No! he would never be Crum's equal.

All the same it was a jolly good show, and Cynthia Dark simply ripping.

Between the acts Crum regaled him with particulars of Cynthia's private life, and the awful knowledge became Val's that, if he liked, Crum could go behind.

He simply longed to say: "I say, take me!" but dared not, because of his deficiencies; and this made the last act or two almost miserable.

On coming out Crum said: "It's half an hour before they close; let's go on to the Pandemonium." They took a hansom to travel the hundred yards, and seats costing seven-and-six apiece because they were going to stand, and walked into the Promenade.