There was a rumor abroad that the new
City Administration intended to seek approval if not fame by cleaning
out the Five Points, tearing down the wretched tenements and
groggeries, and scattering its denizens; and none was too reckless
not to be on his guard against a calamity which would deprive him not
only of all he knew of pleasure but of an almost impregnable refuge
after crime.
The women, bloated, emaciated with disease, few with any pretension
to looks or finery, made insulting remarks as Madeleine examined
their partners, or stared at her in a sort of terrible wonder. She
had no eyes for them. When she reached the end of the room, looking
down into the faces of the men she was forced to step over, she
turned and methodically continued her pilgrimage up another lane
between the tables.
"Good God!" exclaimed Holt to Lacey. "There he is! I hoped we should
have to visit at least twenty of these hells, and that she'd faint or
give up."
"How on earth can you distinguish any one in this infernal smoke?"
"Got the eyes of a cat. There he is--in that corner by the door.
God! What a female thing he's got with him."
"Hope it'll cure her--and that we can get out of this pretty soon.
Strange things are happening within me."
There was an uproar on the other side of the room.
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