Page:The Sins of the Cities of the Plain.djvu/98

 closed and shuttered, besides the thick curtains which were drawn across them. Here and there were recesses filled by luxurious couches, before each of which stood a small table covered with the most exhilirating refreshments.

Two elderly gentlemen advanced and conducted us to seats.

Presently some one sat down to a piano and struck up a quadrille, and in a few moments we were going through the fascinating evolutions of a dance.

Our partners were particulary attentive to us, mine more especially so—in fact I can only speak for myself, He plied me with refreshments after every dance, and I could see was immensely taken with me. Now and then he would pinch my bottom, and after a little while slyly got one hand up my