Yetive deliberately walked ahead with Halfont and Dangloss. It
seemed to Beverly that they walked unnecessarily fast and that Marlanx
was provokingly slow. Baldos was twenty paces behind, as was his custom.
"Is it necessary for me to ask you to double the number of lessons I am
to have?" Marlanx asked. He was quite too close to her side to please
Beverly.
"Can't you learn in one lesson? Most Americans think they know all about
poker after the first game."
"I am not so quick-witted, your highness."
"Far be it from me to accelerate your wits, Count Marlanx. It might not
be profitable."
"You might profit by losing, you know," he ventured, leaning still
closer, "Poker is not the only game of chance. It was chance that gave
me a winning hand this evening."
"I don't understand."
"It shall be my pleasure to teach you in return for instructions I am to
have. I have tried to teach your excellent guard one phase of the
game. He has not profited, I fear. He has been blind enough to pick a
losing hand in spite of my advice. It is the game of hearts." Beverly
could not but understand. She shrank away with a shudder. Her wits did
not desert her, however.
"I know the game," she said steadily. "One's object is to cast off all
the hearts. I have been very lucky at the game, Count Marlanx."
"Umph!" was his ironical comment. "Ah, isn't this a night for lovers?"
he went on, changing tack suddenly.
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