The unexpected meeting between Romer and Gusher threw a shadow over the
entertainment, so far as it affected the latter. Here he had been for
weeks sounding the trumpet of Mrs. Chapman's ball, and looking forward
to it as the means of making a temple of triumph of himself, and
captivating no end of female hearts, Mattie's included; but how sadly he
was disappointed. It had suddenly thrown around him a chain of
difficulties that might blast his ambition, destroy all his hopes, and
cause the veil he supposed was forever drawn over his past life to be
lifted. The only way he saw of extricating himself from these
difficulties, of cutting through them as it were, was by the force and
skilful exercise of great coolness and impudence, and these he resolved
to use, and use quickly.
And while the dancing was progressing a number of young fellows, who
found more congenial enjoyment in their glasses and cigars, were seated
at a table in a room down stairs, which Mrs. Chapman had provided as a
sort of free-and-easy for such of her guests as were inclined to enjoy
themselves in their own way.
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