‘Yes; that virtuous air is all put on,’ said one of the women present. ‘You may depend upon it she is no better than she should be, although she looks so shy.’
‘Yes; a very promising filly,’ said the last speaker’s male friend. ‘I’ve half a mind to make up to her myself.’
‘You had better stay where you are, old man,’ replied his female friend, as she gave him a fond caress.
Poor Rose knew by their looks that they were talking at her, and she trembled from head to foot. Oh that she could hide herself, that she could get out of the room! but, no, that was impossible.
CHAPTER X
UNDER THE STARS.
What could Rose do in that den of wild men and wilder women, the like of which was to be seen in no other country under heaven, licensed by Act of Parliament, past which bishops drove down on their way to make speeches at Exeter Hall on behalf of the Bible Society, or of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts?
Again and again she wished she were veil out of that inferno, where she was stared at on every side.
‘Surely you will dance, miss,’ said the master of the ceremonies, approaching her respectfully. ‘Allow me to introduce you to Lord ---’
Again Rose declined, much to the annoyance of a debauched, sickly youth, who was ‘my lord,’ and reverenced as such accordingly. My lord revived his spirits with an S. and B., and was soon whirling round the room with another in his arms.
Under the influence of drink a man approached the corner where Rose was sitting, caught hold of her arm, and with an oath attempted to drag her off her seat. Her scream brought a crowd around, but not before her assailant had been knocked down by a gentleman, who was one of the wall-flowers watching the dancers, pretending to enjoy themselves.