But the joys of Paris are absurd to a man of thirty-two who has
seen the world and tasted it and judged it. Still I found some
amusement; Janvour had a pretty wife and a daughter eight years
old, daintily beautiful, and I allowed myself to become soaked in
domestic sentiment.

I really found myself on the point of envying him; Mme. Janvour
was a most excellent housekeeper and manager. Little Eugenie and
I would often walk together in the public gardens, and now and
then her mother would join us; and, as I say, I found myself on
the point of envying my friend Janvour.

This diversion would have ended soon in any event; but it was
brought to an abrupt termination by a cablegram from my New York
lawyers, asking me to return to America at once. Some rascality
it was, on the part of the agent of my estate, which had alarmed
them; the cablegram was bare of detail. At any rate, I could not
afford to disregard it, and arranged passage on a liner sailing
from Cherbourg the following day.

My hostess gave me a farewell dinner, which heightened my regret
at being forced to leave, and little Eugenie seemed really
grieved at my departure. It is pleasant to leave a welcome behind
you; that is really the only necessary axiom of the traveler.

Janvour took me to the railroad station, and even offered to
accompany me to Cherbourg; but I refused to tear him away from
his little paradise.

We stood on the platform arguing the matter, when I suddenly