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The Vanished Messenger
The Vanished Messenger

Chapter VII

Cover illustration for The Vanished Messenger
Context Illustration Reading 1/38 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
The two men who were supping together in the grillroom at the Cafe Milan were talking with a seriousness which seemed a little out of keeping with the rose-shaded lamps and the swaying music of the band from the distant restaurant.
Their conversation had started some hours before in the club smoking-room and had continued intermittently throughout the evening.
It had received a further stimulus when Richard Hamel, who had bought an Evening Standard on their way from the theatre a few minutes ago, came across a certain paragraph in it which he read aloud.
“Hanged if I understand things over here, nowadays, Reggie!” he declared, laying the paper down.
“Here’s another Englishman imprisoned in Germany--this time at a place no one ever heard of before.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Vanished Messenger

Chapter VII

Reading 1/38 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
The two men who were supping together in the grillroom at the Cafe Milan were talking with a seriousness which seemed a little out of keeping with the rose-shaded lamps and the swaying music of the band from the distant restaurant.
Line 2
Their conversation had started some hours before in the club smoking-room and had continued intermittently throughout the evening.
Line 3
It had received a further stimulus when Richard Hamel, who had bought an Evening Standard on their way from the theatre a few minutes ago, came across a certain paragraph in it which he read aloud.
Line 4
“Hanged if I understand things over here, nowadays, Reggie!” he declared, laying the paper down.
Line 5
“Here’s another Englishman imprisoned in Germany--this time at a place no one ever heard of before.

Learner Dictionary

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.

Across preposition US /əˈkrɔːs/

from one side of something to the other

From this reading “It had received a further stimulus when Richard Hamel, who had bought an Evening Standard on their way from the theatre a few minutes ago, came across a certain paragraph in it which he read aloud.”

Another noun US /ˈanother/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading ““Here’s another Englishman imprisoned in Germany--this time at a place no one ever heard of before.”

Before preposition US /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading “Their conversation had started some hours before in the club smoking-room and had continued intermittently throughout the evening.”

Continued noun US /ˈcontinued/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “Their conversation had started some hours before in the club smoking-room and had continued intermittently throughout the evening.”

Distant adjective US /ˈdɪstənt/

not friendly or close

From this reading “The two men who were supping together in the grillroom at the Cafe Milan were talking with a seriousness which seemed a little out of keeping with the rose-shaded lamps and the swaying music of the band from the distant restaurant.”

Ever noun US /ever/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““Here’s another Englishman imprisoned in Germany--this time at a place no one ever heard of before.”

Here noun US /here/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““Hanged if I understand things over here, nowadays, Reggie!” he declared, laying the paper down.”

Little noun US /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The two men who were supping together in the grillroom at the Cafe Milan were talking with a seriousness which seemed a little out of keeping with the rose-shaded lamps and the swaying music of the band from the distant restaurant.”

One pronoun US /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading ““Here’s another Englishman imprisoned in Germany--this time at a place no one ever heard of before.”

Over preposition US /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading ““Hanged if I understand things over here, nowadays, Reggie!” he declared, laying the paper down.”

Seemed noun US /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The two men who were supping together in the grillroom at the Cafe Milan were talking with a seriousness which seemed a little out of keeping with the rose-shaded lamps and the swaying music of the band from the distant restaurant.”

Throughout preposition US /θruːˈaʊt/

in every part of a place, or for the whole of a period

From this reading “Their conversation had started some hours before in the club smoking-room and had continued intermittently throughout the evening.”

Time noun US /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““Here’s another Englishman imprisoned in Germany--this time at a place no one ever heard of before.”

Understand noun US /understand/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading ““Hanged if I understand things over here, nowadays, Reggie!” he declared, laying the paper down.”

All words in this reading · 92

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

adeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading The two men who were supping together in the grillroom at the Cafe Milan were talking with a seriousness which seemed a little out of keeping with the rose-shaded lamps and the swaying music of the band from the distant restaurant.

acrossprepositionUS /əˈkrɔːs/

from one side of something to the other

From this reading It had received a further stimulus when Richard Hamel, who had bought an Evening Standard on their way from the theatre a few minutes ago, came across a certain paragraph in it which he read aloud.

ago

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It had received a further stimulus when Richard Hamel, who had bought an Evening Standard on their way from the theatre a few minutes ago, came across a certain paragraph in it which he read aloud.

aloud

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It had received a further stimulus when Richard Hamel, who had bought an Evening Standard on their way from the theatre a few minutes ago, came across a certain paragraph in it which he read aloud.

andeterminerUS /æn/

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading It had received a further stimulus when Richard Hamel, who had bought an Evening Standard on their way from the theatre a few minutes ago, came across a certain paragraph in it which he read aloud.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading The two men who were supping together in the grillroom at the Cafe Milan were talking with a seriousness which seemed a little out of keeping with the rose-shaded lamps and the swaying music of the band from the distant restaurant.

anothernounUS /ˈanother/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “Here’s another Englishman imprisoned in Germany--this time at a place no one ever heard of before.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading The two men who were supping together in the grillroom at the Cafe Milan were talking with a seriousness which seemed a little out of keeping with the rose-shaded lamps and the swaying music of the band from the distant restaurant.

band

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The two men who were supping together in the grillroom at the Cafe Milan were talking with a seriousness which seemed a little out of keeping with the rose-shaded lamps and the swaying music of the band from the distant restaurant.

beforeprepositionUS /bɪˈfɔːr/

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Their conversation had started some hours before in the club smoking-room and had continued intermittently throughout the evening.

bought

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It had received a further stimulus when Richard Hamel, who had bought an Evening Standard on their way from the theatre a few minutes ago, came across a certain paragraph in it which he read aloud.

Cafe

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The two men who were supping together in the grillroom at the Cafe Milan were talking with a seriousness which seemed a little out of keeping with the rose-shaded lamps and the swaying music of the band from the distant restaurant.

came

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It had received a further stimulus when Richard Hamel, who had bought an Evening Standard on their way from the theatre a few minutes ago, came across a certain paragraph in it which he read aloud.

certain

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It had received a further stimulus when Richard Hamel, who had bought an Evening Standard on their way from the theatre a few minutes ago, came across a certain paragraph in it which he read aloud.

club

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Their conversation had started some hours before in the club smoking-room and had continued intermittently throughout the evening.

continuednounUS /ˈcontinued/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading Their conversation had started some hours before in the club smoking-room and had continued intermittently throughout the evening.

conversation

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Their conversation had started some hours before in the club smoking-room and had continued intermittently throughout the evening.

declared

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “Hanged if I understand things over here, nowadays, Reggie!” he declared, laying the paper down.

distantadjectiveUS /ˈdɪstənt/

not friendly or close

From this reading The two men who were supping together in the grillroom at the Cafe Milan were talking with a seriousness which seemed a little out of keeping with the rose-shaded lamps and the swaying music of the band from the distant restaurant.

down

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “Hanged if I understand things over here, nowadays, Reggie!” he declared, laying the paper down.

Englishman

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “Here’s another Englishman imprisoned in Germany--this time at a place no one ever heard of before.

evening

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Their conversation had started some hours before in the club smoking-room and had continued intermittently throughout the evening.

evernounUS /ever/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Here’s another Englishman imprisoned in Germany--this time at a place no one ever heard of before.

few

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It had received a further stimulus when Richard Hamel, who had bought an Evening Standard on their way from the theatre a few minutes ago, came across a certain paragraph in it which he read aloud.

fromprepositionUS /frʌm/

showing where something starts, or who sent it

From this reading The two men who were supping together in the grillroom at the Cafe Milan were talking with a seriousness which seemed a little out of keeping with the rose-shaded lamps and the swaying music of the band from the distant restaurant.

further

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It had received a further stimulus when Richard Hamel, who had bought an Evening Standard on their way from the theatre a few minutes ago, came across a certain paragraph in it which he read aloud.

Germany

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “Here’s another Englishman imprisoned in Germany--this time at a place no one ever heard of before.

grillroom

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The two men who were supping together in the grillroom at the Cafe Milan were talking with a seriousness which seemed a little out of keeping with the rose-shaded lamps and the swaying music of the band from the distant restaurant.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading Their conversation had started some hours before in the club smoking-room and had continued intermittently throughout the evening.

Hamel

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It had received a further stimulus when Richard Hamel, who had bought an Evening Standard on their way from the theatre a few minutes ago, came across a certain paragraph in it which he read aloud.

Hanged

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “Hanged if I understand things over here, nowadays, Reggie!” he declared, laying the paper down.

hepronounUS /hiː/

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading It had received a further stimulus when Richard Hamel, who had bought an Evening Standard on their way from the theatre a few minutes ago, came across a certain paragraph in it which he read aloud.

heard

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “Here’s another Englishman imprisoned in Germany--this time at a place no one ever heard of before.

herenounUS /here/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Hanged if I understand things over here, nowadays, Reggie!” he declared, laying the paper down.

Here's

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “Here’s another Englishman imprisoned in Germany--this time at a place no one ever heard of before.

hours

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Their conversation had started some hours before in the club smoking-room and had continued intermittently throughout the evening.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading “Hanged if I understand things over here, nowadays, Reggie!” he declared, laying the paper down.

ifconjunctionUS /ɪf/

on condition that; in the event that

From this reading “Hanged if I understand things over here, nowadays, Reggie!” he declared, laying the paper down.

imprisoned

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “Here’s another Englishman imprisoned in Germany--this time at a place no one ever heard of before.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading The two men who were supping together in the grillroom at the Cafe Milan were talking with a seriousness which seemed a little out of keeping with the rose-shaded lamps and the swaying music of the band from the distant restaurant.

intermittently

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Their conversation had started some hours before in the club smoking-room and had continued intermittently throughout the evening.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It had received a further stimulus when Richard Hamel, who had bought an Evening Standard on their way from the theatre a few minutes ago, came across a certain paragraph in it which he read aloud.

keeping

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The two men who were supping together in the grillroom at the Cafe Milan were talking with a seriousness which seemed a little out of keeping with the rose-shaded lamps and the swaying music of the band from the distant restaurant.

lamps

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The two men who were supping together in the grillroom at the Cafe Milan were talking with a seriousness which seemed a little out of keeping with the rose-shaded lamps and the swaying music of the band from the distant restaurant.

laying

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “Hanged if I understand things over here, nowadays, Reggie!” he declared, laying the paper down.

littlenounUS /little/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The two men who were supping together in the grillroom at the Cafe Milan were talking with a seriousness which seemed a little out of keeping with the rose-shaded lamps and the swaying music of the band from the distant restaurant.

men

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The two men who were supping together in the grillroom at the Cafe Milan were talking with a seriousness which seemed a little out of keeping with the rose-shaded lamps and the swaying music of the band from the distant restaurant.

Milan

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The two men who were supping together in the grillroom at the Cafe Milan were talking with a seriousness which seemed a little out of keeping with the rose-shaded lamps and the swaying music of the band from the distant restaurant.

minutes

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It had received a further stimulus when Richard Hamel, who had bought an Evening Standard on their way from the theatre a few minutes ago, came across a certain paragraph in it which he read aloud.

music

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The two men who were supping together in the grillroom at the Cafe Milan were talking with a seriousness which seemed a little out of keeping with the rose-shaded lamps and the swaying music of the band from the distant restaurant.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading “Here’s another Englishman imprisoned in Germany--this time at a place no one ever heard of before.

nowadays

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “Hanged if I understand things over here, nowadays, Reggie!” he declared, laying the paper down.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading The two men who were supping together in the grillroom at the Cafe Milan were talking with a seriousness which seemed a little out of keeping with the rose-shaded lamps and the swaying music of the band from the distant restaurant.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading It had received a further stimulus when Richard Hamel, who had bought an Evening Standard on their way from the theatre a few minutes ago, came across a certain paragraph in it which he read aloud.

onepronounUS /wʌn/

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading “Here’s another Englishman imprisoned in Germany--this time at a place no one ever heard of before.

out

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The two men who were supping together in the grillroom at the Cafe Milan were talking with a seriousness which seemed a little out of keeping with the rose-shaded lamps and the swaying music of the band from the distant restaurant.

overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/

above and across; more than

From this reading “Hanged if I understand things over here, nowadays, Reggie!” he declared, laying the paper down.

paper

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “Hanged if I understand things over here, nowadays, Reggie!” he declared, laying the paper down.

paragraph

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It had received a further stimulus when Richard Hamel, who had bought an Evening Standard on their way from the theatre a few minutes ago, came across a certain paragraph in it which he read aloud.

place

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “Here’s another Englishman imprisoned in Germany--this time at a place no one ever heard of before.

read

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It had received a further stimulus when Richard Hamel, who had bought an Evening Standard on their way from the theatre a few minutes ago, came across a certain paragraph in it which he read aloud.

received

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It had received a further stimulus when Richard Hamel, who had bought an Evening Standard on their way from the theatre a few minutes ago, came across a certain paragraph in it which he read aloud.

Reggie

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “Hanged if I understand things over here, nowadays, Reggie!” he declared, laying the paper down.

restaurant

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The two men who were supping together in the grillroom at the Cafe Milan were talking with a seriousness which seemed a little out of keeping with the rose-shaded lamps and the swaying music of the band from the distant restaurant.

Richard

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It had received a further stimulus when Richard Hamel, who had bought an Evening Standard on their way from the theatre a few minutes ago, came across a certain paragraph in it which he read aloud.

rose-shaded

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The two men who were supping together in the grillroom at the Cafe Milan were talking with a seriousness which seemed a little out of keeping with the rose-shaded lamps and the swaying music of the band from the distant restaurant.

seemednounUS /seemed/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The two men who were supping together in the grillroom at the Cafe Milan were talking with a seriousness which seemed a little out of keeping with the rose-shaded lamps and the swaying music of the band from the distant restaurant.

seriousness

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The two men who were supping together in the grillroom at the Cafe Milan were talking with a seriousness which seemed a little out of keeping with the rose-shaded lamps and the swaying music of the band from the distant restaurant.

smoking-room

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Their conversation had started some hours before in the club smoking-room and had continued intermittently throughout the evening.

some

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Their conversation had started some hours before in the club smoking-room and had continued intermittently throughout the evening.

Standard

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It had received a further stimulus when Richard Hamel, who had bought an Evening Standard on their way from the theatre a few minutes ago, came across a certain paragraph in it which he read aloud.

started

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Their conversation had started some hours before in the club smoking-room and had continued intermittently throughout the evening.

stimulus

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It had received a further stimulus when Richard Hamel, who had bought an Evening Standard on their way from the theatre a few minutes ago, came across a certain paragraph in it which he read aloud.

supping

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The two men who were supping together in the grillroom at the Cafe Milan were talking with a seriousness which seemed a little out of keeping with the rose-shaded lamps and the swaying music of the band from the distant restaurant.

swaying

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The two men who were supping together in the grillroom at the Cafe Milan were talking with a seriousness which seemed a little out of keeping with the rose-shaded lamps and the swaying music of the band from the distant restaurant.

talking

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The two men who were supping together in the grillroom at the Cafe Milan were talking with a seriousness which seemed a little out of keeping with the rose-shaded lamps and the swaying music of the band from the distant restaurant.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading The two men who were supping together in the grillroom at the Cafe Milan were talking with a seriousness which seemed a little out of keeping with the rose-shaded lamps and the swaying music of the band from the distant restaurant.

theatre

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It had received a further stimulus when Richard Hamel, who had bought an Evening Standard on their way from the theatre a few minutes ago, came across a certain paragraph in it which he read aloud.

TheirdeterminerUS /ðer/

belonging to the people or things already mentioned

From this reading Their conversation had started some hours before in the club smoking-room and had continued intermittently throughout the evening.

things

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading “Hanged if I understand things over here, nowadays, Reggie!” he declared, laying the paper down.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading “Here’s another Englishman imprisoned in Germany--this time at a place no one ever heard of before.

throughoutprepositionUS /θruːˈaʊt/

in every part of a place, or for the whole of a period

From this reading Their conversation had started some hours before in the club smoking-room and had continued intermittently throughout the evening.

timenounUS /time/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Here’s another Englishman imprisoned in Germany--this time at a place no one ever heard of before.

together

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The two men who were supping together in the grillroom at the Cafe Milan were talking with a seriousness which seemed a little out of keeping with the rose-shaded lamps and the swaying music of the band from the distant restaurant.

two

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The two men who were supping together in the grillroom at the Cafe Milan were talking with a seriousness which seemed a little out of keeping with the rose-shaded lamps and the swaying music of the band from the distant restaurant.

understandnounUS /understand/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “Hanged if I understand things over here, nowadays, Reggie!” he declared, laying the paper down.

way

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It had received a further stimulus when Richard Hamel, who had bought an Evening Standard on their way from the theatre a few minutes ago, came across a certain paragraph in it which he read aloud.

wereauxiliary verbUS /wɜːr/

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading The two men who were supping together in the grillroom at the Cafe Milan were talking with a seriousness which seemed a little out of keeping with the rose-shaded lamps and the swaying music of the band from the distant restaurant.

whenconjunctionUS /wen/

at the time that

From this reading It had received a further stimulus when Richard Hamel, who had bought an Evening Standard on their way from the theatre a few minutes ago, came across a certain paragraph in it which he read aloud.

whichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading The two men who were supping together in the grillroom at the Cafe Milan were talking with a seriousness which seemed a little out of keeping with the rose-shaded lamps and the swaying music of the band from the distant restaurant.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading The two men who were supping together in the grillroom at the Cafe Milan were talking with a seriousness which seemed a little out of keeping with the rose-shaded lamps and the swaying music of the band from the distant restaurant.

withprepositionUS /wɪð/

in the company of; together with

From this reading The two men who were supping together in the grillroom at the Cafe Milan were talking with a seriousness which seemed a little out of keeping with the rose-shaded lamps and the swaying music of the band from the distant restaurant.