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Luigi's place, as all men know, is situated upon a small, crooked and

very dirty street, yet none the less, it is an abode of content When Helena and I entered the door I

felt as one again at home Here were the sanded floors, the old

water-bottles, the large chandelier with its cut glasses in the middle

of the room, the small tables with their coarse clean linen The same

old French waiters stood here and there about, each with impeccable

apron and very peccable shoes, as is the wont of all waiters But the

waiters at Luigi's are et a face Therefore, as always, I had no occasion for

surprise when Jean, i's, stepped

forward as though it had been but last week and not three years ago

when he had seen ain to his

city, and gently aided Helena with her wraps and gloves

"And M'sieu can not long remain away from us, forever?" said he

"It has been three years, Jean," said I, "more is the pity But now,

I can remain three hours--will that serve? At the end of that time we

must away"

Jean was human, yet discreet He knew that when last he sawabout, a question on

his tongue, s, Partial, at

his first sight of Helena At last he made excuse to step close behind