cried all, and down the marker put twelve.  At the second throw, he adopted another mode.  As soon as the dice were in, he just chucked them up in the air like as many halfpence, and down they came five and six—­“eleven,” said the marker.  With a look of triumph Green held the box for the third time, which he just turned upside down, and lo, on uncovering, there stood two—­“ones!” A loud laugh burst forth, and Green looked confused.  “I’m so glad!” whispered a young lady, who had made an unsuccessful “set” at Jemmy the previous season, in a tone loud enough for him to hear.  “I hope he’ll lose,” rejoined a female friend, rather louder.  “That Jemmy Green is my absolute abhorrence,” observed a third. “’Orrible man, with his nasty vig,” observed the mamma of the first speaker—­“shouldn’t have my darter not at no price.”  Green, however, headed the poll, having beat the Sunflower, and had still two lots in reserve.  For number five, he threw twenty-five, and was immediately outstripped, amid much laughter and clapping of hands from the ladies, by number six, who in his turn fell a prey to number seven.  Between eight and nine there was a very interesting contest who should be lowest, and hopes and fears were at their altitude, when Jemmy Green again turned back his coat-wrist to throw for number ten.  His confidence had forsaken him a little, as indicated by a slight quivering of the under-lip, but he managed to conceal it from all except the ladies, who kept too scrutinising an eye upon him.  His first throw brought sixes, which raised his spirits amazingly; but on their appearance a second time, he could scarcely contain himself, backed as he was by the plaudits of his friend Mr. Jorrocks.  Then came the deciding throw—­every eye was fixed on Jemmy, he shook the box, turned it down, and lo! there came seven.

“Mr. James Green is the fortunate winner of this magnificent prize!” exclaimed the youth, holding up the box in mid-air, and thereupon all the ladies crowded round Green, some to congratulate him, others to compliment him on his looks, while one or two of the least knowing tried to coax him out of his box.  Jemmy, however, was too old a stager, and pocketed the box and other compliments at the same time.

Another grind of the organ, and another song followed from the same young lady, during which operation Green sent for the manager, and, after a little beating about the bush, proposed singing a song or two, if he would give him lottery-tickets gratis.  He asked three shilling-tickets for each song, and finally closed for five tickets for two songs, on the understanding that he was to be announced as a distinguished amateur, who had come forward by most particular desire.