I'll watch him.

I've stumbled upon a pretty romance of some sort, but I fear that it is one-sided." He wrinkled his forehead, but that part of his recollection he aimed to stir remained fallow, in darkness.
The press in the room was thinning.

There were vacant chairs here and there now.

A carter sauntered past and sat down unconcernedly at the table occupied by the old man whose face Carmichael had not yet seen.
The two exchanged not even so much as a casual nod.

A little later a butcher approached the same table and seated himself after the manner of the carter.