"You go with Gromof?" asked he.
"Yes. He is an old friend. I do not know that he will accompany me all the way. That depends. There is nothing certain. I will remind you that you can be very useful to me. May that be a reason for our meeting again."
"But how can I be useful to you?"
"Do not ask me now, I pray you. That is my business. Au revoir! Addio! Addio!"
When they came down the steps which led to the narrow place that separated the two hotels, they almost ran against the Tsigane who stood gaping in the air, smoking his cigar, and gravely watching the asses transporting their enormous loads to the wharf.
"Where are you two bound?" asked he.
"We leave to-day, on foot."
"On foot?"
"Yes."
"How ridiculous, when you can travel so much more comfortably! It is good, however, to have whims. As for me I am no longer capable of them. Still, if I could have for a companion the charming Italian I might decide to go on foot with her. The Russian monopolizes her."