"The first time. I have never beheld one of them before this
morning. If you will allow me?" He indicated a package. "I think I
shall take one of these."

The clerk took up the package, opened the end, and shook out a
single cigarette. The man lit it and, as the smoke poured out of
his mouth, held the cigarette tentatively in his fingers.

"Like it?" It was the clerk who asked.

The other did not answer, his whole face was the expression of
having just discovered one of the senses. He was a splendid man
and, if the word may be employed of the sterner sex, one of
beauty. His features were even; that is to be noted, his nose
chiselled straight and to perfection, the eyes of a peculiar
sombreness and lustre almost burning, of a black of such intensity
as to verge into red and to be devoid of pupils, and yet, for all
of that, of a glow and softness. After a moment he turned to the
clerk.

"You are young, my lad."

"Twenty-one, sir."

"You are fortunate. You live in a wonderful age. It is as
wonderful as your tobacco. And you still have many great things
before you."

"Yes, sir."