“It is I that am honored, sir,” said he, removing his cap, and bowing low. “There is nothing so distinctively well bred as the courtesy of a man in your condition to one in mine.”
“But you are no stranger to me.”
“Indeed! I remarked you called me by my name; but I'm not aware that you know more of me.”
“I can afford to rival your own candor, and confess I know a great deal about you.”
“Then you have read a very checkered page, sir. What an admirable cigar. You import these, I'd wager?”
“No, but it comes to the same. I buy them in bond, and pay the duty.”
“Yours is the only country to live in, sir. It has been the dream of my life to pass my last days in England.”
“Why not do so? I can't imagine that Aix will prefer any strong claims in preference.”
“No, I don't care for Aix, though it is pretty, and I have passed some days of happy tranquillity on that little Lac de Bourges; but to return: to what fortunate circumstance am I indebted for the knowledge you possess of my biography?”
“You have been a very interesting subject to me for some time back. First of all, I ought to say that I enjoy the pleasure of your son's acquaintance.”