"Here it is, and a present for the waiter, besides."
"You are very honest, monsieur. I hope to be honoured with your patronage again."
"You certainly will be. But tell me, I thought I heard post-horses just now. Has there been another arrival?"
"Yes, monsieur, another gentleman just came. I put him in the blue room overlooking the garden."
"He is one of your old patrons, probably, as a person who has been here once is sure to come back."
"Monsieur is very kind, I am sure, but it is the first time this traveller has ever stopped here."
"Is he travelling in style with a retinue of servants and all that, and is he going to remain long?"
"No, monsieur, only long enough to take a slight lunch. This is no rich nobleman. He is travelling alone, and looks and acts like a well-to-do tradesman. He hums tunes and drums upon the window-panes, and seems as gay as a peacock. He must be a very pleasant man."
"You seem to be a great physiognomist, mine host," responded the Englishman, with a sarcastic smile.
Then making a sign to his companion, he rose, remarking to the innkeeper as he did so: