The floor was
paved with Magnums and Maximums of the best Heidanseekerer champagne, most
of them as empty as the foolish head of the Duchess of AVADRYNKE, which was
at that moment reposing upon the brawny chest of Lord PODOPHLIN, the
celebrated No. 5 of the Oxbridge Crew. On a raised dais at the end of the
room the ladies of the Tarara _corps de ballet_ were performing the final
steps of the Sinuous Shadow-dance, specially dedicated to the Oxbridge Crew
by the _chef d'orchestre_ of Tarara's Halls.
"May I be jiggered," observed the Oxbridge President, Sir WELFORARD
LONGSTROKE, as he selected his fourth regalia from the Duke's pearl-
encrusted box, and lit it with all the _abandon_ of a Society darling, "may
I be jiggered if this is not ripping! What say you?" he continued,
addressing young PULYER WRIGHT, the Coxswain, and tossing him playfully
four times to the raftered ceiling--"shall we not beat the dastard foe from
Camford to-morrow?" A roar of applause sprang from the smoking mouths of
his seven companions.
But at this moment the Duchess of AVADRYNKE and Lord PODOPHLIN rose
unobserved and quitted the room. In another minute the sound of hurrying
wheels, gradually growing fainter in the distance, was heard by no one in
the avenue.
Pages:
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41