It was in the narrow street; the heat sweltered between the old houses that leaned and lolled upon the huge black traversing beams like aged women on crutches; and Kate raved against Dick in language that was fearful to hear amid the stage carpenters, the chorus-girls, the idlers that a theatre collects standing with one foot in the gutter, where vegetable refuse of all kinds rotted. Her beautiful black hair was now hanging over her shoulders like a mane; someone had trodden on her dress and nearly torn it from her waist, and, in avid curiosity, women with dyed hair peeped out of a suspicious-looking tobacco shop. Over the way, stuck under an overhanging window, was an orange-stall; the proprietress stood watching, whilst a crowd of vermin-like children ran forward, delighted at the prospect of seeing a woman beaten. Close by, in shirt-sleeves, the pot-boy flung open the public-house door, partly for the purpose of attracting custom, half with the intention of letting a little air into the bar-room. 'Oh, Kate! I beg of you not to go in there,' said Dick; 'you've had enough; do come home!' 'Come home!' she shrieked, 'and with you, you beast! It was you who seduced me, who got me away from my husband.' This occasioned a good deal of amusement in the crowd, and several voices asked for information. 'And how did he manage to do that, marm?' said one. 'With a bottle of gin. What do you think?' cried another. There were moments when Dick longed for the earth to open; but he nevertheless continued to try to prevent Kate from entering the public-house. 'I will drink! I will drink! I will drink! And not because I like it, but to spite you, because I hate you.' When she came out she appeared to be a little quieted, and Dick tried very hard to persuade her to get into a cab and drive home. But the very sound of his voice, the very sight of him, seemed to excite her, and in a few moments she broke forth into the usual harangue. Several times the temptation to run away became almost irresistible, but with a noble effort of will he forced himself to remain with her. Hoping to avoid some part of the ridicule that was being so liberally showered upon him, he besought of her to keep up Drury Lane and not descend into the Strand. 'You don't want to be seen with me; I know, you'd prefer to walk there with Mrs. Forest. You think I shall disgrace you. Well, come along, then. '"Look at me here! look at me there! Criticize me everywhere! I am so sweet from head to feet, And most perfect and complete."' 'That's right, old woman, give us a song. She knows the game,' answered another.