A sudden wave of half-ashamed regret swept through
him. It was gone, then, this brief peep into a wonderful world! His
own fall was imminent. The click of the balls was in his ears, the
taste of strong drink was inviting him. The hard laugh and playful
familiarities of the buxom young lady were calling to him. He sighed
and took his place by his companion's side.
CHAPTER XXVII
MR. WADDINGTON ALSO
With his hat at a very distinct angle indeed, with a fourpenny cigar,
ornamented by a gold band, in his mouth, Burton sat before a hard-toned
piano and vamped.
"Pretty music, The Chocolate Soldier," he remarked, with an air of
complete satisfaction in his performance.
Miss Maud, who was standing by his side with her hand laid lightly upon
his shoulder, assented vigorously.
"And you do play it so nicely, Mr. Burton," she said. "It makes me
long to see it again. I haven't been to the theatre for heaven knows
how long!"
Burton turned round in his stool. "What are you doing to-night?" he
asked. "Nothing," the young lady replied, eagerly. "Take me to the
theatre, there's a dear."
"Righto!" he declared. "I expect I can manage it."
Miss Maud waltzed playfully around the room, her hands above her head.
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