I gave him the notes, and, taking Anastasius by the arm, led him to the door, where the waiter stood with our hats and coats.

Before we could reach it, however, the banker, who had risen from his seat, crossed the room and addressed me.
"Monsieur," said he, with an air of high-bred courtesy, "I infinitely regret this unpleasant affair and I thank you for your perfect magnanimity." I did not suggest that with equal magnanimity he might refund the forty-six pounds that had found its way from my pocket to his, but I bowed with stiff politeness, and made my exit with as much dignity as the attachment to my heels of the crestfallen Anastasius would permit.
Outside I constituted myself the guide, and took the first turning downhill, knowing that it would lead to the civilised centre of the town.

The dwarf's roundabout route was characteristic of his tortuous mind.

We walked along for some time without saying anything.

I could not find it in my heart to reproach the little man for the expensiveness (nearly a hundred pounds) of his perilous adventure, and he seemed too dazed with shame and humiliation to speak.