At eight o'clock in the morning there came a sort of settling, though no money then passed. The ready-money transactions had not lasted long through the night. Grasslough was the chief loser, and the figures and scraps of paper which had been passed over to Carbury, when counted up, amounted to nearly £2,000. His lordship contested the fact bitterly, but contested it in vain. There were his own initials and his own figures, and even Miles Grendall, who was supposed to be quite wide awake, could not reduce the amount. Then Grendall had lost over £400 to Carbury,--an amount, indeed, that mattered little, as Miles could, at present, as easily have raised £40,000. However, he gave his I.O.U. to his opponent with an easy air. Grasslough, also, was impecunious; but he had a father,--also impecunious, indeed; but with them the matter would not be hopeless. Dolly Longestaffe was so tipsy that he could not even assist in making up his own account. That was to be left between him and Carbury for some future occasion.
'I suppose you'll be here to-morrow,--that is to-night,' said Miles.
'Certainly,--only one thing,' answered Felix.
'What one thing?'
'I think these things should be squared before we play any more!'
'What do you mean by that?' said Grasslough angrily. 'Do you mean to hint anything?'
'I never hint anything, my Grassy,' said Felix. 'I believe when people play cards, it's intended to be ready-money, that's all. But I'm not going to stand on P's and Q's with you. I'll give you your revenge to-night.'
'That's all right,' said Miles.
'I was speaking to Lord Grasslough,' said Felix. 'He is an old friend, and we know each other. You have been rather rough to-night, Mr Grendall.'
'Rough;--what the devil do you mean by that?'
'And I think it will be as well that our account should be settled before we begin again.'
'A settlement once a week is the kind of thing I'm used to,' said Grendall.
There was nothing more said; but the young men did not part on good terms. Felix, as he got himself taken home, calculated that if he could realize his spoil, he might begin the campaign again with horses, servants, and all luxuries as before. If all were paid, he would have over £3,000!