Most of the members were dissipated and led fast lives, drank a good deal, gambled away large sums, betted freely, and, to all appearances, were going to the dogs as fast as they possibly could. The code of morality was not very strict, and the "Skylarks" generally viewed each other's good or bad luck in a cynical3 manner. Occasionally a member disappeared from his accustomed place, and it was generally understood he had "gone under," or, in other words, was vegetating4 on some up-country station, doubtless cursing the "Skylarks" freely as the cause of his ruin.
Other clubs in Melbourne were fast--not a doubt about that--but every one declared that the "Skylarks" overstepped all bounds of decency5. Whatever devilment was to be done, they would do it, and, as they had no characters to lose, they generally amused themselves by trying to destroy other people's good name, and generally succeeded.
It was a Bohemian club, and among its members were stock-brokers, musicians, journalists, and actors, so that, whatever the moral tone of the place, the conversation was generally brilliant, albeit6 rather malicious7. One way and another, there was a good deal of money floating about, for if the members worked hard at business during the day, they also worked hard at pleasure during the night, so, systematically8, burned the candle at both ends. "Fay ce que vouldras" was their motto, and they certainly carried it out to the very last letter.
Keith Stewart was a member of this delectable9 fraternity, having been introduced by Ezra Lazarus, and, thanks to his mysterious five hundred pounds, was able to cut a very decent figure among the members. He was still in the pawnbroker's office, although he very much wanted to leave it, but, having passed his word to old Lazarus to stay six months, he was determined10 to do so.
It was now about three months since the diamond robbery, and, after being a nine days' wonder, it had passed out of the minds of every one. Nothing more was heard of the theft, and, after a great number of surmises11, more or less wrong, the matter was allowed to drop, as a new divorce case of a novel character now engrossed12 the public mind.
"Prince Carnival13" had been withdrawn14 after a very successful run, and Kitty Marchurst was now appearing in "Eblis," which, as she expected, had turned out a failure. Under these circumstances, "Prince Carnival" was revived, pending15 the production of "Faust Upset," a new burlesque16 by Messrs. Stewart and Lazarus.
Both these young men had worked hard at the piece, and Mortimer, having approved of the first act, had determined to put the play on the stage: first, because he saw it was by no means a bad piece, and secondly17, he had nothing else handy to bring forward. If he could have obtained a new and successful opera-bouffe from London, "Faust Upset" would have been ignominiously18 shelved, but, luckily for Keith and his friends, all the late opera-bouffes had been failures, so Mortimer made a virtue19 of necessity, and gave them a chance.
It was about eleven o'clock at night, and the smoking-room of the "Skylarks" was full. Some of the members had been there for some hours, others had dropped in after the theatres were closed, and here and there could be seen a reporter scribbling20 his notes for publication next day.
A luxurious21 apartment it was, with lounging chairs covered with crimson22 plush, plenty of mirrors, and a number of marble-topped tables, which were now covered with various beverages23. Every one was talking loudly, and the waiters were flitting about actively24 employed in ministering to the creature comforts of the patrons of the club. What with the dusky atmosphere caused by the smoking, the babel of voices, the jingle25 of glasses, and the constant moving about of the restless crowd, it looked like some fantastic nightmare.
Keith was seated in a corner smoking a cigarette and waiting for Ezra, who had promised to meet him there, and in the meantime was idly watching the crowd of his friends, and listening to their gossip. Malton was also lounging about the room, chatting to his friends on current topics.
"Anything going on in the House?" asked Pelk, a theatrical26 critic, of Slingsby, who had just entered.
That gentleman shrugged27 his shoulders.
"A slanging match, as usual," he replied, taking a seat and ringing the bell. "Some members have got an idea that abuse is wit. I don't think much of the Victorian Parliament."
"It's better than the New South Wales one, at all events," said Keith, smiling.
"That's not saying much," retorted Slingsby, lighting28 a cigar. "The Sydney men are more like fractious children than anything else, though to be sure that's only proper, seeing our Parliaments are nurseries for sucking politicians."
"That's severe."
"But true--the truth is always disagreeable."
"Perhaps that's the reason so few people speak it."
"Exactly--truth is a sour old maid whom nobody wants."
"Not you, at all events, Slingsby"
"No--it's a matter of choice--Video meliora proboque deteriora sequor."
"Don't be classical--it's out of place here."
"Not a bit," retorted Slingsby smoothly29, looking round at the circle of grinning faces, "it's out of the dictionary, you know, foreign words and affixes30."
Every one roared at this candid31 confession32.
"No wonder The Penny Whistle flourishes when there's such men as you on the staff," said Toltby, with a sneer33.
"You've no cause to complain," replied Slingsby; "they've been kind enough to you."
"Yes; they recognise good acting34."
Slingsby looked at him queerly.
"Dear boy, I prefer the stage of the House to that of the theatre--the actors are much more amusing."
At this moment Felix Rolleston, now looking much older since the Hansom Cab murder case, but as lively as ever, entered the room and danced up to the coterie35.
"Well, gentlemen," he said gaily36, "what is the news?"
"Good news, bad news, and such news as you've never heard of," quoted Keith lazily.
"Thank you, my local Gratiano," replied Felix, quickly recognising the quotation37 as from the "Merchant of Venice." "By the way, there's a letter for you outside."
"Oh, thanks," said Stewart rising, "I'll go and get it," and he sauntered out lazily.
"Humph!" ejaculated Felix, looking after him, "our friend is the author of 'Faust Upset,' I understand?"
"Yes," replied Toltby; "deuced good piece."
"That means you've got an excellent part," struck in Slingsby mercilessly.
"Quite right," retorted Toltby complacently38; "all the parts are good--especially Caprice's."
"Oh, that goes without saying," said Pelk, with a grin; "our friend is rather sweet there."
"So is she," said Felix significantly; "case of reciprocity, dear boy!"
"She's given Fenton the go-by."
"Yes, and Meddlechip is elevated to the vacancy39. Wonder how long it will be before she breaks him?"
"Oh, even with her talents for squandering40, Caprice can't burst up the richest man in Victoria," said Slingsby vulgarly; "when she does give him up, I suppose Stewart will succeed him."
"Not enough cash."
"Pooh! what is cash compared to love?"
"Eh! a good deal in this case, as Fenton found out."
"Speak of the devil," said Felix quickly; "here comes the gentleman in question."
Fenton, looking harassed41 and worn, entered the room, and glanced round. Seeing Rolleston, he came over to him and began to talk.
"Guess you look happy, boys," he said, in his nasal voice.
"It's more than you do," replied Rolleston, scanning him keenly.
"No; I've overworked myself," said Fenton coolly, "I need pulling up a bit."
"Go and see a doctor--try tonics42."
"Ah, bah! glass of champagne43 will fix me straight. Here, waiter, bring in a bottle of Heidsieck. Any of you boys join?"
All the boys assenting44 to the hospitable45 proposition, Fenton ordered two bottles, and lighted a huge cigar. When the waiter came back with the wine, Keith also entered, with a soft look on his face which puzzled Rolleston. He had put on his overcoat.
"Ah!" said that astute46 gentleman, "you look pleased--your letter was pleasant?"
"Yes, very," replied Keith laconically47.
"Then it was from a woman," said Fenton.
"Humph! that's generally anything but pleasant," grunted48 Slingsby.
"No doubt, to such a Don Juan as you," said Pelk, amid a general laugh.
The waiter was opening the wine so slowly that Fenton lost patience, and snatched one bottle up from the table.
"Guess we had better fix those two up at once," he said. "Any one got a knife?"
Keith put his hand in his pocket, and produced therefrom Meg's present.
"Great C?sar, what a pig-sticker," said Fenton, holding it up.
"What made you buy such a thing, Stewart?" asked Felix, laughing.
"I didn't buy it," replied Keith; "it's a present from a lady."
"A very young lady, I should say," said Slingsby drily; "not much idea of taste."
"Matter of opinion," said Keith serenely49; "I like the knife for the sake of the donor--her name's on the handle."
Fenton by this time had opened the bottle, and laid the knife down on the table, from whence Felix picked it up and examined it.
"'From Meg,'" he read, in an amused tone; "gad50, Stewart, I thought it was the mother, not the daughter."
Fenton shot a fiery51 glance at Keith, who laughed in rather an embarrassed manner.
"It was just the child's whim," he said, laughing. "I saved her from the tram-car, so she gave me this as a souvenir;" and, taking up the knife, he shut it with a sharp click, and slipped it into his overcoat pocket.
When they had all finished the wine, Fenton said he had to see Mortimer about some business.
"Half-past ten," he said, looking at his watch; "they'll just be about through."
"I've got to see Mortimer to-night," observed Keith, "and I'm waiting here for Lazarus."
"About the new play, I reckon," said Fenton; "well, you'd better walk up with me."
Keith shook his head.
"No, thanks; I must wait for Lazarus."
"Then come and have a game of billiards52 in the meantime," said Felix, rising; "take off your coat, you'll find it hot."
"All right," assented53 Keith readily "Here, Alfred," and, slipping off his coat, handed it to a waiter, who was just passing, "hang this up for me."
The waiter took the coat, threw it over his arm, and vanished; while Keith and Felix strolled leisurely54 away in the direction of the billiard-room.
"How the deuce does Stewart run it?" asked Fenton, looking after them; "he can't get much salary at old Lazarus' place."
"Case of God tempering the wind to the shorn lamb," said Slingsby ironically.
"Hang it, I don't think he ought to be a member of the Club, a confounded pawnbroker's clerk."
"It is rather a topsy-turvy business, ain't it; but you see, in the colonies Jack's as good as his master."
"And in some cases a deal better," said Pelk, referring to the relative positions of Malton and Fenton.
"Particularly when Jack's got a pretty wife," finished Toltby significantly.
Fenton knew this was a hint at his penchant55 for Mrs. Malton, but he did not very well see how he could take it to himself, particularly when he saw every one smiling, so he smiled back saturninely56 at the circle.
"You're devilish witty57, boys," he said coldly; "guess the wine has sharpened your brains."
As he strolled away in his usual cool manner, Slingsby looked after him.
"Our friend's hard hit over Mrs. Malton," he said at length.
"Every one knows that," grinned Toltby, "except the husband."
"Yes, the husband is generally the last to find out these things," remarked Pelk drily; and the conversation ended.
Meanwhile Rolleston and Keith were playing their game of billiards, a pastime in which the former was an adept58, and soon defeated Keith, who threw down his cue in half anger.
"You always win," he said pettishly59; "it's no use playing with you."
"Oh, yes, it is," said Felix cheerfully. "I know I'm a good player, so if you play with me it will improve you very much--that remark sounds conceited60, but it's true--come and have another game."
"Not to-night," replied Keith; "I've got to keep my appointment with Mortimer--it's no use waiting for Lazarus."
"Oh, yes, it is," cried a new voice, and Lazarus made his appearance at the door of the billiard-room. "I'm sorry for having kept you waiting, but it was unavoidable. I'll tell you all about it as we walk up."
"All right," replied Keith, and turned to go, followed by Ezra, who nodded to Rolleston.
"Good-night," cried that gentleman, making a cannon61. "Good luck be with you."
"Amen," responded Keith laughing, and disappeared with Ezra.
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1
quorum
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| n.法定人数 | |
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premises
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| n.建筑物，房屋 | |
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cynical
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| adj.(对人性或动机)怀疑的，不信世道向善的 | |
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vegetating
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| v.过单调呆板的生活( vegetate的现在分词 )；植物似地生长；（瘤、疣等）长大 | |
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decency
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| n.体面，得体，合宜，正派，庄重 | |
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albeit
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| conj.即使；纵使；虽然 | |
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malicious
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| adj.有恶意的，心怀恶意的 | |
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8
systematically
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| adv.有系统地 | |
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9
delectable
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| adj.使人愉快的；美味的 | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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surmises
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| v.臆测，推断( surmise的第三人称单数 )；揣测；猜想 | |
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engrossed
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| adj.全神贯注的 | |
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carnival
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| n.嘉年华会，狂欢，狂欢节，巡回表演 | |
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14
withdrawn
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| vt.收回；使退出；vi.撤退，退出 | |
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15
pending
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| prep.直到，等待…期间；adj.待定的；迫近的 | |
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burlesque
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| v.嘲弄，戏仿；n.嘲弄，取笑，滑稽模仿 | |
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17
secondly
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| adv.第二，其次 | |
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ignominiously
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| adv.耻辱地，屈辱地，丢脸地 | |
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19
virtue
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| n.德行，美德；贞操；优点；功效，效力 | |
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scribbling
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| n.乱涂[写]胡[乱]写的文章[作品]v.潦草的书写( scribble的现在分词 )；乱画；草草地写；匆匆记下 | |
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21
luxurious
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| adj.精美而昂贵的；豪华的 | |
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crimson
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| n./adj.深(绯)红色(的)；vi.脸变绯红色 | |
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23
beverages
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| n.饮料( beverage的名词复数 ) | |
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24
actively
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| adv.积极地，勤奋地 | |
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jingle
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| n.叮当声，韵律简单的诗句；v.使叮当作响，叮当响，押韵 | |
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26
theatrical
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| adj.剧场的，演戏的；做戏似的，做作的 | |
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shrugged
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| vt.耸肩（shrug的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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lighting
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| n.照明，光线的明暗，舞台灯光 | |
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smoothly
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| adv.平滑地，顺利地，流利地，流畅地 | |
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affixes
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| v.附加( affix的第三人称单数 )；粘贴；加以；盖（印章） | |
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candid
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| adj.公正的，正直的；坦率的 | |
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confession
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| n.自白，供认，承认 | |
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sneer
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| v.轻蔑；嘲笑；n.嘲笑，讥讽的言语 | |
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acting
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| n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的 | |
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coterie
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| n.(有共同兴趣的)小团体，小圈子 | |
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gaily
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| adv.欢乐地，高兴地 | |
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quotation
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| n.引文，引语，语录；报价，牌价，行情 | |
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complacently
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| adv. 满足地, 自满地, 沾沾自喜地 | |
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vacancy
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| n.（旅馆的）空位，空房，（职务的）空缺 | |
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40
squandering
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| v.（指钱，财产等）浪费，乱花( squander的现在分词 ) | |
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41
harassed
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| adj. 疲倦的，厌烦的 动词harass的过去式和过去分词 | |
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tonics
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| n.滋补品( tonic的名词复数 )；主音；奎宁水；浊音 | |
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43
champagne
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| n.香槟酒；微黄色 | |
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44
assenting
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| 同意，赞成( assent的现在分词 ) | |
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hospitable
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| adj.好客的；宽容的；有利的，适宜的 | |
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astute
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| adj.机敏的，精明的 | |
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laconically
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| adv.简短地，简洁地 | |
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48
grunted
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| （猪等）作呼噜声( grunt的过去式和过去分词 )； （指人）发出类似的哼声； 咕哝着说 | |
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serenely
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| adv.安详地，宁静地，平静地 | |
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50
gad
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| n.闲逛；v.闲逛 | |
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51
fiery
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| adj.燃烧着的，火红的；暴躁的；激烈的 | |
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52
billiards
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| n.台球 | |
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53
assented
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| 同意，赞成( assent的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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54
leisurely
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| adj.悠闲的；从容的，慢慢的 | |
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penchant
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| n.爱好，嗜好；（强烈的）倾向 | |
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56
saturninely
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| adj.性格阴沉的，表情忧郁的，讥讽的 | |
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57
witty
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| adj.机智的，风趣的 | |
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58
adept
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| adj.老练的，精通的 | |
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pettishly
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conceited
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| adj.自负的，骄傲自满的 | |
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cannon
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| n.大炮，火炮；飞机上的机关炮 | |
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