"There are very many who admire her.

But after all, what is the use?
One has little pleasure of the things which one may not touch." We were silent for several minutes.

Suddenly my fingers gripped Louis' arm.

Had I been blind all this time that they had escaped my notice?
Then I saw that they were sitting at an extra table which had been hastily arranged, and I knew that they could have only just arrived.
"Tell me, Louis," I demanded eagerly, "who are those two at the small round table on the left,--the two who seem to have just come in,--a man and a girl ?" Louis turned his head, and I saw his lips come together--saw the quick change in his face from indifference to seriousness.

For some reason or other my interest in these two seemed to be a matter of some import to him.
"Why does monsieur ask ?" he said.
"The idlest curiosity," I assured him.