I caught sight of her at the play and in answer to her call.I went over during the interval and sat down beside her.It was long since I had last seen her and,if someone had not mentioned her name,I hardly think I would have recognised her. She addressed me brightly.
" Well , it's many years since we first met. How time does fly ! We 're none of us getting any younger. Do you remember the first time I saw you? You asked me to Luncheon."
Did I remember ??
It was twenty years ago and I was living in Paris.I had a tiny apartment and I was earning barely enough money.She had read a book of mine and had written to me about it. I answered, thanking her,and presently, I received from her another letter saying she was passing through Paris and would like to have a chat with me. But her time was limited and the only free moment she had was on the following Thursday and would I give her a little Luncheon at Foyot's afterwards ? Foyot's is a restaurant and it was so far beyond my means that I had never even thought of going there. I had eighty francs ( gold francs ) to last me the rest of the month and a modest Luncheon should not cost more than fifteen.