"It is very dark and close inside the tent.

I was lured in there for my sins, and was in a mighty hurry to come out again." "Then it must be my sins that are helping to lure me too at the present moment," said Marguerite lightly.

"I pray you all to let me go in there.
I want to hear the good-looking woman sing, even if I do not see the hideous toy on the move." "May I escort you then, Lady Blakeney ?" said Lord Tony.
"Nay! I would rather go in alone," she replied a trifle impatiently.

"I beg of you not to heed my whim, and to await my return, there, where the music is at its merriest." It had been bad manners to insist.

Marguerite, with a little comprehensive nod to all her friends, left the young cavaliers still protesting and quickly passed beneath the roughly constructed doorway that gave access into the booth.
A man, dressed in theatrical rags and wearing the characteristic scarlet cap, stood immediately within the entrance, and ostentatiously rattled a money box at regular intervals.
"For the starving poor of Paris," he drawled out in nasal monotonous tones the moment he caught sight of Marguerite and of her rich gown.