"Look here," said Geoffrey, "is it the thing for ladies—English ladies—to go to a place like that?"
"Of course," answered his friend, "it is one of the sights of Tokyo. Why, I went with Lady Cynthia not so long ago. She was quite fascinated."
"By Jove!" Geoffrey ejaculated. "But for a young girl—? Did Miss
Cairns go too?"
"Not on that occasion; but I have no doubt she has been."
"But isn't it much the same as taking a lady to a public brothel?"
"Not in the least," was Reggie's answer, "it is like along Piccadilly
after nightfall, looking in at the Empire, and returning via Regent
Street; and in Paris, like a visit to the Rat Mort and the Bal
Tabarin. It is the local version of an old theme."
"But is that a nice sight for a lady?"
"It is what every lady wants to see."
"Reggie, what rot! Any clean-minded girl—"
"Geoffrey, old man, would you like to see the place?"