He took my hand and before I knew what he was going to do with it he had touched it with his lips.
"My dear Professor!" I cried in dismay.
He put up a pudgy hand, and said with great dignity: "I cannot dine with you, Monsieur de Gex.

But I thank you from my heart for your generous kindness.

I shall never forget it to my dying day." "But----" He would listen to no protests.

"If you will do me the honour of coming at nine o'clock to the Cafe de Bordeaux, at the corner of the Place du Gouvernement, I shall be there.

_Auf wiedersehen_, Monsieur, and a thousand thanks.