quarter of the city, which is, after all, Yama, and 
equally handy for the consul, the chaplain, and 
the doctor, readers of Rossetti will expect no ex-
cuse ; for their sakes I may frankly admit that I was 
actuated by other motives than interest and 
solicitude for my companion, a youth still blindly 
groping for Romance, beneath the skirts of tawdry 
and painted Vice.  Perhaps I may have hoped to 
save him from what men call the graver and 
angels the lesser consequences of his folly.  This 
for the others. 
As to the character of the mansion at which we 
arrived, after a journey no less dubious than 
winding, I will say that, despite its outward seem-
ing, it was, in reality, a most respectable place ; 
the main occupation of its inhabitants seemed to 
be the sale of as much “ champagne ” as possible ; 
in which inspiring preface my friend was soon 
deeply immersed.  .  .  . 
Golden-haired, a profound linguist, swearing in 
five Western and three Oriental languages, and 
comparable rather to the accomplished courtesans 
 
ii