If there had been only women or only men involved, it perhaps would not have been so bad.

But there were both.

Constance saw that men were wanted, men who could afford to lose not hundreds, but thousands, men who are always the heaviest players.

And so Mrs.Noble and other unfortunate women no doubt were sent out on Broadway to the cafes and restaurants, sent out even among those of their own social circle, always to lure men on, to involve themselves more and more in the web into which they had flown.

Bella had hoped even to use Constance! Mrs.Noble had paused again.