Combeferre was doing what he could to meet all of Sybil’s friends present at the party, but mingling had a way of taking its toll. He enjoyed the company of others, but had never had a talent for idle conversation, and the new faces, as few as they were, had begun to swim before him.

Seeing the gentleman standing in the corner, he wondered if he was not the only one who found himself surrounded by unfamiliar faces. He made his way over and offered the man a polite smile. “Can I get you anything, M’sieur?"