Collected works > Edinburgh edition, 1894-98 - Works of Robert Louis Stevenson > Volume 7, 1895 - Tales and Fantasies, Volume II

PROLOGUE OF THE CIGAR DIVAN
In the city of encounters, the Bagdad of the West,
and, to be more precise, on the broad northern
pavement of Leicester Square, two young men of
five- or six-and-twenty met after years of separation.
The first, who was of a very smooth address, and
clothed in the best fashion, hesitated to recognise
the pinched and shabby air of his companion.
« What ! ' he cried, * Paul Somerset ! '
' 1 am indeed Paul Somerset,' returned the other,
'or what remains of him after a well-deserved ex-
perience of poverty and law. But in you, Challoner,
I can perceive no change; and time may be said,
without hyperbole, to write no wrinkle on your azure
brow.'
'All,' replied Challoner, ' is not gold that glitters.
But we are here in an ill posture for confidences, and
interrupt the movement of these ladies. Let us, if
you please, find a more private corner.'
'If you will allow me to guide you,' replied
Somerset, ' I will offer you the best cigar in London.'
And taking the arm of his companion, he led him
in silence and at a brisk pace to the door of a quiet
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