After dinner, and wine, both of which, by their surprising and indeed
unique excellence, fostered the prestige of Stifford as an authority
upon hotels, Edwin was conscious of new strength and cheerfulness. He
left the crowded and rose-lit dining-room early, because he was not at
ease amid its ceremoniousness of attire and of service, and went into
the turkey-carpeted hall, whose porter suddenly sprang into propitiatory
life on seeing him. He produced a cigarette, and with passionate haste
the porter produced a match, and by his method of holding the flame to
the cigarette, deferential and yet firm, proved that his young existence
had not been wasted in idleness. When the cigarette was alight, the
porter surveyed his work with a pleased smile.
"Another rare storm blowing up, sir," said the porter.
"Yes," said Edwin. "It's been giving the window of my room a fine
shake."