They stood in the streets of London near to a certain fantastic gateway
that was familiar to them, the gateway of "The Gardens." From within
came sounds of music and revelling, for the season was that of summer.
A woman descended from a carriage. She was finely dressed, dark and
handsome. Barbara knew her at once for the girl Bess Catton, who alone
could control her son in his rages and whom she had dismissed for her
bad conduct. She entered the place and they entered with her, although
she saw them not. Bess sat down, and presently a man whom she seemed
to know drew out of the throng and spoke to her. He was a tall man of
middle age, with heavy eyes. Looking into his heart, they saw that it
was stained with evil. The soul within him lay asleep, wrapped round
with the webs of sin. This man said:
"We are going to have a merry supper, Bess. Come and join us."
"I'd like to well enough," she answered, "for I'm tired of my grand
life; it's too respectable. But suppose that Anthony came along. He's my
lawful spouse, you know. We had words and I told him where I was going."
"Oh, we'll risk your Anthony! Forget your marriage ring and have a taste
of the good old times."
"All right. I'm not afraid of Anthony, never was, but others are.
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