The dignitary enjoyed thinking
of his son allied to the boundless plains and immense herds whose
description always affected him like a marvellous tale. He was a
widower, but he enjoyed giving at his home famous banquets and parties.
Every new celebrity immediately suggested to him the idea of giving a
dinner. No illustrious person passing through Paris, polar explorer
or famous singer, could escape being exhibited in the dining room
of Lacour. The son of Desnoyers--at whom he had scarcely glanced
before--now inspired him with sudden interest. The senator was a
thoroughly up-to-date man who did not classify glory nor distinguish
reputations. It was enough for him that a name should be on everybody's
lips for him to accept it with enthusiasm. When Julio responded to his
invitation, he presented him with pride to his friends, and came very
near to calling him "dear master." The tango was monopolizing all
conversation nowadays. Even in the Academy they were taking it up in
order to demonstrate that the youth of ancient Athens had diverted
itself in a somewhat similar way. . . . And Lacour had dreamed all his
life of an Athenian republic.
At these reunions, Desnoyers became acquainted with the Lauriers. He was
an engineer who owned a motor-factory for automobiles in the outskirts
of Paris--a man about thirty-five, tall, rather heavy and silent, with
a deliberate air as though he wished to see deeply into men and
things.
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