"She had political intrigues back of her, just as this woman here has, for all I know.
But one lost in that game, and the other, won.

I've often wondered about that particular game of cards, my friend,--whether after all she loved the man who won her, right or wrong,--what became of her,--who she was?
But now, tell me, was not our drunken friend right?
Has human nature changed since Rome?
And has not the conqueror always ruled?
Have not the _spolia opima_, the rarest prizes, always been his ?" Carlisle only sat silent, looking at him, pale now, and rigid.

He still made no comment.
"So now I say," went on Dunwody, "here is that same situation, twice in one lifetime! It's ominous, for somebody.

There is trouble in the air, for some or all of us.

But I say I offer you fair play, even, man to man.