His companions, Max Graub and Axel Regor, were separated from
him, and from each other, at different sides of the table, and Paul
Zouche the poet, was almost immediately opposite to him. He was glad to
see that he was next but one to Lotys--the man between them being a
desperado-looking fellow with a fierce moustache, and exceedingly
gentle eyes,--who, as he afterwards discovered, was one of the greatest
violinists in the world,--the favourite of kings and Courts,--and yet
for all that, a prominent member of the Revolutionary Committee. The
supper, which was of a simple, almost frugal character, was soon
served, and the landlord, in setting the first plate before Lotys, laid
beside it a knot of deep crimson roses, as an offering of homage and
obedience from himself. She thanked him with a smile and glance, and
taking up the flowers, fastened them at her breast. Conversation now
became animated and general; and one of the men present, a delicate-
looking young fellow, with a head resembling somewhat that of Keats,
started a discussion by saying suddenly--
"Jost has sold out all his shares in that new mine that was started the
other day. It looks as if he did not think, after all his newspaper
puffs, that the thing was going to work."
"If Jost has sold, Perousse will," said his neighbour; "The two are
concerned together in the floating of the whole business.
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