"Pray excuse me, sir," the stranger said, with a slight bow; "the fault is entirely involuntary: besides, as I have not the advantage of knowing you—?
"Are you quite sure of that, sir?" the adventurer interrupted, ironically.
"At least, I think so; hence, having nothing to say to you, I suppose that it would be useless to begin a conversation which would have no object."
"Who knows, sir?" the filibuster remarked, jeeringly; "Conversations the most frivolous at the outset, frequently become very interesting at the expiration of a few minutes."
"I doubt whether that would be the case with ours, sir. Permit me, therefore, to break it off at once. Besides, I have finished my meal," the stranger said, rising; "and some serious business claims my attention. Pray forgive me, therefore, for parting company so hurriedly, and believe in the sincerity of my regret."
The adventurer did not leave his seat, but throwing himself back in it with a graceful nonchalance, while playing with the knife he held in his hand, he said in his gentle insinuating voice—
"Pardon me, my dear sir; only one word, pray."
"In that case make haste, sir," the stranger replied, as he stopped, "for I am greatly pressed for time, I assure you."
"Oh! You will certainly grant me a few minutes," the adventurer remarked, with the old sarcasm.
"As you desire it so eagerly, I will not refuse it you, sir. But I really am in a hurry."