Demelza by Winston Graham

Author:Winston Graham [Graham, Winston]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: General Fiction
ISBN: 0345260015
Amazon: B005I4UAPS
Goodreads: 194616
Publisher: Pan Books
Published: 1953-01-01T07:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER NINE

In THE CARD-ROOM there was the prospect of mischief. Four tables were occupied, one of faro, one of basset and two of whist. Francis always played faro if he could, but the first person he saw on entering was Margaret Cartland sitting at the faro table with her new friend, a man called Vosper. She turned and waved with ironical good humour, but Francis bowed and at once moved to an empty whist table, ignoring the four seats Sanson had kept for them. Ross, not caring either way or about anything, followed him. They sat down opposite each other, and Sanson took one of the other chairs. George Warleggan, however, was talking with a man in black by the door, and presently he came across and said that as several gentlemen were here before him, he was standing down in favour of one of them. Of course, they all knew Dr Halse. At the Warleggans, Ross had avoided the man. Since he was there as a guest he did not seek trouble, but with the horror of Launceston fresh in his mind the sight of this cleric-cum-scholar-cum-magistrate, who more than anyone on the bench at the time had been responsible for Jim's sentence, was a goad in a raw place.

When Dr Halse saw who was at the table he hesitated a moment, then came forward and took his seat opposite the miller. Ross did not speak.

'Well,' said Francis impatiently, 'now we are set, what are the stakes?'

'A guinea,' suggested Sanson. 'Otherwise the exchange of money is slow. Do you agree, sir?'

'It is more than my customary stake,' said Dr Halse, sniffing at his handkerchief. 'So heavy a hazard makes the game overserious. We do not do well to put this burden on our pleasures... '

'Perhaps you would prefer to wait for another table,' said Ross.

It was the wrong tone for the hardy doctor. 'No,' he said through his nose, 'I do not think I shall. I was here first and intend to remain.'

'Oh, don't let us begin with an argument,' said Francis. 'Let it be half a guinea and have done.'

Polly Choake peered into the gaming-room and withdrew. 'What ith the matter with the Poldark couthins?' she whispered to Mrs Teague. 'They came to the Athembly like they wath two tigers thtalking after pwey. Never tho much as glanthing left or right, in they go and settle to cards afore ever the Lord Lieutenant has made hith thpeech. And there they thit glowering away and playing as if the Devil wath in 'em both.'

Mrs Teague's creased eyelids came down knowingly at the sides. 'But didn't you hear about Francis, dear? That woman has thrown him over. After the way he's frittered money on her too. And as for Ross, well, what else could you expect; no doubt he's bitterly regretting having married that cheap hussy who's showing herself up so bad tonight. I shouldn't be a bit surprised if he took to drink serious.'

Polly Choake glanced across the room.

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