But Argensola possessed the means of winning over this sullen personage.

It was only necessary for him to wink one eye with the expressive invitation, "Do we go ?" and the two would soon be settled on a bench in the kitchen of Desnoyers' studio, opposite a bottle which had come from the avenue Victor Hugo.

The costly wines of Don Marcelo made the Russian more communicative, although, in spite of this aid, the Spaniard learned little of his neighbor's real existence.

Sometimes he would mention Jaures and other socialistic orators.

His surest means of existence was the translation of periodicals or party papers.