Her voice, languid but elegant, had in it that hidden quality which makes it one of a woman's most attractive gifts.

By her side was a great black-moustached giant, a pale-faced man, with little puffs of flesh underneath his eyes, whose dress was a little too perfect and his jewelry a little too obvious.
"Tell me," I asked, "who is that man ?" Louis leaned towards me, and his voice sunk to the merest whisper.
"That, monsieur," said he, "is one of the most important persons in the room.

He is the man whom they call the uncrowned king.

He was a saddler once by profession.

Look at him now." "How has he made his money ?" I asked.
Louis smiled--a queer little contraction of his thin lips.
"It is not wise," he said, "to ask that question of any whom you meet here.