The thought of the railroad was in itself thrilling.

To be so near that wonderful highway to the land of the evil-doers and to a land, alas! of so many strange delights.

She shuddered at her own wickedness, but fell again and again, and was held in bondage by the allurements about her.

So thrilled to her soul's center was she that the pleasure of it hurt her, and the tears would come to her eyes until she felt she must be alone to cry for the awful joy of it.
The evening brought still more to endure, for they went to the play.

It was a play that took her out of herself, so that the crowd was lost to her from the moment the curtain went up in obedience to a little bell that tinkled mysteriously,--either back on the stage or in her own heart, she was not sure which.
It was a love story; again that strangely moving love of one man for one woman, that seemed as sweet as it was novel to her.