The fire which naturally glowed in the cheeks
and nose of the player, seemed utterly extinct, and his carbuncles
exhibited a livid appearance, as if a gangrene had already made
some progress in his face; his hand began to shake, and his whole
frame was seized with such trepidation, that he was fain to swallow
a bumper of brandy, in order to re-establish the tranquility of
his nerves. This expedient, however, did not produce the desired
effect; for he aimed the ball at the lead with such discomposure,
that it struck on the wrong side, and came off at an angle which
directed it full in the middle hole. This fatal accident was
attended with a universal groan, as if the whole universe had gone
to wreck; and notwithstanding that tranquility for which adventurers
are so remarkable, this loss made such an impression upon them
all, that each in particular manifested his chagrin, by the most
violent emotions. One turned up his eyes to heaven, and bit his
nether lip; another gnawed his fingers, while he stalked across
the room; a third blasphemed with horrid imprecations; and he who
played the party sneaked off, grinding his teeth together, with a
look that baffles all description, and as he crossed the threshold,
exclaiming, "A d--d bite, by G--!"
The victors, after having insulted them, by asking, if they were
disposed for another chance, carried off their winning, with the
appearance of great composure, though in their hearts they were
transported with unspeakable joy; not so much on account of the
booty they had gained, as in consideration of having so effectually
destroyed such a nest of pernicious miscreants.
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