Keep him so, did you say?" said Placid, "were you out last night?"

"Yes, to my sorrow, that's the reason I am in a pinch for money, I lost dreadfully."

"How much?"

"Eight thousand."

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Ten, tens, one hundred, one hundred tens, a thousand, eight hundred tens, eight thousand, three hundred and sixty-four into eight hundred, gives, two, seventy. The whole work of eight hundred days gone in an hour! only think of it, sir; only think of it," said Placid, nibbling his finger nails, and walking up and down the chamber, as if he was taking Curtis's misfortune all to himself; so, at least, the doctor supposed, for he remarked, "Oh! that is a small matter."

"Small matter!" shrieked Placid, "the work of a lifetime, sir, all my pains and labor for ten years gone, gone, sir! gone! But I will retrieve, at ten dollars a day!

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"What do you mean?" said Curtis.

What do I mean, sir? look here," reopening his coffers; "four months ago there were four times as much gold here as you see to-day; where is it now, sir, now?"

"You don't mean to say that you have lost it?” "Yes sir, lost it! I won it at the rate of ten dollars a day-and have lost it at the rate of one hundred dollars an hour?"

Curtis gazed in utter amazement on the haggard countenance of the broker. What a wonderful

change had four months made in his appearance! But recently he had been the most quiet, easy, unexcited and harmless creature in the city-the model of patience, politeness and sociability; - now the fiercest, quickest, most reckless, desperate and abandoned of men. His face was livid-every nerve moved as he spoke. His eyes gleamed with unnatural light; and froth covered his raving lips.

"You came to borrow: I am yet rich; two thousand-at ten dollars a day for the thousand-twenty dollars a day-sign a note-the interest must be paid daily-ten dollars a day to the thousand or twenty dollars a day-keep it as long as you pleasegood morning; remember, twenty dollars a day."

Curtis divided the gold into four parcels and put each in a pocket. The money was heavy.

His intention was to place it in the Bank of Washington, so that there would be enough on deposit to meet his checks;-but, as he thought of the twenty dollars a day interest, he concluded that he would go to the hell and bet awhile, with the hope of doubling the amount, so that he could repay Placid and still have a stake.

Passing up the avenue, he saw the door of the hell open, and sprung into it hastily, hoping to elude observation.

It was just ten o'clock. The prince was in his chair, alone-as fresh as a rose-clear and bright-just out of a bath--waiting for his breakfast.

"Ah! Doctor, stirring early, sir."

"Yes sir; I am impatient to regain some of the money I lost last night."

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Take a seat sir; accommodate you; always on hand; though haven't had my breakfast; will you cut?"

The game went on briskly and with variable luck for two or three hours; several times during this playing Curtis had some thousands ahead: but his good fortune only increased his insatiable desire for He was ambitious to break the bank. He made desperate bets, and kept the complacent prince very much worried. At last he fell into an awful run, when a succession of losses reduced his two thousand dollars to naught, and the game was closed.

more.

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"Have a little wine, doctor?" said the prince. "Not any, thank you-yes, I will take a glass." "This is devlish unlucky," continued the doctor. 'Haven't you presented my checks?"

"No sir, not yet."

"Well sir, I shall be troubled. I have only six thousand dollars in bank. I brought the two thousand, which I have just lost, to make up the deficit."

"Well," said the prince, musing, "it is no matter. If you say so, Doctor, we will not present your checks except for six thousand to-day."

It will be an accommodation," said Curtis, sipping his wine. It was delicious; acting with the accommodating disposition of the graceful prince, it exhilarated and soothed.

Yes, exhilarated and soothed. The doctor grew amiable, even sociable, and smiled and chatted nearly

an hour with the prince, whom he found a most jovial and interesting fellow.

When Curtis left the room he felt a most intense disgust for himself. His eyes fell upon the ground, his face was covered with blushes. His proud spirit had lost its iron nerve and was become a thing elastic; for, smilingly, he had accepted a favor from the man who had robbed him, and whose daily business was to rob every body.

How bitter are these moments of self-condemnation! And yet how common! Who has not been for a moment despicable? The spirit of evil sometimes drives the angel of the purest heart out of its heaven.

CHAPTER XV.

Lizzy Dash had come to Washington to display her charms and to make her fortune. She was from one of the rural districts of the state of While in the city she was under the protection of the M. C. from her district. She had already created a sensation in the fashionable circles, for she was really a fine looking girl, something under twenty, with a charming person and captivating appearance. She had fallen in with Beatrice and Dr. Curtis, and had received from them more than the ordinary civilities; had been frequently invited to their house, and was treated as a favorite guest. She had taken a drive with the doctor, behind his dashing greys.

He was evidently partial to her. He had touched her chin, playfully, with his fingers, when he told her that the ball at his house was to be given in her honor. She was surprised and delighted. The doctor, as they drove along, had inveigled one of her fingers into his hand. It was very plump and round, and so soft! Finding it no reluctant reposer in his palm, he drew another after it; the others followed, as a matter of course, while the warm buffalo robe was pulled up over her lap and almost to her chin. Only think of the doctor having her entire hand in his! It was a very pleasant drive to both,- only it was too short! They were near the gate of the cottage! Lifting her hand to his lips he kissed it! Once-twice thrice, a little higher up each time towards the wrist, until he really began to devour lingeringly her soft arm, which blushed and thrilled and grew rosy under the mysterious touch of his long soft whiskers! "Ah! Lizzy, we will meet again to-morrow night, until then, be happy if you can!" And so they alighted, and were met at the door by Beatrice, near whom was standing the ever assiduous and dreaming Sterling.

To-morrow night came, and with it was gathered at Curtis's cottage a very brilliant assemblage of distinguished persons, amongst whom was Miss Dash. She was the belle of the occasion, and vied, in elegance of manner and appearance even with Beatrice herself. Miss Dash was dressed very magnificently, not tastefully, but certainly for show. Invisibilities were visible; and her uneasy shoulders seemed con