Part 55 (2/2)

”An Englishman not know whist!” said Mr. Beckendorff:

”Ridiculous! You do know it. Let us play! Mr. von Philipson, I know, has no objection.”

”But, my good sir,” said the Prince, ”although previous to conversation I may have no objection to join in a little amus.e.m.e.nt, still it appears to me that it has escaped your memory that whist is a game which requires the co-operation of four persons.”

”Not at all! I take dummy! I am not sure it is not the finest way of playing the game.”

The table was arranged, the lights brought, the cards produced, and the Prince of Little Lilliput, greatly to his surprise, found himself playing whist with Mr. Beckendorff. Nothing could be more dull. The Minister would neither bet nor stake, and the immense interest which he took in every card that was played ludicrously contrasted with the rather sullen looks of the Prince and the very sleepy ones of Vivian.

Whenever Mr. Beckendorff played for dummy he always looked with the most searching eye into the next adversary's face, as if he would read his cards in his features. The first rubber lasted an hour and a half, three long games, which Mr. Beckendorff, to his triumph, hardly won. In the first game of the second rubber Vivian blundered; in the second he revoked; and in the third, having neglected to play, and being loudly called upon, and rated both by his partner and Mr. Beckendorff, he was found to be asleep. Beckendorff threw down his hand with a loud dash, which roused Vivian from his slumber. He apologised for his drowsiness; but said that he was so sleepy that he must retire. The Prince, who longed to be with Beckendorff alone, winked approbation of his intention.

”Well!” said Beckendorff, ”you spoiled the rubber. I shall ring for Clara. Why you all are so fond of going to bed I cannot understand. I have not been to bed these thirty years.”

Vivian made his escape; and Beckendorff, pitying his degeneracy, proposed to the Prince, in a tone which seemed to antic.i.p.ate that the offer would meet with instantaneous acceptation, double dummy. This, however, was too much.

”No more cards, sir, I thank you,” said the Prince; ”if, however, you have a mind for an hour's conversation, I am quite at your service.”

”I am obliged to you; I never talk. Good night, Mr. von Philipson.”

Mr. Beckendorff left the room. His Highness could contain himself no longer. He rang the bell.

”Pray, Mrs. Clara,” said he, ”where are my horses?”

”Mr. Beckendorff will have no quadrupeds within a mile of the house, except Owlface.”

”How do you mean? Let me see the man-servant.”

”The household consists only of myself, sir.”

”Why! where is my luggage, then?”

”That has been brought up, sir; it is in your room.”

”I tell you I must have my horses.”

”It is quite impossible to-night, sir. I think, sir, you had better retire. Mr. Beckendorff may not be home again these six hours.”

”What! is your master gone out?”

”Yes, sir, he is just gone out to take his ride.”

”Why! where is his horse kept, then?”

”It is Owlface, sir.”

”Owlface, indeed! What! is your master in the habit of riding out at night?”

”Mr. Beckendorff rides out, sir, just when it happens to suit him.”

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