"Come," thought I, "if China sends her hair to England, America sends her teeth: that is a capital exchange, and everything is for the best." We had been at the table for a quarter of an hour, and nothing had happened.

The traveler with the smooth complexion and his blonde companion seemed to listen to us when we spoke in French.

It evidently pleased them, and they were already showing an inclination to join in our talk.

I was not mistaken, then; they are compatriots, but of what class?
At this moment the _Astara_ gave a lurch.

The plates rattled on the table; the covers slipped; the glasses upset some of their contents; the hanging lamps swung out of the vertical--or rather our seats and the table moved in accordance with the roll of the ship.