There were people still dining at the tables.
One party indeed sitting late over their coffee Ricardo recognised with a kind of shock.

They had taken their places, the very places in which they now sat, before he and Hanaud and Lemerre had left the restaurant upon their expedition of rescue.

Into that short interval of time so much that was eventful had been crowded.
Hanaud leaned across the table to Celia and said in a low voice: "Mademoiselle, if I may suggest it, it would be as well if you put on your gloves; otherwise they may notice your wrists." Celia followed his advice.

She ate some food and drank a glass of champagne.

A little colour returned to her cheeks.
"You are very kind to me, you and monsieur your friend," she said, with a smile towards Ricardo.