The natives and the mestizos had to be content, learning thus not to waste time over such fatuity.

[36] Quiroga, with his smooth tongue and humble smile, was lavishly and flatteringly attentive to Simoun.

His voice was caressing and his bows numerous, but the jeweler cut his blandishments short by asking brusquely: "Did the bracelets suit her ?" At this question all Quiroga's liveliness vanished like a dream.

His caressing voice became plaintive; he bowed lower, gave the Chinese salutation of raising his clasped hands to the height of his face, and groaned: "Ah, Senor Simoun! I'm lost, I'm ruined!" [37] "How, Quiroga, lost and ruined when you have so many bottles of champagne and so many guests ?" Quiroga closed his eyes and made a grimace.

Yes, the affair of that afternoon, that affair of the bracelets, had ruined him.