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114 BY ORDER OF THE CZAR.

remember? Don't think I gamble, Mr. Chetwynd, but at Rome do as the Romans do. We were at Monte Carlo last winter with Walter, and, of course, we went to the tables. I know nothing about Faro and that kind of thing, I simply backed the red it was the day before we left it came up five times, five times ten pounds, and then I put all the fifty on; it came up again, and then I would leave. Don't you think I was wise?"

"You are always wise, and always delightful," said Dick.

"Come along, Dolly. Good-bye, Mr. Forsyth. I know Mr. Chetwynd is going to say something sharp and cutting; I won't hear it. Come along, Dolly; I can hear the carriage on the gravel. I told him to come for us in a quarter of an hour. Au revoir, Mr. Forsyth; you are coming to dinner."

"To talk over Italy, and especially Venice," said Dolly, turning the battery of her eyes upon Philip. And what lovely eyes they were, blue as an Italian sky, her lips as red as its coral, and her whole figure, appearance, manner, voice, the warm pressure of her hand, radiating health and sensuous good nature.

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CHAPTER XVII.

THE MILBANKES AT HOME.

"By Jove, you are to be envied," exclaimed Dick when the two women had left; " as fine a woman as the most fastidious Sybarite with a love of life and domestic happiness could desire. Just the kind of girl for you; not too learned, no dreams, enough appreciation of art to give you a frank and useful opinion the outside opinion, the opinion of the public; no sulks, no mad passion, plenty of common sense, good spirits, a nice little fortune, would entertain