Well he knew that by to-morrow every one of his fellow-students would know of him as a frequenter of that wretched place.

Well he knew that, as far as they were concerned, the mask of shyness and reticence under which he had sheltered in their midst was for ever pulled away.

"One of us," indeed! So truly the very worst of them might now speak and think of him.

Oh, if he had but considered in time; if he had but stemmed this flood at its source! But it was too late now.
And he strode home reckless and hardened.
The next day, as he expected, every one seemed to know of his visits to the music-hall.

The two who had seen him accosted him with every show of friendship and intelligence.