoman。"There’snodangeratall，Christian。Everymanputsinashillingapiece，andonewinsagown—pieceforhiswifeorsweetheartifhe’sgotone。"
　　"Well，asthat’snotmyfortunethere’snomeaninginittome。ButIshouldliketoseethefun，ifthere’snothingoftheblackartinit，andifamanmaylookonwithoutcostorgettingintoanydangerouswrangle？"
　　"Therewillbenouproaratall，"saidTimothy。
　　"Sure，Christian，ifyou’dliketocomewe’llseethere’snoharmdone。"
　　"Andnoba’dygaieties，Isuppose？Yousee，neighbours，ifso，itwouldbesettingfatherabadexample，asheissolightmoral’d。Butagown—pieceforashilling，andnoblackart——’tisworthlookingintosee，anditwouldn’thindermehalfanhour。Yes，I’llcome，ifyou’llstepalittlewaytowardsMistoverwithmeafterwards，supposingnightshouldhaveclosedin，andnobodyelseisgoingthatway？"
　　Oneortwopromised；andChristian，divergingfromhisdirectpath，turnedroundtotherightwithhiscompanionstowardstheQuietWoman。
　　Whentheyenteredthelargecommonroomoftheinntheyfoundassembledthereabouttenmenfromamongtheneighbouringpopulation，andthegroupwasincreasedbythenewcontingenttodoublethatnumber。
　　Mostofthemweresittingroundtheroominseatsdividedbywoodenelbowslikethoseofcrudecathedralstalls，whichwerecarvedwiththeinitialsofmanyanillustriousdrunkardofformertimeswhohadpassedhisdaysandhisnightsbetweenthem，andnowlayasanalcoholiccinderinthenearestchurchyard。Amongthecupsonthelongtablebeforethesitterslayanopenparceloflightdrapery——thegown—piece，asitwascalled——whichwastoberaffledfor。Wildevewasstandingwithhisbacktothefireplacesmokingacigar；andthepromoteroftheraffle，apackmanfromadistanttown，wasexpatiatinguponthevalueofthefabricasmaterialforasummerdress。
　　"Now，gentlemen，"hecontinued，asthenewcomersdrewuptothetable，"there’sfivehaveentered，andwewantfourmoretomakeupthenumber。Ithink，bythefacesofthosegentlemenwhohavejustcomein，thattheyareshrewdenoughtotakeadvantageofthisrareopportunityofbeautifyingtheirladiesataverytriflingexpense。"
　　Fairway，Sam，andanotherplacedtheirshillingsonthetable，andthemanturnedtoChristian。
　　"No，sir，"saidChristian，drawingback，withaquickgazeofmisgiving。"Iamonlyapoorchapcometolookon，anitpleaseye，sir。Idon’tsomuchasknowhowyoudoit。IfsobeIwassureofgettingitIwouldputdowntheshilling；butIcouldn’totherwise。"
　　"Ithinkyoumightalmostbesure，"saidthepedlar。
　　"Infact，nowIlookintoyourface，evenifIcan’tsayyouaresuretowin，IcansaythatIneversawanythinglookmorelikewinninginmylife。"
　　"You’llanyhowhavethesamechanceastherestofus，"
　　saidSam。
　　"Andtheextraluckofbeingthelastcomer，"saidanother。
　　"AndIwasbornwi’acaul，andperhapscanbenomoreruinedthandrowned？"Christianadded，beginningtogiveway。
　　UltimatelyChristianlaiddownhisshilling，therafflebegan，andthedicewentround。WhenitcametoChristian’sturnhetooktheboxwithatremblinghand，shookitfearfully，andthrewapair—royal。Threeoftheothershadthrowncommonlowpairs，andalltherestmerepoints。
　　"Thegentlemanlookedlikewinning，asIsaid，"observedthechapmanblandly。"Takeit，sir；thearticleisyours。"
　　"Haw—haw—haw！"saidFairway。"I’mdamnedifthisisn’tthequareststartthateverIknowed！"
　　"Mine？"askedChristian，withavacantstarefromhistargeteyes。"I——Ihaven’tgotneithermaid，wife，norwidderbelongingtomeatall，andI’mafearditwillmakemelaughedattoha’eit，MasterTraveller。
　　WhatwithbeingcurioustojoininIneverthoughtofthat！
　　WhatshallIdowi’awoman’sclothesinMYbedroom，andnotlosemydecency！"
　　"Keep’em，tobesure，"saidFairway，"ifitisonlyforluck。Perhaps’twilltemptsomewomanthatthypoorcarcasehadnopoweroverwhenstandingempty—handed。"
　　"Keepit，certainly，"saidWildeve，whohadidlywatchedthescenefromadistance。
　　Thetablewasthenclearedofthearticles，andthemenbegantodrink。
　　"Well，tobesure！"saidChristian，halftohimself。
　　"TothinkIshouldhavebeenbornsoluckyasthis，andnothavefounditoutuntilnow！Whatcuriouscreaturesthesedicebe——powerfulrulersofusall，andyetatmycommand！IamsureIneverneedbeafearedofanythingafterthis。"Hehandledthedicefondlyonebyone。
　　"Why，sir，"hesaidinaconfidentialwhispertoWildeve，whowasnearhislefthand，"ifIcouldonlyusethispowerthat’sinmeofmultiplyingmoneyImightdosomegoodtoanearrelationofyours，seeingwhatI’vegotaboutmeofhers——eh？"Hetappedoneofhismoney—ladenbootsuponthefloor。
　　"Whatdoyoumean？"saidWildeve。
　　"That’sasecret。Well，Imustbegoingnow。"HelookedanxiouslytowardsFairway。
　　"Whereareyougoing？"Wildeveasked。
　　"ToMistoverKnap。IhavetoseeMrs。Thomasinthere——
　　that’sall。"
　　"Iamgoingthere，too，tofetchMrs。Wildeve。Wecanwalktogether。"
　　Wildevebecamelostinthought，andalookofinwardilluminationcameintohiseyes。ItwasmoneyforhiswifethatMrs。Yeobrightcouldnottrusthimwith。
　　"Yetshecouldtrustthisfellow，"hesaidtohimself。
　　"Whydoesn’tthatwhichbelongstothewifebelongtothehusbandtoo？"
　　Hecalledtothepot—boytobringhimhishat，andsaid，"Now，Christian，Iamready。"
　　"Mr。Wildeve，"saidChristiantimidly，asheturnedtoleavetheroom，"wouldyoumindlendingmethemwonderfullittlethingsthatcarrymyluckinside’em，thatI
　　mightpractiseabitbymyself，youknow？"Helookedwistfullyatthediceandboxlyingonthemantlepiece。
　　"Certainly，"saidWildevecarelessly。"Theywereonlycutoutbysomeladwithhisknife，andareworthnothing。"
　　AndChristianwentbackandprivatelypocketedthem。
　　Wildeveopenedthedoorandlookedout。Thenightwaswarmandcloudy。"ByGad！’tisdark，"hecontinued。
　　"ButIsupposeweshallfindourway。"
　　"Ifweshouldlosethepathitmightbeawkward，"
　　saidChristian。"Alanternistheonlyshieldthatwillmakeitsafeforus。"
　　"Let’shavealanternbyallmeans。"Thestablelanternwasfetchedandlighted。Christiantookuphisgownpiece，andthetwosetouttoascendthehill。
　　Withintheroomthemenfellintochattilltheirattentionwasforamomentdrawntothechimney—corner。
　　Thiswaslarge，and，inadditiontoitsproperrecess，containedwithinitsjambs，likemanyonEgdon，arecedingseat，sothatapersonmightsitthereabsolutelyunobserved，providedtherewasnofiretolighthimup，aswasthecasenowandthroughoutthesummer。
　　Fromthenicheasingleobjectprotrudedintothelightfromthecandlesonthetable。Itwasaclaypipe，anditscolourwasreddish。Themenhadbeenattractedtothisobjectbyavoicebehindthepipeaskingforalight。
　　"Uponmylife，itfairlystartledmewhenthemanspoke！"
　　saidFairway，handingacandle。"Oh——’tisthereddleman！
　　You’vekeptaquiettongue，youngman。"
　　"Yes，Ihadnothingtosay，"observedVenn。Inafewminuteshearoseandwishedthecompanygoodnight。
　　MeanwhileWildeveandChristianhadplungedintotheheath。
　　Itwasastagnant，warm，andmistynight，fullofalltheheavyperfumesofnewvegetationnotyetdriedbyhotsun，andamongtheseparticularlythescentofthefern。
　　Thelantern，danglingfromChristian’shand，brushedthefeatheryfrondsinpassingby，disturbingmothsandotherwingedinsects，whichflewoutandalighteduponitshornypanes。
　　"SoyouhavemoneytocarrytoMrs。Wildeve？"
　　saidChristian’scompanion，afterasilence。"Don’tyouthinkitveryoddthatitshouldn’tbegiventome？"
　　"Asmanandwifebeoneflesh，’twouldhavebeenallthesame，Ishouldthink，"saidChristian。"Butmystrictdocumentswas，togivethemoneyintoMrs。Wildeve’shand——and’tiswelltodothingsright。"
　　"Nodoubt，"saidWildeve。AnypersonwhohadknownthecircumstancesmighthaveperceivedthatWildevewasmortifiedbythediscoverythatthematterintransitwasmoney，andnot，ashehadsupposedwhenatBlooms—End，somefancynick—nackwhichonlyinterestedthetwowomenthemselves。
　　Mrs。Yeobright’srefusalimpliedthathishonourwasnotconsideredtobeofsufficientlygoodqualitytomakehimasaferbearerofhiswife’sproperty。
　　"Howverywarmitistonight，Christian！"hesaid，panting，whentheywerenearlyunderRainbarrow。
　　"Letussitdownforafewminutes，forHeaven’ssake。"
　　Wildeveflunghimselfdownonthesoftferns；
　　andChristian，placingthelanternandparcelontheground，perchedhimselfinacrampedpositionhardby，hiskneesalmosttouchinghischin。Hepresentlythrustonehandintohiscoat—pocketandbeganshakingitabout。
　　"Whatareyourattlinginthere？"saidWildeve。
　　"Onlythedice，sir，"saidChristian，quicklywithdrawinghishand。"Whatmagicalmachinestheselittlethingsbe，Mr。Wildeve！’TisagameIshouldnevergettiredof。
　　Wouldyoumindmytaking’emoutandlookingat’emforaminute，toseehowtheyaremade？Ididn’tliketolookclosebeforetheothermen，forfeartheyshouldthinkitbadmannersinme。"Christiantookthemoutandexaminedtheminthehollowofhishandbythelanternlight。
　　"Thattheselittlethingsshouldcarrysuchluck，andsuchcharm，andsuchaspell，andsuchpowerin’em，passesallIeverheardorzeed，"hewenton，withafascinatedgazeatthedice，which，asisfrequentlythecaseincountryplaces，weremadeofwood，thepointsbeingburntuponeachfacewiththeendofawire。
　　"Theyareagreatdealinasmallcompass，Youthink？"
　　"Yes。Doyesupposetheyreallybethedevil’splaythings，Mr。Wildeve？Ifso，’tisnogoodsignthatIbesuchaluckyman。"
　　"Yououghttowinsomemoney，nowthatyou’vegotthem。
　　Anywomanwouldmarryyouthen。Nowisyourtime，Christian，andIwouldrecommendyounottoletitslip。
　　Somemenareborntoluck，somearenot。Ibelongtothelatterclass。"
　　"Didyoueverknowanybodywhowasborntoitbesidesmyself？"
　　"Oyes。IonceheardofanItalian，whosatdownatagamingtablewithonlyalouis，（that’saforeignsovereign），inhispocket。Heplayedonfortwenty—fourhours，andwontenthousandpounds，strippingthebankhehadplayedagainst。Thentherewasanothermanwhohadlostathousandpounds，andwenttothebroker’snextdaytosellstock，thathemightpaythedebt。Themantowhomheowedthemoneywentwithhiminahackney—coach；
　　andtopassthetimetheytossedwhoshouldpaythefare。
　　Theruinedmanwon，andtheotherwastemptedtocontinuethegame，andtheyplayedalltheway。Whenthecoachmanstoppedhewastoldtodrivehomeagain：thewholethousandpoundshadbeenwonbackbythemanwhowasgoingtosell。"
　　"Ha——ha——splendid！"exclaimedChristian。"Goon——goon！"
　　"ThentherewasamanofLondon，whowasonlyawaiteratWhite’sclubhouse。Hebeganplayingfirsthalf—crownstakes，andthenhigherandhigher，tillhebecameveryrich，gotanappointmentinIndia，androsetobeGovernorofMadras。HisdaughtermarriedamemberofParliament，andtheBishopofCarlislestoodgodfathertooneofthechildren。"
　　"Wonderfullwonderfull"
　　"AndoncetherewasayoungmaninAmericawhogambledtillhehadlosthislastdollar。Hestakedhiswatchandchain，andlostasbefore；stakedhisumbrella，lostagain；
　　stakedhishat，lostagain；stakedhiscoatandstoodinhisshirt—sleeves，lostagain。Begantakingoffhisbreeches，andthenalooker—ongavehimatrifleforhispluck。
　　Withthishewon。Wonbackhiscoat，wonbackhishat，wonbackhisumbrella，hiswatch，hismoney，andwentoutofthedoorarichman。"
　　"Oh，’tistoogood——ittakesawaymybreath！Mr。Wildeve，IthinkIwilltryanothershillingwithyou，asIamoneofthatsort；nodangercancomeo’t，andyoucanaffordtolose。"
　　"Verywell，"saidWildeve，rising。Searchingaboutwiththelantern，hefoundalargeflatstone，whichheplacedbetweenhimselfandChristian，andsatdownagain。
　　Thelanternwasopenedtogivemorelight，andit’sraysdirecteduponthestone。Christianputdownashilling，Wildeveanother，andeachthrew。Christianwon。
　　Theyplayedfortwo，Christianwonagain。
　　"Letustryfour，"saidWildeve。Theyplayedforfour。
　　ThistimethestakeswerewonbyWildeve。
　　"Ah，thoselittleaccidentswill，ofcourse，sometimeshappen，totheluckiestman，"heobserved。
　　"AndnowIhavenomoremoney！"explainedChristianexcitedly。
　　"Andyet，ifIcouldgoon，Ishouldgetitbackagain，andmore。Iwishthiswasmine。"Hestruckhisbootupontheground，sothattheguineaschinkedwithin。
　　"What！youhavenotputMrs。Wildeve’smoneythere？"
　　"Yes。’Tisforsafety。Isitanyharmtorafflewithamarriedlady’smoneywhen，ifIwin，Ishallonlykeepmywinnings，andgiveherherownallthesame；andift’othermanwins，hermoneywillgotothelawfulowner？"
　　"Noneatall。"
　　Wildevehadbeenbroodingeversincetheystartedonthemeanestimationinwhichhewasheldbyhiswife’sfriends；
　　anditcuthisheartseverely。Astheminutespassedhehadgraduallydriftedintoarevengefulintentionwithoutknowingtheprecisemomentofformingit。ThiswastoteachMrs。Yeobrightalesson，asheconsideredittobe；
　　inotherwords，toshowherifhecouldthatherniece’shusbandwastheproperguardianofherniece’smoney。
　　"Well，heregoes！"saidChristian，beginningtounlaceoneboot。"Ishalldreamofitnightsandnights，Isuppose；butIshallalwaysswearmyfleshdon’tcrawlwhenIthinko’t！"
　　HethrusthishandintothebootandwithdrewoneofpoorThomasin’spreciousguineas，pipinghot。
　　Wildevehadalreadyplacedasovereignonthestone。
　　Thegamewasthenresumed。Wildevewonfirst，andChristianventuredanother，winninghimselfthistime。
　　Thegamefluctuated，buttheaveragewasinWildeve’sfavour。
　　Bothmenbecamesoabsorbedinthegamethattheytooknoheedofanythingbutthepigmyobjectsimmediatelybeneaththeireyes，theflatstone，theopenlantern，thedice，andthefewilluminatedfern—leaveswhichlayunderthelight，werethewholeworldtothem。
　　AtlengthChristianlostrapidly；andpresently，tohishorror，thewholefiftyguineasbelongingtoThomasinhadbeenhandedovertohisadversary。
　　"Idon’tcare——Idon’tcare！"hemoaned，anddesperatelysetaboutuntyinghisleftboottogetattheotherfifty。
　　"Thedevilwilltossmeintotheflamesonhisthree—prongedforkforthisnight’swork，Iknow！ButperhapsIshallwinyet，andthenI’llgetawifetositupwithmeo’
　　nightsandIwon’tbeafeard，Iwon’t！Here’sanotherfor’ee，myman！"Heslappedanotherguineadownuponthestone，andthedice—boxwasrattledagain。
　　Timepassedon。WildevebegantobeasexcitedasChristianhimself。WhencommencingthegamehisintentionhadbeennothingfurtherthanabitterpracticaljokeonMrs。Yeobright。Towinthemoney，fairlyorotherwise，andtohanditcontemptuouslytoThomasininheraunt’spresence，hadbeenthedimoutlineofhispurpose。