I have seen him often at my restaurant, the guest or the host of many pleasant parties.

There is a change since those days, a change indeed.

I noticed it when I ventured to address monsieur on the steps of the Opera House." I remained gloomily silent.

It was one thing to avail myself of the society of a very popular little _maitre d'hotel_, holiday making in his own capital, and quite another to take him even a few steps into my confidence.

So I said nothing, but my eyes, which travelled around the room, were weary.
"After all," Louis continued, helping himself to a cigarette, "what is there in a place like this to amuse?
We are not Americans or tourists.