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whitened, but to Chandler each ten weeks brought a joy as keen, as
1
thrilling, as new as the first had been. To sit among bon vivants
under palms in the swirl of concealed music, to look upon the
2
habitues of such a paradise and to be looked upon by them — what
3
is a girl's first dance and short-sleeved tulle compared with this?
Up Broadway Chandler moved with the vespertine dress
parade. For this evening he was an exhibit as well as a gazer. For the
next sixty-nine evenings he would be dining in cheviot and worsted at
dubious table d'hotes, at whirlwind lunch counters, on sandwiches
and beer in his hall bedroom. He was willing to do that, for he was a
4
true son of the great city of razzle-dazzle and to him one evening in
the limelight made up for many dark ones.
Chandler protracted his walk until the Forties began to intersect
5
the great and glittering priMr.ose way , for the evening was yet
6
young, and when one is of the beau monde only one day in seventy,
one loves to protract the pleasure. Eyes bright, sinister, curious,
admiring, provocative, alluring were bent upon him, for his garb and
air proclaimed him a devotee to the hour of solace and pleasure.
At a certain corner he came to a standstill, proposing to himself
the question of turning back toward the showy and fashionable
restaurant in which he usually dined on the evenings of his special
luxury. Just then a girl scuttled lightly around the corner, slipped on a
patch of icy snow and fell plump upon the sidewalk.
Chandler assisted her to her feet with instant and solicitous
courtesy. The girl hobbled to the wall of the building, leaned against
it and thanked him demurely.
"I think my ankle is strained," she said. "It twisted when I fell.”
"Does it pain you much?" inquired Chandler.
"Only when I rest my weight upon it. I think I will be able to
walk in a minute or two."
"If I can be of any further service," suggested the young man, "I
will call a cab, or — "

1
bon vivants (Fr.): those fond of good living
2
habitues (Fr.): usual customers or visitors, frequenters
3
tulle: a tulle dress worn at parties
4
the city of razzle-dazzle (here): New York, full of excitement and bustle
5
the great and glittering primrose way (metaphore) (here): Broadway lit by
pale yellow lights
6
beau monde (Fr.): the best of society, the elite