 mind the door until he came back, vanished
straightway.
    Presently, he returned, followed by the boy from the public-house, who bore
in one hand a plate of bread and beef, and in the other a great pot, filled with
some very fragrant compound, which sent forth a grateful steam, and was indeed
choice purl, made after a particular recipe which Mr. Swiveller had imparted to
the landlord, at a period when he was deep in his books and desirous to
conciliate his friendship. Relieving the boy of his burden at the door, and
charging his little companion to fasten it to prevent surprise, Mr. Swiveller
followed her into the kitchen.
    »There!« said Richard, putting the plate before her. »First of all clear
that off, and then you'll see what's next.«
    The small servant needed no second bidding, and the plate was soon empty.
    »Next,« said Dick, handing the purl, »take a pull at that; but moderate your
transports, you know, for you're not used to it. Well, is it good?«
    »Oh! isn't it?« said the small servant.
    Mr. Swiveller appeared gratified beyond all expression by this reply, and
took a long draught himself: steadfastly regarding his companion while he did
so. These preliminaries disposed of, he applied himself to teaching her the
game, which she soon learnt tolerably well, being both sharp-witted and cunning.
    »Now,« said Mr. Swiveller, putting two sixpences into a saucer, and trimming
the wretched candle, when the cards had been cut and dealt, »those are the
stakes. If you win, you get 'em all. If I win, I get 'em. To make it seem more
real and pleasant, I shall call you the Marchioness, do you hear?«
    The small servant nodded.
    »Then, Marchioness,« said Mr. Swiveller, »fire away!«
    The Marchioness, holding her cards very tight in both hands, considered
which to play, and Mr. Swiveller, assuming the gay and fashionable air which
such society required, took another pull at the tankard, and waited for her
lead.
 

                                 Chapter LVIII

Mr. Swiveller and his partner played several rubbers with varying success, until
the loss of three sixpences, the gradual sinking of the purl, and the striking
of ten o'clock, combined to render that gentleman mindful of the flight of Time,
and the expediency of withdrawing before Mr. Sampson and Miss Sally Brass
returned.
    »
