Alice hurried after
her; and they had but just got into the room, the door of which was
close to the staircase which gave access to the platform, when a
coarse din of men's voices showed that a noisy party were ascending
the steps. Presently a man emerged reeling, and at once began to
execute a drunken dance, and to sing as well as his condition and
musical faculty allowed. Lydia stood near the window of the room and
watched in silence. Alice, following her example, recognized the
drunken dancer as Mellish. He was followed by three men gayly
attired and highly elated, but comparatively sober. After them came
Cashel Byron, showily dressed in a velveteen coat, and
tightly-fitting fawn-colored pantaloons that displayed the muscles
of his legs. He also seemed quite sober; but he was dishevelled, and
his left eye blinked frequently, the adjacent brow and cheek being
much yellower than his natural complexion, which appeared to
advantage on the right side of his face. Walking steadily to
Mellish, who was now asking each of the bystanders in turn to come
and drink at his expense, he seized him by the collar and sternly
bade him cease making a fool of himself. Mellish tried to embrace
him.
"My own boy," he exclaimed, affectionately.
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