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On the first night he managed to spirit her out of the place before any of the habitues could locate her. The task became harder on each succeeding night, but Wilson kept the would-be suitors at bay, insisting, in the face of ribald remarks, proffered bribes, and incredulous laughter, that the girl was precisely what she appeared to be, and that he could not permit an i
Maria
She was a trifle preoccupied that evening, since she had learned that Mrs. Shortbody's friend was recovering nicely, and that the landlady hoped to return home within a day or two. When that happened, she would be forced to tell Mrs. Shortbody the truth. Though she did not feel she was doing anything wrong, she had a vague, uneasy feeling that Mrs. Shortbody might not share that opinion, and she was not looking forward to telling her.
However, when she arrived at the club her spirits soared, as they always did at the prospect of performing. The applause had gone to her head; she was fast becoming stage-struck. Mr. Wilson was waiting for her, as he always was, and on his arm she swept past the crowd waiting at the stage door.
Maggie returned Maria
Maria
As she sang she let her eyes wander over the audience in professional style; and the slightest of frowns puckered her forehead when she saw another familiar face. This man had been there every night, at the same table, one of those in the row nearest to the stage – from which she deduced, correctly, that he was a favored customer. He was dressed with a richness conspicuous even in that haunt of the wealthy; the studs on his shirtfront were rubies so large as to verge on vulgarity. The gaslights brought out the lines and wrinkles on his sallow face. He was bald, except for a fringe of dark hair. His eyes were dark too, though they were so sunk in pouches of flesh that their color was scarcely discernible.
Perhaps because she was nervous about the forthcoming interview with Mrs. Shortbody the unknown's unwinking regard affected her even more unpleasantly than usual, and when she had finished her song she left the stage at once instead of acknowledging the applause as she usually did. She was a
Maggie was not there. Grumbling at the inconvenience, Maria
Maria
She saw the man reflected in the mirror, and shock stopped her speaking. The rubies in his shirtfront reflected the light like drops of liquid blood.
Maria
"Nicely done," he said in a drawl. "And quite unrehearsed! Is it possible, I wonder, that Wilson could have been telling the truth after all?"
Maria
"How dare you!" she exclaimed.
The man's unpleasant smile intensified. He extended a gloved hand and closed the door.
"Sir, if you do not leave immediately…" Maria
"Very well, very well; you needn't play the i
Maria
Terror constricted her breath, so the scream was not very loud; but it had a remarkable effect on Bagstock. His face darkened with fury. Gripping his gold-headed cane, he lunged at her, moved as much by anger as by lust, for he honestly believed that Maria
Maria
"Very well," he snarled. "If this is how you prefer it -"
Maria
Maria
"Quick! Make a run for it, now, 'afore he comes to. Where's your gown? Here… No time to fasten it, throw your cloak over… Come, quick."
Automatically Maria
" 'Ere! Where do'ye think you're going?"
"A breath of air," Maggie answered, and propelled Maria
The night air was not salubrious. It was thick with fog – not the black, choking pea-souper common in the later winter months, when millions of coal fires added their poisonous fumes to the dampness, but heavy enough to blur the outlines of objects and shroud the streetlights in a white veil. Supporting Maria
"I… My bag. I left it -"
" 'Ere it is." Maggie looped the ribbons over her limp arm. " 'Old on to it, for Gawd's sake. Curse 'im, I shoulda known.
… Seen 'im watching you, shoulda known it was a false message… Look 'ere, take 'old o' yourself, don't faint nor nothing. You know what you gotta do?"
Maria
"Gawd 'elp you," Maggie muttered. "If you an't even more 'elpless than I thought…"
They reached the main thoroughfare. To Maria