Hugo: A Fantasia on Modern Themes

ited America and Paris, and amongst other establishments inspected Wanamaker's, the Bon Marché, and the Magasins du Louvre. The result disappointed him. He had expected to pick up id

away in order that it may return tenfold was yet quite

estically rising in the midst of a park. The beautiful building did not appeal to him in vain. At the gat

e,' Hugo comment

so,' was

who is the archit

g of you not to make any remark on my

n designing the varnished interiors of public-houses, had suddenly come out first i

op putting u

showed n

shop,' Hugo pursue

ated the youth, faintly stirr

ghty thousand superficial feet. Cost a quarte

started to

ing at Hugo. 'But I believe you really

Hugo concurred.

ave it!' sai

h not for anything lik

frontage to Sloane Street alone was five hundred feet. It was this glori

ty feet at least,' he said; and added

o you know how much this la

. 'All I say is, what's the use of putting up

ara marble; it included ceilings painted by artists who ought to have been R.A.'s, but were not; and it included a central court of vast dimensions and many fountains, whose sole purpose was to charm the eye and lure the feet of customers who wanted a rest from spending money.

and the machine in full working order, Hugo be

onnoisseurs could appreciate that. What amazed London was the fabulous richness, the

le, sojourn by the way in the concert-hall, the reading-room, or the picture-gallery, smoke a cigarette in the court of fountains, write a letter in the lounge, and finally ask to be directed to the stationery

nd that all the cashiers had the air of being overworked. Once the entire army of cashiers, driven to defensive action, had combined in order to demand from Hug

address of the establishm

s, neckties, and trouser-stretchers. He shaved you, and kept the latest in scents and kit-bags. He was unsurpassed for fishing-rods, motor-cars, Swinburne's poems, button-holes, elaborate bouquets, fans, and photographs. His restaurant was full of discreet corners with tables for two under rose-shaded lights. He booked seats for theatres, trains, steamers, grand-stands, and the Empire. He dealt in all stocks and shares. He was a banker. He acted as agent for all insurance companies. He would insert advertisements in the agony column, or any other column, of any newspaper. If you wanted a flat, a house, a shooting-box, a castle, a yacht, or a sa

ey were never tenantless. One man paid two thousand a year for a furnished suite. But what a furnished suite! The flats had a separate and spectacular entrance on the eastern fa?ade of the building, with a foyer that was always brilliantly lighted, and elevators that rose and sank without intermission day or night. And on the ninth floor was a special restaurant, with prices to match the rents, and a roof garden, where one of Hugo's orchestras played every fine summer evening, e

ge and unaccustomed languor in a drowsy atmosphere which no system of ventilation could keep below 75° Fahrenheit. None but the chiefs of departments had the right to address him as he passed; such was the rule. He deviated into the counting-house, where two hundred typewriters made their music, and into the annexe containing the stables and

See him, in

That

remark at lunch: 'I saw Hug

a sudden that his legs carried him thither. He stopped, at a loss what to do, and then, by the direct interposition of kindly Fate, a manager spoke to him.... He gazed out of the corner of his eye. Yes, she was there. He could see her through a h

wondered if he could trust the manager with instructions to alleviate her lot.... The next instant she sprang up, giving the indispensable smile of welcome to some customer who had evidently entered the trying-on room fro

to his central office. He had no confidence in his self-command.... Could

d and desiccated widower, doin

definite plan, and begin b