The place sparkled with gems, and the naked backs of the women gleamed in the electric light.

Course followed upon course; champagne flowed, a fine band played, everything was costly; everything was, in a sense, repellent.
"These are the wealthy citizens of a nation engaged in fighting for its life," remarked Oro to me, stroking his long beard.

"It is interesting, very interesting.

Let us go." We went out and on, passing a public-house crowded with women who had left their babies in charge of children in the icy street.

It was a day of Intercession for the success of England in the war.