Then they sauntered up to the Englishman, and both of them touched their hats to him.

The Englishman just acknowledged the compliment, and walked off with his companion, who was still whispering something into his ear.
"It is a gendarme who is with him, I think," said the Frenchman, "only the man does not walk erect." Who does not know the outside hall of the magnificent gambling-house at Monte Carlo, with all the golden splendor of its music-room within?
Who does not know the lofty roof and lounging seats, with its luxuries of liveried servants, its wealth of newspapers, and every appanage of costly comfort which can be added to it?
And its music within,--who does not know that there are to be heard sounds in a greater perfection of orchestral melody than are to be procured by money and trouble combined in the great capitals of Europe?
Think of the trouble endured by those unhappy fathers of families who indulge their wives and daughters at the Philharmonic and St.James's Hall! Think of the horrors of our theatres, with their hot gas, and narrow passages, and difficulties of entrance, and almost impossibility of escape! And for all this money has to be paid,--high prices,--and the day has to be fixed long beforehand, so that the tickets may be secured, and the daily feast,--papa's too often solitary enjoyment,--has to be turned into a painful early fast.

And when at last the thing has been done, and the torment endured, the sounds heard have not always been good of their kind, for the money has not sufficed to purchase the aid of a crowd of the best musicians.

But at Monte Carlo you walk in with your wife in her morning costume, and seating yourself luxuriously in one of those soft stalls which are there prepared for you, you give yourself up with perfect ease to absolute enjoyment.

For two hours the concert lasts, and all around is perfection and gilding.