Page:The Sins of the Cities of the Plain.djvu/155

 nigger boy of about thirteen, with a prick that any man might have been proud of.

How I longed for the little black fellow!

The billiard-room opened into another fine apartment, used as a smoking-room, but in reality most luxuriously fitted up with most seductive-looking couches and ottomans, the heavily-curtained windows being separated by mirrors which extended from floor to ceiling.

His lordship conducted me to one of the sofas, whilst Laura and Selina took seats between the other three gentlemen.

Refreshments were served by the pages on little tables in front of us; then, at a sign from their master, they commenced a gambol at leap-frog all round the room.

This was a most exciting and beautiful