What did it mean?
Willet's warning words came back to him.

The more he studied Boucher the less he liked him.

With his thin face, and great hooked nose, and long, bony fingers like talons, he reminded him of some great bird of prey.

He noticed also that while the others were drinking wine, although he himself did not, the chevalier was the only one within his view who also abstained.
The dinner was long.

One or two of the ladies sang to the music, another danced, and then de Galisonniere, in a full, round tenor voice, sang "The Bridge of Avignon." "Hier sur le pont d'Avignon J'ai oui chanter la belle Lon, la, J'ai oui chanter la belle, Elle chantait d'un ton si doux Comme une demoiselle Lon, la, Comme une demoiselle." It was singularly appealing, and for a moment tears came to the eyes of all those who were born in France.