The effort to conceal his new condition would be almost impossible, and yet to admit it to him would be, he felt, to shatter for ever the only friendship he really prized.

He racked his brain for expedients and excuses to avert the visit, but without avail.

If he pleaded illness Charlie would be the first to rush to his bedside; if he pleaded hard work Charlie would insist on sharing it, or improving its few intervals of rest; if he pleaded disinclination Charlie would devise a hundred other plans to please him.

In short, Charlie's visit was inevitable, and as he looked forward to it he writhed in misgiving and anxiety.
His visits to the music-hall were meanwhile continuing, and his circle of acquaintance at that evil haunt enlarging.

He was duly installed as one of the "fast set" at Saint Elizabeth's, and under its auspices had already made his _debut_ at other scenes and places than that of his first transgression.