He contemplated his own image with a melancholy and inquisitive gaze, then by sudden inspiration raised the collar of his jacket.

This arrangement appeared to him commendable, and he completed it by giving an upward twist to the ends of his black moustache.

He was satisfied by the subtle modification of his personal aspect caused by these small changes.

"That'll do very well," he thought.

"I'll get a little wet, a little splashed--" He became aware of the waiter at his elbow and of a small pile of silver coins on the edge of the table before him.