He was the picture of fastidious comfort.
To one not inclined to drink, and gifted with a more serious turn of mind, such a bubbling, chattering, glittering chamber must ever seem an anomaly, a strange commentary on nature and life.

Here come the moths, in endless procession, to bask in the light of the flame.

Such conversation as one may hear would not warrant a commendation of the scene upon intellectual grounds.

It seems plain that schemers would choose more sequestered quarters to arrange their plans, that politicians would not gather here in company to discuss anything save formalities, where the sharp-eared may hear, and it would scarcely be justified on the score of thirst, for the majority of those who frequent these more gorgeous places have no craving for liquor.

Nevertheless, the fact that here men gather, here chatter, here love to pass and rub elbows, must be explained upon some grounds.