Vivian Standish laughed the laziest sort of drawl.
"Now Elersley, don't take to moralizing—you were never made for it, your face would get so deuced eloquent looking, that the rest of us would lose all our present chances."
But Guy neither smiled nor spoke, and this set his friends wondering.
On reaching the corner, Will Airey took an arm of each of his companions, and said:
"Come along boys to see the tumblers. Come Elersley."
"Thank you, no," said Guy, releasing his arm, "I am very busy and must get back to my room. Au plaísir! Good afternoon!" and he was gone.
Willie Airey looked after him and then at Vivian Standish, and gave a long, low whistle.
"There's something up there, by Jove," he said, tossing his head in the direction Guy had taken. "If Elersley has started a reform, it is time for the retail dealers in 'gratifications' to close up, for it is a sure sign we must all follow him."
Vivian Standish looked thoughtful for a moment, saying, as he drew a long breath, "I wish to Heaven we could, for upon my word I'm sick of my own life. Anything would be better than the existence we fellows try to drag out. I think we are all fools who do not do as Elersley has done to-night, and I for another refuse the treat with thanks."
So instead of repairing to the familiar marble counter inside a familiar glass door, these two spoilt darlings of sensuality joined Miss Bella Dash and her friend, and escorted them home, much to the intense gratification of the first-named young lady.