The _maitres d'hotel_ all came crowding up for a word of greeting.

A table in the best part of the room, which was marked _reserve_, was immediately made ready.
Champagne, already in its pail of ice, was by our side almost before we had taken our places.
I had been here a few nights before, alone, and had found the place uninspiring enough.

To-night, except that Louis told me the names of many of the people, and that the supper was the best meal which I had eaten in Paris, I was very little more amused.

The nigger, the Spanish dancing-girl with her rolling eyes, the English music-hall singer with her unmistakable Lancashire accent, went through the same performance.

The gowns of the women were wonderful,--more wonderful still their hats, their gold purses, the costly trifles which they carried.