And he handed me the paper.  I must own that the figures startled me.  I laid it down with a fine show of indifference.

“And so you wish me to stop drawing?  Very good, Mr. Dix.”

He must have seen some threat implied, though I meant none.  He was my very humble servant at once, and declared he had called only to let me know where I stood.  Then he bowed himself out, wishing me luck with the horse he had heard of, and I lighted my pipe with his accompt.

CHAPTER XXXVII

THE SERPENTINE

Whether it was Mr. Dix. that started me reflecting, or my Lord Carlisle’s warning, or a few discreet words from young Lady Carlisle herself, I know not.  At all events, I made a resolution to stop high play, and confine myself to whist and quinze and picquet.  For I conceived a notion, enlarged by Mr. Fox, that I had more than once fallen into the tender clutches of the hounds.  I was so reflecting the morning following Lord Carlisle’s dinner, when Banks announced a footman.

“Mr. Manners’s man, sir,” he added significantly, and handed me a little note.  I seized it, and, to hide my emotion, told him to give the man his beer.

The writing was Dorothy’s, and some time passed after I had torn off the wrapper before I could compose myself to read it.

“So, Sir, the Moment I am too ill to watch you you must needs lapse into Wilde & Flity Doings, for thus y’rs are call’d even in London.  Never Mind how y’r Extravigancies are come to my Ears Sir.  One Matter I have herd that I am Most Concerned about, & I pray you, my Dear Richard do not allow y’r Recklessness & Contemt for Danger to betray you into a Stil more Amazing Follie or I shall be very Miserable Indeed.  I have Hopes that the Report is at Best a Rumour & you must sit down & write me that it is Sir that my Minde may be set at Rest.  I fear for you Vastly & I beg you not Riske y’r Life Foolishly & this for the Sake of one who subscribes herself y’r Old Playmate & Well-Wisher Dolly.

“P.S.  I have writ Sir Jon Fielding to put you in the Marshallsee or New Gate until Mr. Carvel can be tolde.  I am Better & hope soon to see you agen & have been informed of y’r Dayly Visitts & y’r Flowers are beside me.  D. M.”

In about an hour and a half, Mr. Marmaduke’s footman was on his way back to Arlington Street in a condition not to be lightly spoken of.  During that period I had committed an hundred silly acts, and incidentally learned the letter by heart.  I was much distressed to think that she had heard of the affair of the horse, and more so to surmise that the gossip which clung to it must also have reached her.  But I fear I thought most of her anxiety concerning me, which reflection caused my hand to shake from very happiness.  “Y’r Flowers are beside me,” and, “I beg you not Riske y’r Life Foolishly,” and “I shall be very Miserable Indeed” But then:  “Y’r Old Plamate & Well Wisher”!  Nay, she was inscrutable as ever.