Godfrey executes a Scheme at Bath, by which a whole Company of Sharpers is ruined.
On the evening after their arrival at Bath, Godfrey, who had kept himself up all day for that purpose, went in boots to the billiard table; and, two gentlemen being at play, began to bet with so little appearance of judgment1, that one of the adventurers then present was inflamed2 with a desire of profiting by his inexperience; and, when the table was vacant, invited him to take a game for amusement. The soldier, assuming the air of a self-conceited dupe, answered, that he did not choose to throw away his time for nothing, but, if he pleased, would piddle for a crown a game. This declaration was very agreeable to the other, who wanted to be further confirmed in the opinion he had conceived of the stranger, before he would play for anything of consequence. The party being accepted, Gauntlet put off his coat, and, beginning with seeming eagerness, won the first game, because his antagonist3 kept up his play with a view of encouraging him to wager4 a greater sum. The soldier purposely bit at the hook, the stakes were doubled, and he was again victorious5, by the permission of his competitor. He now began to yawn; and observing, that it was not worth his while to proceed in such a childish manner; the other swore, in an affected6 passion, that he would play him for twenty guineas. The proposal being embraced, through the connivance7 of Godfrey, the money was won by the sharper, who exerted his dexterity8 to the utmost, fearing that otherwise his adversary9 would decline continuing the game.
Godfrey thus conquered, pretended to lose his temper, cursed his own ill-luck, swore that the table had a cast, and that the balls did not run true, changed his mast, and with great warmth, challenged his enemy to double the sum. The gamester, who feigned10 reluctance11, complied with his desire; and having got the two first hazards, offered to lay one hundred guineas to fifty on the game. The odds12 were taken; and Godfrey having allowed himself to be overcome, began to rage with great violence, broke the mast to pieces, threw the balls out of the window, and, in the fury of his indignation, defied his antagonist to meet him tomorrow, when he should be refreshed from the fatigue13 of travelling. This was a very welcome invitation to the gamester, who, imagining that the soldier would turn out a most beneficial prize, assured him, that he would not fail to be there next forenoon, in order to give him his revenge.
Gauntlet went home to his lodgings14, fully15 certified16 of his own superiority, and took his measures with Peregrine, touching17 the prosecution18 of their scheme; while his opponent made a report of his success to the brethren of the gang, who resolved to be present at the decision of the match, with a view of taking advantage of the stranger’s passionate19 disposition20.
Affairs being thus concerted on both sides, the players met, according to appointment, and the room was immediately filled with spectators, who either came thither21 by accident, curiosity, or design. The match was fixed22 for one hundred pounds a game, the principals chose their instruments, and laid aside their coats, and one of the knights23 of the order proffered24 to lay another hundred on the head of his associate. Godfrey took him upon the instant. A second worthy25 of the same class, seeing him so eager, challenged him to treble the sum; and his proposal met with the same reception, to the astonishment26 of the company, whose expectation was raised to a very interesting pitch. The game was begun, and the soldier having lost the first hazard, the odds were offered by the confederacy with great vociferation; but nobody would run such a risk in favour of a person who was utterly27 unknown. The sharper having gained the second also, the noise increased to a surprising clamour, not only of the gang, but likewise of almost all the spectators, who desired to lay two to one against the brother of Emilia.
Peregrine, who was present, perceiving the cupidity28 of the association sufficiently29 inflamed, all of a sudden opened his mouth, and answered their bets, to the amount of twelve hundred pounds; which were immediately deposited, on both sides, in money and notes; so that this was, perhaps, the most important game that ever was played at billiards30. Gauntlet seeing the agreement settled, struck his antagonist’s ball into the pocket in a twinkling, though it was in one of those situations which are supposed to be against the striker. The betters were a little discomposed at this event, for which, however, they consoled themselves by imputing31 the success to accident; but when, at the very next stroke, he sprung it over the table, their countenances32 underwent an instantaneous distraction33 of feature, and they waited, in the most dreadful suspense34, for the next hazard, which being likewise taken with infinite ease by the soldier, the blood forsook35 their cheeks, and the interjection “Zounds!” pronounced with a look of consternation36, and in a tone of despair, proceeded from every mouth at the same instant of time. They were overwhelmed with horror and astonishment at seeing three hazards taken in as many strokes, from a person of their friend’s dexterity; and shrewdly suspected, that the whole was a scheme preconcerted for their destruction. On this supposition, they changed the note, and attempted to hedge for their own indemnification, by proposing to lay the odds in favour of Gauntlet; but so much was the opinion of the company altered by that young gentleman’s success, that no one would venture to espouse37 the cause of his competitor, who, chancing to improve his game by the addition of another lucky hit, diminished the concern, and revived the hopes of his adherents38.
But this gleam of fortune did not long continue. Godfrey collected his whole art and capacity, and, augmenting39 his score to number ten, indulged himself with a view of the whole fraternity. The visages of these professors had adopted different shades of complexion40 at every hazard he had taken: from their natural colour they had shifted into a sallow hue41; from thence into pale; from pale into yellow, which degenerated42 into a mahogany tint43; and now they saw seventeen hundred pounds of their stock depending upon a single stroke, they stood like so many swarthy Moors44, jaundiced with terror and vexation. 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 trepidation45, that he was fain to swallow a bumper46 of brandy, in order to re-establish the tranquility of his nerves. This expedient47, 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 groan48, as if the whole universe had gone to wreck49; and notwithstanding that tranquility for which adventurers are so remarkable50, this loss made such an impression upon them all, that each in particular manifested his chagrin51, by the most violent emotions. One turned up his eyes to heaven, and bit his nether52 lip; another gnawed53 his fingers, while he stalked across the room; a third blasphemed with horrid54 imprecations; and he who played the party sneaked55 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 miscreants56.
Peregrine, believing that now he had found an opportunity of serving his friend, without giving offence to the delicacy57 of his honour, told him, upon their arrival at their lodgings, that fortune had at length enabled him to become in a manner independent, or at least make himself easy in his circumstances, by purchasing a company with the money he had won. So saying, he put his share of the success in Gauntlet’s hand, as a sum that of right belonged to him, and promised to write in his behalf to a nobleman, who had interest enough to promote such a quick rise in the service.
Godfrey thanked him for his obliging intention, but absolutely refused, with great loftiness of demeanour, to appropriate to his own use any part of the money which Pickle58 had gained, and seemed affronted59 at the other’s entertaining a sentiment so unworthy of his character. He would not even accept, in the way of loan, such an addition to his own stock, as would amount to the price of a company of foot; but expressed great confidence in the future exertion60 of that talent which had been blessed with such a prosperous beginning. Our hero finding him thus obstinately61 deaf to the voice of his own interest, resolved to govern himself in his next endeavours of friendship, by his experience of this ticklish62 punctilio; and, in the meantime, gave a handsome benefaction to the hospital, out of these first fruits of the success in play, and reserved two hundred pounds for a set of diamond ear-rings and solitaire, which he intended for a present to Miss Emily.
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1
judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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inflamed
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| adj.发炎的，红肿的v.（使）变红，发怒，过热( inflame的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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antagonist
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| n.敌人，对抗者，对手 | |
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wager
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| n.赌注；vt.押注，打赌 | |
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victorious
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| adj.胜利的，得胜的 | |
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affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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connivance
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| n.纵容；默许 | |
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dexterity
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| n.(手的)灵巧，灵活 | |
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adversary
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| adj.敌手，对手 | |
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feigned
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| a.假装的，不真诚的 | |
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reluctance
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| n.厌恶，讨厌，勉强，不情愿 | |
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odds
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| n.让步，机率，可能性，比率；胜败优劣之别 | |
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fatigue
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| n.疲劳，劳累 | |
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lodgings
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| n. 出租的房舍, 寄宿舍 | |
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15
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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certified
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| a.经证明合格的；具有证明文件的 | |
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touching
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| adj.动人的，使人感伤的 | |
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prosecution
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| n.起诉，告发，检举，执行，经营 | |
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passionate
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| adj.热情的，热烈的，激昂的，易动情的，易怒的，性情暴躁的 | |
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disposition
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| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
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thither
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| adv.向那里；adj.在那边的，对岸的 | |
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fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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knights
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| 骑士； （中古时代的）武士( knight的名词复数 )； 骑士； 爵士； （国际象棋中）马 | |
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proffered
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| v.提供，贡献，提出( proffer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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25
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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utterly
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| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
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cupidity
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| n.贪心，贪财 | |
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sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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billiards
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| n.台球 | |
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31
imputing
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| v.把（错误等）归咎于( impute的现在分词 ) | |
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countenances
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| n.面容( countenance的名词复数 )；表情；镇静；道义支持 | |
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distraction
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| n.精神涣散，精神不集中，消遣，娱乐 | |
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34
suspense
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| n.（对可能发生的事）紧张感，担心，挂虑 | |
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35
forsook
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| forsake的过去式 | |
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consternation
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| n.大为吃惊，惊骇 | |
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espouse
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| v.支持，赞成，嫁娶 | |
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adherents
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| n.支持者，拥护者( adherent的名词复数 )；党羽；徒子徒孙 | |
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augmenting
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| 使扩张 | |
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complexion
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| n.肤色；情况，局面；气质，性格 | |
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hue
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| n.色度；色调；样子 | |
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degenerated
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| 衰退，堕落，退化( degenerate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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43
tint
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| n.淡色，浅色；染发剂；vt.着以淡淡的颜色 | |
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44
moors
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| v.停泊，系泊（船只）( moor的第三人称单数 ) | |
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trepidation
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| n.惊恐，惶恐 | |
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bumper
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| n.(汽车上的)保险杠；adj.特大的，丰盛的 | |
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expedient
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| adj.有用的，有利的；n.紧急的办法，权宜之计 | |
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48
groan
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| vi./n.呻吟，抱怨；(发出)呻吟般的声音 | |
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49
wreck
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| n.失事，遇难；沉船；vt.(船等)失事，遇难 | |
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remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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51
chagrin
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| n.懊恼；气愤；委屈 | |
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52
nether
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| adj.下部的，下面的；n.阴间；下层社会 | |
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53
gnawed
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| 咬( gnaw的过去式和过去分词 )； （长时间） 折磨某人； （使）苦恼； （长时间）危害某事物 | |
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54
horrid
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| adj.可怕的；令人惊恐的；恐怖的；极讨厌的 | |
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55
sneaked
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| v.潜行( sneak的过去式和过去分词 )；偷偷溜走；（儿童向成人）打小报告；告状 | |
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miscreants
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| n.恶棍，歹徒( miscreant的名词复数 ) | |
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57
delicacy
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| n.精致，细微，微妙，精良；美味，佳肴 | |
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58
pickle
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| n.腌汁，泡菜；v.腌，泡 | |
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59
affronted
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| adj.被侮辱的，被冒犯的v.勇敢地面对( affront的过去式和过去分词 )；相遇 | |
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60
exertion
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| n.尽力，努力 | |
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61
obstinately
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| ad.固执地，顽固地 | |
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ticklish
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| adj.怕痒的；问题棘手的；adv.怕痒地；n.怕痒，小心处理 | |
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