"Have a cigar." There was the faint suggestion of a twinkle beneath the banker's heavy lids as Colville accepted this peace-offering.

It was barely twenty-four hours since he had himself launched in Colville's direction the rumour which had brought about this reconciliation.
"And I'm sure," continued the other, turning to cut the end of the cigar, "that no one would be better pleased to hear that better times are coming--eh?
What did you say ?" "Nothing.

Didn't speak," was the reply to this vague interrogation.
Then they talked of other things.

There was no lack of topics for conversation at this time in France; indeed, the whole country was in a buzz of talk.

But Turner was not, it seemed, in a talkative mood.